Search the Dictionary

Involving an option; depending on the exercise of an option; left to one's discretion or choice; not compulsory; as, optional studies; it is optional with you to go or stay. -- n.

al, compozed of different organs or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent, and essential to the life of the individual.

, into the water; as, to fall overboard. To throw overboard, to discard; to abandon, as a dependent or friend.

full orchestra, designed as an introduction to an oratorio, opera, or ballet, or as an independent piece; -- called in the latter case a concert overture.

Any statue of the goddess Pallas; esp., the famous statue on the preservation of which depended the safety of ancient Troy.

One held in 1889-90 in the United States, at which all the independent states except Santo Domingo were represented and of which the practical result was the establishment of the Bureau of American Republics for the promotion of trade relations.

re ranging of propositions one after another, without indicating their connection or interdependence; -- opposed to syntax. Brande & C.

One of a body of believers in the early church who denied the independent preëxistent personality of Christ, and who, accordingly, held that the Father suffered in the Son; a monarchian. -- Pa`tri*pas"sian*ism, n.

To hang; to depend. [R.] Pending upon certain powerful motions. I. Taylor.

Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental character; as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an appendix or addition, as to a book. Some hang upon the pendants of her ear. Pope. Many . . . have been pleased with this work and its pendant, the Tales and P…

Supported from above; suspended; depending; pendulous; hanging; as, a pendent leaf. "The pendent world." Shak. Often their tresses, when shaken, with pendent icicles tinkle. Longfellow.

An appendage; something dependent on another; an appurtenance; a pendant. Sir W. Scott.

Depending; pendent loosely; hanging; swinging. Shak. "The pendulous round earth. Milton.

One in receipt of a pension; hence, figuratively, a dependent. The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train. Milton. Old pensioners . . . of Chelsea Hospital. Macaulay.

To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant life. Men hate those who affect that honor by ambition which pertaineth not to them. Hayward.

rts the cause of the Greeks; particularly, one who supported them in their struggle for independence against the Turks; a philhellene.

A combining form, denoting relation to, or dependence upon, natural causes, or the science of physics.

Involving the principles of both physics and chemistry; dependent on, or produced by, the joint action of physical and chemical agencies. Huxley.

oards together. "Aa if she would pin her to her heart." Shak. To pin one's faith upon, to depend upon; to trust to.

Hence, figuratively: A turning point or condition; that on which important results depend; as, the pivot of an enterprise.