Chapter 1715

Experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution. Washington.

3. (Chem.) To examine or try, as by the use of some reagent; as, to test a solution by litmus paper .

<page="1490"> Page 1490

Test <Xpage=1490>

Test (?) , n. [L. testis . Cf. Testament , Testify .] A witness. [Obs.]

Prelates and great lords of England, who were for the more surety tests of that deed. Ld. Berners.

Test <Xpage=1490>

Test , v. i. [L. testari . See Testament .] To make a testament, or will. [Obs.]

Test, Testa <Xpage=1490>

Test (?) , Tes"ta (?) , n. ; pl. E. Tests (#) , L. Test\'91 (#) . [L. testa a piece of burned clay, a broken piece of earthenware, a shell. See Test a cupel.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) The external hard or firm covering of many invertebrate animals.

&hand; The test of crustaceans and insects is composed largely of chitin; in mollusks it is composed chiefly of calcium carbonate, and is called the shell .

2. (Bot.) The outer integument of a seed; the episperm, or spermoderm.

Testable <Xpage=1490>

Test"a*ble (?) , a. [See Testament .] 1. Capable of being tested or proved.

2. Capable of being devised, or given by will.

Testacea <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta"ce*a (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. L. testaceum a shelled anumal. See Testaceous .] (Zo\'94l.) Invertebrate animals covered with shells, especially mollusks; shellfish.

Testacean <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta"cean (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Onr of the Testacea.

Testaceography <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta`ce*og"ra*phy (?) , n. [ Testacea + -graphy : cf. F. testac\'82ographie .] The science which treats of testaceans, or shellfish; the description of shellfish. [R.]

Testaceology <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta`ce*ol"o*gy (?) , n. [ Testacea + -logy : cf. F. testac\'82ologie .] The science of testaceous mollusks; conchology. [R.]

Testaceous <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta"ceous (?) , a. [L. testaceus , fr. testa a shell. See Testa .] 1. Of or pertaining to shells; consisted of a hard shell, or having a hard shell.

2. (Bot. & Zo\'94l.) Having a dull red brick color or a brownish yellow color.

Testaceous animals (Zo\'94l.) , animals having a firm, calcareous shell, as oysters and clams, thus distinguished from crustaceous animals , whose shells are more thin and soft, and consist of several joints, or articulations, as lobsters and crabs.

Testacy <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ta*cy (?) , n. [See Testate .] (Law) The state or circumstance of being testate, or of leaving a valid will, or testament, at death.

Testament <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ta*ment (?) , n. [F., fr. L. testamentum , fr. testari to be a witness, to make one's last will, akin to testis a witness. Cf. Intestate , Testify .] 1. (Law) A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will as to disposal of his estate and effects after his death.

&hand; This is otherwise called a will , and sometimes a last will and testament . A testament , to be valid, must be made by a person of sound mind; and it must be executed and published in due form of law. A man, in certain cases, may make a valid will by word of mouth only. See Nuncupative will , under Nuncupative .

2. One of the two distinct revelations of God's purposes toward man; a covenant; also, one of the two general divisions of the canonical books of the sacred Scriptures, in which the covenants are respectively revealed; as, the Old Testament ; the New Testament ; -- often limited, in colloquial language, to the latter.

He is the mediator of the new testament . . . for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament . Heb. ix. 15.

Holographic testament , a testament written wholly by the testator himself. Bouvier. <-- also holographic will. "Written" means, in handwriting. -->

Testamental <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ta*men"tal (?) , a. [L. testamentalis .] Of or pertaining to a testament; testamentary.

Thy testamental cup I take, And thus remember thee. J. Montgomery.

Testamentary <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ta*men"ta*ry (?) , a. [L. testamentarius : cf. F. testamentaire .] 1. Of or pertaining to a will, or testament; as, letters testamentary .

2. Bequeathed by will; given by testament.

How many testamentary charities have been defeated by the negligence or fraud of executors! Atterbury.

