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w the waist. Petticoat government, government by women, whether in politics or domestic affairs. [Colloq.] -- Petticoat pipe (Locomotives), a short, flaring pipe surrounding the blast nozzle in the smoke box, to equalize the draft.

Money paid at fairs for leave to break ground for booths. Ainsworth.

An ancient court of record in England, formerly incident to every fair and market, of which the steward of him who owned or had the toll was the judge. Blackstone.

A cant word for anything petty or small. It is used by Drayton as the name of a fairy.

An old English name for a fairy; an elf. [Written also picksy.]

n the Middle Ages, over which the sovereign president when a consultation was held upon affairs of state. Brande & C.

Open; clear; unencumbered; equal; fair. Our troops beat an army in plain fight. Felton.

Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit. "The next who comes in play." Dryden.

One who pleads; one who argues for or against; an advotate. So fair a pleader any cause may gain. Dryden.

bisterwashed drawings, by singeing the surface of wood with a heated poker or other iron. Fairholt.

The inherent power of a government to regulate its police affairs. The term police power is not definitely fixed in meaning. In the earlier cases in the United States it was used as including the whole power of internal government, or the powers of government inherent in every sovereignty to the extent of its dominions…

The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state.

Of or pertaining to public policy, or to politics; relating to affairs of state or administration; as, a political writer. "The political state of Europe." Paley.

ontests of parties with reference to political measures or the administration of public affairs; the advancement of candidates to office; in a bad sense, artful or dishonest management to secure the success of political candidates or parties; political trickery. When we say that two men are talking politics, we often m…

(Bot.), the red-flowered pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), which opens its blossoms only in fair weather. -- Poor rate, an assessment or tax, as in an English parish, for the relief or support of the poor. -- Poor soldier (Zoöl.), the friar bird. -- The poor, those who are destitute of property; the indigent; the need…

nder a certain determinate problem indeterminate or capable of innumerable solutions. Playfair.

low powder, sometimes used by mediæval artists, for the sake of economy, instead of gold. Fairholt.

Inscribed with a posy. In poised lockets bribe the fair. Gay.

st office; the mail; hence, the carriage by which the mail is transported. I send you the fair copy of the poem on dullness, which I should not care to hazard by the common post. Pope.

internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense; the posture of affairs. The several postures of his devout soul. Atterbury.