OILEROil"er, n.
1. One who deals in oils.
2. One who, or that which, oils.
OILERYOil"er*y, n. Etym: [Cf.F. huilerie.]
Defn: The business, the place of business, or the goods, of a maker of, or dealer in, oils.
OILINESSOil"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being oily. Bacon.
OILLET Oil"let, n. Etym: [See Eyelet.] (Arch.) (a) A small opening or loophole, sometimes circular, used in mediæval fortifications. (b) A small circular opening, and ring of moldings surrounding it, used in window tracery in Gothic architecture. [Written also oylet.]
OILMANOil"man, n.; pl. Oilmen (.
Defn: One who deals in oils; formerly, one who dealt in oils and pickles.
OILNUTOil"nut`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The buffalo nut. See Buffalo nut, under Buffalo.
Note: The name is also applied to various nuts and seeds yielding oil, as the butternut, cocoanut, oil-palm nut.
OILSEED Oil"seed`, n. (Bot.) (a) Seed from which oil is expressed, as the castor bean; also, the plant yielding such seed. See Castor bean. (b) A cruciferous herb (Camelina sativa). (c) The sesame.
OILSKINOil"skin`, n.
Defn: Cloth made waterproof by oil.
OILSTONEOil"stone`, n.
Defn: A variety of hone slate, or whetstone, used for whetting tools when lubricated with oil.
OILYOil"y, a. [Compar. Oilier; superl. Oiliest.]
1. Consisting of oil; containing oil; having the nature or qualities of oil; unctuous; oleaginous; as, oily matter or substance. Bacon.
2. Covered with oil; greasy; hence, resembling oil; as, an oily appearance.
3. Smoothly subservient; supple; compliant; plausible; insinuating."This oily rascal." Shak.His oily compliance in all alterations. Fuller.Oily grain (Bot.), the sesame.— Oily palm, the oil palm.
OINEMENTOi"ne*ment, n.
Defn: Ointment. [Obs.] Chaucer.
OINOMANIAOi`no*ma"ni*a, n.
Defn: See oenomania.
OINT Oint, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ointed; p. pr & vb. n. Ointing.] Etym: [F. oint, p.p. of oindre, L. ungere. See Anoint, Ointment.]
Defn: To anoint. [Obs.] Dryden.
OINTMENT Oint"ment, n. Etym: [OE. oinement, OF. oignement, fr.F. oindre to anoint, L. ungere, unguere; akin to Skr. a, and to G. anke (in Switzerland) butter. The first t in the E. word is due to the influence of anoint. Cf. Anoint, Unguent.]
Defn: That which serves to anoint; any soft unctuous substance used for smearing or anointing; an unguent.
OJIBWAYSO*jib"ways, n. pl.; sing. Ojibway. (Ethnol.)
Defn: Same as Chippeways.
OJOO"jo, n. Etym: [Sp., prop., an eye.]
Defn: A spring, surrounded by rushes or rank grass; an oasis.[Southwestern U.S.] Bartlett.
OKAPI O*ka"pi, n. [Native name on the borders of Belgian Kongo, possibly the same word as Mpongwe okapo lean.]
Defn: A peculiar mammal (Okapia johnostoni) closely related to the giraffe, discovered in the deep forests of Belgian Kongo in 1900. It is smaller than an ox, and somewhat like a giraffe, except that the neck is much shorter. Like the giraffe, it has no dewclaws. There is a small prominence on each frontal bone of the male. The color of the body is chiefly reddish chestnut, the cheeks are yellowish white, and the fore and hind legs above the knees and the haunches are striped with purplish black and cream color.
OKE Oke, n. Etym: [Turk. okkah, fr. Ar. ukiyah, wakiyah, prob. fr. Gr. uncia. Cf. Ounce a weight.]
1. A Turkish and Egyptian weight, equal to about 2
2. An Hungarian and Wallachian measure, equal to about 2
OKENITEO"ken*ite, n. Etym: [Prob. from Lorenz Oken, a German naturalist.](Min.)
Defn: A massive and fibrous mineral of a whitish color, chiefly hydrous silicate of lime.
OKERO"ker, n. (Min.)
Defn: See Ocher.
OKRAO"kra, n. (Bot.)
Defn: An annual plant (Abelmoschus, or Hibiscus, esculentus), whose green pods, abounding in nutritious mucilage, are much used for soups, stews, or pickles; gumbo. [Written also ocra and ochra.]
-OL -ol. Etym: [From alcohol.] (Chem.)
Defn: A suffix denoting that the substance in the name of which it appears belongs to the series of alcohols or hydroxyl derivatives, as carbinol, glycerol, etc.
OLAYO"lay, n. pl. Etym: [Tamil olai.]
Defn: Palm leaves, prepared for being written upon with a style pointed with steel. [Written also ola.] Balfour (Cyc. of India).
OLDOld, n.
Defn: Open country. [Obs.] See World. Shak.
OLD Old, a. [Compar. Older; superl. Oldest.] Etym: [OE. old, ald, AS. ald, eald; akin to D. oud, OS. ald, OFries. ald, old, G. alt, Goth. alpeis, and also to Goth. alan to grow up, Icel. ala to bear, produce, bring up, L. alere to nourish. Cf. Adult, Alderman, Aliment, Auld, Elder.]
1. Not young; advanced far in years or life; having lived till toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as, an old man; an old age; an old horse; an old tree. Let not old age disgrace my high desire. Sir P. Sidney. The melancholy news that we grow old. Young.
2. Not new or fresh; not recently made or produced; having existed for a long time; as, old wine; an old friendship. "An old acquaintance." Camden.
3. Formerly existing; ancient; not modern; preceding; original; as, an old law; an old custom; an old promise. "The old schools of Greece." Milton. "The character of the old Ligurians." Addison.
4. Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; having (a certain) length of existence; — designating the age of a person or thing; as, an infant a few hours old; a cathedral centuries old. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou Cen. xlvii. 8.
Note: In this use old regularly follows the noun that designates the age; as, she was eight years old.
5. Long practiced; hence, skilled; experienced; cunning; as, an old offender; old in vice. Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old. Milton.
