gyascutus 
name, simulating a scientific (NL.) form.] 1. 
An imaginary animal, said to be of tremendous 
size, and to have both legs on one side of the 
body much shorter than those on the other, so 
as to be able to keep its balance in feeding on 
the side of a very steep mountain. 2. [cry*.] 
[NL.] A genus of buprestid beetles, of western 
North America, having the men turn rounded in 
front and the first joint of the hind tarsi elon- 
gated. J. L. Le Conte, 1859. See cut on pre- 
ceding page. 
gybe 1 ! (jib), r. and . An obsolete spelling of 
gibe*. 
gybe 2 t (jib), An obsolete spelling of jibe 1 . 
gyet, . t. An obsolete spelling of guy 1 . 
gyeldt, A bad spelling of gild?. Spenser. 
Gfygis (ji'jis), n. [NL., < Gr. yiiyw, a water- 
bird.] A notable genus of small terns, of the 
subfamily Sterniiur. They are pure white in color, and 
White Sea-swallow {Gygis alba']. 
have a peculiarly shaped black bill, extremely long point- 
ed wings, and a slightly forked tail. The white sea-swal- 
low, G. alba, of southern seas, is an example. Waijler, 
1832. 
gymnallt. n. A corrupt form of ginimai. 
gymnantnous (jim-nan'thus), a. [< NL. *gym- 
nanthus, < Gr. yu/tvof, naked, + Mof, flower.] 
In bot., having naked flowers, from which both 
calyx and corolla are wanting. 
Gymnarchidae (jim-nar'ki-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Gymnarchus + -idaj.] A family of teleostean 
fishes, represented by the genus Gymnarchus, 
belonging to the order Scyphoptiori. The body 
and tail are scaly and the head scaleless ; the margin of 
the upper jaw is formed in the middle by the intermaxilla- 
ries, which coalesce in adult life, and laterally by the max- 
illaries ; the dorsal fin is nearly as long as the back ; the 
tail is tapering, isocercal, and flnless, and there are no anal 
or ventral fins. 
Gymnarchus (jim-nar'kus), n. [NL., named in 
ref. to the absence of anal fins, < Gr. yvpv6s, 
naked, + ap%6s, rectum.] A Cuvierian genus 
of fishes, the type of the family Gyinnarchida: 
G. niloticus, the only species, inhabits tropical 
African rivers, attaining a length of 6 feet. 
gymnasia, . Latin plural of gymnasium. 
gymnasia! (jim-na'zi-al), rt. [< gymnasi-um + 
-?.] Of or pertaining to a gymnasium or clas- 
sical school; hence, as applied to schools and 
education, classical as opposed to technical: as, 
gymnasial teachers ; a gymnasial plan of study. 
The gymnasial education of the youth of Germany, like 
the constitution of the army, exerts an enormous influence 
on German life. Pop. Sci. Mo., XIII. 530. 
We group in one inseparable view their [the Germans'] 
transcendent opportunities for special study, their intel- 
lectually admirable gymnasial basis, the freedom of re- 
search, etc. New Princeton Ret)., II. 286. 
gymnasiarch (jim-na'zi-ark), . [= F. gymna- 
siarque = Sp. gimnasiarca = Pg. gymnasiarca 
= It. ginnasiarca, head of an academy, < L. gym- 
nasiarchus, also gymnasiarclia, < Gr. yv/j.vaaiap- 
XOf, yv/ivaaiapxis, < yvpvaaiov, gymnasium, + 
apxeiv, rule.] In Gr. hist., a magistrate who 
superintended the gymnasia and certain public 
games. In Athens the office was obligatory on the richer 
citizens, involving the maintenance of persons training 
for the games at the incumbent's expense. 
gymnasiast (jim-na'zi-ast), . [< gymnasi-um 
+ -ast. ] One who studies or has been educated 
at a gymnasium or classical school, as opposed 
to one who has attended a technical school. 
The men who have made Germany great in science, in 
philosophy, . . . have been as a rule gymnasiasts. 
The American, VI. 214. 
We have been told that the gymnasiast soon does as well 
as the real-scholar in the laboratory. 
Pop. Sci. Jfo., XXI. 443. 
gymnasic (jim-nas'ik), a. [< yymnas-iiim + -ic.] 
Of or pertaining to a gymnasium or classical 
school; gymnasial. [Rare.] 
Over his gymnasic and academic years the Professor by 
no means lingers so lyrical and joyful as over his childhood. 
Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, p. 71. 
gymnasium (jim-na'zi-um), .; pi. </i/inini*i, 
gymnasiums (-a, -umz). [= F. gymnase = Sp. 
2664 
yinituinio = Pg. gymnasia = It. ginnasio, < L. 
gymnasium, < Or. yvfivamov, a public place where 
athletic exercises were practised, < yvftvd^etv, 
train naked, train in athletic exercises, < yv^vug , 
naked, stripped, lightly clad.] 1. In Gr. antiq., 
a public place for instruction in and the prac- 
tice of athletic exercises: a feature of all Greek 
communities. It was at first merely an open space 
of ground, but was later elaborated into an extensive es- 
tablishment, with porticos, courts, chambers, baths, etc., 
lavishly decorated with works of art ; and facilities for 
the instruction of the mind, as libraries and lecture-rooms, 
were often combined with it. The gymnasium was dis- 
tinctively a Greek institution, and never found high favor 
in Rome, though introduced by some admirers of the 
Greeks under the late republic and the empire. 
