Part 440

Po*tas"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. E. potash.] (Chem.) (a) Potassium oxide. [Obs.] (b) Potassium hydroxide, commonly called caustic potash.

Pot`ass*am"ide (?), n. [Potassium + amide.] (Chem.) A yellowish brown substance obtained by heating potassium in ammonia.

Po*tas"sic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, potassium.

Po*tas"si*um (?), n. [NL. See Potassa, Potash.] (Chem.) An Alkali element having atomic number 19, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.1. Symbol K (Kalium).

It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal, lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its compounds are very important, being used in glass making, soap making, in fertilizers, and in many drugs and chemicals.

Potassium permanganate, the salt KMnO4, crystallizing in dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; -- used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name chameleon mineral is applied to this salt and also to potassium manganate. -- Potassium bitartrate. See Cream of tartar, under Cream.

Pot`ass*ox"yl (?), n. [Potassium + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The radical KO, derived from, and supposed to exist in, potassium hydroxide and other compounds.

Po*ta"tion (?), n. [L. potatio, fr. potare. See Potable.] 1. The act of drinking. Jer. Taylor.

2. A draught. "Potations pottle deep." Shak.

3. Drink; beverage. "Thin potations." Shak.

Po*ta"to (?), n.; pl. Potatoes (#). [Sp. patata potato, batata sweet potato, from the native American name (probably batata) in Hayti.] (Bot.) (a) A plant (Solanum tuberosum) of the Nightshade family, and its esculent farinaceous tuber, of which there are numerous varieties used for food. It is native of South America, but a form of the species is found native as far north as New Mexico. (b) The sweet potato (see below).

Potato beetle, Potato bug. (Zoˆl.) (a) A beetle (Doryphora decemlineata) which feeds, both in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the potato, often doing great damage. Called also Colorado potato beetle, and Doryphora. See Colorado beetle. (b) The Lema trilineata, a smaller and more slender striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur does less injury than the preceding species. -- Potato fly (Zoˆl.), any one of several species of blister beetles infesting the potato vine. The black species (Lytta atrata), the striped (L. vittata), and the gray (L. cinerea, or Fabricii) are the most common. See Blister beetle, under Blister. -- Potato rot, a disease of the tubers of the potato, supposed to be caused by a kind of mold (Peronospora infestans), which is first seen upon the leaves and stems. -- Potato weevil (Zoˆl.), an American weevil (Baridius trinotatus) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop. -- Potato whisky, a strong, fiery liquor, having a hot, smoky taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made from potatoes or potato starch. -- Potato worm (Zoˆl.), the large green larva of a sphinx, or hawk moth (Macrosila quinquemaculata); -- called also tomato worm. See Illust. under Tomato. -- Seaside potato (Bot.), Ipomúa Pes-CaprÊ, a kind of morning-glory with rounded and emarginate or bilobed leaves. [West Indies] -- Sweet potato (Bot.), a climbing plant (Ipomúa Balatas) allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is probably a native of Brazil, but is cultivated extensively in the warmer parts of every continent, and even as far north as New Jersey. The name potato was applied to this plant before it was to the Solanum tuberosum, and this is the "potato" of the Southern United States. -- Wild potato. (Bot.) (a) A vine (Ipomúa pandurata) having a pale purplish flower and an enormous root. It is common in sandy places in the United States. (b) A similar tropical American plant (I. fastigiata) which it is thought may have been the original stock of the sweet potato.

Po*ta"tor (?), n. [L.] A drinker. [R.] Southey.

Po"ta*to*ry (?), a. [L. potatorius, from potare to drink.] Of or pertaining to drinking. Ld. Lytton.

Pot"-bel`lied (?), a. Having a protuberant belly, like the bottom of a pot.

Pot"-bel`ly (?), n. A protuberant belly.

Pot"boil`er (?), n. A term applied derisively to any literary or artistic work, and esp. a painting, done simply for money and the means of living.

Pot"boy` (?), n. A boy who carries pots of ale, beer, etc.; a menial in a public house.

Potch (?), v. i. [Cf. Poach to stab.] To thrust; to push. [Obs.] "I 'll potch at him some way." Shak.

Potch, v. t. See Poach, to cook. [Obs.] Wiseman.

Potch"er (?), n. One who, or that which, potches.

Potcher engine (Paper Making), a machine in which washed rags are stirred in a bleaching solution.

Pot"e*ca*ry (?), n. An apothecary. [Obs.]

Po*teen" (?), n. [Cf. Ir. potaim, poitim, I drink, poitin a small pot.] Whisky; especially, whisky illicitly distilled by the Irish peasantry. [Written also potheen, and potteen.]

Po"te*lot (?), n. [F.,; cf. G. pottloth black lead.] (Old Chem. & Min.) Molybdenum sulphide.

Po"tence (?), n. [F., fr. LL. potentia staff, crutch, L., might, power. See Potency.] Potency; capacity. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

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Po"ten*cy (?), n. [L. potentia, from potens, -entis, potent. See Potent, and cf. Potance, Potence, Puissance.] The quality or state of being potent; physical or moral power; inherent strength; energy; ability to effect a purpose; capability; efficacy; influence. "Drugs of potency." Hawthorne.