Cheese - Cherry

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Cheese (chēz), n. [OE. chese, AS. cēse, fr. L. caseus, LL. casius. Cf. .] 1. The curd of milk, coagulated usually with rennet, separated from the whey, and pressed into a solid mass in a hoop or mold.
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2. A mass of pomace, or ground apples, pressed together in the form of a cheese.
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3. The flat, circular, mucilaginous fruit of the dwarf mallow (Malva rotundifolia). [Colloq.]
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4. A low courtesy; -- so called on account of the cheese form assumed by a woman's dress when she stoops after extending the skirts by a rapid gyration. De Quincey. Thackeray.
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Coloq. Cheese cake , a cake made of or filled with, a composition of soft curds, sugar, and butter. Prior. -- Coloq. Cheese fly (Zoöl.), a black dipterous insect (Piophila casei) of which the larvæ or maggots, called skippers or hoppers, live in cheese. -- Coloq. Cheese mite (Zoöl.), a minute mite (Tryoglyhus siro) in cheese and other articles of food. -- Coloq. Cheese press , a press used in making cheese, to separate the whey from the curd, and to press the curd into a mold. -- Coloq. Cheese rennet (Bot.), a plant of the Madder family (Golium verum, or yellow bedstraw), sometimes used to coagulate milk. The roots are used as a substitute for madder. -- Coloq. Cheese vat , a vat or tub in which the curd is formed and cut or broken, in cheese making.
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cheeseboard n. a board on which cheeses are served.
Syn. -- cheese tray.
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cheeseburger n. a hamburger with melted cheese on it.
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cheesecloth, Cheese cloth (chēz klŏth; 115). A thin, loosely-woven cotton cloth of a gauze texture, such as is used in pressing cheese curds.
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cheeseflower n. an erect or decumbent Old World perennial (Malva sylvestris) with axillary clusters of rosy-purple flowers; introduced into the U. S.
Syn. -- tall mallow, high mallow, cheese, Malva sylvestris.
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Cheeselep (chēzlĕp), n. [Cf. .] A bag in which rennet is kept.
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Cheesemonger (?), n. One who deals in cheese. B. Jonson.
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Cheeseparing (?), n. A thin portion of the rind of a cheese. -- a. Scrimping; mean; as, cheeseparing economy.
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Cheesiness (?), n. The quality of being cheesy.
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Cheesy (?), a. Having the nature, qualities, taste, form, consistency, or appearance of cheese.
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Cheetah (?), n. [Hind. chītā.] (Zoöl.) A species of leopard (Cynælurus jubatus) tamed and used for hunting in India. The woolly cheetah of South Africa is Cynælurus laneus. It runs very fast in short spurts while hunting. [Written also chetah.]
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cheewink n. (Zoöl.) the common rufous-sided towhee of eastern North America, Pipilo erythrophthalmus.
Syn. -- chewink, rufous-sided towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus.
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Chef (?), n. [F.] 1. A chief or head person.
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2. The head cook of large establishment, as a club, a family, etc.
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3. (Her.) Same as .
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Chef-d'œuvre (?), n.; pl. Chefs-d'œuvre (#). [F.] A masterpiece; a capital work in art, literature, etc.
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{ Chegoe (?), Chegre (?) }, n. See .
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Cheiloplasty (?), n. [Gr. � a lip + -plasty.] (Surg.) The process of forming an artificial tip or part of a lip, by using for the purpose a piece of healthy tissue taken from some neighboring part.
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Cheilopoda (k�lŏp�dȧ), n. [NL.] (Zoöl.) See .
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cheiropter (k�rŏptẽr), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Chiroptera; -- an older spelling of .
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Cheiroptera (k�rŏpt�rȧ), prop. n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. cheir hand + pteron wing.] (Zoöl.) An earlier spelling for Chiroptera, an order of Mammalia, including the bats, having four toes of each of the anterior limbs elongated and connected by a web, so that they can be used like wings in flying. See and . [archaic]
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Cheiropterous (?), a. (Zoöl.) chiropterous; belonging to the Chiroptera, or Bat family.
