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A gaping or opening; state of being chinky, or having apertures. Kirwan.

That portion of the interior of a spiral shell which can be seen by looking into the aperture.

A small opening; esp., one of the apertures, closed by membranes, between the tympanum and internal ear.

The reheating of an article at the furnace aperture during manufacture to restore its plastic condition; esp., the reheating of a globe of crown glass to allow it to assume a flat shape as it is rotated.

A disk with a small aperture, to direct the sight forward, and cure squinting.

An opening; an aperture; a gap; a chasm; esp., a defect in a manuscript, where some part is lost or effaced; a space where something is wanting; a break.

An artificial division of gastropods, including those that have an entire aperture.

Having an entire aperture; -- said of many univalve shells.

f which a quantity of sand, water, or mercury occupies an hour in running through a small aperture unto the lower.

e barbels around the mouth, one tooth on the plate, and a communication between tionnasal aperture and the throat. See Hagfish. [Written also Hyperotreti.]

Not perforated; having no opening or aperture. Sir J. Banks.

The aperture in a mold for pouring in the metal; the gate. Simmonds.

An adjustable diaphragm, suggesting the iris of the eye in its action, for regulating the aperture of a lens, consisting of a number of thin pieces fastened to a ring. It is used in cameras and microscopes.

Inner margin of the aperture of a shell.

The external margin of the aperture of a shell. See Univalve.

The entrance or escape of a fluid through a crack, fissure, or other aperture; as, the leak gained on the ship's pumps. To spring a leak, to open or crack so as to let in water; to begin to let in water; as, the ship sprung a leak.

One of the edges of the aperture of a univalve shell. Lip bit, a pod auger. See Auger. -- Lip comfort, comfort that is given with words only. -- Lip comforter, one who comforts with words only. -- Lip labor, unfelt or insincere speech; hypocrisy. Bale. -- Lip reading, the catching of the words or meaning of one spe…

A hole or aperture that gives a passage, or the means of escape or evasion.

discharging missiles or pouring burning or melted substances upon assailants through such apertures.

Any spiral marine shell of the genus Persona, having a curiously twisted aperture.