n. 1. 1 a genus of terrestrial ferns of tropical Asia and Africa.
Syn. -- genus Actiniopteris. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; other + &unr_; part. ] (Chem.) Variability in chemical constitution without variation in crystalline form. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. 1 a highly variable species (Angiopteris evecta) of very large primitive ferns of the Pacific tropical areas with high rainfall.
Syn. -- giant fern [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. (Med.) Opposed to, or checking motion; acting upward; -- applied to an inverted action of the intestinal tube. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Gr. 'antiperi`stasis; 'anti` against + peri`stasis a standing around, fr. periista`nai to stand around; peri` around + "ista`nai to stand.] Opposition by which the quality opposed acquires strength; resistance or reaction roused by opposition or by the action of an opposite principle or quality. [1913 Webster]

a. Pertaining to antiperistasis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A person skilled in artillery or gunnery; a gunner; an artilleryman. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., an asterisk. See Asterisk. ] (Anat.) The smaller of the two otoliths found in the inner ear of many fishes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. asteriscus, Gr. &unr_;, dim. of 'asth`r star. See Aster. ] The figure of a star, thus, &unr_;, used in printing and writing as a reference to a passage or note in the margin, to supply the omission of letters or words, or to mark a word or phrase as having a special character. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;, fr. 'asth`r star; cf. F. astérisme. ] 1. (Astron.) (a) A constellation. [ Obs. ] (b) A small cluster of stars. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Printing) (a) An asterisk, or mark of reference. [ R. ] (b) Three asterisks placed in this manner, &asterism_;, to direct attention to a particular passage. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Crystallog.) An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to asterisms or constellations [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. to subject to the action of bacteria.
Syn. -- bacterize. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Somewhat bitter. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the deletion of all passages considered to be indecent.
Syn. -- bowdlerization, expurgation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. same as bowdlerize.
Syn. -- bowdlerize, expurgate, shorten, cut. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; gill + -mere. ] (Anat.) The state of being made up of branchiate segments. R. Wiedersheim. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a buccaneer; piratical. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ The same word as buttress, noun, in a different application, F. bouter to push. ] (Far.) A steel cutting instrument, with a long bent shank set in a handle which rests against the shoulder of the operator. It is operated by a thrust movement, and used in paring the hoofs of horses. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The practice of advancing one's career at the expense of one's personal integrity. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A professional who follows a career. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to place among the stars. ] A placing among the stars; a catalogue of stars. [ 1913 Webster ]

The catasterisms of Eratosthenes. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. (Med.) The operation of introducing a catheter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The use or application of a caustic; cautery. Ferrand. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Somewhat like a cavalier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The practice or principles of cavaliers. Sir. W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) a genus of water ferns.
Syn. -- genus Ceratopteris. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖a. [ F., a cherry. See Cherry. ] Cherry-colored; a light bright red; -- applied to textile fabrics, especially silk. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; a characterizing. ] A distinction of character; a characteristic. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. charactéristique. ] Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Characteristic clearness of temper. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

The characteristics of a true critic. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Characteristic. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a characteristic manner; in a way that characterizes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Chartist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Cheerfulness. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

There is no Christian duty that is not to be seasoned and set off with cheerishness. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Cherished p. pr. & vb. n. Cherising. ] [ F. chérir, fr. cher dear, fr. L. carus. See Caress, Finish. ] 1. To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid. [ 1913 Webster ]

We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. 1 Thess. ii. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle. [ 1913 Webster ]

To cherish virtue and humanity. Burke.

Syn. -- To nourish; foster; nurse; nurture; entertain; encourage; comfort; protect; support; See Nurture. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. deeply loved or valued.
Syn. -- precious, treasured, wanted. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who cherishes. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cherisher of my flesh and blood. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Encouragement; comfort. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Rich bounty and dear cherishment. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A maker of cider. [ Obs. ] Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. clericia. See Clergy. ] 1. The literati, or well educated class. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The clergy, or their opinions, as opposed to the laity. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Somewhat clever. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One versed in the study of the Coleoptera. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Containing, or partaking of the nature of, copper; like copper; as, a copperish taste. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. derisio: cf. F. dérision. See Deride. ] 1. The act of deriding, or the state of being derided; mockery; scornful or contemptuous treatment which holds one up to ridicule. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. Ps. ii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

Satan beheld their plight,
And to his mates thus in derision called. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An object of derision or scorn; a laughing-stock. [ 1913 Webster ]

I was a derision to all my people. Lam. iii. 14.

Syn. -- Scorn; mockery; contempt; insult; ridicule. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Expressing, serving for, or characterized by, derision. “Derisive taunts.” Pope. -- De*ri"sive*ly, adv. -- De*ri"sive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. derisorius: cf. F. dérisoire. ] Derisive; mocking. Shaftesbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Disherit. ] The act of disheriting, or debarring from inheritance; disinherison. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Disinherit, v. t., and cf. Disherison. ] Same as Disherison. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The spirit or principles of dissenters. Ed. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The rank or condition of a dowager; formality, as that of a dowager. Also used figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mansions that have passed away into dowagerism. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]