Part 7

NUMMARY, num'a-ri, _adj._ relating to coins or money.--_adjs._ NUMM'IFORM, shaped like a coin; NUMM'[=U]LAR, NUMM'[=U]LARY, NUMM'[=U]L[=A]TED, NUMM'[=U]LINE, pertaining to coins: like a coin in shape; NUMM'[=U]LIFORM.--_n._ NUMM'[=U]LITE, a fossil shell resembling a coin.--_adj._ NUMMULIT'IC. [L. _nummus_, a coin.]

NUMSKULL, num'skul, _n._ a stupid fellow: a blockhead.--_adj._ NUM'SKULLED. [From _numb_ and _skull_.]

NUN, nun, _n._ a female who, under a vow, secludes herself in a religious house, to give her time to devotion: (_zool._) a kind of pigeon with the feathers on its head like the hood of a nun.--_ns._ NUN'-BUOY, a buoy somewhat in the form of a double cone; NUN'NERY, a house for nuns.--_adj._ NUN'NISH.--_ns._ NUN'NISHNESS; NUN'S'-VEIL'ING, a woollen cloth, soft and thin, used by women for veils and dresses. [A.S. _nunne_--Low L. _nunna_, _nonna_, a nun, an old maiden lady, the orig. sig. being 'mother;' cf. Gr. _nann[=e]_, aunt, Sans. _nan[=a]_, a child's word for 'mother.']

NUNC DIMITTIS, nungk di-mit'tis, _n._ 'now lettest thou depart:' the name given to the song of Simeon (Luke, ii. 29-32) in the R.C. Breviary and the Anglican evening service--from the opening words.

NUNCHEON, nun'shun, _n._ a luncheon. [Prob. a corr. of _luncheon_, with some reference to _noon_.]

NUNCIO, nun'shi-o, _n._ a messenger: one who brings tidings: an ambassador from the Pope to an emperor or a king.--_n._ NUN'CI[=A]T[=U]RE, the office of a nuncio. [It.,--L. _nuncius_, a messenger, one who brings news--prob. a contr. of _noventius_; cf. _novus_, new.]

NUNCLE, nung'kl, _n._ (_Shak._) a contr. of _mine uncle_.

NUNCUPATIVE, nung'k[=u]-p[=a]-tiv, _adj._ declaring publicly or solemnly: (_law_) verbal, not written, as a will--also NUN'C[=U]P[=A]TORY.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ NUN'CUPATE, to declare solemnly: to declare orally.--_n._ NUNC[=U]P[=A]'TION. [Fr.,--Low L. _nuncupativus_, nominal--L. _nuncup[=a]re_, to call by name--prob. from _nomen_, name, _cap[)e]re_, to take.]

NUNDINAL, nun'di-nal, _adj._ pertaining to a fair or market.--Also NUN'DINARY. [L. _nundinæ_, the market-day, properly the ninth day--i.e. from the preceding market-day, both days inclusive--_novem_, nine, _dies_, a day.]

NUPHAR, n[=u]'fär, _n._ a genus of yellow water-lilies, the _Nymphæa_.

NUPTIAL, nup'shal, _adj._ pertaining to marriage: constituting marriage.--_n.pl._ NUP'TIALS, marriage: wedding ceremony. [Fr.,--L. _nuptialis_--_nuptiæ_, marriage--_nub[)e]re_, _nuptum_, to marry.]

NUR, nur, _n._ a knot or knob in wood. See KNURR.

NURL, nurl, _v.t._ to mill or indent on the edge.--_ns._ NURL'ING, the milling of a coin: the series of indentations on the edge of some screw-heads: zigzag ornamental engraving; NURL'ING-TOOL.

NURSE, nurs, _n._ a woman who nourishes an infant: a mother while her infant is at the breast: one who has the care of infants or of the sick: (_hort._) a shrub or tree which protects a young plant.--_v.t._ to tend, as an infant or a sick person: to bring up: to cherish: to manage with care and economy: to play skilfully, as billiard-balls, in order to get them into the position one wants.--_adj._ NURSE'LIKE (_Shak._), like or becoming a nurse.--_ns._ NURSE'MAID, a girl who takes care of children; NURS'ER, one who nurses: one who promotes growth; NURS'ERY, place for nursing: an apartment for young children: a place where the growth of anything is promoted: (_hort._) a piece of ground where plants are reared; NURS'ERY-GOV'ERNESS; NURS'ERYMAID, a nurse-maid; NURS'ERYMAN, a man who owns or works a nursery: one who is employed in cultivating plants, &c., for sale; NURS'ING-FA'THER (_B._), a foster-father; NURS'LING, that which is nursed: an infant. [O. Fr. _norrice_ (Fr. _nourrice_)--L. _nutrix_--_nutr[=i]re_, to nourish.]

