PERFECTIONMENT

century on socialist principles. Their doctrines are, that Christ returned to earth in spirit in the year 70, that since then the Church consists not of any religious organization, but of saintly persons, sinless in body and soul, who, rejecting law and usage, submit their passions to the divine will. All the members, women as well as men, are regarded as equals, and profess themselves untrammelled by any restraints save those of the spirit working within them, so that the connection between the sexes, called by themselves pantagamy, is subject only to the desires or the delusive fancies of individuals. The founder of the sect was John Humphrey Noyes, and the principal community is established on a farm at Oneida Creek, in the state of New York. followers of Noyes call themselves also Bible Communists. The name is sometimes also applied to the Wesleyan Methodists and Plymouth Brethren, from their doctrine that man can attain to perfection in this life. This dogma they base on 1 John iii. 9, 'Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.'

The

Conducing to

Perfectionment (per-fek'shon-ment), n. State of being perfect. Gray. Perfective (pér-fekt'iv), a. make perfect or bring to perfection: followed by of.

Eternal life shall not consist in endless love. The other faculties shall be employed in actions suitable to, and perfective of their natures. Ray. Perfectively (pér-fekt'iv-li), adv. In a perfective manner.

Perfectly (perfekt-li), adv. 1. In a perfect manner; to or with the highest degree of excellence; as, a work perfectly executed. 2. Totally; completely; entirely; altogether; thoroughly; as, a thing perfectly new.3. Exactly; accurately.

Perfectness (perfekt-nes), n. The state or quality of being perfect; perfection; consummate excellence; completeness; completion.

And above all things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Col. iii. 14.

High wisdom holds my wisdom less,
That I, who gaze with temperate eyes
On glorious insufficiencies

Set light by narrower perfectness. Tennyson. Perfervid (per-fér'vid), a. [L. perfervidus, from per, intens., and fervidus, fervid. ] Very fervid; very hot or ardent. No lack of perfervid protestation.' Quart. Rev. Perficient (per-fl'shent), a. [L. perficiens, perficientis, ppr. of perficio-per, intens., thoroughly, and facio, to make, to do.] Effectual; performing. Blackstone. Perficient (per-fi'shent), n. Lit. one who performs a complete or permanent work: applied to one who endows a charity. Perfidious (pèr-fid'i-us), a. [L. perfidiosus. See PERFIDY.] Guilty of or involving perfidy or treachery; as, (a) violating good faith or vows; false to trust or confidence reposed; treacherous; as, a perfidious agent; a perfidious friend. 'A most perfidious slave.' Shak. (b) Proceeding from treachery, or consisting in breach of faith; as, a perfidious act. "Thy hapless crew involved in this perfidious fraud.' Milton. (c) Guilty of violated allegiance; as, a perfidious citizen; a man perfidious to his country.-SYN. Treacherous, faithless, unfaithful, false-hearted, disloyal, traitorous.

Perfidiously (pér-fid'i-us-li), adv. In a per

fidious manner; treacherously; traitorously; by breach of faith or allegiance. 'Perfidiously he has betrayed your business.' Shak. Perfidiousness (per-fid'i-us-nes), n. The quality of being perfidious; treachery; traitorousness; breach of faith, of vows, or allegiance. Tillotson.

Perfidy (per'fi-di), n. [L. perfidia, perfidus, faithless-prefix per, and fidus, faithful; per having here the same force as in perjure, pervert.] The act of violating faith, a promise, vow, or allegiance; breach of faith; treachery; faithlessness; the violation of a trust reposed.

These great virtues were balanced by great vices; inhuman cruelty; perfidy more than Punic; no truth, no faith; no regard to oaths. Hume.

SYN. Perfidiousness, treachery, faithlessness, infidelity, disloyalty; traitorousness. Perfix (per-fiks'), v.t. To fix; to settle; to appoint. [Rare.]

Take heed, as you're gentlemen, this quarrel Sleep till the hour perfix. Beau. & Fl. Perfiablet (pér'fla-bl), a. [L. perflo, to blow through.] That may be blown through. Bailey.

410

Perflatet (per'flat), v. t. pret. & pp. perflated; ppr. perflating. [L. perflo-per, through, and flo, to blow.] To blow through.

If eastern winds did perflate our climates more frequently, they would clarify and refresh our air. Harvey. Perflationt (per-fla'shon), n. The act of blowing through. Perflations with large bellows.' Woodward. Perfoliate (pèr-fō'li-āt), a. [L. per, through, and folium, a leaf.] In bot. a term applied to a leaf that has the base entirely surrounding the stem transversely, so that it appears as if the stem ran through it, as in Bupleurum rotundifolium.

Perforate (për fōr-āt), v.t. pret. & pp. perforated; ppr. perforating. [L. perforo, perforatus-prefix per, through, Perfoliate Leaf. and foro, to bore, to pierce.]

To bore through; to pierce with a pointed instrument; to make a hole or holes through anything by boring or driving; as, to perforate the bottom of a vessel. Perforate, Perforated (pèr'fōr-āt, perfōrát-ed), a. Bored or pierced through; penetrated. 'An earthen pot perforate at the bottom.' Bacon. Specifically, in bot. applied to leaves through which the stems pass, and also to those penetrated with small holes, or having transparent dots resembling holes. Perforation (per-fōr-a'shon), n. 1. The act of boring or piercing through. "The perforation of the body of the tree in several places.' Bacon.-2. A hole bored; a hole or aperture passing through anything, or into the interior of a substance, whether natural or made by an instrument. Perforative (pèrför-at-iv), a. Having power to perforate or pierce. Perforator (pèr'för-at-ér), n. One who or that which perforates, bores, or pierces; specifically, in surg. an instrument for perforating the skull of the foetus when it is necessary to reduce its size. Perforce (per-förs), adv. [Prefix per, through, by, and force.] By force or violence; of necessity. My head was turned perforce away.' Coleridge.

Perforce + (per-fōrs'), v.t. To force; to constrain; to compel.

My furious force their force perforced to yield.
Mir. for Mags.

Perform (pèr-form'), v.t. [O.E. parforme, parfourme,parfournen (Chaucer), from O. Fr. parfournir, to perform, to consummate, from prefix par, per, and O. Fr. fornir, Mod. Fr. fournir, to accomplish, to furnish. See FURNISH.] 1. To bring to completion; to carry through; to do; to execute; to accomplish; as, to perform two days' labour in one day; to perform a noble deed or achievement.-2. To fulfil; to act up to; to execute; to discharge; as, to perform a duty, promise, or contract; to perform a vow. To perform your father's will.' Shak. 'I thy hest will all perform at full.' Tennyson.-3. To act or represent as on the stage.

Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thon
Perform'd, my Ariel.

