Sir T. Browne.

2. Notorious; notoriously bad; downright; arrant.

Would make me an errant fool.

B. Jonson.

3. (Eng. Law) Journeying; itinerant; - - formerly applied to judges who went on circuit and to bailiffs at large. Mozley & W.

Er"rant, n. One who wanders about. [Obs.] Fuller.

||Er*ran"ti*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. errare to wander. See Err.] (Zoöl.) A group of chætopod annelids, including those that are not confined to tubes. See Chætopoda. [Written also Errantes.]

Er"rant*ry (?), n. 1. A wandering; a roving; esp., a roving in quest of adventures. Addison.

2. The employment of a knight-errant. Johnson.

||Er*ra"ta (?), n. pl. [L.] See Erratum.

Er*rat"ic (?), a. [L. erraticus, fr. errare to wander: cf. F. erratique. See Err.] 1. Having no certain course; roving about without a fixed destination; wandering; moving; -- hence, applied to the planets as distinguished from the fixed stars.

The earth and each erratic world.

Blackmore.

2. Deviating from a wise of the common course in opinion or conduct; eccentric; strange; queer; as, erratic conduct.

3. Irregular; changeable. "Erratic fever." Harvey.

Erratic blocks, gravel, etc. (Geol.), masses of stone which have been transported from their original resting places by the agency of water, ice, or other causes. -- Erratic phenomena, the phenomena which relate to transported materials on the earth's surface.

Er*rat"ic, n. 1. One who deviates from common and accepted opinions; one who is eccentric or preserve in his intellectual character.

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2. A rogue. [Obs.] Cockeram.

3. (Geol.) Any stone or material that has been borne away from its original site by natural agencies; esp., a large block or fragment of rock; a bowlder.

In the plural the term is applied especially to the loose gravel and stones on the earth's surface, including what is called drift.

Er*rat"ic*al (?), a. Erratic. -- Er*rat"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Er*rat"ic*al*ness, n.

Er*ra"tion (?), n. [L. erratio. See Err.] A wandering; a roving about. [Obs.] Cockeram.

||Er*ra"tum (?), n.; pl. Errata (#). [L., fr. errare, erratum, to wander, err. See Err.] An error or mistake in writing or printing.

A single erratum may knock out the brains of a whole passage.

Cowper.

Er"rhine (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; in + &?;, &?;, nose: cf. F. errhin.] (Med.) A medicine designed to be snuffed up the nose, to promote discharges of mucus; a sternutatory. Coxe. -- a. Causing or increasing secretion of nasal mucus.

Er*ro"ne*ous (?), a. [L. erroneus, fr. errare to err. See Err.] 1. Wandering; straying; deviating from the right course; -- hence, irregular; unnatural. [Obs.] "Erroneous circulation." Arbuthnot.

Stopped much of the erroneous light, which otherwise would have disturbed the vision.

Sir I. Newman.

2. Misleading; misled; mistaking. [Obs.]

An erroneous conscience commands us to do what we ought to omit.

Jer. Taylor.

3. Containing error; not conformed to truth or justice; incorrect; false; mistaken; as, an erroneous doctrine; erroneous opinion, observation, deduction, view, etc. -- Er*ro"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- Er*ro"ne*ous*ness, n.

Er"ror (?), n. [OF. error, errur, F. erreur, L. error, fr. errare to err. See Err.] 1. A wandering; a roving or irregular course. [Obs.]

The rest of his journey, his error by sea.

B. Jonson.

2. A wandering or deviation from the right course or standard; irregularity; mistake; inaccuracy; something made wrong or left wrong; as, an error in writing or in printing; a clerical error.

3. A departing or deviation from the truth; falsity; false notion; wrong opinion; mistake; misapprehension.

H&?; judgment was often in error, though his candor remained unimpaired.

Bancroft.

4. A moral offense; violation of duty; a sin or transgression; iniquity; fault. Ps. xix. 12.

5. (Math.) The difference between the approximate result and the true result; -- used particularly in the rule of double position.

6. (Mensuration) (a) The difference between an observed value and the true value of a quantity. (b) The difference between the observed value of a quantity and that which is taken or computed to be the true value; -- sometimes called residual error.

7. (Law.) A mistake in the proceedings of a court of record in matters of law or of fact.

8. (Baseball) A fault of a player of the side in the field which results in failure to put out a player on the other side, or gives him an unearned base.

Law of error, or Law of frequency of error (Mensuration), the law which expresses the relation between the magnitude of an error and the frequency with which that error will be committed in making a large number of careful measurements of a quantity. -- Probable error. (Mensuration) See under Probable. -- Writ of error (Law), an original writ, which lies after judgment in an action at law, in a court of record, to correct some alleged error in the proceedings, or in the judgment of the court. Bouvier. Burrill.

Syn. -- Mistake; fault; blunder; failure; fallacy; delusion; hallucination; sin. See Blunder.

Er"ror*ful (?), a. Full of error; wrong. Foxe.

Er"ror*ist, n. One who encourages and propagates error; one who holds to error.

Ers (rs), n. [F., fr. L. ervum a kind of pulse, bitter vetch.] (Bot.) The bitter vetch (Ervum Ervilia).

Erse (rs), n. [A modification of Irish, OE. Irishe.] A name sometimes given to that dialect of the Celtic which is spoken in the Highlands of Scotland; -- called, by the Highlanders, Gaelic.

Erse, a. Of or pertaining to the Celtic race in the Highlands of Scotland, or to their language.

Ersh (rsh), n. See Arrish.

Erst (rst), adv. [Orig. superlative of ere; AS. rest. See Ere.] [Archaic] 1. First. Chaucer.

2. Previously; before; formerly; heretofore. Chaucer.

Tityrus, with whose style he had erst disclaimed all ambition to match his pastoral pipe.

A. W. Ward.

At erst, at first; at the beginning. -- Now at erst, at this present time. Chaucer.

Erst`while" (-hwl"), adv. Till then or now; heretofore; formerly. [Archaic]

{ Er`u*bes"cence (?; 135), Er`u*bes"cen*cy (?), } n. [L. erubescentia: cf. F. érubescence.] The act of becoming red; redness of the skin or surface of anything; a blushing.

