Unabridged Dictionary - Letter X

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                                       X
                                  Xanthose

   Xan"those  (?), n. (Chem.) An orange-yellow substance found in pigment
   spots of certain crabs.

                                   Xanthosis

   Xan*tho"sis  (?),  n. [NL., fr. Gr. xanqo`s yellow.] (Med.) The yellow
   discoloration often observed in cancerous tumors.

                                Xanthospermous

   Xan`tho*sper"mous (?), a. [Xantho- + Gr. (Bot.) Having yellow seeds.

                                   Xanthous

   Xan"thous   (?),   a.  [Gr.  Yellow;  specifically  (Ethnol.),  of  or
   pertaining to those races of man which have yellowish, red, auburn, or
   brown hair.

                                 Xanthoxylene

   Xan*thox"y*lene   (?),   n.   [See   Xanthoxylum.]  (Chem.)  A  liquid
   hydrocarbon  of  the  terpene  series  extracted  from  the seeds of a
   Japanese prickly ash (Xanthoxylum pipertium) as an aromatic oil.

                                  Xanthoxylum

   Xan*thox"y*lum  (?),  n. [NL., from Gr. xanqo`s yellow + xy`lon wood.]
   (Bot.)  A genus of prickly shrubs or small trees, the bark and rots of
   which are of a deep yellow color; prickly ash.

     NOTE: &hand; The commonest species in the Northern United States is
     Xanthoxylum Americanum. See Prickly ash, under Prickly.

                                     Xebec

   Xe"bec  (?),  n.  [Sp. jabegue, formerly spelt xabeque, or Pg. xabeco;
   both  from  Turk. sumbeki a kind of Asiatic ship; cf. Per. sumbuk, Ar.
   sumb  a  small  ship.]  (Naut.)  A  small  three-masted  vessel,  with
   projecting  bow  stern and convex decks, used in the Mediterranean for
   transporting merchandise, etc. It carries large square sails, or both.
   Xebecs were formerly armed and used by corsairs.

                                     Xeme

   Xeme  (z&emac;m),  n.  (Zo\'94l.)  An  Arctic  fork-tailed  gull (Xema
   Sabinii).

                                   Xenelasia

   Xen`e*la"si*a   (?),   n.  [NL.,  from  Gr.  (Gr.  Antiq.)  A  Spartan
   institution which prohibited strangers from residing in Sparta without
   permission,  its  object  probably  being  to  preserve  the  national
   simplicity of manners.

                                    Xenium

   Xe"ni*um  (?),  n.;  pl.  Xenia  (#).  [L., from Gr. (Class. Antiq.) A
   present given to a guest or stranger, or to a foreign ambassador.

                                  Xenodochium

   Xen`o*do*chi"um  (?),  n.  [LL., fr. L. xenodochium a building for the
   reception  of  strangers,  Gr.  (a)  (Class.  Antiq.)  A house for the
   reception  of strangers. (b) In the Middle Ages, a room in a monastery
   for the reception and entertainment of strangers and pilgrims, and for
   the relief of paupers. [Called also Xenodocheion.]

                                   Xenodochy

   Xe*nod"o*chy (?), n. [Gr. Reception of strangers; hospitality. [R.]

                                   Xenogamy

   Xe*nog"a*my  (?),  n.  [Gr.  xe`nos  strange,  foreign  + (Bot.) Cross
   fertilization.

                                  Xenogenesis

   Xen`o*gen"e*sis  (?), n. [Gr. xe`nos a stranger + E. genesis.] (Biol.)
   (a)  Same  as Heterogenesis. (b) The fancied production of an organism
   of one kind by an organism of another. Huxley.

                                  Xenogenetic

   Xen`o*ge*net"ic  (?),  a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to xenogenesis; as,
   the xenogenetic origin of microzymes. Huxley.

                                   Xenomania

   Xen`o*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Gr. xe`nos strange + E. mania.] A mania for, or
   an  inordinate  attachment to, foreign customs, institutions, manners,
   fashions, etc. [R.] Saintsbury.

                                    Xenomi

   Xen"o*mi  (?),  n.  pl.  [NL.,  from Gr. xe`nos strange.] (Zo\'94l.) A
   suborder  of  soft-rayed  fresh-water fishes of which the blackfish of
   Alaska (Dallia pectoralis) is the type.