6. Long cultivated; as, an old farm; old land, as opposed to Ant: new land, that is, to land lately cleared.
7. Worn out; weakened or exhausted by use; past usefulness; as, old shoes; old clothes.
8. More than enough; abundant. [Obs.] If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the key. Shak.
9. Aged; antiquated; hence, wanting in the mental vigor or other qualities belonging to youth; — used disparagingly as a term of reproach.
10. Old-fashioned; wonted; customary; as of old; as, the good old times; hence, colloquially, gay; jolly.
11. Used colloquially as a term of cordiality and familiarity. "Go thy ways, old lad." Shak. Old age, advanced years; the latter period of life. — Old bachelor. See Bachelor, 1. — Old Catholics. See under Catholic. — Old English. See under English. n., 2. — Old Nick, Old Scratch, the devil. — Old lady (Zoöl.), a large European noctuid moth (Mormo maura). — Old maid. (a) A woman, somewhat advanced in years, who has never been married; a spinster. (b) (Bot.) A West Indian name for the pink- flowered periwinkle (Vinca rosea). (c) A simple game of cards, played by matching them. The person with whom the odd card is left is the old maid. — Old man's beard. (Bot.) (a) The traveler's joy (Clematis Vitalba). So named from the abundant long feathery awns of its fruit. (b) The Tillandsia usneoides. See Tillandsia. — Old man's head (Bot.), a columnar cactus (Pilocereus senilis), native of Mexico, covered towards the top with long white hairs. — Old red sandstone (Geol.), a series of red sandstone rocks situated below the rocks of the Carboniferous age and comprising various strata of siliceous sandstones and conglomerates. See Sandstone, and the Chart of Geology. — Old school, a school or party belonging to a former time, or preserving the character, manner, or opinious of a former time; as, a gentleman of the old school; — used also adjectively; as, Old-School Presbyterians. — Old sledge, an old and well-known game of cards, called also all fours, and high, low, Jack, and the game. — Old squaw (Zoöl.), a duck (Clangula hyemalis) inhabiting the northern parts of both hemispheres. The adult male is varied with black and white and is remarkable for the length of its tail. Called also longtailed duck, south southerly, callow, hareld, and old wife. — Old style. (Chron.) See the Note under Style. — Old Testament. See under Testament. — Old wife. [In the senses b and cwritten also oldwife.] (a) A prating old woman; a gossip. Refuse profane and old wives' fables. 1 Tim. iv. 7. (b) (Zoöl.) The local name of various fishes, as the European black sea bream (Cantharus lineatus), the American alewife, etc. (c) (Zoöl.) A duck; the old squaw. — Old World, the Eastern Hemisphere.
Syn. — Aged; ancient; pristine; primitive; antique; antiquated; old- fashioned; obsolete. See Ancient.
OLD DOMINIONOld Dominion.
Defn: Virginia; — a name of uncertain origin, perh. from the old designation of the colony as "the Colony and Dominion of Virginia."
OLDENOld"en, a.
Defn: Old; ancient; as, the olden time. "A minstrel of the olden stamp." J. C. Shairp.
OLDENOld"en, v. i.
Defn: To grow old; to age. [R.]She had oldened in that time. Thackeray.
OLD-FASHIONEDOld`-fash"ioned, a.
Defn: Formed according to old or obsolete fashion or pattern;adhering to old customs or ideas; as, an old-fashioned dress, girl."Old-fashioned men of wit." Addison.This old-fashioned, quaint abode. Longfellow.
OLD-GENTLEMANLYOld`-gen"tle*man*ly, a.
Defn: Pertaining to an old gentleman, or like one. Byron.
OLDISHOld"ish, a.
Defn: Somewhat old.
OLD LANG SYNEOld` lang syne".
Defn: See Auld lang syne.
OLD LINE STATEOld Line State.
Defn: Maryland; a nickname, alluding to the fact that its northern boundary in Mason and Dixon's line.
OLD-MAIDISHOld`-maid"ish, a.
Defn: Like an old maid; prim; precise; particular.
OLD-MAIDISMOld`-maid"ism, n.
Defn: The condition or characteristics of an old maid. G. Eliot.
OLDNESSOld"ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being old; old age.
OLDSTEROld"ster, n. Etym: [Cf. Youngster.]
Defn: An old person. [Jocular] H. Kingsley.
OLD-WOMANISHOld`-wom`an*ish, a.
Defn: Like an old woman; anile.— Old`-wom"an*ish*ness, n.
OLEAO"le*a, n. Etym: [L. olive. See Olive.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of trees including the olive.
Note: The Chinese Olea fragrans, noted for its fragrance, and the American devilwood (Olea Americana) are now usually referred to another genus (Osmanthus).
OLEACEOUSO`le*a"ceous, a. Etym: [L. oléaceus of the olive tree.] (Bot.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants(Oleaceæ), mostly trees and shrubs, of which the olive is the type.It includes also the ash, the lilac, the true jasmine, and fringetree.
OLEAGINOUS O`le*ag`i*nous, a. Etym: [L. oleaginus, oleagineus, belonging to the olive, fr. olea olive: cf. F. oléagineux. See Olive, Oil.]
Defn: Having the nature or qualities of oil; oily; unctuous.
OLEAGINOUSNESSO`le*ag`i*nous*ness, n.
Defn: Oiliness. Boyle.
OLEAMENO`le*a"men, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)
Defn: A soft ointment prepared from oil. Dunglison.
OLEANDER O`le*an"der, n. Etym: [F. oléandre (cf. It. oleandro, LL. lorandrum), prob. corrupted, under the influence of laurus laurel, fr. L. rhododendron, Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A beautiful evergreen shrub of the Dogbane family, havingclusters of fragrant red or white flowers. It is native of the EastIndies, but the red variety has become common in the south of Europe.Called also rosebay, rose laurel, and South-sea rose.
Note: Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and death has occured from using its wood for skewers in cooking meat.
OLEANDRINEO`le*an"drine, n. (Chem.)
Defn: One of several alkaloids found in the leaves of the oleander.
OLEASTER O`le*as"ter, n. Etym: [L., fr. olea olive tree. See Olive, Oil.] (Bot.) (a) The wild olive tree (Olea Europea, var. sylvestris). (b) Any species of the genus Elæagus. See Eleagnus. The small silvery berries of the common species (Elæagnus hortensis) are called Trebizond dates, and are made into cakes by the Arabs.
