Chapter 57

Gen*teel"ness, n. The quality of being genteel.

Gen"ter*ie (?), Gen"trie (&?;), n. [OE. See Gentry.] Nobility of birth or of character; gentility. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Gen"tian (jn"shan or - sh*an), n. [OE. genciane, F. gentiane, L. gentiana, fr. Gentius, an Illyrian king, said to have discovered its properties.] (Bot.) Any one of a genus (Gentiana) of herbaceous plants with opposite leaves and a tubular four- or five-lobed corolla, usually blue, but sometimes white, yellow, or red. See Illust. of Capsule.

Many species are found on the highest mountains of Europe, Asia, and America, and some are prized for their beauty, as the Alpine (Gentiana verna, Bavarica, and excisa), and the American fringed gentians (G. crinita and G. detonsa). Several are used as tonics, especially the bitter roots of Gentiana lutea, the officinal gentian of the pharmacopúias.

Horse gentian, fever root. -- Yellow gentian (Bot.), the officinal gentian (Gentiana lutea). See Bitterwort.

Gen`tian*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (GentianaceÊ) of which the gentian is the type.

Gen`tian*el"la (?), n. [See Gentian.] A kind of blue color. Johnson.

Gen`ti*an"ic (?), a. Pertaining to or derived from the gentian; as, gentianic acid.

Gen"tian*ine (?), n. (Chem.) A bitter, crystallizable substance obtained from gentian.

Gen"tian*ose` (?), n. (Chem.) A crystallizable, sugarlike substance, with a slightly sweetish taste, obtained from the gentian.

Gen"til (?), a. & n. Gentle. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Gen"tile (jn"tl), n. [L. gentilis belonging to the same clan, stock, race, people, or nation; in opposition to Roman, a foreigner; in opposition to Jew or Christian, a heathen: cf. F. gentil. See Gentle, a.] One of a non-Jewish nation; one neither a Jew nor a Christian; a worshiper of false gods; a heathen.

The Hebrews included in the term gyim, or nations, all the tribes of men who had not received the true faith, and were not circumcised. The Christians translated gyim by the L. gentes, and imitated the Jews in giving the name gentiles to all nations who were neither Jews nor Christians. In civil affairs, the denomination was given to all nations who were not Romans.

Syn. -- Pagan; heathen. See Pagan.

Gen"tile, a. 1. Belonging to the nations at large, as distinguished from the Jews; ethnic; of pagan or heathen people.

2. (Gram.) Denoting a race or country; as, a gentile noun or adjective.

Gen"tile-fal`con (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Falcon-gentil.

Gen`ti*lesse" (?), n. [OF. gentilesse, gentelise, F. gentillesse. See Gentle. a.] Gentleness; courtesy; kindness; nobility. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Gen"til*ish (?), a. Heathenish; pagan.

Gen"til*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. gentilisme.]

1. Hethenism; paganism; the worship of false gods.

2. Tribal feeling; devotion to one's gens.

{ Gen`ti*li"tial (?), Gen`ti*li"tious (?), } a. [L. gentilitius. See Gentile.] [Obs.]

1. Peculiar to a people; national. Sir T. Browne.

2. Hereditary; entailed on a family. Arbuthnot.

Gen*til"i*ty (?), n. [L. gentilitas the relationship of those who belong to the same clan, also, heathenism: cf. F. gentilitÈ heathenism. See Gentile.]

1. Good extraction; dignity of birth. Macaulay.

He . . . mines my gentility with my education.

Shak.

2. The quality or qualities appropriate to those who are well born, as self-respect, dignity, courage, courtesy, politeness of manner, a graceful and easy mien and behavior, etc.; good breeding.

3. The class in society who are, or are expected to be, genteel; the gentry. [R.] Sir J. Davies.

4. Paganism; heathenism. [Obs.] Hooker.

Gen"til*ize (?), v. i. [See Gentile.]

