Defn: The fifth month of the French republican calendar adopted in 1793. It began January 20, and ended February 18. See Vendémiaire.
PLUVIOUS Plu"vi*ous, a. Etym: [L. pluviosus, pluvius, fr. pluvia rain: cf. F. pluvieux. See Pluvial, a.]
Defn: Abounding in rain; rainy; pluvial. Sir T. Browne.
PLY Ply, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plied; p. pr. & vb. n. Plying.] Etym: [OE. plien, F. plier to fold, to bend, fr. L. plicare; akin to Gr. flechten. Cf. Apply, Complex, Display, Duplicity, Employ, Exploit, Implicate, Plait, Pliant, Flax.]
1. To bend. [Obs.] As men may warm wax with handes plie. Chaucer.
2. To lay on closely, or in folds; to work upon steadily, or with repeated acts; to press upon; to urge importunately; as, to ply one with questions, with solicitations, or with drink. And plies him with redoubled strokes Dryden. He plies the duke at morning and at night. Shak.
3. To employ diligently; to use steadily. Go ply thy needle; meddle not. Shak.
4. To practice or perform with diligence; to work at. Their bloody task, unwearied, still they ply. Waller.
PLYPly, v. i.
1. To bend; to yield. [Obs.] It would rather burst atwo than plye. Chaucer. The willow plied, and gave way to the gust. L'Estrange.
2. To act, go, or work diligently and steadily; especially, to do something by repeated actions; to go back and forth; as, a steamer plies between certain ports. Ere half these authors be read (which will soon be with plying hard and daily). Milton. He was forced to ply in the streets as a porter. Addison. The heavy hammers and mallets plied. Longfellow.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: To work to windward; to beat.
PLYPly, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pli, fr. plier. See Ply, v.]
1. A fold; a plait; a turn or twist, as of a cord. Arbuthnot.
2. Bent; turn; direction; bias. The late learners can not so well take the ply. Bacon. Boswell, and others of Goldsmith's contemporaries, . . . did not understand the secret plies of his character. W. Irving. The czar's mind had taken a strange ply, which it retained to the last. Macaulay.
Note: Ply is used in composition to designate folds, or the number of webs interwoven; as, a three-ply carpet.
PLYERPly"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, plies; specifically: (a) pl.
Defn: A kind of balance used in raising and letting down a drawbridge. It consists of timbers joined in the form of a St. Andrew's cross. (b) pl.
Defn: See Pliers.
PLYGHTPlyght, v. & n.
Defn: See Plight. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PLYMOUTH BRETHRENPlym"outh Breth"ren.
Defn: The members of a religious sect which first appeared at Plymouth, England, about 1830. They protest against sectarianism, and reject all official ministry or clergy. Also called Brethren, Christian Brethren, Plymouthists, etc. The Darbyites are a division of the Brethren.
PNEOMETERPne*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Physiol.)
Defn: A spirometer.
PNEUMATIC; PNEUMATICAL Pneu*mat"ic, Pneu*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. pneumaticus, Gr. fnehan: cf. F. pneumatique. Cf. Pneumonia.]
1. Consisting of, or resembling, air; having the properties of an elastic fluid; gaseous; opposed to dense or solid. The pneumatical substance being, in some bodies, the native spirit of the body. Bacon.
2. Of or pertaining to air, or to elastic fluids or their properties; pertaining to pneumatics; as, pneumatic experiments. "Pneumatical discoveries." Stewart.
3. Moved or worked by pressure or flow of air; as, a pneumatic instrument; a pneumatic engine.
4. (Biol.)
Defn: Fitted to contain air; Having cavities filled with air; as, pneumatic cells; pneumatic bones. Pneumatic action, or Pneumatic lever (Mus.), a contrivance for overcoming the resistance of the keys and other movable parts in an organ, by causing compressed air from the wind chest to move them. — Pneumatic dispatch, a system of tubes, leading to various points, through which letters, packages, etc., are sent, by the flow and pressure of air. — Pneumatic elevator, a hoisting machine worked by compressed air. — Pneumatic pile, a tubular pile or cylinder of large diameter sunk by atmospheric pressure. — Pneumatic pump, an air-exhausting or forcing pump. — Pneumatic railway. See Atmospheric railway, under Atmospheric. — Pneumatic syringe, a stout tube closed at one end, and provided with a piston, for showing that the heat produced by compressing a gas will ignite substances. — Pneumatic trough, a trough, generally made of wood or sheet metal, having a perforated shelf, and used, when filled with water or mercury, for collecting gases in chemical operations. — Pneumatic tube. See Pneumatic dispatch, above.
PNEUMATICITYPneu`ma*tic"i*ty, n. (Biol.)
Defn: The state of being pneumatic, or of having a cavity or cavities filled with air; as, the pneumaticity of the bones of birds.
PNEUMATICSPneu*mat"ics, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pneumatique.]
1. That branch of science which treats of the mechanical properties of air and other elastic fluids, as of their weight, pressure, elasticity, etc. See Mechanics.
2. (Philos. & Theol.)
Defn: The scientific study or knowledge of spiritual beings and their relations to God, angels, and men.
PNEUMATO-Pneu"ma*to-.
Defn: A combining form from Gr. wind, air, breath, respiration; as, pneumatograph, pneumatology.
PNEUMATOCELEPneu*mat"o*cele, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + Gr. pneumatocèle.] (Med.)
Defn: A distention of the scrotum by air; also, hernia of the lungs.
PNEUMATOCYSTPneu*mat"o*cyst, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + cyst.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A cyst or sac of a siphonophore, containing air, and serving as a float, as in Physalia.
PNEUMATOGARMPneu*mat"o*garm, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + -gram.] (Physiol.)
Defn: A tracing of the respiratory movements, obtained by a pneumatograph or stethograph.
PNEUMATOGRAPHPneu*mat"o*graph, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + -graph.] (Physiol.)
Defn: An instrument for recording the movements of the thorax or chest wall during respiration; — also called stethograph.
PNEUMATOLOGICALPneu`ma*to*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. pneumatologique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to pneumatology.
PNEUMATOLOGISTPneu`ma*tol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pneumatologiste.]
Defn: One versed in pneumatology.
