prowlery 
prowleryt (prou'ler-i), . [< prowl + ->-ry.] 
Prowling; pillage. 
Thirty-seven monopolies, with other sharking protdtr- 
in, were decry'd In one proclamation. 
Bp. HadM, Abp. Williams, L f.l. (Dana.) 
prowlingly (prou'ling-li), adv. In a prowling 
manner. 
prowort, . A Middle English form of purveyor. 
My prmcor and my plowman Piers shal ben on crthe, 
And for to tulye treuthe a teme shal he haue. 
Pirn Ptoieman (BX xix. 256. 
prox (nroks), w. [Abbr. of proxy.] In Rhode 
Island, a list of candidates for election ; a ticket 
or ballot containing such a list. 
Such of the colony as could not attend the General As- 
sembly had the right to send their votes for these officers 
by some other persons; hence the origin of the terms 
prox, and proxy votes, as applied to the present mode of 
voting for state officers In Rhode Island. 
Staple*, Annals of Providence, Coll. B, I. Hist Soc., V. G4. 
prox. An abbreviation of proximo. 
proxenet (prok'se-net), . [< Or. irpoevr/rrif, an 
agent or broker, < irpogrvetv, be a protector, pa- 
tron, or agent, < irp6fevo(, a protector, patron, 
public friend: see proxenus.] A negotiator; a 
go-between. [Bare.] 
The common proxenet or con tractor of all natural matches 
and marriages betwixt forms and matter. 
Dr. U. More, Immortal, of Soul, III. ill. 18. 
proxenus (prok'se-nus),H.; \>\.proxcni(-m). [< 
Gr. 7r/x5ffw>c, a public guest or friend, a patron, 
protector, < nyjo, before, + ftvoc, guest, friend.] 
In Or. antiq., a citizen who was appointed by 
a foreign state to represent its interests and to 
protect its travelers in his native country. The 
office corresponded closely to that of a modern 
consul. 
The good understanding between Greek States must 
have been promoted by this habit of appealing to arbitra- 
tion, and also by the institution of proxeni, whose office 
was In many respects analogous to that of a modern con- 
sul. C. T. Newton, Art and Archeol., p. 121. 
proximad (prok'si-mad), ude. [< L. proxitnus, 
nearest (see proximo), + -ad 3 .] Toward the 
proximal part, or point of attachment or in- 
sertion. 
For example, the shoulder is priacimad of the elbow, but 
the elbow Is proximad of the wrist. 
Buck'i Handbook of Med. Science*, VIII. 538. 
proximal (prok'si-mal), a. and K. [= OF. proxi- 
m nl ; < I,, proximim, nearest: see proximo.] I. 
a. Proximate ; nearest; next, in anatomy, zoology, 
and liotany, noting that end of a bone, limb, or organ 
which is nearest the point of attachment or insertion : 
opposed to diftal and extremital. Thus, of the two rows 
of carpal or tarsal bones, the one next to the arm or leg 
is proximal, and the other is distal; of the humerus or 
femur the head of the bone is proximal, and Its condylcs 
arc distal. See cuts under Artiodactyla and carpus. 
In the province of Ise one often sees a brace or bracket 
made out of an unhewed piece of timber, generally the 
proximal portion of some big branch. 
Pop. Sri. Mo., XXVIII. 650. 
II. n. Iii :<iiil., the comparatively fixed or ba- 
sal extremity of a limb or of an organism, 
proximally (prok'i-inal-i). arfr. In fool., to- 
ward the proximal end of a part or organ ; 
proximad. 
The quadrate bone loosely articulated with adjacent 
elements, and only proximally. Amtr. Nat., XXIII. 863. 
proximate (prok'si-mat), it. [< \j\j.proximatux, 
pp. of proximare, draw near, approach, < L. 
proximu.i, nearest : see proximc. Cf. approxi- 
mate.] Next ; immediate ; without the inter- 
vention of a third. 
