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n. Pope. The transition from fetichism to polytheism seems a gradual process of which the stages elude close definition. Tylor.

als and plants; a study of the gradual development of the ovum until it reaches the adult stage.

A stage in the development of discophorous medusæ, when they first begin to swim about after being detached from the strobila. See Strobila.

A period of time in which a new order of things prevails; a signal stage of history; an epoch. Painting may truly be said to have opened the new era of culture. J. A. Symonds.

A piece of furniture having a number of uninclosed shelves or stages, one above another, for receiving articles of elegance or use. Fairholt.

The departure of a player from the stage, when he has performed his part. They have their exits and their entrances. Shak.

To drive from the stage by noisy expressions of disapprobation; to hoot off; to drive away or reject noisily; as, to explode a play. [Obs.] Him old and young Exploded, and seized with violent hands. Milton.

A branch railroad, stage line, or the like; a side line which increases the business of the main line.

he young or embryo of an animal in the womb, or in the egg; often restricted to the later stages in the development of viviparous and oviparous animals, embryo being applied to the earlier stages. [Written also foetus.]

dances at the opera, not singly, but in groups or figures; an accessory character on the stage, who figures in its scenes, but has nothing to say; hence, one who figures in any scene, without taking a prominent part.

A small stage hung over a vessel's side, for workmen to stand on in calking, etc.

., to warn mariners of danger; a light- ship; also, a light erected on a buoy or floating stage. -- Floating liver. (Med.) See Wandering liver, under Wandering. -- Floating pier, a landing stage or pier which rises and falls with the tide. -- Floating ribs (Anat.), the lower or posterior ribs which are not connected…

One of the upper screens of a stage in a theater.

One of a row of lights in the front of the stage in a theater, etc., and on a level therewith. Before the footlights, upon the stage; -- hence, in the capacity of an actor.

An advanced stage of progress or of preparation; advancement; as, his measures were in great forwardness. Robertson.

To extempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc.

of which the complete life history is not known. Some undoubtedly represent the conidium stages of various Ascomycetes. The group is divided into the orders Sphæropsidales, Melanconiales, and Moniliales.

A speech or phrase interpolated offhand by an actor on the stage in his part as written, usually consisting of some seasonable or local allusion. [Slang] Gag rein (Harness), a rein for drawing the bit upward in the horse's mouth. -- Gag runner (Harness), a loop on the throat latch guiding the gag rein.…

That stage of growth or development in an organism, in which the reproductive elements are generated and matured in preparation for propagating the species.

duce complete loss of vitality; but now applied to mortification of the soft parts in any stage.