Search the Dictionary

convention, or to confer regarding measures of party policy; a political primary meeting. This day learned that the caucus club meets, at certain times, in the garret of Tom Dawes, the adjutant of the Boston regiment. John Adams's Diary [Feb. , 1763].

of a child at its birth. It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning . . . According to Chysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for magic uses. Grose. I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at th…

ct of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general. What counsel give you in this weighty cause! Shak.

to find fault without good reason. You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak.

to an end. But he, her fears to cease Sent down the meek-eyed peace. Milton. Cease, then, this impious rage. Milton

A pale sea-green color; also, porcelain or fine pottery of this tint.

The space or storerooms of a cellar; a cellar. Sir W. Scott. You hear this fellow in the cellarage. Shak.

A large genus of composite plants, related to the thistles and including the cornflower or bluebottle (Centaurea Cyanus) and the star thistle (C. Calcitrapa).

egrees. It is called also the Celsius thermometer, from Anders Celsius, the originator of this scale.

A period of a hundred years; as, this event took place over two centuries ago.

n of the point in dispute; as, when the issue is whether a person was absent in the army, this is tried by the certificate of the proper officer in writing, under his seal. Blackstone.

to assure; to make certain. We certify the king, that . . . thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. Ezra iv. 16.

food of cattle. By adding chaff to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it. In this way chaff is very useful. Ywatt.

To unite closely and strongly. And in this vow do chain my soul to thine. Shak.

To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat. By this I challenge him to single fight. Shak.

A chaparral formed by dense growths of this shrub.

hical agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; -- in this sense often personifed. It is strictly and philosophically true in nature and reason that there is no such thing as chance or accident; it being evident that these words do not signify anything really existing, anything that…

the day; a single job, or task; a chore. [Written also chare.] [Eng.] When thou hast done this chare, I give thee leave To play till doomsday. Shak.

g; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character. This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it. Addison.

wing (Fine Arts), a drawing made with charcoal. See Charcoal, 2. Until within a few years this material has been used almost exclusively for preliminary outline, etc., but at present many finished drawings are made with it. -- Charcoal point, a carbon pencil prepared for use un an electric light apparatus. -- Mineral…