geographical 
Geographical botany, distribution, horizon, mile, 
etc. See the nouns. Geographical position of a place, 
its position as determined by its latitude and longitude 
ami its height above the sea-level. Geographical zool- 
ogy, zoogeography. 
geographically (je-o-graf'i-kal-i), adv. In a 
geographical manner; as regards geography. 
geographize (je-og'ra-fiz), v. t. ; pret. and pp. 
geographized, ppr. geographizing. [< Gr. ytu- 
ypafyelv, describe the earth's surface,? ynfff6tf. 
describing the earth's surface: see geography.] 
To treat geographically ; make geographically 
distinct. [Bare.] 
While Strabo was fully alive to the importance of the 
great rivers and mountain chains which (to use his own 
expressive phrase) geographize a country, Ptolemy deals 
with this part of his subject in so careless a manner as to 
be often worse than useless. Encyc. Brit., XX 96. 
geography (je-og'ra-fi), n. ; pi. geographies (-flz). 
[= D. geografie = G. geographic = Dan. Sw. 
geografi = F. geographic = Sp. geografia = Pg. 
geographia = It. geografia, < L. geographia, < 
Gr. yuypa<l>ia, geography, < yfuypaijaf, a geog- 
rapher, lit. ' earth-describing,' < ytj, the earth, 
+ ypcupeiv, write.] 1. The science of the de- 
scription of the earth's surface in its present 
condition, and of the distribution upon it of 
its various products and animals, especially of 
mankind, etc. See phrases below. The object 
of the geographer is to describe the earth's surface as it 
now exists. The geologist, on the other hand, seeks to 
throw light on the past history of the globe, although in 
doing this he must constantly refer to and study its pres- 
ent condition. Abbreviated ffeog, 
Strabo, in his werke of geographic that is to sale, of the 
description of the earth wryteth, etc. 
Udall, tr. of Apophthegms of Erasmus, p. 317. 
The study of geography is both profitable and delight- 
ful ; but the writers thereof, though some of them exact 
enough in setting down longitudes and latitudes, yet in 
those other relations of manners, religion, government, and 
such like, accounted geographical, have for the most part 
missed their proportions. Milton, Hist. Moscovia, Pref. 
2. A book containing a description of the earth 
or of a portion of it j particularly, a school-book 
for teaching the science of geography Botan- 
ical geography. Same as geographical botany (which 
see, under botany). Descriptive geography, that part 
of the science of geography which involves only a state- 
ment of facts. Analyzing, comparing, and reasoning upon 
these facts is the domain of physical geography, or phy- 
siography. Medical geography, the description of the 
surface of the globe as regards the influence of situa- 
tion on the health, vital functions, and diseases of its in- 
habitants. Dunglison. Physical geography. Same 
as physiography. Political and historical geogra- 
phy, the study of the division of the earth's surface among 
different tribes, peoples, and governments. Simple )>iiliti- 
cal geography is the study of the present condition of 
things in that respect ; historical geography investigates 
and records the changes in the governmental control of 
territory which have occurred from tune to time. This 
branch of the science is, in fact, history from a geograph- 
ical point of view, or that kind of history which, to be 
made intelligible, requires the aid of maps. Sacred or 
Biblical geography, the geography of Palestine and 
other Oriental countries mentioned in the Bible, having 
for its object the elucidation of Scripture. 
geoid (je'oid), n. [< Gr. yeoiAfc, usually contr. 
yf&Srj^, earth-like: see geode.] An imaginary 
surface which coincides with the mean sea- 
level over the ocean, and extends under the 
continents everywhere at that level at which 
the mean surface of the sea would stand if 
it were allowed to flow in through a small 
subterranean canal. The geoid has no simple geo- 
metrical form, but bulges out from the mean spheroid in 
some places (under the continents and some of the deep- 
er parts of the ocean) and is depressed beneath the mean 
spheroid in other places. 
geol. An abbreviation of geology. 
geolatry (je-ol'a-tri), . [< Gr. yrj, the earth, 
+ Aarpeia, worship.] Earth-worship, or the 
worship of terrestrial objects. 
To this succeeded astrolatry in the East, and geolatry 
in the West. Sir O. Cox, Mythol. of Aryan Nations, 1. 95. 
geologer (je-ol'6-jer), n. [< geology + -!.] 
A geologist. [Bare.] 
geologian (je-o-16'ji-an), . [< geology + -i-an>~] 
A geologist. [Bare.] 
geologic, geological (je-o-loj'ik, -i-kal), a. [= 
F. geologique, < NL. geologicus, < geologia, geol- 
ogy: see geology.] Of or pertaining to geology. 
Geological dynamics. See dynamics. 
geologically (je-o-loj'i-kal-i), adv. In a geo- 
logical manner ; as regards geology. 
geologise, v. i. See geologize. 
geologist (je-ol'o-jist), n. [< geology + -is*.] 