1. To live like a gentile or heathen. [Obs.] Milton.

2. To act the gentleman; -- with it (see It, 5). [Obs.]

Gen"til*ize, v. i. To render gentile or gentlemanly; as, to gentilize your unworthy sones. [R.] Sylvester.

Gen"til*ly (?), adv. [From Gentil, a.] In a gentle or hoble manner; frankly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Gen`ti*o*pi"krin (?), n. [Gentian + Gr. &?; bitter.] (Chem.) A bitter, yellow, crystalline substance, regarded as a glucoside, and obtained from the gentian.

Gen"ti*sin (?), n. (Chem.) A tasteless, yellow, crystalline substance, obtained from the gentian; -- called also gentianin.

Gen"tle (?), a. [Compar. Gentler (?); superl. Gentlest (?).] [OE. gentil, F. gentil noble, pretty, graceful, fr. L. gentilis of the same clan or race, fr. gens, gentis, tribe, clan, race, orig. that which belongs together by birth, fr. the root of genere, gignere, to beget; hence gentle, properly, of birth or family, that is, of good or noble birth. See Gender, and cf. Genteel, Gentil, Gentile, Gentoo, Jaunty.] 1. Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.

British society is divided into nobility, gentry, and yeomanry, and families are either noble, gentle, or simple.

Johnson's Cyc.

The studies wherein our noble and gentle youth ought to bestow their time.

Milton.

2. Quiet and refined in manners; not rough, harsh, or stern; mild; meek; bland; amiable; tender; as, a gentle nature, temper, or disposition; a gentle manner; a gentle address; a gentle voice.

3. A compellative of respect, consideration, or conciliation; as, gentle reader. "Gentle sirs." "Gentle Jew." "Gentle servant." Shak.

4. Not wild, turbulent, or refractory; quiet and docile; tame; peaceable; as, a gentle horse.

5. Soft; not violent or rough; not strong, loud, or disturbing; easy; soothing; pacific; as, a gentle touch; a gentle gallop . "Gentle music." Sir J. Davies.

O sleep! it is a gentle thing.

Coleridge.

The gentle craft, the art or trade of shoemaking.

Syn. -- Mild; meek; placid; dovelike; quiet; peaceful; pacific; bland; soft; tame; tractable; docile. -- Gentle, Tame, Mild, Meek. Gentle describes the natural disposition; tame, that which is subdued by training; mild implies a temper which is, by nature, not easily provoked; meek, a spirit which has been schooled to mildness by discipline or suffering. The lamb is gentle; the domestic fowl is tame; John, the Apostle, was mild; Moses was meek.

Gen"tle, n. 1. One well born; a gentleman. [Obs.]

Gentles, methinks you frown.

Shak.

2. A trained falcon. See Falcon- gentil.

3. (Zoˆl.) A dipterous larva used as fish bait.

Gent"le, v. t. 1. To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To make smooth, cozy, or agreeable. [R. or Poet.]

To gentle life's descent, We shut our eyes, and think it is a plain.

Young.

3. To make kind and docile, as a horse. [Colloq.]

Gen"tle*folk` (?), Gen"tle*folks` (&?;), n. pl. Persons of gentle or good family and breeding. [Generally in the United States in the plural form.] Shak.

Gen"tle-heart`ed (?), a. Having a kind or gentle disposition. Shak. -- Gen"tle- heart`ed*ness, n.

Gen"tle*man (?), n.; pl. Gentlemen (#). [OE. gentilman nobleman; gentil noble + man man; cf. F. gentilhomme.]

1. A man well born; one of good family; one above the condition of a yeoman.

2. One of gentle or refined manners; a well- bred man.

3. (Her.) One who bears arms, but has no title.

4. The servant of a man of rank.

The count's gentleman, one Cesario.

Shak.

5. A man, irrespective of condition; -- used esp. in the plural (= citizens; people), in addressing men in popular assemblies, etc.

In Great Britain, the term gentleman is applied in a limited sense to those having coats of arms, but who are without a title, and, in this sense, gentlemen hold a middle rank between the nobility and yeomanry. In a more extended sense, it includes every man above the rank of yeoman, comprehending the nobility. In the United States, the term is applied to men of education and good breeding of every occupation.