OLEATEO"le*ate, n. Etym: [Cf.F. oléate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of oleic acid. Some oleates, as the oleate of mercury, are used in medicine by way of inunction.
OLECRANALO*lec"ra*nal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the olecranon.
OLECRANONO*lec"ra*non, n. Etym: [NL., fr.Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The large process at the proximal end of the ulna which projects behind the articulation with the humerus and forms the bony prominence of the elbow.
OLEFIANT O*le"fi*ant, a. Etym: [F. oléfiant, fr.L. oleum oil + -ficare (in comp.). Cf. -Fy.] (Chem.)
Defn: Forming or producing an oil; specifically, designating a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon called ethylene. [Archaic]
OLEFINEO"le*fine, n. Etym: [From Olefiant.] (Chem.)
Defn: Olefiant gas, or ethylene; hence, by extension, any one of the series of unsaturated hydrocarbons of which ethylene is a type. See Ethylene.
OLEICO"le*ic, a. Etym: [L. oleum oil: cf. F. oléique.] (Physiol.Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or contained in, oil; as, oleic acid, an acid of the acrylic acid series found combined with glyceryl in the form of olein in certain animal and vegetable fats and oils, such as sperm oil, olive oil, etc. At low temperatures the acid is crystalline, but melts to an oily liquid above 14
OLEIFEROUSO`le*if`er*ous, a. Etym: [L. oleum oil + -ferous: cf.F. oléifére.]
Defn: Producing oil; as, oleiferous seeds.
OLEINO"le*in, n. Etym: [L. oleum oil: cf. F. oléine.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A fat, liquid at ordinary temperatures, but solidifying at temperatures below 0° C., found abundantly in both the animal and vegetable kingdoms (see Palmitin). It dissolves solid fats, especially at 30-40° C. Chemically, olein is a glyceride of oleic acid; and, as three molecules of the acid are united to one molecule of glyceryl to form the fat, it is technically known as triolein. It is also called elain.
OLENTO"lent, a. Etym: [L. olens, p.pr. of olere to smell.]
Defn: Scented. [R.] R. Browning.
OLEOGRAPHO`le*o*graph, n. Etym: [L. oleum oil + -graph.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: The form or figure assumed by a drop of oil when placed upon water or some other liquid with which it does not mix.
2. (Painting)
Defn: A picture produced in oils by a process analogous to that of lithographic printing.
OLEOGRAPHYO`le*og"ra*phy, n.
1. Art or process of producing the pictures known as oleographs.
2. A process of identifying oils by their oleographs.
OLEOMARGARINEO`le*o*mar"ga*rine, n. Etym: [L. oleum oil + E. margarine, margarin.][Written also oleomargarin.]
1. A liquid oil made from animal fats (esp. beef fat) by separating the greater portion of the solid fat or stearin, by crystallization. It is mainly a mixture of olein and palmitin with some little stearin.
2. An artificial butter made by churning this oil with more or less milk.
Note: Oleomargarine was wrongly so named, as it contains no margarin proper, but olein, palmitin, and stearin, a mixture of palmitin and stearin having formerly been called margarin by mistake.
OLEOMETERO`le*om`e*ter, n. Etym: [L. oleum oil + -meter.] (Chem.)
Defn: An instrument for ascertaining the weight and purity of oil; an elaiometer.
OLEONEO"le*one, n. Etym: [L. oleum + -one, 1.] (Chem.)
Defn: An oily liquid, obtained by distillation of calcium oleate, and probably consisting of the ketone of oleic acid.
OLEO OILO`le*o oil.
Defn: An oil expressed from certain animal fats (esp. beef suet), the greater portion of the solid fat, or stearin, being left behind. It is mixture of olein, palmitin, and a little stearin.
OLEOPTENEO`le*op"tene, n. Etym: [L. oleum oil + Cr. (Chem.)
Defn: See Eleoptene. [R.]
OLEORESINO`le*o*res"in, n. Etym: [L.oleum oil + E. resin.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: A natural mixture of a terebinthinate oil and a resin.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A liquid or semiliquid preparation extracted (as from capsicum, cubebs, or ginger) by means of ether, and consisting of fixed or volatile oil holding resin in solution. — O`le*o*res"in*ous, a.
OLEOSE; OLEOUSO"le*ose`, O"le*ous, a. Etym: [L. oleosus, fr. oleum oil.]
Defn: Oily. [R.] Ray. Floyer.
OLEOSITYO`le*os"i*ty, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being oily or fat; fatness. [R.] B.Jonson.
OLERACEOUS Ol`er*a"ceous, a. Etym: [L. oleraceus, from olus, oleris, garden or pot herbs, vegetables.]
Defn: Pertaining to pot herbs; of the nature or having the qualities of herbs for cookery; esculent. Sir T. Browne.
OLFOlf, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The European bullfinch. [Prov.Eng.]
OLFACTIONOl*fac"tion, n. Etym: [See Olfactory.] (Physiol.)
Defn: The sense by which the impressions made on the olfactory organs by the odorous particles in the atmosphere are perceived.
OLFACTIVEOl*fac"tive, a.
Defn: See Olfactory, a.
OLFACTOROl*fac"tor, n.
Defn: A smelling organ; a nose. [R.]
OLFACTORY Ol*fac"to*ry, a. Etym: [L. olfactus, p.p. of olfacere to smell; olere to have a smell + facere to make. See Odor, and Fact.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or connected with, the sense of smell; as, the olfactory nerves; the olfactory cells. Olfactory organ (Anat.), an organ for smelling. In vertebrates the olfactory organs are more or less complicated sacs, situated in the front part of the head and lined with epithelium innervated by the olfactory (or first cranial) nerves, and sensitive to odoriferous particles conveyed to it in the air or in water.
OLFACTORYOl*fac"to*ry, n.; pl. Olfactories (.
Defn: An olfactory organ; also, the sense of smell; — usually in the plural.
OLIBANOl"i*ban, n. (Chem.)
Defn: See Olibanum.
OLIBANUMO*lib"a*num, n. Etym: [LL., fr. Ar. al-luban frankincense; cf.Gr.
Defn: The fragrant gum resin of various species of Boswellia;Oriental frankincense.