Shak. SYN. To do, act, transact, achieve, execute, Perform (per-form), v.i. To act a part; to accomplish, discharge, fulfil, effect, complete. go through or complete any work; especially, to play on a musical instrument, to represent a character on the stage, or the like; as, the player performs well in different characters; the musician performs well on the organ. Performable (per-form'a-bl), a. Capable of being performed, done, executed, or fulfilled; practicable.

Performance (per-form'ans), n. 1. The act of performing; the condition of being performed; execution or completion of anything; a doing; as, the performance of work or of an undertaking; the performance of duty.-2. That which is performed or accomplished; action; deed; thing done. Her walking and other actual performances.' Shak.-3. A literary work; a composition; as, Pope's Homer's Iliad is a striking performance. The celebrated performances of Robertson and Gibbon.' Craik.-4. The acting or exhibition of character on the stage; exhibition of skill and capacity; entertainment provided at any place of amusement; as, Garrick was celebrated for his theatrical performances; seven is the hour fixed for the commencement of the performance.-SYN.Completion, consummation, exe

PERHAPS

cution, accomplishment, achievement, production, work, act, action, deed, exploit, feat. Performer (pèr-form'èr), n. 1. One who performs, accomplishes, or fulfils; as, a good promiser but a bad performer.-2. One who shows skill and training in an art, as a musician, an actor, or the like. Performing (per-form'ing), p. and a. 1. Doing; executing; accomplishing.-2. Exhibiting performances or tricks; as, a performing dog.

Perfricate + (pêr'fri-kāt), v. t. pret. & pp. perfricated; ppr. perfricating. [L. perfrico, to rub.] To rub over. Bailey.

Perfumatory (pèr-fü'ma-to-ri), a. Yielding perfume; perfuming. Leigh.

Perfume (per'füm or pèr-füm), n. [Fr. parfum, It. profumo, Sp. perfume, perfume, from L. per, through, and fumus, smoke; lit. a smoke or vapour that disseminates itself.] 1. A substance that emits a scent or odour which affects agreeably the organs of smelling.-2. The scent, odour, or volatile particles emitted from sweet-smelling substances. 'An amber scent of odorous perfume.' Milton.

No rich perfumes refresh the fruitful field. Pope. [In poetry this word is found indifferently accentuated on the first or second syllable; both Shakspere and Tennyson have perfume and perfume'; but the analogy of dissyllabic nouns and verbs seems now to have fixed the accent of the noun on the first syllable, and that of the verb on the last.]

Perfume (per-füm'), v.t. pret. & pp. perfumed; ppr. perfuming. To fill or impregnate with a grateful odour; to scent; as, to perfume an apartment; to perfume a garment. And Carmel's flowery top perfumes the skies.' Pope.

Perfumer (pér-füm'èr), n. 1. One who or that which perfumes.-2. One whose trade is to sell perfumes.

Barber no more-a gay perfumer comes,
On whose soft cheek his own cosmetic blooms.
Crabbe.

Perfumery (per-füm'èr-i), n. 1. Perfumes in general.2. The art of preparing perfumes.

Perfunctorily (pér-fungk'to-ri-li), adv. In a perfunctory manner; in a manner to satisfy external form; carelessly; negligently.

His majesty casting his eye perfunctorily upon it, no sooner received it than he delivered it to the lord keeper. Clarendon. Perfunctoriness (pêr-fungk'to-ri-nes), n. The quality of being perfunctory; negligent Whitlock. performance; carelessness. Perfunctory (per-fungk'to-ri), a. [L. L. perfunctorius L. per, and fungor, functus, to get rid of, to perform, execute, do. See FUNCTION.] Done without interest or zeal, and merely for the sake of getting rid of the duty; done in a half-hearted or careless manner; careless; negligent.

Act of pouring

A transient and perfunctory examination of things leads men into considerable mistakes. Woodward. Perfuncturate (pèr-fungk'tür-āt), v.t. To execute perfunctorily, or in an indifferent mechanical manner. North Brit. Rev. [Rare.] Perfuse (pèr-füz'), v.t. pret. & pp. perfused; ppr. perfusing. [L. perfundo, perfusumper, through, fundo, fusum, to pour.] To sprinkle, pour, or spread over or through. "These dregs immediately perfuse the blood with melancholy.' Harvey. Perfusion (pèr-fü'zhon), n. out. Maunder. Perfusive (pėr-fus'iv),a. Sprinkling; adapted to spread or sprinkle. Coleridge. Pergameneous (pèr-ga-me'nē-us),a. [L. pergamena, parchment. See PARCHMENT.] In entom. a term applied to a part consisting of a thin, tough, semitransparent substance somewhat resembling parchment; pergamentaceous. Owen. Pergamentaceous (pêr'ga-men-tä"shus), a. Of the texture of parchment; pergameneous. Pergetting (per jet-ing), n. Same as Pargeting.

Pergola + (per'go-la), n. [It. pergola, an arbour, from L. pergula, an arbour, a balcony, from pergo, to proceed, to continue,as tegula, a tile, from tego, to cover.] A kind of arbour; a sort of balcony. A pergola or stand built to view the sports.' Evelyn. Pergunnah (per-gun'a), n. In Hindustan, a circle or territory comprising a limited number of villages.

Perhaps (pèr-haps'), adv. [O.E. par, Fr.

PERI

par, per, L. per, through, by, and E. hap.] Peradventure; it may be; possibly.

Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire.

Gray. Peri-. A prefix in words of Greek origin, signifying around, near, about. It corresponds to the Latin circum in words of Latin origin.

Peri (pē'ri), n. [Per. Zend. pairika, a female genius, a fairy.] In Per. myth, an imaginary being like an elf or fairy, represented as a descendant of fallen angels, excluded from paradise till their penance is accomplished. Peris may be either male or female. "Thus warbled a peri o'er Iran's dark sea.' Moore. Periagua (per-i-ä'gwa), n. See PIROGUE. Perianth (per'i-anth), n. [Gr. peri, about, and anthos, a flower.] In bot. the floral envelope, the calyx and corolla, or either. This term is applied when the calyx and corolla are combined so that they cannot be satisfactorily distinguished from each other, as in many monocotyledonous plants, the tulip, orchis, &c. The perianth is called single when it consists of one verticil, and double when it consists of both calyx and corolla.

Perianthium (per-i-an'thi-um), n. [L.] A perianth (which see).

Periaptt (per'i-apt), n. [Gr. periapton, from periapto, to fit or tie about peri, about, and apto, to bind.] An amulet; a charm worn to defend against disease or mischief.

Now help ye charming spells and periapts. Shak. Periaugert (per-i-a'ger), n. A pirogue or periagua.

Periblepsis (per-i-blep'sis), n. [Gr., a looking round, from peri, around, and blepo, to look.] The wild look which accompanies delirium. Dunglison.

