Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter P - Page 154
Pyroelectric (n.) (Physics) A substance which becomes electrically polar when heated, exhibiting opposite charges of statical electricity at two separate parts, especially the two extremities.
Pyroelectric (a.) Relating to or exhibiting pyroelectricity [syn: pyroelectric, pyroelectrical].
Pyroelectricity (n.) (Physics) Electricity developed by means of heat; the science which treats of electricity thus developed.
Pyroelectricity (n.) Generation of an electric charge on certain crystals (such as tourmaline) as a result of a change in temperature.
Pyrogallate (n.) (Chem.) A salt of pyrogallic acid; an ether of pyrogallol.
Pyrogallic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid called pyrogallol. See Pyrogallol.
Pyrogallic (a.) Of or relating to pyrogallol.
Pyrogallol (n.) (Chem.) A phenol metameric with phloroglucin, obtained by the distillation of gallic acid as a poisonous white crystalline substance having acid properties, and hence called also pyrogallic acid. It is a strong reducer, and is used as a developer in photography and in the production of certain dyes.
Pyrogallol (n.) A toxic white lustrous crystalline phenol used to treat certain skin diseases and as a photographic developer [syn: pyrogallol, pyrogallic acid].
Pyrogen (n.) Electricity. [R.]
Pyrogen (n.) (Physiol. Chem.) A poison separable from decomposed meat infusions, and supposed to be formed from albuminous matter through the agency of bacteria.
Pyrogen (n.) Any substance characterized by its great flammability.
Pyrogen (n.) Any substance that can cause a rise in body temperature [syn: pyrogen, pyrectic].
Pyrogenic (a.) (Physiol.) Producing heat; -- said of substances, as septic poisons, which elevate the temperature of the body and cause fever.
Pyrogenic (a.) Produced by or producing fever [syn: pyrogenic, pyrogenous, pyrogenetic].
Pyrogenic (a.) Produced under conditions involving intense heat; "igneous rock is rock formed by solidification from a molten state; especially from molten magma"; "igneous fusion is fusion by heat alone"; "pyrogenic strata" [syn: igneous, pyrogenic, pyrogenous].
Pyrogenous (a.) Produced by fire; igneous. -- Mantell.
Pyrogenous (a.) Produced by or producing fever [syn: pyrogenic, pyrogenous, pyrogenetic].
Pyrogenous (a.) Produced under conditions involving intense heat; "igneous rock is rock formed by solidification from a molten state; especially from molten magma"; "igneous fusion is fusion by heat alone"; "pyrogenic strata" [syn: igneous, pyrogenic, pyrogenous].
Pyrognostic (a.) (Min.) Of or pertaining to characters developed by the use of heat; pertaining to the characters of minerals when examined before the blowpipe; as, the pyrognostic characters of galena.
Pyrognostics (n. pl.) (Min.) The characters of a mineral observed by the use of the blowpipe, as the degree of fusibility, flame coloration, etc.
Pyrography (n.) A process of printing, ornamenting, or carving, by burning with heated instruments. One variant is wood burning.
Pyrography (n.) The act of producing drawings on wood or leather by using heated tools or a fine flame.
Pyrolator (n.) A fire worshiper. [R.] -- Southey.
Pyrolatry (n.) The worship of fire. -- Young. Pyroligneous
Pyrolatry (n.) The worship of fire [syn: pyrolatry, fire-worship].
Pyroligneous (a.) Alt. of Pyrolignic
Pyrolignic (a.) (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, the acid liquid obtained in the distillation of wood, consisting essentially of impure acetic acid.
Pyroligneous (a.) Of a substance produced by the effect of heat on wood, especially by destructive distillation [syn: pyroligneous, pyrolignic].
Pyrolignous (a.) Same as Pyroligneous.
Pyrolithic (a.) (Old Chem.) Same as Pyrouric, or Cyanuric.
Pyrologist (n.) One who is versed in, or makes a study of, pyrology.
Pyrology (n.) That branch of physical science which treats of the properties, phenomena, or effects of heat; also, a treatise on heat.
