Search the Dictionary

To become covered with a whitish crust or light crystallization, from a slow chemical change between some of the ingredients of the matter covered and an acid proceeding commonly from an external source; as, the walls of limestone caverns sometimes effloresce with nitrate of calcium in consequence of the action in cons…

That which flows out; emanation; effluence. Prime cheerer, light! . . . Efflux divine. Thomson.

That which flows out; effluvium; emanation. Some light effluxions from spirit to spirit. Bacon.

To cause to shine with abundance of light; to radiate; to beam. [R.] His eyes effulging a peculiar fire. Thomson.

The state of being effulgent; extreme brilliancy; a flood of light; great luster or brightness; splendor. The effulgence of his glory abides. Milton. The bright and the balmy effulgence of morn. Beattie.

Diffusing a flood of light; shining; luminous; beaming; bright; splendid. "Effulgent rays of light." Cowper.

Wash me with that precious effusion, and I shall be whiter than sow. Eikon Basilike. The light effusions of a heedless boy. Byron.

An expression of inquiry or slight surprise.

An exclamation expressing delight.

The act of throwing or darting out with a sudden force and rapid flight. [Archaic or Technical] "An ejaculation or irradiation of the eye." Bacon.

nnective tissue consisting of a network of slender and very elastic fibers which are but slightly affected by acids or alkalies. -- Gum elastic, caoutchouc.

One chosen or set apart. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. Is. xlii. 1.

c cat. See Torpedo, and Gymnotus. -- Electric fluid, the supposed matter of electricity; lightning. -- Electrical image (Elec.), a collection of electrical points regarded as forming, by an analogy with optical phenomena, an image of certain other electrical points, and used in the solution of electrical problems. Si…

y exhibiting accumulated polar tension when the circuit is broken; and by producing heat, light, concussion, and often chemical changes when the circuit passes between the poles or through any imperfectly conducting substance or space. It is generally brought into action by any disturbance of molecular equilibrium, whe…

To excite suddenly and violently, esp. by something highly delightful or inspiriting; to thrill; as, this patriotic sentiment electrified the audience. If the sovereign were now to immure a subject in defiance of the writ of habeas corpus . . . the whole nation would be instantly electrified by the news. Macaulay. Try…

an engine in which the motive force is electro-magnetism. -- Electro-magnetic theory of light (Physics), a theory of light which makes it consist in the rapid alternation of transient electric currents moving transversely to the direction of the ray.

To intoxicate in a slight degree; to render tipsy. [Colloq. & Sportive] "The elevated cavaliers sent for two tubs of merry stingo." Sir W. Scott.

iminutive spirit, supposed to haunt hills and wild places, and generally represented as delighting in mischievous tricks. Every elf, and fairy sprite, Hop as light as bird from brier. Shak.

elflike; implike; weird; scarcely human; mischievous, as though caused by elves. "Elfish light." Coleridge. The elfish intelligence that was so familiar an expression on her small physiognomy. Hawthorne.

To draw out or entice forth; to bring to light; to bring out against the will; to deduce by reason or argument; as, to elicit truth by discussion.