Part 64

CULM, kulm, _n._ the stalk or stem of corn or of grasses.--_v.i._ to form a culm.--_adj._ CULMIF'EROUS, having a culm. [L. _culmus_, a stalk.]

CULM, kulm, _n._ coal-dust: name given in some parts of England to anthracite or stone-coal.--_adj._ CULMIF'EROUS, producing culm. [See COOM.]

CULMEN, kul'men, _n._ highest point: the median length-wise ridge of a bird's upper mandible. [L.]

CULMINATE, kul'min-[=a]t, _v.i._ (_astron._) to be vertical or at the highest point of altitude: to reach the highest point (with _in_).--_adj._ CUL'MINANT, at its highest point.--_n._ CULMIN[=A]'TION, act of culminating: the top: (_astron._) transit of a body across the meridian or highest point for the day. [Low L. _culmin[=a]re_, from L. _culmen_, properly _columen_, a summit.]

CULOTTIC, kul-ot'ic, _adj._ wearing trousers: (_Carlyle_) respectable. [Fr. _culotte_, breeches.]

CULPABLE, kul'pa-bl, _adj._ faulty: criminal.--_ns._ CULPABIL'ITY, CUL'PABLENESS, liability to blame.--_adv._ CUL'PABLY.--_adj._ CUL'PATORY, expressive of blame. [O. Fr. _coupable_--L. _culpabilis_--_culpa_, a fault.]

CULPRIT, kul'prit, _n._ one in fault: a criminal: (_Eng. law_) a prisoner accused but not yet tried. [From the fusion in legal phraseology of _cul._ (_culpable_, _culpabilis_), and _prit_, _prist_ (O. Fr. _prest_), ready. Not _culpate_--law L. _culpatus_, a person accused.]

CULT, kult, _n._ a system of religious belief, worship.--Also CULT'US. [L. _cultus_--_col[)e]re_, to worship.]

CULTER, kul't[.e]r, _n._ obsolete form of COULTER.--_adjs._ CULTIROS'TRAL, CULTUROS'TRAL; CUL'TRATE, -D, shaped like a pruning-knife; CUL'TRIFORM, in the form of a pruning-knife: sharp-edged.

CULTISM, kult'ism, _n._ a style of writing after the manner of Luis de G['o]ngora y Argote (1561-1627), a Spanish lyric poet--_estilo culto_, being florid, pedantic, often obscure.--_ns._ CULT'IST, CULT'ORIST. [Sp. _culte_, elegant--L. _cultus_.]

CULTIVATE, kul'ti-v[=a]t, _v.i._ to till or produce by tillage: to prepare for crops: to devote attention to: to civilise or refine.--_adjs._ CUL'TIVABLE, CULTIVAT'ABLE, capable of being cultivated.--_ns._ CULTIV[=A]'TION, the art or practice of cultivating: civilisation: refinement; CUL'TIVATOR.--CULTIVATE A PERSON'S FRIENDSHIP, to endeavour to get his good-will. [Low L. _cultiv[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--L. _col[)e]re_, to till, to worship.]

CULTURE, kul't[=u]r, _n._ cultivation: the state of being cultivated: refinement the result of cultivation.--_v.t._ to cultivate: to improve.--_adjs._ CUL'TURABLE; CUL'TURAL.--_p.adj._ CUL'TURED, cultivated: well educated: refined.--_adj._ CUL'TURELESS. [L. _cult[=u]ra_--_col[)e]re_.]

CULTUS. See CULT.

CULVER, kul'v[.e]r, _n._ a dove: a pigeon.--_n._ CUL'VER-KEY, an herb, probably the columbine, having key-shaped flowerets.--_adj._ CUL'VERTAILED, dovetailed. [A.S. _culfre_, prob. from L. _columba_.]

CULVERIN, kul'v[.e]r-in, _n._ one of the earlier forms of cannon of great length, generally an 18-pounder, weighing 50 cwt.--_ns._ CUL'VERINEER; DEM'I-CUL'VERIN, a 9-pounder, weighing 30 cwt. [Fr. _coulevrine_, from _couleuvre_, a serpent.]

CULVER'S PHYSIC, ROOT, _n._ popular name of a kind of speedwell, the rhizome of _Veronica virginica_, used medicinally. [Prob. from one Dr _Culver_.]

CULVERT, kul'v[.e]rt, _n._ an arched channel of masonry for carrying water beneath a road, railway, &c. [Perh. from Fr. _couler_, to flow--L. _col[=a]re_.]

