{ } n. [ L. asbestos (NL. asbestus) a kind of mineral unaffected by fire, Gr. &unr_; (prop. an adj.) inextinguishable; 'a priv. + &unr_; to extinguish. ] (Min.) A variety of amphibole or of pyroxene, occurring in long and delicate fibers, or in fibrous masses or seams, usually of a white, gray, or green-gray color. The name is also given to a similar variety of serpentine. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The finer varieties have been wrought into gloves and cloth which are incombustible. The cloth was formerly used as a shroud for dead bodies, and has been recommended for firemen's clothes. Asbestus in also employed in the manufacture of iron safes, for fireproof roofing, and for lampwicks. Some varieties are called amianthus. Dana. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. blasto`s sprout + E. sphere. ] (Biol.) The hollow globe or sphere formed by the arrangement of the blastomeres on the periphery of an impregnated ovum. [ See Illust. of Invagination. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. blasto`s sprout, bud + &unr_; a pillar. ] (Zool.) In certain hydroids, an imperfect zooid, whose special function is to produce medusoid buds. See Hydroidea, and Athecata. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Custodes [ L. ] A keeper; a custodian; a superintendent. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Custos rotulorum ety>[ LL., keeper of the rolls ] (Eng. Law), the principal justice of the peace in a county, who is also keeper of the rolls and records of the sessions of the peace. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Containing, or resembling, a cyst or cysts; cystic; bladdery. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., from Gr. &unr_; skin + &unr_; bone. ] (Physiol.) Ossification of the dermis. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Ect-, and Ostosis. ] (Physiol.) A process of bone formation in which ossification takes place in the perichondrium and either surrounds or gradually replaces the cartilage. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL. See Endo-, and Ostosis. ] (Physiol.) A process of bone formation in which ossification takes place within the substance of the cartilage. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; out + &unr_; bone: cf. F &unr_; exostose. ] 1. (Med.) Any protuberance of a bone which is not natural; an excrescence or morbid enlargement of a bone. Coxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) A knot formed upon or in the wood of trees by disease.

‖a. & adv. [ It. ] (Mus.) Tasteful; in a tasteful, agreeable manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖a. & adv. [ It. ] (Mus.) Majestic or majestically; -- a direction to perform a passage or piece of music in a dignified manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., from Gr. 'oste`on a bone. ] (Physiol.) Bone formation; ossification. See Ectostosis, and Endostosis. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Para-, and Ostosis. ] (Physiol.) Ossification which takes place in purely fibrous tracts; the formation of bone outside of the periosteum. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. fenakisth`s a deceiver + -scope. ] A revolving disk on which figures drawn in different relative attitudes are seen successively, so as to produce the appearance of an object in actual motion, as an animal leaping, etc., in consequence of the persistence of the successive visual impressions of the retina. It is often arranged so that the figures may be projected upon a screen. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. schistosité. ] (Geol.) The quality or state of being schistose. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. F. schisteux. ] (Geol.) Of or pertaining to schist; having the structure of a schist. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ . See Shist, Schistose. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. ] Same as Synosteosis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. ta`chistos, superl. of tachy`s swift + -scope. ] (Physiol.) An apparatus for exposing briefly to view a screen bearing letters or figures. It is used in studying the range of attention, or the power of distinguishing separate objects in a single impression. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ testes + o + sterone a steroid ketone. ] a steroid hormone (C19H28O2) produced mostly in the testes, which is responsible for producing the secondary sexual characteristics of males. [ PJC ]