CERUSECe"ruse, n. Etym: [F. céruse, L. cerussa.]
1. White lead, used as a pigment. See White lead, under White.
2. A cosmetic containing white lead. To distinguish ceruse from natural bloom. Macaulay.
3. (Min.)
Defn: The native carbonate of lead.
CERUSEDCe"rused, a.
Defn: Washed with a preparation of white lead; as, cerused face.Beau. & Fl.
CERUSITE; CERUSSITECe"ru*site, Ce"rus*site, n. (Min.)
Defn: Native lead carbonate; a mineral occurring in colorless, white, or yellowish transparent crystals, with an adamantine, also massive and compact.
CERVANTITECer"van*tite, n. Etym: [Named from Cervantes a town in Spain.] (Min.)
Defn: See under Antimony.
CERVELATCer"ve*lat, n. Etym: [F.] (Mus.)
Defn: An ancient wind instrument, resembling the bassoon in tone.
CERVICALCer"vi*cal, a. Etym: [L. cervix, -icis, neck: cf. F. cervical.](Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the neck; as, the cervical vertebræ.
CERVICIDECer"vi*cide, n. Etym: [L. cervus deer + caedere to kill.]
Defn: The act of killing deer; deer-slaying. [R.]
CERVINECer"vine, a. Etym: [L. cervinus, fr. cervus deer: cf. F. cervin.](Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the deer, or to the family Cervidæ.
CERVIXCer"vix, n.; pl. E. Cervixes, L. Cervices. Etym: [L.] (Anat.)
Defn: The neck; also, the necklike portion of any part, as of the womb. See Illust. of Bird.
CERVUSCer"vus, n. Etym: [L., a deer.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of ruminants, including the red deer and other allied species.
Note: Formerly all species of deer were included in the genus Cervus.
CERYLCe"ryl, n. Etym: [L. cera wax + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: A radical, C27H55 supposed to exist in several compounds obtained from Chinese wax, beeswax, etc.
CESAREAN; CESARIANCe*sa"re*an, Ce*sa"ri*an, a.
Defn: Same as Cæsarean, Cæsarian.
CESARISMCe"sar*ism, n.
Defn: See Cæsarism.
CESPITINECes"pi*tine, n. Etym: [L. caespes, caespitis, a turf.]
Defn: An oil obtained by distillation of peat, and containing various members of the pyridine series.
CESPITITIOUSCes"pi*ti`tious, a. Etym: [L. caespiticius, fr. caespes turf.]
Defn: Same as Cespitious. [R.] Gough.
CESPITOSECes"pi*tose`, a. Etym: [L. caespes turf.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having the form a piece of turf, i. e., many stems from one rootstock or from many entangled rootstocks or roots. [Written also cæspitose.]
CESPITOUSCes"pi*tous, a. Etym: [See Cespitose.]
Defn: Pertaining to, consisting, of resembling, turf; turfy. A cespitous or turfy plant has many stems from the same root, usually forming a close, thick carpet of matting. Martyn.
CESSCess, n. Etym: [For sess, conts. from Assess.]
1. A rate or tax. [Obs. or Prof. Eng. & Scot.] Spenser.
2. Bound; measure. [Obs.] The poor jade is wrung in the withers out of all cess. Shak.
CESSCess, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Cessing.]
Defn: To rate; to tax; to assess. Spenser.
CESSCess, v. i. Etym: [F. cesser. See Cease.]
Defn: To cease; to neglect. [Obs.] Spenser.
CESSANTCes"sant a. Etym: [L. cessans, p. pr. of cessare. See Cease.]
Defn: Inactive; dormant [Obs.] W. Montagu.
CESSATIONCes*sa"tion, n. Etym: [F. cessation, L. cessatio, fr. cessare. SeeCease.]
Defn: A ceasing of discontinuance, as of action, whether termporary or final; a stop; as, a cessation of the war. The temporary cessation of the papal iniquities. Motley. The day was yearly observed for a festival by cessation from labor. Sir J. Hayward. Cessation of arms (Mil.), an armistice, or truce, agreed to by the commanders of armies, to give time for a capitulation, or for other purposes.
Syn. — Stop; rest; stay; pause; discontinuance; intermission; interval; respite; interruption; recess; remission.
CESSAVITCes*sa"vit, n. Etym: [L., he has ceased.] [O. Eng. Law]
Defn: A writ given by statute to recover lands when the tenant has for two years failed to perform the conditions of his tenure.
CESSERCes"ser, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. i.] (Law)
Defn: a neglect of a tenant to perform services, or make payment, for two years.
CESSIBLECes"si*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. cessible. See Cession.]
Defn: Giving way; yielding. [Obs.] — Ces`si*bil"i*ty, n. [Obs.] SirK. Digby.
CESSIONCes"sion, n. Etym: [L. cessio, fr. cedere to give way: cf. F.Cession. See Cede.]
1. A yielding to physical force. [Obs.] Bacon.
2. Concession; compliance. [Obs.]
3. A yielding, or surrender, as of property or rights, to another person; the act of ceding. A cession of the island of New Orleans. Bancroft.
4. (Eccl. Law)
Defn: The giving up or vacating a benefice by accepting another without a proper dispensation.
5. (Civil Law)
Defn: The voluntary surrender of a person's effects to his creditors to avoid imprisonment.
CESSIONARY Ces"sion*a*ry, a. Etym: [LL. cessionarius, from cessionare to cede, fr. L. cessio: cf. F. cessionnaire. See Cession.]
Defn: Having surrendered the effects; as, a cessionary bankrupt.Martin.
CESSMENTCess"ment, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. t.]
Defn: An assessment or tax. [Obs.] Johnson.
CESSORCes"sor, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. i. Cf. Cesser.] (Law)
Defn: One who neglects, for two years, to perform the service by which he holds lands, so that he incurs the danger of the writ of cessavit. See Cessavit. Cowell.
CESSORCes"sor, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. t.]
Defn: An assessor. [Obs.]
CESSPIPECess`pipe", n.
Defn: A pipe for carrying off waste water, etc., from a sink or cesspool. Knight.
CESSPOOLCess"pool`, n. Etym: [See Sesspol.]