OLIBENEOl"i*bene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A colorless mobile liquid of a pleasant aromatic odor obtained by the distillation of olibanum, or frankincense, and regarded as a terpene; — called also conimene.
OLID; OLIDOUSOl"id, Ol"i*dous, a. Etym: [L. olidus, fr. olere to smell.]
Defn: Having a strong, disagreeable smell; fetid. [Obs.] Boyle. SirT. Browne.
OLIFANTOl"i*fant, n. Etym: [OF.]
1. An elephant. [Obs.]
2. An ancient horn, made of ivory.
OLIGANDROUSOl`i*gan"drous, a. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having few stamens.
OLIGANTHOUSOl`i*gan"thous, a. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having few flowers.
OLIGARCHOl`i*garch, n.
Defn: A member of an oligarchy; one of the rulers in an oligarchical government.
OLIGARCHALOl`i*gar"chal, a.
Defn: Oligarchic. Glover.
OLIGARCHIC; OLIGARCHICALOl`i*gar"chic, Ol`i*gar"chic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. oligarchique. SeeOligarchy.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to oligarchy, or government by a few."Oligarchical exiles." Jowett (Thucyd. ).
OLIGARCHISTOl"i*gar`chist, n.
Defn: An advocate or supporter of oligarchy.
OLIGARCHYOl"i*gar"chy, n.; pl. Oligarchies. Etym: [Gr. oligarchie.]
Defn: A form of government in which the supreme power is placed inthe hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.All oligarchies, wherein a few men domineer, do what they list.Burton.
OLIGISTOl"i*gist, n. Etym: [See Oligist, a.] (Min.)
Defn: Hematite or specular iron ore; — prob. so called in allusion to its feeble magnetism, as compared with magnetite.
OLIGIST; OLIGISTICOl"i*gist, Ol`i*gis"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. oligiste.] (Min.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to hematite.
OLIGO-Ol"i*go-.
Defn: A combining form from Gr. few, little, small.
OLIGOCENEOl"i*go*cene, a. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. (Geol.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, certain strata which occupy an intermediate position between the Eocene and Miocene periods. — n.
Defn: The Oligocene period. See the Chart of Geology.
OLIGOCHAETAOl`i*go*chæ"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of Annelida which includes the earthworms and related species.
OLIGOCHETEOl"i*go*chete, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Oligochæta.
OLIGOCLASEOl"i*go*clase, n. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A triclinic soda-lime feldspar. See Feldspar.
OLIGOMEROUSOl`i*gom"er*ous, a. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having few members in each set of organs; as, an oligomerous flower.
OLIGOMYOLDOl`i*go"my*old, a. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. -oid.] (Anat.)
Defn: Having few or imperfect syringeal muscles; — said of some passerine birds (Oligomyodi).
OLIGOPETALOUSOl`i*go*pet"al*ous, a. Etym: [Oligo- + petal.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having few petals.
OLIGOSEPALOUSOl`i*go*sep"al*ous, a. Etym: [Oligo- + sepal.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having few sepals.
OLIGOSIDERITEOl`i*go*sid"er*ite, n. Etym: [Oligo- + siderite.] (Min.)
Defn: A meteorite characterized by the presence of but a small amount of metallic iron.
OLIGOSPERMOUSOl`i*go*sper"mous, a. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having few seeds.
OLIGOTOKOUSOl`i*got"o*kous, a. Etym: [Oligo- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Producing few young.
OLIO O"li*o, n. Etym: [Sp. olla a round earthen pot, a dish of boiled or stewed meat, fr. L. olla a pot, dish. Cf. Olla, Olla-podrida.]
1. A dish of stewed meat of different kinds. [Obs.] Besides a good olio, the dishes were trifling. Evelyn.
2. A mixture; a medley. Dryden.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: A collection of miscellaneous pieces.
OLITORY Ol"i*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. olitorius belonging to a kitchen gardener, or to vegetables, fr. olitor a kitchen gardener, fr. olus, oleris, vegetables.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to, or produced in, a kitchen garden; used for kitchen purposes; as, olitory seeds. At convenient distance towards the olitory garden. Evelyn.
OLIVAO*li"va, n. Etym: [L. an olive.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of polished marine gastropod shells, chiefly tropical, and often beautifully colored.
OLIVACEOUSOl`i*va"ceous, a. Etym: [L. oliva olive.]
Defn: Resembling the olive; of the color of the olive; olive-green.
OLIVARY Ol"i*va*ry, a. Etym: [L. olivarius belonging to olives, fr. oliva an olive: cf. F. olivaire.] (Anat.)
Defn: Like an olive. Olivary body (Anat.), an oval prominence on each side of the medulla oblongata; — called also olive.
OLIVASTEROl`i*vas"ter, a. Etym: [L. oliva olive: cf.F. olivâtre.]
Defn: Of the color of the olive; tawny. Sir T. Herbert.
OLIVEOl"ive, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. oliva, akin to Gr. Oil.]
1. (Bot.) (a) A tree (Olea Europæa) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully variegated. (b) The fruit of the olive. It has been much improved by cultivation, and is used for making pickles. Olive oil is pressed from its flesh.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) Any shell of the genus Oliva and allied genera; — so called from the form. See Oliva. (b) The oyster catcher. [Prov.Eng.]
3. (a) The color of the olive, a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green. (b) One of the tertiary colors, composed of violet and green mixed in equal strength and proportion.
4. (Anat.)
Defn: An olivary body. See under Olivary.
5. (Cookery)
Defn: A small slice of meat seasoned, rolled up, and cooked; as, olives of beef or veal.
Note: Olive is sometimes used adjectively and in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, olive brown, olive green, olive- colored, olive-skinned, olive crown, olive garden, olive tree, olive yard, etc. Bohemian olive (Bot.), a species of Elæagnus (E. angustifolia), the flowers of which are sometimes used in Southern Europe as a remedy for fevers. — Olive branch. (a) A branch of the olive tree, considered an emblem of peace. (b) Fig.: A child. — Olive brown, brown with a tinge of green. — Olive green, a dark brownish green, like the color of the olive. — Olive oil, an oil expressed from the ripe fruit of the olive, and much used as a salad oil, also in medicine and the arts. — Olive ore (Min.), olivenite. — Wild olive (Bot.), a name given to the oleaster or wild stock of the olive; also variously to several trees more or less resembling the olive.
