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That part of a speech, usually the exordium, in which the orator sets forth the subject matter to be discussed.

stern or vault at the point where a street gutter discharges into a sewer, to oatch bulky matters which would not pass readly throught the sewer. Knight.

One who instructs by question and answer, especially in religions matters.

Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general. What counsel give you in this weighty cause! Shak.

Informal talk or discussion, as about literary matters; light conversation; chat.

ank caved. Hence (Slang), to retreat from a position; to give way; to yield in a disputed matter. To cave in. Etym: [Flem. inkalven.] (a) To fall in and leave a hollow, as earth on the side of a well or pit. (b) To submit; to yield. [Slang] H. Kingsley.

A cloth smeared with melted wax, or with some gummy or glutinous matter. Linen, besmeared with gums, in manner of cerecloth. Bacon.

ymbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage a…

tern in the course, or the termination, of a drain, to collect sedimentary or superfluous matter; a privy vault; any receptace of filth. [Written also sesspool.]

sideration of an agreement that he shall receive, in the event of success, a share of the matter in suit; maintenance with the addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit. See Maintenance.

ng channels. Dalton. At best, he is but a channel to convey to the National assembly such matter as may import that body to know. Burke.

The confused, unorganized condition or mass of matter before the creation of distinct and order forms.

A summary in writing of such matters as are to be inquired of or presented before justices in eyre, or justices of assize, or of the peace, in their sessions; -- also called articles. Jacob.

A bargain or contract; an agreement about a matter in dispute, such as a debt; a business compact.

A red coloring matter. extracted from the Bignonia Chica, used by some tribes of South American Indians to stain the skin.

constable and earl marshal of England as judges, having cognizance of contracts and other matters relating to deeds of arms and war. Blackstone.

Literally, leaf green; a green granular matter formed in the cells of the leaves (and other parts exposed to light) of plants, to which they owe their green color, and through which all ordinary assimilation of plant food takes place. Similar chlorophyll granules have been found in the tissues of the lower animals. [Wr…

Vegetable coloring matter other than green; chromule.

An apparatus by which a number of copies of written matter, maps, plans, etc., can be made; -- called also hectograph.

A general name for the several coloring matters, red, green, yellow, etc., present in the inner segments in the cones of the retina, held in solution by fats, and slowly decolorized by light; distinct from the photochemical pigments of the rods of the retina.