Note: The common genet (Genetta vulgaris) of Southern Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa, is dark gray, spotted with black. The long tail is banded with black and white. The Cape genet (G. felina), and the berbe (G. pardina), are related African species.
2. The fur of the common genet (Genetta vulgaris); also, any skin dressed in imitation of this fur.
GENETGen"et, n. Etym: [See Jennet.]
Defn: A small-sized, well-proportioned, Spanish horse; a jennet.Shak.
GENETHLIACGe*neth"li*ac, a. Etym: [L. genethliacus, Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to nativities; calculated by astrologers; showing position of stars at one's birth. Howell.
GENETHLIACGe*neth"li*ac, n.
1. A birthday poem.
2. One skilled in genethliacs.
GENETHLIACALGen`eth*li"a*cal, a.
Defn: Genethliac.
GENETHLIACSGe*neth"li*acs, n.
Defn: The science of calculating nativities, or predicting the future events of life from the stars which preside at birth. Jhonson.
GENETHLIALOGYGe*neth`li*al"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Divination as to the destinies of one newly born; the act or art of casting nativities; astrology.
GENETHLIATICGe*neth`li*at"ic, n.
Defn: One who calculates nativities. Sir W. Drummond.
GENETICGe*net"ic, a.
Defn: Same as Genetical.
GENETICALGe*net"ic*al, a. Etym: [See Genesis.]
Defn: Pertaining to, concerned with, or determined by, the genesis of anything, or its natural mode of production or development. This historical, genetical method of viewing prior systems of philosophy. Hare.
GENETICALLYGe*net"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a genetical manner.
GENEVAGe*ne"va, n.
Defn: The chief city of Switzerland. Geneva Bible, a translation of the Bible into English, made and published by English refugees in Geneva (Geneva, 1560; London, 1576). It was the first English Bible printed in Roman type instead of the ancient black letter, the first which recognized the division into verses, and the first which ommited the Apocrypha. In form it was a small quarto, and soon superseded the large folio of Cranmer's translation. Called also Genevan Bible. — Geneva convention (Mil.), an agreement made by representatives of the great continental powers at Geneva and signed in 1864, establishing new and more humane regulation regarding the treatment of the sick and wounded and the status of those who minister to them in war. Ambulances and military hospitals are made neutral, and this condition affects physicians, chaplains, nurses, and the ambulance corps. Great Britain signed the convention in 1865. — Geneva cross (Mil.), a red Greek cross on a white ground; — the flag and badge adopted in the Geneva convention.
GENEVA Ge*ne"va, n. Etym: [F. genièvre juniper, juniper berry, gin, OF. geneivre juniper, fr. L. juniperus the juniper tree: cf. D. jenever, fr. F. genièvre. See Juniper, and cf. Gin a liquor.]
Defn: A strongly alcoholic liquor, flavores with juniper berries; — made in Holland; Holland gin; Hollands.
GENEVANGe*ne"van, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Geneva, in Switzerland; Genevese.
GENEVANGe*ne"van, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Geneva.
2. A supported of Genevanism.
GENEVANISMGe*ne"van*ism, n. Etym: [From Geneva, where Calvin resided.]
Defn: Strict Calvinism. Bp. Montagu.
GENEVESEGen`e*vese", a. Etym: [Cf. L. Genevensis, F. génevois.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Geneva, in Switzerland; Genevan.— n. sing. & pl.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of Geneva; collectively, the inhabitants of Geneva; people of Geneva.
GENIALGe*ni"al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Same as Genian.
GENIALGen"ial, a. Etym: [L. genialis: cf. OF. genial. See Genius.]
1. Contributing to, or concerned in, propagation or production; generative; procreative; productive. "The genial bed." Milton. Creator Venus, genial power of love. Dryden.
2. Contributing to, and sympathizing with, the enjoyment of life; sympathetically cheerful and cheering; jovial and inspiring joy or happiness; exciting pleasure and sympathy; enlivening; kindly; as, she was of a cheerful and genial disposition. So much I feel my genial spirits droop. Milton.
3. Belonging to one's genius or natural character; native; natural; inborn. [Obs.] Natural incapacity and genial indisposition. Sir T. Browne.
4. Denoting or marked with genius [R.] Men of genius have often attached the highest value to their less genial works. Hare. Genial gods (Pagan Mythol.), the powers supposed to preside over marriage and generation.
GENIALITYGe`ni*al"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. genialitas.]
Defn: The quality of being genial; sympathetic cheerfulness; warmth of disposition and manners.
GENIALLYGen"ial*ly, adv.
1. By genius or nature; naturally. [Obs.] Some men are genially disposed to some opinions. Glanvill.
2. Gayly; cheerfully. Johnson.
GENIALNESSGen"ial*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being genial.
GENIANGe*ni"an, a. Etym: [Gr. Chin.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the chin; mental; as, the genian prominence.
GENICULATE Ge*nic"u*late, a. Etym: [L. geniculatus, fr. geniculum little knee, knot or joint, dim. of genu knee. See Knee.]
Defn: Bent abruptly at an angle, like the knee when bent; as, a geniculate stem; a geniculate ganglion; a geniculate twin crystal.
GENICULATEGe*nic"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Geniculated; p. pr. & vb. n.Geniculating.]
Defn: To form joints or knots on. [R.] Cockeram.
GENICULATEDGe*nic"u*la`ted, a.
Defn: Same as Geniculate.
GENICULATIONGe*nic`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. geniculatio a kneeling.]
1. The act of kneeling. [R.] Bp. Hall.
2. The state of being bent abruptly at an angle.
GENIEGé`nie, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: See Genius.
GENIOGe"ni*o, n. Etym: [It. See Genius.]
Defn: A man of a particular turn of mind. [R.] Tatler.
GENIOHYOIDGe`ni*o*hy"oid, a. Etym: [Gr. hyoid.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the chin and hyoid bone; as, the geniohyoid muscle.
GENIP; GENIP TREEGen"ip, n., or Genip tree.
1. Any tree or shrub of the genus Genipa.
2. The West Indian sapindaceous tree Melicocca bijuga, which yields the honeyberry; also, the related trees Exothea paniculata and E. trifoliata.
GENIPAPGen"i*pap, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The edible fruit of a West Indian tree (Genipa Americana) of the order Rubiaceæ. It is oval in shape, as a large as a small orange, of a pale greenish color, and with dark purple juice.
