Part 64

LEGACY, leg'a-si, _n._ that which is left to one by will: a bequest of personal property.--_ns._ LEG'ACY-HUNT'ER, one who hunts after legacies by courting those likely to leave them; LEG'ATARY, a legatee; LEGATEE', one to whom a legacy is bequeathed.--LEGACY DUTY, a duty levied on legacies, varying according to degree of relationship, and reaching its maximum where the legatee is not related to the testator.--CUMULATIVE, or SUBSTITUTIONAL, LEGACY, a second legacy given to the same person, either in addition to or in place of the first; DEMONSTRATIVE LEGACY, a general legacy, but with a

## particular fund named from which it is to be satisfied; GENERAL LEGACY, a

sum of money payable out of the assets generally; RESIDUARY LEGATEE, the person to whom the remainder of the property is left after all claims are discharged; SPECIFIC LEGACY, a legacy of a definite thing, as jewels, pictures, a sum of stock in the Funds, &c. [L. _legatum_--_leg[=a]re_, to leave by will.]

LEGAL, l[=e]'gal, _adj._ pertaining to, or according to, law: lawful: created by law: (_theol._) according to the Mosaic law or dispensation.--_n._ L[=E]'GALIS[=A]TION.--_v.t._ L[=E]'GALISE, to make legal or lawful: to authorise: to sanction.--_ns._ L[=E]'GALISM, strict adherence to law: (_theol._) the doctrine that salvation depends on strict adherence to the law, as distinguished from the doctrine of salvation by grace: the tendency to observe the letter rather than the spirit of religious law; L[=E]'GALIST; LEGAL'ITY.--_adv._ L[=E]'GALLY.--LEGAL TENDER, that which can be lawfully used in paying a debt. [Fr.,--L. _legalis_--_lex_, _legis_, law.]

LEGATE, leg'[=a]t, _n._ an ambassador, esp. from the Pope: a delegate, deputy, esp. a foreign envoy chosen by the senate of ancient Rome, or a general or consul's lieutenant.--_n._ LEG'ATESHIP.--_adj._ Leg'at[=i]ne, of or relating to a legate.--_n._ LEG[=A]'TION, the person or persons sent as legates or ambassadors: the official abode of a legation. [Fr. _l['e]gat_, It. _legato_--L. _legatus_--_leg[=a]re_, to send with a commission.]

LEGATEE. See LEGACY.

LEGATO, l[=a]-g[:a]'to, _adj._ (_mus._) in a smooth manner, the notes being played as if bound together.--_n._ a smooth manner of performance, or a tune so played.--_adv._ (_sup._) LEGATISS'IMO. [It.,--L. _lig[=a]re_, to tie.]

LEGEND, lej'end, or l[=e]'-, _n._ a marvellous story from early times: the motto on a coat of arms, medal, or coin: an inscription of any kind: a musical composition set to a poetical story.--_n._ LEG'ENDARY, a book of legends: one who relates legends: (_pl._) a chronicle of the lives of saints.--_adj._ consisting of legends: romantic: fabulous.--_n._ LEG'ENDIST, a writer of legends.--GOLDEN LEGEND (see GOLDEN). [Fr.,--Low L. _legenda_, a book of chronicles of the saints read at matins--L. _legendus_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]

LEGER, lej'[.e]r, _adj._ light: small.--_ns._ LEGER'ITY (_Shak._), lightness; LEG'ER'-LINE (_mus._), one of the short lines added above or below the staff to extend its compass. [O. Fr.,--L. _l[)e]vis_, light.]

LEGERDEMAIN, lej-[.e]r-d[=e]-m[=a]n', _n._ sleight-of-hand: jugglery. [Fr. _l['e]ger de main_--L. as if _leviarius_--_levis_, light, Fr. _de_, of, _main_--L. _manus_, hand.]

LEGHORN, leg'horn, _n._ fine plait for bonnets and hats made in Tuscany: a bonnet of this material: a small breed of the common domestic fowl. [_Leghorn_ (It. _Livorno_), a seaport of Tuscany, Italy.]

