SYNGNATHISyng"na*thi, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A suborder of lophobranch fishes which have an elongated snoutand lack the ventral and first dorsal fins. The pipefishes and seahorses are examples.— Syng"na*thous, a.
SYNGRAPHSyn"graph, n. Etym: [L. syngrapha, Gr. (Law)
Defn: A writing signed by both or all the parties to a contract or bond.
SYNIZESISSyn`i*ze"sis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Med.)
Defn: An obliteration of the pupil of the eye.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: A contraction of two syllables into one; synecphonesis.
SYNNEOROSISSyn`neo*ro"sis, n.; pl. Synneuroses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Syndesmosis.
SYNOCHASyn"o*cha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Synechia.] (Med.)
Defn: See Synochus. [Obs.]
SYNOCHALSyn"o*chal, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to synocha; like synocha. [Obs.]
SYNOCHUSSyn"o*chus, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A continuous fever. [Obs.]
Note: Synocha and synochus were used as epithets of two distinct types of fever, but in different senses at different periods. The same disease is placed under synocha by one author, under synochus by another. Quain.
SYNOCILSyn"o*cil, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + cilium.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A sense organ found in certain sponges. It consists of several filaments, each of which arises from a single cell.
SYNOD Syn"od, n. Etym: [L. synodus, Gr. sino, seno, F. synode, both from the Latin.]
1. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: An ecclesiastic council or meeting to consult on church matters.
Note: Synods are of four kinds: 1. General, or ecumenical, which are compopsed of bishops from different nations; — commonly called general council. 2. National, composed of bishops of one nation only. 3. Provincial, in which the bishops of only one province meet; — called also convocations. 4. Diocesan, a synod in which the bishop of the diocese or his representative presides. Among Presbyterians, a synod is composed of several adjoining presbyteries. The members are the ministers and a ruling elder from each parish.
2. An assembly or council having civil authority; a legislative body. It hath in solemn synods been decreed, Both by the Syracusians and ourselves, To admit no traffic to our adverse towns. Shak. Parent of gods and men, propitious Jove! And you, bright synod of the powers above. Dryden.
3. (Astron.)
Defn: A conjunction of two or more of the heavenly bodies. [R.]Milton.
SYNODALSyn"od*al, a. Etym: [L. synodalis: cf. F. synodal.]
Defn: Synodical. Milton.
SYNODALSyn"od*al, n.
1. (Ch. of Eng.)
Defn: A tribute in money formerly paid to the bishop or archdeacon, at the time of his Easter visitation, by every parish priest, now made to the ecclesiastical commissioners; a procuration. Synodals are due, of common right, to the bishop only. Gibson.
2. A constitution made in a provincial or diocesan synod.
SYNODIC; SYNODICALSyn*od"ic, Syn*od"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. synodicus, Gr. synodique.]
1. (Eccl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a synod; transacted in, or authorized by, a synod; as, synodical proceedings or forms. "A synodical epistle." Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: Pertaining to conjunction, especially to the period between two successive conjunctions; extending from one conjunction, as of the moon or a planet with the sun, to the next; as, a synodical month (see Lunar month, under Month); the synodical revolution of the moon or a planet.
SYNODICALLYSyn*od"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a synodical manner; in a synod; by the authority of a synod."Synodically agreed upon." R. Nelson.
SYNODISTSyn"od*ist, n.
Defn: An adherent to a synod. These synodists thought fit in Latin as yet to veil their decrees from vulgar eyes. Fuller.
SYNOECIOUSSyn*oe"cious, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having stamens and pistil in the same head, or, in mosses, having antheridia and archegonia on the same receptacle.
SYNOMOCYSyn*om"o*cy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Sworn brotherhood; a society in ancient Greece nearly resembling a modern political club.
SYNONYM Syn"o*nym, n.; pl. Synonyms (). Etym: [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl. of synonymum, Gr. Synonymous.]
Defn: One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.] All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society. De Quincey. His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy. Macaulay. In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished. G. P. Marsh.
SYNONYMASyn*on"y*ma, n. pl. Etym: [L.]
Defn: Synonyms. [Obs.] Fuller.
SYNONYMALSyn*on"y*mal, a.
Defn: Synonymous. [Obs.]
SYNONYMALLYSyn*on"y*mal*ly, adv.
Defn: Synonymously. [Obs.]
SYNONYMESyn"o*nyme, n.
Defn: Same as Synonym.
SYNONYMICSyn`o*nym"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. G. synonymik. See Synonymous.] (Gram.)
Defn: The science, or the scientific treatment, of synonymous words.
SYNONYMIC; SYNONYMICALSyn`o*nym"ic, Syn`o*nym"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to synonyms, or synonymic; synonymous.
SYNONYMICONSyn`o*nym"i*con, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: A dictionary of synonyms. C. J. Smith.
SYNONYMISTSyn*on"y*mist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. synonymiste.]
Defn: One who collects or explains synonyms.
SYNONYMIZESyn*on"y*mize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Synonymized; p. pr. & vb. n.Synonymizing.]
Defn: To express by a synonym or synonyms; to give the synonym or synonyms corresponding to. This word "fortis" we may synonymize after all these fashions: stout, hardy, valiant, doughty, courageous, adventurous, brave, bold, daring, intrepid. Camden.
SYNONYMOUSSyn*on"y*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. Syn-, and Name.]
Defn: Having the character of a synonym; expressing the same thing; conveying the same, or approximately the same, idea. — Syn*on"y*mous*ly, adv. These words consist of two propositions, which are not distinct in sense, but one and the same thing variously expressed; for wisdom and understanding are synonymous words here. Tillotson.
