OPHIDIAN, o-fid'i-an, _n._ one of the true serpents, in which the ribs are the only organs of locomotion.--_adjs._ OPHID'IAN, OPHID'IOUS, pertaining to serpents: having the nature of a serpent.--_ns._ OPHIDI[=A]'RIUM, a place where serpents are confined; OPHIOG'RAPHY, the description of serpents; OPHIOL'ATER, a serpent-worshipper.--_adj._ OPHIOL'ATROUS.--_n._ OPHIOL'ATRY, serpent-worship.--_adjs._ OPHIOLOG'IC, -AL.--_ns._ OPHIOL'OGIST, one versed in ophiology; OPHIOL'OGY, the study of serpents; OPH'IOMANCY, divination by serpents.--_adjs._ OPHIOMOR'PHIC, OPHIOMOR'PHOUS, having the form of a serpent; OPHIOPH'AGOUS, feeding on serpents.--_n._ OPH'ITE, one of a Gnostic sect who worshipped the serpent.
[Gr. _ophidion_, dim. of _ophis_, _ophe[=o]s_, a serpent.]
OPHIURA, of-i-[=u]'ra, _n._ a genus of sand-stars.--_ns._ and _adjs._ OPHI[=U]'RAN; OPHI[=U]'ROID. [Gr. _ophis_, serpent, _oura_, tail.]
OPHTHALMIA, of-thal'mi-a, _n._ inflammation of the eye--also OPHTHAL'MY.--_adj._ OPHTHAL'MIC, pertaining to the eye.--_ns._ OPHTHAL'MIST, OPHTHALMOL'OGIST, one skilled in ophthalmology; OPHTHALM[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the eyeball; OPHTHALMODYN'IA, pain, esp.
rheumatic pain, of the eye; OPHTHALMOG'RAPHY, a description of the eye.--_adjs._ OPHTHALMOLOG'IC, -AL.--_ns._ OPHTHALMOL'OGY, the science of the eye, its structure and functions; OPHTHALMOM'ETER, an instrument for eye-measurements; OPHTHALMOM'ETRY, the making of such; OPHTHALMOPL[=E]'GIA, paralysis of one or more of the muscles of the eye; OPHTHAL'MOSCOPE, an instrument for examining the interior of the eye.--_adjs._ OPHTHALMOSCOP'IC, -AL.--_adv._ OPHTHALMOSCOP'ICALLY.--_ns._ OPHTHAL'MOSCOPY, examination of the interior of the eye with the ophthalmoscope; OPHTHALMOT'OMY, dissection of the eye: an incision into the eye. [Gr.,--_ophthalmos_, eye.]
OPIATE, [=o]'pi-[=a]t, _n._ a drug containing opium to induce sleep: that which dulls sensation, physical or mental.--_adj._ inducing sleep.--_adj._ O'PIATED.
OPINE, o-p[=i]n', _v.i._ to suppose.--_adj._ OPIN'ABLE, capable of being thought.--_ns._ OP[=I]'NANT, one who forms an opinion; OPIN'ICUS (_her._), a half-lion, half-dragon. [Fr.,--L. _opin[=a]ri_, to think.]
OPINION, [=o]-pin'yun, _n._ one's belief, judgment: favourable estimation: (_Shak._) opinionativeness.--_adjs._ OPIN'IONABLE, that may be matter of opinion; OPIN'ION[=A]TED, OPIN'IONED, firmly adhering to one's own opinions.--_adv._ OPIN'ION[=A]TELY (_obs._).--_adj._ OPIN'ION[=A]TIVE, unduly attached to one's own opinions: stubborn.--_adv._ OPIN'ION[=A]TIVELY.--_ns._ OPIN'ION[=A]TIVENESS; OPIN'IONIST. [L.]
OPISOMETER, op-i-som'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring curved lines on a map. [Gr. _opis[=o]_, backward, _metron_, measure.]
OPISTHOBRANCHIATE, [=o]-pis-th[=o]-brang'ki-[=a]t, _adj._ having the gills behind the heart--_n._ OPISTHOBRANCH'ISM.
OPISTHOCOELIAN, [=o]-pis-th[=o]-s[=e]'li-an, _adj._ hollow or concave behind, as a vertebra.--Also OPISTHOCOE'LOUS.
OPISTHOCOMOUS, op-is-thok'[=o]-mus, _adj._ having an occipital crest.
OPISTHODOMOS, op-is-thod'[=o]-mos, _n._ a rear-chamber or treasury at the back of the cella in some temples. [Gr.]
OPISTHODONT, [=o]-pis'th[=o]-dont, _adj._ having back teeth only.
OPISTHOGASTRIC, [=o]-pis-th[=o]-gas'trik, _adj._ behind the stomach.
