The Project Gutenberg eBook ofThe Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section X, Y, and Z

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofThe Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section X, Y, and ZThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.*** This is a COPYRIGHTED Project Gutenberg eBook. Details Below. ****** Please follow the copyright guidelines in this file. ***Title: The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section X, Y, and ZAuthor: Project GutenbergNoah WebsterRelease date: September 1, 1996 [eBook #670]Most recently updated: June 10, 2022Language: English*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUTENBERG WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY: SECTION X, Y, AND Z ***

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Title: The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section X, Y, and ZAuthor: Project GutenbergNoah WebsterRelease date: September 1, 1996 [eBook #670]Most recently updated: June 10, 2022Language: English

Title: The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section X, Y, and Z

Author: Project GutenbergNoah Webster

Author: Project Gutenberg

Noah Webster

Release date: September 1, 1996 [eBook #670]Most recently updated: June 10, 2022

Language: English

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GUTENBERG WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY: SECTION X, Y, AND Z ***

X (ks). X, the twenty-fourth letter of the English alphabet, has three sounds; a compound nonvocal sound (that ofks), as inwax; a compound vocal sound (that ofgz), as inexample; and, at the beginning of a word, a simple vocal sound (that ofz), as inxanthic. SeeGuide to Pronunciation, §§ 217, 270, 271.

The form and value of X are from the Latin X, which is from the Greek , which in some Greek alphabets had the value ofks, though in the one now in common use it represents an aspirated sound ofk.

Xanth*am"ide (?),n.[Xanthic +amide.](Chem.)An amido derivative of xanthic acid obtained as a white crystalline substance, C2H5O.CS.NH2; -- called alsoxanthogen amide.

Xan"thate (?),n.[See Xanthic.](Chem.)A salt of xanthic; a xanthogenate.

||Xan`the*las"ma (?),n.[NL.; Gr. xanqo`s yellow + 'e`lasma a metal plate.](Med.)See Xanthoma.

Xan"thi*an (?),a.Of or pertaining toXanthus, an ancient town on Asia Minor; -- applied especially to certain marbles found near that place, and now in the British Museum.

Xan"thic (?),a.[Gr. xanqo`s yellow: cf. F.xanthique.]

1.Tending toward a yellow color, or to one of those colors, green being excepted, in which yellow is a constituent, as scarlet, orange, etc.

2.(Chem.)(a)Possessing, imparting, or producing a yellow color; as,xanthicacid.(b)Of or pertaining to xanthic acid, or its compounds; xanthogenic.(c)Of or pertaining to xanthin.

Xanthic acid(Chem.), a heavy, astringent, colorless oil, C2H5O.CS.SH, having a pungent odor. It is produced by leading carbon disulphide into a hot alcoholic solution of potassium hydroxide. So called from the yellow color of many of its salts. Called alsoxanthogenic acid. --Xanthic colors(Bot.), those colors (of flowers) having some tinge of yellow; -- opposed tocyanic colors. See under Cyanic.

Xan"thide (?),n.[See Xantho-.](Chem.)A compound or derivative of xanthogen. [Archaic]

||Xan*thid"i*um (?),n.;pl.Xanthidia(#). [NL., fr. Gr. xanqo`s yellow.](Bot.)A genus of minute unicellular algæ of the desmids. These algæ have a rounded shape and are armed with glochidiate or branched aculei. Several species occur in ditches, and others are found fossil in flint or hornstone.

Xan"thin (?),n.[Gr. xanqo`s yellow.]

1.(Physiol. Chem.)A crystalline nitrogenous body closely related to both uric acid and hypoxanthin, present in muscle tissue, and occasionally found in the urine and in some urinary calculi. It is also present in guano. So called from the yellow color of certain of its salts (nitrates).

2.(Chem.)A yellow insoluble coloring matter extracted from yellow flowers; specifically, the coloring matter of madder. [Formerly written alsoxanthein.]

3.(Chem.)One of the gaseous or volatile decomposition products of the xanthates, and probably identical with carbon disulphide. [Obs.]

Xan"thi*nine (?),n.[Gr. xanqo`s yellow + quinine.](Chem.)A complex nitrogenous substance related to urea and uric acid, produced as a white powder; -- so called because it forms yellow salts, and because its solution forms a blue fluorescence like quinine.

||Xan"thi*um (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. xa`nqion a plant used for dyeing the hair yellow, said to be theXanthium strumarium, from xanqo`s yellow.](Bot.)A genus of composite plants in which the scales of the involucre are united so as to form a kind of bur; cocklebur; clotbur.

Xan"tho- (?). A combining form from Gr. xanqo`s yellow; as inxanthocobaltic salts. Used also adjectively in chemistry.

Xan`tho*car"pous (?),a.[Xantho-+ Gr. karpo`s fruit.](Bot.)Having yellow fruit.

||Xan*thoch"ro*i (?),n. pl.[NL. See Xanthochroic.](Ethnol.)A division of the Caucasian races, comprising the lighter-colored members.

TheXanthochroi, or fair whites, . . . are the prevalent inhabitants of Northern Europe, and the type may be traced into North Africa, and eastward as far as Hindostan.

Tylor.

Xan`tho*chro"ic (?),a.[Xantho-+ Gr. chro`a color.](Ethnol.)Having a yellowish or fair complexion; of or pertaining to the Xanthochroi.

Xan`tho*don"tous (?),a.[Xantho-+ Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, tooth.] Having yellow teeth.

Xan"tho*gen (?),n.[Xantho-+-gen.](Chem.)(a)The hypothetical radical supposed to be characteristic of xanthic acid. [Archaic](b)Persulphocyanogen. [R.]

Xan"tho*gen*ate (?),n.(Chem.)A salt of xanthic acid.

Xan`tho*gen"ic (?),a.[See Xantho- , and -gen.](Chem.)Producing a yellow color or compound; xanthic. SeeXanthic acid, under Xanthic.

||Xan*tho"ma (?),n.[NL. See Xantho-, and -oma.](Med.)A skin disease marked by the development or irregular yellowish patches upon the skin, especially upon the eyelids; -- called alsoxanthelasma.

Xan"tho*phane (?),n.[Xantho-+ Gr. fai`nein to show.](Physiol.)The yellow pigment present in the inner segments of the retina in animals. See Chromophane.

Xan"tho*phyll (?),n.[Xantho-+ Gr. fy`llon leaf.](Bot.)A yellow coloring matter found in yellow autumn leaves, and also produced artificially from chlorophyll; -- formerly called alsophylloxanthin.

Xan"tho*pous (?),a.[Xantho-+ Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot.](Bot.)Having a yellow stipe, or stem.

Xan`tho*pro*te"ic (?),a.(Physiol. Chem.)Pertaining to, or derived from, xanthoprotein; showing the characters of xanthoprotein; as,xanthoproteicacid; thexanthoproteicreaction for albumin.

