in anatomy, an oleaginous or butyraceous matter, secreted from the blood, and filling up the cavity of the adipose cells. Fat, properly and distinctly so call- ed, is not secreted from glandules, but from the little arteries of the adipose membrane. Authors distinguish it into two kinds, which they express by the words sevum or adspiri, and pinguedo. According to this distinction, there is no such thing as sevum or hard fat in the human body, its fat being all of that sort expressed by pinguedo, or soft and oily. That this oleaginous matter has a circulatory motion, or an egress into the veins, is very evident from the sudden consumption of it in many diseases, and from its vast diminution by exercise or labour.

the sea language, signifies the same with broad. Thus a ship is said to have a fat quarter, if the trussing in or tuck of her quarter be deep.

Fat is used also for several utensils; as, 1. A great wooden vessel, used for the measuring of malt, and containing a quarter or eight bushels. 2. A large brewing vessel, used by bakers to run their wort in. 3. A leaden pan or vessel for the making of salt at Droitwich.

Fat likewise denotes an uncertain measure of capacity. Thus a fat of icing glass contains from 34 hundred weight to 4 hundred weight; a fat of unbound books, half a maund or four bales; of wire, from 20 to 25 hundred weight; and of yarn, from 220 to 221 bundles.