Search the Dictionary

mirrors so placed that rays from the focus of one are received at the focus of the other, especially two concave mirrors so placed that rays proceeding from the principal focus of one and reflected in a parallel beam are received upon the other and brought to the principal focus. -- Conjugate point (Geom.), an acnode.…

A peculiar toothlike fossil of many forms, found especially in carboniferous rocks. Such fossils are supposed by some to be the teeth of marsipobranch fishes, but they are probably the jaws of annelids.

Anything which is conserved; especially, a sweetmeat prepared with sugar; a confection. I shall . . . study broths, plasters, and conserves, till from a fine lady I become a notable woman. Tatler.

Attentive respect; appreciative regard; -- used especially in diplomatic or stately correspondence. The undersigned has the honor to repeat to Mr. Hulseman the assurance of his high consideration. D. Webster. The consideration with which he was treated. Whewell.

One who shares the lot of another; a companion; a partner; especially, a wife or husband. Milton. He single chose to live, and shunned to wed, Well pleased to want a consort of his bed. Dryden. The consort of the queen has passed from this troubled sphere. Thakeray. The snow-white gander, invariably accompanied by his…

Fixedness or firmness of mind; persevering resolution; especially, firmness of mind under sufferings, steadiness in attashments, or perseverance in enterprise; stability; fidelity. A fellow of plain unoined constancy. Shak. Constancy and contempt of danger. Prescott.

One for whom another acts; especially, one who is represented by another in a legislative assembly; -- correlative to representative. The electors in the district of a representative in Congress, or in the legislature of a State, are termed his constituents. Abbot. To appeal from the representatives to the constituents…

An authoritative ordinance, regulation or enactment; especially, one made by a Roman emperor, or one affecting ecclesiastical doctrine or disipline; as, the constitutions of Justinian. The positive constutions of our own churches. Hooker. A constitution of Valentinian addressed to Olybrius, then prefect of Rome, for th…

Of or pertaining to the main land of Europe, in distinction from the adjacent islands, especially England; as, a continental tour; a continental coalition. Macaulay. No former king had involved himself so frequently in the labyrinth of continental alliances. Hallam.

y embraces, a creed, religious system, or party, in which he has not previously believed; especially, one who turns from the controlling power of sin to that of holiness, or from unbelief to Christianity. The Jesuits did not persuade the converts to lay aside the use of images. Bp. Stillingfleet.

The state of being convinced or convicted; strong persuasion or belief; especially, the state of being convicted of sin, or by one's conscience. To call good evil, and evil good, against the conviction of their own consciences. Swift. And did you presently fall under the power of this conviction Bunyan.…

An inclosure for keeping small animals; a pen; especially, a grated box for confining poultry.

To enter into or maintain a hostile contest; to struggle; to combat; especially, to strive or contend on equal terms or with success; to match; to equal; -- usually followed by with. Host coped with host, dire was the din of war. Philips. Their generals have not been able to cope with the troops of Athens. Addison.…

A vessel, especially a large boiler, made of copper.

The heart or inner part of a thing, as of a column, wall, rope, of a boil, etc.; especially, the central part of fruit, containing the kernels or seeds; as, the core of an apple or quince. A fever at the core, Fatal to him who bears, to all who ever bore. Byron.

ndian corn mixed through its batter. [U. S.] -- Corn laws, laws regulating trade in corn, especially those in force in Great Britain till 1846, prohibiting the importation of foreign grain for home consumption, except when the price rose above a certain rate. -- Corn marigold. (Bot.) See under Marigold. -- Corn oyste…

e, the stone which lies at the corner of two walls, and unites them; the principal stone; especially, the stone which forms the corner of the foundation of an edifice; hence, that which is fundamental importance or indispensable. "A prince who regarded uniformity of faith as the corner stone of his government." Prescot…

To have intercourse or communion; especially, to hold intercourse or to communicate by sending and receiving letters; -- followed by with. After having been long in indirect communication with the exiled family, he [Atterbury] began to correspond directly with the Pretender. Macualay.

Friendly intercourse; reciprocal exchange of civilities; especially, intercourse between persons by means of letters. Holding also good correspondence with the other great men in the state. Bacon. To facilitate correspondence between one part of London and another, was not originally one of the objects of the post offi…

ything which gives strength or support; a tonic. The brain, with its proper corroborants, especially with sweet odors and with music. Southey.