Picris 
one, /'. hieracioules, the German bitterkmul, is also wide!}' 
diffused throughout the northern hemisphere. All are 
erect, branching, bristly, and rough, with many alternate 
coarsely cut or entire leaves and bright-yellow flowers. 
Several species are cultivated for the flowers. P. echioidea 
(often culled Helminthia) is the British wayside weed ox- 
tonyue, so called from the shape of its leaves. 
picrite (pik'rit), n. [< Gr. mn/w;, bitter, + -ite 2 .] 
A name proposed for one of the many varieties 
of olivin-rock, in regard to whose nomenclature 
lithologists are far from being in accord. Gumbel 
used the term ptdieopicrite to designate a rock occurring 
in the Fichtelgebirge, which, as he believed, consisted 
originally of oliviii, with more or less of enstatite, diopside, 
augite, and magnetite at present, however, almost en- 
tirely altered to serpentine and chlorite. Kosenbusch con- 
siders the pakeopicrite of Gumbel to be an olivin-diabase 
destitute of a feldspathic constituent. See peridotite. 
picrocarmine (pik-ro-kiir'min), . [< Gr. m- 
upoc, bitter, + E. carmine.] In liistol., a stain 
made from carmine and picric acid. 
Picrodendron (pik-ro-den'dron), H. [NL. (Plan- 
chou, 1846), < mnpof, bitter, + Sevdpov, tree.] A 
genus of polypetalous trees, of the order Sima- 
rubaceie and tribe Picramniex, characterized by 
the solitary pistillate and amentaceous stami- 
nate flowers, the ovary with two pendulous 
ovules in each of the two cells, and the fruit a 
one-celled one-seeded drupe. The only species, P. 
Juglans, is a native of the West Indies, a small and exceed- 
ingly bitter tree, with alternate leaves of three leaflets, 
known as Jamaica walnut (which see, under walnut). 
picrolite (pik'ro-lit), . [< Gr. mxpof, bitter, + 
Wof, stone.] A fibrous or columnar variety of 
serpentine. 
picromerite (pik-rom'e-rit), . [< Gr. CTxpoV, 
bitter, + pepof, part, -I- -ite 2 .] A hydrous sul- 
phate of magnesium and potassium, obtained in 
monoclinic crystals and in crystalline crusts at 
the salt-mines of Stassfurt in Prussia. 
picrophyll (pik'ro-fil), n. [< MGr. m/t/ro^i 
with bitter leaves, < Gr. mitp6f, bitter, + j>i> 
leaf.] A massive, foliated or fibrous, greenish- 
gray mineral from Sala in Sweden. It is an 
altered pvroxene. 
picrophyl'lite (pik-ro-fil'it), u. [< picrophyll + 
-ite 2 . J Same as picrophyll. 
picrosmine (pik-ros'min), n. [< Gr. mnp6f, bit- 
ter, + ba/i%, odor, + -ine 2 .] A mineral occur- 
ring in fibrous massive forms, having a bitter 
argillaceous odor when moistened. It is essen- 
tially a hydrous silicate of magnesium, and is found In the 
Iron-mine of Engelsberg, near Pressnitz, in Bohemia. 
picrotoxic (pik-ro-tok'sik), a. [< picrotox-in 
+ -ic.] Of or derived from picrotoxin; hav- 
ing picrotoxin as the base : as, picrotoxic acid. 
picrotoxin, picrotoxine (pik-ro-tok'sin), n. [< 
Gr. micp6f, bitter, + rof(j/coV), poison (see toxic), 
+ -in 2 . ] A bitter poisonous principle which ex- 
ists in the seeds of Anamiria Cocculus (A. pani- 
culate), from which it is extracted by the action 
of water and alcohol. It crystallizes in small white 
needles or columns, and dissolves in water and alcohol. 
It acts as an intoxicating poison. 
