Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun One of a class of small and slender glass vessels of varying form found in sepulchers of the ancients.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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When the eye of a bird closes with its two lids, the first to close is the nictitating membrane which closes from the lacrymal duct over to the outer corner of the eye; and the outer lid closes from below upwards, and these two intersecting motions begin first from the lacrymatory duct, because we have already seen that in front and below birds are protected and use only the upper portion of the eye from fear of birds of prey which come down from above and behind; and they uncover first the membrane from the outer corner, because if the enemy comes from behind, they have the power of escaping to the front; and again the muscle called the nictitating membrane is transparent, because, if the eye had not such a screen, they could not keep it open against the wind which strikes against the eye in the rush of their rapid flight.
The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci — Volume 2 1452-1519 Leonardo da Vinci 1485
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When the eye of a bird closes with its two lids, the first to close is the nictitating membrane which closes from the lacrymal duct over to the outer corner of the eye; and the outer lid closes from below upwards, and these two intersecting motions begin first from the lacrymatory duct, because we have already seen that in front and below birds are protected and use only the upper portion of the eye from fear of birds of prey which come down from above and behind; and they uncover first the membrane from the outer corner, because if the enemy comes from behind, they have the power of escaping to the front; and again the muscle called the nictitating membrane is transparent, because, if the eye had not such a screen, they could not keep it open against the wind which strikes against the eye in the rush of their rapid flight.
The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci — Complete 1452-1519 Leonardo da Vinci 1485
hober commented on the word lacrymatory
"a bottle used to hold the tears of grieving friends, and buried with the dead."
Seen in Erin McKean's twitter stream.
February 27, 2009
sionnach commented on the word lacrymatory
WFBiFMTAWW-KSLEMcK* but this "word" seems to lack an 'h'.
Unless of course it is an adjective used to describe the state of the municipality which suffered the ironic indignity of having its crematorium burn to the ground.
*: "Well, far be it from me to argue with well-known superstar lexicographer ..."
Besides which, that whole 'tears of grieving friends' thing is way too creepy and reminiscent of a certain South Park episode, involving pubic hairs, chili, and Cartman at his most evil.
February 27, 2009