NURTURE, nurt'[=u]r, _n._ act of nursing or nourishing: nourishment: education: instruction.--_v.t._ to nourish: to bring up: to educate.--_n._ NURT'URER. [O. Fr. _noriture_ (Fr. _nourriture_)--Low L. _nutritura_--L. _nutr[=i]re_, to nourish.]

NUT, nut, _n._ the name popularly given to all those fruits which have the seed enclosed in a bony, woody, or leathery pericarp, not opening when ripe: (_bot._) a one-celled fruit, with a hardened pericarp, containing, when mature, only one seed: often the hazel-nut, sometimes the walnut: a small block of metal for screwing on the end of a bolt.--_v.i._ to gather nuts:--_pr.p._ nut'ting; _pa.p._ nut'ted.--_adj._ NUT'-BROWN, brown, like a ripe old nut.--_ns._ NUT'CRACKER, an instrument for cracking nuts: a genus of birds of the family _Corvidæ_; NUT'-GALL, an excrescence, chiefly of the oak; NUT'HATCH, a genus of birds of the family _Sittidæ_, agile creepers--also NUT'JOBBER, NUT'PECKER; NUT'-HOOK, a stick with a hook at the end for pulling down boughs that the nuts may be gathered: a bailiff, a thief who uses a hook; NUT'MEAL, meal made from the kernels of nuts; NUT'-OIL, an oil obtained from walnuts; NUT'-PINE, one of several pines with large edible seeds; NUT'SHELL, the hard substance that encloses the kernel of a nut: anything of little value; NUT'TER, one who gathers nuts; NUT'TINESS; NUT'TING, the gathering of nuts; NUT'-TREE, any tree bearing nuts, esp. the hazel.--_adj._ NUT'TY, abounding in nuts: having the flavour of nuts.--_n._ NUT'-WRENCH, an instrument for fixing on nuts or removing them from screws.--A NUT TO CRACK, a difficult problem to solve; BE NUTS ON (_slang_), to be very fond of; IN A NUTSHELL, in small compass. [A.S. _hnutu_; Ice. _hnot_, Dut. _noot_, Ger. _nuss_.]

NUTANT, n[=u]'tant, _adj._ nodding: (_bot._) having the top of the stem of the flower-cluster bent downward.--_n._ N[=U]T[=A]'TION, a nodding: (_astron._) a periodical and constant change of the angle made by the earth's axis, with the ecliptic, caused by the attraction of the moon on the greater mass of matter round the equator: (_bot._) the turning of flowers towards the sun. [L. _nut[=a]re_, to nod.]

NUTMEG, nut'meg, _n._ the aromatic kernel of an East Indian tree, much used as a seasoning in cookery.--_adj._ NUT'MEGGED; NUT'MEGGY. [M. E. _notemuge_, a hybrid word formed from _nut_, and O. Fr. _muge_, musk--L. _muscus_, musk.]

NUTRIA, n[=u]'tri-a, _n._ the fur of the coypou, a South American beaver. [Sp.,--L. _lutra_, an otter.]

NUTRIMENT, n[=u]'tri-ment, _n._ that which nourishes: that which helps forward growth or development: food.--_adj._ N[=U]'TRIENT, nourishing.--_n._ anything nourishing.--_adj._ N[=U]'TRIMENTAL, having the quality of nutriment or food: nutritious.--_n._ N[=U]TRI'TION, act of nourishing: process of promoting the growth of bodies: that which nourishes: nutriment.--_adjs._ N[=U]TRI'TIONAL; N[=U]TRI'TIOUS, nourishing: promoting growth.--_adv._ N[=U]TRI'TIOUSLY.--_n._ N[=U]TRI'TIOUSNESS.--_adjs._ N[=U]'TRITIVE, N[=U]'TRITORY, nourishing: concerned in nutrition.--_adv._ N[=U]'TRITIVELY.--_ns._ N[=U]'TRITIVENESS; N[=U]TRIT[=O]'RIUM, the nutritive apparatus. [L. _nutrimentum_--_nutr[=i]re_, to nourish.]

