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e, founded in 1858 by the Rev. I. T. Hecker of New York. The majority of the members were formerly Protestants.

A canvas screen, formerly sometimes extended along the side of a vessel in a naval engagement, to conceal from the enemy the operations on board.

A tribe of Indians (called also Loups) who formerly occupied the region of the Platte river, but now live mostly in the Indian Territory. The term is often used in a wider sense to include also the related tribes of Rickarees and Wichitas. Called also Pani.

A famous throne formerly of the kings of Delhi, India, but since 1739, when it was carried off by Nadir Shah, held by the shahs of Persia (later Iran); -- so called from its bearing a fully expanded peacock's tail done in gems.

A term formerly applied to a short piece of chambered ordnance. [Written also paterero and peterero.]

A roll of parchment; a parchment record. Clerk of the pells, formerly, an officer of the exchequer who entered accounts on certain parchment rolls, called pell rolls. [Eng.]

Of or pertaining to Pelusium, an ancient city of Egypt; as, the Pelusiac (or former eastern) outlet of the Nile.

An instrument used for writing with ink, formerly made of a reed, or of the quill of a goose or other bird, but now also of other materials, as of steel, gold, etc. Also, originally, a stylus or other instrument for scratching or graving. Graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock. Job xix. 24.

A book formerly used by priests hearing confessions, containing rules for the imposition of penances; -- called also penitential book.

A small pocketknife; formerly, a knife used for making and mending quill pens.

An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; -- usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius).

Offerings formerly made to the parish priest, or to the mother church, at Pentecost. Shipley.

An Algonquin tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited a part of Illinois.

A kind of kerchief formerly worn by Englishwomen. [Obs.] Fairholt.

A grocer; -- formerly so called because he sold pepper. [Obs.]

A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited Eastern Connecticut. [Written also Pequods.]

A Paris candle anciently used in England; also, a large wax candle formerly set upon the altar. [Obs.] Bailey.

A genus of birds including the common European partridge. Formerly the word was used in a much wider sense to include many allied genera.

t point, in the real or apparent orbit of one star revolving around another, at which the former is nearest to the latter.

l sides of a court, or surrounding a building, such as the cella of a temple. Used in the former sense, it gives name to the larger and inner court of a Roman dwelling, the peristyle. See Colonnade.