Purree, Hind. A bright golden yellow pigment prepared from camel’s dung. (See Indian Yellow.)
Pursuivants. The lowest order of officers in Herald’s College; of whom there are four, called respectively Rouge Croix, Rouge Dragon, Blue Mantle, and Portcullis. In the Middle Ages these officers were attached to the households of the nobility, and bore titles generally taken from the armorial insignia of their lords.
Puteal, R. A place struck by lightning, and thus rendered sacred; in order to keep it from the tread of profane feet, it was surrounded by a low wall similar to that which protected a well (puteus); whence the name of puteal.
Fig. 566. Puteus. Manhole of an Aqueduct.
Puteus, R. (1) A well fed by a spring or an underground stream of water; (2) an opening or manhole of an aqueduct (Fig. [566]); (3) a pit for preserving grain.
Puticuli, Puticulæ, R. Common pits in which the bodies of those slaves and paupers were buried, who had not the means to pay for a funeral pyre or a private tomb.
Puttock, O. E. A base kind of hawk. (Shakspeare.)
Pyanepsia, Gr. (πυανέψια). Ancient “Beanfeasts.” Athenian festivals in honour of Apollo, instituted by Theseus after his victory over the Minotaur; they were so called because beans were cooked for the banquet in honour of the god (πύανος, a bean, and ἕψειν, to cook).
Pyat, O. E. A magpie.