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The regular form which a substance tends to assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive attraction. It is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios. See Crystallization.

The act or process by which a substance in solidifying assumes the form and sructure of a crystal, or becomes crystallized.

To cause to form crystals, or to assume the crystalline form.

Top; summit; acme. R. North.

frigate into a sloop. -- To cut the knot or the Gordian knot, to dispose of a difficulty summarily; to solve it by prompt, arbitrary action, rather than by skill or patience. -- To cut lots, to determine lots by cuttings cards; to draw lots. -- To cut off. (a) To sever; to separate. I would to God, . . . The king ha…

An officer in the exchequer who notes by cutting on the tallies the sums paid.

A scalloped or "pattypan" variety of summer squash.

A form assumed by Protozoa inwhich they become saclike and quiescent. It generally precedes the production of germs. See Encystment.

con. And let us not be dainty of leave taking, But shift away. Shak. To make dainty, to assume or affect delicacy or fastidiousness. [Obs.] Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all Will now deny to dance She that makes dainty, She, I'll swear, hath corns. Shak.

Sumptuous in cheer. [Obs.] Bailey.

The quantities or relations which are assumed to be given in any problem. Datum line (Surv.), the horizontal or base line, from which the heights of points are reckoned or measured, as in the plan of a railway, etc.

door. -- Dead flat (Naut.), the widest or midship frame. -- Dead freight (Mar. Law), a sum of money paid by a person who charters a whole vessel but fails to make out a full cargo. The payment is made for the unoccupied capacity. Abbott. -- Dead ground (Mining), the portion of a vein in which there is no ore. -- D…

or certificate signed by a public officer, as evidence of a debt due to some person; the sum thus due.

An action at law to recover a certain specified sum of money alleged to be due. Burrill. Bond debt, Book debt, etc. See under Bond, Book, etc. -- Debt of nature, death.

To remove summarily from office. [Colloq. U. S.]

rt from this life; to die; to pass away. She's dead, deceased, she's dead. Shak. When our summers have deceased. Tennyson. Inasmuch as he carries the malignity and the lie with him, he so far deceases from nature. Emerson.

lence or perfection; deterioration; decay; decline. "The declination of monarchy." Bacon. Summer . . . is not looked on as a time Of declination or decay. Waller.

ines. That empire must decline Whose chief support and sinews are of coin. Waller. And presume to know . . . Who thrives, and who declines. Shak.

d. Equal decrement of life. (a) The decrease of life in a group of persons in which the assumed law of mortality is such that of a given large number of persons, all being now of the same age, an equal number shall die each consecutive year. (b) The decrease of life in a group of persons in which the assumed law of mor…

An attitude assumed in lying down; as, the dorsal decubitus.