TECUMTe"cum, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Tucum.
TEDTed, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tedded; p. pr. & vb. n. Tedding.] Etym:[Prob. fr. Icel. te to spread manure, fr. ta manure; akin to MHG.zetten to scatter, spread. *58. Cf. Teathe.]
Defn: To spread, or turn from the swath, and scatter for drying, asnew-mowed grass; — chiefly used in the past participle.The smell of grain or tedded grass. Milton.The tedded hay and corn sheaved in one field. Coleridge.
TEDDERTed"der, n.
Defn: A machine for stirring and spreading hay, to expedite its drying.
TEDDERTed"der, n. Etym: [OE. *64. See Tether.]
Defn: Same as Tether.
TEDDERTed"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Teddered; p. pr. & vb. n. Teddering.]
Defn: Same as Tether.
TEDESCOTe*des"co, a.; pl. Tedeschi (#). [It., of Germanic origin. SeeDutch.]
Defn: German; — used chiefly of art, literature, etc.
TE DEUMTe` De"um. Etym: [L., from te (accus. of tu thou) + Deum, accus. ofDeus God. See Thou, and Deity.]
1. An ancient and celebrated Christian hymn, of uncertain authorship, but often ascribed to St. Ambrose; — so called from the first words "Te Deum laudamus." It forms part of the daily matins of the Roman Catholic breviary, and is sung on all occasions of thanksgiving. In its English form, commencing with words, "We praise thee, O God," it forms a part of the regular morning service of the Church of England and the Protestant Episcopal Church in America.
2. A religious service in which the singing of the hymn forms a principal part.
TEDGETedge, n. (Founding)
Defn: The gate of a mold, through which the melted metal is poured; runner, geat.
TEDIOSITYTe`di*os"i*ty, n.
Defn: Tediousness. [Obs.]
TEDIOUSTe"di*ous, a. Etym: [L. taediosus, fr. taedium. See Tedium.]
Defn: Involving tedium; tiresome from continuance, prolixity,slowness, or the like; wearisome.— Te"di*ous*ly, adv.— Te"di*ous*ness, n.I see a man's life is a tedious one. Shak.I would not be tedious to the court. Bunyan.
Syn.— Wearisome; fatiguing. See Irksome.
TEDIUM Te"di*um, n. Etym: [L. taedium, fr. taedet it disgusts, it wearies one.]
Defn: Irksomeness; wearisomeness; tediousness. [Written also tædium.]Cowper.To relieve the tedium, he kept plying them with all manner of bams.Prof. Wilson.The tedium of his office reminded him more strongly of the willingscholar, and his thoughts were rambling. Dickens.
TEE Tee, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. tja to show, mark.] (a) The mark aimed at in curling and in quoits. (b) The nodule of earth from which the ball is struck in golf.
TEETee, n.
Defn: A short piece of pipe having a lateral outlet, used to connect a line of pipe with a pipe at a right angle with the line; — so called because it resembles the letter T in shape.
TEEING GROUNDTeeing ground. (Golf)
Defn: The space from within which the ball must be struck in beginning the play for each hole.
TEE IRONTee" i`ron.
Defn: See T iron, under T.
TEEKTeek, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Teak. [Obs.]
TEELTeel, n.
Defn: Sesame. [Sometimes written til.] Teel oil, sesame oil.
TEELSEEDTeel"seed`, n.
Defn: The seed of sesame.
TEEM Teem, v. t. Etym: [Icel. tæma to empty, from tomr empty; akin to Dan. tömme to empty, Sw. tömma. See Toom to empty.]
1. To pour; — commonly followed by out; as, to teem out ale. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Swift.
2. (Steel Manuf.)
Defn: To pour, as steel, from a melting pot; to fill, as a mold, with molten metal.
TEEMTeem, v. t. Etym: [See Tame, a., and cf. Beteem.]
Defn: To think fit. [Obs. or R.] G. Gifford.
TEEMTeem, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Teemed; p. pr. & vb. n. Teeming.] Etym:[OE. temen, AS. teman, t, from teám. See Team.]
1. To bring forth young, as an animal; to produce fruit, as a plant; to bear; to be pregnant; to conceive; to multiply. If she must teem, Create her child of spleen. Shak.
2. To be full, or ready to bring forth; to be stocked to overflowing; to be prolific; to abound. His mind teeming with schemes of future deceit to cover former villainy. Sir W. Scott. The young, brimful of the hopes and feeling which teem in our time. F. Harrison.
TEEMTeem, v. t.
Defn: To produce; to bring forth. [R.] That [grief] of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker; Each minute teems a new one. Shak.
TEEMERTeem"er, n.
Defn: One who teems, or brings forth.
TEEMFULTeem"ful, a.
1. Pregnant; prolific. [Obs.]
2. Brimful. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
TEEMINGTeem"ing, a.
Defn: Prolific; productive.Teeming buds and cheerful appear. Dryden.
TEEMLESSTeem"less, a.
Defn: Not fruitful or prolific; barren; as, a teemless earth.[Poetic] Dryden.
TEEN Teen, n. Etym: [OE. tene, AS. teóna reproach, wrong, fr. teón to accuse; akin to G. zeihen, Goth. gateihan to tell, announce, L. dicere to say. See Token.]
Defn: Grief; sorrow; affiction; pain. [Archaic] Chaucer. Spenser.With public toil and private teen Thou sank'st alone. M. Arnold.
TEEN Teen, v. t. Etym: [AS. teónian, t, to slander, vex. *64. See Teen, n.]
Defn: To excite; to provoke; to vex; to affict; to injure. [Obs.]Piers Plowman.
TEENTeen, v. t. Etym: [See Tine to shut.]
Defn: To hedge or fence in; to inclose. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
TEENAGETeen"age, n.
Defn: The longer wood for making or mending fences. [Prov. Eng.]Halliwell.
TEENDTeend, v. t. & i. Etym: [See Tinder.]
Defn: To kindle; to burn. [Obs.] Herrick.
TEENFULTeen"ful, a.
Defn: Full of teen; harmful; grievous; grieving; afflicted. [Obs.]Piers Plowman.
TEENSTeens, n. pl. Etym: [See Ten.]
