Chapter 1239

Light purse , ∨ Empty purse , poverty or want of resources. -- Long purse , ∨ Heavy purse , wealth; riches. -- Purse crab (Zo\'94l.) , any land crab of the genus Birgus , allied to the hermit crabs. They sometimes weigh twenty pounds or more, and are very strong, being able to crack cocoanuts with the large claw. They chiefly inhabit the tropical islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, living in holes and feeding upon fruit. Called also palm crab . -- Purse net , a fishing net, the mouth of which may be closed or drawn together like a purse. Mortimer . Purse pride , pride of money; insolence proceeding from the possession of wealth. Bp. Hall . -- Purse rat . (Zo\'94l.) See Pocket gopher , under Pocket . -- Sword and purse , the military power and financial resources of a nation.

Purse <Xpage=1166>

Purse , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pursed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pursing .] 1. To put into a purse.

I will go and purse the ducats straight. Shak.

2. To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles, like the mouth of a purse; to pucker; to knit.

Thou . . . didst contract and purse thy brow. Shak.

Purse <Xpage=1166>

Purse , v. i. To steal purses; to rob. [Obs. & R.]

I'll purse : . . . I'll bet at bowling alleys. Beau. & Fl.

Purseful <Xpage=1166>

Purse"ful (?) , n. ; pl. Pursefuls (<?/) . All that is, or can be, contained in a purse; enough to fill a purse.

Purse-proud <Xpage=1166>

Purse"-proud` (?) , a. Affected with purse pride; puffed up with the possession of riches.

Purser <Xpage=1166>

Purs"er (?) , n. [See Purse , and cf. Bursar .]

1. (Naut.) A commissioned officer in the navy who had charge of the provisions, clothing, and public moneys on shipboard; -- now called paymaster .

2. A clerk on steam passenger vessels whose duty it is to keep the accounts of the vessels, such as the receipt of freight, tickets, etc.

3. Colloquially, any paymaster or cashier.

Purser's name (Naut.) , a false name. [Slang]

Pursership <Xpage=1166>

Purs"er*ship , n. The office of purser.

Totten.

Purset <Xpage=1166>

Purs"et (?) , n. A purse or purse net.

B. Jonson.

Pursiness <Xpage=1166>

Pur"si*ness (?) , n. State of being pursy.

Pursive <Xpage=1166>

Pur"sive (?) , a. Pursy. [Obs.]

Holland.

Pursiveness <Xpage=1166>

Pur"sive*ness , n. Pursiness. [Obs. & R.]

Purslain <Xpage=1166>

Purs"lain (?) , n. Same as Purslane .

Purslane <Xpage=1166>

Purs"lane (?) , n. [OF. porcelaine , pourcelaine (cf. It. porcellana ), corrupted fr. L. porcilaca for portulaca .] (Bot.) An annual plant ( Portulaca oleracea ), with fleshy, succulent, obovate leaves, sometimes used as a pot herb and for salads, garnishing, and pickling.

Flowering purslane , &or; Great flowered purslane , the Portulaca grandiflora . See Portulaca . -- Purslane tree , a South African shrub ( Portulacaria Afra ) with many small opposite fleshy obovate leaves. -- Sea purslane , a seashore plant ( Arenaria peploides ) with crowded opposite fleshy leaves. -- Water purslane , an aquatic plant ( Ludwiqia palustris ) but slightly resembling purslane.

Pursuable <Xpage=1166>

Pur*su"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being, or fit to be, pursued, followed, or prosecuted.

Sherwood.

Pursual <Xpage=1166>

Pur*su"al (?) , n. The act of pursuit. [R.]

Pursuance <Xpage=1166>

Pur*su"ance (?) , n. [See Pursuant .] 1. The act of pursuing or prosecuting; a following out or after.

Sermons are not like curious inquiries after new nothings, but pursuances of old truths. Jer. Taylor.

2. The state of being pursuant; consequence.

In pursuance of , in accordance with; in prosecution or fulfillment of.

