Chapter 278

Cit"tern (?) , n. [L. cithara , Gr. <?/. Cf. Cithara , Gittern .] (Mus.) An instrument shaped like a lute, but strung with wire and played with a quill or plectrum. [Written also cithern .]

Shak.

&hand; Not to be confounded with zither .

Cittern-head <Xpage=260>

Cit"tern-head` (?) , n. Blockhead; dunce; -- so called because the handle of a cittern usually ended with a carved head.

Marsion

City <Xpage=260>

Cit"y (<?/) , n. ; pl. Cities (#) . [OE. cite , F. cit <?/, fr. L. civitas citizenship, state, city, fr. civis citizen; akin to Goth. heiwa (in heiwa frauja man of the house), AS. <?/, pl., members of a family, servants, <?/ family, G. heirath marriage, prop., providing a house, E. hind a peasant.] 1. A large town.

2. A corporate town; in the United States, a town or collective body of inhabitants, incorporated and governed by a mayor and aldermen or a city council consisting of a board of aldermen and a common council; in Great Britain, a town corporate, which is or has been the seat of a bishop, or the capital of his see.

A city is a town incorporated; which is, or has been, the see of a bishop; and though the bishopric has been dissolved, as at Westminster, it yet remaineth a city . Blackstone

When Gorges constituted York a city , he of course meant it to be the seat of a bishop, for the word city has no other meaning in English law. Palfrey

3. The collective body of citizens, or inhabitants of a city. "What is the city but the people?"

Shak.

Syn. -- See Village .

City <Xpage=260>

Cit"y , a. Of or pertaining to a city.

Shak.

City council . See under Council . -- City court , The municipal court of a city. [U. S.] -- City ward , a watchman, or the collective watchmen, of a city. [Obs.]

Fairfax.

Cive <Xpage=260>

Cive (?) , n. (Bot.) Same as Chive .

Civet <Xpage=260>

Civ"et (?) , n. [F. civette (cf. It. zibetto ) civet, civet cat, fr. LGr. <?/, fr. Ar. zub<?/d , zab<?/d , civet.]

1. A substance, of the consistence of butter or honey, taken from glands in the anal pouch of the civet ( Viverra civetta ). It is of clear yellowish or brownish color, of a strong, musky odor, offensive when undiluted, but agreeble when a small portion is mixed with another substance. It is used as a perfume.

2. (Zo\'94l) The animal that produces civet ( Viverra civetta ); -- called also civet cat . It is carnivorous, from two to three feet long, and of a brownish gray color, with transverse black bands and spots on the body and tail. It is a native of northern Africa and of Asia. The name is also applied to other species.

Civet <Xpage=260>

Civ"et (?) , v. t. To scent or perfume with civet.

Cowper

Civic <Xpage=260>

Civ"ic (?) , a. [L.civicus, fr. civis citizen. See City .] Relating to, or derived from, a city or citizen; relating to man as a member of society, or to civil affairs.

Civic crown (Rom. Antiq.) , a crown or garland of oak leaves and acorns, bestowed on a soldier who had saved the life of a citizen in battle.

Civicism <Xpage=260>

Civ"i*cism (?) , n. The principle of civil government.

Civics <Xpage=260>

Civ"ics (?) , n. The science of civil government.

Civil <Xpage=260>

Civ"il (?) , a. [L. civilis , fr. civis citizen: cf. F. civil . See City .] 1. Pertaining to a city or state, or to a citizen in his relations to his fellow citizens or to the state; within the city or state.

2. Subject to government; reduced to order; civilized; not barbarous; -- said of the community.

England was very rude and barbarous; for it is but even the other day since England grew civil . Spenser.

3. Performing the duties of a citizen; obedient to government; -- said of an individual.

Civil men come nearer the saints of God than others; they come within a step or two of heaven. Preston

4. Having the manners of one dwelling in a city, as opposed to those of savages or rustics; polite; courteous; complaisant; affable.

&hand; "A civil man now is one observant of slight external courtesies in the mutual intercourse between man and man; a civil man once was one who fulfilled all the duties and obligations flowing from his position as a 'civis' and his relations to the other members of that 'civitas.'"