Defn: A cistern in the course, or the termination, of a drain, to collect sedimentary or superfluous matter; a privy vault; any receptace of filth. [Written also sesspool.]
CESTCest, n. Etym: [L. cestus: cf. OF. ceste.]
Defn: A woman's girdle; a cestus. [R.] Collins.
CESTODECes"tode, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Cestoidea.— n.
Defn: One of the Cestoidea.
CESTOIDCes"toid, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Cestoidea.— n.
Defn: One of the Cestoidea.
CESTOIDEACes*toid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., gr. Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A class of parasitic worms (Platelminthes) of which the tapeworms are the most common examples. The body is flattened, and usually but not always long, and composed of numerous joints or segments, each of which may contain a complete set of male and female reproductive organs. They have neither mouth nor intestine. See Tapeworm. [Written also Cestoda.]
CESTOLDEANCes*told"e*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Cestoidea.
CESTRACIONTCes*tra"ci*ont, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A shark of the genus Cestracion, and of related genera. The posterior teeth form a pavement of bony plates for crushing shellfish. Most of the species are extinct. The Port Jackson shark and a similar one found in California are living examples.
CESTRACIONTCes*tra"ci*ont, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the genus Cestracion.
CESTUSCes"tus, n. Etym: [L. cestus girdle, Gr.
1. (Antiq.)
Defn: A girdle; particularly that of Aphrodite (or Venus) which gave the wearer the power of exciting love.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of Ctenophora. The typical species (Cestus Veneris) is remarkable for its brilliant iridescent colors, and its long, girdlelike form.
CESTUSCes"tus, n. Etym: [L. caestus, and cestus.] (Antiq.)
Defn: A covering for the hands of boxers, made of leather bands, and often loaded with lead or iron.
CESTUY; CESTUICes"tuy or Ces"tui, pron. Etym: [Norm. F.] (Law)
Defn: He; the one. Cestuy que trust ( Etym: [norm. F.], a person who has the equitable and beneficial interest in property, the legal interest in which is vested in a trustee. Wharton. — Cestuy que use ( Etym: [Norm. F.], a person for whose use land, etc., is granted to another.
CESURACe*su"ra, n.
Defn: See Cæsura.
CESURALCe*su"ral, a.
Defn: See Cæsural.
CETACEACe*ta"ce*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from L. cetus whale, Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of marine mammals, including the whales. Like ordinary mammals they breathe by means of lungs, and bring forth living young which they suckle for some time. The anterior limbs are changed to paddles; the tail flukes are horizontal. There are two living suborders: (a) The Mysticete or whalebone whales, having no true teeth after birth, but with a series of plates of whalebone [see Baleen.] hanging down from the upper jaw on each side, thus making a strainer, through which they receive the small animals upon which they feed. (b) The Denticete, including the dolphins and sperm whale, which have teeth. Another suborder (Zeuglodontia) is extinct. The Sirenia were formerly included in the Cetacea, but are now made a separate order.
CETACEANCe*ta"cean, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Cetacea.
CETACEOUSCe*ta"ceous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Cetacea.
CETECe"te, n. Etym: [L., pl.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Cetacea, or collectively, the Cetacea.
CETENECe"tene, n. Etym: [See Cete.] (Chem.)
Defn: An oily hydrocarbon, C16H32, of the ethylene series, obtained from spermaceti.
CETERACHCet"e*rach, n. Etym: [F. cétérac, fr. Ar. shetrak.] (Bot.)
Defn: A species of fern with fronds (Asplenium Ceterach).
CETEWALECet"e*wale, n. Etym: [OF. citoal, F. zedoaire. See Zedoary.]
Defn: Same as Zedoary. [Obs.] Chaucer.
CETICCe"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a whale.
CETINCe"tin, n. Etym: [L. cetus whale.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white, waxy substance, forming the essential part of spermaceti.
CETOLOGICALCe`to*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to cetology.
CETOLOGISTCe*tol"o*gist, a.
Defn: One versed in cetology.
CETOLOGYCe*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy: cf. F. cétologie.]
Defn: The description or natural history of cetaceous animals.
CETRARICCe*trar"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the lichen, Iceland moss(Cetaria Islandica). Cetraric acid. See Cetrarin.
CETRARINCet"ra*rin, n. Etym: [From Cetraria Islandica, the scientific name ofIceland moss.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white substance extracted from the lichen, Iceland moss (Cetraria Islandica). It consists of several ingredients, among which is cetraric acid, a white, crystalline, bitter substance.
CETYLCe"tyl, n. Etym: [Gr. -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: A radical, C16H33, not yet isolated, but supposed to exist in a series of compounds homologous with the ethyl compounds, and derived from spermaceti.
CETYLICCe*tyl"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, spermaceti. Cetylic alcohol (Chem.), a white, waxy, crystalline solid, obtained from spermaceti, and regarded as homologous with ordinary, or ethyl, alcohol; ethal; - - called also cetyl alcohol.
CEYLANITECey"lan*ite, n. Etym: [F., fr. Ceylan Ceylon.] (Min.)
Defn: A dingy blue, or grayish black, variety of spinel. It is also called pleonaste. [Written also ceylonite.]
CEYLONESECey`lon*ese", a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Ceylon.— n. sing. & pl.
Defn: A native or natives of Ceylon.
Defn: An abbreviation for Centimeter, Gram, Second. — applied to a system of units much empoyed in physical science, based upon the centimeter as the unit of length, the gram as the unit of weight or mass, and the second as the unit of time.
Defn: An abbreviation for Centimeter, Gram, Second. — applied to a system of units much employed in physical science, based upon the centimeter as the unit of length, the gram as the unit of weight or mass, and the second as the unit of time.
Defn: An abbreviation for Confédération Générale du Travail (theFrench syndicalist labor union).
CHACha (chä), n. [Chin. ch"a.] [Also chaa, chais, tsia, etc.]
Defn: Tea; — the Chinese (Mandarin) name, used generally in early works of travel, and now for a kind of rolled tea used in Central Asia.
A pot with hot water . . . made with the powder of a certain herb called chaa, which is much esteemed. Tr. J. Van Linschoten's Voyages (1598).