OLIVEOl"ive, a.
Defn: Approaching the color of the olive; of a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green.
OLIVEDOl"ived, a.
Defn: Decorated or furnished with olive trees. [R.] T. Warton.
OLIVENITEO*liv"en*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: An olive-green mineral, a hydrous arseniate of copper; olive ore.
OLIVEROl"i*ver, n.
1. Etym: [OF. oliviere.]
Defn: An olive grove. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Etym: [F. olivier.]
Defn: An olive tree. [Obs.] Chaucer.
OLIVEROl"i*ver, n.
Defn: A small tilt hammer, worked by the foot.
OLIVERIANOl`i*ve"ri*an, n. (Eng. Hist.)
Defn: An adherent of Oliver Cromwell. Macaulay.
OLIVEWOOD Ol`ive*wood", n. (Bot.) (a) The wood of the olive. (b) An Australian name given to the hard white wood of certain trees of the genus Elæodendron, and also to the trees themselves.
OLIVILOl`i*vil, n. Etym: [Cf. F. olivile.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance, obtained from an exudation from the olive, and having a bitter-sweet taste and acid proporties. [Written also olivile.] Gregory.
OLIVINOl"i*vin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A complex bitter gum, found on the leaves of the olive tree; — called also olivite.
OLIVINEOl"i*vine, n. Etym: [Cf. F. olivine.] (Min.)
Defn: A common name of the yellowish green mineral chrysolite, esp. the variety found in eruptive rocks.
OLIVITEOl"i*vite, n. (Chem.)
Defn: See Olivin.
OLLAOl"la, n. Etym: [See Olio.]
1. A pot or jar having a wide mouth; a cinerary urn, especially one of baked clay.
2. A dish of stewed meat; an olio; an olla-podrida.
OLLA-PODRIDAOl`la-po*dri"da, n. Etym: [Sp., lit., a rotten pot. See Olio.]
1. A favorite Spanish dish, consisting of a mixture of several kinds of meat chopped fine, and stewed with vegetables.
2. Any incongruous mixture or miscellaneous collection; an olio. B. Jonson.
OLOGYOl"o*gy, n. Etym: [See -logy.]
Defn: A colloquial or humorous name for any science or branch ofknowledge.He had a smattering of mechanics, of physiology, geology, mineralogy,and all other ologies whatsoever. De Quincey.
OLPEOl"pe, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: Originally, a leather flask or vessel for oils or liquids; afterward, an earthenware vase or pitcher without a spout.
OLUSATRUM O*lu"sa*trum, n. Etym: [L. holusatrum, olusatrum; olus garden herb + ater black.] (Bot.)
Defn: An umbelliferous plant, the common Alexanders of Western Europe(Smyrnium Olusatrum).
OLYMPIADO*lym"pi*ad, n. Etym: [L. olympias, -adis, Gr. olympiade.] (GreekAntig.)
Defn: A period of four years, by which the ancient Greeks reckoned time, being the interval from one celebration of the Olympic games to another, beginning with the victory of Coroebus in the foot race, which took place in the year 776 b.c.; as, the era of the olympiads.
OLYMPIAN; OLYMPIC O*lym"pi*an, O*lym"pic, a. Etym: [L. Olympius, Olympicus, Gr. olympique. See Olympiad.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Olympus, a mountain of Thessaly, fabled as the seat of the gods, or to Olympia, a small plain in Elis. Olympic games, or Olympics (Greek Antiq.), the greatest of the national festivals of the ancient Greeks, consisting of athletic games and races, dedicated to Olympian Zeus, celebrated once in four years at Olympia, and continuing five days.
OLYMPIANISMO*lym"pi*an*ism, n.
Defn: Worship of the Olympian gods, esp. as a dominant cult or religion.
OLYMPIC GAMES; OLYMPIAN GAMESO*lym"pic, or O*lym"pi*an, games .
Defn: A modified revival of the ancient Olympian games, consisting of international athletic games, races, etc., now held once in four years, the first having been at Athens in 1896.
OLYMPIONICO*lym`pi*on"ic, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: An ode in honor of a victor in the Olympic games. [R.] Johnson.
OMOm, interj. & n. [Also Aum, Um.] [Skr. om.]
Defn: A mystic syllable or ejaculation used by Hindus and Buddhists in religious rites, — orig. among the Hindus an exclamation of assent, like Amen, then an invocation, and later a symbol of the trinity formed by Vishnu, Siva, and Brahma. — Om mani padme hun, a sacred formula of buddhism (esp. of the Lamaists) translated "O, the Jewel in the Lotus, Amen," and referring to Amitabha, who is commonly represented as standing or sitting within a lotus.
-OMA -o"ma. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A suffix used in medical terms to denote a morbid condition of some part, usually some kind of tumor; as in fibroma, glaucoma.
OMAGRAOm"a*gra, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Gout in the shoulder.
OMAHASO"ma*has", n. pl.; sing. Omaha (. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A tribe of Indians who inhabited the south side of the MissouriRiver. They are now partly civilized and occupy a reservation inNebraska.
OMANDER WOODO*man"der wood`. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.)
Defn: The wood of Diospyros ebenaster, a kind of ebony found inCeylon.
OMASUMO*ma"sum, n. Etym: [L.] (Anat.)
Defn: The third division of the stomach of ruminants. See Manyplies, and Illust. under Ruminant.
OMBER; OMBREOm"ber, Om"bre, n. Etym: [F. hombre, fr. Sp. hombre, lit., a man, fr.L. homo. See Human.]
Defn: A game at cards, borrowed from the Spaniards, and usually played by three persons. Pope. When ombre calls, his hand and heart are free, And, joined to two, he fails not to make three. Young.
OMBREOm"bre, n. Etym: [F., of uncertain origin.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large Mediterranean food fish (Umbrina cirrhosa): — called also umbra, and umbrine.
OMBROMETEROm*brom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter: cf. F. ombrométre.] (Meteorol.)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the rain that falls; a rain gauge.
OMEGAO*me"ga, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Mickle.]
