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e darkest or a very dark color, the opposite of white; characterized by such a color; as, black cloth; black hair or eyes. O night, with hue so black! Shak.

The art practiced by conjurers and witches; necromancy; conjuration; magic.

The sea bass. See Blackfish, 3.

One of several books of a political character, published at different times and for different purposes; -- so called either from the color of the binding, or from the character of the contents.

A pestilence which ravaged Europe and Asia in the fourteenth century.

An organization composed originally of Chinese rebels that had been driven into Tonkin by the suppression of the Taiping rebellion, but later increased by bands of pirates and adventurers. It took a prominent part in fighting the French during their hostilities with Anam, 1873-85.

A friar of the Dominican order; -- called also predicant and preaching friar; in France, Jacobin. Also, sometimes, a Benedictine.

Any Friday on which a public disaster has occurred, as: In England, December 6, 1745, when the news of the landing of the Pretender reached London, or May 11, 1866, when a financial panic commenced. In the United States, September 24, 1869, and September 18, 1873, on which financial panics began.

A sweet and juicy variety of European grape, of a dark purplish black color, much grown under glass in northern latitudes.

A lawless or blackmailing secret society, esp. among Italians. [U. S.]

a prison; a military lock-up or guardroom; -- now commonly with allusion to the cell (the Black Hole) in a fort at Calcutta, into which 146 English prisoners were thrust by the nabob Suraja Dowla on the night of June 20, 17656, and in which 123 of the prisoners died before morning from lack of air. A discipline of unli…

Plumbago; graphite.It leaves a blackish mark somewhat like lead. See Graphite.

cripts were written, and the first English books were printed. It was conspicuous for its blackness. See Type.

s, died from the cold. Stow. Then it was not for nothing that may nose fell a bleeding on Black Monday last. Shak.

A Benedictine monk.

A kind of sausage made of blood, suet, etc., thickened with meal. And fat black puddings, -- proper food, For warriors that delight in blood. Hudibras.

the usher to the Chapter of the Garter, so called from the black rod which he carries. He is of the king's chamber, and also usher to the House of Lords. [Eng.]

Crude potash. De Colange.

A snake of a black color, of which two species are common in the United States, the Bascanium constrictor, or racer, sometimes six feet long, and the Scotophis Alleghaniensis, seven or eight feet long.

One of an old and well-known Mediterranean breed of domestic fowls with glossy black plumage, blue legs and feet, bright red comb and wattles, and white face. They are remarkable as egg layers.