GENISTAGe*nis"ta, n. Etym: [L., broom.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants including the common broom of Western Europe.
GENITALGen"i*tal, a. Etym: [L. genitalis, fr. genere, gignere, to beget: cf.F. génital. See Gender.]
Defn: Pertaining to generation, or to the generative organs. Genital cord (Anat.), a cord developed in the fetus by the union of portions of the Wolffian and Müllerian ducts and giving rise to parts of the urogenital passages in both sexes.
GENITALSGen"i*tals, n. pl. Etym: [From Genital, a.: cf. L. genitalia.]
Defn: The organs of generation; the sexual organs; the private parts.
GENITINGGen"i*ting, n. Etym: [See Jenneting.]
Defn: A species of apple that ripens very early. Bacon.
GENITIVALGen`i*ti"val, a.
Defn: Possessing genitive from; pertaining to, or derived from, the genitive case; as, a genitival adverb. — Gen`i*ti"val*ly, adv.
GENITIVE Gen"i*tive, a. Etym: [L. genitivus, fr. gignere, genitum, to beget: cf. F. génitif. See Gender.] (Gram.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to that case (as the second case of Latin and Greek nouns) which expresses source or possession. It corresponds to the possessive case in English.
GENITIVEGen"i*tive, n. (Gram.)
Defn: The genitive case. Genitive absolute, a construction in Greek similar to the ablative absolute in Latin. See Ablative absolute.
GENITOCRURALGen`i*to*cru"ral, a. Etym: [Genital + crural.] (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to the genital organs and the thigh; — applied especially to one of the lumbar nerves.
GENITORGen"i*tor, n. Etym: [L.]
1. One who begets; a generator; an originator. Sheldon.
2. pl.
Defn: The genitals. [Obs.] Holland.
GENITOURINARYGen`i*to*u"ri*na*ry, a. Etym: [Genital + urinary.] (Anat.)
Defn: See Urogenital.
GENITUREGen"i*ture, n. Etym: [L. genitura: cf. F. géniture.]
Defn: Generation; procreation; birth. Dryden.
GENIUS Gen"ius, n.; pl. E. Geniuses; in sense 1, L. Genii. Etym: [L. genius, prop., the superior or divine nature which is innate in everything, the spirit, the tutelar deity or genius of a person or place, taste, talent, genius, from genere, gignere, to beget, bring forth. See Gender, and cf. Engine.]
1. A good or evil spirit, or demon, supposed by the ancients to preside over a man's destiny in life; a tutelary deity; a supernatural being; a spirit, good or bad. Cf. Jinnee. The unseen genius of the wood. Milton. We talk of genius still, but with thought how changed! The genius of Augustus was a tutelary demon, to be sworn by and to receive offerings on an altar as a deity. Tylor.
2. The peculiar structure of mind with whoch each individual is endowed by nature; that disposition or aptitude of mind which is peculiar to each man, and which qualifies him for certain kinds of action or special success in any pursuit; special taste, inclination, or disposition; as, a genius for history, for poetry, or painting.
3. Peculiar character; animating spirit, as of a nation, a religion, a language.
4. Distinguished mental superiority; uncommon intellectual power; especially, superior power of invention or origination of any kind, or of forming new combinations; as, a man of genius. Genius of the highest kind implies an unusual intensity of the modifyng power. Coleridge.
5. A man endowed with uncommon vigor of mind; a man of superior intellectual faculties; as, Shakespeare was a rare genius.
Syn. — Genius, Talent. Genius implies high and peculiar gifts of nature, impelling the mind to certain favorite kinds of mental effort, and producing new combinations of ideas, imagery, etc. Talent supposes general strength of intellect, with a peculiar aptitude for being molded and directed to specific employments and valuable ends and purposes. Genius is connected more or less with the exercise of imagination, and reaches its ends by a kind of intuitive power. Talent depends more on high mental training, and a perfect command of all the faculties, memory, judgment, sagacity, etc. Hence we speak of a genius for poetry, painting. etc., and a talent for business or diplomacy. Among English orators, Lord Chatham was distinguished for his genius; William Pitt for his preëminent talents, and especially his unrivaled talent for debate.
Genius loci ( Etym: [L.], the genius or presiding divinity of a place; hence, the pervading spirit of a place or institution, as of a college, etc.
GENOA CAKEGen"o*a cake. (Cookery)
Defn: A rich glazed cake, with almonds, pistachios, filberts, or other nuts; also, a rich currant cake with almonds on the top.
GENOESEGen`o*ese", a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Genoa, a city of Italy.— n. sing. & pl.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of Genoa; collectively, the people ofGenoa.
GENOUILLEREGe*nouil`lère", n. Etym: [F.]
1. (Anc. Armor)
Defn: A metal plate covering the knee.
2. (Fort.)
Defn: That part of a parapet which lies between the gun platform and the bottom of an embrasure.
-GENOUS -ge*nous. Etym: [-gen + -ous.]
Defn: A suffix signifying producing, yielding; as, alkaligenous; endogenous.
GENREGenre, n. Etym: [F. See Gender.] (Fine Arts)
Defn: A style of painting, sculpture, or other imitative art, which illustrates everyday life and manners.
GENSGens, n.; pl. Gentes. Etym: [L. See Gentle, a.] (Rom. Hist.)
1. A clan or family connection, embracing several families of the same stock, who had a common name and certain common religious rites; a subdivision of the Roman curia or tribe.
2. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A minor subdivision of a tribe, among American aborigines. It includes those who have a common descent, and bear the same totem.
GENT Gent, a. Etym: [OF. gent, fr. L. genitus born, or (less prob.) fr. gentilis. See Genteel.]
1. Gentle; noble; of gentle birth. [Obs.] All of a knight [who] was fair and gent. Chaucer.
2. Neat; pretty; fine; elegant. [Obs.] Spenser. Her body gent and small. Chaucer.
GENTEELGen*teel", a. Etym: [F. gentil noble, pretty, graceful. See Gentle.]
1. Possessing or exhibiting the qualities popularly regarded as belonging to high birth and breeding; free from vulgarity, or lowness of taste or behavior; adapted to a refined or cultivated taste; polite; well-bred; as, genteel company, manners, address.
2. Graceful in mien or form; elegant in appearance, dress, or manner; as, the lady has a genteel person. Law.
3. Suited to the position of lady or a gentleman; as, to live in a genteel allowance.
Syn.— Polite; well-bred; refined; polished.
