Chapter 60

Post*pos"it (?), v. t. [L. postpositus, p. p. See Postpone.] To postpone. [Obs.] Feltham.

Post`po*si"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. postposition. See Postpone.] 1. The act of placing after, or the state of being placed after. "The postposition of the nominative case to the verb." Mede.

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2. A word or particle placed after, or at the end of, another word; -- distinguished from preposition.

Post`po*si"tion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to postposition.

Post*pos"i*tive (?), a. [See Postpone.] Placed after another word; as, a postpositive conjunction; a postpositive letter. - - Post*pos"i*tive*ly, adv.

Post*pran"di*al (?), a. [Pref. post- + prandial.] Happening, or done, after dinner; after- dinner; as, postprandial speeches.

Pos*tre`mo*gen"i*ture (?; 135), n. [L. postremus last + genitura birth, geniture.] The right of the youngest born. Mozley & W.

Post`re*mote" (?), a. [Pref. post- + remote.] More remote in subsequent time or order.

Post"rid`er (?), n. One who rides over a post road to carry the mails. Bancroft.

||Post*scap"u*la (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Scapula.] (Anat.) The part ||of the scapula behind or below the spine, or mesoscapula.

Post*scap"u*lar (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the postscapula; infraspinous.

||Post*sce"ni*um (?), n. [L., fr. post + scena a scene.] The part of a ||theater behind the scenes; the back part of the stage of a theater.

Post*scribe" (?), v. t. [L. postscribere. See Postscript.] To make a postscript. [R.] T. Adams.

Post"script (?), n. [L. postscriptus, (assumed) p. p. of postscribere to write after; post after + scribere to write: cf. F. postscriptum. See Post-, and Scribe.] A paragraph added to a letter after it is concluded and signed by the writer; an addition made to a book or composition after the main body of the work has been finished, containing something omitted, or something new occurring to the writer. [Abbrev. P. S.]

Post"script*ed, a. Having a postscript; added in a postscript. [R.] J. Q. Adams.

||Post`scu*tel"lum (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Scutellum.] (Zoˆl.) The ||hindermost dorsal piece of a thoracic somite of an insect; the plate ||behind the scutellum.

Post*sphe"noid (?), a. [Pref. post- + sphenoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the posterior part of the sphenoid bone.

Post-tem"po*ral (?), a. [Pref. post- + temporal.] (Anat.) Situated back of the temporal bone or the temporal region of the skull; -- applied especially to a bone which usually connects the supraclavicle with the skull in the pectoral arch of fishes. -- n. A post-temporal bone.

Post*ter"ti*a*ry (?), a. [Pref. post- + tertiary.] (Geol.) Following, or more recent than, the Tertiary; Quaternary.

||Post"-tra`gus (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Tragus.] (Anat.) A ridge ||within and behind the tragus in the ear of some animals.

Post`-tym*pan"ic (?), a. [Pref. post- + tympanic.] (Anat.) Situated behind the tympanum, or in the skull, behind the auditory meatus.

Pos"tu*lant (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. postulans, p. pr. of postulare. See Postulate.] One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate.

Pos"tu*late (?), n. [L. postulatum a demand, request, prop. p. p. of postulare to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere to demand, prob. for porcscere; akin to G. forschen to search, investigate, Skr. prach to ask, and L. precari to pray: cf. F. postulat. See Pray.] 1. Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.

2. (Geom.) The enunciation of a self- evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem.

The distinction between a postulate and an axiom lies in this, -- that the latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny.

Eng. Cyc.

Pos"tu*late, a. Postulated. [Obs.] Hudibras.

Pos"tu*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postulating.] 1. To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions.

2. To take without express consent; to assume.

The Byzantine emperors appear to have . . . postulated a sort of paramount supremacy over this nation.

W. Tooke.

3. To invite earnestly; to solicit. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.

Pos"tu*la`ted (?), a. Assumed without proof; as, a postulated inference. Sir T. Browne.

Pos`tu*la"tion (?), n. [L. postulatio: cf. F. postulation.] The act of postulating, or that which is postulated; assumption; solicitation; suit; cause.