OPISTHOGNATHOUS, op-is-thog'n[=a]-thus, _adj._ having retreating jaws or teeth.
OPISTHOGRAPH, [=o]-pis'th[=o]-graf, _n._ a manuscript or a slab inscribed on the back as well as the front.--_adj._ OPISTHOGRAPH'IC, written on both sides.--_n._ OPISTHOG'RAPHY.
OPIUM, [=o]'pi-um, _n._ the narcotic juice of the white poppy.--_n._ O'PIUM-EAT'ER, one who makes a habitual use of opium. [L.,--Gr. _opion_, dim. from _opos_, sap.]
OPOBALSAM, op-[=o]-bal'sam, _n._ a resinous juice, balm of Gilead.
OPODELDOC, op-[=o]-del'dok, _n._ a solution of soap in alcohol, with camphor and essential oils, soap-liniment. [Fr., perh. from Gr. _opos_, juice.]
OPOPANAX, [=o]-pop'a-naks, _n._ a gum-resin used in perfumery and formerly in medicine. [Gr., opos, juice, _panax_, a plant, _panak[=e]s_, all-healing.]
OPORICE, [=o]-por'i-s[=e], _n._ a medicine prepared from quinces, pomegranates, &c.
OPOSSUM, o-pos'um, _n._ a small American marsupial mammal, nocturnal, mainly arboreal, with prehensile tail: an Australian marsupial. [West Indian.]
OPPIDAN, op'i-dan, _n._ at Eton, a student who is not a foundationer or colleger. [L. _oppidanus_--_oppidum_, town.]
OPPILATION, op-i-l[=a]'shun, _n._ stoppage.--_v.t._ OPP'ILATE, to crowd together.--_adj._ OPP'IL[=A]TIVE, obstructive. [L.]
OPPONENT, [=o]-p[=o]'nent, _adj._ opposing in action, speech, &c.: placed in front.--_n._ one who opposes.
OPPORTUNE, op-or-t[=u]n', _adj._ present at a proper time: timely: convenient.--_adv._ OPPORTUNE'LY.--_ns._ OPPORTUNE'NESS; OPPORTUN'ISM, practice of regulating principles by favourable opportunities without regard to consistency; OPPORTUN'IST, a politician who waits for events before declaring his opinions: a person without settled principles; OPPORTUN'ITY, an opportune or convenient time: a good occasion or chance.
[Fr.,--L. _opportunus_--_ob_, before, _portus_, a harbour.]
OPPOSE, o-p[=o]z', _v.t._ to place before or in the way of: to set against: to place as an obstacle: to resist: to check: to compete with.--_v.i._ to make objection.--_n._ OPPOSABIL'ITY.--_adjs._ OPPOS'ABLE, that may be opposed; OPPOSE'LESS (_Shak._), not to be opposed, irresistible.--_n._ OPPOS'ER, one who opposes.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ OPPOS'IT, to negative.
[Fr.,--L. _ob_, Fr. _poser_, to place.]
OPPOSITE, op'[=o]-zit, _adj._ placed over against: standing in front: situated on opposite sides: contrasted with: opposed to: of an entirely different nature.--_n._ that which is opposed or contrary: an opponent.--_adv._ OPP'OSITELY.--_n._ OPP'OSITENESS.--BE OPPOSITE WITH (_Shak._), to be perverse and contradictory in dealing with. [Fr.,--L.
_oppositus_--_ob_, against, _pon[)e]re_, _positum_, to place.]
OPPOSITION, op-[=o]-zish'un, _n._ state of being placed over against: position over against: repugnance: contrariety: contrast: act or action of opposing: resistance: that which opposes: obstacle: (_logic_) a difference of quantity or quality between two propositions having the same subject and predicate: the party that opposes the ministry or existing administration: (_astron._) the situation of heavenly bodies when 180 degrees apart.--_n._ OPPOSI'TIONIST, one who belongs to an opposing party, esp. that opposed to the government. [_Opposite._]
OPPRESS, o-pres', _v.t._ to press against or upon: to use severely: to burden: to lie heavy upon: to constrain: to overpower: to treat unjustly: to load with heavy burdens.--_n._ OPPRESS'ION, act of oppressing or treating unjustly or harshly: severity: cruelty: state of being oppressed: misery: hardship: injustice: dullness of spirits: (_Shak._) pressure.--_adj._ OPPRESS'IVE, tending to oppress: overburdensome: treating with severity or injustice: heavy: overpowering: difficult to bear.--_adv._ OPPRESS'IVELY.--_ns._ OPPRESS'IVENESS; OPPRESS'OR, one who oppresses.
[Fr.,--L. _opprim[)e]re_, _oppressum_--_ob_, against, _prem[)e]re_, to press.]