CULVERTAGE, kul'ver-t[=a]j, _n._ degradation of a vassal to the position of a serf. [O. Fr. _culvert_, a serf.]

CUMBENT, kum'bent, _adj._ lying down; reclining. [L. _cumbens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _cumb[)e]re_, to lie down.]

CUMBER, kum'b[.e]r, _v.t._ to trouble or hinder with something useless: to retard, trouble.--_n._ encumbrance: cumbering.--_adj._ CUM'BERED, hampered: obstructed.--_ns._ CUM'BERER; CUM'BER-GROUND, a useless thing, from Luke, xiii. 7.--_adj._ CUM'BERLESS, unencumbered.--_ns._ CUM'BERMENT, CUM'BRANCE, encumbrance.--_adjs._ CUM'BERSOME, unwieldy: heavy; CUM'BROUS, hindering: obstructing: heavy.--_adv._ CUM'BROUSLY.--_n._ CUM'BROUSNESS. [O. Fr. _combrer_, to hinder--Low L. _cumbrus_, a heap; corr. of L. _cumulus_, a heap.]

CUMBRIAN, kum'bri-an, _adj._ (_geol._) of or pertaining to a system of slaty rocks best developed in Cumberland and Westmorland, now merged in the Cambrian or Silurian system.

CUMIN, CUMMIN, kum'in, _n._ an umbelliferous plant, common in Egypt, and cultivated in southern Europe and India--its seeds, resembling the caraway, valuable as carminatives. [L. _cuminum_--Gr. _kyminon_, cog. with Heb. _kamm[^o]n_.]

CUMMER, kum'[.e]r, KIMMER, kim'[.e]r, _n._ a gossip: a woman: (_Scot._) a girl. [Fr. _comm[`e]re_--L. _con_, with, _mater_, mother.]

CUMMERBUND, kum'[.e]r-bund, _n._ a waist-belt, a sash. [Anglo-Ind.--Pers. _kamarband_, a loin-band.]

CUMSHAW, kum'shaw, _n._ a gift, a tip. [Pidgin-English.]

CUMULATE, k[=u]m'[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to heap together: to accumulate.--_adjs._ CUM'ULATE, -D, heaped up.--_n._ CUMUL[=A]'TION (= _Accumulation_).--_adj._ CUM'ULATIVE, increasing by successive additions.--_adv._ CUM'ULATIVELY. [L. _cumul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_cumulus_, a heap.]

CUMULUS, k[=u]'m[=u]-lus, _n._ a heap; a kind of cloud common in summer, consisting of rounded heaps with a darker horizontal base.--_adjs._ C[=U]'MULIFORM; C[=U]'MULOSE.--_n._ C[=U]'MULO-STR[=A]'TUS, a cloud looking like a combination of the _cumulus_ and _stratus_. [L. _cumulus_, a heap, and _stratus_.]

CUNABULA, k[=u]-nab'ul-a, _n.pl._ a cradle. [L.]

CUNARDER, k[=u]n-ard'[.e]r, _n._ one of a certain line of steamships between England and America. [Founded by Sir Samuel _Cunard_ (1787-1865).]

CUNCTATOR, kungk-t[=a]'tor, _n._ one who delays or puts off.--_n._ CUNCT[=A]'TION, delay.--_adjs._ CUNCT[=A]'TIOUS, CUNCT[=A]'TIVE, CUNCT[=A]'TORY, inclined to delay. [L.,--_cunct[=a]ri_, to delay.]

CUNEAL, k[=u]'ne-al, CUNEATE, k[=u]'ne-[=a]t, _adj._ of the form of a wedge.--_adjs._ CUN[=E]'IFORM, C[=U]'NIFORM, wedge-shaped--specially applied to the old Babylonian and Assyrian writing, of which the characters have a wedge-shape. [L. _cuneus_, a wedge.]

CUNETTE. See CUVETTE.

CUNNING, kun'ing, _adj._ knowing: skilful: artful: crafty.--_n._ knowledge: skill: faculty of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose: artifice.--_adv._ CUNN'INGLY.--_n._ CUNN'INGNESS, quality of being cunning: artfulness, slyness. [A.S. _cunnan_, to know.]