Gentleman commoner, one of the highest class of commoners at the University of Oxford. -- Gentleman usher, one who ushers visitors into the presence of a sovereign, etc. -- Gentleman usher of the black rod, an usher belonging to the Order of the Garter, whose chief duty is to serve as official messenger of the House of Lords. -- Gentlemen-at-arms, a band of forty gentlemen who attend the sovereign on state occasions; formerly called gentlemen pensioners. [Eng.]

Gen"tle*man*hood (?), n. The qualities or condition of a gentleman. [R.] Thackeray.

{ Gen"tle*man*like` (?), Gen"tle*man*ly (?), } a. Of, pertaining to, resembling, or becoming, a gentleman; well-behaved; courteous; polite.

Gen"tle*man*li*ness (?), n. The state of being gentlemanly; gentlemanly conduct or manners.

Gen"tle*man*ship, n. The carriage or quality of a gentleman.

Gen"tle*ness, n. The quality or state of being gentle, well-born, mild, benevolent, docile, etc.; gentility; softness of manners, disposition, etc.; mildness.

Gen"tle*ship, n. The deportment or conduct of a gentleman. [Obs.] Ascham.

Gent"lesse (?), n. Gentilesse; gentleness. [Obs.]

Gen"tle*wom`an (?), n.; pl. Gentlewomen (&?;).

1. A woman of good family or of good breeding; a woman above the vulgar. Bacon.

2. A woman who attends a lady of high rank. Shak.

Gen"tly (?), adv. In a gentle manner.

My mistress gently chides the fault I made.

Dryden.

Gen*too" (?), n.; pl. Gentoos (#). [Pg. gentio gentile, heathen. See Gentile.] A native of Hindostan; a Hindoo. [Archaic]

Gen"try (?), n. [OE. genterie, gentrie, noble birth, nobility, cf. gentrise, and OF. gentelise, genterise, E. gentilesse, also OE. genteleri high-mindedness. See Gent, a., Gentle, a.] 1. Birth; condition; rank by birth. [Obs.] "Pride of gentrie." Chaucer.

She conquers him by high almighty Jove, By knighthood, gentry, and sweet friendship's oath.

Shak.

2. People of education and good breeding; in England, in a restricted sense, those between the nobility and the yeomanry. Macaulay.

3. Courtesy; civility; complaisance. [Obs.]

To show us so much gentry and good will.

Shak.

Gen"ty (?), a. [From F. gentil. Cf. Jaunty.] Neat; trim. [Scot.] Burns.

||Ge"nu (?), n.; pl. Genua (#). [L., the knee.] (Anat.) (a) The knee. ||(b) The kneelike bend, in the anterior part of the callosum of the ||brain.

Gen`u*flect" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Genuflected; p. pr. & vb. n. Genuflecting.] [See Genuflection.] To bend the knee, as in worship.

Gen`u*flec"tion (?), n. [F. gÈnuflexion, fr. LL. genuflexio, fr. L. genu knee + flexio a bending, fr. flectere, flexum, to bend. See Knee, Flexible.] The act of bending the knee, particularly in worship. Bp. Stillingfleet.

Gen"u*ine (?), a. [L. genuinus, fr. genere, gignere, to beget, in pass., to be born: cf. F. gÈnuine. See Gender.] Belonging to, or proceeding from, the original stock; native; hence, not counterfeit, spurious, false, or adulterated; authentic; real; natural; true; pure; as, a genuine text; a genuine production; genuine materials. "True, genuine night." Dryden.

Syn. -- Authentic; real; true; pure; unalloyed; unadulterated. See Authentic.

-- Gen"u*ine*ly, adv. -- Gen"u*ine*ness, n.

The evidence, both internal and external, against the genuineness of these letters, is overwhelming.

Macaulay.

Ge"nus (j"ns), n.; pl. Genera (#). [L., birth, race, kind, sort; akin to Gr. &?;. See Gender, and cf. Benign.]

