Persant Per"sant adjective [ French perçant , present participle of percer to pierce.] Piercing. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Perscrutation Per`scru·ta"tion noun [ Latin perscrutatio , from perscrutari to search through.] A thorough searching; a minute inquiry or scrutiny. Carlyle

Persecot Per"se·cot noun See Persicot .

Persecute Per"se·cute transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Persecuted ; present participle & verbal noun Persecuting .] [ French persécueter , Latin persequi , persecutus , to pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per- , and Second .] 1. To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship.

Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

Matt. v. 44.

2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy. Johnson.

Syn. -- To oppress; harass; distress; worry; annoy.

Persecution Per`se·cu"tion noun [ French persécution , Latin persecutio .] 1. The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.

Persecution produces no sincere conviction.

Paley.

2. The state or condition of being persecuted. Locke.

3. A carrying on; prosecution. [ Obsolete]

Persecutor Per"se·cu`tor noun [ Latin : confer French persécuteur .] One who persecutes, or harasses. Shak.

Persecutrix Per"se·cu`trix noun [ Latin ] A woman who persecutes.

Perseid Per"se·id noun (Astron.) One of a group of shooting stars which appear yearly about the 10th of August, and cross the heavens in paths apparently radiating from the constellation Perseus . They are beleived to be fragments once connected with a comet visible in 1862.

Perseid Per"se·id noun [ From Perseus .] (Astron.) One of a group of shooting stars appearing annually about the 10th of August. They are probably fragments of Swift's comet 1862 (III).

Perseus Per"se·us noun [ Latin , from Greek ....] 1. (Class. Myth.) A Grecian legendary hero, son of Jupiter and Danaë, who slew the Gorgon Medusa.

2. (Astron.) A consellation of the northern hemisphere, near Taurus and Cassiopea. It contains a star cluster visible to the naked eye as a nebula.

Persever Per·sev"er intransitive verb To persevere. [ Obsolete]

Perseverance Per`se·ver"ance noun [ French persévérance , Latin perseverantia .] 1. The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. "The king-becoming graces . . . perseverance , mercy, lowliness." Shak.

Whose constant perseverance overcame
Whate'er his cruel malice could invent.

Milton.

2. Discrimination. [ Obsolete] Sir J. Harrington.

3. (Theol.) Continuance in a state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory; sometimes called final perseverance , and the perseverance of the saints . See Calvinism .

Syn. -- Persistence; steadfastness; constancy; steadiness; pertinacity.

Perseverant Per`se·ver"ant adjective [ Latin perseverans , -antis , present participle: confer French persévérant .] Persevering. [ R.] " Perseverant faith." Whitby. -- Per`se*ver"ant*ly , adverb [ R.]

Persevere Per`se·vere" intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Persevered ; present participle & verbal noun Persevering .] [ French persévérer , Latin perseverare , from perseverus very strict; per + severus strict, severe. See Per- , and Severe .] To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken.

Thrice happy, if they know
Their happiness, and persevere upright.

Milton.

Syn. -- To Persevere , Continue , Persist . The idea of not laying aside is common to these words. Continue is the generic term, denoting simply to do as one has done hitherto. To persevere is to continue in a given course in spite of discouragements, etc., from a desire to obtain our end. To persist is to continue from a determination of will not to give up. Persist is frequently used in a bad sense, implying obstinacy in pursuing an unworthy aim.

Persevering Per`se·ver"ing adjective Characterized by perseverance; persistent. -- Per`se*ver"ing*ly , adverb

Persian Per"sian adjective [ From Persia : confer Italian Persiano . Confer Parsee , Peach , Persic .] Of or pertaining to Persia, to the Persians, or to their language.

Persian berry , the fruit of Rhamnus infectorius , a kind of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly from Trebizond. -- Persian cat . (Zoology) Same as Angora cat , under Angora . -- Persian columns (Architecture) , columns of which the shaft represents a Persian slave; -- called also Persians . See Atlantes . -- Persian drill (Mech.) , a drill which is turned by pushing a nut back and forth along a spirally grooved drill holder. -- Persian fire (Medicine) , malignant pustule. -- Persian powder . See Insect powder , under Insect . -- Persian red . See Indian red (a) , under Indian . -- Persian wheel , a noria; a tympanum. See Noria .

Persian Per"sian noun 1. A native or inhabitant of Persia.

2. The language spoken in Persia.

3. A thin silk fabric, used formerly for linings. Beck.

4. plural (Architecture) See Persian columns , under Persian , adjective

Persic Per"sic adjective [ Latin Persicus . Confer Persian .] Of or relating to Persia. -- noun The Persian language.

Persicaria Per`si·ca"ri·a noun [ New Latin , from Late Latin persicarius a peach tree. See Peach .] (Botany) See Lady's thumb .

Persico Per"si·co noun = Persicot .

Persicot Per"si·cot noun [ French See Peach .] A cordial made of the kernels of apricots, nectarines, etc., with refined spirit.

