Part 63

CROTALO, kr[=o]'ta-l[=o], _n._ a Turkish musical instrument, like the ancient cymbalum.

CROTCH, kroch, _n._ a fork, as of a tree: the bifurcation of the human body.--_adj._ CROTCHED. [Ety. obscure.]

CROTCHET, kroch'et, _n._ a hook: a note in music, equal to half a minim, [Crotchet]: a crooked or perverse fancy: a whim, or conceit.--_adjs._ CROTCH'ETED, CROTCH'ETY, having crotchets or peculiarities: whimsical.--_n._ CROTCH'ETEER, a crotchety person. [Fr. _crochet_, dim. of _croche_, a hook. See CROCHET.]

CROTON, kr[=o]'ton, _n._ a genus of tropical plants, producing a brownish-yellow oil, having a hot, biting taste.--_ns._ CR[=O]'TONATE, a salt formed by the union of crotonic acid with a base; CR[=O]'TON-OIL, a powerful purgative oil, expressed from the seeds of the _Croton tiglium_, also used externally.--CROTON'IC ACID, an acid obtained from croton-oil. [Gr. _krot[=o]n_, a tick or mite, which the seed of the plant resembles.]

CROTTLES, krot'ls, _n.pl._ lichens used for dyeing. [Gael. _crotal_.]

CROUCH, krowch, _v.i._ to squat or lie close to the ground: to cringe: to fawn. [Possibly _crook_.]

CROUCHED-FRIARS = CRUTCHED-FRIARS. See CRUTCH.

CROUCH-WARE, krowch'-w[=a]r, _n._ a finely finished pottery made with an admixture of pipe-clay in Shropshire: the famous salt-glazed stoneware made at Burslem.

CROUP, kr[=oo]p, _n._ a severe disease in the throat of children, accompanied by a hoarse cough.--_v.i._ to cry or speak hoarsely.--_n._ CROUP'INESS.--_adjs._ CROUP'OUS, CROUP'Y. [A.S. _kropan_, to cry; Scot. _roup_, _croup_, hoarseness; from the sound.]

CROUP, kr[=oo]p, _n._ the rump of a horse: the place behind the saddle.--_n._ CROUP'ON (_obs._), the croup: the human buttocks. [Fr. _croupe_, a protuberance; allied to CROP.]

CROUPADE, kroo-p[=a]d', _n._ in the man[`e]ge, a leap in which the horse draws up his hind-legs toward the belly. [Fr.]

CROUPER, kr[=oo]p'[.e]r, _n._ obsolete form of CRUPPER.

CROUPIER, kr[=oo]'pi-[.e]r, _n._ one who sits at the lower end of the table as assistant-chairman at a public dinner: a vice-president: he who watches the cards and collects the money at the gaming-table. [Fr., 'one who rides on the croup.']

CROUSE, kr[=oo]s, _adj._ (_Scot._) lively, pert.--_adv._ boldly, pertly.--_adv._ CROUSE'LY. [M. E. _cr[=u]s_; cf. Ger. _kraus_, Dut. _kroes_, crisp, cross.]

CROUT, krowt, _n._ See SAUER-KRAUT.

CROW, kr[=o], _n._ a large bird, generally black, of the genus _Corvus_, which includes magpies, nut-crackers, jays, choughs, &c.: the cry of a cock: a crow-bar.--_v.i._ to croak: to cry as a cock, in joy or defiance: to boast, swagger (with _over_):--_pa.t._ crew (kr[=oo]) or crowed; _pa.p._ crowed.--_ns._ CROW'-BAR, a large iron bar mostly bent at the end, to be used as a lever; CROW'-BERR'Y, a small creeping shrub, producing small black berries; CROW'-FLOW'ER (_Shak._), perhaps the same as CROW'FOOT, a common weed, the flower of which is like a crow's foot, the buttercup: crow's-foot: a number of lines rove through a long wooden block, supporting the backbone of an awning horizontally; CROW'-KEEP'ER (_Shak._), a scarecrow; CROW'-QUILL, a pen made of the quill of a crow, &c., for fine writing or etching; CROW'S'-BILL, CROW'-BILL (_surg._), a kind of forceps for extracting bullets, &c., from wounds; CROW'S'-FOOT, one of the wrinkles produced by age, spreading out from the corners of the eyes: (_mil._) a caltrop; CROW'S'-NEST (_naut._), a shelter at the top-gallant mast-head of whalers for the man on the lookout.--_n.pl._ CROW'-STEPS (see CORBIE).--_n._ CROW'-TOE (_Milt._), probably the same as CROWFOOT.--AS THE CROW FLIES, in a straight line; EAT CROW, or BOILED CROW, to be forced to do something very disagreeable; HAVE A CROW TO PLUCK WITH, to have something to settle with some one. [A.S. _crawe_, a crow, _crawan_, to cry like a cock; imit.]