Pursuant <Xpage=1166>

Pur*su"ant (?) , a. [From Pursue : cf. OE. poursuiant . Cf. Pursuivant .] Acting in consequence or in prosecution (of anything); hence, agreeable; conformable; following; according; -- with to or of .

The conclusion which I draw from these premises, pursuant to the query laid down, is, etc. Waterland.

Pursuant, Pursuantly <Xpage=1166>

Pur*su"ant , Pur*su"ant*ly , adv. Agreeably; conformably.

Pursue <Xpage=1166>

Pur*sue" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pursued (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pursuing .] [OE. pursuen , porsuen , OF. porsivre , poursuivre , poursuir , F. poursuivre , fr. L. prosequi ; pro forward + sequi to follow. See Sue , and cf. Prosecute , Pursuivant .] 1. To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare .

We happiness pursue ; we fly from pain. Prior.

The happiness of men lies in purswing , Not in possessing. Longfellow.

2. To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law .

The fame of ancient matrons you pursue . Dryden.

3. To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route; the administration pursued a wise course.

4. To prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue. " Insatiate to pursue vain war."

Milton.

5. To follow as an example; to imitate.

6. To follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account.

The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also. Wyclif (John xv. 20).

Syn. -- To follow; chase; seek; persist. See Follow .

Pursue <Xpage=1166>

Pur*sue" , v. i. 1. To go in pursuit; to follow.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth . Prov. xxviii. 1.

Men hotly pursued after the objects of their ambition. Earle.

2. To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue.

[A Gallicism]

I have, pursues Carneades, wondered chemists should not consider. Boyle.

3. (Law) To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor.

Burrill.

Pursuer <Xpage=1166>

Pur*su"er (?) , n. 1. One who pursues or chases; one who follows in haste, with a view to overtake.

2. (Eccl. & Scots Law) A plaintiff; a prosecutor.

Pursuit <Xpage=1166>

Pur*suit" (?) , n. [F. poursuite , fr. poursuivre . See Pursue , v. t. ] 1. The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy.

Clarendon.

Weak we are, and can not shun pursuit . Shak.

2. A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.

3. Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits ; a literary pursuit .

4. (Law) Prosecution. [Obs.]

That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court. Fuller.

Curve of pursuit (Geom.) , a curve described by a point which is at each instant moving towards a second point, which is itself moving according to some specified law.

Pursuivant <Xpage=1166>

Pur"sui*vant (?) , n. [F. poursuivant , fr. poursuivre . See Pursue , and cf. Pursuant .] [Written also poursuivant .] 1. (Heralds' College) A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; -- called also pursuivant at arms ; an attendant of the heralds. Also used figuratively.

The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope. Longfellow.

2. The king's messenger; a state messenger.

One pursuivant who attempted to execute a warrant there was murdered. Macaulay.

Pursuivant <Xpage=1166>

Pur"sui*vant , v. t. To pursue. [Obs. & R.]

Their navy was pursuivanted after with a horrible tempest. Fuller.

Pursy <Xpage=1166>

Pur"sy (?) , a. [OF. pourcif , poulsif , poussif , fr. pousser to push, thrust, heave, OF. also poulser : cf. F. pousse the heaves, asthma. See Push .] Fat and short-breathed; fat, short, and thick; swelled with pampering; as, pursy insolence .

Shak.

Pursy important he sat him down. Sir W. Scot.

Purtenance <Xpage=1166>

Pur"te*nance (?) , n. [Abbrev. fr. appurtenance .] That which pertains or belongs to something; esp., the heard, liver, and lungs of an animal. [Obs.] " The purtenaunces of purgatory."

Piers Plowman.

Roast [it] with fire, his head with his legs, and with the purtenance [ Rev. Ver. , inwards] thereof. Ex. xii. 9.

Purrulence, Purulency <Xpage=1166>

Pur"ru*lence (?) , Pu"ru*len*cy (?) , n. [L. purulentia : cf. F. purulence .] (Med.) The quality or state of being purulent; the generation of pus; also, the pus itself.