3. Done, appointed by, or founded on, a testament, or will; as, a testamentary guardian of a minor, who may be appointed by the will of a father to act in that capacity until the child becomes of age .

Testamentation <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ta*men*ta"tion (?) , n. The act or power of giving by testament, or will. [R.]

Burke.

Testamentize <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ta*men*tize (?) , v. i. To make a will. [Obs.]

Fuller.

Testamur <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta"mur (?) , n. [L., we testify, fr. testari to testify.] (Eng. Universities) A certificate of merit or proficiency; -- so called from the Latin words, Ita testamur , with which it commences.

Testate <Xpage=1490>

Tes"tate (?) , a. [L. testatus , p.p. of testari . See Testament .] (Law) Having made and left a will; as, a person is said to die testate .

Ayliffe.

Testate <Xpage=1490>

Tes"tate , n. (Law) One who leaves a valid will at death; a testate person. [R.]

Testation <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. testatio .] A witnessing or witness. [Obs.]

Bp. Hall.

Testator <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta"tor (?) , n. [L.: cf. F. testateur .] (Law) A man who makes and leaves a will, or testament, at death.

Testatrix <Xpage=1490>

Tes*ta"trix (?) , n. [L.] (Law) A woman who makes and leaves a will at death; a female testator.

Teste <Xpage=1490>

Tes"te (?) , n. [So called fr. L. teste , abl. of testis a witness, because this was formerly the initial word in the clause.] (Law) (a) A witness. (b) The witnessing or concluding clause, duty attached; -- said of a writ, deed, or the like.

Burrill.

Tester <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ter (?) , n. [OE. testere a headpiece, helmet, OF. testiere , F. t\'88ti\'8are a head covering, fr. OF. teste the head, F. t\'88te , fr. L. testa an earthen pot, the skull. See Test a cupel, and cf. Testi\'8are .] 1. A headpiece; a helmet. [Obs.]

The shields bright, testers , and trappures. Chaucer.

2. A flat canopy, as over a pulpit or tomb.

Oxf. Gross.

3. A canopy over a bed, supported by the bedposts.

No testers to the bed, and the saddles and portmanteaus heaped on me to keep off the cold. Walpole.

Tester <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ter , n. [For testern , teston , fr. F. teston , fr. OF. teste the head, the head of the king being impressed upon the coin. See Tester a covering, and cf. Testone , Testoon .] An old French silver coin, originally of the value of about eighteen pence, subsequently reduced to ninepence, and later to sixpence, sterling. Hence, in modern English slang, a sixpence; -- often contracted to tizzy . Called also teston .

Shak.

Testern <Xpage=1490>

Tes"tern (?) , n. A sixpence; a tester. [Obs.]

Testern <Xpage=1490>

Tes"tern , v. t. To present with a tester. [Obs.]

Shak.

Testes <Xpage=1490>

Tes"tes (?) , n. , pl. of Teste , or of Testis .

Testicardines <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ti*car"di*nes (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Test a shell, and Cardo .] (Zo\'94l.) A division of brachiopods including those which have a calcareous shell furnished with a hinge and hinge teeth. Terebratula and Spirifer are examples.

Testicle <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*cle (?) , n. [L. testiculus , dim. of testis a testicle, probably the same word as testis a witness, as being a witness to manhood. Cf. Test a witness.] (Anat.) One of the essential male genital glands which secrete the semen.

Testicond <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*cond (?) , a. [L. testis testis + condere to hide.] (Zo\'94l.) Having the testicles naturally concealed, as in the case of the cetaceans.

Testicular <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tic"u*lar (?) , a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the testicle.

Testiculate <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tic"u*late (?) , a. [NL. testiculatus .] (Bot.) (a) Shaped like a testicle, ovate and solid. (b) Having two tubers resembling testicles in form, as some species of orchis.

Testi\'8are <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ti*\'8are" (?) , n. [OF. testiere . See Tester a headpiece.] A piece of plate armor for the head of a war horse; a tester.

