simple 
to man's natural powers of acting or thinking; 
plain; clear; easy: as, a simple task; a simple 
statement ; a single explanation. 
That is the doctrine, simple, ancient, true. 
Browning, James Lee's Wife, vii. 
In the comment did I find the charm. 
O, the results lire simple ; a mere child 
Might use it to the harm of anyone. 
Tennyson, Merlin and Vivien. 
9. In music: () Single; not compound: as, 
a simple sound or tone. (b) Undeveloped; not 
complex: as, simple counterpoint, fugue, imi- 
tation, rhythm, time, (c) Not exceeding an 
octave; not compound: as, a simple interval, 
third, fifth, etc. (d) Unbroken by valves or 
crooks: as, a simple tube in a trumpet. 10. 
In bot., not formed by a union of similar parts 
or groups of parts: thus, a simple pistil is of 
one carpel; a simple leaf is of one blade; a 
simple stem or trunk is one not divided at the 
base. Compare single ivmbel, below. 11. In 
zool. and anat. : (a) Plain; entire; not varied, 
complicated, or appendaged. See simple-faced, 
(b) Single; not compound, social, or colonial: as, 
the wy>/easeidians; the simple (not compound) 
eyes or ocelli of an insect, (c) Normal or usual ; 
ordinary; not duplex: as, the simple teeth of 
ordinary rodents. See simple-toothed, (d) In 
entom., more particularly (1) Formed of one 
lobe, joint, etc. : as, a simple maxilla ; the simple 
capitulum or club of an antenna. (2) Not spe- 
cially enlarged, dilated, robust, etc.: as, simple 
femora, not fitted for leaping or not like a 
grasshopper's. (3) Entire; not dentate, ser- 
rate, emarginate, etc. ; having no special pro- 
cesses, etc. : as, a simple margin. (4) Not 
sheathed or vagiuate : as, a simple aculeus or 
sting. 12. In chem., that has not been decom- 
posed or separated into chemically distinct 
kinds of matter; elementary. See element, 3. 
13. In mineral., homogeneous Fee simple. 
See/eea. Simple acceptation, in logic, the acceptation 
of a universal term as signifying a general nature abstract- 
ed from singulars, as when we say, "Animal is the genus 
of man. "Simple act, that activity of a faculty from 
which the faculty derives its name. Simple addition. 
See addition, 1. Simple affection, in logic, a character 
which helongs to objects singly, as opposed to a relation. 
Simple apoplexy, apoplexy with no visible structural 
change or lesion. Simple apprehension. See appre- 
hensionSimple ascidians. See Simplices. Simple 
asthenic fever. See fever*. Simple benefice. See 
benefice, 2. Simple cancer, a form of scirrhous cancer 
which from excessive cell-growth approximates to the 
characters of encephaloid cancer. Simple cell. See cell, 
8. Simple cerate. Same as ceratum. Simple cholera. 
Same as sporadic cholera. Simple chuck. See chuck*, 5. 
Simple commissure of the cerebellum. See commis- 
sure. Simple comparison, the faculty of judgment by 
which we compare the subject and predicate of a proposi- 
tion. Simple concept, a concept in which no plurality of 
attributes can be distinguished, which cannot be defined, 
and of which nothing can be predicated. Simple con- 
clusion, or simple consequence, an inference drawn 
from a single premise ; also, a conclusion from a single 
premise which is valid by virtue of the meaning of the 
terms used : as, Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is an 
animal. Simple concomitance. See concomitance. 
Simple constructive dilemma, simple destructive 
dilemma. See dilemma. Simple continued fever. 
See feverl. Simple contract. See parole contract, un- 
der contract. Simple conversion. See conversion, 2. 
Simple degradation, in eccles. law. See degradation, 1 
(a). Simple dislocation, in surg. See dislocation, 2. 
Simple ens. (a) That which is neither composite nor 
componible, which is true of God alone. (6) The object of 
a simple concept, (c) That which is not composed of dif- 
ferent things, especially not of matter and form, but is 
either pure matter or pure form, (d) That which is not 
composed of different kinds of matter, as an element. 
