Chrestomathy

[ Gr.chrestos, useful, and mathein, to learn. Literally, that which is useful to learn. The Greeks frequently formed commonplace books by collecting the various pa ages to which, in the course of reading, they had affixed the mark X ( chrestos ). Hence the name sometimes applied to a collection of useful pieces out of the best authors. Chrism, ( krizm ,) n. [Gr. chrisma , from chriō, chrizõ, to anoint.] ( Eccl . ) The name given in the Roman Catholic and Greek churches to a mixture of oil and aromatic balsams consecrated with great formality by the bishop on Holy Thursday, and used in baptism, confirmation, and ordination. That used in extreme unction, likewise consecrated, is merely pure oil. Chris'mal, a . Pertaining to chrism. Chrisma'tion, n. Act of bestowing chrism. Chris'matory, n. A ve el to hold the oil for chrism. Christ. [Gr. Christos, anointed, answering to Me iah in Heb. The name given as a title of eminence to JESUS our Saviour, whom, in the words of St. Peter (Acts x. 38), "God anointed," as king, priest, and prophet, with the Holy Ghost and with power." Christ church, a town of England, in Hampshire, situated in the New Forest, 90 m. S.W. of London. Manf. Ale, and clock-work springs. Christ-cro -row, n. The alphabet; still sometimes so called from a former practice of writing it in the form of a cro , or from the cro often set before it. Christen, ( krisn ,) v. a. [A. S. Cristman, from Gr. Christos, Christ.] To initiate into the Christian Church by naming and baptizing. -To nante; to give a name to; to denominate; as, to christen a ship. Chris'tendom, n . [A.S Cristendom-Cristen, Christian, and dom , rule, power, jurisdiction.] A word sometimes employed in such a sense as to comprehend all nations in which Christianity prevails; more commonly all realms governed under Christian sovereigns and institutions. Thus European Turkey, although three fourths of its inhabitants are Christians, is not in ordinary language included within the term Christen dom. The number of Christians inhabiting Europe and America, and scattered in the other parts of the globe, was made up as follows in 1892: Roman Catholic Church. 230,866,600 IMG:content-0174.jpg:[blocks in formation] "An older and a better soldier, none that Christen dom gives out." Shaks. -The whole body of Christians. Christian, ( kris'tyan ,) n. [Gr. Christ i a nos , from Chris tos , Christ; Lat. Christian us.] A profe ed follower or disciple of Christ; a believer in the religion of Christ; one united to Christ. "A Christian is God Almighty's gentleman." - Hare. -In an extended sense, an inhabitant of Christen dom; one born of Christian parents, in a Christian country. -a. Relating to Christ or Christianity; pertaining to, taught by, or received from Christ; as, the Christian religion. - Profe ing the religion of Christ; as, a Chris tian people. -Ecclesiastical: pertaining to the Church of Christ; as, a Christian court. Christian name, the name given in baptism, as distinguished from the gentilitious or surname. "Freedom and zeal have choused you o'er and o'er." - Dryden. n. One easily cheated or imposed upon; a tool; a gull; a Christ, (Order of,) n . ( Hist . ) On the abolition of the simpleton; as, "A sottish chouse." -Hudibras. -A trick, sham, or imposition.