Escape - Esemplastic

Prev Next

2. Act by which one breaks loose from the rules of propriety or good sense; a freak; a prank. Carlyle.
[ Webster]

Escape (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escaped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Escaping.] [OE. escapen, eschapen, OF. escaper, eschaper, F. echapper, fr. LL. ex cappa out of one's cape or cloak; hence, to slip out of one's cape and escape. See 3d , and cf. , v.] 1. To flee from and avoid; to be saved or exempt from; to shun; to obtain security from; as, to escape danger. “Sailors that escaped the wreck.” Shak.
[ Webster]

2. To avoid the notice of; to pass unobserved by; to evade; as, the fact escaped our attention.
[ Webster]

They escaped the search of the enemy. Ludlow.
[ Webster]

Escape, v. i. 1. To flee, and become secure from danger; -- often followed by from or out of.
[ Webster]

Haste, for thy life escape, nor look behind�� Keble.
[ Webster]

2. To get clear from danger or evil of any form; to be passed without harm.
[ Webster]

Such heretics . . . would have been thought fortunate, if they escaped with life. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

3. To get free from that which confines or holds; -- used of persons or things; as, to escape from prison, from arrest, or from slavery; gas escapes from the pipes; electricity escapes from its conductors.
[ Webster]

To escape out of these meshes. Thackeray.
[ Webster]

Escape, n. 1. The act of fleeing from danger, of evading harm, or of avoiding notice; deliverance from injury or any evil; flight; as, an escape in battle; a narrow escape; also, the means of escape; as, a fire escape.
[ Webster]

I would hasten my escape from the windy storm. Ps. lv. 8.
[ Webster]

2. That which escapes attention or restraint; a mistake; an oversight; also, transgression. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

I should have been more accurate, and corrected all those former escapes. Burton.
[ Webster]

3. A sally. “Thousand escapes of wit.” Shak.
[ Webster]

4. (Law) The unlawful permission, by a jailer or other custodian, of a prisoner's departure from custody.
[ Webster]

5. (Bot.) A plant which has escaped from cultivation.
[Webster Suppl.]

☞ Escape is technically distinguishable from prison breach, which is the unlawful departure of the prisoner from custody, escape being the permission of the departure by the custodian, either by connivance or negligence. The term escape, however, is applied by some of the old authorities to a departure from custody by stratagem, or without force. Wharton.
[ Webster]

5. (Arch.) An apophyge.
[ Webster]

6. Leakage or outflow, as of steam or a liquid.
[ Webster]

7. (Elec.) Leakage or loss of currents from the conducting wires, caused by defective insulation.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Escape pipe (Steam Boilers), a pipe for carrying away steam that escapes through a safety valve. -- Coloq. Escape valve (Steam Engine), a relief valve; a safety valve. See under , and . -- Coloq. Escape wheel (Horol.), the wheel of an escapement.
[ Webster]

Escapement (?), n. [Cf. F. échappement. See .] 1. The act of escaping; escape. [R.]
[ Webster]

2. Way of escape; vent. [R.]
[ Webster]

An escapement for youthful high spirits. G. Eliot.
[ Webster]

3. The contrivance in a timepiece which connects the train of wheel work with the pendulum or balance, giving to the latter the impulse by which it is kept in vibration; -- so called because it allows a tooth to escape from a pallet at each vibration.
[ Webster]

☞ Escapements are of several kinds, as the vertical, or verge, or crown, escapement, formerly used in watches, in which two pallets on the balance arbor engage with a crown wheel; the anchor escapement, in which an anchor-shaped piece carries the pallets; -- used in common clocks (both are called recoil escapements, from the recoil of the escape wheel at each vibration); the cylinder escapement, having an open-sided hollow cylinder on the balance arbor to control the escape wheel; the duplex escapement, having two sets of teeth on the wheel; the lever escapement, which is a kind of detached escapement, because the pallets are on a lever so arranged that the balance which vibrates it is detached during the greater part of its vibration and thus swings more freely; the detent escapement, used in chronometers; the remontoir escapement, in which the escape wheel is driven by an independent spring or weight wound up at intervals by the clock train, -- sometimes used in astronomical clocks. When the shape of an escape-wheel tooth is such that it falls dead on the pallet without recoil, it forms a deadbeat escapement.
[ Webster]

Escaper (?), n. One who escapes.
[ Webster]

escape velocity (?), n. (Physics) The minimum velocity at which an object must be moving in order for it to overcome the gravitational attraction of a massive celestial body, such as the earth or the sun, and escape beyond its gravitational field into free space. The velocity is calculated as though attained instantaneously at the surface of the celestial body, and is pointed directly away from its center, and neglecting effects of atmospheric friction. Rockets, which accelerate gradually and are moving rapidly at a high altitude when their fuel is exhausted or their engines shut off, may escape even if moving slightly slower at that point than the surface escape velocity. Compare orbital velocity.
[PJC]

