CENTESIMAL Cen*tes"i*mal, a. Etym: [L. centesimus the hundredth, fr. centum a hundred: cf. F. centésimal.]
Defn: Hundredth.— n.
Defn: A hundredth part.The neglect of a few centesimals. Arbuthnot.
CENTESIMATION Cen*tes`i*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. centesimore to take out or select every hudredth, fr. centesimus hundredth.] (Mil.)
Defn: The infliction of the death penalty upon one person in every hundred, as in cases of mutiny.
CENTESIMOCen*tes"i*mo, n.; pl. -mi. Etym: [It. & Sp.]
Defn: A copper coin of Italy and Spain equivalent to a centime.
CENTESMCen"tesm, n. Etym: [L. centesima.]
Defn: Hundredth.
CENTIARECen"ti*are`, n. Etym: [F. See Centare.]
Defn: See centare.
CENTICIPITOUS Cen`ti*cip"i*tous, a. Etym: [L. centiceps, -cipitis; centum a hunder + caput head.]
Defn: Hundred-headed.
CENTIFIDOUSCen*tif"i*dous, a. Etym: [L. centifidus; centum + findere to split.]
Defn: Divided into a hundred parts.
CENTIFOLIOUSCen`ti*fo"li*ous, a. Etym: [L. centifolius; centum + folium leaf.]
Defn: Having a hundred leaves.
CENTIGRADE Cen"ti*grade, a. Etym: [L. centum a hundred + gradus degree: cf. F. centigrade.]
Defn: Consisting of a hundred degrees; graduated into a hundred divisions or equal parts. Spesifically: of or pertaining the centigrade thermometer; as, 10° centigrade (or 10° C.). Centigrade thermometer, a thermometer having the zero or 0 at the point indicating the freezing state of water, and the distance between that and the point indicating the boiling state of water divided into one hundred degrees. It is called also the Celsius thermometer, from Anders Celsius, the originator of this scale.
CENTIGRAM; CENTIGRAMME Cen"ti*gram, Cen"ti*gramme, n. Etym: [F. centigramme; centi- (L. centum) + gramme. See Gram.]
Defn: The hundredth part of a gram; a weight equal to .15432 of a grain. See Gram.
CENTILITER; CENTILITRE Cen"ti*li`ter, Cen"ti*li`tre, n. Etym: [F. centilitre; centi (L. centum) + litre. See Liter.]
Defn: The hundredth part of a liter; a measure of volume or capacity equal to a little more than six tenths (0.6102) of a cubic inch, or one third (0.338) of a fluid ounce.
CENTILOQUYCen*til"o*quy, n. Etym: [L. centum hundred + logui to speak.]
Defn: A work divided into a hundred parts. [R.] Burton.
CENTIMECen`time", n. Etym: [F., fr. L. centesimus. See Centesimal.] (F.Coinage)
Defn: The hundredth part of a franc; a small French copper coin and money of account.
CENTIMETER; CENTIMETRE Cen"ti*me`ter, Cen"ti*me`tre, n. Etym: [F. centimètre; centi- (L. centum) + mètre. See Meter.]
Defn: The hundredth part of a meter; a measure of length equal to rather more than thirty-nine hundredths (0.3937) of an inch. See Meter.
CENTINELCen"ti*nel, n.
Defn: Sentinel. [Obs.] Sackville.
CENTINODY Cen*tin"o*dy, n. Etym: [L. centum a hundred + nodus knot: cf. F. centinode.] (Bot.)
Defn: A weed with a sterm of many joints (Illecebrum verticillatum); also, the Polygonum aviculare or knotgrass.
CENTIPED Cen"ti*ped, n. Etym: [L. centipeda; centum a hundred + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. centipède.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A species of the Myriapoda; esp. the large, flattened, venomous kinds of the order Chilopoda, found in tropical climates. they are many-jointed, and have a great number of feet. [Written also centipede (
CENTISTERECen"ti*stere, n. Etym: [F. centistère; centi- (l. centum) + stère.]
Defn: The hundredth part of a stere, equal to .353 cubic feet.
CENTNER Cent"ner, n. Etym: [Cf. G. centner a hundred-weight, fr. L. centenarius of a hundred, fr. centum a hundred.]
1. (Metal. & Assaying)
Defn: A weight divisible first into a hundred parts, and then into smaller parts.
Note: The metallurgists use a weight divided into a hundred equal parts, each one pound; the whole they call a centner: the pound is divided into thirty-two parts, or half ounces; the half ounce into two quarters; and each of these into two drams. But the assayers use different weights. With them a centner is one dram, to which the other parts are proportioned.
2. The commercial hundredweight in several of the continental countries, varying in different places from 100 to about 112 pounds.
CENTO Cen"to, n.; pl. Centos. Etym: [L. cento a garment of several pieces sewed together, patchwork, a poem made up of various verses of another poem.]
Defn: A literary or a musical composition formed by selections from different authors disposed in a new order.
CENTONISMCen"to*nism, n.
Defn: The composition of a cento; the act or practice of composing a cento or centos.
CENTRALCen"tral, a. Etym: [L. centralis, fr. centrum: cf. F. central. SeeCenter.]
Defn: Relating to the center; situated in or near the center or middle; containing the center; of or pertaining to the parts near the center; equidistant or equally accessible from certain points. Central force (Math.), a force acting upon a body towards or away from a fixed or movable center. — Center sun (Astron.), a name given to a hypothetical body about which Mädler supposed the solar system together with all the stars in the Milky Way, to be revolving. A point near Alcyone in the Pleiades was supposed to possess characteristics of the position of such a body.
CENTRAL; CENTRALECen"tral, Cen*tra"le, n. Etym: [NL. centrale, fr. L. centralis.](Anat.)
Defn: The central, or one of the central, bones of the carpus or or tarsus. In the tarsus of man it is represented by the navicular.
CENTRALISMCen"tral*ism, n.
1. The state or condition of being central; the combination of several parts into one whole; centralization.
2. The system by which power is centralized, as in a government.
CENTRALITYCen*tral"i*ty, n.; pl. Centralities (.
Defn: The state of being central; tendency towards a center. Meantime there is a great centrality, a centripetence equal to the centrifugence. R. W. Emerson.
