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To make false pretenses; to deceive; to feign; to impose. Wondering . . . whether those who lectured him were such fools as they professed to be, or were only shamming. Macaulay.

A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded, whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a letter; a newspaper, etc.

That which is shipped. The question is, whether the share of M. in the shipment is exempted from condemnation by reason of his neutral domicle. Story.

A notification by a candidate for orders of his intention to inquire whether any impediment may be alleged against him.

The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another. God on our side, doubt not of victory. Shak. We have not alwa…

The covering of the outside wall of a frame house, whether made of weatherboards, vertical boarding with cleats, shingles, or the like.

from Sight, v. t. Sighting shot, a shot made to ascertain whether the sights of a firearm are properly adjusted; a trial shot.

ooid; as, a simple ascidian; -- opposed to compound. Simple contract (Law), any contract, whether verbal or written, which is not of record or under seal. J. W. Smith. Chitty. -- Simple equation (Alg.), an eqyation containing but one unknown quantity, and that quantity only in the first degree. -- Simple eye (Zoöl.),…

vidual. The idea which represents one . . . determinate thing, is called a singular idea, whether simple, complex, or compound. I. Watts.

To act as a sinner. [Humorous] Whether the charmer sinner it or saint it. Pope.

A doubter as to whether any fact or truth can be certainly known; a universal doubter; a Pyrrhonist; hence, in modern usage, occasionally, a person who questions whether any truth or fact can be established on philosophical grounds; sometimes, a critical inquirer, in opposition to a dogmatist. All this criticism [of Hu…

being, perfections, or truth of God. Let no . . . secret skepticism lead any one to doubt whether this blessed prospect will be realized. S. Miller.

The hide of an animal, separated from the body, whether green, dry, or tanned; especially, that of a small animal, as a calf, sheep, or goat.

ry reports; the dissemination of malicious tales or suggestions to the injury of another. Whether we speak evil of a man to his face or behind his back; the former way, indeed, seems to be the most generous, but yet is a great fault, and that which we call "reviling;" the latter is more mean and base, and that which we…

Inclined from a direct line, whether horizontal or perpendicular; sloping; oblique. "The slant lightning." Milton.

Any species of the order Ophidia; an ophidian; a serpent, whether harmless or venomous. See Ophidia, and Serpent.

The part of a candle wick charred by the flame, whether burning or not. If the burning snuff happens to get out of the snuffers, you have a chance that it may fall into a dish of soup. Swift.

cke. It concerns every man, with the greatest seriousness, to inquire into those matters, whether they be so or not. Tillotson. He is Sir Robert's son, and so art thou. Shak.

and cf. Saponification. By extension, any compound of similar composition or properties, whether used as a cleaning agent or not.

The act or process by which a body (whether solid, liquid, or gaseous) is absorbed into a liquid, and, remaining or becoming fluid, is diffused throughout the solvent; also, the product reulting from such absorption.