peddle 
peddle (ped'l), c. ; pret. and pp. pnMli-d, ppr. 
/inlil/iii/i. (A back-format ion from /mliller, 
earlier/" <//< c(cf. luiri/le, < liunjliir).] I. iiilrnnx. 
1. To travel about retailing small wares; go 
from place to place or from house to house sell 
ing small commodities; hawk. 2. To be en- 
gaged in a small business; occupy one's self 
with Iritles; trille. 
No science peddling with the names of tilings. 
Or reading stars to find Inglorious fates, 
Can lift our life with wings 
Far from Death's Idle gulf that for thu many waits. 
Lowell, Commemoration Ode, it 
II. trans. To sell or retail in small quanti- 
ties, usually by transporting the goods offered 
about the country, or from house to house; 
hence, to dispense or deal out, in small quanti- 
ties. 
This original unit, this fountain of power, has been so 
distributed to multitudes, has been so minutely subdi- 
vided and peddled out, that it Is spilled Into drops, and 
cannot be gathered. Emerton, Misc., p. 72. 
Could doff at ease his scholar's gown 
lopeddle wares from town t town. 
Whittier, Snow-Bonnd. 
peddler (ped'ler), n. [Now taken as < peddle 
+ -erl ; but earlier pedler, pcdlur, < late ME. 
pedlere, pedlar e, a var. of pedder: see pedder. 
For the irreg. term, -let, cr. eggler.] One who 
travels about selling small wares, which he 
carries with him; a traveling chapman; a 
hawker. 
I haue as inoche plte of pore men as pedlere hath of catts, 
That wolde kille hem, yf he cacche hem inygte for couei- 
tisc of here skynnes. Fieri Plowman (B), v. 2S8. 
A certain Pedler having a budget full of small wares 
fell asleep as he was travelling on the way. 
Coryat, Crudities, I. 73. 
Peddlers' Frencht, vagabonds' cant ; jargon. 
Ill give a schoolmaster half-a-crown a week, and teach 
me this pedler' t French. 
Middleton and Dekker, Roaring Girl, v. 1. 
peddleress (ped'ler-es), . [< peddler + -ess.] 
A female peddler. 
The companion of his travels is some foule snnne-burnt 
Queane, that since the terrible statute recanted gypsisme, 
and is turned pedleresse. 
Sir T. Oaerbmy, Characters, A Tinker. 
peddlerism (ped'ler-izm), . [Also pedlarism, 
pedlerism; (.peddler + -ism.] Petty dealing. 
But If ever they make anything on 't, says he (and if they 
are not at last reduc'd to their old antient pedlarittn), 111 
forfeit my reputation of a prophet to you. 
Tom Brown, Works, L 188. (Dattiet.) 
peddler's-basket (ped'lerz-bas'ket), . The 
Kenil worth ivy; less frequently, the beefsteak- 
geranium. See ivy 1 and geranium. [Prov. Eng.] 
peddlery (ped'ler-i), H.; pi. peddleries (-iz). [Also 
pedlery, pedlary; < peddler + -y.] 1. Small 
wares sold or carried about for sale by ped- 
dlers. 
The present fairs of Cartmel are held on the Wednesday 
before Easter for cattle, Whit-Monday for pedlery, and 
November 5th for cattle. Bainet, Hist. Lancashire, II. 683. 
2. The employment or occupation of a peddler ; 
also, the tricks of a peddler. 
Who shewed a miracle to confirm his preaching of ear- 
confession and pardons, with like pedlary? 
Ttindale, Ans. toSIr T. More, etc. (Parker 8oc., 1850), p. 170. 
Justly fearing that the quick-sighted Protestanta eye, 
clear'd in great part from the mist of Superstition, may at 
one time or other looke with a good judgement into these 
their deceitfull Pedlerie*. 
Milton, Reformation in Eng., 11. 
peddling (ped'ling), a. [Also piddling; orig. 
ppr. of peddle, v.] Petty; trifling; insignificant: 
as, peddling details. 
Away with these peddling persecutions ; . . . "lay the 
axe at the root of the tree. 
Jtr. Taylor, Works (ed. 1836X II. 148. 
How can any man stop in the midst of the stupendous 
joy of getting rid of Bonaparte, and prophesy a thousand 
little peddling evils that will result from restorinx ihc 
Bourbons ? Sydney Smith, To John Allen. 
pederast (ped'e-rast), H. [< F. pederaste, < Gr. 
ir<Ho>pa<rr7/f, a lover of boys, < rniif (iraiS-). a boy, 
+ fpav, love.] One who is guilty of pederasty. 
Also pederist. 
pederastic (ped-e-ras'tik), a. [< Gr. vaiiepaa- 
TtKOf, < munefiaaria, pederasty: see pederasty.] 
Of or pertaining to pederasty. 
pederasty (ped'e-ras-ti), n. [< F. pedi'-rnxtii; < 
NL. pyderastia, < Gr. jtaiotpaaria, love of boys, 
< mudrpatrrijf, a lover of boys: see pederast.] 