Pyrolusite (n.) (Min.) Manganese dioxide, a mineral of an iron-black or dark steel-gray color and metallic luster, usually soft. Pyrolusite parts with its oxygen at a red heat, and is extensively used in discharging the brown and green tints of glass (whence its name).
Pyromagnetic (a.) (Physics) Acting by the agency of heat and magnetism; as, a pyromagnetic machine for producing electric currents.
Pyromalate (n.) (Chem.) A salt of pyromalic acid. [Obs.]
Pyromalic (a.) (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called maleic acid.
Pyromancy (n.) Divination by means of fire.
Pyromancy (n.) Divination by fire or flames.
Pyromania (n.) An insane disposition to incendiarism.
Pyromania (n.) An uncontrollable desire to set fire to things.
Pyromantic (a.) Of or pertaining to pyromancy.
Pyromantic (n.) One who pretends to divine by fire. -- Sir T. Herbert.
Pyrometer (n.) (Physics) An instrument used for measuring the expansion of solid bodies by heat.
Pyrometer (n.) (Physics) An instrument for measuring degrees of heat above those indicated by the mercurial thermometer.
Note: It is usually constructed so as to register the change which the heat to be measured produces in the length of some expansible substance, as a metallic rod, or in the intensity of a thermo-electric current. Pyrometric
Pyrometer (n.) A thermometer designed to measure high temperatures.
Pyrometric (a.) Alt. of Pyrometrical.
Pyrometrical (a.) (Physics) Pertaining to, or obtained by, the pyrometer; as, pyrometrical instruments; pyrometrical measurements.
Pyrometry (n.) The art of measuring degrees of heat, or the expansion of bodies by heat.
Pyromorphite (n.) (Min.) Native lead phosphate with lead chloride, occurring in bright green and brown hexagonal crystals and also massive; -- so called because a fused globule crystallizes in cooling.
Pyromorphite (n.) A mineral consisting of lead chloride and phosphate; a minor source of lead [syn: pyromorphite, green lead ore].
Pyromorphous (a.) (Min.) Having the property of crystallizing by the agency of fire.
Pyromucate (n.) (Chem.) A salt of pyromucic acid.
Pyromucic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of mucic acid, or by the oxidation of furfurol.
Pyronomics (n.) The science of heat.
Pyrope (n.) (Min.) A variety of garnet, of a poppy or blood-red color, frequently with a tinge of orange. It is used as a gem. See the Note under Garnet.
Pyrope (n.) A deep red garnet used as a gemstone.
Pyrophane (n.) (Min.) A mineral which is opaque in its natural state, but is said to change its color and become transparent by heat.
Pyrophanous (a.) Rendered transparent by heat.
Pyrophone (n.) A musical instrument in which the tones are produced by flames of hydrogen, or illuminating gas, burning in tubes of different sizes and lengths. Pyrophoric
Pyrophoric (a.) Alt. of Pyrophorous.
Pyrophorous (a.) Light-producing; of or pertaining to pyrophorus.
Pyrophoric iron (Chem.), Finely reduced iron, which ignites spontaneously on contact with air.
Pyrophorus (n.) (Old Chem.) Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of charcoal and finely divided lead.
Pyrophorus (n.) Tropical click beetles [syn: Pyrophorus, genus Pyrophorus].
Pyrophosphate (n.) (Chem.) A salt of pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyrophosphate (n.) A salt or ester of pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyrophosphoric (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, H4P2O7, which is obtained as a white crystalline substance. Its salts are obtained by heating the phosphates.
Pyrophyllite (n.) (Min.) A mineral, usually of a white or greenish color and pearly luster, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of alumina.
Pyrophyllite (n.) A white or greenish aluminum silicate mineral (resembles talc).
Pyroscope (n.) (Physics) An instrument for measuring the intensity of heat radiating from a fire, or the cooling influence of bodies. It is a differential thermometer, having one bulb coated with gold or silver leaf. [R.]
Pyroscope (n.) A pyrometer that uses the color of the light emitted by a hot object [syn: optical pyrometer, pyroscope].