☞ The escape velocity at the surface of the earth is 11.2 km/sec (25,100 miles per hour), at the moon's surface is 2.4 km/sec, and at the sun's surface is 617.7 km/sec. The escape velocity is calculated as:

Ve = 2Rg

where R is the radius of the celestial body and g is the acceleration due to the gravitational field at its surface. The peculiar chracteristic of a black hole is that the escape velocity at its “surface” (called its “event horizon”) is greater than the speed of light. Therefore nothing, not even light, may escape from it. Dict. Sci. Tech.
[PJC]

escape wheel (?), n. The rotating wheel in an escapement mechanism which has notches that are periodically engaged and disengaged by the anchor.
[PJC]

Escarbuncle (?), n. [OF. escarbuncle, F. escaboucle.] (Her.) See , 3.
[ Webster]

Escargatoire (?), n. [F. escargotière, fr. escargot snail.] A nursery of snails. [Obs.] Addison.
[ Webster]

escargot (ĕskärgō), n. [F. snail.] any edible terrestrial snail prepared as food; as a dish, it is usually served in the shell with a sauce of melted butter and garlic.
Syn. -- snail.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

escarole n. [Fr., from OFr. scariole. fr. LL. escariola, L. escarius of food, fit to eat, esca food, fr. edere to eat.] a variety of endive (Cichorium endivia) often used in salads, having leaves with irregular frilled edges.
Syn. -- endive, curly endive.
[WordNet 1.5]

Escarp (?), n. [F. escarpe (cf. Sp. escarpa, It. scarpa), fr. escarper to cut steep, cut to a slope, prob. of German origin: cf. G. scharf sharp,, E. sharp, or perh. scrape.] (Fort.) The side of the ditch next the parapet; -- same as scarp, and opposed to counterscarp.
[ Webster]

Escarp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escarped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Escarping.] (Mil.) To make into, or furnish with, a steep slope, like that of a scrap. Carleton.
[ Webster]

Escarpment (?), n. [Cf. F. escarpement.] A steep descent or declivity; steep face or edge of a ridge; ground about a fortified place, cut away nearly vertically to prevent hostile approach. See .
[ Webster]

-escent (?). [From the ending -escens, -entis, of the p. pr. of inchoative verbs in Latin.] A suffix signifying beginning, beginning to be; as, adolescent, effervescent, etc.
[ Webster]

Eschalot (?), n. (Bot.) See .
[ Webster]

Eschar (?), n. [L. eschara, Gr. �: cf. F. eschare. See .] (Med.) A dry slough, crust, or scab, which separates from the healthy part of the body, as that produced by a burn, or the application of caustics.
[ Webster]

Eschar (?), n. [Ir.] (Geol.) In Ireland, one of the continuous mounds or ridges of gravelly and sandy drift which extend for many miles over the surface of the country. Similar ridges in Scotland are called kames or kams. [Written also eskar and esker.]
[ Webster]

Eschara (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � a grate, a pan of coals.] (Zoöl.) A genus of Bryozoa which produce delicate corals, often incrusting like lichens, but sometimes branched.
[ Webster]

Escharine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, the genus Eschara, or family Escharidæ.
[ Webster]

Escharotic (?), a. [Gr. �, fr. � an eschar: cf. F. escharotique.] (Med.) Serving or tending to form an eschar; producing a scar; caustic.
[ Webster]

Escharotic, n. (Med.) A substance which produces an eschar; a caustic, esp., a mild caustic.
[ Webster]

Eschatological (?), a. Pertaining to the last or final things.
[ Webster]

Eschatology (?), n. [Gr. � the furthest, last + -logy.] The doctrine of the last or final things, as death, judgment, and the events therewith connected.
[ Webster]

Eschaunge (?), n. Exchange. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Escheat (?), n. [OE. eschete, escheyte, an escheat, fr. OF. escheit, escheoit, escheeite, esheoite, fr. escheoir (F. échoir) to fall to, fall to the lot of; pref. es- (L. ex) + cheoir, F. choir, to fall, fr. L. cadere. See , and cf. .] 1. (Law) (a) (Feud. & Eng. Law) The falling back or reversion of lands, by some casualty or accident, to the lord of the fee, in consequence of the extinction of the blood of the tenant, which may happen by his dying without heirs, and formerly might happen by corruption of blood, that is, by reason of a felony or attainder. Tomlins. Blackstone. (b) (U. S. Law) The reverting of real property to the State, as original and ultimate proprietor, by reason of a failure of persons legally entitled to hold the same.
[ Webster]

☞ A distinction is carefully made, by English writers, between escheat to the lord of the fee and forfeiture to the crown. But in this country, where the State holds the place of chief lord of the fee, and is entitled to take alike escheat and by forfeiture, this distinction is not essential. Tomlins. Kent.

