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emost division of a fleet, either in sailing or in battle. Standards and gonfalons, twixt van and rear, Stream in the air. Milton.

The generalization that: when a system is in equilibrium, of the two opposed interactions the endothermic is promoted by raising the temperature, the exothermic by lowering it.

One sent in advance; an avant-courier; a precursor.

A salt of vanadic acid. [Formerly also vanadiate.]

Pertaining to, or obtained from, vanadium; containing vanadium; specifically distinguished those compounds in which vanadium has a relatively higher valence as contrasted with the vanadious compounds; as, vanadic oxide. Vanadic acid (Chem.), an acid analogous to phosphoric acid, not known in the free state but forming…

A mineral occurring in yellowish, and ruby-red hexagonal crystals. It consist of lead vanadate with a small proportion of lead chloride.

Pertaining to, or containing, vanadium; specifically, designating those compounds in which vanadium has a lower valence as contrasted with the vanadic compounds; as, vanadious acid. [Sometimes written also vanadous.]

A salt of vanadious acid, analogous to a nitrite or a phosphite.

A rare element of the nitrogen-phosphorus group, found combined, in vanadates, in certain minerals, and reduced as an infusible, grayish-white metallic powder. It is intermediate between the metals and the non-metals, having both basic and acid properties. Sumbol V (or Vd, rarely). Atomic weight 51.2.…

A yellow pigment consisting of a compound of vanadium.

Of or pertaining to vanadium; obtained from vanadium; -- said of an acid containing one equivalent of vanadium and two of oxygen.

The hypothetical radical VO, regarded as a characterized residue of certain vanadium compounds.

Hence, one who willfully destroys or defaces any work of art or literature. The Vandals of our isle, Sworn foes to sense and law. Cowper.

Of or pertaining to the Vandals; resembling the Vandals in barbarism and destructiveness.

The spirit or conduct of the Vandals; ferocious cruelty; hostility to the arts and literature, or willful destruction or defacement of their monuments.

Of or pertaining to the style of Vandyke the painter; used or represented by Vandyke. "His Vandyke dress." Macaulay. [Written also Vandyck.] Vandyke brown (Paint.), a pigment of a deep semitranssparent brown color, supposed to be the color used by Vandyke in his pictures. -- Vandyke collar or cape, a broad collar or c…

A trim, pointed beard, such as those often seen in pictures by Vandyke.

A contrivance attached to some elevated object for the purpose of showing which way the wind blows; a weathercock. It is usually a plate or strip of metal, or slip of wood, often cut into some fanciful form, and placed upon a perpendicular axis around which it moves freely. Aye undiscreet, and changing as a vane. Chauc…

Any one of numerous species of handsomely colored butterflies belonging to Vanessa and allied genera. Many of these species have the edges of the wings irregularly scalloped.

A vanessa.