A \A\ (named [=a] in the English, and most commonly ["a] in
other languages).
The first letter of the English and of many other alphabets.
The capital A of the alphabets of Middle and Western Europe,
as also the small letter (a), besides the forms in Italic,
black letter, etc., are all descended from the old Latin A,
which was borrowed from the Greek {Alpha}, of the same form;
and this was made from the first letter (?) of the
Ph[oe]nician alphabet, the equivalent of the Hebrew Aleph,
and itself from the Egyptian origin. The Aleph was a
consonant letter, with a guttural breath sound that was not
an element of Greek articulation; and the Greeks took it to
represent their vowel Alpha with the ["a] sound, the
Ph[oe]nician alphabet having no vowel symbols. This letter,
in English, is used for several different vowel sounds. See
Guide to pronunciation, [sect][sect] 43-74. The regular long
a, as in fate, etc., is a comparatively modern sound, and has
taken the place of what, till about the early part of the
17th century, was a sound of the quality of ["a] (as in far).
2. (Mus.) The name of the sixth tone in the model major scale
(that in C), or the first tone of the minor scale, which
is named after it the scale in A minor. The second string
of the violin is tuned to the A in the treble staff. -- A
sharp (A[sharp]) is the name of a musical tone
intermediate between A and B. -- A flat (A[flat]) is the
name of a tone intermediate between A and G.
{A per se} (L. per se by itself), one pre["e]minent; a
nonesuch. [Obs.]
O fair Creseide, the flower and A per se Of Troy and
Greece. --Chaucer.
A \A\ ([.a] emph. [=a]).
1. [Shortened form of an. AS. [=a]n one. See {One}.] An
adjective, commonly called the indefinite article, and
signifying one or any, but less emphatically. ``At a
birth''; ``In a word''; ``At a blow''. --Shak.
Note: It is placed before nouns of the singular number
denoting an individual object, or a quality
individualized, before collective nouns, and also
before plural nouns when the adjective few or the
phrase great many or good many is interposed; as, a
dog, a house, a man; a color; a sweetness; a hundred, a
fleet, a regiment; a few persons, a great many days. It
is used for an, for the sake of euphony, before words
beginning with a consonant sound [for exception of
certain words beginning with h, see {An}]; as, a table,
a woman, a year, a unit, a eulogy, a ewe, a oneness,
such a one, etc. Formally an was used both before
vowels and consonants.
2. [Originally the preposition a (an, on).] In each; to or
for each; as, ``twenty leagues a day'', ``a hundred pounds
a year'', ``a dollar a yard'', etc.
A \A\ ([.a]), prep. [Abbreviated form of an (AS. on). See {On}.]
1. In; on; at; by. [Obs.] ``A God's name.'' ``Torn a
pieces.'' ``Stand a tiptoe.'' ``A Sundays'' --Shak. ``Wit
that men have now a days.'' --Chaucer. ``Set them a
work.'' --Robynson (More's Utopia).
2. In process of; in the act of; into; to; -- used with
verbal substantives in -ing which begin with a consonant.
This is a shortened form of the preposition an (which was
used before the vowel sound); as in a hunting, a building,
a begging. ``Jacob, when he was a dying'' --Heb. xi. 21.
``We'll a birding together.'' `` It was a doing.'' --Shak.
``He burst out a laughing.'' --Macaulay.
Note: The hyphen may be used to connect a with the verbal
substantive (as, a-hunting, a-building) or the words
may be written separately. This form of expression is
now for the most part obsolete, the a being omitted and
the verbal substantive treated as a participle.
A \A\ [From AS. of off, from. See {Of}.]
Of. [Obs.] ``The name of John a Gaunt.'' ``What time a day is
it ?'' --Shak. ``It's six a clock.'' --B. Jonson.
A \A\
A barbarous corruption of have, of he, and sometimes of it
and of they. ``So would I a done'' ``A brushes his hat.''
--Shak.
A \A\
An expletive, void of sense, to fill up the meter
A merry heart goes all the day, Your sad tires in a
mile-a. --Shak.
A- \A-\
A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various
sources. (1) It frequently signifies on or in (from an, a
forms of AS. on), denoting a state, as in afoot, on foot,
abed, amiss, asleep, aground, aloft, away (AS. onweg), and
analogically, ablaze, atremble, etc. (2) AS. of off, from, as
in adown (AS. ofd[=u]ne off the dun or hill). (3) AS. [=a]-
(Goth. us-, ur-, Ger. er-), usually giving an intensive
force, and sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in
arise, abide, ago. (4) Old English y- or i- (corrupted from
the AS. inseparable particle ge-, cognate with OHG. ga-, gi-,
Goth. ga-), which, as a prefix, made no essential addition to
the meaning, as in aware. (5) French [`a] (L. ad to), as in
abase, achieve. (6) L. a, ab, abs, from, as in avert. (7)
Greek insep. prefix [alpha] without, or privative, not, as in
abyss, atheist; akin to E. un-.
Note: Besides these, there are other sources from which the
prefix a takes its origin.
A 1 \A 1\ ([=a] w[u^]n).
A registry mark given by underwriters (as at Lloyd's) to
ships in first-class condition. Inferior grades are indicated
by A 2 and A 3.
Note: A 1 is also applied colloquially to other things to
imply superiority; prime; first-class; first-rate.
Aam \Aam\ ([add]m or [aum]m), n. [D. aam, fr. LL. ama; cf. L.
hama a water bucket, Gr. ?]
A Dutch and German measure of liquids, varying in different
cities, being at Amsterdam about 41 wine gallons, at Antwerp
361/2, at Hamburg 383/4. [Written also {Aum} and {Awm}.]
Aard-vark \Aard"-vark`\ ([aum]rd"v[aum]rk`), n. [D., earth-pig.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An edentate mammal, of the genus {Orycteropus}, somewhat
resembling a pig, common in some parts of Southern Africa. It
burrows in the ground, and feeds entirely on ants, which it
catches with its long, slimy tongue.
Aard-wolf \Aard"-wolf`\ ([aum]rd"w[oo^]lf), n. [D, earth-wolf]
(Zo["o]l.)
A carnivorous quadruped ({Proteles Lalandii}), of South
Africa, resembling the fox and hyena. See {Proteles}.
Aaronic \Aa*ron"ic\ ([asl]*r[o^]n"[i^]k), Aaronical
\Aa*ron"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a.
Pertaining to Aaron, the first high priest of the Jews.
Aaron's rod \Aar"on's rod`\ ([^a]r"[u^]nz r[o^]d`). [See Exodus
vii. 9 and Numbers xvii. 8]
1. (Arch.) A rod with one serpent twined around it, thus
differing from the caduceus of Mercury, which has two.
2. (Bot.) A plant with a tall flowering stem; esp. the great
mullein, or hag-taper, and the golden-rod.
Ab- \Ab-\ ([a^]b). [Latin prep., etymologically the same as E.
of, off. See {Of}.]
A prefix in many words of Latin origin. It signifies from,
away, separating, or departure, as in abduct, abstract,
abscond. See {A-}(6).
Ab \Ab\ ([a^]b), n. [Of Syriac origin.]
The fifth month of the Jewish year according to the
ecclesiastical reckoning, the eleventh by the civil
computation, coinciding nearly with August. --W. Smith.
Abaca \Ab"a*ca\ ([a^]b"[.a]*k[.a]), n. [The native name.]
The Manila-hemp plant ({Musa textilis}); also, its fiber. See
{Manila hemp} under {Manila}.
Abacinate \A*bac"i*nate\ ([.a]*b[a^]s"[i^]*n[=a]t), v. t. [LL.
abacinatus, p. p. of abacinare; ab off + bacinus a basin.]
To blind by a red-hot metal plate held before the eyes. [R.]
Abacination \A*bac`i*na"tion\ ([.a]*b[a^]s`[i^]*n[=a]"sh[u^]n),
n.
The act of abacinating. [R.]
Abaciscus \Ab`a*cis"cus\ ([a^]b`[.a]*s[i^]s"k[u^]s), n. [Gr.
'abaki`skos, dim of 'a`bax. See {Abacus}.] (Arch.)
One of the tiles or squares of a tessellated pavement; an
abaculus.
Abacist \Ab"a*cist\ ([a^]b"[.a]*s[i^]st), n. [LL abacista, fr.
abacus.]
One who uses an abacus in casting accounts; a calculator.
Aback \A*back"\ ([.a]*b[a^]k"), adv. [Pref. a- + back; AS. on
b[ae]c at, on, or toward the back. See {Back}.]
1. Toward the back or rear; backward. ``Therewith aback she
started.'' --Chaucer.
2. Behind; in the rear. --Knolles.
3. (Naut.) Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails
when pressed by the wind. --Totten.
{To be taken aback}.
(a) To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the
sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus
driven.
(b) To be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited.
--Dickens.
Aback \Ab"ack\ ([a^]b"ak), n.
An abacus. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Abactinal \Ab*ac"ti*nal\ ([a^]b*[a^]k"t[i^]*nal), a. [L. ab + E.
actinal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a
radiate animal; -- opposed to {actinal}. ``The aboral or
abactinal area.'' --L. Agassiz.
Abaction \Ab*ac"tion\ ([a^]b*[a^]k"sh[u^]n), n.
Stealing cattle on a large scale. [Obs.]
Abactor \Ab*ac"tor\ (-t[~e]r), n. [L., fr. abigere to drive
away; ab + agere to drive.] (Law)
One who steals and drives away cattle or beasts by herds or
droves. [Obs.]
Abaculus \A*bac"u*lus\ ([.a]b*[a^]k"[-u]*l[u^]s), n.; pl.
{Abaculi} (-l[imac]). [L., dim. of abacus.] (Arch.)
A small tile of glass, marble, or other substance, of various
colors, used in making ornamental patterns in mosaic
pavements. --Fairholt.
Abacus \Ab"a*cus\ ([a^]b"[.a]*k[u^]s), n.; E. pl. {Abacuses}; L.
pl. {Abaci} (-s[imac]). [L. abacus, abax, Gr. 'a`bax]
1. A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for
drawing, calculating, etc. [Obs.]
2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing
arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or
counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units,
the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in China.
3. (Arch.)
(a) The uppermost member or division of the capital of a
column, immediately under the architrave. See
{Column}.
(b) A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or
mosaic work.
4. A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated
compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a
kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.
{Abacus harmonicus} (Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the
structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument.
--Crabb.
Abada \Ab"a*da\ ([a^]b"[.a]*d[.a]), n. [Pg., the female
rhinoceros.]
The rhinoceros. [Obs.] --Purchas.
Abaddon \A*bad"don\ ([.a]*b[a^]d"d[u^]n), n. [Heb. [=a]badd[=o]n
destruction, abyss, fr. [=a]bad to be lost, to perish.]
1. The destroyer, or angel of the bottomless pit; -- the same
as Apollyon and Asmodeus.
2. Hell; the bottomless pit. [Poetic]
In all her gates, Abaddon rues Thy bold attempt.
--Milton.
Abaft \A*baft"\ ([.a]*b[.a]ft"), prep. [Pref. a- on + OE. baft,
baften, biaften, AS. be[ae]ftan; be by + [ae]ftan behind. See
{After}, {Aft}, {By}.] (Naut.)
Behind; toward the stern from; as, abaft the wheelhouse.
{Abaft the beam}. See under {Beam}.
Abaft \A*baft"\, adv. (Naut.)
Toward the stern; aft; as, to go abaft.
Abaisance \A*bai"sance\ ([.a]*b[=a]"sans), n. [For obeisance;
confused with F. abaisser, E. abase.]
Obeisance. [Obs.] --Jonson.
Abaiser \A*bai"ser\ ([.a]*b[=a]"s[~e]r), n.
Ivory black or animal charcoal. --Weale.
Abaist \A*baist"\ ([.a]*b[=a]st"), p. p.
Abashed; confounded; discomfited. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Abalienate \Ab*al"ien*ate\ ([a^]b*[=a]l"yen*[=a]t; 94, 106), v.
t. [L. abalienatus, p. p. of abalienare; ab + alienus
foreign, alien. See {Alien}.]
1. (Civil Law) To transfer the title of from one to another;
to alienate.
2. To estrange; to withdraw. [Obs.]
3. To cause alienation of (mind). --Sandys.
Abalienation \Ab*al`ien*a"tion\ (-[=a]l`yen*[=a]"sh[u^]n), n.
[L. abalienatio: cf. F. abali['e]nation.]
The act of abalienating; alienation; estrangement. [Obs.]
Abalone \Ab`a*lo"ne\ ([a^]b`[.a]*l[=o]"n[-e]), n. (Zo["o]l.)
A univalve mollusk of the genus {Haliotis}. The shell is
lined with mother-of-pearl, and used for ornamental purposes;
the sea-ear. Several large species are found on the coast of
California, clinging closely to the rocks.
Aband \A*band"\ ([.a]*b[a^]nd"), v. t. [Contracted from
abandon.]
1. To abandon. [Obs.]
Enforced the kingdom to aband. --Spenser.
2. To banish; to expel. [Obs.] --Mir. for Mag.
Abandon \A*ban"don\ ([.a]*b[a^]n"d[u^]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Abandoned} (-d[u^]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Abandoning}.] [OF.
abandoner, F. abandonner; a (L. ad) + bandon permission,
authority, LL. bandum, bannum, public proclamation,
interdiction, bannire to proclaim, summon: of Germanic
origin; cf. Goth. bandwjan to show by signs, to designate
OHG. ban proclamation. The word meant to proclaim, put under
a ban, put under control; hence, as in OE., to compel,
subject, or to leave in the control of another, and hence, to
give up. See {Ban}.]
1. To cast or drive out; to banish; to expel; to reject.
[Obs.]
That he might . . . abandon them from him. --Udall.
Being all this time abandoned from your bed. --Shak.
2. To give up absolutely; to forsake entirely; to renounce
utterly; to relinquish all connection with or concern on;
to desert, as a person to whom one owes allegiance or
fidelity; to quit; to surrender.
Hope was overthrown, yet could not be abandoned.
--I. Taylor.
3. Reflexively: To give (one's self) up without attempt at
self-control; to yield (one's self) unrestrainedly; --
often in a bad sense.
He abandoned himself . . . to his favorite vice.
--Macaulay.
4. (Mar. Law) To relinquish all claim to; -- used when an
insured person gives up to underwriters all claim to the
property covered by a policy, which may remain after loss
or damage by a peril insured against.
Syn: To give up; yield; forego; cede; surrender; resign;
abdicate; quit; relinquish; renounce; desert; forsake;
leave; retire; withdraw from.
Usage: {To Abandon}, {Desert}, {Forsake}. These words agree
in representing a person as giving up or leaving some
object, but differ as to the mode of doing it. The
distinctive sense of abandon is that of giving up a
thing absolutely and finally; as, to abandon one's
friends, places, opinions, good or evil habits, a
hopeless enterprise, a shipwrecked vessel. Abandon is
more widely applicable than forsake or desert. The
Latin original of desert appears to have been
originally applied to the case of deserters from
military service. Hence, the verb, when used of
persons in the active voice, has usually or always a
bad sense, implying some breach of fidelity, honor,
etc., the leaving of something which the person should
rightfully stand by and support; as, to desert one's
colors, to desert one's post, to desert one's
principles or duty. When used in the passive, the
sense is not necessarily bad; as, the fields were
deserted, a deserted village, deserted halls. Forsake
implies the breaking off of previous habit,
association, personal connection, or that the thing
left had been familiar or frequented; as, to forsake
old friends, to forsake the paths of rectitude, the
blood forsook his cheeks. It may be used either in a
good or in a bad sense.
Abandon \A*ban"don\, n. [F. abandon. fr. abandonner. See
{Abandon}, v.]
Abandonment; relinquishment. [Obs.]
Abandon \A`ban`don"\ ([.a]`b[aum]N`d[^o]N"), n. [F. See
{Abandon}.]
A complete giving up to natural impulses; freedom from
artificial constraint; careless freedom or ease.
Abandoned \A*ban"doned\ ([.a]*b[a^]n"d[u^]nd), a.
1. Forsaken, deserted. ``Your abandoned streams.'' --Thomson.
2. Self-abandoned, or given up to vice; extremely wicked, or
sinning without restraint; irreclaimably wicked; as, an
abandoned villain.
Syn: Profligate; dissolute; corrupt; vicious; depraved;
reprobate; wicked; unprincipled; graceless; vile.
Usage: {Abandoned}, {Profligate}, {Reprobate}. These
adjectives agree in expressing the idea of great
personal depravity. {Profligate} has reference to open
and shameless immoralities, either in private life or
political conduct; as, a {profligate} court, a
{profligate} ministry. {Abandoned} is stronger, and
has reference to the searing of conscience and
hardening of heart produced by a man's giving himself
wholly up to iniquity; as, a man of {abandoned}
character. {Reprobate} describes the condition of one
who has become insensible to reproof, and who is
morally abandoned and lost beyond hope of recovery.
God gave them over to a reprobate mind. --Rom.
i. 28.
Abandonedly \A*ban"doned*ly\, adv.
Unrestrainedly.
Abandonee \A*ban`don*ee"\ ([.a]*b[a^]n`d[u^]n*[=e]"), n. (Law)
One to whom anything is legally abandoned.
Abandoner \A*ban"don*er\ ([.a]*b[a^]n"d[u^]n*[~e]r), n.
One who abandons. --Beau. & Fl.
Abandonment \A*ban"don*ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. abandonnement.]
1. The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned;
total desertion; relinquishment.
The abandonment of the independence of Europe.
--Burke.
2. (Mar. Law) The relinquishment by the insured to the
underwriters of what may remain of the property insured
after a loss or damage by a peril insured against.
3. (Com. Law)
(a) The relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege, as
to mill site, etc.
(b) The voluntary leaving of a person to whom one is bound
by a special relation, as a wife, husband, or child;
desertion.
4. Careless freedom or ease; abandon. [R.] --Carlyle.
Abandum \A*ban"dum\ ([.a]*b[a^]n"d[u^]m), n. [LL. See
{Abandon}.] (Law)
Anything forfeited or confiscated.
Abanet \Ab"a*net\ ([a^]b"[.a]*n[e^]t), n.
See {Abnet}.
Abanga \A*ban"ga\ ([.a]*b[a^][ng]"g[.a]), n. [Name given by the
negroes in the island of St. Thomas.]
A West Indian palm; also the fruit of this palm, the seeds of
which are used as a remedy for diseases of the chest.
Abannation \Ab`an*na"tion\ ([a^]b`[a^]n*n[=a]"sh[u^]n),
Abannition \Ab`an*nition\ ([a^]b`[a^]n*n[i^]sh"[u^]n), n. [LL.
abannatio; ad + LL. bannire to banish.] (Old Law)
Banishment. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Abarticulation \Ab`ar*tic`u*la"tion\
(acr/b`[aum]r*t[i^]k`[-u]*l[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [L. ab + E.
articulation : cf. F. abarticulation. See {Article}.] (Anat.)
Articulation, usually that kind of articulation which admits
of free motion in the joint; diarthrosis. --Coxe.
Abase \A*base"\ ([.a]*b[=a]s"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abased}
([.a]*b[=a]st"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Abasing}.] [F. abaisser,
LL. abassare, abbassare; ad + bassare, fr. bassus low. See
{Base}, a.]
1. To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase
the eye. [Archaic] --Bacon.
Saying so, he abased his lance. --Shelton.
2. To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office,
condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to
depress; to humble; to degrade.
Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. --Luke
xiv. ll.
Syn: To {Abase}, {Debase}, {Degrade}. These words agree in
the idea of bringing down from a higher to a lower
state. Abase has reference to a bringing down in
condition or feelings; as, to abase the proud, to abase
one's self before God. Debase has reference to the
bringing down of a thing in purity, or making it base.
It is, therefore, always used in a bad sense, as, to
debase the coin of the kingdom, to debase the mind by
vicious indulgence, to debase one's style by coarse or
vulgar expressions. Degrade has reference to a bringing
down from some higher grade or from some standard. Thus,
a priest is degraded from the clerical office. When used
in a moral sense, it denotes a bringing down in
character and just estimation; as, degraded by
intemperance, a degrading employment, etc. ``Art is
degraded when it is regarded only as a trade.''
Abased \A*based"\ ([.a]*b[=a]st"), a.
1. Lowered; humbled.
2. (Her.) [F. abaiss['e].] Borne lower than usual, as a fess;
also, having the ends of the wings turned downward towards
the point of the shield.
Abasedly \A*bas"ed*ly\ ([.a]*b[=a]s"[e^]d*l[y^]), adv.
Abjectly; downcastly.
Abasement \A*base"ment\ ([.a]*b[=a]s"ment), n. [Cf. F.
abaissement.]
The act of abasing, humbling, or bringing low; the state of
being abased or humbled; humiliation.
Abaser \A*bas"er\ ([.a]*b[=a]s"[~e]r), n.
He who, or that which, abases.
Abash \A*bash"\ ([.a]*b[a^]sh"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abashed}
([.a]*b[a^]sht"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Abashing}.] [OE. abaissen,
abaisshen, abashen, OF. esbahir, F. ['e]bahir, to astonish,
fr. L. ex + the interjection bah, expressing astonishment. In
OE. somewhat confused with abase. Cf. {Finish}.]
To destroy the self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as
by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or
inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit.
Abashed, the devil stood, And felt how awful goodness
is. --Milton.
He was a man whom no check could abash. --Macaulay.
Syn: To confuse; confound; disconcert; shame.
Usage: To {Abash}, Confuse, {Confound}. Abash is a stronger
word than confuse, but not so strong as confound. We
are abashed when struck either with sudden shame or
with a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was
abashed by the look of his Master. So a modest youth
is abashed in the presence of those who are greatly
his superiors. We are confused when, from some
unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness
of thought and self-possession. Thus, a witness is
often confused by a severe cross-examination; a timid
person is apt to be confused in entering a room full
of strangers. We are confounded when our minds are
overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly
unexpected, amazing, dreadful, etc., so that we have
nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is usually confounded
at the discovery of his guilt.
Satan stood Awhile as mute, confounded what to
say. --Milton.
Abashedly \A*bash"ed*ly\ (-[e^]d*l[y^]), adv.
In an abashed manner.
Abashment \A*bash"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. ['e]bahissement.]
The state of being abashed; confusion from shame.
Abassi \A*bas"si\ ([.a]*b[a^]s"s[i^]), Abassis \A*bas"sis\
([.a]*b[a^]s"s[i^]s), n. [Ar. & Per. ab[=a]s[=i], belonging
to Abas (a king of Persia).]
A silver coin of Persia, worth about twenty cents.
Abatable \A*bat"a*ble\ ([.a]*b[=a]t"[.a]*b'l), a.
Capable of being abated; as, an abatable writ or nuisance.
Abate \A*bate"\ ([.a]*b[=a]t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abated}, p.
pr. & vb. n. {Abating}.] [OF. abatre to beat down, F.
abattre, LL. abatere; ab or ad + batere, battere (popular
form for L. batuere to beat). Cf. {Bate}, {Batter}.]
1. To beat down; to overthrow. [Obs.]
The King of Scots . . . sore abated the walls.
--Edw. Hall.
2. To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state,
number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to
moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate
pride, zeal, hope.
His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
--Deut. xxxiv.
7.
3. To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price.
Nine thousand parishes, abating the odd hundreds.
--Fuller.
4. To blunt. [Obs.]
To abate the edge of envy. --Bacon.
5. To reduce in estimation; to deprive. [Obs.]
She hath abated me of half my train. --Shak.
6. (Law)
(a) To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away
with; as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ.
(b) (Eng. Law) To diminish; to reduce. Legacies are liable
to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a
deficiency of assets.
{To abate a tax}, to remit it either wholly or in part.
Abate \A*bate"\ ([.a]*b[=a]t"), v. i. [See {Abate}, v. t.]
1. To decrease, or become less in strength or violence; as,
pain abates, a storm abates.
The fury of Glengarry . . . rapidly abated.
--Macaulay.
2. To be defeated, or come to naught; to fall through; to
fail; as, a writ abates.
{To abate into a freehold}, {To abate in lands} (Law), to
enter into a freehold after the death of the last
possessor, and before the heir takes possession. See
{Abatement}, 4.
Syn: To subside; decrease; intermit; decline; diminish;
lessen.
Usage: To {Abate}, {Subside}. These words, as here compared,
imply a coming down from some previously raised or
excited state. Abate expresses this in respect to
degrees, and implies a diminution of force or of
intensity; as, the storm abates, the cold abates, the
force of the wind abates; or, the wind abates, a fever
abates. Subside (to settle down) has reference to a
previous state of agitation or commotion; as, the
waves subside after a storm, the wind subsides into a
calm. When the words are used figuratively, the same
distinction should be observed. If we conceive of a
thing as having different degrees of intensity or
strength, the word to be used is abate. Thus we say, a
man's anger abates, the ardor of one's love abates,
``Winter's rage abates''. But if the image be that of
a sinking down into quiet from preceding excitement or
commotion, the word to be used is subside; as, the
tumult of the people subsides, the public mind
subsided into a calm. The same is the case with those
emotions which are tumultuous in their nature; as, his
passion subsides, his joy quickly subsided, his grief
subsided into a pleasing melancholy. Yet if, in such
cases, we were thinking of the degree of violence of
the emotion, we might use abate; as, his joy will
abate in the progress of time; and so in other
instances.
Abate \A*bate\ ([.a]*b[=a]t"), n.
Abatement. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Abatement \A*bate"ment\ (-ment), n. [OF. abatement, F.
abattement.]
1. The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a
lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an
end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression
thereof.
2. The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of
reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount
allowed.
3. (Her.) A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon.
4. (Law) The entry of a stranger, without right, into a
freehold after the death of the last possessor, before the
heir or devisee. --Blackstone.
{Defense in abatement}, {Plea in abatement}, (Law), plea to
the effect that from some formal defect (e.g. misnomer,
want of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated.
Abater \A*bat"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, abates.
Abatis \Ab"a*tis\, Abattis \Aba"t*tis\, ([a^]b"[.a]*t[i^]s;
French [.a]`b[.a]`t[=e]") n. [F. abatis, abattis, mass of
things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See {Abate}.] (Fort.)
A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose
branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the
enemy.
Abatised \Ab"a*tised\ ([a^]b"[.a]*t[i^]st), a.
Provided with an abatis.
Abator \A*ba"tor\ ([.a]*b[=a]t"[~e]r), n. (Law)
(a) One who abates a nuisance.
(b) A person who, without right, enters into a freehold on
the death of the last possessor, before the heir or
devisee. --Blackstone.
Abattoir \A`bat`toir"\ ([.a]`b[.a]t`tw[aum]r"), n.; pl.
{Abattoirs} (-tw[aum]rz"). [F., fr. abattre to beat down. See
{Abate}.]
A public slaughterhouse for cattle, sheep, etc.
Abature \Ab"a*ture\ ([.a]b"[.a]*t[-u]r; 135), n. [F. abatture,
fr. abattre. See {Abate}.]
Grass and sprigs beaten or trampled down by a stag passing
through them. --Crabb.
Abatvoix \A`bat`voix"\ ([.a]`b[.a]`vw[aum]"), n. [F. abattre to
beat down + voix voice.]
The sounding-board over a pulpit or rostrum.
Abawed \Ab*awed"\ ([a^]b*[add]d"), p. p. [Perh. p. p. of a verb
fr. OF. abaubir to frighten, disconcert, fr. L. ad + balbus
stammering.]
Astonished; abashed. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Abaxial \Ab*ax"i*al\ ([a^]b*[a^]ks"[i^]*al), Abaxile \Ab*ax"ile\
([a^]b*[a^]ks"[i^]l),a. [L. ab + axis axle.] (Bot.)
Away from the axis or central line; eccentric. --Balfour.
Abay \A*bay"\ ([.a]*b[=a]"), n. [OF. abay barking.]
Barking; baying of dogs upon their prey. See {Bay}. [Obs.]
Abb \Abb\ ([a^]b), n. [AS. [=a]web, [=a]b; pref. a- + web. See
{Web}.]
Among weavers, yarn for the warp. Hence, {abb wool} is wool
for the abb.
Abba \Ab"ba\ ([a^]b"b[.a]), n. [Syriac abb[=a] father. See
{Abbot}.]
Father; religious superior; -- in the Syriac, Coptic, and
Ethiopic churches, a title given to the bishops, and by the
bishops to the patriarch.
Abbacy \Ab"ba*cy\ ([a^]b"b[.a]*s[y^]), n.; pl. {Abbacies}
(-s[i^]z). [L. abbatia, fr. abbas, abbatis, abbot. See
{Abbey}.]
The dignity, estate, or jurisdiction of an abbot.
Abbatial \Ab*ba"tial\ ([a^]b*b[=a]"shal), a. [LL. abbatialis :
cf. F. abbatial.]
Belonging to an abbey; as, abbatial rights.
Abbatical \Ab*bat"ic*al\ ([a^]b*b[a^]t"[i^]*kal), a.
Abbatial. [Obs.]
Abb'e \Ab"b['e]`\ ([.a]b"b[asl]`), n.[F. abb['e]. See {Abbot}.]
The French word answering to the English abbot, the head of
an abbey; but commonly a title of respect given in France to
every one vested with the ecclesiastical habit or dress.
Note: After the 16th century, the name was given, in social
parlance, to candidates for some priory or abbey in the
gift of the crown. Many of these aspirants became well
known in literary and fashionable life. By further
extension, the name came to be applied to unbeneficed
secular ecclesiastics generally. --Littr['e].
Abbess \Ab"bess\ ([a^]b"b[e^]s), n. [OF. abaesse, abeesse, F.
abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See
{Abbot}.]
A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of
nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the
abbots have over the monks. See {Abbey}.
Abbey \Ab"bey\ ([a^]b"b[y^]), n.; pl. {Abbeys} (-b[i^]z). [OF.
aba["i]e, abba["i]e, F. abbaye, L. abbatia, fr. abbas abbot.
See {Abbot}.]
1. A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded
from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also,
the monastic building or buildings.
Note: The men are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the
women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess.
2. The church of a monastery.
Note: In London, the Abbey means Westminster Abbey, and in
Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The
name is also retained for a private residence on the
site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of
Lord Byron.
Syn: Monastery; convent; nunnery; priory; cloister. See
{Cloister}.
Abbot \Ab"bot\, n. [AS. abbod, abbad, L. abbas, abbatis, Gr.
'abba^s, fr. Syriac abb[=a] father. Cf. {Abba}, {Abb['e]}.]
1. The superior or head of an abbey.
2. One of a class of bishops whose sees were formerly abbeys.
--Encyc. Brit.
{Abbot of the people}. a title formerly given to one of the
chief magistrates in Genoa.
{Abbot of Misrule} (or {Lord of Misrule}), in medi[ae]val
times, the master of revels, as at Christmas; in Scotland
called the {Abbot of Unreason}. --Encyc. Brit.
Abbotship \Ab"bot*ship\, n. [Abbot + -ship.]
The state or office of an abbot.
Abbreviate \Ab*bre"vi*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abbreviated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Abbreviating}.] [L. abbreviatus, p. p. of
abbreviare; ad + breviare to shorten, fr. brevis short. See
{Abridge}.]
1. To make briefer; to shorten; to abridge; to reduce by
contraction or omission, especially of words written or
spoken.
It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting,
another by cutting off. --Bacon.
2. (Math.) To reduce to lower terms, as a fraction.
Abbreviate \Ab*bre"vi*ate\, a. [L. abbreviatus, p. p.]
1. Abbreviated; abridged; shortened. [R.] ``The abbreviate
form.'' --Earle.
2. (Biol.) Having one part relatively shorter than another or
than the ordinary type.
Abbreviate \Ab*bre"vi*ate\, n.
An abridgment. [Obs.] --Elyot.
Abbreviated \Ab*bre"vi*a`ted\, a.
Shortened; relatively short; abbreviate.
Abbreviation \Ab*bre`vi*a"tion\, n. [LL. abbreviatio: cf. F.
abbr['e]viation.]
1. The act of shortening, or reducing.
2. The result of abbreviating; an abridgment. --Tylor.
3. The form to which a word or phrase is reduced by
contraction and omission; a letter or letters, standing
for a word or phrase of which they are a part; as, Gen.
for Genesis; U.S.A. for United States of America.
4. (Mus.) One dash, or more, through the stem of a note,
dividing it respectively into quavers, semiquavers, or
demi-semiquavers. --Moore.
Abbreviator \Ab*bre"vi*a`tor\, n. [LL.: cf. F. abbr['e]viateur.]
1. One who abbreviates or shortens.
2. One of a college of seventy-two officers of the papal
court whose duty is to make a short minute of a decision
on a petition, or reply of the pope to a letter, and
afterwards expand the minute into official form.
Abbreviatory \Ab*bre"vi*a*to*ry\, a.
Serving or tending to abbreviate; shortening; abridging.
Abbreviature \Ab*bre"vi*a*ture\, n.
1. An abbreviation; an abbreviated state or form. [Obs.]
2. An abridgment; a compendium or abstract.
This is an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty
of a Christian. --Jer. Taylor.
Abb wool \Abb" wool\ ([a^]b" w[oo^]l).
See {Abb}.
A B C \A B C"\ ([=a] b[=e] s[=e]").
1. The first three letters of the alphabet, used for the
whole alphabet.
2. A primer for teaching the alphabet and first elements of
reading. [Obs.]
3. The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of
finance.
{A B C book}, a primer. --Shak.
Abdal \Ab"dal\, n. [Ar. bad[=i]l, pl. abd[=a]l, a substitute, a
good, religious man, saint, fr. badala to change,
substitute.]
A religious devotee or dervish in Persia.
Abderian \Ab*de"ri*an\, a. [From Abdera, a town in Thrace, of
which place Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher, was a
native.]
Given to laughter; inclined to foolish or incessant
merriment.
Abderite \Ab*de"rite\, n. [L. Abderita, Abderites, fr. Gr.
'Abdhri`ths.]
An inhabitant of Abdera, in Thrace.
{The Abderite}, Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher.
Abdest \Ab"dest\, n. [Per. [=a]bdast; ab water + dast hand.]
Purification by washing the hands before prayer; -- a
Mohammedan rite. --Heyse.
Abdicable \Ab"di*ca*ble\, a.
Capable of being abdicated.
Abdicant \Ab"di*cant\, a. [L. abdicans, p. pr. of abdicare.]
Abdicating; renouncing; -- followed by of.
Monks abdicant of their orders. --Whitlock.
Abdicant \Ab"di*cant\, n.
One who abdicates. --Smart.
Abdicate \Ab"di*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abdicated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Abdicating}.] [L. abdicatus, p. p. of abdicare; ab +
dicare to proclaim, akin to dicere to say. See {Diction}.]
1. To surrender or relinquish, as sovereign power; to
withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high
office, station, dignity; as, to abdicate the throne, the
crown, the papacy.
Note: The word abdicate was held to mean, in the case of
James II., to abandon without a formal surrender.
The cross-bearers abdicated their service.
--Gibbon.
2. To renounce; to relinquish; -- said of authority, a trust,
duty, right, etc.
He abdicates all right to be his own governor.
--Burke.
The understanding abdicates its functions. --Froude.
3. To reject; to cast off. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
4. (Civil Law) To disclaim and expel from the family, as a
father his child; to disown; to disinherit.
Syn: To give up; quit; vacate; relinquish; forsake; abandon;
resign; renounce; desert.
Usage: To {Abdicate}, {Resign}. Abdicate commonly expresses
the act of a monarch in voluntary and formally
yielding up sovereign authority; as, to abdicate the
government. Resign is applied to the act of any
person, high or low, who gives back an office or trust
into the hands of him who conferred it. Thus, a
minister resigns, a military officer resigns, a clerk
resigns. The expression, ``The king resigned his
crown,'' sometimes occurs in our later literature,
implying that he held it from his people. -- There are
other senses of resign which are not here brought into
view.
Abdicate \Ab"di*cate\, v. i.
To relinquish or renounce a throne, or other high office or
dignity.
Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he
cannot abdicate for the monarchy. --Burke.
Abdication \Ab`di*ca"tion\, n. [L. abdicatio: cf. F.
abdication.]
The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office,
dignity, or trust, by its holder; commonly the voluntary
renunciation of sovereign power; as, abdication of the
throne, government, power, authority.
Abdicative \Ab"di*ca*tive\, a. [L. abdicativus.]
Causing, or implying, abdication. [R.] --Bailey.
Abdicator \Ab"di*ca`tor\, n.
One who abdicates.
Abditive \Ab"di*tive\, a. [L. abditivus, fr. abdere to hide.]
Having the quality of hiding. [R.] --Bailey.
Abditory \Ab"di*to*ry\, n. [L. abditorium.]
A place for hiding or preserving articles of value. --Cowell.
Abdomen \Ab*do"men\, n. [L. abdomen (a word of uncertain
etymol.): cf. F. abdomen.]
1. (Anat.) The belly, or that part of the body between the
thorax and the pelvis. Also, the cavity of the belly,
which is lined by the peritoneum, and contains the
stomach, bowels, and other viscera. In man, often
restricted to the part between the diaphragm and the
commencement of the pelvis, the remainder being called the
pelvic cavity.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The posterior section of the body, behind the
thorax, in insects, crustaceans, and other Arthropoda.
Abdominal \Ab*dom"i*nal\, a. [Cf. F. abdominal.]
1. Of or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral; as, the
abdominal regions, muscles, cavity.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having abdominal fins; belonging to the
Abdominales; as, abdominal fishes.
{Abdominal ring} (Anat.), a fancied ringlike opening on each
side of the abdomen, external and superior to the pubes;
-- called also {inguinal ring}.
Abdominal \Ab*dom"i*nal\, n.; E. pl. {Abdominals}, L. pl.
{Abdominales}.
A fish of the group Abdominales.
Abdominales \Ab*dom`i*na"les\, n. pl. [NL., masc. pl.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group including the greater part of fresh-water fishes, and
many marine ones, having the ventral fins under the abdomen
behind the pectorals.
Abdominalia \Ab*dom`i*na"li*a\, n. pl. [NL., neut. pl.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of cirripeds having abdominal appendages.
Abdominoscopy \Ab*dom`i*nos"co*py\, n. [L. abdomen + Gr. ? to
examine.] (Med.)
Examination of the abdomen to detect abdominal disease.
Abdominothoracic \Ab*dom`i*no*tho*rac"ic\, a.
Relating to the abdomen and the thorax, or chest.
Abdominous \Ab*dom"i*nous\, a.
Having a protuberant belly; pot-bellied.
Gorgonius sits, abdominous and wan, Like a fat squab
upon a Chinese fan. --Cowper.
Abduce \Ab*duce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abduced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Abducing}.] [L. abducere to lead away; ab + ducere to
lead. See {Duke}, and cf. {Abduct}.]
To draw or conduct away; to withdraw; to draw to a different
part. [Obs.]
If we abduce the eye unto either corner, the object
will not duplicate. --Sir T.
Browne.
Abduct \Ab*duct"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abducted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Abducting}.] [L. abductus, p. p. of abducere. See
{Abduce}.]
1. To take away surreptitiously by force; to carry away (a
human being) wrongfully and usually by violence; to
kidnap.
2. To draw away, as a limb or other part, from its ordinary
position.
Abduction \Ab*duc"tion\, n. [L. abductio: cf. F. abduction.]
1. The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; a
carrying away. --Roget.
2. (Physiol.) The movement which separates a limb or other
part from the axis, or middle line, of the body.
3. (Law) The wrongful, and usually the forcible, carrying off
of a human being; as, the abduction of a child, the
abduction of an heiress.
4. (Logic) A syllogism or form of argument in which the major
is evident, but the minor is only probable.
Abductor \Ab*duc"tor\, n. [NL.]
1. One who abducts.
2. (Anat.) A muscle which serves to draw a part out, or form
the median line of the body; as, the abductor oculi, which
draws the eye outward.
Abeam \A*beam"\, adv. [Pref. a- + beam.] (Naut.)
On the beam, that is, on a line which forms a right angle
with the ship's keel; opposite to the center of the ship's
side.
Abear \A*bear"\, v. t. [AS. [=a]beran; pref. [=a]- + beran to
bear.]
1. To bear; to behave. [Obs.]
So did the faery knight himself abear. --Spenser.
2. To put up with; to endure. [Prov.] --Dickens.
Abearance \A*bear"ance\, n.
Behavior. [Obs.] --Blackstone.
Abearing \A*bear"ing\, n.
Behavior. [Obs.] --Sir. T. More.
Abecedarian \A`be*ce*da"ri*an\, n. [L. abecedarius. A word from
the first four letters of the alphabet.]
1. One who is learning the alphabet; hence, a tyro.
2. One engaged in teaching the alphabet. --Wood.
Abecedarian \A`be*ce*da"ri*an\, Abecedary \A`be*ce"da*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or formed by, the letters of the alphabet;
alphabetic; hence, rudimentary.
{Abecedarian psalms}, {hymns}, etc., compositions in which
(like the 119th psalm in Hebrew) distinct portions or
verses commence with successive letters of the alphabet.
--Hook.
Abecedary \A`be*ce"da*ry\, n.
A primer; the first principle or rudiment of anything. [R.]
--Fuller.
Abed \A*bed"\, adv. [Pref. a- in, on + bed.]
1. In bed, or on the bed.
Not to be abed after midnight. --Shak.
2. To childbed (in the phrase ``brought abed,'' that is,
delivered of a child). --Shak.
Abegge \A*beg"ge\
Same as {Aby}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Abele \A*bele"\, n. [D. abeel (abeel-boom), OF. abel, aubel, fr.
a dim. of L. albus white.]
The white poplar ({Populus alba}).
Six abeles i' the churchyard grow. --Mrs.
Browning.
Abelian \A*bel"i*an\, Abelite \A"bel*ite\, Abelonian
\A`bel*o"ni*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect in Africa (4th century), mentioned by St.
Augustine, who states that they married, but lived in
continence, after the manner, as they pretended, of Abel.
Abelmosk \A"bel*mosk`\, n. [NL. abelmoschus, fr. Ar. abu-l-misk
father of musk, i. e., producing musk. See {Musk}.] (Bot.)
An evergreen shrub ({Hibiscus} -- formerly {Abelmoschus --
moschatus}), of the East and West Indies and Northern Africa,
whose musky seeds are used in perfumery and to flavor coffee;
-- sometimes called {musk mallow}.
Aber-de-vine \Ab`er-de-vine"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European siskin ({Carduelis spinus}), a small green and
yellow finch, related to the goldfinch.
Aberr \Ab*err"\, v. i. [L. aberrare. See {Aberrate}.]
To wander; to stray. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Aberrance \Ab*er"rance\, Aberrancy \Ab*er"ran*cy\, n.
State of being aberrant; a wandering from the right way;
deviation from truth, rectitude, etc.
{Aberrancy of curvature} (Geom.), the deviation of a curve
from a circular form.
Aberrant \Ab*er"rant\, a. [L. aberrans, -rantis, p. pr. of
aberrare. See {Aberr}.]
1. Wandering; straying from the right way.
2. (Biol.) Deviating from the ordinary or natural type;
exceptional; abnormal.
The more aberrant any form is, the greater must have
been the number of connecting forms which, on my
theory, have been exterminated. --Darwin.
Aberrate \Ab"er*rate\, v. i. [L. aberratus, p. pr. of aberrare;
ab + errare to wander. See {Err}.]
To go astray; to diverge. [R.]
Their own defective and aberrating vision. --De
Quincey.
Aberration \Ab`er*ra"tion\, n. [L. aberratio: cf. F. aberration.
See {Aberrate}.]
1. The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or
moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type.
``The aberration of youth.'' --Hall. ``Aberrations from
theory.'' --Burke.
2. A partial alienation of reason. ``Occasional aberrations
of intellect.'' --Lingard.
Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a
single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form.
--I. Taylor.
3. (Astron.) A small periodical change of position in the
stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined
effect of the motion of light and the motion of the
observer; called {annual aberration}, when the observer's
motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and daily or
{diurnal aberration}, when of the earth on its axis;
amounting when greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'',
and in the latter, to 0.3''. {Planetary aberration} is
that due to the motion of light and the motion of the
planet relative to the earth.
4. (Opt.) The convergence to different foci, by a lens or
mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same
point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus;
called {spherical aberration}, when due to the spherical
form of the lens or mirror, such form giving different
foci for central and marginal rays; and {chromatic
aberration}, when due to different refrangibilities of the
colored rays of the spectrum, those of each color having a
distinct focus.
5. (Physiol.) The passage of blood or other fluid into parts
not appropriate for it.
6. (Law) The producing of an unintended effect by the
glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A
glances and strikes B.
Syn: Insanity; lunacy; madness; derangement; alienation;
mania; dementia; hallucination; illusion; delusion. See
{Insanity}.
Aberrational \Ab`er*ra"tion*al\, a.
Characterized by aberration.
Aberuncate \Ab`e*run"cate\, v. t. [L. aberuncare, for
aberruncare. See {Averruncate}.]
To weed out. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Aberuncator \Ab`e*run"ca*tor\, n.
A weeding machine.
Abet \A*bet"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abetted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Abetting}.] [OF. abeter; a (L. ad) + beter to bait (as a
bear), fr. Icel. beita to set dogs on, to feed, originally,
to cause to bite, fr. Icel. b[=i]ta to bite, hence to bait,
to incite. See {Bait}, {Bet}.]
1. To instigate or encourage by aid or countenance; -- used
in a bad sense of persons and acts; as, to abet an
ill-doer; to abet one in his wicked courses; to abet vice;
to abet an insurrection. ``The whole tribe abets the
villany.'' --South.
Would not the fool abet the stealth, Who rashly thus
exposed his wealth? --Gay.
2. To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good
sense. [Obs.].
Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
--Jer. Taylor.
3. (Law) To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the
commission of an offense.
Syn: To incite; instigate; set on; egg on; foment; advocate;
countenance; encourage; second; uphold; aid; assist;
support; sustain; back; connive at.
Abet \A*bet"\, n. [OF. abet, fr. abeter.]
Act of abetting; aid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Abetment \A*bet"ment\ (-ment), n.
The act of abetting; as, an abetment of treason, crime, etc.
Abettal \A*bet"tal\, n.
Abetment. [R.]
Abetter \A*bet"ter\, Abettor \A*bet*tor\, n.
One who abets; an instigator of an offense or an offender.
Note: The form abettor is the legal term and also in general
use.
Syn: {Abettor}, {Accessory}, {Accomplice}.
Usage: These words denote different degrees of complicity in
some deed or crime. An abettor is one who incites or
encourages to the act, without sharing in its
performance. An accessory supposes a principal
offender. One who is neither the chief actor in an
offense, nor present at its performance, but accedes
to or becomes involved in its guilt, either by some
previous or subsequent act, as of instigating,
encouraging, aiding, or concealing, etc., is an
accessory. An accomplice is one who participates in
the commission of an offense, whether as principal or
accessory. Thus in treason, there are no abettors or
accessories, but all are held to be principals or
accomplices.
Abevacuation \Ab`e*vac"u*a"tion\, n. [Pref. ab- + evacuation.]
(Med.)
A partial evacuation. --Mayne.
Abeyance \A*bey"ance\, n. [OF. abeance expectation, longing; a
(L. ad) + baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to
expect, F. bayer, LL. badare to gape.]
1. (Law) Expectancy; condition of being undetermined.
Note: When there is no person in existence in whom an
inheritance (or a dignity) can vest, it is said to be
in abeyance, that is, in expectation; the law
considering it as always potentially existing, and
ready to vest whenever a proper owner appears.
--Blackstone.
2. Suspension; temporary suppression.
Keeping the sympathies of love and admiration in a
dormant state, or state of abeyance. --De Quincey.
Abeyancy \A*bey"an*cy\, n.
Abeyance. [R.] --Hawthorne.
Abeyant \A*bey"ant\, a.
Being in a state of abeyance.
Abhal \Ab"hal\, n.
The berries of a species of cypress in the East Indies.
Abhominable \Ab*hom"i*na*ble\, a.
Abominable.
Note: [A false orthography anciently used; h was foisted into
various words; hence abholish, for abolish, etc.]
This is abhominable, which he [Don Armado] would
call abominable. --Shak. Love's
Labor's Lost,
v. 1.
Abhominal \Ab*hom`i*nal\, a. [L. ab away from + homo, hominis,
man.]
Inhuman. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Abhor \Ab*hor"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abhorred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Abhorring}.] [L. abhorrere; ab + horrere to bristle, shiver,
shudder: cf. F. abhorrer. See {Horrid}.]
1. To shrink back with shuddering from; to regard with horror
or detestation; to feel excessive repugnance toward; to
detest to extremity; to loathe.
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is
good. --Rom. xii. 9.
2. To fill with horror or disgust. [Obs.]
It doth abhor me now I speak the word. --Shak.
3. (Canon Law) To protest against; to reject solemnly. [Obs.]
I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul Refuse you for my
judge. --Shak.
Syn: To hate; detest; loathe; abominate. See {Hate}.
Abhor \Ab*hor"\, v. i.
To shrink back with horror, disgust, or dislike; to be
contrary or averse; -- with from. [Obs.] ``To abhor from
those vices.'' --Udall.
Which is utterly abhorring from the end of all law.
--Milton.
Abhorrence \Ab*hor"rence\, n.
Extreme hatred or detestation; the feeling of utter dislike.
Abhorrency \Ab*hor"ren*cy\, n.
Abhorrence. [Obs.] --Locke.
Abhorrent \Ab*hor"rent\, a. [L. abhorens, -rentis, p. pr. of
abhorrere.]
1. Abhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence;
loathing; hence, strongly opposed to; as, abhorrent
thoughts.
The persons most abhorrent from blood and treason.
--Burke.
The arts of pleasure in despotic courts I spurn
abhorrent. --Clover.
