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A fondness for romantic characteristics or peculiarities; specifically, in modern literature, an aiming at romantic effects; -- applied to the productions of a school of writers who sought to revive certain medi He [Lessing] may be said to have begun the revolt from pseudo- classicism in poetry, and to have been thus u…

o become decomposed by a natural process; to putrefy; to decay. Fixed like a plant on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot. Pope.

ia leather, a soft kind of leather, made originally in Russia but now elsewhere, having a peculiar odor from being impregnated with an oil obtained from birch bark. It is much used in bookbinding, on account of its not being subject to mold, and being proof against insects. -- Russia matting, matting manufactured in R…

Having a peculiar pouch developed near the front edge of the wing; -- said of certain bats of the genus Saccopteryx.

One of an important religious sect in India which regards Siva with peculiar veneration.

rst French revolution to the extreme republican party, who rejected breeches as an emblem peculiar to the upper classes or aristocracy, and adopted pantaloons.

type, and which includes the buffalo nut and a few other North American plants, and many peculiar plants of the southern hemisphere.

, extracted from the buds of levant wormseed and used as an anthelmintic. It occassions a peculiar temporary color blindness, causing objects to appear as if seen through a yellow glass.

The peculiar bronzelike luster observed in certain minerals, as hypersthene, schiller spar, etc. It is due to the presence of minute inclusions in parallel position, and in sometimes of secondary origin. Schiller spar (Min.), an altered variety of enstatite, exhibiting, in certain positions, a bronzelike luster.…

a. -- Sclerema neonatorum ( Etym: [NL., of the newborn], an affection characterized by a peculiar hardening and rigidity of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues in the newly born. It is usually fatal. Called also skinbound disease.

oughout the brain and spinal cord. It is associated with complete or partial paralysis, a peculiar jerking tremor of the muscles, headache, and vertigo, and is usually fatal. Called also multiple, disseminated, or insular, sclerosis.

A peculiar brushlike organ found on the foot of spiders and used in the construction of the web.

An idiom, or mode of expression, peculiar to Scotland or Scotchmen. That, in short, in which the Scotticism of Scotsmen most intimately consists, is the habit of emphasis. Masson.

The peculiar language or phraseology of seamen; sailor's cant.

The peculiar sickness, characterized by nausea and prostration, which is caused by the pitching or rolling of a vessel.

Pertaining to a sect, or to sects; peculiar to a sect; bigotedly attached to the tenets and interests of a denomination; as, sectarian principles or prejudices.

A disproportionate regard for the interests peculiar to a section of the country; local patriotism, as distinguished from national. [U. S.]

Having a peculiar flavor supposed to be derived from the weeds growing among the vines; -- said of certain kinds of FRench brandy.

Something peculiar to one's self. [R.] Tatler.

from among others; to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal. "One peculiar nation to select." Milton. The pious chief . . . A hundred youths from all his train selects. Dryden.