Defn: The years of one's age having the termination -teen, beginning with thirteen and ending with nineteen; as, a girl in her teens.
TEENYTee"ny, a.
Defn: Very small; tiny. [Colloq.]
TEENYTeen"y, a. Etym: [See Teen grief.]
Defn: Fretful; peevish; pettish; cross. [Prov. Eng.]
TEEONGTee*ong", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The mino bird.
TEESTTeest, n.
Defn: A tinsmith's stake, or small anvil.
TEESWATERTees"wa`ter, n. [From the river Tees, northern England.]
1. A breed of cattle formerly bred in England, but supposed to have originated in Holland and to have been the principal stock from which the shorthorns were derived.
2. An old English breed of sheep allied to the Leicester.
TEETANTee"tan, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A pipit. [Prov. Eng.]
TEETEETee"tee, n. Etym: [Sp. tití.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of small, soft-furred South American monkeys belonging to Callithrix, Chrysothrix, and allied genera; as, the collared teetee (Callithrix torquatus), and the squirrel teetee (Chrysothrix sciurea). Called also pinche, titi, and saimiri. See Squirrel monkey, under Squirrel.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A diving petrel of Australia (Halodroma wrinatrix).
TEETERTee"ter, v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Teetered; p. pr. & vb. n.Teetering.] Etym: [Prov. E. titter to tremble, to seesaw; cf. Icel.titra to tremble, OHG. zittaron, G. zittern.]
Defn: To move up and down on the ends of a balanced plank, or thelike, as children do for sport; to seesaw; to titter; to titter-totter. [U. S.][The bobolink] alit upon the flower, and teetered up and down. H. W.Beecher.
TEETER-TAILTee"ter-tail`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The spotted sandpiper. See the Note under Sandpiper.
TEETHTeeth, n.,
Defn: pl. of Tooth.
TEETHTeeth, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Teethed; p. pr. & vb. n. Teething.]
Defn: To breed, or grow, teeth.
TEETHINGTeeth"ing, n.
Defn: The process of the first growth of teeth, or the phenomena attending their issue through the gums; dentition.
TEETOTALTee*to"tal, a.
Defn: Entire; total. [Colloq.]
TEETOTALERTee*to"tal*er, n.
Defn: One pledged to entire abstinence from all intoxicating drinks.
TEETOTALISMTee*to"tal*ism, n.
Defn: The principle or practice of entire abstinence, esp. from intoxicating drinks.
TEETOTALLYTee*to"tal*ly, adv.
Defn: Entirely; totally. [Colloq.]
TEETOTUM Tee*to"tum, n. Etym: [For T-totum. It was used for playing games of chance, and was four-sided, one side having the letter T on it, standing for Latin totum all, meaning, take all that is staked, whence the name. The other three sides each had a letter indicating an English or Latin word; as P meaning put down, N nothing or L. nil, H half. See Total.]
Defn: A child's toy, somewhat resembling a top, and twirled by thefingers.The staggerings of the gentleman . . . were like those of a teetotumnearly spent. Dickens.
TEE-TO-TUMTee-to"-tum, n. [Cf. Teetotaler.]
Defn: A workingmen's resort conducted under religious influences as a counteractant to the drinking saloon. [Colloq. or Cant]
TEETUCKTee"tuck, n.
Defn: The rock pipit. [Prov. Eng.]
TEEUCKTee"uck, n.
Defn: The lapwing. [Prov. Eng.]
TEEWITTee"wit, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The pewit. [Prov. Eng.]
TEGTeg, n.
Defn: A sheep in its second year; also, a doe in its second year.[Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
TEGMENTeg"men, n.; pl. Tegmina. Etym: [L., fr. tegere, tectum, to cover.]
1. A tegument or covering.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: The inner layer of the coating of a seed, usually thin and delicate; the endopleura.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the elytra of an insect, especially of certainOrthoptera.
4. pl. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Tectrices.
TEGMENTALTeg*men"tal, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a tegument or tegmentum; as, the tegmental layer of the epiblast; the tegmental cells of the taste buds.
TEGMENTUMTeg*men"tum, n.; pl. Tegmenta. Etym: [L., a covering.] (Anat.)
Defn: A covering; — applied especially to the bundles of longitudinal fibers in the upper part of the crura of the cerebrum.
TEGUEXINTe*guex"in, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large South American lizard (Tejus teguexin). It becomes three or four feet long, and is blackish above, marked with yellowish spots of various sizes. It feeds upon fruits, insects, reptiles, young birds, and birds' eggs. The closely allied species Tejus rufescens is called red teguexin.
TEGULA Teg"u*la, n.; pl. Tegulæ. Etym: [L., a tile, dim. fr. tegere to cover.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small appendage situated above the base of the wings ofHymenoptera and attached to the mesonotum.
TEGULARTeg"u*lar, a. Etym: [LL. tegularis, from L. tegula a tile. See Tile.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a tile; resembling a tile, or arranged like tiles; consisting of tiles; as, a tegular pavement. — Teg"u*lar*ly, adv.
TEGULATEDTeg`u*la"ted, a.
Defn: Composed of small plates, as of horn or metal, overlapping like tiles; — said of a kind of ancient armor. Fairholt.
TEGUMENTTeg"u*ment, n. Etym: [L. tegumentum, from tegere to cover. SeeThatch, n., and cf. Detect, Protect.]
1. A cover or covering; an integument.
2. Especially, the covering of a living body, or of some part or organ of such a body; skin; hide.
TEGUMENTARYTeg`u*men"ta*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. tégumentaire.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a tegument or teguments; consisting of teguments; serving as a tegument or covering.
TE-HEETe-hee", n. & interj.
Defn: A tittering laugh; a titter. "'Te-hee,' quoth she." Chaucer.
TE-HEETe-hee", v. i.
Defn: To titter; to laugh derisively.She cried, "Come, come; you must not look grave upon me." Upon this,I te-heed. Madame D'Arblay.
TEILTeil, n. Etym: [OF. teil, til, L. tilia.] (Bot.)
Defn: The lime tree, or linden; — called also teil tree.
TEINDTeind, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. tiund. See Tithe.]
Defn: A tithe. [Scot.] Jamieson.
TEINETeine, n.
Defn: See Teyne. [Obs.] Chaucer.