                                 Xenopterygii

   Xe*nop`te*ryg"i*i  (?),  n.  pl.  [NL.,  from  Gr.  xe`nos  strange  +
   (Zo\'94l.)  A suborder of fishes including Gobiesox and allied genera.
   These  fishes  have soft-rayed fins, and a ventral sucker supported in
   front by the pectoral fins. They are destitute of scales.

                                   Xenotime

   Xen"o*time  (?),  n.  [Gr. xe`nos guest, stranger + xenotim.] (Min.) A
   native  phosphate  of  yttrium occurring in yellowish-brown tetragonal
   crystals.

                                   Xenurine

   Xe*nu"rine (?), n. [Gr. xe`nos strange + (Zo\'94l.) A cabassou.

                                     Xenyl

   Xen"yl  (?),  n.  [Gr.  xe`nos  strange  +  -yl.]  (Chem.) The radical
   characteristic of xenylic compounds.

                                    Xenylic

   Xe*nyl"ic  (?),  a.  (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, designating,
   certain amido compounds obtained by reducing certain nitro derivatives
   of diphenyl.

                                   Xeraphim

   Xer"a*phim  (?),  n.  [Pg. xarafin, xerafin, fr. Ar. ashraf\'c6 noble,
   the  name of a gold coin.] An old money of account in Bombay, equal to
   three fifths of a rupee.

                                     Xeres

   Xer"es (?), n. Sherry. See Sherry.

                                     Xerif

   Xer"if (?), n. A shereef.

                                    Xeriff

   Xer"iff  (?),  n. [See Shereef.] A gold coin formerly current in Egypt
   and Turkey, of the value of about 9s. 6d., or about $2.30; -- also, in
   Morocco, a ducat.

                                   Xeroderma

   Xe`ro*der"ma  (?),  n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) Ichthyosis. (b) A skin
   disease  characterized  by  the  presence  of numerous small pigmented
   spots  resembling  freckles, with which are subsequently mingled spots
   of atrophied skin.

                                   Xeronate

   Xe"ro*nate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of xeronic acid.

                                    Xeronic

   Xe*ron"ic  (?), a. [Gr. conic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating,
   an   acid,  C8H12O4,  related  to  fumaric  acid,  and  obtained  from
   citraconic acid as an oily substance having a bittersweet taste; -- so
   called from its tendency to form its anhydride.

                                   Xerophagy

   Xe*roph"a*gy   (?),   n.  [L.  xerophagia,  Gr.  Among  the  primitive
   Christians,  the  living  on  a  diet of dry food in Lent and on other
   fasts.

                                  Xerophilous

   Xe*roph"i*lous  (?), a. [Gr. (Bot.) Drought-loving; able withstand the
   absence or lack of moisture.

     Plants  which  are peculiarly adapted to dry climates are termed by
     De Candolle xerophilous. Goodale.

                                 Xerophthalmia

   Xe`roph*thal"mi*a (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. Ophthalmia.] (Med.) An abnormal
   dryness of the eyeball produced usually by long-continued inflammation
   and subsequent atrophy of the conjunctiva.

                                 Xerophthalmy

   Xe`roph*thal"my (?), n. (Med.) Xerophthalmia.

                                    Xiphias

   Xiph"i*as (?), n. [L., a swordfish, a sword-shaped comet, fr. Gr.

   1. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of fishes comprising the common swordfish.

   2.  (Anat.)  (a)  The  constellation Dorado. (b) A comet shaped like a
   sword

                                   Xiphidium

   Xi*phid"i*um  (?),  n. [NL., from Gr. xi`fos sword.] (Bot.) A genus of
   plants  of the order H\'91modrace\'91, having two-ranked, sword-shaped
   leaves.

                                   Xiphioid

   Xiph"i*oid  (?), a. [Xiphius + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) Of, pertaining to, or
   resembling, a cetacean of the genus Xiphius or family Xiphiid\'91.

                                 Xiphiplastron

   Xiph"i*plas"tron (?), n.; pl. Xiphiplastra (#). [NL., fr. Gr. xi`fos a
   sword  + plastron.] (Anat.) The posterior, or fourth, lateral plate in
   the plastron of turtles; -- called also xiphisternum.

