Lithium - Litter

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Lithium (lĭthĭŭm), n. [NL., from Gr. liqeios of stone, fr. liqos stone.] (Chem.) A metallic element of the alkaline group, occurring in several minerals, as petalite, spodumene, lepidolite, triphylite, etc., and otherwise widely disseminated, though in small quantities.
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☞ When isolated it is a soft, silver white metal, tarnishing and oxidizing very rapidly in the air. It is the lightest solid element known, specific gravity being 0.59. Symbol Li. Atomic weight 7.0 So called from having been discovered in a mineral.
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Litho (lĭth�) A combining form from Gr. liqos, stone.
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Lithobilic (-bĭlĭk), a. [Litho + bile.] (Chem.) Pertaining to or designating an organic acid of the tartaric acid series, distinct from lithofellic acid, but, like it, obtained from certain bile products, as bezoar stones.
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Lithocarp (lĭth�kärp), n. [Litho- + Gr. karpos fruit: cf. F. lithocarpe.] (Paleon.) Fossil fruit; a fruit petrified; a carpolite.
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Lithochromatics (-kr�mătĭks), n. See .
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Lithochromics (-krōmĭks), n. [Litho- + Gr. chrw^ma color.] The art of printing colored pictures on canvas from oil paintings on stone.
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Lithoclast (lĭth�klăst), n. [Litho- + Gr. kla^n to break.] (Surg.) An instrument for crushing stones in the bladder.
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Lithocyst (lĭth�sĭst), n. [Litho- + cyst.] (Zoöl.) A sac containing small, calcareous concretions (otoliths). They are found in many Medusæ, and other invertebrates, and are supposed to be auditory organs.
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Lithodome (-dōm), n. [Litho- + Gr. domos house: cf. F. lithodome.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of bivalves, which form holes in limestone, in which they live; esp., any species of the genus Lithodomus.
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Lithodomous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, Lithodomus; lithophagous.
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Lithodomus (?), n. [NL. See .] (Zoöl.) A genus of elongated bivalve shells, allied to the mussels, and remarkable for their ability to bore holes for shelter, in solid limestone, shells, etc. Called also Lithophagus.
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☞ These holes are at first very small and shallow, but are enlarged with the growth of the shell, sometimes becoming two or three inches deep and nearly an inch diameter.
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Lithofellic (?), a. [Litho- + L. fel, fellis, gall.] (Physiol. Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a crystalline, organic acid, resembling cholic acid, found in the biliary intestinal concretions (bezoar stones) common in certain species of antelope.
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Lithofracteur (?), n. [F., fr. liqos stone + L. frangere, fractum, to break.] An explosive compound of nitroglycerin. See .
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Lithogenesy (?), n. [Litho- Gr. genesis origin, generation: cf. F. lithogénésie. See .] The doctrine or science of the origin of the minerals composing the globe.
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lithogenous (lĭthŏj�nŭs), a. [Litho- + -genous.] Stone-producing; -- said of polyps which form coral.
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lithoglyph (lĭth�glĭf), n. [Gr. liqoglyfia; liqos stone + glyfein to engrave.] An engraving on a gem.
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lithoglypher (lĭthŏgrȧfẽr), n. One who curs or engraves precious stones.
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lithoglyphic (lĭth�glĭfĭk), a. Of or pertaining to the art of cutting and engraving precious stones.
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lithoglyptics (lĭth�glĭptĭks), n. The art of cutting and engraving gems.
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lithograph (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. lithographed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. lithographing (?).] [litho- + -graph: cf. F. lithographier.] To trace on stone by the process of lithography so as to transfer the design to paper by printing; as, to lithograph a design; to lithograph a painting. See .
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lithograph, n. A print made by lithography.
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lithographer (?), n. One who lithographs; one who practices lithography.
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{ lithographic (?), lithographical (?), } a. [Cf. F. lithographique.] Of or pertaining to lithography; made by lithography; as, the lithographic art; a lithographic picture.
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Coloq. Lithographic limestone (Min.), a compact, fine-grained limestone, obtained largely from the Lias and Oölite, esp. of Bavaria, and extensively used in lithography.

-- Lithographically, adv.
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Lithography (?), n. [Cf. F. lithographie.] 1. The art or process of putting designs or writing, with a greasy material, on stone, and of producing printed impressions therefrom. The process depends, in the main, upon the antipathy between grease and water, which prevents a printing ink containing oil from adhering to wetted parts of the stone not covered by the design. See Lithographic limestone, under .
