Chapter 1850

(b) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Lifting up his virtuous staff on high, He smote the sea, which calm\'82d was with speed. Spenser.

Every virtuous plant and healing herb. Milton.

(c) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action .

The virtuous mind that ever walks attended By a strong siding champion, conscience. Milton.

2. Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women.

Mistress Ford . . . the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband. Shak.

-- Vir"tu*ous*ly , adv. -- Vir"tu*ous*ness , n.

Virulence, Virulency <Xpage=1613>

Vir"u*lence (?) , Vir"u*len*cy (?) , n. [Cf. F. virulence , L. virulentia an offensive odor, a stench.] 1. The quality or state of being virulent or venomous; poisonousness; malignancy.

2. Extreme bitterness or malignity of disposition. "Refuted without satirical virulency ."

Barrow.

The virulence of one declaimer, or the profundities and sublimities of the other. I. Taylor.

Virulent <Xpage=1613>

Vir"u*lent (?) , a. [L. virulentus , fr. virus poison: cf. F. virulent . See Virus .] 1. Extremely poisonous or venomous; very active in doing injury.

A contagious disorder rendered more virulent by uncleanness. Sir W. Scott.

2. Very bitter in enmity; actuated by a desire to injure; malignant; as, a virulent invective .

Virulented <Xpage=1613>

Vir"u*lent*ed , a. Made virulent; poisoned. [Obs.]

Virulently <Xpage=1613>

Vir"u*lent*ly , adv. In a virulent manner.

Virus <Xpage=1613>

Vi"rus (?) , n. [L., a slimy liquid, a poisonous liquid, poison, stench; akin to Gr. <?/ poison, Skr. visha . Cf. Wizen , v. i. ] 1. (Med.) (a) Contagious or poisonous matter, as of specific ulcers, the bite of snakes, etc.; -- applied to organic poisons. (b) The special contagion, inappreciable to the senses and acting in exceedingly minute quantities, by which a disease is introduced into the organism and maintained there.

&hand; The specific virus of diseases is now regarded as a microscopic living vegetable organism which multiplies within the body, and, either by its own action or by the associated development of a chemical poison, causes the phenomena of the special disease.

2. Fig.: Any morbid corrupting quality in intellectual or moral conditions; something that poisons the mind or the soul; as, the virus of obscene books .

Vis <Xpage=1613>

Vis (?) , n. 1. Force; power.

2. (Law) (a) Physical force. (b) Moral power.

Principle of vis viva (Mech.) , the principle that the difference between the aggregate work of the accelerating forces of a system and that of the retarding forces is equal to one half the vis viva accumulated or lost in the system while the work is being done. -- Vis impressa [L.] (Mech.) , force exerted, as in moving a body, or changing the direction of its motion; impressed force. -- Vis inerti\'91 . [L.] (a) The resistance of matter, as when a body at rest is set in motion, or a body in motion is brought to rest, or has its motion changed, either in direction or in velocity. (b) Inertness; inactivity. Vis interti\'91 and inertia are not strictly synonymous. The former implies the resistance itself which is given, while the latter implies merely the property by which it is given. -- Vis mortua [L.] (Mech.) , dead force; force doing no active work, but only producing pressure. -- Vis vit\'91 , &or; Vis vitalis [L.] (Physiol.) , vital force. -- Vis viva [L.] (Mech.) , living force; the force of a body moving against resistance, or doing work, in distinction from vis mortua , or dead force; the kinetic energy of a moving body; the capacity of a moving body to do work by reason of its being in motion. See Kinetic energy , in the Note under Energy . The term vis viva is not usually understood to include that part of the kinetic energy of the body which is due to the vibrations of its molecules.

Visa <Xpage=1613>

Vi"sa (?) , n. [F.] See Vis<?/ .

Visa <Xpage=1613>

Vi"sa , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Visaed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Visaing .] To indorse, after examination, with the word vis\'82 , as a passport; to vis\'82.

Visage <Xpage=1613>

Vis"age (?; 48) , n. [F. visage , from L. visus a seeing, a look, fr. videre , visum , to see. See Vision .] The face, countenance, or look of a person or an animal; -- chiefly applied to the human face. Chaucer . "A visage of demand." Shak .

His visage was so marred more than any man. Isa. lii. 14.