The general trnth that pursuit of proximate- satisfactions 
Is, under one aspect, inferior to pursuit of ultimate satis- 
factions has led to the belief that proximate satisfactions 
must not be valued. U. Spencer, Data of Ethics, f 43. 
The enormous consumption of petroleum and natural 
gas frequently raises the question ai to the probability of 
the proximate exhaustion of the supply. 
Science, XIV. 228. 
Internal proximate cause. See internal. Proximate 
analysis. In them. , the separation of a complex substance 
Into Its constituent compounds. Proximate cause, that 
cause which Immediately precedes and directly produces 
an effect, as distinguished from a remote, mediate, or pn. 
ditpotin-i ran*. Proximate matter, the matter of any- 
thing in the last degree of elaboration before that thing 
wa formed. Proximate Object, Immediate object; 
that object without the existence of which It would be 
logically impossible for the cognition to exist Proxi- 
mate principles, organic compounds which are the con- 
stituents of more complex organizations, and exist ready 
formed in animals and vegetables, such as albumen, gela- 
tin, and fat In the former, and sugar, gum. starch, and 
resins in the latter. Also called organic principle*. 
proximately (prok'si-mat-li), adv. In a proxi- 
mate posit ion, time, or relation ; immediately; 
directly; l,y direct relation. 
They know It immediately or proximately from their 
proper guides or other Instructors, who In the last retort 
learn It from the andents. Vnlrrlnnd, Works, V. 287. 
4808 
Proximatelu, the source of the Thames and other rivers 
la to be found in springs ; but ultimately It must lie traced 
to rain. Huxley, Physiography, p. 38. 
proximet (prok'sim), a. [= Sp. proximo = Pg. 
proximo = It. prossimo, < L. proximus, nearest, 
superl. of prope, near.] Nearest; immediate; 
proximate. 
The three terms [of the propositions) are called the re- 
mote matter of a syllogism ; and the three propositions 
theproxime or immediate matter of it Watt*, Logic, ill. 1. 
proximioust (prok-sim'i-us), a. An erroneous 
form of proximous. [Bare.] 
This righteousness is the proximiout cause operating to 
Salvation. Dean Tucker. (Worcester.) 
proximity (prok-sim'i-ti), n. [< OF.proximite, 
F. proxiniite = 8p. nroximidad = Pg. prozimi- 
dade = It.proxsimiia, < L. proximila(t-)a, near- 
ness, vicinity, <.proximus, nearest: see proxime.] 
The state of being proximate ; nearness in place, 
time, or relation. 
We would mill-Ill' rather hane remitted these Inluries 
in respect of proximitie of blond to our nephieu, than we 
did heretofore y Inuasion of his father. 
Hall, Hen. VIIL, an. 34. 
For the proximity of blood, he is the more stirred to have 
special eye and regard to our surety and good education 
in this our said minority. Up. Burnet, Records, II. 1. 6. 
Always after a time came the hour . . . when he could 
endure proximity without oneness no longer, and would 
suddenly announce his departure. 
tienrye MacDonald, What 's Mine 's .Mine, vli. 
= Syn. Vicinity, etc. (see neighborhood), adjacency. 
proximo (prok'si-mo), adv. [L., abl. sing. (sc. 
inense, month) of proximus, nearest, next: see 
proxime.] In or of the next or coming month ; 
noting a day of the coming month : as, the 1st 
proximo. Often abbreviated to prox. 
proximocephalic (prok'si-md-se-fal'ik or -sef- 
a -lik), a. [< L. proximus, nearest, + Gr. ncQa'/.ii, 
head.] Nearest the head. 
In numbering the individual elements [of the carpus] 
the first Is the most proximocephalif, that is the scaphoid. 
Buck't handbook oSited. Science*, VIII. 536. 
proximoust (prok'si-mus), a. [< L. proximus, 
nearest, next: see proxime.] Nearest. 
proxy (prok'si), B.; pi. proxies (-siz). [Early 
mod. E. procketty, < ME. prokecye(&s if "proc'itey), 
contr. of procuracy : see procuracy. Cf. uroc- 
tor, similarly contracted from procurator.] 1. 
