FERRICYANIDEFer`ri*cy"a*nide (; 104), n. Etym: [Ferri- + cyanide.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of a complex series of double cyanides of ferric iron and some other base. Potassium ferricyanide (Chem.), red prussiate of potash; a dark, red, crystalline salt, K6(CN)12Fe2, consisting of the double cyanide of potassium and ferric iron. From it is derived the ferrous ferricyanate, Turnbull's blue.
FERRIERFer"ri*er, n.
Defn: A ferryman. Calthrop.
FERRIFEROUS Fer*rif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. ferrum iron + -ferous: cf. F. ferrifère.]
Defn: Producing or yielding iron.
FERRIPRUSSIATE Fer`ri*prus"si*ate ( or ; see Prussiate, 277), n. Etym: [Ferri- + prussiate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A ferricyanate; a ferricyanide. [R.]
FERRIPRUSSIC Fer`ri*prus"sic ( or ; see Prussik, 277), a. Etym: [Ferri- + prussic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Ferricyanic. [R.]
FERRIS WHEELFer"ris wheel.
Defn: An amusement device consisting of a giant power-driven steel wheel, revolvable on its stationary axle, and carrying a number of balanced passenger cars around its rim; — so called after G. W. G. Ferris, American engineer, who erected the first of its kind for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
FERRO-Fer"ro- (. (Chem.)
Defn: A prefix, or combining form, indicating ferrous iron as an ingredient; as, ferrocyanide.
FERROCALCITEFer`ro*cal"cite, n. Etym: [Ferro- + calcite.]
Defn: Limestone containing a large percentage of iron carbonate, and hence turning brown on exposure.
FERRO-CONCRETEFer"ro-con"crete, n. (Arch. & Engin.)
Defn: Concrete strengthened by a core or foundation skeleton of iron or steel bars, strips, etc. Floors, columns, piles, water pipes, etc., have been successfully made of it. Called also armored concrete steel, and reënforced concrete.
FERROCYANATEFer`ro*cy"a*nate, n. Etym: [Ferro- + cyanate: cf. F. ferrocyanate.](Chem.)
Defn: A salt of ferrocyanic acid; a ferrocyanide.
FERROCYANICFer`ro*cy*an"ic, a. Etym: [Ferro- + cyanic: cf. F. ferrocyanique.](Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a ferrocyanide. ferrocyanic acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, H4(CN)6Fe, of strong acid properties, obtained from potassium ferrocyanide, and regarded as the type of the ferrocyanides; — called also hydro- ferrocyanic acid, hydrogen ferrocyanide. etc.
FERROCYANIDEFer`ro*cy"a*nide ( or ; 104), n. Etym: [Ferro- + cyanide.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of a series of complex double cyanides of ferrous iron and some other base. Potassium ferrocyanide (Chem.), yellow prussiate of potash; a tough, yellow, crystalline salt, K4(CN)6Fe, the starting point in the manufacture of almost all cyanogen compounds, and the basis of the ferric ferrocyanate, prussian blue. It is obtained by strongly heating together potash, scrap iron, and animal matter containing nitrogen, as horn, leather, blood, etc., in iron pots.
FERROPRUSSIATE Fer`ro*prus"si*ate ( or or; see Prussiate, 277), n. ) Etym: [Ferro- + prussiate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A ferrocyanate; a ferocyanide. [R.]
FERROPRUSSIC Fer`ro*prus"sic ( or ; see Prussic, 277), a. Etym: [Ferro- + prussic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Ferrocyanic.
FERROSO-Fer*ro"so- (. (Chem.)
Defn: See Ferro-.
FERROTYPEFer"ro*type, n. Etym: [L. ferrum iron + -type.]
Defn: A photographic picture taken on an iron plate by a collodion process; — familiarly called tintype.
FERROUSFer"rous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. ferreux. See Ferreous.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, iron; — especially used of compounds of iron in which the iron has its lower valence; as, ferrous sulphate.
FERRUGINATEDFer*ru"gi*na`ted, a. Etym: [See Ferrugo.]
Defn: Having the color or properties of the rust of iron.
FERRUGINEOUSFer`ru*gin"e*ous, a.
Defn: Ferruginous. [R.]
FERRUGINOUS Fer*ru"gi*nous, a. Etym: [L. ferruginus, ferrugineus, fr. ferrugo, - ginis, iron rust: cf. F. ferrugineux. See Ferrugo.]
1. Partaking of iron; containing particles of iron. Boyle.
2. Resembling iron rust in appearance or color; brownish red, or yellowish red.
FERRUGOFer*ru"go, n. Etym: [L., iron rust, fr. ferrum iron.]
Defn: A disease of plants caused by fungi, commonly called the rust, from its resemblance to iron rust in color.
FERRULE Fer"rule ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [Formerly verrel, F. virole, fr. L. viriola little bracelet, dim. of viriae, pl., bracelets; prob. akin to viere to twist, weave, and E. withe. The spelling with f is due to confusion with L. ferrum iron.]
1. A ring or cap of metal put round a cane, tool, handle, or other similar object, to strengthen it, or prevent splitting and wearing.
2. (Steam Boilers)
Defn: A bushing for expanding the end of a flue to fasten it tightly in the tube plate, or for partly filling up its mouth.
FERRUMINATE Fer*ru"mi*nate, v. t. Etym: [L. ferruminatus, p.p. of ferruminare to cement, solder, fr. ferrumen cement, fr. ferrum iron.]
Defn: To solder or unite, as metals. [R.] Coleridge.
FERRUMINATIONFer*ru`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. ferruminatio: cf. F. ferrumination.]
Defn: The soldering ir uniting of me [R.] Coleridge.
FERRYFer"ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferried; p. pr. & vb. n. Ferrying.] Etym:[OE. ferien to convey, AS. ferian, from faran to go; akin to Icel.ferja to ferry, Goth. farjan to sail. See Fare.]
Defn: To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.
FERRYFer"ry, v. i.
Defn: To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.They ferry over this Lethean sound Both to and fro. Milton.
FERRY Fer"ry, n.; pl. Ferries. Etym: [OE. feri; akin to Icel. ferja, Sw. färja, Dan. færge, G. fähre. See Ferry, v. t.]
1. A place where persons or things are carried across a river, arm of the sea, etc., in a ferryboat. It can pass the ferry backward into light. Milton. To row me o'er the ferry. Campbell.
2. A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.
3. A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls. Ferry bridge, a ferryboat adapted in its structure for the transfer of railroad trains across a river or bay. — Ferry railway. See under Railway.