Love and beauty still that visage grace. Waller.

Visage <Xpage=1613>

Vis"age (?; 48) , v. t. To face. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Visaged <Xpage=1613>

Vis"aged (?) , a. Having a visage.

Shak.

Visard <Xpage=1613>

Vis"ard (?) , n. A mask. See Visor .

Visard <Xpage=1613>

Vis"ard , v. t. To mask.

Vis-a-vis <Xpage=1613>

Vis`-a-vis" (?) , n. [F., opposite, face to face.] 1. One who, or that which, is face to face with another; esp., one who faces another in dancing.

2. A carriage in which two persons sit face to face. Also, a form of sofa with seats for two persons, so arranged that the occupants are face to face while sitting on opposite sides.

Vis-a-vis <Xpage=1613>

Vis`-a-vis" , adv. Face to face.

Viscacha, Viz-cacha <Xpage=1613>

Vis*ca"cha (?) , Viz-ca"cha (<?/) , n. [Sp.] (Zo\'94l.) A large burrowing South American rodent ( Lagostomus trichodactylus ) allied to the chinchillas, but much larger. Its fur is soft and rather long, mottled gray above, white or yellowish white beneath. There is a white band across the muzzle, and a dark band on each cheek. It inhabits grassy plains, and is noted for its extensive burrows and for heaping up miscellaneous articles at the mouth of its burrows. Called also biscacha , bizcacha , vischacha , vishatscha .

Viscera <Xpage=1613>

Vis"ce*ra (?) , n. , pl. of Viscus .

Visceral <Xpage=1613>

Vis"cer*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. visc\'82ral , LL. visceralis .] 1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the viscera; splanchnic.

2. Fig.: Having deep sensibility. [R.]

Bp. Reynolds.

Visceral arches (Anat.) , the bars or ridges between the visceral clefts. -- Visceral cavity &or; tube (Anat.) , the ventral cavity of a vertebrate, which contains the alimentary canal, as distinguished from the dorsal, or cerebro-spinal, canal. -- Visceral clefts (Anat.) , transverse clefts on the sides just back of the mouth in the vertebrate embryo, which open into the pharyngeal portion of the alimentary canal, and correspond to the branchial clefts in adult fishes.

Viscerate <Xpage=1613>

Vis"cer*ate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Viscerated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Viscerating .] To deprive of the viscera, or entrails; to eviscerate; to disembowel.

Visceroskeletal <Xpage=1613>

Vis`cer*o*skel"e*tal (?) , a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the framework, or skeleton, or skeleton, of the viscera; as, the visceroskeletal system of muscles .

Mivart.

Viscid <Xpage=1613>

Vis"cid (?) , a. [L. viscidus , fr. viscum the mistletoe, birdlime made from the berries of the mistletoe; akin to Gr. <?/: cf. F. viscide .] Sticking or adhering, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscous; glutinous; sticky; tenacious; clammy; as, turpentine, tar, gums, etc., are more or less viscid .

Viscidity <Xpage=1613>

Vis*cid"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. viscidit\'82 .] The quality or state of being viscid; also, that which is viscid; glutinous concretion; stickiness.

Viscin <Xpage=1613>

Vis"cin (?) , n. (Chem.) A clear, viscous, tasteless substance extracted from the mucilaginous sap of the mistletoe ( Viscum album ), holly, etc., and constituting an essential ingredient of birdlime.

Viscoidal <Xpage=1613>

Vis*coid"al (?) , a. Somewhat viscous. Cf. Mobile , a. , 2.

Viscosimeter <Xpage=1613>

Vis`co*sim"e*ter (?) , n. [ Viscosity + -meter .] An instrument for measuring the degree of viscosity of liquids, as solutions of gum.

Viscosity <Xpage=1613>

Vis*cos"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. viscosit\'82 , LL. viscositas .] 1. The quality or state of being viscous.

2. (Physics) A quality analogous to that of a viscous fluid, supposed to be caused by internal friction, especially in the case of gases.

Viscount <Xpage=1613>

Vis"count` (?) , n. [OE. vicounte , OF. visconte , vescunte , F. vicomte , LL. vicecomes ; L. vice (see Vice , a. ) + comes a companion, LL., a count. See Count .] 1. (O. Eng. Law) An officer who formerly supplied the place of the count, or earl; the sheriff of the county.