GENTEELISHGen*teel"ish, a.
Defn: Somewhat genteel.
GENTEELLYGen*teel"ly, adv.
Defn: In a genteel manner.
GENTEELNESSGen*teel"ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being genteel.
GENTERIE; GENTRIEGen"ter*ie, Gen"trie (, n. Etym: [OE. See Gentry.]
Defn: Nobility of birth or of character; gentility. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GENTIANGen"tian, n. Etym: [OE. genciane, F. gentiane, L. gentiana, fr.Gentius, an Illyrian king, said to have discovered its properties.](Bot.)
Defn: Any one of a genus (Gentiana) of herbaceous plants with opposite leaves and a tubular four- or five-lobed corolla, usually blue, but sometimes white, yellow, or red. See Illust. of Capsule.
Note: Many species are found on the highest mountains of Europe, Asia, and America, and some are prized for their beauty, as the Alpine (Gentiana verna, Bavarica, and excisa), and the American fringed gentians (G. crinita and G. detonsa). Several are used as tonics, especially the bitter roots of Gentiana lutea, the officinal gentian of the pharmacopoeias. Horse gentian, fever root. — Yellow gentian (Bot.), the officinal gentian (Gentiana lutea). See Bitterwort.
GENTIANACEOUSGen`tian*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Gentianaceæ) of which the gentian is the type.
GENTIANELLAGen`tian*el"la, n. Etym: [See Gentian.]
Defn: A kind of blue color. Johnson.
GENTIANICGen`ti*an"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to or derived from the gentian; as, gentianic acid.
GENTIANINEGen"tian*ine, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A bitter, crystallizable substance obtained from gentian.
GENTIANOSEGen"tian*ose`, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A crystallizable, sugarlike substance, with a slightly sweetish taste, obtained from the gentian.
GENTILGen"til, a. & n.
Defn: Gentle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GENTILE Gen"tile, n. Etym: [L. gentilis belonging to the same clan, stock, race, people, or nation; in opposition to Roman, a foreigner; in opposition to Jew or Christian, a heathen: cf. F. gentil. See Gentle, a.]
Defn: One of a non-Jewish nation; one neither a Jew nor a Christian; a worshiper of false gods; a heathen.
Note: The Hebrews included in the term goyim, or nations, all the tribes of men who had not received the true faith, and were not circumcised. The Christians translated goyim by the L. gentes, and imitated the Jews in giving the name gentiles to all nations who were neither Jews nor Christians. In civil affairs, the denomination was given to all nations who were not Romans.
Syn.— Pagan; heathen. See Pagan.
GENTILEGen"tile, a.
1. Belonging to the nations at large, as distinguished from the Jews; ethnic; of pagan or heathen people.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: Denoting a race or country; as, a gentile noun or adjective.
GENTILE-FALCONGen"tile-fal`con, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Falcon-gentil.
GENTILESSEGen`ti*lesse", n. Etym: [OF. gentilesse, gentelise, F. gentillesse.See Gentle. a.]
Defn: Gentleness; courtesy; kindness; nobility. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GENTILISHGen"til*ish, a.
Defn: Heathenish; pagan.
GENTILISMGen"til*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. gentilisme.]
1. Hethenism; paganism; the worship of false gods.
2. Tribal feeling; devotion to one's gens.
GENTILITIAL; GENTILITIOUSGen`ti*li"tial, Gen`ti*li"tious, a. Etym: [L. gentilitius. SeeGentile.] [Obs.]
1. Peculiar to a people; national. Sir T. Browne.
2. Hereditary; entailed on a family. Arbuthnot.
GENTILITY Gen*til"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. gentilitas the relationship of those who belong to the same clan, also, heathenism: cf. F. gentilité heathenism. See Gentile.]
1. Good extraction; dignity of birth. Macaulay. He . . . mines my gentility with my education. Shak.
2. The quality or qualities appropriate to those who are well born, as self-respect, dignity, courage, courtesy, politeness of manner, a graceful and easy mien and behavior, etc.; good breeding.
3. The class in society who are, or are expected to be, genteel; the gentry. [R.] Sir J. Davies.
4. Paganism; heathenism. [Obs.] Hooker.
GENTILIZEGen"til*ize, v. i. Etym: [See Gentile.]
1. To live like a gentile or heathen. [Obs.] Milton.
2. To act the gentleman; — with it (see It, 5). [Obs.]
GENTILIZEGen"til*ize, v. i.
Defn: To render gentile or gentlemanly; as, to gentilize your unworthy sones. [R.] Sylvester.
GENTILLYGen"til*ly, adv. Etym: [From Gentil, a.]
Defn: In a gentle or hoble manner; frankly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GENTIOPIKRINGen`ti*o*pi"krin, n. Etym: [Gentian + Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A bitter, yellow, crystalline substance, regarded as a glucoside, and obtained from the gentian.
GENTISINGen"ti*sin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A tasteless, yellow, crystalline substance, obtained from the gentian; — called also gentianin.
GENTLE Gen"tle, a. [Compar. Gentler; superl. Gentlest.] Etym: [OE. gentil, F. gentil noble, pretty, graceful, fr. L. gentilis of the same clan or race, fr. gens, gentis, tribe, clan, race, orig. that which belongs together by birth, fr. the root of genere, gignere, to beget; hence gentle, properly, of birth or family, that is, of good or noble birth. See Gender, and cf. Genteel, Gentil, Gentile, Gentoo, Jaunty.]
1. Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble. British society is divided into nobility, gentry, and yeomanry, and families are either noble, gentle, or simple. Johnson's Cyc. The studies wherein our noble and gentle youth ought to bestow their time. Milton.
2. Quiet and refined in manners; not rough, harsh, or stern; mild; meek; bland; amiable; tender; as, a gentle nature, temper, or disposition; a gentle manner; a gentle address; a gentle voice.
3. A compellative of respect, consideration, or conciliation; as, gentle reader. "Gentle sirs." "Gentle Jew." "Gentle servant." Shak.
4. Not wild, turbulent, or refractory; quiet and docile; tame; peaceable; as, a gentle horse.
5. Soft; not violent or rough; not strong, loud, or disturbing; easy; soothing; pacific; as, a gentle touch; a gentle gallop. "Gentle music." Sir J. Davies. O sleep! it is a gentle thing. Coleridge. The gentle craft, the art or trade of shoemaking.