Peribolos, Peribolus (pe-rib'o-los, pe-rib'o-lus), n. [Gr., from peri, around, and ballo, to cast.] In anc. arch. a court or inclosure, within a wall, sometimes surrounding a temple.

Pericardial, Pericardian (per-i-kär'di-al, per-i-kär'di-an), a. Relating to the pericardium.

Pericardic, Pericardiac (per-i-kär'dik, peri-kär'di-ak), a. Relating to the pericar

dium.

Pericarditis (per'i-kär-di'tis), n. [Pericardium, and term. -itis, signifying inflammation.] Inflammation of the pericardium. Pericardium (per-i-kär'di-um), n. [Gr. perikardion-peri, around, and kardia, the heart.] The membranous sac that incloses the heart. It contains a small quantity of lubricating fluid, which by its continual motion prevents the surface of the heart from becoming dry.

Pericarp (peri-kärp), n. [Gr. peri, about, and karpos, fruit.] The seed-vessel of a plant, or the shell of the seed-vessel. In

411

into distinct layers, as in the plum, the external skin is called the epicarp, the pulp or flesh the sarcocarp, and the stone the endocarp. The principal sorts of pericarps are the capsule, silique, legume, drupe, pome, berry, follicle, nut, and strobilus or Pericarpial (per-i-kär'pi-al), a. Belonging to a pericarp.

cone.

Pericarpic (per-i-kär'pik), a. Same as Pericarpial.

Pericarpium (per-i-kär'pi-um), n. [L] A pericarp (which see). Perichætial (per-i-ke'shi-al), a. In bot. of Perichætium (per-i-ke'shi-um), n. [Gr. peri, or pertaining to the perichætium. around, and chaite, long, loose, flowing hair, foliage, leaves.] In mosses, the name given to the leaves that surround the bulbous base of the stalk or seta of the seedvessel or sporangium. Perichete (per'i-kēt), n. Perichætium. Perichondrium (per-i-kon'dri-um), n. [Gr. peri, around, and chondros, cartilage.] In anat. the synovial membrane which covers cartilages that are non-articular, and bears considerable analogy to the periosteum in organization and uses.

Perichoresis (per'i-kō-re'sis), n. [Gr.] A going round about; a rotation. Bp. Kaye. [Rare.]

Pericladium (per-i-kla'di-um), n. [Gr. peri, around, and klados, a branch.] In bot. the large sheathing petiole of Umbelliferæ. Periclase (per'i-klas), n. [Gr. peri, round, and klasis, a fracture.] A mineral from Vesuvius, occurring in greenish octahedrons. It is an oxide of magnesium. Periclinal (per-i-kli'nal), a. [See PERICLINE.] Dipping on all sides from a central point or apex: applied to strata.

Pericline (per'i-klin), n. [Gr. peri, around, and klino, I bend.] A variety of albite, in which a portion of the soda is replaced by potash.

Periclinium (per-i-kli'ni-um), n. [Gr. peri, around, and kline, a couch.] In bot. the involucrum of composite plants.

Periclitatet (pe-rik'li-tat), v. t. pret. & pp. periclitated; ppr. periclitating. [L. periclitor, to venture, risk, from periculum, peril.] To endanger.

Periclitationt (pe-rik'li-ta"shon), n. The state of being in danger; a hazarding or exposing to peril.

Pericope (pe-rik'o-pe), n. [Gr. perikope, from peri, about, and kopto, to cut.] An extract; a selection from a book: specifically used by theologians to signify a passage of the Bible extracted for the purpose of reading in the communion service and other portions of the ritual, or as a text for a sermon or homily.

Pericranium (per-i-kra'ni-um), n. [Gr. peri, about, and kranion, the skull.] The membrane that invests the skull. Periculous+ (pe-rik'ü-lus), a. [L. periculosus. See PERIL.] Dangerous; hazardous. 'These periculous periods.' Sir T. Browne. Periculum (pe-rik'ü-lum), n. [L., danger. See PERIL.] In Scots law, a risk; the general rule with regard to which is, that a subject perishes to him who has the right of property in it.

Periderm (per'i-dérm), n. [Gr. peri, around, and derma, skin.] 1. In zool. the hard cortical layer which is developed by the cœnosarc of certain of the Hydrozoa.-2. In bot. the outer layer of bark. Peridiolum (per-i-di'o-lum), n. [Dim. of peridium.] In bot. a membrane by which the sporules of some algaceous plants are immediately covered; also, a secondary and interior peridium.

Peridium (pe-rid'i-um), n. [From Gr. peri, about, and deo, to bind.] In bot. the membranous envelope of the fructification in gasteromycetous fungi. Peridodecahedral (per-i-do'de-ka-he"dral),

a.

[Prefix peri, and dodecahedral.] In crystal. applied to a crystal whose primitive form is a four-sided prism, and its secondary form is converted into a prism of twelve sides.

Peridot (per'i-dot), n. [Fr.] Same as Olivin. Peridrome (peri-drom), n. [Gr. peridromos -peri, around, and dromos, a course.] In anc. arch. the space in a peripteral temple between the walls of the cell and the columns. Gwilt. Periecian (per-i-e'shan). Same as Perician. Periergy (per-i-ér'ji), n. [Gr. periergia, from periergos, over-careful-peri, over, beyond, and ergon, work.] 1. Needless caution or

PERIL

diligence. Bailey.-2. In rhet. a laboured or bombastic style. Crabb. Perigastric (per-i-gas'trik), a. [Gr. peri, around, and gaster, gastros, the belly.] Surrounding the belly.-Perigastric space, the cavity which surrounds the stomach and other viscera in the Polyzoa, corresponding to the abdominal cavity of the higher ani

mals.

Perigean (per-i-je'an), a. Pertaining to the perigee.

Perigee (per'i-jë), n. [Gr. peri, about, and ge, the earth.] That point of the moon's orbit which is nearest to the earth, and when the moon has arrived at this point she is said to be in her perigee. Formerly applied also to this point in the orbit of any heavenly body. See APOGEE.

Periglottis (per-i-glot'is), n. [Gr. peri, and glotta, the tongue.] In anat. a mass of small glandular grains at the lower part of the anterior surface of the epiglottis. Perigone, Perigonium (per'i-gōn, per-i-goni-um),n. [Gr. peri, and gone, generation.] In bot. the same as Perianth, but more distinctively applied in the case of plants in which all parts of the flower are herbaceous and not coloured.

Perigord (pa-re-gor), n. An ore of manganese of a dark gray colour, like basalt or trap. So called from Perigord, in France. Perigord-pie (pa-re-gor'pi), n. A pie composed of truffles, much in favour with epi

cures.

Perigraph (per'i-graf), n. [Gr. peri, about, and graphe, a writing.] 1. A careless or inaccurate delineation of anything.-2. In anat. the white lines or impressions that appear on the musculus rectus of the abdomen.

