Chapter 537

Er"rand (?) , n. [OE. erende , erande , message, business, AS. \'91rende , \'91rend ; akin to OS. arundi , OHG. arunti , Icel. eyrendi , \'94rendi , erendi , Sw. \'84rende , Dan. \'91rende ; perh. akin to AS. earu swift, Icel. \'94rr , and to L. oriri to rise, E. orient .] A special business intrusted to a messenger; something to be told or done by one sent somewhere for the purpose; often, a verbal message; a commission; as, the servant was sent on an errand ; to do an errand . Also, one's purpose in going anywhere.

I have a secret errand to thee, O king. Judg. iii. 19.

I will not eat till I have told mine errand . Gen. xxiv. 33.

<-- 2. Any specific task, usually of a routine nature, requiring some form of travel, usually locally. An errand is often on behalf of someone else, but sometimes for one's own purposes.

To run an errand. To perform an errand[2].

3. A mission . -->

Errant <Xpage=<-- p. 50- -->>

Er"rant (?) , a. [F. errant , p. pr. fr. OF. errer to travel, LL. iterare , fr. L. iter journey; confused somewhat with L. errare to err. See Eyre , and cf. Arrant , Itinerant .]

1. Wandering; deviating from an appointed course, or from a direct path; roving.

Seven planets or errant stars in the lower orbs of heaven. Sir T. Browne.

2. Notorious; notoriously bad; downright; arrant.

Would make me an errant fool. B. Jonson.

3. (Eng. Law) Journeying; itinerant; -- formerly applied to judges who went on circuit and to bailiffs at large.

Mozley & W.

Errant <Xpage=<-- p. 50- -->>

Er"rant , n. One who wanders about. [Obs.]

Fuller.

Errantia <Xpage=<-- p. 50- -->>

Er*ran"ti*a (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. L. errare to wander. See Err .] (Zo\'94l.) A group of ch\'91topod annelids, including those that are not confined to tubes. See Ch\'91topoda . [Written also Errantes .]

Errantry <Xpage=<-- p. 50- -->>

Er"rant*ry (?) , n.

1. A wandering; a roving; esp., a roving in quest of adventures.

Addison.

2. The employment of a knight-errant.

Johnson.

Errata <Xpage=<-- p. 50- -->>

Er*ra"ta (?) , n. pl. [L.] See Erratum .

Erratic <Xpage=<-- p. 50- -->>

Er*rat"ic (?) , a. [L. erraticus , fr. errare to wander: cf. F. erratique . See Err .]

1. Having no certain course; roving about without a fixed destination; wandering; moving; -- hence, applied to the planets as distinguished from the fixed stars.

The earth and each erratic world. Blackmore.

2. Deviating from a wise of the common course in opinion or conduct; eccentric; strange; queer; as, erratic conduct .

3. Irregular; changeable. " Erratic fever."

Harvey.

Erratic blocks , gravel, etc. (Geol.) , masses of stone which have been transported from their original resting places by the agency of water, ice, or other causes. -- Erratic phenomena , the phenomena which relate to transported materials on the earth's surface.

Erratic <Xpage=<-- p. 50- -->>

Er*rat"ic , n.

1. One who deviates from common and accepted opinions; one who is eccentric or preserve in his intellectual character.

<page="508"> Page 508

2. A rogue. [Obs.]

Cockeram.

3. (Geol.) Any stone or material that has been borne away from its original site by natural agencies; esp., a large block or fragment of rock; a bowlder.

&hand; In the plural the term is applied especially to the loose gravel and stones on the earth's surface, including what is called drift .

Erratical <Xpage=508>

Er*rat"ic*al (?) , a. Erratic. -- Er*rat"ic*al*ly , adv. -- Er*rat"ic*al*ness , n.

Erration <Xpage=508>

Er*ra"tion (?) , n. [L. erratio . See Err .] A wandering; a roving about. [Obs.]

Cockeram.

Erratum <Xpage=508>

Er*ra"tum (?) , n. ; pl. Errata (#) . [L., fr. errare , erratum , to wander, err. See Err .] An error or mistake in writing or printing.

A single erratum may knock out the brains of a whole passage. Cowper.

Erthine <Xpage=508>

Er"thine (?) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/ in + <?/, <?/, nose: cf. F. errhin .] (Med.) A medicine designed to be snuffed up the nose, to promote discharges of mucus; a sternutatory. Coxe . -- a. Causing or increasing secretion of nasal mucus.

