*phin*

n. [ Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man + sfi`gx sphinx. ] (Egypt. Art.) A man sphinx; a sphinx having the head of a man and the body of a lion. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖ } n. [ Pref. apo- + morphia, morphine. ] (Chem.) A crystalline alkaloid obtained from morphia. It is a powerful emetic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) 1. A grey cetacean of the Dolphin family, of several species, as Delphinus Tursio and Lagenorhyncus leucopleurus, of Europe. Also Tursiops truncatus -- a synonym?
Syn. -- bottlenose dolphin. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. The puffin. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. a north Atlantic beaked whale with a bulbous forehead.
Syn. -- bottle-nosed whale, bottlenose whale, Hyperoodon ampullatus. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ From Camphor. ] Rectified oil of turpentine, used for burning in lamps, and as a common solvent in varnishes. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name is also applied to a mixture of this substance with three times its volume of alcohol and sometimes a little ether, used as an illuminant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a growth hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; it stimulates the adrenal cortex; -- called also adrenocorticotropin and abbreviated ACTH.
Syn. -- adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, adrenocorticotropin, adrenocorticotropin, corticotrophin, ACTH. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n. [ Gr. krio`s ram + sfi`gx sphinx. ] A sphinx with the head of a ram. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. dauphin, prop., a dolphin, from L. delphinus. See Dolphin. The name was given, for some reason unexplained, to Guigo, count of Vienne, in the 12th century, and was borne by succeeding counts of Vienne. In 1349, Dauphiny was bequeathed to Philippe de Valois, king of France, on condition that the heir of the crown should always hold the title of Dauphin de Viennois. ] The title of the eldest son of the king of France, and heir to the crown. Since the revolution of 1830, the title has been discontinued.

{ or , n. The title of the wife of the dauphin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. delphinus a dolphin. ] (Chem.) A fatty substance contained in the oil of the dolphin and the porpoise; -- called also phocenin. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ See Dauphin. ] Pertaining to the dauphin of France; as, the Delphin classics, an edition of the Latin classics, prepared in the reign of Louis XIV., for the use of the dauphin (in usum Delphini). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. delphinus a dolphin, Gr. delfi`s, delfi`n. ] Pertaining to the dolphin, a genus of fishes. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Delphin, n. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, the dolphin; phocenic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Delphinic acid. (Chem.) See Valeric acid, under Valeric. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From NL. Delphinium, the name of the genus. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, the larkspur; specifically, relating to the stavesacre (Delphinium staphisagria). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. delphinine. ] (Chem.) A poisonous alkaloid extracted from the stavesacre (Delphinium staphisagria), as a colorless amorphous powder. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. delphinus a dolphin + -oid. ] (Zool.) Pertaining to, or resembling, the dolphin. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL. ] (Zool.) The division of Cetacea which comprises the dolphins, porpoises, and related forms. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., a dolphin, fr. Gr. delfi`s, delfi`n. ] 1. (Zool.) A genus of Cetacea, including the dolphin. See Dolphin, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) The Dolphin, a constellation near the equator and east of Aquila. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. dauphin dolphin, dauphin, earlier spelt also doffin; cf. OF. dalphinal of the dauphin; fr. L. delphinus, Gr. delfi`s a dolphin (in senses 1, 2, 3, & 6), perh. properly, belly fish; cf. delfy`s womb, Skr. garbha; perh. akin to E. calf. Cf. Dauphin, Delphine. ] 1. (Zool.) A cetacean of the genus Delphinus and allied genera (esp. Delphinus delphis); the true dolphin. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The dolphin of the ancients (Delphinus delphis) is common in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, and attains a length of from six to eight feet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) The Coryphæna hippuris, a fish of about five feet in length, celebrated for its surprising changes of color when dying. It is the fish commonly known as the dolphin. The term is also applied to the related Coryphaena equisetis. Called also dolphinfish and (especially in Hawaii) mahimahi. See also dolphinfish and Coryphænoid.
Syn. -- dolphinfish, mahimahi. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. [ Gr. delfi`s ] (Gr. Antiq.) A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped on the deck of an enemy's vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Naut.) (a) A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage. (b) A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a ring to which ships may fasten their cables. R. H. Dana. (c) A mooring post on a wharf or beach. (d) A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the gunwale. Ham. Nav. Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Gun.) In old ordnance, one of the handles above the trunnions by which a cannon was lifted. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Astron.) A small constellation between Aquila and Pegasus. See Delphinus, n., 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dolphin fly (Zool.), the black, bean, or collier, Aphis (Aphis fable), destructive to beans. --
Dolphin striker (Naut.), a short vertical spar under the bowsprit. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female dolphin. [ R. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. either of two large slender food and game fish (Coryphaena equisetis or Coryphaena hippurus) of warm waters. They are highly esteemed as food fish, especially in Hawaii, where they are usually referred to as mahimahi. See also dolphin{ 2 }.
Syn. -- dolphin, mahimahi. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; stag. ] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to, resembling, or characteristic of, the stag, or Cervus elaphus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; a tuft or crest of feathers. ] (Chem.) A nitrogenous organic base obtained by the oxidation of amarine, and regarded as a derivative of benzoic aldehyde. It is obtained in long white crystalline tufts, -- whence its name. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Morpheus: cf. F. morphine. ] (Chem.) A bitter white crystalline alkaloid found in opium, possessing strong narcotic properties, and much used as an anodyne; -- called also morphia, and morphina. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Computers) The smooth transformation of one shape or image into another, displayed on the computer screen as a series of images that appear to be continuous, as if in a movie. [ PJC ]

