horologue 
horologue (hor'o-log), H. [Var. of horologe, 
with sense taken from horoscope.] The horo- 
scope ; destiny as indicated by the stars. 
Seven days after the birth of Meleager the Fates told 
the horologue of the child. Quarterly Mev., CLXIII. 212. 
horology (ho-rol'6-ji), . ; pi. horologies (-jiz). 
[< L. horoloyium, < Gr. upuX6}iov, a horologe : see 
horologe. In def. 3 used as if < Gr. *upohoyia, 
< apo/idyof, telling the hour: see horologe and 
-ology.] It. A contrivance for measuring time; 
a timepiece. 
He betaketh himselfe to the refreshing of his bodie, 
which is noted and set downe by the Greek letters of the 
diall (wherewith the Romane horologies were marked, as 
ours be with their nuiuerall letters), whereby the time is 
described. Holmshed, Descrip. of England, vii. 
2. In the Gr. Ch., an office-book containing the 
offices for the canonical hours, from matins 
(mesonycticon) to complin (apodeipnon) inclu- 
sive, as well as antiphons, hymns, etc., from 
the menology and other books, some short occa- 
sional offices, and several canons of odes. Gen- 
erally the calendar is prefixed. In its complete form the 
book is called The Or.:at Horology. On the whole, the 
horology corresponds to the Western breviary, with con- 
siderable differences, however, both of contents and ar- 
rangement. Also called horologion or horoloyium. 
3. The science of measuring time, or the prin- 
ciples and art of constructing, regulating, test- 
ing, etc., machines for indicating divisions of 
time, as clocks and watches. 
horometer (ho-rom'e-ter), re. [= F. horometre 
= Pg. horometro, < Gr. upa, an hour, + [ttrpov, 
measure.] An instrument for measuring time. 
horometrical (hor-o-met'ri-kal), a. [As horom- 
etry + -ic-al.] Belonging to horometry. 
horometry (ho-rom'e-tri), . [= F. horome'trie 
= Pg. horometria = It. orometria ; as horometer 
+ -y s .~\ The art of determining the exact er- 
ror of a timepiece by observation ; also, more 
generally, the art of keeping time, or of know- 
ing the time of day. 
Horometrie is an art mathematical! which demon- 
strateth how at all times appointed the precise usuall de- 
nomination of time rnay be known for any place assigned. 
Dee, Preface to uclid (1680). 
It is, I confess, no easie wonder how the horometry of 
antiquity discovered not this artifice (of wheels). 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., v. 18. 
horopter (ho-rop'ter), n. [< Gr. bpoc, a boundary 
(see horizon), + birrf/p, one who looks, < dirreadai, 
see : see optic.] The locus of all the points in 
space which in any position of the eyes form 
images falling upon corresponding points of 
the two retinee. 
The horopter, being the only line or surface of single 
vision, has to be transferred to a remoter position by the 
outward or divergent movement of the eyes in order to 
effect the combination of homonymous images, and to a 
nearer position by the inward or convergent movement 
in order to combine heteronymous images. 
J. H. HyslOfi, Mind, XIII. 505. 
horopteric (hor-op-ter'ik), a. [< horopter + 
-ic.] Of or pertaining to the horopter. 
Objects lying in a horizontal circle passing through the 
point of sight and the centers of the eyes are usually sup- 
posed to be seen single. . . . This circle has been called 
the horopteric circle of Hiiller. Le Conte, Sight, p. 99. 
horoscope (hor'o-skop), n. [< F. horoscope = Sp. 
Pg. horoscope = It. oroscopo = L. horoscopium, 
< Gr. (jpouKOTeiov, also upomomov, a nativity, 
horoscope (also a horologe), < (jpoa/crfirof, one 
who observes the hour of a birth, also a horo- 
scope, < apa, hour, + axomiv, view: see Anur and 
scope, skeptic.] 1. Inastrol. : (a) Thatpart of 
the ecliptic which is on the eastern horizon at 
the instant of a nativity. 
