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The seed-bearing organ of a flower. It consists of an ovary, containing the ovules or rudimentary seeds, and a stigma, which is commonly raised on an elongated portion called a style. When composed of one carpel a pistil is simple; when composed of several, it is compound. See Illust. of Flower, and Ovary.…

nearly flat, piece of metal, the thickness of which is small in comparison with the other dimensions; a thick sheet of metal; as, a steel plate.

To cleanse, as open drains which are entered by the tide, by stirring up the sediment when the tide ebbs.

ummet, as the depth of water; hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth, quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test. He did not attempt to plumb his intellect. Ld. Lytton.

The lesser gate, where there are two of different dimensions.

nocturnal mammal (Perodictius potto) of the Lemur family, found in West Africa. It has rudimentary forefingers. Called also aposoro, and bush dog.

An extra first toe, or rudiment of a toe, on the preaxial side of the hallux.

An extra first digit, or rudiment of a digit, on the preaxial side of the pollex.

A vertebral rudiment in front of the atlas in some reptiles.

Situated in front of the notochord; -- applied especially to parts of the cartilaginous rudiments in the base of the skull.

A rudimentary branchia, or gill. -- Pseu`do*bran"chi*al, a.

One of the rudimentary front wings of certain insects (Stylops). They resemble the halteres, or rudimentary hind wings, of Diptera.

To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.

Any species of serpentiform lizards of the family Pygopodidæ, which have rudimentary hind legs near the anal cleft, but lack fore legs.

the question "How much"; measure in regard to bulk or amount; determinate or comparative dimensions; measure; amount; bulk; extent; size. Hence, in specific uses:

To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine. It is in common practice to draw wine or beer from the lees (which we call racking), whereby it will clarify much the sooner. Bacon. Rack vintage, wine cleansed and drawn from the lees. Cowell.

The rudimentary stem of a plant which supports the cotyledons in the seed, and from which the root is developed downward; the stem of the embryo; the caulicle.

An order of birds in which the wings are small, rudimentary, or absent, and the breastbone is destitute of a keel. The ostrich, emu, and apteryx are examples.

To extend in dimension, time, amount, action, influence, etc., so as to touch, attain to, or be equal to, something. And behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. Gen. xxviii. 12. The new world reaches quite across the torrid zone. Boyle.

l for the instruction of the private soldiers of a regiment, and their children, in the rudimentary branches of education.