Unnatural carnul union of males with males, 
especially boys. 
pedererot, [Also paterero, pitteraro, etc.: < 
Sp. /ledrero, a swivel-gun, < ML. petraria, a 
stone-throwing engine: see jietrary. /terrier.] 
A piece of ordnance formerly used for dis- 
Pedestal found near the Dio 
Athens. 
4353 
charging stones, fragments of iron, etc., and 
also for tiring salutes. 
pederistt (pcd'e-rist). . [< /</< r(iixt) + -ist.] 
Same as jii-ili nt.il. 
pedes, ". 1'lural of peifl. 
pedescriptt (i>cd'es-kript), . [< L. pes(ped-), 
= E. foul, + xiri/itn-i. pp. of srrilM-n: write, 
mark: see srrijit.] A mark made by the foot, 
as in kicking. Shirley, Honoria and Mammon. 
[Humorous.] 
pedesis (pe-de'sis), n. [NL., < Gr. itijfinaic, a 
leaping, throbbing, < m/Aav, leap, spring, throb.] 
A name given bv Prof. Jevons to the physical 
phenomenon called the Brownian movement. 
Sec llroirHiiin. Journal of firii -net , 1H7H, p. 171. 
pedestal (ped'es-tal), w. [= F. pedestal = Sp. 
Pg. pedestal, < 
It. pirdestallo. 
base of a pillar, 
the sill of a 
door, < jiiuli , 
foot (< L. IH-S 
(ped-) = E. 
foot), + statto, 
< G. stall, a 
stall: sec xinll. \ 
That which 
serves as a foot 
or support, 
particularly for 
apieceof sculp- 
ture, a monu- 
ment, or other 
work of art . 
Specifically (a) 
ijrsiac Theater, In arch., an Insu- 
lated base or sup- 
port for a column, 
a statue, or a vase. It consists typically of a base or foot, 
a die or dado, and a surbase, cornice, or cap. See also cats 
under armterium, aiilejii, and dad". 
Large yawning Panthers lie, 
Carv'd on rich PedeMali of Ivory. 
Conyreve, tr. of Juvenal's Satires, L 
In the centre of the dome Is a small square pedestal, on 
which, it is said, once stood the urn which contained the 
ashes of Its founder. J. Fergvaon, Hist. Arch., I. 439. 
(ft) In iiiin-li.. the standards of a pillow-block, holding the 
brasses in which the shaft turns. K. H. Knight, (e) In 
a railroad-car, a casting of Inverted-U shape bolted to the 
truck-frame to hold in place the journal-box of the axle, 
which rises and falls in the pedestal with the collapse and 
expansion of the springs. (Heecutunderear-imdr.) Called 
In England an axle-guard or horn-plat^. Car-Builder'* 
Diet, 
pedestal (ped'es-tal), v. t. ; pret. and pp. pedes- 
taled or pedestalled, ppr. pedestaling or pedes- 
talling. [< pedestal, n.] To place on a pedes- 
tal ; support as a pedestal. 
The Memphlan sphinx, 
Pedeftal'd haply in a palace-court. 
Keatt, Hyperion. 
pedestal-box (ped'es-tal-boks), n. In mach., 
a journal-box, 
pedestal-cover (ped'es-tal-kuv'er), H. In mach., 
the cap of a pillow-block, which is fastened 
down upon the pedestals and confines the boxes . 
E. H. Knight. 
pedestrial (pe-des'tri-al), a. [< L. pedester 
( pedestri-), being or going on foot, pedestrian 
(see pedestrians), + -/i/.] 1. Of or pertaining 
to the foot. 
We read that these people, instead of holding their bow 
in the left hand, as Is the usual custom, drew it by the as- 
sistance of their feet. The fact Is recorded by Diodorus 
Sicnlns and Strabo : the latter of whm informs us of a 
curious expedient of this prde*trial archery, used by the 
Ethiopians in hunting elephants. 
Moteley, Archery, p. 86. (Latham.) 
2. Going on foot; pedestrian. 3. Fitted for 
walking: as, pedestrial legK of an insect. 
pedestrially (pe-des'tri-al-i), adr. In a pedes- 
trial manner; as a pedestrian ; on foot. 
pedestrian (pe-des'tri-an), a. and n. [< L. /- 
dcster (pedestri-), being or going on foot (see 
pedestrians), + -an.] I. a. 1. Going on foot; 
walking: as, a pedestrian excursionist ; also, 
performed on foot : as, a pedestrian journey. 
Hence 2. Low; vulgar; common. 
In a pedestrian and semi-barbarian style. 
KoKoe, Life of Leo, Pref., p. 28. 
II. H. 1. One who walks or journeys on foot. 
Specifically 2. One who walks or races on 
foot for a wager; a professional walker; one 
who has made a notable record for speed or 
endurance in walking. 
pedestrianate (pe-des'tri-aii-at), r. i. ; pret. and 
pp. i><tli*tiiin/<tti<l, ppr. /ixlixirianating. [tpe- 
+ -ate^A To travel on foot; walk. 
pedicel 
The trial i-nnrt had held that lilcyi'llng <ra a fuun nf 
petteilrianalinq, *<\<\ tb:it tin- In. -y 1. 1- li;i<l ;. iniicli unlit 
HI lln- sidewalk as any pedestrian. 
