The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 1220
Prop , n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. prop stopple, stopper, cork, Sw. propp , G. pfropf . See Prop , v. ] That which sustains an incumbent weight; that on which anything rests or leans for support; a support; a stay; as, a prop for a building . "Two props of virtue."
Shak.
Prop\'91deutic, Prop\'91deutical <Xpage=1148>
Pro`p\'91*deu"tic (?) , Pro`p\'91*deu"tic*al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ to teach beforehand; <?/ before + <?/ to bring up a child, to educate, teach, fr. <?/, <?/, a child.] Of, pertaining to, or conveying, preliminary instruction; introductory to any art or science; instructing beforehand.
Prop\'91deutics <Xpage=1148>
Pro`p\'91*deu"tics (?) , n. The preliminary learning connected with any art or science; preparatory instruction.
Propagable <Xpage=1148>
Prop"a*ga*ble (?) , a. [See Propagate .]
1. Capable of being propagated, or of being continued or multiplied by natural generation or production.
2. Capable of being spread or extended by any means; -- said of tenets, doctrines, or principles.
Propaganda <Xpage=1148>
Prop`a*gan"da (?) , n. [Abbrev. fr. L. de propaganda fide : cf. F. propagande . See Propagate .]
1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A congregation of cardinals, established in 1622, charged with the management of missions. (b) The college of the Propaganda, instituted by Urban VIII. (1623-1644) to educate priests for missions in all parts of the world.
2. Hence, any organization or plan for spreading a particular doctrine or a system of principles.
Propagandism <Xpage=1148>
Prop`a*gan"dism (?) , n. [Cf. F. propagandisme .] The art or practice of propagating tenets or principles; zeal in propagating one's opinions.
Propagandist <Xpage=1148>
Prop`a*gan"dist (?) , n. [Cf. F. propagandiste .] A person who devotes himself to the spread of any system of principles. "Political propagandists ."
Walsh.
<-- propagandize. To spread one's beliefs. Often used in a negative sense, meaning to deliberately make misleading or false statements so as to convert others to one's beliefs, or to convince others to vote for a particular political candidate. -->
Propagate <Xpage=1148>
Prop"a*gate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Propagated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Propagating .] [L. propagatus , p. p. of propagare to propagate, akin to propages , propago , a layer of a plant, slip, shoot. See Pro- , and cf. Pact , Prop , Prune , v. t. ]
1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production; -- applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree.
2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or light .
3. To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; as, to propagate a story or report; to propagate the Christian religion.
The infection was propagated insensibly. De Foe.
4. To multiply; to increase. [Obs.]
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, Which thou wilt propagate . Shak.
5. To generate; to produce.
Motion propagated motion, and life threw off life. De Quincey.
Syn. -- To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse; disseminate; promote.
Propagate <Xpage=1148>
Prop"a*gate , v. i. To have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or plants; as, rabbits propagate rapidly .
No need that thou Should'st propagate , already infinite. Milton.
Propagation <Xpage=1148>
Prop`a*ga"tion (?) , n. [L. propagatio : cf. F. propagation .]
1. The act of propagating; continuance or multiplication of the kind by generation or successive production; as, the propagation of animals or plants .
There is not in nature any spontaneous generation, but all come by propagation . Ray.
2. The spreading abroad, or extension, of anything; diffusion; dissemination; as, the propagation of sound; the propagation of the gospel.
Bacon.
Propagative <Xpage=1148>
Prop"a*ga*tive (?) , a. Producing by propagation, or by a process of growth.
Propagator <Xpage=1148>
Prop"a*ga`tor (?) , n. [L.: cf. F. propagateur .] One who propagates; one who continues or multiplies.
Propagulum <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pag"u*lum (?) , n. ; pl. Propagula (#) . [NL. See Propagate .] (Bot.) A runner terminated by a germinating bud.
