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d workmen; to employ an envoy. Jonathan . . . and Jahaziah . . . were employed about this matter. Ezra x. 15. Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer To turn the glebe. Dryden. To employ one's self, to apply or devote one's time and attention; to busy one's self.

the body (as the kidneys, skin, etc.,) which serves to carry off excrementitious or waste matter.

Half an em, that is, half of the unit of space in measuring printed matter. See Em.

The coloring matter within the cells of plants, whether green, red, yellow, or any other color.

its modern and extended sense, the art and science by which the mechanical properties of matter are made useful to man in structures and machines; the occupation and work of an engineer.

or command; to give an injunction to; to direct with authority; to order; to charge. High matter thou enjoin'st me. Milton. I am enjoined by oath to observe three things. Shak.

A figure by which the same word or clause is repeated after intervening matter. Gibbs.

The closing part of a discourse, in which the principal matters are recapitulated; a conclusion.

A mistake in the proceedings of a court of record in matters of law or of fact.

A violent belching out or emitting, as of gaseous or other matter from the crater of a volcano, geyser, etc.

The red coloring matter of leaves, fruits, flowers, etc., in distinction from chlorophyll.

e predominant qualities or virtues of a plant or drug, extracted and refined from grosser matter; or, more strictly, the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil; as, the essence of mint, and the like. The . . . word essence . . . scarcely underwent a more complete transformation when from being the a…

ctrine, etc. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Deut. xix. 15.

neral body politic; the common-wealth; the general interest; state affairs. [Obs.] I call matters of estate not only the parts of sovereignty, but whatsoever . . . concerneth manifestly any great portion of people. Bacon.

One who holds the existence of matter to be from eternity. T. Burnet.

Supposed matter above the air; the air itself.

A yellowish coloring matter found in plants grown in darkness, which is supposed to be an antecedent condition of chlorophyll. Encyc. Brit.

Having the capacity of becoming organizable in a high degree, as the matter forming the false membranes which sometimes result from acute inflammation in a healthy person. Dunglison.

The transformation of a portion of a fluid into vapor, in order to obtain the fixed matter contained in it in a state of greater consistence.

ally submitted to competent tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation before it; means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking, not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect of it. Greenleaf. Circumstantial evidence, Conclusive evidence, etc.…