PUTRESCINPu*tres"cin, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A nontoxic diamine, C4H12N2, formed in the putrefaction of the flesh of mammals and some other animals.
PUTRIDPu"trid, a. Etym: [L. putridus, fr. putrere to be rotten, fr.puter,or putris, rotten, fr. putere to stink, to be rotten: cf. F. putride.See Pus, Foul, a.]
1. Tending to decomposition or decay; decomposed; rotten; — said of animal or vegetable matter; as, putrid flesh. See Putrefaction.
2. Indicating or proceeding from a decayed state of animal or vegetable matter; as, a putrid smell. Putrid fever (Med.), typhus fever; — so called from the decomposing and offensive state of the discharges and diseased textures of the body. — Putrid sore throat (Med.), a gangrenous inflammation of the fauces and pharynx.
PUTRIDITYPu*trid"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. putridité.]
Defn: The quality of being putrid; putrefaction; rottenness.
PUTRIDNESSPu"trid*ness, n.
Defn: Putridity. Floyer.
PUTRIFACTEDPu"tri*fac`ted, a. Etym: [See Putrefy.]
Defn: Putrefied. [Obs.]What vermin bred of putrifacted slime. Marston.
PUTRIFICATIONPu`tri*fi*ca"tion, n.
Defn: Putrefaction.
PUTRIFYPu"tri*fy, v. t. & i.
Defn: To putrefy.
PUTRILAGEPu"tri*lage, n. Etym: [F. putrilage, L. putrilago putrefaction.]
Defn: That which is undergoing putrefaction; the products of putrefaction.
PUTRYPu"try, a.
Defn: Putrid. [Obs.] Marston.
PUTRYPu"try, n.
Defn: Putage. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PUTTPutt, n. [Cf. Put, v. t.] (Golf)
Defn: A stroke made on the putting green to play the ball into a hole.
PUTTPutt, v. i. (Golf)
Defn: To make a putt.
PUTTEEPut"tee, n.
Defn: Same as Putty, a kind of gaiter.
PUTTERPut"ter, n.
1. One who puts or plates.
2. Specifically, one who pushes the small wagons in a coal mine, and the like. [Prov. Eng.]
PUTTERPut"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Puttered; p. pr. & vb. n. Puttering.]Etym: [See Potter.]
Defn: To act inefficiently or idly; to trifle; to potter.
PUTTER-ONPut"ter-on`, n.
Defn: An instigator. Shak.
PUTTIERPut"ti*er, n.
Defn: One who putties; a glazier.
PUTTINGPut"ting, n.
Defn: The throwing of a heavy stone, shot, etc., with the hand raised or extended from the shoulder; — originally, a Scottish game. Putting stone, a heavy stone used in the game of putting.
PUTTING GREENPutt"ing green. (Golf)
Defn: The green, or plot of smooth turf, surrounding a hole. "The term putting green shall mean the ground within twenty yards of the hole, excepting hazards." Golf Rules.
PUTTOCK Put"tock, n. Etym: [Cf. Pout a young bird, Poult.] (Zoöl.) (a) The European kite. (b) The buzzard. (c) The marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.]
PUTTOCKPut"tock, n. (Naut.)
Defn: See Futtock. [Obs.]
PUTTY Put"ty, n. Etym: [F. potée, fr. pot pot; what was formerly called putty being a substance resembling what is now called putty powder, and in part made of the metal of old pots. See Pot.]
Defn: A kind of thick paste or cement compounded of whiting, or soft carbonate of lime, and linseed oil, when applied beaten or kneaded to the consistence of dough, — used in fastening glass in sashes, stopping crevices, and for similar purposes. Putty powder, an oxide of tin, or of tin and lead in various proportions, much used in polishing glass, metal, precious stones, etc.
PUTTYPut"ty, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Puttied; p. pr. & vb. n. Puttying.]
Defn: To cement, or stop, with putty.
PUTTY-FACEDPut"ty-faced`, a.
Defn: White-faced; — used contemptuously. Clarke.
PUTTYROOTPut"ty*root`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: An American orchidaceous plant (Aplectrum hyemale) which flowers in early summer. Its slender naked rootstock produces each year a solid corm, filled with exceedingly glutinous matter, which sends up later a single large oval evergreen plaited leaf. Called also Adam-and-Eve.
PUT-UPPut"-up, a.
Defn: Arranged; plotted; — in a bad sense; as, a put-up job.[Colloq.]
PUYPu"y, n.
Defn: See Poy.
PUZZELPuz"zel, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pucelle a virgin.]
Defn: A harlot; a drab; a hussy. [Obs.] Shak.
PUZZLEPuz"zle, n. Etym: [For opposal, in the sense of problem. See Oppose,Pose, v.]
1. Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.
2. The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a puzzle.
PUZZLEPuz"zle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Puzzled; p. pr. & vb. n. Puzzling.]
1. To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand; tononplus.A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous in puzzlingothers. Dr. H. More.He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his own blunders.Addison.
2. To make intricate; to entangle. They disentangle from the puzzled skein. Cowper. The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled in mazes, and perplexed with error. Addison.
3. To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; — followed by out; as, to puzzle out a mystery.
Syn.— To embarrass; perplex; confuse; bewilder; confound. SeeEmbarrass.
PUZZLEPuz"zle, v. i.
1. To be bewildered, or perplexed. A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing. L'Estrange.
2. To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.
PUZZLEDOMPuz"zle*dom, n.
Defn: The domain of puzzles; puzzles, collectively. C. Kingsley.
PUZZLE-HEADEDPuz"zle-head`ed, a.
Defn: Having the head full of confused notions. Johnson.
PUZZLEMENTPuz"zle*ment, n.
Defn: The state of being puzzled; perplexity. Miss Mitford.
