The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 646

Chapter 6462,638 wordsPublic domain

Gal"li*nule (?) , n. [L. gallinula chicken, dim. of gallina hen: cf. F. gallinule .] (Zo\'94l.) One of several wading birds, having long, webless toes, and a frontal shield, belonging to the family Rallidae . They are remarkable for running rapidly over marshes and on floating plants. The purple gallinule of America is Ionornis Martinica , that of the Old World is Porphyrio porphyrio . The common European gallinule ( Gallinula chloropus ) is also called moor hen , water hen , water rail , moor coot , night bird , and erroneously dabchick . Closely related to it is the Florida gallinule ( Gallinula galeata ).

&hand; The purple gallinule of Southern Europe and Asia was formerly believed to be able to detect and report adultery, and for that reason, chiefly, it was commonly domesticated by the ancients.

Galliot <Xpage=609>

Gal"li*ot (?) , n. See Galiot .

Gallipoli oil <Xpage=609>

Gal*lip"o*li oil` (?) . An inferior kind of olive oil, brought from Gallipoli, in Italy.

Gallipot <Xpage=609>

Gal"li*pot (?) , n. [Prob. fr. OD. gleypot , the first part of which is possibly akin to E. glad . See Glad , and Pot .] A glazed earthen pot or vessel, used by druggists and apothecaries for containing medicines, etc.

Gallium <Xpage=609>

Gal"li*um (?) , n. [NL., fr. L. Gallia France.] (Chem.) A rare metallic element, found in certain zinc ores. It is white, hard, and malleable, resembling aluminium, and remarcable for its low melting point (86<?/ F., 30<?/C). Symbol Ga. Atomic weight 69.9.

&hand; The element was predicted with most of its properties, under the name ekaluminium , by the Russian chemist Mendelejeff, on the basis of the Periodic law. This prediction was verified in its discovery by the French chemist Lecoq de Boisbaudran by its characteristic spectrum (two violet lines), in an examination of a zinc blende from the Pyrenees.

Gallivant <Xpage=609>

Gal"li*vant (?) , v. i. [From Gallant .] To play the beau; to wait upon the ladies; also, to roam about for pleasure without any definite plan. [Slang]

Dickens.

Gallivat <Xpage=609>

Gal"li*vat (?) , n. [Prob. fr. Pg. galeota ; cf. E. galiot , galley .] (Naut.) A small armed vessel, with sails and oars, -- used on the Malabar coast.

A. Chalmers.

Galliwasp <Xpage=609>

Gal"li*wasp` (?) , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo\'94l.) A West Indian lizard ( Celestus occiduus ), about a foot long, imagined by the natives to be venomous.

Gallnut <Xpage=609>

Gall"nut` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A round gall produced on the leaves and shoots of various species of the oak tree. See Gall , and Nutgall .

Gallomania <Xpage=609>

Gal`lo*ma"ni*a (?) , n. [L. Galli Gauls + mania madness.] An excessive admiration of what is French. -- Gal`lo*ma"ni*ac (#) , n.

Gallon <Xpage=609>

Gal"lon (?) , n. [OF galon , jalon , LL. galo , galona , fr. galum a liquid measure; cf. F. jale large bowl. Cf. Gill a measure.] A measure of capacity, containing four quarts; -- used, for the most part, in liquid measure, but sometimes in dry measure.

&hand; The standart gallon of the Unites States contains 231 cubic inches, or 8.3389 pounds avoirdupois of distilled water at its maximum density, and with the barometer at 30 inches. This is almost exactly equivalent to a cylinder of seven inches in diameter and six inches in height, and is the same as the old English wine gallon . The beer gallon , now little used in the United States, contains 282 cubic inches. The English imperial gallon contains 10 pounds avoirdupois of distilled water at 62<?/ of Fahrenheit, and barometer at 30 inches, equal to 277.274 cubic inches.

Galloon <Xpage=609>

Gal*loon" (?) , n. [From F. or Sp. galon . See Gala . ] 1. A narrow tapelike fabric used for binding hats, shoes, etc., -- sometimes made ornamental.

2. A similar bordering or binding of rich material, such as gold lace.

Silver and gold galloons , with the like glittering gewgaws. Addison.

Gallooned <Xpage=609>

Gal*looned` (?) , a. Furnished or adorned with galloon.