Syn. — Identical; interchangeable. — Synonymous, Identical. If no words are synonymous except those which are identical in use and meaning, so that the one can in all cases be substituted for the other, we have scarcely ten such words in our language. But the term more properly denotes that the words in question approach so near to each other, that, in many or most cases, they can be used interchangeably. 1. Words may thus coincide in certain connections, and so be interchanged, when they can not be interchanged in other connections; thus we may speak either strength of mind or of force of mind, but we say the force (not strength) of gravitation. 2. Two words may differ slightly, but this difference may be unimportant to the speaker's object, so that he may freely interchange them; thus it makes but little difference, in most cases, whether we speak of a man's having secured his object or having attained his object. For these and other causes we have numerous words which may, in many cases or connections, be used interchangeably, and these are properly called synonyms. Synonymous words "are words which, with great and essential resemblances of meaning, have, at the same time, small, subordinate, and partial differences, — these differences being such as either originally and on the ground of their etymology inhered in them; or differences which they have by usage acquired in the eyes of all; or such as, though nearly latent now, they are capable of receiving at the hands of wise and discreet masters of the tongue. Synonyms are words of like significance in the main, but with a certain unlikeness as well." Trench.
SYNONYMYSyn*on"y*my, n. Etym: [L. synonymia, Gr. synonymie.]
1. The quality of being synonymous; sameness of meaning.
2. A system of synonyms.
3. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure by which synonymous words are used to amplify a discourse.
SYNOPSISSyn*op"sis, n.; pl. Synopses. Etym: [L., from Gr. optic.]
Defn: A general view, or a collection of heads or parts so arranged as to exhibit a general view of the whole; an abstract or summary of a discourse; a syllabus; a conspectus. That the reader may see in one view the exactness of the method, as well as force of the argument, I shall here draw up a short synopsis of this epistle. Bp. Warburton.
Syn. — Abridgment; compendium; epitome; abstract; summary; syllabus; conspectus. See Abridgment.
SYNOPTIC; SYNOPTICALSyn*op"tic, Syn*op"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. synoptique. See Synopsis.]
Defn: Affording a general view of the whole, or of the principal parts of a thing; as, a synoptic table; a synoptical statement of an argument. "The synoptic Gospels." Alford. — Syn*op"tic*al*ly, adv.
SYNOPTICSyn*op"tic, n.
Defn: One of the first three Gospels of the New Testament. SeeSynoptist.
SYNOPTISTSyn*op"tist, n.
Defn: Any one of the authors of the three synoptic Gospels, which give a history of our Lord's life and ministry, in distinction from the writer of John's Gospel, which gives a fuller record of his teachings.
SYNOSTEOLOGYSyn*os`te*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. -logy.]
Defn: That part of anatomy which treats of joints; arthrology.
SYNOSTEOSISSyn*os`te*o"sis, n.; pl. Synosteoses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Union by means of bone; the complete closing up and obliteration of sutures.
SYNOSTOSISSyn`os*to"sis, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: Same as Synosteosis.
SYNOVIASyn*o"vi*a, n. Etym: [NL., perhaps fr. Gr. ovum egg: cf. F. synovie.](Anat.)
Defn: A transparent, viscid, lubricating fluid which contains mucin and secreted by synovial membranes; synovial fluid.
SYNOVIALSyn*o"vi*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. synovial.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to synovia; secreting synovia. Synovial capsule, a closed sac of synovial membrane situated between the articular surfaces at diarthrodial joints. — Synovial fluid, synovia. — Synovial membrane, the dense and very smooth connective tissue membrane which secretes synovia and surrounds synovial capsules and other synovial cavities.
SYNOVITISSyn`o*vi"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Synovia, -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the synovial membrane.
SYNPELMOUSSyn*pel"mous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the two main flexor tendons of the toes blended together.
SYNSEPALOUSSyn*sep"al*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + sepal.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having united sepals; gamosepalous.
SYNTACTIC; SYNTACTICALSyn*tac"tic, Syn*tac"tic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. G. Syntax.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to syntax; according to the rules of syntax,or construction.— Syn*tac"tic*al*ly, adv.
SYNTAXSyn"tax, n. Etym: [L. syntaxis, Gr. syntaxe. See Syn-, and Tactics.]
1. Connected system or order; union of things; a number of things jointed together; organism. [Obs.] They owe no other dependence to the first than what is common to the whole syntax of beings. Glanvill.
2. That part of grammar which treats of the construction of sentences; the due arrangement of words in sentences in their necessary relations, according to established usage in any language.
SYNTAXISSyn*tax"is, n.
Defn: Syntax. [R.] B. Jonson.
SYNTERESISSyn`te*re"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Med.)
Defn: Prophylaxis. [Obs.]
2. (Metaph.)
Defn: Conscience viewed as the internal repository of the laws of duty. Whewell.
SYNTERETICSyn`te*ret"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Preserving health; prophylactic. [Obs.]
SYNTERETICSSyn`te*ret"ics, n. (Med.)
Defn: That department of medicine which relates to the preservation of health; prophylaxis. [Obs.]
SYNTHERMALSyn*ther"mal, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + thermal.]
Defn: Having the same degree of heat.
SYNTHESIS Syn"the*sis, n.; pl. Syntheses. Etym: [L., a mixture, properly, a putting together, Gr. Thesis.]
1. Composition, or the putting of two or more things together, as in compounding medicines.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: The art or process of making a compound by putting the ingredients together, as contrasted with analysis; thus, water is made by synthesis from hydrogen and oxygen; hence, specifically, the building up of complex compounds by special reactions, whereby their component radicals are so grouped that the resulting substances are identical in every respect with the natural articles when such occur; thus, artificial alcohol, urea, indigo blue, alizarin, etc., are made by synthesis.
3. (Logic)
Defn: The combination of separate elements of thought into a whole, as of simple into complex conceptions, species into genera, individual propositions into systems; — the opposite of Ant: analysis. Analysis and synthesis, though commonly treated as two different methods, are, if properly understood, only the two necessary parts of the same method. Each is the relative and correlative of the other. Sir W. Hamilton.
SYNTHESISTSyn"the*sist, n.
