5. A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness.
6. (Physics)
Defn: Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air.
7. (Elec.)
Defn: The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area. Tension brace, or Tension member (Engin.), a brace or member designed to resist tension, or subjected to tension, in a structure. — Tension rod (Engin.), an iron rod used as a tension member to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the like.
TENSIONEDTen"sioned, a.
Defn: Extended or drawn out; subjected to tension. "A highly tensioned string." Tyndall.
TENSITYTen"si*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being tense, or strained to stiffness; tension; tenseness.
TENSIVETen"sive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. tensif. See Tense, a.]
Defn: Giving the sensation of tension, stiffness, or contraction.A tensive pain from distension of the parts. Floyer.
TENSORTen"sor, n. Etym: [NL. See Tension.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: A muscle that stretches a part, or renders it tense.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: The ratio of one vector to another in length, no regard being had to the direction of the two vectors; — so called because considered as a stretching factor in changing one vector into another. See Versor.
TEN-STRIKETen"-strike`, n.
1. (Tenpins)
Defn: A knocking down of all ten pins at one delivery of the ball.[U. S.]
2. Any quick, decisive stroke or act. [Colloq. U.S.]
TENSURETen"sure, n. Etym: [L. tensura. See Tension.]
Defn: Tension. [Obs.] Bacon.
TENT Tent, n. Etym: [Sp. tinto, properly, deep-colored, fr. L. tinctus, p.p. of tingere to dye. See Tinge, and cf. Tint, Tinto.]
Defn: A kind of wine of a deep red color, chiefly from Galicia orMalaga in Spain; — called also tent wine, and tinta.
TENTTent, n. Etym: [Cf. Attent, n.]
1. Attention; regard, care. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Lydgate.
2. Intention; design. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
TENTTent, v. t.
Defn: To attend to; to heed; hence, to guard; to hinder. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Halliwell.
TENTTent, v. t. Etym: [OF. tenter. See Tempt.]
Defn: To probe or to search with a tent; to keep open with a tent; as, to tent a wound. Used also figuratively. I'll tent him to the quick. Shak.
TENT Tent, n. Etym: [F. tente. See Tent to probe.] (Surg.) (a) A roll of lint or linen, or a conical or cylindrical piece of sponge or other absorbent, used chiefly to dilate a natural canal, to keep open the orifice of a wound, or to absorb discharges. (b) A probe for searching a wound. The tent that searches To the bottom of the worst. Shak.
TENT Tent, n. Etym: [OE. tente, F. tente, LL. tenta, fr. L. tendere, tentum, to stretch. See Tend to move, and cf. Tent a roll of lint.]
1. A pavilion or portable lodge consisting of skins, canvas, or some strong cloth, stretched and sustained by poles, — used for sheltering persons from the weather, especially soldiers in camp. Within his tent, large as is a barn. Chaucer.
2. (Her.)
Defn: The representation of a tent used as a bearing. Tent bed, a high-post bedstead curtained with a tentlike canopy. — Tent caterpillar (Zoöl.), any one of several species of gregarious caterpillars which construct on trees large silken webs into which they retreat when at rest. Some of the species are very destructive to fruit trees. The most common American species is the larva of a bombycid moth (Clisiocampa Americana). Called also lackery caterpillar, and webworm.
TENTTent, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tented; p. pr. & vb. n. Tenting.]
Defn: To lodge as a tent; to tabernacle. Shak.We 're tenting to-night on the old camp ground. W. Kittredge.
TENTACLE Ten"ta*cle, n. Etym: [NL. tentaculum, from L. tentare to handle, feel: cf. F. tentacule. See Tempt.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A more or less elongated process or organ, simple or branched, proceeding from the head or cephalic region of invertebrate animals, being either an organ of sense, prehension, or motion. Tentacle sheath (Zoöl.), a sheathlike structure around the base of the tentacles of many mollusks.
TENTACLEDTen"ta*cled, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having tentacles.
TENTACULARTen*tac"u*lar, a. Etym: [Cf. F. tentaculaire.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a tentacle or tentacles.
TENTACULATATen*tac`u*la"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Ctenophora including those which have two long tentacles.
TENTACULATE; TENTACULATEDTen*tac"u*late, Ten*tac"u*la`ted, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having tentacles, or organs like tentacles; tentacled.
TENTACULIFERATen`ta*cu*lif"e*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Suctoria, 1.
TENTACULIFEROUSTen`ta*cu*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Tentaculum + -ferous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Producing or bearing tentacles.
TENTACULIFORMTen`ta*cu"li*form, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Shaped like a tentacle.
TENTACULITETen*tac"u*lite, n. (Paleon.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of small, conical fossil shells found in Paleozoic rocks. They are supposed to be pteropods.
TENTACULOCYSTTen*tac"u*lo*cyst, n. Etym: [Tentaculum + cyst.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the auditory organs of certain medusæ; — called also auditory tentacle.
TENTACULUMTen*tac"u*lum, n.; pl. Tentacula. Etym: [NL. See Tentacle.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A tentacle.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: One of the stiff hairs situated about the mouth, or on the face, of many animals, and supposed to be tactile organs; a tactile hair.
TENTAGETent"age, n. Etym: [From Tent a pavilion.]
Defn: A collection of tents; an encampment. [Obs.] Drayton.
TENTATIONTen*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. tentatio: cf. F. tentation. SeeTemptation.]
1. Trial; temptation. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
2. (Mech.)
Defn: A mode of adjusting or operating by repeated trials or experiments. Knight.
TENTATIVETen*ta"tive, a. Etym: [L. tentare to try: cf. F. tentatif. SeeTempt.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a trial or trials; essaying; experimental."A slow, tentative manner." Carlyle.— Ten*ta"tive*ly, adv.
TENTATIVETen*ta"tive, n. Etym: [Cf. F. tentative.]
Defn: An essay; a trial; an experiment. Berkley.
TENTEDTent"ed, a.
Defn: Covered with tents.
TENTERTen"ter, n.
1. One who takes care of, or tends, machines in a factory; a kind of assistant foreman.
2. (Mach.)
