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ne who loses by sloth or neglect; a worthless person; a lorel. [Archaic] Spenser. One sad losel soils a name for aye. Byron.

[Obs.] That nought she did but wayle, and often steepe Her dainty couch with tears which closely she did weepe. Spenser.

A kind of silk thread less glossy than floss, and spun from coarser material. It is much used in embroidery instead of floss.

poses; the sea-ear. Several large species are found on the coast of California, clinging closely to the rocks.

Heaped, or growing in heaps, or closely compacted clusters.

Anciently, a snake, called dart snake; now, one of a genus of reptiles closely allied to the lizards.

A key or scale closely related to another as principal; a relative or attendant key. [R.] See Attendant keys, under Attendant, a.

Closely connected, as by affinity.

Of or pertaining to Amhara, a division of Abyssinia; as, the Amharic language is closely allied to the Ethiopic. -- n.

A species or genus in one country closely related to a species of the same genus, or a genus of the same group, in another: such species are often called representative species, and such genera, representative genera. Dana.

A mineral closely related to dolomite, but containing iron.

A feldspar closely related to orthoclase, but triclinic. It is chiefly a silicate of sodium, potassium, and aluminium. Sp. gr., 2.57 -- 2.60.

A division of birds including the geese, ducks, and closely allied forms.

simple selforiginated error. J. H. Newman. Anyhow, the languages of the two nations were closely allied. E. A. Freeman.

The act of fixing the mind or closely applying one's self; assiduous effort; close attention; as, to injure the health by application to study. Had his application been equal to his talents, his progress night have been greater. J. Jay.

To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline. Apply thine heart unto instruction. Prov. xxiii. 12.

Closely connected or joined with some other, as in interest, purpose, employment, or office; sharing responsibility or authority; as, an associate judge. While I descend . . . to my associate powers. Milton.

Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.

To apply closely or with interest; to direct. To bend his mind to any public business. Temple. But when to mischief mortals bend their will. Pope.

An American river herring (Clupea æstivalis), closely allied to the alewife.