Chapter 104

Ex*cur"rent (?), a. [L. excurrens, p. p. of excurrere, excursum, to run out; ex out + currere to run. See Current.] 1. Running or flowing out; as: (Bot.) Running or extending out; as, an excurrent midrib, one which projects beyond the apex of a leaf; an excurrent steam or trunk, one which continues to the top.

2. (Zoöl) Characterized by a current which flows outward; as, an excurrent orifice or tube.

Ex*curse" (?), v. t. [See excurrent.] To journey or pass thought. [R.]

Ex*cur"sion (?). [L. excursio: cf. F. excursion. See Excurrent.] 1. A running or going out or forth; an expedition; a sally.

Far on excursion toward the gates of hell.

Milton.

They would make excursions and waste the country.

Holland.

2. A journey chiefly for recreation; a pleasure trip; a brief tour; as, an excursion into the country.

3. A wandering from a subject; digression.

I am not in a scribbling mood, and shall therefore make no excursions.

Cowper.

4. (Mach.) Length of stroke, as of a piston; stroke. [An awkward use of the word.]

Syn. -- Journey; tour; ramble; jaunt. See Journey.

Ex*cur"sion*ist, n. One who goes on an excursion, or pleasure trip.

Ex*cur"sive (?), a. Prone to make excursions; wandering; roving; exploring; as, an excursive fancy.

The course of excursive . . . understandings.

I. Taylor.

-- Ex*cur"sive*ly, adv. -- Ex*cur"sive*ness, , n.

||Ex*cur"sus (?), n. [L., fr. excurrere, excursum. See Excurrent.] A dissertation or digression appended to a work, and containing a more extended exposition of some important point or topic.

Ex*cus"a*ble (?) a. [L. excusabilis: cf. F. excusable. See Excuse.] That may be excused, forgiven, justified, or acquitted of blame; pardonable; as, the man is excusable; an excusable action. -- Ex*cus"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ex*cus"a*bly, adv.

The excusableness of my dissatisfaction.

Boyle.

Ex`cu*sa"tion (?), n. [L. excusatio: cf. F. excusation.] Excuse; apology. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ex`cu*sa"tor (?), n. [L.] One who makes, or is authorized to make, an excuse; an apologist. [Obs.] Hume.

Ex*cus"a*to*ry (?), a. Making or containing excuse or apology; apologetical; as, an excusatory plea.

Ex*cuse" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Excused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Excusing.] [OE. escusen, cusen, OF. escuser, excuser, F. excuser, fr. L. excusare; ex out + causa cause, causari to plead. See Cause.] 1. To free from accusation, or the imputation of fault or blame; to clear from guilt; to release from a charge; to justify by extenuating a fault; to exculpate; to absolve; to acquit.

A man's persuasion that a thing is duty, will not excuse him from guilt in practicing it, if really and indeed it be against Gog's law.

Abp. Sharp.

2. To pardon, as a fault; to forgive entirely, or to admit to be little censurable, and to overlook; as, we excuse irregular conduct, when extraordinary circumstances appear to justify it.

I must excuse what can not be amended.

Shak.

3. To regard with indulgence; to view leniently or to overlook; to pardon.

And in our own (excuse some courtly stains.) No whiter page than Addison remains.

Pope.

4. To free from an impending obligation or duty; hence, to disengage; to dispense with; to release by favor; also, to remit by favor; not to exact; as, to excuse a forfeiture.

I pray thee have me excused.

xiv. 19.

5. To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.

Think ye that we excuse ourselves to you?

2 Cor. xii. 19.

Syn. -- To vindicate; exculpate; absolve; acquit. - To Pardon, Excuse, Forgive. A superior pardons as an act of mercy or generosity; either a superior or an equal excuses. A crime, great fault, or a grave offence, as one against law or morals, may be pardoned; a small fault, such as a failure in social or conventional obligations, slight omissions or neglects may be excused. Forgive relates to offenses against one's self, and punishment foregone; as, to forgive injuries or one who has injured us; to pardon grave offenses, crimes, and criminals; to excuse an act of forgetfulness, an unintentional offense. Pardon is also a word of courtesy employed in the sense of excuse.

