PEAFOWLPea"fowl`, n. Etym: [See Peacock.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The peacock or peahen; any species of Pavo.
PEAGPeag, n. [Written also peage, peak, peeke.] [Prob. of North Amer.Indian origin.]
Defn: A kind of aboriginal shell money, or wampum, of the Atlantic coast of the United States; — originally applied only to polished white cylindrical beads.
PEAGEPe"age, n.
Defn: See Paage.
PEAGRITPea"grit`, n. (Min.)
Defn: A coarse pisolitic limestone. See Pisolite.
PEAHENPea"hen`, n. Etym: [See Peacock.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The hen or female peafowl.
PEA-JACKET Pea"-jack`et, n. Etym: [Prob. fr. D. pij, pije, a coat of a coarse woolen stuff.]
Defn: A thick loose woolen jacket, or coat, much worn by sailors in cold weather.
PEAK Peak, n. Etym: [OE. pek, AS. peac, perh of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. peac a sharp-pointed thing. Cf. Pike.]
1. A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap. "Run your beard into a peak." Beau. & Fl.
2. The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point; often, the whole hill or mountain, esp. when isolated; as, the Peak of Teneriffe. Silent upon a peak in Darien. Keats.
3. (Naut.) (a) The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; — used in many combinations; as, peak-halyards, peak-brails, etc. (b) The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it. (c) The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill. [In the last sense written also pea and pee.] Fore peak. (Naut.) See under Fore.
PEAKPeak, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peaked; p. pr. & vb. n. Peaking.]
1. To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak. There peaketh up a mighty high mount. Holand.
2. To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sicky. "Dwindle, peak, and pine." Shak.
3. Etym: [Cf. Peek.]
Defn: To pry; to peep slyly. Shak. Peak arch (Arch.), a pointed orGothic arch.
PEAKPeak, v. t. (Naut.)
Defn: To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as, to peak oars, to hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard, to set it nearer the perpendicular.
PEAKEDPeaked, a.
1. Pointed; ending in a point; as, a peaked roof.
2. (Oftener
Defn: Sickly; not robust. [Colloq.]
PEAKINGPeak"ing, a.
1. Mean; sneaking. [Vulgar]
2. Pining; sickly; peakish. [Colloq.]
PEAKISHPeak"ish, a.
1. Of or relating to a peak; or to peaks; belonging to a mountainous region. "Her peakish spring." Drayton. "His peakish dialect." Bp. Hall.
2. Having peaks; peaked.
3. Having features thin or sharp, as from sickness; hence, sickly. [Colloq.]
PEAKYPeak"y, a.
1. Having a peak or peaks. Tennyson.
2. Sickly; peaked. [Colloq.]
PEALPeal, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small salmon; a grilse; a sewin. [Prov. Eng.]
PEALPeal, v. i.
Defn: To appeal. [Obs.] Spencer.
PEAL Peal, n. Etym: [An abbrev. of F. appel a call, appeal, ruffle of a drum, fr. appeller to call, L. appellare. See Appeal.]
1. A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, of a multitude, etc. "A fair peal of artillery." Hayward. Whether those peals of praise be his or no. Shak. And a deep thunder, peal on peal, afar. Byron.
2. A set of bells tuned to each other according to the diatonic scale; also, the changes rung on a set of bells. To ring a peal. See under Ring.
PEALPeal, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pealed; p. pr. & vb. n. Pealing.]
1. To utter or give out loud sounds. There let the pealing organ blow. Milton.
2. To resound; to echo. And the whole air pealed With the cheers of our men. Longfellow.
PEALPeal, v. t.
1. To utter or give forth loudly; to cause to give out loud sounds; to noise abroad. The warrior's name, Though pealed and chimed on all the tongues of fame. J. Barlow.
2. To assail with noise or loud sounds. Nor was his ear less pealed. Milton.
3. To pour out. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
PEANPean, n. Etym: [OF. pene, F. panne.] (Her.)
Defn: One of the furs, the ground being sable, and the spots or tufts or.
PEANPe"an, n.
Defn: A song of praise and triumph. See Pæan.
PEANISMPe"an*ism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The song or shout of praise, of battle, or of triumph. [R.]
PEANUTPea"nut, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The fruit of a trailing leguminous plant (Arachis hypogæa); also, the plant itself, which is widely cultivated for its fruit.
Note: The fruit is a hard pod, usually containing two or three seeds, sometimes but one, which ripen beneath the soil. Called also earthnut, groundnut, and goober.
PEANUT BUTTERPea"nut but"ter.
Defn: A paste made by mixing ground fresh roasted peanuts with a small quantity of water or oil, and used chiefly as a relish on sandwiches, etc.
PEARPear, n. Etym: [OE. pere, AS. peru, L. pirum: cf. F. poire. Cf.Perry.] (Bot.)
Defn: The fleshy pome, or fruit, of a rosaceous tree (Pyrus communis), cultivated in many varieties in temperate climates; also, the tree which bears this fruit. See Pear family, below. Pear blight. (a) (Bot.) A name of two distinct diseases of pear trees, both causing a destruction of the branches, viz., that caused by a minute insect (Xyleborus pyri), and that caused by the freezing of the sap in winter. A. J. Downing. (b) (Zoöl.) A very small beetle (Xyleborus pyri) whose larvæ bore in the twigs of pear trees and cause them to wither. — Pear family (Bot.), a suborder of rosaceous plants (Pomeæ), characterized by the calyx tube becoming fleshy in fruit, and, combined with the ovaries, forming a pome. It includes the apple, pear, quince, service berry, and hewthorn. — Pear gauge (Physics), a kind of gauge for measuring the exhaustion of an air-pump receiver; — so called because consisting in part of a pear-shaped glass vessel. Pear shell (Zoöl.), any marine gastropod shell of the genus Pyrula, native of tropical seas; — so called from the shape. — Pear slug (Zoöl.), the larva of a sawfly which is very injurious to the foliage of the pear tree.