Propane <Xpage=1148>
Pro"pane (?) , n. [ Propy l + meth ane .] (Chem.) A heavy gaseous hydrocarbon, C3H8 , of the paraffin series, occurring naturally dissolved in crude petroleum, and also made artificially; -- called also propyl hydride .
Propargyl <Xpage=1148>
Pro*par"gyl (?) , n. [ Prop inyl + Gr. <?/ silver + -yl . So called because one hydrogen atom may be replaced by silver.] (Chem.) Same as Propinyl .
Proparoxytone <Xpage=1148>
Pro`par*ox"y*tone (?) , n. [Gr. <?/. See Pro- , and Paroxytone .] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the acute accent on the antepenult.
Proped <Xpage=1148>
Pro"ped (?) , n. [Pref. pro- + L. pes , pedis , foot.] (Zo\'94l.) Same as Proleg .
Propel <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pel" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Propelled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Propelling .] [L. propellere , propulsum ; pro forward + pellere to drive. See Pulse a beating.] To drive forward; to urge or press onward by force; to move, or cause to move; as, the wind or steam propels ships; balls are propelled by gunpowder.
Propeller <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pel"ler (?) , n.
1. One who, or that which, propels.
2. A contrivance for propelling a steam vessel, usually consisting of a screw placed in the stern under water, and made to revolve by an engine; a propeller wheel. <-- (b) an analogous device, rotated by an engine at high speed to provide the forward thrust which propels an airplane through the atmosphere. On each engine is a propeller consisting of a set of at least two elongated blades attached symmetrically to a central rotor. -->
3. A steamboat thus propelled; a screw steamer.
Propeller wheel , the screw, usually having two or more blades, used in propelling a vessel. <-- propeller blade, the elongated part of an airplane propeller -->
Propend <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pend" (?) , v. i. [L. propendere , propensum ; pro forward, forth + pendere to hang. See Pendent .] To lean toward a thing; to be favorably inclined or disposed; to incline; to tend. [R.]
Shak.
We shall propend to it, as a stone falleth down. Barrow.
Propendency <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pend"en*cy (?) , n.
1. Propensity. [R.]
2. Attentive deliberation. [R.]
Sir M. Hale.
Propendent <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pend"ent (?) , a. [L. propendens , p. pr.] Inclining forward or toward.
South.
Propene <Xpage=1148>
Pro"pene (?) , n. [ Prop yl + ethyl ene .] (Chem.) Same as Propylene .
Propense <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pense" (?) a. [L. propensus , p. p. See Propend .] Leaning toward, in a moral sense; inclined; disposed; prone; as, women propense to holiness . Hooker . -- Pro*pense"ly , adv. -- Pro*pense"ness , n.
Propension <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pen"sion (?) , n. [L. propensio : cf. F. propension . See Propend , Propense .] The quality or state of being propense; propensity.
M. Arnold.
Your full consent Gave wings to my propension . Shak.
Propensity <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pen"si*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Propensities (<?/) . The quality or state of being propense; natural inclination; disposition to do good or evil; bias; bent; tendency. "A propensity to utter blasphemy."
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Disposition; bias; inclination; proclivity; proneness; bent; tendency.
Propenyl <Xpage=1148>
Pro"pe*nyl (?) , n. [ Propene + -yl .] (Chem.) A hypothetical hydrocarbon radical, C3H5 , isomeric with allyl and glyceryl, and regarded as the essential residue of glycerin. Cf. Allyl , and Glyceryl .
Propepsin <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pep"sin (?) , n. [Pref. pro- + pepsin .] (Physiol. Chem.) See Persinogen .
Propeptone <Xpage=1148>
Pro*pep"tone (?) , n. [Pref. pro- + peptone .] (Physiol. Chem.) A product of gastric digestion intermediate between albumin and peptone, identical with hemialbumose.
Proper <Xpage=1148>
Prop"er (?) , a. [OE. propre , F. propre , fr. L. proprius . Cf. Appropriate .]
1. Belonging to one; one's own; individual. "His proper good" [ i. e. , his own possessions]. Chaucer . "My proper son."
Shak.