Xan`tho*pro"te*in (?),n.[Xantho-+protein.](Physiol. Chem.)A yellow acid substance formed by the action of hot nitric acid on albuminous or proteid matter. It is changed to a deep orange-yellow color by the addition of ammonia.

Xan`tho*puc"cine (?),n.[Xantho-+puccoon +-ine.](Chem.)One of three alkaloids found in the root of the yellow puccoon (Hydrastis Canadensis). It is a yellow crystalline substance, and resembles berberine.

Xan`tho*rham"nin (?),n.[Xantho-+ NL.Rhamnus, the generic name of the plant bearing Persian berries.](Chem.)A glucoside extracted from Persian berries as a yellow crystalline powder, used as a dyestuff.

Xan`tho*rhi"za (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. xanqo`s yellow + "ri`za root.](Bot.)A genus of shrubby ranunculaceous plants of North America, including only the speciesXanthorhiza apiifolia, which has roots of a deep yellow color; yellowroot. The bark is intensely bitter, and is sometimes used as a tonic.

||Xan`tho*rhœ"a (?),n.[NL., from Gr. xanqo`s yellow + "rei^n to flow.](Bot.)A genus of endogenous plants, native to Australia, having a thick, sometimes arborescent, stem, and long grasslike leaves. See Grass tree.

Xan"those (?),n.(Chem.)An orange-yellow substance found in pigment spots of certain crabs.

||Xan*tho"sis (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. xanqo`s yellow.](Med.)The yellow discoloration often observed in cancerous tumors.

Xan`tho*sper"mous (?),a.[Xantho-+ Gr. spe`rma sperm.](Bot.)Having yellow seeds.

Xan"thous (?),a.[Gr. xanqo`s yellow.] Yellow; specifically(Ethnol.), of or pertaining to those races of man which have yellowish, red, auburn, or brown hair.

Xan*thox"y*lene (?),n.[See Xanthoxylum.](Chem.)A liquid hydrocarbon of the terpene series extracted from the seeds of a Japanese prickly ash (Xanthoxylum pipertium) as an aromatic oil.

||Xan*thox"y*lum (?),n.[NL., from Gr. xanqo`s yellow + xy`lon wood.](Bot.)A genus of prickly shrubs or small trees, the bark and rots of which are of a deep yellow color; prickly ash.

The commonest species in the Northern United States isXanthoxylum Americanum. SeePrickly ash, under Prickly.

Xe"bec (z"bk),n.[Sp.jabegue, formerly speltxabeque, or Pg.xabeco; both from Turk.sumbekia kind of Asiatic ship; cf. Per.sumbuk, Ar.sumbka small ship.](Naut.)A small three-masted vessel, with projecting bow stern and convex decks, used in the Mediterranean for transporting merchandise, etc. It carries large square sails, or both. Xebecs were formerly armed and used by corsairs.

Xeme (zm),n.(Zoöl.)An Arctic fork-tailed gull (Xema Sabinii).

||Xen`e*la"si*a (?),n.[NL., from Gr. xenhlasi`a expulsion of strangers.](Gr. Antiq.)A Spartan institution which prohibited strangers from residing in Sparta without permission, its object probably being to preserve the national simplicity of manners.

||Xe"ni*um (?),n.;pl.Xenia(#). [L., from Gr. xe`nion gift to a guest, fr. xe`nos guest.](Class. Antiq.)A present given to a guest or stranger, or to a foreign ambassador.

||Xen`o*do*chi"um (?),n.[LL., fr. L.xenodochiuma building for the reception of strangers, Gr. &?; .](a)(Class. Antiq.)A house for the reception of strangers.(b)In the Middle Ages, a room in a monastery for the reception and entertainment of strangers and pilgrims, and for the relief of paupers. [Called alsoXenodocheion.]

Xe*nod"o*chy (?),n.[Gr. &?;.] Reception of strangers; hospitality. [R.]

Xe*nog"a*my (?),n.[Gr. xe`nos strange, foreign + &?; marriage.](Bot.)Cross fertilization.

Xen`o*gen"e*sis (?),n.[Gr. xe`nos a stranger + E.genesis.](Biol.)(a)Same as Heterogenesis.(b)The fancied production of an organism of one kind by an organism of another.Huxley.

Xen`o*ge*net"ic (?),a.(Biol.)Of or pertaining to xenogenesis; as, thexenogeneticorigin of microzymes.Huxley.

Xen`o*ma"ni*a (?),n.[Gr. xe`nos strange + E.mania.] A mania for, or an inordinate attachment to, foreign customs, institutions, manners, fashions, etc. [R.]Saintsbury.

||Xen"o*mi (?),n. pl.[NL., from Gr. xe`nos strange.](Zoöl.)A suborder of soft-rayed fresh-water fishes of which the blackfish of Alaska (Dallia pectoralis) is the type.

||Xe*nop`te*ryg"i*i (?),n. pl.[NL., from Gr. xe`nos strange + &?;, dim. of &?; a wing.](Zoöl.)A suborder of fishes includingGobiesoxand allied genera. These fishes have soft-rayed fins, and a ventral sucker supported in front by the pectoral fins. They are destitute of scales.

Xen"o*time (?),n.[Gr. &?; honoring guests or strangers; xe`nos guest, stranger + &?; honor: cf. G.xenotim.](Min.)A native phosphate of yttrium occurring in yellowish-brown tetragonal crystals.

Xe*nu"rine (?),n.[Gr. xe`nos strange + &?; tail.](Zoöl.)A cabassou.

Xen"yl (?),n.[Gr. xe`nos strange +-yl.](Chem.)The radical characteristic of xenylic compounds.

Xe*nyl"ic (?),a.(Chem.)Pertaining to, derived from, designating, certain amido compounds obtained by reducing certain nitro derivatives of diphenyl.

Xer"a*phim (?),n.[Pg.xarafin,xerafin, fr. Ar.ashrafnoble, the name of a gold coin.] An old money of account in Bombay, equal to three fifths of a rupee.

Xer"es (?),n.Sherry. See Sherry.

Xer"if (?),n.A shereef.

Xer"iff (?),n.[See Shereef.] A gold coin formerly current in Egypt and Turkey, of the value of about 9s. 6d., or about $2.30; -- also, in Morocco, a ducat.

||Xe`ro*der"ma (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. &?; dry + &?; skin.](Med.)(a)Ichthyosis.(b)A skin disease characterized by the presence of numerous small pigmented spots resembling freckles, with which are subsequently mingled spots of atrophied skin.

Xe"ro*nate (?),n.(Chem.)A salt of xeronic acid.

Xe*ron"ic (?),a.[Gr. &?; dry + citraconic.](Chem.)Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, C8H12O4, related to fumaric acid, and obtained from citraconic acid as an oily substance having a bittersweet taste; -- so called from its tendency to form its anhydride.