Simple enumeration, the colligation of examples upon 
which to base an induction without the use of any pre- 
caution to insure their being representative samples of 
the class from which they are drawn, and without prepara- 
tion for any check upon the correctness of the induction. 
See induction by simple enumeration, under enumeration. 
Simple enunciation, epithelium, equation. See the 
nouns. Simple ethers. See etheri, s. Simple event. 
See event. Simple feast, in the Rom. Cath. Ch., a feast 
of the lowest class, the services for which differ very little 
from the services for ordinary occasions, the other classes 
being double and semi-dmtble. Simple foot, in anc. pros. : 
(a) According to the earlier rhythmicians, a trisemic, tetra- 
semic, or pentasemic foot, or a hexasemic foot not consist- 
ing of two similar trisemic feet : opposed to a compound 
foot in the sense of a colon, (b) Later, a dissyllabic or 
trisyllabic foot, with inclusion of the pyrrhic (~ ~) : op- 
posed to a compound foot in the sense of a foot com- 
pounded of these. See pyrrhic. Simple force, form, 
fraction, fracture. See the nouns. Simnle fruits. 
See fruit, 4. Simple ganglion. See ganglion, 3 (a). 
Simple group, harmony, homage, hypertrophy. See 
the nouns. Simple hypothesis, explanation, or the- 
ory, a hypothesis which recommends itself to the natural 
light of reason, and, being easily conceived, appears to us 
as incomplex. Simple idea, in associationalist psychol- 
ogy, a feeling incapable of analysis. Some psychologists 
deny the distinction of simple and complex ideas, on 
the ground that all feelings are simple in themselves; 
but by a simple idea is not meant a feeling simple in it- 
self, but a feeling incapable of subsequent analysis. The 
idea produced by a color and an odor perceived together 
5639 
is an example of an idea not simple. Simple intelli- 
gence, understanding not involving a cognition of rela- 
tions as such. Simple interest. See interest, 7. Sim- 
ple interpretation, an interpretation of which no part 
signifies anything separately. Simple interval. See 
interval, 5. Simple larceny. See larceny.- Simple 
leaf, in bot., a leaf consisting of a single piece. Simple 
machine. See machine, 2. Simple matter, the matter 
of an element Simple medicine, a medicine consist- 
ing of a single drug. Simple mode, a mode which is 
but a variation of a single idea. Simple necessity, 
the necessity of a proposition whose denial would imply 
a contradiction; logical necessity. Simple number. 
Same as abstract number (which see, under abstract, 1). 
Simple ointment. See ointment. Simple operation, 
an operation considered apart from others, as an operation 
of the mind apart from an accompanying operation of the 
body. Simple part, a part which has itself no parts of 
thesame kind. Simple position, in ari(A. Seeposition, 
7. Simple power, the power of first matter; pure power. 
Simple probation, a probation which involves a single 
inferential step ; one which cannot be analyzed into a suc- 
cession of inferences. Simple proportion. See propor- 
tion. Simple proposition. See proposition. Simple 
quadratic, an equation which contains the unknown 
quantity only in its square, which is a factor of one of the 
terms. The general form is Ao;2 = 13. Simple quality 
Of an element, the property of the simple matter, fitting 
it to receive the substantial form of the element. Sim- 
ple quantity, in math. : (a) A quantity expressible by 
means of a single number, (o) A monomial. Simple 
question, the question whether a thing is, or what it is. 
Simple ratio, repetend, science, sentence, singu- 
larity, strain. See the nouns. Simple sporophore, 
in bot. , a sporophore consisting of a single hypna or branch 
of a hypha. De Bary, Simple time, in anc. pros., a 
monosemic as opposed to a greater or compound (dise- 
mic, trisemic, etc.) time. Simple trust, in law, a trust 
not qualified by provisions as to the power or duty of 
the trustee, so that in general he is a mere passive de- 
pository of possession or legal title, subject to which the 
entire right is in the beneficiary. Simple umbel, in 
bot., an umbel having hut a single set of rays. Sim- 
ple Will, will directed toward an ultimate end, not to- 
ward a means. =Syn. 1. Unmixed, elementary. 2. Un- 
studied, unvarnished, naive, frank, open, straightforward. 