1. The last letter of the Greek alphabet. See Alpha.
2. The last; the end; hence, death."Omega! thou art Lord," they said. Tennyson.Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending; hence, the chief, thewhole. Rev. i. 8.The alpha and omega of science. Sir J. Herschel.
OMEGOIDO*me"goid, a. Etym: [Omega + -oid.]
Defn: Having the form of the Greek capital letter Omega (
OMELET Om"e*let, n. Etym: [F. omelette, OF. amelette, alumete, alumelle, perh. fr. L. lamella. Cf. Lamella.]
Defn: Eggs beaten up with a little flour, etc., and cooked in a frying pan; as, a plain omelet.
OMENO"men, n. Etym: [L. omen, the original form being osmen, according toVarro.]
Defn: An occurrence supposed to portend, or show the character of, some future event; any indication or action regarded as a foreshowing; a foreboding; a presage; an augury. Bid go with evil omen, and the brand Of infamy upon my name. Milton.
OMENO"men, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Omened; p. pr. & vb. n. Omening.]
Defn: To divine or to foreshow by signs or portents; to have omens or premonitions regarding; to predict; to augur; as, to omen ill of an enterprise. The yet unknown verdict, of which, however, all omened the tragical contents. Sir W. Scott.
OMENEDO"mened, a.
Defn: Attended by, or containing, an omen or omens; as, happy-omened day.
OMENTALO*men"tal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to an omentum or the omenta.
OMENTUMO*men"tum, n.; pl. Omenta. Etym: [L.] (Anat.)
Defn: A free fold of the peritoneum, or one serving to connect viscera, support blood vessels, etc.; an epiploön.
Note: The great, or gastrocolic, omentum forms, in most mammals, a great sac, which is attached to the stomach and transverse colon, is loaded with fat, and covers more or less of the intestines; the caul. The lesser, or gastrohepatic, omentum connects the stomach and liver and contains the hepatic vessels. The gastrosplenic omentum, or ligament, connects the stomach and spleen.
OMERO"mer, n. Etym: [Cf. Homer.]
Defn: A Hebrew measure, the tenth of an ephah. See Ephah. Ex. xvi. 36.
OMICRONO*mi"cron, n. [Written also omikron.] [NL., fr. Gr. O o. See Micro-.]
Defn: Lit., the little, or short, O, o; the fifteenth letter of theGreek alphabet.
OMILETICALOm`i*let"ic*al, a.
Defn: Homiletical. [Obs.]
OMINATE Om"i*nate, v. t. & i. Etym: [L. ominatus, p.p. of ominari to presage, fr. omen.]
Defn: To presage; to foreshow; to foretoken. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
OMINATIONOm`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. ominatio.]
Defn: The act of ominating; presaging. [Obs.] Fuller.
OMINOUSOm"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. ominosus, fr. omen. See Omen.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to an omen or to omens; being or exhibiting an omen; significant; portentous; — formerly used both in a favorable and unfavorable sense; now chiefly in the latter; foreboding or foreshowing evil; inauspicious; as, an ominous dread. He had a good ominous name to have made a peace. Bacon. In the heathen worship of God, a sacrifice without a heart was accounted ominous. South. — Om"i*nous*ly, adv. — Om"i*nous*ness, n.
OMISSIBLEO*mis"si*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being omitted; that may be omitted.
OMISSIONO*mis"sion, n. Etym: [L. omissio: cf. F. omission. See Omit.]
1. The act of omitting; neglect or failure to do something required by propriety or duty. The most natural division of all offenses is into those of omission and those of commission. Addison.
2. That which is omitted or is left undone.
OMISSIVEO*mis"sive, a. Etym: [See Omit.]
Defn: Leaving out; omitting. Bp. Hall.— O*mis"sive*ly, adv.
OMITO*mit", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Omitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Omitting.] Etym:[L. omittere, omissum; ob (see Ob- + mittere to cause to go, let go,send. See Mission.]
1. To let go; to leave unmentioned; not to insert or name; to drop. These personal comparisons I omit. Bacon.
2. To pass by; to forbear or fail to perform or to make use of; to leave undone; to neglect. Her father omitted nothing in her education that might make her the most accomplished woman of her age. Addison.
OMITTANCEO*mit"tance, n.
Defn: The act of omitting, or the state of being omitted; forbearance; neglect. Shak.
OMITTERO*mit"ter, n.
Defn: One who omits. Fuller.
OMMATEALOm`ma*te"al, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to an ommateum.
OMMATEUMOm`ma*te"um, n.; pl. Ommatea. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A compound eye, as of insects and crustaceans.
OMMATIDIUMOm`ma*tid"i*um, n.; pl. Ommatidia. Etym: [NL., dim. of Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the single eyes forming the compound eyes of crustaceans, insects, and other invertebrates.
OMNI-Om"ni-. Etym: [L. omnis all.]
Defn: A combining form denoting all, every, everywhere; as in omnipotent, all-powerful; omnipresent.
OMNIBUSOm"ni*bus, n. Etym: [L., for all, dat. pl. from omnis all. Cf. Bus.]
1. A long four-wheeled carriage, having seats for many people; especially, one with seats running lengthwise, used in conveying passengers short distances.
2. (Glass Making)
Defn: A sheet-iron cover for articles in a leer or annealing arch, to protect them from drafts. Omnibus bill, a legislative bill which provides for a number of miscellaneous enactments or appropriations. [Parliamentary Cant, U.S.] — Omnibus box, a large box in a theater, on a level with the stage and having communication with it. [Eng.] Thackeray.
OMNICORPOREALOm`ni*cor*po"re*al, a. Etym: [Omni- + corporeal.]
Defn: Comprehending or including all bodies; embracing all substance.[R.] Cudworth.
OMNIETYOm*ni"e*ty, n.
Defn: That which is all-pervading or all-comprehensive; hence, theDeity. [R.]Omniety formed nullity into an essence. Sir T. Browne.
OMNIFARIOUSOm`ni*fa"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. omnifarius; omnis all + -farius. Cf.Bifarious.]
Defn: Of all varieties, forms, or kinds. "Omnifarious learning."Coleridge.
OMNIFEROUSOm*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. omnifer; omnis all + ferre to bear.]
Defn: All-bearing; producing all kinds.
OMNIFICOm*nif"ic, a. Etym: [Omni- + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make.]
