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A piece of DNA, usually circular, functioning as part of the genetic material of a cell, not integrated with the chromosome and replicating independently of the chromosome, but transferred, like the chromosome, to subsequent generations. In bacteria, plasmids often carry the genes for antibiotic resistance; they are ex…

from the ovum to make room for the chromatin of the fertilizing spermatozoön; but their functions are not fully understood. -- Polar circles (Astron. & Geog.), two circles, each at a distance from a pole of the earth equal to the obliquity of the ecliptic, or about 23º 28', the northern called the arctic circle, and…

The assumption of several structural forms without a corresponding difference in function; -- said of sponges, etc.

Characterized by polysyndeton, or the multiplication of conjunctions. -- Pol`y*syn*det"ic*al*ly, adv.

A figure by which the conjunction is often repeated, as in the sentence, "We have ships and men and money and stores." Opposed to asyndeton.

Hence: The office and functions of a minister of state or member of the cabinet; as, to receive the portfolio of war; to resign the portfolio.

Placed after another word; as, a postpositive conjunction; a postpositive letter. -- Post*pos"i*tive*ly, adv.

In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coördinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function…

Actual performance; application of knowledge; -- opposed to theory. There are two functions of the soul, -- contemplation and practice. South. There is a distinction, but no opposition, between theory and practice; each, to a certain extent, supposes the other; theory is dependent on practice; practice must have preced…

ended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule. For precept must be upon precept. Isa. xxviii. 10. No arts are without their precepts. Dryden.

To uphold or encourage prelacy; to exercise prelatical functions. An episcopacy that began then to prelatize. Milton.

s a ruling elder, from each parish or church, commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the churches under its care, and next below the provincial synod in authority.

The function or condition of one who presides; superintendence; control and care.

The office or character of a priest; the priestly function. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

The act of prohibiting; a declaration or injunction forbidding some action; interdict. The law of God, in the ten commandments, consists mostly of prohibitions. Tillotson.

Of or pertaining to the mind, or its functions and diseases; mental; -- contrasted with physical. Psychical blindness, Psychical deafness (Med.), forms of nervous disease in which, while the senses of sight and hearing remain unimpaired, the mind fails to appreciate the significance of the sounds heard or the images se…

f the human soul; specifically, the systematic or scientific knowledge of the powers and functions of the human soul, so far as they are known by consciousness; a treatise on the human soul. Psychology, the science conversant about the phenomena of the mind, or conscious subject, or self. Sir W. Hamilton.…

ychical and physical in their conjoint operation in man; the doctrine of the relation of function or dependence between body and soul.

A disease of the mind; especially, a functional mental disorder, that is, one unattended with evident organic changes.

A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; -- called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds. Also used figuratively. The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope. Longfellow.