2. A nobleman of the fourth rank, next in order below an earl and next above a baron; also, his degree or title of nobility. See Peer , n. , 3. [Eng.]

Chaucer.

Viscountcy <Xpage=1613>

Vis"count`cy (?) , n. The dignity or jurisdiction of a viscount.

Sir B. Burke.

Viscountess <Xpage=1613>

Vis"count`ess (?) , n. [F. vicomtesse , LL. vicecomitissa .] The wife of a viscount.

Viscountship, Viscounty <Xpage=1613>

Vis"count`ship , Vis"count`y (?) , n. [F. vicomt\'82 .] The quality, rank, or office of a viscount.

Viscous <Xpage=1613>

Vis"cous (?) , a. [L. viscosus . See Viscid .] Adhesive or sticky, and having a ropy or glutinous consistency; viscid; glutinous; clammy; tenacious; as, a viscous juice . -- Vis"cous*ness , n.

&hand; There is no well-defined distinction in meaning between viscous and viscid .

Viscum <Xpage=1613>

Vis"cum (?) , n. [L.] 1. (Bot.) A genus of parasitic shrubs, including the mistletoe of Europe.

2. Birdlime, which is often made from the berries of the European mistletoe.

Viscus <Xpage=1613>

Vis"cus (?) , n. ; pl. Viscera (#) . [L., perhaps akin to E. viscid .] (Anat.) One of the organs, as the brain, heart, or stomach, in the great cavities of the body of an animal; -- especially used in the plural, and applied to the organs contained in the abdomen.

Vise <Xpage=1613>

Vise (?) , n. [F. vis a screw, winding stairs, OF. vis , viz , fr. L. vitis a vine; probably akin to E. withy .] An instrument consisting of two jaws, closing by a screw, lever, cam, or the like, for holding work, as in filing. [Written also vice .]

Vis\'82 <Xpage=1613>

Vi*s\'82" (?) , n. [F. vis\'82 , p. p. of viser to put a visa to, fr. L. visus seen, p. p. of videre to see.] An indorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities of certain countries on the continent of Europe, denoting that it has been examined, and that the person who bears it is permitted to proceed on his journey; a visa.

<page="1614"> Page 1614

Vis\'82 <Xpage=1614>

Vi*s\'82" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Vis\'82ed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Vis\'82ing .] To examine and indorse, as a passport; to visa.

Vishnu <Xpage=1614>

Vish"nu (?) , n. [Skr. Vish<?/u , from vish to pervade., to extend through nature.] (Hindoo Myth.) A divinity of the modern Hindoo trimurti, or trinity. He is regarded as the preserver, while Brahma is the creator, and Siva the destroyer of the creation.

Visibility <Xpage=1614>

Vis`i*bil"i*ty (?) , n. [L. visibilitas : cf. F. visibilit\'82 .] The quality or state of being visible.

Visible <Xpage=1614>

Vis"i*ble (?) , a. [L. visibilis , fr. videre , visum , to see: cf. F. visible . See Vision .] 1. Perceivable by the eye; capable of being seen; perceptible; in view; as, a visible star; the least spot is visible on white paper.

Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

Virtue made visible in outward grace. Young.

2. Noticeable; apparent; open; conspicuous.

Shak.

The factions at court were greater, or more visible , than before. Clarendon.

Visible church (Theol.) , the apparent church of Christ on earth; the whole body of professed believers in Christ, as contradistinguished from the invisible , or real, church, consisting of sanctified persons. -- Visible horizon . Same as Apparent horizon , under Apparent .

-- Vis"i*ble*ness , n. -- Vis"i*bly , adv.

Visigoth <Xpage=1614>

Vis"i*goth (?) , n. [L. Visegothae , pl. Cf. West , and Goth .] One of the West Goths. See the Note under Goth . -- Vis`i*goth"ic (#) , a.

Vision <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion (?) , n. [OE. visioun , F. vision , fr. L. visio , from videre , visum , to see: akin to Gr. <?/ to see, <?/ I know, and E. wit . See Wit , v. , and cf. Advice , Clairvoyant , Envy , Evident , Provide , Revise , Survey , View , Visage , Visit .] 1. The act of seeing external objects; actual sight.

