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which has motions both of translation and rotation, is a line, which is supposed to be rigidly united with the body, and which for the instant is at rest. The motion of the body is for the instant simply that of rotation about the instantaneous axis. -- In`stan*ta"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- In`stan*ta"ne*ous*ness, n.…

Rigid; unyielding; as, ironbound traditions.

A Mexican name for a variety of Agave rigida, which furnishes a strong coarse fiber; also, the fiber itself, which is called also pita, and Tampico fiber. [Written also istle.]

A Mexican name for the Sisal hemp (Agave rigida, var. Sisalana); also, its fiber. [Written also heniequen.]

A light, giddy, or wanton girl or woman. See Gill-flirt.

Without a joint; rigid; stiff.

arba-Jovis. -- Jupiter's staff (Bot.), the common mullein; -- so called from its long, rigid spike of yellow blossoms.

ering in quest of adventures; chivalry; a quixotic or romantic adventure or scheme. The rigid guardian [i. e., conscience] of a blameless heart Is weak with rank knight-erratries o'errun. Young.

The rule of the judges over Israel. Samson, Jephthah, Gideon, and other heroes of the kritarchy. Southey.

ticut; -- a nickname alluding to the moral character of its inhabitants, implied by the rigid laws (see Blue laws) of the early period.

Not tense, firm, or rigid; loose; slack; as, a lax bandage; lax fiber. The flesh of that sort of fish being lax and spongy. Ray.

A type of bridge for small spans in which the floor girders are rigidly secured at their extremities to supporting steel legs, driven into the round as piling, or resting on mudsills.

f Lemnos. Lemnian bole, Lemnian earth, an aluminous earth of a grayish yellow color; sphragide; -- formerly sold as medicine, having astringent properties. -- Lemnian reddle, a reddle of firm consistence and deep red color; -- used by artificers in coloring.

A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (the fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; -- used for transmitting and modifying force and motion. Specif., a bar of metal, wood, or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one po…

Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy. Are his wits safe Is he not light of brain Shak.

Not strict in matters of morality; not rigid according to some standard of right. The loose morality which he had learned. Sir W. Scott.

In military language, a strict disciplinarian; in general, one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods. [Hence, the word is commonly employed in a depreciatory sense.]

The principles or practices of a martinet; rigid adherence to discipline, etc.

To make a matron of; to make matronlike. Childbed matronizes the giddiest spirits. Richardson.

Any bird of the genus Meliphaga and allied genera; a honey eater; -- called also meliphagidan.