The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 1243
Py*rol"o*gist (?) , n. One who is versed in, or makes a study of, pyrology.
Pyrology <Xpage=1169>
Py*rol"o*gy (?) , n. [ Pyro- + -logy : cf. F. pyrologie .] That branch of physical science which treats of the properties, phenomena, or effects of heat; also, a treatise on heat.
Pyrolusite <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*lu"site (?) , n. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ to loose, or <?/ a loosing.] (Min.) Manganese dioxide, a mineral of an iron-black or dark steel-gray color and metallic luster, usually soft. Pyrolusite parts with its oxygen at a red heat, and is extensively used in discharging the brown and green tints of glass (whence its name).
Pyromagnetic <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*mag*net"ic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + magnetic .] (Physics) Acting by the agency of heat and magnetism; as, a pyromagnetic machine for producing electric currents .
Pyromalate <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*ma"late (?) , n. (Chem.) A salt of pyromalic acid. [Obs.]
Pyromalic <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*ma"lic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + malic .] (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called maleic acid .
Pyromancy <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"o*man`cy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/ fire + <?/ divination: cf. F. pyromancie .] Divination by means of fire.
Pyromania <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"o*ma"ni*a (?) , n. [ Pyro- + mania .] An insane disposition to incendiarism.
Pyromantic <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"o*man"tic (?) , a. Of or pertaining to pyromancy.
Pyromantic <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*man"tic , n. [Cf. Gr. <?/.] One who pretends to divine by fire.
Sir T. Herbert.
Pyrometer <Xpage=1169>
Py*rom"e*ter (?) , n. [ Pyro- + -meter : cf. F. pyrom\'8atre .] 1. (Physics) An instrument used for measuring the expansion of solid bodies by heat.
2. (Physics) An instrument for measuring degrees of heat above those indicated by the mercurial thermometer.
&hand; It is usually constructed so as to register the change which the heat to be measured produces in the length of some expansible substance, as a metallic rod, or in the intensity of a thermo-electric current.
Pyrometric, Pyrometrical <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*met"ric (?) , Pyr`o*met"ric*al a. [Cf. F. pyrom\'82trique .] (Physics) Pertaining to, or obtained by, the pyrometer; as, pyrometrical instruments; pyrometrical measurements.
Pyrometry <Xpage=1169>
Py*rom"e*try (?) , n. The art of measuring degrees of heat, or the expansion of bodies by heat.
Pyromorphite <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*mor"phite (?) , n. [G. pyromorphit , from Gr. <?/ fire + <?/ form.] (Min.) Native lead phosphate with lead chloride, occurring in bright green and brown hexagonal crystals and also massive; -- so called because a fused globule crystallizes in cooling.
Pyromorphous <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*mor"phous (?) , a. [ Pyro- + -morphous .] (Min.) Having the property of crystallizing by the agency of fire.
Pyromucate <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*mu"cate (?) , n. (Chem.) A salt of pyromucic acid.
Pyromucic <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*mu"cic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + mucic .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of mucic acid, or by the oxidation of furfurol.
Pyronomics <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*nom"ics (?) , n. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ law.] The science of heat.
Pyrope <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"ope (?) , n. [L. pyropus a kind of red bronze, fr. Gr. <?/; <?/ fire + <?/ the eye, face: cf. F. pyrope .] (Min.) A variety of garnet, of a poppy or blood-red color, frequently with a tinge of orange. It is used as a gem. See the Note under Garnet .
Pyrophane <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"o*phane (?) , n. [See Pyrophanous .] (Min.) A mineral which is opaque in its natural state, but is said to change its color and become transparent by heat.
Pyrophanous <Xpage=1169>
Py*roph"a*nous (?) , a. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ to show, pass, to shine.] Rendered transparent by heat.
Pyrophone <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"o*phone (?) , n. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ sound.] A musical instrument in which the tones are produced by flames of hydrogen, or illuminating gas, burning in tubes of different sizes and lengths.
Pyrophoric, Pyrophorous <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*phor"ic (?) , Py*roph"o*rous (?) , a. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ to bear.] Light-producing; of or pertaining to pyrophorus.
Pyrophoric iron (Chem.) , finely reduced iron, which ignites spontaneously on contact with air.
