1. Making a protest; protesting.
2. Of or pertaining to the faith and practice of those Christians who reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church; as, Protestant writers.
PROTESTANTICALProt`es*tant"ic*al, a.
Defn: Protestant. [Obs.]
PROTESTANTISMProt"es*tant*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. protestantisme.]
Defn: The quality or state of being protestant, especially against the Roman Catholic Church; the principles or religion of the Protestants.
PROTESTANTLYProt"es*tant*ly, adv.
Defn: Like a Protestant; in conformity with Protestantism. [R.]Milton.
PROTESTATIONProt`es*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. protestatio: cf. F. protestation. SeeProtest.]
1. The act of making a protest; a public avowal; a solemn declaration, especially of dissent. " The protestation of our faith." Latimer.
2. (Law)
Defn: Formerly, a declaration in common-law pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist, and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or denial.
PROTESTATORProt"es*ta`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. F. protestateur.]
Defn: One who makes protestation; a protester.
PROTESTERPro*test"er, n.
1. One who protests; one who utters a solemn declaration. Shak.
2. (Law)
Defn: One who protests a bill of exchange, or note.
PROTESTINGLYPro*test"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: By way of protesting.
PROTEUSPro"te*us, n. Etym: [L., Gr.
1. (Class. Myth.)
Defn: A sea god in the service of Neptune who assumed different shapes at will. Hence, one who easily changes his appearance or principles.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) A genus of aquatic eel-shaped amphibians found in caves in Austria. They have permanent external gills as well as lungs. The eyes are small and the legs are weak. (b) A changeable protozoan; an amoeba.
PROTHALAMION; PROTHALAMIUMPro`tha*la"mi*on, Pro`tha*la"mi*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: A song in celebration of a marriage. Drayton.
PROTHALLIUMPro*thal"li*um, n.; pl. Prothallia. Etym: [NL.] (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Prothallus.
PROTHALLUSPro*thal"lus, n.; pl. Prothalli. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: The minute primary growth from the spore of ferns and other Pteridophyta, which bears the true sexual organs; the oöphoric generation of ferns, etc.
PROTHESISProth"e*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Eccl.)
Defn: A credence table; — so called by the Eastern or Greek Church.
2. (Med.)
Defn: See Prosthesis. Dunglison.
PROTHETICPro*thet"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to prothesis; as, a prothetic apparatus.
PROTHONOTARY; PROTONOTARY Pro*thon"o*ta*ry, or; Pro*ton"o*ta*ry, n.; pl. -ries. Etym: [LL. protonotarius, fr. Gr. prw os first + L. notarius a shorthand writer, a scribe: cf. F. protonotaire.]
1. A chief notary or clerk. " My private prothonotary." Herrick.
2. Formerly, a chief clerk in the Court of King's Bench and in the Court of Common Pleas, now superseded by the master. [Eng.] Wharton. Burrill.
3. A register or chief clerk of a court in certain States of the United States.
4. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: Formerly, one who had the charge of writing the acts of the martyrs, and the circumstances of their death; now, one of twelve persons, constituting a college in the Roman Curia, whose office is to register pontifical acts and to make and preserve the official record of beatifications.
5. (Gr. Ch.)
Defn: The chief secretary of the patriarch of Constantinople. Prothonotary warbler (Zoöl.), a small American warbler (Protonotaria citrea). The general color is golden yellow, the back is olivaceous, the rump and tail are ash-color, several outer tail feathers are partly white.
PROTHONOTARYSHIPPro*thon"o*ta*ry*ship, n.
Defn: Office of a prothonotary.
PROTHORACICPro`tho*rac"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the prothorax.
PROTHORAXPro*tho"rax, n. Etym: [Pref. pro- + thorax.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The first or anterior segment of the thorax in insects. SeeIllusts. of Butterfly and Coleoptera.
PRO THYALOSOMAPro* thy`a*lo*so"ma, n.; pl. Prothyalosomata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.(Biol.)
Defn: The investing portion, or spherical envelope, surrounding the eccentric germinal spot of the germinal vesicle.
PROTHYALOSOMEPro*thy"a*lo*some, n. (Biol.)
Defn: Same as Prothyalosoma.
PROTISTPro"tist, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Protista.
PROTISTAPro*tis"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. prw`tistos first.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A provisional group in which are placed a number of low microscopic organisms of doubtful nature. Some are probably plants, others animals.
PROTISTONPro*tis"ton, n.; pl. Protista. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Protista.
PROTO-Pro"to-. Etym: [Gr. prw os first, a superl. fr. Pro-.]
1. A combining form prefix signifying first, primary, primordial; as, protomartyr, the first martyr; protomorphic, primitive in form; protoplast, a primordial organism; prototype, protozoan.
2. (Chem.) (a) Denoting the first or lowest of a series, or the one having the smallest amount of the element to the name of which it is prefixed; as protoxide, protochloride, etc. (b) Sometimes used as equivalent to mono-, as indicating that the compound has but one atom of the element to the name of which it is prefixed. Also used adjectively.
PROTOCANONICALPro`to*ca*non"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the first canon, or that which contains the authorized collection of the books of Scripture; — opposed to deutero-canonical.
PROTOCATECHUICPro`to*cat`e*chu"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an organic acid which is obtained as a white crystalline substance from catechin, asafetida, oil of cloves, etc., and by distillation itself yields pyrocatechin.
PROTOCERCALPro`to*cer"cal, a. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a caudal fin extending around the end of the vertebral column, like that which is first formed in the embryo of fishes; diphycercal.
PROTOCOCCUSPro`to*coc"cus, n. Etym: [NL. See Proto-, and Coccus.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of minute unicellular algæ including the red snow plant(Protococcus nivalis).
PROTOCOL Pro"to*col, n. Etym: [F. protocole, LL. protocollum, fr. Gr. prw os the first (see Proto-) +
1. The original copy of any writing, as of a deed, treaty, dispatch, or other instrument. Burrill.
2. The minutes, or rough draught, of an instrument or transaction.
3. (Diplomacy) (a) A preliminary document upon the basis of which negotiations are carried on. (b) A convention not formally ratified. (c) An agreement of diplomatists indicating the results reached by them at a particular stage of a negotiation.
