Pyrostat, pī′rō-stat, n. an automatic draught-regulator for chimney-stacks, smoke-pipes, &c. [Gr. pyr, fire, statos—histanai, to stand.]
Pyrosulphuric, pī-rō-sul-fū′rik, adj. obtained from sulphuric acid by the action of heat.
Pyrotechnics, pī-rō-tek′niks, n. the art of making fireworks: the use and application of fireworks—also Py′rotechny.—adjs. Pyrotech′nic, -al, pertaining to fireworks.—n. Pyrotech′nist, a maker of fireworks: one skilled in pyrotechny. [Gr. pyr, fire, technikos, artistic—technē, art.]
Pyrotic, pī-rot′ik, adj. burning: caustic.—n. a caustic medicine. [Gr. pyrōtikos—pyr, pyros, fire.]
Pyroxene, pī′rok-sēn, n. an important mineral species, occurring in monoclinic crystals.—adj. Pyroxen′ic. [Gr. pyr, fire, xenos, a guest.]
Pyroxylic, pī-rok-sil′ik, adj. obtained by distilling wood.—ns. Pyrox′yle, Pyrox′ylin, -e, gun-cotton.—Pyroxylic spirit, a mixture of acetone, methyl-alcohol, acetate of methyl, &c., obtained by the destructive distillation of wood in the manufacture of pyroligneous acid. [Gr. pyr, fire, xylon, wood.]
Pyrrhic, pir′ik, n. a kind of war-dance among the ancient Greeks: a poetical foot consisting of two short syllables.—adj. pertaining to the dance or to the poetical foot.—n. Pyr′rhicist, one who dances the pyrrhic. [Gr. pyrrhichē (orchēsis), a kind of war-dance, so called from Pyrrhichos, the inventor.]
Pyrrhic, pir′ik, adj. of or pertaining to Pyrrhus, king of Epirus (318-272 B.C.).—Pyrrhic victory, a victory gained at too great a cost, in allusion to Pyrrhus's exclamation after his victory of Asculum (279), 'Another such victory and we are lost!'
Pyrrhonist, pir′rō-nist, n. one who holds the tenets of Pyrrho, a philosopher of Elis (360-270 B.C.), who taught universal scepticism: a sceptic.—adjs. Pyrrhō′nean, Pyrrhon′ic.—n. Pyr′rhonism, scepticism.
Pyrrhous, pir′us, adj. reddish. [Gr.]