Penguin, pen′gwin,n.an aquatic bird in the southern hemisphere, unable to fly, but very expert in diving—alsoPin′guin.—n.Pen′guinery, a breeding-place of penguins. [Ety. dub.; a corr. ofpen-wing, or from W.pen, head,gwen, white.]
Pen-gun, pen′-gun,n.a pop-gun.
Penicil, pen′i-sil,n.a brush of hairs: a pledget for wounds, &c.—adjs.Pen′icillate,Penicil′liform.—n.Penicil′lium, one of the blue-moulds.
Peninsula, pē-nin′sū-la,n.land so surrounded by water as to be almost an island.—adj.Penin′sular, pertaining to a peninsula: in the form of a peninsula: inhabiting a peninsula.—n.Peninsular′ity, state of being, or of inhabiting, a peninsula: narrow provincialism.—v.t.Penin′sulate, to form into a peninsula: to surround almost entirely with water.—Peninsular war, the war in Spain and Portugal, carried on by Great Britain against Napoleon's marshals (1804-1814).—The Peninsula, Spain and Portugal. [L.,—pæne, almost,insula, an island.]
Penis, pē′nis,n.the characteristic external male organ.—adj.Pē′nial. [L., a tail.]
Penistone, pen′i-stōn,n.a coarse frieze.—Penistone flags, a kind of sandstone for paving and building, brought fromPenistonein Yorkshire.
Penitent, pen′i-tent,adj.suffering pain or sorrow for sin: contrite: repentant.—n.one who is sorry for sin: one who has confessed sin, and is undergoing penance.—ns.Pen′itence,Pen′itency, state of being penitent: sorrow for sin.—adj.Peniten′tial, pertaining to, or expressive of, penitence.—n.a book of rules relating to penance.—adv.Peniten′tially.—adj.Peniten′tiary, relating to penance: penitential.—n.a penitent: an office at the court of Rome for examining and issuing secret bulls, dispensations, &c.: a book for guidance in imposing penances: a place for the performance of penance: a house of correction and punishment for offenders.—adv.Pen′itently.—Penitential garment, a rough garment worn for penance;Penitential psalms, certain psalms suitable for being sung by penitents, as the 6th, 32d, 38th, 51st, 102d, 130th, 143d. [Fr.,—L.pœnitens,-entis—pœnitēre, to cause to repent.]
Penknife, pen′nīf,n.a small knife, originally for making and mending quill pens.
Penman, pen′man,n.a man skilled in the use of the pen: an author:—pl.Pen′men.—n.Pen′manship, the use of the pen: art or manner of writing.
Penna, pen′a,n.a feather, esp. one of the large feathers of the wings or tail.—adj.Pennā′ceous. [L.]
Pennal, pen′al,n.a freshman at a German university—so called from their pennales or pen-cases.—n.Penn′alism, a system of fagging once in vogue at German universities.
Pen-name, pen′-nām,n.a name, other than his real one, by which an author is known to the public: a nom de plume.
Pennant, pen′ant,n.a flag many times as long as it is wide: a streamer: a long narrow piece of bunting at the mast-heads of war-ships.—AlsoPenn′on. [Pennantis formed frompennon, with excrescentt;pennonis Fr.pennon—L.penna, a wing.]
Pennate,-d, pen′āt, -ed,adj.winged: (bot.) same asPinnate.—adj.Pennatif′id(seePinnatifid).—n.Penne(Spens.), a feather.—adj.Penned, having wings: winged: written with a pen.—n.Pen′ner, a case for holding pens: (her.) a representation of such carried at the girdle.—adjs.Pennif′erous,Pennig′erous, feathered;Pen′niform, like a feather in form. [L.pennatus—penna, wing.]
Pennill, pen′il,n.a kind of Welsh verse, in which the singer has to change words and measure according to the variations of his accompanist on the harp. [W. 'a verse,' pl.pennillion.]
Pennon, pen′on,n.a flag, a medieval knight-bachelor's ensign: a long narrow flag: a pinion or wing.—ns.Penn′oncelle, a small flag like a pennon;Penn′oncier, a knight-bachelor.—adj.Penn′oned, bearing a pennon. [Cf.Pennant.]
Penny, pen′i,n.a copper coin (bronze since 1860), originally silver=1⁄12of a shilling, or four farthings: a small sum: money in general: (N.T.) a silver coin=7½d.: pound, infourpenny,sixpenny,tenpenny nails=four, six, tenpoundweight to the thousand:—pl.Pennies(pen′iz),denoting the number of coins;Pence(pens), the amount of pennies in value.—adjs.Penn′ied, possessed of a penny;Penn′iless, without a penny: without money: poor.—ns.Penn′ilessness;Penn′y-a-lin′er, one who writes for a public journal at so much a line: a writer for pay;Penn′y-a-lin′erism, hack-writing;Penn′y-dog, the tope or miller's dog, a kind of shark;Penn′y-post, a means of carrying a letter for a penny;Penn′y-rent, income;Penn′yweight, twenty-four grains of troy weight (the weight of a silver penny);Penn′y-wis′dom, prudence in petty matters.—adj.Penn′y-wise, saving small sums at the risk of larger: niggardly on improper occasions.—ns.Penn′y-worth, a penny's worth of anything: the amount that can be given for a penny: a good bargain—alsoPenn′'orth(coll.);Pē′ter's-pence, the name given to an old tribute offered to the Roman Pontiff, now a voluntary contribution.—Penny fee(Scot.), a small wage;Penny gaff(slang), a low-class theatre;Penny mail(Scot.), rent in money, not in kind: a small sum paid to the superior of land;Penny wedding, a wedding ceremonial in Scotland, at which the invited guests made contributions in money to pay the general expenses.—A pretty penny, a considerable sum of money;Turn an honest penny, to earn money honestly. [A.S.penig, oldest formpending, wherepend=Eng.pawn, Ger.pfand, Dut.pand, a pledge, all which are from L.pannus, a rag, a piece of cloth.]
Pennyroyal, pen′i-roi-al,n.a species of mint, much in use in domestic medicine, in the form of a warm infusion, to promote perspiration and as an emmenagogue. [Corr. from old formpulial, which is traced through O. Fr. to L.puleium regium, the plant pennyroyal—pulex, a flea.]
Penology,Pænology, pē-nol′ō-ji,n.the study of punishment in its relation to crime: the management of prisons.—n.Penol′ogist. [Gr.poinē, punishment,logia, description.]
Pensée, pang-sā′,n.a thought. [Fr.]
Penseroso, pen-se-rō′so,adj.melancholy: thoughtful:—fem.Penserō′sa.[It.]
Pensile, pen′sīl,adj.hanging: suspended.—ns.Pen′sileness,Pensil′ity. [Fr.,—L.,—pendēre, hang.]
