Teint, which is used to draw a plan, Teinte dont on se sert pour lever un plan, Fr. Teint, in a general acceptation of the word, means any shade that is given to an object which is raised from the canvas, paper, &c. and placed in perspective.
TELAMONES. A term used in ancient architecture, to express the figures of men supporting entablatures, and other projections, the same as Cariatides.
TELESCOPE, (Télescope, Fr.) An optical instrument, composed of lenses, by means of which remote objects appear as if near at hand. The telescope was invented by Galilæo.
TELINGHI, Ind. The mountaineers on the Coromandel coast are denominated Telinghis; which is also the name of their nation, language or dialect.
To Tell off. A term used in military formations, to designate the relative proportions of any given body of men. Thus a battalion may be told off into wings, grand divisions, divisions, companies, platoons, half platoons, sub-divisions, and sections. It is the peculiar duty of every adjutant, and serjeant major to be particularly expert at telling off. Squadrons of horse are told off by half squadrons, divisions, sub-divisions, ranks of threes, and files right and left. But all troops, whether infantry or cavalry, should be accustomed to tell themselves off; that is to move off at the word of command, without delaying to be told off. The skilful officer will understand this, the unskilful cannot.
TEMOIN, Fr. A witness. It likewise signifies the second in a duel.
Temoins, Fr. In civil and military architecture, are pieces of earth left standing as marks or witnesses in the fosses of places which the workmen are emptying, that they may know exactly how many cubical fathoms of earth have been carried.
TEMPER. A state of steel or other metal, that best fits it for the use to which it is to be applied. Thus, the blade of a sword should be so tempered as to admit of considerable flexure without breaking, yet so elastic as to return to its shape, on the pressure being removed.
To Temper. In a military sense, to form metals to a proper degree of hardness.
TEMPEST, (Tempête, Fr.) According to Dr. Johnson, the utmost violence of the wind: the names by which the wind is called according to the gradual increase of its force seem to be, a breeze; a gust; a gale; a storm; a tempest.