(c) A writ, now abolished, to recover escheats from the person in possession. Blackstone.
[ Webster]

2. Lands which fall to the lord or the State by escheat.
[ Webster]

3. That which falls to one; a reversion or return
[ Webster]

To make me great by others' loss is bad escheat. Spenser.
[ Webster]

Escheat, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Esheated; p. pr. & vb. n. Escheating.] (Law) To revert, or become forfeited, to the lord, the crown, or the State, as lands by the failure of persons entitled to hold the same, or by forfeiture.
[ Webster]

☞ In this country it is the general rule that when the title to land fails by defect of heirs or devisees, it necessarily escheats to the State; but forfeiture of estate from crime is hardly known in this country, and corruption of blood is universally abolished. Kent. Bouvier.
[ Webster]

Escheat, v. t. (Law) To forfeit. Bp. Hall.
[ Webster]

Escheatable (?), a. Liable to escheat.
[ Webster]

Escheatage (?; 48), n. The right of succeeding to an escheat. Sherwood.
[ Webster]

Escheator (?), n. (Law) An officer whose duty it is to observe what escheats have taken place, and to take charge of them. Burrill.
[ Webster]

Eschevin (?), n. [OF. eschevin, a sort of magistrate, alderman, F. échevin.] The alderman or chief officer of an ancient guild. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Eschew (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Eshewed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Eshewing.] [OF. eschever, eschiver, eskiver, F. esquiver, fr. OHG. sciuhen, G. scheuen; akin to E. sky. See , a.] 1. To shun; to avoid, as something wrong, or from a feeling of distaste; to keep one's self clear of.
[ Webster]

They must not only eschew evil, but do good. Bp. Beveridge.
[ Webster]

2. To escape from; to avoid. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

He who obeys, destruction shall eschew. Sandys.
[ Webster]

Eschewer (?), n. One who eschews.
[ Webster]

Eschewment (?), n. The act of eschewing. [R.]
[ Webster]

Eschscholtzia (?), n. [NL. Named after Dr. Eschscholtz, a German botanist.] (Bot.) A genus of papaveraceous plants, found in California and upon the west coast of North America, some species of which produce beautiful yellow, orange, rose-colored, or white flowers; the California poppy.
[ Webster]

Eschynite (?), n. [Gr. � shame.] (Min.) A rare mineral, containing chiefly niobium, titanium, thorium, and cerium. It was so called by Berzelius on account of the inability of chemical science, at the time of its discovery, to separate some of its constituents.
[ Webster]

Escocheon (?), n. Escutcheon. [Obs.]

{ Escopet, Escopette (?) }, n. [Sp. escopeta, F. escopette.] A kind of firearm; a carbine.
[ Webster]

Escorial (?), prop. n. [Prop. Sp. escorial, i. e., a hill or heap of rubbish, earth, and stones brought out of a mine, fr. escoria dross of metal, L. scoria, fr. Gr. �. Cf. .] A palace and mausoleum of the kings of Spain, being a vast and wonderful structure about twenty-five miles northwest of Madrid; called also escurial. It was erected in 1563-1584 and contains a monastery.
[ Webster +PJC]

☞ The ground plan is said to be in the form of a gridiron, the structure being designed in honor of St. Lawrence, who suffered martyrdom by being broiled on a gridiron; but the resemblance is very slight. It is nearly square, inclosing several courts, and has a projecting mass which stands for the handle.
[ Webster]

Escort (?), n. [F. escorte, It. scorta a guard or guide, fr. scorgere to perceive, discern, lead, fr. L. ex out, quite + corrigere to correct, set right. See .] 1. A body of armed men to attend a person of distinction for the sake of affording safety when on a journey; one who conducts some one as an attendant; a guard, as of prisoners on a march; also, a body of persons, attending as a mark of respect or honor; -- applied to movements on land, as convoy is to movements at sea.
[ Webster]

The troops of my escort marched at the ordinary rate. Burke.
[ Webster]

2. Protection, care, or safeguard on a journey or excursion; as, to travel under the escort of a friend.
[ Webster]

Escort (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Escorting.] [Cf. F. escorter, It. scortare. See , n.] To attend with a view to guard and protect; to accompany as safeguard; to give honorable or ceremonious attendance to; -- used esp. with reference to journeys or excursions on land; as, to escort a public functionary, or a lady; to escort a baggage wagon.

