Definition – C – Survey of Christianity

a b c d e f g h I j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Cherubim

CHERUBIM, noun The Hebrew plural of cherub.

CIRCUMSPECTLY

CIRCUMSPECTLY, adverb Cautiously; with watchfulness every way; with attention to guard against surprise or danger.

Commendation

COMMENDATION, noun

1. The act of commending; praise; favorable representation in words; declaration of esteem.

Need we, as some other, letters of commendation 2 Corinthians 3:1.

2. Ground of esteem, approbation or praise; that which presents a person or thing to another in a favorable light, and renders worthy of regard, or acceptance.

Good-nature is the most godlike commendation of a man.

3. Service; respects; message of love.

Compass

COMPASS, noun

1. Stretch; reach; extent; the limit or boundary of a space, and the space included; applied to time, space, sound, etc. Our knowledge lies within a very narrow compass The universe extends beyond the compass of our thoughts. So we say, the compass of a year, the compass of an empire, the compass of reason, the compass of the voice.

And in that compass all the world contains.

2. A passing round; a circular course; a circuit.

Time is come round;

and where I did begin, thee shall I end:

My life has run its compass

They fetched a compass of seven days journey. 2 Kings 3:9. 2 Samuel 5:23. Acts 28:13.

3. Moderate bounds; limits of truth; moderation; due limits.

In two hundred years, (I speak within compass ) no such commission had been executed.

This sense is the same as the first, and the peculiar force of the phrase lies in the word within.

4. The extent or limit of the voice or of sound.

5. An instrument for directing or ascertaining the course of ships at sea, consisting of a circular box, containing a paper card marked with the thirty two points of direction, fixed on a magnetic needle, that always points to the north, the variation excepted. The needle with the card turns on a pin in the center of the box. In the center of the needle is fixed a brass conical socket or cap, by which the card hanging on the pin turns freely round the center. The box is covered with glass, to prevent the motion of the card from being disturbed by the wind.

6. compass or compasses, [or a pair of compasses, so named from its legs, but pair is superfluous or improper, and the singular number compass is the preferable name, ] an instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two pointed legs or branches, made of iron, steel or brass, joined at the top by a rivet, on which they move. There are also compasses of three legs or triangular compasses, cylindrical and spherical compasses with four branches, and various other kinds.

7. An instrument used in surveying land, constructed in the main like the mariners compass; but with this difference, that the needle is not fitted into the card, moving with it, but plays alone; the card being drawn on the bottom of the box, and a circle divided into 360 degrees on the limb. This instrument is used in surveying land, and in directing travelers in a desert or forest, miners, etc.

COMPASS-saw, a saw with a brad edge and thin back, to cut in a circular form.

COMPASS, verb transitive

1. To stretch round; to extend so as to embrace the whole; hence, to inclose, encircle, grasp or seize; as, to compass with the arms.

2. To surround; to environ; to inclose on all sides; sometimes followed by around, round or about.

Now all the blessings of a glad father compass thee about.

With favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalms 5:12.

The willows of the brook compass him about. Job 40:22.

3. To go or walk round.

Ye shall compass the city–and the seventh day ye shall compassthe city seven times. Joshua 6:3.

For ye compass sea and land. Math. 23.

4. To besiege; to beleaguer; to block up. This is not a different sense, but a particular application.

Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. Luke 19:43.

5. To obtain; to attain to; to procure; to bring within ones power; to accomplish.

If I can check my erring love, I will;

If not, to compass her Ill use my skill.

How can you hope to compass your designs?

6. To purpose; to intend; to imagine; to plot; to contrive; as we say, to go about to perform, but in mind only; as, to compass the death of the king.

COMPASSing and imaging the death of the king are synonymous terms; compass signifying the purpose or design of the mind or will, and not, as in common speech, the carrying such design to effect.

