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ere by volume. It is chemically very inert in the free state, and as such is incapable of supporting life (hence the name azote still used by French chemists); but it forms many important compounds, as ammonia, nitric acid, the cyanides, etc, and is a constituent of all organized living tissues, animal or vegetable. Sy…

An inverted pendulum consisting of a short vertical flat spring which supports a rod having a bob at the top; -- used for detecting and measuring slight horizontal vibrations of a body to which it is attached.

One of the square logs of wood used in a pile to support the roof of a mine.

withdrawal of the cause by the plaintiff, either because he is satisfied that he can not support it, or upon the judge's expressing his opinion. A compulsory nonsuit is a nonsuit ordered by the court on the ground that the plaintiff on his own showing has not made out his case.

To support; to maintain. Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band. Shak.

A gift or contribution made to a church, as for the expenses of the eucharist, or for the support of the clergy and the poor.

h of most mollusks, except bivalves. It consists of several muscles and a cartilage which supports a chitinous radula, or lingual ribbon, armed with teeth. Also applied to the radula alone. See Radula.

An advocate or supporter of oligarchy.

A free fold of the peritoneum, or one serving to connect viscera, support blood vessels, etc.; an epiploön.

general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath; as: --

Any one of the bony plates which support the gill covers of fishes; an opercular bone.

The fold of integument, usually supported by bony plates, which protects the gills of most fishes and some amphibians; the gill cover; the gill lid.

professed objects of which are the defense of the regning sovereign of Great Britain, the support of the Protestant religion, the maintenance of the laws of the kingdom, etc.; -- so called in honor of William, Prince of Orange, who became William III. of England.

sp. in the pelvis and hind legs, which in some genera had only three functional toes, and supported the body in walking as in Iguanodon. See Illust. in Appendix.

The care and support of orphans. [R.] Cotton Mather (1711).

The act of supporting orphans. [R.]

ary use, as from a ship's mast, to hold a rope or a sail extended, or from a building, to support hoisting teckle.

of a part beyond another part that is directly below it, or beyond a part by which it is supported; as, the overhang of a shaft; i. e., its projection beyond its bearing.

A soft bag or cushion to relieve pressure, support a part, etc.

addle staff (b), below. [Prov. Eng.] Paddle beam (Shipbuilding), one of two large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam vessel. -- Paddle board. See Paddle, n., 3. -- Paddle box, the structure inclosing the upper part of the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. -- Paddle shaft, the revolving shaft…