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), one of a group of spiders (Laterigradæ); -- called because they can run backwards or sideways like a crab. -- Crab tree, the tree that bears crab applies. -- Crab wood, a light cabinet wood obtained in Guiana, which takes a high polish. McElrath. -- To catch a crab (Naut.), a phrase used of a rower: (a) when he f…

To move sidewise, as a crab. [Jocular]. Southey.

A form of tackle for loading a log sideways on a sled, skidway, etc.

A misty shower; dew. [Obs.]

now with majesty and excellency. Job xl. 10. And deck my body in gay ornaments. Shak. The dew with spangles decked the ground. Dryden.

(Geod.), one which a descending line makes with a horizontal plane. -- Depression of the dewpoint (Meteor.), the number of degreees that the dew-point is lower than the actual temperature of the atmosphere. -- Depression of the pole, its apparent sinking, as the spectator goes toward the equator. -- Depression of th…

A deity; a divine being; a good spirit; an idol. [Written also dewata.]

To wet, as if by immersing; to moisten. [Poetic] A cold shuddering dew Dips me all o'er. Milton.

To let fall or send down in drops. Or o'er the glebe distill the kindly rain. Pope. The dew which on the tender grass The evening had distilled. Drayton.

The process of smooth filing by working the file sidewise instead of lengthwise.

To shed slowly in minute drops or particles. "The air doth drizzle dew." Shak.

To fall in drops. The kindly dew drops from the higher tree, And wets the little plants that lowly dwell. Spenser.

nial or biennial plants, the leaves of which are beset with gland-tipped bristles. See Sundew. Gray.

An instrument for measuring the quantity of dew on the surface of a body in the open air. It consists of a balance, having a plate at one end to receive the dew, and at the other a weight protected from the deposit of dew.

Europe and America is L. terrestris; many others are known; -- called also angleworm and dewworm.

To move sideways; to move gradually; as, edge along this way.

To fill or imbue with sweet odor; to perfume. With fresh dews embalmed the earth. Milton.

thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc. They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar; Their dewlaps and their sides are batDryden. As when a billow, blown against, Falls back, the voice with which I fenced A little ceased, but recommenced. Tennyson.

A pavement or sidewalk of flagstones; flagstones, collectively.

To attack sideways. [Obs.] Evelyn.