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Cheiropterygium (?), n.; pl. Cheiropterygia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. cheir hand + pteryx, pterygos wing, fin.] (Anat.) The typical pentadactyloid limb of the higher vertebrates.
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Cheirosophy (?), n. [Gr. cheir hand + � knowledge.] The art of reading character as it is delineated in the hand.

-- Cheirosophist (�), n.
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Cheirotherium (?), prop. n. [NL., fr. Gr. cheir hand + qhrion beast.] (Poleon.) A genus of extinct animals, so named from fossil footprints rudely resembling impressions of the human hand, and believed to have been made by labyrinthodont reptiles. See Illustration in Appendix.
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Chekelatoun (?), n. See . [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Chekmak (chĕkmăk), n. A turkish fabric of silk and cotton, with gold thread interwoven.
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Chela (?), n.; pl. Chelæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. chhlh claw.] (Zoöl.) The pincherlike claw of Crustacea and Arachnida.
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Chela (?), n. [Hind. chēla, orig., slave, fr. Skr. cēṭa, cēṭaka, slave, servant.] In India, a dependent person occupying a position between that of a servant or slave and a disciple; hence, a disciple or novice. -- Chelaship, n.
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Chelate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Same as .
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chelate (?), n. (Chem.) a compound formed by combination of a metal ion in solution with a compound containing heteroatoms (such as oxygen or nitrogen), in which at least two heteroatoms are bound to the metal. The bonds may be covalent or non-covalent. Chelates in some cases have very low dissociation constants, and organic compounds ( ) which form such chelates are therefore used to reduce the concentration of free metal ions in solution.
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chelated adj. combined with a chelator so as to form a chelate; -- of metal ions.
Syn. -- chelate.
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chelating agent (?), n. (Chem.) a compound which forms a chelate with a metal ion. Commonly used chelating agents in laboratory use are EDTA and sodium citrate. Citrate is used as an additive to blood collected in blood banks, to chelate the calcium ions and retard clotting.
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chelation n. the process of removing a heavy metal from a solution by means of a chelate; as (Med.) the treatment of lead or mercury poisoning by adding a chelating agent to the blood.
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2. the process of forming a ring by forming one or more hydrogen bonds.
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Chelerythrine (?), n. [Gr. � celandine + 'eryqros red.] (Chem.) An alkaloidal principle obtained from the celandine, and named from the red color of its salts. It is a colorless crystalline substance, and acts as an acrid narcotic poison. It is identical with sanguinarine.
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Chelicera (k�lĭs�rȧ), n.; pl. Cheliceræ (-rē). [NL., fr. Gr. chhlh claw + keras horn.] (Zoöl.) One of the anterior pair of mouth organs, terminated by a pincherlike claw, in scorpions and allied Arachnida. They are homologous with the falcers of spiders, and probably with the mandibles of insects.
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chelicerous adj. having chelicerae.
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Chelidon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. chelidwn.] (Anat.) The hollow at the flexure of the arm.
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Chelidonic (?), a. [See .] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the celandine.
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Coloq. Chelidonic acid , a weak acid extracted from the celandine (Chelidonium majus), as a white crystalline substance.
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Chelidonium n. a genu having only one species; the greater celandine.
Syn. -- genus Chelidonium.
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Chelidonius (?), n. [L. (sc. lapillus.)] A small stone taken from the gizzard of a young swallow. -- anciently worn as a medicinal charm.
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Chelifer (?), n. [Gr. chhlh claw + -fer.] (Zoöl.) See Book scorpion, under .
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Cheliferous (?), a. [Gr. chhlh claw + -ferous.] (Zoöl.) Having cheliform claws, like a crab.
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Cheliform (?), a. [Gr. chhlh claw + -form.] (Zoöl.) Having a movable joint or finger closing against a preceding joint or a projecting part of it, so that the whole may be used for grasping, as the claw of a crab; pincherlike.
