n. [ F. abstinence, L. abstinentia, fr. abstinere. See Abstain. ] 1. The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance of any action, especially the refraining from an indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications of animal or sensual propensities. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages, -- called also total abstinence. [ 1913 Webster ]

The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self of certain kinds of food or drink, especially of meat. [ 1913 Webster ]

Penance, fasts, and abstinence,
To punish bodies for the soul's offense. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Abstinence. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. abstinent, L. abstinens, p. pr. of abstinere. See Abstain. ] Refraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of appetite; abstemious; continent; temperate. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who abstains. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect who appeared in France and Spain in the 3d century. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With abstinence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A state of being alone, or without company; solitariness. [ R. ] Bp. Montagu. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Gr. &unr_;, priv. + &unr_; the brain: cf. Encephalon. ] (Zool.) Without a brain; brainless. Todd & B. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } prep. [ OE. anent, anentis, anence, anens, anents, AS. onefen, onemn; an, on, on + efen even, equal; hence meaning, on an equality with, even with, beside. See Even, a. ] [ Scot. & Prov. Eng. ] 1. Over against; as, he lives anent the church. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. About; concerning; in respect; as, he said nothing anent this particular. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. 'an priv. + &unr_; intestine, &unr_; within, &unr_; in. ] (Zool.) Destitute of a stomach or an intestine. Owen. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. See Appurtenance. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which belongs to something else; an appurtenant. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Belonging; appertaining. [ Now usually written appurtenant. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖ n. [ NL. coenenchyma, fr. Gr. koino`s common + &unr_; something poured in. Formed like parenchyma. ] (Zool.) The common tissue which unites the polyps or zooids of a compound anthozoan or coral. It may be soft or more or less ossified. See Coral. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. componens, p. pr. of componere. See Compound, v. t. ] Serving, or helping, to form; composing; constituting; constituent. [ 1913 Webster ]

The component parts of natural bodies. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A constituent part; an ingredient. [ 1913 Webster ]

Component of force (Mech.), a force which, acting conjointly with one or more forces, produces the effect of a single force or resultant; one of a number of forces into which a single force may be resolved. [ 1913 Webster ]

, n. A large bloodsucking hemipterous insect of the family Reduviidæ, often found in houses, esp. in the southern and western United States. It bites severely, and is one of the species called kissing bugs. It is also called big bedbug.
Syn. -- cone-nosed bug, conenose bug, big bedbug, kissing bug. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. + WordNet 1.5 ]

{ , n. [ F. continence, L. continentia. See Continent, and cf. Countenance. ] 1. Self-restraint; self-command. [ 1913 Webster ]

He knew what to say; he knew also, when to leave off, -- a continence which is practiced by few writers. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and passions; the act or power of refraining from indulgence of the sexual appetite, esp. from unlawful indulgence; sometimes, moderation in sexual indulgence. [ 1913 Webster ]

If they [ the unmarried and widows ] have not continency, let them marry. 1 Cor. vii. 9 (Rev. Ver. ). [ 1913 Webster ]

Chastity is either abstinence or continence: abstinence is that of virgins or widows; continence, that of married persons. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Uninterrupted course; continuity. [ Obs. ] Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. continens, -entis, prop., p. pr. of continere to hold together, to repress: cf. F. continent. See Contain. ] 1. Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Exercising restraint as to the indulgence of desires or passions; temperate; moderate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Abstaining from sexual intercourse; exercising restraint upon the sexual appetite; esp., abstaining from illicit sexual intercourse; chaste. [ 1913 Webster ]

My past life [ 1913 Webster ]

Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true, [ 1913 Webster ]

As I am now unhappy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not interrupted; connected; continuous; as, a continent fever. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The northeast part of Asia is, if not continent with the west side of America, yet certainly it is the least disoined by sea of all that coast. Berrewood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. continens, prop., a holding together: cf. F. continent. See Continent, a. ] 1. That which contains anything; a receptacle. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The smaller continent which we call a pipkin. Bp. Kennet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One of the grand divisions of land on the globe; the main land; specifically (Phys. Geog.), a large body of land differing from an island, not merely in its size, but in its structure, which is that of a large basin bordered by mountain chains; as, the continent of North America. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The continents are now usually regarded as six in number: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. But other large bodies of land are also reffered to as continents; as, the Antarctic continent; the continent of Greenland. Europe, Asia, and Africa are often grouped together as the Eastern Continent, and North and South America as the Western Continent. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Continent, the main land of Europe, as distinguished from the islands, especially from England. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to a continent. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to the main land of Europe, in distinction from the adjacent islands, especially England; as, a continental tour; a continental coalition. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

