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Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [Obs.] Sciences concluding from dignities, and principles known by themselves. Sir T. Browne.

mpiled under the direction of King Alfred. It is supposed to have contained the principal maxims of the common law, the penalties for misdemeanors, and the forms of judicial proceedings. Domebook was probably a general name for book of judgments. Burrill.

Sometimes called the thermodynamic function. The entropy of the universe tends towards a maximum. Clausius.

any curve is the envelope of its tangents. push the envelope. It is used to refer to the maximum performance available at the current state of the technology, and therefore refers to a class of machines in general, not a specific machine. push the envelope Increase the capability of some type of machine or system; --…

Of maximum fusibility; -- said of an alloy or mixture which has the lowest melting point which it is possible to obtain by the combination of the given components.

The principle or process of forming from given components the eutectic alloy, or alloy of maximum fusibility.

Tending to evert or overthrow; subversive; with of. A maxim eversive . . . of all justice and morality. Geddes.

as, extravagance of anger, love, expression, imagination, demands. Some verses of my own, Maximin and Almanzor, cry vengeance on me for their extravagance. Dryden. The income of three dukes was enough to supply her extravagance. Arbuthnot.

Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of, the Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest. Fabian policy, a policy like that of Fabius Maximus, who, by carefully avoiding decisive contests, foiled Hannibal, harassing his army by marches, countermarches, and ambuscades…

In a fit manner; suitably; properly; conveniently; as, a maxim fitly applied.

ng wounds. -- Giant salamander (Zoöl.), a very large aquatic salamander (Megalobatrachus maximus), found in Japan. It is the largest of living Amphibia, becoming a yard long. -- Giant squid (Zoöl.), one of several species of very large squids, belonging to Architeuthis and allied genera. Some are over forty feet long…

A brief reflection or maxim. Peacham.

Sententious; uttering or containing maxims, or striking detached thoughts; aphoristic. A city long famous as the seat of elegiac and gnomic poetry. G. R. Lewes. Gnomic Poets, Greek poets, as Theognis and Solon, of the sixth century B. C., whose writings consist of short sententious precepts and reflections.…

A collection of, or a treatise on, maxims, grave sentences, or reflections. [Obs.] Milton.

nearly, equivalent to the weight in a vacuum of one cubic centimeter of pure water at its maximum density. It is equal to 15.432 grains. See Grain, n., 4. Gram degree, or Gramme degree (Physics), a unit of heat, being the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one gram of pure water one degree centigrade.…

n Russia, a son of the Czar. (c) (Zoöl.) The European great horned owl or eagle owl (Bubo maximas). -- Grand-guard, or Grandegarde, a piece of plate armor used in tournaments as an extra protection for the left shoulder and breast. -- Grand juror, a member of a grand jury. -- Grand jury (Law), a jury of not less tha…

roublesome to sheep. Northwest. Stipa spartea. Quaking grass, ornamental. Briza media and maxima. Quitch, or Quick, grass, etc., a weed. Agropyrum repens. Ray grass. Same as Rye grass (below). Redtop, pasture and hay. Agrostis vulgaris. Red-topped buffalo grass, forage. Northwest. Poa tenuifolia. Reed canary grass, of…

Formed or acquired by habit or use. An habitual knowledge of certain rules and maxims. South.

A coarse umbelliferous plant of Europe (Tordylium maximum).

Hence: An elementary and necessary principle; a precept, maxim, or rule, recognized as established and authoritative; usually in the plural, a collection of such principles and precepts; esp., a comprehensive summary of legal principles and decisions; as, the Institutes of Justinian; Coke's Institutes of the Laws of En…