pyrrhichius 
Thli word [rtnt| hauing both slllables sliding and dip- 
per make the foote Pirric/iiia, IK-CHUM If he be truly vl- 
tered, he bean* In num-r no sharper accent vp6 the one 
then the other tillable, hut be In effect egall In time ami 
tune, ai If also the Spondeus, 
, Arte of Eng. Poeie, p. 10-2. 
pyrrhite (pir'it), . [< Or. irvppAf, reddish (see 
burrtl), + -He-.] A rare mineral, occurring in 
minute regular reddish-yellow octahedrons. Its 
composition is not certainly known, but it is sup- 
posed to be related to the niobate pyrochlore. 
pyrrhoarsenite (pir-6-ar'se-nit), n. [< Or. irvp- 
por, reddish, 4- E. arsenite.] An arscniatr of 
calcium, magnesium, and manganese, in which 
the arsenic is in part replaced by antimony. 
It occurs in embedded grains of a deep yellow- 
ish-red color in Sweden. 
PyrrhocoraciB.se (pir-o-kor-a-si'ne), n. pi. 
[NL., < Pyrrhocorax (-corac-) + -inee.] A sub- 
family of Corvidee, named in 1846 by G. K. Gray 
from the genus Pyrrhocorax; the choughs. 
Also called Fregilina. 
pyrrhocoracine (pir-o-kor'a-sin), a. Of or per- 
taining to the Pyrrhocoracina. 
Pyrrhocorax (pi-rok'o-raks), n. [NL. (Vieillot, 
1816), < Gr. wppof, re'ddish, + nipaf, a raven.] 
A genus of Corrida, typical of the Pyrrhoco- 
racinx ; the choughs. P. or FreySut gramlui l the 
common chough, with red bill and feet (ee cut under 
eluiuijh); P. alpinta is the alpine chough. The genus Is 
sometimes restricted to the latter, and then distinguished 
from Preffilug. 
Pyrrhocoridae (pir-o-kor'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Pyrrhocorix + -idle.] A family of heteropterous 
insects, consisting of large, stout bugs, usually 
marked with red and black, and containing 
many tropical and subtropical species. The cot- 
ton-stalner of the West Indies and southern United States, 
Dygdernu tutureltwt, Is an example. 
PyrrhoCOriB (pi-rok'6-ris), w. [NL. (Fallen, 
1841), < Gr. mippijf, reddish, + x6pif, a bug.] A 
genus of true bugs, typical of the family Pyr- 
rhocoridte. 
Pyrrhonean (pi-ro'ne-an), a. [< L. Pyrrhoncux 
(< Gr. niippav, Pyrrho Y see Pyrrhonic) + -an.] 
Pyrrhonic. 
Pyrrhonian (pi-ro'ni-an), n. [< Gr. Jlvppui', 
Pyrrho, + -i-an.] Same as Pyrrkonisi. 
Pyrrhonic (pi-ron'ik), a. [< Gr. Uvppuv, Pyrrho, 
+ -ic.] Of or pertaining to Pyrrho (about 
380-270 B. c.), a philosopher of Elis, and disci- 
ple of Anaxarchus; of or pertaining to Pyrrho- 
nism or skepticism: as, the Pyrrhonic form of 
doubt. The doctrine of Pyrrho wa that there is just as 
much to be said for as against any opinion whatever : that 
neither the senses nor the reason are to be trusted in the 
least: and that when we are once convinced we can know 
nothing, we cease to care, and in this way alone can at- 
tain happiness. It Is aald that Pyrrho would take no or- 
dinary practical precautions, such as getting out of the 
way of vehicles. 
Pyrrhonism (pir'o-nizm), n. [< Gr. llvppuv, 
Pyrrho, + -win.] 'The doctrines of Pyrrho and 
his followers; absolute skepticism; universal 
doubt. 
And thus, O circular philosopher, . . . you have arrived 
at a fine 1'iirrhoiiunn, at an equivalence and IndilTerency 
of all actions. Emenon. 
Pyrrhonist (pir'o-nint), n. [< Gr. Weppuv, 
Pyrrho, + -is/.] A follower of Pyrrho; an ad- 
herent of Pyrrhonism ; one who doubts every- 
thing. 
