Defn: In the next month after the present; — often contracted to prox.; as, on the 3d proximo.
PROXYProx"y, n.; pl. Proxies. Etym: [Contr. from procuracy. Cf. Proctor.]
1. The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity. I have no man's proxy: I speak only for myself. Burke.
2. The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote for another. Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament his proxy, to vote for him in his absence. Blackstone.
3. A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.
4. (Eng. Law)
Defn: The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts. Burrill.
5. (Eccl.)
Defn: See Procuration. [Obs.]
PROXYProx"y, v. i.
Defn: To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another. [R.]
PROXYSHIPProx"y*ship, n.
Defn: The office or agency of a proxy.
PRUCEPruce, n. Etym: [OE. for Prussia: cf. F. Prusse.]
Defn: Prussian leather. [Obs.] Dryden.
PRUDE Prude, n. Etym: [F., prudish, originally, discreet, modest; shortened from OF. prudefeme, preudefeme, a discreet or excellent woman; OF. preu, prou, excellent, brave + de of + fete woman. See Prow, a., Prowess.]
Defn: A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who isoverscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary prudencein conduct and speech.Less modest than the speech of prudes. Swift.
PRUDENCEPru"dence, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. prudentia, contr. from providentia.See Prudent, and cf. Providence.]
Defn: The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality. Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of doing or not doing. Sir M. Hale. Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends. Whewell.
Syn. — Wisdom; forecast; providence; considerateness; judiciousness; discretion; caution; circumspection; judgment. See Wisdom.
PRUDENCYPru"den*cy, n.
Defn: Prudence. [Obs.] Hakluyt.
PRUDENT Pru"dent, a. Etym: [L. prudens, -entis, contr. from providens: cf. F. prudent. See Provident.]
1. Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; — opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior. Moses established a grave and prudent law. Milton.
2. Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money.
Syn. — Cautious; wary; circumspect; considerate; discreet; judicious; provident; economical; frugal.
PRUDENTIALPru*den"tial, a.
1. Proceeding from, or dictated or characterized by, prudence; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives. " A prudential line of conduct." Sir W. Scott.
2. Exercising prudence; discretionary; advisory; superintending or executive; as, a prudential committee.
PRUDENTIALPru*den"tial, n.
Defn: That which relates to or demands the exercise of, discretion or prudence; — usually in the pl. Many stanzas, in poetic measures, contain rules relating to common prudentials as well as to religion. I. Watts.
PRUDENTIALISTPru*den"tial*ist, n.
Defn: One who is governed by, or acts from, prudential motives. [R.]Coleridge.
PRUDENTIALITYPru*den`ti*al"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being prudential. Sir T. Browne.
PRUDENTIALLYPru*den"tial*ly, adv.
Defn: In a prudential manner; prudently. South.
PRUDENTLYPru"dent*ly, adv.
Defn: In a prudent manner.
PRUDERYPrud"er*y, n.; pl. Pruderies. Etym: [F. pruderie. See Prude.]
Defn: The quality or state of being prudish; excessive or affected scrupulousness in speech or conduct; stiffness; coyness. Cowper.
PRUDHOMMEPrud*homme", n. Etym: [F. prud'homme. cf. Prude.]
Defn: A trustworthy citizen; a skilled workman. See Citation under 3dCommune, 1.
PRUDISHPrud"ish, a.
Defn: Like a prude; very formal, precise, or reserved; affectedly severe in virtue; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners. A formal lecture, spoke with prudish face. Garrick.
PRUDISHLYPrud"ish*ly, adv.
Defn: In a prudish manner.
PRUINATEPru"i*nate, a.
Defn: Same as Pruinose.
PRUINOSEPru"i*nose`, a. Etym: [L. pruinosus, fr. pruina hoarfrost.]
Defn: Frosty; covered with fine scales, hairs, dust, bloom, or the like, so as to give the appearance of frost.
PRUINOUSPru"i*nous, a.
Defn: Frosty; pruinose.
PRUNE Prune, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pruned; p. pr. & vb. n. Pruning.] Etym: [OE. proine, probably fr. F. provigner to lay down vine stocks for propagation; hence, probably, the meaning, to cut away superfluous shoots. See Provine.]
1. To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or shoots of; to clear of useless material; to shape or smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune trees; to prune an essay. Thackeray. Taking into consideration how they [laws] are to be pruned and reformed. Bacon. Our delightful task To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers. Milton.
2. To cut off or cut out, as useless parts. Horace will our superfluous branches prune. Waller.
3. To preen; to prepare; to dress. Spenser. His royal bird Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak. Shak.
PRUNEPrune, v. i.
Defn: To dress; to prink; -used humorously or in contempt. Dryden.
PRUNEPrune, n. Etym: [F. prune, from L. prunum a plum. See Plum.]
Defn: A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkish prunes; California prunes. German prune (Bot.), a large dark purple plum, of oval shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving, either dried or in sirup. Prune tree. (Bot.) (a) A tree of the genus Prunus (P. domestica), which produces prunes. (b) The West Indian tree, Prunus occidentalis. — South African prune (Bot.), the edible fruit of a sapindaceous tree (Pappea Capensis).
PRUNELLA Pru*nel"la, n. Etym: [NL., perhaps from G. bræune quinsy, croup.] (Med.) (a) Angina, or angina pectoris. (b) Thrush. Prunella salt (Old Chem.), niter fused and cast into little balls.
PRUNELLA; PRUNELLO Pru*nel"la, Pru*nel"lo, n. Etym: [F. prunelle, probably so called from its color resembling that of prunes. See Prune, n.]
Defn: A smooth woolen stuff, generally black, used for making shoes; a kind of lasting; — formerly used also for clergymen's gowns.
PRUNELLEPru*nelle", n. Etym: [F., dim. of prune. See Prune, n.]
Defn: A kind of small and very acid French plum; — applied especially to the stoned and dried fruit.
PRUNELLOPru*nel"lo, n. Etym: [F. prunelle, dim. of prune. See Prune a plum.]
