Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CHI-RAG'RIC-AL, a. [From chiragra, hand-gout, Gr. χειρ, the hand, and αγρα, seizure.]

Having the gout in the hand, or subject to that disease. – Brown.

CHIRK, a. [churck; Probably allied to chirp; D. circken, obs. Qu. Sax. cearcian, to creak. Chaucer uses the verb to chirk, in the sense of chirp or chatter. The word is found in the Russ. chirkayu, to chirp. It is in popular use in New England.]

Lively; cheerful; in good spirits; in a comfortable state.

CHIRK, v.t.

To chirp. [Obs.] – Chaucer.

CHIRM, v.i. [Sax. cyrman.]

To sing as a bird. [Not in use.]

CHI'RO-GRAPH, n. [Gr. χειρ, the hand, and γραφω, to write.]

1. Anciently a deed, which, requiring a counterpart, was engrossed twice on the same piece of parchment, with a space between, in which was written chirograph, through which the parchment was cut, and one part given to each party. It answered to what is now called a charter-party. Encyc.
2. A fine, called from the manner of engrossing, which is still retained in the chirographer's office in England. – Ibm.

CHI-ROG'RA-PHER, n. [See Chirograph.]

He that exercises or professes the art or business of writing. In England, the chirographer of fines is an officer in the common pleas, who engrosses fines acknowledged in that court, and delivers the indentures to the parties. – Encyc.

CHI-ROG-RAPH'IC, or CHI-ROG-RAPH'IC-AL, a.

Pertaining to chirography.

CHI-ROG'RA-PHIST, n.

One who tells fortunes by examining the hand. [Not a legitimate word.] – Arbuthnot.

CHI-ROG'RA-PHY, n. [See Chirograph.]

The art of writing, or a writing with one's own hand.

CHI-RO-LOG'IC-AL, a.

Pertaining to chirology.

CHI-ROL'O-GIST, n. [Gr. χειρ, the hand, and λογος, discourse.]

One who communicates thoughts by signs made with the hands and fingers.

CHI-ROL'O-GY, n. [See Chirologist.]

The art or practice of communicating thoughts by signs made by the hands and fingers; a substitute for language or discourse, much used by the deaf and dumb, and by others who communicate with them. – Bailey.

CHI'RO-MAN-CER, n. [See Chiromancy.]

One who attempts to foretell future events, or to tell the fortunes and dispositions of persons, by inspecting the hands. – Dryden.

CHI'RO-MAN-CY, n. [Gr. χειρ, the hand, and μαντεια, divination.]

Divination by the hand; the art or practice of attempting to foretell events, or to discover the dispositions of a person, by inspecting the lines and lineaments of his hand. – Brown.

CHIR'O-MAN-IST, or CHIR'O-MAN-TIST, n.

One who foretells future events, in relation to an individual, by inspecting his hands.

CHI-RO-MAN'TIC, a.

Pertaining to chiromancy, or divination by the hand. Chiromantic deception. – Grellman.

CHI-RO-NOM'IC, a.

Relating to the art of moving the hands in oratory.

CHI-RON'O-MY, n. [Gr. χειρ, the hands and νομος, rule.]

The art or rule of moving the hands in oratory; gesture.

CHI-ROP'E-DIST, n. [Gr. χειρ, and πους.]

One who extracts corns.

CHI'RO-PLAST, n. [Gr. χειρ, the hand, and πλασσω, to form.]

An instrument to form the hand for playing on the piano-forte.

CHI-ROS'OPH-IST, n.

A fortune teller.

CHIRP, n.

A particular voice of certain birds or insects. – Spectator.

CHIRP, v.i. [cherp; Ger. zirpen.]

To make the noise of certain small birds, or of certain insects; as, a chirping lark, or cricket. – Thomson.

CHIRP, v.t.

To make cheerful. – Pope.

CHIRP'ER, n.

One that chirps, or is cheerful.