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r, rapacity, or cruelty; as, to fall into the clutches of an adversary. I must have . . . little care of myself, if I ever more come near the clutches of such a giant. Bp. Stillingfleet.

The bone used in playing the game; -- called also huckle bone. [Obs.] Nares. A little transverse bone Which boys and bruckeled children call (Playing for points and pins) cockal. Herrick.

Any venomous or deadly thing. This little cockatrice of a king. Bacon.

mean, half-hearted fellow; a coward. [Slang, Eng.] It was in the second affair that poor little Barney showed he was a cocktail. Thackeray.

A utensil with a bottom perforated with little holes for straining liquids, mashed vegetable pulp, etc.; a strainer of wickerwork, perfprated metal, or the like.

Having cold blood; -- said of fish or animals whose blood is but little warmer than the water or air about them.

Shaped like a little column, or columella.

vigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [Obs.] Wyclif. God's own testimony . . . doth not a little comfort and confirm the same. Hooker.

ise, which the adjective and adverb undergo to denote degrees of quality or quantity; as, little, less, least, are examples of comparison.

ellation. "Metaphorical compellations." Milton. He useth this endearing compellation, "My little children." Bp. Beveridge. The peculiar compellation of the kings in France is by "Sire," which is nothing else but father. Sir W. Temple.

t to be understood. B. Jonson. Where the author is . . . too brief and concise, amplify a little. I. Watts.

a prince's art. Waller. Attacked the Spaniards . . . with great impetuosity, but with so little conduct, that his forces were totally routed. Robertson.

y in the plural. Events that came to pass within the confines of Judea. Locke. And now in little space The confines met of emryrean heaven, And of this world. Milton. On the confines of the city and the Temple. Macaulay.

ighest quality; complete; perfect. "A man of perfect and consummate virtue." Addison. The little band held the post with consummate tenacity. Motley

An act or expression denoting contempt. Little insults and contempts. Spectator. The contempt and anger of his lip. Shak.

which is suited to one's wants; an accommodation. A pair of spectacles and several other little conveniences. Swift.

Somewhat cool. The nights began to grow a little coolish. Goldsmith.

act admoration, notice, or love, for the mere gratification of vanity; trifling in love. "Little affectations of coquetry." Addison.

A little horn. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

A genus of plants related to the clover, having their flowers arranged in little heads or tufts resembling coronets.