Part 973

Hys"sop (?), n. [OE. hysope, ysope, OF. ysope, F. hysope, hyssope, L. hysopum, hyssopum, hyssopus, Gr. &?;, &?;, an aromatic plant, fr. Heb. sov.] A plant (Hyssopus officinalis). The leaves have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste.

The hyssop of Scripture is supposed to be a species of caper (Capparis spinosa), but probably the name was used for several different plants.

Hys`ter*an"thous (?), a. [Gr. &?; after + &?; flower.] (Bot.) Having the leaves expand after the flowers have opened. Henslow.

||Hys`te*re"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to be behind, to lag.] ||(Physics) A lagging or retardation of the effect, when the forces ||acting upon a body are changed, as if from velocity or internal ||friction; a temporary resistance to change from a condition ||previously induced, observed in magnetism, thermoelectricity, etc., ||on reversal of polarity.

Hys*te"ri*a (?), n. [NL.: cf. F. hystÈrie. See Hysteric.] (Med.) A nervous affection, occurring almost exclusively in women, in which the emotional and reflex excitability is exaggerated, and the will power correspondingly diminished, so that the patient loses control over the emotions, becomes the victim of imaginary sensations, and often falls into paroxism or fits.

The chief symptoms are convulsive, tossing movements of the limbs and head, uncontrollable crying and laughing, and a choking sensation as if a ball were lodged in the throat. The affection presents the most varied symptoms, often simulating those of the gravest diseases, but generally curable by mental treatment alone.

{ Hys*ter"ic (?), Hys*ter"ic*al (?), } a. [L. hystericus, Gr. &?;, fr. "yste`ra the womb; perh. akin to &?; latter, later, and E. utter, out.] Of or pertaining to hysteria; affected, or troubled, with hysterics; convulsive, fitful.

With no hysteric weakness or feverish excitement, they preserved their peace and patience.

Bancroft.

Hys*ter"ics (?), n. pl. (Med.) Hysteria.

Hys`ter*o*ep"i*lep`sy (?), n. [Hysteria + epilepsy.] (Med.) A disease resembling hysteria in its nature, and characterized by the occurrence of epileptiform convulsions, which can often be controlled or excited by pressure on the ovaries, and upon other definite points in the body. -- Hys`ter*o*ep`i*lep"tic (#), a.

Hys`ter*o*gen"ic (?), a. [Hysteria + root of Gr. &?; to be born.] (Physiol.) Producing hysteria; as, the hysterogenicpressure points on the surface of the body, pressure upon which is said both to produce and arrest an attack of hysteria. De Watteville.

Hys`ter*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the latter + &?; discourse: cf. F. hystÈrologie.] (Rhet.) A figure by which the ordinary course of thought is inverted in expression, and the last put first; -- called also hysteron proteron.

||Hys"te*ron prot"e*ron (?). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the latter, following + ||&?; before, others, sooner.] (Rhet.) (a) A figure in which the ||natural order of sense is reversed; hysterology; as, valet atque ||vivit, "he is well and lives." (b) An inversion of logical order, in ||which the conclusion is put before the premises, or the thing proved ||before the evidence.

Hys*ter"o*phyte (?), n. [Gr. &?; following + &?; plant.] (Bot.) A plant, like the fungus, which lives on dead or living organic matter. -- Hys`ter*oph"y*tal (#), a.

Hys`ter*ot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. "yste`ra womb + &?; to cut: cf. F. hystÈrotomie.] (Med.) The CÊsarean section. See under CÊsarean.

Hys"tri*cine (?), a. [See Hystrix.] (Zoˆl.) Like or pertaining to the porcupines.

Hys`tri*co*mor"phous (?), a. [Hystrix + Gr. &?; form.] (Zoˆl.) Like, or allied to, the porcupines; -- said of a group (Hystricomorpha) of rodents.

Hys"trix (?), n. [Gr. &?; porcupine.] (Zoˆl.) A genus of rodents, including the porcupine.

Hythe (?), n. A small haven. See Hithe. [Obs.]