OPPROBRIOUS, o-pr[=o]'bri-us, _adj._ expressive of opprobrium or disgrace: reproachful: infamous: despised.--_adv._ OPPR[=O]'BRIOUSLY.--_ns._ OPPR[=O]'BRIOUSNESS; OPPR[=O]'BRIUM, reproach expressing contempt or disdain: disgrace: infamy. [L.,--_ob_, against, _probrum_, reproach.]
OPPUGN, o-p[=u]n', _v.t._ to fight against, esp. by argument: to oppose: to resist.--_n._ OPPUGN'ER. [Fr.,--L. _oppugn[=a]re_, to fight against--_ob_, against, _pugna_, a fight.]
OPPUGNANCY, o-pug'nan-si, _n._ (_Shak._) opposition, resistance.--_adj._ OPPUG'NANT, opposing: hostile.--_n._ an opponent. [L. _oppugnans_, _-antis_, _pr.p._ of _oppugn[=a]re_.]
OPSIMATHY, op-sim'a-thi, _n._ learning obtained late in life.
[Gr.,--_opse_, late, _mathein_, to learn.]
OPSIOMETER, op-si-om'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an optometer.
OPSONIUM, op-s[=o]'ni-um, _n._ anything eaten with bread as a relish, esp.
fish.--_ns._ OPSOM[=A]'NIA, any morbid love for some special kind of food; OPSOM[=A]'NIAC, one who manifests the foregoing. [Gr.
_ops[=o]nion_--_opson_, strictly boiled meat, any relish.]
OPTATIVE, op'ta-tiv, or op-t[=a]'tiv, _adj._ expressing desire or wish.--_n._ (_gram._) a mood of the verb expressing wish.--_adv._ OP'TATIVELY. [L. _optativus_--_opt[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to wish.]
OPTIC, -AL, op'tik, -al, _adj._ relating to sight, or to optics.--_n._ OP'TIC (_Pope_), an organ of sight: an eye.--_adv._ OP'TICALLY.--_ns._ OPTIC'IAN, one skilled in optics: one who makes or sells optical instruments; OP'TICS (_sing._), the science of the nature and laws of vision and light; OPTIM'ETER, OPTOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the refractive powers of the eye; OPTOM'ETRY, the measurement of the visual powers.--OPTIC AXIS, the axis of the eye--that is, a line going through the middle of the pupil and the centre of the eye. [Fr. _optique_--Gr.
_optikos_.]
OPTIME, op'ti-m[=e], _n._ in the university of Cambridge, one of those in the second or third rank of honours (_senior_ and _junior optimes_ respectively), next to the wranglers.--_n.pl._ OPTIM[=A]'TES, the Roman aristocracy. [L. _optimus_, best.]
OPTIMISM, op'ti-mizm, _n._ the doctrine that everything is ordered for the best: a disposition to take a hopeful view of things--opp. to _Pessimism_.--_v.i._ OP'TIMISE, to take the most hopeful view of anything.--_n._ OP'TIMIST, one who holds that everything is ordered for the best.--_adj._ OPTIMIST'IC.--_adv._ OPTIMIST'ICALLY.--_n._ OP'TIMUM (_bot._), that point of temperature at which metabolic--i.e. vegetative and fructificative processes are best carried on. [L. _optimus_, best.]
OPTION, op'shun, _n._ act of choosing: power of choosing or wishing: wish.--_adj._ OP'TIONAL, left to one's option or choice.--_adv._ OP'TIONALLY.--_n._ OP'TIONS, a mode of speculating, chiefly in stocks and shares, which is intended to limit the speculator's risk. It consists in paying a sum down for the right to _put_ (make delivery) or _call_ (call for delivery) a given amount of stock at a fixed future date, the price also being fixed at the time the contract is entered into.--LOCAL OPTION (see LOCAL). [L. _optio_, _optionis_--_opt[=a]re_, to choose.]
OPTOMETER, OPTOMETRY. See OPTIC.
OPULENT, op'[=u]-lent, _adj._ wealthy.--_n._ OP'ULENCE, means: riches: wealth.--_adv._ OP'ULENTLY. [Fr.,--L. _op-ulentus_.]
OPUNTIA, [=o]-pun'shi-a, _n._ a genus of cacti.
OPUS, [=o]'pus, _n._ work, a work.--OPUS MAGNUM, the great work of one's life; OPUS OPERANTIS (_theol._), the effect of a sacrament ascribed chiefly, if not exclusively, to the spiritual disposition of the recipient, the grace flowing _ex opere operantis_--the Protestant view; OPUS OPERATUM, the due celebration of a sacrament necessarily involving the grace of the sacrament, which flows _ex opere operato_ from the sacramental act performed independent of the merit of him who administers it--the R.C.
view.