NUX VOMICA, nuks vom'ik-a, _n._ the seed of an East Indian tree, from which the powerful poison known as strychnine is obtained. [L. _nux_, a nut, _vomicus_, from _vom[)e]re_, to vomit.]

NUZZER, nuz'[.e]r, _n._ a present made to a superior. [Ind.]

NUZZLE, nuz'l, _v.i._ to rub the nose against: to fondle closely, to cuddle: to nurse or rear.--_v.t._ to touch with the nose: to go with the nose toward the ground.--Also NOUS'LE. [A freq. verb from _nose_.]

NYANZA, ni-an'za, _n._ a sheet of water, marsh, the river feeding a lake. [Afr.]

NYAS. See EYAS.

NYCTALA, nik'ta-la, _n._ a genus of owls of family _Strigidæ_.

NYCTALOPIA, nik-ta-l[=o]'pi-a, _n._ the defective vision of persons who can see in a faint light but not in bright daylight: sometimes applied to the opposite defect, inability to see save in a strong daylight--also NYC'TALOPY.--_n._ NYC'TALOPS, one affected with nyctalopia. [Gr. _nyktal[=o]ps_, seeing by night only--_nyx_, _nyktos_, night, _[=o]ps_, vision.]

NYCTITROPISM, nik'ti-tr[=o]-pizm, _n._ the so-called sleep of plants, the habit of taking at night certain positions unlike those during the day.--_adj._ NYCTITROP'IC. [Gr. _nyx_, night, _tropos_, a turn.]

NYLGHAU, nil'gaw, _n._ a large species of antelope, in North Hindustan, the males of which are of a bluish colour. [Pers. _níl gáw_--_níl_, blue, _gáw_, ox, cow.]

NYMPH, nimf, _n._ a young and beautiful maiden: (_myth._) one of the beautiful goddesses who inhabited mountains, rivers, trees, &c.--_adjs._ NYMPH'AL, relating to nymphs; NYMPH[=E]'AN, pertaining to nymphs: inhabited by nymphs; NYMPH'IC, -AL, pertaining to nymphs; NYMPH'ISH, NYMPH'LY, nymph-like; NYMPH'-LIKE.--_ns._ NYMPH'OLEPSY, a species of ecstasy or frenzy said to have seized those who had seen a nymph; NYMPH'OLEPT, a person in frenzy.--_adj._ NYMPHOLEPT'IC.--_ns._ NYMPHOM[=A]'NIA, morbid and uncontrollable sexual desire in women; NYMPHOM[=A]'NIAC, a woman affected with the foregoing.--_adjs._ NYMPHOM[=A]'NIAC, -AL. [Fr.,--L. _nympha_--Gr. _nymph[=e]_, a bride.]

NYMPH, nimf, NYMPHA, nimf'a, _n._ the pupa or chrysalis of an insect.--_n.pl._ NYMPHÆ (nimf'[=e]), the labia minora.--_adj._ NYMPHIP'AROUS, producing pupæ.--_ns._ NYMPH[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the nymphæ; NYMPHOT'OMY, the excision of the nymphæ.

NYMPHÆA, nim-f[=e]'a, _n._ a genus of water-plants, with beautiful fragrant flowers, including the water-lily, Egyptian lotus, &c. [L. _nympha_, a nymph.]

NYS, nis (_Spens._), none is. [_Ne_, not, and _is_.]

NYSTAGMUS, nis-tag'mus, _n._ a spasmodic, lateral, oscillatory movement of the eyes, found in miners, &c. [Gr., _nystazein_, to nap.]

NYULA, ni-[=u]'la, _n._ an ichneumon.

* * * * *

O the fifteenth letter and fourth vowel of our alphabet, its sound intermediate between _a_ and _u_--with three values in English, the name-sound heard in _note_, the shorter sound heard in _not_, and the neutral vowel heard in _son_: as a numeral, 'nothing,' or 'zero' (formerly O=11, and ([=O])=11,000): (_chem._) the symbol of oxygen: anything round or nearly so (_pl._ O'S, OES, pron. [=o]z).

O, OH, [=o], _interj._ an exclamation of wonder, pain, desire, fear, &c. The form _oh_ is the more usual in prose.--O HONE! OCH HONE! an Irish exclamation of lamentation. [A.S. _eá_.]