Defn: One who employs synthesis, or who follows synthetic methods.
SYNTHESIZESyn"the*size, v. t.
1. To combine by synthesis; to unite.
2. To produce by synthesis; as, to synthesize albumin.
SYNTHETIC; SYNTHETICALSyn*thet"ic, Syn*thet"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. synthétique.]
1. Of or pertaining to synthesis; consisting in synthesis or composition; as, the synthetic method of reasoning, as opposed to analytical. Philosophers hasten too much from the analytic to the synthetic method; that is, they draw general conclusions from too small a number of particular observations and experiments. Bolingbroke.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Artificial. Cf. Synthesis, 2.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Comprising within itself structural or other characters which are usually found only in two or more diverse groups; — said of species, genera, and higher groups. See the Note under Comprehensive, 3. Synthetic, or Synthetical language, an inflectional language, or one characterized by grammatical endings; — opposed to analytic language. R. Morris.
SYNTHETICALLYSyn*thet"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a synthetic manner.
SYNTHETIZESyn"the*tize, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Gr.
Defn: To combine; to unite in regular structure. [R.]
SYNTOMYSyn"to*my, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Brevity; conciseness. [R.]
SYNTONICSyn*ton"ic, a. (Physics)
Defn: Of or pert. to syntony; specif., designating, or pert. to, a system of wireless telegraphy in which the transmitting and receiving apparatus are in syntony with, and only with, one another. — Syn*ton"ic*al (#), a. —Syn*ton"ic*al*ly, adv.
SYNTONINSyn"to*nin, n. Etym: [Cf. Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A proteid substance (acid albumin) formed from the albuminous matter of muscle by the action of dilute acids; — formerly called musculin. See Acid albumin, under Albumin.
SYNTONIZESyn"to*nize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. -nized; p. pr. & vb. n. -nizing.][See Syntony.] (Physics)
Defn: To adjust or devise so as to emit or respond to electric oscillations of a certain wave length; to tune; specif., to put (two or more instruments or systems of wireless telegraphy) in syntony with each other. — Syn`to*ni*za"tion (#), n.
SYNTONIZERSyn"to*niz`er, n. (Physics)
Defn: One that syntonizes; specif., a device consisting essentially of a variable inductance coil and condenser with a pair of adjustable spark balls, for attuning the time periods of antennæ in wireless telegraphy (called also syntonizing coil).
SYNTONYSyn"to*ny, n. [Cf. Gr. agreement. See Syn-; Tone.] (Physics)
Defn: State of being adjusted to a certain wave length; agreement or tuning between the time period of an apparatus emitting electric oscillations and that of a receiving apparatus, esp. in wireless telegraphy.
SYPHERINGSy"pher*ing, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Carp.)
Defn: The lapping of chamfered edges of planks to make a smooth surface, as for a bulkhead.
SYPHILIDESyph"i*lide, n. Etym: [F.] (Med.)
Defn: A cutaneous eruption due to syphilis.
SYPHILIS Syph"i*lis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Syphilus, the name of a shepherd in the Latin poem of Fracastoro, "Syphilus, sive Morbus Gallicus," which was published in 1530; Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The pox, or venereal disease; a chronic, specific, infectious disease, usually communicated by sexual intercourse or by hereditary transmission, and occurring in three stages known as primary, secondary, and tertiary syphilis. See under Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.Treponema pallidum. Usu. tretable with penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
SYPHILITICSyph`i*lit"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. syphilitique.] (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to syphilis; of the nature of syphilis; affected with syphilis. — n.
Defn: A syphilitic patient.
SYPHILITICALLYSyph`i*lit"ic*al*ly, adv. (Med.)
Defn: In a syphilitic manner; with venereal disease.
SYPHILIZATIONSyph`i*li*za"tion, n. (Med.)
Defn: Inoculation with the syphilitic virus, especially when employed as a preventive measure, like vaccination.
SYPHILIZESyph"i*lize, v. t. (Med.)
Defn: To inoculate with syphilis.
SYPHILODERMSyph"i*lo*derm, n. Etym: [See Syphilis, and Derm.] (Med.)
Defn: A cutaneous affection due to syphilis.
SYPHILODERMATOUSSyph`i*lo*der"ma*tous, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the cutaneous manifestations of syphilis.
SYPHILOIDSyph"i*loid, a. Etym: [Syphilis + -oid.] (Med.)
Defn: Resembling syphilis.
SYPHILOLOGISTSyph`i*lol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One skilled in syphilology.
SYPHILOLOGYSyph`i*lol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Syphilis + -logy.]
Defn: That branch of medicine which treats of syphilis.
SYPHONSy"phon, n.
Defn: See Syphon.
SYRACUSESyr"a*cuse, n.
Defn: A red wine of Italy.
SYRENSy"ren, n.
Defn: See Siren. [R.]
SYRIACSyr"i*ac, a. Etym: [L. Syriacus, from Syria: cf. F. syriaque.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Syria, or its language; as, the Syriac version of the Pentateuch. — n.
Defn: The language of Syria; especially, the ancient language of that country.
SYRIACISMSyr"i*a*cism, n.
Defn: A Syrian idiom; a Syrianism.
SYRIANSyr"i*an, a. Etym: [L. Syrius: cf. F. Syrien.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Syria; Syriac.— n.
Defn: A native of Syria.
SYRIANISMSyr"i*an*ism, n.
Defn: A Syrian idiom, or a peculiarity of the Syrian language; aSyriacism. Paley.
SYRIASMSyr"i*asm, n.
Defn: A Syrian idiom; a Syrianism; a Syriacism. M. Stuart.The Scripture Greek is observed to be full of Syriasms and Hebraisms.Bp. Warburton.
SYRINGA Sy*rin"ga, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Syringe.] (Bot.) (a) A genus of plants; the lilac. (b) The mock orange; — popularly so called because its stems were formerly used as pipestems.
