epidermidal 
epidermidal (ep-i-dtr'mi-dal), a. [< epider- 
mis (-id-) + -al.~\ Same as epidermal or epider- 
mic. [Bare.] 
epidermis (ep-i-der'mis), n. [< LL. epidermis, < 
Ur. emfcpfuf (-/<!-), the outer skin,< eiri, upon, + 
6ep/j.a, skin.] 1. In anat., the cuticle or scarf- 
skin; the non- vascular outer layer of the skin. 
Its outer portions usually consist of flattened or hardened 
cells in one or more layers, cohering into a pellicle, which 
readily peels off and is constantly being shed and renewed. 
It is derived from the epiblast, and is entered by fine 
nerve-fibrils, but by no blood-vessels. The following stra- 
ta are recognized, from without inward : stratum corneum, 
stratum granulosum, and stratum spinosum. See cuts 
under skin and sweat-aland. 
2. In zool., broadly, some or any outermost in- 
tegument or tegumentary covering or envelop 
of the body, or some part of the body: a term 
nearly synonymous with exoskelcton. Thus, nails, 
claws, hoofs, horns, scales, feathers, etc., consist of much 
thickened or otherwise specialized epidermis ; the whole 
skin which a snake sheds is epidermis. 
3. In embryol., the outermost blastoderm! c 
membrane ; the ectoderm or epiblast, which 
will in due course become an epidermis proper. 
4. In conch., specifically, the rind or peel 
covering the shell of a mollusk; the external 
animal integument of the shell, as distinguished 
from the shell-substance proper: commonly 
found as a tough, fibrous, or stringy dark-col- 
ored bark, which readily peels off in shreds. 
5. In bot., the outer layer or layers of cells cov- 
ering the surfaces of plants. 
On all the softer parts of the higher plants ... we find 
a surface-layer, differing in its texture from the paren- 
chyma beneath, and constituting a distinct membrane, 
known as Epidermis. W. B. Carpenter, Micros., 377. 
Also epiderm. 
epidermization (ep-i-der-mi-za'shon), . [< 
epidermis + -ation.] In surg., the operation of 
skin-grafting. 
epidermoid (ep-i-der'moid), a. [< Gr. tiuieppi;, 
epidermis, -t- el6o;, form.] Same as epiderma- 
toid, 2. 
epidermomuscular (ep-i-der-mo-mus'ku-lar), 
a. [< LL. epidermis, cuticle, + L. muscu'lus, 
muscle, + -or.] Cuticular and contractile ; 
epidermal and muscular, as the ectodermal 
cells of a fresh-water polyp, Hydra. See neu- 
romuscii/ai'. 
epidermose (ep-i-der'mos), it. and a. [< epi- 
derm + -use.] I. n. Same as ceralin. 
II. a. Same as epidermal. 
epidermous (ep-i-der'mus), a. Same as epider- 
mal. 
epidictic, epideictic (ep-i-dik'tik, -dik'tik), a. 
[< L. epidicticus, declamatory (cf. LL. epidicti- 
calis, normal), < Gr. eiridcmTiKof, fit for display- 
ing or showing off, < iTn&eutvvvtu, display, show, 
exhibit, < hi, upon, + faucvvvat, show, point 
out. Cf. deictic, ajiodictic.] Demonstrative ; 
serving for exhibition or display : applied to 
that department of oratory which comprises 
orations not aiming directly at a practical re- 
sult, but of a purely rhetorical character, in 
deliberative oratory the immediate object is to persuade 
the assembly to adopt or to deter it from adopting the 
measure under discussion ; in judicial oratory it is accusa- 
tion or defense of the person under trial ; but in epidictic 
oratory it is simply the treatment of a subject before an 
audience for the purpose of affording pleasure or satisfac- 
tion. 
I admire his [Junius's] letters as flue specimens of elo- 
quence of that kind which the ancient rhetoricians de- 
nominated the epidictic. V. Knox, Winter Evenings, xxix. 
