2. Hence, anything resembling the ancient style in shape or
use. Specifically:
(a) A pen; an author's pen. --Dryden.
(b) A sharp-pointed tool used in engraving; a graver.
(c) A kind of blunt-pointed surgical instrument.
(d) (Zo["o]l.) A long, slender, bristlelike process, as
the anal styles of insects.
(e) [Perhaps fr. Gr. ? a pillar.] The pin, or gnomon, of a
dial, the shadow of which indicates the hour. See
{Gnomon}.
(f) [Probably fr. Gr. ? a pillar.] (Bot.) The elongated
part of a pistil between the ovary and the stigma. See
Illust. of {Stamen}, and of {Pistil}.
3. Mode of expressing thought in language, whether oral or
written; especially, such use of language in the
expression of thought as exhibits the spirit and faculty
of an artist; choice or arrangement of words in discourse;
rhetorical expression.
High style, as when that men to kinges write.
--Chaucer.
Style is the dress of thoughts. --Chesterfield.
Proper words in proper places make the true
definition of style. --Swift.
It is style alone by which posterity will judge of a
great work. --I. Disraeli.
4. Mode of presentation, especially in music or any of the
fine arts; a characteristic of peculiar mode of developing
in idea or accomplishing a result.
The ornamental style also possesses its own peculiar
merit. --Sir J.
Reynolds.
5. Conformity to a recognized standard; manner which is
deemed elegant and appropriate, especially in social
demeanor; fashion.
According to the usual style of dedications. --C.
Middleton.
6. Mode or phrase by which anything is formally designated;
the title; the official designation of any important body;
mode of address; as, the style of Majesty.
One style to a gracious benefactor, another to a
proud, insulting foe. --Burke.
7. (Chron.) A mode of reckoning time, with regard to the
Julian and Gregorian calendars.
Note: Style is Old or New. The Old Style follows the Julian
manner of computing the months and days, or the
calendar as established by Julius C[ae]sar, in which
every fourth year consists of 366 days, and the other
years of 365 days. This is about 11 minutes in a year
too much. Pope Georgy XIII. reformed the calendar by
retrenching 10 days in October, 1582, in order to bring
back the vernal equinox to the same day as at the time
of the Council of Nice, a. d. 325. This reformation was
adopted by act of the British Parliament in 1751, by
which act 11 days in September, 1752, were retrenched,
and the third day was reckoned the fourteenth. This
mode of reckoning is called New Style, according to
which every year divisible by 4, unless it is divisible
by 100 without being divisible by 400, has 366 days,
and any other year 365 days.
{Style of court}, the practice or manner observed by a court
in its proceedings. --Ayliffe.
Syn: Diction; phraseology; manner; course; title. See
{Diction}.
How well his worth and brave adventures styled.
--Dryden.
Syn: To call; name; denominate; designate; term;
characterize.