LEGIBLE, lej'i-bl, _adj._ that may be read: that may be understood.--_ns._ LEG'IBLENESS, LEGIBIL'ITY.--_adv._ LEG'IBLY. [L. _legibilis_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]

LEGION, l[=e]'jun, _n._ in ancient Rome, a body of soldiers of from three to six thousand: a military force: a great number: in French history, the name of several military bodies, more esp. one which distinguished itself in Algeria and in the Crimea.--_v.t._ to form into legions.--_adj._ L[=E]'GIONARY, relating to, or consisting of, a legion or legions: containing a great number.--_n._ a soldier of a legion.--LEGION OF HONOUR, an order of merit instituted in France in 1802 by Napoleon I.; THUNDERING LEGION, the name in Christian tradition for a body of soldiers under Marcus Aurelius, whose prayers for rain once brought down a thunderstorm and destroyed the enemy. [Fr.,--L. _legion-em_--_leg[)e]re_, to levy.]

LEGISLATE, lej'is-l[=a]t, _v.i._ to bring forward, propose, or make laws.--_n._ LEGISL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ LEG'ISLATIVE, giving or enacting laws: pertaining to legislation, or a legislature.--_n._ a body of persons, or a single person, with powers to enact laws.--_adv._ LEG'ISLATIVELY.--_n._ LEG'ISLATOR, one who makes laws: a lawgiver:--_fem._ LEG'ISLATRESS.--_adj._ LEGISLAT[=O]'RIAL, of or pertaining to a legislature.--_ns._ LEG'ISLATORSHIP; LEG'ISLATURE, the body of men in a state who have the power of making laws.--LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (see ASSEMBLY); LEGISLATIVE POWER, the power to make laws.--CLASS LEGISLATION, legislation affecting the interests of a particular class. [L. _lex_, _legis_, law, _ferre_, _latum_, to bear.]

LEGIST, l[=e]'jist, _n._ one skilled in the laws. [Fr.]

LEGITIM, lej'i-tim, _n._ (_Scots law_) the legal provision which a child is entitled to out of the movable or personal estate of the deceased father.--Also _Bairn's Part_. [Fr.,--L. _legitimus_--_lex_, law.]

LEGITIMATE, le-jit'i-m[=a]t, _adj._ lawful: lawfully begotten, born in wedlock: fairly deduced: following by natural sequence: authorised by usage.--_v.t._ to make lawful: to give the rights of a legitimate child to an illegitimate one.--_n._ LEGIT'IMACY, state of being legitimate: lawfulness of birth: regular deduction: directness of descent as affecting the royal succession.--_adv._ LEGIT'IMATELY.--_ns._ LEGIT'IMATENESS, lawfulness; LEGITIM[=A]'TION, act of rendering legitimate, esp. of conferring the privileges of lawful birth.--_v.t._ LEGIT'IMISE (same as LEGITIMATE).--_n._ LEGIT'IMIST, one who supports legitimate authority: in France, a follower of the elder Bourbon line (descendants of Louis XIV.), as opposed to the Orleanists or supporters of the descendants of the Duke of Orleans, Louis XIV.'s brother.--LEGITIMATE DRAMA, a designation frequently applied to the representation of Shakespeare's plays--often employed as vaguely indicating approval of the drama of some former time. [Low L. _legitim[=a]re_. _-[=a]tum_--L. _legitimus_, lawful--_lex_, law.]

LEGUME, leg'[=u]m, _n._ a seed-vessel which splits into two valves, having the seeds attached to the ventral suture only: a pod, as of the pea, bean, &c.--also LEG[=U]'MEN:--_pl._ LEG[=U]'MENS, LEG[=U]'MINA.--_adj._ LEG[=U]'MINAR.--_n._ LEG[=U]'MINE, a nitrogenous proteid substance in the seeds of most leguminous plants, corresponding with the casein of milk.--_adj._ LEG[=U]'MINOUS, pertaining to pulse: bearing legumes. [Fr.,--L. _legumen_--_leg[)e]re_, to gather.]

LEIBNITZIAN, l[=i]b-nit'zi-an, _adj._ pertaining to the great German philosopher and mathematician, Gottfried Wilhelm _Leibnitz_ (1646-1716).--_n._ LEIBNIT'ZIANISM, the philosophy of Leibnitz--the doctrine of primordial monads, pre-established harmony, fundamental optimism on the principle of sufficient reason.

LEIGER, lej'[.e]r, _n._ (_Shak._) a resident ambassador.--Also LEIDG'ER. [See LEDGER.]