He [Christ] would not work any epideictic miracle at 
their bidding, any more than at the bidding of the tempt- 
er. Farrar. 
For Isokrates Wagner distinguishes between the early 
period of work for the courts and the late period of epi- 
deictiff discourses. Amer. Jour. PhiloL, VIII. 332. 
epidictical, epideictical (ep-i-dik'ti-kal, -dik'- 
ti-kal), a. [< epidictic + -a?.] Same as epi- 
dictic. 
epididymal (ep-i-did'i-mal), a. [< epididymis + 
-a?.] Pertaining to the epididymis : as, epididy- 
mal ducts; epididymal tissues. 
epididymis (ep-Mid'i-mis), n. [NL., < Gr. Im- 
dtdvfiif, epididymis, < eirl, upon, + didv/u>;, testi- 
cle, lit. twin : see didymous.~\ An elongated ob- 
long body resting upon and alongside the tes- 
ticle, mostly enveloped in the tunica vaginalis. 
It is composed of a convoluted tube 20 feet long, ending at 
the lower end, or globus minor, in the vas deferens. The up- 
per portion, or globns major, is formed in part by the coil- 
ed terminations of the vasa efferentia of the testis, which, 
12 to 20 in number, open into the convoluted canal. 
epididymitis (ep-i-did-i-mi'tis), n. [NL., < epi- 
didymis + -itts.] In pathol., inflammation of 
the epididymis. 
epidiprite fep-i-di'o-rit), . [< Gr. em, upon, + 
diorite.'] A variety of diorite which contains 
fibrous instead of compact hornblende. 
1968 
epidiorthosis (ep-i-di-or-tho'sis), . [LL., 
< Gr. eTnSi6ptiuaic,, the correction of a previous 
expression, < exiSiopflovv, correct afterward, 
< E7T(, upon, after, + diopdovv, correct, make 
straight: see diorthosis.] In rhet., same as 
epanorthosis. 
epidosite (e-pid'o-sit), n. [< Gr. brttomf, a giv- 
ing besides, increase (< sirioMvcu, give besides: 
see epidote), + -itei.~] A rock composed essen- 
tially of the mineral epidote, in a granular con- 
dition, with which some quartz is mixed. The 
epidote is usually of a bright grass-green color. 
Also called pistacite-rock. 
epidote (ep'i-dot), n. [= F. epidote (so named 
by Haiiy, from the enlargement of the base of 
tho primary in some of the secondary forms), < 
Gr. as if *rJor<if , < e7ri6id6vai, give besides, give 
unto, intr. increase, grow, < ixi, upon, in addi- 
tion, + 6i66vai, give.] A common mineral, oc- 
curring in prismatic crystals belonging to the 
monoclinic system, also massive, generally of a 
pistachio-green color and of a vitreous luster. 
It is a silicate of aluminium, iron, and calcium. The epi- 
dote group of minerals includes, besides epidote proper, 
the manganese epidote piedmontite, the cerium epidote 
allanite, and the calcium epidote zoisite. Epidote is also 
called arendalite and pistacite. 
epidotic (ep-i-dot'ik), a. [< epidote + -ic.] Per- 
taining to, containing, or resembling epidote. 
epidromia (ep-i-dro'mi-a), n. [NL., < Gr. em- 
opofiTi, a flux, < Tn6pa/j.eiv, run to or upon, < M, 
upon, + ipafielv, 2d aor., run, associated with 
Tpe%tiv, run: see dromedary. ,~\ \npathol., afflux 
of humors, particularly of blood, to any part of 
the body. 
Epigaea (ep-i-jS'a), n. [NL.. < Gr. emyowf, a 
once -occurring " 
dial, form (TO 
eiriyata, the parts 
on or near the 
ground), < bri, 
upon, + yaia, 
poet. (dial.) 
form of yea, yij, 
the earth, the 
ground : see epi- 
geous.] 1. A 
genus of erica- 
ceous plants, of 
two species, one 
a native of Asia, 
the other, E. re- 
pens, the well- 
known May- 
flower or trail- 
ing arbutus of 
the United 
States. They are 
prostrate or creep- 
ing evergreens, with fragrant rose-colored or white flow- 
ers appearing in early spring. Also Epigea. 