FERRYBOATFer"ry*boat`, n.
Defn: A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., across streams and other narrow waters.
FERRYMANFer"ry*man, n.; pl. Ferrymen (.
Defn: One who maintains or attends a ferry.
FERSFers, a.
Defn: Fierce. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FERTHEFerthe, a.
Defn: Fourth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FERTILE Fer"tile ( or ; 277), a. Etym: [L. fertilis, fr. ferr to bear, produce: cf. F. fertile. See Bear to support.]
1. Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich; inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or imagination. Though he in a fertile climate dwell. Shak.
2. (Bot.) (a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile flowers. (b) Containing pollen; — said of anthers.
3. produced in abundance; plenteous; ample. Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease Of thy full branches. Milton.
Syn. — Fertile, Fruitful. Fertile implies the inherent power of production; fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a readiness of application which enable him to think and act effectively.
FERTILELYFer"tile*ly ( or ; 277), adv.
Defn: In a fertile or fruitful manner.
FERTILENESS fer"tile*ness, n.
Defn: Fertility. Sir P. Sidney.
FERTILITATEFer*til"i*tate, v. t.
Defn: To fertilize; to fecundate. Sir T. Browne.
FERTILITYFer*til"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. fertilitas: cf. F. fertilité.]
Defn: The state or quality of being fertile or fruitful; fruitfulness; productiveness; fecundity; richness; abundance of resources; fertile invention; quickness; readiness; as, the fertility of soil, or of imagination. "fertility of resource." E. Everett. And all her husbandry doth lie on heaps Corrupting in its own fertility. Shak. Thy very weeds are beautiful; thy waste More rich than other climes' fertility. Byron.
FERTILIZATIONFer`ti*li*za"tion, n.
1. The act or process of rendering fertile.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: The act of fecundating or impregnating animal or vegetable germs; esp., the process by which in flowers the pollen renders the ovule fertile, or an analogous process in flowerless plants; fecundation; impregnation. Close fertilization (Bot.), the fertilization of pistils by pollen derived from the stamens of the same blossom. — Cross fertilization, fertilization by pollen from some other blossom. See under Cross, a.
FERTILIZEFer"ti*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fertilized; p. pr. & vb. n.Fertilizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. fertiliser.]
1. To make fertile or enrich; to supply with nourishment for plants; to make fruitful or productive; as, to fertilize land, soil, ground, and meadows. And fertilize the field that each pretends to gain. Byron.
2. To fecundate; as, to fertilize flower. A. R. Wallace.
FERTILIZERFer"ti*lizer, n.
1. One who fertilizes; the agent that carries the fertilizing principle, as a moth to an orchid. A. R. Wallace.
2. That which renders fertile; a general name for commercial manures, as guano, phosphate of lime, etc.
FERULA Fer"u*la, n. Etym: [L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were used in punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to strike; akin to OHG. berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. Ferule.]
1. A ferule. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire.
FERULACEOUS Fer`u*la"ceous, a. Etym: [L. ferulaceus, fr. ferula rod: cf. F. férulacé.]
Defn: Pertaining to reeds and canes; having a stalk like a reed; as, ferulaceous plants.
FERULARFer"u*lar, n.
Defn: A ferule. [Obs.] Milton.
FERULEFer"ule ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [L. ferula: cf. F. férule. See Ferula.]
Defn: A flat piece of wood, used for striking, children, esp. on the hand, in punishment.
FERULEFer"ule, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feruled; p. pr. & vb. n. Feruling.]
Defn: To punish with a ferule.
FERULICFe*ru"lic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, asafetida (Ferula asafoetida); as, ferulic acid. [Written also ferulaic.]
FERVENCEFer"vence, n.
Defn: Heat; fervency. [Obs.]
FERVENCYFer"ven*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. fervence. See Fervent.]
Defn: The state of being fervent or warm; ardor; warmth of feeling ordevotion; eagerness.When you pray, let it be with attention, with fervency, and withperseverance. Wake.
FERVENT Fer"vent, a. Etym: [F. fervent, L. fervens, -entis. p.pr. of fervere o the boiling hot, to boil, glow.]
1. Hot; glowing; boiling; burning; as, a fervent summer. The elements shall melt with fervent heat. 2 Pet. iii. 10.
2. Warm in feeling; ardent in temperament; earnest; full of fervor;zealous; glowing.Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit. Rom. iii. 11.So spake the fervent angel. Milton.A fervent desire to promote the happiness of mankind. Macaulay.— Fer"vent*ly, adv.— Fer"vent*ness, n.Laboring fervently for you in prayers. Col. iv. 12.
FERVESCENT Fer*ves"cent, a. Etym: [L. fervescens, p.pr. of fervescere to become boiling hot, incho., fr. fervere. See Fervent.]
Defn: Growing hot.
FERVIDFer"vid, a. Etym: [L. fervidus, fr. fervere. See Fervent.]
1. Very hot; burning; boiling. The mounted sun Shot down direct his fervid rays. Milton.
2. Ardent; vehement; zealous.The fervid wishes, holy fires. Parnell.— Fer"vid*ly, adv.— Fer"vid*ness, n.
FERVOR Fer"vor, n. [Written also fervour.] Etym: [OF. fervor, fervour, F. ferveur, L. fervor, fr. fervere. See Fervent.]
1. Heat; excessive warmth. The fevor of ensuing day. Waller.
2. Intensity of feeling or expression; glowing ardor; passion; holy zeal; earnestness. Hooker. Winged with fervor of her love. Shak.
Syn. — Fervor, Ardor. Fervor is a boiling heat, and ardor is a burning heat. Hence, in metaphor, we commonly use fervor and its derivatives when we conceive of thoughts or emotions under the image of ebullition, or as pouring themselves forth. Thus we speak of the fervor of passion, fervid declamation, fervid importunity, fervent supplication, fervent desires, etc. Ardent is used when we think of anything as springing from a deepseated glow of soul; as, ardent friendship, ardent zeal, ardent devotedness; burning with ardor for the fight.
FESCENNINEFes"cen*nine, a. Etym: [L. Fescenninus, fr. Fescennia, a city ofEtruria.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, the Fescennines.— n.
Defn: A style of low, scurrilous, obscene poetry originating in fescennia.
FESCUE Fes"cue, n. Etym: [OE. festu, OF. festu, F. fétu, fr. L. festuca stalk, straw.]
1. A straw, wire, stick, etc., used chiefly to point out letters to children when learning to read. "Pedantic fescue.' Sterne. To come under the fescue of an imprimatur. Milton.