Syn. -- To accompany; attend. See .
[ Webster]

Escot (?), n. [OF.] See , a tax. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Escot, v. t. To pay the reckoning for; to support; to maintain. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

Escouade (?), n. See ,
[ Webster]

Escout (?), n. See . [Obs.] Hayward.
[ Webster]

Escribed (?), a. [L. e out, out of + scribere to write.] Drawn outside of; -- used to designate a circle that touches one of the sides of a given triangle, and also the other two sides produced.
[ Webster]

Escript (?), n. [OF.] A writing. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Escritoire (?), n. [OF. escritoire, F. écritoire, LL. scriptorium, fr. L. scriptorius belonging to writing, fr. sribere to write. See , and cf. .] A piece of furniture used as a writing table, commonly with drawers, pigeonholes, and the like; a secretary or writing desk.
[ Webster]

Escritorial (?), a. Of or pertaining to an escritoire.
[ Webster]

Escrod (?), n. See , a young cod.

{ Escrol, Escroll } (?), n. [See , .] 1. A scroll. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

2. (Her.) (a) A long strip or scroll resembling a ribbon or a band of parchment, or the like, anciently placed above the shield, and supporting the crest. (b) In modern heraldry, a similar ribbon on which the motto is inscribed.
[ Webster]

Escrow (?), n. [OF. escroe, escroue, a roll of writings, bond. See .] (Law) A deed, bond, or other written engagement, delivered to a third person, to be held by him till some act is done or some condition is performed, and then to be by him delivered to the grantee. Blackstone.
[ Webster]

Escuage (?; 48), n. [OF. escuage, F. écuage, from OF. escu shield, F. écu. See .] (Feud. Law) Service of the shield, a species of knight service by which a tenant was bound to follow his lord to war, at his own charge. It was afterward exchanged for a pecuniary satisfaction. Called also scutage. Blackstone.
[ Webster]

Esculapian (?), n. Æsculapian.
[ Webster]

Esculapius (?), n. Same as .
[ Webster]

Esculent (?), a. [L. esculentus, fr. escare to eat, fr. esca food, fr. edere to eat: cf. F. esculent. See .] Suitable to be used by man for food; eatable; edible; as, esculent plants; esculent fish.
[ Webster]

Esculent grain for food. Sir W. Jones.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Esculent swallow (Zoöl.), the swallow which makes the edible bird's-nest. See Edible bird's-nest, under .
[ Webster]

Esculent, n. Anything that is fit for eating; that which may be safely eaten by man.
[ Webster]

Esculic (?), a. [From NL. Aesculus, the generic name of the horse-chestnut, fr. L. aesculus a kind of oak.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, the horse-chestnut; as, esculic acid.
[ Webster]

Esculin (?), n. [See .] (Chem.) A glucoside obtained from the Æsculus hippocastanum, or horse-chestnut, and characterized by its fine blue fluorescent solutions. [Written also æsculin.]
[ Webster]

Escurial (?), prop. n. same as .
[ Webster]

Escutcheon (?), n. [OF. escusson, F. écusson, from OF. escu shield, F. écu. See , .] 1. (Her.) The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called the chief, and the lower part the base (see , and .). That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of the knight who bears the shield on his arm is called dexter, and the other side sinister.
[ Webster]

☞ The two sides of an escutcheon are respectively designated as dexter and sinister, as in the cut, and the different parts or points by the following names: A, Dexter chief point; B, Middle chief point; C, Sinister chief point; D, Honor or color point; E, Fesse or heart point; F, Nombrill or navel point; G, Dexter base point; H, Middle base point; I, base point.
[ Webster]

2. A marking upon the back of a cow's udder and the space above it (the perineum), formed by the hair growing upward or outward instead of downward. It is esteemed an index of milking qualities. C. L. Flint.
[ Webster]

3. (Naut.) That part of a vessel's stern on which her name is written. R. H. Dane, Jr.
[ Webster]

4. (Carp.) A thin metal plate or shield to protect wood, or for ornament, as the shield around a keyhole.
[ Webster]

5. (Zoöl.) The depression behind the beak of certain bivalves; the ligamental area.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Escutcheon of pretense , an escutcheon used in English heraldry to display the arms of the bearer's wife; -- not commonly used unless she an heiress. Cf. .
[ Webster]

Escutcheoned (?), a. Having an escutcheon; furnished with a coat of arms or ensign. Young.
[ Webster]

Ese (?), n. Ease; pleasure. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Esemplastic (?), a. [Gr. 'es into, to + en one + plastikos molded, formed. See .] Shaped into one; tending to, or formative into, unity. [R.] Coleridge.
[ Webster]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z