Chapter 1228

Prow"ess (?) , n. [OF. proece , proesce , F. prouesse . See Prow , a. ] Distinguished bravery; valor; especially, military bravery and skill; gallantry; intrepidity; fearlessness.

Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney.

He by his prowess conquered all France. Shak.

Prowl <Xpage=1155>

Prowl (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Prowled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prowling .] [OE. prollen to search about; of uncertain origin, perh. for proglen , a dim. of prog to beg, or proke to poke. Cf. Proke .] 1. To rove over, through, or about in a stealthy manner; esp., to search in, as for prey or booty.

He prowls each place, still in new colors decked. Sir P. Sidney.

2. To collect by plunder; as, to prowl money . [Obs.]

Prowl <Xpage=1155>

Prowl , v. i. To rove or wander stealthily, esp. for prey, as a wild beast; hence, to prey; to plunder.

Prowl <Xpage=1155>

Prowl , n. The act of prowling. [Colloq.]

Smart.

Prowler <Xpage=1155>

Prowl"er (?) , n. One that prowls.

Thomson.

Prowling <Xpage=1155>

Prowl"ing , a. Accustomed to prowl, or engaged in roving stealthily, as for prey. "A prowling wolf." Milton . -- Prowl"ing*ly , adv.

Prox <Xpage=1155>

Prox (?) , n. [Cf. Proxy .] "The ticket or list of candidates at elections, presented to the people for their votes." [Rhode Island]

Bartlett.

Proxene <Xpage=1155>

Prox"ene (?) , n. [Cf. <?/; <?/ before + <?/ a guest, stranger: cf. F. prox\'8ane .] (Gr. Antiq.) An officer who had the charge of showing hospitality to those who came from a friendly city or state.

Proxenet <Xpage=1155>

Prox"e*net (?) , n. [L. proxeneta , Gr. <?/.] A negotiator; a factor. [R.]

Dr. H. More.

Proximad <Xpage=1155>

Prox"i*mad (?) , adv. [ Proximal + L. ad to.] (Anat.) Toward a proximal part; on the proximal side of; proximally.

Proximal <Xpage=1155>

Prox"i*mal (?) , a. 1. Toward or nearest, as to a body, or center of motion of dependence; proximate.

2. (Biol.) (a) Situated near the point of attachment or origin; as, the proximal part of a limb . (b) Of or pertaining to that which is proximal; as, the proximal bones of a limb . Opposed to distal .

Proximally <Xpage=1155>

Prox"i*mal*ly , adv. (Anat.) On or toward a proximal part; proximad.

Proximate <Xpage=1155>

Prox"i*mate (?) , a. [L. proximatus , p. p. of proximare to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest, superl. of propior nearer, and prope , adv., near.] Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. " Proximate ancestors."

J. S. Harford.

The proximate natural causes of it [the deluge]. T. Burnet.

Proximate analysis (Chem.) , an analysis which determines the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted with an ultimate analysis . -- Proximate cause . (a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the effect, as distinguished from the remote , mediate , or predisposing cause. I. Watts . (b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a specific result, no independent disturbing agencies intervening. -- Proximate principle (Physiol. Chem.) , one of a class of bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin, sugar, collagen, fat, etc.

Syn. -- Nearest; next; closest; immediate; direct.

Proximately <Xpage=1155>

Prox"i*mate*ly , adv. In a proximate manner, position, or degree; immediately.

Proxime <Xpage=1155>

Prox"ime (?) , a. [L. proximus . See Proximate .] Next; immediately preceding or following. [Obs.]

Proximious <Xpage=1155>

Prox*im"i*ous (?) , a. Proximate. [Obs.]

Proximity <Xpage=1155>

Prox*im"i*ty (?) , n. [L. proximitas : cf. F. proximit\'82 See Proximate , and cf. Propinquity , Approach .] The quality or state of being next in time, place, causation, influence, etc.; immediate nearness, either in place, blood, or alliance.

If he plead proximity of blood That empty title is with ease withstood. Dryden.

