thermotelephone 
change of tcmperal lire, of ;i line wire through 
whicli tlic currents arc made lo pass actuate 
tlie ]ilioiiic diaphragm. 2. A telephone trans- 
niiller in wliicli a red-hoi wire forming part of 
the 1 primary circuit of an induction-coil has its 
remittance changed by tlie sound-vibrations. 
thus inducing ciirreuls ill the secondary wliicli 
are sent to line. 
thermotensile (thcr-mo-ten'sil), a. fir. Hi/>/i>/, 
heat, + K. tensile.] licliiting to tensile force 
as affected by changes of temperature. Klahorate 
ihrriiiuteiiBilo experiments on Iron and steel, especially 
with ivtrrrnrr lo IM >ilrr- i run, lirivrli.Tti made, and their 
ie-iiltK tabulated, this licini! n matter of great practical 
illlpoltiUHV. 
thermotic (ther-mot'ik), a. [< Gr. Bipun, heat, 
+ -otic.] Of or relating to heat ; resulting from 
or dependent on heat. 
In the spectrum of a (lint-glass prism the apex of the 
thematic curve that is to say, the place of greatest heat- 
effect Is situated . . . outside the apparent spectrum 
in the ultra-red region. Lommel, Light (trans.), p. 201. 
thermotical (thcr-mot'i-kal), a. [< thermal ir 
H- -nl.] Same as thermotic. Wnewell, Hist. 
Induct. Sciences, X. 1, $ 4. 
thermotics (ther-mot'iks), n. [PI. of thermotic 
(see -ic).] The science of heat. 
In the History of the Sciences, I have named it [the 
Science of Heat] Ttirrntiittcx, which appears to me to agree 
better with the analogy of the names of other correspond- 
ing sciences, Acoustics and Optics. 
U'lifirell, Phllos. Induct Sciences, I. Ixrli. 
thermotropic (ther-mo-trop'ik), a. [< Gr. Oep/ui, 
lieat, + Tpomit6f, < rptmiv, turn : see tropic.] In 
lot., exhibiting or characterized by thermotro- 
pism. 
Curvatures dependent upon temperature are called 
thermotrapic. Goodale, 1'hysiol. Bot. , p. 3K4. 
thermotropism (ther-mot'ro-pizm), n. [< ther- 
motrop-ic + -ism.] In hot., the phenomenon 
of curvature produced in a growing plant-or- 
gan by changes of temperature. Organs which 
curve toward the source of heat are called positively ther- 
motropic, and those which curve away from the source of 
heat, negatively thermotropic. 
thermdtype (ther 'mo -tip), . [< Gr. Otpuq, 
heat, + rwrof, impression: see type.'] A pic- 
ture-impression, as of a slice of wood, obtained 
by first wetting the object with dilute acid, as 
sulphuric or hydrochloric, then printing it, and 
afterward developing the impression by heat. 
thermotypy (ther'mo-tl-pi), . [As thermotype 
+ -y 3 .] The act or process of producing a 
thermotype. 
thernet, . [ME., also tame, < Icel. therna = 
Sw. tarnti = Dan. terne = OHG. thiarna, 
diorna, MHG. dicrnc, dime, G. dime, a girl.] 
A girl; a wench. 
As sengle knave and sengle tarne, 
Whan they synne togedyr O erue. 
MS. Harl. 1701, f. 49. (HaUiwtU.) 
thcrodont (the'ro-dont), a. and n. Same as the- 
riitilmi t. 
Therodontia (the-ro-don'shi-a), n. pi. [NL.] 
Same as Tlteriodontia. 
theroid (the'roid), a. [< Gr. tti/p (%>-), a wild 
beast, + fMof , form.] Having animal propensi- 
ties or characteristics. 
The animal mind of the theroid idiot is accompanied by 
appropriate animal peculiarities of body. 