Pension, pen′shun,n.a stated allowance to a person for past services performed by himself or by some relative: a payment made to a person retired from service on account of age or weakness: a boarding-school or boarding-house on the Continent (pron.pong-siong′):a sum paid to a clergyman in place of tithes.—v.t.to grant a pension to.—adjs.Pen′sionable, entitled, or entitling, to a pension;Pen′sionary, receiving a pension: consisting of a pension.—n.one who receives a pension: the syndic or legal adviser of a Dutch town.—ns.Pen′sioner, one who receives a pension: a dependent: one who pays out of his own income for his commons, chambers, &c. at Cambridge University=an Oxfordcommoner;Pen′sionnaire.—Grand pensionary, the president of the States-general of Holland. [Fr.,—L.pension-em—pendĕre,pensum, to weigh, pay.]
Pensive, pen′siv,adj.thoughtful: reflecting: expressing thoughtfulness with sadness.—adj.Pen′sived(Shak.), thought over.—adv.Pen′sively.—n.Pen′siveness, state of being pensive: gloomy thoughtfulness: melancholy. [Fr.pensif—L.pensāre, to weigh—pendĕre, to weigh.]
Penstock, pen′stok,n.a trough conveying water to a water-wheel.
Pensum, pen′sum,n.an extra task given a scholar in punishment.
Pent,pa.t.andpa.p.of pen, to shut up.
Pentacapsular, pen-ta-kap′sū-lar,adj.having five capsules.
Pentachord, pen′ta-kord,n.a musical instrument with five strings: a diatonic series of five tones.
Pentacle, pent′a-kl,n.a figure formed by two equilateral triangles intersecting regularly so as to form a six-pointed star: properly a five-pointed object, the same asPentagram(q.v.), a defence against demons.—adj.Pentac′ular. [O. Fr., but prob. not from Gr.pente, five, but O. Fr.pente,pendre, to hang. As applied to a magical figure prob. a corr. ofpentangle, perh.pentacol—pendre, to hang, a, on,col, the neck.]
Pentacoccous, pen-ta-kok′us,adj.(bot.) having five grains or seeds.
Pentacrostic, pen-ta-kros′tik,adj.containing five acrostics of the same name.—n.a set of such verses.
Pentact, pen′takt,adj.five-rayed.—AlsoPentac′tinal.
Pentad, pen′tad,n.the number five, a group of five things: a mean of temperature, &c., taken every five days.
Pentadactylous, pen-ta-dak′ti-lus,adj.having five digits—alsoPentadac′tyl.—n.Pentadac′tylism.
Pentadelphous, pen-ta-del′fus,adj.(bot.) grouped together in five sets.
Pentaglot, pen′ta-glot,adj.of five tongues.—n.a work in five languages.
Pentagon.
Pentagon, pen′ta-gon,n.(geom.) a plane figure having five angles and five sides: a fort with five bastions.—adj.Pentag′onal.—adv.Pentag′onally. [Gr.pentagōnon—pente, five,gōnia, angle.]
Pentagram.
Pentagram, pen′ta-gram,n.a five-pointed star: a magic figure so called.—This is the properpentacle.—adj.Pentagrammat′ic. [Gr.pente, five,gramma, a letter.]
Pentagraph=Pantograph.
Pentagynia, pent-a-jin′i-a,n.(bot.) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five pistils.—n.Pent′agyn(bot.), a plant having five styles.—adjs.Pentagyn′ian,Pentag′ynous. [Gr.pente, five,gynē, a female.]
Pentahedron, pen-ta-hē′dron,n.(geom.) a solid figure bounded by five plane faces.—adj.Pentahē′dral. [Gr.pente, five,hedra, base.]
Pentalpha, pen-tal′fa,n.a five-pointed star: a pentacle. [Gr.pente, five,alpha.]
Pentameron, pen-tam′e-ron,n.a famous collection of fifty folk-tales (Naples 1637) written in the Neapolitan dialect by Giambattista Basile, supposed to be told during five days by ten old women, for the entertainment of a Moorish slave who has usurped the place of the rightful princess. [It.pentamerone.]
Pentamerous, pen-tam′ėr-us,adj.(bot.) consisting of or divided into five parts.—Pentamerus beds(geol.), a name applied to the upper and lower Llandovery rocks, full of the brachiopods calledPentamerus. [Gr.pente, five,meros, part.]
Pentameter, pen-tam′e-tėr,n.a verse of five measures or feet.—adj.having five feet.—Elegiac pentameter, a verse of six dactylic feet, the third and sixth with the first member only;Iambic pentameter, in English, heroic couplets and blank verse. [Gr.pentametros—pente, five,metron, a measure.]
Pentandria, pen-tan′dri-a,n.(bot.) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five stamens.—n.Pentan′der, a plant of the class Pentandria.—adjs.Pentan′drian,Pentan′drous. [Gr.pente, five,anēr,andros, a man, a male.]
Pentangular, pen-tang′gū-lar,adj.having five angles.
Pentapetalous, pen-ta-pet′a-lus,adj.having five petals.
Pentaphyllous, pen-ta-fil′us,adj.having five leaves. [Gr.pente, five,phyllon, a leaf.]
Pentapody, pen-tap′o-di,n.a measure of five feet.
Pentapolis, pen-tap′o-lis,n.a group of five cities.—adj.Pentapol′itan, esp. of the ancientPentapolisof Cyrenaica in northern Africa. [Gr.pente, five,polis, a city.]
Pentarchy, pen′tär-ki,n.government by five persons. [Gr.pente, five,archē, rule.]
Pentasepalous, pen-ta-sep′a-lus,adj.having five sepals.
Pentaspermous, pent-a-spėr′mus,adj.(bot.) containing five seeds. [Gr.pente, five,sperma, seed.]
Pentastich, pen′ta-stik,n.a composition of five verses.—adj.Pentas′tichous, five-ranked.
Pentastyle, pen′ta-stīl,adj.having five columns in front.—n.(archit.) a building with a portico of five columns. [Gr.pente, five,stylos, a pillar.]
Pentasyllabic, pen-ta-si-lab′ik,adj.having five syllables.
Pentateuch, pen′ta-tūk,n.a name used to denote the Jewish Thorah, the first five books of the Old Testament.—adj.Pen′tateuchal. [Gr.pente, five,teuchos, a book—teuchein, to prepare.]
Pentathlon, pen-tath′lon,n.a contest consisting of five exercises—wrestling, throwing the discus, spear-throwing, leaping, and running—alsoPentath′lum.—n.Pentath′lēte, one who contests in the pentathlon. [Gr.pente, five,athlon, a contest.]
Pentatonic, pen-ta-ton′ik,adj.consisting of five tones.
Penteconter, pen′tē-kon-tėr,n.an ancient Greek ship having fifty oars.
