Search the Dictionary

Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of, colic. Swift.

tance (as albumin, gum, gelatin, etc.) which is of a gelatinous rather than a crystalline nature, and which diffuses itself through animal membranes or vegetable parchment more slowly than crystalloids do; -- opposed to crystalloid.

Pertaining to, or of the nature of, colloids.

A struggling to resist; a striving against; resistance; opposition of nature. [Obs.]

Positive enjoyment, of a quiet, permanent nature, together with the sources thereof; as, the comfort of love; surrounded with comforts; but it is with the former only that the word consolation is brought into comparison. As thus compared, consolation points to some specific source of relief for the afflicted mind; as,…

To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to reeceive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price. 'Tis not in mortals to command success. Addison.

That which is the ground of approbation or praise. Good nature is the most godlike commendation of a man. Dryden.

Relating to commission; of the nature of, or involving, commission. [R.]

Common character; likeness. [R.] The essential community of nature between organic growth and inorganic growth. H. Spencer.

Society, in general; people assembled for social intercourse. Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company. Swift.

n. -- Comparison of hands (Law), a mode of proving or disproving the genuineness of a signature or writing by comparing it with another proved or admitted to be genuine, in order to ascertain whether both were written by the same person. Bouvier. Burrill.

ant; -- usually followed by with. Our poets have joined together such qualities as are by nature the most compatible. Broome.

The manifestation of contentment or satisfaction; good nature; kindness; civility; affability. Complacency, and truth, and manly sweetness, Dwell ever on his tongue, and smooth his thoughts. Addison. With mean complacence ne'er betray your trust. Pope.

The bodily constitution; the temperament; habitude, or natural disposition; character; nature. [Obs.] If his complexion incline him to melancholy. Milton. It is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. Shak.

Expressive of regard or praise; of the nature of, or containing, a compliment; as, a complimentary remark; a complimentary ticket. "Complimentary addresses." Prescott.

Of the nature of compunction; caused by conscience; attended with, or causing, compunction. That no compunctious vistings of nature Shake my fell purpose. Shak.

f conceits . . . which are not only below the dignity of heroic verse but contrary to its nature. Dryden.

ea, or opinion; think; -- with of. Conceive of things clearly and distinctly in their own natures. I. Watts.

A small or private assembly, especially of an ecclesiastical nature. [Obs.] Bacon.

for us as they were for them. Rogers. Conclusive evidence (Law), that of which, from its nature, the law allows no contradiction or explanation. -- Conclusive presumption (Law), an inference which the law makes so peremptorily that it will not allow it to be overthrown by any contrary proof, however strong.…