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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



401 words match “PRINCIPAL”

PLANE n.
projection is made, corresponding to the perspective plane in perspective; -- called also principal plane. (b) (Descriptive Geom.) One of the planes to which points are referred for the purpose of determining their relative position in space. -- Plane of refraction or reflection (Opt.), the plane in which lie both the…
POLE n.
from a single piece or from a single tree. -- Pole of a lens (Opt.), the point where the principal axis meets the surface. -- Pole plate (Arch.), a horizontal timber resting on the tiebeams of a roof and receiving the ends of the rafters. It differs from the plate in not resting on the wall.
POLYCHAETA n.
One of the two principal groups of Chætopoda. It includes those that have prominent parapodia and fascicles of setæ. See Illust. under Parapodia.
PORIFERA n.
nvertebrata, including the sponges; -- called also Spongiæ, Spongida, and Spongiozoa. The principal divisions are Calcispongiæ, Keratosa or Fibrospongiæ, and Silicea.
PORTFIRE n.
e of strong paper filled with a composition of niter, sulphur, and mealed powder, -- used principally to ignite the priming in proving guns, and as an incendiary material in shells.
POSTFIX v.
ically (Gram.), to add or annex, as a letter, syllable, or word, to the end of another or principal word; to suffix. Parkhurst.
POSTURE n.
ular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the position of a figure with regard to the several principal members by which action is expressed; attitude. Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively expressed . . . one would have sworn the very picture had run. Sir P. Sidney. In most strange postures We have seen him s…
PRALLTRILLER n.
A melodic embellishment consisting of the quick alternation of a principal tone with an auxiliary tone above it, usually the next of the scale; --called also the inverted mordente.
PRECEPTOR n.
One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.
PRECEPTORY n.
A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the temple or principal house of the order in London. See Commandery, n., 2.
PRECEPTRESS n.
A woman who is the principal of a school; a female teacher.
PRELUDE n.
An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.; especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent; -- with recent composers often synonymous with overture. The last Georgic wa…
PREMIER a.
First; chief; principal; as, the premier place; premier minister. Camden. Swift.
PRESENT VALUE; PRESENT WORTH n.
The principal which, drawing interest at a given rate, will amount to the given sum at the date on which this is to be paid; thus, interest being at 6%, the present value of $106 due one year hence is $100.
PRIMARY a.
First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as, primary planets; a matter of primary importance.
PRIMITIVE a.
rojection), the plane upon which the projections are made, generally coinciding with some principal circle of the sphere, as the equator or a meridian. -- Primitive rocks (Geol.), primary rocks. See under Primary. -- Primitive sheath. (Anat.) See Neurilemma. -- Primitive streak or trace (Anat.), an opaque and thicke…
PRINCIPATE n.
Principality; supreme rule. [Obs.] Barrow.
PRIVY a.
hamber, a private apartment in a royal residence. [Eng.] -- Privy council (Eng. Law), the principal council of the sovereign, composed of the cabinet ministers and other persons chosen by the king or queen. Burrill. -- Privy councilor, a member of the privy council. -- Privy purse, moneys set apart for the personal u…
PROLUSION n.
A trial before the principal performance; a prelude; hence, an introductory essay or exercise. "Domestic prolusions." Thackeray. Her presence was in some measure a restraint on the worthy divine, whose prolusion lasted. Sir W. Scott.
PROPTERYGIUM n.
The anterior of three principal cartilages in the fins of some fishes. -- Prop`ter*yg"i*al, a.
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