Erroneous <Xpage=508>

Er*ro"ne*ous (?) , a. [L. erroneus , fr. errare to err. See Err .]

1. Wandering; straying; deviating from the right course; -- hence, irregular; unnatural. [Obs.] " Erroneous circulation."

Arbuthnot.

Stopped much of the erroneous light, which otherwise would have disturbed the vision. Sir I. Newman.

2. Misleading; misled; mistaking. [Obs.]

An erroneous conscience commands us to do what we ought to omit. Jer. Taylor.

3. Containing error; not conformed to truth or justice; incorrect; false; mistaken; as, an erroneous doctrine; erroneous opinion, observation, deduction, view, etc. -- Er*ro"ne*ous*ly , adv. -- Er*ro"ne*ous*ness , n.

Error <Xpage=508>

Er"ror (?) , n. [OF. error , errur , F. erreur , L. error , fr. errare to err. See Err .]

1. A wandering; a roving or irregular course. [Obs.]

The rest of his journey, his error by sea. B. Jonson.

2. A wandering or deviation from the right course or standard; irregularity; mistake; inaccuracy; something made wrong or left wrong; as, an error in writing or in printing; a clerical error .

3. A departing or deviation from the truth; falsity; false notion; wrong opinion; mistake; misapprehension.

H<?/ judgment was often in error , though his candor remained unimpaired. Bancroft.

4. A moral offense; violation of duty; a sin or transgression; iniquity; fault.

Ps. xix. 12.

5. (Math.) The difference between the approximate result and the true result; -- used particularly in the rule of double position.

6. (Mensuration) (a) The difference between an observed value and the true value of a quantity. (b) The difference between the observed value of a quantity and that which is taken or computed to be the true value; -- sometimes called residual error .

7. (Law.) A mistake in the proceedings of a court of record in matters of law or of fact.

8. (Baseball) A fault of a player of the side in the field which results in failure to put out a player on the other side, or gives him an unearned base.

Law of error , &or; Law of frequency of error (Mensuration) , the law which expresses the relation between the magnitude of an error and the frequency with which that error will be committed in making a large number of careful measurements of a quantity. -- Probable error . (Mensuration) See under Probable . -- Writ of error (Law) , an original writ, which lies after judgment in an action at law, in a court of record, to correct some alleged error in the proceedings, or in the judgment of the court.

Bouvier. Burrill.

Syn. -- Mistake; fault; blunder; failure; fallacy; delusion; hallucination; sin. See Blunder .

Errorful <Xpage=508>

Er"ror*ful (?) , a. Full of error; wrong.

Foxe.

Errorist <Xpage=508>

Er"ror*ist , n. One who encourages and propagates error; one who holds to error.

Ers <Xpage=508>

Ers (?) , n. [F., fr. L. ervum a kind of pulse, bitter vetch.] (Bot.) The bitter vetch ( Ervum Ervilia ).

Erse <Xpage=508>

Erse (?) , n. [A modification of Irish , OE. Irishe .] A name sometimes given to that dialect of the Celtic which is spoken in the Highlands of Scotland; -- called, by the Highlanders, Gaelic .

Erse <Xpage=508>

Erse , a. Of or pertaining to the Celtic race in the Highlands of Scotland, or to their language.

Ersh <Xpage=508>

Ersh (?) , n. See Arrish .

Erst <Xpage=508>

Erst (?) , adv. [Orig. superlative of ere ; AS. <?/rest . See Ere .] [Archaic]

1. First.

Chaucer.

2. Previously; before; formerly; heretofore.

Chaucer.

Tityrus, with whose style he had erst disclaimed all ambition to match his pastoral pipe. A. W. Ward.

At erst , at first; at the beginning. -- Now at erst , at this present time.

Chaucer.

Erstwhile <Xpage=508>

Erst`while" (?) , adv. Till then or now; heretofore; formerly. [Archaic]

Erubescence; 135, Erubescency <Xpage=508>

Er`u*bes"cence (?; 135) , Er`u*bes"cen*cy (?) , n. [L. erubescentia : cf. F. \'82rubescence .] The act of becoming red; redness of the skin or surface of anything; a blushing.

Erubescent <Xpage=508>

Er`u*bes"cent (?) , a. [L. erubescens , p. pr. erubescere to grow red; e out + rubescere . See Rubescent .] Red, or reddish; blushing.

Johnson.

Erubescite <Xpage=508>

Er`u*bes"cite (?) , n. (Min.) See Bornite .

