Part 593

Lar"gish (?), a. Somewhat large. [Colloq.]

Lar*gi"tion (?), [L. largitio, fr. largiri, p. p. largitus, to give bountifully.] The bestowment of a largess or gift. [Obs.]

||Lar"go (?), a. & adv. [It., large, L. largus, See Large.] (Mus.) Slow ||or slowly; -- more so than adagio; next in slowness to grave, which ||is also weighty and solemn. -- n. A movement or piece in largo time. || Lar"i*at (lr"*t), n. [Sp. la reata the rope; la the + reata rope. Cf. Reata.] A long, slender rope made of hemp or strips of hide, esp. one with a noose; -- used as a lasso for catching cattle, horses, etc., and for picketing a horse so that he can graze without wandering. [Mexico & Western U.S.]

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Lar"i*at (lr"*t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lariated; p. pr. & vb. n. Lariating.] To secure with a lariat fastened to a stake, as a horse or mule for grazing; also, to lasso or catch with a lariat. [Western U.S.]

La"rine (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Gull family (Laridæ).

Lar`ix*in"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, or derived from, the larch (Larix); as, larixinic acid.

Lark (lärk), n. [Perh fr. AS. lc play, sport. Cf. Lake, v. i.] A frolic; a jolly time. [Colloq.] Dickens.

Lark, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Larked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Larking.] To sport; to frolic. [Colloq.]

Lark, n. [OE. larke, laverock, AS. lwerce; akin to D. leeuwerik, LG. lewerke, OHG. lrahha, G. lerche, Sw. lärka, Dan. lerke, Icel. lævirki.] (Zoöl.) Any one numerous species of singing birds of the genus Alauda and allied genera (family Alaudidæ). They mostly belong to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In America they are represented by the shore larks, or horned larks, of the genus Otocoris. The true larks have holaspidean tarsi, very long hind claws, and, usually, dull, sandy brown colors.

The European skylark, or lark of the poets (Alauda arvensis), is of a brown mottled color, and is noted for its clear and sweet song, uttered as it rises and descends almost perpendicularly in the air. It is considered a table delicacy, and immense numbers are killed for the markets. Other well-known European species are the crested, or tufted, lark (Alauda cristata), and the wood lark (A. arborea). The pipits, or titlarks, of the genus Anthus (family Motacillidæ) are often called larks. See Pipit. The American meadow larks, of the genus Sturnella, are allied to the starlings. See Meadow Lark. The Australian bush lark is Mirafra Horsfieldii. See Shore lark.

Lark bunting (Zoöl.), a fringilline bird (Calamospiza melanocorys) found on the plains of the Western United States. -- Lark sparrow (Zoöl.), a sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), found in the Mississippi Valley and the Western United States.

Lark, v. i. To catch larks; as, to go larking.

Lark"-col`ored (?), a. Having the sandy brown color of the European larks.

Lark"er (?), n. [See 3d Lark, for sense 1, and 1st Lark, for sense 2.] 1. A catcher of larks.

2. One who indulges in a lark or frolic. [Colloq.]

Lark's"-heel` (?), n. (Bot.) Indian cress.

Lark"spur (?), n. (Bot.) A genus of ranunculaceous plants (Delphinium), having showy flowers, and a spurred calyx. They are natives of the North Temperate zone. The commonest larkspur of the gardens is D. Consolida. The flower of the bee larkspur (D. elatum) has two petals bearded with yellow hairs, and looks not unlike a bee.

Lar"mi*er (?), n. [F., fr. larme tear, drop, L. lacrima. See Lachrymose.] (Anat.) See Tearpit.

La"roid (?), a. [Larus + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or belonging to the Gull family (Laridæ).

Lar"rup (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Larruped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Larruping.] [Perh, a corrupt. of lee rope, used by sailors in beating the boys; but cf. D. larpen to thresh, larp a whip, blow.] To beat or flog soundly. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.] Forby.

Lar"ry (?), n. Same as Lorry, or Lorrie.

Lar"um (?), n. See Alarum, and Alarm.

Lar"va (lär"v), n.; pl. L. Larvæ (-væ), E. Larvas (-vz). [L. larva ghost, specter, mask.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa, or chrysalis. During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larvæ of many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larvæ are totally unlike the parents in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc.

2. (Zoöl.) The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.

Lar"val (-val), a. [L. larvalis ghostly. See Larva.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a larva.

||Lar*va"li*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Larval.] (Zoöl.) An order of ||Tunicata, including Appendicularia, and allied genera; -- so called ||because certain larval features are retained by them through life. ||Called also Copelata. See Appendicularia. || Lar"va*ted (?), a. [L. larvatus bewitched. See Larva.] Masked; clothed as with a mask.

Larve (lärv), n.; pl. Larves (lärvz). [F.] A larva.