One who is versed in the science or engaged 
in the study of geology; specifically, one em- 
ployed in the investigation or exposition of the 
structure of the earth, or any part of it : as, the 
geologist of an exploring expedition ; a state 
geologist. 
geologize (je-ol'o-jiz), v. i. ; pret. and pp. geol- 
ogized, ppr. geologizing. [< geology + -ize.] To 
2494 
study geology ; make geological investigations ; 
discourse as a geologist. Also spelled geologist. 
ge9logy(je-ol'o-ji),.; pi. geologies (-jiz). [=F. 
geologie = Sp. geologia = Pg. It. geologia = D. G. 
geologie = Dan. Sw. geologi, < NL. geologia, < 
Gr. yij, the earth, + -Xoyia. < teyeiv, speak: see 
-ology.] The science of the past and present 
condition of the earth, with special reference 
to the physical changes which it has undergone 
or which may still be taking place. Almost every 
branch of physical and natural science is, or may be, called 
upon to throw light on the problems which present them- 
selves to the geologist. Closely connected with geology, 
and indeed almost inseparable from it, is paleontology, or 
the study of ancient forms of life, since the rocks are 
found on examination to contain in many places remains 
of plants or animals, sometimes closely resembling, and 
often very different from, any now living on the earth. 
It is almost exclusively the order of succession of forms 
of life thus found which gives the geologist the means of 
making out a chronological arrangement for the different 
stratified formations. Physical geography, or physiogra- 
phy, is the necessary introduction to geology, and forms 
the link which unites the work of the geographer to that of 
the geologist. Abbreviated geol. See paleontology, petrog- 
raphy, and lithology. Agricultural geology;. See agri- 
cultural. Dynamic geology. See dynamic. Physi- 
cal geology. See physical. Structural geology. See 
structural. = Syn. Geology, Geognosy. Both mean the same 
thing ; but, with an unnecessary degree of refinement in 
terms, it has been proposed to call our description of the 
structures of the earth geognosy, and our theoretical specu- 
lations as to its formation geology. Sir C. Lyell, Prin. of 
Oeol. (4th ed., 1835), I. 388. 
geom. An abbreviation of geometry. 
geomalic (je-o-mal'ik), a. [< geomaly + -i'c.] 
Of or pertaining to geomalism ; exhibiting ge- 
omalism. [Bare.] 
geomalism (je-om'a-lizm), n. [< Gr. yij, the 
earth, + fyUof, even, level (see anomalous), 
+ -ism.] A tendency of an animal to react 
against the attraction of gravitation by equal 
growth in horizontal planes, so as to balance 
one side with another, and one lateral organ 
with another. Thus, the oyster and manyotheranimals 
are when young normally bilateral ; but subsequently, 
when they are turned over and attached by one side, the 
dorsum and venter, which were primarily unequal and 
held vertically, take the place of the right and left sides 
and assume a horizontal posture. A. Hyatt, Proc. Amer. 
Assoc. Adv. Sri.. 1880, p. 541. 
Geomalism appears in its primitive aspect among the 
sponges, since they are comparatively soft and supported 
by a pliable and primitively fragmentary internal skeleton. 
Stand. Nat. Hist., I. 60. 
geomaly (je-om'a-li). n. Same as geomalism. 
geomancet, n. [X ME. geomaunce, < OF. geo- 
mance: see geomancy.'] Same as geomancy. 
geoinancer (je'o-man-ser), n. One versed in 
or practising geomancy. 
Fortunetellers, jugglers, geomancers, . . . though com- 
monly men of inferior rank, daily . . . delude them [the 
vulgar]. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., i. 3. 
geomancy (je'o-man-si), n. [< ME. geomancie, 
< OF. geomancie, F. gjomancie = Sp. geoman- 
cia = Pg. geomancia = It. geomanzia, < ML. geo- 
mantia, < Gr. yq, the earth, + fiavreia, divina- 
tion. Cf. geomance.] The pretended art of 
divining future events, or of ascertaining the 
luckiness or unluckiness of any event or local- 
ity, by means of signs connected with the earth, 
as from the figure indicated by points taken at 
random on the surface, or from the disposition 
of the particles of a handful of dust or earth 
thrown down at random, or, as in China, from 
the configuration and aspect of a particular re- 
gion in its relation to some other. Also geo- 
manty. 
What seye we of hem that bileeven in divynailes, as by 
flyght or by noyse of briddes, or of beestes, or by sort, by 
geomancie, by dremes, by chirkynge of dores, or crakynge 
of houses, by gnawynge of rattes, and swich manere 
wrecchednesse 1 Chaucer, Parson's Tale. 
Ni. di Conti saith he saw a Bramene three hundred yeares 
olde : he addeth, that they are studious in Astrologie, Ge- 
omancie, and Philosophic. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 490. 
geomantic, geomantical (je-o-man'tik, -ti- 
kal), a. Of or pertaining to geomancy ; of the 
nature of geomancy. 
Two geomantic figures were display'd 
Above his head, a warrior and a maid, 
One when direct and one when retrograde. 