Defn: A kind of governor.
TENTER Ten"ter, n. Etym: [OE. tenture, tentoure, OF. tenture a stretching, spreading, F. tenture hangings, tapestry, from L. tendere, tentum, to stretch. See Tend to move.]
Defn: A machine or frame for stretching cloth by means of hooks, called tenter-hooks, so that it may dry even and square. Tenter ground, a place where tenters are erected. — Tenter-hook, a sharp, hooked nail used for fastening cloth on a tenter. — To be on the tenters, or on the tenter-hooks, to be on the stretch; to be in distress, uneasiness, or suspense. Hudibras.
TENTERTen"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tentered; p. pr. & vb. n. Tentering.]
Defn: To admit extension.Woolen cloth will tenter, linen scarcely. Bacon.
TENTERTen"ter, v. t.
Defn: To hang or stretch on, or as on, tenters.
TENTFULTent"ful, n.; pl. Tentfuls (.
Defn: As much, or as many, as a tent will hold.
TENTHTenth, a. Etym: [From Ten: cf. OE. tethe, AS. teó. See Ten, and cf.Tithe.]
1. Next in order after the ninth; coming after nine others.
2. Constituting or being one of ten equal parts into which anything is divided.
TENTHTenth, n.
1. The next in order after the ninth; one coming after nine others.
2. The quotient of a unit divided by ten; one of ten equal parts into which anything is divided.
3. The tenth part of annual produce, income, increase, or the like; a tithe. Shak.
4. (Mus.)
Defn: The interval between any tone and the tone represented on the tenth degree of the staff above it, as between one of the scale and three of the octave above; the octave of the third.
5. pl. (Eng. Law) (a) A temporary aid issuing out of personal property, and granted to the king by Parliament; formerly, the real tenth part of all the movables belonging to the subject. (b) (Eccl. Law) The tenth part of the annual profit of every living in the kingdom, formerly paid to the pope, but afterward transferred to the crown. It now forms a part of the fund called Queen Anne's Bounty. Burrill.
TENTHLYTenth"ly, adv.
Defn: In a tenth manner.
TENTHMETER; TENTHMETRETenth"me`ter, Tenth"me`tre, n. (Physics)
Defn: A unit for the measurement of many small lengths, such that 1010 of these units make one meter; the ten millionth part of a millimeter.
TENTHREDINIDESTen`thre*din"i*des, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of Hymneoptera comprising the sawflies.
TENTIFTen"tif, a.
Defn: Attentive. [Obs.] Chaucer.
TENTIFLYTen"tif*ly, adv.
Defn: Attentively. [Obs.] Chaucer.
TENTIGINOUS Ten*tig"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. tentigo, -inis, a tension, lecherousness, fr. tendere, tentum, to stretch.]
1. Stiff; stretched; strained. [Obs.] Johnson.
2. Lustful, or pertaining to lust. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
TENTMAKERTent"mak`er, n.
Defn: One whose occupation it is to make tents. Acts xviii. 3.
TENTORIUMTen*to"ri*um, n. Etym: [L., a tent.] (Anat.)
Defn: A fold of the dura mater which separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum and often incloses a process or plate of the skull called the bony tentorium.
TENTORYTent"o*ry, n. Etym: [L. tentorium a tent.]
Defn: The awning or covering of a tent. [Obs.] Evelyn.
TENTWORTTent"wort`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A kind of small fern, the wall rue. See under Wall.
TENUATETen"u*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tenuated; p. pr. & vb. n. Tenuating.]Etym: [L. tenuatus, p.p. of tenuare to make thin, fr. tenuis thin.See Tenuous.]
Defn: To make thin; to attenuate. [R.]
TENUIFOLIOUSTen`u*i*fo"li*ous, a. Etym: [L. tenuis thin + folium a leaf.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having thin or narrow leaves.
TENUIOUSTe*nu"i*ous, a. Etym: [See Tenuous.]
Defn: Rare or subtile; tenuous; — opposed to dense. [Obs.] Glanvill.
TENUIROSTER Ten`u*i*ros"ter, n.; pl. Tenuirosters. Etym: [NL., fr. L. tenuis thin + rostrum a beak.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Tenuirostres.
TENUIROSTRALTen`u*i*ros"tral, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Thin-billed; — applied to birds with a slender bill, as the humming birds.
TENUIROSTRESTen`u*i*ros"tres, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An artificial group of passerine birds having slender bills, as the humming birds.
TENUISTen"u*is, n.; pl. Tenues. Etym: [NL., fr. L. tenuis fine, thin. SeeTenuous.] (Gr. Gram.)
Defn: One of the three surd mutes k, p, t; — so called in relation to their respective middle letters, or medials, g, b, d, and their aspirates, x, f, th. The term is also applied to the corresponding letters and articulate elements in other languages.
TENUITYTe*nu"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. tenuitas, from tenuis thin: cf. F. ténuité.See Tenuous.]
1. The quality or state of being tenuous; thinness, applied to a broad substance; slenderness, applied to anything that is long; as, the tenuity of a leaf; the tenuity of a hair.
2. Rarily; rareness; thinness, as of a fluid; as, the tenuity of the air; the tenuity of the blood. Bacon.
3. Poverty; indigence. [Obs.] Eikon Basilike.
4. Refinement; delicacy.
TENUOUSTen"u*ous, a. Etym: [L. tenuis thin. See Thin, and cf. Tenuis.]
1. Thin; slender; small; minute.
2. Rare; subtile; not dense; — said of fluids.
Defn: Lacking substance, as a tenuous argument.
TENURETen"ure, n. Etym: [F. tenure, OF. teneure, fr. F. tenir to hold. SeeTenable.]
1. The act or right of holding, as property, especially real estate. That the tenure of estates might rest on equity, the Indian title to lands was in all cases to be quieted. Bancroft.
2. (Eng. Law)
Defn: The manner of holding lands and tenements of a superior.