CHABChab, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The red-bellied wood pecker (Melanerpes Carolinus).
CHABASITE; CABAZITEChab"a*site, Cab"a*zite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A mineral occuring in glassy rhombohedral crystals, varying, in color from white to yellow or red. It is essentially a hydrous silicate of alumina and lime. Called also chabasie.
CHABLISCha*blis", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A white wine made near Chablis, a town in France.
CHABOUK; CHABUKCha*bouk", Cha*buk", n. Etym: [Hind. chabuk horsewhip.]
Defn: A long whip, such as is used in the East in the infliction of punishment. Balfour.
CHACEChace, n.
Defn: See 3d Chase, n., 3.
CHACEChace, v. t.
Defn: To pursue. See Chase v. t.
CHACHALACA Cha`cha*la"ca, n. Etym: [Native name, prob. given in imitation of its cry.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The texan guan (Ortalis vetula). [written also chiacalaca.]
CHACMAChac"ma, n. Etym: [Native name.]
Defn: A large species of African baboon (Cynocephalus porcarius); — called also ursine baboon.
Note: [See Illust. of Baboon.]
CHACONNECha*conne", n. Etym: [F., fr. Sp. chacona.] (Mus.)
Defn: An old Spanish dance in moderate three-four measure, like the Passacaglia, which is slower. Both are used by classical composers as themes for variations.
CHADChad, n.
Defn: See Shad. [Obs.]
CHAETETESChæ*te"tes, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of fossil corals, common in the lower Silurian limestones.
CHAETIFEROUSChæ*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. -ferous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Bearing setæ.
CHAETODONTChæ"to*dont, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A marine fish of the family Chætodontidæ. The chætodonts have broad, compressed bodies, and usually bright colors.
CHAETODONTChæto*dont, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Chætodonts or the family Chætodontidæ.
CHAETOGNATHChæ"tog*nath, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Chætognatha.
CHAETOGNATHAChæ*tog"na*tha, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl)
Defn: An order of free-swimming marine worms, of which the genus Sagitta is the type. They have groups of curved spines on each side of the head.
CHAETOPODChæ"to*pod, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to the Chætopoda.— n.
Defn: One of the Chætopoda.
CHAETOPODAChæ*top"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. -poda.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A very extensive order of Annelida, characterized by the presence of lateral setæ, or spines, on most or all of the segments. They are divided into two principal groups: Oligochæta, including the earthworms and allied forms, and Polychæta, including most of the marine species.
CHAETOTAXYChæ"to*tax`y, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The arrangement of bristles on an insect.
CHAFEChafe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chafed; p pr. & vb. n. Chafing.] Etym:[OE. chaufen to warm, OF. chaufer, F. chauffer, fr. L. calefacere,calfacere, to make warm; calere to be warm + facere to make. SeeCaldron.]
1. To ecxite heat in by friction; to rub in order to stimulate and make warm. To rub her temples, and to chafe her skin. Spenser.
2. To excite passion or anger in; to fret; to irritate. Her intercession chafed him. Shak.
3. To fret and wear by rubbing; as, to chafe a cable. Two slips of parchment which she sewed round it to prevent its being chafed. Sir W. Scott.
Syn.— To rub; fret; gall; vex; excite; inflame.
CHAFEChafe, v. i.
Defn: To rub; to come together so as to wear by rubbing; to wear byfriction.Made its great boughs chafe together. Longfellow.The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores. Shak.
2. To be worn by rubbing; as, a cable chafes.
3. To have a feeling of vexation; to be vexed; to fret; to be irritated. Spenser. He will chafe at the doctor's marrying my daughter. Shak.
CHAFEChafe, n.
1. Heat excited by friction.
2. Injury or wear caused by friction.
3. Vexation; irritation of mind; rage. The cardinal in a chafe sent for him to Whitehall. Camden.
CHAFERChaf"er, n.
1. One who chafes.
2. A vessel for heating water; — hence, a dish or pan. A chafer of water to cool the ends of the irons. Baker.
CHAFERChaf"er, n. Etym: [AS. ceafor; akin to D. kever, G këfer.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of beetle; the cockchafer. The name is also applied to other species; as, the rose chafer.
CHAFERYChaf"er*y, n. Etym: [See Chafe, v. t.] (Iron Works)
Defn: An open furnace or forge, in which blooms are heated before being wrought into bars.
CHAFEWAX; CHAFFWAXChafe"wax`, or Chaff"wax`, n. (Eng. Law)
Defn: Formerly a chancery officer who fitted wax for sealing writs and other documents.
CHAFEWEEDChafe"weed`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The cudweed (Gnaphalium), used to prevent or cure chafing.
CHAFFChaff, n. Etym: [AC. ceaf; akin to D. kaf, G. kaff.]
1. The glumes or husks of grains and grasses separated from the seed by threshing and winnowing, etc. So take the corn and leave the chaff behind. Dryden. Old birds are not caught with caff. Old Proverb.
2. Anything of a comparatively light and worthless character; the refuse part of anything. The chaff and ruin of the times. Shak.
3. Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle. By adding chaff to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it. In this way chaff is very useful. Ywatt.
4. Light jesting talk; banter; raillery.
5. (Bot.)
Defn: The scales or bracts on the receptacle, which subtend each flower in the heads of many Compositæ, as the sunflower. Gray. Chaff cutter, a machine for cutting, up straw, etc., into "chaff" for the use of cattle.
CHAFFChaff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Chaffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Chaffing.]
Defn: To use light, idle lagnguage by way of fun or ridicule; to banter.
CHAFFChaff, v. t.
Defn: To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language; to quiz. Morgan saw that his master was chaffing him. Thackeray. A dozen honest fellows . . . chaffed each other about their sweethearts. C. Kingsley.
CHAFFERChaff"er, n.
Defn: One who chaffs.
CHAFFER Chaf"fer, n. Etym: [OE. chaffare, cheapfare; AS. ceáp a bargain, price + faru a journey; hence, originally, a going to barain, to market. See Cheap, and Fare.]
Defn: Bargaining; merchandise. [Obs.] Holished.
CHAFFERChaf"fer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Chaffered; p. pr. & vb. n. Chaffering.]Etym: [OE. chaffaren, fr. chaffare, chapfare, cheapfare, abargaining. See Chaffer, n.]