PROTOCOLPro"to*col, v. t.
Defn: To make a protocol of.
PROTOCOLPro"to*col, v. i.
Defn: To make or write protocols, or first draughts; to issue protocols. Carlyle.
PROTOCOLISTPro"to*col`ist, n.
Defn: One who draughts protocols.
PROTOCONCHPro"to*conch, n. Etym: [Proto- + conch.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The embryonic shell, or first chamber, of ammonites and other cephalopods.
PROTO-DORICPro`to-Dor*ic, a. Etym: [Proto- + Doric.] (Arch.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, architecture, in which the beginnings of the Doric style are supposed to be found.
PROTOGINEPro"to*gine, n. Etym: [Proto- + root of Gr. protogyne.] (Min.)
Defn: A kind of granite or gneiss containing a silvery talcose mineral.
PROTOGYNOUSPro*tog"y*nous, a. Etym: [Proto + Gr. gynh` a woman.] (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Proterogynous.
PROTOHIPPUSPro`to*hip"pus, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A genus of fossil horses from the Lower Pliocene. They had three toes on each foot, the lateral ones being small.
PROTOMARTYRPro"to*mar`tyr, n. Etym: [LL., fr. Gr. protomartyr. See Proto-, andMartyr.]
Defn: The first martyr; the first who suffers, or is sacrificed, in any cause; — applied esp. to Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
PROTOMERITEPro`to*mer"ite, n. Etym: [Proto- + -mere + -ite.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The second segment of one of the Gregarinæ.
PROTOMETALSPro`to*met"als, n. pl.
Defn: A finer form of metals, indicated by enhanced lines in their spark spectra (which are also observed in the spectra of some stars), obtained at the highest available laboratory temperatures (Lockyer); as protocalcium, protochromium, protocopper, protonickel, protosilicon, protostrontium, prototitanium, protovanadium. — Pro`to*me*tal"ic (#), a.
PROTOMORPHICPro`to*mor"phic, a. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Having the most primitive character; in the earliest form; as, a protomorphic layer of tissue. H. Spencer.
PROTONEMAPro`to*ne"ma, n.; pl. Protonemata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: The primary growth from the spore of a moss, usually consisting of branching confervoid filaments, on any part of which stem and leaf buds may be developed.
PROTONOTARYPro*ton"o*ta*ry, n.
Defn: Same as Prothonotary.
PROTOORGANISM; PROTOOERGANISMPro`to*ör"gan*ism, n. Etym: [Proto- + organism.] (Biol.)
Defn: An organism whose nature is so difficult to determine that it might be referred to either the animal or the vegetable kingdom.
PROTOPAPASPro`to*pap"as (, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Gr. Ch.)
Defn: A protopope.
PROTOPHYTEPro"to*phyte, n. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Any unicellular plant, or plant forming only a plasmodium, having reproduction only by fission, gemmation, or cell division.
Note: The protophytes (Protophyta) are by some botanists considered an independent branch or class of the vegetable kingdom, and made to include the lowest forms of both fungi and algæ, as slime molds, Bacteria, the nostocs, etc. Cf. Carpophyte, and Oöphyte.
PROTOPHYTOLOGYPro`to*phy*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Proto- + phytology.]
Defn: Paleobotany.
PROTOPINEPro"to*pine, n. Etym: [Proto- + opium.] (Chem.)
Defn: An alkaloid found in opium in small quantities, and extracted as a white crystalline substance.
PROTOPLASMPro"to*plasm, n. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: The viscid and more or less granular material of vegetable and animal cells, possessed of vital properties by which the processes of nutrition, secretion, and growth go forward; the so-called " physical basis of life;" the original cell substance, cytoplasm, cytoblastema, bioplasm sarcode, etc.
Note: The lowest forms of animal and vegetable life (unicellular organisms) consist of simple or unaltered protoplasm; the tissues of the higher organisms, of differentiated protoplasm.
PROTOPLASMATICPro`to*plas*mat"ic, a.
Defn: Protoplasmic.
PROTOPLASMICPro`to*plas"mic, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the first formation of living bodies.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to protoplasm; consisting of, or resembling, protoplasm.
PROTOPLASTPro"to*plast, n. Etym: [L. protoplastus the first man, Gr.
1. The thing first formed; that of which there are subsequent copies or reproductions; the original.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: A first-formed organized body; the first individual, or pair of individuals, of a species. A species is a class of individuals, each of which is hypothetically considered to be the descendant of the same protoplast, or of the same pair of protoplasts. Latham.
PROTOPLASTAPro`to*plas"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of fresh-water rhizopods including those that have a soft body and delicate branched pseudopodia. The genus Gromia is one of the best-known.
PROTOPLASTICPro`to*plas"tic, a.
Defn: First-formed. Howell.
PROTOPODITEPro*top"o*dite, n. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The basal portion, or two proximal and more or less consolidated segments, of an appendage of a crustacean.
PROTOPOPE Pro"to*pope, n. Etym: [Proto- + pope: cf. F. protopope, Russ. protopop'.] (Gr. Ch.)
Defn: One of the clergy of first rank in the lower order of secular clergy; an archpriest; — called also protopapas.
PROTOPTERUSPro*top"te*rus, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Komtok.
PROTOSALTPro"to*salt, n. Etym: [Proto- + salt.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt derived from a protoxide base. [Obs.]
PROTOSILICATEPro`to*sil"i*cate, n. Etym: [Proto- + silicate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A silicate formed with the lowest proportion of silicic acid, or having but one atom of silicon in the molecule.
PROTOSOMITEPro`to*so"mite, n. Etym: [Proto- + somite.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the primitive segments, or metameres, of an animal.
PROTOSULPHIDEPro`to*sul"phide, n. Etym: [Proto- + sulphide.] (Chem.)
