Part 439

Condensation product (Chem.), a substance obtained by the polymerization of one substance, or by the union of two or more, with or without separation of some unimportant side products. -- Surface condensation, the system of condensing steam by contact with cold metallic surfaces, in distinction from condensation by the injection of cold water.

Con*den"sa*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. condensatif.] Having the property of condensing.

Con*dense" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Condensed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Condensing.] [L. condensare; con- + densare to make thick or dense, densus thick, dense: cf. F. condenser. See Dense, and cf. Condensate.] 1. To make more close, compact, or dense; to compress or concentrate into a smaller compass; to consolidate; to abridge; to epitomize.

In what shape they choose, Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure. Milton.

The secret course pursued at Brussels and at Madrid may be condensed into the usual formula, dissimulation, procrastination, and again dissimulation. Motley.

2. (Chem. & Physics) To reduce into another and denser form, as by cold or pressure; as, to condense gas into a liquid form, or steam into water.

Condensed milk, milk reduced to the consistence of very thick cream by evaporation (usually with addition of sugar) for preservation and transportation. -- Condensing engine, a steam engine in which the steam is condensed after having exerted its force on the piston.

Syn. -- To compress; contract; crowd; thicken; concentrate; abridge; epitomize; reduce.

Con*dense", v. i. 1. To become more compact; to be reduced into a denser form.

Nitrous acid is gaseous at ordinary temperatures, but condenses into a very volatile liquid at the zero of Fahrenheit. H. Spencer.

2. (Chem.) (a) To combine or unite (as two chemical substances) with or without separation of some unimportant side products. (b) To undergo polymerization.

Con*dense", a. [L. condensus.] Condensed; compact; dense. [R.]

The huge condense bodies of planets. Bentley.

Con*dens"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, condenses.

2. (Physic) (a) An instrument for condensing air or other elastic fluids, consisting of a cylinder having a movable piston to force the air into a receiver, and a valve to prevent its escape. (b) An instrument for concentrating electricity by the effect of induction between conducting plates separated by a nonconducting plate. (c) A lens or mirror, usually of short focal distance, used to concentrate light upon an object.

3. (Chem.) An apparatus for receiving and condensing the volatile products of distillation to a liquid or solid form, by cooling.

4. (Steam Engine) An apparatus, separate from the cylinder, in which the exhaust steam is condensed by the action of cold water or air. See Illust. of Steam engine.

Achromatic condenser (Optics), an achromatic lens used as a condenser. -- Bull's-eye condenser, or Bull's-eye (Optics), a lens of short focal distance used for concentrating rays of light. -- Injection condenser, a vessel in which steam is condensed by the direct contact of water. -- Surface condenser, an apparatus for condensing steam, especially the exhaust of a steam engine, by bringing it into contact with metallic surface cooled by water or air.

Con*den"si*ble (?), a. Capable of being condensed; as, a gas condensible to a liquid by cold.

Cond"er (?), n. [From Cond.] One who watches shoals of fish; a balker. See Balker.

Con`de*scend" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Condescended; p. pr. & vb. n. Condescending.] [F. condescendre, LL. condescendere, fr. L. con- + descendere. See Descend.] 1. To stoop or descend; to let one's self down; to submit; to waive the privilege of rank or dignity; to accommodate one's self to an inferior. "Condescend to men of low estate." Rom. xii. 16.

Can they think me so broken, so debased With corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will condescend to such absurd commands? Milton.

Spain's mighty monarch, In gracious clemency, does condescend, On these conditions, to become your friend. Dryden.

Often used ironically, implying an assumption of superiority.

Those who thought they were honoring me by condescending to address a few words to me. F. W. Robinson.

2. To consent. [Obs.]

All parties willingly condescended heruento. R. Carew.

Syn. -- To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.