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Equality of condition or circumstances. At par, at the original price; neither at a discount nor at a premium. -- Above par, at a premium. -- Below par, at a discount. -- On a par, on a level; in the same condition, circumstances, position, rank, etc.; as, their pretensions are on a par; his ability is on a par with…

A portion of the mesoblast (of peripheral origin) of the developing embryo, the cells of which are especially concerned in forming the first blood and blood vessels. C. S. Minot.

The science which treats of minerals with special reference to their origin.

Originating in the character of the germ, or at the first commencement of an individual; -- said of peculiarities of structure, character, etc.

Originally, a marginal mark or note, set in the margin to call attention to something in the text, e. g., a change of subject; now, the character

A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; -- opposed to metaphrase. In paraphrase, or translation…

Certainly; surely; truly; verily; -- originally an oath. [Written also pardee, pardieux, perdie, etc.] [Obs.] He was, parde, an old fellow of yours. Chaucer.

One of an aboriginal people of Southern India, regarded by the four castes of the Hindoos as of very low grade. They are usually the serfs of the Sudra agriculturalists. See Caste. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

A compound, originally made from gun cotton and castor oil, but later from different materials, and used as a substitute for vulcanized India rubber and for ivory; -- called also xylotile.

A covering for the neck, and sometimes for the shoulders and breast; originally worn by both sexes, but laterby women alone; a ruff. [Obs.] Fuller.

A kind of minuet, in triple time, of French origin, popular in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and for some time after; -- called also passing measure, and passymeasure. Percy Smith.

erable; admissable; moderate; mediocre. My version will appear a passable beauty when the original muse is absent. Dryden.

tion of bacteria and other organisms. It contains all the elements of protoplasm, and was originally made of the ash of yeast, some ammonia compound, sugar, and water.

A falsified work of art, as a vase or statue made up of parts of original works, with missing parts supplied.

Origin; authorship. The paternity of these novels was . . . disputed. Sir W. Scott.

An American Indian game analogous to dice, probably originally a method of divination.

Originally, a member of any of the families constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman citizens, before the development of the plebeian order; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the nobility.

That branch of knowledge which deals with personal names and their origin; the study of patronymics.

One of a sect of Christian dualists originating in Armenia in the seventh century. They rejected the Old Testament and the part of the New.

A kind of aboriginal shell money, or wampum, of the Atlantic coast of the United States; -- originally applied only to polished white cylindrical beads.