lech 
lecht (ledi). r. t. [< OF. Irrhfr, lerhirr, lekier, 
II-XI-IH-I; lick, live in gluttony or sensuality. K. 
In-lit r = I'r. In-m-, tn-linr = It. leccarc, < OS. 
lirfini, lii-i'ini = OIK!. Itri-ini, lifi-ltDii, MHG. O. 
li fit n, lick: sec lirk.] To lick. 
lechet, and c. Hoe leach 1 . 
Lechea (lek'e-ii), . [NL. (Linmcus), named 
after Julian Leche, a Swedish botanist.] A Re- 
ims of North American plants of the family 
( 'istiiii'ir. In thu perfect flowers there are but 8 petal 
and a ilniliri.itfd aligning, and there are unly 2 ovules In 
I.rclir<i iniiu'r. a, flower; A, fruit. 
each of the 8 parietal placentre of the ovary. These plants 
arc Blender, much-brancheil undershrubs with small pur- 
plish or greenish flowers. There are about 10 species, cora- 
innnly called pinioeeds, found for the most part near the 
eastern coast from Canada to Texas. 
lecher (lech'er), n. [Formerly also teacher, 
letcher; < ME. letchour, lechour, lechur, < OF. 
lecheor, lecheur, leceor, lelceoi; teckeur, etc., a glut- 
ton, sensualist, libertine, < lecher, lick, live in 
gluttony or sensuality : see lech.~\ A man given 
to lewdness; one who is grossly unchaste; a 
habitual libertine. 
A man made up In lust would loathe this In you, 
The rankest lecher hate such impudence. 
Fletcher, Loyal Subject, ill. 8. 
lecher (lech'er), v. i. [< lecher, n.] To prac- 
tise lewdness ; indulge in lust. 
Die for adultery ! No : 
The wren goes to 't, and the small gilded fly 
Does lecher in my sight. Khali., Lear, iv. 6. 115. 
lecherous (lech'er-us), a. [Formerly also leach- 
erous; < ME. lecherous, licherom, OF. 'lecherous 
(in adv. lecherousement), < lechcrie, sensuality, 
lechery: see lechery. Cf. lickerous, lickerish.'] 
1. Sensual; prone to indulge in sensuality; 
lustful; lewd. 
Semiramls the daughter of Derceto, a lecherous and 
bloudie woman, was worshipped by the name of the Syrian 
Goddesse. Purchiu, Pilgrimage, p. 79. 
2. Provoking lust. 
Lo ! Loth In hus lyue thorw lecheraune drynke 
\\ikkydlich wroghte. Piers Plowman (C), ii. 26. 
= Svn. See list under lascivious. 
lecherously (lech'er-us-li), adv. In a lecherous 
manner; lustfully; lewdly, 
lecherousness (lech'er-us-nes), . The state 
or quality of being lecherous. 
3305 
Lecideacei (le-sid-f*'**-!), n. pi. [NL., pi. of 
lii-iilnn-iiin: see leridcaccoiui.'] A tribe of li- 
chens characterized by its patellifonn apotho- 
cium, typified by the genus Lecidea. It includes 
the family f.ecideei. 
lecideaceous (le-sM-e-a'shius), a. [< NL. fo- 
cidcac<-iiK,<. Leciilea, q. v.] Having the charac- 
ters iif l.i i i'l< a. 
Lecideei (lo-sid-e-e'i), n.pl. [NL., < Lecidea + 
-.l A family of lichens of the tribe I^eculeacei. 
lecideiform (lo-sid'e-i-fdrm), a. [< NL. Lecidea 
+ L. forma, form.] Resembling Lecidea in re- 
spect to its patelliform apothecium. 
lecideine (le-sid'g-in), a. [< NL. Lecidea + 
-iwf 1 .] Same as lecideiform. 
lecidioid (le-sid'e-oid), a. [< NL. Lecidea + 
-niil.] Resembling Lecidea. 
lecithin (les'i-thin), n. [< Gr. >.iiuBoc, the yolk 
of an egg, + -i 3 .] A nitrogenous fatty sub- 
stance, to which the formula C^HgoNPOp has 
been given, which is found in small quantity in 
the blood, bile, and other fluids of the body, 
but most abundantly in the brain- and nerve- 
tissues, in pus, and in the volk of eggs, it is 
slightly crystalline, has a greasy feel, and is insoluble In 
water but soluble In alcohol, ether, and chloroform. It 
decomposes readily inU> stearic acid, glycerin phosphoric 
acid, and cholin or neurln. 
leek (lek), v. [A var. of leak (< Icel. leka, etc.), 
though in form as if < AS. leecan, wet: see leak. 
te<c/ii,?cac/i2.] I.intrans. To leak. [Prov.Eng.] 
II. trans. To pour or drain : as, to leek on ; 
to leek off. [Prov. Eng.] 
Leclanch6 cell. See cell, 8. 
lecontite (le-kon'tit), n. [Named after Dr. 
