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The science of the refraction of light; that part of geometrical optics which treats of the laws of the refraction of light in passing from one medium into another, or through different mediums, as air, water, or glass, and esp. through different lenses; -- distinguished from catoptrics, which refers to reflected light…

Two metrical feet taken together, or included in one measure. Hadley. Trochaic, iambic, and anapestic verses . . . are measured by dipodies. W. W. Goodwin.

s, and insulated by a glass handle. It is employed for discharging a Leyden jar or an electrical battery. See Discharger.

charges. Specifically, in electricity, an instrument for discharging a Leyden jar, or electrical battery, by making a connection between the two surfaces; a discharging rod.

To free from embarrassment, or perplexity; to clear; to extricate. To disembarrass himself of his companion. Sir W. Scott.

To disentangle; to free from perplexity; to extricate from confusion. Vaillant has disembroiled a history that was lost to the world before his time. Addison.

release from that with which anything is engaged, engrossed, involved, or entangled; to extricate; to detach; to set free; to liberate; to clear; as, to disengage one from a party, from broils and controversies, from an oath, promise, or occupation; to disengage the affections a favorite pursuit, the mind from study. T…

To free from entanglement; to release from a condition of being intricately and confusedly involved or interlaced; to reduce to orderly arrangement; to straighten out; as, to disentangle a skein of yarn.

Not proportioned; unsymmetrical; unsuitable to something else in bulk, form, value, or extent; out of proportion; inadequate; as, in a perfect body none of the limbs are disproportionate; it is wisdom not to undertake a work disproportionate means. -- Dis`pro*por"tion*ate*ly, adv. -- Dis`pro*por"tion*ate*ness, n.…

caused by disruption; breaking through; bursting; as, the disruptive discharge of an electrical battery. Nichol.

Of or pertaining to the drama; appropriate to, or having the qualities of, a drama; theatrical; vivid. The emperor . . . performed his part with much dramatic effect. Motley.

In a dramatic manner; theatrically; vividly.

nct constituents, themselves simple or complex, and possessed of opposite chemical or electrical affinities.

Duplicate proportion or ratio (Math.), the proportion or ratio of squares. Thus, in geometrical proportion, the first term to the third is said to be in a duplicate ratio of the first to the second, or as its square is to the square of the second. Thus, in 2, 4, 8, 16, the ratio of 2 to 8 is a duplicate of that of 2 t…

Pertaining to the development of electricity, especially electrical currents, by power; producing electricity or electrical currents by mechanical power.

and species. The common eels of Europe and America belong to the genus Anguilla. The electrical eel is a species of Gymnotus. The so called vinegar eel is a minute nematode worm. See Conger eel, Electric eel, and Gymnotus.

Atmospheric electricity, any condition of electrical disturbance in the atmosphere or clouds, due to some or all of the above mentioned causes. (e) Magnetic electricity, electricity developed by the action of magnets. (f) Positive electricity, the electricity that appears at the positive pole or anode of a battery, or…

The recognition by an animal body of the electrical condition of external objects.

That branch of biology which treats of the electrical phenomena of living organisms.

The occurrence or production of certain capillary effects by the action of an electrical current or charge.