2. Contrary or repugnant; discordant; inconsistent; --
followed by to. ``Injudicious profanation, so abhorrent to
our stricter principles.'' --Gibbon.
3. Detestable. ``Pride, abhorrent as it is.'' --I. Taylor.
Abhorrently \Ab*hor"rent*ly\, adv.
With abhorrence.
Abhorrer \Ab*hor"rer\, n.
One who abhors. --Hume.
Abhorrible \Ab*hor"ri*ble\, a.
Detestable. [R.]
Abhorring \Ab*hor"ring\, n.
1. Detestation. --Milton.
2. Object of abhorrence. --Isa. lxvi. 24.
Abib \A"bib\, n. [Heb. ab[=i]b, lit. an ear of corn. The month
was so called from barley being at that time in ear.]
The first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year,
corresponding nearly to our April. After the Babylonish
captivity this month was called {Nisan}. --Kitto.
Abidance \A*bid"ance\, n.
The state of abiding; abode; continuance; compliance (with).
The Christians had no longer abidance in the holy hill
of Palestine. --Fuller.
A judicious abidance by rules. --Helps.
Abide \A*bide"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Abode}, formerly {Abid};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Abiding}.] [AS. [=a]b[=i]dan; pref. [=a]-
(cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + b[=i]dan to
bide. See {Bide}.]
1. To wait; to pause; to delay. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to
dwell; to sojourn; -- with with before a person, and
commonly with at or in before a place.
Let the damsel abide with us a few days. --Gen.
xxiv. 55.
3. To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to
continue; to remain.
Let every man abide in the same calling. --1 Cor.
vii. 20.
Followed by by:
{To abide by}.
(a) To stand to; to adhere; to maintain.
The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by
what he said at first. --Fielding.
(b) To acquiesce; to conform to; as, to abide by a
decision or an award.
Abide \A*bide"\, v. t.
1. To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for;
as, I abide my time. ``I will abide the coming of my
lord.'' --Tennyson.
Note: [[Obs.], with a personal object.
Bonds and afflictions abide me. --Acts xx. 23.
2. To endure; to sustain; to submit to.
[Thou] shalt abide her judgment on it. --Tennyson.
3. To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with.
She could not abide Master Shallow. --Shak.
4.
Note: [Confused with aby to pay for. See {Aby}.] To stand the
consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for.
Dearly I abide that boast so vain. --Milton.
Abider \A*bid"er\, n.
1. One who abides, or continues. [Obs.] ``Speedy goers and
strong abiders.'' --Sidney.
2. One who dwells; a resident. --Speed.
Abiding \A*bid"ing\, a.
Continuing; lasting.
Abidingly \A*bid"ing*ly\, adv.
Permanently. --Carlyle.
Abies \A"bi*es\, n. [L., fir tree.] (Bot.)
A genus of coniferous trees, properly called Fir, as the
balsam fir and the silver fir. The spruces are sometimes also
referred to this genus.
Abietene \Ab"i*e*tene\, n. [L. abies, abietis, a fir tree.]
A volatile oil distilled from the resin or balsam of the nut
pine ({Pinus sabiniana}) of California.
Abietic \Ab`i*et"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the fir tree or its products; as, abietic
acid, called also sylvic acid. --Watts.
Abietin \Ab"i*e*tin\, Abietine \Ab"i*e*tine\, n. [See
{Abietene}.] (Chem.)
A resinous obtained from Strasburg turpentine or Canada
balsam. It is without taste or smell, is insoluble in water,
but soluble in alcohol (especially at the boiling point), in
strong acetic acid, and in ether. --Watts.
Abietinic \Ab`i*e*tin"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to abietin; as, abietinic acid.
Abietite \Ab"i*e*tite\, n. (Chem.)
A substance resembling mannite, found in the needles of the
common silver fir of Europe ({Abies pectinata}). --Eng. Cyc.
Abigail \Ab"i*gail\, n. [The proper name used as an
appellative.]
A lady's waiting-maid. --Pepys.
Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of
night curls for sleeping in. --Leslie.
Abiliment \A*bil"i*ment\ ([.a]*b[i^]l"[i^]*ment), n.
Habiliment. [Obs.]
Ability \A*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Abilities}. [F. habilet['e],
earlier spelling habilit['e] (with silent h), L. habilitas
aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See {Able}.]
The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether
physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal;
capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of
strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty,
talent.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability,
determined to send relief unto the brethren. --Acts xi.
29.
Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need
pruning by study. --Bacon.
The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind
of ability. --Macaulay.
Syn: Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability;
efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity;
skill.
Usage: {Ability}, {Capacity}. These words come into
comparison when applied to the higher intellectual
powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise
of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of
mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which
arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the
ability with which a book is written, an argument
maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always
something to be done, and the power of doing it.
Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its
higher exercises it supposes great quickness of
apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an
uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining
knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of
resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the
extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon,
Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. ``Capacity,'' says H.
Taylor, ``is requisite to devise, and ability to
execute, a great enterprise.'' The word abilities, in
the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes
high mental endowments.
Abime \A*bime"\ or Abyme \A*byme"\, n. [F. ab[^i]me. See
{Abysm}.]
A abyss. [Obs.]
Abiogenesis \Ab`i*o*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? life + ?,
origin, birth.] (Biol.)
The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless
matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living
parents; spontaneous generation; -- called also {abiogeny},
and opposed to {biogenesis}.
I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may
be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of
abiogenesis. --Huxley,
1870.
Abiogenetic \Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to abiogenesis. {Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic*al*ly},
adv.
Abiogenist \Ab`i*og"e*nist\, n. (Biol.)
One who believes that life can be produced independently of
antecedent. --Huxley.
Abiogenous \Ab`i*og"e*nous\, a. (Biol.)
Produced by spontaneous generation.
Abiogeny \Ab`i*og"e*ny\, n. (Biol.)
Same as {Abiogenesis}.
Abiological \Ab`i*o*log"ic*al\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + E.
biological.]
Pertaining to the study of inanimate things.
Abirritant \Ab*ir"ri*tant\, n. (Med.)
A medicine that diminishes irritation.
Abirritate \Ab*ir"ri*tate\, v. t. [Pref. ab- + irritate.] (Med.)
To diminish the sensibility of; to debilitate.
Abirritation \Ab*ir`ri*ta"tion\, n. (Med.)
A pathological condition opposite to that of irritation;
debility; want of strength; asthenia.
Abirritative \Ab*ir"ri*ta*tive\, a. (Med.)
Characterized by abirritation or debility.
Abit \A*bit"\,
3d sing. pres. of {Abide}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Abject \Ab"ject\, a. [L. abjectus, p. p. of abjicere to throw
away; ab + jacere to throw. See {Jet} a shooting forth.]
1. Cast down; low-lying. [Obs.]
From the safe shore their floating carcasses And
broken chariot wheels; so thick bestrown Abject and
lost lay these, covering the flood. --Milton.
2. Sunk to a law condition; down in spirit or hope; degraded;
servile; groveling; despicable; as, abject posture,
fortune, thoughts. ``Base and abject flatterers.''
--Addison. ``An abject liar.'' --Macaulay.
And banish hence these abject, lowly dreams. --Shak.
Syn: Mean; groveling; cringing; mean-spirited; slavish;
ignoble; worthless; vile; beggarly; contemptible;
degraded.
Abject \Ab*ject"\, v. t. [From {Abject}, a.]
To cast off or down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower;
to debase. [Obs.] --Donne.
Abject \Ab"ject\, n.
A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a
castaway. [Obs.]
Shall these abjects, these victims, these outcasts,
know any thing of pleasure? --I. Taylor.
Abjectedness \Ab*ject"ed*ness\, n.
A very abject or low condition; abjectness. [R.] --Boyle.
Abjection \Ab*jec"tion\, n. [F. abjection, L. abjectio.]
1. The act of bringing down or humbling. ``The abjection of
the king and his realm.'' --Joe.
2. The state of being rejected or cast out. [R.]
An adjection from the beatific regions where God,
and his angels and saints, dwell forever. --Jer.
Taylor.
3. A low or downcast state; meanness of spirit; abasement;
degradation.
That this should be termed baseness, abjection of
mind, or servility, is it credible? --Hooker.
Abjectly \Ab"ject*ly\, adv.
Meanly; servilely.
Abjectness \Ab"ject*ness\, n.
The state of being abject; abasement; meanness; servility.
--Grew.
Abjudge \Ab*judge"\, v. t. [Pref. ab- + judge, v. Cf.
{Abjudicate}.]
To take away by judicial decision. [R.]
Abjudicate \Ab*ju"di*cate\, v. t. [L. abjudicatus, p. p. of
abjudicare; ab + judicare. See {Judge}, and cf. {Abjudge}.]
To reject by judicial sentence; also, to abjudge. [Obs.]
--Ash.
Abjudication \Ab*ju`di*ca"tion\, n.
Rejection by judicial sentence. [R.] --Knowles.
Abjugate \Ab"ju*gate\, v. t. [L. abjugatus, p. p. of abjugare.]
To unyoke. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Abjunctive \Ab*junc"tive\, a. [L. abjunctus, p. p. of abjungere;
ab + jungere to join.]
Exceptional. [R.]
It is this power which leads on from the accidental and
abjunctive to the universal. --I. Taylor.
Abjuration \Ab`ju*ra"tion\, n. [L. abjuratio: cf. F.
abjuration.]
1. The act of abjuring or forswearing; a renunciation upon
oath; as, abjuration of the realm, a sworn banishment, an
oath taken to leave the country and never to return.
2. A solemn recantation or renunciation; as, an abjuration of
heresy.
{Oath of abjuration}, an oath asserting the right of the
present royal family to the crown of England, and
expressly abjuring allegiance to the descendants of the
Pretender. --Brande & C.
Abjuratory \Ab*ju"ra*to*ry\, a.
Containing abjuration.
Abjure \Ab*jure"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abjured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Abjuring}.] [L. abjurare to deny upon oath; ab + jurare
to swear, fr. jus, juris, right, law; cf. F. abjurer. See
{Jury}.]
1. To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow; as, to
abjure allegiance to a prince. To abjure the realm, is to
swear to abandon it forever.
2. To renounce or reject with solemnity; to recant; to
abandon forever; to reject; repudiate; as, to abjure
errors. ``Magic I here abjure.'' --Shak.
Syn: See {Renounce}.
Abjure \Ab*jure"\, v. i.
To renounce on oath. --Bp. Burnet.
Abjurement \Ab*jure"ment\ (-ment), n.
Renunciation. [R.]
Abjurer \Ab*jur"er\, n.
One who abjures.
Ablactate \Ab*lac"tate\, v. t. [L. ablactatus, p. p. of
ablactare; ab + lactare to suckle, fr. lac milk.]
To wean. [R.] --Bailey.
Ablactation \Ab`lac*ta"tion\ n.
1. The weaning of a child from the breast, or of young beasts
from their dam. --Blount.
2. (Hort.) The process of grafting now called {inarching}, or
{grafting by approach}.
Ablaqueate \Ab*la"que*ate\, v. t. [L. ablaqueatus, p. p. of.
ablaqueare; fr. ab + laqueus a noose.]
To lay bare, as the roots of a tree. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Ablaqueation \Ab*la`que*a"tion\, n. [L. ablaqueatio.]
The act or process of laying bare the roots of trees to
expose them to the air and water. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Ablastemic \Ab`las*tem"ic\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? growth.]
(Biol.)
Non-germinal.
Ablation \Ab*la"tion\, n. [L. ablatio, fr. ablatus p. p. of
auferre to carry away; ab + latus, p. p. of ferre carry: cf.
F. ablation. See {Tolerate}.]
1. A carrying or taking away; removal. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Med.) Extirpation. --Dunglison.
3. (Geol.) Wearing away; superficial waste. --Tyndall.
Ablatitious \Ab`la*ti"tious\, a.
Diminishing; as, an ablatitious force. --Sir J. Herschel.
Ablative \Ab"la*tive\, a. [F. ablatif, ablative, L. ablativus
fr. ablatus. See {Ablation}.]
1. Taking away or removing. [Obs.]
Where the heart is forestalled with misopinion,
ablative directions are found needful to unteach
error, ere we can learn truth. --Bp. Hall.
2. (Gram.) Applied to one of the cases of the noun in Latin
and some other languages, -- the fundamental meaning of
the case being removal, separation, or taking away.
Ablative \Ab"la*tive\, (Gram.)
The ablative case.
{ablative absolute}, a construction in Latin, in which a noun
in the ablative case has a participle (either expressed or
implied), agreeing with it in gender, number, and case,
both words forming a clause by themselves and being
unconnected, grammatically, with the rest of the sentence;
as, Tarquinio regnante, Pythagoras venit, i. e.,
Tarquinius reigning, Pythagoras came.
Ablaut \Ab"laut\, n. [Ger., off-sound; ab off + laut sound.]
(Philol.)
The substitution of one root vowel for another, thus
indicating a corresponding modification of use or meaning;
vowel permutation; as, get, gat, got; sing, song; hang, hung.
--Earle.
Ablaze \A*blaze"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + blaze.]
1. On fire; in a blaze, gleaming. --Milman.
All ablaze with crimson and gold. --Longfellow.
2. In a state of glowing excitement or ardent desire.
The young Cambridge democrats were all ablaze to
assist Torrijos. --Carlyle.
Able \A"ble\, a. [Comp. {Abler}; superl. {Ablest}.] [OF. habile,
L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful,
fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. {Habile} and see {Habit}.]
1. Fit; adapted; suitable. [Obs.]
A many man, to ben an abbot able. --Chaucer.
2. Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or
resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed
of qualifications rendering competent for some end;
competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman,
soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to
reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain;
able to play on a piano.
3. Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong
mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever;
powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able
speech.
No man wrote abler state papers. --Macaulay.
4. (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence;
as, able to inherit or devise property.
Note:
{Able for}, is Scotticism. ``Hardly able for such a march.''
--Robertson.
Syn: Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective;
capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
Able \A"ble\, v. t. [See {Able}, a.] [Obs.]
1. To make able; to enable; to strengthen. --Chaucer.
2. To vouch for. ``I 'll able them.'' --Shak.
-able \-a*ble\ (-[.a]*b'l). [F. -able, L. -abilis.]
An adjective suffix now usually in a passive sense; able to
be; fit to be; expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive
sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be
amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.
Note: The form {-ible} is used in the same sense.
Note: It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able
instead of -ible. ``Yet a rule may be laid down as to
when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the
Anglo-Saxon, to all based on the uncorrupted
infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first
conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever
sprung, we annex -able only.'' --Fitzed. Hall.
Able-bodied \A`ble-bod"ied\, a.
Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust.
``Able-bodied vagrant.'' --Froude. -- {A`ble-bod"ied*ness},
n..
Ablegate \Ab"le*gate\, v. t. [L. ablegatus, p. p. of ablegare;
ab + legare to send with a commission. See {Legate}.]
To send abroad. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Ablegate \Ab"le*gate\, n. (R. C. Ch.)
A representative of the pope charged with important
commissions in foreign countries, one of his duties being to
bring to a newly named cardinal his insignia of office.
Ablegation \Ab`le*ga"tion\, n. [L. ablegatio.]
The act of sending abroad. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Able-minded \A`ble-mind"ed\, a.
Having much intellectual power. -- {A`ble-mind"ed*ness}, n.
Ableness \A"ble*ness\, n.
Ability of body or mind; force; vigor. [Obs. or R.]
Ablepsy \Ab"lep*sy\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to see.]
Blindness. [R.] --Urquhart.
Abler \A"bler\, a.,
comp. of {Able}. -- {A"blest}, a., superl. of {Able}.
Ablet \Ab"let\, Ablen \Ab"len\[F. ablet, ablette, a dim. fr. LL.
abula, for albula, dim. of albus white. Cf. {Abele}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A small fresh-water fish ({Leuciscus alburnus}); the bleak.
Abligate \Ab"li*gate\, v. t. [L. ab + ligatus, p. p. of ligare
to tie.]
To tie up so as to hinder from. [Obs.]
Abligurition \Ab*lig`u*ri"tion\, n. [L. abligurito, fr.
abligurire to spend in luxurious indulgence; ab + ligurire to
be lickerish, dainty, fr. lingere to lick.]
Prodigal expense for food. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Ablins \A"blins\, adv. [See {Able}.]
Perhaps. [Scot.]
Abloom \A*bloom"\, adv. [Pref. a- + bloom.]
In or into bloom; in a blooming state. --Masson.
Ablude \Ab*lude"\, v. t. [L. abludere; ab + ludere to play.]
To be unlike; to differ. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Abluent \Ab"lu*ent\, a. [L. abluens, p. pr. of. abluere to wash
away; ab + luere (lavere, lavare). See {Lave}.]
Washing away; carrying off impurities; detergent. -- n.
(Med.) A detergent.
Ablush \A*blush"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + blush.]
Blushing; ruddy.
Ablution \Ab*lu`tion\, n. [L. ablutio, fr. abluere: cf. F.
ablution. See {Abluent}.]
1. The act of washing or cleansing; specifically, the washing
of the body, or some part of it, as a religious rite.
2. The water used in cleansing. ``Cast the ablutions in the
main.'' --Pope.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A small quantity of wine and water, which is
used to wash the priest's thumb and index finger after the
communion, and which then, as perhaps containing portions
of the consecrated elements, is drunk by the priest.
Ablutionary \Ab*lu"tion*a*ry\, a.
Pertaining to ablution.
Abluvion \Ab*lu"vi*on\, n. [LL. abluvio. See {Abluent}.]
That which is washed off. [R.] --Dwight.
Ably \A"bly\, adv.
In an able manner; with great ability; as, ably done,
planned, said.
-ably \-a*bly\
A suffix composed of -able and the adverbial suffix -ly; as,
favorably.
Abnegate \Ab"ne*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abnegated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Abnegating}.] [L. abnegatus,p. p. of abnegare; ab +
negare to deny. See {Deny}.]
To deny and reject; to abjure. --Sir E. Sandys. Farrar.
Abnegation \Ab`ne*ga"tion\, n. [L. abnegatio: cf. F.
abn['e]gation.]
a denial; a renunciation.
With abnegation of God, of his honor, and of religion,
they may retain the friendship of the court. --Knox.
Abnegative \Ab"ne*ga*tive\, a. [L. abnegativus.]
Denying; renouncing; negative. [R.] --Clarke.
Abnegator \Ab"ne*ga`tor\, n. [L.]
One who abnegates, denies, or rejects anything. [R.]
Abnet \Ab"net\, n. [Heb.]
The girdle of a Jewish priest or officer.
Abnodate \Ab"no*date\, v. t. [L. abnodatus, p. p. of abnodare;
ab + nodus knot.]
To clear (tress) from knots. [R.] --Blount.
Abnodation \Ab`no*da"tion\, n.
The act of cutting away the knots of trees. [R.] --Crabb.
Abnormal \Ab*nor"mal\, a. [For earlier anormal.F. anormal, LL.
anormalus for anomalus, Gr. ?. Confused with L. abnormis. See
{Anomalous}, {Abnormous}, {Anormal}.]
Not conformed to rule or system; deviating from the type;
anomalous; irregular. ``That deviating from the type;
anomalous; irregular. '' --Froude.
Abnormality \Ab`nor*mal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Abnormalities}.
1. The state or quality of being abnormal; variation;
irregularity. --Darwin.
2. Something abnormal.
Abnormally \Ab*nor"mal*ly\, adv.
In an abnormal manner; irregularly. --Darwin.
Abnormity \Ab*nor"mi*ty\, n.; pl. {Abnormities}. [LL.
abnormitas. See {Abnormous}.]
Departure from the ordinary type; irregularity; monstrosity.
``An abnormity . . . like a calf born with two heads.''
--Mrs. Whitney.
Abnormous \Ab*nor"mous\, a. [L. abnormis; ab + norma rule. See
{Normal}.]
Abnormal; irregular. --Hallam.
A character of a more abnormous cast than his equally
suspected coadjutor. --State
Trials.
Aboard \A*board"\, adv. [Pref. a- on, in + board.]
On board; into or within a ship or boat; hence, into or
within a railway car.
2. Alongside; as, close aboard. Naut.:
{To fall aboard of}, to strike a ship's side; to fall foul
of.
{To haul the tacks aboard}, to set the courses.
{To keep the land aboard}, to hug the shore.
{To lay (a ship) aboard}, to place one's own ship close
alongside of (a ship) for fighting.
Aboard \A*board"\, prep.
1. On board of; as, to go aboard a ship.
2. Across; athwart. [Obs.]
Nor iron bands aboard The Pontic Sea by their huge
navy cast. --Spenser.
Abodance \A*bod"ance\, n. [See {Bode}.]
An omen; a portending. [Obs.]
Abode \A*bode"\,
pret. of {Abide}.
Abode \A*bode"\, n. [OE. abad, abood, fr. abiden to abide. See
{Abide}. For the change of vowel, cf. abode, imp. of abide.]
1. Act of waiting; delay. [Obs.] --Shak.
And with her fled away without abode. --Spenser.
2. Stay or continuance in a place; sojourn.
He waxeth at your abode here. --Fielding.
3. Place of continuance, or where one dwells; abiding place;
residence; a dwelling; a habitation.
Come, let me lead you to our poor abode.
--Wordsworth.
Abode \A*bode"\, n. [See {Bode}, v. t.]
An omen. [Obs.]
High-thundering Juno's husband stirs my spirit with
true abodes. --Chapman.
Abode \A*bode"\, v. t.
To bode; to foreshow. [Obs.] --Shak.
Abode \A*bode"\, v. i.
To be ominous. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Abodement \A*bode"ment\ (-ment), n.
A foreboding; an omen. [Obs.] ``Abodements must not now
affright us.'' --Shak.
Aboding \A*bod"ing\, n.
A foreboding. [Obs.]
Abolish \A*bol"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abolished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Abolishing}.] [F. abolir, L. abolere, aboletum; ab +
olere to grow. Cf. {Finish}.]
1. To do away with wholly; to annul; to make void; -- said of
laws, customs, institutions, governments, etc.; as, to
abolish slavery, to abolish folly.
2. To put an end to, or destroy, as a physical objects; to
wipe out. [Archaic]
And with thy blood abolish so reproachful blot.
--Spenser.
His quick instinctive hand Caught at the hilt, as to
abolish him. --Tennyson.
Syn: To {Abolish}, {Repeal}, {Abrogate}, {Revoke}, {Annul},
{Nullify}, {Cancel}.
Usage: These words have in common the idea of setting aside
by some overruling act. Abolish applies particularly
to things of a permanent nature, such as institutions,
usages, customs, etc.; as, to abolish monopolies,
serfdom, slavery. Repeal describes the act by which
the legislature of a state sets aside a law which it
had previously enacted. Abrogate was originally
applied to the repeal of a law by the Roman people;
and hence, when the power of making laws was usurped
by the emperors, the term was applied to their act of
setting aside the laws. Thus it came to express that
act by which a sovereign or an executive government
sets aside laws, ordinances, regulations, treaties,
conventions, etc. Revoke denotes the act of recalling
some previous grant which conferred, privilege, etc.;
as, to revoke a decree, to revoke a power of attorney,
a promise, etc. Thus, also, we speak of the revocation
of the Edict of Nantes. Annul is used in a more
general sense, denoting simply to make void; as, to
annul a contract, to annul an agreement. Nullify is an
old word revived in this country, and applied to the
setting of things aside either by force or by total
disregard; as, to nullify an act of Congress. Cancel
is to strike out or annul, by a deliberate exercise of
power, something which has operative force.
Abolishable \A*bol"ish*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. abolissable.]
Capable of being abolished.
Abolisher \A*bol"ish*er\, n.
One who abolishes.
Abolishment \A*bol"ish*ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. abolissement.]
The act of abolishing; abolition; destruction. --Hooker.
Abolition \Ab"o*li"tion\, n. [L. abolitio, fr. abolere: cf. F.
abolition. See {Abolish}.]
The act of abolishing, or the state of being abolished; an
annulling; abrogation; utter destruction; as, the abolition
of slavery or the slave trade; the abolition of laws,
decrees, ordinances, customs, taxes, debts, etc.
Note: The application of this word to persons is now unusual
or obsolete
Abolitionism \Ab`o*li"tion*ism\, n.
The principles or measures of abolitionists. --Wilberforce.
Abolitionist \Ab`o*li"tion*ist\, n.
A person who favors the abolition of any institution,
especially negro slavery.
Abolitionize \Ab`o*li`tion*ize\, v. t.
To imbue with the principles of abolitionism. [R.]
--Bartlett.
Aboma \A*bo"ma\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large South American serpent ({Boa aboma}).
Abomasum \Ab`o*ma"sum\, Abomasus \Ab`o*ma"sus\, n. [NL., fr. L.
ab + omasum (a Celtic word).] (Anat.)
The fourth or digestive stomach of a ruminant, which leads
from the third stomach omasum. See {Ruminantia}.
Abominable \A*bom"i*na*ble\, a. [F. abominable. L. abominalis.
See {Abominate}.]
1. Worthy of, or causing, abhorrence, as a thing of evil
omen; odious in the utmost degree; very hateful;
detestable; loathsome; execrable.
2. Excessive; large; -- used as an intensive. [Obs.]
Note: Juliana Berners . . . informs us that in her time [15th
c.], ``abomynable syght of monkes'' was elegant English
for ``a large company of friars.'' --G. P. Marsh.
Abominableness \A*bom"i*na*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being abominable; odiousness.
--Bentley.
Abominably \A*bom"i*na*bly\, adv.
In an abominable manner; very odiously; detestably.
Abominate \A*bom"i*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abominated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Abominating}.] [L. abominatus, p. p. or
abominari to deprecate as ominous, to abhor, to curse; ab +
omen a foreboding. See {Omen}.]
To turn from as ill-omened; to hate in the highest degree, as
if with religious dread; loathe; as, to abominate all
impiety.
Syn: To hate; abhor; loathe; detest. See {Hate}.
Abomination \A*bom`i*na"tion\, n. [OE. abominacioun, -cion, F.
abominatio. See {Abominate}.]
1. The feeling of extreme disgust and hatred; abhorrence;
detestation; loathing; as, he holds tobacco in
abomination.
2. That which is abominable; anything hateful, wicked, or
shamefully vile; an object or state that excites disgust
and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice; pollution.
Antony, most large in his abominations. --Shak.
3. A cause of pollution or wickedness.
Syn: Detestation; loathing; abhorrence; disgust; aversion;
loathsomeness; odiousness. --Sir W. Scott.
Aboon \A*boon"\, prep.
and adv. Above. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Aboon the pass of Bally-Brough. --Sir W.
Scott.
The ceiling fair that rose aboon. --J. R. Drake.
Aboral \Ab*o"ral\, a. [L. ab. + E. oral.] (Zo["o]l.)
Situated opposite to, or away from, the mouth.
Abord \A*bord"\, n. [F.]
Manner of approaching or accosting; address. --Chesterfield.
Abord \A*bord"\, v. t. [F. aborder, [`a] (L. ad) + bord rim,
brim, or side of a vessel. See {Border}, {Board}.]
To approach; to accost. [Obs.] --Digby.
Aboriginal \Ab`o*rig"i*nal\, a. [See {Aborigines}.]
1. First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the
aboriginal tribes of America. ``Mantled o'er with
aboriginal turf.'' --Wordsworth.
2. Of or pertaining to aborigines; as, a Hindoo of aboriginal
blood.
Aboriginal \Ab`o*rig"i*nal\, n.
1. An original inhabitant of any land; one of the aborigines.
2. An animal or a plant native to the region.
It may well be doubted whether this frog is an
aboriginal of these islands. --Darwin.
Aboriginality \Ab`o*rig`i*nal"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being aboriginal. --Westm. Rev.
Aboriginally \Ab`o*rig"i*nal*ly\, adv.
Primarily.
Aborigines \Ab`o*rig"i*nes\ (-r[i^]j"[i^]*n[=e]z), n. pl. [L.
Aborigines; ab + origo, especially the first inhabitants of
Latium, those who originally (ab origine) inhabited Latium or
Italy. See {Origin}.]
1. The earliest known inhabitants of a country; native races.
2. The original fauna and flora of a geographical area
Aborsement \A*borse"ment\ ([.a]*b[^o]rs"ment), n.
Abortment; abortion. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Aborsive \A*bor"sive\ ([.a]*b[^o]r"s[i^]v), a.
Abortive. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Abort \A*bort"\ ([.a]*b[^o]rt"), v. i. [L. abortare, fr.
abortus, p. p. of aboriri; ab + oriri to rise, to be born.
See {Orient}.]
1. To miscarry; to bring forth young prematurely.
2. (Biol.) To become checked in normal development, so as
either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to
become sterile.
Abort \A*bort"\, n. [L. abortus, fr. aboriri.]
1. An untimely birth. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
2. An aborted offspring. [Obs.] --Holland.
Aborted \A*bort"ed\, a.
1. Brought forth prematurely.
2. (Biol.) Rendered abortive or sterile; undeveloped; checked
in normal development at a very early stage; as, spines
are aborted branches.
The eyes of the cirripeds are more or less aborted
in their mature state. --Owen.
Aborticide \A*bor"ti*cide\ ([.a]*b[^o]r"t[i^]*s[imac]d), n. [L.
abortus + caedere to kill. See {Abort}.] (Med.)
The act of destroying a fetus in the womb; feticide.
Abortifacient \A*bor`ti*fa"cient\
([.a]*b[^o]r`t[i^]*f[=a]"shent), a. [L. abortus (see {Abort},
v.) + faciens, p. pr. of facere to make.]
Producing miscarriage. -- n. A drug or an agent that causes
premature delivery.
Abortion \A*bor"tion\ ([.a]*b[^o]r"sh[u^]n), n. [L. abortio, fr.
aboriri. See {Abort}.]
1. The act of giving premature birth; particularly, the
expulsion of the human fetus prematurely, or before it is
capable of sustaining life; miscarriage.
Note: It is sometimes used for the offense of procuring a
premature delivery, but strictly the early delivery is
the abortion, ``causing or procuring abortion'' is the
full name of the offense. --Abbott.
2. The immature product of an untimely birth.
3. (Biol.) Arrest of development of any organ, so that it
remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.
4. Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or
anything which in its progress, before it is matured or
perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt proved an
abortion.
Abortional \A*bor"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to abortion; miscarrying; abortive. --Carlyle.
Abortionist \A*bor"tion*ist\, n.
One who procures abortion or miscarriage.
Abortive \A*bor"tive\, a. [L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See
{Abort}, v.]
1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive
child. [R.]
2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive
vellum. [Obs.]
3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] ``Plunged in
that abortive gulf.'' --Milton.
4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying;
fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. ``An
abortive enterprise.'' --Prescott.
5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary;
sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
6. (Med.)
(a) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. --Parr.
(b) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid
fever.
Abortive \A*bor"tive\, n.
1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an
abortion. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]
3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing
abortion.
--Dunglison.
Abortively \A*bor"tive*ly\, adv.
In an abortive or untimely manner; immaturely; fruitlessly.
Abortiveness \A*bor"tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being abortive.
Abortment \A*bort"ment\ ([.a]*b[^o]rt"ment), n.
Abortion. [Obs.]
Abought \A*bought"\,
imp. & p. p. of {Aby}. [Obs.]
Abound \A*bound"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Abounded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Abounding}.] [OE. abounden, F. abonder, fr. L. abundare
to overflow, abound; ab + unda wave. Cf. {Undulate}.]
1. To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent; to be
plentiful.
The wild boar which abounds in some parts of the
continent of Europe. --Chambers.
Where sin abounded grace did much more abound.
--Rom. v. 20.
2. To be copiously supplied; -- followed by in or with.
{To abound in}, to possess in such abundance as to be
characterized by.
{To abound with}, to be filled with; to possess in great
numbers.
Men abounding in natural courage. --Macaulay.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings. --Prov.
xxviii. 20.
It abounds with cabinets of curiosities. --Addison.
About \A*bout"\, prep. [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS.
[=a]butan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan
outward, from ut out. See {But}, {Out}.]
1. Around; all round; on every side of. ``Look about you.''
--Shak. ``Bind them about thy neck.'' --Prov. iii. 3.
2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or
proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
``Have you much money about you?'' --Bulwer.
3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in
various directions; here and there in; to and fro in;
throughout.
Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses.
--Macaulay.
Roving still about the world. --Milton.
4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time,
size, quantity. ``To-morrow, about this time.'' --Exod.
ix. 18. ``About my stature.'' --Shak.
He went out about the third hour. --Matt. xx. 3.
Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business. --Luke ii. 49.
6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or
verge of; going; in act of.
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. --Acts xviii.
14.
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. ``To
treat about thy ransom.'' --Milton.
She must have her way about Sarah. --Trollope.
About \A*bout"\, adv.
1. On all sides; around.
'Tis time to look about. --Shak.
2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the
outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house. --1 Tim. v.
13.
4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in
quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as
high; -- also of quantity, number, time. ``There fell . .
. about three thousand men.'' --Exod. xxii. 28.
5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite
direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to
turn one's self about.
{To bring about}, to cause to take place; to accomplish.
{To come about}, to occur; to take place. See under {Come}.
{To go about}, {To set about}, to undertake; to arrange; to
prepare. ``Shall we set about some revels?'' --Shak.
{Round about}, in every direction around.
About-sledge \A*bout"-sledge"\, n.
The largest hammer used by smiths. --Weale.
Above \A*bove"\, prep. [OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon;
an (or on) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under.
[root]199. See {Over}.]
1. In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper
surface; over; -- opposed to {below} or {beneath}.
Fowl that may fly above the earth. --Gen. i. 20.
2. Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect;
surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as,
things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct
above reproach. ``Thy worth . . . is actions above my
gifts.'' --Marlowe.
I saw in the way a light from heaven above the
brightness of the sun. --Acts xxxvi.
13.
3. Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a
hundred. (Passing into the adverbial sense. See {Above},
adv., 4.)
{above all}, before every other consideration; chiefly; in
preference to other things.
{Over and above}, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to.
Above \A*bove"\, adv.
1. In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the
clouds above.
2. Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a
foregoing page. ``That was said above.'' --Dryden.
3. Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court
above.
4. More than; as, above five hundred were present.
Note: Above is often used elliptically as an adjective by
omitting the word mentioned, quoted, or the like; as,
the above observations, the above reference, the above
articles. -- Above is also used substantively. ``The
waters that come down from above.'' --Josh. iii. 13. It
is also used as the first part of a compound in the
sense of before, previously; as, above-cited,
above-described, above-mentioned, above-named,
abovesaid, abovespecified, above-written, above-given.
Aboveboard \A*bove"board`\, adv.
Above the board or table. Hence: in open sight; without
trick, concealment, or deception. ``Fair and aboveboard.''
--Burke.
Note: This expression is said by Johnson to have been
borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their
cards, put their hands under the table.
Above-cited \A*bove"-cit`ed\, a.
Cited before, in the preceding part of a book or writing.
Abovedeck \A*bove"deck`\, a.
On deck; and hence, like aboveboard, without artifice.
--Smart.
Above-mentioned \A*bove"-men`tioned\, Above-named
\A*bove"-named`\, a.
Mentioned or named before; aforesaid.
Abovesaid \A*bove"said`\, a.
Mentioned or recited before.
Abox \A*box"\, adv. & a. (Naut.)
Braced aback.
Abracadabra \Ab`ra*ca*dab"ra\, n. [L. Of unknown origin.]
A mystical word or collocation of letters written as in the
figure. Worn on an amulet it was supposed to ward off fever.
At present the word is used chiefly in jest to denote
something without meaning; jargon.
Abradant \Ab*ra"dant\, n.
A material used for grinding, as emery, sand, powdered glass,
etc.
Abrade \Ab*rade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abraded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Abrading}.] [L. abradere, abrasum, to scrape off; ab +
radere to scrape. See {Rase}, {Raze}.]
To rub or wear off; to waste or wear away by friction; as, to
abrade rocks. --Lyell.
Abrade \A*brade"\, v. t.
Same as {Abraid}. [Obs.]
Abrahamic \A`bra*ham"ic\, a.
Pertaining to Abraham, the patriarch; as, the Abrachamic
covenant.
Abrahamitic \A`bra*ham*it"ic\, ical \*ic*al\, a.
Relating to the patriarch Abraham.
Abraham-man \A"bra*ham-man`\or Abram-man \A"bram-man`\, n.
[Possibly in allusion to the parable of the beggar Lazarus in
Luke xvi. --Murray (New Eng. Dict. ).]
One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through
England, feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms.
--Nares.
{To sham Abraham}, to feign sickness. --Goldsmith.
Abraid \A*braid"\, v. t. & i. [OE. abraiden, to awake, draw (a
sword), AS. [=a]bredgan to shake, draw; pref. [=a]- (cf.
Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + bregdan to shake,
throw. See {Braid}.]
To awake; to arouse; to stir or start up; also, to shout out.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Abranchial \A*bran"chi*al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Abranchiate.
Abranchiata \A*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. 'a priv. +
?, pl., the gills of fishes.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of annelids, so called because the species composing
it have no special organs of respiration.
Abranchiate \A*bran"chi*ate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Without gills.
Abrase \Ab*rase"\, a. [L. abrasus, p. p. of abradere. See
{Abrade}.]
Rubbed smooth. [Obs.] ``An abrase table.'' --B. Jonson.
Abrasion \Ab*ra"sion\, n. [L. abrasio, fr. abradere. See
{Abrade}.]
1. The act of abrading, wearing, or rubbing off; the wearing
away by friction; as, the abrasion of coins.
2. The substance rubbed off. --Berkeley.
3. (Med.) A superficial excoriation, with loss of substance
under the form of small shreds. --Dunglison.
Abrasive \Ab*ra"sive\, a.
Producing abrasion. --Ure.
Abraum \A*braum"\ or Abraum salts \A*braum" salts\, n. [Ger.,
fr. abr["a]umen to remove.]
A red ocher used to darken mahogany and for making chloride
of potassium.
Abraxas \A*brax"as\, n. [A name adopted by the Egyptian Gnostic
Basilides, containing the Greek letters [alpha], [beta],
[rho], [alpha], [xi], [alpha], [sigma], which, as numerals,
amounted to 365. It was used to signify the supreme deity as
ruler of the 365 heavens of his system.]
A mystical word used as a charm and engraved on gems among
the ancients; also, a gem stone thus engraved.
Abray \A*bray"\, v. [A false form from the preterit abraid,
abrayde.]
See {Abraid}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Abreast \A*breast"\, adv. [Pref. a- + breast.]
1. Side by side, with breasts in a line; as, ``Two men could
hardly walk abreast.'' --Macaulay.
2. (Naut.) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a
line with the vessel's beam; -- with of.
3. Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to
keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science.
4. At the same time; simultaneously. [Obs.]
Abreast therewith began a convocation. --Fuller.
Abregge \A*breg"ge\, v. t.
See {Abridge}. [Obs.]
Abrenounce \Ab`re*nounce"\, v. t. [L. abrenuntiare; ab +
renuntiare. See {Renounce}.]
To renounce. [Obs.] ``They abrenounce and cast them off.''
--Latimer.
Abrenunciation \Ab`re*nun`ci*a"tion\, n. [LL. abrenuntiatio. See
{Abrenounce}.]
Absolute renunciation or repudiation. [Obs.]
An abrenunciation of that truth which he so long had
professed, and still believed. --Fuller.
Abreption \Ab*rep"tion\, n. [L. abreptus, p. p. of abripere to
snatch away; ab + rapere to snatch.]
A snatching away. [Obs.]
Abreuvoir \A`breu`voir"\, n. [F., a watering place.] (Masonry)
The joint or interstice between stones, to be filled with
mortar. --Gwilt.
Abricock \A"bri*cock\, n.
See {Apricot}. [Obs.]
Abridge \A*bridge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abridged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Abridging}.] [OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F.
abr['e]ger, fr. L. abbreviare; ad + brevis short. See {Brief}
and cf. {Abbreviate}.]
1. To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to
diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge
power or rights. ``The bridegroom . . . abridged his
visit.'' --Smollett.
She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her
train from state to necessity. --Fuller.
2. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining
the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a
history or dictionary.
3. To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by
from; as, to abridge one of his rights.
Abridger \A*bridg"er\, n.
One who abridges.
Abridgment \A*bridg"ment\ (-br[i^]j"ment), n. [OE. abregement.
See {Abridge}.]
1. The act of abridging, or the state of being abridged;
diminution; lessening; reduction or deprivation; as, an
abridgment of pleasures or of expenses.
2. An epitome or compend, as of a book; a shortened or
abridged form; an abbreviation.
Ancient coins as abridgments of history. --Addison.
3. That which abridges or cuts short; hence, an entertainment
that makes the time pass quickly. [Obs.]
What abridgment have you for this evening? What
mask? What music? --Shak.
Syn: {Abridgment}, {Compendium}, {Epitome}, {Abstract},
{Synopsis}.
Usage: An abridgment is made by omitting the less important
parts of some larger work; as, an abridgment of a
dictionary. A compendium is a brief exhibition of a
subject, or science, for common use; as, a compendium
of American literature. An epitome corresponds to a
compendium, and gives briefly the most material points
of a subject; as, an epitome of history. An abstract
is a brief statement of a thing in its main points. A
synopsis is a bird's-eye view of a subject, or work,
in its several parts.
Abroach \A*broach"\, v. t. [OE. abrochen, OF. abrochier. See
{Broach}.]
To set abroach; to let out, as liquor; to broach; to tap.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Abroach \A*broach"\, adv. [Pref. a- + broach.]
1. Broached; in a condition for letting out or yielding
liquor, as a cask which is tapped.
Hogsheads of ale were set abroach. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Hence: In a state to be diffused or propagated; afoot;
astir. ``Mischiefs that I set abroach.'' --Shak.
Abroad \A*broad"\, adv. [Pref. a- + broad.]
1. At large; widely; broadly; over a wide space; as, a tree
spreads its branches abroad.
The fox roams far abroad. --Prior.
2. Without a certain confine; outside the house; away from
one's abode; as, to walk abroad.
I went to St. James', where another was preaching in
the court abroad. --Evelyn.
3. Beyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries; as,
we have broils at home and enemies abroad. ``Another
prince . . . was living abroad.'' --Macaulay.
4. Before the public at large; throughout society or the
world; here and there; widely.
He went out, and began to publish it much, and to
blaze abroad the matter. --Mark i. 45.
{To be abroad}.
(a) To be wide of the mark; to be at fault; as, you are
all abroad in your guess.
(b) To be at a loss or nonplused.
Abrogable \Ab"ro*ga*ble\, a.
Capable of being abrogated.
Abrogate \Ab"ro*gate\, a. [L. abrogatus, p. p.]
Abrogated; abolished. [Obs.] --Latimer.
Abrogate \Ab"ro*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abrogated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Abrogating}.] [L. abrogatus, p. p. of abrogare; ab +
rogare to ask, require, propose. See {Rogation}.]
1. To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the
authority of the maker or his successor; to repeal; --
applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the
abolition of customs, etc.
Let us see whether the New Testament abrogates what
we so frequently see in the Old. --South.
Whose laws, like those of the Medes and Persian,
they can not alter or abrogate. --Burke.
2. To put an end to; to do away with. --Shak.
Syn: To abolish; annul; do away; set aside; revoke; repeal;
cancel; annihilate. See {Abolish}.
Abrogation \Ab`ro*ga"tion\, n. [L. abrogatio, fr. abrogare: cf.
F. abrogation.]
The act of abrogating; repeal by authority. --Hume.
Abrogative \Ab"ro*ga*tive\, a.
Tending or designed to abrogate; as, an abrogative law.
Abrogator \Ab"ro*ga`tor\, n.
One who repeals by authority.
Abrood \A*brood"\, adv. [Pref. a- + brood.]
In the act of brooding. [Obs.] --Abp. Sancroft.
Abrook \A*brook"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + brook, v.]
To brook; to endure. [Obs.] --Shak.
Abrupt \Ab*rupt"\, a. [L. abruptus, p. p. of abrumpere to break
off; ab + rumpere to break. See {Rupture}.]
1. Broken off; very steep, or craggy, as rocks, precipices,
banks; precipitous; steep; as, abrupt places. ``Tumbling
through ricks abrupt,'' --Thomson.
2. Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden;
hasty; unceremonious. ``The cause of your abrupt
departure.'' --Shak.
3. Having sudden transitions from one subject to another;
unconnected.
The abrupt style, which hath many breaches. --B.
Jonson.
4. (Bot.) Suddenly terminating, as if cut off. --Gray.
Syn: Sudden; unexpected; hasty; rough; curt; unceremonious;
rugged; blunt; disconnected; broken.
Abrupt \Ab*rupt"\, n. [L. abruptum.]
An abrupt place. [Poetic]
``Over the vast abrupt.'' --Milton.
Abrupt \Ab*rupt"\, v. t.
To tear off or asunder. [Obs.] ``Till death abrupts them.''
--Sir T. Browne.
Abruption \Ab*rup"tion\, n. [L. abruptio, fr. abrumpere: cf. F.
abruption.]
A sudden breaking off; a violent separation of bodies.
--Woodward.
Abruptly \Ab*rupt"ly\, adv.
1. In an abrupt manner; without giving notice, or without the
usual forms; suddenly.
2. Precipitously.
{Abruptly pinnate} (Bot.), pinnate without an odd leaflet, or
other appendage, at the end. --Gray.
Abruptness \Ab*rupt"ness\, n.
1. The state of being abrupt or broken; craggedness;
ruggedness; steepness.
2. Suddenness; unceremonious haste or vehemence; as,
abruptness of style or manner.
Abscess \Ab"scess\, n.; pl. {Abscesses}. [L. abscessus a going
away, gathering of humors, abscess, fr. abscessus, p. p. of
absedere to go away; ab, abs + cedere to go off, retire. See
{Cede}.] (Med.)
A collection of pus or purulent matter in any tissue or organ
of the body, the result of a morbid process.
{Cold abscess}, an abscess of slow formation, unattended with
the pain and heat characteristic of ordinary abscesses,
and lasting for years without exhibiting any tendency
towards healing; a chronic abscess.
Abscession \Ab*sces"sion\, n. [L. abscessio a separation; fr.
absedere. See {Abscess}.]
A separating; removal; also, an abscess. [Obs.] --Gauden.
Barrough.
Abscind \Ab*scind"\, v. t. [L. absindere; ab + scindere to rend,
cut. See {Schism}.]
To cut off. [R.] ``Two syllables . . . abscinded from the
rest.'' --Johnson.
Abscision \Ab*sci"sion\, n. [L. abscisio.]
See {Abscission}.
Absciss \Ab"sciss\, n.; pl. {Abscisses}.
See {Abscissa}.
Abscissa \Ab*scis"sa\, n.; E. pl. {Abscissas}, L. pl.
{Absciss[ae]}. [L., fem. of abscissus, p. p. of absindere to
cut of. See {Abscind}.] (Geom.)
One of the elements of reference by which a point, as of a
curve, is referred to a system of fixed rectilineal
co["o]rdinate axes.
Note: When referred to two intersecting axes, one of them
called the axis of abscissas, or of X, and the other
the axis of ordinates, or of Y, the abscissa of the
point is the distance cut off from the axis of X by a
line drawn through it and parallel to the axis of Y.
When a point in space is referred to three axes having
a common intersection, the abscissa may be the distance
measured parallel to either of them, from the point to
the plane of the other two axes. Abscissas and
ordinates taken together are called co["o]rdinates. --
OX or PY is the abscissa of the point P of the curve,
OY or PX its ordinate, the intersecting lines OX and OY
being the axes of abscissas and ordinates respectively,
and the point O their origin.
Abscission \Ab*scis"sion\, n. [L. abscissio. See {Abscind}.]
1. The act or process of cutting off. ``Not to be cured
without the abscission of a member.'' --Jer. Taylor.
2. The state of being cut off. --Sir T. Browne.
3. (Rhet.) A figure of speech employed when a speaker having
begun to say a thing stops abruptly: thus, ``He is a man
of so much honor and candor, and of such generosity -- but
I need say no more.''
Abscond \Ab*scond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Absconded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Absconding}.] [L. abscondere to hide; ab, abs +
condere to lay up; con + d[a^]re (only in comp.) to put. Cf.
{Do}.]
1. To hide, withdraw, or be concealed.
The marmot absconds all winter. --Ray.
2. To depart clandestinely; to steal off and secrete one's
self; -- used especially of persons who withdraw to avoid
a legal process; as, an absconding debtor.
That very homesickness which, in regular armies,
drives so many recruits to abscond. --Macaulay.
Abscond \Ab*scond"\, v. t.
To hide; to conceal. [Obs.] --Bentley.
Abscondence \Ab*scond"ence\, n.
Fugitive concealment; secret retirement; hiding. [R.]
--Phillips.
Absconder \Ab*scond"er\, n.
One who absconds.
Absence \Ab"sence\, n. [F., fr. L. absentia. See {Absent}.]
1. A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from
companionship; -- opposed to {presence}.
Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence. --Phil. ii.
12.
2. Want; destitution; withdrawal. ``In the absence of
conventional law.'' --Kent.
3. Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as,
absence of mind. ``Reflecting on the little absences and
distractions of mankind.'' --Addison.
To conquer that abstraction which is called absence.
--Landor.
Absent \Ab"sent\, a. [F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse
to be away from; ab + esse to be. Cf. {Sooth}.]
1. Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not
present. ``Expecting absent friends.'' --Shak.
2. Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or
absent.
3. Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded;
preoccupied; as, an absent air.
What is commonly called an absent man is commonly
either a very weak or a very affected man.
--Chesterfield.
Syn: {Absent}, {Abstracted}.