Pos"tu*la*to*ry (?), a. [L. postulatorius.] Of the nature of a postulate. Sir T. Browne.

||Pos`tu*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Postulata (#). [L. See Postulate, n.] A ||postulate. Addison.

Pos"tu*mous (?), a. See Posthumous. [R.]

Pos"tur*al (?; 135), a. Of or pertaining to posture.

Pos"ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. positura, fr. ponere, positum, to place. See Position.] 1. The position of the body; the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with respect to each other, or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the position of a figure with regard to the several principal members by which action is expressed; attitude.

Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively expressed . . . one would have sworn the very picture had run.

Sir P. Sidney.

In most strange postures We have seen him set himself.

Shak.

The posture of a poetic figure is a description of his heroes in the performance of such or such an action.

Dryden.

2. Place; position; situation. [Obs.] Milton.

His [man's] noblest posture and station in this world.

Sir M. Hale.

3. State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense; the posture of affairs.

The several postures of his devout soul.

Atterbury.

Syn. -- Attitude; position. See Attitude.

Pos"ture (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Posturing.] To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to posture one's self; to posture a model. Howell.

Pos"ture, v. i. 1. To assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the body into artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or contortionist; also, to pose.

2. Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.

Pos`tur*er (?), n. One who postures.

||Post*zyg`a*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Postzygapophyses (#). [NL. See ||Post- , and Zygapophysis.] (Anat.) A posterior zygapophysis.

Po"sy (?), n.; pl. Posies (#). [Contr. fr. poesy.] 1. A brief poetical sentiment; hence, any brief sentiment, motto, or legend; especially, one inscribed on a ring. "The posy of a ring." Shak.

2. [Probably so called from the use of flowers as having an enigmatical significance. Wedgwood.] A flower; a bouquet; a nosegay. "Bridegroom's posies." Spenser.

We make a difference between suffering thistles to grow among us, and wearing them for posies.

Swift.

Pot (?), n. [Akin to LG. pott, D. pot, Dan. potte, Sw. potta, Icel. pottr, F. pot; of unknown origin.] 1. A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc.; as, a quart pot; a flower pot; a bean pot.

2. An earthen or pewter cup for liquors; a mug.

3. The quantity contained in a pot; a potful; as, a pot of ale. "Give her a pot and a cake." De Foe.

4. A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney; a chimney pot.

5. A crucible; as, a graphite pot; a melting pot.

6. A wicker vessel for catching fish, eels, etc.

7. A perforated cask for draining sugar. Knight.

8. A size of paper. See Pott.

Jack pot. See under 2d Jack. -- Pot cheese, cottage cheese. See under Cottage. -- Pot companion, a companion in drinking. -- Pot hanger, a pothook. -- Pot herb, any plant, the leaves or stems of which are boiled for food, as spinach, lamb's-quarters, purslane, and many others. -- Pot hunter, one who kills anything and everything that will help to fill has bag; also, a hunter who shoots game for the table or for the market. -- Pot metal. (a) The metal from which iron pots are made, different from common pig iron. (b) An alloy of copper with lead used for making large vessels for various purposes in the arts. Ure. (c) A kind of stained glass, the colors of which are incorporated with the melted glass in the pot. Knight. -- Pot plant (Bot.), either of the trees which bear the monkey-pot. -- Pot wheel (Hydraul.), a noria. -- To go to pot, to go to destruction; to come to an end of usefulness; to become refuse. [Colloq.] Dryden. J. G. Saxe.

Pot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potted; p. pr. & vb. n. Potting.] To place or inclose in pots; as: (a) To preserve seasoned in pots. "Potted fowl and fish." Dryden. (b) To set out or cover in pots; as, potted plants or bulbs. (c) To drain; as, to pot sugar, by taking it from the cooler, and placing it in hogsheads, etc., having perforated heads, through which the molasses drains off. B. Edwards. (d) (Billiards) To pocket.

Pot, v. i. To tipple; to drink. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

It is less labor to plow than to pot it.

Feltham.

