Part 34
||Phyl`lo*mor*pho"sis (?), n. [NL. See Phyllo-, Morphosis.] (Bot.) The ||succession and variation of leaves during different seasons. R. ||Brown.
Phyl*loph"a*gan (?), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; to eat.] (Zoˆl.) (a) One of a group of marsupials including the phalangists. (b) One of a tribe of beetles which feed upon the leaves of plants, as the chafers.
Phyl*loph"a*gous (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Substituting on leaves; leaf- eating.
Phyl*loph"o*rous (?), a. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; to bear.] (Bot.) Leaf-bearing; producing leaves.
Phyl"lo*pod (?), n. (Zoˆl.) One of the Phyllopoda. [Also used adjectively.]
||Phyl*lop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a leaf + -poda.] (Zoˆl.) ||An order of Entomostraca including a large number of species, most of ||which live in fresh water. They have flattened or leaflike legs, ||often very numerous, which they use in swimming. Called also ||Branchiopoda.
In some, the body is covered with a bivalve shell (Holostraca); in others, as Apus, by a shield-shaped carapace (Monostraca); in others, like Artemia, there is no carapace, and the body is regularly segmented. Sometimes the group is made to include also the Cladocera.
Phyl*lop"o*dous (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Of or pertaining to the Phyllopoda.
Phyl"lo*rhine (?), a. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?;, &?;, the nose.] (Zoˆl.) Of or pertaining to Phyllorhina and other related genera of bats that have a leaflike membrane around the nostrils.
||Phyl`lo*so"ma (?), n. [NL. See Phyllo-, and -some body.] (Zoˆl.) The ||larva of the spiny lobsters (Palinurus and allied genera). Its body ||is remarkably thin, flat, and transparent; the legs are very long. ||Called also glass-crab, and glass- shrimp.
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Phyl"lo*stome (fl"l*stm), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. sto`ma mouth.] (Zoˆl.) Any bat of the genus Phyllostoma, or allied genera, having large membranes around the mouth and nose; a nose-leaf bat.
Phyl*los"to*mid (?), n. A phyllostome.
Phyl`lo*tac"tic (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to phyllotaxy.
{ Phyl"lo*tax`y (?), Phyl"lo*tax`is (?), } n. [Phyllo- + Gr. ta`xis order.] (Bot.) The order or arrangement of leaves on the stem; the science of the relative position of leaves.
Phyl"lous (?), a. (Bot.) Homologous with a leaf; as, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils are phyllous organs.
Phyl`lo*xan"thin (?), n. [Phyllo- + Gr. &?; yellow.] (Bot.) A yellow coloring matter extracted from chlorophyll.
Phyl`lox*e"ra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; leaf + &?; dry.] 1. (Zoˆl.) A small hemipterous insect (Phylloxera vastatrix) allied to the aphids. It attacks the roots and leaves of the grapevine, doing great damage, especially in Europe.
It exists in several forms, some of which are winged, other wingless. One form produces galls on the leaves and twigs, another affects the roots, causing galls or swellings, and often killing the vine.
2. The diseased condition of a vine caused by the insect just described.
{ Phy`lo*gen"e*sis (?), Phy*log"e*ny (?), } n. [Gr. &?; tribe + E. genesis, or root of Gr. &?; to be born.] The history of genealogical development; the race history of an animal or vegetable type; the historic exolution of the phylon or tribe, in distinction from ontogeny, or the development of the individual organism, and from biogenesis, or life development generally.
Phy*lo*ge*net"ic (?), a. Relating to phylogenesis, or the race history of a type of organism. -- Phy*lo*ge*net"ic*al*ly (#), adv.
||Phy"lon (?), n.; pl. Phyla (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; race, tribe.] ||(Biol.) A tribe.
||Phy"lum (?), n.; pl. Phyla (#). [NL. See Phylon.] (Zoˆl.) One of the ||larger divisions of the animal kingdom; a branch; a grand division.
||Phy"ma (?), n.; pl. Phymata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to ||produce.] (Med.) A tubercle on any external part of the body.
||Phy"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows.] (Zoˆl.) A genus of ||fresh-water Pulmonifera, having reversed spiral shells. See Pond ||snail, under Pond.
||Phy*sa"li*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bladder, fr. &?; a bellows.] ||(Zoˆl.) A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the ||Portuguese man-of- war.
