long measure containing six feet, used chiefly at sea for measuring the length of cables and cordage.

Fatness. See Corpulency.—It is observed, that for one fat person in France or Spain, there are an hundred in England and Holland. This is supposed to be from the use of new malt liquors, more than from the difference of climates or degrees of perspiration. Indolence may cause fatness in some few constitutions; but, in general, those who are disposed to this habit will be fat in spite of every endeavour to the contrary, but that of destroying health.

Fatuarii, in antiquity, were persons, who, appearing inspired, foretold things to come. The word is formed of Fatua, wife of the god Faunus, who was supposed to inspire women with the knowledge of futurity, as Faunus himself did the men.—Fatua had her name from fari, q.d. vaticinari, "to prophesy."

Fatuous ignis, in physiology, a meteor otherwise called Will-with-a-wisp. See that article.

Favissae, in antiquity, were, according to Festus and Gellius, cisterns to keep water in; but the favissae in the Capitol at Rome were dry cisterns or subterraneous cellars, where they laid up the old statues, broken vessels, and other things used in the temple. These were much the same with what, in some of the modern churches, are called the archives and treasury.