Chapter 91

Ep`i*tha*la"mi*um (?), n.; pl. Epithalamiums (#), L. Epithalamia (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; , orig. an adj., nuptial; 'epi` upon, at + &?; bride chamber.] A nuptial song, or poem in honor of the bride and bridegroom.

The kind of poem which was called epithalamium . . . sung when the bride was led into her chamber.

B. Jonson.

Ep`i*thal"a*my (?), n.; pl. Epithalamies (&?;). Epithalamium. [R.] Donne.

||Ep`i*the"ca (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; a case, box, fr. &?; to place.] (Zoöl.) A continuous and, usually, structureless layer which covers more or less of the exterior of many corals.

Ep`i*the"li*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to epithelium; as, epithelial cells; epithelial cancer.

Ep`i*the"li*oid (?), a. [Epithelium + -oid.] (Anat.) Like epithelium; as, epithelioid cells.

||Ep`i*the`li*o"ma (?), n. [NL. See Epithelium, and -oma.] (Med.) A malignant growth containing epithelial cells; -- called also epithelial cancer.

Ep`i*the"li*um (?), n.; pl. E. Epitheliums (#), L. Epithelia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; nipple.] (Anat.) The superficial layer of cells lining the alimentary canal and all its appendages, all glands and their ducts, blood vessels and lymphatics, serous cavities, etc. It often includes the epidermis (i. e., keratin-producing epithelial cells), and it is sometimes restricted to the alimentary canal, the glands and their appendages, -- the term endothelium being applied to the lining membrane of the blood vessels, lymphatics, and serous cavities.

Ep`i*the"loid (?), a. (Anat.) Epithelioid.

Ep"i*them (?), n. [L. epithema, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to lay or put on: cf. F. épithème. See Epithet.] (Med.) Any external topical application to the body, except ointments and plasters, as a poultice, lotion, etc.

||Ep`i*the"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; a case, box, fr. &?; to place.] (Zoöl.) A horny excrescence upon the beak of birds.

||E*pith"e*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a putting on; 'epi` upon + &?; to place.] The addition of a letter at the end of a word, without changing its sense; as, numb for num, whilst for whiles.

Ep"i*thet (?), n. [L. epitheton, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; added, fr. &?; to add; 'epi` upon, to + &?; to put, place: cf. F. épithète. See Do.] 1. An adjective expressing some quality, attribute, or relation, that is properly or specially appropriate to a person or thing; as, a just man; a verdant lawn.

A prince [Henry III.] to whom the epithet "worthless" seems best applicable.

Hallam.

2. Term; expression; phrase. "Stuffed with epithets of war." Shak.

Syn. -- Epithet, Title. The name epithet was formerly extended to nouns which give a title or describe character (as the "epithet of liar"), but is now confined wholly to adjectives. Some rhetoricians, as Whately, restrict it still further, considering the term epithet as belonging only to a limited class of adjectives, viz., those which add nothing to the sense of their noun, but simply hold forth some quality necessarily implied therein; as, the bright sun, the lofty heavens, etc. But this restriction does not prevail in general literature. Epithet is sometimes confounded with application, which is always a noun or its equivalent.

Ep"i*thet, v. t. To describe by an epithet. [R.]

Never was a town better epitheted.

Sir H. Wotton.

{ Ep`i*thet"ic (?), Ep`i*thet"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?; added.] Pertaining to, or abounding with, epithets. "In epithetic measured prose." Lloyd.

Ep"i*thite (?), n. [Gr. &?; impostor.] A lazy, worthless fellow; a vagrant. [Obs.] Mason.

Ep`i*thu*met"ic (?), a. Epithumetical. [Obs.]

Ep`i*thu*met"ic*al (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to long for, lust after; 'epi` + qymo`s soul, heart, desire.] Pertaining to sexual desire; sensual. Sir T. Browne.

