Promeropinae 
Promeropinae (prom'e-ro-pi'ne), H. pi. [NL., 
< Pronterops + -in?.j A subfamily of birds, 
named from the genus Promerops by G. R. Gray 
in 184/. It has included heterogeneous elements, and 
is little used. In 1861) Uray made it the second subfamily 
of Nectariniidx, containing Promeropg, jEthopyga, etc., 
thus embracing birds now referred to two different fami- 
lies, Mcliphayida and Xeelariniitlx. It was called ftilu- 
turiner by Cabanis, 1850. 
Promerops (prom'e-rops), n. [NL. (Brisson, 
1760), < (Jr. np6, before, + ptpaty, a bird, the bee- 
4767 
f Premtroft 
eater: see Merops.] 1. In or- 
nith., a generic name variously 
used, (a) Applied to many dirt emit 
tcnuirostral or slender-billed birds of 
the passerine families Paradiseidx. 
Meliphayidte, and Nectariniidtr, and 
of the pfcartun family Upupidx, as of 
the genera Epimachu*, Cinnyris, Irri- 
sor, and others not specially related. 
(b) Properly restricted to an African 
genus of oscine passerine birds of the 
family Melipha<jidx and subfamily 
MeUpluujinir, having a slender curved 
bill about twice as long as the head 
and not bristled, unfeathered opercu- 
lated nostrils, scnteUate tarsi, and ex- 
tremely long tail. The type is the 
Cape promerops, P. cafer, of South 
Africa ; there is a second species, P. 
gurneyi. Also called falcineilus, and 
Ptiloturug or Ptilurug. 
2. [/. c.] A species of the ge- 
nus Promeropt, in any sense ; a promerope. 
promesset, '. A Middle English form of prom- 
ise. 
promethea (pro-me'the-a;, n. [NL. : see Pro- 
metheus.] In entom., same as prome tlicus. 
Promethean (pro-me'the-an), a. and n. [< L. 
Promethean, of or pertaining to Prometheus, < 
Prometheus, < Gr. Hpoftr/t)ci'(, Prometheus, lit., 
according to the usual explanation, ' Fore- 
thinker' (brother to 'Eirtfuioevf, Epimetheus, 
' Afterthinker'), cf. irpour/Ofy;, forethinking, 
provident, < vpo, before, 4- fuiSelv, pres. fiavBA- 
vctv, learn, find out (or, as commonly supposed, 
//7/tfof, counsel, providence, fii/6eoflai, intend, de- 
vise, ft^rtf, counsel, all ult. < i/ fa, think). In 
another view this is merely popular etymology, 
the name being compared with Skt.pramantnu, 
a stick which by friction produces fire.] I. n. 
1. Of, pertaining to, or resembling Prometheus 
in Greek mythology, who showed men various 
arts, including the use of fire, and by the will 
of Zeus was chained to a rock and tortured by 
a vulture. 
These vultures in my breast 
Gripe my Promethean heart both night and day. 
Quarles, Emblems, tv. 14. 
I know not where is that Prtnnethe.au heat 
That can thy light relume, slink., Othello, v. 2. 12. 
Protnethean flre 
Is quite extinct in them ; yea, vse of sence 
Hath within them noe place of residence. 
Timef Whittle (E. E. T. S.), p. 67. 
2. [/. c.] In entom., of or pertaining to the pro- 
metheus; being or known as the prometheus: 
as, a promethean silkworm. 
II. n. [I. c.] A small glass tube containing 
sulphuric acid, and surrounded by an inflamma- 
ble mixture which it ignited on being pressed : 
formerly used for affording a ready light, 
prometheus (pro-me'thus), n. [NL., < L. Pro- 
n/etlieiis, <Gr. Ify>o//)/ft -if , Promet neus : seo I'm- 
methean.] 1. In entom.: (a) The popular name 
and also the technical specific name of a large 
silk-spinning moth, . I ttocn* jinin/cllieus, or Telea 
or ( 'allortamia promethea. The male moth is of a dark 
rich smoky or amber brown, the female of a lighter rusty 
or reddish brown. In both sexes the wings are crossed by 
a wavy whitish line near the middle, and have a wide clay- 
colored border. Near the tips of the fore wings there is 
an eye-like spot within a bluish-white crescent, and in 
the female there is an angular reddish-white spot, edged 
with black, near the middle of each wing. The eggs are 
laid in little clusters of five or six upon twigs in the spring. 