Pentecost, pen′tē-kost,n.a Jewish festival held on the fiftieth day after the Passover, in commemoration of the giving of the law: the festival of Whitsuntide, held in remembrance of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the assembled disciples at the feast of Pentecost.—adj.Pentecost′al.—n.pl.offerings formerly made to the parish priest at Whitsuntide. [Gr.pentēkostē(hēmera), the fiftieth (day).]
Pentegraph=Pantograph.
Pentelic,-an, pen-tel′ik, -an,adj.describing a kind of marble found at MountPentelicusnear Athens.
Penteteric, pen-te-ter′ik,adj.occurring every five years. [Gr.,pente, five,etos, a year.]
Penthemimeral, pen-thē-mim′e-ral,adj.belonging to a metrical group of 2½ feet. [Gr.pente, five,hēmi, half,meros, a part.]
Penthouse, pent′hows,n.a shed projecting from or adjoining a main building: a protection from the weather over a door or a window: anything resembling a penthouse.—v.t.to provide with a penthouse, shelter by means of a shed sloping from a wall, or anything similar. [A corr. ofpentice, which is from Fr.appentis—L.appendicium, an appendage.]
Pentice, pen′tis,n.SeePenthouse.
Pentile=Pantile.
Pentroof, pent′rōōf,n.a roof with a slope on one side only. [A hybrid word, from Fr.pente, a slope—pendre, to hang, and Eng.roof.]
Pentstemon, pent-stē′mon,n.a genus of perennial herbs of the orderScrophularineæ, common in California. [Gr.pente, five,stēmōn, warp, stamen.]
Pentzia, pent′si-a,n.a genus of South African shrubs, having yellow flowers in small heads, usually in corymbs.—The chief species isPentzia virgataor the 'sheep-fodder bush.' [Named after C. J.Pentz, a student under Thunberg.]
Penult, pē-nult′, or pē′nult,Penult′ima,n.the syllable last but one.—adj.Penult′imāte, last but one.—n.the penult: the last member but one of any series. [L.penultima—pæne, almost,ultimus, last.]
Penumbra, pē-num′bra,n.a partial or lighter shadow round the perfect or darker shadow of an eclipse: the part of a picture where the light and shade blend into each other.—adjs.Penum′bral,Penum′brous. [L.pæne, almost,umbra, shade.]
Penury, pen′ū-ri,n.want: absence of means or resources: great poverty.—adj.Penū′rious, showing penury: not bountiful: too saving: sordid: miserly.—adv.Penū′riously.—n.Penū′riousness. [Fr.,—L.penuria; Gr.peina, hunger,penēs, poor.]
Peon, pē′on,n.a day-labourer, esp. in South America, one working off a debt by bondage: in India, a foot-soldier, a messenger, a native policeman.—ns.Pē′onage,Pē′onism, this kind of agricultural servitude. [Sp.,—Low L.pedo—L.pes,pedis, a foot.]
Peony, pē′o-ni,n.a genus of plants of the natural orderRanunculaceæ, with large showy flowers, carmine, in some white. [O. Fr.pione(Fr.pivoine)—L.pæonia, healing—Gr.Paiōn.]
People, pē′pl,n.persons generally: the men, women, and children of a country or a nation: the mass of persons as distinguished from the rulers, &c.: an indefinite number: inhabitants: the vulgar: the populace:—pl.Peoples(pē′plz),races, tribes.—v.t.to stock with people or inhabitants.—People's palace, an institution for the amusement, recreation, and association of the working-classes, as that in the East End of London, inaugurated in 1887.—Chosen people, the Israelites;Good people, orfolk, a popular euphemistic name for the fairies;Peculiar people(seePeculiar);The people, the populace, the mass. [Fr.peuple—L.populus, prob. reduplicated from root ofplebs, people.]
Peotomy, pē-ot′ō-mi,n.the amputation of the penis. [Gr.peos, the penis,temnein, to cut.]
Peperin, pep′e-rin,n.a volcanic tufa found in the Alban Hills near Rome. [It.peperino—pepe, pepper—L.piper, pepper.]
Pepita, pe-pē′ta,n.a nugget of gold. [Sp.]
Peplum, pep′lum,n.an upper robe worn by women in ancient Greece.—AlsoPep′lus. [L.,—Gr.peplos.]
Pepo, pē′pō,n.a fruit like that of the gourd. [Gr.]
Pepper, pep′ėr,n.a pungent aromatic condiment consisting of the dried berries of the pepper-plant, entire or powdered: any plant of genusPiper: a plant of genusCapsicum, or one of its pods, whenceCayenne pepper.—v.t.to sprinkle with pepper: to hit or pelt with shot, &c.: to pelt thoroughly: to do for.—adj.Pepp′er-and-salt′, of a colour composed of a light ground dotted with fine spots of a dark colour, or of a dark ground with light spots.—ns.Pepp′er-box, a box with a perforated top for sprinkling pepper on food;Pepp′er-cake, a kind of spiced cake or gingerbread;Pepp′er-cast′er, the vessel, on a cruet-stand, from which pepper is sprinkled;Pepp′ercorn, the berry of the pepper plant: something of little value—Peppercorn rent, a nominal rent;Pepp′erer, one who sells pepper, a grocer;Pepp′er-gin′gerbread, hot-spiced gingerbread;Pepp′er-grass, any plant of genusLepidium;Pepp′eriness;Pepp′ermint, a species of mint, aromatic and pungent like pepper: a liquor distilled from the plant: a lozenge flavoured with peppermint—Peppermint-drop, a confection so flavoured;Pepp′er-pot, a West Indian dish, of cassareep, together with flesh or dried fish and vegetables, esp. green okra and chillies: tripe shredded and stewed, with balls of dough and plenty of pepper;Pepp′er-tree, a shrub of the cashew family, native to South America, &c.—alsoPepper shrubandChili pepper;Pepp′erwort, the dittander.—adj.Pepp′ery, possessing the qualities of pepper: hot, choleric.—Æthiopian pepper, the produce ofXylopia Æthiopica;Benin pepper, ofCubeba Clusii;Guinea pepper, orMaleguetta pepper, ofAmomum;Jamaica pepper, orPimento, of species of Eugenia (Myrtaceæ);Long pepper, the fruit ofPiper Longum;White pepper, the seed freed from the skin and fleshy part of the fruit by soaking in water and rubbing the dried fruit. [A.S.pipor—L.piper—Gr.peperi—Sans.pippala.]
Pepper's Ghost, pep′ėrs gōst,n.a device for associating on the same stage living persons and phantoms to act together—the phantom produced by a large sheet of unsilvered glass on the stage, practically invisible to the spectators, reflecting to them, along with a visible actor or actors, the appearance of another actor on an understage, himself invisible. [John H.Pepper(b. 1821), the improver and exhibitor of Henry Dircks' invention.]