CROWD, krowd, _n._ a number of persons or things closely pressed together, without order: the rabble: multitude.--_v.t._ to gather into a lump or crowd: to fill by pressing or driving together: to compress.--_v.i._ to press on: to press together in numbers: to swarm.--_p.adj._ CROWD'ED.--CROWD SAIL, to carry a press of sail for speed. [A.S. _cr['u]dan_, to press.]

CROWD, krowd, _n._ (_obs._) an ancient musical instrument of the nature of the violin.--_n._ CROWD'ER (_obs._), a fiddler. [W. _crwth_, a hollow protuberance, a fiddle; Gael., Ir. _cruit_.]

CROWDIE, krowd'i, _n._ a mixture of meal and water: (_Scot._) brose. [Der. unknown.]

CROWN, krown, _n._ the diadem or state-cap of royalty: regal power: the sovereign: honour: reward, as the 'martyr's crown:' the top of anything, esp. of the head: completion: accomplishment; a coin stamped with a crown, esp. the silver 5s. piece--used also as the translation of the old French _['e]cu_, worth from six francs (or livres) to three francs: a size of paper, because originally water-marked with a crown: (_archit._) a species of spire or lantern, formed by converging flying-buttresses.--_v.t._ to cover or invest with a crown: to invest with royal dignity: to adorn: to dignify: to complete happily.--_ns._ CROWN'-AG'ENT, a solicitor in Scotland who prepares criminal prosecutions; CROWN'-ANT'LER, the uppermost antler of the horn of a stag; CROWN'-COL'ONY, a colony whose administration is directly under the home government; CROWN DERBY PORCELAIN (see PORCELAIN).--_p.adj._ CROWNED, having or wearing a crown: rewarded: consummated.--_ns._ CROWN'ER (_Shak._), a corruption of coroner; CROWN'ET, a coronet: (_Shak._) that which crowns or accomplishes; CROWN'-GLASS, a kind of window-glass formed in circular plates or discs; CROWN'-IMP[=E]'RIAL, a plant, a species of fritillary; CROWN'ING.--_n.pl._ CROWN'-JEW'ELS, jewels pertaining to the crown or sovereign.--_ns._ CROWN'-LAND, land belonging to the crown or sovereign; CROWN'-LAW'YER, the lawyer who acts for the crown in criminal cases.--_adj._ CROWN'LESS.--_ns._ CROWN'LET, a small crown; CROWN'-LIV'ING, a church living in the gift of the crown; CROWN-OFFICE, the office for the business of the crown side of the King's Bench: the office in which the great seal is affixed; CROWN'-P[=A]'PER, in England, a printing-paper of the size 15 x 20 in.: in America, a writing-paper 15 x 19 in.; CROWN'-POST, the same as KING-POST (q.v.); CROWN'-PRINCE, the prince who succeeds to the crown; CROWN'-SAW, a circular saw made by cutting teeth round a cylinder; CROWN'-WHEEL, a wheel resembling a crown, with teeth or cogs set at right angles to its plane; CROWN'-WIT'NESS, a witness for the crown in a criminal prosecution instituted by it; CROWN'WORK (_fort._), an outwork composed of a bastion between two curtains, with demi-bastions at the extremes.--CROWN OF THE CAUSEWAY, the middle of the street. [O. Fr. _corone_ (Fr. _couronne_)--L. _corona_; cf. Gr. _kor[=o]nos_, curved.]

CROZE, kr[=o]z, _n._ the groove in the staves of a cask in which the edge of the head is set.

CROZIER. See CROSIER.

CRUCIAL, kr[=oo]'shi-al, _adj._ testing, searching, from the practice of marking a testing instance with a cross to draw attention to it.--_adj._ CRU'CI[=A]TE (_bot._), arranged in the form of a cross, as leaves or petals. [Fr. _crucial_, from L. _crux_, _crucis_, a cross.]