Note: Tenure is inseparable from the idea of property in land, according to the theory of the English law; and this idea of tenure pervades, to a considerable extent, the law of real property in the United States, where the title to land is essentially allodial, and almost all lands are held in fee simple, not of a superior, but the whole right and title to the property being vested in the owner. Tenure, in general, then, is the particular manner of holding real estate, as by exclusive title or ownership, by fee simple, by fee tail, by courtesy, in dower, by copyhold, by lease, at will, etc.
3. The consideration, condition, or service which the occupier of land gives to his lord or superior for the use of his land.
4. Manner of holding, in general; as, in absolute governments, men hold their rights by a precarious tenure. All that seems thine own, Held by the tenure of his will alone. Cowper. Tenure by fee alms. (Law) See Frankalmoigne.
TEOCALLITe`o*cal"li, n.; pl. Teocallis. Etym: [Mexican.]
Defn: Literally, God's house; a temple, usually of pyramidal form, such as were built by the aborigines of Mexico, Yucatan, etc. And Aztec priests upon their teocallis Beat the wild war-drums made of serpent's skin. Longfellow.
TEOSINTETe`o*sin"te, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A large grass (Euchlæna luxurians) closely related to maize. It is native of Mexico and Central America, but is now cultivated for fodder in the Southern United States and in many warm countries. Called also Guatemala grass.
TEPALTep"al, n. Etym: [F. tépale, fr. pétale, by transposition.] (Bot.)
Defn: A division of a perianth. [R.]
TEPEETep*ee", n.
Defn: An Indian wigwam or tent.
TEPEFACTIONTep`e*fac"tion, n.
Defn: Act of tepefying.
TEPEFYTep"e*fy, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Tepefied; p. pr. & vb. n.Tepefying.] Etym: [L. tepere to be tepid + -fy; cf. L. tepefacere.See Tepid.]
Defn: To make or become tepid, or moderately warm. Goldsmith.
TEPHRAMANCYTeph"ra*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]
Defn: Divination by the ashes of the altar on which a victim had been consumed in sacrifice.
TEPHRITETeph"rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Geol.)
Defn: An igneous rock consisting essentially of plagioclase and either leucite or nephelite, or both.
TEPHROITETeph"ro*ite, n. Etym: [See Tephrosia.] (Min.)
Defn: A silicate of manganese of an ash-gray color.
TEPHROSIATe*phro"si*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of leguminous shrubby plants and herbs, mostly found in tropical countries, a few herbaceous species being North American. The foliage is often ashy-pubescent, whence the name.
Note: The Tephrosia toxicaria is used in the West Indies and inPolynesia for stupefying fish. T. purpurea is used medicinally in theEast Indies. T. Virginia is the goat's rue of the United States.
TEPID Tep"id, a. Etym: [L. tepidus, fr. tepere to be warm; akin to Skr. tap to be warm, tapas heat.]
Defn: Moderately warm; lukewarm; as, a tepid bath; tepid rays; tepidvapors.— Tep"id*ness, n.
TEPIDITYTe*pid"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. tépidité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being tepid; moderate warmth; lukewarmness; tepidness. Jer. Taylor.
TEPORTe"por, n. Etym: [L., fr. tepere to be tepid.]
Defn: Gentle heat; moderate warmth; tepidness. Arbuthnot.
TEQUILATe*qui"la, n.
Defn: An intoxicating liquor made from the maguey in the district ofTequila, Mexico.
TER-Ter-.
Defn: A combining form from L. ter signifying three times, thrice.See Tri-, 2.
TERACONICTer`a*con"ic, a. Etym: [Terebic + citraconic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained by the distillation of terebic acid, and homologous with citraconic acid.
TERACRYLICTer`a*cryl"ic, a. Etym: [Terpene + acrylic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the acrylic series, obtained by the distillation of terpenylic acid, as an only substance having a peculiar cheesy odor.
TERAPHTer"aph, n.; pl. Teraphs (.
Defn: See Teraphim.
TERAPHIMTer"a*phim, n. pl. Etym: [Heb. teraphim.]
Defn: Images connected with the magical rites used by thoseIsraelites who added corrupt practices to the patriarchal religion.Teraphim were consulted by the Israelites for oracular answers. Dr.W. Smith (Bib. Dict.).
TERAPINTer"a*pin, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Terrapin.
TERATICALTe*rat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Wonderful; ominous; prodigious. [Obs.] Wollaston.
TERATOGENYTer`a*tog"e*ny, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The formation of monsters.
TERATOIDTer"a*toid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.]
Defn: Resembling a monster; abnormal; of a pathological growth, exceedingly complex or highly organized. S. D. Gross.
TERATOLOGICALTer`a*to*log"ic*al, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to teratology; as, teratological changes.
TERATOLOGYTer`a*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy: cf. Gr. tératologie.]
1. That branch of biological science which treats of monstrosities, malformations, or deviations from the normal type of structure, either in plants or animals.
2. Affectation of sublimity; bombast. [Obs.] Bailey.
TERATOMATer`a*to"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -oma.] (Med.)
Defn: A tumor, sometimes found in newborn children, which is made up of a heterigenous mixture of tissues, as of bone, cartilage and muscle.
TERBICTer"bic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or containing, terbium; also, designating certain of its compounds.
TERBIUMTer"bi*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Ytterby, in Sweden. See Erbium.](Chem.)
Defn: A rare metallic element, of uncertain identification, supposed to exist in certain minerals, as gadolinite and samarskite, with other rare ytterbium earth. Symbol Tr or Tb. Atomic weight 150.
TERCETerce, n.
Defn: See Tierce.
TERCELTer"cel, n.
Defn: See Tiercel. Called also tarsel, tassel. Chaucer.
TERCELETTerce"let, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A male hawk or eagle; a tiercelet. Chaucer.
TERCELLENETer"cel*lene, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small male hawk. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
TERCENTENARYTer*cen"te*na*ry, a. Etym: [L. ter thirce + E. centenary.]
Defn: Including, or relating to, an interval of three hundred years.— n.
Defn: The three hundredth anniversary of any event; also, a celebration of such an anniversary.