Gallop <Xpage=609>

Gal"lop (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Galloped (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Galloping .] [OE. galopen , F. galoper , of German origin; cf. assumed Goth. ga-hlaupan to run, OHG. giloufen , AS. gehle\'a0pan to leap, dance, fr. root of E. leap , and a prefix; or cf. OFlem. walop a gallop. See Leap , and cf. 1st Wallop .] 1. To move or run in the mode called a gallop; as a horse; to go at a gallop; to run or move with speed.

But gallop lively down the western hill. Donne.

<page="610"> Page 610

2. To ride a horse at a gallop.

3. Fig.: To go rapidly or carelessly, as in making a hasty examination.

Such superficial ideas he may collect in galloping over it. Locke.

Gallop <Xpage=610>

Gal"lop (?) , v. t. To cause to gallop.

Gallop <Xpage=610>

Gal"lop , n. [Cf. F. galop . See Gallop , v. i. , and cf. Galop .] A mode of running by a quadruped, particularly by a horse, by lifting alternately the fore feet and the hind feet, in successive leaps or bounds.

Hand gallop , a slow or gentle gallop.

Gallopade <Xpage=610>

Gal"lo*pade` (?) , n. [F. galopade . See Gallop , n. ] 1. I horsemanship, a sidelong or curveting kind of gallop.

2. A kind of dance; also, music to the dance; a galop.

Gallopade <Xpage=610>

Gal`lo*pade" (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Gallopaded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Gallopading .] 1. To gallop, as on horseback.

2. To perform the dance called gallopade.

Galloper <Xpage=610>

Gal"lop*er (?) , n. 1. One who, or that which, gallops.

2. (Mil.) A carriage on which very small guns were formerly mounted, the gun resting on the shafts, without a limber.

Farrow.

Galloper gun , a light gun, supported on a galloper, -- formerly attached to British infantry regiments.

Gallopin <Xpage=610>

Gal"lo*pin (?) , n. [F. galopin . See Gallop , v. i. ] An under servant for the kitchen; a scullion; a cook's errand boy. [Obs.]

Halliwell.

Galloping <Xpage=610>

Gal"lop*ing (?) , a. Going at a gallop; progressing rapidly; as, a galloping horse .

Gallotannic <Xpage=610>

Gal`lo*tan"nic (?) , a. [ Gall nutgall + tannic .] (Chem.) Pertaining to the tannin or nutgalls.

Gallotannic acid . See Tannic acid , under Tannic .

Gallow <Xpage=610>

Gal"low (?) , v. t. [Cf. AS. \'begelwan to stupefy.] To fright or terrify. See Gally , v. t. [Obs.]

Shak.

Galloway <Xpage=610>

Gal"lo*way (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A small horse of a breed raised at Galloway , Scotland; -- called also garran , and garron .

Gallowglass <Xpage=610>

Gal"low*glass` (?) , n. [Ir. galloglach . Cf. Gillie .] A heavy-armed foot soldier from Ireland and the Western Isles in the time of Edward <?/

Shak.

Gallows <Xpage=610>

Gal"lows (?) , n. sing. ; pl. Gallowses (#) &or; Gallows . [OE. galwes , pl., AS. galga , gealga , gallows, cross; akin to D. galg gallows, OS. & OHG. galgo , G. galgen , Icel. g\'belgi , Sw. & Dan. galge , Goth. galga a cross. Etymologically and historically considered, gallows is a noun in the plural number, but it is used as a singular, and hence is preceded by a ; as, a gallows .] 1. A frame from which is suspended the rope with which criminals are executed by hanging, usually consisting of two upright posts and a crossbeam on the top; also, a like frame for suspending anything.

So they hanged Haman on the gallows . Esther vii. 10.

If I hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows . Shak.

O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses<?/ Shak.

2. A wretch who deserves the gallows. [R.]

Shak.

3. (Print.) The rest for the tympan when raised.

4. pl. A pair of suspenders or braces. [Colloq.]

Gallows bird , a person who deserves the gallows. [Colloq.] -- Gallows bitts (Naut.) , one of two or more frames amidships on deck for supporting spare spars; -- called also gallows , gallows top , gallows frame , etc. -- Gallows frame . (a) The frame supporting the beam of an engine. (b) (Naut.) Gallows bitts. -- Gallows , &or; Gallow tree , the gallows.

At length him nail\'82d on a gallow tree . Spenser.

Gallstone <Xpage=610>

Gall"stone` (?) , n. A concretion, or calculus, formed in the gall bladder or biliary passages. See Calculus , n. , 1.

Gally <Xpage=610>

Gal"ly (?) , v. t. [See Gallow , v. t. ] To frighten; to worry. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

T. Brown.

Gally <Xpage=610>

Gall"y (?) , a. Like gall; bitter as gall.