May stormless stars control thy horoscope. 
Lowell, Bon Voyage. 
(6) The figure or diagram of the twelve houses 
of heaven, with the positions of the planets, 
used by astrologers in calculating nativities 
an'd in answering horary questions. 
Let the twelve houses of the horoscope 
Be lodged with fortitudes and fortunates, 
To make you blessed in your designs. 
T. Tomkis (?), Albumazar, vii. 147. 
"There lay," said Sir Edward, "on his table his horo- 
scope and nativity calculated, with some writing under it. " 
Evelyn, Diary, Aug. 18, 173. 
2. A kind of planisphere, invented by John of 
Padua. 3. A table of the length of the days 
and nights at different places To cast a horo- 
scope, to calculate the part of the ecliptic which is on the 
eastern horizon at the time of a nativity or at the moment 
of asking a horary question, and thence to erect a figure of 
the heavens, with a view to considering the influences of 
the stars upon human affairs or upon the destiny of a per- 
son. 
The court astrologers, according to custom, cast the 
horoscope of the infant, but were seized with fear and 
trembling as they regarded it. Irving, Granada, p. 15. 
2888 
horoscoper (hor'o-sko-per), n. One versed in 
horoscopy. Also 
The astrologers, huroscopers, and other such, are pleas'd 
to honour themselves with the title of Mathematicians. 
Shaj'tesbury, Advice to an Author, iii. 1 1. 
horoscopic (hor-o-skop'ik), a. [< L. Itoroscopi- 
cus, < horoscopium, horoscope: see horoscope.] 
Relating to horoscopy. 
horoSCOpical (hor-o-skop'i-kal), a. [< horo- 
scopic + -at.] Same as horoscopic. 
hqroscopist (ho-ros'ko-pist), n. [< horoscope + 
-ist.] Same as horoscoper. 
horoscopy (ho-ros'ko-pi), n. [< Gr. upoanoiria, 
casting a nativity, < upoonuirof, one who observes 
the hour of birtn, a horoscope: see horoscope.] 
1. The art or practice of foretelling future 
events by observation of the stars and planets. 
2. The aspect of the heavens at the time of 
a child's birtli. 
The aspect of the stars at their nativity . . . was called 
horoscopy, and esteemed a part of judicial astrology. 
Bobbes, Of Man, xii. 
horowt, a. Same as hory. 
Horra goose. See goose. 
horrendoust (ho-ren'dus), a. [= OF. horrendc 
It. orrendo, < L. horrendus, fearful, terrible, 
ger. of horrere, tremble with fright: see hor- 
rent, horrid.] Fearful; frightful. 
Horrendous earthquakes. 
C. Mather, Mag. Chris., Hist. Boston. 
horrent (hor'ent), a. [< L. horren(t-)s, bristly, 
shaggy, rough, ppr. of horrere, bristle, shake, 
shiver, tremble with cold or with fear, be ter- 
rified, dread : cf. Skt. / harsh, bristle. Cf . Hor- 
deum.] 1. Standing erect, as bristles ; covered 
with bristling points ; bristling. 
Him round 
A globe of fiery seraphim inclosed, 
With bright imblazonry and horrent arms. 
Milton, P. L., U. 513. 
2. Horrible; abhorring. Bailey. 
horribile dictu (ho-rib'i-le dik'tu). [L. : hor- 
ribile, neut. of horribilix, horrible; dictu, abl. 
supine of dicere, say, tell: see diction.] Hor- 
rible to relate ; dreadful to say. 
horrible (hor'i-bl), a. [< ME. horrible, horre- 
ble, orrible, < OF. horrible, orible = Pr. horrible, 
orrible = Sp. horrible = Pg. horrivel = It. orri- 
bile, < L. horribilis, terrible, fearful, dreadful, < 
horrere, be terrified, fear, dread : see horrent.] 
