Cuckoldly Cuck"old·ly adjective Having the qualities of a cuckold; mean-spirited; sneaking. Shak.

Cuckoldom Cuck"ol·dom noun The state of a cuckold; cuckolds, collectively. Addison.

Cuckoldry Cuck"old·ry noun The state of being a cuckold; the practice of making cuckolds.

Cuckoo Cuck"oo noun [ Middle English coccou , cukkow , F. coucou , probably of imitative origin; confer Latin cuculus , Greek ............, Sanskrit k...ki...a , German kuckuk , Dutch koekoek .] (Zoology) A bird belonging to Cuculus , Coccyzus , and several allied genera, of many species.

» The European cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ) builds no nest of its own, but lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, to be hatched by them. The American yellow-billed cuckoo ( Coccyzus Americanus ) and the black-billed cuckoo ( C. erythrophthalmus ) build their own nests.

Cuckoo bee (Zool.) , a bee, parasitic in the larval stage in the nests of other bees, feeding either upon their food or larvae. They belong to the genera Nomada , Melecta , Epeolus , and others. - - Cuckoo clock , a clock so constructed that at the time for striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the cuckoo. -- Cuckoo dove (Zoology) , a long-tailed pigeon of the genus Macropygia . Many species inhabit the East Indies. -- Cuckoo fish (Zoology) , the European red gurnard ( Trigla cuculus ). The name probably alludes to the sound that it utters. -- Cuckoo falcon (Zoology) , any falcon of the genus Baza . The genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies. -- Cuckoo maid (Zoology) , the wryneck; -- called also cuckoo mate . -- Cuckoo ray (Zoology) , a British ray ( Raia miraletus ). -- Cuckoo spit , or Cuckoo spittle . (a) A frothy secretion found upon plants, exuded by the larvae of certain insects, for concealment; -- called also toad spittle and frog spit . (b) (Zoology) A small hemipterous insect, the larva of which, living on grass and the leaves of plants, exudes this secretion. The insects belong to Aphrophora , Helochara , and allied genera. -- Ground cuckoo , the chaparral cock.

Cuckoobud Cuck"oo·bud" noun (Botany) A species of Ranunculus ( R. bulbosus ); -- called also butterflower , buttercup , kingcup , goldcup . Shak.

Cuckooflower Cuck"oo·flow`er noun (Botany) A species of Cardamine ( C. pratensis ), or lady's smock. Its leaves are used in salads. Also, the ragged robin ( Lychnis Flos-cuculi ).

Cuckoopint Cuck"oo·pint` noun (Botany) A plant of the genus Arum ( A. maculatum ); the European wake-robin.

Cucquean Cuc"quean` noun [ Cucko ld + quean .] A woman whose husband is unfaithful to her. [ Obsolete]

Cucujo Cu·cu"jo noun [ Native name.] (Zoology) The fire beetle of Mexico and the West Indies.

Cucullate Cu"cul·late (k?"k?l-l?t or k?-k?l"l?t), Cu"cul*la`ted (-l?`t?d or -l?-t?d) adjective [ Late Latin cullatus , from Latin cucullus a cap, hood. See Cowl a hood.] 1. Hooded; cowled; covered, as with a hood. Sir T. Browne.

2. (Botany) Having the edges toward the base rolled inward, as the leaf of the commonest American blue violet.

3. (Zoology) (a) Having the prothorax elevated so as to form a sort of hood, receiving the head, as in certain insects. (b) Having a hoodlike crest on the head, as certain birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Cucullus Cu·cul"lus noun ; plural Cuculli . [ Latin , a hood.] 1. (Botany) A hood-shaped organ, resembling a cowl or monk's hood, as certain concave and arched sepals or petals.

2. (Zoology) A color marking or structure on the head somewhat resembling a hood.

Cuculoid Cu"cu·loid adjective [ Latin cuculus a cuckoo + -oid .] (Zoology) Like or belonging to the cuckoos ( Cuculidæ ).

