lepra 
and diffuse masses of leprous tissue, distributed especially 
to the skin and along the nerves, but occurring elsewhere. 
Lepra begins slowly and haltingly with the ordinary signs 
of feeble health, and develops into one or the other of the 
two recognized types of the disease, or into a mixed form. 
In one type, lepra cutanea or lepra tuberculosa, the skin 
and mucous membranes are the principal places of deposit 
of leprous tissue, and there is formation of nodules, indo- 
lent ulcers, and cicatrices. The other form, lepra neryo- 
rum or lepra ancesttietica, in which the nerves are prin- 
cipally affected, is characterized by pains and anaesthesia 
in various nerve-regions (the motor paralysis being re- 
markably scanty), and by various dystrophies consequent 
upon the nervous lesions, bullous eruptions, spots of pig- 
mentary surplus or deficit, glossy skin, muscular atrophy, 
and the loss of fingers and toes. Patients with lepra nervo- 
rum seem to live longer than those with lepra cutanea. 
Lepra is unknown among brutes. It is communicated 
from man to man, but seems usually to require extreme 
intimacy of association. Lepra has been prevalent in al- 
most all countries of the world. At present it is frequent 
in many parts of Asia and Africa, and in some of the is- 
lands of the Pacific and Indian oceans. In Europe it oc- 
curs in Scandinavia, in Finland, in Iceland, and there is 
some in Spain. It prevails in many parts of South Amer- 
ica, Central America, and Mexico, and in a number of the 
West Indian islands. In America north of Mexico there 
are some points of prevalence in the southern part of the 
United States, some among the Chinese of the western 
coast, and some among the Scandinavian immigrants of 
the northwest. There are also some infected localities in 
New Brunswick, in Cape Breton, and in Greenland. Le- 
pra cutanea is also called lepra Arabiim, elephantiasis or 
elephantiasis Onecorum, and leprosy. Lepra nervorum is 
also called lepra nervosa, lepra mutUans, dry leprosy, joint- 
evil, and non-tuberculated lepra. 
2. One of a class of scaly skin-affections, mostly 
psoriasis; lepra Grsecorum. [Obsolescent.] 
3. In bot., a scurfy or mealy matter on the sur- 
face of some plants. 
Lepralia (le-pra'li-a), . [NL. (Johnston),< Gr. 
AsTrpo'f, scaly: see leper^.] 1. A notable ge- 
nus of ehilostomatous polyzoans, of the family 
Escliaridce or Membraniporidw, of irregularly 
branched form with broad flattened divisions. 
L. pertusa is an Adriatic species. 2. [I. c.] A 
species of Lepralia. P. P. Carpenter. 
lepralian (le-pra'li-an), a. [< Lepralia + -an.] 
Pertaining to the genus Lepralia, or having its 
characters. 
leprarioid (le-pra'ri-oid), a. [< NL. Lepraria 
(< Gr. teirpa, leprosy) + -oid.] Resembling cer- 
tain crustaceous lichens of a dust-like or lep- 
rose character, formerly considered to compose 
a genus Lepraria. 
leprechawn, leprecawn (lep're-kan), . [Also 
leprechaun, lepracliawn, luprachaun, etc. ; ult. 
< Ir. luchorpan, lucharban, lucharman, a pygmy 
sprite (see def.), lit. 'a little body,' < lu, lit- 
tle, small, + corpan, dim. of corp, < L. corpus, 
body: see corpus, corpse. Cf.Gt&el.lueharmunn, 
a pygmy, a dwarf, given as < lucli, a mouse, 
+ armunn, a hero, chief, but prob. a form of 
the Ir. word. The present form of the Angli- 
cized name comes rather < Lr. leithbhragan, an- 
other name of the same fairy, appar. altered 
from the earlier name by popular etymology, 
as if < leit, half, + brog, shoe, + an, a man, 
this name being accompanied by the legend 
that the fairy spends his time in mending a 
single shoe (half a pair).] In Irish supersti- 
tion, a pygmy sprite, supposed to grind meal, 
make shoes, and do other services for persons 
who treat him well, and, if spellbound by a 
fixed gaze, to give up an inexhaustible fairy 
purse. 
The Ghosts, Giants, Pookas, Demons, Leprecawnx, Ban- 
shees, Fairies, Witches, Widows, Old Maids and Other 
Marvels of the Emerald Isle. 