SYRINGESyr"inge, n. Etym: [F. seringue (cf. Pr. siringua, Sp. jeringa, It.sciringa, scilinga), fg. Gr. svar to sound, and E. swarum. Cf.Syringa.]
Defn: A kind of small hand-pump for throwing a stream of liquid, or for purposes of aspiration. It consists of a small cylindrical barrel and piston, or a bulb of soft elastic material, with or without valves, and with a nozzle which is sometimes at the end of a flexible tube; — used for injecting animal bodies, cleansing wounds, etc. Garden syringe. See Garden.
SYRINGESyr"inge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Syringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Syringing.]
1. To inject by means of a syringe; as, to syringe warm water into a vein.
2. To wash and clean by injection from a syringe.
SYRINGEALSy*rin"ge*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the syrinx; as, the syringeal muscle.
SYRINGINSy*rin"gin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A glucoside found in the bark of the lilac (Syringa) and extracted as a white crystalline substance; — formerly called also lilacin.
SYRINGOCOELESy*rin"go*coele, n. Etym: [Syrinx + Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The central canal of the spinal cord. B. G. Wilder.
SYRINGOTOMESy*rin"go*tome, n. Etym: [Cf. F. syringotome. See Syringotomy.](Surg. & Anat.)
Defn: A small blunt-pointed bistoury, — used in syringotomy.
SYRINGOTOMYSyr`in*got"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. syringotomie.] (Surg.)
Defn: The operation of cutting for anal fistula.
SYRINXSyr"inx, n.; pl. Syringes. Etym: [NL., from Gr.
1. (Mus.)
Defn: A wind instrument made of reeds tied together; — called also pandean pipes.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The lower larynx in birds.
Note: In birds there are two laringes, an upper or true, but voiceless, larynx in the usual position behind the tongue, and a lower one, at or near the junction of the trachea and bronchi, which is the true organ of the voice.
SYRMASyr"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Class. Antiq.)
Defn: A long dress, trailing on the floor, worn by tragic actors inGreek and Roman theaters.
SYRPHIANSyr"phi*an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the syrphus flies.— n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A syrphus fly.
SYRPHUS FLYSyr"phus fly`. Etym: [NL. Syrphus, the generic name, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of dipterous flies of the genus Syrphus and allied genera. They are usually bright-colored, with yellow bands, and hover around plants. The larvæ feed upon plant lice, and are, therefore, very beneficial to agriculture.
SYRTSyrt, n. Etym: [L. syrtis a sand bank in the sea, Gr. syrte.]
Defn: A quicksand; a bog. [R.] Young.
SYRTICSyr"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a syrt; resembling syrt, or quicksand. [R.]Ed. Rev.
SYRTISSyr"tis, n.; pl. Syrtes. Etym: [See Syrt.]
Defn: A quicksand.Quenched in a boggy syrtis, neither sea Nor good dry land. Milton.
SYRUP; SYRUPYSyr"up, n., Syr"up*y, a. Etym: [See Sirup.]
Defn: Same as Sirup, Sirupy.
SYSSARCOSISSys`sar*co"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The junction of bones by intervening muscles.
SYSTALTICSys*tal"tic, a. Etym: [L. systalticus drawing together, Gr.Sustaltic, Systole.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Capable of, or taking place by, alternate contraction and dilatation; as, the systaltic action of the heart.
SYSTASISSys"ta*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. System.]
Defn: A political union, confederation, or league. [R.] Burke.
SYSTEMSys"tem, n. Etym: [L. systema, Gr. système. See Stand.]
1. An assemblage of objects arranged in regular subordination, or after some distinct method, usually logical or scientific; a complete whole of objects related by some common law, principle, or end; a complete exhibition of essential principles or facts, arranged in a rational dependence or connection; a regular union of principles or parts forming one entire thing; as, a system of philosophy; a system of government; a system of divinity; a system of botany or chemistry; a military system; the solar system. The best way to learn any science, is to begin with a regular system, or a short and plain scheme of that science well drawn up into a narrow compass. I. Watts.
2. Hence, the whole scheme of created things regarded as forming one complete plan of whole; the universe. "The great system of the world." Boyle.
3. Regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as, to have a system in one's business.
4. (Mus.)
Defn: The collection of staves which form a full score. See Score, n.
5. (Biol.)
Defn: An assemblage of parts or organs, either in animal or plant, essential to the performance of some particular function or functions which as a rule are of greater complexity than those manifested by a single organ; as, the capillary system, the muscular system, the digestive system, etc.; hence, the whole body as a functional unity.
6. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the stellate or irregular clusters of intimately united zooids which are imbedded in, or scattered over, the surface of the common tissue of many compound ascidians. Block system, Conservative system, etc. See under Block, Conservative, etc.
SYSTEMATIC; SYSTEMATICALSys`tem*at"ic, Sys`tem*at"ic*al, a. [Gr. systématique.]
1. Of or pertaining to system; consisting in system; methodical; formed with regular connection and adaptation or subordination of parts to each other, and to the design of the whole; as, a systematic arrangement of plants or animals; a systematic course of study. Now we deal much in essays, and unreasonably despise systematical learning; whereas our fathers had a just value for regularity and systems. I. Watts. A representation of phenomena, in order to answer the purposes of science, must be systematic. Whewell.
2. Proceeding according to system, or regular method; as, a systematic writer; systematic benevolence.
3. Pertaining to the system of the world; cosmical. These ends may be called cosmical, or systematical. Boyle.
4. (Med.)
Defn: Affecting successively the different parts of the system or set of nervous fibres; as, systematic degeneration. Systematic theology. See under Theology.
SYSTEMATICALLYSys`tem*at"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a systematic manner; methodically.
SYSTEMATISMSys"tem*a*tism, n.
Defn: The reduction of facts or principles to a system. Dunglison.
SYSTEMATISTSys"tem*a*tist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. systématiste.]