TEINLANDTein"land, n. (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: Land granted by the crown to a thane or lord. Burrill.
TEINOSCOPETei"no*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Physics)
Defn: An instrument formed by combining prisms so as to correct the chromatic aberration of the light while linear dimensions of objects seen through the prisms are increased or diminished; — called also prism telescope. Sir D. Brewster.
TEINTTeint, n. Etym: [F. teint, teinte. See Tint.]
Defn: Tint; color; tinge, See Tint. [Obs.]Time shall . . . embrown the teint. Dryden.
TEINTURETein"ture, n. Etym: [F. See Tincture.]
Defn: Color; tinge; tincture. [Obs.] Holland.
TEKTek, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A Siberian ibex.
TELAMONESTel`a*mo"nes, n. pl. Etym: [L., pl. of telamo or telamon, Gr. (Arch.)
Defn: Same as Atlantes.
TELANGIECTASISTel*an`gi*ec"ta*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Dilatation of the capillary vessels.
TELANGIECTASYTel*an`gi*ec"ta*sy, n. (Med.)
Defn: Telangiectasis.
TELARLYTe"lar*ly, adv.
Defn: In a weblike manner. [Obs.] "Telarly interwoven." Sir T.Browne.
TELARY Te"la*ry, a. Etym: [LL. telaris, fr. L. tela a web. See Toil a snare.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a web; hence, spinning webs; retiary."Pictures of telary spiders." Sir T. Browne.
TELAUTOGRAMTel*au"to*gram, n.
Defn: A message transmitted and recorded by a teleautograph.
TELAUTOGRAPHTel*au"to*graph, n. [Gr. th e far + autograph.]
Defn: A facsimile telegraph for reproducing writing, pictures, maps, etc. In the transmitter the motions of the pencil are communicated by levers to two rotary shafts, by which variations in current are produced in two separate circuits. In the receiver these variations are utilized by electromagnetic devices and levers to move a pen as the pencil moves. —Tel`au*tog"ra*phist (#), n.
TELECHIROGRAPH Tel`e*chi"ro*graph, n. [Gr. th e far + chei`r, cheiro`s, hand + - graph.]
Defn: An instrument for telegraphically transmitting and receiving handwritten messages, as photographically by a beam of light from a mirror.
TELEDUTel"e*du, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An East Indian carnivore (Mydaus meliceps) allied to the badger, and noted for the very offensive odor that it emits, somewhat resembling that of a skunk. It is a native of the high mountains of Java and Sumatra, and has long, silky fur. Called also stinking badger, and stinkard.
TELEGATe*le"ga, n. [Russ. telyega.]
Defn: A rude four-wheeled, springless wagon, used among the Russians.
TELEGONYTe*leg"o*ny, n. [Gr. th e far + root of Gr. to be born.] (Biol.)
Defn: The supposed influence of a father upon offspring subsequent to his own, begotten of the same mother by another father. — Te*leg"o*nous (#), a.
TELEGRAMTel"e*gram, n. Etym: [Gr. -gram.]
Defn: A message sent by telegraph; a telegraphic dispatch.
Note: "A friend desires us to give notice that he will ask leave, at some convenient time, to introduce a new word into the vocabulary. It is telegram, instead of telegraphic dispatch, or telegraphic communication." Albany [N. Y.] Evening Journal (April 6, 1852).
TELEGRAMMICTel`e*gram*mic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a telegram; laconic; concise; brief. [R.]
TELEGRAPHTel"e*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. toli) + -graph: cf. F. télégraphe. SeeGraphic.]
Defn: An apparatus, or a process, for communicating intelligence rapidly between distant points, especially by means of preconcerted visible or audible signals representing words or ideas, or by means of words and signs, transmitted by electrical action.
Note: The instruments used are classed as indicator, type-printing, symbol-printing, or chemical-printing telegraphs, according as the intelligence is given by the movements of a pointer or indicator, as in Cooke & Wheatstone's (the form commonly used in England), or by impressing, on a fillet of paper, letters from types, as in House's and Hughe's, or dots and marks from a sharp point moved by a magnet, as in Morse's, or symbols produced by electro-chemical action, as in Bain's. In the offices in the United States the recording instrument is now little used, the receiving operator reading by ear the combinations of long and short intervals of sound produced by the armature of an electro-magnet as it is put in motion by the opening and breaking of the circuit, which motion, in registering instruments, traces upon a ribbon of paper the lines and dots used to represent the letters of the alphabet. See Illustration in Appendix. Acoustic telegraph. See under Acoustic. — Dial telegraph, a telegraph in which letters of the alphabet and numbers or other symbols are placed upon the border of a circular dial plate at each station, the apparatus being so arranged that the needle or index of the dial at the receiving station accurately copies the movements of that at the sending station. — Electric telegraph, or Electro-magnetic telegraph, a telegraph in which an operator at one station causes words or signs to be made at another by means of a current of electricity, generated by a battery and transmitted over an intervening wire. — Facsimile telegraph. See under Facsimile. — Indicator telegraph. See under Indicator. — Pan-telegraph, an electric telegraph by means of which a drawing or writing, as an autographic message, may be exactly reproduced at a distant station. — Printing telegraph, an electric telegraph which automatically prints the message as it is received at a distant station, in letters, not signs. — Signal telegraph, a telegraph in which preconcerted signals, made by a machine, or otherwise, at one station, are seen or heard and interpreted at another; a semaphore. — Submarine telegraph cable, a telegraph cable laid under water to connect stations separated by a body of water. — Telegraph cable, a telegraphic cable consisting of several conducting wires, inclosed by an insulating and protecting material, so as to bring the wires into compact compass for use on poles, or to form a strong cable impervious to water, to be laid under ground, as in a town or city, or under water, as in the ocean. — Telegraph plant (Bot.), a leguminous plant (Desmodium gyrans) native of the East Indies. The leaflets move up and down like the signals of a semaphore.
TELEGRAPHTel"e*graph, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Telegraphed; p. pr. & vb. n.Telegraphing.] Etym: [F. télégraphier.]
Defn: To convey or announce by telegraph.
TELEGRAPHERTe*leg"ra*pher, n.
Defn: One who sends telegraphic messages; a telegraphic operator; a telegraphist.
