Equulidae 
compressed body covered uitli ilei-Mnous i-yelohl scalei, 
an elevated sii|ira-occi|iital crest, very protractile jaws, 
mimiti in-ill mi the jaws and none on tin- palate, a long 
dorsul II" with about s spines in (milt, and a linn- anal tin 
with 3 spines. These fishes have heen generally appnix- 
iinuted to the scomhroids, lint have rather the aspect uf 
(Irrritlae. Aliout at) species of small size occur in the Indo- 
I'acific region. 
Equus (o'kwus), n. [L., a horse. = AS. Mft, M 
(poet.), a horse, = OS. chu = OHG. ehu, a horse, 
= lool.jor, ace. jo (poet.), ahorse, stallion, = 
Or. irrn-of, dial, toitof = Skt. ctejva, a horse.] The 
typical genus of the family EquMie, formerly 
conterminous with the family, now often re- 
stricted to the horses proper, as distinguished 
from the asses and zebras. The horse is E. 
mlnilliii. See horse, and cut under Equities. 
ert, <i'li'- A Middle English form of ere 1 . 
-er s [< ME. -ere (in early ME., as in AS., the 
final e was sounded), < AS. -ere = OS. -eri = 
OFries. -ere, -er = D. -er = MLG. -ere, -er, LG. 
-er = OHG. -art, -art, -eri, MHG. -ere, -er, G. 
-cr = Icel. -ari = 8w. -are = Dan. -er = Goth. 
-uri-i-s; a common Teut. formative, suffixed to 
verbs to form nouns of the agent, as in AS. bee- 
cere, a baker, creopere, a creeper (cripple), del- 
fere, a delver, etc. ; = L. -ariu-8 (whence di- 
rectly E. -ary 1 , -ari-an, and ult. -er 2 ) = Gr. -t/pio-f 
(in L. and Gr. forming adjectives (used also as 
nouns) from nouns or verbs) ; orig. a compound 
suffix, < *-ar + -in.] An English suffix, origi- 
nally and properly attached to verbs to form 
nouns of the agent, as in baker, creeper, delver, 
driver, reader, sower, writer, etc. Though denoting 
usually a person, it may denote also, or only, a thing, as 
ruler, heater, grater, poker, etc. In use it is equivalent 
to the Latin -or in such (onus as instructor, one who in- 
structs, actor, one who acts, confessor, one who confesses, 
etc. Accordingly, English verbs from Latin supine or per- 
fect participle stems may form their noun of the agent 
with English -erl or Latin -or: instructer or instructor, con- 
/eager or confessor, etc. Usually they prefer the Latin form, 
taking it directly (or mediately through Middle English 
-our, < Old French -our, < Latin -or, etc.) from the Latin, 
or forming it hy analogy (as depositor, radiator, etc., for 
which there is no Latin original). The snllix -or is thus 
a rough means of distinguishing words of Latin origin : 
compare auditor, instructor, factor, etc., with their literal 
English equivalents hearer, teacher, doer, etc. In many 
words, as biographer, geographer, philologer, philosopher, 
etc., there is no accompanying verb, the suffix, which is 
equally referable to '/-, being attached, cumulatively 
(tirst in philosopher), to the original (Latin or Greek) term 
signifying an agent. (See -r2.) In another use, also with- 
out reference to a verb, -er, attached to names of towns or 
countries, signifies an inhabitant of or one who belongs 
to the town or country, as Londoner, yew-Yorker, Hoi- 
lander, Knglander, New-Bnglander, etc., like German Ber- 
liner, Lcipziger, JSnglander, Hollander, etc. 
-er 2 . [< ME. -er, -ere, < OF. -er, -ier, F. -ier = 
Sp. Pg. -iero, -ero = It. -iere, -era, < L. -arius 
(whence directly E. -ary 1 , -ari-an, as in anti- 
quary, antiquarian, n., justiciary, etc.) = -er 1 : 
see -eri.] \ suffix of Latin origin, denoting 
usually a person, and often an agent, but not, 
like -eri, usually associated with a verb, it ap- 
pears in justicer, commissioner, officer, prisoner, pension- 
er, etc. In many words of more recent formation the suf- 
nx may bo taken as either -eri or -er-. In some words, as 
rhaiuellur, It has assumed the form of Latin -or. In words 
recently formed or taken from the French it appears as 
ier or -eer. In many words it has become merged or 
is mergeable with the English -IT' . 
-er 3 . [< ME. -er, with suffix of declension -ere, 
often with syncope -re, < AS. -er, -or in adverbs, 
but in adjectives always with suffix of declen- 
sion, masc. -a, fern, and neut. -e, and reg. with 
syncope -r-a, -r-e; = OS. -ir-o = D. -er = OHG. 