PUZZLERPuz"zler, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, puzzles or perplexes.Hebrew, the general puzzler of old heads. Brome.
PUZZLINGLYPuz"zling*ly, adv.
Defn: In a puzzling manner.
PUZZOLAN; PUZZOLANAPuz"zo*lan, Puz`zo*la"na, n.
Defn: See Pozzuolana.
PYAEMIAPy*æ"mi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A form of blood poisoning produced by the absorption into the blood of morbid matters usually originating in a wound or local inflammation. It is characterized by the development of multiple abscesses throughout the body, and is attended with irregularly recurring chills, fever, profuse sweating, and exhaustion.
PYAEMICPy*æ"mic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to pyæmia; of the nature of pyæmia.
PYCNASPIDEANPyc`nas*pid"e*an, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the posterior side of the tarsus covered with small irregular scales; — said of certain birds.
PYCNIDIUMPyc*nid"i*um, n.; pl. Pycnidia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: In certain fungi, a flask-shaped cavity from the surface of the inner walls of which spores are produced.
PYCNITEPyc"nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A massive subcolumnar variety of topaz.
PYCNODONTPyc"no*dont, n. Etym: [Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: Any fossil fish belonging to the Pycnodontini. They have numerous round, flat teeth, adapted for crushing.
PYCNODONTINIPyc`no*don"ti*ni, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extinct order of ganoid fishes. They had a compressed body, covered with dermal ribs (pleurolepida) and with enameled rhomboidal scales.
PYCNOGONIDPyc*nog"o*nid, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Pycnogonida.
PYCNOGONIDAPyc`no*gon"i*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A class of marine arthropods in which the body is small and thin, and the eight legs usually very long; — called also Pantopoda.
Note: The abdomen is rudimentary, and the triangular mouth is at the end of a tubular proboscis. Many of them live at great depths in the sea, and the largest of them measure two feet across the extended legs.
PYCNOMETERPyc*nom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Physics)
Defn: A specific gravity bottle; a standard flask for measuring and comparing the densities of liquids. [Also written pyknometer.]
PYCNOSTYLEPyc"no*style, a. Etym: [Gr. pycnostyle.] (Anc. Arch.)
Defn: See under Intercolumniation. -n.
Defn: A pycnostyle colonnade.
PYEPye, n.
Defn: See 2d Pie (b).
PYEBALDPye"bald`, a.
Defn: See Piebald.
PYELITISPy`e*li"tis. n. Etym: [Gr. basin + -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney.
PYEMIAPy*e"mi*a, n. (Med.)
Defn: See PyÆmia.
PYETPy"et, n.
Defn: A magpie; a piet. [Prov. Eng.]Here cometh the worthy prelate as pert as a pyet. Sir W. Scott.
PYGALPy"gal, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Situated in the region of the rump, or posterior end of the backbone; — applied especially to the posterior median plates in the carapace of chelonians.
PYGARG; PYGARGUSPy"garg, Py*gar"gus,Etym: [L. pygargus, Gr. pygargue.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A quadruped, probably the addax, an antelope having a white rump. Deut. xiv. 5.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The female of the hen harrier. (b) The sea eagle.
PYGIDIUMPy*gid"i*um, n.; pl. Pygidia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The caudal plate of trilobites, crustacean, and certain insects. See Illust. of Limulus and Trilobite.
PYGMY; PYGMEANPyg"my, Pyg*me"an, a. Etym: [L. pygmaeus. See Pygmy.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pygmy; resembling a pygmy or dwarf; dwarfish; very small. " Like that Pygmean race." Milton. Pygmy antelope (Zoöl.), the kleeneboc. — Pygmy goose (Zoöl.), any species of very small geese of the genus Nettapus, native of Africa, India, and Australia. — Pygmy owl (Zoöl.), the gnome. Pygmy parrot (Zoöl.), any one of several species of very small green parrots (Nasiternæ), native of New Guinea and adjacent islands. They are not larger than sparrows. Pygmy chimpanzee, a species of anthropoid ape (Pan paniscus) resembling the chimpanzee, but somewhat smaller; also called bonobo. It is considered (1996) as having the closest genetic relationship to humans of any other animal. It is found in forests in Zaire, and is an endangered species.
PYGMYPyg"my, n.; pl. Pygmies. Etym: [L. pygmaeus, Gr. Pugnacious, Fist.][Written also pigmy.]
1. (Class. Myth.)
Defn: One of a fabulous race of dwarfs who waged war with the cranes, and were destroyed.
2. Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf. Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched on Alps. And pyramids are pyramids in vales. Young.
PYGOBRANCHIAPy`go*bran"chi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. pugh` the rump + (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks having the branchiæ in a wreath or group around the anal opening, as in the genus Doris.
PYGOPODPy"go*pod, n. Etym: [Gr. -pod.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Pygopodes.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of serpentiform lizards of the family Pygopodidæ, which have rudimentary hind legs near the anal cleft, but lack fore legs.
PYGOPODESPy*gop"o*des, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of swimming birds which includes the grebes, divers, auks, etc., in which the legs are placed far back.
PYGOPODOUSPy*gop"o*dous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Pygopodes.
PYGOSTYLEPy"go*style, n. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The plate of bone which forms the posterior end of the vertebral column in most birds; the plowshare bone; the vomer. It is formed by the union of a number of the last caudal vertebræ, and supports the uropigium.
PYINPy"in, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. (Chem.)
Defn: An albuminoid constituent of pus, related to mucin, possibly a mixture of substances rather than a single body.
PYJAMAPy*ja"ma, n. Etym: [Hind. pae-jama, literally, leg clothing.]
Defn: In India and Persia, thin loose trowsers or drawers; in Europe and America, drawers worn at night, or a kind of nightdress with legs. [Written also paijama.]
PYJAMAS; PAJAMASPy*ja"mas, or, chiefly U. S., Pa*ja"mas, n. pl.
