Chapter 79

3. Being of a certain standard as to strength; -- said of alcoholic liquors.

Proof charge (Firearms), a charge of powder and ball, greater than the service charge, fired in an arm, as a gun or cannon, to test its strength. -- Proof impression. See under Impression. -- Proof load (Engin.), the greatest load than can be applied to a piece, as a beam, column, etc., without straining the piece beyond the elastic limit. -- Proof sheet. See Proof, n., 5. - - Proof spirit (Chem.), a strong distilled liquor, or mixture of alcohol and water, containing not less than a standard amount of alcohol. In the United States "proof spirit is defined by law to be that mixture of alcohol and water which contains one half of its volume of alcohol, the alcohol when at a temperature of 60∞ Fahrenheit being of specific gravity 0.7939 referred to water at its maximum density as unity. Proof spirit has at 60∞ Fahrenheit a specific gravity of 0.93353, 100 parts by volume of the same consisting of 50 parts of absolute alcohol and 53.71 parts of water," the apparent excess of water being due to contraction of the liquids on mixture. In England proof spirit is defined by Act 58, George III., to be such as shall at a temperature of 51∞ Fahrenheit weigh exactly the part of an equal measure of distilled water. This contains 49.3 per cent by weight, or 57.09 by volume, of alcohol. Stronger spirits, as those of about 60, 70, and 80 per cent of alcohol, are sometimes called second, third, and fourth proof spirits respectively. -- Proof staff, a straight-edge used by millers to test the flatness of a stone. -- Proof stick (Sugar Manuf.), a rod in the side of a vacuum pan, for testing the consistency of the sirup. -- Proof text, a passage of Scripture used to prove a doctrine.

Proof`-arm" (?), v. t. To arm with proof armor; to arm securely; as, to proof-arm herself. [R.] Beau. & Fl.

Proof"less, a. Wanting sufficient evidence to induce belief; not proved. Boyle. -- Proof"less*ly, adv.

Proof"-proof`, a. Proof against proofs; obstinate in the wrong. "That might have shown to any one who was not proof-proof." Whateley.

||Pro*ˆs"tra*cum (?), n.; pl. Proˆstraca (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before ||+ &?; shell of a testacean.] (Zoˆl.) The anterior prolongation of the ||guard of the phragmocone of belemnites and allied fossil cephalopods, ||whether horny or calcareous. See Illust. of Phragmocone.

Pro*ˆ"tic (?), a. [Pref. pro- + Gr. &?;, &?;, an ear.] (Anat.) In front of the auditory capsule; -- applied especially to a bone, or center of ossification, in the periotic capsule. -- n. A proˆtic bone.

Prop (?), n. A shell, used as a die. See Props.

Prop (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propping.] [Akin to LG. & D. proppen to cram, stuff, thrust into, stop, G. pfropfen, Dan. proppe, Sw. proppa; of uncertain origin, cf. G. pfropfen to graft, fr. L. propago set, layer of a plant, slip, shoot. Cf. 3d. Prop, Propagate.] To support, or prevent from falling, by placing something under or against; as, to prop up a fence or an old building; (Fig.) to sustain; to maintain; as, to prop a declining state. Shak.

Till the bright mountains prop the incumbent sky.

Pope.

For being not propp'd by ancestry.

Shak.

I prop myself upon those few supports that are left me.

Pope.

Prop, n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. prop stopple, stopper, cork, Sw. propp, G. pfropf. See Prop, v.] That which sustains an incumbent weight; that on which anything rests or leans for support; a support; a stay; as, a prop for a building. "Two props of virtue." Shak.

{ Pro`pÊ*deu"tic (?), Pro`pÊ*deu"tic*al (?) }, a. [Gr. &?; to teach beforehand; &?; before + &?; to bring up a child, to educate, teach, fr. &?;, &?;, a child.] Of, pertaining to, or conveying, preliminary instruction; introductory to any art or science; instructing beforehand.

Pro`pÊ*deu"tics (?), n. The preliminary learning connected with any art or science; preparatory instruction.

Prop"a*ga*ble (?), a. [See Propagate.]

1. Capable of being propagated, or of being continued or multiplied by natural generation or production.

2. Capable of being spread or extended by any means; -- said of tenets, doctrines, or principles.

Prop`a*gan"da (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. L. de propaganda fide: cf. F. propagande. See Propagate.]

1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A congregation of cardinals, established in 1622, charged with the management of missions. (b) The college of the Propaganda, instituted by Urban VIII. (1623-1644) to educate priests for missions in all parts of the world.