-ir-o, -ro, MHG. -ere, -er, G. -er = Icel. -r-i = 
Sw. -r-e = Dan. -r-e = Goth. -j-a, -oz-a, fern. 
->:-<>, -oz-ti, neut. -i:-o, -o:-o = L. m. f . -tor, neut. 
-IMS (-ior) = Gr. m. f. -lav (-tov-), neut. -mv = 
Skt. -it/as (nom. ra. -iydn, f. -iyasi, n. -iyas); a 
comparative suffix, of the orig. Indo-Eur. form 
*-m,v. It appears as -es- in the superlative suf- 
nx -esfl, q. v.] A suffix of adjectives, forming 
the comparative degree, as in colder, deeper, 
iin/itir, hii/i/cr, etc., and being cognate with the 
Latin comparative suffix -or, -ior, neuter -us, 
-ius, represented in English in major, minor, 
minus, prior, superior, inferior, etc. in lesser, 
former, the sufnx is cumulative. In better, worse, less 
(for irregular suffix, see etymology), the suffix is attached, 
to a now non-existing positive. In upper, inner, outer, 
utter, etc., the positive is adverbial. See the words men- 
tioned. 
-er 4 . [< ME. -er-en, < AS. -er-ian (not common) 
= D. -er-en = G. -er-en, -er-n, etc.] A suffix of 
verbs, giving them a frequentative and some- 
times a diminutive sense, as patter from pat, 
swagger from swag, flutter from float, sputter 
from spout, etc. It is equivalent to and cognate with 
the fri'qui'utative -le (that is, -'0- as ill dialectal pottle = 
intti-r, xfiitil,' fnmi xiul, etc. An a formative of new 
words it is srjinvly used. 
-er. [X OF. -T, -re. term, of nouns from inf.,< 
inf. -er, -IT, < lj. -<<;<, -<rr, -<r< , inf. suffix of 1st, 
1989 
2d, and 3d declensions respectively.] A suffix 
of certain nouns, mostly technical terms of the 
law (from Old Law French), as attainder, mis- 
nomer, trover, user, non-user, waiver, etc. In 
endeavor, endeavour, the orig. -er is disguised in 
the spelling. 
Er. In client., the symbol for erbium. 
er. In her., an abbreviation of ermine. 
era (e'ra), . [First in the LL. form cera; = G. 
dra = Sw. ero = Dan. cera = F. ere = 8p. Pg. It. 
era, < LL. cera, an era or epoch from which time 
is reckoned (first in Isid. Orig. 5, 36, in the 7th 
century), appar. a particular use of LL. cera, a 
given number according to which a reckoning 
or calculation is to be made (occurring but once 
in this sense, and somewhat doubtful), this be- 
ing a particular use of cera, an item of an ac- 
count, a sing, formed from cera, pi., the items 
of an account, counters, pi. of ces, ore, brass, 
money: see ces and ore 1 . Some refer the LL. 
word to Qoih.jer = E. year, q. v.] 1. A tale 
or count of years from a fixed epoch ; a period 
during which, in some part or parts of the 
world, years are numbered and dates are reck- 
oned from a particular point of time in the 
past, generally determined by some historical 
event. See phrases below. 
The series of years counted from any civil epoch is 
termed an era or count of years. Thus, we speak of the 
era of the olympiads, of the foundation of Rome, etc. The 
practice of some historians of treating the terms epoch 
and era as synonymous is not advisable. 
Ideler, Handbook of Chronology (trans.). 
It is our purpose , . . to fix the epochs at which the eras 
respectively commenced. 
W. L. R. Gates, Encyc. Brit., V. 711. 
2. A series of years having some distinctive his- 
torical character : as, the era of good feeling (see 
below). 3. Loosely, an epoch from which time 
is reckoned, or a point of time noted for some 
event or occurrence; an epoch in general: as, 
the era of Christ's appearance Armenian era, 
an era commencing A. D. 562, July 9th. Byzantine era. 
Same as era of Constantinople. Caesarean era, one of 
several eras used in Syria, commencing from 40 to 47 B. c. 
that Is, between the battle of Pharsalia and the arrival 
of Cwsar in Syria. Caka or Saka era, an era much used 
in India, beginning A. I). 78. Catonlc era. See era of the 
foundation of Rome. Chaldean era, an era beginning in 
the autumn of 311 B. c., but Identified by some chronolo- 
gers with the era of the Seleueidaj. Christian era. See 
vulgar era. Common era. Sameaspn/oarera. Era of 
Actium, an era dating from the battle of Actium, 31 B. c., 
September 3d. Era Of Alexander, an era dating from 
the death of Alexander the Great, in May or June, 323 B. c. 
