Pythagorean adjective [ Latin Pythagoreus , Greek ....] Of or pertaining to Pythagoras (a Greek philosopher, born about 582 b. c. ), or his philosophy.

The central thought of the Pythagorean philosophy is the idea of number, the recognition of the numerical and mathematical relations of things.

Encyc. Brit.

Pythagorean proposition (Geom.) , the theorem that the square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the other two sides. -- Pythagorean system (Astron.) , the commonly received system of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the Copernican system . -- Pythagorean letter . See Y.

Pythagorean noun A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.

Pythagoreanism noun The doctrines of Pythagoras or the Pythagoreans.

As a philosophic school Pythagoreanism became extinct in Greece about the middle of the 4th century [ B. C. ].

Encyc. Brit.

Pythagoric, Pythagorical adjective [ Latin Pythagoricus , Greek ...: confer French pythagorique .] See Pythagorean , adjective

Pythagorism noun [ Greek ....] The doctrines taught by Pythagoras.

» Pythagoras made numbers the basis of his philosophical system, as well physical as metaphysical. The doctrine of the transmigration of souls (metempsychosis) is associated closely with name of Pythagoras.

Pythagorize intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Pythagorized ; present participle & verbal noun Pythagorizing .] [ Greek ....] To speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.

Pythiad noun [ See Pythian .] (Gr. Antiq.) The period intervening between one celebration of the Pythian games and the next.

Pythian adjective [ Latin Pythius , Greek ... belonging to Pytho, the older name of Delphi and its environs: confer French pythien .] Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi.

Pythian games (Gr. Antiq.) , one of the four great national festivals of ancient Greece, celebrated near Delphi, in honor of Apollo, the conqueror of the dragon Python, at first once in eight years, afterward once in four.

Pythocenic adjective [ Greek ... to rot + ... origin.] Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be accompanied or caused by decomposition.

Python noun [ New Latin , from Latin Python the serpent slain near Delphi by Apollo, Greek ....]
1. (Zoology) Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python , and allied genera, of the family Pythonidæ . They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake .

» The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.

2. A diviner by spirits. "[ Manasses] observed omens, and appointed pythons ." 4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version).

Pythoness noun [ Latin pythonissa : confer French pythonisse . See Pythian .]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) The priestess who gave oracular answers at Delphi in Greece.

2. Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort of witch. Bp. Hall.

Pythonic adjective [ Latin pythonicus , Greek .... See Pythian .] Prophetic; oracular; pretending to foretell events.

Pythonism noun The art of predicting events after the manner of the priestess of Apollo at Delphi; equivocal prophesying.

Pythonist noun A conjurer; a diviner.

Pythonomorpha noun plural [ New Latin See Python , and -morphous .] (Paleon.) Same as Mosasauria .

Pyuria noun [ New Latin , from Greek ... pus + ... urine.] (Medicine) A morbid condition in which pus is discharged in the urine.

Pyx noun [ Latin pyxis a box, Greek pyxi`s a box, especially of boxwood, from py`xos the box tree or boxwood. See Box a receptacle.] [ Written also pix .]
1. (R. C. Ch.) The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved.

2. A box used in the British mint as a place of deposit for certain sample coins taken for a trial of the weight and fineness of metal before it is sent from the mint. Mushet.

3. (Nautical) The box in which the compass is suspended; the binnacle. Weale.

4. (Anat.) Same as Pyxis .

Pyx cloth (R. C. Ch.) , a veil of silk or lace covering the pyx. -- Trial of the pyx , the annual testing, in the English mint, of the standard of gold and silver coins. Encyc. Brit.

Pyx transitive verb To test as to weight and fineness, as the coins deposited in the pyx. [ Eng.] Mushet.

Pyxidate adjective Having a pyxidium.

Pyxidium noun ; plural Pyxidia . [ New Latin , from Greek ..., dim. a ... a box. See Pyx .] (Botany) (a) A pod which divides circularly into an upper and lower half, of which the former acts as a kind of lid, as in the pimpernel and purslane. (b) The theca of mosses.

Pyxie (pĭks"ĭ) noun (Botany) Same as Pixy .

Pyxis noun [ Latin ]
1. A box; a pyx.

2. (Botany) A pyxidium.

3. (Anat.) The acetabulum. See Acetabulum , 2.