Ep`i*tith"i*des (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to place upon. See Epithet.] (Arch.) The uppermost member of the cornice of an entablature.

E*pit"o*ma`tor (?), n. [LL.] An epitomist. Sir W. Hamilton.

E*pit"o*me (?), n.; pl. Epitomes (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; a surface incision, also, and abridgment, fr. &?; to cut into, cut short; 'epi` upon + te`mnein to cut: cf. F. épitome. See Tome.] 1. A work in which the contents of a former work are reduced within a smaller space by curtailment and condensation; a brief summary; an abridgement.

[An] epitome of the contents of a very large book.

Sydney Smith.

2. A compact or condensed representation of anything.

An epitome of English fashionable life.

Carlyle.

A man so various that he seemed to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome.

Dryden.

Syn. -- Abridgement; compendium; compend; abstract; synopsis; abbreviature. See Abridgment.

E*pit"o*mist (?), n. One who makes an epitome; one who abridges; an epitomizer. Milton.

E*pit"o*mize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Epitomized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Epitomizing.] 1. To make an epitome of; to shorten or abridge, as a writing or discourse; to reduce within a smaller space; as, to epitomize the works of Justin.

2. To diminish, as by cutting off something; to curtail; as, to epitomize words. [Obs.] Addison.

E*pit"o*mi`zer (?), n. An epitomist. Burton.

Ep"i*trite (?), n. [Gr. &?; containing an integer and one third (i. e., , or in the ratio of 4 to 3); 'epi` upon, over + &?; the third: cf. L. epitritos, F. épitrite.] (Gr. & Lat. Pros.) A foot consisting of three long syllables and one short syllable.

It is so called from being compounded of a spondee (which contains 4 times) with an iambus or a trochee (which contains 3 times). It is called 1st, 2d, 3d, or 4th epitrite according as the short syllable stands 1st, 2d, etc.

||Ep`i*troch"le*a (?), n. [NL. See Epi-, and Trochlea.] (Anat.) A projection on the outer side of the distal end of the humerus; the external condyle.

Ep`i*troch"le*ar (?), a. Relating to the epitrochlea.

Ep`i*tro"choid (?), n. [Pref. epi- + Gr. &?; wheel + -oid.] (Geom.) A kind of curve. See Epicycloid, any Trochoid.

||E*pit"ro*pe (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; reference, arbitration, fr. &?; to turn over, to give up, yield; 'epi` upon, over + &?; to turn.] (Rhet.) A figure by which permission is either seriously or ironically granted to some one, to do what he proposes to do; e. g., "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still."

||Ep`i*zeux"is (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; a fastening together, repetition, fr. &?; to fasten to or upon; 'epi` upon + &?; to join, yoke.] (Rhet.) A figure by which a word is repeated with vehemence or emphasis, as in the following lines: -

Alone, alone, all all alone, Alone on a wide wide sea.

Coleridge.

Ep`i*zo"an (?), n. (Zoöl.) An epizoön.

Ep`i*zo"ic (?), a. (Zoöl.) Living upon the exterior of another animal; ectozoic; -- said of external parasites.

||Ep`i*zo"ön (?), n.; pl. Epizoa (#). [NL., fr. Gr. 'epi` upon + zw^,on animal.] (Zoöl.) One of the artificial group of invertebrates of various kinds, which live parasitically upon the exterior of other animals; an ectozoön. Among them are the lice, ticks, many acari, the lerneans, or fish lice, and other crustaceans.

Ep`i*zo*öt"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. épizoötique.] 1. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to an epizoön.

2. (Geol.) Containing fossil remains; -- said of rocks, formations, mountains, and the like. [Obs.]

Epizoötic mountains are of secondary formation.

Kirwan.

3. Of the nature of a disease which attacks many animals at the same time; -- corresponding to epidemic diseases among men.

{ Ep`i*zo"ö*ty (?), Ep`i*zo*öt"ic (?) }, n. [F. épizoötie.] An epizoötic disease; a murrain; an epidemic influenza among horses.