1. To treat or dispute about a purchase; to bargain; to haggle or higgle; to negotiate. To chaffer for preferments with his gold. Dryden.
2. To talk much and idly; to chatter. Trench.
CHAFFERChaf"fer, v. t.
1. To buy or sell; to trade in. He chaffered chairs in which churchmen were set. Spenser.
2. To exchange; to bandy, as words. Spenser.
CHAFFERERChaf"fer*er, n.
Defn: One who chaffers; a bargainer.
CHAFFERNChaf"fern, n. Etym: [See Chafe, v. t.]
Defn: A vessel for heating water. [Obs.] Johnson.
CHAFFERYChaf"fer*y, n.
Defn: Traffic; bargaining. [Obs.] Spenser.
CHAFFINCHChaf"finch, n. Etym: [Cf. Chiff-chaff.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A bird of Europe (Fringilla coelebs), having a variety of very sweet songs, and highly valued as a cage bird; — called also copper finch.
CHAFFINGChaff"ing, n.
Defn: The use of light, frivolous language by way of fun or ridicule; raillery; banter.
CHAFFLESSChaff"less, a.
Defn: Without chaff.
CHAFFYChaff"y, a.
1. Abounding in, or resembling, chaff. Chaffy grain beneath the thresher's flail. Coleridge.
2. Light or worthless as chaff. Slight and chaffy opinion. Glanvill.
3. (Bot.) (a) Resembling chaff; composed of light dry scales. (b) Bearing or covered with dry scales, as the under surface of certain ferns, or the disk of some composite flowers.
CHAFINGChaf"ing, n. Etym: [See Chafe, v. t.]
Defn: The act of rubbing, or wearing by friction; making by rubbing. Chafing dish, a dish or vessel for cooking on the table, or for keeping food warm, either by coals, by a lamp, or by hot water; a portable grate for coals. — Chafing gear (Naut.), any material used to protect sails, rigging, or the like, at points where they are exposed to friction.
CHAGREENCha*green", n.
Defn: See Shagreen.
CHAGRES FEVERCha"gres fe"ver. (Med.)
Defn: A form of malarial fever occurring along the Chagres River,Panama.
CHAGRIN Cha*grin", n. Etym: [F., fr. chagrin shagreen, a particular kind of rough and grained leather; also a rough fishskin used for graters and files; hence (Fig.), a gnawing, corroding grief. See Shagreen.]
Defn: Vexation; mortification.I must own that I felt rather vexation and chagrin than hope andsatisfaction. Richard Porson.Hear me, and touch Belinda with chagrin. Pope.
Syn. — Vexation; mortification; peevishness; fretfulness; disgust; disquiet. Chagrin, Vexation, Mortification. These words agree in the general sense of pain produced by untoward circumstances. Vexation is a feeling of disquietude or irritating uneasiness from numerous causes, such as losses, disappointments, etc. Mortification is a stronger word, and denotes that keen sense of pain which results fron wounded pride or humiliating occurrences. Chagrin is literally the cutting pain produced by the friction of Shagreen leather; in its figurative sense, it varies in meaning, denoting in its lower degrees simply a state of vexation, and its higher degrees the keenest sense of mortification. "Vexation arises chiefly fron our wishes and views being crossed: mortification, from our self-importance being hurt; chagrin, from a mixture of the two." Crabb.
CHAGRINCha*grin", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chagrined; p. pr. & vb. n.Chargrining.] Etym: [Cf. F. chagriner See Chagrin, n.]
Defn: To excite ill-humor in; to vex; to mortify; as, he was not a little chagrined.
CHAGRINCha*grin", v. i.
Defn: To be vexed or annoyed. Fielding.
CHAGRINCha*grin", a.
Defn: Chagrined. Dryden.
CHAINChain, n. Etym: [F. chaîne, fr. L. catena. Cf. Catenate.]
1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc. [They] put a chain of gold about his neck. Dan. v. 29.
2. That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit. Driven down To chains of darkness and the undying worm. Milton.
3. A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas.
4. (Surv.)
Defn: An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land.
Note: One commonly in use is Gunter's chain, which consists of one hundred links, each link being seven inches and ninety-two one hundredths in length; making up the total length of rods, or sixty- six, feet; hence, a measure of that length; hence, also, a unit for land measure equal to four rods square, or one tenth of an acre.
5. pl. (Naut.)
Defn: Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.
6. (Weaving)
Defn: The warp threads of a web. Knight. Chain belt (Mach.), a belt made of a chain; — used for transmitting power. — Chain boat, a boat fitted up for recovering lost cables, anchors, etc. — Chain bolt (a) (Naut.) The bolt at the lower end of the chain plate, which fastens it to the vessel's side. (b) A bolt with a chain attached for drawing it out of position. — Chain bond. See Chain timber. — Chain bridge, a bridge supported by chain cables; a suspension bridge. — Chain cable, a cable made of iron links. — Chain coral (Zoöl.), a fossil coral of the genus Halysites, common in the middle and upper Silurian rocks. The tubular corallites are united side by side in groups, looking in an end view like links of a chain. When perfect, the calicles show twelve septa. — Chain coupling. (a) A shackle for uniting lengths of chain, or connecting a chain with an object. (b) (Railroad) Supplementary coupling together of cars with a chain. — Chain gang, a gang of convicts chained together. — Chain hook (Naut.), a hook, used for dragging cables about the deck. — Chain mail, flexible, defensive armor of hammered metal links wrought into the form of a garment. — Chain molding (Arch.), a form of molding in imitation of a chain, used in the Normal style. — Chain pier, a pier suspended by chain. — Chain pipe (Naut.), an opening in the deck, lined with iron, through which the cable is passed into the lockers or tiers. — Chain plate (Shipbuilding), one of the iron plates or bands, on a vessel's side, to which the standing rigging is fastened. — Chain pulley, a pulley with depressions in the periphery of its wheel, or projections from it, made to fit the links of a chain. — Chain pumps. See in the Vocabulary. — Chain rule (Arith.), a theorem for solving numerical problems by composition of ratios, or compound proportion, by which, when several ratios of equality are given, the consequent of each being the same as the antecedent of the next, the relation between the first antecedent and the last consequent is discovered. — Chain shot (Mil.), two cannon balls united by a shot chain, formerly used in naval warfare on account of their destructive effect on a ship's rigging. — Chain stitch. See in the Vocabulary. — Chain timber. (Arch.) See Bond timber, under Bond. — Chain wales. (Naut.) Same as Channels. — Chain wheel. See in the Vocabulary. — Closed chain, Open chain (Chem.), terms applied to the chemical structure of compounds whose rational formulæ are written respectively in the form of a closed ring (see Benzene nucleus, under Benzene), or in an open extended form. — Endless chain, a chain whose ends have been united by a link.