Usage: These words both imply a want of attention to
surrounding objects. We speak of a man as absent when
his thoughts wander unconsciously from present scenes
or topics of discourse; we speak of him as abstracted
when his mind (usually for a brief period) is drawn
off from present things by some weighty matter for
reflection. Absence of mind is usually the result of
loose habits of thought; abstraction commonly arises
either from engrossing interests and cares, or from
unfortunate habits of association.
Absent \Ab*sent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absented}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Absenting}.] [Cf. F. absenter.]
1. To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to
prevent intercourse; -- used with the reflexive pronoun.
If after due summons any member absents himself, he
is to be fined. --Addison.
2. To withhold from being present. [Obs.] ``Go; for thy stay,
not free, absents thee more.'' --Milton.
Absentaneous \Ab`sen*ta"ne*ous\, a. [LL. absentaneus. See
{absent}]
Pertaining to absence. [Obs.]
Absentation \Ab`sen*ta"tion\, n.
The act of absenting one's self. --Sir W. Hamilton.
Absentee \Ab`sen*tee"\, n.
One who absents himself from his country, office, post, or
duty; especially, a landholder who lives in another country
or district than that where his estate is situated; as, an
Irish absentee. --Macaulay.
Absenteeism \Ab`sen*tee"ism\, n.
The state or practice of an absentee; esp. the practice of
absenting one's self from the country or district where one's
estate is situated.
Absenter \Ab*sent"er\, n.
One who absents one's self.
Absently \Ab"sent*ly\, adv.
In an absent or abstracted manner.
Absentment \Ab*sent"ment\ ([a^]b*s[e^]nt"ment), n.
The state of being absent; withdrawal. [R.] --Barrow.
Absent-minded \Ab`sent-mind"ed\, a.
Absent in mind; abstracted; preoccupied. --
{Ab`sent-mind"ed*ness}, n. -- {Ab`sent-mind"ed*ly}, adv.
Absentness \Ab"sent*ness\, n.
The quality of being absent-minded. --H. Miller.
Absey-book \Ab"sey-book`\, n.
An A-B-C book; a primer. [Obs.] --Shak.
Absinthate \Ab"sin"thate\, n. (Chem.)
A combination of absinthic acid with a base or positive
radical.
Absinth \Ab"sinth`\, Absinthe \Ab"sinthe`\, n. [F. absinthe. See
{Absinthium}.]
1. The plant absinthium or common wormwood.
2. A strong spirituous liqueur made from wormwood and brandy
or alcohol.
Absinthial \Ab*sin"thi*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to wormwood; absinthian.
Absinthian \Ab*sin"thi*an\, n.
Of the nature of wormwood. ``Absinthian bitterness.'' --T.
Randolph.
Absinthiate \Ab"sin"thi*ate\, v. t. [From L. absinthium: cf. L.
absinthiatus, a.]
To impregnate with wormwood.
Absinthiated \Ab*sin"thi*a`ted\, a.
Impregnated with wormwood; as, absinthiated wine.
Absinthic \Ab*sin"thic\, a. (Chem.)
Relating to the common wormwood or to an acid obtained from
it.
Absinthin \Ab*sin"thin\, n. (Chem.)
The bitter principle of wormwood ({Artemisia absinthium}).
--Watts.
Absinthism \Ab"sin*thism\, n.
The condition of being poisoned by the excessive use of
absinth.
Absinthium \Ab*sin"thi*um\, n. [L., from Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
The common wormwood ({Artemisia absinthium}), an intensely
bitter plant, used as a tonic and for making the oil of
wormwood.
Absis \Ab"sis\, n.
See {Apsis}.
Absist \Ab*sist"\, v. i. [L. absistere, p. pr. absistens; ab +
sistere to stand, causal of stare.]
To stand apart from; top leave off; to desist. [Obs.]
--Raleigh.
Absistence \Ab*sist"ence\, n.
A standing aloof. [Obs.]
Absolute \Ab"so*lute\, a. [L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf.
F. absolu. See {Absolve}.]
1. Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled;
unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority,
monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or command;
absolute power; an absolute monarch.
2. Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as,
absolute perfection; absolute beauty.
So absolute she seems, And in herself complete.
--Milton.
3. Viewed apart from modifying influences or without
comparison with other objects; actual; real; -- opposed to
{relative} and {comparative}; as, absolute motion;
absolute time or space.
Note: Absolute rights and duties are such as pertain to man
in a state of nature as contradistinguished from
relative rights and duties, or such as pertain to him
in his social relations.
4. Loosed from, or unconnected by, dependence on any other
being; self-existent; self-sufficing.
Note: In this sense God is called the Absolute by the Theist.
The term is also applied by the Pantheist to the
universe, or the total of all existence, as only
capable of relations in its parts to each other and to
the whole, and as dependent for its existence and its
phenomena on its mutually depending forces and their
laws.
5. Capable of being thought or conceived by itself alone;
unconditioned; non-relative.
Note: It is in dispute among philosopher whether the term, in
this sense, is not applied to a mere logical fiction or
abstraction, or whether the absolute, as thus defined,
can be known, as a reality, by the human intellect.
To Cusa we can indeed articulately trace, word
and thing, the recent philosophy of the absolute.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
6. Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful. [R.]
I am absolute 't was very Cloten. --Shak.
7. Authoritative; peremptory. [R.]
The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head,
With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed. --Mrs.
Browning.
8. (Chem.) Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol.
9. (Gram.) Not immediately dependent on the other parts of
the sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See
{Ablative absolute}, under {Ablative}.
{Absolute curvature} (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of
double curvature, which is measured in the osculating
plane of the curve.
{Absolute equation} (Astron.), the sum of the optic and
eccentric equations.
{Absolute space} (Physics), space considered without relation
to material limits or objects.
{Absolute terms}. (Alg.), such as are known, or which do not
contain the unknown quantity. --Davies & Peck.
{Absolute temperature} (Physics), the temperature as measured
on a scale determined by certain general thermo-dynamic
principles, and reckoned from the absolute zero.
{Absolute zero} (Physics), the be ginning, or zero point, in
the scale of absolute temperature. It is equivalent to
-273[deg] centigrade or -459.4[deg] Fahrenheit.
Syn: Positive; peremptory; certain; unconditional; unlimited;
unrestricted; unqualified; arbitrary; despotic;
autocratic.
Absolute \Ab"so*lute\, n. (Geom.)
In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in
space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity.
Absolutely \Ab"so*lute*ly\, adv.
In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly;
positively.
Absoluteness \Ab"so*lute*ness\, n.
The quality of being absolute; independence of everything
extraneous; unlimitedness; absolute power; independent
reality; positiveness.
Absolution \Ab`so*lu"tion\, n. [F. absolution, L. absolutio, fr.
absolvere to absolve. See {Absolve}.]
1. An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty;
forgiveness of an offense. ``Government . . . granting
absolution to the nation.'' --Froude.
2. (Civil Law) An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring
and accused person innocent. [Obs.]
3. (R. C. Ch.) The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the
sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins
of the truly penitent are forgiven.
Note: In the English and other Protestant churches, this act
regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting
forgiveness.
4. (Eccl.) An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, -- for
example, excommunication. --P. Cyc.
5. The form of words by which a penitent is absolved.
--Shipley.
6. Delivery, in speech. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
{Absolution day} (R. C. Ch.), Tuesday before Easter.
Absolutism \Ab"so*lu`tism\, n.
1. The state of being absolute; the system or doctrine of the
absolute; the principles or practice of absolute or
arbitrary government; despotism.
The element of absolutism and prelacy was
controlling. --Palfrey.
2. (Theol.) Doctrine of absolute decrees. --Ash.
Absolutist \Ab"so*lu`tist\, n.
1. One who is in favor of an absolute or autocratic
government.
2. (Metaph.) One who believes that it is possible to realize
a cognition or concept of the absolute. --Sir. W.
Hamilton.
Absolutist \Ab"so*lu`tist\, a.
Of or pertaining to absolutism; arbitrary; despotic; as,
absolutist principles.
Absolutistic \Ab`so*lu*tis"tic\, a.
Pertaining to absolutism; absolutist.
Absolutory \Ab*sol"u*to*ry\, a. [L. absolutorius, fr. absolvere
to absolve.]
Serving to absolve; absolving. ``An absolutory sentence.''
--Ayliffe.
Absolvable \Ab*solv"a*ble\, a.
That may be absolved.
Absolvatory \Ab*solv"a*to*ry\, a.
Conferring absolution; absolutory.
Absolve \Ab*solve"\ (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absolved}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Absolving}.] [L. absolvere to set free, to
absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See {Assoil}, {Solve}.]
1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or
responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such
ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce
free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to
absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and
remission of his punishment.
Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
--Macaulay.
2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); --
said of the sin or guilt.
In his name I absolve your perjury. --Gibbon.
3. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.]
The work begun, how soon absolved. --Milton.
4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] ``We shall not absolve the
doubt.'' --Sir T.
Browne.
Syn: To {Absolve}, {Exonerate}, {Acquit}.
Usage: We speak of a man as absolved from something that
binds his conscience, or involves the charge of
wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the
obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a
person as exonerated, when he is released from some
burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate
from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It
implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person
as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his
favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a
jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted
of all participation in the crime.
Absolvent \Ab*solv"ent\, a. [L. absolvens, p. pr. of absolvere.]
Absolving. [R.] --Carlyle.
Absolvent \Ab*solv"ent\, n.
An absolver. [R.] --Hobbes.
Absolver \Ab*solv"er\, n.
One who absolves. --Macaulay.
Absonant \Ab"so*nant\, a. [L. ab + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to
sound.]
Discordant; contrary; -- opposed to {consonant}. ``Absonant
to nature.'' --Quarles.
Absonous \Ab"so*nous\, a. [L. absonus; ab + sonus sound.]
Discordant; inharmonious; incongruous. [Obs.] ``Absonous to
our reason.'' --Glanvill.
Absorb \Ab*sorb"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absorbed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Absorbing}.] [L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin
to Gr. ?: cf. F. absorber.]
1. To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to
disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to include.
``Dark oblivion soon absorbs them all.'' --Cowper.
The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion. --W.
Irving.
2. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the
lacteals of the body. --Bacon.
3. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed
in study or the pursuit of wealth.
4. To take up by cohesive, chemical, or any molecular action,
as when charcoal absorbs gases. So heat, light, and
electricity are absorbed or taken up in the substances
into which they pass. --Nichol. --p. 8
Syn: To {Absorb}, {Engross}, {Swallow up}, {Engulf}.
Usage: These words agree in one general idea, that of
completely taking up. They are chiefly used in a
figurative sense and may be distinguished by a
reference to their etymology. We speak of a person as
absorbed (lit., drawn in, swallowed up) in study or
some other employment of the highest interest. We
speak of a person as ebgrossed (lit., seized upon in
the gross, or wholly) by something which occupies his
whole time and thoughts, as the acquisition of wealth,
or the attainment of honor. We speak of a person
(under a stronger image) as swallowed up and lost in
that which completely occupies his thoughts and
feelings, as in grief at the death of a friend, or in
the multiplied cares of life. We speak of a person as
engulfed in that which (like a gulf) takes in all his
hopes and interests; as, engulfed in misery, ruin,
etc.
That grave question which had begun to absorb the
Christian mind -- the marriage of the clergy. --Milman.
Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage, And sunk
to softness all our tragic rage. --Tickell.
Should not the sad occasion swallow up My other cares?
--Addison.
And in destruction's river Engulf and swallow those. --Sir
P. Sidney.
Absorbability \Ab*sorb`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being absorbable. --Graham
(Chemistry).
Absorbable \Ab*sorb"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. absorbable.]
Capable of being absorbed or swallowed up. --Kerr.
Absorbedly \Ab*sorb"ed*ly\, adv.
In a manner as if wholly engrossed or engaged.
Absorbency \Ab*sorb"en*cy\, n.
Absorptiveness.
Absorbent \Ab*sorb"ent\, a. [L. absorbens, p. pr. of absorbere.]
Absorbing; swallowing; absorptive.
{Absorbent ground} (Paint.), a ground prepared for a picture,
chiefly with distemper, or water colors, by which the oil
is absorbed, and a brilliancy is imparted to the colors.
Absorbent \Ab*sorb"ent\, n.
1. Anything which absorbs.
The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat. --Darwin.
2. (Med.) Any substance which absorbs and neutralizes acid
fluid in the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.;
also a substance e. g., iodine) which acts on the
absorbent vessels so as to reduce enlarged and indurated
parts.
3. pl. (Physiol.) The vessels by which the processes of
absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals,
the extremities of the roots in plants.
Absorber \Ab*sorb"er\, n.
One who, or that which, absorbs.
Absorbing \Ab*sorb"ing\, a.
Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit. --
{Ab*sorb"ing}, adv.
Absorbition \Ab`sor*bi"tion\, n.
Absorption. [Obs.]
Absorpt \Ab*sorpt`\, a. [L. absorptus, p. p.]
Absorbed. [Arcahic.] ``Absorpt in care.'' --Pope.
Absorption \Ab*sorp"tion\, n. [L. absorptio, fr. absorbere. See
{Absorb}.]
1. The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or
of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the
absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a
smaller tribe into a larger.
2. (Chem. & Physics) An imbibing or reception by molecular or
chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat,
electricity, etc.
3. (Physiol.) In living organisms, the process by which the
materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and
conveyed to the tissues and organs.
4. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as,
absorption in some employment.
Absorptive \Ab*sorp"tive\, a.
Having power, capacity, or tendency to absorb or imbibe. --E.
Darwin.
Absorptiveness \Ab*sorp"tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being absorptive; absorptive power.
Absorptivity \Ab`sorp*tiv"i*ty\, n.
Absorptiveness.
Absquatulate \Ab*squat"u*late\, v. i.
To take one's self off; to decamp. [A jocular word. U. S.]
Absque hoc \Abs"que hoc\ [L., without this.] (Law)
The technical words of denial used in traversing what has
been alleged, and is repeated.
Abstain \Ab*stain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Abstained}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Abstaining}.] [OE. absteynen, abstenen, OF. astenir,
abstenir, F. abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. &
v. i., to keep from; ab, abs + tenere to hold. See
{Tenable}.]
To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily,
and especially from an indulgence of the passions or
appetites; -- with from.
Not a few abstained from voting. --Macaulay.
Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? --Shak.
Syn: To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up;
relinquish.
Abstain \Ab*stain"\, v. t.
To hinder; to withhold.
Whether he abstain men from marrying. --Milton.
Abstainer \Ab*stain"er\, n.
One who abstains; esp., one who abstains from the use of
intoxicating liquors.
Abstemious \Ab*ste"mi*ous\, a. [L. abstemius; ab, abs + root of
temetum intoxicating drink.]
1. Abstaining from wine. [Orig. Latin sense.]
Under his special eye Abstemious I grew up and
thrived amain. --Milton.
2. Sparing in diet; refraining from a free use of food and
strong drinks; temperate; abstinent; sparing in the
indulgence of the appetite or passions.
Instances of longevity are chiefly among the
abstemious. --Arbuthnot.
3. Sparingly used; used with temperance or moderation; as, an
abstemious diet. --Gibbon.
4. Marked by, or spent in, abstinence; as, an abstemious
life. ``One abstemious day.'' --Pope.
5. Promotive of abstemiousness. [R.]
Such is the virtue of the abstemious well. --Dryden.
Abstemiousness \Ab*ste"mi*ous*ness\, n.
The quality of being abstemious, temperate, or sparing in the
use of food and strong drinks. It expresses a greater degree
of abstinence than temperance.
Abstention \Ab*sten"tion\, a. [F. See {Abstain}.]
The act of abstaining; a holding aloof. --Jer. Taylor.
Abstentious \Ab*sten"tious\, a.
Characterized by abstinence; self-restraining. --Farrar.
Absterge \Ab*sterge\, v. t. [L. abstergere, abstersum; ab, abs +
tergere to wipe. Cf. F absterger.]
To make clean by wiping; to wipe away; to cleanse; hence, to
purge. [R.] --Quincy.
Abstergent \Ab*ster"gent\, a. [L. abstergens, p. pr. of
abstergere.]
Serving to cleanse, detergent.
Abstergent \Ab*ster"gent\, n.
A substance used in cleansing; a detergent; as, soap is an
abstergent.
Absterse \Ab*sterse"\, v. t.
To absterge; to cleanse; to purge away. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Abstersion \Ab*ster"sion\, n. [F. abstersion. See {Absterge}.]
Act of wiping clean; a cleansing; a purging.
The task of ablution and abstersion being performed.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Abstersive \Ab*ster"sive\, a. [Cf. F. abstersif. See
{Absterge}.]
Cleansing; purging. --Bacon.
Abstersive \Ab*ster"sive\, n.
Something cleansing.
The strong abstersive of some heroic magistrate.
--Milton.
Abstersiveness \Ab*ster"sive*ness\, n.
The quality of being abstersive. --Fuller.
Abstinence \Ab"sti*nence\, n. [F. abstinence, L. abstinentia,
fr. abstinere. See {Abstain}.]
1. The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance
of any action, especially the refraining from an
indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications
of animal or sensual propensities. Specifically, the
practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages, --
called also {total abstinence}.
The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers
itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one.
--Locke.
2. The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self of
certain kinds of food or drink, especially of meat.
Penance, fasts, and abstinence, To punish bodies for
the soul's offense. --Dryden.
Abstinency \Ab"sti*nen*cy\, n.
Abstinence. [R.]
Abstinent \Ab"sti*nent\, a. [F. abstinent, L. abstinens, p. pr.
of abstinere. See {Abstain}.]
Refraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of
appetite; abstemious; continent; temperate. --Beau. & Fl.
Abstinent \Ab"sti*nent\, n.
1. One who abstains.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect who appeared in France and
Spain in the 3d century.
Abstinently \Ab"sti*nent*ly\, adv.
With abstinence.
Abstorted \Ab*stort"ed\, a. [As if fr. abstort, fr. L. ab, abs +
tortus, p. p. of torquere to twist.]
Wrested away. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Abstract \Ab"stract`\ (#; 277), a. [L. abstractus, p. p. of
abstrahere to draw from, separate; ab, abs + trahere to draw.
See {Trace}.]
1. Withdraw; separate. [Obs.]
The more abstract . . . we are from the body.
--Norris.
2. Considered apart from any application to a particular
object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only;
as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal;
abstruse; difficult.
3. (Logic)
(a) Expressing a particular property of an object viewed
apart from the other properties which constitute it;
-- opposed to {concrete}; as, honesty is an abstract
word. --J. S. Mill.
(b) Resulting from the mental faculty of abstraction;
general as opposed to particular; as, ``reptile'' is
an abstract or general name. --Locke.
A concrete name is a name which stands for a
thing; an abstract name which stands for an
attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in
more modern times, which, if not introduced by
Locke, has gained currency from his example, of
applying the expression ``abstract name'' to all
names which are the result of abstraction and
generalization, and consequently to all general
names, instead of confining it to the names of
attributes. --J. S. Mill.
4. Abstracted; absent in mind. ``Abstract, as in a trance.''
--Milton.
{An abstract idea} (Metaph.), an idea separated from a
complex object, or from other ideas which naturally
accompany it; as the solidity of marble when contemplated
apart from its color or figure.
{Abstract terms}, those which express abstract ideas, as
beauty, whiteness, roundness, without regarding any object
in which they exist; or abstract terms are the names of
orders, genera or species of things, in which there is a
combination of similar qualities.
{Abstract numbers} (Math.), numbers used without application
to things, as 6, 8, 10; but when applied to any thing, as
6 feet, 10 men, they become concrete.
{Abstract} or {Pure mathematics}. See {Mathematics}.
Abstract \Ab*stract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abstracted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Abstracting}.] [See {Abstract}, a.]
1. To withdraw; to separate; to take away.
He was incapable of forming any opinion or
resolution abstracted from his own prejudices. --Sir
W. Scott.
2. To draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his
was wholly abstracted by other objects.
The young stranger had been abstracted and silent.
--Blackw. Mag.
3. To separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to
consider by itself; to contemplate separately, as a
quality or attribute. --Whately.
4. To epitomize; to abridge. --Franklin.
5. To take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to
abstract goods from a parcel, or money from a till.
Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins
from the harness. --W. Black.
6. (Chem.) To separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts
of a substance, by distillation or other chemical
processes. In this sense extract is now more generally
used.
Abstract \Ab*stract"\, v. t.
To perform the process of abstraction. [R.]
I own myself able to abstract in one sense. --Berkeley.
Abstract \Ab"stract`\, n. [See {Abstract}, a.]
1. That which comprises or concentrates in itself the
essential qualities of a larger thing or of several
things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a
treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.
An abstract of every treatise he had read. --Watts.
Man, the abstract Of all perfection, which the
workmanship Of Heaven hath modeled. --Ford.
2. A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a
subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated
things.
3. An abstract term.
The concretes ``father'' and ``son'' have, or might
have, the abstracts ``paternity'' and ``filiety.''
--J. S. Mill.
4. (Med.) A powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance
mixed with sugar of milk in such proportion that one part
of the abstract represents two parts of the original
substance.
{Abstract of title} (Law), an epitome of the evidences of
ownership.
Syn: Abridgment; compendium; epitome; synopsis. See
{Abridgment}.
Abstracted \Ab*stract"ed\, a.
1. Separated or disconnected; withdrawn; removed; apart.
The evil abstracted stood from his own evil.
--Milton.
2. Separated from matter; abstract; ideal. [Obs.]
3. Abstract; abstruse; difficult. [Obs.] --Johnson.
4. Inattentive to surrounding objects; absent in mind. ``An
abstracted scholar.'' --Johnson.
Abstractedly \Ab*stract"ed*ly\, adv.
In an abstracted manner; separately; with absence of mind.
Abstractedness \Ab*stract"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being abstracted; abstract character.
Abstracter \Ab*stract"er\, n.
One who abstracts, or makes an abstract.
Abstraction \Ab*strac"tion\, n. [Cf. F. abstraction. See
{Abstract}, a.]
1. The act of abstracting, separating, or withdrawing, or the
state of being withdrawn; withdrawal.
A wrongful abstraction of wealth from certain
members of the community. --J. S. Mill.
2. (Metaph.) The act process of leaving out of consideration
one or more properties of a complex object so as to attend
to others; analysis. Thus, when the mind considers the
form of a tree by itself, or the color of the leaves as
separate from their size or figure, the act is called
abstraction. So, also, when it considers whiteness,
softness, virtue, existence, as separate from any
particular objects.
Note: Abstraction is necessary to classification, by which
things are arranged in genera and species. We separate
in idea the qualities of certain objects, which are of
the same kind, from others which are different, in
each, and arrange the objects having the same
properties in a class, or collected body.
Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the
negative of attention. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
3. An idea or notion of an abstract, or theoretical nature;
as, to fight for mere abstractions.
4. A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; as, a
hermit's abstraction.
5. Absence or absorption of mind; inattention to present
objects.
6. The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the
property of another; purloining. [Modern]
7. (Chem.) A separation of volatile parts by the act of
distillation. --Nicholson.
Abstractional \Ab*strac"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to abstraction.
Abstractionist \Ab*strac"tion*ist\, n.
An idealist. --Emerson.
Abstractitious \Ab`strac*ti"tious\, a.
Obtained from plants by distillation. [Obs.] --Crabb.
Abstractive \Ab*strac"tive\, a. [Cf. F. abstractif.]
Having the power of abstracting; of an abstracting nature.
``The abstractive faculty.'' --I. Taylor.
Abstractively \Ab*strac"tive*ly\, adv.
In a abstract manner; separately; in or by itself. --Feltham.
Abstractiveness \Ab*strac"tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being abstractive; abstractive property.
Abstractly \Ab"stract`ly\ (#; 277), adv.
In an abstract state or manner; separately; absolutely; by
itself; as, matter abstractly considered.
Abstractness \Ab"stract`ness\, n.
The quality of being abstract. ``The abstractness of the
ideas.'' --Locke.
Abstringe \Ab*stringe"\, v. t. [L ab + stringere, strictum, to
press together.]
To unbind. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Abstrude \Ab*strude"\, v. t. [L. abstrudere. See {Abstruse}.]
To thrust away. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Abstruse \Ab*struse"\, a. [L. abstrusus, p. p. of abstrudere to
thrust away, conceal; ab, abs + trudere to thrust; cf. F.
abstrus. See {Threat}.]
1. Concealed or hidden out of the way. [Obs.]
The eternal eye whose sight discerns Abstrusest
thoughts. --Milton.
2. Remote from apprehension; difficult to be comprehended or
understood; recondite; as, abstruse learning.
Profound and abstruse topics. --Milman.
Abstrusely \Ab*struse"ly\, adv.
In an abstruse manner.
Abstruseness \Ab*struse"ness\, n.
The quality of being abstruse; difficulty of apprehension.
--Boyle.
Abstrusion \Ab*stru"sion\, n. [L. abstrusio. See {Abstruse}.]
The act of thrusting away. [R.] --Ogilvie.
Abstrusity \Ab*stru"si*ty\, n.
Abstruseness; that which is abstruse. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Absume \Ab*sume"\, v. t. [L. absumere, absumptum; ab + sumere to
take.]
To consume gradually; to waste away. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Absumption \Ab*sump"tion\ (#; 215), n. [L. absumptio. See
{Absume}.]
Act of wasting away; a consuming; extinction. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Absurd \Ab*surd"\, a. [L. absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a
derivative fr. a root svar to sound; not connected with surd:
cf. F. absurde. See {Syringe}.]
Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and fiatly opposed
to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of
common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical;
ridiculous; as, an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an
absurd dream.
This proffer is absurd and reasonless. --Shak.
'This phrase absurd to call a villain great. --Pope.
--p. 9
Syn: Foolish; irrational; ridiculous; preposterous;
inconsistent; incongruous.
Usage: {Absurd}, {Irrational}, {Foolish}, {Preposterous}. Of
these terms, irrational is the weakest, denoting that
which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of
sound reason; as, an irrational course of life.
Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion
of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of
mind; as, foolish enterprises. Absurd rises still
higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to
received notions of propriety and truth; as, an absurd
man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc.
Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an
absolute inversion in the order of things; or, in
plain terms, a ``putting of the cart before the
horse;'' as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous
conduct, a preposterous regulation or law.
Absurd \Ab*surd"\ ([a^]b*s[^u]rd"), n.
An absurdity. [Obs.] --Pope.
Absurdity \Ab*surd"i*ty\ (-[i^]*t[y^]), n.; pl. {Absurdities}
(-t[i^]z). [L. absurditas: cf. F. absurdite.]
1. The quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious
truth, reason, or sound judgment. ``The absurdity of the
actual idea of an infinite number.'' --Locke.
2. That which is absurd; an absurd action; a logical
contradiction.
His travels were full of absurdities. --Johnson.
Absurdly \Ab*surd"ly\, adv.
In an absurd manner.
Absurdness \Ab*surd"ness\, n.
Absurdity. [R.]
Abuna \A*bu"na\, n. [Eth. and Ar., our father.]
The Patriarch, or head of the Abyssinian Church.
Abundance \A*bun"dance\, n. [OE. (h)abundaunce, abundance, F.
abondance, L. abundantia, fr. abundare. See {Abound}.]
An overflowing fullness; ample sufficiency; great plenty;
profusion; copious supply; superfluity; wealth: -- strictly
applicable to quantity only, but sometimes used of number.
It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble
blood hath been shed with small benefit to the
Christian state. --Raleigh.
Syn: Exuberance; plenteousness; plenty; copiousness;
overflow; riches; affluence; wealth.
Usage: {Abundance}, {Plenty}, {Exuberance}. These words rise
upon each other in expressing the idea of fullness.
Plenty denotes a sufficiency to supply every want; as,
plenty of food, plenty of money, etc. Abundance
express more, and gives the idea of superfluity or
excess; as, abundance of riches, an abundance of wit
and humor; often, however, it only denotes plenty in a
high degree. Exuberance rises still higher, and
implies a bursting forth on every side, producing
great superfluity or redundance; as, an exuberance of
mirth, an exuberance of animal spirits, etc.
Abundant \A*bun"dant\, a. [OE. (h)abundant, aboundant, F.
abondant, fr. L. abudans, p. pr. of abundare. See {Abound}.]
Fully sufficient; plentiful; in copious supply; -- followed
by in, rarely by with. ``Abundant in goodness and truth.''
--Exod. xxxiv. 6.
{Abundant number} (Math.), a number, the sum of whose aliquot
parts exceeds the number itself. Thus, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, the
aliquot parts of 12, make the number 16. This is opposed
to a {deficient} number, as 14, whose aliquot parts are 1,
2, 7, the sum of which is 10; and to a {perfect} number,
which is equal to the sum of its aliquot parts, as 6,
whose aliquot parts are 1, 2., 3.
Syn: Ample; plentiful; copious; plenteous; exuberant;
overflowing; rich; teeming; profuse; bountiful; liberal.
See {Ample}.
Abundantly \A*bun"dant*ly\, adv.
In a sufficient degree; fully; amply; plentifully; in large
measure.
Aburst \A*burst"\, adv. [Pref. a- + burst.]
In a bursting condition.
Abusable \A*bus"a*ble\, a.
That may be abused.
Abusage \A*bus"age\, n.
Abuse. [Obs.] --Whately (1634).
Abuse \A*buse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abused}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Abusing}.] [F. abuser; L. abusus, p. p. of abuti to abuse,
misuse; ab + uti to use. See {Use}.]
1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a
bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert;
as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of;
as, to abuse one's authority.
This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots
rapidly into popularity. --Froude.
2. To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish
or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to
abuse one's powers, one's patience.
3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
The . . . tellers of news abused the general.
--Macaulay.
4. To dishonor. ``Shall flight abuse your name?'' --Shak.
5. To violate; to ravish. --Spenser.
6. To deceive; to impose on. [Obs.]
Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist
cloud, and abused by a double object. --Jer. Taylor.
Syn: To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify;
vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign.
Abuse \A*buse"\, n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See {Abuse},
v. t.]
1. Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad
purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an
abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an
abuse of language.
Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty,
as well as by the abuses of power. --Madison.
2. Physical ill treatment; injury. ``Rejoice . . . at the
abuse of Falstaff.'' --Shak.
3. A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as,
the abuses in the civil service.
Abuse after disappeared without a struggle..
--Macaulay.
4. Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive
language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of
abuse, came to blows. --Macaulay.
5. Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child. [Obs.]
Or is it some abuse, and no such thing? --Shak.
{Abuse of distress} (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or
chattel distrained, by the distrainer.
Syn: Invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult;
opprobrium.
Usage: {Abuse}, {Invective}. Abuse is generally prompted by
anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words. It is
more personal and coarse than invective. Abuse
generally takes place in private quarrels; invective
in writing or public discussions. Invective may be
conveyed in refined language and dictated by
indignation against what is blameworthy. --C. J.
Smith.
Abuseful \A*buse"ful\, a.
Full of abuse; abusive. [R.] ``Abuseful names.'' --Bp.
Barlow.
Abuser \A*bus"er\, n.
One who abuses [in the various senses of the verb].
Abusion \A*bu"sion\, n. [OE. abusion, abusioun, OF. abusion, fr.
L. abusio misuse of words, f. abuti. See {Abuse}, v. t.]
Evil or corrupt usage; abuse; wrong; reproach; deception;
cheat. --Chaucer.
Abusive \A*bu"sive\, a. [Cf. F. abusif, fr. L. abusivus.]
1. Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied.
I am . . . necessitated to use the word Parliament
improperly, according to the abusive acceptation
thereof. --Fuller.
2. Given to misusing; also, full of abuses. [Archaic] ``The
abusive prerogatives of his see.'' --Hallam.
3. Practicing abuse; prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting
words or by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an
abusive fellow.
4. Containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse;
vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous. ``An abusive
lampoon.'' --Johnson.
5. Tending to deceive; fraudulent; cheating. [Obs.] ``An
abusive treaty.'' --Bacon.
Syn: Reproachful; scurrilous; opprobrious; insolent;
insulting; injurious; offensive; reviling.
Abusively \A*bu"sive*ly\, adv.
In an abusive manner; rudely; with abusive language.
Abusiveness \A*bu"sive*ness\, n.
The quality of being abusive; rudeness of language, or
violence to the person.
Pick out mirth, like stones out of thy ground,
Profaneness, filthiness, abusiveness. --Herbert.
Abut \A*but"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Abutted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Abutting}.] [OF. abouter, aboter; cf. F. aboutir, and also
abuter; a (L. ad) + OF. boter, buter, to push: cf. F. bout
end, and but end, purpose.]
To project; to terminate or border; to be contiguous; to
meet; -- with on, upon, or against; as, his land abuts on the
road.
Abutilon \A*bu"ti*lon\, n. [Ar. aub[=u]t[=i]l[=u]n.] (Bot.)
A genus of malvaceous plants of many species, found in the
torrid and temperate zones of both continents; -- called also
{Indian mallow}.
Abutment \A*but"ment\ ([.a]*b[u^]t"ment), n.
1. State of abutting.
2. That on or against which a body abuts or presses; as
(a) (Arch.) The solid part of a pier or wall, etc., which
receives the thrust or lateral pressure of an arch,
vault, or strut. --Gwilt.
(b) (Mech.) A fixed point or surface from which resistance
or reaction is obtained, as the cylinder head of a
steam engine, the fulcrum of a lever, etc.
(c) In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the
barrel which receives the pressure due to recoil.
Abuttal \A*but"tal\, n.
The butting or boundary of land, particularly at the end; a
headland. --Spelman.
Abutter \A*but"ter\, n.
One who, or that which, abuts. Specifically, the owner of a
contiguous estate; as, the abutters on a street or a river.
Abuzz \A*buzz"\, a. [Pref. a- + buzz.]
In a buzz; buzzing. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Aby \A*by"\, Abye \A*bye"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Abought}.]
[AS. [=a]bycgan to pay for; pref. [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger.
er-, orig. meaning out) + bycgan to buy. See {Buy}, and cf.
{Abide}.]
1. To pay for; to suffer for; to atone for; to make amends
for; to give satisfaction. [Obs.]
Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear. --Shak.
2. To endure; to abide. [Obs.]
But nought that wanteth rest can long aby.
--Spenser.
Abysm \A*bysm"\, n. [OF. abisme; F. abime, LL. abyssimus, a
superl. of L. abyssus; Gr. ?. See {Abyss}.]
An abyss; a gulf. ``The abysm of hell.'' --Shak.
Abysmal \A*bys"mal\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, an abyss; bottomless; unending;
profound.
Geology gives one the same abysmal extent of time that
astronomy does of space. --Carlyle.
Abysmally \A*bys"mal*ly\, adv.
To a fathomless depth; profoundly. ``Abysmally ignorant.''
--G. Eliot.
Abyss \A*byss"\, n. [L. abyssus a bottomless gulf, fr. Gr. ?
bottomless; 'a priv. + ? depth, bottom.]
1. A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence,
any deep, immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the
bottomless pit.
Ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss.
--Milton.
The throne is darkness, in the abyss of light.
--Dryden.
2. Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth.
The abysses of metaphysical theology. --Macaulay.
In unfathomable abysses of disgrace. --Burke.
3. (Her.) The center of an escutcheon.
Note: This word, in its leading uses, is associated with the
cosmological notions of the Hebrews, having reference
to a supposed illimitable mass of waters from which our
earth sprung, and beneath whose profound depths the
wicked were punished. --Encyc. Brit.
Abyssal \A*byss"al\, a. [Cf. {Abysmal}.]
Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable.
{Abyssal zone} (Phys. Geog.), one of the belts or zones into
which Sir E. Forbes divides the bottom of the sea in
describing its plants, animals, etc. It is the one
furthest from the shore, embracing all beyond one hundred
fathoms deep. Hence, abyssal animals, plants, etc.
Abyssinian \Ab`ys*sin"i*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Abyssinia.
{Abyssinian gold}, an alloy of 90.74 parts of copper and 8.33
parts of zink. --Ure.
Abyssinian \Ab`ys*sin"i*an\, n.
1. A native of Abyssinia.
2. A member of the Abyssinian Church.
Acacia \A*ca"ci*a\, n. (Antiq.)
A roll or bag, filled with dust, borne by Byzantine emperors,
as a memento of mortality. It is represented on medals.
Acacia \A*ca"cia\, n.; pl. E. {Acacias}, L. {Acaci[ae]}. [L.
from Gr. ?; orig. the name of a thorny tree found in Egypt;
prob. fr. the root ak to be sharp. See {Acute}.]
1. A genus of leguminous trees and shrubs. Nearly 300 species
are Australian or Polynesian, and have terete or
vertically compressed leaf stalks, instead of the
bipinnate leaves of the much fewer species of America,
Africa, etc. Very few are found in temperate climates.
2. (Med.) The inspissated juice of several species of acacia;
-- called also {gum acacia}, and {gum arabic}.
Acacin \Ac"a*cin\, Acacine \Ac"a*cine\, n.
Gum arabic.
Academe \Ac`a*deme"\, n. [L. academia. See {Academy}.]
An academy. [Poetic] --Shak.
Academial \Ac`a*de"mi*al\, a.
Academic. [R.]
Academian \Ac`a*de"mi*an\, n.
A member of an academy, university, or college.
Academic \Ac`a*dem"ic\, Academical \Ac`a*dem"ic*al\, a. [L.
academicus: cf. F. acad['e]migue. See {Academy}.]
1. Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the
Academic sect or philosophy.
2. Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of
learning; scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction
from scientific. ``Academic courses.'' --Warburton.
``Academical study.'' --Berkeley.
Academic \Ac`a*dem"ic\, n.
1. One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a
Platonist. --Hume.
2. A member of an academy, college, or university; an
academician.
Academically \Ac`a*dem`ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an academical manner.
Academicals \Ac`a*dem"ic*als\, n. pl.
The articles of dress prescribed and worn at some colleges
and universities.
Academician \Ac`a*de*mi"cian\ (#; 277), n. [F. acad['e]micien.
See {Academy}.]
1. A member of an academy, or society for promoting science,
art, or literature, as of the French Academy, or the Royal
Academy of arts.
2. A collegian. [R.] --Chesterfield.
Academicism \Ac`a*dem"i*cism\, n.
1. A tenet of the Academic philosophy.
2. A mannerism or mode peculiar to an academy.
Academism \A*cad"e*mism\, n.
The doctrines of the Academic philosophy. [Obs.] --Baxter.
Academist \A*cad"e*mist\, n. [F. academiste.]
1. An Academic philosopher.
2. An academician. [Obs.] --Ray.
Academy \A*cad"e*my\, n.; pl. {Academies}. [F. acad['e]mie, L.
academia. Cf. {Academe}.]
1. A garden or grove near Athens (so named from the hero
Academus), where Plato and his followers held their
philosophical conferences; hence, the school of philosophy
of which Plato was head.
2. An institution for the study of higher learning; a college
or a university. Popularly, a school, or seminary of
learning, holding a rank between a college and a common
school.
3. A place of training; a school. ``Academies of
fanaticism.'' --Hume.
4. A society of learned men united for the advancement of the
arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art
or science; as, the French Academy; the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and
philology.
5. A school or place of training in which some special art is
taught; as, the military academy at West Point; a riding
academy; the Academy of Music.
{Academy figure} (Paint.), a drawing usually half life-size,
in crayon or pencil, after a nude model.
Acadian \A*ca"di*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Acadie, or Nova Scotia. ``Acadian
farmers.'' --Longfellow. -- n. A native of Acadie.
{Acadian epoch} (Geol.), an epoch at the beginning of the
American paleozoic time, and including the oldest American
rocks known to be fossiliferous. See {Geology}.
{Acadian owl} (Zo["o]l.), a small North American owl
({Nyctule Acadica}); the saw-whet.
Acajou \Ac"a*jou\, n. [F. See {Cashew}.] (Bot.)
(a) The cashew tree; also, its fruit. See {Cashew}.
(b) The mahogany tree; also, its timber.
Acaleph \Ac"a*leph\, Acalephan \Ac`a*le"phan\n.; pl. {Acalephs},
{Acalephans}. [See {Acaleph[ae]}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Acaleph[ae].
Acalephae \Ac`a*le"ph[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?, a nettle.]
A group of C[oe]lenterata, including the Medus[ae] or
jellyfishes, and hydroids; -- so called from the stinging
power they possess. Sometimes called {sea nettles}.
Acalephoid \Ac`ale"phoid\, a. [Acaleph + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to or resembling the Acaleph[ae] or jellyfishes.
Acalycine \A*cal"y*cine\, Acalysinous \Ac`a*lys`i*nous\, a. [Gr.
'a priv. + ? calyx.] (Bot.)
Without a calyx, or outer floral envelope.
Acanth \A*canth"\, n.
Same as {Acanthus}.
Acantha \A*can"tha\, n. [Gr. ? thorn, fr. ? point. See {Acute}.]
1. (Bot.) A prickle.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A spine or prickly fin.
3. (Anat.) The vertebral column; the spinous process of a
vertebra. --Dunglison.
Acanthaceous \Ac"an*tha"ceous\, a.
1. Armed with prickles, as a plant.
2. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of
plants of which the acanthus is the type.
Acanthine \A*can"thine\, a. [L. acanthinus, Gr. ?, thorny, fr.
?. See {Acanthus}.]
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the plant acanthus.
Acanthocarpous \A*can`tho*car"pous\, a. [Gr. ? thorn + ? fruit.]
(Bot.)
Having the fruit covered with spines.
Acanthocephala \A*can`tho*ceph"a*la\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? a
spine, thorn + ? head.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of intestinal worms, having the proboscis armed with
recurved spines.
Acanthocephalous \A*can`tho*ceph"a*lous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a spiny head, as one of the Acanthocephala.
Acanthophorous \Ac`an*thoph"o*rous\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? spine + ?
to bear.]
Spine-bearing. --Gray.
Acanthopodious \A*can`tho*po"di*ous\, a. [Gr. ? thorn + ?, ?,
foot.] (Bot.)
Having spinous petioles.
Acanthopteri \Ac`an*thop"ter*i\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? thorn +
? wing, fin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of teleostean fishes having spiny fins. See
{Acanthopterygii}.
Acanthopterous \Ac`an*thop"ter*ous\, a. [Gr. ? spine + ? wing.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Spiny-winged.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Acanthopterygious.
Acanthopterygian \Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to the order of fishes having spinose fins, as the
perch. -- n. A spiny-finned fish.
Acanthopterygii \Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*i\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?
thorn + ? fin, dim. fr. ? wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of fishes having some of the rays of the dorsal,
ventral, and anal fins unarticulated and spinelike, as the
perch.
Acanthopterygious \Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having fins in which the rays are hard and spinelike;
spiny-finned.
Acanthus \A*can"thus\, n.; pl. E. {Acanthuses}, L. {Acanthi}.
[L., from Gr. ?. Cf. {Acantha}.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the
south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.
2. (Arch.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of
the acanthus ({Acanthus spinosus}); -- used in the
capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.
A cappella \A cap*pel"la\ [It. See {Chapel}.] (Mus.)
(a) In church or chapel style; -- said of compositions
sung in the old church style, without instrumental
accompaniment; as, a mass a capella, i. e., a mass
purely vocal.
(b) A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.
Acapsular \A*cap"su*lar\, a. [Pref. a- not + capsular.] (Bot.)
Having no capsule.
Acardiac \A*car"di*ac\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? heart.]
Without a heart; as, an acardiac fetus.
Acaridan \A*car"i*dan\, n. [See {Acarus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of arachnids, including the mites and ticks.
Acarina \Ac`a*ri"na\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? a mite.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The group of Arachnida which includes the mites and ticks.
Many species are parasitic, and cause diseases like the itch
and mange.
Acarine \Ac"a*rine\, a. (Med.)
Of or caused by acari or mites; as, acarine diseases.
Acaroid \Ac"a*roid\, a. [NL., acarus a mite + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Shaped like or resembling a mite.
Acarpellous \Ac`ar*pel"lous\, a. [Pref. a- not + carpel.] (Bot.)
Having no carpels.
Acarpous \A*car"pous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? fruit.] (Bot.)
Not producing fruit; unfruitful.
Acarus \Ac"a*rus\, n.; pl. {Acari}. [NL., from Gr. ? the cheese
mite, tick.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus including many species of small mites.
Acatalectic \A*cat`a*lec"tic\, a. [L. acatalecticus, Gr. ?, not
defective at the end; 'a priv. + ? to cease.] (Pros.)
Not defective; complete; as, an acatalectic verse. -- n. A
verse which has the complete number of feet and syllables.
Acatalepsy \A*cat"a*lep`sy\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to seize,
comprehend.]
Incomprehensibility of things; the doctrine held by the
ancient Skeptic philosophers, that human knowledge never
amounts to certainty, but only to probability.
Acataleptic \A*cat`a*lep"tic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Incapable of being comprehended; incomprehensible.
Acater \A*ca"ter\, n.
See {Caterer}. [Obs.]
Acates \A*cates"\, n. pl.
See {Cates}. [Obs.]
Acaudate \A*cau"date\, a. [Pref. a- not + caudate.]
Tailless.
Acaulescent \Ac`au*les"cent\, a. [Pref. a- not + caulescent.]
(Bot.)
Having no stem or caulis, or only a very short one concealed
in the ground. --Gray.
Acauline \A*cau"line\, a. [Pref. a- not + cauline.] (Bot.)
Same as {Acaulescent}.
Acaulose \A*cau"lose\, Acaulous \A*cau"lous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a
priv. + ? stalk or L. caulis stalk. See {Cole}.] (Bot.)
Same as {Acaulescent}.
Accadian \Ac*ca"di*an\, a. [From the city Accad. See Gen. x.
10.]
Pertaining to a race supposed to have lived in Babylonia
before the Assyrian conquest. -- {Ac*ca"di*an}, n., {Ac"cad},
n. --Sayce.
Accede \Ac*cede"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Acceded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Acceding}.] [L. accedere to approach, accede; ad + cedere
to move, yield: cf. F. acc['e]dere. See {Cede}.]
1. To approach; to come forward; -- opposed to {recede}.
[Obs.] --T. Gale.
2. To enter upon an office or dignity; to attain.
Edward IV., who had acceded to the throne in the
year 1461. --T. Warton.
If Frederick had acceded to the supreme power.
--Morley.
3. To become a party by associating one's self with others;
to give one's adhesion. Hence, to agree or assent to a
proposal or a view; as, he acceded to my request.
The treaty of Hanover in 1725 . . . to which the
Dutch afterwards acceded. --Chesterfield.
Syn: To agree; assent; consent; comply; acquiesce; concur.
Accedence \Ac*ced"ence\, n.
The act of acceding.
Acceder \Ac*ced"er\, n.
One who accedes.
Accelerando \Ac*cel`er*an"do\, a. [It.] (Mus.)
Gradually accelerating the movement.
Accelerate \Ac*cel"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accelerated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Accelerating}.] [L. acceleratus, p. p. of
accelerare; ad + celerare to hasten; celer quick. See
{Celerity}.]
1. To cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add
to the speed of; -- opposed to {retard}.
2. To quicken the natural or ordinary progression or process
of; as, to accelerate the growth of a plant, the increase
of wealth, etc.
3. To hasten, as the occurence of an event; as, to accelerate
our departure.
{Accelerated motion} (Mech.), motion with a continually
increasing velocity.
{Accelerating force}, the force which causes accelerated
motion. --Nichol.
Syn: To hasten; expedite; quicken; dispatch; forward;
advance; further.
Acceleration \Ac*cel`er*a"tion\, n. [L. acceleratio: cf. F.
acc['e]l['e]ration.]
The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated;
increase of motion or action; as, a falling body moves toward
the earth with an acceleration of velocity; -- opposed to
{retardation}.
A period of social improvement, or of intellectual
advancement, contains within itself a principle of
acceleration. --I. Taylor.
(Astr. & Physics.)
{Acceleration of the moon}, the increase of the moon's mean
motion in its orbit, in consequence of which its period of
revolution is now shorter than in ancient times.
{Acceleration} and {retardation of the tides}. See {Priming
of the tides}, under {Priming}.
{Diurnal acceleration of the fixed stars}, the amount by
which their apparent diurnal motion exceeds that of the
sun, in consequence of which they daily come to the
meridian of any place about three minutes fifty-six
seconds of solar time earlier than on the day preceding.
{Acceleration of the planets}, the increasing velocity of
their motion, in proceeding from the apogee to the perigee
of their orbits.
Accelerative \Ac*cel"er*a*tive\, a.
Relating to acceleration; adding to velocity; quickening.
--Reid.
Accelerator \Ac*cel"er*a`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, accelerates. Also as an adj.; as,
accelerator nerves.
Acceleratory \Ac*cel"er*a*to*ry\, a.
Accelerative.
Accelerograph \Ac*cel"er*o*graph\, n. [Accelerate + -graph.]
(Mil.)
An apparatus for studying the combustion of powder in guns,
etc.
Accelerometer \Ac*cel`er*om"e*ter\, n. [Accelerate + -meter.]
An apparatus for measuring the velocity imparted by
gunpowder.
Accend \Ac*cend"\, v. t. [L. accendere, accensum, to kindle; ad
+ cand[e^]re to kindle (only in compounds); rel. to
cand[=e]re to be white, to gleam. See {Candle}.]
To set on fire; to kindle. [Obs.] --Fotherby.
Accendibility \Ac*cend`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capacity of being kindled, or of becoming inflamed;
inflammability.
Accendible \Ac*cend"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being inflamed or kindled; combustible;
inflammable. --Ure.
Accension \Ac*cen"sion\, n.
The act of kindling or the state of being kindled; ignition.
--Locke.
Accensor \Ac*cen"sor\, n. [LL., from p. p. accensus. See
{Accend}.] (R. C. Ch.)
One of the functionaries who light and trim the tapers.
Accent \Ac"cent`\, n. [F. accent, L. accentus; ad + cantus a
singing, canere to sing. See {Cant}.]
1. A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon
some particular syllable of a word or a phrase,
distinguishing it from the others.
