*ropy*

{ } n. [ Gr. &unr_; other + direction, way, &unr_; to turn: cf. F. allotropie. ] (Chem.) The property of existing in two or more conditions which are distinct in their physical or chemical relations. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Thus, carbon occurs crystallized in octahedrons and other related forms, in a state of extreme hardness, in the diamond; it occurs in hexagonal forms, and of little hardness, in black lead; and again occurs in a third form, with entire softness, in lampblack and charcoal. In some cases, one of these is peculiarly an active state, and the other a passive one. Thus, ozone is an active state of oxygen, and is distinct from ordinary oxygen, which is the element in its passive state. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; from + &unr_; man. ] An aversion to the company of men; a love of solitude. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; not loving man; 'a priv. + &unr_; to love + &unr_; man. ] Want of love to mankind; -- the opposite of philanthropy. Coxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; of a dog-man; &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;, &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;, dog + &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; man: cf. F. cynanthropie. ] (Med.) A kind of madness in which men fancy themselves changed into dogs, and imitate the voice and habits of that animal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. di- + propyl. ] (Chem.) One of the hexane paraffins, found in petroleum, consisting of two propyl radicals. See Hexane. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Med.) Same as Emmetropia. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; a turning in; &unr_; in + &unr_; a turn, fr. &unr_; to turn. ] (Thermodynamics) A certain property of a body, expressed as a measurable quantity, such that when there is no communication of heat the quantity remains constant, but when heat enters or leaves the body the quantity increases or diminishes. If a small amount, h, of heat enters the body when its temperature is t in the thermodynamic scale the entropy of the body is increased by h ÷ t. The entropy is regarded as measured from some standard temperature and pressure. Sometimes called the thermodynamic function. [ 1913 Webster ]

The entropy of the universe tends towards a maximum. Clausius. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Crystallog.) Twin composition in crystals. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖ } n. [ NL. hypermetropia, fr. Gr. &unr_; excessive + &unr_;, &unr_;, the eye. See Hypermeter. ] An abnormal condition of the eye in which, through shortness of the eyeball or fault of the refractive media, the rays of light come to a focus behind the retina, making vision for distant objects better than for near objects; farsightedness; -- now most commonly called hyperopia. Cf. Emmetropia. [ Obsolescent ]
Syn. -- hyperopia, farsightedness, longsightedness. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In hypermetropia, vision for distant objects, although not better absolutely, is better than that for near objects, and hence, the individual is said to be farsighted. It is corrected by the use of convex glasses.

-- Hy`per*me*trop"ic a. [1913 Webster]

n. (Physics) Uniformity of physical properties in all directions in a body; absence of all kinds of polarity; specifically, equal elasticity in all directions. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. lycanthropie. ] 1. The supposed act of turning one's self or another person into a wolf. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Med.) A kind of erratic melancholy, in which the patient imagines himself a wolf, and imitates the actions of that animal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + pyramid. ] (Crystallog.) See Macroprism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Micro- + Gr. &unr_; gate, orifice: cf. F. micropyle. ] (Biol.) (a) An opening in the membranes surrounding the ovum, by which nutrition is assisted and the entrance of the spermatozoa permitted. (b) An opening in the outer coat of a seed, through which the fecundating pollen enters the ovule. -- Mi*crop"y*lar a. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. misanthropie. ] Hatred of, or dislike to, mankind; -- opposed to philanthropy. Orrery. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. philanthropia, Gr. filanqrwpi`a: cf. F. philanthropie. ] Love to mankind; benevolence toward the whole human family; universal good will; desire and readiness to do good to all men; -- opposed to misanthropy. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An active effort to promote human welfare; humanitarian activity. in this sense, it is an action, not merely a state of mind. [ PJC ]

3. An organization whose purpose is to engage in philanthropy(2), and is supported by funds from one or a small number of wealthy individuals; a type of charity, the source of whose funds is typically from a wealthy individual or a corporation, or a trust fund established by a wealthy individual. It is distinguished from other charitable organizations in that the source of funds of other charities may come from a large number of sources, or from public solicitation. [ PJC ]

n. [ Gr. fy`sis nature + 'a`nqrwpos man. ] The philosophy of human life, or the doctrine of the constitution and diseases of man, and their remedies. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Therapy that use physical agents: exercise and massage and so on.
Syn. -- physical therapy, physiotherapy. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Propionic + -yl. ] (Chem.) The hypothetical radical C3H7, regarded as the essential residue of propane and related compounds. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Propylæa [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; before + &unr_; a gate. ] (Anc. Classical Arch.) Any court or vestibule before a building or leading into any inclosure. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. propylène. ] (Chem.) A colorless gaseous hydrocarbon (C3H6) of the ethylene series, having a garlic odor. It occurs in coal gas, and is produced artificially in various ways. Called also propene. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, propyl; as, propylic alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) See Propidene. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ n.; pl. Propyla [ NL., from Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; before + &unr_; a gate. ] (Anc. Arch.) The porch, vestibule, or entrance of an edifice. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The doctrine of the merely human existence of Christ. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. capable of being drawn into a thread, as a glutinous substance; stringy; viscous; tenacious; glutinous; as ropy sirup; ropy lees. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Theanthropism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; God + E. philanthropy. ] Theophilanthropism. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Uropygium. ] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the uropygium, or prominence at the base of the tail feathers, in birds. [ 1913 Webster ]

Uropygial gland, a peculiar sebaceous gland at the base of the tail feathers in most birds. It secretes an oily fluid which is spread over the feathers by preening. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;, (corrupted form) &unr_;; &unr_; the end of the os sacrum + &unr_; rump. ] (Anat.) The prominence at the posterior extremity of a bird's body, which supports the feathers of the tail; the rump; -- sometimes called pope's nose. [ 1913 Webster ]