Peck - Pedata

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Peck (pĕk), n. A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.
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Pecker (pĕkẽr), n. 1. One who, or that which, pecks; specif., a bird that pecks holes in trees; a woodpecker.
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2. An instrument for pecking; a pick. Garth.
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3. The penis; -- an obscene term for the male sexual organ.
Syn. -- penis, cock, prick, tool, peter, dick, shaft [all but the first considered obscene].
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Coloq. Flower pecker . (Zoöl.) See under .
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peckish, a. Inclined to eat; hungry. [Colloq.] “When shall I feel peckish again?” Beaconsfield.
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peckled (pĕkkl'd), a. Speckled; spotted. [Obs.]
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Pecopteris (p�kŏpt�rĭs), prop. n. [NL., fr. Gr. pekein to comb + petris a kind of fern.] (Paleon.) An extensive genus of fossil ferns; -- so named from the regular comblike arrangement of the leaflets.
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Pecora (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pecus. See .] (Zoöl.) An extensive division of ruminants, including the antelopes, deer, and cattle.
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pecs (pĕks), n. pl. (Anat.) [contraction from pectoral muscles.] The pectoral muscles; -- a contraction used by body-building and health enthusiasts. Used similarly to and . [informal]
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Pectate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of pectic acid.
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Pecten (?), n. [L. pecten, -inis, a comb, a kind of shellfish. See .] 1. (Anat.) (a) A vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous humor within the globe of the eye in birds, and in many reptiles and fishes; -- also called marsupium. (b) The pubic bone.
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2. (Zoöl.) Any species of bivalve mollusks of the genus Pecten, and numerous allied genera (family Pectinidæ); a scallop. See .
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3. (Zoöl.) The comb of a scorpion. See , 4 (b).
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pectic (pĕktĭk), a. [Gr. phktos curdled.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to pectin; specifically, designating an acid obtained from ordinary vegetable jelly (pectin) as an amorphous substance, tough and horny when dry, but gelatinous when moist.
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pectin (pĕktĭ), n. [Gr. phktos curdled, congealed, from phgnynai to make fast or stiff: cf. F. pectine.] (Chem.) One of a series of carbohydrates, commonly called vegetable jelly, found very widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, especially in ripe fleshy fruits, as apples, cranberries, etc. It is extracted as variously colored, translucent substances, which are soluble in hot water but become viscous on cooling. It is commonly used in making fruit jelllies.
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Pectinal (?), a. [L. pecten comb. See .] Of or pertaining to a comb; resembling a comb.
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Pectinal, n. A fish whose bones resemble comb teeth. Sir T. Browne.
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{ Pectinate (?), Pectinated (?), } a. [L. pectinatus, p. pr. of pectinare to comb, from pecten, -inis, a comb; cf. Gr. pekein to comb, AS. feax hair, OHG. fahs, E. paxwax.] 1. Resembling the teeth of a comb.
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2. (Nat. Hist.) Having very narrow, close divisions, in arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb; comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles. See Illust. (e) of .
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3. Interlaced, like two combs. [R.] “Our fingers pectinated, or shut together.” Sir T. Browne.
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Coloq. Pectinate claw (Zoöl.), a claw having a serrate edge, found in some birds, and supposed to be used in cleaning the feathers.
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Pectinately (?), adv. In a pectinate manner.
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Pectination (?), n. 1. The state of being pectinated; that which is pectinated. Sir T. Browne.
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2. The act of combing; the combing of the head.
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3. (Nat. Hist.) Comblike toothing.
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Pectineal (?), a. [See .] (Anat.) (a) Of or pertaining to the pecten. (b) Relating to, or connected with, the pubic bone.
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Pectinibranch (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Pectinibranchiata. Also used adjectively.
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Pectinibranchiata (?), n. pl. [NL. See , and .] (Zoöl.) A division of Gastropoda, including those that have a comblike gill upon the neck.
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Pectinibranchiate (?), a. [L. pecten, -inis, a comb + E. branchiate.] (Zoöl.) Having pectinated gills.
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Pectiniform (pĕktĭnĭfôrm), a. Comblike in form.
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Pectize (pĕktīz), v. i. [Gr. phktos solid.] To congeal; to change into a gelatinous mass. [R.] H. Spencer.
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Pectolite (pĕkt�līt), n. [L. pecten a comb + -lite.] (Min.) A whitish mineral occurring in radiated or fibrous crystalline masses. It is a hydrous silicate of lime and soda.
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Pectoral (pĕkt�r�l), a. [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.] 1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.
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2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy.
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3. (Zoöl.) Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper.
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Coloq. Pectoral arch , or Coloq. Pectoral girdle (Anat.), the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the shoulder girdle. In man it consists of two bones, the scapula and clavicle, on each side. -- Coloq. Pectoral cross (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons. -- Coloq. Pectoral fins , or Coloq. Pectorals (Zoöl.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under . -- Coloq. Pectoral rail . (Zoöl.) See Land rail (b) under . -- Coloq. Pectoral sandpiper (Zoöl.), the jacksnipe (b).