PEARCHPearch, n. [Obs.]
Defn: See Perch.
PEARLPearl, n.
Defn: A fringe or border. [Obs.] — v. t.
Defn: To fringe; to border. [Obs.] See Purl. Pearl stitch. See Purl stitch, under Purl.
PEARL Pearl, n. Etym: [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See Pear, and cf. Purl to mantle.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Pearls which are round, or nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as jewels, and compare in value with the precious stones.
2. Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something veryprecious.I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl. Shak.And those pearls of dew she wears. Milton.
3. Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
5. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A light-colored tern.
6. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.
7. A whitish speck or film on the eye. [Obs.] Milton.
8. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether.
9. (Print.)
Defn: A size of type, between agate and diamond. * This line is printed in the type called pearl. Ground pearl. (Zoöl.) See under Ground. — Pearl barley, kernels of barley, ground so as to form small, round grains. — Pearl diver, one who dives for pearl oysters. — Pearl edge, an edge of small loops on the side of some kinds of ribbon; also, a narrow kind of thread edging to be sewed on lace. — Pearl eye, cataract. [R.] — Pearl gray, a very pale and delicate blue-gray color. — Pearl millet, Egyptian millet (Penicillaria spicata). — Pearl moss. See Carrageen. — Pearl moth (Zoöl.), any moth of the genus Margaritia; — so called on account of its pearly color. — Pearl oyster (Zoöl.), any one of several species of large tropical marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Meleagrina, or Margaritifera, found in the East Indies (especially at Ceylon), in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Australia, and on the Pacific coast of America. Called also pearl shell, and pearl mussel. — Pearl powder. See Pearl white, below. — Pearl sago, sago in the form of small pearly grains. — Pearl sinter (Min.), fiorite. — Pearl spar (Min.), a crystallized variety of dolomite, having a pearly luster. — Pearl white. (a) Basic bismuth nitrate, or bismuth subchloride; - - used chiefly as a cosmetic. (b) A variety of white lead blued with indigo or Berlin blue.
PEARLPearl, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of mother-of-pearl.
PEARLPearl, v. t.
1. To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.
2. To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.
PEARLPearl, v. i.
1. To resemble pearl or pearls.
2. To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.
PEARLACEOUSPearl*a"ceous, a.
Defn: Resembling pearl or mother-of-pearl; pearly in quality or appearance.
PEARLASHPearl"ash`, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A white amorphous or granular substance which consists principally of potassium carbonate, and has a strong alkaline reaction. It is obtained by lixiviating wood ashes, and evaporating the lye, and has been an important source of potassium compounds. It is used in making soap, glass, etc.
PEARL-EYEDPearl"-eyed`, a.
Defn: Having a pearly speck in the eye; afflicted with the cataract.
PEARLFISHPearl"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any fish whose scales yield a pearl-like pigment used in manufacturing artificial pearls, as the bleak, and whitebait.
PEARLINS; PEARLINGSPearl"ins, Pearl"ings, n. pl. Etym: [Prob. a corruption of purflings.See Purfle.]
Defn: A kind of lace of silk or thread. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
PEARLITE; PEARLSTONEPearl"ite, Pearl"stone`, n. (Min.)
Defn: A glassy volcanic rock of a grayish color and pearly luster, often having a spherulitic concretionary structure due to the curved cracks produced by contraction in cooling. See Illust. under Perlitic.
PEARLWORTPearl"wort`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A name given to several species of Sagina, low and inconspicuous herbs of the Chickweed family.
PEARLYPearl"y, a.
1. Containing pearls; abounding with, or yielding, pearls; as, pearly shells. Milton.
2. Resembling pearl or pearls; clear; pure; transparent; iridescent; as, the pearly dew or flood.
PEARMAINPear"main, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The name of several kinds of apples; as, the blue pearmain, winter pearmain, and red pearmain.
PEAR-SHAPEDPear"-shaped`, a.
Defn: Of the form of a pear.
PEARTPeart, a. Etym: [A variant of pert, a.]
Defn: Active; lively; brisk; smart; — often applied to convalescents; as, she is quite peart to-day. [O. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.] There was a tricksy girl, I wot, albeit clad in gray, As peart as bird, as straight as bolt, as fresh as flowers in May. Warner (1592).
PEASANT Peas"ant, n. Etym: [OF. païsant (the i being perh. due to confusion with the p.pr. of verbs), païsan, F. paysan, fr. OF. & F. pays country, fr. L. pagus the country. See Pagan.]
Defn: A countryman; a rustic; especially, one of the lowest class of tillers of the soil in European countries.
Syn.— Countryman; rustic; swain; hind.
PEASANTPeas"ant, a.
Defn: Rustic, rural. Spenser.
PEASANTLIKEPeas"ant*like`, a.
Defn: Rude; clownish; illiterate.
PEASANTLYPeas"ant*ly, a.
Defn: Peasantlike. [Obs.] Milton.
PEASANTRYPeas"ant*ry, n.
1. Peasants, collectively; the body of rustics. "A bold peasantry." Goldsmith.
2. Rusticity; coarseness. [Obs.] p. Butler.
PEASCODPeas"cod`, n.
Defn: The legume or pericarp, or the pod, of the pea.
PEASEPease, n.; obs.pl. Peases, Peasen. Etym: [See Pea.]
1. A pea. [Obs.] "A peose." "Bread . . . of beans and of peses." Piers Plowman.
2. A plural form of Pea. See the Note under Pea.
PEASTONEPea"stone`, n. (Min.)
Defn: Pisolite.
PEASWEEP Peas"weep`, n. Etym: [So called from its note.] [Prov. Eng.] (Zoöl.) (a) The pewit, or lapwing. (b) The greenfinch.
PEATPeat, n. Etym: [Cf. Pet a fondling.]
Defn: A small person; a pet; — sometimes used contemptuously. [Obs.]Shak.
