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One of the short pieces of timber on which the planks forming the floor of a scaffold are laid, -- one end resting on the ledger of the scaffold, and the other in a hole left in the wall temporarily for the purpose. Oxf. Gloss.

Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf. Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched on Alps. And pyramids are pyramids in vales. Young.

A foot consisting of two short syllables.

To be agitated with quick, short motions continually repeated; to shake with fear, cold, etc.; to shudder; to tremble. Quaking for dread." Chaucer. She stood quaking like the partridge on which the hawk is ready to seize. Sir P. Sidney.

To soothe; to cure; -- said of persons. [Obs.] In short space he has them qualified. Spenser.

a seminary, college, etc, etc.; properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter. (h) pl. (Mil.)

ian Empire with some wild tribes never subjugated by the Incas. Most of these Indians are short, but heavy and strong. They are brachycephalic and of remarkably low cranial capacity. Nevertheless, they represent one of the highest of native American civilizations, characterized by agricultural, military, and administra…

To shorten the radius of (a curve); to make (a curve) sharper; as, to quicken the sheer, that is, to make its curve more pronounced.

The short planks between the portholes.

A fit or turn; a short paroxysm; a caprice. [Obs.] "Quirks of joy and grief." Shak.

rrying about six hundred square feet of sail, distinguished from a knockabout by having a short bowsprit.

te business or object; an excursion or stroll merely for recreation. Coming home, after a short Christians ramble. Swift.

A short bend, slope, or curve, where a hand rail or cap changes its direction.

One of a body of mounted troops, formerly armed with short muskets, who range over the country, and often fight on foot.

oasodon nàrinari) of the Southern United States and the West Indies. -- Butterfly ray, a short-tailed American sting ray (Pteroplatea Maclura), having very broad pectoral fins. -- Devil ray. See Sea Devil. -- Eagle ray, any large ray of the family Myliobatidæ, or Ætobatidæ. The common European species (Myliobatis aq…

o. The best account of the appearances of nature which human penetration can reach, comes short of its reality. Cheyne.

In a real manner; with or in reality; actually; in truth. Whose anger is really but a short fit of madness. Swift.

To be brittle when red-hot; to be red-short. Moxon.

A close-fitting lacket or short coat of thick cloth.

taking in a reef. Reefing bowsprit, a bowsprit so rigged that it can easily be run in or shortened by sliding inboard, as in cutters.