Pepsin,Pepsine, pep′sin,n.one of the essential constituents of the gastric juice: the active agent in fermenting food in the stomach—a hydrolytic ferment.—adj.Pep′tic, relating to or promoting digestion: having a good digestion.—ns.Peptic′ity, eupepsia;Pep′tics, digestion considered as a science: the digestive organs;Pep′togen, a substance producing peptone, any preparation that facilitates digestion.—adjs.Peptogen′ic,Peptog′enous,Pepton′ic.—ns.Pep′tōne, one of a class of albumenoids formed by the action of the chemical ferment pepsin and hydrochloric acid, the latter first converting into a syntonin or acid protein, the former converting this syntonin into peptone—they are soluble in water, are not coagulated by boiling, and pass readily through an animal membrane, being therefore easily absorbed;Peptonisā′tion.—v.t.Pep′tonise, to convert into peptones.—n.Pep′tonoid, a substance like peptone: one of certain food preparations. [Fr.,—Gr.pepsis, digestion—peptein, to digest.]
Pepysian, pep′is-i-an,adj.pertaining to SamuelPepys(1633-1703), his inimitable diary, or the collection of prints, books, ballads, &c. he bequeathed to Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Per, pėr,prep.through, by means of, according to.—Per annum, year by year: for each year;Per capita, by heads, implying equal rights to two or more persons;Per cent., per hundred;Per contra, on the contrary: as a set-off;Per diem, every day: day by day;Per mensem, monthly: by the month;Per saltum, at a single leap: all at once;Per se, by himself, &c.: essentially.
Peracute, per-a-kūt′,adj.very sharp or violent.
Peradventure, per-ad-vent′ūr,adv.by adventure: by chance: perhaps.—n.uncertainty: question.
Perambulate, per-am′bū-lāt,v.t.to walk through or over: to pass through for the purpose of surveying: to survey the boundaries of.—ns.Perambulā′tion, act of perambulating: a survey or inspection by travelling through: the district within which a person has the right of inspection;Peram′bulātor, one who perambulates: an instrument for measuring distances on roads: a light carriage for a child.—adj.Peram′bulātory. [L.perambulāre,-ātum—per, through,ambulāre, to walk.]
Percale, per-käl′,n.a closely woven French cambric.—n.Per′caline, a glossy cotton cloth. [Fr.]
Percase, per-kās′,adv.(Bacon) perchance, perhaps. [L.per, through, by,casus, a chance.]
Perceable, pėrs′a-bl,adj.(Spens.)=Pierceable.
Perceant, pėrs′ant,adj.piercing, penetrating.—v.t.Perc′en(Spens.), to pierce. [Fr.perçant, pr.p. ofpercer, to pierce.]
Perceive, per-sēv′,v.t.to become aware of through the senses: to get knowledge of by the mind: to see: to understand: to discern.—adj.Perceiv′able(same asPerceptible).—adv.Perceiv′ably(same asPerceptibly).—ns.Perceiv′er;Perceiv′ing(Bacon), perception. [O. Fr.percever—L.percipĕre,perceptum—per, perfectly,capĕre, to take.]
Percentage, per-sen′tāj,n.rate per hundred: an allowance of so much for every hundred.—adj.Percen′tile. [Cf.Cent.]
Percept, pėr′sept,n.that which is perceived by means of the senses.—n.Perceptibil′ity, quality of being perceptible.—adj.Percep′tible, that can be perceived: that may be known by the senses: discernible.—adv.Percep′tibly.—n.Percep′tion, act of perceiving: discernment: (phil.) the faculty of perceiving: the evidence of external objects by our senses.—adjs.Percep′tional;Percep′tive, having the power of perceiving or discerning.—ns.Percep′tiveness, the faculty or power of perceiving: readiness to perceive;Perceptiv′ity, character or quality of being perceptive: power of perceiving.—adj.Percep′tūal, of the nature of perception.
Perch, pėrch,n.a genus of fresh-water fishes.—adjs.Perch′-backed, shaped like a perch's back;Per′ciform, percoid;Per′cine, perciform;Per′coid, like the perch: pertaining to the perch family. [Fr.perche—L.perca—Gr.perkē, a perch, prob. conn. withperknos, spotted.]
Perch, pėrch,n.a rod on which birds roost: any high seat or position: a measure=5½ yards: a square measure=30¼ square yards: a pole joining the fore and hind gear of a spring carriage: a frame on which cloth is examined for flaws.—v.i.to sit or roost on a perch: to settle.—v.t.to place, as on a perch.—ns.Perch′er, a bird that perches on trees;Perch′ing, the examination of cloth stretched on a frame for burs, knots, or holes—also calledBurling.—adj.insessorial.—ns.Perch′-plate, a plate or block above or below a carriage-reach, at the king-bolt;Perch′-pole, an acrobat's climbing-pole;Perch′-stay, one of the side-rods bracing the perch to the hind-axle. [Fr.perche—L.pertica, a rod.]
Perchance, per-chans′,adv.by chance: perhaps.
Percheron, per-she-rong′,n.a horse of the Percheron breed, large strong draught-horses, usually dapple-gray—alsoNormanandNorman Percheron.—adj.pertaining to the foregoing. [Fr.,—Perche, in southern Normandy.]
Perchloric, per-klō′rik,adj.pertaining to an acid, a syrupy liquid obtained by decomposing potassium perchlorate by means of sulphuric acid.—n.Perchlō′rate, a salt of perchloric acid.
Percipient, per-sip′i-ent,adj.perceiving: having the faculty of perception.—n.one who perceives or who has the power of perceiving.—ns.Percip′ience,Percip′iency.
Perclose, per-klōz′,n.an enclosed place: (archit.) a railing separating a tomb or chapel from the rest of the church: (her.) the lower half of a garter with the buckle.—AlsoPar′aclose,Parclose′. [O. Fr.,—L.præ, in front,claudĕre,clausum, to shut.]
Percoct, per-kokt′,adj.well-cooked. [L.percoctus,percoquĕre, to cook thoroughly.]
Percoid, per′koid. SeePerch(1).
Percolate, pėr′kō-lāt,v.t.to strain through pores or small openings, as a liquid: to filter.—v.i.to pass or ooze through very small openings: to filter.—n.a filtered liquid.—ns.Percolā′tion, act of filtering;Per′colator, a filtering vessel. [L.percolāre,-ātum—per, through,colāre, to strain.]
Percurrent, per-kur′ent,adj.running through the whole length.—adj.Percur′sory, running over slightly or in haste (same asCursory). [L.percurrens, pr.p. ofpercurrĕre,percursum, to run through.]
Percuss, per-kus′,v.t.to strike so as to shake: to tap for purposes of diagnosis.—adj.Percus′sant(her.), bent round and striking the side, as a lion's tail—alsoPercussed′.
