Defn: Forsaken by a lass. Shak.
LASSOLass"o (lâs"so) n.; pl. Lassos (-soz). Etym: [Sp. lazo, L. laqueus.See Lace.]
Defn: A rope or long thong of leather with, a running noose, used for catching horses, cattle, etc. Lasso cell (Zoöl.), one of a peculiar kind of defensive and offensive stinging cells, found in great numbers in all coelenterates, and in a few animals of other groups. They are most highly developed in the tentacles of jellyfishes, hydroids, and Actiniæ. Each of these cells is filled with, fluid, and contains a long, slender, often barbed, hollow thread coiled up within it. When the cell contracts the thread is quickly ejected, being at the same time turned inside out. The thread is able to penetrate the flesh of various small, soft-bodied animals, and carries a subtle poison by which they are speedily paralyzed and killed. The threads, at the same time, hold the prey in position, attached to the tentacles. Some of the jellyfishes, as the Portuguese man-of-war, and Cyanea, are able to penetrate the human skin, and inflict painful stings in the same way. Called also nettling cell, cnida, cnidocell.
LASSOLas"so, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lassoed; p. pr. & vb. n. Lassoing.]
Defn: To catch with a lasso.
LASTLast, 3d pers. sing. pres.
Defn: of Last, to endure, contracted from lasteth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LASTLast (, a. Etym: [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late;akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See Late, and cf.Latest.]
1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or order of succession; following all the rest; final; hindmost; farthest; as, the last year of a century; the last man in a line of soldiers; the last page in a book; his last chance. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. Neh. viii. 18. Fairest of stars, last in the train of night. Milton.
2. Next before the present; as, I saw him last week.
3. Supreme; highest in degree; utmost. Contending for principles of the last importance. R. Hall .
4. Lowest in rank or degree; as, the last prize. Pope.
5. Farthest of all from a given quality, character, or condition; most unlikely; having least fitness; as, he is the last person to be accused of theft.
At last, at the end of a certain period; after delay. "The duke of Savoy felt that the time had at last arrived." Motley. — At the last. Etym: [Prob. fr. AS. on laste behind, following behind, fr. last race, track, footstep. See Last mold of the foot.] At the end; in the conclusion. [Obs.] "Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last." Gen. xlix. 19. — Last heir, the person to whom lands escheat for want of an heir. [Eng.] Abbott. — On one's last legs, at, or near, the end of one's resources; hence, on the verge of failure or ruin, especially in a financial sense. [Colloq.] — To breathe one's last, to die. — To the last, to the end; till the conclusion. And blunder on in business to the last. Pope.
Syn. — At Last, At Length. These phrases both denote that some delayed end or result has been reached. At length implies that a long period was spent in so doing; as, after a voyage of more than three months, we at Length arrived safe. At last commonly implies that something has occurred (as interruptions, disappointments, etc.) which leads us to emphasize the idea of having reached the end; as, in spite of every obstacle, we have at last arrived.
LASTLast, adv. Etym: [See Last, a.]
1. At a time or on an occasion which is the latest of all those spoken of or which have occurred; the last time; as, I saw him last in New York.
2. In conclusion; finally.lastly Pleased with his idol, he commends, admires, Adores; and, last, the thing adored desires. Dryden.
3. At a time next preceding the present time. How long is't now since last yourself and I Were in a mask Shak.
LASTLast, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lasting.] Etym:[OE. lasten, As. læstan to perform, execute, follow, last, continue,fr. last, l, trace, footstep, course; akin to G. leisten to perform,Goth. laistjan to follow. See Last mold of the foot.]
1. To continue in time; to endure; to remain in existence. [I] proffered me to be slave in all that she me would ordain while my life lasted. Testament of Love.
2. To endure use, or continue in existence, without impairment or exhaustion; as, this cloth lasts better than that; the fuel will last through the winter.
LAST Last, n. Etym: [AS. lasttrace, track, footstep; akin to D. leest a last, G. leisten, Sw. läst, Dan. læst, Icel. leistr the foot below the ankle, Goth. laists track, way; from a root signifying, to go. Cf. Last, v. i., Learn, Delirium.]
Defn: A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots andshoes are formed.The cobbler is not to go beyond his last. L'Estrange.Darning last, a smooth, hard body, often egg-shaped, put into astocking to preserve its shape in darning.
LASTLast, v. t.
Defn: To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place smoothly on a last; as, to last a boot.
LASTLast, n. Etym: [As. hlæst, fr. hladan to lade; akin to OHG. hlast,G., D., Dan., & Sw. last: cf. F. laste, last, a last, of German orDutch origin. See Lade.]
1. A load; a heavy burden; hence, a certain weight or measure, generally estimated at 4,000 lbs., but varying for different articles and in different countries. In England, a last of codfish, white herrings, meal, or ashes, is twelve barrels; a last of corn, ten quarters, or eighty bushels, in some parts of England, twenty-one quarters; of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels, each containing 100 lbs; of red herrings, twenty cades, or 20,000; of hides, twelve dozen; of leather, twenty dickers; of pitch and tar, fourteen barrels; of wool, twelve sacks; of flax or feathers, 1,700 lbs.
2. The burden of a ship; a cargo.
LASTAGE Last"age n. Etym: [E. lestage ballasting, fr. lest ballast, or LL. lastagium, lestagium. See Last a load.]
1. A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will. [Obs.]
2. A tax on wares sold by the last. [Obs.] Cowell.
3. The lading of a ship; also, ballast. Spelman.
4. Room for stowing goods, as in a ship.
LASTELast"e, obs. imp.
Defn: of Last, to endure. Chaucer.
LASTERLast"er, n.
Defn: A workman whose business it is to shape boots or shoes, or place leather smoothly, on lasts; a tool for stretching leather on a last.
LASTERYLast"er*y, n.
Defn: A red color.[Obs.] Spenser.
LASTINGLast"ing, a.
Defn: Existing or continuing a long while; enduring; as, a lasting good or evil; a lasting color.
Syn. — Durable; permanent; undecaying; perpetual; unending. — Lasting, Permanent, Durable. Lasting commonly means merely continuing in existence; permanent carries the idea of continuing in the same state, position, or course; durable means lasting in spite of agencies which tend to destroy.