1. (Logic) A class of objects divided into several subordinate species; a class more extensive than a species; a precisely defined and exactly divided class; one of the five predicable conceptions, or sorts of terms.

2. (Biol.) An assemblage of species, having so many fundamental points of structure in common, that in the judgment of competent scientists, they may receive a common substantive name. A genus is not necessarily the lowest definable group of species, for it may often be divided into several subgenera. In proportion as its definition is exact, it is natural genus; if its definition can not be made clear, it is more or less an artificial genus.

Thus in the animal kingdom the lion, leopard, tiger, cat, and panther are species of the Cat kind or genus, while in the vegetable kingdom all the species of oak form a single genus. Some genera are represented by a multitude of species, as Solanum (Nightshade) and Carex (Sedge), others by few, and some by only one known species.

Subaltern genus (Logic), a genus which may be a species of a higher genus, as the genus denoted by quadruped, which is also a species of mammal. -- Summum genus [L.] (Logic), the highest genus; a genus which can not be classed as a species, as being.

||Ge"nys (j"ns), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ge`nys the under jaw.] (Zoˆl.) See ||Gonys.

{ Ge`o*cen"tric (?), Ge`o*cen"tric*al (?), } a. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + ke`ntron center: cf. F. gÈocentrique.] (Astron.) (a) Having reference to the earth as center; in relation to or seen from the earth, -- usually opposed to heliocentric, as seen from the sun; as, the geocentric longitude or latitude of a planet. (b) Having reference to the center of the earth.

Geocentric latitude (of place) the angle included between the radius of the earth through the place and the plane of the equator, in distinction from geographic latitude. It is a little less than the geographic latitude.

Ge`o*cen"tric*al*ly, adv. In a geocentric manner.

Ge*oc"ro*nite (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + Kro`nos Saturn, the alchemistic name of lead: cf. G. geokronit.] (Min.) A lead-gray or grayish blue mineral with a metallic luster, consisting of sulphur, antimony, and lead, with a small proportion of arsenic.

Ge`o*cyc"lic (?), a. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + ky`klos circle.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or illustrating, the revolutions of the earth; as, a geocyclic machine.

2. Circling the earth periodically.

Ge"ode (j"d), n. [F. gÈode, L. geodes, fr. Gr. &?; earthlike; ge`a, gh^, the earth + e'i^dos form.] (Min.) (a) A nodule of stone, containing a cavity, lined with crystals or mineral matter. (b) The cavity in such a nodule.

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Ge`o*deph"a*gous (j`*df"*gs), a. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, earth + 'adhfa`gos eating one's fill; gluttonous.] (Zoˆl.) Living in the earth; -- applied to the ground beetles.

{ Ge`o*des"ic (j`*ds"k), Ge`o*des"ic*al (-*kal), } a. [Cf. F. gÈodÈsique.] (Math.) Of or pertaining to geodesy; geodetic.

Ge`o*des"ic, n. A geodetic line or curve.

Ge*od"e*sist (?), n. One versed in geodesy.

Ge*od"e*sy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; to divide: cf. F. gÈodÈsie.] (Math.) That branch of applied mathematics which determines, by means of observations and measurements, the figures and areas of large portions of the earth's surface, or the general figure and dimenshions of the earth; or that branch of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is taken into account, as in the surveys of States, or of long lines of coast.

{ Ge`o*det"ic (?), Ge`o*det"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to geodesy; obtained or determined by the operations of geodesy; engaged in geodesy; geodesic; as, geodetic surveying; geodetic observers.

Geodetic line or curve, the shortest line that can be drawn between two points on the elipsoidal surface of the earth; a curve drawn on any given surface so that the osculating plane of the curve at every point shall contain the normal to the surface; the minimum line that can be drawn on any surface between any two points.

Ge`o*det"ic*al*ly, adv. In a geodetic manner; according to geodesy.

Ge`o*det"ics (?), n. Same as Geodesy.

