Prehensile

(pre-hěn's il.) [From L. prehensus, grasped. ] Fitted by nature to seize, grasp, or lay hold of, as the tails of certain monkeys. Prehistoric, (-his-tor'ik.) Relating to times anterior to authentic history. Prehnite, (pra nit.) (Min.) A hydrous silicate of alumina, originally discovered at the Cape of Good Hope by Prehn. Has been called sho rl, emerald, chrysoprase, felspath, chrysolite, and zoölite. It is ma ive or crystallized, but the form of its crystals cannot be determined in consequence of their aggregation. Prejudice. (prěj'u-dis.) [Fr., from L. præjudicio, I decide beforehand.) A judgment neither founded upon, nor consistent with, reason; the error of ignorance, weakne , or idlene . It is the enemy of all truth, knowledge, and improvement, and is the blindne of the mind, rendering its powers not only usele but mischievous. Innumerable are the prejudices we imbibe in our youth; we are accustomed to believe without reflection, and to receive opinions from others 4R without examining the grounds by which they are supported. [s. 729]