Oryctics, ō-rik′tiks, n. the branch of geology relating to fossils.—adjs. Oryctograph′ic, -al.—n. Oryctozoöl′ogy, palæontology. [Gr. oryctos, fossil.]
Oryx, or′iks, n. a genus of antelopes. [Gr., a pick-axe.]
Oryza, ō-rī′za, n. a small tropical genus of true grasses, including rice.
Os, os, n. a bone. [L.]
Oscan, os′kan, n. and adj. one of an ancient Italic race in southern Italy: a language closely akin to Latin, being a ruder and more primitive form of the same central Italic tongue.
Oscheal, os′kē-al, adj. pertaining to the scrotum.—ns. Oscheī′tis, inflammation of the scrotum; Os′cheocele, a scrotal hernia; Os′cheoplasty, plastic surgery of the scrotum. [Gr. oschē, the scrotum.]
Oscillate, os′sil-lāt, v.i. to move backwards and forwards like a pendulum: to vary between certain limits.—n. Os′cillancy, a swinging condition.—adj. Os′cillāting.—n. Oscillā′tion, act of oscillating: a swinging like a pendulum: variation within limits.—adjs. Os′cillātive, having a tendency to vibrate; Os′cillātory, swinging: moving as a pendulum does. [L. oscillāre, -ātum, to swing—oscillum, a swing.]
Oscines, os′si-nēz, n.pl. a sub-order of birds of the order Passeres.—adj. Os′cine—also n. [L. oscen, oscinis, a singing-bird.]
Oscitancy, os′si-tan-si, n. sleepiness, stupidity.—adj. Os′citant.—adv. Os′citantly.—v.i. Os′citate, to yawn.—n. Oscitā′tion, act of yawning or gaping from sleepiness. [L. oscitāre, to yawn.]
Osculant, os′kū-lant, adj. kissing: adhering closely: (biol.) situated between two other genera, and partaking partly of the character of each.—v.t. Os′culāte, to kiss: to touch, as two curves: to form a connecting-link between two genera.—adj. of or pertaining to kissing.—n. Osculā′tion.—adj. Os′culātory, of or pertaining to kissing: (geom.) having the same curvature at the point of contact.—n. a tablet with a picture of the Virgin or of Christ, which was kissed by the priest and then by the people.—ns. Os′cule, a little mouth: a small bilabiate aperture; Os′cūlum, a mouth in sponges: one of the suckers on the head of a tapeworm. [L. osculāri, -ātus—osculum, a little mouth, a kiss, dim. of os, mouth.]