PEATPeat, n. Etym: [Prob. for beat, prop., material used to make the fireburn better, fr. AS. b to better, mend (a fire), b advantage. SeeBetter, Boot advantage.]
Defn: A substance of vegetable origin, consisting of roots and fibers, moss, etc., in various stages of decomposition, and found, as a kind of turf or bog, usually in low situations, where it is always more or less saturated with water. It is often dried and used for fuel. Peat bog, a bog containing peat; also, peat as it occurs in such places; peat moss. — Peat moss. (a) The plants which, when decomposed, become peat. (b) A fen producing peat. (c) (Bot.) Moss of the genus Sphagnum, which often grows abundantly in boggy or peaty places. — Peat reek, the reek or smoke of peat; hence, also, the peculiar flavor given to whisky by being distilled with peat as fuel. [Scot.]
PEATYPeat"y, a.
Defn: Composed of peat; abounding in peat; resembling peat.
PEAVEY; PEAVYPea"vey Pea"vy, n. [Said to be from the inventor's name.] (Lumbering)
Defn: A cant hook having the end of its lever armed with a spike.
PEBAPe"ba, n. Etym: [Cf. Pg. peba.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An armadillo (Tatusia novemcincta) which is found from Texas toParaguay; — called also tatouhou.
PEBBLEPeb"ble, n. Etym: [AS. papolstan; cf. L. papula pimple, mote. SeeStone.]
1. A small roundish stone or bowlder; especially, a stone worn and rounded by the action of water; a pebblestone. "The pebbles on the hungry beach." Shak. As children gathering pebbles on the shore. Milton.
2. Transparent and colorless rock crystal; as, Brazilian pebble; — so called by opticians. Pebble powder, slow-burning gunpowder, in large cubical grains. — Scotch pebble, varieties of quartz, as agate, chalcedony, etc., obtained from cavities in amygdaloid.
PEBBLEPeb"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pebbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Pebbling.]
Defn: To grain (leather) so as to produce a surface covered with small rounded prominences.
PEBBLEDPeb"bled, a.
Defn: Abounding in pebbles. Thomson.
PEBBLESTONEPeb"ble*stone`.
Defn: A pebble; also, pebbles collectively. "Chains of pebblestone."Marlowe.
PEBBLYPeb"bly, a.
Defn: Full of pebbles; pebbled. "A hard, pebbly bottom." Johnson.
PEBRINEPe`brine", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: An epidemic disease of the silkworm, characterized by the presence of minute vibratory corpuscles in the blood.
PECANPe*can", n. Etym: [Cf. F. pacane the nut.] (Bot.)
Defn: A species of hickory (Carya olivæformis), growing in North America, chiefly in the Mississippi valley and in Texas, where it is one of the largest of forest trees; also, its fruit, a smooth, oblong nut, an inch or an inch and a half long, with a thin shell and well- flavored meat. [Written also pacane.]
PECARYPec"a*ry, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Peccary.
PECCABILITYPec`ca*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being peccable; lability to sin.The common peccability of mankind. Dr. H. More.
PECCABLEPec"ca*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. peccable. See Peccant.]
Defn: Liable to sin; subject to transgress the divine law. "A frail and peccable mortal." Sir W. Scott.
PECCADILLO Pec`ca*dil"lo, n; pl. Peccadillos. Etym: [Sp. pecadillo, dim. of pecado a sin, fr. L. peccatum. See Peccant.]
Defn: A slight trespass or offense; a petty crime or fault. Sir W.Scott.
PECCANCYPec"can*cy, n. Etym: [L. peccantia.]
1. The quality or state of being peccant.
2. A sin; an offense. W. Montagu.
PECCANTPec"cant, a. Etym: [L. peccans, -antis, p.pr. of peccare to sin: cf.F. peccant.]
1. Sinning; guilty of transgression; criminal; as, peccant angels. Milton.
2. Morbid; corrupt; as, peccant humors. Bacon.
3. Wrong; defective; faulty. [R.] Ayliffe.
PECCANTPec"cant, n.
Defn: An offender. [Obs.] Whitlock.
PECCANTLYPec"cant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a peccant manner.
PECCARY Pec"ca*ry, n.; pl. Peccaries. Etym: [From the native South American name: cf. F. pécari, Sp. pecar.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A pachyderm of the genus Dicotyles.
Note: The collared peccary, or tajacu (Dicotyles torquatus), is about the size and shape of a small hog, and has a white ring aroung the neck. It ranges from Arkansas to Brazil. A larger species (D. labiatus), with white cheeks, is found in South America.
PECCAVIPec*ca"vi. Etym: [L.]
Defn: I have sinned; — used colloquially to express confession or acknowledgment of an offense. Aubrey.
PECCOPec"co, n.
Defn: See Pekoe.
PECK Peck, n. Etym: [Perh. akin to pack; or, orig., an indefinite quantity, and fr. peck, v. (below): cf. also F. picotin a peak.]
1. The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat. "A peck of provender." Shak.
2. A great deal; a large or excessive quantity. "A peck of uncertainties and doubts." Milton.
PECKPeck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pecked; p. pr. & vb. n. Pecking.] Etym:[See Pick, v.]
1. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.
2. Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.
3. To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; — often with up. Addison. This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas. Shak.
4. To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.
PECKPeck, v. i.
1. To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument. Carew.
2. To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat. [The hen] went pecking by his side. Dryden. To peck at, to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease.
PECKPeck, n.
Defn: A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.
PECKERPeck"er, n.
1. One who, or that which, pecks; specif., a bird that pecks holes in trees; a woodpecker.
2. An instrument for pecking; a pick. Garth. Flower pecker. (Zoöl.) See under Flower.
PECKISHPeck"ish, a.
Defn: Inclined to eat; hungry. [Colloq.] "When shall I feel peckish again" Beaconsfield.
PECKLEDPec"kled, a.