Er`u*bes"cent (?), a. [L. erubescens, p. pr. erubescere to grow red; e out + rubescere. See Rubescent.] Red, or reddish; blushing. Johnson.

Er`u*bes"cite (?), n. (Min.) See Bornite.

||E*ru"ca (?), n.; pl. Erucæ (#). [L., a caterpillar, also, a sort of colewort.] (Zoöl.) An insect in the larval state; a caterpillar; a larva.

E*ru"cic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, a genus of cruciferous Mediterranean herbs (Eruca or Brassica); as, erucic acid, a fatty acid resembling oleic acid, and found in colza oil, mustard oil, etc.

E*ru"ci*from (?), a. [Eruca + -form.] (Zoöl.) Having the form of a caterpillar; -- said of insect larvæ.

{ E*ruct" (?), E*ruc"tate (?) }, v. t. [L. eructare; e out + ructare to belch: cf. F. éructer.] To eject, as wind, from the stomach; to belch. [R.] Howell.

Er`uc*ta"tion (?), n. [L. eructatio: cf. F. éructation.] 1. The act of belching wind from the stomach; a belch.

2. A violent belching out or emitting, as of gaseous or other matter from the crater of a volcano, geyser, etc.

E*ru"di*ate (?), v. t. [L. erudire.] To instruct; to educate; to teach. [Obs.]

The skillful goddess there erudiates these
In all she did.

Fanshawe.

Er"u*dite (r"*dt; 135), a. [L. eruditus, p. p. of erudire to free from rudeness, to polish, instruct; e out + rudis rude: cf. F. érudit. See Rude.] Characterized by extensive reading or knowledge; well instructed; learned. "A most erudite prince." Sir T. More. "Erudite . . . theology." I. Taylor. -- Er"u*dite`ly, adv. -- Er"u*dite`ness, n.

Er`u*di"tion (-dsh"n), n. [L. eruditio: cf. F. érudition.] The act of instructing; the result of thorough instruction; the state of being erudite or learned; the acquisitions gained by extensive reading or study; particularly, learning in literature or criticism, as distinct from the sciences; scholarship.

The management of a young lady's person is not be overlooked, but the erudition of her mind is much more to be regarded.

Steele.

The gay young gentleman whose erudition sat so easily upon him.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- Literature; learning. See Literature.

Er"u*gate (?), a. [L. erugatus, p. p. of erugare to smooth; e out + ruga wrinkle.] Freed from wrinkles; smooth.

E*ru"gi*nous (?), a. [Cf. F. érugineux. See Æruginous.] Partaking of the substance or nature of copper, or of the rust copper; resembling the trust of copper or verdigris; æruginous.

E*rum"pent (?), a. [L. erumpens, -entis, p. pr. of erumpere.] (Bot.) Breaking out; -- said of certain fungi which burst through the texture of leaves.

E*rupt" (?), v. t. [See Eruption.] To cause to burst forth; to eject; as, to erupt lava. Huxley.

E*rup"tion (?), n. [L. eruptio, fr. erumpere, eruptum, to break out; e out + rumpere, to break: cf. F. éruption. See Rupture.] 1. The act of breaking out or bursting forth; as: (a) A violent throwing out of flames, lava, etc., as from a volcano of a fissure in the earth's crust. (b) A sudden and overwhelming hostile movement of armed men from one country to another. Milton. (c) A violent commotion.

All Paris was quiet . . . to gather fresh strength for the next day's eruption.

W. Irving.

2. That which bursts forth.

3. A violent exclamation; ejaculation.

He would . . . break out into bitter and passionate eruditions.

Sir H. Wotton.

4. (Med.) The breaking out of pimples, or an efflorescence, as in measles, scarlatina, etc.

E*rup"tion*al (?), a. Eruptive. [R.] R. A. Proctor.

E*rup"tive (?), a. [Cf. F. éruptif.] 1. Breaking out or bursting forth.

The sudden glance
Appears far south eruptive through the cloud.

Thomson.

2. (Med.) Attended with eruption or efflorescence, or producing it; as, an eruptive fever.

3. (Geol.) Produced by eruption; as, eruptive rocks, such as the igneous or volcanic.

E*rup"tive, n. (Geol.) An eruptive rock.

||E*ryn"gi*um (*rn"j*m), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'hry`ggion, dim. of 'h`ryggos eryngo; cf. L. eryngion, erynge.] (Bot.) A genus of umbelliferous plants somewhat like thistles in appearance. Eryngium maritimum, or sea holly, has been highly esteemed as an aphrodisiac, the roots being formerly candied.

E*ryn"go (?), n. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Eryngium.

Er`y*sip"e*las (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. 'erysi`pelas; 'eryqro`s red + pe`lla hide, skin. See Red, and Pell, n.] (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface. It is usually regarded as contagious, and often occurs epidemically.

Er`y*si*pel"a*toid (?), a. [Gr. 'erysi`pelas erysipelas + -oid.] Resembling erysipelas.

Er`y*si*pel"a*tous (?), a. [Cf. F. érysipélateux.] Resembling erysipelas, or partaking of its nature.

Er`y*sip"e*lous (?), a. Erysipelatous.

||Er`y*the"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to redden, fr. 'eryqro`s red.] (Med.) A disease of the skin, in which a diffused inflammation forms rose-colored patches of variable size.

Er`y*the*mat"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. érythématique.] (Med.) Characterized by, or causing, a morbid redness of the skin; relating to erythema.

Er`y*them"a*tous (?), a. (Med.) Relating to, or causing, erythema.

{ Er`y*thre"an, Er`y*thræ"an (?) }, a. [L. erythraeus; Gr. &?;, fr. 'eryqro`s red.] Red in color. "The erythrean main." Milton.

E*ryth"ric (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, erythrin.

{ E*ryth"rin, E*ryth"rine (?) }, n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red.] 1. (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance, C₂₀H₂₂O₁₀, extracted from certain lichens, as the various species of Rocella. It is a derivative of orsellinic acid. So called because of certain red compounds derived from it. Called also erythric acid.

