Chapter 1731

Thu"le (?) , n. [L. Thule , Thyle , Gr. <?/, <?/.] The name given by ancient geographers to the northernmost part of the habitable world. According to some, this land was Norway, according to others, Iceland, or more probably Mainland, the largest of the Shetland islands; hence, the Latin phrase ultima Thule , farthest Thule.

Thulia <Xpage=1505>

Thu"li*a (?) , n. [NL.] (Chem.) Oxide of thulium.

Thulium <Xpage=1505>

Thu"li*um (?) , n. [NL. See Thule .] (Chem.) A rare metallic element of uncertain properties and identity, said to have been found in the mineral gadolinite.

Thumb <Xpage=1505>

Thumb (?) , n. [OE. thombe , thoumbe , <?/ume , AS. <?/<?/ma ; akin to OFries. th<?/ma , D. duim , G. daumen , OHG. d<?/mo , Icel. <?/umall , Dan. tommel finger, Sw. tunne , and perhaps to L. tumere to swell. \'fb56. Cf. Thimble , Tumid .] The short, thick first digit of the human hand, differing from the other fingers in having but two phalanges; the pollex. See Pollex .

Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring. Chaucer.

Thumb band , a twist of anything as thick as the thumb. Mortimer . -- Thumb blue , indigo in the form of small balls or lumps, used by washerwomen to blue linen, and the like. -- Thumb latch , a door latch having a lever formed to be pressed by the thumb. -- Thumb mark . (a) The mark left by the impression of a thumb, as on the leaves of a book. Longfellow . (b) The dark spot over each foot in finely bred black and tan terriers. -- Thumb nut , a nut for a screw, having wings to grasp between the thumb and fingers in turning it; also, a nut with a knurled rim for the same perpose. -- Thumb ring , a ring worn on the thumb. Shak . -- Thumb stall . (a) A kind of thimble or ferrule of iron, or leather, for protecting the thumb in making sails, and in other work. (b) (Mil.) A buckskin cushion worn on the thumb, and used to close the vent of a cannon while it is sponged, or loaded. -- Under one's thumb , completely under one's power or influence; in a condition of subservience. [Colloq.]

Thumb <Xpage=1505>

Thumb , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Thumbed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Thumbing (?) .] 1. To handle awkwardly.

Johnson.

2. To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune .

3. To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or wear out, by frequent handling; also, to cover with the thumb; as, to thumb the touch-hole of a cannon .

He gravely informed the enemy that all his cards had been thumbed to pieces, and begged them to let him have a few more packs. Macaulay.

Thumb <Xpage=1505>

Thumb , v. i. To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.

Thumbbird <Xpage=1505>

Thumb"bird` (?) , n. The goldcrest. [Prov. Eng.]

Thumbed <Xpage=1505>

Thumbed (?) , a. 1. Having thumbs.

2. Soiled by handling.

Thumbkin <Xpage=1505>

Thumb"kin (?) , n. An instrument of torture for compressing the thumb; a thumbscrew.

Thumbless <Xpage=1505>

Thumb"less , a. Without a thumb.

Darwin.

Thumbscrew <Xpage=1505>

Thumb"screw` (?) , n. 1. A screw having a flat-sided or knurled head, so that it may be turned by the thumb and forefinger.

2. An old instrument of torture for compressing the thumb by a screw; a thumbkin.

Thummie <Xpage=1505>

Thum"mie (?) , n. The chiff-chaff. [Prov. Eng.]

Thummim <Xpage=1505>

Thum"mim (?) , n. pl. [Heb., pl. of th\'d3m perfection.] A mysterious part or decoration of the breastplate of the Jewish high priest. See the note under Urim .

Thump <Xpage=1505>

Thump (?) , n. [Probably of imitative origin; perhaps influenced by dump , v.t.] 1. The sound made by the sudden fall or blow of a heavy body, as of a hammer, or the like.

The distant forge's swinging thump profound. Wordsworth.

With heavy thump , a lifeless lump, They dropped down, one by one. Coleridge.

2. A blow or knock, as with something blunt or heavy; a heavy fall.

The watchman gave so great a thump at my door, that I awaked at the knock. Tatler.