Cucumber Cu"cum·ber noun [ Middle English cucumer , cocumber , cucumber , from Latin cucmis , gen. cucumeris ; confer Old French cocombre ,F. concombre .] (Botany) A creeping plant, and its fruit, of several species of the genus Cucumis , esp. Cucumis sativus , the unripe fruit of which is eaten either fresh or picked. Also, similar plants or fruits of several other genera. See below.

Bitter cucumber (Botany) , the Citrullus or Cucumis Colocynthis . See Colocynth . -- Cucumber beetle. (Zoology) (a) A small, black flea- beetle ( Crepidodera cucumeris ), which destroys the leaves of cucumber, squash, and melon vines. (b) The squash beetle. -- Cucumber tree . (a) A large ornamental or shade tree of the genus Magnolia (M. acuminata) , so called from a slight resemblance of its young fruit to a small cucumber. (b) An East Indian plant ( Averrhoa Bilimbi ) which produces the fruit known as bilimbi. -- Jamaica cucumber , Jerusalem cucumber , the prickly-fruited gherkin ( Cucumis Anguria ). -- Snake cucumber , a species ( Cucumis flexuosus ) remarkable for its long, curiously-shaped fruit. -- Squirting cucumber , a plant ( Ecbalium Elaterium ) whose small oval fruit separates from the footstalk when ripe and expels its seeds and juice with considerable force through the opening thus made. See Elaterium . -- Star cucumber , a climbing weed ( Sicyos angulatus ) with prickly fruit.

Cucumiform Cu·cu"mi·form adjective [ Latin cucumis cucumber + -form .] Having the form of a cucumber; having the form of a cylinder tapered and rounded at the ends, and either straight or curved.

Cucumis Cu"cu·mis noun [ Latin , cucumber.] (Botany) A genus of plants including the cucumber, melon, and same kinds of gourds.

Cucurbit, Cucurbite Cu·cur"bit, Cu·cur"bite (ku*kûr"bĭt) noun [ Latin cucurbita a gourd: confer French cucurbite . See Gourd .] (Chemistry) A vessel or flask for distillation, used with, or forming part of, an alembic; a matrass; -- originally in the shape of a gourd, with a wide mouth. See Alembic .

Cucurbitaceous Cu·cur`bi·ta"ceous (-bĭ*tā"shŭs) adjective [ Confer French cucurbitacé .] (Botany) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a family of plants of which the cucumber, melon, and gourd are common examples.

Cucurbitive Cu·cur"bi·tive adjective Having the shape of a gourd seed; -- said of certain small worms.

Cud Cud (kŭd) noun [ Anglo-Saxon cudu , cwudu , cwidu , cweodo , of uncertain origin; cf, German köder bait, Icelandic kviðr womb, Goth. qiþus . Confer Quid .] 1. That portion of food which is brought up into the mouth by ruminating animals from their first stomach, to be chewed a second time.

Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud , among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
Levit. xi. 3

2. A portion of tobacco held in the mouth and chewed; a quid. [ Low]

3. The first stomach of ruminating beasts. Crabb.

To chew the cud , to ruminate; to meditate; used with of ; as, to chew the cud of bitter memories.

Chewed the thrice turned cud of wrath.
Tennyson.

Cudbear Cud"bear` noun [ Also cudbeard , corrupted from the name of Dr. Cuthbert Gordon, a Scotchman, who first brought it into notice.] 1. A powder of a violet red color, difficult to moisten with water, used for making violet or purple dye. It is prepared from certain species of lichen, especially Lecanora tartarea . Ure.

2. (Botany) A lichen ( Lecanora tartarea ), from which the powder is obtained.

Cudden Cud"den noun [ For sense 1, confer Scot. cuddy an ass; for sense 2, see 3d Cuddy .] 1. A clown; a low rustic; a dolt. [ Obsolete]

The slavering cudden , propped upon his staff.
Dryden.

2. (Zoology) The coalfish. See 3d Cuddy .