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2. a printing process for reproducing images, using any flat surface, such as a metal plate, in a manner similar to .
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3. The process of producing patterns on semiconductor crystals by exposing photosensitive coatings on a matrix, such as silicon, to light patterns in the form desired for the circuit, and subsequently treating (e.g., chemically) the patterns thus formed in such a way as to create integrated semiconductor circuits with the desired properties. This is the principle method (1990's) to create the high-density integrated circuits used in the digital computers on which you are reading this.
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{ Lithoid (?) Lithoidal (?), } a. [Litho- + -oid: cf. F. lithoïde.] Like a stone; having a stony structure.
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Litholatry (?), n. [Litho- + Gr. � worship.] The worship of a stone or stones.
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{ Lithologic (?), Lithological (?), } a. [Cf. F. lithologique.] 1. (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the character of a rock, as derived from the nature and mode of aggregation of its mineral contents.
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2. Of or pertaining to lithology.
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Lithologically (?), adv. From a lithological point of view; as, to consider a stratum lithologically.
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Lithologist (?), n. One who is skilled in lithology.
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Lithology (?), n. [Litho- + -logy: cf. F. lithologie.] 1. The science which treats of rocks, as regards their mineral constitution and classification, and their mode of occurrence in nature.
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2. (Med.) A treatise on stones found in the body.
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Lithomancy (?), n. [Litho- + -mancy: cf. F. lithomancie.] Divination by means of stones.
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Lithomarge (?), n. [Litho- + L. marga marl.] A clay of a fine smooth texture, and very sectile.
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{ Lithonthriptic, Lithonthryptic } (?), a. & n. [Litho- + Gr. � to crush.] Same as .
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Lithontriptic (?), a. [Gr. liqos, acc. �, a stone + � to rub, grind: cf. F. lithontriptique.] (Med.) Having the quality of, or used for, dissolving or destroying stone in the bladder or kidneys; as, lithontriptic forcéps. -- n. A lithontriptic remedy or agent, as distilled water.
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Lithontriptist, n. Same as .
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Lithontriptor (?), n. (Surg.) See .
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Lithophagous (?), a. [Litho- + Gr. � to eat.] (Zoöl.) (a) Eating or swallowing stones or gravel, as the ostrich. (b) Eating or destroying stone; -- applied to various animals which make burrows in stone, as many bivalve mollusks, certain sponges, annelids, and sea urchins. See .
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Lithophane (?), n. [Litho- + Gr. fainein to show, reveal.] Porcelain impressed with figures which are made distinct by transmitted light, as in a lamp shade or when hung in a window. -- Lithophanic (#), a. -- Lithophany (#), n.
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Lithophosphor (?), n. [Litho- + phosphor.] A stone that becomes phosphoric by heat.
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Lithophosphoric (?), a. Pertaining to lithophosphor; becoming phosphoric by heat.
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Lithophotography (?), n. [Litho- + photography.] Same as .
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Lithophyll (?), n. [Gr. liqos a stone + � a leaf: cf. F. lithophylle.] A fossil leaf or impression of a leaf.
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Lithophyse (?), n. [Litho- + Gr. � a flatus, air bubble.] (Min.) A spherulitic cavity often with concentric chambers, observed in some volcanic rocks, as in rhyolitic lavas. It is supposed to be produced by expanding gas, whence the name.
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Lithophyte (?), n. [Litho- + Gr. � plant: cf. F. lithophyte.] (Zoöl.) A hard, or stony, plantlike organism, as the gorgonians, corals, and corallines, esp. those gorgonians having a calcareous axis. All the lithophytes except the corallines are animals.
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Lithophytic (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to lithophytes.
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Lithophytous (?), a. Lithophytic.
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Lithosian (?), n. [From NL. Lithosia, the typical genus, fr. Gr. liqos a stone, a rock.] (Zoöl.) Any one of various species of moths belonging to the family Lithosidæ. Many of them are beautifully colored.
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Lithosphere (?), n. [Litho- + sphere.] (Phys. Geog.) (a) The solid earth as distinguished from its fluid envelopes, the hydrosphere and atmosphere. (b) The outer part of the solid earth, the portion undergoing change through the gradual transfer of material by volcanic eruption, the circulation of underground water, and the process of erosion and deposition. It is, therefore, regarded as a third mobile envelope comparable with the hydrosphere and atmosphere.
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Lithotint (?), n. [Litho- + tint.] 1. A kind of lithography by which the effect of a tinted drawing is produced, as if made with India ink.