Xe*roph"a*gy (?),n.[L.xerophagia, Gr. &?;; &?; dry + &?; to eat.] Among the primitive Christians, the living on a diet of dry food in Lent and on other fasts.

Xe*roph"i*lous (?),a.[Gr. &?; dry + &?; to love.](Bot.)Drought-loving; able withstand the absence or lack of moisture.

Plants which are peculiarly adapted to dry climates are termed by De Candollexerophilous.

Goodale.

||Xe`roph*thal"mi*a (?),n.[L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; dry + &?; the eye. See Ophthalmia.](Med.)An abnormal dryness of the eyeball produced usually by long- continued inflammation and subsequent atrophy of the conjunctiva.

Xe`roph*thal"my (?),n.(Med.)Xerophthalmia.

||Xiph"i*as (?),n.[L., a swordfish, a sword-shaped comet, fr. Gr. xifi`as, fr. xi`fos a sword.]

1.(Zoöl.)A genus of fishes comprising the common swordfish.

2.(Anat.)(a)The constellation Dorado.(b)A comet shaped like a sword

||Xi*phid"i*um (?),n.[NL., from Gr. &?;, dim. of xi`fos sword.](Bot.)A genus of plants of the orderHæmodraceæ, having two-ranked, sword-shaped leaves.

Xiph"i*oid (?),a.[Xiphius+-oid.](Zoöl.)Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a cetacean of the genus Xiphius or familyXiphiidæ.

||Xiph"i*plas"tron (?),n.;pl.Xiphiplastra(#). [NL., fr. Gr. xi`fos a sword +plastron.](Anat.)The posterior, or fourth, lateral plate in the plastron of turtles; -- called alsoxiphisternum.

||Xiph"i*ster"num (?),n.;pl.Xiphisterna(#). [NL., fr. Gr. xi`fos a sword +sternum.](Anat.)(a)The posterior segment, or extremity, of the sternum; -- sometimes calledmetasternum,ensiform cartilage,ensiform process, orxiphoid process.(b)The xiphiplastron. -- Xiph"i*ster"nal (#)a.

||Xiph"i*us (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. xi`fos a sword.](Zoöl.)A genus of cetaceans having a long, pointed, bony beak, usually two tusklike teeth in the lower jaw, but no teeth in the upper jaw.

Xiph"o*don (?),n.[Gr. xi`fos a sword + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.](Paleon.)An extinct genus of artiodactylous mammals found in the European Tertiary formations. It had slender legs, didactylous feet, and small canine teeth.

Xiph"oid (?; 277),a.[Gr. &?; sword- shaped; xi`fos a sword + &?; form, shape: cf. F.xiphoide.](Anat.)(a)Like a sword; ensiform.(b)Of or pertaining to the xiphoid process; xiphoidian.

Xiph*oid"i*an (?),a.(Anat.)Xiphoid.

Xi*phoph"yl*lous (?),a.[Gr. xi`fos sword + &?; leaf.](Bot.)Having sword- shaped leaves.

||Xiph`o*su"ra (?),n. pl.See Xiphura.

||Xi*phu"ra (?),n. pl.[NL., from Gr. xi`fos sword + &?; tail.](Zoöl.)Same as Limuloidea. Called alsoXiphosura.

X ray. See under Ray.

Xy*lam"ide (?),n.[Xylic +amide.](Chem.)An acid amide derivative of xylic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.

Xy*lan"thrax (?),n.[Gr. xy`lon wood + &?; coal.] Wood coal, or charcoal; -- so called in distinction frommineral coal.

Xy"late (?),n.(Chem.)A salt of xylic acid.

Xy"lem (?),n.[Gr. xy`lon wood.](Bot.)That portion of a fibrovascular bundle which has developed, or will develop, into wood cells; -- distinguished fromphloëm.

Xy"lene (?),n.[Gr. xy`lon wood.](Chem.)Any of a group of three metameric hydrocarbons of the aromatic series, found in coal and wood tar, and so named because found in crude wood spirit. They are colorless, oily, inflammable liquids, C6H4.(CH3)2, being dimethyl benzenes, and are called respectivelyorthoxylene,metaxylene, andparaxylene. Called alsoxylol.

Each of these xylenes is the nucleus and prototype of a distinct series of compounds.

Xy"le*nol (?),n.[Xylene+- ol.](Chem.)Any one of six metameric phenol derivatives of xylene, obtained as crystalline substances, (CH3)2.C6H3.OH.

Xy*let"ic (?),a.(Chem.)Pertaining to, or designating, a complex acid related to mesitylenic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance by the action of sodium and carbon dioxide on crude xylenol.

Xy"lic (?),a.(Chem.)Pertaining to, derived from, or related to, xylene; specifically, designating any one of several metameric acids produced by the partial oxidation of mesitylene and pseudo-cumene.

Xy*lid"ic (?),a.(Chem.)Pertaining to, or designating, either one of two distinct acids which are derived from xylic acid and related compounds, and are metameric with uvitic acid.

Xy"li*dine (?),n.(Chem.)Any one of six metameric hydrocarbons, (CH3)2.C6H3.NH2, resembling aniline, and related to xylene. They are liquids, or easily fusible crystalline substances, of which three are derived from metaxylene, two from orthoxylene, and one from paraxylene. They are called theamido xylenes.

The xylidine of commerce, used in making certain dyes, consists chiefly of the derivatives of paraxylene and metaxylene.

Xy*lin"de*in (?),n.(Chem.)A green or blue pigment produced by Peziza in certain kinds of decayed wood, as the beech, oak, birch, etc., and extracted as an amorphous powder resembling indigo.

Xy"lite (?),n.[Gr. xy`lon wood.](Chem.)A liquid hydrocarbon found in crude wood spirits.

Xy"li*tone (?),n.(Chem.)A yellow oil having a geraniumlike odor, produced as a side product in making phorone; -- called alsoxylite oil.

Xy"lo- (?). A combining form from Gr. xy`lon wood; as inxylogen,xylograph.

||Xy`lo*bal"sa*mum (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. xy`lon wood + &?; the balsam tree, balsam; cf. L.xylobalsamumbalsam wood, Gr. &?;.](Med.)The dried twigs of a Syrian tree (Balsamodendron Gileadense).U. S. Disp.

Xy`lo*car"pous (?),a.[Xylo-+ Gr. karpo`s fruit.](Bot.)Bearing fruit which becomes hard or woody.

||Xy*loc"o*pa (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. &?; cutting wood; xy`lon wood + &?; to cut.](Zoöl.)A genus of hymenopterous insects including the carpenter. SeeCarpenter bee, under Carpenter. -- Xy*loc"o*pine (#),a.

Xy"lo*gen (?),n.[Xylo-+- gen.](a)(Bot.)Nascent wood; wood cells in a forming state.(b)Lignin.