Syn. — Mild; meek; placid; dovelike; quiet; peaceful; pacific; bland; soft; tame; tractable; docile. — Gentle, Tame, Mild, Meek. Gentle describes the natural disposition; tame, that which is subdued by training; mild implies a temper which is, by nature, not easily provoked; meek, a spirit which has been schooled to mildness by discipline or suffering. The lamb is gentle; the domestic fowl is tame; John, the Apostle, was mild; Moses was meek.
GENTLEGen"tle, n.
1. One well born; a gentleman. [Obs.] Gentles, methinks you frown. Shak.
2. A trained falcon. See Falcon-gentil.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A dipterous larva used as fish bait.
GENTLEGent"le, v. t.
1. To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble. [Obs.] Shak.
2. To make smooth, cozy, or agreeable. [R. or Poet.] To gentle life's descent, We shut our eyes, and think it is a plain. Young.
3. To make kind and docile, as a horse. [Colloq.]
GENTLEFOLK; GENTLEFOLKSGen"tle*folk`, Gen"tle*folks` (, n. pl.
Defn: Persons of gentle or good family and breeding. Etym: [Generally in the United States in the plural form.] Shak.
GENTLE-HEARTEDGen"tle-heart`ed, a.
Defn: Having a kind or gentle disposition. Shak.— Gen"tle-heart`ed*ness, n.
GENTLEMAN Gen"tle*man, n.; pl. Gentlemen. Etym: [OE. gentilman nobleman; gentil noble + man man; cf. F. gentilhomme.]
1. A man well born; one of good family; one above the condition of a yeoman.
2. One of gentle or refined manners; a well-bred man.
3. (Her.)
Defn: One who bears arms, but has no title.
4. The servant of a man of rank. The count's gentleman, one Cesario. Shak.
5. A man, irrespective of condition; — used esp. in the plural (= citizens; people), in addressing men in popular assemblies, etc.
Note: In Great Britain, the term gentleman is applied in a limited sense to those having coats of arms, but who are without a title, and, in this sense, gentlemen hold a middle rank between the nobility and yeomanry. In a more extended sense, it includes every man above the rank of yeoman, comprehending the nobility. In the United States, the term is applied to men of education and good breeding of every occupation. Gentleman commoner, one of the highest class of commoners at the University of Oxford. — Gentleman usher, one who ushers visitors into the presence of a sovereign, etc. — Gentleman usher of the black rod, an usher belonging to the Order of the Garter, whose chief duty is to serve as official messenger of the House of Lords. — Gentlemen-at-arms, a band of forty gentlemen who attend the sovereign on state occasions; formerly called gentlemen pensioners. [Eng.]
GENTLEMANHOODGen"tle*man*hood, n.
Defn: The qualities or condition of a gentleman. [R.] Thackeray.
GENTLEMANLIKE; GENTLEMANLYGen"tle*man*like`, Gen"tle*man*ly, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, resembling, or becoming, a gentleman; well- behaved; courteous; polite.
GENTLEMANLINESSGen"tle*man*li*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being gentlemanly; gentlemanly conduct or manners.
GENTLEMANSHIPGen"tle*man*ship, n.
Defn: The carriage or quality of a gentleman.
GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENTGen"tle*men's a*gree"ment.
Defn: An agreement binding only as a matter of honor; often, specif., such an agreement among the heads of industrial or merchantile enterprises, the terms of which could not be included and enforced in a legal contract.
GENTLENESSGen"tle*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being gentle, well-born, mild, benevolent, docile, etc.; gentility; softness of manners, disposition, etc.; mildness.
GENTLESHIPGen"tle*ship, n.
Defn: The deportment or conduct of a gentleman. [Obs.] Ascham.
GENTLESSEGent"lesse, n.
Defn: Gentilesse; gentleness. [Obs.]
GENTLEWOMANGen"tle*wom`an, n.; pl. Gentlewomen (.
1. A woman of good family or of good breeding; a woman above the vulgar. Bacon.
2. A woman who attends a lady of high rank. Shak.
GENTLYGen"tly, adv.
Defn: In a gentle manner.My mistress gently chides the fault I made. Dryden.
GENTOOGen*too", n.; pl. Gentoos. Etym: [Pg. gentio gentile, heathen. SeeGentile.]
Defn: A native of Hindostan; a Hindoo. [Archaic]
GENTRY Gen"try, n. Etym: [OE. genterie, gentrie, noble birth, nobility, cf. gentrise, and OF. gentelise, genterise, E. gentilesse, also OE. genteleri high-mindedness. See Gent, a., Gentle, a.]
1. Birth; condition; rank by birth. [Obs.] "Pride of gentrie." Chaucer. She conquers him by high almighty Jove, By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath. Shak.
2. People of education and good breeding; in England, in a restricted sense, those between the nobility and the yeomanry. Macaulay.
3. Courtesy; civility; complaisance. [Obs.] To show us so much gentry and good will. Shak.
GENTYGen"ty, a. Etym: [From F. gentil. Cf. Jaunty.]
Defn: Neat; trim. [Scot.] Burns.
GENU Ge"nu, n.; pl. Genua. Etym: [L., the knee.] (Anat.) (a) The knee. (b) The kneelike bend, in the anterior part of the callosum of the brain.
GENUFLECTGen`u*flect", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Genuflected; p. pr. & vb. n.Genuflecting.] Etym: [See Genuflection.]
Defn: To bend the knee, as in worship.
GENUFLECTIONGen`u*flec"tion, n. Etym: [F. génuflexion, fr. LL. genuflexio, fr. L.genu knee + flexio a bending, fr. flectere, flexum, to bend. SeeKnee, Flexible.]
Defn: The act of bending the knee, particularly in worship. Bp.Stillingfleet.
GENUINE Gen"u*ine, a. Etym: [L. genuinus, fr. genere, gignere, to beget, in pass., to be born: cf. F. génuine. See Gender.]
Defn: Belonging to, or proceeding from, the original stock; native; hence, not counterfeit, spurious, false, or adulterated; authentic; real; natural; true; pure; as, a genuine text; a genuine production; genuine materials. "True, genuine night." Dryden.
Syn.— Authentic; real; true; pure; unalloyed; unadulterated. SeeAuthentic.— Gen"u*ine*ly, adv.— Gen"u*ine*ness, n.The evidence, both internal and external, against the genuineness ofthese letters, is overwhelming. Macaulay.
