Search the Dictionary

Athens, 621 b. c. Draconian code, or Draconian laws, a code of laws made by Draco. Their measures were so severe that they were said to be written in letters of blood; hence, any laws of excessive rigor.

To compel submission by violent measures; to harass; to persecute. The colonies may be influenced to anything, but they can be dragooned to nothing. Price. Lewis the Fourteenth is justly censured for trying to dragoon his subjects to heaven. Macaulay.

Locomotive. -- Driving note (Mus.), a syncopated note; a tone begun on a weak part of a measure and held through the next accented part, thus anticipating the accent and driving it through. -- Driving spring, a spring fixed upon the box of the driving axle of a locomotive engine to support the weight and deaden shoc…

in one small spherical mass; a liquid globule; a minim; hence, also, the smallest easily measured portion of a fluid; a small quantity; as, a drop of water. With minute drops from off the eaves. Milton. As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart. Shak. That drop of peace divine. Keble.…

ne science desires to see its objects. J. C. Shairp. -- Dry masonry. See Masonry. -- Dry measure, a system of measures of volume for dry or coarse articles, by the bushel, peck, etc. -- Dry pile (Physics), a form of the Voltaic pile, constructed without the use of a liquid, affording a feeble current, and chiefly use…

The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).

A unit of measure for dynamical effect or work; a foot pound. See Foot pound. Whewell.

or measuring accurately the diameter of the image of the object glass there formed; which measurement, compared with the actual diameter of the glass, gives the magnifying power.

Relating to a dynamometer, or to the measurement of force doing work; as, dynamometrical instruments.

The distance measured toward the east between two meridians drawn through the extremities of a course; distance of departure eastward made by a vessel.

A circle not having the same center as another contained in some measure within the first.

Delightful beyond measure; rapturous; ravishing; as, ecstatic bliss or joy.

The art or process of making electrical measurements.

A measure for cloth; -- now rarely used. It is of different lengths in different countries; the English ell being 45 inches, the Dutch or Flemish ell 27, the Scotch about 37.

a line formerly occupied by the letter m, then a square type, used as a unit by which to measure the amount of printed matter on a page; the square of the body of a type.

Pertaining to, or designed for, the measurement of endosmotic action.

; operating with force, vigor, and effect; forcible; powerful; efficacious; as, energetic measures; energetic laws.

The state or quality of exceeding a measure or rule, or of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous. The enormity of his learned acquisitions. De Quincey.

Exceeding the usual rule, norm, or measure; out of due proportion; inordinate; abnormal. "Enormous bliss." Milton. "This enormous state." Shak. "The hoop's enormous size." Jenyns. Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait. Milton.

To transport with pleasure; to delight beyond measure; to enravish. Shenstone.