Persienne Per`si·enne" (pẽr`sĭ*ĕn"; - shĭ*ĕn"; F. pẽr`syĕn") noun [ French, fem. of presien Persian.] Properly, printed calico, whether Oriental or of fanciful design with flowers, etc., in Western work. Hence, as extended in English, material of a similar character.

Persiennes Per`si·ennes" (-ĕnz"; F. pẽr`syĕn") noun plural [ French] Window blinds having movable slats, similar to Venetian blinds.

Persiflage Per`si`flage" noun [ French, from persifler to quiz, from Latin per + siffler to whistle, hiss, Latin sibilare , sifilare .] Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light raillery. Hannah More.

Persifleur Per`si`fleur noun [ French] One who indulges in persiflage; a banterer; a quiz. Carlyle.

Persimmon Per·sim"mon noun [ Virginia Indian.] (Botany) An American tree ( Diospyros Virginiana ) and its fruit, found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and nutritious.

Japanese persimmon , Diospyros Kaki and its red or yellow edible fruit, which outwardly resembles a tomato, but contains a few large seeds.

Persis Per"sis noun [ Etymol. uncertain.] A kind of coloring matter obtained from lichens.

Persism Per"sism noun A Persian idiom.

Persism Per"sism noun Ancient Persian religion, esp. as represented by the Magi.

This system we shall call 'Persism' , in order to free ourselves of the popular associations still connected with such terms as magism, Parseeism, and so forth; meaning by 'Persism' the teaching of Zarathustra as it affected the Greek and Latin world.

E. Vernon Arnold.

Persist Per·sist" intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Persisted ; present participle & verbal noun Persisting .] [ Latin persistere ; per + sistere to stand or be fixed, from stare to stand: confer French persister . See Per- , and Stand .] To stand firm; to be fixed and unmoved; to stay; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; - - sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or obstinacy.

If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making reprisals.

Addison.

Some positive, persisting fops we know,
Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so.

Pope.

That face persists .
It floats up; it turns over in my mind.

Mrs. Browning.

Syn. -- See Persevere , and Insist .

Persistence, Persistency Per·sist"ence, Per·sist"en·cy noun [ See Persistent .] 1. The quality or state of being persistent; staying or continuing quality; hence, in an unfavorable sense, doggedness; obstinacy.

2. The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed ; as: (a) (Physics) The persistence of motion. (b) (Physiol.) Visual persistence , or persistence of the visual impression; auditory persistence , etc.

Persistent Per·sist"ent adjective [ Latin persistens , -entis , present participle of persistere . See Persist .] 1. Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose.

2. (Biol.) Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as, persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; -- opposed to deciduous , and caducous .

Persistently Per·sist"ent·ly adverb In a persistent manner.

Persisting Per·sist"ing adjective Inclined to persist; tenacious of purpose; persistent. -- Per*sist"ing*ly , adverb

Persistive Per·sist"ive adjective See Persistent . Shak.

Persolve Per·solve" transitive verb [ Latin persolvere .] To pay wholly, or fully. [ Obsolete] E. Hall.

Person Per"son noun [ Middle English persone , persoun , person , parson , Old French persone , French personne , Latin persona a mask (used by actors), a personage, part, a person, from personare to sound through; per + sonare to sound. See Per- , and confer Parson .] 1. A character or part, as in a play; a specific kind or manifestation of individual character, whether in real life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an assumed character. [ Archaic]

His first appearance upon the stage in his new person of a sycophant or juggler.

Bacon.

No man can long put on a person and act a part.

Jer. Taylor.

To bear rule, which was thy part
And person , hadst thou known thyself aright.

Milton.

How different is the same man from himself, as he sustains the person of a magistrate and that of a friend!

South.

2. The bodily form of a human being; body; outward appearance; as, of comely person .

A fair persone , and strong, and young of age.

Chaucer.

If it assume my noble father's person .

Shak.

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.

Milton.

3. A living, self-conscious being, as distinct from an animal or a thing; a moral agent; a human being; a man, woman, or child.

Consider what person stands for; which, I think, is a thinking, intelligent being, that has reason and reflection.

Locke.

4. A human being spoken of indefinitely; one; a man; as, any person present.

5. A parson; the parish priest. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

6. (Theol.) Among Trinitarians, one of the three subdivisions of the Godhead (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost); an hypostasis. "Three persons and one God." Bk. of Com. Prayer.

7. (Gram.) One of three relations or conditions (that of speaking, that of being spoken to, and that of being spoken of) pertaining to a noun or a pronoun, and thence also to the verb of which it may be the subject.

» A noun or pronoun, when representing the speaker, is said to be in the first person ; when representing what is spoken to, in the second person ; when representing what is spoken of, in the third person .

8. (Biol.) A shoot or bud of a plant; a polyp or zooid of the compound Hydrozoa Anthozoa, etc.; also, an individual, in the narrowest sense, among the higher animals. Haeckel.

