Part 67

The worthy dame was parcel-blind.

Sir W. Scott.

One that . . . was parcel-bearded [partially bearded].

Tennyson.

Parcel poet, a half poet; a poor poet. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Par"cel*ing, n. [Written also parcelling.]

1. The act of dividing and distributing in portions or parts.

2. (Naut.) Long, narrow slips of canvas daubed with tar and wound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served; used, also, in mousing on the stayes, etc.

Par"cel-mele` (?), adv. [See Parcel, and Meal a part.] By parcels or parts. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Par"ce*na*ry (?), n. [See Parcener, partner.] (Law) The holding or occupation of an inheritable estate which descends from the ancestor to two or more persons; coheirship.

It differs in many respects from joint tenancy, which is created by deed or devise. In the United States there is no essential distinction between parcenary and tenancy in common. Wharton. Kent.

Par"ce*ner (?), n. [Of. parÁonnier, parsonnier, fr. parzon, parÁun, parcion, part, portion, fr. L. partitio a division. See Partition, and cf. Partner.] (Law) A coheir, or one of two or more persons to whom an estate of inheritance descends jointly, and by whom it is held as one estate.

Parch (p‰rch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parching.] [OE. perchen to pierce, hence used of a piercing heat or cold, OF. perchier, another form of percier, F. percer. See Pierce.] 1. To burn the surface of; to scorch; to roast over the fire, as dry grain; as, to parch the skin; to parch corn.

Ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn.

Lev. xxiii. 14.

2. To dry to extremity; to shrivel with heat; as, the mouth is parched from fever.

The ground below is parched.

Dryden.

Parch, v. i. To become scorched or superficially burnt; to be very dry. "Parch in Afric sun." Shak.

Parch"ed*ness, n. The state of being parched.

Par*che"si (p‰r*ch"z), n. See Pachisi.

Parch"ing (p‰rch"ng), a. Scorching; burning; drying. "Summer's parching heat." Shak. -- Parch"ing*ly, adv.

Parch"ment (-ment), n. [OE. parchemin, perchemin, F. parchemin, LL. pergamenum, L. pergamena, pergamina, fr. L. Pergamenus of or belonging to Pergamus an ancient city of Mysia in Asia Minor, where parchment was first used.] 1. The skin of a lamb, sheep, goat, young calf, or other animal, prepared for writing on. See Vellum.

But here's a parchment with the seal of CÊsar.

Shak.

2. The envelope of the coffee grains, inside the pulp.

Parchment paper. See Papyrine.

Par"ci*ty (?), n. [L. parcitas, fr. parcus sparing.] Sparingless. [Obs.]