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One who has some peculiarity or eccentricity of character, which he indulges in odd or whimsical ways. He [Roger de Coverley] . . . was a great humorist in all parts of his life. Addison.

Any whale of the genus Megaptera, characterized by a hump or bunch on the back. Several species are known. The most common ones in the North Atlantic are Megaptera longimana of Europe, and M. osphyia of America; that of the California coasts is M. versabilis.

A violent storm, characterized by extreme fury and sudden changes of the wind, and generally accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning; -- especially prevalent in the East and West Indies. Also used figuratively. Like the smoke in a hurricane whirl'd. Tennyson. Each guilty thought to me is A dreadful hurricane. Massi…

d cyanogen. Hydrocyanic acid (Chem.), a colorless, mobile, volatile liquid, HCN, having a characteristic peach-blossom odor. It is one of the most deadly poisons. It is made by the action of sulphuric acid on yellow prussiate of potassium (potassium ferrocyanide), and chemically resembles hydrochloric and hydrobromic a…

water. It is less elastic than ordinary muscovite. Hydromica schist (Min.), a mica schist characterized by the presence of hydromica. It often has a silky luster and almost soapy feel.

, or unsaturated group, HO, consisting of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen. It is a characteristic part of the hydrates, the alcohols, the oxygen acids, etc.

Like, or characteristic of, the Hymenoptera; pertaining to the Hymenoptera.

A condition of the blood, characterized by an abnormally large amount of fibrin, as in many inflammatory diseases.

Excessively developed; characterized by hypertrophy.

Affected, characterized, or produced, by hypochondriasis. Hypochondriac region (Anat.), a region on either side of the abdomen beneath the cartilages of the false ribs, beside the epigastric, and above the lumbar, region.

s not, or to feel what one does not feel; a dissimulation, or a concealment of one's real character, disposition, or motives; especially, the assuming of false appearance of virtue or religion; a simulation of goodness. Hypocrisy is the necessary burden of villainy. Rambler. Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.…

Characterized by, or of the nature of, an hypothesis; conditional; assumed without proof, for the purpose of reasoning and deducing proof, or of accounting for some fact or phenomenon. Causes hypothetical at least, if not real, for the various phenomena of the existence of which our experience informs us. Sir W. Hamilt…

A disease resembling hysteria in its nature, and characterized by the occurrence of epileptiform convulsions, which can often be controlled or excited by pressure on the ovaries, and upon other definite points in the body. -- Hys`ter*o*ep`i*lep"tic, a.

The dramatic practice or purpose characteristic of the writings of Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906), Norwegian poet and dramatist, whose best-known plays deal with conventional hypocrisies, the story in each play thus developing a definite moral problem.

Somewhat like a fish; having some of the characteristics of fishes; -- said of some amphibians.

Characterized by coldness, as of manner, influence, etc.; chilling; frigid; cold. Icy was the deportment with which Philip received these demonstrations of affection. Motley.

A belief, option, or doctrine; a characteristic or controlling principle; as, an essential idea; the idea of development. That fellow seems to me to possess but one idea, and that is a wrong one. Johnson. What is now "idea" for us How infinite the fall of this word, since the time where Milton sang of the Creator conte…

sentation of natural objects, scenes, etc., in such a way as to show their most important characteristics; the study of the ideal.

To make ideal; to give an ideal form or value to; to attribute ideal characteristics and excellences to; as, to idealize real life.

Pertaining to, or characterized by, ideation. Certain sensational or ideational stimuli. Blackw. Mag.