Defn: That one of a series of sulphides of any element which has the lowest proportion of sulphur; a sulphide with but one atom of sulphur in the molecule.
PROTOSULPHURETPro`to*sul"phu*ret, n. Etym: [Proto- + sulphuret.] (Chem.)
Defn: A protosulphide. [Obs.]
PROTOTHERIAPro`to*the"ri*a n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Monotremata.
PROTOTRACHEATAPro`to*tra`che*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Proto-, and Trachea.](Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Malacopoda.
PROTOTYPEPro"to*type, n. Etym: [F., from L. prototypus original, primitive,Gr. Proto-, and Type]
Defn: An original or model after which anything is copied; the pattern of anything to be engraved, or otherwise copied, cast, or the like; a primary form; exemplar; archetype. They will turn their backs on it, like their great precursor and prototype. Burke.
PROTOVERTEBRAPro`to*ver"te*bra, n.; pl. Protovertebræ . Etym: [Proto- + vertebra.](Anat.)
Defn: One of the primitive masses, or segments, into which the mesoblast of the vertebrate embryo breaks up on either side of the anterior part of the notochord; a mesoblastic, or protovertebral, somite. See Illust. of Ectoderm.
Note: The protovertebræ were long regarded as rudiments of the permanent vertebræ, but they are now known to give rise to the dorsal muscles and other structures as well as the vertebral column. See Myotome.
PROTOVERTEBRALPro`to*ver"te*bral, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the protovertebræ.
PROTOXIDEPro*tox"ide, n. Etym: [Proto- + oxide: cf. F. protoxide.] (Chem.)
Defn: That one of a series of oxides having the lowest proportion of oxygen. See Proto-, 2 (b). protoxide of nitrogen, laughing gas, now called hyponitrous oxideNO. See under Laughing.
PROTOXIDIZEPro*tox"i*dize, v. t. (Chem.)
Defn: To combine with oxygen, as any elementary substance, in such proportion as to form a protoxide.
PROTOZOAPro`to*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The lowest of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom.
Note: The entire animal consists of a single cell which is variously modified; but in many species a number of these simple zooids are united together so as to form a compound body or organism, as in the Foraminifera and Vorticellæ. The reproduction takes place by fission, or by the breaking up of the contents of the body after encystment, each portion becoming a distinct animal, or in other ways, but never by true eggs. The principal divisions are Rhizopoda, Gregarinæ, and Infusoria. See also Foraminifera, Heliozoa, Protoplasta, Radiolaria, Flagellata, Ciliata.
PROTOZOANPro`to*zo"an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Protozoa.— n.
Defn: One of the Protozoa.
PROTOZOICPro`to*zo"ic, a.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Protozoa.
2. (Geol.)
Defn: Containing remains of the earliest discovered life of the globe, which included mollusks, radiates and protozoans.
PROTOZOON; PROTOZOOEN Pro`to*zo"ön (-ôn), n.; pl. Protozoa. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the Protozoa. (b) A single zooid of a compound protozoan.
PROTOZOONITE; PROTOZOOENITEPro`to*zo"ö*nite, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the primary, or first-formed, segments of an embryonic arthropod.
PROTRACHEATAPro*tra`che*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pro-, and Trachea.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Malacopoda.
PROTRACTPro*tract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protracted; p. pr. vb. n.Protracting.] Etym: [L. protractus, p. p. of protrahere to forth,protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See Portrait, Portray.]
1. To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to protract a war.
2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract a decision or duty. Shak.
3. (Surv.)
Defn: To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; — opposed to retract.
PROTRACTPro*tract", n. Etym: [L. protractus.]
Defn: Tedious continuance or delay. [Obs.] Spenser.
PROTRACTEDPro*tract`ed, a.
Defn: Prolonged; continued. Protracted meeting,a religious meeting continued for many successive days. [U. S.] — Pro*tract"ed*ly, adv. — Pro*tract"ed*ness, n.
PROTRACTERPro*tract"er, n.
Defn: A protractor.
PROTRACTILEPro*tract"ile, a.
Defn: Capable of being protracted, or protruded; protrusile.
PROTRACTIONPro*trac"tion, n. Etym: [L. protractio.]
1. A drawing out, or continuing; the act of delaying the termination of a thing; prolongation; continuance; delay; as, the protraction of a debate. A protraction only of what is worst in life. Mallock.
2. (Surv.) (a) The act or process of making a plot on paper. (b) A plot on paper.
PROTRACTIVEPro*tract"ive, a.
Defn: Drawing out or lengthening in time; prolonging; continuing;delaying.He suffered their protractive arts. Dryden.
PROTRACTORPro*tract"or, n.
1. One who, or that which, protracts, or causes protraction.
2. A mathematical instrument for laying down and measuring angles on paper, used in drawing or in plotting. It is of various forms, semicircular, rectangular, or circular.
3. (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument formerly used in extracting foreign or offensive matter from a wound.
4. (Anat.)
Defn: A muscle which extends an organ or part; — opposed to retractor.
5. An adjustable pattern used by tailors. Knight.
PROTREPTICALPro*trep"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Adapted to persuade; hortatory; persuasive. [Obs.] Bp. Ward.
PROTRUDABLEPro*trud"a*ble, a.
Defn: That may be protruded; protrusile. Darwin.
PROTRUDEPro*trude", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protruded; p. pr. & vb. n.Protruding.] Etym: [L. protrudere, protrusum; pro forward + trudereto thrust. See Threat.]
1. To thrust forward; to drive or force along. Locke.
2. To thrust out, as through a narrow orifice or from confinement; to cause to come forth. When . . . Spring protrudes the bursting gems. Thomson.
PROTRUDEPro*trude", v. i.
Defn: To shoot out or forth; to be thrust forward; to extend beyond alimit; to project.The parts protrude beyond the skin. Bacon.
PROTRUSILEPro*tru"sile, a.
Defn: Capable of being protruded or thrust out; protractile; protrusive.