O, usually written o', an abbrev. for _of_ and _on_.

OAF, [=o]f, _n._ a foolish or deformed child left by the fairies in place of another: a dolt, an idiot.--_adj._ OAF'ISH, idiotic, doltish. [_Elf._]

OAK, [=o]k, _n._ a tree of about 300 species, the most famous the British oak, valued for its timber in shipbuilding, &c.--_ns._ OAK'-APP'LE, a spongy substance on the leaves of the oak, caused by insects--also OAK'LEAF-GALL; OAK'-BARK, the bark of some species of oak used in tanning.--_adjs._ OAK'-CLEAV'ING (_Shak._), cleaving oaks; OAK'EN, consisting or made of oak.--_ns._ OAK'-GALL, a gall produced on the oak; OAK'-LEATH'ER, a fungus mycelium in the fissures of old oaks; OAK'LING, a young oak; OAK'-P[=A]'PER, paper for wall-hangings veined like oak.--_adj._ OAK'Y, like oak, firm.--OAK-APPLE DAY, the 29th of May, the anniversary of the Restoration in 1660, when country boys used to wear oak-apples in commemoration of Charles II. skulking in the branches of an oak (the ROYAL OAK) from Cromwell's troopers after Worcester.--SPORT ONE'S OAK, in English university slang, to signify that one does not wish visitors by closing the outer door of one's rooms; THE OAKS, one of the three great English races--for mares--the others being the Derby and St Leger. [A.S. _ác_; Ice. _eik_, Ger. _eiche_.]

OAKER, [=o]k'[.e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) ochre.

OAKUM, [=o]k'um, _n._ old ropes untwisted and teased into loose hemp for caulking the seams of ships. [A.S. _ácumba_, _['æ]cemba_--_cemban_, to comb.]

OAR, [=o]r, _n._ a light pole with a flat feather or spoon-shaped end (the _blade_) for propelling a boat: an oar-like appendage for swimming, as the antennæ of an insect or crustacean, &c.: an oarsman.--_v.t._ to impel by rowing.--_v.i._ to row.--_n._ OAR'AGE, oars collectively.--_adj._ OARED, furnished with oars.--_ns._ OAR'LAP, a rabbit with its ears standing out at right-angles to the head; OAR'-LOCK, a rowlock; OARS'MAN, one who rows with an oar; OARS'MANSHIP, skill in rowing.--_adj._ OAR'Y, having the form or use of oars.--BOAT OARS, to bring the oars inboard; FEATHER OARS, to turn the blades parallel to the water when reaching back for another stroke; LIE ON THE OARS, to cease rowing without shipping the oars: to rest, take things easily: to cease from work; PUT IN ONE'S OAR, to give advice when not wanted; SHIP, or UNSHIP, OARS, to place the oars in the rowlocks, or to take them out. [A.S. _ár_.]

OARIUM, [=o]-[=a]'ri-um, _n._ an ovary or ovarium.

OASIS, [=o]-[=a]'sis, _n._ a fertile spot in a sandy desert: any place of rest or pleasure in the midst of toil and gloom:--_pl._ OASES ([=o]-[=a]'s[=e]z). [L.,--Gr. _oasis_, an Egyptian word; cf. Coptic _ouahe_.]

OAST, [=o]st, _n._ a kiln to dry hops or malt.--_n._ OAST'-HOUSE. [A.S. _ást_.]

OAT, [=o]t (oftener in _pl._ OATS, [=o]ts), _n._ a well-known grassy plant, the seeds of which are much used as food: its seeds: a musical pipe of oat-straw: a shepherd's pipe, pastoral song generally.--_n._ OAT'CAKE, a thin broad cake made of oatmeal.--_adj._ OAT'EN, consisting of an oat stem or straw: made of oatmeal.--_ns._ OAT'-GRASS, two species of oat, useful more as fodder than for the seed; OAT'MEAL, meal made of oats.--SOW ONE'S WILD OATS, to indulge in the usual youthful dissipations. [A.S. _áta_, pl. _átan_.]

OATH, [=o]th, _n._ a solemn statement with an appeal to God as witness, and a calling for punishment from Him in case of falsehood or of failure, also the form of words in which such is made--_oath of abjuration_, _allegiance_, &c.: an irreverent use of God's name in conversation or in any way: any merely exclamatory imprecation, &c.:--_pl._ OATHS ([=o]_th_z).--_adj._ OATH'ABLE (_Shak._), capable of having an oath administered to.--_n._ OATH'-BREAK'ING (_Shak._), the violation of an oath, perjury.--UPON ONE'S OATH, sworn to speak the truth. [A.S. _áth_; Ger. _eid_, Ice. _eithr_.]