LEIOTRICHOUS, l[=i]-ot'ri-kus, _adj._ of the smooth-haired races. [Gr. _leios_, smooth, _thrix_, _trichos_, hair.]

LEIPOA, l[=i]-p[=o]'a, _n._ a genus of Australian mound-birds.

LEISTER, l[=e]s't[.e]r, _n._ (_Scot._) a salmon-spear. [Cf. Ice. _lj['o]str_; Dan. _lyster_, a salmon-spear.]

LEISURE, l[=e]'zh[=oo]r, or lezh'-, _n._ time free from employment: freedom from occupation, convenient opportunity, ease.--_adj._ unoccupied.--_adj._ LEI'SURED, not occupied with business.--_adj._ and _adv._ LEI'SURELY, not hasty or hastily.--AT LEISURE, AT ONE'S LEISURE, free from occupation, at one's ease or convenience. [O. Fr. _leisir_--L. _lic[=e]re_, to be permitted.]

LEMAN, l[=e]'man, or lem'-, _n._ a sweetheart; paramour. [A.S. _le['o]f_, loved, _mann_, man.]

LEMMA, lem'a, _n._ (_math._) a preliminary proposition demonstrated for the purpose of being used in a subsequent proposition: sometimes in logic a premise taken for granted: a theme:--_pl._ LEMM'AS, LEMM'ATA. [L.,--Gr. _l[=e]mma_--_lambanein_, to take.]

LEMMING, lem'ing, _n._ a genus of rodents, nearly allied to voles, migrating southward in great numbers. [Norw. _lemende_, _lemming_--_lemja_, to beat. Perh. Lapp, _loumek_, a lemming.]

LEMNIAN, lem'ni-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Lemnos_ in the Aegean Sea.--LEMNIAN EARTH, cimolite; LEMNIAN RUDDLE, a red chalk found in Lemnos.

LEMNISCATE, lem-nis'k[=a]t, _n._ a curve in general form like the figure 8--also _adj._--_n._ LEMNIS'CUS, a woollen fillet attached to the back of crowns, diadems, &c. [Gr. _l[=e]mniskos_.]

LEMON, lem'un, _n._ an oval fruit resembling the orange, with an acid pulp: the tree that bears lemons.--_n._ LEMONADE', a drink made of lemon-juice, water, and sugar.--_adj._ LEM'ON-COL'OURED, having the colour of a ripe lemon.--_ns._ LEM'ON-GRASS, a fragrant perennial grass, in India, Arabia, &c., yielding an essential oil used in perfumery; LEM'ON-SQUASH, unfervescent lemonade; LEM'ON-SQUEEZ'ER, a small hand-press for extracting the juice of lemons; LEM'ON-YELL'OW, a clear, pale yellow colour. [Fr. _limon_--Ar. _l[=i]m[=u]n_.]

LEMUR, l[=e]'mur, _n._ a genus of mammals appearing to stand between the Insectivora and the monkeys, forest dwellers, mainly nocturnal in habits, common in Madagascar. [L. _lemur_, a ghost.]

LEMURES, lem'[=u]-r[=e]z, _n.pl._ (_Milt._) spirits of the departed: spectres. [L.]

LEND, lend, _v.t._ to give for a short time something to be returned: to afford, grant, or furnish, in general: to let for hire.--_v.i._ to make a loan:--_pr.p_ lend'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lent.--_ns._ LEND'ER; LEND'ING, the act of giving in loan: (_Shak._) that which is lent or supplied. [A.S. _l['ae]nan_--_l['ae]n_, _l['a]n_, a loan.]

LENGTH, length, _n._ quality of being long: extent from end to end: the longest measure of anything: long continuance: detail: (_prosody_) time occupied in uttering a vowel or syllable: the quality of a vowel as long or short: any definite portion of a known extent.--_v.t._ LENGTH'EN, to increase in length: to draw out.--_v.i._ to grow longer.--_adv._ LENGTH'ILY.--_n._ LENGTH'INESS.--_adv._ LENGTH'WISE, in the direction of the length.--_adj._ LENGTH'Y, of great length: rather long--(_obs._) LENGTH'FUL.--LENGTH OF DAYS, prolonged life.--AT LENGTH, in the full extent: at last; GO GREAT LENGTHS, GO TO ALL LENGTHS, to use extreme efforts; GO TO THE LENGTH OF, to proceed as far as. [A.S.,--_lang_, long.]