Xy"lo*graph (?),n.[Xylo-+- graph.] An engraving on wood, or the impression from such an engraving; a print by xylography.

Xy*log"ra*pher (?),n.One who practices xylography.

{ Xy`lo*graph"ic (?), Xy`lo*graph"ic*al (?), }a.[Cf. F.xylographique.] Of or pertaining to xylography, or wood engraving.

Xy*log"ra*phy (?),n.[Xylo-+-graphy: cf. F.xylographie.]

1.The art of engraving on wood.

2.The art of making prints from the natural grain of wood.Knight.

3.A method pf printing in colors upon wood for purposes of house decoration.Ure.

Xy"loid (?),a.[Xylo- +- oid.] Resembling wood; having the nature of wood.

Xy*loid"in (?),n.[Xylo- +- oid.](Chem.)A substance resembling pyroxylin, obtained by the action of nitric acid on starch; -- called alsonitramidin.

Xy"lol (?),n.[Xylo- + L.oleum oil.](Chem.)Same as Xylene.

Xy"lon*ite (?),n.See Zylonite.

||Xy*loph"a*ga (?),n.[NL. See Xylophagous.](Zoöl.)A genus of marine bivalves which bore holes in wood. They are allied to Pholas.

Xy*loph"a*gan (?),n.[See Xylophagous.](Zoöl.)(a)One of a tribe of beetles whose larvæ bore or live in wood.(b)Any species of Xylophaga.(c)Any one of the Xylophagides.

||Xy`lo*phag"i*des (?),n. pl.[See Xylophagous.](Zoöl.)A tribe or family of dipterous flies whose larvæ live in decayed wood. Some of the tropical species are very large.

Xy*loph"a*gous (?),a.[Gr. &?; eating wood; xy`lon wood + &?; to eat.](Zoöl.)(a)Eating, boring in, or destroying, wood; -- said especially of certain insect larvæ, crustaceans, and mollusks.(b)Of or pertaining to the genus Xylophaga.

Xy*loph"i*lan (?),n.[See Xylophilous.](Zoöl.)One of a tribe of beetles (Xylophili) whose larvæ live on decayed wood.

Xy*loph"i*lous (?),a.[Xylo-+ Gr. filei^n to love.](Zoöl.)Of or pertaining to the xylophilans.

Xy"lo*phone (?),n.[Xylo-+ Gr. fwnh` sound.]

1.(Mus.)An instrument common among the Russians, Poles, and Tartars, consisting of a series of strips of wood or glass graduated in length to the musical scale, resting on belts of straw, and struck with two small hammers. Called in Germanystrohfiedel, orstraw fiddle.

2.An instrument to determine the vibrative properties of different kinds of wood.Knight.

Xy`lo*plas"tic (?),a.[Xylo-+-plastic.](Technol.)Formed of wood pulp by molds; relating to casts made of wood pulp in molds.

Xy`lo*py*rog"ra*phy (?).n.[Xylo-+ Gr. &?;, &?;, fire +-graphy.] The art or practice of burning pictures on wood with a hot iron; -- called alsopoker painting. SeePoker picture, under Poker.

Xy`lo*qui"none (?),n.[Xylene +quinone.](Chem.)Any one of a group of quinone compounds obtained respectively by the oxidation of certain xylidine compounds. In general they are yellow crystalline substances.

Xy*lor"cin (?),n.[Xylene +orcin.](Chem.)A derivative of xylene obtained as a white crystalline substance which on exposure in the air becomes red; -- called alsobetaorcin.

Xy*los"te*in (?),n.[Xylo-+ Gr. &?; bone.](Chem.)A glucoside found in the poisonous berries of a species of honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum), and extracted as a bitter, white, crystalline substance.

Xy"lo*tile (?),n.Same as Parkesine.

||Xy*lo"try*a (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. xy`lon wood + &?; to rub, wear out.](Zoöl.)A genus of marine bivalves closely allied to Teredo, and equally destructive to timber. One species (Xylotrya fimbriata) is very common on the Atlantic coast of the United States.

Xy"lyl (?),n.[Xylo-+- yl.](Chem.)Any one of three metameric radicals which are characteristic respectively of the three xylenes.

Xy"lyl*ene (?),n.(Chem.)Any one of three metameric radicals, CH2.C6H4.CH2, derived respectively from the three xylenes. Often used adjectively; as,xylylenealcohol.

Xyr`i*da"ceous (?),a.(Bot.)Of or pertaining to a natural order (Xyrideæ) of endogenous plants, of which Xyris is the type.

||Xy"ris (?),n.[L., a kind of Iris, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a razor.](Bot.)A genus of endogenous herbs with grassy leaves and small yellow flowers in short, scaly- bracted spikes; yellow-eyed grass. There are about seventeen species in the Atlantic United States.

{ Xyst (?), ||Xys"tus (?), }n.[L.xystus, Gr. &?;, from &?; to scrape, polish; -- so called from its smooth and polished floor.](Anc. Arch.)A long and open portico, for athletic exercises, as wrestling, running, etc., for use in winter or in stormy weather.

Xyst"arch (?),n.[L.xystarches, Gr. &?;, &?; a xyst + &?; to rule.](Gr. Antiq.)An office&?; having the superintendence of the xyst.Dr. W. Smith.

Xys"ter (?),n.[NL., fr. Gr. xysth`r a scraper.](Surg.)An instrument for scraping bones.

Y (w). Y, the twenty-fifth letter of the English alphabet, at the beginning of a word or syllable, except when a prefix (see Y-), is usually a fricative vocal consonant; as a prefix, and usually in the middle or at the end of a syllable, it is a vowel. SeeGuide to Pronunciation, §§ 145, 178-9, 272.

It derives its form from the Latin Y, which is from the Greek , originally the same letter as V. Etymologically, it is most nearly related tou,i,o, andj.g; as infull,fill, AS.fyllan; E.crypt,grotto;young,juvenile;day, AS.dæg. See U, I, and J, G.

Y has been called thePythagorean letter, because the Greek letter was taken represent the sacred triad, formed by the duad proceeding from the monad; and also because it represents the dividing of the paths of vice and virtue in the development of human life.

Y (w),n.;pl.Y's(wz)orYs. Something shaped like the letter Y; a forked piece resembling in form the letter Y. Specifically:(a)One of the forked holders for supporting the telescope of a leveling instrument, or the axis of a theodolite; a wye.(b)A forked or bifurcated pipe fitting.(c)(Railroads)A portion of track consisting of two diverging tracks connected by a cross track.

Y level(Surv.), an instrument for measuring differences of level by means of a telescope resting in Y's. --Y moth(Zoöl.), a handsome European noctuid mothPlusia gamma) which has a bright, silvery mark, shaped like the letter Y, on each of the fore wings. Its larva, which is green with five dorsal white species, feeds on the cabbage, turnip, bean, etc. Called alsogamma moth, andsilver Y.