CUP, kup, _n._ a vessel used to contain liquid: a drinking-vessel: the liquid contained in a cup: that which we must receive or undergo: afflictions: blessings.--_v.i._ to extract blood from the body by means of cupping-glasses: (_Shak._) to make drunk:--_pr.p._ cup'ping; _pa.p._ cupped.--_ns._ CUP'-BEAR'ER, one who attends at a feast to fill out and hand the wine; CUPBOARD (kub'urd), a place for keeping victuals, dishes, &c.--_v.t._ to store.--_ns._ CUP'BOARD-LOVE, -FAITH, love or faith indulged in for a material end; CUP'FUL, as much as fills a cup:--_pl._ CUP'FULS; CUP'-GALL, a cup-shaped gall in oak-leaves; CUP'-L[=I]'CHEN, or -MOSS, a species of _Cladonia_; CUP'MAN, a boon companion; CUP'PER, a cup-bearer: one professionally engaged in cupping; CUP'PING, the application of cups from which the air has been exhausted to a scarified part of the skin for the purpose of drawing blood; CUP'PING-GLASS, a glass used in the operation of cupping; DRY'-CUP'PING, the application of cups without previous scarification; LOV'ING-CUP, a cup (from which all drink) passed round at the close of a feast.--CRY CUPBOARD, to cry for food; IN HIS CUPS, under the influence of liquor; MANY A SLIP BETWEEN THE CUP AND THE LIP, a proverb signifying that something adverse may occur at the last moment. [A.S. _cuppe_ (Fr. _coupe_, It. _coppa_, a cup, the head); all from L. _cupa_, _cuppa_, a tub.]

CUPEL, k[=u]'pel, _n._ a small vessel used by goldsmiths in assaying precious metals.--_v.t._ to assay in a cupel.--_n._ CUPELL[=A]'TION, the process of assaying precious metals. [L. _cupella_, dim. of _cupa_. See CUP.]

CUPIDITY, k[=u]-pid'i-ti, _n._ covetousness.--_n._ C[=U]'PID, the god of love. [L. _cupiditas_--_cup[)e]re_, to desire.]

CUPOLA, k[=u]'po-la, _n._ a spherical vault, or concave ceiling, on the top of a building: the internal part of a dome: a dome.--_v.t._ to furnish with such. [It.; dim. of Low L. _cupa_, a cup--L. _cupa_, a tub.]

CUPREOUS, k[=u]p'r[=e]-us, CUPRIC, k[=u]p'rik, _adj._ of or containing copper.--_adj._ CUPRIF'EROUS, producing copper.--_n._ C[=U]'PRITE, the red oxide of copper. [L. _cuprum_, copper, _ferre_, to bear.]

CUPRESSUS, k[=u]-pres'us, _n._ the cypress genus of coniferous trees. [L.]

CUPULE, k[=u]'p[=u]l, _n._ (_bot._) a shortened axis with a number of more or less cohering bracts enclosing the ripening fruit--also C[=U]'PULA.--_adj._ CUPULIF'EROUS, bearing cupules. [L. _cupula_, dim. of _cupa_, a tub, and _ferre_, to carry.]

CUR, kur, _n._ a worthless dog, of low breed: a churlish fellow.--_adj._ CUR'RISH.--_adv._ CUR'RISHLY.--_n._ CUR'RISHNESS. [M. E. _curre_; cf. Old Dut. _korre_, Dan. _kurre_, to whir.]

CURACOA, koo-ra-s[=o]'a, _n._ a liqueur so named from the island of _Curacao_ in the West Indies, where it was first made.--Also CURACA'O.

CURARI, koo-r[:a]'ri, _n._ a poison used by South American Indians for their arrows--also CURA'RA.--_n._ CURA'RINE, a highly poisonous alkaloid extracted from curari. [From the native name.]

CURASSOW, k[=u]-ras'[=o], _n._ a large turkey-like South American bird.

CURATE, k[=u]r'[=a]t, _n._ one who has the cure of souls: an inferior clergyman in the Church of England, assisting a rector or vicar.--_ns._ CUR'ACY, CUR'ATESHIP, the office, employment, or benefice of a curate. [Low L. _curatus_, from L. _cura_, care.]

CURATOR, k[=u]r-[=a]'tor, _n._ one who has the charge of anything: a superintendent: one appointed by law as guardian: a member of a board for electing university professors and the like:--_fem._ CUR[=A]'TRIX.--_n._ CUR[=A]'TORSHIP, the office of a curator. [L. _curator_, an overseer--_cur[=a]re_, to cure.]