. So. Amrr , V S., I.X. 402. 
pedestrianism (pe-les'tri-:in-i/ni>. . [= F. 
)>i'-ilixtrinin<iiu- ; as /n <li -.Irian + -ism.] The 
act or practice of walking; traveling or racing 
on foot; the art of a pedestrian or professional 
walker or runner. 
pedestrianize (pe-des'tri-fn-U). r. I. ; pret.and 
pp. pii/i :<tri<ii<i:ca, ppr. }/!, -I, KI i,,, in, /. \< / 
ilistrinn + -i>.] To travel along or through 
on foot or as a pedestrian : MI, to pedegtrianue 
the valley of the Khine. 
pedestrio'ust (pe-<les'tri-us), a. f= F. p,,l,*ti. 
= Sp. Pg. It. pedrstri , < L. jii'ilisl,, ( /,/,. tlri-), 
going or being on foot, on land, by land, he 
lowly, common, ordinary (for orig. "pedetter, 
"/Hilit/n; with suffix -tcr, < /</., i ///'-). one 
who goes on foot, < pes (ped-), = E. foot, + m . 
supine Hum, go), + -o*.j Going on foot ; not 
winged. 
Men conceive they (elephants] never lie down, and enjoy 
nut the position of rest ordained unto all pedenhrimu ani- 
mals. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., IIL 1. 
pedetenton8(pe<l-e-ten'tus V- [< L.peilrtfiitim. 
jH-ilrii-nifitim, step by step, cautiously, < pen 
(ped-),= E. foot, + tenders, pp. ten tun, stretch 
out, extend, + -.] Proceeding cautiously, or 
step by step; advancing tentatively. [Rare.] 
That pedelentaui pace and ptdettntmu mind In which It 
Iwhooves the wise and virtuous improver to walk. 
Sydney (Smith. 
Pedetes (pe-<le'tez), [NL. (Illiger. 181 1 ), < 
Gr. irtiorfrt/s, a leaper, a dancer, < irr/oriv, leap, 
spring.] 1 . The sole genus of I'edetinx, called 
Cape Jutnptng-hare (Pedtrtt caffrr\. 
ffelaniys by F. Cuvier. /'. caffer or eaj>fMsix 
is the jumping-hare of South Africa. 2. In 
cntom.: (a) A genus of coleopterous insects. 
A'l'rfcy, 1837. (6) A genus of hymenopterous 
insects. 
pedetic (pe-det'ik), a. [< Gr. jri/A>rriK6f, pertain- 
ing to leaping, < Tri/fa/nic,, leaping: see pedesis.] 
[Rare.] 
, 
Of or pertaining to pedegis Pedetic movement. 
See Brownian movement, under Bmwnian. 
Pedetidas (pe-det'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Pedetrs 
+ -irf*.] The Pcdetinee elevated to the rank 
of a family. 
Pedetina (ped-e-ti'ne), n.pl. [NL., < Pedetes 
+ -IM.] An Ethiopian subfamily of Dipodidte 
or jerboas, represented by the genus Pedetes; 
the jumping-hares. The form is fitted for leaping, as 
in other jerboa-like rodents; the hind quarters are large 
and strong: the tail Is long and bushy throughout; the 
hind feet are four-toed, with stout hoof-like nails and sep- 
arate metatarsals ; the molars are rootless, and there Is a 
premolar above and below on each side ; the cervical ver- 
tebras are not ankylosed. See cut under Pedetet. 
Pediastrea (ped-i-as'tre-e), n. pi. [NL., < Pc- 
ditistrum + -<*.] A genus of fresh-water algte 
of the class Canobie*, typified by the genus Pr- 
diantriim. 
Pediastrum (ped-i-as'trum), H. [NL., < (f) L. 
}>es (ped-), = E. foot, + Gr. aarpov, a star.] A 
genus of fresh-water algie, typical of the order 
Pediastreee. Several of the species are very common In 
stagnant or running water, being attached in the form of 
minute disks to other alga*, water-planta, etc. Each di*k 
is of a regular symmetrical form, and consists of >, 18, 
or 32 cells, or, when more numerous, probably always a 
power of 2. Reproduction is both non-sexual and sexual. 
pediatria (ped-i-at'ri-a), H. [NL. : see pliu- 
tru.] Same as pt-diu try. 
pediatric (ped-i-at'rik), a. [<i>cdiatr-if + -.] 
Of or pertaining to the medical or hygienic care 
of children. 
pediatrics (ped-i-at'riks), n. [PI. of jtediatric: 
see -ics.] Medical or hygienic treatment of 
children. Also pediatria, prdiatry. 
pediatry (iMjd'i-at-ri). . [NL. patfioMc, < Gr. 
Tnif (jro/d-), child, + iaTi>ria, medical treat- 
ment: see iatrie.] Same aspedititrics. 
pedicel (ped'i-sel), ii. [= F. pi'ilirrlli- = S]>. 
judircla = Pg. ]M-riiecll<>. < NL. pedicellus, dim. 
