Search the Dictionary

Narrowing towards the top.

The narrow passage from the mouth to the pharynx, situated between the soft palate and the base of the tongue; -- called also the isthmus of the fauces. On either side of the passage two membranous folds, called the pillars of the fauces, inclose the tonsils.

To adorn, as with feathers; to fringe. A few birches and oaks still feathered the narrow ravines. Sir W. Scott.

A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting.

To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.

A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., across streams and other narrow waters.

A narrow flat member; especially, a flat molding separating other moldings; a reglet; also, the space between two flutings in a shaft. See Illust. of Base, and Column.

Having a very narrow border of another tincture; -- said esp. of an ordinary or subordinary.

A narrow inlet of the sea, penetrating between high banks or rocks, as on the coasts of Norway and Alaska. [Written also fjord.]

A narrow opening, made by the parting of any substance; a cleft; as, the fissure of a rock. Cerebral fissures (Anat.), the furrows or clefts by which the surface of the cerebrum is divided; esp., the furrows first formed by the infolding of the whole wall of the cerebrum. -- Fissure needle (Surg.), a spiral needle for…

A permanent abnormal opening into the soft parts with a constant discharge; a deep, narrow, chronic abscess; an abnormal opening between an internal cavity and another cavity or the surface; as, a salivary fistula; an anal fistula; a recto-vaginal fistula. Incomplete fistula (Med.), a fistula open at one end only.…

A vessel with a narrow mouth, used for holding and conveying liquors. It is generally larger than a bottle, and of leather or stoneware rather than of glass. A trencher of mutton chops, and a flagon of ale. Macaulay.

A narrow-necked vessel of metal or glass, used for various purposes; as of sheet metal, to carry gunpowder in; or of wrought iron, to contain quicksilver; or of glass, to heat water in, etc.

A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.

ower one, and capable of being moved forward by pulleys; -- used for carrying troops over narrow moats in attacking the outworks of a fort. (c) A kind of ferryboat which is guided and impelled by means of chains which are anchored on each side of a stream, and pass over wheels on the vessel, the wheels being driven by…

A board or narrow platfrom upon which one may stand or brace his feet; as:

A narrow bridge for foot passengers only.

A narrow cotton lace, without figures.

A narrow path or way for pedestrains only; a footway.

Having, or surrounded by, long, narrow depressions or furrows.