Pedesis, ped-ē′sis, n. the rapid oscillation of small particles in a liquid.
Pedestal, ped′es-tal, n. anything that serves as a foot or a support: the foot or base of a pillar, &c.: the fixed casting which holds the brasses, in which a shaft turns, called also Axle-guard or Pillow-block.—v.t. to place on a pedestal. [Sp.,—It. piedestallo—L. pes, pedis, the foot, It. stallo, a place.]
Pedestrian, pē-des′tri-an, adj. going on foot: performed on foot: pertaining to common people: vulgar.—n. one journeying on foot: an expert walker, one who practises feats of walking or running.—adj. Pēdes′trial, of or pertaining to the foot: pedestrian.—adv. Pēdes′trially.—v.t. Pēdes′trianise, to traverse on foot.—n. Pēdes′trianism, a going on foot: walking: the practice of a pedestrian. [L. pedestris—pes, pedis.]
Pedetentous, ped-ē-ten′tus, adj. proceeding slowly.
Pediatrics, ped-i-at′riks, n.pl. that branch of medical science which relates to children and their special diseases.—Also Ped′iatry. [Gr. pais, paidos, a child, iatrikos, relating to a physician.]
Pedicel, ped′i-sel, n. the little footstalk by which a single leaf or flower is fixed on the twig or on the cluster of which it forms a part—also Ped′icle.—n. Pedicellā′ria, a minute structure on the skin of sea-urchins and star-fish, like a stalk with a three or two bladed snapping forceps at the summit.—adjs. Ped′icellate, Pedic′ūlate, provided with a pedicel.—n. Ped′icle, a fetter for the foot. [Fr. pédicelle—L. pediculus, dim. of pes, pedis, the foot.]
Pediculus, pē-dik′ū-lus, n. a genus of lice, or an individual of it.—adjs. Pēdic′ular, Pēdic′ulous, lousy.—ns. Pēdiculā′tion, Pēdiculō′sis, lousiness.
Pedicure, ped′i-kūr, n. the treatment of corns, bunions, or the like: one who treats the feet.
Pediferous, pē-dif′e-rus, adj. footed—also Pēdig′erous.—adj. Ped′iform, foot-shaped.
Pedigree, ped′i-grē, n. a line of ancestors: a list, in order, of the ancestors from whom one has descended: lineage: genealogy.—adj. Ped′igreed, having a pedigree. [Skeat suggests Fr. pied de grue, crane's-foot, from its use in the drawing out of pedigrees.]