1. Exciting or tending to excite horror; dread- 
ful; terrible: as, a horrible sight ; horrible cru- 
elty ; a horrible story. 
All aboute hym all full of horryMe peple and blacke 
whiche had speres and swerdes. 
Holy Rood (E. E. T. 8.), p. 159. 
A dungeon horrible on all sides round. 
Milton, P. L., I. 61. 
2. Hideous; shocking; extremely repulsive: 
as, horrible deformity; a horrible smell. 
But surely we see yi his (Solomon's] continual wealth 
made him fal, first into such wanton folie, on multiplying 
wiues to an horrible number, contrary to the command- 
ment of God. 
Sir T. More, Cumfort against Tribulation (1573), fol. 38. 
The Devil had afflicted Job with horrible diseases, and 
might therefore afflict others. Lecky, Rationalism, I. 92. 
= Svn. Execrable, Abomitiable, etc. (see nefarious); fright- 
ful, fearful, horrid, awful, revolting. 
horribleness (hor'i-bl-nes), n. The state or 
quality of being horrible ; dreadf ulness ; hide- 
ousness ; shocking repulsiveness. 
horribletet, . [ME., also orriblite, < OF. hor- 
riblete, orriblete, etc., < horrible, horrible: see 
horrible and -ty.] Something horrible. 
Ful many an other orriblite 
May men in that booke see. 
Rom. of the Rose, 1. 7187. 
horribly (hor'i-bli), adv. [< ME. horribly; < 
horrible + -fy 2 .] 1. In a horrible manner; to 
a horrible degree ; dreadfully : as, he was hor- 
ribly mutilated ; horribly afraid. 
To speak my secret sentiments, most reverent Fum, the 
ladies here are horribly ugly. 
Goldsmith, Citizen of the World, iii. 
2. Exceedingly; intolerably: as, I am horribly 
tired. [Colloq.] 
I will be horribly in love with her. 
Shak., Much Ado, ii. 3. 
horrid (hor'id), a. [= Sp. horrido = Pg. hor- 
rido = It. otrido, < L. horridus, rough, bristly, 
shaggy, rude, savage, horrid, < horrere, bristle : 
see horrent.'] It. Rough; rugged; bristling. 
His haughtie Helmet, horrid all with gold, 
Both glorious brightuesse and great terrour bredd. 
Spenser, F. Q., I. vii. 31. 
Ye grots and caverns shagg'd with hoi-rid thorn ! 
Pope, Eloisa to Abelard, 1. 20. 
2. Fitted to excite horror; dreadful; shocking: 
as, a horrid spectacle. 
horror 
Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood, 
That we the horridcr may seem to those 
Which chance to find us. SAafr., Cymbeline, iv. 2. 
I myself will be 
The priest, and boldly do those horrid rites 
You shake to think on. Fletclter, Sea Voyage, v. 4. 
What say ye then to fair Sir Percivale, 
And of the horrid foulness that he wrought? 
Tennyson, Merlin and Vivien. 
3. Very bad or offensive ; abominable; execra- 
ble. 
My Lord Chief Justice Keeling hath laid the constable 
by the heels to answer it next Sessions : which is a horrid 
shame. Pepys, Diary, Oct. 23, 1668. 
About the middle of November we began to work on our 
Ships bottom, which we found vey much eaten with the 
Worm : For this is a horrid place for Worms. 
Dumpier, Voyages, I. 362. 
Already I your tears survey, 
Already hear the horrid things they say. 
Pope, K. of the L., iv. 108. 
[Horrid and horrible, originally distinct in meaning in 
their Latin forms, but sometimes used interchangeably by 
later writers, are now almost entirely synonymous in Eng- 
lish ; but horrid commonly has a milder or less positive 
force than horrible.] = Syn. 2. Horrible, frightful, awful, 
appalling, harrowing, dire, revolting. 
horridly (hor'id-li), adv. In a horrid or dread- 
ful manner ; shockingly. 