n. (Med.) A morbid condition produced by the excessive or prolonged use of morphine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Dyeing) Chrysaniline, often in the form of a salt. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. (Chem.) A colorless gas, PH3, analogous to ammonia, and having a disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also hydrogen phosphide, and formerly, phosphureted hydrogen. It is postulated as one possible cause of the rare lights seen in marshes -- see ignis fatuus. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]

☞ It is the most important compound of phosphorus and hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable, owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar vortical rings of smoke. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, certain acids analogous to the phosphonic acids, but containing two hydrocarbon radicals, and derived from the secondary phosphines by oxidation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Like or pertaining to the rhinolophids, or horseshoe bats. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or designating, a set of astronomical tables computed by Kepler, and founded on the observations of Tycho Brahe; -- so named from Rudolph II., emperor of Germany. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL. ] A seraphine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Seraph. ] (Mus.) A wind instrument whose sounding parts are reeds, consisting of a thin tongue of brass playing freely through a slot in a plate. It has a case, like a piano, and is played by means of a similar keybord, the bellows being worked by the foot. The melodeon is a portable variety of this instrument. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sphincter; as, a sphincter muscle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL., fr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; to bind tight. ] (Anat.) A muscle which surrounds, and by its contraction tends to close, a natural opening; as, the sphincter of the bladder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A sphinx. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a sphinx, or the family Sphingidae. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., from Gr. sfi`gx, usually derived from sfi`ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler. ] 1. (a) In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry, having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The awful ruins of the days of old . . .
Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. Shelley. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman. The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in Bœotia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by Œdipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. “Subtle as sphinx.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidae; -- called also hawk moth. See also tomato worm. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Zool.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). [ 1913 Webster ]

Sphinx baboon (Zool.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. --
Sphinx moth. (Zool.) Same as Sphinx, 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A salt of a sulphinic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sulphonic acid obtained, as a blue solution, by dissolving indigo in sulphuric acid; -- formerly called also cerulic sulphuric acid, but properly called indigo-disulphonic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) Any one of a series of basic compounds which consist essentially of sulphur united with hydrocarbon radicals. In general they are oily or crystalline deliquescent substances having a peculiar odor; as, trimethyl sulphine, (CH3)3S.OH. Cf. Sulphonium. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of a series of acids regarded as acid ethereal salts of hyposulphurous acid; as, methyl sulphinic acid, CH3.SO.OH, a thick unstable liquid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Sulpho- + amine + anhydride. ] (Chem.) A white or yellowish crystalline substance, C6H4.(SO2.CO).NH, produced artificially by the oxidation of a sulphamic derivative of toluene. It is the sweetest substance known, having over two hundred times the sweetening power of sugar, and is known in commerce under the name of saccharine. It has acid properties and forms salts (which are inaccurately called saccharinates). I. Remsen. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a sylph. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Min.) Same as Toph. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ A dim. of 1st trepan: cf. F. tréphine. ] (Surg.) An instrument for trepanning, being an improvement on the trepan. It is a circular or cylindrical saw, with a handle like that of a gimlet, and a little sharp perforator called the center pin. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Trephined p. pr. & vb. n. Trephining. ] To perforate with a trephine; to trepan. [ 1913 Webster ]