Search the Dictionary

ation formed among the tenantry in Ireland about 1843, principally for the purpose of intimidating law officers and preventing the service of legal writs. Its members disguised themselves in the dress of women. (b) A member of a similar association of Irishmen organized in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania, ab…

Moloch horridus). The horns on the head and numerous spines on the body give it a most formidable appearance.

A pyramidal form of inflorescence, in which the cluster is loosely branched below and gradually simpler toward the end.

Any bird of the genus Numida. Several species are found in Africa. The common pintado, or Guinea fowl, the helmeted, and the crested pintados, are the best known. See Guinea fowl, under Guinea.

A low tower, having a truncated pyramidal form, and flanking an ancient Egyptian gateway. Massive pylons adorned with obelisks in front. J. W. Draper.

Of or pertaining to a pyramid; having the form of a pyramid; pyramidal. " A pyramidical rock." Goldsmith. "Gold in pyramidic plenty piled." Shenstone. -- Pyr`a*mid"ic*al*ly, adv. Pyr`a*mild"ic*al*ness, n.

Formidable; dread; terrible to foes; as, a redoubtable hero; hence, valiant; -- often in contempt or burlesque. [Written also redoutable.]

Formidable; dread. "Some redoubled knight." Spenser. Lord regent, and redoubted Burgandy. Shak.

A many-sided pyramidal head upon a nail; also a nail with such a head.

A pyramidal form under the rhombohedral system, inclosed by twelve faces, each a scalene triangle.

igure; a figure; an appearance; a being. Before the gates three sat, On either side, a formidable shape. Milton.

The leading and most progressive Buddhist sect of Japan, resting its faith rather upon Amida than Gautama Buddha. Rites and ceremonies are held useless without uprightness.

A tapering body that shoots up or out to a point in a conical or pyramidal form. Specifically (Arch.), the roof of a tower when of a pyramidal form and high in proportion to its width; also, the pyramidal or aspiring termination of a tower which can not be said to have a roof, such as that of Strasburg cathedral; the t…

Any one of several species of small squirrel-like South American monkeys of the genus Midas, especially M. ursulus.

Literally, God's house; a temple, usually of pyramidal form, such as were built by the aborigines of Mexico, Yucatan, etc. And Aztec priests upon their teocallis Beat the wild war-drums made of serpent's skin. Longfellow.

Adapted or likely to excite terror, awe, or dread; dreadful; formidable. Prudent in peace, and terrible in war. Prior. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them; for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. Deut. vii. 21.

e act of terrorizing, or state of being terrorized; a mode of government by terror or intimidation. Jefferson.

One who governs by terrorism or intimidation; specifically, an agent or partisan of the revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror in France. Burke.

To impress with terror; to coerce by intimidation. Humiliated by the tyranny of foreign despotism, and terrorized by ecclesiastical authority. J. A. Symonds.

tended principally for the destruction of torpedo boats, but later used also as a more formidable torpedo boat.