1. One who forms a system, or reduces to system.
2. One who adheres to a system.
SYSTEMATIZATIONSys`tem*a*ti*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. systématization.]
Defn: The act or operation of systematizing.
SYSTEMATIZESys"tem*a*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Systematized; p. pr. & vb. n.Systematizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. systématiser. Cf. Systemize.]
Defn: To reduce to system or regular method; to arrange methodically; to methodize; as, to systematize a collection of plants or minerals; to systematize one's work; to systematize one's ideas. Diseases were healed, and buildings erected, before medicine and architecture were systematized into arts. Harris.
SYSTEMATIZERSys"tem*a*ti`zer, n.
Defn: One who systematizes.Aristotle may be called the systematizer of his master's doctrines.Harris.
SYSTEMATOLOGYSys`tem*a*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: The doctrine of, or a treatise upon, systems. Dunglison.
SYSTEMICSys*tem"ic, a.
1. Of or relating to a system; common to a system; as, the systemic circulation of the blood.
2. (Anat. & Physiol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the general system, or the body as a whole; as, systemic death, in distinction from local death; systemic circulation, in distinction from pulmonic circulation; systemic diseases. Systemic death. See the Note under Death, n., 1.
SYSTEMIZATIONSys`tem*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act or process of systematizing; systematization.
SYSTEMIZESys"tem*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Systemized; p. pr. & vb. n.Systemizing.] Etym: [Cf. Systematize.]
Defn: To reduce to system; to systematize.
SYSTEMIZERSys"tem*i`zer, n.
Defn: One who systemizes, or reduces to system; a systematizer.
SYSTEMLESSSys"tem*less, a.
1. Being without system.
2. (Nat. Hist.)
Defn: Not agreeing with some artificial system of classification.
3. (Biol.)
Defn: Not having any of the distinct systems or types of structure, as the radiate, articulate, etc., characteristic of organic nature; as, all unicellular organisms are systemless.
SYSTOLESys"to*le, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Gram.)
Defn: The shortening of the long syllable.
2. (Physiol.)
Defn: The contraction of the heart and arteries by which the blood is forced onward and the circulation kept up; — correlative to diastole.
SYSTOLICSys*tol"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to systole, or contraction; contracting; esp., ralating to the systole of the heart; as, systolic murmur. Dunglison.
SYSTYLESys"tyle, a. Etym: [L. systylos, Gr. systyle.] (Arch.)
Defn: Having a space equal to two diameters or four modules between two columns; — said of a portico or building. See Intercolumniation. — n.
Defn: A systyle temple or other edifice.
SYTH; SYTHESyth, Sythe, prep., adv., conj. & n.
Defn: See Sith, Sithe. [Obs.] Chaucer. Piers Plowman.
SYTHESythe, n.
Defn: Scythe. [Obs. or R.]
SYZYGIALSy*zyg"i*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to a syzygy.
SYZYGY Syz"y*gy, n.; pl. Syzygies. Etym: [L. syzygia a joining together, conjunction, Gr. syzygie. See Yoke, n.]
1. (Astron.)
Defn: The point of an orbit, as of the moon or a planet, at which it is in conjunction or opposition; — commonly used in the plural.
2. (Gr. & L. Pros.)
Defn: The coupling together of different feet; as, in Greek verse, an iambic syzygy.
3. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of the segments of an arm of a crinoid composed of two joints so closely united that the line of union is obliterated on the outer, though visible on the inner, side. (b) The immovable union of two joints of a crinoidal arm. Line of syzygies (Astron.), the straight line connecting the earth, the sun, and the moon or a planet, when the latter is in conjunction or opposition; — used chiefly of the moon.
TATa, v. t.
Defn: To take. [Obs. or Scot.] Cursor Mundi.
Used by Chaucer to represent a peculiarity of the Northern dialect.
TAASTaas, n.
Defn: A heap. See Tas. [Obs.] Chaucer.
TABTab, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
1. The flap or latchet of a shoe fastened with a string or a buckle.
2. A tag. See Tag, 2.
3. A loop for pulling or lifting something.
4. A border of lace or other material, worn on the inner front edge of ladies' bonnets.
5. A loose pendent part of a lady's garment; esp., one of a series of pendent squares forming an edge or border.
TABACCOTa*bac"co, n.
Defn: Tobacco. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
TABANUSTa*ba"nus, n. [L., horsefly.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of blood sucking flies, including the horseflies.
TABARDTab"ard, n. [OE. tabard, tabart; cf. Sp. & Pg. tabardo, It. tabarro,W. tabar, LGr. , LL. tabardum.]
Defn: A sort of tunic or mantle formerly worn for protection from the weather. When worn over the armor it was commonly emblazoned with the arms of the wearer, and from this the name was given to the garment adopted for heralds. [Spelt also taberd.]
In a tabard he [the Plowman] rode upon a mare.Chaucer.
TABARDERTab"ard*er, n.
1. One who wears a tabard.
2. A scholar on the foundation of Queen's College, Oxford, England, whose original dress was a tabard. Nares.
TABARETTab"a*ret, n. [Cf. Tabby.]
Defn: A stout silk having satin stripes, — used for furniture.
TABASCO SAUCETa*bas"co sauce. [So named after Tabasco, a river and state ofMexico.]
Defn: A kind of very pungent sauce made from red peppers.
TABASHEERTab`a*sheer", n. [Per. tabashir: cf. Skr. tvakkshira, tvakshira.]
Defn: A concretion in the joints of the bamboo, which consists largely or chiefly of pure silica. It is highly valued in the East Indies as a medicine for the cure of bilious vomitings, bloody flux, piles, and various other diseases.
TABBINETTab"bi*net, n. [Cf. Tabby.]
Defn: A fabric like poplin, with a watered surface. [Written also tabinet.]
TABEFACTIONTab`e*fac"tion, n. [See Tabefy.]