Amer. Antiquarian, X., Index. 
lepreyt. lepriet, n. See lepry. 
lepric (lep rik), a. [< Gr. AW/w/Sf, of or for lep- 
rosy, < texpa, leprosy : see lepra, leper 1 .] Of or 
pertaining to leprosy. Thomas, Med. Diet. 
leprosarium (lep-ro-sa'ri-um), n. ; pi. lepro- 
saria (-a). [ML.: see leprosery.] A hospital 
for the treatment of leprosy. 
leprose (lep'ros), a. [< LL. leprosus, leprous: 
see leprous.] In bot., scale-like or scurf -like: 
said of some crustaceous lichens whose thallus 
adheres to trees or stones like a scurf; lepi- 
dote. 
leprosery (lep'ro-se-ri), n.; pi. leproseries (-riz). 
[< OF. leproserie, F. Uproserie, < ML. leprosaria, 
leprosarium, a hospital for lepers, < LL. lepro- 
sus, leprous: see leprous.] A hospital or home 
for lepers. N. Y. Med. Jour., XL. 275. 
leprosied (lep'ro-sid), a. [< leprosy + -ed 2 .] 
Affected with leprosy. 
leprosity (le-pros'i-ti), n. [= OF. leprosite, < 
ML. leprosita(t-)s, leprousness, < LL. leprosus, 
leprous: see leprous.] 1. The state of being 
leprous ; leprousness. 2f. A scaly condition. 
For to say that Nature hath an intention to make all 
metals gold, and that, if the crudities, impurities, and le- 
3414 
proxilies of metals were cured, they would become gold 
all these are but dreames. llawn, Nat. Hist., 326. 
leprosy (lep'ro-si), n. [Formerly also leprosie; 
< OF. leprosie, leprosy, < ML. leprosia (found 
only in sense of ' a hospital for lepers '), < MGr. 
teirpuatf, leprosy, < Gr. heirpovaSai, become lep- 
rous^ AtTTpa, leprosy: see lepra, lepcri, leprous.] 
A name given to several different diseases. Re- 
garding the leprosy of the Jews nothing certain is known. 
The term was probably applied to various cutaneous dis- 
eases, especially those of a chronic or contagious charac- 
ter. The term is now commonly restricted to lepra cuta- 
nea, or elephantiasis Griccorum. See lepra. Black lep- 
rosy, a form of lepra exhibiting dark, livid patches. Dry 
leprosy. See lepra. 
leprous (lep'rus). a. [Also sometimes leperous; 
< ME. leprous, < OF. leprous, lepros, lepreux = 
F. lepreux = Sp. Pg. It. leproso, < LL. leprosus, 
leprous, having leprosy, < L. lepra, leprosy : see 
lepra, leper 1 , 1. The adj. is thus as if < /eper 1 , 
1, + -ous.] 1. Infected with leprosy. 
Onre lorde hym comaunded to make a table, in the 
name of that table at the whiche he was sette in the house 
of Symond leprowx. Merlin (E. E. T. 8.), i. 59. 
His hand was leprous as snow. Ex. iv. 6. 
2f. Causing leprosy. 
In the porches of my ears did pour 
The lepermu distilment. Shak., Hamlet, i. 5. 64. 
3. Covered with white scales, (a) In bot., same 
as leprose. (6) In entom., covered with large, loose, irreg- 
ular whitish scales, as the elytra of certain Coleoptera. 
Leprous inflammation, inflammation caused by the 
presence of Bacilliis leprce, and resulting in the forma- 
tion of leprous tissue. Leprous tissue, a tissue con- 
sisting of round cells, with some fusiform or branched, 
with scanty flbrillar intercellular substance, and well pro- 
vided with blood-vessels. It forms nodules up to the size 
of a walnut, and diffuse masses. It may persist without 
change, it may ulcerate on violence, or it may atrophy, 
leaving a scar. It is formed under the influence of Ba- 
cillus leprce, and these bacilli are found in the tissue. 
leprousness (lep'rus-nes), n. The state of be- 
ing leprous. 
lepryt(lep'ri),TO. [Also leprie, leprey; < ME. lepry, 
leprie,<.OF.leprie,leprosy: seeleper 1 .] Leprosy. 
He made the blynde to se A heled some of lepry. 
Joseph of Arimathie (E. E. T. 8.), p. 38. 
Their breath is contagious, their leprey spreading. 
