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such changes as are intended to level class inequalities; -- opposed to conservative. In politics they [the Independents] were, to use phrase of their own time. "Root-and-Branch men," or, to use the kindred phrase of our own, Radicals. Macaulay.

ality or state of being radical; specifically, the doctrines or principles of radicals in politics or social reform. Radicalism means root work; the uprooting of all falsehoods and abuses. F. W. Robertson.

In English politics, to desert one's party from interested motives; to forsake one's associates for one's own advantage; in the trades, to work for less wages, or on other conditions, than those established by a trades union. Coleridge . . . incurred the reproach of having ratted, solely by his inability to follow the…

tions; reform of government. Civil service reform. See under Civil. -- Reform acts (Eng. Politics), acts of Parliament passed in 1832, 1867, 1884, 1885, extending and equalizing popular representation in Parliament. -- Reform school, a school established by a state or city government, for the confinement, instruction…

ublic; as, republican sentiments or opinions; republican manners. Republican party. (U.S. Politics) (a) An earlier name of the Democratic party when it was opposed to the Federal party. Thomas Jefferson was its great leader.

perpendicular to each other. -- Right ascension. See under Ascension. -- Right Center (Politics), those members belonging to the Center in a legislative assembly who have sympathies with the Right on political questions. See Center, n., 5. -- Right cone, Right cylinder, Right prism, Right pyramid (Geom.), a cone, c…

pt the same teachings; a sect or denomination in philosophy, theology, science, medicine, politics, etc. Let no man be less confident in his faith . . . by reason of any difference in the several schools of Christians. Jer. Taylor.

To withdraw; to retire. [Obs.] To sequester out of the world into Atlantic and Utopian politics. Milton.

n our side, doubt not of victory. Shak. We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics. Landor. Sets the passions on the side of truth. Pope.

æsar, by dismissing his guards and retaining his power, committed a dangerous solecism in politics. C. Middleton. The idea of having committed the slightest solecism in politeness was agony to him. Sir W. Scott.

One of a class of men who taught eloquence, philosophy, and politics in ancient Greece; especially, one of those who, by their fallacious but plausible reasoning, puzzled inquirers after truth, weakened the faith of the people, and drew upon themselves general hatred and contempt. Many of the Sophists doubdtless card n…

One who is disgruntled by a failure in politics, or the like. [Slang, U.S.]

Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.

One who serves a cause or a party for a share of the spoils; in United States politics, one who makes or recognizes a demand for public office on the ground of partisan service; also, one who sanctions such a policy in appointments to the public service.

arty; steady; steadfast; as, a stanch churchman; a stanch friend or adherent. V. Knox. In politics I hear you 're stanch. Prior.

One versed in politics, or one who dabbles in state affairs.

A blackmailer in politics; also, one whose political influence can be bought. [Political Cant]

ing; to speak; to utter; to make a subject of conversation; as, to talk nonsense; to talk politics.

eedings had a strong tang of tyranny. Fuller. A cant of philosophism, and a tang of party politics. Jeffrey.

ositions are the very errors of human nature; and yet they are the fittest timber to make politics of. Bacon.