Part 60

LABYRINTH, lab'i-rinth, _n._ a place full of inextricable windings: (_orig._) a building consisting of halls connected by intricate passages: an arrangement of tortuous passages in which it is difficult to find the way out: an inexplicable difficulty, a perplexity: (_anat._) the cavities of the internal ear.--_adjs._ LABYRINTH'AL, LABYRINTH'IAN, LABYRINTH'INE, pertaining to or like a labyrinth: winding: intricate: perplexing; LABYRINTH'IFORM, having the form of a labyrinth: intricate.--_n._ LABYRINTH'ODON, a race of extinct gigantic amphibians found in the Permian, Carboniferous, and Triassic strata, so called from the mazy pattern exhibited on a transverse section of the teeth of some genera. [Fr. _labyrinthe_--L. _labyrinthus_--Gr. _labyrinthos_; akin to _laura_, a passage.]

LAC, lak, _n._ the term used in India for 100,000 rupees, the nominal value of which is L10,000.--Also LAKH. [Hind. _lak_--Sans. _laksha_, 100,000, a mark.]

LAC, lak, _n._ a dark-red transparent resin produced on the twigs of trees in the East by the lac insect, used in dyeing.--_adj._ LACCIC (lak'sik).--_ns._ LACCINE (lak'sin), a brittle, translucent, yellow substance, obtained from shell-lac; LAC'-DYE, LAC'-LAKE, scarlet colouring matters obtained from STICK'-LAC, the twigs, with attached resin, enclosed insects, and ova; SEED'-LAC, the granular portion remaining after removing the resin, triturating with water, and drying; SHELL'-LAC, SHEL'LAC, thin plates of resin prepared by melting the seed-lac in cotton-cloth bags, straining, and allowing it to drop on to sticks or leaves. [Pers. _lak_--Sans. _l['a]ksh['a]_, the lac insect--_ranj_, to dye.]

LACE, l[=a]s, _n._ a plaited string for fastening: an ornamental fabric of linen, cotton, silk, or gold and silver threads, made by looping, knotting, plaiting, or twisting the thread into definite patterns, of contrasted open and close structure; three distinct varieties are made, two by handiwork, known respectively as _Needle_ or _Point lace_ and _Pillow_ or _Bobbin Lace_, and one by machinery.--_v.t._ to fasten with a lace: to adorn with lace: to streak: to mark with the lash: to intermix, as coffee with brandy, &c.: to intertwine.--_v.i._ to be fastened with a lace.--_ns._ LACE'-BARK TREE, a lofty West Indies tree, the inner bark like coarse lace; LACE'-BOOT, a boot fastened by a lace.--_p.adj._ LACED, fastened or adorned with lace.--_ns._ LACE'-FRAME, a machine used in lace-making; LACE'-LEAF (see LATTICE-LEAF); LACE'-MAN, one who deals in lace; LACE'-MEND'ER, one who repairs lace; LACE'-P[=A]'PER, paper stamped or cut by hand with an open-work pattern like lace; LACE'-PILL'OW, a cushion on which many various kinds of lace are made, held on the knees.--_adj._ L[=A]'CY, like lace.--ALENCON LACE, a very fine point-lace, the most important made in France; APPLIQU['E] LACE, lace having sprigs or flowers sewed on net; BALLOON-NET LACE, a form of woven lace in which the freeing threads are peculiarly twisted about the warps; BRUSSELS LACE, an extremely fine lace with sprigs applied on a net ground; DUCHESSE LACE, a Belgian pillow-lace having beautiful designs with cord outlines, often in relief; GUIPURE LACE, any lace without a net ground, the pattern being held together by bars or brides; HONITON LACE, a lace made at _Honiton_ in Devonshire, remarkable for the beauty of its figures and sprigs; IMITATION LACE, any lace made by machinery; MECHLIN LACE, a lace with bobbin ground and designs outlined by thread or flat cord; SPANISH LACE, needle-point lace brought from Spanish convents since their dissolution--but probably of Flemish origin: cut and drawn work made in convents in Spain, of patterns usually confined to simple sprigs and flowers: a modern black-silk lace with large flower-patterns, mostly of Flemish make: a modern needle-point lace with large square designs; TAMBOUR LACE, a modern kind of lace made with needle-embroidery on machine-made net; TORCHON LACE, peasants' bobbin laces of loose texture and geometrical designs, much imitated by machinery; VALENCIENNES LACE, a fine bobbin lace having the design made with the ground and of the same thread. [O. Fr. _las_, a noose--L. _laqueus_, a noose.]