Defn: Speckled; spotted. [Obs.]
PECOPTERISPe*cop"te*ris, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: An extensive genus of fossil ferns; — so named from the regular comblike arrangement of the leaflets.
PECORAPec"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. pecus. See Pecuniary.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive division of ruminants, including the antelopes, deer, and cattle.
PECTATEPec"tate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pectic acid.
PECTENPec"ten, n. Etym: [L. pecten, -inis, a comb, a kind of shellfish. SeePectinate.]
1. (Anat.) (a) A vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous humor within the globe of the eye in birds, and in many reptiles and fishes; — also called marsupium. (b) The pubic bone.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of bivalve mollusks of the genus Pecten, and numerous allied genera (family Pectinidæ); a scallop. See Scallop.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The comb of a scorpion. See Comb, 4 (b).
PECTICPec"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to pectin; specifically, designating an acid obtained from ordinary vegetable jelly (pectin) as an amorphous substance, tough and horny when dry, but gelatinous when moist.
PECTINPec"tin, n. Etym: [Gr. pectine.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of a series of carbohydrates, commonly called vegetable jelly, found very widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, especially in ripe fleshy fruits, as apples, cranberries, etc. It is extracted as variously colored, translucent substances, which are soluble in hot water but become viscous on cooling.
PECTINALPec"ti*nal, a. Etym: [L. pecten comb. See Pectinate.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a comb; resembling a comb.
PECTINALPec"ti*nal, n.
Defn: A fish whose bone Sir T. Browne.
PECTINATE; PECTINATEDPec"ti*na`te, Pec"ti*na`ted, a. Etym: [L. pectinatus, p.pr. ofpectinare to comb, from pecten, -inis, a comb; cf. Gr. feax hair,OHG. fahs, E. paxwax.]
1. Resembling the teeth of a comb.
2. (Nat. Hist.)
Defn: Having very narrow, close divisions, in arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb; comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles. See Illust. (e) of Antennæ.
3. Interlaced, like two combs. [R.] "Our fingers pectinated, or shut together." Sir T. Browne. Pectinate claw (Zoöl.), a claw having a serrate edge, found in some birds, and supposed to be used in cleaning the feathers.
PECTINATELYPec"ti*nate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a pectinate manner.
PECTINATIONPec`ti*na"tion, n.
1. The state of being pectinated; that which is pectinated. Sir T. Browne.
2. The act of combing; the combing of the head.
3. (Nat. Hist.)
Defn: Comblike toothing.
PECTINEAL Pec*tin"e*al, a. Etym: [See Pecten.] (Anat.) (a) Of or pertaining to the pecten. (b) Relating to, or connected with, the pubic bone.
PECTINIBRANCHPec*tin"i*branch, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Pectinibranchiata. Also used adjectively.
PECTINIBRANCHIATAPec`ti*ni*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pecten, and Branchia.](Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Gastropoda, including those that have a comblike gill upon the neck.
PECTINIBRANCHIATE Pec`ti*ni*bran"chi*ate, a. Etym: [L. pecten, -inis, a comb + E. branchiate.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having pectinated gills.
PECTINIFORMPec*tin"i*form, a.
Defn: Comblike in form.
PECTIZEPec*tize", v. i. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: To congeal; to change into a gelatinous mass. [R.] H. Spencer.
PECTOLITEPec"to*lite, n. Etym: [L. pecten a comb + -lite.] (Min.)
Defn: A whitish mineral occurring in radiated or fibrous crystalline masses. It is a hydrous silicate of lime and soda.
PECTORAL Pec"to*ral, a. Etym: [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.
2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper. Pectoral arch, or Pectoral girdle (Anat.), the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the shoulder girdle. In man it consists of two bones, the scapula and clavicle, on each side. — Pectorial cross (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. — Pectorial fins, or Pectorials (Zoöl.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin. — Pectorial rail. (Zoöl.) See Land rail (b) under Land. — Pectorial sandpiper (Zoöl.), the jacksnipe (b).
PECTORAL Pec"to*ral, n. Etym: [L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectorials.]
1. A covering or protecting for the breast.
2. (Eccl.) (a) A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high person. (b) A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.
3. A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.
PECTORALLYPec"to*ral*ly, adv.
Defn: As connected with the breast.
PECTORILOQUIALPec`to*ri*lo"qui*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. pectoriloque.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or of the nature of, pectoriloquy.
PECTORILOQUISMPec`to*ril"o*quism, n.
Defn: Pectoriloquy.
PECTORILOQUOUSPec`to*ril"o*quous, a.
Defn: Pectoriloquial.
PECTORILOQUY Pec`to*ril"o*quy, n. Etym: [L. pectus, -oris, the breast + loqui to speak: cf. F. pectoriloquie.] (Med.)
Defn: The distinct articulation of the sounds of a patient's voice, heard on applying the ear to the chest in auscultation. It usually indicates some morbid change in the lungs or pleural cavity.
PECTOSEPec"tose`, n. Etym: [Pectic + cellulose.] (Chem.)
Defn: An amorphous carbohydrate found in the vegetable kingdom, esp. in unripe fruits. It is associated with cellulose, and is converted into substances of the pectin group.
PECTOSICPec*to"sic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, pectose; specifically, designating an acid supposed to constitute largely ordinary pectin or vegetable jelly.
PECTOSTRACAPec*tos"tra*ca, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A degenerate order of Crustacea, including the Rhizocephala andCirripedia.
PECTOUSPec"tous, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, pectose.
PECTUSPec"tus, n.; pl. Pectora. Etym: [L., the breast.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The breast of a bird.
PECULPec"ul, n.
Defn: See Picul.
PECULATEPec"u*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peculated; p. pr. & vb. n.Peculating.] Etym: [L. peculatus, p.p. of peculari to peculate, akinto peculium private property. See Peculiar.]
Defn: To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle. An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. Burke.