CRUCIAN, CRUSIAN, kroo'shi-an, _n._ the German carp, having no barbels.

CRUCIBLE, kr[=oo]'si-bl, _n._ an earthen pot for melting ores, metals, &c. [Low L. _crucibulum_, most prob. from L. _crux_.]

CRUCIFERAE, kroo-sif'[.e]r-[=e], _n._ a natural order of exogenous plants (many edible), having a corolla of four petals arranged in the form of a cross.--_n._ CRUC'IFER, a cross-bearer in a procession.--_adj._ CRUCIF'EROUS (_bot._), bearing four petals in the form of a cross. [L. _crux_, _crucis_, a cross, _ferre_, to bear.]

CRUCIFY, kr[=oo]'si-f[=i], _v.t._ to put to death by fixing the hands and feet to a cross: to subdue completely: to mortify: to torment:--_pa.p._ cru'cified.--_ns._ CRUCIF[=I]'ER, one who crucifies; CRU'CIFIX, a figure or picture of Christ fixed to the cross; CRUCIFIX'ION, death on the cross, esp. that of Christ.--_adjs._ CRU'CIFORM, in the form of a cross; CRUCIG'EROUS, bearing a cross. [O. Fr. _crucifier_--L. _crucifig[)e]re_, _crucifixum_--_crux_, and _fig[)e]re_, to fix.]

CRUDE, kr[=oo]d, _adj._ raw, unprepared: not reduced to order or form: unfinished: undigested: immature.--_adv._ CRUDE'LY.--_ns._ CRUDE'NESS; CRUD'ITY, rawness: unripeness: that which is crude.--_adj._ CRUD'Y (_Shak._), crude, raw. [L. _crudus_, raw.]

CRUEL, kr[=oo]'el, _adj._ disposed to inflict pain, or pleased at suffering: void of pity, merciless, savage: severe.--_adj._ CRU'EL-HEART'ED, delighting in cruelty: hard-hearted: unrelenting.--_adv._ CRU'ELLY.--_ns._ CRU'ELNESS (_obs._); CRU'ELTY. [Fr. _cruel_--L. _crudelis_.]

CRUET, kr[=oo]'et, _n._ a small jar or phial for sauces and condiments.--_n._ CRU'ET-STAND, a stand or frame for holding cruets. [Acc. to Skeat, prob. formed from Dut. _kruik_, a jar = Eng. _crock_; and acc. to E. M[:u]ller, dim. of O. Fr. _cruye_ (mod. Fr. _cruche_, _cruchette_, a jar), from root of _crock_.]

CRUISE, kr[=oo]z, _v.i._ to sail to and fro: to rove on the sea.--_n._ a sailing to and fro: a voyage in various directions in search of an enemy, or for the protection of vessels.--_n._ CRUIS'ER. [Dut. _kruisen_, to cross--_kruis_, a cross.]

CRUISIE. See CRUSIE.

CRUISKEN, kroos'ken, _n._ (_Ir._) a small bottle.--Also CRUIS'KEEN.

CRUIVE, CRUVE, kr[=oo]v, _n._ (_Scot._) a sty, hovel: a wattled hedge built on tidal flats for catching fish.

CRULLER, krul'[.e]r, _n._ a cake cut from rolled dough made of eggs, butter, sugar, flour, &c., fried crisp in boiling lard. [Cf. Dut. _krullen_, to curl.]

CRUMB, krum, _n._ a small bit or morsel of bread: a small particle of anything: the soft part of bread.--_v.t._ to break into crumbs: to fill with crumbs.--_ns._ CRUMB'-BRUSH, a brush for sweeping crumbs off the table; CRUMB'-CLOTH, a cloth laid under a table to keep falling crumbs from the carpet.--_adjs._ CRUMB'Y, CRUM'MY, in crumbs: soft. [A.S. _cruma_; Dut. _kruim_; Ger. _krume_; allied to _crimp_.]

CRUMBLE, krum'bl, _v.t._ to break into crumbs: to scatter in crumbs.--_v.i._ to fall into small pieces: to decay.--_n._ a crumb: that which crumbles easily.--_adj._ CRUMB'LY, apt to crumble, brittle. [Orig. dim. of CRUMB; Dut. _kruimelen_; Ger. _kr[:u]meln_.]

CRUMENAL, kr[=oo]'me-nal, _n._ (_Spens._) a purse. [From L. _crumena_, a purse.]

