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A person unknown or uncertain; a person indeterminate; some person. Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me. Luke viii. 46. We must draw in somebody that may stand "Twixt us and danger." Denham.

Anything unknown, undetermined, or not specifically designated; a certain indefinite thing; an indeterminate or unknown event; an unspecified task, work, or thing. There is something in the wind. Shak. The whole world has something to do, something to talk of, something to wish for, and something to be employed about.…

To some indeterminate place; to some place or other. Driven by the winds of temptation somewhither. Barrow.

a box, and divided into different lengths at pleasure by a bridge, the place of which is determined by a scale on the face of the box.

ent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation.

her species of the same genus. -- Specific disease (Med.) (a) A disease which produces a determinate definite effect upon the blood and tissues or upon some special tissue. (b) A disease which is itself uniformly produced by a definite and peculiar poison or organism. -- Specific duty. (Com.) See under Duty. -- Spec…

The act of specifying or determining by a mark or limit; notation of limits. This specification or limitation of the question hinders the disputers from wandering away from the precise point of inquiry. I. Watts.

A combination of spectroscope and bolometer for determining the distribution of energy in a spectrum. --Spec`tro*bo`lo*met"ric (#), a.

ght, or those produced by flames in which different substances are volatilized), so as to determine, from the position of the spectral lines, the composition of the substance.

An electrical instrument for determining by the ear the rhythm of the pulse of a person at a distance.

aments of a spider's web crossing the field of vision in optical instruments; -- used for determining the exact position of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires, silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed, are called spider lines. -- Spider mite. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of parasitic…

A wet meter used to determine the breathing capacity of the lungs.

un. -- On, or Upon, the spot, immediately; before moving; without changing place. It was determined upon the spot. Swift.

vement expressing contempt or dislike. Sir W. Scott. -- To square the circle (Math.), to determine the exact contents of a circle in square measure. The solution of this famous problem is now generally admitted to be impossible.

To begin to doubt and waver in purposes; to become less confident or determined; to hesitate. He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief. Rom. iv. 20.

To deter; to cause to deviate. [R.] Clarendon.

An optical instrument used in determining the position of the planes of light-vibration in sections of crystals.

An instrument for determining the specific gravity of liquid bodies, porous bodies, and powders, as well as solids.

To be embarrassed or puzzled; to hesitate; to be deterred, as by scruples; to scruple; -- often with at. They will stick long at part of a demonstration for want of perceiving the connection of two ideas. Locke. Some stick not to say, that the parson and attorney forged a will. Arbuthnot.

ex, that as the index moves in any manner in a plane the first point or stigma moves in a determinate way in the same plane.