Theory

or practice of medicine; specific internal application for the cure or relief sickne ; a purge; cathartic— v. t. [physicked (-ikt), -ICKING.J To treat with physic; to purge; to cure. — Phys'ics, n. Science of nature or of natural jects; esp. science of the general properties of bodies, and causes that modify those properties; natural philosophy. — Physique', fe'zek', n. The natural constitution, or physical structure, of a person. — Physical, a. Pert, to nature, as including created existences; relating to natural or material things, as opp. to things mental, moral, spiritual, imaginary; pert, to physics, or the science of ture, or to unorganized matter; cognizable by senses; corporeal; external. — Physically, adv. Physician, -zish'an, n. One who is skilled in physic or the art of healing;, doctor of medicine. — Phys's un, cube, full; moon, fo"6t; cow, ■297 PICKLE icist, -T-sist, n. One versed in the science of physics. — Physiognomy, -I-og'no-mT, n. Art or science of discerning the character of the mind from the features of the face; the face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the mind; particular cast, or expre ion of countenance. (Bot.) The general appearance of a plant, irrespective of its botanical characters. — Physiognomist, n. One skilled in physiognomy. — PhysioKogy, -T-oKo-jT, n. Science of the organs and their functions in animals and plants.— Phys'iolog'ic, -ical, -o-lojlk-al, a. Pert, to physiology, or the science of the properties and functions of living beings. Pi, pi, n. (Print.) A ma of type confusedly mixed, or unsorted. — v. t. [pied (pid), pieing.] To drop or break down (a line, page, etc.) so that the type shall be confusedly mixed. [Abbr. of pica, q. v., under Pie, a bird.] Pia Mater, pi'a-ma'ter, n. (Anat.) The vascular membrane immediately investing the brain. Piano, pe-a/no, a. (Mus.) Soft, — a direction to the performer. — Pia'no, P.-for'te, -f or'ta, n. (Mus.) A musical instrument, consisting of a series of wires of Graduated length, thickne , and tension, struck by ammers moved by keys. — Pi'anis's imo, -se-mo, a. (Mus.) Very soft, — a direction to execute a pa age in the softest manner. — Pia'nist, n. A performer on the piano-forte. Piaster, pi-as'ter, n. A coin of different values in different countries,— worth about 80 cents in Italy. Piazza, pY-az'za, n. (Arch.) A kind of portico. A square open space surrounded by buildings. Con- 18, Pibroch, pe'brok, n. A wild, irregular species of mu- 19 a, sic, peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland. — Pib'- Wit; corn, n. A wind instrument or pipe, with a horn at each end, used in Wales.; 25, Pica. See under Pie, a bird. Picayune, pik-a-yoon', n. A small coin = 6 1-4 cents. Piccalilli, pik'ka-lil'lY, n. An E. Indian pickle of va- 32, rio us vegetables with pungent spices. Com- Piccolo, pik'ko-lo, n. (Mus.) A small flute, whose pitch is an octave higher than that of the ordinary flute; a small upright piano-forte. or Pick, pik, v. t. [picked (pikt), picking.] To peck at, like birds with their bills; to strike at with anything in, pointed; to open, as a lock; to separate, as wool, cotton, hair, oakum, etc.; to pull away, gather, esp. with the fingers, as fruit from a tree, corn from a stalk, etc.; to pluck; to cleanse, by removing (with a pointed instrument or the fingers) that which is obthat jectionable; to take away by a quick, unexpected movement, take up suddenly; to choose, select, cull; to seek or desire; to collect, bring together. — v. i. To eat slowly or b3T morsels, nibble; to do anything nicely; to steal, pilfer. — n. A sharp-pointed tool; esp. (Mining & Mech.), a tool with a wooden handle and a heavy curved iron head tapering to a point at each end, used for loosening and breaking up hard earth, ground, stones, etc. Choice; right of selection.— Pick' ax, -axe, n. A pick with a point at one end, a transverse edge or blade at the other, and a handle inserted at the middle; a pick. — Picklock, n. An in very strument for opening locks of when there is no key; a person who picks locks. — Pick'a pocket, n. One who steals of from another's pocket.— Pick/rin fortification sharpened, and encampments; used a -ficKax. narrow board et, n. A stake obpointed, used in fences. (Mil.) A guard posted in front of an army, to give notice of the approach of an enemy. — v. t. To fortify, inclose, or fence with pickets; "to fasten to a picket. Pickaninny, pik'a-nin-ni, n. A small child; esp. a neall gro or mulatto infant. Pickerel, pik'er-el, n. A fresh-water fish of several or species of the pike family. na- Pickle, pik'l, n. A solution of salt and water, in the which fish and meat may be preserved or corned; brine; vinegar, sometimes spiced, in which vegetables, fish, etc., may be preserved; any article of food preserved in vinegar; a troublesome child. — oil j linger or ink, then, boNboN, chair, get. c. t. [pickled (pik'ld), -ling.] To preserve season in pickle; to imbue highly with anything bad; to prepare (an imitation) and sell as genuine to subject (pins and needles) to the action of certain chemicals. Picklock, Pickpocket. See under Pick. 310