CHAINChain, v. t. [imp. p. p. Chained (chand); p. pr. & vb. n. Chaining.]
1. To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog. Chained behind the hostile car. Prior.
2. To keep in slavery; to enslave. And which more blest who chained his country, say Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day Pope.
3. To unite closely and strongly. And in this vow do chain my soul to thine. Shak.
4. (Surveying)
Defn: To measure with the chain.
5. To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.
CHAINLESSChain"less, a.
Defn: Having no chain; not restrained or fettered. "The chainless mind." Byron.
CHAINLETChain"let, n.
Defn: A small chain. Sir W. Scott.
CHAIN PUMPChain" pump`.
Defn: A pump consisting of an endless chain, running over a drum or wheel by which it is moved, and dipping below the water to be raised. The chain has at intervals disks or lifts which fit the tube through which the ascending part passes and carry the water to the point of discharge.
CHAIN STITCHChain" stitch`.
1. An ornamental stitch like the links of a chain; — used in crocheting, sewing, and embroidery.
2. (Machine Sewing)
Defn: A stitch in which the looping of the thread or threads forms a chain on the under side of the work; the loop stitch, as distinguished from the lock stitch. See Stitch.
CHAIN TIEChain tie. (Arch.)
Defn: A tie consisting of a series of connected iron bars or rods.
CHAIN WHEELChain" wheel`.
1. A chain pulley, or sprocket wheel.
2. An inversion of the chain pump, by which it becomes a motor driven by water.
CHAINWORKChain"work`, n.
Defn: Work looped or linked after the manner of a chain; chain stitch work.
CHAIR Chair, n. Etym: [OE. chaiere, chaere, OF. chaiere, chaere, F. chaire pulpit, fr. L. cathedra chair, armchair, a teacher's or professor's chair, Gr. sit. See Sit, and cf. Cathedral, chaise.]
1. A movable single seat with a back.
2. An official seat, as of a chief magistrate or a judge, but esp. that of a professor; hence, the office itself. The chair of a philosophical school. Whewell. A chair of philology. M. Arnold.
3. The presiding officer of an assembly; a chairman; as, to address the chair.
4. A vehicle for one person; either a sedan borne upon poles, or two- wheeled carriage, drawn by one horse; a gig. Shak. Think what an equipage thou hast in air, And view with scorn two pages and a chair. Pope.
5. An iron blok used on railways to support the rails and secure them to the sleepers. Chair days, days of repose and age. — To put into the chair, to elect as president, or as chairman of a meeting. Macaulay. — To take the chair, to assume the position of president, or of chairman of a meeting.
CHAIRChair, v. t. [imp. & p. pr. Chaired; p. pr. & vb. n. Chairing.]
1. To place in a chair.
2. To carry publicly in a chair in triumph. [Eng.]
CHAIRMANChair"man, n.; pl. Chairmen (.
1. The presiding officer of a committee, or of a public or private meeting, or of any organized body.
2. One whose business it is to cary a chair or sedan. Breaks watchmen's heads and chairmen's glasses. Prior.
CHAIRMANSHIPChair"man*ship, n.
Defn: The office of a chairman of a meeting or organized body.
CHAISE Chaise, n. Etym: [F. chaise seat, or chair, chaise or carriage, for chaire, from a peculiar Parisian pronunciation. See Chair.]
1. A two-wheeled carriage for two persons, with a calash top, and the body hung on leather straps, or thoroughbraces. It is usually drawn by one horse.
2. Loosely,
Defn: a carriage in general. Cowper.
CHAJACha"ja, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The crested screamer of Brazil (Palamedea, or Chauna, chavaria), so called in imitation of its notes; — called also chauna, and faithful kamichi. It is often domesticated and is useful in guarding other poultry. See Kamichi.
CHAKChak, v. i.
Defn: To toss up the head frequently, as a horse to avoid the restraint of the bridle.
CHALAZACha*la"za, n.; pl. E. Chalazas, L. Chalazæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: The place on an ovule, or seed, where its outer coats cohere with each other and the nucleus.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: A spiral band of thickened albuminous substance which exists in the white of the bird's egg, and serves to maintain the yolk in its position; the treadle.
CHALAZALCha*la"zal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the chalaza.
CHALAZECha*laze", n.
Defn: Same as Chalaza.
CHALAZIFEROUSChal`a*zif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Chalaza + -ferous.]
Defn: Having or bearing chalazas.
CHALAZIONCha*la"zi*on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A small circumscribed tumor of the eyelid caused by retention of secretion, and by inflammation of the Melbomian glands.
CHALAZOGAMYChal`a*zog"a*my, n. [Chalaza + -gamy, as in polygamy.] (Bot.)
Defn: A process of fecundation in which the pollen tube penetrates to the embryosac through the tissue of the chalaza, instead of entering through the micropyle. It was originally discovered by Treub in Casuarina, and has since been found to occur regularly in the families Betulaceæ and Juglandaceæ. Partial chalazogamy is found in Ulmus, the tube here penetrating the nucleus midway between the chalaza and micropyle. —Chal`a*zo*gam"ic (#), a.
CHALCANTHITEChal*can"thite, n. Etym: [L. chalcanthum a solution of blue vitriol,Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Native blue vitriol. See Blue vitriol, under Blue.
CHALCEDONICChal"ce*don"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to chalcedony.
CHALCEDONY Chal*ced"o*ny, n.; pl. Chalcedonies. Etym: [ L. chalcedonius, fr. Gr. calcédoine, OE. calcidoine, casidoyne. Cf. Cassidony.] (Min.)