Pyrophorus <Xpage=1169>
Py*roph"o*rus (?) , n. [NL. See Pyrophorous .] (Old Chem.) Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.
Pyrophosphate <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"o*phos"phate (?) , n. (Chem.) A salt of pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyrophosphoric <Xpage=1169>
Pyr`o*phos*phor"ic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + phosphoric .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, H4P2O7 , which is obtained as a white crystalline substance. Its salts are obtained by heating the phosphates.
Pyrophyllite <Xpage=1169>
Py*roph"yl*lite (?) , n. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ leaf.] (Min.) A mineral, usually of a white or greenish color and pearly luster, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of alumina.
Pyroscope <Xpage=1169>
Pyr"o*scope (?) , n. [ Pyro- + -scope : cf. F. pyroscope .] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the intensity of heat radiating from a fire, or the cooling influence of bodies. It is a differential thermometer, having one bulb coated with gold or silver leaf. [R.]
<page="1170"> Page 1170
Pyrosis <Xpage=1170>
Py*ro"sis (?) , n. [NL., fr Gr. <?/ a burning, an inflammation, fr. <?/ to burn, fr. <?/ fire.] (Med.) See Water brash , under Brash .
Pyrosmalite <Xpage=1170>
Py*ros"ma*lite (?) , n. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ odor + -like . ] (Min.) A mineral, usually of a pale brown or of a gray or grayish green color, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of iron and manganese; -- so called from the odor given off before the blowpipe.
Pyrosome <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"o*some (?) , n. [ Pyro- + -some body.] (Zo\'94l.) Any compound ascidian of the genus Pyrosoma . The pyrosomes form large hollow cylinders, sometimes two or three feet long, which swim at the surface of the sea and are very phosphorescent.
Pyrosulphate <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*sul"phate (?) , n. (Chem.) A salt of pyrosulphuric acid.
Pyrosulphuric <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*sul*phu"ric (?) , a. [ Pyro- + -sulphuric .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also disulphuric acid ) obtained by distillation of certain sulphates, as a colorless, thick, oily liquid, H2S2O7 resembling sulphuric acid. It is used in the solution of indigo, in the manufacture of alizarin, and in dehydration.
Pygotartaric <Xpage=1170>
Pyg`o*tar*tar"ic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + tartaric .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of tartaric acid.
Pyrotartrate <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tar"trate (?) , n. (Chem.) A salt of pyrotartaric acid.
Pyrotechnian <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tech"ni*an (?) , n. A pyrotechnist.
Pyrotechnic, Pyrotechnical <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tech"nic (?) , Pyr`o*tech"nic*al (?) , a. [ Pyro- + technic , technical: cf. F. pyrotechnique . See Fire , Technical .] Of or pertaining to fireworks, or the art of forming them.
Pyrotechnical sponge . See under Sponge .
Pyrotechnician <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tech*ni"cian (?) , n. A pyrotechnist.
Pyrotechnics <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tech"nics (?) , n. The art of making fireworks; the manufacture and use of fireworks; pyrotechny.
Pyrotechnist <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tech"nist (?) , n. One skilled in pyrotechny; one who manufactures fireworks.
Steevens.
Pyrotechny <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tech`ny (?) , n. [Cf. F. pyrotechnie .] 1. The use and application of fire in science and the arts. [Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.
2. Same as Pyrotechnics .
Pyrothonide <Xpage=1170>
Py*roth"o*nide (?) , n. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ linen.] (Med.) A kind of empyreumatic oil produced by the combustion of textures of hemp, linen, or cotton in a copper vessel, -- formerly used as a remedial agent.
Dunglison.
Pyrotic <Xpage=1170>
Py*rot"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to burn, fr. <?/, <?/, fire: cf. F. pyrotique .] Caustic. See Caustic . -- n. (Med.) A caustic medicine.
Pyrotritartaric <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tri`tar*tar"ic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + tri- + tartaric .] (Chem.) Designating an acid which is more commonly called uric acid.
Pyrotungstic <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*tung"stic (?) , a. (Chem.) Polytungstic. See Metatungstic .
Pyro\'81ric <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*\'81"ric (?) , a. [ Pyro- + uric .] (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called cyanuric acid. See Cyanuric .