Thump <Xpage=1505>

Thump , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Thumped (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Thumping .] To strike or beat with something thick or heavy, or so as to cause a dull sound.

These bastard Bretons; whom our hathers Have in their own land beaten, bobbed, and thumped . Shak.

Thump <Xpage=1505>

Thump , v. i. To give a thump or thumps; to strike or fall with a heavy blow; to pound.

A watchman at midnight thumps with his pole. Swift.

Thumper <Xpage=1505>

Thump"er (?) , n. One who, or that which, thumps.

Thumping <Xpage=1505>

Thump"ing , a. Heavy; large. [Colloq.]

Thunder <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der (?) , n. [OE. <?/under , <?/onder , <?/oner , AS. <?/unor ; akin to <?/unian to stretch, to thunder, D. donder thunder, G. donner , OHG. donar , Icel. <?/\'d3rr Thor, L. tonare to thunder, tonitrus thunder, Gr. <?/ a stretching, straining, Skr. tan to stretch. \'fb52. See Thin , and cf. Astonish , Detonate , Intone , Thursday , Tone .] 1. The sound which follows a flash of lightning; the report of a discharge of atmospheric electricity.

2. The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt. [Obs.]

The revenging gods 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend. Shak.

3. Any loud noise; as, the thunder of cannon .

4. An alarming or statrling threat or denunciation.

The thunders of the Vatican could no longer strike into the heart of princes. Prescott.

Thunder pumper . (Zo\'94l.) (a) The croaker ( Haploidontus grunniens ). (b) The American bittern or stake-driver. -- Thunder rod , a lightning rod. [R.] -- Thunder snake . (Zo\'94l.) (a) The chicken, or milk, snake. (b) A small reddish ground snake ( Carphophis, &or; Celuta, am\'d2na ) native to the Eastern United States; -- called also worm snake . -- Thunder tube , a fulgurite. See Fulgurite .

Thunder <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Thundered (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Thundering .] [AS. <?/unrian . See Thunder , n. ] 1. To produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity; -- often used impersonally; as, it thundered continuously .

Canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Job xl. 9.

2. Fig.: To make a loud noise; esp. a heavy sound, of some continuance.

His dreadful voice no more Would thunder in my ears. Milton.

3. To utter violent denunciation.

Thunder <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der , v. t. To emit with noise and terror; to utter vehemently; to publish, as a threat or denunciation.

Oracles severe Were daily thundered in our general's ear. Dryden.

An archdeacon, as being a prelate, may thunder out an ecclesiastical censure. Ayliffe.

Thunderbird <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*bird` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) An Australian insectivorous singing bird ( Pachycephala gutturalis ). The male is conspicuously marked with black and yellow, and has a black crescent on the breast. Called also white-throated thickhead , orange-breasted thrust , black-crowned thrush , guttural thrush , and black-breasted flycatcher .

Thunderbolt <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*bolt` (?) , n. 1. A shaft of lightning; a brilliant stream of electricity passing from one part of the heavens to another, or from the clouds to the earth.

2. Something resembling lightning in suddenness and effectiveness.

The Scipios' worth, those thunderbolts of war. Dryden.

3. Vehement threatening or censure; especially, ecclesiastical denunciation; fulmination.

He severely threatens such with the thunderbolt of excommunication. Hakewill.

4. (Paleon.) A belemnite, or thunderstone.

Thunderbolt beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a long-horned beetle ( Arhopalus fulminans ) whose larva bores in the trunk of oak and chestnut trees. It is brownish and bluish-black, with W-shaped whitish or silvery markings on the elytra.

Thunderburst <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*burst` (?) , n. A burst of thunder.

Thunderclap <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*clap` (?) , n. A sharp burst of thunder; a sudden report of a discharge of atmospheric electricity. " Thunderclaps that make them quake."

Spenser.

When suddenly the thunderclap was heard. Dryden.

Thundercloud <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*cloud` (?) , n. A cloud charged with electricity, and producing lightning and thunder.

Thunderer <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*er (?) , n. One who thunders; -- used especially as a translation of L. tonans , an epithet applied by the Romans to several of their gods, esp. to Jupiter.

That dreadful oath which binds the Thunderer . Pope.

Thunderfish <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*fish` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A large European loach ( Misgurnus fossilis ).