Perigynium (per-i-jin'i-um), n. [Gr. peri,

around, and gyně, a female.] In bot. the disc which is found in the flower of certain plants. Also, the bristles or small scales that surround the pistillum of some genera of Cyperaces or sedges. These may be either distinct from each other, or more or less united by their margins, as in the urceolus, or small pitcherlike body formed by two such scales in the genus Carex. When there are stamens present the peria, Perigynium of a gynium is situated beSedge. tween them and the pistil. Perigynous (pe-rij'i-nus), a. [See above.] In bot. having the ovary free, but the petals and stamens borne on the calyx: said of a flower.-Perigynous insertion, the insertion of the stamens upon the inner surface of the calyx, at some distance from the axis of the flower, as in the rose and strawberry.Perigynous disc. See DISC.

Perihelion, Perihelium (per-i-he'li-on, peri-he'li-um), n. [Gr. peri, about, and helios, the sun.] That part of the orbit of a planet or comet in which it is at its least distance

s, Sun., Perihelion. a, Aphelion.

from the sun: opposed to aphelion. It is the extremity of the major axis of the orbit nearest to that focus in which the sun is placed, and when a planet is in this point it is said to be in its perihelion. Perihexahedral (per-i-heks'a-he"dral), a. [Prefix peri, and hexahedral.] In crystal. applied to a crystal whose primitive form is a four-sided prism, and in the secondary form is converted into a prism of six sides. Peril (pe'ril), n. [Fr. péril, from L. periculum, periclum, danger, from root seen in perior, experior, to try, to attempt (whence experiment); and in Gr. perao, to pass

PERIL

through, poros, a passage; from the same ultimate root as E. fare, ferry.] 1. Danger; risk; hazard; jeopardy; exposure of person or property to injury, loss, or destruction. 'To smile at 'scapes and perils overblown.' Shak. Adventure had with peril great.' Milton. Preceded by at, in, on, or to, at the hazard; with risk or danger; as, you do it at your peril, or at the peril of your father's displeasure. In peril to incur your former malady.' Shak. 'Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear.' Shak.

Philip of France, on peril of a curse,
Let go the hand of that arch-heretic.

Shak.

2. In law, the accident by which a thing is lost. Bouvier.

Peril (pe'ril), v.t. pret. & pp. perilled; ppr. perilling. To hazard; to risk; to expose to danger. Quart. Rev.

Perilt (pe'ril), v.i. To be in danger. Milton.
Perilous (pe'ril-us),a. [Fr. périlleux.] 1. Full
of peril; dangerous; hazardous; full of risk;
as, a perilous undertaking; a perilous situ-
ation.
Expectation held

His look suspense awaiting who appear'd
To second or oppose or undertake
The perilous attempt.

Milton.

Perilymph (per'i-limf), n. [Gr. peri, around, and L. lympha, water.] In anat. the limpid fluid secreted by the serous membrane which lines the osseous labyrinth of the ear. Perimeter (per-im'et-ér), n. [Gr. peri, about, and metron, measure. ] In geom. the boundary of a body or figure, or the sum of all the sides: generally applied to figures bounded by straight lines.

Perimetrical (per-i-met'rik-al), a. Pertaining to the perimeter.

Perimorph (per'i-morf), n. [Gr. peri, about, and morphe, form.] In mineral. a mineral or crystal inclosing other minerals or crystals. See ENDOMORPH.

Perinæum, Perineum (per-i-nēʼum), n. [Gr. peri, around, and naio, to flow.] In anat. the inferior part of the trunk of the body, extending from the anus to the external organ of generation.

Perineal (per-i-nē'al), a. In anat. pertaining or belonging to the perinæum. Perioctahedral (per-i-ok'ta-hĕ"dral), a. [From Gr. peri, about, octo, eight, and hedra, seat, base, side.] In crystal. applied to a crystal whose primitive form is a four-sided prism, and which in its secondary form is converted into a prism of eight sides. Period (pē'ri-od), n. [L. periodus, from Gr. periodos- peri, about, and hodos, way.] 1. Properly, a circuit; hence, the time which is taken up by the revolution of a heavenly body, or the duration of its course till it returns to the point of its orbit where it began. Tell these that the sun is fixed in the centre, that the earth with all the planets roll round the sun in their several periods; they cannot admit a syllable of this new doctrine. Watts.

2. Any round of time or series of years, days, &c., in which a revolution is completed, and the same course is to be begun; specifically, (a) a revolution or series of years by which time is measured; as, the Calippic period; the Dionysian period; the Julian period. (b) Any specified portion of time, designated by years, months, days, or hours complete; as, a period of a hundred years; the period of a day.

And I had hoped that ere this period closed, Thou wouldst have caught me up into thy rest. Tennyson. 3. An indefinite portion of any continued state, existence, or series of events; as, the first period of life; the last period of a king's reign; the early periods of history. 'A far more advanced period of female life.' Dickens.-4. Length or usual length of duration; the time in which anything is performed. The period in which fruits ripen.' Henslow. Some experiments would be made how by art to make plants more lasting than their ordinary period. Bacon. 5. Termination or point of completion of any cycle or series of events; end; conclusion; limit. 'The beginning of those evils

412

which shall never end till eternity have a period.' Jer. Taylor.

The period of thy tyranny approacheth. Shak. Hence, the end to be attained. This is the period of my ambition.' Shak.-6. In rhet, a complete sentence from one full stop to another; a sentence so constructed as to have all its parts mutually dependent. Sentences made up of parts loosely connected, so as to have a completed construction once, or twice, or oftener, before they end, are less properly, though very commonly, called periods.

Periods are beautiful when they are not too long. B. Jonson.

And with a sweeping of the arm, And a lack-lustre dead-blue eye, Devolved his rounded periods. Tennyson. 7. The point or character that marks the end of a complete sentence, or indicates an abbreviation, &c.; a full stop, thus (.).—8. In math. one of several similar sets of figures or terms, marked by points or commas placed regularly after a certain number, as in numeration, in circulating decimals, and in the extraction of roots.-9. In med. one of the phases or epochs which are distinguishable in the course of a disease. 10. In music, two or more phrases ending with a perfect cadence.-Julian period. See JULIAN. SYN. Time, date, epoch, era, age, duration, continuance, limit, bound, end, conclusion, determination.

Period + (péri-od), v. t. To put an end to.

Your honourable letter he desires To those have shut him up; which failing. Periods his comfort. Shak

Periodt (pe'ri-od), v.i. To end; to cease. Periodic, Periodical (pe-ri-od'ik, pē-ri-odik-al), a. 1. Pertaining to a period or to periods; pertaining to division by periods.2. Performed in a period or regular revolution; proceeding in a series of successive circuits; as, the periodical motion of the planets round the sun; the periodical motion of the moon round the earth. 'The earth's periodic motion.' Derham.-3. Happening or returning regularly in a certain period of time; having some action or phenomenon returning at a stated time; recurring. 'The periodical work of every day.' Jer. Taylor. The periodic return of a plant's flowering.' Henslow.