The agency of a substitute ; the office or au- 
thority of one who is deputed to act for an- 
other. 
In the upper house they glue their assent and dissent 
each man sencrally and by hlmselfe, first for hlmselfe, 
and then for so many as he hath proxie. 
Sir T. Smith, Commonwealth of Eng., 11. 3. 
\Ve cannot be punished unto amendment by proxy. 
Sir T. Brmrne, Christ Mor., il. 11. 
1'pon my conscience, a pretty way this of working at 
second-hand ! I wish myself could do a little by proxy. 
Sheridan (!\ The Camp, i. 1. 
The twelve archons met In a general assembly, some- 
times in person, and sometimes by proxy. 
J. Adarnt, Works, IV. 500. 
One of the reasons of non-attendance of the members of 
the House of Lords in former times was their special privi- 
lege of voting by proxy, which has now, however, fallen 
into disuse. Encyc. Brit., VIII. 259. 
2. One who is deputed to represent or act for 
another ; a deputy. 
The King replied That, since his Highness was resolved 
upon so sudden a Departure, he would please to leave a 
Proxy behind to finish the Marriage, ana he would take It 
for a Favour If he would depute Him to personate him. 
llmcell, Letters, I. III. 23. 
I am obllg'd to you. that you would make me your 
Proxy In this Affair. Congreve, Way of the World, Iv. 2. 
Another privilege Is that every peer, by license obtained 
from the king, may make another lord of parliament his 
proxy, to vi ite for him in his absence. A privilege which 
a member of the other house can by no means have, as he 
is himself but a proxy for a multitude of other people. 
Blaekttone, Com., I. II. 
Will not one 
Of thine harmonious sisters keep In tune 
Thy spheres, and as thy silver proxy shine ? 
Keait, Lamia, I. 267. 
3. A document authorizing one person to act 
as substitute or deputy for another; a written 
authorization to exercise the powers and pre- 
rogatives of others. 
A copy of the proxy sent to the Duke of Chevreuse to 
marry the queen in the name of our king, and another, of 
my lord duke's commission to bring her majesty Into Eng- 
land, I ahall have time enough to send you the next week. 
Court and Time* ( Charlet I., I. 27. 
1'nder no circumstances should iprttxy be executed in 
favor of an officer or director of a company that will en- 
able him to vote upon It In approval of his own acts, or to 
perpetuate his own power. JV. A. Ret., CXXXIX. 638. 
4. That which takes the place of something 
else ; a substitute. 
Talents are admirable when not made to stand proxy for 
H" n .t/.,r. 
Proxjrt functttiat\ 
prudence 
In the Picture <iallery are quantities o( portraits ; hut 
in general they are not only not so much a copies, but 
proxie* so totally unlike they are to the persons they 
pretend to represent Walpole, Letters, II. 356. 
6. Eccles., same & procuration, 4. 
The other fifty must go In a curate and visitation charges 
and poxe pnaie*, I mean. Kw\n, Letter, June >, 1<2S. 
6. An election, or a day of election. [Con- 
necticut.] 
proxy (prok'si), f. t. ; pret. and pp. proried, ppr. 
proxying. [<;>rory.M.J To vote or act by proxy, 
or by the agency of another. 
Proxys (prok'si s), w. [NL. (Spinola, 1837).] A 
genus of heteropterous insects of the family 
Pentatomidte. The species are few 
in number, and are confined to tropi- 
cal and subtropical America. /'. pane- 
tulfittu is common in the southern 
United States, and Is said to be both 
carnivorous and phytophagous. 
proxyship (prok'si-ship), n. [< 
proxy + -ship.] The office or 
agency of a proxy. 
The two cases are so like : . . . the 
same correspondency and proxithip between these spit it - 
and their images. 
Hrrrint, Saul and Samuel at Eudor, p. :a)4. 
proxy-wedded (prok'si-wed'ed), a. Wedded 
by proxy. 