Thunderhead <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*head` (?) , n. A rounded mass of cloud, with shining white edges; a cumulus, -- often appearing before a thunderstorm.

Thundering <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*ing , a. 1. Emitting thunder.

Roll the thundering chariot o'er the ground. J. Trumbull.

2. Very great; -- often adverbially. [Slang]

-- Thun"der*ing*ly , adv.

Thundering <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*ing , n. Thunder.

Rev. iv. 5.

Thunderless <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*less , a. Without thunder or noise.

Thunderous <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*ous (?) , a. [Written also thundrous .] 1. Producing thunder. [R.]

How he before the thunderous throne doth lie. Milton.

2. Making a noise like thunder; sounding loud and deep; sonorous.

-- Thun"der*ous*ly , adv.

Thunderproof <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*proof` (?) , a. Secure against the effects of thunder or lightning.

Thundershower <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*show`er (?) , n. A shower accompanied with lightning and thunder.

Thunderstone <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*stone` (?) , n. 1. A thunderbolt, -- formerly believed to be a stone.

Fear no more the lightning flash, Nor the all-dreaded thunderstone . Shak.

2. (Paleon.) A belemnite. See Belemnite .

Thunderstorm <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*storm` (?) , n. A storm accompanied with lightning and thunder.

Thunderstrike <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*strike` (?) , v. t. [ imp. Thunderstruck (?) ; p. p. Thunderstruck , -strucken (<?/) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Thunderstriking .] 1. To strike, blast, or injure by, or as by, lightning. [R.]

Sir P. Sidney.

2. To astonish, or strike dumb, as with something terrible; -- rarely used except in the past participle.

drove before him, thunderstruck . Milton.

Thunderworm <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*worm` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A small, footless, burrowing, snakelike lizard ( Rhineura Floridana ) allied to Amphisb\'91na, native of Florida; -- so called because it leaves its burrows after a thundershower.

Thundery <Xpage=1505>

Thun"der*y (?) , a. Accompanied with thunder; thunderous. [R.] " Thundery weather."

Pennant.

Thundrous <Xpage=1505>

Thun"drous (?) , a. Thunderous; sonorous. "Scraps of thunderous epic."

Tennyson.

Thunny <Xpage=1505>

Thun"ny (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The tunny. [R.]

Thurgh <Xpage=1505>

Thurgh (?) , prep. Through. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Thurghfare <Xpage=1505>

Thurgh"fare` (?) , n. Thoroughfare. [Obs.]

This world is but a thurghfare full of woe. Chaucer.

Thurible <Xpage=1505>

Thu"ri*ble (?) , n. [L. thuribulum , turibulum , from thus , thuris , or better tus , turis , frankincense, fr. Gr. <?/ a sacrifice, an offering, from <?/ to sacrifice.] (R. C. Ch.) A censer of metal, for burning incense, having various forms, held in the hand or suspended by chains; -- used especially at mass, vespers, and other solemn services.

Fairholt.

Thuriferous <Xpage=1505>

Thu*rif"er*ous (?) , a. [L. thurifer , turifer ; thus frankincense + -ferre to bear.] Producing or bearing frankincense.

Thurification <Xpage=1505>

Thu`ri*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. thus incense + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy .] The act of fuming with incense, or the act of burning incense.

Thuringian <Xpage=1505>

Thu*rin"gi*an (?) , a. Of or pertaining to Thuringia, a country in Germany, or its people. -- n. A native, or inhabitant of Thuringia.

Thuringite <Xpage=1505>

Thu*rin"gite (?) , n. [From Thuringia , where it is found.] (Min.) A mineral occurring as an aggregation of minute scales having an olive-green color and pearly luster. It is a hydrous silicate of aluminia and iron.

Thurl <Xpage=1505>

Thurl (?) , n. [AS. <?/yrel a hole. \'fb53. See Thirl , Thrill .] 1. A hole; an aperture. [Obs.]

2. (Mining) (a) A short communication between adits in a mine. (b) A long adit in a coalpit.

Thurl <Xpage=1505>

Thurl , v. t. [See Thrill .] 1. To cut through; to pierce. [Obs.]

Piers Plowman.

2. (Mining) To cut through, as a partition between one working and another.

