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A genus of very large fossil amphibians, of the Triassic period, having bony plates on the under side of the body. It is the type of the order Labyrinthodonta. Called also Mastodonsaurus.

oral character of its inhabitants, implied by the rigid laws (see Blue laws) of the early period.

Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.

antity being constant for each particular body and for each species of change. -- Latent period. (a) (Med.) The regular time in which a disease is supposed to be existing without manifesting itself. (b) (Physiol.) One of the phases in a simple muscular contraction, in which invisible preparatory changes are taking pla…

Lately; of late; recently; at a later, as distinguished from a former, period. Latterly Milton was short and thick. Richardson.

Pertaining to, or near, the St. Lawrence River; as, the Laurentian hills. Laurentian period (Geol.), the lower of the two divisions of the Archæan age; -- called also the Laurentian.

ing some act; -- distinguished from international and constitutional law. See Law, 1. -- Periodic law. (Chem.) See under Periodic. -- Roman law, the system of principles and laws found in the codes and treatises of the lawmakers and jurists of ancient Rome, and incorporated more or less into the laws of the several E…

The act or period of laying eggs; the eggs laid for one incubation; a clutch.

a row of dots, periods, or hyphens, used in tables of contents, etc., to lead the eye across a space to the right word or number.

A body of foot soldiers and cavalry consisting of different numbers at different periods, -- from about four thousand to about six thousand men, -- the cavalry being about one tenth.

ation; as, let the name be inserted at length. (b) At the end or conclusion; after a long period. See Syn. of At last, under Last. -- At arm's length. See under Arm.

long; prolix; not brief; -- said chiefly of discourses, writings, and the like. "Lengthy periods." Washington. "Some lengthy additions." Byron. "These would be details too lengthy." Jefferson. "To cut short lengthy explanations." Trench.

The lowest of the three divisions of the Jurassic period; a name given in England and Europe to a series of marine limestones underlying the Oölite. See the Chart of Geology.

ke that of a balance before coming to rest. Libration of the moon, any one of those small periodical changes in the position of the moon's surface relatively to the earth, in consequence of which narrow portions at opposite limbs become visible or invisible alternately. It receives different names according to the mann…

Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also, the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of as resembling a natural organism in structure or functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book; authority is the life of government.

A cooling periodical wind in the Isle of Cyprus, blowing from the northwest from eight o'clock, A. M., to the middle of the day or later.

That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent. The dateless limit of thy dear exile. Shak. The limit of your lives is out. Shak.

A certain period limited by statute after which the claimant shall not enforce his claims by suit.

animals the genus Limulus, with various allied fossil genera, mostly of the Carboniferous period. Called also Xiphosura.

rsons admitted to any entertainment, as a theater or opera, without payment, or to whom a periodical, or the like, is furnished without cost.