GENUSGe"nus, n.; pl. Genera. Etym: [L., birth, race, kind, sort; akin toGr. Gender, and cf. Benign.]
1. (Logic)
Defn: A class of objects divided into several subordinate species; a class more extensive than a species; a precisely defined and exactly divided class; one of the five predicable conceptions, or sorts of terms.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: An assemblage of species, having so many fundamental points of structure in common, that in the judgment of competent scientists, they may receive a common substantive name. A genus is not necessarily the lowest definable group of species, for it may often be divided into several subgenera. In proportion as its definition is exact, it is natural genus; if its definition can not be made clear, it is more or less an artificial genus.
Note: Thus in the animal kingdom the lion, leopard, tiger, cat, and panther are species of the Cat kind or genus, while in the vegetable kingdom all the species of oak form a single genus. Some genera are represented by a multitude of species, as Solanum (Nightshade) and Carex (Sedge), others by few, and some by only one known species. Subaltern genus (Logic), a genus which may be a species of a higher genus, as the genus denoted by quadruped, which is also a species of mammal. — Summum genus Etym: [L.] (Logic), the highest genus; a genus which can not be classed as a species, as being .
GENYSGe"nys, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Conys.
GEOCENTRIC; GEOCENTRICAL Ge`o*cen"tric, Ge`o*cen"tric*al, a. Etym: [Gr. géocentrique.] (Astron.) (a) Having reference to the earth as center; in relation to or seen from the earth, — usually opposed to heliocentric, as seen from the sun; as, the geocentric longitude or latitude of a planet. (b) Having reference to the center of the earth. Geocentric latitude (of place) the angle included between the radius of the earth through the place and the plane of the equator, in distinction from geographic latitude. It is a little less than the geographic latitude.
GEOCENTRICALLYGe`o*cen"tric*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a geocentric manner.
GEOCHEMISTRY Ge`o*chem"is*try (je`o*kem"is*try), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + chemistry.]
Defn: The study of the chemical composition of, and of actual or possible chemical changes in, the crust of the earth. — Ge`o*chem"ic*al (#), a. —Ge`o*chem"ist (#), n.
GEOCRONITEGe*oc"ro*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. geokronit.] (Min.)
Defn: A lead-gray or grayish blue mineral with a metallic luster, consisting of sulphur, antimony, and lead, with a small proportion of arsenic.
GEOCYCLICGe`o*cyc"lic, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Of, pertaining to, or illustrating, the revolutions of the earth; as, a geocyclic machine.
2. Circling the earth periodically.
GEODE Ge"ode, n. Etym: [F. géode, L. geodes, fr. Gr. (Min.) (a) A nodule of stone, containing a cavity, lined with crystals or mineral matter. (b) The cavity in such a nodule.
GEODEPHAGOUSGe`o*deph"a*gous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Living in the earth; — applied to the ground beetles.
GEODESIC; GEODESICALGe`o*des"ic, Ge`o*des"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. géodésique.] (Math.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to geodetic.
GEODESICGe`o*des"ic, n.
Defn: A geodetic line or curve.
GEODESISTGe*od"e*sist, n.
Defn: One versed in geodesy.
GEODESYGe*od"e*sy, n. Etym: [Gr. géodésie.] (Math.)
Defn: That branch of applied mathematics which determines, by means of observations and measurements, the figures and areas of large portions of the earth's surface, or the general figure and dimenshions of the earth; or that branch of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is taken into account, as in the surveys of States, or of long lines of coast.
GEODETIC; GEODETICALGe`o*det"ic, Ge`o*det"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to gebdesy; obtained or determined by the operations of geodesy; engaged in geodesy; geodesic; as, geodetic surveying; geodetic observers. Geodetic line or curve, the shortest line that can be drawn between two points on the elipsoidal surface of the earth; a curve drawn on any given surface so that the osculating plane of the curve at every point shall contain the normal to the surface; the minimum line that can be drawn on any surface between any two points.
GEODETICALLYGe`o*det"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a geodetic manner; according to geodesy.
GEODETICSGe`o*det"ics, n.
Defn: Same as Geodesy.
GEODIFEROUSGe`o*dif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Geode + -ferous.] (Min.)
Defn: Producing geodes; containing geodes.
GEODUCKGe"o*duck, n. Etym: [American Indian name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A gigantic clam (Glycimeris generosa) of the Pacific coast ofNorth America, highly valued as an article of food.
GEOGNOSISGe`og*no"sis, n. Etym: [See Geognosy.]
Defn: Knowledge of the earth. [R.] G. Eliot.
GEOGNOSTGe"og*nost, n. Etym: [Cf. F. géognoste.]
Defn: One versed in geognosy; a geologist. [R.]
GEOGNOSTIC; GEOGNOSTICALGe`og*nos"tic, Ge`og*nos"tic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. géognostique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to geognosy, or to a knowledge of the structure of the earth; geological. [R.]
GEOGNOSYGe*og"no*sy, n. Etym: [Gr. géognosie.]
Defn: That part of geology which treats of the materials of the earth's structure, and its general exterior and interior constitution.
GEOGONIC; GEOGONICALGe`o*gon"ic, Ge`o*gon"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. géogonique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to geogony, or to the formation of the earth.
GEOGONYGe*og"o*ny, n. Etym: [Gr. géogonie.]
Defn: The branch of science which treats of the formation of the earth.
GEOGRAPHERGe*og"ra*pher, n.
Defn: One versed in geography.
GEOGRAPHIC; GEOGRAPHICAL Ge`o*graph"ic, Ge`o*graph"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. geographicus, Gr. géographique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to geography. Geographical distribution. See under Distribution. — Geographic latitude (of a place), the angle included between a line perpendicular or normal to the level surface of water at rest at the place, and the plane of the equator; differing slightly from the geocentric latitude by reason of the difference between the earth's figure and a true sphere. — Geographical mile. See under Mile. — Geographical variation, any variation of a species which is dependent on climate or other geographical conditions.
GEOGRAPHICALLYGe`o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a geographical manner or method; according to geography.
GEOGRAPHY Ge*og"ra*phy, n.; pl. Geographies. Etym: [F. géographie, l. geographia, fr. Gr. Graphic.]
1. The science which treats of the world and its inhabitants; a description of the earth, or a portion of the earth, including its structure, fetures, products, political divisions, and the people by whom it is inhabited.