LASTINGLast"ing, n.
1. Continuance; endurance. Locke.
2. A species of very durable woolen stuff, used for women's shoes; everlasting.
3. The act or process of shaping on a last.
LASTINGLast"ing, adv.
Defn: In a lasting manner.
LASTINGLYLast"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a lasting manner.
LASTLYLast"ly, adv.
1. In the last place; in conclusion.
2. at last; finally.
LATLat, v. t.
Defn: To let; to allow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LATA; LATAHLa"ta, La"tah, n. [Malay.]
Defn: A convulsive tic or hysteric neurosis prevalent among Malays, similar to or identical with miryachit and jumping disease, the person affected performing various involuntary actions and making rapid inarticulate ejaculations in imitation of the actions and words of another person.
LATAKIALat`a*ki"a, n. Etym: [Turk.]
Defn: A superior quality of Turkish smoking tobacco, so called from the place where produced, the ancient Laodicea.
LATCHLatch, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. lécher to lick (of German origin). Cf.Lick.]
Defn: To smear; to anoint. [Obs.] Shak.
LATCHLatch, n. Etym: [OE. lacche, fr. lacchen to seize, As. læccan.]
1. That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
2. A movable piece which holds anything in place by entering a notch or cavity; specifically, the catch which holds a door or gate when closed, though it be not bolted.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: A latching.
4. A crossbow. [Obs.] Wright.
LATCHLatch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Latched; p. pr. & vb. n. Latching.] Etym:[OE.lacchen. See Latch. n.]
1. To catch so as to hold. [Obs.] Those that remained threw darts at our men, and latching our darts, sent them again at us. Golding.
2. To catch or fasten by means of a latch. The door was only latched. Locke.
LATCHET Latch"et, n. Etym: [OE. lachet, from an OF. dialect form of F. lacet plaited string, lace dim. of lacs. See Lace.]
Defn: The string that fastens a shoe; a shoestring.
LATCHINGLatch"ing, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A loop or eye formed on the head rope of a bonnet, by which it is attached to the foot of a sail; — called also latch and lasket. [Usually in pl.]
LATCHKEYLatch"key`, n.
Defn: A key used to raise, or throw back, the latch of a door, esp. a night latch.
LATCHSTRINGLatch"string`, n.
Defn: A string for raising the latch of a door by a person outside. It is fastened to the latch and passed through a hole above it in the door. To find the latchstring out, to meet with hospitality; to be welcome. (Intrusion is prevented by drawing in the latchstring.) [Colloq. U.S.]
LATE Late, a. [Compar. Later, or latter (; superl. Latest.] Etym: [OE. lat slow, slack, As.læt; akin to Os. lat, D. laat late, G. lass weary, lazy, slack, Icel. latr, Sw. lat, Dan. lad, Goth. lats, and to E. let, v. See Let to permit, and cf. Alas, Lassitude.]
1. Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring.
2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.
3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; lately deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.
4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.
5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.
LATELate, adv. Etym: [AS. late. See Late, a.]
1. After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; — opposed to early.
2. Not long ago; lately.
3. Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night. Of late, in time not long past, or near the present; lately; as, the practice is of late uncommon. — Too late, after the proper or available time; when the time or opportunity is past.
LATEDLat"ed, a.
Defn: Belated; too late. [Obs.] Shak.
LATEENLa*teen", a. (Naut.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a peculiar rig used in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, esp. on the northern coast of Africa. See below. Lateen sail. Etym: [F. voile latine a sail in the shape of a right- angled triangle; cf. It. & Sp. vela latina; properly Latin sail. See Latin.] (Naut.) A triangular sail, extended by a long yard, which is slung at about one fourth of its length from the lower end, to a low mast, this end being brought down at the tack, while the other end is elevated at an angle or about forty-five degrees; — used in small boats, feluccas, xebecs, etc., especially in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters. Some lateen sails have also a boom on the lower side.
LATELYLate"ly, adv.
Defn: Not long ago; recently; as, he has lately arrived from Italy.
LATENCELa"tence, n.
Defn: Latency. Coleridge.
LATENCYLa"ten*cy, n. Etym: [See Latent.]
Defn: The state or quality of being latent. To simplify the discussion, I shall distinguish three degrees of this latency. Sir W. Hamilton.
LATENESSLate"ness, n.
Defn: The state, condition, or quality, of being late; as, the lateness of his arrival; the lateness of the hour; the lateness of the season.
LATENT La"tent, a. Etym: [L. latens, -entis, p. pr. of latere to lie hid or concealed; cf. Gr. lethargy: cf. F.latent.]
Defn: Not visible or apparent; hidden; springs of action. The evils latent in the most promising contrivances are provided for as they arise. Burke. Latent buds (bot.), buds which remain undeveloped or dormant for a long time, but may at length grow. Latent heat (Physics), that quantity of heat which disappears or becomes concealed in a body while producing some change in it other than rise of temperature, as fusion, evaporation, or expansion, the quantity being constant for each particular body and for each species of change. — Latent period. (a) (Med.) The regular time in which a disease is supposed to be existing without manifesting itself. (b) (Physiol.) One of the phases in a simple muscular contraction, in which invisible preparatory changes are taking place in the nerve and muscle. (c) (Biol.) One of those periods or resting stages in the development of the ovum, in which development is arrested prior to renewed activity.
LATENTLYLa"tent*ly, adv.
Defn: In a secret or concealed manner; invisibly.
LATERLa"ter, n.; pl. Lateres. Etym: [L.]
Defn: A brick or tile. Knight.
LATERLat"er, a.
Defn: Compar. of Late, a. & adv.
LATERADLat"er*ad, adv. Etym: [L. latus, lateris, side + ad to.] (Anat.)
Defn: Toward the side; away from the mesial plane; — opposed to mesiad.
LATERALLat"er*al, a. Etym: [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf.F.latéral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the mesial plane; external; — opposed to mesial.
3. Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing. Lateral cleavage (Crystallog.), cleavage parallel to the lateral planes. — Lateral equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree. [Obs.] — Lateral line (Anat.), in fishes, a line of sensory organs along either side of the body, often marked by a distinct line of color. — Lateral pressure or stress (Mech.), a pressure or stress at right angles to the length, as of a beam or bridge; — distinguished from longitudinal pressure or stress. — Lateral strength (Mech.), strength which resists a tendency to fracture arising from lateral pressure. — Lateral system (Bridge Building), the system of horizontal braces (as between two vertical trusses) by which lateral stiffness is secured.
LATERALITYLat`er*al"i*ty, n.
Defn: The state or condition of being lateral.
LATERALLYLat"er*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By the side; sidewise; toward, or from, the side.
LATERANLat"er*an, n.
Defn: The church and palace of St. John Lateran, the church being the cathedral church of Rome, and the highest in rank of all churches in the Catholic world.
Note: The name is said to have been derived from that of the Laterani family, who possessed a palace on or near the spot where the church now stands. In this church several ecclesiastical councils, hence called Lateran councils, have been held.
LATEREDLat"ered, a.
Defn: Inclined to delay; dilatory. [Obs.] "When a man is too latered." Chaucer.
LATERIFOLIOUS Lat`er*i*fo"li*ous, a. Etym: [L. latus, lateris, side + folium leaf: cf. F. latérifolié.] (Bot.)
Defn: Growing from the stem by the side of a leaf; as, a laterifolious flower.
LATERITELat"er*ite, n. Etym: [L. later brick, tile: cf. F. latérite.] (Geol.)
Defn: An argillaceous sandstone, of a red color, and much seamed; — found in India.
LATERITICLat`er*it"ic, a.
Defn: consisting of, containing, or characterized by, laterite; as, lateritic formations.
LATERITICLat`er*it"ic, a.
Defn: Consisting of, containing, or characterized by, laterite; as, lateritic formations.
LATERITIOUSLat"er*i"tious, a. Etym: [L.lateritius, fr. later a brick.]
Defn: Like bricks; of the color of red bricks. Lateritious sediment (Med.), a sediment in urine resembling brick dust, observed after the crises of fevers, and at the termination of gouty paroxysms. It usually consists of uric acid or urates with some coloring matter.
LATESLa"tes, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of large percoid fishes, of which one species (LatesNiloticus) inhabits the Nile, and another (L. calcarifer
LATESCENCELa*tes"cence, n.
Defn: A slight withdrawal from view or knowledge. Sir W. Hamilton.
LATESCENT La*tes"cent, a. Etym: [L. latescens, -entis, p. pr. of latescere to be concealed, fr. latere to be hid.]
Defn: Slightly withdrawn from view or knowledge; as, a latescent meaning. Sir W. Hamilton.
LATEWAKELate"wake`, n.
Defn: See Lich wake, under Lich.
LATEWARDLate"ward, a. & adv.
Defn: Somewhat late; backward. [Obs.] "Lateward lands." Holland.
LATEXLa"tex, n. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)
Defn: A milky or colored juice in certain plants in cavities (called latex cells or latex tubes). It contains the peculiar principles of the plants, whether aromatic, bitter, or acid, and in many instances yields caoutchouc upon coagulation.
LATH Lath, n.; pl. Laths. Etym: [OE. laththe, latthe, latte, AS. lætta; akin to D. lat, G. latte, OHG. latta; cf. W. llath a rod, staff, yard. Cf. Lattice, Latten.]
Defn: A thin, narrow strip of wood, nailed to the rafters, studs, or floor beams of a building, for the purpose of supporting the tiles, plastering, etc. A corrugated metallic strip or plate is sometimes used. Lath brick, a long, slender brick, used in making the floor on which malt is placed in the drying kiln. Lath nail a slender nail for fastening laths.
LATHLath, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lathed; p. pr. & vb. n. Lathing.]
Defn: To cover or line with laths.
LATHELathe, n. Etym: [AS.læedh. Of. uncertain origin.]
Defn: Formerly, a part or division of a county among the Anglo- Saxons. At present it consists of four or five hundreds, and is confined to the county of Kent. [Written also lath.] Brande & C.
LATHE Lathe, n. Etym: [OE. lathe a granary; akin to G. lade a chest, Icel. hlaedha a storehouse, barn; but cf. also Icel. löedh a smith's lathe. Senses 2 and 3 are perh. of the same origin as lathe a granary, the original meaning being, a frame to hold something. If so, the word is from an older form of E. lade to load. See Lade to load.]
1. A granary; a barn. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. (Mach.)
Defn: A machine for turning, that is, for shaping articles of wood, metal, or other material, by causing them to revolve while acted upon by a cutting tool.
3. The movable swing frame of a loom, carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft; — called also lay and batten. Blanchard lathe, a lathe for turning irregular forms after a given pattern, as lasts, gunstocks, and the like. — Drill lathe, or Speed lathe, a small lathe which, from its high speed, is adapted for drilling; a hand lathe. — Engine lathe, a turning lathe in which the cutting tool has an automatic feed; — used chiefly for turning and boring metals, cutting screws, etc. — Foot lathe, a lathe which is driven by a treadle worked by the foot. — Geometric lathe. See under Geometric — Hand lathe, a lathe operated by hand; a power turning lathe without an automatic feed for the tool. — Slide lathe, an engine lathe. — Throw lathe, a small lathe worked by one hand, while the cutting tool is held in the other.
LATHERLath"er, n. Etym: [AS. leáedhor niter, in leáedhorwyrt soapwort; cf.Icel. lau; perh. akin to E. lye.]
1. Foam or froth made by soap moistened with water.
2. Foam from profuse sweating, as of a horse.
LATHERLath"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lathered; p. pr. & vb. n. Lathering.]Etym: [AS. leedhrian to lather, anoint. See Lather, n. ]
Defn: To spread over with lather; as, to lather the face.
LATHERLath"er, v. i.
Defn: To form lather, or a froth like lather; to accumulate foam from profuse sweating, as a horse.
LATHERLath"er, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Leather.]
Defn: To beat severely with a thong, strap, or the like; to flog.[Low]
LATHEREEVE; LATHREEVELathe"reeve`, Lath"reeve`, n.
Defn: Formerly, the head officer of a lathe. See 1st Lathe.