Pyrosis (n.) (Med.) See Water brash, under Brash.
Pyrosis (n.) A painful burning sensation in the chest caused by gastroesophageal reflux (backflow from the stomach irritating the esophagus); symptomatic of an ulcer or a diaphragmatic hernia or other disorder [syn: heartburn, pyrosis].
Pyrosmalite (n.) (Min.) A mineral, usually of a pale brown or of a gray or grayish green color, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of iron and manganese; -- so called from the odor given off before the blowpipe.
Pyrosome (n.) (Zool.) Any compound ascidian of the genus Pyrosoma. The pyrosomes form large hollow cylinders, sometimes two or three feet long, which swim at the surface of the sea and are very phosphorescent.
Pyrosulphate (n.) (Chem.) A salt of pyrosulphuric acid.
Pyrosulphuric (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also disulphuric acid) obtained by distillation of certain sulphates, as a colorless, thick, oily liquid, H2S2O7 resembling sulphuric acid. It is used in the solution of indigo, in the manufacture of alizarin, and in dehydration.
Pyrotartaric (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of tartaric acid.
Pyrotartrate (n.) (Chem.) A salt of pyrotartaric acid.
Pyrotechnian (n.) A pyrotechnist. Pyrotechnic
Pyrotechnic (a.) Alt. of Pyrotechnical.
Pyrotechnical (a.) Of or pertaining to fireworks, or the art of forming them.
Pyrotechnical sponge. See under Sponge.
Pyrotechnical (a.) Of or relating to the craft of making fireworks; "pyrotechnic smokes" [syn: pyrotechnic, pyrotechnical].
Pyrotechnician (n.) A pyrotechnist.
Pyrotechnics (n.) （用作單數）煙火製造術；煙火使用法；（常複數）各種煙火 The art of making fireworks; the manufacture and use of fireworks; pyrotechny.
Pyrotechnics (n.) (Music) Brilliance of display (as in the performance of music).
Pyrotechnics (n.) The craft of making fireworks [syn: pyrotechnics, pyrotechny].
Pyrotechnist (n.) 煙火製造者 One skilled in pyrotechny; one who manufactures fireworks. -- Steevens.
Pyrotechny (n.) 煙火製造術；煙火使用法 The use and application of fire in science and the arts. [Obs.] -- Sir M. Hale.
Pyrotechny (n.) Same as Pyrotechnics.
Pyrotechny (n.) The craft of making fireworks [syn: pyrotechnics, pyrotechny].
Pyrothonide (n.) (Med.) A kind of empyreumatic oil produced by the combustion of textures of hemp, linen, or cotton in a copper vessel, -- formerly used as a remedial agent. -- Dunglison.
Pyrotic (a.) Caustic. See Caustic.
Pyrotic (n.) (Med.) A caustic medicine.
Pyrotritartaric (a.) (Chem.) Designating an acid which is more commonly called uric acid.
Pyrotungstic (a.) (Chem.) Polytungstic. See Metatungstic.
Pyrouric (a.) (Old Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called cyanuric acid. See Cyanuric.
Pyrovanadic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of vanadium, analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyroxanthin (n.) (Chem.) A yellow crystalline hydrocardon extracted from crude wood spirit; -- called also eblanin.
Pyroxene (n.) (Min.) A common mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, with a prismatic angle of nearly 90? and also in massive forms which are often laminated. It varies in color from white to dark green and black, and includes many varieties differing in color and composition, as diopside, malacolite, salite, coccolite, augite, etc. They are all silicates of lime and magnesia with sometimes alumina and iron. Pyroxene is an essential constituent of many rocks, especially basic igneous rocks, as basalt, gabbro, etc.
Note: The pyroxene group contains pyroxene proper, also the related orthorhombic species, enstatite, bronzite, hypersthene, and various monoclinic and triclinic species, as rhodonite, etc.
Pyroxene (n.) Any of a group of crystalline silicate mineral common in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Pyroxenic (a.) Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene.
Pyroxenite (n.) (Min.) A rock consisting essentially of pyroxene.