PROTRUSIONPro*tru"sion, n.
1. The act of protruding or thrusting forward, or beyond the usual limit.
2. The state of being protruded, or thrust forward.
PROTRUSIVEPro*tru"sive, a.
1. Thrusting or impelling forward; as, protrusive motion. E. Darwin.
2. Capable of being protruded; protrusile.
PROTRUSIVELYPro*tru"sive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a protrusive manner.
PROTUBERANCEPro*tu"ber*ance, n. Etym: [Cf. F. protubérance. See Protuberant.]
Defn: That which is protuberant swelled or pushed beyond the surrounding or adjacent surface; a swelling or tumor on the body; a prominence; a bunch or knob; an elevation. Solar protuberances (Astron.), certain rose-colored masses on the limb of the sun which are seen to extend beyond the edge of the moon at the time of a solar eclipse. They may be discovered with the spectroscope on any clear day. Called also solar prominences. See Illust. in Append.
Syn. — Projection, Protuberance. protuberance differs from projection, being applied to parts that rise from the surface with a gradual ascent or small angle; whereas a projection may be at a right angle with the surface.
PROTUBERANCYPro*tu"ber*an*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being protuberant; protuberance; prominence.
PROTUBERANT Pro*tu"ber*ant, a. Etym: [L. protuberans, -antis, p. pr. of protuberare. See Protuberate.]
Defn: Prominent, or excessively prominent; bulging beyond thesurrounding or adjacent surface; swelling; as, a protuberant joint; aprotuberant eye.— Pro*tu"ber*ant*ly, adv.
PROTUBERATE Pro*tu"ber*ate, v. i. Etym: [L. protuberare; pro forward + tuber a hump, protuberance. See Tuber.]
Defn: To swell, or be prominent, beyond the adjacent surface; to bulge out. S. Sharp.
PROTUBERATIONPro*tu`ber*a"tion, n.
Defn: The act of swelling beyond the surrounding surface. Cooke (1615).
PROTUBEROUSPro*tu"ber*ous, a.
Defn: Protuberant. [R.]
PROTURETERPro`tu*re"ter, n. Etym: [NL. See Proto-, Ureter.] (Anat.)
Defn: The duct of a pronephros. Haeckel.
PROTYLEPro"tyle, n. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Chem. & Astron.)
Defn: The hypothetical homogeneous cosmic material of the original universe, supposed to have been differentiated into what are recognized as distinct chemical elements.
PROUDProud, a. [Compar. Prouder; superl. Proudest.] Etym: [OE. proud,prout, prud, prut, AS. prut; akin to Icel. pruedhr stately, handsome,Dan. prud handsome. Cf. Pride.]
1. Feeling or manifesting pride, in a good or bad sense; as: (a) Possessing or showing too great self-esteem; overrating one's excellences; hence, arrogant; haughty; lordly; presumptuous. Nor much expect A foe so proud will first the weaker seek. Milton. O death, made proud with pure and princely beauty ! Shak. And shades impervious to the proud world's glare. Keble.
(b) Having a feeling of high self-respect or self-esteem; exulting (in); elated; — often with of; as, proud of one's country. "Proud to be checked and soothed." Keble. Are we proud men proud of being proud Thackeray.
2. Giving reason or occasion for pride or self-gratulation; worthy of admiration; grand; splendid; magnificent; admirable; ostentatious. "Of shadow proud." Chapman. "Proud titles." Shak. " The proud temple's height." Dryden. Till tower, and dome, and bridge-way proud Are mantled with a golden cloud. Keble.
3. Excited by sexual desire; — applied particularly to the females of some animals. Sir T. Browne.
Note: Proud is often used with participles in the formation of compounds which, for the most part, are self-explaining; as, proud- crested, proud-minded, proud-swelling. Proud flesh (Med.), a fungous growth or excrescence of granulations resembling flesh, in a wound or ulcer.
PROUDISHProud"ish, a.
Defn: Somewhat proud. Ash.
PROUDLINGProud"ling, n.
Defn: A proud or haughty person. Sylvester.
PROUDLYProud"ly, adv.
Defn: In a proud manner; with lofty airs or mien; haughtily; arrogantly; boastfully. Proudly he marches on, and void of fear. Addison.
PROUDNESSProud"ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being proud; pride.Set aside all arrogancy and proudness. Latimer.
PROUSTITEProust"ite, n. Etym: [From the French chemist, J. L. Proust.] (Min.)
Defn: A sulphide of arsenic and silver of a beautiful cochineal-red color, occurring in rhombohedral crystals, and also massive; ruby silver.
PROVABLEProv"a*ble, a. Etym: [See Prove, and cf. Probable.]
Defn: Capable of being proved; demonstrable.— Prov"a*ble*ness, n.— Prov"a*bly, adv.
PROVAND; PROANTProv"and, Pro"ant, n. Etym: [See Provender.]
Defn: Provender or food. [Obs.]One pease was a soldier's provant a whole day. Beau. & Fl.
PROVANTPro*vant", v. t.
Defn: To supply with provender or provisions; to provide for. [Obs.]Nash.
PROVANTProv"ant, a.
Defn: Provided for common or general use, as in an army; hence, common in quality; inferior. "A poor provant rapier." B. Jonson.
PROVEProve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proved; p. pr. & vb. n. Proving.] Etym:[OE. prover, F. prouver, fr. L. probare to try, approve, prove, fr.probus good, proper. Cf. Probable, Proof, Probe.]
1. To try or to ascertain by an experiment, or by a test or standard; to test; as, to prove the strength of gunpowder or of ordnance; to prove the contents of a vessel by a standard measure. Thou hast proved mine heart. Ps. xvii. 3.
2. To evince, establish, or ascertain, as truth, reality, or fact, by argument, testimony, or other evidence. They have inferred much from slender premises, and conjectured when they could not prove. J. H. Newman.
