Lerva 
Lerva (ler'vil), n. [NL. (Hodgson, 18:17. ;i> 
I^erwa: Blytli, 18-19, as Isrra), from a unlive* 
name.] A genus of gallinaceous birds of the 
family Tetraonida:; the snow-partridges. L. nivi- 
Himalayan Snow-partridge (I^rva ttivicota). 
cola, the only species, ranges along the Himalaya* Into 
Tibet and China, ut an altitude o( from 7,000 (o 14,000 feet, 
breeding near the snow-line. The plumage Is variegated 
with chestnut-red, buff, black, and gray ; the male is spur- 
red, and weighs about 20 ounces. See mow-partridyf. Also 
called Tetraoperdia. 
Ies 1 t, adv. An obsolete form of less. 
les'^t. A Middle English preterit of leese*. 
Lesbia (les'bi-ft), n. [NL., so called with ref- 
erence to their brilliant metallic color; < L. 
lesbias or lesbia, a precious stone found in Les- 
bos: see Lesbian.} 1. A genus of Carabidie 
founded by Latreille in 1804. AB now restricted, 
the genus enters the tribe Lesbiini of the subfamily Bar- 
paliiue unixetogat, and is characterized by having short 
tibial spun, distinct antennal serobt-s, the lirsi three Joints 
of the antennie glabrous, and the head constricted behind 
the eyes. A great many species of rather small size occur in 
all parts of the globe, but they are especially numerous in 
the tropical and subtropical parts of the New World. Most 
of them are either of brilliant metallic color or beauti- 
fully variegated with bright contrasting colors. They are 
usually met with during the daytime on trees and low 
plants. 
3. A genus of humming-birds, or Trochilida;, 
with long forked tail, containing such species 
as L. sylphia or L. gonldi. 
Lesbian (les'bi-an), a. and n. [< L. Lesbius, < Gr. 
Moptoc.t A<tr/3oC(, > L. Lesbos, Lesbos.] I. a. Of or 
pertaining to the island of Lesbos in the ^Igean 
sea, which belonged in ancient times, together 
with the adjoining part of the coast of Asia 
Minor, to the district called ^Eolis, and was the 
home of a famous school of lyric poets, including 
Alcseua, Sappho, and others. From the reputed char- 
acter of the inhabitants and the tone of their poetry, /,< 
Man is often used with the implied sense of * amatory ' or 
' erotic. ' Lesbian cy ma. See cytna, 1. 
II. n. A native or an inhabitant of Lesbos. 
lesche (les'ke), n. [< Gr. Moxv, a place forcon- 
versation, a public portico, club-room, etc., also 
conversation, discussion, < Uyuv, speak: see 
legend.'] In Gr. antiq., a building or covered 
portico frequented by the people for conversa- 
tion or the hearing of news. Such edifices were 
numerous in Greek cities, and their walls were often dec- 
orated with historical and patriotic subjects by celebrated 
painters, as notably at Delphi. 
Lescuropteris (les-ku-rop'te-ris), . [NL., 
named after Leo Lesqucretix, a Swiss-Ameri- 
can paleobotanist.] A genus of fossil ferns 
established by Schimper (1869), which is relat- 
ed to Odontnpterix by the mode of attachment 
of the lateral veins, and to Neuropteris by their 
direction, but differs from all the forms of the 
Carboniferous by its peculiar nervation. It 
occurs in the coal-measures of Ohio and Penn- 
sylvania. 
leseM. A Middle English form of lease 1 , etc., 
and lease 1 . 