Eruca <Xpage=508>

E*ru"ca (?) , n. ; pl. Eruc\'91 (#) . [L., a caterpillar, also, a sort of colewort.] (Zo\'94l.) An insect in the larval state; a caterpillar; a larva.

Erucic <Xpage=508>

E*ru"cic (?) , a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, a genus of cruciferous Mediterranean herbs ( Eruca or Brassica ); as, erucic acid, a fatty acid resembling oleic acid, and found in colza oil, mustard oil, etc.

Erucifrom <Xpage=508>

E*ru"ci*from (?) , a. [ Eruca + -form .] (Zo\'94l.) Having the form of a caterpillar; -- said of insect larv\'91.

Eruct, Eructate <Xpage=508>

E*ruct" (?) , E*ruc"tate (?) , v. t. [L. eructare ; e out + ructare to belch: cf. F. \'82ructer .] To eject, as wind, from the stomach; to belch. [R.]

Howell.

Eructation <Xpage=508>

Er`uc*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. eructatio : cf. F. \'82ructation .]

1. The act of belching wind from the stomach; a belch.

2. A violent belching out or emitting, as of gaseous or other matter from the crater of a volcano, geyser, etc.

Erudiate <Xpage=508>

E*ru"di*ate (?) , v. t. [L. erudire .] To instruct; to educate; to teach. [Obs.]

The skillful goddess there erudiates these In all she did. Fanshawe.

Erudite <Xpage=508>

Er"u*dite (?; 135) , a. [L. eruditus , p. p. of erudire to free from rudeness, to polish, instruct; e out + rudis rude: cf. F. \'82rudit . See Rude .] Characterized by extensive reading or knowledge; well instructed; learned. "A most erudite prince." Sir T. More . " Erudite . . . theology." I. Taylor . -- Er"u*dite`ly , adv. -- Er"u*dite`ness , n.

Erudition <Xpage=508>

Er`u*di"tion (?) , n. [L. eruditio : cf. F. \'82rudition .] The act of instructing; the result of thorough instruction; the state of being erudite or learned; the acquisitions gained by extensive reading or study; particularly, learning in literature or criticism, as distinct from the sciences; scholarship.

The management of a young lady's person is not be overlooked, but the erudition of her mind is much more to be regarded. Steele.

The gay young gentleman whose erudition sat so easily upon him. Macaulay.

Syn. -- Literature; learning. See Literature .

Erugate <Xpage=508>

Er"u*gate (?) , a. [L. erugatus , p. p. of erugare to smooth; e out + ruga wrinkle.] Freed from wrinkles; smooth.

Eruginous <Xpage=508>

E*ru"gi*nous (?) , a. [Cf. F. \'82rugineux . See \'92ruginous .] Partaking of the substance or nature of copper, or of the rust copper; resembling the trust of copper or verdigris; \'91ruginous.

Erumpent <Xpage=508>

E*rum"pent (?) , a. [L. erumpens , -entis , p. pr. of erumpere .] (Bot.) Breaking out; -- said of certain fungi which burst through the texture of leaves.

Erupt <Xpage=508>

E*rupt" (?) , v. t. [See Eruption .] To cause to burst forth; to eject; as, to erupt lava .

Huxley.

Eruption <Xpage=508>

E*rup"tion (?) , n. [L. eruptio , fr. erumpere , eruptum , to break out; e out + rumpere , to break: cf. F. \'82ruption . See Rupture .]

1. The act of breaking out or bursting forth; as: (a) A violent throwing out of flames, lava, etc., as from a volcano of a fissure in the earth's crust. (b) A sudden and overwhelming hostile movement of armed men from one country to another. Milton . (c) A violent commotion.

All Paris was quiet . . . to gather fresh strength for the next day's eruption . W. Irving.

2. That which bursts forth.

3. A violent exclamation; ejaculation.

He would . . . break out into bitter and passionate eruditions . Sir H. Wotton.

4. (Med.) The breaking out of pimples, or an efflorescence, as in measles, scarlatina, etc.

Eruptional <Xpage=508>

E*rup"tion*al (?) , a. Eruptive. [R.]

R. A. Proctor.

Eruptive <Xpage=508>

E*rup"tive (?) , a. [Cf. F. \'82ruptif .]

1. Breaking out or bursting forth.

The sudden glance Appears far south eruptive through the cloud. Thomson.

2. (Med.) Attended with eruption or efflorescence, or producing it; as, an eruptive fever .

3. (Geol.) Produced by eruption; as, eruptive rocks, such as the igneous or volcanic .