2. (Min.) See Erythrite, 2.

||Er`y*thri"na (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'eryqro`s red.] (Bot.) A genus of leguminous plants growing in the tropics; coral tree; -- so called from its red flowers.

E*ryth"rism (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red: cf. F. érythrisme.] (Zoöl.) A condition of excessive redness. See Erythrochroism.

E*ryth"rite (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red.] 1. (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance, C₄H₆.(OH)₄, of a sweet, cooling taste, extracted from certain lichens, and obtained by the decomposition of erythrin; -- called also erythrol, erythroglucin, erythromannite, pseudorcin, cobalt bloom, and under the name phycite obtained from the alga Protococcus vulgaris. It is a tetrabasic alcohol, corresponding to glycol and glycerin.

2. (Min.) A rose-red mineral, crystallized and earthy, a hydrous arseniate of cobalt, known also as cobalt bloom; -- called also erythrin or erythrine.

E*ryth`ro*chro"ic (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having, or subject to, erythrochroism.

E*ryth"ro*chro*ism (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + &?; color.] (Zoöl.) An unusual redness, esp. in the plumage of birds, or hair of mammals, independently of age, sex, or season.

E*ryth`ro*dex"trin (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + E. dextrin.] (Physiol. Chem.) A dextrin which gives a red color with iodine. See Dextrin.

E*ryth"ro*gen (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + -gen.] (Chem.) (a) Carbon disulphide; -- so called from certain red compounds which it produces in combination with other substances. (b) A substance reddened by acids, which is supposed to be contained in flowers. (c) A crystalline substance obtained from diseased bile, which becomes blood-red when acted on by nitric acid or ammonia.

E*ryth`ro*gran"u*lose (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + E. granulose.] (Physiol. Chem.) A term applied by Brücke to a substance present in small amount in starch granules, colored red by iodine.

Er"y*throid (?), a. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + -oid: cf. Gr. &?;.] Of a red color; reddish; as, the erythroid tunic (the cremaster muscle).

Er`y*thro"le*ic (?), a. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) Having a red color and oily appearance; -- applied to a purple semifluid substance said to be obtained from archil.

Er`y*thro"le*in (?), n. [See Erythroleic.] (Chem.) A red substance obtained from litmus.

E*ryth`ro*lit"min (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + E. litmus.] (Chem.) Erythrolein.

||Er`y*thro"ni*um (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a kind of plant, fr. 'eryqro`s red.] (Chem.) A name originally given (from its red acid) to the metal vanadium. [R.]

E*ryth`ro*phle"ine (?; 104), n. (Chem.) A white crystalline alkaloid, extracted from sassy bark (Erythrophleum Guineense).

{ E*ryth"ro*phyll (?), Er`y*throph"yl*lin (?) }, n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + &?; leaf.] (Physiol. Bot.) The red coloring matter of leaves, fruits, flowers, etc., in distinction from chlorophyll.

E*ryth"ro*sin (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red.] (Chem.) (a) A red substance formed by the oxidation of tyrosin. (b) A red dyestuff obtained from fluoresceïn by the action of iodine.

||Er`y*throx"y*lon (?), n. [NL., from Gr. 'eryqro`s red + &?; wood. So named from the red wood of some species.] (Bot.) A genus of shrubs or small trees of the Flax family, growing in tropical countries. E. Coca is the source of cocaine. See Coca.

E*ryth"ro*zyme (?), n. [Gr. 'eryqro`s red + &?; leaven.] (Physiol. Chem.) A ferment extracted from madder root, possessing the power of inducing alcoholic fermentation in solutions of sugar.

Es`ca*lade" (?), n. [F., Sp. escalada (cf. It. scalata), fr. Sp. escalar to scale, LL. scalare, fr. L. scala ladder. See Scale, v. t.] (Mil.) A furious attack made by troops on a fortified place, in which ladders are used to pass a ditch or mount a rampart.

Sin enters, not by escalade, but by cunning or treachery.

Buckminster.

Es`ca*lade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escaladed; p. pr. & vb. n. Escalading.] (Mil.) To mount and pass or enter by means of ladders; to scale; as, to escalate a wall.

Es*cal"lop (?), n. See Escalop.

Es*cal"loped (?), a. See Escaloped.

Es*cal"op (?; 277), n. [OF. escalope shell, F. escalope a sort of cut of meat. See Scallop.] 1. (Zoöl.) A bivalve shell of the genus Pecten. See Scallop.

2. A regular, curving indenture in the margin of anything. See Scallop. "So many jags or escalops." Ray.

3. (a) The figure or shell of an escalop, considered as a sign that the bearer had been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Hence: (b) (Her.) A bearing or a charge consisting of an escalop shell.

Es*cal"oped (?), a. 1. Cut or marked in the form of an escalop; scalloped.

2. (Her.) Covered with a pattern resembling a series of escalop shells, each of which issues from between two others. Its appearance is that of a surface covered with scales.

Escaloped oysters (Cookery). See under Scalloped.

Es*cam"bi*o (?), n. [LL. escambium, excambium. See Excamb.] (Eng. Law) A license formerly required for the making over a bill of exchange to another over sea. Cowell.

Es*cap"a*ble (?), a. Avoidable.

Es`ca*pade" (?), n. [F., fr. Sp. escapada escape, fr. escapar to escape; or F., fr. It. scappata escape, escapade, fr. scappare to escape. see Escape.] 1. The fling of a horse, or ordinary kicking back of his heels; a gambol.

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2. Act by which one breaks loose from the rules of propriety or good sense; a freak; a prank. Carlyle.

Es*cape" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escaped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Escaping.] [OE. escapen, eschapen, OF. escaper, eschaper, F. echapper, fr. LL. ex cappa out of one's cape or cloak; hence, to slip out of one's cape and escape. See 3d Cape, and cf. Scape, v.] 1. To flee from and avoid; to be saved or exempt from; to shun; to obtain security from; as, to escape danger. "Sailors that escaped the wreck." Shak.