TELEGRAPHICTel`e*graph"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. télégraphique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the telegraph; made or communicated by a telegraph; as, telegraphic signals; telegraphic art; telegraphic intelligence.
TELEGRAPHICALTel`e*graph"ic*al, a.
Defn: Telegraphic.— Tel`e*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.
TELEGRAPHISTTe*leg"ra*phist, n.
Defn: One skilled in telegraphy; a telegrapher.
TELEGRAPHONETe*leg"ra*phone, n. [Gr. th e far + -graph + sound.]
Defn: An instrument for recording and reproducing sound by local magnetization of a steel wire, disk, or ribbon, moved against the pole of a magnet connected electrically with a telephone receiver, or the like.
TELEGRAPHOSCOPETel`e*graph"o*scope, n. [Gr. th e far + -graph + -scope.]
Defn: An instrument for telegraphically transmitting a picture and reproducing its image as a positive or negative. The transmitter includes a camera obscura and a row of minute selenium cells. The receiver includes an oscillograph, ralay, equilibrator, and an induction coil the sparks from which perforate a paper with tiny holes that form the image.
TELEGRAPH PLANTTelegraph plant.
Defn: An East Indian tick trefoil (Meibomia gyrans), whose lateral leaflets jerk up and down like the arms of a semaphore, and also rotate on their axes.
TELEGRAPHYTe*leg"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. télégraphie.]
Defn: The science or art of constructing, or of communicating by means of, telegraphs; as, submarine telegraphy.
TELEHYDROBAROMETERTel`e*hy`dro*ba*rom"e*ter, n. [Gr. th e far + hydrobarometer.]
Defn: An instrument for indicating the level of water in a distant tank or reservior.
TELE-ICONOGRAPHTel`e-i*con"o*graph, n. [Gr. th e far + iconograph.]
1. An instrument essentially the same as the telemetrograph.
2. A form of facsimile telegraph.
TEL-EL-AMARNATel`-el-A*mar"na, n. [Ar., hill of Amarna.]
Defn: A station on the Nile, midway between Thebes and Memphis, forming the site of the capital of Amenophis IV., whose archive chamber was discovered there in 1887. A collection of tablets (called the Tel-el-Amarna, or the Amarna, tablets) was found here, forming the Asiatic correspondence (Tel-el-Amarna letters) of Amenophis IV. and his father, Amenophis III., written in cuneiform characters. It is an important source of our knowledge of Asia from about 1400 to 1370 b. c..
TELELECTRICTel`e*lec"tric, a. [Gr. th e far + electric.] (Elec.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to transmission, as of music, to a distance by electricity.
TELELECTROSCOPETel`e*lec"tro*scope, n. [Gr. th e far + electro- + -scope.]
Defn: Any apparatus for making distant objects visible by the aid of electric transmission.
TELEMECHANICTel`e*me*chan"ic, a. [Gr. th e far + mechanic.]
Defn: Designating, or pert. to, any device for operating mechanisms at a distance. —Tel`e*mech"a*nism (#), n.
TELEMETEOROGRAPHTel`e*me`te*or"o*graph, n. [Gr. th e far + meteorograph.]
Defn: Any apparatus recording meteorological phenomena at a distance from the measuring apparatus, as by electricity or by compressed air; esp., an apparatus recording conditions at many distant stations at a central office. — Tel`e*me`te*or*o*graph"ic (#), a.
TELEMETERTe*lem"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.]
Defn: An instrument used for measuring the distance of an object from an observer; as, a telescope with a micrometer for measuring the apparent diameter of an object whose real dimensions are known.
TELEMETROGRAPHTel`e*met"ro*graph, n. [Gr. th e far + me`tron measure + -graph.]
Defn: A combination of the camera lucida and telescope for drawing and measuring distant objects. — Tel`e*me*trog"ra*phy (#), n. — Tel`e*met`ro*graph"ic (#), a.
TELEMOTORTel`e*mo"tor, n. [Gr. th e far + motor.] (Naut.)
Defn: A hydraulic device by which the movement of the wheel on the bridge operates the steering gear at the stern.
TELENERGYTel*en"er*gy, n. [Gr. th e far + energy.]
Defn: Display of force or energy at a distance, or without contact; - - applied to mediumistic phenomena. — Tel`en*er"gic (#), a.
TELENGISCOPETe*len"gi*scope, n. [Gr. th e far + near + -scope.] (Optics)
Defn: An instrument of such focal length that it may be used as an observing telescope for objects close at hand or as a long-focused microscope.
TELEOCEPHIALTe`le*o*ceph"i*al, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive order of bony fishes including most of the common market species, as bass, salmon, cod, perch, etc.
TELEOLOGICALTe`le*o*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. téléologique.] (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to teleology, or the doctrine of design.— Te`le*o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
TELEOLOGISTTe`le*ol"o*gist, n. (Biol.)
Defn: One versed in teleology.
TELEOLOGY Te`le*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. teleos, the end or issue + -logy: cf. F. téléologie.]
Defn: The doctrine of the final causes of things; specif. (Biol.),
Defn: the doctrine of design, which assumes that the phenomena of organic life, particularly those of evolution, are explicable only by purposive causes, and that they in no way admit of a mechanical explanation or one based entirely on biological science; the doctrine of adaptation to purpose.
TELEOPHORETe"le*o*phore`, n. Etym: [Gr. teleos complete + (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Gonotheca.
TELEORGANICTe`le*or*gan"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. teleos complete + E. organic.](Physiol.)
Defn: Vital; as, teleorganic functions.
TELEOSAURTe`le*o*saur", n. (Paleon.)
Defn: Any one of several species of fossil suarians belonging to Teleosaurus and allied genera. These reptiles are related to the crocodiles, but have biconcave vertebræ.
TELEOSAURUSTe`le*o*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A genus of extinct crocodilian reptiles of the Jurassic period, having a long and slender snout.
TELEOSTTe"le*ost, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Teleosti. Also used adjectively.
TELEOSTEANTe`le*os"te*an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the teleosts.— n.
Defn: A teleostean fish.
TELEOSTEITe`le*os"te*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A subclass of fishes including all the ordinary bony fishes as distinguished from the ganoids.
