pyrophosphoric 
pyrophosphoric (pi'ro-fos-for'ik), a. [< Gr. 
irvp, fire, + E. phosphoric.] Formed by heat- 
ing phosphoric acid: noting an acid (H^PgOy) 
produced by exposing concentrated phosphoric 
acid to a temperature of 415 P. pyrophosphoric 
acid is tetrabasic that is capable of forming four dis- 
tinct classes of salts according as one, two, or three atoms 
or the whole of the hydrogen Is replaced by a metal. 
The pyrophosphates, especially that of Iron, are used in 
medicine. 
pyrophotography (pi"ro-f6-tog'ra-fi), n. [< Gr. 
iriip, fire, + E. photography.] Certain photo- 
graphic processes in which heat is used to fix 
the picture. 
pyrophyllite (pi-ro-fil'it), >/. [So called in al- 
lusion to its exfoliation before the blowpipe ; 
< Gr. irvp, fire, + 0WJW, leaf, + -ite*.] A hy- 
drated aluminium silicate, occurring in foliated 
talc-like subtransparent masses having a white, 
green, or yellow color and pearly luster. 
pyrophysalite (pi-ro-fis'a-lit), n. [< Gr. irt>p, 
fire, -t- E. phyxalite.] See physalite. 
pyropuncture (pi-ro-pungk'tur), n. [< Gr. 
irvp, fire, -t- E. puncture.] Puncturing with hot 
needles; also, a puncture so made. 
pyroraceinate (pi-ro-ras'e-mat), . [< pyrora- 
ceni(ic) + -ate 1 .] A salt formed by the union 
of pyroracemic acid with a base. 
pyroracemic (pi'ro-ra-sem'ik), a. [< Gr. iritp, 
fire, + E. racemic.] Produced by the distilla- 
tion of tartaric and racemic acids : as, pyrnrn- 
centic acid (CsH^Oo). 
pyroschist (pi'rp-snist), M. [< Gr. iriip, fire, + 
E. schist.] Schist or shale containing sufficient 
bituminous matter (hydrocarbons) to burn with 
a bright flame, or yielding volatile hydrocar- 
bon or inflammable gas when heated. 
pyrosclerite (pi-ro-skle'rit), . [< Gr. irvp, fire, 
+ ovcAtfpof, hard, + -ite 2 .] An emerald-green 
mineral allied to the chlorites, occurring in 
serpentine in the island of Elba, Italy. 
pyroscope (pi'ro-skop), n. [< Gr. irvp, fire, + 
OKoirtiv, view.] An instrument for measuring 
the intensity of radiating heat or cold. It re- 
sembles a differential thermometer, having one bulb cov- 
ered with quicksilver-leaf, while the other is bare. 
pyrosilver (pi-ro-sil'ver), n. [< Gr. irvp, fire, 
+ E. silver.] A' trade-name for electroplated 
wares which, after they are taken from the 
bath, are subjected to heat. This treatment seems 
to cause the metal to sink into the pores of the plated 
base metal and adhere to It much more firmly and dum- 
bly. The process Is technically called burning-in. 
pyrosis (pi-ro'sis), . [< Gr. iri'poatc, a burning, 
a kindling, < irupovv, set on fire, burn, < irvp, fire : 
see ./ire.] Inpathol., the eructation of watery- 
fluid, usually insipid, but sometimes acrid, at- 
tended with more or less burning pain in the 
epigastrium. It is commonly called water-brash. 
pyrqsmalite (pi-ros'ma-lit), n. [< Gr. iriip, fire, 
+ bopr/, a smell, an object of smell, + >.i8of, 
stone.] A mineral of a liver-brown color, or 
pistachio-green, occurring in six-sided prisms, 
with perfect basal cleavage, found in Sweden. 
It is a silicate of iron and manganese, con- 
taining chlorin, the odor of which it exhales 
when heated. 
Pyrosoma (pi-ro-sd'mtt), H. [NL. (P6ron), < 
Gr. irvp, fire, + aijfta, body.] The typical ge- 
nus of Pyrosomatidx: so called from their phos- 
phorescence. They inhabit the Mediterranean and At- 
lantic. They unite in great numbers, forming a large hol- 
low cylinder, open at one end and closed at the other, 
swimming in the ocean by the alternate contraction and 
dilatation of its component individual animals. See cut 
under cyathozooid. 