Defn: A cryptocrystalline, translucent variety of quartz, having usually a whitish color, and a luster nearly like wax. [Written also calcedony.]
Note: When chalcedony is variegated with with spots or figures, or arranged in differently colored layers, it is called agate; and if by reason of the thickness, color, and arrangement of the layers it is suitable for being carved into cameos, it is called onyx. Chrysoprase is green chalcedony; carnelian, a flesh red, and sard, a brownish red variety.
CHALCHIHUITLChal`chi*huitl, n. (Min.)
Defn: The Mexican name for turquoise. See Turquoise.
CHALCID FLYChal"cid fly`. Etym: [From Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of a numerous family of hymenopterous insects (Chalcididæ.Many are gallflies, others are parasitic on insects.
CHALCIDIANChal*cid"i*an, n. Etym: [L. chalcis a lizard, Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of a tropical family of snakelike lizards (Chalcidæ), having four small or rudimentary legs.
CHALCOCITEChal"co*cite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Native copper sulphide, called also copper glance, and vitreous copper; a mineral of a black color and metallic luster. [Formerly written chalcosine.]
CHALCOGRAPHER; CHALCOGRAPHISTChal*cog"ra*pher, Chal*cog"ra*phist, n.
Defn: An engraver on copper or brass; hence, an engraver of copper plates for printing upon paper.
CHALCOGRAPHYChal*cog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]
Defn: The act or art of engraving on copper or brass, especially of engraving for printing.
CHALCOPYRITEChal`co*pyr"ite, n. Etym: [Gr. pyrite. So named from its color.](Min.)
Defn: Copper pyrites, or yellow copper ore; a common ore of opper, containing copper, iron, and sulphur. It occurs massive and in tetragonal crystals of a bright brass yellow color.
CHALDAICChal*da"ic, a. Etym: [L. Chaldaicus.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Chaldes.— n.
Defn: The language or dialect of the Chaldeans; Chaldee.
CHALDAISMChal"da*ism, n.
Defn: An idiom or peculiarity in the Chaldee dialect.
CHALDEANChal*de"an, a. Etym: [L. Chaldaeus.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Chaldea. — n. (a) A native or inhabitant of Chaldea. (b) A learned man, esp. an astrologer; — so called among the Eastern nations, because astrology and the kindred arts were much cultivated by the Chaldeans. (c) Nestorian.
CHALDEEChal"dee, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Chaldea.— n.
Defn: The language or dialect of the Chaldeans; eastern Aramaic, or the Aramaic used in Chaldea. Chaldee Paraphrase, A targum written in Aramaic.
CHALDRICH; CHALDERChal"drich, Chal"der, n. Etym: [Icel. tjaldr.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of bird; the oyster catcher.
CHALDRON Chal"dron, n. Etym: [OF. chaldron, F. chaudron kettle. The same word as caldron.]
Defn: An English dry measure, being, at London, 36 bushels heaped up, or its equivalent weight, and more than twice as much at Newcastle. Now used exlusively for coal and coke.
Note: In the United States the chaldron is ordinarily 2,940 lbs, but at New York it is 2,500 lbs. De Colange.
CHALETCha*let", n. Etym: [F.]
1. A herdsman's hut in the mountains of Switzerland. Chalets are summer huts for the Swiss herdsmen. Wordsworth.
2. A summer cottage or country house in the Swiss mountains; any country house built in the style of the Swiss cottages.
CHALICE Chal"ice, n. Etym: [OR. chalis, calice, OF. chalice, calice, F. calice, fr. L. calix, akin to Gr. helmet. Cf. Calice, Calyx.]
Defn: A cup or bowl; especially, the cup used in the sacrament of theLord's Supper.
CHALICEDChal"iced, a.
Defn: Having a calyx or cup; cupshaped. "Chaliced flowers." Shak.
CHALK Chalk, n. Etym: [AS. cealc lime, from L. calx limestone. See Calz, and Cawk.]
1. (Min.)
Defn: A soft, earthy substance, of a white, grayish, or yellowish white color, consisting of calcium carbonate, and having the same composition as common limestone.
2. (Fine Arts)
Defn: Finely prepared chalk, used as a drawing implement; also, byextension, a compound, as of clay and black lead, or the like, usedin the same manner. See Crayon. Black chalk, a mineral of a bluishcolor, of a slaty texture, and soiling the fingers when handled; avariety of argillaceous slate.— By a long chalk, by a long way; by many degrees. [Slang] Lowell.— Chalk drawing (Fine Arts), a drawing made with crayons. SeeCrayon.— Chalk formation. See Cretaceous formation, under Cretaceous.— Chalk line, a cord rubbed with chalk, used for making straightlines on boards or other material, as a guide in cutting or inarranging work.— Chalk mixture, a preparation of chalk, cinnamon, and sugar in gumwater, much used in diarrheal affection, esp. of infants.— Chalk period. (Geol.) See Cretaceous period, under Cretaceous.— Chalk pit, a pit in which chalk is dug.— Drawing chalk. See Crayon, n., 1.— French chalk, steatite or soapstone, a soft magnesian mineral.— Red chalk, an indurated clayey ocher containing iron, and used bypainters and artificers; reddle.
CHALKChalk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chalked; p. pr. & vb. n. Chalking.]
1. To rub or mark with chalk.
2. To manure with chalk, as land. Morimer.
3. To make white, as with chalk; to make pale; to bleach. Tennyson. Let a bleak paleness chalk the door. Herbert. To chalk out, to sketch with, or as with, chalk; to outline; to indicate; to plan. [Colloq.] "I shall pursue the plan I have chalked out." Burke.
CHALKCUTTERChalk"cut`ter, n.
Defn: A man who digs chalk.
CHALKINESSChalk"i*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being chalky.
CHALKSTONEChalk"stone`, n.
1. A mass of chalk. As chalkstones . . . beaten in sunder. Isa. xxvii. 9.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A chalklike concretion, consisting mainly of urate of sodium, found in and about the small joints, in the external ear, and in other situations, in those affected with gout; a tophus.
CHALKYChalk"y, a.
