from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Prince \Prince\, n. [F., from L. princeps, -cipis, the first,
chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and
{Capacious}.]
1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and
authority; a sovereign; a monarch; -- originally applied
to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female.
--Wyclif (Rev. i. 5).
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Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince. --Milton.
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Queen Elizabeth, a prince admirable above her sex.
--Camden.
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2. The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal
family; as, princes of the blood. --Shak.
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3. A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in
different countries. In England it belongs to dukes,
marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal
family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a
member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is
always one of the royal family.
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4. The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class
or profession; one who is pre["e]minent; as, a merchant
prince; a prince of players. "The prince of learning."
--Peacham.
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{Prince-Albert coat}, a long double-breasted frock coat for
men.
{Prince of the blood}, {Prince consort}, {Prince of
darkness}. See under {Blood}, {Consort}, and {Darkness}.
{Prince of Wales}, the oldest son of the English sovereign.
{Prince's feather} (Bot.), a name given to two annual herbs
({Amarantus caudatus} and {Polygonum orientale}), with
apetalous reddish flowers arranged in long recurved
panicled spikes.
{Prince's metal}, {Prince Rupert's metal}. See under {Metal}.
{Prince's pine}. (Bot.) See {Pipsissewa}.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Darkness \Dark"ness\, n.
1. The absence of light; blackness; obscurity; gloom.
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And darkness was upon the face of the deep. --Gen.
i. 2.
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2. A state of privacy; secrecy.
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What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light.
--Matt. x. 27.
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3. A state of ignorance or error, especially on moral or
religious subjects; hence, wickedness; impurity.
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Men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. --John. iii.
19.
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Pursue these sons of darkness: drive them out
From all heaven's bounds. --Milton.
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4. Want of clearness or perspicuity; obscurity; as, the
darkness of a subject, or of a discussion.
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5. A state of distress or trouble.
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A day of clouds and of thick darkness. --Joel. ii.
2.
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{Prince of darkness}, the Devil; Satan. "In the power of the
Prince of darkness." --Locke.
Syn: {Darkness}, {Dimness}, {Obscurity}, {Gloom}.
Usage: Darkness arises from a total, and dimness from a
partial, want of light. A thing is obscure when so
overclouded or covered as not to be easily perceived.
As tha shade or obscurity increases, it deepens into
gloom. What is dark is hidden from view; what is
obscure is difficult to perceive or penetrate; the eye
becomes dim with age; an impending storm fills the
atmosphere with gloom. When taken figuratively, these
words have a like use; as, the darkness of ignorance;
dimness of discernment; obscurity of reasoning; gloom
of superstition.
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