OB., for _objection_, just as _sol._ for _solution_, on the margins of old books of controversial divinity.--_n._ OB'-AND-SOL'ER, a disputant, polemic.

OBANG, [=o]-bang', _n._ an old Japanese oblong gold coin.

OBBLIGATO, ob-li-gä'to, _adj._ that cannot be done without.--_n._ a musical accompaniment, itself of independent importance, esp. that of a single instrument to a vocal piece.--Also OBLIGA'TO. [It.]

OBCONIC, -AL, ob-kon'ik, -al, _adj._ inversely conical.

OBCORDATE, ob-kor'd[=a]t, _adj._ (_bot._) inversely heart-shaped, as a leaf.

OBDURATE, ob'd[=u]-r[=a]t, _adj._ hardened in heart or in feelings: difficult to influence, esp. in a moral sense: stubborn: harsh.--_n._ OB'D[=U]RACY, state of being obdurate: invincible hardness of heart.--_adv._ OB'D[=U]RATELY.--_ns._ OB'D[=U]RATENESS, OBD[=U]R[=A]'TION.--_adj._ OBD[=U]RED', hardened. [L. _obdur[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ob_, against, _dur[=a]re_, to harden--_durus_, hard.]

OBEAH. See OBI.

OBEDIENCE, [=o]-b[=e]'di-ens, _n._ state of being obedient: willingness to obey commands: dutifulness: the collective body of persons subject to any particular authority: a written instruction from the superior of an order to those under him: any official position under an abbot's jurisdiction.--_adjs._ OB[=E]'DIENT, willing to obey; OB[=E]DIEN'TIAL, submissive: obligatory.--_adv._ OB[=E]'DIENTLY.--CANONICAL OBEDIENCE, the obedience, as regulated by the canons, of an ecclesiastic to another of higher rank; PASSIVE OBEDIENCE, unresisting and unquestioning obedience to authority, like that taught by some Anglican divines as due even to faithless and worthless kings like Charles II. and James II.

OBEISANCE, [=o]-b[=a]'sans, or [=o]-b[=e]'sans, _n._ obedience: a bow or act of reverence: an expression of respect.--_adj._ OB[=E]'ISANT. [Fr.,--_obéir_--L. _obed[=i]re_, to obey.]

OBELION, [=o]-b[=e]'li-on, _n._ a point in the sagittal suture of the skull, between the two parietal foramina. [Gr. _obelos_, a spit.]

OBELISK, ob'e-lisk, _n._ a tall, four-sided, tapering pillar, usually of one stone, finished at the top like a flat pyramid: (_print._) a dagger ( + ).--_adj._ OB'ELISCAL.--_v.t._ OB'ELISE, to mark with an obelisk, to condemn as spurious, indelicate, &c.--_n._ OB'ELUS, a mark ( -- or ÷ ) used in ancient MSS. to mark suspected passages, esp. in the Septuagint to indicate passages not in the Hebrew:--_pl._ OB'ELI. [Through Fr. and L., from Gr. _obeliskos_, dim. of _obelos_, a spit.]

OBERHAUS, [=o]'ber-hows, _n._ the upper house in those German legislative bodies that have two chambers. [Ger. _ober_, upper, _haus_, house.]

OBERLAND, [=o]'ber-lant, _n._ highlands, as the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland.

OBERON, [=o]'ber-on, king of the fairies, husband of Titania.

OBESE, [=o]-b[=e]s', _adj._ fat: fleshy.--_ns._ OBESE'NESS, OBES'ITY, fatness: abnormal fatness. [L. _obesus_--_ob_, up, _ed[)e]re_, _esum_, to eat.]

OBEX, [=o]'beks, _n._ a barrier: a thickening at the calamus scriptorius of the medulla oblongata. [L., _objic[)e]re_, to throw before.]

OBEY, [=o]-b[=a]', _v.t._ to do as told by: to be ruled by: to yield to: to carry out or perform.--_v.i._ to submit to power, &c.: (_B._) to yield obedience (followed by _to_).--_n._ OBEY'ER.--_adv._ OBEY'INGLY, obediently. [Fr. _obéir_--L. _obed[=i]re_--_ob_, near, _aud[=i]re_, to hear.]