TELEOSTOMITe"le*os`to*mi, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive division of fishes including the ordinary fishes(Teleostei) and the ganoids.
TELEOZOICTe`le*o*zo"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having tissued composed of cells.
TELEOZOON; TELEOZOOENTe*le*o*zo"ön, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A metazoan.
TELEPATHYTe*lep"a*thy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The sympathetic affection of one mind by the thoughts, feelings, or emotions of another at a distance, without communication through the ordinary channels of sensation. — Tel`e*path"ic, a. — Te*lep"a*thist, n.
TELEPHEMETel"e*pheme, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A message by a telephone. [Recent]
TELEPHONETel"e*phone, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physics)
Defn: An instrument for reproducing sounds, especially articulate speech, at a distance.
Note: The ordinary telephone consists essentially of a device by which currents of electricity, produced by sounds through the agency of certain mechanical devices and exactly corresponding in duration and intensity to the vibrations of the air which attend them, are transmitted to a distant station, and there, acting on suitable mechanism, reproduce similar sounds by repeating the vibrations. The necessary variations in the electrical currents are usually produced by means of a microphone attached to a thin diaphragm upon which the voice acts, and are intensified by means of an induction coil. In the magnetic telephone, or magneto-telephone, the diaphragm is of soft iron placed close to the pole of a magnet upon which is wound a coil of fine wire, and its vibrations produce corresponding vibrable currents in the wire by induction. The mechanical, or string, telephone is a device in which the voice or sound causes vibrations in a thin diaphragm, which are directly transmitted along a wire or string connecting it to a similar diaphragm at the remote station, thus reproducing the sound. It does not employ electricity.
TELEPHONETel"e*phone, v. t.
Defn: To convey or announce by telephone.
TELEPHONE EXCHANGETel`e*phone ex*change".
Defn: A central office in which the wires of telephones may be connected to permit conversation.
TELEPHONICTel`e*phon"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. téléphonique. See Telephone.]
1. Conveying sound to a great distance.
2. Of or pertaining to the telephone; by the telephone.
TELEPHONICALLYTel`e*phon"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By telephonic means or processes; by the use of the telephone.
TELEPHONYTe*leph"o*ny, n.
Defn: The art or process of reproducing sounds at a distance, as with the telephone.
TELEPHOTETel"e*phote, n. [Gr. th e far + fw^s, fwto`s, light.]
Defn: A telelectric apparatus for producing images of visible objects at a distance.
TELEPHOTOTel`e*pho"to, a.
Defn: Telephotographic; specif., designating a lens consisting of a combination of lenses specially designed to give a large image of a distant object in a camera of relatively short focal length.
TELEPHOTOGRAPHTel`e*pho"to*graph, n. [Gr. th e far + photograph.]
Defn: A photograph, image, or impression, reproduced by or taken with a telephotographic apparatus.
TELEPHOTOGRAPHICTel`e*pho`to*graph"ic, a.
Defn: Designating, or pertaining to, the process of telephotography.
TELEPHOTOGRAPHYTel`e*pho*tog"ra*phy, n.
1. The photography of distant objects in more enlarged form than is possible by the ordinary means, usually by a camera provided with a telephoto lens or mounted in place of the eyepiece of a telescope, so that the real or a magnified image falls on the sensitive plate.
2. Art or process of electrically transmitting and reproducing photographic or other pictures at a distance by methods similar to those used in electric telegraphy.
3. Less properly, phototelegraphy.
TELEPOLARISCOPETel`e*po*lar"i*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. polariscope.] (Opt.)
Defn: A polariscope arranged to be attached to a telescope. Lockyer.
TELERYTHINTel`e*ryth"in, n. Etym: [Gr. erythrin.] (Chem.)
Defn: A red crystalline compound related to, or produced from, erythrin. So called because regarded as the end of the series of erythrin compounds.
TELESCOPETel"e*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. télescope. See Telegraph, and -scope.]
Defn: An optical instrument used in viewing distant objects, as the heavenly bodies.
Note: A telescope assists the eye chiefly in two ways; first, by enlarging the visual angle under which a distant object is seen, and thus magnifying that object; and, secondly, by collecting, and conveying to the eye, a larger beam of light than would enter the naked organ, thus rendering objects distinct and visible which would otherwise be indistinct and or invisible. Its essential parts are the object glass, or concave mirror, which collects the beam of light, and forms an image of the object, and the eyeglass, which is a microscope, by which the image is magnified. Achromatic telescope. See under Achromatic. — Aplanatic telescope, a telescope having an aplanatic eyepiece. — Astronomical telescope, a telescope which has a simple eyepiece so constructed or used as not to reverse the image formed by the object glass, and consequently exhibits objects inverted, which is not a hindrance in astronomical observations. — Cassegrainian telescope, a reflecting telescope invented by Cassegrain, which differs from the Gregorian only in having the secondary speculum convex instead of concave, and placed nearer the large speculum. The Cassegrainian represents objects inverted; the Gregorian, in their natural position. The Melbourne telescope (see Illust. under Reflecting telescope, below) is a Cassegrainian telescope. — Dialytic telescope. See under Dialytic. Equatorial telescope. See the Note under Equatorial. — Galilean telescope, a refracting telescope in which the eyeglass is a concave instead of a convex lens, as in the common opera glass. This was the construction originally adopted by Galileo, the inventor of the instrument. It exhibits the objects erect, that is, in their natural positions. — Gregorian telescope, a form of reflecting telescope. See under Gregorian. — Herschelian telescope, a reflecting telescope of the form invented by Sir William Herschel, in which only one speculum is employed, by means of which an image of the object is formed near one side of the open end of the tube, and to this the eyeglass is applied directly. — Newtonian telescope, a form of reflecting telescope. See under Newtonian. — Photographic telescope, a telescope specially constructed to make photographs of the heavenly bodies. — Prism telescope. See Teinoscope. — Reflecting telescope, a telescope in which the image is formed by a speculum or mirror (or usually by two speculums, a large one at the lower end of the telescope, and the smaller one near the open end) instead of an object glass. See Gregorian, Cassegrainian, Herschelian, and Newtonian, telescopes, above. — Refracting telescope, a telescope in which the image is formed by refraction through an object glass. — Telescope carp (Zoöl.), the telescope fish. — Telescope fish (Zoöl.), a monstrous variety of the goldfish having very protuberant eyes. — Telescope fly (Zoöl.), any two-winged fly of the genus Diopsis, native of Africa and Asia. The telescope flies are remarkable for having the eyes raised on very long stalks. — Telescope shell (Zoöl.), an elongated gastropod (Cerithium telescopium) having numerous flattened whorls. — Telescope sight (Firearms), a slender telescope attached to the barrel, having cross wires in the eyepiece and used as a sight. — Terrestrial telescope, a telescope whose eyepiece has one or two lenses more than the astronomical, for the purpose of inverting the image, and exhibiting objects erect.
