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a paste which soon sets or hardens, and is used for casts, moldings, etc. The term is loosely applied to any plaster stone or species of gypsum. -- Plaster of Paris bandage (Surg.), a bandage saturated with a paste of plaster of Paris, which on drying forms a perfectly fitting splint. -- Plaster stone, any species o…

The property possessed by some substances of crystallizing in closely similar forms while unlike in chemical composition.

The smooth serous membrane which closely covers the lungs and the adjacent surfaces of the thorax; the pleural membrane.

To lay on closely, or in folds; to work upon steadily, or with repeated acts; to press upon; to urge importunately; as, to ply one with questions, with solicitations, or with drink. And plies him with redoubled strokes Dryden. He plies the duke at morning and at night. Shak.

The American redhead, which is closely allied to the European poachard. Red-crested poachard (Zoöl.), an Old World duck (Branta rufina). -- Scaup poachard, the scaup duck. -- Tufted poachard, a scaup duck (Aythya, or Fuligula cristata), native of Europe and Asia.

A considerable number of animals closely clustered together; -- said of seals. Pod auger, or pod bit, an auger or bit the channel of which is straight instead of twisted.

element, a radioactive substance discovered by M. and MMe. Curie in pitchblende. It is closely related chemically to bismuth. It emits only alpha rays and is perhaps identical with radium F.

The closely related Teucrium montanum, formerly called Polium montanum, a plant of Southern Europe.

A term used somewhat loosely to designate a rock consisting of a fine-grained base (usually feldspathic) through which crystals, as of feldspar or quartz, are disseminated. There are red, purple, and green varieties, which are highly esteemed as marbles. Porphyry shell (Zoöl.), a handsome marine gastropod shell (Oliva…

tacean of the genus Phocæna, especially P. communis, or P. phocæna, of Europe, and the closely allied American species (P. Americana). The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. Called also harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffe…

called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and amphibians.

To embrace closely; to hug. Leucothoe shook at these alarms, And pressed Palemon closer in her arms. Pope.

Closely; concisely. [Obs.]

To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship. This let him know, Lest, willfully transgressing, he pretend Surprisal. Milton.

To frame; to devise; to disguise or excuse; hence, to pretend; to declare falsely. [Obs.]

To undertake a thing falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.

An early flowering plant of the genus Primula (P. vulgaris) closely allied to the cowslip. There are several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly called also primerole, primerolles.

Leaning forward; -- said of certain monosyllabic words which are so closely attached to the following word as not to have a separate accent.

In a prodigal manner; with profusion of expense; extravagantly; wasteful; profusely; lavishly; as, an estate prodigally dissipated. Nature not bounteous now, but lavish grows; Our paths with flowers she prodigally strows. Dryden.