It has a large air sac, or float, with a sail-like crest on its upper side. Numerous zooids of different kinds are attached to the under side of the float. Some of the zooids have very long tentacles; some have a mouth and digest food; others produce gonophores. The American species (Physalia arethusa) is brilliantly colored, the float being pink or purple, and bright blue; the zooids blue. It is noted for its virulent stinging powers, as well as for its beautiful colors, graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward.
||Phy*sa"li*Ê (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoˆl.) An order of Siphonophora which ||includes Physalia.
||Phys`e*ma"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; a blowing.] (Zoˆl.) A ||group of simple marine organisms, usually classed as the lowest of ||the sponges. They have inflated hollow bodies.
Phy*se"ter (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to blow: cf. F. physÈtËre.] 1. (Zoˆl.) The genus that includes the sperm whale.
2. A filtering machine operated by air pressure.
Phys`i*an"thro*py (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; man.] The philosophy of human life, or the doctrine of the constitution and diseases of man, and their remedies.
Phys"ic (?), n. [OE. phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F. physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis nature, fr. &?; to produce, grow, akin to E. be. See Be, and cf. Physics, Physique.] 1. The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the theory or practice of medicine. "A doctor of physik." Chaucer.
2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine.
3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic.
4. A physician. [R.] Shak.
Physic nut (Bot.), a small tropical American euphorbiaceous tree (Jatropha Curcas), and its seeds, which are well flavored, but contain a drastic oil which renders them dangerous if eaten in large quantities.
Phys"ic (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Physiced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Physicking (?).] 1. To treat with physic or medicine; to administer medicine to, esp. a cathartic; to operate on as a cathartic; to purge.
2. To work on as a remedy; to heal; to cure.
The labor we delight in physics pain.
Shak.
A mind diseased no remedy can physic.
Byron.
Phys"ic*al (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to nature (as including all created existences); in accordance with the laws of nature; also, of or relating to natural or material things, or to the bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral, spiritual, or imaginary; material; natural; as, armies and navies are the physical force of a nation; the body is the physical part of man.
Labor, in the physical world, is . . . employed in putting objects in motion.
J. S. Mill.
A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force.
Macaulay.
2. Of or pertaining to physics, or natural philosophy; treating of, or relating to, the causes and connections of natural phenomena; as, physical science; physical laws. "Physical philosophy." Pope.
3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization; cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical, opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral.
4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine; medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative. [Obs.] "Physical herbs." Sir T. North.
Is Brutus sick? and is it physical To walk unbraced, and suck up the humors Of the dank morning?
Shak.
Physical astronomy, that part of astronomy which treats of the causes of the celestial motions; specifically, that which treats of the motions resulting from universal gravitation. -- Physical education, training of the bodily organs and powers with a view to the promotion of health and vigor. -- Physical examination (Med.), an examination of the bodily condition of a person. -- Physical geography. See under Geography. -- Physical point, an indefinitely small portion of matter; a point conceived as being without extension, yet having physical properties, as weight, inertia, momentum, etc.; a material point. -- Physical signs (Med.), the objective signs of the bodily state afforded by a physical examination.
Phys"ic*al*ly, adv. In a physical manner; according to the laws of nature or physics; by physical force; not morally.
I am not now treating physically of light or colors.
Locke.
2. According to the rules of medicine. [Obs.]
He that lives physically must live miserably.
Cheyne.
Phy*si"cian (?), n. [OE. fisician, fisicien, OF. physucien, a physician, in F., a natural philosopher, an experimentalist in physics. See Physic.] 1. A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duty authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine.
2. Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul.
Phy*si"cianed (?), a. Licensed as a physician. [Obs.] "A physicianed apothecary." Walpole.
Phys"i*cism (?), n. The tendency of the mind toward, or its preoccupation with, physical phenomena; materialism in philosophy and religion.
Anthropomorphism grows into theology, while physicism (if I may so call it) develops into science.
Huxley.
Phys"i*cist (?), n. One versed in physics.