Ge`o*dif"er*ous (?), a. [Geode + -ferous.] (Min.) Producing geodes; containing geodes.

Ge"o*duck (?), n. [American Indian name.] (Zoˆl.) A gigantic clam (Glycimeris generosa) of the Pacific coast of North America, highly valued as an article of food.

Ge`og*no"sis (?), n. [See Geognosy.] Knowledge of the earth. [R.] G. Eliot.

Ge"og*nost (?), n. [Cf. F. gÈognoste.] One versed in geognosy; a geologist. [R.]

{ Ge`og*nos"tic (?), Ge`og*nos"tic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. gÈognostique.] Of or pertaining to geognosy, or to a knowledge of the structure of the earth; geological. [R.]

Ge*og"no*sy (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + gnw^sis knowing, knowledge, fr. gignw`skein to know: cf. F. gÈognosie.] That part of geology which treats of the materials of the earth's structure, and its general exterior and interior constitution.

{ Ge`o*gon"ic (?), Ge`o*gon"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. gÈogonique.] Of or pertaining to geogony, or to the formation of the earth.

Ge*og"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; generation, birth, fr. the root of &?; to be born: cf. F. gÈogonie.] The branch of science which treats of the formation of the earth.

Ge*og"ra*pher (?), n. One versed in geography.

{ Ge`o*graph"ic (?), Ge`o*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [L. geographicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. gÈographique.] Of or pertaining to geography.

Geographical distribution. See under Distribution. -- Geographic latitude (of a place), the angle included between a line perpendicular or normal to the level surface of water at rest at the place, and the plane of the equator; differing slightly from the geocentric latitude by reason of the difference between the earth's figure and a true sphere. -- Geographical mile. See under Mile. -- Geographical variation, any variation of a species which is dependent on climate or other geographical conditions.

Ge`o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv. In a geographical manner or method; according to geography.

Ge*og"ra*phy (?), n.; pl. Geographies (#). [F. gÈographie, l. geographia, fr. Gr. &?;; ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; description, fr. &?; to write, describe. See Graphic.] 1. The science which treats of the world and its inhabitants; a description of the earth, or a portion of the earth, including its structure, features, products, political divisions, and the people by whom it is inhabited.

2. A treatise on this science.

Astronomical, or Mathematical, geography treats of the earth as a planet, of its shape, its size, its lines of latitude and longitude, its zones, and the phenomena due to to the earth's diurnal and annual motions. -- Physical geography treats of the conformation of the earth's surface, of the distribution of land and water, of minerals, plants, animals, etc., and applies the principles of physics to the explanation of the diversities of climate, productions, etc. -- Political geography treats of the different countries into which earth is divided with regard to political and social and institutions and conditions.

Ge*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; worship.] The worship of the earth. G. W. Cox.

The Geological Series. The science of geology, as treating of the history of the globe, involves a description of the different strata which compose its crust, their order of succession, characteristic forms of animal and vegetable life, etc. The principal subdivisions of geological time, and the most important strata, with their relative positions, are indicated in the following diagram.

{ Ge*ol"o*ger (?), Ge`o*lo"gi*an (?), } n. A geologist.

{ Ge`o*log"ic (?), Ge`o*log"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. gÈologique.] Of or pertaining to geology, or the science of the earth.

Ge`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In a geological manner.

Ge*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. GÈologiste.] One versed in the science of geology.

Ge*ol"o*gize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Geologized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Geologizing (?).] To study geology or make geological investigations in the field; to discourse as a geologist.

During midsummer geologized a little in Shropshire.

Darwin.

Ge*ol"o*gy (?), n.; pl. Geologies (#). [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + -logy: cf. F. gÈologie.]

1. The science which treats: (a) Of the structure and mineral constitution of the globe; structural geology. (b) Of its history as regards rocks, minerals, rivers, valleys, mountains, climates, life, etc.; historical geology. (c) Of the causes and methods by which its structure, features, changes, and conditions have been produced; dynamical geology. See Chart of The Geological Series.