Pyrrhopappus (pir-o-pap'us), n. [NL. (A. P. 
die Candolle, 1838), < Gr. m'pp&f, reddish, + irax- 
iroc, taken in mod. sense 'pappus': see pap- 
pus.] A genus of composite plants of the 
tribe ('ichoriaccte and subtribo Lactuccee. it Is 
characterized by Its smooth habit, and Its nearly cylindri- 
cal beaked achenes, covered with many rough and murlcate 
ridges and bearing a reddish pappus which Is cither per- 
sistent or in falling carries with It a disk from which it 
grows. There are 3 or, according to some authors, 4 spe- 
cies, all natives of the t nltcd States or M cxlco. They are 
annual or perennial herbs, with radical leaves or with 
alternate item-leaves, and both entire and deeply cut on 
the same stem. The yellow flower-heads terminate long 
erect stalks, and resemble those of the common dandelion, 
which, however, are readily distinguished by their white 
pappus. 8ee/oZ*f dandelion, under dandelion. 
pyrrhotine (pir'o-tin), n. [< Gr. irv/>p6f, red- 
dish, + -t- + -intP.] Native iron sulphid, >i 
mineral crystallizing in hexagonal prisms and 
occurring also massive, of a oronze color and 
metallic luster. It Is generally slightly magnetic, and is 
hence called magnetic pyritet. In composition It conforms 
to the general formula Kes,4 ,, but varying fun. 
to Ke,]S|._.. The mineral trotllte, common in mxlules In 
meteoric Iron, may be the same mineral, although to this 
ihr formula reft Is generally ascribed. 
pyrrhotite (pir'n-tit), . [As pyrrkot-ine + 
iti-.] Same as jiyrrhotine. 
pyrrhous (pir'us), a. [< Gr. irvpp6f, flame-col- 
ored, yellowish-red-reddish, red-haired, < -i'y, 
fire. Cf. barrel.] Reddish. 
4878 
Pyrrhula (pir'$-18), . [NL. (Brisson, 1760), 
dim. < Gr. vvpp6f, widish: see pyrrhous.] A 
genus of t'riinjiHiilir, giving name to the Pyr- 
rlii<lin, characterized by tin- very short stout 
turgid bill; the bullfinches. See cut under 
. 
Pyrrhulinae(pir-Q-irne),n.7>i. [XL., < Pyrrhula 
+ -i#.] An undeflnable subfamily of Fringil- 
lida, named by Swainson in 1837 from the ge- 
nus Pyrrhula; the bullfinches. 
pyrrhuline (pir'ij-lin), a. [< Pyrrhula + -iiie 1 .] 
Resembling a bullfinch, especially in the form 
of the bill : said of various birds. 
Pyrrhuloiia (pir-S-lok'si-ji), n. [NL. (Bona- 
parte, 1850), < Pyrrhula + Loxia : see Pyrrhula, 
and Loxia, 2.] A genus of f'ringillidee, closely 
related to Cardinalis, but having a very short 
stout turgid bill, like a bullfinch's ; the Texas 
cardinals. The species Is P. ginuata, having the size 
and form of the common cardinal, but the plumage gray, 
beautifully varied with carmine red. 
Pyrrhura (pi-ro'ra), n. [NL. (Bonaparte, 1856), 
< Gr. ni'ppof, reddish, + ovpA, tail.] A genus of 
parrots, giving name to the Pyrrhurina. P. 
eruentatus of South America is an example. 
Pyrrhurinae (pir-ij-ri'ne), . pi. [NL., < Pyr- 
rhura + -inie.] A subfamily of Psittacidte, 
named by Garrod from the genus Pyrrhura, re- 
sembling Orituf, but having no ambiens. 
pyrryt, . An obsolete form otpirry. 
Pyrula (pir'o-lii), n. [NL. (Lamarck, 1799), < 
L. pinim, improp. pyruin, a pear : see pear. Cf. 
Pyrola.] A genus of gastropods having a pyri- 
form shell, whence the name ; the fig-shells or 
pear-shells. (Seecutunder./i^sAe//.) Verydifler- 
mi limits have been assigned to it. (a) Originally it was 
named in connection with P.Jtnu only. (6) Subsequent- 
ly It was used for many species agreeing with P. fieut In 
general form, but radically differing in other characters, 
and consequently afterward generically differentiated, (c) 
Later it was restricted to the genus now generally called 
Fultjur and related forms, A finu then being called 
Fieula or Sycotypiu. (rf) By recent authors it is restricted 
to P. fiaa and closely related species. Also spelled Pirvla. 
Pyrularia (pir-ij-la'ri-S), w. [NL. (F. A. Mi- 
chaux, 1803), so calleil with ref. to the small 
pear-shaped fruit; < L. pirum, improp. pyrum, 
a pear: see Pyrula.] A genus of apetalous 
shrubs of the order Kantalaeete, the sandal- 
wood family, and of the tribe Oxyridree. It Is 
characterized by partly ditecfous flowers, with parallel 
anther-cells, and a dink with scale-shaped lobes alter- 
nating with the flve stamens, the small clusters of stam- 
inate flowers racemed toward the ends of the branches, 
and the pistillate flowers terminal, and few or single. 