Era Of Alexandria, one of two eras used by early Chris- 
tians in Alexandria. According to that which was used 
previous to the accession of Diocletian, that event (A. D. 
284) took place in the year 6787 of the world ; but soon af- 
terward ten years were struck off from the count. Era of 
Antioch. (a) A Cresarean era beginning 49 B. c., Sept. 1st. 
(o) A Csesarean era beginning 48 B. c., Oct. 1st. (c) An 
era coinciding with the reformed era of Alexandria. Era 
of Augustus, an era dating from the accession of C. Oc- 
tavius to the title of Augustus, 27 B. c. Era of Christ. 
Same as vulgar era. Era Of Constantinople, the era 
used in the Greek Church, according to which the begin- 
ning of the vulgar era fell In the year 6509 of the world. 
The civil year commences September 1st, but the ecclesi- 
astical year in the spring. Also called Byzantine era. 
Era of contracts. Same as Seteucidan era. "Era. of Dio- 
cletian, an era beginning A. D. 284, August 29th, being the 
beginning of the first Egyptian year after the accession of 
the emperor Diocletian. Era of good feeling, in U. S. 
hist., a period corresponding to the greater part of the 
administrations of James Monroe, or about 1817 to 1824, 
during which there was little party strife, Monroe being 
reflected President In 1820 without opposition. Era of 
kings. Same as Seleucidan era. En. of martyrs, the 
era of Diocletian : so called because of the great persecu- 
tions during his reign. Era of Nabonassar, an Impor- 
tant era in ancient astronomy, dating from 747 B. c., Feb- 
ruary 26th, at noon. Era of the Caesars. Same as Span- 
ish era. Era Of the foundation of Rome (abbrevia- 
tion, A. U. C., representing the Latin anno urbis condittc, 
in the year of the building of the city), the era of ancient 
Rome, usually reckoned after Varro from 75S B. c. Other 
dates are those fixed by M. Porcius Cato (the Catonic era), 
751 B. c. ; Polybius, 760 ; and Fabius Pictor. 747. All these 
eras begin April 21st. Era of the Incarnation. Same 
as vulgar era. Era Of Tyre, an era reckoning from 126 
B. c., October 19th. Era of Varro. See era of the foun- 
dation of Rome. 'Era. of Vikramadltya, an era much 
used in India, beginning 57 B. c. Era of Yezdegird, nn 
era beginning with the accession of Yealepird III., A. i>. 
632, June 16th. Gelalsean era. Same as Persian era. 
Jewish era, the era used in modern times by the Jews, 
dating from about 3760 B. c., and connected with their in- 
tricate calendar. Julian era, an era dating from the re- 
form of the calendar by Julius Cresar, 46 B. c., January 1st. 
Mohammedan era, the era in use among the Arabs, 
Turks, etc., dating from the hejlra, A. D. 622, July 16th. 
The calendar Is lunar. Mundane era, an era lieginniug 
with the supposed epoch of the creation. Such are the 
Jewish and other eras. Bishop Vssher placed this event 
in the year 40O4 B. c. Olympladlc era, the epoch of the 
first Olympiad, 776 B. 0., July 1st. Persian era, an era 
having the same epoch aa that of Yezdegird, but reckon- 
fhg tlie years according to a complicate*! solar lunar cal- 
endar. Also called Gflalira n era. Pharaonic era, a sup- 
posed era attributed to the Egyptians under the Pharaohs. 
Philippic era. Sunn- ;tx the era of Alexander: so 
called after I'hilippus Arrhidteus, the half-brother and 
Eragrostis 
successor of Alexander. Seleucidan era, an era dating 
friini the occupation "f I'mMlm! by Selfiicus Nicatur, In 
the autumn of 3I2 B. ('., extensively followed In the Le- 
vant, and not v t <ntuely disused. Also called rra of 
kings and era of contracts. Spanish era, an era dating 
from 38 B. c., January 1st, In use in Spain until the t ml of 
the fourteenth century. Also called era of the Casars. 