Testif <Xpage=1490>

Tes"tif (?) , a. [See Testy .] Testy; headstrong; obstinate. [Obs.]

Testif they were and lusty for to play. Chaucer.

Testification <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ti*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. testificatio : cf. OF. testification . See Testify .] The act of testifying, or giving testimony or evidence; as, a direct testification of our homage to God .

South.

Testificator <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*fi*ca`tor (?) , n. [NL.] A testifier.

Testifier <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*fi`er (?) , n. One who testifies; one who gives testimony, or bears witness to prove anything; a witness.

Testify <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*fy (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Testified (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Testifying (?) .] [OF. testifier , L. testificari ; testis a witness + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy , and cf. Attest , Contest , Detest , Protest , Testament .] 1. To make a solemn declaration, verbal or written, to establish some fact; to give testimony for the purpose of communicating to others a knowledge of something not known to them.

Jesus . . . needed not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man. John ii. 25.

2. (Law) To make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation, for the purpose of establishing, or making proof of, some fact to a court; to give testimony in a cause depending before a tribunal.

One witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Num. xxxv. 30.

3. To declare a charge; to protest; to give information; to bear witness; -- with against .

O Israel, . . . I will testify against thee. Ps. l. 7.

I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. Neh. xiii. 15.

Testify <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*fy , v. t. 1. To bear witness to; to support the truth of by testimony; to affirm or declare solemny.

We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. John iii. 11.

2. (Law) To affirm or declare under oath or affirmation before a tribunal, in order to prove some fact.

Testify <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*fy , adv. In a testy manner; fretfully; peevishly; with petulance.

Testimonial <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ti*mo"ni*al (?) , n. [Cf. OF. testimoniale , LL. testimonialis , L. testimoniales (sc. litter\'91 ). See Testimonial , a. ] 1. A writing or certificate which bears testimony in favor of one's character, good conduct, ability, etc., or of the value of a thing.

2. Something, as money or plate, presented to a preson as a token of respect, or of obligation for services rendered.

Testimonial <Xpage=1490>

Tes`ti*mo"ni*al , a. [L. testimonialis : cf. F. testimonial .] Relating to, or containing, testimony.

Testimony <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*mo*ny (?) , n. ; pl. Testimonies (#) . [L. testimonium , from testis a witness: cf. OF. testimoine , testemoine , testimonie . See Testify .] 1. A solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact.

&hand; Such declaration, in judicial proceedings, may be verbal or written, but must be under oath or affirmation.

2. Affirmation; declaration; as, these doctrines are supported by the uniform testimony of the fathers; the belief of past facts must depend on the evidence of human testimony , or the testimony of historians .

3. Open attestation; profession.

[Thou] for the testimony of truth, hast borne Universal reproach. Milton.

4. Witness; evidence; proof of some fact.

When ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Mark vi. 11.

5. (Jewish Antiq.) The two tables of the law.

Thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. Ex. xxv. 16.

6. Hence, the whole divine revelation; the sacre<?/ Scriptures.

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Ps. xix. 7.

Syn. -- Proof; evidence; attestation; witness; affirmation; confirmation; averment. -- Testimony , Proof , Evidence . Proof is the most familiar, and is used more frequently (though not exclusively) of facts and things which occur in the ordinary concerns of life. Evidence is a word of more dignity, and is more generally applied to that which is moral or intellectual; as, the evidences of Christianity, etc. Testimony is what is deposed to by a witness on oath or affirmation. When used figuratively or in a wider sense, the word testimony has still a reference to some living agent as its author, as when we speak of the testimony of conscience, or of doing a thing in testimony of our affection, etc. Testimony refers rather to the thing declared, evidence to its value or effect. "To conform our language more to common use, we ought to divide arguments into demonstrations, proofs , and probabilities; ba proofs , meaning such arguments from experience as leave no room for doubt or opposition." Hume . "The evidence of sense is the first and highest kind of evidence of which human nature is capable." Bp. Wilkins . "The proof of everything must be by the testimony of such as the parties produce." Spenser .

