prorogue 
2f. To defer ; put off ; delay. 
To promise better at the next we bring 
Promjuef disgrace, commend* nut anything. 
I!. Jtinsiin, Cynthia's Revels, Epil. 
The kings Journey Into .Scotlantl must l>e prorogued un- 
til another year, notwithstanding the gestes thereof be 
already set down. Court and Time* of Charles /., II. 207. 
3. To discontinue meetings of for a time, usu- 
ally for a period of time not expressly stated : 
used specifically of the British Parliament. 
Parliament is prorogued from session to session hy the 
sovereign's authority, either by the lord chancellor in the 
royal presence, or by commission, or by proclamation. See 
parliament and adjournment. 
The Parliament is prorogued till Michaelmas Term. 
Homll, Letters, I. v. 6. 
prorsad (pror'sad), adr. [< L. prorsiim, for- 
ward, + -art 3 .] In anal., forward; so as to be 
to or toward the front; autrorsely; cephalad: 
opposed to retrod. 
prorsal (pror'sal), a. [< L. prorsiim, forward, 
+ -/.] In aiiat., forward; anterior: the op- 
posite of retral. 
prorumpt (pro-rump'), r. i. [= OF. prorompre, 
prorumpre = Sp. i>rorumpir= Pg. pronrmper 
It. prorompere, < L. prorumpere, pp. proriiptim, 
break forth, burst out, (pro, forth, + rumpcre. 
break: see rupture.] To break forth; burst 
out. [Rare.] 
What a noise it made ! as If his spirit would have pro- 
rinii/'i with It B. Juitton, Poetaster, v. 1. 
proruption (pro-rup'shon), w. [< LL. prorup- 
tio(n-), a breaking or bursting forth, < L. pro- 
rioiipcre, pp. proruptus, break or rush forth: 
see prorump.] The act of bursting forth; a 
bursting out. [Rare.] 
Excluding but one day, the latter brood, impatient, by 
a forcible pnmiptwn anticipate their period of exclusion. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., ill. 18. 
pros. An abbreviation of prosody. 
pros-. [L., etc., pros-, < Or. n-pof-, prefix, nyxif, 
prep., from forth, from (one point) toward (an- 
other), toward, before, in presence of, hard by, 
near, etc.; earlier irpari, irori, = Skt. prati, 
toward, against, = OBulg. proti (cf. with iron 
the Zend puili); with a formative -ti, from the 
base of 71710, forth, before: see;>co-.] A prefix 
in words of Greek origin or formation, meaning 
'to,' 'toward,' 'before,' etc. 
prosaic (pro-za'ik), a. [= F. prosaii/ue = Sp. 
promt ico = Pg. It. promiico (cf. D.proeaisek = 
6. prosaisch = Sw. Dan. prowiisk), < LL. pro- 
saicus, pertaining to prose, in prose, < It. prosa, 
prose: see prone.] If. Pertaining to prose; re- 
sembling prose ; in the form of prose. 
In modern rhythm, ... be It protaie or poetic, he |the 
readcrl must expect to Hnd it governed for the greater 
part by accent. Uarrit, Phllol. Inquiries, ii. 3. 
2. Ordinary or commonplace in style or ex- 
pression; uninteresting; dull; of persons, com- 
monplace in thought; lacking imagination; 
literal. 
These prosaic lines, this spiritless eulogy, are much be- 
low the merit of the critic whom they are intended to 
celebrate. . ', Warton, Essay on Pope. (iMlham.) 
The danger of the proxaic type of mind lies In the stolid 
sense of superiority which blinds it to everything Ideal. 
Lmeett, Study Windows, p. 260. 
- Syn. 2. Vapid, flat, bald, tame, humdrum, stupid, 
prosaical (pro-za'i-kal), a. [< prosaic + -a/.] 
Same as prosaic. 
The first promicat work with which Rastell's ponderous 
folio opens is called "The Life of John Picus." 