Percussion, per-kush′un,n.the forcible striking of one body against another: collision, or the shock produced by it: impression of sound on the ear: (med.) the tapping upon the body to find the condition of an internal organ by the sounds: in the jargon of palmistry, the outer side of the hand.—adjs.Percuss′ional,Percuss′ive.—ns.Percuss′ion-bull′et, a bullet so formed as to explode on striking something: an explosive bullet;Percus′sion-cap, a cap of copper partly filled with a substance which explodes when struck, formerly used for firing rifles, &c.;Percus′sion-fuse, a fuse in a projectile set in action by concussion when the projectile strikes the object;Percus′sion-hamm′er, a small hammer for percussion in diagnosis;Percus′sion-lock, a kind of lock for a gun in which a hammer strikes upon a percussion-cap on the nipple, igniting the charge;Percus′sion-pow′der, powder which explodes on being struck, called alsofulminating powder.—adv.Percuss′ively.—ns.Percuss′or;Percuteur′, an instrument for light percussion in neuralgia, &c.—adj.Percū′tient, striking or having power to strike.—n.that which strikes or has power to strike. [L.percussion-em—percutĕre,percussum—per, thoroughly,quatĕre, to shake.]
Percutaneous, per-kū-tā′nē-us,adj.done or applied through or by means of the skin.—adv.Percutā′neously. [L.per, through,cutis, the skin.]
Perdendo, per-den′dō,adj.(mus.) dying away.—AlsoPerden′dosi. [It.]
Perdie,Perdy, pėr′di,adv.=Pardieu.
Perdition, per-dish′un,n.utter loss or ruin: the utter loss of happiness in a future state.—n.Per′dita, a lost woman.—adj.Perdi′tionable. [Fr.,—L.perditio—perdĕre,perditum—per, entirely,dăre, to put.]
Perdu,Perdue, per-dū′,adj.lost to view: concealed: being on a forlorn hope or on a desperate enterprise: reckless.—n.(Shak.) one lying in concealment or ambush: one on a forlorn hope. [Fr., pa.p. ofperdre, to lose—L.perdĕre, to destroy.]
Perduellion, per-dū-el′i-on,n.treason. [L.]
Perdurable, per′dū-ra-bl,adj.(Shak.) very durable, long continued.—ns.Perdurabil′ity,Perdū′rance,Perdurā′tion.—adv.Perdū′rably(Shak.), very durably: everlastingly.—v.i.Perdure′, to last for a very long time. [L.perdurāre—per, through,durāre, to last.]
Peregal, per′e-gal,adj.fully equal.—n.equal.
Peregrinate, per′ē-gri-nāt,v.i.to travel through the country: to travel about from place to place: to live in a foreign country.—adj.foreign.—ns.Peregrinā′tion, act of peregrinating or travelling about;Per′egrinātor, one who travels about.—adj.Per′egrine, foreign, not native: migratory, as a bird.—n.a foreigner resident in any country: a kind of falcon.—n.Peregrin′ity, foreignness. [L.peregrināri,-ātus—peregrinus, foreign.]
Pereion, pe-rī′on,n.the thorax in crustacea:—pl.Perei′a.—n.Perei′opod, one of the true thoracic limbs of a crustacean. [Gr.periiōn, pr.p. ofperiienai, to go about.]
Perelle, pe-rel′,n.Same asParella.
Peremptory, per′emp-tō-ri,adj.preventing debate: authoritative: dogmatical: final, determinate: fully resolved or determined: that must be done.—adv.Per′emptorily.—n.Per′emptoriness. [Fr.,—L.peremptorius—perimĕre, peremptum—per, entirely,emĕre, to take.]
Perennial, pe-ren′i-al,adj.lasting through the year: perpetual: never failing: growing constantly: (bot.) lasting more than two years: of insects, living more than one year.—n.a plant which lives more than two years.—v.i.Perenn′ate, to live perennially.—n.Perennā′tion.—adv.Perenn′ially. [L.perennis—per, through,annus, a year.]
Perennibranchiate, pe-ren-i-brang′ki-āt,adj.having perennial branchiæ or gills.—AlsoPerenn′ibranch.
Perfect, pėr′fekt,adj.done thoroughly or completely: completed: without blemish, fault, or error: having neither too much nor too little: entire, very great: in the highest degree: possessing every moral excellence: completely skilled or acquainted: (gram.) expressing an act completed: (bot.) having both stamens and pistils, hermaphrodite.—v.t.(orper-fekt′)to make perfect: to finish: to teach fully, to make fully skilled in anything.—ns.Perfectā′tion(rare);Per′fecter;Perfect′i, a body of Catharists in the 12th and 13th centuries, of very strict lives;Perfectibil′ity, quality of being made perfect.—adj.Perfect′ible, that may be made perfect.—ns.Perfec′tion, state of being perfect: a perfect quality or acquirement: the highest state or degree;Perfec′tionism(orPerfectibil′ity), the belief that man in a state of grace may attain to a relative perfection or a state of living without sin in this life;Perfec′tionist, one who pretends to be perfect: one who thinks that moral perfection can be attained in this life: one of the Bible Communists or Free-lovers, a small American sect founded by J. H. Noyes (1811-86), which settled at Oneida in 1848, holding that the gospel if accepted secures freedom from sin.—adj.Perfect′ive, tending to make perfect.—advs.Perfect′ively,Per′fectly, in a perfect manner: completely: exactly: without fault.—n.Per′fectness, state or quality of being perfect: completeness: perfection: consummate excellence.—Perfect insect, the imago or completely developed form of an insect;Perfect metals(seeMetal);Perfect number, a number equal to the sum of all its divisors, the number itself of course excepted, as 6 = 1 + 2 + 3, 28 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14. [Fr.,—L.perfectus, pa.p. ofperficĕre—per, thoroughly,facĕre, to do.]
Perfervid, per-fer′vid,adj.very fervid: very hot or eager.—n.Perfer′vidness.—Perfervidum ingenium, a very ardent disposition. [L.perfervidus,præfervidus—præ, before,fervidus, fervid.]
Perficient, pėr-fish′ent,adj.effectual.—n.one who does a lasting work, esp. who endows a charity.
Perfidious, per-fid′i-us,adj.faithless: unfaithful: basely violating trust: treacherous.—adv.Perfid′iously.—ns.Perfid′iousness,Per′fidy, treachery. [L.perfidiosus—perfidia, faithlessness.]
Perfoliate,-d, per-fō′li-āt, -ed,adj.(bot.) having the stem as it were passing through the blade—of a leaf: having the leaf round the stem at the base: (zool.) surrounded by a circle of hairs, &c., taxicorn. [L.per, through,folium, a leaf.]