The confusion of mountains and hollows furnished me with a probable reason for those periodical foun tains in Switzerland which flow only at such particu. lar hours of the day. Addison.

4. In rhet. pertaining to a period or complete sentence; constructed with complete grammatical dependence.-5. Pertaining to a periodical or publication appearing at regular intervals, as a newspaper, magazine, and the like. [In this sense periodical is the only form.]

In no preceding time, in our own or in any other country, has anonymous periodical criticism ever acquired nearly the same ascendency and power. Craik,

- Periodical diseases, those of which the symptoms recur at stated intervals.-Periodic functions, in the higher mathematics, those which, performed any given number of times on a variable, reproduce the simple variable itself.-Periodic inequalities, those disturbances in the planetary motions caused by their reciprocal attraction in definite periods.- Periodic stars. See STAR.-Periodic winds. See MONSOON and TRADEWIND.

Periodical (pē-ri-od'ik-al), n. A publication which appears at regular intervals. Periodicals comprise newspapers, reviews, magazines, &c.

Periodicalist (pe-ri-od'ik-al-ist), n.

One

who publishes, or one who writes for, a periodical. New Month. Mag. Periodically (pē-ri-od'ik-al-li), adv. In a periodical manner; at stated periods; as, a festival celebrated periodically. Periodicalness (pē-ri-od'ik-al-nes), n. State of being periodical; periodicity. [Rare.] Periodicity (pē'ri-o-dis"i-ti), n. The state or quality of being periodical; the disposition of certain things or phenomena to recur at stated periods. Whewell; Brougham. Periodology (pē'ri-o-dol"o-ji), n. [Gr. periodos, a course or circuit, and logos, a discourse.] In med. the doctrine of periodicity in health and disease. Dunglison. Periodontal (per'i-o-don"tal), a. [Gr. peri, around, and odous, odontos, a tooth.] Applied to the membrane that lines the socket of a tooth.

Periodoscope (pē-ri-od'o-skōp), n. [Gr. periodos, a period, and skopeō, 1 view.] In

PERIPHRASIS

surg. an instrument designed for the ready calculation of the periodical functions of women. E. H. Knight.

Pericci (per-i-e'si), n. pl. [Gr. perioikoiperi, around, and oikos, a house.] 1. In ancient Greece, the name given to the original Achaian inhabitants of Laconia by their Dorian conquerors.-2. In geog. such inhabitants of the earth as have the same latitudes, but whose longitudes differ by 180°, so that when it is noon with one it is midnight with the other.

Periccian (per-i-e'shi-an), n. One of the Pericci. See PERIOECI. Periosteal, Periosteous (per-i-os'te-al, peri-os'tē-us), a. Of or belonging to the periosteum; constituted by the periosteum. Periosteum (per-i-os'tē-um), n. [Gr. peri, about, and osteon, bone.] In anat. a vascular membrane immediately investing the bones of animals, and conducting the vessels by which the bone is nourished. The periosteum has very little sensibility in a sound state, but in some cases of disease it appears to be very sensible.-Internal periosteum, a term sometimes applied to the medullary membrane.

Periostitis (per'i-os-ti"tis), n. Inflammation of the periosteum, or investing membranes of the bones.

Periostosis (per'i-os-tō"sis), n. A tumour of the periosteum. Dunglison. Periostosteitis (per'i-os-tos-ti"tis), n. In med. simultaneous inflammation of the periosteum and bone. Dunglison. Periostracum (per-i-os'tra-kum), n. [Gr. peri, around, and ostrakon, a shell] The membrane which covers the shells of most molluscs.

Peripateciant (per'i-pa-te''shi-an), n. Α peripatetic. Bp. Hall.

Peripatetic, Peripatetical (per'i-pa-tet"ik, peri-pa-tetik-al),a. [Gr. peripatetikos, from peripateo, to walk about-peri, about, and pateo, to walk.] 1. Walking about; itinerant. 2. Pertaining to Aristotle's system of philosophy, or to the sect of his followers; Aristotelian.

Peripatetic (per'i-pa-tet"ik), n. 1. A follower of Aristotle, so called because Aristotle taught his system of philosophy, and his followers disputed questions, walking in the Lyceum at Athens.-2. One that walks about, or one who is obliged to walk, or cannot afford to ride. [Humorous.]

The horses and slaves of the rich take up the whole street; while we peripatetics are very glad to watch an opportunity to whisk cross a passage. Tatier.

3. Ironically, an itinerant teacher or preacher. Stormonth. Peripateticism (per'i-pa-tet"i-sizm), n. The notions or philosophical system of the peripatetics or Aristotle and his followers." Peripetia (per'i-pe-ti"a), n. [Gr. peripeteiaperi, about, and pipto, to fall.] A technical term for that part of a drama in which the plot is unravelled, and the whole concludes; the dénouement.

Peripheral (pe-rif'èr-al), a. Pertaining to, proceeding from, characteristic of, or constituting a periphery; peripheric. Peripherally (pe-rif'èr-al-i), adv. In a peripheral manner; so as to be peripheral.

Owen's own facts tend to show... that they make their first appearance peripherally. H. Spencer. Peripheric, Peripherical (pe-ri-fer'ik, peri-ferik-al), a. 1. Pertaining to or constituting a periphery.-2. Around the outside of an organ; external; in bot. applied to an embryo curved so as to surround the albumen, following the inner part of the covering of the seed.

Periphery (pe-rif'èr-i), n. [Gr. peri, around, and phero, to bear.] 1. The outside or superficial portions of a body; the surface generally.-2. In geom. the boundary line of a closed figure; the perimeter; in a circle, the circumference. Periphrase (per'i-frāz), n. Same as Periphrasis.

Periphrase (per′i-frāz), v. t. pret. & pp. periphrased; ppr. periphrasing. To express by circumlocution.

Periphrase (per'i-frāz), v.i. To use circum

locution.

Periphrasis (pe-rif'ra-sis), n. pl. Periphrases (pe-rif'ra-sēz). [Gr. periphrasisperi, about, and phrazō, to speak:] A roundabout phrase or expression; circumlocution; the use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a figure of rhetoric employed to avoid a common and trite manner of expression; as, for youth we say the morn

PERIPHRASTIC

ing of life, and the evening of life for old age. Cassandra is made to describe by enigmatic periphrases.' De Quincey. Periphrastic, Periphrastical (per-i-fras'tik, per-i-fras'tik-al), a. Having the character of or characterized by periphrasis; circumlocutory; expressing or expressed in more words than are necessary; expressing the sense of one word in many. A long, periphrastic, unsatisfactory explanation.' T. Hook.