CRUMP, krump, _adj._ crooked: wrinkled.--_ns._ CRUM'MY, a cow with a crumpled horn; CRUMP'ET, a kind of crumby or soft cake or muffin.--_adj._ CRUMP'Y, crump: easily broken. [A.S. _crump_--_crumb_, crooked; Ger. _krumm_. Cf. CRAMP, CRIMP.]

CRUMPLE, krump'l, _v.t._ to contort: to mark with or draw into folds or wrinkles: to crease.--_v.i._ to become wrinkled: to contract or shrink.--_adj._ CRUMP'LED.--_n._ CRUMP'LING. [Formed from CRUMP.]

CRUNCH, krunsh, _v.t._ to crush with the teeth: to chew anything hard, and so make a noise.--_n._ the act of crunching. [From the sound; cf. Fr. _grincer_.]

CRUNKLE, krunk'l, _v.i._ to crumple.

CRUNT, krunt, _n._ (_Scot._) a blow on the head.

CRUOR, kr[=oo]'or, _n._ coagulated blood.--_n._ CRU'ORINE, the red colouring matter of blood corpuscles.

CRUP, krup, _adj._ (_prov._) brittle.

CRUPPER, krup'[.e]r, _n._ a strap of leather fastened to the saddle and passing under the horse's tail to keep the saddle in its place: the hind part of a horse. [Fr. _cropi[`e]re_--_crope_, the croup.]

CRURAL, kr[=oo]'ral, _adj._ belonging to or shaped like a leg. [L. _cruralis_, from _crus_, _cruris_, the leg.]

CRUSADE, kroo-s[=a]d', _n._ a military expedition under the banner of the cross to recover the Holy Land from the Turks: any daring or romantic undertaking.--_v.i._ to go on a crusade.--_n._ CRUSAD'ER, one engaged in a crusade. [Fr. _croisade_--Prov. _crozada_--_croz_, a cross--L. _crux_, a cross.]

CRUSADO, kroo-s[=a]'do, _n._ a Portuguese coin, so called because marked with a cross. [Port. _cruzado_.]

CRUSE, kr[=oo]z, _n._ an earthen pot: a small cup or bottle. [Cf. Ice. _krus_; Dan. _kruus_; Ger. _krause_.]

CRUSET, kr[=oo]'set, _n._ a goldsmith's crucible. [Fr. _creuset_.]

CRUSH, krush, _v.t._ to break or bruise: to squeeze together: to beat down or overwhelm: to subdue: to ruin.--_v.i._ to become broken under pressure.--_n._ a violet squeezing: a vast crowd of persons or things.--_adj._ CRUSHED, broken by pressure: subdued: oppressed.--_ns._ CRUSH'ER, he who, or that which, crushes or subdues: (_slang_) a policeman; CRUSH'-HAT, a hat so constructed as to collapse and become flat: an opera-hat.--_adj._ CRUSH'ING, bruising: overwhelming.--_adv._ CRUSH'INGLY.--_n._ CRUSH'-ROOM, a room in a theatre, &c., where the audience may promenade during the intervals of the entertainment.--CRUSH A CUP, to empty a cup: to quaff.--CRUSHED STRAWBERRY, of the colour of strawberries that have been crushed. [O. Fr. _croissir_; per. cog. with Mid. High Ger. _krosen_, to crunch.]

CRUSIE, CRUSY, kr[=oo]z'i, _n._ (_Scot._) a lamp which burns oil. [From CRUSET.]

CRUST, krust, _n._ the hard rind or outside coating of anything: the outer part of bread: covering of a pie, &c.: (_geol._) the solid exterior of the earth.--_v.t._ to cover with a crust or hard case.--_v.i._ to gather into a hard crust.--_adj._ CRUST[=A]T'ED, covered with a crust.--_n._ CRUST[=A]'TION, an adherent crust.--_adv._ CRUST'ILY.--_n._ CRUST'INESS.--_adj._ CRUST'Y, of the nature of or having a crust, as port or other wine: having a hard or harsh exterior: hard: snappy: surly. [O. Fr.,--L. _crusta_, rind.]

CRUSTA, krus'ta, _n._ something, as a gem, prepared for inlaying: a hard coating: a cocktail served in a glass, its rim encrusted in sugar:--_pl._ CRUSTAE ([=e]).

