n. [ L. pure, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; fire. See Fire. ] A funeral pile; a combustible heap on which the dead are burned; hence, any pile to be burnt. [ 1913 Webster ]
For nine long nights, through all the dusky air,
The pyres thick flaming shot a dismal glare. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n.;
n. (Bot.) Same as Pyrena. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_; fire. ] (Chem.) One of the less volatile hydrocarbons of coal tar, obtained as a white crystalline substance,
a. [ L. Pyrenaei (sc. montes) the Pyrenees, fr. Pyrene, Gr.&unr_; a daughter of Bebryx, beloved by Hercules, and buried upon these mountains. ] Of or pertaining to the Pyrenees, a range of mountains separating France and Spain. --
n. [ Gr. &unr_; like a kernel. See Pyrena, and -oid. ] (Zool.) A transparent body found in the chromatophores of certain Infusoria. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ NL. Pyrethrum, generic name of feverfew, Gr. &unr_; feverfew. ] (Chem.) A substance resembling, and isomeric with, ordinary camphor, and extracted from the essential oil of feverfew; -- called also
n. (Chem.) An alkaloid extracted from the root of the pellitory of Spain (Anacyclus pyrethrum). [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Gr. &unr_; burning heat, fever, from &unr_; fire: cf. F. pyrétique. ] (Med.) Of or pertaining to fever; febrile. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_; fever + -logy: cf. F. pyrétologie. ] (Med.) A discourse or treatise on fevers; the doctrine of fevers. Hooper. [ 1913 Webster ]