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Henbane :: Henbane (n.) A plant of the genus Hyoscyamus (H. niger). All parts of the plant are poisonous, and the leaves are used for the same purposes as belladonna. It is poisonous to domestic fowls; whence the name. Called also, stinking nightshade, from the fetid odor of the plant. See Hyoscyamus..

Dinosauria :: Dinosauria (n. pl.) An order of extinct mesozoic reptiles, mostly of large size (whence the name). Notwithstanding their size, they present birdlike characters in the skeleton, esp. in the pelvis and hind limbs. Some walked on their three-toed hind feet, thus producing the large bird tracks, so-called, of mesozoic sandstones; others were five-toed and quadrupedal. See Illust. of Compsognathus, also Illustration of Dinosaur in Appendix..

Lithophyse :: Lithophyse (n.) A spherulitic cavity often with concentric chambers, observed in some volcanic rocks, as in rhyolitic lavas. It is supposed to be produced by expanding gas, whence the name..

Adytum :: Adytum (n.) The innermost sanctuary or shrine in ancient temples, whence oracles were given. Hence: A private chamber; a sanctum..

Vermicelli :: Vermicelli (n.) The flour of a hard and small-grained wheat made into dough, and forced through small cylinders or pipes till it takes a slender, wormlike form, whence the Italian name. When the paste is made in larger tubes, it is called macaroni..

Forfeit :: Forfeit (n.) Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; -- whence the game of forfeits.

Calendula :: Calendula (n.) A genus of composite herbaceous plants. One species, Calendula officinalis, is the common marigold, and was supposed to blossom on the calends of every month, whence the name..

Dis- :: Dis- () A prefix from the Latin, whence F. des, or sometimes de-, dis-. The Latin dis-appears as di-before b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, becomes dif-before f, and either dis-or di- before j. It is from the same root as bis twice, and duo, E. two. See Two, and cf. Bi-, Di-, Dia-. Dis-denotes separation, a parting from, as in distribute, disconnect; hence it often has the force of a privative and negative, as in disarm, disoblige, disagree. Also intensive, as in dissever..

Neishout :: Neishout (n.) The mahogany-like wood of the South African tree Pteroxylon utile, the sawdust of which causes violent sneezing (whence the name). Also called sneezewood..

Imperator :: Imperator (n.) A commander; a leader; an emperor; -- originally an appellation of honor by which Roman soldiers saluted their general after an important victory. Subsequently the title was conferred as a recognition of great military achievements by the senate, whence it carried wiht it some special privileges. After the downfall of the Republic it was assumed by Augustus and his successors, and came to have the meaning now attached to the word emperor..

Vestlet :: Vestlet (n.) Any one of several species of actinians belonging to the genus Cerianthus. These animals have a long, smooth body tapering to the base, and two separate circles of tentacles around the mouth. They form a tough, flexible, feltlike tube with a smooth internal lining, in which they dwell, whence the name..

Hare''s-foot Fern :: Hare's-foot fern () A species of fern (Davallia Canariensis) with a soft, gray, hairy rootstock; -- whence the name..

Precipitate :: Precipitate (n.) An insoluble substance separated from a solution in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near the surface..

Observatory :: Observatory (n.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire.

Tephrosia :: Tephrosia (n.) A genus of leguminous shrubby plants and herbs, mostly found in tropical countries, a few herbaceous species being North American. The foliage is often ashy-pubescent, whence the name..

Radiant :: Radiant (n.) The point in the heavens at which the apparent paths of shooting stars meet, when traced backward, or whence they appear to radiate..

Purpuric :: Purpuric (a.) Pertaining to or designating, a nitrogenous acid contained in uric acid. It is not known in the pure state, but forms well-known purple-red compounds (as murexide), whence its name..

Seminary :: Seminary (n.) Hence, the place or original stock whence anything is brought or produced..

Betel Nut :: Betel nut () The nutlike seed of the areca palm, chewed in the East with betel leaves (whence its name) and shell lime..

Ringdove :: Ringdove (n.) A European wild pigeon (Columba palumbus) having a white crescent on each side of the neck, whence the name. Called also wood pigeon, and cushat..

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