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Chelone (?), n. [Gr. chelwnh a tortoise. So named from shape of the upper lip of the corolla.] (Bot.) A genus of hardy perennial flowering plants, of the order Scrophulariaceæ, natives of North America; -- called also snakehead, turtlehead, shellflower, etc.
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Chelonethida n. an order comprising the false scorpions.
Syn. -- order Chelonethida, Pseudoscorpionida, order Pseudoscorpionida, Pseudoscorpiones, order Pseudoscorpiones.
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Chelonia (k�lōnĭȧ), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. chelwnh a tortoise.] (Zoöl.) An order of reptiles, including the tortoises and turtles, peculiar in having a part of the vertebræ, ribs, and sternum united with the dermal plates so as to form a firm shell. The jaws are covered by a horny beak. See ; also, Illust. in Appendix.
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Chelonian (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to animals of the tortoise kind. -- n. One of the Chelonia.
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Cheloniidae n. a natural family including the green turtles; hawksbills.
Syn. -- family Cheloniidae, Chelonidae, family Chelonidae.
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Chelura (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. chhlh claw + o'yra tail.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marine amphipod crustacea, which bore into and sometimes destroy timber.
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Chely (?), n. A claw. See . [Obs.]
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Chelyabinsk n. a city in the Asian part of Russia.
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Chelydra n. a genus of snapping turtles.
Syn. -- genus Chelydra.
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Chelydridae n. a natural family comprising the snapping turtles.
Syn. -- family Chelydridae.
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Chemic (?), n. [See .] 1. A chemist; an alchemist. [Obs.]
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2. (Bleaching) A solution of chloride of lime.
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Chemic, a. Chemical. Blackw. Mag.
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Chemical (?), a. Pertaining to chemistry; characterized or produced by the forces and operations of chemistry; employed in the processes of chemistry; as, chemical changes; chemical combinations.
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Coloq. Chemical attraction or Coloq. Chemical affinity . See under .
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Chemical, n. A substance used for producing a chemical effect; a reagent.
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Chemically, adv. According to chemical principles; by chemical process or operation.
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Chemiglyphic (?), a. [Chemical + � to engrave.] Engraved by a voltaic battery.
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Chemigraphy (?), n. [Chemical + -graphy.] Any mechanical engraving process depending upon chemical action; specif., a process of zinc etching not employing photography. -- Chemigraphic (#), a.
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Chemiloon (?), n. A garment for women, consisting of chemise and drawers united in one. [U. S.]
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Chemise (?), n. [F., shirt, fr. LL. camisa, camisia, shirt, thin dress; cf. G. hemd, or OIr. caimmse sort of garment. Cf. .] 1. A shift, or undergarment, worn by women.
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2. A wall that lines the face of a bank or earthwork.
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Chemisette (?), n. [F., dim. of chemise.] An under-garment, worn by women, usually covering the neck, shoulders, and breast.
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Chemism (?), n. [Cf. F. chimisme. See .] The force exerted between the atoms of elementary substance whereby they unite to form chemical compounds; chemical attaction; affinity; -- sometimes used as a general expression for chemical activity or relationship.
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chemisorptive chemosorptive adj. have the capacity to adsorb by chemical as contrasted with physical forces.
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Chemist, n. [Shortened from alchemist; cf. F. chimiste.] A person versed in chemistry or given to chemical investigation; an analyst; a maker or seller of chemicals or drugs.
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Chemistry (kĕmĭstr�; 277), n. [From . See .] 1. That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules. See , .
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☞ Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified.
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2. An application of chemical theory and method to the consideration of some particular subject; as, the chemistry of iron; the chemistry of indigo.
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3. A treatise on chemistry.
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☞ This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography.
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Coloq. Inorganic chemistry , that which treats of inorganic or mineral substances. -- Coloq. Organic chemistry , that which treats of the substances which form the structure of organized beings and their products, whether animal or vegetable; -- called also chemistry of the carbon compounds. There is no fundamental difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. -- Coloq. Physiological chemistry , the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body, and of the various physiological processes incident to life. -- Coloq. Practical chemistry , or Coloq. Applied chemistry , that which treats of the modes of manufacturing the products of chemistry that are useful in the arts, of their applications to economical purposes, and of the conditions essential to their best use. -- Coloq. Pure chemistry , the consideration of the facts and theories of chemistry in their purely scientific relations, without necessary reference to their practical applications or mere utility.