TELESCOPETel"e*scope, a. [imp. & p. p. Telescoped; p. pr. & vb. n.Telescoping.]
Defn: To slide or pass one within another, after the manner of the sections of a small telescope or spyglass; to come into collision, as railway cars, in such a manner that one runs into another. [Recent]
TELESCOPETel"e*scope, v. t.
Defn: To cause to come into collision, so as to telescope. [Recent]
TELESCOPE BAGTelescope bag.
Defn: An adjustable traveling bag consisting of two cases, the larger slipping over the other.
TELESCOPIC; TELESCOPICALTel`e*scop"ic, Tel`e*scop"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. télescopique.]
1. Of or pertaining to a telescope; performed by a telescope.
2. Seen or discoverable only by a telescope; as, telescopic stars.
3. Able to discern objects at a distance; farseeing; far-reaching; as, a telescopic eye; telescopic vision.
4. Having the power of extension by joints sliding one within another, like the tube of a small telescope or a spyglass; especially (Mach.), constructed of concentric tubes, either stationary, as in the telescopic boiler, or movable, as in the telescopic chimney of a war vessel, which may be put out of sight by being lowered endwise.
TELESCOPICALLYTel`e*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a telescopical manner; by or with the telescope.
TELESCOPIC SIGHTTel`e*scop"ic sight`.
Defn: A sight consisting of a small telescope, as on a compass or rifle.
TELESCOPISTTe*les"co*pist, n.
Defn: One who uses a telescope. R. A. Proctor.
TELESCOPYTe*les"co*py, n.
Defn: The art or practice of using or making telescopes.
TELESEISMTel"e*seism, n. [Gr. th e far + shock.]
Defn: A seismic movement or shock far from the recording instrument.— Tel`e*seis"mic (#), a.
TELESEMETel"e*seme, n. [Gr. th e far + sign.]
Defn: A system of apparatus for electric signals providing for automatic transmission of a definite number of different signals or calls, as in connection with hotel annunciators.
TELESMTel"esm, n. Etym: [Ar. tilism. See Talisman.]
Defn: A kind of amulet or magical charm. [Obs.] J. Gregory.
TELESMATIC; TELESMATICALTel`es*mat"ic, Tel`es*mat"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to telesms; magical. J. Gregory.
TELESPECTROSCOPETel`e*spec"tro*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. spectroscope.] (Astron.)
Defn: A spectroscope arranged to be attached to a telescope for observation of distant objects, as the sun or stars. Lockyer.
TELESTEREOGRAPHTel`e*ste"re*o*graph`, n. [Gr. th e far + stereograph.]
Defn: An instrument for telegraphically reproducing a photograph. —Tel`e*ste`re*og"ra*phy (#), n.
TELESTEREOSCOPETel`e*ste"re*o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. stereoscope.] (Opt.)
Defn: A stereoscope adapted to view distant natural objects or landscapes; a telescopic stereoscope.
TELESTICTe*les"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Tending or relating to a purpose or an end. [R.] Cudworth.
TELESTICHTe*les"tich, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A poem in which the final letters of the lines, taken consequently, make a name. Cf. Acrostic.
TELETHERMOGRAPH Tel`e*ther"mo*graph, n. [Gr. th e far + thermo- + -graph.] (Physics) (a) A record of fluctuations of temperature made automatically at a distant station. (b) An instrument, usually electrical, making such records.
TELETHERMOMETERTel`e*ther*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. thermometer.] (Physics)
Defn: An apparatus for determining the temperature of a distant point, as by a thermoelectric circuit or otherwise.
TELEUTOSPORETe*leu"to*spore, n. Etym: [Gr. spore.] (Bot.)
Defn: The thick-celled winter or resting spore of the rusts (orderUredinales), produced in late summer. See Illust. of Uredospore.
TELFORDTel"ford, a. [After Thomas Telford, a Scotch road engineer.]
Defn: Designating, or pert. to, a road pavement having a surface of small stone rolled hard and smooth, distinguished from macadam road by its firm foundation of large stones with fragments of stone wedged tightly, in the interstices; as, telford pavement, road, etc.
TELFORDIZETel"ford*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Telfordized; p. pr. & vb. n.Telfordizing.]
Defn: To furnish (a road) with a telford pavement.
TELHARMONICTel`har*mon"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to telharmonium.
TELHARMONIUM; TELHARMONYTel`har*mo"ni*um, n. [Gr. th e far + harmolium.]
Defn: An instrument for producing music (Tel*har"mo*ny []), at a distant point or points by means of alternating currents of electricity controlled by an operator who plays on a keyboard. The music is produced by a receiving instrument similar or analogous to the telephone, but not held to the ear. The pitch corresponds with frequency of alternation of current.
TELICTel"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Gram.)
Defn: Denoting the final end or purpose, as distinguished from ecbatic. See Ecbatic. Gibbs.
TELL Tell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Told; p. pr. & vb. n. Telling.] Etym: [AS. tellan, from talu tale, number, speech; akin to D. tellen to count, G. zählen, OHG. zellen to count, tell, say, Icel. telja, Dan. tale to speak, tælle to count. See Tale that which is told.]
1. To mention one by one, or piece by piece; to recount; to enumerate; to reckon; to number; to count; as, to tell money. "An heap of coin he told." Spenser. He telleth the number of the stars. Ps. cxlvii. 4. Tell the joints of the body. Jer. Taylor.
2. To utter or recite in detail; to give an account of; to narrate. Of which I shall tell all the array. Chaucer. And not a man appears to tell their fate. Pope.
3. To make known; to publish; to disclose; to divulge. Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife Gen. xii. 18.