PNEUMATOLOGYPneu`ma*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + -logy: cf. F. pneumatologie.]
1. The doctrine of, or a treatise on, air and other elastic fluids. See Pneumatics, 1.
2. (Philos. & Theol.)
Defn: The science of spiritual being or phenomena of any description.
PNEUMATOMETERPneu`ma*tom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + -meter.] (Physiol.)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the amount of force exerted by the lungs in respiration.
PNEUMATOMETRYPneu`ma*tom"e*try, n.
Defn: See Spirometry.
PNEUMATOPHOREPneu*mat"o*phore, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Pneumonophora.
PNEUMATOTHORAXPneu`ma*to*tho"rax, n. Etym: [Pneumato- + thorax.] (Med.)
Defn: See Pneumothorax.
PNEUMO-Pneu"mo-.
Defn: A combining form from Gr. a lung; as, pneumogastric, pneumology.
PNEUMOCOCCUSPneu`mo*coc"cus, n. Etym: [See Pneumo-, and Coccus.] (Biol.)
Defn: A form of micrococcus found in the sputum (and elsewhere) of persons suffering with pneumonia, and thought to be the cause of this disease.
PNEUMOGASTRICPneu`mo*gas"tric, a. Etym: [Pneumo- + gastric.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the lungs and the stomach.— n.
Defn: The pneumogastric nerve. Pneumogastric nerve (Anat.), one of the tenth pair of cranial nerves which are distributed to the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, lungs, heart, stomach, liver, and spleen, and, in fishes and many amphibia, to the branchial apparatus and also to the sides of the body.
PNEUMOGRAPHPneu"mo*graph, n.
Defn: Same as Pneumatograph.
PNEUMOGRAPHYPneu*mog"ra*phy, n Etym: [Pneumo- + -graphy.]
Defn: A description of the lungs. Dunglison.
PNEUMOLOGYPneu*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pneumo- + -logy.] (Anat.)
Defn: The science which treats of the lungs.
PNEUMOMETERPneu*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Pneumo- + -meter.] (Physiol.)
Defn: A spirometer.
PNEUMOMETRYPneu*mom"e*try, n.
Defn: Measurement of the capacity of the lungs for air. Dunglison.
PNEUMONIAPneu*mo"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Pneumatio, Pulmonary.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the lungs.
Note: Catarrhal pneumonia, or Broncho-pneumonia, is inflammation of the lung tissue, associated with catarrh and with marked evidences of inflammation of bronchial membranes, often chronic; — also called lobular pneumonia, from its affecting single lobules at a time. — Croupous pneumonia, or ordinary pneumonia, is an acute affection characterized by sudden onset with a chill, high fever, rapid course, and sudden decline; — also called lobar pneumonia, from its affecting a whole lobe of the lung at once. See under Croupous. — Fibroid pneumonia is an inflammation of the interstitial connective tissue lying between the lobules of the lungs, and is very slow in its course, producing shrinking and atrophy of the lungs.
PNEUMONIC Pneu*mon"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. pneumonique.] (a) Of or pertaining to the lungs; pulmonic. (b) Of or pertaining to pneumonia; as, pneumonic symptoms.
PNEUMONICPneu*mon"ic, n. (Med.)
Defn: A medicine for affections of the lungs.
PNEUMONITICPneu`mo*nit"ic, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to pneumonitis.
PNEUMONITISPneu`mo*ni"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Pneumo-, and -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the lungs; pneumonia.
PNEUMONOMETERPneu`mo*nom"e*ter, n. Etym: [See Pneumo-, and -meter.] (Physiol.)
Defn: A spirometer; a pneumometer.
PNEUMONOPHORAPneu`mo*noph"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The division of Siphonophora which includes the Physalia and allied genera; — called also Pneumatophoræ.
PNEUMONYPneu"mo*ny, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pneumonie.]
Defn: See Pneumonia.
PNEUMOOTOKA; PNEUMOOETOKAPneu`mo*öt"o*ka, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pneumo-, and Oöticoid.](Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Sauropsida.
PNEUMOPHORAPneu*moph"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pneumonophora.] (Zoöl.) (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of holothurians having an internal gill, or respiratory tree.
PNEUMOSKELETONPneu`mo*skel"e*ton, n. Etym: [Pneumo- + skeleton.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A chitinous structure which supports the gill in some invertebrates.
PNEUMOTHERAPYPneu`mo*ther"a*py, n. Etym: [Gr. therapy.] (Med.)
Defn: The treatment of disease by inhalations of compressed or rarefied air.
PNEUMOTHORAXPneu`mo*tho"rax, n. Etym: [Gr. thorax.] (Med.)
Defn: A condition in which air or other gas is present in the cavity of the chest; — called also pneumatothorax.
PNIGALIONPni*ga"li*on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Nightmare.
PNYXPnyx, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: The place at Athens where the meetings of the people were held for making decrees, etc.
POAPo"a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of grasses, including a great number of species, as the kinds called meadow grass, Kentucky blue grass, June grass, and spear grass (which see).
POACHPoach, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poached; p. pr. & vb. n. Poaching.] Etym:[F. pocher to place in a pocket, to poach eggs (the yolk of the eggbeing as it were pouched in the white), from poche pocket, pouch. SeePouch, v. &n.]
1. To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water; also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel. Bacon.
2. To rob of game; to pocket and convey away by stealth, as game; hence, to plunder. Garth.
POACHPoach, v. i.
Defn: To steal or pocket game, or to carry it away privately, as in a bag; to kill or destroy game contrary to law, especially by night; to hunt or fish unlawfully; as, to poach for rabbits or for salmon.
POACH Poach, v. t. Etym: [Cf. OF. pocher to thrust or dig out with the fingers, to bruise (the eyes), F. pouce thumb, L. pollex, and also E. poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and poke to thrust against.]
1. To stab; to pierce; to spear, \as fish. [Obs.] Carew.
2. To force, drive, or plunge into anything. [Obs.] His horse poching one of his legs into some hollow ground. Sir W. Temple.
3. To make soft or muddy by trampling Tennyson.
4. To begin and not complete. [Obs.] Bacon.
POACHPoach, v. i.
