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FICKLE, fik'l, _adj._ inconstant: changeable.--_n._ FICK'LENESS. [A.S.

_ficol_; _gefic_, fraud.]

FICO, f[=e]'ko, _n._ (_Shak._) a motion of contempt by placing the thumb between two fingers. [It.,--L.]

FICTILE, fik'til, _adj._ used or fashioned by the potter, plastic. [L.

_fictilis_--_fing[)e]re_, to form or fashion.]

FICTION, fik'shun, _n._ a feigned or false story: a falsehood: romance: the novel, story-telling as a branch of literature: a supposition of law that a thing is true, which is either certainly not true, or at least is as probably false as true.--_adj._ FIC'TIONAL.--_n._ FIC'TIONIST, a writer of fiction.--_adj._ FICTI'TIOUS, imaginary: not real: forged.--_adv._ FICTI'TIOUSLY.--_adj._ FIC'TIVE, fictitious, imaginative.--_n._ FIC'TOR, one who makes images of clay, &c. [Fr.,--L. _fiction-em_--_fictus_, pa.p.

of _fing[)e]re_.]

FID, fid, _n._ a conical pin of hard wood, used by sailors to open the strands of a rope in splicing: a square bar of wood or iron, with a shoulder at one end, used to support the weight of the topmast or top-gallant-mast when swayed up into place.

FIDDLE, fid'l, _n._ a stringed instrument of music, called also a _Violin_.--_v.t._ or _v.i._ to play on a fiddle: to be busy over trifles, to trifle:--_pr.p._ fidd'ling; _pa.p._ fidd'led.--_ns._ FIDD'LE-BLOCK, a long block having two sheaves of different diameters in the same plane; FIDD'LE-BOW, a bow strung with horse-hair, with which the strings of the fiddle are set vibrating.--_interjs._ FIDD'LE-DE-DEE, FIDD'LESTICK (often _pl._), nonsense!--_v.i._ FIDD'LE-FADD'LE, to trifle, to dally.--_n._ trifling talk.--_adj._ fussy, trifling.--_interj._ nonsense!--_n._ FIDD'LE-FADD'LER.--_adj._ FIDD'LE-FADD'LING.--_ns._ FIDD'LE-HEAD, an ornament at a ship's bow, over the cut-water, consisting of a scroll turning aft or inward; FIDD'LER, one who fiddles: a small crab of genus _Gelasimus_; FIDD'LE-STRING, a string for a fiddle; FIDD'LE-WOOD, a tropical American tree yielding valuable hard wood.--_adj._ FIDD'LING, trifling, busy about trifles.--FIDDLER'S GREEN, a sailor's name for a place of frolic on shore.--PLAY FIRST, or SECOND, FIDDLE, to take the part of the first, or second, violin-player in an orchestra: to take a leading, or a subordinate, part in anything; SCOTCH FIDDLE, the itch. [A.S. _fiele_; Ger. _fiedel_. See VIOLIN.]

FIDELITY, fi-del'i-ti, _n._ faithful performance of duty: faithfulness to a husband or wife: honesty: firm adherence. [L. _fidelitat-em_--_fidelis_, faithful--_fid[)e]re_, to trust.]

FIDGET, fij'et, _v.i._ to be unable to rest: to move uneasily:--_pr.p._ fidg'eting; _pa.p._ fidg'eted.--_n._ irregular motion: restlessness: (_pl._) general nervous restlessness, with a desire of changing the position.--_v.i._ FIDGE, to move about restlessly: to be eager.--_n._ FIDG'ETINESS.--_adj._ FIDG'ETY, restless: uneasy. [Perh. related to _fike_ (q.v.).]

FIDUCIAL, fi-d[=u]'shi-al, _adj._ showing confidence or reliance: of the nature of a trust.--_adv._ FID[=U]'CIALLY.--_adj._ FID[=U]'CIARY, confident: unwavering: held in trust.--_n._ one who holds anything in trust: (_theol._) one who depends for salvation on faith without works, an Antinomian. [L. _fiducia_, confidence, from _fid[)e]re_, to trust.]

FIE, f[=i], _interj._ denoting disapprobation or disgust. [Scand., Ice.

_f_, _fei_, fie! cf. Ger. _pfui_.]

FIEF, f[=e]f, _n._ land held of a superior in fee or on condition of military service: a feud. [Fr.,--Low L. _feudum_.]

