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ne curved and the other plane, and commonly used, either singly or combined, in optical instruments, for changing the direction of rays of light, and thus magnifying objects, or otherwise modifying vision. In practice, the curved surfaces are usually spherical, though rarely cylindrical, or of some other figure. Lenses…

the end, used in making the matrices for type. -- Letters of administration (Law), the instrument by which an administrator or administratrix is authorized to administer the goods and estate of a deceased person. -- Letter of attorney, Letter of credit, etc. See under Attorney, Credit, etc. -- Letter of license, a p…

An instrument, devised by Professor Helmholtz, for testing the color perception of the eye, or for comparing different lights, as to their constituent color or their relative whiteness.

A surgical instrument used to raise a depressed part of the skull.

An instrument by which to find a horizontal line, or adjust something with reference to a horizontal line.

The art or operation of using a leveling instrument for finding a horizontal line, for ascertaining the differences of level between different points of the earth's surface included in a survey, for establishing grades, etc., as in finding the descent of a river, or locating a line of railroad. Leveling instrument. See…

A level, or leveling instrument.

An instrument for ligating, or for placing and fastening a ligature.

ce where a wire enters a building, for preventing injury by lightning to an operator or instrument. It consists of a short circuit to the ground interrupted by a thin nonconductor over which lightning jumps. Called also lightning discharger. -- Lightning bug (Zoöl.), a luminous beetle. See Firefly. -- Lightning condu…

A bitter principle found in the bark of the privet (Ligustrum vulgare), and extracted as a white crystalline substance with a warm, bitter taste; -- called also ligustron.

The graduated margin of an arc or circle, in an instrument for measuring angles.

An instrument for crushing stones in the bladder.

An instrument used for cutting the bladder in operations for the stone.

The operation of crushing a stone in the bladder with an instrument called lithotriptor or lithotrite; lithotrity.

An instrument for triturating the stone in the bladder; a lithotrite.

An instrument for ascertaining the specific gravity of liquids.

An instrument of martial music; a kind of trumpet of a somewhat curved form and shrill note.

ally on shipboard. -- Local battery (Teleg.), the battery which actuates the recording instruments of a telegraphic station, as distinguished from the battery furnishing a current for the line. -- Local circuit (Teleg.), the circuit of the local battery. -- Local color. (a) (Paint.) The color which belongs to an obj…

The occupation and holding of a position, as by a besieging party; an instrument thrown up in a captured position; as, to effect a lodgment.

A neutral tint given to spectacles, shade glasses for optical instruments, etc., which reduces the intensity without materially changing the color of the transmitted light.