Defn: A wasting away; a gradual losing of flesh by disease.
TABEFYTab"e*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabefied; p. pr. & vb. n. Tabefying.][L. tabere to waste away + -fy: cf. L. tabefacere to melt.]
Defn: To cause to waste gradually, to emaciate. [R.] Harvey.
TABELLION Ta*bel"lion, n. [L. tabellio, fr. tabella a tablet, a writing, document, dim. of tabula a board: cf. F. tabellion. See Table.]
Defn: A secretary or notary under the Roman empire; also, a similar officer in France during the old monarchy.
TABERTa"ber, v. i.
Defn: Same as Tabor. Nahum ii. 7.
TABERDTab"erd, n.
Defn: See Tabard.
TABERNACLETab"er*na*cle, n. [F., fr. L. tabernaculum, dim. of taberna nut. SeeTabern.]
1. A slightly built or temporary habitation; especially, a tent.
Dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob.Heb. xi. 9.
Orange trees planted in the ground, and secured in winter with a wooden tabernacle and stoves. Evelyn.
2. (Jewish Antiq.) A portable structure of wooden framework covered with curtains, which was carried through the wilderness in the Israelitish exodus, as a place of sacrifice and worship. Ex. xxvi.
3. Hence, the Jewish temple; sometimes, any other place for worship. Acts xv. 16.
4. Figuratively: The human body, as the temporary abode of the soul.
Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle. 2 Pet. i. 14.
5. Any small cell, or like place, in which some holy or precious things was deposited or kept. Specifically: —
(a) The ornamental receptacle for the pyx, or for the consecrated elements, whether a part of a building or movable.
(b) A niche for the image of a saint, or for any sacred painting or sculpture.
(c) Hence, a work of art of sacred subject, having a partially architectural character, as a solid frame resting on a bracket, or the like.
(d) A tryptich for sacred imagery.
(e) A seat or stall in a choir, with its canopy.
6. (Naut.) A boxlike step for a mast with the after side open, so that the mast can be lowered to pass under bridges, etc.
Feast of Tabernacles (Jewish Antiq.), one of the three principal festivals of the Jews, lasting seven days, during which the people dwelt in booths formed of the boughs of trees, in commemoration of the habitation of their ancestors in similar dwellings during their pilgrimage in the wilderness. — Tabernacle work, rich canopy work like that over the head of niches, used over seats or stalls, or over sepulchral monuments. Oxf. Gloss.
TABERNACLETab"er*na*cle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tabernacled; p. pr. & vb. n.Tabernacling.]
Defn: To dwell or reside for a time; to be temporary housed.
He assumed our nature, and tabernacled among us in the flesh.Dr. J. Scott.
TABERNACULARTab`er*nac"u*lar, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a tabernacle, especially the Jewish tabernacle.
2. Formed in latticework; latticed. T. Warton.
3. Of or pertaining to huts or booths; hence, common; low. "Horribly tabernacular." De Quincey.
TABESTa"bes (ta"bez), n. [L., a wasting disease.] (Med.)
Defn: Progressive emaciation of the body, accompanied with hectic fever, with no well-marked local symptoms.
Tabes dorsalis (dôr*sa"lis) [NL., tabes of the back], locomotor ataxia; — sometimes called simply tabes. — Tabes mesenterica [NL., mesenteric tabes], a wasting disease of childhood characterized by chronic inflammation of the lymphatic glands of the mesentery, attended with caseous degeneration.
TABESCENTTa*bes"cent, a. [L. tabescens wasting, p. pr. of tabescere.]
Defn: Withering, or wasting away.
TABETICTa*bet"ic, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to tabes; of the nature of tabes; affected with tabes; tabid. — n.
Defn: One affected with tabes.
TABIDTab"id, a. [L. tabidus: cf. F. tabide. See Tabes.] (Med.)
Defn: Affected by tabes; tabetic.
In tabid persons, milk is the bset restorative.Arbuthnot.
— Tab"id*ly, adv. — Tab"id*ness, n.
TABIFIC; TABIFICALTa*bif"ic, Ta*bif"ic*al, a. [Tabes + L. facere to make.] (Med.)
Defn: Producing tabes; wasting; tabefying.
TABINETTab"inet, n.
Defn: See Tabbinet. Thackeray.
TABLATURETab"la*ture, n. [Cf. F. tablature ancient mode of musical notation.See Table.]
1. (Paint.) A painting on a wall or ceiling; a single piece comprehended in one view, and formed according to one design; hence, a picture in general. Shaftesbury.
2. (Mus.) An ancient mode of indicating musical sounds by letters and other signs instead of by notes.
The chimes of bells are so rarely managed that I went up to that ofSir Nicholas, where I found who played all sorts of compositions fromthe tablature before him as if he had fingered an organ.Evelyn.
3. (Anat.) Division into plates or tables with intervening spaces; as, the tablature of the cranial bones.
TABLETa"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tableed; p. pr. & vb. n. Tableing.]
1. To form into a table or catalogue; to tabulate; as, to table fines.
2. To delineate, as on a table; to represent, as in a picture. [Obs.] Tabled and pictured in the chambers of meditation. Bacon.
3. To supply with food; to feed. [Obs.] Milton.
4. (Carp.)
Defn: To insert, as one piece of timber into another, by alternate scores or projections from the middle, to prevent slipping; to scarf.
5. To lay or place on a table, as money. Carlyle.
6. In parliamentary usage, to lay on the table; to postpone, by a formal vote, the consideration of (a bill, motion, or the like) till called for, or indefinitely.
7. To enter upon the docket; as, to table charges against some one.
8. (Naut.)
Defn: To make board hems in the skirts and bottoms of (sails) in order to strengthen them in the part attached to the boltrope.
TABLETa"ble, v. i.
Defn: To live at the table of another; to board; to eat. [Obs.] "He . . . was driven from the society of men to table with the beasts." South.
