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An instrument for crushing the head of a fetus, to facilitate delivery in difficult eases.

The operation of opening the fetal head, in order to effect delivery.

To break in pieces violently; to dash together with noise and violence. [R.] He shakt his head, and crasht his teeth for ire. Fairfax.

entered all items reckoned as values received from the party or the category named at the head of the account; also, any one, or the sum, of these items; -- the opposite of debit; as, this sum is carried to one's credit, and that to his debit; A has several credits on the books of B. Bank credit, or Cash credit. See un…

A tuft, or other excrescence or natural ornament, growing on animal's head; the comb of a cock; the swelling on the head of a serpent; the lengthened feathers of the crown or nape of bird, etc. Darwin. [Attack] his rising crest, and drive the serpent back. C. Pitt.

Having a crest of feathers or hair upon the head. "The crested bird." Dryden.

With hanging head; hence, dispirited; dejected; cowed. Let it make thee crestfullen; Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride. Shak.

A sphinx with the head of a ram.

The iron head of a tilting spear.

A fall on one's head when riding at full speed, as in hunting; hence, a sudden failure or collapse. [Slang.]

up which bears the cross, or the other, which is called pile, or reverse; the game called heads or tails. -- Cross bottony or bottoné. See under Bottony. -- Cross estoilé (Her.). a cross, each of whose arms is pointed like the ray of a star; that is, a star having four long points only. -- Cross of Calvary. See Calv…

A bar or timber connecting two knightheads or two bitts.

Pieces of timber at a masthead, to which are attached the upper shrouds. At the head of lower masts in large vessels, they support a semicircular platform called the "top."

e to bend, as in humility or fear. She folded her arms across her chest, And crouched her head upon her breast. Colerige.

A wreath or garland, or any ornamental fillet encircling the head, especially as a reward of victory or mark of honorable distinction; hence, anything given on account of, or obtained by, faithful or successful effort; a reward. "An olive branch and laurel crown." Shak. They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we…

A coronet. [R.] P. Whitehead.

A piece or part which passes over the head, as in a bridle.

sting of two or more bastioned fronts, with their outworks, covering an enceinte, a bridgehead, etc., and connected by wings with the main work or the river bank.

A cooper's tool for making the grooves for the heads of casks, etc.; also, the groove itself.

To engage in a crusade; to attack in a zealous or hot-headed manner. "Cease crusading against sense." M. Green.