Cranmer.

Gally <Xpage=610>

Gal"ly (?) , n. See Galley , n. , 4.

Gallygaskins <Xpage=610>

Gal`ly*gas"kins , n. pl. See Galligaskins .

Galoche, Galoshe <Xpage=610>

Ga*loche" , Ga*loshe" (<?/) , [OE. galoche , galache , galage , shoe, F. galoche galoche, perh. altered fr. L. gallica a Gallic shoe, or fr. LL. calopedia wooden shoe, or shoe with a wooden sole, Gr. <?/, dim. of <?/, <?/, a shoemaker's last; <?/ wood + <?/ foot.] 1. A clog or patten. [Obs.]

Nor were worthy [to] unbuckle his galoche . Chaucer.

2. Hence: An overshoe worn in wet weather.

3. A gaiter, or legging, covering the upper part of the shoe and part of the leg.

Galoot <Xpage=610>

Ga*loot" (?) , n. A noisy, swaggering, or worthless fellow; a rowdy. [Slang, U. S.]

Galop <Xpage=610>

Gal"op (?) , n. [F.] (Mus.) A kind of lively dance, in 2-4 time; also, the music to the dance.

Galore <Xpage=610>

Ga*lore" (?) , n. & a. [Scot. gelore , gilore , galore , fr. Gael . gu le\'95r , enough; gu- to, also an adverbial prefix + le\'95r , le\'95ir , enough; or fr. Ir. goleor , the same word.] Plenty; abundance; in abundance.

Galoshe <Xpage=610>

Ga*loshe" (?) , n. Same as Galoche .

Galpe <Xpage=610>

Galpe (?) , v. i. To gape,; to yawn. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Galsome <Xpage=610>

Gal"some (?) , a. [ Gall bitterness + some .] Angry; malignant. [Obs.]

Bp. Morton.

Galt <Xpage=610>

Galt (?) , n [See Gault .] Same as Gault .

Galvanic <Xpage=610>

Gal*van"ic (?) , a. [From Galvani , a professor of physiology at Bologna, on account of his connection (about 1780) with the discovery of dynamical or current electricity: cf. F. galvanique .] Of or pertaining to, or exhibiting the phenomena of, galvanism; employing or producing electrical currents.

Galvanic battery (Elec.) , an apparatus for generating electrical currents by the mutual action of certain liquids and metals; -- now usually called voltaic battery . See Battery . -- Galvanic circuit &or; circle . (Elec.) See under Circuit . -- Galvanic pile (Elec.) , the voltaic pile. See under Voltaic .

Galvanism <Xpage=610>

Gal"va*nism (?) , n [From Galvani : cf. F. galvanisme . See Galvani c.] (Physics) (a) Electricity excited by the mutual action of certain liquids and metals; dynamical electricity. (b) The branch of physical science which treats of dynamical elecricity, or the properties and effects of electrical currents.

&hand; The words galvanism and galvanic , formerly in very general use, are now rarely employed. For the latter, voltaic , from the name of Volta , is commonly used.

Galvanist <Xpage=610>

Gal"va*nist (?) , n. One versed in galvanism.

Galvanization <Xpage=610>

Gal"va*niza`tion (?) , n. The act of process of galvanizing.

Galvanize <Xpage=610>

Gal"va*nize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Galvanized (?) ; p pr. & vb. n. Galvanizing (?) .] [Cf. F. galvaniser .] 1. To affect with galvanism; to subject to the action of electrical currents.

2. To plate, as with gold, silver, etc., by means of electricity.

3. To restore to consciousness by galvanic action (as from a state of suspended animation); hence, to stimulate or excite to a factitious animation or activity.

4. To coat, as iron, with zinc. See Galvanized iron .

Galvanized iron , formerly, iron coated with zink by electrical deposition; now more commonly, iron coated with zink by plunging into a bath of melted zink, after its surface has been cleaned by friction with the aid of dilute acid.

Galvanizer <Xpage=610>

Gal"va*ni`zer (?) , n. One who, or that which, galvanize.

Galvanocaustic <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*caus"tic (?) , a. [ Galvanic + caustic .] Relating to the use of galvanic heat as a caustic, especially in medicine.

Galvanocautery <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*cau"ter*y (?) , n. (Med.) Cautery effected by a knife or needle heated by the passage of a galvanic current.

Galvanoglyphy <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*nog"ly*phy (?) , n. [ Galvanic + Gr. <?/ to engrave.] Same as Glyphography .