LACERATE, las'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to tear: to rend: to wound: to afflict.--_adjs._ LAC'ERABLE, that may be lacerated; LAC'ERANT, harrowing; LAC'ERATE, -D, rent, torn: (_bot._) having the edges cut into irregular segments.--_n._ LACER[=A]'TION, act of lacerating: the rent made by tearing.--_adj._ LAC'ERATIVE, tearing: having power to tear. [L. _lacer[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to tear--_lacer_, torn.]

LACERTA, la-s[.e]r'ta, _n._ a genus of saurian reptiles, the name properly restricted to slender, active lizards.--_n._ and _adj._ LACER'TIAN, an animal belonging to the genus Lacerta.--_n._ LACERTIL'IA, an order of reptiles, including the lizards proper, &c.--_adjs._ LACERTIL'IAN; LACERTIL'IOID; LACER'TINE. [L.]

LACHES, l[:a]sh'[=e]z, _n._ (_law_) negligence or undue delay, such as to disentitle a person to a certain remedy, any negligence. [O. Fr. _lachesse_.]

LACHESIS, lak'e-sis, _n._ the one of the three Fates who assigned to each mortal his destiny--she spun the thread of life from the distaff held by Clotho. [Gr.]

LACHRYMAL, LACRYMAL, lak'ri-mal, _adj._ of or pertaining to tears, secreting tears, as in 'lachrymal duct,' the nasal duct, conveying tears from the eye to the nose.--_n._ one of the bones of the face, the _os unguis_, or nail-bone, in man.--_adj._ LACH'RYMARY, containing tears.--_n._ LACH'RYM[=A]TORY, a small slender glass vessel found in ancient sepulchres, apparently filled with the tears of mourners.--_adj._ LACH'RYMOSE, LAC'RYMOSE, shedding tears, or given to do so: lugubrious, mournful.--_adv._ LACH'RYMOSELY.--LACHRYMA CHRISTI, a wine of a sweet but piquant taste, produced from grapes grown on Mount Vesuvius, the best light red. [L. _lacryma_ (properly _lacrima_), a tear; Gr. _dakru_, Eng. _tear_.]

LACING, l[=a]s'ing, _n._ a fastening with a lace or cord through eyelet-holes: a cord used in fastening: in bookbinding, the cords by which the boards of a book are fastened to the back: in shipbuilding, the _knee of the head_, or _lace-piece_, a piece of compass or knee timber secured to the back of the figure-head: in mining, _lagging_, or cross-pieces of timber or iron placed to prevent ore from falling into a passage.

LACINIA, l[=a]-sin'i-a, _n._ a long incision in a leaf, &c.--also a narrow lobe resulting from such: in entomology, the apex of the maxilla.--_adjs._ LACIN'I[=A]TE, -D, cut into narrow lobes, fringed; LACIN'IFORM, fringe-like; LACIN'IOL[=A]TE, finely fringed. [L., a flap.]

LACK, lak, _v.t._ and _v.i._ to want: to be in want: to be destitute of: to miss.--_n._ want: destitution.--_ns._ LACK'-ALL, one who is destitute; LACK'-BRAIN (_Shak._), a fool.--_adjs._ LACK'-LIN'EN (_Shak._), wanting linen; LACK'-LUS'TRE, wanting brightness.--_n._ a want of brightness. [From an old Low Ger. root found in Dut. _lak_, blemish; cf. Ice. _lakr_, defective.]

LACKADAISICAL, lak-a-d[=a]'zi-kal, _adj._ affectedly pensive, sentimental.--_interj._ LACK'ADAISY=LACK-A-DAY. [_Alack-a-day_. See ALACK.]

LACK-A-DAY, lak-a-d[=a]', _interj._ See ALACK-A-DAY.

LACKER. See LACQUER.

LACKEY, lak'i, _n._ a menial attendant: a footman or footboy.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to pay servile attendance: to act as a footman. [O. Fr. _laquay_ (Fr. _laquais_)--Sp. _lacayo_, a lackey; perh. Ar. _luka`_, servile.]

LACMUS, lak'mus, _n._ the same as LITMUS (q.v.).