Pyrosomatidse (pi'ro-so-mat'i-de), n. pi. [NL., 
< I'yrosoma (-somat-) + -idje.] A family of com- 
pound or aggregate ascidians of the class Tuni- 
cata, typified by the genus Pyrosoma, sometimes 
representing an order or suborder Dactyliobran- 
chia; the firebodies. They are free-swimming pelagic- 
organisms, highly luminous, united together in nollow 
chains or rods several Inches long, one end of each In- 
dividual fitting into the cavity of the next, somewhat like 
a set of thimbles. Also PyroKimidtr, Purommiidie. 
pyrosome (pi'ro-spm), . [< NL. Pyrosoma.] 
A member or individual of the genus Pyroso- 
ma ; a firebody. 
Pyrosomidae (pi-ro-som'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Pyrosoma + -idee.] Same as Pyrosomatid&. 
Pyrosomiidea (pi-ro-s6-mi-id'e-ii), n.pl. [NL.] 
A false form of Pi/rosomatidae or Pi/ronomidse, 
taken as the name of an order of ascidians 
which that family is supposed to represent. 
pyrostat (pi'ro-stat). w. [< Gr. irvp, fire, + 
crrarof, < la-drat, set up, stand : see static.] An 
automatic draf t-regulator for chimneys, smoke- 
pipes, and smoke-stacks. See draft->'jitttttur. 
under rt'i/iilalnr. 
4877 
pyrrhichiuB 
pyrostereotype (pi-ro-ster'e-o-tip), . [< Gr. 
irvp, fire, + L. stereotype.] A. process by which 
a mold for casting a printing relief-plate is ob- 
tained by burning an intaglio to adennitedepth 
in the face of a wood block by means of heated 
steel dies and a special apparatus. It is nsed 
for printing music, etc. 
pyrostilpnite (pi-ro-stilp'nlt), . [< Gr. iriip, 
fire, + OT/Ajirof, glistening, + -i(e a .] A rare 
mineral, occurring in minute tabular monoclin- _ ,... r/ 
is^^^^^r^^^^^^^^'^^^^ 
blende. 
clinic species wollastonlte, legirlte and acmlte, spodu- 
niene, and the trlctinlc rhodonite nnd baliliiEtonlte. Jade- 
Ite probably also belongs here. All these are characterized 
by the same prismatic anglf of T. This group Is closely 
related to the analogous amphilmle (or hornblende) group, 
the species of which are characterized by a prismatic 
angle of 1241*; " IK * several of the kinds under the two 
ps correspond exactly in composition for example, 
to tremollte, etc. A change of pyroxene to horn- 
blende by a process of naramorphUm Is often observed, e 
pecially hi cerUUn Igneous rocks. Ke ttralile and uraiiti- 
zotion. 
pyrosulphuric (pi'ro-sul-fu'rik), a. [< Gr. irvp, 
fire, -I- E. sulphuric.] Obtained from sulphuric 
acid by the action of heat Pyrosnlphuric add 
Same as" disulvhurie and (which we, under aimlplnmcl. 
pyrotartaric (pi'ro-tar-tar'ik), . [< Gr. irvp, 
fire, + E. tarturlt.] Obtained by heating tar- 
taric acid in a close vessel: as, pyrotartaric 
acid (C ? H 8 4 ). 
pyrotartrate (pl-ro-tar'trat), w. [< Gr. m<p, fire, 
r E. tartrate.] A salt of pyrotartaric acid. 
pyrotechnian (pi-ro-tek'ni-au), . [< pyrotech- 
ny + -an.] A pyrotechnist. 
pyrotechnic (pi-ro-tek'nik), . [< pyrotechn-y 
T -if.] Of or pertaining to fireworks or the 
art of making them. 
pyrotechnical (pi-ro-tek'ni-kal), a. [< pyro- 
technic + -a/.] Same &s pyrotechnic. Pyrotecn- 
nlcal sponge. Same as amadou. 
pyrotechnician (pi'ro-tek-nish'an), n. ^pyro- 
technic + -i-an.] A pyrotechnist. 
pyrotechnics (pi-ro-tek'niks), H. [PI. of pyro- 
technic (see -ics).] The art of making fire- 
works; the composition, structure, and use of 
fireworks. See fireicork, 2. 
pyrotechnist (pi-ro-tek'nist), n. [< pyrotechn-y 
+ -ist.] One who is skilled in pyrotechny; a 
manufacturer of fireworks. 
pyrotechny (pi'ro-tek-ni), . [< Gr. irvp, fire, 
4- Ttxni, art.] 1. The management and me- 
chanical application of fire. 
Does man go thus far by his skill in pyrotechny, and 
shall not God do more, who is the C'osmotect? 
Ki'li/n. True Religion, I. p.m. 