OBFUSCATE, ob-fus'k[=a]t, _v.t._ to darken: to confuse.--_n._ OBFUSC[=A]'TION. [L. _obfusc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ob_, inten., _fuscus_, dark.]

OBI, [=o]'bi, _n._ a kind of sorcery practised by _obeah-men_ and _obeah-women_ among the negroes of the West Indies and United States, a survival of African magic: a fetish or charm--also O'BEA, O'BEAH, O'BY.--_n._ O'BIISM. [Prob. Afr.]

OBI, [=o]'bi, _n._ a broad, gaily embroidered sash worn by Japanese women. [Jap.]

OBIT, [=o]'bit, or ob'it, _n._ death: the fact or the date of death: funeral ceremonies: the anniversary of a person's death, or a service at such time.--_adj._ OBIT'UAL, pertaining to obits.--_adv._ OBIT'UARILY.--_n._ OBIT'UARIST, a writer of obituaries.--_adj._ OBIT'UARY, relating to the death of a person or persons.--_n._ a register of deaths (_orig._) in a monastery: an account of a deceased person, or a notice of his death. [Fr.,--L. _obitus_--_ob[=i]re_--_ob_, to, _[=i]re_, to go.]

OBJECT, ob-jekt', _v.t._ to place before the view: to throw in the way of: to offer in opposition: to oppose.--_v.i._ to oppose: to give a reason against.--_n._ OBJECTIFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ OBJECT'IFY, to make objective.--_n._ OBJEC'TION, act of objecting: anything said or done in opposition: argument against.--_adj._ OBJEC'TIONABLE, that may be objected to: requiring to be disapproved of.--_adv._ OBJEC'TIONABLY, in an objectionable manner or degree.--_adj._ OBJECT'IVE, relating to an object: being exterior to the mind: substantive, self-existent: setting forth what is external, actual, practical, apart from the sensations or emotions of the speaker: as opposed to _Subjective_, pertaining to that which is real or exists in nature, in contrast with what is ideal or exists merely in thought: (_gram._) belonging to the case of the object.--_n._ (_gram._) the case of the object: in microscopes, &c., the lens which brings the rays to a focus: the point to which the operations of an army are directed.--_adv._ OBJECT'IVELY.--_ns._ OBJECT'IVENESS; OBJECT'IVISM.--_adj._ OBJECTIVIST'IC.--_ns._ OBJECTIV'ITY, state of being objective; OBJECT'OR. [Fr.,--L. _object[=a]re_, a freq. of _objic[)e]re_, _-jectum_--_ob_, in the way of, _jac[)e]re_, to throw.]

OBJECT, ob'jekt, _n._ anything perceived or set before the mind: that which is sought after, or that toward which an action is directed: end: motive: (_gram._) that toward which the action of a transitive verb is directed.--_ns._ OB'JECT-FIND'ER, a device in microscopes for locating an object in the field before examination by a higher power; OB'JECT-GLASS, the glass at the end of a telescope or microscope next the object; OB'JECTIST, one versed in the objective philosophy.--_adj._ OB'JECTLESS, having no object: purposeless.--_ns._ OB'JECT-LESS'ON, a lesson in which the object to be described, or a representation of it, is shown; OB'JECT-SOUL, a vital principle attributed by the primitive mind to inanimate objects.

OBJURE, ob-j[=oo]r', _v.i._ to swear.--_n._ OBJUR[=A]'TION, act of binding by oath.

OBJURGATION, ob-jur-g[=a]'shun, _n._ act of chiding: a blaming, reproof: reprehension.--_v.t._ OBJUR'GATE, to chide.--_adj._ OBJUR'GATORY, expressing blame or reproof. [Fr.,--L.,--_ob_, against, _jurg[=a]re_, to sue at law--_jus_, law, _ag[)e]re_, to drive.]

OBLANCEOLATE, ob-lan'se-o-l[=a]t, _adj._ (_bot._) shaped like the head of a lance reversed, as a leaf.

OBLATE, ob-l[=a]t', _n._ a secular person devoted to a monastery, but not under its vows, esp. one of the Oblate Fathers or Oblate Sisters: one dedicated to a religious order from childhood, or who takes the cowl in anticipation of death: a loaf of altar-bread before its consecration.--_n._ OBL[=A]'TION, act of offering: anything offered in worship or sacred service, esp. a eucharistic offering: an offering generally.--GREAT OBLATION, the solemn offering or presentation in memorial before God of the consecrated elements, as sacramentally the body and blood of Christ; LESSER OBLATION, the offertory. [L. _oblatus_, offered up.]

