Part 2666

<hw>Cu`ne*at"ic</hw> <tt>(k?`n?-?t"?k)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Cuneiform.</def> "<i>Cuneatic</i> decipherment."

<i>Sayce.</i>

<h1>Cuneiform k-n-frm, Cuniform</h1> <Xpage=356>

<hw><hw>Cu*ne"i*form</hw> <tt>(k?-n?"?-f?rm)</tt>, <hw>Cu"ni*form</hw> <tt>(k?"n?-f?rm)</tt>,<hw> <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>cuneus</ets> a wedge + <ets>-form</ets>: cf. F. <ets>cunei-forme</ets>. See <er>Coin</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Wedge-shaped; <as>as, a <ex>cuneiform</ex> bone</as>; -- especially applied to the wedge-shaped or arrowheaded characters of ancient Persian and Assyrian inscriptions. See <er>Arrowheaded</er>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Pertaining to, or versed in, the ancient wedge-shaped characters, or the inscriptions in them.</def> "A <i>cuneiform</i> scholar."

<i>Rawlinson.</i>

<h1>Cuneiform, Cuniform</h1> <Xpage=356>

<hw><hw>Cu*ne"i*form</hw>, <hw>Cu"ni*form</hw><hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The wedge-shaped characters used in ancient Persian and Assyrian inscriptions.</def>

<i>I. Taylor (The Alphabet).</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Anat.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>One of the three tarsal bones supporting the first, second third metatarsals. They are usually designated as external, middle, and internal, or <stype>ectocuniform</stype>, <stype>mesocuniform</stype>, and <stype>entocuniform</stype>, respectively.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <def>One of the carpal bones usually articulating wich the ulna; -- called also <altname>pyramidal</altname> and <altname>ulnare</altname>.</def>

<h1>Cunette</h1> <Xpage=356>

<hw>Cu*nette"</hw> <tt>(k?-n?t")</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F.]</ety> <fld>(Fort.)</fld> <def>A drain trench, in a ditch or moat; -- called also <altname>cuvette</altname>.</def>

<h1>Cunner</h1> <Xpage=356>

<hw>Cun"ner</hw> <tt>(k?n"n?r)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. <er>Conner</er>.]</ety> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>A small edible fish of the Atlantic coast (<spn>Ctenolabrus adspersus</spn>); -- called also <altname>chogset</altname>, <altname>burgall</altname>, <altname>blue perch</altname>, and <altname>bait stealer</altname>.</def> <altsp>[Written also <asp>conner</asp>.]</altsp> <sd>(b)</sd> <def>A small shellfish; the limpet or patella.</def>

<h1>Cunning</h1> <Xpage=356>

<hw>Cun"ning</hw> <tt>(k?n"n?ng)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[AS. <ets>cunnan</ets> to know, to be able. See 1st <er>Con</er>, <er>Can</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Knowing; skillfull; dexterous.</def> "A <i>cunning</i> workman."

<i> Ex. xxxviii. 23.</i>

<blockquote>"Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white Nature's own sweet and <b>cunning</b> hand laid on. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Esau was a <b>cunning</b> hunter. <i>Gen xxv. 27.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Wrought with, or exibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; <as>as, <ex>cunning</ex> work</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Over them Arachne high did lift <blockquote>Her <b>cunning</b> web. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Crafty; sly; artful; designid; deceitful.</def>

<blockquote>They are resolved to be <b>cunning</b>; let others run the hazard of being sincere. <i>South.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Pretty or pleasing; as, a <b>cunning</b> little boy</def>. <mark>[Colloq. U.S.]</mark>

<i>Barlett.</i>

<syn>Syn. -- <er>Cunning</er>, <er>Artful</er>, <er>Sly</er>, <er>Wily</er>, <er>Crafty</er>.</syn> <usage> These epithets agree in expressing an aptitude for attaining some end by peculiar and secret means. <i>Cunning</i> is usually low; as, a <i>cunning</i> trick. <i>Artful</i> is more ingenious and inventive; as, an <i>artful</i> device. <i>Sly</i> implies a turn for what is double or concealed; as, <i>sly</i> humor; a <i>sly</i> evasion. <i>Crafty</i> denotes a talent for dexterously deceiving; as, a <i>crafty</i> manager. <i>Wily</i> describes a talent for the use of stratagems; as, a <i>wily</i> politician. "A<i>cunning</i> man often shows his dexterity in simply concealing. An <i>artful</i> man goes further, and exerts his ingenuity in misleading. A <i>crafty</i> man mingles cunning with art, and so shapes his actions as to lull suspicions. The young may be <i>cunning</i>, but the experienced only can be <i>crafty</i>. <i>Slyness</i> is a vulgar kind of cunning; the <i>sly</i> man goes cautiously and silently to work. <i>Wiliness</i> is a species of cunning or craft applicable only to cases of attack and defence."</usage>

<i>Crabb.</i>

<h1>Cunning</h1> <Xpage=356>