LACONIC, -AL, la-kon'ik, -al, _adj._ expressing in few words after the manner of the _Laconians_, _Lacedaemonians_, or _Spartans_: concise: pithy.--_adv._ LACON'ICALLY.--_ns._ LAC'ONISM, LACON'ICISM, a concise style: a short, pithy phrase. [L.,--Gr.]

LACQUER, LACKER, lak'[.e]r, _n._ a varnish made of lac and alcohol.--_v.t._ to cover with lacquer: to varnish.--_ns._ LAC'QUERER, one who varnishes or covers with lacquer; LAC'QUERING, the act of varnishing with lacquer: a coat of lacquer varnish. [Fr. _lacre_--Port. _lacre_, _laca_--Pers. _lac_, lac.]

LACROSSE, la-kros', _n._ a Canadian game of ball, played by two sets of eleven, the ball driven through the opponents' goal by means of the CROSSE, a bent stick, 5-6 ft. long, with a shallow net at one end. [Fr.]

LACTEAL, lak'te-al, _adj._ pertaining to or resembling milk: conveying chyle.--_n._ one of the absorbent vessels of the intestines which convey the chyle to the thoracic ducts.--_ns._ LAC'TARENE, LAC'TARINE, a preparation of the caseine of milk, used by calico-printers; LAC'T[=A]TE, a salt of lactic acid, and a base; LACT[=A]'TION, the act of giving milk: the period of suckling.--_adj._ LAC'TEOUS, milky, milk-like.--_n._ LACTESC'ENCE.--_adjs._ LACTESC'ENT, turning to milk: producing milk or white juice: milky; LAC'TIC, pertaining to milk; LACTIF'EROUS, LACTIF'IC, producing milk or white juice.--_ns._ LAC'TIFUGE, a medicine which checks the flow of milk; LAC'TOCRITE, an apparatus for testing the quantity of fatty substance in a sample of milk; LACTOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the quality of milk; LAC'TOSCOPE, an instrument for testing the purity or richness of milk by its degree of translucency; LAC'TOSE, a kind of sugar, only moderately sweet, obtained from milk by evaporating whey--also LAC'TINE; LACTUCA (lak-t[=u]'ka), a genus of herbs of the aster family, with milky juice.--_adj._ LACTUCIC (lak-t[=u]'sik).--LACTIC ACID, an acid obtained from milk. [L. _lacteus_, milky--_lac_, _lactis_, milk; Gr. _gala_, _galaktos_, milk.]

LACUNA, la-k[=u]'na, _n._ a gap or hiatus:--_pl._ LAC[=U]'NAE.--_n._ LAC[=U]'NAR, a sunken panel or coffer in a ceiling or a soffit: a ceiling containing such.--_adjs._ LAC[=U]'NOSE, furrowed: pitted; LAC[=U]'NOUS. [L. _lacuna_, anything hollow--_lacus_, a lake.]

LACUSTRINE, la-kus'trin, _adj._ pertaining to lakes.--Also LACUS'TRAL, LACUS'TRIAN. [From L. _lacus_, a lake.]

LAD, lad, _n._ a boy: a youth: (_Scot._) a lover:--_fem._ LASS.--_n._ LAD'DIE, a little lad: a boy.--LAD'S LOVE, a provincial name of the southernwood. [M. E. _ladde_--Ir. _lath_, a youth, champion (W. _llawd_). Mr H. Bradley suggests that M. E. _ladde_, a servant, coincides with the adjectival form of the past participle of the verb to _lead_, the original meaning thus being 'one _led_ in the train of a lord.']

LADANUM, lad'a-num, _n._ a resinous exudation from the leaves of a shrub growing round the Mediterranean.--Also LAB'DANUM. [L.,--Gr. _l[=e]danon_--Pers. _l[=a]dan_. See LAUDANUM.]

LADDER, lad'[.e]r, _n._ a frame made with steps placed between two upright pieces, by which one may ascend a building, &c.: anything by which one ascends: a gradual rise. [A.S. _hl['ae]der_; Ger. _leiter_.]

LADE, l[=a]d, _v.t._ to burden: to throw in or out, as a fluid, with a ladle or dipper.--_n._ (_Scot._) a load: a water-course: the mouth of a river.--_n._ LAD'ING, the act of loading: that which is loaded: cargo: freight. [A.S. _hladan_, pt. _hl['o]d_, _hladen_, to load, to draw out water; Dut. _laden_; Ger. _be-laden_.]

