olfactive 
olfactive (ol-fak'tiv), a. [=F. olfactif = .Pg. 
olfactiro; as olfact + -ive.] Same as olfactory. 
olfactometer (ol-fak-tom'e-ter), w. [< L. ol- 
facere, smell (see olfact), + Gr. ptrpav, mea- 
sure.] An instrument for measuring the acute- 
ness of the sense of smell. 
Dr Zwaardemaker, of Utrecht, . . . has constructed an 
instrument which he calls an olfactometer. It consists 
simply of a glass tube, one end of which curves upward, 
to be inserted into the nostril. A shorter movable cylin- 
der madeof the odoriferous substance, fits over the straight 
end of this glass tube. On inhaling, no odor will be per- 
ceived so long as the outer does not project beyond the 
inner tube. The further we push forward the outer cylin- 
der, the larger will be the scented surface presented to the 
in-rushing column of air, and the stronger will be the odor 
perceived. Science, XV. 44. 
Olfactor (ol-fak'tor), n. [< L. as if * olfactor (cf. 
fern. olfaetrijc).oiie who smells, < olfacere, smell : 
see olfact.] The organ of smell; the nose. 
[Rare.] 
If thy nose, Sir Spirit, were anything inure than the 
ghost of an olfactor, I would offer thee a pinch [of snuff]. 
Southey. 
olfactory (ol-fak'to-ri), a. and n. [= F. olfac- 
toirc = Sp. Pg. olfatorio = It. olfattorio, < NL. 
"olfactoriiif! (L. neut. as a noun, a smelling- 
bottle, a nosegay), < olfacere, smell: see olfact.] 
I. a. Making or causing to smell; effecting or 
otherwise pertaining to olfaction; having the 
sense of smell or providing for the exercise of 
that faculty : as, an olfactory organ. The olfactory 
nerves, present in nearly all vertebrates, are slender fila- 
ments in man, about twenty in number, arising from the 
under surface of the olfactory bulb, or terminal part of the 
rhinencephalon or olfactory lobe. The lobe is primitively 
hollow, being a tubular process whose cavity is continu- 
ous with that of the prosencephalic ventricle, and it is 
of much greater relative size in the lower than in the 
higher vertebrates. In the latter the olfactory lobes are 
reduced to a pair of solid flattened bands, like bits of 
tape, and improperly receive the name of olfactory nerves, 
which properly applies only to the numerous filaments 
arising from the bulbous end of the so-called olfactory 
nerves, penetrating the cribriform plate of the ethmoid 
bone through numerous minute foramina, and ramify- 
ing through the Schneiderian mucous membrane of the 
nose. Also olfactive. See cuts under Elaxinobranchii, en- 
cepkalon, nasal, and Petromyzontidte. Olfactory angle, 
in "/'"/.. the angle formed with the basicranial axis by the 
plane of the cribriform plate. Olfactory bulb. See 
bulb. Olfactory cms, the rhinocaul. - Olfactory fo- 
ramina. See foramen. Olfactory glomeruli Seeglo- 
merullts. Olfactory lobe. See lobe, and cuts under 
brain, optic, and mlcm. -Olfactory pits. See pit. Ol- 
factory tuber. See tuber. Olfactory tubercle. Same 
as caruncula mammillaris (which see, under caruncula). 
II. .; pi- olfactories (-riz). The organ of 
smell; the nose as an olfactory organ : usually 
in the plural. [Colloq.] 
olibant (ol'i-ban), . Same as olibanum. 
olibanum (o-lib'a-num), n. [= F. oliban = Sp. 
olibano = Pg. It. olibano, < ML. olibanum, appar. 
< Ar. al-luban, < ul, the, + liibdn (> Gr. /U/ia- 
w>f, L. libanus), frankincense.] A gum-resin 
yielded by trees of the genus Boswellia in the 
Somali country. It is obtained by incisions in the bark, 
and appears in commerce in the form of hardened tears 
and irregular lumps of a yellowish color. It has a pleas- 
ant aromatic odor, heightened by heat, and its chief use is 
as incense. In medicine it is nearly disused. See/ra7iJt- 
incense. African olibanum, the ordinary olibanum, the 
Arabian being inferior, and now scarcely collected. In- 
dian olibanum, a soft fragrant resin yielded by the salai- 
tree, Bosicettia serrata (including B. thurifera), in parts of 
India, and locally used as incense. 
olidt (ol'id), <i. [< L. olidus, smelling, emitting 
a smell, < olere (rarely olere), smell : see olent.] 