LENIENT, l[=e]'ni-ent, _adj._ softening: mild: merciful.--_n._ (_med._) that which softens: an emollient.--_ns._ L[=E]'NIENCE, L[=E]'NIENCY.--_adv._ L[=E]'NIENTLY.--_v.t._ L[=E]'NIFY (_rare_), to assuage.--_adj._ LEN'ITIVE, mitigating: laxative.--_n._ any palliative: (_med._) an application for easing pain: a mild purgative.--_n._ LEN'ITY, mildness: clemency. [L. _leniens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _len[=i]re_, to soften--_lenis_, soft.]

LENO, l[=e]'n[=o], _n._ a thin linen like muslin.

LENOCINIUM, l[=e]-n[=o]-sin'i-um, _n._ (_Scots law_) a husband's connivance at his wife's adultery. [L.]

[Illustration]

LENS, lenz, _n._ (_optics_) a piece of transparent substance with one or both sides convex or concave, the object to refract rays of light really or apparently radiating from a point, and make them deviate so as to pass, or travel on as if they had passed, through another point: the crystalline humour of the eye: a genus of leguminous plants:--_pl._ LENS'ES. [L. _lens_, _lentis_, the lentil.]

LENT, lent, _n._ an annual fast of forty days in commemoration of the fast of our Saviour (Matt. iv. 2), from Ash-Wednesday to Easter.--_adj._ LENT'EN, relating to, or used in, Lent: sparing.--_n._ LENT'-LIL'Y, the daffodil, as flowering in Lent. [A.S. _lencten_, the spring; Dut. _lente_, Ger. _lenz_.]

LENTAMENTE, len-ta-men'te, _adv._ (_mus._) slowly, in slow time.--_advs._ LENTAN'DO, becoming slower by degrees; LEN'TO, slow, slowly. [It.]

LENTICULAR, len-tik'[=u]-lar, _adj._ resembling a lens or lentil seed: double-convex--also LEN'TIFORM.--_n._ LEN'TICEL (_bot._), a loose, lens-shaped mass of cells belonging to the corky layer or periderm of plants.--_adj._ LENTICEL'LATE.--_n._ LENTIC'ULA, a small lens: a lenticel: a freckle--also LEN'TICULE.--_adv._ LENTIC'ULARLY.--_adjs._ LENTIG'EROUS, having a crystalline lens; LEN'TOID, lens-shaped. [L. _lenticularis_--_lenticula_, dim. of _lens_, a lentil.]

LENTIGO, len-t[=i]'g[=o], _n._ a freckle.--_adjs._ LENTIG'INOSE, LENTIG'INOUS (_bot._), covered with minute dots as if dusted. [L.]

LENTIL, len'til, _n._ an annual plant, common near the Mediterranean, bearing pulse used for food. [O. Fr. _lentille_--L. _lens_, _lentis_, the lentil.]

LENTISK, len'tisk, _n._ the mastic-tree. [L. _lentiscus_.]

LENTOR, len'tor, _n._ tenacity, viscidity.--_adj._ LEN'TOUS. [L. _lentus_, slow.]

LENVOY, len-voi', _n._ a kind of postscript appended to a literary composition: an envoy. [O. Fr. _l'envoi_.]

LEO, l[=e]'[=o], _n._ the Lion, the 5th sign of the zodiac.

LEONINE, l[=e]'o-n[=i]n, _adj._ of or like a lion.

LEONINE, l[=e]'o-n[=i]n, _adj._ a kind of Latin verse, generally alternate hexameter and pentameter, rhyming at the middle and end. [From _Leoninus_, a 12th-cent. canon in Paris; or from Pope _Leo_ II.]

LEOPARD, lep'ard, _n._ an animal of the cat kind, with a spotted skin, now generally supposed to be identical with the panther:--_fem._ LEOP'ARDESS: (_her._) a lion passant gardant. [O. Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _leopardos_--_le[=o]n_, lion, _pardos_, pard.]

LEPER, lep'[.e]r, _n._ one affected with leprosy.--_adjs._ LEP'EROUS (_Shak._), LEP'ROUS. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _lepra_--_lepros_, scaly--_lepos_, a scale--_lepein_, to peel off.]

