‖n. [ Gr. 'abaki`skos, dim of 'a`bax. See Abacus. ] (Arch.) One of the tiles or squares of a tessellated pavement; an abaculus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The Lake herring (Coregonus Artedi), valuable food fish of the Great Lakes of North America. The name is also applied to Coregonus Hoyi, a related species of Lake Michigan. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. Franciscus Francis: cf. F. franciscain. ] (R. C. Ch.) Belonging to the Order of St. Francis of the Franciscans. [ 1913 Webster ]

Franciscan Brothers, pious laymen who devote themselves to useful works, such as manual labor schools, and other educational institutions; -- called also Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis. --
Franciscan Nuns, nuns who follow the rule of St. Francis, esp. those of the Second Order of St. Francis, -- called also Poor Clares or Minoresses. --
Franciscan Tertiaries, the Third Order of St. Francis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (R.C.Ch.) A monk or friar of the Order of St. Francis, a large and zealous order of mendicant monks founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi. They are called also Friars Minor; and in England, Gray Friars, because they wear a gray habit. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. A genus of freshwater fishes including the dace (Leuciscus leuciscus).
Syn. -- genus Leuciscus. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. sciscitatio, fr. sciscitari to inquire, from sciscere to seek to know, v. incho. from scire to know. ] The act of inquiring; inquiry; demand. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]