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The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, the telescope accurate in definition.

Relating to definition; of the nature of a definition; employed in defining.

The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.

Distinguishing; distinctive; defining. [R.] -- Di`o*ris"tic*al*ly, adv. [R.] Dr. H. More.

The act or process of producing or refining with labor; improvement by successive operations; refinement.

The last cinders obtained in the fining process. Raymond. Foxtail saw, a dovetail saw. -- Foxtail wedging. See Fox wedge, under Fox.

Hold; grasp; custody; power of confining or keeping. [Obs.] Shak.

That which hastens; especially, a stand or reflector used for confining the heat of the fire to meat while roasting before it.

A projecting cover above a hearth, forming the upper part of the fireplace, and confining the smoke to the flue.

in limits, or within circumstances or conditions of any kind conceived of as limiting, confining, or investing, either wholly or in part. In its different applications, it approaches some of the meanings of, and sometimes is interchangeable with, within, into, on, at, of, and among. It is used: --

The act of confining, or the state of being confined; imprisonment. Glanvill.

that the pope can not, when acting in his official character of supreme pontiff, err in defining a doctrine of Christian faith or rule of morals, to be held by the church. This was decreed by the Ecumenical Council at the Vatican, July 18, 1870.

Incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals. See Papal infallibility, under Infallibility.

An organic rule, as a constitution or charter, establishing and defining the conditions of the existence of a state or other organized community.

Confining to the bed; as, a lectual disease.

The art or practice of defining words; definition of words.

A trade name applied somewhat indefinitely to some of the volatile products obtained in refining crude petroleum. It is a complex and variable mixture of several hydrocarbons, generally boils below 170º Fahr., and is more inflammable than safe kerosene. It is used as a solvent, as a carburetant for air gas, and for ill…

That which limits; a restriction; a qualification; a restraining condition, defining circumstance, or qualifying conception; as, limitations of thought. The cause of error is ignorance what restraints and limitations all principles have in regard of the matter whereunto they are applicable. Hooker.

The brightening of a metal in the crucible when it becomes pure, as in certain refining processes.

To put handcuffs or other fastening upon, for confining the hands; to shackle; to confine; to restrain from the use of the limbs or natural powers. Is it thus you use this monarch, to manacle and shackle him hand and foot Arbuthnot.