Defn: A garment, similar to the Oriental pyjama (which see), adopted among Europeans, Americans, and other Occidentals, for wear in the dressing room and during sleep; also, a suit of drawers and blouse for such wear.
PYKARPyk"ar, n.
Defn: An ancient English fishing boat.
PYLAPy"la n.; pl. L. Pylæ, E. Pylas. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The passage between the iter and optocoele in the brain. B. G.Wilder.
PYLAGOREPyl"a*gore, n. Etym: [Gr. pylagore.] (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: a deputy of a State at the Amphictyonic council.
PYLANGIUMPy*lan"gi*um, n.; pl. Pylangia (. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The first and undivided part of the aortic trunk in theamphibian heart.— Py*lan"gi*al, a.
PYLON Py"lon, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (a) A low tower, having a truncated pyramidal form, and flanking an ancient Egyptian gateway. Massive pylons adorned with obelisks in front. J. W. Draper.
(b) An Egyptian gateway to a large building (with or without flanking towers).
PYLORICPy*lor"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. pylorique.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pylorus; as, the pyloric end of the stomach.
PYLORUS Py*lo"rus, n.; pl. Pylori. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Anat.) (a) The opening from the stomach into the intestine. (b) A posterior division of the stomach in some invertebrates.
PYNEPyne, n. & v.
Defn: See Pine. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PYNOUNPy*noun", n.
Defn: A pennant. [Obs.] Chaucer.
PYOCYANINPy`o*cy"a*nin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. (Chem.)
Defn: A blue coloring matter found in the pus from old sores, supposed to be formed through the agency of a species of bacterium (Bacillus pyocyaneus).C13H10N2O
PYOGENICPy`o*gen"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Producing or generating pus.
PYOIDPy"oid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.] (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to pus; of the nature of, or like, pus. Pyoid corpuscles (Med.), cells of a size larger than pus corpuscles, containing two or more of the latter.
PYOPNEUMOTHORAXPy`op*neu`mo*tho"rax, n. Etym: [Gr. pneumothorax.] (Med.)
Defn: Accumulation of air, or other gas, and of pus, in the pleural cavity.
PYOTPy"ot, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The magpie. See Piet.
PYOXANTHOSEPy`o*xan"those, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. (Chem.)
Defn: A greenish yellow crystalline coloring matter found with pyocyanin in pus.
PYRACANTHPyr"a*canth, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: The evergreen thorn (Cratægus Pyracantha), a shrub native ofEurope.
PYRALPy"ral, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pyre. [R.]
PYRALIDPyr"a*lid, n. Etym: [L. pyralis, -idis, a kind of winged insect.](Zoöl.)
Defn: Any moth of the family Pyralidæ. The species are numerous and mostly small, but some of them are very injurious, as the bee moth, meal moth, hop moth, and clover moth.
PYRAMIDPyr"a*mid, n. Etym: [L. pyramis, -idis, fr. Gr. pyramide.]
1. A solid body standing on a triangular, square, or polygonal base, and terminating in a point at the top; especially, a structure or edifice of this shape.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: A solid figure contained by a plane rectilineal figure as base and several triangles which have a common vertex and whose bases are sides of the base.
3. pl. (Billiards)
Defn: The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot. [Eng.] Altitude of a pyramid (Geom.), the perpendicular distance from the vertex to the plane of the base. — Axis of a pyramid (Geom.), a straight line drawn from the vertex to the center of the base. — Earth pyramid. (Geol.) See Earth pillars, under Earth. — Right pyramid (Geom.) a pyramid whose axis is perpendicular to the base.
PYRAMIDALPy*ram`i*dal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. pyramidal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a pyramid; in the form of a a pyramid; pyramidical; as, pyramidal cleavage. The mystic obelisks stand up Triangular, pyramidal. Mrs. Browning.
2. (Crystallog.)
Defn: Same as Tetragonal. Pyramidal numbers (Math.), certain series of figurate numbers expressing the number of balls or points that may be arranged in the form of pyramids. Thus 1, 4, 10, 20, 35, etc., are trangular pyramidal numbers; and 1, 5, 14, 30, 55, etc., are square pyramidal numbers.
PYRAMIDALPy*ram"i*dal, n. (Anat.)
Defn: One of the carpal bones. See Cuneiform, n., 2 (b).
PYRAMIDALLYPy*ram"i*dal*ly, adv.
Defn: Like a pyramid.
PYRAMIDIC; PYRAMIDICALPyr`a*mid"ic, Pyr`a*mid"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pyramid; having the form of a pyramid;pyramidal. " A pyramidical rock." Goldsmith. "Gold in pyramidicplenty piled." Shenstone.— Pyr`a*mid"ic*al*ly, adv. Pyr`a*mild"ic*al*ness, n.
PYRAMIDIONPyr`a*mid"i*on, n.; pl. Pyramidia. Etym: [NL., from L. pyramis. SeePyramid.]
Defn: The small pyramid which crowns or completes an obelisk.
PYRAMIDOIDPy*ram"i*doid, n. Etym: [Gr. -id: cf. F. pyramidoïde.]
Defn: A solid resembling a pyramid; — called also pyramoid. Barlow.
PYRAMISPyr"a*mis, n.; pl. Pyramides. Etym: [L.]
Defn: A pyramid.
PYRAMOIDPyr"a*moid, n.
Defn: See Pyramidoid.
PYRARGYRITEPy*rar"gy*rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Ruby silver; dark red silver ore. It is a sulphide of antimony and silver, occurring in rhombohedral crystals or massive, and is of a dark red or black color with a metallic adamantine luster.
PYRAZINE; PYRAZINPyr"a*zine, n. Also -zin. [Pyridine + Gr. not + life.] (Org. Chem.)