3. To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of; to verify; as, to prove a will.
4. To gain experience of the good or evil of; to know by trial; to experience; to suffer. Where she, captived long, great woes did prove. Spenser.
5. (Arith.)
Defn: To test, evince, ascertain, or verify, as the correctness of any operation or result; thus, in subtraction, if the difference between two numbers, added to the lesser number, makes a sum equal to the greater, the correctness of the subtraction is proved.
6. (Printing)
Defn: To take a trial impression of; to take a proof of; as, to prove a page.
Syn. — To try; verify; justify; confirm; establish; evince; manifest; show; demonstrate.
PROVEProve, v. i.
1. To make trial; to essay.
2. To be found by experience, trial, or result; to turn out to be; as, a medicine proves salutary; the report proves false. "The case proves mortal." Arbuthnot. So life a winter's morn may prove. Keble.
3. To succeed; to turn out as expected. [Obs.] "The experiment proved not." Bacon.
PROVECT Pro*vect", a. Etym: [L. provectus, p. p. of provehere to carry forward.]
Defn: Carried forward; advanced. [Obs.] "Provect in years." Sir T.Flyot.
PROVECTIONPro*vec"tion, n. Etym: [L. provectio an advancement.] (Philol.)
Defn: A carrying forward, as of a final letter, to a following word; as, for example, a nickname for an ekename.
PROVEDITOR Pro*ved"i*tor, n. Etym: [It. proveditore, provveditore, fr. provedere, L. providere. See Provide, and cf. Purveyor, Provedore.]
Defn: One employed to procure supplies, as for an army, a steamer, etc.; a purveyor; one who provides for another. Jer. Taylor.
PROVEDOREProv"e*dore, n. Etym: [Cf. Sp. proveedor. See Proveditor.]
Defn: A proveditor; a purveyor.Busied with the duties of a provedore. W. Irving.
PROVENProv"en, p. p. or a.
Defn: Proved. "Accusations firmly proven in his mind." Thackeray. Of this which was the principal charge, and was generally believed to beproven, he was acquitted. Jowett (Thucyd. ). Not proven (Scots Law), a verdict of a jury that the guilt of the accused is not made out, though not disproved. Mozley & W.
PROVENANCE Prov"e*nance, n. [F., fr. provenir to originate, to come forth, L. provenire. Cf. Provenience.]
Defn: Origin; source; provenience.
Their age attested by their provenance and associations.A. H. Keane.
PROVENCALPro`ven`cal", a. Etym: [F., fr. Provence, fr. L. provincia province.See Provincial.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Provence or its inhabitants.
PROVENCALPro`ven`cal", n. Etym: [F.]
1. A native or inhabitant of Provence in France.
2. The Provencal language. See Langue d'oc.
PROVENCE ROSE Prov"ence rose`. Etym: [Provence the place + rose.] (a) The cabbage rose (Rosa centifolia). (b) A name of many kinds of roses which are hybrids of Rosa centifolia and R. Gallica.
PROVENCIALPro*ven"cial, a. Etym: [See Provençal.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Provence in France.
PROVENDProv"end, n.
Defn: See Provand. [Obs.]
PROVENDER Prov"en*der, n. Etym: [OE. provende, F. provende, provisions, provender, fr. LL. praebenda (prae and pro being confused), a daily allowance of provisions, a prebend. See Prebend.]
1. Dry food for domestic animals, as hay, straw, corn, oats, or a mixture of ground grain; feed. "Hay or other provender." Mortimer. Good provender laboring horses would have. Tusser.
2. Food or provisions. [R or Obs.]
PROVENIENCE Pro*ve"ni*ence, n. [L. proveniens, -entis, p.pr. of provenire to come forth; pro forth + venire to come.]
Defn: Origin; source; place where found or produced; provenance; — used esp. in the fine arts and in archæology; as, the provenience of a patera.
PROVENIENTPro*ve"ni*ent, a. [L. proveniens, p.pr.]
Defn: Forthcoming; issuing. [Rare]
PROVENTProv"ent, n.
Defn: See Provand. [Obs.]
PROVENTRICLEPro*ven"tri*cle, n. (Anat.)
Defn: Proventriculus.
PROVENTRIULUSPro`ven*tri"u*lus, n. Etym: [NL. See Pro-, and Ventricle.] (Anat.)
Defn: The glandular stomach of birds, situated just above the crop.
PROVERProv"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, proves.
PROVERB Prov"erb, n. Etym: [OE. proverbe, F. proverbe, from L. proverbium; pro before, for + verbum a word. See Verb.]
1. An old and common saying; a phrase which is often repeated; especially, a sentence which briefly and forcibly expresses some practical truth, or the result of experience and observation; a maxim; a saw; an adage. Chaucer. Bacon.
2. A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. John xvi. 29.
3. A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference. Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by word, among all nations. Deut. xxviii. 37.
4. A drama exemplifying a proverb. Book of Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament, containing a great variety of wise maxims.
Syn.— Maxim; aphorism; apothegm; adage; saw.
PROVERBProv"erb, v. t.
1. To name in, or as, a proverb. [R.] Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool Milton.
2. To provide with a proverb. [R.] I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase. Shak.
PROVERBProv"erb, v. i.
Defn: To write or utter proverbs. [R.]
PROVERBIALPro*ver"bi*al, a. Etym: [L. proverbialis: cf. F. proverbial.]
1. Mentioned or comprised in a proverb; used as a proverb; hence, commonly known; as, a proverbial expression; his meanness was proverbial. In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst. Sir W. Temple.
2. Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb. "A proverbial obscurity." Sir T. Browne.
PROVERBIALISMPro*ver"bi*al*ism, n.
Defn: A proverbial phrase.
PROVERBIALISTPro*ver"bi*al*ist, n.
Defn: One who makes much use of proverbs in speech or writing; one who composes, collects, or studies proverbs.
PROVERBIALIZEPro*ver"bi*al*ize, v. t. & i. Etym: [Cf. F. proverbialiser.]
Defn: To turn into a proverb; to speak in proverbs.
