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DESIDERATUM

Volume 4 · 63 words · 1778 Edition

is used to signify the desirable perfections in any art or science: thus, it is a deside-

ratum with the blacksmith, to render iron fusible by a gentle heat, and yet preserve it hard enough for ordinary uses; with the glazier, and looking-glass maker, to render glass malleable; with the clock-maker, to bring pendulums to be useful where there are irregular motions, &c.