Y (),pron.I. [Obs.]King Horn. Wyclif.

{ Y- (?), or I- }. [OE.y-,i-, AS.ge-, akin to D. & G.ge-, OHG.gi-,ga-, Goth.ga-, and perhaps to Latincon-; originally meaning, together. Cf. Com-, Aware, Enough, Handiwork, Ywis.] A prefix of obscure meaning, originally used with verbs, adverbs, adjectives, nouns, and pronouns. In the Middle English period, it was little employed except with verbs, being chiefly used with past participles, though occasionally with the infinitiveYcleped, oryclept, is perhaps the only word not entirely obsolete which shows this use.

That no wight mighte it see neitheryheere.

Chaucer.

Neither to benyburied norybrent.

Chaucer.

Some examples of Chaucer's use of this prefix are;ibe,ibeen,icaught,ycome,ydo,idoon,ygo,iproved,ywrought. Itinough,enough, it is combined with an adjective. Other examples are in the Vocabulary.

Spenser and later writers frequently employed this prefix when affecting an archaic style, and sometimes used it incorrectly.

Ya (yä),adv.Yea. [Obs.]Chaucer.

Yac"a*re` (yk"*r`),n.[SeeJacare.](Zoöl.)A South American crocodilian (Jacare sclerops) resembling the alligator in size and habits. The eye orbits are connected together, and surrounded by prominent bony ridges. Called alsospectacled alligator, andspectacled cayman. [Written alsojacare.]

The name is also applied to allied species.

Yac"ca (yk"k),n.(Bot.)A West Indian name for two large timber trees (Podocarpus coriaceus, andP. Purdicanus) of the Yew family. The wood, which is much used, is pale brownish with darker streaks.

Yacht (yt),n.[D.jagt,jacht; perhaps properly, a chase, hunting, from.jagento chase, hunt, akin to G.jagen, OHG.jagn, of uncertain origin; or perhaps akin to OHG.ghiquick, sudden (cf. Gay).](Naut.)A light and elegantly furnished vessel, used either for private parties of pleasure, or as a vessel of state to convey distinguished persons from one place to another; a seagoing vessel used only for pleasure trips, racing, etc.

Yacht measurement. See the Note under Tonnage, 4.

Yacht,v. i.To manage a yacht; to voyage in a yacht.

Yacht"er (-r),n.One engaged in sailing a jacht.

Yacht"ing,n.Sailing for pleasure in a yacht.

Yacht"man (?),n.See Yachtsman.

Yachts"man (?),n.;pl.Yachtsmen(&?;). One who owns or sails a yacht; a yachter.

Yaf (?), obs.imp.of Give. [AS.geaf, imp. ofgiefanto give. See Give] Gave. See Give.Chaucer.

Yaf"fin*gale (?),n.[See Yaffle, and cf. Nightingale.](Zoöl.)The yaffle. [Prov. Eng.]

Yaf"fle (?),n.[Probably imitative of its call or cry.](Zoöl.)The European green woodpecker (Picus, or Genius, viridis). It is noted for its loud laughlike note. Called alsoeccle,hewhole,highhoe,laughing bird,popinjay,rain bird,yaffil,yaffler,yaffingale,yappingale,yackel, andwoodhack.

Ya"ger (?; 277),n.[G.jägera hunter, fromjagento chase, hunt.](Mil.)In the German army, one belonging to a body of light infantry armed with rifles, resembling thechasseurof the French army. [Written alsojager.]

Ya`gua*run"di (?),n.(Zoöl.)Same as Jaguarondi. [Written alsoyaguarondi, andyagouarondi.]

||Yaj"ur-Ve"da (yj"ûr-v`dor-v`d),n.[Skr.yajur- vda.] See Veda.

Yak (yk),n.[Thibetangyag.](Zoöl.)A bovine mammal (Poëphagus grunnies) native of the high plains of Central Asia. Its neck, the outer side of its legs, and its flanks, are covered with long, flowing, fine hair. Its tail is long and bushy, often white, and is valued as an ornament and for other purposes in India and China. There are several domesticated varieties, some of which lack the mane and the long hair on the flanks. Called alsochauri gua,grunting cow,grunting ox,sarlac,sarlik, andsarluc.

Yak lace, a coarse pillow lace made from the silky hair of the yak.

Yak"a*milk (?),n.(Zoöl.)See Trumpeter, 3(a).

Yak"a*re` (?),n.(Zoöl.)Same as Yacare.

Ya"kin (?),n.(Zoöl.)A large Asiatic antelope (Budorcas taxicolor) native of the higher parts of the Himalayas and other lofty mountains. Its head and neck resemble those of the ox, and its tail is like that of the goat. Called alsobudorcas.

Ya*koots" (?),n. pl.; sing.Yakoot(&?;).(Ethnol.)A nomadic Mongolian tribe native of Northern Siberia, and supposed to be of Turkish stock. They are mainly pastoral in their habits. [Written alsoYakuts.]

||Yak"sha (?),n.[Skr.](Hindoo Myth.)A kind of demigod attendant on Kuvera, the god of wealth.

Ya"lah (?),n.The oil of the mahwa tree.

Yam (ym),n.[Pg.inhame, probably from some native name.](Bot.)A large, esculent, farinaceous tuber of various climbing plants of the genusDioscorea; also, the plants themselves. Mostly natives of warm climates. The plants have netted-veined, petioled leaves, and pods with three broad wings. The commonest species isD. sativa, but several others are cultivated.

Chinese yam, a plant (Dioscorea Batatas) with a long and slender tuber, hardier than most of the other species. --Wild yam.(a)A common plant (Dioscorea villosa) of the Eastern United States, having a hard and knotty rootstock.(b)An orchidaceous plant (Gastrodia sesamoides) of Australia and Tasmania.

||Ya"ma (?),n.[Skr.yamaa twin.](Hindoo Myth.)The king of the infernal regions, corresponding to the Greek Pluto, and also the judge of departed souls. In later times he is more exclusively considered the dire judge of all, and the tormentor of the wicked. He is represented as of a green color, with red garments, having a crown on his head, his eyes inflamed, and sitting on a buffalo, with a club and noose in his hands.

Yam"ma (?),n.[See Llama.](Zoöl.)The llama.

Yamp (?),n.(Bot.)An umbelliferous plant (Carum Gairdneri); also, its small fleshy roots, which are eaten by the Indians from Idaho to California.

Yang (?),n.[Of imitative origin.] The cry of the wild goose; a honk.

Yang,v. i.To make the cry of the wild goose.

Yank (?),n.[Cf. Scot.yanka sudden and severe blow.] A jerk or twitch. [Colloq. U. S.]

