PORTOISE, p[=o]r'tiz, _n._ the gunwale of a boat.--Also PORT'LAST.
PORTRAIT, p[=o]r'tr[=a]t, _n._ the likeness of a person, esp. of his face: a vivid description in words.--_v.t._ (_obs._) to portray.--_ns._ POR'TRAITIST, a portrait-painter; POR'TRAITURE, a likeness: the drawing of portraits, or describing in words: a collection of pictures.--_v.t._ PORTRAY (p[=o]r-tr[=a]'), to paint or draw the likeness of: to describe in words: (_obs._) to adorn.--_ns._ PORTRAY'AL, the act of portraying; PORTRAY'ER.--COMPOSITE PORTRAITS, a method of indicating the facial characteristics of a family or group of persons, while at the same time suppressing the peculiarities of individual members. [O. Fr. _portrait_, _portraire_--L. _pro_, forth, _trah[)e]re_, to draw.]
PORTREEVE, p[=o]rt'r[=e]v, _n._ once the name of the principal magistrate in a port-town, esp. in London. [A.S. _portgerefa_--_port_, a port, _gerefa_, a reeve.]
PORTUGUESE, p[=o]r't[=u]-g[=e]z, _adj._ of or pertaining to _Portugal_ or to its inhabitants.--_n._ the people, a single inhabitant, or the language of Portugal.--PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR, a species of _Physalia_.
PORTULACEae, p[=o]r-t[=u]-l[=a]'s[=e]-[=e], _n.pl._ a natural order of exogenous plants, shrubby or herbaceous, generally succulent, mostly growing in dry places. [L. _portulaca_, purslane.]
PORZANA, p[=o]r-z[=a]'na, _n._ an old name of the small European water-rail or crake.
POS, poz, _adj._ (_slang_) an abbreviation of _positive_.
POSADA, p[=o]-sa'da, _n._ an inn. [Sp.,--_posar_, to lodge.]
POSAUNE, p[=o]-zow'ne, _n._ the trombone. [Ger.]
POSE, p[=o]z, _n._ a position: an attitude, either natural or assumed.--_v.i._ to assume an attitude.--_v.t._ to put in a suitable attitude: to posit. [Fr.,--_poser_, to place--Low L. _pausare_, to cease--L. _pausa_, pause--Gr. _pausis_. Between Fr. _poser_ and L.
_pon[)e]re_, _positum_, there has been confusion, which has influenced the derivatives of both words.]
POSE, p[=o]z, _v.t._ to puzzle: to perplex by questions: to bring to a stand.--_ns._ P[=O]'SER, one who, or that which, poses: a difficult question; P[=O]'SING.--_adv._ P[=O]'SINGLY. [M. E. _apposen_, a corr. of _oppose_, which in the schools meant to 'argue against.']
POSe, po-z[=a]', _adj._ (_her._) standing still.
POSITION, po-zish'un, _n._ place, situation: attitude: a place taken or to be taken by troops: state of affairs: the ground taken in argument or in a dispute: principle laid down: place in society: method of finding the value of an unknown quantity by assuming one or more values (_single_, when one is assumed; _double_, when two).--_v.t._ POSIT (poz'it), to place in right position or relation: to lay down as something true or granted.--_adj._ POSI'TIONAL.--STRATEGIC POSITION, a position taken up by troops to check the movements of an enemy. [Fr.,--L.--_pon[)e]re_, _positum_, to place.]
POSITIVE, poz'i-tiv, _adj._ definitely placed or laid down: clearly expressed: really existing: actual: not admitting of any doubt or qualification: decisive: settled by distinct appointment: arbitrarily prescribed, laid down--opp. to _Natural_: too confident in opinion: fully assured: certain: (_gram._) noting the simple form of an adjective--as _Positive degree_ of comparison: (_math._) greater than zero, to be added, as _Positive quantity_: (_phot._) having the lights and shades in the picture the same as in the original, instead of being reversed: (_electr._) having a relatively high potential--opp. to _Negative_ (q.v.).--_n._ that which is placed or laid down: that which may be affirmed: reality: a positive picture--opp. to _Negative_.--_adv._ POS'ITIVELY.--_ns._ POS'ITIVENESS, state or quality of being positive: certainty: confidence; POS'ITIVISM, actual or absolute knowledge; POS'ITIVIST, a believer in positivism.--POS'ITIVISM, POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY, the philosophical system originated by Comte (1798-1857)--its foundation the doctrine that man can have no knowledge of anything but phenomena, and that the knowledge of phenomena is relative, not absolute. [Fr.,--L. _positivus_, fixed by agreement--_pon[)e]re_, to place.]