The larva or worm is delicate Mulsh-white with a faint 
prninescence, with four black tubercles on the thorax. It 
feeds on ash, sassafras, wild cherry, lilac, maple, plum, 
poplar, birch, and other trees. The cocoon is oblong, 
dense, gray, and remarkable for the long tough band of 
silk which suspends it and which is securely wrapped 
around the supporting twig. Also promethea, promfthia. 
Promethean Silkworm (Attaeus fromttktus). 
a. larva of third stage, natural size : A. head of larva of fourth stage, 
enlarged ; i , side view of segment of larva of fourth stage, enlarged : 
rf. full-grown larva, natural size. 
(ft) [cap.] A genus of moths. Buhner, 1826. 
2. In ornith., the Blackburnian warbler, I)en- 
drceca blac kburnise : KO named by Cones from 
the flame color of the breast. 
prominence (prom'i-nens), . [< OF. promi- 
nence = Sp. Pg. promincncia = It. prominenza, 
< L. prominentia, a projection, < prominen(t-)s, 
ppr. of prominfre, jut out : see prominent.] 1. 
The property of being prominent ; a standing 
or jutting out from the surface of something; 
also, that which juts out; protuberance: as, the 
prominence, of a joint ; the prominence of a rock 
or cliff; the prominences of the face. 
It shows the nose and eye-brows, with the several promi- 
nences and fallings In of the features. 
Addison, Ancient Medals, III. 
2. The state of being conspicuous; conspicu- 
ousness; distinction; notorietv Canine, men- 
tal, etc., prominence. See the adjectives. Promi- 
nence Of Doyere. Same as eminence q/ Doytre. (which 
see, under eminence). Solar prominence, one of the 
great clouds of incandescent hydrogen seen during a to- 
tal eclipse on the edge of the sun's dlfik, and at other 
times observable with the spectroscope. = 8yn, 1. Projec- 
tion, bulge, process, eminence. 
prominency (prom'i-nen-si), n. [As promi- 
nence (see -cy).] Same as prominence. 
prominent (prom'i-nent), a. and n. [< OF. 
prominent = Sp. Pg. It. prominente, < L. promi- 
nen(t-)y, ppr. of prominere, project, jut out, < 
pro, forth, + 'minere, project, jut. Cf. eminent, 
imminent.] I. a. 1. Standing out beyond the 
line or surface of something; jutting; protu- 
berant; in high relief: as, & prominent figure 
on a vase. 
It compresses hard 
The prominent and most unsightly bones, 
And binds the shoulders flat 
Cooper, Task, li. 588. 
2. In entom. : (a) Raised above the general sur- 
face: as, prominent eyes. (6) Projecting hori- 
zontally : as, prominent angles of the prothorax. 
The head of an Insect is said to be prominent when iU 
upper surface Is horizontal and continuous with that of 
the thorax. 
3. Standing out so as to be easily seen ; most 
visible or striking to the eye ; conspicuous : as, 
the figure of a man ia prominent in the picture. 
The side of things which is most prominent when they 
are looked at from European soil may not always be the 
most i>f"ii>iii> nt when they are looked at from American 
oil. K. A. Freeman, Amer. LecU., p. 8. 
4. Standing out from among the multitude; 
distinguished above others: as, a prominent 
citizen. = Syn. 1 Projecting, bulging. 4. Eminent, 
leading. 
II. u. If. A promontory. 
(The winds asleepe) he freely ponres, till highest Promi- 
nent*, 
Hill tops, low meddowes, and the fields, that crowne with 
most contents 
The toiles of men, sea- ports, and shores, are hid. 
Chapman, Iliad, xii. 
2. One of certain bombycid moths; a tooth- 
back or pebble. The American red-humped promi 
nent is Xntodonta amdnna; the European coxcomb promi- 
nent is .V. camrlina. See cut under Xotodonta. 
promise 
prominently (prom'i-nent-li), adv. In a promi- 
nent manner; so as to" stand out beyond the 
other parts; eminently; in a striking manner; 
conspicuously. 
promiscuity (pro-mis-ku'i-ti), . [= F. promts- 
cuite = Pg. promincuitlade = It. promiscuity, < 
L. promigcuutt, mixed, not separated: see pro- 
miscuous.] 1. Promiscuousness; confusion; in- 
discriminate mixture. 
The God-abitractloni of the modern polytheism are 
nearly In as ud a state of perplexity and promiscuity as 
were the more substantial deities of the Creeks. 