Note: Many English words have two accents, the primary and
the secondary; the primary being uttered with a greater
stress of voice than the secondary; as in as'pira"tion,
where the chief stress is on the third syllable, and a
slighter stress on the first. Some words, as
an'tiap'o-plec"tic, in-com'pre-hen'si-bil"i-ty, have
two secondary accents. See Guide to Pron., [th][th]
30-46.
2. A mark or character used in writing, and serving to
regulate the pronunciation; esp.:
(a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of the spoken
accent;
(b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the vowel
marked; as, the French accents.
Note: In the ancient Greek the acute accent (') meant a
raised tone or pitch, the grave (`), the level tone or
simply the negation of accent, the circumflex ( ~ or ^)
a tone raised and then depressed. In works on
elocution, the first is often used to denote the rising
inflection of the voice; the second, the falling
inflection; and the third (^), the compound or waving
inflection. In dictionaries, spelling books, and the
like, the acute accent is used to designate the
syllable which receives the chief stress of voice.
3. Modulation of the voice in speaking; manner of speaking or
pronouncing; peculiar or characteristic modification of
the voice; tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a
German accent. ``Beguiled you in a plain accent.'' --Shak.
``A perfect accent.'' --Thackeray.
The tender accent of a woman's cry. --Prior.
4. A word; a significant tone; (pl.) expressions in general;
speech.
Winds! on your wings to Heaven her accents bear,
Such words as Heaven alone is fit to hear. --Dryden.
5. (Pros.) Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.
6. (Mus.)
(a) A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the
beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the
measure.
(b) A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part
of the measure.
(c) The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and
sections of a period.
(d) The expressive emphasis and shading of a passage. --J.
S. Dwight.
7. (Math.)
(a) A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a
little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a
similar kind expressed by the same letter, but
differing in value, as y', y[sec].
(b) (Trigon.) A mark at the right hand of a number,
indicating minutes of a degree, seconds, etc.; as,
12'27[sec], i. e., twelve minutes twenty seven
seconds.
(c) (Engin.) A mark used to denote feet and inches; as, 6'
10[sec] is six feet ten inches.
Accent \Ac*cent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accented}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Accenting}.] [OF. accenter, F. accentuer.]
1. To express the accent of (either by the voice or by a
mark); to utter or to mark with accent.
2. To mark emphatically; to emphasize.
Accentless \Ac"cent`less\, a.
Without accent.
Accentor \Ac*cen"tor\, n. [L. ad. + cantor singer, canere to
sing.]
1. (Mus.) One who sings the leading part; the director or
leader. [Obs.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of European birds (so named from their
sweet notes), including the hedge warbler. In America
sometimes applied to the water thrushes.
Accentuable \Ac*cen"tu*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being accented.
Accentual \Ac*cen"tu*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to accent; characterized or formed by
accent.
Accentuality \Ac*cen`tu*al"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being accentual.
Accentually \Ac*cen"tu*al*ly\, adv.
In an accentual manner; in accordance with accent.
Accentuate \Ac*cen"tu*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accentuated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Accentuating}.] [LL. accentuatus, p. p. of
accentuare, fr. L. accentus: cf. F. accentuer.]
1. To pronounce with an accent or with accents.
2. To bring out distinctly; to make prominent; to emphasize.
In Bosnia, the struggle between East and West was
even more accentuated. --London
Times.
3. To mark with the written accent.
Accentuation \Ac*cen`tu*a"tion\, n. [LL. accentuatio: cf. F.
accentuation.]
Act of accentuating; applications of accent. Specifically
(Eccles. Mus.), pitch or modulation of the voice in reciting
portions of the liturgy.
Accept \Ac*cept"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accepted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Accepting}.] [F. accepter, L. acceptare, freq. of
accipere; ad + capere to take; akin to E. heave.]
1. To receive with a consenting mind (something offered); as,
to accept a gift; -- often followed by of.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
--Shak.
To accept of ransom for my son. --Milton.
She accepted of a treat. --Addison.
2. To receive with favor; to approve.
The Lord accept thy burnt sacrifice. --Ps. xx. 3.
Peradventure he will accept of me. --Gen. xxxii.
20.
3. To receive or admit and agree to; to assent to; as, I
accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
4. To take by the mind; to understand; as, How are these
words to be accepted?
5. (Com.) To receive as obligatory and promise to pay; as, to
accept a bill of exchange. --Bouvier.
6. In a deliberate body, to receive in acquittance of a duty
imposed; as, to accept the report of a committee. [This
makes it the property of the body, and the question is
then on its adoption.]
{To accept a bill} (Law), to agree (on the part of the
drawee) to pay it when due.
{To accept service} (Law), to agree that a writ or process
shall be considered as regularly served, when it has not
been.
{To accept the person} (Eccl.), to show favoritism. ``God
accepteth no man's person.'' --Gal. ii. 6.
Syn: To receive; take; admit. See {Receive}.
Accept \Ac*cept"\, a.
Accepted. [Obs.] --Shak.
Acceptability \Ac*cept`a*bil"i*ty\, n. [LL. acceptabilitas.]
The quality of being acceptable; acceptableness.
``Acceptability of repentance.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Acceptable \Ac*cept"a*ble\, a. [F. acceptable, L. acceptabilis,
fr. acceptare.]
Capable, worthy, or sure of being accepted or received with
pleasure; pleasing to a receiver; gratifying; agreeable;
welcome; as, an acceptable present, one acceptable to us.
Acceptableness \Ac*cept"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being acceptable, or suitable to be favorably
received; acceptability.
Acceptably \Ac*cept"a*bly\, adv.
In an acceptable manner; in a manner to please or give
satisfaction.
Acceptance \Ac*cept"ance\, n.
1. The act of accepting; a receiving what is offered, with
approbation, satisfaction, or acquiescence; esp.,
favorable reception; approval; as, the acceptance of a
gift, office, doctrine, etc.
They shall come up with acceptance on mine altar.
--Isa. lx. 7.
2. State of being accepted; acceptableness. ``Makes it
assured of acceptance.'' --Shak.
3. (Com.)
(a) An assent and engagement by the person on whom a bill
of exchange is drawn, to pay it when due according to
the terms of the acceptance.
(b) The bill itself when accepted.
4. An agreeing to terms or proposals by which a bargain is
concluded and the parties are bound; the reception or
taking of a thing bought as that for which it was bought,
or as that agreed to be delivered, or the taking
possession as owner.
5. (Law) An agreeing to the action of another, by some act
which binds the person in law.
Note: What acts shall amount to such an acceptance is often a
question of great nicety and difficulty. --Mozley & W.
Note: In modern law, proposal and acceptance are the
constituent elements into which all contracts are
resolved.
{Acceptance of a bill of exchange}, {check}, {draft}, or
{order}, is an engagement to pay it according to the terms.
This engagement is usually made by writing the word
``accepted'' across the face of the bill.
{Acceptance of goods}, under the statute of frauds, is an
intelligent acceptance by a party knowing the nature of
the transaction.
6. Meaning; acceptation. [Obs.]
{Acceptance of persons}, partiality, favoritism. See under
{Accept}.
Acceptancy \Ac*cept"an*cy\, n.
Acceptance. [R.]
Here's a proof of gift, But here's no proof, sir, of
acceptancy. --Mrs.
Browning.
Acceptant \Ac*cept"ant\, a.
Accepting; receiving.
Acceptant \Ac*cept"ant\, n.
An accepter. --Chapman.
Acceptation \Ac`cep*ta"tion\, n.
1. Acceptance; reception; favorable reception or regard;
state of being acceptable. [Obs.]
This is saying worthy of all acceptation. --1 Tim.
i. 15.
Some things . . . are notwithstanding of so great
dignity and acceptation with God. --Hooker.
2. The meaning in which a word or expression is understood,
or generally received; as, term is to be used according to
its usual acceptation.
My words, in common acceptation, Could never give
this provocation. --Gay.
Acceptedly \Ac*cept"ed*ly\, adv.
In a accepted manner; admittedly.
Accepter \Ac*cept"er\, n.
1. A person who accepts; a taker.
2. A respecter; a viewer with partiality. [Obs.]
God is no accepter of persons. --Chillingworth.
3. (Law) An acceptor.
Acceptilation \Ac*cep`ti*la"tion\, n. [L. acceptilatio entry of
a debt collected, acquittance, fr. p. p. of accipere (cf.
{Accept}) + latio a carrying, fr. latus, p. p. of ferre to
carry: cf. F. acceptilation.] (Civil Law)
Gratuitous discharge; a release from debt or obligation
without payment; free remission.
Acception \Ac*cep"tion\, n. [L. acceptio a receiving, accepting:
cf. F. acception.]
Acceptation; the received meaning. [Obs.]
Here the word ``baron'' is not to be taken in that
restrictive sense to which the modern acception hath
confined it. --Fuller.
{Acception of persons} or {faces} (Eccl.), favoritism;
partiality. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Acceptive \Ac*cept"ive\, a.
1. Fit for acceptance.
2. Ready to accept. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Acceptor \Ac*cept"or\ (#; 277), n. [L.]
One who accepts; specifically (Law & Com.), one who accepts
an order or a bill of exchange; a drawee after he has
accepted.
Access \Ac*cess"\ (#; 277), n. [F. acc[`e]s, L. accessus, fr.
accedere. See {Accede}.]
1. A coming to, or near approach; admittance; admission;
accessibility; as, to gain access to a prince.
I did repel his letters, and denied His access to
me. --Shak.
2. The means, place, or way by which a thing may be
approached; passage way; as, the access is by a neck of
land. ``All access was thronged.'' --Milton.
3. Admission to sexual intercourse.
During coverture, access of the husband shall be
presumed, unless the contrary be shown.
--Blackstone.
4. Increase by something added; addition; as, an access of
territory. [In this sense accession is more generally
used.]
I, from the influence of thy looks, receive Access
in every virtue. --Milton.
5. An onset, attack, or fit of disease.
The first access looked like an apoplexy. --Burnet.
6. A paroxysm; a fit of passion; an outburst; as, an access
of fury. [A Gallicism]
Accessarily \Ac*ces"sa*ri*ly\, adv.
In the manner of an accessary.
Accessariness \Ac*ces"sa*ri*ness\, n.
The state of being accessary.
Accessary \Ac*ces"sa*ry\ (#; 277), a.
Accompanying, as a subordinate; additional; accessory; esp.,
uniting in, or contributing to, a crime, but not as chief
actor. See {Accessory}.
To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary. --Shak.
Amongst many secondary and accessary causes that
support monarchy, these are not of least reckoning.
--Milton.
Accessary \Ac*ces"sa*ry\ (277), n.; pl. {Accessaries}. [Cf.
{Accessory} and LL. accessarius.] (Law)
One who, not being present, contributes as an assistant or
instigator to the commission of an offense.
{Accessary before the fact} (Law), one who commands or
counsels an offense, not being present at its commission.
{Accessary after the fact}, one who, after an offense,
assists or shelters the offender, not being present at the
commission of the offense.
Note: This word, as used in law, is spelt accessory by
Blackstone and many others; but in this sense is spelt
accessary by Bouvier, Burrill, Burns, Whishaw, Dane,
and the Penny Cyclopedia; while in other senses it is
spelt accessory. In recent text-books on criminal law
the distinction is not preserved, the spelling being
either accessary or accessory.
Accessibility \Ac*cess`i*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. accessibilitas: cf.
F. accessibilit['e].]
The quality of being accessible, or of admitting approach;
receptibility. --Langhorne.
Accessible \Ac*cess"i*ble\, a. [L. accessibilis, fr. accedere:
cf. F. accessible. See {Accede}.]
1. Easy of access or approach; approachable; as, an
accessible town or mountain, an accessible person.
2. Open to the influence of; -- with to. ``Minds accessible
to reason.'' --Macaulay.
3. Obtainable; to be got at.
The best information . . . at present accessible.
--Macaulay.
Accessibly \Ac*cess"i*bly\, adv.
In an accessible manner.
Accession \Ac*ces"sion\, n. [L. accessio, fr. accedere: cf. F.
accession. See {Accede}.]
1. A coming to; the act of acceding and becoming joined; as,
a king's accession to a confederacy.
2. Increase by something added; that which is added;
augmentation from without; as, an accession of wealth or
territory.
The only accession which the Roman empire received
was the province of Britain. --Gibbon.
3. (Law)
(a) A mode of acquiring property, by which the owner of a
corporeal substance which receives an addition by
growth, or by labor, has a right to the part or thing
added, or the improvement (provided the thing is not
changed into a different species). Thus, the owner of
a cow becomes the owner of her calf.
(b) The act by which one power becomes party to
engagements already in force between other powers.
--Kent.
4. The act of coming to or reaching a throne, an office, or
dignity; as, the accession of the house of Stuart; --
applied especially to the epoch of a new dynasty.
5. (Med.) The invasion, approach, or commencement of a
disease; a fit or paroxysm.
Syn: Increase; addition; augmentation; enlargement.
Accessional \Ac*ces"sion*al\, a.
Pertaining to accession; additional. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Accessive \Ac*ces"sive\, a.
Additional.
Accessorial \Ac`ces*so"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to an accessory; as, accessorial agency,
accessorial guilt.
Accessorily \Ac*ces"so*ri*ly\, adv.
In the manner of an accessory; auxiliary.
Accessoriness \Ac*ces"so*ri*ness\, n.
The state of being accessory, or connected subordinately.
Accessory \Ac*ces"so*ry\ (#; 277), a. [L. accessorius. See
{Access}, and cf. {Accessary}.]
Accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way;
additional; connected as an incident or subordinate to a
principal; contributing or contributory; said of persons and
things, and, when of persons, usually in a bad sense; as, he
was accessory to the riot; accessory sounds in music.
Note: Ash accents the antepenult; and this is not only more
regular, but preferable, on account of easiness of
pronunciation. Most orho["e]pists place the accent on
the first syllable.
Syn: Accompanying; contributory; auxiliary; subsidiary;
subservient; additional; acceding.
Accessory \Ac*ces"so*ry\, n.; pl. {Accessories}.
1. That which belongs to something else deemed the principal;
something additional and subordinate. ``The aspect and
accessories of a den of banditti.'' --Carlyle.
2. (Law) Same as {Accessary}, n.
3. (Fine Arts) Anything that enters into a work of art
without being indispensably necessary, as mere ornamental
parts. --Elmes.
Syn: Abettor; accomplice; ally; coadjutor. See {Abettor}.
Acciaccatura \Ac*ciac`ca*tu"ra\, n. [It., from acciaccare to
crush.] (Mus.)
A short grace note, one semitone below the note to which it
is prefixed; -- used especially in organ music. Now used as
equivalent to the short appoggiatura.
Accidence \Ac"ci*dence\, n. [A corruption of Eng. accidents, pl.
of accident. See {Accident}, 2.]
1. The accidents, of inflections of words; the rudiments of
grammar. --Milton.
2. The rudiments of any subject. --Lowell.
Accident \Ac"ci*dent\, n. [F. accident, fr. L. accidens,
-dentis, p. pr. of accidere to happen; ad + cadere to fall.
See {Cadence}, {Case}.]
1. Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without
one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and
unexpected event; chance; contingency; often, an
undesigned and unforeseen occurrence of an afflictive or
unfortunate character; a casualty; a mishap; as, to die by
an accident.
Of moving accidents by flood and field. --Shak.
Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident: It is the
very place God meant for thee. --Trench.
2. (Gram.) A property attached to a word, but not essential
to it, as gender, number, case.
3. (Her.) A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in
a coat of arms.
4. (Log.)
(a) A property or quality of a thing which is not
essential to it, as whiteness in paper; an attribute.
(b) A quality or attribute in distinction from the
substance, as sweetness, softness.
5. Any accidental property, fact, or relation; an accidental
or nonessential; as, beauty is an accident.
This accident, as I call it, of Athens being
situated some miles from the sea. --J. P.
Mahaffy.
6. Unusual appearance or effect. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Note: Accident, in Law, is equivalent to casus, or such
unforeseen, extraordinary, extraneous interference as
is out of the range of ordinary calculation.
Accidental \Ac`ci*den"tal\, a. [Cf. F. accidentel, earlier
accidental.]
1. Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not
according to the usual course of things; casual;
fortuitous; as, an accidental visit.
2. Nonessential; not necessary belonging; incidental; as, are
accidental to a play.
{Accidental chords} (Mus.), those which contain one or more
tones foreign to their proper harmony.
{Accidental colors} (Opt.), colors depending on the
hypersensibility of the retina of the eye for
complementary colors. They are purely subjective
sensations of color which often result from the
contemplation of actually colored bodies.
{Accidental point} (Persp.), the point in which a right line,
drawn from the eye, parallel to a given right line, cuts
the perspective plane; so called to distinguish it from
the principal point, or point of view, where a line drawn
from the eye perpendicular to the perspective plane meets
this plane.
{Accidental lights} (Paint.), secondary lights; effects of
light other than ordinary daylight, such as the rays of
the sun darting through a cloud, or between the leaves of
trees; the effect of moonlight, candlelight, or burning
bodies. --Fairholt.
Syn: Casual; fortuitous; contingent; occasional;
adventitious.
Usage: {Accidental}, {Incidental}, {Casual}, {Fortuitous},
{Contingent}. We speak of a thing as accidental when
it falls out as by chance, and not in the regular
course of things; as, an accidental meeting, an
accidental advantage, etc. We call a thing incidental
when it falls, as it were, into some regular course of
things, but is secondary, and forms no essential part
thereof; as, an incremental remark, an incidental
evil, an incidental benefit. We speak of a thing as
casual, when it falls out or happens, as it were, by
mere chance, without being prearranged or
premeditated; as, a casual remark or encounter; a
casual observer. An idea of the unimportant is
attached to what is casual. Fortuitous is applied to
what occurs without any known cause, and in opposition
to what has been foreseen; as, a fortuitous concourse
of atoms. We call a thing contingent when it is such
that, considered in itself, it may or may not happen,
but is dependent for its existence on something else;
as, the time of my coming will be contingent on
intelligence yet to be received.
Accidental \Ac`ci*den"tal\, n.
1. A property which is not essential; a nonessential;
anything happening accidentally.
He conceived it just that accidentals . . . should
sink with the substance of the accusation. --Fuller.
2. pl. (Paint.) Those fortuitous effects produced by luminous
rays falling on certain objects so that some parts stand
forth in abnormal brightness and other parts are cast into
a deep shadow.
3. (Mus.) A sharp, flat, or natural, occurring not at the
commencement of a piece of music as the signature, but
before a particular note.
Accidentalism \Ac`ci*den"tal*ism\, n.
Accidental character or effect. --Ruskin.
Accidentality \Ac`ci*den*tal"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being accidental; accidentalness. [R.]
--Coleridge.
Accidentally \Ac`ci*den"tal*ly\, adv.
In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance;
unintentionally; casually; fortuitously; not essentially.
Accidentalness \Ac`ci*den"tal*ness\, n.
The quality of being accidental; casualness.
Accidie \Ac"ci*die\, n. [OF. accide, accidie, LL. accidia,
acedia, fr. Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? care.]
Sloth; torpor. [Obs.] ``The sin of accidie.'' --Chaucer.
Accipenser \Ac`ci*pen"ser\, n.
See {Acipenser}.
Accipient \Ac*cip"i*ent\, n. [L. accipiens, p. pr. of accipere.
See {Accept}.]
A receiver. [R.] --Bailey
Accipiter \Ac*cip"i*ter\, n.; pl. E. {Accipiters}. L.
{Accipitres}. [L., hawk.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of rapacious birds; one of the
Accipitres or Raptores.
2. (Surg.) A bandage applied over the nose, resembling the
claw of a hawk.
Accipitral \Ac*cip"i*tral\, n.
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a falcon or hawk;
hawklike. --Lowell.
Accipitres \Ac*cip"i*tres\, n. pl. [L., hawks.] (Zo["o]l.)
The order that includes rapacious birds. They have a hooked
bill, and sharp, strongly curved talons. There are three
families, represented by the vultures, the falcons or hawks,
and the owls.
Accipitrine \Ac*cip"i*trine\ (#; 277), a. [Cf. F. accipitrin.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Like or belonging to the Accipitres; raptorial; hawklike.
Accismus \Ac*cis"mus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Rhet.)
Affected refusal; coyness.
Accite \Ac*cite"\, v. t. [L. accitus, p. p. of accire, accere,
to call for; ad + ciere to move, call. See {Cite}.]
To cite; to summon. [Obs.]
Our heralds now accited all that were Endamaged by the
Elians. --Chapman.
Acclaim \Ac*claim"\, v. t. [L. acclamare; ad + clamare to cry
out. See {Claim}, {Clamor}.] [R.]
1. To applaud. ``A glad acclaiming train.'' --Thomson.
2. To declare by acclamations.
While the shouting crowd Acclaims thee king of
traitors. --Smollett.
3. To shout; as, to acclaim my joy.
Acclaim \Ac*claim"\, v. i.
To shout applause.
Acclaim \Ac*claim"\, n.
Acclamation. [Poetic] --Milton.
Acclaimer \Ac*claim"er\, n.
One who acclaims.
Acclamation \Ac`cla*ma"tion\, n. [L. acclamatio: cf. F.
acclamation.]
1. A shout of approbation, favor, or assent; eager expression
of approval; loud applause.
On such a day, a holiday having been voted by
acclamation, an ordinary walk would not satisfy the
children. --Southey.
2. (Antiq.) A representation, in sculpture or on medals, of
people expressing joy.
{Acclamation medals} are those on which laudatory
acclamations are recorded. --Elmes.
Acclamatory \Ac*clam"a*to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or expressing approval by, acclamation.
Acclimatable \Ac*cli"ma*ta*ble\, a.
Capable of being acclimated.
Acclimatation \Ac*cli`ma*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. acclimation. See
{Acclimate}.]
Acclimatization.
Acclimate \Ac*cli"mate\ (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Acclimated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Acclimating}.] [F. acclimater;
[`a] (l. ad) + climat climate. See {Climate}.]
To habituate to a climate not native; to acclimatize. --J. H.
Newman.
Acclimatement \Ac*cli"mate*ment\ (-ment), n.
Acclimation. [R.]
Acclimation \Ac`cli*ma"tion\, n.
The process of becoming, or the state of being, acclimated,
or habituated to a new climate; acclimatization.
Acclimatizable \Ac*cli"ma*ti`za*ble\, a.
Capable of being acclimatized.
Acclimatization \Ac*cli"ma*ti*za"tion\, n.
The act of acclimatizing; the process of inuring to a new
climate, or the state of being so inured. --Darwin.
Acclimatize \Ac*cli"ma*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Acclimatized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Acclimatizing}.]
To inure or habituate to a climate different from that which
is natural; to adapt to the peculiarities of a foreign or
strange climate; said of man, the inferior animals, or
plants.
Acclimature \Ac*cli"ma*ture\ (#; 135), n.
The act of acclimating, or the state of being acclimated.
[R.] --Caldwell.
Acclive \Ac*clive"\, a.
Acclivous. [Obs.]
Acclivitous \Ac*cliv"i*tous\, a.
Acclivous. --I. Taylor.
Acclivity \Ac*cliv"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Acclivities}. [L. acclivitas,
fr. acclivis, acclivus, ascending; ad + clivus a hill, slope,
fr. root kli to lean. See {Lean}.]
A slope or inclination of the earth, as the side of a hill,
considered as ascending, in opposition to declivity, or
descending; an upward slope; ascent.
Acclivous \Ac*cli"vous\ (#; 277), a. [L. acclivis and acclivus.]
Sloping upward; rising as a hillside; -- opposed to
{declivous}.
Accloy \Ac*cloy"\, v. t. [OF. encloyer, encloer, F. enclouer, to
drive in a nail, fr. L. in + clavus nail.]
To fill to satiety; to stuff full; to clog; to overload; to
burden. See {Cloy}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Accoast \Ac*coast"\, v. t. & i. [See {Accost}, {Coast}.]
To lie or sail along the coast or side of; to accost. [Obs.]
Whether high towering or accoasting low. --Spenser.
Accoil \Ac*coil"\, v. t. [OE. acoillir to receive, F.
accueillir; L. ad + colligere to collect. See {Coil}.]
1. To gather together; to collect. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. (Naut.) To coil together. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Accolade \Ac`co*lade"\ (#; 277), n. [F. accolade, It. accolata,
fr. accollare to embrace; L. ad + collum neck.]
1. A ceremony formerly used in conferring knighthood,
consisting am embrace, and a slight blow on the shoulders
with the flat blade of a sword.
2. (Mus.) A brace used to join two or more staves.
Accombination \Ac*com*bi*na"tion\, n. [L. ad + E. combination.]
A combining together. [R.]
Accommodable \Ac*com"mo*da*ble\, a. [Cf. F. accommodable.]
That may be accommodated, fitted, or made to agree. [R.] --I.
Watts.
Accommodableness \Ac*com"mo*dable*ness\, n.
The quality or condition of being accommodable. [R.] --Todd.
Accommodate \Ac*com"mo*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Accommodated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Accommodating}.] [L.
accommodatus, p. p. of accommodare; ad + commodare to make
fit, help; con- + modus measure, proportion. See {Mode}.]
1. To render fit, suitable, or correspondent; to adapt; to
conform; as, to accommodate ourselves to circumstances.
``They accommodate their counsels to his inclination.''
--Addison.
2. To bring into agreement or harmony; to reconcile; to
compose; to adjust; to settle; as, to accommodate
differences, a dispute, etc.
3. To furnish with something desired, needed, or convenient;
to favor; to oblige; as, to accommodate a friend with a
loan or with lodgings.
4. To show the correspondence of; to apply or make suit by
analogy; to adapt or fit, as teachings to accidental
circumstances, statements to facts, etc.; as, to
accommodate prophecy to events.
Syn: To suit; adapt; conform; adjust; arrange.
Accommodate \Ac*com"mo*date\, v. i.
To adapt one's self; to be conformable or adapted. [R.]
--Boyle.
Accommodate \Ac*com"mo*date\, a. [L. accommodatus, p. p. of
accommodare.]
Suitable; fit; adapted; as, means accommodate to end.
[Archaic] --Tillotson.
Accommodately \Ac*com"mo*date*ly\, adv.
Suitably; fitly. [R.]
Accommodateness \Ac*com"mo*date*ness\, n.
Fitness. [R.]
Accommodating \Ac*com"mo*da`ting\, a.
Affording, or disposed to afford, accommodation; obliging; as
an accommodating man, spirit, arrangement.
Accommodation \Ac*com`mo*da"tion\, n. [L. accommodatio, fr.
accommodare: cf. F. accommodation.]
1. The act of fitting or adapting, or the state of being
fitted or adapted; adaptation; adjustment; -- followed by
to. ``The organization of the body with accommodation to
its functions.'' --Sir M. Hale.
2. Willingness to accommodate; obligingness.
3. Whatever supplies a want or affords ease, refreshment, or
convenience; anything furnished which is desired or
needful; -- often in the plural; as, the accommodations --
that is, lodgings and food -- at an inn. --Sir W.
Scott.
4. An adjustment of differences; state of agreement;
reconciliation; settlement. ``To come to terms of
accommodation.'' --Macaulay.
5. The application of a writer's language, on the ground of
analogy, to something not originally referred to or
intended.
Many of those quotations from the Old Testament were
probably intended as nothing more than
accommodations. --Paley.
6. (Com.)
(a) A loan of money.
(b) An accommodation bill or note.
{Accommodation bill}, or {note} (Com.), a bill of exchange
which a person accepts, or a note which a person makes and
delivers to another, not upon a consideration received,
but for the purpose of raising money on credit.
{Accommodation coach}, or {train}, one running at moderate
speed and stopping at all or nearly all stations.
{Accommodation ladder} (Naut.), a light ladder hung over the
side of a ship at the gangway, useful in ascending from,
or descending to, small boats.
Accommodator \Ac*com"mo*da`tor\, n.
He who, or that which, accommodates. --Warburton.
Accompanable \Ac*com"pa*na*ble\, a.
Sociable. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
Accompanier \Ac*com"pa*ni*er\, n.
He who, or that which, accompanies. --Lamb.
Accompaniment \Ac*com"pa*ni*ment\ (-ment), n. [F.
accompagnement.]
That which accompanies; something that attends as a
circumstance, or which is added to give greater completeness
to the principal thing, or by way of ornament, or for the
sake of symmetry. Specifically: (Mus.) A part performed by
instruments, accompanying another part or parts performed by
voices; the subordinate part, or parts, accompanying the
voice or a principal instrument; also, the harmony of a
figured bass. --P. Cyc.
Accompanist \Ac*com"pa*nist\, n.
The performer in music who takes the accompanying part.
--Busby.
Accompany \Ac*com"pa*ny\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accompanied}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Accompanying}] [OF. aacompaignier, F.
accompagner, to associate with, fr. OF. compaign, compain,
companion. See {Company}.]
1. To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep
company with; to go along with; -- followed by with or by;
as, he accompanied his speech with a bow.
The Persian dames, . . . In sumptuous cars,
accompanied his march. --Glover.
They are never alone that are accompanied with noble
thoughts. --Sir P.
Sidney.
He was accompanied by two carts filled with wounded
rebels. --Macaulay.
2. To cohabit with. [Obs.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Syn: To attend; escort; go with.
Usage: To {Accompany}, {Attend}, {Escort}. We accompany those
with whom we go as companions. The word imports an
equality of station. We attend those whom we wait upon
or follow. The word conveys an idea of subordination.
We escort those whom we attend with a view to guard
and protect. A gentleman accompanies a friend to some
public place; he attends or escorts a lady.
Accompany \Ac*com"pa*ny\, v. i.
1. To associate in a company; to keep company. [Obs.]
--Bacon.
Men say that they will drive away one another, . . .
and not accompany together. --Holland.
2. To cohabit (with). [Obs.] --Milton.
3. (Mus.) To perform an accompanying part or parts in a
composition.
Accompletive \Ac*com"ple*tive\, a. [L. ad + complere, completum,
to fill up.]
Tending to accomplish. [R.]
Accomplice \Ac*com"plice\, n. [Ac- (perh. for the article a or
for L. ad) + E. complice. See {Complice}.]
1. A cooperator. [R.]
Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to
his accomplices! --Shak.
2. (Law) An associate in the commission of a crime; a
participator in an offense, whether a principal or an
accessory. ``And thou, the cursed accomplice of his
treason.'' --Johnson.
Note: It is followed by with or of before a person and by in
(or sometimes of) before the crime; as, A was an
accomplice with B in the murder of C. Dryden uses it
with to before a thing. ``Suspected for accomplice to
the fire.'' --Dryden.
Syn: Abettor; accessory; assistant; associate; confederate;
coadjutor; ally; promoter. See {Abettor}.
Accompliceship \Ac*com"plice*ship\, n.
The state of being an accomplice. [R.] --Sir H. Taylor.
Accomplicity \Ac`com*plic"i*ty\, n.
The act or state of being an accomplice. [R.]
Accomplish \Ac*com"plish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accomplished},
p. pr. & vb. n. {Accomplishing}.] [OE. acomplissen, OF.
accomplir, F. accomplir; L. ad + complere to fill up,
complete. See {Complete}, {Finish}.]
1. To complete, as time or distance.
That He would accomplish seventy years in the
desolations of Jerusalem. --Dan. ix. 2.
He had accomplished half a league or more.
--Prescott.
2. To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to
perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a
design, an object, a promise.
This that is written must yet be accomplished in me.
--Luke xxii.
37.
3. To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in
acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
The armorers accomplishing the knights. --Shak.
It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those
ends to which Providence did appoint it. --Wilkins.
These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect
woman. --Cowden
Clarke.
4. To gain; to obtain. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: To do; perform; fulfill; realize; effect; effectuate;
complete; consummate; execute; achieve; perfect; equip;
furnish.
Usage: To {Accomplish}, {Effect}, {Execute}, {Achieve},
{Perform}. These words agree in the general idea of
carrying out to some end proposed. To accomplish (to
fill up to the measure of the intention) generally
implies perseverance and skill; as, to accomplish a
plan proposed by one's self, an object, a design, an
undertaking. ``Thou shalt accomplish my desire.'' --1
Kings v. 9.
He . . . expressed his desire to see a union
accomplished between England and Scotland.
--Macaulay.
To effect (to work out) is much like accomplish. It
usually implies some degree of difficulty contended
with; as, he effected or accomplished what he
intended, his purpose, but little. ``What he decreed,
he effected.'' --Milton.
To work in close design by fraud or guile What
force effected not. --Milton.
To execute (to follow out to the end, to carry out, or
into effect) implies a set mode of operation; as, to
execute the laws or the orders of another; to execute
a work, a purpose, design, plan, project. To perform
is much like to do, though less generally applied. It
conveys a notion of protracted and methodical effort;
as, to perform a mission, a part, a task, a work.
``Thou canst best perform that office.'' --Milton.
The Saints, like stars, around his seat Perform
their courses still. --Keble.
To achieve (to come to the end or arrive at one's
purpose) usually implies some enterprise or
undertaking of importance, difficulty, and excellence.
Accomplishable \Ac*com"plish*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being accomplished; practicable. --Carlyle.
Accomplished \Ac*com"plished\, a.
1. Completed; effected; established; as, an accomplished
fact.
2. Complete in acquirements as the result usually of
training; -- commonly in a good sense; as, an accomplished
scholar, an accomplished villain.
They . . . show themselves accomplished bees.
--Holland.
Daughter of God and man, accomplished Eve. --Milton.
Accomplisher \Ac*com"plish*er\, n.
One who accomplishes.
Accomplishment \Ac*com"plish*ment\ (-ment), n. [F.
accomplissement, fr. accomplir.]
1. The act of accomplishing; entire performance; completion;
fulfillment; as, the accomplishment of an enterprise, of a
prophecy, etc.
2. That which completes, perfects, or equips thoroughly;
acquirement; attainment; that which constitutes excellence
of mind, or elegance of manners, acquired by education or
training. ``My new accomplishment of dancing.''
--Churchill. ``Accomplishments befitting a station.''
--Thackeray.
Accomplishments have taken virtue's place, And
wisdom falls before exterior grace. --Cowper.
Accompt \Ac*compt"\ (#; formerly #), n.
See {Account}.
Note: Accompt, accomptant, etc., are archaic forms.
Accomptable \Ac*compt"a*ble\, a.
See {Accountable}.
Accomptant \Ac*compt"ant\, n.
See {Accountant}.
Accord \Ac*cord"\, n. [OE. acord, accord, OF. acort, acorde, F.
accord, fr. OF. acorder, F. accorder. See {Accord}, v. t.]
1. Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action;
harmony of mind; consent; assent.
A mediator of an accord and peace between them.
--Bacon.
These all continued with one accord in prayer.
--Acts i. 14.
2. Harmony of sounds; agreement in pitch and tone; concord;
as, the accord of tones.
Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays. --Sir
J. Davies.
3. Agreement, harmony, or just correspondence of things; as,
the accord of light and shade in painting.
4. Voluntary or spontaneous motion or impulse to act; --
preceded by own; as, of one's own accord.
That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest
thou shalt not reap. --Lev. xxv. 5.
Of his own accord he went unto you. --2 Cor. vii.
17.
5. (Law) An agreement between parties in controversy, by
which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which,
when executed, bars a suit. --Blackstone.
{With one accord}, with unanimity.
They rushed with one accord into the theater. --Acts
xix. 29.
Accord \Ac*cord"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accorded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {According}.] [OE. acorden, accorden, OF. acorder, F.
accorder, fr. LL. accordare; L. ad + cor, cordis, heart. Cf.
{Concord}, {Discord}, and see {Heart}.]
1. To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to
another; to adjust; -- followed by to. [R.]
Her hands accorded the lute's music to the voice.
--Sidney.
2. To bring to an agreement, as persons; to reconcile; to
settle, adjust, harmonize, or compose, as things; as, to
accord suits or controversies.
When they were accorded from the fray. --Spenser.
All which particulars, being confessedly knotty and
difficult can never be accorded but by a competent
stock of critical learning. --South.
3. To grant as suitable or proper; to concede; to award; as,
to accord to one due praise. ``According his desire.''
--Spenser.
Accord \Ac*cord"\, v. i.
1. To agree; to correspond; to be in harmony; -- followed by
with, formerly also by to; as, his disposition accords
with his looks.
My heart accordeth with my tongue. --Shak.
Thy actions to thy words accord. --Milton.
2. To agree in pitch and tone.
Accordable \Ac*cord"a*ble\, a. [OF. acordable, F. accordable.]
1. Agreeing. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. Reconcilable; in accordance.
Accordance \Ac*cord"ance\, n. [OF. acordance.]
Agreement; harmony; conformity. ``In strict accordance with
the law.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Harmony; unison; coincidence.
Accordancy \Ac*cord"an*cy\, n.
Accordance. [R.] --Paley.
Accordant \Ac*cord"ant\, a. [OF. acordant, F. accordant.]
Agreeing; consonant; harmonious; corresponding; conformable;
-- followed by with or to.
Strictly accordant with true morality. --Darwin.
And now his voice accordant to the string. --Coldsmith.
Accordantly \Ac*cord"ant*ly\, adv.
In accordance or agreement; agreeably; conformably; --
followed by with or to.
Accorder \Ac*cord"er\, n.
One who accords, assents, or concedes. [R.]
According \Ac*cord"ing\, p. a.
Agreeing; in agreement or harmony; harmonious. ``This
according voice of national wisdom.'' --Burke. ``Mind and
soul according well.'' --Tennyson.
According to him, every person was to be bought.
--Macaulay.
Our zeal should be according to knowledge. --Sprat.
Note: According to has been called a prepositional phrase,
but strictly speaking, according is a participle in the
sense of agreeing, acceding, and to alone is the
preposition.
{According as}, precisely as; the same as; corresponding to
the way in which. According as is an adverbial phrase, of
which the propriety has been doubted; but good usage
sanctions it. See {According}, adv.
Is all things well, According as I gave directions?
--Shak.
The land which the Lord will give you according as
he hath promised. --Ex. xii. 25.
According \Ac*cord"ing\, adv.
Accordingly; correspondingly. [Obs.] --Shak.
Accordingly \Ac*cord"ing*ly\, adv.
1. Agreeably; correspondingly; suitably; in a manner
conformable.
Behold, and so proceed accordingly. --Shak.
2. In natural sequence; consequently; so.
Syn: Consequently; therefore; wherefore; hence; so.
Usage: {Accordingly}, {Consequently}, indicate a connection
between two things, the latter of which is done on
account of the former. Accordingly marks the
connection as one of simple accordance or congruity,
leading naturally to the result which followed; as, he
was absent when I called, and I accordingly left my
card; our preparations were all finished, and we
accordingly set sail. Consequently all finished, and
we accordingly set sail. Consequently marks a closer
connection, that of logical or causal sequence; as,
the papers were not ready, and consequently could not
be signed.
Accordion \Ac*cor"di*on\, n. [See {Accord}.] (Mus.)
A small, portable, keyed wind instrument, whose tones are
generated by play of the wind upon free metallic reeds.
Accordionist \Ac*cor"di*on*ist\, n.
A player on the accordion.
Accordment \Ac*cord"ment\ ([a^]k*k[^o]rd"ment), n. [OF.
acordement. See {Accord}, v.]
Agreement; reconcilement. [Obs.] --Gower.
Accorporate \Ac*cor"po*rate\, v. t. [L. accorporare; ad +
corpus, corporis, body.]
To unite; to attach; to incorporate. [Obs.] --Milton.
Accost \Ac*cost"\ (#; 115), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accosted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Accosting}.] [F. accoster, LL. accostare to
bring side by side; L. ad + costa rib, side. See {Coast}, and
cf. {Accoast}.]
1. To join side to side; to border; hence, to sail along the
coast or side of. [Obs.] ``So much [of Lapland] as accosts
the sea.'' --Fuller.
2. To approach; to make up to. [Archaic] --Shak.
3. To speak to first; to address; to greet. ``Him, Satan thus
accosts.'' --Milton.
Accost \Ac*cost"\, v. i.
To adjoin; to lie alongside. [Obs.] ``The shores which to the
sea accost.'' --Spenser.
Accost \Ac*cost"\, n.
Address; greeting. [R.] --J. Morley.
Accostable \Ac*cost"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. accostable.]
Approachable; affable. [R.] --Hawthorne.
Accosted \Ac*cost"ed\, a. (Her.)
Supported on both sides by other charges; also, side by side.
Accouchement \Ac*couche"ment\ (#; 277), n. [F., fr. accoucher to
be delivered of a child, to aid in delivery, OF. acouchier
orig. to lay down, put to bed, go to bed; L. ad + collocare
to lay, put, place. See {Collate}.]
Delivery in childbed
Accoucheur \Ac*cou*cheur"\, n. [F., fr. accoucher. See
{Accouchement}.]
A man who assists women in childbirth; a man midwife; an
obstetrician.
Accoucheuse \Ac*cou*cheuse"\, n. [F.., fem. of accoucher.]
A midwife. [Recent] --Dunglison.
Account \Ac*count"\, n. [OE. acount, account, accompt, OF.
acont, fr. aconter. See {Account}, v. t., {Count}, n., 1.]
1. A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a
record of some reckoning; as, the Julian account of time.
A beggarly account of empty boxes. --Shak.
2. A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed
statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and
also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review;
as, to keep one's account at the bank.
3. A statement in general of reasons, causes, grounds, etc.,
explanatory of some event; as, no satisfactory account has
been given of these phenomena. Hence, the word is often
used simply for reason, ground, consideration, motive,
etc.; as, on no account, on every account, on all
accounts.
4. A statement of facts or occurrences; recital of
transactions; a relation or narrative; a report; a
description; as, an account of a battle. ``A laudable
account of the city of London.'' --Howell.
5. A statement and explanation or vindication of one's
conduct with reference to judgment thereon.
Give an account of thy stewardship. --Luke xvi. 2.
6. An estimate or estimation; valuation; judgment. ``To stand
high in your account.'' --Shak.
7. Importance; worth; value; advantage; profit. ``Men of
account.'' --Pope. ``To turn to account.'' --Shak.
{Account current}, a running or continued account between two
or more parties, or a statement of the particulars of such
an account.
{In account with}, in a relation requiring an account to be
kept.
{On account of}, for the sake of; by reason of; because of.
{On one's own account}, for one's own interest or behalf.
{To make account}, to have an opinion or expectation; to
reckon. [Obs.]
This other part . . . makes account to find no
slender arguments for this assertion out of those
very scriptures which are commonly urged against it.
--Milton.
{To make account of}, to hold in estimation; to esteem; as,
he makes small account of beauty.
{To take account of}, or {to take into account}, to take into
consideration; to notice. ``Of their doings, God takes no
account.'' --Milton
.
{A writ of account} (Law), a writ which the plaintiff brings
demanding that the defendant shall render his just
account, or show good cause to the contrary; -- called
also an {action of account}. --Cowell.
Syn: Narrative; narration; relation; recital; description;
explanation; rehearsal.
Usage: {Account}, {Narrative}, {Narration}, {Recital}. These
words are applied to different modes of rehearsing a
series of events. {Account} turns attention not so
much to the speaker as to the fact related, and more
properly applies to the report of some single event,
or a group of incidents taken as whole; as, an
{account} of a battle, of a shipwreck, etc. A
{narrative} is a continuous story of connected
incidents, such as one friend might tell to another;
as, a {narrative} of the events of a siege, a
{narrative} of one's life, etc. {Narration} is usually
the same as {narrative}, but is sometimes used to
describe the {mode} of relating events; as, his powers
of {narration} are uncommonly great. {Recital} denotes
a series of events drawn out into minute particulars,
usually expressing something which peculiarly
interests the feelings of the speaker; as, the
{recital} of one's wrongs, disappointments,
sufferings, etc.
Account \Ac*count"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accounted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Accounting}.] [OE. acounten, accompten, OF. aconter,
[`a] (L. ad) + conter to count. F. conter to tell, compter to
count, L. computare. See {Count}, v. t.]
1. To reckon; to compute; to count. [Obs.]
The motion of . . . the sun whereby years are
accounted. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. To place to one's account; to put to the credit of; to
assign; -- with to. [R.] --Clarendon.
3. To value, estimate, or hold in opinion; to judge or
consider; to deem.
Accounting that God was able to raise him up. --Heb.
xi. 19.
4. To recount; to relate. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Account \Ac*count"\, v. i.
1. To render or receive an account or relation of
particulars; as, an officer must account with or to the
treasurer for money received.
2. To render an account; to answer in judgment; -- with for;
as, we must account for the use of our opportunities.
3. To give a satisfactory reason; to tell the cause of; to
explain; -- with for; as, idleness accounts for poverty.
{To account of}, to esteem; to prize; to value. Now used only
in the passive. ``I account of her beauty.'' --Shak.
Newer was preaching more accounted of than in the
sixteenth century. --Canon
Robinson.
Accountability \Ac*count`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to
render an account; accountableness. ``The awful idea of
accountability.'' --R. Hall.
Accountable \Ac*count"a*ble\, a.
1. Liable to be called on to render an account; answerable;
as, every man is accountable to God for his conduct.
2. Capable of being accounted for; explicable. [R.]
True religion . . . intelligible, rational, and
accountable, -- not a burden but a privilege. --B.
Whichcote.
Syn: Amenable; responsible; liable; answerable.
Accountable ness \Ac*count"a*ble ness\, n.
The quality or state of being accountable; accountability.
Accountably \Ac*count"a*bly\, adv.
In an accountable manner.
Accountancy \Ac*count"an*cy\, n.
The art or employment of an accountant.
Accountant \Ac*count"ant\, n. [Cf. F. accomptant, OF. acontant,
p. pr.]
1. One who renders account; one accountable.
2. A reckoner.
3. One who is skilled in, keeps, or adjusts, accounts; an
officer in a public office, who has charge of the
accounts.
{Accountatn general}, the head or superintending accountant
in certain public offices. Also, formerly, an officer in
the English court of chancery who received the moneys paid
into the court, and deposited them in the Bank of England.
Accountant \Ac*count"ant\, a.
Accountable. [Obs.] --Shak.
Accountantship \Ac*count"ant*ship\, n. [Accountant + -ship.]
The office or employment of an accountant.
Account book \Ac*count" book`\
A book in which accounts are kept. --Swift.
Accouple \Ac*cou"ple\, v. t. [OF. acopler, F. accoupler. See
{Couple}.]
To join; to couple. [R.]
The Englishmen accoupled themselves with the Frenchmen.
--Hall.
Accouplement \Ac*cou"ple*ment\ (-k[u^]p"'l*ment), n. [Cf. F.
accouplement.]
1. The act of coupling, or the state of being coupled; union.
[R.] --Caxton.
2. That which couples, as a tie or brace. [R.]
Accourage \Ac*cour"age\, v. t. [OF. acoragier; [`a] (L. ad) +
corage. See {Courage}.]
To encourage. [Obs.]
Accourt \Ac*court"\ (-k[=o]rt"), v. t. [Ac-, for L. {ad}. See
{Court}.]
To treat courteously; to court. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Accouter \Ac*cou"ter\, Accoutre \Ac*cou"tre\
([a^]k*k[=oo]"t[~e]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accoutered} or
{Accoutred} (-t[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Accoutering} or
{Accoutring}.] [F. accouter, OF. accoutrer, accoustrer; [`a]
(L. ad) + perh. LL. custor, for custos guardian, sacristan
(cf. {Custody}), or perh. akin to E. guilt.]
To furnish with dress, or equipments, esp. those for military
service; to equip; to attire; to array.
Both accoutered like young men. --Shak.
For this, in rags accoutered are they seen. --Dryden.
Accoutered with his burden and his staff. --Wordsworth.
Accouterments \Ac*cou"ter*ments\, Accoutrements
\Ac*cou"tre*ments\, n. pl. [F. accoutrement, earlier also
accoustrement, earlier also accoustrement. See {Accouter}.]
Dress; trappings; equipment; specifically, the devices and
equipments worn by soldiers.
How gay with all the accouterments of war! --A.
Philips.
Accoy \Ac*coy"\ ([a^]k*koi"), v. t. [OF. acoyer; ac-, for L. ad.
See {Coy}.]
1. To render quiet; to soothe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To subdue; to tame; to daunt. [Obs.]
Then is your careless courage accoyed. --Spenser.
Accredit \Ac*cred"it\ ([a^]k*kr[e^]d"[i^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Accredited}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Accrediting}.] [F.
accr['e]diter; [`a] (L. ad) + cr['e]dit credit. See
{Credit}.]
1. To put or bring into credit; to invest with credit or
authority; to sanction.
His censure will . . . accredit his praises.
--Cowper.
These reasons . . . which accredit and fortify mine
opinion. --Shelton.
2. To send with letters credential, as an ambassador, envoy,
or diplomatic agent; to authorize, as a messenger or
delegate.
Beton . . . was accredited to the Court of France.
--Froude.
3. To believe; to credit; to put trust in.
The version of early Roman history which was
accredited in the fifth century. --Sir G. C.
Lewis.
He accredited and repeated stories of apparitions
and witchcraft. --Southey.
4. To credit; to vouch for or consider (some one) as doing
something, or (something) as belonging to some one.
{To accredit} (one) {with} (something), to attribute
something to him; as, Mr. Clay was accredited with these
views; they accredit him with a wise saying.
Accreditation \Ac*cred`i*ta"tion\, n.
The act of accrediting; as, letters of accreditation.
Accrementitial \Ac`cre*men*ti"tial\, a. (Physiol.)
Pertaining to accremention.
Accrementition \Ac`cre*men*ti"tion\, n. [See {Accresce},
{Increment}.] (Physiol.)
The process of generation by development of blastema, or
fission of cells, in which the new formation is in all
respect like the individual from which it proceeds.
Accresce \Ac*cresce"\, v. i. [L. accrescere. See {Accrue}.]