POSNET, pos'net, _n._ a small basin. [O. Fr. _pocenet_.]
POSOLOGY, p[=o]-sol'[=o]-ji, _n._ the science of quantity.--_adjs._ POSOLOG'IC, -AL. [Gr. _posos_, how much, _logia_, discourse.]
POSSE, pos'[=e], _n._ power: possibility.--POSSE COMITATUS, the power of the county: the body of men entitled to be called out by the sheriff to aid in enforcing the law. [L. _posse_, to be able.]
POSSESS, poz-zes', _v.t._ to have or hold as an owner: to have the control of: to inform: to seize: to enter into and influence: to put (_one's self_) in possession (_of_): (_Spens._) to achieve: (_Shak._) put in possession of information, convince.--_adj._ POSSESSED', influenced by some evil spirit, demented.--_n._ POSSES'SION, act of possessing: the thing possessed: a country taken by conquest: property: state of being possessed, as by an evil spirit: madness.--_adjs._ POSSES'SIONARY, POSSES'SIVE, pertaining to or denoting possession.--_n._ POSSES'SIVE (_gram._), a pronoun denoting possession: the possessive case.--_adv._ POSSES'SIVELY.--_n._ POSSES'SOR, one who possesses: owner: proprietor: occupant.--_adj._ POSSES'SORY, relating to a possessor or possession: having possession.--GIVE POSSESSION, to put in another's power or occupancy; TAKE POSSESSION, to assume ownership; WRIT OF POSSESSION, a process directing a sheriff to put a person in possession of property recovered in ejectment. [Fr.,--L.
_possid[=e]re_, _possessum_.]
POSSET, pos'et, _n._ a dietetic preparation, made by curdling milk with some acidulous liquor, such as wine, ale, or vinegar.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to curdle.--POSSET CUP, a large cup or covered bowl for posset. [Prob. Ir.
_pusoid_, a posset; cf. W. _posel_.]
POSSIBLE, pos'i-bl, _adj._ that may be or happen: that may be done: not contrary to the nature of things.--_n._ POSSIBIL'ITY, state of being possible: that which is possible: a contingency.--_adv._ POSS'IBLY.
[Fr.,--L. _possibilis_--_posse_, to be able.]
POSSUM, pos'um, _n._ Same as OPOSSUM.
POST, p[=o]st, _n._ a piece of timber fixed in the ground, generally as a support to something else: a pillar.--_v.t._ to fix on or to a post, or to any conspicuous position, in a public place: to expose to public reproach, to placard as having failed in an examination, &c.--_n._ POST'ER, one who posts bills: a large printed bill or placard for posting.--FROM PILLAR TO POST (see PILLAR). [A.S. _post_--L. _postis_, a doorpost--_pon[)e]re_, to place.]
