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A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it.

opularly, an amateur; especially, one who follows an art or a branch of knowledge, desultorily, or for amusement only.

To enter slightly or cursorily; to engage one's self desultorily or by the way; to partake limitedly; -- followed by in or into. "Dipped into a multitude of books." Macaulay.

n or displeasure produced by something loathsome; loathing; strong distaste; -- said primarily of the sickening opposition felt for anything which offends the physical organs of taste; now rather of the analogous repugnance excited by anything extremely unpleasant to the moral taste or higher sensibilities of our natur…

Not yielding. Medicines used unnecessarily contribute to shorten life, by sooner rendering peculiar parts of the system disobedient to stimuli. E. Darwin.

The act or contract by which a person voluntarily transfers the title to a thing of which be is the owner, from himself to another, without any consideration, as a free gift. Bouvier. Donation party, a party assembled at the house of some one, as of a clergyman, each one bringing some present. [U.S.] Bartlett.…

troglycerin to make a damp powder (dynamite, etc.) less dangerous to transport, and ordinarily explosive only by suitable fulminating caps.

eater, generally the first above the floor, in which originally dress clothes were customarily worn.

A contrivance for temporarily lowering a gas jet.

effenbachia seguina), which, when chewed, causes the tongue to swell, and destroys temporarily the power of speech. -- Dumb crambo. See under crambo. -- Dumb show. (a) Formerly, a part of a dramatic representation, shown in pantomime. "Inexplicable dumb shows and noise." Shak. (b) Signs and gestures without words; as…

al of final causes, a proof of the real existence of such a thing as instinct must necessarily be fatal. Word (Dynamic Sociology).

on the theory that a few seconds before the occurrence of an earthquake the magnet temporarily loses its power.

ft iron, but sometimes of some other magnetic metal, as nickel or cobalt, rendered temporarily magnetic by being placed within a coil of wire through which a current of electricity is passing. The metal is generally in the form of a bar, either straight, or bent into the shape of a horseshoe.

An action, mode of action, or thing, which cannot be satisfactorily explained; a puzzle; as, his conduct is an enigma.

One who regards the Church primarily as an establishment formed by the State, and overlooks its intrinsic spiritual character. Shipley.

To unfold or unroll; to open and expand; to disentangle and exhibit clearly and satisfactorily; to develop; to derive; to educe. The animal soul sooner evolves itself to its full orb and extent than the human soul. Sir. M. Hale. The principles which art involves, science alone evolves. Whewell. Not by any power evolved…

To demand or require authoritatively or peremptorily, as a right; to enforce the payment of, or a yielding of; to compel to yield or to furnish; hence, to wrest, as a fee or reward when none is due; -- followed by from or of before the one subjected to exaction; as, to exact tribute, fees, obedience, etc., from or of s…

separation from the perceiving mind. Pressure or resistance necessarily supposes externality in the thing which presses or resists. A. Smith.

d what is due, usual, expected, or necessary; additional; supernumerary; also, extraordinarily good; superior; as, extra work; extra pay. "By working extra hours." H. Spencer.

A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair. After the fair, Too late. [Colloq.]