Iese 2 t, v. t. [ME. Icsen, < AS. lysan, lesan, liesan, 
loose, release, < leas, loose: see loose, -less.] To 
loose; deliver; release. 
lese-majesty (leVmaj'es-ti), . [< F. lese-ma- 
jeste,<. ML. MM miijestas, high treason: L. lit-sa, 
fern, of IWSH.I, pp. of Itfdfre, hurt (see lesion); 
iHiijextas, majesty: see majesty.'] In jurispru- 
dence, any crime committed against the sov- 
ereign power in a state; treason. The Latin en- 
men MBW* majrutati* denoted a charge brought against a 
citiicn for act* of rebellion, usurpation of office, or gen- 
eral misdemeanors of a political character, which were 
comprehended under the title of offenses against the ma- 
jestv of the Roman people. In the reign of Tiberius, ac- 
cording to Suetonius, it was lese-majesty to flog a slave or 
to change one's clothes in the presence of any image of the 
emperor. It also was lese-majesty to take into a latrine 
a ring or a piece of money bearing the effigy of Ca'sar. 
Also spelled Iczf-majenty. 
lesion (le'zhon), n. [< F. region = Sp. lesion = 
Pg. lestto = It. lesionc, < L. ltn<ii>(-), an injury, 
< la-dire, pp. Ill-sun, hurt. Cf. collide, elide, illiiii , 
itlli.*i<i, <-iill!sii>H.i-li*iii,illisiun.'] 1. A hurting; 
hurt; wound; injury. 2. In ciril l<nc, the loss 
3417 
or in.jury suffered in a commutative contract by 
the party who does not receive an equivalent 
for what he gives. When the Inequality amounts to 
more than one half of the value of what the party gives, it 
Is called In French law Ifiiun 'I'nulrr mnMt itn jwlte prix. In 
Spanish law tenon inarme, and, if very much more, torion 
iiviruiirima. When the inequality amounts to from one 
third to one quarter of the value of what the party gives, 
it is called In French law llnon du tiers au quart. 
3. Iii /xithot., any morbid change in the struc- 
ture of organs. The term is not restricted to visible 
anatomical changes, but may be applied to such as are re- 
vealed solely by a disturbance of function. 
When it [peritonitis) arises from a wound It is probably 
not the simple injury to the peritoneum that causes the 
lemon. Quoin, Med. Diet, p. 1131. 
Focal lesion. See /oca/. 
leak, lisk (lesk, lisk), . [< ME. leske, < Dan. 
lyskc = Sw. ljumske = MD. lieselie, flank.] The 
groin or flank. [Prov. Eng.] 
The lute was a litylle mane that laide was be nethe, 
HU leaxi laye alle lene and latheliche to schewe. 
Jforto Arthure (E. E. T. 8.), 1. 8280. 
Leskea (les'ke-U), n. [NL. (Johann Hedwig, 
1782), named after N. G. Leske (1757-86).] A 
genus of mosses, the type of the tribe Leskeete. 
It is marked by the narrowly lanceolate teeth of the outer 
perlstome, the narrow nd linear segmcnta of the Inner, the 
absence of cilia, and the oblong capsule, which is erect or 
somewhat arcuate. L. tcncca, sometimes called gulden 
man. Is very common in England, forming silky yellowish- 
green patches on ash-trees. 
Leskeeae (les-ko'e-e), n. pi. [NL. ( W. P. Bchim- 
per, 1860),< Leskea + -eat.] A tribe of pleuro- 
carpous Bryacece or true mosses, embracing 
Leskea,, its type, and a few other genera. 
Leskia (les'ki-a), n. [NL. (Bobineau-Desvoidy, 
1830), named after N. G. Lexke.] 1 . A genus of 
dipterous insects of the family Taehinidii: They 
are rather large bristly flies of dark-yellowish or greenish 
color, confined to Europe and Asia. The larvj are internal 
parasites of other insect*. L. aurea of Europe infests the 
larvae of moths of the genus Stsia, and L. tmcaria of Japan 
affects the silkworm of commerce with the disease known 
as uji. The latter species baa been placed In a genus Uji- 
mjfia. See itji. 
2. A genus of spataugoid sea-urchins having 
the mouth closed by triangular converging 
plates, as in L. mirabilis. ./. E. (rray, 1851. Also 
called I'ttla'ostoma. 
Leskiida (les-ki ' i -de), n. ;,/. [NL., < Leskia 
+ -idtz.] A family of spatangoid sea-urchins 
named from the genus Leskia. Also Lexkiada: 
Leskiinae (les-ki-i'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Leskia + 
-ines.] A subfamily of irregular sea-urchins, 
of the family Sjiafangida;. 
