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ensis), found in the Mediterranean, is esteemed by epicures, and was highly prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

One of the adherents of the Zoroastrian or ancient Persian religion, descended from Persian refugees settled in India; a fire worshiper; a Gheber.

Of or pertaining to ancient Parthia, in Asia. -- n.

eligious as well as a secular designation applied to rulers of some of the city states of ancient Chaldea, as Lagash or Shirpurla, who were conceived to be direct representatives of the tutelary god of the place.

or incrustation which age gives to works of art; especially, the green rust which covers ancient bronzes, coins, and medals. Fairholt.

s his family or descendants by paternal right; -- usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.

a ladder with but one standard, into which cross pieces are inserted. -- Peg tankard, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as divide the liquor into equal portions. "Drink down to your peg." Longfellow. -- Peg tooth. See Fleam tooth under Fleam. -- Peg top, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it. -- Screw peg,…

An ancient Persian dialect in which words were partly represented by their Semitic equivalents. It was in use from the 3d century (and perhaps earlier) to the middle of the 7th century, and later in religious writings. [Written also Pahlavi.]

Of or pertaining to the Pelasgians, an ancient people of Greece, of roving habits.

Of or pertaining to Pelusium, an ancient city of Egypt; as, the Pelusiac (or former eastern) outlet of the Nile.

The household gods of the ancient Romans. They presided over the home and the family hearth. See Lar.

A chief leader or a king; a head; a dictator; -- a title assumed by the ancient British chiefs when called to lead other chiefs. The dread Pendragon, Britain's king of kings. Tennyson.

rains, or the twentieth part of an ounce; as, a pennyweight of gold or of arsenic. It was anciently the weight of a silver penny, whence the name.

An ancient instrument of music with five strings.

A peplos. Hence: An overskirt hanging like an ancient peplos; also, a short fitted skirt attached to a waist or coat.

A Paris candle anciently used in England; also, a large wax candle formerly set upon the altar. [Obs.] Bailey.

In ancient architecture, an inclosed court, esp., one surrounding a temple.

A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of shells for ballots.

An ancient war engine for hurling stones.

A title by which the sovereigns of ancient Egypt were designated.