PERIDOTITEPer"i*do*tite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. péridotite.] (Min.)
Defn: An eruptive rock characterized by the presence of chrysolite (peridot). It also usually contains pyroxene, enstatite, chromite, etc. It is often altered to serpentine.
Note: The chief diamond deposits in South Africa occur in a more or less altered peridotite.
PERIDROMEPer"i*drome, n. Etym: [Gr. péridrome.] (Archæol.)
Defn: The space between the columns and the wall of the cella, in aGreek or a Roman temple.
PERIECIANSPer`i*e"cians, n. pl.
Defn: See Perioecians.
PERIENTERONPer`i*en"te*ron, n. Etym: [NL. See Peri-, and Enteron.] (Anat.)
Defn: The primitive perivisceral cavity.
PERIERGYPer"i*er`gy, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. Excessive care or diligence. [Obs.]
2. (Rhet.)
Defn: A bombastic or labored style. [R.]
PERIGANGLIONICPer`i*gan`gli*on"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Surrounding a ganglion; as, the periganglionic glands of the frog.
PERIGASTRICPer`i*gas"tric, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Surrounding the stomach; — applied to the body cavity ofBryozoa and various other Invertebrata.
PERIGEANPer`i*ge"an, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the perigee. Perigean tides, those spring tides which occur soon after the moon passes her perigee.
PERIGEE; PERIGEUMPer"i*gee, Per`i*ge"um, n. Etym: [NL. perigeum, fr. Gr. périgée.](Astron.)
Defn: That point in the orbit of the moon which is nearest to the earth; — opposed to Ant: apogee. It is sometimes, but rarely, used of the nearest points of other orbits, as of a comet, a planet, etc. Called also epigee, epigeum.
PERIGENESISPer`i*gen"e*sis, n. (Biol.)
Defn: A theory which explains inheritance by the transmission of the type of growth force possessed by one generation to another.
PERIGENETICPer`i*gen"e*tic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to perigenesis.
PERIGONEPer"i*gone, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr.
1. (Bot.) (a) Any organ inclosing the essential organs of a flower; a perianth. (b) In mosses, the involucral bracts of a male flower.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A sac which surrounds the generative bodies in the gonophore of a hydroid.
PERIGONIUMPer`i*go"ni*um, n.; pl. Perigonia. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: Same as Perigone.
PERIGORD PIEPer"i*gord pie`. Etym: [From Périgord, a former province of France.]
Defn: A pie made of truffles, much esteemed by epicures.
PERIGRAPHPer"i*graph, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A careless or inaccurate delineation of anything. Etym: [R.]
PERIGYNIUMPer`i*gyn"i*um, n.; pl. Perigynia. Etym: [NL. See Perigynous.] (Bot.)
Defn: Some unusual appendage about the pistil, as the bottle-shaped body in the sedges, and the bristles or scales in some other genera of the Sedge family, or Cyperaceæ.
PERIGYNOUSPe*rig"y*nous, a. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the ovary free, but the petals and stamens borne on the calyx; — said of flower such as that of the cherry or peach.
PERIHELION; PERIHELIUMPer`i*hel"ion, Per`i*he"li*um, n.; pl. Perihelia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.(Astron.)
Defn: That point of the orbit of a planet or comet which is nearest to the sun; — opposed to Ant: aphelion.
PERILPer"il, n. Etym: [F. péril, fr. L. periculum, periclum, akin toperitus experienced, skilled, and E. fare. See Fare, and cf.Experience.]
Defn: Danger; risk; hazard; jeopardy; exposure of person or propertyto injury, loss, or destruction.In perils of waters, in perils of robbers. 2 Cor. xi. 26.Adventure hard With peril great achieved. Milton.At, or On, one's peril, with risk or danger to one; at the hazard of."On thy soul's peril." Shak.
Syn.— Hazard; risk; jeopardy. See Danger.
PERILPer"il, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Periled or Perilled; p. pr. & vb. n.Periling or Perilling.]
Defn: To expose to danger; to hazard; to risk; as, to peril one's life.
PERILPer"il, v. i.
Defn: To be in danger. [Obs.] Milton.
PERILLAPe*ril"la, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of labiate herbs, of which one species (Perilla ocimoides, or P. Nankinensis) is often cultivated for its purple or variegated foliage.
PERILOUS Per"il*ous, a. Etym: [OF. perillous, perilleus, F. périlleux, L. periculosus. See Peril.] [Written also perillous.]
1. Full of, attended with, or involving, peril; dangerous; hazardous; as, a perilous undertaking. Infamous hills, and sandy, perilous wilds. Milton.
2. Daring; reckless; dangerous. [Obs.] Latimer.For I am perilous with knife in hand. Chaucer.— Per"il*ous*ly, adv.— Per"il*ous*ness, n.
PERILYMPHPer"i*lymph, n. (Anat.)
Defn: The fluid which surrounds the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear, and separates it from the walls of the chambers in which the labyrinth lies.
PERILYMPHANGIALPer`i*lym*phan"gi*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Around, or at the side of, a lymphatic vessel.
PERILYMPHATIC Per`i*lym*phat"ic, a. (Anat.) (a) Pertaining to, or containing, perilymph. (b) Perilymphangial.
PERIMETERPer*im"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. périmètre.]
1. (Geom.)
Defn: The outer boundary of a body or figure, or the sum of all the sides.
2. An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the field of vision.
PERIMETRIC; PERIMETRICALPer`i*met"ric, Per`i*met"ric*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the perimeter, or to perimetry; as, a perimetric chart of the eye.
PERIMETRYPer*im"e*try, n.
Defn: The art of using the perimeter; measurement of the field of vision.
PERIMORPHPer"i*morph, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A crystal of one species inclosing one of another species. SeeEndomorph.
PERIMYSIAL Per`i*my"sial, a. (Anat.) (a) Surrounding a muscle or muscles. (b) Of or pertaining to the perimysium.