2. A treatise on this science. Astronomical, or Mathematical, geography treats of the earth as a planet, of its shape, its size, its lines of latitude and longitude, its zones, and the phenomena due to to the earth's diurnal and annual motions. — Physical geography treats of the conformation of the earth's surface, of the distribution of land and water, of minerals, plants, animals, etc., and applies the principles of physics to the explanation of the diversities of climate, productions, etc. — Political geography treats of the different countries into which earth is divided with regard to political and social and institutions and conditions.
GEOLATRYGe*ol"a*try, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The worship of the earth. G. W. Cox. The Geological Series.
Note: The science of geology, as treating of the history of the globe, involves a description of the different strata which compose its crust, their order of succession, characteristic forms of animal and vegetable life, etc. The principal subdivisions of geological time, and the most important strata, with their relative positions, are indicated in the following diagram.
GEOLOGER; GEOLOGIANGe*ol"o*ger, Ge`o*lo"gi*an, n.
Defn: A geologist.
GEOLOGIC; GEOLOGICALGe`o*log"ic, Ge`o*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. géologique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to geology, or the science of the earth.
GEOLOGICALLYGe`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a geological manner.
GEOLOGISTGe*ol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. Géologiste.]
Defn: One versed in the science of geology.
GEOLOGIZEGe*ol"o*gize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Geologized; p. pr. & vb. n.Geologizing.]
Defn: To study geology or make geological investigations in the field; to discourse as a geologist. During midsummer geologized a little in Shropshire. Darwin.
GEOLOGYGe*ol"o*gy, n.; pl. Geologies. Etym: [Gr. -logy: cf. F. géologie.]
1. The science which treats: (a) Of the structure and mineral constitution of the globe; structural geology. (b) Of its history as regards rocks, minerals, rivers, valleys, mountains, climates, life, etc.; historical geology. (c) Of the causes and methods by which its structure, features, changes, and conditions have been produced; dynamical geology. See Chart of The Geological Series.
2. A treatise on the science.
GEOMALISMGe*om"a*lism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: The tendency of an organism to respond, during its growth, to the force of gravitation.
GEOMANCERGe"o*man`cer, n.
Defn: One who practices, or is versed in, geomancy.
GEOMANCY Ge"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [OE. geomance, geomancie, F. géomance, géomancie, LL. geomantia, fr. Gr.
Defn: A kind of divination by means of figures or lines, formed by little dots or points, originally on the earth, and latterly on paper.
GEOMANTIC; GEOMANTICALGe`o*man"tic, Ge`o*man"tic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. géomantique.]
Defn: Pertaining or belonging to geomancy.
GEOMETERGe*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [F. géomètre, L. geometres, geometra, fr. Gr.Meter measure.]
1. One skilled in geometry; a geometrician; a mathematician. I. Watts.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of geometrid moth; a geometrid.
GEOMETRALGe*om"e*tral, a. Etym: [Cf. F. géométral.]
Defn: Pertaining to geometry. [Obs.]
GEOMETRIC; GEOMETRICAL Ge`o*met"ric, Ge`o*met"ric*al, a. Etym: [L. geometricus; Gr. géométrique.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or according to the rules or principles of, geometry; determined by geometry; as, a geometrical solution of a problem.
Note: Geometric is often used, as opposed to algebraic, to include processes or solutions in which the propositions or principles of geometry are made use of rather than those of algebra.
Note: Geometrical is often used in a limited or strictly technical sense, as opposed to mechanical; thus, a construction or solution is geometrical which can be made by ruler and compasses, i. e., by means of right lines and circles. Every construction or solution which requires any other curve, or such motion of a line or circle as would generate any other curve, is not geometrical, but mechanical. By another distinction, a geometrical solution is one obtained by the rules of geometry, or processes of analysis, and hence is exact; while a mechanical solution is one obtained by trial, by actual measurements, with instruments, etc., and is only approximate and empirical. Geometrical curve. Same as Algebraic curve; — so called because their different points may be constructed by the operations of elementary geometry. — Geometric lathe, an instrument for engraving bank notes, etc., with complicated patterns of interlacing lines; — called also cycloidal engine. — Geometrical pace, a measure of five feet. — Geometric pen, an instrument for drawing geometric curves, in which the movements of a pen or pencil attached to a revolving arm of ajustable length may be indefinitely varied by changing the toothed wheels which give motion to the arm. — Geometrical plane (Persp.), the same as Ground plane . — Geometrical progression, proportion, ratio. See under Progression, Proportion and Ratio. — Geometrical radius, in gearing, the radius of the pitch circle of a cogwheel. Knight. — Geometric spider (Zoöl.), one of many species of spiders, which spin a geometrical web. They mostly belong to Epeira and allied genera, as the garden spider. See Garden spider. — Geometric square, a portable instrument in the form of a square frame for ascertaining distances and heights by measuring angles. — Geometrical staircase, one in which the stairs are supported by the wall at one end only. — Geometrical tracery, in architecture and decoration, tracery arranged in geometrical figures.
GEOMETRICALLYGe`o*met"ric*al*ly, adv.
Defn: According to the rules or laws of geometry.
GEOMETRICIANGe*om`e*tri"cian, n.
Defn: One skilled in geometry; a geometer; a mathematician.
GEOMETRIDGe*om"e*trid, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining or belonging to the Geometridæ.
GEOMETRIDGe*om"e*trid, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of numerous genera and species of moths, of the family Geometridæ; — so called because their larvæ (called loopers, measuring worms, spanworms, and inchworms) creep in a looping manner, as if measuring. Many of the species are injurious to agriculture, as the cankerworms.
GEOMETRIZEGe*om"e*trize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Geometrized; p. pr. & vb. n.Geometrizing.]
Defn: To investigate or apprehend geometrical quantities or laws; tomake geometrical constructions; to proceed in accordance with theprinciples of geometry.Nature geometrizeth, and observeth order in all things. Sir T.Browne.
GEOMETRYGe*om"e*try, n; pl. Geometries Etym: [F. géométrie, L. geometria, fr.Gr. Geometer.]
1. That branch of mathematics which investigates the relations, properties, and measurement of solids, surfaces, lines, and angles; the science which treats of the properties and relations of magnitudes; the science of the relations of space.
