Part 635

2. A reading; a variation in the text.

We ourselves are offended by the obtrusion of the new lections into the text.

De Quincey.

Lec"tion*a*ry (?), n.; pl. -ries (#). [LL. lectionarium, lectionarius : cf. F. lectionnaire.] (Eccl.) A book, or a list, of lections, for reading in divine service.

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Lec"tor (lk"tr), n. [L. See Lection.] (Eccl.) A reader of lections; formerly, a person designated to read lessons to the illiterate.

Lec"tu*al (-t*al), a. [LL. lectualis, fr. L. lectus bed.] (Med.) Confining to the bed; as, a lectual disease.

Lec"ture (-tr; 135), n. [F. lecture, LL. lectura, fr. L. legere, lectum, to read. See Legend.] 1. The act of reading; as, the lecture of Holy Scripture. [Obs.]

2. A discourse on any subject; especially, a formal or methodical discourse, intended for instruction; sometimes, a familiar discourse, in contrast with a sermon.

3. A reprimand or formal reproof from one having authority.

4. (Eng. Universities) A rehearsal of a lesson.

Lec"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lectured (-trd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lecturing.] 1. To read or deliver a lecture to.

2. To reprove formally and with authority.

Lec"ture, v. i. To deliver a lecture or lectures.

Lec"tur*er (-r), n. One who lectures; an assistant preacher.

Lec"ture*ship, n. The office of a lecturer.

Lec"turn (lk"trn), n. [LL. lectrinum, fr. lectrum; cf. L. legere, lectum, to read.] A choir desk, or reading desk, in some churches, from which the lections, or Scripture lessons, are chanted or read; hence, a reading desk. [Written also lectern and lettern.] Fairholt.

||Lec"y*this (ls"*ths), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 3 an oil flask.] (Bot.) A ||genus of gigantic trees, chiefly Brazilian, of the order Myrtaceæ, ||having woody capsules opening by an apical lid. Lecythis Zabucajo ||yields the delicious sapucaia nuts. L. Ollaria produces the ||monkey-pots, its capsules. Its bark separates into thin sheets, like ||paper, used by the natives for cigarette wrappers. || Led (ld), imp. & p. p. of Lead.

Led captain. An obsequious follower or attendant. [Obs.] Swift. -- Led horse, a sumpter horse, or a spare horse, that is led along.

{ Led"en (ld"'n), Led"den (-d'n) } n. [AS. lden, lden, language, speech. Cf. Leod.] Language; speech; voice; cry. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

Ledge (lj), n. [Akin to AS. licgan to lie, Icel. liggja; cf. Icel. lögg the ledge or rim at the bottom of a cask. See Lie to be prostrate.] [Formerly written lidge.] 1. A shelf on which articles may be laid; also, that which resembles such a shelf in form or use, as a projecting ridge or part, or a molding or edge in joinery.

2. A shelf, ridge, or reef, of rocks.

3. A layer or stratum.

The lowest ledge or row should be of stone.

Sir H. Wotton.

4. (Mining) A lode; a limited mass of rock bearing valuable mineral.

5. (Shipbuilding) A piece of timber to support the deck, placed athwartship between beams.

Ledge"ment (lj"ment), n. See Ledgment.