Proximo <Xpage=1155>

Prox"i*mo (?) . [L., on the next, abl. of proximus next.] In the next month after the present; -- often contracted to prox. ; as, on the 3d proximo .

Proxy <Xpage=1155>

Prox"y (?) , n. ; pl. Proxies (#) . [Contr. from procuracy . Cf. Proctor .] 1. The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity.

I have no man's proxy : I speak only for myself. Burke.

2. The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote for another.

Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament his proxy , to vote for him in his absence. Blackstone.

3. A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.

4. (Eng. Law) The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts.

Burrill.

5. (Eccl.) See Procuration . [Obs.]

Proxy <Xpage=1155>

Prox"y , v. i. To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another. [R.]

Proxyship <Xpage=1155>

Prox"y*ship , n. The office or agency of a proxy.

Pruce <Xpage=1155>

Pruce (?) , n. [OE. for Prussia : cf. F. Prusse .] Prussian leather. [Obs.]

Dryden.

<page="1156"> Page 1156

Prude <Xpage=1156>

Prude (?) , n. [F., prudish, originally, discreet, modest; shortened from OF. prudefeme , preudefeme , a discreet or excellent woman; OF. preu , prou , excellent, brave + de of + fete woman. See Prow , a. , Prowess .] A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who is overscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary prudence in conduct and speech.

Less modest than the speech of prudes . Swift.

Prudence <Xpage=1156>

Pru"dence (?) , n. [F., fr. L. prudentia , contr. from providentia . See Prudent , and cf. Providence .] The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.

Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of doing or not doing. Sir M. Hale.

Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends. Whewell.

Syn. -- Wisdom; forecast; providence; considerateness; judiciousness; discretion; caution; circumspection; judgment. See Wisdom .

Prudency <Xpage=1156>

Pru"den*cy (?) , n. Prudence. [Obs.]

Hakluyt.

Prudent <Xpage=1156>

Pru"dent (?) , a. [L. prudens , -entis , contr. from providens : cf. F. prudent . See Provident .] 1. Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash ; as, a prudent man ; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior .

Moses established a grave and prudent law. Milton.

2. Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money .

Syn. -- Cautious; wary; circumspect; considerate; discreet; judicious; provident; economical; frugal. <-- note sensible and careful in def. above. Why not here??? -->

Prudential <Xpage=1156>

Pru*den"tial (?) , a. 1. Proceeding from, or dictated or characterized by, prudence; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives . " A prudential line of conduct."

Sir W. Scott.

2. Exercising prudence; discretionary; advisory; superintending or executive; as, a prudential committee .

Prudential <Xpage=1156>

Pru*den"tial , n. That which relates to or demands the exercise of, discretion or prudence; -- usually in the pl.

Many stanzas, in poetic measures, contain rules relating to common prudentials as well as to religion. I. Watts.

Prudentialist <Xpage=1156>

Pru*den"tial*ist , n. One who is governed by, or acts from, prudential motives. [R.]

Coleridge.

Prudentiality <Xpage=1156>

Pru*den`ti*al"i*ty (?) , n. The quality or state of being prudential.

Sir T. Browne.

Prudentially <Xpage=1156>

Pru*den"tial*ly (?) , adv. In a prudential manner; prudently.

South.

Prudently <Xpage=1156>

Pru"dent*ly (?) , adv. In a prudent manner.

Prudery <Xpage=1156>

Prud"er*y (?) , n. ; pl. Pruderies (#) . [F. pruderie . See Prude .] The quality or state of being prudish; excessive or affected scrupulousness in speech or conduct; stiffness; coyness.

Cowper.

Prudhomme <Xpage=1156>

Prud*homme" (?) , n. [F. prud'homme . cf. Prude .] A trustworthy citizen; a skilled workman. See Citation under 3d Commune , 1 .

Prudish <Xpage=1156>

Prud"ish (?) , a. Like a prude; very formal, precise, or reserved; affectedly severe in virtue; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners.

A formal lecture, spoke with prudish face. Garrick.