2. In entom., a genus of lepidopterous insects. 
Hiibner, 1816. 
epigaeal, epigaeous, . See epigeal, epigeous. 
epigaster (ep-i-gas'ter), n. [NL., < Gr. eiri, upon, 
+ yaaryp, belly.] A posterior part of the pep- 
togaster, including the large intestine or its 
equivalent, as the colon, caecum, and rectum; 
the "hind-gut" of some writers, translating 
Hinterdarm of the German morphologists. 
epigastraeal (ep"i-gas-tre'al), a. [< epigas- 
trasutn + -a?.] Same as epigastric. 
epigastraeum (ep"i-gas-tre'um), n. [NL. : see 
epigastrium.] Same as epigastrium. 
epigastral (ep-i-gas'tral), a. [< epigaster + 
-a/.] 1. In anat., same as epigastric. 2. In 
biol., pertaining to the epigaster or hind-gut. 
epigastrale (ep"i-gas-tra'le), .; pi. epigastra- 
lia (-li-a). [NL.: see epigastral,"] A sponge- 
spicule on the gastral surface with free differ- 
entiated ray only. F. E. Schulze. 
epigastralgia (ep"i-gas-tral'ji-a), n. [NL., < 
Gr. eTnyaarpiov, epigastrium, + aAyof, pain.] In 
pathol., pain at the epigastrium. 
epigastralia, . Plural of epigastrale. 
epigastrial (ep-i-gas'tri-al), a. [< epigastrium 
+ -al.~] Same as epigastric. 
epigastric (ep-i-gas'trik), a. and n. [< Gr. mi, 
upon, + yaarf/p, stomach, + -ic.~\ I. a. Lying 
upon, distributed over, or pertaining to the abdo- 
men or the stomach. Also, rarely, epigustra:al, 
epigastral, epigastrial. Epigastric artery, (a) Deep 
or inferior, a branch of the external iliac distributed to 
the abdominal walls. (6) Superficial, a recurrent branch 
of the femoral supplying the abdominal walls below the 
umbilicus, (c) Superior, the abdominal branch of the in- 
ternal mammary. Epigastric lobes of the carapace of 
a brachyurous crustacean, an anterior subdivision of the 
complex gastric lobe. See cut under Brachyttrtt. Epi- 
gastric plexus. See plexus. Epigastric region, the 
epigeous 
epigastrium, a region of the abdomen. See abdominal 
regions, under abdominal. Epigastric veins, the veins 
which accompany any of the epigastric arteries. 
II. . An epigastric artery, 
epigastriocele (ep-i-gas'tri-o-sel), . [< Gr. 
litiyaoTptov, epigastrium, + i/A;/, tumor.] An 
Trailing Arbutus {Epigaa repens). 
abdominal hernia in the region of the epigas- 
trium. Also epigastrocele. 
epigastrium (ep-i-gas'tri-um), n. [NL., < Gr. 
eiriyaciTpiov, the region of the stomach from the 
breast to the navel (all below being the iiiroya- 
arpurv, > E. hypogastrium), neut. of ivtyaarpiof, 
over the belly, < bri, upon, over, + yaarr/p, 
belly.] 1. The upper and median part of the 
abdomen, especially of its surface, or that part 
lying over the stomach ; the epigastric region, 
commonly called the pit of tlte stomach. 2. In 
entom., a term used by some of the older ento- 
mologists for the lower side of the mesothorax 
and metathorax in the Coleoptera, Hemiptera, 
and Oi-tJioptera. 
Also, sometimes, epigastrceum. 
epigastrocele (ep-i-gas'tro-sel), . Same as 
epigastriocele. 