LATHINGLath"ing, n.
Defn: The act or process of covering with laths; laths, collectively; a covering of laths.
LATH-SHAPEDLath"-shaped`, a.
Defn: Having a slender elongated form, like a lath; — said of the feldspar of certain igneous rocks, as diabase, as seen in microscopic sections.
LATHWORKLath"work`, n.
Defn: Same as Lathing.
LATHYLath"y, a.
Defn: Like a lath; long and slender.A lathy horse, all legs and length. R. Browning.
LATIANLa"tian, a.
Defn: Belonging, or relating, to Latium, a country of ancient Italy.See Latin.
LATIBULIZELa*tib"u*lize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Latibulized (; p. pr. & vb. n.Latibulizing.] Etym: [L. latibulum hiding place, fr. latere to liehid.]
Defn: To retire into a den, or hole, and lie dormant in winter; to retreat and lie hid. [R.] G. Shaw.
LATIBULUMLa*tib"u*lum, n; pl. Latibula. Etym: [L.]
Defn: A concealed hiding place; a burrow; a lair; a hole.
LATICIFEROUSLat`i*cif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. latex, laticis, a liquid + -ferous.](Bot.)
Defn: Containing the latex; — applied to the tissue or tubular vessels in which the latex of the plant is found.
LATICLAVELat"i*clave, n. Etym: [L. laticlavus, laticlavium; latus broad +clavus nail, a purple stripe on the tunica: cf. F. laticlave.] (Rom.Antiq.)
Defn: A broad stripe of purple on the fore part of the tunic, worn by senators in ancient Rome as an emblem of office.
LATICOSTATELat`i*cos"tate, a. Etym: [L. latus broad + E. costate.]
Defn: Broad-ribbed.
LATIDENTATELat`i*den"tate, a. Etym: [L. latus broad + E. dentate.]
Defn: Broad-toothed.
LATIFOLIATE; LATIFOLIOUS Lat`i*fo"li*ate, Lat`i*fo"li*ous, a. Etym: [L. latifolius; latus broad + folium leaf: cf. F. latifolié.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having broad leaves.
LATIGOLa"ti*go, n. [Sp. látigo.]
Defn: A strap for tightening a saddle girth. [Western U. S. & Sp.Amer.]
LATIGO HALTERLa"ti*go hal"ter.
Defn: A kind of halter usually made of raw hide.
LATIMERLat"i*mer, n. Etym: [OF. latinier, latimier, prop., one knowingLatin.]
Defn: An interpreter. [Obs.] Coke.
LATINLat"in, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. Latinus belonging to Latium, Latin, fr.Latium a country of Italy, in which Rome was situated. Cf. Ladin,Lateen sail, under Lateen.]
1. Of or pertaining to Latium, or to the Latins, a people of Latium; Roman; as, the Latin language.
2. Of, pertaining to, or composed in, the language used by the Romans or Latins; as, a Latin grammar; a Latin composition or idiom. Latin Church (Eccl. Hist.), the Western or Roman Catholic Church, as distinct from the Greek or Eastern Church. — Latin cross. See Illust. 1 of Cross. — Latin races, a designation sometimes loosely given to certain nations, esp. the French, Spanish, and Italians, who speak languages principally derived from Latin. Latin Union, an association of states, originally comprising France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy, which, in 1865, entered into a monetary agreement, providing for an identity in the weight and fineness of the gold and silver coins of those countries, and for the amounts of each kind of coinage by each. Greece, Servia, Roumania, and Spain subsequently joined the Union.
LATINLat"in, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Latium; a Roman.
2. The language of the ancient Romans.
3. An exercise in schools, consisting in turning English into Latin. [Obs.] Ascham.
4. (Eccl.)
Defn: A member of the Roman Catholic Church. (Dog Latin, barbarous Latin; a jargon in imitation of Latin; as, the log Latin of schoolboys. — Late Latin, Low Latin, terms used indifferently to designate the latest stages of the Latin language; low Latin (and, perhaps, late Latin also), including the barbarous coinages from the French, German, and other languages into a Latin form made after the Latin had become a dead language for the people. — Law Latin, that kind of late, or low, Latin, used in statutes and legal instruments; — often barbarous.
LATINLat"in, v. t.
Defn: To write or speak in Latin; to turn or render into Latin.[Obs.] Fuller.
LATINISMLat"in*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. latinisme.]
Defn: A Latin idiom; a mode of speech peculiar to Latin; also, a mode of speech in another language, as English, formed on a Latin model.
Note: The term is also sometimes used by Biblical scholars to designate a Latin word in Greek letters, or the Latin sense of a Greek word in the Greek Testament.
LATINISTLat"in*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. latiniste.]
Defn: One skilled in Latin; a Latin scholar. Cowper.He left school a good Latinist. Macaulay.
LATINISTICLat`in*is"tic, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, Latin; in the Latin style or idiom. "Latinistic words." Fitzed. Hall.
LATINITASTERLa*tin"i*tas`ter, n. Etym: [Cf. Poetaster.]
Defn: One who has but a smattering of Latin. Walker.
LATINITYLa*tin"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. latinitas: cf. F. latinité.]
Defn: The Latin tongue, style, or idiom, or the use thereof; specifically, purity of Latin style or idiom. "His eleLatinity." Motley.
LATINIZATIONLat`in*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act or process of Latinizing, as a word, language, orcountry.The Germanization of Britain went far deeper than the Latinization ofFrance. M. Arnold.
LATINIZELat"in*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Latinized; p. pr. & vb. n.Latinizing.] Etym: [L. latinizare: cf. F.latiniser.]
1. To give Latin terminations or forms to, as to foreign words, in writing Latin.
2. To bring under the power or influence of the Romans or Latins; to affect with the usages of the Latins, especially in speech. "Latinized races." Lowell.
3. To make like the Roman Catholic Church or diffuse its ideas in; as, to Latinize the Church of England.
LATINIZELat"in*ize, v. i.
Defn: To use words or phrases borrowed from the Latin. Dryden.
2. To come under the influence of the Romans, or of the Roman Catholic Church.
LATINLYLat"in*ly, adv.
Defn: In the manner of the Latin language; in correct Latin. [Obs.]Heylin.