Defn: All-creating. "The omnific word." Milton.
OMNIFORM Om"ni*form, a. Etym: [L. omniformis; omnis all + forma form: cf. F. omniforme.]
Defn: Having every form or shape. Berkeley.
OMNIFORMITYOm`ni*for"mi*ty, n.
Defn: The condition or quality of having every form. Dr. H. More.
OMNIFYOm"ni*fy, v. t. Etym: [Omni- + -fy.]
Defn: To render universal; to enlarge. [R.] Omnify the disputed point into a transcendent, and you may defy the opponent to lay hold of it. Coleridge.
OMNIGENOUSOm*nig"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. omniqenus; omnis all + genus kind.]
Defn: Consisting of all kinds. [R.]
OMNIGRAPHOm"ni*graph, n. Etym: [Omni- + -graph.]
Defn: A pantograph. [R.]
OMNIPARIENT Om`ni*pa"ri*ent, a. Etym: [L. omniparens all-producing; omnis all + parere to bring forth.]
Defn: Producing or bringing forth all things; all-producing. [R.]
OMNIPARITYOm`ni*par"i*ty, n. Etym: [Omni- + -parity.]
Defn: Equality in every part; general equality.
OMNIPAROUSOm*nip"a*rous, a. Etym: [See Omniparient.]
Defn: Producing all things; omniparient.
OMNIPATIENTOm`ni*pa"tient, a. Etym: [Omni- + patient.]
Defn: Capable of enduring all things. [R.] Carlyle.
OMNIPERCIPIENCE; OMNIPERCIPIENCYOm`ni*per*cip"i*ence, Om`ni*per*cip"i*en*cy, n.
Defn: Perception of everything.
OMNIPERCIPIENTOm`ni*per*cip"i*ent, a. Etym: [Omni- + percipient.]
Defn: Perceiving everything. Dr. H. More.
OMNIPOTENCE; OMNIPOTENCY Om*nip"o*tence, Om*nip"o*ten*cy, n. Etym: [L. omnipotentia: cf.F. omnipotence.]
1. The state of being omnipotent; almighty power; hence, one who is omnipotent; the Deity. Will Omnipotence neglect to save The suffering virtue of the wise and brave Pope.
2. Unlimited power of a particular kind; as, love's omnipotence. Denham.
OMNIPOTENT Om*nip"o*tent, a. Etym: [F., fr.L. omnipotens, -entis; omnis all + potens powerful, potent. See Potent.]
1. Able in every respect and for every work; unlimited in ability; all-powerful; almighty; as, the Being that can create worlds must be omnipotent. God's will and pleasure and his omnipotent power. Sir T. More.
2. Having unlimited power of a particular kind; as, omnipotent love. Shak. The Omnipotent, The Almighty; God. Milton.
OMNIPOTENTLYOm*nip"o*tent*ly, adv.
Defn: In an omnipotent manner.
OMNIPRESENCEOm`ni*pres"ence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. omniprésence.]
Defn: Presence in every place at the same time; unbounded oruniversal presence; ubiquity.His omnipresence fills Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives.Milton.
OMNIPRESENCYOm`ni*pres"en*cy, n.
Defn: Omnipresence. [Obs.]
OMNIPRESENTOm`ni*pres"ent, a. Etym: [Omni- + present: cf.F. omniprésent.]
Defn: Present in all places at the same time; ubiquitous; as, the omnipresent Jehovah. Prior.
OMNIPRESENTIALOm`ni*pre*sen"tial, a.
Defn: Implying universal presence. [R.] South.
OMNIPREVALENTOm`ni*prev"a*lent, a. Etym: [Omni- + prevalent.]
Defn: Prevalent everywhere or in all things. Fuller.
OMNISCIENCEOm*nis"cience, n. Etym: [Cf. F. omniscience.]
Defn: The quality or state of being omniscient; — an attribute peculiar to God. Dryden.
OMNISCIENCYOm*nis"cien*cy, n.
Defn: Omniscience.
OMNISCIENT Om*nis"cient, a. Etym: [Omni- + L. sciens, -entis, p. pr. of scire to know: cf. F. omniscient. See Science.]
Defn: Having universal knowledge; knowing all things; infinitelyknowing or wise; as, the omniscient God.— Om*nis"cient*ly, adv.For what can scape the eye Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heartOmniscient Milton.
OMNISCIOUSOm*nis"cious, a. Etym: [L. omniscius. See Omniscient.]
Defn: All-knowing. [Obs.] Hakewill.
OMNISPECTIVE Om`ni*spec"tive, a. Etym: [Omni- + L. spectus, p.p. of specere, spicere, to view.]
Defn: Beholding everything; capable of seeing all things; all-seeing.[R.] "Omnispective Power!" Boyse.
OMNIUMOm"ni*um, n. Etym: [L., of all, gen. pl. of omnis all.] (Eng.StockExchange)
Defn: The aggregate value of the different stocks in which a loan to government is now usually funded. M'Culloch.
OMNIUM-GATHERUM Om`ni*um-gath"er*um, n. Etym: [A macaronic compound of L. omnium, gen.pl. of omnis all, and E. gather.]
Defn: A miscellaneous collection of things or persons; a confused mixture; a medley. [Colloq. & Humorous] Selden.
OMNIVAGANT Om*niv"a*gant, a. Etym: [Omni + L. vagans, p.pr. of vagari to wander.]
Defn: Wandering anywhere and everywhere. [R.]
OMNIVORAOm*niv"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Omnivorous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of ungulate mammals including the hog and the hippopotamus. The term is also sometimes applied to the bears, and to certain passerine birds.
OMNIVOROUS Om*niv"o*rous, a. Etym: [L. omnivorus; omnis all + vorate to eat greedily. See Voracious.]
Defn: All-devouring; eating everything indiscriminately; as,omnivorous vanity; esp. (Zoöl.), eating both animal and vegetablefood.— Om*niv"o*rous*ness, n.
OMO-O"mo-. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation to, the shoulder or the scapula.
OMOHYOIDO`mo*hy"oid, a. Etym: [Omo- + hyoid.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the shoulder and the hyoid bone; as, the omohyoid muscle.
OMOPHAGICO"mo*phag"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Eating raw flesh; using uncooked meat as food; as, omophagic feasts, rites.
