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A device, as a loosely fitted plug, which is driven through a pipe by the pressure of the contents behind the plug to clear away obstructions.

lass, having horizontal marks upon its sides, with figures, to indicate the amount of the contents at the several levels. -- Graduated spring (Railroads), a combination of metallic and rubber springs.

To plunder of contents; to destroy or remove the interior or contents of; as, a mob gutted the bouse. Tom Brown, of facetious memory, having gutted a proper name of its vowels, used it as freely as he pleased. Addison.

or organic compound containing iron, which when ingested tends to increase the hemoglobin contents of the blood.

Criticism which includes the study of the contents, literary character, date, authorship, etc., of any writing; as, the higher criticism of the Pentateuch. Called also historical criticism.

A large cask or barrel, of indefinite contents; esp. one containing from 100 to 140 gallons. [U. S.]

; -- so called because originally bound with hoops, like a barrel. Also, a portion of the contents measured by the distance between the hoops. [Obs.]

n individual cell, differing greatly from its neighbours in regard to size, structure, or contents.

t. He . . . sent to Elutherius, then bishop of Rome, an improbable letter, as some of the contents discover. Milton. -- Im*prob"a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*prob"a*bly, adv.

Without contents; empty; void of sense or intelligence; purposeless; pointless; characterless; useless. "Vague and inane instincts." I. Taylor. -- In*ane"ly, adv.

e with an index or table of references; to put into an index; as, to index a book, or its contents.

Not ripened or suppurated; -- said of an abscess or its contents.

The act of burying vessels in warm earth in order to expose their contents to a steady moderate heat; the state of being thus exposed.

The junction or connection of vessels, channels, or passages, so that their contents pass from one to the other; union by mouths or ducts; anastomosis; intercommunication; as, inosculation of veins, etc. Ray.

Expressing penetration beyond the outside or surface, or access to the inside, or contents; as, to look into a letter or book; to look into an apartment.

A large drinking vessel; also, its contents. [Colloq. Eng.] Forby.

red glass, etc., and reflecting surfaces so arranged that changes of position exhibit its contents in an endless variety of beautiful colors and symmetrical forms. It has been much employed in arts of design. Shifting like the fragments of colored glass in the kaleidoscope. G. W. Cable.

slip of silk, paper, parchment, etc., affixed to anything, usually by an inscription, the contents, ownership, destination, etc.; as, the label of a bottle or a package.

Testament attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, and taking its name from the nature of its contents.

g tortoises and marrow bones to a great height, and dropping them on stones to obtain the contents, and is therefore called bonebreaker and ossifrage. It is supposed to be the ossifrage of the Bible. Called also bearded vulture and bearded eagle. [Written also lammergeyer.]