2. A treatise on this science. Analytical, or Coördinate, geometry, that branch of mathematical analysis which has for its object the analytical investigation of the relations and properties of geometrical magnitudes. — Descriptive geometry, that part of geometry which treats of the graphic solution of all problems involving three dimensions. — Elementary geometry, that part of geometry which treats of the simple properties of straight lines, circles, plane surface, solids bounded by plane surfaces, the sphere, the cylinder, and the right cone. — Higher geometry, that pert of geometry which treats of those properties of straight lines, circles, etc., which are less simple in their relations, and of curves and surfaces of the second and higher degrees.
GEOPHAGISMGe*oph"a*gism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The act or habit of eating earth. See Dirt eating, under Dirt.Dunglison.
GEOPHAGISTGe*oph"a*gist, n.
Defn: One who eats earth, as dirt, clay, chalk, etc.
GEOPHAGOUSGe*oph"a*gous, a.
Defn: Earth-eating.
GEOPHILAGe*oph"i*la, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The division of Mollusca which includes the land snails and slugs.
GEOPONIC; GEOPONICALGe`o*pon"ic, Ge`o*pon"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. géoponique.]
Defn: Pertaining to tillage of the earth, or agriculture.
GEOPONICSGe`o*pon"ics, n. Etym: [Gr. géoponique.]
Defn: The art or science of cultivating the earth; agriculture.Evelin.
GEORAMAGe`o*ra"ma, n. Etym: [Gr. géorama.]
Defn: A hollow globe on the inner surface of which a map of the world is depicted, to be examined by one standing inside.
GEORDIEGeor"die, n.
Defn: A name given by miners to George Stephenson's safety lamp.Raymond.
GEORGEGeorge, n. Etym: [F. George, or Georges, a proper name, fr. Gr. work.See Work.]
1. A figure of St. George (the patron saint of England) on horseback, appended to the collar of the Order of the Garter. See Garter.
2. A kind of brown loaf. [Obs.] Dryden.
GEORGE NOBLEGeorge" no`ble. Etym: [So called from the image of St. George on it.]
Defn: A gold noble of the time of Henry VIII. See Noble, n.
GEORGIANGeor"gi*an, a.
1. Of or pertaining to Georgia, in Asia, or to Georgia, one of the United States.
2. Of or relating to the reigns of the four Georges, kings of Great Britan; as, the Georgian era.
GEORGIANGeor"gi*an, n.
Defn: A native of, or dweller in, Georgia.
GEORGIAN ARCHITECTUREGeorgian architecture.
Defn: British or British colonial architecture of the period of the four Georges, especially that of the period before 1800.
GEORGIC Geor"gic, n. Etym: [L. georgicum (sc. carmen), and georgica, pl., Gr. géorgiques, pl. See Georgic, a.]
Defn: A rural poem; a poetical composition on husbandry, containing rules for cultivating lands, etc.; as, the Georgics of Virgil.
GEORGIC; GEORGICALGeor"gic, Geor"gic*al, a. Etym: [L. georgicus, Gr. géorgique. SeeGeorge.]
Defn: Relating to agriculture and rural affairs.
GEORGIUM SIDUSGeor"gi*um Si`dus. Etym: [NL., the star of George (III. of England).](Astron.)
Defn: The planet Uranus, so named by its discoverer, Sir W. Herschel.
GEOSCOPYGe*os"co*py, n. Etym: [Gr. -scopy: cf. F. géoscopie.]
Defn: Knowledge of the earth, ground, or soil, obtained by inspection. Chambers.
GEOSELENICGe`o*se*len"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to the earth and moon; belonging to the joint action or mutual relations of the earth and moon; as, geoselenic phenomena.
GEOSTATICGe`o*stat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. static.] (Civil Engin.)
Defn: Relating to the pressure exerted by earth or similar substance. Geostatic arch, an arch having a form adapted to sustain pressure similar to that exerted by earth. Rankine.
GEOSYNCLINALGe`o*syn*cli"nal, n. Etym: [Gr. synclinal.] (Geol.)
Defn: the downward bend or subsidence of the earth's crust, which allows of the gradual accumulation of sediment, and hence forms the first step in the making of a mountain range; — opposed to geanticlinal.
GEOTHERMOMETERGe`o*ther*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. thermometer.] (Physics)
Defn: A thermometer specially constructed for measuring temperetures at a depth below the surface of the ground.
GEOTICGe*ot"ic a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Belonging to earth; terrestrial. [Obs.] Bailey.
GEOTROPICGe`o*trop"ic, a. Etym: [See Geotropism.] (Biol.)
Defn: Relating to, or showing, geotropism.
GEOTROPISMGe*ot"ro*pism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: A disposition to turn or incline towards the earth; the influence of gravity in determining the direction of growth of an organ.
Note: In plants, organs which grow towards the center of the earth are said to be positively geotropic, and those growing in the opposite direction negatively geotropic. In animals, geotropism is supposed by some to have an influence either direct or indirect on the plane of division of the ovum.
GEPHYREAGe*phyr"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of marine Annelida, in which the body is imperfectly, or not at all, annulated externally, and is mostly without setæ.
GEPHYREANGe*phyr"e*an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Belonging to the Gephyrea.— n. One of the Gerphyrea.
GEPHYREOIDGe*phyr"e*oid, a. & n. Etym: [Gephyrea + -oid.]
Defn: Gephyrean.
GEPOUNDGe*pound", n.
Defn: See Gipoun. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GERAHGe"rah, n. Etym: [Heb. g, lit., a bean.] (Jewish Antiq.)
Defn: A small coin and weight; 1-20th of a shekel.
Note: The silver gerah is supposed to have been worth about three cents; the gold about fifty-four cents; the weight equivalent to about thirteen grains.
GERANIACEOUSGe*ra`ni*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order of pants (Geraniaceæ) which includes the genera Geranium, Pelargonium, and many others.
GERANIINE; GERANINEGe*ra"ni*ine, Ger"a*nine, n. Etym: [See Geranium.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: A valuable astringet obtained from the root of the Geranium maculatum or crane's-bill.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: A liquid terpene, obtained from the crane's-bill (Geranium maculatum), and having a peculiar mulberry odor. [Written also geranium.]
GERANIUMGe*ra"ni*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. géranium. See Crane, n.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants having a beaklike tours or receptacle, around which the seed capsules are arranged, and membranous projections, or stipules, at the joints. Most of the species have showy flowers and a pungent odor. Called sometimes crane's-bill.
2. (Floriculture)
Defn: A cultivated pelargonium.