PERIMYSIUMPer`i*my"si*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a muscle, and sends partitions inwards between the bundles of muscular fibers.
PERINAEUMPer`i*næ"um, n.
Defn: See Perineum.
PERINEALPer`i*ne"al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the perineum.
PERINEOPLASTYPer`i*ne"o*plas`ty, n. Etym: [Perineum + -plasty.] (Med.)
Defn: The act or process of restoring an injured perineum.
PERINEORRHAPHYPer`i*ne*or"rha*phy, n. Etym: [Perineum + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The operation of sewing up a ruptured perineum.
PERINEPHRITISPer`i*ne*phri"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Peri-, and Nephritis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the cellular tissue around the kidney.— Per`i*ne*phrit"ic, a.
PERINEUMPer`i*ne"um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The region which is included within the outlet of the pelvis, and is traversed by the urinogenital canal and the rectum.
PERINEURIALPer`i*neu"ri*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Surrounding nerves or nerve fibers; of or pertaining to the perineurium.
PERINEURIUMPer`i*neu"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a bundle of nerve fibers. See Epineurium, and Neurilemma.
PERINUCLEARPer`i*nu"cle*ar, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a nucleus; situated around a nucleus; as, the perinuclear protoplasm.
PERIODPe"ri*od, n. Etym: [L. periodus, Gr. période.]
1. A portion of time as limited and determined by some recurring phenomenon, as by the completion of a revolution of one of the heavenly bodies; a division of time, as a series of years, months, or days, in which something is completed, and ready to recommence and go on in the same order; as, the period of the sun, or the earth, or a comet.
2. Hence: A stated and recurring interval of time; more generally, an interval of time specified or left indefinite; a certain series of years, months, days, or the like; a time; a cycle; an age; an epoch; as, the period of the Roman republic. How by art to make plants more lasting than their ordinary period. Bacon.
3. (Geol.)
Defn: One of the great divisions of geological time; as, the Tertiary period; the Glacial period. See the Chart of Geology.
4. The termination or completion of a revolution, cycle, series of events, single event, or act; hence, a limit; a bound; an end; a conclusion. Bacon. So spake the archangel Michael; then paused, As at the world's great period. Milton. Evils which shall never end till eternity hath a period. Jer. Taylor. This is the period of my ambition. Shak.
5. (Rhet.)
Defn: A complete sentence, from one full stop to another; esp., awell-proportioned, harmonious sentence. "Devolved his roundedperiods." Tennyson.Periods are beautiful when they are not too long. B. Johnson.
Note: The period, according to Heyse, is a compound sentence consisting of a protasis and apodosis; according to Becker, it is the appropriate form for the coördinate propositions related by antithesis or causality. Gibbs.
6. (Print.)
Defn: The punctuation point [.] that marks the end of a complete sentence, or of an abbreviated word.
7. (Math.)
Defn: One of several similar sets of figures or terms usually marked by points or commas placed at regular intervals, as in numeration, in the extraction of roots, and in circulating decimals.
8. (Med.)
Defn: The time of the exacerbation and remission of a disease, or of the paroxysm and intermission.
9. (Mus.)
Defn: A complete musical sentence. The period, the present or current time, as distinguished from all other times.
Syn. — Time; date; epoch; era; age; duration; limit; bound; end; conclusion; determination.
PERIODPe"ri*od, v. t.
Defn: To put an end to. [Obs.] Shak.
PERIODPe"ri*od, v. i.
Defn: To come to a period; to conclude. [Obs.] "You may period upon this, that," etc. Felthman.
PERIODATEPer*i"o*date, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of periodic acid.
PERIODICPer`i*od"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. per- + iodic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, the highest oxygen acid (HIO
PERIODIC; PERIODICAL Pe`ri*od"ic, Pe`ri*od"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. periodicus, Gr. périodique.]
1. Of or pertaining to a period or periods, or to division by periods. The periodicaltimes of all the satellites. Sir J. Herschel.
2. Performed in a period, or regular revolution; proceeding in a series of successive circuits; as, the periodical motion of the planets round the sun.
3. Happening, by revolution, at a stated time; returning regularly, after a certain period of time; acting, happening, or appearing, at fixed intervals; recurring; as, periodical epidemics. The periodic return of a plant's flowering. Henslow. To influence opinion through the periodical press. Courthope.
4. (Rhet.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a period; constituting a complete sentence. Periodic comet (Astron.), a comet that moves about the sun in an elliptic orbit; a comet that has been seen at two of its approaches to the sun. — Periodic function (Math.), a function whose values recur at fixed intervals as the variable uniformly increases. The trigonomertic functions, as sin x, tan x, etc., are periodic functions. Exponential functions are also periodic, having an imaginary period, and the elliptic functions have not only a real but an imaginary period, and are hence called doubly periodic. — Periodic law (Chem.), the generalization that the properties of the chemical elements are periodic functions of their atomic wieghts. "In other words, if the elements are grouped in the order of their atomic weights, it will be found that nearly the same properties recur periodically throughout the entire series." The following tabular arrangement of the atomic weights shows the regular recurrence of groups (under I., II., III., IV., etc.), each consisting of members of the same natural family. The gaps in the table indicate the probable existence of unknown elements. TABLE OF THE PERIODIC LAW OF THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS (The vertical columns contain the periodic groups) Series1{ 2{ 3{ 4{ 5{ 6{ 7{ 8{ 9{ 10{ 11{ 12{ ————————————————————————————- ——-|I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. | RH4 RH3 RH3 RH |R2O RO R3O3 RO2 R2O5 RO3 R2O7 RO4 ———————————————————————- ———————-H 1 Li 7 Na 23 K 39 (Cu) 63 Rb 85.2 (Ag) (108) Cs 133 (-) (-) (Au) (197) (-) ——————————————————————— —————————-
Note: A similar relation had been enunciated in a crude way by Newlands; but the law in its effective form was developed and elaborated by Mendelejeff, whence it is sometimes called Mendelejeff's law. Important extensions of it were also made by L. Meyer. By this means Mendelejeff predicted with remarkable accuracy the hypothetical elements ekaboron, ekaluminium, and ekasilicon, afterwards discovered and named respectively scandium, gallium, and germanium. — Periodic star (Astron.), a variable star whose changes of brightness recur at fixed periods. — Periodic time of a heavenly body (Astron.), the time of a complete revolution of the body about the sun, or of a satellite about its primary.
