n. [ OE. stile, F. style, Of. also stile, L. stilus a style or writing instrument, manner or writing, mode of expression; probably for stiglus, meaning, a pricking instrument, and akin to E. stick. See Stick, v. t., and cf. Stiletto. The spelling with y is due to a supposed connection with Gr. sty^los a pillar. ] 1. An instrument used by the ancients in writing on tablets covered with wax, having one of its ends sharp, and the other blunt, and somewhat expanded, for the purpose of making erasures by smoothing the wax. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, anything resembling the ancient style in shape or use. Specifically: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

(a) A pen; an author's pen. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) A sharp-pointed tool used in engraving; a graver. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) A kind of blunt-pointed surgical instrument. [ 1913 Webster ]

(d) (Zool.) A long, slender, bristlelike process, as the anal styles of insects. [ 1913 Webster ]

(e) [ Perhaps fr. Gr. sty^los a pillar. ] The pin, or gnomon, of a dial, the shadow of which indicates the hour. See Gnomon. [ 1913 Webster ]

(f) [ Probably fr. Gr. sty^los a pillar. ] (Bot.) The elongated part of a pistil between the ovary and the stigma. See Illust. of Stamen, and of Pistil. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Mode of expressing thought in language, whether oral or written; especially, such use of language in the expression of thought as exhibits the spirit and faculty of an artist; choice or arrangement of words in discourse; rhetorical expression. [ 1913 Webster ]

High style, as when that men to kinges write. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Style is the dress of thoughts. Chesterfield. [ 1913 Webster ]

Proper words in proper places make the true definition of style. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is style alone by which posterity will judge of a great work. I. Disraeli. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Mode of presentation, especially in music or any of the fine arts; a characteristic of peculiar mode of developing in idea or accomplishing a result. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ornamental style also possesses its own peculiar merit. Sir J. Reynolds. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Conformity to a recognized standard; manner which is deemed elegant and appropriate, especially in social demeanor; fashion. [ 1913 Webster ]

According to the usual style of dedications. C. Middleton. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Mode or phrase by which anything is formally designated; the title; the official designation of any important body; mode of address; as, the style of Majesty. [ 1913 Webster ]

One style to a gracious benefactor, another to a proud, insulting foe. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Chron.) A mode of reckoning time, with regard to the Julian and Gregorian calendars. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Style is Old or New. The Old Style follows the Julian manner of computing the months and days, or the calendar as established by Julius Caesar, in which every fourth year consists of 366 days, and the other years of 365 days. This is about 11 minutes in a year too much. Pope Georgy XIII. reformed the calendar by retrenching 10 days in October, 1582, in order to bring back the vernal equinox to the same day as at the time of the Council of Nice, a. d. 325. This reformation was adopted by act of the British Parliament in 1751, by which act 11 days in September, 1752, were retrenched, and the third day was reckoned the fourteenth. This mode of reckoning is called New Style, according to which every year divisible by 4, unless it is divisible by 100 without being divisible by 400, has 366 days, and any other year 365 days. [ 1913 Webster ]

Style of court, the practice or manner observed by a court in its proceedings. Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Diction; phraseology; manner; course; title. See Diction. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Styled p. pr. & vb. n. Styling. ] To entitle; to term, name, or call; to denominate. “Styled great conquerors.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

How well his worth and brave adventures styled. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To call; name; denominate; designate; term; characterize. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., dim. of style; cf. It. stiletto. See Stiletto. ] A small poniard; a stiletto. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Surg.) (a) An instrument for examining wounds and fistulas, and for passing setons, and the like; a probe, -- called also specillum. (b) A stiff wire, inserted in catheters or other tubular instruments to maintain their shape and prevent clogging. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Any small, more or less rigid, bristlelike organ; as, the caudal stylets of certain insects; the ventral stylets of certain Infusoria. [ 1913 Webster ]