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Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaption, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria. In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science. Coleridge. Specific character (Nat. Hist.),…

ffects, as in photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to this region. -- Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order, and covering the central and…

To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm. "Spelled with words of power." Dryden. He was much spelled with Eleanor Talbot. Sir G. Buck.

Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence. To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't. Shak. Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself. Hawthorne. Each in his hidden sphere of joy o…

Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; -- opposed to carnal. That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift. Rom. i. ll. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesu…

To refine intellectiually or morally; to purify from the corrupting influence of the world; to give a spiritual character or tendency to; as, to spiritualize soul. This seen in the clear air, and the whole spiritualized by endless recollections, fills the eye and the heart more forcibly than I can find words to say. Ca…

Same as Squirarchy. That such weight and influence be put thereby into the hands of the squiralty of my kingdom. Sterne.

A planet supposed to influence one's destiny; (usually pl.) a configuration of the planets, supposed to influence fortune. O malignant and ill-brooding stars. Shak. Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury. Addison.

Influenced in fortune by the stars. [Obs.] My third comfort, Starred most unluckily. Shak.

s and Heathens, Jews and Gentiles, poets and philosophers, unite in allowing the starry influence Sir W. Scott.

are fraught with store of victuals. Bacon. With store of ladies, whose bright eyes Rain influence, and give the prize. Milton.

A blackmailer in politics; also, one whose political influence can be bought. [Political Cant]

Power; influence. [Obs.] "Where money beareth [hath] all the stroke." Robynson (More's Utopia). He has a great stroke with the reader. Dryden.

the village of Osnova, near Odessa, by a peasant, Onishchenko, who had apparently been influenced by a German sect settled near there. They zealously practice Bible reading and reject priestly dominion and all external rites of worship. -- Stun"dism (#), n.

That which is placed under the authority, dominion, control, or influence of something else.

change. Dryden. All sublunary comforts imitate the changeableness, as well as feel the influence, of the planet they are under. South.

subtile; hence what they think to be humorous, is merely witty. Coleridge. The subtile influence of an intellect like Emerson's. Hawthorne.

Anything which has a warming and cheering influence like that of the rays of the sun; warmth; illumination; brightness. That man that sits within a monarch's heart, And ripens in the sunshine of his favor. Shak.

Beyond the power or influence of; too great or firm to be subdued or affected by; -- with to. There is not in earth a spectacle more worthy than a great man superior to his sufferings. Spectator.

To yield to any influence, emotion, passion, or power; -- used reflexively; as, to surrender one's self to grief, to despair, to indolence, or to sleep.