Yank,v. t.[imp. & p. p.Yanked (?);p. pr. & vb. n.Yanking.] To twitch; to jerk. [Colloq. U. S.]

Yank,n.An abbreviation of Yankee. [Slang]

Yan"kee (?),n.[Commonly considered to be a corrupt pronunciation of the wordEnglish, or of the French wordAnglais, by the native Indians of America. According to Thierry, a corruption ofJankin, a diminutive ofJohn, and a nickname given to the English colonists of Connecticut by the Dutch settlers of New York. Dr. W. Gordon ("Hist. of the Amer. War," ed, 1789, vol. i., pp. 324, 325) says it was a favorite cant word in Cambridge, Mass., as early as 1713, and that it meantexcellent; as, ayankeegood horse,yankeegood cider, etc. Cf. Scotyankiea sharp, clever, and rather bold woman, and Prov. E. bow-yankeesa kind of leggins worn by agricultural laborers.] A nickname for a native or citizen of New England, especially one descended from old New England stock; by extension, an inhabitant of the Northern States as distinguished from a Southerner; also, applied sometimes by foreigners to any inhabitant of the United States.

From meanness first this PortsmouthYankeyrose,And still to meanness all his conduct flows.

Oppression, A poem by an American (Boston, 1765).

Yan"kee,a.Of or pertaining to a Yankee; characteristic of the Yankees.

The alertness of theYankeeaspect.

Hawthorne.

Yankee clover.(Bot.)SeeJapan clover, under Japan.

Yan`kee-Doo"dle (?),n.1.The name of a tune adopted popularly as one of the national airs of the United States.

2.Humorously, a Yankee.

We might have withheld our political noodlesFrom knocking their heads against hotYankee- Doodles.

Moore.

Yan"kee*ism (?),n.A Yankee idiom, word, custom, or the like.Lowell.

||Yaourt (?),n.[Turk.yoghurt.] A fermented drink, or milk beer, made by the Turks.

Yap (?),v. i.[Icel.gjlpa; akin toyelp. Cf. Yaup.] To bark; to yelp.L'Estrange.

Yap (?),n.A bark; a yelp.

Ya"pock (?; 277),n.[Probably from the riverOyapok, between French Guiana and Brazil.](Zoöl.)A South American aquatic opossum (Chironectes variegatus) found in Guiana and Brazil. Its hind feet are webbed, and its fore feet do not have an opposable thumb for climbing. Called alsowater opossum. [Written alsoyapack.]

Ya"pon (?; 277),n.(Bot.)Same as Yaupon.

Yar"age (?; 48),n.[See Yare,a.](Naut.)The power of moving, or being managed, at sea; -- said with reference to a ship.Sir T. North.

Yard (?),n.[OE.yerd, AS.gierd,gyrd, a rod, stick, a measure, a yard; akin to OFries.ierde, OS.gerda, D.garde, G.gerte, OHG.gartia,gerta,gart, Icel.gaddra goad, sting, Goth.gazds, and probably to L.hastaa spear. Cf. Gad,n., Gird,n., Gride,v. i., Hastate.]

1.A rod; a stick; a staff. [Obs.]P. Plowman.

If men smote it with ayerde.

Chaucer.

2.A branch; a twig. [Obs.]

The bitter frosts with the sleet and rainDestroyed hath the green in everyyerd.

Chaucer.

3.A long piece of timber, as a rafter, etc. [Obs.]

4.A measure of length, equaling three feet, or thirty-six inches, being the standard of English and American measure.

5.The penis.

6.(Naut.)A long piece of timber, nearly cylindrical, tapering toward the ends, and designed to support and extend a square sail. A yard is usually hung by the center to the mast. SeeIllust.of Ship.

Golden Yard,orYard and Ell(Astron.), a popular name of the three stars in the belt of Orion. --Under yard[i. e., under the rod], under contract. [Obs.]Chaucer.

Yard,n.[OE.yard,yerd, AS.geard; akin to OFries.gardagarden, OS.gardogarden,gardyard, D.gaardgarden, G.garten, OHG.gartogarden,gariinclosure, Icel.garðryard, house, Sw.gård, Dan.gaard, Goth.gardsa house,gardasheepfold, L.hortusgarden, Gr. cho`rtos an inclosure. Cf. Court, Garden, Garth, Horticulture, Orchard.]

1.An inclosure; usually, a small inclosed place in front of, or around, a house or barn; as, a courtyard; a cowyard; a barnyard.

Ayard. . . inclosed all about with sticksIn which she had a cock, hight chanticleer.

Chaucer.

2.An inclosure within which any work or business is carried on; as, a dockyard; a shipyard.

Liberty of the yard, a liberty, granted to persons imprisoned for debt, of walking in the yard, or within any other limits prescribed by law, on their giving bond not to go beyond those limits. --Prison yard, an inclosure about a prison, or attached to it. --Yard grass(Bot.), a low-growing grass (Eleusine Indica) having digitate spikes. It is common in dooryards, and like places, especially in the Southern United States. Called alsocrab grass. --Yard of land. See Yardland.

Yard,v. t.To confine (cattle) to the yard; to shut up, or keep, in a yard; as, toyardcows.

Yard"arm` (?),n.(Naut.)Either half of a square-rigged vessel's yard, from the center or mast to the end.

Ships are said to beyardarm and yardarmwhen so near as to touch, or interlock yards.

Yard"ful (?),n.;pl.Yardfuls(&?;). As much as a yard will contain; enough to fill a yard.

Yard"land` (?),n.(O. Eng. Law)A measure of land of uncertain quantity, varying from fifteen to forty acres; a virgate. [Obs.]

Yard"stick` (?),n.A stick three feet, or a yard, in length, used as a measure of cloth, etc.

Yard"wand` (?),n.A yardstick.Tennyson.

Yare (?),a.[OE.yare,aru, AS.gearu; akin to OS.garu, OHG.garo, G.gar, Icel.gerrperfect,görvaquite, G.gerbento tan, to curry, OHG.garawen,garwen, to make ready. Cf. Carouse, Garb clothing, Gear,n.] Ready; dexterous; eager; lively; quick to move. [Obs.] "Beyarein thy preparation."Shak.

The lesser [ship] will come and go, leave or take, and isyare; whereas the greater is slow.

Sir W. Raleigh.

Yare,adv.Soon. [Obs.]Cursor Mundi.

Yare"ly,adv.In a yare manner. [Obs.]Shak.

Yark (?),v. t. & i.To yerk. [Prov. Eng.]

Yar"ke (?),n.(Zoöl.)Same as Saki.

Yarn (?),n.[OE.yarn,arn, AS.gearn; akin to D.garen, G., OHG., Icel., Sw., & Dan.garn; of uncertain origin. Cf. Cord.]