2. (Biol.) A believer in the theory that the fundamental phenomena of life are to be explained upon purely chemical and physical principles; -- opposed to vitalist.
Phys"ick*ing (?), p. pr. & vb. n. fr. Physic, v. t.
Phys"i*co- (?). [Fr. Gr. &?; natural, physical.] A combining form, denoting relation to, or dependence upon, natural causes, or the science of physics.
Phys`i*co*chem"ic*al (?), a. [Physico- + chemical.] Involving the principles of both physics and chemistry; dependent on, or produced by, the joint action of physical and chemical agencies. Huxley.
Phys`i*co*log"ic (?), n. [Physico- + logic.] Logic illustrated by physics.
Phys`i*co*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to physicologic. Swift.
Phys`i*col"o*gy (?), n. [Physico- + -logy.] Physics. [R.] -- Phys`i*col"o*gist (#), n. [R.]
Phys`i*co-math`e*mat"ics (?), n. [Physico- + mathematics.] Mixed mathematics.
Phys`i*co-phi*los"o*phy (?), n. [Physico- + philosophy.] The philosophy of nature.
Phys`i*co-the*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Physico- + theology.] Theology or divinity illustrated or enforced by physics or natural philosophy.
Phys"ics (?), n. [See Physic.] The science of nature, or of natural objects; that branch of science which treats of the laws and properties of matter, and the forces acting upon it; especially, that department of natural science which treats of the causes (as gravitation, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, etc.) that modify the general properties of bodies; natural philosophy.
Chemistry, though a branch of general physics, is commonly treated as a science by itself, and the application of physical principles which it involves constitute a branch called chemical physics, which treats more especially of those physical properties of matter which are used by chemists in defining and distinguishing substances.
Phys"i*o*crat (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; to rule.] One of the followers of Quesnay of France, who, in the 18th century, founded a system of political economy based upon the supremacy of natural order. F. A. Walker. -- Phys`i*o*crat"ic (#), a.
Phys`i*og"e*ny (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + root of &?; to be born.] (Biol.) The germ history of the functions, or the history of the development of vital activities, in the individual, being one of the branches of ontogeny. See Morphogeny. Haeckel.
Phys`i*og"no*mer (?), n. Physiognomist.
{ Phys`i*og*nom"ic (?), Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. physiognomonique.] Of or pertaining to physiognomy; according with the principles of physiognomy. -- Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al*ly, adv.
Phys`i*og*nom"ist (?), n. Same as Physiognomy, 1.
Phys`i*og"no*mist (?), n. [Cf. F. physiognomiste.] 1. One skilled in physiognomy. Dryden.
2. One who tells fortunes by physiognomy. Holland.
Phys`i*og"no*mize (?), v. t. To observe and study the physiognomy of. [R.] Southey.
Phys`i*og`no*mmon"ic (?), a. Physiognomic.
Phys`i*og"no*my (?), n.; pl. Physiognomies (#). [OE. fisonomie, phisonomie, fisnamie, OF. phisonomie, F. physiognomie, physiognomonie, from Gr. &?;; fy`sis nature + &?; one who knows or examines, a judge, fr. &?;, &?;, to know. See Physic, and Know, and cf. Phiz.] 1. The art and science of discovering the predominant temper, and other characteristic qualities of the mind, by the outward appearance, especially by the features of the face.
2. The face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the mind;
## particular configuration, cast, or expression of countenance, as
denoting character.
3. The art telling fortunes by inspection of the features. [Obs.] Bale.
4. The general appearance or aspect of a thing, without reference to its scientific characteristics; as, the physiognomy of a plant, or of a meteor.
Phys`i*og"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + go`nos birth.] The birth of nature. [R.] Coleridge.
{ Phys`i*o*graph"ic (?), Phys`i*o*graph"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. physiographique.] Of or pertaining to physiography.
Phys`i*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + -graphy: cf. F. physiographie.] The science which treats of the earth's exterior physical features, climate, life, etc., and of the physical movements or changes on the earth's surface, as the currents of the atmosphere and ocean, the secular variations in heat, moisture, magnetism, etc.; physical geography.
Phys`i*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; service.] The worship of the powers or agencies of nature; materialism in religion; nature worship. "The physiolatry of the Vedas." M. Williams.