FIELD, f[=e]ld, _n._ country or open country in general: a piece of ground enclosed for tillage or pasture: the range of any series of actions or energies: the locality of a battle: the battle itself: room for action of any kind: a wide expanse: (_her._) the surface of a shield: the background on which figures are drawn: the part of a coin left unoccupied by the main device: those taking part in a hunt: all the entries collectively against which a single contestant has to compete: all the parties not individually excepted, as 'to bet on the field' in a horse-race.--_v.t._ at cricket and base-ball, to catch or stop and return to the fixed place.--_v.i._ to stand in positions so as to catch the ball easily in cricket.--_ns._ FIELD'-ALLOW'ANCE, a small extra payment to officers on active service; FIELD'-ARTILL'ERY, light ordnance suited for active operations in the field; FIELD'-BED, a camp or trestle bedstead; FIELD'-BOOK, a book used in surveying fields.--_n.pl._ FIELD'-COL'OURS, small flags used for marking the position for companies and regiments, also any regimental headquarters'

flags.--_n._ FIELD'-DAY, a day when troops are drawn out for instruction in field exercises: any day of unusual bustle.--_adj._ FIELD'ED (_Shak._), encamped.--_ns._ FIELD'ER, one who fields; FIELD'FARE, a species of thrush, having a reddish-yellow throat and breast spotted with black; FIELD'-GLASS, a binocular telescope slung over the shoulder in a case; FIELD'-GUN, a light cannon mounted on a carriage; FIELD'-HAND, an outdoor farm labourer; FIELD'-HOS'PITAL, a temporary hospital near the scene of battle; FIELD'-ICE, ice formed in the polar seas in large surfaces, distinguished from icebergs; FIELD'ING, the acting in the field at cricket as distinguished from batting; FIELD'-MAR'SHAL, an officer of the highest rank in the army; FIELD'-MEET'ING, a conventicle; FIELD'-MOUSE, a species of mouse that lives in the fields; FIELD'-NIGHT, a night marked by some important gathering, discussion, &c.; FIELD'-OFF'ICER, a military officer above the rank of captain, and below that of general; FIELD'PIECE, a cannon or piece of artillery used in the field of battle; FIELD'-PREACH'ER, one who preaches in the open air; FIELD'-PREACH'ING; FIELDS'MAN, a fielder.--_n.pl._ FIELD'-SPORTS, sports of the field, as hunting, racing, &c.--_n._ FIELD'-TRAIN, a department of the Royal Artillery responsible for the safety and supply of ammunition during war.--_advs._ FIELD'WARD, -WARDS, toward the fields.--_n.pl._ FIELD'WORKS, temporary works thrown up by troops in the field, either for protection or to cover an attack upon a stronghold.--FIELD OF VISION, the compass of visual power.--KEEP THE FIELD, to keep the campaign open: to maintain one's ground. [A.S. _feld_; cf. Dut.

_veld_, the open country, Ger. _feld_.]

FIEND, f[=e]nd, _n._ the devil: one actuated by the most intense wickedness or hate.--_adj._ FIEND'ISH, like a fiend; malicious.--_n._ FIEND'ISHNESS.--_adj._ FIEND'LIKE, like a fiend: fiendish. [A.S. _feond_, pr.p. of _feon_, to hate; Ger. _feind_, Dut. _vijand_.]

FIERCE, f[=e]rs, _adj._ ferocious: violent: angry.--_adv._ FIERCE'LY.--_n._ FIERCE'NESS. [O. Fr. _fers_ (Fr. _fier_)--L. _ferus_, wild, savage.]

FIERY, f[=i]r'i, or f[=i]'[.e]r-i, _adj._ ardent: impetuous: irritable.--_adv._ FIER'ILY.--_ns._ FIER'INESS; FIER'Y-CROSS (see CROSS).--_adjs._ FIER'Y-FOOT'ED, swift in motion; FIER'Y-HOT, impetuous; FIER'Y-NEW, hot from newness; FIER'Y-SHORT, short and passionate.

FIFE, f[=i]f, _n._ a smaller variety of the flute, usually with only one key.--_v.i._ to play on the fife.--_ns._ FIFE'-M[=A]'JOR (_obs._), the chief fifer in a regiment; FIF'ER, one who plays on a fife; FIFE'-RAIL, the rail round the mainmast for belaying-pins. [Fr. _fifre_, Ger. _pfeife_, both, acc. to Littre, from L. _pip[=a]re_, to chirp.]

FIFISH, f[=i]'fish, _adj._ (_Scot._) whimsical, cranky. [_Fife_.]

FIFTEEN, fif't[=e]n, _adj._ and _n._ five and ten.--_adj._ FIF'TEENTH, the fifth after the tenth: being one of fifteen equal parts.--_n._ a fifteenth part.--THE FIFTEEN, the Jacobite rising of 1715. [A.S. _fiftyne_--_fif_, five, _tn_, ten.]

