DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 An·i·mal, a.
 1. Of or relating to animals; as, animal functions.
 2. Pertaining to the merely sentient part of a creature, as distinguished from the intellectual, rational, or spiritual part; as, the animal passions or appetites.
 3. Consisting of the flesh of animals; as, animal food.
 Animal magnetism. See Magnetism and Mesmerism.
 Animal electricity, the electricity developed in some animals, as the electric eel, torpedo, etc.
 Animal flower Zool., a name given to certain marine animals resembling a flower, as any species of actinia or sea anemone, and other Anthozoa, hydroids, starfishes, etc.
 Animal heat Physiol., the heat generated in the body of a living animal, by means of which the animal is kept at nearly a uniform temperature.
 Animal spirits. See under Spirit.
 Animal kingdom, the whole class of beings endowed with animal life. It embraces several subkingdoms, and under these there are Classes, Orders, Families, Genera, Species, and sometimes intermediate groupings, all in regular subordination, but variously arranged by different writers.
 Note: The following are the grand divisions, or subkingdoms, and the principal classes under them, generally recognized at the present time: --
 Vertebrata, including Mammalia or Mammals, Aves or Birds, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces or Fishes, Marsipobranchiata (Craniota); and Leptocardia (Acrania).
 Tunicata, including the Thaliacea, and Ascidioidea or Ascidians.
 Articulata or Annulosa, including Insecta, Myriapoda, Malacapoda, Arachnida, Pycnogonida, Merostomata, Crustacea (Arthropoda); and Annelida, Gehyrea (Anarthropoda).
 Helminthes or Vermes, including Rotifera, Chætognatha, Nematoidea, Acanthocephala, Nemertina, Turbellaria, Trematoda, Cestoidea, Mesozea.
 Molluscoidea, including Brachiopoda and Bryozoa.
 Mollusca, including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Pteropoda, Scaphopoda, Lamellibranchiata or Acephala.
 Echinodermata, including Holothurioidea, Echinoidea, Asterioidea, Ophiuroidea, and Crinoidea.
 Cœlenterata, including Anthozoa or Polyps, Ctenophora, and Hydrozoa or Acalephs.
 Spongiozoa or Porifera, including the sponges.
 Protozoa, including Infusoria and Rhizopoda.
 For definitions, see these names in the Vocabulary.
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 Flow·er n.
 1. In the popular sense, the bloom or blossom of a plant; the showy portion, usually of a different color, shape, and texture from the foliage.
 2. Bot. That part of a plant destined to produce seed, and hence including one or both of the sexual organs; an organ or combination of the organs of reproduction, whether inclosed by a circle of foliar parts or not. A complete flower consists of two essential parts, the stamens and the pistil, and two floral envelopes, the corolla and callyx. In mosses the flowers consist of a few special leaves surrounding or subtending organs called archegonia. See Blossom, and Corolla.
 Note: ☞ If we examine a common flower, such for instance as a geranium, we shall find that it consists of: First, an outer envelope or calyx, sometimes tubular, sometimes consisting of separate leaves called sepals; secondly, an inner envelope or corolla, which is generally more or less colored, and which, like the calyx, is sometimes tubular, sometimes composed of separate leaves called petals; thirdly, one or more stamens, consisting of a stalk or filament and a head or anther, in which the pollen is produced; and fourthly, a pistil, which is situated in the center of the flower, and consists generally of three principal parts; one or more compartments at the base, each containing one or more seeds; the stalk or style; and the stigma, which in many familiar instances forms a small head, at the top of the style or ovary, and to which the pollen must find its way in order to fertilize the flower.
 3. The fairest, freshest, and choicest part of anything; as, the flower of an army, or of a family; the state or time of freshness and bloom; as, the flower of life, that is, youth.
    The choice and flower of all things profitable the Psalms do more briefly contain.   --Hooker.
    The flower of the chivalry of all Spain.   --Southey.
 A simple maiden in her flower
 Is worth a hundred coats of arms.   --Tennyson.
 4. Grain pulverized; meal; flour. [Obs.]
    The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a sort of glue.   --Arbuthnot.
 5. pl. Old Chem. A substance in the form of a powder, especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the flowers of sulphur.
 6. A figure of speech; an ornament of style.
 7. pl. Print. Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc.
 8. pl. Menstrual discharges.
 Animal flower Zool. See under Animal.
 Cut flowers, flowers cut from the stalk, as for making a bouquet.
 Flower bed, a plat in a garden for the cultivation of flowers.
 Flower beetle Zool., any beetle which feeds upon flowers, esp. any one of numerous small species of the genus Meligethes, family Nitidulidæ, some of which are injurious to crops.
 Flower bird Zool., an Australian bird of the genus Anthornis, allied to the honey eaters.
 Flower bud, an unopened flower.
 Flower clock, an assemblage of flowers which open and close at different hours of the day, thus indicating the time.
 Flower head Bot., a compound flower in which all the florets are sessile on their receptacle, as in the case of the daisy.
 Flower pecker Zool., one of a family (Dicæidæ) of small Indian and Australian birds. They resemble humming birds in habits.
 Flower piece. (a) A table ornament made of cut flowers. (b) Fine Arts A picture of flowers.
 Flower stalk Bot., the peduncle of a plant, or the stem that supports the flower or fructification.