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Ex*cuse" (?), n. [Cf. F. excuse. See Excuse, v. t.] 1. The act of excusing, apologizing, exculpating, pardoning, releasing, and the like; acquittal; release; absolution; justification; extenuation.

Pleading so wisely in excuse of it.

Shak.

2. That which is offered as a reason for being excused; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault or irregular deportment; apology; as, an excuse for neglect of duty; excuses for delay of payment.

Hence with denial vain and coy excuse.

Milton.

3. That which excuses; that which extenuates or justifies a fault. "It hath the excuse of youth." Shak.

If eyes were made for seeing. Then beauty is its own excuse for being.

Emerson.

Syn. -- See Apology.

Ex*cuse"less, a. Having no excuse; not admitting of excuse or apology. Whillock.

Ex*cuse"ment (?), n. [Cf. OF. excusement.] Excuse. [Obs.] Gower.

Ex*cus"er (?), n. 1. One who offers excuses or pleads in extenuation of the fault of another. Swift.

2. One who excuses or forgives another. Shelton.

Ex*cuss" (?), v. t. [L. excussus. p. p. of excutere to shake off; ex out, from + quatere to shake. Cf. Quash.] 1. To shake off; to discard. [R.]

To excuss the notation of a Geity out of their minds.

Bp. Stillingfleet.

2. To inspect; to investigate; to decipher. [R.]

To take some pains in excusing some old monuments.

F. Junius (1654).

3. To seize and detain by law, as goods. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

Ex*cus"sion (?), n. [L. excussio a shaking down; LL., a threshing of corn: cf. F. excussion.] The act of excusing; seizure by law. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

||Ex"e*at (?), n. [L., let him go forth.] 1. A license for absence from a college or a religious house. [Eng.] Shipley.

2. A permission which a bishop grants to a priest to go out of his diocese. Wharton.

Ex"e*cra*ble (?), a. [L. execrabilis, exsecrabilis: cf. F. exécrable. See Execrate.] Deserving to be execrated; accursed; damnable; detestable; abominable; as, an execrable wretch. "Execrable pride." Hooker.

-- Ex"e*cra*ble*ness, n. -- Ex"e*cra*bly, adv.

Ex"e*crate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Execrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Execrating (?).] [L. execratus, exsecratus, p. p. of execrare, exsecrare, to execrate; ex out + sacer holy, sacred. See Sacred.] To denounce evil against, or to imprecate evil upon; to curse; to protest against as unholy or detestable; hence, to detest utterly; to abhor; to abominate. "They . . . execrate their lct." Cowper.

Ex`e*cra"tion (?), n. [L. execratio, exsecratio: cf. F. exécration.] 1. The act of cursing; a curse dictated by violent feelings of hatred; imprecation; utter detestation expressed.

Cease, gentle, queen, these execrations.

Shak.

2. That which is execrated; a detested thing.

Ye shall be an execration and . . . a curse.

Jer. xlii. 18.

Syn. -- See Malediction.

Ex"e*cra*tive (?), a. Cursing; imprecatory; vilifying. Carlyle. -- Ex"e*cra*tive*ly, adv.

Ex"e*cra*tive, n. A word used for cursing; an imprecatory word or expression. Earle.

Ex"e*cra*to*ry (?), a. Of the nature of execration; imprecatory; denunciatory. C. Kingsley. -- n. A formulary of execrations. L. Addison.

Ex*ect" (?), v. t. [See Exsect.] To cut off or out. [Obs.] See Exsect. Harvey.

Ex*ec"tion (?), n. [Obs.] See Exsection.

Ex"e*cu`ta*ble (?), a. Capable of being executed; feasible; as, an executable project. [R.]

Ex*ec"u*tant (?), n. One who executes or performs; esp., a performer on a musical instrument.

Great executants on the organ.

De Quincey.

