proselytist 
proselytist (pros'o-li-tist i, n. [< proselyte + 
-ixl. J A proselytizer. 
The Mormon proxelijtutt* report unusual success In their 
missionary work. New York Evangelist, June 22, 1870. 
proselytize (pros'e-li-tiz), r. ; pret. and pp. 
l>rsrlytl;c(l, ppr. proselytizing. [< proselyte + 
-/-<".] I. triniH. To make a proselyte of; induce 
to become the adherent of gome religion, doc- 
trine, sect, or party; convert. 
If his grace be one of these whom they endeavour to 
prtHteltiiiz*. he ought to be aware of the character of the 
sect whose doctrines he is invited to embrace. 
Burke, To a Noble Lord. 
II. intraiis. To make proselytes or converts. 
As he was zealously proselytizing at Medina, news came 
that Abusophian Ben-Uareth was going Into Syria. 
L. Addison, Mahomet (1879), p. 71. 
Man is emphatically a proselytising creature. 
Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, I. 2. 
The egoism of the Englishman is self-contained. He 
does not seek to pnntclyti#e. 
R. L. Stevenson, The foreigner at Home. 
Also spelled proselytise. 
proselytizer (pros'o-li-ti-zer), w. One who 
makes or endeavors to make proselytes. Also 
spelled proselytiser. 
There Is no help for it; the faithful prosclytiier, if he 
cannot convince by argument, burst* into tears. 
Thackeray, Vanity Fair, xxxill. 
prose-man (proz'man), . A writer of prose ; 
a proser. 
All broken poets, all prose-men that are fallen from small 
sense to mere letters, lleau. and Fl., Woman-Hater, IT. 2. 
Verse-man or prose-man, term me which you will. 
Pope, Imlt. of Horace, II. I. 84. 
Let them rally their heroes, send forth all their powers, 
Their verse-men and prone-men, then match them with 
ours. Garrick, quoted In Boswell's Johnson, II. 53. 
proseminary (pro-sem'i-na-ri), n. ; pi. prosetn- 
inarica (-riz). [< pro-, before, + seminary.] A 
preparatory seminary ; a school which prepares 
students to enter a higher school or seminary. 
Merchant Taylors' School in London was then just 
founded as a proseminary for Saint John's College, Oxford, 
in a house culled the Manour of the Rose. 
T. Warton, Hist. Eng. Poetry. 
proseminate (pro-scm'i-nat),r. t.; pret. and pp. 
liro.tcminated, ppr. proeeminattng. [< L. pro- 
."cin hiatus, pp. of proscmiiiare, sow, scatter 
about, (.pro, forward, + scminare, sow: seesem- 
iiinlc.] To sow; scatter abroad, as seed. 
Not only to oppose, but corrupt the heavenly doctrine, 
and to proseminate his curious cockles, dissensions, and 
factions. Evelyn, True Religion, II. 222. 
prosemination (pro-sem-i-na'shpn), w. [< pro- 
seminate + -ion.] Propagation by seed. 
We are not, therefore, presently to conclude every vege- 
table spout r natuni, because we see not its prosemination. 
Sir M. Hale, Orig. of Mankind, p. 208. 
prosencephalic (pros*en-se-fal'ik or pros-en- 
sef'a-lik),rt. [(prosencephalon + -ie.] 1. Per- 
taining to the prosencephalon or fore-brain. 
2. Pertaining to the forehead or fore part of 
the head; frontal: applied to the next to the 
first one of four cranial vertebras or segments 
of the skull. Owen. 
prosencephalon (pros-en-sef a-lon), . [NL., 
< Gr. ftftc, before, 4- eyittjator,, the brain.] 1. 
(a) The fore-brain; the cerebral hemispheres, 
together with the callosum, striate bodies, and 
fornix. It may also include the rhinencepha- 
lon. (b) All of the parts developed from the 
anterior of the three primary cerebral vesicles, 
including, in addition to those of (a), the thala- 
mencephalon. Also called procercbriim. 2. 
The second cranial segment, counting from be- 
fore backward, of the four of which the head 
has been theoretically assumed to be composed. 
See cuts under encep'lutlon and Petromyzontidse. 
prosenchyma (pros-eng'ki-mS), n. [NL., < Or. 
rr/im, to, toward, + l)xv[ta(T-), that which is 
poured in, an infusion: see enchymatous and 
piirenrliymii.] In hot., the fibrovascular svstem 
or tissue of plants ; the cells and modified cells 
which constitute the frame work of plant s, as dis- 
tinguished from parenchyma, or the cells which 
constitute the soft tissues of plants. See pa- 
renehi/mii. In most of the lower plants it is barely If at 
all developed, but in the higher plants It exists as a skele- 
ton which brings all the parts into closer relation. The 
solid wood of trunks and the veins of leaves are familiar 
examples. As in parenchyma, the cells composing this 
tissue are very various in form, size, etc., and have been 
minutely classified, yet they may be reduced to a few com- 
paratively simple types. These cells, which are normally 
of considerable length in proportion to the transverse di- 
ameter, are generally more or less sharply pointed, and are 
divided into typical wood-cells and woody fibers (includ- 
ing libtiionn cull and secondary wood-cflliO and vasiform 
wood-evils or tracheuls. The most important modifica- 
tion is that in which cells belonging to this system unite 
4787 
to form long rows in which the terminal partitions are 
nearly or quite obliterated, throwing the cavities hit ie, 
forming a duct. These ducts or vessels may be dotted, 
spirally marked, annular, reticulated, or trabecular. A 
modification In a different direction produces bast-cells, 
bast-tlbers, or liner-fibers. See also wood-cell, libriforin 
cells (under liur\form\ uas\form tracheidt (under traclieidi, 
duel, 2 (6), borfl, 2, lifter 1, 1. 