Defn: A feebly basic solid, C4H4N2, obtained by distilling piperazine with zinc dust, and in other ways. Also, by extension, any of various derivatives of the same.
PYREPyre, n. Etym: [L. pure, Gr. Fire.]
Defn: A funeral pile; a combustible heap on which the dead are burned; hence, any pile to be burnt. For nine long nights, through all the dusky air, The pyres thick flaming shot a dismal glare. Pope.
PYRENAPy*re"na, n.; pl. Pyrenæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A nutlet resembling a seed, or the kernel of a drupe. Gray.
PYRENEPy"rene, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: One of the less volatile hydrocarbons of coal tar, obtained as a white crystalline substance, C16H10.
PYRENEPy"rene, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Pyrena.
PYRENEANPyr`e*ne"an, a. Etym: [L. Pyrenaei (sc. montes) the Pyrenees, fr.Pyrene, Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Pyrenees, a range of mountains separating France and Spain. — n.
Defn: The Pyrenees. Shak.
PYRENOIDPy*re"noid, n. Etym: [Gr. Pyrena, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A transparent body found in the chromatophores of certainInfusoria.
PYRETHRINPyr"eth*rin, n. Etym: [NL. Pyrethrum, generic name of feverfew, Gr.(Chem.)
Defn: A substance resembling, and isomeric with, ordinary camphor, and extracted from the essential oil of feverfew; — called also Pyrethrum camphor.
PYRETHRINEPyr"eth*rine, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An alkaloid extracted from the root of the pellitory of Spain(Anacyclus pyrethrum).
PYRETICPy*ret"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. pyrétique.] (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to fever; febrile.
PYRETOLOGYPyr`e*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy: cf. F. pyrétologie.] (Med.)
Defn: A discourse or treatise on fevers; the doctrine of fevers.Hooper.
PYREXIAPy*rex"i*a, n.; pl. Pyrexiæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The febrile condition.
PYREXIAL; PYREXICALPy*rex"i*al, Py*rex"ic*al, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to fever; feverish.
PYRGOMPyr"gom, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A variety of pyroxene; — called also fassaite.
PYRHELIOMETERPyr*he`li*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Physics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the direct heating effect of the sun's rays.
PYRIDICPy*rid"ic, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: Related to, or formed from, pyridin or its homologues; as, the pyridic bases.
PYRIDINEPyr"i*dine, n. Etym: [From Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous base, C5H5N, obtained from the distillation of bone oil or coal tar, and by the decomposition of certain alkaloids, as a colorless liquid with a peculiar pungent odor. It is the nucleus of a large number of organic substances, among which several vegetable alkaloids, as nicotine and certain of the ptomaïnes, may be mentioned. See Lutidine.
PYRIDYLPyr"i*dyl, n. Etym: [Pyridine + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hypothetical radical, C5H4N, regarded as the essential residue of pyridine, and analogous to phenyl.
PYRIFORM Pyr"i*form, a. Etym: [L. pyrum, pirum, a pear + -form: cf. F. pyriforme, piriforme.]
Defn: Having the form of a pear; pear-shaped.
PYRITACEOUSPyr`i*ta"ceous, a. (Min.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to pyrites. See Pyritic.
PYRITEPyr"ite, n.; pl. Pyrites. Etym: [Cf. F. pyrite. See Pyrites.] (Min.)
Defn: A common mineral of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system; iron pyrites; iron disulphide. Hence sable coal his massy couch extends, And stars of gold the sparkling pyrite blends. E. Darwin.
PYRITESPy*ri"tes, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Pyre.] (Min.)
Defn: A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or yellowish color.
Note: The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite, or ironpyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when struck with steel.Arsenical pyrites, arsenopyrite.— Auriferous pyrites. See under Auriferous.— Capillary pyrites, millerite.— Common pyrites, isometric iron disulphide; pyrite.— Hair pyrites, millerite.— Iron pyrites. See Pyrite.— Magnetic pyrites, pyrrhotite.— Tin pyrites, stannite.— White iron pyrites, orthorhombic iron disulphide; marcasite. Thisincludes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of marcasite, named in allusionto its form), spear pyrites, etc.— Yellow, or Copper, pyrites, the sulphide of copper and iron;chalcopyrite.
PYRITIC; PYRITICALPy*rit"ic, Py*rit"ic*al, a. (Min.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to pyrites; consisting of, or resembling, pyrites.
PYRITIFEROUSPyr`i*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Pyrites + -ferous.] (Min.)
Defn: Containing or producing pyrites.
PYRITIZEPyr"i*tize, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. pyritiser.]
Defn: To convert into pyrites.
PYRITOHEDRALPyr`i*to*he"dral, a. Etym: [See Pyritohedron.] (Crystallog.)
Defn: Like pyrites in hemihedral form.
PYRITOHEDRONPyr`i*to*he"dron, n. Etym: [Pyrite + Gr. (Crystallog.)
Defn: The pentagonal dodecahedron, a common form of pyrite.
PYRITOIDPyr"i*toid, n. Etym: [Pyrite + -oid.] (Crystallog.)
Defn: Pyritohedron. [R.]
PYRITOLOGYPyr`i*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: The science of blowpipe analysis.
PYRITOUSPyr"i*tous, a.
Defn: Pyritic.
PYRO-; PYR-Pyro-, Pyr-. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Combining forms designating fire or heat; specifically (Chem.), used to imply an actual or theoretical derivative by the action of heat; as in pyrophosphoric, pyrosulphuric, pyrotartaric, pyrotungstic, etc.
PYROPy"ro, n. (Photog.)
Defn: Abbreviation of pyrogallic acid. [Colloq.]
PYROACETICPyr`o*a*ce"tic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + acetic: cf. F. pyroacétique.](Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, and designating, a substance (acetone) obtained by the distillation of the acetates. It is now called also pyroacetic ether, and formerly was called pyroacetic spirit.