Faith here is turned into vision there. Hammond.

2. (Physiol.) The faculty of seeing; sight; one of the five senses, by which colors and the physical qualities of external objects are appreciated as a result of the stimulating action of light on the sensitive retina, an expansion of the optic nerve.

3. That which is seen; an object of sight.

Shak.

4. Especially, that which is seen otherwise than by the ordinary sight, or the rational eye; a supernatural, prophetic, or imaginary sight; an apparition; a phantom; a specter; as, the visions of Isaiah .

The baseless fabric of this vision . Shak.

No dreams, but visions strange. Sir P. Sidney.

5. Hence, something unreal or imaginary; a creation of fancy.

Locke.

Arc of vision (Astron.) , the arc which measures the least distance from the sun at which, when the sun is below the horizon, a star or planet emerging from his rays becomes visible. -- Beatific vision (Theol.) , the immediate sight of God in heaven. -- Direct vision (Opt.) , vision when the image of the object falls directly on the yellow spot (see under Yellow ); also, vision by means of rays which are not deviated from their original direction. -- Field of vision , field of view. See under Field . -- Indirect vision (Opt.) , vision when the rays of light from an object fall upon the peripheral parts of the retina. -- Reflected vision , &or; Refracted vision , vision by rays reflected from mirrors, or refracted by lenses or prisms, respectively. -- Vision purple . (Physiol.) See Visual purple , under Visual .

Vision <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Visioned (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Visioning .] To see in a vision; to dream.

For them no visioned terrors daunt, Their nights no fancied specters haunt. Sir W. Scott.

Visional <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a vision.

Visionariness <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion*a*ri*ness (?) , n. The quality or state of being visionary.

Visionary <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion*a*ry (?) , a. [Cf. F. visionnaire .] 1. Of or pertaining to a visions or visions; characterized by, appropriate to, or favorable for, visions. <-- #?? "appropriate to" was spelled "apappropriate to" in the original. -->

The visionary hour When musing midnight reigns. Thomson.

2. Affected by phantoms; disposed to receive impressions on the imagination; given to reverie; apt to receive, and act upon, fancies as if they were realities.

Or lull to rest the visionary maid. Pope.

3. Existing in imagination only; not real; fanciful; imaginary; having no solid foundation; as, visionary prospect; a visionary scheme or project .

Swift.

Syn. -- Fanciful; fantastic; unreal. See Fanciful .

Visionary <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion*a*ry , n. ; pl. Visionaries (<?/) . 1. One whose imagination is disturbed; one who sees visions or phantoms.

2. One whose imagination overpowers his reason and controls his judgment; an unpractical schemer; one who builds castles in the air; a daydreamer.

Visioned <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sioned (?) , a. Having the power of seeing visions; inspired; also, seen in visions. [R.]

Shelley.

Visionist <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion*ist (?) , n. A visionary.

Visionless <Xpage=1614>

Vi"sion*less , a. Destitute of vision; sightless.

Visit <Xpage=1614>

Vis"it (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Visited ; p. pr. & vb. n. Visiting .] [F. visiter , L. visitare , fr. visere to go to see, to visit, fr. videre , visum to see. See Vision. ]

1. To go or come to see, as for the purpose of friendship, business, curiosity, etc.; to attend; to call upon; as, the physician visits his patient .

2. Specifically: To go or come to see for inspection, examination, correction of abuses, etc.; to examine, to inspect; as, a bishop visits his diocese; a superintendent visits persons or works under his charge.

3. (Script.) To come to for the purpose of chastising, rewarding, comforting; to come upon with reward or retribution; to appear before or judge; as, to visit in mercy; to visit one in wrath.

[God] hath visited and redeemed his people. Like i. 68.

Visit <Xpage=1614>

Vis"it (?) , v. i. To make a visit or visits; to maintain visiting relations; to practice calling on others.

Visit <Xpage=1614>

Vis"it , n. [Cf. F. visite . See Visit , v. t. , and cf. Visite .] 1. The act of visiting, or going to see a person or thing; a brief stay of business, friendship, ceremony, curiosity, or the like, usually longer than a call; as, a visit of civility or respect; a visit to Saratoga; the visit of a physician.