PERIODICALPe`ri*od"ic*al, n.
Defn: A magazine or other publication which appears at stated or regular intervals.
PERIODICALISTPe`ri*od"ic*al*ist, n.
Defn: One who publishes, or writes for, a periodical.
PERIODICALLYPe`ri*od"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a periodical manner.
PERIODICALNESSPe`ri*od"ic*al*ness, n.
Defn: Periodicity.
PERIODICITYPe`ri*o*dic"i*ty, n.; pl. Periodicities. Etym: [Cf. F. périodicité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being periodical, or regularly recurrent; as, the periodicity in the vital phenomena of plants. Henfrey.
PERIODIDEPer*i"o*dide, n. Etym: [Pref. per- + iodide.]
Defn: An iodide containing a higher proportion of iodine than any other iodide of the same substance or series.
PERIODONTALPer`i*o*don"tal, a. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Surrounding the teeth.
PERIODOSCOPEPe`ri*od"o*scope, n. Etym: [Period + -scope.] (Med.)
Defn: A table or other means for calculating the periodical functions of women. Dunglison.
PERIOECI; PERIOECIANSPer`i*oe"ci, Per`i*oe"cians, n. pl. Etym: [NL. perioeci, fr. Gr.
Defn: Those who live on the same parallel of latitude but on opposite meridians, so that it is noon in one place when it is midnight in the other. Compare Antoeci.
PERIOPLEPer"i*o*ple, n. Etym: [F. périople, from Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The external smooth horny layer of the hoof of the horse and allied animals.
PERIOPLICPer`i*op"lic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the periople; connected with the periople.
PERIOSTEALPer`i*os"te*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Situated around bone; of or pertaining to the periosteum.
PERIOSTEUMPer`i*os"te*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. periosteon.] (Anat.)
Defn: The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely invests all bones except at the articular surfaces.
PERIOSTITISPer`i*os*ti"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Periosteum, and -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the periosteum.
PERIOSTRACUMPer`i*os"tra*cum, n.; pl. Periostraca. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A chitinous membrane covering the exterior of many shells; — called also epidermis.
PERIOTICPer`i*o"tic, a. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Surrounding, or pertaining to the region surrounding, the internal ear; as, the periotic capsule. — n.
Defn: A periotic bone.
PERIPATECIANPer`i*pa*te"cian, n.
Defn: A peripatetic. [Obs.]
PERIPATETICPer`i*pa*tet"ic, a. Etym: [L. peripateticus, Gr. péripatétique.]
1. Walking about; itinerant.
2. Of or pertaining to the philosophy taught by Aristotle (who gave his instructions while walking in the Lyceum at Athens), or to his followers. "The true peripatetic school." Howell.
PERIPATETICPer`i*pa*tet"ic, n.
1. One who walks about; a pedestrian; an itinerant. Tatler.
2. A disciple of Aristotle; an Aristotelian.
PERIPATETICALPer`i*pa*tet"ic*al, a.
Defn: Peripatetic. [R.] Hales.
PERIPATETICISMPer`i*pa*tet"i*cism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. péripatétisme.]
Defn: The doctrines or philosophical system of the peripatetics. SeePeripatetic, n., 2. Lond. Sat. Rev.
PERIPATUSPe*rip"a*tus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of lowly organized arthropods, found in South Africa,Australia, and tropical America. It constitutes the order Malacopoda.
PERIPETALOUSPer`i*pet"al*ous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Surrounding, or situated about, the petals.
PERIPHERALPe*riph"er*al, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a periphery; constituting a periphery; peripheric.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: External; away from the center; as, the peripheral portion of the nervous system.
PERIPHERIC; PERIPHERICALPer`i*pher"ic, Per`i*pher"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. périphérique. SeePeriphery.]
Defn: See Peripheral.
PERIPHERY Pe*riph"er*y, n.; pl. Peripheries. Etym: [L. peripheria, Gr. périphérie.]
1. The outside or superficial portions of a body; the surface.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: The circumference of a circle, ellipse, or other figure.
PERIPHRASEPer"i*phrase, n. Etym: [L. periphrasis, Gr. périphrase. See Phrase.](Rhet.)
Defn: The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution. "To describe by enigmatic periphrases." De Quincey.
PERIPHRASEPer"i*phrase, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Periphrased; p. pr. & vb. n.Periphrasing.] Etym: [Cf. F. périphraser.]
Defn: To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
PERIPHRASEPer"i*phrase, v. i.
Defn: To use circumlocution.
PERIPHRASISPe*riph"ra*sis, n.; pl. Periphrases. Etym: [L.]
Defn: See Periphrase.
PERIPHRASTIC; PERIPHRASTICALPer`i*phras"tic, Per`i*phras"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. périphrastique.]
Defn: Expressing, or expressed, in more words than are necessary; characterized by periphrase; circumlocutory. Periphrastic conjugation (Gram.), a conjugation formed by the use of the simple verb with one or more auxiliaries.
PERIPHRASTICALLYPer`i*phras"tic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: With circumlocution.
PERIPLASTPer"i*plast, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Same as Periblast.— Per`i*plas"tic, a. Huxley.
PERIPNEUMONIA; PERIPNEUMONY Per`ip*neu*mo"ni*a, Per`ip*neu"mo*ny, n. Etym: [L. peripneumonia, Gr. péripneumonie. See Peri-, Pneumonia.] (Med.)