Pot, Marginalia, Ixxv. (Daciei.) 
Lady Charlotte . . . was fond of flooding the domestic 
hearth with all the people possessed of any sort of a name. 
. . . Mr. Wynnstay loathed sueh promiscuity. 
Mrt. Humphry Ward, Robert Elsmere, ivil. 
2. Promiscuous sexual union, as among some 
races of people. 
Promiscuity may be called indefinite polyandry joined 
with Indefinite polygyny : and one mode of advance is by 
a diminution of the indeflnltenesa. 
//. Spencer, Prin. of Sociol., | 297. 
promiscuous (pro-mis'ku-us), a. [= OF. pro- 
miseue = Sp. Pg. It. promiscuo. < li.promixcuug, 
mixed, not separated, < pro, forth, -I- miscere, 
mix: see mix 1 .] 1. Consisting of parts or indi- 
viduals grouped together without order; min- 
gled indiscriminately ; confused. 
Distinction in prowucuovg Noise is drown 'd. 
Cangreve, On the Taking of Namure. 
In rushed at once a rude promitnuna crowd. 
Dryden, Pal. and Arc., ill. 551. 
He went on contentedly enough, picking up a prmiiaeu- 
oui education chiefly from things that were not intended 
for education at all. Georye Eliot, Mill on the Floss, I. 4. 
2. Forming part of a mingled or confused crowd 
or mass. 
This, like the public inn, provides a treat 
Where each promiscuous guest sits down to eat. 
Crabbe, The Newspaper. 
3. Distributed or applied without order or dis- 
crimination ; common; indiscriminate; not re- 
stricted to one individual: as, promixcuotis sex- 
ual intercourse. 
Heaps on heaps expire ; 
Nations with nations mixed confusedly die, 
And lost In one promucuoiu carnage He. 
Addison, The Campaign. 
4. Casual; accidental. [Prov. Eng.] 
I walked In, gentlemen, just to say good mornln'. and 
went, In a penniscuoui manner, up stairs, and Into the 
back room. Dicteni, Pickwick Papers, xxxlv. 
= Syn. 1. Prtnnincuouf, Mitcellaneovt. Prvmiacuout em- 
phasizes the complete lack of arrangement ; iiiiscetlantmM 
the throwing together of different kinds. Hence we speak 
of promiscvoug, but not of mvtceUaneotu, confusion ; of 
inwfellanecrus, not promi*cu<ntt, articles in a magazine. A 
work-bag contains a mitrrUannnix collection of thlngr, 
which should never be allowed to become promieeuovt. 
It Is an argument of a loose and ungoverned mind to be 
affected with the promiscuous approbation of the general- 
ity of mankind. *i,.l, . Spectator, No. 188. 
What the people but a herd confused, 
A miscellaneous rabble? Milton, P. R., ill. 50. 
promiscuously (prp-mis'ku-us-li), adv. In a 
promiscuous manner; in a crowd or mass with- 
out order; with confused mixture ; indiscrimi- 
nately ; without distinction of kinds or individ- 
uals. 
Like beasts and birds promiscuously they join. Pope. 
promiscuousness (pro-mis'ku-us-nes), n. The 
state or character of being promiscuous, or of 
being mixed without selection, order, or dis- 
tinction. 
promise (prom 'is), . [Early mod. E. also 
promys, promeg; < ME. promys,promesse, < OF. 
promegse, F. promesse = Sp. promesa = Pg. It. 
promessa, < ML. promissa, f., L. promigsvm, 
neut., a promise, fern, and neut. of L. promising, 
pp. of promittere, send or put forth, let go for- 
ward, say beforehand, promise: see promit.] 
1. A declaration in reference to the future, 
whether written or verbal, made bjr one person 
to another, purporting to assure the latter that 
the former will do or forbear from a specified 
act, or cause it to be done or refrained from ; 
a declaration intended to give to the person to 
whom it is made assurance of his right to expect 
from the promisor the thing promised; especial- 
ly, a declaration that something shall be done or 
given for the benefit of the promisee or another. 
In law, a promise is not binding in such sense as to be 
directly enforceable through the courts, unless made 
upon a consideration good or valuable ; in which case the 
promise and the consideration together form a contract 
or agreement (if under seal, termed a covenant) which 
binds the promisor, and It may be his legal representa- 
tives, and gives the promisee, and In some cases a third 
person for whose benefit the promise was made, the right 
lo enforce it by suit, or to recover damages for Its breach. 
