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a witticism or ingenious turn of thought, and is often satirical in character. Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram Shak.

quality, attribute, or relation, that is properly or specially appropriate to a person or thing; as, a just man; a verdant lawn. A prince [Henry III.] to whom the epithet "worthless" seems best applicable. Hallam.

Are not my ways equal Ezek. xviii. 29. Thee, O Jove, no equal judge I deem. Spenser. Nor think it equal to answer deliberate reason with sudden heat and noise. Milton.

Being at an equal distance from the same point or thing. -- E`qui*dis"tant*ly, adv. Sir T. Browne.

Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a horse. The shoulders, body, things, and mane are equine; the head completely bovine. Sir J. Barrow.

ality of weight or force; hence, equilibrium; a state in which the two ends or sides of a thing are balanced, and hence equal; state of being equally balanced; -- said of moral, political, or social interests or forces. The means of preserving the equipoise and the tranquillity of the commonwealth. Burke. Our little li…

Having equivalent signification and reach; expressing the same thing, but differently.

To be equal in weight; to weigh as much as another thing. Bp. Wilkins.

To put an equal value upon; to put (something) on a par with another thing. W. Taylor.

The termination of many English words, denoting the agent; -- applied either to men or things; as in hater, farmer, heater, grater. At the end of names of places, -er signifies a man of the place; as, Londoner, i. e., London man.

A period of time in which a new order of things prevails; a signal stage of history; an epoch. Painting may truly be said to have opened the new era of culture. J. A. Symonds.

To deviate from the true course; to miss the thing aimed at. "My jealous aim might err." Shak.

To get free from that which confines or holds; -- used of persons or things; as, to escape from prison, from arrest, or from slavery; gas escapes from the pipes; electricity escapes from its conductors. To escape out of these meshes. Thackeray.

Pertaining to the last or final things.

The doctrine of the last or final things, as death, judgment, and the events therewith connected.

A thin metal plate or shield to protect wood, or for ornament, as the shield around a keyhole.

d of all logical accidents; that quality which constitutes or marks the true nature of anything; distinctive character; hence, virtue or quality of a thing, separated from its grosser parts. The laws are at present, both in form and essence, the greatest curse that society labors under. Landor. Gifts and alms are the e…

ence, really existing; existent. Is it true, that thou art but a a name, And no essential thing Webster (1623).

To make stable or firm; to fix immovably or firmly; to set (a thing) in a place and make it stable there; to settle; to confirm. So were the churches established in the faith. Acts xvi. 5. The best established tempers can scarcely forbear being borne down. Burke. Confidence which must precede union could be established…

s of life or of any person; situation. "When I came to man's estate." Shak. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Romans xii. 16.