cusp 
V. other planet hath so many dignities, 
Either liy himself, or in regard of the m*/*. 
Fletcher (and others), Bloody Brother, iv. 2. 
The Cn*p or very entrance of any house, or first begin- 
iiiii" is upon the line where you see the figures placed. 
l.illii. Christian Astrology, etc. (ed. 1059), p. 33. 
3. In geom., a stationary point on a curve, 
where a point 
describing the 
curve has its 
motion precise- 
ly reversed. 
4. In arch., 
an intersecting 
point Of the 
mnll arpH m 1 
1 
foliations dec- 
orating the internal curves of the trefoils, 
cinquefoils, etc., of medieval tracery; also, the 
-i 
inflection, involving 
also .1 double tan- 
gent .in- 1 a node. 
A Simple or Cera- 
toid Cusp, with the 
tangent at the sta- 
tionary point. 
Cusps. 
i. St. Ouen, Rouen, isth century. 2. Tomb of Can Signorio della 
Scala, Verona, I4th century. 3. Notre Dame du Folgoat, Brittany, 
l6th century. 4. Cathedral of Reims, I3th century. 5. Ducal Palace, 
Venice. 6. Tomb of Can M astino della Scala, Verona. 
figure formed by the intersection of such arcs. 
5. In 067. and anat. : (a) Any special promi- 
nence or protuberance of the crown of a tooth. 
A hlunt conical cusp is called a tubercle; a sharp sec- 
torial cusp is a blade ; a low or lateral cusp is a heel. 
Teeth are sometimes named from the number of their 
cusps, as bicuspid, tricusjtid. A canine tooth, the crown 
of which consists of a single cusp, is cuspidate, HI) A 
sharp tooth-like process on a margin or part. 
6. In bot., a sharp and rigid point, as of a 
leaf. Cusp of the second kind, in ueom., a ramphoid 
cusp. See first figure, def. 3. Deciduous cusps. Sec 
deciduous. 
Cusparia bark. See bark 2 . 
cusparin (kus'pa-rin), n. [< Cusparia (see 
def.) + -in 2 .] A non-azotized crystallizable 
substance obtained from the bark of the true 
angogtura, Galipea Cusparia, It is soluble in 
alcohol, and slightly so in water. 
CUSpated (kus'pa-ted), a. [< cusp + -ate 1 + -erf 2 . 
Cf. cuspidate.'] Ending in a cusp or point; point- 
ed; cuspidated. 
cusped (kuspt), a. [< cusp + -erf 2 .] Furnished 
with a cusp ; cusp-shaped. 
cuspidal (kus'pi-dal), a. [< L. cuspis (cuspid-), 
a point, + -al.] I. Ending in a point. 2. In 
geom., having a cusp; relating to a cusp cus- 
pidal cubic, a plane cubic curve having a cusp. Such 
curves are of the third class, and have only one point of 
inflection and no node. Cuspidal Curve. See curve. 
Cuspidal edge, of a developable surface, the locus of 
points where successive generators of the surface inter- 
sect. Also called edge of regression. Cuspidal locus, 
the locus of cusps of a family of curves. 
Cuspidaria (kus-pi-da'ri-a), n. [NL., < L. 
cuspis (cuspid-), a point, + -aria.] A genus 
of bivalves, typical of the family Cuspidariidte. 
Also called Neiera. 
Cuspidariidae (kus'pi-da-ri'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < 
Cuspidaria, + -ida;.] A family of bivalves with 
single branchise on each side very little devel- 
oped or wanting, palpi also wanting, and with 
an inequivalve shell having a calcareous osse- 
let in each valve and posterior lateral teeth. 
They are of small size, and inhabit almost all 
seas, generally at considerable depths. Also 
called Nearrida:. 
cuspidate (kus'pi-dat), v. t. ; pret. and pp. cus- 
pidated, ppr. cuspidating. [< L. cusjridatus, pp. 
of cuspidare, make pointed, < cuspis (cuspid-), a 
point, a spear: see cusp.] To make cuspidate 
or pointed; sharpen. 
cuspidate, cuspidated (kus'pi-dat, -da-ted), a. 
[< L. cusptdatus, pp.: see the verb.] 1. Fur- 
nished with or ending in a cusp or cuspis: mu- 
cronate: as, cuspidate leaves (leaves tipped 
with a sharp rigid point or spine, as in thistles). 
1412 
2. Specifically, having a single cusp, as a 
canine tooth. 
cuspides, ". Plural of cuspis. 
cuspidine (kus'pi-din ), n. [< L. cuspis (ouspid-), 
a spear, + -inc 2 .] A mineral occurring on Mt. 
