Search the Dictionary

Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of the large series of substances which, in nature or origin, are connected with vital processes, and include many substances of artificial production which may or may not occur in animals or plants; -- contrasted with Ant: inorganic.

uman institutions and undertakings, as a science, a government, an army, a war, etc. This original and supreme will organizes the government. Cranch.

The origin and development of organs in animals and plants.

e of the ridges of sand or gravel found in Sweden, etc., supposed by some to be of marine origin, but probably formed by subglacial waters. The osar are similar to the kames of Scotland and the eschars of Ireland. See Eschar.

A species of coarse linen, originally made in Osnaburg, Germany.

A stuffed seat without a back, originally used in Turkey.

In its original and strict sense, out means from the interior of something; beyond the limits or boundary of somethings; in a position or relation which is exterior to something; -- opposed to in or into. The something may be expressed after of, from, etc. (see Out of, below); or, if not expressed, it is implied; as, h…

To go beyond in performance; to excel; to surpass. An imposture outdoes the original. L' Estrange. I grieve to be outdone by Gay. Swift.

That branch of natural history which treats of the origin and functions of eggs.

guage the letter was brought, through the ancient Greek, from the Phonician, its probable origin being Egyptian. Etymologically P is most closely related to b, f, and v; as hobble, hopple; father, paternal; recipient, receive. See B, F, and M.

A game, somewhat resembling backgammon, originating in India.

rized ore and water) during treatment by the cyanide process; -- so named because, though originally devised in New Zealand, it was first practically introduced in Pachuca, Mexico.

Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed days of sailing; a mail boat. Packet boat, ship, or vessel. See Packet, n., 2. -- Packet day, the day for mailing letters to go by packet; or the s…

Originally, in India, loose drawers or trousers, such as those worn, tied about the waist, by Mohammedan men and women; by extension, a similar garment adopted among Europeans, Americans, etc., for wear in the dressing room and during sleep; also, a suit consisting of drawers and a loose upper garment for such wear.…

Relish; taste; liking; -- a sense originating in the mistaken notion that the palate is the organ of taste. Hard task! to hit the palate of such guests. Pope.

des of writing; the art or science of deciphering ancient writings, and determining their origin, period, etc., from external characters; diplomatics.

which the truly ancestral characters conserved by heredity are reproduced in development; original simple descent; -- distinguished from kenogenesis. Sometimes, in zoölogy, the abrupt metamorphosis of insects, crustaceans, etc.

e Austrian army; -- so called from Pandur, a principal town in the region from which they originally came. [Written also pandoor.] Her whiskered pandours and her fierce hussars. Campbell.

A plant of the genus Viola (V. tricolor) and its blossom, originally purple and yellow. Cultivated varieties have very large flowers of a great diversity of colors. Called also heart's-ease, love-in-idleness, and many other quaint names.

pantograph, a kind of pantograph for drawing a copy which is inclined with respect to the original figure; -- also called plagiograph.