Plutonian, plōō-tō′ni-an, adj. infernal: dark: (geol.) formed by the agency of heat at a depth below the surface of the earth, as granite—also Pluton′ic.—ns. Plu′tonism; Plu′tonist.—Plutonic action, the action of volcanic fires under the surface; Plutonic rocks, rocks formed under the surface by the action of fire, as granite, porphyry, &c.; Plutonic theory, the theory that the present state of the earth's crust is the result of the action of fire—opp. to Neptunian theory. [L.,—Gr. Ploutōnios—Ploutōn, Pluto, the god of the nether world.]
Pluvial, plōō′vi-al, adj. pertaining to rain: rainy.—ns. Plu′viograph, a self-recording rain-gauge; Pluviom′eter, an instrument for measuring the amount of rain that falls.—adjs. Pluviomet′ric, -al; Plu′vious, rainy. [Fr.,—pluvialis—pluvia, rain.]
Ply, plī, v.t. to work at steadily: to use diligently: to urge: to address with importunity.—v.i. to work steadily: to go in haste: to make regular passages, as a boat, between two ports: (naut.) to make way against the wind:—pa.t. and pa.p. plied.—n. a fold: bent: direction.—n. Ply′er. [O. Fr. plier, to fold—L. plicāre, to bend.]
Plyers. Same as Pliers.
Plymouth Brethren, plim′uth breth′ren, n.pl. a rigid religious sect, originating at Plymouth about 1830, out of a reaction against High Church principles and against a dead formalism associated with unevangelical doctrine.—n. Plym′outhism.
Pneuma, nū′ma, n. breath: spirit, soul. [Gr.]
Pneumatic, -al, nū-mat′ik, -al, adj. relating to air: consisting of air: moved by air or wind.—n. (coll.) a bicycle fitted with pneumatic tires.—adv. Pneumat′ically.—n.sing. Pneumat′ics, the science which treats of air and other elastic fluids or gases.—adj. Pneumatolog′ical.—ns. Pneumatol′ogist, one versed in pneumatology; Pneumatol′ogy, the science of elastic fluids: pneumatics: the branch of philosophy which treats of spirits or mind: (theol.) the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; Pneumatom′eter, Pneumom′eter, an instrument for measuring the quantity of air inhaled into the lungs at a single inspiration.—adj. Pneumogas′tric, pertaining to the lungs and the stomach.—n. Pneumō′nia, inflammation of the tissues of the lungs—also Pneu′monī′tis.—adj. Pneumon′ic, pertaining to the lungs.—n. a medicine for lung diseases.—Pneumatic despatch, a method of sending letters, telegrams, and small parcels through tubes by means of compressed air; Pneumatic railway, a railway along which the carriages are driven by compressed air; Pneumatic trough, a trough of wood or iron, filled with water and used for collecting gases for experiment or examination; Pneumatic tire, a flexible air-inflated tube used as a tire on cycles, &c. [L.,—Gr. pneumatikos—pneum-a, -atos, wind, air—pnein, to blow, to breathe.]
Pnyx, niks, n. in ancient Athens, the public place of meeting for deliberation on political affairs: the assembly. [Gr.,—pyknos, crowded.]
Poaceæ, pō-ā′sē-ē, n.pl. a division of the order Gramineæ, the grasses.—n. Pō′a, a genus of grasses. [Gr. poa, grass.]
Poach, pōch, v.t. to dress eggs by breaking them into boiling water. [Perh. Fr. pocher, to put in a pocket—poche, pouch.]