Trench

5. Pertaining to civic life and affairs, in distinction from military, ecclesiastical, or official state.

6. Relating to rights and remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings.

Civil action , an action to enforce the rights or redress the wrongs of an individual, not involving a criminal proceeding. -- Civil architecture , the architecture which is employed in constructing buildings for the purposes of civil life, in distinction from military and naval architecture, as private houses, palaces, churches, etc. -- Civil death . (Law.) See under Death . -- Civil engineering . See under Engineering . -- Civil law . See under Law . -- Civil list . See under List . -- Civil remedy (Law) , that given to a person injured, by action, as opposed to a criminal prosecution. -- Civil service , all service rendered to and paid for by the state or nation other than that pertaining to naval or military affairs. -- Civil service reform , the substitution of business principles and methods for the spoils system in the conduct of the civil service, esp. in the matter of appointments to office. -- Civil state , the whole body of the laity or citizens not included under the military, maritime, and ecclesiastical states. -- Civil suit . Same as Civil action . -- CCivil war . See under War . -- Civil year . See under Year .

Civilian <Xpage=260>

Ci*vil"ian (?) , n. [From Civil ] 1. One skilled in the civil law.

Ancient civilians and writers upon government. Swift.

2. A student of the civil law at a university or college.

R. Graves.

3. One whose pursuits are those of civil life, not military or clerical.

Civilist <Xpage=260>

Civ"il*ist (?) , n. A civilian. [R.]

Warbur<?/on.

Civillty <Xpage=260>

Ci*vil"l*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Civilities (#) . [L. civilitas : cf. F. civilit\'82 . See Civil .] 1. The state of society in which the relations and duties of a citizen are recognized and obeyed; a state of civilization. [Obs.]

Monarchies have risen from barbarrism to civility , and fallen again to ruin. Sir J. Davies.

The gradual depature of all deeper signification from the word civility has obliged the creation of another word -- civilization. Trench.

2. A civil office, or a civil process [Obs.]

To serve in a civility . Latimer.

3. Courtesy; politeness; kind attention; good breeding; a polite act or expression.

The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be. Chesterfield.

The sweet civilities of life. Dryden.

Syn. -- Urbanity; affability; complaisance.

Civilizable <Xpage=260>

Civ"i*li`za*ble (?) , a. Capable of being civilized.

Civilization <Xpage=260>

Civ`i*li*za"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. civilisation .] 1. The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized; national culture; refinement.

Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners, and with civilization , have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles -- . . . the spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion. Burke

2. (Law) Rendering a criminal process civil. [Obs.]

Civilize <Xpage=260>

Civ"i*lize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Civilized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Civilizing .] [Cf. F. civilizer , fr.L. civilis civil. See Civil .] 1. To reclaim from a savage state; to instruct in the rules and customs of civilization; to educate; to refine.

Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose Her land to civilize , as to subdue. Dryden

2. To admit as suitable to a civilized state. [Obs. or R.] " Civilizing adultery."

Milton.

Syn. -- To polish; refine; humanize.

Civilized <Xpage=260>

Civ"i*lized (?) , a. Reclaimed from savage life and manners; instructed in arts, learning, and civil manners; refined; cultivated.

Sale of conscience and duty in open market is not reconcilable with the present state of civilized society. J. Quincy.

Civilizer <Xpage=260>

Civ"i*li*zer (?) , n. One who, or that which, civilizes or tends to civilize.

Civily <Xpage=260>

Civ"i*ly (?) , adv. In a civil manner; as regards civil rights and privileges; politely; courteously; in a well bred manner.

Civism <Xpage=260>

Civ"ism (?) , n. [Cf.F. civisme , fr.L. civis citizen.] State of citizenship. [R.]

Dyer.

Cizar <Xpage=260>

Ciz"ar (?) , v. i. [From Cizars .] To clip with scissors. [Obs.]

Beau. & Fl.

Cizars <Xpage=260>

Ciz"ars (?) , n. pl. Scissors. [Obs.]

Swift.

Cize <Xpage=260>

Cize (?) , n. Bulk; largeness. [Obs.] See Size .

Clabber <Xpage=260>

Clab"ber (?) , n. [See Bonnyclabber ] Milk curdled so as to become thick.

Clabber <Xpage=260>

Clab"ber , v. i. To become clabber; to lopper.

Clachan <Xpage=260>

Clach"an (?) , n. [Scot., fr.Gael.] A small village containing a church. [Scot.]