PYROACIDPyr`o*ac"id, n. Etym: [Pyro- + acid.] (Chem.)
Defn: An acid obtained by sybjecting another acid to the action of heat. Cf. Pyro-.
PYROANTIMONATEPyr`o*an`ti*mo"nate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyroantimonic acid.
PYROANTIMONICPyr`o*an`ti*mon"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + antimonic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of antimony analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.
PYROARSENATEPyr`o*ar"se*nate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyroarsenic acid.
PYROARSENICPyr`o*ar*sen"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + arsenic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to or designating, an acid of arsenic analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.
PYROBORATEPyr`o*bo"rate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyroboric acid.
PYROBORICPyr`o*bo"ric, a. Etym: [Pyro- + boric.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to derived from, or designating, an acid, H2B4O7 (called also tetraboric acid), which is the acid ingredient of ordinary borax, and is obtained by heating boric acid.
PYROCATECHINPyr`o*cat"e*chin, n. Etym: [Pyro- + catechu.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance, C6H4(OH)2, of the phenol series, found in various plants; — so called because first obtained by distillation of gum catechu. Called also catechol, oxyphenol. etc.
PYROCHLOREPyr"o*chlore, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A niobate of calcium, cerium, and other bases, occurring usually in octahedrons of a yellowish or brownish color and resinous luster; — so called from its becoming grass-green on being subjected to heat under the blowpipe.
PYROCITRICPyr`o*cit"ric, a. Etym: [Pyro- + citric: cf. F. pyrocitrique.](Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, any one of three acids obtained by the distillation of citric acid, and called respectively citraconic, itaconic, and mesaconic acid.
PYROCOLLPyr"o*coll, n. Etym: [Puro- + Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A yellow crystalline substance allied to pyrrol, obtained by the distillation of gelatin.
PYROELECTRICPyr`o*e*lec"tric, a. Etym: [Pyro- + electric.] (Physics)
Defn: Pertaining to, or dependent on, pyroelectricity; receiving electric polarity when heated.
PYROELECTRICPyr`o*e*lec"tric, n. (Physics)
Defn: A substance which becomes electrically polar when heated, exhibiting opposite charges of statical electricity at two separate parts, especially the two extremities.
PYROELECTRICITYPyr`o*e`lec*tric"i*ty, n. (Physics)
Defn: Electricity developed by means of heat; the science which treats of electricity thus developed.
PYROGALLATEPyr`o*gal"late, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyrogallic acid; an ether of pyrogallol.
PYROGALLICPyr`o*gal"lic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + gallic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid called pyrogallol. See Pyrogallol.
PYROGALLOLPyr`o*gal"lol, n. Etym: [Pyrogallic + -ol.] (Chem.)
Defn: A phenol metameric with phloroglucin, obtained by the distillation of gallic acid as a poisonous white crystalline substance having acid properties, and hence called also pyrogallic acid. It is a strong reducer, and is used as a developer in photography and in the production of certain dyes.
PYROGENPyr"o*gen, n. Etym: [See Pyrogenous.]
1. Electricity. [R.]
2. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A poison separable from decomposed meat infusions, and supposed to be formed from albuminous matter through the agency of bacteria.
PYROGENICPyr`o*gen"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + -gen + -ic.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Producing heat; — said of substances, as septic poisons, which elevate the temperature of the body and cause fever.
PYROGENOUSPy*rog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. genous: cf. F. purogène, Gr.
Defn: Produced by fire; igneous. Mantell. .
PYROGNOSTICPyr`og*nos"tic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to characters developed by the use of heat; pertaining to the characters of minerals when examined before the blowpipe; as, the pyrognostic characters of galena.
PYROGNOSTICSPyr`og*nos"tics, n. pl. (Min.)
Defn: The characters of a mineral observed by the use of the blowpipe, as the degree of fusibility, flame coloration, etc.
PYROGRAPHPy"ro*graph, n.
Defn: A production of pyrography.
PYROGRAPHYPy*rog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Pyro- + -graphy.]
Defn: A process of printing, ornamenting, or carving, by burning with heated instruments.
PYROGRAVUREPy`ro*gra*vure", n. [Pyro- + F. gravure engraving.]
Defn: Pyrography; also, a design or picture made by pyrography.
PYROLATORPy*rol"a*tor, n. Etym: [See Pyrolatry.]
Defn: A fire worshiper. [R.] Southey.
PYROLATRYPy*rol"a*try, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. pyrolâtrie.]
Defn: The worship of fire. Young.
PYROLIGNEOUS; PYROLIGNICPyr`o*lig"ne*ous, Pyr`o*lig"nic, a. Etym: [Pyro-+ L. lignum wood: cf.F. pyroligneux.] (Old Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, the acid liquid obtained in the distillation of wood, consisting essentially of impure acetic acid.
PYROLIGNITEPy`ro*lig"nite, n.
Defn: A crude acetate produced by treating pyroligneous acid with a metal or basic compound; as, pyrolignite of iron (iron liquor).
PYROLIGNOUSPyr`o*lig"nous, a.
Defn: Same as Pyroligneous.
PYROLITHICPyr`o*lith"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + lithic.] (Old Chem.)
Defn: Same as Pyrouric, or Cyanuric.
PYROLOGISTPy*rol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One who is versed in, or makes a study of, pyrology.
PYROLOGYPy*rol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pyro- + -logy: cf. F. pyrologie.]
Defn: That branch of physical science which treats of the properties, phenomena, or effects of heat; also, a treatise on heat.
PYROLUSITEPyr`o*lu"site, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Manganese dioxide, a mineral of an iron-black or dark steel- gray color and metallic luster, usually soft. Pyrolusite parts with its oxygen at a red heat, and is extensively used in discharging the brown and green tints of glass (whence its name).
