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ncreasing tension, in such a manner that most of the muscles of the body are brought into gradual action; -- also called lifting machine. -- Health officer, one charged with the enforcement of the sanitary laws of a port or other place. -- To drink a health. See under Drink.

from the natural position of parts, supposed to be effected in thousands of years, by the gradual displacement of germ cells.

her or time Beldame, I think we watched you at an inch. Shak. By inches, by slow degrees, gradually. -- Inch of candle. See under Candle. -- Inches of pressure, usually, the pressure indicated by so many inches of a mercury column, as on a steam gauge. -- Inch of water. See under Water. -- Miner's inch, (Hydraulic…

Little by little; gradually.

Bending gradually toward the axis or center, as branches or petals.

To penetrate gradually; -- sometimes used reflexively. J. S. Mill.

Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect, phusical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence of education on the mind; the influence, according to astrologers,of the stars over affa…

erceived by the senses; imperceptible. Hence: Progressing by imperceptible degrees; slow; gradual; as, insensible motion. Two small and almost insensible pricks were found upon Cleopatra's arm. Sir T. Browne. They fall away, And languish with insensible decay. Dryden.

In a manner not to be felt or perceived; imperceptibly; gradually. The hills rise insensibly. Addison.

To drop in; to pour in drop by drop; hence, to impart gradually; to infuse slowly; to cause to be imbibed. That starlight dews All silently their tears of love instill. Byron. How hast thou instilled Thy malice into thousands. Milton.

has macroarpa, often as large as a hen's egg. When young the seed contains a fluid, which gradually hardness into a whitish, close- grained, albuminous substance, resembling the finest ivory in texture and color, whence it is called vegetable ivory. It is wrought into various articles, as buttons, chessmen, etc. The pa…

A gliding, slipping, or gradual falling; an unobserved or imperceptible progress or passing away,; -- restricted usually to immaterial things, or to figurative uses. The lapse to indolence is soft and imperceptible. Rambler. Bacon was content to wait the lapse of long centuries for his expected revenue of fame. I. Tayl…

To enter or escape, as a fluid, through a hole, crevice, etc. ; to pass gradually into, or out of, something; -- usually with in or out. To leak out, to be divulged gradually or clandestinely; to become public; as, the facts leaked out.

The outer part of the solid earth, the portion undergoing change through the gradual transfer of material by volcanic eruption, the circulation of underground water, and the process of erosion and deposition. It is, therefore, regarded as a third mobile envelope comparable with the hydrosphere and atmosphere.…

a little. Shak. -- By little and little, or Little by little, by slow degrees; piecemeal; gradually.

zed by a slow, measured gait, high step, glassy eyes with defective vision, delirium, and gradual emaciation.

eternal flames, and lost me this glory. Baxter. To lose ground, to fall behind; to suffer gradual loss or disadvantage. -- To lose heart, to lose courage; to become timid. "The mutineers lost heart." Macaulay. -- To lose one's head, to be thrown off one's balance; to lose the use of one's good sense or judgment. In t…

To become gradually calm; to subside; to cease or abate for a time; as, the storm lulls.

The resolution or favorable termination of a disease, coming on gradually and not marked by abrupt change.

A brand originated by a dishonest cattleman, who, without owning any stock, gradually accumulates a herd by finding mavericks. [Western U. S.]