LEPID, lep'id, _adj._ pleasant, jocose. [L. _lepidus_.]

LEPIDODENDRON, lep-i-do-den'dron, _n._ a common fossil plant of the Carboniferous strata, the stem covered with ovate leaf-scars arranged spirally. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _dendron_, a tree.]

LEPIDOPTERA, lep-i-dop't[.e]r-a, _n.pl._ an order of insects, with four wings covered with fine scales--butterfly, moth, &c.--_adjs._ LEPIDOP'TERAL, LEPIDOP'TEROUS. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _pteron_, a wing.]

LEPIDOSAURIA, lep-i-do-sawr'i-a, _n._ a sub-class or sub-order of Reptilia, with scales and plates--the ophidians and lacertilians, not crocodilians and chelonians. [Gr. _lepis_, a scale, _sauros_, a lizard.]

LEPIDOSIREN, lep-i-do-s[=i]'ren, _n._ one of the Amazon mud-fishes or Dipnoi. [Gr. _lepis_, a scale, Eng. _siren_.]

LEPIDOSTEUS, lep-i-dos'te-us, _n._ a genus of fishes with rhomboid scales hard like bone. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _osteon_, a bone.]

LEPORINE, lep'o-r[=i]n, _adj._ pertaining to or resembling the hare. [L. _leporinus_--_lepus_, _lep[)o]ris_, the hare.]

LEPPED, lep'd, _pa.t._ (_Spens._) leaped.

LEPRECHAUN, LEPRECHAWN, lep'r[=e]-kawn, _n._ a small-sized brownie who helps Irish housewives, mends shoes, grinds meal, &c. [Ir. _luchorpan_, _lu_, small, _corpan_, _corp_, a body--L. _corpus_.]

LEPROSY, lep'ro-si, _n._ a name applied to several different cutaneous diseases of contagious character, now confined to _lepra cutanea_, _elephantiasis_, _Graecorum_, or _Leontiasis_.--_n._ LEP'RA, leprosy: a scurfy, mealy substance on the surface of some plants.--_adjs._ LEP'ROSE, scale-like or scurf-like; LEP'ROUS, affected with leprosy.--_adv._ LEP'ROUSLY.--_ns._ LEP'ROUSNESS, LEPROS'ITY. [See LEPER.]

LEPTOCARDIAN, lep-to-k[:a]r'di-an, _adj._ pertaining to the _Leptocardii_, the lowest group of true vertebrates, the lancelets.--_n._ a lancelet, branchiostome, or amphioxus. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _kardia_, heart.]

LEPTOCEPHALIC, lep-to-se-fal'ik, _adj._ having a narrow skull, as in certain flat-fishes. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _kephal[=e]_, the head.]

LEPTODACTYL, lep-to-dak'til, _adj._ having small or slender toes. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _daktylos_, a finger.]

LEPTOLOGY, lep-tol'o-ji, _n._ minute description. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _logia_--_legein_, to speak.]

LEPTON, lep'ton, _n._ the smallest of modern Greek coins, 100 to the drachma. [Gr.,--_leptos_, small.]

LEPTORRHINE, lep't[=o]-rin, _adj._ with small nose or slender snout. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _hris_, _hrinos_, nose.]

LEPTOSPERMUM, lep-to-sper'mum, _n._ a genus of Australian trees and shrubs, evergreens, with leaves like those of myrtles--the tea-tree, &c. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _sperma_, seed.]

LERE, l[=e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) learning a lesson.--_v.t._ to learn: to teach. [_Learn._]

LESBIAN, les'bi-an, _adj._ pertaining to the island of _Lesbos_ in the Aegean Sea, and the adjoining part of the coast of Asia Minor, together forming Aeolis, the home of a famous school of lyric poets, including Alcaeus and Sappho: amatory, erotic.

LESE-MAJESTIE, l[=e]z'-maj'es-ti, _n._ any crime committed against the sovereign power in a state, treason.--Also LEZE'-MAJ'ESTY. [O. Fr.,--Low L. _laesa majestas_--L. _laesa_--_laed[)e]re_, to hurt, _majestas_, majesty.]

