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Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.

Having few or imperfect syringeal muscles; -- said of some passerine birds (Oligomyodi).

ferent individuals, and thus determiming the proper focal length of a lens for correcting imperfect sight. Brande & C.

Defect; imperfection; fault. [Obs.] Holland.

Glimmering or imperfect [R.] Bp. Warburton.

Having part, or all, of the feathers imperfectly developed.

Falsely or imperfectly dipteral, as a temple with the inner range of columns surrounding the cella omitted, so that the space between the cella wall and the columns is very great, being equal to two intercolumns and one column. -- n.

Falsely or imperfectly metallic; -- said of a kind of luster, as in minerals.

Falsely or imperfectly peripteral, as a temple having the columns at the sides attached to the walls, and an ambulatory only at the ends or only at one end. -- n.

Imperfectly developed in size or vigor; small and feeble; inferior; petty. A puny subject strikes at thy great glory. Shak. Breezes laugh to scorn our puny speed. Keble.

To make pure or clear from material defilement, admixture, or imperfection; to free from extraneous or noxious matter; as, to purify liquors or metals; to purify the blood; to purify the air.

The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure.

point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects. Everything which is imperfect, as the world must be acknowledged in many respects. Tillotson. In one respect I'll be thy assistant. Shak.

Feeble in the joints; imperfect; weak; shaky.

Imperfection; failing; fault. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

An imperfect organ or part, or one which is never developed.

Very imperfectly developed; in an early stage of development; embryonic.

To perform in a hasty, neglectful, or imperfect manner; to do superficially. [Colloq.] A workman is said to scamp his work when he does it in a superficial, dishonest manner. Wedgwood. Much of the scamping and dawdling complained of is that of men in establishments of good repute. T. Hughes.

Knowing superficially or imperfectly. Howell.

gulate his life by them. The Puritan was a Scripturist with all his heart, if as yet with imperfect intelligence . . . he cherished the scheme of looking to the Word of God as his sole and universal directory. Palfrey.