                                 Xiphisternum

   Xiph"i*ster"num  (?),  n.; pl. Xiphisterna (#). [NL., fr. Gr. xi`fos a
   sword  + sternum.] (Anat.) (a) The posterior segment, or extremity, of
   the  sternum;  --  sometimes  called  metasternum, ensiform cartilage,
   ensiform  process,  or  xiphoid  process.  (b)  The  xiphiplastron. --
   Xiph"i*ster"nal (#) a.

                                    Xiphius

   Xiph"i*us (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. xi`fos a sword.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of
   cetaceans  having  a  long,  pointed,  bony beak, usually two tusklike
   teeth in the lower jaw, but no teeth in the upper jaw.

                                   Xiphodon

   Xiph"o*don (?), n. [Gr. xi`fos a sword + (Paleon.) An extinct genus of
   artiodactylous  mammals  found in the European Tertiary formations. It
   had slender legs, didactylous feet, and small canine teeth.

                                    Xiphoid

   Xiph"oid  (?;  277),  a.  [Gr. xi`fos a sword + xiphoide.] (Anat.) (a)
   Like  a  sword; ensiform. (b) Of or pertaining to the xiphoid process;
   xiphoidian.

                                  Xiphoidian

   Xiph*oid"i*an (?), a. (Anat.) Xiphoid.

                                 Xiphophyllous

   Xi*phoph"yl*lous   (?),   a.   [Gr.   xi`fos  sword  +  (Bot.)  Having
   sword-shaped leaves.

                                   Xiphosura

   Xiph`o*su"ra (?), n. pl. See Xiphura.

                                    Xiphura

   Xi*phu"ra (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. xi`fos sword + (Zo\'94l.) Same as
   Limuloidea. Called also Xiphosura. X ray. See under Ray.

                                   Xylamide

   Xy*lam"ide  (?),  n. [Xylic + amide.] (Chem.) An acid amide derivative
   of xylic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.

                                  Xylanthrax

   Xy*lan"thrax  (?), n. [Gr. xy`lon wood + Wood coal, or charcoal; -- so
   called in distinction from mineral coal.

                                    Xylate

   Xy"late (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of xylic acid.

                                     Xylem

   Xy"lem   (?),   n.  [Gr.  xy`lon  wood.]  (Bot.)  That  portion  of  a
   fibrovascular  bundle  which has developed, or will develop, into wood
   cells; -- distinguished from phlo\'89m.

                                    Xylene

   Xy"lene  (?),  n.  [Gr.  xy`lon wood.] (Chem.) Any of a group of three
   metameric  hydrocarbons of the aromatic series, found in coal and wood
   tar,  and  so  named  because  found  in  crude  wood spirit. They are
   colorless,  oily,  inflammable  liquids,  C6H4.(CH3)2,  being dimethyl
   benzenes,  and  are  called  respectively orthoxylene, metaxylene, and
   paraxylene. Called also xylol.

     NOTE: &hand; Ea ch of these xylenes is the nucleus and prototype of
     a distinct series of compounds.

                                    Xylenol

   Xy"le*nol  (?),  n.  [Xylene  + -ol.] (Chem.) Any one of six metameric
   phenol  derivatives  of  xylene,  obtained  as crystalline substances,
   (CH3)2.C6H3.OH.

                                    Xyletic

   Xy*let"ic  (?),  a.  (Chem.)  Pertaining to, or designating, a complex
   acid  related  to  mesitylenic  acid,  obtained as a white crystalline
   substance by the action of sodium and carbon dioxide on crude xylenol.

                                     Xylic

   Xy"lic  (?),  a.  (Chem.)  Pertaining to, derived from, or related to,
   xylene;  specifically,  designating any one of several metameric acids
   produced by the partial oxidation of mesitylene and pseudo-cumene.

                                    Xylidic

   Xy*lid"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, either one of
   two  distinct  acids  which  are  derived  from xylic acid and related
   compounds, and are metameric with uvitic acid.