Eruptive <Xpage=508>

E*rup"tive , n. (Geol.) An eruptive rock.

Erynggium <Xpage=508>

E*ryng"gi*um (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/, dim. of <?/ eryngo; cf. L. eryngion , erynge .] (Bot.) A genus of umbelliferous plants somewhat like thistles in appearance. Eryngium maritimum , or sea holly, has been highly esteemed as an aphrodisiac, the roots being formerly candied.

Eryngo <Xpage=508>

E*ryn"go (?) , n. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Eryngium.

Erysipelas <Xpage=508>

Er`y*sip"e*las (?) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/; <?/ red + <?/ hide, skin. See Red , and Pell , n. ] (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface. It is usually regarded as contagious, and often occurs epidemically.

Erysipelatoid <Xpage=508>

Er`y*si*pel"a*toid (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ erysipelas + -oid .] Resembling erysipelas.

Erysipelatous <Xpage=508>

Er`y*si*pel"a*tous (?) , a. [Cf. F. \'82rysip\'82lateux .] Resembling erysipelas, or partaking of its nature.

Erysipelous <Xpage=508>

Er`y*sip"e*lous (?) , a. Erysipelatous.

Erythema <Xpage=508>

Er`y*the"ma (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to redden, fr. <?/ red.] (Med.) A disease of the skin, in which a diffused inflammation forms rose-colored patches of variable size.

Erythematic <Xpage=508>

Er`y*the*mat"ic (?) , a. [Cf. F. \'82ryth\'82matique .] (Med.) Characterized by, or causing, a morbid redness of the skin; relating to erythema.

Erythematous <Xpage=508>

Er`y*them"a*tous (?) , a. (Med.) Relating to, or causing, erythema.

Erythrean, Erythr\'91an <Xpage=508>

Er`y*thre"an , Er`y*thr\'91"an (?) , a. [L. erythraeus ; Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ red.] Red in color. "The erythrean main."

Milton.

Erythric <Xpage=508>

E*ryth"ric (?) , a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, erythrin.

Erythrin, Erythrine <Xpage=508>

E*ryth"rin , E*ryth"rine (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ red.]

1. (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance, C20H22O10 , extracted from certain lichens, as the various species of Rocella . It is a derivative of orsellinic acid. So called because of certain red compounds derived from it. Called also erythric acid.

2. (Min.) See Erythrite , 2.

Erythrina <Xpage=508>

Er`y*thri"na (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ red.] (Bot.) A genus of leguminous plants growing in the tropics; coral tree; -- so called from its red flowers.

Erythrism <Xpage=508>

E*ryth"rism (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ red: cf. F. \'82rythrisme .] (Zo\'94l.) A condition of excessive redness. See Erythrochroism .

Erythrite <Xpage=508>

E*ryth"rite (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ red.]

1. (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance, C4H6.(OH)4 , of a sweet, cooling taste, extracted from certain lichens, and obtained by the decomposition of erythrin ; -- called also erythrol , erythroglucin , erythromannite , pseudorcin , cobalt bloom , and under the name phycite obtained from the alga Protococcus vulgaris . It is a tetrabasic alcohol, corresponding to glycol and glycerin. <-- now usu. called erythritol, HO.CH2.CHOH.CHOH.CH2.OH Has coronary vasodilator activity. -->

2. (Min.) A rose-red mineral, crystallized and earthy, a hydrous arseniate of cobalt, known also as cobalt bloom ; -- called also erythrin or erythrine .

Erythrochroic <Xpage=508>

E*ryth`ro*chro"ic (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Having, or subject to, erythrochroism.

Erythrochroism <Xpage=508>

E*ryth"ro*chro*ism (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ red + <?/ color.] (Zo\'94l.) An unusual redness, esp. in the plumage of birds, or hair of mammals, independently of age, sex, or season.

Erythrodextrin <Xpage=508>

E*ryth`ro*dex"trin (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ red + E. dextrin .] (Physiol. Chem.) A dextrin which gives a red color with iodine. See Dextrin .

Erythrogen <Xpage=508>

E*ryth"ro*gen (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ red + -gen .] (Chem.) (a) Carbon disulphide; -- so called from certain red compounds which it produces in combination with other substances. (b) A substance reddened by acids, which is supposed to be contained in flowers. (c) A crystalline substance obtained from diseased bile, which becomes blood-red when acted on by nitric acid or ammonia.

Erythrogranulose <Xpage=508>