Dryden, Pal. and Arc., ii. 614. 
geomantically (je-o-man'ti-kal-i), adv. In a 
geomantic manner ; by means of geomancy. 
geomanty (je'6-man-ti), n. [< ML. geomantia : 
see geomancy.] Same as geomancy. E. D. 
geometer (je-om'e-ter), . [= F. geometre = Sp. 
geometra = Pg. It. geometra = G. geometer, < L. 
geometres, LL. also geometra, < Gr. yea/iirprif, a 
land-measurer, geometer, < yij, the earth, land, 
+ fitrpov, a measure. In earlier form geomet- 
rian.] 1. One skilled in geometry; a geome- 
trician; hence, a mathematician in general. 
geometric 
All who are ever so little of geometers will remember 
the time when their notions of an angle, as a magnitude, 
were as vague as, perhaps more so than, those of a moral 
quality. ./ITIIHS, Pol. Econ.,p. 10. 
I have reexamined the memoirs of the great geometers. 
B. Peirce, Analytic Mechanics, Pref. 
2f. A gager. Daviex. 
I quatridge give to the geometer 
Most duly ; 
And he will see, and yet be blind. 
Robin Conscience, 1683 (Harl. Misc., I. 52). 
3. In entom., properly, a larva of any moth 
of the family Geometridie; loosely, any larva 
which is destitute of ventral prolegs, and walks 
by alternately extending the body and contract- 
ing it in the form of a loop with the two ends 
drawn together. These larva) are also called measur- 
ing-worms, span-worms, loop-worms, loopers, etc. The 
term geometer is also applied to the adult of geometrid 
Geometra (je-om'e-tra), n. [NL., < Gr. yeuut- 
rptif, a land-measurer: see geometer.] A genus 
of moths, giving name to the family Geometri- 
dce. Oken, 1815. 
Qeometrae (je-om'e-tre), n. pi. [NL., pi. of 
Geometra.] A Linuean (1758) group of moth; . 
See Geometrida. 
geometral (je-om'e-tral), a. [= F. geometral = 
It. geometraie.] Pertaining to geometry ; geo- 
metrical. [Bare.] 
geometriant, n. [ME. geometrien, < OF. geo- 
metrien, a geometer, < geometric, geometry: see 
geometry.] A geometer. Chaucer. 
geometric, geometrical (je-o-met'rik, -ri-kal), 
a. [= F. geometrique =. Sp. geometrico = Pg. 
It. geometrico (of. D. G. geometrisch = Sw. Dan. 
geometrisk), < L. geometricus, < Gr. yeuptrpiK6(, 
< yeu/jtrpia, geometry: see geometry.] 1. Per- 
taining to geometry ; according to the rules or 
principles of geometry ; done or determined by 
geometry. 
The cargazon being taken out, and the goods freighted 
in tenne of our ships for London, to the end that the big- 
ness, heighth, length, breadth, and other dimensions of 
so huge a vessel 1 might by the exact rules of geometricall 
obseruations be truly taken. Ilalcluyt's Voyages, II. ii. 198. 
In this [the Greek method of analysis] we have no trace 
of the systematic development of geometric truth, and the 
method was apparently regarded by the ancients them- 
selves as imperfect. Encyc. Brit., XV. 630. 
The peculiar mosaic structure of the retina is obviously 
the fundamental cause for the pre-eminence of the eye as 
a geometrical sense. 
G. T. Ladd, Physiol. Psychology, p. 426. 
2. Bounded by straight lines and angles ; form- 
ing straight lines and angles: as, geometric 
forms ; geometrical ornament or markings on an 
insect Geometrical addition, clamp, drawing. 
See the nouns. Geometrical analysis, the analysis of 
the ancient geometers. See analysts, 3 (a). Geometri- 
cal conies, the theory of conic sections treated without 
the aid of coordinates. Geometrical effectlon, foot, 
mean, etc. See the nouns. Geometrical optics, the 
theory of the foci of lenses and mirrors, with other purely 
geometrical theories connected with light. Geometri- 
cal pace, a unit of length, equal to 5 geometrical feet. 
Geometrical progression, radius, etc. See the nouns. 
Geometrical proportion, an equation between ratios. 
See proportion. Geometrical spider, a spider which 
constructs a geometrical web. Geometrical spider's 
web, a web formed of radiating lines connected by a sin- 
gle line, which is carried spirally from the circumference 
nearly to the center. The geometrical web is peculiar to 
certain groups of spiders, and is variously modified in the 
different species. Geometrical stairs, stairs of which 
the steps are supported at one end only, this end being 
built into the wall. Geometrical tree. See '.v,. Geo- 
metric construction, the representation of the condi- 
tions of an algebraic problem by geometrical lines. Geo- 
metric curves or lines, those curves or lines in which 
the relation between the abscissas and ordinates is ex- 
pressed by a finite algebraic equation. Geometric Dec- 
Geometric Style in Architecture. Lincoln Cathedral, England. 