Epigea, n. See Epigxa, 1. 
epigeal (ep-i-je'al), a. [< epige-ous + -al.] 1. 
Same as epigeous. 2. In entom., living near 
the surface of the ground, as on low herbs, or 
on mosses, roots, and other surface vegetation. 
Also epigaial. 
epigean (ep-i-je'an), a. [< epige-ous + -an.~] 
Same as epigeous. 
epigee (ep'i-je). n. [< NL. epigeum, neut. of 
epigeus, < Gr. eiriyetof, on or of the earth : see 
Epigcea.] Same as perigee. 
epigene (ep'i-jen), . [(Cf. Gr. fKiyevqs, grow- 
ing after or late, < emyiyvectiai, be born after), < 
Gr. bri, upon, + -ycvr/f, produced, < / *yev, pro- 
duce: see -gen, -gene.] 1. In geoL, formed or 
originating on the surface of the earth: op- 
posed to hypogene : as, epigene rocks. 
The whole epigene army of destructive agencies. 
Geikie, Oeol. Sketches, ii. 24. 
2. In crystal., foreign; unnatural; unusual: 
said of forms of crystals not natural to the sub- 
stances in which they are found, 
epigenesis (ep-i-jen'e-sis), n. [< Gr. bri, upon, 
in addition, + yiveaif, generation: see genesis.] 
1. The coming into being in the act or process 
of generation or reproduction; the theory or 
doctrine of generation in which the germ" is 
held to be actually procreated by the parents, 
not simply expanded or unfolded or made to 
grow out of an ovum or spermatozoon in which 
it preexisted or had been preformed. Thus, in its 
application to plants, this theory maintains that the em- 
bryo does not preexist in either the ovary or the pollen, 
but is generated by the union of the fecundating princi- 
ples of the male and female organs. In zoology the doc- 
trine supplanted the theory of incasement (see incase- 
nient), as held by both the animalculists and the ovulists, 
and may be considered to have itself "incased" the germ 
of all modern doctrines of ontogenetic biogeny, or evolu- 
tion of the individual from preexisting individuals. The 
theory was promulgated in substance in 17S9 by C. F. Wolff, 
and in a modified form, as above, is the doctrine now ac- 
cepted. 
More correctly, perhaps, epiyenesis is an event of evo- 
lution, and evolution impossible without epigenesis; for 
evolution, strictly speaking, is the unfolding of that which 
lies as a preformation in germ, which a new product with 
new properties manifestly does not, any more than the 
differential calculus lies in a primeval atom ; while epi- 
genesig signifies a state that is the basis of, and the causa- 
tive impulse to, a new and more complex state. 
Maudsley, Body and Will, p. 170. 
2. In geoL, same as metamorphism. 3. Inpa- 
thol. , an accessory symptom ; a new symptom 
that does not indicate a change in the nature 
of a disease. 
epigenesist (ep-i-jen'e-sist), n. [< epiijenes(is) 
+ -ist.] One who supports the theory of epi- 
genesis. 
epigenetic (ep"i-je-net'ik), a. [< epigenesis, 
after genetic.} Of, pertaining to, or produced 
by epigenesis. 
He criticises the ideas of progress and of the unity of 
history, and contends for an epiyenftw as distinguished 
from an evolutionary view of the origins of civilisation. 
Minil, XII. 628. 
epigenetically (ep"i-je-net'i-kal-i), adv. In an 
epigenetic manner; by means of epigenesis. 
epigenic (ep-i-jen'ik), a. [As epigene + -ic.] 
Originating on the surface of the earth. 
epigenOUS (e-pij'e-nus). . [As epigene + -ous.] 
In hot., growing upon the surface of a part, as 
many fungi on the surface of leaves : often lim- 
ited to the upper surface, in distinction from liy- 
pogetums. 
epigeous (ep-i-je'us), a. [Also written, less ex- 
actly, eirigmous, < Gr. exiyeioe (dial, (xiyaioc,), on 
or of the earth, on the ground, < f-i, upon, + 