LESION, l[=e]'zhun, _n._ a hurt: (_med._) an injury or wound. [Fr.,--L. _laesion-em_--_laed[)e]re_, _laesum_, to hurt.]

LESS, les, _adj._ (serves as comp. of _little_) diminished: smaller.--_adv._ not so much: in a lower degree.--_n._ a smaller portion: (_B._) the inferior or younger. [A.S. _l['ae]ssa_, less, _l['ae]s_ (adv.); comparative form from a root _lasinn_, feeble, found also in Goth. _lasiws_, weak, Ice. _las_, weakness, not conn. with _little_.]

LESSEE, les-s[=e]', _n._ one to whom a lease is granted.

LESSEN, les'n, _v.t._ to make less, in any sense: to weaken: to degrade.--_v.i._ to become less, shrink.

LESSER, les'[.e]r, _adj._ (_B._) less: smaller: inferior. [A double comp. formed from _less_.]

LESSON, les'n, _n._ a portion of Scripture appointed to be read in divine service: that which a pupil learns at a time: a precept or doctrine inculcated: instruction derived from experience: severe lecture.--_v.t._ to give a lesson to. [Fr. _lecon_--L. _lection-em_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]

LESSOR, les'or, _n._ one who grants a lease.

LEST, lest, _conj._ that not: for fear that. [From the A.S. phrase _dh['y] laes dhe_ (for the reason less that=L. _quominus_), the first word being dropped, while the others coalesced into _lest_.]

LEST, lest, _v.i._ (_Spens._) to listen.

LET, let, _v.t._ to slacken or loose restraint upon: to give leave or power to: to allow, permit, suffer: to grant to a tenant or hirer: to cause (with infin. without _to_):--_pr.p._ let'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ let.--_n._ a letting for hire.--_ns._ LET'TER; LET'TING.--LET ALONE, to leave out, not to mention.--_adj._ passive, inactive--also _n._ (_Shak._) forbearance.--LET BLOOD, to open a vein and let the blood run out; LET DOWN, to allow to fall: to bring down; LET GO, to cease holding: to pass by or disregard; LET IN, to allow to enter: to take in or swindle; LET INTO, to admit to the knowledge of; LET OFF, to allow to go free without punishment, to excuse from payment, &c.; LET ON, to allow a thing to be believed, to pretend; LET ONE'S SELF LOOSE, to let go restraint on words or

## actions, to indulge in extravagant talk or conduct; LET OUT, to allow to

get free, to let some secret become known; LET SLIP, to allow to escape: to lose sight of; LET WELL ALONE, to let things remain as they are from fear of making them worse. [A.S. _l['ae]tan_, to permit, pt.t. _l['e]t_, _le['o]t_, pp. _laeten_; Ger. _lassen_, Fr. _laisser_, to permit.]

LET, let, _v.t._ (_B._) to prevent.--_n._ (_law_) hinderance, obstruction: delay.--_n._ LET'TER. [A.S. _lettan_, to hinder--_laet_, slow.]

LETCH, lech, _n._ strong desire: a crotchet.

LETHAL, l[=e]'thal, _adj._ death-dealing: deadly: mortal.--_n._ LETHE (_Shak._), death.--_adj._ LETHIF'EROUS, carrying death. [L. _lethalis_--_lethum_, _letum_, death.]

LETHARGY, leth'ar-ji, _n._ heavy unnatural slumber: dullness.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to make lethargic.--_adjs._ LETHAR'GIC, -AL, pertaining to lethargy: unnaturally sleepy: dull.--_adv._ LETHAR'GICALLY.--_n._ LETHAR'GICNESS, the state of being lethargic: morbid sleepiness.--_v.t._ LETH'ARGISE. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _l[=e]thargia_, drowsy forgetfulness--_l[=e]th[=e]_, forgetfulness.]

LETHE, l[=e]'th[=e], _n._ one of the rivers of hell causing forgetfulness of the past to all who drank of it: oblivion.--_adj._ LETH[=E]'AN, of Lethe: oblivious. [Gr.,--_l[=e]th[=o]_, old form of _lanthanein_, to forget.]

