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The inflicting of retributive punishment; satisfaction taken. [R.] Milton.

A contribution to a loss or charge which has been imposed upon one of several for the general benefit; damage done by sea perils.

size and shape of a large pear; -- called also avocado pear, alligator pear, midshipman's butter.

weight, a system of weights by which coarser commodities are weighed, such as hay, grain, butter, sugar, tea.

Sown during the last years of a tenancy, but not ripe until after its expiration; -- said of crops. Wharton.

Wrong, or not commonly used; clumsy; sinister; as, the awk end of a rod (the but end). [Obs.] Golding.

A similar but cheaper machine-made carpet, resembling moquette in construction and appearance, but finer and of better material.

To cry baa, or bleat as a sheep. He treble baas for help, but none can get. Sir P. Sidney.

a childish way without understanding. These [words] he used to babble in all companies. Arbuthnot.

muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. They are mostly African. See Mandrill, and Chacma, and Drill an ape.

A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under the standard of another in the field; often, a young knight.

ise, engagement, or contest; to recede. [Colloq.] Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back out. Jowett (Thucyd. )

An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; -- so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.

A small molding, like the astragal, but smaller; a bead.

An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English alderman.

ck he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat. Bp. Hall. Nor doth he any creature balk, But lays on all he meeteth. Drayton.

astened to a handle called a ballstock; -- formerly used by printers for inking the form, but now superseded by the roller.

A swindler; one who deceives by trickery. [Colloq.] Arbuthnot.

left arm. Originally it was used for supporting the musket and twelve cases for charges, but later only as a cartridge belt.

up a fire, to cover the coals or embers with ashes or cinders, thus keeping the fire low but alive.