CENTRALIZATIONCen`tral*i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. centralisation.]
Defn: The act or process of centralizing, or the state of being centralized; the act or process of combining or reducing several parts into a whole; as, the centralization of power in the general government; the centralization of commerce in a city.
CENTRALIZECen"tral*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Centralized; p. pr. & vb. n.Centralizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. centraliser.]
Defn: To draw or bring to a center point; to gather into or about a center; to bring into one system, or under one control. [To] centralize the power of government. Bancroft.
CENTRALLYCen"tral*ly, adv.
Defn: In a central manner or situation.
CENTRECen"tre, n. & v.
Defn: See Center.
CENTRIC; CENTRICALCen"tric, Cen"tric*al, a.
Defn: Placed in the center or middle; central.At York or some other centrical place. Sir W. Scott.— Cen"tric*al*ly, adv.— Cen"tric*al*ness, n.
CENTRICITYCen*tric"i*ty, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being centric; centricalness.
CENTRIFUGALCen*trif"u*gal, a. Etym: [L. centrum center + fugere to flee.]
1. Tending, or causing, to recede from the center.
2. (Bot.) (a) Expanding first at the summit, and later at the base, as a flower cluster. (b) Having the radicle turned toward the sides of the fruit, as some embryos. Centrifugal force (Mech.), a force whose direction is from a center.
Note: When a body moves in a circle with uniform velocity, a force must act on the body to keep it in the circle without change of velocity. The direction of this force is towards the center of the circle. If this force is applied by means of a string to the body, the string will be in a state of tension. To a person holding the other end of the string, this tension will appear to be directed toward the body as if the body had a tendency to move away from the center of the circle which it is describing. Hence this latter force is often called centrifugal force. The force which really acts on the body being directed towards the center of the circle is called centripetal force, and in some popular treatises the centripetal and centrifugal forces are described as opposing and balancing each other. But they are merely the different aspects of the same stress. Clerk Maxwell. Centrifugal impression (Physiol.), an impression (motor) sent from a nerve center outwards to a muscle or muscles by which motion is produced. — Centrifugal machine, A machine for expelling water or other fluids from moist substances, or for separating liquids of different densities by centrifugal action; a whirling table. — Centrifugal pump, a machine in which water or other fluid is lifted and discharged through a pipe by the energy imparted by a wheel or blades revolving in a fixed case. Some of the largest and most powerful pumps are of this kind.
CENTRIFUGALCen*trif"u*gal, n.
Defn: A centrifugal machine.
CENTRIFUGAL FILTERCen*trif"u*gal fil"ter.
Defn: A filter, as for sugar, in which a cylinder with a porous or foraminous periphery is rapidly rotated so as to drive off liquid by centrifugal action.
CENTRIFUGENCECen*trif"u*gence, n.
Defn: The property or quality of being centrifugal. R. W. Emerson.
CENTRINGCen"tring, n.
Defn: See Centring.
CENTRIPETALCen*trip"e*tal, a. Etym: [L. centrum center + peter to more toward.]
1. Tending, or causing, to approach the center.
2. (Bot.) (a) Expanding first at the base of the inflorescence, and proceeding in order towards the summit. (b) Having the radicle turned toward the axis of the fruit, as some embryos.
3. Progressing by changes from the exterior of a thing toward its center; as, the centripetal calcification of a bone. R. Owen. Centripetal force (Mech.), a force whose direction is towards a center, as in case of a planet revolving round the sun, the center of the system, See Centrifugal force, under Centrifugal. — Centripetal impression (Physiol.), an impression (sensory) transmitted by an afferent nerve from the exterior of the body inwards, to the central organ.
CENTRIPETENCECen*trip"e*tence, n.
Defn: Centripetency.
CENTRIPETENCYCen*trip"e*ten*cy, n.
Defn: Tendency toward the center.
CENTRISCOIDCen*tris"coid, a. Etym: [NL. Centriscus (r. Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Allied to, or resembling, the genus Centriscus, of which the bellows fish is an example.
CENTROBARICCen`tro*bar"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (
Defn: Relating to the center of gravity, or to the process of finding it. Centrobaric method (Math.), a process invented for the purpose of measuring the area or the volume generated by the rotation of a line or surface about a fixed axis, depending upon the principle that every figure formed by the revolution of a line or surface about such an axis has for measure the product of the line or surface by the length of the path of its center of gravity; — sometimes called theorem of Pappus, also, incorrectly, Guldinus's properties. See Barycentric calculus, under Calculus.
CENTRODECen"trode, n. (Kinematics)
Defn: In two figures having relative motion, one of the two curves which are the loci of the instantaneous center.
CENTROIDCen"troid, n. Etym: [L. centrum + -oid.]
Defn: The center of mass, inertia, or gravity of a body or system of bodies.
CENTROLECITHALCen`tro*lec"i*thal, a. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Having the food yolk placed at the center of the ovum, segmentation being either regular or unequal. Balfour.
CENTROLINEADCen`tro*lin"e*ad, n.
Defn: An instrument for drawing lines through a point, or lines converging to a center.
CENTROLINEALCen`tro*lin"e*al, a. Etym: [L. centrum + linea line.]
Defn: Converging to a center; — applied to lines drawn so as to meet in a point or center.
CENTROSOMECen"tro*some`, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: A peculiar rounded body lying near the nucleus of a cell. It is regarded as the dynamic element by means of which the machinery of cell division is organized.
CENTROSPHERECen"tro*sphere, n. [Gr. centre + sphere.]
1. (Geol.)
Defn: The nucleus or central part of the earth, forming most of its mass; — disting. from lithosphere, hydrosphere, etc.
2. (Biol.) The central mass of an aster from which the rays extend and within which the centrosome lies when present; the attraction sphere. The name has been used both as excluding and including the centrosome, and also to designate a modified mass of protoplasm about a centrosome whether aster rays are developed or not.
CENTROSTALTICCen`tro*stal"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: A term applied to the action of nerve force in the spinal center. Marshall Hall.
CENTRUMCen"trum, n.; pl. E. Centrums, L. Centra. Etym: [L., center.] (Anat.)
