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le or definable by marks or notæ. What hath been generally agreed on, I content myself to assume under the notion of principles. Sir I. Newton. Few agree in their notions about these words. Cheyne. That notion of hunger, cold, sound, color, thought, wish, or fear which is in the mind, is called the "idea" of hunger, co…

The tendency of certain plant organs, as leaves, to assume special "sleeping" positions or make curvatures under the influence of darkness. It is well illustrated in the leaflets of clover and other leguminous plants.

To cause to become an object; to cause to assume the character of an object; to render objective. J. D. Morell.

The form or figure assumed by a drop of oil when placed upon water or some other liquid with which it does not mix.

To place or turn toward the east; to cause to assume an easterly direction, or to veer eastward.

The urine, which is assumed to contain all the nitrogen truly excreted by the body, besides a large quantity of saline matters and water. Foster.

That which assumes, or exists in, all forms.

A universal mimic; an actor who assumes many parts; also, any actor. [Obs.]

That which belongs to one, or which is assumed by one, or which falls to one, in a division or apportionment; share; portion; lot; interest; concern; duty; office. We have no part in David. 2 Sam. xx. 1. Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part; Do thou but thine. Milton. Let me bear My part of danger with an equal sh…

A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; an idyl; a bucolic. A pastoral is a poem in which any action or passion is represented by its effects on a country life. Rambler.

To assume the air of a patron, or of a superior and protector, toward; -- used in an unfavorable sense; as, to patronize one's equals.

To be, or to assume to be, equal. [R.]

A chief leader or a king; a head; a dictator; -- a title assumed by the ancient British chiefs when called to lead other chiefs. The dread Pendragon, Britain's king of kings. Tennyson.

individual character, whether in real life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an assumed character. [Archaic] His first appearance upon the stage in his new person of a sycophant or juggler. Bacon. No man can long put on a person and act a part. Jer. Taylor. To bear rule, which was thy part And person, hadst t…

Character assumed or represented. "The actors and personages of this fable." Broome. "Disguised in a false personage." Addison.

To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious appearance; to act the part of; hence, to counterfeit; to feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated devotion. Hammond.

nized them as being at a more or less measurable distance. Hence, aërial perspective, the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in distant objects. Aërial perspective is the expression of space by any means whatsoever, sharpness of edge, vividness of color, etc. Ruskin.

ores of certain algæ, etc.; also, the tendency to follow definite directions of motion or assume definite positions under such influence. If the migration is toward the source of light, it is termed positive phototaxis; if away from the light, negative phototaxis. --Pho`to*tac"tic (#), a. --Pho`to*tac"tic*al*ly, adv.…

A close-fitting cap represented in Greek art as worn by Orientals, assumed to have been conical in shape. It has been adopted in modern art as the so-called liberty cap, or cap of liberty.

To take a plural; to assume a plural form; as, a noun pluralizes. Earle.