%nais%

a. [ F. lyonnaise, fem. of lyonnais of Lyons. ] (Cookery) Applied to boiled potatoes cut into small pieces and heated in oil or butter. They are usually flavored with onion and parsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A fine Burgundy wine usually white and dry, produced in the area around Macon, a city in France. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F. ] A thick white sauce compounded of raw yolks of eggs beaten up with olive oil to the consistency near to that of a gel, and seasoned with vinegar, pepper, salt, etc.; -- used in dressing salads, fish, etc. Also, a dish dressed with this sauce. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., a naiad. ] (Zool.) See Naiad. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖a. [ F., p. pr. of naître to be born, L. nasci. ] (Her.) Same as Jessant. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. polonais, polonaise, Polish. ] Of or pertaining to the Poles, or to Poland. [ Written also Polonese. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Written also Polonese and Polonoise. ] 1. The Polish language. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An article of dress for women, consisting of a body and an outer skirt in one piece. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mus.) A stately Polish dance tune, in 3-4 measure, beginning always on the beat with a quaver followed by a crotchet, and closing on the beat after a strong accent on the second beat; also, a dance adapted to such music; a polacca. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. See Recognizance. ] The act of reconnoitering; preliminary examination or survey. Specifically: (a) (Geol.) An examination or survey of a region in reference to its general geological character. (b) (Engin.) An examination of a region as to its general natural features, preparatory to a more particular survey for the purposes of triangulation, or of determining the location of a public work. (c) (Mil.) An examination of a territory, or of an enemy's position, for the purpose of obtaining information necessary for directing military operations; a preparatory expedition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reconnoissance in force (Mil.), a demonstration or attack by a large force of troops for the purpose of discovering the position and strength of an enemy. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F., fr. renaître to be born again. Cf. Renascence. ] A new birth, or revival. Specifically: (a) The transitional movement in Europe, marked by the revival of classical learning and art in Italy in the 15th century, and the similar revival following in other countries. (b) The style of art which prevailed at this epoch. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Renaissance was rather the last stage of the Middle Ages, emerging from ecclesiastical and feudal despotism, developing what was original in mediaeval ideas by the light of classic arts and letters. J. A. Symonds (Encyc. Brit.). [ 1913 Webster ]