The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 1120

Chapter 11202,560 wordsPublic domain

Pe*cop"te*ris (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ to comb + <?/ a kind of fern.] (Paleon.) An extensive genus of fossil ferns; -- so named from the regular comblike arrangement of the leaflets.

Pecora <Xpage=1056>

Pec"o*ra (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pecus . See Pecuniary .] (Zo\'94l.) An extensive division of ruminants, including the antelopes, deer, and cattle.

Pectate <Xpage=1056>

Pec"tate (?) , n. (Chem.) A salt of pectic acid.

Pecten <Xpage=1056>

Pec"ten (?) , n. [L. pecten , -inis , a comb, a kind of shellfish. See Pectinate .] 1. (Anat.) (a) A vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous humor within the globe of the eye in birds, and in many reptiles and fishes; -- also called marsupium . (b) The pubic bone.

2. (Zo\'94l.) Any species of bivalve mollusks of the genus Pecten , and numerous allied genera (family Pectinid\'91 ); a scallop. See Scallop .

3. (Zo\'94l.) The comb of a scorpion. See Comb , 4 (b) .

Pectic <Xpage=1056>

Pec"tic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ curdled.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to pectin; specifically, designating an acid obtained from ordinary vegetable jelly (pectin) as an amorphous substance, tough and horny when dry, but gelatinous when moist.

Pectin <Xpage=1056>

Pec"tin (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ curdled, congealed, from <?/ to make fast or stiff: cf. F. pectine .] (Chem.) One of a series of carbohydrates, commonly called vegetable jelly , found very widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, especially in ripe fleshy fruits, as apples, cranberries, etc. It is extracted as variously colored, translucent substances, which are soluble in hot water but become viscous on cooling.

Pectinal <Xpage=1056>

Pec"ti*nal (?) , a. [L. pecten comb. See Pectinate .] Of or pertaining to a comb; resembling a comb.

Pectinal <Xpage=1056>

Pec"ti*nal , n. A fish whose bone<?/ resemble comb teeth.

Sir T. Browne.

Pectinate, Pectinated <Xpage=1056>

Pec"ti*na`te (?) , Pec"ti*na`ted (?) , a. [L. pectinatus , p.pr. of pectinare to comb, from pecten , -inis , a comb; cf. Gr. <?/ to comb, AS. feax hair, OHG. fahs , E. paxwax .] 1. Resembling the teeth of a comb.

2. (Nat. Hist.) Having very narrow, close divisions, in arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb; comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles . See Illust . (e) of Antenn\'91 .

3. Interlaced, like two combs. [R.] "Our fingers pectinated , or shut together."

Sir T. Browne.

Pectinate claw (Zo\'94l.) , a claw having a serrate edge, found in some birds, and supposed to be used in cleaning the feathers.

Pectinately <Xpage=1056>

Pec"ti*nate*ly (?) , adv. In a pectinate manner.

Pectination <Xpage=1056>

Pec`ti*na"tion (?) , n. 1. The state of being pectinated; that which is pectinated.

Sir T. Browne.

2. The act of combing; the combing of the head.

3. (Nat. Hist.) Comblike toothing.

Pectineal <Xpage=1056>

Pec*tin"e*al (?) , a. [See Pecten .] (Anat.) (a) Of or pertaining to the pecten. (b) Relating to, or connected with, the pubic bone.

Pectinibranch <Xpage=1056>

Pec*tin"i*branch (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Pectinibranchiata. Also used adjectively.

Pectinibranchiata <Xpage=1056>

Pec`ti*ni*bran`chi*a"ta (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Pecten , and Branchia .] (Zo\'94l.) A division of Gastropoda, including those that have a comblike gill upon the neck.

Pectinibranchiate <Xpage=1056>

Pec`ti*ni*bran"chi*ate (?) , a. [L. pecten , -inis , a comb + E. branchiate .] (Zo\'94l.) Having pectinated gills.

Pectiniform <Xpage=1056>

Pec*tin"i*form (?) , a. Comblike in form.