Defn: To become soft or muddy.Chalky and clay lands . . . chap in summer, and poach in winter.Mortimer.
POACHARD Poach"ard, n. Etym: [From Poach to stab.] [Written also pocard, pochard.] (Zoöl.) (a) A common European duck (Aythya ferina); — called also goldhead, poker, and fresh-water, or red-headed, widgeon. (b) The American redhead, which is closely allied to the European poachard. Red-crested poachard (Zoöl.), an Old World duck (Branta rufina). — Scaup poachard, the scaup duck. — Tufted poachard, a scaup duck (Aythya, or Fuligula cristata), native of Europe and Asia.
POACHERPoach"er, n.
1. One who poaches; one who kills or catches game or fish contrary to law.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The American widgeon. [Local, U.S.] Sea poacher (Zoöl.), the lyrie.
POACHINESSPoach"i*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being poachy; marshiness.
POACHYPoach"y, a. Etym: [See Poach to stab.]
Defn: Wet and soft; easily penetrated by the feet of cattle; — said of land
POAK; POAKEPoak, Poake, n.
Defn: Waste matter from the preparation of skins, consisting of hair, lime, oil, etc.
POCANPo"can, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The poke (Phytolacca decandra); — called also pocan bush.
POCHARDPo"chard, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Poachard.
POCK Pock, n. Etym: [OE. pokke, AS. pocc, poc; akin to D. pok, G. pocke, and perh. to E. poke a pocket. Cf. Pox.] (Med.)
Defn: A pustule raised on the surface of the body in variolous andvaccine diseases.Of pokkes and of scab every sore. Chaucer.
POCKARREDPock"arred, a.
Defn: See Pockmarked. [Obs.]
POCK-BROKENPock"-bro`ken, a.
Defn: Broken out, or marked, with smallpox; pock-fretten.
POCKETPock"et, n. Etym: [OE. poket, Prov. F. & OF. poquette, F. pochette,dim. fr. poque, pouque, F. poche; probably of Teutonic origin. SeePoke a pocket, and cf. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and Pouch.]
1. A bag or pouch; especially; a small bag inserted in a garment for carrying small articles, particularly money; hence, figuratively, money; wealth.
2. One of several bags attached to a billiard table, into which the balls are driven.
3. A large bag or sack used in packing various articles, as ginger, hops, cowries, etc.
Note: In the wool or hop trade, the pocket contains half sack, or about 168 Ibs.; but it is a variable quantity, the articles being sold by actual weight.
4. (Arch.)
Defn: A hole or space covered by a movable piece of board, as in a floor, boxing, partitions, or the like.
5. (Mining.) (a) A cavity in a rock containing a nugget of gold, or other mineral; a small body of ore contained in such a cavity. (b) A hole containing water.
6. (Nat.)
Defn: A strip of canvas, sewn upon a sail so that a batten or a light spar can placed in the interspace.
7. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Pouch.
Note: Pocket is often used adjectively, or in the formation of compound words usually of obvious signification; as, pocket comb, pocket compass, pocket edition, pocket handkerchief, pocket money, pocket picking, or pocket-picking, etc. Out of pocket. See under Out, prep. — Pocket borough, a borough "owned" by some person. See under Borough. [Eng.] — Pocket gopher (Zoöl.), any one of several species of American rodents of the genera Geomys, and Thomomys, family Geomydæ. They have large external cheek pouches, and are fossorial in their habits. they inhabit North America, from the Mississippi Valley west to the Pacific. Called also pouched gopher. — Pocket mouse (Zoöl.), any species of American mice of the family Saccomyidæ. They have external cheek pouches. Some of them are adapted for leaping (genus Dipadomys), and are called kangaroo mice. They are native of the Southwestern United States, Mexico, etc. — Pocket piece, a piece of money kept in the pocket and not spent. — Pocket pistol, a pistol to be carried in the pocket. — Pocket sheriff (Eng. Law), a sheriff appointed by the sole authority of the crown, without a nomination by the judges in the exchequer. Burrill. deep pocket, or deep pockets, wealth or substantial financial assets.
Note: Used esp. in legal actions, where plaintiffs desire to find a defendant with "deep pockets", so as to be able to actually obtain the sum of damages which may be judged due to him. This contrasts with a "judgment-proof" defendant, one who has neither assets nor insurance, and against whom a judgment for monetary damages would be worthless.
POCKETPock"et, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pocketed; p. pr. & vb. n. Pocketing.]
1. To put, or conceal, in the pocket; as, to pocket the change. He would pocket the expense of the license. Sterne.
2. To take clandestinely or fraudulently. He pocketed pay in the names of men who had long been dead. Macaulay. To pocket a ball (Billiards), to drive a ball into a pocket of the table. — To pocket an insult, affront, etc., to receive an affront without open resentment, or without seeking redress. "I must pocket up these wrongs." Shak.
POCKETBOOKPock"et*book`, n.
Defn: A small book or case for carrying papers, money, etc., in the pocket; also, a notebook for the pocket.
POCKETFULPock"et*ful, n.; pl. Pocketfuls (.
Defn: As much as a pocket will hold; enough to fill a pocket; as, pocketfuls of chestnuts.
POCKETKNIFEPock"et*knife`, n.; pl. -knives (.
Defn: A knife with one or more blades, which fold into the handle so as to admit of being carried in the pocket.
POCKET VETOPocket veto.
Defn: The retention by the President of the United States of a bill unsigned so that it does not become a law, in virtue of the following constitutional provision (Const. Art. I., sec. 7, cl. 2): "If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law." Also, an analogous retention of a bill by a State governor.
POCK-FRETTENPock"-fret`ten, a.
Defn: See Pockmarked.
POCKINESSPock"i*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being pocky.
POCKMARKPock"mark, n.
Defn: A mark or pit made by smallpox.
POCKMARKEDPock"marked`, a.
Defn: Marked by smallpox; pitted.
POCK-PITTEDPock"-pit`ted, a.
Defn: Pockmarked; pitted.
POCK-PUDDINGPock"-pud`ding, n.
Defn: A bag pudding; a name of reproach or ridicule formerly applied by the Scotch to the English.
POCKWOOD Pock"wood`, n. Etym: [So called because formerly used as a specific for the pock.] (Bot.)