Cuddle Cud"dle (kŭd"d'l) intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Cuddled (-d'ld); present participle & verbal noun Cuddling (- dlĭng).] [ Prob. for couthle , from couth known; confer Middle English kuþþen to cuddle, or cuðlechen to make friends with. See Couth , Uncouth , Can .] To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.

She cuddles low beneath the brake;
Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly.
Prior.

Cuddle Cud"dle transitive verb To embrace closely; to fondle. Forby.

Cuddle Cud"dle noun A close embrace.

Cuddy Cud"dy noun [ See Cudden . ] 1. An ass; esp., one driven by a huckster or greengrocer. [ Scot.]

2. Hence: A blockhead; a lout. Hood.

3. (Mech.) A lever mounted on a tripod for lifting stones, leveling up railroad ties, etc. Knight.

Cuddy Cud"dy noun [ Prob. a contraction from Dutch kajuit cabin: confer French cahute hut.] (Nautical) A small cabin: also, the galley or kitchen of a vessel.

Cuddy Cud"dy noun [ Scot.; confer Gael. cudaig , cudainn , or English cuttlefish , or cod , codfish .] (Zoöl) The coalfish ( Pollachius carbonarius ). [ Written also cudden .]

Cudgel Cudg"el noun [ Middle English kuggel ; confer German keule club (with a round end), kugel ball, or perhaps W. cogyl cudgel, or Dutch cudse , kuds , cudgel.] A staff used in cudgel play, shorter than the quarterstaff, and wielded with one hand; hence, any heavy stick used as a weapon.

He getteth him a grievous crabtree cudgel and . . . falls to rating of them as if they were dogs.
Bunyan.

Cudgel play , a fight or sportive contest with cudgels. -- To cross the cudgels , to forbear or give up the contest; -- a phrase borrowed from the practice of cudgel players, who lay one cudgel over another when the contest is ended. -- To take up cudgels for , to engage in a contest in behalf of (some one or something).

Cudgel Cudg"el transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Cudgeled or Cudgelled (-...ld); present participle & verbal noun Cudgeling or cudgelling .] To beat with a cudgel.

An he here, I would cudgel him like a dog.
Shak.

To cudgel one's brains , to exercise one's wits.

Cudgeler Cudg"el·er noun One who beats with a cudgel. [ Written also cudgeller .]

Cudweed Cud"weed` noun [ Apparently from cud + weed , but perhaps a corruption of cottonweed ; or of cut weed , so called from its use as an application to cuts and chafings.] (Botany) A small composite plant with cottony or silky stem and leaves, primarily a species of Gnaphalium , but the name is now given to many plants of different genera, as Filago , Antennaria , etc.; cottonweed.

Cue Cue (kū) noun [ Old French coue , coe , French queue , from Latin coda , cauda , tail. Confer Caudal , Coward , Queue .] 1. The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.

2. The last words of a play actor's speech, serving as an intimation for the next succeeding player to speak; any word or words which serve to remind a player to speak or to do something; a catchword.

When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.
Shak.

3. A hint or intimation.

Give them [ the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house.
Swift.

4. The part one has to perform in, or as in, a play.

Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter.
Shak.

5. Humor; temper of mind. [ Colloq.] Dickens.

6. A straight tapering rod used to impel the balls in playing billiards.

Cue Cue transitive verb To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.

Cue Cue noun [ From q , an abbreviation for quadrans a farthing.] A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing. [ Obsolete]

» The term was formerly current in the English universities, the letter q being the mark in the buttery books to denote such a portion. Nares.

Hast thou worn
Gowns in the university, tossed logic,
Sucked philosophy, eat cues ?
Old Play.

Cuerpo Cuer"po (kwẽr"po) noun [ Spanish cuerpo , from Latin corpus body. See Corpse .] The body.

In cuerpo , without full dress, so that the shape of the Body is exposed; hence, naked or uncovered.

Exposed in cuerpo to their rage.
Hudibras.