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Pectoral (?), n. [L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of pectoralis.] 1. A covering or protecting for the breast.
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2. (Eccl.) (a) A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high person. (b) A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.
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3. A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially the lungs.
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Pectorally (?), adv. As connected with the breast.
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Pectoriloquial (?), a. [Cf. F. pectoriloque.] Pertaining to, or of the nature of, pectoriloquy.
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Pectoriloquism (?), n. Pectoriloquy.
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Pectoriloquous (?), a. Pectoriloquial.
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Pectoriloquy (?), n. [L. pectus, -oris, the breast + loqui to speak: cf. F. pectoriloquie.] (Med.) The distinct articulation of the sounds of a patient's voice, heard on applying the ear to the chest in auscultation. It usually indicates some morbid change in the lungs or pleural cavity.
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Pectose (pĕktōs), n. [Pectic + cellulose.] (Chem.) An amorphous carbohydrate found in the vegetable kingdom, esp. in unripe fruits. It is associated with cellulose, and is converted into substances of the pectin group.
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Pectosic (pĕktōsĭk), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, pectose; specifically, designating an acid supposed to constitute largely ordinary pectin or vegetable jelly.
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Pectostraca (pĕktŏstrȧkȧ), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. phktos fixed + 'ostrakon shell of a testacean.] (Zoöl.) A degenerate order of Crustacea, including the Rhizocephala and Cirripedia.
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Pectous (pĕktŭs), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, pectose.
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Pectus (pĕktŭs), n.; pl. Pectora (#). [L., the breast.] (Zoöl.) The breast of a bird.
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Pecul (?), n. See .
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Peculate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peculated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating.] [L. peculatus, p. p. of peculari to peculate, akin to peculium private property. See .] To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.
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An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. Burke.
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Peculation (?), n. The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement; embezzlement.
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Every British subject . . . active in the discovery of peculations has been ruined. Burke.
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Peculator (?), n. [L.] One who peculates. “Peculators of the public gold.” Cowper.
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Peculiar (?), a. [L. peculiaris, fr. peculium private property, akin to pecunia money: cf. OF. peculier. See .] 1. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common or in participation.
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And purify unto himself a peculiar people. Titus ii. 14.
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Hymns . . . that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself. Hooker.
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2. Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
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While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat. Milton.
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My fate is Juno's most peculiar care. Dryden.
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3. Unusual; singular; rare; strange; as, the sky had a peculiar appearance.
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Syn. -- , , . Peculiar is from the Roman peculium, which was a thing emphatically and distinctively one's own, and hence was dear. The former sense always belongs to peculiar (as, a peculiar style, peculiar manners, etc.), and usually so much of the latter as to involve feelings of interest; as, peculiar care, watchfulness, satisfaction, etc. Nothing of this kind belongs to special and especial. They mark simply the relation of species to genus, and denote that there is something in this case more than ordinary; as, a special act of Congress; especial pains, etc.
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Beauty, which, either walking or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces. Milton.
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For naught so vile that on the earth doth live,
But to the earth some special good doth give. Shak.
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Peculiar, n. 1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
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Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven. South.
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2. (Eng. Canon Law) A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.
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Coloq. Court of Peculiars (Eng. Law), a branch of the Court of Arches having cognizance of the affairs of peculiars. Blackstone. -- Coloq. Dean of peculiars . See under , 1.
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Peculiarity (p�kūlyărĭt�), n.; pl. Peculiarities (p�kūlyărĭtĭz). 1. The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality; singularity. Swift.
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2. That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive characteristic or habit; particularity.
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The smallest peculiarity of temper or manner. Macaulay.
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3. Exclusive possession or right. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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Peculiarize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Peculiarized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peculiarizing (?).] To make peculiar; to set apart or assign, as an exclusive possession. [R.] Dr. John Smith.
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Peculiarly, adv. In a peculiar manner; particularly; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.
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Peculiarness, n. The quality or state of being peculiar; peculiarity. Mede.
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Peculium (?), n. [L. See .] 1. (Rom. Law) The saving of a son or a slave with the father's or master's consent; a little property or stock of one's own; any exclusive personal or separate property. Burrill.
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2. A special fund for private and personal uses.
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A slight peculium only subtracted to supply his snuff box and tobacco pouch. Sir W. Scott.
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Pecunial (?), a. Pecuniary. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Pecuniarily (?), adv. In a pecuniary manner; as regards money.
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Pecuniary (p�kūny�rĭl�), a. [L. pecuniarius, fr. pecunia money, orig., property in cattle, fr. pecus cattle: cf. F. pécuniaire. See , and cf. .] 1. Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a pecuniary reward. Burke.
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Pecunious (?), a. [L. pecuniosus, fr. pecunia: cf. F. pécunieux.] Abounding in money; wealthy; rich. [Obs.] Sherwood.
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Ped (pĕd), n. [OE. See .] A basket; a hammer; a pannier. [Obs.] Halliwell.