                                   Xylidine

   Xy"li*dine  (?),  n.  (Chem.)  Any  one of six metameric hydrocarbons,
   (CH3)2.C6H3.NH2,  resembling  aniline, and related to xylene. They are
   liquids,  or easily fusible crystalline substances, of which three are
   derived   from   metaxylene,   two  from  orthoxylene,  and  one  from
   paraxylene. They are called the amido xylenes.

     NOTE: &hand; The xylidine of commerce, used in making certain dyes,
     consists chiefly of the derivatives of paraxylene and metaxylene.

                                   Xylindein

   Xy*lin"de*in  (?),  n.  (Chem.)  A  green  or blue pigment produced by
   Peziza  in  certain  kinds  of decayed wood, as the beech, oak, birch,
   etc., and extracted as an amorphous powder resembling indigo.

                                    Xylite

   Xy"lite  (?), n. [Gr. xy`lon wood.] (Chem.) A liquid hydrocarbon found
   in crude wood spirits.

                                   Xylitone

   Xy"li*tone  (?),  n.  (Chem.) A yellow oil having a geraniumlike odor,
   produced  as  a  side product in making phorone; -- called also xylite
   oil.

                                     Xylo-

   Xy"lo-  (?).  A  combining  form  from Gr. xy`lon wood; as in xylogen,
   xylograph.

                                 Xylobalsamum

   Xy`lo*bal"sa*mum  (?),  n.  [NL.,  fr.  Gr. xy`lon wood + xylobalsamum
   balsam   wood,   Gr.   (Med.)   The  dried  twigs  of  a  Syrian  tree
   (Balsamodendron Gileadense). U. S. Disp.

                                  Xylocarpous

   Xy`lo*car"pous (?), a. [Xylo- + Gr. (Bot.) Bearing fruit which becomes
   hard or woody.

                                   Xylocopa

   Xy*loc"o*pa  (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. xy`lon wood + (Zo\'94l.) A genus of
   hymenopterous  insects  including  the  carpenter.  See Carpenter bee,
   under Carpenter. -- Xy*loc"o*pine (#), a.

                                    Xylogen

   Xy"lo*gen  (?), n. [Xylo- + -gen.] (a) (Bot.) Nascent wood; wood cells
   in a forming state. (b) Lignin.

                                   Xylograph

   Xy"lo*graph  (?),  n.  [Xylo-  + -graph.] An engraving on wood, or the
   impression from such an engraving; a print by xylography.

                                  Xylographer

   Xy*log"ra*pher (?), n. One who practices xylography.

                          Xylographic, Xylographical

   Xy`lo*graph"ic  (?), Xy`lo*graph"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. xylographique.]
   Of or pertaining to xylography, or wood engraving.

                                  Xylography

   Xy*log"ra*phy (?), n. [Xylo- + -graphy: cf. F. xylographie.]

   1. The art of engraving on wood.

   2. The art of making prints from the natural grain of wood. Knight.

   3.  A  method  pf  printing  in colors upon wood for purposes of house
   decoration. Ure.

                                    Xyloid

   Xy"loid  (?), a. [Xylo- + -oid.] Resembling wood; having the nature of
   wood.

                                   Xyloidin

   Xy*loid"in  (?),  n.  [Xylo-  +  -oid.] (Chem.) A substance resembling
   pyroxylin,  obtained by the action of nitric acid on starch; -- called
   also nitramidin.

                                     Xylol

   Xy"lol (?), n. [Xylo- + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) Same as Xylene.

                                   Xylonite

   Xy"lon*ite (?), n. See Zylonite.

                                   Xylophaga

   Xy*loph"a*ga  (?),  n.  [NL.  See  Xylophagous.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of
   marine bivalves which bore holes in wood. They are allied to Pholas.

                                  Xylophagan

   Xy*loph"a*gan (?), n. [See Xylophagous.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) One of a tribe
   of  beetles  whose  larv\'91  bore or live in wood. (b) Any species of
   Xylophaga. (c) Any one of the Xylophagides.

                                 Xylophagides

   Xy`lo*phag"i*des  (?), n. pl. [See Xylophagous.] (Zo\'94l.) A tribe or
   family of dipterous flies whose larv\'91 live in decayed wood. Some of
   the tropical species are very large.