POST, p[=o]st, _n._ a fixed place, as a military station: a fixed place or stage on a road: an office: one who travels by stages, esp. carrying letters, &c.: a public letter-carrier: an established system of conveying letters: (_Shak._) a post-horse: (_Shak._) haste: a size of writing-paper, double that of common note-paper (so called from the water-mark, a postman's horn).--_v.t._ to set or station: to put in the post-office: (_book-k._) to transfer from the journal to the ledger: to supply with necessary information, as to _post up_ (cf. _Well posted up_).--v.i to travel with post-horses, or with speed.--_adv._ with posthorses: with speed.--_ns._ POST'AGE, the act of going by post: journey: money paid for conveyance of letters, &c., by post or mail; POST'AGE-STAMP, an adhesive stamp for affixing to letters to show that the postal charge has been paid.--_adj._ POST'AL, of or pertaining to the mail-service.--_ns._ POST'-BAG, a mail-bag; POST'-BILL, a way-bill of the letters sent from a post-office; POST'BOY, a boy that rides posthorses, or who carries letters; POST'-CARD, a stamped card on which a message may be sent by post; POST'-CHAISE, POST'-CHAR'IOT, a chaise or carriage with four wheels let for hire for the conveyance of those who travel with posthorses.--_v.i._ POST'-CHAISE, to travel by post-chaise.--_ns._ POST'-DAY, the day on which the post or mail arrives or departs; POST'ER, one who travels by post: (_Shak._) a courier: one who travels expeditiously: a posthorse.--_adj._ POST'-FREE, delivered by the post without payment.--_n._ POSTHASTE', haste in travelling like that of a post.--_adj._ speedy: immediate.--_adv._ with haste or speed.--_ns._ POST'-HORN, a postman's horn: a horn blown by the driver of a mail-coach; POST'HORSE, a horse kept for posting; POST'HOUSE, a house where horses are kept for the use of parties posting: a post-office; POST'MAN, a post or courier: a letter-carrier; POST'MARK, the mark or stamp put upon a letter at a post-office showing the time and place of reception and delivery; POST'MASTER, the manager or superintendent of a post-office: one who supplies posthorses: at Merton College, Oxford, a scholar who is supported on the foundation; POST'MASTER-GEN'ERAL, the minister who is the chief officer of the post-office department; POST'-OFF'ICE, an office for receiving and transmitting letters by post: a department of the government which has charge of the reception and conveyance of letters.--_adj._ POST'-PAID, having the postage paid, as a letter.--_ns._ POST'-TIME, the time for the despatch or for the delivery of letters; POST'-TOWN, a town with a post-office.--POSTAL NOTE, a note for a fixed designated sum issued by a postmaster, payable at any office; POSTAL ORDER, an order issued by the postmaster authorising the holder to receive at some particular post-office payment of the sum marked on it. [Fr. _poste_--L. _pon[)e]re_, _positum_, to place.]
POST, p[=o]st, _adv._ and _prep._ after, behind--in compounds as _Post-abdominal_, _Post-anal_, _Post-axia_l, _Post-brachial_, _Post-canonical_, _Post-clavicle_, _Post-embryonic_, &c.--_adj._ POST'-CLASS'ICAL, after those Greek and Latin writers styled classical, but before the medieval.--_n._ POST'-COMMUN'ION, the part of the eucharistic office after the act of communion.--_adj._ succeeding communion.--_v.t._ POSTDATE', to date after the real time.--_n._ a date on a letter later than the real date on which it was written.--_adjs._ POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAL, POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAN, being or happening after the deluge.--_ns._ POST'-DIL[=U]'VIAN, one who has lived since the deluge; POST'-EN'TRY, an additional entry of merchandise at a custom-house.--_adjs._ POST'-EXIL'IC, POST'-EXIL'IAN, after the time of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews.--_ns._ POST'-EXIST'ENCE, future existence; POST'FIX, a letter, syllable, or word fixed to or put after another word, an affix.--_v.t._ POSTFIX', to add to the end of another word.--_adjs._ POST'-GL[=A]'CIAL, after the glacial epoch; POST'-GRAD'UATE, belonging to study pursued after graduation; POST'-MERID'IAN, coming after the sun has crossed the meridian: in the afternoon (written P.M.).--_n._ POST'-MILLEN[=A]'RIAN, one who believes in post-millennialism.--_adj._ POST'-MILLENN'IAL.--_n._ POST'-MILLENN'IALISM, the doctrine that the second coming of Christ will follow the millennium.--_adj._ POST'-MOR'TEM, after death.--_n._ a post-mortem examination.--_adjs._ POST'-N[=A]'TAL, after birth; POST'-N[=I]'CENE, after the first general council at _Nicaea_ in 325 A.D.--_n._ POST'-NOTE, a note issued by a bank, payable at some future time.--_adj._ POST'-NUP'TIAL, being or happening after marriage.--_ns._ POST'-[=O]'BIT, a bond or security given by heirs and others entitled to reversionary interests, whereby in consideration of a sum of money presently advanced, the debtor binds himself to pay a much larger sum after the death of some person, or of himself; POST'-POSI'TION, the state of being put back or out of the regular place: (_gram._) a word or particle placed after a word--opp. to a preposition, which is _placed before_.--_adjs._ POST'-POS'ITIVE; POST'-REMOTE', more remote in subsequent time or order; POST'-TER'TIARY, more recent than the Tertiary.--_n._ the most recent geological division. [L.]