TABLEAU Ta`bleau", n.; pl. Tableaux. Etym: [F., dim. fr. L. tabula a painting. See Table.]
1. A striking and vivid representation; a picture.
2. A representation of some scene by means of persons grouped in the proper manner, placed in appropriate postures, and remaining silent and motionless.
TABLEAU VIVANTTa`bleau" vi`vant"; pl. Tableaux vivants. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Same as Tableau, n., 2.
TABLEBOOKTa"ble*book`, n.
Defn: A tablet; a notebook.Put into your tablebook whatever you judge worthly. Dryden.
TABLECLOTHTa"ble*cloth`, n.
Defn: A cloth for covering a table, especially one with which a table is covered before the dishes, etc., are set on for meals.
TABLE D'HOTE Ta"ble d'hôte"; pl. Tables d'hôte. Etym: [F., literally, table of the landlord.]
Defn: A common table for guests at a hotel; an ordinary.
TABLE-LANDTa"ble-land`, n.
Defn: A broad, level, elevated area of land; a plateau. The toppling crags of Duty scaled, Are close upon the shining table- lands To which our God himself is moon and sun. Tennyson.
TABLEMANTa"ble*man, n.; pl. Tablemen (.
Defn: A man at draughts; a piece used in playing games at tables. SeeTable, n., 10. [R.] Bacon.
TABLEMENTTa"ble*ment, n. (Arch.)
Defn: A table. [Obs.]Tablements and chapters of pillars. Holland.
TABLERTa"bler, n.
1. One who boards. [Obs.]
2. One who boards others for hire. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
TABLESPOONTa"ble*spoon`, n.
Defn: A spoon of the largest size commonly used at the table; — distinguished from teaspoon, dessert spoon, etc.
TABLESPOONFULTa"ble*spoon`ful, n.; pl. Tablespoonfuls (.
Defn: As much as a tablespoon will hold; enough to fill a tablespoon. It is usually reckoned as one half of a fluid ounce, or four fluid drams.
TABLETTa"blet, n. Etym: [F. tablette, dim. of table. See Table.]
1. A small table or flat surface.
2. A flat piece of any material on which to write, paint, draw, or engrave; also, such a piece containing an inscription or a picture.
3. Hence, a small picture; a miniature. [Obs.]
4. pl.
Defn: A kind of pocket memorandum book.
5. A flattish cake or piece; as, tablets of arsenic were formerly worn as a preservative against the plague.
6. (Pharm.)
Defn: A solid kind of electuary or confection, commonly made of dry ingredients with sugar, and usually formed into little flat squares; — called also lozenge, and troche, especially when of a round or rounded form.
TABLEWARETa"ble*ware`, n.
Defn: Ware, or articles collectively, for table use.
TABLE WORKTable work. (Print.)
Defn: Typesetting of tabular nmatter, or the type matter set in tabular form.
TABLINGTa"bling, n.
1. A forming into tables; a setting down in order.
2. (Carp.)
Defn: The letting of one timber into another by alternate scores or projections, as in shipbuilding.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: A broad hem on the edge of a sail. Totten.
4. Board; support. [Obs.] Trence in English (1614).
5. Act of playing at tables. See Table, n., 10. [Obs.] Tabling house, a gambling house. [Obs.] Northbrooke.
TABLOIDTab"loid, n. [A table-mark.]
Defn: A compressed portion of one or more drugs or chemicals, or of food, etc.
TABLOIDTab"loid, a.
Defn: Compressed or condensed, as into a tabloid; administrated in or as in tabloids, or small condensed bits; as, a tabloid form of imparting information.
TABOOTa*boo", n.
Defn: A total prohibition of intercourse with, use of, or approach to, a given person or thing under pain of death, — an interdict of religious origin and authority, formerly common in the islands of Polynesia; interdiction. [Written also tabu.]
TABOOTa*boo", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabooed; p. pr. & vb. n. Tabooing.]
Defn: To put under taboo; to forbid, or to forbid the use of; to interdict approach to, or use of; as, to taboo the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals. [Written also tabu.]
TABOR Ta"bor, n. Etym: [OF. tabor, tabour, F. tambour; cf. Pr. tabor, tanbor, Sp. & Pg. tambor, atambor, It. tamburo; all fr. Ar. & Per. tamb a kind of lute, or giutar, or Per. tabir a drum. Cf. Tabouret, Tambour.] (Mus.)
Defn: A small drum used as an accompaniment to a pipe or fife, both being played by the same person. [Written also tabour, and taber.]
TABORTa"bor, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tabored; p. pr. & vb. n. Taboring.] Etym:[Cf. OF. taborer.] [Written also tabour.]
1. To play on a tabor, or little drum.
2. To strike lightly and frequently.
TABORTa"bor, v. t.
Defn: To make (a sound) with a tabor.
TABORERTa"bor*er, n.
Defn: One who plays on the tabor. Shak.
TABORETTab"o*ret, n. Etym: [Dim. of tabor. Cf. Tabret.] (Mus.)
Defn: A small tabor. [Written also tabouret.]
TABORINETab"o*rine, n. Etym: [OF. tabourin, F. tambourin. See Tabor, and cf.Tambourine.] (Mus.)
Defn: A small, shallow drum; a tabor.
TABORITETa"bor*ite, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of certain Bohemian reformers who suffered persecution in the fifteenth century; — so called from Tabor, a hill or fortress where they encamped during a part of their struggles.
TABOURTa"bour, n. & v.
Defn: See Tabor.
TABOURETTab"ou*ret, n. Etym: [F., dim. of OF. tabor, tabour, drum. SeeTabor.]
1. Same as Taboret.
2. A seat without arms or back, cushioned and stuffed: a high stool; — so called from its resemblance to a drum.
3. An embroidery frame. Knight. Right of the tabouret, the privilege of sitting on a tabouret in the presence of the severeign, formerly granted to certain ladies of high rank at the French court.