OBLATE, ob-l[=a]t', _adj._ flattened at opposite sides or poles: shaped like an orange.--_ns._ OBLATE'NESS, flatness at the poles; OBLATE'-SPHER'OID, a spherical body flattened at the poles. [L. _oblatus_, pa.p. of _offerre_, to offer--_ob_, against, _ferre_, to bring.]

OBLIGATO. See OBBLIGATO.

OBLIGE, [=o]-bl[=i]j', _v.t._ to bind or constrain: to bind by some favour rendered, hence to do a favour to.--_adj._ OB'LIGABLE, that can be held to a promise or an undertaking: true to a promise or a contract.--_n._ OB'LIGANT, one who binds himself to another to pay or to perform something.--_v.t._ OB'LIG[=A]TE, to constrain: to bind by contract or duty:--_pr.p._ ob'lig[=a]ting; _pa.p._ ob'lig[=a]ted.--_n._ OBLIG[=A]'TION, act of obliging: the power which binds to a promise, a duty, &c.: any act which binds one to do something for another: that to which one is bound: state of being indebted for a favour: (_law_) a bond containing a penalty in case of failure.--_adv._ OB'LIGATORILY.--_n._ OB'LIGATORINESS.--_adj._ OB'LIG[=A]TORY, binding: imposing duty.--_ns._ OBLIGEE (ob-li-j[=e]'), the person to whom another is obliged; OBLIGE'MENT, a favour conferred.--_adj._ OBLIG'ING, disposed to confer favours: ready to do a good turn.--_adv._ OBLIG'INGLY.--_ns._ OBLIG'INGNESS; OB'LIGOR (_law_), the person who binds himself to another. [Fr.,--L. _oblig[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ob_, before, _lig[=a]re_, to bind.]

OBLIQUE, ob-l[=e]k', _adj._ slanting: not perpendicular: not parallel: not straightforward: obscure: (_geom._) not a right-angle: (_gram._) denoting any case except the nominative.--_v.i._ to deviate from a direct line or from the perpendicular, to slant: to advance obliquely by facing half right or left and then advancing.--_ns._ OBLIQU[=A]'TION, OBLIQUE'NESS, OBLIQ'UITY, state of being oblique: a slanting direction: error or wrong: irregularity.--_adv._ OBLIQUE'LY.--_adj._ OBLIQ'UID (_Spens._), oblique.--OBLIQUE CONE or CYLINDER, one whose axis is oblique to the plane of its base; OBLIQUE NARRATION or SPEECH (L. _oratio obliqua_), indirect narration, the actual words of the speaker, but, as related by a third person, having the first person in pronoun and verb converted into the third, adverbs of present time into the corresponding adverbs of past time, &c.; OBLIQUE SAILING, the reduction of the position of a ship from the various courses made good, oblique to the meridian or parallel of latitude; OBLIQUITY OF THE ECLIPTIC, the angle between the plane of the earth's orbit and that of the earth's equator. [Fr.,--L. _obliquus_--_ob_, before, _liquis_, slanting.]

OBLITERATE, ob-lit'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to blot out, so as not to be readable: to wear out: to destroy: to reduce to a very low state.--_n._ OBLITER[=A]'TION, act of obliterating: a blotting or wearing out: extinction.--_adj._ OBLIT'ER[=A]TIVE. [L. _obliter[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ob_, over, _litera_, a letter.]

OBLIVION, ob-liv'i-un, _n._ act of forgetting or state of being forgotten: remission of punishment.--_adj._ OBLIV'IOUS, forgetful: prone to forget: causing forgetfulness.--_adv._ OBLIV'IOUSLY.--_ns._ OBLIV'IOUSNESS; OBLIVISC'ENCE. [Fr.,--L. _oblivion-em_--_oblivisci_, to forget.]

OBLONG, ob'long, _adj._ long in one way: longer than broad.--_n._ (_geom._) a rectangle longer than broad: any oblong figure.--_adj._ OB'LONGISH.--_adv._ OB'LONGLY.--_n._ OB'LONGNESS. [Fr.,--L. _ob_, over, _longus_, long.]

