Chapter Eloi to Emergency Man of E by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Em The unit of measure in printing. The standard is a pica M; and the width of a line is measured by the number of such M's that would stand side by side in the "stick." This dictionary is in double columns, each column equals 11 pica M's in width, and one M is allowed for the space between. Some work is made up to 10 1/2, 20 1/2, etc., ems; and for the half-em printers employ the letter N, which is in width half a letter M. As no letter is wider than the M, and all narrower letters are fractions of it, this letter forms a very convenient standard for printing purposes.

Embargo To lay an embargo on him or it is to impose certain conditions before you give your consent. It is a Portuguese and Spanish word, meaning an order issued by authority to prevent ships leaving port for a fixed period.

Embarras de Richesse More matter than can be used; overcrowded with facts or material. A publisher or editor who is overwhelmed with MSS., or contributions; an author who has more incidents or illustrations in support of his theory than he can produce, etc., have an embarras de richesse.

Ember Days are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of Ember Weeks (q.v.).

Ember Weeks A corruption of quatuor tempora, through the Dutch quatemper and German quatember. The four times are after Quadragesima Sunday, Whit Sunday, Holyrood Day (September), and St. Lucia's Day (December). The supposition that persons sat in embers (or ashes) on these days is without foundation.

Emblem is a picture with a hidden meaning, the meaning is "cast into" or "inserted in" the visible device. Thus, a balance is an emblem of justice, white of purity, a sceptre of sovereignty. (Greek, en-ballo, which gives the Greek emblema.) (See Apostles, Symbols of Saints.)
   Some of the most common and simple emblems of the Christian Church are -
   A chalice. The eucharist.
   The circle inscribed in an equilateral triangle. To denote the co-equality and co-eternity of the Trinity.
   A cross. The Christian's life and conflict; the death of Christ for man's redemption.
   A crown. The reward of the perseverance of the saints.
   A dove. The Holy Ghost.
   A hand from the clouds. To denote God the Father.
   A lamb, fish, pelican, etc., etc. The Lord Jesus Christ.
   A phoenix. The resurrection.

Emblems of the Jewish Temple (See Exod. xxv. 30-32; Rev. i. 12-20.)
   Golden candlestick. The Church. Its seven lights, the seven spirits of God. (Rev. iv. 6.)
   The shewbread. The twelve loaves the twelve tribes of Israel. Represented in the Gospel by the twelve apostles.
   The incense of sweet spices. Prayer, which rises to heaven as incense. (Rev. viii. 3, 4.)
   The Holy of Holies. The nation of the Jews as God's peculiar people. When the veil which separated it from the temple was "rent in twain," it signified that thenceforth Jews and Gentiles all formed one people of God.

Embryo means that which swells inside something (Greek, en-bru'o, which gives the Greek embruon); hence the child in the womb; the rudiment in a plant before it shows itself in a bud; an idea not developed, etc.

Emelye The sister-in-law of "Duke Theseus," beloved by the two knights, Palamon and Arcyte, the former of whom had her to wife. It is of this lady the poet says, "Up roos the sun, and up roos Emelye" (v. 2275).

"This passeth yeer by yeer, and day and day,
Till it fel oonës in a morne of May,
That Emelie, that fairer was to scene
Than is the lilie on hire stalkës grene,
And fresscher than the May with flourës newe ...
Er it was day, as sche was wont to do,
Sche was arisen."
Chaucer: Canterbury Tales (The Knighte's Tale).

Emerald Isle Ireland. This term was first used by Dr. Drennan (1754-1820), in the poem called Erin. Of course, it refers to the bright green verdure of the island.

"An emerald set in the ring of the sea."
Cushlamachree.

"Nor one feeling of vengeance presume to defile
The cause or the men of the Emerald Isle."
E. J. Drennan: Erin.

Emeralds According to tradition, if a serpent fixes its eyes upon an emerald it becomes blind. (Ahmed ben Abdalaziz: Treatise on Jewels.)