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A division of sponges including those which have independent siliceous spicules.

Life, or living substance, considered independently of corporeal existence; an intelligence conceived of apart from any physical organization or embodiment; vital essence, force, or energy, as distinct from matter.

t to spirituality. Sir W. Raleigh. Much of our spirituality and comfort in public worship depends on the state of mind in which we come. Bickersteth.

Fig.: One who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger.

Fig.: A parasitical dependent; a hanger-on.

cium carbonate resembling an icicle in form and mode of attachment. Stalactites are found depending from the roof or sides of caverns, and are produced by deposition from waters which have percolated through, and partially dissolved, the overlying limestone rocks.

Enacted by statute; depending on statute for its authority; as, a statutory provision.

To rest; to depend; to rely; to stand; to insist. I stay here on my bond. Shak. Ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon. Isa. xxx. 12.

Proceeding; measure; action; an act. The reputation of a man depends on the first steps he makes in the world. Pope. Beware of desperate steps. The darkest day, Live till to-morrow, will have passed away. Cowper. I have lately taken steps . . . to relieve the old gentleman's distresses. G. W. Cable.…

The theory of medical practice which regarded life as dependent upon stimulation, or excitation, and disease as caused by excess or deficiency in the amount of stimulation.

be stopped in order to tell exactly the time that has passed, as in timing a race. See Independent seconds watch, under Independent, a.

Pertaining to, or depended upon, the order or arrangement of strata; as, stratigraphical evidence. -- Strat`i*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.

The granting of lands by inferior lords to their dependents, to be held by themselves by feudal tenure. Craig.

er; a state of obedience or submissiveness; as, the safety of life, liberty, and property depends on our subjection to the laws. "To be bound under subjection." Chaucer. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands. 1 Peter iii. 1. Because the subjection of the body to the will is by natural necessity, the…

action or state not as a fact, but only as a conception of the mind still contingent and dependent. It is commonly subjoined, or added as subordinate, to some other verb, and in English is often connected with it by if, that, though, lest, unless, except, until, etc., as in the following sentence: "If there were no ho…

The state of being submissive; acknowledgement of inferiority or dependence; humble or suppliant behavior; meekness; resignation. In all submission and humility York doth present himself unto your highness. Shak. No duty in religion is more justly required by God . . . than a perfect submission to his will in all thing…

t a controversy to arbitrators; to submit a question to the court; -- often followed by a dependent proposition as the object. Whether the condition of the clergy be able to bear a heavy burden, is submitted to the house. Swift. We submit that a wooden spoon of our day would not be justified in calling Galileo and Napi…

Depending on itself; independent. He considered how sufficient and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid of the foreigner. Bacon.

Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. "His sure word." Keble. The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord. 1 Sam. xxv. 28. The testimony of the Lord is sure. Ps. xix. 7. Which put in…

To make to depend; as, God hath suspended the promise of eternal life on the condition of obedience and holiness of life. [Archaic] Tillotson.