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Happening independently of human will or means of foresight; resulting from unavoidable physical causes. Abbott.

To separate by means of, or to subject to, fractional distillation or crystallization; to fractionate; -- frequently used with out; as, to fraction out a certain grade of oil from pretroleum.

tallization (Chem.), a process of gradual and approximate purification and separation, by means of repeated solution and crystallization therefrom. -- Fractional currency, small coin, or paper notes, in circulation, of less value than the monetary unit. -- Fractional distillation (Chem.), a process of distillation so…

Work done in, or by means of, a frame or loom.

enefit the church or accomplish some good end, upon the theory that the end justified the means. -- Statute of frauds (Law), an English statute (1676), the principle of which is incorporated in the legislation of all the States of this country, by which writing with specific solemnities (varying in the several statute…

; as, the blood freezes in the veins. To freeze up (Fig.), to become formal and cold in demeanor. [Colloq.]

The mingling of fresh water with salt in rivers or bays, as by means of a flood of fresh water flowing toward or into the sea. Beverly.

ignites by friction. -- Friction primer, Friction tube, a tube used for firing cannon by means of the friction of a roughened wire in the friction powder or composition with which the tube is filled -- Friction wheel (Mach.), one of the wheels in frictional gearing. See under Frictional.

ening cloth by moisture, heat, and pressure. Fulling mill, a mill for fulling cloth as by means of pesties or stampers, which alternately fall into and rise from troughs where the cloth is placed with hot water and fuller's earth, or other cleansing materials.

n of some commercial or other operation undertaken with a view to profit; that reserve by means of which expenses and credit are supported; as, the fund of a bank, commercial house, manufacturing corporation, etc.

The leveling of a surface, or the preparing of an air space, by means of strips of board or of larger pieces. See Fur, v. t., 3.

A tube or casing filled with combustible matter, by means of which a charge of powder is ignited, as in blasting; -- called also fuzee. See Fuze. Fuse hole, the hole in a shell prepared for the reception of the fuse. Farrow.

The mouth; hence, idle prate; chatter; unmeaning talk; loquaciousness. [Colloq.] Gift of gab, facility of expression. [Colloq.]

A coarse frock or loose upper garment formerly worn by Jews; a mean dress. Shak.

To talk fast, or to talk without meaning; to prate; to jabber. Shak.

To strike with a gaff or barbed spear; to secure by means of a gaff; as, to gaff a salmon.

To pry or hold open by means of a gag. Mouths gagged to such a wideness. Fortescue (Transl. ).

Nonsense; gibberish; confused and unmeaning talk; confused mixture. Her dress, like her talk, is a galimatias of several countries. Walpole.

To plate, as with gold, silver, etc., by means of electricity.

A method of producing by means of electrotyping process (without etching) copperplates which can be printed from in the same manner as engraved plates.