PROVERBIALLYPro*ver"bi*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a proverbial manner; by way of proverb; hence, commonly; universally; as, it is proverbially said; the bee is proverbially busy.
PROVEXITYPro*vex"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. provehere to advance. Cf. Provect.]
Defn: Great advance in age. [Obs.]
PROVIDEPro*vide", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provided; p. pr. & vb. n. Providing.]Etym: [L. providere, provisum; pro before + videre to see. SeeVision, and cf. Prudent, Purvey.]
1. To look out for in advance; to procure beforehand; to get, collect, or make ready for future use; to prepare. "Provide us all things necessary." Shak.
2. To supply; to afford; to contribute. Bring me berries, or such cooling fruit As the kind, hospitable woods provide. Milton.
3. To furnish; to supply; — formerly followed by of, now by with. "And yet provided him of but one." Jer. Taylor. "Rome . . . was well provided with corn." Arbuthnot.
4. To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as, the contract provides that the work be well done.
5. To foresee.
Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] B. Jonson.
6. To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See Provisor. Prescott.
PROVIDEPro*vide", v. i.
1. To procure supplies or means in advance; to take measures beforehand in view of an expected or a possible future need, especially a danger or an evil; — followed by against or for; as, to provide against the inclemency of the weather; to provide for the education of a child. Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Burke.
2. To stipulate previously; to condition; as, the agreement provides for an early completion of the work.
PROVIDEDPro*vid"ed, conj.
Defn: On condition; by stipulation; with the understanding; if; — usually followed by that; as, provided that nothing in this act shall prejudice the rights of any person whatever. Provided the deductions are logical, they seem almost indifferent to their truth. G. H. Lewes.
Note: This word is strictly a participle, and the word being is understood, the participle provided agreeing with the whole sentence absolute, and being equivalent to this condition being previously stipulated or established.
PROVIDENCEProv"i*dence, n. Etym: [L. providentia: cf. F. providence. SeeProvident, and cf. Prudence.]
1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or application; a making ready; preparation. Providence for war is the best prevention of it. Bacon.
2. Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself, regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience. The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. Milton.
3. (Theol.)
Defn: A manifestation of the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained by divine direction. He that hath a numerous family, and many to provide for, needs a greater providence of God. Jer. Taylor.
4. Prudence in the management of one's concerns; economy; frugality. It is a high point of providence in a prince to cast an eye rather upon actions than persons. Quarles.
PROVIDENTProv"i*dent, a. Etym: [L. providens, -entis, p. pr. of providere: cf.F. provident. See Provide, and cf. Prudent.]
Defn: Foreseeing wants and making provision to supply them; prudent in preparing for future exigencies; cautious; economical; — sometimes followed by of; as, aprovident man; an animal provident of the future. And of our good and of our dignity, How provident he is. Milton.
Syn.— Forecasting; cautious; careful; prudent; frugal; economical.
PROVIDENTIALProv`i*den"tial, a. Etym: [Cf. F. providentiel.]
Defn: Effected by, or referable to, divine direction orsuperintendence; as, the providential contrivance of thing; aprovidential escape.— Prov"i*den"tial*ly, adv.
PROVIDENTLYProv"i*dent*ly, adv.
Defn: In a provident manner.
PROVIDENTNESSProv"i*dent*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being provident; carefulness; prudence; economy.
PROVIDERPro*vid"er, n.
Defn: One who provides, furnishes, or supplies; one who procures what is wanted.
PROVIDOREProv"i*dore, n. Etym: [See Provedore.]
Defn: One who makes provision; a purveyor. [R.] De Foe.
PROVINCE Prov"ince, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. provincia; prob. fr. pro before, for + the root of vincere to conquer. See Victor.]
1. (Roman Hist.)
Defn: A country or region, more or less remote from the city of Rome, brought under the Roman government; a conquered country beyond the limits of Italy. Wyclif (Acts xiii. 34). Milton.
2. A country or region dependent on a distant authority; a portion of an empire or state, esp. one remote from the capital. "Kingdoms and provinces." Shak.
3. A region of country; a tract; a district.Over many a tract of heaven they marched, and many a province wide.Milton.Other provinces of the intellectual world. I. Watts.
4. A region under the supervision or direction of any special person; the district or division of a country, especially an ecclesiastical division, over which one has jurisdiction; as, the province of Canterbury, or that in which the archbishop of Canterbury exercises ecclesiastical authority.
5. The proper or appropriate business or duty of a person or body; office; charge; jurisdiction; sphere. The woman'sprovince is to be careful in her economy, and chaste in her affection. Tattler.
6. Specif.: Any political division of the Dominion of Canada, having a governor, a local legislature, and representation in the Dominion parliament. Hence, colloquially, The Provinces, the Dominion of Canada.
PROVINCIALPro*vin"cial, a. Etym: [L. provincialis: cf. F. provincial. SeeProvince, and cf. Provencal.]
1. Of or pertaining to province; constituting a province; as, a provincial government; a provincial dialect.
2. Exhibiting the ways or manners of a province; characteristic of the inhabitants of a province; not cosmopolitan; countrified; not polished; rude; hence, narrow; illiberal. "Provincial airs and graces." Macaulay.
3. Of or pertaining to an ecclesiastical province, or to the jurisdiction of an archbishop; not ecumenical; as, a provincial synod. Ayliffe.
4. Of or pertaining to Provence; Provencal. [Obs.] With two Provincial roses on my razed shoes. Shak.
PROVINCIALPro*vin"cial, n.
1. A person belonging to a province; one who is provincial.
2. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A monastic superior, who, under the general of his order, has the direction of all the religious houses of the same fraternity in a given district, called a province of the order.
PROVINCIALISMPro*vin"cial*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. provincialisme.]
Defn: A word, or a manner of speaking, peculiar to a province or a district remote from the mother country or from the metropolis; a provincial characteristic; hence, narrowness; illiberality. M. Arnold.
PROVINCIALISTPro*vin"cial*ist, n.
