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A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Cf. Prove, v. t., 5.

In a racy manner.

The quality of being racy; peculiar and piquant flavor. The general characteristics of his [Cobbett's] style were perspicuity, unequaled and inimitable; . . . a purity always simple, and raciness often elegant. London Times.

To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence. Chaucer refined on Boccace, and mended his stories. Dryden. But let a lord once own the happy lines, How the wit brightens! How the style refines! Pope.

the people, and is exercised by representatives elected by them; a commonwealth. Cf. Democracy, 2.

ooved with spiral channels, thus giving the ball a rotary motion and insuring greater accuracy of fire. As a military firearm it has superseded the musket.

A form of croquet modified for greater accuracy of play. The court has a wood border often faced with rubber, used as a cushion in bank shots. The balls are 3¼ in. in diameter, the cage (center arches or wickets) 3 3/8 in. wide, the other arches 3½ in. wide.

To practice robbery on the seas;to wander about on the seas in piracy. [Obs.] Hakluyt.

ublican party, who rejected breeches as an emblem peculiar to the upper classes or aristocracy, and adopted pantaloons.

An instrument for determining with accuracy the degree of hardness of a mineral.

ting such a civil body; also, the state of being so governed; democratic government; democracy. It is to self-government, the great principle of popular representation and administration, -- the system that lets in all to participate in the councels that are to assign the good or evil to all, -- that we may owe what we…

ts song. In confinement it imitates the notes of other birds and various animals with accuracy. Its head, neck, back, breast, and tail are glossy black, the rump white, the under parts chestnut.

To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange. When shapen was all this conspiracy, From point to point. Chaucer. Shaping machine. (Mach.) Same as Shaper. -- To shape one's self, to prepare; to make ready. [Obs.] I will early shape me therefor. Chaucer.

; shoddy blankets; hence, colloquially, not genuine; sham; pretentious; as, shoddy aristocracy. Shoddy inventions designed to bolster up a factitious pride. Compton Reade.

ency of the present socialism is more and more to ally itself with the most advanced democracy. Encyc. Brit. We certainly want a true history of socialism, meaning by that a history of every systematic attempt to provide a new social existence for the mass of the workers. F. Harrison.

Fig.: Piquant; racy; as, a spicy debate.

A butt or mark to shoot at, as for practice, or to test the accuracy of a firearm, or the force of a projectile.

Government by God; divine sovereignty; theocracy.

mixture of the worship of different gods, as of Jehovah and idols. This syncretistic theocracy by no means excludes in him [Solomon] the proper service of idols. J. Murphy.

Of or pertaining to a theocracy; administred by the immediate direction of God; as, the theocratical state of the Israelites.