Defn: The body, or axis, of a vertebra. See Vertebra.
CENTRYCen"try, n.
Defn: See Sentry. [Obs.] Gray.
CENTUMVIR Cen*tum"vir, n.; pl. Centumviri. Etym: [L., fr. centum hundred + Vir man.] (Rom. Hist.)
Defn: One of a court of about one hundred judges chosen to try civil suits. Under the empire the court was increased to 180, and met usually in four sections.
CENTUMVIRALCen*tum"vi*ral, a. Etym: [L. centumvitalis.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the centumviri, or to a centumvir.
CENTUMVIRATECen*tum"vi*rate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. centumvirat.]
Defn: The office of a centumvir, or of the centumviri.
CENTUPLE Cen"tu*ple, a. Etym: [L. centuplex; centum + plicare to fold; cf. F. centuple.]
Defn: Hundredfold.
CENTUPLECen"tu*ple, v. t.
Defn: To increase a hundredfold.
CENTUPLICATECen*tu"pli*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Centuplicated; p. pr. & vb. n.Centuplicating.] Etym: [L. centuplicare. See Centuple, a.]
Defn: To make a hundredfold; to repeat a hundred times. [R.] Howell.
CENTURIALCen*tu"ri*al, a. Etym: [L. See Century.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a century; as, a centurial sermon. [R.]
CENTURIATE Cen*tu"ri*ate, a. Etym: [L. centuriatus, p. p. of centuriare to divide (men) into centuries.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or divided into, centuries or hundreds. [R.]Holland.
CENTURIATECen*tu"ri*ate, v. t. Etym: [See century.]
Defn: To divide into hundreds. [Obs.]
CENTURIATOR; CENTURISTCen*tu"ri*a`tor, Cen"tu*rist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. centuriateur.]
Defn: An historian who distinguishes time by centuries, esp. one of those who wrote the "Magdeburg Centuries." See under Century. [R.]
CENTURIONCen*tu"ri*on, n. Etym: [L. centurio, fr. centuria; cf. F. centurion.See Century.] (Rom. Hist.)
Defn: A military officer who commanded a minor division of the Roman army; a captain of a century. A centurion of the hand called the Italian band. Acts x. 1.
CENTURY Cen"tu*ry, n.; pl. Centuries. Etym: [L. centuria (in senses 1 & 3), fr. centum a hundred: cf. F. centurie. See Cent.]
1. A hundred; as, a century of sonnets; an aggregate of a hundred things. [Archaic.] And on it said a century of prayers. Shak.
2. A period of a hundred years; as, this event took place over two centuries ago.
Note: Century, in the reckoning of time, although often used in a general way of any series of hundred consecutive years (as, a century of temperance work), usually signifies a division of the Christian era, consisting of a period of one hundred years ending with the hundredth year from which it is named; as, the first century (a. d. 1-100 inclusive); the seventh century (a.d. 601-700); the eighteenth century (a.d. 1701-1800). With words or phrases connecting it with some other system of chronology it is used of similar division of those eras; as, the first century of Rome (A.U.C. 1-100).
3. (Rom. Antiq.) (a) A division of the Roman people formed according to their property, for the purpose of voting for civil officers. (b) One of sixty companies into which a legion of the army was divided. It was Commanded by a centurion. Century plant (Bot.), the Agave Americana, formerly supposed to flower but once in a century; - - hence the name. See Agave. — The Magdeburg Centuries, an ecclesiastical history of the first thirteen centuries, arranged in thirteen volumes, compiled in the 16th century by Protestant scholars at Magdeburg.
CEORLCeorl (keôrl or cherl), n. [AS. See Churl, n.] (O. Eng. Hist.)
Defn: A freeman of the lowest class; one not a thane or of the servile classes; a churl.
CEPACEOUSCe*pa"ceous, a. [L. cepa, caepa, onion.]
Defn: Of the nature of an onion, as in odor; alliaceous.
CEPEVOROUSCe*pev"o*rous, a. Etym: [L. cepa an onion + varare to devour.]
Defn: Feeding upon onions. [R.] Sterling.
CEPHALADCeph"a*lad, adv. Etym: [Gr. ad toward.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Forwards; towards the head or anterior extremity of the body; opposed to caudad.
CEPHALALGIA; CEPHALALGY Ceph`a*lal"gi*a, Ceph"a*lal`gy, n. Etym: [L. cephalalgia, Gr. céphalalgie.] (Med.)
Defn: Pain in the head; headache.
CEPHALALGICCeph`a*lal"gic, a. Etym: [L. cephalalgicus, Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Relating to, or affected with, headache.— n.
Defn: A remedy for the headache.
CEPHALANTHIUMCeph`a*lan"thi*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Anthodium.
CEPHALASPISCeph`a*las"pis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A genus of fossil ganoid fishes found in the old red sandstone or Devonian formation. The head is large, and protected by a broad shield-shaped helmet prolonged behind into two lateral points.
CEPHALATACeph`a*la"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large division of Mollusca, including all except the bivalves; — so called because the head is distinctly developed. See Illustration in Appendix.
CEPHALATECeph"a*late, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a head.
CEPHALICCe*phal"ic, a. Etym: [L. cephalicus, Gr. céphalique.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the head. See the Note under Anterior. Cephalic index (Anat.), the ratio of the breadth of the cranium to the length, which is taken as the standard, and equal to 100; the breadth index. — Cephalic vein, a large vein running from the back of the head alond the arm; — so named because the ancients used to open it for disorders of the head. Dunglison.
CEPHALICCe*pha"lic, n.
Defn: A medicine for headache, or other disorder in the head.
CEPHALISMCeph"a*lism, n. [Gr. head.] (Anthropol.)
Defn: Form or development of the skull; as, the races of man differ greatly in cephalism.
CEPHALITISCeph`a*li"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Same as Phrenitis.
CEPHALIZATIONCeph`a*li*za"tion, n.
Defn: Domination of the head in animal life as expressed in the physical structure; localization of important organs or parts in or near the head, in animal development. Dana.
CEPHALO; CEPHALO-Ceph"a*lo. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A combining form denoting the head, of the head, connected with the head; as, cephalosome, cephalopod.