Phys`i*ol"o*ger (?), n. A physiologist.
Phys`i*o*log"ic (?), a. [L. physiologicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. physiologique.] Physiological.
Phys`i*o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to physiology; relating to the science of the functions of living organism; as, physiological botany or chemistry.
Phys`i*o*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In a physiological manner.
Phys`i*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. physiologiste.] One who is versed in the science of physiology; a student of the properties and functions of animal and vegetable organs and tissues.
Phys`i*ol"o*gize (?), v. i. To speculate in physiology; to make physiological investigations. Cudworth.
Phys`i*ol"o*gy (?), n.; pl. Physiologies (#). [L. physiologia, Gr. &?;; fy`sis nature + &?; discourse: cf. F. physiologie.] 1. The science which treats of the phenomena of living organisms; the study of the processes incidental to, and characteristic of, life.
It is divided into animal and vegetable physiology, dealing with animal and vegetable life respectively. When applied especially to a study of the functions of the organs and tissues in man, it is called human physiology.
2. A treatise on physiology.
Mental physiology, the science of the functions and phenomena of the mind, as distinguished from a philosophical explanation of the same.
Phys`i*oph"y*ly (?), n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + &?; a clan.] (Biol.) The tribal history of the functions, or the history of the paleontological development of vital activities, -- being a branch of phylogeny. See Morphophyly. Haeckel.
Phy*sique" (?), n. [F. See Physic.] The natural constitution, or physical structure, of a person.
With his white hair and splendid physique.
Mrs. Stowe.
Phys"no*my (?), n. Physiogmony. [Obs.]
Phys"o*clist, n. (Zoˆl.) One of the Physoclisti.
||Phys`o*clis"ti (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + &?; to ||close.] (Zoˆl.) An order of teleost in which the air bladder has no ||opening.
Phys"o*grade (?), n. [Gr. &?; a bellows + L. gradi to walk, go.] (Zoˆl.) Any siphonophore which has an air sac for a float, as the Physalia.
||Phy*soph"o*rÊ (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + &?; to bear.] ||(Zoˆl.) An order of Siphonophora, furnished with an air sac, or ||float, and a series of nectocalyces. See Illust. under Nectocalyx.
Phy"so*pod (?), n. (Zoˆl.) One of the Physopoda; a thrips.
||Phy*sop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + -poda.] ||(Zoˆl.) Same as Thysanoptera.
Phy`so*stig"mine (?), n. (Chem.) An alkaloid found in the Calabar bean (the seed of Physostigma venenosum), and extracted as a white, tasteless, substance, amorphous or crystalline; -- formerly called eserine, with which it was regarded as identical.
||Phy*sos"to*mi (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a bellows + &?; mouth.] ||(Zoˆl.) An order of fishes in which the air bladder is provided with ||a duct, and the ventral fins, when present, are abdominal. It ||includes the salmons, herrings, carps, catfishes, and others.
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Phy*sos"to*mous (?), a. (Zoˆl.) (a) Having a duct to the air bladder. (b) Pertaining to the Physostomi.
||Phy*tel"e*phas (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a plant + &?; the elephant; ||also, ivory.] (Bot.) A genus of South American palm trees, the seeds ||of which furnish the substance called vegetable ivory.
Phy*tiv"o*rous (?), a. [Phyto- + L. vorare to eat greedily.] Feeding on plants or herbage; phytophagous; as, phytivorous animals. Ray.
Phy"to- (?). [See Physic.] A combining form from Gr. fyto`n a plant; as, phytochemistry, phytography.
Phy`to*chem"ic*al (?), a. Relating to phytochemistry. R. Hunt.
Phy"to*chem"is*try (?), n. [Phyto- + chemistry.] Chemistry in its relation to vegetable bodies; vegetable chemistry. R. Hunt.
Phy*toch"i*my (?), n. [F. phytochimie; Gr. &?; a plant + F. chimie chemistry.] Phytochemistry. [Obsoles.]
{ Phy`to*gen"e*sis (?), Phy*tog"e*ny (?), } n. [Phyto- + genesis, or root of Gr. &?; to be born.] The doctrine of the generation of plants.