TERCET Ter"cet, n. Etym: [F., fr. It. terzetto, dim. of terzo, third, L. tertius. See Tierce, and cf. Terzetto.]
1. (Mus.)
Defn: A triplet. Hiles.
2. (Poetry)
Defn: A triplet; a group of three lines.
TERCINETer"cine, n. Etym: [F., from L. tertius the third.] (Bot.)
Defn: A cellular layer derived from the nucleus of an ovule and surrounding the embryo sac. Cf. Quintine.
TEREBATETer"e*bate, n.
Defn: A salt of terebic acid.
TEREBENETer"e*bene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A polymeric modification of terpene, obtained as a white crystalline camphorlike substance; — called also camphene. By extension, any one of a group of related substances.
TEREBENTHENETer`e*ben"thene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: Oil of turpentine. See Turpentine.
TEREBICTe*reb"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or obtained from, terbenthene (oil of turpentine); specifically, designating an acid, C7H10O4, obtained by the oxidation of terbenthene with nitric acid, as a white crystalline substance.
TEREBILENICTer`e*bi*len"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a complex acid, C7H8O4, obtained as a white crystalline substance by a modified oxidation of terebic acid.
TEREBINTHTer"e*binth, n. Etym: [L. terbinthus, Gr. térébinthe. Cf.Turpentine.] (Bot.)
Defn: The turpentine tree.
TEREBINTHICTer`e*bin"thic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to turpentine; resembling turpentine; terbinthine; as, terbinthic qualities.
TEREBINTHINATETer`e*bin"thi*nate, a.
Defn: Impregnating with the qualities of turpentine; terbinthine.
TEREBINTHINETer`e*bin"thine, a. Etym: [L. terbinthinus, Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to turpentine; consisting of turpentine, or partaking of its qualities.
TEREBRATer"e*bra, n.; pl. E. Terebras, L. Terebræ. Etym: [L., a borer.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of marine gastropods having a long, tapering spire.They belong to the Toxoglossa. Called also auger shell.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The boring ovipositor of a hymenopterous insect.
TEREBRANTTer"e*brant, a. Etym: [L. terebrans, -antis, p.pr.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Boring, or adapted for boring; — said of certain Hymenoptera, as the sawflies.
TEREBRANTIATer`e*bran"ti*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Hymenoptera including those which have an ovipositor adapted for perforating plants. It includes the sawflies.
TEREBRATE Ter"e*brate, v. t. Etym: [L. terebratus, p.p. of terebrare, from terebra a borer, terere to rub.]
Defn: To perforate; to bore; to pierce. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
TEREBRATINGTer"e*bra`ting, a.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Boring; perforating; — applied to molluskas which form holes in rocks, wood, etc.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Boring; piercing; — applied to certain kinds of pain, especially to those of locomotor ataxia.
TEREBRATIONTer`e*bra"tion, n. Etym: [L. terebratio.]
Defn: The act of terebrating, or boring. [R.] Bacon.
TEREBRATULA Ter`e*brat"u*la, n.; pl. Terebratulæ. Etym: [Nl., dim. fr. terebratus, p.p., perforated.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of brachiopods which includes many living and some fossil species. The larger valve has a perforated beak, through which projects a short peduncle for attachment. Called also lamp shell.
TEREBRATULIDTer`e*brat"u*lid, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of Terebratula or allied genera. Used also adjectively.
TEREBRATULIFORMTer`e*bra*tu"li*form, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the general form of a terebratula shell.
TEREDINETer"e*dine, n. Etym: [F. térédine.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A borer; the teredo.
TEREDO Te*re"do, n.; pl. E. Teredos, L. Teredines. Etym: [L., a worm that gnaws wood, clothes, etc.; akin to Gr. terere to rub.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of long, slender, wormlike bivalve mollusks which bore into submerged wood, such as the piles of wharves, bottoms of ships, etc.; — called also shipworm. See Shipworm. See Illust. in App.
TEREKTer"ek, n. [Because found on the Terek River in the Caucasus.]
Defn: A sandpiper (Terekia cinerea) of the Old World, breeding in the far north of eastern Europe and Asia and migrating to South Africa and Australia. It frequents rivers.
TEREPHTHALATETer*eph"tha*late, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of terephthalic acid.
TEREPHTHALICTer`eph*thal"ic, a. Etym: [Terebene + phthalic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a dibasic acid of the aromatic series, metameric with phthalic acid, and obtained, as a tasteless white crystalline powder, by the oxidation of oil of turpentine; — called also paraphthalic acid. Cf. Phthalic.
TERETTer"et, a.
Defn: Round; terete. [Obs.] Fotherby.
TERETE Te*rete", a. Etym: [L. teres, -etis, rounded off, properly, rubbed off, fr. terere to rub.]
Defn: Cylindrical and slightly tapering; columnar, as some stems of plants.
TERETIALTe*re"tial, a. Etym: [See Terete.] (Anat.)
Defn: Rounded; as, the teretial tracts in the floor of the fourth ventricle of the brain of some fishes. Owen.
TERETOUSTer"e*tous, a.
Defn: Terete. [Obs.]
TERGALTer"gal, a. Etym: [L. tergum the back.] (Anat. & Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to back, or tergum. See Dorsal.
TERGANTTer"gant, a. (Her.)
Defn: Showing the back; as, the eagle tergant. [Written also tergiant.]
TERGEMINAL; TERGEMINATETer*gem"i*nal, Ter*gem"i*nate, a. Etym: [See Tergeminous.] (Bot.)
Defn: Thrice twin; having three pairs of leaflets.
TERGEMINOUS Ter*gem"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. tergeminus; ter thrice + geminus doubled at birth, twin-born. Cf. Trigeminous.]
Defn: Threefold; thrice-paired. Blount.
TERGIFEROUSTer*gif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. tergum the back + -ferous.]
Defn: Carrying or bearing upon the back. Tergiferous plants (Bot.), plants which bear their seeds on the back of their leaves, as ferns.
TERGITETer"gite, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The dorsal portion of an arthromere or somite of an articulate animal. See Illust. under Coleoptera.