CEPHALOCERCALCeph`a*lo*cer"cal, a. Etym: [Cephalo- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Relating to the long axis of the body.
CEPHALOIDCeph"a*loid, a. Etym: [Cephalo- + -oid.]
Defn: Shaped like the head. Craing.
CEPHALOLOGYCeph`a*lol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + -logy.]
Defn: The science which treats of the head.
CEPHALOMERECeph"a*lo*mere, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + -mere.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the somites (arthromeres) which make up the head of arthropods. Packard.
CEPHALOMETERCeph`a*lom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + -meter.] (Med.)
Defn: An instrument measuring the dimensions of the head of a fetus during delivery.
CEPHALOMETRYCeph`a*lom"e*try, n. (Anthropometry)
Defn: The measurement of the heads of living persons. —Ceph`a*lo*met"ric (#),a.
CEPHALONCeph"a*lon, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The head.
CEPHALOPHORACeph`a*loph"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The cephalata.
CEPHALOPOD; CEPHALOPODECeph"a*lo*pod, Ceph"a*lo*pode, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Cephalopoda.
CEPHALOPODA Ceph"`a*lop"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., gr. Gr. -poda: cf. F. céphalopode.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The highest class of Mollusca.
Note: They have, around the front of the head, a group of elongated muscular arms, which are usually furnished with prehensile suckers or hooks, The head is highly developed, with large, well organized eyes and ears, and usually with a cartilaginous brain case. The higher forms, as the cuttlefishes, squids, and octopi, swim rapidly by ejecting a jet of water from the tubular siphon beneath the head. They have a pair of powerful horny jaws shaped like a parrot's beak, and a bag of inklike fluid which they can eject from the siphon, thus clouding the water in order to escape from their enemies. They are divided into two orders, the Dibranchiata, having two gills and eight or ten sucker-bearing arms, and the Tetrabranchiata, with four gills and numerous arms without suckers. The latter are all extinct except the Nautilus. See Octopus, Squid, Nautilus.
CEPHALOPODIC; CEPHALOPODOUSCeph`a*lo*pod"ic, Ceph`a*lop"o*dous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Belonging to, or resembling, the cephalopods.
CEPHALOPTERACeph`a*lop"te*ra, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the generic names of the gigantic ray (Manta birostris), known as devilfish and sea devil. It is common on the coasts of South Carolina, Florida, and farther south. Some of them grow to enormous size, becoming twenty feet of more across the body, and weighing more than a ton.
CEPHALOSOMECeph"a*lo*some, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + -some body.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The anterior region or head of insects and other arthropods.Packard.
CEPHALOSTYLECeph"a*lo*style, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The anterior end of the notochord and its bony sheath in the base of cartilaginous crania.
CEPHALOTHORAXCeph`a*lo*tho"rax, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + thorax.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The anterior portion of any one of the Arachnida and higherCrustacea, consisting of the united head and thorax.
CEPHALOTOMECeph"a*lo*tome, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: An instrument for cutting into the fetal head, to facilitate delivery.
CEPHALOTOMYCeph`a*lot"o*my, n.
1. Dissection or opening of the head.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Craniotomy; — usually applied to bisection of the fetal head with a saw.
CEPHALOTRIBECeph"a*lo*tribe, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + Gr. to rub, grind.]
Defn: An obstetrical instrument for performing cephalotripsy.
CEPHALOTRIPSYCeph"a*lo*trip`sy, n. Etym: [See Cephalotribe.] (Med.)
Defn: The act or operation of crushing the head of a fetus in the womb in order to effect delivery.
CEPHALOTROCHACeph`a*lot"ro*cha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of annelid larva with a circle of cilia around the head.
CEPHALOUSCeph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a head; — applied chiefly to the Cephalata, a division of mollusks.
CEPHEUSCe"pheus, n.
Defn: (Astron.) A northern constellation near the pole. Its head, which is in the Milky Way, is marked by a triangle formed by three stars of the fourth magnitude. See Cassiopeia.
CERACEOUSCe*ra"ceous, a. Etym: [L. cera wax.]
Defn: Having the texture and color of new wax; like wax; waxy.
CERAGOCe*ra"go, n. Etym: [L. cera wax.]
Defn: Beebread.
CERAMICCe*ram"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Keramic.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to pottery; relating to the art of making earthenware; as, ceramic products; ceramic ornaments for ceilings.
CERAMICSCe*ram"ics, n. Etym: [See Ceramic.]
1. The art of making things of baked clay; as pottery, tiles, etc.
2. pl.
Defn: Work formed of clay in whole or in part, and baked; as, vases, urns, etc. Knight.
CERARGYRITECe*rar"gy*rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Native silver chloride, a mineral of a white to pale yellow or gray color, darkening on exposure to the light. It may be cut by a knife, like lead or horn (hence called horn silver).
CERASINCer"a*sin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A white amorphous substance, the insoluble part of cherry gum; — called also meta-arabinic acid.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: A gummy mucilaginous substance; — called also bassorin, tragacanthin, etc.
CERASINOUSCe*ras"i*nous, a.
1. Pertaining to, or containing, cerasin.
2. Of a cherry color.
CERASTESCe*ras"tes, n. Etym: [L., a horned serpent, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of poisonous African serpents, with a horny scale over each eye; the horned viper.
CERATECe"rate, n. Etym: [L. ceratum, ceratm, fr. cera wax.] (Med.)
Defn: An unctuous preparation for external application, of a consistence intermediate between that of an ointment and a plaster, so that it can be spread upon cloth without the use of heat, but does not melt when applied to the skin.
Note: Cerate consists essentially of wax (for which resin or spermaceti is sometimes substituted) mixed with oil, lard, and various medicinal ingredients. The cerate (formerly called simple cerate) of the United States Pharmacopoeia is a mixture of three parts of white wax and seven parts of lard.
CERATED Ce"ra*ted, p. a. Etym: [L. ceratus, p. p. of cerare to wax, fr. cera wax.]
Defn: Covered with wax.
CERATINECer"a*tine, a. Etym: [Gr. (Lagic.)
Defn: Sophistical.
CERATOBRANCHIACer`a*to*bran"chi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. n. pl., gills.](Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of nudibranchiate Mollusca having on the back papilliform or branched organs serving as gills.