1. To accrue. [R.]
2. To increase; to grow. [Obs.] --Gillespie.
Accrescence \Ac*cres"cence\, n. [LL. accrescentia.]
Continuous growth; an accretion. [R.]
The silent accrescence of belief from the unwatched
depositions of a general, never contradicted hearsy.
--Coleridge.
Accrescent \Ac*cres"cent\, a. [L. accrescens, -entis, p. pr. of
accrescere; ad + crescere to grow. See {Crescent}.]
1. Growing; increasing. --Shuckford.
2. (Bot.) Growing larger after flowering. --Gray.
Accrete \Ac*crete"\, v. i. [From L. accretus, p. p. of
accrescere to increase.]
1. To grow together.
2. To adhere; to grow (to); to be added; -- with to.
Accrete \Ac*crete"\, v. t.
To make adhere; to add. --Earle.
Accrete \Ac*crete"\, a.
1. Characterized by accretion; made up; as, accrete matter.
2. (Bot.) Grown together. --Gray.
Accretion \Ac*cre"tion\, n. [L. accretio, fr. accrescere to
increase. Cf. {Crescent}, {Increase}, {Accrue}.]
1. The act of increasing by natural growth; esp. the increase
of organic bodies by the internal accession of parts;
organic growth. --Arbuthnot.
2. The act of increasing, or the matter added, by an
accession of parts externally; an extraneous addition; as,
an accretion of earth.
A mineral . . . augments not by grown, but by
accretion. --Owen.
To strip off all the subordinate parts of his as a
later accretion. --Sir G. C.
Lewis.
3. Concretion; coherence of separate particles; as, the
accretion of particles so as to form a solid mass.
4. A growing together of parts naturally separate, as of the
fingers toes. --Dana.
5. (Law)
(a) The adhering of property to something else, by which
the owner of one thing becomes possessed of a right to
another; generally, gain of land by the washing up of
sand or sail from the sea or a river, or by a gradual
recession of the water from the usual watermark.
(b) Gain to an heir or legatee, failure of a coheir to the
same succession, or a co-legatee of the same thing, to
take his share. --Wharton. Kent.
Accretive \Ac*cre"tive\, a.
Relating to accretion; increasing, or adding to, by growth.
--Glanvill.
Accriminate \Ac*crim"i*nate\, v. t. [L. ac- (for ad to) +
criminari.]
To accuse of a crime. [Obs.] -- {Ac*crim`i*na"tion}, n.
[Obs.]
Accroach \Ac*croach"\, v. t. [OE. acrochen, accrochen, to
obtain, OF. acrochier, F. accrocher; [`a] (L. ad) + croc hook
(E. crook).]
1. To hook, or draw to one's self as with a hook. [Obs.]
2. To usurp, as jurisdiction or royal prerogatives.
They had attempted to accroach to themselves royal
power. --Stubbs.
Accroachment \Ac*croach"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. accrochement.]
An encroachment; usurpation. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Accrual \Ac*cru"al\, n.
Accrument. [R.]
Accrue \Ac*crue"\ ([a^]k*kr[udd]"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Accrued}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Accruing}.] [See {Accrue}, n.,
and cf. {Accresce}, {Accrete}.]
1. To increase; to augment.
And though power failed, her courage did accrue.
--Spenser.
2. To come to by way of increase; to arise or spring as a
growth or result; to be added as increase, profit, or
damage, especially as the produce of money lent.
``Interest accrues to principal.'' --Abbott.
The great and essential advantages accruing to
society from the freedom of the press. --Junius.
Accrue \Ac*crue"\, n. [F. accr[^u], OF. acre["u], p. p. of
accroitre, OF. acroistre to increase; L. ad + crescere to
increase. Cf. {Accretion}, {Crew}. See {Crescent}.]
Something that accrues; advantage accruing. [Obs.]
Accruer \Ac*cru"er\ ([a^]k*kr[udd]"[~e]r), n. (Law)
The act of accruing; accretion; as, title by accruer.
Accrument \Ac*cru"ment\ (-ment), n.
The process of accruing, or that which has accrued; increase.
--Jer. Taylor.
Accubation \Ac`cu*ba"tion\, n. [L. accubatio, for accubitio, fr.
accubare to recline; ad + cubare to lie down. See {Accumb}.]
The act or posture of reclining on a couch, as practiced by
the ancients at meals.
Accumb \Ac*cumb"\ ([a^]k*k[u^]mb"), v. i. [L. accumbere; ad +
cumbere (only in compounds) to lie down.]
To recline, as at table. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Accumbency \Ac*cum"ben*cy\ ([a^]k*k[u^]m"ben*s[y^]), n.
The state of being accumbent or reclining. [R.]
Accumbent \Ac*cum"bent\ (-bent), a.
1. Leaning or reclining, as the ancients did at their meals.
The Roman . . . accumbent posture in eating.
--Arbuthnot.
2. (Bot.) Lying against anything, as one part of a leaf
against another leaf. --Gray.
Accumbent cotyledons have their edges placed against
the caulicle. --Eaton.
Accumbent \Ac*cum"bent\, n.
One who reclines at table.
Accumber \Ac*cum"ber\ (-b[~e]r), v. t.
To encumber. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Accumulate \Ac*cu"mu*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accumulated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Accumulating}.] [L. accumulatus, p. p. of
accumulare; ad + cumulare to heap. See {Cumulate}.]
To heap up in a mass; to pile up; to collect or bring
together; to amass; as, to accumulate a sum of money.
Syn: To collect; pile up; store; amass; gather; aggregate;
heap together; hoard.
Accumulate \Ac*cu"mu*late\ ([a^]k*k[=u]"m[-u]*l[=a]t), v. i.
To grow or increase in quantity or number; to increase
greatly.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where
wealth accumulates, and men decay. --Goldsmith.
Accumulate \Ac*cu"mu*late\ (-l[asl]t), a. [L. accumulatus, p. p.
of accumulare.]
Collected; accumulated. --Bacon.
Accumulation \Ac*cu`mu*la"tion\, n. [L. accumulatio; cf. F.
accumulation.]
1. The act of accumulating, the state of being accumulated,
or that which is accumulated; as, an accumulation of
earth, of sand, of evils, of wealth, of honors.
2. (Law) The concurrence of several titles to the same proof.
{Accumulation of energy} or {power}, the storing of energy by
means of weights lifted or masses put in motion;
electricity stored.
{An accumulation of degrees} (Eng. Univ.), the taking of
several together, or at smaller intervals than usual or
than is allowed by the rules.
Accumulative \Ac*cu"mu*la*tive\, a.
Characterized by accumulation; serving to collect or amass;
cumulative; additional. -- {Ac*cu"mu*la*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Ac*cu"mu*la*tive*ness}, n.
Accumulator \Ac*cu"mu*la`tor\, n. [L.]
1. One who, or that which, accumulates, collects, or amasses.
2. (Mech.) An apparatus by means of which energy or power can
be stored, such as the cylinder or tank for storing water
for hydraulic elevators, the secondary or storage battery
used for accumulating the energy of electrical charges,
etc.
3. A system of elastic springs for relieving the strain upon
a rope, as in deep-sea dredging.
Accuracy \Ac"cu*ra*cy\ (#; 277), n. [See {Accurate}.]
The state of being accurate; freedom from mistakes, this
exemption arising from carefulness; exact conformity to
truth, or to a rule or model; precision; exactness; nicety;
correctness; as, the value of testimony depends on its
accuracy.
The professed end [of logic] is to teach men to think,
to judge, and to reason, with precision and accuracy.
--Reid.
The accuracy with which the piston fits the sides.
--Lardner.
Accurate \Ac"cu*rate\, a. [L. accuratus, p. p. and a., fr.
accurare to take care of; ad + curare to take care, cura
care. See {Cure}.]
1. In exact or careful conformity to truth, or to some
standard of requirement, the result of care or pains; free
from failure, error, or defect; exact; as, an accurate
calculator; an accurate measure; accurate expression,
knowledge, etc.
2. Precisely fixed; executed with care; careful. [Obs.]
Those conceive the celestial bodies have more
accurate influences upon these things below.
--Bacon.
Syn: Correct; exact; just; nice; particular.
Usage: {Accurate}, {Correct}, {Exact}, {Precise}. We speak of
a thing as correct with reference to some rule or
standard of comparison; as, a correct account, a
correct likeness, a man of correct deportment. We
speak of a thing as accurate with reference to the
care bestowed upon its execution, and the increased
correctness to be expected therefrom; as, an accurate
statement, an accurate detail of particulars. We speak
of a thing as exact with reference to that perfected
state of a thing in which there is no defect and no
redundance; as, an exact coincidence, the exact truth,
an exact likeness. We speak of a thing as precise when
we think of it as strictly conformed to some rule or
model, as if cut down thereto; as a precise conformity
instructions; precisely right; he was very precise in
giving his directions.
Accurately \Ac"cu*rate*ly\, adv.
In an accurate manner; exactly; precisely; without error or
defect.
Accurateness \Ac"cu*rate*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being accurate; accuracy; exactness;
nicety; precision.
Accurse \Ac*curse"\, v. t. [OE. acursien, acorsien; pref. a +
cursien to curse. See {Curse}.]
To devote to destruction; to imprecate misery or evil upon;
to curse; to execrate; to anathematize.
And the city shall be accursed. --Josh. vi.
17.
Thro' you, my life will be accurst. --Tennyson.
Accursed \Ac*cursed"\, Accurst \Ac*curst"\, p. p. & a.
Doomed to destruction or misery; cursed; hence, bad enough to
be under the curse; execrable; detestable; exceedingly
hateful; -- as, an accursed deed. --Shak. -- {Ac*curs"ed*ly},
adv. -- {Ac*curs"ed*ness}, n.
Accusable \Ac*cus"a*ble\, a. [L. accusabilis: cf. F. accusable.]
Liable to be accused or censured; chargeable with a crime or
fault; blamable; -- with of.
Accusal \Ac*cus"al\, n.
Accusation. [R.] --Byron.
Accusant \Ac*cus"ant\, n. [L. accusans, p. pr. of accusare: cf.
F. accusant.]
An accuser. --Bp. Hall.
Accusation \Ac`cu*sa"tion\, n. [OF. acusation, F. accusation, L.
accusatio, fr. accusare. See {Accuse}.]
1. The act of accusing or charging with a crime or with a
lighter offense.
We come not by the way of accusation To taint that
honor every good tongue blesses. --Shak.
2. That of which one is accused; the charge of an offense or
crime, or the declaration containing the charge.
[They] set up over his head his accusation. --Matt.
xxvii. 37.
Syn: Impeachment; crimination; censure; charge.
Accusatival \Ac*cu`sa*ti"val\, a.
Pertaining to the accusative case.
Accusative \Ac*cu"sa*tive\, a. [F. accusatif, L. accusativus (in
sense 2), fr. accusare. See {Accuse}.]
1. Producing accusations; accusatory. ``This hath been a very
accusative age.'' --Sir E. Dering.
2. (Gram.) Applied to the case (as the fourth case of Latin
and Greek nouns) which expresses the immediate object on
which the action or influence of a transitive verb
terminates, or the immediate object of motion or tendency
to, expressed by a preposition. It corresponds to the
objective case in English.
Accusative \Ac*cu"sa*tive\, n. (Gram.)
The accusative case.
Accusatively \Ac*cu"sa*tive*ly\, adv.
1. In an accusative manner.
2. In relation to the accusative case in grammar.
Accusatorial \Ac*cu`sa*to"ri*al\, a.
Accusatory.
Accusatorially \Ac*cu`sa*to"ri*al*ly\, adv.
By way accusation.
Accusatory \Ac*cu"sa*to*ry\, a. [L. accusatorius, fr. accusare.]
Pertaining to, or containing, an accusation; as, an
accusatory libel. --Grote.
Accuse \Ac*cuse"\, n.
Accusation. [Obs.] --Shak.
Accuse \Ac*cuse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accused}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Accusing}.] [OF. acuser, F. accuser, L. accusare, to call
to account, accuse; ad + causa cause, lawsuit. Cf. {Cause}.]
1. To charge with, or declare to have committed, a crime or
offense; (Law) to charge with an offense, judicially or by
a public process; -- with of; as, to accuse one of a high
crime or misdemeanor.
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now
accuse me. --Acts xxiv.
13.
We are accused of having persuaded Austria and
Sardinia to lay down their arms. --Macaulay.
2. To charge with a fault; to blame; to censure.
Their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else
excusing one another. --Rom. ii. 15.
3. To betray; to show. [L.] --Sir P.
Sidney.
Syn: To charge; blame; censure; reproach; criminate; indict;
impeach; arraign.
Usage: To {Accuse}, {Charge}, {Impeach}, {Arraign}. These
words agree in bringing home to a person the
imputation of wrongdoing. To accuse is a somewhat
formal act, and is applied usually (though not
exclusively) to crimes; as, to accuse of treason.
Charge is the most generic. It may refer to a crime, a
dereliction of duty, a fault, etc.; more commonly it
refers to moral delinquencies; as, to charge with
dishonesty or falsehood. To arraign is to bring (a
person) before a tribunal for trial; as, to arraign
one before a court or at the bar public opinion. To
impeach is officially to charge with misbehavior in
office; as, to impeach a minister of high crimes. Both
impeach and arraign convey the idea of peculiar
dignity or impressiveness.
Accused \Ac*cused"\, a.
Charged with offense; as, an accused person.
Note: Commonly used substantively; as, the accused, one
charged with an offense; the defendant in a criminal
case.
Accusement \Ac*cuse"ment\ (-k[=u]z"ment), n. [OF. acusement. See
{Accuse}.]
Accusation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Accuser \Ac*cus"er\, n. [OE. acuser, accusour; cf. OF. acuseor,
fr. L. accusator, fr. accusare.]
One who accuses; one who brings a charge of crime or fault.
Accusingly \Ac*cus"ing*ly\, adv.
In an accusing manner.
Accustom \Ac*cus"tom\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Accustomed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Accustoming}.] [OF. acostumer, acustumer, F.
accoutumer; [`a] (L. ad) + OF. costume, F. coutume, custom.
See {Custom}.]
To make familiar by use; to habituate, familiarize, or inure;
-- with to.
I shall always fear that he who accustoms himself to
fraud in little things, wants only opportunity to
practice it in greater. --Adventurer.
Syn: To habituate; inure; exercise; train.
Accustom \Ac*cus"tom\, v. i.
1. To be wont. [Obs.] --Carew.
2. To cohabit. [Obs.]
We with the best men accustom openly; you with the
basest commit private adulteries. --Milton.
Accustom \Ac*cus"tom\, n.
Custom. [Obs.] --Milton.
Accustomable \Ac*cus"tom*a*ble\, a.
Habitual; customary; wonted. ``Accustomable goodness.''
--Latimer.
Accustomably \Ac*cus"tom*a*bly\, adv.
According to custom; ordinarily; customarily. --Latimer.
Accustomance \Ac*cus"tom*ance\, n. [OF. accoustumance, F.
accoutumance.]
Custom; habitual use. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Accustomarily \Ac*cus"tom*a*ri*ly\, adv.
Customarily. [Obs.]
Accustomary \Ac*cus"tom*a*ry\, a.
Usual; customary. [Archaic] --Featley.
Accustomed \Ac*cus"tomed\, a.
1. Familiar through use; usual; customary. ``An accustomed
action.'' --Shak.
2. Frequented by customers. [Obs.] ``A well accustomed
shop.'' --Smollett.
Accustomedness \Ac*cus"tomed*ness\, n.
Habituation.
Accustomedness to sin hardens the heart. --Bp. Pearce.
Ace \Ace\, n.; pl. {Aces}. [OE. as, F. as, fr. L. as, assis,
unity, copper coin, the unit of coinage. Cf. {As}.]
1. A unit; a single point or spot on a card or die; the card
or die so marked; as, the ace of diamonds.
2. Hence: A very small quantity or degree; a particle; an
atom; a jot.
I 'll not wag an ace further. --Dryden.
{To bate an ace}, to make the least abatement. [Obs.]
{Within an ace of}, very near; on the point of. --W. Irving.
Aceldama \A*cel"da*ma\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. Syr. [=o]k[=e]l dam[=o]
the field of blood.]
The potter's field, said to have lain south of Jerusalem,
purchased with the bribe which Judas took for betraying his
Master, and therefore called the field of blood. Fig.: A
field of bloodshed.
The system of warfare . . . which had already converted
immense tracts into one universal aceldama. --De
Quincey.
Acentric \A*cen"tric\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? a point, a center.]
Not centered; without a center.
Acephal \Ac"e*phal\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? head: cf. F.
ac['e]phale, LL. acephalus.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Acephala.
Acephala \A*ceph"a*la\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, adj. neut. pl.,
headless. See {Acephal}.] (Zo["o]l.)
That division of the Mollusca which includes the bivalve
shells, like the clams and oysters; -- so called because they
have no evident head. Formerly the group included the
Tunicata, Brachiopoda, and sometimes the Bryozoa. See
{Mollusca}.
Acephalan \A*ceph"a*lan\, n.
Same as {Acephal}.
Acephalan \A*ceph"a*lan\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to the Acephala.
Acephali \A*ceph"a*li\, n. pl. [LL., pl. of acephalus. See
{Acephal}.]
1. A fabulous people reported by ancient writers to have
heads.
2. (Eccl. Hist.)
(a) A Christian sect without a leader.
(b) Bishops and certain clergymen not under regular
diocesan control.
3. A class of levelers in the time of K. Henry I.
Acephalist \A*ceph"a*list\, n.
One who acknowledges no head or superior. --Dr. Gauden.
Acephalocyst \A*ceph"a*lo*cyst\, n. [Gr. 'ake`falos without a
head + ky`stis bladder.] (Zo["o]l.)
A larval entozo["o]n in the form of a subglobular or oval
vesicle, or hydatid, filled with fluid, sometimes found in
the tissues of man and the lower animals; -- so called from
the absence of a head or visible organs on the vesicle. These
cysts are the immature stages of certain tapeworms. Also
applied to similar cysts of different origin.
Acephalocystic \A*ceph`a*lo*cys"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, the acephalocysts.
Acephalous \A*ceph"a*lous\, a. [See {Acephal}.]
1. Headless.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Without a distinct head; -- a term applied to
bivalve mollusks.
3. (Bot.) Having the style spring from the base, instead of
from the apex, as is the case in certain ovaries.
4. Without a leader or chief.
5. Wanting the beginning.
A false or acephalous structure of sentence. --De
Quincey.
6. (Pros.) Deficient and the beginning, as a line of poetry.
--Brande.
Acerate \Ac"er*ate\, n. [See {Aceric}.] (Chem.)
A combination of aceric acid with a salifiable base.
Acerate \Ac"er*ate\, a.
Acerose; needle-shaped.
Acerb \A*cerb"\, a. [L. acerbus, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. acerbe.
See {Acrid}.]
Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, as unripe fruit; sharp
and harsh.
Acerbate \A*cerb"ate\, v. t. [L. acerbatus, p. p. of acerbare,
fr. acerbus.]
To sour; to imbitter; to irritate.
Acerbic \A*cerb"ic\, a.
Sour or severe.
Acerbitude \A*cerb"i*tude\, n. [L. acerbitudo, fr. acerbus.]
Sourness and harshness. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Acerbity \A*cerb"i*ty\, n. [F. acerbit['e], L. acerbitas, fr.
acerbus. See {Acerb}.]
1. Sourness of taste, with bitterness and astringency, like
that of unripe fruit.
2. Harshness, bitterness, or severity; as, acerbity of
temper, of language, of pain. --Barrow.
Aceric \A*cer"ic\, a. [L. acer maple.]
Pertaining to, or obtained from, the maple; as, aceric acid.
--Ure.
Acerose \Ac"er*ose`\, a. [(a) L. acerosus chaffy, fr. acus, gen.
aceris, chaff; (b) as if fr. L. acus needle: cf. F.
ac['e]reux.] (Bot.)
(a) Having the nature of chaff; chaffy.
(b) Needle-shaped, having a sharp, rigid point, as the leaf
of the pine.
Acerous \Ac"er*ous\, a.
Same as {Acerose}.
Acerous \Ac"er*ous\, a. [Gr. [alpha] priv. + ke`ras a horn.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) Destitute of tentacles, as certain mollusks.
(b) Without antenn[ae], as some insects.
Acerval \A*cer"val\, a. [L. acervalis, fr. acervus heap.]
Pertaining to a heap. [Obs.]
Acervate \A*cer"vate\, v. t. [L. acervatus, p. p. of acervare to
heap up, fr. acervus heap.]
To heap up. [Obs.]
Acervate \A*cer"vate\, a.
Heaped, or growing in heaps, or closely compacted clusters.
Acervation \Ac`er*va"tion\, n. [L. acervatio.]
A heaping up; accumulation. [R.] --Johnson.
Acervative \A*cer"va*tive\, a.
Heaped up; tending to heap up.
Acervose \A*cer"vose\, a.
Full of heaps. [R.] --Bailey.
Acervuline \A*cer"vu*line\, a.
Resembling little heaps.
Acescence \A*ces"cence\, Acescency \A*ces"cen*cy\, n. [Cf. F.
acescence. See {Acescent}.]
The quality of being acescent; the process of acetous
fermentation; a moderate degree of sourness. --Johnson.
Acescent \A*ces"cent\, a. [L. acescens, -entis, p. pr. of
acescere to turn sour; inchoative of acere to be sour: cf. F.
acescent. See {Acid}.]
Turning sour; readily becoming tart or acid; slightly sour.
--Faraday.
Acescent \A*ces"cent\, n.
A substance liable to become sour.
Acetable \Ac"e*ta*ble\, n.
An acetabulum; or about one eighth of a pint. [Obs.]
--Holland.
Acetabular \Ac`e*tab"u*lar\, a.
Cup-shaped; saucer-shaped; acetabuliform.
Acetabulifera \Ac`e*tab`u*lif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Acetabuliferous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Cephalopoda in which the arms are furnished
with cup-shaped suckers, as the cuttlefishes, squids, and
octopus; the Dibranchiata. See {Cephalopoda}.
Acetabuliferous \Ac`e*tab`u*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. acetablum a
little cup + -ferous.]
Furnished with fleshy cups for adhering to bodies, as
cuttlefish, etc.
Acetabuliform \Ac`e*tab"u*li*form\, a. [L. acetabulum + -form.]
(Bot.)
Shaped like a shallow cup; saucer-shaped; as, an
acetabuliform calyx. --Gray.
Acetabulum \Ac`e*tab"u*lum\, n. [L., a little saucer for
vinegar, fr. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A vinegar cup; socket of the hip bone; a
measure of about one eighth of a pint, etc.
2. (Anat.)
(a) The bony cup which receives the head of the thigh
bone.
(b) The cavity in which the leg of an insect is inserted
at its articulation with the body.
(c) A sucker of the sepia or cuttlefish and related
animals.
(d) The large posterior sucker of the leeches.
(e) One of the lobes of the placenta in ruminating
animals.
Acetal \Ac"e*tal\, n. [Acetic + alcohol.] (Chem.)
A limpid, colorless, inflammable liquid from the slow
oxidation of alcohol under the influence of platinum black.
Acetaldehyde \Ac`et*al"de*hyde\, n.
Acetic aldehyde. See {Aldehyde}.
Acetamide \Ac`et*am"ide\, n. [Acetyl + amide.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline solid, from ammonia by replacement of an
equivalent of hydrogen by acetyl.
Acetanilide \Ac`et*an"i*lide\, n. [Acetyl + anilide.] (Med.)
A compound of aniline with acetyl, used to allay fever or
pain; -- called also {antifebrine}.
Acetarious \Ac`e*ta"ri*ous\, a. [L. acetaria, n. pl., salad, fr.
acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
Used in salads; as, acetarious plants.
Acetary \Ac"e*ta*ry\, n. [L. acetaria salad plants.]
An acid pulp in certain fruits, as the pear. --Grew.
Acetate \Ac"e*tate\, n. [L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be
sour.] (Chem.)
A salt formed by the union of acetic acid with a base or
positive radical; as, acetate of lead, acetate of potash.
Acetated \Ac"e*ta`ted\, a.
Combined with acetic acid.
Acetic \A*ce"tic\ (#; 277), a. [L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to
be sour.] (Chem.)
(a) Of a pertaining to vinegar; producing vinegar; producing
vinegar; as, acetic fermentation.
(b) Pertaining to, containing, or derived from, acetyl, as
acetic ether, acetic acid. The latter is the acid to
which the sour taste of vinegar is due.
Acetification \A*cet`i*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The act of making acetous or sour; the process of converting,
or of becoming converted, into vinegar.
Acetifier \A*cet"i*fi`er\, n.
An apparatus for hastening acetification. --Knight.
Acetify \A*cet"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acetified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Acetifying}.] [L. acetum vinegar + -fly.]
To convert into acid or vinegar.
Acetify \A*cet"i*fy\, v. i.
To turn acid. --Encyc. Dom. Econ.
Acetimeter \Ac`e*tim"e*ter\, n. [L. acetum vinegar + -meter: cf.
F. ac['e]tim[`e]tre.]
An instrument for estimating the amount of acetic acid in
vinegar or in any liquid containing acetic acid.
Acetimetry \Ac`e*tim"e*try\, n.
The act or method of ascertaining the strength of vinegar, or
the proportion of acetic acid contained in it. --Ure.
Acetin \Ac"e*tin\, n. (Chem.)
A combination of acetic acid with glycerin. --Brande & C.
Acetize \Ac"e*tize\, v. i.
To acetify. [R.]
Acetometer \Ac`e*tom"e*ter\, n.
Same as {Acetimeter}. --Brande & C.
Acetone \Ac"e*tone\, n. [See {Acetic}.] (Chem.)
A volatile liquid consisting of three parts of carbon, six of
hydrogen, and one of oxygen; pyroacetic spirit, -- obtained
by the distillation of certain acetates, or by the
destructive distillation of citric acid, starch, sugar, or
gum, with quicklime.
Note: The term in also applied to a number of bodies of
similar constitution, more frequently called ketones.
See {Ketone}.
Acetonic \Ac`e*ton"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to acetone; as, acetonic bodies.
Acetose \Ac"e*tose\, a.
Sour like vinegar; acetous.
Acetosity \Ac`e*tos"i*ty\, n. [LL. acetositas. See {Acetous}.]
The quality of being acetous; sourness.
Acetous \A*ce"tous\ (#; 277), a. [L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere
to be sour.]
1. Having a sour taste; sour; acid. ``An acetous spirit.''
--Boyle. ``A liquid of an acetous kind.'' --Bp. Lowth.
2. Causing, or connected with, acetification; as, acetous
fermentation.
{Acetous acid}, a name formerly given to vinegar
.
Acetyl \Ac"e*tyl\, n. [L. acetum vinegar + Gr. ? substance. See
{-yl}.] (Chem.)
A complex, hypothetical radical, composed of two parts of
carbon to three of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Its hydroxide
is acetic acid.
Acetylene \A*cet"y*lene\, n. (Chem.)
A gaseous compound of carbon and hydrogen, in the proportion
of two atoms of the former to two of the latter. It is a
colorless gas, with a peculiar, unpleasant odor, and is
produced for use as an illuminating gas in a number of ways,
but chiefly by the action of water on calcium carbide. Its
light is very brilliant. --Watts.
Ach \Ach\, Ache \Ache\, n. [F. ache, L. apium parsley.]
A name given to several species of plants; as, smallage, wild
celery, parsley. [Obs.] --Holland.
Achaean \A*ch[ae]"an\, Achaian \A*cha"ian\a. [L. Achaeus,
Achaius; Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to Achaia in Greece; also, Grecian. -- n. A
native of Achaia; a Greek.
Acharnement \A*char"ne*ment\, n. [F.]
Savage fierceness; ferocity.
Achate \Ach"ate\, n.
An agate. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Achate \A*chate"\, n. [F. achat purchase. See {Cates}.]
1. Purchase; bargaining. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. pl. Provisions. Same as {Cates}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Achatina \Ach`a*ti"na\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? agate.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of land snails, often large, common in the warm parts
of America and Africa.
Achatour \A*cha*tour"\, n. [See {Cater}.]
Purveyor; acater. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ache \Ache\, n. [OE. ache, AS. [ae]ce, ece, fr. acan to ache.
See {Ache}, v. i.]
Continued pain, as distinguished from sudden twinges, or
spasmodic pain. ``Such an ache in my bones.'' --Shak.
Note: Often used in composition, as, a headache, an earache,
a toothache.
Ache \Ache\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Aching}.] [OE. aken, AS. acan, both strong verbs, AS. acan,
imp. [=o]c, p. p. acen, to ache; perh. orig. to drive, and
akin to agent.]
To suffer pain; to have, or be in, pain, or in continued
pain; to be distressed. ``My old bones ache.'' --Shak.
The sins that in your conscience ache. --Keble.
Achean \A*che"an\, a & n.
See {Ach[ae]an}, {Achaian}.
Achene \A*chene"\, Achenium \A*che"ni*um\n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? to
gape.] (Bot.)
A small, dry, indehiscent fruit, containing a single seed, as
in the buttercup; -- called a naked seed by the earlier
botanists. [Written also {akene} and {ach[ae]nium}.]
Achenial \A*che"ni*al\, a.
Pertaining to an achene.
Acheron \Ach"e*ron\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Myth.)
A river in the Nether World or infernal regions; also, the
infernal regions themselves. By some of the English poets it
was supposed to be a flaming lake or gulf. --Shak.
Acherontic \Ach`e*ron"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Acheron; infernal; hence, dismal, gloomy;
moribund.
Achievable \A*chiev"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being achieved. --Barrow.
Achievance \A*chiev"ance\, n. [Cf. OF. achevance.]
Achievement. [Obs.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Achieve \A*chieve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Achieved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Achieving}.] [OE. acheven, OF. achever, achiever, F.
achever, to finish; [`a] (L. ad) + OF. chief, F. chef, end,
head, fr. L. caput head. See {Chief}.]
1. To carry on to a final close; to bring out into a
perfected state; to accomplish; to perform; -- as, to
achieve a feat, an exploit, an enterprise.
Supposing faculties and powers to be the same, far
more may be achieved in any line by the aid of a
capital, invigorating motive than without it. --I.
Taylor.
2. To obtain, or gain, as the result of exertion; to succeed
in gaining; to win.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness. --Shak.
Thou hast achieved our liberty. --Milton.
Note: [[Obs]., with a material thing as the aim.]
Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved.
--Prior.
He hath achieved a maid That paragons
description. --Shak.
3. To finish; to kill. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: To accomplish; effect; fulfill; complete; execute;
perform; realize; obtain. See {Accomplish}.
Achievement \A*chieve"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. ach[`e]vement,
E. {Hatchment}.]
1. The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by
exertion; successful performance; accomplishment; as, the
achievement of his object.
2. A great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor,
boldness, or praiseworthy exertion; a feat.
[The exploits] of the ancient saints . . . do far
surpass the most famous achievements of pagan
heroes. --Barrow.
The highest achievements of the human intellect.
--Macaulay.
3. (Her.) An escutcheon or ensign armorial; now generally
applied to the funeral shield commonly called {hatchment}.
--Cussans.
Achiever \A*chiev"er\, n.
One who achieves; a winner.
Achillean \Ach`il*le"an\, a.
Resembling Achilles, the hero of the Iliad; invincible.
Achilles' tendon \A*chil"les' ten"don\, n. [L. Achillis tendo.]
(Anat.)
The strong tendon formed of the united tendons of the large
muscles in the calf of the leg, an inserted into the bone of
the heel; -- so called from the mythological account of
Achilles being held by the heel when dipped in the River
Styx.
Achilous \A*chi"lous\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? lip.] (Bot.)
Without a lip.
Aching \Ach"ing\, a.
That aches; continuously painful. See {Ache}. --
{Ach"ing*ly}, adv.
The aching heart, the aching head. --Longfellow.
Achiote \A`chi*o"te\, n. [Sp. achiote, fr. Indian achiotl.]
Seeds of the annotto tree; also, the coloring matter,
annotto.
Achlamydate \A*chlam"y*date\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ?. ?. a short
cloak.] (Zo["o]l.)
Not possessing a mantle; -- said of certain gastropods.
Achlamydeous \Ach`la*myd"e*ous\, a. (Bot.)
Naked; having no floral envelope, neither calyx nor corolla.
Acholia \A*cho"li*a\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? bile.]
(Med.)
Deficiency or want of bile.
Acholous \Ach"o*lous\, a. (Med.)
Lacking bile.
Achromatic \Ach`ro*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? colorless; 'a priv. + ?,
?, color: cf. F. achromatique.]
1. (Opt.) Free from color; transmitting light without
decomposing it into its primary colors.
2. (Biol.) Uncolored; not absorbing color from a fluid; --
said of tissue.
{Achromatic lens} (Opt.), a lens composed usually of two
separate lenses, a convex and concave, of substances
having different refractive and dispersive powers, as
crown and flint glass, with the curvatures so adjusted
that the chromatic aberration produced by the one is
corrected by other, and light emerges from the compound
lens undecomposed.
{Achromatic prism}. See {Prism}.
{Achromatic telescope}, or {microscope}, one in which the
chromatic aberration is corrected, usually by means of a
compound or achromatic object glass, and which gives
images free from extraneous color.
Achromatically \Ach`ro*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an achromatic manner.
Achromaticity \Ach`ro*ma*tic"i*ty\, n.
Achromatism.
Achromatin \A*chro"ma*tin\, n. (Biol.)
Tissue which is not stained by fluid dyes. --W. Flemming.
Achromatism \A*chro"ma*tism\, n. [Cf. F. achromatisme.]
The state or quality of being achromatic; as, the achromatism
of a lens; achromaticity. --Nichol.
Achromatization \A*chro`ma*ti*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
achromatisation.]
The act or process of achromatizing.
Achromatize \A*chro"ma*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Achromatized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Achromatizing}.] [Gr. 'a
priv. + ? color.]
To deprive of color; to make achromatic.
Achromatopsy \A*chro"ma*top"sy\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? color + ?
sight.]
Color blindness; inability to distinguish colors; Daltonism.
Achronic \A*chron"ic\, a.
See {Acronyc}.
Achroodextrin \Ach`ro*["o]*dex"trin\, n. [Gr. ? colorless + E.
dextrin.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Dextrin not colorable by iodine. See {Dextrin}.
Achroous \Ach"ro*ous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? color.]
Colorless; achromatic.
Achylous \A*chy"lous\, a. [Gr. ? without juice.] (Physiol.)
Without chyle.
Achymous \A*chy"mous\, a. [Gr. ? without juice.] (Physiol.)
Without chyme.
Acicula \A*cic"u*la\, n.; pl. {Acicul[ae]}. [L., a small needle,
dimin. of acus needle.] (Nat. Hist.)
One of the needlelike or bristlelike spines or prickles of
some animals and plants; also, a needlelike crystal.
Acicular \A*cic"u*lar\, a.
Needle-shaped; slender like a needle or bristle, as some
leaves or crystals; also, having sharp points like needless.
{A*cic"u*lar*ly}, adv..
Aciculate \A*cic"u*late\, Aciculated \A*cic"u*la"ted\a. (Nat.
Hist.)
(a) Furnished with acicul[ae].
(b) Acicular.
(c) Marked with fine irregular streaks as if scratched by a
needle. --Lindley.
Aciculiform \A*cic"u*li*form\, a. [L. acicula needle + -form.]
Needle-shaped; acicular.
Aciculite \A*cic"u*lite\, n. (Min.)
Needle ore. --Brande & C.
Acid \Ac"id\, a. [L. acidus sour, fr. the root ak to be sharp:
cf. F. acide. Cf. {Acute}.]
1. Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the
taste of vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.:
Sour-tempered.
He was stern and his face as acid as ever. --A.
Trollope.
2. Of or pertaining to an acid; as, acid reaction.
Acid \Ac"id\, n.
1. A sour substance.
2. (Chem.) One of a class of compounds, generally but not
always distinguished by their sour taste, solubility in
water, and reddening of vegetable blue or violet colors.
They are also characterized by the power of destroying the
distinctive properties of alkalies or bases, combining
with them to form salts, at the same time losing their own
peculiar properties. They all contain hydrogen, united
with a more negative element or radical, either alone, or
more generally with oxygen, and take their names from this
negative element or radical. Those which contain no oxygen
are sometimes called {hydracids} in distinction from the
others which are called {oxygen acids} or {oxacids}.
Note: In certain cases, sulphur, selenium, or tellurium may
take the place of oxygen, and the corresponding
compounds are called respectively {sulphur acids} or
{sulphacids}, {selenium acids}, or {tellurium acids}.
When the hydrogen of an acid is replaced by a positive
element or radical, a salt is formed, and hence acids
are sometimes named as salts of hydrogen; as hydrogen
nitrate for nitric acid, hydrogen sulphate for
sulphuric acid, etc. In the old chemistry the name acid
was applied to the oxides of the negative or
nonmetallic elements, now sometimes called anhydrides.
Acidic \A*cid"ic\, a. (Min.)
Containing a high percentage of silica; -- opposed to
{basic}.
Acidiferous \Ac`id*if"er*ous\, a. [L. acidus sour + -ferous.]
Containing or yielding an acid.
Acidifiable \A*cid"i*fi`a*ble\, a.
Capable of being acidified, or converted into an acid.
Acidific \Ac`id*if"ic\, a.
Producing acidity; converting into an acid. --Dana.
Acidification \A*cid`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. acidification.]
The act or process of acidifying, or changing into an acid.
Acidifier \A*cid"i*fi`er\, n. (Chem.)
A simple or compound principle, whose presence is necessary
to produce acidity, as oxygen, chlorine, bromine, iodine,
etc.
Acidify \A*cid"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acidified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Acidifying}.] [L. acidus sour, acid + -fy: cf. F.
acidifier.]
1. To make acid; to convert into an acid; as, to acidify
sugar.
2. To sour; to imbitter.
His thin existence all acidified into rage.
--Carlyle.
Acidimeter \Ac`id*im"e*ter\, n. [L. acidus acid + -meter.]
(Chem.)
An instrument for ascertaining the strength of acids. --Ure.
Acidimetry \Ac`id*im"e*try\, n. [L. acidus acid + -metry.]
(Chem.)
The measurement of the strength of acids, especially by a
chemical process based on the law of chemical combinations,
or the fact that, to produce a complete reaction, a certain
definite weight of reagent is required. --
{Ac`id*i*met"ric*al}, a.
Acidity \A*cid"i*ty\, n. [L. acidites, fr. acidus: cf. F.
acidit['e]. See {Acid}.]
The quality of being sour; sourness; tartness; sharpness to
the taste; as, the acidity of lemon juice.
Acidly \Ac"id*ly\, adv.
Sourly; tartly.
Acidness \Ac"id*ness\, n.
Acidity; sourness.
Acidulate \A*cid"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acidulated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Acidulating}.] [Cf. F. aciduler. See
{Acidulous}.]
To make sour or acid in a moderate degree; to sour somewhat.
--Arbuthnot.
Acidulent \A*cid"u*lent\, a.
Having an acid quality; sour; acidulous. ``With anxious,
acidulent face.'' --Carlyle.
Acidulous \A*cid"u*lous\, a. [L. acidulus, dim. of acidus. See
Acid.]
Slightly sour; sub-acid; sourish; as, an acidulous tincture.
--E. Burke.
{Acidulous mineral waters}, such as contain carbonic
anhydride.
Acierage \Ac`i*er*age\, n. [F. aci['e]rage, fr. acier steel.]
The process of coating the surface of a metal plate (as a
stereotype plate) with steellike iron by means of voltaic
electricity; steeling.
Aciform \Ac"i*form\, a. [L. acus needle + -form.]
Shaped like a needle.
Acinaceous \Ac"i*na"ceous\, a. [L. acinus a grape, grapestone.]
(Bot.)
Containing seeds or stones of grapes, or grains like them.
Acinaces \A*cin"a*ces\, n. [L., from Gr. ?.] (Anc. Hist.)
A short sword or saber.
Acinaciform \Ac`i*nac"i*form\ ([a^]s`[i^]*n[a^]s"[i^]*f[^o]rm),
a. [L. acinaces a short sword + -form: cf. F. acinaciforme.]
(Bot.)
Scimeter-shaped; as, an acinaciform leaf.
Acinesia \Ac`i*ne"si*a\ ([a^]s`[i^]*n[=e]"s[i^]*[.a]), n. (Med.)
Same as {Akinesia}.
Acinetae \Ac`i*ne"t[ae]\ ([a^]s`[i^]*n[=e]"t[=e]), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. 'akinhtos immovable.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of suctorial Infusoria, which in the adult stage are
stationary. See {Suctoria}.
Acinetiform \Ac`i*net"i*form\, a. [Acinet[ae] + -form.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Resembling the Acinet[ae].
Aciniform \A*cin"i*form\, a. [L. acinus a grape, grapestone +
-form: cf. F. acinoforme.]
1. Having the form of a cluster of grapes; clustered like
grapes.
2. Full of small kernels like a grape.
Acinose \Ac"i*nose`\, Acinous \Ac"i*nous\a. [L. acinosus, fr.
acinus grapestone.]
Consisting of acini, or minute granular concretions; as,
acinose or acinous glands. --Kirwan.
Acinus \Ac"i*nus\, n.; pl. {Acini}. [L., grape, grapestone.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) One of the small grains or drupelets which make up
some kinds of fruit, as the blackberry, raspberry,
etc.
(b) A grapestone.
2. (Anat.) One of the granular masses which constitute a
racemose or compound gland, as the pancreas; also, one of
the saccular recesses in the lobules of a racemose gland.
--Quain.
Acipenser \Ac`i*pen"ser\, n. [L., the name of a fish.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of ganoid fishes, including the sturgeons, having the
body armed with bony scales, and the mouth on the under side
of the head. See {Sturgeon}.
Aciurgy \Ac"i*ur`gy\, n. [Gr. ? a point + ? work.]
Operative surgery.
Acknow \Ac*know"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + know; AS. oncn[=a]wan.]
1. To recognize. [Obs.] ``You will not be acknown, sir.''
--B. Jonson.
2. To acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To be acknown} (often with of or on), to acknowledge; to
confess. [Obs.]
We say of a stubborn body that standeth still in the
denying of his fault, This man will not acknowledge
his fault, or, He will not be acknown of his fault.
--Sir T. More.
Acknowledge \Ac*knowl"edge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acknowledged};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Acknowledging}.] [Prob. fr. pref. a- + the
verb knowledge. See {Knowledge}, and cf. {Acknow}.]
1. To of or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or
truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the
being of a God.
I acknowledge my transgressions. --Ps. li. 3.
For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
--Macaulay.
2. To own or recognize in a particular character or
relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give
recognition to.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him. --Prov. iii.
6.
By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee. --Shak.
3. To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation;
as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter.
They his gifts acknowledged none. --Milton.
4. To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to
give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to
acknowledgea deed.
Syn: To avow; proclaim; recognize; own; admit; allow;
concede; confess.
Usage: {Acknowledge}, {Recognize}. Acknowledge is opposed to
keep back, or conceal, and supposes that something had
been previously known to us (though perhaps not to
others) which we now feel bound to lay open or make
public. Thus, a man acknowledges a secret marriage;
one who has done wrong acknowledges his fault; and
author acknowledges his obligation to those who have
aided him; we acknowledge our ignorance. Recognize
supposes that we have either forgotten or not had the
evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but
that now we know it (as it were) anew, or receive and
admit in on the ground of the evidence it brings.
Thus, we recognize a friend after a long absence. We
recognize facts, principles, truths, etc., when their
evidence is brought up fresh to the mind; as, bad men
usually recognize the providence of God in seasons of
danger. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any
kind, is recognized on the ground of his producing
satisfactory credentials. See also {Confess}.
Acknowledgedly \Ac*knowl"edged*ly\, adv.
Confessedly.
Acknowledger \Ac*knowl"edg*er\, n.
One who acknowledges.
Acknowledgment \Ac*knowl"edg*ment\ (-ment), n.
1. The act of acknowledging; admission; avowal; owning;
confession. ``An acknowledgment of fault.'' --Froude.
2. The act of owning or recognized in a particular character
or relationship; recognition as regards the existence,
authority, truth, or genuineness.
Immediately upon the acknowledgment of the Christian
faith, the eunuch was baptized by Philip. --Hooker.
3. The owning of a benefit received; courteous recognition;
expression of thanks. --Shak.
4. Something given or done in return for a favor, message,
etc. --Smollett.
5. A declaration or avowal of one's own act, to give it legal
validity; as, the acknowledgment of a deed before a proper
officer. Also, the certificate of the officer attesting
such declaration.
{Acknowledgment money}, in some parts of England, a sum paid
by copyhold tenants, on the death of their landlords, as
an acknowledgment of their new lords. --Cowell.
Syn: Confession; concession; recognition; admission; avowal;
recognizance.
Aclinic \A*clin"ic\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? to incline.]
(Physics.)
Without inclination or dipping; -- said the magnetic needle
balances itself horizontally, having no dip. The aclinic line
is also termed the magnetic equator. --Prof. August.
Acme \Ac"me\, n. [Gr. ? point, top.]
1. The top or highest point; the culmination.
The very acme and pitch of life for epic poetry.
--Pope.
The moment when a certain power reaches the acme of
its supremacy. --I. Taylor.
2. (Med.) The crisis or height of a disease.
3. Mature age; full bloom of life. --B. Jonson.
Acne \Ac"ne\, n. [NL., prob. a corruption of Gr. ?] (Med.)
A pustular affection of the skin, due to changes in the
sebaceous glands.
Acnodal \Ac*no"dal\, a.
Pertaining to acnodes.
Acnode \Ac"node\, n. [L. acus needle + E. node.] (Geom.)
An isolated point not upon a curve, but whose co["o]rdinates
satisfy the equation of the curve so that it is considered as
belonging to the curve.
Acock \A*cock"\, adv. [Pref. a- + cock.]
In a cocked or turned up fashion.
Acockbill \A*cock"bill`\, adv. [Prefix a- + cock + bill: with
bills cocked up.] (Naut.)
(a) Hanging at the cathead, ready to let go, as an anchor.
(b) Topped up; having one yardarm higher than the other.
Acold \A*cold"\, a. [Prob. p. p. of OE. acolen to grow cold or
cool, AS. [=a]c[=o]lian to grow cold; pref. a- (cf. Goth.
er-, orig. meaning out) + c[=o]lian to cool. See {Cool}.]
Cold. [Obs.] ``Poor Tom's acold.'' --Shak.
Acologic \Ac`o*log"ic\, a.
Pertaining to acology.
Acology \A*col"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? remedy + -logy.]
Materia medica; the science of remedies.
Acolothist \A*col"o*thist\, n.
See {Acolythist}.
Acolyctine \Ac`o*lyc"tine\, n. [From the name of the plant.]
(Chem.)
An organic base, in the form of a white powder, obtained from
{Aconitum lycoctonum}. --Eng. Cyc.
Acolyte \Ac`o*lyte\, n. [LL. acolythus, acoluthus, Gr. ?
following, attending: cf. F. acolyte.]
1. (Eccl.) One who has received the highest of the four minor
orders in the Catholic church, being ordained to carry the
wine and water and the lights at the Mass.
2. One who attends; an assistant. ``With such chiefs, and
with James and John as acolytes.'' --Motley.
Acolyth \Ac"o*lyth\, n.
Same as {Acolyte}.
Acolythist \A*col"y*thist\, n.
An acolyte. [Obs.]
Aconddylose \A*cond"dy*lose`\, Acondylous \A*con"dy*lous\, a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + ? joint.] (Nat. Hist.)
Being without joints; jointless.
Aconital \Ac`o*ni"tal\, a.
Of the nature of aconite.
Aconite \Ac"o*nite\, n. [L. aconitum, Gr. ?: cf. F. aconit.]
1. (Bot.) The herb wolfsbane, or monkshood; -- applied to any
plant of the genus {Aconitum} (tribe {Hellebore}), all the
species of which are poisonous.
2. An extract or tincture obtained from {Aconitum napellus},
used as a poison and medicinally.
{Winter aconite}, a plant ({Eranthis hyemalis}) allied to the
aconites.
Aconitia \Ac`o*ni"ti*a\, n. (Chem.)
Same as {Aconitine}.
Aconitic \Ac`o*nit"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to aconite.
Aconitine \A*con"i*tine\, n. (Chem.)
An intensely poisonous alkaloid, extracted from aconite.
Aconitum \Ac`o*ni"tum\, n. [L. See {Aconite}.]
The poisonous herb aconite; also, an extract from it.
Strong As aconitum or rash gunpowder. --Shak.
Acontia \A*con"ti*a\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? a little dart.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Threadlike defensive organs, composed largely of nettling
cells (cnid[ae]), thrown out of the mouth or special pores of
certain Actini[ae] when irritated.
Acontias \A*con"ti*as\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?, fr. ?, dim. ?
dart.] (Zo["o]l.)
Anciently, a snake, called {dart snake}; now, one of a genus
of reptiles closely allied to the lizards.
Acopic \A*cop"ic\, a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? striking. weariness, ? to
strike.] (Med.)
Relieving weariness; restorative.
Acorn \A"corn\, n. [AS. [ae]cern, fr. [ae]cer field, acre; akin
to D. aker acorn, Ger. ecker, Icel. akarn, Dan. agern, Goth.
akran fruit, akrs field; -- orig. fruit of the field. See
{Acre}.]
1. The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody
cup or cupule.
2. (Naut.) A cone-shaped piece of wood on the point of the
spindle above the vane, on the mast-head.
3. (Zo["o]l.) See {Acorn-shell}.
Acorn cup \A"corn cup\
The involucre or cup in which the acorn is fixed.
Acorned \A"corned\, a.
1. Furnished or loaded with acorns.
2. Fed or filled with acorns. [R.] --Shak.
Acorn-shell \A"corn-shell`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the sessile cirripeds; a barnacle of the genus
{Balanus}. See {Barnacle}.