Now learn the difference, at your proper cost, Betwixt true valor and an empty boast. Dryden.
2. Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites .
Those high and peculiar attributes . . . which constitute our proper humanity. Coleridge.
3. Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the proper element for fish; a proper dress.
The proper study of mankind is man. Pope.
In Athens all was pleasure, mirth, and play, All proper to the spring, and sprightly May. Dryden.
4. Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome. [Archaic] "Thou art a proper man."
Chaucer.
Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child. Heb. xi. 23.
5. Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; -- opposed to common ; as, a proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city.
6. Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper ; the garden proper .
7. (Her.) Represented in its natural color; -- said of any object used as a charge.
In proper , individually; privately. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor . -- Proper flower ∨ corolla (Bot.) , one of the single florets, or corollets, in an aggregate or compound flower. -- Proper fraction (Arith.) a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator. -- Proper nectary (Bot.) , a nectary separate from the petals and other parts of the flower. -- Proper noun (Gram.) , a name belonging to an individual, by which it is distinguished from others of the same class; -- opposed to common noun ; as, John , Boston , America . -- Proper perianth ∨ involucre (Bot.) , that which incloses only a single flower. -- Proper receptacle (Bot.) , a receptacle which supports only a single flower or fructification.
Proper <Xpage=1148>
Prop"er , adv. Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good . [Colloq & Vulgar]
Properate <Xpage=1148>
Prop"er*ate (?) , v. t. & i. [L. properatus , p. p. of properare to hasten.] To hasten, or press forward. [Obs.]
Properation <Xpage=1148>
Prop`er*a"tion (?) , n. [L. properatio .] The act of hastening; haste. [Obs.]
T. Adams.
Properispome <Xpage=1148>
Pro*per"i*spome (?) , n. (Gr. Gram.) Properispomenon.
Properispomenon <Xpage=1148>
Pro*per`i*spom"e*non (?) , n. ; pl. Properispomena (#) . [NL., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to circumflex on the penult; <?/ before + <?/ to circumflex. See Perispomenon .] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the circumflex accent on the penult.
Properly <Xpage=1148>
Prop"er*ly (?) , adv.
1. In a proper manner; suitably; fitly; strictly; rightly; as, a word properly applied; a dress properly adjusted.
Milton.
2. Individually; after one's own manner. [Obs.]
Now, harkeneth, how I bare me properly . Chaucer.
Properness <Xpage=1148>
Prop"er*ness , n.
1. The quality of being proper.
2. Tallness; comeliness. [Obs.]
Udall.
Propertied <Xpage=1148>
Prop"er*tied (?) , a. Possessing property; holding real estate, or other investments of money. "The propertied and satisfied classes."
M. Arnold.
Property <Xpage=1148>
Prop"er*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Properties (#) . [OE. proprete , OF. propret\'82 property, F. propret\'82 neatness, cleanliness, propri\'82t\'82 property, fr. L. proprietas . See Proper , a. , and cf. Propriety .]
1. That which is proper to anything; a peculiar quality of a thing; that which is inherent in a subject, or naturally essential to it; an attribute; as, sweetness is a property of sugar .
Property is correctly a synonym for peculiar quality; but it is frequently used as coextensive with quality in general. Sir W. Hamilton.
&hand; In physical science, the properties of matter are distinguished to the three following classes: 1. Physical properties , or those which result from the relations of bodies to the physical agents, light, heat, electricity, gravitation, cohesion, adhesion, etc., and which are exhibited without a change in the composition or kind of matter acted on. They are color, luster, opacity, transparency, hardness, sonorousness, density, crystalline form, solubility, capability of osmotic diffusion, vaporization, boiling, fusion, etc. 2. Chemical properties , or those which are conditioned by affinity and composition; thus, combustion, explosion, and certain solutions are reactions occasioned by chemical properties. Chemical properties are identical when there is identity of composition and structure, and change according as the composition changes. 3. Organoleptic properties , or those forming a class which can not be included in either of the other two divisions. They manifest themselves in the contact of substances with the organs of taste, touch, and smell, or otherwise affect the living organism, as in the manner of medicines and poisons.
