pllUB 
in any way distinguished from those which col- 
Ifc'tivrly eover the body. pm gossypll, cotton. 
Pill tactllei, tactile hair*. See AoirT. 
pilwet, A Middle Kiinlixh form of ]>illov. 
pily (pi'li), a. [< OF. 'pile, < pile, a pile: see 
I'H'-.) In AT., divided into a number of piles 
set Hide by Bide, gome qualifying term eipremen their 
petition If they do not point In a parallel direction and 
downward. The number of piles limit alio be mentioned 
In the blaion.- Barry plly. 8oe tarry*.- Kly paly, In 
her., plh/ of the ordinary sort that l>, baring the small 
pllra reaching from the top to the bottom of the shield. 
*!*, pain fily, 
Pimtlvdus macuLituj. 
, 
plmaric (pi-mar'ik), a. [< L. pi(nus), pine, + 
mar(itimiu), maritime, + -if.] Derived from 
or occurring in the maritime pine: as, jtimarie 
Pimelea (pi-me'le-ft), n. [NL. (Banks, 1801), so 
called with ref .to'tne oily seeds and leaves; < Gr. 
irifir'/f/, fat.] A genus of apetalous shrubs of 
the order Thynulieacete and tribe Euthymclaea, 
known by the two stamens, all others of the fam- 
ily havingfour.eight.ormore. There are 76pecles, 
natives tit Australia and New Zealand, slender branching 
ihrobt with tough stringy bark. They bear (mail oppo*it 
or Mattered learet, and white, pink, or yellow Dowers In 
terminal or axillary In volucrate clusters, each flower four* 
lobed. funnel-shaped, and without the appendages usual 
In the order, followed by a amall fruit with thick rind and 
berry-like pulp. Many species are cultivated as beautiful 
greenhouse evergreens, of about 3 feet In height, under 
the name rice-flower. Others are known In Australia as 
timghbtirk. and can be used for textile purposes, especially 
P. aiijiirra, the curryjong, a tall smooth shrub. Several 
attain a height of about 10 feet, as P. drupacea, the Vic- 
torian bird -cherry. 
Pimelepteridae (pim'e-lep-ter'i-de), n. pi. [NL. , 
< Pimeirjitertui + -ids?.] A family of percoide- 
ous acanthopterygian fishes, typified by the ge- 
nus 1'iiHili jit' nix. The body Is oral, compressed, and 
developed nearly eonally above and below ; the scales are 
small, adherent, and extending over the vertical fins ; the 
lateral line Is uninterrupted ; and the teeth are generally 
Inclsorlal or compressed. The species are inhabitants of 
tropical and temperate seas. Also called Cyphofidjr. 
Pimelepterinae (pim-e-lep-te-ri'ne), n. pi. 
[NL., < Pimelepterus + -itue.] 'A subfamily of 
Snaridie, typified by the genus Pimelejiterus. 
They have the front teeth Inclslform or lanceolate, and 
with horizontal Imckwardly projecting bases, behind which 
are smaller ones ; vomeriue teeth are present ; and the soft 
fins are densely scaly. All the i>cclca are by some referred 
to one genus. Pimelrpltrtu, while others distinguish two or 
more additional genera. 
Pimelepterus (pim-e-lep'te-rus), n. [NL. (La- 
eepede, 1802), \ Or. iriftt/L//, fat, + irrepdv, wing, 
jtrfpvf, wing, fin.] The typical genus of Pi- 
melepteridse, having the skin and scales en- 
and four mental barbell, typical of the subfamily Pimelo- 
dintt. 
pimentt, . [< ME. piment, pyment, < OF._jp- 
iii' nl, < ML. jiiiimi ilium, spiced wine, spice: 
see pigment.'] Wine with a mixture of spice 
or honey, once a favorite beverage. Also pig- 
ment. 
He sente hire pyment. meeth, and spiced ale. 
Chaucer. Miller's Tale, 1. 192. 
C snta 1 (pi-men'tft), n. Same as pimento. 
enta 2 (pi-men'tA), [NL- (Lindley, 1821), 
< 8p. pimenta, allspice (a related tree): see 
pimento.} A genus of fragrant trees of the 
myrtle family, order Ifyrtacete and tribe Myr- 
tea, characterized by the circular or spirally 
twisted embryo, and from one to six ovules pen- 
dulous from the summit of each of the two cells 
of the ovary. There are 5 species, natives of tropical 
America. They bear large and coriaceous feather-veined 
leaves, and many small flowers in axillary cymes. For 
P. acrii, called Mack cinnamon, etc., sec Itayberry, 8, bay- 
rum, and mid clove (under cl<:rr<). For the Important P. 
officinalif, see pimento. 
pimento (pi-men'to), n. [Also pimenta ; < Sp. 
pimiento, the pepper-plant, capsicum, pimienta, 
the fruit of this plant, applied also to Pimenta 
o$cma/w,_Jamaica pepper, = Pg. pimento, pi- 
Pimpla 
ever, inadequate ; the word is appar. of low 
slang origin, without any recorded basis.] One 
who provides others with the means and oppor- 
tunity of gratifying their lusts; a pander. 
pimp 1 (pimp), v. i. [< pimp 1 , n.] To provide 
for others the means of gratifying lust ; pander. 