1.Spun wool; woolen thread; also, thread of other material, as of cotton, flax, hemp, or silk; material spun and prepared for use in weaving, knitting, manufacturing sewing thread, or the like.

2.(Rope Making)One of the threads of which the strands of a rope are composed.

3.A story told by a sailor for the amusement of his companions; a story or tale; as, to spin ayarn. [Colloq.]

Yarn"en (?),a.Made of yarn; consisting of yarn. [Obs.] "A pair ofyarnenstocks."Turbervile.

Yar"nut` (?),n.(Bot.)See Yernut.

Yarr (?),v. i.[OE.arren.] To growl or snarl as a dog. [Obs.]Ainsworth.

Yar"rish (?),a.[Prov. E.yarsour,yarebrackish.] Having a rough, dry taste. [Prov. Eng.]

Yar"row (?),n.[OE.yarowe,yarwe,arowe, AS.gearwe; akin to D.gerw, OHG.garwa,garawa, G.garbe,schafgarbe, and perhaps to E.yare.](Bot.)An American and European composite plant (Achillea Millefolium) with very finely dissected leaves and small white corymbed flowers. It has a strong, and somewhat aromatic, odor and taste, and is sometimes used in making beer, or is dried for smoking. Called alsomilfoil, andnosebleed.

Yar"whip` (?),n.[So called from its sharp cry uttered when taking wing.](Zoöl.)The European bar-tailed godwit; -- called alsoyardkeep, andyarwhelp. See Godwit. [Prov. Eng.]

Yat"a*ghan (?),n.[Turk.ytghn.] A long knife, or short saber, common among Mohammedan nations, usually having a double curve, sometimes nearly straight. [Written alsoataghan,attaghan.]Chaucer.

Yate (?),n.A gate. See 1st Gate. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]Spenser.

Yaud (?),n.See Yawd. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Yaul (?),n.(Naut.)See Yawl.

Yaulp (?),v. i.To yaup.

Yaup (?),v. i.[See Yap, and Yelp.] To cry out like a child; to yelp. [Scot. & Colloq. U. S.] [Written alsoyawp.]

Yaup,n.[Written alsoyawp.]

1.A cry of distress, rage, or the like, as the cry of a sickly bird, or of a child in pain. [Scot. & Colloq. U. S.]

2.(Zoöl.)The blue titmouse. [Prov. Eng.]

Yaup"er (?),n.One who, or that which, yaups.

Yau"pon (?),n.(Bot.)A shrub (Ilex Cassine) of the Holly family, native from Virginia to Florida. The smooth elliptical leaves are used as a substitute for tea, and were formerly used in preparing theblack drinkof the Indians of North Carolina. Called alsoSouth-Sea tea. [Written alsoyapon,youpon, andyupon.]

Yaw (?),v. i.[imp. & p. p.Yawed (?);p. pr. & vb. n.Yawing.] [Cf. Yew,v. i.] To rise in blisters, breaking in white froth, as cane juice in the clarifiers in sugar works.

Yaw,v. i. & t.[Cf. Prov. G.gagento rock,gagelnto totter, shake, Norw.gagato bend backward, Icel.gagrbent back,gagato throw the neck back.](Naut.)To steer wild, or out of the line of her course; to deviate from her course, as when struck by a heavy sea; -- said of a ship.

Just as he would lay the ship's course, allyawingbeing out of the question.

Lowell.

Yaw,n.(Naut.)A movement of a vessel by which she temporarily alters her course; a deviation from a straight course in steering.

Yawd (?),n.[Cf. Icel.jaldaa mare, E.jadea nag.] A jade; an old horse or mare. [Written alsoyaud.] [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]Grose.

Yawl (?),n.[D.jol; akin to LG. & Dan.jolle, Sw.julle. Cf. Jolly-boat.](Naut.)A small ship's boat, usually rowed by four or six oars. [Written alsoyaul.]

Yawl,v. i.[OE.aulen,oulen,gaulen,goulen, Icel.gaulato low, bellow. Cf. Gowl.] To cry out like a dog or cat; to howl; to yell.Tennyson.

There howling Scyllasyawlinground about.

Fairfax.

Yawl"-rigged" (?),a.(Naut.)Having two masts with fore-and-aft sails, but differing from a schooner in that the after mast is very small, and stepped as far aft as possible. SeeIllustrationin Appendix.

Yawn (yn),v. i.[imp. & p. p.Yawned (?);p. pr. & vb. n.Yawning.] [OE.yanien,anien,ganien,gonien, AS.gnian; akin toginianto yawn,gnanto yawn, open wide, G.gähnento yawn, OHG.ginn,geinn, Icel.gnato yawn,ginthe mouth, OSlav.zijatito yawn, L.hiareto gape, yawn; and perhaps to E.begin, cf. Gr. cheia` a hole. √47b. Cf.Begin,Ginto begin, Hiatus.]

1.To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate. "The lazy,yawningdrone."Shak.

And while above he spends his breath,Theyawningaudience nod beneath.

Trumbull.

2.To open wide; to gape, as if to allow the entrance or exit of anything.

't is now the very witching time of night,When churchyardsyawn.

Shak.

3.To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment.Shak.

4.To be eager; to desire to swallow anything; to express desire by yawning; as, toyawnfor fat livings. "One long,yawninggaze."Landor.

Yawn,n.1.An involuntary act, excited by drowsiness, etc., consisting of a deep and long inspiration following several successive attempts at inspiration, the mouth, fauces, etc., being wide open.

One person yawning in company will produce a spontaneousyawnin all present.

N. Chipman.

2.The act of opening wide, or of gaping.Addison.

3.A chasm, mouth, or passageway. [R.]

Now gape the graves, and trough theiryawnslet looseImprisoned spirits.

Marston.

Yawn"ing*ly,adv.In a yawning manner.

Yawp (?),v. & n.See Yaup.

Yaws (?),n.[Africanyawa raspberry.](Med.)A disease, occurring in the Antilles and in Africa, characterized by yellowish or reddish tumors, of a contagious character, which, in shape and appearance, often resemble currants, strawberries, or raspberries. There are several varieties of this disease, variously known asframbœsia,pian,verrugas, andcrab-yaws.

Yaw"-weed` (?),n.(Bot.)A low, shrubby, rubiaceous plant (Morinda Royoc) growing along the seacoast of the West Indies. It has small, white, odorous flowers.

Y*be" (?), obs.p. p.of Be. Been.Chaucer.

Y*cleped" (?),p. p.[AS.geclipod, p. p. ofclipian,cleopian,cliopian, to call. See Clepe, and also the Note under Y-.] Called; named; -- obsolete, except in archaic or humorous writings. [Spelt alsoyclept.]

It is full fair to benycleptmadame.

Chaucer.

But come, thou goddess fair and free.In heavenyclepedEuphrosyne.

Milton.

Those charming little missivesyclepedvalentines.

