auricular

[In Fr. auricula ire (adj.); Sp. & Port. auricular; Ital. a uri col are, auriculare (adj.); Lat. auricular is = belonging to the ear; auricula = a little ear, dim in. of auris an ear.] A. Ordinary Language: I. Lit. Of the ear: 1. Pertaining to the ear or any part of it. 2. Heard by the ear; depending upon the ear. "Edm. If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you shall hear us coufer of this, and by an auricular a urance have your satisfaction Shakesp.: King Lear , 1. 2. 3. Whispered in the ear; secret. [B., II.] 4. Pa ing from ear to ear; traditional. "The alchymists call in many varieties out of astro logy , auricular traditions, and feigned testimonies." Bacon . IL. Fig .: Of anything ear-like in shape. [B., Ι. 2.] B. Technically : I. Anatomy : †1. Pertaining to the ear. 2. Pertaining to anything ear-like. Spec ., pertaining to the two auricles, or to one or other of the auricles of the heart. "The auricular septum, however, remains incomplete through fœtal life."-Todd & Bowman: Physiol. Anat., vol. ii., p. 604. "Auricular appendage, or proper auricle: That portion of each of the auricles of the heart which resembles an ear."- Ibid . , p. 334. II. Theology , Church History , . Auricular Confe ion: Confe ion of sin privately made to a priest, with the view of obtaining absolution. "Shall auricular confe ion be retained or not retained in the Church?"-Froude: Hist. Eng ., 2nd ed., vol. iii., ch. xvi., p. 884. âu-ric-u-lar-lý, adv. [Eng. auricular; suff. -ly.] By means of whispering in the ear; secretly. "These will soon confe , and that not auricularly, but in a loud and audible voice."- Dr. H. More: Decay of Piety. âu-ric'-u-lāte, âu-ric-u-lā-těd, adj . [Mod. Lat. auriculatus ; from auricula = a little ear, dim in. of auris = an ear.] L. Generally. Biol . Having actual ears, or with appendages like ears. IL Specially: 1. Zoology: (a) of the Vertebrata (chiefly of the form auriculated): Eared with the ears so conspicuous as to require notice in a description. (b) Of the Mollusca (chiefly of the form auriculate): Eared; that is, with a projecting ear shaped proce on either side of the apex of the shell. Example, the genus Pecten. 2. Bot. (of either form): Eared; having at the base two small appendages shaped like ears. (Applied chiefly to leaves.) The same as AURICLED. Example, Jasminum auricula tum . (Lindley, Loudon , .)