prosenchymatous (pros-eng-kim'a-tus), a. [< 
prosenehyiiM(t-) + -ous.] In hot., like or be- 
longing to prosenchyma. 
According to the amount of surface-growth and thick- 
ening of the cell-wall, various forms of parenchymatous 
and prose nchymatvui tissue result. Kncye. Brit., IV. 83. 
proser (pro'z6r), H. [< prose + -crl.] If. A 
writer of prose. 
And surely Nashe. though he a prater were, 
A branch of laurel yet deserves to bear. 
Drrt'fli'ii, Poets and Poesy. 
(See also second quotation under prose, r. i., 1.] 
2. One who proses or makes a tedious narra- 
tion of uninteresting matters. 
But Saddletree, like other praters, was blessed with a 
happy obtusenessof iierceptlon concerning the unfavour- 
able impression which he sometimes made on his auditors. 
Scott, Heart of Mid- Lothian, xxvli. 
Proserpina (pros-er-pi'nS), . [NL., < L. Pro- 
serpinti: see Proserpine.] A genus of gastro- 
pods, typical of the family Prosrrpinidx. 
Proserpinaca (pros'fcr-pi-na'kii), H. [NL. (Lin- 
nteus, 1753), so called because of its partly 
prostrate habit; < L. proscrpinaca, a plant, 
J'oli/t/oiiHin ai'iculare, < proscrpere, creep for- 
ward, creep along, \ pro, forward, + serj>ere, 
creep: see serjtent.] A genus of polypotalous 
water-plants of the order Halorayeie. It Is charac- 
terized by the absence of petals, and by the numerical sym- 
metry in threes, having usually a three-sided calyx-tube, 
three calyx-lobes, three stamens, three stigmas, and for 
fruit a three-angled three seeded nutlet. There arc but 
2 species, natives of North America, Including the West 
Indies. They are smooth and low-growing aquatics, bear- 
Ing alternate lanceolate leaves, pectinately toothed or rut, 
and minute sessile axillary flowers. They are named mer- 
maid weed, doubtless from their comb-like leaves and 
growth in water. 
Proserpine (pros'i-r-pin), n. [= F. Proserpine. < 
L. Proserpina, OL. Prosepna, corrupted from Gr. 
lltpaafxh'!/, also llrparijiAve 10, Proserpine (sec def .), 
traditionally explained as 'bringer of death,' 
< Qipetv, bring (see fccoc 1 ), + tfu'ti-of, death (see 
bane 1 ); but this explanation, untenable in it- 
self, fails to apply to the equiv. lle/>ac(t>ariaa, Tlcp- 
atcfarra-, these forms, if not adaptations of some 
antecedent name, are njipar. < ire/mi-, a form in 
comp. of irepQctv, destroy ; the second element 
-$ovr/ may be connected with ifuJrof, death, -ifxiaaa 
with v 7 r* ) shine.] In Rom, myth., one of the 
greater goddesses, the Greek Persephone or 
prosiphonate 
Proserpinidae (pros-er-nin'i-de). . /</. [NL.,< 
Prosei'jiina + -idte.] A family of rhipidoglos- 
sate gastropods, typified by the genus J'roser- 
IIIIKI. The animal has a foot truncated In front and acute 
behind, without appendages, and a pulmonary pouch. The 
shell is heliciform, with a semUunar aperture, the columel- 
la plicated nr truncated at the base, and the interior is 
alworhed with advancing age. The operculum Is wanting. 
The specie* are inhabitants of middle America and the 
West Indies. 
prosest, " An obsolete (Middle English) spell- 
ing of process. 
prosethmoid (pros-eth'moid), w. [< Gr. ir/wr., 
toward, + 10. ethmoid.] In iclith., the foremost 
upper bone of the cranium of typical fishes, gen- 
erally regarded as homologous with the ethmoid 
of the higher vertebrates. 
proseuche, proseucha (pros-u'ke, -kft), .; pi. 
proseuekx (3ce). [<. LGr. npoatvxn, prayer, place 
of prayer, < ^poaevxtoOai, pray, otter up vows, < 
TOOT? toward, + ci/jroftu, pray.] A place of 
prayer; specifically, among the Jews, one that 
was not a synagogue, in distinction from the 
temple. These proseucluc were usually outside the 
town, near some river or the sea, and built in the form of 
a theater, unroofed. 