Ex"e*cute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Executed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Executing (?).] [F. exécuter, L. executus, exsecutus, p. p. of exequi to follow to the end, pursue; ex out + sequi to follow. See Second, Sue to follow up, and cf. Exequy.] 1. To follow out or through to the end; to carry out into complete effect; to complete; to finish; to effect; to perform.

Why delays His hand to execute what his decree Fixed on this day?

Milton.

2. To complete, as a legal instrument; to perform what is required to give validity to, as by signing and perhaps sealing and delivering; as, to execute a deed, lease, mortgage, will, etc.

3. To give effect to; to do what is provided or required by; to perform the requirements or stipulations of; as, to execute a decree, judgment, writ, or process.

4. To infect capital punishment on; to put to death in conformity to a legal sentence; as, to execute a traitor.

5. To put to death illegally; to kill. [Obs.] Shak.

6. (Mus.) To perform, as a piece of music, either on an instrument or with the voice; as, to execute a difficult part brilliantly.

Syn. -- To accomplish; effect; fulfill; achieve; consummate; finish; complete. See Accomplish.

Ex"e*cute, v. i. 1. To do one's work; to act one's part or purpose. [R.] Hayward.

2. To perform musically.

Ex"e*cu`ter (?), n. One who performs or carries into effect. See Executor.

Ex`e*cu"tion (?), n. [F. exécution, L. executio, exsecutio.] 1. The act of executing; a carrying into effect or to completion; performance; achievement; consummation; as, the execution of a plan, a work, etc.

The excellence of the subject contributed much to the happiness of the execution.

Dryden.

2. A putting to death as a legal penalty; death lawfully inflicted; as, the execution of a murderer.

A warrant for his execution.

Shak.

3. The act of the mode of performing a work of art, of performing on an instrument, of engraving, etc.; as, the execution of a statue, painting, or piece of music.

The first quality of execution is truth.

Ruskin.

4. (Law) (a) The carrying into effect the judgment given in a court of law. (b) A judicial writ by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect; final process. (c) The act of signing, and delivering a legal instrument, or giving it the forms required to render it valid; as, the execution of a deed, or a will.

5. That which is executed or accomplished; effect; effective work; -- usually with do.

To do some fatal execution.

Shak.

6. The act of sacking a town. [Obs.] Beau. & FL.

Ex`e*cu"tion*er (?), n. 1. One who executes; an executer. Bacon.

2. One who puts to death in conformity to legal warrant, as a hangman.

Ex*ec"u*tive (?), a. [Cf.F. exécutif.] Designed or fitted for execution, or carrying into effect; as, executive talent; qualifying for, concerned with, or pertaining to, the execution of the laws or the conduct of affairs; as, executive power or authority; executive duties, officer, department, etc.

In government, executive is distinguished from legislative and judicial; legislative being applied to the organ or organs of government which make the laws; judicial, to that which interprets and applies the laws; executive, to that which carries them into effect or secures their due performance.

Ex*ec"u*tive, n. An impersonal title of the chief magistrate or officer who administers the government, whether king, president, or governor; the governing person or body.

Ex*ec"u*tive*ly, adv. In the way of executing or performing.

Ex*ec"u*tor (?), n. [L. executor, exsecutor: cf. F. exécuteur. Cf. Executer.] 1. One who executes or performs; a doer; as, an executor of baseness. Shak.

2. An executioner. [Obs.]

Delivering o'er to executors paw&?; The lazy, yawning drone.

Shak.

3. (Law) The person appointed by a testator to execute his will, or to see its provisions carried into effect, after his decease.

||Executor de son tort [Of., executor of his own wrong] (Law), a stranger who intermeddles without authority in the distribution of the estate of a deceased person.

Ex*ec`u*to"ri*al (?), a. [LL. executorialis.] Of or pertaining to an executive.

Ex*ec"u*tor*ship (?), n. The office of an executor.

Ex*ec"u*to*ry (?), a. [LL. executorius, L. exsecutorius: cf.F. exécutoire.] 1. Pertaining to administration, or putting the laws in force; executive.