2. Hence, any organization or plan for spreading a particular doctrine or a system of principles.

Prop`a*gan"dism (?), n. [Cf. F. propagandisme.] The art or practice of propagating tenets or principles; zeal in propagating one's opinions.

Prop`a*gan"dist (?), n. [Cf. F. propagandiste.] A person who devotes himself to the spread of any system of principles. "Political propagandists." Walsh.

Prop"a*gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propagated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propagating.] [L. propagatus, p. p. of propagare to propagate, akin to propages, propago, a layer of a plant, slip, shoot. See Pro-, and cf. Pact, Prop, Prune, v. t.]

1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production; -- applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree.

2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or light.

3. To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; as, to propagate a story or report; to propagate the Christian religion.

The infection was propagated insensibly.

De Foe.

4. To multiply; to increase. [Obs.]

Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, Which thou wilt propagate.

Shak.

5. To generate; to produce.

Motion propagated motion, and life threw off life.

De Quincey.

Syn. -- To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse; disseminate; promote.

Prop"a*gate, v. i. To have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or plants; as, rabbits propagate rapidly.

No need that thou Should'st propagate, already infinite.

Milton.

Prop`a*ga"tion (?), n. [L. propagatio: cf. F. propagation.]

1. The act of propagating; continuance or multiplication of the kind by generation or successive production; as, the propagation of animals or plants.

There is not in nature any spontaneous generation, but all come by propagation.

Ray.

2. The spreading abroad, or extension, of anything; diffusion; dissemination; as, the propagation of sound; the propagation of the gospel. Bacon.

Prop"a*ga*tive (?), a. Producing by propagation, or by a process of growth.

Prop"a*ga`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. propagateur.] One who propagates; one who continues or multiplies.

||Pro*pag"u*lum (?), n.; pl. Propagula (#). [NL. See Propagate.] (Bot.) ||A runner terminated by a germinating bud.

Pro"pane (?), n. [Propyl + methane.] (Chem.) A heavy gaseous hydrocarbon, C3H8, of the paraffin series, occurring naturally dissolved in crude petroleum, and also made artificially; -- called also propyl hydride.

Pro*par"gyl (?), n. [Propinyl + Gr. &?; silver + -yl. So called because one hydrogen atom may be replaced by silver.] (Chem.) Same as Propinyl.

Pro`par*ox"y*tone (?), n. [Gr. &?;. See Pro-, and Paroxytone.] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the acute accent on the antepenult.

Pro"ped (?), n. [Pref. pro- + L. pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoˆl.) Same as Proleg.

Pro*pel" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propelled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propelling.] [L. propellere, propulsum; pro forward + pellere to drive. See Pulse a beating.] To drive forward; to urge or press onward by force; to move, or cause to move; as, the wind or steam propels ships; balls are propelled by gunpowder.

Pro*pel"ler (?), n.

1. One who, or that which, propels.

2. A contrivance for propelling a steam vessel, usually consisting of a screw placed in the stern under water, and made to revolve by an engine; a propeller wheel.

3. A steamboat thus propelled; a screw steamer.

Propeller wheel,the screw, usually having two or more blades, used in propelling a vessel.

Pro*pend" (?), v. i. [L. propendere, propensum; pro forward, forth + pendere to hang. See Pendent.] To lean toward a thing; to be favorably inclined or disposed; to incline; to tend. [R.] Shak.

We shall propend to it, as a stone falleth down.

Barrow.

Pro*pend"en*cy (?), n. 1. Propensity. [R.]

2. Attentive deliberation. [R.] Sir M. Hale.

Pro*pend"ent (?), a. [L. propendens, p. pr.] Inclining forward or toward. South.

Pro"pene (?), n. [Propyl + ethylene.] (Chem.) Same as Propylene.

Pro*pense" (?), a. [L. propensus, p. p. See Propend.] Leaning toward, in a moral sense; inclined; disposed; prone; as, women propense to holiness. Hooker. -- Pro*pense"ly, adv. -- Pro*pense"ness, n.

Pro*pen"sion (?), n. [L. propensio: cf. F. propension. See Propend, Propense.] The quality or state of being propense; propensity. M. Arnold.

Your full consent Gave wings to my propension.

Shak.

Pro*pen"si*ty (?), n.; pl. Propensities (&?;). The quality or state of being propense; natural inclination; disposition to do good or evil; bias; bent; tendency. "A propensity to utter blasphemy." Macaulay.

Syn. -- Disposition; bias; inclination; proclivity; proneness; bent; tendency.