PYROMAGNETICPyr`o*mag*net"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + magnetic.] (Physics)
Defn: Acting by the agency of heat and magnetism; as, a pyromagnetic machine for producing electric currents.
PYROMALATEPyr`o*ma"late, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyromalic acid. [Obs.]
PYROMALICPyr`o*ma"lic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + malic.] (Old Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called maleic acid.
PYROMANCYPyr"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. pyromancie.]
Defn: Divination by means of fire.
PYROMANIAPyr"o*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [Pyro- + mania.]
Defn: An insane disposition to incendiarism.
PYROMANTICPyr"o*man"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to pyromancy.
PYROMANTICPyr`o*man"tic, n. Etym: [Cf. Gr.
Defn: One who pretends to divine by fire. Sir T. Herbert.
PYROMETERPy*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Pyro- + -meter: cf. F. pyromètre.]
1. (Physics)
Defn: An instrument used for measuring the expansion of solid bodies by heat.
2. (Physics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring degrees of heat above those indicated by the mercurial thermometer.
Note: It is usually constructed so as to register the change which the heat to be measured produces in the length of some expansible substance, as a metallic rod, or in the intensity of a thermo- electric current.
PYROMETRIC; PYROMETRICALPyr`o*met"ric, Pyr`o*met"ric*al a. Etym: [Cf. F. pyrométrique.](Physics)
Defn: Pertaining to, or obtained by, the pyrometer; as, pyrometrical instruments; pyrometrical measurements.
PYROMETRYPy*rom"e*try, n.
Defn: The art of measuring degrees of heat, or the expansion of bodies by heat.
PYROMORPHITEPyr`o*mor"phite, n. Etym: [G. pyromorphit, from Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Native lead phosphate with lead chloride, occurring in bright green and brown hexagonal crystals and also massive; — so called because a fused globule crystallizes in cooling.
PYROMORPHOUSPyr`o*mor"phous, a. Etym: [Pyro- + -morphous.] (Min.)
Defn: Having the property of crystallizing by the agency of fire.
PYROMUCATEPyr`o*mu"cate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyromucic acid.
PYROMUCICPyr`o*mu"cic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + mucic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of mucic acid, or by the oxidation of furfurol.
PYRONEPy`rone, n. [G. pyron, an abbr. of pyrokoman.] (Org. Chem.)
Defn: An unsaturated cyclic compound, C5H4O2, of which two varieties are known, a and g. g-pyrone is the parent substance of several natural yellow dyestuffs.
PYRONOMICSPyr`o*nom"ics, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr.
Defn: The science of heat.
PYROPEPyr"ope, n. Etym: [L. pyropus a kind of red bronze, fr. Gr. pyrope.](Min.)
Defn: A variety of garnet, of a poppy or blood-red color, frequently with a tinge of orange. It is used as a gem. See the Note under Garnet.
PYROPHANEPyr"o*phane, n. Etym: [See Pyrophanous.] (Min.)
Defn: A mineral which is opaque in its natural state, but is said to change its color and become transparent by heat.
PYROPHANOUSPy*roph"a*nous, a. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr.
Defn: Rendered transparent by heat.
PYROPHONEPyr"o*phone, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr.
Defn: A musical instrument in which the tones are produced by flames of hydrogen, or illuminating gas, burning in tubes of different sizes and lengths.
PYROPHORIC; PYROPHOROUSPyr`o*phor"ic, Py*roph"o*rous, a. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr.
Defn: Light-producing; of or pertaining to pyrophorus. Pyrophoric iron (Chem.), finely reduced iron, which ignites spontaneously on contact with air.
PYROPHORUSPy*roph"o*rus, n. Etym: [NL. See Pyrophorous.] (Old Chem.)
Defn: Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.
PYROPHOSPHATEPyr"o*phos"phate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyrophosphoric acid.
PYROPHOSPHORICPyr`o*phos*phor"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + phosphoric.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, H4P2O7, which is obtained as a white crystalline substance. Its salts are obtained by heating the phosphates.
PYROPHYLLITEPy*roph"yl*lite, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A mineral, usually of a white or greenish color and pearly luster, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of alumina.
PYROSCOPEPyr"o*scope, n. Etym: [Pyro- + -scope: cf. F. pyroscope.] (Physics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the intensity of heat radiating from a fire, or the cooling influence of bodies. It is a differential thermometer, having one bulb coated with gold or silver leaf. [R.]
PYROSISPy*ro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr Gr. (Med.)
Defn: See Water brash, under Brash.
PYROSMALITEPy*ros"ma*lite, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. -like. ] (Min.)
Defn: A mineral, usually of a pale brown or of a gray or grayish green color, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of iron and manganese; — so called from the odor given off before the blowpipe.
PYROSOMEPyr"o*some, n. Etym: [Pyro- + -some body.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any compound ascidian of the genus Pyrosoma. The pyrosomes form large hollow cylinders, sometimes two or three feet long, which swim at the surface of the sea and are very phosphorescent.
PYROSULPHATEPyr`o*sul"phate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyrosulphuric acid.
PYROSULPHURICPyr`o*sul*phu"ric, a. Etym: [Pyro- + -sulphuric.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also disulphuric acid) obtained by distillation of certain sulphates, as a colorless, thick, oily liquid, H2S2O7 resembling sulphuric acid. It is used in the solution of indigo, in the manufacture of alizarin, and in dehydration.
PYROTARTARICPyr`o*tar*tar"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + tartaric.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of tartaric acid.
PYROTARTRATEPyr`o*tar"trate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of pyrotartaric acid.
PYROTECHNIANPyr`o*tech"ni*an, n.
Defn: A pyrotechnist.