Pectize <Xpage=1056>

Pec*tize" (?) , v. i. [Gr. <?/ solid.] To congeal; to change into a gelatinous mass. [R.]

H. Spencer.

Pectolite <Xpage=1056>

Pec"to*lite (?) , n. [L. pecten a comb + -lite .] (Min.) A whitish mineral occurring in radiated or fibrous crystalline masses. It is a hydrous silicate of lime and soda.

Pectoral <Xpage=1056>

Pec"to*ral (?) , a. [L. pectoralis , fr. pectus , -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral .] 1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles .

2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy .

3. (Zo\'94l.) Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper .

Pectoral arch , &or; Pectoral girdle (Anat.) , the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the shoulder girdle. In man it consists of two bones, the scapula and clavicle, on each side. -- Pectorial cross (Eccl.) , a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. -- Pectorial fins, &or; Pectorials (Zo\'94l.) , fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust . under Fin . -- Pectorial rail . (Zo\'94l.) See Land rail (b) under Land . -- Pectorial sandpiper (Zo\'94l.) , the jacksnipe (b) .

Pectoral <Xpage=1056>

Pec"to*ral (?) , n. [L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectorials .] 1. A covering or protecting for the breast.

2. (Eccl.) (a) A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high person. (b) A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.

3. A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.

Pectorally <Xpage=1056>

Pec"to*ral*ly (?) , adv. As connected with the breast.

Pectoriloquial <Xpage=1056>

Pec`to*ri*lo"qui*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. pectoriloque .] Pertaining to, or of the nature of, pectoriloquy.

Pectoriloquism <Xpage=1056>

Pec`to*ril"o*quism (?) , n. Pectoriloquy.

Pectoriloquous <Xpage=1056>

Pec`to*ril"o*quous (?) , a. Pectoriloquial.

Pectoriloquy <Xpage=1056>

Pec`to*ril"o*quy (?) , n. [L. pectus , -oris , the breast + loqui to speak: cf. F. pectoriloquie .] (Med.) The distinct articulation of the sounds of a patient's voice, heard on applying the ear to the chest in auscultation. It usually indicates some morbid change in the lungs or pleural cavity.

Pectose <Xpage=1056>

Pec"tose` (?) , n. [ Pect ic + cellul ose .] (Chem.) An amorphous carbohydrate found in the vegetable kingdom, esp. in unripe fruits. It is associated with cellulose, and is converted into substances of the pectin group.

Pectosic <Xpage=1056>

Pec*to"sic (?) , a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, pectose; specifically, designating an acid supposed to constitute largely ordinary pectin or vegetable jelly.

Pectostraca <Xpage=1056>

Pec*tos"tra*ca (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ fixed + <?/ shell of a testacean.] (Zo\'94l.) A degenerate order of Crustacea, including the Rhizocephala and Cirripedia.

Pectous <Xpage=1056>

Pec"tous (?) , a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, pectose.

Pectus <Xpage=1056>

Pec"tus (?) , n. ; pl. Pectora (#) . [L., the breast.] (Zo\'94l.) The breast of a bird.

Pecul <Xpage=1056>

Pec"ul (?) , n. See Picul .

Peculate <Xpage=1056>

Pec"u*late (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Peculated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating .] [L. peculatus , p.p. of peculari to peculate, akin to peculium private property. See Peculiar .] To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.

An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. Burke.

Peculation <Xpage=1056>

Pec`u*la"tion (?) , n. The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement; embezzlement.

Every British subject . . . active in the discovery of peculations has been ruined. Burke.

Peculator <Xpage=1056>

Pec"u*la`tor (?) , n. [L.] One who peculates. " Peculators of the public gold."

Cowper.

Peculiar <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cul"iar (?) , a. [L. peculiaris , fr. peculium private property, akin to pecunia money: cf. OF. peculier . See Pecuniary .] 1. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common or in participation.

And purify unto himself a peculiar people. Titus ii. 14.

Hymns . . . that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself. Hooker.

2. Particular; individual; special; appropriate.

While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat. Milton.

My fate is Juno's most peculiar care. Dryden.

