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A mouth or aperture, as of a tube, pipe, etc.; an opening; as, the orifice of an artery or vein; the orifice of a wound. Shak. Etna was bored through the top with a monstrous orifice. Addison.

A mouth; an opening; an entrance.

The exterior opening of a stomate. See Stomate.

An opening; a passage.

A dungeon with an opening only at the top, found in some old castles and other strongholds, into which persons condemned to perpetual imprisonment, or to perish secretly, were thrust, or lured to fall. Sudden in the sun An oubliette winks. Where is he Gone. Mrs. Browning.

The place or opening by which anything is let out; a passage out; an exit; a vent. Receiving all, and having no outlet. Fuller.

An opening or aperture; a recess; a recess; a chamber. [Obs.] Spenser. "The cave's inmost overture." Chapman.

One of the openings in a slashed garment, showing the bright colored silk, or the like, within; hence, the piece of colored or other stuff so shown.

Having panes; provided with panes; also, having openings; as, a paned window; paned window sash. "Paned hose." Massinger.

A framework of heavy timber surrounding an opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a mast, pump, capstan, or the like. Dormant, or Silent, partner. See under Dormant, a.

An opening, road, or track, available for passing; especially, one through or over some dangerous or otherwise impracticable barrier; a passageway; a defile; a ford; as, a mountain pass. "Try not the pass!" the old man said. Longfellow.

A key for opening more locks than one; a master key.

The act of opening, disclosing, or manifesting; open declaration. Jer. Taylor.

That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista. "The perspective of life." Goldsmith.

ntary canal between the cavity of the mouth and the esophagus. It has one or two external openings through the nose in the higher vertebrates, and lateral branchial openings in fishes and some amphibias.

To let blood from by opening a vein; to bleed. [R.] Howell.

The act or practice of opening a vein for letting blood, in the treatment of disease; venesection; bloodletting.

An order of teleost in which the air bladder has no opening.

r supporting one side of an arch or lintel, as of a bridge; the piece of wall between two openings.

The opening or slit left in a petticoat or skirt for convenience in putting it on; -- called also placket hole.