LADIN, la-d[=e]n', _n._ a Romance tongue spoken in the Engadine valley in Switzerland and the upper Inn valley in Tyrol. [L. _Latinus_, Latin.]

LADINO, la-d[=e]'n[=o], _n._ the old Castilian tongue: the Spanish jargon of some Turkish Jews: a Central American of mixed white and Indian blood.

LADLE, l[=a]d'l, _n._ a large spoon for lifting out liquid from a vessel: the float-board of a mill-wheel: an instrument for drawing the charge from a cannon.--_v.t._ to lift with a ladle.--_ns._ LAD'LEFUL, the quantity in a ladle:--_pl._ LAD'LEFULS.--LADLE FURNACE, a small gas furnace heated by a Bunsen burner, for melting metals, &c. [A.S. _hlaedel_--_hladan_, to lade.]

LADRONE, la-dr[=o]n', _n._ a robber. [Sp.,--L. _latro_.]

LADY, l[=a]'di, _n._ the mistress of a house: a wife: a title of the wives of knights, and all degrees above them, and of the daughters of earls and all higher ranks: a title of complaisance to any woman of refined manners:--_pl._ LADIES (l[=a]'diz).--_ns._ L[=A]'DYBIRD, a genus of little beetles, usually brilliant red or yellow--also L[=A]'DYBUG, L[=A]'DYCOW; L[=A]'DY-CHAP'EL, a chapel dedicated to 'Our Lady,' the Virgin Mary, usually behind the high altar, at the extremity of the apse; L[=A]'DYDAY, the 25th March, the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin; L[=A]'DYFERN, one of the prettiest varieties of British ferns, common in moist woods, with bipinnate fronds sometimes two feet long; L[=A]'DY-FLY (same as LADYBIRD); L[=A]'DYHOOD, condition, character of a lady.--_adj._ L[=A]'DYISH, having the airs of a fine lady.--_ns._ L[=A]'DYISM, affectation of the airs of a fine lady; L[=A]'DY-KILL'ER, a man who fancies his fascinations irresistible to women: a general lover.--_adj._ L[=A]'DY-LIKE, like a lady in manners: refined: soft, delicate.--_ns._ L[=A]DY-LOVE, a lady or woman loved: a sweetheart; L[=A]DY'S-BED'STRAW, the plant _Galium verum_; L[=A]'DY'S-BOW'ER, the only British species of clematis--also _Traveller's joy_; L[=A]'DY'S-FING'ER, a name for many plants: a piece of confectionery; L[=A]'DYSHIP, the title of a lady; L[=A]'DY'S-MAID, a female attendant on a lady, esp. in matters relating to the toilet; L[=A]DY'S-MAN'TLE, a genus of herbaceous plants having small, yellowish-green flowers; L[=A]'DY'S-SLIPP'ER, a genus of orchidaceous plants, remarkable for the large inflated lip of the corolla; L[=A]'DY'S-SMOCK, the Bitter Cress, a meadow-plant, with whitish, blush-coloured flowers.--LADIES' COMPANION, a small bag used for carrying women's work; LADIES' MAN, one fond of women's society.--MY LADYSHIP, YOUR LADYSHIP, a form of expression used in speaking to, or of, one who has the rank of a lady. [A.S. _hl['a]f-dige_--_hl['a]f_, a loaf, _d['ae]gee_, a kneader, or=_hl['a]fweardige_ (i.e. loaf-keeper, see _ward_), and thus a contr. fem. of _Lord_.]

LAETARE, l[=e]-t[=a]'r[=e], _n._ the fourth Sunday in Lent, named from the first word in the service for the festival. [L. _laet[=a]re_, to rejoice--_laetus_, joyful.]

LAG, lag, _adj._ slack: sluggish: coming behind.--_n._ he who, or that which, comes behind: the fag-end: (_slang_) an old convict.--_v.i._ to move or walk slowly: to loiter.--_v.t._ (_slang_) to commit to justice:--_pr.p._ lag'ging; _pa.p._ lagged.--_adj._ LAG'-BELL'IED, having a drooping belly.--_n._ LAG'-END (_Shak._), the last or long-delayed end.--_adj._ LAG'GARD, lagging: slow: backward.--_ns._ LAG'GARD, LAG'GER, one who lags behind: a loiterer: an idler.--_adv._ LAG'GINGLY, in a lagging manner. [Celt., as W. _llag_, loose, Gael. _lag_, feeble; cf. L. _laxus_, loose.]