3. Unusual; singular; rare; strange; as, the sky had a peculiar appearance .

Syn. -- Peculiar , Special , Especial . Peculiar is from the Roman peculium , which was a thing emphatically and distinctively one's own, and hence was dear. The former sense always belongs to peculiar (as, a peculiar style, peculiar manners, etc.), and usually so much of the latter as to involve feelings of interest; as, peculiar care, watchfulness, satisfaction, etc. Nothing of this kind belongs to special and especial . They mark simply the relation of species to genus , and denote that there is something in this case more than ordinary; as, a special act of Congress; especial pains, etc.

Beauty, which, either walking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces. Milton.

For naught so vile that on the earth doth live, But to the earth some special good doth give. Shak.

Peculiar <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cul"iar , n. 1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.

Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven. South.

2. (Eng. Canon Law) A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.

Court of Peculiars (Eng. Law) , a branch of the Court of Arches having cognizance of the affairs of peculiars. Blackstone . -- Dean of peculiars . See under Dean , 1.

Peculiarity <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cul`iar"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Peculiarities (<?/) . 1. The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality; singularity.

Swift.

2. That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive characteristic or habit; particularity.

The smallest peculiarity of temper on manner. Macaulay.

3. Exclusive possession or right. [Obs.]

Bp. Hall.

Peculiarize <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cul"iar*ize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pecularized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pecularizing (?) .] To make peculiar; to set appart or assign, as an exclusive possession. [R.]

Dr. John Smith.

Peculiarly <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cul"iar*ly , adv. In a peculiar manner; particulary; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.

Peculiarness <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cul"iar*ness , n. The quality or state of being peculiar; peculiarity.

Mede.

Peculium <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cu"li*um (?) , n. [L. See Peculiar .] 1. (Rom. Law) The saving of a son or a slave with the father's or master's consent; a little property or stock of one's own; any exclusive personal or separate property.

Burrill.

2. A special fund for private and personal uses.

A slight peculium only subtracted to supply his snuff box and tobacco pouch. Sir W. Scott.

Pecunial <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cu"ni*al (?) , a. Pecuniary. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Pecuniarily <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cun"ia*ri*ly (?) , adv. In a pecuniary manner; as regards money.

Pecuniary <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cun"ia*ry (?) , a. [L. pecuniarius , fr. pecunia money, orig., property in cattle, fr. pecus cattle: cf. F. p\'82cuniaire . See Fee , and cf. Peculiar .] 1. Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a pecuniary reward.

Burke.

Pecunious <Xpage=1056>

Pe*cu"ni*ous (?) , a. [L. pecuniosus , fr. pecunia : cf. F. p\'82cunieux .] Abounding in money; wealthy; rich. [Obs.]

Sherwood.

Ped <Xpage=1056>

Ped (?) , n. [OE. See Peddler .] A basket; a hammer; a pannier. [Obs.]

Halliwell.

Pedage <Xpage=1056>

Ped"age (?) , n. [LL. pedagium , for pedaticum . See Paage .] A toll or tax paid by passengers, entitling them to safe-conduct and protection. [Obs.]

Spelman.

Pedagog <Xpage=1056>

Ped"a*gog (?) , n. Pedagogue.

Pedagogic <Xpage=1056>

Ped`a*gog"ic (?) , n. [From Pedagogic , a. ; cf. G. pedagogik .] See Pedagogics .

Pedagogic, Pedagogical <Xpage=1056>

Ped`a*gog"ic (?) , Ped`a*gog"ic*al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/: cf. F. p\'82dagogique . See Pedagogue .] Of or pertaining to a pedagogue; suited to, or characteristic of, a pedagogue.

Pedagogics <Xpage=1056>

Ped`a*gog"ics (?) , n. The science or art of teaching; the principles and rules of teaching; pedagogy.

Pedagogism <Xpage=1056>

Ped"a*gog*ism (?) , n. [Cf. F. p\'82dagogisme .] The system, occupation, character, or manner of pedagogues.

Milton.

Avocation of pedantry and pedagogism . De Foe.

