Part 724

Cur"sive, n. 1. A character used in cursive writing.

2. A manuscript, especially of the New Testament, written in small, connected characters or in a running hand; -- opposed to uncial. Shipley.

Cur"sor (k?r"s?r), n. [L., a runner. See Cursitor.] Any part of a mathematical instrument that moves or slides backward and forward upon another part.

Cur"so*ra*ry (-s?-r?-r?), a. Cursory; hasty. [Obs.]

With a cursorary eye o'erglanced the articles. Shak.

||Cur*so"res (k?r-s?"rEz), n. pl. [L. cursor, pl. cursores, a runner.] (Zo÷l.) (a) An order of running birds including the ostrich, emu, and allies; the RatitaŠ. (b) A group of running spiders; the wolf spiders.

Cur*so"ri*al (k?r-s?"r?-al), a. (Zo÷l.) (a) Adapted to running or walking, and not to prehension; as, the limbs of the horse are cursorial. See Illust. of Aves. (b) Of or pertaining to the Cursores.

Cur"so*ri*ly (k?r"s?-r?-l?), adv. In a running or hasty manner; carelessly.

Cur"so*ri*ness, n. The quality of being cursory; superficial performance; as, cursoriness of view.

Cur"so*ry (k?r"s?-r?), a. [L. cursorius, fr. cursor. See Cursor.] 1. Running about; not stationary. [Obs.]

2. Characterized by haste; hastily or superficially performed; slight; superficial; careless.

Events far too important to be treated in a cursory manner. Hallam.

Curst (k?rst), imp. & p. p. of Curse.

Curst, a. [SeeCurse.] Froward; malignant; mischievous; malicious; snarling. [Obs.]

Though his mind Be ne'er so curst, his tonque is kind. Crashaw.

Curst"ful*ly (-f&usdot;l*l&ybreve;), adv. Peevishly; vexatiously; detestably. [Obs.] "Curstfully mad." Marston.

Curst"ness (kűrst"n&ebreve;s), n. Peevishness; malignity; frowardness; crabbedness; surliness. [Obs.] Shak.

Curt (kŭrt), a. [L. curtus; cf. Skr. kart to cut. Cf. Curtail.] Characterized by excessive brevity; short; rudely concise; as, curt limits; a curt answer.

The curt, yet comprehensive reply. W. Irving.

Cur*tail" (kŭr*tāl"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Curtailed (- tāld"); p. pr. & vb. n. Curtailing.] [See Curtal.] To cut off the end or tail, or any part, of; to shorten; to abridge; to diminish; to reduce.

I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion. Shak.

Our incomes have been curtailed; his salary has been doubled. Macaulay.

Cur"tail (k?r"t?l), n. The scroll termination of any architectural member, as of a step, etc.

Cur"tail dog` (d&obreve;g`; 115). A dog with a docked tail; formerly, the dog of a person not qualified to course, which, by the forest laws, must have its tail cut short, partly as a mark, and partly from a notion that the tail is necessary to a dog in running; hence, a dog not fit for sporting.

Hope is a curtail dog in some affairs. Shak.

Cur*tail"er (kŭr*tāl"&etilde;r), n. One who curtails.

Cur*tail"ment (k?r-t?l"ment), n. The act or result of curtailing or cutting off. Bancroft.

Cur"tain (k?r"t?n; 48), n. [OE. cortin, curtin,fr. OF. cortine, curtine, F. courtine, LL. cortina, curtian (in senses 1 and 2), also, small court, small inclosure surrounded by walls, from cortis court. See Court.]