Lesleya (les'le-yH), n. [NL., named after J. P. 
Lesley.] A genus of fossil ferns established by 
Lesquereux (1880). It Is related to Xeurovteru by 
some of its characters, and to Mtyalttpteri* by others. It 
differs from GlitMHipteris in that its venation is dichotomous 
and not reticulate. Two species have been described, one 
from the base of the Chester limestone in Illinois, the other 
from the bituminous coal of Kansas. 
Leslie's cube. See cube. 
Lespedeza (les-pe-de'zft), n. [NL. (A. Michaux, 
1803), named after D. jtes/>erfr,the Spanish gov- 
ernor of Florida in the time of Michaux.] A 
genus of leguminous plants of the tribe Hedy- 
sareas, distinguished by the generally one-seed- 
ed and one-jointed pod and the pinnately tri- 
foliate leaves without stipules. See hnopkoop- 
plant, and Japan clover (under Japan). 
less 1 (les), a. compar. [< ME. lesse, lasse, < AS. 
tessa (= OFries. lessa). less, smaller, for 'Uesra, 
compar. (with superl. Icssast, loesest, laist, > E. 
leasfl-, (\. v.), from a positive prob. appearing 
in a denv. form in Goth, lasitcs, weak (see lass*, 
lazy), but associated in meaning with the unre- 
lated lyttl, little, small: see little. Cf. less 1 , adv. 
Hence lest 1 , unless, less' 2 ."] 1. Not so much or 
so large ; of smaller quantity, amount, bulk, or 
capacity ; inferior in dimensions, extent, or du- 
ration: as, lens honor or reward; less profit or 
possessions; lesgtime; less distance ; less scope 
or range ; the reward is less than he deserves ; a 
man of Icsn courage or ability ; an article of less 
weight or value. 
It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which . . . is lea* than 
all the seeds that be in the earth. Mark Iv. SI. 
Thou . . . wimldst . . . teach me how 
To name the bigger light, and how the lot, 
That burn by day and night. 
Shot., Tempest, i. i 385. 
More glory will be won, 
Or tea be lost Milton, P. L., Iv. 864. 
The sea having lost to the north, and also to the west, 
on the side of the antlent causeway to the island, Is the 
reason why the eastern port [of Pharos] at present is the 
fen. foeoclce. Description of the East, I. 3. 
Even so late as lea than half a century ago this region 
was still . . . most attractive. 0. W. Holme*. Emerson, i. 
2. Not so great, considerable, or important ; of 
smaller scope or consequence; lower in the 
Sche changyd hyr colour leae and mo 
The Horn of Ktiuj Arthur (Child's Ba! 
lessee 
scale: as, St. James the Less; his honors are 
li^.-i than his deserts. 
But he that is leae in the kyngdom of heavenet Is more 
than ho. Wyrlif. Mat. il. 11. 
Whan thine [tidings] were told to lane A to more. 
William of Palerne (E. E. T. 8.), L 4788, 
Look for no It** (punishment] than death. 
Shak., W. T., 111. 2. 9 
What power shall stand In that frightful time when re- 
bellion hath become a teat evil than endurance? 
Macaulay, Conversation between Cowley and Milton. 
Great tracts of wilderness, 
Wherein the beast was ever more and more, 
But man was lea and fen, till Arthur came. 
TVnnyton, Coming of Arthur. 
= Syn. Smaller, Lea, Fewer. Smaller Is rather more exact 
than lea, but Is used freely of persons and of things both 
concrete and abstract : as a rmaUer mail, soul, site. La* Is 
not used of persons : as, lea trouble, happlnea*, size, decree ; 
fen of an evil. With reference to slxe and number, the 
proper words are smaller and/wr. "This apple Is leu 
than that," "There were lea people there than I expect- 
ed," are Inelegant and erroneous, although similar expres- 
sions are often used both in speech and in writing, while 
the latter, however, is inexcusable, the former may be used 
sparingly without offense in certain collocations, especial- 
ly in poetry. The allusion to the mustard-seed In Mark 
Iv. 81 appears to be the only example In the Bible of the 
use of lea in the sense of ' smaller in size.' In shakspere's 
plays the word occurs more than two hundred times, and 
in Milton's poems more than a hundred : In the former it 
is used only four or five times and in the latter three times 
In the sense of 'smaller In size,' and never In that of 
' fewer. ' 
The razor's edge Invisible, 
Cutting a tmaller hair than may be seen. 