2. To avoid the notice of; to pass unobserved by; to evade; as, the fact escaped our attention.

They escaped the search of the enemy.

Ludlow.

Es*cape", v. i. 1. To flee, and become secure from danger; -- often followed by from or out of.

Haste, for thy life escape, nor look behind&?;&?;

Keble.

2. To get clear from danger or evil of any form; to be passed without harm.

Such heretics . . . would have been thought fortunate, if they escaped with life.

Macaulay.

3. To get free from that which confines or holds; -- used of persons or things; as, to escape from prison, from arrest, or from slavery; gas escapes from the pipes; electricity escapes from its conductors.

To escape out of these meshes.

Thackeray.

Es*cape", n. 1. The act of fleeing from danger, of evading harm, or of avoiding notice; deliverance from injury or any evil; flight; as, an escape in battle; a narrow escape; also, the means of escape; as, a fire escape.

I would hasten my escape from the windy storm.

Ps. lv. 8.

2. That which escapes attention or restraint; a mistake; an oversight; also, transgression. [Obs.]

I should have been more accurate, and corrected all those former escapes.

Burton.

3. A sally. "Thousand escapes of wit." Shak.

4. (Law) The unlawful permission, by a jailer or other custodian, of a prisoner's departure from custody.

Escape is technically distinguishable from prison breach, which is the unlawful departure of the prisoner from custody, escape being the permission of the departure by the custodian, either by connivance or negligence. The term escape, however, is applied by some of the old authorities to a departure from custody by stratagem, or without force. Wharton.

5. (Arch.) An apophyge.

6. Leakage or outflow, as of steam or a liquid.

7. (Elec.) Leakage or loss of currents from the conducting wires, caused by defective insulation.

Escape pipe (Steam Boilers), a pipe for carrying away steam that escapes through a safety valve. -- Escape valve (Steam Engine), a relief valve; a safety valve. See under Relief, and Safety. -- Escape wheel (Horol.), the wheel of an escapement.

Es*cape"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. échappement. See Escape.] 1. The act of escaping; escape. [R.]

2. Way of escape; vent. [R.]

An escapement for youthful high spirits.

G. Eliot.

3. The contrivance in a timepiece which connects the train of wheel work with the pendulum or balance, giving to the latter the impulse by which it is kept in vibration; -- so called because it allows a tooth to escape from a pallet at each vibration.

Escapements are of several kinds, as the vertical, or verge, or crown, escapement, formerly used in watches, in which two pallets on the balance arbor engage with a crown wheel; the anchor escapement, in which an anchor-shaped piece carries the pallets; -- used in common clocks (both are called recoil escapements, from the recoil of the escape wheel at each vibration); the cylinder escapement, having an open-sided hollow cylinder on the balance arbor to control the escape wheel; the duplex escapement, having two sets of teeth on the wheel; the lever escapement, which is a kind of detached escapement, because the pallets are on a lever so arranged that the balance which vibrates it is detached during the greater part of its vibration and thus swings more freely; the detent escapement, used in chronometers; the remontoir escapement, in which the escape wheel is driven by an independent spring or weight wound up at intervals by the clock train, -- sometimes used in astronomical clocks. When the shape of an escape- wheel tooth is such that it falls dead on the pallet without recoil, it forms a deadbeat escapement.

Es*cap"er (?), n. One who escapes.

Es*car"bun*cle (?), n. [OF. escarbuncle, F. escaboucle.] (Her.) See Carbuncle, 3.

Es*car`ga*toire" (?), n. [F. escargotière, fr. escargot snail.] A nursery of snails. [Obs.] Addison.

Es*carp" (?), n. [F. escarpe (cf. Sp. escarpa, It. scarpa), fr. escarper to cut steep, cut to a slope, prob. of German origin: cf. G. scharf sharp,, E. sharp, or perh. scrape.] (Fort.) The side of the ditch next the parapet; -- same as scarp, and opposed to counterscarp.

Es*carp", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escarped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Escarping.] (Mil.) To make into, or furnish with, a steep slope, like that of a scrap. Carleton.

Es*carp"ment (?), n. [Cf. F. escarpement.] A steep descent or declivity; steep face or edge of a ridge; ground about a fortified place, cut away nearly vertically to prevent hostile approach. See Scarp.

-es"cent (?). [From the ending -escens, - entis, of the p. pr. of inchoative verbs in Latin.] A suffix signifying beginning, beginning to be; as, adolescent, effervescent, etc.

Esch`a*lot" (?), n. (Bot.) See Shallot.

Es"char (?), n. [L. eschara, Gr. &?;: cf. F. eschare. See Scar.] (Med.) A dry slough, crust, or scab, which separates from the healthy part of the body, as that produced by a burn, or the application of caustics.

Es"char (?), n. [Ir.] (Geol.) In Ireland, one of the continuous mounds or ridges of gravelly and sandy drift which extend for many miles over the surface of the country. Similar ridges in Scotland are called kames or kams. [Written also eskar and esker.]

||Es"cha*ra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a grate, a pan of coals.] (Zoöl.) A genus of Bryozoa which produce delicate corals, often incrusting like lichens, but sometimes branched.

Es"cha*rine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, the genus Eschara, or family Escharidæ.

Es`cha*rot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; an eschar: cf. F. escharotique.] (Med.) Serving or tending to form an eschar; producing a scar; caustic.

Es`cha*rot"ic, n. (Med.) A substance which produces an eschar; a caustic, esp., a mild caustic.

Es`cha*to*log"ic*al (?), a. Pertaining to the last or final things.

Es`cha*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; the furthest, last + -logy.] The doctrine of the last or final things, as death, judgment, and the events therewith connected.

Es*chaunge" (?), n. Exchange. [Obs.]