Arbuthnot.

Purulent <Xpage=1166>

Pu"ru*lent (?) , a. [L. purulentus , fr. pus , puris , pus, matter: cf. F. purulent . See Pus .] (Med.) Consisting of pus, or matter; partaking of the nature of pus; attended with suppuration; as, purulent inflammation . <-- sic. What kind of "matter"? -->

Purulently <Xpage=1166>

Pu"ru*lent*ly , v. In a purulent manner.

Purveance, Purveiaunce <Xpage=1166>

Pur"ve*ance (?) , Pur"vei*aunce` (?) , n. Purveyance. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Purvey <Xpage=1166>

Pur*vey" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Purveyed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Purveying .] [OE. purveien , porveien , OF. porveeir , porveoir , F. pourvoir , fr. L. providere . See Provide , and cf. Purview .] 1. To furnish or provide, as with a convenience, provisions, or the like.

Give no odds to your foes, but do purvey Yourself of sword before that bloody day. Spenser.

2. To procure; to get.

I mean to purvey me a wife after the fashion of the children of Benjamin. Sir W. Scot.

Purvey <Xpage=1166>

Pur*vey" , v. i. 1. To purchase provisions; to provide; to make provision.

Chaucer. Milton.

2. To pander; -- with to . " Their turpitude purveys to their malice." [R.]

Burke.

Purveyance <Xpage=1166>

Pur*vey"ance (?) , n. [Cf. F. pourvoyance .] 1. The act or process of providing or procuring; providence; foresight; preparation; management.

Chaucer.

The ill purveyance of his page. Spenser.

2. That which is provided; provisions; food.

3. (Eng. Law) A providing necessaries for the sovereign by buying them at an appraised value in preference to all others, and oven without the owner's consent. This was formerly a royal prerogative, but has long been abolished.

Wharton.

Purveyor <Xpage=1166>

Pur*vey"or (?) , n. [OE. porveour , OF. pourveor , F. pourvoyeur . See Purvey , and cf. Proveditor .] 1. One who provides victuals, or whose business is to make provision for the table; a victualer; a caterer.

2. An officer who formerly provided, or exacted provision, for the king's household. [Eng.]

3. a procurer; a pimp; a bawd.

Addison.

Purview <Xpage=1166>

Pur"view (?) , n. [OF. purveu , pourveu , F. pourvu , provided, p. p. of OF. porveoir , F. pourvoir . See Purvey , View , and cf. Proviso .] 1. (a) (Law) The body of a statute, or that part which begins with " Be it enacted , " as distinguished from the preamble . Cowell . (b) Hence: The limit or scope of a statute; the whole extent of its intention or provisions.

Marshall.

Profanations within the purview of several statutes. Bacon.

2. Limit or sphere of authority; scope; extent.

In determining the extent of information required in the exercise of a particular authority, recourse must be had to the objects within the purview of that authority. Madison.

Pus <Xpage=1166>

Pus (?) , n. [L., akin to Gr. <?/, <?/, and to E. foul : cf. F. pus . See Foul , a. ] (Med.) The yellowish white opaque creamy matter produced by the process of suppuration. It consists of innumerable white nucleated cells floating in a clear liquid.

Pusane <Xpage=1166>

Pu"sane (?) , n. (Anc. Armor) A piece of armor for the breast; often, an addition to, or re\'89nforcement of. the breastplate; -- called also pesane .

Puseyism <Xpage=1166>

Pu"sey*ism (?) , n. (Ch. of Eng.) The principles of Dr. Pusey and others at Oxford, England, as exhibited in various publications, esp. in a series which appeared from 1833 to 1841, designated " Tracts for the Times;" tractarianism. See Tractarianism .

Puseyistic, Puseyite <Xpage=1166>

Pu"sey*is"tic (?) , Pu"sey*ite (?) , a. Of or pertaining to Puseyism.

Puseyite <Xpage=1166>

Pu"sey*ite , n. One who holds the principles of Puseyism; -- often used opprobriously.