2. An instrument for playing on the harp; a plectrum. [Obs.] Chapman.
3. The style of a dial. [Obs.]
4. (Bot.)
Defn: A grass of the genus Festuca. Fescue grass (Bot.), a genus of grasses (Festuca) containing several species of importance in agriculture. Festuca ovina is sheep's fescue; F. elatior is meadow fescue.
FESCUEFes"cue, v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Fescued; p. pr. & vb. n. Fescuing.]
Defn: To use a fescue, or teach with a fescue. Milton.
FESELSFes"els, n. pl. Etym: [Written also fasels.]
Defn: See Phasel. [Obs.] May (Georgics).
FESS; FESSE Fess, Fesse, n. Etym: [OF. fesse, faisse, F. fasce, fr. L. fascia band. See Fascia.] (Her.)
Defn: A band drawn horizontally across the center of an escutcheon, and containing in breadth the third part of it; one of the nine honorable ordinaries. Fess point (Her.), the exact center of the escutcheon. See Escutcheon.
FESSITUDEFes"si*tude, n. Etym: [L. fessus wearied, fatigued.]
Defn: Weariness. [Obs.] Bailey.
FESSWISEFess"wise, adv.
Defn: In the manner of fess.
FESTFest, n. Etym: [See Fist.]
Defn: The fist. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FEST; FESTEFest, Fes"te, n.
Defn: A feast. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FESTALFes"tal, a. Etym: [L. festum holiday, feast. See feast.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a holiday or a feast; joyous; festive.You bless with choicer wine the festal day. Francis.
FESTALLYFes"tal*ly, adv.
Defn: Joyously; festively; mirthfully.
FESTENNINEFes"ten*nine, n.
Defn: A fescennine.
FESTERFes"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Festered; p. pr. & vb. n. Festering.]Etym: [OE. festern, fr. fester, n.; or fr. OF. festrir, fr. festre,n. See Fester, n.]
1. To generate pus; to become imflamed and suppurate; as, a sore or a wound festers. Wounds immedicable Rankle, and fester, and gangrene. Milton. Unkindness may give a wound that shall bleed and smart, but it is treachery that makes it fester. South. Hatred . . . festered in the hearts of the children of the soil. Macaulay.
2. To be inflamed; to grow virulent, or malignant; to grow in intensity; to rankle.
FESTERFes`ter, v. t.
Defn: To cause to fester or rankle. For which I burnt in inward, swelt'ring hate, And fstered ranking malice in my breast. Marston.
FESTERFes"ter, n. Etym: [OF. festre, L. fistula a sort of ulcer. Cf.Fistula.]
1. A small sore which becomes inflamed and discharge corrupt matter; a pustule.
2. A festering or rankling. The fester of the chain their necks. I. Taylor.
FESTERMENTFes"ter*ment, n.
Defn: A festering. [R.] Chalmers.
FESTEYEFest"eye, v. t. Etym: [OF. festier, festeer, F. festoyer.]
Defn: To feast; to entertain. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FESTINATEFes"ti*nate, a. Etym: [L. festinatus, p.p. of festinare to hasten.]
Defn: Hasty; hurried. [Obs.] — Fes"ti*nate*ly, adv. [Obs.] Shak.
FESTINATIONFes`ti*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. festinatio.]
Defn: Haste; hurry. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
FESTIVAL Fes"ti*val, a. Etym: [OF. festival, fr. L. festivum festive jollity, fr. festivus festive, gay. See Festive.]
Defn: Pertaining to a fest; festive; festal; appropriate to a festival; joyous; mirthful. I cannot woo in festival terms. Shak.
FESTI-VALFes"ti-val, n.
Defn: A time of feasting or celebration; an anniversary day of joy,civil or religious.The morning trumpets festival proclaimed. Milton.
Syn.— Feast; banquet; carousal. See Feast.
FESTIVE Fes"tive, a. Etym: [L. festivus, fr. festum holiday, feast. See feast, and cf. Festivous.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or becoming, a feast; festal; joyous; gay;mirthful; sportive.— Fes"tive*ly, adv.The glad circle round them yield their souls To festive mirth and witthat knows no gall. Thomson.
FESTIVITY Fes*tiv"i*ty, n.; pl. Festivities. Etym: [L. festivitas: cf. F. festivité.]
1. The condition of being festive; social joy or exhilaration of spirits at an entertaintment; joyfulness; gayety. The unrestrained festivity of the rustic youth. Bp. Hurd.
2. A festival; a festive celebration. Sir T. Browne.
FESTIVOUSFes"ti*vous, a. Etym: [See Festive.]
Defn: Pertaining to a feast; festive. [R.] Sir W. Scott.
FESTLICHFest"lich, a. Etym: [See Feast, n.]
Defn: Festive; fond of festive occasions. [Obs.] "A festlich man."Chaucer.
FESTOON Fes*toon", n. Etym: [F. feston (cf. Sp. feston, It. festone), prob. fr. L. festum festival. See Feast.]
1. A garland or wreath hanging in a depending curve, used in decoration for festivals, etc.; anything arranged in this way.
2. (Arch. & Sculp.)
Defn: A carved ornament consisting of flowers, and leaves, intermixed or twisted together, wound with a ribbon, and hanging or depending in a natural curve. See Illust. of Bucranium.
FESTOONFes*toon", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Festooned; p. pr. & vb. n.Festooning.]
Defn: To form in festoons, or to adorn with festoons.
FESTOONYFes*toon"y, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, festoons. Sir J.Herschel.
FESTUCINEFes*tu*cine ( or ), a. Etym: [L. festula stalk, straw. Cf. Fescue.]
Defn: Of a straw color; greenish yellow. [Obs.]A little insect of a festucine or pale green. Sir T. Browne.
FESTUCOUSFes"tu*cous, a.
Defn: Formed or consisting of straw. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
FESTUEFes"tue, n. Etym: [See Fescue.]
Defn: A straw; a fescue. [Obs.] Holland.
FETFet, n. Etym: [Cf. feat, F. fait, and It. fett slice, G. fetzen rag,Icel. fat garment.]
Defn: A piece. [Obs.] Dryton.
FETFet, v. t. Etym: [OE. fetten, feten, AS. fetian; akin to AS. fæt ajourney, and to E. foot; cf. G. fassen to seize. sq. root 77. SeeFoot, and cf. Fetch.]
Defn: To fetch. [Obs.]And from the other fifty soon the prisoner fet. Spenser.
FETFet, p. p. of Fette.
