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A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the letters is from left to right.

Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.

A steep acclivity, as the slope of a hill, or the side of a ravine.

The slope of a bank, especially of the bank of a steam.

The slope or angle to which the cutting edge of a tool, as a plane, is ground. Grier.

A backward slope in the face of a wall or of a bank; receding slope. Batter rule, an instrument consisting of a rule or frame, and a plumb line, by which the batter or slope of a wall is regulated in building.

e genus Buphaga, which feeds on the larvæ of botflies hatched under the skin of oxen, antelopes, etc. Two species are known.

A declivity or slope, as of a hill. [R.] Dryden.

A ledge at the bottom of a bank or cutting, to catch earth that may roll down the slope, or to strengthen the bank.

To cut to a bevel angle; to slope the edge or surface of.

The larva of certain starfishes as developed in the free- swimming stage.

In a less literal sense: Enveloped or shrouded in darkness; very dark or gloomy; as, a black night; the heavens black with clouds. I spy a black, suspicious, threatening cloud. Shak.

The germinal membrane in an ovum, from which the embryo is developed.

A South African antelope (Alcelaphus albifrons), having a large white spot on the forehead.

black. -- Blue blood. See under Blood. -- Blue buck (Zoöl.), a small South African antelope (Cephalophus pygmæus); also applied to a larger species (Ægoceras leucophæus); the blaubok. -- Blue cod (Zoöl.), the buffalo cod. -- Blue crab (Zoöl.), the common edible crab of the Atlantic coast of the United States (Call…

The language of the Czechs (the ancient inhabitants of Bohemia), the richest and most developed of the dialects of the Slavic family.

Either of two large antelopes (Boöcercus eurycercus of West Africa, and B. isaaci of East Africa) of a reddish or chestnut-brown color with narrow white stripes on the body. Their flesh is especially esteemed as food.

The pied antelope of South Africa (Alcelaphus pygarga). Its face and rump are white. Called also nunni.

The lower part of a blast furnace, which slopes inward, or the widest space at the top of this part.

A kind of antelope. See Bush buck.