True corms, composed of united personæ . . . usually arise by gemmation, . . . yet in sponges and corals occasionally by fusion of several originally distinct persons .

Encyc. Brit.

Artificial , or Fictitious , person (Law) , a corporation or body politic. blackstone. -- Natural person (Law) , a man, woman, or child, in distinction from a corporation. -- In person , by one's self; with bodily presence; not by representative. "The king himself in person is set forth." Shak. -- In the person of , in the place of; acting for. Shak.

Person Per"son transitive verb To represent as a person; to personify; to impersonate. [ Obsolete] Milton.

Persona Per·so"na noun ; plural Personæ . [ Latin ] (Biol.) Same as Person , noun , 8.

Personable Per"son·a·ble adjective 1. Having a well-formed body, or person; graceful; comely; of good appearance; presentable; as, a personable man or woman.

Wise, warlike, personable , courteous, and kind.

Spenser.

The king, . . . so visited with sickness, was not personable .

E. Hall.

2. (Law) (a) Enabled to maintain pleas in court. Cowell. (b) Having capacity to take anything granted.

Personage Per"son·age noun [ French personnage .] 1. Form, appearance, or belongings of a person; the external appearance, stature, figure, air, and the like, of a person. "In personage stately." Hayward.

The damsel well did view his personage .

Spenser.

2. Character assumed or represented. "The actors and personages of this fable." Broome. "Disguised in a false personage ." Addison.

3. A notable or distinguished person; a conspicious or peculiar character; as, an illustrious personage ; a comely personage of stature tall. Spenser.

Personal Per"son·al adjective [ Latin personalis : confer French personnel .] 1. Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.

Every man so termed by way of personal difference.

Hooker.

2. Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.

The words are conditional, -- If thou doest well, -- and so personal to Cain.

Locke.

3. Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms. Addison.

4. Done in person; without the intervention of another. " Personal communication." Fabyan.

The immediate and personal speaking of God.

White.

5. Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.

6. (Gram.) Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.

Personal action (Law) , a suit or action by which a man claims a debt or personal duty, or damages in lieu of it; or wherein he claims satisfaction in damages for an injury to his person or property, or the specific recovery of goods or chattels; -- opposed to real action . -- Personal equation . (Astron.) See under Equation . -- Personal estate or property (Law) , movables; chattels; -- opposed to real estate or property . It usually consists of things temporary and movable, including all subjects of property not of a freehold nature. -- Personal identity (Metaph.) , the persistent and continuous unity of the individual person, which is attested by consciousness. -- Personal pronoun (Gram.) , one of the pronouns I , thou , he , she , it , and their plurals. -- Personal representatives (Law) , the executors or administrators of a person deceased. -- Personal rights , rights appertaining to the person; as, the rights of a personal security, personal liberty, and private property. -- Personal tithes . See under Tithe . -- Personal verb (Gram.) , a verb which is modified or inflected to correspond with the three persons.

Personal Per"son·al noun (Law) A movable; a chattel.

Personalism Per"son·al·ism noun The quality or state of being personal; personality. [ R.]

Personality Per`son·al"i·ty noun ; plural Personalities . [ Confer French personnalité . Confer Personality .] 1. That which constitutes distinction of person; individuality.

Personality is individuality existing in itself, but with a nature as a ground.

Coleridge.

2. Something said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks; as, indulgence in personalities .

Sharp personalities were exchanged.

Macaulay.

3. (Law) That quality of a law which concerns the condition, state, and capacity of persons. Burrill.

Personalize Per"son·al·ize transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Personalized ; present participle & verbal noun Personalizing .] To make personal. "They personalize death." H. Spencer.

Personally Per"son·al·ly adverb 1. In a personal manner; by bodily presence; in person; not by representative or substitute; as, to deliver a letter personally .

He, being cited, personally came not.

Grafton.

2. With respect to an individual; as regards the person; individually; particularly.

She bore a mortal hatred to the house of Lancaster, and personally to the king.

Bacon.

3. With respect to one's individuality; as regards one's self; as, personally I have no feeling in the matter.

Personalty Per"son·al·ty noun 1. The state of being a person; personality. [ R.]

2. (Law) Personal property, as distinguished from realty or real property.

Personate Per"son·ate transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Personated ; present participle & verbal noun Personating .] [ Latin personare to cry out, Late Latin , to extol. See Person .] To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise. [ Obsolete]

In fable, hymn, or song so personating
Their gods ridiculous.

Milton.

Personate Per"son·ate transitive verb [ Latin personatus masked, assumed, fictitious, from persona a mask. See Person .] 1. To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious appearance; to act the part of; hence, to counterfeit; to feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated devotion. Hammond.

2. To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask. [ R.] "A personated mate." Milton.

3. To personify; to typify; to describe. Shak.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
You are here: Webster > Letter P > Page 61 of 206.
« Previous ¦53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 ¦ Next »