Pro"pe*nyl (?), n. [Propene + -yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical hydrocarbon radical, C3H5, isomeric with allyl and glyceryl, and regarded as the essential residue of glycerin. Cf. Allyl, and Glyceryl.

Pro*pep"sin (?), n. [Pref. pro- + pepsin.] (Physiol. Chem.) See Persinogen.

Pro*pep"tone (?), n. [Pref. pro- + peptone.] (Physiol. Chem.) A product of gastric digestion intermediate between albumin and peptone, identical with hemialbumose.

Prop"er (?), a. [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

1. Belonging to one; one's own; individual. "His proper good" [i. e., his own possessions]. Chaucer. "My proper son." Shak.

Now learn the difference, at your proper cost, Betwixt true valor and an empty boast.

Dryden.

2. Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites.

Those high and peculiar attributes . . . which constitute our proper humanity.

Coleridge.

3. Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the proper element for fish; a proper dress.

The proper study of mankind is man.

Pope.

In Athens all was pleasure, mirth, and play, All proper to the spring, and sprightly May.

Dryden.

4. Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome. [Archaic] "Thou art a proper man." Chaucer.

Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child.

Heb. xi. 23.

5. Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; -- opposed to common; as, a proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city.

6. Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper.

7. (Her.) Represented in its natural color; -- said of any object used as a charge.

In proper, individually; privately. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. -- Proper flower or corolla (Bot.), one of the single florets, or corollets, in an aggregate or compound flower. -- Proper fraction (Arith.) a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator. -- Proper nectary (Bot.), a nectary separate from the petals and other parts of the flower. -- Proper noun (Gram.), a name belonging to an individual, by which it is distinguished from others of the same class; -- opposed to common noun; as, John, Boston, America. -- Proper perianth or involucre (Bot.), that which incloses only a single flower. -- Proper receptacle (Bot.), a receptacle which supports only a single flower or fructification.

Prop"er, adv. Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good. [Colloq & Vulgar]

Prop"er*ate (?), v. t. & i. [L. properatus, p. p. of properare to hasten.] To hasten, or press forward. [Obs.]

Prop`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. properatio.] The act of hastening; haste. [Obs.] T. Adams.

Pro*per"i*spome (?), n. (Gr. Gram.) Properispomenon.

||Pro*per`i*spom"e*non (?), n.; pl. Properispomena (#). [NL., fr. Gr. ||&?;, fr. &?; to circumflex on the penult; &?; before + &?; to ||circumflex. See Perispomenon.] (Gr. Gram.) A word which has the ||circumflex accent on the penult.

Prop"er*ly (?), adv.

1. In a proper manner; suitably; fitly; strictly; rightly; as, a word properly applied; a dress properly adjusted. Milton.

2. Individually; after one's own manner. [Obs.]

Now, harkeneth, how I bare me properly.

Chaucer.

Prop"er*ness, n.

1. The quality of being proper.

2. Tallness; comeliness. [Obs.] Udall.

Prop"er*tied (?), a. Possessing property; holding real estate, or other investments of money. "The propertied and satisfied classes." M. Arnold.

Prop"er*ty (?), n.; pl. Properties (#). [OE. proprete, OF. propretÈ property, F. propretÈ neatness, cleanliness, propriÈtÈ property, fr. L. proprietas. See Proper, a., and cf. Propriety.]

1. That which is proper to anything; a peculiar quality of a thing; that which is inherent in a subject, or naturally essential to it; an attribute; as, sweetness is a property of sugar.

Property is correctly a synonym for peculiar quality; but it is frequently used as coextensive with quality in general.

Sir W. Hamilton.

In physical science, the properties of matter are distinguished to the three following classes: 1. Physical properties, or those which result from the relations of bodies to the physical agents, light, heat, electricity, gravitation, cohesion, adhesion, etc., and which are exhibited without a change in the composition or kind of matter acted on. They are color, luster, opacity, transparency, hardness, sonorousness, density, crystalline form, solubility, capability of osmotic diffusion, vaporization, boiling, fusion, etc. 2. Chemical properties, or those which are conditioned by affinity and composition; thus, combustion, explosion, and certain solutions are reactions occasioned by chemical properties. Chemical properties are identical when there is identity of composition and structure, and change according as the composition changes. 3. Organoleptic properties, or those forming a class which can not be included in either of the other two divisions. They manifest themselves in the contact of substances with the organs of taste, touch, and smell, or otherwise affect the living organism, as in the manner of medicines and poisons.

2. An acquired or artificial quality; that which is given by art, or bestowed by man; as, the poem has the properties which constitute excellence.