He [Talleyrand] looks horridly old, but seems vigorous 
enough and alive to everything. 
Oremlle, Memoirs, March 9, 1830. 
horridness (hor'id-nes), n. The quality of be- 
ing horrid, abominable, or shocking. 
He did not by any pretended prerogative excuse or pro- 
tect them, but delivered them up into the hands of that 
justice which the horridneis of the fact did undoubtedly 
demerit. Ludlow, Memoirs, III. 333. 
horrific (ho-rif'ik), a. [= F. horrifigue = Sp. 
horrifico = Pg. horrifico, < L. horrijicus, that 
causes terror, < horrere, be terrified, fear (see 
horrent, horrid), + facere, cause, make.] Caus- 
ing horror. 
Let . . . nothing ghastly or horrific be supposed. 
Is. Taylor. 
I have a vivid memory of a tendency in the Sienese 
painters to the more horrific facts of Scripture and legend. 
Howells, The Century, XXX. 671. 
bonification (hor"i-fi-ka'shon), n. [< horrify 
(see -fy ) + -ation.] The act of horrifying ; any- 
thing that causes horror. 
As the old woman and her miserable blue light went on 
before us, I could almost have thought of Sir Bertrand or 
of some German horrijtcations. 
Miss Edgeworth, Belinda, iii. 
horrify (hor'i-fi), n. t. ; pret. and pp. horrified, 
ppr. horrifying. [< L. horrificare, make rough 
or terrible, cause terror, < horrijicus, causing 
terror: see horrific.] To cause to feel horror ; 
strike or impress with horror. 
I was horrified at the notion. T. Book, Gilbert Gurney. 
horripilate (ho-rip'i-lat), v. t.; pret. and pp. 
horripilated, ppr. horripilating. [Formed from 
horripilation.] To produce horripilation in; 
cause to shrink or creep, as flesh. [Recent 
and rare.] 
Flesh made to creep by the utterance of such words as 
poets utter flesh moved by an Idea, flesh horripilated by 
a Thought ! L. Hearn, The Porcelain God. 
horripilation (hor'i-pi-la'shon), n. [= F. horri- 
pilation = Sp. horripilacion = Pg. horripilacao 
= It. orripilazione, < LL. horripilatio(n-'), < horri- 
pilare, bristle with hairs, be shaggy,< L. horrere, 
bristle, + pilus, hair.] A contraction of the cu- 
taneous muscles, producing the erection of the 
hairs and the condition known as cutis anserina 
or goose-flesh. It is accompanied by a kind of creep- 
ing sensation in the skin, and may be produced by cold, 
peculiar and sudden emotions, such as fear, or certain ner- 
vous atf ections. 
A wonderful desire and love impel men from distant 
regions to visit the holy spot, and the first sight of the 
Kaabah causes awe and fear, horripilation and tears. 
R. F. Burton, El-Medinah, p. 388. 
horrisonant (ho-ris'o-nant), a. [< horrison-ous 
+ -ant, after sonant.] Same as horrisonovs. 
[Rare.] 
If it had been necessary to exact implicit and profound 
belief by mysterious and horrisonant terms. 
Southey, The Doctor, Ixxxvi. 
horrisonous (ho-ris'o-nus), a. [< L. horrisonus, 
that makes a horrid sound, < horrere,^ terrible, 
horrid, + sonus, a sound, sonare, make a sound.] 
Sounding dreadfully; uttering or emitting a 
terrible sound. [Rare.] 
horror (hor'or), . [Formerly also horrour; = 
F. horreur = Sp. Pg. horror = It. orrore, < L. 
horror, a bristling, a shaking, trembling as with 
cold or fear, terror, < horrere, bristle, shake, be 
terrified: see horrent and horrid.] It. A bris- 
tling or ruffling, as of the surface of water ; a 
rippling. 