Defn: Lignum-vitæ.
POCKYPock"y, a. [Compar. Pockier; superl. Pockiest.]
Defn: Full of pocks; affected with smallpox or other eruptive disease. Bp. Hall.
POCOPo"co, adv. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)
Defn: A little; — used chiefly in phrases indicating the time or movement; as, poco più allegro, a little faster; poco largo, rather slow. Poco a poco Etym: [It.] (Mus.) Little by little; as, poco a poco crescendo, gradually increasing in loudness.
POCOCKPo"cock, n.
Defn: Peacock. [Obs.] Chaucer.
POCOCURANTEPo`co*cu*ran"te, n. Etym: [It. poco curante caring little.]
Defn: A careless person; a trifler. [R.]
POCOCURANTISMPo`co*cu*ran"tism. n.
Defn: Carelessness; apathy; indifference. [R.] Carlyle.
POCOSONPo*co"son, n.
Defn: Low, wooded grounds or swamps in Eastern Maryland and Virginia.[Written also poquoson.] Washington.
POCULENTPoc"u*lent, a. Etym: [L. poculentus, fr. poculum a cup.]
Defn: Fit for drink. [Obs.] "Some those herbs which are not esculent, are . . . poculent." Bacon.
POCULIFORM Poc"u*li*form, a. Etym: [L. poculum a cup + -form: cf. F. poculiforme.]
Defn: Having the shape of a goblet or drinking cup.
-POD -pod. Etym: [See Foot.]
Defn: A combining form or suffix from Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot; as, decapod, an animal having ten feet; phyllopod, an animal having leaflike feet; myriapod, hexapod.
POD Pod, n. Etym: [Probably akin to pudding, and perhaps the same word as pad a cushion; cf. also Dan. pude pillow, cushion, and also E. cod a husk, pod.]
1. A bag; a pouch. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Tusser.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A capsule of plant, especially a legume; a dry dehiscent fruit.See Illust. of Angiospermous.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A considerable number of animals closely clustered together; — said of seals. Pod auger, or pod bit, an auger or bit the channel of which is straight instead of twisted.
PODPod, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Podded; p. pr. & vb. n. Podding.]
Defn: To swell; to fill; also, to produce pods.
-PODA -po*da.
Defn: A New Latin plural combining form or suffix from Gr. foot; as, hexapoda, myriapoda. See -pod.
PODAGRAPod"a*gra, n. Etym: [L. See Podagric.] (Med.)
Defn: Gout in the joints of the foot; — applied also to gout in other parts of body.
PODAGRIC; PODAGRICALPo*dag"ric, Po*dag"ric*al, a. Etym: [L. podagricus, Gr.
1. Pertaining to the gout; gouty; caused by gout.
2. Afflicted with gout. Sir T. Browne.
PODAGROUSPod"a*grous, a.
Defn: Gouty; podagric.
PODALGIAPo*dal"gi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: pain in the foot, due to gout, rheumatism, etc.
PODARTHRUMPo*dar"thrum, n.; pl. Podarthra. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The foot joint; in birds, the joint between the metatarsus and the toes.
PODDEDPod"ded, a.
Defn: Having pods.
PODDERPod"der, n.
Defn: One who collects pods or pulse.
PODESTAPo*des"ta, n. Etym: [It. podestà, fr. L. potestas power, magistracy.See Potent.]
1. One of the chief magistrates of the Italian republics in the Middle Ages. Brande & C.
2. A mayor, alderman, or other magistrate, in some towns of Italy.
PODETIUMPo*de"ti*um, n.; pl. Podetia, E. Podetiums. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.(Bot.)
Defn: A stalk which bears the fructification in some lichens, as in the so-called reindeer moss.
PODGEPodge, n. Etym: [Cf. G. patsche puddle, mire.]
1. A puddle; a plash. Skinner.
2. Porridge. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
PODGYPodg"y, a.
Defn: Fat and short; pudgy.
PODICALPod"i*cal a. Etym: [L. podex, podicis, the anus.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Anal; — applied to certain organs of insects.
PODICEPSPod"i*ceps, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. podex, podicis, anus + pes foot.](Zoöl.)
Defn: See Grebe.
PODIUMPo"di*um, n.; pl. Podia. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Pew.]
1. (Arch.)
Defn: A low wall, serving as a foundation, a substructure, or a terrace wall. It is especially employed by archæologists in two senses: (a) The dwarf wall surrounding the arena of an amphitheater, from the top of which the seats began. (b) The masonry under the stylobate of a temple, sometimes a mere foundation, sometimes containing chambers. See Illust. of Column.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The foot.
PODLEYPod"ley, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A young coalfish.
PODO-Pod"o-. Etym: [See Foot.]
Defn: A combining form or prefix from Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot; as, podocarp, podocephalous, podology.
PODOBRANCHPod"o*branch, n. Etym: [See Podo-, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of branchiæ attached to the bases of the legs in Crustacea.
PODOBRANCHIAPod`o*bran"chi*a n., pl. Podobranchle. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Podobranch.
PODOCARPPod"o*carp, n. Etym: [Podo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A stem, or footstalk, supporting the fruit.
PODOCEPHALOUSPod`o*ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Podo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having a head of flowers on a long peduncle, or footstalk.
PODOGYNIUMPod`o*gyn"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Basigynium
PODOPHTHALMIAPod`oph*thal"mi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Podophthalmic.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The stalk-eyed Crustacea, — an order of Crustacea having the eyes supported on movable stalks. It includes the crabs, lobsters, and prawns. Called also Podophthalmata, and Decapoda.
PODOPHTHALMIC; PODOPHTHALMOUS Pod`oph*thal"mic, Pod`oph*thal"mous, a. Etym: [Podo- + Gr. (Zoöl.) (a) Having the eyes on movable footstalks, or pedicels. (b) Of or pertaining to the Podophthalmia.
PODOPHTHALMITEPod`oph*thal"mite, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The eyestalk of a crustacean.
PODOPHYLLINPod`o*phyl"lin, n. Etym: [From Podophyllum.] (Chem.)
Defn: A brown bitter gum extracted from the rootstalk of the May apple (Podophyllum peltatum). It is a complex mixture of several substances.
