Choke, v.i.

To have the wind-pipe stopped; as, cattle are apt to choke when eating potatoes.

Variation, n.

In music, the different manner of singing or playing the same air or tune, by subdividing the notes into several others of less value, or by adding graces, yet so that the tune itself may be discovered through all its embellishment.

Fleshbrush, n.

A brush for exciting action in the skin by friction.

Kink, n.

The twist of a rope or thread, occasioned by a spontaneous winding of the rope or thread when doubled, that is, by an effort of hard twisted ropes or threads to untwist, they wind about each other.

Knit, v.t.

To unite, as threads by needles.

Fig, v.t.

To put something useless into one's head.

Efflorescence, n.

In chimistry, the formation of small white threads, resembling the sublimated matter called flowers, on the surface of certain bodies, as salts. This is properly a shooting out of minute spicular crystals, called sometimes a saline vegetation, as that of the sulphate of magnesia on the deserts of Siberia, and of natron in Egypt. In butter much salted, the salt shoots in spiculae, and an efflorescence is often seen on walls formed with plaster. In some species of salts, as in sulphate and carbonate of soda, the efflorescence consists of a fine white dust. This kind of efflorescence is the contrary of deliquescence. In the latter, the saline crystals decompose the air, or rather abstract moisture from it; in the former, the atmosphere decomposes the saline crystals, and the water of crystallization is abstracted from the salts.

Yaw, v.i.

To rise in blisters, breaking in white froth, as cane juice in the sugar works.

Mole, n.

A small animal of the genus Talpa, which in search of worms or other insects, forms a road just under the surface of the ground, raising the soil into a little ridge; from which circumstance it is called a mold-warp, or mold-turner. The mole has very small eyes.

Ramage, n.

1. Branches of trees.

2. The warbling of birds sitting on boughs.

Vertigo, n.

Giddiness; dizziness or swimming of the head; an affection of the head, in which objects appear to move in various directions, though stationary, and the person affected finds it difficult to maintain an erect posture.

Dragon, n.

A genus of animals, the Draco. They have four legs, a cylindrical tail, and membranaceous wings, radiated like the fins of a flying-fish.

Quantity, n.

That property of any thing which may be increased or diminished.

This definition is defective, and as applicable to many other properties as to quantity. A definition strictly philosophical cannot be given.

Quality, n.

Property; that which belongs to a body or substance, or can be predicated of it. Qualities are natural or accidental. Thus whiteness is a natural quality of snow; softness is a natural quality of wool and fur; hardness is a natural quality of metals and wood; figure and dimension are the natural qualities of solids; but a particular figure, as a cube, a square or a sphere, is an accidental or adventitious quality. The fluidity of metals is an accidental quality. Essential qualities are such as are necessary to constitute a thing what it is. Sensible qualities are such as are perceptible to the senses, as the light of the sun, the color of cloth, the taste of salt or sugar, &c.

Thum, n.

The short thick finger of the human hand, or the corresponding member of other animals. [The common orthography is corrupt. The real word is thum.]

Vegetable, n.

A plant; an organized body destitute of sense and voluntary motion, deriving its nourishment through pores or vessels on its outer surface, in most instances adhering to some other body, as the earth, and in general, propagating itself by seeds. Some vegetables have spontaneous motion, as the sunflower. Vegetables alone have the power of deriving nourishment from inorganic matter, or organic matter entirely decomposed.

Kit, n.

A large bottle. A small fiddle. A kind of fish-tub, and a milk-pail.

Dash, n.

Collision; a violent striking of two bodies; as the dash of clouds.

Knock, v.i.

To strike or beat with something thick or heavy; as, to knock with a club or with the fist; to knock at the door. We never use this word to express beating with a small stick or whip.

Knock, v.t.

To knock up, to arouse by knocking.

Slop, n.

Trowsers; a loose lower garment; drawers; hence, ready made clothes.

Rake, n.

An instrument consisting of a head-piece in which teeth are inserted, and a long handle; used for collecting hay or other light things which are spread over a large surface, or in gardens for breaking and smoothing the earth.

Trigger, n.

The catch of a musket or pistol; the part which being pulled, looses the lock for striking fire.

Landslip, n.

A portion of a hill or mountain, which slips or slides down; or the sliding down of a considerable tract of land from a mountain. Landslips are not unfrequent in Swisserland.

Argument, n.

In astronomy, an arch by which we seek another unknown arch, proportional to the first.

Moonet, n.

A little moon.

Lake, n.

A large and extensive collection of water contained in a cavity or hollow of the earth.

Mold, n.

A substance like down which forms on bodies which lie long in warm and damp air. The microscope exhibits this substance as consisting of small plants.

Coronet, n.

An inferior crown worn by noblemen. The coronet of a duke is adorned with strawberry leaves; that of a marquis has leaves with pearls interposed; that of an earl raises the pearls above the leaves; that of a viscount is surrounded with pearls only; that of a baron has only four pearls.