PECULATIONPec`u*la"tion, n.
Defn: The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement; embezzlement. Every British subject . . . active in the discovery of peculations has been ruined. Burke.
PECULATORPec"u*la`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who peculates. "Peculators of the public gold." Cowper.
PECULIAR Pe*cul"iar, a. Etym: [L. peculiaris, fr. peculium private property, akin to pecunia money: cf. OF. peculier. See Pecuniary.]
1. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common or in participation. And purify unto himself a peculiar people. Titus ii. 14. Hymns . . . that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself. Hooker.
2. Particular; individual; special; appropriate. While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat. Milton. My fate is Juno's most peculiar care. Dryden.
3. Unusual; singular; rare; strange; as, the sky had a peculiarappearance.
Syn. — Peculiar, Special, Especial. Peculiar is from the Roman peculium, which was a thing emphatically and distinctively one's own, and hence was dear. The former sense always belongs to peculiar (as, a peculiar style, peculiar manners, etc.), and usually so much of the latter as to involve feelings of interest; as, peculiar care, watchfulness, satisfaction, etc. Nothing of this kind belongs to special and especial. They mark simply the relation of species to genus, and denote that there is something in this case more than ordinary; as, a special act of Congress; especial pains, etc. Beauty, which, either walking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces. Milton. For naught so vile that on the earth doth live, But to the earth some special good doth give. Shak.
PECULIARPe*cul"iar, n.
1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic. Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven. South.
2. (Eng. Canon Law)
Defn: A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary. Court of Peculiars (Eng. Law), a branch of the Court of Arches having cognizance of the affairs of peculiars. Blackstone. — Dean of peculiars. See under Dean, 1.
PECULIARITYPe*cul`iar"i*ty, n.; pl. Peculiarities (.
1. The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality; singularity. Swift.
2. That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive characteristic or habit; particularity. The smallest peculiarity of temper on manner. Macaulay.
3. Exclusive possession or right. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
PECULIARIZEPe*cul"iar*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pecularized; p. pr. & vb. n.Pecularizing.]
Defn: To make peculiar; to set appart or assign, as an exclusive possession. [R.] Dr. John Smith.
PECULIARLYPe*cul"iar*ly, adv.
Defn: In a peculiar manner; particulary; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.
PECULIARNESSPe*cul"iar*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being peculiar; peculiarity. Mede.
PECULIUMPe*cu"li*um, n. Etym: [L. See Peculiar.]
1. (Rom. Law)
Defn: The saving of a son or a slave with the father's or master's consent; a little property or stock of one's own; any exclusive personal or separate property. Burrill.
2. A special fund for private and personal uses. A slight peculium only subtracted to supply his snuff box and tobacco pouch. Sir W. Scott.
PECUNIALPe*cu"ni*al, a.
Defn: Pecuniary. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PECUNIARILYPe*cun"ia*ri*ly, adv.
Defn: In a pecuniary manner; as regards money.
PECUNIARY Pe*cun"ia*ry, a. Etym: [L. pecuniarius, fr. pecunia money, orig., property in cattle, fr. pecus cattle: cf. F. pécuniaire. See Fee, and cf. Peculiar.]
1. Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a pecuniary reward. Burke.
PECUNIOUS Pe*cu"ni*ous, a. Etym: [L. pecuniosus, fr. pecunia: cf. F. pécunieux.]
Defn: Abounding in money; wealthy; rich. [Obs.] Sherwood.
PEDPed, n. Etym: [OE. See Peddler.]
Defn: A basket; a hammer; a pannier. [Obs.] Halliwell.
PEDAGEPed"age, n. Etym: [LL. pedagium, for pedaticum. See Paage.]
Defn: A toll or tax paid by passengers, entitling them to safe- conduct and protection. [Obs.] Spelman.
PEDAGOGPed"a*gog, n.
Defn: Pedagogue.
PEDAGOGICPed`a*gog"ic, n. Etym: [From Pedagogic, a.; cf. G. pedagogik.]
Defn: See Pedagogics.
PEDAGOGIC; PEDAGOGICALPed`a*gog"ic, Ped`a*gog"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. pédagogique. SeePedagogue.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pedagogue; suited to, or characteristic of, a pedagogue.
PEDAGOGICSPed`a*gog"ics, n.
Defn: The science or art of teaching; the principles and rules of teaching; pedagogy.
PEDAGOGISMPed"a*gog*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pédagogisme.]
Defn: The system, occupation, character, or manner of pedagogues.Milton.Avocation of pedantry and pedagogism. De Foe.
PEDAGOGUE Ped"a*gogue, n. Etym: [F. pédagogue, L. paedagogus, Gr. Page a servant, Agent.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: A slave who led his master's children to school, and had the charge of them generally.
2. A teacher of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young; a schoolmaster.
3. One who by teaching has become formal, positive, or pedantic in his ways; one who has the manner of a schoolmaster; a pedant. Goldsmith.
PEDAGOGUEPed"a*gogue, v. t. Etym: [Cf. L. paedagogare to instruct.]
Defn: To play the pedagogue toward. [Obs.] Prior.
PEDAGOGYPed"a*go`gy, n. Etym: [Gr. pédagogie.]
Defn: Pedagogics; pedagogism. South.
PEDALPe"dal, a. Etym: [L. pedalis, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf.Pew.]
1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zoöl.), pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.
2. (
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals. Pedal curve or surface (Geom.), the curve or surface which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars let fall from a fixed point upon the straight lines tangent to a given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a given surface. — Pedal note (Mus.), the note which is held or sustained through an organ point. See Organ point, under Organ. — Pedal organ (Mus.), an organ which has pedals or a range of keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which is played with the feet.
PEDALPe"dal, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pédale, It. pedale. See Pedal, a.]
1. (Mech.)
Defn: A lever or key acted on by the foot, as in the pianoforte to raise the dampers, or in the organ to open and close certain pipes; a treadle, as in a lathe or a bicycle.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: A pedal curve or surface.