CERATOBRANCHIALCer`a*to*bran"chi*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to the bone, or cartilage, below the epibranchial in a branchial arch. — n.
Defn: A ceratobranchial bone, or cartilage.
CERATODUSCe*rat"o*dus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of ganoid fishes, of the order Dipnoi, first known as Mesozoic fossil fishes; but recently two living species have been discovered in Australian rivers. They have lungs so well developed that they can leave the water and breathe in air. In Australia they are called salmon and baramunda. See Dipnoi, and Archipterygium.
CERATOHYALCer`a*to*hy"al, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to the bone, or carts, large, below the epihyal in the hyoid arch. — n.
Defn: A ceratohyal bone, or cartilage, which, in man, forms one of the small horns of the hyoid.
CERATOSAURUSCer`a*to*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A carnivorous American Jurassic dinosaur allied to the EuropeanMegalosaurus. The animal was nearly twenty feet in length, and theskull bears a bony horn core on the united nasal bones. SeeIllustration in Appendix.
CERATOSPONGIAECer`a*to*spon"gi*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of sponges in which the skeleton consists of horny fibers. It includes all the commercial sponges.
CERAUNICSCe*rau"nics, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: That branch of physics which treats of heat and electricity. R.Park.
CERAUNOSCOPECe*rau"no*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.]
Defn: An instrument or apparatus employed in the ancient mysteries to imitate thunder and lightning. T. Moore.
CERBEREANCer*be"re*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to, or resembling, Cerberus. [Written alsoCerberian.]With wide Cerberean mouth. Milton.
CERBERUSCer"be*rus, n. Etym: [L. Cerberus (in sense 1), gr.
1. (Class. Myth.)
Defn: A monster, in the shape, of a three-headed dog, guarding the entrance into the infernal regions, Hence: Any vigilant custodian or guardian, esp. if surly.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of East Indian serpents, allied to the pythons; the bokadam.
CERCALCer"cal, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the tail.
CERCARIACer*ca"ri*a, n.; pl. Cercarle ( Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The larval form of a trematode worm having the shape of a tadpole, with its body terminated by a tail-like appendage.
CERCARIANCer*ca"ri*an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of, like, or pertaining to, the Cercariæ.— n.
Defn: One of the Cercariæ.
CERCOPODCer"co*pod, n. Etym: [Gr. -pod.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the jointed antenniform appendage of the posterior somites of cartain insects. Packard.
CERCUSCer"cus, n.; pl. Cerci (. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Cercopod.
CERECere, n. Etym: [L. cera wax: cf. F. cire.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The soft naked sheath at the base of the beak of birds of prey, parrots, and some other birds. See Beak.
CERE Cere, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cered; p. pr. & vb. n. Cering.] Etym: [L. cerare, fr. cera wax: cf. F. cirer.]
Defn: To wax; to cover or close with wax. Wiseman.
CEREAL Ce"re*al, a. Etym: [L. Cerealis pert. to Ceres, and hence, to agriculture. See Ceres.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the grasses which are cultivated for their edible seeds (as wheat, maize, rice, etc.), or to their seeds or grain.
CEREALCe"re*al n.
Defn: Any grass cultivated for its edible grain, or the grain itself; — usually in the plural.
CEREALIACe`re*a"li*a, n. pl. Etym: [L. See Cereal.]
1. (Antiq.)
Defn: Public festivals in honor of Ceres.
2. The cereals. Crabb.
CEREALINCe"re*a*lin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous substance closely resembling diastase, obtained from bran, and possessing the power of converting starch into dextrin, sugar, and lactic acid. Watts.
CEREBELCer"e*bel, n.
Defn: The cerebellum. Derham.
CEREBELLAR; CEREBELLOUSCer`e*bel"lar, Cer`e*bel"lous, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to the cerebellum.
CEREBELLUM Cer`e*bel"lum, n.; pl. E. Cerebellums (, L. Cerebella (. Etym: [L., dim. of cerebrum brain.] (Anat.)
Defn: The large lobe of the hind brain in front of and above the medulla; the little brain. It controls combined muscular action. See Brain.
CEREBRALCer"e*bral, a. Etym: [L. cerebrum brain; akin to Gr. cérébral. SeeCheer.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the cerebrum. Cerebral apoplexy. See underApoplexy.
CEREBRAL Cer"e*bral, n. Etym: [A false translation of the Skr. murdhanya, lit., head-sounds.]
Defn: One of a class of lingual consonants in the East Indian languages. See Lingual, n.
Note: Prof. W. D. Whitney calls these letters linguals, and this is their usual designation in the United States.
CEREBRALISMCer"e*bral*ism, n. (Philos.)
Defn: The doctrine or theory that psychical phenomena are functions or products of the brain only.
CEREBRALISTCer"e*bral*ist, n.
Defn: One who accepts cerebralism.
CEREBRATECer"e*brate, v. i. (Physiol.)
Defn: To exhibit mental activity; to have the brain in action.
CEREBRATIONCer`e*bra"tion, n.
Defn: Action of the brain, whether conscious or unconscious.
CEREBRICCer"e*bric, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the brain. Cerebric acid(Physiol. Chem.), a name formerly sometimes given to cerebrin.
CEREBRICITYCer`e*bric"i*ty, n.
Defn: Brain power. [R.]
CEREBRIFORMCe*reb"ri*form, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + -form.]
Defn: Like the brain in form or substance.
CEREBRIFUGALCer`e*brif"u*gal, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + L. fugere to flee.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Applied to those nerve fibers which go from the brain to the spinal cord, and so transfer cerebral impulses (centrifugal impressions) outwards.
CEREBRINCer"e*brin, n. Etym: [From Cerebrum.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A nonphosphorized, nitrogenous substance, obtained from brain and nerve tissue by extraction with boiling alcohol. It is uncertain whether it exists as such in nerve tissue, or is a product of the decomposition of some more complex substance.
CEREBRIPETALCer`e*brip"e*tal, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + L. petere to seek.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Applied to those nerve fibers which go from the spinal cord to the brain and so transfer sensations (centripetal impressions) from the exterior inwards.