PODOPHYLLOUSPod`o*phyl"lous, a.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having thin, flat, leaflike locomotive organs.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or composing, the layer of tissue, made up of laminæ, beneath a horse's hoof.
PODOPHYLLUMPod`o*phyl"lum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot +
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of herbs of the Barberry family, having large palmately lobed peltate leaves and solitary flower. There are two species, the American Podohyllum peltatum, or May apple, the Himalayan P. Emodi.
2. (Med.)
Defn: The rhizome and rootlet of the May apple (Podophyllum peltatum), — used as a cathartic drug.
PODOSCAPHPod"o*scaph, n. Etym: [Podo- + Gr.
Defn: A canoe-shaped float attached to the foot, for walking on water.
PODOSPERMPod"o*sperm, n. Etym: [Podo- + Gr. podosperme.] (Bot.)
Defn: The stalk of a seed or ovule.
PODOSTOMATAPod`o*stom"a*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot +(Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of Bryozoa of which Rhabdopleura is the type. SeeRhabdopleura.
PODOTHECA Pod`o*the"ca, n.; pl. Podothecæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + (Zoöl.)
Defn: The scaly covering of the foot of a bird or reptile.
PODRIDAPo*dri"da, n. Etym: [Sp., rotten.]
Defn: A miscellaneous dish of meats. See Olla-podrida.
PODURA Po*du"ra, n.; pl. L. Poduræ, E. Poduras. Etym: [NL.; Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot +
Defn: Any small leaping thysanurous insect of the genus Podura and related genera; a springtail. Podura scale (Zoöl.), one of the minute scales with which the body of a podura is covered. They are used as test objects for the microscope.
PODURIDPo*du"rid, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of Podura or allied genera.— a.
Defn: Pertaining to the poduras.
POEPo"e, n.
Defn: Same as Pol.
POEBIRDPo"e*bird`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The parson bird.
POECILEPoe"ci*le, n.
Defn: Same as Poicile.
POECILITIC Poe`ci*lit"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Geol.) (a) Mottled with various colors; variegated; spotted; — said of certain rocks. (b) Specifically: Of or pertaining to, or characterizing, Triassic and Permian sandstones of red and other colors. [Also written poikilitic.]
POECILOPODPoe*cil"o*pod, n. Etym: [Cf. F. poecilopode.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Poecilopoda. Also used adjectively.
POECILOPODA Poe`ci*lop"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -poda.] (Zoöl.) (a) Originally, an artificial group including many parasitic Entomostraca, together with the horseshoe crabs (Limuloidea). (b) By some recent writers applied to the Merostomata.
POEMPo"em, n. Etym: [L. poëma, Gr. poëme.]
1. A metrical composition; a composition in verse written in certain measures, whether in blank verse or in rhyme, and characterized by imagination and poetic diction; — contradistinguished from prose; as, the poems of Homer or of Milton.
2. A composition, not in verse, of which the language is highly imaginative or impassioned; as, a prose poem; the poems of Ossian.
POEMATICPo`em*at"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to a poem, or to poetry; poetical. [R.] Coleridge.
POENAMUPo*e"na*mu, n. (Min.)
Defn: A variety of jade or nephrite, — used in New Zealand for the manufacture of axes and weapons.
POENOLOGYPoe*nol"o*gy, n.
Defn: See Penology.
POEPHAGAPo*eph"a*ga, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of herbivorous marsupials including the kangaroos andtheir allies.— Po*eph"a*gous, a.
POESYPo"e*sy, n. Etym: [F. poésie (cf. It. poesia), L. poesis, from Gr.Posy.]
1. The art of composing poems; poetical skill or faculty; as, the heavenly gift of poesy. Shak.
2. Poetry; metrical composition; poems. Music and poesy used to quicken you. Shak.
3. A short conceit or motto engraved on a ring or other thing; a posy. Bacon.
POETPo"et, n. Etym: [F. poëte, L. poëta, fr. Gr. Poem.]
Defn: One skilled in making poetry; one who has a particular genius for metrical composition; the author of a poem; an imaginative thinker or writer. The poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven. Shak. A poet is a maker, as the word signifies. Dryden. Poet laureate. See under Laureate.
POETASTERPo"et*as`ter, n.
Defn: An inferior rhymer, or writer of verses; a dabbler in poeticart.The talk of forgotten poetasters. Macaulay.
POETASTRYPo"et*as`try, n.
Defn: The works of a poetaster. [R.]
POETESSPo"et*ess, n. Etym: [Cf. F. poétesse.]
Defn: A female poet.
POETIC; POETICALPo*et"ic, Po*et"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. poëticus, Gr. poétiquee.]
1. Of or pertaining to poetry; suitable for poetry, or for writing poetry; as, poetic talent, theme, work, sentiments. Shak.
2. Expressed in metrical form; exhibiting the imaginative or the rhythmical quality of poetry; as, a poetical composition; poetical prose. Poetic license. See License, n., 4.
POETICALLYPo*et"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a poetic manner.
POETICSPo*et"ics, n. Etym: [Cf. F. poétique, L. poëtica, poëtice, Gr.
Defn: The principles and rules of the art of poetry. J. Warton.
POETICULEPo*et"i*cule, n.
Defn: A poetaster. Swinburne.
POETIZEPo"et*ize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Poetized; p. pr. & vb. n. Poetizing.]Etym: [Cf. F. poétiser.]
Defn: To write as a poet; to compose verse; to idealize.I versify the truth, not poetize. Donne.
POETRYPo"et*ry, n. Etym: [OF. poeterie. See Poet.]
1. The art of apprehending and interpreting ideas by the faculty of imagination; the art of idealizing in thought and in expression. For poetry is the blossom and the fragrance of all human knowledge, human thoughts, human passions, emotions, language. Coleridge.
2. Imaginative language or composition, whether expressed rhythmically or in prose. Specifically: Metrical composition; verse; rhyme; poems collectively; as, heroic poetry; dramatic poetry; lyric or Pindaric poetry. "The planetlike music of poetry." Sir P. Sidney. She taketh most delight In music, instruments, and poetry. Shak.