Ep"och (p"k or "pk; 277), n. [LL. epocha, Gr. 'epochh` check, stop, an epoch of a star, an historical epoch, fr. 'epe`chein to hold on, check; 'epi` upon + 'e`chein to have, hold; akin to Skr. sah to overpower, Goth. sigis victory, AS. sigor, sige, G. sieg: cf. F. époque. See Scheme.] 1. A fixed point of time, established in history by the occurrence of some grand or remarkable event; a point of time marked by an event of great subsequent influence; as, the epoch of the creation; the birth of Christ was the epoch which gave rise to the Christian era.

In divers ages, . . . divers epochs of time were used.

Usher.

Great epochs and crises in the kingdom of God.

Trench.

The acquittal of the bishops was not the only event which makes the 30th of June, 1688, a great epoch in history.

Macaulay.

Epochs mark the beginning of new historical periods, and dates are often numbered from them.

2. A period of time, longer or shorter, remarkable for events of great subsequent influence; a memorable period; as, the epoch of maritime discovery, or of the Reformation. "So vast an epoch of time." F. Harrison.

The influence of Chaucer continued to live even during the dreary interval which separates from one another two important epochs of our literary history.

A. W. Ward.

3. (Geol.) A division of time characterized by the prevalence of similar conditions of the earth; commonly a minor division or part of a period.

The long geological epoch which stored up the vast coal measures.

J. C. Shairp.

4. (Astron.) (a) The date at which a planet or comet has a longitude or position. (b) An arbitrary fixed date, for which the elements used in computing the place of a planet, or other heavenly body, at any other date, are given; as, the epoch of Mars; lunar elements for the epoch March 1st, 1860.

Syn. -- Era; time; date; period; age. -- Epoch, Era. We speak of the era of the Reformation, when we think of it as a period, during which a new order of things prevailed; so also, the era of good feeling, etc. Had we been thinking of the time as marked by certain great events, or as a period in which great results were effected, we should have called the times when these events happened epochs, and the whole period an epoch.

The capture of Constantinople is an epoch in the history of Mahometanism; but the flight of Mahomet is its era.

C. J. Smith.

||Ep"o*cha (?), n. [L.] See Epoch. J. Adams.

Ep"o*chal (?), a. Belonging to an epoch; of the nature of an epoch. "Epochal points." Shedd.

Ep"ode (?), n. [L. epodos, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, adj., singing to, sung or said after, fr. &?; to sing to; 'epi` upon, to + &?; to sing: cf. F. épode. See Ode.] (Poet.) (a) The after song; the part of a lyric ode which follows the strophe and antistrophe, -- the ancient ode being divided into strophe, antistrophe, and epode. (b) A species of lyric poem, invented by Archilochus, in which a longer verse is followed by a shorter one; as, the Epodes of Horace. It does not include the elegiac distich.

E*pod"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;.] Pertaining to, or resembling, an epode.

{ Ep"o*nym, Ep"o*nyme } (?), n. [Cf. F. éponyme. See Eponymous.] 1. The hypothetical individual who is assumed as the person from whom any race, city, etc., took its name; as, Hellen is an eponym of the Hellenes.

2. A name, as of a people, country, and the like, derived from that of an individual.

Ep`o*nym"ic (?), a. Same as Eponymous.

Tablets . . . which bear eponymic dates.

I. Taylor (The Alphabet).

E*pon"y*mist (?), n. One from whom a race, tribe, city, or the like, took its name; an eponym.

E*pon"y*mous (?), a. [Gr. &?;; 'epi` upon, to + &?; for &?; name.] Relating to an eponym; giving one's name to a tribe, people, country, and the like.

What becomes . . . of the Herakleid genealogy of the Spartan kings, when it is admitted that eponymous persons are to be canceled as fictions?

Grote.