LATIONLa"tion, n. Etym: [L. latio, fr. latus borne. See Tolerate.]
Defn: Transportation; conveyance. [Obs.]
LATIROSTRAL; LATIROSTROUSLat`i*ros"tral, Lat`i*ros"trous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. latirostre. SeeLatirostres.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a broad beak. Sir T. Browne.
LATIROSTRES Lat`i*ros"tres, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. latus broad + rostrum beak.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The broad-billed singing birds, such as the swallows, and their allies.
LATISHLat"ish, a.
Defn: Somewhat late. [Colloq.]
LATISTERNALLat`i*ster"nal, a. Etym: [L. latus broad + E. sternal.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a broad breastbone, or sternum; — said of anthropoid apes.
LATITANCYLat"i*tan*cy, n. Etym: [See Latitant.]
Defn: Act or state of lying hid, or lurking. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
LATITANT Lat"i*tant, a. Etym: [L. latitans, pr. of latitare to lie hid, to lurk, v. intens. fr. latere to be hid: cf. F. latitant.]
Defn: Lying hid; concealed; latent. [R.]
LATITATLat"i*tat, n. Etym: [L., he lies hid.] (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: A writ based upon the presumption that the person summoned was hiding. Blackstone.
LATITATIONLat`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. latitatio.]
Defn: A lying in concealment; hiding. [Obs.]
LATITUDE Lat"i*tude, n. Etym: [F. latitude, L. latitudo, fr. latus broad, wide, for older stlatus; perh. akin to E. strew.]
1. Extent from side to side, or distance sidewise from a given pointor line; breadth; width.Provided the length do not exceed the latitude above one third part.Sir H. Wotton.
2. Room; space; freedom from confinement or restraint; hence, looseness; laxity; independence. In human actions there are no degrees and precise natural limits described, but a latitude is indulged. Jer. Taylor.
3. Extent or breadth of signification, application, etc.; extent of deviation from a standard, as truth, style, etc. No discreet man will believe Augustine's miracles, in the latitude of monkish relations. Fuller.
4. Extent; size; amplitude; scope. I pretend not to treat of them in their full latitude. Locke.
5. (Geog.)
Defn: Distance north or south of the equator, measured on a meridian.
6. (Astron.)
Defn: The angular distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic. Ascending latitude, Circle of latitude, Geographical latitude, etc. See under Ascending. Circle, etc. — High latitude, that part of the earth's surface near either pole, esp. that part within either the arctic or the antarctic circle. — Low latitude, that part of the earth's surface which is near the equator.
LATITUDINALLat`i*tu"di*nal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to latitude; in the direction of latitude.
LATITUDINARIANLat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an, a. Etym: [Cf. F. latitudinaire.]
1. Not restrained; not confined by precise limits.
2. Indifferent to a strict application of any standard of belief or opinion; hence, deviating more or less widely from such standard; lax in doctrine; as, latitudinarian divines; latitudinarian theology. Latitudinarian sentiments upon religious subjects. Allibone.
3. Lax in moral or religious principles.
LATITUDINARIANLat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an, n.
1. One who is moderate in his notions, or not restrained by precise settled limits in opinion; one who indulges freedom in thinking.
2. (Eng. Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: A member of the Church of England, in the time of Charles II., who adopted more liberal notions in respect to the authority, government, and doctrines of the church than generally prevailed. They were called "men of latitude;" and upon this, men of narrow thoughts fastened upon them the name of latitudinarians. Bp. Burnet.
3. (Theol.)
Defn: One who departs in opinion from the strict principles of orthodoxy.
LATITUDINARIANISMLat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an*ism, n.
Defn: A latitudinarian system or condition; freedom of opinion in matters pertaining to religious belief. Fierce sectarianism bred fierce latitudinarianism. De Quincey. He [Ammonius Saccas] plunged into the wildest latitudinarianism of opinion. J. S. Harford.
LATITUDINOUSLat`i*tu"di*nous, a.
Defn: Having latitude, or wide extent.
LATON; LATOUNLat"on, Lat"oun, n.
Defn: Latten, 1. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LATRANTLa"trant, a. Etym: [L. latrans, p. pr. of latrare. See Latrate.]
Defn: Barking. [Obs.] Tickell.
LATRATELa"trate, v. i. Etym: [L. latratus, p. p. of latrare to bark.]
Defn: To bark as a dog. [Obs.]
LATRATIONLa*tra"tion, n.
Defn: A barking. [Obs.]
LATREUTICALLa*treu"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Acting as a hired servant; serving; ministering; assisting. [Obs.]
2. Of or pertaining to latria. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
LATRIALa*tri"a, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
Defn: The highest kind of worship, or that paid to God; — distinguished by the Roman Catholics from dulia, or the inferior worship paid to saints.
LATRINELa*trine", n. Etym: [L. latrina: cf. F. latrines.]
Defn: A privy, or water-closet, esp. in a camp, hospital, etc.
LATROCINYLat"ro*cin`y, n. Etym: [L. latrocinium. Cf. Larceny.]
Defn: Theft; larceny. [Obs.]
LATTEN Lat"ten, n. Etym: [OE. latoun, laton, OF. laton, F. laiton, prob. fr. OF. late lath, F. latte; — because made in thin plates; cf. It. latta a sheet of tinned iron, tin plate. F. latte is of German origin. See Lath a thin board.]
1. A kind of brass hammered into thin sheets, formerly much used for making church utensils, as candlesticks, crosses, etc.; — called also latten brass. He had a cross of latoun full of stones. Chaucer.
2. Sheet tin; iron plate, covered with tin; also, any metal in thin sheets; as, gold latten. Black latten, brass in milled sheets, composed of copper and zinc, used by braziers, and for drawing into wire. — Roll latten, latten polished on both sides ready for use. — Shaven latten, a thinner kind than black latten. — White latten, a mixture of brass and tin.
LATTER Lat"ter, a. Etym: [OE. later, lætter, compar. of lat late. See Late, and cf. Later.]
1. Later; more recent; coming or happening after something else; — opposed to former; as, the former and latter rain.
2. Of two things, the one mentioned second. The difference between reason and revelation, and in what sense the latter is superior. I. Watts.
