Part 194

||Phy"lum, n. (Biol.) A series of animals or plants genetically connected.

Phys`i*og"ra*phy (?), n. The descriptive part of a natural science as distinguished from the explanatory or theoretic part; as, mineral physiography.

Pi (p), n. [Gr. pi^.] 1. A Greek letter (, π) corresponding to the Roman letter P.

2. Specif.: (Math.) The letter , π, as used to denote the number or quotient approximately expressing the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter; also, the quotient or the ratio itself. The value of the quotient pi, to eight decimal places, is 3.14159265. The quotient pi cannot be expressed as a root of an algebraic equation; and from this fact follows the impossibility of the quadrature of the circle by purely algebraic processes, or by the aid of a ruler and compass.

Pick"-me-up`, n. A stimulant, restorative, or tonic; a bracer. [Colloq.]

{ Pick"-up, or Pick"up` }, n. [Colloq., Cant. or Slang] 1. Act of picking up, as, in various games, the fielding or hitting of a ball just after it strikes the ground.

2. That which picks up; specif.: (Elec.) = Brush b.

3. One that is picked up, as a meal hastily got up for the occasion, a chance acquaintance, an informal game, etc.

||Pi`cot" (?), n. [F.] One of many small loops, as of thread, forming an ornamental border, as on a ribbon.

Pic"ture (?), n. -- Animated picture, a moving picture.

||Pierre`-per`du" (?), n. [F. pierre perdue lost stone.] Blocks of stone or concrete heaped loosely in the water to make a foundation (as for a sea wall), a mole, etc.

Pif"fle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Piffled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Piffling (?).] To be sequeamish or delicate; hence, to act or talk triflingly or ineffectively; to twaddle; piddle. [Dial. or Slang]

Pif"fle, n. Act of piffling; trifling talk or action; piddling; twaddle. [Dial. or Slang] "Futile piffle." Kipling.

Pi"geon*wing` (?), n. 1. A wing of a pigeon, or a wing like it.

2. An old mode of dressing men's side hair in a form likened to a pigeon's wings; also, a wig similarly shaped.

3. (Dancing) A fancy step executed by jumping and striking the legs together; as, to cut a pigeonwing.

4. A certain fancy figure in skating.

5. (Tempering) A color, brown shaded with purple, coming between dark brown and light blue in the table of colors in drawing the temper of hardened steel.

Pig"skin`, n. A football; -- so called because the covering is often made of pigskin. [Colloq.]

Pil"low lace. Lace made by hand with bobbins on a pillow.

||Pi*lon" (?), n. [Sp., sugar loaf.] [Sp. Amer.] 1. A conical loaf of sugar.

2. A gratuity given by tradesmen to customers settling their accounts. [Southern U. S.]

||Pi*lon"ce (?), n. [Amer. Sp. See Piloncillo.] Same as Pilon. [Texas]

||Pi`lon*cil"lo (?), n. [Amer. Sp., dim. of pilon.] Same as Pilon. [Texas]

Pi"lot, n. 1. (Aëronautics) One who flies, or is qualified to fly, a balloon, an airship, or a flying machine.

2. (Mach.) A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.

3. (Mining) The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.

Pi"lot, v. t. (Aëronautics) To fly, or act as pilot of (an aircraft).