CRUSTACEA, krus-t[=a]'shi-a, _n.pl._ a large class of Arthropod animals, almost all aquatic, including crabs, lobsters, shrimps, sand-hoppers, wood-lice, water-fleas, barnacles, acorn-shells, &c.--_n._ CRUST[=A]'CEAN, one of the crustacea.--_adj._ CRUSTACEOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ CRUSTACEOL'OGIST; CRUSTACEOL'OGY, the science which treats of the crustacea.--_adjs._ CRUST[=A]'CEOUS, CRUST[=A]'CEAN, pertaining to the crustacea, or shellfish.

CRUT, krut, _n._ (_prov._) a dwarf.

CRUTCH, kruch, _n._ a staff with a cross-piece at the head to place under the arm of a lame person: any support like a crutch.--_v.t._ to support: to prop.--_v.i._ to go on crutches.--_adj._ CRUTCHED, marked by the sign of or wearing a cross.--_n.pl._ CRUTCHED'-FR[=I]'ARS, an order of friars so called from the sign of the cross which they wore--_Crouched-_ or _Crossed-friars_. [From root of CROOK; perh. modified by L. _crux_.]

CRUX, kruks, _n._ a cross: (_fig._) something that occasions difficulty. [L. _crux_, a cross.]

CRWTH, kr[:o]th, _n._ an old Welsh stringed instrument, four of its six strings played with a bow, two twitched by the thumb. [W.]

CRY, kr[=i], _v.i._ to utter a shrill loud sound, esp. one expressive of pain or grief: to lament: to weep: to bawl.--_v.t._ to utter loudly: to proclaim or make public:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ cried.--_n._ any loud sound, esp. of grief or pain: a fit of weeping: a pack of hounds, hence of people:

## particular sound uttered by an animal: bawling: lamentation: prayer:

clamour:--_pl._ CRIES.--_ns._ CR[=I]'ER; CRY'ING, act of calling loudly: weeping.--_adj._ calling loudly: claiming notice: notorious.--CRY AGAINST, to protest against; CRY DOWN, to condemn: to decry; CRY OFF, to withdraw from a bargain; CRY ON, to call upon: to invoke; CRY UP, to praise: extol.--A FAR CRY, a great distance; GREAT CRY AND LITTLE WOOL, appearance without reality: much ado about nothing; HUE AND CRY (see HUE); IN FULL CRY, in full pursuit, used of dogs in hunt; WITHIN CRY OF, within hearing distance. [Fr. _crier_--L. _quirit[=a]re_, to scream--freq. of L. _queri_, to lament.]

CRYOLITE, kr[=i]'o-l[=i]t, _n._ a mineral found on the coast of Greenland, consisting mainly of a fluoride of aluminium in combination with fluoride of sodium. [Gr. _kryos_, frost, and _lithos_, a stone.]

CRYOPHORUS, kr[=i]-of'o-rus, _n._ an instrument for showing the decrease of temperature in water by evaporation. [Gr. _kryos_, frost, and _pherein_, to bear.]

CRYPT, kript, _n._ an underground cell or chapel, esp. one used for burial.--_adjs._ CRYP'TIC, -AL, hidden: secret: unseen. [L. _crypta_--Gr. _krypt[=e]_--_kryptein_, to conceal. Doublet of GROT.]

CRYPTOGAMIA, krip-to-g[=a]'mi-a, _n._ the class of flowerless plants, or those which have their fructification concealed.--_n._ CRYP'TOGAM.--_adjs._ CRYPTOG[=A]'MIAN, CRYPTOGAM'IC, CRYPTOG'AMOUS.--_ns._ CRYPTOG'AMIST; CRYPTOG'AMY. [Gr. _kryptos_, concealed, and _gamos_, marriage.]

CRYPTOGRAM, krip't[=o]-gram, _n._ a cryptograph.--_ns._ CRYPTAD'IA, things to be kept secret; CRYPTOL'OGY, secret language; CRYP'TONYM, a secret name.

CRYPTOGRAPHY, krip-tog'ra-fi, _n._ the art of secret writing: the character or cipher so used.--_ns._ CRYPT'OGRAPH; CRYPTOG'RAPHER.--_adjs._ CRYPTOGRAPH'IC, -AL. [Gr. _kryptos_, secret, and _graphein_, to write.]