CEREBRITISCer`e*bri"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. E. cerebrum + -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the cerebrum.
CEREBROIDCer"e*broid, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + -oid.]
Defn: Resembling, or analogous to, the cerebrum or brain.
CEREBROLOGYCer`e*brol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Cerebrum + -logy.]
Defn: The science which treats of the cerebrum or brain.
CEREBROPATHYCer`e*brop"a*thy, n. Etym: [Cerebrum + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A hypochondriacal condition verging upon insanity, occurring in those whose brains have been unduly taxed; — called also brain fag.
CEREBROSCOPYCer`e*bros"co*py, n. Etym: [Cerebrum + -scopy.] (Med.)
Defn: Examination of the brain for the diagnosis of diseas; esp., the act or process of diagnosticating the condition of the brain by examination of the interior of the eye (as with an ophthalmoscope). Buck.
CEREBROSECer`e*brose", n. Etym: [From Cerebrum.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A sugarlike body obtained by the decomposition of the nitrogenous non-phosphorized principles of the brain.
CEREBRO-SPINALCer`e*bro-spi"nal, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + spinal.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord. Cerebro-spinal fluid (Physiol.), a serous fluid secreted by the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. — Cerebro-spinal meningitis, Cerebro-spinal fever (Med.), a dangerous epidemic, and endemic, febrile disease, characterized by inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, giving rise to severe headaches, tenderness of the back of the neck, paralysis of the ocular muscles, etc. It is sometimes marked by a cutaneous eruption, when it is often called spotted fever. It is not contagious.
CEREBRUMCer"e*brum, n.; pl. E. Cerebrums, L. Cerebra. Etym: [L., the brain.](Anat.)
Defn: The anterior, and in man the larger, division of the brain; the seat of the reasoning faculties and the will. See Brain.
CERECLOTHCere"cloth`, n. Etym: [L. cera wax + E. cloth.]
Defn: A cloth smeared with melted wax, or with some gummy orglutinous matter.Linen, besmeared with gums, in manner of cerecloth. Bacon.
CEREMENT Cere"ment, n. Etym: [L. cera wax: cf. F. cirement.] (a) A cerecloth used for the special purpose of enveloping a dead body when embalmed. (b) Any shroud or wrapping for the dead.
CEREMONIALCer`e*mo"ni*al, a. Etym: [L. caerimonialis: cf. F. cérimonial. SeeCeremony.]
1. Relating to ceremony, or external rite; ritual; according to the forms of established rites. Ceremonial observances and outward show. Hallam.
2. Observant of forms; ceremonious.
Note: [In this sense ceremonious is now preferred.] Donne.He moves in the dull ceremonial track. Druden.
CEREMONIALCer`e*mo"ni*al, n.
1. A system of rules and ceremonies, enjoined by law, or established by custom, in religious worship, social intercourse, or the courts of princes; outward form. The gorgeous ceremonial of the Burgundian court. Prescott.
2. The order for rites and forms in the Roman Catholic church, or the book containing the rules presribed to be observed on solemn occasions.
CEREMONIALISMCer`e*mo"ni*al*ism, n.
Defn: Adherence to external rites; fondness for ceremony.
CEREMONIALLYCer`e*mo"ni*al*ly, adv.
Defn: According to rites and ceremonies; as, a person ceremonially unclean.
CEREMONIALNESSCer`e*mo"ni*al*ness, n.
Defn: Quality of being ceremonial.
CEREMONIOUSCer`e*mo"ni*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. cérémonieux, L. Caerimoniosus.]
1. Consisting of outward forms and rites; ceremonial.
Note: [In this sense ceremonial is now preferred.]The ceremonious part of His worship. South.
2. According to prescribed or customary rules and forms; devoted to forms and ceremonies; formally respectful; punctilious. "Ceremonious phrases." Addison. Too ceremonious and traditional. Shak.
Syn.— Formal; precise; exact. See Formal.
CEREMONIOUSLYCer`e*mo"ni*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: In a ceremonious way.
CEREMONIOUSNESSCer`e*mo"ni*ous*ness, n.
Defn: The quality, or practice, of being ceremonious.
CEREMONY Cer"e*mo*ny, n.; pl. Ceremonies. Etym: [F. cérémonie, L. caerimonia; perh. akin to E. create and from a root signifying to do or make.]
1. Ar act or series of acts, often of a symbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage and baptismal ceremonies. According to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it [the Passover]. Numb. ix. 3 Bring her up the high altar, that she may The sacred ceremonies there partake. Spenser. [The heralds] with awful ceremony And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council. Milton.
2. Behavior regulated by strict etiquette; a formal method of performing acts of civility; forms of civility prescribed by custom or authority. Ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on . . . hollow welcomes . . . But where there is true friendship there needs none. Shak. Al ceremonies are in themselves very silly things; but yet a man of the world should know them. Chesterfield.
3. A ceremonial symbols; an emblem, as a crown, scepter, garland,etc. [Obs.]Disrobe the images, If you find them decked with ceremonies. . . .Let no images Be hung with Cæsar's trophies. Shak.
4. A sign or prodigy; a portent. [Obs.] Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies, Yet, now they fright me. Shak. Master of ceremonies, an officer who determines the forms to be observed, or superintends their observance, on a public occasion. — Not to stand on ceremony, not to be ceremonious; to be familiar, outspoken, or bold.
CEREOUSCe"re*ous, a. Etym: [L. cereus, fr. cera was.]
Defn: Waxen; like wax. [Obs.] Gayton.
CERESCe"res, n. Etym: [L., Ceres, also corn, grain, akin to E. create.]
1. (Class. Myth.)
Defn: The daughter of Saturn and Ops or Rhea, the goddess of corn and tillage.
2. (Actron.)
Defn: The first discovered asteroid.
CERESINCer"e*sin, n. Etym: [L. cera wax.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white wax, made by bleaching and purifying ozocerite, and used as a substitute for beeswax.
CEREUSCe"re*us, n. Etym: [L., a wax candle, fr. cera wax. So named from theresemblance of one species to the columnar shape of a wax candle.](Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants of the Cactus family. They are natives ofAmerica, from California to Chili.