Defn: A species of dried plum; prunelle.
PRUNERPrun"er, n.
1. One who prunes, or removes, what is superfluous.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of beetles whose larvæ gnaw the branches of trees so as to cause them to fall, especially the American oak pruner (Asemum moestum), whose larva eats the pith of oak branches, and when mature gnaws a circular furrow on the inside nearly to the bark. When the branches fall each contains a pupa.
PRUNIFEROUSPru*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. prunum a plum + -ferous.]
Defn: Bearing plums.
PRUNINGPrun"ing, n.
1. The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous.
2. (Falconry)
Defn: That which is cast off by bird in pruning her feathers; leavings. Beau. & Fl. Pruning hook, or Pruning knife, cutting instrument used in pruning trees, etc. — Pruning shears, shears for pruning trees, vines, etc.
PRUNUSPru"nus, n. Etym: [L., a plum tree.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of trees with perigynous rosaceous flowers, and a single two-ovuled carpel which usually becomes a drupe in ripening.
Note: Originally, this genus was limited to the plums, then, by Linnæus, was made to include the cherries and the apricot. Later botanists separated these into several genera, as Prunus, Cerasus, and Armeniaca, but now, by Bentham and Hooker, the plums, cherries, cherry laurels, peach, almond, and nectarine are all placed in Prunus.
PRURIENCE; PRURIENCYPru"ri*ence, Pru"ri*en*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being prurient.The pruriency of curious ears. Burke.There is a prurience in the speech of some. Cowper.
PRURIENTPru"ri*ent, a. Etym: [L. pruries, -entis, p. pr. of prurire to itch.Cf. Freeze.]
Defn: Uneasy with desire; itching; especially, having a lascivious curiosity or propensity; lustful. — Pru"ri*ent*ly, adv. The eye of the vain and prurient is darting from object to object of illicit attraction. I. Taylor.
PRURIGINOUSPru*rig"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. pruriginosus: cf. F. prurigineux.](Med.)
Defn: Tending to, or caused by, prurigo; affected by, or of the nature of, prurigo.
PRURIGOPru*ri"go, n. Etym: [L., an itching, the itch, fr. prurire to itch.](Med.)
Defn: A papular disease of the skin, of which intense itching is the chief symptom, the eruption scarcely differing from the healthy cuticle in color.
PRURITUSPru*ri"tus, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)
Defn: Itching.
PRUSSIANPrus"sian, a. Etym: [From Prussia, the country: cf. F. prussien.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Prussia.— n.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of Prussia. Prussian blue (Chem.), any one of several complex double cyanides of ferrous and ferric iron; specifically, a dark blue amorphous substance having a coppery luster, obtained by adding a solution of potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate of potash) to a ferric salt. It is used in dyeing, in ink, etc. Called also Williamson's blue, insoluble Prussian blue, Berlin blue, etc. — Prussian carp (Zoöl.) See Gibel. — Prussian green. (Chem.) Same as Berlin green, under Berlin.
PRUSSIATEPrus"si*ate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prussiate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of prussic acid; a cyanide. Red prussiate of potash. See Potassium ferricyanide, under Ferricyanide. Yellow prussiate of potash. See Potassium ferrocyanide, under Ferrocyanide.
PRUSSICPrus"sic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. prussique.] (Old Chem.)
Defn: designating the acid now called hydrocyanic acid, but formerly called prussic acid, because Prussian blue is derived from it or its compounds. See Hydrocyanic.
PRUTENICPru*ten"ic, a. (Astron.)
Defn: Prussian; — applied to certain astronomical tables published in the sixteenth century, founded on the principles of Copernicus, a Prussian.
PRYPry, n. Etym: [Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See Prize, n.]
Defn: A lever; also, leverage. [Local, U. S. & Eng.] Pry pole, the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin, and stands facing the windlass.
PRYPry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pried; p. pr. & vb. n. Prying.]
Defn: To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or lever; to prize. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
PRYPry, v. i. Etym: [OE. prien. Cf. Peer to peep.]
Defn: To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; — often implying reproach. " To pry upon the stars." Chaucer. Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state. Shak.
PRYPry, n.
Defn: Curious inspection; impertinent peeping.
PRYANPry"an, n. (Mining)
Defn: See Prian.
PRYINGPry"ing, a.
Defn: Inspecting closely or impertinently.
Syn.— Inquisitive; curious. See Inquisitive.
PRYINGLYPry"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a prying manner.
PRYTANEUMPryt`a*ne"um, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: A public building in certain Greek cities; especially, a public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the community, in which official hospitality was extended to distinguished citizens and strangers.
PRYTANISPryt"a*nis, n.; pl. Prytanes. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: A member of one of the ten sections into which the Athenian senate of five hundred was divided, and to each of which belonged the presidency of the senate for about one tenth of the year.
PRYTANYPryt"a*ny, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: The period during which the presidency of the senate belonged to the prytanes of the section.
PRYTHEEPryth"ee, interj.
Defn: See Prithee.
PSALMPsalm, n. Etym: [OE. psalm, salm, AS. sealm, L. psalmus, psalma, fr.Gr. psalme, salme, F. psaume.]
1. A sacred song; a poetical composition for use in the praise or worship of God. Humus devout and holy psalms Singing everlastingly. Milton.
2. Especially, one of the hymns by David and others, collected into one book of the Old Testament, or a modern metrical version of such a hymn for public worship.
PSALMPsalm, v. t.
Defn: To extol in psalms; to sing; as, psalming his praises.Sylvester.
PSALMISTPsalm"ist, n. Etym: [L. psalmista, Gr. psalmiste. See Psalm.]
1. A writer or composer of sacred songs; — a title particularly applied to David and the other authors of the Scriptural psalms.
2. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A clerk, precentor, singer, or leader of music, in the church.
PSALMISTRYPsalm"ist*ry, n.
Defn: The use of psalms in devotion; psalmody.