Shot., L. L. L., T. 2. 258. 
Of harmes two the lease Is for to cheese. 
Chaucer. Troll us, II. 470. 
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow 
To do our country loss ; and if to live, 
The fnrrr men the greater share of honour. 
Shot., Hen. V., IT. a 22. 
less 1 (les), adv. eompar. [< ME. lesse, leg, las, < 
AS. las (= OS. leg), compar. adv., associated 
with la-ssa, adj.: see lens 1 , a.~] In a smaller or 
lower degree; to an inferior extent, amount, 
etc.; in a decreased or abated way or manner: 
as, less prudent ; less carefully executed ; to ex- 
aggerate less; to think lens of a person. 
ore. 
s Ballads, I. 24). 
His guide now led the way into another valley, where 
he would be fen exposed to danger. 
Irvinff, Granada, p. 95. 
My life I value lea 
Than yonder fool his gaudy dress. 
Whittier, Slogg Megone, I. 
Ie88 1 t (les), r. [< ME. lessen, lessen, < lesse, less : 
see less, a. Cf. lemen.] I. trans. To make less; 
lessen. 
If we thus do . . .we shal . . .with this cumfort flnde 
our hartes lighted, and therby the grlefe of our tribula- 
tion leaed. 
Sir T. More, Cumfort against Tribulation (1573X fol. 68. 
II. intrans. To become less; lessen. 
The day Is gon, the moneth passld, 
Hire love encreseth and his laaeth. 
Gmcer. (JlalliwU.) 
Leaen gan his hope and ek his myght. 
Chaucer, Troilus, v. 1488. 
Iess 2 t (les), omj. [An apbetio form of units*.] 
Unless. B. Jonwrn. 
And the mute Silence hist along, 
'tn Philomel will deign a song. 
Miilon, II Penseroso, 1. 56. 
-less. [< ME. -les, -leas, < AS. -leas = OS. -Ids 
= OFries. -las = D. -los = MLG. LG. -los = 
OHG. MHG. -Ids, Q. -los = Icel. -lauss = Dan. 
8w. -los = Goth. -Inii.i. a suffix meaning ' free 
from, without,' orig. an independent word, 
AS. leds, etc., free, loose, governing the geni- 
tive, as in dredma, leas, without joys, but be- 
coming a mere suffix, as in endelcds, without 
end, endless, scamleds, without shame, shame- 
less. See lease*, loose, o.] A common English 
suffix forming, from nouns, adjectives meaning 
'without' (lacking, wanting, void of, destitute 
of) the thing or quality denoted by the noun : as. 
i-iiildlesii, without a child; fatherless, without a 
father; endless, without end; hopeles*, without 
hope : leafless, without leaves; shameless, with- 
out shame; so motherless, penniless, faithless, 
godless, graceless, lawless, witless, remediless, 
tasteless, etc . It Is applicable to any noun of which ab- 
sence or destitution may be asserted. It is opposed to 
ful, and Is usually equivalent to the negative un-i prefixed 
to an adjective In -//, -yl . -ing%, or -W, aa unltopeful, 
ut'tty, unending, unmatched, etc., equivalent to hoprlea, 
mtUm,endlea,mateUtn, etc. It is In some cases attached 
to a verb, or to a word rare as a noun while common as 
a verb, as In ceatrlrtt, idea, fadclea, refenffen, repenttru, 
thunleu. etc. 
lessee (le-se'), [< OF. lesse, pp. of leaser, let, 
lease. F. laisser, let, leave: see lease?, r.] The 
