Part 592

3. Written or engraved; formed of letters or lines.

The finger of God hath left an inscription upon all his works, not graphical, or composed of letters.

Sir T. Browne.

4. Well delineated; clearly and vividly described.

5. Having the faculty of, or characterized by, clear and impressive description; vivid; as, a graphic writer.

Graphic algebra, a branch of algebra in which, the properties of equations are treated by the use of curves and straight lines. -- Graphic arts, a name given to those fine arts which pertain to the representation on a flat surface of natural objects; as distinguished from music, etc., and also from sculpture. -- Graphic formula. (Chem.) See under Formula. -- Graphic granite. See under Granite. -- Graphic method, the method of scientific analysis or investigation, in which the relations or laws involved in tabular numbers are represented to the eye by means of curves or other figures; as the daily changes of weather by means of curves, the abscissas of which represent the hours of the day, and the ordinates the corresponding degrees of temperature. -- Graphical statics (Math.), a branch of statics, in which the magnitude, direction, and position of forces are represented by straight lines -- Graphic tellurium. See Sylvanite.>

Graph"ic*al*ly (?), adv. In a graphic manner; vividly.

{ Graph"ic*ness, Graph"ic*al*ness, } n. The quality or state of being graphic.

Graph"ics (?), n. The art or the science of drawing; esp. of drawing according to mathematical rules, as in perspective, projection, and the like.

Graph"i*scope (?), n. See Graphoscope.

Graph"ite (?), n. [Gr. gra`fein to write: cf. F. graphite. See Graphic.] (Min.) Native carbon in hexagonal crystals, also foliated or granular massive, of black color and metallic luster, and so soft as to leave a trace on paper. It is used for pencils (improperly called lead pencils), for crucibles, and as a lubricator, etc. Often called plumbago or black lead.

Graphite battery (Elec.), a voltaic battery consisting of zinc and carbon in sulphuric acid, or other exciting liquid.

Gra*phit"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, containing, derived from, or resembling, graphite.

Graphitic acid (Chem.), an organic acid, so called because obtained by the oxidation of graphite; -- usually called mellitic acid. -- Graphitic carbon, in iron or steel, that portion of the carbon which is present as graphite. Raymond.

{ Graph"i*toid (?), Graph"i*toid"al (?), } a. Resembling graphite or plumbago.

Graph"o*lite (?), n. [Gr. gra`fein to write + -lite: cf. F. grapholithe.] Any species of slate suitable to be written on.

Gra*phol"o*gy (gr*fl"*j), n. [Gr. gra`fein to write + - logy: cf. F. graphologie.] The art of judging of a person's character, disposition, and aptitude from his handwriting.

Graph"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. gra`fein to write + -scope.] An optical instrument for magnifying engravings, photographs, etc., usually having one large lens and two smaller ones.

Graph"o*type (?), n. [Gr. gra`fein to write + -type.] (Engraving) A process for producing a design upon a surface in relief so that it can be printed from. Prepared chalk or oxide of zinc is pressed upon a smooth plate by a hydraulic press, and the design is drawn upon this in a peculiar ink which hardens the surface wherever it is applied. The surface is then carefully rubbed or brushed, leaving the lines in relief.

-gra*phy (?). [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; write. See Graphic.] A suffix denoting the art of writing or describing; also, the writing or description itself; a treatise; as, calligraphy, biography, geography.

Grap"nel (?), n. [OE. grapenel, dim. fr. F. grappin the grapple of a ship; of German origin. See Grape.] (Naut.) A small anchor, with four or five flukes or claws, used to hold boats or small vessels; hence, any instrument designed to grapple or hold; a grappling iron; a grab; -- written also grapline, and crapnel.

Grap"ple (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Grappled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Grappling (?).] [F. grappiller, OF. graypil the grapple of a ship, fr. graper to pluck, prop., to seize, clutch; of German origin. See Grape.] 1. To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.

2. To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.

The gallies were grappled to the Centurion.

Hakluyt.

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.

Shak.

Grap"ple, v. i. To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another.