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Brewer's: Masaniello
A corruption of TomMASo ANIELLO, a Neapolitan fisherman, who led the revolt of July, 1647. The great grievance was a new tax upon fruit, and the immediate cause of Masaniello's…Brewer's: Penelope
(4 syl.). The Web or Shroud of Penelope. A work “never ending, still beginning;” never done, but ever in hand. Penelopë, according to Homer, was pestered by suitors while her husband,…Brewer's: Lifting
(The). In Scotland means lifting the coffin on the shoulders of the bearers. Certain ceremonies preceded the funeral. “When at the funeral of an ordinary husband-man, one o'clock was named…Brewer's: Nail fixed in the Temple
(of Jupiter). On September 13th a nail was annually driven into the wall of the temple of Jupiter. This was originally done to tally the year, but subsequently it lapsed into a religious…Brewer's: Full Dress
The dress worn on occasions of ceremony. If a man has no special costume, his “full dress” is a suit of black, open waiscoat, swallow-tailed coat, white neckcloth, and patent-leather boots…Brewer's: Devil's Cabinet
(The). Belphego, the Devil's ambassador in France; Hutgin, in Italy; Belial, in Turkey; Tharung, in Spain; and Martinet, in Switzerland. His grand almoner is Dagon; chief of the eunuchs is…Brewer's: Dub
To make a knight by giving him a blow. Dr. Tusler says, “The ancient method or knighting was by a box on the ear, implying that it would be the last he would receive, as he would…Brewer's: Knox Ompax
The words of dismissal in the Eleusinian Mysteries. A correspondent in Notes and Queries says “knox” or “kogx” is the Sanscrit Canscha (the object of your desire); “ompax” is om (amen),…Brewer's: Hardy
(Letitia). Heroine of the Belle's Stratagem, by Mrs. Cowley. She is a young lady of fortune destined to marry Doricourt. She first assumes the air of a raw country hoyden and disgusts the…Brewer's: Hyssop
David says (Ps. li. 7): “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean.” The reference is to the custom of someone who was ceremoniously “clean” sprinkling the unclean (when they came to…Trending
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