Vesuvius in pale rose-red, spear-shaped crys- 
tals. It is probably a fluosilicate of calcium. 
cuspidor, cuspidore (kus'pi-dor, -dor), n. [< Pg. 
cuspidor, a spitter, a spittoon, < cus/iir, cospir, 
spit, < L. conspuerc, spit upon, < con- (intensive) 
+ spuerc, spit, = E. spew, q. v.] A spittoon. 
cuspis (kus'pis), n. ; pi. cuspides (-pi-dez). [L. 
fim/iis (eumd-), a point, spear, etc.: see cusp.] 
In :oiil. and anat. , a cusp ; a point, tip, or mucro. 
CUSS 1 (kus), n. [A vulgar pron. of curse: see 
curse 1 , curse 2 .] 1. A curse: used both in the 
proper sense, as an imprecation, and (as equiv- 
alent to curse 2 ) as a symbol of worthlessness : 
see curse 1 , curse 2 . 2. [A particular use of the 
preceding, but perhaps in part associated with 
customer, somewhat similarly used.] A fellow ; 
a perverse or refractory person : a general term 
of contempt or reproach (sometimes very slight 
or jocose) : usually with an epithet : as, a hard 
cuss; a mean cuss; a little cuss. [Low or hu- 
morous, U. 8.] 
The concern is run by a lot of cuxxex who have failed in 
various branches of literature themselves. 
The Ci-ntury, XXVI. 285. 
CUSS 1 (kus), v. [A vulgar pron. of curse : see 
curse 1 , v.] I. trans. To curse ; swear at. [Low, 
U. S.] 
II. intrans. To curse; swear; use profane 
language. [Low, U. S.] 
CUSS-t, v. t. An obsolete variant of kiss. Chau- 
cer. 
cussedness (kus'ed-nes), n. [A vulgar pron. of 
cursedness; used with some ref. also to cuss 1 , 
n., 2, a perverse or refractory person.] Cursed- 
iiess; perverseness ; cantankorousness. [Low 
or humorous, U. S.] 
CUSSer (kus'er), n. [Also cooser, causer, as- 
similated forms of rumour, a stallion, steed, < 
ME. corsour, courser, a courser, a steed: see 
courser 1 ."] A stallion. [Scotch.] 
Then he rampauged and drew his sword for ye ken a 
fle man and a cutver fears na the deil. 
Scntt, (illy Matmering, xi. 
CUSSest. n. pi. See cuishes. 
CUSSO (kus'6), n. [Abyssinian.] The pistillate 
inflorescence of Braycra antltelmintica, a rosa- 
ceous tree of Abyssinia. It contains a bitter, 
acrid resin, and is an efficient troiiifuge. Also 
written kooso. 
CUSS-WOrd (kus'werd), n. An imprecation; a 
profane expletive; an oath. [Low, U. S.] 
custard (kus'tard), n. [A corruption of ME. 
custade, prop, and usually crustade, a pie, tart, 
< OF. croustadc, F. croustadc, a pie, tart, = Pr. 
crustado (Roquefort) = It. crostaia, a pie, tart, 
also the crust of a pie, < L. crustatus, crusted, 
pp. of crustare, crust, < crusta, a crust: see 
crust, crustate.] A compound of eggs and milk, 
sweetened, and baked or boiled. 
CUStard-apple (kus'tard-ap"l), n. The fruit of 
Anona rcticulata, a native of the West Indies, 
but cultivated in all tropical countries. It is a 
large, dark-brown, roundish fruit, sometimes called b\tl- 
ittck's-hfart from its size and appearance. 
CUStard-COffint (kus'tard-kof 'in), n. A piece of 
raised pastry, or the upper crust, which covers 
a custard. 
It is a paltry cap, 
A cU8lard~ct>jfin, a bauble, a silken pie. 
Shak., T. of theS., iv. 3. 
custard-cups (kus'tard-kups), n. The willow- 
herb, Epilobium hirsutum. 
CUStilt, CUStelt, n. [ME., < OF. coustiUc, f., a 
two-edged sword, a poniard, coustel, coutel, later 
cousteau, couteau, a knife, < L. cultellus, dim. of 
milter, a knife: see cutter and colter.] A po- 
niard ; a dagger. 
No manor of persone or persones go nor walke within 
this town of Bristowe, with no Glaythes, speerys, louge 
swerdys, longe daggers, custils, nother Basgclardes, by 
nyght nor by day, whereby the kinges peace in any maner 
wyse may be trobbelid, broken, or offendid. 
English Uilii* (E. E. T. S.), p. 427. 
custock (kus'tok), n. [Also written custoc, cas- 
tock, castack, prob. a corruption of "cole-stock, 
kail-stock or -stalk, cabbage-stalk.] The pith 
or core of a cabbage or cole wort; a cabbage- 
stalk. [Scotch.] 
An* gif the custtoc'g sweet or sour 
Wi' joctelegs they taste them. 
Burns, Halloween. 
