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A basic amido derivative of phloroglucin, having an astringent taste.

ing bodies; especially, an apparatus invented by König for testing the quality of musical strings.

stone, resembling a pumice, -- used by the ancients in dyeing, and said to be drying and astringent.

A peg in musical instruments, for increasing or relaxing the tension of the strings.

horizontal timber supporting the floor of a platform of a stairway, and against which the stringpieces of the sloping parts are supported.

A direction to violinists to pluck the string with the finger, instead of using the bow. (Abrev. pizz.)

small instrument of ivory, wood, metal, or quill, used in playing upon the lyre and other stringed instruments.

A string of oakum used in calking.

To pluck and release quickly (a musical string); to twang.

A a string or lace used to tie together certain parts of the dress. Sir W. Scott.

Having many strings.

A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It contains a large percentage of alcohol.

A stringed instrument of music used by the Hebrews, the form of which is not known. Praise the Lord with harp; sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Ps. xxxiii. 2.

The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings of certain instruments.

An instrument formerly used which somewhat resembled the violin, having three strings, and being played with a bow. [Written also rebeck.] Milton. He turn'd his rebec to a mournful note. Drayton.

To make less severe or rogorous; to abate the stringency of; to remit in respect to strenuousness, esrnestness, or effort; as, to relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavors. The stature of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the legilature. Swift.

disinclined; loth. Reluctant, but in vain. Milton. Reluctant now I touched the trembling string. Tickell.

Repellent. [Obs.] "Blood is stanched by astringent and repecussive medicines." Bacon.

eturn to a force; to act in response; to accord; to correspond; to suit. A new affliction strings a new cord in the heart, which responds to some new note of complaint within the wide scale of human woe. Buckminster. To every theme responds thy various lay. Broome.

Suited to something else; correspondent. The vocal lay responsive to the strings. Pope.