Push <Xpage=1166>

Push (?) , n. [Probably F. poche . See Pouch .] A pustule; a pimple. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Bacon.

Push <Xpage=1166>

Push , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pushed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pushing .] [OE. possen , pussen , F. pousser , fr. L. pulsare , v. intens. fr. pellere , pulsum , to beat, knock, push. See Pulse a beating, and cf. Pursy .] 1. To press against with force; to drive or impel by pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without striking; -- opposed to draw .

Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat. Milton.

2. To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.

If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, . . . the ox shall be stoned. Ex. xxi. 32.

3. To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection too far. " To push his fortune."

Dryden.

Ambition pushes the soul to such actions as are apt to procure honor to the actor. Spectator.

We are pushed for an answer. Swift.

4. To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass.

5. To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease.

To push down , to overthrow by pushing or impulse.

Push <Xpage=1166>

Push , v. i. 1. To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or with a sword .

Shak.

2. To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic; as, a man must push in order to succeed .

At the time of the end shall the kind of the south push at him and the king of the north shall come against him. Dan. xi. 40.

War seemed asleep for nine long years; at length Both sides resolved to push , we tried our strength. Dryden.

3. To burst pot, as a bud or shoot.

To push on , to drive or urge forward; to hasten.

The rider pushed on at a rapid pace. Sir W. Scott.

Push <Xpage=1166>

Push , n. 1. A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a thing.

2. Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied; a shove; as, to give the ball the first push .

3. An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the time or occasion for action.

Exact reformation is not perfected at the first push . Milton.

hen it comes to the push , tic no more than talk. L' Estrange.

4. The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy; as, he has push , or he has no push .

[Colloq.]

Syn. -- See Thrust .

Pusher <Xpage=1166>

Push"er (?) , n. One who, or that which, pushes.

<-- 2. One who sells illegal drugs, esp. one who tries to convince others to use such drugs. -->

Pushing <Xpage=1166>

Push"ing , a. Pressing forward in business; enterprising; driving; energetic; also, forward; officious, intrusive. -- Push"ing*ly , adv.

Pushpin <Xpage=1166>

Push"pin` (?) , n. A child's game played with pins.

L. Estrange.

Pusil <Xpage=1166>

Pu"sil (?) , a. [L. pusillus very little.] Very small; little; petty. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Pusillanimity <Xpage=1166>

Pu`sil*la*nim"i*ty (?) , n. [L. pusillanimitas : cf. F. pusillanimit\'82 .] The quality of being pusillanimous; weakness of spirit; cowardliness.

The badge of pusillanimity and cowardice. Shak.

It is obvious to distinguished between an act of . . . pusillanimity and an act of great modesty or humility. South.

Syn. -- Cowardliness; cowardice; fear; timidity.

Pusillanimous <Xpage=1166>

Pu`sil*lan"i*mous (?) , a. [L. pusillannimis ; pusillus very little (dim. of pusus a little boy; cf. puer a boy, E. puerile ) + animus the mind: cf. F. pusillanime . See Animosity .] 1. Destitute of a manly or courageous strength and firmness of mind; of weak spirit; mean-spirited; spiritless; cowardly; -- said of persons, as, a pussillanimous prince .

<page="1167"> Page 1167

2. Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want of courage; feeble; as, pusillanimous counsels . "A low and pusillanimous spirit."

Burke.

Syn. -- Cowardly; dastardly; mean-spirited; fainthearted; timid; weak; feeble.

Pusillanimously <Xpage=1167>

Pu`sil*lan"i*mous*ly (?) , adv. With pusillanimity.

Pusley <Xpage=1167>

Pus"ley (?) , n. (Bot.) Purslane. [Colloq. U. S]

Puss <Xpage=1167>

Puss (p&usdot;s) , n. [Cf. D. poes , Ir. & Gael. pus .] 1. A cat; -- a fondling appellation.

2. A hare; -- so called by sportsmen.