Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In corals, one of the laminæ or plate-like processes which extend upward from the bottom of a coralite to the calice; an extension from the inner edge of certain septa to or toward the columellar space or axis of the visceral chamber.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Zoöl.) One of several upright slender calcareous processes which surround the central part of the calicle of certain corals.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun marine biology A vertical pillar along the inner septal margin of a coral.
  • noun planetology A small plain (compared to mare) on the surface of a planet or satellite.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin pālus ("stake, post").

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin palūs ("marsh, swamp"), from Ancient Greek πηλός (pelos, "mud, earth, clay").

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Examples

  • Then came the origin of the word pool -- from "palus," a marsh, as we were told, some dictionary attesting to the fact, and such a marsh might cover a large expanse.

    North America — Volume 1 Anthony Trollope 1848

  • Silvio Sircanat, Prodi pressiesindajat (portavoce on ikka pressiesindaja, eks?), süüdistati mõni aeg tagasi selles, et ta peatas oma eraauto - avalikus kohas, tänaval - transseksuaali kõrval ja palus temalt seksi ning kinnitati, et sellest juhtumist on pildid.

    tatsutahime Diary Entry tatsutahime 2007

  • Hoc flumen transit per medium Cathay, cui aqua infert damnum, quando nimis inundat, sicut palus in Ferraria,

    The Voyages and Travels of Sir John Mandeville 2004

  • With his war costume, coat of mail of gold and silver, cross-belt and scabbard glistening with precious stones, boots with golden spurs, helmet ornamented with an aigrette of brilliant diamonds, Feofar presented an aspect rather strange than imposing for a Tartar Sardana-palus, an undisputed sovereign, who directs at his pleasure the life and fortune of his subjects.

    Michael Strogoff 2003

  • Ipsi enim in bello sunt primi: Etiam si debet palus vel aqua periculosa transiri, eos oportet primo vadum tentare.

    The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation 2003

  • Hoc flumen transit per medium Cathay, cui aqua infert damnum, quando nimis inundat, sicut palus in Ferraria,

    The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation 2003

  • = Ovid's drinking water was, on the other hand, rather brackish: 'est in aqua dulci non inuidiosa uoluptas:/aequoreo bibitur cum sale mixta palus' (_EP_ II vii 73-74).

    The Last Poems of Ovid 43 BC-18? Ovid

  • It was known to the Romans as Lugea palus, and is a natural curiosity.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 8: Infamy-Lapparent 1840-1916 1913

  • Tarbigilus simulare fugam flatusque Leonis spe nutrire leuis improuisusque repente, dum grauibus marcent epulis hostique catenas110 inter uina crepant, largo sopita Lyaeo castra subit. pereunt alii, dum membra cubili tarda leuant; alii leto iunxere soporem; ast alios uicina palus sine more ruentis excipit et cumulis inmanibus aggerat undas.

    A Council of War-and War Claudian 1912

  • Cocyti tardaque palus inamabilis unda20 alligat et nouies Styx interfusa coercet. quin ipsae stupuere domus atque intima Leti

    Orpheus and Eurydice Vergil 1912

Comments

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  • In addition, palus means 1. a marsh, fen; 2. an abyss (Oxford English Dictionary).

    September 19, 2011