Int. to Sir T. Mores Utopia, p. Ixxili. 
All manner of Greek writers, both metrical and protai- 
eai. 1'mlinirtti, Intellectual .System, p. 261. 
prosaically (pro-za'i-kal-i), adv. In a dull or 
prosaic manner. 
prosaicism (pro-za'i-sizra), n. [< prosaic + 
-ism.'] A prosaic style or quality. 
Through this species of protaieifm, Cowpcr, with scarcely 
any of the higher poetical elements, came very near mak- 
ing his age fancy him the equal of Pope. 
Poe, Marginalia, xxvili. (Dana.) 
prosaicness (pro-za'ik-nes), . The quality or 
character of being prosaic. 
The vulgarity and prosaicnetf of these people. 
AUteruewn, No. 3254, p. 303. 
prosaism (pro'za-izm), n. [= F. prosaisme; as 
I j. proxa, prose, -r- -ism.] A prose idiom ; a pro- 
saic phrase. Coleridge. 
prosaist i pro'za-ist), w. [< L. prosa, prose, + 
4ft.] 1. A Writer of prose. 
There is no other prosaist who possesses anything like 
Milton's command over the resources of language. 
Mark Pallium, Milton, I. 46. 
2. A prosaic or commonplace person ; one des- 
titute of poetic thought or feeling. 
4785 
Thou thyself, O cultivated reader, who too probably art 
no Psalmist, but a Protaul, knowing Hod only by tradi- 
tion. Ciirliilr. Sartor Resartus, I. 11. 
prosalt (pro'zal), a. [< OF. prosal, < ML. as if 
*prosalis, < li.'prosii, prose: see prose.] In the 
form of prose. 
I In- priest not always composed his promt raptures Into 
verse. Sir T. Brincne, Misc., p. 177. 
prosapiet, [< OF. prosapie = Sp. Pg. It. pro- 
snpia,<. Ij.prosapia, also prosapies, a stock, race, 
family.] A stock; race. [Hare.] 
My barte abhorreth that I should so 
In a woman's klrtle my self disguise, 
Beyng a manne, and begotten to 
Uf a ratnnes protapie. In manly wise. 
1'itiill. tr. of Apophthegms of Erasmus, p. 69. (Dana.) 
prosar (pro'z&r), H. [< ML. prosarium, a book 
containing tfie proses, < L. prtwi, prose: see 
jtroxe.] A service-book containing the proses. 
See prone, 3. 
proscapula (pro-skap'u-lii), n. ; pi. proscapidie 
(-le). [NL., < L. pro, before, T scapula, shoul- 
der-blade.] In iclitli., the principal and outer 
element of the scapular arch, generally carried 
forward and downward to articulate with its 
fellow of the opposite side, and supporting on 
its inner surface the cartilage or the bones 
which iii turn bear the pectoral fin. It was 
called by Cuvier humeral, by Owen coracoid, 
and by later writers elariele. 
proscapular (pro-skap'u-lar), a. [< proscapula 
+ -c3.] In iclilli., relating to the proscapula, 
or having its character. 
proscenium (pro-se'ni-um), . ; pi. proscenia 
(-&). [< L. pro.-irieniinii, proscenium, < Gr. irpo- 
rjKi/vtov, the place in front of the scene or scen- 
ery, the stage, also the fore part or entrance of 
a tent, < irpo, before, in front of,+ om/vi/, a tent, 
scene: see scene.] 1. In the ancient theater, 
the stage before the scene or back wall. 
During his time, from the Protctniutn ta'cn, 
Thalia and Melpomene lx>th vanlah'd. 
Colinan, Poetical Vagaries, p. 16. (Dariet.) 
In Asia Minor some of the theatres have their proicenia 
adorned with niches and columns, and friezes of great 
richness. J. Ferytuton, Hist. Arch., I. 271. 
