Search the Dictionary

A peculiar East Indian mammal (Galleopithecus volans), having along the sides, connecting the fore and hind limbs, a parachutelike membrane, by means of which it is able to make long leaps, like the flying squirrel; -- called also flying lemur.

See Calumba.

An order of birds, including the pigeons.

A dovecote or pigeon house.

A dovecote; a pigeon house. Sir T. Browne.

A salt of columbic acid; a niobate. See Columbium.

See Buffalo fly, under Buffalo.

A genus of univale shells, abundant in tropical seas. Some species, as Columbella mercatoria, were formerly used as shell money.

America; the United States; -- a poetical appellation given in honor of Columbus, the discoverer. Dr. T. Dwight.

A form of seacoast cannon; a long, chambered gun designed for throwing shot or shells with heavy charges of powder, at high angles of elevation.

Of or pertaining to the United States, or to America.

Pertaining to, or containing, columbium or niobium; niobic. Columbic acid (Chem.), a weak acid derived from columbic or niobic oxide, Nb2O5; -- called also niobic acid.

See Colombier.

Producing or containing columbium.

A white, crystalline, bitter substance. See Calumbin.

Of or pertaining to a dove; dovelike; dove-colored. "Columbine innocency." Bacon.

A mineral of a black color, submetallic luster, and high specific specific gravity. It is a niobate (or columbate) of iron and manganese, containing tantalate of iron; -- first found in New England.

A rare element of the vanadium group, first found in a variety of the mineral columbite occurring in Connecticut, probably at Haddam. Atomic weight 94.2. Symbol Cb or Nb. Now more commonly called niobium.

See Calumba.

The 12th day of October, on which day in 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered America, landing on one of the Bahama Islands (probably the one now commonly called Watling Island), and naming it "San Salvador"; -- called also Discovery Day. This day is made a legal holiday in many States of The United States.…