Chapter 1181

Pom"pa*no (?) , n. [Sp. p\'a0mpano .] [Written also pampano .] (Zo\'94l.) 1. Any one of several species of marine fishes of the genus Trachynotus , of which four species are found on the Atlantic coast of the United States; -- called also palometa .

&hand; They have a brilliant silvery or golden luster, and are highly esteemed as food fishes. The round pompano ( T. thomboides ) and the Carolina pompano ( T. Carolinus ) are the most common. Other species occur on the Pacific coast.

2. A California harvest fish ( Stromateus simillimus ), highly valued as a food fish.

Pompano shell (Zo\'94l.) , a small bivalve shell of the genus Donax ; -- so called because eaten by the pompano. [Florida]

Pompatic <Xpage=1112>

Pom*pat"ic (?) , a. [L. pompaticus .] Pompous. [Obs.]

Barrow.

Pompelmous <Xpage=1112>

Pom"pel*mous (?) , n. ; pl. Pompelmouses (#) . [D. pompelmoes ; cf. G. pompelmuse , F. pamplemousse , and F. pompol\'82on .] (Bot.) A shaddock, esp. one of large size.

Pompet <Xpage=1112>

Pom"pet (?) , n. [OF. pompette .] (Print.) The ball formerly used to ink the type.

Pompholyx <Xpage=1112>

Pom"pho*lyx (?) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/ a bubble, the slag on the surface of smelted ore, from <?/ a blister.] 1. (Old Chem.) Impure zinc oxide.

2. (Med.) A skin disease in which there is an eruption of bull\'91, without inflammation or fever.

Pompillion <Xpage=1112>

Pom*pil"lion (?) , n. An ointment or pomatum made of black poplar buds. [Obs.]

Cotgrave.

Pompion <Xpage=1112>

Pom"pi*on (?) , n. [OF. pompon . See Pumpkin .] See Pumpion .

Pompire <Xpage=1112>

Pom"pire (?) , n. [L. pomum a fruit, LL. also, an apple + pirum a pear.] A pearmain. [Obs.]

Pompoleon <Xpage=1112>

Pom*po"le*on (?) , n. (Bot.) See Pompelmous .

Pompon <Xpage=1112>

Pom"pon (?) , n. [F.] 1. Any trifling ornament for a woman's dress or bonnet.

2. (Mil.) A tuft or ball of wool, or the like, sometimes worn by soldiers on the front of the hat, instead of a feather.

Pomposity <Xpage=1112>

Pom*pos"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Pomposities (<?/) . The quality or state of being pompous; pompousness.

Thackeray.

Pomposo <Xpage=1112>

Pom*po"so (?) , a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.) Grand and dignified; in grand style.

Pompous <Xpage=1112>

Pomp"ous (?) , a. [F. pompeux , L. pomposus . See Pomp .] 1. Displaying pomp; stately; showy with grandeur; magnificent; as, a pompous procession .

2. Ostentatious; pretentious; boastful; vainlorious; as, pompous manners; a pompous style. " Pompous in high presumption."

Chaucer.

he pompous vanity of the old schoolmistress. Thackeray.

-- Pom"ous*ly , adv. -- Pomp"ous*ness , n.

Pomptine <Xpage=1112>

Pomp"tine (?) , a. See Pontine .

Pomwater <Xpage=1112>

Pom"wa`ter (?) , n. Same as Pomewater .

Poncho <Xpage=1112>

Pon"cho (?) , n. ; pl. Ponchos (<?/) . [Sp.] 1. A kind of cloak worn by the Spanish Americans, having the form of a blanket, with a slit in the middle for the head to pass through. A kind of poncho made of rubber or painted cloth is used by the mounted troops in the United States service.

2. A trade name for camlets, or stout worsteds.

Pond <Xpage=1112>

Pond (?) , n. [Probably originally, an inclosed body of water, and the same word as pound . See Pound an inclosure.] A body of water, naturally or artificially confined, and usually of less extent than a lake. "Through pond or pool."

Milton.