The official and executory duties of government.

Burke.

2. (Law) Designed to be executed or carried into effect in time to come, or to take effect on a future contingency; as, an executory devise, reminder, or estate; an executory contract. Blackstone.

Ex*ec"u*tress (?), n. [Cf.F. exécutrice.] An executrix.

Ex*ec"u*trix (?), n. [LL.] (Law) A woman exercising the functions of an executor.

Ex"e*dent (?), a. [L. exedent, -entis, p. pr. of exedere. See Exesion.] Eating out; consuming. [R.]

||Ex"e*dra (ks"*dr), n.; pl. Exedræ (- dr). [L., fr. Gr 'exe`dra; 'ex out + "e`dra seat.] 1. (Class. Antiq.) A room in a public building, furnished with seats.

2. (Arch.) (a) The projection of any part of a building in a rounded form. (b) Any out-of-door seat in stone, large enough for several persons; esp., one of curved form.

Ex`e*ge"sis (?), n.; pl. Exegeses (#). [NL., fr.Gr. &?;,fr. &?; to explain, interpret; &?; out + &?; to guide, lead, akin, to &?; to lead. See Agent.] 1. Exposition; explanation; especially, a critical explanation of a text or portion of Scripture.

2. (Math.) The process of finding the roots of an equation. [Obs.]

Ex"e*gete (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf.F. exégète. See Exegesis.] An exegetist.

{ Ex`e*get"ic (?), Ex`e*get"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. exégétique.] Pertaining to exegesis; tending to unfold or illustrate; explanatory; expository. Walker. Ex`e*get"ic*al*ly, adv.

Ex`e*get"ics (?), n. The science of interpretation or exegesis.

Ex`e*ge"tist (?), n. One versed in the science of exegesis or interpretation; -- also called exegete.

Ex*em"plar (?), n. [L. exemplar, exemplum: cf. F. exemplaire. See Example, and cf. Examper, Sampler.] 1. A model, original, or pattern, to be copied or imitated; a specimen; sometimes; an ideal model or type, as that which an artist conceives.

Such grand exemplar as make their own abilities the sole measure of what is fit or unfit.

South.

2. A copy of a book or writing. [Obs.] Udall.

Ex*em"plar, a. Exemplary. [Obs.]

The exemplar piety of the father of a family.

Jer. Taylor.

Ex"em*pla*ri*ly (?), adv. In a manner fitted or designed to be an example for imitation or for warning; by way of example.

She is exemplarily loyal.

Howell.

Some he punisheth exemplarily.

Hakewill.

Ex"em*pla*ri*ness, n. The state or quality of being exemplary; fitness to be an example.

Ex`em*plar"i*ty (&?;), n. [Cf. LL. exemplaritas.] Exemplariness. [R.]

The exemplarity of Christ's life.

Abp. Sharp.

Ex"em*pla*ry (?), a. [L. exemplaris, fr. exemplar: cf. F. exemplaire. See Exemplar.] 1. Serving as a pattern; deserving to be proposed for imitation; commendable; as, an exemplary person; exemplary conduct.

[Bishops'] lives and doctrines ought to be exemplary.

Bacon.

2. Serving as a warning; monitory; as, exemplary justice, punishment, or damages.

3. Illustrating as the proof of a thing. Fuller.

Exemplary damages. (Law) See under Damage.

Ex"em*pla*ry, n. An exemplar; also, a copy of a book or writing. [Obs.] Donne.

Ex*em"pli*fi`a*ble (?), a. That can be exemplified.

Ex*em`pli*fi*ca"tion (?), n. 1. The act of exemplifying; a showing or illustrating by example.

2. That which exemplifies; a case in point; example.

3. (Law) A copy or transcript attested to be correct by the seal of an officer having custody of the original.

Ex*em"pli*fi`er (?), n. One who exemplifies by following a pattern.

Ex*em"pli*fy (?) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exemplified (?); p. pr. &. vb. n. Exemplifying.] [L. exemplum example + - fy: cf. LL. exemplificare to copy, serve as an example.] 1. To show or illustrate by example.