PSALMODIC; PSALMODICALPsal*mod"ic, Psal*mod"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. psalmodique.]
Defn: Relating to psalmody.
PSALMODISTPsal"mo*dist, n.
Defn: One who sings sacred songs; a psalmist.
PSALMODIZEPsal"mo*dize, v. i.
Defn: To practice psalmody. " The psalmodizing art." J. G. Cooper.
PSALMODYPsal"mo*dy, n. Etym: [Gr. psalmodie, LL. psalmodia. See Psalm, andOde.]
Defn: The act, practice, or art of singing psalms or sacred songs; also, psalms collectively, or a collection of psalms.
PSALMOGRAPHPsal"mo*graph, n. Etym: [See Psalmographer.]
Defn: A writer of psalms; a psalmographer.
PSALMOGRAPHER; PSALMOGRAPHISTPsal*mog"ra*pher, Psal*mog"ra*phist, n. Etym: [L. psalmographus, Gr.
Defn: A writer of psalms, or sacred songs and hymns.
PSALMOGRAPHYPsal*mog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. psalmographie.]
Defn: The act or practice of writing psalms, or sacred songs.
PSALTER Psal"ter, n. Etym: [OE. psauter, sauter, OF. sautier, psaltier, F. psautier, from L. psalterium. See Psaltery.]
1. The Book of Psalms; — often applied to a book containing the Psalms separately printed.
2. Specifically, the Book of Psalms as printed in the Book of Common Prayer; among the Roman Catholics, the part of the Breviary which contains the Psalms arranged for each day of the week.
3. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A rosary, consisting of a hundred and fifty beads, corresponding to the number of the psalms.
PSALTERIALPsal*te"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the psalterium.
PSALTERIUM Psal*te"ri*um, n.; pl. Psalteria. Etym: [L., a psaltery.] (Anat.) (a) The third stomach of ruminants. See Manyplies. (b) The lyra of the brain.
PSALTERYPsal"ter*y, n.; pl. Psalteries. Etym: [OE. sautrie, OF. psalterie, F.psaltérion, L. psalterium psaltery, psalter, from Gr. Psalm,Psalter.]
Defn: A stringed instrument of music used by the Hebrews, the form ofwhich is not known.Praise the Lord with harp; sing unto him with the psaltery and aninstrument of ten strings. Ps. xxxiii. 2.
PSAMMITEPsam"mite, n. Etym: [Gr. psammite.] (Min.)
Defn: A species of micaceous sandstone.— Psam*mit"ic, a.
PSAROLITEPsar"o*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. -lite.] (Paleon.)
Defn: A silicified stem of tree fern, found in abundance in theTriassic sandstone.
PSELLISMPsel"lism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Indistinct pronunciation; stammering.
PSEPHISMPse"phism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: A proposition adopted by a majority of votes; especially, one adopted by vote of the Athenian people; a statute. J. P. Mahaffy.
PSEUDAESTHESIAPseu`dæs*the"si*a, n. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, and Æsthesia.](Physiol.)
Defn: False or imaginary feeling or sense perception such as occurs in hypochondriasis, or such as is referred to an organ that has been removed, as an amputated foot.
PSEUDEMBRYO Pseu*dem"bry*o, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + embryo.] (Zoöl.) (a) A false embryo. (b) An asexual form from which the true embryo is produced by budding.
PSEUDEPIGRAPHIC; PSEUDEPIGRAPHICPseu*dep`i*graph"ic, Pseu*dep`i*graph"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to pseudepigraphy.
PSEUDEPIGRAPHOUSPseu`de*pig"ra*phous, a. Etym: [Gr. Pseudo-, and Epigraphy.]
Defn: Inscribed with a false name. Cudworth.
PSEUDEPIGRAPHYPseu`de*pig"ra*phy, n.
Defn: The ascription of false names of authors to works.
PSEUDHAEMALPseud*hæ"mal, a. Etym: [Pseudo- + hæmal.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to the vascular system of annelids. Pseudhæmal fluid, the circulatory fluid, or blood, of annelids, analogous to the blood of vertebrates. It is often red, but is sometimes green or colorless. — Pseudhæmal vessels, the blood vessels of annelids.
PSEUDO-Pseu"do-. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A combining form or prefix signifying false, counterfeit, pretended, spurious; as, pseudo-apostle, a false apostle; pseudo- clergy, false or spurious clergy; pseudo-episcopacy, pseudo-form, pseudo-martyr, pseudo-philosopher. Also used adjectively.
PSEUDOBACTERIAPseu`do*bac*te"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [Pseudo- + bacteria.] (Biol.)
Defn: Microscopic organic particles, molecular granules, powdered inorganic substances, etc., which in form, size, and grouping resemble bacteria.
Note: The globules which divide and develop in form of chains are organized beings; when this does not occur, we are dealing with pseudobacteria. Sternberg.
PSEUDOBLEPSISPseu`do*blep"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: False or depraved sight; imaginary vision of objects. Forsyth.
PSEUDOBRANCHPseu"do*branch, n. (Anat.)
Defn: Same as Pseudobranchia.
PSEUDOBRANCHIA Pseu`do*bran"chi*a, n.; pl. Pseudobranchiæ. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, and Branchia.] (Anat.)
Defn: A rudimentary branchia, or gill.— Pseu`do*bran"chi*al, a.
PSEUDO-BULBPseu"do-bulb`, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + bulb.] (Bot.)
Defn: An aërial corm, or thickened stem, as of some epiphytic orchidaceous plants.
PSEUDOCARPPseu"do*carp, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: That portion of an anthocarpous fruit which is not derived from the ovary, as the soft part of a strawberry or of a fig.
PSEUDO-CHINAPseu`do-chi"na, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + china.] (Bot.)
Defn: The false china root, a plant of the genus Smilax (S. Pseudo- china), found in America.
PSEUDOCOELEPseu"do*coele, n.
Defn: Same as Pseudocoelia.
PSEUDOCOELIAPseu`do*coe"li*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The fifth ventricle in the mammalian brain. See Ventricle. B.G. Wilder.