Perforate, pėr′fō-rāt,v.t.to bore through: to pierce: to make a hole through.—adj.Per′forable, capable of being perforated.—n.Per′forans, the long flexor muscle of the toes, or the deep flexor muscle of the fingers.—adjs.Per′forant, perforating;Per′forate,-d(bot.), pierced with holes: having transparent dots, as the leaves of certain flowers.—n.Perforā′tion, act of boring through: a hole through or into anything.—adj.Per′forātive, having power to pierce.—ns.Per′forātor, one who bores, or an instrument for boring;Per′forātus, the short flexor of the toes, or the superficial flexor of the fingers. [L.perforāre,-ātum—per, through,forāre, to bore.]
Perforce, per-fōrs′,adv.by force: of necessity.
Perform, per-form′,v.t.to do thoroughly: to carry out: to achieve: to act, as on the stage.—v.i.to do: to act a part: to play, as on a musical instrument.—adj.Perfor′mable, capable of being performed: practicable.—ns.Perfor′mance, act of performing: a carrying out of something: something done, esp. of a public character: a piece of work: an exhibition in a theatre or a place of amusement: an act or action;Perfor′mer, one who performs, esp. one who makes a public exhibition of his skill: an actor, an actress, &c.—adj.Perfor′ming, doing: trained to perform tricks. [O. Fr.parfournir,par—L.per, through,fournir, to furnish.]
Perfume, pėr′fūm, orpėr-fūm′,n.sweet-smelling smoke: sweet scent: anything which yields a sweet odour.—v.t.(pėr-fūm′)to fill with a pleasant odour: to scent.—adj.Perfū′matory, yielding perfume.—ns.Per′fume-foun′tain, a small appliance for throwing a jet or spray of perfume;Perfū′mer, one who or that which perfumes: one who makes or sells perfumes;Perfū′mery, perfumes in general: the art of preparing perfumes;Per′fume-set, a set of articles for the toilet-table.—adj.Per′fūmy. [Fr.parfum—L.per, through,fumus, smoke.]
Perfunctory, per-fungk′tō-ri,adj.done merely as a duty to be passed over: performed carelessly or without interest: negligent: slight.—adv.Perfunc′torily, in a careless, half-hearted manner: without zeal or interest.—n.Perfunc′toriness, careless performance: half-heartedness. [L.perfunctorius—perfunctus, pa.p. ofperfungi, to execute—per, thoroughly,fungi, to do.]
Perfuse, per-fūz′,v.t.to pour through or over.—n.Perfū′sion.—adj.Perfū′sive, sprinkling, or tending to sprinkle. [L.perfusus, poured over—per, through,fundĕre, to pour.]
Pergameneous, per-ga-mē′nē-us,adj.thin and parchment-like in texture.—adj.Pergamentā′ceous, parchment-like. [L.pergamena, parchment.]
Pergola, per′gō-la,n.an arbour, a balcony.—AlsoPer′gula. [It.,—L.pergula, a shed.]
Pergunnah, pėr-gun′a,n.a sub-division of a zillah or district in India.—AlsoPargan′a. [Hind.]
Perhaps, per-haps′,adv.it may be: possibly.
Peri, pē′ri,n.in Persian mythology, a female elf or fairy, represented as descended from the fallen angels. [Fr.péri—Pers.parī, a fairy.]
Periagua, per-i-ä′gwä,n.a canoe hollowed out of a single trunk, a dug-out: a vessel made by cutting a canoe in two lengthwise and inserting a large plank: a large keelless flat-bottomed boat for shoal-water navigation, decked at the ends only, propelled by rowing, or by sails on two masts capable of being struck.—AlsoPirogue′. [Sp.piragua.]
Periaktos, per-i-ak′tos,n.in the ancient Greek theatre a tall prism-shaped frame or screen at the side entrances, each carrying three scenes changed by turning the frames. [Gr.]
Perianth, per′i-anth,n.the floral envelope where the calyx and corolla are not easily distinguished. [Gr.peri, around,anthos, a flower.]
Periapt, per′i-apt,n.(Shak.) an amulet. [Gr.periapton, something hung round,peri, about,aptos—aptein, to fasten.]
Periaxial, per-i-ak′si-al,adj.surrounding an axis.
Periblast, per′i-blast,n.the protoplasm about the nucleus of a cell.—adj.Periblast′ic. [Gr.peri, about,blastos, a germ.]
Peribolos, pe-rib′o-los,n.a court enclosed by a wall, esp. one containing a temple or a church, the whole outer enclosure of sanctuary or refuge. [Gr.peribolos, encircling—peri, around,ballein, to throw.]
Pericardium, per-i-kär′di-um,n.(anat.) the bag or sac composed of two layers which surrounds the heart.—adjs.Pericar′diac,Pericar′dial,Pericar′dian.—n.Pericardī′tis, inflammation of the pericardium. [Late L.,—Gr.perikardion—peri, around,kardia, heart.]
Pericarp, per′i-kärp,n.(bot.) the covering, shell, or rind of fruits: a seed-vessel.—adj.Pericarp′ial. [Gr.perikarpion—peri, around,karpos, fruit.]
Pericentral, per-i-sen′tral,adj.surrounding a central body.—adj.Pericen′tric.
Perichondrium, per-i-kon′dri-um,n.the fibrous investment of cartilage. [Gr.peri, about,chondros, cartilage.]
Periclase, per′i-klāz,n.a rare mineral consisting of magnesia with a little iron protoxide. [Gr.peri, about,klasis, fracture.]
Periclean, per-i-klē′an,adj.ofPericles(died 429B.C.) or the golden age of art and letters at Athens.
Pericope, pē-rik′ō-pē,n.an extract, esp. the selections from the epistles and gospels for the Sundays of the year. [Gr.peri, around,koptein, to cut.]
Pericranium, per-i-krā′ni-um,n.(anat.) the membrane that surrounds the cranium.—adj.Pericrā′nial.—n.Per′icrāny(obs.), the skull. [Late L.,—Gr.perikranion—peri, around,kranion, the skull.]
Periculum, pē-rik′ū-lum,n.(Scots law) a risk:—pl.Peric′ula. [L.]
Pericystitis, per-i-sis-tī′tis,n.inflammation around the bladder. [Gr.peri, around,kystis, the bladder.]
Peridental, per-i-den′tal,adj.surrounding the teeth.
Periderm, per′i-derm,n.the hard integument of some tubularian hydromedusans: (bot.) the outer bark.—adj.Per′idermal. [Gr.peri, about,derma, skin.]
Peridesmium, per-i-des′mi-um,n.(anat.) the areolar tissue round a ligament. [Gr.peri, around,desmos, a band.]
Peridium, pē-rid′i-um,n.the outer coat of a sporophore in angiocarpous fungi.—adj.Perid′ial.—n.Peridī′olum(bot.), an inner peridium inside of which the hymenium is formed. [Gr.pēridion, dim. ofpēra, a wallet.]