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2. A picture produced by this process.
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Lithotome (?), n. [Gr. � cutting stones; liqos stone + � to cut: cf. F. lithotome.] 1. A stone so formed by nature as to appear as if cut by art.
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2. (Surg.) An instrument used for cutting the bladder in operations for the stone.
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{ Lithotomic (?), Lithotomical (?), } a. [Gr. liqos stone cutting: cf. F. lithotomique.] Pertaining to, or performed by, lithotomy.
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Lithotomist (?), n. [Cf. F. lithotomiste.] One who performs the operation of cutting for stone in the bladder, or one who is skilled in the operation.
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Lithotomy (?), n. [L. lithotomia, Gr. �: cf. F. lithotomie.] (Surg.) The operation, art, or practice of cutting for stone in the bladder.
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Lithotripsy (lĭth�trĭps�), n. [Litho- + Gr. tribein to rub, grind: cf. F. lithotripsie.] (Surg.) The operation of crushing a stone in the bladder or urethra to reduce it to particles small enough to be voided; lithotrity. It may be performed with an instrument called lithotriptor or lithotrite (also called a lithoclast); or, more recently, may be accomplished by devices using ultrasonic waves to fragment the stones.
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Lithotriptic (lĭth�trĭptĭk), a. & n. Same as .
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Lithotriptist (lĭth�trĭptĭst), n. One skilled in breaking and extracting stone in the bladder.
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Lithotriptor (lĭth�trĭptẽr), n. (Surg.) An instrument for triturating the stone in the bladder; a lithotrite.
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{ Lithotrite (?), Lithotritor (?), } [See .] (Surg.) A lithotriptor.
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Lithotritist (?), n. A lithotriptist.
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Lithotrity (?), n. [Litho- + L. terere, tritum, to rub, grind.] (Surg.) The operation of breaking a stone in the bladder or urethrea into small pieces capable of being voided; lithotripsy.
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Lithotype (?), n. 1. An etched stone surface for printing, having the design in relief; also, the process of printing from such a surface, or that which is printed from it.
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2. A machine, with a keyboard like that of a typewriter, for making a lithographic transfer sheet. It produces a perforated strip of paper which controls the printing.
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Lithotype, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lithotyped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Lithotyping (?).] To prepare for printing with plates made by the process of lithotypy. See .
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Lithotypic (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or produced by, lithotypy.
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Lithotypy (?), n. [Litho- + -typy.] The art or process of making a kind of hard, stereotype plate, by pressing into a mold, taken from a page of type or other matter, a composition of gum shellac and sand of a fine quality, together with a little tar and linseed oil, all in a heated state.
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Lithoxyl (?), n. [Written also lithoxyle.] [Litho- + Gr. � wood: cf. F. lithoxyle.] Petrified wood. [Obs.]
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Lithuanian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Lithuania (formerly a principality united with Poland, then part of the Soviet Union, but since 1992 an independent nation).
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Lithuanian, n. A native, or one of the people, of Lithuania; also, the language of the Lithuanian people.
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Lithy (?) a. [See .] Easily bent; pliable.
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Coloq. Lithy tree (Bot.), a European shrub (Viburnum Lantana); -- so named from its tough and flexible stem.
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Litigable (?), a. Such as can be litigated.
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Litigant (?), a. [L. litigans, -antis, p. pr. of litigare: cf. F. litigant. See .] Disposed to litigate; contending in law; engaged in a lawsuit; as, the parties litigant. Ayliffe.
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Litigant, n. A person engaged in a lawsuit.
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Litigate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Litigated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Litigating.] [See .] To make the subject of a lawsuit; to contest in law; to prosecute or defend by pleadings, exhibition of evidence, and judicial debate in a court; as, to litigate a cause.
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Litigate, v. i. To carry on a suit by judicial process.
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Litigation (?), n. [L. litigatio, fr. litigare to dispute, litigate; lis, litis, dispute, lawsuit (OL. stlis) + agere to carry on. See .] The act or process of litigating; a suit at law; a judicial contest.
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litigatious adj. 1. of or pertaining to litigation.
Syn. -- litiginous.
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2. prone to initiate litigation.
Syn. -- litiginous.
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3. same as .
Syn. -- litigatious, litiginous, contentious, disputatious; quarrelsome; argumentative.
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Litigator (?), n. [L.] One who litigates.
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litiginous adj. same as .
Syn. -- litigatious.