6. Simple, Silly, Dull, shallow, stupid, preposterous, 
inept, trifling, frivolous. Of the italicized words, silly 
is more active ; the others are more passive. The simple 
person is not only ignorant or lacking in practical wis- 
dom, but unconscious of his own deficiencies, so that he 
is peculiarly liable to be duped. That which in the 
simple is unconsciousness is in the silly an active self- 
satisfaction or conceit : the simple may be taught wis- 
dom by hard experience ; the silly have much to unlearn 
as well. Silliness is a form of folly. (See absurd.) He 
who is dull has no edge upon his mind ; his mind works 
into a subject with the slowness with which a dull knife 
cuts into a piece of wood, but his mind can perhaps be 
gradually sharpened, so that the dull boy becomes the 
keen man. 
II. . 1 . That which is unmixed or uncom- 
pounded; a simple substance or constituent; 
an element. 
It is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many 
simples, extracted from many objects. 
Shale., As you Like it, iv. 1. 16. 
To these noxious simples we may reduce an infinite 
number of compound, artificial, made dishes. 
Burton, Anat. of Mel., p. 141. 
2. A medicinal herb, or a medicine obtained 
from an herb : so called because each vegetable 
was supposed to possess its particular virtue, 
and therefore to constitute a simple remedy: 
commonly in the plural. 
I went to see Mr. Wats, keeper of the Apothecaries gar- 
den of simples at Chelsea, where there is a collection of 
innumerable rarities of that sort particularly. 
Evelyn, Diary, Aug. 7, 1685. 
Run and fetch simples, 
With which my mother heal'd my arm when last 
I was wounded by the boar. 
Fletcher (and another), Sea Voyage, ii. 2. 
3. A person of low birth or estate : used chief- 
ly in contrast with gentle: as, gentle and sim- 
ple. [Obsolete or provincial.] 
She beseches you as hir souerayne that symple to saue. 
York Plays, p. 282. 
" I fancy there 's too much whispering going on to be of 
any spiritual use to gentle or simple." . . . Accordingly 
there was silence in the gallery. 
T. Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree, i. 6. 
4. pi. Foolish or silly behavior; foolishness: 
as, to have a fit of the simples. [Colloq.] 5. 
A draw-loom. [Archaic.] 6. A set of short 
dependent cords, with terminal bobs, attached 
to the tail of a part of the harness in a draw- 
loom, worked by the draw-boy. 7. Eccles., a 
simple feast To cut for the simples, to cure of fool- 
ishness, as if by a surgical operation. [Humorous.] 
Indeed, Mr. Neverout, you should becw(/or the simples 
this morning ; say a word more, and you had as good eat 
your nails. Swift, Polite Conversation, i. 
simple (sim'pl), v. i.; pret. and pp. simpled, 
ppr. simpling. [< simple, .] To gather sim- 
ples, or medicinal plants. 
I know that here are several sorts of Medicinal Herbs 
made use of by the Natives, who often go a simpling, 
seeming to understand their Virtues much, and making 
great use of them. Dampier, Voyages, II. i. 126. 
Botanists, all cold to smiles and dimpling. 
Forsake the fair, and patiently go simpling. 
Goldsmith, Prol. to Craddock's Zobeide, 1. 6. 
simplician 
simple-faced (sim'pl-fast), . Having no folia- 
ceous appendages on the snout : applied to bats 
of the family I'espa'tilionidse, as distinguished 
from leaf-nosed, phyllostomous, or rhinolo- 
phine bats. W. H. Flower. 
simple-hearted (sim'pl-har"ted), a. Having a 
simple heart ; single-hearted ; ingenuous. 
And, as the cageling newly flown returns, 
The seeming-injured simple-hearted thing 
Came to her old perch back, and settled there. 
Tennyson, Merlin and Vivien. 
Simple-minded (sim'pl-mln // ded), a. Lacking 
intelligence or penetration; unsophisticated; 
artless. 
Others of graver mien, 
. . . bending oft their sanctimonious eyes, 
Take homage of the simple-minded throng. 
Aketmde, Pleasures of the Imagination, iii. 112. 
