Search the Dictionary

To urge with importunity; to press; as, to strain a petition or invitation. Note, if your lady strain his entertainment. Shak.

ssure, strain; -- used chiefly of immaterial things; except in mechanics; hence, urgency; importance; weight; significance. The faculties of the mind are improved by exercise, yet they must not be put to a stress beyond their strength. Locke. A body may as well lay too little as too much stress upon a dream. L'Estrange…

Self-important and supercilious, [Colloq.] The airs of small, stuck-up, men. A. K. H. Boyd.

rase by which anything is formally designated; the title; the official designation of any important body; mode of address; as, the style of Majesty. One style to a gracious benefactor, another to a proud, insulting foe. Burke.

One of the natural groups, more important than an order, into which some classes are divided; as, the angiospermous subclass of exogens.

One of the subdivisions, of more importance than genus, into which certain families are divided.

enus, comprising one or more species which differ from other species of the genus in some important character or characters; as, the azaleas now constitute a subgenus of Rhododendron.

vision of an order; a group of genera of a little lower rank than an order and of greater importance than a tribe or family; as, cichoraceous plants form a suborder of Compositæ.

Inferior in order, nature, dignity, power, importance, or the like. It was subordinate, not enslaved, to the understanding. South.

A group somewhat lessdistinct than speciesusually are, but based on characters more important than those which characterize ordinary varieties; often, a geographical variety or race.

The most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport. This edition is the same in substance with the Latin. Bp. Burnet. It is insolent in words, in manner; but in substance it is not only insulting, but alarming. Burke.…

A person who insists on the importance of a regular succession of events, offices, etc.; especially (Eccl.), one who insists that apostolic succession alone is valid.

le from forgings, in petroleum refining, etc., and in general its manufacture is the most important and fundamental of all the chemical industries. Formerly called vitriolic acid, and now popularly vitriol, and oil of vitriol. -- Fuming sulphuric acid, or Nordhausen sulphuric acid. See Disulphuric acid, under Disulphu…

That which resembles the sun, as in splendor or importance; any source of light, warmth, or animation. For the Lord God is a sun and shield. Ps. lxxiv. 11. I will never consent to put out the sun of sovereignity to posterity. Eikon Basilike. Sun and planet wheels (Mach.), an ingenious contrivance for converting recipro…

One of the orthodox Mohammedans who receive the Sunna as of equal importance with the Koran.

A group intermediate in importance between an order and a subclass.

essary scruples in the observance of religious rites not commanded, or of points of minor importance; also, a rite or practice proceeding from excess of sculptures in religion. And the truth With superstitions and traditions taint. Milton.

Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood. [Slang] Swell mob. See under Mob. [Slang]

The Tamil language, the most important of the Dravidian languages. See Dravidian, a.

A schedule, system, or scheme of duties imposed by the government of a country upon goods imported or exported; as, a revenue tariff; a protective tariff; Clay's compromise tariff. (U.S. 1833).