CURB, kurb, _v.t._ to bend to one's will: to subdue: to restrain or check: to furnish with or guide by a curb.--_n._ that which curbs: a check or hinderance: a chain or strap attached to the bit of a bridle for restraining the horse.--_adjs._ CURB'ABLE; CURB'LESS.--_ns._ CURB'-ROOF, a roof whose upper rafters have a less inclination than the lower ones; CURB'STONE, KERB'STONE, a stone placed edgeways against earth or stone work to check it. [Fr. _courber_, from L. _curvus_, crooked, bent.]

CURCH, kurch, _n._ a covering for the head, a kerchief.

CURCULIO, kur-k[=u]'li-o, _n._ the fruit-weevil. [L.]

CURCUMA, kur'k[=u]-ma, _n._ a genus of plants yielding turmeric.--_n._ CUR'CUMINE, the colouring matter of turmeric. [Fr.,--Ar. _kurkum_, saffron.]

CURD, kurd, _n._ milk thickened or coagulated: the cheese part of milk, as distinguished from the whey.--_n._ CURD'INESS.--_v.i._ CURD'LE, to turn into curd: to congeal: to thicken.--_v.t._ to congeal.--_adj._ CURD'Y, like or full of curd. [Prob. Celt.; Gael. _gruth_, Ir. _cruth_.]

CURE, k[=u]r, _n._ care of souls or spiritual charge: care of the sick: act of healing: that which heals: a remedy, or course of remedial treatment.--_v.t._ to heal: to preserve, as by drying, salting, &c.:--_pr.p._ c[=u]r'ing; _pa.p._ c[=u]red.--_adj._ CUR'ABLE, that may be cured.--_ns._ CUR'ABLENESS, CURABIL'ITY, quality of being curable; CURE'-ALL, a panacea.--_adjs._ CUR'ATIVE, CUR'ATORY, tending to cure; CURE'LESS, that cannot be cured.--_ns._ CUR'ER, one who cures: a physician; CUR'ING-HOUSE, a house or place in which anything is cured, esp. a building in which sugar is drained, as in the West Indies. [O. Fr. _cure_---L. _cura_, care; not the same as CARE.]

CUR['E], k[=u]'r[=a], _n._ a parish priest in France.

CURFEW, kur'f[=u], _n._ in feudal times the ringing of a bell at eight o'clock, as a signal to put out all fires and lights. [O. Fr. _covrefeu_; _couvrir_, to cover, _feu_, fire--L. _focus_.]

CURIA, k[=u]'ri-a, _n._ one of the ten divisions of a Roman tribe: a building in which the senate met, a provincial senate: a court, legislative or judicial: the court of the papal see.--_ns._ C[=U]'RIALISM; C[=U]'RIALIST.--_adj._ CURIALIST'IC. [L.]

CURIET, k[=u]'ri-et, _n._ (_Spens._) a cuirass.

CURIO, k[=u]'ri-o, _n._ any article of virtu or bric-[`a]-brac, or anything considered rare and curious.--_n._ CURI[=O]'SO, a collector or admirer of curios.

CURIOUS, k[=u]'ri-us, _adj._ anxious to learn: inquisitive: showing great care or nicety: skilfully made: singular: rare.--_n._ CURIOS'ITY, state or quality of being curious: inquisitiveness: that which is curious: anything rare or unusual.--_adv._ C[=U]'RIOUSLY.--_n._ C[=U]'RIOUSNESS.--CURIOUS ARTS (_B._), magical practices. [Fr. _curieux_--L. _curiosus_--_cura_.]

[Illustration]

CURL, kurl, _v.t._ to twist into ringlets: to coil.--_v.i._ to shrink into ringlets: to rise in undulations: to writhe: to ripple: to play at the game of curling.--_n._ a ringlet of hair, or what is like it: a wave, bending, or twist.--_adjs._ CURLED; CURLED'-PATE (_Shak_.), having curled hair.--_ns._ CURL'ER, one who, or that which, curls: a player at the game of curling; CURL'ICUE, a fantastic curl; CURL'IEWURLIE (_Scot._), any fantastic round ornament; CURL'INESS; CURL'ING, a game, common in Scotland, consisting in hurling heavy smooth stones along a sheet of ice.--_ns.pl._ CURL'ING [=I]'RONS, CURL'ING-TONGS, an iron instrument used for curling the hair.--_n._ CURL'ING-STONE, a heavy stone with a handle, used in curling.--_adjs._ CURL'Y, having curls: full of curls; CURL'Y-HEAD'ED. [M. E. _crull_; Dut. _krullen_, Dan. _krolle_, to curl.]