CRYSTAL, kris'tal, _n._ a superior kind of quartz, clear like ice: (_chem._) a piece of matter which has assumed a definite geometrical form, with plane faces.--_adjs._ CRYS'TAL, CRYS'TALL[=I]NE, consisting of or like crystal in clearness, &c.; CRYS'TALFORM; CRYS'TALL[=I]SABLE, capable of being crystallised or formed into crystals.--_n._ CRYSTALL[=I]S[=A]'TION, the act of crystallising.--_v.t._ CRYS'TALL[=I]SE, to reduce to the form of a crystal.--_v.i._ to assume a crystalline form.--_ns._ CRYS'TALLITE; CRYSTALLOGEN'ESIS.--_adj._ CRYSTALLOGEN'IC.--_n._ CRYSTALLOG'RAPHER, one skilled in crystallography.--_adj._ CRYSTALLOGRAPH'IC--_n._ CRYSTALLOG'RAPHY, the science of crystallisation.--_adj._ CRYS'TALLOID, having the form of a crystal.--_n._ a name given by Graham to a class of substances which when in solution pass easily through membranes.--_n._ CRYS'TALLOMANCY, a mode of divination by means of transparent bodies. [O. Fr. _cristol_--L. _crystallum_--Gr. _krystallos_, ice--_kryos_, frost.]

CTENOID, t[=e]'noid, _adj._ comb-shaped, applied by Agassiz to the scales and fins of certain fishes, as the perch, &c.--_adj._ and _n._ CTENOID'EAN. [Gr. _kteis_, _ktenos_, a comb, _eidos_, form.]

CTENOPHORA, ten-of'o-ra, _n.pl._ a sub-class of Coelenterates--beautifully delicate, free-swimming marine organisms, generally globular, moving by means of comb-like plates. [Gr. _kteis_, _ktenos_, a comb, _pherein_, to carry.]

CUB, kub, _n._ the young of certain animals, as foxes, &c.: a whelp: a young boy or girl (in contempt).--_v.i._ to bring forth young:--_pr.p._ cub'bing; _pa.p._ cubbed.--_adjs._ CUB'BISH, like a cub: awkward; CUB'-DRAWN (_Shak._), drawn or sucked by cubs.--_n._ CUB'HOOD.--_adj._ CUB'LESS, without cubs. [Prob. Celt., as Ir. _cuib_, a whelp, from _cu_, a dog.]

CUB, kub, _n._ a cattle-pen: chest.

CUBAN, k[=u]'ban, _n._ a native of the island of _Cuba_ in the West Indies.--_adj._ pertaining to Cuba.

CUBE, k[=u]b, _n._ a solid body having six equal square faces, a solid square: the third power of a number, as--2 x 2 x 2 = 8.--_v.t._ to raise to the third power.--_ns._ C[=U]'BAGE, CUB[=A]'TION, C[=U]'BATURE, the act of finding the solid or cubic content of a body: the result thus found.--_adjs._ C[=U]'BIC, -AL, pertaining to a cube: of the third power or degree: solid.--_adv._ C[=U]'BICALLY.--_n._ C[=U]'BICALNESS, state or quality of being cubical.--_adjs._ C[=U]'BIFORM; C[=U]'BOID, CUBOID'AL, resembling a cube in shape.--CUBE ROOT, the number or quantity that produces a given cube by being raised to the third power--thus 2 is the cube root of 8. [Fr.,--L. _cubus_--Gr. _kybos_, a die.]

CUBEB, k[=u]'beb, _n._ the dried berry of _Piper cubeba_, a climbing shrub, native to Sumatra--useful as a stomachic and carminative in indigestion, for piles and for sore throats.--_n._ CUBEB'IN, a crystallising substance in cubebs. [Fr. _cub[`e]be_--Ar. _kab[=a]bah_.]

CUBICA, k[=u]'bi-ka, _n._ a fine worsted for linings.

CUBICLE, k[=u]'bi-kl, _n._ a bedroom.

CUBIT, k[=u]'bit, _n._ a measure employed by the ancients, equal to the length of the arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle-finger, from 18 to 22 inches--also C[=U]'BITUS.--_adj._ C[=U]'BITAL, of the length of a cubit. [L. _cubitum_, the elbow; cf. L. _cub[=a]re_, to lie down.]

CUCKING-STOOL, kuk'ing-st[=oo]l, _n._ a stool in which scolds and other culprits were placed, usually before their own door, to be pelted by the mob. [Mentioned in Domesday Book as in use in Chester, and called _cathedra stercoris_. From an obs. word _cuck_, to ease one's self; cf. Ice. _k['u]ka_.]