PSEUDO-CONEPseu"do-cone`, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + cone.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the soft gelatinous cones found in the compound eyes of certain insects, taking the place of the crystalline cones of others.
PSEUDO-CUMENEPseu`do-cu"mene, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + cumene.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hydrocarbon of the aromatic series, metameric with mesitylene and cumene, found in coal tar, and obtained as a colorless liquid.
PSEUDO-DIPTERAL Pseu`do-dip"ter*al, a. Etym: [Pseudo- + dipteral: cf. F. pseudodiptère.] (Arch.)
Defn: Falsely or imperfectly dipteral, as a temple with the inner range of columns surrounding the cella omitted, so that the space between the cella wall and the columns is very great, being equal to two intercolumns and one column. — n.
Defn: A pseudo-dipteral temple.
PSEUDODOXPseu"do*dox, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Not true in opinion or doctrine; false.— n.
Defn: A false opinion or doctrine. "To maintain the atheistical pseudodox which judgeth evil good, and darkness light." T. Adams.
PSEUDOFILARIAPseu`do*fi*la"ri*a, n.; pl. Pseudofilari. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, andFilaria.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the two elongated vibratile young formed by fission of the embryo during the development of certain Gregarinæ.
PSEUDO-GALENAPseu`do-ga*le"na, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + galena.] (Min.)
Defn: False galena, or blende. See Blende (a).
PSEUDOGRAPHPseu"do*graph, n. Etym: [See Pseudography.]
Defn: A false writing; a spurious document; a forgery.
PSEUDOGRAPHYPseu*dog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: False writing; forgery.
PSEUDOHALTERPseu`do*hal"ter, n.; pl. Pseudohalteres. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, andHalteres.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the rudimentary front wings of certain insects(Stylops). They resemble the halteres, or rudimentary hind wings, ofDiptera.
PSEUDO-HEARTPseu"do-heart`, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + heart.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any contractile vessel of invertebrates which is not of the nature of a real heart, especially one of those pertaining to the excretory system.
PSEUDO-HYPERTHOPHICPseu`do-hy`per*thoph"ic, a. Etym: [Pseudo- + hypertrophic.] (Med.)
Defn: Falsely hypertrophic; as, pseudo-hypertrophic paralysis, a variety of paralysis in which the muscles are apparently enlarged, but are really degenerated and replaced by fat.
PSEUDOLOGISTPseu*dol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: One who utters falsehoods; a liar.
PSEUDOLOGYPseu*dol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. pseudologie.]
Defn: Falsehood of speech. Arbuthnot.
PSEUDO-METALLICPseu`do-me*tal"lic, a. Etym: [Pseudo- + metallic.]
Defn: Falsely or imperfectly metallic; — said of a kind of luster, as in minerals.
PSEUDO-MONOCOTYLEDONOUS Pseu`do-mon`o*cot`y*led"on*ous, a. Etym: [Pseudo- + monocotyledonous.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having two coalescent cotyledons, as the live oak and the horse-chestnut.
PSEUDOMORPHPseu"do*morph, n. Etym: [See Pseudomorphous.]
1. An irregular or deceptive form.
2. (Crystallog.)
Defn: A pseudomorphous crystal, as a crystal consisting of quartz, but having the cubic form of fluor spar, the fluor crystal having been changed to quartz by a process of substitution.
PSEUDOMORPHISMPseu`do*mor"phism, n. (Crystallog.)
Defn: The state of having, or the property of taking, a crystalline form unlike that which belongs to the species.
PSEUDOMORPHOUSPseu`do*mor"phous, a. Etym: [Gr. pseudomorphe.]
Defn: Not having the true form. Pseudomorphous crystal, one which has a form that does not result from its own powers of crystallization.
PSEUDONAVICELLAPseu`do*nav`i*cel"la, n.; pl. Pseudonavicullæ. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Pseudonavicula.
PSEUDONAVICULA Pseu`do*na*vic"u*la, n.; pl. Pseudonaviculæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. navicula, a genus of diatoms. See Navicular.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the minute spindle-shaped embryos of Gregarinæ and some other Protozoa.
PSEUDONEUROPTERAPseu`do*neu*rop"te*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, andNeuroptera.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: division of insects (Zoöl.) reticulated wings, as in the Neuroptera, but having an active pupa state. It includes the dragon flies, May flies, white ants, etc. By some zoölogists they are classed with the Orthoptera; by others, with the Neuroptera.
PSEUDONEUROPTEROUSPseu`do*neu*rop"ter*ous, a. (Zool.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Pseudoneuroptera.
PSEUDONYMPseu"do*nym, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pseudonyme. See Pseudonymous.]
Defn: A fictitious name assumed for the time, as by an author; a pen name. [Written also pseudonyme.]
PSEUDONYMITYPseu`do*nym"i*ty, n.
Defn: The using of fictitious names, as by authors.
PSEUDONYMOUSPseu*don"y*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. pseudonyme. See Pseudo-, and Name.]
Defn: Bearing a false or fictitious name; as, a pseudonymous work.— Pseu*don"y*mous*ly, adv.— Pseu*don"y*mous*ness, n.
PSEUDO-PERIPTERAL Pseu`do-pe*rip"ter*al, a. Etym: [Pseudo- + peripteral: cf. F. pseudopériptère.] (Arch.)
Defn: Falsely or imperfectly peripteral, as a temple having the columns at the sides attached to the walls, and an ambulatory only at the ends or only at one end. — n.
Defn: A pseudo-peripteral temple. Oxf. Gloss.
PSEUDO-PERIPTERAL Pseu`do-pe*rip"ter*al, a. [Pseudo- + peripteral: cf. F. pseudopériptère.] (Arch.)
Defn: Falsely or imperfectly peripteral, as a temple having the columns at the sides attached to the walls, and an ambulatory only at the ends or only at one end. — n.
Defn: A pseudo-peripteral temple. Oxf. Gloss.