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Pedage (pĕd�j), n. [LL. pedagium, for pedaticum. See .] A toll or tax paid by passengers, entitling them to safe-conduct and protection. [Obs.] Spelman.
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Pedagog (?), n. Pedagogue.
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Pedagogic (?), n. [From , a.; cf. G. pedagogik.] See .
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{ Pedagogic (?), Pedagogical (?), } a. [Gr. paidagwgikos: cf. F. pédagogique. See .] Of or pertaining to a pedagogue; suited to, or characteristic of, a pedagogue.
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Pedagogics (?), n. The science or art of teaching; the principles and rules of teaching; pedagogy.
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Pedagogism (?), n. [Cf. F. pédagogisme.] The system, occupation, character, or manner of pedagogues. Milton.
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Avocations of pedantry and pedagogism. De Foe.
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Pedagogue (pĕd�gŏg), n. [F. pédagogue, L. paedagogus, Gr. paidagwgos; pai^s, paidos, a boy + 'agein to lead, guide; cf. 'agwgos leading. See a servant, .] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A slave who led his master's children to school, and had the charge of them generally.
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2. A teacher of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young; a schoolmaster.
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3. One who by teaching has become formal, positive, or pedantic in his ways; one who has the manner of a schoolmaster; a pedant. Goldsmith.
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Pedagogue, v. t. [Cf. L. paedagogare to instruct.] To play the pedagogue toward. [Obs.] Prior.
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Pedagogy (?), n. [Gr. paidagwgia: cf. F. pédagogie.] Pedagogics; pedagogism. South.
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Pedal (pēd�l in def 1; 277), a. [L. pedalis, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See , and cf. .] 1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zoöl.), pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.
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2. (pĕd�l) Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals.
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Coloq. Pedal curve or Coloq. Pedal surface (Geom.), the curve or surface which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars let fall from a fixed point upon the straight lines tangent to a given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a given surface. -- Coloq. Pedal note (Mus.), the note which is held or sustained through an organ point. See Organ point, under . -- Coloq. Pedal organ (Mus.), an organ which has pedals or a range of keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which is played with the feet.
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Pedal (pĕd�l), n. [Cf. F. pédale, It. pedale. See , a.] 1. (Mech.) A lever or key acted on by the foot, as in the pianoforte to raise the dampers, or in the organ to open and close certain pipes; a treadle, as in a lathe or a bicycle.
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2. (Geom.) A pedal curve or surface.
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pedaler n. a person who rides a pedal-driven vehicle.
Syn. -- pedaller.
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Pedalian (?), a. Relating to the foot, or to a metrical foot; pedal. [R.] Maunder.
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Pedality (?), n. The act of measuring by paces. [R.] Ash.
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pedaller n. a person who rides a pedal-driven vehicle; a pedaler.
Syn. -- pedaler.
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Pedaneous (?), a. [L. pedaneus of the size of a foot.] Going on foot; pedestrian. [R.]
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Pedant (?), n. [F. pédant, It. pedante, fr. Gr. paideyein to instruct, from pai^s boy. See .] 1. A schoolmaster; a pedagogue. [Obs.] Dryden.
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A pedant that keeps a school i'th' church. Shak.
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2. One who puts on an air of learning; one who makes a vain display of learning; a pretender to superior knowledge. Addison.
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A scholar, yet surely no pedant, was he. Goldsmith.
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{ Pedantic (?), Pedantical (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a pedant; characteristic of, or resembling, a pedant; ostentatious of learning; as, a pedantic writer; a pedantic description; a pedantical affectation. “Figures pedantical.” Shak.
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Pedantically, adv. In a pedantic manner.
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Pedanticly (?), adv. Pedantically. [R.]
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Pedantism (?), n. The office, disposition, or act of a pedant; pedantry. [Obs.]
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Pedantize (?), v. i. [Cf. F. pédantiser.] To play the pedant; to use pedantic expressions. [R.]
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Pedantocracy (?), n. [Pedant + democracy.] The sway of pedants. [R.] J. S. Mill.
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Pedantry (?), n. [Cf. F. pédanterie.] The act, character, or manners of a pedant; vain ostentation of learning. “This pedantry of quotation.” Cowley.
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'T is a practice that savors much of pedantry. Sir T. Browne.
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Pedanty (?), n. An assembly or clique of pedants. [Obs.] Milton.
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Pedarian (?), n. [L. pedarius, fr. pedarius belonging to the foot, fr. pes, pedis, foot.] (Rom. Antiq.) One of a class eligible to the office of senator, but not yet chosen, who could sit and speak in the senate, but could not vote; -- so called because he might indicate his opinion by walking over to the side of the party he favored when a vote was taken.
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Pedary (?), n.; pl. Pedaries (#). [L. pedarius of the foot.] A sandal. [Obs.] Latimer.
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Pedata (p�dātȧ), n. pl. [NL. See .] (Zoöl.) An order of holothurians, including those that have ambulacral suckers, or feet, and an internal gill.
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