n. pl. the medium of transmission of signals by radio or television stations; by radio transmission; -- used non-technically; as, over the airwaves, i. e. by radio or television. [ PJC ]

‖n. pl. [ L., pl. of avis bird. ] (Zool.) The class of Vertebrata that includes the birds. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Aves, or birds, have a complete double circulation, oviparous reproduction, front limbs peculiarly modified as wings; and they bear feathers. All existing birds have a horny beak, without teeth; but some Mesozoic fossil birds (Odontornithes) had conical teeth inserted in both jaws. The principal groups are: Carinatæ, including all existing flying birds; Ratitæ, including the ostrich and allies, the apteryx, and the extinct moas; Odontornithes, or fossil birds with teeth. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ordinary birds are classified largely by the structure of the beak and feet, which are in direct relation to their habits. See Beak, Bird, Odontonithes. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. The Zoroastrian scriptures; the sacred text of Zoroastrianism. See Zend-Avesta. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to the Avesta or the language of the Avesta. -- n. The language of the Avesta (an ancient Iranian language); -- less properly called Zend.
Syn. -- Zend [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

{ } n. [ F. caveçon, augm. fr. LL. capitium a head covering hood, fr. L. caput head. Cf. Caberzon. ] (Man.) A kind of noseband used in breaking and training horses. [ Written also caveson, causson. ] White. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ OE. evese, pl. eveses, AS. efese eaves, brim, brink; akin to OHG. obisa, opasa, porch, hall, MHG. obse eaves, Icel. ups, Goth. ubizwa porch; cf. Icel. upsar-dropi, OSw. opsä-drup water dropping from the eaves. Probably from the root of E. over. The s of eaves is in English regarded as a plural ending, though not so in Saxon. See Over, and cf. Eavesdrop. ] 1. (Arch.) The edges or lower borders of the roof of a building, which overhang the walls, and cast off the water that falls on the roof. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Brow; ridge. [ Obs. ] “Eaves of the hill.” Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Eyelids or eyelashes. [ 1913 Webster ]

And closing eaves of wearied eyes. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Eaves board (Arch.), an arris fillet, or a thick board with a feather edge, nailed across the rafters at the eaves of a building, to raise the lower course of slates a little, or to receive the lowest course of tiles; -- called also eaves catch and eaves lath. --
Eaves channel,
Eaves gutter,
Eaves trough. Same as Gutter, 1. --
Eaves molding (Arch.), a molding immediately below the eaves, acting as a cornice or part of a cornice. --
Eaves swallow (Zoöl.). (a) The cliff swallow; -- so called from its habit of building retort-shaped nests of mud under the eaves of buildings. See Cliff swallow, under Cliff. (b) The European swallow. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Eaves + drop. ] To stand under the eaves, near a window or at the door, of a house, to listen and learn what is said within doors; hence, to listen secretly to what is said in private. [ 1913 Webster ]

To eavesdrop in disguises. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The water which falls in drops from the eaves of a house. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who stands under the eaves, or near the window or door of a house, to listen; hence, a secret listener. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) The habit of lurking about dwelling houses, and other places where persons meet for private intercourse, secretly listening to what is said, and then tattling it abroad. The offense is indictable at common law. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. flavescens, p. pr. of flavescere to turn yellow. ] Turning yellow; yellowish. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ See Goaf, n. ] (Mining) Old workings. See Goaf. Raymond. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. The sediment of melted tallow. Same as Greaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ So called after Dr. Graves, of Dublin. ] Same as Basedow's disease. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A stone laid over, or erected near, a grave, usually with an inscription, to preserve the memory of the dead; a tombstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ Cf. dial. Sw. grevar greaves, LG. greven, G. griebe, also AS. greofa pot. Cf. Gravy. ] The sediment of melted tallow. It is made into cakes for dogs' food. In Scotland it is called cracklings. [ Written also graves. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A disease of horses, characterized by difficult breathing, with heaving of the flank, wheezing, flatulency, and a peculiar cough; broken wind. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A small due, in meal, established by usage, which is paid to the under miller. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A knavish woman. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n., pl. of Leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. of Loaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) A European species of Saint John's-wort; the tutsan. See Tutsan. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. See Pavise. ] A canvas screen, formerly sometimes extended along the side of a vessel in a naval engagement, to conceal from the enemy the operations on board. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , n. Pavise. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. of Staff. “Banners, scarves and staves.” R. Browning. Also pl. of Stave. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Corrupted from NL. staphis agria, Gr. stafi`s dried grape + 'a`grios wild. ] (Bot.) A kind of larkspur (Delphinium Staphysagria), and its seeds, which are violently purgative and emetic. They are used as a parasiticide, and in the East for poisoning fish. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. travesti, p. p. of travestir to disguise, to travesty, It. travestire, fr. L. trans across, over + vestire to dress, clothe. See Vest. ] Disguised by dress so as to be ridiculous; travestied; -- applied to a book or shorter composition. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Travesties A burlesque translation or imitation of a work. [ 1913 Webster ]

The second edition is not a recast, but absolutely a travesty of the first. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Travestied p. pr. & vb. n. Travesting. ] To translate, imitate, or represent, so as to render ridiculous or ludicrous. [ 1913 Webster ]

I see poor Lucan travestied, not appareled in his Roman toga, but under the cruel shears of an English tailor. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Wave; cf. Jetsam. ] (O. Eng. Law) Goods which, after shipwreck, appear floating on the waves, or sea. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Properly, the Avesta, or sacred text, and its zend, or interpretation, in a more modern and intelligible language. W. D. Whitney. ] The sacred writings of the ancient Persian religion, attributed to Zoroaster, but chiefly of a later date. [ 1913 Webster ]