3. The exclusive right of possessing, enjoying, and disposing of a thing; ownership; title.

Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood.

Shak.

Shall man assume a property in man?

Wordsworth.

<! p. 1149 !>

4. That to which a person has a legal title, whether in his possession or not; thing owned; an estate, whether in lands, goods, or money; as, a man of large property, or small property.

5. pl. All the adjuncts of a play except the scenery and the dresses of the actors; stage requisites.

I will draw a bill of properties.

Shak.

6. Propriety; correctness. [Obs.] Camden.

Literary property. (Law) See under Literary. -- Property man, one who has charge of the "properties" of a theater.

Prop"er*ty (?), v. t.

1. To invest which properties, or qualities. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To make a property of; to appropriate. [Obs.]

They have here propertied me.

Shak.

Pro*phane" (?), a. & v. t. See Profane. [Obs.]

||Proph"a*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to show beforehand. See Pro-, ||and Phasis.] (Med.) Foreknowledge of a disease; prognosis.

Proph"e*cy (?), n.; pl. Prophecies (#), [OE. prophecie, OF. profecie, F. prophÈtie, L. prophetia, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to be an interpreter of the gods, to prophesy, fr. &?; prophet. See Prophet.] 1. A declaration of something to come; a foretelling; a prediction; esp., an inspired foretelling.

He hearkens after prophecies and dreams.

Shak.

Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man.

2. Pet. i. 21.

2. (Script.) A book of prophecies; a history; as, the prophecy of Ahijah. 2 Chron. ix. 29.

3. Public interpretation of Scripture; preaching; exhortation or instruction.

Proph"e*si`er (?), n. A prophet. Shak.

Proph"e*sy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prophesied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prophesying (?).] [See Prophecy.] 1. To foretell; to predict; to prognosticate.

He doth not prophesy good concerning me.

1 Kings xxii. 8.

Then I perceive that will be verified Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy.

Shak.

2. To foreshow; to herald; to prefigure.

Methought thy very gait did prophesy A royal nobleness; I must embrace thee.

Shak.

Proph"e*sy, v. i.

1. To utter predictions; to make declaration of events to come. Matt. xv. 7.

2. To give instruction in religious matters; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects; to preach; to exhort; to expound. Ezek. xxxvii. 7.

Proph"et (?), n. [F. prophËte, L. propheta, fr. Gr. &?;, literally, one who speaks for another, especially, one who speaks for a god an interprets his will to man, fr. &?; to say beforehand; &?; for, before + &?; to say or speak. See Fame. ]

1. One who prophesies, or foretells events; a predicter; a foreteller.

2. One inspired or instructed by God to speak in his name, or announce future events, as, Moses, Elijah, etc.

3. An interpreter; a spokesman. [R.] Ex. vii. 1.

4. (Zoˆl.) A mantis.

School of the prophets (Anc. Jewish Hist.), a school or college in which young men were educated and trained for public teachers or members of the prophetic order. These students were called sons of the prophets.

Proph"et*ess, n. [Cf. F. prophÈtesse, L. prophetissa.] A female prophet.

{ Pro*phet"ic (?), Pro*phet"ic*al (?) }, a. [L. propheticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. prophÈtique.] Containing, or pertaining to, prophecy; foretelling events; as, prophetic writings; prophetic dreams; -- used with of before the thing foretold.

And fears are oft prophetic of the event.

Dryden.

Pro*phet`ic*al"i*ty (?), n. Propheticalness.

Pro*phet"ic*al*ly (?), adv. In a prophetical manner; by way of prediction.

Pro*phet"ic*al*ness, n. The quality or state of being prophetical; power or capacity to foretell.

Proph"et*ize (?), v. i. [L. prophetizare, Gr. &?;: cf. F. prophÈtiser. Cf. Prophesy.] To give predictions; to foreshow events; to prophesy. [R.] "Prophetizing dreams." Daniel.

Pro*phor"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; utterance.] Enunciative. [R.]

||Pro*phrag"ma (?), n.; pl. Prophragmata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before ||+ &?;, &?;, fence, screen. ] (Zoˆl.) An internal dorsal chitinous ||process between the first two divisions of the thorax of insects.

Proph`y*lac"tic (?), n. [Cf. F. prophylactique.] (Med.) A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a preventive.