PYROTECHNIC; PYROTECHNICAL Pyr`o*tech"nic, Pyr`o*tech"nic*al, a. Etym: [Pyro- + technic, technical: cf. F. pyrotechnique. See Fire, Technical.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to fireworks, or the art of forming them.Pyrotechnical sponge. See under Sponge.
PYROTECHNICIANPyr`o*tech*ni"cian, n.
Defn: A pyrotechnist.
PYROTECHNICSPyr`o*tech"nics, n.
Defn: The art of making fireworks; the manufacture and use of fireworks; pyrotechny.
PYROTECHNISTPyr`o*tech"nist, n.
Defn: One skilled in pyrotechny; one who manufactures fireworks.Steevens.
PYROTECHNYPyr`o*tech`ny, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pyrotechnie.]
1. The use and application of fire in science and the arts. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
2. Same as Pyrotechnics.
PYROTHONIDEPy*roth"o*nide, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A kind of empyreumatic oil produced by the combustion of textures of hemp, linen, or cotton in a copper vessel, — formerly used as a remedial agent. Dunglison.
PYROTICPy*rot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. pyrotique.]
Defn: Caustic. See Caustic.— n. (Med.)
Defn: A caustic medicine.
PYROTRITARTARICPyr`o*tri`tar*tar"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + tri- + tartaric.] (Chem.)
Defn: Designating an acid which is more commonly called uric acid.
PYROTUNGSTICPyr`o*tung"stic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Polytungstic. See Metatungstic.
PYROURIC; PYROUERICPyr`o*ü"ric, a. Etym: [Pyro- + uric.] (Old Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called cyanuric acid. See Cyanuric.
PYROVANADICPyr`o*va*nad"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + vanadic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of vanadium, analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.
PYROXANTHINPyr`o*xan"thin, n. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A yellow crystalline hydrocardon extracted from crude wood spirit; — called also eblanin.
PYROXENEPyr"ox*ene, n. Etym: [F. pyroxène, from Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A common mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, with a prismatic angle of nearly 90º, and also in massive forms which are often laminated. It varies in color from white to dark green and black, and includes many varieties differing in color and composition, as diopside, malacolite, salite, coccolite, augite, etc. They are all silicates of lime and magnesia with sometimes alumina and iron. Pyroxene is an essential constituent of many rocks, especially basic igneous rocks, as basalt, gabbro, etc.
Note: The pyroxene group contains pyroxene proper, also the related orthorhombic species, enstatite, bronzite, hypersthene, and various monoclinic and triclinic species, as rhodonite, etc.
PYROXENICPyr`ox*en"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. pyroxénique.]
Defn: Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene.
PYROXENITEPy*rox"e*nite, n. (Min.)
Defn: A rock consisting essentially of pyroxene.
PYROXYLEPy*rox"yle, n. Etym: [Cf. F. pyroxyle.]
Defn: See Pyroxylic, -yl.
PYROXYLICPyr`ox*yl"ic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + Gr. (Old Chem.)
Defn: Derived from wood by distillation; — formerly used in designating crude wood spirit.
PYROXYLINPy*rox"y*lin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and properties, but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; — called also pyroxyle.
PYRRHICPyr"rhic, a. Etym: [L. pyrrhichius, Gr.
1. Of or pertaining to an ancient Greek martial dance. " ye have the pyrrhic dance as yet." Byron.
2. (Pros.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a pyrrhic, or to pyrrhics; containing pyrrhic; as, a pyrrhic verse.
PYRRHICPyr"rhic, n.
1. Etym: [Gr. pyrrhique, fem.]
Defn: An ancient Greek martial dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its time being very quick.
2. Etym: [L. pyrrhichius (sc. pes), Gr. pyrrhique, masc.] (Pros.)
Defn: A foot consisting of two short syllables.
PYRRHICISTPyr"rhi*cist, n. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: One two danced the pyrrhic.
PYRRHONEAN; PYRRHONIC Pyr*rho"ne*an, Pyr*rhon"ic, a. Etym: [L. Pyrrhonêus: cf. F. pyrrhonien.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism.
PYRRHONISM Pyr"rho*nism, n. Etym: [From Pyrrho, the founder of a school of skeptics in Greece (about 300 b. c.): cf. F. pyrrhonisme.]
Defn: Skepticism; universal doubt.
PYRRHONISTPyr"rho*nist, n.
Defn: A follower of Pyrrho; a skeptic.
PYRRHOTINE; PYRRHOTITEPyr"rho*tine, Pyr"rho*tite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster. It is a sulphide of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by the magnet. Called also magnetic pyrites.
PYRROLPyr"rol, n. Etym: [Gr. oleum oil.] (Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous base found in coal tar, bone oil, and other distillates of organic substances, and also produced synthetically as a colorless liquid, C4H5N, having on odor like that of chloroform. It is the nucleus and origin of a large number of derivatives. So called because it colors a splinter of wood moistened with hydrochloric acid a deep red.
PYRROLINEPyr"ro*line, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous base, C4H7N, obtained as a colorless liquid by the reduction of pyrrol.
PYRULAPyr"u*la, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. pyrus a pear.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of large marine gastropods. having a pear-shaped shell.It includes the fig-shells. See Illust. in Appendix.
PYRURICPy*ru"ric, a.
Defn: Same as Pyroüric.
PYRUSPy"rus, n. Etym: [L. pyrus, or better pirus, pear tree.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of rosaceous trees and shrubs having pomes for fruit. It includes the apple, crab apple, pear, chokeberry, sorb, and mountain ash.
PYRUVICPy*ru"vic, a. Etym: [Pyro- + L. uva a grape.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (called also pyroracemic acid) obtained, as a liquid having a pungent odor, by the distillation of racemic acid.
PYRUVILPy*ru"vil, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A complex nitrogenous compound obtained by heating together pyruvic acid and urea.