Phy`to*ge"o*graph"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to phytogeography.
Phy`to*ge*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Phyto- + geography.] The geographical distribution of plants.
Phy`to*glyph"ic (?), a. Relating to phytoglyphy.
Phy*tog"ly*phy (?), n. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; to engrave.] See Nature printing, under Nature.
Phy`to*graph"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. phytographique.] Of or pertaining to phytography.
Phy*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Phyto- + -graphy: cf. F. phytographie.] The science of describing plants in a systematic manner; also, a description of plants.
Phy"toid (?), a. [Phyto- + - oid.] Resembling a plant; plantlike.
||Phy`to*lac"ca (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; plant + It. lacca lac.] ||(Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants, some of them having berries ||which abound in intensely red juice; poke, or pokeweed.
Phy"to*lite (?), n. [Phyto- + -lite: cf. F. phytolithe.] An old name for a fossil plant.
Phy`to*li*thol"o*gist (?), n. One versed in phytolithology; a paleobotanist.
Phy`to*li*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Phyto- + lithology.] The branch of science which treats of fossil plants; -- usually called paleobotany, sometimes paleophytology.
Phy`to*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. phytologique.] Of or pertaining to phytology; botanical.
Phy*tol"o*gist (?), n. One skilled in phytology; a writer on plants; a botanist. Evelyn.
Phy*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Phyto- + -logy: cf. F. phytologie.] The science of plants; a description of the kinds and properties of plants; botany. Sir T. Browne.
{ Phy"to*mer (?), Phy*tom"e*ron (?), } n. [NL. phytomeron, fr. Gr. &?; plant + &?; share.] (Bot.) An organic element of a flowering plant; a phyton.
||Phy"ton (?), n.; pl. Phytons (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; plant.] (Bot.) ||One of the parts which by their repetition make up a flowering plant, ||each being a single joint of a stem with its leaf or leaves; a ||phytomer.
Phy*ton"o*my (?), n. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; law: cf. F. phytonomie.] The science of the origin and growth of plants.
Phy`to*pa*thol"o*gist (?), n. One skilled in diseases of plants.
Phy`to*pa*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Phyto- + pathology.] The science of diseases to which plants are liable.
||Phy*toph"a*ga (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a plant + &?; to eat.] ||(Zoˆl.) A division of Hymenoptera; the sawflies.
Phy`to*phag"ic (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Phytophagous.
Phy*toph"a*gous (?), a. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; to eat.] (Zoˆl.) Feeding on plants; herbivorous; as, a phytophagous animal.
Phy*toph"a*gy (?), n. The eating of plants.
Phy`to*phys`i*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Phyto- + physiology.] Vegetable physiology.
Phy*tot"o*mist (?), n. One versed in phytotomy.
Phy*tot"o*my (?), n. [Phyto- + Gr. &?; to cut.] The dissection of plants; vegetable anatomy.
||Phy`to*zo*a"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Phytozoˆn.] (Zoˆl.) Same as ||Infusoria.
||Phy`to*zo"ˆn (?), n.; pl. Phytozoa (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; + &?; an ||animal.] (Zoˆl.) A plantlike animal. The term is sometimes applied to ||zoˆphytes.
Phyz (?), n. See Phiz.
Pi (?), n. [See Pica, Pie magpie, service-book.] (Print.) A mass of type confusedly mixed or unsorted. [Written also pie.]
Pi, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pieing (?).] (Print.) To put into a mixed and disordered condition, as type; to mix and disarrange the type of; as, to pi a form. [Written also pie.]
Pi*aÁ"a*ba (?), n. See Piassava.
Pi"a*cle (?), n. [L. piaculum a propitiatory sacrifice, that which requires expiation, a wicked action, fr. piare to appease, to expiate, pius pious.] A heinous offense which requires expiation. [R.] Howell.
Pi*ac"u*lar (?), a. [L. piacularis: cf. F. piaculaire.] 1. Expiatory; atoning. Sir G. C. Lewis.
2. Requiring expiation; criminal; atrociously bad. "Piacular pollution." De Quincey.
Pi*ac`u*lar"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being piacular; criminality; wickedness. De Quincey.
