‖n. [ G., enlightenment. ] A philosophic movement of the 18th century characterized by a lively questioning of authority, keen interest in matters of politics and general culture, and an emphasis on empirical method in science. It received its impetus from the unsystematic but vigorous skepticism of Pierre Bayle, the physical doctrines of Newton, and the epistemological theories of Locke, in the preceding century. Its chief center was in France, where it gave rise to the skepticism of Voltaire , the naturalism of Rousseau, the sensationalism of Condillac, and the publication of the “Encyclopedia” by D'Alembert and Diderot. In Germany, Lessing, Mendelssohn, and Herder were representative thinkers, while the political doctrines of the leaders of the American Revolution and the speculations of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine represented the movement in America. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Back, adv. + lash. ] 1. (Mech.) The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A strong and sudden reverse movement in a moving part of a machine. [ PJC ]

3. A strong popular reaction serving to counter the effect of an action; -- used especially of adverse reactions to social or political developments. [ PJC ]

n. See Bookland. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ AS. bōcland; bōc book + land land. ] (O. Eng. Law) Charter land held by deed under certain rents and free services, which differed in nothing from free socage lands. This species of tenure has given rise to the modern freeholds. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Brick + lay. ] One whose occupation is to build with bricks. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bricklayer's itch. See under Itch. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The art of building with bricks, or of uniting them by cement or mortar into various forms; the act or occupation of laying bricks. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Ciclatoun. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Gilded leather. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. folcland. ] (O.Eng. Law) Land held in villenage, being distributed among the folk, or people, at the pleasure of the lord of the manor, and resumed at his discretion. Not being held by any assurance in writing, it was opposed to bookland or charter land, which was held by deed. Mozley & W.

prop. n. pl.; sing. Klamath (Ethnol.) A collective name for the Indians of several tribes formerly living along the Klamath river, in California and Oregon, but now restricted to a reservation at Klamath Lake; -- called also Clamets and Hamati. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a member of the Ku Klux Klan. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. An informal group that gathers more or less frequently, especially for conversation; as, a coffee klatsch; a sewing klatsch. [ PJC ]

n. A local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. [ PJC ]

n. a stringed instrument that has a keyboard, especially a piano, harpsichord, or clavichord; also, the keyboard of such an instrument. Same as clavier.
Syn. -- clavier. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A kind of loud horn formerly used on motor vehicles.
Syn. -- claxon. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Zool.) Any pheasant of the genus Pucrasia. The birds of this genus inhabit India and China, and are distinguished by having a long central and two lateral crests on the head. Called also pucras. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The name adopted in the southern part of the United States by a secret political organization, active for several years after the close of the Civil War, and having for its aim the repression of the political power of the freed negroes; -- called also Kuklux Klan and the Klan. It exerienced a revival in the 1920's, in the north as well as the south, and persists as a weak organization into the 1990's. Its goals were primarily anti-negro and anti-Catholic, and its tactics included terrorist attacks on negroes for the purpose of intimidation with the goal of continuing segregation. The signature activity of the Klan was the burning of a cross, either at rallies of Klansmen, or on the property of African-Americans which they hoped to intimidate. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. 1. A string of beads, etc., or any continuous band or chain, worn around the neck as an ornament. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) A rope or chain fitted around the masthead to hold hanging blocks for jibs and stays. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Wearing a necklace; marked as with a necklace. [ 1913 Webster ]

The hooded and the necklaced snake. Sir W. Jones. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A neck of land. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , n. See Rokelay. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Ciclatoun. ] A kind of gilt leather. See Checklaton. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. G. schleier. ] A vell. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Railroads) Any workman engaged in work involved in putting the track in place. [ U. S. & Canada ] -- Track"lay`ing, n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]