Defn: Consisting of, or resembling, chalk; containing chalk; as, a chalky cliff; a chalky taste.
CHALLENGE Chal"lenge, n. Etym: [OE. chalenge claim, accusation, challenge, OF. chalenge, chalonge, claim, accusation, contest, fr. L. calumnia false accusation, chicanery. See Calumny.]
1. An invitation to engage in a contest or controversy of any kind; a defiance; specifically, a summons to fight a duel; also, the letter or message conveying the summons. A challenge to controversy. Goldsmith.
2. The act of a sentry in halting any one who appears at his post, and demanding the countersign.
3. A claim or demand. [Obs.] There must be no challenge of superiority. Collier.
4. (Hunting)
Defn: The opening and crying of hounds at first finding the scent of their game.
5. (Law)
Defn: An exception to a juror or to a member of a court martial, coupled with a demand that he should be held incompetent to act; the claim of a party that a certain person or persons shall not sit in trial upon him or his cause. Blackstone
6. An exception to a person as not legally qualifed to vote. The challenge must be made when the ballot is offered. [U. S.] Challenge to the array (Law), an exception to the whole panel. — Challenge to the favor, the alleging a special cause, the sufficiency of which is to be left to those whose duty and office it is to decide upon it. — Challenge to the polls, an exception taken to any one or more of the individual jurors returned. — Peremptory challenge, a privilege sometimes allowed to defendants, of challenging a certain number of jurors (fixed by statute in different States) without assigning any cause. — Principal challenge, that which the law allows to be sufficient if found to be true.
CHALLENGE Chal"lenge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Challenged; p. pr. & vb. n. Challenging.] Etym: [OE. chalengen to accuse, claim, OF. chalengier, chalongier, to claim, accuse, dispute, fr. L. calumniar to attack with false accusations. See Challenge, n., and cf. Calumniate.]
1. To call to a contest of any kind; to call to answer; to defy. I challenge any man to make any pretense to power by right of fatherhood. Locke.
2. To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat. By this I challenge him to single fight. Shak.
3. To claim as due; to demand as a right. Challenge better terms. Addison.
4. To censure; to blame. [Obs.] He complained of the emperors . . . and challenged them for that he had no greater revenues . . . from them. Holland.
5. (Mil.)
Defn: To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with "Who comes there"
6. To take exception to; question; as, to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation.
7. (Law)
Defn: To object to or take exception to, as to a juror, or member of a court.
8. To object to the reception of the vote of, as on the ground that the person in not qualifed as a voter. [U. S.] To challenge to the array, favor, polls. See under Challenge, n.
CHALLENGEChal"lenge, v. i.
Defn: To assert a right; to claim a place.Where nature doth with merit challenge. Shak.
CHALLENGEABLEChal"lenge*a*ble, a.
Defn: That may be challenged.
CHALLENGERChal"len*ger, n.
Defn: One who challenges.
CHALLISChal"lis, n. Etym: [F. chaly, challis, a stuff made of goat's hair.]
Defn: A soft and delicate woolen, or woolen and silk, fabric, for ladies' dresses. [Written also chally.]
CHALONCha"lon, n.
Defn: A bed blanket. [Obs.] Chaucer.
CHALYBEANCha*lyb"e*an, a. Etym: [L. chalybeïus, fr. chalybs steel, Gr.
1. Of or pertaining to the Chalybes, an ancient people of Pontus in Asia Minor, celebrated for working in iron and steel.
2. Of superior quality and temper; — applied to steel. [Obs.] Milton.
CHALYBEATECha*lyb"e*ate, a. Etym: [NL. chalybeatus, fr. chalubeïus. SeeChalubean.]
Defn: Impregnated with salts of iron; having a taste like iron; as, chalybeate springs.
CHALYBEATECha*lyb"e*ate, n.
Defn: Any water, liquid, or medicine, into which iron enters as an ingredient.
CHALYBEOUSCha*lyb"e*ous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Steel blue; of the color of tempered steel.
CHALYBITEChal"y*bite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Native iron carbonate; — usually called siderite.
CHAMCham, v. t. Etym: [See Chap.]
Defn: To chew. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Sir T. More.
CHAMCham, n. Etym: [See Khan.]
Defn: The sovereign prince of Tartary; — now usually written khan.Shak.
CHAMADE Cha*made, n. Etym: [F. chamade, fr. Pg. chamada, fr. chamar to call, fr. L. clamare.] (Mil.)
Defn: A signal made for a parley by beat of a drum.They beat the chamade, and sent us carte blanche. Addison.
CHAMALCha"mal, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Angora goat. See Angora goat, under Angora.
CHAMBERCham"ber, n. Etym: [F. chambre, fr. L. camera vault, arched roof, inLL. chamber, fr. Gr. kmar to be crooked. Cf. Camber, Camera,Comrade.]
1. A retired room, esp. an upper room used for sleeping; a bedroom; as, the house had four chambers.
2. pl.
Defn: Apartments in a lodging house. "A bachelor's life in chambers."Thackeray.
3. A hall, as where a king gives audience, or a deliberative body or assembly meets; as, presence chamber; senate chamber.
4. A legislative or judicial body; an assembly; a society or association; as, the Chamber of Deputies; the Chamber of Commerce.
5. A compartment or cell; an inclosed space or cavity; as, the chamber of a canal lock; the chamber of a furnace; the chamber of the eye.
6. pl. (Law.)
Defn: A room or rooms where a lawyer transacts business; a room or rooms where a judge transacts such official business as may be done out of court.
7. A chamber pot. [Colloq.]
8. (Mil.) (a) That part of the bore of a piece of ordnance which holds the charge, esp. when of different diameter from the rest of the bore; — formerly, in guns, made smaller than the bore, but now larger, esp. in breech-loading guns. (b) A cavity in a mine, usually of a cubical form, to contain the powder. (c) A short piece of ornance or cannon, which stood on its breech, without any carriage, formerly used chiefly for rejoicings and theatrical cannonades. Air chamber. See Air chamber, in the Vocabulary. — Chamber of commerce, a board or association to protect the interests of commerce, chosen from among the merchants and traders of a city. — Chamber council, a secret council. Shak. — Chamber counsel or counselor, a counselor who gives his opinion in private, or at his chambers, but does not advocate causes in court. — Chamber fellow, a chamber companion; a roommate; a chum. — Chamber hangings, tapestry or hangings for a chamber. — Chamber lye, urine. Shak. — Chamber music, vocal or instrumental music adapted to performance in a chamber or small apartment or audience room, instead of a theater, concert hall, or chuch. — Chamber practice (Law.), the practice of counselors at law, who give their opinions in private, but do not appear in court. — To sit at chambers, to do business in chambers, as a judge.