Pict 1 (pikt), . [= P. Picte = It. Picti, Pitti (pi.), 
< LL. Picti (AS. Pilttas, Peohtas, pi., > So. Pccht, 
Peaght, etc.), the Picts (appar. so named from 
their practice of tattooing themselves), pi. of L. 
pictns, pp. of pingere, paint: see picture, paint ; 
but the name (LL. Picti, etc.) may be an accom. 
of a native name.] One of a race of people, of 
disputed origin, who formerly inhabited a part 
of the Highlands of Scotland and other regions. 
Their language was Celtic. The Plctsand Scotswere united 
in one kingdom about the reign of Kenneth Macalpine (in 
the middle of the ninth century). 
With Arts and Arms shall Britain tamely end, 
W Inch naked Picte so bravely could defend? 
Steele, Grief A-la-Mode, Epil. 
Plots' houses. See beehive house, under beehive 
piCt 2 (pikt), v. t. A dialectal (Scotch) form of 
pick* for pitch 2 . 
Ye'll pict her [a ship] well, and spare her not. 
Sir Patrick Spens (Child's Ballads, III. 841). 
Pictish (pik'tish), a. [< Picti + . 
pertaining to the Picts. 
. 
pictograph (pik'to-graf), . , 
painter, + Gr. yp&$uv, write.] A pictorial 
O f or 
[< L. fietor, a 
.] A pictorial 
symbol or sign, or a record or writing composed 
of such pictorial signs: as, the pictographs of 
the North American Indians. 
A large, vertical, soft rock on which pictographs are still 
to be observed, although nearly obliterated. 
Science, XI. 282. 
pictographic (pik-to-graf'ik), a. [< pictogra- 
ph-y + - lc .-\ Of or pertaining to pictography, 
le use of pictographs or pictorial signs in 
recording events or expressing thought; of the 
nature of or composed of pictographs: as, pic- 
tographic manuscripts. 
pictography (pik-tog'ra-fi), n. [< L. me* 
painter, + Gr. ypa<^uv, 'write.] Pictorial i 
nr, a 
writ- 
4470 
ing; the use of picture-symbols in recording 
events or ideas. 
Pictor (pik'tor), n. [NL., < L. pictor, a painter. 
< pint/ere, pp. pictus, paint: see picture.'] An 
abbreviated form of Equuleus pictorin (which 
see, under Equuleus). 
pictorial (pik-to'ri-al), a. [= It. pittorio, pin- 
torio, < LL. pictoriiis, < L. pictor, a painter: see 
Pictor. ,] 1 . Of or pertaining to pictures or the 
making of them ; relating to painting, drawing, 
etc.: as, the pictorial art. 2. Expressed or 
depicted in pictures; of the nature of a picture 
or of pictures ; consisting of pictures or of pic- 
tured symbols: as, pictorial illustrations; pic- 
torial writing. 3. Illustrated by or containing 
pictures or drawings: as, pictorial publications ; 
& pictorial history. 
pictorially (pik-to'ri-al-i), adv. In the manner 
of a picture ; as regards pictures ; with or by 
means of pictures or illustrations. 
pictoric, pictorical (pik-tor'ik, -i-kal), a. [= 
Srj.pictorico = It.pittorieo; < li.pictor, a painter 
(see Pictor), + -ic, -ic-al.] Same as pictorial. 
[Rare.] 
pictura (pik-tu'ra), . [L., painting, picture: 
see picture.] In zool,, the pattern of coloration ; 
the mode or style of coloring of an animal. 
Pictura differs from coloration in noting the disposition 
and effect of coloring, not the color itself. 
picturable (pik'tu-ra-bl), a. [<picture + -able.] 
Capable of being pictured or painted. Cole- 
ridge. 
pictural (pik'tu-ral), a. and n. [< picture + -al.] 
1. a. Relating to or represented by pictures. 
Foreign Quarterly Bev. 
Il.t >i. A picture. 