Defn: Fetched. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FETALFe"tal, a. Etym: [From Fetus.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or connected with, a fetus; as, fetal circulation; fetal membranes.
FETATIONFe*ta"tion, n.
Defn: The formation of a fetus in the womb; pregnancy.
FETCH Fetch (; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fetched 2; p. pr. & vb. n.. Fetching.] Etym: [OE. fecchen, AS. feccan, perh. the same word as fetian; or cf. facian to wish to get, OFries. faka to prepare. sq. root 77. Cf. Fet, v. t.]
1. To bear toward the person speaking, or the person or thing from whose point of view the action is contemplated; to go and bring; to get. Time will run back and fetch the age of gold. Milton. He called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bred in thine hand. 1 Kings xvii. 11, 12.
2. To obtain as price or equivalent; to sell for. Our native horses were held in small esteem, and fetched low prices. Macaulay.
3. To recall from a swoon; to revive; — sometimes with to; as, to fetch a man to. Fetching men again when they swoon. Bacon.
4. To reduce; to throw. The sudden trip in wrestling that fetches a man to the ground. South.
5. To bring to accomplishment; to achieve; to make; to perform, with certain objects; as, to fetch a compass; to fetch a leap; to fetch a sigh. I'll fetch a turn about the garden. Shak. He fetches his blow quick and sure. South.
6. To bring or get within reach by going; to reach; to arrive at; to attain; to reach by sailing. Meantine flew our ships, and straight we fetched The siren's isle. Chapman.
7. To cause to come; to bring to a particular state. They could n't fetch the butter in the churn. W. Barnes. To fetch a compass (Naut.), to make a sircuit; to take a circuitious route going to a place. — To fetch a pump, to make it draw water by pouring water into the top and working the handle. — To fetch headway or sternway (Naut.), to move ahead or astern. — To fetch out, to develop. "The skill of the polisher fetches out the colors [of marble]" Addison. — To fetch up. (a) To overtake. [Obs.] "Says [the hare], I can fetch up the tortoise when I please." L'Estrange. (b) To stop suddenly.
FETCH fetch, v. i.
Defn: To bring one's self; to make headway; to veer; as, to fetch about; to fetch to windward. Totten. To fetch away (Naut.), to break loose; to roll slide to leeward. — To fetch and carry, to serve obsequiously, like a trained spaniel.
FETCHFetch, n.
1. A stratagem by which a thing is indirectly brought to pass, or by which one thing seems intended and another is done; a trick; an artifice. Every little fetch of wit and criticism. South.
2. The apparation of a living person; a wraith. The very fetch and ghost of Mrs. Gamp. Dickens. Fetch candle, a light seen at night, superstitiously believed to portend a person's death.
FETCHERFetch"er, n.
Defn: One wo fetches or brings.
FETEFete, n. Etym: [See feat.]
Defn: A feat. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FETEFete, n. pl. Etym: [See Foot.]
Defn: Feet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FETEFête, n. Etym: [F. See Feast.]
Defn: A festival. Fête champêtre ( Etym: [F.], a festival or entertainment in the open air; a rural festival.
FETEFête, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fêted; p. pr. & vb. n. Fêting.] Etym: [Cf.F. fêter.]
Defn: To feast; to honor with a festival.
FETICH; FETISHFe"tich, Fe"tish, n.Etym: [F. fétiche, from Pg. feiti, adj., n.,sorcery, charm, fr. L. facticius made by art, artifical, factitious.See Factitious.]
1. A material object supposed among certain African tribes to represent in such a way, or to be so connected with, a supernatural being, that the possession of it gives to the possessor power to control that being.
2. Any object to which one is excessively devoted.
FETICHISM; FETISHISM fe"tich*ism, Fe"tish*ism ( or ); 277), n.Etym: [Cf. F. fétichisme.] [Written also feticism.]
1. The doctrine or practice of belief in fetiches.
2. Excessive devotion to one object or one idea; abject superstition; blind adoration. The real and absolute worship of fire falls into two great divisions, the first belonging rather to fetichism, the second to polytheism proper. Tylor.
FETICHIST; FETISHISTFe"tich*ist, Fe"tish*ist, n.
Defn: A believer in fetiches.He was by nature a fetichist. H. Holbeach.
FETICHISTIC; FETISHISTICFe`tich*is"tic, Fe`tish*is"tic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or involving, fetichism. A man of the fifteenth century, inheriting its strange web of belief and unbelief, of epicurean levity and fetichistic dread. G. Eliot.
FETICIDE Fe"ti*cide ( or ), n. [Written also foeticide.] Etym: [Fetus + L. caedere to kill.] (Med. & Law)
Defn: The act of killing the fetus in the womb; the offense of procuring an abortion.
FETICISMFe"ti*cism, n.
Defn: See Fetichism.
FETID Fet"id ( or ; 277), a. Etym: [L. fetidus, foetidus, fr. fetere, foetere, to have an ill smell, to stink: cf. F. fétide.]
Defn: Having an offensive smell; stinking.Most putrefactions . . . smell either fetid or moldy. Bacon.
FETIDITYFet*id"i*ty ( or ), n.
Defn: Fetidness.
FETIDNESSFet"id*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being fetid.
FETIFEROUSFe*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Fetus + -ferous.]
Defn: Producing young, as animals.
FETISFe"tis, a. Etym: [OF. fetis, faitis. Cf. Factitious.]
Defn: Neat; pretty; well made; graceful. [Obs.]Full fetis was her cloak, as I was ware. Chaucer.
FETISELYFe"tise*ly, adv.
Defn: Neatly; gracefully; properly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FETISH; FETISHISM; FETISHIST; FETISHISTICFe"tish, n., Fe"tish*ism, n., Fe"tishist, n., Fe`tish*is"tic (, a.
Defn: See Fetich, n., Fetichism, n., Fetichistic, a.
FETLOCKFet"lock, n. Etym: [OE. fetlak, fitlock, cf. Icel. fet pace, step,fit webbed foot of water birds, akin to E. foot. sq. root 77. SeeFoot.]
Defn: The cushionlike projection, bearing a tuft of long hair, on the back side of the leg above the hoof of the horse and similar animals. Also, the joint of the limb at this point (between the great pastern bone and the metacarpus), or the tuft of hair. Their wounded steeds Fret fetlock deep in gore. Shak.
FETORFe"tor, n. Etym: [L. fetor, foetor. See Fetid.]
Defn: A strong, offensive smell; stench; fetidness. Arbuthnot.
FETTEFet"te ( or ), v.t. [imp. Fette, p.p. Fet.] Etym: [See Fet, v. t.]