E*pon"y*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; a surname given after some person or thing.] The derivation of the name of a race, tribe, etc., from that of a fabulous hero, progenitor, etc.

||Ep`o*öph"o*ron (?), n. [NL., from Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; egg + fe`rein to bear.] (Anat.) See Parovarium.

{ Ep"o*pee` (?), ||Ep`o*pœ"ia (?), } n. [F. épopée, Gr. &?;; 'e`pos song + &?; to make. See Epos.] An epic poem; epic poetry.

Ep"opt (?), n. [Gr. &?; one initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries.] One instructed in the mysteries of a secret system. Carlyle.

||Ep"os (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] An epic.

Ep`o*ta"tion (?), n. [L. epotare, epotatum, to drink; e out + potare to drink.] A drinking up; a quaffing. [Obs.] Feltham.

||É`prou`vette" (?), n. [F.] (Gun.) An apparatus for testing or proving the strength of gunpowder.

Ep"som*ite (?), n. Native sulphate of magnesia or Epsom salt.

{ Ep"som salts` or salt` (?) }. (Med.) Sulphate of magnesia having cathartic qualities; -- originally prepared by boiling down the mineral waters at Epsom, England, -- whence the name; afterwards prepared from sea water; but now from certain minerals, as from siliceous hydrate of magnesia.

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Ep"u*la*ry (?), a. [L. epularis, fr. epulum a feast: cf. F. épulaire.] Of or pertaining to a feast or banquet. [Obs.] Smart.

Ep`u*la"tion (?), n. [L. epulatio.] A feasting or feast; banquet. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

||E*pu"lis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a gumboil; Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; gums.] (Med.) A hard tumor developed from the gums.

Ep"u*lose` (?), a. [L. epulum a feast.] Feasting to excess. [Obs.]

Ep`u*los"i*ty (?), n. A feasting to excess. [Obs.]

Ep`u*lot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to scar over or heal; 'epi` upon, over + &?; whole.] Promoting the skinning over or healing of sores; as, an epulotic ointment. -- n. An epulotic agent.

Ep`u*ra"tion (?), n. [L. e out, quite + purare to purify, purus pure.] Purification.

||É`pure" (?), n. [F.] (Fine Arts) A draught or model from which to build; especially, one of the full size of the work to be done; a detailed drawing.

E`qua*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. aequabilitas, fr. aequabilis. See Equable.] The quality or condition of being equable; evenness or uniformity; as, equability of temperature; the equability of the mind.

For the celestial bodies, the equability and constancy of their motions argue them ordained by wisdom.

Ray.

E"qua*ble (?; 277), a. [L. aequabilis, fr. aequare to make level or equal, fr. aequus even, equal. See Equal.] 1. Equal and uniform; continuing the same at different times; -- said of motion, and the like; uniform in surface; smooth; as, an equable plain or globe.

2. Uniform in action or intensity; not variable or changing; -- said of the feelings or temper.

E"qua*ble*ness, n. Quality or state of being equable.

E"qua*bly, adv. In an equable manner.

E"qual (?), a. [L. aequalis, fr. aequus even, equal; akin to Skr. &?;ka, and perh. to L. unus for older oinos one, E. one.] 1. Agreeing in quantity, size, quality, degree, value, etc.; having the same magnitude, the same value, the same degree, etc.; -- applied to number, degree, quantity, and intensity, and to any subject which admits of them; neither inferior nor superior, greater nor less, better nor worse; corresponding; alike; as, equal quantities of land, water, etc. ; houses of equal size; persons of equal stature or talents; commodities of equal value.

2. Bearing a suitable relation; of just proportion; having competent power, abilities, or means; adequate; as, he is not equal to the task.

The Scots trusted not their own numbers as equal to fight with the English.

Clarendon.

It is not permitted to me to make my commendations equal to your merit.

Dryden.

Whose voice an equal messenger Conveyed thy meaning mild.

