Chapter Commendation Ninepence to Conciergerie of C by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Commonwealths (Ideal). “Utopia” by Sir Thomas More, “The New Atlantis” by Lord Bacon, “The City of the Sun” by Campanella, etc.

Companion Ladder The ladder leading from the poop to the main deck. The “companion way” is the staircase to the cabin. (Dana: Seaman's Manual.)
    The staircase from the deck to the cabin.

Companions of Jehu The Chouans were so called, from a fanciful analogy between their self-imposed task and that appointed to Jehu, on being set over the kingdom of Israel. Jehu was to cut off Ahab and Jezebel, with all their house, and all the priests of Baal. The Chouans were to cut off all who assassinated Louis XVI., and see that his brother (Jehu) was placed on the throne.

Comparisons are Odorous So says Dogberry. (Much Ado About Nothing, iii. 5.)

“We own your verses are melodious,
But then comparisons are odious.”
Swift, Answer to Sheridan's “Simile.”

Complementary Colours (See Colours )

Complexion literally means “what embraces or contains,” and the idea implies that the colour of the skin corresponds to the habit of body, and the habit of body answers to the element which predominates. If fire predominates, the person is bilious or full of bile, if air, he is sanguine or full of blood, if earth, the body is melancholic or full of black bile, if water, it is phlegmatic or full of phlegm. The first is hot and dry, the second hot and moist, the third cold and dry, and the last moist and cold like water.

“'Tis ill, tho' different your complexions are [i.e. dispositions].” Dryden.

“Cretans through mere complexion lie.”
Pitt: Hymn of Callimachus.

Compline (2 syl.). The last service of the day in the Roman Catholic Church. First appointed by the abbot Benedict in the sixth century. The word is a corruption of completorium.
   In ecclesiastical Latin vesperinus, from vesper, means evening service, and completinus is formed on the same model.

Compostella A corruption of Giacomo-postolo (James the Apostle). So called after his relics were transferred thither from Iria Flavia (El Padron) on the borders of Galicia, in the ninth century. Leo III. transferred the See of Iria Flavia to Compostella. (Somewhere between 810 and 816.)

Compte rendu The account already sent; the account of particulars delivered; a report of proceedings.

Comrade (2 syl.). The name of Fortunio's fairy horse. It ate but once a week; knew the past, present, and future; and spake with the voice of a man. (Grimm's Goblins: Fortunio.) (See Horse )

Comrades (2 syl.). Those who sleep in the same bed-chamber. It is a Spanish military term derived from the custom of dividing soldiers into chambers. The proper spelling is camerades, men of the same camera (chamber).

Comus God of revelry. Milton represents him as a male Circe. (Greek, komos, carousal.)

“This nymph [Circe], that gazed upon his [Bacchus's] clustering locks, ...
Had by him, ere he parted thence, a son,
Much like his father, but his mother more,
Whom therefore she brought up, and Comus named.”
Milton: Comus, 54-58.

   Comus. The elder brother in this domestic drama is meant for Lord Viscount Brackley, eldest son of John, Earl of Bridgewater, president of Wales. The younger brother is Mr. Thomas Egerton. The lady is Lady Alice Egerton. (Milton.)

Comus's Court A social gathering formerly held at the Half-Moon Tavern in Cheapside, London.

Con Amore (Italian). With heart and soul; as, “He did it con amore ”- i.e. lovingly, with delight, and therefore in good earnest.

Con Commodo (Italian). At a convenient rate. A musical term.