Prudishly <Xpage=1156>

Prud"ish*ly , adv. In a prudish manner.

Pruinate <Xpage=1156>

Pru"i*nate (?) , a. Same as Pruinose .

Pruinose <Xpage=1156>

Pru"i*nose` (?) , a. [L. pruinosus , fr. pruina hoarfrost.] Frosty; covered with fine scales, hairs, dust, bloom, or the like, so as to give the appearance of frost.

Pruinous <Xpage=1156>

Pru"i*nous (?) , a. Frosty; pruinose.

Prune <Xpage=1156>

Prune (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pruned (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pruning .] [OE. proine , probably fr. F. provigner to lay down vine stocks for propagation; hence, probably, the meaning, to cut away superfluous shoots. See Provine .] 1. To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or shoots of; to clear of useless material; to shape or smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune trees; to prune an essay.

Thackeray.

Taking into consideration how they [laws] are to be pruned and reformed. Bacon.

Our delightful task To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers. Milton.

2. To cut off or cut out, as useless parts.

Horace will our superfluous branches prune . Waller.

3. To preen; to prepare; to dress.

Spenser.

His royal bird Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak. Shak.

Prune <Xpage=1156>

Prune , v. i. To dress; to prink; -used humorously or in contempt.

Dryden .

Prune <Xpage=1156>

Prune , n. [F. prune , from L. prunum a plum. See Plum .] A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkish prunes ; California prunes .

German prune (Bot.) , a large dark purple plum, of oval shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving, either dried or in sirup. Prune tree . (Bot.) (a) A tree of the genus Prunus ( P. domestica ), which produces prunes. (b) The West Indian tree, Prunus occidentalis . -- South African prune (Bot.) , the edible fruit of a sapindaceous tree ( Pappea Capensis ).

Prunella <Xpage=1156>

Pru*nel"la (?) , n. [NL., perhaps from G. br\'91une quinsy, croup.] (Med.) (a) Angina, or angina pectoris. (b) Thrush.

Prunella salt (Old Chem.) , niter fused and cast into little balls.

Prunella, Prunello <Xpage=1156>

Pru*nel"la , Pru*nel"lo , n. [F. prunelle , probably so called from its color resembling that of prunes. See Prune , n. ] A smooth woolen stuff, generally black, used for making shoes; a kind of lasting; -- formerly used also for clergymen's gowns.

Prunelle <Xpage=1156>

Pru*nelle" (?) , n. [F., dim. of prune . See Prune , n. ] A kind of small and very acid French plum; -- applied especially to the stoned and dried fruit.

Prunello <Xpage=1156>

Pru*nel"lo (?) , n. [F. prunelle , dim. of prune . See Prune a plum.] A species of dried plum; prunelle.

Pruner <Xpage=1156>

Prun"er (?) , n. 1. One who prunes, or removes, what is superfluous.

2. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of beetles whose larv\'91 gnaw the branches of trees so as to cause them to fall, especially the American oak pruner ( Asemum m\'d2stum ), whose larva eats the pith of oak branches, and when mature gnaws a circular furrow on the inside nearly to the bark. When the branches fall each contains a pupa.

Pruniferous <Xpage=1156>

Pru*nif"er*ous (?) , a. [L. prunum a plum + -ferous .] Bearing plums.

Pruning <Xpage=1156>

Prun"ing (?) , n. 1. The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous.

2. (Falconry) That which is cast off by bird in pruning her feathers; leavings.

Beau. & Fl.

Pruning hook , &or; Pruning knife , cutting instrument used in pruning trees, etc. -- Pruning shears , shears for pruning trees, vines, etc.

Prunus <Xpage=1156>

Pru"nus (?) , n. [L., a plum tree.] (Bot.) A genus of trees with perigynous rosaceous flowers, and a single two-ovuled carpel which usually becomes a drupe in ripening.