But when to sin our biassed nature leans, 
The careful Devil Is still at hand with means, 
And providently pimpt for ill desires. 
Dryden, Abs. and Achlt., L 81. 
pimp 2 (pimp), n. [Origin obscure.] A small 
bavin. See the quotation. 
Here they make those . . . small light bavins which are 
used In taverns In London to light their faggots, and are 
called In the taverns a Brush, and by the wood-men Pimp*. 
Dtfoe, Tour thro' Great Britain, I. 138. (Damn.) 
pimpernel (pim'per-nel), n. [Early mod. E. 
pympernel; < ME. pympyrnel, pimpernel, pym- 
pernolle = D. pimpernel = MHO. pimpenelle, 
oebeneUe, etc., G. pimpernelle. < OF. pimper- 
nelle, F. pimpinellt, pimprenelle = Cat. pampi- 
nella = Sp. pimpinela = Pg. pimpinella = It. pim- 
pinella, Piedmontese pampinela, pimpernel, < 
ML. pimpinella, pimpernella, pinpenella, penpi- 
IK In. also 1:11 in i mi i Hi i and pampinaria (simulat- 
ing L. pampinus, a tendril), with unorig. m or n; 
also pipinella, pipenella, pippinella, pippenella, 
ptponella, pybenella, pipenula, etc., with initial 
p (due to influence of the following p) for orig. 
initial b; also bipinella, bibinella, Trimpinella, 
iibanella, prop, 'bipennella or bipennvla, pim- 
pernel (also burnet). lit. ' the two-winged lit- 
tle plant,' so called by confusion with burnet, 
which has from two to four scale-like bracts at 
the base of the calyx ; < L. bipennis, two- winged : 
see bipcnnatc.] If. The garden-burnet ; Pote- 
rium Sanguisorba. 2. The burnet-saxifrage, 
Pimpinella Saxifraga. 3f. The self heal, Uru- 
menta = F. piment, pepper (capsicum), . --- . . , 
pigmcntum, spice: see pigment.] 1. Allspice, " vulgaris.*. A plant, Anagallts anensis. 
the berry of Pimenta officinal ( Eugenia 1'imen- of the primrose family, sometimes distinguished 
to), a tree, native of the West Indies, but cul- red or scarlet pimpernel, a native of the north- 
ern Old World and introduced into the United 
States and elsewhere. It is a neat procumbent herb 
with a wheel-shaped corolla, red In color, varying to pur- 
ple, white, or blue. The flowers close at the apiiroach of 
bad weather, whence it is named poor j?wm'(or nh 
, white, or blue. The flowers close at the apiiroach of 
weather, whence it is named poor j?wm'(or nhephcrd's) 
weather-glass; it la also called red chickwefd. John yi>-tn- 
bed-at-noon, etc. The name Is extended also to the other 
species of the genus, as A . ten ella, the bog-pimpernel, and 
A. ccerulea (A. Monelii), the Italian or blue pimpernel, a 
garden species from souther n Europe, with large flowers, 
deep-blue shaded with pink. See cut under ci'rrunutrum'/e. 
Bastard pimpernel .Sameasc/in/iwd.- False pim- 
pernel. See Jlymnthe*. Italian pimpernel See def. 
Bcmnda Chub it'irrtrirfttrHt or 
croaching on the domal and anal fins, which 
are consequently thickened, whence the name. 
These fishes are partly herbivorous, and the species are 
numerous In all warm seas. P. (or Ci/pAww) 6or< ex- 
tends from the Isthmus of I'anama along the Atlantic coast 
as far north as Massachusetts. 
pimelite (pim'e-lit), n. [< Gr. mfitM/, fat, + 
/iii-i' . stone.] A mineral of an apple-green col- 
or, fat and unctuous to the toucn, tender, and 
not fusible by the blowpipe. It is a hydrous 
silicate containing some nickel. 
pimelitis (pim-i-li'tU), i. [NL., < Gr. m/irty, 
fat, + -inn.] Inflammation of adipose tissue. 
pimelode (pim'e-lod), n. Any catfish of the 
genus I'lniilniliix. 
Pimelodinae (pim'e-lo-d!'ne), n. pi. [Nl... < 
rniiiliiiliix + -i/r.] A subfamily of catfishes 
of the family SiliiHila-, typified by the genus 
I'lHiiltnlux, having the anterior and posterior 
nostrils remote from each other and without 
barbels. Some have a long spatnlate snout, and In 
others the adipose fln Is highly developed. They are char- 
acteristic of tropical waters, especially of South America, 
when they represent the catflshes of North America. A 
few species are African. 
pimelodine (pi-mel'o-din), a. and n. I. a. Be- 
longing to the subfamily Pimelodin. 
