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The theory which holds natural selection, as explained by Darwin, to be the chief factor in the evolution of plants and animals, and denies the inheritance of acquired characters; -- esp. opposed to Neo-Lamarckism. Weismannism is an example of extreme Neo- Darwinism. -- Ne`o-Dar*win"i*an, a. & n.

Colored rings formed upon a metal plate by the electrolytic disposition of copper, lead peroxide, etc. They may be produced by touching with a pointed zinc rod a silver plate on which is a solution of copper sulphate.

esignate by name, for an office or place; to appoint; esp., to name as a candidate for an election, choice, or appointment; to propose by name, or offer the name of, as a candidate for an office or place.

to any office, duty, or position; one nominated, or proposed, by others for office or for election to office.

Not conducting; not transmitting a fluid or force; thus, in electricity, wax is a nonconducting substance.

A substance which does not conduct, that is, convey or transmit, heat, electricity, sound, vibration, or the like, or which transmits them with difficulty; an insulator; as, wool is a nonconductor of heat; glass and dry wood are nonconductors of electricity.

The torpedo, which numbs by the electric shocks which it gives.

The standard unit in the measure of electrical resistance, being the resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of one volt produces a current of one ampére. As defined by the International Electrical Congress in 1893, and by United States Statute, it is a resistance substantially equal to 109 units of res…

An electric wave meter.

Above all others; particularly. [Obs.] His most only elected mistress. Marston.

The power of choosing; the right of choice or election; an alternative. There is an option left to the United States of America, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable, as a nation. Washington.

See Elective, n. If to the former the movement was not optional, it was the same that the latter chose when it was optional. Palfrey. Original writs are either optional or peremptory. Blackstone.

An instrument for measuring the distance of distinct vision, mainly for the selection of eveglasses.

Any device for producing electric oscillations; esp., an apparatus for generating electric waves in a system of wireless telegraphy.

An apparatus for recording or indicating alternating-current wave forms or other electrical oscillations, usually consisting of a galvanometer with strong field, in which the mass of the moving part is very small and frequency of vibration very high. -- Os`cil*lo*graph"ic (#), a.

The action produced by this tendency. Electric osmose, or Electric endosmose (Elec.), the transportation of a liquid through a porous septum by the action of an electric current.

To inspect throughly; to select. [Obs.] Cotton.

An umpire; a third arbiter, appointed when two arbiters, previously selected, disagree.

A lightning conductor erected, as in a vineyard, for drawing off the electricity in the atmosphere in order to prevent hailstorms. [France] Knight.

Having a predelection for; inclined to favor unreasonably; foolishly fond. "A partial parent." Pope. Not partial to an ostentatious display. Sir W. Scott.