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e manner in which a thing is formed; structure; construction; conformation; form; as, the peculiar formation of the heart.

gray variety, called the cat squirrel, is more common. -- Fox terrier (Zoöl.), one of a peculiar breed of terriers, used in hunting to drive foxes from their holes, and for other purposes. There are rough- and smooth-haired varieties. -- Fox trot, a pace like that which is adopted for a few steps, by a horse, when p…

. A kind of open stove introduced by Benjamin Franklin, the peculiar feature of which was that a current of heated air was directly supplied to the room from an air box; -- now applied to other varieties of open stoves.

One who speculates or forms opinions independently of the authority of others; esp., in the sphere or religion, one who forms opinions independently of the authority of revelation or of the church; an unbeliever; -- a term assumed by deists and skeptics in the eighteenth century. Atheist is an old-fashioned word: I'm a…

Undue boldness of speculation; unbelief. Berkeley. -- a.

A French mode or characteristic; an idiom peculiar to the French language. Earle.

bearing the fructification; as, the frond of a fern or of a lichen or seaweed; also, the peculiar leaf of a palm tree.

, Foo"lahs` (, n. pl.; sing. Fulah, Foolan (. (Ethnol.) A peculiar African race of uncertain origin, but distinct from the negro tribes, inhabiting an extensive region of Western Soudan. Their color is brown or yellowish bronze. They are Mohammedans. Called also Fellatahs, Foulahs, and Fellani. Fulah is also used adjec…

Thundering; exploding in a peculiarly sudden or violent manner.

The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession. Tradesmen . . . going about their functions. Shak. The malady which made him incapable of performing his regal functions. Macaulay.

A future tense. To deal in futures, to speculate on the future values of merchandise or stocks. [Brokers' cant]

Profitable; advantageous; lucrative. "A gainful speculation." Macaulay. -- Gain"ful*ly, adv. -- Gain"ful*ness, n.

A mode of speech peculiar to the French; a French idiom; also, in general, a French mode or custom.

A peculiar bony tissue beneath the enamel of a ganoid scale.

-- Gastric juice (Physiol.), a thin, watery fluid, with an acid reaction, secreted by a peculiar set of glands contained in the mucous membrane of the stomach. It consists mainly of dilute hydrochloric acid and the ferment pepsin. It is the most important digestive fluid in the body, but acts only on proteid foods.…

A worsted yarn or cord of peculiar smoothness, used in the manufacture of braid, fringe, etc. Simmonds.

The peculiar structure of mind with whoch each individual is endowed by nature; that disposition or aptitude of mind which is peculiar to each man, and which qualifies him for certain kinds of action or special success in any pursuit; special taste, inclination, or disposition; as, a genius for history, for poetry, or…

Peculiar to a people; national. Sir T. Browne.

A liquid terpene, obtained from the crane's-bill (Geranium maculatum), and having a peculiar mulberry odor. [Written also geranium.]

arge European moth (Hepialus humuli); so called from the white color of the male, and the peculiar hovering flight; -- called also great swift. -- Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit; the Paraclete; the Comforter; (Theol.) the third person in the Trinity. -- To give up or yield up the ghost, to die; to expire. And he gave up…