Emerson.

3. Not variable; equable; uniform; even; as, an equal movement. "An equal temper." Dryden.

4. Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side; characterized by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable; just.

Are not my ways equal?

Ezek. xviii. 29.

Thee, O Jove, no equal judge I deem.

Spenser.

Nor think it equal to answer deliberate reason with sudden heat and noise.

Milton.

5. Of the same interest or concern; indifferent.

They who are not disposed to receive them may let them alone or reject them; it is equal to me.

Cheyne.

6. (Mus.) Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; -- opposed to mixed. [R.]

7. (Math.) Exactly agreeing with respect to quantity.

Equal temperament. (Mus.) See Temperament.

Syn. -- Even; equable; uniform; adequate; proportionate; commensurate; fair; just; equitable.

E"qual, n. 1. One not inferior or superior to another; one having the same or a similar age, rank, station, office, talents, strength, or other quality or condition; an equal quantity or number; as, "If equals be taken from equals the remainders are equal."

Those who were once his equals envy and defame him.

Addison.

2. State of being equal; equality. [Obs.] Spenser.

E"qual, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Equaled (?) or Equalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Equaling or Equalling.] 1. To be or become equal to; to have the same quantity, the same value, the same degree or rank, or the like, with; to be commen&?;urate with.

On me whose all not equals Edward's moiety.

Shak.

2. To make equal return to; to recompense fully.

Who answered all her cares, and equaled all her love.

Dryden.

3. To make equal or equal to; to equalize; hence, to compare or regard as equals; to put on equality.

He would not equal the mind that he found in himself to the infinite and incomprehensible.

Berkeley.

E*qual`i*ta"ri*an (?), n. One who believes in equalizing the condition of men; a leveler.

E*qual"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Equalities (#). [L. aequalitas, fr. aequalis equal. See Equal.] 1. The condition or quality of being equal; agreement in quantity or degree as compared; likeness in bulk, value, rank, properties, etc.; as, the equality of two bodies in length or thickness; an equality of rights.

A footing of equality with nobles.

Macaulay.

2. Sameness in state or continued course; evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of temper or constitution.

3. Evenness; uniformity; as, an equality of surface.

4. (Math.) Exact agreement between two expressions or magnitudes with respect to quantity; -- denoted by the symbol =; thus, a = x signifies that a contains the same number and kind of units of measure that x does.

Confessional equality. See under Confessional.

E`qual*i*za"tion (?), n. The act of equalizing, or state of being equalized.

Their equalization with the rest of their fellow subjects.

Burke.

E"qual*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Equalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Equalizing (?).] [Cf. F. égaliser.] 1. To make equal; to cause to correspond, or be like, in amount or degree as compared; as, to equalize accounts, burdens, or taxes.

One poor moment can suffice To equalize the lofty and the low.

Wordsworth.

No system of instruction will completely equalize natural powers.

Whately.

2. To pronounce equal; to compare as equal.

Which we equalize, and perhaps would willingly prefer to the Iliad.

Orrery.

3. To be equal to; equal; to match. [Obs.]

It could not equalize the hundredth part Of what her eyes have kindled in my heart.

Waller.

Equalizing bar (Railroad Mach.), a lever connecting two axle boxes, or two springs in a car truck or locomotive, to equalize the pressure on the axles.

E"qual*i`zer (?), n. One who, or that which, equalizes anything.

E"qual*ly, adv. In an equal manner or degree in equal shares or proportion; with equal and impartial justice; without difference; alike; evenly; justly; as, equally taxed, furnished, etc.

E"qual*ness, n. Equality; evenness. Shak.

E*quan"gu*lar (?), a. [See Equiangular.] Having equal angles; equiangular. [R.] Johnson.

E`qua*nim"i*ty (?), n. [L. aequanimitas, fr. aequanimus: cf. F. équanimité. See Equanimous.] Evenness of mind; that calm temper or firmness of mind which is not easily elated or depressed; patience; calmness; composure; as, to bear misfortunes with equanimity.

