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A cluster or group of fixed stars, or dvision of the heavens, designated in most cases by the name of some animal, or of some mythologial personage, within whose imaginary outline, as traced upon the heavens, the group is included. The constellations seem to have been almost purposely named and delineated to cause as m…

, in the time of the Revolutionary War; as, Continental money. The army before Boston was designated as the Continental army, in contradistinction to that under General Gage, which was called the "Ministerial army." W. Irving. Continental Congress. See under Congress. -- Continental system (Hist.), the blockade of Gre…

In a contingent manner; without design or foresight; accidentally.

g to the same stock or purpose; promoting the same end; bringing assistance to some joint design, or increase to some common stock; contributive. Milton. Bonfires of contributory wood. Chapman. Contributory negligence (Law), negligence by an injured party, which combines with the negligence of the injurer in producing…

g. The machine which we are inspecting demonstrates, by its construction, contrivance and design. Contrivance must have had a contriver. Paley.

To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to design; to plan. What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom. Tillotson. neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life. Hawthorne.

Contrivance; invention; arrangement; design; plan. [Obs.] Consider the admirable contrivement and artifice of this great fabric. Glanvill. Active to meet their contrivements. Sir G. Buck.

To make designs in art, according to conventional principles. Cf. Conventionalize, v. t., 2.

A plate of polished copper on which a design or writing is engraved.

iginal; to duplicate; to reproduce; to transcribe; as, to copy a manuscript, inscription, design, painting, etc.; -- often with out, sometimes with off. I like the work well; ere it be demanded (As like enough it will), I'd have it copied. Shak. Let this be copied out, And keep it safe for our remembrance. Shak.…

bbey or other religious house for the sustenance of such of the king's servants as he may designate to receive it. [Written also corrody.]

istance, who has been invited to correspond with the society, and aid in carrying out its designs without taking part in its management.

Anything done deceitfully, and which could not be properly designated by any special name, whether belonging to contracts or not. Burrill.

Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan. The counsel of the Lord standeth forever. Ps. xxxiii. 11. The counsels of the wicked are deceit. Prov. xii. 5.

Same as Contra. Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to counter tenor.

d structure, which resists a strain of a character opposite to that which a main brace is designed to receive.

Any force or device designed to restrain another restraining force; a check upon a check. The system of checks and counterchecks. J. H. Newton.

To copy, as a design or painting, by tracing with a pencil on oiled paper, or other transparent substance.

d at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, etc.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest is due; an interest warrant.

Attention directed to a person in power; conduct or address designed to gain favor; courtliness of manners; civility; compliment; flattery. No solace could her paramour intreat Her once to show, ne court, nor dalliance. Spenser. I went to make my court to the Dike and Duches of Newcastle. Evelyn.