POETS' CORNERPo"ets' Cor"ner.
Defn: An angle in the south transept of Westminster Abbey, London; — so called because it contains the tombs of Chaucer, Spenser, Dryden, Ben Jonson, Gray, Tennyson, Browning, and other English poets, and memorials to many buried elsewhere.
POETSHIPPo"et*ship, n.
Defn: The state or personality of a poet. [R.]
POGAMOGGANPog`a*mog"gan, n. [North Amer. Indian.]
Defn: An aboriginal weapon consisting of a stone or piece of antler fastened to the end of a slender wooden handle, used by American Indians from the Great Plains to the Mackenzie River.
POGGY Pog"gy, n. (Zoöl.) (a) See Porgy. (b) A small whale.
POGYPo"gy, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The menhaden.
Note: Pogy is often confounded with porgy, and therefore incorrectly applied to various fishes.
POHPoh, interj.
Defn: An exclamation expressing contempt or disgust; bah !
POHAGENPo*ha"gen, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Pauhaugen.
POIPo"i, n.
Defn: A national food of the Hawaiians, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment.
POICILE; POECILEPoi"ci*le, or; Poe"ci*le, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. poecile.]
Defn: The frescoed porch or gallery in Athens where Zeno taught. R.Browning.
POIGNANCYPoign"an*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being poignant; as, the poignancy of satire; the poignancy of grief. Swift.
POIGNANT Poign"ant, a. Etym: [F., p. pr. of poindre to sting, fr. L. pungere to prick, sting. See Pungent.]
1. Pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent. "His poignant spear." Spenser. "Poynaunt sauce." Chaucer.
2. Fig.: Pointed; keen; satirical. His wit . . . became more lively and poignant. Sir W. Scott.
POIGNANTLYPoign"ant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a poignant manner.
POIKILITICPoi`ki*lit"ic, a. (Geol.)
Defn: See Poecilitic.
POIKILOCYTEPoi"ki*lo*cyte, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: An irregular form of corpuscle found in the blood in cases of profound anæmia, probably a degenerated red blood corpuscle.
POIKILOTHERMAL; POIKILOTHERMIC Poi`ki*lo*ther"mal, Poi`ki*lo*ther"mic, a. Etym: [Gr. thermal, thermic.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Having a varying body temperature. See Homoiothermal.
POIKILOTHERMOUSPoi`ki*lo*ther"mous, a. (Physiol.)
Defn: Poikilothermal.
POINCIANA Poin`ci*a"na, n. Etym: [NL. Named after M. de Poinci, a governor of the French West Indies.] (Bot.)
Defn: A prickly tropical shrub (Cæsalpinia, formerly Poinciana, pulcherrima), with bipinnate leaves, and racemes of showy orange-red flowers with long crimson filaments.
Note: The genus Poinciana is kept up for three trees of EasternAfrica, the Mascarene Islands, and India.
POINDPoind, v. t. Etym: [See Pound to confine.]
1. To impound, as cattle. [Obs. or Scot.] Flavel.
2. To distrain. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
POINDERPoind"er, n.
1. The keeper of a cattle pound; a pinder. [Obs. or Scot.] T. Adams.
2. One who distrains property. [Scot.] Jamieson.
POINSETTIAPoin*set"ti*a, n. Etym: [NL. Named after Joel R. Poinsett of SouthCarolina.] (Bot.)
Defn: A Mexican shrub (Euphorbia pulcherrima) with very large and conspicuous vermilion bracts below the yellowish flowers.
POINTPoint, v. t. & i.
Defn: To appoint. [Obs.] Spenser.
POINTPoint, n. Etym: [F. point, and probably also pointe, L. punctum,puncta, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick. See Pungent, and cf. Puncto,Puncture.]
1. That which pricks or pierces; the sharp end of anything, esp. the sharp end of a piercing instrument, as a needle or a pin.
2. An instrument which pricks or pierces, as a sort of needle used by engravers, etchers, lace workers, and others; also, a pointed cutting tool, as a stone cutter's point; — called also pointer.
3. Anything which tapers to a sharp, well-defined termination. Specifically: A small promontory or cape; a tract of land extending into the water beyond the common shore line.
4. The mark made by the end of a sharp, piercing instrument, as a needle; a prick.
5. An indefinitely small space; a mere spot indicated or supposed. Specifically: (Geom.) That which has neither parts nor magnitude; that which has position, but has neither length, breadth, nor thickness, — sometimes conceived of as the limit of a line; that by the motion of which a line is conceived to be produced.
6. An indivisible portion of time; a moment; an instant; hence, the verge. When time's first point begun Made he all souls. Sir J. Davies.
7. A mark of punctuation; a character used to mark the divisions of a composition, or the pauses to be observed in reading, or to point off groups of figures, etc.; a stop, as a comma, a semicolon, and esp. a period; hence, figuratively, an end, or conclusion. And there a point, for ended is my tale. Chaucer. Commas and points they set exactly right. Pope.
8. Whatever serves to mark progress, rank, or relative position, or to indicate a transition from one state or position to another, degree; step; stage; hence, position or condition attained; as, a point of elevation, or of depression; the stock fell off five points; he won by tenpoints. "A point of precedence." Selden. "Creeping on from point to point." Tennyson. A lord full fat and in good point. Chaucer.
9. That which arrests attention, or indicates qualities or character; a salient feature; a characteristic; a peculiarity; hence, a particular; an item; a detail; as, the good or bad points of a man, a horse, a book, a story, etc. He told him, point for point, in short and plain. Chaucer. In point of religion and in point of honor. Bacon. Shalt thou dispute With Him the points of liberty Milton.
10. Hence, the most prominent or important feature, as of an argument, discourse, etc.; the essential matter; esp., the proposition to be established; as, the point of an anecdote. "Here lies the point." Shak. They will hardly prove his point. Arbuthnot.
11. A small matter; a trifle; a least consideration; a punctilio. This fellow doth not stand upon points. Shak. [He] cared not for God or man a point. Spenser.
12. (Mus.)