Vulgar era, or Christian era, the era beginning with 
the birth of Christ; the ordinary count of years In Chris- 
tian countries; the "years of our Lord," the "yean of 
grace," etc. The abbreviation A. D. (Latin anno Domini, In 
the year of the Lord), or P. C. (Latin pott Christum, after 
Christ), is prefixed to the numlier of yean after the epoch, 
and B. C. (before Christ), or A. C. (Latin ante Christum, be- 
fore Christ), is suffixed to the yean before the epoch. The 
year preceding A. D. 1 Is 1 B. c. ; but astronomers call the 
latter year 0, and the year preceding it 1. The vulgar erm 
was invented in the sixth century by Dlonyslus Exlguiu, 
and came Into general use under the Carlovingians. The 
years were originally and are now considered as beginning 
January 1st Dionysius supposed that Jesus Christ was 
born December 25th, A. D. 1, a date which Is now univer- 
sally considered to be from three to six yean too late. It 
was, however, until this century generally understixxi 
that the era was fixed upon the supposition that Christ 
was born December 25th, 1 B. c. It was for several centu- 
ries a common practice to begin the year on March 25th, 
the day of the Annunciation. The result was that in some 
places the year, which according to the original and now 
universal practice would begin on January 1st, was taken 
to begin on the previous March 25th, whlleinotherplaces 
it was taken to begin on the subsequent March 25th. In 
England the latter method was used. The year was often 
taken to begin on December 25th. During a part of the sev- 
enteenth and eighteenth centuries lx>th yean were com- 
monly given to dates between December 25th and the fol- 
lowing March 25th: thus, January 9th, 109|. Also called 
common era, era of Christ, era of the Incantation. =Syn. 2. 
Period, Age, etc. Se epoch. 
eradiate* (e-ra'di-at), v. i. [< L. e, out, + rarfi- 
atus, pp. of radiare, radiate: see radiate.] To 
shoot forth, as rays of light; radiate; beam. 
A kind of life eradiating and resulting both from Intel- 
lect and Psyche. Dr. //. Jfor, Notes on Psychoioia. 
eradiation (e-ra-di-a'shon), n. [< eradiate + 
-ion."] Emission of rays or beams, as of light ; 
emission by or as if by rays ; radiation. 
He flret supposeth some eradiation and emanation of 
spirit, or secret quality, or whatsoever, to be directed from 
our bodies to the blood dropped from it. 
Hales, Golden Remains, p. 288. 
God gives me a heart humbly to converse with him from 
whom alone are all the eradiations of true majesty. 
Sit-on Basilikf. 
eradicable (e-rad'i-ka-bl), a. [< eradica(te) + 
-ble.~\ Capable of being eradicated. 
eradicate (f-rad'i-kat), r. t. ; pret. and pp. erad- 
icated, ppr.' eradicating. [< L. eradicatus, pp. 
of eradicare (> It. eradicare = OF. eradiquer, 
erradiquer, vernacularly aracier, aracliier, F. 
arracher : see ararei), root out, < e, out, + radix 
(radic-), a root: see radical, etc.] 1. To pull 
up by the roots ; destroy at the roots ; root out ; 
extirpate : as, to eradicate weeds. 
Making It not only mortall for Adam to taste the one 
(forbidden fruit), but capitall unto his posterity to eradi- 
cate the other | mandrake]. 
Sir T. Brown*, Vulg. Err., II 6. 
An oak tree eradicated, that is, torn up by the roots. 
Seott. 
Hence 2. To destroy thoroughly ; remove ut- 
terly: as, to eradicate errors or disease. 
Some men, under the notion of weeding out prejudices, 
eradicate virtue, honesty, and religion. 
Sw\ft, Thoughts on Various Subjects. 
The work of eradicating crime is not by making pun- 
ishments familiar, but formidable. 
Goldsmith, Vicar, xxvil. 
eradication (e-rad-i-ka'shpn), n. [= OF. eradi- 
cation, < L. er'adicatio(n-), t. eradicare, root out: 
see eradicate."] 1. The act of plucking up by 
the roots, or the state of being plucked up by 
the roots; extirpation. 
The third {assertion] affirmeth the roots of Mandrakes 
doe make a noyse or give a shreeke upon eradication. 
Sir T. Brmme, Vulg. Err., II. 6. 
Hence 2. Complete destruction or removal in 
general. 
Be true and sincere to thy best hopes and Interest, by 
a perfect eradication of all thy exorbitant lusts and cor- 
ruptions. Hallytccll, Melampronoea, p. 105. 
eradicatiye (p-rad'i-ka-tiv), a. and n. [= OF. 
eradicatif= It. eradicatiro ; as eradicate + -ire.] 
I. a. Tending to eradicate or extirpate; remov- 
ingor serving to remove entirely. 
II. . In med., a remedy that effects a radi- 
cal cure. 
Thus sometimes eradications are omitted, In the begin- 
ning requisite. 
Whitloclf, Manners of English People, p. 88. 
eradiculose (e-ra-dik'u-16s), a. [< L. c- priv. 
-t- radicula, a rootlet (see radicle), + -oge.~\ In 
hot., without rootlets. 
Eragrostis (er-a-gros'tis), M. p^L"-- prob. < Or. 
epa, earth, + aypaorir,, a kind of grass : see Agroa- 