OMOPLATEOm"o*plate, n. Etym: [F., from Gr. Omo-, and Plate.] (Anat.)
Defn: The shoulder blade, or scapula.
OMOSTEGITEO*mos"te*gite, n. Etym: [Omo- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The part of the carapace of a crustacean situated behind the cervical groove.
OMOSTERNALO`mo*ster"nal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the omosternum.
OMOSTERNUM O`mo*ster"num, n. Etym: [Omo- + sternum.] (Anat.) (a) The anterior element of the sternum which projects forward from between the clavicles in many batrachians and is usually tipped with cartilage. (b) In many mammals, an interarticular cartilage, or bone, between the sternum and the clavicle.
OMPHACINEOm"pha*cine, a. Etym: [Gr. omphacin.]
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or expressed from, unripe fruit; as, omphacine oil.
OMPHALICOm*phal"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Navel.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the umbilicus, or navel.
OMPHALO-Om"pha*lo-. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A combining form indicating connection with, or relation to, the umbilicus, or navel.
OMPHALOCELEOm"pha*lo*cele`, n. Etym: [Gr. omphalocéle.] (Med.)
Defn: A hernia at the navel.
OMPHALODEOm"pha*lode, n. Etym: [Omphalo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: The central part of the hilum of a seed, through which the nutrient vessels pass into the rhaphe or the chalaza; — called also omphalodium.
OMPHALOMANCYOm"pha*lo*man"cy, n. Etym: [Omphalo- + -mancy.]
Defn: Divination by means of a child's navel, to learn how many children the mother may have. Crabb.
OMPHALOMESARAICOm`pha*lo*mes`a*ra"ic, a. Etym: [Omphalo- + mesaraic.] (Anat.)
Defn: Omphalomesenteric.
OMPHALOMESENTERICOm`pha*lo*mes`en*ter"ic, a. Etym: [Omphalo- + mesenteric.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the umbilicus and mesentery; omphalomesaraic; as, the omphalomesenteric arteries and veins of a fetus.
OMPHALOPSYCHITEOm`pha*lop"sy*chite, n. Etym: [Omphalo- + Gr. omphalopsyque.](Eccl.Hist.)
Defn: A name of the Hesychasts, from their habit of gazing upon the navel.
OMPHALOPTER; OMPHALOPTICOm`pha*lop"ter, Om`pha*lop"tic, n. Etym: [Gr. omphaloptre.]
Defn: An optical glass that is convex on both sides. [Obs.] Hutton.
OMPHALOSOm"pha*los, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The navel.
OMPHALOTOMYOm`pha*lot"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. omphalotomie.] (Surg.)
Defn: The operation of dividing the navel-string.
OMYO"my, a.
Defn: Mellow, as land. [Prov.Eng.] Ray.
ONOn, prep. Etym: [OE. on, an, o, a, AS. on, an; akin to D. aan, OS. &G. an, OHG. ana, Icel. a, Sw. ana, Russ. na, L. an-, in anhelare topant, Gr. ana. sq. root195. Cf. A-, 1, Ana-, Anon.]
Defn: The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath; as: —
1. At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island. I stood on the bridge at midnight. Longfellow.
2. To or against the surface of; — used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth. Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken. Matt. xxi. 44.
3. Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.
4. At or near; adjacent to; — indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
5. In addition to; besides; — indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought. Shak.
6. Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.
7. At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).
8. At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.
9. Toward; for; — indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
10. At the peril of, or for the safety of. "Hence, on thy life." Dryden.
11. By virtue of; with the pledge of; — denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
12. To the account of; — denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him. His blood be on us and on our children. Matt. xxvii. 25.
13. In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.
14. Of. [Obs.] "Be not jealous on me." Shak. Or have we eaten on the insane root That takes the reason prisoner Shak.
Note: Instances of this usage are common in our older writers, and are sometimes now heard in illiterate speech.
15. Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.
16. In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.
Note: On and upon are in general interchangeable. In someapplications upon is more euphonious, and is therefore to bepreferred; but in most cases on is preferable. On a bowline. (Naut.)Same as Closehauled.— On a wind, or On the wind (Naut.), sailing closehauled.— On a sudden. See under Sudden.— On board, On draught, On fire, etc. See under Board, Draught,Fire, etc.— On it, On't, of it. [Obs. or Colloq.] Shak.— On shore, on land; to the shore.— On the road, On the way, On the wing, etc. See under Road, Way,etc.— On to, upon; on; to; — sometimes written as one word, onto, andusually called a colloquialism; but it may be regarded in analogywith into.They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural. Earle.We see the strength of the new movement in the new class ofecclesiastics whom it forced on to the stage. J. R. Green.
ONOn, adv. Etym: [See On, prep.]
1. Forward, in progression; onward; — usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on. "Time glides on." Macaulay. The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger. Shak.
2. Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
3. In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
4. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
5. Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use. "I have boots on." B. Gonson. He put on righteousness as a breastplate. Is. lix. 17.
6. In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.
Note: On is sometimes used as an exclamation, or a command to move or proceed, some verb being understood; as, on, comrades; that is, go on, move on. On and on, continuously; for a long time together. "Toiling on and on and on." Longfellow.
ONAGEROn"a*ger, n.; pl. L. Onagri, E. Onagers. Etym: [L. onager, onagrus,Gr.
1. (Rom.Antiq.)
Defn: A military engine acting like a sling, which threw stones from a bag or wooden bucket, and was operated by machinery. Fairholt.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A wild ass, especially the koulan.
ONAGGAO*nag"ga, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The dauw.
ONAGRACEOUS; ONAGRARIEOUS On`a*gra"ceous, On`a*gra*ri"e*ous, a. Etym: [From NL. Onagra an old scientific name of the evening primrose (Enothera), fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants (Onagraceæ or Onagrarieæ), which includes the fuchsia, the willow- herb (Epilobium), and the evening primrose ().
ONANISMO"nan*ism, n. Etym: [Onan (Gen. xxxviii. 9): cf. F. onanisme.]
Defn: Self-pollution; masturbation.
ONAPPOO*nap"po, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A nocturnal South American monkey (Callithrix discolor), noted for its agility; — called also ventriloquist monkey.
ONCEOnce, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The ounce.