I am a simple-minded person, wholly devoid of subtlety 
of intellect. Huxley, Nineteenth Century, XIX. 191. 
simple-mindedness (sim'pl-min"ded-nes), n. 
The state or character of being simple-minded, 
simpleness (sim'pl-nes), n. [< ME. simplenesse, 
sympylnesse,sympyllnes; < simple + -ness.'] The 
state or quality of being simple, in any sense 
of that word. 
Mi labor wil don After my simplenesse 
Hit for to conuey As I can or may. 
Rom. ofPartenay (E. E. T. S.), Introd., 1. 71. 
God's will, 
What simpleness is this ! 
Shak., R. and J., iii. 3. 77. 
Simpler (sim'pler), n. [< simple, y., + -erl.] 
One who collects simples, or medicinal plants : 
a herbalist; a simplist. Minsheu. 
The Simpler comes, with basket and book, 
For herbs of power on thy banks to look. 
Bryant, Green River. 
"Look at this blue-flag." she said; "our neighbor, a 
wise simpler, declares it will cure a host of diseases." 
S. Judd, Margaret, ii. 1. 
simpler's-joy (sim'plerz-joi), . The common 
vervain, Verbena officinalis : so called as a mar- 
ketable drug-plant. [Prov. Eng.] 
simplesset, . [< ME. simplesse, < OF. simplesse, 
simplece, simpleche, F. simplesse (= Pr. Sp. Pg. 
simpleza), simplicity, < simple, simple : see sim- 
ple.] Simpleness; simplicity. 
Though that diffautes apperen in use, 
Yut of your mercy my simplesse excuse. 
Rom. of Partenay (E. E. T. S.), 1. 6600. 
Darting forth a dazzling light 
On all that come her simplesse to rebuke ! 
B. Jonson, Underwoods, xciv. 
simpleton (sim'pl-ton), n. [< F. as if *simple- 
ton, dim. of simplet, m., simplette, f., simple, 
dim. of simple, simple ; cf . Sp. simplon, a sim- 
pleton. No F. "simpleton occurs; but -eton, a 
double dim. suffix, occurs in other words, one of 
which is the source of E. jenneting ; another is 
the source of E. mnsJcetoon. Cf. sillyton, made 
in imitation of simple ton.~] 1. A person of lim- 
ited or feeble intelligence ; a foolish or silly per- 
son. 
Those letters may prove a discredit, as lasting as mer- 
cenary scribblers, or curious simpletons, can make it. 
Pope. 
The fears of the sister have added to the weakness of the 
woman ; but she is by no means a simpleton in general. 
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, xiv. 
2. The American dunlin, purre, or ox-bird. 
See cut under dunlin. 
simple-toothed (sim'pl-totht), a. Having one 
pair of incisors above and below, as a rodent ; 
simplicident. See Simplicidentata. 
simple-winged (sim'pl-wingd), o. Not tooth- 
winged, as a butterfly: noting the Heliconiinse. 
Simplices (sim'pli-sez), n. pi. [NL., pi. of L. 
simplex, simple : see simple.'] The simple ascid- 
ians; a suborder of Ascidiacea contrasted with 
Composites and with Salpiformes, containing or- 
dinary fixed ascidians which are solitary and 
seldom reproduce by gemmation, or, if colo- 
nial (as in one family), whose members have no 
common investment, each having its own case 
or test. Here belong the common forms known as sea- 
squirts, and by other fanciful names (as sea-peach, sea-pear, 
sea-potato), of at least four families, the Clavelinida, Asei- 
diidse,, Cynthiidse, and Molgulidfe, of which the first-named 
is colonial or social, and makes a transition from the quite 
simpleor solitary ascidians(theotherthreefamiliesnamed) 
to the compound forms, or Composite. 
Simpliciat (sim-plish'ia), it. pi. [NL., neut. pi. 
of L. simplex, simple : see simple."] In Cuvier's 
system of classification, the simple acalephs; 
the first order of his Acaleplia, distinguished 
from Hydrostatica. It was an artificial group 
of medusans and ctenophorans. 
simpliciant (sim-plish'i-an), n. [< L. simplex 
(simplie-), simple (see simple), -i- -i-an.] A 
simpleton. 