3. Recent; modern. Hath not navigation discovered in these latter ages, whole nations at the bay of Soldania Locke.
4. Last; latest; final. [R.] "My latter gasp." Shak. Latter harvest, the last part of the harvest. — Latter spring, the last part of the spring of the year. Shak.
LATTERDAYLat"ter*day`, a.
Defn: Belonging to present times or those recent by comparison.
LATTER-DAY SAINTLat"ter-day` saint".
Defn: A Mormon; — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints being the name assumed by the whole body of Mormons.
LATTERKINLat"ter*kin, n.
Defn: A pointed wooden tool used in glazing leaden lattice.
LATTERLYLat"ter*ly, adv.
Defn: Lately; of late; recently; at a later, as distinguished from aformer, period.Latterly Milton was short and thick. Richardson.
LATTERMATHLat"ter*math, n. Etym: [Cf. Aftermath.]
Defn: The latter, or second, mowing; the aftermath.
LATTICELat"tice, n. Etym: [OE. latis, F. lattis lathwork, fr. latte lath.See Latten, 1st Lath.]
1. Any work of wood or metal, made by crossing laths, or thin strips, and forming a network; as, the lattice of a window; — called also latticework. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice. Judg. v. 28.
2. (Her.)
Defn: The representation of a piece of latticework used as a bearing, the bands being vertical and horizontal. Lattice bridge, a bridge supported by lattice girders, or latticework trusses. — Lattice girder (Arch.), a girder of which the wed consists of diagonal pieces crossing each other in the manner of latticework. — Lattice plant (Bot.), an aquatic plant of Madagascar (Ouvirandra fenestralis), whose leaves have interstices between their ribs and cross veins, so as to resemble latticework. A second species is O. Berneriana. The genus is merged in Aponogeton by recent authors.
LATTICELat"tice, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Latticed; p. pr. & vb. n. Latticing.]
1. To make a lattice of; as, to lattice timbers.
2. To close, as an opening, with latticework; to furnish with a lattice; as, to lattice a window. To lattice up, to cover or inclose with a lattice. Therein it seemeth he [Alexander] hath latticed up Cæsar. Sir T. North.
LATTICEWORKLat"tice*work`, n.
Defn: Same as Lattice, n., 1.
LATTICINGLat"ti*cing, n.
1. The act or process of making a lattice of, or of fitting a lattice to.
2. (Bridge Building)
Defn: A system of bars crossing in the middle to form braces between principal longitudinal members, as of a strut.
LATUS RECTUMLa"tus rec"tum. Etym: [L., the right side.] (Conic Sections)
Defn: The line drawn through a focus of a conic section parallel to the directrix and terminated both ways by the curve. It is the parameter of the principal axis. See Focus, and Parameter.
LAUDLaud, n. Etym: [L. laus, laudis. See Laud, v. i.]
1. High commendation; praise; honor; exaltation; glory. "Laud be to God." Shak. So do well and thou shalt have laud of the same. Tyndals.
2. A part of divine worship, consisting chiefly of praise; — usually in the pl.
Note: In the Roman Catholic Church, the prayers used at daybreak, between those of matins and prime, are called lauds.
3. Music or singing in honor of any one.
LAUDLaud, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lauded; p. pr. & vb. n. Lauding.] Etym:[L.laudare, fr. laus, laudis, praise. Cf. Allow.]
Defn: To praise in words alone, or with words and singing; tocelebrate; to extol.With all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy gloriousname. Book of Common Prayer.
LAUDABILITYLaud`a*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. laudabilitas.]
Defn: Laudableness; praiseworthiness.
LAUDABLE Laud"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. laudabilis: cf. OE. laudable. See Laud, v. i.]
1. Worthy of being lauded; praiseworthy; commendable; as, laudable motives; laudable actions; laudable ambition.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Healthy; salubrious; normal; having a disposition to promote healing; not noxious; as, laudable juices of the body; laudable pus. Arbuthnot.
LAUDABLENESSLaud"a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being laudable; praiseworthiness; commendableness.
LAUDABLYLaud"a*bly, adv.
Defn: In a laudable manner.
LAUDANINELau"da*nine, n. Etym: [From Laudanum.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white organic base, resembling morphine, and obtained from certain varieties of opium.
LAUDANUMLau"da*num, n. Etym: [Orig. the same wort as ladanum, ladbdanum: cf.F. laudanum, It. laudano, ladano. See Ladanum.]
Defn: Tincture of opium, used for various medical purposes.
Note: A fluid ounce of American laudanum should contain the soluble matter of one tenth of an ounce avoirdupois of powdered opium with equal parts of alcohol and water. English laudanum should have ten grains less of opium in the fluid ounce. U. S. Disp. Dutchman's laudanum (Bot.) See under Dutchman.
LAUDATION Lau*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. laudatio: cf. OE. taudation. See Land, v. t.]
Defn: The act of lauding; praise; high commendation.
LAUDATIVELaud"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. laudativus laudatory: cf. F. laudatif.]
Defn: Laudatory.
LAUDATIVELaud"a*tive, n.
Defn: A panegyric; a eulogy. [Obs.] Bacon.
LAUDATORLau*da"tor, n. Etym: [L.]
1. One who lauds.
2. (Law)
Defn: An arbitrator. [Obs.] Cowell.
LAUDATORYLaud"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. laudatorius: cf. OF. laudatoire.]
Defn: Of or pertaining praise, or to the expression of praise; as, laudatory verses; the laudatory powers of Dryden. Sir J. Stephen.
LAUDERLaud"er, n.
Defn: One who lauds.
LAUGH Laugh, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Laughed; p. pr. & vb. n. Laughing.] Etym: [OE. laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. hlehhan, hlihhan, hlyhhan, hliehhan; akin to OS. hlahan, D. & G.lachen, OHG. hlahhan, lahhan, lahh, Icel. hlæja. Dan. lee, Sw. le, Goth. hlahjan; perh. of imitative origin.]
1. To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter. Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er. Shak. He laugheth that winneth. Heywood's Prov.
2. Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport. Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned. Dryden. In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy. Pope. To laugh at, to make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride. No wit to flatter left of all his store, No fool to laugh at, which he valued more. Pope. — To laugh in the sleeve, to laugh secretly, or so as not to be observed, especially while apparently preserving a grave or serious demeanor toward the person or persons laughed at. — To laugh out, to laugh in spite of some restraining influence; to laugh aloud. — To laugh out of the other corner (or side) of the mouth, to weep or cry; to feel regret, vexation, or disappointment after hilarity or exaltation. [Slang]
LAUGHLaugh, v. t.
1. To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule. Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy Shak. I shall laugh myself to death. Shak.
2. To express by, or utter with, laughter; — with out. From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause. Shak. To laugh away. (a) To drive away by laughter; as, to laugh away regret. (b) To waste in hilarity. "Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune." Shak. — To laugh down. (a) To cause to cease or desist by laughter; as, to laugh down a speaker. (b) To cause to be given up on account of ridicule; as, to laugh down a reform. — To laugh one out of, to cause one by laughter or ridicule to abandon or give up; as, to laugh one out of a plan or purpose. — To laugh to scorn, to deride; to treat with mockery, contempt, and scorn; to despise.
LAUGHLaugh, n.
Defn: An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i. And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind. Goldsmith. That man is a bad man who has not within him the power of a hearty laugh. F. W. Robertson.
LAUGHABLELaugh"a*ble, a.
Defn: Fitted to excite laughter; as, a laughable story; a laughable scene.
Syn.— Droll; ludicrous; mirthful; comical. See Droll, and Ludicrous.— Laugh"a*ble*ness, n.— Laugh"a*bly, adv.
LAUGHERLaugh"er, n.
1. One who laughs.
2. A variety of the domestic pigeon.
LAUGHINGLaugh"ing, a. & n.
Defn: from Laugh, v. i. Laughing falcon (Zoöl.), a South American hawk (Herpetotheres cachinnans); — so called from its notes, which resemble a shrill laughing. — Laughing gas (Chem.), hyponitrous oxide, or protoxide of nitrogen; — so called from the exhilaration and laughing which it sometimes produces when inhaled. It is much used as an anæsthetic agent. — Laughing goose (Zoöl.), the European white-fronted goose. — Laughing gull. (Zoöl.) (a) A common European gull (Xema ridibundus); — called also pewit, black cap, red-legged gull, and sea crow. (b) An American gull (Larus atricilla). In summer the head is nearly black, the back slate color, and the five outer primaries black. — Laughing hyena (Zoöl.), the spotted hyena. See Hyena. — Laughing jackass (Zoöl.), the great brown kingfisher (Dacelo gigas), of Australia; — called also giant kingfisher, and gogobera. — Laughing owl (Zoöl.), a peculiar owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) of New Zealand, said to be on the verge of extinction. The name alludes to its notes.
LAUGHINGLYLaugh"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: With laughter or merriment.
LAUGHINGSTOCKLaugh"ing*stock`, n.
Defn: An object of ridicule; a butt of sport. Shak. When he talked, he talked nonsense, and made himself the laughingstock of his hearers. Macaulay.
LAUGHSOMELaugh"some, a.
Defn: Exciting laughter; also, addicted to laughter; merry. [R.]
LAUGHTER Laugh"ter, n. Etym: [AS. hleahtor; akin to OHG. hlahtar, G. gelächter, Icel. hlatr, Dan. latter. See Laugh, v. i. ]
Defn: A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the face, particularly of the lips, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction, or derision, and usually attended by a sonorous and interrupted expulsion of air from the lungs. See Laugh, v. i. The act of laughter, which is a sweet contraction of the muscles of the face, and a pleasant agitation of the vocal organs, is not merely, or totally within the jurisdiction of ourselves. Sir T. Browne. Archly the maiden smiled, and with eyes overrunning with laughter. Longfellow.
LAUGHTERLESSLaugh"ter*less, a.
Defn: Not laughing; without laughter.
LAUGHWORTHYLaugh"wor`thy, a.
Defn: Deserving to be laughed at. [R.] B. Jonson.
LAUMONTITELau"mont*ite, n. Etym: [From Dr. Laumont, the discoverer.] (Min.)
Defn: A mineral, of a white color and vitreous luster. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and lime. Exposed to the air, it loses water, becomes opaque, and crumbles. [Written also laumonite.]
LAUNCELaunce, n.
Defn: A lance. [Obs.]
LAUNCE Launce, n. Etym: [It. lance, L. lanx, lancis, plate, scale of a balance. Cf. Balance.]
Defn: A balance. [Obs.]Fortune all in equal launce doth sway. Spenser.
LAUNCELaunce, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Lant, the fish.
LAUNCEGAYELaunce"gaye`, n.
Defn: See Langegaye. [Obs.]
LAUNCH Launch, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Launched; p. pr. & vb. n. Launching.] Etym: [OE. launchen to throw as a lance, OF. lanchier, another form of lancier, F. lancer, fr. lance lance. See Lance.] [Written also lanch.]
1. To throw, as a lance or dart; to hurl; to let fly.
2. To strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce. [Obs.] Launch your hearts with lamentable wounds. Spenser.
3. To cause to move or slide from the land into the water; to set afloat; as, to launch a ship. With stays and cordage last he rigged the ship, And rolled on levers, launched her in the deep. Pope.
4. To send out; to start (one) on a career; to set going; to give a start to (something); to put in operation; as, to launch a son in the world; to launch a business project or enterprise. All art is used to sink episcopacy, and launch presbytery in England. Eikon Basilike.
LAUNCHLaunch, v. i.
Defn: To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to make a beginning; as, to launch into the current of a stream; to launch into an argument or discussion; to launch into lavish expenditures; — often with out. Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Luke v. 4. He [Spenser] launches out into very flowery paths. Prior.
LAUNCHLaunch, n.
1. The act of launching.
2. The movement of a vessel from land into the water; especially, the sliding on ways from the stocks on which it is built.
3. Etym: [Cf. Sp. lancha.] (Naut.)
Defn: The boat of the largest size belonging to a ship of war; also, an open boat of any size driven by steam, naphtha, electricity, or the like. Launching ways. (Naut.) See Way, n. (Naut.).