Testimony <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*mo*ny (?) , v. t. To witness; to attest; to prove by testimony. [Obs.]

Shak.

Testiness <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ti*ness (?) , n. The quality or state of being testy; fretfulness; petulance.

Testiness is a disposition or aptness to be angry. Locke.

Testing <Xpage=1490>

Test"ing (?) , n. 1. The act of testing or proving; trial; proof.

2. (Metal.) The operation of refining gold or silver in a test , or cupel; cupellation.

Testing machine (Engin.) , a machine used in the determination of the strength of materials, as iron, stone, etc., and their behavior under strains of various kinds, as elongation, bending, crushing, etc.

Testis <Xpage=1490>

Tes"tis (?) , n. ; pl. Testes (#) . [L.] (Anat.) A testicle.

Teston <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ton (?) , n. A tester; a sixpence. [Obs.]

Testone <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tone" (?) , n. [Cf. Pg. test&atil;o , tost&atil;o . See Testoon .] A silver coin of Portugal, worth about sixpence sterling, or about eleven cents.

Homans.

Testoon <Xpage=1490>

Tes*toon" (?) , n. [It. testone . See Tester a coin.] An Italian silver coin. The testoon of Rome is worth 1s. 3d. sterling, or about thirty cents.

Homans.

Testudinal <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tu"di*nal (?) , a. [See Testudo .] (Zo\'94l.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a tortoise.

Testudinarious <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tu`di*na"ri*ous (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the shell of a tortoise; resembling a tortoise shell; having the color or markings of a tortoise shell.

Testudinata <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tu`di*na"ta (?) , n. pl. [Nl. See Testudo .] (Zo\'94l.) An order of reptiles which includes the turtles and tortoises. The body is covered by a shell consisting of an upper or dorsal shell, called the carapace , and a lower or ventral shell, called the plastron , each of which consists of several plates.

Testudinate, Testudinated <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tu"di*nate (?) , Tes*tu"di*na`ted (?) , a. [L. testudinatus , fr. testudo , -inis , a tortoise, an arch or vault.] Resembling a tortoise shell in appearance or structure; roofed; arched; vaulted.

Testudineous <Xpage=1490>

Tes`tu*din"e*ous (?) , a. [L. testudineus .] Resembling the shell of a tortoise.

Testudo <Xpage=1490>

Tes*tu"do (?) , n. ; pl. Testudines (#) . [L., from testa the shell of shellfish, or of testaceous animals.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of tortoises which formerly included a large number of diverse forms, but is now restricted to certain terrestrial species, such as the European land tortoise ( Testudo Gr\'91ca ) and the gopher of the Southern United States.

2. (Rom. Antiq.) A cover or screen which a body of troops formed with their shields or targets, by holding them over their heads when standing close to each other. This cover resembled the back of a tortoise, and served to shelter the men from darts, stones, and other missiles. A similar defense was sometimes formed of boards, and moved on wheels.

3. (Mus.) A kind of musical instrument. a species of lyre; -- so called in allusion to the lyre of Mercury, fabled to have been made of the shell of a tortoise.

Testy <Xpage=1490>

Tes"ty (?) , a. [ Compar. Testier (?) ; superl. Testiest .] [OF. testu obstinate, headstrong, F. t\'88tu , fr. OF. teste the head, F. t\'88te . See Test a cupel.] Fretful; peevish; petulant; easily irritated.

Must I observe you? must I stand and crouch Under your testy humor? Shak.

I was displeased with myself; I was testy . Latimer.

Tetanic <Xpage=1490>

Te*tan"ic (?) , a. [Cf. L. tetanicus suffering from tetanus, Gr. <?/, F. t\'82tanique .] 1. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to tetanus; having the character of tetanus; as, a tetanic state; tetanic contraction.