LETTER, let'[.e]r, _n._ a conventional mark to express a sound: a written or printed message: literal meaning: a printing-type: (_pl._) learning, literary culture.--_v.t._ to stamp letters upon.--_ns._ LETT'ER-BAL'ANCE, a balance for testing the weight of a letter for post; LETT'ER-BOARD (_print._), board on which matter in type is placed for keeping or convenience in handling; LETT'ER-BOOK, a book in which letters or copies of letters are kept; LETT'ER-BOX, a box in a post-office, at the door of a house, &c., for receiving letters; LETT'ER-CARR'IER, a postman; LETT'ER-CASE, a portable writing-desk.--_adj._ LETT'ERED, marked with letters: educated: versed in literature: belonging to learning (LETTERED PROOF and PROOF BEFORE LETTERS; see PROOF).--_ns._ LETT'ERER; LETT'ER-FOUND'ER, one who founds or casts letters or types; LETT'ERING, the act of impressing letters: the letters impressed.--_adj._ LETT'ERLESS, illiterate.--_ns._ LETT'ER-MISS'IVE, an official letter on matters of common interest, sent to members of a church: a letter from the sovereign addressed to a dean and chapter, naming the person they are to elect bishop--also _Royal letter_; LETT'ERN (same as LECTERN); LETT'ER-OF-CRED'IT, a letter authorising credit or cash to a certain sum to be paid to the bearer; LETT'ER-OF-MARQUE (m[:a]rk), a commission given to a private ship by a government to make reprisals on the vessels of another state.--_adj._ LETT'ER-PER'FECT, kept in the memory exactly (of an actor's part, &c.).--_ns._ LETT'ERPRESS, letters impressed or matter printed from type, as distinguished from engraving: a copying-press; LETT'ERS-P[=A]'TENT, a writing conferring a patent or authorising a person to enjoy some privilege, so called because written on open sheets of parchment; LETT'ER-STAMP, a post-office implement for defacing a postage-stamp: a stamp for imprinting dates, &c., on letters or papers; LETT'ER-WOOD, the heart-wood of a tree found in British Guiana, dark brown, with darker spots somewhat resembling hieroglyphics; LETT'ER-WRIT'ER, one who writes letters, esp. for hire: a book containing forms for imitation in writing letters.--LETTER OF INDICATION (see CIRCULAR); LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION, a document issued by court appointing an administrator of an intestate estate; LETTERS REQUISITORY, or ROGATORY, an instrument by which a court of one country asks that of another to take certain evidence on its behalf; LETTRE DE CACHET (see CACHET). [Fr. _lettre_--L. _littera_.]

LETTIC, let'ik, _adj._ of or pertaining to the _Letts_ or Lithuanians, or to their language.--Also LETT'ISH.

LETTING, let'ing, _n._ the act of granting to a tenant: the act of giving to a contractor.

LETTUCE, let'is, _n._ a plant containing a milky juice, its leaves used as a salad. [O. Fr. _laictuce_ (Fr. _laitue_)--L. _lactuca_--_lac_, milk.]

LEUCAEMIA, l[=u]-s[=e]'mi-a, _n._ a disease in which the number of white corpuscles in the blood is greatly increased, with changes in the lymphatic tissues, enlargement of the spleen, &c.--Also LEUCOCYTHAE'MIA. [Gr. _leukos_, white, _haima_, blood.]

LEUCINE, l[=u]'sin, _n._ a product of the decomposition of albuminous materials occurring in many of the juices of the animal body. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCISCUS, l[=u]-sis'kus, _n._ a genus of fresh-water fishes of the Cyprinoid family, including the roach, dace, chub, minnow, &c. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCITE, l[=u]'s[=i]t, _n._ a whitish mineral occurring only in volcanic rocks.--_adj._ LEUCIT'IC. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCOCYTE, l[=u]'k[=o]-s[=i]t, _n._ a white corpuscle of the blood or lymph (see PHAGOCYTE).--_adj._ LEUCOCYT'IC.--_ns._ LEUCOCYTOG'ENESIS, the production of leucocytes; LEUCOCYT[=O]'SIS, the presence of an excessive number of white corpuscles in the blood.

LEUCOCYTHAEMIA. See LEUCAEMIA.

LEUCOL, l[=u]'kol, _n._ an organic base obtained by the distillation of coal-tar. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCOMA, l[=u]-k[=o]'ma, _n._ a white opacity of the cornea, the result of acute inflammation. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCOMAINE, l[=u]'k[=o]-m[=a]n, _n._ an alkaloid found in living animal tissue:--opp. to _Ptomaine_ (q.v.).