Defn: Pneumonia. (Obsoles.)
PERIPNEUMONIC Per`ip*neu*mon"ic, a. Etym: [L. peripneumonicus, Gr. péripneumonique.] (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to peripneumonia.
PERIPROCTPer"i*proct, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The region surrounding the anus, particularly of echinoderms.
PERIPROCTITISPer`i*proc*ti"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Peri-, and Proctitus.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the tissues about the rectum.
PERIPTERALPe*rip"ter*al, a. Etym: [Gr., fr. (Arch.)
Defn: Having columns on all sides; — said of an edifice. SeeApteral.
PERIPTEROUSPe*rip"ter*ous, a.
1. (Arch.)
Defn: Peripteral.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Feathered all around.
PERIPTERYPe*rip"ter*y, n. [Gr. flying round about.]
Defn: The region surrounding a moving body, such as the wing of a bird or a gliding aëroplane, within which cyclic or vortical motion of the air occur.
PERIQUEPe*rique", n. [Louisiana F.]
Defn: A kind of tobacco with medium-sized leaf, small stem, tough and gummy fiber, raised in Louisiana, and cured in its own juices, so as to be very dark colored, usually black. It is marketed in tightly wrapped rolls called carottes.
PERISARCPer"i*sarc, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The outer, hardened integument which covers most hydroids.
PERISCIANPe*ris"cian, a. Etym: [Gr. périscien.]
Defn: Having the shadow moving all around.
PERISCIANS; PERISCIIPe*ris"cians, Pe*ris"ci*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Periscian.]
Defn: Those who live within a polar circle, whose shadows, during some summer days, will move entirely round, falling toward every point of the compass.
PERISCOPEPer"i*scope, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + -scope.]
Defn: A general or comprehensive view. [R.]
PERISCOPICPer`i*scop"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. périscopique.]
Defn: Viewing all around, or on all sides. Periscopic spectacles (Opt.), spectacles having concavo-convex or convexo-concave lenses with a considerable curvature corresponding to that of the eye, to increase the distinctness of objects viewed obliquely.
PERISH Per"ish, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Perished; p. pr. & vb. n. Perishing.] Etym: [OE. perissen, perisshen, F. périr, p.pr. périssant, L. perire to go or run through, come to nothing, perish; per through + ire to go. Cf. Issue, and see -ish.]
Defn: To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be lost;to die; hence, to wither; to waste away.I perish with hunger! Luke xv. 17.Grow up and perish, as the summer fly. Milton.The thoughts of a soul that perish in thinking. Locke.
PERISHPer"ish, v. t.
Defn: To cause perish. [Obs.] Bacon.
PERISHABILITYPer`ish*a*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: Perishableness.
PERISHABLEPer"ish*a*ble, a. Etym: [F. périssable.]
Defn: Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies.
PERISHABLENESSPer"ish*a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being perishable; liability to decay or destruction. Locke.
PERISHABLYPer"ish*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In a perishable degree or manner.
PERISHMENTPer"ish*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. perissement.]
Defn: The act of perishing. [R.] Udall.
PERISOMAPer`i*so"ma, n.; pl. Perisomata. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Perisome.
PERISOMEPer"i*some, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + -some body.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The entire covering of an invertebrate animal, as echinoderm or coelenterate; the integument.
PERISPERMPer"i*sperm, n. Etym: [F. périsperme. See Peri-, and Sperm.] (Bot.)
Defn: The albumen of a seed, especially that portion which is formed outside of the embryo sac. — Per`i*sper"mic, a.
PERISPHERIC; PERISPHERICALPer`i*spher"ic, Per`i*spher"ic*al, a.
Defn: Exactly spherical; globular.
PERISPOMENONPer`i*spom"e*non, n.; pl. Perispomena. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Gr.Gram.)
Defn: A word which has the circumflex accent on the last syllable.Goodwin.
PERISPOREPer"i*spore, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The outer covering of a spore.
PERISSADPer"is*sad, a. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: Odd; not even; — said of elementary substances and of radicals whose valence is not divisible by two without a remainder. Contrasted with artiad.
PERISSEPer"isse, v. i.
Defn: To perish. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PERISSODACTYLPer`is*so*dac"tyl, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Perissodactyla.
PERISSODACTYLAPer`is*so*dac"ty*la, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of ungulate mammals, including those that have an odd number of toes, as the horse, tapir, and rhinoceros; — opposed to Artiodactyla.
PERISSOLOGICALPer`is*so*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. périssologique.]
Defn: Redundant or excessive in words. [R.]
PERISSOLOGYPer`is*sol"o*gy, n. Etym: [L. perissologia, Gr.
Defn: Superfluity of words. [R.] G. Campbell.
PERISTALSISPer`i*stal"sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Peristaltic.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Peristaltic contraction or action.
PERISTALTICPer`i*stal"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. péristaltique.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Applied to the peculiar wormlike wave motion of the intestines and other similar structures, produced by the successive contraction of the muscular fibers of their walls, forcing their contents onwards; as, peristaltic movement. — Per`i*stal"tic*al*ly, adv.
PERISTERIAPer`is*te"ri*a, n. Etym: [NL. See Peristerion.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of orchidaceous plants. See Dove plant.
PERISTERIONPer`is*te"ri*on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. peristereon.] (Bot.)
Defn: The herb vervain (Verbena officinalis).
PERISTERITEPe*ris"ter*ite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A variety of albite, whitish and slightly iridescent like a pigeon's neck.
PERISTEROMORPHOUSPe*ris`ter*o*mor"phous, a. Etym: [Gr. -morphous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like or pertaining to the pigeons or Columbæ.
PERISTEROPODOUSPe*ris`ter*op"o*dous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having pigeonlike feet; — said of those gallinaceous birds that rest on all four toes, as the curassows and megapods.
PERISTOLEPe*ris"to*le, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. péristole. See Peristaltic.](Physiol.)