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Litigious (?), a. [L. litigiosus, fr. litigium dispute, quarrel, fr. litigare: cf. F. litigieux. See .] 1. Inclined to initiate lawsuits; given to the practice of contending in law; fond of litigation. “ A pettifogging attorney or a litigious client.” Macaulay.
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Soldiers find wars, and lawyers find out still
Litigious men, who quarrels move. Donne.
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2. Hence: Quarrelsome; contentious; argumentative.
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3. Subject to contention; disputable; controvertible; debatable; doubtful; precarious. Shak.
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No fences, parted fields, nor marks, nor bounds,
Distinguished acres of litigious grounds. Dryden.
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4. Of or pertaining to legal disputes.
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Nor brothers cite to the litigious bar. Young.
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Litigiously, adv. In a litigious manner.
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Litigiousness, n. The state of being litigious; disposition to engage in or carry on lawsuits.
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Litmus (?), n. [D. lakmoes; lak lacker + moes a thick preparation of fruit, pap, prob. akin to E. meat: cf. G. lackmus. See a resinous substance.] (Chem.) A dyestuff extracted from certain lichens (Roccella tinctoria, Lecanora tartarea, etc.), as a blue amorphous mass which consists of a compound of the alkaline carbonates with certain coloring matters related to orcin and orcein.
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☞ Litmus is used as a dye, and being turned red by acids and restored to its blue color by alkalies, is a common indicator or test for acidity and alkalinity.
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Coloq. Litmus paper (Chem.), unsized paper saturated with blue or red litmus, -- used in testing for acids or alkalies.
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litmus test, 1. (Chem.) A test to determine acidity or alkalinity, using litmus as an inddicator.
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2. Hence: (Fig.) A test for a single factor, which has only two outcomes, positive or negative; specifically: (Politics) the question of whether a candidate for office is for or against a particular position on an issue; -- used, e.g. by voters concerned predominantly with a single issue, to decide whether to vote for or against a candidate; as, many voters take a candidate's position on abortion as their litmus test.
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Litocranius n. A genus of East African antelopes including the gerenuks.
Syn. -- genus Litocranius.
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litoral n. See .
Syn. -- littoral, littoral zone, sands.
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Litotes (līt�tēz), n. [NL., fr. Gr. litoths, from litos plain, simple.] (Rhet.) A diminution or softening of statement for the sake of avoiding censure or increasing the effect by contrast with the moderation shown in the form of expression; a form of understatement; as, “ a citizen of no mean city,” that is, of an illustrious city; or, “not bad”, meaning “good”.
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Litraneter (?), n. [Gr. litra + -meter. See ] An instrument for ascertaining the specific gravity of liquids.
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Litre (lētẽr; 277), n. [F.] Same as . [Chiefly Brit.]
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Litter (lĭttẽr), n. [F. litière, LL. lectaria, fr. L. lectus couch, bed. See to be prostrated, and cf. .] 1. A bed or stretcher so arranged that a person, esp. a sick or wounded person, may be easily carried in or upon it.
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There is a litter ready; lay him in 't. Shak.
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2. Straw, hay, etc., scattered on a floor, as bedding for animals to rest on; also, a covering of straw for plants.
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To crouch in litter of your stable planks. Shak.
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Take off the litter from your kernel beds. Evelyn.
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3. Things lying scattered about in a manner indicating slovenliness; scattered rubbish.
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Strephon, who found the room was void.
Stole in, and took a strict survey
Of all the litter as it lay. Swift.
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4. Disorder or untidiness resulting from scattered rubbish, or from thongs lying about uncared for; as, a room in a state of litter.
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5. The young brought forth at one time, by a cat, dog, sow or other multiparous animal, taken collectively. Also Fig.
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A wolf came to a sow, and very kindly offered to take care of her litter. D. Estrange.
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Reflect upon that numerous litter of strange, senseless opinions that crawl about the world. South.
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Litter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Littered (lĭttẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Littering.] 1. To supply with litter, as cattle; to cover with litter, as the floor of a stall.
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Tell them how they litter their jades. Bp. Hackett.
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For his ease, well littered was the floor. Dryden.
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2. To put into a confused or disordered condition; to strew with scattered articles; as, to litter a room.
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The room with volumes littered round. Swift.
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3. To give birth to; to bear; -- said of brutes, esp. those which produce more than one at a birth, and also of human beings, in abhorrence or contempt.
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We might conceive that dogs were created blind, because we observe they were littered so with us. Sir T. Browne.
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The son that she did litter here,
A freckled whelp hagborn. Shak.
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