Galvanograph <Xpage=610>

Gal*van"o*graph (?) , n. [ Galvanic + -graph .] (Engraving) A copperplate produced by the method of galvanography; also, a picture printed from such a plate.

Galvanographic <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*graph"ic (?) , a. Of or pertaining to galvanography.

Galvanography <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*nog"ra*phy (?) , n. [ Galvanic + -graphy .] 1. The art or process of depositing metals by electricity; electrotypy.

2. A method of producing by means of electrotyping process (without etching) copperplates which can be printed from in the same manner as engraved plates.

Galvanologist <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*nol"o*gist (?) , n. One who describes the phenomena of galvanism; a writer on galvanism.

Galvanology <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*nol"o*gy (?) n. [ Galvanic + -logy .] A treatise on galvanism, or a description of its phenomena.

Galvanometer <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*nom"e*ter (?) , n. [ Galvanic + -meter : cf. F. galvanom\'8atre .] (Elec.) An instrument or apparatus for measuring the intensity of an electric current, usually by the deflection of a magnetic needle.

Differential galvanometer . See under Differental , a. -- Sine galvanometer , Cosine galvanometer , Tangent galvanometer (Elec.) , a galvanometer in which the sine, cosine, or tangent respectively, of the angle through which the needle is deflected, is proportional to the strength of the current passed through the instrument.

Galvanometric <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*met"ric (?) , a. Of, pertaining to, or measured by, a galvanometer.

Galvanometry <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*nom"e*try (?) , n. The art or process of measuring the force of electric currents.

Galvanoplastic <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*plas"tic (?) , a. [ Galvanic + -plastic .] Of or pertaining to the art or process of electrotyping; employing, or produced by, the process of electolytic deposition; as, a galvano-plastic copy of a medal or the like .

Galvanoplasty <Xpage=610>

Gal*van"o*plas`ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. galanoplastie .] The art or process of electrotypy.

Galvanopuncture <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*punc"ture (?) , n. (Med.) Same as Electro-puncture .

Galvanoscope <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*scope (?) , n. [ Galvanic + -scope : cf. F. galvanoscope .] (Elec.) An instrument or apparatus for detecting the presence of electrical currents, especially such as are of feeble intensity.

Galvanoscopic <Xpage=610>

Gal*van`o*scop"ic (?) , a Of or pertaining to a galvanoscope.

Galvanoscopy <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*nos"co*py (?) , n (Physiol.) The use of galvanism in physiological experiments.

Galvanotonus <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*not"o*nus (?) , n. [NL., fr. E. galvanic + GR. <?/ to tone.] (Physiol.) Same as Electrotonus .

Galvanotropism <Xpage=610>

Gal`va*not"ro*pism (?) , n. [ Galvanic + Gr. <?/ to turn.] (Bot.) The tendency of a root to place its axis in the line of a galvanic current.

Galwes <Xpage=610>

Gal"wes (?) , n. Gallows. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Gama grass <Xpage=610>

Ga"ma grass` (?) . [From Gama , a cluster of the Maldive Islands.] (Bot.) A species of grass ( Tripsacum dactyloides ) tall, stout, and exceedingly productive; cultivated in the West Indies, Mexico, and the Southern States of North America as a forage grass; -- called also sesame grass .

Gamashes <Xpage=610>

Ga*mash"es (?) , n. pl. [F. gamaches .] High boots or buskins; in Scotland, short spatterdashes or riding trousers, worn over the other clothing.

Gamba <Xpage=610>

Gam"ba (?) , n. A viola da gamba.

Gambadoes <Xpage=610>

Gam*ba"does (?) , n. pl. [I. or Sp. gamba leg. See Gambol , n. ] Same as Gamashes .

His thin legs tenanted a pair of gambadoes fastened at the side with rusty clasps. Sir W. Scott.

Gambeson <Xpage=610>

Gam"be*son (?) , n. Same as Gambison .

Gambet <Xpage=610>

Gam"bet (?) , n. [Fr. gambette , or It. gambetta .] (Zo\'94l.) Any bird of the genuis Totanus . See Tattler .

Gambier <Xpage=610>

Gam"bier (?) , n. [Malayan.] (a) The inspissated juice of a plant ( Uncaria Gambir ) growing in Malacca. It is a powerful astringent, and, under the name of Terra Japonica , is used for chewing with the Areca nut, and is exported for tanning and dyeing. (b) Catechu. [Written also gambeer and gambir .]

Gambison <Xpage=610>