Pedagogue <Xpage=1056>

Ped"a*gogue (?) , n. [F. p\'82dagogue , L. paedagogus , Gr. <?/; <?/, <?/, a boy + <?/ to lead, guide; cf. <?/ leading. See Page a servant, Agent .] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A slave who led his master's children to school, and had the charge of them generally.

2. A teacher of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young; a schoolmaster.

3. One who by teaching has become formal, positive, or pedantic in his ways; one who has the manner of a schoolmaster; a pedant.

Goldsmith.

Pedagogue <Xpage=1056>

Ped"a*gogue , v. t. [Cf. L. paedagogare to instruct.] To play the pedagogue toward. [Obs.]

Prior.

Pedagogy <Xpage=1056>

Ped"a*go`gy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/: cf. F. p\'82dagogie .] Pedagogics; pedagogism.

South.

Pedal <Xpage=1056>

Pe"dal (?) , a. [L. pedalis , fr. pes , pedis , foot. See Foot , and cf. Pew .] 1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zo\'94l.) , pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion .

2. (<?/) Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals.

Pedal curve &or; surface (Geom.) , the curve or surface which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars let fall from a fixed point upon the straight lines tangent to a given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a given surface. -- Pedal note (Mus.) , the note which is held or sustained through an organ point. See Organ point , under Organ . -- Pedal organ (Mus.) , an organ which has pedals or a range of keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which is played with the feet.

Pedal <Xpage=1056>

Pe"dal (?) , n. [Cf. F. p\'82dale , It. pedale . See Pedal , a. ] 1. (Mech.) A lever or key acted on by the foot, as in the pianoforte to raise the dampers, or in the organ to open and close certain pipes; a treadle, as in a lathe or a bicycle.

2. (Geom.) A pedal curve or surface.

Pedalian <Xpage=1056>

Pe*da"li*an (?) , a. Relating to the foot, or to a metrical foot; pedal. [R.]

Maunder.

Pedality <Xpage=1056>

Pe*dal"i*ty (?) , n. The act of measuring by paces. [R.]

Ash.

Pedaneous <Xpage=1056>

Pe*da"ne*ous (?) , a. [L. pedaneus of the size of a foot.] Going on foot; pedestrian. [R.]

Pedant <Xpage=1056>

Ped"ant (?) , n. [F. p\'82dant , It. pedante , fr. Gr. <?/ to instruct, from pai^s boy. See Pedagogue .] 1. A schoolmaster; a pedagogue. [Obs.]

Dryden.

A pedant that keeps a school i'th' church. Shak.

2. One who puts on an air of learning; one who makes a vain display of learning; a pretender to superior knowledge.

Addison.

A scholar, yet surely no pedant , was he. Goldsmith.

Pedantic, Pedantical <Xpage=1056>

Pe*dan"tic (?) , Pe*dan"tic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a pedant; characteristic of, or resembling, a pedant; ostentatious of learning; as, a pedantic writer; a pedantic description; a pedantical affectation. "Figures pedantical ."

Shak.

Pedantically <Xpage=1056>

Pe*dan"tic*al*ly , adv. In a pedantic manner.

Pedanticly <Xpage=1056>

Pe*dan"tic*ly (?) , adv. Pedantically. [R.]

Pedantism <Xpage=1056>

Ped"ant*ism (?) , n. The office, disposition, or act of a pedant; pedantry. [Obs.]

Pedantize <Xpage=1056>

Ped"ant*ize (?) , v. i. [Cf. F. p\'82dantiser .] To play the pedant; to use pedantic expressions. [R.]

Pedantocracy <Xpage=1056>

Ped`an*toc"ra*cy (?) , n. [ Pedant + demo cracy .] The sway of pedants. [R.]

J. S. Mill.

Pedantry <Xpage=1056>

Ped"ant*ry (?) , n. [Cf. F. p\'82danterie .] The act, character, or manners of a pedant; vain ostentation of learning. "This pedantry of quotation."

Cowley.

'T is a practice that savors much of pedantry . Sir T. Browne.

Pedanty <Xpage=1056>

Ped"ant*y (?) , n. An assembly or clique of pedants. [Obs.]

Milton.

Pedarian <Xpage=1056>