TERGIVERSATE Ter"gi*ver*sate, v. i. Etym: [L. tergiversatus, p.p. of tergiversari to turn one's back, to shift; tergum back + versare, freq. of vertere to turn. See Verse.]
Defn: To shift; to practice evasion; to use subterfuges; to shuffle.[R.] Bailey.
TERGIVERSATION Ter`gi*ver*sa"tion, n. Etym: [L. tergiversario: cf. F. tergiversation.]
1. The act of tergiversating; a shifting; shift; subterfuge; evasion. Writing is to be preferred before verbal conferences, as being freer from passions and tergiversations. Abp. Bramhall.
2. Fickleness of conduct; inconstancy; change. The colonel, after all his tergiversations, lost his life in the king's service. Clarendon.
TERGIVERSATORTer"gi*ver*sa`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who tergiversates; one who suffles, or practices evasion.
TERGUM Ter"gum, n.; pl. Terga. Etym: [L., the back.] (Zoöl.) (a) The back of an animal. (b) The dorsal piece of a somite of an articulate animal. (c) One of the dorsal plates of the operculum of a cirriped.
TERINTe"rin, n. Etym: [F. tarin, Prov. F. tairin, térin, probably from thePicard tère tender.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small yellow singing bird, with an ash-colored head; theEuropean siskin. Called also tarin.
TERMTerm, n. Etym: [F. terme, L. termen, -inis, terminus, a boundarylimit, end; akin to Gr. Thrum a tuft, and cf. Terminus, Determine,Exterminate.]
1. That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary. Corruption is a reciprocal to generation, and they two are as nature's two terms, or boundaries. Bacon.
2. The time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life.
3. In universities, schools, etc., a definite continuous period during which instruction is regularly given to students; as, the school year is divided into three terms.
4. (Geom.)
Defn: A point, line, or superficies, that limits; as, a line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.
5. (Law)
Defn: A fixed period of time; a prescribed duration; as: (a) The limitation of an estate; or rather, the whole time for which an estate is granted, as for the term of a life or lives, or for a term of years. (b) A space of time granted to a debtor for discharging his obligation. (c) The time in which a court is held or is open for the trial of causes. Bouvier.
Note: In England, there were formerly four terms in the year, during which the superior courts were open: Hilary term, beginning on the 11th and ending on the 31st of January; Easter term, beginning on the 15th of April, and ending on the 8th of May; Trinity term, beginning on the 22d day of May, and ending on the 12th of June; Michaelmas term, beginning on the 2d and ending on the 25th day of November. The rest of the year was called vacation. But this division has been practically abolished by the Judicature Acts of 1873, 1875, which provide for the more convenient arrangement of the terms and vacations. In the United States, the terms to be observed by the tribunals of justice are prescribed by the statutes of Congress and of the several States.
6. (Logic)
Defn: The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice. The subject and predicate of a proposition are, after Aristotle, together called its terms or extremes. Sir W. Hamilton.
Note: The predicate of the conclusion is called the major term, because it is the most general, and the subject of the conclusion is called the minor term, because it is less general. These are called the extermes; and the third term, introduced as a common measure between them, is called the mean or middle term. Thus in the following syllogism, —Every vegetable is combustible; Every tree is a vegetable; Therefore every tree is combustible, -combustible, the predicate of the conclusion, is the major term; tree is the minor term; vegetable is the middle term.
7. A word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical term. "Terms quaint of law." Chaucer. In painting, the greatest beauties can not always be expressed for want of terms. Dryden.
8. (Arch.)
Defn: A quadrangular pillar, adorned on the top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or satyr; — called also terminal figure. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3.
Note: The pillar part frequently tapers downward, or is narrowest at the base. Terms rudely carved were formerly used for landmarks or boundaries. Gwilt.
9. (Alg.)
Defn: A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd.
10. pl. (Med.)
Defn: The menses.
11. pl. (Law)
Defn: Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions.
12. (Law)
Defn: In Scotland, the time fixed for the payment of rents.
Note: Terms legal and conventional in Scotland correspond to quarterdays in England and Ireland. There are two legal terms — Whitsunday,May 15, and Martinmas, Nov. 11; and two conventional terms —Candlemas, Feb. 2, and Lammas day, Aug. 1. Mozley & W.
13. (Naut.)
Defn: A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.J. Knowels. In term, in set terms; in formal phrase. [Obs.]I can not speak in term. Chaucer.— Term fee (Law) (a), a fee by the term, chargeable to a suitor, orby law fixed and taxable in the costs of a cause for each or any termit is in court.— Terms of a proportion (Math.), the four members of which it iscomposed.— To bring to terms, to compel (one) to agree, assent, or submit;to force (one) to come to terms.— To make terms, to come to terms; to make an agreement: to agree.
Syn. — Limit; bound; boundary; condition; stipulation; word; expression. — Term, Word. These are more frequently interchanged than almost any other vocables that occur of the language. There is, however, a difference between them which is worthy of being kept in mind. Word is generic; it denotes an utterance which represents or expresses our thoughts and feelings. Term originally denoted one of the two essential members of a proposition in logic, and hence signifies a word of specific meaning, and applicable to a definite class of objects. Thus, we may speak of a scientific or a technical term, and of stating things in distinct terms. Thus we say, "the term minister literally denotes servant;" "an exact definition of terms is essential to clearness of thought;" "no term of reproach can sufficiently express my indignation;" "every art has its peculiar and distinctive terms," etc. So also we say, "purity of style depends on the choice of words, and precision of style on a clear understanding of the terms used." Term is chiefly applied to verbs, nouns, and adjectives, these being capable of standing as terms in a logical proposition; while prepositions and conjunctions, which can never be so employed, are rarely spoken of as terms, but simply as words.
TERMTerm, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Termed; p. pr. & vb. n. Terming.] Etym:[See Term, n., and cf. Terminate.]
Defn: To apply a term to; to name; to call; to denominate.Men term what is beyond the limits of the universe "imaginary space."Locke.