Es*cheat" (?), n. [OE. eschete, escheyte, an escheat, fr. OF. escheit, escheoit, escheeite, esheoite, fr. escheoir (F. échoir) to fall to, fall to the lot of; pref. es- (L. ex) + cheoir, F. choir, to fall, fr. L. cadere. See Chance, and cf. Cheat.] 1. (Law) (a) (Feud. & Eng. Law) The falling back or reversion of lands, by some casualty or accident, to the lord of the fee, in consequence of the extinction of the blood of the tenant, which may happen by his dying without heirs, and formerly might happen by corruption of blood, that is, by reason of a felony or attainder. Tomlins. Blackstone. (b) (U. S. Law) The reverting of real property to the State, as original and ultimate proprietor, by reason of a failure of persons legally entitled to hold the same.

A distinction is carefully made, by English writers, between escheat to the lord of the fee and forfeiture to the crown. But in this country, where the State holds the place of chief lord of the fee, and is entitled to take alike escheat and by forfeiture, this distinction is not essential. Tomlins. Kent.

(c) A writ, now abolished, to recover escheats from the person in possession. Blackstone.

2. Lands which fall to the lord or the State by escheat.

3. That which falls to one; a reversion or return

To make me great by others' loss is bad escheat.

Spenser.

Es*cheat", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Esheated; p. pr. & vb. n. Escheating.] (Law) To revert, or become forfeited, to the lord, the crown, or the State, as lands by the failure of persons entitled to hold the same, or by forfeiture.

In this country it is the general rule that when the title to land fails by defect of heirs or devisees, it necessarily escheats to the State; but forfeiture of estate from crime is hardly known in this country, and corruption of blood is universally abolished. Kent. Bouvier.

Es*cheat", v. t. (Law) To forfeit. Bp. Hall.

Es*cheat"a*ble (?), a. Liable to escheat.

Es*cheat"age (?; 48), n. The right of succeeding to an escheat. Sherwood.

Es*cheat"or (?), n. (Law) An officer whose duty it is to observe what escheats have taken place, and to take charge of them. Burrill.

Es"che*vin (?), n. [OF. eschevin, a sort of magistrate, alderman, F. échevin.] The alderman or chief officer of an ancient guild. [Obs.]

Es*chew" (es*ch"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Eshewed (-ch"d); p. pr. & vb. n. Eshewing.] [OF. eschever, eschiver, eskiver, F. esquiver, fr. OHG. sciuhen, G. scheuen; akin to E. sky. See Shy, a.] 1. To shun; to avoid, as something wrong, or from a feeling of distaste; to keep one's self clear of.

They must not only eschew evil, but do good.

Bp. Beveridge.

2. To escape from; to avoid. [Obs.]

He who obeys, destruction shall eschew.

Sandys.

Es*chew"er (?), n. One who eschews.

Es*chew"ment (?), n. The act of eschewing. [R.]

||Esch*scholtz"i*a (?), n. [NL. Named after Dr. Eschscholtz, a German botanist.] (Bot.) A genus of papaveraceous plants, found in California and upon the west coast of North America, some species of which produce beautiful yellow, orange, rose-colored, or white flowers; the California poppy.

Es"chy*nite (?), n. [Gr. &?; shame.] (Min.) A rare mineral, containing chiefly niobium, titanium, thorium, and cerium. It was so called by Berzelius on account of the inability of chemical science, at the time of its discovery, to separate some of its constituents.

Es*coch"eon (?), n. Escutcheon. [Obs.]

{ Es`co*pet", ||Es`co*pette" (?) }, n. [Sp. escopeta, F. escopette.] A kind of firearm; a carbine.

||Es*co"ri*al (?), n. [Sp.] See Escurial.

Es"cort (?), n. [F. escorte, It. scorta a guard or guide, fr. scorgere to perceive, discern, lead, fr. L. ex out, quite + corrigere to correct, set right. See Correct.] 1. A body of armed men to attend a person of distinction for the sake of affording safety when on a journey; one who conducts some one as an attendant; a guard, as of prisoners on a march; also, a body of persons, attending as a mark of respect or honor; -- applied to movements on land, as convoy is to movements at sea.

The troops of my escort marched at the ordinary rate.

Burke.

2. Protection, care, or safeguard on a journey or excursion; as, to travel under the escort of a friend.

Es*cort" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Escorting.] [Cf. F. escorter, It. scortare. See Escort, n.] To attend with a view to guard and protect; to accompany as safeguard; to give honorable or ceremonious attendance to; -- used esp. with reference to journeys or excursions on land; as, to escort a public functionary, or a lady; to escort a baggage wagon.

Syn. -- To accompany; attend. See Accompany.

Es*cot" (?), n. [OF.] See Scot, a tax. [Obs.]

Es*cot", v. t. To pay the reckoning for; to support; to maintain. [Obs.] Shak.

||Es`couade" (?), n. See Squad,

Es*cout" (?), n. See Scout. [Obs.] Hayward.

Es*cribed" (?), a. [L. e out, out of + scribere to write.] Drawn outside of; -- used to designate a circle that touches one of the sides of a given triangle, and also the other two sides produced.

Es"cript (?), n. [OF.] A writing. [Obs.]

Es`cri*toire" (?), n. [OF. escritoire, F. écritoire, LL. scriptorium, fr. L. scriptorius belonging to writing, fr. sribere to write. See Script, and cf. Scrutoire.] A piece of furniture used as a writing table, commonly with drawers, pigeonholes, and the like; a secretary or writing desk.

Es`cri*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to an escritoire.

Es*crod" (?), n. See Scrod, a young cod.

{ Es*crol", Es*croll" } (?), n. [See Escrow, Scroll.] 1. A scroll. [Obs.]

2. (Her.) (a) A long strip or scroll resembling a ribbon or a band of parchment, or the like, anciently placed above the shield, and supporting the crest. (b) In modern heraldry, a similar ribbon on which the motto is inscribed.

Es"crow (?), n. [OF. escroe, escroue, a roll of writings, bond. See Scroll.] (Law) A deed, bond, or other written engagement, delivered to a third person, to be held by him till some act is done or some condition is performed, and then to be by him delivered to the grantee. Blackstone.

Es"cu*age (?; 48), n. [OF. escuage, F. écuage, from OF. escu shield, F. écu. See Esquire.] (Feud. Law) Service of the shield, a species of knight service by which a tenant was bound to follow his lord to war, at his own charge. It was afterward exchanged for a pecuniary satisfaction. Called also scutage. Blackstone.

