Search the Dictionary

The change which the humorists believed morbific matter undergoes before elimination. [Obs.] Dunglison.

The hearing a matter judicially.

Capable of being known. "Matters intelligible and cognoscible." Sir M. Hale.

To repeat the distillation of, pouring the liquor back upon the matter remaining in the vessel. Arbuthnot.

Mineral coal charred, or depriver of its bitumen, sulphur, or other volatile matter by roasting in a kiln or oven, or by distillation, as in gas works. It is lagerly used where [Written also coak.] Gas coke, the coke formed in gas retorts, as distinguished from that made in ovens.

The process of straining; the matter strained; a strainer. [R.]

Related to, but not strictly a part of, the main thing or matter under consideration; hence, subordinate; not chief or principal; as, collateral interest; collateral issues. That he [Attebury] was altogether in the wrong on the main question, and on all the collateral questions springing out of it, . . . is true. Macau…

vil intentions; to plot mischief. [Archaic or Colloq.] Pray go in; and, sister, salve the matter, Collogue with her again, and all shall be well. Greene. He had been colloguing with my wife. Thackeray.

An earth of a deep brown color, containing more vegetable than mineral matter; an earthy variety of lignite, or brown coal.

A perpendicular set of lines, not extending across the page, and separated from other matter by a rule or blank space; as, a column in a newspaper.

and burning; apt to catch fire; inflammable. Sin is to the soul like fire to combustible matter. South.

ne who has arrived, and is present. All comers, all who come, or offer, to take part in a matter, especially in a contest or controversy. "To prove it against all comers." Bp. Stillingfleet.

Matter; affair.

he interstate commerce commission. A commission was at once appointed to examine into the matter. Prescott.

ested by local laws with various powers in reference to the roads, courthouses, financial matters, etc., of the county. [U. S.]

One or more persons elected or appointed, to whom any matter or bussiness is referred, either by a legislative body, or by a court, or by any collective body of men acting together. Commitee of the whole [house], a committee, embracing all the members present, into which a legislative or deliberative body sometimes res…

To comprehend; to include. Comprise much matter in few words. Hocker. Friendship does two souls in one comprise. Roscommon.

A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators. [Obs.] Burrill.

o Wager of law, under Wager. All they who know me . . . will say they have reason in this matter to be my compurgators. Chillingworth.

often, alas! did her eyes say unto me that they loved! and yet I, not looking for such a matter, had not my conceit open to understand them. Sir P. Sidney.