                                  Xylophagous

   Xy*loph"a*gous  (?),  a.  [Gr.  xy`lon  wood  + (Zo\'94l.) (a) Eating,
   boring  in,  or destroying, wood; -- said especially of certain insect
   larv\'91, crustaceans, and mollusks. (b) Of or pertaining to the genus
   Xylophaga.

                                  Xylophilan

   Xy*loph"i*lan  (?), n. [See Xylophilous.] (Zo\'94l.) One of a tribe of
   beetles (Xylophili) whose larv\'91 live on decayed wood.

                                  Xylophilous

   Xy*loph"i*lous (?), a. [Xylo- + Gr. filei^n to love.] (Zo\'94l.) Of or
   pertaining to the xylophilans.

                                   Xylophone

   Xy"lo*phone (?), n. [Xylo- + Gr. fwnh` sound.]

   1. (Mus.) An instrument common among the Russians, Poles, and Tartars,
   consisting  of a series of strips of wood or glass graduated in length
   to  the  musical scale, resting on belts of straw, and struck with two
   small hammers. Called in Germany strohfiedel, or straw fiddle.

   2.  An  instrument  to determine the vibrative properties of different
   kinds of wood. Knight.

                                  Xyloplastic

   Xy`lo*plas"tic  (?),  a. [Xylo- + -plastic.] (Technol.) Formed of wood
   pulp by molds; relating to casts made of wood pulp in molds.

                                Xylopyrography

   Xy`lo*py*rog"ra*phy (?). n. [Xylo- + Gr. -graphy.] The art or practice
   of  burning  pictures  on  wood  with a hot iron; -- called also poker
   painting. See Poker picture, under Poker.<-- also, wood burning. -->
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   Page 1672

                                  Xyloquinone

   Xy`lo*qui"none  (?), n. [Xylene + quinone.] (Chem.) Any one of a group
   of quinone compounds obtained respectively by the oxidation of certain
   xylidine compounds. In general they are yellow crystalline substances.

                                   Xylorcin

   Xy*lor"cin  (?),  n.  [Xylene + orcin.] (Chem.) A derivative of xylene
   obtained as a white crystalline substance which on exposure in the air
   becomes red; -- called also betaorcin.

                                   Xylostein

   Xy*los"te*in  (?),  n.  [Xylo-  + Gr. (Chem.) A glucoside found in the
   poisonous  berries  of  a species of honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum),
   and extracted as a bitter, white, crystalline substance.

                                   Xytotile

   Xy"to*tile (?), n. Same as Parkesine.

                                   Xylotrya

   Xy*lo"try*a  (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. xy`lon wood + (Zo\'94l.) A genus of
   marine  bivalves  closely allied to Teredo, and equally destructive to
   timber.  One  species  (Xylotrya  fimbriata)  is  very  common  on the
   Atlantic coast of the United States.

                                     Xylyl

   Xy"lyl  (?),  n.  [Xylo-  +  -yl.]  (Chem.) Any one of three metameric
   radicals which are characteristic respectively of the three xylenes.

                                   Xylylene

   Xy"lyl*ene  (?),  n.  (Chem.)  Any  one  of  three metameric radicals,
   CH2.C6H4.CH2,  derived respectively from the three xylenes. Often used
   adjectively; as, xylylene alcohol.

                                  Xyridaceous

   Xyr`i*da"ceous  (?),  a.  (Bot.)  Of  or pertaining to a natural order
   (Xyride\'91) of endogenous plants, of which Xyris is the type.

                                     Xyris

   Xy"ris  (?),  n. [L., a kind of Iris, Gr. (Bot.) A genus of endogenous
   herbs   with   grassy  leaves  and  small  yellow  flowers  in  short,
   scaly-bracted  spikes;  yellow-eyed  grass.  There are about seventeen
   species in the Atlantic United States.

                                 Xyst, Xystus

   Xyst (?), Xys"tus (?), n. [L. xystus, Gr. (Anc. Arch.) A long and open
   portico,  for athletic exercises, as wrestling, running, etc., for use
   in winter or in stormy weather.

                                   Xystarch

   Xyst"arch  (?),  n.  [L. xystarches, Gr. (Gr. Antiq.) An office Dr. W.
   Smith.

                                    Xyster

   Xys"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Surg.) An instrument for scraping bo Y.