Having a strong disagreeable smell. .Sir T. 
lirownf. 
Of which olid and despicable liquor I chose to make an 
instance. Boyle, Works, I. 688. 
olidoust (ol'i-dus), a. [< L. olidus, smelling: 
see olid and -ons.] Same as olid. 
olifauntt, . An obsolete form of eltjihant. 
oligandrous (pl-i-gan'drus), a. [< Gr. OA/JOJ, 
few, + in-///* (av6p-), a male (in mod. bot. a sta- 
men). Cf. Gr. 6/l/)'av<ipor, thinly peopled, of same 
formation.] In hot., having few stamens: ap- 
plied to a plant that has fewer than twenty 
stamens. 
oliganthoUS(ol-i-gan'thus), (i. [< Gr. b'/uyuf, 
few, + avftx;, a flower.] In bot., few-flowered. 
oligarch (ol'i-gark), n. [= F. oligarque It. 
oligareo, < Gr. bl-iyapxyc., an oligarch, < oAiyof, 
few, + apxeiv, rule. Cf . oligarchy.] A member 
of an oligarchy ; one of a few holding political 
power. 
Convenient access from the sea was a main point, and 
we can therefore understand that the ground by the coast 
would be first settled, and would remain the dwelling- 
place of the old citizens, the forefathers of the oligarchs of 
the great sedition. E. A. Freeman, Venice, p. 356. 
Oligarchal (<>l'i- K iir-kal), a. [< olif/iirch + -al.] 
Same as olii/arrliic. 
4102 
Oligarchic (ol-i-giir'kik), (i. [= F. 
= Sp. nlii/iirfjiiieii = Pg. It. olif/fircliico, < Gr. 
KltyapX'*0{, pertaining to oligarchy, < l&cyapxia, 
oligarchy: see oligarchy.'] Pertaining to or of 
the nature of oligarchy or government by a 
few; administering an oligarchy; administered 
as an oligarchy or by oligarchs; constituting an 
oligarchy. 
The Heraion . . . would stand in the oligarchic quarter 
on the low ground near the agora. 
E. A. Freeman, Venice, p. 357. 
oligarchical (ol-i-gar'ki-kal), <i. [< oligarchic 
+ -/.] 1. Relating to oligarchic government ; 
characteristic of oligarchs. 2. Constituting an 
oligarchy; oligarchic. 
Oligarchist (ol'i-gar-kist), n. [< oligarch-y + 
-ist.~\ An advocate or supporter of oligarchy. 
oligarchy (ol'i-gar-ki), . ; pi. oligarchies (-kiz). 
[= F. otigarchie = Sp. oligarguia = Pg. It. oli- 
garchia, < Gr. bfa-yapx'ta, government by the few, 
'< 6/t/yof, few, + apxe'v , rule. Cf. oligarch.'] A 
form of government in which the supreme power 
is vested in the hands of a small exclusive class ; 
also, collectively, those who form such a class 
or body. 
We have no aristocracies but in contemplation, all oli- 
garchies, wherein a few rich men domineer. 
Burton, Anat. of Mel., p. 213. 
In the Greek commonwealths the best definition of de- 
mocracy and oligarchy would be that in the democracy 
political rights are enjoyed by all who enjoy civil rights, 
while in the oligarchy political rights are confined to a 
part only of those who enjoy civil rights. 
B. A. Freeman, Amer. Lects., p. 290. 
oligarticular (ol'i-gar-tik'u-lar), n. [< Gr. 
a'Aiyof, few, + L. artieulus, a joint : see articu- 
lar.'} Confined to a few joints, as an arthritis. 
oligemia, oligaemia (ol-i-je'mi-a), . [NL. oli- 
giemia, < Gr. o/u'yof, little, + ai/ia, blood.] In 
patliol.. that state of the system in which there 
is a deficiency of blood. Compare anemia. 
oligiste (ol'i-jist), n. [< F. oligiste, so called 
as containing less iron than the related mag- 
netic oxid; < Gr. bhiytarof, least, super!, of b'/iyof, 
few, little.] One of several varieties of native 
iron sesquioxid, or hematite. 
oligistic (ol-i-jis'tik), a. [< oligiste + -ic.] Of 
or pertaining to oligiste, or specular iron ore. 
oligistical (ol-i-jis'ti-kal), a. [< oligistic, + -a?.] 
