pel

n. [ F. pelage, fr. L. pilus hair. ] (Zool.) The covering, or coat, of a mammal, whether of wool, fur, or hair. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. Pelagianus: cf. F. pélagien. ] (Eccl. Hist.) A follower of Pelagius, a British monk, born in the later part of the 4th century, who denied the doctrines of hereditary sin, of the connection between sin and death, and of conversion through grace. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. pélagien. ] Of or pertaining to Pelagius, or to his doctrines. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. pelagius, Gr. pela`gios, fr. pe`lagos the sea: cf. F. pélagien. ] Of or pertaining to the sea; marine; pelagic; as, pelagian shells. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. pélagianisme. ] The doctrines of Pelagius. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. pelagicus. ] Of or pertaining to the ocean; -- applied especially to animals that live at the surface of the ocean, away from the coast. Compare benthic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also nonoic acid) found in the leaves of the geranium (Pelargonium) and allied plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖prop. n. [ NL., fr. Gr. pelargo`s a stork. ] (Bot.) A large genus of plants of the order Geraniaceæ, differing from Geranium in having a spurred calyx and an irregular corolla. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ About one hundred and seventy species are known, nearly all of them natives of South Africa, and many having very beautiful blossoms. See the Note under Geranium. [ 1913 Webster ]