Defn: Peristaltic action, especially of the intestines.
PERISTOMAPe*ris"to*ma, n.; pl. Peristomata. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: Same as Peristome.
PERISTOMEPer"i*stome, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: The fringe of teeth around the orifice of the capsule of mosses. It consists of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 teeth, and may be either single or double.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The lip, or edge of the aperture, of a spiral shell. (b) The membrane surrounding the mouth of an invertebrate animal.
PERISTOMIALPer`i*sto"mi*al, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a peristome.
PERISTOMIUMPer`i*sto"mi*um, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: Same as Peristome.
PERISTREPHICPer`i*streph"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Turning around; rotatory; revolving; as, a peristrephic painting (of a panorama).
PERISTYLEPer"i*style, n. Etym: [L. peristylum, Gr. péristyle.] (Arch.)
Defn: A range of columns with their entablature, etc.; specifically, a complete system of columns, whether on all sides of a court, or surrounding a building, such as the cella of a temple. Used in the former sense, it gives name to the larger and inner court of a Roman dwelling, the peristyle. See Colonnade.
PERISYSTOLE Per`i*sys"to*le, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + systole: cf. F. périsystole.] (Physiol.)
Defn: The interval between the diastole and systole of the heart. It is perceptible only in the dying.
PERITEPe*rite", a. Etym: [L. peritus.]
Defn: Skilled. [Obs.]
PERITHECIUMPer`i*the"ci*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: An organ in certain fungi and lichens, surrounding and enveloping the masses of fructification. Henslow.
PERITOMOUSPe*rit"o*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. Peri-, and Tome.] (Min.)
Defn: Cleaving in more directions than one, parallel to the axis.
PERITONAEUMPer`i*to*næ"um, n. (Anat.)
Defn: Same as Peritoneum.
PERITONEALPer`i*to*ne"al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. péritonéal.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the peritoneum.
PERITONEUMPer`i*to*ne"um, n. Etym: [L. peritoneum, peritonaeum, Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The smooth serous membrane which lines the cavity of the abdomen, or the whole body cavity when there is no diaphragm, and, turning back, surrounds the viscera, forming a closed, or nearly closed, sac. [Written also peritonæum.]
PERITONITISPer`i*to*ni"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Peritoneum, and -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the peritoneum.
PERITRACHEALPer`i*tra"che*al, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Surrounding the tracheæ.
PERITREME Per"i*treme, n. Etym: [Pref. peri- + Gr. (Zoöl.) (a) That part of the integument of an insect which surrounds the spiracles. (b) The edge of the aperture of a univalve shell.
PERITRICHAPe*rit"ri*cha, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of ciliated Infusoria having a circle of cilia around the oral disk and sometimes another around the body. It includes the vorticellas. See Vorticella.
PERITROCHIUMPer`i*tro"chi*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Mech.)
Defn: The wheel which, together with the axle, forms the axis in peritrochio, which see under Axis.
PERITROPALPer*it"ro*pal, a. Etym: [Gr. péritrope.]
1. Rotatory; circuitous. [R.]
2. Having the axis of the seed perpendicular to the axis of the pericarp to which it is attached.
PERITROPOUSPer*it"ro*pous, a.
Defn: Peritropal.
PERITYPHLITISPer`i*typh*li"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Peri-, and Typhlitis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the connective tissue about the cæcum.
PERIUTERINEPer`i*u"ter*ine, a. (Med.)
Defn: Surrounding the uterus.
PERIVASCULARPer`i*vas"cu*lar, a.
Defn: Around the blood vessels; as, perivascular lymphatics.
PERIVERTEBRALPer`i*ver"te*bral, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Surrounding the vertebræ.
PERIVISCERALPer`i*vis"cer*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Around the viscera; as, the perivisceral cavity.
PERIVITELLINEPer`i*vi*tel"line, a. Etym: [Pref. peri- + vitelline.] (Biol.)
Defn: Situated around the vitellus, or between the vitellus and zona pellucida of an ovum.
PERIWIG Per"i*wig, n. Etym: [OE. perrwige, perwicke, corrupt. fr. F. perruque; cf. OD. peruyk, from French. See Peruke, and cf. Wig.]
Defn: A headdress of false hair, usually covering the whole head, and representing the natural hair; a wig. Shak.
PERIWIGPer"i*wig, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perwigged; p. pr. & vb. n.Perwigging.]
Defn: To dress with a periwig, or with false hair. Swift.
PERIWINKLEPer"i*win`kle, n. Etym: [From AS. pinewincla a shellfish, in whichpine- is fr. L. pina, pinna, a kind of mussel, akin to Gr. Winkle.](Zoöl.)
Defn: Any small marine gastropod shell of the genus Littorina. The common European species (Littorina littorea), in Europe extensively used as food, has recently become naturalized abundantly on the American coast. See Littorina.
Note: In America the name is often applied to several large univalves, as Fulgur carica, and F. canaliculata.
PERIWINKLE Per"i*win`kle, n. Etym: [OE. pervenke, AS. pervince, fr. L. pervinca.] (Bot.)
Defn: A trailing herb of the genus Vinca.
Note: The common perwinkle (Vinca minor) has opposite evergreen leaves and solitary blue or white flowers in their axils. In America it is often miscalled myrtle. See under Myrtle.
PERJENETPer"jen*et, n. Etym: [Cf. Pear, and Jenneting.]
Defn: A kind of pear. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PERJUREPer"jure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perjured; p. pr. & vb. n. Perjuring.]Etym: [F. parjurer, L. perjurare, perjerare; per through, over +jurare to swear. See Jury.]
1. To cause to violate an oath or a vow; to cause to make oath knowingly to what is untrue; to make guilty of perjury; to forswear; to corrupt; — often used reflexively; as, he perjured himself. Want will perjure The ne'er-touched vestal. Shak.