A Proseucha among the Hebrew people was simply an 
>ratory or place of retirement and devotion. 
E. 11. Sean, The Fourth Gospel the Heart of Christ, 
Relief of Ceres (Demetcr . Ucchus or Triplolemus and Proserpine 
(Persephone or Kora). found at Eleusts, Attica. 
Kora, daughter of Ceres, wife of Pluto, and 
queen of the infernal regions, she passed six 
months of the year In Olympus with her mother, during 
which time she was considered as an amiable and propi- 
tious divinity ; but during the six months passed in Hades 
she was stern and terrible. She was essentially a personi- 
fication of the changes in the seasons, in spring and sum- 
mer bringing fresh vegetation and fruits to man, and in 
winter harsh and causing suffering. She was Intimately 
( oiinrrtnl uithsnrh mysteries as those of KH-upis. The 
Roman goddess was practically iiirnti. a! with the Greek. 
Compare cuts under Pluto and mo<iiu. 
[p. 271, note. 
prose- writer (proz'ri'tr), . A writerof prose ; 
a prosaist. 
A poet lets you into the knowledge of a device better 
than a prose-writer. Additon. 
prosiliency (pro-sil'i-en-si), n. [< L. proai- 
lien(t-)#, ppr. of jtrosilire, leap forth, spring up, 
<.pro, forth, forward, + satire, ppr. salien(t-)*, 
leap, bound: see snlii-,ii.\ The act of leaping 
forward; hence, a standing out. [Hare.] 
Such pritsiliency of relief. Coleridge. (Imp. Diet.) 
prosily (prp'zi-li), adv. In a prosy manner; te- 
diously ; tiresomely. 
prosimetrical (pro-zi-met'ri-kal), a. [< L. pro- 
sa, prose, + metrum, meter, + -ic-al (cf. meti'i- 
cnft).] Consisting of both prose and verse. 
Prosimia (pro-sim'i-ft), M. [NL., < L. pro, be- 
fore, + niiniti, an ape.] A genus of lemurs: 
same as Lemur. Brisxon, 1764. 
Prosimiae (pro-sim'i-e), n.pl. [NL., pi. of Pro- 
//.] A group of primatial qtiadnimanous 
mammals, founded by Storr in 1(80 on the ge- 
nus Prosimia of Brisson, later called fttreptsir- 
rhini and Lemuroidea ; the lemurs. It Is now re- 
garded as one of two suborders of the order 1'rimatrs, 
Including all the lemnrlne or lenmrold quadrupeds. The 
cerebrum leaves much of the cerebellum uncovered. The 
lacrymal foramen is extra-orbital, and the orbits arc open 
behind. The ears are more or less lengthened and point- 
ed, without a lobule. The uterus Is two-horned, the clito- 
ris is perforated by the urethra, and the mainline are vari- 
able. There are three families, Lemuridje, Tarriid/r, and 
l>aubei\toniidir. See cat under Lemur. 
prosimian (p r 9" 8 ' m 'i"* n )> a. and n. [< Prosimia 
+ -an.] I. a. Lemurine or lemuroid; strep- 
sirrhine, as a lemur; of or pertaining to the 
Prosimisp. 
II. . Amemberof theProtii; alemuroid, 
lemurine, or lemur. 
prosiness (pro'zi-nes), n. [< proxy + -ness.] 
The character or quality of being prosy. 
His garrulity is true to nature, yielding unconsciously 
to the prrtii*i of dotage. Xoctet Ambrotiaruc, Feb., 1832. 
prosing (pro'zing), n. [Verbal n. of prose, r.] 
Dullness or tediousness in speech or writing. 
He . . . employed himself rather in the task of antici- 
pating the nature of the reception he was about to meet 
with . . . from two beautiful young women, than with 
the prosing of an old one, however wisely she might prove 
that small-beer was more wholesome than strong ale. 
Scott, Pirate, ill. 
prosingly (pro'zing-li), adr. In a prosing man- 
ner; prosily. 
prosiphon (pro-si'fon), w. [< pro- + siphon.] 
The predecessor of the protosiphon in the 
Ammonites, consisting of a kind of ligament 
united to the wall of the initial chamber, or 
protoconch. 
prosiphonal (pro-si'fon-al), a. [< prosiphon + 
-/.] Of or pertaining to the prosiphon. 
Prosiphonata (pro-si-fo-na't&), n. pi. [NL. : 
see proffiphnnate.] A primary group of cam- 
erate cephalopoda, having the siphonal funnel 
directed forward, or in the direction of growtli. 
(n) In the XaurUoidea the group Is represented only by 
the extinct Xothoceratidtr. (i>) In the Ammonituidea the 
corresponding group includes all except the family Uonia- 
titMjr. 
prosiphonate (pro-si'fon-at), a. [< L. pro, be- 
fore. + NL. xijilinn : s<-i- si/ilmn. L'.] Havingthe 
Mjihoiial region of the partitions convex for- 
ward, or in the direction of growth : applied to 
various cephalopodous shells so distinguished. 