John Le Conte, of Philadelphia.] A hydrous 
sulphate of sodium and ammonium, found in 
bat-guano in Central America. 
lecotropal (le-kot'ro-pal), a. [< Gr. /Uoc, dish, 
+ -rpoirof, <.' rpeifeiv, turn.] In bot., having a 
curve like that of a dish or a horseshoe : ap- 
plied to a eampylotropous ovule in which the 
curvature stops short of coalescence. 
lectert, An obsolete variant of lector. Halli- 
ii-cll. 
lectem (lek'tern), . [Formerly also lecturn, 
lettern, kttron, letteron ; < ME. lectorn, lectrone, 
lectrun, letron, leterone, letteron, < OF. lettrin, 
lettron, leutrin, F. lutnn, < ML. lectrinum, let- 
iron, lectrum, a pulpit, a reading-desk, a sup- 
port for books 7 < Gr. tenrpav, a couch, a support 
for books, akin to tejof, a couch, L. lectus, a 
couch, bed: see lectual,litter. It should be noted 
that lectern, a reading-desk, is not connected 
with lecture, a reading, lector, a reader.] 1 . A 
reading-desk in a church ; especially, the read- 
ing-desk from which in liturgical churches the 
Scripture lessons are read in public worship. 
It usually stands In the middle of the choir, Is ordinarily 
of wood or brass and movable, but sometimes of stone and 
fixed. The name Is also given sometimes to the precen- 
tor's desk In front of the pulpit in the Scotch Presbyterian 
churches. 
The seconde lesson robyn redebreste song, 
"Ilayle to the God and Goddesse of oure lay !" 
And to the lecttirn amorysly he sprung. 
Court of Love, I. 1382. 
There was a goodly fine Letteron of brasse, where they 
sunge the epistle and gospel], with a gilt pellican on the 
height of It, finely gilded. 
Kite* of Durham (Surtees ed.), p. 7. 
2+. A writing-desk or -table. 
And seand Virgin on ane letteron stand, 
To wryte anone I hynt my pen in hand. 
Oamn Dougla, tr. of Virgil, p. 202. 
The whole expenses of the process and pices of the ly- 
ble, lying in a severall bulst by themselves in my lettmn, 
I estimate to a hundred merks. 
31 drill'* XS., p. 5. (Jamieton.) 
lection (lek'shon), n. [= F. lecon (> E. lesson) 
lechery (lech'er-i), H. [Formerly also Ifachfry ; _ Sp . if Ceion _ P(? . lifao _ It . ^HOBC, < L. i ec . 
< ME. 'lecherie (f), < OF. lecherie, leseherie, le- 
cerie, licherie, gluttony, sensuality, lewdness, < 
lecher, lick: see lech, lecher.'] 1. Sensuality; 
free indulgence of carnal appetite; lewdness. 
2f. Pleasure; delight. 
What ravishing lechery It is to enter 
An ordinary, cap-a-pie, trimmed like a gallant 
Massinger. 
lechourt, ". A Middle English form of Iccln T. 
Lecidea (le-sid'e-ft), n. [NL. (Acharius, 1814), 
< Gr. 'Afkir' (MKIJ-), dim. of /Wxoc, a dish, plate.] 
A genus of lichens, the type of the family Led- 
ill ii. It has a crustaceons thallus, either effignrate or 
uniform. The apothecia are patellifonn, with a dark car- 
bonaceous excipfe. The spores are from ellipsoid to fusi- 
form or even acicnlar, simple, nr less often two-, four-, or 
many-celled ami roloi less. The spermatia are oblong, club- 
shaped, or filiform on nearly simple steriemata. The spe- 
cies are widely diffused, and are commnl> found adhering 
closely to rocks and trunks of trees, appearing as weather- 
stains aud patches. 
tio(n-), a reading, < lectus, pp. of legere, gather, 
read, = Gr. ;U)-c<v, gather, speak, tell: see le- 
gend. Cf. lesson, a doublet of lection.'] 1. The 
act of reading. 2. A reading; a special ver- 
sion in a copy of a manuscript or of a book. 
Other copies and various lectiim*, and words omitted, 
and corruptions of texts and the like, these yon are full of. 
Miltiin. Defence of the People of England. 
3. Same as lesson, '2. 
lectionary (lek'shon-a-ri), . ; pi. lectionaries 
(-riz). [= F. lectionnaire = Sp. Pg. leccionario 
=s It. lezionario, < ML. lectionarium, lectionari- 
ns, a book containing portions of Scripture for 
worship, < L. lectio(n-), a reading, lesson : see 
Irrtinn, lesson.'} 1. A book for use in religions 
worship, containing portions of Scripture to 
be read for particular days : same as epixtolary. 