JV. Ward, Simple Cobler, p. 18. 
lepta, n. Plural of lep ton 1 . 
[NL,(R. 
Leptadenia (lep-ta-de'ni-a), . 
Brown, 1809), < Gr. Afirroc, small, + aSijv, a 
gland.] A genus of plants of the order Ascle- 
piudecE and tribe Ceropegiece, characterized by a 
double crown and a rotate corolla with filiform 
lobes. There are about 12 species, shrubs or climbers, 
with filiform leaves and small flowers, natives of tropical 
Asia and Africa and Madagascar. Endlicher made this 
genus the type of a further subdivision, Leptadenieae. 
Leptadenieas (lep'tad-e-ni'e-e), n. pi. [NL. 
(Endlicher, 1836), < Leptadenia + -ece.] A sub- 
division of asclepiadaeeous plants, embracing 
the genera Leptadenia and Ortlianthera, now 
included in the tribe Ceropegiece. 
Leptandra (lep-tan'dra), . [NL. (Nuttall, 
1818), < Gr. Afjrriif, thin, fine, slender, small, 
+ aviip (hvfip-), male (in mod. bot. stamen).] 1. 
A former genus of scrophulariaceous plants, 
now reduced to a section of Veronica. 2. [I.e.] 
The rhizome and rootlets of Veronica (Leptan- 
dra) Virginica. It is used as a cathartic. 
leptandrin (lep-tan'drin), n. [< Leptandra + 
-in 2 .] A bitter glucoside, crystallizing in nee- 
dles, obtained from Veronica (Leptandra) Vir- 
ginica, and probably constituting the active 
principle of the drug leptandra. 
Leptidae 1 (lep'ti-de), n. pi. [NL., < Leptis + 
-idee.] A family of dipterous insects, typified 
by the genus Leptis, founded by Westwood in 
1840. They are related to the Tabanidae or horse-flies, 
but the simple and not annulate third joint of the anten- 
nse has a styliform bristle. With few exceptions, the spe- 
cies are unable to draw blood. They are about 200 in num- 
ber, cosmopolitan, of moderate size, and rather sluggish ; 
they sometimes prey on other insects. They are known 
as snipe-flies. 
Leptidae- (lep'ti-de), n. pi. [NL., < Leptus, 1, 
+ -idee.] An old family of harvest-mites, based 
mainly or wholly on immature forms. 
Leptidea (lep-tid'e-a), n. [NL., < Gr. Jlra-rof, 
thin, fine, small.]' 1. A genus of butterflies, 
now called Leucophasia. Billberg, 1820. 2. A 
genus of cerambycid beetles, having a few spe- 
cies natives of southern Europe and western 
Asia. Mulsant, 1829. 
leptiform (lep'ti-form), a. [< Gr. /UTrrdf, thin, 
slender, -t- L. forma, shape.] Slender in shape : 
vermiform. 
leptinid (lep'ti-nid), n. A beetle of the family 
Lcptinitliv. 
Leptinidae (lep-tin'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Lepti- 
nus + -idle.] A family of clavicorn beetles, 
Leptoceridae 
typified by the genus Lcptln ug. They have the dor- 
sal segments of the abdomen partly membranous, ventral 
segments free, tarsi five-jointed (at least one pair of tarsi), 
mentum transverse with hind angles prolonged, and palpi 
distant at base. 
leptinolite (lep-tin'o-llt), n. [< Gr. fairroc, thin, 
fine, small, + suffix -ivoq + /Uft>f, a stone.] A 
name given by Barrois to a rock produced by 
the metamorphic action of granite on the ad- 
jacent schists, as seen in the French Pyrenees. 
LeptinUS (lep-ti'nus), n. [NL. (Muller, 1817), 
< Gr. /.cTTTof, thin, fine, small: see lepton 1 .] A 
genus of beetles, formerly of the family Silphidn; 
now giving name to the Leptinida: These minute 
beetles live in the trunks of old trees, under fallen leaves, 
and in decomposing vegetable matter. L. testaceus is com- 
mon to Europe and North America, though specimens 
from the latter continent have been described as distinct, 
under the name L. americanus. 
Leptis (lep'tis), H. [NL. (Fabricius, 1805),< Gr. 
fcjrrof, thin, fine, delicate : see lepion 1 .] The 
typical genus of Leptidie. The species are of medium 
size, with short, sparse hair, of a yellowish-red color marked 
with black or brown. The larva; live in damp earth and in 
the burrows of May-beetles. About 30 European and 17 
North American species are described. 