Same as oligixtic. 
oligocarpoust (ol"i-go-kar'pus), a. [< Gr. b'/iyof, 
few, + Kapxvc, fruit.] In bot., having few fruits. 
Oligocene (ol'i-go-sen), a. [< Gr. o'Aijof, little, 
+ Kaivuf, recent.] In geol., a division of the 
Tertiary series, including groups formerly 
classed in part as Upper Eocene and in part 
as Lower Miocene. The rocks classed as Oligocene 
are partly of fresh-water and brackish origin, and partly 
marine. They are especially well developed in the Paris 
basin, in northern Germany (where this name was first 
proposed by Beyrich), and in Switzerland. The important 
formation known as the Molasse belongs partly to the 
Oligocene. The vegetation of that period was varied and 
interesting, and indicative of a decidedly warmer climate 
than that at present prevailing. Beds referred to the 
Oligocene extend from Florida through to Texas, and are 
characterized by the presence of Orbiloides mantelli. a 
widely distributed foraminifer. 
The so-called Oligocene deposits . . . were originally 
called by Conrad, who first characterized them, the Vicks- 
burg beds, and by me have been designated the "Orbi- 
toidic," from the great abundance of Orbitoides Mantelli, 
their most distinctive fossil. 
Heilprin, IT. S. Tertiary Geol., p. 3. 
Oligochseta (ol"i-go-ke'ta), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
b'/.iyoc, few, + x a ' irr l, long hair, mane.] An order 
or a class of chsetopod annelids, including the 
earthworms and lugworms, or the terricolous 
and limicolous worms : so called from the pau- 
city of the bristling foot-stumps or parapodia. 
The Oliffo^hceta are abranchiate, ametabolous, and monoe- 
cious. They have been divided into Terrifolae and Limi- 
colce, and also into four orders bearing other names. The 
term is contrasted with Polych&ta. Also Oliyochcette. See 
cut under lfai>. 
Oligochaetous (ol"i-go-ke'tus), a. Having the 
characters of the Oligochceta. 
oligocholia (ol"i-go-ko'li-a), M. [NL., < Gr. 
o/.ijof, few, little, '+ x n) -'i, bile.] In ]>atliol., 
scantiness of bile. 
oligochrome (ol'i-go-krom), . and n. [< Gr. 
b'Myoc., few, + xpupa, color.] I. a. Painted in 
few colors: especially applied to decorative 
work : as, oligochrome decoration of a building 
or a room. 
II. n. A design executed in few colors. 
oligochromemia, oligochromaemia (ol"i-go- 
kro-me'mi-a), n. [NL. oli(/ochront(emia,<. Gr. o/.i- 
yof , few, HttTe, + x/>t>P a . color, + alfta, blood.] In 
pathol., scantiness of hemoglobin in red blood- 
corpuscles. 
oligosporous 
oligoclase (ol'i-go-klas), n. [< Gr. <v,/; uc, little, 
+ K/.dat(, a breaking, fracture.] A soda-lime 
triclinic feldspar, the soda predominating. See 
feldspar. 
o'ligocystic (ol'i-go-sis'tik), a. [< Gr. btyaf, 
few, * jd'OT/f, bladder (cyst) : see cyst.] Hav- 
ing few cysts or cavities: as, oligocystic tu- 
mors. 
oligocythemia, oligocythaemia (ol"i-go-sl- 
the'ini-a), . [NL. oligocythamia, <. Gr. o/,/)op, 
few, + 'id'Tof , a hollow (a cell), + aiua, blood.] 
In pathol., a condition of the blood in which 
there is a paucity of red corpuscles. 
Oligodon (ol'i-go-don), H. [NL., < Gr. o/tjoj, 
few, + odorf (Sow-) = E. loath.] A genus of 
colubriform serpents giving name to the family 
OligodoHtidu: There are many species, of In- 
dia, Ceylon, and neighboring islands. 
