Search the Dictionary

The act of exciting, or the condition of being excited to action, by stimulation; -- as, the condition of an organ of sense, when its nerve is affected by some external body; esp., the act of exciting muscle fibers to contraction, by artificial stimulation; as, the irritation of a motor nerve by electricity; also, the…

quality, or relation, of two or more isomeric substances. Physical isomerism (Chem.), the condition or relation of certain (metameric) substances, which, while chemically identical (in that they have the same composition, the same molecular weights, and the same ultimate constitution), are yet physically different, as…

As a substitute for such general terms as, the state of affairs, the condition of things, and the like; as, how is it with the sick man Think on me when it shall be well with thee. Gen. xl. 14.

mits, a space or district around a jail within which an imprisoned debtor was, on certain conditions, allowed to go at large. Abbott. -- Jail lock, a peculiar form of padlock; -- called also Scandinavian lock.

A morbid condition, characterized by yellowness of the eyes, skin, and urine, whiteness of the fæces, constipation, uneasiness in the region of the stomach, loss of appetite, and general languor and lassitude. It is caused usually by obstruction of the biliary passages and consequent damming up, in the liver, of the bi…

Anything brought to a gelatinous condition; a viscous, translucent substance in a condition between liquid and solid; a stiffened solution of gelatin, gum, or the like.

dinary indulgence grated by the sovereign pontiff to the universal church. One invariable condition of granting this indulgence is the confession of sins and receiving of the eucharist.

To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor. His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal. Milton. Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on. Addison.

Regular order or proper condition. [Written also kilter.] [Colloq.] If the organs of prayer be out of kelter or out of tune, how can we pray Barrow.

e their appearance in consequence of a secondary adaptation of the embryo to the peculiar conditions of its environment; -- distinguished from palingenesis. [Written also cænogenesis.]

A position or condition which affords entrance, control, pr possession, etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a political situation. Hence, that which serves to unlock, open, discover, or solve something unknown or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem. Those who ar…

A tenure of lands held by knights on condition of performing military service. See Chivalry, n., 4.

ary service by rendering which a knight held his lands; also, the tenure of lands held on condition of performing military service.

The character, dignity, or condition of a knight, or of knights as a class; hence, chivalry. "O shame to knighthood." Shak. If you needs must write, write Cæsar's praise; You 'll gain at least a knighthood, or the bays. Pope.

A condition in which the knees are bent in so as to touch each other in walking; inknee.

To be oppressed with difficulties or disease; to do one's work under conditions which make it especially hard, wearisome; to move slowly, as against opposition, or under a burden; to be burdened; -- often with under, and formerly with of. The stone that labors up the hill. Granville. The line too labors,and the words m…

A morbid condition in which the eye stands wide open, giving a peculiar staring appearance.

The state or quality of being laic; the state or condition of a layman.

The condition or quality of being lame; as, the lameness of an excuse or an argument.

A small fishlike animal (Amphioxus lanceolatus), remarkable for the rudimentary condition of its organs. It is the type of the class Leptocardia. See Amphioxus, Leptocardia.