Search the Dictionary

A genus of small pectinibranch mollusks, having thick spiral shells, abundant between tides on nearly all rocky seacoasts. They feed on seaweeds. The common periwinkle is a well-known example. See Periwinkle.

One of a family of fresh-water pectinibranchiate mollusks, having a turret-shaped shell.

The nose; the snout; the mouth; the beak of a bird; a nib, as of a pen. [Also written nib.] Shak.

Worthy or capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable; remarkable. Sir. T. Browne. The difference is sufficiently observable. Southey. -- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ob*serv"a*bly, adv.

Any one of numerous species of freshwater pectinibranchiate mollusks, belonging to Paludina, Melantho, and allied genera. They have an operculated shell which is usually green, often with brown bands. See Illust. of Pond snail, under Pond.

Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible; perceivable. With a perceptible blast of the air. Bacon. -- Per*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Per*cep"ti*bly, adv.

Discernible. [Obs.] Herbert.

To eat slowly, sparingly, or by morsels; to nibble. Why stand'st thou picking Is thy palate sore Dryden.

elonging to Limnæa, Physa, Planorbis, and allied genera. The operculated species are pectinibranchs, belonging to Melantho, Valvata, and various other genera. -- Pond spice (Bot.), an American shrub (Tetranthera geniculata) of the Laurel family, with small oval leaves, and axillary clusters of little yellow flowers. T…

An extensive division of pectinibranchiate gastropods, including those that have a long retractile proboscis, with the mouth at the end, as the cones, whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of Gastropoda, and of Winkle.

Same as Pulmonibranchiata, -ate.

A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the proper subject of his quill. Sir H. Wotton.

A divisiom of gastropods; the Pectinibranchiata.

A division of pectinibranchiate gastropods, having the head prolonged into a snout which is not retractile.

A thin, loosely woven, twilled worsted stuff. In blue shalloon shall Hannibal be clad. Swift.

To bite or nibble like a sheep; hence, to practice petty thefts. [Obs.] Shak.

le running from station to station for the accomodation of the public; a stagecoach; an omnibus. "A parcel sent you by the stage." Cowper. I went in the sixpenny stage. Swift.

Fodder for cattle, especially straw or coarse hay. Where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatched with stover them to keep. Shak. Thresh barley as yet but as need shall require, Fresh threshed for stover thy cattle desire. Tusser.

A pen with a short, blunt nib.

Sward; short grass. Grassy swarth, close cropped by nibbling sheep. Cowper.