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Subtile or invisible emanation; exhalation perceived by the sense of smell; especially, noisome or noxious exhalation; as, the effluvium from diseased or putrefying bodies, or from ill drainage.

to void, as excrement; to excrete, as the indigestible matter of the food; in an extended sense, to excrete by the lungs, skin, or kidneys.

ctice of magnifying one's self or parading one's own doings. The word is also used in the sense of egoism. His excessive egotism, which filled all objects with himself. Hazlitt.

Surpassing; extraordinary; distinguished (in a bad sense); -- formerly used with words importing a good quality, but now joined with words having a bad sense; as, an egregious rascal; an egregious ass; an egregious mistake. The egregious impudence of this fellow. Bp. Hall. His [Wyclif's] egregious labors are not to be…

An image or effigy; -- used rather in an abstract sense, and rarely for a work of art.

Suddenly darted out; uttered in short sentences; as, an ejaculatory prayer or petition.

Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; -- opposed to Ant: younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc. The elder shall serve the younger. Gen. xxv. 23. But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour. Keble. Elder hand (Card Playing),…

The state of being older; seniority. "Paternity an eldership." Sir W. Raleigh.

k philosophers who taught that the only certain science is that which owes nothing to the senses, and all to the reason. -- n.

lently, 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 whether she could electrif…

Pertaining the reaction (contraction) of the muscles under electricity, or their sensibility to it.

An instrument for detecting the presence of electricity, or changes in the electric state of bodies, or the species of electricity present, as by means of pith balls, and the like. Condensing electroscope (Physics), a form of electroscope in which an increase of sensibility is obtained by the use of a condenser.…

nce, pleasing to good taste; characterized by grace, propriety, and refinement, and the absence of every thing offensive; exciting admiration and approbation by symmetry, completeness, freedom from blemish, and the like; graceful; tasteful and highly attractive; as, elegant manners; elegant style of composition; an ele…

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

to manumit; as, to emancipate a slave, or a country. Brasidas . . . declaring that he was sent to emancipate Hellas. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

Same as Ambassador. Stilbon, that was a wise embassadour, Was sent to Corinth. Chaucer. Myself my king's embassador will go. Dryden.

An embassy. "He sent a solemn embassage." Bacon. Except your embassages have better success. Motley.

public message to; foreign court concerning state affairs; hence, any solemn message. He sends the angels on embassies with his decrees. Jer. Taylor.

An agent employed to advance, in a covert manner, the interests of his employers; one sent out by any power that is at war with another, to create dissatisfaction among the people of the latter. Buzzing emissaries fill the ears Of listening crowds with jealousies and fears. Dryden.

The act of sending or throwing out; the act of sending forth or putting into circulation; issue; as, the emission of light from the sun; the emission of heat from a fire; the emission of bank notes. issue bank notes.