Note: Although several species flower in the night, the name Night- blooming cereus is specially applied to the Cereus grandiflorus, which is cultivated for its beautiful, shortlived flowers. The Cereus giganteus, whose columnar trunk is sometimes sixty feet in height, is a striking feature of the scenery of New Mexico, Texas, etc.
CEREVIS Cer"e*vis (ser"e*vis; G. tser`e*ves"), n. [G., fr. L. cerevisia, cervisia, beer.]
Defn: A small visorless cap, worn by members of German student corps. It is made in the corps colors, and usually bears the insignia of the corps.
CERIACe"ri*a (se"ri*a), n. (Chem.)
Defn: Cerium oxide, CeO2, a white infusible substance constituting about one per cent of the material of the common incandescent mantle.
CERIALCer"i*al, a.
Defn: Same as Cerial. [Obs.] Chaucer.
CERIFEROUSCe*rif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. ra wax + -ferous.]
Defn: Producing wax.
CERINCe"rin, n. Etym: [L. cera wax + -in: cf. L. cerinus wax-colored.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: A waxy substance extracted by alcohol or ether from cork; sometimes applied also to the portion of beeswax which is soluble in alcohol. Watts.
2. (Min.)
Defn: A variety of the mineral allanite.
CERINTHIANCe*rin"thi*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of an ancient religious sect, so called fron Cerinthus, a Jew, who attempted to unite the doctrines of Christ with the opinions of the Jews and Gnostics. Hook.
CERIPHCer"iph, n. (Type Founding)
Defn: One of the fine lines of a letter, esp. one of the fine cross strokes at the top and bottom of letters. [Spelt also seriph.] Savage.
CERISECe*rise", a. Etym: [F., a cherry. See Cherry.]
Defn: Cherry-colored; a light bright red; —- applied to textile fabrics, especially silk.
CERITECe"rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A gastropod shell belonging to the family Cerithiïdæ; — so called from its hornlike form.
CERITECe"rite, n. Etym: [From Cherium.] (Min.)
Defn: A mineral of a brownish of cherry-red color, commonly massive.It is a hydrous silicate of cerium and allied metals.
CERIUMCe"ri*um, n. Etym: [Named dy Berzelius in 1803 from the asteroidCeres, then just discovered (1801).] (Chem.)
Defn: A rare metallic element, occurring in the minerals cerite, allanite, monazite, etc. Symbol Ce. Atomic weight 141.5. It resembles iron in color and luster, but is soft, and both malleable and ductile. It tarnishes readily in the air.
CERNUOUS Cer"nu*ous, a. Etym: [L. cernuus with the face turned toward the earth.] (Bot.)
Defn: Inclining or nodding downward; pendulous; drooping; — said of a bud, flower, fruit, or the capsule of a moss.
CEROCe"ro, n. Etym: [Corrupt. fr. Sp. sierra saw, sawfish, cero.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large and valuable fish of the Mackerel family, of the genus Scomberomorus. Two species are found in the West Indies and less commonly on the Atlantic coast of the United States, — the common cero (Scomberomorus caballa), called also kingfish, and spotted, or king, cero (S. regalis).
CEROGRAPHCe"ro*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. khros wax + -graph.]
Defn: A writing on wax. Knight.
CEROGRAPHIC; CEROGRAPHICALCe`ro*graph"ic, Ce`ro*graph"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to cerography.
CEROGRAPHISTCe*rog"ra*phist, n.
Defn: One who practices cerography.
CEROGRAPHYCe*rog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]
1. The art of making characters or designs in, or with, wax.
2. A method of making stereotype plates from inscribed sheets of wax.
CEROLITECer"o*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. * wax + -lite.] (Min.)
Defn: A hydrous silicate of magnesium, allied to serpentine, occurring in waxlike masses of a yellow or greenish color.
CEROMACe*ro"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. The unguent (a composition of oil and wax) with which wrestles were anointed among the ancient Romans.
2. (Anc. Arch.)
Defn: That part of the baths and gymnasia in which bathers and wrestlers anointed themselves.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The cere of birds.
CEROMANCYCer"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]
Defn: Divination by dropping melted wax in water.
CEROONCe*roon", n. Etym: [See Seroon.]
Defn: A bale or package. covered with hide, or with wood bound with hide; as, a ceroon of indigo, cochineal, etc.
CEROPLASTIC Ce`ro*plas"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Fine arts) (a) Relating to the art of modeling in wax. (b) Modeled in wax; as, a ceroplastic figure.
CEROPLASTICS; CEROPLASTYCe`ro*plas"tics, Ce`ro*plas"ty, n. Etym: [Gr. céroplastique.]
Defn: The art of modeling in wax.
CEROSINCer"o*sin, n. Etym: [L. cera wax.] (Chem.)
Defn: A waxy substance obtained from the bark of the sugar cane, and crystallizing in delicate white laminæ.
CEROTECe"rote, n. Etym: [Obs.]
Defn: See Cerate.
CEROTENECer"o*tene, n. Etym: [L. cerotum a pomade. See Cerate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white waxy solid obtained from Chinese wax, and by the distillation of cerotin.
CEROTICCe*rot"ic, a. Etym: [See Cerotene.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax or Chinese wax; as, cerotic acid or alcohol.
CEROTINCer"o*tin, n. Etym: [See Cerotene.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance, C27H55.OH, obtained from Chinese wax, and regarded as an alcohol of the marsh gas series; — called also cerotic alcohol, ceryl alcohol.
CEROTYPECe"ro*type`, n. [Gr. wax + -type.]
Defn: A printing process of engraving on a surface of wax spread on a steel plate, for electrotyping.
CERRIALCer"ri*al, a. Etym: [L. cerreus, fr. cerrus a kind of oak.] (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the cerris.Chaplets green of cerrial oak. Dryden.
CERRISCer"ris, n. Etym: [L. cerrus.] (Bot.)
Defn: A species of oak (Quercus cerris) native in the Orient and southern Europe; — called also bitter oak and Turkey oak.
CERTAIN Cer"tain, a. Etym: [F. certain, fr. (assumed) LL. certanus, fr. L. certus determined, fixed, certain, orig. p. p. of cernere to perceive, decide, determine; akin to Gr. concern, critic, crime, riddle a sieve, rinse, v.]