Acosmism \A*cos"mism\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? world.]
A denial of the existence of the universe as distinct from
God.
Acosmist \A*cos"mist\, n. [See {Acosmism}.]
One who denies the existence of the universe, or of a
universe as distinct from God. --G. H. Lewes.
Acotyledon \A*cot`y*le"don\ (#; 277), n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ?
anything cup-shaped. See {Cotyledon}.] (Bot.)
A plant which has no cotyledons, as the dodder and all
flowerless plants.
Acotyledonous \A*cot`y*led"on*ous\ (#; 277), a.
Having no seed lobes, as the dodder; also applied to plants
which have no true seeds, as ferns, mosses, etc.
Acouchy \A*cou"chy\, n. [F. acouchi, from the native name
Guiana.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small species of agouti ({Dasyprocta acouchy}).
Acoumeter \A*cou"me*ter\, n. [Gr. ? to hear + -meter.]
(Physics.)
An instrument for measuring the acuteness of the sense of
hearing. --Itard.
Acoumetry \A*cou"me*try\, n. [Gr. ? to hear + -metry.]
The measuring of the power or extent of hearing.
Acoustic \A*cous"tic\ (#; 277), a. [F. acoustique, Gr. ?
relating to hearing, fr. ? to hear.]
Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or
the science of sounds; auditory.
{Acoustic duct}, the auditory duct, or external passage of
the ear.
{Acoustic telegraph}, a telegraph making audible signals; a
telephone.
{Acoustic vessels}, brazen tubes or vessels, shaped like a
bell, used in ancient theaters to propel the voices of the
actors, so as to render them audible to a great distance.
Acoustic \A*cous"tic\, n.
A medicine or agent to assist hearing.
Acoustical \A*cous"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to acoustics.
Acoustically \A*cous"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In relation to sound or to hearing. --Tyndall.
Acoustician \Ac`ous*ti"cian\, n.
One versed in acoustics. --Tyndall.
Acoustics \A*cous"tics\ (#; 277), n. [Names of sciences in -ics,
as, acoustics, mathematics, etc., are usually treated as
singular. See {-ics}.] (Physics.)
The science of sounds, teaching their nature, phenomena, and
laws.
Acoustics, then, or the science of sound, is a very
considerable branch of physics. --Sir J.
Herschel.
Note: The science is, by some writers, divided, into
diacoustics, which explains the properties of sounds
coming directly from the ear; and catacoustica, which
treats of reflected sounds or echoes.
Acquaint \Ac*quaint"\, a. [OF. acoint. See {Acquaint}, v. t.]
Acquainted. [Obs.]
Acquaint \Ac*quaint"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acquainted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Acquainting}.] [OE. aqueinten, acointen, OF.
acointier, LL. adcognitare, fr. L. ad + cognitus, p. p. of
cognoscere to know; con- + noscere to know. See {Quaint},
{Know}.]
1. To furnish or give experimental knowledge of; to make
(one) to know; to make familiar; -- followed by with.
Before a man can speak on any subject, it is
necessary to be acquainted with it. --Locke.
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. --Isa.
liii. 3.
2. To communicate notice to; to inform; to make cognizant; --
followed by with (formerly, also, by of), or by that,
introducing the intelligence; as, to acquaint a friend
with the particulars of an act.
Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love. --Shak.
I must acquaint you that I have received New dated
letters from Northumberland. --Shak.
3. To familiarize; to accustom. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
{To be acquainted with}, to be possessed of personal
knowledge of; to be cognizant of; to be more or less
familiar with; to be on terms of social intercourse with.
Syn: To inform; apprise; communicate; advise.
Acquaintable \Ac*quaint"a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. acointable].
Easy to be acquainted with; affable. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Acquaintance \Ac*quaint"ance\, n. [OE. aqueintance, OF.
acointance, fr. acointier. See {Acquaint}.]
1. A state of being acquainted, or of having intimate, or
more than slight or superficial, knowledge; personal
knowledge gained by intercourse short of that of
friendship or intimacy; as, I know the man; but have no
acquaintance with him.
Contract no friendship, or even acquaintance, with a
guileful man. --Sir W.
Jones.
2. A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
Montgomery was an old acquaintance of Ferguson.
--Macaulay.
Note: In this sense the collective term acquaintance was
formerly both singular and plural, but it is now
commonly singular, and has the regular plural
acquaintances.
{To be of acquaintance}, to be intimate.
{To take acquaintance of} or {with}, to make the acquaintance
of. [Obs.]
Syn: Familiarity; intimacy; fellowship; knowledge.
Usage: {Acquaintance}, {Familiarity}, {Intimacy}. These words
mark different degrees of closeness in social
intercourse. Acquaintance arises from occasional
intercourse; as, our acquaintance has been a brief
one. We can speak of a slight or an intimate
acquaintance. Familiarity is the result of continued
acquaintance. It springs from persons being frequently
together, so as to wear off all restraint and reserve;
as, the familiarity of old companions. Intimacy is the
result of close connection, and the freest interchange
of thought; as, the intimacy of established
friendship.
Our admiration of a famous man lessens upon our
nearer acquaintance with him. --Addison.
We contract at last such a familiarity with them
as makes it difficult and irksome for us to call
off our minds. --Atterbury.
It is in our power to confine our friendships
and intimacies to men of virtue. --Rogers.
Acquaintanceship \Ac*quaint"ance*ship\, n.
A state of being acquainted; acquaintance. --Southey.
Acquaintant \Ac*quaint"ant\, n. [Cf. F. acointant, p. pr.]
An acquaintance. [R.] --Swift.
Acquainted \Ac*quaint"ed\, a.
Personally known; familiar. See {To be acquainted with},
under {Acquaint}, v. t.
Acquaintedness \Ac*quaint"ed*ness\, n.
State of being acquainted; degree of acquaintance. [R.]
--Boyle.
Acquest \Ac*quest"\, n. [OF. aquest, F. acqu[^e]t, fr. LL.
acquestum, acquis[=i]tum, for L. acquis[=i]tum, p. p. (used
substantively) of acquirere to acquire. See {Acquire}.]
1. Acquisition; the thing gained. [R.] --Bacon.
2. (Law) Property acquired by purchase, gift, or otherwise
than by inheritance. --Bouvier.
Acquiesce \Ac`qui*esce"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Acquiesced}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Acquiescing}] [L. acquiescere; ad + quiescere
to be quiet, fr. quies rest: cf. F. acquiescer. See {Quiet}.]
1. To rest satisfied, or apparently satisfied, or to rest
without opposition and discontent (usually implying
previous opposition or discontent); to accept or consent
by silence or by omitting to object; -- followed by in,
formerly also by with and to.
They were compelled to acquiesce in a government
which they did not regard as just. --De Quincey.
2. To concur upon conviction; as, to acquiesce in an opinion;
to assent to; usually, to concur, not heartily but so far
as to forbear opposition.
Syn: To submit; comply; yield; assent; agree; consent;
accede; concur; conform; accept tacitly.
Acquiescence \Ac`qui*es"cence\, n. [Cf. F. acquiescence.]
1. A silent or passive assent or submission, or a submission
with apparent content; -- distinguished from avowed
consent on the one hand, and on the other, from opposition
or open discontent; quiet satisfaction.
2. (Crim. Law)
(a) Submission to an injury by the party injured.
(b) Tacit concurrence in the action of another. --Wharton.
Acquiescency \Ac`qui*es"cen*cy\, n.
The quality of being acquiescent; acquiescence.
Acquiescent \Ac`qui*es"cent\, a. [L. acquiescens, -centis; p.
pr.]
Resting satisfied or submissive; disposed tacitly to submit;
assentive; as, an acquiescent policy.
Acquiescently \Ac`qui*es"cent*ly\, adv.
In an acquiescent manner.
Acquiet \Ac*qui"et\, v. t. [LL. acquietare; L. ad + quies rest.
See {Quiet} and cf. {Acquit}.]
To quiet. [Obs.]
Acquiet his mind from stirring you against your own
peace. --Sir A.
Sherley.
Acquirability \Ac*quir"a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being acquirable; attainableness. [R.]
--Paley.
Acquirable \Ac*quir"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being acquired.
Acquire \Ac*quire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acquired}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Acquiring}.] [L. acquirere, acquisitum; ad + quarere
to seek for. In OE. was a verb aqueren, fr. the same, through
OF. aquerre. See {Quest}..]
To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own;
as, to acquire a title, riches, knowledge, skill, good or bad
habits.
No virtue is acquired in an instant, but step by step.
--Barrow.
Descent is the title whereby a man, on the death of his
ancestor, acquires his estate, by right of
representation, as his heir at law. --Blackstone.
Syn: To obtain; gain; attain; procure; win; earn; secure. See
{Obtain}.
Acquirement \Ac*quire"ment\ (-ment), n.
The act of acquiring, or that which is acquired; attainment.
``Rules for the acquirement of a taste.'' --Addison.
His acquirements by industry were . . . enriched and
enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature.
--Hayward.
Syn: {Acquisition}, {Acquirement}.
Usage: Acquirement is used in opposition to a natural gift or
talent; as, eloquence, and skill in music and
painting, are acquirements; genius is the gift or
endowment of nature. It denotes especially personal
attainments, in opposition to material or external
things gained, which are more usually called
acquisitions; but this distinction is not always
observed.
Acquirer \Ac*quir"er\, n.
A person who acquires.
Acquiry \Ac*quir"y\, n.
Acquirement. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Acquisite \Ac"qui*site\, a. [L. acquisitus, p. p. of acquirere.
See {Acquire}.]
Acquired. [Obs.] --Burton.
Acquisition \Ac`qui*si"tion\, n. [L. acquisitio, fr. acquirere:
cf. F. acquisition. See {Acquire}.]
1. The act or process of acquiring.
The acquisition or loss of a province. --Macaulay.
2. The thing acquired or gained; an acquirement; a gain; as,
learning is an acquisition.
Syn: See {Acquirement}.
Acquisitive \Ac*quis"i*tive\, a.
1. Acquired. [Obs.]
He died not in his acquisitive, but in his native
soil. --Wotton.
2. Able or disposed to make acquisitions; acquiring; as, an
acquisitive person or disposition.
Acquisitively \Ac*quis"i*tive*ly\, adv.
In the way of acquisition.
Acquisitiveness \Ac*quis"i*tive*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being acquisitive; propensity to acquire
property; desire of possession.
2. (Phren.) The faculty to which the phrenologists attribute
the desire of acquiring and possessing. --Combe.
Acquisitor \Ac*quis"i*tor\, n.
One who acquires.
Acquist \Ac*quist"\, n. [Cf. {Acquest}.]
Acquisition; gain. --Milton.
Acquit \Ac*quit"\, p. p.
Acquitted; set free; rid of. [Archaic] --Shak.
Acquit \Ac*quit"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acquitted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Acquitting}.] [OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; ?
(L. ad) + OF. quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See {Quit}, and
cf. {Acquiet}.]
1. To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay
off; to requite.
A responsibility that can never be absolutely
acquitted. --I. Taylor.
2. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. To set free, release or discharge from an obligation,
duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge;
-- now followed by of before the charge, formerly by from;
as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we acquit a man of
evil intentions.
4. Reflexively:
(a) To clear one's self. --Shak.
(b) To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part;
as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the
orator acquitted himself very poorly.
Syn: To absolve; clear; exonerate; exonerate; exculpate;
release; discharge. See {Absolve}.
Acquitment \Ac*quit"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. OF. aquitement.]
Acquittal. [Obs.] --Milton.
Acquittal \Ac*quit"tal\, n.
1. The act of acquitting; discharge from debt or obligation;
acquittance.
2. (Law) A setting free, or deliverance from the charge of an
offense, by verdict of a jury or sentence of a court.
--Bouvier.
Acquittance \Ac*quit"tance\, n. [OF. aquitance, fr. aquiter. See
{Acquit}.]
1. The clearing off of debt or obligation; a release or
discharge from debt or other liability.
2. A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in
full, which bars a further demand.
You can produce acquittances For such a sum, from
special officers. --Shak.
Acquittance \Ac*quit"tance\, v. t.
To acquit. [Obs.] --Shak.
Acquitter \Ac*quit"ter\, n.
One who acquits or releases.
Acrania \A*cra"ni*a\, n. [NL., from Gr. 'a priv. + ? skull.]
1. (Physiol.) Partial or total absence of the skull.
2. pl. (Zo["o]l.) The lowest group of Vertebrata, including
the amphioxus, in which no skull exists.
Acranial \A*cra"ni*al\, a.
Wanting a skull.
Acrase \A*crase"\, Acraze \A*craze"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + crase;
or cf. F. ['e]craser to crush. See {Crase}, {Craze}.]
1. To craze. [Obs.] --Grafton.
2. To impair; to destroy. [Obs.] --Hacket.
Acrasia \A*cra"si*a\, Acrasy \Ac"ra*sy\n. [Gr. akrasia.]
Excess; intemperance. [Obs. except in Med.] --Farindon.
Acraspeda \A*cras"pe*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ?
border.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of acalephs, including most of the larger
jellyfishes; the Discophora.
Acre \A"cre\, n. [OE. aker, AS. [ae]cer; akin to OS. accar, OHG.
achar, Ger. acker, Icel. akr, Sw. [*a]ker, Dan. ager, Goth.
akrs, L. ager, Gr. ?, Skr. ajra. [root]2, 206.]
1. Any field of arable or pasture land. [Obs.]
2. A piece of land, containing 160 square rods, or 4,840
square yards, or 43,560 square feet. This is the English
statute acre. That of the United States is the same. The
Scotch acre was about 1.26 of the English, and the Irish
1.62 of the English.
Note: The acre was limited to its present definite quantity
by statutes of Edward I., Edward III., and Henry VIII.
{Broad acres}, many acres, much landed estate. [Rhetorical]
{God's acre}, God's field; the churchyard.
I like that ancient Saxon phrase, which calls The
burial ground, God's acre. --Longfellow.
Acreable \A"cre*a*ble\, a.
Of an acre; per acre; as, the acreable produce.
Acreage \A"cre*age\, n.
Acres collectively; as, the acreage of a farm or a country.
Acred \A"cred\, a.
Possessing acres or landed property; -- used in composition;
as, large-acred men.
Acrid \Ac"rid\, a. [L. acer sharp; prob. assimilated in form to
acid. See {Eager}.]
1. Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not, to the taste; pungent;
as, acrid salts.
2. Causing heat and irritation; corrosive; as, acrid
secretions.
3. Caustic; bitter; bitterly irritating; as, acrid temper,
mind, writing.
{Acrid poison}, a poison which irritates, corrodes, or burns
the parts to which it is applied.
Acridity \A*crid"i*ty\, Acridness \Ac"rid*ness\n.
The quality of being acrid or pungent; irritant bitterness;
acrimony; as, the acridity of a plant, of a speech.
Acridly \Ac"rid*ly\, adv.
In an acid manner.
Acrimonious \Ac"ri*mo"ni*ous\, a. [Cf. LL. acrimonious, F.
acrimonieux.]
1. Acrid; corrosive; as, acrimonious gall. [Archaic]
--Harvey.
2. Caustic; bitter-tempered' sarcastic; as, acrimonious
dispute, language, temper.
Acrimoniously \Ac`ri*mo"ni*ous*ly\, adv.
In an acrimonious manner.
Acrimoniousness \Ac`ri*mo"ni*ous*ness\, n.
The quality of being acrimonious; asperity; acrimony.
Acrimony \Ac"ri*mo*ny\, n.; pl. {Acrimonies}. [L. acrimonia, fr.
acer, sharp: cf. F. acrimonie.]
1. A quality of bodies which corrodes or destroys others;
also, a harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the
juices of certain plants. [Archaic] --Bacon.
2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper;
irritating bitterness of disposition or manners.
John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and
indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant
conceit of theirs. --South.
Syn: {Acrimony}, {Asperity}, {Harshness}, {Tartness}.
Usage: These words express different degrees of angry feeling
or language. Asperity and harshness arise from angry
feelings, connected with a disregard for the feelings
of others. Harshness usually denotes needless severity
or an undue measure of severity. Acrimony is a biting
sharpness produced by an imbittered spirit. Tartness
denotes slight asperity and implies some degree of
intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness
of accusation; acrimony of invective.
In his official letters he expressed, with great
acrimony, his contempt for the king's character.
--Macaulay.
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess
obligations where no benefit has been received.
--Johnson.
A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth
of harshness and brutality. --Shaftesbury.
Acrisia \A*cris"i*a\, Acrisy \Ac"ri*sy\, n. [LL. acrisia, Gr. ?;
'a priv. + ? to separate, to decide.]
1. Inability to judge.
2. (Med.) Undecided character of a disease. [Obs.]
Acrita \Ac"ri*ta\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? indiscernible; 'a
priv. + ? to distinguish.] (Zo["o]l.)
The lowest groups of animals, in which no nervous system has
been observed.
Acritan \Ac"ri*tan\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Acrita. -- n. An individual of the
Acrita.
Acrite \Ac"rite\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Acritan. --Owen.
Acritical \A*crit"ic*al\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? critical.] (Med.)
Having no crisis; giving no indications of a crisis; as,
acritical symptoms, an acritical abscess.
Acritochromacy \Ac`ri*to*chro"ma*cy\, n. [Gr. ?
undistinguishable; 'a priv. + ? to separate, distinguish + ?
color.]
Color blindness; achromatopsy.
Acritude \Ac"ri*tude\, n. [L. acritudo, from acer sharp.]
Acridity; pungency joined with heat. [Obs.]
Acrity \Ac"ri*ty\, n. [L. acritas, fr. acer sharp: cf. F.
[^a]cret['e].]
Sharpness; keenness. [Obs.]
Acroamatic \Ac`ro*a*mat"ic\, Acroamatical \Ac`ro*a*mat"ic*al\,
a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to hear.]
Communicated orally; oral; -- applied to the esoteric
teachings of Aristotle, those intended for his genuine
disciples, in distinction from his exoteric doctrines, which
were adapted to outsiders or the public generally. Hence:
Abstruse; profound.
Acroatic \Ac`ro*at"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to hear.]
Same as {Acroamatic}.
Acrobat \Ac"ro*bat\, n. [F. acrobate, fr. Gr. ? walking on
tiptoe, climbing aloft; ? high + ? to go.]
One who practices rope dancing, high vaulting, or other
daring gymnastic feats.
Acrobatic \Ac`ro*bat"ic\, a. [Cf. F. acrobatique.]
Pertaining to an acrobat. -- {Ac`ro*bat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Acrobatism \Ac"ro*bat*ism\, n.
Feats of the acrobat; daring gymnastic feats; high vaulting.
Acrocarpous \Ac`ro*car"pous\, a. [Gr. ? extreme, highest + ?
fruit.] (Bot.)
(a) Having a terminal fructification; having the fruit at the
end of the stalk.
(b) Having the fruit stalks at the end of a leafy stem, as in
certain mosses.
Acrocephalic \Ac`ro*ce*phal"ic\, a. [Gr. ? highest + ?. See
{Cephalic}.]
Characterized by a high skull.
Acrocephaly \Ac`ro*ceph"a*ly\, n.
Loftiness of skull.
Acroceraunian \Ac`ro*ce*rau"ni*an\, a. [L. acroceraunius, fr.
Gr. ? high, n. pl. ? heights + ? thunderbolt.]
Of or pertaining to the high mountain range of
``thunder-smitten'' peaks (now Kimara), between Epirus and
Macedonia. --Shelley.
Acrodactylum \Ac`ro*dac"tyl*um\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? topmost + ?
finger.] (Zo["o]l.)
The upper surface of the toes, individually.
Acrodont \Ac"ro*dont\, n. [Gr. 'a`kros summit + 'odoy`s,
'odo`ntos, a tooth.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of lizards having the teeth immovably united
to the top of the alveolar ridge. -- a. Of or pertaining to
the acrodonts.
Acrogen \Ac"ro*gen\, n. [Gr. ? extreme, high + -gen.] Acrogen
\Ac"ro*gen\, n. [Gr. 'a`kros extreme, high + -gen.] (Bot.)
A plant of the highest class of cryptogams, including the
ferns, etc. See {Cryptogamia}.
{The Age of Acrogens} (Geol.), the age of coal plants, or the
carboniferous era.
Acrogenous \Ac*rog"e*nous\, a. (Bot.)
Increasing by growth from the extremity; as, an acrogenous
plant.
Acrolein \A*cro"le*in\, n. [L. acer sharp + ol[=e]re to smell.]
(Chem.)
A limpid, colorless, highly volatile liquid, obtained by the
dehydration of glycerin, or the destructive distillation of
neutral fats containing glycerin. Its vapors are intensely
irritating. --Watts.
Acrolith \Ac"ro*lith\, n. [L. acrolthus, Gr. 'akroli`qos with
the ends made of stone; 'a`kros extreme + li`qos stone.]
(Arch. & Sculp.)
A statue whose extremities are of stone, the trunk being
generally of wood. --Elmes.
Acrolithan \A*crol"i*than\, Acrolithic \Ac`ro*lith"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or like, an acrolith.
Acromegaly \Ac`ro*meg"a*ly\, n. [NL. acromegalia, fr. Gr.
'a`kron point, peak + ?, ?, big.] (Med.)
Chronic enlargement of the extremities and face.
Acromial \A*cro"mi*al\, a. [Cf. F. acromial.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the acromion. --Dunglison.
Acromion \A*cro"mi*on\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a`kros extreme + ? shoulder:
cf. F. acromion.] (Anat.)
The outer extremity of the shoulder blade.
Acromonogrammatic \Ac`ro*mon`o*gram*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. 'a`kros
extreme + ? alone + ? a letter.]
Having each verse begin with the same letter as that with
which the preceding verse ends.
Acronyc \A*cron"yc\, Acronychal \A*cron"ych*al\, a. [Gr.
'akro`nychos at nightfall; 'a`kros + ny`x night.] (Astron.)
Rising at sunset and setting at sunrise, as a star; --
opposed to {cosmical}.
Note: The word is sometimes incorrectly written acronical,
achronychal, acronichal, and acronical.
Acronycally \A*cron"yc*al*ly\, adv.
In an acronycal manner as rising at the setting of the sun,
and vice versa.
Acronyctous \Ac"ro*nyc"tous\, a. [Gr. 'akro`nyktos; 'a`kros +
ny`x, nykto`s, night.] (Astron.)
Acronycal.
Acrook \A*crook"\, adv.
Crookedly. [R.] --Udall.
Acropetal \A*crop"e*tal\, a. [Gr. 'a`kros summit + L. petere to
seek.] (Bot.)
Developing from below towards the apex, or from the
circumference towards the center; centripetal; -- said of
certain inflorescence.
Acrophony \A*croph"o*ny\, n. [Gr. 'a`kros extreme + ? sound.]
The use of a picture symbol of an object to represent
phonetically the initial sound of the name of the object.
Acropodium \Ac`ro*po"di*um\, n. [Gr. 'a`kros topmost + poy`s,
podo`s, foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
The entire upper surface of the foot.
Acropolis \A*crop"o*lis\, n. [Gr. 'akro`polis; 'a`kros extreme +
po`lis city.]
The upper part, or the citadel, of a Grecian city;
especially, the citadel of Athens.
Acropolitan \Ac"ro*pol"i*tan\, a.
Pertaining to an acropolis.
Acrospire \Ac"ro*spire\, n. [Gr. ? + ? anything twisted.] (Bot.)
The sprout at the end of a seed when it begins to germinate;
the plumule in germination; -- so called from its spiral
form.
Acrospire \Ac"ro*spire\, v. i.
To put forth the first sprout.
Acrospore \Ac"ro*spore\, n. [Gr. ? + ? fruit.] (Bot.)
A spore borne at the extremity of the cells of fructification
in fungi.
Acrosporous \Ac"ro*spor"ous\, a.
Having acrospores.
Across \A*cross"\ (#; 115), prep. [Pref. a- + cross: cf. F. en
croix. See Cross, n.]
From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction
opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a
river. --Dryden.
{To come across}, to come upon or meet incidentally.
--Freeman.
{To go across the country}, to go by a direct course across a
region without following the roads.
Across \A*cross"\, adv.
1. From side to side; crosswise; as, with arms folded across.
--Shak.
2. Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry. [Obs.]
The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the
actions of Christ. --Bp. Hall.
Acrostic \A*cros"tic\, n. [Gr. ?; ? extreme + ? order, line,
verse.]
1. A composition, usually in verse, in which the first or the
last letters of the lines, or certain other letters, taken
in order, form a name, word, phrase, or motto.
2. A Hebrew poem in which the lines or stanzas begin with the
letters of the alphabet in regular order (as Psalm cxix.).
See {Abecedarian}.
{Double acrostic}, a species of enigma
, in which words are to be guessed whose initial and final
letters form other words.
Acrostic \A*cros"tic\, Acrostical \A*cros"tic*al\, n.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, acrostics.
Acrostically \A*cros"tic*al*ly\, adv.
After the manner of an acrostic.
Acrotarsium \Ac`ro*tar"si*um\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? topmost + ?
tarsus.] (Zo["o]l.)
The instep or front of the tarsus.
Acroteleutic \Ac`ro*te*leu"tic\
([a^]k`r[-o]*t[-e]*l[=u]"t[i^]k), n. [Gr. 'a`kros extreme +
teley`th end.] (Eccles.)
The end of a verse or psalm, or something added thereto, to
be sung by the people, by way of a response.
Acroter \Ac"ro*ter\ ([a^]k`r[-o]*t[~e]r or [.a]*kr[=o]*t[~e]r),
n. [F. acrot[`e]re. See {Acroterium}.] (Arch.)
Same as {Acroterium}.
Acroterial \Ac`ro*te"ri*al\ ([a^]k`r[-o]*t[=e]"r[i^]*al), a.
Pertaining to an acroterium; as, acroterial ornaments. --P.
Cyc.
Acroterium \Ac`ro*te`ri*um\ (-[u^]m), n.; pl. {Acroteria}. [L.,
fr. Gr. 'akrwth`rion summit, fr. 'a`kros topmost.] (Arch.)
(a) One of the small pedestals, for statues or other
ornaments, placed on the apex and at the basal angles of
a pediment. Acroteria are also sometimes placed upon the
gables in Gothic architecture. --J. H. Parker.
(b) One of the pedestals, for vases or statues, forming a
part roof balustrade.
Acrotic \A*crot"ic\, a. [Gr. ? an extreme, fr. ?.] (Med.)
Pertaining to or affecting the surface.
Acrotism \Ac"ro*tism\ ([a^]k"r[-o]*t[i^]z'm), n. [Gr. 'a priv. +
kro`tos a rattling, beating.] (Med.)
Lack or defect of pulsation.
Acrotomous \A*crot"o*mous\, a. [Gr. 'akro`tomos cut off sharp;
'a`kros extreme + te`mnein to cut.] (Min.)
Having a cleavage parallel with the base.
Acrylic \A*cryl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or containing acryl, the hypothetical radical of which
acrolein is the hydride; as, acrylic acid.
Act \Act\ ([a^]kt), n. [L. actus, fr. agere to drive, do: cf. F.
acte. See {Agent}.]
1. That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the
effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a
performance; a deed.
That best portion of a good man's life, His little,
nameless, unremembered acts Of kindness and of love.
--Wordsworth.
Hence, in specific uses:
(a) The result of public deliberation; the decision or
determination of a legislative body, council, court of
justice, etc.; a decree, edit, law, judgment, resolve,
award; as, an act of Parliament, or of Congress.
(b) A formal solemn writing, expressing that something has
been done. --Abbott.
(c) A performance of part of a play; one of the principal
divisions of a play or dramatic work in which a
certain definite part of the action is completed.
(d) A thesis maintained in public, in some English
universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show
the proficiency of a student.
2. A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a
possibility or possible existence. [Obs.]
The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in
possibility, what they afterward grow to be.
--Hooker.
3. Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on
the point of (doing). ``In act to shoot.'' --Dryden.
This woman was taken . . . in the very act. --John
viii. 4.
{Act of attainder}. (Law) See {Attainder}.
{Act of bankruptcy} (Law), an act of a debtor which renders
him liable to be adjudged a bankrupt.
{Act of faith}. (Ch. Hist.) See {Auto-da-F['e]}.
{Act of God} (Law), an inevitable accident; such
extraordinary interruption of the usual course of events
as is not to be looked for in advance, and against which
ordinary prudence could not guard.
{Act of grace}, an expression often used to designate an act
declaring pardon or amnesty to numerous offenders, as at
the beginning of a new reign.
{Act of indemnity}, a statute passed for the protection of
those who have committed some illegal act subjecting them
to penalties. --Abbott.
{Act in pais}, a thing done out of court (anciently, in the
country), and not a matter of record.
Syn: See {Action}.
Act \Act\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Acting}.] [L. actus, p. p. of agere to drive, lead, do; but
influenced by E. act, n.]
1. To move to action; to actuate; to animate. [Obs.]
Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul.
--Pope.
2. To perform; to execute; to do. [Archaic]
That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no
greater than our necessity. --Jer. Taylor.
Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and
facility of acting things expedient for us to do.
--Barrow.
Uplifted hands that at convenient times Could act
extortion and the worst of crimes. --Cowper.
3. To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the
stage.
4. To assume the office or character of; to play; to
personate; as, to act the hero.
5. To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.
With acted fear the villain thus pursued. --Dryden.
{To act a part}, to sustain the part of one of the characters
in a play; hence, to simulate; to dissemble.
{To act the part of}, to take the character of; to fulfill
the duties of.
Act \Act\, v. i.
1. To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts
upon food.
2. To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth
energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry
into effect a determination of the will.
He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest. --Pope.
3. To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or
public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know
not why he has acted so.
4. To perform on the stage; to represent a character.
To show the world how Garrick did not act. --Cowper.
{To act as} or {for}, to do the work of; to serve as.
{To act on}, to regulate one's conduct according to.
{To act up to}, to equal in action; to fulfill in practice;
as, he has acted up to his engagement or his advantages.
Actable \Act"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being acted. --Tennyson.
Actinal \Ac"ti*nal\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the part of a radiate animal which contains the
mouth. --L. Agassiz.
Actinaria \Ac`ti*na"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?, ?, ray.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large division of Anthozoa, including those which have
simple tentacles and do not form stony corals. Sometimes, in
a wider sense, applied to all the Anthozoa, expert the
Alcyonaria, whether forming corals or not.
Acting \Act"ing\, a.
1. Operating in any way.
2. Doing duty for another; officiating; as, an acting
superintendent.
Actinia \Ac*tin"i*a\, n.; pl. L. {Actini[ae]}, E. {Actinias}.
[Latinized fr. Gr. ?, ?, ray.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) An animal of the class Anthozoa, and family
{Actinid[ae]}. From a resemblance to flowers in form
and color, they are often called {animal flowers} and
{sea anemones}. [See {Polyp}.].
(b) A genus in the family {Actinid[ae]}.
Actinic \Ac*tin"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to actinism; as, actinic rays.
Actiniform \Ac*tin"i*form\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + -form.]
Having a radiated form, like a sea anemone.
Actinism \Ac"tin*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, ? ray.]
The property of radiant energy (found chiefly in solar or
electric light) by which chemical changes are produced, as in
photography.
Actinium \Ac*tin"i*um\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray.] (Chem.)
A supposed metal, said by Phipson to be contained in
commercial zinc; -- so called because certain of its
compounds are darkened by exposure to light.
Actino-chemistry \Ac`ti*no-chem"is*try\, n.
Chemistry in its relations to actinism. --Draper.
Actinograph \Ac*tin"o*graph\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + -graph.]
An instrument for measuring and recording the variations in
the actinic or chemical force of rays of light. --Nichol.
Actinoid \Ac"tin*oid\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + -oid.]
Having the form of rays; radiated, as an actinia.
Actinolite \Ac*tin"o*lite\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + -lite.] (Min.)
A bright green variety of amphibole occurring usually in
fibrous or columnar masses.
Actinolitic \Ac`tin*o*lit"ic\, a. (Min.)
Of the nature of, or containing, actinolite.
Actinology \Ac`ti*nol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + -logy.]
The science which treats of rays of light, especially of the
actinic or chemical rays.
Actinomere \Ac*tin"o*mere\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? part.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the radial segments composing the body of one of the
C[oe]lenterata.
Actinometer \Ac`ti*nom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + -meter]
(a) An instrument for measuring the direct heating power of
the sun's rays.
(b) An instrument for measuring the actinic effect of rays of
light.
Actinometric \Ac`ti*no*met"ric\, a.
Pertaining to the measurement of the intensity of the solar
rays, either (a) heating, or (b) actinic.
Actinometry \Ac`ti*nom"e*try\, n.
1. The measurement of the force of solar radiation. --Maury.
2. The measurement of the chemical or actinic energy of
light. --Abney.
Actinophorous \Ac`ti*noph"o*rous\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? to
bear.]
Having straight projecting spines.
Actinosome \Ac*tin"o*some\, n. [Gr. ? ray + ? body.] (Zo["o]l.)
The entire body of a c[oe]lenterate.
Actinost \Ac"tin*ost\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + ? bone.] (Anat.)
One of the bones at the base of a paired fin of a fish.
Actinostome \Ac*tin"o*stome\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a ray + ? mouth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The mouth or anterior opening of a c[oe]lenterate animal.
Actinotrocha \Ac`ti*not"ro*cha\, n. pl. [NL.; Gr. ?, ?, a ray +
? a ring.] (Zo["o]l.)
A peculiar larval form of {Phoronis}, a genus of marine
worms, having a circle of ciliated tentacles.
Actinozoa \Ac"ti*no*zo"a\, n. pl. [Gr. ?, ?, ray + zw^on
animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of C[oe]lenterata, comprising the Anthozoa and
Ctenophora. The sea anemone, or actinia, is a familiar
example.
Actinozoal \Ac`ti*no*zo"al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Actinozoa.
Actinozoon \Ac"ti*no*zo"["o]n\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Actinozoa.
Actinula \Ac*tin"u*la\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a ray.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A kind of embryo of certain hydroids ({Tubularia}), having a
stellate form.
Action \Ac"tion\, n. [OF. action, L. actio, fr. agere to do. See
{Act}.]
1. A process or condition of acting or moving, as opposed to
rest; the doing of something; exertion of power or force,
as when one body acts on another; the effect of power
exerted on one body by another; agency; activity;
operation; as, the action of heat; a man of action.
One wise in council, one in action brave. --Pope.
2. An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.):
Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.
The Lord is a Good of knowledge, and by him actions
are weighed. --1 Sam. ii.
3.
3. The event or connected series of events, either real or
imaginary, forming the subject of a play, poem, or other
composition; the unfolding of the drama of events.
4. Movement; as, the horse has a spirited action.
5. (Mech.) Effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech
action of a gun.
6. (Physiol.) Any one of the active processes going on in an
organism; the performance of a function; as, the action of
the heart, the muscles, or the gastric juice.
7. (Orat.) Gesticulation; the external deportment of the
speaker, or the suiting of his attitude, voice, gestures,
and countenance, to the subject, or to the feelings.
8. (Paint. & Sculp.) The attitude or position of the several
parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or
passion depicted.
9. (Law)
(a) A suit or process, by which a demand is made of a
right in a court of justice; in a broad sense, a
judicial proceeding for the enforcement or protection
of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or
the punishment of a public offense.
(b) A right of action; as, the law gives an action for
every claim.
10. (Com.) A share in the capital stock of a joint-stock
company, or in the public funds; hence, in the plural,
equivalent to stocks. [A Gallicism] [Obs.]
The Euripus of funds and actions. --Burke.
11. An engagement between troops in war, whether on land or
water; a battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial
action.
12. (Music) The mechanical contrivance by means of which the
impulse of the player's finger is transmitted to the
strings of a pianoforte or to the valve of an organ pipe.
--Grove.
{Chose in action}. (Law) See {Chose}.
{Quantity of action} (Physics), the product of the mass of a
body by the space it runs through, and its velocity.
Syn: {Action}, {Act}.
Usage: In many cases action and act are synonymous; but some
distinction is observable. Action involves the mode or
process of acting, and is usually viewed as occupying
some time in doing. Act has more reference to the
effect, or the operation as complete.
To poke the fire is an act, to reconcile friends
who have quarreled is a praiseworthy action.
--C. J. Smith.
Actionable \Ac"tion*a*ble\, a. [Cf. LL. actionabilis. See
{Action}.]
That may be the subject of an action or suit at law; as, to
call a man a thief is actionable.
Actionably \Ac"tion*a*bly\, adv.
In an actionable manner.
Actionary \Ac"tion*a*ry\, Actionist \Ac"tion*ist\, n. [Cf. F.
actionnaire.] (Com.)
A shareholder in joint-stock company. [Obs.]
Actionless \Ac"tion*less\, a.
Void of action.
Activate \Ac"ti*vate\, v. t.
To make active. [Obs.]
Active \Ac"tive\, a. [F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere to act.]
1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change;
communicating action or motion; acting; -- opposed to
{passive}, that receives; as, certain active principles;
the powers of the mind.
2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body;
nimble; as, an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait. --Wordsworth.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; --
opposed to {quiescent}, {dormant}, or {extinct}; as,
active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
4. Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic;
diligent; busy; -- opposed to {dull}, {sluggish},
{indolent}, or {inert}; as, an active man of business;
active mind; active zeal.
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to
{sedentary} or to {tranquil}; as, active employment or
service; active scenes.
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical;
operative; -- opposed to {speculative} or {theoretical};
as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease;
an active remedy.
9. (Gram.)
(a) Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to
{passive}. See {Active voice}, under {Voice}.
(b) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts
upon or affects something else; transitive.
(c) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct
from mere existence or state.
{Active capital}, {Active wealth}, money, or property that
may readily be converted into money.
Syn: Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick;
sprightly; prompt; energetic.
Actively \Ac"tive*ly\, adv.
1. In an active manner; nimbly; briskly; energetically; also,
by one's own action; voluntarily, not passively.
2. (Gram.) In an active signification; as, a word used
actively.
Activeness \Ac"tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being active; nimbleness; quickness of motion;
activity.
Activity \Ac*tiv"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Activities}. [Cf. F.
activit['e], LL. activitas.]
The state or quality of being active; nimbleness; agility;
vigorous action or operation; energy; active force; as, an
increasing variety of human activities. ``The activity of
toil.'' --Palfrey.
Syn: Liveliness; briskness; quickness.
Actless \Act"less\, a.
Without action or spirit. [R.]
Acton \Ac"ton\, n. [OF. aketon, auqueton, F. hoqueton, a quilted
jacket, fr. Sp. alcoton, algodon, cotton. Cf. {Cotton}.]
A stuffed jacket worn under the mail, or (later) a jacket
plated with mail. [Spelled also {hacqueton}.] [Obs.]
--Halliwell. Sir W. Scott.
Actor \Ac"tor\, n. [L. actor, fr. agere to act.]
1. One who acts, or takes part in any affair; a doer.
2. A theatrical performer; a stageplayer.
After a well graced actor leaves the stage. --Shak.
3. (Law)
(a) An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes.
--Jacobs.
(b) One who institutes a suit; plaintiff or complainant.
Actress \Ac`tress\, n. [Cf. F. actrice.]
1. A female actor or doer. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
2. A female stageplayer; a woman who acts a part.
Actual \Ac"tu*al\ (#; 135), a. [OE. actuel, F. actuel, L.
actualis, fr. agere to do, act.]
1. Involving or comprising action; active. [Obs.]
Her walking and other actual performances. --Shak.
Let your holy and pious intention be actual; that is
. . . by a special prayer or action, . . . given to
God. --Jer. Taylor.
2. Existing in act or reality; really acted or acting; in
fact; real; -- opposed to {potential}, {possible},
{virtual}, {speculative}, {conceivable}, {theoretical}, or
{nominal}; as, the actual cost of goods; the actual case
under discussion.
3. In action at the time being; now exiting; present; as the
actual situation of the country.
{Actual cautery}. See under {Cautery}.
{Actual sin} (Theol.), that kind of sin which is done by
ourselves in contradistinction to ``original sin.''
Syn: Real; genuine; positive; certain. See {Real}.
Actual \Ac"tu*al\, n. (Finance)
Something actually received; real, as distinct from
estimated, receipts. [Cant]
The accounts of revenues supplied . . . were not real
receipts: not, in financial language, ``actuals,'' but
only Egyptian budget estimates. --Fortnightly
Review.
Actualist \Ac"tu*al*ist\, n.
One who deals with or considers actually existing facts and
conditions, rather than fancies or theories; -- opposed to
{idealist}.
--J. Grote.
Actuality \Ac`tu*al"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Actualities}.
The state of being actual; reality; as, the actuality of
God's nature. --South.
Actualization \Ac`tu*al*i*za"tion\, n.
A making actual or really existent. [R.] --Emerson.
Actualize \Ac"tu*al*ize\, v. t.
To make actual; to realize in action. [R.] --Coleridge.
Actually \Ac"tu*al*ly\, adv.
1. Actively. [Obs.] ``Neither actually . . . nor passively.''
--Fuller.
2. In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
Actualness \Ac"tu*al*ness\, n.
Quality of being actual; actuality.
Actuarial \Ac`tu*a"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to actuaries; as, the actuarial value of an
annuity.
Actuary \Ac"tu*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Actuaries}. [L. actuarius
copyist, clerk, fr. actus, p. p. of agere to do, act.]
1. (Law) A registrar or clerk; -- used originally in courts
of civil law jurisdiction, but in Europe used for a clerk
or registrar generally.
2. The computing official of an insurance company; one whose
profession it is to calculate for insurance companies the
risks and premiums for life, fire, and other insurances.
Actuate \Ac"tu*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Actuated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Actuating}.] [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L.
actus act.]
1. To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action;
to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more
commonly used of persons.
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by
the perpetual motion. --Johnson.
Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with
ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow
minds are the least actuated by it. --Addison.
2. To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] ``To actuate
what you command.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Syn: To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.
Actuate \Ac"tu*ate\, a. [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare.]
Put in action; actuated. [Obs.] --South.
Actuation \Ac`tu*a"tion\, n. [Cf. LL. actuatio.]
A bringing into action; movement. --Bp. Pearson.
Actuator \Ac"tu*a`tor\, n.
One who actuates, or puts into action. [R.] --Melville.
Actuose \Ac"tu*ose`\, a. [L. actuosus.]
Very active. [Obs.]
Actuosity \Ac`tu*os"i*ty\, n.
Abundant activity. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Acture \Ac"ture\, n.
Action. [Obs.] --Shak.
Acturience \Ac*tu"ri*ence\, n. [A desid. of L. agere, actum, to
act.]
Tendency or impulse to act. [R.]
Acturience, or desire of action, in one form or
another, whether as restlessness, ennui,
dissatisfaction, or the imagination of something
desirable. --J. Grote.
Acuate \Ac"u*ate\, v. t. [L. acus needle.]
To sharpen; to make pungent; to quicken. [Obs.] ``[To] acuate
the blood.'' --Harvey.
Acuate \Ac"u*ate\, a.
Sharpened; sharp-pointed.
Acuation \Ac`u*a"tion\, n.
Act of sharpening. [R.]
Acuition \Ac`u*i"tion\, n. [L. acutus, as if acuitus, p. p. of
acuere to sharpen.]
The act of sharpening. [Obs.]
Acuity \A*cu"i*ty\, n. [LL. acuitas: cf. F. acuit['e].]
Sharpness or acuteness, as of a needle, wit, etc.
Aculeate \A*cu"le*ate\, a. [L. aculeatus, fr. aculeus, dim. of
acus needle.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Having a sting; covered with prickles; sharp
like a prickle.
2. (Bot.) Having prickles, or sharp points; beset with
prickles.
3. Severe or stinging; incisive. [R.] --Bacon.
Aculeated \A*cu"le*a`ted\, a.
Having a sharp point; armed with prickles; prickly; aculeate.
Aculeiform \A*cu"le*i*form\, a.
Like a prickle.
Aculeolate \A*cu"le*o*late\, a. [L. aculeolus little needle.]
(Bot.)
Having small prickles or sharp points. --Gray.
Aculeous \A*cu"le*ous\, a.
Aculeate. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Aculeus \A*cu"le*us\, n.; pl. {Aculei}. [L., dim. of acus
needle.]
1. (Bot.) A prickle growing on the bark, as in some brambles
and roses. --Lindley.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A sting.
Acumen \A*cu"men\, n. [L. acumen, fr. acuere to sharpen. Cf.
{Acute}.]
Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind;
the faculty of nice discrimination. --Selden.
Syn: Sharpness; sagacity; keenness; shrewdness; acuteness.
Acuminate \A*cu"mi*nate\, a. [L. acuminatus, p. p. of acuminare
to sharpen, fr. acumen. See {Acumen}.]
Tapering to a point; pointed; as, acuminate leaves, teeth,
etc.
Acuminate \A*cu"mi*nate\, v. t.
To render sharp or keen. [R.] ``To acuminate even despair.''
--Cowper.
Acuminate \A*cu"mi*nate\, v. i.
To end in, or come to, a sharp point. ``Acuminating in a cone
of prelacy.'' --Milton.
Acumination \A*cu`mi*na"tion\, n.
A sharpening; termination in a sharp point; a tapering point.
--Bp. Pearson.
Acuminose \A*cu"mi*nose`\, a.
Terminating in a flat, narrow end. --Lindley.
Acuminous \A*cu"mi*nous\, a.
Characterized by acumen; keen. --Highmore.
Acupressure \Ac`u*pres"sure\, n. [L. acus needle + premere,
pressum, to press.] (Surg.)
A mode of arresting hemorrhage resulting from wounds or
surgical operations, by passing under the divided vessel a
needle, the ends of which are left exposed externally on the
cutaneous surface. --Simpson.
Acupuncturation \Ac`u*punc`tu*ra"tion\, n.
See {Acupuncture}.
Acupuncture \Ac`u*punc"ture\, n. [L. acus needle + punctura a
pricking, fr. pungere to prick: cf. F. acuponcture.]
Pricking with a needle; a needle prick. Specifically (Med.):
The insertion of needles into the living tissues for remedial
purposes.
Acupuncture \Ac`u*punc"ture\, v. t.
To treat with acupuncture.
Acustumaunce \A*cus"tum*aunce\, n.
See {Accustomance}. [Obs.]
Acutangular \A*cut"an`gu*lar\, a.
Acute-angled.
Acute \A*cute"\, a. [L. acutus, p. p. of acuere to sharpen, fr.
a root ak to be sharp. Cf. {Ague}, {Cute}, {Edge}.]
1. Sharp at the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; --
opposed to {blunt} or {obtuse}; as, an acute angle; an
acute leaf.
2. Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute
distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to
{dull} or {stupid}; as, an acute observer; acute remarks,
or reasoning.
3. Having nice or quick sensibility; susceptible to slight
impressions; acting keenly on the senses; sharp; keen;
intense; as, a man of acute eyesight, hearing, or feeling;
acute pain or pleasure.
4. High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; --
opposed to {grave} or {low}; as, an acute tone or accent.
5. (Med.) Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity,
and coming speedily to a crisis; -- opposed to {chronic};
as, an acute disease.
{Acute angle} (Geom.), an angle less than a right angle.
Syn: Subtile; ingenious; sharp; keen; penetrating; sagacious;
sharp-witted; shrewd; discerning; discriminating. See
{Subtile}.
Acute \A*cute"\, v. t.
To give an acute sound to; as, he acutes his rising
inflection too much. [R.] --Walker.
Acute-angled \A*cute"-an`gled\ (-[a^][ng]"g'ld), a.
Having acute angles; as, an acute-angled triangle, a triangle
with every one of its angles less than a right angle.
Acutely \A*cute"ly\, adv.
In an acute manner; sharply; keenly; with nice
discrimination.
Acuteness \A*cute"ness\, n.
1. The quality of being acute or pointed; sharpness; as, the
acuteness of an angle.
2. The faculty of nice discernment or perception; acumen;
keenness; sharpness; sensitiveness; -- applied to the
senses, or the understanding. By acuteness of feeling, we
perceive small objects or slight impressions: by acuteness
of intellect, we discern nice distinctions.
Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness
interested in bringing it to a successful close.
--Sir W.
Scott.
3. Shrillness; high pitch; -- said of sounds.
4. (Med.) Violence of a disease, which brings it speedily to
a crisis.
Syn: Penetration; sagacity; keenness; ingenuity; shrewdness;
subtlety; sharp-wittedness.
Acutifoliate \A*cu`ti*fo"li*ate\, a. [L. acutus sharp + folium
leaf.] (Bot.)
Having sharp-pointed leaves.
Acutilobate \A*cu`ti*lo"bate\, a. [L. acutus sharp + E. lobe.]
(Bot.)
Having acute lobes, as some leaves.
Ad- \Ad-\ [A Latin preposition, signifying to. See {At}.]
As a prefix ad- assumes the forms ac-, af-, ag-, al-, an-,
ap-, ar-, as-, at-, assimilating the d with the first letter
of the word to which ad- is prefixed. It remains unchanged
before vowels, and before d, h, j, m, v. Examples: adduce,
adhere, adjacent, admit, advent, accord, affect, aggregate,
allude, annex, appear, etc. It becomes ac- before qu, as in
acquiesce.
Adact \Ad*act"\, v. t. [L. adactus, p. p. of adigere.]
To compel; to drive. [Obs.] --Fotherby.
Adactyl \A*dac"tyl\, Adactylous \A*dac"tyl*ous\, a. [Gr. 'a
priv. + ? finger.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Without fingers or without toes.
(b) Without claws on the feet (of crustaceous animals).
Adage \Ad"age\, n. [F. adage, fr. L. adagium; ad + the root of
L. aio I say.]
An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a
proverb.
Letting ``I dare not'' wait upon ``I would,'' Like the
poor cat i' the adage. --Shak.
Syn: Axiom; maxim; aphorism; proverb; saying; saw; apothegm.