FIFTH, fifth, _adj._ next after the fourth.--_n._ one of five equal parts: (_mus._) a tone five diatonic degrees above or below any given tone.--_adv._ FIFTH'LY, in the fifth place.--_ns._ FIFTH'-MON'ARCHISM; FIFTH'-MON'ARCHIST.--FIFTH-MONARCHY MEN, an extreme sect of the time of the Puritan revolution, who looked for the establishment of a new reign of Christ on earth, in succession to Daniel's four great monarchies of Antichrist. [A.S. _fifta_.]

FIFTY, fif'ti, _adj._ and _n._ five tens or five times ten.--_adj._ FIF'TIETH, the ordinal of fifty.--_n._ a fiftieth part. [A.S.

_fiftig_--_fif_, five, _tig_, ten.]

FIG, fig, _n._ the fig-tree (_Ficus_), or its fruit, growing in warm climates: a thing of little consequence.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to insult by a contemptuous motion of the fingers.--_ns._ FIG'-LEAF, the leaf of the fig-tree: an imitation of such a leaf for veiling the private parts of a statue or picture: any scanty clothing (from Gen. iii. 7): a makeshift; FIG'-TREE, the tree which produces figs. [Fr. _figue_--L. _ficus_, a fig.]

FIG, fig, _n._ (_coll._) figure: dress.--_v.t._ to dress, get up.--_n._ FIG'GERY, dressy ornament.

FIGARO, fig'ar-o, _n._ a type of cunning and dexterity from the dramatic character, first barber and then valet-de-chambre, in the _Barbier de Seville_ and the _Mariage de Figaro_, by Beaumarchais: the name adopted by a famous Paris newspaper founded 1854.

FIGHT, f[=i]t, _v.i._ to strive with: to contend in war or in single combat.--_v.t._ to engage in conflict with: to gain by fight: to cause to fight:--_pr.p._ fight'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ fought (fawt).--_n._ a struggle: a combat: a battle or engagement.--_n._ FIGHT'ER.--_adj._ FIGHT'ING, engaged in or fit for war.--_n._ the act of fighting or contending.--_ns._ FIGHT'ING-COCK, a gamecock, a pugnacious fellow; FIGHT'ING-FISH (_Betta pugnax_), a small Siamese fresh-water fish, kept for its extraordinary readiness for fighting, bets being laid on the issue.--FIGHT IT OUT, to struggle on until the end; FIGHT SHY OF, to avoid from mistrust.--LIVE LIKE FIGHTING-COCKS, to get the best of meat and drink. [A.S. _feohtan_; Ger. _fechten_.]

FIGMENT, fig'ment, _n._ a fabrication or invention. [L.

_figmentum_--_fing[)e]re_, to form.]

FIGULINE, fig'[=u]-lin, _adj._ such as is made by the potter, fictile.--_n._ an earthen vessel:--_pl._ pottery.

[L.--_figulinus_--_figulus_, potter.]

FIGURE, fig'[=u]r, _n._ the form of anything in outline: the representation of anything in drawing, &c.: a drawing: a design: a statue: appearance: a character denoting a number: value or price: (_rhet._) a deviation from the ordinary mode of expression, in which words are changed from their literal signification or usage: (_logic_) the form of a syllogism with respect to the position of the middle term: steps in a dance: a type or emblem.--_v.t._ to form or shape: to make an image of: to mark with figures or designs: to imagine: to symbolise: to foreshow: to note by figures.--_v.i._ to make figures: to appear as a distinguished person.--_n._ FIGURABIL'ITY, the quality of being figurable.--_adjs._ FIG'URABLE; FIG'URAL, represented by figure.--_n._ FIG'URANTE, a ballet dancer, one of those dancers who dance in troops, and form a background for the solo dancers:--_masc._ FIG'URANT.--_adj._ FIG'URATE, of a certain determinate form: (_mus._) florid.--_n._ FIGUR[=A]'TION, act of giving figure or form: (_mus._) mixture of chords and discords.--_adj._ FIG'URATIVE (_rhet._), representing by, containing, or abounding in figures: metaphorical: flowery: typical.--_adv._ FIG'URATIVELY.--_ns._ FIG'URATIVENESS, state of being figurative; FIG'URE-CAST'ER, an astrologer; FIG'URE-CAST'ING, the art of preparing casts of animal or other forms.--_adj._ FIG'URED, marked or adorned with figures.--_ns._ FIG'URE-DANCE, a dance consisting of elaborate figures; FIG'UREHEAD, the figure or bust under the bowsprit of a ship; FIG'URE-WEAV'ING, the weaving of figured fancy fabrics; FIG'URINE, a small carved or sculptured figure, often specially such as are adorned with painting and gilding; FIG'URIST, one who uses or interprets figures.--FIGURATE NUMBERS, any series of numbers beginning with unity, and so formed that if each be subtracted from the following, and the series so formed be treated in the same way, by a continuation of the process, equal differences will be obtained. [Fr.,--L.