Thurling <Xpage=1505>

Thurl"ing , n. (Mining) Same as Thurl , n. , 2 (a) .

Thurrok <Xpage=1505>

Thur"rok (?) , n. [AS. <?/urruc a boat.] The hold of a ship; a sink. [Obs.]

Small drops of water that enter through a little crevice into the thurrok and into the bottom of a ship. Chaucer.

Thursday <Xpage=1505>

Thurs"day (?) , n. [OE. <?/ursdei , <?/orsday , from the Scand. name Thor + E. day . Icel. <?/\'d3rr Thor, the god of thunder, is akin to AS. <?/unor thunder; D. Donderdag Thursday, G. Donnerstag , Icel. <?/\'d3rsdagr , Sw. & Dan. Torsdag . \'fb52. See Thor , Thunder , and Day .] The fifth day of the week, following Wednesday and preceding Friday.

Holy Thursday . See under Holy .

Thurst <Xpage=1505>

Thurst (?) , n. (Coal Mining) The ruins of the fallen roof resulting from the removal of the pillars and stalls.

Raymond.

Thus <Xpage=1505>

Thus (?) , n. [L. thus , better tus , frankincense. See Thurible .] The commoner kind of frankincense, or that obtained from the Norway spruce, the long-leaved pine, and other conifers.

Thus <Xpage=1505>

Thus (?) , adv. [OE. thus , AS. <?/us ; akin to OFries. & OS. thus , D. dus , and E. that ; cf. OHG. sus . See That .] 1. In this or that manner; on this wise.

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Gen. vi. 22.

Thus God the heaven created, thus the earth. Milton.

2. To this degree or extent; so far; so; as, thus wise; thus peaceble; thus bold .

Shak.

Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds. Milton.

Thussock <Xpage=1505>

Thus"sock (?) , n. See Tussock . [Obs.]

Thuya <Xpage=1505>

Thu"ya (?) , n. (Bot.) Same as Thuja .

Thuyin <Xpage=1505>

Thu"yin (?) , n. (Chem.) A substance extracted from trees of the genus Thuja , or Thuya , and probably identical with quercitrin. [Written also thujin .]

Thwack <Xpage=1505>

Thwack (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Thwacked (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Thwacking .] [Cf. OE. thakken to stroke, AS. <?/accian , E. whack .] 1. To strike with something flat or heavy; to bang, or thrash: to thump. "A distant thwacking sound."

W. Irving.

2. To fill to overflow. [Obs.]

Stanyhurst.

Thwack <Xpage=1505>

Thwack , n. A heavy blow with something flat or heavy; a thump.

With many a stiff thwack , many a bang, Hard crab tree and old iron rang. Hudibras.

Thwaite <Xpage=1505>

Thwaite (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The twaite.

Thwaite <Xpage=1505>

Thwaite , n. [CF. Icel. <?/veit a piece of land, fr. <?/v\'c6ta to cut. See Thwite , and cf. Doit , and Twaite land cleared of woods.] Forest land cleared, and converted to tillage; an assart. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

&hand; Thwaite occurs in composition as the last element in many names of places in the north of England; as, in Ros thwaite , Stone thwaite .

Thwart <Xpage=1505>

Thwart (?) , a. [OE. <?/wart , <?/wert , a. and adv., Icel. <?/vert , neut. of <?/verr athwart, transverse, across; akin to AS. <?/weorh perverse, transverse, cross, D. dwars , OHG. dwerah , twerh , G. zwerch , quer , Dan. & Sw. tver athwart, transverse, Sw. tv\'84r cross, unfriendly, Goth. <?/wa\'a1rhs angry. Cf. Queer .] 1. Situated or placed across something else; transverse; oblique.

Moved contrary with thwart obliquities. Milton.

2. Fig.: Perverse; crossgrained. [Obs.]

Shak.

Thwart <Xpage=1505>

Thwart , adv. [See Thwart , a. ] Thwartly; obliquely; transversely; athwart. [Obs.]

Milton.

Thwart <Xpage=1505>

Thwart , prep. Across; athwart.

Spenser.

Thwart ships . See Athwart ships , under Athwart .

Thwart <Xpage=1505>

Thwart , n. (Naut.) A seat in an open boat reaching from one side to the other, or athwart the boat.