OBLOQUY, ob'lo-kwi, _n._ reproachful language: censure: calumny: disgrace. [L. _obloquium_--_ob_, against, _loqui_, to speak.]

OBMUTESCENCE, ob-m[=u]-tes'ens, _n._ loss of speech, dumbness. [L. _obmutesc[)e]re_, to become dumb.]

OBNOXIOUS, ob-nok'shus, _adj._ liable to hurt or punishment: exposed to: guilty: blameworthy: offensive: subject: answerable.--_adv._ OBNOX'IOUSLY.--_n._ OBNOX'IOUSNESS. [L.,--_ob_, before, _noxa_, hurt.]

OBNUBILATION, ob-n[=u]-bi-l[=a]'shun, _n._ the act of making dark or obscure.--_v.t._ OBN[=U]'BIL[=A]TE. [Low L. _obnubilare_, to cloud over--L. _ob_, over, _nubilus_, cloudy.]

OBOE, [=o]'b[=o]-e, _n._ a treble reed musical instrument, usually with fifteen keys, with a rich tone, giving the pitch to the violin in the orchestra: a treble stop on the organ, its bass being the bassoon--also _Hautboy._--_n._ O'B[=O]IST, a player on the oboe.--OBOE D'AMORE, an obsolete alto oboe; OBOE DI CACCIA, an obsolete tenor oboe, or rather tenor bassoon. [Fr. _hautbois_.]

OBOL, ob'ol, _n._ in ancient Greece, a small coin, worth rather more than three-halfpence: also a weight, the sixth part of a drachma--also OB'OLUS:--_pl._ OB'OLI ([=i]).--_adj_. OB'OLARY, consisting of obols: extremely poor. [Gr. _obelos_, a spit.]

OBOVATE, ob-[=o]'v[=a]t, _adj_. _(bot.)_ egg-shaped, as a leaf, with the narrow end next the leaf-stalk.--_adv._ OB[=O]'V[=A]TELY.--_adj_. OB[=O]'VOID, solidly obovate.

OBREPTION, ob-rep'shun, _n._ obtaining of gifts of escheat by falsehood--opp. to _Subreption_ (q.v.).--_adj._ OBREPTIT'IOUS.

OBSCENE, ob-s[=e]n', _adj_. offensive to chastity: unchaste: indecent: disgusting: ill-omened.--_adv_. OBSCENE'LY.--_ns._ OBSCENE'NESS, OBSCEN'ITY, quality of being obscene: lewdness. [L. _obscenus_.]

OBSCURE, ob-sk[=u]r', _adj_. dark: not distinct: not easily understood: not clear, legible, or perspicuous: unknown: humble: unknown to fame: living in darkness.--_v.t._ to darken: to make less plain: to render doubtful.--_ns._ OBSC[=U]'RANT, one who labours to prevent enlightenment or reform; OBSC[=U]'RANTISM, opposition to inquiry or reform; OBSC[=U]'RANTIST, an obscurant.--_adj_. pertaining to obscurantism.--_n._ OBSC[=U]R[=A]'TION, the act of obscuring or state of being obscured.--_adv_. OBSC[=U]RE'LY.--_ns._ OBSC[=U]RE'MENT; OBSC[=U]RE'NESS; OBSC[=U]'RER; OBSC[=U]'RITY, state or quality of being obscure: darkness: an obscure place or condition: unintelligibleness: humility. [Fr.,--L. _obscurus_.]

OBSECRATE, ob'se-kr[=a]t, _v._ to beseech: to implore.--_n._ OBSECR[=A]'TION, supplication: one of the clauses in the Litany beginning with _by._--_adj_. OB'SECR[=A]TORY, supplicatory. [L. _obsecr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to entreat; _ob_, before, _sacr[=a]re_--_sacer_, sacred.]

OBSEQUIES, ob'se-kwiz, _n.pl._ funeral rites and solemnities:--_sing._ OB'SEQUY (_Milt._)--rarely used.--_adj_. OBS[=E]'QUIAL. [Fr. _obsèques_--L. _obsequiæ_--_ob_, before, upon, sequi, to comply.]

OBSEQUIOUS, ob-s[=e]'kwi-us, _adj_. compliant to excess: meanly condescending.--_adv_. OBS[=E]'QUIOUSLY.--_n._ OBS[=E]'QUIOUSNESS. [Fr.,--L. _obsequiosus_, compliant, _obsequium_, compliance.]