n.
Any one of numerous species of Diptera belonging to Tachina and allied genera. Their larvae are external parasites of other insects.
n.
An instrument for measuring the velocity, or indicating changes in the velocity, of a moving body or substance.
n.
An instrument for measuring the velocity of running water in a river or canal, consisting of a wheel with inclined vanes, which is turned by the current. The rotations of the wheel are recorded by clockwork.
n.
An instrument for showing at any moment the speed of a revolving shaft, consisting of a delicate revolving conical pendulum which is driven by the shaft, and the action of which by change of speed moves a pointer which indicates the speed on a graduated dial.
n.
An instrument for measuring the velocity of the blood; a haematachometer.
n.
A short or rapid method of instructing.
n. pl.
A division of monotremes which comprises the spiny ant-eaters of Australia and New Guinea. See Illust. under Echidna.
a.
Alt. of Tachygraphical
a.
Of or pertaining to tachygraphy; written in shorthand.
n.
The art or practice of rapid writing; shorthand writing; stenography.
n.
A vitreous form of basalt; -- so called because decomposable by acids and readily fusible.
a.
Done or made in silence; implied, but not expressed; silent; as, tacit consent is consent by silence, or by not interposing an objection.
a.
Habitually silent; not given to converse; not apt to talk or speak.
n.
Habilual silence, or reserve in speaking.
n.
A peculiar flavor or taint; as, a musty tack.
n.
A small, short, sharp-pointed nail, usually having a broad, flat head.
n.
That which is attached; a supplement; an appendix. See Tack, v. t., 3.
v. t.
A rope used to hold in place the foremost lower corners of the courses when the vessel is closehauled (see Illust. of Ship); also, a rope employed to pull the lower corner of a studding sail to the boom.
v. t.
The part of a sail to which the tack is usually fastened; the foremost lower corner of fore-and-aft sails, as of schooners (see Illust. of Sail).