He did but . . . exemplify the principles in which he had been brought up.

Cowper.

2. To copy; to transcribe; to make an attested copy or transcript of, under seal, as of a record. Holland.

3. To prove or show by an attested copy.

Ex*empt" (?), a. [F. exempt, L. exemptus, p. p. of eximere to take out, remove, free; ex out + emere to buy, take. Cf. Exon, Redeem.] 1. Cut off; set apart. [Obs.]

Corrupted, and exempt from ancient gentry.

Shak.

2. Extraordinary; exceptional. [Obs.] Chapman.

3. Free, or released, from some liability to which others are subject; excepted from the operation or burden of some law; released; free; clear; privileged; -- (with from): not subject to; not liable to; as, goods exempt from execution; a person exempt from jury service.

True nobility is exempt from fear.

Shak.

T is laid on all, not any one exempt.

Dryden.

Ex*empt", n. 1. One exempted or freed from duty; one not subject.

2. One of four officers of the Yeomen of the Royal Guard, having the rank of corporal; an Exon. [Eng.]

Ex*empt", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exempted; p. pr. & vb. n. Exempting.] [F. exempter. See Exempt, a.] 1. To remove; to set apart. [Obs.] Holland.

2. To release or deliver from some liability which others are subject to; to except or excuse from he operation of a law; to grant immunity to; to free from obligation; to release; as, to exempt from military duty, or from jury service; to exempt from fear or pain.

Death So snatched will not exempt us from the pain We are by doom to pay.

Milton.

Ex*empt"i*ble (?), a. That may be exempted.

Ex*emp"tion (?), n. [L. exenptio a removing: cf. F. exemption exemption.] The act of exempting; the state of being exempt; freedom from any charge, burden, evil, etc., to which others are subject; immunity; privilege; as, exemption of certain articles from seizure; exemption from military service; exemption from anxiety, suffering, etc.

Ex`emp*ti"tious (?), a. Separable. [Obs.] "Exemptitious from matter." Dr. H. More.

Ex*en"ter*ate (?), v. t. [L. exenteratus, p. p. of exenterare; cf. Gr. &?;; &?; out + &?; intestine.] To take out the bowels or entrails of; to disembowel; to eviscerate; as, exenterated fishes. [R.]

Exenterated rule-mongers and eviscerated logicians.

Hare.

Ex*en`ter*a"tion (?), n. [LL. exenteratio.] Act of exenterating. [R.]

||Ex`e*qua"tur (?), n. [L., 3d pers. sing. pres. subj. of exequi, exsequi, to perform, execute.] 1. A written official recognition of a consul or commercial agent, issued by the government to which he is accredited, and authorizing him to exercise his powers in the place to which he is assigned.

2. Official recognition or permission. Prescott.

Ex*e"qui*al (?), a. [L. exequialis, exsequialis, fr. exsequiae exequies.] Of or pertaining to funerals; funereal.

Ex*e"qui*ous (?), a. Funereal. [Obs.] Drayton.

Ex"e*quy (?), n.; pl. Exequies (#). [L. exequiae, exsequiae, a funeral procession, fr. exsequi to follow out: cf. OF. exeques. See Exequte.] A funeral rite (usually in the plural); the ceremonies of burial; obsequies; funeral procession.

But see his exequies fulfilled in Rouen.

Shak.

Ex*er"cent (?), a. [L. exercents, -entis, p. pr. of exercere. See Exercise.] Practicing; professional. [Obs.] "Every exercent advocate." Ayliffe.

Ex"er*ci`sa*ble (?) a. That may be exercised, used, or exerted.

Ex"er*cise (?), n. [F. exercice, L. exercitium, from exercere, exercitum, to drive on, keep, busy, prob. orig., to thrust or drive out of the inclosure; ex out + arcere to shut up, inclose. See Ark.] 1. The act of exercising; a setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use; habitual activity; occupation, in general; practice.

exercise of the important function confided by the constitution to the legislature.