Po"ta*ble (?), a. [F., fr. L. potabilis, fr. potare to drink; akin to Gr. po`tos a drinking, po`sis a drink, Skr. p to drink, OIr. ibim I drink. Cf. Poison, Bib, Imbibe.] Fit to be drunk; drinkable. "Water fresh and potable." Bacon. -- n. A potable liquid; a beverage. "Useful in potables." J. Philips.

Po"ta*ble*ness, n. The quality of being drinkable.

Pot"age (?; 48), n. See Pottage.

Pot"a*ger (?), n. [F. fr. potage soup, porridge. See Pottage.] A porringer. [Obs.] Grew.

Po*tag"ro (?), n. See Potargo.

Pot"ale` (?), n. The refuse from a grain distillery, used to fatten swine.

Po*ta"mi*an (?), n. [Gr. &?; river.] (Zoˆl.) A river tortoise; one of a group of tortoises (Potamites, or Trionychoidea) having a soft shell, webbed feet, and a sharp beak. See Trionyx.

Pot`a*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; river + -graphy.] An account or description of rivers; potamology.

Pot`a*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; river + -logy.] A scientific account or discussion of rivers; a treatise on rivers; potamography.

||Pot`a*mo*spon"gi*Ê (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; river + &?; a ||sponge.] (Zoˆl.) The fresh-water sponges. See Spongilla.

Po"tance (?), n. [F. potence. See Potence, Potency.] (Watch Making) The stud in which the bearing for the lower pivot of the verge is made.

Po*tar"go (?), n. [Cf. Botargo.] A kind of sauce or pickle. King.

Pot"ash` (?), n. [Pot + ash.] (Chem.) (a) The hydroxide of potassium hydrate, a hard white brittle substance, KOH, having strong caustic and alkaline properties; -- hence called also caustic potash. (b) The impure potassium carbonate obtained by leaching wood ashes, either as a strong solution (lye), or as a white crystalline (pearlash).

Pot"ash`es (?), n. pl. (Chem.) Potash. [Obs.]

Po*tas"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. E. potash.] (Chem.) (a) Potassium oxide. [Obs.] (b) Potassium hydroxide, commonly called caustic potash.

Pot`ass*am"ide (?), n. [Potassium + amide.] (Chem.) A yellowish brown substance obtained by heating potassium in ammonia.

Po*tas"sic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, potassium.

Po*tas"si*um (?), n. [NL. See Potassa, Potash.] (Chem.) An Alkali element having atomic number 19, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.1. Symbol K (Kalium).

It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal, lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its compounds are very important, being used in glass making, soap making, in fertilizers, and in many drugs and chemicals.

Potassium permanganate, the salt KMnO4, crystallizing in dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; -- used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name chameleon mineral is applied to this salt and also to potassium manganate. -- Potassium bitartrate. See Cream of tartar, under Cream.

Pot`ass*ox"yl (?), n. [Potassium + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The radical KO, derived from, and supposed to exist in, potassium hydroxide and other compounds.

Po*ta"tion (?), n. [L. potatio, fr. potare. See Potable.] 1. The act of drinking. Jer. Taylor.

2. A draught. "Potations pottle deep." Shak.

3. Drink; beverage. "Thin potations." Shak.

Po*ta"to (?), n.; pl. Potatoes (#). [Sp. patata potato, batata sweet potato, from the native American name (probably batata) in Hayti.] (Bot.) (a) A plant (Solanum tuberosum) of the Nightshade family, and its esculent farinaceous tuber, of which there are numerous varieties used for food. It is native of South America, but a form of the species is found native as far north as New Mexico. (b) The sweet potato (see below).