CHAMBERCham"ber, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Chambered; p. pr. & vb. n. Chambering.]
1. To reside in or occupy a chamber or chambers.
2. To be lascivious. [Obs.]
CHAMBERCham"ber, v. t.
1. To shut up, as inn a chamber. Shak.
2. To furnish with a chamber; as, to chamber a gun.
CHAMBEREDCham"bered, a.
Defn: Having a chamber or chambers; as, a chambered shell; a chambered gun.
CHAMBERERCham"ber*er, n.
1. One who attends in a chamber; a chambermaid. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. A civilian; a carpetmonger. [Obs.]
CHAMBERINGCham"ber*ing, n.
Defn: Lewdness. [Obs.] Rom. xiii. 13.
CHAMBERLAIN Cham"ber*lain, n. Etym: [OF. chamberlain, chambrelencF. chambellon, OHG. chamerling, chamarlinc, G. kämmerling, kammer chamber (fr. L. camera) + -ling. See Chamber, and -ling.] [Formerly written chamberlin.]
1. An officer or servant who has charge of a chamber or chambers.
2. An upper servant of an inn. [Obs.]
3. An officer having the direction and management of the private chambers of a nobleman or monarch; hence, in Europe, one of the high officers of a court.
4. A treasurer or receiver of public money; as, the chamberlain of London, of North Wales, etc. The lord chamberlain of England, an officer of the crown, who waits upon the sovereign on the day of coronation, and provides requisites for the palace of Westminster, and for the House of Lords during the session of Parliament. Under him are the gentleman of the black rod and other officers. His office is distinct from that of the lord chamberlain of the Household, whose functions relate to the royal housekeeping.
CHAMBERLAINSHIPCham"ber*lain*ship, n.
Defn: Office if a chamberlain.
CHAMBERMAIDCham"ber*maid`, n.
1. A maidservant who has the care of chambers, making the beds, sweeping, cleaning the rooms, etc.
2. A lady's maid. [Obs.] Johnson.
CHAMBERTINCham`ber*tin", n.
Defn: A red wine from Chambertin near Dijon, in Burgundy.
CHAMBRANLECham`bran"le, n. [F.] (Arch.)
Defn: An ornamental bordering or framelike decoration around the sides and top of a door, window, or fireplace. The top piece is called the traverse and the side pieces the ascendants.
CHAMBRAYCham"bray, n. [From Cambrai, France. Cf. Cambric.]
Defn: A gingham woven in plain colors with linen finish.
CHAMBRELCham"brel, n.
Defn: Same as Gambrel.
CHAMECKCha*meck", n. Etym: [Native Brazilian name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of spider monkey (Ateles chameck), having the thumbs rudimentary and without a nail.
CHAMELEONCha*me"le*on, n. Etym: [L. Chamaeleon, Gr. Humble, and Lion.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A lizardlike reptile of the genus Chamæleo, of several species, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The skin is covered with fine granmulations; the tail is prehensile, and the body is much compressed laterally, giving it a high back.
Note: Its color changes more or less with the color of the objects about it, or with its temper when disturbed. In a cool, dark place it is nearly white, or grayish; on admitting the light, it changes to brown, bottle-green, or blood red, of various shades, and more or less mottled in arrangment. The American chameleons belong to Anolis and allied genera of the family Iguanidæ. They are more slender in form than the true chameleons, but have the same power of changing their colors. Chameleon mineral (Chem.), the compound called potassium permanganate, a dark violet, crystalline substance, KMnO4, which in formation passes through a peculiar succession of color from green to blue, purple, red, etc. See Potassium permanganate, under Potassium.
CHAMELEONIZECha*me"le*on*ize, v. t.
Defn: To change into various colors. [R.]
CHAMFERCham"fer, n. Etym: [See Chamfron.]
Defn: The surface formed by cutting away the arris, or angle, formed by two faces of a piece of timber, stone, etc.
CHAMFERCham"fer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chamfered ; p. pr. & vb. n.Chamfering.(
1. (Carp.)
Defn: To cut a furrow in, as in a column; to groove; to channel; to flute.
2. To make a chamfer on.
CHAMFRETCham"fret, n. Etym: [See Chamfron.]
1. (Carp.)
Defn: A small gutter; a furrow; a groove.
2. A chamfer.
CHAMFRONCham"fron, n. Etym: [F. chanfrein.] (Anc. Armor)
Defn: The frontlet, or head armor, of a horse. [Written also champfrain and chamfrain.]
CHAMISALCha`mi*sal", n. [Amer. Sp., fr. Sp. chamiza a kind of wild cane.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A California rosaceous shrub (Adenostoma fasciculatum) which often forms an impenetrable chaparral.
2. A chaparral formed by dense growths of this shrub.
CHAMLETCham"let, n.
Defn: See Camlet. [Obs.]
CHAMOISCham"ois, n. Etym: [F. chamois, prob. fr. OG. gamz, G. gemse.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small species of antelope (Rupicapra tragus), living on the loftiest mountain ridges of Europe, as the Alps, Pyrenees, etc. It possesses remarkable agility, and is a favorite object of chase.
2. A soft leather made from the skin of the chamois, or from sheepskin, etc.; — called also chamois leather, and chammy or shammy leather. See Shammy.
CHAMOMILECham"o*mile, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Camomile.
CHAMP Champ, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Champed; p. pr. & vb. n. Champing.] Etym: [Prob, of Scand. orgin; cf. dial. Sw. kämsa to chew with difficulty, champ; but cf. also OF. champier, champeyer, champoyer, to graze in fields, fr. F. champ field, fr. L. campus. Cf. Camp.]