4. To give instruction to; to make report to; to acquaint; to teach; to inform. A secret pilgrimage, That you to-day promised to tell me of Shak.
5. To order; to request; to command. He told her not to be frightened. Dickens.
6. To discern so as to report; to ascertain by observing; to find out; to discover; as, I can not tell where one color ends and the other begins.
7. To make account of; to regard; to reckon; to value; to estimate. [Obs.] I ne told no dainity of her love. Chaucer.
Note: Tell, though equivalent in some respect to speak and say, has not always the same application. We say, to tell truth or falsehood, to tell a number, to tell the reasons, to tell something or nothing; but we never say, to tell a speech, discourse, or oration, or to tell an argument or a lesson. It is much used in commands; as, tell me the whole story; tell me all you know. To tell off, to count; to divide. Sir W. Scott.
Syn. — To communicate; impart; reveal; disclose; inform; acquaint; report; repeat; rehearse; recite.
TELLTell, v. i.
1. To give an account; to make report. That I may publish with the voice of thankgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Ps. xxvi. 7.
2. To take effect; to produce a marked effect; as, every shot tells; every expression tells. To tell of. (a) To speak of; to mention; to narrate or describe. (b) To inform against; to disclose some fault of. — To tell on, to inform against. [Archaic & Colloq.] Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David. 1 Sam. xxvii. 11.
TELLTell, n.
Defn: That which is told; tale; account. [R.]I am at the end of my tell. Walpole.
TELLTell, n. Etym: [Ar.]
Defn: A hill or mound. W. M. Thomson.
TELLABLETell"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being told.
TELLENTel"len, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of Tellina.
TELLERTell"er, n.
1. One who tells, relates, or communicates; an informer, narrator, or describer.
2. One of four officers of the English Exchequer, formerly appointed to receive moneys due to the king and to pay moneys payable by the king. Cowell.
3. An officer of a bank who receives and counts over money paid in, and pays money out on checks.
4. One who is appointed to count the votes given in a legislative body, public meeting, assembly, etc.
TELLERSHIPTell"er*ship, n.
Defn: The office or employment of a teller.
TELLINATel*li"na, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of marine bivalve mollusks having thin, delicate, and often handsomely colored shells.
TELLINGTell"ing, a.
Defn: Operating with great effect; effective; as, a telling speech.— Tell"ing*ly, adv.
TELLTALETell"tale`, a.
Defn: Telling tales; babbling. "The telltale heart." Poe.
TELLTALETell"tale`, n.
1. One who officiously communicates information of the private concerns of others; one who tells that which prudence should suppress.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected with the bellows of an organ, that gives notice, by its position, when the wind is exhausted.
3. (Naut.) (a) A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm. (b) A compass in the cabin of a vessel, usually placed where the captain can see it at all hours, and thus inform himself of the vessel's course.
4. (Mach.)
Defn: A machine or contrivance for indicating or recording something, particularly for keeping a check upon employees, as factory hands, watchmen, drivers, check takers, and the like, by revealing to their employers what they have done or omitted.
5. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The tattler. See Tattler.
TELLURALTel*lu"ral, a. Etym: [L. tellus, -uris, the earth.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the earth. [R.]
TELLURATETel"lu*rate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. tellurate. See Tellurium.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of telluric acid.
TELLURETTel"lu*ret, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A telluride. [Obsoles.]
TELLURETEDTel"lu*ret`ed, n. (Chem.)
Defn: Combined or impregnated with tellurium; tellurized. [Written also telluretted.] [Obsoles.] Tellureted hydrogen (Chem.), hydrogen telluride, H2Te, a gaseous substance analogous to hydrogen sulphide; — called also tellurhydric acid.
TELLURHYDRICTel`lur*hy"dric, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, hydrogen telluride, which is regarded as an acid, especially when in solution.
TELLURIANTel*lu"ri*an, a. Etym: [L. tellus, -uris, the earth.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the earth. De Quincey.
TELLURIANTel*lu"ri*an, n.
1. A dweller on the earth. De Quincey.
2. An instrument for showing the operation of the causes which produce the succession of day and night, and the changes of the seasons. [Written also tellurion.]
TELLURIC Tel*lu"ric, a. Etym: [L. tellus, -uris, the earth: cf. F. tellurique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the earth; proceeding from the earth. Amid these hot, telluric flames. Carlyle.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to tellurium; derived from, or resembling, tellurium; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence as contrasted with tellurous compounds; as, telluric acid, which is analogous to sulphuric acid. Telluric bismuth (Min.), tetradymite. — Telluric silver (Min.), hessite.
TELLURIDETel"lu*ride, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A compound of tellurium with a more positive element or radical; — formerly called telluret.
TELLURISMTel"lu*rism, n.
Defn: An hypothesis of animal magnetism propounded by Dr. Keiser, in Germany, in which the phenomena are ascribed to the agency of a telluric spirit or influence. [R.] S. Thompson.
TELLURITETel"lu*rite, n.
1. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of tellurous acid.
2. (Min.)
Defn: Oxide of tellurium. It occurs sparingly in tufts of white or yellowish crystals.
TELLURIUMTel*lu"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL., from L. tellus, -uris, the earth.](Chem.)
Defn: A rare nonmetallic element, analogous to sulphur and selenium, occasionally found native as a substance of a silver-white metallic luster, but usually combined with metals, as with gold and silver in the mineral sylvanite, with mercury in Coloradoite, etc. Symbol Te. Atomic weight 125.2. Graphic tellurium. (Min.) See Sylvanite. — Tellurium glance (Min.), nagyagite; — called also black tellurium.
TELLURIZETel"lu*rize, v. t. (Chem.)
Defn: To impregnate with, or to subject to the action of, tellurium; — chiefly used adjectively in the past participle; as, tellurized ores.
TELLUROUSTel"lu*rous, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to tellurium; derived from, or containing, tellurium; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with telluric compounds; as, tellurous acid, which is analogous to sulphurous acid.
TELODYNAMICTel`o*dy*nam"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. dynamic.]
Defn: Relating to a system for transmitting power to a distance by means of swiftly moving ropes or cables driving grooved pulleys of large diameter.
TELOOGOOTel`oo*goo", n.
