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The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; -- called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the d…

A similar figure moved by the hand or by a wire in a mock drama; a marionette; a wooden actor in a play. At the pipes of some carved organ move, The gilded puppets dance. Pope.

To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic medicine, or in a similar manner.

d in designating certain brilliant purple-red compounds of cobaltic chloride and ammonia, similar to the roseocobaltic compounds. See Cobaltic.

A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; -- called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds. Also used figuratively. The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope. Longfellow.

he consistence of dough, -- used in fastening glass in sashes, stopping crevices, and for similar purposes. Putty powder, an oxide of tin, or of tin and lead in various proportions, much used in polishing glass, metal, precious stones, etc.

A garment, similar to the Oriental pyjama (which see), adopted among Europeans, Americans, and other Occidentals, for wear in the dressing room and during sleep; also, a suit of drawers and blouse for such wear.

Fourfold; having four similar parts, or two pairs of similar parts. Quadrigeminal bodies (Anat.), two pairs of lobes, or elevations, on the dorsal side of the midbrain of most mammals; the optic lobes. The anterior pair are called the nates, and the posterior the testes.

Dehiscent into four similar parts; four-valved; as, a quadrivalve pericarp.

ster's department; in England, an officer of high rank stationed at the War Office having similar duties; also, a staff officer, usually a general officer, accompanying each complete army in the field. -- Quartermaster sergeant. See Sergeant.

racho, a Mexican anacardiaceous tree (Loxopterygium Lorentzii) whose bark is said to have similar properties. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).

pit; it is cured when green, keeps well, and has a delicate flavor. Loosely, any olive of similar character.

One of two suspending posts in a roof truss, or other framed truss of similar form. See King-post.

eing passed deeply through the edges of a wound are secured about two quills or bodies of similar shape, in order to produce a suitable degree of pressure.

It is furnished with a handle, and is used for catching or striking a ball in tennis and similar games. Each one [of the Indians] has a bat curved like a crosier, and ending in a racket. Bancroft.

A small branch, or branchlet, of corals, hydroids, and similar organisms.

The thimble-shaped fruit of the Rubus Idæus and other similar brambles; as, the black, the red and the white raspberry.

A round and tapering mass of hair, or similar material, used by women to support the puffs and rolls of their natural hair. [Local, U.S.]

A large black passerine bird (Corvus corax), similar to the crow, but larger. It is native of the northern part of Europe, Asia and America, and is noted for its sagacity. Sea raven (Zoöl.), the cormorant.

alternating current passing through it, tending to choke or diminish the current, or the similar influence of a condenser; inductive resistance. Reactance is measured in ohms. The reactance of a circuit is equal to the component of the impressed electro-motive force at right angles to the current divided by the curren…