Lamb.

Y*do" (?), obs.p. p.of Do. Done.Chaucer.

Y*drad" (?), obs.p. p.of Dread. Dreaded.

Yet nothing did he dread, but ever wasydrad.

Spenser.

{Ye, Ye ()}, an old method of printing the articlethe(AS.þe), the "y" being used in place of the Anglo-Saxon thorn (þ). It is sometimes incorrectly pronounced y. See The, and Thorn,n., 4.

Y"ë ("e),n.;pl.Yën("en). An eye. [Obs.]

From hisyënran the water down.

Chaucer.

Ye (y),pron.[OE.ye,e, nom. pl., AS.ge,g; cf. OS.ge,g, OFries.g, , D.gij, Dan. & Sw.i, Icel.r, OHG.ir, G.ihr, Goth.jus, Lith.jus, Gr. "ymei^s, Skr.yuyam. √189.] The plural of the pronoun of the second person in the nominative case.

Yeben to me right welcome heartily.

Chaucer.

Butyeare washed, butyeare sanctified.

1 Cor. vi. 11.

This would cost you your life in caseyewere a man.

Udall.

In Old Englishyewas used only as a nominative, andyouonly as a dative or objective. In the 16th century, however,yeandyoubecame confused and were often used interchangeably, both as nominatives and objectives, andyouhas now supersededyeexcept in solemn or poetic use. See You, and also the first Note under Thou.

Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hateye.

Shak.

I come, kind gentlemen, strange news to tellye.

Dryden.

Ye (y),adv.[See Yea.] Yea; yes. [Obs.]Chaucer.

Yea (y or y; 277),adv.[OE.ye,ya,e,a, AS.geá; akin to OFries.g,i, OS., D., OHG., G., Dan. & Sw.ja, Icel,j, Goth.ja,jai, and probably to Gr. "h^ truly, verily. √188. Cf. Yes.]

1.Yes; ay; a word expressing assent, or an affirmative, or an affirmative answer to a question, now superseded byyes. See Yes.

Let your communication beyea,yea; nay, nay.

Matt. v. 37.

2.More than this; not only so, but; -- used to mark the addition of a more specific or more emphatic clause. Cf. Nay,adv., 2.

I therein do rejoice,yea, and will rejoice.

Phil. i. 18.

Yeasometimes introduces a clause, with the sense ofindeed,verily,truly. "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"Gen. iii. 1.

Yea,n.An affirmative vote; one who votes in the affirmative; as, a vote byyeasand nays.

In the Scriptures,yeais used as a sign of certainty or stability. "All the promises of God in him areyea, and in him Amen."2 Cor. i. 20.

Yead (?),v. i.Properly, a variant of the defective imperfectyode, but sometimes mistaken for a present. See the Note under Yede. [Obs.]

Yearsyeadaway and faces fair deflower.

Drant.

Yean (?),v. t. & i.[imp. & p. p.Yeaned (?);p. pr. & vb. n.Yeaning.] [AS.eánian, orgeeánian; perhaps akin to E.ewe, or perhaps to L.agnus, Gr. &?;. Cf. Ean.] To bring forth young, as a goat or a sheep; to ean.Shak.

Yean"ling (?),n.[Yean+- ling. Cf. Eanling.] A lamb or a kid; an eanling.Shak.

Year (?),n.[OE.yer,yeer,er, AS.geár; akin to OFries.i&?;r,g&?;r, D.jaar, OHG.jr, G.jahr, Icel.r, Dan.aar, Sw.år, Goth.j&?;r, Gr. &?; a season of the year, springtime, a part of the day, an hour, &?; a year, Zendyreyear. √4, 279. Cf. Hour, Yore.]

1.The time of the apparent revolution of the sun trough the ecliptic; the period occupied by the earth in making its revolution around the sun, called theastronomical year; also, a period more or less nearly agreeing with this, adopted by various nations as a measure of time, and called thecivil year; as, the common lunaryearof 354 days, still in use among the Mohammedans; theyearof 360 days, etc. In common usage, the year consists of 365 days, and every fourth year (calledbissextile, orleap year) of 366 days, a day being added to February on that year, on account of the excess above 365 days (see Bissextile).

Of twentyyearof age he was, I guess.

Chaucer.

Thecivil, orlegal,year, in England, formerly commenced on the 25th of March. This practice continued throughout the British dominions till the year 1752.

2.The time in which any planet completes a revolution about the sun; as, theyearof Jupiter or of Saturn.

3.pl.Age, or old age; as, a man inyears.Shak.

Anomalistic year, the time of the earth's revolution from perihelion to perihelion again, which is 365 days, 6 hours, 13 minutes, and 48 seconds. --A year's mind(Eccl.), a commemoration of a deceased person, as by a Mass, a year after his death. Cf.A month's mind, under Month. --Bissextile year. See Bissextile. --Canicular year. See under Canicular. --Civil year, the year adopted by any nation for the computation of time. --Common lunar year, the period of 12 lunar months, or 354 days. --Common year, each year of 365 days, as distinguished fromleap year. --Embolismic year, orIntercalary lunar year, the period of 13 lunar months, or 384 days. --Fiscal year(Com.), the year by which accounts are reckoned, or the year between one annual time of settlement, or balancing of accounts, and another. --Great year. SeePlatonic year, under Platonic. --Gregorian year,Julian year. See under Gregorian, and Julian. --Leap year. See Leap year, in the Vocabulary. --Lunar astronomical year, the period of 12 lunar synodical months, or 354 days, 8 hours, 48 minutes, 36 seconds. - -Lunisolar year. See under Lunisolar. --Periodical year. SeeAnomalistic year, above. --Platonic year,Sabbatical year. See under Platonic, and Sabbatical. --Sidereal year, the time in which the sun, departing from any fixed star, returns to the same. This is 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.3 seconds. --Tropical year. See under Tropical. --Year and a day(O. Eng. Law), a time to be allowed for an act or an event, in order that an entire year might be secured beyond all question.Abbott.--Year of grace, any year of the Christian era; Anno Domini; A. D. or a. d.

Ye*a"ra (?),n.(Bot.)The California poison oak (Rhus diversiloba). See under Poison,a.

Year"book` (?),n.1.A book published yearly; any annual report or summary of the statistics or facts of a year, designed to be used as a reference book; as, the CongregationalYearbook.

2.(Eng. Law)A book containing annual reports of cases adjudged in the courts of England.

TheYearbooksare the oldest English reports extant, beginning with the reign of Edward II., and ending with the reign of Henry VIII. They were published annually, and derive their name from that fact. They consist of eleven parts, or volumes, are written in Law French, and extend over nearly two hundred years. There are, however, several hiatuses, or chasms, in the series.Kent.Bouvier.

Yeared (?),a.Containing years; having existed or continued many years; aged. [Obs.]B. Jonson.

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