PSEUDOPODPseu"do*pod, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + -pod.]
1. (Biol.)
Defn: Any protoplasmic filament or irregular process projecting from any unicellular organism, or from any animal or plant call.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A rhizopod.
PSEUDOPODIALPseu`do*po"di*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pseudopod, or to pseudopodia. See Illust. of Heliozoa.
PSEUDOPODIUMPseu`do*po"di*um, n.; pl. Pseudopodia (. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: Same as Pseudopod.
PSEUDOPUPAPseu`do*pu"pa, n.; pl. L. Pseudopupæ, E. Pseudopupas. Etym: [NL. SeePseudo-, and Pupa.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A stage intermediate between the larva and pupa of bees and certain other hymenopterous insects.
PSEUDORHABDITEPseu`do*rhab"dite, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the peculiar rodlike corpuscles found in the integument of certain Turbellaria. They are filled with a soft granular substance.
PSEUDO-ROMANTICPseu`do-ro*man"tic, a. Etym: Pseudo- + romantic.]
Defn: Falsely romantic.The false taste, the pseudo-romantic rage. De Quincey.
PSEUDOSCOPEPseu"do*scope, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + -scope.] (Opt.)
Defn: An instrument which exhibits objects with their proper relief reversed; — an effect opposite to that produced by the stereoscope. Wheatstone.
PSEUDOSCOPICPseu`do*scop"ic, a. (Opt.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or formed by, a pseudoscope; having its parts appearing with the relief reversed; as, a pseudoscopic image.
PSEUDOSCORPIONESPseu`do*scor`pi*o"nes, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, and Scorpion.](Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of Arachnoidea having the palpi terminated by large claws, as in the scorpions, but destitute of a caudal sting; the false scorpions. Called also Pseudoscorpii, and Pseudoscorpionina. See Illust. of Book scorpion, under Book.
PSEUDOSPHEREPseu"do*sphere`, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + sphere.] (Geom.)
Defn: The surface of constant negative curvature generated by the revolution of a tractrix. This surface corresponds in non-Euclidian space to the sphere in ordinary space. An important property of the surface is that any figure drawn upon it can be displaced in any way without tearing it or altering in size any of its elements.
PSEUDOSPOREPseu"do*spore`, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + spore.] (Bot.)
Defn: A peculiar reproductive cell found in some fungi.
PSEUDOSTELLAPseu`do*stel"la, n.; pl. -læ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. stella star.](Astron.)
Defn: Any starlike meteor or phenomenon. [R.]
PSEUDOSTOMAPseu*dos"to*ma, n.; pl. Pseudostomata. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, andStoma.] (Anat.)
Defn: A group of cells resembling a stoma, but without any true aperture among them.
PSEUDO-SYMMETRICPseu`do-sym*met"ric, a. (Crystallog.)
Defn: Exhibiting pseudo-symmetry.
PSEUDO-SYMMETRYPseu`do-sym"me*try, n. Etym: [Pseudo- + symmetry.] (Crystallog.)
Defn: A kind of symmetry characteristic of certain crystals which from twinning, or other causes, come to resemble forms of a system other than that to which they belong, as the apparently hexagonal prisms of aragonite.
PSEUDOTETRAMERAPseu`do*te*tram"e*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, andTetramerous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of beetles having the fifth tarsal joint minute and obscure, so that there appear to be but four joints. — Pseu`do*te*tram"er*al, a.
PSEUDOTINEAPseu`do*tin"e*a (, n.; pl. Pseudotineæ. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, andTinea.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The bee moth, or wax moth (Galleria).
PSEUDOTURBINALPseu`do*tur"bi*nal, a. Etym: [Pseudo- + turbinal.] (Anat.)
Defn: See under Turbinal.
PSEUDOVARYPseu*do"va*ry, n.; pl. Pseudovaries. Etym: [Pseudo- + ovary.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The organ in which pseudova are produced; — called also pseudovarium.
PSEUDOVUMPseu*do"vum, n.; pl. Pseudova. Etym: [NL. See Pseudo-, and Ovum.](Zoöl.)
Defn: An egglike germ produced by the agamic females of some insects and other animals, and by the larvæ of certain insects. It is capable of development without fertilization. See Illust. of Pædogenesis.
PSHAWPshaw, interj. Etym: [Of imitative origin.]
Defn: Pish! pooch! — an exclamation used as an expression of contempt, disdain, dislike, etc. [Written also psha.]
PSHAWPshaw, v. i.
Defn: To express disgust or contemptuous disapprobation, as by theexclamation " Pshaw!"The goodman used regularly to frown and pshaw wherever this topic wastouched upon. Sir W. Scott.
PSILANTHROPICPsi`lan*throp"ic, a. Etym: [see Psilanthropist.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or embodying, psilanthropy. "A psilanthropic explanation." Coleridge.
PSILANTHROPISMPsi*lan"thro*pism, n.
Defn: Psilanthropy.
PSILANTHROPISTPsi*lan"thro*pist, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: One who believes that Christ was a mere man. Smart.
PSILANTHROPYPsi*lan"thro*py, n.
Defn: The doctrine of the merely human existence of Christ.
PSILOLOGYPsi*lol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr -logy.]
Defn: Love of empty of empty talk or noise. Coleridge.
PSILOMELANEPsi*lom"e*lane, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A hydrous oxide of manganese, occurring in smooth, botryoidal forms, and massive, and having an iron-black or steel-gray color.
PSILOPAEDESPsi`lo*pæ"des, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: birds whose young at first have down on the pterylæ only; — called also Gymnopædes.
PSILOPAEDICPsi`lo*pæd"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having down upon the pterylæ only; — said of the young of certain birds.
PSILOSOPHERPsi*los"o*pher, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A superficial or narrow pretender to philosophy; a sham philosopher.
PSITTACEOUS; PSITTACID Psit*ta"ceous, Psit"ta*cid, a. Etym: [L. psittacus a parrot, Gr. psittacide.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the parrots, or the Psittaci. — n.