EL. . A cat fish of the subfamily J'imrlcxItHr. 
Pimelodus (i>ira-*.-16'du), n. [NL. (LaclpMe), 
i.r. - lt u'f2>6tK, fatty, < xiiuUi, fat, + eUar., 
form.] A ifi-nuH of siluridi, to which very dif- 
ferent limits have been assigned. j n the old 
4, above. Sea- or seaside-pimpernel, a sandwort, Are- 
naria pepluidet. Water -pimpernel, the brookweed, 
Samulun Valrrandi. See SanuJltu. The name has also 
authors It wa a very heterogeneous group, embracing a 
vast number of species and Including the common cat. 
Kahea of the North American lakes and streams, as well 
a. those of the *.th American, and various others. It 
was gradually reduced, and la now restricted to Houth 
American and Central American f..nns with two maxillary 
Branch of Pimento (Pimtula tfltfHaUt), with Fruits. 
a, flower ; *, flower In longitudinal section, the stamens removed : 
f, fruit 
tivatd almost exclusively in Jamaica, whence 
called Jamaica pepper. The unripe berries, which 
are of about the size of a pea, are dried In the sun. The 
shell Incloses two seeds, which are roundish and dark- 
brown, and have a weak aromatic taste and smell, thought 
to resemble a mixture of those of cinnamon, cloves, and 
nutmeg, whence the name allspice. 1'lmento Is a warm, 
aromatic stimulant, used chiefly as an adjuvant to tonics 
and purgatives. Both the fruit and the leaves yield an 
essential oil closely resembling oil of cloves and often 
substituted for it. The name pimento Is sometimes used 
to Include P. am*. 
2. The tree yielding this spice, a beautiful 
much-branching evergreen, 30 feet in height. 
pimento-walk (pi-men'td-wak), n. In Jamaica, 
a plantation of allspice or Jamaica pepper. 
pimgenett (pim'je-net), n. [Also pimgennet, 
pimainil. piiijinnet; origin obscure.] A pimple 
on tne face. [Slang.] 
Is It not a manly exercise to stand licking his lips Into 
rubles, painting his cheeks Into cherries, parching his 
pimginiit, carbuncles, and buboes? 
Dunton'i Ladia Dictionary, 1884. (Karet.) 
pimlico (pim'li-ko), n. [Imitative. Cf. pem- 
rViV.l The Australian friar-bird, Tropido- 
rnynchiis cornimlatu* : so called from its cry. 
See leatkerhead, 2, and cut under friar-bird. 
pimp 1 (pimp), n. [Origin unknown ; according 
to Skeat perhaps orig. ' a fellow,' < F. pimper, 
dress up smartly (= Pr. pimpar, pipar, ren- 
der elegant); cf. pimpunt. ppr., smart, spruce; 
appar. a nasalized form of piper, pipe, beguile, 
i-ni-iit, also excel; cf. Pr. pimpa, a pipe, bird- 
call, snare : see pipe* . This explanation is, how- 
been applied to Veronica lieccatrunga and V. Anagattis. 
Yellow pimpernel. See Lyamacltia. 
Pimpinella (pim-pi-nel 'ft), . [NL. (Rivinus, 
1099), < ML. pimpinella, pimpernel : see pimper- 
nel.'] A genus of umbelliferous plants of the 
tribe Ammineee and subtribe Evamminetf, char- 
acterized by the narrow ribs of the fruit, the 
two-cleft carpophore, and the usually obsolete 
bracts and calyx-teeth. There are 75 species, widely 
distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and South 
Africa, with a few In South America. They are usually 
smooth perennial herbs, with pinnate or decompound 
leaves, and compound umbels of white or yellow flowers. 
For the three most important upecies, see anise, street cu- 
min (under cumin), pimpernel, breakstone, and mini. 
pimping (pim'ping), a. [Cf. G. pimpelig, pim- 
pettch, sickly, weak, little, < pimpeln, be weak, 
moan; cf. pirn, imitative of the sound of a bell. 
Cf.alsopwnp 2 .] Little; petty; sickly. [Colloq.] 
He had no paltry arts, no pimping ways. Crabbt. 
' Was I so little ?" asked Margaret. " Yes, and pimp 
* ~ - - jJa: 
enough." 
S. Judd, Margaret, 
Ml 
., 1. 4. 
Pimpla (pim'plil), . [NL. (Fabricius, 1804), 
< Gr. Ili/zirXa, usually lli/iit~*tta, Pimplea, a city 
and fountain in Pieria sacred to the Muses.] 
RlnK-leapd Ftmpb (Pimfta a*tiftit. 
f , male bdonen : o, female. (Lines show natural !.> 