Pond hen (Zo\'94l.) , the American coot. See Coot (a) . -- Pond lily (Bot.) , the water lily. See under Water , and Illust . under Nymph\'91a . -- Pond snail (Zo\'94l.) , any gastropod living in fresh-water ponds or lakes. The most common kinds are air-breathing snails ( Pulmonifera ) belonging to Limn\'91a, Physa, Planorbis, and allied genera. The operculated species are pectinibranchs, belonging to Melantho , Valvata , and various other genera. <-- Some general are italicised, otheres not. Why?? Thus in orig. --> -- Pond spice (Bot.) , an American shrub ( Tetranthera geniculata ) of the Laurel family, with small oval leaves, and axillary clusters of little yellow flowers. The whole plant is spicy. It grows in ponds and swamps from Virginia to Florida. -- Pond tortoise , Pond turtle (Zo\'94l.) , any freshwater tortoise of the family Emydid\'91 . Numerous species are found in North America.

<page="1113"> Page 1113

Pond <Xpage=1113>

Pond (?) , v. t. To make into a pond; to collect, as water, in a pond by damming.

Pond <Xpage=1113>

Pond , v. t. [See Ponder .] To ponder. [Obs.]

Pleaseth you, pond your suppliant's plaint. Spenser.

Ponder <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pondered (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pondering .] [L. ponderare , fr. pondus , ponderis , a weight, fr. pendere to weigh: cf. F. pond\'82rer . See Pendant , and cf. Pound a weight.]

1. To weigh. [Obs.]

2. To weigh in the mind; to view with deliberation; to examine carefully; to consider attentively.

Ponder the path of thy feet. Prov. iv. 26.

Syn. -- To Ponder , Consider , Muse . To consider means to view or contemplate with fixed thought. To ponder is to dwell upon with long and anxious attention, with a view to some practical result or decision. To muse is simply to think upon continuously with no definite object, or for the pleasure it gives. We consider any subject which is fairly brought before us; we ponder a concern involving great interests; we muse on the events of childhood.

Ponder <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der , v. i. To think; to deliberate; to muse; -- usually followed by on or over .

Longfellow.

Ponderability <Xpage=1113>

Pon`der*a*bil"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. pond\'82rabilit\'82 .] The quality or state of being ponderable.

Ponderable <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*a*ble (?) , a. [L. ponderabilis : cf. F. pond\'82rable .] Capable of being weighed; having appreciable weight. -- Pon"der*a*ble*ness , n.

Ponderal <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. pond\'82ral .] Estimated or ascertained by weight; -- distinguished from numeral ; as, a ponderal drachma . [R.]

Arbuthnot.

Ponderance <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*ance (?) , n. [L. ponderans , p. pr. of ponderare to weigh: cf. OF. ponderant of weight.] Weight; gravity. [R.]

Gregory.

Ponderary <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*a*ry (?) , a. Of or pertaining to weight; as, a ponderary system . [R.]

M'Culloch.

Ponderate <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*ate (?) , v. t. [L. ponderatus , p. p. of ponderare . See Ponder .] To consider; to ponder. [R.]

Ponderate <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*ate , v. i. To have weight or influence. [R.]

Ponderation <Xpage=1113>

Pon`der*a"tion (?) , n. [L. ponderatio : cf. F. pond\'82ration .] The act of weighing. [R.]

Arbuthnot.

Ponderer <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*er (?) , n. One who ponders.

Pondering <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*ing , a. Deliberating. -- Pon"der*ing*ly , adv.

Ponderosity <Xpage=1113>

Pon`der*os"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Ponderosities (#) . [OF. ponderosit\'82 .] The quality or state of being ponderous; weight; gravity; heaviness, ponderousness; as, the ponderosity of gold .

Ray.

Ponderous <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*ous (?) , a. [L. ponderosus , from pondus , -eris , a weight: cf. F. pond\'82reux . See Ponder .] 1. Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous load; the ponderous elephant.

The sepulcher . . . Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws. Shak.

2. Important; momentous; forcible. "Your more ponderous and settled project."

Shak.

3. Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous style; a ponderous joke.

Ponderous spar (Min.) , heavy spar, or barytes. See Barite .

Ponderously <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*ous*ly , adv. In a ponderous manner.

Ponderousness <Xpage=1113>

Pon"der*ous*ness , n. The quality or state of being ponderous; ponderosity.

Pondfish <Xpage=1113>

Pond"fish` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous species of American fresh-water fishes belonging to the family Centrarchid\'91 ; -- called also pond perch , and sunfish .