Defn: One of the Psittaci.
PSITTACIPsit"ta*ci, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The order of birds which comprises the parrots.
PSITTA-CO-FULVINEPsit`ta-co-ful"*vine, n. Etym: [Gr. fulvus yellow.]
Defn: A yellow pigment found in the feathers of certain parrots.
PSOASPso"as, n. Etym: [Gr. psoas.] (Anat.)
Defn: An internal muscle arising from the lumbar vertebræ and inserted into the femur. In man there are usually two on each side, and the larger one, or great psoas, forms a part of the iliopsoas.
PSORAPso"ra, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A cutaneous disease; especially, the itch.
PSORIASIS Pso*ri"a*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) The state of being affected with psora. [Obs.] (b) A cutaneous disease, characterized by imbricated silvery scales, affecting only the superficial layers of the skin.
PSORICPso"ric, a. Etym: [L. psoricus, Gr. psorique.] (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to psora.
PSOROSPERMPso"ro*sperm, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A minute parasite, usually the young of Gregarinæ, in the pseudonavicula stage.
PSYCHAGOGICPsy`cha*gog"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Psychagogue.]
Defn: Attractive; persuasive. J. Morley.
PSYCHAGOGUEPsy"cha*gogue, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A necromancer. [R.]
PSYCHALPsy"chal, a. Etym: [See Psychical.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the soul; psychical. Bayne.
PSYCHANALYSISPsy`cha*nal"y*sis, n. [Psycho-+ analysis.]
Defn: A method or process of psychotherapeutic analysis based on the work of Dr. Sigmund Freud (1856- —) of Vienna. The method rests upon the theory that hysteria is characteristically due to repression of desires consciously rejected but subconsciously persistent; it consists in a close analysis of the patient's mental history, stress being laid upon the dream life, and of treatment by means of suggestion. — Psy*chan`a*lyt"ic (#), a. — Psy`cha*nal"y*sist (#), n.
PSYCHEPsy"che, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Class Myth.)
Defn: A lovely maiden, daughter of a king and mistress of Eros, orCupid. She is regarded as the personification of the soul.
2. The soul; the vital principle; the mind.
3. Etym: [F. psyché.]
Defn: A cheval glass.
PSYCHIANPsy"chi*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any small moth of the genus Psyche and allied genera (familyPsychidæ). The larvæ are called basket worms. See Basket worm, underBasket.
PSYCHIATRIA; PSYCHIATRYPsy*chi`a*tri"a, Psy*chi"a*try, n. Etym: [NL. psychiatria, fr. Gr.(Med.)
Defn: The application of the healing art to mental diseases.Dunglison.
PSYCHIATRICPsy`chi*at"ric, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to psychiatria.
PSYCHIC; PSYCHICALPsy"chic, Psy"chic*al, a. Etym: [L. psychicus, Gr. psychique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the human soul, or to the living principle in man.
Note: This term was formerly used to express the same idea as psychological. Recent metaphysicians, however, have employed it to mark the difference between psychh` the living principle in man, and pney^ma the rational or spiritual part of his nature. In this use, the word describes the human soul in its relation to sense, appetite, and the outer visible world, as distinguished from spiritual or rational faculties, which have to do with the supersensible world. Heyse.
2. Of or pertaining to the mind, or its functions and diseases; mental; — contrasted with physical. Psychical blindness, Psychical deafness (Med.), forms of nervous disease in which, while the senses of sight and hearing remain unimpaired, the mind fails to appreciate the significance of the sounds heard or the images seen. — Psychical contagion, the transference of disease, especially of a functional nervous disease, by mere force of example. — Psychical medicine, that department of medicine which treats of mental diseases.
PSYCHICSPsy"chics, n.
Defn: Psychology.
PSYCHISMPsy"chism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. psychisme.] (Philos.)
Defn: The doctrine of Quesne, that there is a fluid universally diffused, end equally animating all living beings, the difference in their actions being due to the difference of the individual organizations. Fleming.
PSYCHO-Psy"cho-.
Defn: A combining form from Gr. the soul, the mind, the understanding; as, psychology.
PSYCHOANALYSIS; PSYCHOANALYTICPsy`cho*a*nal"y*sis, n. —Psy`cho*an`a*lyt"ic, a. etc.
Defn: = Psychanalysis, Psychanalytic.
PSYCHOGENESISPsy`cho*gen"e*sis, n.
Defn: Genesis through an internal force, as opposed to natural selection.
PSYCHOGRAPHYPsy*chog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Psycho- + -graphy.]
1. A description of the phenomena of mind.
2. (Spiritualism)
Defn: Spirit writing.
PSYCHOLOGIC; PSYCHOLOGICALPsy`cho*log"ic, Psy`cho*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. psychologique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to psychology. See Note under Psychic.— Psy`cho*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
PSYCHOLOGISTPsy*chol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. psychologiste.]
Defn: One who is versed in, devoted to, psychology.
PSYCHOLOGUEPsy"cho*logue, n.
Defn: A psychologist.
PSYCHOLOGY Psy*chol"o*gy, n. pl. Psychologies (. Etym: [Psycho- + -logy: cf. F. psychologie. See Psychical.]
Defn: The science of the human soul; specifically, the systematic or scientific knowledge of the powers and functions of the human soul, so far as they are known by consciousness; a treatise on the human soul. Psychology, the science conversant about the phenomena of the mind, or conscious subject, or self. Sir W. Hamilton.
PSYCHOMACHYPsy*chom"a*chy, n. Etym: [L. psychomachia, fr. Gr.
Defn: A conflict of the soul with the body.
PSYCHOMANCYPsy"cho*man`cy, n. Etym: [Psycho- + -mancy: cf. F. psychomancie.]
Defn: Necromancy.
PSYCHOMETRYPsy*chom"e*try, n. Etym: [Psycho- + -metry.] (Physiol.)
Defn: The art of measuring the duration of mental processes, or of determining the time relations of mental phenomena. — Psy`cho*met"ric, a.