PEDALIANPe*da"li*an, a.
Defn: Relating to the foot, or to a metrical foot; pedal. [R.]Maunder.
PEDALITYPe*dal"i*ty, n.
Defn: The act of measuring by paces. [R.] Ash.
PEDANEOUSPe*da"ne*ous, a. Etym: [L. pedaneus of the size of a foot.]
Defn: Going on foot; pedestrian. [R.]
PEDANTPed"ant, n. Etym: [F. pédant, It. pedante, fr. Gr. pai^s boy. SeePedagogue.]
1. A schoolmaster; a pedagogue. [Obs.] Dryden. A pedant that keeps a school i'th' church. Shak.
2. One who puts on an air of learning; one who makes a vain display of learning; a pretender to superior knowledge. Addison. A scholar, yet surely no pedant, was he. Goldsmith.
PEDANTIC; PEDANTICALPe*dan"tic, Pe*dan"tic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pedant; characteristic of, or resembling, a pedant; ostentatious of learning; as, a pedantic writer; a pedantic description; a pedantical affectation. "Figures pedantical." Shak.
PEDANTICALLYPe*dan"tic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a pedantic manner.
PEDANTICLYPe*dan"tic*ly, adv.
Defn: Pedantically. [R.]
PEDANTISMPed"ant*ism, n.
Defn: The office, disposition, or act of a pedant; pedantry. [Obs.]
PEDANTIZEPed"ant*ize, v. i. Etym: [Cf. F. pédantiser.]
Defn: To play the pedant; to use pedantic expressions. [R.]
PEDANTOCRACYPed`an*toc"ra*cy, n. Etym: [Pedant + democracy.]
Defn: The sway of pedants. [R.] J. S. Mill.
PEDANTRYPed"ant*ry, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pédanterie.]
Defn: The act, character, or manners of a pedant; vain ostentation of learning. "This pedantry of quotation." Cowley. 'T is a practice that savors much of pedantry. Sir T. Browne.
PEDANTYPed"ant*y, n.
Defn: An assembly or clique of pedants. [Obs.] Milton.
PEDARIAN Pe*da"ri*an, n. Etym: [L. pedarius, fr. pedarius belonging to the foot, fr. pes, pedis, foot.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: One of a class eligible to the office of senator, but not yet chosen, who could sit and speak in the senate, but could not vote; — so called because he might indicate his opinion by walking over to the side of the party he favored when a vote was taken.
PEDARYPed"a*ry, n.; pl. Pedaries. Etym: [L. pedarius of the foot.]
Defn: A sandal. [Obs.] Latimer.
PEDATAPe*da"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pedate.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of holothurians, including those that have ambulacral suckers, or feet, and an internal gill.
PEDATE Ped"ate, a. Etym: [L. pedatus, p.p. of pedare to furnish with feet, fr. pes, pedis, a foot.] (Bot.)
Defn: Palmate, with the lateral lobes cleft into two or more segments; — said of a leaf. — Ped"ate*ly, adv.
PEDATIFIDPe*dat"i*fid, a. Etym: [Pedate + root of L. findere to split.][Colloq.]
Defn: Cleft in a pedate manner, but having the lobes distinctly connected at the base; — said of a leaf.
PEDDLEPed"dle, v. i. Etym: [From Peddler.]
1. To travel about with wares for sale; to go from place to place, or from house to house, for the purpose of retailing goods; as, to peddle without a license.
2. To do a small business; to be busy about trifles; to piddle.
PEDDLEPed"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Peddling.]
Defn: To sell from place to place; to retail by carrying around from customer to customer; to hawk; hence, to retail in very small quantities; as, to peddle vegetables or tinware.
PEDDLERPed"dler, n. Etym: [OE. pedlere, pedlare, also peddare, peoddare, fr.OE. ped a basket, of unknown origin.]
Defn: One who peddles; a traveling trader; one who travels about, retailing small wares; a hawker. [Written also pedlar and pedler.] "Some vagabond huckster or peddler." Hakluyt.
PEDDLERYPed"dler*y, n. Etym: [Written also pedlary and pedlery.]
1. The trade, or the goods, of a peddler; hawking; small retail business, like that of a peddler.
2. Trifling; trickery. [Obs.] "Look . . . into these their deceitful peddleries." Milton.
PEDDLINGPed"dling, a.
1. Hawking; acting as a peddler.
2. Petty; insignificant. "The miserable remains of a peddling commerce." Burke.
PEDERAST Ped"er*ast, n. Etym: [Gr. paiderasth`s; pai^s, paido`s, a boy + 'era^n to love: cf. F. pédéraste.]
Defn: One guilty of pederasty; a sodomite.
PEDERASTICPed`er*as"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. paiderastiko`s.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to pederasty.
PEDERASTYPed"er*as`ty, n. Etym: [Gr. paiderasti`a: cf. F. pédérastie.]
Defn: The crime against nature; sodomy.
PEDERERO Ped`e*re"ro, n. Etym: [Sp. pedrero, fr. OSp. pedra, Sp. piedra, a stone, L. petra, fr. Gr. (Mil.)
Defn: A term formerly applied to a short piece of chambered ordnance.[Written also paterero and peterero.]
PEDESISPe*de"sis, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr.
Defn: Same as Brownian movement, under Brownian.
PEDESTAL Ped"es*tal, n. Etym: [Sp. pedestal; cf. F. piédestal, It. piedestallo; fr. L. es, pedis, foot + OHG. stal standing place, station, place, akin to E. stall. See Foot, and Stall, and Footstall.]
1. (Arch.)
Defn: The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp, or the like; the part on which an upright work stands. It consists of three parts, the base, the die or dado, and the cornice or surbase molding. See Illust. of Column. Build him a pedestal, and say, "Stand there!" Cowper.
