‖n. pl. [ L., geese. ] (Zool.) A Linnæan order of aquatic birds swimming by means of webbed feet, as the duck, or of lobed feet, as the grebe. In this order were included the geese, ducks, auks, divers, gulls, petrels, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Naut.) Having all the reefs taken in; -- said of a sail. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., have mercy, fr. misereri to have mercy, fr. miser. See Miser. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (R. C. Ch.) The psalm usually appointed for penitential acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin version. It commences with the word miserere. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A musical composition adapted to the 50th psalm. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where only the wind signs miserere. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Arch.) A small projecting boss or bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see Stall). It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some support to a worshiper when standing. Called also misericordia. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Med.) Same as Ileus. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖prop. n. pl. [ NL., fr. L. passer a sparrow. ] (Zool.) An order, or suborder, of birds, including more that half of all the known species. It embraces all singing birds (Oscines), together with many other small perching birds. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ OE. seer, AS. seár (assumed) fr. seárian to wither; akin to D. zoor dry, LG. soor, OHG. sorēn to wither, Gr. a"y`ein to parch, to dry, Skr. çush (for sush) to dry, to wither, Zend hush to dry. √152. Cf. Austere, Sorrel, a.] Dry; withered; no longer green; -- applied to leaves. Milton. [1913 Webster]

I have lived long enough; my way of life
Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf. Shak. [1913 Webster]

a. Dry; withered. Same as Sear. [ 1913 Webster ]

But with its sound it shook the sails
That were so thin and sere. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. serre. ] Claw; talon. [ Obs. ] Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. Cf. Serenade, n. ] (Meteorol.) A mist, or very fine rain, which sometimes falls from a clear sky a few moments after sunset. Tyndall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. sérénade, It. serenata, probably fr. L. serenus serene (cf. Serene), misunderstood as a derivative fr. L. serus late. Cf. Soirée. ] (Mus.) (a) Music sung or performed in the open air at nights; -- usually applied to musical entertainments given in the open air at night, especially by gentlemen, in a spirit of gallantry, under the windows of ladies. (b) A piece of music suitable to be performed at such times. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Serenaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Serenading. ] To entertain with a serenade. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To perform a serenade. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who serenades. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ It. serenata. See Serenade. ] (Mus.) A piece of vocal music, especially one on an amoreus subject; a serenade. [ 1913 Webster ]

Or serenate, which the starved lover sings
To his pround fair. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name serenata was given by Italian composers in the time of Handel, and by Handel himself, to a cantata of a pastoreal of dramatic character, to a secular ode, etc.; also by Mozart and others to an orchectral composition, in several movements, midway between the suite of an earlier period and the modern symphony. Grove. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. serenus to grow dry, Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; hot, scorching. ] 1. Bright; clear; unabscured; as, a serene sky. [ 1913 Webster ]

The moon serene in glory mounts the sky. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Calm; placid; undisturbed; unruffled; as, a serene aspect; a serene soul. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In several countries of Europe, Serene is given as a tittle to princes and the members of their families; as, His Serene Highness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Drop serene. (Med.) See Amaurosis. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Serenity; clearness; calmness. [ Poetic. ] “The serene of heaven.” Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]

To their master is denied
To share their sweet serene. Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ F. serein evening dew or damp. See Serein. ] Evening air; night chill. [ Obs. ] “Some serene blast me.” B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. serenare. ] To make serene. [ 1913 Webster ]

Heaven and earth, as if contending, vie
To raise his being, and serene his soul. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a serene manner; clearly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now setting Phœbus shone serenely bright. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. With unruffled temper; coolly; calmly. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Serenity. Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Serenity. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. serenuas: cf. F. sérénité. ] 1. The quality or state of being serene; clearness and calmness; quietness; stillness; peace. [ 1913 Webster ]

A general peace and serenity newly succeeded a general trouble. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Calmness of mind; eveness of temper; undisturbed state; coolness; composure. [ 1913 Webster ]

I can not see how any men should ever transgress those moral rules with confidence and serenity. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Serenity is given as a title to the members of certain princely families in Europe; as, Your Serenity. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The time when there no sap in the trees; the winter season. [ Written also wood-seer. ] [ Obs. ] Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]