The second rowme, whose wals 
Were painted faire with memorable gestes 
Of famous Wisards, and with picturals 
Of Magistrates, of courts, of tribunals. 
Spenser, F. Q., II. ix. 68. 
picture (pik'tur), . [< HE.pycturc, < OF. picture, 
also peinture,' F. peinture (with n due to orig. 
inf.) = Sp. Pg. pintura = It. pittura, pintura, < 
li.pietttra, the art of painting, a painting, < pin- 
gere, fut. part, picturus, paint, = Skt. / pif, 
adorn. From L. pingere are also ult. E. paint, 
depict, Pictor, pictorial, etc., pigment, pimento, 
pint, etc.] If. The art or work of a painter; 
painting. 
Picture is the Invention of Heaven ; the most ancient, 
and most a-kin to Nature. It is It self a silent Work, And 
always of one and the same Habit ; Yet it doth so enter 
and penetrate the inmost affection (being done by an ex- 
cellent Artificer) as sometimes it overcomes the Power of 
Speech and Oratory. B. Jonson, Discoveries. 
Mr. Blemwell was allowed of Lely to have had a very 
good judgment In the art of picture, but his performances 
were not equal to his skill. Roger North. 
2. A painting intended to exhibit the image of 
any person, scene, object, etc., in the natural 
colors, and with a more or less close approxi- 
mation to the appearance of reality ; especially, 
such a painting having sufficient merit to rank 
as a work of art. 
That only should be considered a picture in which the 
spirit, not the materials, observe, but the animating emo- 
tion of many such studies, is concentrated, and exhibited 
by the aid of long studied, painfully chosen forms, ideal- 
ized in the right sense of the word. Ruskin, 
3. Hence, any resemblance or representation 
executed on a surface, as a sketch or drawing, 
or a photograph. 
The buildings they [the Romans] most used to make 
were walles for Cities, Calsies [causeways] in high wayes, 
Bridges ouer Riuers, founteines artificially made, statues, 
or greate pictures ouer gates. 
Guevara, Letters (tr. by Hellowes, 1577X p. 14. 
4. An image ; a representation as in the ima- 
gination. 
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects. Bacon. 
My eyes make pictures when they are shut. 
Coleridge, Day Dream. 
But still she heard him, still his picture form'd 
And grew between her and the pictured wall. 
Tennyson, Lancelot and Elaine. 
5. Any actual scene, group, combination, or 
play of colors, etc., considered as supplying the 
elements or as a suitable subject of a painting : 
as, the children at play formed a pretty picture. 
6. A vivid or graphic representation or de- 
scription in words. 
A complete picture and Genetical History of the Man 
and his spiritual Endeavour lies before you. 
Carlyle, Sartor Resartns, 1. 11. 
7. In entoin., a colored pattern on a white or 
clear surface : generally used in describing the 
wings of Hijmenoptera,Diptera, &uA Nettroptera. 
SeepjrfMTO.-Dissected picture. Seedtsa-ct.-Eaael- 
picture. See erweil.-Plane Of the picture. Same as 
perspective plane (which see, under perspective) 
picturesque 
picture (pik'tur), r. t. ; pret. and pp. picturittl, 
ppr. picturing. [< picture, n.] 1. To depict or 
represent pictorially. 
Your death has eyes in 's head then ; I have not seen 
him so pictured. Shak., Cymbeline, v. 4. 185. 
An Attic frieze you give, a pictured song. 
Lowell, To Miss D. T. 
2. To form a mental image or picture of ; spread 
out before the mind's eye as in a picture. 
Do picture it in my mind. Spenser. 
Father Malachi lireunan, P. P. of Carrigaholt, was what 
I had often pictured to myself as the beau ideal of his 
caste. Lever, Harry Lorrequer, vi. 
3. To depict or describe in words; give a pic- 
ture or vivid description of. 