2. A table of lessons or portions of Scripture 
for particular days. 
lecturer 
lectisternium (lek-ti-ster'ni-nm), n .: pi. leeti- 
..tinini ( ii). [L., < Ifctux, a bed, -f sternere, 
spread out: see litter and stratum.] \n classical 
antia., a sacrifice in the nature of a feast, at 
which the Greeks and liomans placed images 
of the gods reclining on couches around tables 
furnished with viands, as if they were about to 
partake of them. 
lector (lek'tor), n. [Formerly also lecter; = F. 
lecteur = Sp". lector = Pg. leitor = It. lettore, < 
L. lector, a reader, < legere, pp. lectus, read : 
leijend. Cf. lister 3 , a doublet of lector."] In tho 
ftirly church, an ecclesiastic in minor orders, ap- 
pointed to read to the people parts of the Bible 
and other writings of a religious character. 
In the Catholic Church the ecclesiastical orders are ai 
follows : Bishops, priecU, deacons, sub-deacons, acolyte*, 
exorcists, lectori, and ostiarii. N. and Q. , 7th ier., VL 7). 
lectorate (lek'to-rat), n. The office of lector. 
Cath. Diet. 
lectornet, . An obsolete form of lectern. 
lectress (lek'tres), n. [< lector + -ess. Cf. lee- 
trice.'] A female reader. 
" Go on, my dear, with your reading," says the governess 
sternly. " She advanced through the counties of Devon, 
Somerset, and Gloucester," says the HMulrctrea, In a loud, 
disgusted voice. Him Thackeray, Village on the Cliff, II. 
lectrice (lek'tris), n. [< F. lectricc = It. lettrice, 
< LL. lectrir, a female reader, fern, of lector, 
a reader : see lectm: Cf. lectress.'] A woman 
whose business it is to read aloud, as an atten- 
dant on a woman of rank ; a female companion. 
lectronet. . An obsolete variant of lectern. 
lectual (lek'tu-al), a. [< LL. lectualis, of or 
belonging to'bed, < L. lectus, bed : see lectern, 
litter 1 .'] In med., confining to the bed : as, a 
lectual disease. 
lectuaryt, An aphetic form of electuary. 
lecture (lek'tur), n. [< F. lecture = Sp. leetura 
Pg. leitura mtt, lettura, < ML. leetura, a read- 
ing, a lecture, < L. leetura, fern, of fut. part, of 
legere, read: see legend.'] If. The act of read- 
ing; reading. 
These bookes, I would haue him read now, a good deale 
at euery lecture. Atcham, The Scholemaster, p. 87. 
Were I a pagan I should not refrain the lecture of It. 
Kir T. Ilnm-Hf, Rellglo Medici, I. 23. 
2. A discourse, especially a written discourse, 
of suitable length for a single reading ; a disqui- 
sition pronounced or read, or written as if to be 
read, before an audience ; especially, a formal 
or methodical discourse intended for instruc- 
tion : as, a lecture on morals ; the Bampton lec- 
tures. 3. A religious discourse of an exposi- 
tory nature, usually based on an extended pas- 
sage of Scripture ; a discourse less methodical 
and more discursive than a sermon. 4. A rep- 
rimand, as from a superior; a formal reproof. 
You have read me a fair lecture, 
And put a spell upon my tongue for feigning. 
Fletcher (and another), Sea Voyage, Iv. 2. 
Nnmldla will be blest by Cato's lecture*. 
Additon, Cato, II. 1. 
5. A professorial or tutorial disquisition. 6. 
A lectureship. 
At the end of the seventeenth century the Presbyterians 
Instituted a separate lecture at Sailers Hall, which after 
existing for nearly a hundred years was discontinued. 
Hint. Anc. Merchant*' Lecture. 
Candle lecture, a curtain-lecture (which see) : so named 
after "Mrs. Caudle's Curtain lectures," by Douglas Jer- 
rold. Clinical lecture, cursory lectures, etc. Seethe 
adjectives. 
lecture (lek'tur),'r. ; pret. and pp. lectured, ppr. 
lecturing. [<f lecture, .] I. trans. 1. To in- 
struct by oral discourse. 
From dearth to plenty, and from death to life, 
Is Nature's progress when she lecture* man 
In heavenly truth. Cmrper, Task, vl 182L 
2. To speak to or address dogmatically or au- 
thoritatively; reprimand; reprove: as, to lec- 
ture one for his faults. 3. To influence by 
means of a lecture or formal reprimand: as, he 
was lectured into doing his duty. 
II. intrans. To read or deliver a formal dis- 
course ; give instruction by oral discourse : as, 
to lecture on geometry or on chemistry, 
lecture-day (lek'tnr-da), . The appointed day 
for the periodical lecture of the municipality or 
parish. (See lecturer, 3.) In the New England 
colonies it seems to have been usually Thursday. 
She was appointed to appear again the next lecture day. 
Win&rop, Hbt. New England, I. 907. 
lecturer (lek'tur-er), . 1. One who reads or 
pronounces lectures; a professor or other in- 
structor who delivers formal discourses for the 
instruction of others. 2. In the Ch. of E*g., 
one of a class of preachers not rectors, vicars, 