PYTHAGOREANPyth`a*go"re*an, a. Etym: [L. Pythagoreus, Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Pythagoras (a Greek philosopher, born about 582 b. c.), or his philosophy. The central thought of the Pythagorean philosophy is the idea of number, the recognition of the numerical and mathematical relations of things. Encyc. Brit. Pythagorean proposition (Geom.), the theorem that the square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the other two sides. — Pythagorean system (Astron.), the commonly received system of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the Copernican system. — Pythagorean letter. See Y.
PYTHAGOREANPyth`a*go"re*an, n.
Defn: A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.
PYTHAGOREANISMPyth`a*go"re*an*ism, n.
Defn: The doctrines of Pythagoras or the Pythagoreans. As a philosophic school Pythagoreanism became extinct in Greece about the middle of the 4th century [B. C.]. Encyc. Brit.
PYTHAGORIC; PYTHAGORICAL Pyth`a*gor"ic, Pyth`a*gor"ic*al, a.Etym: [L. Pythagoricus, Gr. pythagorique.]
Defn: See Pythagorean, a.
PYTHAGORISMPy*thag"o*rism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The doctrines taught by Pythagoras.
Note: Pythagoras made numbers the basis of his philosophical system, as well physical as metaphysical. The doctrine of the transmigration of souls (metempsychosis) is associated closely with name of Pythagoras.
PYTHAGORIZEPy*thag"o*rize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pythagorized; p. pr. & vb. n.Pythagorizing.] Etym: [Gr.
Defn: To speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.
PYTHIADPyth"i*ad, n. Etym: [See Pythian.] (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: The period intervening between one celebration of the Pythian games and the next.
PYTHIANPyth"i*an, a. Etym: [L. Pythius, Gr. pythien.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi. Pythian games (Gr. Antiq.), one of the four great national festivals of ancient Greece, celebrated near Delphi, in honor of Apollo, the conqueror of the dragon Python, at first once in eight years, afterward once in four.
PYTHOCENICPyth`o*cen"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be accompanied or caused by decomposition.
PYTHON Py"thon, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. Python the serpent slain near Delphi by Apollo, Gr.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python, and allied genera, of the family Pythonidæ. They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake.
Note: The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.
2. A diviner by spirits. "[Manasses] observed omens, and appointed pythons." 4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version).
PYTHONESSPyth"o*ness, n. Etym: [L. pythonissa: cf. F. pythonisse. SeePythian.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: The priestess who gave oracular answers at Delphi in Greece.
2. Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort of witch. Bp. Hall.
PYTHONICPy*thon"ic, a. Etym: [L. pythonicus, Gr. Pythian.]
Defn: Prophetic; oracular; pretending to foretell events.
PYTHONISMPyth"o*nism, n.
Defn: The art of predicting events after the manner of the priestess of Apollo at Delphi; equivocal prophesying.
PYTHONISTPyth"o*nist, n.
Defn: A conjurer; a diviner.
PYTHONOMORPHAPyth`o*no*mor"pha, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Python, and -morphous.](Paleon.)
Defn: Same as Mosasauria.
PYURIAPy*u"ri*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A morbid condition in which pus is discharged in the urine.
PYX Pyx, )n. Etym: [L. pyxis a box, Gr. Box a receptacle.] [Written also pix.]
1. ( R. C. Ch.)
Defn: The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved.
2. A box used in the British mint as a place of deposit for certain sample coins taken for a trial of the weight and fineness of metal before it is sent from the mint. Mushet.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: The box in which the compass is suspended; the binnacle. Weale.
4. (Anat.)
Defn: Same as Pyxis. Pyx cloth (R. C. Ch., a veil of silk or lace covering the pyx. Trial of the pyx, the annual testing, in the English mint, of the standard of gold and silver coins. Encyc. Brit.
PYXPyx, v. t.
Defn: To test as to weight and fineness, as the coins deposited in the pyx. [Eng.] Mushet.
PYXIDATEPyx"i*date, a.
Defn: Having a pyxidium.
PYXIDIUM Pyx*id"i*um, n.; pl. Pyxidia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Pyx.] (Bot.) (a) A pod which divides circularly into an upper and lower half, of which the former acts as a kind of lid, as in the pimpernel and purslane. (b) The theca of mosses.
PYXIEPyx"ie, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Pixy.
PYXISPyx*is, n. Etym: [L.]
1. A box; a pyx.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A pyxidium.
3. (Anat.)
Defn: The acetabulum. See Acetabulum, 2.
Defn: , the seventeenth letter of the English alphabet, has but one sound (that of k), and is always followed by u, the two letters together being sounded like kw, except in some words in which the u is silent. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 249. Q is not found in Anglo-Saxon, cw being used instead of qu; as in cwic, quick; cwen, queen. The name (ku) is from the French ku, which is from the Latin name of the same letter; its form is from the Latin, which derived it, through a Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician, the ultimate origin being Egyptian. Etymologically, q or qu is most nearly related to a (ch, tch), p, q, and wh; as in cud, quid, L. equus, ecus, horse, Gr. equine, hippic; L. quod which, E. what; L. aquila, E. eaqle; E. kitchen, OE. kichene, AS. cycene, L. coquina.
QUAQua, conj. Etym: [L., abl. of qui who.]
Defn: In so far as; in the capacity or character of; as. It is with Shelley's biographers qua biographers that we have to deal. London Spectator.
QUABQuab, n. Etym: [Cf. D. kwab eelpout, Dan. quabbe, G. quabbe, quappe,LG. quabbe a fat lump of flesh, and L. capito a kind of fish with alarge head, fr. caput the head, also E. squab.]
Defn: An unfledged bird; hence, something immature or unfinished.Ford.
QUABQuab, v. i.
Defn: See Quob, v. i.
QUA-BIRDQua"-bird`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The American night heron. See under Night.
QUACHAQua"cha, n. (Zoöl.)