CUCKOLD, kuk'old, _n._ a man whose wife has proved unfaithful.--_v.t._ to wrong (a husband) by unchastity.--_v.t._ CUCK'OLDISE, to make a cuckold.--_adv._ CUCK'OLDLY (_Shak._).--_ns._ CUCK'OLD-MAK'ER; CUCK'OLDOM, state of a cuckold: act of adultery; CUCK'OLDRY, adultery. [O. Fr. _cucuault_--_cucu_, cuckoo.]

CUCKOO, kook'k[=oo], _n._ a bird which cries cuckoo, remarkable for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds.--_ns._ CUCK'OO-BUD (_Shak._), name of a plant; CUCK'OO-CLOCK, a clock in which the hours are told by a cuckoo-call; CUCK'OO-FLOW'ER, a species of Cardamine--called also _Lady's Smock_; CUCK'OO-PINT, the Wake-robin, _Arum maculatum_; CUCK'OO-SPIT, -SPIT'TLE, a frothy spittle, made by many insects parasitic on plants, surrounding the larvae and pupae.

CUCULLATE, -D, k[=u]'kul-l[=a]t, -ed, _adj._ hooded: shaped like a hood. [L. _cucullatus_--_cucullus_, a hood.]

CUCUMBER, k[=u]'kum-b[.e]r, _n._ a creeping plant, with heart-shaped leaves, rough with bristly hairs, and large oblong fruit used as a salad and pickle--a native of southern Asia.--_adj._ CUCUM'IFORM. [L. _cucumis_, _cucumeris_.]

CUCURBIT, k[=u]'kur-bit, _n._ a chemical vessel used in distillation, originally shaped like a gourd.--_adjs._ CUCUR'BITAL, CUCURBIT[=A]'CEOUS, pertaining to the _Cucurbitaceae_, mostly herbaceous climbers, as the gourd, melon, &c.; CUCUR'BITIVE, like a gourd-seed. [Fr. _cucurbite_--L. _cucurbita_, a gourd.]

CUD, kud, _n._ the food brought from the first stomach of a ruminating animal back into the mouth and chewed again.--_n._ CUD'WEED, the popular name for many species of plants covered with a cottony down.--CHEW THE CUD, to meditate. [A.S. _cwidu_.]

CUDBEAR, kud'b[=a]r, _n._ a purple or violet coloured powder prepared from a lichen, used in dyeing. [A corr. of _Cuthbert_--from Dr _Cuthbert_ Gordon, who first made it an article of commerce.]

CUDDLE, kud'l, _v.t._ to hug: to embrace: to fondle.--_v.i._ to lie close and snug together.--_n._ a close embrace. [Perh. a freq. of M. E. _couth_, cosy.]

CUDDY, kud'i, _n._ a small cabin or cookroom, in the fore-part of a boat or lighter: in large vessels, the officers' cabin under the poopdeck. [Origin uncertain; cf. Fr. _cahute_; Dut. _kajuit_; Ger. _kaj[:u]te_.]

CUDDY, kud'i, _n._ the right of a lord to entertainment from his tenant: rent: (_Spens._) _Cuddeehih_. [Corr. of Ir. _cuid oidhche_--_cuid_, a share, _oidhche_, night.]

CUDDY, CUDDIE, kud'i, _n._ a donkey: (_Scot._) a stupid person. [Perh. formed from _Cuthbert_.]

CUDGEL, kud'jel, _n._ a heavy staff: a club.--_v.t._ to beat with a cudgel:--_pr.p._ cud'gelling; _pa.p._ cud'gelled.--_ns._ CUD'GELLER; CUD'GELLING.--_adj._ CUD'GEL-PROOF, not to be hurt by beating.--TAKE UP THE CUDGELS, to engage in a contest. [A.S. _cycgel_.]

CUE, k[=u], _n._ the last words of an actor's speech serving as a hint to the next speaker: any hint: the part one has to play. [Acc. to some from Fr. _queue_, tail, as the ending words of the last speech; in 17th cent. written Q, and derived from L. _quando_, 'when,' i.e. when the actor was to begin.]

CUE, k[=u], _n._ a twist of hair at the back of the head: a rod used in playing billiards.--_v.t._ of the hair, to form in a cue. [Fr. _queue_--L. _cauda_, a tail.]