Hence 2. In modern use, a place where or a 
building in which athletic exercises are taught 
and performed. 
It [Moorflelds] was likewise the great gymnasium of 
our Capital, the resort of wrestlers, boxers, runners, and 
football players, and the scene of every manly recreation. 
Pennant, London, p. 346. 
3. A school or seminary for the higher branches 
of literature and science; a school preparatory 
to the universities, especially in Germany; a 
classical as opposed to a technical school. 
gymnast (jim'nast), n. [< Gr. yv/tvaoTfa, a 
trainer of professional athletes, < yv/ivdeiv, 
train in athletic exercises: see gymnasium.] 
One who is skilled in athletic exercises; one 
who is expert in or is a teacher of gymnastics. 
gymnastic (jim-nas'tik), a. and n. [= D. yym- 
nastiek = G. Dan. Sw. gymnastik, n., = F. gym- 
nastique, a. and n., = Bp. gimndstico, a., gim- 
ndstica, n., = Pg. gymnastico, a., gymnastica, n., 
= It. ginnastieo, a., ginnastica, n., < L. gyin<ix- 
ticus, < Gr. yvfivaoTtKOf, pertaining to athletic ex- 
ercises (fern. -)~v/ivaoTiK>!, gymnastics), < yvpva eiv, 
train in athletic exercises: see gymnast, gym- 
nasium.'] I. a. 1. Pertaining to athletic ex- 
ercises of the body, intended for health, de- 
fense, or diversion. 
The funeral [of Calanus] was followed, according to an- 
cient Greek usage, by a horse-race, and by gymnastic and 
musical contests. Bp. Tfiirlwall, Hist. Greece, Iv. 
The long course of gymnastic training, without which 
the final agonistic triumph could not have been attained, 
was regarded in antiquity as an essential part of the edu- 
cation of every free man, a duty which he owed his coun- 
try. C. T. XeuJton, Art and Arclueol., p. 323. 
2. Pertaining to disciplinary exercises for the 
intellect. 3. Athletic; vigorous. [Rare.] 
To secure 
A form, not now gymnastic as of yore, 
From rickets and distortion. 
Cowper, Task, it 581. 
H. n. 1. Athletic exercise; athletics. 2. 
Disciplinary exercise for the intellect or char- 
acter. 
These uses of geometry [accuracy of observation and 
deflniteness of imagination] have been strangely neglected 
by both friends and foes of this intellectual gymnastic. 
T. Hill, True Order of Studies, p. 28. 
Before he [the student) can choose and preserve a fit- 
ting key of words, he should long have practised the lit- 
erary scales ; and it is only after years of such gymnastic 
that he can sit down at last, legions of words swarming to 
his call, dozens of turns of phrase simultaneously bidding 
for his choice. R. L. Stevenson, A College Magazine, L 
3. Ateacherof gymnastics; agymnast. [Bare.] 
gymnastical (jim-nas'ti-kal), a. [< gymnastic 
+ -al.] Same as gymnastic. [Rare.] 
gymnastically (jim-nas'ti-kal-i), adv. In a 
gymnastic manner ; athletically; so as to fit for 
violent exertion. 
Such as with agility and vigour ... are not yiimna*ti- 
cally composed, nor actively use those parts. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., iv. 5. 
gymnasticize (jim-nas'ti-siz), v. i. ; pret. and 
pp. gymnasticised, ppr. gymnasticizing. [< gym- 
nastic + -ize.] To practise gymnastic or ath- 
letic exercises. Also spelled gymnasticise. 
Pray during the holidays make Arthur ride hard and 
shoot often, and in short, gymnasticise in every possible 
manner. A. J. C. Hare, To Mrs. Stanley, 1828. 
gymnastics (jim-nas'tiks), n. sing, or pi [PI. 
of gymnastic : see -ics.] The art of performing 
athletic exercises ; also, athletic exercises ; feats 
of skill or address, mental or bodily. 
The horse is an exercise unto which they have so natu- 
rall a disposition and addresse, that the whole earth doth 
not contain so many academies dedicated chiefly to this 
discipline, and other martial gymnastiques. 
Evelyn, State of France. 
But you must not think to discredit these gymnastics 
by a little raillery, which has its foundation only in mod- 
ern prejudices. Bp. Hurd, Age of Queen Elizabeth. 
gymnaxony (jim-nak'so-ni), n. [< Gr. fvfivof, 
naked, + a%uv, axis.] A rare monstrosity in 
flowers, in which the placenta with its ovules 
is protruded from an orifice in the ovary. 
gymnobranchiate 
Gymnetidae (jim-net'i-de), . i>l. [NL., < 
nctis + -((/'.] A family of scarabieoid beetles, 
comprising 6 genera, having the scutellum hid- 
den entirely or almost entirely by the protho- 
racic lobe. There are many American, African, 
and East Indian species. Burmeister, 1842. 
