OYSTER. See OSTREA.
OZANAM (.1.osizs), in biography, an eminent French mathematician, was de scended from a family of Jewish extrac tion, but which had long been converts to the Romisli faith ; and some of whom had considerable places in the parliament of Provence. lie was born at Boligneaux, in Bressia, in the year 1640; and being a younger son, though his father had a good estate, it was thought proper to breed him to the church, that he might enjoy some small benefices which belong ed to the family, to serve as a provision for him. Accordingly he studied divinity four years ; but then, on the death of his father, he devoted himself entirely to the mathematics, to which he had always been strongly attached. Some mathe matical books which fell into his hands first excited his curiosity ; and by his ex traordinary genius, without the aid of a master, he made so great a progress, that at the age of fifteen he wrote a treatise of that kind.
For a maintenance, be first went to Lyons to teach the mathematics, which answered very well there ; and after some time his generous disposition procured him still better success elsewhere. Among his scholars were two foreigners, who ex pressing their uneasiness to him at be ing disappointed of some bills of ex change for ajourney to Paris, he asked them how much would do, and being told fifty pistoles, he lent them the money immediately, even without their note for it. Upon their arrival at Paris, mention ing this generous action to M. Dsguesseau, father of the chancellor, this magistrate was touched with it, and engaged them to invite Ozanam to Paris, with a promise of his favour. The opportunity was ea gerly embraced ; and the business of teaching the mathematics here soon brought him in a considerable income ; but he wanted prudence for some time to make the best use of it. He was young, handsome, and sprightly ; and much addicted both to gaming and gal lantry, which continually drained his purse. Among others, he had a love
intrigue with a woman who lodged in the same house with himself, and gave herself out for a person of condition. However, this expense, in time, led him to think of matrimony, and he soon after married a young woman without fortune. She made amends for this defect, by her modesty, virtue, and sweet temper ; so that, though the state of his purse was not amended, yet he had more home-felt enjoyment than before, being indeed com pletely happy in her as long as she lived. He had twelve children by her, who most ly all died young ; and he was lastly rem 1131 Or p, the fifteenth letter, and ele .1. vents consonant of the alphabet; the sound of which is formed by express , ing the breath somewhat more suddenly than in forming the sound of b : in other respects, these two sounds are very much alike, and are often contbunded one with another. When p stands before t or a, its sound is lost, as in the words psalms, ! Ptolemaic, pawn, &c. when placed be fore It, they both together have the sound off, as in philosophy, physic, &c.
In the Italian music, P, stands for piano, or softly ; P P. for piu piano, i. e, more softly ; and P P P. for pianissimo, or very softly.
Among astronomers, P. M. is used to denote post meridian, or afternoon ; and sometimes for post mane, i. e. after mid, night As a numeral, P. signifies the same as G. viz. 400; and with a dash over it, thus 400,000.
Among physicians, P. denotes pugil, or the eighth part of an handful ; P. /lutes equales, or equal parts of the in gredients ; P. P. signifies pulvis patrum, i. e. the Jesuits-powder ; and ppt. pr2cpa ratiis, prepared.