2. A treatise on the science.

Ge*om"a*lism (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + "omalismo`s a leveling.] (Biol.) The tendency of an organism to respond, during its growth, to the force of gravitation.

Ge"o*man`cer (?), n. One who practices, or is versed in, geomancy.

Ge"o*man`cy (?), n. [OE. geomance, geomancie, F. gÈomance, gÈomancie, LL. geomantia, fr. Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + mantei`a divination.] A kind of divination by means of figures or lines, formed by little dots or points, originally on the earth, and latterly on paper.

{ Ge`o*man"tic (?), Ge`o*man"tic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. gÈomantique.] Pertaining or belonging to geomancy.

Ge*om"e*ter (?), n. [F. gÈomËtre, L. geometres, geometra, fr. Gr. gewme`trhs, fr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + me`tron measure. See Meter measure.] 1. One skilled in geometry; a geometrician; a mathematician. I. Watts.

2. (Zoˆl.) Any species of geometrid moth; a geometrid.

Ge*om"e*tral (?), a. [Cf. F. gÈomÈtral.] Pertaining to geometry. [Obs.]

{ Ge`o*met"ric (?), Ge`o*met"ric*al (?), } a. [L. geometricus; Gr. &?;: cf. F. gÈomÈtrique.] Pertaining to, or according to the rules or principles of, geometry; determined by geometry; as, a geometrical solution of a problem.

Geometric is often used, as opposed to algebraic, to include processes or solutions in which the propositions or principles of geometry are made use of rather than those of algebra.

Geometrical is often used in a limited or strictly technical sense, as opposed to mechanical; thus, a construction or solution is geometrical which can be made by ruler and compasses, i. e., by means of right lines and circles. Every construction or solution which requires any other curve, or such motion of a line or circle as would generate any other curve, is not geometrical, but mechanical. By another distinction, a geometrical solution is one obtained by the rules of geometry, or processes of analysis, and hence is exact; while a mechanical solution is one obtained by trial, by actual measurements, with instruments, etc., and is only approximate and empirical.

Geometrical curve. Same as Algebraic curve; -- so called because their different points may be constructed by the operations of elementary geometry. -- Geometric lathe, an instrument for engraving bank notes, etc., with complicated patterns of interlacing lines; -- called also cycloidal engine. -- Geometrical pace, a measure of five feet. -- Geometric pen, an instrument for drawing geometric curves, in which the movements of a pen or pencil attached to a revolving arm of adjustable length may be indefinitely varied by changing the toothed wheels which give motion to the arm. -- Geometrical plane (Persp.), the same as Ground plane . -- Geometrical progression, proportion, ratio. See under Progression, Proportion and Ratio. -- Geometrical radius, in gearing, the radius of the pitch circle of a cogwheel. Knight. -- Geometric spider (Zoˆl.), one of many species of spiders, which spin a geometrical web. They mostly belong to Epeira and allied genera, as the garden spider. See Garden spider. -- Geometric square, a portable instrument in the form of a square frame for ascertaining distances and heights by measuring angles. -- Geometrical staircase, one in which the stairs are supported by the wall at one end only. -- Geometrical tracery, in architecture and decoration, tracery arranged in geometrical figures.

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Ge`o*met"ric*al*ly (?), adv. According to the rules or laws of geometry.

Ge*om`e*tri"cian (?), n. One skilled in geometry; a geometer; a mathematician.

Ge*om"e*trid (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Pertaining or belonging to the GeometridÊ.

Ge*om"e*trid, n. (Zoˆl.) One of numerous genera and species of moths, of the family GeometridÊ; -- so called because their larvÊ (called loopers, measuring worms, spanworms, and inchworms) creep in a looping manner, as if measuring. Many of the species are injurious to agriculture, as the cankerworms.

Ge*om"e*trize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Geometrized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Geometrizing (?).] To investigate or apprehend geometrical quantities or laws; to make geometrical constructions; to proceed in accordance with the principles of geometry.

Nature geometrizeth, and observeth order in all things.

Sir T. Browne.