The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 930

Chapter 9302,634 wordsPublic domain

Lycanthropia <Xpage=877>

Ly`can*thro"pi*a (?) , n. [NL.] See Lycanthropy , 2.

Lycanthropic <Xpage=877>

Ly`can*throp"ic (?) , a. Pertaining to lycanthropy.

Lycanthropist <Xpage=877>

Ly*can"thro*pist (?) , n. One affected by the disease lycanthropy.

Lycanthropous <Xpage=877>

Ly*can"thro*pous (?) , a. Lycanthropic.

Lycanthropy <Xpage=877>

Ly*can"thro*py (?) , n. [Gr. <?/: cf. F. lycanthropie .] 1. The supposed act of turning one's self or another person into a wolf.

Lowell.

2. (Med.) A kind of erratic melancholy, in which the patient imagines himself a wolf, and imitates the actions of that animal.

Lyceum <Xpage=877>

Ly*ce"um (?) , n. ; pl. E. Lyceums (#) , L. Lycea (#) . [L. lyceum , Gr. <?/, so named after the neighboring temple of <?/ <?/ Apollo the wolf slayer, prob. fr. <?/ belonging to a wolf, fr <?/ wolf. See Wolf .] 1. A place of exercise with covered walks, in the suburbs of Athens, where Aristotle taught philosophy.

2. A house or apartment appropriated to instruction by lectures or disquisitions.

3. A higher school, in Europe, which prepares youths for the university.

4. An association for debate and literary improvement.

Lyche <Xpage=877>

Lyche (?) , a. Like. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Lychee <Xpage=877>

Ly"chee` (?) , n. (Bot.) See Litchi .

Lych gate <Xpage=877>

Lych" gate` (?) . See under Lich .

Lychnis <Xpage=877>

Lych"nis (?) , n. [L., a kind of red flower, Gr. lychni`s ; cf. ly`chnos a lamp.] (Bot.) A genus of Old World plants belonging to the Pink family ( Caryophyllace\'91 ). Most of the species have brilliantly colored flowers and cottony leaves, which may have anciently answered as wicks for lamps. The botanical name is in common use for the garden species. The corn cockle ( Lychnis Githago ) is a common weed in wheat fields.

Lychnobite <Xpage=877>

Lych"no*bite (?) , n. [Gr. ly`chnos a lamp + bi`os life.] One who labors at night and sleeps in the day.

Lychnoscope <Xpage=877>

Lych"no*scope (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ + -scope .] (Arch.) Same as Low side window , under Low, a.

Lycine <Xpage=877>

Lyc"ine (?) , n. (Chem.) A weak base identical with betaine; -- so called because found in the boxthorn ( Lycium barbarum ). See Betaine . <-- (also called oxyneurine, glycine betaine, glycocoll betain; = carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide inner salt. C5H11NO2 (zwitterion) -->

Lycoperdon <Xpage=877>

Ly`co*per"don (?) , n. [NL., from Gr. <?/ wolf + <?/ to break wind.] (Bot.) A genus of fungi, remarkable for the great quantity of spores, forming a fine dust, which is thrown out like smoke when the plant is compressed or burst; puffball.

Lycopod <Xpage=877>

Ly"co*pod (?) , n. [Cf. F. lycopode .] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Lycopodium.

Lycopode <Xpage=877>

Ly"co*pode (?) , n. [F.] Same as Lycopodium powder . See under Lycopodium .

Lycopodiaceous <Xpage=877>

Ly`co*po`di*a"ceous (?) , a. (Bot.) Belonging, or relating, to the Lycopodiace\'91 , an order of cryptogamous plants (called also club mosses ) with branching stems, and small, crowded, one-nerved, and usually pointed leaves.

Lycopodite <Xpage=877>

Ly*cop"o*dite (?) , n. (Paleon.) An old name for a fossil club moss.

Lycopodium <Xpage=877>

Ly`co*po"di*um (?) , n. [NL., from Gr. <?/ wolf + <?/, <?/, a foot.] (Bot.) A genus of mosslike plants, the type of the order Lycopodiace\'91 ; club moss.

Lycopodium powder , a fine powder or dust composed of the spores of Lycopodium, and other plants of the order Lycopodiace\'91 . It is highly inflammable, and is sometimes used in the manufacture of fireworks, and the artificial representation of lightning.

Lycotropous <Xpage=877>

Ly*cot"ro*pous (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ hook + <?/ to turn.] (Bot.) Campylotropous.

Lyden <Xpage=877>

Lyd"en (?) , n. See Leden . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Lydian <Xpage=877>

Lyd"i*an (?) , a. [L. Lydius , fr. Lydia , Gr. <?/.] Of or pertaining to Lydia, a country of Asia Minor, or to its inhabitants; hence, soft; effeminate; -- said especially of one of the ancient Greek modes or keys, the music in which was of a soft, pathetic, or voluptuous character.