Periphrastically (per-i-fras'tik-al-li), adv. In a periphrastic manner; with circumlocution.

Periphyllia (per-i-fil'i-a), n. pl. [Gr. peri, around, and phyllon, a leaf.] In bot. a term applied to the minute hypogynous scales found within the pales of grasses. Periplast (per'i-plast), n. [Gr. peri, around, and plasso, to mould. In physiol. the intercellular substance or matrix in which the organized structures of a tissue are imbedded.

Periploca (per-ip'lo-ka), n. [Gr. periploke, a twining-peri, about, pleko, to plait, to twine, to twist, alluding to the habit of the plants.] A genus of plants belonging to the nat. order Asclepiadaceæ, containing about twelve species of smooth, often climbing shrubs, with opposite leaves and lax terminal cymes of rather small flowers, which are dark within but green on the outside. They are natives of South Europe and temperate and subtropical Asia, one being found in tropical Africa. P. græca is sometimes grown in our gardens.

Periplus (per'i-plus), n. [Gr. periplousperi, about, and pleo, to sail.] Circumnavigation; a voyage round a certain sea or seacoast. Dean Vincent.

Peripneumonia, Peripneumony (per'ipnu-mo"ni-a, per-ip-nu'mo-ni), n. [Gr. peri, about, and pneumon, the lung; L. peripneumonia.] Same as Pneumonia (which see). Peripneumonic, Peripneumonical (perip-nu-mon"ik, per'ip-nu-mon"ik-al), a. Pertaining to peripneumony; consisting in inflamation of the lungs. Peripolygonal (per'ipo-lig'on-al), a. [Prefix peri, and polygonal.] Incrystal.having a great number of sides or angles. Peripteral (pe-ripter-al), a. [Gr. peripteros, from peri, around, and pteron, a wing, a row of columns.] In Greek arch. surrounded by a row of columns: said of a temple or other building, especially of a temple in which the cella is surrounded by columns, those on the flank being distant one intercolumniation from the wall. Peripteros (pe-rip'ter-os), n. [Gr. See above.] A peripteral edifice. Peripterous (pe-rip'ter-us), a. [Gr. peri, around, and pteron, a feather, a wing.] 1. Feathered on all sides. Wright.-2. In arch. peripteral.

Periptery (pe-rip'ter-i), n. In Greek arch. the range of insulated columns round the cella of a temple. See PERIPTERAL. Peripyrist (per-i-pir'ist), n. [Gr. peri, around, and pyr, fire.] A sort of cooking apparatus.

Perisarc (per'i-sark), n. The chitinous investment by which the soft parts of the Hydrozoa are often protected. Allman. Periscian (pe-rish'i-an), a. and n. [Gr. periskios-peri, around, and skia, a shadow.] Having the shadow, or one who has the shadow, moving all round in the course of the day. Sir T. Browne. See PERISCII. Periscii (pe-rish'i-i), n. pl. [L. periscii, Gr. periskioi-peri, around, and skia, shadow.] A name given to the inhabitants of the polar circles, whose shadows move round, and at certain times of the year describe, in the course of the day, an entire circle. Periscope (per'i-skop), n. [Gr. peri, around, and skopeo, I see.] A general view or comprehensive summary. [Rare.] Periscopic, Periscopical (per-i-skop'ik, per-i-skop'ik-al), a. Viewing on all sides; specifically, (a) applied to spectacles having concavo-convex lenses for the purpose of

413

increasing the distinctness of objects when viewed obliquely. (b) Also applied to a lens for microscopes having two plano-convex lenses ground to the same radius, and between their plane surfaces a thin plate of metal with an aperture the diameter of which equals one-fifth of the focal length. Perish (pe'rish), v.i. [Fr. périr, ppr. périssant, to perish, from L. perio, to go through, to perish or come to nothing-per, through, and eo, to go.] 1. To die; to lose life or vitality in any manner.

How many hired servants of my father's have bread and to spare, and I perish with hunger. Luke xv. 17. Ran the land with Roman slaughter, multitudinous agonies.

Perish'd many a maid and matron, many a valorous legionary. Tennyson.

2. To wither; to waste; to decay gradually; to lose vital power.

As wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. Ps. lxviii. 2.

3. To be destroyed; to pass away; to come to nothing; to be ruined; to be lost. Still when the lust of tyrant pow'r succeeds, Some Athens perishes, or some Tully bleeds. Pope. Perish (pe'rish), v.t. To cause to perish; to destroy.

Because thy flinty heart, more hard than they, Might in thy palace perish Margaret. Shak. Let not my sins Perish your noble youth. Beau. & FI Perishability (pe'rish-a-bil"i-ti), n. Perish

PERIWIG

Perissology (per-is-sol'o-ji), n. [Gr. perissologia-perissos, redundant, and logos, discourse.] Superfluous words; much talk to little purpose; macrology. Campbell. [Rare.]

Peristalith (per'i-sta-lith), n. [From Gr. peri, about, histēmi, to stand, and lithos, a stone.] In archæol. a series of standing stones surrounding an object, as a barrow or burial mound.

Peristaltic (per-i-stal'tik), a. [Gr. peristaltikos, from peristello, to involve-peri, around, and stello, to place, arrange. ] Spiral; vermicular or worm-like; contracting in successive circles: applied to the peculiar worm-like motion of the intestines, by which their contents are gradually forced downwards.

Peristaltically (per-i-stal'tik-al-li), adv. In a peristaltic manner. Owen. Peristerite (pe-ris'ter-it), n. [Gr. peristera, a pigeon.] A variety of felspar containing a small proportion of magnesia, and exhibiting when properly cut a bluish opalescence like the changing hues on a pigeon's neck. Peristome (per'i-stom), n. [Gr. peri, around, and stoma, a mouth.] 1. In bot. the ring or fringe of bristles or teeth which are seated immediately below the operculum and close up the orifice of the seed-vessel in mosses. The teeth of the peristome are always four or a multiple of four.-2. In zool. the term is used for the similar parts in Infusoria, Rotifera, and Echinoderms.

Peristomial (per-i-stö'mi-al), a. Of or pertaining to a peristome.

Peristomium (per-i-stö'mi-um), n. A peri

Peristrephic (per-i-stref'ik), a. [Gr. peri, around,and strepho, to turn.1 Turning round; rotatory; revolving: applied to the paintings of a panorama.

Peristyle (per'i-stil), n. [Gr. peristylonperi, about, and stylos, a column.] In arch. a range of columns surrounding anything, as the cella of a temple, or any place, as a court or cloister. It is frequently but incorrectly limited in signification to a range of columns surrounding the interior of a place.

Perisystole (per-i-sis'tō-lē), n. [Gr. peri, about, and systole, contraction.] In med. the pause or interval between the systole or contraction and the diastole or dilatation of the heart.