2. To make a false oath to; to deceive by oaths and protestations.[Obs.]And with a virgin innocence did pray For me, that perjured her. J.Fletcher.
Syn. — To Perjure, Forswear. These words have been used interchangeably; but there is a tendency to restrict perjure to that species of forswearing which constitutes the crime of perjury at law, namely, the willful violation of an oath administered by a magistrate or according to law.
PERJUREPer"jure, n. Etym: [L. perjurus: cf. OF. parjur, F. parjure.]
Defn: A perjured person. [Obs.] Shak.
PERJUREDPer"jured, a.
Defn: Guilty of perjury; having sworn falsely; forsworn. Shak."Perjured persons." 1 Tim. i. 10. "Their perjured oath." Spenser.
PERJURERPer"jur*er, n.
Defn: One who is guilty of perjury; one who perjures or forswears, in any sense.
PERJURIOUS; PERJUROUSPer*ju"ri*ous, Per"ju*rous, a. Etym: [L. perjuriosus, perjurus.]
Defn: Guilty of perjury; containing perjury. [Obs.] Quarles. B.Johnson.
PERJURYPer"ju*ry, n.; pl. Perjuries. Etym: [L. perjurium. See Perjure, v.]
1. False swearing.
2. (Law)
Defn: At common law, a willfully false statement in a fact material to the issue, made by a witness under oath in a competent judicial proceeding. By statute the penalties of perjury are imposed on the making of willfully false affirmations.
Note: If a man swear falsely in nonjudicial affidavits, it is made perjury by statute in some jurisdictions in the United States.
PERKPerk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perked; p. pr. & vb. n. Perking.] Etym:[Cf. W. percu to trim, to make smart.]
Defn: To make trim or smart; to straighten up; to erect; to make a jaunty or saucy display of; as, to perk the ears; to perk up one's head. Cowper. Sherburne.
PERKPerk, v. i.
Defn: To exalt one's self; to bear one's self loftily. "To perk over them." Barrow. To perk it, to carry one's self proudly or saucily. Pope.
PERKPerk, a.
Defn: Smart; trim; spruce; jaunty; vain. "Perk as a peacock."Spenser.
PERKPerk, v. i.
Defn: To peer; to look inquisitively. Dickens.
PERKINPer"kin, n.
Defn: A kind of weak perry.
PERKINISMPer"kin*ism, n. (Med.)
Defn: A remedial treatment, by drawing the pointed extremities of two rods, each of a different metal, over the affected part; tractoration, — first employed by Dr. Elisha Perkins of Norwich, Conn. See Metallotherapy.
PERKYPerk"y, a.
Defn: Perk; pert; jaunty; trim.There amid perky larches and pines. Tennyson.
PERLACEOUSPer*la"ceous, a. Etym: [See Pearl.]
Defn: Pearly; resembling pearl.
PERLIDPer"lid, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any insect of the genus Perla, or family Perlidæ. See Stone fly, under Stone.
PERLITEPer"lite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Same as Pearlite.
PERLITICPer*lit"ic, a. (Min.)
Defn: Relating to or resembling perlite, or pearlstone; as, the perlitic structure of certain rocks. See Pearlite.
PERLOUSPer"lous, a.
Defn: Perilous. [Obs.] Spenser.
PERLUSTRATION Per`lus*tra"tion, n. Etym: [L. perlustrare to wander all through, to survey. See 3d Luster.]
Defn: The act of viewing all over. [Archaic] Howell.
PERMANABLEPer"ma*na*ble, a.
Defn: Permanent; durable. [Obs.] Lydgate.
PERMANENCE; PERMANENCYPer"ma*nence, Per"ma*nen*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. permanence.]
Defn: The quality or state of being permanent; continuance in the same state or place; duration; fixedness; as, the permanence of institutions; the permanence of nature.
PERMANENT Per"ma*nent, a. Etym: [L. permanens, -entis, p.pr. of permanere to stay or remain to the end, to last; per + manere to remain: cf. F. permanent. See Per-, and Mansion.]
Defn: Continuing in the same state, or without any change that destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved; abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent impression. Eternity stands permanent and fixed. Dryden. Permanent gases (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; — also called incondensible or incoercible gases, before their liquefaction in 1877. — Permanent way, the roadbed and superstructure of a finished railway; — so called in distinction from the contractor's temporary way. — Permanent white (Chem.), barium sulphate (heavy spar), used as a white pigment or paint, in distinction from white lead, which tarnishes and darkens from the formation of the sulphide.
Syn.— Lasting; durable; constant. See Lasting.
PERMANENTLYPer"ma*nent*ly, adv.
Defn: In a permanent manner.
PERMANGANATEPer*man"ga*nate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of permanganic acid. Potassium permanganate. (Chem.) SeePotassium permanganate, under Potassium.
PERMANGANICPer`man*gan"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, one of the higher acids of manganese, HMnO4, which forms salts called permanganates.
PERMANSIONPer*man"sion, n. Etym: [L. permansio. See Permanent.]
Defn: Continuance. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
PERMEABILITYPer`me*a*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. perméabilité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being permeable. Magnetic permeability (Physics), the specific capacity of a body for magnetic induction, or its conducting power for lines of magnetic force. Sir W. Thomson.
PERMEABLEPer"me*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. permeabilis: cf. F. perméable. SeePermeate.]
Defn: Capable of being permeated, or passed through; yielding passage; passable; penetrable; — used especially of substances which allow the passage of fluids; as, wood is permeable to oil; glass is permeable to light. I. Taylor.
PERMEABLYPer"me*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In a permeable manner.
PERMEANCEPer"me*ance, n. [See Permeant.]
Defn: Permeation; specif. (Magnetism),
Defn: the reciprocal of reluctance.
PERMEANTPer"me*ant, a. Etym: [L. permeans, p.pr.]