2. The fabrication of fireworks for military 
and ornamental purposes (see Jireic ork, U) ; the 
composition and scientific use of combustible 
substances employed as signals, as destructive 
agents, or for purposes of display. 
pyrothonide(pi-roth'o-nid), . [< Gr. iri-p, fire, 
+ b66vti, fine linen, + -Me 1 .] A kind of empy- 
reumatic oil produced by the combustion of 
textures of hemp, linen, or cotton in a copper 
vessel, fonnerly used in medicine. Dunglison. 
pyrotic (pi-rot'ik), a. and n. [< Gr. irvpurutdf, 
burning, heating, < irvpoiv, set on fire, < iri-p, 
fire: see pyrosis.] I. a. Caustic. 
II. H. A caustic medicine. 
pyro-uric (pl-ro-u'rik), a. [< Gr. irvp, fire,+ oi'pov, 
urine, + -t'c.] In chem., same as cyanuric. 
pyroianthine, pyroxanthin (pi-rok-san'thin), 
H. [< Gr. irvp, fire, + fovftif, yellow, + -ine' J , 
-iw 3 .] A yellow crystalline substance found in 
crude wood-spirit. Also called eblanin. 
pyroxene (pi rok-sen), n. [< Gr. mp, fire, + 
ffvof, a guest.] An important mineral spe- 
cies, embracing many varieties differing in ap- 
pearance and chemical composition, it occurs 
in monoclinic crystals, often short prismatic in habit, and 
with an angle In front of nearly 90 , so that these crystals 
resemble square prisms. Granular forms are common, 
and also massive varieties, the latter being usually coarse- 
ly laminated in structure, rarely fibrous or columnar. The 
color varies from white to gray, green, brown, and black, 
and the composition from the simple metaslllcate of cal- 
cium and magnesium to kinds containing, with calcium or 
magnesium, or both, iron, manganese, and aluminium. The 
different varieties are usually divided into two groups, the 
non-alumiiu>us and the aluminous. Of the former the 
prominent kinds are diopside or malacolite, which con- 
tains only calcium and magnesium, and is white to gray 
or light-green In color with the suhvarleties called alallte 
or musBJte (the dinpside proper, from the Mussa Alp in the 
Ala valley in Piedmont, occurring in beautiful slender 
crystals), traversellite, canaanite, and white granular coc- 
colite, and those containing iron, namely the grayish-green 
to deep-green or black salite, occurring in laminated mass- 
es, the crystallized baikalite, the granular green coccolite, 
and the deep-green diallage, which is characterized by a 
distinct parting parallel to the orthoplnacoid plane and 
often by a pearly to metalloldal luster on this surface ; 
also the lime-iron variety, hedenbergite, and the manga- 
nesian schefferlte. The aluminous kinds Include fasaalte, 
which is light- to dark-green in color, and the common 
augite, which is dark-green to black and contains consid- 
erable iron. Augite is characteristic of many eruptive 
rocks, especially those of a basic character, as diabase, 
basalt, etc. Diallage is an essential constituent of the 
gabbros, of noritc, etc. Besides the above varieties or 
subspecies belonging to pyroxene proper, the pyroxene 
group Includes the related species enstatite or bronzite 
and hypersthene, which are orthorhombic In crystalliza- 
tion (hence called rhombic pyroxenet); also the inono- 
ties; composed of or containing pyroxene. 
pyroxyle (pi-rok'sil), n. [< Gr. irvp, fire, + 
;i/"r, wood.] Same us pyroxylin. 
pyroxylic (pi-rok-sil'ik), a. [< Gr. irvp, fire. + 
fti/ov, wood (cf. pyroxyle), + -ic.] Obtained by 
distilling wood Pyroxylic spirit, methyllc alcohol ; 
a product of the distillation of wood. It constitutes aluut 
one tenth of the watery products after separation of the 
t :n', and Is obtained from these products by re-dlstlllatlon. 
Rectification Is partially effected by first heating It with 
slaked lime, which frees a large quantity of ammonia, next 
neutralizing the remainder of the ammonia and precipi- 
tating the remaining traces of tar by sulphuric acid, then 
again distilling and passing it several tunes over quick- 
lime. The product is the crude wood-spirit of commerce, 
which still contains many impurities; these are removed 
by chemically combining It with calcium chlorid and heat- 
Ing the compound over a water-bath to 1OD* < '., which drives 
off volatile impurities. It is then distilled with water, 
which breaks up the combination and sets free the pyrox- 
ylic spirit diluted with water. The latter Is then removed 
to get the desired strength by treatment with quicklime. 