Potato beetle, Potato bug. (Zoˆl.) (a) A beetle (Doryphora decemlineata) which feeds, both in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the potato, often doing great damage. Called also Colorado potato beetle, and Doryphora. See Colorado beetle. (b) The Lema trilineata, a smaller and more slender striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur does less injury than the preceding species. -- Potato fly (Zoˆl.), any one of several species of blister beetles infesting the potato vine. The black species (Lytta atrata), the striped (L. vittata), and the gray (L. cinerea, or Fabricii) are the most common. See Blister beetle, under Blister. -- Potato rot, a disease of the tubers of the potato, supposed to be caused by a kind of mold (Peronospora infestans), which is first seen upon the leaves and stems. -- Potato weevil (Zoˆl.), an American weevil (Baridius trinotatus) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop. -- Potato whisky, a strong, fiery liquor, having a hot, smoky taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made from potatoes or potato starch. -- Potato worm (Zoˆl.), the large green larva of a sphinx, or hawk moth (Macrosila quinquemaculata); -- called also tomato worm. See Illust. under Tomato. -- Seaside potato (Bot.), Ipomúa Pes-CaprÊ, a kind of morning-glory with rounded and emarginate or bilobed leaves. [West Indies] -- Sweet potato (Bot.), a climbing plant (Ipomúa Balatas) allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is probably a native of Brazil, but is cultivated extensively in the warmer parts of every continent, and even as far north as New Jersey. The name potato was applied to this plant before it was to the Solanum tuberosum, and this is the "potato" of the Southern United States. -- Wild potato. (Bot.) (a) A vine (Ipomúa pandurata) having a pale purplish flower and an enormous root. It is common in sandy places in the United States. (b) A similar tropical American plant (I. fastigiata) which it is thought may have been the original stock of the sweet potato.

Po*ta"tor (?), n. [L.] A drinker. [R.] Southey.

Po"ta*to*ry (?), a. [L. potatorius, from potare to drink.] Of or pertaining to drinking. Ld. Lytton.

Pot"-bel`lied (?), a. Having a protuberant belly, like the bottom of a pot.

Pot"-bel`ly (?), n. A protuberant belly.

Pot"boil`er (?), n. A term applied derisively to any literary or artistic work, and esp. a painting, done simply for money and the means of living. [Cant]

Pot"boy` (?), n. A boy who carries pots of ale, beer, etc.; a menial in a public house.

Potch (?), v. i. [Cf. Poach to stab.] To thrust; to push. [Obs.] "I 'll potch at him some way." Shak.

Potch, v. t. See Poach, to cook. [Obs.] Wiseman.

Potch"er (?), n. One who, or that which, potches.

Potcher engine (Paper Making), a machine in which washed rags are stirred in a bleaching solution.

Pot"e*ca*ry (?), n. An apothecary. [Obs.]

Po*teen" (?), n. [Cf. Ir. potaim, poitim, I drink, poitin a small pot.] Whisky; especially, whisky illicitly distilled by the Irish peasantry. [Written also potheen, and potteen.]

Po"te*lot (?), n. [F.,; cf. G. pottloth black lead.] (Old Chem. & Min.) Molybdenum sulphide.

Po"tence (?), n. [F., fr. LL. potentia staff, crutch, L., might, power. See Potency.] Potency; capacity. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

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Po"ten*cy (?), n. [L. potentia, from potens, -entis, potent. See Potent, and cf. Potance, Potence, Puissance.] The quality or state of being potent; physical or moral power; inherent strength; energy; ability to effect a purpose; capability; efficacy; influence. "Drugs of potency." Hawthorne.

A place of potency and away o' the state.

Shak.

Po"tent (?), a. [L. potens, - entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.] 1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine. "Harsh and potent injuries." Shak.

Moses once more his potent rod extends.

Milton.

2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. "A potent dukedom." Shak.

Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors.

Shak.

3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.

Cross potent. (Her.) See Illust. (7) of Cross.

Syn. -- Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.

Po"tent, n. 1. A prince; a potentate. [Obs.] Shak.

2. [See Potence.] A staff or crutch. [Obs.]

3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.

Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.

Po"ten*ta*cy (?), n. [See Potentate.] Sovereignty. [Obs.]

Po"ten*tate (?), n. [LL. potentatus, fr. potentare to exercise power: cf. F. potentat. See Potent, a.] One who is potent; one who possesses great power or sway; a prince, sovereign, or monarch.

The blessed and only potentate.

1 Tim. vi. 15.

Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones.

Milton.

Po*ten"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See Potency.] 1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential. [Obs.] "And hath in his effect a voice potential." Shak.