Peridotite, per′i-dō-tīt,n.rock mainly composed of olivine.—n.Per′idot, chrysolite.—adj.Peridot′ic.
Peridrome, per′i-drōm,n.the space between the inner cell or chamber and the surrounding pillars in an ancient temple. [Gr.peridromos, running round—peri, around,dromos, a race.]
Periegesis, per-i-ē-jē′sis,n.a progress or journey through. [Gr.]
Perienteron, per-i-en′te-ron,n.the primitive perivisceral cavity.—adj.Perienter′ic. [Gr.peri, about,enteron, an intestine.]
Perifibrum, per-i-fī′brum,n.the membraneous covering of the spicules and fibre of sponges.
Periganglionic, per-i-gang-gli-on′ik,adj.surrounding a ganglion.
Perigastric, per-i-gas′trik,adj.surrounding the alimentary canal.
Perigee, per′i-jē,n.(astron.) the point of the moon's orbit at which it is nearest the earth—opp. toApogee.—adjs.Perigē′al,Perigē′an. [Gr.peri, near,gē, the earth.]
Perigenesis, per-i-jen′e-sis,n.wave-generation, the dynamic theory of reproduction by a kind of wave-motion of plastidules.
Periglottis, per-i-glot′is,n.the epidermis of the tongue.—adj.Periglott′ic.
Perigone, per′i-gōn,n.(bot.) the same asPerianth—alsoPerigō′nium.—adj.Perigō′nial. [Gr.peri, about,gonē, seed.]
Perigraph, per′i-graf,n.an inaccurate delineation of anything.—adj.Perigraph′ic.
Perigynous, per-ij′i-nus,adj.(bot.) denoting flowers which have the petals and stamens growing on the calyx, or around the pistil.—n.Perigyn′ium. [Gr.peri, about,gynē, a female.]
Perihelion, per-i-hē′li-on,n.the point of the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is nearest to the sun—opp. toAphelion.—AlsoPerihē′lium. [Gr.peri, near,hēlios, the sun.]
Perihepatic, per-i-hē-pat′ik,adj.surrounding the liver.
Peril, per′il,n.danger: a source of danger: exposure to danger.—v.t.to expose to danger:—pr.p.per′illing;pa.t.andpa.p.per′illed.—adj.Per′ilous, full of peril: dangerous.—adv.Per′ilously.—n.Per′ilousness. [Fr.péril—L.periculum.]
Perilymph, per′i-limf,n.the fluid which surrounds the membraneous labyrinth of the ear.
Perimeter, pē-rim′e-tėr,n.(geom.) the circuit or boundary of any plane figure, or the sum of all its sides: an instrument for measuring the area over which a person can see distinctly.—adjs.Perimet′ric,-al, pertaining to the perimeter.—n.Perim′etry, the act of making perimetrical measurements. [Gr.perimetros—peri, around,metron, measure.]
Perimorph, per′i-morf,n.a mineral enclosing another.—adjs.Perimor′phic,Perimor′phous.
Perineum,Perinæum, per-i-nē′um,n.the lower part of the body between the genital organs and the rectum.—adj.Perinē′al. [L.,—Gr.]
Period, pē′ri-ud,n.the time in which anything is performed: (astron.) the time occupied by one of the heavenly bodies in making its revolution: a stated interval of time, at the end of which certain events begin again to go through the same course as before: a series of events: a series of years: length of duration: the time at which anything ends: conclusion: (gram.) a mark at the end of a sentence: (rhet.) a complete sentence.—v.t.(Shak.) to put an end to.—adjs.Period′ic,-al, pertaining to a period: happening by revolution: occurring at regular intervals: pertaining to periodicals.—ns.Period′ical, a magazine or other publication which appears in parts at regular periods;Period′icalist, one who writes in a periodical.—adv.Period′ically.—n.Periodic′ity, state of being periodic: tendency to happen over again at regular intervals of time.—Periodical literature, literature published in magazines, &c.;Periodic function, one whose operation being iterated a certain number of times restores the variable: a function having a period;Periodic inequality, a disturbance in the motion of a planet due to its position in its orbit relatively to another planet;Periodic law(chem.), a relation of elements according to their atomic weights. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr.periodos—peri, around,hodos, a way.]
Periophthalmus, per-i-of-thal′mus,n.a genus of acanthopterous fishes, allied to gobies, with protruding mobile eyes, pectoral fins that can be used as legs.
Periorbital, per-i-or′bi-tal,adj.pertaining to the orbit of the eye.
Periosteum, per-i-os′tē-um,n.a tough fibrous membrane which forms the outer coating of bones.—adjs.Perios′tēal,Perios′tēous;Periostit′ic.—n.Periostī′tis, inflammation of the periosteum. [Gr.periosteon—peri, around,osteon, a bone.]
Periotic, per-i-ō′tik,adj.surrounding the inner ear.—n.a periotic bone. [Gr.peri, about,ous,ōtos, the ear.]
Peripatetic,-al, per-i-pa-tet′ik, -al,adj.walking about: of or pertaining to the philosophy of Aristotle, who taught while walking up and down in the Lyceum at Athens.—n.Peripatet′ic, an adherent of the philosophy of Aristotle: one accustomed or obliged to walk: (pl.) instruction by lectures.—n.Peripatet′icism, the philosophy of Aristotle. [Gr.peripatētikos—peri, about,patein, to walk.]
Peripatus, pe-rip′ā-tus,n.a genus of myriapods.
Peripetia, per-i-pe-tī′a,n.the dénouement of a drama.
Periphery, pe-rif′ėr-i,n.(geom.) the circumference of a circle or of any closed figure: the outside of anything generally.—adjs.Periph′eral,Peripher′ic,-al. [L.—Gr.peri, around,pherein, to carry.]
Periphractic, per-i-frak′tik,adj.enclosed around. [Gr.peri, about,phrassein, to enclose.]
Periphrase, per′i-frāz,n.a round-about way of speaking: the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea: (rhet.) a figure employed to avoid a trite expression—alsoPeriph′rasis.—v.t.orv.i.to use circumlocution.—adjs.Periphras′tic,-al, containing or expressed by periphrasis or circumlocution.—adv.Periphras′tically. [L.,—Gr.periphrasis—peri, about,phrasis, a speaking.]
Periplast, per′i-plast,n.the intercellular substance of an organ or tissue of the body.—adj.Periplast′ic.
Periplus, per′i-plus,n.a circumnavigation. [Gr.peri, around,ploos,plous, a voyage.]
Periptery, pe-rip′tėr-i,n.(archit.) a building surrounded by a wing or row of columns.—adjs.Perip′teral, having a periptery or range of columns all round, said of a temple, &c.;Perip′terous, feathered on all sides: peripteral. [Gr.peripteros—peri, about,pteron, a wing.]
