Search the Dictionary

the state of being centralized; the act or process of combining or reducing several parts into a whole; as, the centralization of power in the general government; the centralization of commerce in a city.

To draw or bring to a center point; to gather into or about a center; to bring into one system, or under one control. [To] centralize the power of government. Bancroft.

Pertaining to, or divided into, centuries or hundreds. [R.] Holland.

One of sixty companies into which a legion of the army was divided. It was Commanded by a centurion. Century plant (Bot.), the Agave Americana, formerly supposed to flower but once in a century; - - hence the name. See Agave. -- The Magdeburg Centuries, an ecclesiastical history of the first thirteen centuries, arrang…

mation. The head is large, and protected by a broad shield-shaped helmet prolonged behind into two lateral points.

An instrument for cutting into the fetal head, to facilitate delivery.

A monster, in the shape, of a three-headed dog, guarding the entrance into the infernal regions, Hence: Any vigilant custodian or guardian, esp. if surly.

ly resembling diastase, obtained from bran, and possessing the power of converting starch into dextrin, sugar, and lactic acid. Watts.

the presence of lateral setæ, or spines, on most or all of the segments. They are divided into two principal groups: Oligochæta, including the earthworms and allied forms, and Polychæta, including most of the marine species.

An open furnace or forge, in which blooms are heated before being wrought into bars.

y Compositæ, as the sunflower. Gray. Chaff cutter, a machine for cutting, up straw, etc., into "chaff" for the use of cattle.

A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc. [They] put a chain of gold about his neck. Dan. v. 29.

the rails and secure them to the sleepers. Chair days, days of repose and age. -- To put into the chair, to elect as president, or as chairman of a meeting. Macaulay. -- To take the chair, to assume the position of president, or of chairman of a meeting.

Any water, liquid, or medicine, into which iron enters as an ingredient.

To change into various colors. [R.]

To bite into small pieces; to crunch. Steele.

signify merely men's ignorance of the real and immediate cause. Samuel Clark. Any society into which chance might throw him. Macaulay. That power Which erring men call Chance. Milton.

or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance. Therefore will I change their glory into shame. Hosea. iv. 7.

A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.

A small molding, carved into beads, pearls, olives, etc.