LAUNDLaund (lalnd), n. Etym: [See Lawn of grass.]
Defn: A plain sprinkled with trees or underbrush; a glade. [Obs.]In a laund upon an hill of flowers. Chaucer.Through this laund anon the deer will come. Shak.
LAUNDER Laun"der, n. Etym: [Contracted fr. OE. lavender, F. lavandière, LL. lavandena, from L. lavare to wash. See Lave.]
1. A washerwoman. [Obs.]
2. (Mining)
Defn: A trough used by miners to receive the powdered ore from the box where it is beaten, or for carrying water to the stamps, or other apparatus, for comminuting, or sorting, the ore.
LAUNDERLaun"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Laundered; p. pr. & vb. n. Laundering.]
1. To wash, as clothes; to wash, and to smooth with a flatiron or mangle; to wash and iron; as, to launder shirts.
2. To lave; to wet. [Obs.] Shak.
LAUNDERERLaun"der*er, n.
Defn: One who follows the business of laundering.
LAUNDERINGLaun"der*ing, n.
Defn: The act, or occupation, of one who launders; washing and ironing.
LAUNDRESSLaun"dress, n.
Defn: A woman whose employment is laundering.
LAUNDRESSLaun"dress, v. i.
Defn: To act as a laundress.[Obs.]
LAUNDRYLaun"dry, n.; pl. Laundries. Etym: [OE. lavendrie, OF. lavanderie.See Launder.]
1. A laundering; a washing.
2. A place or room where laundering is done.
LAUNDRYMANLaun"dry*man, n.; pl. Laundrymen (.
Defn: A man who follows the business of laundering.
LAURALau"ra, n. Etym: [LL., fr. Gr. ( (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A number of hermitages or cells in the same neighborhood occupied by anchorites who were under the same superior. C. Kingsley.
LAURACEOUSLau*ra"ceous, a. Etym: [From Laurus.] (Bot.)
Defn: Belonging to, or resembling, a natural order (Lauraceæ) of trees and shrubs having aromatic bark and foliage, and including the laurel, sassafras, cinnamon tree, true camphor tree, etc.
LAURATELau"rate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of lauric acid.
LAUREATE Lau"re*ate, a. Etym: [L. laureatus, fr. laurea laurel tree, fr. laureus of laurel, fr. laurus laurel: cf. F. lauréat. Cf. Laurel.]
Defn: Crowned, or decked, with laurel. Chaucer. To strew the laureate hearse where Lycid lies. Milton. Soft on her lap her laureate son reclines. Pope. Poet laureate. (b) One who received an honorable degree in grammar, including poetry and rhetoric, at the English universities; — so called as being presented with a wreath of laurel. [Obs.] (b) Formerly, an officer of the king's household, whose business was to compose an ode annually for the king's birthday, and other suitable occasions; now, a poet officially distinguished by such honorary title, the office being a sinecure. It is said this title was first given in the time of Edward IV. [Eng.]
LAUREATELau"re*ate, n.
Defn: One crowned with laurel; a poet laureate. "A learned laureate."Cleveland.
LAUREATELau"re*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Laureated; p. pr. & vb. n.Laureating.]
Defn: To honor with a wreath of laurel, as formerly was done in bestowing a degree at the English universities.
LAUREATESHIPLau"re*ate*ship, n.
Defn: State, or office, of a laureate.
LAUREATIONLau`re*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. lauréation.]
Defn: The act of crowning with laurel; the act of conferring an academic degree, or honorary title.
LAUREL Lau"rel, n. Etym: [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier, laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: An evergreen shrub, of the genus Laurus (L. nobilis), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their axils; — called also sweet bay.
Note: The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.
Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.
2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; — especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because theking's head on it was crowned with laurel. Laurel water, waterdistilled from the fresh leaves of the cherry laurel, and containingprussic acid and other products carried over in the process. Americanlaurel, or Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia. See under Mountain.— California laurel, Umbellularia Californica.— Cherry laurel (in England called laurel). See under Cherry.— Great laurel, the rosebay (Rhododendron maximum).— Ground laurel, trailing arbutus.— New Zealand laurel, Laurelia Novæ Zelandiæ.— Portugal laurel, the Prunus Lusitanica.— Rose laurel, the oleander. See Oleander.— Sheep laurel, a poisonous shrub, Kalmia angustifolia, smallerthan the mountain laurel, and with smaller and redder flowers.— Spurge laurel, Daphne Laureola.— West Indian laurel, Prunus occidentalis.
LAURELEDLau"reled, a.
Defn: Crowned with laurel, or with a laurel wreath; laureate.[Written also laurelled.]
LAURENTIANLau*ren"tian, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or near, the St. Lawrence River; as, the Laurentian hills. Laurentian period (Geol.), the lower of the two divisions of the Archæan age; — called also the Laurentian.
LAURERLau"rer, n.
Defn: Laurel. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LAURESTINE Lau"res*tine, n. Etym: [NL. lautus tinus, fr. L. laurus the laurel + tinus laurestine. See Laurel.] (Bot.)
Defn: The Viburnum Tinus, an evergreen shrub or tree of the south of Europe, which flowers during the winter mouths. [Written also laurustine and laurestina.]
LAURICLau"ric, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the European bay or laurel (Laurus nobilis). Lauric acid (Chem.), a white, crystalline substance, C12H24O2, resembling palmitic acid, and obtained from the fruit of the bay tree, and other sources.
LAURIFEROUSLau*rif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. laurifer; laurus + ferre to bear.]
Defn: Producing, or bringing, laurel.
LAURINLau"rin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. laurine.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance extracted from the fruit of the bay (Laurus nobilis), and consisting of a complex mixture of glycerin ethers of several organic acids.
LAURINOLLau"ri*nol, n. Etym: [Laurin + -ol.] (Chem.)
Defn: Ordinary camphor; — so called in allusion to the family name(Lauraceæ) of the camphor trees. See Camphor.
LAURIOLLau"ri*ol, n.
Defn: Spurge laurel. [Obs.] Chaucer.
LAURITELau"rite, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Min.)
Defn: A rare sulphide of osmium and ruthenium found with platinum inBorneo and Oregon.