Search the Dictionary

A minute particle; an atom; a molecule.

ccount for the phenomena of nature, by the motion, figure, rest, position, etc., of the minute particles of matter. -- Corpuscular theory (Opt.), the theory enunciated by Sir Isaac Newton, that light consists in the emission and rapid progression of minute particles or corpuscles. The theory is now generally rejected,…

A diminutive of the bendlet, containing one half its area or one quarter the area of the bend. When a single cottise is used alone it is often called a cost. See also Couple-close.

To oppose; to revoke the command of. For us to alter anuthing, is to lift ourselves against God; and, as it were, to countermand him. Hooker.

A diminutive of the chevron, containing one fourth of its surface. Couple-closes are generally borne one on each side of a chevron, and the blazoning may then be either a chevron between two couple-closes or chevron cottised.

rican rodent (Myopotamus coypus), allied to the beaver. It produces a valuable fur called nutria. [Written also coypou.]

A small European heron (Ardea minuta, and other allied species).

ak or burst, with or without entire separation of the parts; as, to crack glass; to crack nuts.

Covered with minute cracks in the glaze; -- said of some kinds of porcelain and fine earthenware.

Thew sound produced by anuthing that creaks; a creaking. Roget.

ually a graduated glass tube in which the milk is placed for the cream to rise. -- Cream nut, the Brazil nut. -- Cream of lime. (a) A scum of calcium carbonate which forms on a solution of milk of lime from the carbon dioxide of the air. (b) A thick creamy emulsion of lime in water. -- Cream of tartar (Chem.), purif…

Minutely crenate.

A minute crenation.

rcumstances are indeed critical. Burke. The small moment, the exact point, the critical minute, on which every good work so much depends. South. Critical angle (Optics), that angle of incidence of a luminous ray at which it is wholly reflected, and no portion of it transmitted. The sine of this angle is the reciprocal…

To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding; to comminute; as, to crush quartz.

A minute mineral form like those common in glassy volcanic rocks and some slags, not having a definite crystalline outline and not referable to any mineral species, but marking the first step in the crystallization process. According to their form crystallites are called trichites, belonites, globulites, etc.…

An English meadow plant, perhaps the columbine or the bluebell squill (Scilla nutans). [Obs.] A girl cropping culverkeys and cowslips to make garlands. Walton.

A cuplet or little cup, as the acorn; the husk or bur of the filbert, chestnut, etc.

Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants ot which the oak and the chestnut are examples, -- trees bearing a smooth, solid nut inclosed in some kind of cup or bur; bearing, or furnished with, a cupule.

A group of passerine birds, including the creepers and nuthatches.