TERMATer"ma, n. Etym: [NL. See Term, n.] (Anat.)
Defn: The terminal lamina, or thin ventral part, of the anterior wall of the third ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.
TERMAGANCYTer"ma*gan*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being termagant; turbulence; tumultuousness; as, a violent termagancy of temper.
TERMAGANT Ter"ma*gant, n. Etym: [OE. Trivigant, Termagant, Termagant (in sense 1), OF. Tervagan; cf. It. Trivigante.]
1. An imaginary being supposed by the Christians to be a Mohammedan deity or false god. He is represented in the ancient moralities, farces, and puppet shows as extremely vociferous and tumultous. [Obs.] Chaucer. "And oftentimes by Termagant and Mahound [Mahomet] swore." Spenser. The lesser part on Christ believed well, On Termagant the more, and on Mahound. Fairfax.
2. A boisterous, brawling, turbulent person; — formerly applied to both sexes, now only to women. This terrible termagant, this Nero, this Pharaoh. Bale (1543). The slave of an imperious and reckless termagant. Macaulay.
TERMAGANTTer"ma*gant, a.
Defn: Tumultuous; turbulent; boisterous; furious; quarrelsome;scolding.— Ter"ma*gant*ly, adv.A termagant, imperious, prodigal, profligate wench. Arbuthnot.
TERMATARIUMTer`ma*ta"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL. See Termes.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any nest or dwelling of termes, or white ants.
TERMATARYTer"ma*ta*ry, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Termatarium.
TERM DAYTerm day.
Defn: A day which is a term (as for payment of rent), or is a day in a term, as of the sitting of a court; esp., one of a series of special days, designated by scientists of different nations or stations, for making synoptic magnetic, meteorological, or other physical observations.
TERMERTerm"er, n.
1. One who resorted to London during the law term only, in order to practice tricks, to carry on intrigues, or the like. [Obs.] [Written also termor.] B. Jonson.
2. (Law)
Defn: One who has an estate for a term of years or for life.
TERMES Ter"mes, n.; pl. Termities. Etym: [L. termes, tarmes, -itis, a woodworm. Cf. Termite.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of Pseudoneuroptera including the white ants, or termites. See Termite.
TERMINABLETer"mi*na*ble, a. Etym: [See Terminate.]
Defn: Capable of being terminated or bounded; limitable. — Ter"mi*na*ble*ness, n. Terminable annuity, an annuity for a stated, definite number of years; — distinguished from life annuity, and perpetual annuity.
TERMINALTer"mi*nal, a. Etym: [L. terminals: cf. F. terminal. See Term, n.]
1. Of or pertaining to the end or extremity; forming the extremity; as, a terminal edge.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Growing at the end of a branch or stem; terminating; as, a terminal bud, flower, or spike. Terminal moraine. See the Note under Moraine. — Terminal statue. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3. — Terminal velocity. (a) The velocity acquired at the end of a body's motion. (b) The limit toward which the velocity of a body approaches, as of a body falling through the air.
TERMINALTer"mi*nal, n.
1. That which terminates or ends; termination; extremity.
2. (Eccl.)
Defn: Either of the ends of the conducting circuit of an electrical apparatus, as an inductorium, dynamo, or electric motor, usually provided with binding screws for the attachment of wires by which a current may be conveyed into or from the machine; a pole.
TERMINALIATer`mi*na"li*a, n. pl. Etym: [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A festival celebrated annually by the Romans on February 23 in honor of Terminus, the god of boundaries.
TERMINANTTer"mi*nant, n. Etym: [L. terminans, p.pr. of terminare.]
Defn: Termination; ending. [R.] Puttenham.
TERMINATETer"mi*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Terminated; p. pr. & vb. n.Terminating.] Etym: [L. terminatus, p.p. of terminare. See Term.]
1. To set a term or limit to; to form the extreme point or side of; to bound; to limit; as, to terminate a surface by a line.
2. To put an end to; to make to cease; as, to terminate an effort, or a controversy.
3. Hence, to put the finishing touch to; to bring to completion; to perfect. During this interval of calm and prosperity, he [Michael Angelo] terminated two figures of slaves, destined for the tomb, in an incomparable style of art. J. S. Harford.
TERMINATETer"mi*nate, v. i.
1. To be limited in space by a point, line, or surface; to stop short; to end; to cease; as, the torrid zone terminates at the tropics.
2. To come to a limit in time; to end; to close. The wisdom of this world, its designs and efficacy, terminate on zhis side heaven. South.
TERMINATION Ter`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. terminatio a bounding, fixing, determining: cf. F. terminasion, OF. also termination. See Term.]
1. The act of terminating, or of limiting or setting bounds; the act of ending or concluding; as, a voluntary termination of hostilities.
2. That which ends or bounds; limit in space or extent; bound; end; as, the termination of a line.
3. End in time or existence; as, the termination of the year, or of life; the termination of happiness.
4. End; conclusion; result. Hallam.
5. Last purpose of design. [R.]
6. A word; a term. [R. & Obs.] Shak.
7. (Gram.)
Defn: The ending of a word; a final syllable or letter; the part added to a stem in inflection.
TERMINATIONALTer`mi*na"tion*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to termination; forming a termination.
TERMINATIVETer"mi*na*tive, a.
Defn: Tending or serving to terminate; terminating; determining;definitive. Bp. Rust.— Ter"mi*na*tive*ly, adv. Jer. Taylor.
TERMINATORTer"mi*na`tor, n. Etym: [L., he who limits or sets bounds.]
1. One who, or that which, terminates.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: The dividing line between the illuminated and the unilluminated part of the moon.
TERMINATORYTer"mi*na*to*ry, a.
Defn: Terminative.
TERMINETer"mine, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. terminer.]
Defn: To terminate. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
TERMINERTer"mi*ner, n. Etym: [F. terminer to bound, limit, end. SeeTerminate.] (Law)
Defn: A determining; as, in oyer and terminer. See Oyer.
TERMINISMTer"mi*nism, n.
Defn: The doctrine held by the Terminists.