TABRERETab"rere, n.
Defn: A taborer. [Obs.] Spenser.
TABRETTab"ret, n.
Defn: A taboret. Young.
TABUTa*bu", n. & v.
Defn: See Taboo.
TABULATab"u*la, n.; pl. Tabulæ. Etym: [L.]
1. A table; a tablet.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the transverse plants found in the calicles of certain corals and hydroids. Tabula rasa ( Etym: [L.], a smoothed tablet; hence, figuratively, the mind in its earliest state, before receiving impressions from without; — a term used by Hobbes, Locke, and others, in maintaining a theory opposed to the doctrine of innate ideas.
TABULARTab"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. tabularis, fr. tabula a board, table. SeeTable.]
Defn: Having the form of, or pertaining to, a table (in any of the uses of the word). Specifically: — (a) Having a flat surface; as, a tabular rock. (b) Formed into a succession of flakes; laminated. Nodules . . . that are tabular and plated. Woodward.
(c) Set in squares. [R.] (d) Arranged in a schedule; as, tabular statistics. (e) Derived from, or computed by, the use of tables; as, tabular right ascension. Tabular difference (Math.), the difference between two consecutive numbers in a table, sometimes printed in its proper place in the table. — Tabular spar (Min.), wollastonite.
TABULARIZATIONTab`u*lar*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act of tabularizing, or the state of being tabularized; formation into tables; tabulation.
TABULARIZETab"u*lar*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabularized; p. pr. & vb. n.Tabularizing.]
Defn: To tabulate.
TABULATATab`u*la"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. tabulatus floored.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An artificial group of stony corals including those which have transverse septa in the calicles. The genera Pocillopora and Favosites are examples.
TABULATETab"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabulated; p. pr. & vb. n.Tabulating.] Etym: [L. tabula a table. See Tabular.]
1. To form into a table or tables; to reduce to tables or synopses. A philosophy is not worth the having, unless its results may be tabulated, and put in figures. I. Taylor.
2. To shape with a flat surface.
TABULATIONTab`u*la"tion, n.
Defn: The act of forming into a table or tables; as, the tabulation of statistics.
TACTac, n. Etym: [Cf. Tack, n., 4.] (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: A kind of customary payment by a tenant; — a word used in old records. Cowell. Burrill.
TACAMAHAC; TACAMAHACATac"a*ma*hac`, Tac`a*ma*ha"ca, n.
1. A bitter balsamic resin obtained from tropical American trees of the genus Elaphrium (E. tomentosum and E. Tacamahaca), and also from East Indian trees of the genus Calophyllum; also, the resinous exhudation of the balsam poplar.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Any tree yielding tacamahac resin, especially, in NorthAmerica, the balsam poplar, or balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifera).
TACAUDTa*caud", n. Etym: [Cf. F. tacaud. See Tomcod.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The bib, or whiting pout. [Prov. Eng.]
TAC-AU-TAC Tac`-au-tac", n. [F., fr. riposter du tac au tac to parry (where tac imitates the sound made by the steel).] (Fencing)
Defn: The parry which is connected with a riposte; also, a series of quick attacks and parries in which neither fencer gains a point.
TACETace, n.
Defn: The cross, or church, of St. Antony. See Illust. (6), underCross, n. Mollett.
TACETace, n.
Defn: See Tasse. Fairholt.
TACET Ta"cet, v.impers. Etym: [L., it is silent, 3d pers.pr. of tacere to be silent.] (Mus.)
Defn: It is silent; — a direction for a vocal or instrumental part to be silent during a whole movement.
TACHETache, n. Etym: [See Tack a kind of nail.]
Defn: Something used for taking hold or holding; a catch; a loop; a button. [Obs.] Ex. xxvi. 6.
TACHETache, n. Etym: [F. tache spot. See Techy.]
Defn: A spot, stain, or blemish. [Obs.] Warner.
TACHHYDRITETach*hy"drite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A hydrous chloride of calcium and magnesium occurring in yellowish masses which rapidly deliquesce upon exposure. It is found in the salt mines at Stassfurt.
TACHINATach"i*na, n.; pl. Tachinæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of Diptera belonging to Tachina and allied genera. Their larvæ are external parasites of other insects.
TACHISTOSCOPETa*chis"to*scope, n. [Gr. , superl. of swift + -scope.] (Physiol.)
Defn: An apparatus for exposing briefly to view a screen bearing letters or figures. It is used in studying the range of attention, or the power of distinguishing separate objects in a single impression.
TACHOGRAPHTach"o*graph, n. [Gr. speed + -graph.]
Defn: A recording or registering tachometer; also, its autographic record.
TACHOMETERTa*chom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter: cf. F. tachomètre.]
Defn: An instrument for measuring the velocity, or indicating changes in the velocity, of a moving body or substance. Specifically: — (a) An instrument for measuring the velocity of running water in a river or canal, consisting of a wheel with inclined vanes, which is turned by the current. The rotations of the wheel are recorded by clockwork. (b) An instrument for showing at any moment the speed of a revolving shaft, consisting of a delicate revolving conical pendulum which is driven by the shaft, and the action of which by change of speed moves a pointer which indicates the speed on a graduated dial. (c) (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring the velocity of the blood; a hæmatachometer.
TACHOMETRYTa*chom"e*try, n.
Defn: Measurement by a tachometer; the science or use of tachometers.
TACHYDIDAXYTach"y*di*dax`y, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A short or rapid method of instructing. [R.]
TACHYGLOSSATach`y*glos"sa, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of monotremes which comprises the spiny ant-eaters of Australia and New Guinea. See Illust. under Echidna.
TACHYGRAPHTach"y*graph, n.
Defn: An example of tachygraphy; esp., an ancient Greek or Roman tachygraphic manuscript.
TACHYGRAPHERTa*chyg"ra*pher, n. [Gr. a fast writer.]