Defn: To fetch. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FETTERFet"ter, n. Etym: [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feter, pl., OD.veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fjöturr, L. pedi, Gr. foot. sq. root 77.See Foot.] [Chiefly used in the plural, fetters.]
1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle. [They] bound him with fetters of brass. Judg. xvi. 21.
2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint. Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound. Dryden.
FETTERFet"ter, v. t. Etym: [imp. & p.p. Fettered (n. Fettering.]
Defn: 1. To put fetters upon; to shakle or confine the feet of with achain; to bind.My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton.
2. To reastrain from motion; to impose restrains on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations. My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks and wrists. Shak.
FETTEREDFet"tered, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Seeming as if fettered, as the feet pf certain animals which bend backward, and appear unfit for walking.
FETTERERFet"ter*er, n.
Defn: One who fetters. Landor.
FETTERLESSFet"ter*less, a.
Defn: Free from fetters. Marston.
FETTLE Fet"tle, v. t. Etym: [OE. & Prov. E., to fettle (in sense 1), fettle, n., order, repair, preparation, dress; prob. akin to E. fit. See Fit, a.]
Defn: 1. To repair; to prepare; to put in order. [Prov. Eng.]Carlyle.
2. (Metal.)
Defn: To cover or line with a mixture of ore, cinders, etc., as the hearth of a puddling furnace.
FETTLEFet"tle, v. i.
Defn: To make preparations; to put things in order; to do trifling business. [Prov. Eng.] Bp. Hall.
FETTLEFet"tle, n.
Defn: The act of fettling. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. In fine fettle, in good spirits.
FETTLINGFet"tling, n.
1. (Metal.)
Defn: A mixture of ore, cinders, etc., used to line the hearth of a puddling furnace. [Eng.] [It is commonly called fix in the United States.]
2. (Pottery)
Defn: The operation of shaving or smoothing the surface of undried clay ware.
FETUOUSFet"u*ous, a.
Defn: Neat; feat. [Obs.] Herrick.
FETUS Fe"tus, n.; pl. Fetuses. Etym: [L. fetus, foetus, a bringing forth, brood, offspring, young ones, cf. fetus fruitful, fructified, that is or was filled with young; akin to E. fawn a deer, fecundity, felicity, feminine, female, and prob. to do, or according to others, to be.]
Defn: The young or embryo of an animal in the womb, or in the egg; often restricted to the later stages in the development of viviparous and oviparous animals, embryo being applied to the earlier stages. [Written also foetus.]
FETWAHFet"wah, n. Etym: [Ar.]
Defn: A written decision of a Turkish mufti on some point of law.Whitworth.
FEUFeu, n. Etym: [See 2d Feud, and Fee.] (Scots Law)
Defn: A free and gratuitous right to lands made to one for service to be performed by him; a tenure where the vassal, in place of military services, makes a return in grain or in money. Burrill.
FEUARFeu"ar, n. Etym: [From Feu.] (Scots Law)
Defn: One who holds a feu. Sir W. Scott.
FEUD Feud, n. Etym: [OE. feide, AS. f, fr. fah hostile; akin to OHG. f, G. fehde, Sw. fejd, D. feide; prob. akin to E. fiend. See Foe.]
1. A combination of kindred to avenge injuries or affronts, done or offered to any of their blood, on the offender and all his race.
2. A contention or quarrel; especially, an inveterate strife between families, clans, or parties; deadly hatred; contention satisfied only by bloodshed. Mutual feuds and battles betwixt their several tribes and kindreds. Purchas.
Syn.— Affray; fray; broil; contest; dispute; strife.
FEUDFeud, n. Etym: [LL. feudum, feodum prob. of same origin as E. fief.See Fief, Fee.] (Law)
Defn: A stipendiary estate in land, held of superior, by service; the right which a vassal or tenant had to the lands or other immovable thing of his lord, to use the same and take the profists thereof hereditarily, rendering to his superior such duties and services as belong to military tenure, etc., the property of the soil always remaining in the lord or superior; a fief; a fee.
FEUDALFeu"dal, a. Etym: [F. féodal, or LL. feudalis.]
1. Of or pertaining to feuds, fiefs, or feels; as, feudal rights or services; feudal tenures.
2. Consisting of, or founded upon, feuds or fiefs; embracing tenures by military services; as, the feudal system.
FEUDALISMFeu"dal*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. féodalisme.]
Defn: The feudal system; a system by which the holding of estates in land is made dependent upon an obligation to render military service to the kind or feudal superior; feudal principles and usages.
FEUDALISTFeu"dal*ist, n.
Defn: An upholder of feudalism.
FEUDALITYFeu*dal"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. féodalité.]
Defn: The state or quality of being feudal; feudal form or constitution. Burke.
FEUDALIZATIONFeu*dal*i*za/tion, n.
Defn: The act of reducing to feudal tenure.
FEUDALIZEFeu"dal*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feudalized; p. pr. & vb. n.Feudalizing.]
Defn: To reduce toa feudal tenure; to conform to feudalism.
FEUDALLYFeu"dal*ly, adv.
Defn: In a feudal manner.
FEUDARYFeu"da*ry, a. Etym: [LL. feudarius, fr. feudum. See 2d Feud.]
Defn: Held by, or pertaining to, feudal tenure.
FEUDARYFeu"da*ry, n.
1. A tenant who holds his lands by feudal service; a feudatory. Foxe.
2. A feodary. See Feodary.
FEUDATARYFeu"da*ta*ry, a. & n. Etym: [LL. feudatarius: cf. F. feudataire.]
Defn: See Feudatory.
FEUDATORYFeu"da*to*ry, n.; pl. Feudatories (.
Defn: A tenant or vassal who held his lands of a superior oncondition of feudal service; the tenant of a feud or fief.The grantee . . . was styled the feudatory or vassal. Blackstone.[He] had for feudatories great princes. J. H. Newman.
FEUDATORYFeu"da*to*ry, a.
Defn: Held from another on some conditional tenure; as, a feudatory title. Bacon.
FEU DE JOIEFeu` de joie". Etym: [F., lit., fire of joy.]
Defn: A fire kindled in a public place in token of joy; a bonfire; a firing of guns in token of joy.
FEUDISTFeud"ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. feudiste.]
Defn: A writer on feuds; a person versed in feudal law. Spelman.
FEUILLANTSFeu`illants", n. pl.
Defn: A reformed branch of the Bernardines, founded in 1577 atFeuillans, near Toulouse, in France.