Defn: A dot or mark used to designate certain tones or time; as: (a) (Anc. Mus.) A dot or mark distinguishing or characterizing certain tones or styles; as, points of perfection, of augmentation, etc.; hence, a note; a tune. "Sound the trumpet — not a levant, or a flourish, but a point of war." Sir W. Scott. (b) (Mod. Mus.) A dot placed at the right hand of a note, to raise its value, or prolong its time, by one half, as to make a whole note equal to three half notes, a half note equal to three quarter notes.
13. (Astron.)
Defn: A fixed conventional place for reference, or zero of reckoning, in the heavens, usually the intersection of two or more great circles of the sphere, and named specifically in each case according to the position intended; as, the equinoctial points; the solstitial points; the nodal points; vertical points, etc. See Equinoctial Nodal.
14. (Her.)
Defn: One of the several different parts of the escutcheon. SeeEscutcheon.
15. (Naut.) (a) One of the points of the compass (see Points of the compass, below); also, the difference between two points of the compass; as, to fall off a point. (b) A short piece of cordage used in reefing sails. See Reef point, under Reef.
16. (Anc. Costume)
Defn: A a string or lace used to tie together certain parts of the dress. Sir W. Scott.
17. Lace wrought the needle; as, point de Venise; Brussels point. See Point lace, below.
18. pl. (Railways)
Defn: A switch. [Eng.]
19. An item of private information; a hint; a tip; a pointer. [Cant, U. S.]
20. (Cricket)
Defn: A fielder who is stationed on the off side, about twelve or fifteen yards from, and a little in advance of, the batsman.
21. The attitude assumed by a pointer dog when he finds game; as, the dog came to a point. See Pointer.
22. (Type Making)
Defn: A standard unit of measure for the size of type bodies, being one twelfth of the thickness of pica type. See Point system of type, under Type.
23. A tyne or snag of an antler.
24. One of the spaces on a backgammon board.
25. (Fencing)
Defn: A movement executed with the saber or foil; as, tierce point.
Note: The word point is a general term, much used in the sciences, particularly in mathematics, mechanics, perspective, and physics, but generally either in the geometrical sense, or in that of degree, or condition of change, and with some accompanying descriptive or qualifying term, under which, in the vocabulary, the specific uses are explained; as, boiling point, carbon point, dry point, freezing point, melting point, vanishing point, etc. At all points, in every particular, completely; perfectly. Shak. — At point, In point, At, In, or On, the point, as near as can be; on the verge; about (see About, prep., 6); as, at the point of death; he was on the point of speaking. "In point to fall down." Chaucer. "Caius Sidius Geta, at point to have been taken, recovered himself so valiantly as brought day on his side." Milton. — Dead point. (Mach.) Same as Dead center, under Dead. — Far point (Med.), in ophthalmology, the farthest point at which objects are seen distinctly. In normal eyes the nearest point at which objects are seen distinctly; either with the two eyes together (binocular near point), or with each eye separately (monocular near point). — Nine points of the law, all but the tenth point; the greater weight of authority. — On the point. See At point, above. — Point lace, lace wrought with the needle, as distinguished from that made on the pillow. — Point net, a machine-made lace imitating a kind of Brussels lace (Brussels ground). — Point of concurrence (Geom.), a point common to two lines, but not a point of tangency or of intersection, as, for instance, that in which a cycloid meets its base. — Point of contrary flexure, a point at which a curve changes its direction of curvature, or at which its convexity and concavity change sides. — Point of order, in parliamentary practice, a question of order or propriety under the rules. — Point of sight (Persp.), in a perspective drawing, the point assumed as that occupied by the eye of the spectator. — Point of view, the relative position from which anything is seen or any subject is considered. — Points of the compass (Naut.), the thirty-two points of division of the compass card in the mariner's compass; the corresponding points by which the circle of the horizon is supposed to be divided, of which the four marking the directions of east, west, north, and south, are called cardinal points, and the rest are named from their respective directions, as N. by E., N. N. E., N. E. by N., N. E., etc. See Illust. under Compass. — Point paper, paper pricked through so as to form a stencil for transferring a design. — Point system of type. See under Type. — Singular point (Geom.), a point of a curve which possesses some property not possessed by points in general on the curve, as a cusp, a point of inflection, a node, etc. — To carry one's point, to accomplish one's object, as in a controversy. — To make a point of, to attach special importance to. — To make, or gain, a point, accomplish that which was proposed; also, to make advance by a step, grade, or position. — To mark, or score, a point, as in billiards, cricket, etc., to note down, or to make, a successful hit, run, etc. — To strain a point, to go beyond the proper limit or rule; to stretch one's authority or conscience. — Vowel point, in Hebrew, and certain other Eastern and ancient languages, a mark placed above or below the consonant, or attached to it, representing the vowel, or vocal sound, which precedes or follows the consonant.
POINTPoint, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pointed; p. pr. & vb. n. Pointing.] Etym:[Cf. F. pointer. See Point, n.]
1. To give a point to; to sharpen; to cut, forge, grind, or file to an acute end; as, to point a dart, or a pencil. Used also figuratively; as, to point a moral.
2. To direct toward an abject; to aim; as, to point a gun at a wolf, or a cannon at a fort.
3. Hence, to direct the attention or notice of. Whosoever should be guided through his battles by Minerva, and pointed to every scene of them. Pope.
4. To supply with punctuation marks; to punctuate; as, to point a composition.
5. To mark (as Hebrew) with vowel points.
6. To give particular prominence to; to designate in a special manner; to indicate, as if by pointing; as, the error was pointed out. Pope. He points it, however, by no deviation from his straightforward manner of speech. Dickens.
7. To indicate or discover by a fixed look, as game.
8. (Masonry)
Defn: To fill up and finish the joints of (a wall), by introducing additional cement or mortar, and bringing it to a smooth surface.
9. (Stone Cutting)
Defn: To cut, as a surface, with a pointed tool. To point a rope(Naut.), to taper and neatly finish off the end by interweaving thenettles.— To point a sail (Naut.), to affix points through the eyelet holesof the reefs.— To point off, to divide into periods or groups, or to separate,by pointing, as figures.— To point the yards (of a vessel) (Naut.), to brace them so thatthe wind shall strike the sails obliquely. Totten.
POINTPoint (point), v. i.
