Gauze. A light, transparent silk texture, supposed to have been invented at Gaza in Palestine; whence the name.
Gavotte (It. gavotta). A lively dance-tune in two-fourth time, consisting of two sections, each containing eight measures.
Gehenna (Heb. Ge-hin-nom, i. e. the valley of Hinnom). In this place, on the north of Jerusalem below Mount Zion, is a place called Tophet, where children were sacrificed to Moloch. King Josiah made it the common receptacle for rubbish and carcases, and a fire was kept constantly burning there; hence the Jews used this term to signify “hell.” (Compare Hades.)
Gemellar, R. (gemellus, twin). A case for holding oil; it was called gemellar from the fact of its being divided into two compartments.
Gemelled, Arch. Double; thus a gemelled bay is one divided into two parts; gemelled arches, those which are joined two and two.
Gemelles, Her. In pairs. (See Bars-gemelles.)
Gemmæ, Lat. (1) Precious stones, esp. cut or engraved. (2) Drinking-vessels or objects made of precious stones. (3) Pearls. (4) The eyes of a peacock’s tail. The original meaning of the word is a bud, eye, or gem on a plant; anything swelling and bright.
Gemoniæ, or Gemoniæ Scales, R. (i. e. steps of sighs). Steps leading to the prison in the forum, on the stairs of which the corpses of criminals were exposed for several days.
Gems. Precious stones, especially when carved. (See Cameos.)
Genet, Her. A spotted animal, something like a marten.