currant 
grnpc imporli'cl from (In- Levant, chirfly from 
Xante anil (Y|>ll;ll<>ni!l. illld used ill cookery. 
We fiiiiinl there rypc smalle r:i>s..us tli:il e .-alle /v,/ 
.M ',.,'/,<*, and theyui.'"' rheth iii Cory thy, called 
nm\ t'.Ji-.ina, jti Mmea, to \\ln.m Sejut I'unle wrote siln- 
.In epysti.lles. >"' A', <,//'./'/., I'ylKrymoge, p. 11. 
sin.'.' n, traded I" /ante . . . Hi.' plant that bearcth 
Hi.' i "., .. i, also lirouuhl into Ibis real from Him.'.'. 
lltikfityt'g Voyages, II. 16f>. 
'I'hi- ini|H>st ..n tobacco from th royal colony .if Vir- 
ginia elll'.Hllltcred 11.1 S.TJ.HIS opposition, iMlt another illl- 
pnst, upon >'tii-i'iiiilx, i-iii-fitii*. <-ni-;,itlix, or grapes ..I' r., i 
iiith, had not mirli an uninterrupted course. 
N. Iliiin-ll, Taxes in Kiijjlaml, I. 215. 
2. Th<> small round fruit (a berry) of several 
species of /fide.*, natural ordci- Su.n 'fniiinmv; the 
plant producing this fruit: so palled because 
the berries resemble in size the small grapes 
from the Levant. The red currant is /(. rulirum, of 
u liieh tlie white* currant is a variety ; the* wild black cur- 
rant, A 1 , ilnriiliiui ; the liulfalii or Missouri currant, K. au- 
f: "111 ; the flowering cillTant, /(. mwruineum, the berries 
i u lii.-li are insipid, but not, as popularly supposed, poi- 
sonous. The red eurraut is sharply but pleasantly acid, 
and in much used in the form of jelly and Jam. The white 
\.n i.'ty is milder and less common. The black currant is 
slightly musky and bitter, but makes an agreeable jam. 
The barberry and currant must escape, 
Though her small clusters imitate the grape. 
Talr, Cowley. 
3. In Australia and Tasmania, a species of 
l.i -iK-npngon, especially L. Bichei. 4. A name 
for various melastomaceous species of tropical 
America, bearing edible berries, especially of 
the genera Miconia and Clidentiii. -Indian cur- 
rant, the coral-berry, Syntphoricarim* vulgaris. 
currant-borer (kur'ant-bor'er), n. Same as 
riin-tiiit-i'lriinriiig. [tJ. S.] 
currant-clearwing (kur ' ant -kler" wing), n. 
The popular name in England of a clear-winged 
moth, Nigeria tipuliformiti, the larva of which 
bores in currant-stems. It has been Introduced into 
New Zealand and the United States, In which latter it is 
known as the currant-borer. 
currant-gall (kur'ant-gal), n. A small round 
gall formed by the cynipid insect Snathegasler 
bticcarum in the male flowers and upon the 
leaves of the oak: so called from the resem- 
blance to an unripe currant. The insect occurs 
all over Europe, and the Rails receive this name in Great 
Britain ; hut it is not found in North America, where there 
is no gall called by this name. 
currant-moth (kur'ant-moth), n. 1. In Great 
Britain, Abraxas grossulariata. See Abraxas, 3. 
2. In America, Eufitchia ribearia. See Eu- 
Jitchia. 
currantoH, n. See courauft. 
curranto-t, See courant 3 . 
New books every day, pamphlets, currantoc*, stories, 
whole catalogues of volumes of all sorts. 
Burton, Anat. of Mel., p. 17. 
currant-tree (kur'ant-tre), n. A name given 
in Jamaica to several shrubs bearing yellow 
drupes or berries of the size of currants, espe- 
cially to Jacquinia armillaris, Bourreria succu- 
Inittt, and B. tnmentosa. 
currant-worm (kur'ant-werm) ( . A name of 
the larvae of three species of insects, (a) The 
imported currant-w.irm, \i'tnatus rentricoxug (King), in- 
troduced into the United States from Europe about 1858. 