Pyrovanadic <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*va*nad"ic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + vanadic .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of vanadium, analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyroxanthin <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`o*xan"thin (?) , n. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ yellow.] (Chem.) A yellow crystalline hydrocardon extracted from crude wood spirit; -- called also eblanin .
Pyroxene <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"ox*ene (?) , n. [F. pyrox\'8ane , from Gr. <?/ fire + <?/ a stranger; -- so called because it was supposed to the be a stranger, or of rare occurrence, in igneous rocks,] (Min.) A common mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, with a prismatic angle of nearly 90°, and also in massive forms which are often laminated. It varies in color from white to dark green and black, and includes many varieties differing in color and composition, as diopside, malacolite, salite, coccolite, augite, etc. They are all silicates of lime and magnesia with sometimes alumina and iron. Pyroxene is an essential constituent of many rocks, especially basic igneous rocks, as basalt, gabbro, etc.
&hand; The pyroxene group contains pyroxene proper, also the related orthorhombic species, enstatite, bronzite, hypersthene, and various monoclinic and triclinic species, as rhodonite, etc.
Pyroxenic <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`ox*en"ic (?) , a. [Cf. F. pyrox\'82nique .] Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene.
Pyroxenite <Xpage=1170>
Py*rox"e*nite (?) , n. (Min.) A rock consisting essentially of pyroxene.
Pyroxyle <Xpage=1170>
Py*rox"yle (?) , n. [Cf. F. pyroxyle . See Pyroxylic , -yl .]
Pyroxylic <Xpage=1170>
Pyr`ox*yl"ic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + Gr. <?/ wood.] (Old Chem.) Derived from wood by distillation; -- formerly used in designating crude wood spirit.
Pyroxylin <Xpage=1170>
Py*rox"y*lin (?) , n. (Chem.) A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and properties, but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; -- called also pyroxyle .
Pyrrhic <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"rhic (?) , a. [L. pyrrhichius , Gr. <?/ belonging to the <?/ (sc. <?/) a kind of war dance.] 1. Of or pertaining to an ancient Greek martial dance. " ye have the pyrrhic dance as yet."
Byron.
2. (Pros.) Of or pertaining to a pyrrhic, or to pyrrhics; containing pyrrhic; as, a pyrrhic verse .
<-- Pyrrhic victory [From Pyrrhus, king of Epirus], a victory in which the winning side sustains very heavy losses. (b) any act supposedly benefitting the actor, for which the costs outweight the benefits. -->
Pyrrhic <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"rhic , n. 1. [Gr. <?/: cf. F. pyrrhique , fem.] An ancient Greek martial dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its time being very quick.
2. [L. pyrrhichius (sc. pes ), Gr. <?/ (sc. <?/): cf. F. pyrrhique , masc.] (Pros.) A foot consisting of two short syllables.
Pyrrhicist <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"rhi*cist (?) , n. (Gr. Antiq.) One two danced the pyrrhic.
Pyrrhonean, Pyrrhonic <Xpage=1170>
Pyr*rho"ne*an (?) , Pyr*rhon"ic (?) , a. [L. Pyrrhon\'88us : cf. F. pyrrhonien .] Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism.
Pyrrhonism <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"rho*nism (?) , n. [From Pyrrho , the founder of a school of skeptics in Greece (about 300 b . c .): cf. F. pyrrhonisme .] Skepticism; universal doubt.
Pyrrhonist <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"rho*nist (?) , n. A follower of Pyrrho; a skeptic.
Pyrrhotine, Pyrrhotite <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"rho*tine (?) , Pyr"rho*tite (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ flame-colored, fr. <?/ fire.] (Min.) A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster. It is a sulphide of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by the magnet. Called also magnetic pyrites .
Pyrrol <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"rol (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ flame-colored (from <?/ fire) + L. ol eum oil.] (Chem.) A nitrogenous base found in coal tar, bone oil, and other distillates of organic substances, and also produced synthetically as a colorless liquid, C4H5N , having on odor like that of chloroform. It is the nucleus and origin of a large number of derivatives. So called because it colors a splinter of wood moistened with hydrochloric acid a deep red .