Pyroxylic (a.) (Old Chem.) Derived from wood by distillation; -- formerly used in designating crude wood spirit.
Pyroxylin (n.) (Chem.) A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and properties, but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; -- called also pyroxyle.
Pyroxylin (n.) Highly flammable nitrocellulose used in making collodion and plastics and lacquers [syn: pyroxylin, pyroxyline].
Pyrrhic (a.) Of or pertaining to an ancient Greek martial dance. " ye have the pyrrhic dance as yet." -- Byron.
Pyrrhic (a.) (Pros.) Of or pertaining to a pyrrhic, or to pyrrhics; containing pyrrhic; as, a pyrrhic verse.
Pyrrhic victory [From Pyrrhus, king of Epirus.], (a) a victory in which the winning side sustains very heavy losses.
Pyrrhic victory (b) any act supposedly benefitting the actor, for which the costs outweight the benefits.
Pyrrhic (n.) An ancient Greek martial dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its time being very quick.
Pyrrhic (n.) (Pros.) A foot consisting of two short syllables.
Pyrrhic (a.) Of or relating to a war dance of ancient Greece; "pyrrhic dance movements".
Pyrrhic (a.) Of or relating to or containing a metrical foot of two unstressed syllables; "pyrrhic verses".
Pyrrhic (a.) Of or relating to or resembling Pyrrhus or his exploits (especially his sustaining staggering losses in order to defeat the Romans); "a Pyrrhic victory".
Pyrrhic (n.) A metrical unit with unstressed-unstressed syllables [syn: pyrrhic, dibrach].
Pyrrhic (n.) An ancient Greek dance imitating the motions of warfare.
Pyrrhicist (n.) (Gr. Antiq.) One two danced the pyrrhic. Pyrrhonean
Pyrrhonean (a.) Alt. of Pyrrhonic.
Pyrrhonic (a.) Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism.
Pyrrhonism (n.) Skepticism; universal doubt.
Pyrrhonism, (n.) An ancient philosophy, named for its inventor. It consisted of an absolute disbelief in everything but Pyrrhonism. Its modern professors have added that.
Pyrrhonist (n.) A follower of Pyrrho; a skeptic. Pyrrhotine
Pyrrhotine (n.) Alt. of Pyrrhotite.
Pyrrhotite (n.) (Min.) A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster. It is a sulphide of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by the magnet. Called also magnetic pyrites.
Pyrrhotine (n.) A brownish iron sulfide mineral (FeS) having weak magnetic properties [syn: pyrrhotite, pyrrhotine, magnetic pyrites].
Pyrrol (n.) (Chem.) A nitrogenous base found in coal tar, bone oil, and other distillates of organic substances, and also produced synthetically as a colorless liquid, C4H5N, having on odor like that of chloroform. It is the nucleus and origin of a large number of derivatives. So called because it colors a splinter of wood moistened with hydrochloric acid a deep red.
Pyrroline (n.) (Chem.) A nitrogenous base, C4H7N, obtained as a colorless liquid by the reduction of pyrrol.
Pyrula (n.) (Zool.) A genus of large marine gastropods. having a pear-shaped shell. It includes the fig-shells. See Illust. in Appendix.
Pyruric (a.) Same as Pyrouric.
Pyrus (n.) (Bot.) A genus of rosaceous trees and shrubs having pomes for fruit. It includes the apple, crab apple, pear, chokeberry, sorb, and mountain ash.
Pyrus (n.) Fruit trees native to the Old World: pears [syn: Pyrus, genus Pyrus].
Pyruvic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (called also pyroracemic acid) obtained, as a liquid having a pungent odor, by the distillation of racemic acid.
Pyruvil (n.) (Chem.) A complex nitrogenous compound obtained by heating together pyruvic acid and urea.
Pythagorean (a.) 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 (n.) A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.
Pythagorean (a.) Of or relating to Pythagoras or his geometry; "Pythagorean philosophy"; "Pythagorean theorem".
Pythagoreanism (n.) 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
Pythagoric (a.) Alt. of Pythagorical.
Pythagorical (a.) See Pythagorean, a.