It is the larva of a saw-fly, and is the most destructive of 
e ('urrant-w.iriTi \rrtsf if Mora ftvssltlaria). 
a. larva; *, female fly (cross shows nalural size). 
the currant-worms, (l>) The native currant-worm, Fristi- 
phorit vr.'.w, )/,/,-,> (Walsh), also the larva of a saw-fly, and 
less common than the preceding, (c) The currant span- 
worm, the larva of a geometrid moth, Kuiitchia rilmiriit 
(Kitch). The first two may be destroyed with powdered 
hellebore. 
currency (kur'en-si), n. [< ML. ciirriiitiii. ;> 
current (of a stream), lit. a running, < L. <- 
n i/i t-)x, running: soc currriit 1 .'} 1. A flowing, 
running, or passing; a continued or uninter- 
rupted course, like that of a stream. [Bare.] 
The fiii-i-r,ti'i/ of time. .\'i/itf'f, 1'arergon. 
The seventh year of whose [Mary's] eapth ity in Kngland 
was now in doleful ./,. ,. Scott, Kcni'lwoith. \vii. 
2. A continued course in public knowledge, 
opinion, or belief ; the state or fact of being 
1 111.-. 
conununicatpd in speech or writing from per- 
son to person, or from age to age: as, a star- 
tling rumor gained currency. 
It cannot ... IK- too often repeated, line IIIH.II line, 
preeept up.-n pree.-pt. until it comes into the currciu-;i ..f 
a proverb To innovate is not to reform. 
llurke, To a Noble Lord. 
I'nluekily, r luckily, it is as hard to create a new sym- 
IMJ! as tit obtain currency for a new word. 
Leslie Stephen, English Thought, i. { 16. 
3. A continual passing from hand to hand ; cir- 
culation : as, the currency of coins or of bank- 
notes. 
The currency of those half-pence would, in the universal 
opinion of our people, lie utterly destructive to this king- 
dom. Sieift. 
4. Fluency ; readiness of utterance. [Bare or 
obsolete.] 5. General estimation ; the rate 
at which anything is generally valued. 
He . . . takes greatness of kingdoms according to their 
bulk and currency, and not after intrinsic value. Bacon. 
6. That which is current as a medium of ex- 
change ; that which is in general use as money 
or as a representative of value : as, the currency 
of a country. 
It thus appears, that a depreciation of the currency does 
not affect the foreign trade of the country : this Is carried 
on precisely as if the currency maintained its value. 
J. S. Mill, Pol. Econ., III. xxii. 3. 
Controller of the Currency. See controller, 2. Deci- 
mal currency, a system of money the divisions or de- 
nominations of which proceed from its lowest unit of 
reckoning by ten or its multiples, or aliquot parts there- 
of , as the cent, dime, dollar, quarter-dollar, etc. , of the 
United States and Canada. Fractional currency, coins 
or paper money of a smaller denomination than the mone- 
tary unit ; in the United States, half-dollars, quarters, 
dimes, and 5-cent, 3-cent, 2-cent, and 1-cent pieces. Frac- 
tional currency in paper has lieen largely used ih several 
European countries, and is a part of the monetary system 
of Japan. Fractional notes have been used at different 
times in the United States, especially during the financial 
panic of 1887-38, and during and after the civil war of 
1861-65, when specie was withdrawn from circulation. 