Note: Many plants referred to the genus Geranium by the earlier botanists are now separated from it under the name of Pelargonium, which includes all the commonly cultivated "geraniums", mostly natives of South Africa.
GERANTGe"rant, n. Etym: [F. gérant.]
Defn: The manager or acting partner of a company, joint-stock association, etc.
GERBEGerbe, n. Etym: [F., prop. a sheaf.] (Pyrotechny)
Defn: A kind of ornamental firework. Farrow.
GERBIL; GERBILLEGer"bil, Ger`bille", n. Etym: [F. gerbille. Cf. Jerboa.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of several species of small, jumping, murine rodents, of the genus Gerbillus. In their leaping powers they resemble the jerboa. They inhabit Africa, India, and Southern Europe.
GERBOAGer*bo"a, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The jerboa.
GEREGere, n.
Defn: Gear. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GERENTGe"rent, a. Etym: [L. gerens, p. pr. of gerere to bear, manage.]
Defn: Bearing; carrying. [Obs.] Bailey.
GERFALCONGer"fal`con, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Gyrfalcon.
GERFULGer"ful, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. girer to twirl, E. gyrate.]
Defn: Changeable; capricious. [Obs.] Chaucer.
GERLAND; GERLONDGer"land, Ger"lond, n.
Defn: A garland. [Obs.]
GERLINDGer"lind, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A salmon returning from the sea the second time. [Prov. Eng.]
GERMGerm, n. Etym: [F. germe, fr. L. germen, germinis, sprout, but, germ.Cf. Germen, Germane.]
1. (Biol.)
Defn: That which is to develop a new individual; as, the germ of a fetus, of a plant or flower, and the like; the earliest form under which an organism appears. In the entire process in which a new being originates . . . two distinct classes of action participate; namely, the act of generation by which the germ is produced; and the act of development, by which that germ is evolved into the complete organism. Carpenter.
2. That from which anything springs; origin; first principle; as, the germ of civil liberty. Disease germ (Biol.), a name applied to certain tiny bacterial organisms or their spores, such as Anthrax bacillus and the Micrococcus of fowl cholera, which have been demonstrated to be the cause of certain diseases. See Germ theory (bellow). — Germ cell (Biol.), the germ, egg, spore, or cell from which the plant or animal arises. At one time a part of the body of the parent, it finally becomes detached,and by a process of multiplication and growth gives rise to a mass of cells, which ultimately form a new individual like the parent. See Ovum. — Germ gland. (Anat.) See Gonad. — Germ stock (Zoöl.), a special process on which buds are developed in certain animals. See Doliolum. — Germ theory (Biol.), the theory that living organisms can be produced only by the evolution or development of living germs or seeds. See Biogenesis, and Abiogenesis. As applied to the origin of disease, the theory claims that the zymotic diseases are due to the rapid development and multiplication of various bacteria, the germs or spores of which are either contained in the organism itself, or transferred through the air or water. See Fermentation theory.
GERMGerm, v. i.
Defn: To germinate. [R.] J. Morley.
GERMAINGer*main", a. [Obs.]
Defn: See Germane.
GERMAN Ger"man, a. Etym: [OE. german, germain, F. germain, fr. L. germanus full, own (said of brothers and sisters who have the same parents); akin to germen germ. Cf. Germ, Germane.]
Defn: Nearly related; closely akin.Wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion. Shak.Brother german. See Brother german.— Cousins german. See the Note under Cousin.
GERMANGer"man, n.; pl. Germans Etym: [L. Germanus, prob. of Celtis origin.]
1. A native or one of the people of Germany.
2. The German language.
3. (a) A round dance, often with a waltz movement, abounding in capriciosly involved figures. (b) A social party at which the german is danced. High German, the Teutonic dialect of Upper or Southern Germany, — comprising Old High German, used from the 8th to the 11th century; Middle H. G., from the 12th to the 15th century; and Modern or New H. G., the language of Luther's Bible version and of modern German literature. The dialects of Central Germany, the basis of the modern literary language, are often called Middle German, and the Southern German dialects Upper German; but High German is also used to cover both groups. — Low German, the language of Northern Germany and the Netherlands, — including Friesic; Anglo-Saxon or Saxon; Old Saxon; Dutch or Low Dutch, with its dialect, Flemish; and Plattdeutsch (called also Low German), spoken in many dialects.
GERMANGer"man, a. Etym: [L. Germanus. See German, n.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Germany. German Baptists. See Dunker. — German bit, a wood-boring tool, having a long elliptical pod and a scew point. — German carp (Zoöl.), the crucian carp. — German millet (Bot.), a kind of millet (Setaria Italica, var.), whose seed is sometimes used for food. — German paste, a prepared food for caged birds. — German process (Metal.), the process of reducing copper ore in a blast furnace, after roasting, if necessary. Raymond. — German sarsaparilla, a substitute for sarsaparilla extract. — German sausage, a polony, or gut stuffed with meat partly cooked. — German silver (Chem.), a silver-white alloy, hard and tough, but malleable and ductile, and quite permanent in the air. It contains nickel, copper, and zinc in varying proportions, and was originally made from old copper slag at Henneberg. A small amount of iron is sometimes added to make it whiter and harder. It is essentially identical with the Chinese alloy packfong. It was formerly much used for tableware, knife handles, frames, cases, bearings of machinery, etc., but is now largely superseded by other white alloys. — German steel (Metal.), a metal made from bog iron ore in a forge, with charcoal for fuel. — German text (Typog.), a character resembling modern German type, used in English printing for ornamental headings, etc., as in the words,
Note: This line is German Text.— German tinder. See Amadou.
GERMANDER Ger*man"der, n. Etym: [OE. germaunder, F. germandrée, It. calamandrea, L. chamaedrys, fr. Gr.Humble, and Tree.] (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the genus Teucrium (esp. Teucrium Chamædrys or wallgermander), mintlike herbs and low shrubs. American germander,Teucrium Canadense.— Germander chickweed, Veronica agrestis.— Water germander, Teucrium Scordium.— Wood germander, Teucrium Scorodonia.
GERMANEGer*mane", a. Etym: [See German akin, nearly related.]
Defn: Literally, near akin; hence, closely allied; appropriate orfitting; relevant.The phrase would be more germane to the matter. Shak.[An amendment] must be germane. Barclay (Digest).
GERMANICGer*man"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or containing, germanium.