She to me 
Was proxy-uvdded with a bootless calf 
At eight years old. Tennymi, Princess, I. 
proymnion (pro-im'ni-on), n.; pi. proi/mniii 
(-a). [NL., \ Or. apoiiuviov, < irpj>, before, + v/t- 
ivf, hymn : see hymn."] In anc. prog., a short co- 
lon preceding a system, strophe, or antistrophe, 
especially in a hymn. See epliymnium, mcgym- 
iiiini, metliymnion. 
proynt, ** Au obsolete spelling of prune?. 
prozoosporange (pro-zo-o-spo'ranj), B. [< Gr. 
jrp6, before, + Cipov, animal, + air6(>of, seed, + 
ay) eiov, vessel.] In hot., a stage in the repro- 
duction of certain fungi which is to develop 
zoospores. From the prozoosporange there grows out 
a thick, cylindrical, thin-walled process, into which nil 
the protoplasm passes and within which it bleaks up Into 
zoospores. 
prozygapophysis (p_r6-zi-ga-i>of 'i-sis), w. ; pi. 
prozygajiophyties (-sez). [NL., < Ur. nyx>, be- 
fore, + 17011, yoke,+ curfyivic, process.] Same 
as prczygapophysis. [Kare.] 
A prominence is developed from each prozynapophyri*. 
' J/irart, Elem. Auat, p. 46. 
Prozymite(proz'i-mit),. [< Qr.Kpofvui'nK,oae 
who uses leavened bread, < ir/x^iyir/, leavened 
bread, < ir/>6, for, + (i'/ir/, leaven.] One who uses 
leavened bread in the eucharist : applied, espe- 
cially in the eleventh century, by Latin con- 
troversialists to members of the Greek Church. 
See Aiymite. 
Prucet (pros), n. [< OF. 1'raee, < ML. Pnusia, 
Prussia : see Prussian. Cf. spruce.] An obso- 
lete form of Prussia : erroneously defined as 
"Prussian leather" by Johnson and Ash. 
I'n 1 ofte tyme he hadde the bord bygonne [sat at the head 
of the table] 
Aboven alle naclouns in Pruce. 
Chaucer (ed. MorrisX Prol. to t'. T., L 53. 
Some for defence would leathern bucklers use 
of folded hides, and others shields of Pruee. 
Dryden, Pal and Arc., Hi. 81. 
prudt, a. A Middle English form of proud. 
prude (prod), n. [< F. prude, OF. prude, prode, 
fern, of prou, prod, prud, good, excellent, brave : 
see7>ro> 2 .] A woman who affects rigid correct- 
ness in conduct and thought; one who exhibits 
extreme propriety or coyness in behavior: oc- 
casionally applied also to a man. 
Another customer happened to be a famous pntde ; her 
ell>ows were rlvetted to her sides, and her whole person 
so ordered as to inform every body that she was afraid 
they should touch her. Taller, No. > 
Let the prude at the name or sight of man 
Pretend to rail severely. 
Sheridan (7), The Camp, i. i 
With pntdr* for proctors, dowagers for deans. 
And sweet girl-graduates in their golden hair. 
Tennyson, Princess, Prol. 
prudence (prO'dens), )i. [< MK. i>riiili-ui-r,pnt- 
dcnfi, < OF. (and F.) prudence = Pr. prud<-n:<i 
= Sp. Pg. prudencia = It. prudrnziu, )>rudeH:a. 
< L. prudentia, a foreseeing, sagacity, prudence, 
< prude(t-)g, foreseeing, pnident: see pru- 
dent. Cf. providence and purn -i/mirr, ult. dou- 
blets of prudence.] 1. The quality of being 
prudent, (a) Practical wisdom ; discretion ; good judg- 
ment; sagacity. 
Prudeng, alias ! oon of thyn eyen thre 
Me lakked alwey, cr that I com here : 
On tyme ypassed wel remembred me. 
And present tyme ek koude I wel ysee ; 
But future tyme, er I was in the snare, 
Koude I not sen ; that cauacth now my care. 
Chaucer. Trollus, v. 744. 