_figura_, _fing[)e]re_, to form.]

FIKE, f[=i]k, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to fidget restlessly.--_n._ restlessness: any vexatious requirement or detail in work.--_n._ FIK'ERY, fuss.--_adj._ FIK'Y. [Prob. Ice. _fikja_.]

FILACEOUS, fil-[=a]'shus, _adj._ composed of threads. [L. _filum_, a thread.]

FILACER, fil'[=a]-ser, _n._ an officer in the Court of Common Pleas who formerly filed original writs and made out processes on them.--Also FIL'AZER. [O. Fr. _filacier_--_filace_, a file for papers--L. _filum_.]

FILAMENT, fil'a-ment, _n._ a slender or thread-like object: a fibre: (_bot._) the stalk of the stamen which supports the pollen-containing anther.--_adjs._ FILAMENT'ARY, FILAMENT'OSE; FILAMENT'OID, like a filament; FILAMENT'OUS, thread-like. [Fr.,--L. _filum_, a thread.]

FILANDERS, fil-an'd[.e]rz, _n.pl._ a disease in hawks caused by a small intestinal worm, the _filander_. [Fr. _filandres_--L. _filum_.]

FILAR, f[=i]'lar, _adj._ pertaining to a thread.

FILATURE, fil'a-t[=u]r, _n._ the reeling of silk, or the place where it is done.--_n._ FIL'ATORY, a machine for forming or spinning threads. [Fr.,--L.

_filum_, a thread.]

FILBERT, fil'bert, _n._ the nut of the cultivated hazel--(_obs._) FIL'BERD.

[Prob. from St _Philibert_, whose day fell in the nutting season, Aug. 22 (O.S.).]

FILCH, filch, _v.t._ to steal: to pilfer.--_n._ FILCH'ER, a thief.--_adv._ FILCH'INGLY. [Ety. unknown.]

FILE, f[=i]l, _n._ a line or wire on which papers are placed in order: the papers so placed: a roll or list: a line of soldiers ranged behind one another: the number of men forming the depth of a battalion.--_v.t._ to put upon a file: to arrange in an orderly manner: to put among the records of a court: to bring before a court.--_v.i._ to march in a file.--_n._ FILE'-LEAD'ER.--FILE OFF, to wheel off at right angles to the first direction; FILE WITH, to rank with, to be equal to.--SINGLE FILE, INDIAN FILE, of men marching one behind another. [Fr. _file_--L. _filum_, a thread.]

FILE, f[=i]l, _n._ a steel instrument with sharp-edged furrows for smoothing or rasping metals, &c.: any means adopted to polish a thing, as a literary style: a shrewd, cunning person, a deep fellow: a pickpocket.--_v.t._ to cut or smooth with, or as with, a file: to polish, improve.--_n._ FILE'-CUT'TER, a maker of files.--_adj._ FILED, polished, smooth.--_ns._ FILE'-FISH, a fish of genus _Balistes_, the skin granulated like a file; FIL'ER, one who files; FIL'ING, a particle rubbed off with a file. [A.S. _feol_; Ger. _feile_; Dut. _vijl_.]

FILE, f[=i]l, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to defile, pollute.

FILEMOT, fil'e-mot, _adj._ of a dead-leaf colour--also _n._ the colour itself. [Fr. _feuillemorte_, a dead leaf.]

FILIAL, fil'yal, _adj._ pertaining to or becoming a son or daughter: bearing the relation of a child.--_adv._ FIL'IALLY. [Fr.,--Low L.

_filialis_--L. _filius_, a son.]

FILIATE, FILIATION. Same as AFFILIATE, AFFILIATION.

FILIBUSTER, FILLIBUSTER, fil'i-bus-t[.e]r, _n._ a lawless military or piratical adventurer, as in the West Indies: a buccaneer.--_v.i._ to obstruct legislation wantonly by endless speeches, motions, &c.--_n._ FIL'IBUSTERISM, the character or actions of a filibuster. [Sp.

_filibustero_, through Fr. _flibustier_, _fribustier_, from Dut.

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