Gymnetis (jim-ne'tis), . [NL. (MacLeay, 
1819), < Gr. yvyvrfTtf, fern, of }ijui^n?f, equiv. to 
yv/ivy;, and this equiv. to yu/tv6f, naked, bare.] 
The typical genus of the family Gymnetidce. It 
is confined to America, and 
comprises over 100 species, 
all but two of which are 
South American. They are 
of medium size or rather 
large, and of characteristic 
aspect. The pattern of the 
markings is very variable ; 
but none have metallic 
colors, and all are covered 
with a velvety efflores- 
cence. They are found 
upon leaves in forests. 
gymnic (jim'nik), a. 
and n. [Formerly al- 
so gymnick; < F. gym- 
nique = Sp. gimnico = 
Pg. gymnico = It. gin- 
nico, < L. gymnicus, < 
Gr. ytym/tof, of or for 
athletic exercises, { Gymnetis sallei. (Line shows 
r>/a^f, naked: see 
gymnasium.] I. a. Gymnastic. [Obsolete or 
archaic.] 
Have they not sword-players, and every sort 
Of gymnick artists, wrestlers, riders, runners? 
Milton, S. A., 1. 1324. 
He [Alexander] offered sacrifices, and made games of 
musick, and gymnick sports, and exercises in honour of 
his gods. Abp. Ussher, Annals. 
In Carian steel 
Now Meliboeus from the yymnic school, 
Where he was daily exercis'd in arms, 
Approach'd. Glover, Athenald, viii. 
Il.t " Athletic exercise. 
The country hath his recreations, the City his several 
gymnics and exercises. Burton, Anat. of Mel., p. 313. 
gymnical (jim'ni-kal), a. [< gymnic + -al.] 
Same as gymnic. 
gymnite (jim'nit), n. [So called in allusion to 
the locality, Bare Hills in Maryland; < Gr. yu/i- 
v6f, naked, bare, + -ite%.] A mineral consist- 
ing of a hydrous silicate of magnesium : same 
as deweylite. 
gymno-. [< Gr. yv/iv6s, naked, bare : see gym- 
nasium.] An element in some scientific com- 
pounds of Greek origin, meaning ' naked,' 
'bare': correlated with jihanio- or pJtanero-, 
and opposed to crypto-, etc. 
Gymnoblastea (jim'no-blas-te'a),n.^?. [NL., 
<Gr. jiywof, naked, + /j/aorof, germ.] In All- 
man's system, an order of hydroid polyps, cor- 
responding to the Anthomeduste 01 Haeckel's 
later system, and commonly known as tubula- 
rian hydroids (in distinction from both cam- 
panularian and sertularian hydroids, which are 
calyptoblastic). They are hydromedusans which pass 
through a hydriform phase, and in which medusiform bod- 
ies are developed. Though the ectoderm may secrete a 
horny tubular protective case or perisarc, it forms no cups 
for the reception of the crown of tentacles, or cases in- 
closing groups of medusiform buds. In other words, no 
hydrothectc or gonangia are present* whence the name of 
the order. The developed medusa; have no otocysts or 
tentaculocysts, but have ocelli at the bases of the ten- 
tacles, usually 4 or 6 in number, corresponding to the 
number of the radial enteric canals ; the sexual glands are 
placed in the walls of the manuhrium. The Gymnoblaxtea 
are delicate plant-like marine organisms, usually attached 
to some foreign body. Their classification is difficult and 
unsettled. They have been divided into from 2 to 21 fami- 
lies. More or less exact synonyms of the name of the 
order are Athecata. Corynida, Gymnafoka, and Tvuula- 
rina. Also GymnoWastoea. 
gymnoblastic (jim-no-blas'tik), a. [< Gr. yvfi- 
v6f, naked, + /5/toorof, germ, + -ic.] Having 
nutritive and reproductive buds or zooids not 
covered or protected by horny receptacles ; hav- 
ing no hydrothecse or gonangia ; specifically, of 
or pertaining to the Gymnoblastea. 
We know less about the Trachomedusee than about the 
Medusae derived from Gymnoblastic or Calyptoblastic hy- 
droids. A. O. Bourne, Proc. Roy. Soc., XXXVIII. 14. 
Hobranchia (jim-no-brang'ki-a), n. pi. 
| Same as GymnobraiicJtiata. 
obranchiata (jim-no-brang-ki-a'tii), n. 
pi. [NL., neut. pi. of gymnobranehiatus : see 
t/i/ninobranchiate.] An order of opisthobran- 
chiate gastropods with the gills exposed or 
contractible into a cavity on the surface of the 
mantle. They are shell-less in the adult state, but the 
young have shells and deciduous cephalic fins. Also 
called Nudibranchiata. Schweiger, 1820. 
gymnobranchiate (jim-no-brang'ki-at), . and 
n. [< NL. gymnobranehiatus, < Gr. yvfiv6f, na- 