Nineteenth Century, Sept, 1888, p. 353. 
therologic (the-ro-loj'ik), a. [< therolog-y + 
-ic.] Pertaining to therology. 
therological (the-ro-loj'i-kal), a. [< therologic 
+ -al.] Same as therologic. 
therologist (the-rol'o-jist), n. [< therolog-y + 
-int.'] A student of the Mammalia; a mam- 
malogist. Tlie Academy, Aug. 25, 1877. 
therology (the-rol'o-ji), n. [< Gr. W/p (%>-), 
a wild beast, + -f,oyla, < Mfta. speak: see 
-oloijy.] The science of mammals; mammal- 
ogy or mastology: substituted lately on the 
ground that ninmmiilin/i/ is a hybrid word. 
theromorph (the'ro-morf), n. One of the 
Theromorpha. 
Theromorpha (the-ro-m6r'fa), n. pi. [NL., < 
Gr. %> (8r/p-), a wild beast, -f uopty'i, form.] An 
order of fossil reptiles, of the Permian period, so 
called from certain resemblances they present 
t o mammals. The quadrate bone is fixed ; the ribs arc 
two-headed; the precoracoid is present, and the coracoid 
is reduced in size, with free extremity ; the vertebnn are 
amphicralous, and the pubic bones are entirely anterior to 
the ischia; and there Is no obturator foramen. Some of 
the Theromorpha were made known by Owen under the 
name Therinlontia. These remains were from t'upe i'nl- 
ony, but the Theruwtrrpha have mostly been studied by 
rope from remains found in the Permian of Texas. The 
order is itiviitrtl by Cope into Anomotlnntia and /V/i/r"- 
Ktiiiriu. Src these words. Also, rarely, Theromora. 
theromorphia (the-ro-mor'ti-a), . [NL.. < < ir. 
9i/p (%)-), a wild beast, + uop$>i, form.] In 
6285 
liiiiiiini limit,, an abnormality in structure re- 
sembling I'M' norm in lower animals. 
theromorphic 1 (thc-ro-mor'fik), . |< Tlieru- 
mitrpliii T -ic.] Theromorphotis. 
theromorphic- (the-ro-mor'fik). it. [< therti- 
mnr/iltiti + -ir.] Abnormally resembling in 
anatomical structure the lower animals. 
theromorphous (the-ro-mor'fus), a. [< Thcro- 
iiiorpltii + -iinn.] Pertaining to the '1'lieriininr- 
jilin, or having their characters. 
theropod (tho'ro-pod), a. and . [< Gr. (ti/p 
(0>/p-), a wild beast, + iroi'f (iron-) = E. foot.] 
I. a. Having feet like those of (mammalian) 
beasts, as a dinosaur; of or pertaining to the 
Tin i'1/ioda. 
II. n. A carnivorous dinosaur of the order 
Theropoda. 
Also theriopod, and (erroneously) therapod. 
Theropoda (the-rop'o-dft), n. pi. [NL. : see 
theropod.] An order of extinct carnivorous 
dinosaurs, having digitigrade feet with prehen- 
sile claws, very small fore limbs, hollow limb- 
bones, cavernous vertebrae, premaxillary teeth, 
and united pubes. They were of large or gigantic size 
and predaceous hablta, and in the structure of the feet re- 
sembled quadrupeds rather than birds (see Ornithopoda), 
whence the name. There are several families, as Meyalo- 
tauridx, Zandodmitidjr, A mphisauridtr, and Labromuri- 
(iff. Also, incorrectly, Therapoda. 
theropodous (the-rop'6-dus), a. Same as the- 
ropoS. Geol. Jour., XLV. i. 44. 
thersitical (th6r-sit'i-kal), a. [< Thcrsites (L. 
Tliersites, < Gr. QfpaiTr/c) + -ic-al.] Resembling 
or characteristic of Thersites, a scurrilous char- 
acter in Homer's Iliad ; hence, grossly abusive ; 
scurrilous; foul-mouthed. 