PSYCHO-MOTORPsy`cho-mo"tor, a. Etym: [Psycho- + motor.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to movement produced by action of the mind or will.
PSYCHOPANNYCHISMPsy"cho*pan"ny*chism, n. Etym: [Psycho- + Gr. (Theol.)
Defn: The doctrine that the soul falls asleep at death, and does not wake until the resurrection of the body. — Psy`cho*pan"ny*chism, n.
PSYCHOPATHYPsy*chop"a*thy, n. Etym: [Psycho- + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Mental disease. See Psychosis, 2.— Psy`cho*path"ic, a.— Psy*chop"a*thist, n.
PSYCHOPHYSICALPsy`cho*phys"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to psychophysics; involving the action or mutual relations of the psychical and physical in man. Psychophysical time (Physiol.), the time required for the mind to transform a sensory impression into a motor impulse. It is an important part of physiological or reaction time. See under Reaction.
PSYCHOPHYSICSPsy`cho*phys"ics, n. Etym: [Psycho- + physics.]
Defn: The science of the connection between nerve action and consciousness; the science which treats of the relations of the psychical and physical in their conjoint operation in man; the doctrine of the relation of function or dependence between body and soul.
PSYCHOPOMPPsy"cho*pomp, n. Etym: [Gr. psychopompe.] (Myth.)
Defn: A leader or guide of souls . J. Fiske.
PSYCHOSISPsy*cho"sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Psycho-.]
1. Any vital action or activity. Mivart.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A disease of the mind; especially, a functional mental disorder, that is, one unattended with evident organic changes.
PSYCHOTHERAPEUTICSPsy`cho*ther`a*peu"tics, n. [Psycho- + therapeutics.] (Med.)
Defn: The treatment of disease by acting on the mind, as by suggestion; mind cure; psychotherapy.
PSYCHOTHERAPYPsy`cho*ther"a*py, n. [Psycho-+ therapy.] (Med.)
Defn: Psychotherapeutics.
PSYCHOZOICPsy`cho*zo"ic, a. Etym: [Psycho- + Gr. (Geol.)
Defn: Designating, or applied to the Era of man; as, the psychozoic era.
PSYCHROMETER Psy*chrom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. psychro`s cold + -meter: cf. F. psychromètre.]
Defn: An instrument for measuring the tension of the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere, being essentially a wet and dry bulb hygrometer.
PSYCHROMETRICALPsy`chro*met"ric*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the psychrometer or psychrometry.
PSYCHROMETRYPsy*chrom"e*try, n.
Defn: Hygrometry.
PSYLLAPsyl"la, n.; pl. Psyllæ. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any leaping plant louse of the genus Psylla, or familyPsyllidæ.
PTARMIGAN Ptar"mi*gan, n. Etym: [Gael. tarmachan; cf. Ir. tarmochan, tarmonach.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any grouse of the genus Lagopus, of which numerous species are known. The feet are completely feathered. Most of the species are brown in summer, but turn white, or nearly white, in winter.
Note: They chiefly inhabit the northern countries and high mountains of Europe, Asia, and America. The common European species is Lagopus mutus. The Scotch grouse, red grouse, or moor fowl (L. Scoticus), is reddish brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or willow, ptarmigan (L. albus) is found in both Europe and America.
PTENOGLOSSAPte`no*glos"sa, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of gastropod mollusks having the teeth of the radula arranged in long transverse rows, somewhat like the barbs of a feather.
PTENOGLOSSATEPte`no*glos"sate, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Ptenoglossa.
PTERANODONPte*ran"o*don, n. Etym: [Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A genus of American Cretaceous pterodactyls destitute of teeth. Several species are known, some of which had an expanse of wings of twenty feet or more.
PTERANODONTIAPte*ran`o*don"ti*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Paleon.)
Defn: A group of pterodactyls destitute of teeth, as in the genusPteranodon.
PTERICHTHYSPte*rich"thys, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A genus of Devonian fossil fishes with winglike appendages. The head and most of the body were covered with large bony plates. See Placodermi.
PTERIDOLOGISTPter`i*dol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One who is versed in pteridology.
PTERIDOLOGYPter`i*dol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: That department of botany which treats of ferns.
PTERIDOMANIAPter`i*do*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [Gr. mania.]
Defn: A madness, craze, or strong fancy, for ferns. [R.] C. Kingsley.
PTERIDOPHYTAPter`i*doph"y*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A class of flowerless plants, embracing ferns, horsetails, clubmosses, quillworts, and other like plants. See the Note underCryptogamia.— Pter"i*do*phyte`, n.
Note: This is a modern term, devised to replace the older ones acrogens and vascular Cryptogamia.
PTEROBRANCHIAPter`o*bran"chi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of marine Bryozoa, having a bilobed lophophore and an axial cord. The genus Rhabdopleura is the type. Called also Podostomata. See Rhabdopleura.
PTEROCERASPte*roc"e*ras, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of large marine gastropods having the outer border of the lip divided into lobes; — called also scorpion shell.
PTEROCLETES Pter`o*cle"tes, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr Pterocles, the typical genus, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of birds including the sand grouse. They are in some respects intermediate between the pigeons and true grouse. Called also Pteroclomorphæ.
PTERODACTYLPter`o*dac"tyl, n. Etym: [Gr. ptérodactyle.] (Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct flying reptile; one of the Pterosauria. SeeIllustration in Appendix.
PTERODACTYLIPter`o*dac"ty*li, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Paleon.)
Defn: Same as Pterosauria.
PTEROGLOSSALPter`o*glos"sal, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the tongue finely notched along the sides, so as to have a featherlike appearance, as the toucans.
PTERONPte"ron, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The region of the skull, in the temporal fossa back of the orbit, where the great wing of the sphenoid, the temporal, the parietal, and the frontal hones approach each other.
PTEROPAPPIPter`o*pap"pi, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zool.)
Defn: Same as Odontotormæ.
PTEROPHOREPter"o*phore, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any moth of the genus Pterophorus and allied genera; a plume moth. See Plume moth, under Plume.
