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To be at the basis of; to form the foundation of; to support; as, a doctrine underlying a theory.

Accompanying strain; subordinate and underlying meaning; accompaniment; undertone. In the very [poetry] there often an undersong of sense which none beside the poetic mind . . . can comprehend. Landor.

low; an inferior agent; an underling. This was going to the fountain head at once, not applying to the understrappers. Goldsmith.

Urging; pressing; besetting; plying, with importunity; calling for immediate attention; instantly important. "The urgent hour." Shak. Some urgent cause to ordain the contrary. Hooker. The Egyptians were urgent upon the people that they might send them out of the land in haste. Ex. xii. 33.

A sort of blue or black clay lying near a vein of coal.

The act of employing anything, or of applying it to one's service; the state of being so employed or applied; application; employment; conversion to some purpose; as, the use of a pen in writing; his machines are in general use. Books can never teach the use of books. Bacon. This Davy serves you for good uses. Shak. Wh…

Proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report. Some legend strange and value. Longfellow. Vague year. See Sothiac year, under Sothiac.

ape, a broad collar or cape of linen and lace with a deep pointed or scalloped edge, worn lying on the shoulders; - - so called from its appearance in pictures by Vandyke. -- Vandyke edge, an edge having ornamental triangular points.

Flying with sails; passing under full sail. [R.]

rated; worthy of veneration or reverence; deserving of honor and respect; -- generally implying an advanced age; as, a venerable magistrate; a venerable parent. He was a man of eternal self-sacrifice, and that is always venerable. De Quincey. Venerable men! you have come down to us from a former generation. D. Webster.…

One of the planets, the second in order from the sun, its orbit lying between that of Mercury and that of the Earth, at a mean distance from the sun of about 67,000,000 miles. Its diameter is 7,700 miles, and its sidereal period 224.7 days. As the morning star, it was called by the ancients Lucifer; as the evening star…

etites; customary deviation in a single respect, or in general, from a right standard, implying a defect of natural character, or the result of training and habits; a harmful custom; immorality; depravity; wickedness; as, a life of vice; the vice of intemperance. I do confess the vices of my blood. Shak. Ungoverned app…

Of or pertaining to victuals, or provisions; supplying provisions; as, a victualing ship.

[Obs.] Many of Chaucer's words are become, as it were, vinnewed and hoary with over-long lying. F. Beaumont.

a crossbow having feathers or brass placed at an angle with the shaft to make it spin in flying.

A flying fish of California (Exocoetus Californicus): -- called also volator.

Passing through the air upon wings, or as if upon wings; flying; hence, passing from place to place; current. English silver now was current, and our gold volant in the pope's court. Fuller.

Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly. [Obs.]

The act of flying; flight. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

To glide in a flying machine.