Defn: See Telugu. D. O. Allen.
TELOTROCHATe*lot"ro*cha, n.; pl. Telotrochæ. Etym: [NL. See Telotrochal.](Zoöl.)
Defn: An annelid larva having telotrochal bands of cilia.
TELOTROCHAL; TELOTROCHOUSTe*lot"ro*chal, Te*lot"ro*chous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having both a preoral and a posterior band of cilla; — applied to the larvæ of certain annelids.
TELOTYPETel"o*type, n. Etym: [Gr. -type.]
Defn: An electric telegraph which prints the messages in letters and not in signs.
TELPHERTel"pher, n. Etym: [Gr. (Elec.)
Defn: A contrivance for the conveyance of vehicles or loads by means of electricity. Fleeming Jenkin. Telpher line, or Telpher road, an electric line or road over which vehicles for carrying loads are moved by electric engines actuated by a current conveyed by the line.
TELPHERAGETel"pher*age, n.
Defn: The conveyance of vehicles or loads by means of electricity.Fleeming Jenkin.
TELSONTel"son, n.; pl. Telsons. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The terminal joint or movable piece at the end of the abdomen of Crustacea and other articulates. See Thoracostraca.
TELUGUTel`u*gu", n.
1. A Darvidian language spoken in the northern parts of the Madras presidency. In extent of use it is the next language after Hindustani (in its various forms) and Bengali. [Spelt also Teloogoo.]
2. One of the people speaking the Telugu language.
TELUGUTel`u*gu", a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Telugu language, or the Telugus.
TEMBLORTem*blor", n. [Sp.]
Defn: An earthquake. [Western U. S.]
TEMERARIOUSTem`er*a"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. temerarius. See Temerity.]
Defn: Unreasonably adventurous; despising danger; rash; headstrong;audacious; reckless; heedless.— Tem`er*a"ri*ous*ly, adv.I spake against temerarious judgment. Latimer.
TEMERATIONTem`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. temerare to defile.]
Defn: Temerity. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
TEMERITY Te*mer"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. temeritas, from temere by chance, rashly; perhaps akin to Skr. tamas darkness: cf. F. témérité.]
Defn: Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness; as, the temerity of a commander in war.
Syn. — Rashness; precipitancy; heedlessness; venturesomeness. — Temerity, Rashness. These words are closely allied in sense, but have a slight difference in their use and application. Temerity is Latin, and rashness is Anglo-Saxon. As in many such cases, the Latin term is more select and dignified; the Anglo-Saxon more familiar and energetic. We show temerity in hasty decisions, and the conduct to which they lead. We show rashness in particular actions, as dictated by sudden impulse. It is an exhibition of temerity to approach the verge of a precipice; it is an act of rashness to jump into a river without being able to swim. Temerity, then, is an unreasonable contempt of danger; rashness is a rushing into danger from thoughtlessness or excited feeling. It is notorious temerity to pass sentence upon grounds uncapable of evidence. Barrow. Her rush hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she eat. Milton.
TEMEROUSTem"er*ous, a.
Defn: Temerarious. [Obs.]
TEMPEANTem*pe"an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Temple, a valley in Thessaly, celebrated by Greek poets on account of its beautiful scenery; resembling Temple; hence, beautiful; delightful; charming.
TEMPERTem"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tempered; p. pr. & vb. n. Tempering.]Etym: [AS. temprian or OF. temper, F. tempérer, and (in sense 3)temper, L. temperare, akin to tempus time. Cf. Temporal, Distemper,Tamper.]
1. To mingle in due proportion; to prepare by combining; to modify, as by adding some new element; to qualify, as by an ingredient; hence, to soften; to mollify; to assuage; to soothe; to calm. Puritan austerity was so tempered by Dutch indifference, that mercy itself could not have dictated a milder system. Bancroft. Woman! lovely woman! nature made thee To temper man: we had been brutes without you. Otway. But thy fire Shall be more tempered, and thy hope far higher. Byron. She [the Goddess of Justice] threw darkness and clouds about her, that tempered the light into a thousand beautiful shades and colors. Addison.
2. To fit together; to adjust; to accomodate. Thy sustenance . . . serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking. Wisdom xvi. 21.
3. (Metal.)
Defn: To bring to a proper degree of hardness; as, to temper iron orsteel.The tempered metals clash, and yield a silver sound. Dryden.
4. To govern; to manage. [A Latinism & Obs.] With which the damned ghosts he governeth, And furies rules, and Tartare tempereth. Spenser.
5. To moisten to a proper consistency and stir thoroughly, as clay for making brick, loam for molding, etc.
6. (Mus.)
Defn: To adjust, as the mathematical scale to the actual scale, or to that in actual use.
Syn.— To soften; mollify; assuage; soothe; calm.
TEMPERTem"per, n.
1. The state of any compound substance which results from the mixture of various ingredients; due mixture of different qualities; just combination; as, the temper of mortar.
2. Constitution of body; temperament; in old writers, the mixture or relative proportion of the four humors, blood, choler, phlegm, and melancholy. The exquisiteness of his [Christ's] bodily temper increased the exquisiteness of his torment. Fuller.
3. Disposition of mind; the constitution of the mind, particularly with regard to the passions and affections; as, a calm temper; a hasty temper; a fretful temper. Remember with what mild And gracious temper he both heared and judged. Milton. The consequents of a certain ethical temper. J. H. Newman.
4. Calmness of mind; moderation; equanimity; composure; as, to keepone's temper.To fall with dignity, with temper rise. Pope.Restore yourselves to your tempers, fathers. B. Jonson.
5. Heat of mind or passion; irritation; proneness to anger; — in a reproachful sense. [Colloq.]
6. The state of a metal or other substance, especially as to its hardness, produced by some process of heating or cooling; as, the temper of iron or steel.
7. Middle state or course; mean; medium. [R.] The perfect lawgiver is a just temper between the mere man of theory, who can see nothing but general principles, and the mere man of business, who can see nothing but particular circumstances. Macaulay.
8. (Sugar Works)
Defn: Milk of lime, or other substance, employed in the process formerly used to clarify sugar. Temper screw, in deep well boring, an adjusting screw connecting the working beam with the rope carrying the tools, for lowering the tools as the drilling progresses.