2. (a) (Railroad Cars) A casting secured to the frame of a truck and forming a jaw for holding a journal box. (b) (Mach.) A pillow block; a low housing. (c) (Bridge Building) An iron socket, or support, for the foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests on a pier. Pedestal coil (steam Heating), a group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another, — used in a radiator.
PEDESTALEDPed"es*taled, a.
Defn: Placed on, or supported by, a pedestal; figuratively, exalted.Hawthorne.Pedestaled haply in a palace court. Keats.
PEDESTRIAL Pe*des"tri*al, a. Etym: [L. pedester, -esteris, fr. pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. pédestere. See Pedal.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the feet; employing the foot or feet.
PEDESTRIALLYPe*des"tri*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a pedestrial manner.
PEDESTRIANPe*des"tri*an, a.
Defn: Going on foot; performed on foot; as, a pedestrian journey.
PEDESTRIANPe*des"tri*an, n.
Defn: A walker; one who journeys on foot; a foot traveler; specif., a professional walker or runner.
PEDESTRIANISMPe*des"tri*an*ism, n.
Defn: The act, art, or practice of a pedestrian; walking or running; traveling or racing on foot.
PEDESTRIANIZE Pe*des"tri*an*ize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pedestrianized; p. pr. & vb. n. Pedestrianizing.]
Defn: To practice walking; to travel on foot.
PEDESTRIOUSPe*des"tri*ous, a.
Defn: Going on foot; not winged. [Obs.] "Pedestrious animals." Sir T.Browne.
PEDETENTOUS Ped`e*ten"tous, a. Etym: [L. pes, pedis, foot + tendere to stretch out: cf. L. tentim by degrees.]
Defn: Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously. [R.] That pedetentous pace and pedetentous mind in which it behooves the wise and virtuous improver to walk. Sydney Smith.
PEDI-; PEDO-Ped"i-, Ped"o-. Etym: [See Foot.]
Defn: Combining forms from L. pes, pedis, foot, as pedipalp, pedireme, pedometer.
PEDIALPe"di*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the foot, or to any organ called a foot; pedal.Dana.
PEDIATRIC Ped`i*at"ric (ped`i*at"rik or ped`i*at"rik), a. [Gr. pai^s, paido`s, child + 'iatrei`a healing.] (Med.)
Defn: Pertaining to the care and medical treatment of children.[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
PEDIATRICSPed`i*at"rics, n.
Defn: That branch of medical science which treats of the hygiene and diseases of children.
PEDICELPed"i*cel, n. Etym: [F. pédicelle. See Pedicle.]
1. (Bot.) (a) A stalk which supports one flower or fruit, whether solitary or one of many ultimate divisions of a common peduncle. See Peduncle, and Illust. of Flower. (b) A slender support of any special organ, as that of a capsule in mosses, an air vesicle in algæ, or a sporangium in ferns.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A slender stem by which certain of the lower animals or their eggs are attached. See Illust. of Aphis lion.
3. (Anat.) (a) The ventral part of each side of the neural arch connecting with the centrum of a vertebra. (b) An outgrowth of the frontal bones, which supports the antlers or horns in deer and allied animals.
PEDICELEDPed"i*celed, a.
Defn: Pedicellate.
PEDICELLARIAPed`i*cel*la"ri*a, n.; pl. Pedicellariæ. Etym: [NL. See Pedicel.](Zoöl.)
Defn: A peculiar forcepslike organ which occurs in large numbers upon starfishes and echini. Those of starfishes have two movable jaws, or blades, and are usually nearly, or quite, sessile; those of echini usually have three jaws and a pedicel. See Illustration in Appendix.
PEDICELLATEPed"i*cel`late, a.
Defn: Having a pedicel; supported by a pedicel.
PEDICELLINAPed`i*cel*li"na, n. Etym: [NL. See Pedicel.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of Bryozoa, of the order Entoprocta, having a bell- shaped body supported on a slender pedicel. See Illust. under Entoprocta.
PEDICLE Ped"i*cle, n. Etym: [L. pediculus a little foot, dim. of pes foot: cf. F. pédicule. See edal, and cf. Pedicel.]
Defn: Same as Pedicel.
PEDICULAR Pe*dic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. pedicularis, fr. pediculus a louse: cf. F. pédiculaire.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to lice; having the lousy distemper (phthiriasis); lousy. Southey.
PEDICULATEPe*dic"u*late, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Pediculati.
PEDICULATIPe*dic`u*la"ti, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pedicle.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of fishes including the anglers. See Illust. of Angler and Batfish.
PEDICULATIONPe*dic`u*la"tion, n. (Med.)
Defn: Phthiriasis.
PEDICULEPed"i*cule, n. Etym: [See Pedicle.]
Defn: A pedicel.
PEDICULINAPe*dic`u*li"na, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pediculus.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of parasitic hemipterous insects, including the true lice. See Illust. in Appendix.
PEDICULOUSPe*dic"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. pediculosus.]
Defn: Pedicular.
PEDICULUSPe*dic"u*lus, n.; pl. Pediculi. Etym: [L., a louse.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of wingless parasitic Hemiptera, including the common lice of man. See Louse.
PEDICUREPed"i*cure, n. [Pedi- + L. cura care.]
1. The care of the feet and nails.
2. One who cares for the feet and nails; a chiropodist. — Ped"i*cure, v. t. —Ped"i*cur*ism (#), n. —Ped"i*cur*ist (#), n.
PEDIFORMPed"i*form, a. Etym: [Pedi- + -form.]
Defn: Shaped like a foot.
PEDIGEROUSPe*dig"er*ous, a. Etym: [Pedi- + -gerous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Bearing or having feet or legs.
PEDIGREE Ped"i*gree, n. Etym: [Of unknown origin; possibly fr. F. par degrés by degrees, — for a pedigree is properly a genealogical table which records the relationship of families by degrees; or, perh., fr. F. pied de grue crane's foot, from the shape of the heraldic genealogical trees.]