Defn: One who lives in a province; a provincial.
PROVINCIALITYPro*vin`ci*al"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being provincial; peculiarity of language characteristic of a province. T. Warton.
PROVINCIALIZEPro*vin"cial*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provincialized; p. pr. & vb. n.Provincializing.]
Defn: To render provincial. M. Arnold.
PROVINCIALLYPro*vin"cial*ly, adv.
Defn: In a provincial manner.
PROVINCIATEPro*vin"ci*ate, v. t.
Defn: To convert into a province or provinces. [Obs.] Howell.
PROVINE Pro*vine", v. i. Etym: [F. provingner, fr. provin a set, layer of a plant, OF. provain, from L. propago, -aginis, akin to propagare to propagate. See Propagate, Prune, v. t.]
Defn: To lay a stock or branch of a vine in the ground for propagation. [Obs.] Johnson.
PROVISIONPro*vi"sion, n. Etym: [L. provisio: cf. F. provision. See Provide.]
1. The act of providing, or making previous preparation. Shak.
2. That which is provided or prepared; that which is brought together or arranged in advance; measures taken beforehand; preparation. Making provision for the relief of strangers. Bacon.
3. Especially, a stock of food; any kind of eatables collected or stored; — often in the plural. And of provisions laid in large, For man and beast. Milton.
4. That which is stipulated in advance; a condition; a previous agreement; a proviso; as, the provisions of a contract; the statute has many provisions.
5. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A canonical term for regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation.
6. (Eng. Hist.)
Defn: A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation. Blackstone.
PROVISIONPro*vi"sion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provisioned; p. pr. & vb. n.Provisioning.]
Defn: To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison.They were provisioned for a journey. Palfrey.
PROVISIONALPro*vi"sion*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. provisionnel.]
Defn: Of the nature of a provision; serving as a provision for the time being; — used of partial or temporary arrangements; as, a provisional government; a provisional treaty.
PROVISIONALLYPro*vi"sion*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By way of provision for the time being; temporarily. Locke.
PROVISIONARYPro*vi"sion*a*ry, a.
Defn: Provisional. Burke.
PROVISO Pro*vi"so, n.; pl. Provisos. Etym: [L., (it) being provided, abl. of provisus, p. p. of providere. See Provide, and cf. Purview.]
Defn: An article or clause in any statute, agreement, contract, grant, or other writing, by which a condition is introduced, usually beginning with the word provided; a conditional stipulation that affects an agreement, contract, law, grant, or the like; as, the contract was impaired by its proviso. He doth deny his prisoners, But with proviso and exception. Shak.
PROVISORPro*vi"sor, n. Etym: [L., fr. providere: cf. F. proviseur. SeeProvide.]
1. One who provides; a purveyor. [Obs.] "The chief provisor of our horse." Ford.
2. (R. C. Ch.) (a) The purveyor, steward, or treasurer of a religious house. Cowell. (b) One who is regularly inducted into a benefice. See Provision, 5. P. Plowman.
3. (Eng. Hist.)
Defn: One who procures or receives a papal provision. See Provision, 6.
PROVISORILYPro*vi"so*ri*ly, adv.
Defn: In a provisory manner; conditionally; subject to a proviso; as, to admit a doctrine provisorily. Sir W. Hamilton.
PROVISORSHIPPro*vi"sor*ship, n.
Defn: The office or position of a provisor. [R.] J. Webster.
PROVISORYPro*vi"so*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. provisoire.]
1. Of the nature of a proviso; containing a proviso or condition; conditional; as, a provisory clause.
2. Making temporary provision; provisional.
PROVOCATIONProv`o*ca"tion, n. Etym: [F. provocation, L. provocatio. SeeProvoke.]
1. The act of provoking, or causing vexation or, anger. Fabyan.
2. That which provokes, or excites anger; the cause of resentment; as, to give provocation. Paley.
3. Incitement; stimulus; as, provocation to mirth.
4. (Law)
Defn: Such prior insult or injury as may be supposed, under the circumstances, to create hot blood, and to excuse an assault made in retort or redress.
5. An appeal to a court.
Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] Ayliffe.
PROVOCATIVEPro*vo"ca*tive, a. Etym: [L. provocativus: cf. OF. provocatif.]
Defn: Serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; exciting.
PROVOCATIVEPro*vo"ca*tive, n.
Defn: Anything that is provocative; a stimulant; as, a provocative of appetite.
PROVOCATIVENESSPro*vo"ca*tive*ness, n.
Defn: Quality of being provocative.
PROVOCATORYPro*vo"ca*to*ry, a.
Defn: Provocative.
PROVOKABLEPro*vok"a*ble, a.
Defn: That may be provoked.
PROVOKEPro*voke", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Provoked; p. pr. & vb. n. Provoking.]Etym: [F. provoquer, L. provocare to call forth; pro forth + vocareto call, fr. vox, vocis, voice, cry, call. See Voice.]
Defn: To call forth; to call into being or action; esp., to incense to action, a faculty or passion, as love, hate, or ambition; hence, commonly, to incite, as a person, to action by a challenge, by taunts, or by defiance; to exasperate; to irritate; to offend intolerably; to cause to retaliate. Obey his voice, provoke him not. Ex. xxiii. 21. Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath. Eph. vi. 4. Such acts Of contumacy will provoke the Highest To make death in us live. Milton. Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust Gray. To the poet the meaning is what he pleases to make it, what it provokes in his own soul. J. Burroughs.
Syn.— To irritate; arouse; stir up; awake; excite; incite; anger. SeeIrritate.
PROVOKEPro*voke", v. i.
1. To cause provocation or anger.
2. To appeal.
Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] Dryden.
PROVOKEMENTPro*voke"ment, n.
Defn: The act that which, provokes; one who excites anger or other passion, or incites to action; as, a provoker of sedition. Drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things. Shak.
PROVOKINGPro*vok"ing, a.