Peritet (per'it), a. [L. peritus, well versed or skilled in anything, expert. ] Skilful. A consumption of the whole body. . . left by the most perite physicians as incurable." Tob. Whitaker.

Perithecium (per-i-the'si-um), n. [Gr. peri, around, and theke, a theca or case.] In bot. the envelope surrounding the masses of fructification in some fungi and lichens; a conceptacle in cryptogams, containing spores, and having an opening at one end. Peritomous (pe-rit'o-mus), a. [Gr. peri, around, and temno, to cleave.] In mineral. cleaving in more directions than one parallel to the axis, the faces being all of one quality. Peritoneal, Peritoneal (per'i-to-ne"al), a. Pertaining to the peritoneum. Peritoneum, Peritoneum (per'i-to-ne"um), n. [Gr. peritonaion-peri, about, and teino, to stretch.] A thin, smooth, serous membrane investing the whole internal surface of the abdomen, and more or less completely all the viscera contained in it. Peritonitis (per'i-to-ni"tis), n. [Peritoneum, and term. -itis, signifying inflammation.] Inflammation of the peritoneum. It may exist either as an acute or a chronic disease. Peritrochium +(per-i-trō'ki-um), n. [Gr. peritrochion, from peri, around, and trochos, a wheel.] A wheel fixed upon an axle so as to turn along with it, and forming one of the mechanical powers called the wheel and axle. See WHEEL.

Peritropal (per-it'ro-pal), a. [Gr. peri, about, and trope, a turning, from trepo, to turn.] 1. Rotatory; circuitous.-2. In bot. a term applied to the axis of a seed perpendicular to the axis of the pericarp to which it is attached.

Perivisceral (per-i-vis'êr-al), a. [Gr. peri, about, and L. viscera.] In anat. applied to the space surrounding the viscera. Periwig (per'i-wig), n. [O.E. perriwig, perewake, perwicke, &c., corrupted from Fr. perruque. (See PERUKE.) Wigis simply the final syllable of this word.] A small wig; a peruke. A coloured periwig.' Shak Periwig (per'i-wig), v.t. pret. & pp. periwigged; ppr. periwigging. To dress with

PERIWIG-PATED

a periwig or with anything in like form. Discord periwigged with snakes.' Swift. Periwig-pated (per'i-wig-pa-ted), a. Having the pate or head covered with a periwig. A robustious periwig-pated fellow.' Shak. Periwinket (per'i-wingk), n. Periwig. Th' unruly winde blows off his periwinke. Bp. Hall.

Same as

Periwinkle (per-i-wing'kl), n. [O.E. periwinke, periwinkel, Prov. E. pennywinkle, from A. Sax. pinewincle, probably from L. pinna, pina, a mussel or other shell-fish, and A. Sax. wincle, a winkle or whelk.] A gasteropodous mollusc of the genus Littorina, with turbinated shell, of which at least forty species are known. The common periwinkle (L. littorea) is largely collected along the shores and used for food. Periwinkle (per-i-wing'kl), _n. [O.E. pervinke, pervenke, Fr. pervenche, from L. pervinca, the periwinkle.] In bot. the popular name of two British species of the genus Vinca, nat. order Apocynaceae, the V. minor or lesser periwinkle, and V. major or greater periwinkle. Periwinkles are common in flower borders. An Indian species, V. rosea, is common in our hothouses. Perjenete, n. [Fr. poire-jeunette, from poire, a pear, and jeune, young.] A young pear-tree. Chaucer.

Perjure (pěr jūr), v.t. pret. & pp. perjured; ppr. perjuring. [L. perjuro-per, and juro, to swear-that is, to swear aside or beyond, and hence wrongly; comp. perfidia, perfidy, G. verschwören, to forswear, E. forswear, &c.] 1. To cause to be false to oaths or vows; to render guilty of perjury; in common usage, to swear falsely to an oath in judicial proceedings; to forswear: generally used reflexively; as, the witness perjured himself.

Women are not In their best fortunes strong; but want will perjure The ne'er-touch'd vestal. Shak.

I do detest false perjured Proteus. Shak. 2. To make a false oath to; to deceive by false oaths or protestations.

And with a virgin innocence did pray For me that përjured her. F. Fletcher. Perjuret (per'jūr), n. A perjured person. Hide thee, thou bloody hand, thou perjure.' Shak

Perjured (per'jūrd), p. and a. 1. Having sworn falsely; guilty of perjury; as, a perjured villain. 2. Being sworn falsely. "Their perjured oath.' Spenser. Perjurer (per'jūr-ėr), n. One that wilfully takes a false oath in legal proceedings. Perjurious, Perjurous (per-jū'ri-us, pêr'jū-rus), a. Guilty of perjury; containing perjury. Quarles.

Perjury (pěr jū-ri), n. [See PERJURE, v.t.] The act or crime of wilfully making a false oath in judicial proceedings to one who has authority; knowingly making a false oath in a judicial proceeding in a matter material to the issue or cause in question. The penalties of perjury attach to wilful falsehood in an affirmation by a Quaker, Moravian, or Separatist, or any other witness where such affirmation is in lieu of an oath. The offence of perjury is a misdemeanour. Popularly, the mere act of making a false oath, or of violating an oath, provided it be lawful, is considered perjury.

Perk (perk), n. [A form of perch. See PERCH.] A pole placed horizontally, on which yarns, &c., are hung to dry; also, a peg (perket) for similar purposes. [Provincial.]

Perk (perk), a. [W. perc, neat, trim, smart; comp. also pert, spruce, dapper.] Pert; trim; smart; brisk; airy; jaunty; vain. 'Perk as a peacock.' Spenser.

Perk (perk), v.i. To hold up the head with affected smartness. 'Edward's miss thus perks it in your face.' Pope.

Perk (perk), v. t. To dress; to make trim or smart; to prank.

I swear 'tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be perk'd up in a glist'ring grief,
And wear a golden sorrow.

Shak.

Perk (perk), v.i. To peer; to look narrowly or sharply. You'd be perking at the glass.' George Eliot.

Perket (pérk'et), n. A small perk. See PERK, n.

414

treatment introduced by Perkins of America, consisting in the application to diseased parts of the extremities of two rods made of different metals, called metallic tractors; tractoration. Dunglison. Perkinist (perk'in-ist), n. A believer in and practiser of Perkinism. Dunglison. Perkinistic (perk-in-is'tik), a. Relating or belonging to Perkinism. Dunglison. Perky (perk'i), a. Perk; trim; jaunty. 'There amid perky larches and pine.' Tennyson.

Perlaceous (per-la'shus), a. Resembling a pearl; pearly.

