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An instrument which, when applied over an artery, indicates graphically the movements or character of the pulse. See Sphygmogram.

An instrument for recording the respiratory movements, as the sphygmograph does those of the pulse.

enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer. Spy money, money paid to a spy; the reward for private or secret intelligence regarding the enemy. -- Spy Wednesday (Eccl.), the Wednesday immedia…

uare one's shoulders, to raise the shoulders so as to give them a square appearance, -- a movement expressing contempt or dislike. Sir W. Scott. -- To square the circle (Math.), to determine the exact contents of a circle in square measure. The solution of this famous problem is now generally admitted to be impossible…

An unsteady movement of the body in walking or standing, as if one were about to fall; a reeling motion; vertigo; -- often in the plural; as, the stagger of a drunken man.

A sudden, unexpected movement; a sudden and capricious impulse; a sally; as, starts of fancy. To check the starts and sallies of the soul. Addison.

An advance or movement made by one removal of the foot; a pace.

The movement of a ship backward, or with her stern foremost.

An apparatus for measuring the external movements of a given point of the chest wall, during respiration; -- also called thoracometer.

The act or result of stirring; agitation; tumult; bustle; noise or various movements. Why all these words, this clamor, and this stir Denham. Consider, after so much stir about genus and species, how few words we have yet settled definitions of. Locke.

A portion of music divided off by a double bar; a complete musical period or sentence; a movement, or any rounded subdivision of a movement. Their heavenly harps a lower strain began. Dryden.

One skilled in strategy, or the science of directing great military movements.

of military command, or the science of projecting campaigns and directing great military movements; generalship.

rive of all milk; to milk dry; to draw the last milk from; hence, to milk with a peculiar movement of the hand on the teats at the last of a milking; as, to strip a cow.

A gentle, caressing touch or movement upon something; a stroking. Dryden.

In Greek choruses and dances, the movement of the chorus while turning from the right to the left of the orchestra; hence, the strain, or part of the choral ode, sung during this movement. Also sometimes used of a stanza of modern verse. See the Note under Antistrophe.

The principal theme, or leading thought or phrase, on which a composition or a movement is based. The earliest known form of subject is the ecclesiastical cantus firmus, or plain song. Rockstro.

Characterized by a shaking motion, especially an up and down movement, and not merely tremulous oscillation; as, the succussive motion in earthquakes.

east southward and westward, and so around the circle; also, in the same direction as the movement of the hands of a watch lying face upward.

ninæ. They have a large and strong beak and a long neck, and are noted for their graceful movements when swimming. Most of the northern species are white. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song, especially at the time of its death.