Pi*ac"u*lous (?), a. Same as Piacular.
Pi"al (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to the pia mater.
||Pi"a ma"ter (?). [NL., fr. L. pia (fem. of pius tender, kind) + mater ||mother.] (Anat.) The delicate and highly vascular membrane ||immediately investing the brain and spinal cord.
||Pian (?), n. [Pg. pian, epian, or. Sp. pian; from the native name in ||South America: cf. F. pian.] (Med.) The yaws. See Yaws.
Pi"a*net` (?), n. [Cf. Pie magpie.] (Zoˆl.) (a) The magpie. [Written also pianate, and pyenate.] (b) The lesser woodpecker. [Obs.] Bailey.
Pi*a*nette" (?), n. [Dim. of piano.] (Mus.) A small piano; a pianino.
||Pi`a*ni"no (?), n. [It., dim. of piano, adj. See Piano.] (Mus.) A ||pianette, or small piano.
||Pi`a*nis"si*mo (?), a.[It., superl. of piano.] (Mus.) Very soft; -- a ||direction to execute a passage as softly as possible. (Abbrev. pp.)
Pi*an"ist (?), n. [Cf. F. pianiste, It. pianista.] A performer, esp. a skilled performer, on the piano.
||Pi*a"no (?), a. & adv. [It., even, smooth, soft, fr. L. planus even, ||level.] (Mus.) Soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a ||certain passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone. (Abbrev. ||p.)
{ Pi*an"o (?), Pi*an"o*for`te (?), } n. [It. piano soft (fr. L. planus even, smooth; see Plain, a.) + It. forte strong, fr. L. fortis (see Fort).] (Mus.) A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by keys.
Dumb piano. See Digitorium. -- Grand piano. See under Grand. -- Square piano, one with a horizontal frame and an oblong case. -- Upright piano, one with an upright frame and vertical wires.
Pi*an"o*graph (?), n. [Piano + -graph.] (Mus.) A form of melodiograph applied to a piano.
Pi"a*pec (?), n. [Cf. Pie a magpie.] (Zoˆl.) A West African pie (Ptilostomus Senegalensis).
Pi"a*rist (?), n. [L. pius pious.] (R. C. Ch.) One of a religious order who are the regular clerks of the Scuole Pie (religious schools), an institute of secondary education, founded at Rome in the last years of the 16th century. Addis & Arnold.
Pi*as"sa*va (?), n. [Pg. piasaba.] A fibrous product of two Brazilian palm trees (Attalea funifera and Leopoldinia Piassaba), -- used in making brooms, and for other purposes. Called also piaÁaba and piasaba.
Pi*as"ter (?), n. [F. piastre, It. piastra a thin plate of metal, a dollar, LL. piastra, fr. L. emplastrum. See Plaster.] A silver coin of Spain and various other countries. See Peso. The Spanish piaster (commonly called peso, or peso duro) is of about the value of the American dollar. The Italian piaster, or scudo, was worth from 80 to 100 cents. The Turkish and Egyptian piasters are now worth about four and a half cents.
Pi*as"tre (?), n. See Piaster.
Pi*a"tion (?), n. [L. piatio. See Piacle.] The act of making atonement; expiation. [Obs.]
||Pi*at"ti (?), n. pl. [It., prop., plates.] (Mus.) Cymbals. [Written ||also pyatti.]
Pi*az"za (?), n.; pl. Piazzas (#). [It., place, square, market place, L. platea street, courtyard. See Place.] An open square in a European town, especially an Italian town; hence (Arch.), an arcaded and roofed gallery; a portico. In the United States the word is popularly applied to a veranda.
We walk by the obelisk, and meditate in piazzas.
Jer. Taylor.
Pib"corn` (?), n. [W. pib pipe + corn horn.] (Mus.) A wind instrument or pipe, with a horn at each end, -- used in Wales.
Pi"broch (?), n. [Gael. piobaireachd pipe music, fr. piobair a piper, fr. pioba pipe, bagpipe, from English. See Pipe, n.] A Highland air, suited to the particular passion which the musician would either excite or assuage; generally applied to those airs that are played on the bagpipe before the Highlanders when they go out to battle. Jamieson.