No former king had involved himself so frequently in the labyrinth of continental alliances. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Amer. Hist.) Of or pertaining to the confederated colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary War; as, Continental money. [ 1913 Webster ]

The army before Boston was designated as the Continental army, in contradistinction to that under General Gage, which was called the “Ministerial army.” W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

Continental Congress. See under Congress. --
Continental system (Hist.), the blockade of Great Britain ordered by Napoleon by the decree of Berlin, Nov. 21, 1806; the object being to strike a blow at the maritime and commercial supremacy of Great Britain, by cutting her off from all intercourse with the continent of Europe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Amer. Hist.) A soldier in the Continental army. See Continental, a., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Amer. Hist.) a piece of the Continental currency, paper money issued under authority of the Continental Congress. See Continental, a., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

"Not worth a continental." was said of Continental currency after the American revolution, when it was considered almost worthless. Eventually, under Alexander Hamilton's direction at the Treasury department, the currency was all redeemed at full value. [ PJC ]

. the movements of continents relative to each other across the Earth's surface; see plate tectonics. [ PJC ]

. (Automobiles) A transmission arrangement in which the longitudinal crank shaft drives the rear wheels through a clutch, change-speed gear, countershaft, and two parallel side chains, in order. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. A broad ice sheet resting on a plain or plateau and spreading outward from a central névé, or region of accumulation. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

def>A method of pronouncing Latin and Greek in which the vowels have their more familiar Continental values, as in German and Italian, the consonants being pronounced mostly as in English. The stricter form of this method of pronouncing Latin approaches the Roman, the modified form the English, pronunciation. The Continental method of Greek pronunciation is often called Erasmian. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Hist.) The system of commercial blockade aiming to exclude England from commerce with the Continent instituted by the
Berlin decree, which Napoleon I. issued from Berlin Nov. 21, 1806, declaring the British Isles to be in a state of blockade, and British subjects, property, and merchandise subject to capture, and excluding British ships from all parts of Europe under French dominion. The retaliatory measures of England were followed by the
Milan decree, issued by Napoleon from Milan Dec. 17, 1807, imposing further restrictions, and declaring every ship going to or from a port of England or her colonies to be lawful prize. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adv. In a continent manner; chastely; moderately; temperately. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. involving the entire continent. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. deponenes, -entis, laying down. See Depone, v. t. ] 1. (Law) One who deposes or testifies under oath; one who gives evidence; usually, one who testifies in writing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gr. & Lat. Gram.) A deponent verb.

Syn. -- Deponent, Affiant. These are legal terms describing a person who makes a written declaration under oath, with a view to establish certain facts. An affiant is one who makes an affidavit, or declaration under oath, in order to establish the truth of what he says. A deponenet is one who makes a deposition, or gives written testimony under oath, to be used in the trial of some case before a court of justice. See under Deposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. deponens, -entis, laying down (its proper passive meaning), p. pr. of deponere: cf. F. déponent. See Depone. ] (Gram.) Having a passive form with an active meaning, as certain latin and Greek verbs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. désinence. ] Termination; ending. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. desinens, p. pr. of desinere, desitum, to leave off, cease; de- + sinere to let, allow. ] Ending; forming an end; lowermost. [ Obs. ] “Their desinent parts, fish.” B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. désinentiel. ] Terminal. [ 1913 Webster ]

Furthermore, b, as a desinential element, has a dynamic function. Fitzed. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being divine; superhuman or supreme excellence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. eminentia, fr. eminens eminent: cf. F. éminence. ] 1. That which is eminent or lofty; a high ground or place; a height. [ 1913 Webster ]

Without either eminences or cavities. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The temple of honor ought to be seated on an eminence. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An elevated condition among men; a place or station above men in general, either in rank, office, or celebrity; social or moral loftiness; high rank; distinction; preferment. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

You 've too a woman's heart, which ever yet
Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A title of honor, especially applied to a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Eminences State of being eminent; eminence. “Eminency of estate.” Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. eminens, -entis, p. pr. of eminere to stand out, be prominent; e out + minere (in comp.) to project; of uncertain origin: cf. F. éminent. Cf. Menace. ] 1. High; lofty; towering; prominent. “A very eminent promontory.” Evelyn [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Being, metaphorically, above others, whether by birth, high station, merit, or virtue; high in public estimation; distinguished; conspicuous; as, an eminent station; an eminent historian, statements, statesman, or saint. [ 1913 Webster ]

Right of eminent domain. (Law) See under Domain.