LAGENA, la-j[=e]'na, _n._ a wine-vase, amphora: the terminal part of the cochlea in birds and reptiles:--_pl._ LAG[=E]'NAE. [L.]

LAGER-BEER, l[:a]'ger-b[=e]r, _n._ a kind of light beer very much used in Germany.--Also LA'GER. [Ger. _lagerbier_--_lager_, a store-house, _bier_, beer.]

LAGGEN, lag'en, _n._ (_Burns_) the angle between the side and bottom of a wooden dish.

LAGOMYS, l[=a]-g[=o]'mis, _n._ a genus of rodents, much resembling hares or rabbits. [Gr. _lag[=o]s_, a hare, _mys_, a mouse.]

LAGOON, LAGUNE, la-g[=oo]n', _n._ a shallow pond into which the sea flows. [It. _laguna_--L. _lacuna_.]

LAGOPHTHALMIA, lag-of-thal'mi-a, _n._ inability to close the eye.--_adj._ LAGOPHTHAL'MIC.

LAGOPUS, la-g[=o]'pus, _n._ a genus of grouse, the ptarmigans.--_adj._ LAGOP'ODOUS, having furry feet.--_n._ LAGOS'TOMA, hare-lip.--_adj._ LAG[=O]'TIC, rabbit-eared.

LAGRIMOSO, lag-ri-m[=o]'s[=o], _adj._ (_mus._) plaintive. [It.]

LAGTHING, l[:a]g'ting, _n._ the upper house of the Norwegian parliament. [Norw. _lag_, law, _thing_, parliament.]

LAIC, LAICAL, LAICISE. See LAY, _adj._

LAID, l[=a]d, _adj._ put down, prostrate: pressed down.--LAID PAPER, such as shows in its fabric the marks of the close parallel wires on which the paper-pulp was laid in the process of its manufacture:--opp. to _Wove-paper_, that laid on woven flannels or on felts. [Pa.t. and pa.p. of LAY.]

LAIDLY, l[=a]d'li, _adj._ (_prov._) loathly.

LAIN, _pa.p._ of LIE, to rest.

LAIR, l[=a]r, _n._ a lying-place, esp. the den or retreat of a wild beast: (_Scot._) the ground for one grave in a burying-place. [A.S. _leger_, a couch--_licgan_, to lie down; Dut. _leger_, Ger. _lager_.]

LAIR, l[=a]r, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to sink in mud.--_n._ mire, a bog, a quagmire. [Ice. _leir_, mud.]

LAIRD, l[=a]rd, _n._ (_Scot._) a landed proprietor, a landlord.--_n._ LAIRD'SHIP, an estate. [_Lord._]

LAISSEZ-FAIRE, l[=a]s'[=a]-f[=a]r', _n._ a letting alone, a general principle of non-interference with the free action of the individual: the let-alone principle in government, business, &c.--Also LAISS'ER-FAIRE'. [Fr. _laisser_--L. _lax[=a]re_, to relax, _faire_--L. _fac[)e]re_, to do.]

LAITY, l[=a]-'i-ti, _n._ the people as distinct from the clergy. [See LAY, _adj._]

LAKE, l[=a]k, _n._ a pigment or colour formed by precipitating animal or vegetable colouring matters from their solutions, chiefly with alumina or oxide of tin. [Fr. _laque_. See LAC (2).]

LAKE, l[=a]k, _n._ a large body of water within land.--_ns._ LAKE'-B[=A]'SIN, the whole area drained by a lake; LAKE'-LAW'YER (_U.S._), the bowfin: burbot; LAKE'LET, a little lake; L[=A]'KER, L[=A]'KIST, one of the Lake school of poetry.--_adj._ L[=A]'KY, pertaining to a lake or lakes.--LAKE DISTRICT, the name applied to the picturesque and mountainous region within the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and a small portion of Lancashire, containing as many as sixteen lakes or meres; LAKE DWELLINGS, settlements in prehistoric times, built on piles driven into a lake; LAKE SCHOOL OF POETRY, a name applied to the group of illustrious poets who made the Lake District--_Wordsworthshire_--their home about the beginning of the 19th century. [A.S. _lac_--L. _lacus_.]