Softly sweet in Lydian measures, Soon he soothed his soul to pleasures. Dryden.

Lydian stone , a flint slate used by the ancients to try gold and silver; a touchstone. See Basanite .

Lydine <Xpage=877>

Lyd"ine (?) , n. (Dyeing) A violet dye derived from aniline.

Lye <Xpage=877>

Lye (?) , n. [Written also lie and ley .] [AS. le\'a0h ; akin to D. loog , OHG. louga , G. lauge ; cf. Icel. laug a bath, a hot spring.] A strong caustic alkaline solution of potassium salts, obtained by leaching wood ashes. It is much used in making soap, etc.

Lye <Xpage=877>

Lye , n. (Railroad) A short side line, connected with the main line; a turn-out; a siding. [Eng.]

Lye <Xpage=877>

Lye , n. A falsehood. [Obs.] See Lie .

Lyencephala <Xpage=877>

Ly`en*ceph"a*la (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ to loose + <?/ the brain.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of Mammalia, including the marsupials and monotremes; -- so called because the corpus callosum is rudimentary.

Lyencephalous <Xpage=877>

Ly`en*ceph"a*lous (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the Lyencephala.

Lyerman <Xpage=877>

Ly"er*man (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The cicada.

Lygodium <Xpage=877>

Ly*go"di*um (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ flexible; <?/ a willow twig + <?/ form.] (Bot.) A genus of ferns with twining or climbing fronds, bearing stalked and variously-lobed divisions in pairs.

&hand; Lygodium palmatum , much prized for indoor ornament, inhabits shaded and moist grassy places, from Massachusetts to Virginia and Kentucky, and sparingly southwards.

Lying <Xpage=877>

Ly"ing (?) , p. pr. & vb. n. of Lie , to tell a falsehood.

Lying <Xpage=877>

Ly"ing , p. pr. & vb. n. of Lie , to be supported horizontally.

Lying panel (Arch.) , a panel in which the grain of the wood is horizontal. [R.] -- Lying to (Naut.) , having the sails so disposed as to counteract each other.

Lying-in <Xpage=877>

Ly"ing-in" (?) , n. 1. The state attending, and consequent to, childbirth; confinement.

2. The act of bearing a child.

Lyingly <Xpage=877>

Ly"ing*ly , adv. In a lying manner; falsely.

Lyken <Xpage=877>

Ly"ken (?) , v. t. [See Like , v. t. ] To please; -- chiefly used impersonally. [Obs.] " Sith it lyketh you."

Chaucer.

Lym, &or; Lymhound <Xpage=877>

Lym (?) , &or; Lym"hound` (?) , n. A dog held in a leam; a bloodhound; a limehound. [Obs.]

Shak.

Lymail <Xpage=877>

Ly*mail" (?) , n. See Limaille . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Lyme grass <Xpage=877>

Lyme" grass` (?) . (Bot.) A coarse perennial grass of several species of Elymus , esp. E. Canadensis , and the European E. arenarius .

Lymph <Xpage=877>

Lymph (?) , n. [L. lympha : cf. F. lymphe .] 1. A spring of water; hence, water, or a pure, transparent liquid like water.

A fountain bubbled up, whose lymph serene Nothing of earthly mixture might distain. Trench.

2. (Anat.) An alkaline colorless fluid, contained in the lymphatic vessels, coagulable like blood, but free from red blood corpuscles. It is absorbed from the various tissues and organs of the body, and is finally discharged by the thoracic and right lymphatic ducts into the great veins near the heart.

3. (Med.) A fibrinous material exuded from the blood vessels in inflammation. In the process of healing it is either absorbed, or is converted into connective tissue binding the inflamed surfaces together.

Lymph corpuscles (Anat.) , finely granular nucleated cells, identical with the colorless blood corpuscles, present in the lymph and chyle. -- Lymph duct (Anat.) , a lymphatic. -- Lymph heart . See Note under Heart , n. , 1.

Lymphadenitis <Xpage=877>

Lym`pha*de*ni"tis (?) , n. [NL. See Lymph , and Adenitis .] (Med.) Inflammation of the lymphatic glands; -- called also lymphitis .

Lymphadenoma <Xpage=877>

Lym`pha*de*no"ma (?) , n. [NL. See Lymph , Aden- , and -oma .] (Med.) See Lymphoma .

Lymphangeitis <Xpage=877>

Lym*phan`ge*i"tis (?) , n. [NL., from L. lympha lymph + Gr. <?/ vessel + -itis .] (Med.) Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels. [Written also lymphangitis .]