CURLEW, kur'l[=u], _n._ one of the wading-birds, having a very long slender bill and legs, and a short tail. [O. Fr. _corlieu_; prob. from its cry.]

CURMUDGEON, kur-muj'un, _n._ an avaricious, ill-natured fellow: a miser.--_adj._ CURMUD'GEONLY. [Earlier _corn-mudgin_; _mudge_, _mooch_; M. E. _muchen_--O. Fr. _mucier_, to hide.]

CURMURRING, kur-mur'ing, _n._ a rumbling sound, esp. that made in the bowels by flatulence. [Imit.]

CURR, kur, _v.i._ to cry like an owl, to purr like a cat, &c. [Imit.]

CURRACH, -AGH, kur'ach, _n._ a coracle. [Gael.]

CURRANT, kur'ant, _n._ a small kind of raisin or dried grape imported from the Levant: the fruit of several species of ribes.--_ns._ CURR'ANT-JELL'Y; CURR'ANT-WINE. [From _Corinth_.]

CURRENT, kur'ent, _adj._ running or flowing: passing from person to person: generally received: now passing: present.--_n._ a running or flowing: a stream: a portion of water or air moving in a certain direction: course.--_n._ CURR'ENCY, circulation: that which circulates, as the money of a country: general estimation.--_adv._ CURR'ENTLY.--_n._ CURR'ENTNESS, state of being current: general acceptance.--PASS CURRENT, to be received as genuine. [L. _currens_, _-ent-is_--_curr[)e]re_), to run.]

CURRICLE, kur-i'kl, _n._ a two-wheeled open chaise, drawn by two horses abreast: a chariot.--_n._ CURRIC'ULUM, a course, esp. the course of study at a university. [L. _curriculum_, from _curr[)e]re_.]

CURRISH, CURRISHLY, &c. See CUR.

CURRY, kur'i, _n._ a kind of sauce or seasoning much used in India, compounded of pepper, ginger, and other spices: a stew mixed with curry-powder.--_n._ CURR'Y-POW'DER. [Tamil _kari_, sauce.]

CURRY, kur'i, _v.t._ to dress leather: to rub down and dress a horse: to beat: to scratch:--_pr.p._ curr'ying; _pa.p._ curr'ied.--_ns._ CURR'IER, one who curries or dresses tanned leather; CURR'Y-COMB, an iron instrument or comb used for currying or cleaning horses; CURR'YING.--CURRY FAVOUR (corruption of CURRY FAVELL, to curry the chestnut horse), to seek favour by flattery. [O. Fr. _correier_ (mod. _corroyer_), _conrei_, outfit, from a supposed Low L. form _conred[=a]re_, _con-_, with, _r[=e]d[=a]re_, seen in Array.]

CURRY, CURRIE, obsolete forms of QUARRY.

CURSE, kurs, _v.t._ to invoke or wish evil upon: to devote to perdition: to vex or torment.--_v.i._ to utter imprecations: to swear.--_n._ the invocation or wishing of evil or harm upon: evil invoked on another: torment: any great evil.--_adj._ CURS'ED, under a curse: blasted by a curse: hateful.--_adv._ CURS'EDLY.--_ns._ CURS'EDNESS; CURS'ER; CURS'ING.--_adj._ CURST, cursed: deserving a curse: ill-tempered: shrewish: froward.--_n._ CURST'NESS, state of being curst: peevishness: frowardness. [A.S. _cursian_--_curs_, a curse; ety. dub.; not conn. with Cross.]

CURSITOR, kur'si-tor, _n._ a clerk or officer in the Court of Chancery who makes out original writs. [Low L. _cursitor_, from the words '_de cursu_,' applied in the statute to ordinary writs.]

CURSIVE, kur'siv, _adj._ written with a running hand, of handwriting: flowing.--_adv._ CUR'SIVELY. [Low L. _cursivus_--L. _curr[)e]re_, to run.]

CURSORIAL, kur-s[=o]'ri-al, _adj._ adapted for running.--_n.pl._ CURS[=O]'RES, an order of birds variously limited.

CURSORY, kur'sor-i, _adj._ hasty: superficial: careless.--_adj._ CUR'SORARY (_Shak._), cursory.--_adv._ CUR'SORILY.--_n._ CUR'SORINESS. [L. _curr[)e]re_, _cursum_, to run.]

