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formerly so called, either from the cross usually set before it, or from a superstitious custom, sometimes practiced, of writing it in the form of a cross, by way of a charm. From infant conning of the Christcross-row. Wordsworth.

To reclaim from a savage state; to instruct in the rules and customs of civilization; to educate; to refine. Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose Her land to civilize, as to subdue. Dryden

tion; to net. The profit which she cleared on the cargo. Macaulay. To clear a ship at the customhouse, to exhibit the documents required by law, give bonds, or perform other acts requisite, and procure a permission to sail, and such papers as the law requires. -- To clear a ship for action, or To clear for action (Nau…

A certificate that a ship or vessel has been cleared at the customhouse; permission to sail. Every ship was subject to seizure for want of stamped clearances. Durke

bbit, remarkable for its extensive burrows; -- called also sand mole. -- Coast waiter, a customhouse officer who superintends the landing or shipping of goods for the coast trade. [Eng.]

A customhouse seal; a certified document given to a shopper as a warrant that his goods have been duly enstered and have paid duty.

An officer appointed and commissioned to collect and receive customs, duties, taxes, or toll. A great part of this is now embezzled . . . by collectors, and other officers. Sir W. Temple.

The district of a collector of customs; a collectorship.

The office of a collector of customs or of taxes.

A custom, idea, feature of government, or the like, characteristic of a colony.

Often met with; usual; frequent; customary. Grief more than common grief. Shak.

An idea or expression wanting originality or interest; a trite or customary remark; a platitude.

An equivalent stipulated for in contracts for the sale of real eatate, in which it is customary to privide that errors in description, etc., shall not avoid, but shall be the subject of compensation. Compensation balance, or Compensated balance, a kind of balance wheel for a timepiece. The rim is usually made of two di…

cal hours of the Western church; the last prayer of the day, to be said after sunset. The custom of godly man been to shut up the evening with a compline of prayer at nine of the night. Hammond.

To take leave with the customary civilities; to bow or courtesy.

One who desires to maintain existing institutions and customs; also, one who holds moderate opinions in politics; -- opposed to revolutionary or radical.

t of affairs. Our constitution had begun to exist in times when statesmen were not much accustomed to frame exact definitions. Macaulay.

Custom, habit; usage. [R.] To observe this consuetude or law. Barnes .

According to custom; customary; usual. [R.]

Customary.