Defn: Passing through; permeating. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
PERMEATEPer"me*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Permeated; p. pr. & vb. n.Permeating.] Etym: [L. permeatus, p.p. of permeare to permeate; per +meare to go, pass.]
1. To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; — applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand. Woodward.
2. To enter and spread through; to pervade. God was conceived to be diffused throughout the whole world, to permeate and pervade all things. Cudworth.
PERMEATIONPer`me*a"tion, n.
Defn: The act of permeating, passing through, or spreading throughout, the pores or interstices of any substance. Here is not a mere involution only, but a spiritual permeation and inexistence. Bp. Hall.
PERMIANPer"mi*an, a. Etym: [From the ancient kingdom of Permia, where thePermian formation exists.] (Geol.)
Defn: Belonging or relating to the period, and also to the formation, next following the Carboniferous, and regarded as closing the Carboniferous age and Paleozoic era. — n.
Defn: The Permian period. See Chart of Geology.
PERMIANSPer"mi*ans, n. pl.; sing. Permian (. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A tribe belonging to the Finnic race, and inhabiting a portion of Russia.
PERMISCIBLE Per*mis"ci*ble, a. Etym: [L. permiscere to mingle; per + miscere to mix.]
Defn: Capable of being mixed.
PERMISSPer*miss", n. Etym: [See Permit.]
Defn: A permitted choice; a rhetorical figure in which a thing is committed to the decision of one's opponent. [Obs.] Milton.
PERMISSIBILITYPer*mis`si*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being permissible; permissibleness; allowableness.
PERMISSIBLEPer*mis"si*ble, a.
Defn: That may be permitted; allowable; admissible.— Per*mis"si*ble*ness, n.— Per*mis"si*bly, adv.
PERMISSIONPer*mis"sion, n. Etym: [L. permissio: cf. F. permission. See Permit.]
Defn: The act of permitting or allowing; formal consent;authorization; leave; license or liberty granted.High permission of all-ruling Heaven. Milton.You have given me your permission for this address. Dryden.
Syn. — Leave; liberty; license. — Leave, Permission. Leave implies that the recipient may decide whether to use the license granted or not. Permission is the absence on the part of another of anything preventive, and in general, at least by implication, signifies approval.
PERMISSIVEPer*mis"sive, a.
1. Permitting; granting leave or liberty. "By his permissive will." Milton.
2. Permitted; tolerated; suffered. Milton.
PERMISSIVELYPer*mis"sive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a permissive manner.
PERMISTION Per*mis"tion, n. Etym: [L. permistio, permixtio, fr. permiscere, permistum, and permixtum. See Permiscible.]
Defn: The act of mixing; the state of being mingled; mixture.[Written also permixtion.]
PERMITPer*mit", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Permitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Permitting.]Etym: [L. permittere, permissum, to let through, to allow, permit;per + mittere to let go, send. See Per-, and Mission.]
1. To consent to; to allow or suffer to be done; to tolerate; to put up with. What things God doth neither command nor forbid . . . he permitteth with approbation either to be done or left undone. Hooker.
2. To grant (one) express license or liberty to do an act; to authorize; to give leave; — followed by an infinitive. Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Acis xxvi. 1.
3. To give over; to resign; to leave; to commit. Let us not aggravate our sorrows, But to the gods permit the event of things. Addison.
Syn. — To allow; let; grant; admit; suffer; tolerate; endure; consent to. — To Allow, Permit, Suffer, Tolerate. To allow is more positive, denoting (at least originally and etymologically) a decided assent, either directly or by implication. To permit is more negative, and imports only acquiescence or an abstinence from prevention. The distinction, however, is often disregarded by good writers. To suffer has a stronger passive or negative sense than to permit, sometimes implying against the will, sometimes mere indifference. To tolerate is to endure what is contrary to will or desire. To suffer and to tolerate are sometimes used without discrimination.
PERMITPer*mit", v. i.
Defn: To grant permission; to allow.
PERMITPer"mit, n.
Defn: Warrant; license; leave; permission; specifically, a written license or permission given to a person or persons having authority; as, a permit to land goods subject to duty.
PERMITTANCEPer*mit"tance, n.
Defn: The act of permitting; allowance; permission; leave. Milton.
PERMITTEEPer`mit*tee", n.
Defn: One to whom a permission or permit is given.
PERMITTERPer*mit"ter, n.
Defn: One who permits.A permitter, or not a hinderer, of sin. J. Edwards.
PERMIXPer*mix", v. t.
Defn: To mix; to mingle. [Obs.]
PERMIXTIONPer*mix"tion, n.
Defn: See Permission.
PERMULATORPer"mu*la`tor, n. (Elec.)
Defn: A special form of rotary converter with stationary commutator and rotating brushes, in which the exciting field is induced by the alternating current in a short-circuited magnetic core instead of being produced by an external magnet.
PERMUTABLEPer*mut"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. permutable.]
Defn: Capable of being permuted; exchangeable.— Per*mut"a*ble*ness, n.— Per*mut"a*bly, adv.
PERMUTATIONPer`mu*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. permutatio: cf. F. permutation. SeePermute.]
1. The act of permuting; exchange of the thing for another; mutual transference; interchange. The violent convulsions and permutations that have been made in property. Burke.
2. (Math.) (a) The arrangement of any determinate number of things, as units, objects, letters, etc., in all possible orders, one after the other; — called also alternation. Cf. Combination, n., 4. (b) Any one of such possible arrangements.
3. (Law)
Defn: Barter; exchange. Permutation lock, a lock in which the parts can be transposed or shifted, so as to require different arrangements of the tumblers on different occasions of unlocking.
PERMUTE Per*mute", v. t. Etym: [L. permutare, permutatum; per + mutare to change: cf. F. permuter.]
1. To interchange; to transfer reciprocally.
2. To exchange; to barter; to traffic. [Obs.] Bought, trucked, permuted, or given. Hakluyt.
PERMUTERPer*mut"er, n.