The former received the name of shinplasterg. (See shin, 
planter.) On March 17th, 1862, Congress authorized an 
issue of circulating notes called postage currency, imitat* 
ing in style the stamps that had previously been used at 
great inconvenience, in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 60 
cents. These were superseded by the fractional currency 
authorized March 3d, 1863, in denominations of 3, 5, 15, 
25, and 50 cents. The issue of fractional notes was sus- 
pended by act of April 17th, 1876; but its renewal has 
since been proposed for convenience in remittance of small 
sums. Metallic currency, the gold, silver, and copper 
in circulation as money. National Currency Acts, 
statutes of the United States of 1863, 1864, and 1865, pro- 
viding for a general and uniform bank-note currency guar- 
anteed by the United States and secured by national bonds 
deposited in the Treasury. Paper currency, notes is- 
sued by a government or by banks as a substitute for 
money, or as a representative of money. The paper cur- 
rency of the United States is of three kinds : (1) notes is- 
sued by the government and called demand treasury notes, 
or more generally leyal-tenders ; (2) notes issued by na- 
tional banks ; and (3) certificates issued hy the government 
upon either gold or silver. The smallest denomination of 
the first is $20, and of the last ?l. Postage currency. See 
fractional currency, above. The currency principle, 
a phrase flrst employed in English banking to express the 
mode of issuing notes by the Bank of England. An amount 
fixed by law is issued, based on an equal amount of se- 
curities, mostly government obligations ; and all notes is- 
sued in excess of that amount, which is called "the fixed 
issue," are based on an equal amount of specie. 
current 1 (kur'ent), a. and n. [Now spelled to 
suit the Latin';' early mod. E. also currant, cur- 
raunt, courrant, < ME. currant, coraunt, < OF. 
currant, courant, F. courant = Sp. corriente = 
Pg. It. corrente, < L. curren(t-)s, ppr. of cur- 
rerc ( > It. correre = Sp. Pg. correr = F. courir), 
run, flow, hasten, fly; ef. Skt. ^ char, move. 
Hence (from L. currere) ult. E. course 1 (and 
prob. course^ = coarse), cursive, concur, incur, 
recur, etc., concourse, discourse, excursion, excur- 
sus, etc.] I. a. 1. Running; moving; flowing; 
passing. [Archaic.] 
Ffountayne coraunt that neuer is full of no springes, 
holde thy pecs. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 4L>7. 
Still eyes the current stream. Milton, P. L., vii. 67. 
Here we met, some ten or twelve of us, 
To chase a creature that was current then 
In these wild woods, the hart with golden horns. 
Tennyson, Merlin and Vivien. 
Hence 2. Passing from one to another ; espe- 
cially, widely circulated; publicly known, be- 
lieved, or reported; common; general; preva- 
lent : as, the current ideas of the day. 
The news is current now, they mean to leave you, 
Leave their allegiance. Fletcher, Loyal Subject, v. 1. 
As soon as an emperor had done anything remarkable, 
it was immediately stamped on a coin, and became current 
through his nit..!.' dominions. 
Addison, Ancient Medals, iii. 
When belief in the spirits of the dead becomes curr>'itf. 
the me. Heine-man, professing ability to control them, and 
inspiring faith in his pretensions, is regarded with a fear 
which prompts obedience. 
H . Spencer, Prin. of Sociol., 474. 
current 
3. Passing from hand to hand; circulating: as, 
coin. 
He ordained that the Money "f his Father, though e.xiiit 
ed base by the People, should be currant, 
Baker, rhi,.iii. l.s. p. u:t. 
4. Kstiihlished by common i-stini:ilinii or I-OH- 
seiit; generally received: as, tin- fiirn-nl viiliif 
of coin. 5. Entitled to credit or recognition ; 
fitted for general acceptance or circulation; 
authentic; genuine. 
'lli..n ean-i make 
No excuse ciirrrnl, but to hang thyself. 
Shalt., Rich. III., i. 2. 
6. Now passing ; present in its course : as, the 
current month or year, [in such e\,n. M!OM as 6th 
current (or curt.), current is really an adjective, the ex- 
pression being short for 8th day of the current month. ] 
- Account current. secn<viiiH*. Current coin. See 
<wi. Current electricity. See cfccfrici/j/.- To go 
current*, to go for current*, to be or become generally 
known or believed. 
A great while it went /or current that it was a pleasant 
region. I'urchas, Pilgrimage, p. 18. 
To pass current, to have currency or recognition ; l>e 
accepted as genuine, credible, or of full value : as, worn 
coins do not pass current at banks. 