There Is a pelting kind of thtrtitieal satire, as black as 
the Ink 'tis wrote with. Sttrne, Tristram Shandy, ix. 14. 
therstt, ". A Middle English form of durst. 
Octovian, 1. 681. Halliujell. 
thesaurert, [< ML. thesauraritta, treasurer, 
< L. thesaurarius, pertaining to treasure, < the- 
saurus, treasure: see thesaurus and treasure, 
and cf. treasurer.] A treasurer. 
To my loving frendes Sir Thomas Boleyne Knight, The- 
tourer of the Kinges Oraces most honorable lloushold, 
and Sir HenryGuldeford, Knight Comptroller of the same. 
.1 '/'. Warhatn, in Ellli's 1 1 i.-t. Letters, 3d ser., I. 367. 
thesaurus (the-sa'rus), n. [< L. thesaurus, OL. 
thensaurus, thensaurum, < Gr. OriaavpAs, a store 
laid up, treasure, a treasure-house, storehouse, 
chest : see treasure, the old form of the word, 
derived through OF. and ME.] A treasury ; a 
store ; especially, thesaurus rerborum, or simply 
thesaurus, a treasury of words; a lexicon. 
In a complete themunu of any language, the etymology 
of every word should exhibit both its philology and 1U 
linguistics, Its domestic history and its foreign relations. 
0. P. North, l.crts. on Eng. Lang., iii. 
these (?Hez), a. and pron. Plural of this. 
Theseion, Theseum (the-se'on, -um), . [NL., 
< Gr. Qt/ofiov, Ofyxiov, < Oqaeiif, Theseus.] A 
temple or sanctuary of the Athenian hero-king 
Theseus, especially a temple built in Athens, 
about 460 B. c., to receive the bones of Theseus, 
then brought home from Scyros ; at the present 
time, specifically, a beautiful hexastyle perip- 
teral Doric temple of Pentelic marble, dating 
The so-called Theseion. at Athens, from the southwest. 
from the second half of the fifth century B. c., 
still standing in Athens at the foot of the 
Acropolis and Areopagus. Its Interior arrange- 
ments and its sculptured decoration have suffered much, 
but it is notwithstanding the most perfect surviving ex- 
ample of a Oreek temple, and exhibits all the refinements 
of Doric architecture at its culmination. This temple Is 
now identified with practical certainty as that of Hephes- 
tus (Vulean); it was certainly not the temple of Theseus. 
See also cut under op&hodomot. 
thesicle (the'si-kl). n. [Dim. of thesis.] A little 
or subordinate thesis; a proposition. [Bare.] 
Imp. Diet. 
thesocyte 
Thesieae ' . . /'' |M-. (Bcntham 
and Hooker,' 1880). < Tl-xi<i,,i + -i :i. \ A tribe 
of apetalous plants, of the order >'<///<;..;<, 
the sandaluooil family. It is characterized by lt> 
small nut like fruit, and perianth-tube prolonged above 
the Inferior ovary and without a conspicuous disk. It in- 
cludes 5 genera of herbs and low nndershrubs. of whicli 
Therium ii the type ; the others arc mainly natives of 
South America or South Africa. 
thesis (tlie'sis), .; pi. theses (-sez). [=F. tlitse 
= Sp. texiM = Pg. these = It. test = (i. thesis, 
these, < L. thrxix, < Gr. Ilinii;, a proposition. :i 
statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, 
thesis in prosody (from the setting down of the 
foot in beating time) ; cf. 6cr6f, placed. < nttrmi 
(/ 0t), put, set: see do 1 . Cf. theme, from the 
same Gr. verb.] 1. The formulation in ad- 
vance of a proposition to be proved ; a posi- 
tion; a proposition which one advances and 
offers to maintain by argument against objec- 
tions. 
Antitheta are Throe* argued pro et contra (for and 
against]. Bacon, Advancement of Learning, II. 
In all the foreign universities and convents there are 
upon certain days philosophical theses maintained against 
every adventitious disputant Qoldtmith, Vicar, xx. 