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chemist's n. a retail shop where medicine and other articles are sold; a drugstore. [British]
Syn. -- drugstore, apothecary's shop, chemist's shop, dispensary, pharmacy.
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Chemitype (?), n. [Chemical + -type.] (Engraving) One of a number of processes by which an impression from an engraved plate is obtained in relief, to be used for printing on an ordinary printing press.
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Chemolysis (?), n. [Chemical + Gr. � a loosing.] A term sometimes applied to the decomposition of organic substance into more simple bodies, by the use of chemical agents alone. Thudichum.
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Chemosis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � a swelling of the cornea resembling a cockleshell, fr. � a gaping, hence a cockleshell.] (Med.) Inflammatory swelling of the conjunctival tissue surrounding the cornea. -- Chemotic (#), a.
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Chemosmosis (?), n. [Chemical + osmosis.] Chemical action taking place through an intervening membrane.
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Chemosmotic (?), a. Pertaining to, or produced by, chemosmosis. [R.]
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chemosorption n. adsorption (especially when irreversible) by means of chemical instead of physical forces; as, chemosorption of gaseous nitrogen on iron catalysts.
Syn. -- chemisorption.
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Chemosynthesis (?), n. [Chemical + synthesis.] (Plant Physiol.) Synthesis of organic compounds by energy derived from chemical changes or reactions. Chemosynthesis of carbohydrates occurs in the nitrite bacteria through the oxidation of ammonia to nitrous acid, and in the nitrate bacteria through the conversion of nitrous into nitric acid. -- Chemosynthetic (#), a.
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{Chemotaxis (?), n. Formerly also Chemiotaxis}. [Chemical + Gr. � arrangement, fr. � to arrange.] (Biol.) The sensitiveness exhibited by small free-swimming organisms, as bacteria, zoöspores of algæ, etc., to chemical substances held in solution. They may be attracted (positive chemotaxis) or repelled (negative chemotaxis). -- Chemotactic (#), a. -- Chemotactically, adv.
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chemotherapeutic chemotherapeutical adj. of or pertaining to chemotherapy; using chemotherapy; having properties beneficial for chemotherapy.
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chemotherapy n. the use of chemical agents to treat or control disease (or mental illness); -- also used especially in reference to the use of chemicals to treat cancer.
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Chemung period (?), (Geol.) A subdivision in the upper part of the Devonian system in America, so named from the Chemung River, along which the rocks are well developed. It includes the Portage and Chemung groups or epochs. See the Diagram under .
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Chen n. a wild goose having white adult plumage.
Syn. -- subgenus Chen.
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chenfish n. small silvery marine food fish (Genyonemus lineatus) found off California.
Syn. -- white croaker, kingfish, Genyonemus lineatus.
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Cheng (?), n. [Chinese.] A chinese reed instrument, with tubes, blown by the mouth.
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Chenille (sh�nēl), n. [F., prop., a caterpillar.] Tufted cord, of silk or worsted, for the trimming of ladies' dresses, for embroidery and fringes, and for the weft of Chenille rugs.
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Chenomorphæ (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. � the wild goose + morfh form.] (Zoöl.) An order of birds, including the swans, ducks, geese, flamingoes and screamers.
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Chenopodiales n. an order which corresponds approximately to the older group Centrospermae.
Syn. -- Caryophyllales, order Caryophyllales, order Chenopodiales.
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Chenopodium n. a genus of plants comprising the goosefoots and including the pigweed.
Syn. -- genus Chenopodium.
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cheoplasty n. molding artificial teeth using low-fusing metals or alloys.
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Chepster (chĕpstẽr), n. (Zoöl.) The European starling. [Local, Eng.]
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Cheque (chĕk), n. See .
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Chequer (chĕkẽr), n. & v. Same as .
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Chequin (ch�kēn), n. A coin. See . Shak.
