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of time determined by the revolution of the equinoxes, or the space of time in which the stars and constellations return to their former places in respect to the equinoxes; -- called also great year. This revolution, which is caused by the precession of the equinoxes, is accomplished in about 26,000 years. Barlow.…

A group of small stars in the neck of the constellation Taurus. Job xxxviii. 31.

The two stars (Merak and Dubhe) in the Great Bear, the line between which points nearly in the direction of the north star. See Illust. of Ursa Major. (b) pl. (Naut.)

The polestar. See North star, under North.

; is it dark he borrows a lantern; Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars. Lowell.

e hallux in the hind limb; the thumb. In birds, the pollex is the joint which bears the bastard wing.

A fixed star of the second magnitude, in the constellation Gemini. Cf. 3d Castor.

An arrant coward; a dastard; a craven; a mean-spirited wretch. Shak.

ial and error. Angle of position (Astron.), the angle which any line (as that joining two stars) makes with another fixed line, specifically with a circle of declination. -- Double position (Arith.), the method of solving problems by proceeding with each of two assumed numbers, according to the conditions of the probl…

ot, smoky taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made from potatoes or potato starch. -- Potato worm (Zoöl.), the large green larva of a sphinx, or hawk moth (Macrosila quinquemaculata); -- called also tomato worm. See Illust. under Tomato. -- Seaside potato (Bot.), Ipomoea Pes-Capræ, a kind of morning-gl…

A young chicken, partridge, grouse, or the like. King. Chapman. Starling the heath poults or black game. R. Jefferise.

powder; to be sprinkle; as, to powder the hair. A circling zone thou seest Powdered with stars. Milton.

In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following, 2.

chief. It hath the primal eldest curse upon it. Shak. The primal duties shine aloft like stars. Wordsworth.

A primary planet; the brighter component of a double star. See under Planet.

Early; blooming; being in the first stage. [Poetic] His starry helm, unbuckled, showed him prime In manhood where youth ended. Milton.

a star of the first magnitude in the constellation Canis Minor, or the Little Dog.

The place from which a thing projects, or starts forth. [Obs.] Holland.

by enhanced lines in their spark spectra (which are also observed in the spectra of some stars), obtained at the highest available laboratory temperatures (Lockyer); as protocalcium, protochromium, protocopper, protonickel, protosilicon, protostrontium, prototitanium, protovanadium. -- Pro`to*me*tal"ic (#), a.…

over something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often implying reproach. " To pry upon the stars." Chaucer. Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state. Shak.