{ Proph`y*lac"tic (?), Proph`y*lac"tic*al (?) }, a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to guard against; &?; before + &?; to guard: cf. F. prophylactique.] (Med.) Defending or preserving from disease; preventive. Coxe.

||Proph`y*lax"is (?), n. [NL. See Prophylactic.] (Med.) The art of ||preserving from, or of preventing, disease; the observance of the ||rules necessary for the preservation of health; preservative or ||preventive treatment.

Pro*pice" (?), a. [OE., fr. F. propice, See Propitious.] Fit; propitious. [Obs.] E. Hall.

Pro"pi*dene (?), n. [Propyl + ethylidene.] (Chem.) The unsymmetrical hypothetical hydrocarbon radical, CH3.CH2.CH, analogous to ethylidene, and regarded as the type of certain derivatives of propane; -- called also propylidene.

Prop`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. propinatio. See Propine.] The act of pledging, or drinking first, and then offering the cup to another. [Obs.] Abp. Potter.

Pro*pine" (?), v. t. [L. propinare, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; to drink.]

1. To pledge; to offer as a toast or a health in the manner of drinking, that is, by drinking first and passing the cup. [Obs.]

The lovely sorceress mixed, and to the prince Health, peace, and joy propined.

C. Smart.

2. Hence, to give in token of friendship. [Obs.]

3. To give, or deliver; to subject. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Pro*pine" (?), n.

1. A pledge. [Obs. or Scot.]

2. A gift; esp., drink money. [Obs or Scot.]

Pro"pine (?), n. [Propyl + ethine.] (Chem.) Same as Allylene.

Pro*pin"qui*ty (?), n. [L. propinquitas, from propinquus near, neighboring, from prope near.]

1. Nearness in place; neighborhood; proximity.

2. Nearness in time. Sir T. Browne.

3. Nearness of blood; kindred; affinity. Shak.

Pro"pi*nyl (?), n. [Propine + -yl.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical regarded as an essential residue of propine and allied compounds.

Pro"pi*o*late (?), n. A salt of propiolic acid.

Pro`pi*ol"ic (?), a. [Propionic + tetrolic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also propargylic acid) of the acetylene or tetrolic series, analogous to propionic acid, and obtained as a white crystalline substance.

Pro"pi*o*nate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of propionic acid.

Pro"pi*one (?), n. (Chem.) The ketone of propionic acid, obtained as a colorless fragrant liquid.

Pro`pi*on"ic (?), a. [Proto- + Gr. pi`wn fat.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an organic acid which is produced in the distillation of wood, in the fermentation of various organic substances, as glycerin, calcium lactate, etc., and is obtained as a colorless liquid having a sharp, pungent odor. Propionic acid is so called because it is the first or lowest member of the fatty acid series whose salts have a fatty feel.

Pro"pi*o*nyl (?), n. (Chem.) The hypothetical radical C3H5O, regarded as the essential residue of propionic acid and certain related compounds.

||Prop`i*the"cus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; before, for + &?; ape.] ||(Zoˆl.) A genus including the long-tailed, or diadem, indris. See ||Indris.

Pro*pi"ti*a*ble (?), a. [L. propitiabilis.] Capable of being propitiated.

Pro*pi"ti*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Propitiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Propitiating.] [L. propitiatus, p. p. of propitiare to propitiate, fr. propitius favorable. See Propitious.] To appease to render favorable; to make propitious; to conciliate.

Let fierce Achilles, dreadful in his rage, The god propitiate, and the pest assuage.

Pope.

Pro*pi"ti*ate, v. i. To make propitiation; to atone.

Pro*pi`ti*a"tion (?), n. [L. propitiatio: cf. F. propitiation.]

1. The act of appeasing the wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious.

2. (Theol.) That which propitiates; atonement or atoning sacrifice; specifically, the influence or effects of the death of Christ in appeasing the divine justice, and conciliating the divine favor.

He [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins.

1 John ii. 2.

Pro*pi"ti*a`tor (?), n. [L.] One who propitiates or appeases.

Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ri*ly (?), adv. By way of propitiation.

Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ry (?), a. [L. propitiatorius: cf. F. propitiatoire.] Having the power to make propitious; pertaining to, or employed in, propitiation; expiatory; as, a propitiatory sacrifice. Sharp.

Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ry, n. [L. propitiatorium.] (Jewish Antiq.) The mercy seat; -- so called because a symbol of the propitiated Jehovah. Bp. Pearson.

Pro*pi"tious (?), a. [L. propitius, perhaps originally a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf. Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather.]

1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious season; a propitious breeze.

2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; - - said of a person or a divinity. Milton.

And now t' assuage the force of this new flame, And make thee [Love] more propitious in my need.

Spenser.