CURST. See CURSE.

CURSUS, kur'sus, _n._ a race-course: a form of daily prayer or service; an academic curriculum. [L.]

CURT, kurt, _adj._ short: concise: discourteously brief or summary.--_adj._ CURT'[=A]TE, shortened or reduced; applied to the distance of a planet from the sun or earth reduced to the plane of the ecliptic.--_n._ CURT[=A]'TION.--_adv._ CURT'LY.--_n._ CURT'NESS. [L. _curtus_, shortened.]

CURTAIL, kur-t[=a]l', _v.t._ to cut short: to cut off a part: to abridge:--_pr.p._ curtail'ing; _pa.p._ curtailed'.--_ns._ CURTAIL'MENT; CURTAIL'-STEP, the rounded step at the bottom of a stair. [Old spelling _curtal_, O. Fr. _courtault_ (It. _cortaldo_)--L. _curtus_.]

CURTAIN, kur'tin, _n._ drapery hung round and enclosing a bed, &c.: the part of a rampart between two bastions.--_v.t._ to enclose or furnish with curtains.--_n._ CUR'TAIN-LEC'TURE, a lecture or reproof given in bed by a wife to her husband.--BEHIND THE CURTAIN, away from public view; DRAW THE CURTAIN, to draw it aside, so as to show what is behind, or in front of anything so as to hide it. [O. Fr. _cortine_--Low L. _cortina_; prob. L. _cors_, _cortis_, a court.]

CURTAL, kur'tal, _n._ a horse with a curt or docked tail: anything docked or cut short.--_adj._ docked or shortened.--_n._ CUR'TAL-FR[=I]'AR (_Scott_), a friar with a short frock. [Fr. _courtaud_--_court_. See CURTAIL.]

CURTAL-AX, kur'tal-aks, CURT-AXE, kurt'aks, _n._ (_Spens._), a short, broad sword. [A corr. of the earlier forms _coutelas_, _curtelas_. See CUTLASS.]

CURTILAGE, kur'til-[=a]j, _n._ a court attached to a dwelling-house. [O. Fr. _courtillage_. See COURT.]

CURTSY, CURTSEY, kurt'si, _n._ an obeisance, made by bending the knees, proper to women and children.--_v.i._ to make a curtsy. [See COURTESY.]

CURULE, k[=u]'r[=oo]l, _adj._ applied to a chair in which the higher Roman magistrates had a right to sit. [L. _curulis_--_currus_, a chariot.]

CURVE, kurv, _n._ anything bent: a bent or curved line: an arch.--_v.t._ to bend: to form into a curve.--_adjs._ CUR'V[=A]TE, -D, curved or bent in a regular form.--_n._ CURV[=A]'TION.--_adj._ CUR'VATIVE.--_n._ CUR'VATURE, a curving or bending: the continual bending or the amount of bending from a straight line.--_adjs._ CURVED; CUR'VICAUDATE, having a crooked tail; CURVICOS'TATE, having curved ribs; CURVIF[=O]'LIATE, having curved leaves; CUR'VIFORM; CUR'VING; CURVIROS'TRAL, with the bill curved downward; CUR'VITAL, of or pertaining to curvature.--_n._ CUR'VITY, the state of being curved. [L. _curvus_, crooked.]

CURVET, kur'vet, kur-vet', _n._ a light leap of a horse in which he raises his forelegs together, next the hindlegs with a spring before the forelegs touch the ground: a leap, frolic.--_v.i._ (kur-vet', kur'vet) to leap in curvets: to frisk:--_pr.p._ curvet'ting, curvet'ing; _pa.p._ cur'veted. [It. _corvetta_, dim. of _corvo_--L. _curvus_.]

CURVILINEAR, kur-vi-lin'i-ar, CURVILINEAL, kur-vi-lin'i-al, _adj._ bounded by curved lines.--_n._ CURVILINEAR'ITY. [L. _curvus_, and _linearis_--_linea_, a line.]

CUSCUS, kus'kus, _n._ the grain of the African millet. Same as COUSCOUS. [Fr. _couscou_.]

CUSCUS, kus'kus, _n._ the fibrous root of an Indian grass, used for making fans, &c. [Pers. _khas khas_.]