TERMINISTTer"mi*nist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. terministe.] (Theol.)
Defn: One of a class of theologians who maintain that God has fixed a certain term for the probation of individual persons, during which period, and no longer, they have the offer to grace. Murdock.
TERMINOLOGICALTer`mi*no*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to terminology.— Ter`mi*no*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
TERMINOLOGY Ter`mi*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [L. terminus term + -logy: cf. F. terminologie.]
1. The doctrine of terms; a theory of terms or appellations; a treatise on terms.
2. The terms actually used in any business, art, science, or the like; nomenclature; technical terms; as, the terminology of chemistry. The barbarous effect produced by a German structure of sentence, and a terminology altogether new. De Quincey.
TERM INSURANCETerm insurance.
Defn: Insurance for a specified term providing for no payment to the insured except upon losses during the term, and becoming void upon its expiration.
TERMINUSTer"mi*nus, n.; pl. Termini. Etym: [L. See Term.]
1. Literally, a boundary; a border; a limit.
2. (Myth.)
Defn: The Roman divinity who presided over boundaries, whose statue was properly a short pillar terminating in the bust of a man, woman, satyr, or the like, but often merely a post or stone stuck in the ground on a boundary line.
3. Hence, any post or stone marking a boundary; a term. See Term, 8.
4. Either end of a railroad line; also, the station house, or the town or city, at that place.
TERMITETer"mite, n.; pl. Termites. Etym: [F. See Termes.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of pseudoneoropterous insects belonging to Termes and allied genera; — called also white ant. See Illust. of White ant.
Note: They are very abundant in tropical countries, and are noted for their destructive habits, their large nests, their remarkable social instincts, and their division of labor among the polymorphic individuals of several kinds. Besides the males and females, each nest has ordinary workers, and large-headed individuals called soldiers.
TERMLESSTerm"less, a.
1. Having no term or end; unlimited; boundless; unending; as, termless time. [R.] "Termless joys." Sir W. Raleigh.
2. Inexpressible; indescribable. [R.] Shak.
TERMLYTerm"ly, a.
Defn: Occurring every term; as, a termly fee. [R.] Bacon.
TERMLYTerm"ly, adv.
Defn: Term by term; every term. [R.] "Fees . . . that are termly given." Bacon.
TERMONOLOGYTer`mo*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: Terminology. [R.]
TERMORTerm"or, n. (Law)
Defn: Same as Termer, 2.
TERM POLICYTerm policy.
Defn: A policy of term insurance.
TERN Tern, n. Etym: [Dan. terne, tærne; akin to Sw. tärna, Icel. ; cf. NL. sterna.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of long-winged aquatic birds, allied to the gulls, and belonging to Sterna and various allied genera.
Note: Terns differ from gulls chiefly in their graceful form, in their weaker and more slender bills and feet, and their longer and more pointed wings. The tail is usually forked. Most of the species are white with the back and wings pale gray, and often with a dark head. The common European tern (Sterna hirundo) is found also in Asia and America. Among other American species are the arctic tern (S. paradisæa), the roseate tern (S. Dougalli), the least tern (S. Antillarum), the royal tern (S. maxima), and the sooty tern (S. fuliginosa). Hooded tern. See Fairy bird, under Fairy. — Marsh tern, any tern of the genus Hydrochelidon. They frequent marshes and rivers and feed largely upon insects. — River tern, any tern belonging to Seëna or allied genera which frequent rivers. — Sea tern, any tern of the genus Thalasseus. Terns of this genus have very long, pointed wings, and chiefly frequent seas and the mouths of large rivers.
TERNTern, a. Etym: [L. pl. terni three each, three; akin to tres three.See Three, and cf. Trine.]
Defn: Threefold; triple; consisting of three; ternate. Tern flowers(Bot.), flowers growing three and three together.— Tern leaves (Bot.), leaves arranged in threes, or three by three,or having three in each whorl or set.— Tern peduncles (Bot.), three peduncles growing together from thesame axis.— Tern schooner (Naut.), a three-masted schooner.
TERNTern, n. Etym: [F. terne. See Tern, a.]
Defn: That which consists of, or pertains to, three things or numbers together; especially, a prize in a lottery resulting from the favorable combination of three numbers in the drawing; also, the three numbers themselves. She'd win a tern in Thursday's lottery. Mrs. Browning.
TERNARYTer"na*ry, a. Etym: [L. ternarius, fr. terni. See Tern, a.]
1. Proceeding by threes; consisting of three; as, the ternary number was anciently esteemed a symbol of perfection, and held in great veneration.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Containing, or consisting of, three different parts, as elements, atoms, groups, or radicals, which are regarded as having different functions or relations in the molecule; thus, sodic hydroxide, NaOH, is a ternary compound.
TERNARYTer"na*ry, n.; pl. Ternaries (.
Defn: A ternion; the number three; three things taken together; atriad.Some in ternaries, some in pairs, and some single. Holder.
TERNATE Ter"nate, a. Etym: [NL. ternatus, fr. L. terni three each. See Tern, a.]
Defn: Having the parts arranged by threes; as, ternate branches,leaves, or flowers.— Ter"nate*ly, adv.
TERNEPLATETerne"plate`, n. Etym: [See Tern, a., and Plate.]
Defn: Thin iron sheets coated with an alloy of lead and tin; — so called because made up of three metals.
TERNIONTer"ni*on, n. Etym: [L. ternio, fr. terni three each. See Tern, a.]
Defn: The number three; three things together; a ternary. Bp. Hall.
TERPENETer"pene, n. Etym: [See Turpentine.] (Chem.)
Defn: Any one of a series of isomeric hydrocarbons of pleasant aromatic odor, occurring especially in coniferous plants and represented by oil of turpentine, but including also certain hydrocarbons found in some essential oils.
TERPENTICTer*pen"tic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Terpenylic.
TERPENYLICTer`pe*nyl"ic, a. Etym: [Terpene + -yl + -ic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid, C8H12O4 (called also terpentic acid), homologous with terebic acid, and obtained as a white crystalline substance by the oxidation of oil of turpentine with chromic acid.