&hand; Originally, this genus was limited to the plums, then, by Linn\'91us, was made to include the cherries and the apricot. Later botanists separated these into several genera, as Prunus , Cerasus , and Armeniaca , but now, by Bentham and Hooker, the plums, cherries, cherry laurels, peach, almond, and nectarine are all placed in Prunus .

Prurience, Pruriency <Xpage=1156>

Pru"ri*ence (?) , Pru"ri*en*cy (?) , n. The quality or state of being prurient.

The pruriency of curious ears. Burke.

There is a prurience in the speech of some. Cowper.

Prurient <Xpage=1156>

Pru"ri*ent (?) , a. [L. pruries , - entis , p. pr. of prurire to itch. Cf. Freeze .] Uneasy with desire; itching; especially, having a lascivious curiosity or propensity; lustful. -- Pru"ri*ent*ly , adv.

The eye of the vain and prurient is darting from object to object of illicit attraction. I. Taylor.

Pruriginous <Xpage=1156>

Pru*rig"i*nous (?) , a. [L. pruriginosus : cf. F. prurigineux .] (Med.) Tending to, or caused by, prurigo; affected by, or of the nature of, prurigo.

Prurigo <Xpage=1156>

Pru*ri"go (?) , n. [L., an itching, the itch, fr. prurire to itch.] (Med.) A papular disease of the skin, of which intense itching is the chief symptom, the eruption scarcely differing from the healthy cuticle in color.

Pruritus <Xpage=1156>

Pru*ri"tus (?) , n. [L.] (Med.) Itching.

Prussian <Xpage=1156>

Prus"sian (?) , a. [From Prussia , the country: cf. F. prussien .] Of or pertaining to Prussia. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Prussia.

Prussian blue (Chem.) , any one of several complex double cyanides of ferrous and ferric iron; specifically, a dark blue amorphous substance having a coppery luster, obtained by adding a solution of potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate of potash) to a ferric salt. It is used in dyeing, in ink, etc. Called also Williamson's blue , insoluble Prussian blue , Berlin blue , etc. -- Prussian carp (Zo\'94l.) See Gibel . -- Prussian green . (Chem.) Same as Berlin green , under Berlin .

Prussiate <Xpage=1156>

Prus"si*ate (?) , n. [Cf. F. prussiate .] (Chem.) A salt of prussic acid; a cyanide.

Red prussiate of potash . See Potassium ferricyanide , under Ferricyanide . Yellow prussiate of potash . See Potassium ferrocyanide , under Ferrocyanide .

Prussic <Xpage=1156>

Prus"sic (?) , a. [Cf. F. prussique .] (Old Chem.) designating the acid now called hydrocyanic acid, but formerly called prussic acid , because Prussian blue is derived from it or its compounds. See Hydrocyanic .

Prutenic <Xpage=1156>

Pru*ten"ic (?) , a. (Astron.) Prussian; -- applied to certain astronomical tables published in the sixteenth century, founded on the principles of Copernicus, a Prussian.

Pry <Xpage=1156>

Pry (?) , n. [Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See Prize , n. ] A lever; also, leverage. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]

Pry pole , the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin, and stands facing the windlass.

Pry <Xpage=1156>

Pry , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pried (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prying .] To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or lever; to prize. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]

Pry <Xpage=1156>

Pry , v. i. [OE. prien . Cf. Peer to peep.] To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often implying reproach. " To pry upon the stars."

Chaucer.

Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state. Shak.

Pry <Xpage=1156>

Pry , n. Curious inspection; impertinent peeping.

Pryan <Xpage=1156>

Pry"an (?) , n. (Mining) See Prian .

Prying <Xpage=1156>

Pry"ing , a. Inspecting closely or impertinently.

Syn. -- Inquisitive; curious. See Inquisitive .

Pryingly <Xpage=1156>

Pry"ing*ly , adv. In a prying manner.

Prytaneum <Xpage=1156>

Pryt`a*ne"um (?) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ prytanis.] (Gr. Antiq.) A public building in certain Greek cities; especially, a public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the community, in which official hospitality was extended to distinguished citizens and strangers.

Prytanis <Xpage=1156>