1. A line of ancestors; descent; lineage; genealogy; a register or record of a line of ancestors. Alterations of surnames . . . have obscured the truth of our pedigrees. Camden. His vanity labored to contrive us a pedigree. Milton. I am no herald to inquire of men's pedigrees. Sir P. Sidney. The Jews preserved the pedigrees of their tribes. Atterbury.
2. (Stock Breeding)
Defn: A record of the lineage or strain of an animal, as of a horse.
PEDIGREE CLAUSEPed"i*gree clause.
Defn: A clause sometimes inserted in contracts or specifications, requiring that a material of construction, as cement, must be of a brand that has stood the test of a specified number of years' use in an important public work. [Cant, U. S.]
PEDILUVY Ped"i*lu`vy, n. Etym: [Pedi- + L. luere to wash: cf. It. & Sp. pediluvio, F. pédiluve.]
Defn: The bathing of the feet, a bath for the feet. [Obs.]
PEDIMANA Pe*dim"a*na, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. pes, pedis, foot + manus hand.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of marsupials, including the opossums.
PEDIMANEPed"i*mane, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pédimane.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A pedimanous marsupial; an opossum.
PEDIMANOUSPe*dim"a*nous, a. Etym: [See Pedimana.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having feet resembling hands, or with the first toe opposable, as the opossums and monkeys.
PEDIMENTPed"i*ment, n. Etym: [L. pes, pedis, a foot. See Foot.] (Arch.)
Defn: Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.; also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position and use. See Temple.
PEDIMENTALPed`i*men"tal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pediment.
PEDIPALPPed"i*palp, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pédipalpe.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Pedipalpi.
PEDIPALPIPed`i*pal"pi, n pl. Etym: [NL. See Pedipalpus.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Arachnida, including the whip scorpions (Thelyphonus) and allied forms. Sometimes used in a wider sense to include also the true scorpions.
PEDIPALPOUSPed`i*pal"pous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, the pedipalps.
PEDIPALPUSPed`i*pal"pus, n.; pl. Pedipalpi. Etym: [NL. See Pes, and Palpus.](Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the second pair of mouth organs of arachnids. In some they are leglike, but in others, as the scorpion, they terminate in a claw.
PEDIREMEPed"i*reme, n. Etym: [Pedi- + L. remus oar.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A crustacean, some of whose feet serve as oars.
PEDLAR; PEDLERPed"lar, Ped"ler, n.
Defn: See Peddler.
PEDOBAPTISMPe`do*bap"tism, n. Etym: [Gr. baptism.]
Defn: The baptism of infants or of small children. [Written also pædobaptism.]
PEDOBAPTISTPe`do*bap"tist, n.
Defn: One who advocates or practices infant baptism. [Written also pædobaptist.]
PEDOGRAPHPed"o*graph, n. [Gr. ground + -graph.]
Defn: An instrument carried by a pedestrian for automatically making a topographical record of the ground covered during a journey.
PEDOLOGYPe*dol"o*gy, n. [Gr. , , child + -logy.] (Med.)
Defn: Pediatrics.
PEDOMANCYPed"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Pedi- + -mancy.]
Defn: Divination by examining the soles of the feet.
PEDOMETERPe*dom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Pedi-, pedo- + -meter: cf. F. pédomètre.](Mech.)
Defn: An instrument for including the number of steps in walking, and so ascertaining the distance passed over. It is usually in the form of a watch; an oscillating weight by the motion of the body causes the index to advance a certain distance at each step.
PEDOMETRIC; PEDOMETRICALPed`o*met"ric, Ped`o*met"ric*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or measured by, a pedometer.
PEDOMOTIVEPed`o*mo"tive, a. Etym: [Pedi-, pedo- + -motive.]
Defn: Moved or worked by the action of the foot or feet on a pedal or treadle.
PEDOTROPHYPe*dot"ro*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. pédotrophie.]
Defn: The art of nourishing children properly.
PEDRAIL Ped"rail`, n. [See Pedi-; Rail.] (Mach.) (a) A device intended to replace the wheel of a self-propelled vehicle for use on rough roads and to approximate to the smoothness in running of a wheel on a metal track. The tread consists of a number of rubber shod feet which are connected by ball-and-socket joints to the ends of sliding spokes. Each spoke has attached to it a small roller which in its turn runs under a short pivoted rail controlled by a powerful set of springs. This arrangement permits the feet to accomodate themselves to obstacles even such as steps or stairs. The pedrail was invented by one B. J. Diplock of London, Eng. (b) A vehicle, as a traction engine, having such pedrails.
PEDREGALPe`dre*gal", n. Etym: [Sp., a stony place, fr. piedra stone.]
Defn: A lava field. [Mexico & Western U.S.]
PEDRO Pe"dro, n. [From Sp. Pedro Peter, L. Petrus, Gr. .] (Card Playing) (a) The five of trumps in certain varieties of auction pitch. (b) A variety of auction pitch in which the five of trumps counts five.
PEDUNCLE Pe*dun"cle, n. Etym: [Formed fr. (assumed) L. pedunculus, dim. of pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. pédoncule.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: The stem or stalk that supports the flower or fruit of a plant, or a cluster of flowers or fruits.
Note: The ultimate divisions or branches of a peduncle are called pedicels. In the case of a solitary flower, the stalk would be called a peduncle if the flower is large, and a pedicel if it is small or delicate.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A sort of stem by which certain shells and barnacles are attached to other objects. See Illust. of Barnacle.
3. (Anat.)
Defn: A band of nervous or fibrous matter connecting different parts of the brain; as, the peduncles of the cerebellum; the peduncles of the pineal gland.
PEDUNCLEDPe*dun"cled, a.
Defn: Having a peduncle; supported on a peduncle; pedunculate.
PEDUNCULARPe*dun"cu*lar, a. Etym: [Cf. F. pédonculaire.]