CUSHAT, koosh'at, _n._ the ringdove or wood-pigeon. [A.S. _c['u]scute_, the former part of dub. origin, the latter derived from _sc['e]otan_, to shoot.]

CUSHION, koosh'un, _n._ a case filled with some soft, elastic stuff, for resting on: a pillow: the 'pillow' used in making bone-lace: an engraver's pad: the rubber of an electrical machine: a pad supporting a woman's hair: the elastic lining of the inner side of a billiard-table: a body of steam remaining in the cylinder of a steam-engine, acting as a buffer to the piston.--_v.t._ to seat on or furnish with a cushion.--_p.adj._ CUSH'IONED, furnished with a cushion, padded: having cushion-tires.--_ns._ CUSH'IONET, a little cushion; CUSH'ION-TIRE, a bicycle tire made of india-rubber tubing, with india-rubber stuffing.--_adj._ CUSH'IONY, like a cushion, soft. [O. Fr. _coissin_--L. _coxinum_, _coxa_, hip.]

CUSK, kusk, _n._ the torsk: the burbot.

CUSP, kusp, _n._ a point: the point or horn of the moon, &c.: (_archit._) a small projecting ornament common in Gothic tracery.--_adjs._ CUS'PID[=A]TE, -D (_bot._), having a sharp end, as the canine teeth. [L. _cuspis_, _cuspid-is_, a point.]

CUSPIDOR, kus'pi-dor, _n._ a spittoon.--Also CUS'PIDORE. [Port.,--L. _conspu[)e]re_, to spit upon.]

CUSS, kus, _n._ (_slang_) a fellow: an expletive.--_adj._ CUSS'ED, cursed.--_n._ CUSS'EDNESS, contrariness. [Obviously CURSE; prob. in the personal sense with a supposed reference to CUSTOMER.]

CUSTARD, kus'tard, _n._ a composition of milk, eggs, &c., sweetened and flavoured.--_ns._ CUS'TARD-APP'LE, the fruit of a West Indian tree, having an eatable pulp, like a custard; CUS'TARD-COFF'IN (_Shak._), the paste or crust which covers a custard. [Earlier _custade_, a corr. of _crustade_, a pie with crust. See CRUST.]

CUSTODY, kus'to-di, _n._ a watching or guarding: care: security: imprisonment.--_adj._ CUST[=O]'DIAL.--_ns._ CUST[=O]'DIAN, CUS'TODE, CUST[=O]'DIER, CUS'TOS, one who has care, esp. of some public building. [L. _custodia_, from _custos_, _custodis_, a keeper.]

CUSTOM, kus'tum, _n._ what one is wont to do: usage: frequent repetition of the same act: regular trade or business: a tax on goods: (_pl._) duties imposed on imports and exports.--_adj._ CUS'TOMABLE, customary: common.--_adv._ CUS'TOMARILY.--_n._ CUS'TOMARINESS.--_adjs._ CUS'TOMARY, according to use and wont: holding or held by custom; CUS'TOMED, accustomed: usual.--_ns._ CUS'TOMER, one accustomed to frequent a certain place of business: a buyer: (_slang_) a person; CUS'TOM-HOUSE, the place where customs or duties on exports and imports are collected.--_adj._ CUS'TOM-SHRUNK (_Shak._), having fewer customers than formerly. [O. Fr. _custume_, _costume_--L. _consuetud-inem_, _consuesc[)e]re_, to accustom.]

CUSTREL, kus'tr[.e]l, _n._ attendant on a knight: a villain. [O. Fr. _coustillier_, _coustille_, a dagger.]