The two species are shrubs or small trees, with thin and 
veiny alternate short-stalked and minutely pellucid-dotted 
leaves, small greenish flowers with a short columnar style 
and capitate stigma, and an inferior one-celled ovary, with 
two or three ovules hanging from the apex of a free cen- 
tral placenta. The rather large obovold fruit is a fleshy 
dnipe, with a hard thin-shelled spherical stone, containing 
a globose seed with fleshy and very oily albumen. One of 
the species is North American, for which see oil-nut (b); 
the other, P. editlu, Is found In India, a large tree, yielding 
an edible fruit 
Pyrulidse (pi-ro'li-de), . pi. [NL., < Pyrula 
r -idte.] A family of twnioglossate gastropods, 
typified by the genus Pyrula (d) or fictila. The 
animal has a narrow long head with subulate tentacles 
and eyes at their external bases, mantle with large lobes 
reflected over the shell, and a large foot. The shell Is 
pyriform, thin, and generally sculptured with transverse 
and longitudinal lines. '1 he species are Inhabitants of 
tropical or warm seas. Also Pintlidjr, Ficttlidat, and .Si/- 
cotifpidx. 
Pyrnlinae (piHHi'ne), n. j>I. [< Pyrula + 
-inee.] 1. The Pyrulitla- as a .subfamily of I)o- 
liiil.r. 2. A subfamily restricted to Pyrula as 
represented by species of Fulaur and related 
forms. They are known as fg-xhelln and pear- 
shtlls. 
pyruline (pir'^-lin), a. Pertaining to the J'yru- 
liii.-i , or having their characters. 
pyruric (pi-r8 rik), a. [< (Jr. Tti'p, fire, + ot'pov, 
urine. Lf.pyro-itric.] In rhrm., same as cyniiii- 
rit. 
PyruB (pi'rus). n. [NL. (Tournefort, 1700), 
prop. Pirun, < L. virwi, improp. pyrus, a pear- 
trce: see pear'.] A genus or rosaceous trees and 
shrubs, including the apple and pear, the type 
of the tribe Pomea, which takes its name from 
the pome, the characteristic fruit of this genus. 
It Is characterized by an urn-shaped superior calyx, of 
which the limb It deciduous or persistent, and by an ovary 
of from two to flve mostly two-ovuled cells, which In fruit 
are two* or one-seeded, separated, cartilaginous-walled. 
anil immediately invested by a fleshy expansion of the 
disk, the whole being surrounded by the thickened calyx. 
There are about SO species, natives of northern temperate 
regions and extending Into the mountains of India. 'I li>-> 
bear alternate petloled and usually toothed leave* 
nous stipules, and numerous cymes of snowy-white or 
pink flowers, each with flve roundish petals and numerous 
stamens, terminating short spur-like branches. The nu- 
merous sections are strikingly different In habit, and sev- 
eral were long received as distinct genera. The typical 
Pythagoreanize 
section Pyrnphanim (De Candolle, 1825) Includes the pew 
anil the wild pear or choke-pear and allied species. (See 
warl.) The section Malta (Tournefort, 1700), the apple, 
diKtinguiahed by a fruit hollowed in at the base, Includes 
/>. Malu*, for which see avj'tf, appU-tret, and crab*. To 
the section Aria (De Candolle, 1825), having only two or 
three styles and ovate leaves whitened beneath, belongs 
P. Aria, the beam-tree, with several varieties. Including I', 
intermedia, the Swedish beam-tree. To the section Tormi- 
naria (De Candolle, 1826), with plnnately lulled leaves and 
somewhat obconlca] fruit, belongs /'. tnrminalit. the wild 
senrice-tiee (see ttrrite-tret\. In the section Sortnu(Tonr- 
nefort, 1700X with compound cymes and pinnate leave*, 
are Included /'. Surtntt (formerly Sorbta donuwtieaX 'or 
which aee terrier-tree ; P. Americana and /'. aucuparia, 
for which see w<iitntain-a*h. Another section, Adeno- 
rharhit (De Candolle. 1825), with berry-like fruit, but un- 
divided leaves and glandular petioles, includes P. arbttti- 
folia, for which see chakeberry, and cut under inftoret- 
cence. To the section Cydonia (Tournefort, 1700) belong 
the quinces. (See Pydonia and quincel.) The genus Met- 
jrilnx was also made by Bentham and Hooker a section of 
I'linu. See Metpilui and medlar. Also Piriui. 
pyryf, " An obsolete form of pirry. 
pysa (pi'sii), ii. Same as pice. 
pysanet 1 , w. Same as pisan'*. 
pytt, pyttet, Obsolete forms of pi ft. 