LAKH, _n._ See LAC, term used for 100,000.

LAKIN, l[=a]'kin, _n._ (_Shak._) a corruption of _ladykin_, dim. of _lady_.

LAKSHMI, laksh'm[=e], _n._ in Hindu mythology, the name of the consort of the god Vishnu (q.v.), considered as his female or creative energy.

LALLAN, lal'an, _n._ the Scotch dialect. [_Lowland_.]

LALLATION, la-l[=a]'shon, _n._ lambdacism (q.v.).

LAM, lam, _v.t._ to beat. [Ice. _lemja_, to beat.]

LAMA, _n._ an animal. [See LLAMA.]

LAMA, l[:a]'ma, _n._ a Buddhist priest in Tibet.--_ns._ L[:A]'MAISM, the religion prevailing in Tibet and Mongolia, being Buddhism corrupted by Sivaism, and by Shamanism or spirit-worship; L[:A]'MAIST; L[:A]'MASERY, a Tibetan monastery. [Tib.]

LAMANTIN, la-man'tin, _n._ the manatee. [Fr.]

LAMARCKISM, la-m[:a]r'kizm, _n._ the theory of the French naturalist, J. B. P. A. de Monet de _Lamarck_ (1744-1829), that species have developed by the efforts of organisms to adapt themselves to new conditions--also LAMARCK'IANISM.---_adj._ LAMARCK'IAN.

LAMB, lam, _n._ the young of a sheep: the flesh of the young sheep: one innocent and gentle as a lamb: the Saviour of the world.--_v.i._ to bring forth young, as sheep.--_ns._ LAMB'-ALE, a feast at the time of lamb-shearing; LAMB'KIN, LAMB'LING, LAMB'IE (_Scot._), a little lamb.--_adj._ LAMB'-LIKE, like a lamb: gentle.--_ns._ LAMB'SKIN, the skin of a lamb dressed with the wool on, for mats, &c.: the skin of a lamb dressed for gloves: a kind of woollen cloth resembling this; LAMB'S'-LETT'UCE (same as CORN-SALAD); LAMB'S'-WOOL, fine wool: a wholesome old English beverage composed of ale and the pulp of roasted apples, with sugar and spices.--THE LAMB, LAMB OF GOD, the Saviour, typified by the paschal lamb. [A.S. _lamb_; Ger. _lamm_, Dut. _lam_.]

LAMBATIVE, lam'ba-tiv, _adj._ to be taken by licking.--_n._ a medicine of such a kind.

LAMBDA, lam'da, _n._ the Greek letter corresponding to Roman _l_.--_n._ LAMB'DACISM, a too frequent use of words containing _l_: a defective pronunciation of _r_, making it like _l_.--_adjs._ LAMB'DOID, -AL, shaped like the Greek capital [GREEK: L]--applied in anatomy to the suture between the occipital and the two parietal bones of the skull. [Gr.,--Heb. _lamedh_.]

LAMBENT, lam'bent, _adj._ moving about as if touching lightly: gliding over: flickering.--_n._ LAM'BENCY, the quality of being lambent: that which is lambent. [L. _lambens_--_lamb[)e]re_, to lick.]

LAMBOYS, lam'boiz, _n.pl._ kilted flexible steel-plates worn skirt-like from the waist. [O. Fr.]

LAMBREQUIN, lam'bre-kin, _n._ a strip of cloth, leather, &c., hanging from a window, doorway, or mantelpiece, as a drapery: an ornamental covering, as of cloth, attached to a helmet. [Fr.]

LAME, l[=a]m, _adj._ disabled in the limbs: hobbling: unsatisfactory: imperfect.--_v.t._ to make lame: to cripple: to render imperfect.--_n._ LAME'-DUCK (_slang_), a bankrupt.--_adv._ LAME'LY.--_n._ LAME'NESS.--_adj._ LAM'ISH, a little lame: hobbling. [A.S. _lama_, lame; Dut. _lam_, Ger. _lahm_.]