Hence 2. An essay or dissertation upon a spe- 
cific or definite theme, as an essay presented 
by a candidate for a diploma or degree, as for 
that of doctor. 
Then comes the struggle for degrees, 
With all the oldest and ablest critics ; 
The public them* and disputation. 
Longfellow, Golden Legend, vl. 
3. A theme; a subject propounded fora school 
or college exercise ; the exercise itself. 4. (n) 
A premise assumed and not proved, although 
not self-evident; either a postulate or a defini- 
tion. (6) The consequent of a hypothetical 
proposition. [Rare.] 5. In musical rhyth- 
mics, a heavy accent, such as in beating time 
is marked by a down-beat. See rhythm. 6. 
In pros. : (a) Originally, and in more correct 
recent usage, that part of a foot which receives 
the ictus, or metrical stress. (6) In prevalent 
modern usage, the metrically unaccented part 
of a foot. See arsis, 1. 7. In one. rhet., a 
general question, not limited to special persons 
and circumstances: opposed to a hypothesis, or 
question which is so limited. 8. In rhet., the 
part of a sentence preceding and correlated to 
the antithesis. [Rare.] 
The style of Junlus Is a sort of metre, the law of which 
Is a balance of thesis and antithesis. 
Coleridge, Table-Talk, II. 218. 
= 8yn. L Topic, Point, etc. See mbject, 
Thesium (the-si'um), K. [NL. (Linnaeus, 1737), 
L. name of 'T. Linophyllon, so called, accord- 
ing to Athenwus, because Theseus crowned 
Ariadne with it ; < Gr. Q//oeiav, neut. of Qfaeiof, 
belonging to Theseus, < Qt/an^, Theseus.] A 
genus of plants, type of the tribe Tliesiete in 
the order Santalacex. It Is characterized by linear 
or scale-like leaves, and bisexual flowers with small ovate 
or oblong anthers and a nliform, often flexuous or zigzag 
placenta. There are over 100 species, widely distributed 
through the Old World, chletiy in the temperate parts, 
and with 2 species in Brazil. They are herbs, often with 
a hard or shrubby base, and frequently parasitic by the 
root. The leaves are small and alternate. The scentless 
flowers are borne in a spike or a simple or compound ra- 
ceme. T. Linophyllon, a small white-flowered plant of 
English pastures, is called bastard toadflax. 
Thesmophoria (thes-md-fo'ri-a), n. pi. JX Gr. 
8ea/uxp6pia (pi.), < BeauoQopoc,, law-giving, < mafi6f, 
law (< Tifffvai, lay down : see thesis), -r -4o/f, < 
ftpeiv = E. bear*.] An ancient Greek festival 
with mysteries, celebrated by married women 
in honor of Demeter (Ceres) as the "mother 
of beautiful offspring." Though not confined 
to Attica, it was especially observed at Athens 
and Eleusis. 
In the Thftmophoria, as well as the pigs' flesh myste- 
rious sacred objects were In use, made of the dough of 
wheat, and in the shape of forms of snakes and men. 
Harrison and Verrall, Ancient Athens, p. zxxv. 
Thesmophorian (thes-mo-fo'ri-an), a. [< Thes- 
mophorta + -an.] Of or pertaining to the Thes- 
mophoria. 
Thesmophoric (thes-mo-for'ik), a. [< Thesmo- 
phoria + -<;.] Same as' Tliesmophorian. Encyc. 
Brit., XVH. 127. 
thesmothete (thes'mo-thet), . [< F. thenmo- 
ihitf, < Gr. deouaBtTiK,'* lawgiver, < foa/tof, law, 
+ BCTIK , one who lays down, < nHMt, put, set : 
see thesis.] A lawgiver; a legislator; one of 
the six inferior archous at Athens. 
thesocyte (the'so-sit), n. One of certain re- 
serve cells which have been described in sev- 
eral sponges. Encyc. Brit., XXII. 420. 