Sir W. Scott

Sitting at the clachon alehouse . R. L. Stevenson.

Clack <Xpage=260>

Clack (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Clacked (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Clacking .] [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. F. claquer to clap, crack, D. klakken , MHG. klac crack, Ir. clagaim I make a noise, ring. Cf. Clack , n. , Clatter , Click .] 1. To make a sudden, sharp noise, or a succesion of such noises, as by striking an object, or by collision of parts; to rattle; to click.

We heard Mr.Hodson's whip clacking on the ahoulders of the poor little wretches. Thackeray.

<-- p. 261 -->

2. To utter words rapidly and continually, or with abruptness; to let the tongue run.

Clack <Xpage=261>

Clack (?) , v. t. 1. To cause to make a sudden, sharp noise, or succession of noises; to click.

2. To utter rapidly and inconsiderately.

Feltham.

To clack wool , to cut off the sheep's mark, in order to make the wool weigh less and thus yield less duty . [Eng.]

Clack <Xpage=261>

Clack , n. [Cf. F. claque a slap or smack, MHG. klac crack, W. clec crack, gossip. See Clack , v. t. ] 1. A sharp, abrupt noise, or succession of noises, made by striking an object.

2. Anything that causes a clacking noise, as the clapper of a mill, or a clack valve.

3. Continual or importunate talk; prattle; prating.

Whose chief intent is to vaunt his spiritual clack . South.

Clack box (Mach.) , the box or chamber in which a clack valve works. -- Clack dish , a dish with a movable lid, formerly carried by beggars, who clacked the lid to attract notice.

Shak.

Clack door (Mining) , removable cover of the opening through which access is had to a pump valve. -- Clack valve (Mach.) , a valve; esp. one hinged at one edge, which, when raised from its seat, falls with a clacking sound.

Clacker <Xpage=261>

Clack"er (?) , n. 1. One who clacks; that which clacks; especially, the clapper of a mill.

2. A claqueur. See Claqueur .

Clad <Xpage=261>

Clad (?) , v.t To clothe. [Obs.]

Holland.

Clad <Xpage=261>

Clad , imp. & p. p. of Clothe .

Cladocera <Xpage=261>

Cla*doc"e*ra (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a sprout + <?/ a horn.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of the Entomostraca.

&hand; They have a bivalve shell, covering the body but not the head, and from four to six pairs of legs and two pairs of anten\'91, for use in swimming. They mostly inhabit fresh water.

Cladophyll <Xpage=261>

Clad"o*phyll (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ a sprout + <?/ a leaf.] (Bot.) A special branch, resembling a leaf, as in the apparent foliage of the broom ( Ruscus ) and of the common cultivated smilax ( Myrsiphillum ).

Claggy <Xpage=261>

Clag"gy (?) , a. [Cf. Clog .] Adhesive; -- said of a roof in a mine to which coal clings.

Claik <Xpage=261>

Claik (?) , n. See Clake .

Claim <Xpage=261>

Claim (kl\'bem) , v.<?/. [ imp. & p. p. Claimed (kl\'bemd) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Claiming .] [OE. clamen , claimen , OF. clamer , fr. L. clamare to cry out, call; akin to calare to proclaim, Gr. <?/ to call, Skr. kal to sound, G. holen to fetch, E. hale haul.] 1. To ask for, or seek to obtain, by virtue of authority, right, or supposed right; to challenge as a right; to demand as due.

2. To proclaim. [Obs.]

Spenser.

3. To call or name. [Obs.]

Spenser.

4. To assert; to maintain. [Colloq.]

Claim <Xpage=261>

Claim , v. i. To be entitled to anything; to deduce a right or title; to have a claim.

We must know how the first ruler, from whom any one claims , came by his authority. Locke.

Claim <Xpage=261>

Claim , n. [Of. claim cry, complaint, from clamer . See Claim , v.t.] 1. A demand of a right or supposed right; a calling on another for something due or supposed to be due; an assertion of a right or fact.

2. A right to claim or demand something; a title to any debt, privilege, or other thing in possession of another; also, a title to anything which another should give or concede to, or confer on, the claimant. "A bar to all claims upon land."

Hallam.