LEUCORRHOEA, l[=u]-k[=o]-r[=e]'a, _n._ an abnormal mucous or muco-purulent discharge from the vagina, the whites. [Gr. _leukos_, white, _hroia_--_hrein_, to flow.]

LEUCOSIS, l[=u]-k[=o]'sis, _n._ whiteness of skin, pallor.--_ns._ LEUCISM (l[=u]'sizm), whiteness resulting from lack of colour, albinism; LEUCOP'ATHY, albinism.--_adj._ LEU'COUS, white, albinotic. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEVANT, le-vant', _n._ the point where the sun rises: the East: the coasts of the Mediterranean east of Italy.--_adj._ LEV'ANT, or L[=E]'VANT, eastern.--_n._ LEVANT'ER, a strong easterly wind in the Levant.--_adj._ LEVANT'INE, belonging to the Levant. [Fr. _levant_--L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]

LEVANT, le-vant', _v.i._ to decamp.--_n._ LEVANT'ER, one who runs away dishonourably, who dodges paying his bets, &c. [Sp. _levantar_, to move--L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]

LEVATOR, le-v[=a]'tor, _n._ that which raises (of a muscle):--opp. to _Depressor_. [L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]

LEVEE, lev'[=a], lev'[=e], le-v[=e]', _n._ a morning assembly of visitors: an assembly received by a sovereign or other great personage.--_v.t._ to attend the levee of. [Fr. _lever_, to rise.]

LEVEE, le-v[=e]', _n._ an artificial bank, as that of the Lower Mississippi: a quay. [Fr.]

LEVEL, lev'el, _n._ a horizontal line or surface: a surface without inequalities: proper position: usual elevation: state of equality: the line of direction: an instrument for showing the horizontal.--_adj._ horizontal: even, smooth: even with anything else: uniform: well-balanced, sound of judgment: in the same line or plane: equal in position or dignity.--_v.t._ to make horizontal: to make flat or smooth: to make equal: to take aim:--_pr.p._ lev'elling; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lev'elled.--_ns._ LEV'EL-CROSS'ING, or GRADE'-CROSS'ING, a place at which a common road crosses a railway at the same level; LEV'ELLER, one who levels or makes equal, esp. one of an ultra-republican and revolutionary sect or party which grew up in the parliamentary army in 1647, crushed by Cromwell in 1649; LEV'ELLING, the act of making uneven surfaces level: the process of finding the differences in level between different points on the surface of the earth by means of a LEVELLING INSTRUMENT, consisting of a telescope carrying a parallel and sensitive spirit-level, adjustable by means of screws; LEV'ELLING-ROD, -STAFF, an instrument used in levelling, in conjunction with a levelling instrument, or with a spirit-level and a telescope.--_adv._ LEV'ELLY, evenly.--_n._ LEV'ELNESS, state of being level, even, or equal.--LEVEL DOWN or UP, to lower or raise to the same level or status; DO ONE'S LEVEL BEST (_coll._) to do one's utmost. [O. Fr. _livel_, _liveau_ (Fr. _niveau_)--L. _libella_, a plummet, dim. of _libra_, a balance.]

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LEVER, l[=e]'v[.e]r, _n._ a bar of metal or other substance turning on a support called the fulcrum or prop, for imparting pressure or motion from a source of power to a resistance--of three kinds, according to the relative positions of the power, weight, and fulcrum: (_fig._) anything which exerts influence: any one of various tools on the principle defined above--in surgery, dentistry, &c.: a removable rod or bar inserted in a machine, to be operated by hand leverage.--_ns._ L[=E]'VERAGE, the mechanical power gained by the use of the lever: advantage gained for any purpose; L[=E]'VER-WATCH, a watch having a vibrating lever in the mechanism of the escapement. [Fr. _levier_--_lever_--L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]

LEVER, l[=e]'v[.e]r, _adv._ an obsolete comp. of _lief_.

LEVERET, lev'[.e]r-et, _n._ a hare in its first year. [O. Fr. _levret_ (Fr. _li[`e]vre_)--L. _lepus_, _lep[)o]ris_, a hare.]

LEVIABLE, lev'i-a-bl, _adj._ able to be levied or assessed.