E*quan"i*mous (?), a. [L. aequanimus, fr. aequus equal + animus mind.] Of an even, composed frame of mind; of a steady temper; not easily elated or depressed. Bp. Gauden.

E"quant (?), n. [L. aequans, -antis, p. pr. of aequare: cf. F. équant. See Equate.] (Ptolemaic Astron.) A circle around whose circumference a planet or the center of ann epicycle was conceived to move uniformly; -- called also eccentric equator.

E*quate" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Equated; p. pr. & vb. n. Equating.] [L. aequatus, p. p. of aequare to make level or equal, fr. aequus level, equal. See Equal.] To make equal; to reduce to an average; to make such an allowance or correction in as will reduce to a common standard of comparison; to reduce to mean time or motion; as, to equate payments; to equate lines of railroad for grades or curves; equated distances.

Palgrave gives both scrolle and scrowe and equates both to F[rench] rolle.

Skeat (Etymol. Dict. ).

Equating for grades (Railroad Engin.), adding to the measured distance one mile for each twenty feet of ascent. -- Equating for curves, adding half a mile for each 360 degrees of curvature.

E*qua"tion (?), n. [L. aequatio an equalizing: cf. F. équation equation. See Equate.] 1. A making equal; equal division; equality; equilibrium.

Again the golden day resumed its right, And ruled in just equation with the night.

Rowe.

2. (Math.) An expression of the condition of equality between two algebraic quantities or sets of quantities, the sign = being placed between them; as, a binomial equation; a quadratic equation; an algebraic equation; a transcendental equation; an exponential equation; a logarithmic equation; a differential equation, etc.

3. (Astron.) A quantity to be applied in computing the mean place or other element of a celestial body; that is, any one of the several quantities to be added to, or taken from, its position as calculated on the hypothesis of a mean uniform motion, in order to find its true position as resulting from its actual and unequal motion.

Absolute equation. See under Absolute. -- Equation box, or Equational box, a system of differential gearing used in spinning machines for regulating the twist of the yarn. It resembles gearing used in equation clocks for showing apparent time. -- Equation of the center (Astron.), the difference between the place of a planet as supposed to move uniformly in a circle, and its place as moving in an ellipse. -- Equations of condition (Math.), equations formed for deducing the true values of certain quantities from others on which they depend, when different sets of the latter, as given by observation, would yield different values of the quantities sought, and the number of equations that may be found is greater than the number of unknown quantities. -- Equation of a curve (Math.), an equation which expresses the relation between the coördinates of every point in the curve. -- Equation of equinoxes (Astron.), the difference between the mean and apparent places of the equinox. -- Equation of payments (Arith.), the process of finding the mean time of payment of several sums due at different times. -- Equation of time (Astron.), the difference between mean and apparent time, or between the time of day indicated by the sun, and that by a perfect clock going uniformly all the year round. -- Equation clock or watch, a timepiece made to exhibit the differences between mean solar and apparent solar time. Knight. -- Normal equation. See under Normal. -- Personal equation (Astron.), the difference between an observed result and the true qualities or peculiarities in the observer; particularly the difference, in an average of a large number of observation, between the instant when an observer notes a phenomenon, as the transit of a star, and the assumed instant of its actual occurrence; or, relatively, the difference between these instants as noted by two observers. It is usually only a fraction of a second; -- sometimes applied loosely to differences of judgment or method occasioned by temperamental qualities of individuals. -- Theory of equations (Math.), the branch of algebra that treats of the properties of a single algebraic equation of any degree containing one unknown quantity.

E*qua"tor (?), n. [L. aequator one who equalizes: cf. F. équateur equator. See Equate.] 1. (Geog.) The imaginary great circle on the earth's surface, everywhere equally distant from the two poles, and dividing the earth's surface into two hemispheres.