Es`cu*la"pi*an (?), n. Æsculapian.

Es`cu*la"pi*us (?), n. Same as Æsculapius.

Es"cu*lent (?), a. [L. esculentus, fr. escare to eat, fr. esca food, fr. edere to eat: cf. F. esculent. See Eat.] Suitable to be used by man for food; eatable; edible; as, esculent plants; esculent fish.

Esculent grain for food.

Sir W. Jones.

Esculent swallow (Zoöl.), the swallow which makes the edible bird's-nest. See Edible bird's- nest, under Edible.

Es"cu*lent, n. Anything that is fit for eating; that which may be safely eaten by man.

Es*cu"lic (?), a. [From NL. Aesculus, the generic name of the horse-chestnut, fr. L. aesculus a kind of oak.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, the horse-chestnut; as, esculic acid.

Es*cu"lin (?), n. [See Esculic.] (Chem.) A glucoside obtained from the Æsculus hippocastanum, or horse-chestnut, and characterized by its fine blue fluorescent solutions. [Written also æsculin.]

Es*cu"ri*al (?), n. [Prop. Sp. escorial, i. e., a hill or heap of rubbish, earth, and stones brought out of a mine, fr. escoria dross of metal, L. scoria, fr. Gr. &?;. Cf. Scoria.] A palace and mausoleum of the kings of Spain, being a vast and wonderful structure about twenty-five miles northwest of Madrid.

The ground plan is said to be in the form of a gridiron, the structure being designed in honor of St. Lawrence, who suffered martyrdom by being broiled on a gridiron; but the resemblance is very slight. It is nearly square, inclosing several courts, and has a projecting mass which stands for the handle.

Es*cutch"eon (?), n. [OF. escusson, F. écusson, from OF. escu shield, F. écu. See Esquire, Scutcheon.] 1. (Her.) The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called the chief, and the lower part the base (see Chiff, and Field.). That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of the knight who bears the shield on his arm is called dexter, and the other side sinister.

The two sides of an escutcheon are respectively designated as dexter and sinister, as in the cut, and the different parts or points by the following names: A, Dexter chief point; B, Middle chief point; C, Sinister chief point; D, Honor or color point; E, Fesse or heart point; F, Nombrill or navel point; G, Dexter base point; H, Middle base point; I, base point.

2. A marking upon the back of a cow's udder and the space above it (the perineum), formed by the hair growing upward or outward instead of downward. It is esteemed an index of milking qualities. C. L. Flint.

3. (Naut.) That part of a vessel's stern on which her name is written. R. H. Dane, Jr.

4. (Carp.) A thin metal plate or shield to protect wood, or for ornament, as the shield around a keyhole.

5. (Zoöl.) The depression behind the beak of certain bivalves; the ligamental area.

Escutcheon of pretense, an escutcheon used in English heraldry to display the arms of the bearer's wife; -- not commonly used unless she an heiress. Cf. Impalement.

Es*cutch"eoned (?), a. Having an escutcheon; furnished with a coat of arms or ensign. Young.

Ese (?), n. Ease; pleasure. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Es`em*plas"tic (?), a. [Gr. 'es into, to + "en one + plastiko`s molded, formed. See Plastic.] Shaped into one; tending to, or formative into, unity. [R.] Coleridge.

<! p. 510 !>

Es"er*ine (?; 104), n. [From native name of the Calabar bean: cf. F. ésérine.] (Chem.) An alkaloid found in the Calabar bean, and the seed of Physostigma venenosum; physostigmine. It is used in ophthalmic surgery for its effect in contracting the pupil.

E*sex"u*al (?), a. [Pref. e- + sexual.] (Biol.) Sexless; asexual.

Es*guard" (?), n. [Cf. OF. esgart regard, F. égard. See Guard.] Guard. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

{ Es"kar (?), or Es"ker }, n. (Geol.) See Eschar.

Es"ki*mo (?), n.; pl. Eskimos (#). [Originally applied by the Algonquins to the Northern Indians, and meaning eaters of raw flesh.] (Ethnol.) One of a peculiar race inhabiting Arctic America and Greenland. In many respects the Eskimos resemble the Mongolian race. [Written also Esquimau.]

Eskimo dog (Zoöl.), one of a breed of large and powerful dogs used by the Eskimos to draw sledges. It closely resembles the gray wolf, with which it is often crossed.

Eskimo dog

Es*loin" (?), v. t. [See Eloign.] To remove; to banish; to withdraw; to avoid; to eloign. [Obs.]

From worldly cares he did himself esloin.

Spenser.

Es"ne*cy (?), n. [See Eigne.] (Eng. Law) A prerogative given to the eldest coparcener to choose first after an inheritance is divided. Mozley & W.

E*sod"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; within + &?; way.] (Physiol.) Conveying impressions from the surface of the body to the spinal cord; -- said of certain nerves. Opposed to exodic.

E*soph"a*gal (?), a. (Anat.) Esophageal.

E`so*phag"e*al (?), a. (Anat.) Pertaining to the esophagus. [Written also œsophageal.]

E`so*phag"e*an (?), a. (Anat.) Esophageal.

E*soph`a*got"o*my (?), n. [Gr. o'isofa`gos the esophagus + te`mnein to cut.] (Surg.) The operation of making an incision into the esophagus, for the purpose of removing any foreign substance that obstructs the passage. [Written also œsophagotomy.]

E*soph"a*gus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. o'isofa`gos; root of o'i`sw which is used as future of fe`rein to bear, carry (cf. Skr. v to go, drive) + fagei^n to eat.] (Anat.) That part of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and the stomach; the gullet. See Illust. of Digestive apparatus, under Digestive. [Written also œsophagus.]

{ E*so"pi*an (?), E*so"pic (?), } a. Same as Æsopian, Æsopic.

Es`o*ter"ic (s`*t"k), a. [Gr. 'eswteriko`s, fr. 'esw`teros inner, interior, comp. fr. 'e`sw in, within, fr. 'es, e'is, into, fr. 'en in. See In.] Designed for, and understood by, the specially initiated alone; not communicated, or not intelligible, to the general body of followers; private; interior; acroamatic; -- said of the private and more recondite instructions and doctrines of philosophers. Opposed to exoteric.