FEUILLEMORTFeuille"mort`, a. Etym: [F. feuille morte a dead leaf.]
Defn: Having the color of a faded leaf. Locke.
FEUILLETONFeu`ille*ton" ( or ), n. Etym: [F., from feulle leaf.]
Defn: A part of a French newspaper (usually the bottom of the page), devoted to light literature, criticism, etc.; also, the article or tale itself, thus printed.
FEUILLTONISTFeuill"ton*ist, n. Etym: [F. feuilletoniste.]
Defn: A writer of feuilletons. F. Harrison.
FEUTER feu"ter (, v. t. Etym: [OE. feutre rest for a lance, OF. feutre, fautre, feltre, felt, cushion, rest for a lance, fr. LL. filtrum, feltrum; of German origin, and akin to E. felt. See Felt, and cf. Filter.]
Defn: To set close; to fix in rest, as a spear. Spenser.
FEUTERERFeu"ter*er, n. Etym: [Either fr. G. fütterer feeder, or corrupted fr.OF. vautrier, vaultrier; fr. vaultre, viautre, a kind of hound, fr.L. vertragus, vertraga, a greyhound. The last is of Celtic origin.]
Defn: A dog keeper. [Obs.] Massinger.
FEVERFe"ver, n. Etym: [OE. fever, fefer, AS. fefer, fefor, L. febris: cf.F. fièvre. Cf. Febrile.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: A diseased state of the system, marked by increased heat, acceleration of the pulse, and a general derangement of the functions, including usually, thirst and loss of appetite. Many diseases, of which fever is the most prominent symptom, are denominated fevers; as, typhoid fever; yellow fever.
Note: Remitting fevers subside or abate at intervals; intermitting fevers intermit or entirely cease at intervals; continued or continual fevers neither remit nor intermit.
2. Excessive excitement of the passions in consequence of strong emotion; a condition of great excitement; as, this quarrel has set my blood in a fever. An envious fever Of pale and bloodless emulation. Shak. After life's fitful fever he sleeps well. Shak. Brain fever, Continued fever, etc. See under Brain, Continued, etc. — Fever and ague, a form of fever recurring in paroxysms which are preceded by chills. It is of malarial origin. — Fever blister (Med.), a blister or vesicle often found about the mouth in febrile states; a variety of herpes. — Fever bush (Bot.), the wild allspice or spice bush. See Spicewood. — Fever powder. Same as Jame's powder. — Fever root (Bot.), an American herb of the genus Triosteum (T. perfoliatum); — called also feverwort amd horse gentian. — Fever sore, a carious ulcer or necrosis. Miner.
FEVERFe"ver, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fevered; p. pr. & vb. n. Fevering.]
Defn: To put into a fever; to affect with fever; as, a fevered lip.[R.]The white hand of a lady fever thee. Shak.
FEVERETFe"ver*et, n.
Defn: A slight fever. [Obs.] Ayliffe.
FEVERFEWFe"ver*few, n. Etym: [AS. feferfuge, fr. L. febrifugia. See fever,Fugitive, and cf. Febrifuge.] (Bot.)
Defn: A perennial plant (Pyrethrum, or Chrysanthemum, Parthenium) allied to camomile, having finely divided leaves and white blossoms; — so named from its supposed febrifugal qualities.
FEVERISHFe"ver*ish, a.
1. Having a fever; suffering from, or affected with, a moderate degree of fever; showing increased heat and thirst; as, the patient is feverish.
2. Indicating, or pertaining to, fever; characteristic of a fever; as, feverish symptoms.
3. Hot; sultry. "The feverish north." Dryden.
4. Disordered as by fever; excited; restless; as, the feverish condition of the commercial world. Strive to keep up a frail and feverish bing. Milton. — Fe"ver*ish*ly, adv. — Fe"ver*ish*ness, n.
FEVEROUSFe"ver*ous, a. Etym: [Cf.F. fiévreux.]
1. Affected with fever or ague; feverish. His heart, love's feverous citadel. Keats.
2. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, fever; as, a feverous pulse. All maladies . . . all feverous kinds. Milton.
3. Having the tendency to produce fever; as, a feverous disposition of the year. [R.] Bacon.
FEVEROUSLYFe"ver*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: Feverishly. [Obs.] Donne.
FEVERWORTFe"ver*wort`, n.
Defn: See Fever root, under Fever.
FEVERYFe"ver*y, a.
Defn: Feverish. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
FEWFew, a. [Compar. Fewer; superl. Fewest.] Etym: [OE. fewe, feawe, AS.feá, pl. feáwe; akin to OS. fah, OHG. f*, Icel. far, Sw. få, pl.,Dan. faa, pl., Goth. faus, L. paucus, cf. Gr. Paucity.]
Defn: Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; — indicating a small portion of units or individuals constituing a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few people. "Are not my days few" Job x. 20. Few know and fewer care. Proverb.
Note: Few is often used partitively; as, few of them. A few, a small number. — In few, in a few words; briefly. Shak. - No few, not few; more than a few; many. Cowper. - The few, the minority; — opposed to the many or the majority.
FEWELFe"wel, n. Etym: [See Fuel.]
Defn: Fuel. [Obs.] Hooker.
FEWMETFew"met, n.
Defn: See Fumet. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
FEWNESSFew"ness, n.
1. The state of being few; smallness of number; paucity. Shak.
2. Brevity; conciseness. [Obs.] Shak.
FEYFey, a. Etym: [AS. f, Icel. feigr, OHG. feigi.]
Defn: Fated; doomed. [Old Eng. & Scot.]
FEYFey, n. Etym: [See Fay faith.]
Defn: Faith. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FEYFey, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Feague.]
Defn: To cleanse; to clean out. [Obs.] Tusser.
FEYNEFeyne, v. t.
Defn: To feign. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FEYREFeyre, n.
Defn: A fair or market. [Obs.] Chaucer.
FEZFez, n. Etym: [F., fr. the town of Fez in Morocco.]
Defn: A felt or cloth cap, usually red and having a tassel, — a variety of the tarboosh. See Tarboosh. B. Taylor.
FIACREFia"cre, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A kind of French hackney coach.
FIANCEFi"ance, v. t. Etym: [F. fiancer. See Affiance.]
Defn: To betroth; to affiance. [Obs.] Harmar.
FIANCEFi`an`cé", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A betrothed man.
FIANCEEFi`an`cée", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A betrothed woman.
FIANTSFi"ants, n. Etym: [F. fiente dung.]
Defn: The dung of the fox, wolf, boar, or badger.