LAMELLA, l[:a]-mel'a, _n._ a thin plate or scale:--_pl._ LAMELL'AE.--_adjs._ LAM'ELLAR, LAM'ELLATE.--_n.pl._ LAMELLIBRANCHI[=A]'TA, a class of shell-fishes or molluscs in which the shell consists of two limy plates, lying one on each side of the body.--_adjs._ LAMELLIBRANCH'IATE; LAMELL'ICORN.--_n.pl._ LAMELLICOR'NES, a very numerous family of beetles--the cockchafer, &c.--_adjs._ LAMELLIF'EROUS, producing lamellae; LAMELL'IFORM, lamellar in form; LAMELLIROS'TRAL, having a lamellose bill; LAM'ELLOSE, full of lamellae, lamellated in structure. [L.]

LAMENT, la-ment', _v.i._ to utter grief in outcries: to wail: to mourn.--_v.t._ to mourn for: to deplore.--_n._ sorrow expressed in cries: an elegy or mournful ballad.--_adj._ LAM'ENTABLE, deserving or expressing sorrow: sad: pitiful, despicable.--_adv._ LAM'ENTABLY.--_n._ LAMENT[=A]'TION, act of lamenting: audible expression of grief: wailing: (_pl._, _B._) a book of Jeremiah.--_p.adj._ LAMENT'ED, bewailed: mourned.--_adv._ LAMENT'INGLY, with lamentation. [Fr. _lamenter_--L. _lament[=a]ri_.]

LAMETER, LAMITER, l[=a]'met-[.e]r, _n._ a cripple.

LAMETTA, la-met'a, _n._ foil of gold, silver, &c. [It.]

LAMIA, l[=a]'mi-a, _n._ in Greek and Roman mythology, a female phantom, a serpent witch who charmed children and youths in order to suck their blood.

LAMIGER, lam'i-j[.e]r, _n._ (_prov._) a cripple.

LAMINA, lam'i-na, _n._ a thin plate: a thin layer or coat lying over another:--_pl._ LAM'INAE.--_adjs._ LAM'INABLE; LAM'INAR, LAM'INARY, in laminae or thin plates: consisting of, or resembling, thin plates.--_n._ LAMIN[=A]'RIA, a genus of dark-spored seaweeds, with large expanded leathery-stalked fronds.--_adjs._ LAM'IN[=A]TE, -D, in laminae or thin plates: consisting of scales or layers, over one another.--_ns._ LAMIN[=A]'TION, the arrangement of stratified rocks in thin laminae or layers.--_adjs._ LAMINIF'EROUS, consisting of laminae or layers; LAM'INIFORM, laminar.--_n._ LAMIN[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the laminae of a horse's hoof. [L. _lamina_, a thin plate, a leaf.]

LAMMAS, lam'as, _n._ the feast of first-fruits on 1st August.--_n._ LAMM'AS-TIDE, Lammas-day, 1st August. [A.S. _hl['a]f-maesse_ and _hlammaesse_--_hl['a]f_, loaf, _maesse_, feast.]

LAMMER, lam'[.e]r, _n._ (_Scot._) amber. [Fr. _l'ambre_.]

LAMMERGEIER, lam'm[.e]r-g[=i]-[.e]r, _n._ the great bearded vulture of the mountains of southern Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. [Ger. _l[:a]mmergeier_--_l[:a]mmer_, lambs, _geier_, vulture.]

LAMMY, lam'i, _n._ a thick quilted outside jumper worn in cold weather by sailors.--Also LAMM'IE.

LAMP, lamp, _n._ a vessel for burning oil with a wick, and so giving light: a light of any kind.--_v.i._ (_Spens._) to shine.--_ns._ LAMP'AD (_rare_), a lamp or candlestick, a torch; LAMP'ADARY, in the Greek Church, one who looks after the lamps and carries a lighted taper before the patriarch; LAMPADED'ROMY, an ancient Greek torch-race in honour of Prometheus, &c.; LAMP'ADIST, one who ran in a torch-race; LAMPAD'OMANCY, the art of divining by the flame of a lamp or torch; LAMP'BLACK, the black substance formed by the smoke of a lamp: the soot or amorphous carbon obtained by burning bodies rich in that element, such as resin, petroleum, and tar, or some of the cheap oily products obtained from it; LAMP'-BURN'ER, that part of a lamp in which the wick is held; LAMP'-CHIM'NEY, LAMP'-GLASS, a glass funnel placed round the flame of a lamp; LAMP'-FLY (_Browning_), a firefly.--_adj._ LAMP'IC, pertaining to, or derived from, a lamp or flame.--_ns._ LAMP'ION, a kind of small lamp; LAMP'-LIGHT, the light shed by a lamp or lamps; LAMP'-LIGHT'ER, a person employed to light street-lamps: that by which a lamp is lighted, as a spill or torch; LAMP'-POST, the pillar supporting a street-lamp; LAMP'-SHELL, a terebratuloid or related brachiopod having a shell like an antique lamp.--SMELL OF THE LAMP, to show signs of great elaboration or study. [Fr. _lampe_--Gr. _lampas_, _-ados_--_lampein_, to shine.]