Syn. -- Lofty; elevated; exalted; conspicuous; prominent; remarkable; distinguished; illustrious; famous; celebrated; renowned; well-known. See Distinguished. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an eminent manner; in a high degree; conspicuously; as, to be eminently learned.

a. [ See Excern. ] (Physiol.) Connected with, or pertaining to, excretion. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. exponens, -entis, p. pr. of exponere to put out, set forth, expose. See Expound. ] 1. (Alg.) A number, letter, or any quantity written on the right hand of and above another quantity, and denoting how many times the latter is repeated as a factor to produce the power indicated; thus a2 denotes the second power, and ax the xth power, of a (2 and x being the exponents). A fractional exponent, or index, is used to denote the root of a quantity. Thus, a1/3 denotes the third or cube root of a. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who, or that which, stands as an index or representative; as, the leader of a party is the exponent of its principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. one who explains, expounds, or interprets. [ PJC ]

Exponent of a ratio, the quotient arising when the antecedent is divided by the consequent; thus, 6 is the exponent of the ratio of 30 to 5. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. exponentiel. ] 1. Pertaining to exponents; involving variable exponents; as, an exponential expression; exponential calculus; an exponential function. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. changing over time in an exponential manner, i. e. increasing or decreasing by a fixed ratio for each unit of time; as, exponential growth; exponential decay. [ PJC ]

☞
Exponential growth is characteristic of bacteria and other living populations in circumstances where the conditions of growth are favorable, and all required nutrients are plentiful. For example, the bacterium Escherichia coli in rich media may double in number every 20 minutes until one of the nutrients becomes exhausted or waste products begin to inhibit growth. Many fascinating thought experiments are proposed on the theme of exponential growth. One may calculate, for example how long it would take the progeny of one Escherichia coli to equal the mass of the known universe if it multiplied unimpeded at such a rate. The answer, assuming the equivalent of 1080 hydrogen atoms in the universe, is less than three days. Exponential increases in a quantity can be surprising, and this principle is often used by banks to make investment at a certain rate of interest seem to be very profitable over time.
Exponential decay is exhibited by decay of radioactive materials and some chemical reactions (first order reactions), in which one-half of the initial quantity of radioactive element (or chemical substance) is lost for each lapse of a characteristic time called the half-life. [ PJC ]

Exponential curve, a curve whose nature is defined by means of an exponential equation. --
Exponential equation, an equation which contains an exponential quantity, or in which the unknown quantity enters as an exponent. --
Exponential quantity (Math.), a quantity whose exponent is unknown or variable, as ax. --
Exponential series, a series derived from the development of exponential equations or quantities. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the process of raising a quantity to some assigned power.
Syn. -- involution. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The quality of being feminine; womanliness; womanishness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Fine, a. ] 1. The quality or condition of being fine. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Freedom from foreign matter or alloy; clearness; purity; as, the fineness of liquor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The proportion of pure silver or gold in jewelry, bullion, or coins. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The fineness of United States coin is nine tenths, that of English gold coin is eleven twelfths, and that of English silver coin is 925/1000. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Keenness or sharpness; as, the fineness of a needle's point, or of the edge of a blade. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Made or consisting of flannel. [ Obs. ] “Flannen robes.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

prep. [ See Fore, and Anent. ] Over against; opposite to. [ Now dialectic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The land forenenst the Greekish shore. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A state of exhaustion; faintness, especially as resulting from hunger. [ Colloq. U. S. ]

n. A black-coated sheep dog with a heavily plumed tail. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. Hence. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. The condition or quality of being immanent; inherence; an indwelling. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Clement ] is mainly concerned in enforcing the immanence of God. Christ is everywhere presented by him as Deity indwelling in the world. A. V. G. Allen. [ 1913 Webster ]