PTEROPODPter"o*pod, n. Etym: [Gr. ptéropode.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Pteropoda.
PTEROPODAPte*rop"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A class of Mollusca in which the anterior lobes of the foot are developed in the form of broad, thin, winglike organs, with which they swim at near the surface of the sea.
Note: The Pteropoda are divided into two orders: Cymnosomata, which have the body entirely naked and the head distinct from the wings; and Thecosomata, which have a delicate transparent shell of various forms, and the head not distinct from the wings.
PTEROPODOUSPte*rop"o*dous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Pteropoda.
PTEROSAURPter"o*saur, n. Etym: [Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A pterodactyl.
PTEROSAURIAPter`o*sau"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct order of flying reptiles of the Mesozoic age; the pterodactyls; — called also Pterodactyli, and Ornithosauria.
Note: The wings were formed, like those of bats, by a leathery expansion of the skin, principally supported by the greatly enlarged outer or " little" fingers of the hands. The American Cretaceous pterodactyls had no teeth. See Pteranodontia, and Pterodactyl.
PTEROSAURIANPter`o*sau"ri*an, a. (Paleon.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Pterosauria.
PTEROSTIGMAPter`o*stig"ma, n.; pl. Pterostigmata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A thickened opaque spot on the wings of certain insects.
PTEROTICPte*ro"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to, or designating, a bone between the proötic and epiotic in the dorsal and outer part of the periotic capsule of many fishes. — n.
Defn: The pterotic bone.
Note: The pterotic bone is so called because fancied in some cases to resemble in form a bird's wing
PTERYGIUMPte*ryg"i*um, n.; pl. E. Pterygiums, L. Pterygia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.(Med.)
Defn: A superficial growth of vascular tissue radiating in a fanlike manner from the cornea over the surface of the eye.
PTERYGOID Pter"y*goid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.] (Anat.) (a) Like a bird's wing in form; as, a pterygoid bone. (b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pterygoid bones, pterygoid processes, or the whole sphenoid bone. — n.
Defn: A pterygoid bone. Pterygoid bone (Anat.), a bone which corresponds to the inner plate of the pterygoid process of the human skull, but which, in all vertebrates below mammals, is not connected with the posterior nares, but serves to connect the palatine bones with the point of suspension of the lower jaw. — Pterygoid process (Anat.), a process projecting downward from either side of the sphenoid bone, in man divided into two plates, an inner and an outer. The posterior nares pass through the space, called the pterygoid fossa, between the processes.
PTERYGOMAXILLARYPter`y*go*max"il*la*ry, a. Etym: [Pterygoid + maxillary.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the inner pterygoid plate, or pterygoid bone, and the lower jaw.
PTERYGOPALATINEPter`y*go*pal"a*tine, a. Etym: [Pterygoid + palatine.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the pterygoid processes and the palatine bones.
PTERYGOPODIUMPter`y*go*po"di*um, n.; pl. Pterygopodia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: A specially modified part of the ventral fin in male elasmobranchs, which serves as a copulatory organ, or clasper.
PTERYGOQUADRATEPter`y*go*quad"rate, a. Etym: [Pterygoid + quadrate.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or representing the pterygoid and quadrate bones or cartilages.
PTERYLAPte*ry"la, n.; pl. Pterylæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the definite areas of the skin of a bird on which feathers grow; — contrasted with apteria.
PTERYLOGRAPHYPter`y*log"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Pteryla + -graphy.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The study or description of the arrangement of feathers, or of the pterylæ, of birds.
PTERYLOSISPter`y*lo"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. NL. & E. pteryla.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The arrangement of feathers in definite areas.
PTILOCERQUEPtil"o*cerque, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zool.)
Defn: The pentail.
PTILOPAEDESPtil`o*pæ"des, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Dasypædes.
PTILOPAEDICPtil`o*pæd"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having nearly the whole surface of the skin covered with down; dasypædic; — said of the young of certain birds.
PTILOPTERIPti*lop"te*ri, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of birds including only the penguins.
PTILOSISPti*lo"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Pterylosis.
PTISAN Ptis"an, n. Etym: [L. ptisana peeled barley, barley water, Gr. ptisane, tisane.]
1. A decoction of barley with other ingredients; a farinaceous drink.
2. (Med.)
Defn: An aqueous medicine, containing little, if any, medicinal agent; a tea or tisane.
PTOLEMAICPtol`e*ma"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Ptolemy, the geographer and astronomer. Ptolemaic system (Astron.), the system maintained by Ptolemy, who supposed the earth to be fixed in the center of the universe, with the sun and stars revolving around it. This theory was received for ages, until superseded by the Copernican system.
PTOLEMAISTPtol"e*ma`ist, n.
Defn: One who accepts the astronomical system of Ptolemy.
PTOMAINEPto"ma*ine, n. Etym: [From Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous matter, and closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead matter, by which they are to be distinguished from the leucomaines.
PTOSISPto"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Drooping of the upper eyelid, produced by paralysis of its levator muscle.
PTYALINPty"a*lin, n. Etym: [Gr. Ptyalism.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: An unorganized amylolytic ferment, on enzyme, present in human mixed saliva and in the saliva of some animals.
PTYALISMPty"a*lism, n. Etym: [Gr. ptyalisme.]
Defn: Salivation, or an excessive flow of saliva. Quain.
PTYALOGOGUEPty*al"o*gogue, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A ptysmagogue.
PTYSMAGOGUEPtys"ma*gogue, n. Etym: [Gr. ptysmagogue.] (Med.)
Defn: A medicine that promotes the discharge of saliva.
PTYXISPtyx"is, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: The way in which a leaf is sometimes folded in the bud.
PUBBLEPub"ble, a. Etym: [Perhaps fr. bubble.]
Defn: Puffed out, pursy; pudgy; fat. [Obs.] Drant.
PUBERALPu"ber*al, a. Etym: [From L. puber, pubes, grown up, adult.]