The animated strain of Pindar, where virtue is pictured 
in the successful strife of an athlete at the Isthmian 
games. Sumner, Orations, I. 143. 
picture-board (pik'tur-bord), n. A deceptive 
painting of any object or figure on a shaped 
plank, such as a fierce dog in a garden, a bird 
on a balcony, or a porcelain bowl on a book- 
case. This conceit perhaps originated in Holland, but 
was prevalent in other countries of Europe in the eigh- 
teenth century. 
picture-book (pik'tur-buk), n. A book of pic- 
tures ; also, a book illustrated with pictures. 
To gie good lawful coin for ballants and picture-books, 
Scott, St. Ronan's Well, vi. 
The devil's picture-books. See 600*. 
pictured (pik'turd), a. [< picture + -ed%.] In 
en torn., having a definite pictura or colored pat- 
tern: said of the wings of insects. 
picture-frame (pik'tur-fram), . The more or 
less ornamental border put around a picture to 
protect it and to isolate it, by separating it 
from other pictures, the decoration of the wall, 
etc. 
picture-gallery (pik'tur-gal"e-ri), . Agallery, 
apartment, or building in wnich pictures are 
hung up or exhibited. 
picture-lens (pik'tur-lenz), 11. A large double- 
convex lens of very long focus, mounted in a 
frame, and used for examining pictures hung 
on a wall. 
picture-molding (pik'tur-m61"ding), n. Amold- 
ed strip of wood, often gilded or colored, se- 
cured to an interior wall near the ceiling to al- 
low of the convenient hanging of pictures by 
means of hooks, which fit over one of the mem- 
bers of the molding. Compare picture-rod. 
picture-mosaic (pik'tur-mo-za"ik), H. A name 
given to Roman mosaic and to mosaic imitated 
from it, especially that of the imperial factory 
at St. Petersburg, which derived its processes 
and methods from the Roman. 
picture-nail (pik'tur-nal), re. A form of nail 
the shank of which can be driven into a wall 
without the (more or less ornamental) head, 
which is afterward screwed on or slid into its 
place. 
picture-plane (pik'tur-plan), . Same a,s per- 
spective plane (which see, under perspective). 
picturert (pik'tur-er), . [<pictitre + -er^.] A 
painter. 
Zeuxis, the curious pictmer, painted a boy holding a dish 
full of grapes in his hand, done so lively that the birds, 
being deceived, flew to peck the grapes. 
Fuller, Holy State, III. xiii. 10. 
picture-rod (pik'tur-rod), n. A rod attached 
horizontally to a wall near the ceiling as a sup- 
port for pictures. Brass tubing was much used for 
this purpose ; but the picture-rod has been largely super- 
seded by the picture-molding. 
picturesque (pik-tu-resk'), a. [= V.pittoresque, 
< It.pittoresco (= Sp.pintoresco = Pg.pittoresco, 
pinturesco), < pittura, a picture, painting: see 
picture.] 1. Picture-like; possessing notably 
original and pleasing qualities such as would 
be effective in a picture ; forming or fitted to 
form an interesting or striking picture, as a 
mountain waterfall, or a pine-covered headland, 
or a gay costume amid appropriate surround- 
ings. The word does not imply the presence of the high- 
est beauty or of sublimity qualities which belong to a 
more elevated plane. 
Picturesoue properly means what is done in the style 
and with the spirit of a painter ; and it was thus, if I am 
not much mistaken, that the word was commonly em- 
ployed when it was first adopted in England. 
D. Stetcart, Philos. Essays, i. 5. 
We all know what we mean by the word picturesque as 
applied to real objects : for example, we all consider that 
a feudal castle or abbey, when it has become an ivied ruin, 
is a picturesque object. Enci/c. Brit., VII. 460. 
Measured by its hostility to our modern notions of con- 
venience, Chester is probably the most picturesque city in 
the world. Henry James, Jr., Trans. Sketches, p. 12. 
He [the traveler] will miss . . . the picturesque costumes 
to which he has become used further south. 
E. A. Freeman, Venice, p. 68. 
