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A trifle; a piece of foolery. [Obs.] Skinner.

A piece of metal, or any other object, so decorated.

A game played with nine pins, or pieces of wood, set on end, at which a wooden ball is bowled to knock them down; bowling.

A pipe fitting, consisting of a short piece of pipe, usually provided with a screw thread at each end, for connecting two other fittings. Solder nipple, a short pipe, usually of brass, one end of which is tapered and adapted for attachment to the end of a lead pipe by soldering.

A night piece, or serenade. The name is now used for a certain graceful and expressive form of instrumental composition, as the nocturne for orchestra in Mendelsohn's "Midsummer-Night's Dream" music.

A short or waste piece or knot of wool separated from the longer staple by combing; also, a similar piece or shred of waste silk.

A thin strip of dough, made with eggs, rolled up, cut into small pieces, and used in soup.

s pliant and easily influenced. "A nose of wax to be turned every way." Massinger -- Nose piece, the nozzle of a pipe, hose, bellows, etc.; the end piece of a microscope body, to which an objective is attached. -- To hold, put, or bring one's nose to the grindstone. See under Grindstone. -- To lead by the nose, to le…

A perforated block (usually a small piece of metal), provided with an internal or female screw thread, used on a bolt, or screw, for tightening or holding something, or for transmitting motion. See Illust. of lst Bolt.

An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which rests in the rowlock is called the loom.

A collection of miscellaneous pieces.

y; rich; affluent; as, an opulent city; an opulent citizen. -- Op"u*lent*ly, adv. I will piece Her opulent throne with kingdoms. Shak.

n wind instruments, and from an assemblage of solo players for the rendering of concerted pieces, such as septets, octets, and the like.

Any one of a number of long, thick pieces of timber, pointed and shod with iron, and suspended, each by a separate rope, over a gateway, to be let down in case of attack.

The operation of dividing a bone or of cutting a piece out of it, -- done to remedy deformity, etc.

A piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger at a particular place.

estra, designed as an introduction to an oratorio, opera, or ballet, or as an independent piece; -- called in the latter case a concert overture.

A shoe for oxen, consisting of a flat piece of iron nailed to the hoof.

A substance or piece used to make a joint impervious; as:

A piece of timber fixed on a beam to fit the curve of the deck. W. C. Russel.