His manner would scarce have patted current in our 
day. Lamb, Artificial Comedy. 
If a man is base metal, he may pass current with the old 
counterfeits like himself ; children will not touch him. 
T. Winthrop, Cecil Dreeme, iv. 
II. H. 1. A flowing; a flow; a stream; a pass- 
ing by a continuous flux: used of fluids, as 
water, air, etc., or of supposed fluids, as elec- 
tricity. 
The Politick sea, 
Whose icy current and compulsive course 
Ne'er keeps retiring ebb. Shak., Othello, iii. 3. 
Other sweet rivers & delectable currents of water doe 
How within the Citadell. Coryat, Crudities, I. 124. 
It is not the tears of our own eyes only, but of our 
friends also, that do exhfeust the current of our sorrows. 
Sir T. Browne, Religio Medici, ii. 5. 
2. Specifically, a portion of a large body of wa- 
ter or of air moving in a certain direction: as, 
oee&n-currents. The(o/acnr(istliatpointof the 
eomi>aS8 toward which the waters run ; the drift of a cur- 
rent is the rate at which it runs. The principal ocean- 
currents are the Gulf Stream, the equatorial currents of 
the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, and the Japa- 
nese, Peruvian, Brazilian, Labrador, Antarctic, and Austra- 
lian currents. 
3. Course in general; progressive movement 
or passage; connected series: as, the current 
of time. 
Forbear me, sir, 
And trouble not the current of my duty. 
Ford, Perkin Warbeck, v. 3. 
4. General or main course ; general tendency : 
as, the current of opinion. 
Till we unite and join in the same common Current, 
we have little Cause to hope for State of Peace and Tran- 
quillity. Stillingjleet, Sermons, III. x. 
6. The amount of depression given to a roof to 
cause the water which falls upon it to flow in a 
given direction A make-and-break current, an 
intermittent electric current in a circuit which is rapidly 
made and broken, as by the vibrations of a sonorous disk. 
Amperian currents. See atnperian. Atmospheric 
currents, movements of the air constituting winds, caused 
hy regular or fortuitous disturbances of the atmosphere. 
Cable-current, when a submarine cable is broken, a 
steady current through it, produced by the exposed cop- 
per wire forming a battery with the iron sheathing. Cur- 
rent-sailing. See tailing. Currents of action, the 
electrical currents developed in a nerve or muscle by 
stimulation. Currents of rest, the electrical currents 
which pass on connecting different points of an unstimu- 
lated piece of nerve or muscle. Earth-current, a cur- 
rent flowing through a wire the extremities of which are 
grounded at points on the earth differing in electric po- 
tential. The earth-current is due to this difference, which 
is generally temporary and often large. If the earth-plates 
of a circuit are of different metals, as copper and zinc, an 
earth^at terycurre nt is set up which is feeble and tolerably 
constant. Electric current, the passage of electricity 
through a conductor, as from one pole of a voltaic battery 
to the other for example, in the telegraph. (See electrici- 
ty.) A current is said to be intertnitttnt when repeatedly 
interrupted, as by the breaking and making of the cir* 
cult, pulsatory when characterized hy sudden changes of 
intensity, and undulatory when the intensity varies ac- 
cording to the same law as that governing the velocity of 
the air-particles in a sound-wave. Faradalc current. 
See faradaic. Galvanic current, an electric current 
generated in a primary battery, as distinguished from an 
induced current, or a current from a secondary or storage 
battery. Induced current. Sec inductinn. Inter- 
rupted current, an electric current the flow of which 
is completely arrested at frequently recurring intervals. 
It is generally produced by means of a rapidly vibrating 
armature, a rotating disk, or a similar device. Inverse 
current, the current induced in the secondary coil of an 
induction apparatus when the circuit of the primary is 
closed. It is contrary to the primary current Indirection. 
Muscle-current, the electrical current which passes 
on connecting different points of a muscle. Primary 
current, the electric current which passes through the 
primary coil of an induction apparatus, in the secondary 