CUStode (kus'tod), . [< F. custode = Pr. cus- 
todi = Sp. Pg. custodio = It. custode, custodio 
custom 
(as if < L. 'custodius), < L. ciixtox (rustotl-), a 
guardian, keeper.] 1. In lam, one who has the 
custody or guardianship of anything ; a custo- 
dian. 2. Same as custodia. S. K. Inventory, 
1860, Nos. 182, 296. 
CUStodee (kus-to-de'), [As custode + -ce 1 .] 
A custodian. 
CUStodes, " Plural of custos. 
custodia (kus-to'di-a), n. ; pi. custodia; (-e). 
[ML. in these senses; L. rnstodiit, keeping, 
watch, guard, a prison: see custody.] Eccles., 
any vessel or receptacle used to contain sacred 
objects. Specifically (a) A shrine in which the sacra- 
nient was exposed to the people or carried in procession. 
See monstrance and ostensoir. (b) A reliquary. Also cus- 
tode, custodial. 
custodial 1 (kus-to'di-al), a. [< custody + -L] 
Relating to or of the nature of custody or 
guardianship. 
custodial' 2 (kus-to'di-al), n. [< custodia + -al.] 
Same as custodia. C". Beade. 
custodiam (kus-to'di-am), n. [L. custodiam 
(ace. of custodia, custody: see custody), occur- 
ring in the L. form of the lease.] A lease from 
thp crown under the seal of the Exchequer, by 
which the custody of lands, etc., seized into the 
king's hands, is demised or committed to some 
person as custodee or lessee thereof. Tomlin. 
Also called custodiam lease. [Eng.] 
custodian (kus-to'di-an), . [< ML. "custodi- 
anus, implied in custodianatus, the office of a 
custodian, < L. custodia, custody: see custody.] 
One who has the care or custody of anything, as 
of a library, a public building, a lunatic, etc. ; a 
keeper or guardian. 
custodianship (kus-to'di-au-ship), n. [< custo- 
dian + -ship.] The office orduty of a custodian. 
CUStodier (kus-to'di-er), n. [< OF. "custodier, 
< LL. custodiarius, a keeper, jailer, < L. custo- 
dia, keeping : see custody?] A keeper ; a guar- 
dian; a custodian. [Archaic.] 
But now he had become, he knew not why or where- 
fore, or to what extent, the custodier, as the Scottish 
phrase went, of some important state secret. 
Scott, Abbot, xix. 
custody (kus'to-di), n. [= F. custode,-& curtain, 
a pyx, a monstrance, = Sp. Pg. It. custodia, < L. 
custodia, a keeping, watch, guard, prison, < cus- 
tos (custod-), a keeper, watchman, guard, akin 
to Gr. KfWeiv, hide, and prob. to E. hide: see 
tiide^.] 1 . A keeping ; a guarding ; care, watch, 
inspection, or detention, for preservation or 
security : as, the prisoner was committed to the 
custody of the sheriff. It is often used to imply the 
power and duty of control and safe keeping of a thing, as 
distinguished from the legal possession, which is deemed 
to be in another person : thus, the goods of the master 
may be in his legal possession though in the custody of his 
servant. 
Under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari 
shall be the boards of the tabernacle. Num. iii. 36. 
I have all her Plate and Houshold stuff in my Custody, 
and unless I had gone as I did, much had been embezzled. 
Ilowell, Letters, I. v. 23. 
2. Restraint of liberty; confinement; impris- 
onment ; incarceration. 
He shall he apprehended . . . and committed to safe 
custody til he hath paid some fee for his ransome. 
Coryat, Crudities, I. 5. 
What peace will be given 
To us enslaved, but citntody severe, 
And stripes, and arbitrary punishment? 
Miltun, P. L., ii. 333. 
3. Safe-keeping against a foe; guarding; se- 
curity. [Rare or obsolete.] 
There was prepared a fleet of thirty ships for the cits- 
tody of the narrow seas. Bacon. 
custom (kus'tum), n. and a. [< ME. custom, 
custome, custum, custume, costume, costome, < OF. 
costume, custume, custome, eoustutne, F. coutnme 
= Pr. costuma = Sp. costumbre = Pg. costume 
= It. costuma (> F. also costume, > E. costume 2 , 
q. v.), custom, etc., < ML. custuma, costuma, 
custom, etc., a contraction and modification 
(as if through a form *consuetumeti, pi. -tuiiiimi ) 
of L. consuetudo (consuetudin-), custom, habit 
(see consuetude), < coimiescere, pp. consuetus, 
accustom, inchoative form of consuere, be ac- 
customed, < eon- (intensive) + suere, be accus- 
tomed, perhaps < suus, one's own, his own: see 
consuetude.] I. n. 1. The common use or prac- 
tice, either of an individual or of a community, 
but especially of the latter; habitual repetition 
of the same act or procedure ; established man- 
ner or way. 
AiU wi- do not as ciixtmin' is, 
We arc worth to lie hlamyd. i-wyssr, 
I wolde we dyd untiling amys 
As God me speyd. 
York Plays, p. 440. 
