Note: Of spherical lenses, there are six varieties, as shown
in section in the figures herewith given: viz., a
plano-concave; b double-concave; c plano-convex; d
double-convex; e converging concavo-convex, or
converging meniscus; f diverging concavo-convex, or
diverging meniscus.
{Crossed lens} (Opt.), a double-convex lens with one radius
equal to six times the other.
{Crystalline lens}. (Anat.) See {Eye}.
{Fresnel lens} (Opt.), a compound lens formed by placing
around a central convex lens rings of glass so curved as
to have the same focus; used, especially in lighthouses,
for concentrating light in a particular direction; -- so
called from the inventor.
{Multiplying} {lens or glass} (Opt.), a lens one side of
which is plane and the other convex, but made up of a
number of plane faces inclined to one another, each of
which presents a separate image of the object viewed
through it, so that the object is, as it were, multiplied.
{Polyzonal lens}. See {Polyzonal}.
Note: The ancient physicians believed that there were four
humors (the blood, phlegm, yellow bile or choler, and
black bile or melancholy), on the relative proportion
of which the temperament and health depended.
2. (Med.) A vitiated or morbid animal fluid, such as often
causes an eruption on the skin. ``A body full of humors.''
--Sir W. Temple.
3. State of mind, whether habitual or temporary (as formerly
supposed to depend on the character or combination of the
fluids of the body); disposition; temper; mood; as, good
humor; ill humor.
Examine how your humor is inclined, And which the
ruling passion of your mind. --Roscommon.
A prince of a pleasant humor. --Bacon.
I like not the humor of lying. --Shak.
4. pl. Changing and uncertain states of mind; caprices;
freaks; vagaries; whims.
Is my friend all perfection, all virtue and
discretion? Has he not humors to be endured?
--South.
5. That quality of the imagination which gives to ideas an
incongruous or fantastic turn, and tends to excite
laughter or mirth by ludicrous images or representations;
a playful fancy; facetiousness.
For thy sake I admit That a Scot may have humor, I'd
almost said wit. --Goldsmith.
A great deal of excellent humor was expended on the
perplexities of mine host. --W. Irving.
{Aqueous humor}, {Crystalline humor} or {lens}, {Vitreous
humor}. (Anat.) See {Eye}.
{Out of humor}, dissatisfied; displeased; in an unpleasant
frame of mind.
Syn: Wit; satire; pleasantry; temper; disposition; mood;
frame; whim; fancy; caprice. See {Wit}.