Also called troorf-*ptrtf. and uwod-afeaAoi. 
pyroxylin, pyroxyline(pi-rok'si-lin), n. [<;>//- 
roxyk + -I'M*, -inc'*.] Guncotton or a similar 
substance obtained by immersing vegetable 
fiber in nitric or nitrosulphuric acid, and then 
suffering it to dry. Such substances are nitro- 
derivatives of cellulose. Also jiyroryle Sol- 
uble pyroxylin. Same as dinitnxtUulnte. 
pyrrhic 1 (pir'ik), H. and a. [< L. pyrrhichii, 
]>yrrhiclie, < <ir. trvppixn, a kind of war-dance, 
said to be named from Pyrrhichus, the inven- 
tor, < Ili'ppixof, Pyrrhiclius.] I. . An ancient. 
Grecian warlike dance, in quick and light mea- 
sure, accompanied by the flute. It consisted chiefly 
In adroit and nimble steps and motions of the body, in- 
tended to represent the attempt to avoid strokes of an 
enemy in battle and to Inflict injury upon him. It was 
performed under arms, and the movements and practice 
necessary were looked upon ss training for service in the 
Held. 
H. a. Of or pertaining to the Greek martial 
dance called a pyrrhic. 
You have the Pyrrhic dance as yet ; 
Where Is the Pyrrhic phalanx gone? 
I >. in Juan, 111 86 (song). 
pyrrhic 2 (pir'ik), . and . [< L. pyrrhichivs, < 
Gr. irvpiiixtos, of or belonging to the pyrrhic 
(dance) (irovf wpplx'of, a pyrrhic foot), < irv/>- 
pixi, a pyrrhic: see pyrrhtc* .] I. o. In ;<., 
consisting of two short times or syllables: as, 
a pyrrhic foot; composed of or pertaining to 
feet so constituted: as, pyrrhic verse; pyrrhic 
rhythm. 
II. H. In line, prog., a foot consisting of two 
short times or syllables. A pyrrhic is apparently 
a disemic Isorrhythmlc foot ( | ~ or | *). The earlier 
and better ancient authorities (the rhythmlclans), how- 
ever, did not acknowledge the existence of a disemic foot, 
and it seems to have been first introduced Into metrical 
analysis by the grammarians and latr metricians. An 
apparent pyrrhic (~ ~) can occur (a) at the end of an 
Iambic line (- - for - -) ; (b) as part of proceleusmatlcs 
(w w w w). Ionics ( w -- or -- ~ -V or ps5ons( w w w, 
w w, ww w, ww^ -- \ regarded bv later writers as 
compound feet; and (c) In the so-called basis or polysche- 
matist foot of a logacedlc series. Wherever it occurs as a 
separate foot, it Is accordingly a representative of a tri- 
semlc foot ( ~ or ~ ). Pyrrhics In continuous compo- 
sition would constitute proceleusmatlc verse, and, although 
there Is little trace of the actual existence of such a meter. 
It may have been used In single lines or short systems to 
accompany or suggest the more rapid movement* of the 
war-dance (pyrrAicl) from which It probably takes its 
name. Also called dibrach (Latin dibrachyt or bibreru), 
ixiriainbut, and (ringlt or diinnic) prufflewnnatic. Tile 
name Jnt^uv or hefftmon (leaderX often given to the 
pyrrhic in ancient writers, was apparently suggested by 
its being placed first in the accepted list of feet. Also 
pyrrhichiiu. 
A verse made up of vyrrhit* In Immediate succession. 
J. Hadley, Essays, p. 09. 
Pyrrhic 3 (pir'ik), a. [< L. Pyrrhiu, < Gr. lldppof, 
Pyrrhus (see def . ), < irvppk, red-haired, reddish : 
see burrel.] Pertaining to Pyrrhus, especially 
to Pyrrhus, King of Epirus (see phrase below). 
Pyrrhic Victory, a success obtained at too great a cost : 
in allusion to the reputed exclamation of Pyrrhus, King of 
F.pinis, after the battle of Asculum against the Romans 
(_'7'.i 11. 0.1 "Another such victory and we are lost ! " 
pyrrhicist (pir'i-sist). . [< Gr. mipptxurrfa, 
one who danced the pyrrhic. < mppiX%* a 'i dance 
the pyrrhic, < iri'ppix'/, the pyrrhic: see pyrrhif 1 .] 
One who danced in the pyrrhic. Imp. l>ict. 
pyrrhichius (]>i-rik'i-us), H. ; pi. pi/rrliicliii (-!). 
[L. : see /ii/niiir-.] Same us pyrrhic%. 