Cuesta Cues"ta noun [ Spanish ] A sloping plain, esp. one with the upper end at the crest of a cliff; a hill or ridge with one face steep and the opposite face gently sloping. [ Southwestern U. S.]

Cuff Cuff transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Cuffed (k...ft); present participle & verbal noun Cuffing .] [ Confer Swedish kuffa to knock, push, kufva to check, subdue, and English cow , transitive verb ] 1. To strike; esp., to smite with the palm or flat of the hand; to slap.

I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again.
Shak.

They with their quills did all the hurt they could,
And cuffed the tender chickens from their food.
Dryden.

2. To buffet. " Cuffed by the gale." Tennyson.

Cuff Cuff intransitive verb To fight; to scuffle; to box.

While the peers cuff to make the rabble sport.
Dryden.

Cuff Cuff noun A blow; esp.,, a blow with the open hand; a box; a slap.

Snatcheth his sword, and fiercely to him flies;
Who well it wards, and quitten cuff with cuff .
Spenser.

Many a bitter kick and cuff .
Hudibras.

Cuff Cuff noun [ Perh. from French coiffe headdress, hood, or coif; as if the cuff were a cap for the hand. Confer Coif .]

1. The fold at the end of a sleeve; the part of a sleeve turned back from the hand.

He would visit his mistress in a morning gown, band, short cuffs , and a peaked beard.
Arbuthnot.

2. Any ornamental appendage at the wrist, whether attached to the sleeve of the garment or separate; especially, in modern times, such an appendage of starched linen, or a substitute for it of paper, or the like.

Cuffy Cuf"fy (k...f`f...) noun A name for a negro. [ Slang]

Cufic Cu"fic adjective [ So called from the town of Cufa , in the province of Bagdad.] Of or pertaining to the older characters of the Arabic language. [ Written also Kufic .]

Cui bono Cui` bo"no [ Latin ] Lit., for whose benefit; incorrectly understood, it came to be used in the sense, of what good or use; and hence, (what) purpose; object; specif., the ultimate object of life.

Cuinage Cuin"age noun [ Corrupted from coinage .] The stamping of pigs of tin, by the proper officer, with the arms of the duchy of Cornwall.

Cuir bouilli Cuir" bou`illi" [ French] In decorative art, boiled leather, fitted by the process to receive impressed patterns, like those produced by chasing metal, and to retain the impression permanently.

Cuirass Cui·rass" (kwe*rȧs", or kwē"răs; 277) noun ; plural Cuirasses (-ĕz). [ French cuirasse , orig., a breastplate of leather, for Old French cuirée , cuirie influenced by Italian corazza , or Spanish coraza , from an assumed Late Latin coriacea , from Latin coriaceus , adj., of leather, from corium leather, hide; akin to Greek cho`rion intestinal membrane, OSlav. skora hide, Lithuanian skura hide, leather. Confer Coriaceous .] 1. (a) A piece of defensive armor, covering the body from the neck to the girdle . (b) The breastplate taken by itself.

» The cuirass covered the body before and behind. It consisted of two parts, a breast- and backpiece of iron fastened together by means of straps and buckles or other like contrivances. It was originally, as the name imports, made of leather, but afterward of metal. Grose.

2. (Zoöl) An armor of bony plates, somewhat resembling a cuirass.

Cuirassed Cui·rassed" (kwe*rȧst" or kwē"răst) adjective 1. Wearing a cuirass.

2. (Zoöl) Having a covering of bony plates, resembling a cuirass; -- said of certain fishes.

Cuirassier Cui`ras·sier" noun [ French cuirassier . See Curass .] A soldier armed with a cuirass. Milton.

Cuirassier Cui`ras·sier" noun (Mil.) In modern armies, a soldier of the heaviest cavalry, wearing a cuirass only when in full dress.

Cuish Cuish noun [ French cuisse thigh, from Latin coxa hip: confer French cuissard , OF, cuissot , armor for the thigh, cuish. Confer Hough .] Defensive armor for the thighs. [ Written also cuisse , and quish.]

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