Perirhinal, per-i-rī′nal,adj.surrounding the nose.
Periscii, pe-rish′i-ī,n.pl.the people within the polar circle, because their shadows, on some days in summer, move round in a complete circle, owing to the fact that on those days the sun does not set.—adj.Peris′cian. [Gr.periskios, throwing a shadow all round;peri, around,skia, a shadow.]
Periscope, per′i-skōp,n.an instrument like the altiscope, used in directing submarine boats.—adj.Periscop′ic. [Gr.peri, about,skopein, to see.]
Perish, per′ish,v.i.to pass away completely: to waste away: to decay: to lose life: to be destroyed: to be ruined or lost.—ns.Perishabil′ity,Per′ishableness, the quality of being liable to speedy decay or destruction.—adj.Per′ishable, that may perish: subject to speedy decay.—adv.Per′ishably.—v.i.Per′ishen(Spens.), to perish. [O. Fr.perir, pr.p.perissant—L.perīre, to perish—per, completely,īre, to go.]
Perisperm, per′i-spėrm,n.(bot.) that which is round a seed, the albumen.—adj.Perisper′mic. [Gr.peri, around,sperma, seed.]
Perispheric,-al, per-i-sfer′ik, -al,adj.globular.
Perispore, per′i-spōr,n.the outer covering of a spore.
Perissad, pe-ris′ad,n.(chem.) an atom whose valency is represented by an odd number—opp. toArtiad—alsoadj.[Gr.perissos, beyond the regular number.]
Perissodactyla, pe-ris-ō-dak′ti-la,n.one of the two divisions of the great mammalian order Ungulata, including the horse, tapir, and rhinoceros, distinguished by the third digit of each limb being symmetrical in itself, by the presence of an odd number of digits on the hind-foot, &c.—opp. toArtiodactyla.—adjs.Perissodac′tyl,Perissodac′tylate,Perissodactyl′ic,Perissodac′tylous. [Gr.perissos, beyond the regular number,daktylos, a finger.]
Perissology, per-i-sol′ō-ji,n.verbiage.—adj.Perissolog′ical, redundant in words.
Perissosyllabic, pe-ris-o-si-lab′ik,adj.having superfluous syllables.
Peristalith, pe-ris′ta-lith,n.a series of standing stones surrounding a barrow or burial-mound. [Gr.peri, around,histanai, to stand,lithos, a stone.]
Peristaltic, per-i-stalt′ik,adj.noting the involuntary muscular action of the alimentary canal, by which it forces its contents onwards.—n.Peristal′sis. [Gr.peristaltikos—peristellein, to wrap round—peri, around,stellein, to place.]
Peristeropod, pē-ris′te-rō-pod,adj.pigeon-toed—alson.[Gr.peristera, a pigeon,pous,podos, a foot.]
Peristome, per′i-stōm,n.the mouth-parts of echinoderms, &c.: the fringe of hair-like appendages round the rim of the capsule of a moss.
Peristyle, per′i-stīl,n.a range of columns round a building or round a square: a court, square, &c., with columns all round.—adj.Peristy′lar. [L.peristylium—Gr.peristylon, with pillars round the wall—peri, around,stylos, a column.]
Perithoracic, per-i-thō-ras′ik,adj.around the thorax.
Peritomous, pe-rit′ō-mus,adj.(min.) cleaving in more directions than one parallel to the axis, the faces being all similar. [Gr.peri, round,temnein, to cut.]
Peritoneum,Peritonæum,per-i-tō-nē′um,n.a serous membrane which encloses all the viscera lying in the abdominal and pelvic cavities.—adjs.Peritonē′al;Peritonit′ic.—n.Peritonī′tis, inflammation of the peritoneum. [Gr.peritoneion—peri, around,teinein, to stretch.]
Perityphlitis, per-i-tif-lī′tis,n.inflammation of the cæcum, appendix, and connective tissue, or of the peritoneum covering cæcum and appendix. [Gr.peri, round,typhlos, blind (the cæcum being the 'blind gut').]
Perivascular, per-i-vas′kū-lar,adj.surrounding a vascular structure.
Perivisceral, per-i-vis′e-ral,adj.surrounding viscera.
Periwig, per′i-wig,n.a peruke or small wig, usually shortened toWig: an artificial head of hair.—v.t.to dress with a periwig.—adj.Per′iwig-pā′ted, wearing a periwig. [Old Dut.peruyk—Fr.perruque.]
Periwinkle, per′i-wingk-l,n.a creeping evergreen plant, growing in woods. [M. E.peruenke, through A.S.peruincæ, from L.pervinca,vincīre, to bind.]
Periwinkle, per′i-wingk-l,n.a small univalve mollusc: a small shellfish, abundant between tide-marks on the rocks, boiled and eaten as food. [Corrupted by confusion with preceding from A.S.pinewincla—wincle, a whelk; prov. Eng.pin-patch.]
Perjure, pėr′jōōr,v.t.to swear falsely (followed by a reciprocal pronoun): to cause to swear falsely.—v.i.to be false to one's oath.—n.(Shak.) a perjured person.—adj.Per′jured, having sworn falsely: being sworn falsely, as an oath.—n.Per′jurer.—adjs.Perju′rious,Per′jurous, guilty of perjury.—n.Per′jury, false swearing: the breaking of an oath: (law) the crime committed by one who, when giving evidence on oath as a witness in a court of justice, gives evidence which he knows to be false. [Fr.,—L.perjurāre—per-,jurāre, to swear.]
Perk, pėrk,adj.trim: spruce: jaunty: proud.—v.t.to make smart or trim.—v.i.to hold up the head with smartness: to toss or jerk the head.—adj.Perk′y(Tenn.), perk, trim. [W.perc, trim.]
Perk, pėrk,v.i.(prov.) to peer.—adj.Perk′ing, peering, inquisitive.
Perkin, per′kin,n.weak perry.
Perlaceous=Pearlaceous. SeePearl.
Perlite, pėr′līt,n.the name given to some vitreous rocks, as obsidian, which seem as if made up of little pearly or enamel-like spheroids.—adj.Perlit′ic.
Perlous, pėrl′us,adj.(Spens.). Same asPerilous.
Perlustrate, per-lus′trāt,v.t.to survey carefully.—n.Perlustrā′tion. [L.perlustrāre,-ātum.]
Permanent, pėr′ma-nent,adj.lasting: durable: not subject to change: not to be removed: (zool.) always present.—ns.Per′manence,Per′manency, state or quality of being permanent: continuance in the same state, position, &c.: unlikelihood of change: duration.—adv.Per′manently.—Permanent way, the finished road of a railway. [Fr.,—L.permanēre—per, through,manēre, to continue.]
Permanganate, per-man′gan-āt,n.a salt containing manganese.—adj.Permangan′ic.