Jefferson.

O we will walk this world, Yoked in all exercise of noble end.

Tennyson.

2. Exertion for the sake of training or improvement whether physical, intellectual, or moral; practice to acquire skill, knowledge, virtue, perfectness, grace, etc. "Desire of knightly exercise." Spenser.

An exercise of the eyes and memory.

Locke.

3. Bodily exertion for the sake of keeping the organs and functions in a healthy state; hygienic activity; as, to take exercise on horseback.

The wise for cure on exercise depend.

Dryden.

4. The performance of an office, a ceremony, or a religious duty.

Lewis refused even those of the church of England . . . the public exercise of their religion.

Addison.

To draw him from his holy exercise.

Shak.

5. That which is done for the sake of exercising, practicing, training, or promoting skill, health, mental, improvement, moral discipline, etc.; that which is assigned or prescribed for such ends; hence, a disquisition; a lesson; a task; as, military or naval exercises; musical exercises; an exercise in composition.

The clumsy exercises of the European tourney.

Prescott.

He seems to have taken a degree, and performed public exercises in Cambridge, in 1565.

Brydges.

6. That which gives practice; a trial; a test.

Patience is more oft the exercise Of saints, the trial of their fortitude.

Milton.

Exercise bone (Med.), a deposit of bony matter in the soft tissues, produced by pressure or exertion.

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Ex"er*cise (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exercised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Exercising (?).] 1. To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to; to put in action habitually or constantly; to school or train; to exert repeatedly; to busy.

Herein do I Exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence.

Acts xxiv. 16.

2. To exert for the sake of training or improvement; to practice in order to develop; hence, also, to improve by practice; to discipline, and to use or to for the purpose of training; as, to exercise arms; to exercise one's self in music; to exercise troops.

About him exercised heroic games The unarmed youth.

Milton.

3. To occupy the attention and effort of; to task; to tax, especially in a painful or vexatious manner; harass; to vex; to worry or make anxious; to affect; to discipline; as, exercised with pain.

Where pain of unextinguishable fire Must exercise us without hope of end.

Milton.

4. To put in practice; to carry out in action; to perform the duties of; to use; to employ; to practice; as, to exercise authority; to exercise an office.

I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

Jer. ix. 24.

The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery.

Ezek. xxii. 29.

Ex"er*cise, v. i. To exercise one's self, as under military training; to drill; to take exercise; to use action or exertion; to practice gymnastics; as, to exercise for health or amusement.

I wear my trusty sword, When I do exercise.

Cowper.

Ex"er*ci`ser (?), n. One who exercises.

Ex"er*ci`si*ble (?), a. Capable of being exercised, employed, or enforced; as, the authority of a magistrate is exercisible within his jurisdiction.

Ex*er`ci*ta"tion (?), n. [L. exercitatio, fr. exercitare, intense., fr. exercere to exercise: Cf. f. exercitation.] exercise; practice; use. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Ex*ergue" (?), n. [F., fr. Gr. &?; out + &?; work; lit., out work, i. e., accessory work. See Work.] (Numis.) The small space beneath the base line of a subject engraved on a coin or medal. It usually contains the date, place, engraver's name, etc., or other subsidiary matter. Fairholt.

Ex*ert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exerted; p. pr. & vb. n. Exerting.] [L. exertus, exsertus, p. p. of exerere, exserere, to thrust out; ex out + serere to join or bind together. See Series, and cf. Exsert.] 1. To thrust forth; to emit; to push out. [Obs.]

So from the seas exerts his radiant head The star by whom the lights of heaven are led.

Dryden.

2. To put force, ability, or anything of the nature of an active faculty; to put in vigorous action; to bring into active operation; as, to exert the strength of the body, limbs, faculties, or imagination; to exert the mind or the voice.

3. To put forth, as the result or exercise of effort; to bring to bear; to do or perform.

When we will has exerted an act of command on any faculty of the soul or member of the body.

South.

To exert one's self, to use efforts or endeavors; to strive; to make an attempt.