2. An acquired or artificial quality; that which is given by art, or bestowed by man; as, the poem has the properties which constitute excellence .
3. The exclusive right of possessing, enjoying, and disposing of a thing; ownership; title.
Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood. Shak.
Shall man assume a property in man? Wordsworth.
<page="1149"> Page 1149
4. That to which a person has a legal title, whether in his possession or not; thing owned; an estate, whether in lands, goods, or money; as, a man of large property , or small property .
5. pl. All the adjuncts of a play except the scenery and the dresses of the actors; stage requisites.
I will draw a bill of properties . Shak.
6. Propriety; correctness. [Obs.]
Camden.
Literary property . (Law) See under Literary . -- Property man <-- or prop man -->, one who has charge of the "properties" of a theater.
Property <Xpage=1149>
Prop"er*ty (?) , v. t.
1. To invest which properties, or qualities. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. To make a property of; to appropriate. [Obs.]
They have here propertied me. Shak.
Prophane <Xpage=1149>
Pro*phane" (?) , a. & v. t. See Profane . [Obs.]
Prophasis <Xpage=1149>
Proph"a*sis (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ to show beforehand. See Pro- , and Phasis .] (Med.) Foreknowledge of a disease; prognosis.
Prophecy <Xpage=1149>
Proph"e*cy (?) , n. ; pl . Prophecies (#) , [OE. prophecie , OF. profecie , F. proph\'82tie , L. prophetia , fr. Gr. <?/ , fr. <?/ to be an interpreter of the gods, to prophesy, fr. <?/ prophet. See Prophet .]
1. A declaration of something to come; a foretelling; a prediction; esp., an inspired foretelling.
He hearkens after prophecies and dreams. Shak.
Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man. 2. Pet. i. 21.
2. (Script.) A book of prophecies; a history; as, the prophecy of Ahijah .
2 Chron. ix. 29.
3. Public interpretation of Scripture; preaching; exhortation or instruction.
Prophesier <Xpage=1149>
Proph"e*si`er (?) , n. A prophet.
Shak.
Prophesy <Xpage=1149>
Proph"e*sy (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Prophesied (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prophesying (?) .] [See Prophecy .]
1. To foretell; to predict; to prognosticate.
He doth not prophesy good concerning me.
1 Kings xxii. 8.
Then I perceive that will be verified Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy . Shak.
2. To foreshow; to herald; to prefigure.
Methought thy very gait did prophesy A royal nobleness; I must embrace thee. Shak.
Prophesy <Xpage=1149>
Proph"e*sy , v. i.
1. To utter predictions; to make declaration of events to come.
Matt. xv. 7.
2. To give instruction in religious matters; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects; to preach; to exhort; to expound.
Ezek. xxxvii. 7.
Prophet <Xpage=1149>
Proph"et (?) , n. [F. proph\'8ate , L. propheta , fr. Gr. <?/, literally, one who speaks for another, especially, one who speaks for a god an interprets his will to man, fr. <?/ to say beforehand; <?/ for, before + <?/ to say or speak. See Fame . ]
1. One who prophesies, or foretells events; a predicter; a foreteller.
2. One inspired or instructed by God to speak in his name, or announce future events, as, Moses, Elijah, etc .
3. An interpreter; a spokesman. [R.]
Ex. vii. 1.
4. (Zo\'94l.) A mantis.
School of the prophets (Anc. Jewish Hist.) , a school or college in which young men were educated and trained for public teachers or members of the prophetic order. These students were called sons of the prophets .
Prophetess <Xpage=1149>
Proph"et*ess , n. [Cf. F. proph\'82tesse , L. prophetissa .] A female prophet.
Prophetic, Prophetical <Xpage=1149>