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of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew.

suborder of leeches including those that have a protractile proboscis, without jaws. Clepsine is the type.

Having the faculty or power of laughing; disposed to laugh. Laughing is our busines, . . . it has been made the definition of man that he is risible. Dr. H. More.

Evincing strength; indicating vigorous health; strong; sinewy; muscular; vigorous; sound; as, a robust body; robust youth; robust health.

salts. These salts are essential components of many of the socalled aniline dyes, as fuchsine, aniline red, etc. By extension, any one of the series of substances derived from, or related to, rosaniline proper.

To rub with rosin, as musicians rub the bow of a violin. Or with the rosined bow torment the string. Gay.

A round of business, amusement, or pleasure, daily or frequently pursued; especially, a course of business or offical duties regularly or frequently returning.

ish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with up or over; as, to rub up silver. The whole business of our redemption is to rub over the defaced copy of the creation. South.

t which promotes injury, decay, or destruction. The errors of young men are the ruin of business. Bacon.

A person on shipboard whose business was to take charge of stowing the cargo; -- formerly written roomager, and romager. [Obs.] The master must provide a perfect mariner, called a romager, to range and bestow all merchandise. Hakluyt .

ith undue haste and eagerness, or without due deliberation and preparation; as, to rush business or speculation. They . . . never think it to be a part of religion to rush into the office of princes and ministers. Sprat.

The distance from a point in a curve to the chord; also, the versed sine of an arc; -- so called from its resemblance to an arrow resting on the bow and string. [Obs.]

One who follows the business of navigating ships or other vessels; one who understands the practical management of ships; one of the crew of a vessel; a mariner; a common seaman.

ire or appetite of; to satiate; to glut; to surfeit. Crowds of wanderers sated with the business and pleasure of great cities. Macaulay.

A person whose business is marriage brokage; a marriage broker, esp. among certain Jews.

To go on the business of scouting, or watching the motions of an enemy; to act as a scout. With obscure wing Scout far and wide into the realm of night. Milton.

Lean and rough; scragged. "His sinewy, scraggy neck." Sir W. Scott.

One whose business is to place money at interest; a broker. [Obs.] ryden.

One who follows the sea as a business; a mariner; a sailor.

Following the business of a mariner; as, a seafaring man.