Defn: Having the power or quality of exciting resentment; tending to awaken passion or vexation; as, provoking words or treatment. — Pro*vok"ing*ly, adv.
PROVOST Prov"ost, n. Etym: [OF. provost (L. prae and pro being confused), F. prevôt, fr. L. praepositus placed before, a chief, fr. praeponere to place before: cf. AS. prafost, profast. See Preposition, and cf. Propound.]
1. A person who is appointed to superintend, or preside over, something; the chief magistrate in some cities and towns; as, the provost of Edinburgh or of Glasgow, answering to the mayor of other cities; the provost of a college, answering to president; the provost or head of certain collegiate churches.
2. The keeper of a prison. [Obs.] Shak.
Note: In France, formerly, a provost was an inferior judge who had cognizance of civil causes. The grand provost of France, or of the household, had jurisdiction in the king's house, and over its officers. Provost marshal (often pronounced . (a) (Mil.) An officer appointed in every army, in the field, to secure the prisoners confined on charges of a general nature. He also performs such other duties pertaining to police and discipline as the regulations of the service or the commander's orders impose upon him. (b) (Nav.) An officer who has charge of prisoners on trial by court-martial, serves notices to witnesses, etc.
PROVOSTSHIPProv"ost*ship, n.
Defn: The office of a provost.
PROWProw, n. Etym: [F. proue (cf. Sp. & Pg. proa, It. prua), L. prora,Gr. Pro-, and cf. Prore.]
Defn: The fore part of a vessel; the bow; the stem; hence, the vesselitself. Wordsworth.The floating vessel swum Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow rodetilting o'er the waves. Milton.
PROWProw, n.
Defn: See Proa.
PROWProw, a. [Compar. Prower; superl. Prowest.] Etym: [OF.prou, preu, F.preux, fr. L. pro, prod, in prodesse to be useful. See Pro-, and cf.Prude.]
Defn: Valiant; brave; gallant; courageous. [Archaic] Tennyson.The prowest knight that ever field did fight. Spenser.
PROWProw, n. Etym: [OE. & OF. prou. See Prow, a.]
Defn: Benefit; profit; good; advantage. [Obs.]That shall be for your hele and for your prow. Chaucer.
PROWESSProw"ess, n. Etym: [OF. proece, proesce, F. prouesse. See Prow, a.]
Defn: Distinguished bravery; valor; especially, military bravery and skill; gallantry; intrepidity; fearlessness. Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney. He by his prowess conquered all France. Shak.
PROWLProwl, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prowled; p. pr. & vb. n. Prowling.] Etym:[OE. prollen to search about; of uncertain origin, perh. for proglen,a dim. of prog to beg, or proke to poke. Cf. Proke.]
1. To rove over, through, or about in a stealthy manner; esp., to search in, as for prey or booty. He prowls each place, still in new colors decked. Sir P. Sidney.
2. To collect by plunder; as, to prowl money. [Obs.]
PROWLProwl, v. i.
Defn: To rove or wander stealthily, esp. for prey, as a wild beast; hence, to prey; to plunder.
PROWLProwl, n.
Defn: The act of prowling. [Colloq.] Smart.
PROWLERProwl"er, n.
Defn: One that prowls. Thomson.
PROWLINGProwl"ing, a.
Defn: Accustomed to prowl, or engaged in roving stealthily, as for prey. "A prowling wolf." Milton. — Prowl"ing*ly, adv.
PROXProx, n. Etym: [Cf. Proxy.]
Defn: "The ticket or list of candidates at elections, presented to the people for their votes." [Rhode Island] Bartlett.
PROXENEProx"ene, n. Etym: [Cf. proxène.] (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: An officer who had the charge of showing hospitality to those who came from a friendly city or state.
PROXENETProx"e*net, n. Etym: [L. proxeneta, Gr.
Defn: A negotiator; a factor. [R.] Dr. H. More.
PROXENETISMProx`e*ne"tism, n. [Gr. agent + -ism; cf. F. proxénétisme.]
Defn: The action of a go-between or broker in negotiating immoral bargains between the sexes; procuring.
PROXIMADProx"i*mad, adv. Etym: [Proximal + L. ad to.] (Anat.)
Defn: Toward a proximal part; on the proximal side of; proximally.
PROXIMALProx"i*mal, a.
1. Toward or nearest, as to a body, or center of motion of dependence; proximate.
2. (Biol.) (a) Situated near the point of attachment or origin; as, the proximal part of a limb. (b) Of or pertaining to that which is proximal; as, the proximal bones of a limb. Opposed to distal.
PROXIMALLYProx"i*mal*ly, adv. (Anat.)
Defn: On or toward a proximal part; proximad.
PROXIMATE Prox"i*mate, a. Etym: [L. proximatus, p. p. of proximare to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest, superl. of propior nearer, and prope, adv., near.]
Defn: Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. "Proximate ancestors." J. S. Harford. The proximate natural causes of it [the deluge]. T. Burnet. Proximate analysis (Chem.), an analysis which determines the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted with an ultimate analysis. — Proximate cause. (a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate, or predisposing cause. I. Watts. (b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a specific result, no independent disturbing agencies intervening. — Proximate principle (Physiol. Chem.), one of a class of bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin, sugar, collagen, fat, etc.
Syn.— Nearest; next; closest; immediate; direct.
PROXIMATELYProx"i*mate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a proximate manner, position, or degree; immediately.
PROXIMEProx"ime, a. Etym: [L. proximus. See Proximate.]
Defn: Next; immediately preceding or following. [Obs.]
PROXIMIOUSProx*im"i*ous, a.
Defn: Proximate. [Obs.]
PROXIMITYProx*im"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. proximitas: cf. F. proximité SeeProximate, and cf. Propinquity, Approach.]
Defn: The quality or state of being next in time, place, causation, influence, etc.; immediate nearness, either in place, blood, or alliance. If he plead proximity of blood That empty title is with ease withstood. Dryden.
PROXIMOProx"i*mo. Etym: [L., on the next, abl. of proximus next.]