| Osculant | a. [ L. osculans, -antis, p. pr. of osculari to kiss. See Osculate. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. Kissing; hence, meeting; clinging. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Zool.) Adhering closely; embracing; -- applied to certain creeping animals, as caterpillars. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Biol.) Intermediate in character, or on the border, between two genera, groups, families, etc., of animals or plants, and partaking somewhat of the characters of each, thus forming a connecting link; interosculant; as, the genera by which two families approximate are called osculant genera. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Occupant | n. [ L. occupans, p. pr. of occupare: cf. F. occupant. See Occupy. ] 1. One who occupies, or takes possession; one who has the actual use or possession, or is in possession, of a thing; as, the occupant of the apartment is not at home. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ This word, in law, sometimes signifies one who takes the first possession of a thing that has no owner. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A prostitute. [ Obs. ] Marston. [ 1913 Webster ] |