POST-CAPTAIN, p[=o]st'-kap't[=a]n, _n._ a captain in the British navy, so called in contradistinction to a commander because his name was 'posted' in the seniority list.
POSTE RESTANTE, p[=o]st res-tant', _n._ a place in a post-office where letters are kept till called for. [Fr. _poste_, post-office, and pr.p. of _rester_, to remain.]
POSTERIOR, pos-t[=e]'ri-or, _adj._ coming after: later in time or in position: situated behind: hinder.--_n._ POSTERIOR'ITY, state of being posterior--opp. to _Priority_.--_adv._ POST[=E]'RIORLY.--_n.pl._ POST[=E]'RIORS, short for posterior parts: (_hum._) the latter part, buttock.--_n._ POSTER'ITY, those coming after: succeeding generations: descendants: a race. [L., comp. of _posterus_, coming after--_post_, after.]
POSTERN, p[=o]st'[.e]rn, _n._ a back door or gate: a small private door: (_fort._) a covered passage between the main ditch and the outworks of a fort, usually closed by a gate.--_adj._ back: private. [O. Fr. _posterne_, _posterle_--L. _posterula_, a dim. from _posterus_.]
POSTHUMOUS, post'[=u]-mus, _adj._ born after the father's death: published after the death of the author.--_adv._ POST'HUMOUSLY. [L. _posthumus_, postumus, superl. of _posterus_, coming after--_post_, after.]
POSTICHE, pos-t[=e]sh', _adj._ added after the work is finished. [Fr.]
POSTIL, pos'til, _n._ a note in the margin of the Bible, so called because written after the text or other words: a marginal note: (_R.C._) a homily read after the gospel.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to make such notes.--_n._ POSTIL'LA, a sermon or homily explanatory of the gospel in the mass: any sermon.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ POS'TILLATE, to write or deliver a postil.--_ns._ POSTILL[=A]'TION; POS'TILLER, one who comments: a preacher.
[O. Fr. _postille_ (It. _postilla_)--Low L. _postilla_--L. _post illa_ (_verba_), after those (words).]
POSTILLION, p[=o]s-til'yun, _n._ a postboy: one who guides posthorses, or horses in any carriage, riding on one of them. [Fr. _postillon_.]
POSTLIMINY, post-lim'i-ni, _n._ the right by which persons or things taken in war by the enemy are restored to their former status upon their coming again under the power of the nation to which they belonged: the return of a prisoner, exile, &c. to his former status.--_adjs._ POSTLIM'INARY, POSTLIMIN'IARY. [L. _postliminium_.]
POSTPONE, p[=o]st-p[=o]n', _v.t._ to put off to a future time: to defer: to delay: to subordinate.--_n._ POSTPONE'MENT, act of putting off to an after-time: temporary delay--also POSTP[=O]'NENCE (_obs._). [L.
_postpon[)e]re_, _-positum_--_post_, after, _pon[)e]re_, to put.]
POST-PRANDIAL, p[=o]st-pran'di-al, _adj._ after dinner. [L. _post_, after, _prandium_, a repast.]
POSTSCRIPT, p[=o]st'skript, _n._ a part added to a letter after the signature: an addition to a book after it is finished.--_adj._ POST'SCRIPTAL. [L., from _post_, after, _scriptum_, written, pa.p. of _scrib[)e]re_, to write.]
POSTULATE, pos't[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to assume without proof: to take for granted or without positive consent: (_eccles._) to ask legitimate authority to admit a nominee by dispensation, when a canonical impediment is supposed to exist.--_v.i._ to make demands.--_n._ a position assumed as self-evident: (_geom._) a self-evident problem: a petition: a condition for the accomplishment of anything.--_ns._ POS'TULANT, a candidate; POSTUL[=A]'TION, the act of postulating: solicitation.--_adjs._ POS'TUL[=A]TORY, supplicatory: assuming or assumed without proof as a postulate; POS'TURAL. [L. _postul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to demand--_posc[)e]re_, to ask urgently.]