&hand; The common pondfish of New England ( Lepomis gibbosus ) is called also bream , pumpkin seed , and sunny . See Sunfish . The long-eared pondfish ( Lepomis auritus ) of the Eastern United States is distinguished by its very long opercular flap.

Pondweed <Xpage=1113>

Pond"weed` (?) , n. (Bot.) Any aquatic plant of the genus Potamogeton , of which many species are found in ponds or slow-moving rivers.

Choke pondweed , an American water weed ( Anarcharis, &or; Elodea, Canadensis .) See Anacharis . -- Horned pondweed , the Zannichellia palustris , a slender, branching aquatic plant, having pointed nutlets.

Pone <Xpage=1113>

Pone (?) , n. [Of Amer. Indian origin.] A kind of johnnycake. [Written also paune .] [Southern U. S.]

Ponent <Xpage=1113>

Po"nent (?) , a. [OF., fr. It. ponente , properly, setting (applied to the setting sun), fr. L. ponens , p. pr. of ponere to set, put.] Western; occidental. [R.]

Forth rush the levant and the ponent winds. Milton.

Pongee <Xpage=1113>

Pon*gee" (?) , n. [Of East Indian origin.] A fabric of undyed silk from India and China.

Ponghee <Xpage=1113>

Pon*ghee" (?) , n. [From the native name.] A Buddhist priest of the higher orders in Burmah.

Malcom.

Pongo <Xpage=1113>

Pon"go (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Any large ape; especially, the chimpanzee and the orang-outang.

Poniard <Xpage=1113>

Pon"iard (?) , n. [F. poignard (cf. It. pugnale , Sp. pu\'a4al ), fr. L. pugio , -onis ; probably akin to pugnus fist, or fr. pugnus fist, as held in the fist. See Pugnacious .] A kind of dagger, -- usually a slender one with a triangular or square blade.

She speaks poniards , and every word stabs. Shak.

Poniard <Xpage=1113>

Pon"iard , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Poniarded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Poniarding .] To pierce with a poniard; to stab.

Cowper.

Ponibility <Xpage=1113>

Po`ni*bil"i*ty (?) , n. [L. ponere to place.] The capability of being placed or located. [Obs.]

Barrow.

Pons <Xpage=1113>

Pons (?) , n. ; pl. Pontes (#) . [L., a bridge.] (Anat.) A bridge; -- applied to several parts which connect others, but especially to the pons Varolii , a prominent band of nervous tissue situated on the ventral side of the medulla oblongata and connected at each side with the hemispheres of the cerebellum; the mesocephalon. See Brain .

Pons asinorum . [L., literally, bridge of asses.] See Asses' bridge , under Ass .

Pontage <Xpage=1113>

Pon"tage (?; 48) , n. [LL. pontagium , from L. pons , pontis , a bridge: cf. F. pontage .] (O. Eng. Law) A duty or tax paid for repairing bridges.

Ayliffe.

Pontee <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tee" (?) , n. [F. pontil , pontis .] (Glass Making) An iron rod used by glass makers for manipulating the hot glass; -- called also, puntil , puntel , punty , and ponty . See Fascet .

Pontic <Xpage=1113>

Pon"tic (?) , a. [L. Ponticus , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ the sea, especially, the Black Sea.] Of or pertaining to the Pontus, Euxine, or Black Sea.

Pontifex <Xpage=1113>

Pon"ti*fex (?) , n. ; pl. Pontifices (#) . [L.] A high priest; a pontiff.

Pontiff <Xpage=1113>

Pon"tiff (?) , n. [F. pontife , L. pontifex , -ficis ; pons , pontis , a bridge (perhaps originally, a way, path) + facere to make. Cf. Pontoon .] A high priest. Especially: (a) One of the sacred college, in ancient Rome, which had the supreme jurisdiction over all matters of religion, at the head of which was the Pontifex Maximus . Dr. W. Smith . (b) (Jewish Antiq.) The chief priest . (c) (R. C. Ch.) The pope.

Pontific <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tif"ic (?) , a. [Cf. L. pontificius .] 1. Relating to, or consisting of, pontiffs or priests. "The pontific college with their augurs and flamens."

Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to the pope; papal.