2. Iii the modern theater, that part of the house 
which lies between the curtain or drop-scene 
and the orchestra: often used also to mean the 
curtain and the arch or framework which holds 
it. 
proscenium-arch (pro-se'ni-um-iirch), n. An 
arch or archway or any equivalent opening in 
the wall, which, except for this opening, is usu- 
ally built solid as a precaution in case of fire 
between the stage and the auditorium of a mod- 
ern theater. 
proscenium-box (pro-se'ni-um-boks), n. A 
stage-box ; a box in the proscenium-arch. 
proscenium-grooves (pro-se'ni-um-grovz), H. 
pi. The scenery-grooves nearest the prosceni- 
um. 
proscindt (pro-sind'), v. t. [< L. proscindere, 
tear open in front, rend, < pro, before, + sein- 
dere, cut, tear: see scission. Cf. exscind, pre- 
scind.] To rend in front. 
They did too much protcind and prostitute (as It were) 
the Imperial purple. 
Bp. Gauden, Tears of the Church, p. 573. (Dariet.) 
proscolecine (pro-skol'e-sin), a. [< proscolex 
(-PC-) + -inci.J Pertaining to a proscolex, or 
having its character. 
proscolex (pro-sko'leks), .; pi. proscoliees (-H- 
sez). [NL., < Gr. irp&, before, + oxwA^f , a worm : 
see scolex.] The first embryonic stage of a ces- 
toid, as a tapeworm, when it has been liberated 
from the egg and is a minute vesicular body 
provided with hooks or horny processes for ad- 
hering to and working its way into the tissues 
of the host. Compare deutoscolexba&proglottis. 
See cut under Tienia. 
The proKolex, or six-hooked embryo, which gives rise to 
the bladder-worm. Kncyc. Brit., XXIII. 52. 
proscolla (pros-kol'a). . ; pi. proscollee (-e). 
[XL.,< Gr. irpof, before, + P,X<i, glue.] In hot., 
a viscid gland on the upper side of the stigma 
of orchids, to which the pollen-masses become 
attached. Treat, of Hot. 
proscribe (pro-skrib'), v. t. ; pret. and pp. pro- 
si-riliril. ppr. jiroxcrihinii. [= F. proscrire = Sp. 
prostribir = Pg. proscrerer = It. prosfrin-n. ' 
L. proscribere. write before, publish, advertise, 
publish as having forfeited one's property, con- 
fiscate the property of, outlaw, prosrril>e,< pro, 
before, + srrihere, write.] 1. To publish the 
name of, as condemned to death and liable to 
confiscation of property. 
prose 
Sylla and the triumvirs never prntmbed so many men to 
die as they do by their ignorant edict*. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, ii. 100. 
2. To put out of the protection of the law ; ban- 
ish; outlaw; exile. 
Robert Vere, Earl of Oxford, was . . . banished the 
realm and protcribed. Speiarr, State of Ireland. 
3. To denounce and condemn as dangerous; re- 
ject utterly; interdict; prohibit. 
In the year 825 . . . the Arlan doctrines men protcribed 
and anathematized in the famous council of Nice. 
Watertand. 
That he who dares, when she [ Fashion | forbids, be grave, 
shall stand proncrib'd a madman or a knave. 
Cotrprr, Conversation, 1. 476. 
The king told Rochester to choose any ministers of the 
Established Church, with two exceptions. The pmcribed 
persons were Tlllotson and .StllllngHeet 
MUCH ill n >i. lllst. Eng., vl. 
= Syn. L To doom. 8. To forbid. 
proscriber (pro-skri'ber), n. One who de- 
nounces; one who dooms to destruction. 
The triumvir and protcrilirr had descended to us In a 
more hideous form than they now appear, if the Emperour 
had not taken care to make friends of him and Horace. 
Dryden, Kin-id. Ded. 
prescript (pro'skript), . [< OF. prosrript, F. 
proscrit = Sp. Pg. primeriplo = It. proncritti>, < 
L. proscriptutt, pp. of proseriliere, write before, 
etc.: see pronerioe.] 1. A proscribed person. 