POSTURE, pos't[=u]r, _n._ the placing or position of the body, esp. of the parts of it with reference to each other: attitude: state or condition: disposition of mind.--_v.t._ to place in a particular manner.--_v.i._ to assume an affected manner.--_ns._ POS'TURE-M[=A]'KER, POS'TURE-MAS'TER, one who teaches or practises artificial postures of the body: an acrobat; POS'TURER, POS'TURIST, an acrobat. [Fr.,--L. _positura_--_pon[)e]re_, _positum_, to place.]
POSY, p[=o]'zi, _n._ a verse of poetry, esp. a motto or an inscription on a ring: a motto sent with a bouquet: a bouquet. [_Poesy._]
POT, pot, _n._ a metallic vessel for various purposes, esp. for cooking: a drinking vessel: an earthen vessel for plants: the quantity in a pot: (_slang_) a large sum of money, a prize.--_v.t._ to preserve in pots: to put in pots: to cook in a pot: to plant in a pot: to drain, as sugar, in a perforated cask: to shoot an enemy.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to tipple:--_pr.p._ pot'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ pot'ted.--_n._ POT'-ALE, refuse from a grain distillery.--_adj._ POT'-BELL'IED, having a prominent belly.--_ns._ POT'-BELL'Y, a protuberant belly; POT'-BOIL'ER, a work in art or literature produced merely to secure the necessaries of life; POT'-BOY, a boy in a public-house who carries pots of ale to customers; POT'-COMPAN'ION, a comrade in drinking; POT'-HANG'ER, a hook on which to hang a pot; POT'-HAT, a high-crowned felt hat, worn by men; POT'-HEAD, a stupid person; POT'HERB, any vegetable which is boiled and used as food.--_n.pl._ POT'-HOLES, holes in the beds of rapid streams, made by an eddying current of water, which gives the stones a gyratory motion.--_ns._ POT'-HOOK, a hook hung in a chimney for supporting a pot: a letter shaped like a pot-hook; POT'-HOUSE, an ale-house; POT'-HUNT'ER, one who hunts or fishes for profit; POT'-LID, the cover of a pot; POT'-LIQ'UOR, a thin broth in which meat has been boiled; POT'-LUCK, what may happen to be in the pot for a meal without special preparation; POT'-MAN, a pot-companion: a pot-boy; POT'-MET'AL, an alloy of copper and lead; POT'-SHOP, a small public-house; POT'-STICK, a stick for stirring what is being cooked in a pot; POT'STONE, a massive variety of talc-schist, composed of a finely felted aggregate of talc, mica, and chlorite.--_adj._ POT'-VAL'IANT, brave owing to drink.--POTTED MEATS, meats cooked, seasoned, and hermetically sealed in tins or jars.--GO TO POT, to go to ruin, originally said of old metal, to go into the melting-pot; KEEP THE POT BOILING, to procure the necessaries of life; TAKE POT-LUCK, to accept an invitation to a meal where no preparation for guests has been made. [M. E. _pot_, from the Celt., as Ir. _pota_, Gael. _poit_, W. _pot._]
POTABLE, p[=o]'ta-bl, _adj._ that may be drunk: liquid.--_n._ something drinkable.--_n._ P[=O]'TABLENESS. [Fr.,--L. _potabilis_--_p[=o]t[=a]re_, to drink.]
POTAMOLOGY, pot-a-mol'[=o]-ji, _n._ the scientific study of rivers.--_n._ POTAMOG'RAPHY.--_adj._ POTAMOLOG'ICAL.
POTASH, pot'ash, _n._ a powerful alkali, obtained from the ashes of plants--also POTASS'.--_n._ POT'ASH-WA'TER, a kind of aerated water, which, when of full medicinal strength, contains fifteen grains of the bicarbonate of potash in each bottle--usually much less is put in. [_Pot ashes._]
POTASSA, p[=o]-tas'a, _n._ [Latinised form of _potash_.]
POTASSIUM, p[=o]-tas'i-um, _n._ the metallic base of the alkali potash--it is of a bluish colour, and presents a strong metallic lustre. [_Potassa._]
POTATION, p[=o]-t[=a]'shun, _n._ act of drinking: a draught: the liquor drunk.--_n._ POT[=A]'TOR, a drinker.--_adj._ P[=O]'T[=A]TORY. [L.
_potatio_--_p[=o]t[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to drink.]