1. To direct the point of something, as of a finger, for the purpose of designating an object, and attracting attention to it; — with at. Now must the world point at poor Katharine. Shak. Point at the tattered coat and ragged shoe. Dryden.
2. To indicate the presence of game by fixed and steady look, as certain hunting dogs do. He treads with caution, and he points with fear. Gay.
3. (Med.)
Defn: To approximate to the surface; to head; — said of an abscess.To point at, to treat with scorn or contempt by pointing or directingattention to.— To point well (Naut.), to sail close to the wind; — said of avessel.
POINTAL Point"al, n. Etym: [From Point: cf. F. pointal an upright wooden prop, OF. pointille a prick or prickle.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: The pistil of a plant.
2. A kind of pencil or style used with the tablets of the Middle Ages. "A pair of tablets [i. e., tablets] . . . and a pointel." Chaucer.
3. (Arch.)
Defn: See Poyntel. [Obs. or R.]
POINT ALPHABETPoint alphabet.
Defn: An alphabet for the blind with a system of raised points corresponding to letters.
POINT APPLIQUEPoint appliqué.
Defn: Lace having a needle-made design applied to a net ground, this ground often being machine-made.
POINT-BLANKPoint`-blank", n. Etym: [F. point point + blanc white.]
1. The white spot on a target, at which an arrow or other missile is aimed. [Obs.] Jonson.
2. (Mil.) (a) With all small arms, the second point in which the natural line of sight, when horizontal, cuts the trajectory. (b) With artillery, the point where the projectile first strikes the horizontal plane on which the gun stands, the axis of the piece being horizontal.
POINT-BLANKPoint`-blank", a.
1. Directed in a line toward the object aimed at; aimed directly toward the mark.
2. Hence, direct; plain; unqualified; — said of language; as, a point-blank assertion. Point-blank range, the extent of the apparent right line of a ball discharged. — Point-blank shot, the shot of a gun pointed directly toward the object to be hit.
POINT-BLANKPoint`-blank", adv.
Defn: In a point-blank manner.To sin point-blank against God's word. Fuller.
POINT D'APPUIPoint` d'ap`pui". Etym: [F.] (Mil.)
Defn: See under Appui.
POINT-DEVICE; POINT-DEVISE Point`-de*vice", Point`-de*vise", a. Etym: [OE. at point devis; at at + point point, condition + devis exact, careful, OF. devis fixed, set. See Device.]
Defn: Uncommonly nice and exact; precise; particular.You are rather point-devise in your accouterments. Shak.Thus he grew up, in logic point-devise, Perfect in grammar, and inrhetoric nice. Longfellow.
POINT-DEVICE; POINT-DEVISEPoint`-de*vice", Point`-de*vise", adv.
Defn: Exactly. [Obs.] Shak.
POINTEDPoint"ed, a.
1. Sharp; having a sharp point; as, a pointed rock.
2. Characterized by sharpness, directness, or pithiness of expression; terse; epigrammatic; especially, directed to a particular person or thing. His moral pleases, not his pointed wit. Pope. Pointed arch (Arch.), an arch with a pointed crown. — Pointed style (Arch.), a name given to that style of architecture in which the pointed arch is the predominant feature; — more commonly called Gothic. — Point"ed*ly, adv. — Point"ed*ness, n.
POINTELPoint"el, n. Etym: [From Point. Cf. Pointal.]
Defn: See Pointal.
POINTERPoint"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, points. Specifically: (a) The hand of a timepiece. (b) (Zoöl.) One of a breed of dogs trained to stop at scent of game, and with the nose point it out to sportsmen. (c) pl. (Astron.)
Defn: The two stars (Merak and Dubhe) in the Great Bear, the line between which points nearly in the direction of the north star. See Illust. of Ursa Major. (b) pl. (Naut.)
Defn: Diagonal braces sometimes fixed across the hold.
POINTINGPoint"ing, n.
1. The act of sharpening.
2. The act of designating, as a position or direction, by means of something pointed, as a finger or a rod.
3. The act or art of punctuating; punctuation.
4. The act of filling and finishing the joints in masonry with mortar, cement, etc.; also, the material so used.
5. The rubbing off of the point of the wheat grain in the first process of high milling.
6. (Sculpt.)
Defn: The act or process of measuring, at the various distances from the surface of a block of marble, the surface of a future piece of statuary; also, a process used in cutting the statue from the artist's model.
POINTINGSTOCKPoint`ing*stock`, n.
Defn: An object of ridicule or scorn; a laughingstock. Shak.
POINTLESSPoint"less, a.
Defn: Having no point; blunt; wanting keenness; obtuse; as, a pointless sword; a pointless remark.
Syn.— Blunt; obtuse, dull; stupid.
POINTLESSLYPoint"less*ly, adv.
Defn: Without point.
POINTLETEDPoint"let*ed, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having a small, distinct point; apiculate. Henslow.
POINTRELPoin"trel, n.
Defn: A graving tool. Knight.
POINTSMANPoints"man, n.; pl. -men (-men).
Defn: A man who has charge of railroad points or switches. [Eng.]
POINT SWITCHPoint switch. (Railroads)
Defn: A switch made up of a rail from each track, both rails being tapered far back and connected to throw alongside the through rail of either track.
POISEPoise, n. Etym: [OE. pois, peis, OF. pois, peis, F. poids, fr. L.pensum a portion weighed out, pendere to weigh, weigh out. Cf.Avoirdupois, Pendant, Poise, v.] [Formerly written also peise.]
1. Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend; heaviness. "Weights of an extraordinary poise." Evelyn.
2. The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance the substance weighed.
3. The state of being balanced by equal weight or power; equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest. Bentley.
4. That which causes a balance; a counterweight. Men of unbounded imagination often want the poise of judgment. Dryden.
POISE Poise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poised, (; p. pr. & vb. n. Poising.] Etym: [OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh, balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il pèse, fr. L. pensare, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See Poise, n., and cf. Pensive.] [Formerly written also peise.]
1. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the scales of a balance.
2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance. Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised, did on her own foundation lie. Dryden.
3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance. One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. Shak. To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. Dryden.
4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh. He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise the weight, and discern the evidence. South.
5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.] Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. Shak.
POISEPoise, v. i.