2. A prohibition; an interdict. 
For whatsoeuer he were which for the diminution of the 
liberties of the church were excomtnunicat, and so con- 
tinued a yeeres space, then he should be within the dan- 
ger of this protcnpt. Foxe, Martyrs, p. 271, an. 1260. 
[Rare in both uses.] 
proscription (pro-skrip'shon), H. [< F. pro- 
scription = Sp. prottcripcion = Pg. proicripcaO = 
It. proxcrteipiir, < L. prngcriptio(n-), public no- 
tice, advertisement, proscription, < proacribere, 
pp. proncriptiiti, publish, proscribe: see pro- 
ncribe.] The act of proscribing; outlawry; 
denunciation; prohibition; exclusion; specifi- 
cally, the dooming of citizens to death as pub- 
lic enemies, and the confiscation of their goo<ls. 
The two great proscriptions in Roman history were that 
by Sulla about 82 B. c. , and that by the second triumvirate 
43 B. c. 
Ry proHeription and bills of outlawry, 
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus 
Have put to death an hundred senators. 
Shale., J. c.,lv. 3. 173. 
prescriptive (pro-skrip'tiv),. [< L. proscrip- 
tion, pp. of proscribere, publish, proscribe: see 
proscribe.'] Pertaining to or consisting in pro- 
scription; proscribing; disposed to proscribe. 
The Imperial ministers pursued with progcripfire laws 
and ineff ectual arms the rebels whom they had made. 
(Jibbon, Decline and Kail, xxxv. 
People frequently acquire In such confederacies a nar- 
row, bigoted, and proscriptirt spirit. 
Burke, ITesent Discontents. 
proscriptively (pro-skrip'tiv-li), adv. Ill a pre- 
scriptive manner. 
proscutal (pro-sku'tal), a. [<. prontut-um +ttl.] 
Of or pertaining to the proscutum. 
proscutellar (pro-sku'te-lar), a. [< prosrutcl- 
lum + -ar s .] Of or pertaining to the proscu- 
tellum. 
proscutellum (pro-sku-tel'um), .; pi. proscu- 
Mla (-&). [NL., < I,.' pro, before, + NL. scu- 
tellum,'q. v.J In entinu., the scutellum of the 
pronotum; the scutellar sclerite of the pro- 
thorax. 
proscutum (pro-sku'tum), n.; pi. proscuta (-tft). 
[NL., < L. pro, before, + NL. scutum, q. v.] 
In entom., the scutum of the pronotum; the 
scutal sclerite of the prothorax. 
prose (proz), H. and a. [< ME. prose, < OF. 
prose, F. prose = Sp. Pg. It. prosa = D. proza 
= OHG. prosa, MHG. prose, G. prosa = Icel. 
prosa = Sw. Dan. prosa, < L. prosa, prose, 
short for prosa oratio, straightfons-ard or di- 
rect speech (i. e. without transpositions or or- 
namental variations as in verse) : proxa, tern. 
of prosus, contr. of prorsvs, straightforward, 
direct, contr. of "prorersus, < pro, forth, + ver- 
sus, turned, pp. of vertere, turn (> versus (ver- 
sa-), a turning, a line, verse) : see verxe. The 
element vers- is thus contained, though in dif- 
ferent applications, in both verse and prose. 
Cf. Gr. ffffor *>of or Jrrf^ ?.f f ic , L. jiede stris ora- 
tio, prose, lit. 'speech afoot' (not 'mounted' 
or elevated).] I. M. 1. The ordinary written 
or spoken language of man; language not con- 
formed to poetical measure, as opposed to verse 
or metrical composition. See poetry. 
"Sire, at o word, thou shalt no longer ryme." . . . 
- 1 u<>! yow telle a litel thyng in prone- 
That oghte liken yow, as I suppose." 
Chaucer, JToL to Tale of Melibeus, 1. 19. 