CUFF, kuf, _n._ a stroke with the open hand.--_v.t._ to strike with the open hand: to beat. [Origin obscure; cf. Sw. _kuffa_, to knock.]

CUFF, kuf, _n._ the end of the sleeve near the wrist: a covering for the wrist: a handcuff (q.v.). [Prob. cog. with COIF.]

CUFF, kuf, _n._ Scotch form of SCRUFF.--CUFF OF THE NECK. See SCRUFF.

CUFFIN, kuf'in, _n._ a man: a justice of the peace. [Thieves' slang.]

CUFIC, k[=u]f'ik, _adj._ of or pertaining to Cufa, esp. applied to the kind of writing of the scholars of _Cufa_ in Asiatic Turkey, seat of the most expert copyists of the Koran.

CUIRASS, kwi-ras', or k[=u]-, _n._ a defensive covering for the breast and back, of leather or iron fastened with straps and buckles, &c.--_v.t._ to furnish with such.--_n._ CUIRASSIER', a horse-soldier armed with such. [Fr. _cuirasse_--_cuir_, leather--L. _corium_, skin leather.]

CUIR-BOUILLI, kw[=e]r-b[=oo]'lyi, _n._ leather softened by boiling, then dried, retaining the impressions made on it.--Also CUIR-BOUILLY.

CUISINE, kwe-z[=e]n', _n._ a kitchen or cooking department: cookery.--_n._ CUISIN'IER, a cook. [Fr. (It. _cucina_)--L. _coquina_--_coqu[)e]re_, to cook.]

CUISSE, kwis, CUISH, kwish, _n._ armour for the thighs, consisting of iron plates laid horizontally over each other and riveted together. [Fr. _cuisse_ (It. _coscia_, the thigh)--L. _coxa_, the hip.]

CUITER, k[:u]t'[.e]r, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to fondle, pamper.

CUITTLE, k[:u]t'l, _v.t._ to curry: (_Scot._) to cajole.

CULCH, kulch, _n._ (_prov._) rubbish.

CULDEE, kul'd[=e], _n._ one of a fraternity of monks living in Scotland in the 8th century in groups of cells. [Acc. to Reeves and Skene, the old Ir. _c['e]le d['e]_, 'servants of God,' or 'companions of God'--Latinised by Boece into _Culdei_, as if _cultores Dei_.]

CUL-DE-FOUR, k[=oo]-de-foor, _n._ (_archit._) a sort of low spherical vault, oven-like.--_ns._ CUL-DE-LAMPE, an ornamental design used in filling up blank spaces in a book; CUL-DE-SAC, a street, &c., closed at one end: a blind alley. [Fr. _cul_, bottom--L. _culus_; Fr. _four_, furnace, _lampe_, lamp, _sac_, sack.]

CULET, k[=u]'let, _n._ the small flat surface at the back or bottom of a brilliant: the part of armour protecting the body behind, from the waist downwards--also CULETTE. [O. Fr., _cul_--L. _culus_, the rump.]

CULEX, k[=u]'leks, _n._ the typical genus of _Culicidae_ or gnats--_adj._ CULIC'IFORM, gnat-like. [L.]

CULINARY, k[=u]'lin-ar-i, _adj._ pertaining to the kitchen or to cookery: used in the kitchen. [L. _culinarius_--_culina_, a kitchen.]

CULL, kul, _v.t._ to select, pick out.--_ns._ CULL'ER; CULL'ING. [Fr. _cueillir_, to gather--L. _collig[)e]re_--_col_, together, _leg[)e]re_, to gather. Doublet of COLLECT.]

CULLENDER. See COLANDER.

CULLET, kul'et, _n._ refuse glass.

CULLION, kul'yun, _n._ a wretch: a cowardly fellow.--_adj._ CULL'IONLY (_Shak._), mean, base. [Fr. _couillon_, a poltroon (It. _coglione_)--L. _coleus_, a leather bag.]

CULLIS, kul'is, _n._ a gutter in a roof: a groove, as for a side-scene in a theatre. [Fr. _coulisse_.]

CULLY, kul'i, _n._ a mean dupe.--_v.t._ to deceive meanly:--_pa.p._ cull'ied.--_ns._ CULL, a dupe; CULL'YISM, state of being a cully. [Prob. a contr. of CULLION.]