Search the Dictionary

ellowish white metal, analogous to potassium in most of its properties. Symbol Rb. Atomic weight, 85.2.

Running block (Mech.), a block in an arrangement of pulleys which rises or sinks with the weight which is raised or lowered. -- Running board, a narrow platform extending along the side of a locomotive. -- Running bowsprit (Naut.) Same as Reefing bowsprit. -- Running days (Com.), the consecutive days occupied on a v…

Commonly, the whole weight of aëroplane and load divided by the span, or length from tip to tip.

d isolated as a hard, brittle steel-gray metal which is very infusible. Symbol Ru. Atomic weight 103.5. Specific gravity 12.26. See Platinum metals, under Platinum.

Heavy; weighty; ponderous; close; hard. [Obs., except in a few phrases; as, sad bread.] His hand, more sad than lump of lead. Spenser. Chalky lands are naturally cold and sad. Mortimer.

mes or violent effervescence. -- Safety valve, a valve which is held shut by a spring or weight and opens automatically to permit the escape of steam, or confined gas, water, etc., from a boiler, or other vessel, when the pressure becomes too great for safety; also, sometimes, a similar valve opening inward to admit a…

To sink, in the middle, by its weight or under applied pressure, below a horizontal line or plane; as, a line or cable supported by its ends sags, though tightly drawn; the floor of a room sags; hence, to lean, give way, or settle from a vertical position; as, a building may sag one way or another; a door sags on its h…

bending or sinking between the ends of a thing, in consequence of its own, or an imposed, weight; an arching downward in the middle, as of a ship after straining. Cf. Hogging.

A large bale or package of wool, containing eighty tods, or 2,240 pounds, in weight. [Eng.]

A weighing apparatus with a sliding weight, resembling a steelyard.

avian minerals (euxenite and gadolinite). It has not yet been isolated. Symbol Sc. Atomic weight 44

A weight of twenty pounds. [Prov. Eng.]

A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.

p, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.

who seals; especially, an officer whose duty it is to seal writs or instruments, to stamp weights and measures, or the like.

A denomination of weight or measure. Specifically:

on in electric conductivity, and is used in certain electric apparatus. Symbol Se. Atomic weight 78.9.

Important; weighty; not trifling; grave. The holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious things in the world. Young.

piece placed temporarily upon the head of a pile when the latter cannot be reached by the weight, or hammer, except by means of such an intervening piece. [Often incorrectly written sett.] (f) (Carp.)

An apparatus for raising heavy weights, and especially for stepping and unstepping the lower masts of ships. It consists of two or more spars or pieces of timber, fastened together near the top, steadied by a guy or guys, and furnished with the necessary tackle. [Written also sheers.]