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y developed from a similar Swedish system, in which wood carving was a chief feature. Its purpose is not only to afford practical skill in some trade, but also to develop the pupils mentally and physically.

To melt or fuse, as, ore, for the purpose of separating and refining the metal; hence, to reduce; to refine; to flux or scorify; as, to smelt tin.

To subject to the operation of smoke, for the purpose of annoying or driving out; -- often with out; as, to smoke a woodchuck out of his burrow.

s imbibed what it can contain; to macerate in water or other liquid; to steep, as for the purpose of softening or freshening; as, to soak cloth; to soak bread; to soak salt meat, salt fish, or the like.

A gathering of people for social purposes; an informal party or reception; as, a church sociable. [Colloq. U. S.]

Specifically, a lay association for devotion or for charitable purposes.

pposed to frivolous or fallacious; weighty; firm; strong; valid; just; genuine. The solid purpose of a sincere and virtuous answer. Milton. These, wanting wit, affect gravity, and go by the name of solid men. Dryden. The genius of the Italians wrought by solid toil what the myth-making imagination of the Germans had pr…

vents, or the proper course to be pursued. In later times the Bible was used for the same purpose by Christians.

Fig.: To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe. I was in jest, And by that offer meant to sound your breast. Dryden. I've sounded my Numidians man by man. Addison.

An unmanned balloon sent aloft for meteorological or aëronautic purposes.

To macerate, and render fit for plaster or mortar; as, to sour lime for business purposes.

y printers to open the lines of type to a regular distance from each other, and for other purposes; a lead. Hansard. -- Space rule (Print.), a fine, thin, short metal rule of the same height as the type, used in printing short lines in tabular matter.

To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. Pryce.

Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.

For a particular purpose; as, a meeting of the legislature is specially summoned.

Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied. Dr. H. More.

Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.

A key split at one end like a split pin, for the same purpose.

The elastic fibrous skeleton of many species of horny Spongiæ (keratosa), used for many purposes, especially the varieties of the genus Spongia. The most valuable sponges are found in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and on the coasts of Florida and the West Indies.

An act or engagement on behalf of a state, by an agent not specially authorized for the purpose, or by one who exceeds the limits of authority.