Part 375

Lunettes POLYEDRES, Fr. Magnifying glasses.

POLYEDRICAL, POLYEDROUS, having many sides.

POLYEDRON, a solid figure or body consisting of many sides.

POLYGRAPHIE, Fr. See POLYGRAPHY.

POLYNOMIAL, (Polynôme, Fr.) an algebraical term, signifying a quantity made up of many others by means of the sign + or more, and the sign - or less.

POLYORCETE, Fr. a term used among the french to distinguish great warriors. It literally signifies the taking of strong towns. Marshals Saxe and Lowendalh, les grands Polyorcetes of the last century.

POLYTECHNIQUE, Ecole POLYTECHNIQUE, a word derived from the Greek, and used by the French to distinguish an establishment in which all sciences are taught. The military school, which existed during the French monarchy, is comprised in this institution. See MILITARY SCHOOL.

POMADA, an exercise of vaulting the wooden horse, by laying one hand over the pommel of the saddle.

POMERIUM, in ancient architecture, that space of ground which lay between the walls of a fortified town and the inhabitants’ houses. The term is still used among modern architects, particularly by the Italians, as Peter Cataneo, and Alghiri, to describe the breadth of the terre pleine of rampart, its inward talus, and the vacant space which is usually left between this talus and the houses of the town.

POMMEL, (Pommeau, Fr.) a piece of brass or other substance, at top, and in the middle of the saddle bow, to which are fastened the holsters, stirrip leathers, &c.

POMMEL, the knob at the extremity of the handle that balances the blade of the sword; also the protuberance on the fore part of a saddle.

POMMES, Fr. round pieces of wood which are variously used for ornament, &c.

POMMES de Pavillon et d’enseigne, Fr. the piece of wood which is fixed at the top of the color staff, &c.

POMPE, Fr. See PUMP.

POMPE de mer, Fr. a sea pump, or a pump used on board a ship.

POMPER, Fr. to pump.

PONANT, Fr. the west. In the French sea-service, ponant signifies that part of the ocean which is separated from the seas in the Levant by the streights of Gibraltar.

Officier PONANTIN, Fr. one who serves upon the ocean.

Armée PONANTINE, Fr. the army of the west.

PONCEAU, Fr. a small bridge of one arch, which is thrown across a canal or rivulet.

PONCER, Fr. to rub, or pounce upon any thing.

PONIARD, a little pointed dagger, very sharp edged.

PONT d’or, Fr. a figurative expression which the French use, when they suffer an enemy, whom they have defeated, to retire without molestation. Hence faire un pont d’or à son ennemi. To suffer your enemy to escape.

PONTE, Fr. covered in, as a vessel is which has a deck.

PONTON, Fr. A bridge; a machine made like a batteau or boat, of copper or tin, upon which planks are laid over which troops pass as on a bridge. See PONTOON.

PONTONIER, Fr. Lighterman.

PONTS flottans, Fr. See FLOATING BRIDGE.

PONT levis, Fr. See DRAWBRIDGE.