Part 196

Chem`i*loon" (?), n. A garment for women, consisting of chemise and drawers united in one. [U. S.]

Che*mise" (?), n. [F., shirt, fr. LL. camisa, camisia, shirt, thin dress; cf. G. hemd, or OIr. caimmse sort of garment. Cf. Camis.] 1. A shift, or undergarment, worn by women.

2. A wall that lines the face of a bank or earthwork.

Chem`i*sette" (?), n.[F., dim. of chemise.] An under-garment, worn by women, usually covering the neck, shoulders, and breast.

Chem"ism (?), n. [Cf. F. chimisme. See Chemistry.] The force exerted between the atoms of elementary substance whereby they unite to form chemical compounds; chemical attaction; affinity; -- sometimes used as a general expression for chemical activity or relationship.

Chem"ist, n. [Shortened from alchemist; cf. F. chimiste.] A person versed in chemistry or given to chemical investigation; an analyst; a maker or seller of chemicals or drugs.

Chem"is*try (k&ebreve;m"&ibreve;s*tr&ybreve;; 277), n. [From Chemist. See Alchemy.] 1. That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules. See Atom, Molecule.

&fist; Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified.

2. An application of chemical theory and method to the consideration of some particular subject; as, the chemistry of iron; the chemistry of indigo.

3. A treatise on chemistry.

&fist; This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography.

Inorganic chemistry, that which treats of inorganic or mineral substances. -- Organic chemistry, that which treats of the substances which form the structure of organized beings and their products, whether animal or vegetable; -- called also chemistry of the carbon compounds. There is no fundamental difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. -- Physiological chemistry, the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body, and of the various physiological processes incident to life. -- Practical chemistry, or Applied chemistry, that which treats of the modes of manufacturing the products of chemistry that are useful in the arts, of their applications to economical purposes, and of the conditions essential to their best use. -- Pure chemistry, the consideration of the facts and theories of chemistry in their purely scientific relations, without necessary reference to their practical applications or mere utility.

Chem"i*type (?), n. [Chemical + -type.] (Engraving) One of a number of processes by which an impression from an engraved plate is obtained in relief, to be used for printing on an ordinary printing press.

Che*mol"y*sis (?), n. [Chemical + Gr. &?; a loosing.] A term sometimes applied to the decomposition of organic substance into more simple bodies, by the use of chemical agents alone. Thudichum.

Chem`os*mo"sis (?), n. [Chemical + osmosis.] Chemical action taking place through an intervening membrane.

Chem`os*mot"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, or produced by, chemosmosis. [R.]

Che*mung" pe"ri*od (?), (Geol.) A subdivision in the upper part of the Devonian system in America, so named from the Chemung River, along which the rocks are well developed. It includes the Portage and Chemung groups or epochs. See the Diagram under Geology.

||Cheng (?), n. [Chinese.] A chinese reed instrument, with tubes, blown by the mouth.

Che*nille" (sh&esl;*nēl"), n. [F., prop., a caterpillar.] Tufted cord, of silk or worsted, for the trimming of ladies' dresses, for embroidery and fringes, and for the weft of Chenille rugs.

||Che`no*mor"phŠ (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; the wild goose + &?; form.] (Zo÷l.) An order of birds, including the swans, ducks, geese, flamingoes and screamers.

Chep"ster (ch&ebreve;p"st&etilde;r), n. (Zo÷l.) The European starling. [Local, Eng.]

Cheque (ch&ebreve;k), n. See Check.

Cheq"uer (ch&ebreve;k"&etilde;r), n. & v. Same as Checker.

Che*quin" (ch&esl;*kēn"), n. A coin. See Sequin. Shak.

Cheq"uy (?), n. (Her.) Same as Checky.

Cher"if (sh&ebreve;r"&ibreve;f), n. See Sherif.

Cher`i*moy"er (?), n. [F. chÚrimolier.] (Bot.) 1. A small downy-leaved tree (Anona Cherimolia), with fragrant flowers. It is a native of Peru.

2. Its delicious fruit, which is succulent, dark purple, and similar to the custard apple of the West Indies.