Leptocardia (lep-to-kar'di-ii), . pi. [NL.] 
Same as Leptocardii. 
leptocardian (lep-to-kar'di-an), a . and n. [As 
Leptocardii + -an.} I. a. 'Pertaining to the 
Leptocardii, or having their characters. 
II. n. A vertebrate of the class Leptocardii; 
a lancelet, branchiostome, or amphioxus. 
Leptocardii (lep-to-kiir'di-I), . pi. [NL. , < Gr. 
/.ETrrof, thin, fine, small, + nap&ia = E. heart.] 
The lowest group of true vertebrates ; a class or 
other high division of Vertebrata, to which dif- 
ferent values have been assigned by natural- 
ists; the lancelets. In the leptocardians the skele- 
ton is notochordal, acranial, and membranocartilaginous ; 
they have no brain, no jaws, contractile pulsating sinuses 
instead of a heart, colorless blood, confluent respiratory 
and abdominal cavities, and many branchial clefts through 
which water enters to be expelled by an opening in front 
of the vent. In the older systems the group was consid- 
ered an order of flshes ; by Johannes Muller and others, a 
subclass of fishes ; now, it is generally rated as a separate 
class of Vertebrata. Other names of the same group, in 
some of its acceptations, are Cirrostomi, Pharyngobranchii, 
Acrania, Entomocrania, Cephalochorda, and family Bran- 
chiostomidce or Amphioxidas. Only about six species are 
known. Also Leptocardia. See cuts under JJranchiostoma 
and lancelet. 
leptocephalic (lep'^o-se-fal'lk or lep-to-sef'a- 
lik), a. [As leptocepfial-y + -ic.] 1. Narrow, as 
a skull; having a narrow skull; characterized 
by or exhibiting leptocephaly. 2. In ichtli., 
retaining a long, narrow skull, as certain flat- 
fishes whose skull does not undergo the special 
modification characteristic of the pleuronec- 
tids; leptocephaloid. 
Indeed, there seems good reason to believe that many 
young flat-fish never undergo this change at all, hut, swim- 
ming about freely in the open sea, assume that peculiarly 
elongated and strange form known as the leptocephalic. 
Pop. Set. Mo., XXIX. 114. 
Leptocephalidae (lep " to - se - f al ' i - de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Lcptoceplialus + -id(e.] 1. A supposed 
family of fishes of ribbon-like form, with a 
translucent body, a continuous vertical fin con- 
sisting of the united dorsal, caudal, and anal 
fins, a small head, and lateral branchial aper- 
tures. They live in the sea, and are considered to be im- 
mature fishes, mostly of the family Contfridw. Lepto- 
cephalus morrissi is the larval or immature form of Conger 
vtdgaris. Also Leptocephalini (Bonaparte, 1837). 
2. The family otherwise called Congridce. 
leptocephaloid (lep-to-sef 'a-loid), a. and n. I. 
a. Pertaining to the Leptoeephalida; or having 
their characters. 
II. n. A fish of the Leptocephalits kind, as a 
larval conger. 
Leptocephalus (lep-to-sef 'a-lus), n. [NL., < Gr. 
/leTTTOf, thin, fine, small, + Kefa'/.r/, head.] 1. A 
spurious genus of eel-like fishes, having a very 
thin diaphanous body, formerly regarded as a 
valid generic type and hence giving name to 
the Leptocephalida!, but now generally consid- 
ered to be the larval form of a conger. 2. 
[I. c.] The larval or aborted stage of the con- 
ger and allied fishes, when the body is much 
compressed and hyaline and no generative or- 
gans are developed. 3. The genus otherwise 
called Conf/er. 
leptocephaly (lep-to-sef a-li), n. [< Gr. Acirrof, 
thin, fine, small, + xefaZy, head.] Narrowness 
of the skull ; the condition of having or the pos- 
session of an extremely narrow skull. 
Leptoceridae (lep-to-ser'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Leptocerus + -idee.] ' A family of caddis-flies or 
trichopterous ueuropterous insects, typified by 
the genus Leptocerus, having long slim anten- 
n83, whence the name. It was founded by Stephens 
in 1836. They have the palpi strongly hairy, ordinarily 