Perlidæ (perli-dē), n. pl. [From Perla, one of the genera, and Gr. eidos, resemblance.] A family of neuropterous (according to some orthopterous) insects, distinguished by the large size of the posterior pair of wings. They frequent damp and marshy situations, and the borders of lakes and rivers. Some of them are the favourite food of fishes. They abound in temperate climates. Sometimes called Stone-flies.

Perlite (perlit), n. [Fr. perle, a pearl, and Gr. lithos, a stone.] The same as Pearlstone.

Perloust (perlus), a. Perilous. Spenser. Perlustration (pér-lus-tra'shon), n. [L. perlustro-per, through, and lustro, to survey.] The act of viewing all over. Howell. Permanable, ta. Permanent; durable. Lydgate.

Permanence, Permanency (pėr❜ma-nens, per'ma-nen-sí), n. [See PERMANENT.] The state or quality of being permanent; continuance in the same state, place, or duration; fixedness; as, the permanence of a government or state; the permanence of institutions, or of a system of principles. Permanence or fixedness in being.' Sir M. Hale.

Salt, they say, is the basis of solidity and permanency in compound bodies. Boyle. China is an instance of permanence without progression. Coleridge. Permanent (pér'ma-nent), a. [L. permanens, permanent, from permaneo, to continue per, throughout, and maneo, to remain.] Continuing in the same state, or without any change that destroys the form or nature of the thing; remaining unaltered or unremoved; durable; lasting; abiding; fixed. 'Eternity stands permanent and fixt.' Dryden.-Permanent ink, a solution of nitrate of silver thickened with sap-green or cochineal, used for marking linen. Permanent way, in rail. the finished road-bed and track, including bridges, viaducts, crossings, and switches. The term is used in contradistinction to a temporary way, such as is used in construction in removing the soil of cuttings, &c.Permanent white, sulphate of baryta. It is used in the manufacture of fine earthenware, and as a pigment.-Lasting, Durable, Permanent. See under LASTING. Permanently (per'ma-nent-li), adv. In a permanent manner; with long continuance; durably; in a fixed state or place; as, a government permanently established. Boyle. Permanganic (per-man-gan'ik), a. tained from manganese.-Permanganic acid (Mn2OH), an acid obtained in a state of aqueous solution by decomposing barium salt with sulphuric acid. Permansion, n. [L. permansio, a remaining, persevering.] Continuance. Sir T. Browne.

Ob

Permeability (pèr'mē-a-bil”i-ti), n. The quality or state of being permeable. Permeable (pèr'mē-a-bl), a. [L. permeabilis. See PERMEATE.] Capable of being permeated or passed through without rupture or displacement of its parts: applied particularly to substances that admit the passage of fluids; as, cloth, leather, wood, are permeable to water and oil; glass is permeable to light, but not to water. Permeably (pèr'mē-a-bli), a. In a permeable manner.

Permeant (per'mē-ant), a. Passing through. Sir T. Browne.

Perkin (per'kin), n. [For perrykin. See
PERRY.] A kind of weak perry.
Perking (perk'ing), a. Sharp; scanning
pertly and keenly; inquisitive.

He is a tall, thin, bony man with . . . little restless, perking eyes.

Dickens.

PERMIT

permeating or passing through the pores or interstices of a body.

Permian (pèr'mi-an), a. [From Perm, in Russia, or that part of Russia which formed the ancient kingdom of Permia, where the series is largely developed.] In geol. a term applied to a system of rocks lying beneath the triassic rocks, and immediately above the carboniferous system. Formerly the Permian and triassic rocks were grouped together under the name of the new red sandstone system, but later geologists have separated them on palæontological grounds, the Permian group containing many palæozoic forms, while the remains of the triassic are largely mesozoic. The Permian forms the uppermost of the great palæozoic series, and is unconformable in England on the carboniferous, while it passes by almost insensible gradations into the triassic. In England the Permian rocks are largely developed in the county of Durham. Called also Magnesian Limestone. Permiscible (per-mis'si-bl), a. [L. permisceo -per, through, and misceo, to mix.] Capable or admitting of being mixed. [Rare.] Permisst (per-mis'), n. A permission of choice or selection; specifically, in rhet. a figure by which a matter is permitted or committed to the decision of one's adversary. Administering one excess against another to reduce us to a permiss.' Milton. Permissibility (per-mis'i-bil”i-ti), n. The quality of being permissible. Eclec. Rev. Permissible (per-mis'i-bl), a. [See PERMIT.] Proper to being permitted or allowed; allowable. 'Make all permissible excuses for my absence.' Lamb.

If otherwise expedient the nomenclature is permissible. Sir W. Hamilton.

Permissibly (pěr-mis'i-bli), adv. In a per-
missible manner; by allowance.
Permission (per-mi’shon), n. [L. permissio,
from permitto, to permit.] The act of per-
mitting or allowing; authorization; allow-
ance; license or liberty granted; leave.
You have given me your permission for this ad-
dress.
Dryden.
Tennyson.

He craved a fair permission to depart,
And there defend his marches.

Permissive (per-mis’iv), a. 1. Permitting; granting liberty; allowing. By his permissive will. Milton.-2. Granted; suffered without hinderance.

Thus I emboldened spake, and freedom used Permissive, and acceptance found. Milton. -Permissive bill, a bill which has been repeatedly brought before Parliament, whose object is to empower two-thirds of the inhabitants of any town or district to prohibit the traffic in intoxicating liquors within the bounds of such town or district.-Permissive laws, such laws as permit certain persons to have or enjoy the use of certain things, or to do certain acts.-Permissive waste, in law, the neglect of necessary repairs.

Permissively (per-mis'iv-li), adv. In a permissive manner; by allowance; without prohibition or hinderance.

Permistion (pér-mis'chon), n. [L. permistio, permixtio, to mingle, mix together.] The act of mixing; the state of being mingled.

Permit (per-mit'), v.t. pret. & pp. permitted; ppr. permitting. [L. permitto, to let go, to let loose, to allow, concede, permit-prefix per, and mitto, to send; Fr. permettre.] 1. To allow by silent consent or by not prohibiting; to suffer without giving express authority.

What God neither commands nor forbids, he permits with approbation to be done or left undone. Hooker.

2. To grant leave or liberty to by express consent; to allow expressly; to give leave, liberty, or license to do; as, a license that permits a person to sell intoxicating liquors. 3. To give over; to leave; to give up or resign; to refer.

For provided our duty is secured, for the degrees and for the instruments every man is permitted to himself. Fer. Taylor.

Let us not aggravate our sorrows, But to the gods permit the event of things. Addison. ---- Allow, Permit, Suffer, Tolerate. See under ALLOW. SYN. To allow, let, grant, admit, suffer, tolerate, endure, consent to. Permit (pér-míť'), v.i. To grant leave, license, or permission; to enable a person to do something; to allow; as, we shall go there if circumstances permit. Permit (permit), n. Warrant; leave; permission; specifically, a written permission