3. The thing claimed or demanded; that (as land) to which any one intends to establish a right; as a settler's claim ; a miner's claim . [U.S. & Australia]

4. A laoud call. [Obs.]

Spenser

To lay claim to, to demand as a right. "Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance?" Shak.

Claimable <Xpage=261>

Claim"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being claimed.

Claimant <Xpage=261>

Claim"ant (?) , n. [Cf. OF . clamant , p. pr. of clamer . Cf. Clamant .] One who claims; one who asserts a right or title; a claimer.

Claimer <Xpage=261>

Claim"er (?) , n. One who claims; a claimant.

Claimless <Xpage=261>

Claim"less , a. Having no claim.

Clair-obscur <Xpage=261>

Clair"-ob*scur" (<?/) , n. [F. See Clare-obscure .] See Chiaroscuro .

Clairvoyance <Xpage=261>

Clair*voy"ance (?) , n. [F.] A power, attributed to some persons while in a mesmeric state, of discering objects not perceptible by the senses in their normal condition.

Clairvoyant <Xpage=261>

Clair*voy"ant (?) , a. [F., fr. clair clear + voyant , p. pr. of voir to see. See Clear , and Vision .] Pertaining to clairvoyance; discerning objects while in a mesmeric state which are not present to the senses.

Clairvoyant <Xpage=261>

Clair*voy"ant n. One who is able, when in a mesmeric state, to discern objects not present to the senses.

Clake, Claik <Xpage=261>

Clake , Claik (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The bernicle goose; -- called also clack goose . <-- now called barnacle goose-->

Clam <Xpage=261>

Clam (?) , n. [Cf. Clamp , Clam , v. t. , Clammy .] 1. (Zo\'94l.) A bivalve mollusk of many kinds, especially those that are edible; as, the long clam ( Mya arenaria ), the quahog or round clam ( Venus mercenaria ), the sea clam or hen clam ( Spisula solidissima ), and other species of the United States . The name is said to have been given originally to the Tridacna gigas , a huge East Indian bivalve.

You shall scarce find any bay or shallow shore, or cove of sand, where you may not take many clampes , or lobsters, or both, at your pleasure. Capt. John Smith (1616).

Clams , or clamps , is a shellfish not much unlike a coclke; it lieth under the sand. Wood (1634).

2. (Ship Carp.) Strong pinchers or forceps.

3. pl. (Mech.) A kind of vise, usually of wood.

Blood clam . See under Blood .

Clam <Xpage=261>

Clam (cl\'ddm) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Clammed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Clamming .] [Cf. AS. cl\'91man to clam, smear; akin to Icel. kleima to smear, OHG. kleimjan , chleimen , to defile, or E. clammy .] To clog, as with glutinous or viscous matter.

A swarm of wasps got into a honey pot, and there they cloyed and clammed Themselves till there was no getting out again. L'Estrange.

Clam <Xpage=261>

Clam , v. i. To be moist or glutinous; to stick; to adhere. [R.]

Dryden

Clam <Xpage=261>

Clam , n. Claminess; moisture. [R.] "The clam of death."

Carlyle.

Clam <Xpage=261>

Clam , n. [Abbrev. fr. clamor .] A crash or clangor made by ringing all the bells of a chime at once.

Nares.

Clam <Xpage=261>

Clam , v. t. & i. To produce, in bell ringing, a clam or clangor; to cause to clang.

Nares.

Clamant <Xpage=261>

Cla"mant (?) , a. [L. clamans , p. pr. of clamare to call. Cf. Claimant .] Crying earnestly, beseeching clamorousky. " Clamant children."

Thomson.

Clamation <Xpage=261>

Cla*ma"tion (?) , n. [LL. clamatio , fr. L. clamare to call.] The act of crying out.

Sir T. Browne.

Clamatores <Xpage=261>

Clam`a*to"res (?) , n. pl. [L. clamator , pl. clamatores , a bawler.] (Zo\'94l.) A division of passerine birds in which the vocal muscles are but little developed, so that they lack the power of singing.

Clamatorial <Xpage=261>

Clam`a*to"rial (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Like or pertaining to the Clamatores.

Clambake <Xpage=261>

Clam"bake (?) , n. The backing or steaming of clams on heated stones, between layers of seaweed; hence, a picnic party, gathered on such an occasion.

Clamber <Xpage=261>