Oligodontidae (ol"i-go-don'ti-de), n.pl. [NL.,< 
Oligodon (-odont-) + -idw.] Afamily of colubri- 
form serpents, typified by the genus Oligodon, 
related to the Calamariidcr. There are several gen- 
era and about 40 species, some of which are known as 
ground-snakes and spotted adders. 
oligogalactia (ol'i-go-ga-lak'ti-a), M. [NL., < 
Gr. o/U>of, few, little, + yaha (jaAaxr-), milk: 
see yfilae.tia,] In patliol., scantiness of milk- 
secretion. 
oligoglottism (ol"i-go-glot'izm), ti. [< Gr. o/./- 
>of, few, + y'/MTTa, tongue (see glottis], + -ism.'] 
Slight knowledge of languages. [Rare.] 
oligomania (ol"i-go-ma'ni-a), . [NL., < Gr. 
0/1} "C, few, little, + pavia, madness: see mania.] 
Mental impairment which is especially evident 
in only a few directions: nearly equivalent to 
monomania. 
The reasons . . . are sufficient to justify the substitution 
of the term oligomania for monomania. 
Medical News, 1.472. 
oligomerous (ol-i-gom'e-rus), (i. [< Gr. 
few, + /lipof, part.] 1". Having few segments 
of tlie body, as a mollusk. Huxley. [Rare.] 
2. In bot., having few members. 
oligometochia (ol"i-go-me-t6'ki-a), n. [NL., 
< Gr. o/li'yof, few, + ffcrox^, a participle.] Spar- 
ing use of participles or participial clauses in 
composition: opposed to polymetochia. Amer. 
Jour. Philol.,lX. 144. 
oligometochic (ol"i-go-me-to'kik), a. [< oligo- 
metochia + -ic.~] Containing or using but few 
participles. Amer. Jour. Philol., IX. 150. 
Oligomyodi (ol"i-go-mi-6'di), . pi. [NL., < Gr. 
o/.of few, + fjvf, muscle, + <^r/, song.] A 
and Demodactyli of Garrod and Forbes, and comprehend- 
ing eight families Oxyrhamphidm, Tyrannidai, Pipridoe, 
Cotingidae, Plnjtotomidce, Pittida;, Philepittida!, and Eury- 
Icemidoe. 
oligoinyocliaii (ol"i-go-mi-6'di-an), a. Same as 
olii/omyoid. 
oligomyoid (ol"i-go-im'oid), a. [Prop. *oligomy- 
ode : see Oligomyodi.'] In ornitli., havingfew or 
imperfectly differentiated muscles of the syrinx : 
applied to a lower series of birds of the order 
1'asseres, such as the Clamatores or Mesomyodi, 
and synonymous with mcxonti/odian, but of less 
exact signification. 
oligomyoidean (ol"i-go-mi-oi'de-an), a. Same 
as oligomyoid. 
oligonite (ol'i-go-nit), . [< oligon(-spar) + 
-j'fe 2 .] A variety of siderite or carbonate of iron, 
containing 25 per cent, of manganese protoxid, 
found at Ehrenfriedersdorf in Saxony. 
oligon-spar (ol'i-gon-spar),.w. [Accom. of G. 
oligontipa th , < Gr. uf.iyov, neut. of 6//;of, little, 
few, + G. spath, spar.] Same as oligonite. 
oligophyllous (ol"i-go-fil'us), a. [< Gr. b^.i-ycn; 
few, + tyiVAov, a leaf.] In bot., having few 
leaves. 
oligospermia (oFi-go-sper'mi-il), 11. [NL.. < 
Gr. 6/UYof, few, little, + axi/i/ia, seed.] 
.] 
tliol., deficiency of semen. 
oligospermous (ol'i-go-spto'mus), ". [< Gr. //- 
yuoKtpfmi;, liaving few seeds,' < 6/U'yof, few, + 
aire/j/ta, seed.] In bot., having few seeds. 
Oligosporea (ol''i-go-sp6're-a), n. i>l. [NL., < 
Gr. o/.(}of, few, + o-TTopof, "seed.] An ordinal 
name given by Schneider to the minute para- 
sitic sporozoans of the genus Corciiliiim, whose 
cysts produce a small definite number of spores. 
oligosporean (ol'i-go-epo'rt-an), a. and n. I. 
a. Ot or pertaining to the OligotfOfea, 
II. . A member of the It/ii/nsiiiircti. 
Oligosporous (ol"i-go-sp6'rus), . [< Gr. iin- 
;or, few, + air6pof, seed.] Same as oligosjio- 
