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mpediment; an obstruction. A fatal stop traversed their headlong course. Daniel. So melancholy a prospect should inspire us with zeal to oppose some stop to the rising torrent. Rogers.

A basin at the entrance of Roman Catholic churches for containing the holy water with which those who enter, dipping their fingers in it, cross themselves; -- called also holy-water stoup.

particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration. The Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament, are her daily study. Law. The proper study of mankind is man. Pope.

nferiority of rank or dignity; subjection. Natural creature having a local subordination. Holyday.

A space under a roof; a tabernacle; a dwelling. [Obs.] Davies (Holy Roode).

Elevation above the common degree. Holyday.

; as, a surly groom; a surly dog; surly language; a surly look. "That surly spirit, melancholy." Shak.

ny who, through the contagion of evil example, swerve exceedingly from the rules of their holy religion. Atterbury.

Any small cell, or like place, in which some holy or precious things was deposited or kept. Specifically: --

l tale of, to make account of. [Obs.] Therefore little tale hath he told Of any dream, so holy was his heart. Chaucer.

A nervous affection producing melancholy, stupor, and an uncontrollable desire to dance. It was supposed to be produced by the bite of the tarantula, and considered to be incapable of cure except by protraced dancing to appropriate music. [Written also tarentism.]

, the mixture or relative proportion of the four humors, blood, choler, phlegm, and melancholy. The exquisiteness of his [Christ's] bodily temper increased the exquisiteness of his torment. Fuller.

rusalem, in the early part of the 12th century, for the protection of pilgrims and of the Holy Sepulcher. These Knights Templars, or Knights of the Temple, were so named because they occupied an apartment of the palace of Bladwin II. in Jerusalem, near the Temple.

The matins and lauds for the last three days of Holy Week, commemorating the sufferings and death of Christ, -- usually sung on the afternoon or evening of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, instead of on the following days.

An ancient ascription of praise (containing the word "Holy" -- in its Latin form, "Sanctus" -- thrice repeated), used in the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church and before the prayer of consecration in the communion service of the Church of England and the Protestant Episcopal Church. Cf. Trisagion.

The fifth day of the week, following Wednesday and preceding Friday. Holy Thursday. See under Holy.

robe of tissue, stiff with golden wire. Dryden. In their glittering tissues bear emblazed Holy memorials. Milton.

State of mind; temper; mood. The strange situation I am in and the melancholy state of public affairs, . . . drag the mind down . . . from a philosophical tone or temper, to the drudgery of private and public business. Bolingbroke. Their tone was dissatisfied, almost menacing. W. C. Bryant.

te; to transform; to metamorphose. [Archaic] Chaucer. Spenser. To transmew thyself from a holy hermit into a sinful forester. Sir W. Scott.

laying. Drayton. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmation strong As proofs of holy writ. Shak. Small sands the mountain, moments make year, And frifles life. Young.