2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. "A potential hero." Carlyle.

Potential existence means merely that the thing may be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Potential cautery. See under Cautery. -- Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy. -- Potential mood, or mode (Gram.), that form of the verb which is used to express possibility, liberty, power, will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can, must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can write.

Po*ten"tial, n. 1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially. Bacon.

2. (Math.) In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coˆrdinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.

Po*ten`ti*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being potential; possibility, not actuality; inherent capability or disposition, not actually exhibited.

Po*ten"tial*ly (?), adv. 1. With power; potently. [Obs.]

2. In a potential manner; possibly, not positively.

The duration of human souls is only potentially infinite.

Bentley.

Po*ten"ti*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Potentiating.] To render active or potent. Coleridge.

Po*ten`ti*om"e*ter (?), n. [Potential + -meter.] (Elec.) An instrument for measuring or comparing electrial potentials or electro-motive forces.

Po"ten*tize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentized; p. pr. & vb. n. Potentizing.] To render the latent power of (anything) available. Dunglison.

Po"tent*ly (?), adv. With great force or energy; powerfully; efficaciously. "You are potently opposed." Shak.

Po"tent*ness, n. The quality or state of being potent; powerfulness; potency; efficacy.

Po"tes*tate (?), n. A chief ruler; a potentate. [Obs.] Wyclif. "An irous potestate." Chaucer.

Po*tes"ta*tive (?), a. [L. potestativus, fr. potestas power: cf. F. potestatif. See Potent.] Authoritative. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Pot"gun` (?), n. 1. A pot-shaped cannon; a mortar. [Obs.] "Twelve potguns of brass." Hakluyt.

2. A popgun. [Obs.] Swift.

Poth"e*ca*ry (?), n. An apothecary. [Obs.]

Po*theen" (?), n. See Poteen.

Poth"er (?), n. [Cf. D. peuteren to rummage, poke. Cf. Potter, Pudder.] Bustle; confusion; tumult; flutter; bother. [Written also potter, and pudder.] "What a pother and stir!" Oldham. "Coming on with a terrible pother." Wordsworth.

Poth"er, v. i. To make a bustle or stir; to be fussy.

Poth"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pothering.] To harass and perplex; to worry. "Pothers and wearies himself." Locke.

Pot"hole` (?), n. A circular hole formed in the rocky beds of rivers by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock.

Pot"hook` (?), n. 1. An S-shaped hook on which pots and kettles are hung over an open fire.

2. A written character curved like a pothook; (pl.) a scrawled writing. "I long to be spelling her Arabic scrawls and pothooks." Dryden.

Pot"house` (?), n. An alehouse. T. Warton.

{ ||Po`ti*cho*ma"ni*a (?), ||Po`ti*cho*ma"nie (?), } n. [F. potichomanie; potiche a porcelain vase + manie mania.] The art or process of coating the inside of glass vessels with engravings or paintings, so as to give them the appearance of painted ware.

Po"tion (?), n. [L. potio, from potare to drink: cf. F. potion. See Poison.] A draught; a dose; usually, a draught or dose of a liquid medicine. Shak.

Po"tion (?), v. t. To drug. [Obs.] Speed.

Pot"lid` (?), n. The lid or cover of a pot.

Potlid valve, a valve covering a round hole or the end of a pipe or pump barrel, resembling a potlid in form.

Pot"luck` (?), n. Whatever may chance to be in the pot, or may be provided for a meal.

A woman whose potluck was always to be relied on.

G. Eliot.

To take potluck, to take what food may chance to be provided.

Pot"man (?), n.; pl. Potmen (&?;). 1. A pot companion. [Obs.] Life of A. Wood (1663).

2. A servant in a public house; a potboy.

||Po*too" (?), n. (Zoˆl.) A large South American goatsucker (Nyctibius ||grandis).

||Po`to*roo" (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Any small kangaroo belonging to ||Hypsiprymnus, Bettongia, and allied genera, native of Australia and ||Tasmania. Called also kangaroo rat.

Pot"pie` (?), n. A meat pie which is boiled instead of being baked.