CONSUME, verb transitive [Latin , to take. So in English we say, it takes up time, that is, it consumes time.]
1. To destroy, by separating the parts of a thing, by decomposition, as by fire, or eating, devouring, and annihilating the form of a substance. Fire consumes wood, coal, stubble; animals consume flesh and vegetables.
2. To destroy by dissipating or by use; to expend; to waste; to squander; as, to consume an estate.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:3.
3. To spend; to cause to pass away, as time; as, to consume the day in idleness.
Their days did he consume in vanity. Psalms 78:33.
4. To cause to disappear; to waste slowly.
My flesh is consumed away. Job 38:1.
5. To destroy; to bring to utter ruin; to exterminate.
Let me alone– that I may consume them. Exodus 32:10.
CONSUME, verb intransitive To waste away slowly; to be exhausted.
Their flesh–their eyes–their tongue shall consume away. Zechariah 14:12.
The wicked shall perish–they shall consume Psalms 37:20.

CONTEMNED

CONTEMNED, participle passive Despised; scorned; slighted; neglected, or rejected with disdain.

Contention

CONTENTION, noun [Latin See Contend.]

1. Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.

Multitudes lost their lives in a tumult raised by contention among the partizans of the several colors.

2. Strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy.

Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law. Titus 3:9.

A fools lips enter into contention Proverbs 18:6.

3. Strife or endeavor to excel; emulation.

4. Eagerness; zeal; ardor; vehemence of endeavor.

This is an end worthy of our utmost contention to obtain.

Countenance

COUNTENANCE, noun [Latin , to hold.]

1. Literally, the contents of a body; the outline and extent which constitutes the whole figure or external appearance. Appropriately, the human face; the whole form of the face, or system of features; visage.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance Proverbs 15:13.

Be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance Matthew 6:16.

2. Air; look; aspect; appearance of the face; as in the phrase, to change or alter the countenance

3. The face or look of a beast; as a horse of a good countenance

4. Favor; good will; kindness.

Thou hast made him glad with thy countenance Psalms 21:6.

Hence in scriptural language, the light of Gods countenance is his smiles or favorable regards, his favor and grace; and to hide his face or countenance is to manifest his displeasure, and withdraw his gracious aids. So the rebuke of his countenance indicates his anger and frowns. Psalms 80:16.

This application of face or countenance which seems to be of high antiquity, proceeded probably from the practice of turning away the face to express anger, displeasure and refusal; a practice still common, but probably universal among rude nations. The opposite conduct would of course express favor. The grant of a petition is accompanied with a look directed to the petitioner; the refusal or denial, with an averted face. Hence,

5. Support; aid; patronage; encouragement; favor in promoting and maintaining a person or cause.

It is the province of the magistrate, to give countenance to piety and virtue.

Let religion enjoy the countenance of the laws.

Give no countenance to violations of moral duty.

6. Show; resemblance; superficial appearance.

The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.

7. In law, credit or estimation.

To keep the countenance is to preserve a calm, composed or natural look, unruffled by passion; to refrain from expressing laughter, joy, anger or other passion, by an unchanged countenance

In countenance in favor; in estimation.

If the profession of religion were in countenance among men of distinction, it would have a happy effect on society.

To keep in countenance to give assurance or courage to; to support; to aid by favor; to prevent from shame or dismay.

To put in countenance to give assurance; to encourage; or to bring into favor; to support.

Out of countenance confounded; abashed; with the countenance cast down; not bold or assured.

To put out of countenance to cause the countenance to fall; to abash; to intimidate; to disconcert.

COUNTENANCE, verb transitive

1. To favor; to encourage by opinion or words.

The design was made known to the minister, but he said nothing to countenance it.

2. To aid; to support; to encourage; to abet; to vindicate; by any means.

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. Exodus 23:3.

3. To encourage; to appear in defense.

He countenanced the landing in his long boat.

4. To make a show of.

Each to these ladies love did countenance

5. To keep an appearance.

Contemplative

CONTEMPLATIVE, adjective

1. Given to contemplation, or continued application of the mind to a subject; studious; thoughtful; as a contemplative philosopher, or mind.

2. Employed in study; as a contemplative life.

3. Having the appearance of study, or a studious habit; as a contemplative look.

4. Having the power of thought or meditation; as the contemplative faculty of man.