CUT, kut, _v.t._ to make an incision in: to cleave or pass through: to divide: to carve, hew, or fashion by cutting: to wound or hurt: to affect deeply: to shorten: to break off acquaintance with, to pass intentionally without saluting: to renounce, give up: to castrate: to perform or execute, as 'to cut a caper.'--_v.i._ to make an incision: to pass, go quickly: (_slang_) to run away, to be off: to twiddle the feet rapidly in dancing:--_pr.p._ cut'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ cut.--_n._ a cleaving or dividing: a stroke or blow: an act of unkindness: the card obtained by cutting or dividing the pack: an incision or wound: a piece cut off: an engraved block, or the picture from it: manner of cutting, or, fashion: (_pl._) a lot.--_n._ CUT'AWAY', a coat with the skirt cut away in a curve in front--also _adj._--_ns._ CUT'-OFF, that which cuts off or shortens, a straighter road, a shorter channel cut by a river across a bend: a contrivance for saving steam by regulating its admission to the cylinder; CUT'PURSE (_Shak._), one who stole by [Illustration] cutting off and carrying away purses (the purses being worn at the girdle): a pickpocket; CUT'TER, the person or thing that cuts: in a tailor's shop, the one who measures and cuts out the cloth: a small vessel with one mast, a mainsail, a forestaysail, and a jib set to bowsprit-end, any sloop of narrow beam and deep draught; CUT'-THROAT, an assassin: ruffian; CUT'TING, a dividing or lopping off: an incision: a piece cut off: a paragraph from a newspaper: a piece of road or railway excavated: a twig; CUT'-WA'TER, the fore-part of a ship's prow.--CUT A DASH, or FIGURE, to make a conspicuous appearance; CUT-AND-COME-AGAIN, abundant supply, from the notion of cutting a slice, and returning at will for another; CUT-AND-COVER, a method of forming a tunnel by cutting out, arching it over, and then covering in; CUT-AND-DRY, or CUT-AND-DRIED, ready made, without the merit of freshness--from the state of herbs in the shop instead of the field; CUT AND RUN, to be off quickly; CUT DOWN, to take down the body of one hanged by cutting the rope: to reduce, curtail; CUT IN, to strike into, as to a conversation, a game at whist; CUT IT TOO FAT, to overdo a thing; CUT OFF, to destroy, put to an untimely death: intercept: stop; CUT OFF WITH A SHILLING, to disinherit, bequeathing only a shilling; CUT ONE'S STICK, to take one's departure; CUT OUT, to shape: contrive: debar: supplant: to take a ship out of a harbour, &c., by getting between her and the shore; CUT SHORT, to abridge: check; CUT THE COAT ACCORDING TO THE CLOTH, to adapt one's self to circumstances; CUT THE TEETH, to have the teeth grow through the gums--of an infant; CUT THE THROAT OF (_fig._), to destroy utterly; CUT UP, to carve: eradicate: criticise severely: turn out (well or ill) when divided into parts; CUT UP ROUGH, to become quarrelsome.--A CUT ABOVE (_coll._), a degree or stage above; SHORT CUT, or NEAR CUT, a short way. [Prob. W. _cwtau_, shorten.]

CUTANEOUS. See CUTIS.

CUTCH, kuch, _n._ the commercial name for catechu, from the Indian name _kut_.

CUTCHERRY, kuch'[.e]r-i, _n._ an office for public business, a court-house.--Also CUTCH'ERY. [Hind.]

CUTE, k[=u]t, _adj._ an aphetic form of ACUTE.

CUTHBERT, kuth'bert, _n._ the apostle of Northumbria (635-687), whose name lives in (ST) CUTHBERT'S BEADS, a popular name for the perforated joints of encrinites found on Holy Island; (ST) CUTHBERT'S DUCK, the eider-duck.

CUTIKINS, k[=oo]'ti-kinz, _n.pl._ (_Scot._) spatterdashes--also CUITIKINS.

CUTIS, k[=u]'tis, _n._ the skin: the true skin, as distinguished from the cuticle.--_adj._ CUT[=A]N'EOUS, belonging to the skin.--_n._ C[=U]'TICLE, the outermost or thin skin.--_adj._ CUTIC'ULAR, belonging to the cuticle. [L.]

CUTLASS, kut'las, _n._ a short, broad sword, with one cutting edge, used in the navy. [Fr. _coutelas_, augmentative of _couteau_, knife, from L. _cultellus_, dim. of _culter_, a ploughshare, a knife.]

CUTLER, kut'l[.e]r, _n._ one who makes or sells knives.--_n._ CUT'LERY, the business of a cutler: edged or cutting instruments in general. [Fr. _coutelier_, _coutel_, knife.]

CUTLET, kut'let, _n._ a slice of meat cut off for cooking, esp. of mutton or veal--generally the rib and the meat belonging to it. [Fr. _c[^o]telette_, dim. of _c[^o]te_, from L. _costa_, a rib.]

CUTTLE, kut'l, _n._ a kind of mollusc, remarkable for its power of ejecting a black inky liquid--also CUTT'LE-FISH.--_n._ CUTT'LE-BONE, the internal shell or bone of the cuttle-fish, used for making tooth-powder and for polishing the softer metals. [A.S. _cudele_.]

CUTTO, CUTTOE, kut'o, _n._ a large knife.