Enough if every age produce two or three critics of this esoteric class, with here and there a reader to understand them.

De Quincey.

Es`o*ter"ic*al (?), a. Esoteric.

Es`o*ter"ic*al*ly, adv. In an esoteric manner.

Es`o*ter"i*cism (?), n. Esoteric doctrine or principles.

Es`o*ter"ics (?), n. Mysterious or hidden doctrines; secret science.

Es"o*ter*y (?), n. Mystery; esoterics; -- opposed to exotery. A. Tucker.

||E"sox (?), n. [L., a kind of pike.] (Zoöl.) A genus of fresh-water fishes, including pike and pickerel.

Es*pace" (?), n. Space. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Es"pa*don (?), n. [F. espadon, fr. Sp. espadon, fr. espada sword; or fr. It. spadone an espadon, spada sword.] A long, heavy, two-handed and two-edged sword, formerly used by Spanish foot soldiers and by executioners. Wilhelm.

Es*pal"ier (?), n. [F. espalier, fr. It. spalliera, fr. spalla shoulder, the same word as F. épaule. See Epaulet.] (Hort.) A railing or trellis upon which fruit trees or shrubs are trained, as upon a wall; a tree or row of trees so trained.

And figs from standard and espalier join.

Pope.

Es*pal"ier, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Espaliered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Espaliering.] To form an espalier of, or to protect by an espalier.

Es*par"cet (?), n. [F. esparcet, esparcette, éparcet, fr. Sp. esparceta, esparcilla.] (Bot.) The common sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa), an Old World leguminous forage plant.

||Es*par"to (?), n. [Sp.; cf. L. spartum Spanish broom, Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) A species of Spanish grass (Macrochloa tenacissima), of which cordage, shoes, baskets, etc., are made. It is also used for making paper.

||Es`pau`liere" (?), n. [OF. & F. épaulière. See Espalier.] A defense for the shoulder, composed of flexible overlapping plates of metal, used in the 15th century; -- the origin of the modern epaulette. Fairholt.

Es*pe"cial (?), a. [OF. especial, F. spécial, L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality. See Species, and cf. Special.] Distinguished among others of the same class or kind; special; concerning a species or a single object; principal; particular; as, in an especial manner or degree.

Syn. -- Peculiar; special; particular; uncommon; chief. See Peculiar.

Es*pe"cial*ly, adv. In an especial manner; chiefly; particularly; peculiarly; in an uncommon degree.

Es*pe"cial*ness (?), n. The state of being especial.

Es"pe*rance (?), n. [F. espérance, fr. L. sperans, p. pr. of sperare to hope.] Hope. [Obs.] Shak.

||Es`pi*aille" (?), n. Espial. [Obs.]

Es*pi"al (?), n. [OE. & Norm. F. espiaille. See Espy.] 1. The act of espying; notice; discovery.

Screened from espial by the jutting cape.

Byron.

2. One who espies; a spy; a scout. [Obs.] "Their espials . . . brought word." Holland.

Es*pi"er (?), n. One who espies. Harmar.

Es"pi*nel (?), n. A kind of ruby. See Spinel.

Es"pi*o*nage (?; 277), n. [F. espionnage, fr. espionner to spy, fr. espion spy, OF. espie. See Espy.] The practice or employment of spies; the practice of watching the words and conduct of others, to make discoveries, as spies or secret emissaries; secret watching.

Es`pla*nade" (?), n. [F. esplanade, Sp. esplanada, explanada, cf. It. spianata; fr. Sp. explanar to level, L. explanare to flatten or spread out. See Explain.] 1. (Fort.) (a) A clear space between a citadel and the nearest houses of the town. Campbell (Mil. Dict. ). (b) The glacis of the counterscarp, or the slope of the parapet of the covered way toward the country.

2. (Hort.) A grass plat; a lawn. Simmonds.

3. Any clear, level space used for public walks or drives; esp., a terrace by the seaside.

Es*plees" (?), n. pl. [LL. expletia, OF. espleit. Cf. Exploit.] (Old Eng. Law) The full profits or products which ground or land yields, as the hay of the meadows, the feed of the pasture, the grain of arable fields, the rents, services, and the like. Cowell.

Es*pous"age (?), n. Espousal. [Obs.] Latimer.

Es*pous"al (?), n. [OF. espousailles, pl., F. épousailles, L. sponsalia, fr. sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and cf. Sponsal, Spousal.] 1. The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.

2. The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel.

The open espousal of his cause.

Lord Orford.

Es*pouse" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Espoused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Espousing.] [OF. espouser, esposer, F. épouser, L. sponsare to betroth, espouse, fr. sponsus betrothed, p. p. of spondere to promise solemnly or sacredly. Cf. Spouse.] 1. To betroth; to promise in marriage; to give as spouse.

A virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph.

Luke i. 27.

2. To take as spouse; to take to wife; to marry.

Lavinia will I make my empress, . . .
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse.

Shak.

3. To take to one's self with a view to maintain; to make one's own; to take up the cause of; to adopt; to embrace. "He espoused that quarrel." Bacon.

Promised faithfully to espouse his cause as soon as he got out of the war.

Bp. Burnet.

Es*pouse"ment (?), n. [Cf. OF. espousement.] The act of espousing, or the state of being espoused.

Es*pous"er (?), n. One who espouses; one who embraces the cause of another or makes it his own.

||Es`pres*si"vo (?), a. [It.] (Mus.) With expression.

Es*prin"gal (?), n. [See Springal.] (Mil. Antiq.) An engine of war used for throwing viretons, large stones, and other missiles; a springal.

||Es`prit" (?), n. [F. See Spirit.] Spirit.

Esprit de corps (&?;), a French phrase much used by English writers to denote the common spirit pervading the members of a body or association of persons. It implies sympathy, enthusiasm, devotion, and jealous regard for the honor of the body as a whole.

