Part 703

Encyc. Brit.

Pythagorean proposition (Geom.), the theorem that the square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares described upon the other two sides. -- Pythagorean system (Astron.), the commonly received system of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the Copernican system. -- Pythagorean letter. See Y.

Pyth`a*go"re*an (?), n. A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers founded by Pythagoras.

Pyth`a*go"re*an*ism (?), n. The doctrines of Pythagoras or the Pythagoreans.

As a philosophic school Pythagoreanism became extinct in Greece about the middle of the 4th century [B. C.].

Encyc. Brit.

{ Pyth`a*gor"ic (?), Pyth`a*gor"ic*al (?), } a.[L. Pythagoricus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pythagorique.] See Pythagorean, a.

Py*thag"o*rism (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] The doctrines taught by Pythagoras.

Pythagoras made numbers the basis of his philosophical system, as well physical as metaphysical. The doctrine of the transmigration of souls (metempsychosis) is associated closely with name of Pythagoras.

Py*thag"o*rize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pythagorized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pythagorizing (?).] [Gr. &?;.] To speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.

Pyth"i*ad (?), n. [See Pythian.] (Gr. Antiq.) The period intervening between one celebration of the Pythian games and the next.

Pyth"i*an (?), a. [L. Pythius, Gr. &?; belonging to Pytho, the older name of Delphi and its environs: cf. F. pythien.] Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi.

Pythian games (Gr. Antiq.), one of the four great national festivals of ancient Greece, celebrated near Delphi, in honor of Apollo, the conqueror of the dragon Python, at first once in eight years, afterward once in four.

Pyth`o*cen"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to rot + &?; origin.] Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be accompanied or caused by decomposition.

Py"thon (?), n. [NL., fr. L. Python the serpent slain near Delphi by Apollo, Gr. &?;.] 1. (Zoˆl.) Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python, and allied genera, of the family PythonidÊ. They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake.

The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.

2. A diviner by spirits. "[Manasses] observed omens, and appointed pythons." 4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version).

Pyth"o*ness (?), n. [L. pythonissa: cf. F. pythonisse. See Pythian.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) The priestess who gave oracular answers at Delphi in Greece.

2. Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort of witch. Bp. Hall.

Py*thon"ic (?), a. [L. pythonicus, Gr. &?;. See Pythian.] Prophetic; oracular; pretending to foretell events.

Pyth"o*nism (?), n. The art of predicting events after the manner of the priestess of Apollo at Delphi; equivocal prophesying.

Pyth"o*nist (?), n. A conjurer; a diviner.

||Pyth`o*no*mor"pha (?), n. pl. [NL. See Python, and -morphous.] ||(Paleon.) Same as Mosasauria.

||Py*u"ri*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; pus + &?; urine.] (Med.) A morbid ||condition in which pus is discharged in the urine.

Pyx (?), n. [L. pyxis a box, Gr. pyxi`s a box, especially of boxwood, fr. py`xos the box tree or boxwood. See Box a receptacle.] [Written also pix.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which the host is reserved.

2. A box used in the British mint as a place of deposit for certain sample coins taken for a trial of the weight and fineness of metal before it is sent from the mint. Mushet.

3. (Naut.) The box in which the compass is suspended; the binnacle. Weale.

4. (Anat.) Same as Pyxis.