See {Axiom}.
Adagial \A*da"gi*al\, a.
Pertaining to an adage; proverbial. ``Adagial verse.''
--Barrow.
Adagio \A*da"gio\, a. & adv. [It. adagio; ad (L. ad) at + agio
convenience, leisure, ease. See {Agio}.] (Mus.)
Slow; slowly, leisurely, and gracefully. When repeated,
adagio, adagio, it directs the movement to be very slow.
Adagio \A*da"gio\, n.
A piece of music in adagio time; a slow movement; as, an
adagio of Haydn.
Adam \Ad"am\, n.
1. The name given in the Bible to the first man, the
progenitor of the human race.
2. (As a symbol) ``Original sin;'' human frailty.
And whipped the offending Adam out of him. --Shak.
{Adam's ale}, water. [Coll.]
{Adam's apple}.
1. (Bot.)
(a) A species of banana ({Musa paradisiaca}). It attains a
height of twenty feet or more. --Paxton.
(b) A species of lime ({Citris limetta}).
2. The projection formed by the thyroid cartilage in the
neck. It is particularly prominent in males, and is so
called from a notion that it was caused by the forbidden
fruit (an apple) sticking in the throat of our first
parent.
{Adam's flannel} (Bot.), the mullein ({Verbascum thapsus}).
{Adam's needle} (Bot.), the popular name of a genus ({Yucca})
of liliaceous plants.
Adamant \Ad"a*mant\ ([a^]d"[.a]*m[a^]nt), n. [OE. adamaunt,
adamant, diamond, magnet, OF. adamant, L. adamas, adamantis,
the hardest metal, fr. Gr. 'ada`mas, -antos; 'a priv. +
dama^,n to tame, subdue. In OE., from confusion with L.
adamare to love, be attached to, the word meant also magnet,
as in OF. and LL. See {Diamond}, {Tame}.]
1. A stone imagined by some to be of impenetrable hardness; a
name given to the diamond and other substances of extreme
hardness; but in modern mineralogy it has no technical
signification. It is now a rhetorical or poetical name for
the embodiment of impenetrable hardness.
Opposed the rocky orb Of tenfold adamant, his ample
shield. --Milton.
2. Lodestone; magnet. [Obs.] ``A great adamant of
acquaintance.'' --Bacon.
As true to thee as steel to adamant. --Greene.
Adamantean \Ad`a*man*te"an\, a. [L. adamant[=e]us.]
Of adamant; hard as adamant. --Milton.
Adamantine \Ad`a*man"tine\, a. [L. adamantinus, Gr. ?.]
1. Made of adamant, or having the qualities of adamant;
incapable of being broken, dissolved, or penetrated; as,
adamantine bonds or chains.
2. (Min.) Like the diamond in hardness or luster.
Adambulacral \Ad`am*bu*la"cral\, a. [L. ad + E. ambulacral.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Next to the ambulacra; as, the adambulacral ossicles of the
starfish.
Adamic \A*dam"ic\, Adamical \A*dam"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to Adam, or resembling him.
{Adamic earth}, a name given to common red clay, from a
notion that Adam means red earth.
Adamite \Ad"am*ite\, n. [From Adam.]
1. A descendant of Adam; a human being.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of visionaries, who,
professing to imitate the state of Adam, discarded the use
of dress in their assemblies.
Adam's apple \Ad"am's ap"ple\
See under {Adam}.
Adance \A*dance"\, adv.
Dancing. --Lowell.
Adangle \A*dan"gle\, adv.
Dangling. --Browning.
Adansonia \Ad`an*so"ni*a\, n. [From Adanson, a French botanist.]
(Bot.)
A genus of great trees related to the Bombax. There are two
species, {A. digitata}, the baobab or monkey-bread of Africa
and India, and {A. Gregorii}, the sour gourd or
cream-of-tartar tree of Australia. Both have a trunk of
moderate height, but of enormous diameter, and a
wide-spreading head. The fruit is oblong, and filled with
pleasantly acid pulp. The wood is very soft, and the bark is
used by the natives for making ropes and cloth. --D. C.
Eaton.
Adapt \A*dapt"\, a.
Fitted; suited. [Obs.] --Swift.
Adapt \A*dapt"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adapted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Adapting}.] [L. adaptare; ad + aptare to fit; cf. F.
adapter. See {Apt}, {Adept}.]
To make suitable; to fit, or suit; to adjust; to alter so as
to fit for a new use; -- sometimes followed by to or for.
For nature, always in the right, To your decays adapts
my sight. --Swift.
Appeals adapted to his [man's] whole nature. --Angus.
Streets ill adapted for the residence of wealthy
persons. --Macaulay.
Adaptability \A*dapt`a*bil"i*ty\, Adaptableness
\A*dapt"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being adaptable; suitableness. ``General
adaptability for every purpose.'' --Farrar.
Adaptable \A*dapt"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being adapted.
Adaptation \Ad`ap*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. adaptation, LL.
adaptatio.]
1. The act or process of adapting, or fitting; or the state
of being adapted or fitted; fitness. ``Adaptation of the
means to the end.'' --Erskine.
2. The result of adapting; an adapted form.
Adaptative \A*dapt"a*tive\, a.
Adaptive. --Stubbs.
Adaptedness \A*dapt"ed*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being adapted; suitableness; special
fitness.
Adapter \A*dapt"er\, n.
1. One who adapts.
2. (Chem.) A connecting tube; an adopter.
Adaption \A*dap"tion\, n.
Adaptation. --Cheyne.
Adaptive \A*dapt"ive\, a.
Suited, given, or tending, to adaptation; characterized by
adaptation; capable of adapting. --Coleridge. --
{A*dapt"ive*ly}, adv.
Adaptiveness \A*dapt"ive*ness\, n.
The quality of being adaptive; capacity to adapt.
Adaptly \A*dapt"ly\, adv.
In a suitable manner. [R.] --Prior.
Adaptness \A*dapt"ness\, n.
Adaptedness. [R.]
Adaptorial \Ad`ap*to"ri*al\, a.
Adaptive. [R.]
Adar \A"dar\, n. [Heb. ad["a]r.]
The twelfth month of the Hebrew ecclesiastical year, and the
sixth of the civil. It corresponded nearly with March.
Adarce \A*dar"ce\, n. [L. adarce, adarca, Gr. ?.]
A saltish concretion on reeds and grass in marshy grounds in
Galatia. It is soft and porous, and was formerly used for
cleansing the skin from freckles and tetters, and also in
leprosy. --Dana.
Adatis \Ad"a*tis\, n.
A fine cotton cloth of India.
Adaunt \A*daunt"\, v. t. [OE. adaunten to overpower, OF.
adonter; [`a] (L. ad) + donter, F. dompter. See {Daunt}.]
To daunt; to subdue; to mitigate. [Obs.] --Skelton.
Adaw \A*daw"\, v. t. [Cf. OE. adawe of dawe, AS. of dagum from
days, i. e., from life, out of life.]
To subdue; to daunt. [Obs.]
The sight whereof did greatly him adaw. --Spenser.
Adaw \A*daw"\, v. t. & i. [OE. adawen to wake; pref. a- (cf.
Goth. us-, Ger. er-) + dawen, dagon, to dawn. See {Daw}.]
To awaken; to arouse. [Obs.]
A man that waketh of his sleep He may not suddenly well
taken keep Upon a thing, ne seen it parfitly Till that
he be adawed verily. --Chaucer.
Adays \A*days"\, adv. [Pref. a- (for on) + day; the final s was
orig. a genitive ending, afterwards forming adverbs.]
By day, or every day; in the daytime. [Obs.] --Fielding.
Ad captandum \Ad cap*tan"dum\ [L., for catching.]
A phrase used adjectively sometimes of meretricious attempts
to catch or win popular favor.
Add \Add\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Added}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Adding}.] [L. addere; ad + dare to give, put. Cf. {Date},
{Do}.]
1. To give by way of increased possession (to any one); to
bestow (on).
The Lord shall add to me another son. --Gen. xxx.
24.
2. To join or unite, as one thing to another, or as several
particulars, so as to increase the number, augment the
quantity, enlarge the magnitude, or so as to form into one
aggregate. Hence: To sum up; to put together mentally; as,
to add numbers; to add up a column.
Back to thy punishment, False fugitive, and to thy
speed add wings. --Milton.
As easily as he can add together the ideas of two
days or two years. --Locke.
3. To append, as a statement; to say further.
He added that he would willingly consent to the
entire abolition of the tax. --Macaulay.
Syn: {To Add}, {Join}, {Annex}, {Unite}, {Coalesce}.
Usage: We {add} by bringing things together so as to form a
whole. We {join} by putting one thing to another in
close or continuos connection. We {annex} by attaching
some adjunct to a larger body. We {unite} by bringing
things together so that their parts adhere or
intermingle. Things {coalesce} by coming together or
mingling so as to form one organization. To {add}
quantities; to join houses; to {annex} territory; to
{unite} kingdoms; to make parties {coalesce}.
Add \Add\, v. i.
1. To make an addition. To add to, to augment; to increase;
as, it adds to our anxiety. ``I will add to your yoke.''
--1 Kings xii. 14.
2. To perform the arithmetical operation of addition; as, he
adds rapidly.
Addable \Add"a*ble\, a. [Add, v. + -able.]
Addible.
Addax \Ad"dax\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the largest African antelopes ({Hippotragus, or Oryx,
nasomaculatus}).
Note: It is now believed to be the {Strepsiceros} (twisted
horn) of the ancients. By some it is thought to be the
pygarg of the Bible.
Addeem \Ad*deem"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + deem.]
To award; to adjudge. [Obs.] ``Unto him they did addeem the
prise.'' --Spenser.
Addendum \Ad*den"dum\, n.; pl. {Addenda}. [L., fr. addere to
add.]
A thing to be added; an appendix or addition.
{Addendum circle} (Mech.), the circle which may be described
around a circular spur wheel or gear wheel, touching the
crests or tips of the teeth. --Rankine.
Adder \Add"er\, n. [See {Add}.]
One who, or that which, adds; esp., a machine for adding
numbers.
Adder \Ad"der\, n. [OE. addere, naddere, eddre, AS. n[ae]dre,
adder, snake; akin to OS. nadra, OHG. natra, natara, Ger.
natter, Goth. nadrs, Icel. na[eth]r, masc., na[eth]ra, fem.:
cf. W. neidr, Gorn. naddyr, Ir. nathair, L. natrix, water
snake. An adder is for a nadder.]
1. A serpent. [Obs.] ``The eddre seide to the woman.''
--Wyclif. Gen. iii. 4. )
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small venomous serpent of the genus {Vipera}. The
common European adder is the {Vipera (or Pelias)
berus}. The puff adders of Africa are species of
{Clotho}.
(b) In America, the term is commonly applied to several
harmless snakes, as the {milk adder}, {puffing adder},
etc.
(c) Same as {Sea Adder}.
Note: In the sculptures the appellation is given to several
venomous serpents, -- sometimes to the horned viper
({Cerastles}).
Adder fly \Ad"der fly/\
A dragon fly.
Adder's-tongue \Ad"der's-tongue`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A genus of ferns ({Ophioglossum}), whose seeds are
produced on a spike resembling a serpent's tongue.
(b) The yellow dogtooth violet. --Gray.
Adderwort \Ad"der*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
The common bistort or snakeweed ({Polygonum bistorta}).
Addibility \Add`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quantity of being addible; capability of addition.
--Locke.
Addible \Add"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being added. ``Addible numbers.'' --Locke.
Addice \Ad"dice\, n.
See {Adze}. [Obs.] --Moxon.
Addict \Ad*dict"\, p. p.
Addicted; devoted. [Obs.]
Addict \Ad*dict"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Addicted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Addicting}.] [L. addictus, p. p. of addicere to adjudge,
devote; ad + dicere to say. See {Diction}.]
1. To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; -- with to.
``They addict themselves to the civil law.'' --Evelyn.
He is addicted to his study. --Beau. & Fl.
That part of mankind that addict their minds to
speculations. --Adventurer.
His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity.
--Fuller.
A man gross . . . and addicted to low company.
--Macaulay.
2. To adapt; to make suitable; to fit. [Obs.]
The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but
the coldness of the place hinders the growth.
--Evelyn.
Syn: {Addict}, {Devote}, {Consecrate}, {Dedicate}. Addict was
formerly used in a good sense; as, addicted to letters;
but is now mostly employed in a bad sense or an
indifferent one; as, addicted to vice; addicted to
sensual indulgence. ``Addicted to staying at home.''
--J. S. Mill. Devote is always taken in a good sense,
expressing habitual earnestness in the pursuit of some
favorite object; as, devoted to science. Consecrate and
dedicate express devotion of a higher kind, involving
religious sentiment; as, consecrated to the service of
the church; dedicated to God.
Addictedness \Ad*dict"ed*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being addicted; attachment.
Addiction \Ad*dic"tion\, n. [Cf. L. addictio an adjudging.]
The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination. ``His
addiction was to courses vain.'' --Shak.
Addison's disease \Ad"di*son's dis*ease"\ [Named from Thomas
Addison, M. D., of London, who first described it.] (Med.)
A morbid condition causing a peculiar brownish discoloration
of the skin, and thought, at one time, to be due to disease
of the suprarenal capsules (two flat triangular bodies
covering the upper part of the kidneys), but now known not to
be dependent upon this causes exclusively. It is usually
fatal.
Additament \Ad*dit"a*ment\ ([a^]d*d[i^]t"[.a]*ment), n. [L.
additamentum, fr. additus, p. p. of addere to add.]
An addition, or a thing added. --Fuller.
My persuasion that the latter verses of the chapter
were an additament of a later age. --Coleridge.
Addition \Ad*di"tion\, n. [F. addition, L. additio, fr. addere
to add.]
1. The act of adding two or more things together; -- opposed
to {subtraction} or {diminution}. ``This endless addition
or addibility of numbers.'' --Locke.
2. Anything added; increase; augmentation; as, a piazza is an
addition to a building.
3. (Math.) That part of arithmetic which treats of adding
numbers.
4. (Mus.) A dot at the right side of a note as an indication
that its sound is to be lengthened one half. [R.]
5. (Law) A title annexed to a man's name, to identify him
more precisely; as, John Doe, Esq.; Richard Roe, Gent.;
Robert Dale, Mason; Thomas Way, of New York; a mark of
distinction; a title.
6. (Her.) Something added to a coat of arms, as a mark of
honor; -- opposed to {abatement}.
{Vector addition} (Geom.), that kind of addition of two
lines, or vectors, AB and BC, by which their sum is
regarded as the line, or vector, AC.
Syn: Increase; accession; augmentation; appendage; adjunct.
Additional \Ad*di"tion*al\, a.
Added; supplemental; in the way of an addition.
Additional \Ad*di"tion*al\, n.
Something added. [R.] --Bacon.
Additionally \Ad*di"tion*al*ly\, adv.
By way of addition.
Additionary \Ad*di"tion*a*ry\, a.
Additional. [R.] --Herbert.
Addititious \Ad`di*ti"tious\, a. [L. addititius, fr. addere.]
Additive. [R.] --Sir J. Herschel.
Additive \Ad"di*tive\, a. [L. additivus.] (Math.)
Proper to be added; positive; -- opposed to {subtractive}.
Additory \Ad"di*to*ry\, a.
Tending to add; making some addition. [R.] --Arbuthnot.
Addle \Ad"dle\, n. [OE. adel, AS. adela, mud.]
1. Liquid filth; mire. [Obs.]
2. Lees; dregs. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Addle \Ad"dle\, a.
Having lost the power of development, and become rotten, as
eggs; putrid. Hence: Unfruitful or confused, as brains;
muddled. --Dryden.
Addle \Ad"dle\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Addled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Addling}.]
To make addle; to grow addle; to muddle; as, he addled his
brain. ``Their eggs were addled.'' --Cowper.
Addle \Ad"dle\, v. t. & i. [OE. adlen, adilen, to gain, acquire;
prob. fr. Icel. ["o][eth]lask to acquire property, akin to
o[eth]al property. Cf. {Allodial}.]
1. To earn by labor. [Prov. Eng.] --Forby.
2. To thrive or grow; to ripen. [Prov. Eng.]
Kill ivy, else tree will addle no more. --Tusser.
Addle-brain \Ad"dle-brain`\, Addle-head \Ad"dle-head`\,
Addle-pate \Ad"dle-pate\, n.
A foolish or dull-witted fellow. [Colloq.]
Addle-brained \Ad"dle-brained`\, Addle-headed \Ad"dle-head`ed\,
Addle-pated \Ad"dle-pa`ted\, a.
Dull-witted; stupid. ``The addle-brained Oberstein.''
--Motley.
Dull and addle-pated. --Dryden.
Addle-patedness \Ad"dle-pa`ted*ness\, n.
Stupidity.
Addlings \Ad"dlings\, n. pl. [See {Addle}, to earn.]
Earnings. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Addoom \Ad*doom"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + doom.]
To adjudge. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Addorsed \Ad*dorsed"\, a. [L. ad + dorsum, back: cf. F.
adoss['e].] (Her.)
Set or turned back to back.
Address \Ad*dress"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Addressed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Addressing}.] [OE. adressen to raise erect, adorn,
OF. adrecier, to straighten, address, F. adresser, fr. [`a]
(L. ad) + OF. drecier, F. dresser, to straighten, arrange.
See {Dress}, v.]
1. To aim; to direct. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
And this good knight his way with me addrest.
--Spenser.
2. To prepare or make ready. [Obs.]
His foe was soon addressed. --Spenser.
Turnus addressed his men to single fight. --Dryden.
The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the
noise of the bridegroom's coming. --Jer. Taylor.
3. Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill
or energies (to some object); to betake.
These men addressed themselves to the task.
--Macaulay.
4. To clothe or array; to dress. [Archaic]
Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel.
--Jewel.
5. To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as
a speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).
The young hero had addressed his players to him for
his assistance. --Dryden.
6. To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether
spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech,
petition, etc., to speak to; to accost.
Are not your orders to address the senate?
--Addison.
The representatives of the nation addressed the
king. --Swift.
7. To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to
direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
8. To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
9. (Com.) To consign or intrust to the care of another, as
agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant
in Baltimore.
{To address one's self to}.
(a) To prepare one's self for; to apply one's self to.
(b) To direct one's speech or discourse to.
Address \Ad*dress"\, v. i.
1. To prepare one's self. [Obs.] ``Let us address to tend on
Hector's heels.'' --Shak.
2. To direct speech. [Obs.]
Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest.
--Dryden.
Note: The intransitive uses come from the dropping out of the
reflexive pronoun.
Address \Ad*dress\, n. [Cf. F. adresse. See {Address}, v. t.]
1. Act of preparing one's self. [Obs.] --Jer Taylor.
2. Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal
application.
3. A formal communication, either written or spoken; a
discourse; a speech; a formal application to any one; a
petition; a formal statement on some subject or special
occasion; as, an address of thanks, an address to the
voters.
4. Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name,
title, and place of residence of the person addressed.
5. Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of
pleasing or insinuating address.
6. Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady. --Addison.
7. Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.
Syn: Speech; discourse; harangue; oration; petition; lecture;
readiness; ingenuity; tact; adroitness.
Addressee \Ad`dress*ee"\, n.
One to whom anything is addressed.
Addression \Ad*dres"sion\, n.
The act of addressing or directing one's course. [Rare &
Obs.] --Chapman.
Adduce \Ad*duce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adduced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Adducing}.] [L. adducere, adductum, to lead or bring to;
ad + ducere to lead. See {Duke}, and cf. {Adduct}.]
To bring forward or offer, as an argument, passage, or
consideration which bears on a statement or case; to cite; to
allege.
Reasons . . . were adduced on both sides. --Macaulay.
Enough could not be adduced to satisfy the purpose of
illustration. --De Quincey.
Syn: To present; allege; advance; cite; quote; assign; urge;
name; mention.
Adducent \Ad*du"cent\, a. [L. addunces, p. pr. of adducere.]
(Physiol.)
Bringing together or towards a given point; -- a word applied
to those muscles of the body which pull one part towards
another. Opposed to {abducent}.
Adducer \Ad*du"cer\, n.
One who adduces.
Adducible \Ad*du"ci*ble\, a.
Capable of being adduced.
Proofs innumerable, and in every imaginable manner
diversified, are adducible. --I. Taylor.
Adduct \Ad*duct"\, v. t. [L. adductus, p. p. of adducere. See
{Adduce}.] (Physiol.)
To draw towards a common center or a middle line. --Huxley.
Adduction \Ad*duc"tion\, n. [Cf. F. adduction. See {Adduce}.]
1. The act of adducing or bringing forward.
An adduction of facts gathered from various
quarters. --I. Taylor.
2. (Physiol.) The action by which the parts of the body are
drawn towards its axis]; -- opposed to {abduction}.
--Dunglison.
Adductive \Ad*duc"tive\, a.
Adducing, or bringing towards or to something.
Adductor \Ad*duc"tor\, n. [L., fr. adducere.] (Anat.)
A muscle which draws a limb or part of the body toward the
middle line of the body, or closes extended parts of the
body; -- opposed to {abductor}; as, the adductor of the eye,
which turns the eye toward the nose.
In the bivalve shells, the muscles which close the
values of the shell are called adductor muscles.
--Verrill.
Addulce \Ad*dulce"\, v. t. [Like F. adoucir; fr. L. ad. + dulcis
sweet.]
To sweeten; to soothe. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Adeem \A*deem"\, v. t. [L. adimere. See {Ademption}.] (Law)
To revoke, as a legacy, grant, etc., or to satisfy it by some
other gift.
Adelantadillo \A`de*lan`ta*dil"lo\, n. [Sp.]
A Spanish red wine made of the first ripe grapes.
Adelantado \A`de*lan*ta"do\, n. [Sp., prop. p. of adelantar to
advance, to promote.]
A governor of a province; a commander. --Prescott.
Adelaster \Ad*e*las"ter\, n. [Gr. ? not manifest + ? a star.]
(Bot.)
A provisional name for a plant which has not had its flowers
botanically examined, and therefore has not been referred to
its proper genus.
Adeling \Ad"el*ing\, n.
Same as {Atheling}.
Adelocodonic \A*del`o*co*don"ic\, a. [Gr. ? invisible + ? a
bell.] (Zo["o]l.)
Applied to sexual zooids of hydroids, that have a saclike
form and do not become free; -- opposed to {phanerocodonic}.
Adelopod \A*del"o*pod\, n. [Gr. ? invisible + ?, ?, foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An animal having feet that are not apparent.
Adelphia \A*del"phi*a\, n. [Gr. 'adelfo`s brother.] (Bot.)
A ``brotherhood,'' or collection of stamens in a bundle; --
used in composition, as in the class names, Monadelphia,
Diadelphia, etc.
Adelphous \A*del"phous\, a. [Gr. 'adelfo`s brother.] (Bot.)
Having coalescent or clustered filaments; -- said of stamens;
as, adelphous stamens. Usually in composition; as,
monadelphous. --Gray.
Adempt \A*dempt"\ ([.a]*d[e^]mt"; 215), p. p. [L. ademptus, p.
p. of adimere to take away.]
Takes away. [Obs.]
Without any sinister suspicion of anything being added
or adempt. --Latimer.
Ademption \A*demp"tion\ ([.a]*d[e^]mp"sh[u^]n), n. [L. ademptio,
fr. adimere, ademptum, to take away; ad + emere to buy, orig.
to take.] (Law)
The revocation or taking away of a grant donation, legacy, or
the like. --Bouvier.
Aden- \Aden-\ or Adeno- \Adeno-\[Gr. ?, ?, gland.]
Combining forms of the Greek word for gland; -- used in words
relating to the structure, diseases, etc., of the glands.
Adenalgia \Ad`e*nal"gi*a\, Adenalgy \Ad"e*nal`gy\, n. [Gr. ? + ?
pain.] (Med.)
Pain in a gland.
Adeniform \A*den"i*form\, a. [Aden- + -form.]
Shaped like a gland; adenoid. --Dunglison.
Adenitis \Ad`e*ni"tis\, n. [Aden- + -itis.] (Med.)
Glandular inflammation. --Dunglison.
Adenographic \Ad`e*no*graph"ic\, a.
Pertaining to adenography.
Adenography \Ad`e*nog"ra*phy\, n. [Adeno- + -graphy.]
That part of anatomy which describes the glands.
Adenoid \Ad"e*noid\, Adenoidal \Ad`e*noid"al\a.
Glandlike; glandular.
Adenological \Ad`e*no*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to adenology.
Adenology \Ad`e*nol"o*gy\, n. [Adeno- + -logy.]
The part of physiology that treats of the glands.
Adenophorous \Ad`e*noph"o*rous\, a. [Adeno- + Gr. ? bearing.]
(Bot.)
Producing glands.
Adenophyllous \Ad`e*noph"yl*lous\, a. [Adeno- + Gr. ? leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having glands on the leaves.
Adenose \Ad"e*nose`\ (?; 277), a.
Like a gland; full of glands; glandulous; adenous.
Adenotomic \Ad`e*no*tom"ic\, a.
Pertaining to adenotomy.
Adenotomy \Ad`e*not"o*my\, n. [Adeno- + Gr. ? a cutting, ? to
cut.] (Anat.)
Dissection of, or incision into, a gland or glands.
Adenous \Ad"e*nous\, a.
Same as {Adenose}.
Adeps \Ad"eps\, n. [L.]
Animal fat; lard.
Adept \A*dept"\, n. [L. adeptus obtained (sc. artem), ?he who
has obtained an art, p. p. of adipsci to arrive ?at, to
obtain; ad + apisci to pursue. See {Apt}, and cf. {Adapt}.]
One fully skilled or well versed in anything; a proficient;
as, adepts in philosophy.
Adept \A*dept"\, a.
Well skilled; completely versed; thoroughly proficient.
Beaus adept in everything profound. --Cowper.
Adeption \A*dep"tion\, n. [L. adeptio. See {Adept}, a.]
An obtaining; attainment. [Obs.]
In the wit and policy of the capitain consisteth the
chief adeption of the victory. --Grafton.
Adeptist \A*dept"ist\, n.
A skilled alchemist. [Obs.]
Adeptness \A*dept"ness\, n.
The quality of being adept; skill.
Adequacy \Ad"e*qua*cy\, n. [See {Adequate}.]
The state or quality of being adequate, proportionate, or
sufficient; a sufficiency for a particular purpose; as, the
adequacy of supply to the expenditure.
Adequate \Ad"e*quate\, a. [L. adaequatus, p. p. of adaequare to
make equal to; ad + aequare to make equal, aequus equal. See
{Equal}.]
Equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent;
fully sufficient; as, powers adequate to a great work; an
adequate definition.
Ireland had no adequate champion. --De Quincey.
Syn: Proportionate; commensurate; sufficient; suitable;
competent; capable.
Adequate \Ad"e*quate\, v. t. [See {Adequate}, a.]
1. To equalize; to make adequate. [R.] --Fotherby.
2. To equal. [Obs.]
It [is] an impossibility for any creature to
adequate God in his eternity. --Shelford.
Adequately \Ad"e*quate*ly\, adv.
In an adequate manner.
Adequateness \Ad"e*quate*ness\, n.
The quality of being adequate; suitableness; sufficiency;
adequacy.
Adequation \Ad`e*qua"tion\, n. [L. adaequatio.]
The act of equalizing; act or result of making adequate; an
equivalent. [Obs.] --Bp. Barlow.
Adesmy \A*des"my\, n. [Gr. ? unfettered; 'a priv. + ? a fetter.]
(Bot.)
The division or defective coherence of an organ that is
usually entire.
Adessenarian \Ad*es`se*na"ri*an\, n. [Formed fr. L. adesse to be
present; ad + esse to be.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One who held the real presence of Christ's body in the
eucharist, but not by transubstantiation.
Adfected \Ad*fect"ed\, a. [L. adfectus or affectus. See
{Affect}, v.] (Alg.)
See {Affected}, 5.
Adfiliated \Ad*fil"i*a`ted\, a.
See {Affiliated}. [Obs.]
Adfiliation \Ad*fil`i*a"tion\, n.
See {Affiliation}. [Obs.]
Adfluxion \Ad*flux"ion\, n.
See {Affluxion}.
Adhamant \Ad*ha"mant\, a. [From L. adhamare to catch; ad + hamus
hook.]
Clinging, as by hooks.
Adhere \Ad*here"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Adhered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Adhering}.] [L. adhaerere, adhaesum; ad + haerere to
stick: cf. F. adh['e]rer. See {Aghast}.]
1. To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to
become joined or united; as, wax to the finger; the lungs
sometimes adhere to the pleura.
2. To hold, be attached, or devoted; to remain fixed, either
by personal union or conformity of faith, principle, or
opinion; as, men adhere to a party, a cause, a leader, a
church.
3. To be consistent or coherent; to be in accordance; to
agree. ``Nor time nor place did then adhere.'' ``Every
thing adheres together.'' --Shak.
Syn: To attach; stick; cleave; cling; hold
Adherence \Ad*her"ence\, n. [Cf. F. adh['e]rence, LL.
adhaerentia.]
1. The quality or state of adhering.
2. The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady
attachment; adhesion; as, adherence to a party or to
opinions.
Syn: {Adherence}, {Adhesion}.
Usage: These words, which were once freely interchanged, are
now almost entirely separated. Adherence is no longer
used to denote physical union, but is applied, to
mental states or habits; as, a strict adherence to
one's duty; close adherence to the argument, etc.
Adhesion is now confined chiefly to the physical
sense, except in the phrase ``To give in one's
adhesion to a cause or a party.''
Adherency \Ad*her"en*cy\, n.
1. The state or quality of being adherent; adherence. [R.]
2. That which adheres. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Adherent \Ad*her"ent\, a. [L. adhaerens, -entis, p. pr.: cf. F.
adh['e]rent.]
1. Sticking; clinging; adhering. --Pope.
2. Attached as an attribute or circumstance.
3. (Bot.) Congenitally united with an organ of another kind,
as calyx with ovary, or stamens with petals.
Adherent \Ad*her"ent\, n.
1. One who adheres; one who adheres; one who follows a
leader, party, or profession; a follower, or partisan; a
believer in a particular faith or church.
2. That which adheres; an appendage. [R.] --Milton.
Syn: Follower; partisan; upholder; disciple; supporter;
dependent; ally; backer.
Adherently \Ad*her"ent*ly\, adv.
In an adherent manner.
Adherer \Ad*her"er\, n.
One who adheres; an adherent.
Adhesion \Ad*he"sion\, n. [L. adhaesio, fr. adhaerere: cf. F.
adh['e]sion.]
1. The action of sticking; the state of being attached;
intimate union; as, the adhesion of glue, or of parts
united by growth, cement, or the like.
2. Adherence; steady or firm attachment; fidelity; as,
adhesion to error, to a policy.
His adhesion to the Tories was bounded by his
approbation of their foreign policy. --De Quincey.
3. Agreement to adhere; concurrence; assent.
To that treaty Spain and England gave in their
adhesion. --Macaulay.
4. (Physics) The molecular attraction exerted between bodies
in contact. See {Cohesion}.
5. (Med.) Union of surface, normally separate, by the
formation of new tissue resulting from an inflammatory
process.
6. (Bot.) The union of parts which are separate in other
plants, or in younger states of the same plant.
Syn: Adherence; union. See {Adherence}.
Adhesive \Ad*he"sive\, a. [Cf. F. adh['e]sif.]
1. Sticky; tenacious, as glutinous substances.
2. Apt or tending to adhere; clinging. --Thomson.
{Adhesive attraction}. (Physics) See {Attraction}.
{Adhesive inflammation} (Surg.), that kind of inflammation
which terminates in the reunion of divided parts without
suppuration.
{Adhesive plaster}, a sticking; a plaster containing resin,
wax, litharge, and olive oil.
Adhesively \Ad*he"sive*ly\, adv.
In an adhesive manner.
Adhesiveness \Ad*he"sive*ness\, n.
1. The quality of sticking or adhering; stickiness; tenacity
of union.
2. (Phren.) Propensity to form and maintain attachments to
persons, and to promote social intercourse.
Adhibit \Ad*hib"it\, v. t. [L. adhibitus, p. p. of adhibere to
hold to; ad + habere to have.]
1. To admit, as a person or thing; to take in. --Muirhead.
2. To use or apply; to administer. --Camden.
3. To attach; to affix. --Alison.
Adhibition \Ad`hi*bi"tion\, n. [L. adhibitio.]
The act of adhibiting; application; use. --Whitaker.
Ad hominem \Ad hom"i*nem\ [L., to the man.]
A phrase applied to an appeal or argument addressed to the
principles, interests, or passions of a man.
Adhort \Ad*hort"\, v. t. [L. adhortari. See {Adhortation}.]
To exhort; to advise. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Adhortation \Ad`hor*ta"tion\, n. [L. adhortatio, fr. adhortari
to advise; ad + hortari to exhort.]
Advice; exhortation. [Obs.] --Peacham.
Adhortatory \Ad*hor"ta*to*ry\, a.
Containing counsel or warning; hortatory; advisory. [Obs.]
--Potter.
Adiabatic \Ad`i*a*bat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? not passable; 'a priv. + ?
through + ? to go.] (Physics)
Not giving out or receiving heat. -- {Ad`i*a*bat`ic*al*ly},
adv.
{Adiabatic line} or {curve}, a curve exhibiting the
variations of pressure and volume of a fluid when it
expands without either receiving or giving out heat.
--Rankine.
Adiactinic \Ad`i*ac*tin"ic\, a. [Pref. a- not + diactinic.]
(Chem.)
Not transmitting the actinic rays.
Adiantum \Ad`i*an"tum\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, maidenhair; 'a priv.
+ ? to wet.] (Bot.)
A genus of ferns, the leaves of which shed water; maidenhair.
Also, the black maidenhair, a species of spleenwort.
Adiaphorism \Ad`i*aph"o*rism\, n.
Religious indifference.
Adiaphorist \Ad`i*aph"o*rist\, n. [See {Adiaphorous}.] (Eccl.
Hist.)
One of the German Protestants who, with Melanchthon, held
some opinions and ceremonies to be indifferent or
nonessential, which Luther condemned as sinful or heretical.
--Murdock.
Adiaphoristic \Ad`i*aph`o*ris"tic\, a.
Pertaining to matters indifferent in faith and practice.
--Shipley.
Adiaphorite \Ad`i*aph"o*rite\, n.
Same as {Adiaphorist}.
Adiaphorous \Ad`i*aph"o*rous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ?
different; ? through + ? to bear.]
1. Indifferent or neutral. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Med.) Incapable of doing either harm or good, as some
medicines. --Dunglison.
Adiaphory \Ad`i*aph"o*ry\, n. [Gr. ?.]
Indifference. [Obs.]
Adiathermic \Ad`i*a*ther"mic\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? through +
?heat.]
Not pervious to heat.
Adieu \A*dieu"\, interj. & adv. [OE. also adew, adewe, adue, F.
? dieu, fr. L. ad to + deus God.]
Good-by; farewell; an expression of kind wishes at parting.
Adieu \A*dieu"\, n.; pl. {Adieus}.
A farewell; commendation to the care of God at parting.
--Shak.
Adight \A*dight"\, v. t. [p. p. {Adight}.] [Pref. a- (intensive)
+ OE. dihten. See {Dight}.]
To set in order; to array; to attire; to deck, to dress.
[Obs.]
Ad infinitum \Ad in`fi*ni"tum\ [L., to infinity.]
Without limit; endlessly.
Ad interim \Ad in"ter*im\[L.]
Meanwhile; temporary.
Adipescent \Ad`i*pes"cent\, a. [L. adeps, adipis, fat +
-escent.]
Becoming fatty.
Adipic \A*dip"ic\, a. [L. adeps, adipis, fat.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, fatty or oily substances; --
applied to certain acids obtained from fats by the action of
nitric acid.
Adipocerate \Ad`i*poc"er*ate\, v. t.
To convert into adipocere.
Adipoceration \Ad`i*poc`er*a"tion\, n.
The act or process of changing into adipocere.
Adipocere \Ad"i*po*cere`\, n. [L. adeps, adipis, fat + cera wax:
cf. F. adipocere.]
A soft, unctuous, or waxy substance, of a light brown color,
into which the fat and muscle tissue of dead bodies sometimes
are converted, by long immersion in water or by burial in
moist places. It is a result of fatty degeneration.
Adipoceriform \Ad`i*po*cer"i*form\, a. [Adipocere + -form.]
Having the form or appearance of adipocere; as, an
adipoceriform tumor.
Adipocerous \Ad`i*poc"er*ous\, a.
Like adipocere.
Adipose \Ad"i*pose`\ (?; 277), a. [L. adeps, adipis, fat,
grease.]
Of or pertaining to animal fat; fatty.
{Adipose fin} (Zo["o]l.), a soft boneless fin.
{Adipose tissue} (Anat.), that form of animal tissue which
forms or contains fat.
Adiposeness \Ad"i*pose`ness\, Adiposity \Ad`i*pos"i*ty\, n.
The state of being fat; fatness.
Adipous \Ad"i*pous\, a.
Fatty; adipose. [R.]
Adipsous \A*dip"sous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ?, thirst.]
Quenching thirst, as certain fruits.
Adipsy \Ad"ip*sy\, n. [Gr. ? not thirsty; 'a priv. + ? thirst.]
(Med.)
Absence of thirst.
Adit \Ad"it\, n. [L. aditus, fr. adire, ?aitum, to go to; ad +
ire to go.]
1. An entrance or passage. Specifically: The nearly
horizontal opening by which a mine is entered, or by which
water and ores are carried away; -- called also {drift}
and {tunnel}.
2. Admission; approach; access. [R.]
Yourself and yours shall have Free adit. --Tennyson.
Adjacence \Ad"ja"cence\, Adjacency \Ad*ja"cen*cy\, [Cf. LL.
adjacentia.]
1. The state of being adjacent or contiguous; contiguity; as,
the adjacency of lands or buildings.
2. That which is adjacent. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Adjacent \Ad*ja"cent\, a. [L. adjacens, -centis, p. pr. of
adjacere to lie near; ad + jac[=e]re to lie: cf. F.
adjacent.]
Lying near, close, or contiguous; neighboring; bordering on;
as, a field adjacent to the highway. ``The adjacent forest.''
--B. Jonson.
{Adjacent} or {contiguous angle}. (Geom.) See {Angle}.
Syn: Adjoining; contiguous; near.
Usage: {Adjacent}, {Adjoining}, {Contiguous}. Things are
adjacent when they lie close each other, not necessary
in actual contact; as, adjacent fields, adjacent
villages, etc.
I find that all Europe with her adjacent isles
is peopled with Christians. --Howell.
Things are adjoining when they meet at some line or
point of junction; as, adjoining farms, an adjoining
highway. What is spoken of as contiguous should touch
with some extent of one side or the whole of it; as, a
row of contiguous buildings; a wood contiguous to a
plain.
Adjacent \Ad*ja"cent\, n.
That which is adjacent. [R.] --Locke.
Adjacently \Ad*ja"cent*ly\, adv.
So as to be adjacent.
Adject \Ad*ject"\, v. t. [L. adjectus, p. p. of adjicere to
throw to, to add to; ad + jac[e^]re to throw. See {Jet} a
shooting forth.]
To add or annex; to join. --Leland.
Adjection \Ad*jec"tion\, n. [L. adjectio, fr. adjicere: cf. F.
adjection. See {Adject}.]
The act or mode of adding; also, the thing added. [R.] --B.
Jonson.
Adjectional \Ad*jec"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to adjection; that is, or may be, annexed. [R.]
--Earle.
Adjectitious \Ad`jec*ti"tious\, [L. adjectitius.]
Added; additional. --Parkhurst.
Adjectival \Ad`jec*ti"val\, a.
Of or relating to the relating to the adjective; of the
nature of an adjective; adjective. --W. Taylor (1797)
Adjectivally \Ad`jec*ti"val*ly\, adv.
As, or in the manner of, an adjective; adjectively.
Adjective \Ad"jec*tive\ ([a^]d"j[e^]k*t[i^]v), a. [See
{Adjective}, n.]
1. Added to a substantive as an attribute; of the nature of
an adjunct; as, an adjective word or sentence.
2. Not standing by itself; dependent.
{Adjective color}, a color which requires to be fixed by some
mordant or base to give it permanency.
3. Relating to procedure. ``The whole English law,
substantive and adjective.'' --Macaulay.
Adjective \Ad"jec*tive\, n. [L. adjectivum (sc. nomen), neut. of
adjectivus that is added, fr. adjicere: cf. F. adjectif. See
{Adject}.]
1. (Gram.) A word used with a noun, or substantive, to
express a quality of the thing named, or something
attributed to it, or to limit or define it, or to specify
or describe a thing, as distinct from something else.
Thus, in phrase, ``a wise ruler,'' wise is the adjective,
expressing a property of ruler.
2. A dependent; an accessory. --Fuller.
Adjective \Ad"jec*tive\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjectived}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Adjectiving}.]
To make an adjective of; to form or change into an adjective.
[R.]
Language has as much occasion to adjective the distinct
signification of the verb, and to adjective also the
mood, as it has to adjective time. It has . . .
adjectived all three. --Tooke.
Adjectively \Ad"jec*tive*ly\, adv.
In the manner of an adjective; as, a word used adjectively.
Adjoin \Ad*join"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjoined}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Adjoining}.] [OE. ajoinen, OF. ajoindre, F. adjoindre,
fr. L. adjungere; ad + jungere to join. See {Join}, and cf.
{Adjunct}.]
To join or unite to; to lie contiguous to; to be in contact
with; to attach; to append.
Corrections . . . should be, as remarks, adjoined by
way of note. --Watts.
Adjoin \Ad*join"\ ([a^]d*join"), v. i.
1. To lie or be next, or in contact; to be contiguous; as,
the houses adjoin.
When one man's land adjoins to another's.
--Blackstone.
Note: The construction with to, on, or with is obsolete or
obsolescent.
2. To join one's self. [Obs.]
She lightly unto him adjoined side to side.
--Spenser.
Adjoinant \Ad*join"ant\, a.
Contiguous. [Obs.] --Carew.
Adjoining \Ad*join"ing\, a.
Joining to; contiguous; adjacent; as, an adjoining room.
``The adjoining fane.'' --Dryden.
Upon the hills adjoining to the city. --Shak.
Syn: Adjacent; contiguous; near; neighboring; abutting;
bordering. See {Adjacent}.
Adjoint \Ad"joint\, n.
An adjunct; a helper. [Obs.]
Adjourn \Ad*journ\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjourned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Adjourning}.] [OE. ajornen, OF. ajoiner, ajurner, F.
ajourner; OF. a (L. ad) + jor, jur, jorn, F. jour, day, fr.
L. diurnus belonging to the day, fr. dies day. Cf. {Journal},
{Journey}.]
To put off or defer to another day, or indefinitely; to
postpone; to close or suspend for the day; -- commonly said
of the meeting, or the action, of convened body; as, to
adjourn the meeting; to adjourn a debate.
It is a common practice to adjourn the reformation of
their lives to a further time. --Barrow.
'Tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till
further day. --Shak.
Syn: To delay; defer; postpone; put off; suspend.
Usage: To {Adjourn}, {Prorogue}, {Dissolve}. These words are
used in respect to public bodies when they lay aside
business and separate. Adjourn, both in Great Britain
and this country, is applied to all cases in which
such bodies separate for a brief period, with a view
to meet again. Prorogue is applied in Great Britain to
that act of the executive government, as the
sovereign, which brings a session of Parliament to a
close. The word is not used in this country, but a
legislative body is said, in such a case, to adjourn
sine die. To dissolve is to annul the corporate
existence of a body. In order to exist again the body
must be reconstituted.
Adjourn \Ad*journ"\, v. i.
To suspend business for a time, as from one day to another,
or for a longer period, or indefinitely; usually, to suspend
public business, as of legislatures and courts, or other
convened bodies; as, congress adjourned at four o'clock; the
court adjourned without day.
Adjournal \Ad*journ"al\, n.
Adjournment; postponement. [R.] ``An adjournal of the Diet.''
--Sir W. Scott.
Adjournment \Ad*journ"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. f. adjournement,
OF. ajornement. See {Adjourn}.]
1. The act of adjourning; the putting off till another day or
time specified, or without day.
2. The time or interval during which a public body adjourns
its sittings or postpones business.
Adjudge \Ad*judge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjudged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Adjudging}.] [OE. ajugen, OF. ajugier, fr. L.
adjudicare; ad + judicare to judge. See {Judge}, and cf.
{Adjudicate}.]
1. To award judicially in the case of a controverted
question; as, the prize was adjudged to the victor.
2. To determine in the exercise of judicial power; to decide
or award judicially; to adjudicate; as, the case was
adjudged in the November term.
3. To sentence; to condemn.
Without reprieve, adjudged to death For want of well
pronouncing Shibboleth. --Milton.
4. To regard or hold; to judge; to deem.
He adjudged him unworthy of his friendship.
--Knolles.
Syn: To decree; award; determine; adjudicate; ordain; assign.
Adjudger \Ad*judg"er\, n.
One who adjudges.
Adjudgment \Ad*judg"ment\ (-ment), n.
The act of adjudging; judicial decision; adjudication. --Sir
W. Temple.
Adjudicate \Ad*ju"di*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjudicated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Adjudicating}] [L. adjudicatus, p. p. of
adjudicare. See {Adjudge}.]
To adjudge; to try and determine, as a court; to settle by
judicial decree.
Adjudicate \Ad*ju"di*cate\, v. i.
To come to a judicial decision; as, the court adjudicated
upon the case.
Adjudication \Ad*ju`di*ca"tion\, n. [L. adjudicatio: cf. F.
adjudication.]
1. The act of adjudicating; the act or process of trying and
determining judicially.
2. A deliberate determination by the judicial power; a
judicial decision or sentence. ``An adjudication in favor
of natural rights.'' --Burke.
3. (Bankruptcy practice) The decision upon the question
whether the debtor is a bankrupt. --Abbott.
4. (Scots Law) A process by which land is attached security
or in satisfaction of a debt.
Adjudicative \Ad*ju"di*ca*tive\, a.
Adjudicating.
Adjudicator \Ad*ju"di*ca`tor\, n.
One who adjudicates.
Adjudicature \Ad*ju"di*ca*ture\, n.
Adjudication.
Adjugate \Ad"ju*gate\, v. t. [L. adjugatus, p. p. of adjugare;
ad + jugum a yoke.]
To yoke to. [Obs.]
Adjument \Ad"ju*ment\ ([a^]d"j[-u]*ment), n. [L. adjumentum, for
adjuvamentum, fr. adjuvare to help; ad + juvare to help.]
Help; support; also, a helper. [Obs.] --Waterhouse.
Adjunct \Ad"junct`\, a. [L. adjunctus, p. p. of adjungere. See
{Adjoin}.]
Conjoined; attending; consequent.
Though that my death were adjunct to my act. --Shak.
{Adjunct notes} (Mus.), short notes between those essential
to the harmony; auxiliary notes; passing notes.
Adjunct \Ad"junct`\, n.
1. Something joined or added to another thing, but not
essentially a part of it.
Learning is but an adjunct to our self. --Shak.
2. A person joined to another in some duty or service; a
colleague; an associate. --Wotton.
3. (Gram.) A word or words added to quality or amplify the
force of other words; as, the History of the American
Revolution, where the words in italics are the adjunct or
adjuncts of ``History.''
4. (Metaph.) A quality or property of the body or the mind,
whether natural or acquired; as, color, in the body,
judgment in the mind.
5. (Mus.) A key or scale closely related to another as
principal; a relative or attendant key. [R.] See
{Attendant keys}, under {Attendant}, a.
Adjunction \Ad*junc"tion\, n. [L. adjunctio, fr. adjungere: cf.
F. adjonction, and see {Adjunct}.]
The act of joining; the thing joined or added.
Adjunctive \Ad*junc"tive\, a. [L. adjunctivus, fr. adjungere.
See {Adjunct}.]
Joining; having the quality of joining; forming an adjunct.
Adjunctive \Ad*junc"tive\, n.
One who, or that which, is joined.
Adjunctively \Ad*junc"tive*ly\, adv.
In an adjunctive manner.
Adjunctly \Ad*junct"ly\, adv.
By way of addition or adjunct; in connection with.
Adjuration \Ad`ju*ra"tion\, n. [L. adjuratio, fr. adjurare: cf.
F. adjuration. See {Adjure}.]
1. The act of adjuring; a solemn charging on oath, or under
the penalty of a curse; an earnest appeal.
What an accusation could not effect, an adjuration
shall. --Bp. Hall.
2. The form of oath or appeal.
Persons who . . . made use of prayer and
adjurations. --Addison.
Adjuratory \Ad*ju"ra*to*ry\, a. [L. adjuratorius.]
Containing an adjuration.
Adjure \Ad*jure"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Adjuring}]. [L. adjurare, adjurdium, to swear to; later,
to adjure: cf. F. adjurer. See {Jury}.]
To charge, bind, or command, solemnly, as if under oath, or
under the penalty of a curse; to appeal to in the most solemn
or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly.
Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the
man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this
city Jericho. --Josh. vi.
26.
The high priest . . . said . . . I adjure thee by the
living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the
Christ. --Matt. xxvi.
63.
The commissioners adjured them not to let pass so
favorable an opportunity of securing their liberties.
--Marshall.
Adjurer \Ad*jur"er\, n.
One who adjures.
Adjust \Ad*just"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adjusted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Adjusting}.] [OF. ajuster, ajoster (whence F. ajouter to
add), LL. adjuxtare to fit; fr. L. ad + juxta near; confused
later with L. ad and justus just, right, whence F. ajuster to
adjust. See {Just}, v. t. and cf. {Adjute}.]
1. To make exact; to fit; to make correspondent or
conformable; to bring into proper relations; as, to adjust
a garment to the body, or things to a standard.