TERPILENETer"pi*lene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A polymeric form of terpene, resembling terbene.
TERPINTer"pin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance regarded as a hydrate of oil of turpentine.
TERPINOLTer"pin*ol, n. Etym: [Terpin + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)
Defn: Any oil substance having a hyacinthine odor, obtained by the action of acids on terpin, and regarded as a related hydrate.
TERPSICHORETerp*sich"o*re, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Gr. Myth.)
Defn: The Muse who presided over the choral song and the dance, especially the latter.
TERPSICHOREANTerp`sich*o*re"an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Terpsichore; of or pertaining to dancing.
TERRATer"ra, n. Etym: [It. & L. See Terrace.]
Defn: The earth; earth. Terra alba Etym: [L., white earth] (Com.), a white amorphous earthy substance consisting of burnt gypsum, aluminium silicate (kaolin), or some similar ingredient, as magnesia. It is sometimes used to adulterate certain foods, spices, candies, paints, etc. — Terra cotta. Etym: [It., fr. terra earth + cotta, fem. of cotto cooked, L. coctus, p.p. of coquere to cook. See Cook, n.] Baked clay; a kind of hard pottery used for statues, architectural decorations, figures, vases, and the like. — Terræ filius Etym: [L., son of the earth], formerly, one appointed to write a satirical Latin poem at the public acts in the University of Oxford; — not unlike the prevaricator at Cambridge, England. — Terra firma Etym: [L.], firm or solid earth, as opposed to water. — Terra Japonica. Etym: [NL.] Same as Gambier. It was formerly supposed to be a kind of earth from Japan. — Terra Lemnia Etym: [L., Lemnian earth], Lemnian earth. See under Lemnian. — Terra ponderosa Etym: [L., ponderous earth] (Min.), barite, or heavy spar. — Terra di Sienna. See Sienna.
TERRACE Ter"race, n. Etym: [F. terrasse (cf. Sp. terraza, It. terrazza), fr. L. terra the earth, probably for tersa, originally meaning, dry land, and akin to torrere to parch, E. torrid, and thirst. See Thirst, and cf. Fumitory, Inter, v., Patterre, Terrier, Trass, Tureen, Turmeric.]
1. A raised level space, shelf, or platform of earth, supported on one or more sides by a wall, a bank of tuft, or the like, whether designed for use or pleasure.
2. A balcony, especially a large and uncovered one.
3. A flat roof to a house; as, the buildings of the Oriental nations are covered with terraces.
4. A street, or a row of houses, on a bank or the side of a hill; hence, any street, or row of houses.
5. (Geol.)
Defn: A level plain, usually with a steep front, bordering a river, a lake, or sometimes the sea.
Note: Many rivers are bordered by a series of terraces at different levels, indicating the flood plains at successive periods in their history. Terrace epoch. (Geol.) See Drift epoch, under Drift, a.
TERRACETer"race, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Terraced; p. pr. & vb. n. Terracing.]
Defn: To form into a terrace or terraces; to furnish with a terrace or terraces, as, to terrace a garden, or a building. Sir H. Wotton. Clermont's terraced height, and Esher's groves. Thomson.
TERRACULTURETer"ra*cul`ture, n. Etym: [L. terra the earth + cultura.]
Defn: Cultivation on the earth; agriculture. [R.] —Ter`ra*cul"tur*al, a. [R.]
TERRA INCOGNITATer"ra in*cog"ni*ta. [L.]
Defn: An unknown land; unexplored country.
The enormous tracts lying outside China proper, still almost terræincognitæ.A. R. Colquhoun.
TERRANETer"rane, n. Etym: [F. terrain, from L. terra earth.] (Geol.)
Defn: A group of rocks having a common age or origin; — nearly equivalent to formation, but used somewhat less comprehensively.
TERRAPINTer"ra*pin, n. Etym: [Probably of American Indian origin.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for food. [Written also terapin, terrapen, terrapene, and turapen.]
Note: The yellow-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys acebra) of the Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa), native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also potter, slider, and redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh terrapin (Malaclemmys palustris), are the most important American species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the Atlantic coast of the United States. Alligator terrapin, the snapping turtle. — Mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of American tortoises of the genus Cinosternon. — Painted terrapin, the painted turtle. See under Painted. — Speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water American terrapin (Chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round yellow spots; — called also spotted turtle.
TERRAQUEOUSTer*ra"que*ous, a. Etym: [L. terra the earth + E. aqueous.]
Defn: Consisting of land and water; as, the earth is a terraqueousglobe. Cudworth.The grand terraqueous spectacle From center to circumferenceunveiled. Wordsworth.
TERRAR Ter"rar, n. Etym: [LL. terrarius liber. See Terrier a collection of acknowledgments.] (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: See 2d Terrier, 2.
TERRASTer"ras, n. (Min.)
Defn: See .
TERREENTer*reen", n.
Defn: See Turren.
TERREITYTer*re"i*ty, n.
Defn: Quality of being earthy; earthiness. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
TERRELTer"rel, n. Etym: [NL. terrella, from L. terra the earth.]
Defn: A spherical magnet so placed that its poles, equator, etc., correspond to those of the earth. [Obs.] Chambers.
TERREMOTE Terre"mote`, n. Etym: [OF. terremote, terremoete, fr. L. terra the earth + movere, motum, to move.]
Defn: An earthquake. [Obs.] Gower.
TERRENETer*rene", n.
Defn: A tureen. [Obs.] Walpole.
TERRENETer*rene", a. Etym: [L. terrenus, fr. terra the earth. See Terrace.]
1. Of or pertaining to the earth; earthy; as, terrene substance. Holland.
2. Earthy; terrestrial.God set before him a mortal and immortal life, a nature celestial andterrene. Sir W. Raleigh.Be true and faithful to the king and his heirs, and truth and faithto bear of life and limb, and terrene honor. O. Eng. Oath ofAllegiance, quoted by Blackstone.Common conceptions of the matters which lie at the basis of ourterrene experience. Hickok.