Pyrroline <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"ro*line (?) , n. (Chem.) A nitrogenous base, C4H7N , obtained as a colorless liquid by the reduction of pyrrol.
Pyrula <Xpage=1170>
Pyr"u*la (?) , n. [NL., fr. L. pyrus a pear.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of large marine gastropods. having a pear-shaped shell. It includes the fig-shells. See Illust . in Appendix.
Pyruric <Xpage=1170>
Py*ru"ric (?) , a. Same as Pyro\'81ric .
Pyrus <Xpage=1170>
Py"rus (?) , n. [L. pyrus , or better pirus , pear tree.] (Bot.) A genus of rosaceous trees and shrubs having pomes for fruit. It includes the apple, crab apple, pear, chokeberry, sorb, and mountain ash.
Pyruvic <Xpage=1170>
Py*ru"vic (?) , a. [ Pyro- + L. uva a grape.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (called also pyroracemic acid ) obtained, as a liquid having a pungent odor, by the distillation of racemic acid.
Pyruvil <Xpage=1170>
Py*ru"vil (?) , n. (Chem.) A complex nitrogenous compound obtained by heating together pyruvic acid and urea.
Pythagorean <Xpage=1170>
Pyth`a*go"re*an (?) , a. [L. Pythagoreus , Gr. <?/.] Of or pertaining to Pythagoras (a Greek philosopher, born about 582 b. c. ), or his philosophy.
The central thought of the Pythagorean philosophy is the idea of number, the recognition of the numerical and mathematical relations of things. Encyc. Brit.
Pythagorean proposition (Geom.) , the theorem that the square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the other two sides. <-- = Pythagorean theorem. --> -- Pythagorean system (Astron.) , the commonly received system of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the Copernican system . -- Pythagorean letter . See Y.
Pythagorean <Xpage=1170>
Pyth`a*go"re*an (?) , n. A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.
Pythagoreanism <Xpage=1170>
Pyth`a*go"re*an*ism (?) , n. The doctrines of Pythagoras or the Pythagoreans.
As a philosophic school Pythagoreanism became extinct in Greece about the middle of the 4th century [ B. C. ]. Encyc. Brit.
Pythagoric, Pythagorical <Xpage=1170>
Pyth`a*gor"ic (?) , Pyth`a*gor"ic*al (?) , a. [L. Pythagoricus , Gr. <?/: cf. F. pythagorique .] See Pythagorean , a.
Pythagorism <Xpage=1170>
Py*thag"o*rism (?) , n. [Gr. <?/.] The doctrines taught by Pythagoras.
&hand; Pythagoras made numbers the basis of his philosophical system, as well physical as metaphysical. The doctrine of the transmigration of souls (metempsychosis) is associated closely with name of Pythagoras.
Pythagorize <Xpage=1170>
Py*thag"o*rize (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Pythagorized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pythagorizing (?) .] [Gr. <?/.] To speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.
Pythiad <Xpage=1170>
Pyth"i*ad (?) , n. [See Pythian .] (Gr. Antiq.) The period intervening between one celebration of the Pythian games and the next.
Pythian <Xpage=1170>
Pyth"i*an (?) , a. [L. Pythius , Gr. <?/ belonging to Pytho, the older name of Delphi and its environs: cf. F. pythien .] Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi.
Pythian games (Gr. Antiq.) , one of the four great national festivals of ancient Greece, celebrated near Delphi, in honor of Apollo, the conqueror of the dragon Python, at first once in eight years, afterward once in four.
Pythocenic <Xpage=1170>
Pyth`o*cen"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ to rot + <?/ origin.] Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be accompanied or caused by decomposition.
Python <Xpage=1170>
Py"thon (?) , n. [NL., fr. L. Python the serpent slain near Delphi by Apollo, Gr. <?/.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python , and allied genera, of the family Pythonid\'91 . They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake .
&hand; The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.
2. A diviner by spirits. "[Manasses] observed omens, and appointed pythons ." 4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version) .
Pythoness <Xpage=1170>
Pyth"o*ness (?) , n. [L. pythonissa : cf. F. pythonisse . See Pythian .] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) The priestess who gave oracular answers at Delphi in Greece.
2. Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort of witch.
Bp. Hall.
Pythonic <Xpage=1170>