Shenstone.

Pontifical <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tif"ic*al (?) , a. [L. pontificalis : cf. F. pontifical . See Pontiff .] 1. Of or pertaining to a pontiff, or high priest; as, pontifical authority ; hence, belonging to the pope; papal.

2. Of or pertaining to the building of bridges. [R.]

Now had they brought the work by wondrous art Pontifical , a ridge of pendent rock Over the vexed abyss. Milton.

Pontifical <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tif"ic*al , n. [F.] 1. A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a pontiff.

South.

2. pl. The dress and ornaments of a pontiff. "Dressed in full pontificals ."

Sir W. Scott.

Pontificality <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tif`i*cal"i*ty (?) , n. The state and government of the pope; the papacy. [R.]

Bacon.

Pontifically <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tif"ic*al*ly , adv. In a pontifical manner.

Pontificate <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tif"i*cate (?) , n. [L. pontificatus : cf. F. pontificat . See Pontiff .] 1. The state or dignity of a high priest; specifically, the office of the pope.

Addison.

2. The term of office of a pontiff.

Milman.

Pontificate <Xpage=1113>

Pon*tif"i*cate (?) , v. i. (R. C. Ch.) To perform the duty of a pontiff.

Pontifice <Xpage=1113>

Pon"ti*fice (?) , n. [L. pons , pontis , a bridge + facere to make. Cf. Pontiff .] Bridgework; structure or edifice of a bridge. [R.]

Milton.

Pontificial <Xpage=1113>

Pon`ti*fi"cial (?) , a. [L. pontificius .] Papal; pontifical. [Obs.] " Pontificial writers."

Burton.

Pontifician <Xpage=1113>

Pon`ti*fi"cian (?) , a. Of or pertaining to the pontiff or pope. [Obs.]

Bp. Hall.

Pontifician <Xpage=1113>

Pon`ti*fi"cian , n. One who adheres to the pope or papacy; a papist. [Obs.]

Bp. Montagu.

Pontil <Xpage=1113>

Pon"til (?) , n. Same as Pontee .

Pontile <Xpage=1113>

Pon"tile (?) , a. [L. pontilis pertaining to a bridge.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pons Varolii. See Pons .

Pontine <Xpage=1113>

Pon"tine (?) , a. [L. Pontinus or Pomptinus , an appellation given to a district in Latium, near Pometia .] Of or pertaining to an extensive marshy district between Rome and Naples. [Written also Pomptine .]

Pontlevis <Xpage=1113>

Pont"le*vis (?) , n. [F., properly, a drawbridge.] (Man.) The action of a horse in rearing repeatedly and dangerously.

Ponton <Xpage=1113>

Pon*ton" (?) , n. [F.] See Pontoon .

Pontoon <Xpage=1113>

Pon*toon" (?) , n. [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone ), from L. ponto , -onis , fr. pons , pontis , a bridge, perhaps originally, a way, path: cf. Gr. <?/ path, Skr. path , pathi , panthan . Cf. Punt a boat.] 1. (Mil.) A wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder, or a frame covered with canvas, India rubber, etc., forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly for the passage of troops.

2. (Naut.) A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished with cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in careening ships, raising weights, drawing piles, etc., chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter.

Pontoon bridge , a bridge formed with pontoons. -- Pontoon train , the carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge.

&hand; The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific works, but pontoon is more common form.

Pontooning <Xpage=1113>

Pon*toon"ing , n. The act, art, or process of constructing pontoon bridges. "Army instruction in pontooning ."

Gen. W. T. Shermah.

Ponvolant <Xpage=1113>

Pon`vo*lant" (?; F. ?) , n. [F. pont bridge + volant flying.] (Mil.) A kind of light bridge, used in sieges, for surprising a post or outwork which has but a narrow moat; a flying bridge.

Ponty <Xpage=1113>

Pon"ty (?) , n. (Class Making) See Pontee .

Pony <Xpage=1113>

Po"ny (?) , n. ; pl. Ponies (<?/) . [Written also poney .] [Gael. ponaidh .] 1. A small horse.

2. Twenty-five pounds sterling. [Slang, Eng.]

3. A translation or a key used to avoid study in getting lessons; a crib. [College Cant]

4. A small glass of beer. [Slang]