FIARFi"ar ( or ), n. Etym: [See Feuar.]
1. (Scots Law)
Defn: One in whom the property of an estate is vested, subject to the estate of a life renter. I am fiar of the lands; she a life renter. Sir W. Scott.
2. pl.
Defn: The price of grain, as legally fixed, in the counties ofScotland, for the current year.
FIASCOFi*as"co, n.; pl. Fiascoes. Etym: [It.]
Defn: A complete or ridiculous failure, esp. of a musical performance, or of any pretentious undertaking.
FIAT Fi"at, n. Etym: [L., let it be done, 3d pers. sing., subj. pres., fr. fieri, used as pass. of facere to make. Cf. Be.]
1. An authoritative command or order to do something; an effectual decree. His fiat laid the corner stone. Willis.
2. (Eng. Law) (a) A warrant of a judge for certain processes. (b) An authority for certain proceedings given by the Lord Chancellor's signature. Fiat money, irredeemable paper currency, not resting on a specie basis, but deriving its purchasing power from the declaratory fiat of the government issuing it.
FIAUNTFi*aunt", n.
Defn: Commission; fiat; order; decree. [Obs.] Spenser.
FIBFib, n. Etym: [Prob. fr. fable; cf. Prov. E. fibble-fabble nonsense.]
Defn: A falsehood; a lie; — used euphemistically.They are very serious; they don't tell fibs. H. James.
FIBFib, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fibbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Fibbing.]
Defn: To speak falsely. [Colloq.]
FIBFib, v. t.
Defn: To tell a fib to. [R.] De Quincey.
FIBBERFib"ber, n.
Defn: One who tells fibs.
FIBER; FIBREFi"ber, Fi"bre, (, n. Etym: [F. fibre, L. fibra.]
1. One of the delicate, threadlike portions of which the tissues of plants and animals are in part constituted; as, the fiber of flax or of muscle.
2. Any fine, slender thread, or threadlike substance; as, a fiber of spun glass; especially, one of the slender rootlets of a plant.
3. Sinew; strength; toughness; as, a man of real fiber. Yet had no fibers in him, nor no force. Chapman.
4. A general name for the raw material, such as cotton, flax, hemp, etc., used in textile manufactures. Fiber gun, a kind of steam gun for converting, wood, straw, etc., into fiber. The material is shut up in the gun with steam, air, or gas at a very high pressure which is afterward relieved suddenly by letting a lid at the muzzle fly open, when the rapid expansion separates the fibers. — Fiber plants (Bot.), plants capable of yielding fiber useful in the arts, as hemp, flax, ramie, agave, etc.
FIBERED; FIBREDFi"bered, Fi"bred, a.
Defn: Having fibers; made up of fibers.
FIBER-FACED; FIBRE-FACEDFi"ber-faced`, Fi"bre-faced`, a.
Defn: Having a visible fiber embodied in the surface of; — applied esp. to a kind of paper for checks, drafts, etc.
FIBERLESS; FIBRELESSFi"ber*less, Fi"bre*less, a.
Defn: Having no fibers; destitute of fibers or fiber.
FIBRIFORMFi"bri*form ( or ), a. Etym: [L. fibra a fiber + -form.] (Biol.)
Defn: Having the form of a fiber or fibers; resembling a fiber.
FIBRILFi"bril, n. Etym: [F. fibrille, dim. of fibre, L. fibra.]
Defn: A small fiber; the branch of a fiber; a very slender thread; a fibrilla. Cheyne.
FIBRILLAFi*bril"la, n.; pl. FibrillÆ. Etym: [NL. See Fibril.]
Defn: A minute thread of fiber, as one of the fibrous elements of a muscular fiber; a fibril.
FIBRILLARFi"bril*lar, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to fibrils or fibers; as, fibrillar twitchings.
FIBRILLARYFi"bril*la*ry ( or ), a.
Defn: Of of pertaining to fibrils.
FIBRILLATEDFi"bril*la`ted ( or ), a.
Defn: Furnished with fibrils; fringed.
FIBRILLATIONFi`bril*la"tion, n.
Defn: The state of being reduced to fibers. Carpenter.
FIBRILLOSEFi*bril"lose ( or ), a.
Defn: Covered with hairlike appendages, as the under surface of some lichens; also, composed of little strings or fibers; as, fibrillose appendages.
FIBRILLOUSFi*bril"lous ( or ), a. Etym: [Cf. F. fibraleux.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or composed of, fibers.
FIBRINFi"brin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. fibrine. See Fiber.] (Physiol. Chem.)
1. A white, albuminous, fibrous substance, formed in the coagulation of the blood either by decomposition of fibrinogen, or from the union of fibrinogen and paraglobulin which exist separately in the blood. It is insoluble in water, but is readily digestible in gastric and pancreatic juice.
2. The white, albuminous mass remaining after washing lean beef or other meat with water until all coloring matter is removed; the fibrous portion of the muscle tissue; flesh fibrin.
3. An albuminous body, resembling animal fibrin in composition, found in cereal grains and similar seeds; vegetable fibrin. Fibrin factors (Physiol.), the albuminous bodies, paraglobulin and fibrinigen in the blood, which, by the action of the fibrin ferment, are changed into fibrin, in coagulation. — Fibrin ferment (Physiol. Chem.), a ferment which makes its appearance in the blood shortly after it is shed, and is supposed to be the active agent in causing coagulation of the blood, with formation of fibrin.
FIBRINATIONFi`bri*na"tion, n. (Med.)
Defn: The state of acquiring or having an excess of fibrin.
FIBRINEFi"brine, a.
Defn: Belonging to the fibers of plants.
FIBRINOGENFi*brin"o*gen, n. Etym: [Fibrin + -gen.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: An albuminous substance existing in the blood, and in other animal fluids, which either alone or with fibrinoplastin or paraglobulin forms fibrin, and thus causes coagulation.
FIBRINOGENOUSFi`bri*nog"e*nous, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: Possessed of properties similar to fibrinogen; capable of forming fibrin.
FIBRINOPLASTICFi`bri*no*plas"tic, a. (Physiol.Chem.)
Defn: Like fibrinoplastin; capable of forming fibrin when brought in contact with fibrinogen.
FIBRINOPLASTINFi`bri*no*plas"tin, n. Etym: [Fibrin + Gr. (Physiol.Chem.)
Defn: An albuminous substance, existing in the blood, which in combination with fibrinogen forms fibrin; — called also paraglobulin.
FIBRINOUSFi"bri*nous ( or ; 277), a.