Defn: One who permutes.
PERNPern, v. t. Etym: [See Pernancy.]
Defn: To take profit of; to make profitable. [Obs.] Sylvester.
PERNPern, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The honey buzzard.
PERNANCY Per"nan*cy, n. Etym: [OF. prenance, fr. prendre, prenre, penre, to take, L. prendere, prehendere.] (Law)
Defn: A taking or reception, as the receiving of rents or tithes in kind, the receiving of profits. Blackstone.
PERNELPer"nel, n.
Defn: See Pimpernel. [Obs.]
PERNICIONPer*ni"cion, n. Etym: [See 2d Pernicious.]
Defn: Destruction; perdition. [Obs.] hudibras.
PERNICIOUSPer*ni"cious, a. Etym: [L. pernix, -icis.]
Defn: Quick; swift (to burn). [R.] Milton.
PERNICIOUS Per*ni"cious, a. Etym: [L. perniciosus, from pernicies destruction, from pernecare to kill or slay outright; per + necare to kill, slay: cf. F. pernicieux. Cf. Nuisance, Necromancy.]
Defn: Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive; verymischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked.Let this pernicious hour Stand aye accursed in the calendar. Shak.Pernicious to his health. Prescott.
Syn.— Destructive; ruinous; deadly; noxious; injurious; baneful;deleterious; hurtful; mischievous.— Per*ni"cious*ly, adv., — Per*ni"cious*ness, n.
PERNICITYPer*nic"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. pernicitas. See 1st Pernicious.]
Defn: Swiftness; celerity. [R.] Ray.
PERNICKETY PERNICKETTY{ Per*nick"et*y Per*nick"et*ty }, a.
Defn: Finical or fussy; full of petty details. [Colloq.]
PERNIOPer"ni*o, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)
Defn: A chilblain.
PERNOCTALIANPer`noc*ta"li*an, n.
Defn: One who watches or keeps awake all night.
PERNOCTATION Per`noc*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. pernoctatio, fr. pernoctare to stay all night; per + nox, noctis, night.]
Defn: The act or state of passing the whole night; a remaining all night. "Pernoctation in prayer." Jer. Taylor.
PERNORPer"nor, n. Etym: [See Pern, v.] (Law)
Defn: One who receives the profits, as of an estate.
PERNOT FURNACE Per"not fur"nace. Etym: [So called from Charles Pernot, its inventor.]
Defn: A reverberatory furnace with a circular revolving hearth, — used in making steel.
PERNYI MOTHPer"ny*i moth". (Zoöl.)
Defn: A silk-producing moth (Attacus Pernyi) which feeds upon the oak. It has been introduced into Europe and America from China.
PEROFSKITEPer*of"skite, n. Etym: [From von Perovski, of St.Petersburg.] (Min.)
Defn: A titanate of lime occurring in octahedral or cubic crystals.[Written also Perovskite.]
PEROGUEPe*rogue, n.
Defn: See Pirogue.
PERONATE Per"o*nate, a. Etym: [L. peronatus roughpero, -onis, a kind of rough boot.] (Bot.)
Defn: A term applied to the stipes or stalks of certain fungi which are covered with a woolly substance which at length becomes powdery. Henslow.
PERONEALPer`o*ne"al, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the fibula; in the region of the fibula.
PERORATEPer"o*rate, v. i. Etym: [See Peroration.]
Defn: To make a peroration; to harangue. [Colloq.]
PERORATIONPer`o*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. peroratio, fr. perorate, peroratum, tospeak from beginning to end; per + orate to speak. See Per-, andOration.] (Rhet.)
Defn: The concluding part of an oration; especially, a final summing up and enforcement of an argument. Burke.
PEROXIDATIONPer*ox`i*da"tion, n.
Defn: Act, process, or result of peroxidizing; oxidation to a peroxide.
PEROXIDEPer*ox"ide, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An oxide containing more oxygen than some other oxide of the same element. Formerly peroxides were regarded as the highest oxides. Cf. Per-, 2.
PEROXIDIZEPer*ox"i*dize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peroxidized; p. pr. & vb. n.Peroxidizing.] (Chem.)
Defn: To oxidize to the utmost degree, so as to form a peroxide.
PERPEND Per*pend", v. t. Etym: [L. perpendere, perpensum; per + pendere to weight.]
Defn: To weight carefully in the mind. [R.] "Perpend my words." Shak.
PERPENDPer*pend", v. i.
Defn: To attend; to be attentive. [R.] Shak.
PERPENDER Per*pend"er, n. Etym: [F. parpaing, pierre parpaigne; of uncertain origin.] (Masonry)
Defn: A large stone reaching through a wall so as to appear on both sides of it, and acting as a binder; — called also perbend, perpend stone, and perpent stone.
PERPENDICLE Per*pen"di*cle, n. Etym: [L. perpendiculum; per + pendere to hang: cf. F. perpendicule.]
Defn: Something hanging straight down; a plumb line. [Obs.]
PERPENDICULAR Per`pen*dic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. perpendicularis, perpendicularius: cf. F. perpendiculaire. See Perpendicle, Pension.]
1. Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a right line from any point toward the center of the earth.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: At right angles to a given line or surface; as, the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc. Perpendicular style (Arch.), a name given to the latest variety of English Gothic architecture, which prevailed from the close of the 14th century to the early part of the 16th; — probably so called from the vertical style of its window mullions.
PERPENDICULARPer`pen*dic"u*lar, n.
1. A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a vertical line or direction.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: A line or plane falling at right angles on another line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each side.
PERPENDICULARITYPer`pen*dic`u*lar"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. perpendicularité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being perpendicular.
PERPENDICULARLYPer`pen*dic"u*lar*ly, adv.
Defn: In a perpendicular manner; vertically.
PERPEND STONEPer"pend stone`.
Defn: See Perpender.
PERPENSIONPer*pen"sion, n. Etym: [See Perpend.]