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Chequy (?), n. (Her.) Same as .
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Cherif (shĕrĭf), n. See .
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Cherimoyer (?), n. [F. chérimolier.] (Bot.) 1. A small downy-leaved tree (Anona Cherimolia), with fragrant flowers. It is a native of Peru.
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2. Its delicious fruit, which is succulent, dark purple, and similar to the custard apple of the West Indies.
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Cherish (chĕrĭsh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cherished (chĕrĭsht); p. pr. & vb. n. Cherising.] [F. chérir, fr. cher dear, fr. L. carus. See , .] 1. To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.
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We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. 1 Thess. ii. 7.
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2. To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle.
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To cherish virtue and humanity. Burke.

Syn. -- To nourish; foster; nurse; nurture; entertain; encourage; comfort; protect; support; See .
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cherished adj. deeply loved or valued.
Syn. -- precious, treasured, wanted.
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Cherisher (chĕrĭshẽr), n. One who cherishes.
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The cherisher of my flesh and blood. Shak.
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Cherishment (?), n. Encouragement; comfort. [Obs.]
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Rich bounty and dear cherishment. Spenser.
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Chermes (?), n. See .
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Cherogril (?), n. [L. choerogryllus, Gr. �; � a young swine + � a pig.] (Zoöl.) See .
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Cherokees (?), n. pl.; sing. Cherokee. (Ethnol.) An Appalachian tribe of Indians, formerly inhabiting the region about the head waters of the Tennessee River. They are now mostly settled in the Indian Territory, and have become one of the most civilized of the Indian Tribes.
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Cheroot (ch�r�t; 277), n. [Tamil shuruṭṭu, prop., a roll.] A kind of cigar, originally brought from Manila, in the Philippine Islands; now often made of inferior or adulterated tobacco.
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Cherry (chĕrr�), n. [OE. chery, for cherys, fr. F. cerise (cf. AS. cyrs cherry), fr. LL. ceresia, fr. L. cerasus Cherry tree, Gr. kerasos, perh. fr. keras horn, from the hardness of the wood.] 1. (Bot.) A tree or shrub of the genus Prunus (Which also includes the plum) bearing a fleshy drupe with a bony stone; (a) The common garden cherry (Prunus Cerasus), of which several hundred varieties are cultivated for the fruit, some of which are, the begarreau, blackheart, black Tartarian, oxheart, morelle or morello, May-duke (corrupted from Médoc in France). (b) The wild cherry; as, Prunus serotina (wild black cherry), valued for its timber; Prunus Virginiana (choke cherry), an American shrub which bears astringent fruit; Prunus avium and Prunus Padus, European trees (bird cherry).
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2. The fruit of the cherry tree, a drupe of various colors and flavors.
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3. The timber of the cherry tree, esp. of the black cherry, used in cabinetmaking, etc.
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4. A peculiar shade of red, like that of a cherry.
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Coloq. Barbadoes cherry . See under . -- Coloq. Cherry bird (Zoöl.), an American bird; the cedar bird; -- so called from its fondness for cherries. -- Coloq. Cherry bounce , cherry brandy and sugar. -- Coloq. Cherry brandy , brandy in which cherries have been steeped. -- Coloq. Cherry laurel (Bot.), an evergreen shrub (Prunus Lauro-cerasus) common in shrubberies, the poisonous leaves of which have a flavor like that of bitter almonds. -- Coloq. Cherry pepper (Bot.), a species of Capsicum (Capsicum cerasiforme), with small, scarlet, intensely piquant cherry-shaped fruit. -- Coloq. Cherry pit . (a) A child's play, in which cherries are thrown into a hole. Shak. (b) A cherry stone. -- Coloq. Cherry rum , rum in which cherries have been steeped. -- Coloq. Cherry sucker (Zoöl.), the European spotted flycatcher (Musicapa grisola); -- called also cherry chopper cherry snipe. -- Coloq. Cherry tree , a tree that bears cherries. -- Coloq. Ground cherry , Coloq. Winter cherry , See .
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