Lymphangial <Xpage=877>

Lym*phan"gi*al (?) , a. [See Lymphangeitis .] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the lymphatics, or lymphoid tissue; lymphatic.

Lymphate, Lymphated <Xpage=877>

Lymph"ate (?) , Lymph"a*ted (?) , a. [L. lymphatus , p. p. of lymphare to water, dilute with water, to drive out of one's senses, to make mad.] Frightened into madness; raving. [Obs.]

Lymphatic <Xpage=877>

Lym*phat"ic (?) , a. [L. lymphaticus distracted, frantic: cf. F. lymphatique ] pertaining to, containing, or conveying lymph.

2. Madly enthusiastic; frantic. [Obs.] " Lymphatic rapture. " Sir T. Herbert . [See Lymphate .]

Lymphatic gland (Anat.) , one of the solid glandlike bodies connected with the lymphatics or the lacteals; -- called also lymphatic ganglion , and conglobate gland . -- Lymphatic temperament (Old Physiol.) , a temperament in which the lymphatic system seems to predominate, that is, a system in which the complexion lacks color and the tissues seem to be of loose texture; hence, a temperament lacking energy, inactive, indisposed to exertion or excitement. See Temperament .

Lymphatic <Xpage=877>

Lym*phat"ic , n. 1. (Anat.) One of the lymphatic or absorbent vessels, which carry lymph and discharge it into the veins; lymph duct; lymphatic duct.

2. A mad enthusiast; a lunatic. [Obs.]

Lymphitis <Xpage=877>

Lym*phi"tis (?) , n. [NL.] (Med.) See Lymphadenitis .

Lymphogenic <Xpage=877>

Lym`pho*gen"ic (?) , a. [ Lymph + root of L. gignere to produce.] (Physiol.) Connected with, or formed in, the lymphatic glands.

Lymphography <Xpage=877>

Lym*phog"ra*phy (?) , n. [ Lymph + -graphy .] A description of the lymphatic vessels, their origin and uses.

Lymphoid <Xpage=877>

Lymph"oid (?) , a. [ Lymph + -oid .] (Anat.) Resembling lymph; also, resembling a lymphatic gland; adenoid; as, lymphoid tissue .

Lymphoma <Xpage=877>

Lym*pho"ma (?) , n. [NL. See Lymph , and -oma .] (Med.) A tumor having a structure resembling that of a lymphatic gland; -- called also lymphadenoma .

Malignant lymphoma , a fatal disease characterized by the formation in various parts of the body of new growths resembling lymphatic glands in structure.

Lymphy <Xpage=877>

Lymph"y (?) , a. Containing, or like, lymph.

Lyn <Xpage=877>

Lyn (?) , n. A waterfall. See Lin . [Scot.]

Lyncean <Xpage=877>

Lyn*ce"an (?) , a. [See Lynx .] (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the lynx.

Lynch <Xpage=877>

Lynch (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Lynched (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Lynching .] [See Note under Lynch law .] To inflict punishment upon, especially death, without the forms of law, as when a mob captures and hangs a suspected person. See Lynch law .

Lyncher <Xpage=877>

Lynch"er (?) , n. One who assists in lynching.

Lynch law <Xpage=877>

Lynch" law` (?) . The act or practice by private persons of inflicting punishment for crimes or offenses, without due process of law.

&hand; The term Lynch law is said to be derived from a Virginian named Lynch, who took the law into his own hands. But the origin of the term is very doubtful.

Lynde, Lynden <Xpage=877>

Lynde (?) , Lyn"den (?) , n. See Linden .

Lyne <Xpage=877>

Lyne (?) , n. Linen. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Lynx <Xpage=877>

Lynx (?) , n. [L. lynx , lyncis , Gr. <?/; akin to AS. lox , G. luchs , prob. named from its sharp sight, and akin to E. light . See Light , n. , and cf. Ounce an animal.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of feline animals of the genus Felis , and subgenus Lynx . They have a short tail, and usually a pencil of hair on the tip of the ears.

<page="878"> Page 878

&hand; Among the well-known species are the European lynx ( Felis borealis ); the Canada lynx or loup-cervier ( F. Canadensis ); the bay lynx of America ( F. rufa ), and its western spotted variety ( var. maculata ); and the pardine lynx ( F. pardina ) of Southern Europe.

2. (Astron.) One of the northern constellations.

Lynx-eyed <Xpage=878>

Lynx"-eyed` (?) , a. Having acute sight.

Lyonnaise <Xpage=878>

Ly`on`naise" (?) , a. [F. lyonnaise , fem. of lyonnais of Lyons.] (Cookery) Applied to boiled potatoes cut into small pieces and heated in oil or butter. They are usually flavored with onion and parsley.