1. Assured in mind; having no doubts; free from suspicionsconcerning.To make her certain of the sad event. Dryden.I myself am certain of you. Wyclif.
2. Determined; resolved; — used with an infinitive. However, I with thee have fixed my lot, Certain to undergo like doom. Milton.
3. Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact. The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Dan. ii. 45.
4. Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable.Virtue that directs our ways Through certain dangers to uncertainpraise. Dryden.Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all. Shak.
5. Unfailing; infallible. I have often wished that I knew as certain a remedy for any other distemper. Mead.
6. Fixed or stated; regular; determinate. The people go out and gather a certain rate every day. Ex. xvi. 4.
7. Not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; — sometimes used independenty as a noun, and meaning certain persons. It came to pass when he was in a certain city. Luke. v. 12. About everything he wrote there was a certain natural grace und decorum. Macaulay. For certain, assuredly. — Of a certain, certainly.
Syn. — Bound; sure; true; undeniable; unquestionable; undoubted; plain; indubitable; indisputable; incontrovertible; unhesitating; undoubting; fixed; stated.
CERTAINCer"tain, n.
1. Certainty. [Obs.] Gower.
2. A certain number or quantity. [Obs.] Chaucer.
CERTAINCer"tain, adv.
Defn: Certainly. [Obs.] Milton.
CERTAINLYCer"tain*ly, adv.
Defn: Without doubt or question; unquestionably.
CERTAINNESSCer"tain*ness, n.
Defn: Certainty.
CERTAINTYCer"tain*ty, n.; pl. Certainties. Etym: [OF. certaineté.]
1. The quality, state, or condition, of being certain. The certainty of punishment is the truest security against crimes. Fisher Ames.
2. A fact or truth unquestionable established. Certainties are uninteresting and sating. Landor.
3. (Law)
Defn: Clearness; freedom from ambiguity; lucidity. Of a certainty, certainly.
CERTESCer"tes, adv. Etym: [F. certes, for à certes, fr. L. certus. SeeCertain.]
Defn: Certainly; in truth; verily. [Archaic]Certes it great pity was to see Him his nobility so foul deface.Spenser.
CERTIFICATE Cer*tif"i*cate, n. Etym: [F. certificat, fr. LL. certificatus made certain, p. p. of certificare. See tify.]
1. A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as, certificate of good behavior.
2. A written declaration legally authenticated. Trial by certificate, a trial which the testimony of the person certifying is the only proper criterion of the point in dispute; as, when the issue is whether a person was absent in the army, this is tried by the certificate of the proper officer in writing, under his seal. Blackstone.
CERTIFICATECer*tif"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Certificated; p. pr. & vb. n.Certificating.] Etym: [See Certify.]
1. To verify or vouch for by certificate.
2. To furnish with a certificate; as, to certificate the captain of a vessel; a certificated teacher.
CERTIFICATIONCer`ti*fi*ca"tion, n.Etym: [L. certificatio: cf. F. certification.]
Defn: The act of certifying.
CERTIFIERCer"ti*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who certifies or assures.
CERTIFYCer"ti*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Certified; p. pr. & vb. n.Certifying.] Etym: [F. certifier, LL. certificare; L. certus certain+ facere to make. See Certain, and cf. Certificate, v. t.]
1. To give cetain information to; to assure; to make certain. We certify the king, that . . . thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. Ezra iv. 16.
2. To give certain information of; to make certain, as a fact; to verify. Hammond. The industry of science at once certifies and greatly extends our knowledge of the vastness of the creation. I. Taylor.
3. To testify to in writing; to make a declaration concerning, in writing, under hand, or hand and seal. The judges shall certify their opinion to the chancellor, and upon such certificate the decree is usually founded. Blackstone. Certified check, A bank check, the validity of which is certified by the bank on which it is drawn.
CERTIORARI Cer`ti*o*ra"ri, n. Etym: [So named from the emphatic word certiorari in the Latin form of the writ, which read certiorar volumus we wish to be certified.] (Law)
Defn: A writ issuing out of chancery, or a superior court, to call up the records of a inferior court, or remove a cause there depending, in order that the party may have more sure and speedy justice, or that errors and irreguarities may be corrected. It is obtained upon complaint of a party that he has not received justice, or can not have an impartial trial in the inferior court.
Note: A certiorari is the correct process to remove the proceedings of a court in which cases are tried in a manner different from the course of the common law, as of county commissioners. It is also used as an auxiliary process in order to obtain a full return to some other process. Bouvier.
CERTITUDE Cer"ti*tude, n. Etym: [LL. certitudo, fr. L. certus: cf. F. certitude. See Certain.]
Defn: Freedom from doubt; assurance; certainty. J. H. Newman.
CERULECer"ule, a. Etym: [L. caerulus, eguiv. to caeruleus.]
Defn: Blue; cerulean. [Obs.] Dyer.
CERULEANCe*ru"le*an, a. Etym: [L. caeruleus.]
Defn: Sky-colored; blue; azure. Cowper.Blue, blue, as if that sky let fallA flower from its cerulean wall. Bryant.
CERULEINCe*ru"le*in, n. [L. caeruleus sky-blue.] (Chem.)
Defn: A fast dyestuff, C20H8O6, made by heating gallein with strong sulphuric acid. It dyes mordanted fabrics green.
CERULEOUSCe*ru"le*ous, a.
Defn: Cerulean. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
CERULESCENTCe`ru*les"cent, a. [L. caeruleus sky-blue + -escent.]
Defn: Tending to cerulean; light bluish.
CERULEUMCe*ru"le*um, n. [NL.]
Defn: A greenish blue pigment prepared in various ways, consisting essentially of cobalt stannate. Unlike other cobalt blues, it does not change color by gaslight.
CERULIFICCer`u*lif"ic, a. Etym: [L.arulus dark blue + facere to make.]
Defn: Producing a blue or sky color. [R.]
CERUMENCe*ru"men, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. cera wax.] (Physiol.)
Defn: The yellow, waxlike secretion from the glands of the external ear; the earwax.
CERUMINOUSCe*ru"mi*nous, a. (Physiol.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or secreting, cerumen; as, the ceruminous glands.