Pythagorean (pi-thag-o-re'an), a. and M. [< L. 
rythagoreux, < Gr. flv6a~j6peutf, pertaining to 
Pythagoras, < HvQa}6paf, Pythagoras.] I. a. Of 
or pertaining to Pythagoras, a Greek philoso- 
pher (perhaps 532 B. c.), or the school founded 
at Crotona (modern Cotrone). in Italy. All testi- 
mony concerning this school is of a late date, and the 
substance of It Is rejected by many critics either as Im- 
probable, or as probable, and "on that account all the 
more Indemonstrable" (Zellrr). The stories ore, how- 
ever, very consistent The higher grade of the school is 
represented as a strict monastic community, the doctrine 
being kept secret, and all betrayals terribly punished, for 
the purpose of maintaining political ascendancy. Pythag- 
oras i- said to have traveled to Egypt and Babylon ; and 
many circumstances ore accounted for by supposing that 
he did so. From those countries he might have brought, 
as it is said he did, a superior knowledge of mathematics. 
This knowledge, if kept secret, might have supplied rev- 
enues to the school, by calculations and surveys made for 
citizens. It Is difficult to doubt that mathematical science 
was much advanced within the school. All writers upon 
ancient mathematics attribute to Pythagoras the Pythag- 
orean proposition and a rule for finding Pythagorean 
triangles. The importance attached to the pentagram In 
the school shows that the Pythagoreans were acquainted 
with its geometrical construction, which is very difficult. 
They knew the regular or cosmlcal bodies. They were In 
poSHession of many propositions In the theory of numbers, 
including thedoctrine of the arithmetical, geometrical, and 
harmonical proportions. It is not impossible that they 
may have had an abacus, little inferior to the Arabic sys- 
tem of arithmetical notation. It Is not known how long 
the society lasted, perhaps for many centuries; as long as 
it retained any valuable secret it would continue to exist. 
The Pythagorean philosophy has never been compre- 
hended. The substances of things were held to be ab- 
stract numbers ; they were in some sense the elements of 
the universe. Each number, therefore, had its virtue. 
One was the number of the origin, of reason. Two was the 
number of matter, of brute force, of evil. Three was the 
number of mediation, four of Justice, flve of reproduction, 
etc. 1'en governed the world. In the I'ythagorean oath, 
Pythagoras la called the revealer of the quaternary num- 
ber that Is, ten as If something decimal were what he 
chiefly taught. Something fundamental was also found 
in (nhl and even, in square numbers, and the like. Har- 
mony, or music, consists In number. The soul Is the har- 
mony, or number, of the body. The universe has also a 
soul. The remainder of the prominent 1'ythagorean teach- 
ings with which we are acquainted ore apparently reli- 
gious. Pythagoras taught the transmigration of souls. 
Spirits, both ghosts and demigods, were an object of Pythag- 
orean belief. The brotherhood celebrated certain myste- 
rious rites connected with a view of life as a process of puri- 
fication. About the time of Augustus, perhaps earlier, Py- 
thagoreanism became mixed with Platonism. Pythag- 
orean bean. Seeiwoni. Pythagorean comma. See 
rmnia,5(aX Pythagorean dyad, see dyad. Pythag- 
orean letter, the letter Y, so called because its (Jreek 
original represented the sacred triad, formed by the duad 
proceeding from the monad. Pythagorean lyre, a lyre 
of eight strings, said to have been invented by Pythagoras. 
Pythagorean proposition, the 17th proposition of 
the first book of Euclid's " Elements," that the sum of the 
squares on the legs of a right-angled triangle Is equal to the 
square on the hypotenuse: said to have been discovered by 
Pythagoras. Pythagorean semitone. SameasKnimo, 1. 
- Pythagorean system, in outran. , the astronomical sys- 
tem of Copernicus, erroneously attributed to the Pythag- 
oreans. Pythagorean table, the multiplication-table, 
lint this appellation Is due to a corruption in the text of 
Boethius. The table originally referred to was an abacus. 
Pythagorean triangle, a triad of wlioir nmndfrs pro- 
]><>itional to the sides of a right-angled triangle the 
square of one being equal to the sum of the squares of the 
other two : as, 3, 4, ft ; 12, SS, ST.- Pythagorean tuning, 
in wutrit, a system of tuning in which the tones of the scale 
are fixed by tuning upward in perfect fifths, and back in 
octaves. The major third thus obtained was long con- 
sidered the true one, and Its recognition as a consonance 
correspondingly delayed. 
II. . A follower of Pythagoras, the founder 
of the Italic sect of philosophers. 
Not that I wanted beans to eat, for lam by nature a Py- 
thayarean, so far as beans are concerned. 
TVmn-flM. Walden, p. ITS. 
Pythagoreanism (pi tti;iu'-o-n-':ni ix.in), . [< 
I'l/il/iiii'ii-iini + -ixni.] Same as 1'i/lhiiiinrinni. 
Pythagoreanize iii-thag-o-re'aM-i/.), r. i. [< 
i ' .] S:iim- u> Pijthuyori:t. 
