Part 104

Cu"tin (k"tn), n. [L. cutis skin, outside.] (PLant Physiol.) A waxy substance which, combined with cellulose, forms a substance nearly impervious to water and constituting the cuticle in plants.

Cy"cle, n. (a) (Thermodynamics) A series of operations in which heat is imparted to (or taken away from) a working substance which by its expansion gives up a part of its internal energy in the form of mechanical work (or being compressed increases its internal energy) and is again brought back to its original state. (b) (Elec.) A complete positive and negative wave of an alternating current; one period. The number of cycles (per second) is a measure of the frequency of an alternating current.

Cy"clone, n. 1. (Meteor.) In general, a condition of the atmosphere characterized by a central area of pressure much lower than that of surrounding areas, and a system of winds blowing inward and around (clockwise in the southern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the northern); -- called also a low-area storm. It is attended by high temperature, moist air, abundant precipitation, and clouded sky. The term includes the hurricane, typhoon, and tropical storms; it should not be applied to the moderate disturbances attending ordinary areas of low pressure nor to tornadoes, waterspouts, or "twisters," in which the vertical motion is more important than the horizontal.

2. A tornado. See above, and Tornado. [Middle U. S.]

{ Cyclone cellar or pit }. A cellar or excavation used for refuge from a cyclone, or tornado. [Middle U. S.]

Cy*clo"no*scope (?), n. [Cyclone + -scope.] An apparatus to assist in locating the center of a cyclone.

Cy"mo*graph (?), n. [Cyma + - graph.] (a) An instrument for making tracings of the outline or contour of profiles, moldings, etc. (b) Var. of Kymograph. -- Cy`mo*graph"ic (#), a.

Cy"mo*graph, v. t. To trace or copy with a cymograph.

Cy*mom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; wave - meter.] An instrument for exhibiting and measuring wave motion; specif. (Elec.), an instrument for determining the frequency of electic wave oscillations, esp. in connection with wireless telegraphy.

Cy"mo*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; wave + - scope.] (Elec.) Any device for detecting the presence of electric waves. The influence of electric waves on the resistance of a particular kind of electric circuit, on the magnetization of steel, on the polarization of an electrolytic cell, or on the electric condition of a vacuum has been applied in the various cymoscopes.

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Da*hoon" (d*hn"), [Origin unknown.] An evergreen shrub or small tree (Ilex cassine) of the southern United States, bearing red drupes and having soft, white, close- grained wood; -- called also dahoon holly.

||Da"ï*ra (?), n. [Turk. daire circuit department, fr. Ar. daïrah circle.] Any of several valuable estates of the Egyptian khedive or his family. The most important are the Da"i*ra Sa"ni*eh (&?;), or Sa"ni*yeh, and the Da"i*ra Khas"sa, administered by the khedive's European bondholders, and known collectively as the Daira, or the Daira estates.

Dalles (dlz), n. pl. [F. dalle a tube, gutter, trough.] A rapid, esp. one where the channel is narrowed between rock walls. [Northwestern U. S. & Canada]

The place below, where the compressed river wound like a silver thread among the flat black rocks, was the far-famed Dalles of the Columbia.

F. H. Balch.

Da*ma"ra (?), n. [The name is supposed to be from Hottentot dama vanquished.] A native of Damaraland, German Southwest Africa. The Damaras include an important and warlike Bantu tribe, and the Hill Damaras, who are Hottentots and mixed breeds hostile to the Bantus.

Da*mas"cus steel. See Damask steel, under Damask.

{ Dan"die Din"mont (?), or Dan"die }, n. 1. In Scott's "Guy Mannering", a Border farmer of eccentric but fine character, who owns two terriers claimed to be the progenitors of the Dandie Dinmont terriers.

2. One of a breed of terriers with short legs, long body, and rough coat, originating in the country about the English and Scotch border.

Da`ri*ole" (?), n. [F.] 1. A crustade. [Obs.]

2. A shell or cup of pastry filled with custard, whipped cream, crushed macaroons, etc.

Dash`een" (?), n. A tropical aroid (of the genus Caladium, syn. Colocasia) having an edible farinaceous root. It is related to the taro and to the tanier, but is much superior to it in quality and is as easily cooked as the potato. It is a staple food plant of the tropics, being prepared like potatoes, and has been introduced into the Southern United States.

Date line. The hypothetical line on the surface of the earth fixed by international or general agreement as a boundary on one side of which the same day shall have a different name and date in the calendar from its name and date on the other side.

Speaking generally, the date line coincides with the meridian 180° from Greenwich. It deflects between north latitudes 80° and 45°, so that all Asia lies to the west, all North America, including the Aleutian Islands, to the east of the line; and between south latitudes 12° and 56°, so that Chatham Island and the Tonga group lie to the west of it. A vessel crossing this line to the westward sets the date forward by one day, as from Sunday to Monday. A vessel crossing the line to the eastward sets the date back by one day, as from Monday to Sunday. Hawaii has the same day name as San Francisco; Manila, the same day name as Australia, and this is one day later than the day of Hawaii. Thus when it is Monday May 1st at San Francisco it is Tuesday may 2d at Manila.

Dea"con (?), v. t. With humorous reference to hypocritical posing: To pack (fruit or vegetables) with the finest specimens on top; to alter slyly the boundaries of (land); to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold), etc. [Colloq., U. S.]

Dead, a. 1. (Elec.) Carrying no current, or producing no useful effect; -- said of a conductor in a dynamo or motor, also of a telegraph wire which has no instrument attached and, therefore, is not in use.

2. Out of play; regarded as out of the game; -- said of a ball, a piece, or a player under certain conditions in cricket, baseball, checkers, and some other games.