Defn: Having, or partaking of the properties of, fibrin; as, fibrious exudation.
FIBROCARTILAGEFi`bro*car"ti*lage, n. Etym: [L. fibra a fiber + E. cartilage.](Anat.)
Defn: A kind of cartilage with a fibrous matrix and approaching fibrous connective tissue in structure. — Fi`bro*car`ti*lag"i*nous, a.
FIBROCHONDROSTEALFi`bro*chon*dros"te*al, a. Etym: [L. fibra a fiber + gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Partly fibrous, partly cartilaginous, and partly osseous. St.George Mivart.
FIBROIDFi"broid, a. Etym: [L. fibra a fiber + -oid.] (Med.)
Defn: Resembling or forming fibrous tissue; made up of fibers; as, fibroid tumors. — n.
Defn: A fibroid tumor; a fibroma. Fibroid degeneration, a form of degeneration in which organs or tissues are converted into fibroid tissue. — Fibroid phthists, a form of pulmonary consumption associated with the formation of fibrous tissue in the lungs, and the gradual atrophy of the lungs, from the pressure due to the contraction of this tissue.
FIBROINFi"bro*in ( or ), n. Etym: [L. fibra a fiber.] (Chem.)
Defn: A variety of gelatin; the chief ingredient of raw silk, extracted as a white amorphous mass.
FIBROLITE Fi"bro*lite ( or ), n. Etym: [L. fibra a fiber + -lite: cf. F. fibrolithe.] (Min.)
Defn: A silicate of alumina, of fibrous or columnar structure. It is like andalusite in composition; — called also sillimanite, and bucholizite.
FIBROMAFi*bro"ma, n. Etym: [NL. See Fiber, and -oma.] (Med.)
Defn: A tumor consisting mainly of fibrous tissue, or of same modification of such tissue.
FIBROSPONGIAE Fi`bro*spon"gi*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. fibra a fiber + spongia a sponge.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of sponges having a fibrous skeleton, including the commercial sponges.
FIBROUSFi"brous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. fibreux.]
Defn: Containing, or consisting of, fibers; as, the fibrous coat of the cocoanut; the fibrous roots of grasses. — Fi"brous*ness, n.
FIBROVASCULARFi`bro*vas"cu*lar, a. Etym: [L. fibra a fiber + E. vascular.] (Bot.)
Defn: Containing woody fiber and ducts, as the stems of all flowering plants and ferns; — opposed to cellular.
FIBSTERFib"ster, n.
Defn: One who tells fibs. [Jocular]
FIBULAFib"u*la, n.; pl. FibulÆ. Etym: [L., clasp, buckle.]
1. A brooch, clasp, or buckle. Mere fibulæ, without a robe to clasp. Wordsworth.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The outer and usually the smaller of the two bones of the leg, or hind limb, below the knee.
3. (Surg.)
Defn: A needle for sewing up wounds.
FIBU-LARFib"u-lar, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the fibula.
FIBULAREFib`u*la"re, n.; pl. Fibularia. Etym: [NL. See Fibula.] (Anat.)
Defn: The bone or cartilage of the tarsus, which articulates with the fibula, and corresponds to the calcaneum in man and most mammals.
FICEFice, n.
Defn: A small dog; — written also fise, fyce, fiste, etc. [SouthernU.S.]
FICHEFi*ché, a. (Her.)
Defn: See FitchÉ.
FICHTELITEFich"tel*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: A white crystallized mineral resin from the Fichtelgebirge,Bavaria.
FICHUFich"u, n. Etym: [F., neckerchief.]
Defn: A light cape, usually of lace, worn by women, to cover the neck and throat, and extending to the shoulders.
FICKLEFic"kle, a. Etym: [OE. fikel untrustworthy, deceitful, AS. ficol, fr.fic, gefic, fraud, deceit; cf. facen deceit, OS. f, OHG. feichan,Icel. feikn portent. Cf. Fidget.]
Defn: Not fixed or firm; liable to change; unstable; of a changeablemind; not firm in opinion or purpose; inconstant; capricious; as,Fortune's fickle wheel. Shak.They know how fickle common lovers are. Dryden.
Syn. — Wavering; irresolute; unsettled; vacillating; unstable; inconsonant; unsteady; variable; mutable; changeful; capricious; veering; shifting.
FICKLENESSFic"kle*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being fickle; instability; inconsonancy. Shak.
FICKLYFic"kly, adv.
Defn: In a fickle manner. [Obs.] Pepys.
FICOFi"co, n.; pl. Ficoes. Etym: [It., a fig, fr. L.ficus. See Fig.]
Defn: A fig; an insignificant trifle, no more than the snap of one'sthumb; a sign of contempt made by the fingers, expressing. A fig foryou.Steal! foh, a fico for the phrase. Shak.
FICTILEFic"tile, a. Etym: [L. fictilis. See Fiction.]
Defn: Molded, or capable of being molded, into form by art; relatingto pottery or to molding in any soft material.Fictile earth is more fragile than crude earth. Bacon.The earliest specimens of Italian fictile art. C. Wordsworth.Fictile ware, ware made of any material which is molded or shapedwhile soft; hence, pottery of any sort.— Fic"tile*ness, n.— Fic*til"i*ty, n.
FICTION Fic"tion, n. Etym: [F. fiction, L. fictio, fr. fingere, fictum to form, shape, invent, feign. See Feign.]
1. The act of feigning, inventing, or imagining; as, by a mere fiction of the mind. Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. That which is feigned, invented, or imagined; especially, a feigned or invented story, whether oral or written. Hence: A story told in order to deceive; a fabrication; — opposed to fact, or reality. The fiction of those golden apples kept by a dragon. Sir W. Raleigh. When it could no longer be denied that her flight had been voluntary, numerous fictions were invented to account for it. Macaulay.
3. Fictitious literature; comprehensively, all works of imagination; specifically, novels and romances. The office of fiction as a vehicle of instruction and moral elevation has been recognized by most if not all great educators. Dict. of Education.
4. (Law)
Defn: An assumption of a possible thing as a fact, irrespective of the question of its truth. Wharton.
5. Any like assumption made for convenience, as for passing more rapidly over what is not disputed, and arriving at points really at issue.
Syn. — Fabrication; invention; fable; falsehood. — Fiction, Fabrication. Fiction is opposed to what is real; fabrication to what is true. Fiction is designed commonly to amuse, and sometimes to instruct; a fabrication is always intended to mislead and deceive. In the novels of Sir Walter Scott we have fiction of the highest order. The poems of Ossian, so called, were chiefly fabrications by Macpherson.