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A level having a short telescope (hence its name) rigidly fixed to a table capable only of rotatory movement in a horizontal plane. The telescope is usually an inverting one. It is sometimes called the Troughton level, from the name of the inventor, and a variety improved by one Gavatt is known as the Gavatt level.…

d. Erectile tissue (Anat.), a tissue which is capable of being greatly dilated and made rigid by the distension of the numerous blood vessels which it contains.

stant, esp. in the phrases to play at fast and loose, to play fast and loose, to act with giddy or reckless inconstancy or in a tricky manner; to say one thing and do another "Play fast and loose with faith." Shak. Fast and loose pulleys (Mach.), two pulleys placed side by side on a revolving shaft, which is driven fro…

Giddy; frivolous; feather-headed. [Colloq.]

Giddy; frivolous; foolish. [Colloq.] G. Eliot.

In a flat manner; evenly; horizontally; without spirit; dully; frigidly; peremptori;y; positively, plainly. "He flatly refused his aid." Sir P. Sidney. He that does the works of religion slowly, flatly, and without appetite. Jer. Taylor.

Turgid with flatus; as, a flatulent tumor. Quincy.

Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable; ductile; easy and compliant; wavering. Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people. Bacon. Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible. Shak.

To run and dart about; to act with giddiness, or from a desire to attract notice; especially, to play the coquette; to play at courtship; to coquet; as, they flirt with the young men.

To cause to become antiquated, rigid, or fixed, as by fossilization; to mummify; to deaden. Ten layers of birthdays on a woman's head Are apt to fossilize her girlish mirth. Mrs. Browning.

Frame level, a mason's level. -- Frame saw, a thin saw stretched in a frame to give it rigidity.

several species of Asiatic and East Indian birds of the genus Batrachostomus (family Podargidæ); -- so called from their very broad, flat bills.

The margin of the head, behind the bill of birds, often bearing rigid bristles.

Coldness or insensibility; severity or rigidity of character. [R.] It was of those moments of intense feeling when the frost of the Scottish people melts like a snow wreath. Sir W. Scott. Black frost, cold so intense as to freeze vegetation and cause it to turn black, without the formation of hoarfrost. -- Frost beare…

Of or pertaining to the Fungidæ, a family of stony corals. -- n.

Giddi; light; inconstant; wanton. [Obs.] "O giglot fortune!" Shak.

A wanton; a lascivious or light, giddy girl. [Obs.] The giglet is willful, and is running upon her fate. Sir W. Scott.

A thoughtless, giddy girl; a flirt-gill. Sir W. Scott.

To yield to force or pressure; to relax; to become less rigid; as, the earth gives under the feet.

One of several species of long-billed, wading birds of the genus Limosa, and family Tringidæ. The European black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), the American marbled godwit (L. fedoa), the Hudsonian godwit (L. hæmastica), and others, are valued as game birds. Called also godwin.