Es*py" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Espied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Espying.] [OF. espier, F. épier, from OHG. speh&?;n to watch, spy, G. spähen; akin to L. specere to look, species sight, shape, appearance, kind. See Spice, Spy, and cf. Espionage.] 1. To catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy land; to espy a man in a crowd.

As one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, . . . he espied his money.

Gen. xlii. 27.

A goodly vessel did I then espy
Come like a giant from a haven broad.

Wordsworth.

2. To inspect narrowly; to examine and keep watch upon; to watch; to observe.

He sends angels to espy us in all our ways.

Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- To discern; discover; detect; descry; spy.

Es*py", v. i. To look or search narrowly; to look about; to watch; to take notice; to spy.

Stand by the way, and espy.

Jer. xlviii. 19.

Es*py", n.; pl. Espies (#). [OF. espie. See Espy, v., Spy.] A spy; a scout. [Obs.] Huloet.

-esque (?). [F., fr. It. -isco. Cf. -ish.] A suffix of certain words from the French, Italian, and Spanish. It denotes manner or style; like; as, arabesque, after the manner of the Arabs.

Es"qui*mau (?), n.; pl. Esquimaux (#). [F.] Same as Eskimo.

It is . . . an error to suppose that where an Esquimau can live, a civilized man can live also.

McClintock.

Es*quire" (?), n. [OF. escuyer, escuier, properly, a shield-bearer, F. écuyer shield-bearer, armor-bearer, squire of a knight, esquire, equerry, rider, horseman, LL. scutarius shield-bearer, fr. L. scutum shield, akin to Gr. &?; skin, hide, from a root meaning to cover; prob. akin to E. hide to cover. See Hide to cover, and cf. Equerry, Escutcheon.] Originally, a shield-bearer or armor-bearer, an attendant on a knight; in modern times, a title of dignity next in degree below knight and above gentleman; also, a title of office and courtesy; -- often shortened to squire.

In England, the title of esquire belongs by right of birth to the eldest sons of knights and their eldest sons in perpetual succession; to the eldest sons of younger sons of peers and their eldest sons in perpetual succession. It is also given to sheriffs, to justices of the peace while in commission, to those who bear special office in the royal household, to counselors at law, bachelors of divinity, law, or physic, and to others. In the United States the title is commonly given in courtesy to lawyers and justices of the peace, and is often used in the superscription of letters instead of Mr.

Es*quire" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Esquired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Esquiring.] To wait on as an esquire or attendant in public; to attend. [Colloq.]

||Es`quisse" (?), n. [F. See Sketch.] (Fine Arts) The first sketch of a picture or model of a statue.

-ess (?). [OF. -esse, LL. -issa, Gr. &?;.] A suffix used to form feminine nouns; as, actress, deaconess, songstress.

Es"say (?), n.; pl. Essays (#). [F. essai, fr. L. exagium a weighing, weight, balance; ex out + agere to drive, do; cf. examen, exagmen, a means of weighing, a weighing, the tongue of a balance, exigere to drive out, examine, weigh, Gr. 'exa`gion a weight, 'exagia`zein to examine, 'exa`gein to drive out, export. See Agent, and cf. Exact, Examine, Assay.] 1. An effort made, or exertion of body or mind, for the performance of anything; a trial; attempt; as, to make an essay to benefit a friend. "The essay at organization." M. Arnold.

2. (Lit.) A composition treating of any particular subject; -- usually shorter and less methodical than a formal, finished treatise; as, an essay on the life and writings of Homer; an essay on fossils, or on commerce.

3. An assay. See Assay, n. [Obs.]

Syn. -- Attempt; trial; endeavor; effort; tract; treatise; dissertation; disquisition.

Es*say" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Essayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Essaying.] [F. essayer. See Essay, n.] 1. To exert one's power or faculties upon; to make an effort to perform; to attempt; to endeavor; to make experiment or trial of; to try.

What marvel if I thus essay to sing?

Byron.

Essaying nothing she can not perform.

Emerson.

A danger lest the young enthusiast . . . should essay the impossible.

J. C. Shairp.

2. To test the value and purity of (metals); to assay. See Assay. [Obs.] Locke.

Es*say"er (?), n. One who essays. Addison.

Es"say*ist (?; 277), n. A writer of an essay, or of essays. B. Jonson.

Es"sence (?), n. [F. essence, L. essentia, formed as if fr. a p. pr. of esse to be. See Is, and cf. Entity.] 1. The constituent elementary notions which constitute a complex notion, and must be enumerated to define it; sometimes called the nominal essence.

2. The constituent quality or qualities which belong to any object, or class of objects, or on which they depend for being what they are (distinguished as real essence); the real being, divested of all logical accidents; that quality which constitutes or marks the true nature of anything; distinctive character; hence, virtue or quality of a thing, separated from its grosser parts.

The laws are at present, both in form and essence, the greatest curse that society labors under.

Landor.

Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence of this virtue [charity].

Addison.

The essence of Addison's humor is irony.

Courthope.

3. Constituent substance.

And uncompounded is their essence pure.

Milton.

4. A being; esp., a purely spiritual being.

As far as gods and heavenly essences
Can perish.

Milton.

He had been indulging in fanciful speculations on spiritual essences, until . . . he had and ideal world of his own around him.

W. Irving.

5. The predominant qualities or virtues of a plant or drug, extracted and refined from grosser matter; or, more strictly, the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil; as, the essence of mint, and the like.

The . . . word essence . . . scarcely underwent a more complete transformation when from being the abstract of the verb "to be," it came to denote something sufficiently concrete to be inclosed in a glass bottle.

J. S. Mill.

6. Perfume; odor; scent; or the volatile matter constituting perfume.

Nor let the essences exhale.

Pope.

Es"sence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Essenced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Essencing (?).] To perfume; to scent. "Essenced fops." Addison.

Es*sene" (?), n.; pl. Essenes (#). [Gr. &?;, lit., physicians, because they practiced medicine, fr. Chald say to heal, cf. Heb. as.] One of a sect among the Jews in the time of our Savior, remarkable for their strictness and abstinence.