Lyopomata <Xpage=878>

Ly`o*po"ma*ta (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ to loose + <?/, <?/, a lid.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of brachiopods, in which the valves of shell are not articulated by a hinge. It includes the Lingula, Discina, and allied forms. [Written also Lyopoma .]

Lyra <Xpage=878>

Ly"ra (?) , n. [L. lyra , Gr. <?/. See Lyre .] 1. (Astron.) A northern constellation, the Harp, containing a white star of the first magnitude, called Alpha Lyr\'91 , or Vega . <-- has-member -->

2. (Anat.) The middle portion of the ventral surface of the fornix of the brain; -- so called from the arrangement of the lines with which it is marked in the human brain.

Lyraid <Xpage=878>

Ly"ra*id (?) , n. (Astron.) Same as Lyrid .

Lyrate, Lyrated <Xpage=878>

Ly"rate (?) , Ly"ra*ted (?) , a. [NL. lyratus . See Lyre .] 1. (Bot.) Lyre-shaped, or spatulate and oblong, with small lobes toward the base; as, a lyrate leaf .

2. (Zo\'94l.) Shaped like a lyre, as the tail of the blackcock, or that of the lyre bird.

Lyre <Xpage=878>

Lyre (?) , n. [OE. lire , OF. lyre , L. lyra , Gr. <?/. Cf. Lyra .] 1. (Mus.) A stringed instrument of music; a kind of harp much used by the ancients, as an accompaniment to poetry.

&hand; The lyre was the peculiar instrument of Apollo, the tutelary god of music and poetry. It gave name to the species of verse called lyric, to which it originally furnished an accompaniment

2. (Astron.) One of the constellations; Lyra. See Lyra .

Lyre bat (Zo\'94l.) , a small bat ( Megaderma lyra ), inhabiting India and Ceylon. It is remarkable for the enormous size and curious shape of the nose membrane and ears. -- Lyre turtle (Zo\'94l.) , the leatherback.

Lyre bird <Xpage=878>

Lyre" bird` (?) . (Zo\'94l.) Any one of two or three species of Australian birds of the genus Menura . The male is remarkable for having the sixteen tail feathers very long and, when spread, arranged in the form of a lyre. The common lyre bird ( Menura superba ), inhabiting New South Wales, is about the size of a grouse. Its general color is brown, with rufous color on the throat, wings, tail coverts and tail. Called also lyre pheasant and lyre-tail .

Lyric, Lyrical <Xpage=878>

Lyr"ic (?) , Lyr"ic*al (?) , a. [L. lyricus , Gr. <?/: cf. F. lyrique . See Lyre .] 1. Of or pertaining to a lyre or harp.

2. Fitted to be sung to the lyre; hence, also, appropriate for song; -- said especially of poetry which expresses the individual emotions of the poet. "Sweet lyric song."

Milton.

Lyric <Xpage=878>

Lyr"ic , n. 1. A lyric poem; a lyrical composition.

2. A composer of lyric poems. [R.]

Addison.

3. A verse of the kind usually employed in lyric poetry; -- used chiefly in the plural .

<-- 4. pl. The words of a song. -->

Lyrically <Xpage=878>

Lyr"ic*al*ly (?) , adv. In a lyrical manner.

Lyricism <Xpage=878>

Lyr"i*cism (?) , n. A lyric composition.

Gray.

Lyrid <Xpage=878>

Ly"rid (?) , n. (Astron.) One of the group of shooting stars which come into the air in certain years on or about the 19th of April; -- so called because the apparent path among the stars the stars if produced back wards crosses the constellation Lyra .

Lyrie <Xpage=878>

Ly"rie (?) , n. [Icel. hl<?/ri a sort of fish.] (Zo\'94l.) A European fish ( Peristethus cataphractum ), having the body covered with bony plates, and having three spines projecting in front of the nose; -- called also noble , pluck , pogge , sea poacher , and armed bullhead .

Lyriferous <Xpage=878>

Ly*rif"er*ous (?) , a. [ Lyre + -ferous .] (Zo\'94l.) Having a lyre-shaped shoulder girdle, as certain fishes.

Lyrism <Xpage=878>

Lyr"ism (?) , n. [Cf. Gr. <?/.] The act of playing on a lyre or harp.

G. Eliot.

Lyrist <Xpage=878>

Lyr"ist , n. [L. lyristes , Gr. <?/: cf. F. lyriste .] A musician who plays on the harp or lyre; a composer of lyrical poetry.

Shelley.

Lysimeter <Xpage=878>

Ly*sim"e*ter (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ a loosing + -meter .] An instrument for measuring the water that percolates through a certain depth of soil.

Knight.

Lysis <Xpage=878>

Ly"sis (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/.] (Med.) The resolution or favorable termination of a disease, coming on gradually and not marked by abrupt change.