LAMP, lamp, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to run wild, to scamper: to go jauntily.

LAMPAS, lam'pas, _n._ a material of silk and wool used in upholstery. [Fr.]

LAMPASS, lam'pas, _n._ (_Shak._) a swelling of the roof of the mouth in horses. [Fr. _lampas_.]

LAMPERN, lam'p[.e]rn, _n._ a river lamprey.

LAMPOON, lam-p[=oo]n', _n._ a personal satire in writing: low censure.--_v.t._ to assail with personal satire: to satirise:--_pr.p._ lamp[=oo]n'ing; _pa.p._ lamp[=oo]ned'.--_ns._ LAMPOON'ER, one who writes a lampoon; LAMPOON'RY, practice of lampooning: written personal abuse or satire. [O. Fr. _lampon_, orig. a drinking-song, with the refrain _lampons_=let us drink--_lamper_ (or _lapper_, to lap), to drink.]

LAMPREY, lam'pre, _n._ a genus of cartilaginous fishes resembling the eel, so called from their attaching themselves to rocks or stones by their mouths. [O. Fr. _lamproie_--Low L. _lampreda_, _lampetra_--L. _lamb[)e]re_, to lick, _petra_, rock.]

LANA, l[:a]'na, _n._ the tough, close-grained wood of a Guiana tree.

LANATE, -D, l[=a]'n[=a]t, -ed, _adjs._ woolly: (_bot._) covered with a substance resembling wool.--_n._ L[=A]'NARY, a wool-store. [L. _lanatus_--_lana_, wool.]

LANCASTERIAN, lang-kas-t[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to Joseph _Lancaster_ (1778-1838), or the method of teaching younger pupils by those more advanced (_monitors_) in primary schools.

LANCASTRIAN, lang-kas'tri-an, _adj._ pertaining to the dukes or the royal house of _Lancaster_.--_n._ an adherent of the house of Lancaster, as against the Yorkists, in the Wars of the Roses (1455-85).

LANCE, lans, _n._ (_Spens._) balance, poise. [L. _lanx_, _lancis_, a dish or scale.]

LANCE, lans, _n._ a long shaft of wood, with a spear-head, and bearing a small flag: the bearer of a lance.--_v.t._ to pierce with a lance: to open with a lancet.--_ns._ LANCE'-COR'PORAL, a private soldier doing the duties of a corporal; LANCE'LET (see AMPHIOXUS); LAN'CER, a light cavalry soldier armed with a lance: (_pl._) a popular set of quadrilles, first in England about 1820: the music for such; LANCE'-WOOD, a wood valuable for its strength and elasticity, brought chiefly from Jamaica, Guiana, &c.--_adjs._ LANCIF'EROUS, bearing a lance; LAN'CIFORM, lance-shaped. [Fr.,--L. _lancea_; Gr. _longch[=e]_, a lance.]

LANCEGAY, lans'g[=a], _n._ (_obs._) a kind of spear. [O. Fr.,--_lance_, a lance, _zagaye_, a pike. See ASSAGAI.]

LANCEOLATE, -D, lan'se-o-l[=a]t, -ed, _adjs._ (_bot._) having the form of a lance-head: tapering toward both ends--also LAN'CEOLAR.--_adv._ LAN'CEOLATELY. [L. _lanceolatus_--_lanceola_, dim. of _lancea_.]

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LANCET, lan'set, _n._ a surgical instrument used for opening veins, abscesses, &c.: a high and narrow window, terminating in an arch acutely pointed, often double or triple, common in the first half of the 13th century. [O. Fr. _lancette_, dim. of _lance_.]

LANCH. Same as LAUNCH.