2. To put in order; to regulate, or reduce to system.
Adjusting the orthography. --Johnson.
3. To settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that
parties are agreed in the result; as, to adjust accounts;
the differences are adjusted.
4. To bring to a true relative position, as the parts of an
instrument; to regulate for use; as, to adjust a telescope
or microscope.
Syn: To adapt; suit; arrange; regulate; accommodate; set
right; rectify; settle.
Adjustable \Ad*just"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being adjusted.
Adjustage \Ad*just"age\, n. [Cf. {Ajutage}.]
Adjustment. [R.]
Adjuster \Ad*just"er\, n.
One who, or that which, adjusts.
Adjustive \Ad*just"ive\, a.
Tending to adjust. [R.]
Adjustment \Ad*just"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. ajustement. See
{Adjust}.]
1. The act of adjusting, or condition of being adjusted; act
of bringing into proper relations; regulation.
Success depends on the nicest and minutest
adjustment of the parts concerned. --Paley.
2. (Law) Settlement of claims; an equitable arrangement of
conflicting claims, as in set-off, contribution,
exoneration, subrogation, and marshaling. --Bispham.
3. The operation of bringing all the parts of an instrument,
as a microscope or telescope, into their proper relative
position for use; the condition of being thus adjusted;
as, to get a good adjustment; to be in or out of
adjustment.
Syn: Suiting; fitting; arrangement; regulation; settlement;
adaptation; disposition.
Adjutage \Ad"ju*tage\, n.
Same as {Ajutage}.
Adjutancy \Ad"ju*tan*cy\, n. [See {Adjutant}.]
1. The office of an adjutant.
2. Skillful arrangement in aid; assistance.
It was, no doubt, disposed with all the adjutancy of
definition and division. --Burke.
Adjutant \Ad"ju*tant\, n. [L. adjutans, p. pr. of adjutare to
help. See {Aid}.]
1. A helper; an assistant.
2. (Mil.) A regimental staff officer, who assists the
colonel, or commanding officer of a garrison or regiment,
in the details of regimental and garrison duty.
{Adjutant general}
(a) (Mil.), the principal staff officer of an army,
through whom the commanding general receives
communications and issues military orders. In the U.
S. army he is brigadier general.
(b) (Among the Jesuits), one of a select number of
fathers, who resided with the general of the order,
each of whom had a province or country assigned to his
care.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A species of very large stork ({Ciconia
argala}), a native of India; -- called also the {gigantic
crane}, and by the native name {argala}. It is noted for
its serpent-destroying habits.
Adjutator \Ad"ju*ta`tor\, n. (Eng. Hist.)
A corruption of {Agitator}.
Adjute \Ad*jute"\, v. t. [F. ajouter; confused with L.
adjutare.]
To add. [Obs.]
Adjutor \Ad*ju"tor\, n. [L., fr. adjuvare. See {Aid}.]
A helper or assistant. [Archaic] --Drayton.
Adjutory \Ad*ju"to*ry\, a. [L. adjutorius.]
Serving to help or assist; helping. [Obs.]
Adjutrix \Ad*ju"trix\, n. [L. See {Adjutor}.]
A female helper or assistant. [R.]
Adjuvant \Ad"ju*vant\, a. [L. adjuvans, p. pr. of adjuvare to
aid: cf. F. adjuvant. See {Aid}.]
Helping; helpful; assisting. [R.] ``Adjuvant causes.''
--Howell.
Adjuvant \Ad"ju*vant\, n.
1. An assistant. [R.] --Yelverton.
2. (Med.) An ingredient, in a prescription, which aids or
modifies the action of the principal ingredient.
Adlegation \Ad`le*ga"tion\, n. [L. adlegatio, allegatio, a
sending away; fr. adlegare, allegare, to send away with a
commission; ad in addition + legare to send as ambassador.
Cf. {Allegation}.]
A right formerly claimed by the states of the German Empire
of joining their own ministers with those of the emperor in
public treaties and negotiations to the common interest of
the empire. --Encyc. Brit.
Ad libitum \Ad lib"i*tum\
At one's pleasure; as one wishes.
Adlocution \Ad`lo*cu"tion\, n.
See {Allocution}. [Obs.]
Admarginate \Ad*mar"gin*ate\, v. t. [Pref. ad- + margin.]
To write in the margin. [R.] --Coleridge.
Admaxillary \Ad*max"il*la*ry\, a. [Pref. ad- + maxillary.]
(Anat.)
Near to the maxilla or jawbone.
Admeasure \Ad*meas"ure\ (?; 135), v. t. [Cf. OF. amesurer, LL.
admensurare. See {Measure}.]
1. To measure.
2. (Law) To determine the proper share of, or the proper
apportionment; as, to admeasure dower; to admeasure common
of pasture. --Blackstone.
2. The measure of a thing; dimensions; size.
3. (Law) Formerly, the adjustment of proportion, or
ascertainment of shares, as of dower or pasture held in
common. This was by writ of admeasurement, directed to the
sheriff.
Admeasurer \Ad*meas"ur*er\, n.
One who admeasures.
Admensuration \Ad*men`su*ra"tion\, n. [LL. admensuratio; L. ad +
mensurare to measure. See {Mensuration}.]
Same as {Admeasurement}.
Adminicle \Ad*min"i*cle\, n. [L. adminculum support, orig., that
on which the hand rests; ad + manus hand + dim. ending
-culym.]
1. Help or support; an auxiliary. --Grote.
2. (Law) Corroborative or explanatory proof.
Note: In Scots law, any writing tending to establish the
existence or terms of a lost deed. --Bell.
Adminicular \Ad`mi*nic"u*lar\, a.
Supplying help; auxiliary; corroborative; explanatory; as,
adminicular evidence. --H. Spencer.
Adminiculary \Ad`mi*nic"u*la*ry\, a.
Adminicular.
Administer \Ad*min"is*ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Administered};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Administering}.] [OE. aministren, OF.
aministrer, F. administer, fr. L. administrare; ad +
ministrare to serve. See {Minister}.]
1. To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or
superintend the execution, application, or conduct of; as,
to administer the government or the state.
For forms of government let fools contest: Whate'er
is best administered is best. --Pope.
2. To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to
administer relief, to administer the sacrament.
[Let zephyrs] administer their tepid, genial airs.
--Philips.
Justice was administered with an exactness and
purity not before known. --Macaulay.
3. To apply, as medicine or a remedy; to give, as a dose or
something beneficial or suitable. Extended to a blow, a
reproof, etc.
A noxious drug had been administered to him.
--Macaulay.
4. To tender, as an oath.
Swear . . . to keep the oath that we administer.
--Shak.
5. (Law) To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a
will, or whose will fails of an executor.
Syn: To manage; conduct; minister; supply; dispense; give
out; distribute; furnish.
Administer \Ad*min"is*ter\, v. i.
1. To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to conduce; to
minister.
A fountain . . . administers to the pleasure as well
as the plenty of the place. --Spectator.
2. (Law) To perform the office of administrator; to act
officially; as, A administers upon the estate of B.
Administer \Ad*min"is*ter\, n.
Administrator. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Administerial \Ad*min`is*te"ri*al\, a.
Pertaining to administration, or to the executive part of
government.
Administrable \Ad*min"is*tra*ble\, a.
Capable of being administered; as, an administrable law.
Administrant \Ad*min"is*trant\, a. [F., p. pr. of administrer.
See {Administer}.]
Executive; acting; managing affairs. -- n. One who
administers.
Administrate \Ad*min"is*trate\, v. t. [L. administratus, p. p.
of administrare.]
To administer. [R.] --Milman.
Administration \Ad*min`is*tra"tion\ (?; 277), n. [OE.
administracioun, L. administratio: cf. F. administration.]
1. The act of administering; government of public affairs;
the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting
affairs; the conducting of any office or employment;
direction; management.
His financial administration was of a piece with his
military administration. --Macaulay.
2. The executive part of government; the persons collectively
who are intrusted with the execution of laws and the
superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate
and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry,
alone, as in Great Britain.
A mild and popular administration. --Macaulay.
The administration has been opposed in parliament.
--Johnson.
3. The act of administering, or tendering something to
another; dispensation; as, the administration of a
medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament.
4. (Law)
(a) The management and disposal, under legal authority, of
the estate of an intestate, or of a testator having no
competent executor.
(b) The management of an estate of a deceased person by an
executor, the strictly corresponding term execution
not being in use.
{Administration with the will annexed}, administration
granted where the testator has appointed no executor, or
where his appointment of an executor for any cause has
failed, as by death, incompetency, refusal to act, etc.
Syn: Conduct; management; direction; regulation; execution;
dispensation; distribution.
Administrative \Ad*min"is*tra`tive\, a. [L. administrativus: cf.
F. administratif.]
Pertaining to administration; administering; executive; as,
an administrative body, ability, or energy. --
{Ad*min"is*tra`tive*ly}, adv.
Administrator \Ad*min`is*tra"tor\, n. [L.]
1. One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages,
executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial,
political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager.
2. (Law) A man who manages or settles the estate of an
intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent
executor; one to whom the right of administration has been
committed by competent authority.
Administratorship \Ad*min`is*tra"tor*ship\, n.
The position or office of an administrator.
Administratrix \Ad*min`is*tra"trix\, n. [NL.]
A woman who administers; esp., one who administers the estate
of an intestate, or to whom letters of administration have
been granted; a female administrator.
Admirability \Ad`mi*ra*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. admirabilitac.]
Admirableness. [R.] --Johnson.
Admirable \Ad"mi*ra*ble\, a. [L. admirabilis: cf. F. admirable.]
1. Fitted to excite wonder; wonderful; marvelous. [Obs.]
In man there is nothing admirable but his ignorance
and weakness. --Jer. Taylor.
2. Having qualities to excite wonder united with approbation;
deserving the highest praise; most excellent; -- used of
persons or things. ``An admirable machine.'' ``Admirable
fortitude.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Wonderful; marvelous; surprising; excellent; delightful;
praiseworthy.
Admirableness \Ad"mi*ra*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being admirable; wonderful excellence.
Admirably \Ad"mi*ra*bly\, adv.
In an admirable manner.
Admiral \Ad"mi*ral\, n. [OE. amiral, admiral, OF. amiral,
ultimately fr. Ar. am[=i]r-al-bahr commander of the sea; Ar.
am[=i]r is commander, al is the Ar. article, and am[=i]r-al,
heard in different titles, was taken as one word. Early forms
of the word show confusion with L. admirabilis admirable, fr.
admirari to admire. It is said to have been introduced into
Europe by the Genoese or Venetians, in the 12th or 13th
century. Cf. {Ameer}, {Emir}.]
1. A naval officer of the highest rank; a naval officer of
high rank, of which there are different grades. The chief
gradations in rank are admiral, vice admiral, and rear
admiral. The admiral is the commander in chief of a fleet
or of fleets.
2. The ship which carries the admiral; also, the most
considerable ship of a fleet.
Like some mighty admiral, dark and terrible, bearing
down upon his antagonist with all his canvas
straining to the wind, and all his thunders roaring
from his broadsides. --E. Everett.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A handsome butterfly ({Pyrameis Atalanta}) of
Europe and America. The larva feeds on nettles.
{Admiral shell} (Zo["o]l.), the popular name of an ornamental
cone shell ({Conus admiralis}).
{Lord High Admiral}, a great officer of state, who (when this
rare dignity is conferred) is at the head of the naval
administration of Great Britain.
Admiralship \Ad"mi*ral*ship\, n.
The office or position oaf an admiral; also, the naval skill
of an admiral.
Admiralty \Ad"mi*ral*ty\, n.; pl. {Admiralties}. [F.
amiraut['e], for an older amiralt['e], office of admiral, fr.
LL. admiralitas. See {Admiral}.]
1. The office or jurisdiction of an admiral. --Prescott.
2. The department or officers having authority over naval
affairs generally.
3. The court which has jurisdiction of maritime questions and
offenses.
Note: In England, admiralty jurisdiction was formerly vested
in the High Court of Admiralty, which was held before
the Lord High Admiral, or his deputy, styled the Judge
of the Admiralty; but admiralty jurisdiction is now
vested in the probate, divorce, and admiralty division
of the High Justice. In America, there are no admiralty
courts distinct from others, but admiralty jurisdiction
is vested in the district courts of the United States,
subject to revision by the circuit courts and the
Supreme Court of the United States. Admiralty
jurisprudence has cognizance of maritime contracts and
torts, collisions at sea, cases of prize in war, etc.,
and in America, admiralty jurisdiction is extended to
such matters, arising out of the navigation of any of
the public waters, as the Great Lakes and rivers.
4. The system of jurisprudence of admiralty courts.
5. The building in which the lords of the admiralty, in
England, transact business.
Admirance \Ad*mir"ance\, n. [Cf. OF. admirance.]
Admiration. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Admiration \Ad`mi*ra"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. admiratio. See
{Admire}.]
1. Wonder; astonishment. [Obs.]
Season your admiration for a while. --Shak.
2. Wonder mingled with approbation or delight; an emotion
excited by a person or thing possessed of wonderful or
high excellence; as, admiration of a beautiful woman, of a
landscape, of virtue.
3. Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or
pleased surprise; a prodigy.
Now, good Lafeu, bring in the admiration. --Shak.
{Note of admiration}, the mark (!), called also {exclamation
point}.
Syn: Wonder; approval; appreciation; adoration; reverence;
worship.
Admirative \Ad*mir"a*tive\, a.
Relating to or expressing admiration or wonder. [R.] --Earle.
Admire \Ad*mire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Admired}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Admiring}.] [F. admirer, fr. L. admirari; ad + mirari to
wonder, for smirari, akin to Gr. ? to smile, Skr. smi, and E.
smile.]
1. To regard with wonder or astonishment; to view with
surprise; to marvel at. [Archaic]
Examples rather to be admired than imitated.
--Fuller.
2. To regard with wonder and delight; to look upon with an
elevated feeling of pleasure, as something which calls out
approbation, esteem, love, or reverence; to estimate or
prize highly; as, to admire a person of high moral worth,
to admire a landscape.
Admired as heroes and as gods obeyed. --Pope.
Note: Admire followed by the infinitive is obsolete or
colloquial; as, I admire to see a man consistent in his
conduct.
Syn: To esteem; approve; delight in.
Admire \Ad*mire"\, v. i.
To wonder; to marvel; to be affected with surprise; --
sometimes with at.
To wonder at Pharaoh, and even admire at myself.
--Fuller.
Admired \Ad*mired"\, a.
1. Regarded with wonder and delight; highly prized; as, an
admired poem.
2. Wonderful; also, admirable. [Obs.] ``Admired disorder.''
`` Admired Miranda.'' --Shak.
Admirer \Ad*mir"er\, n.
One who admires; one who esteems or loves greatly. --Cowper.
Admiring \Ad*mir"ing\, a.
Expressing admiration; as, an admiring glance. --
{Ad*mir"ing*ly}, adv. --Shak.
Admissibility \Ad*mis`si*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
admissibilit['e].]
The quality of being admissible; admissibleness; as, the
admissibility of evidence.
Admissible \Ad*mis"si*ble\, a. [F. admissible, LL. admissibilis.
See {Admit}.]
Entitled to be admitted, or worthy of being admitted; that
may be allowed or conceded; allowable; as, the supposition is
hardly admissible. -- {Ad*mis"si*ble*ness}, n. --
{Ad*mis"si*bly}, adv.
Admission \Ad*mis"sion\, n. [L. admissio: cf. F. admission. See
{Admit}.]
1. The act or practice of admitting.
2. Power or permission to enter; admittance; entrance;
access; power to approach.
What numbers groan for sad admission there! --Young.
3. The granting of an argument or position not fully proved;
the act of acknowledging something ?serted;
acknowledgment; concession.
The too easy admission of doctrines. --Macaulay.
4. (Law) Acquiescence or concurrence in a statement made by
another, and distinguishable from a confession in that an
admission presupposes prior inquiry by another, but a
confession may be made without such inquiry.
5. A fact, point, or statement admitted; as, admission made
out of court are received in evidence.
6. (Eng. Eccl. Law) Declaration of the bishop that he
approves of the presentee as a fit person to serve the
cure of the church to which he is presented. --Shipley.
Syn: Admittance; concession; acknowledgment; concurrence;
allowance. See {Admittance}.
Admissive \Ad*mis"sive\, a.
Implying an admission; tending to admit. [R.] --Lamb.
Admissory \Ad*mis"so*ry\, a.
Pertaining to admission.
Admit \Ad*mit"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Admitted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Admitting}.] [OE. amitten, L. admittere, admissum; ad +
mittere to send: cf. F. admettre, OF. admettre, OF. ametre.
See {Missile}.]
1. To suffer to enter; to grant entrance, whether into a
place, or into the mind, or consideration; to receive; to
take; as, they were into his house; to admit a serious
thought into the mind; to admit evidence in the trial of a
cause.
2. To give a right of entrance; as, a ticket admits one into
a playhouse.
3. To allow (one) to enter on an office or to enjoy a
privilege; to recognize as qualified for a franchise; as,
to admit an attorney to practice law; the prisoner was
admitted to bail.
4. To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an
allegation which it is impossible to deny; to own or
confess; as, the argument or fact is admitted; he admitted
his guilt.
5. To be capable of; to permit; as, the words do not admit
such a construction. In this sense, of may be used after
the verb, or may be omitted.
Both Houses declared that they could admit of no
treaty with the king. --Hume.
Admittable \Ad*mit"ta*ble\, a.
Admissible. --Sir T.
Browne.
Admittance \Ad*mit"tance\, n.
1. The act of admitting.
2. Permission to enter; the power or right of entrance; also,
actual entrance; reception.
To gain admittance into the house. --South.
He desires admittance to the king. --Dryden.
To give admittance to a thought of fear. --Shak.
3. Concession; admission; allowance; as, the admittance of an
argument. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
4. Admissibility. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. (Eng. Law) The act of giving possession of a copyhold
estate. --Bouvier.
Syn: Admission; access; entrance; initiation.
Usage: {Admittance}, {Admission}. These words are, to some
extent, in a state of transition and change.
Admittance is now chiefly confined to its primary
sense of access into some locality or building. Thus
we see on the doors of factories, shops, etc. ``No
admittance.'' Its secondary or moral sense, as
``admittance to the church,'' is almost entirely laid
aside. Admission has taken to itself the secondary or
figurative senses; as, admission to the rights of
citizenship; admission to the church; the admissions
made by one of the parties in a dispute. And even when
used in its primary sense, it is not identical with
admittance. Thus, we speak of admission into a
country, territory, and other larger localities, etc.,
where admittance could not be used. So, when we speak
of admission to a concert or other public assembly,
the meaning is not perhaps exactly that of admittance,
viz., access within the walls of the building, but
rather a reception into the audience, or access to the
performances. But the lines of distinction on this
subject are one definitely drawn.
Admittatur \Ad`mit*ta"tur\, n. [L., let him be admitted.]
The certificate of admission given in some American colleges.
Admitted \Ad*mit"ted\, a.
Received as true or valid; acknowledged.
Admittedly \Ad*mit"ted*ly\ adv.
Confessedly.
Admitter \Ad*mit"ter\, n.
One who admits.
Admix \Ad*mix"\, v. t. [Pref. ad- + mix: cf. L. admixtus, p. p.
of admiscere. See {Mix}.]
To mingle with something else; to mix. [R.]
Admixtion \Ad*mix"tion\ (?; 106), n. [L. admixtio.]
A mingling of different things; admixture. --Glanvill.
Admixture \Ad*mix"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. admiscere, admixtum, to
admix; ad + miscere to mix. See {Mix}.]
1. The act of mixing; mixture.
2. The compound formed by mixing different substances
together.
3. That which is mixed with anything.
Admonish \Ad*mon"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Admonished}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Admonishing}.] [OE. amonesten, OF. amonester, F.
admonester, fr. a supposed LL. admonesstrare, fr. L. admonere
to remind, warn; ad + monere to warn. See {Monition}.]
1. To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove gently or kindly,
but seriously; to exhort. ``Admonish him as a brother.''
--2 Thess. iii. 15.
2. To counsel against wrong practices; to cation or advise;
to warn against danger or an offense; -- followed by of,
against, or a subordinate clause.
Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns. --Col.
iii. 16.
I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold The
danger, and the lurking enemy. --Milton.
3. To instruct or direct; to inform; to notify.
Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to
make the tabernacle. --Heb. viii.
5.
Admonisher \Ad*mon"ish*er\, n.
One who admonishes.
Admonishment \Ad*mon"ish*ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. OF.
amonestement, admonestement.]
Admonition. [R.] --Shak.
Admonition \Ad`mo*ni"tion\, n. [OE. amonicioun, OF. amonition,
F. admonition, fr. L. admonitio, fr. admonere. See
{Admonish}.]
Gentle or friendly reproof; counseling against a fault or
error; expression of authoritative advice; friendly caution
or warning.
Syn: {Admonition}, {Reprehension}, {Reproof}.
Usage: Admonition is prospective, and relates to moral
delinquencies; its object is to prevent further
transgression. Reprehension and reproof are
retrospective, the former being milder than the
latter. A person of any age or station may be liable
to reprehension in case of wrong conduct; but reproof
is the act of a superior. It is authoritative
fault-finding or censure addressed to children or to
inferiors.
Admonitioner \Ad`mo*ni"tion*er\, n.
Admonisher. [Obs.]
Admonitive \Ad*mon"i*tive\, a.
Admonitory. [R.] --Barrow. -- {Ad*mon"i*tive*ly}, adv.
Admonitor \Ad*mon"i*tor\, n. [L.]
Admonisher; monitor.
Conscience is at most times a very faithful and prudent
admonitor. --Shenstone.
Admonitorial \Ad*mon`i*to"ri*al\, a.
Admonitory. [R.] ``An admonitorial tone.'' --Dickens.
Admonitory \Ad*mon"i*to*ry\, a. [LL. admonitorius.]
That conveys admonition; warning or reproving; as, an
admonitory glance. -- {Ad*mon"i*to*ri*ly},, adv.
Admonitrix \Ad*mon"i*trix\, n. [L.]
A female admonitor.
Admortization \Ad*mor`ti*za"tion\, n. [LL. admortizatio. Cf.
{Amortization}.] (Law)
The reducing or lands or tenements to mortmain. See
{Mortmain}.
Admove \Ad*move"\, v. t. [L. admovere. See {Move}.]
To move or conduct to or toward. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Adnascent \Ad*nas"cent\, a. [L. adnascens, p. pr. of adnasci to
be born, grow.]
Growing to or on something else. ``An adnascent plant.''
--Evelyn.
Adnate \Ad"nate\, a. [L. adnatus, p. p. of adnasci. See
{Adnascent}, and cf. {Agnate}.]
1. (Physiol.) Grown to congenitally.
2. (Bot.) Growing together; -- said only of organic cohesion
of unlike parts.
An anther is adnate when fixed by its whole length
to the filament. --Gray.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Growing with one side adherent to a stem; -- a
term applied to the lateral zooids of corals and other
compound animals.
Adnation \Ad*na"tion\, n. (Bot.)
The adhesion or cohesion of different floral verticils or
sets of organs.
Adnominal \Ad*nom"i*nal\, a. [L. ad + nomen noun.] (Gram.)
Pertaining to an adnoun; adjectival; attached to a noun.
--Gibbs. -- {Ad*nom"i*nal*ly}, adv.
Adnoun \Ad"noun`\, n. [Pref. ad- + noun.] (Gram.)
An adjective, or attribute. [R.] --Coleridge.
Adnubilated \Ad*nu"bi*la`ted\, a. [L. adnubilatus, p. p. of
adnubilare.]
Clouded; obscured. [R.]
Ado \A*do"\ ([.a]*d[=oo]"), (1) v. inf., (2) n. [OE. at do,
northern form for to do. Cf. {Affair}.]
1. To do; in doing; as, there is nothing ado. ``What is here
ado?'' --J. Newton.
2. Doing; trouble; difficulty; troublesome business; fuss;
bustle; as, to make a great ado about trifles.
With much ado, he partly kept awake. --Dryden.
Let's follow to see the end of this ado. --Shak.
Adobe \A*do"be\ ([.a]*d[=o]"b[asl]), n. [Sp.]
An unburnt brick dried in the sun; also used as an adjective,
as, an adobe house, in Texas or New Mexico.
Adolescence \Ad`o*les"cence\, n. [Fr., fr. L. adolescentia.]
The state of growing up from childhood to manhood or
womanhood; youth, or the period of life between puberty and
maturity, generally considered to be, in the male sex, from
fourteen to twenty-one. Sometimes used with reference to the
lower animals.
Adolescency \Ad`o*les"cen*cy\, n.
The quality of being adolescent; youthfulness.
Adolescent \Ad`o*les"cent\ ([a^]d`[-o]*l[e^]s"sent), a. [L.
adolescens, p. pr. of adolescere to grow up to; ad + the
inchoative olescere to grow: cf. F. adolescent. See {Adult}.]
Growing; advancing from childhood to maturity.
Schools, unless discipline were doubly strong, Detain
their adolescent charge too long. --Cowper.
Adolescent \Ad`o*les"cent\, n.
A youth.
Adonean \Ad`o*ne"an\ (-n[=e]"an), a. [L. Adon[=e]us.]
Pertaining to Adonis; Adonic. ``Fair Adonean Venus.''
--Faber.
Adonic \A*don"ic\, a. [F. adonique: cf. L. Adonius.]
Relating to Adonis, famed for his beauty. -- n. An Adonic
verse.
{Adonic verse}, a verse consisting of a dactyl and spondee
(-- [crescent] [crescent] | -- --).
Adonis \A*do"nis\ ([.a]*d[=o]"n[i^]s), n. [L., gr. Gr.
'A`dwnis.]
1. (Gr. Myth.) A youth beloved by Venus for his beauty. He
was killed in the chase by a wild boar.
2. A pre["e]minently beautiful young man; a dandy.
3. (Bot.) A genus of plants of the family {Ranunculace[ae]},
containing the pheasant's eye ({Adonis autumnalis}); --
named from Adonis, whose blood was fabled to have stained
the flower.
Adonist \A*do"nist\ ([.a]*d[=o]"n[i^]st), n. [Heb.
[a^]d[=o]n[=a]i my Lords.]
One who maintains that points of the Hebrew word translated
``Jehovah'' are really the vowel points of the word
``Adonai.'' See {Jehovist}.
Adonize \Ad"o*nize\ ([a^]d"[-o]*n[imac]z), v. t. [Cf. F.
adoniser, fr. Adonis.]
To beautify; to dandify.
I employed three good hours at least in adjusting and
adonozing myself. --Smollett.
Adoor \A*door\, Adoors \A*doors\,
At the door; of the door; as, out adoors. --Shak.
I took him in adoors. --Vicar's
Virgil (1630).
Adopt \A*dopt"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adopted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Adopting}.] [L. adoptare; ad + optare to choose, desire: cf.
F. adopter. See {Option}.]
1. To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir,
friend, citizen, etc.; esp. to take voluntarily (a child
of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own
child.
2. To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally;
to select and take or approve; as, to adopt the view or
policy of another; these resolutions were adopted.
Adoptable \A*dopt"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being adopted.
Adopted \A*dopt"ed\, a.
Taken by adoption; taken up as one's own; as, an adopted son,
citizen, country, word. -- {A*dopt"ed*ly}, adv.
Adopter \A*dopt"er\, n.
1. One who adopts.
2. (Chem.) A receiver, with two necks, opposite to each
other, one of which admits the neck of a retort, and the
other is joined to another receiver. It is used in
distillations, to give more space to elastic vapors, to
increase the length of the neck of a retort, or to unite
two vessels whose openings have different diameters.
[Written also {adapter}.]
Adoption \A*dop"tion\, n. [L. adoptio, allied to adoptare to
adopt: cf. F. adoption.]
1. The act of adopting, or state of being adopted; voluntary
acceptance of a child of other parents to be the same as
one's own child.
2. Admission to a more intimate relation; reception; as, the
adoption of persons into hospitals or monasteries, or of
one society into another.
3. The choosing and making that to be one's own which
originally was not so; acceptance; as, the adoption of
opinions. --Jer. Taylor.
Adoptionist \A*dop"tion*ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect which maintained that Christ was the Son of God
not by nature but by adoption.
Adoptious \A*dop"tious\, a.
Adopted. [Obs.]
Adoptive \A*dopt"ive\, a. [L. adoptivus: cf. F. adoptif.]
Pertaining to adoption; made or acquired by adoption; fitted
to adopt; as, an adoptive father, an child; an adoptive
language. -- {A*dopt"ive*ly}, adv.
Adorability \A*dor`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Adorableness.
Adorable \A*dor"a*ble\, a. [L. adorabilis, fr. adorare: cf. F.
adorable.]
1. Deserving to be adored; worthy of divine honors.
The adorable Author of Christianity. --Cheyne.
2. Worthy of the utmost love or respect.
Adorableness \A*dor"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being adorable, or worthy of adoration.
--Johnson.
Adorably \A*dor"a*bly\, adv.
In an adorable manner.
Adoration \Ad`o*ra"tion\, n. [L. adoratio, fr. adorare: cf. F.
adoration.]
1. The act of playing honor to a divine being; the worship
paid to God; the act of addressing as a god.
The more immediate objects of popular adoration
amongst the heathens were deified human beings.
--Farmer.
2. Homage paid to one in high esteem; profound veneration;
intense regard and love; fervent devotion.
3. A method of electing a pope by the expression of homage
from two thirds of the conclave.
[Pole] might have been chosen on the spot by
adoration. --Froude.
Adore \A*dore"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adored ; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Adoring}.] [OE. aouren, anouren, adoren, OF. aorer, adorer,
F. adorer, fr. L. adorare; ad + orare to speak, pray, os,
oris, mouth. In OE. confused with honor, the French prefix a-
being confused with OE. a, an, on. See {Oral}.]
1. To worship with profound reverence; to pay divine honors
to; to honor as deity or as divine.
Bishops and priests, . . . bearing the host, which
he [James ?.] publicly adored. --Smollett.
2. To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost
esteem and affection; to idolize.
The great mass of the population abhorred Popery and
adored Montouth. --Macaulay.
Adore \A*dore"\, v. t.
To adorn. [Obs.]
Congealed little drops which do the morn adore.
--Spenser.
Adorement \A*dore"ment\ (-ment), n.
The act of adoring; adoration. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Adorer \A*dor"er\, n.
One who adores; a worshiper; one who admires or loves
greatly; an ardent admirer. ``An adorer of truth.''
--Clarendon.
I profess myself her adorer, not her friend. --Shak.
Adoringly \A*dor"ing*ly\, adv.
With adoration.
Adorn \A*dorn"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adorned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Adorning}.] [OE. aournen, anournen, adornen, OF. aorner, fr.
L. aaornare; ad + ornare to furnish, embellish. See {Adore},
{Ornate}.]
To deck or dress with ornaments; to embellish; to set off to
advantage; to render pleasing or attractive.
As a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. --Isa.
lxi. 10.
At church, with meek and unaffected grace, His looks
adorned the venerable place. --Goldsmith.
Syn: To deck; decorate; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace;
dignify; exalt; honor.
Usage: To {Adorn}, {Ornament}, {Decorate}, {Embellish}. We
decorate and ornament by putting on some adjunct which
is attractive or beautiful, and which serves to
heighten the general effect. Thus, a lady's head-dress
may be ornament or decorated with flowers or jewelry;
a hall may be decorated or ornament with carving or
gilding, with wreaths of flowers, or with hangings.
Ornament is used in a wider sense than decorate. To
embellish is to beautify or ornament richly, not so
much by mere additions or details as by modifying the
thing itself as a whole. It sometimes means gaudy and
artificial decoration. We embellish a book with rich
engravings; a style is embellished with rich and
beautiful imagery; a shopkeeper embellishes his front
window to attract attention. Adorn is sometimes
identical with decorate, as when we say, a lady was
adorned with jewels. In other cases, it seems to imply
something more. Thus, we speak of a gallery of
paintings as adorned with the works of some of the
great masters, or adorned with noble statuary and
columns. Here decorated and ornamented would hardly be
appropriate. There is a value in these works of genius
beyond mere show and ornament. Adorn may be used of
what is purely moral; as, a character adorned with
every Christian grace. Here neither decorate, nor
ornament, nor embellish is proper.
Adorn \A*dorn"\, n.
Adornment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Adorn \A*dorn"\, a.
Adorned; decorated. [Obs.] --Milton.
Adornation \Ad`or*na"tion\, n.
Adornment. [Obs.]
Adorner \A*dorn"er\, n.
He who, or that which, adorns; a beautifier.
Adorningly \A*dorn"ing*ly\, adv.
By adorning; decoratively.
Adornment \A*dorn"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. OF. adornement. See
{Adorn}.]
An adorning; an ornament; a decoration.
Adosculation \Ad*os"cu*la"tion\, n. [L. adosculari, adosculatum,
to kiss. See {Osculate}.] (Biol.)
Impregnation by external contact, without intromission.
Adown \A*down"\, adv. [OE. adun, adoun, adune. AS. of d[=u]ne
off the hill. See {Down}.]
From a higher to a lower situation; downward; down, to or on
the ground. [Archaic] ``Thrice did she sink adown.''
--Spenser.
Adown \A*down"\, prep.
Down. [Archaic & Poetic]
Her hair adown her shoulders loosely lay displayed.
--Prior.
Adpress \Ad*press"\, v. t. [L. adpressus, p. p. of adprimere.]
See {Appressed}. -- {Ad*pressed"},, a.
Adrad \A*drad"\, p. a. [P. p. of adread.]
Put in dread; afraid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Adragant \Ad"ra*gant\, n. [F., a corruption of tragacanth.]
Gum tragacanth. --Brande & C.
Adread \A*dread"\, v. t. & i. [AS. andr[ae]dan, ondr[ae]; pref.
a- (for and against) + dr[ae]den to dread. See {Dread}.]
To dread. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
Adreamed \A*dreamed"\, p. p.
Visited by a dream; -- used in the phrase, To be adreamed, to
dream. [Obs.]
Adrenal \Ad*re"nal\, a. [Pref. ad- + renal.] (Anat.)
Suprarenal.
Adrian \A"dri*an\, a. [L. Hadrianus.]
Pertaining to the Adriatic Sea; as, Adrian billows.
Adriatic \A`dri*at"ic\, a. [L. Adriaticus, Hadriaticus, fr.
Adria or Hadria, a town of the Veneti.]
Of or pertaining to a sea so named, the northwestern part of
which is known as the Gulf of Venice.
Adrift \A*drift"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- (for on) + drift.]
Floating at random; in a drifting condition; at the mercy of
wind and waves. Also fig.
So on the sea shall be set adrift. --Dryden.
Were from their daily labor turned adrift.
--Wordsworth.
Adrip \A*drip"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- in + drip.]
In a dripping state; as, leaves all adrip. --D. G. Mitchell.
Adrogate \Ad"ro*gate\, v. t. [See {Arrogate}.] (Rom. Law)
To adopt (a person who is his own master).
Adrogation \Ad`ro*ga"tion\, n. [L. adrogatio, arrogatio, fr.
adrogare. See {Arrogate}.] (Rom. Law)
A kind of adoption in ancient Rome. See {Arrogation}.
Adroit \A*droit"\, a. [F. adroit; [`a] (L. ad) = droit straight,
right, fr. L. directus, p. p. of dirigere. See {Direct}.]
Dexterous in the use of the hands or in the exercise of the
mental faculties; exhibiting skill and readiness in avoiding
danger or escaping difficulty; ready in invention or
execution; -- applied to persons and to acts; as, an adroit
mechanic, an adroit reply. ``Adroit in the application of the
telescope and quadrant.'' --Horsley. ``He was adroit in
intrigue.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Dexterous; skillful; expert; ready; clever; deft;
ingenious; cunning; ready-witted.
Adroitly \A*droit"ly\, adv.
In an adroit manner.
Adroitness \A*droit"ness\, n.
The quality of being adroit; skill and readiness; dexterity.
Adroitness was as requisite as courage. --Motley.
Syn: See {Skill}.
Adry \A*dry"\, a. [Pref. a- (for on) + dry.]
In a dry or thirsty condition. ``A man that is adry.''
--Burton.
Adscititious \Ad`sci*ti"tious\, a. [L. adscitus, p. p. of
adsciscere, asciscere, to take knowingly; ad + sciscere to
seek to know, approve, scire to know.]
Supplemental; additional; adventitious; ascititious.
``Adscititious evidence.'' --Bowring. --
{Ad`sci*ti"tious*ly}, adv.
Adscript \Ad"script\, a. [L. adscriptus, p. p. of adscribere to
enroll. See {Ascribe}.]
Held to service as attached to the soil; -- said of feudal
serfs.
Adscript \Ad"script\, n.
One held to service as attached to the glebe or estate; a
feudal serf. --Bancroft.
Adscriptive \Ad*scrip"tive\, a.[L. adscriptivus. See
{Adscript}.]
Attached or annexed to the glebe or estate and transferable
with it. --Brougham.
Adsignification \Ad*sig`ni*fi*ca"tion\, n.
Additional signification. [R.] --Tooke.
Adsignify \Ad*sig"ni*fy\, v. t. [L. adsignificare to show.]
To denote additionally. [R.] --Tooke.
Adstrict \Ad*strict"\, v. t. -- {Ad*stric"tion}, n.
See {Astrict}, and {Astriction}.
Adstrictory \Ad*stric"to*ry\, a.
See {Astrictory}.
Adstringent \Ad*strin"gent\, a.
See {Astringent}.
Adularia \Ad`u*la"ri*a\, n. [From Adula, a mountain peak in
Switzerland, where fine specimens are found.] (Min.)
A transparent or translucent variety of common feldspar, or
orthoclase, which often shows pearly opalescent reflections;
-- called by lapidaries moonstone.
Adulate \Ad"u*late\, v. t. [L. adulatus, p. p. of adulari.]
To flatter in a servile way. --Byron.
Adulation \Ad`u*la"tion\, n. [F. adulation, fr. L. adulatio, fr.
adulari, adulatum, to flatter.]
Servile flattery; praise in excess, or beyond what is
merited.
Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out With titles
blown from adulation? --Shak.
Syn: Sycophancy; cringing; fawning; obsequiousness;
blandishment.
Usage: {Adulation}, {Flattery}, {Compliment}. Men deal in
compliments from a desire to please; they use flattery
either from undue admiration, or a wish to gratify
vanity; they practice adulation from sordid motives,
and with a mingled spirit of falsehood and hypocrisy.
Compliment may be a sincere expression of due respect
and esteem, or it may be unmeaning; flattery is apt to
become gross; adulation is always servile, and usually
fulsome.
Adulator \Ad"u*la`tor\, n. [L., fr. adulari: cf. F. adulateur.]
A servile or hypocritical flatterer. --Carlyle.
Adulatory \Ad"u*la*to*ry\, a. [L. adulatorius, fr. adulari: cf.
OF. adulatoire.]
Containing excessive praise or compliment; servilely
praising; flattering; as, an adulatory address.
A mere rant of adulatory freedom. --Burke.
Adulatress \Ad"u*la`tress\, n.
A woman who flatters with servility.
Adult \A*dult"\, a. [L. adultus, p. p. of adolescere, akin to
alere to nourish: cf. F. adulte. See {Adolescent}, {Old}.]
Having arrived at maturity, or to full size and strength;
matured; as, an adult person or plant; an adult ape; an adult
age.
Adult \A*dult"\, n.
A person, animal, or plant grown to full size and strength;
one who has reached maturity.
Note: In the common law, the term is applied to a person who
has attained full age or legal majority; in the civil
law, to males after the age of fourteen, and to females
after twelve.
Adulter \A*dul"ter\, v. i. [L. adulterare.]
To commit adultery; to pollute. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Adulterant \A*dul"ter*ant\, n. [L. adulterans, p. pr. of
adulterare.]
That which is used to adulterate anything. -- a.
Adulterating; as, adulterant agents and processes.
Adulterate \A*dul"ter*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adulterated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Adulterating}.] [L. adulteratus, p. p. of
adulterare, fr. adulter adulterer, prob. fr. ad + alter
other, properly one who approaches another on account of
unlawful love. Cf. {Advoutry}.]
1. To defile by adultery. [Obs.] --Milton.
2. To corrupt, debase, or make impure by an admixture of a
foreign or a baser substance; as, to adulterate food,
drink, drugs, coin, etc.
The present war has . . . adulterated our tongue
with strange words. --Spectator.
Syn: To corrupt; defile; debase; contaminate; vitiate;
sophisticate.
Adulterate \A*dul"ter*ate\, v. i.
To commit adultery. [Obs.]
Adulterate \A*dul"ter*ate\, a.
1. Tainted with adultery.
2. Debased by the admixture of a foreign substance;
adulterated; spurious. -- {A*dul"ter*ate*ly}, adv. --
{A*dul"ter*ate*ness}, n.
Adulteration \A*dul`ter*a"tion\, n. [L. adulteratio.]
1. The act of adulterating; corruption, or debasement (esp.
of food or drink) by foreign mixture.
The shameless adulteration of the coin. --Prescott.
2. An adulterated state or product.
Adulterator \A*dul"ter*a`tor\, n. [L.]
One who adulterates or corrupts. [R.] --Cudworth.
Adulterer \A*dul"ter*er\, n. [Formed fr. the verb adulter, with
the E. ending -er. See {Advoutrer}.]
1. A man who commits adultery; a married man who has sexual
intercourse with a woman not his wife.
2. (Script.) A man who violates his religious covenant.
--Jer. ix. 2.
Adulteress \A*dul"ter*ess\, n. [Fem. from L. adulter. Cf.
{Advoutress}.]
1. A woman who commits adultery.
2. (Script.) A woman who violates her religious engagements.
--James iv. 4.
Adulterine \A*dul"ter*ine\, a.[L. adulterinus, fr. adulter.]
Proceeding from adulterous intercourse. Hence: Spurious;
without the support of law; illegal.
When any particular class of artificers or traders
thought proper to act as a corporation without a
charter, such were called adulterine guilds. --Adam
Smith.
Adulterine \A*dul"ter*ine\, n.
An illegitimate child. [R.]
Adulterize \A*dul"ter*ize\, v. i.
To commit adultery. --Milton.
Adulterous \A*dul"ter*ous\, a.
1. Guilty of, or given to, adultery; pertaining to adultery;
illicit. --Dryden.
2. Characterized by adulteration; spurious. ``An adulterous
mixture.'' [Obs.] --Smollett.
Adulterously \A*dul"ter*ous*ly\, adv.
In an adulterous manner.
Adultery \A*dul"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Adulteries}. [L. adulterium.
See {Advoutry}.]
1. The unfaithfulness of a married person to the marriage
bed; sexual intercourse by a married man with another than
his wife, or voluntary sexual intercourse by a married
woman with another than her husband.
Note: It is adultery on the part of the married wrongdoer.
The word has also been used to characterize the act of
an unmarried participator, the other being married. In
the United States the definition varies with the local
statutes. Unlawful intercourse between two married
persons is sometimes called {double adultery}; between
a married and an unmarried person, {single adultery}.
2. Adulteration; corruption. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
3. (Script.)
(a) Lewdness or unchastity of thought as well as act, as
forbidden by the seventh commandment.
(b) Faithlessness in religion. --Jer. iii. 9.
4. (Old Law) The fine and penalty imposed for the offense of
adultery.
5. (Eccl.) The intrusion of a person into a bishopric during
the life of the bishop.
6. Injury; degradation; ruin. [Obs.]
You might wrest the caduceus out of my hand to the
adultery and spoil of nature. --B. Jonson.
Adultness \A*dult"ness\, n.
The state of being adult.
Adumbrant \Ad*um"brant\, a. [L. adumbrans, p. pr. of adumbrare.]
Giving a faint shadow, or slight resemblance; shadowing
forth.
Adumbrate \Ad*um"brate\, v. t. [L. adumbratus, p. p. of
adumbrare; ad + umbrare to shade; umbra shadow.]
1. To give a faint shadow or slight representation of; to
outline; to shadow forth.
Both in the vastness and the richness of the visible
universe the invisible God is adumbrated. --L.
Taylor.
2. To overshadow; to shade.
Adumbration \Ad`um*bra"tion\, n. [L. adumbratio.]
1. The act of adumbrating, or shadowing forth.
2. A faint sketch; an outline; an imperfect portrayal or
representation of a thing.
Elegant adumbrations of sacred truth. --Bp. Horsley.
3. (Her.) The shadow or outlines of a figure.
Adumbrative \Ad*um"bra*tive\, a.
Faintly representing; typical. --Carlyle.
Adunation \Ad`u*na"tion\, n. [L. adunatio; ad + unus one.]
A uniting; union. --Jer. Taylor.
Adunc \A*dunc"\, Adunque \A*dunque"\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Hooked; as, a parrot has an adunc bill.
Aduncity \A*dun"ci*ty\, n. [L. aduncitas. See {Aduncous}.]
Curvature inwards; hookedness.
The aduncity of the beaks of hawks. --Pope.
Aduncous \A*dun"cous\, a. [L. aduncus; ad + uncus hooked, hook.]
Curved inwards; hooked.
Adure \A*dure"\, v. t. [L. adurere; ad + urere to burn.]
To burn up. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Adust \A*dust"\, a. [L. adustus, p. p. of adurere: cf. F.
aduste.]
1. Inflamed or scorched; fiery. ``The Libyan air adust.''
--Milton.
2. Looking as if or scorched; sunburnt.
A tall, thin man, of an adust complexion. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. (Med.) Having much heat in the constitution and little
serum in the blood. [Obs.] Hence: Atrabilious; sallow;
gloomy.
Adusted \A*dust"ed\, a.
Burnt; adust. [Obs.] --Howell.
Adustible \A*dust"i*ble\, a.
That may be burnt. [Obs.]
Adustion \A*dus"tion\ (?; 106), n. [L. adustio, fr. adurere,
adustum: cf. F. adustion.]
1. The act of burning, or heating to dryness; the state of
being thus heated or dried. [Obs.] --Harvey.
2. (Surg.) Cauterization. --Buchanan.
Ad valorem \Ad va*lo"rem\ [L., according to the value.] (Com.)
A term used to denote a duty or charge laid upon goods, at a
certain rate per cent upon their value, as stated in their
invoice, -- in opposition to a specific sum upon a given
quantity or number; as, an ad valorem duty of twenty per
cent.
Advance \Ad*vance"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Advanced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Advancing}(#).] [OE. avancen, avauncen, F. avancer,
fr. a supposed LL. abantiare; ab + ante (F. avant) before.
The spelling with d was a mistake, a- being supposed to be
fr. L. ad. See {Avaunt}.]
1. To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to
make to go on.
2. To raise; to elevate. [Archaic]
They . . . advanced their eyelids. --Shak.
3. To raise to a higher rank; to promote.
Ahasueres . . . advanced him, and set his seat above
all the princes. --Esther iii.
1.
4. To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to
forward; to help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance
the ripening of fruit; to advance one's interests.
5. To bring to view or notice; to offer or propose; to show;
as, to advance an argument.
Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own. --Pope.
6. To make earlier, as an event or date; to hasten.
7. To furnish, as money or other value, before it becomes
due, or in aid of an enterprise; to supply beforehand; as,
a merchant advances money on a contract or on goods
consigned to him.
8. To raise to a higher point; to enhance; to raise in rate;
as, to advance the price of goods.
9. To extol; to laud. [Obs.]
Greatly advancing his gay chivalry. --Spenser.
Syn: To raise; elevate; exalt; aggrandize; improve; heighten;
accelerate; allege; adduce; assign.
Advance \Ad*vance"\, v. i.
1. To move or go forward; to proceed; as, he advanced to
greet me.
2. To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to
advance in knowledge, in stature, in years, in price.
3. To rise in rank, office, or consequence; to be preferred
or promoted.
Advanced to a level with ancient peers. --Prescott.
Advance \Ad*vance"\, n. [Cf. F. avance, fr. avancer. See
{Advance}, v.]
1. The act of advancing or moving forward or upward;
progress.
2. Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally,
or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or
religion; an advance in rank or office.
3. An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an
advance on the prime cost of goods.
4. The first step towards the attainment of a result;
approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to
adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an
offer; -- usually in the plural.
[He] made the like advances to the dissenters.
--Swift.
5. A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received
(as money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on
loan; payment beforehand; the money or goods thus
furnished; money or value supplied beforehand.
I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances.
--Jay.
The account was made up with intent to show what
advances had been made. --Kent.
{In advance}
(a) In front; before.
(b) Beforehand; before an equivalent is received.
(c) In the state of having advanced money on account; as,
A is in advance to B a thousand dollars or pounds.
Advance \Ad*vance"\, a.
Before in place, or beforehand in time; -- used for advanced;
as, an advance guard, or that before the main guard or body
of an army; advance payment, or that made before it is due;
advance proofs, advance sheets, pages of a forthcoming
volume, received in advance of the time of publication.
Advanced \Ad*vanced"\, a.
1. In the van or front.
2. In the front or before others, as regards progress or
ideas; as, advanced opinions, advanced thinkers.
3. Far on in life or time.
A gentleman advanced in years, with a hard
experience written in his wrinkles. --Hawthorne.
{Advanced guard}, a detachment of troops which precedes the
march of the main body.
Advancement \Ad*vance"ment\ ([a^]d*v[.a]ns"ment), n. [OE.
avancement, F. avancement. See {Advance}, v. t.]
1. The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced;
progression; improvement; furtherance; promotion to a
higher place or dignity; as, the advancement of learning.
In heaven . . . every one (so well they love each
other) rejoiceth and hath his part in each other's
advancement. --Sir T. More.
True religion . . . proposes for its end the joint
advancement of the virtue and happiness of the
people. --Horsley.
2. An advance of money or value; payment in advance. See
{Advance}, 5.
3. (Law) Property given, usually by a parent to a child, in
advance of a future distribution.
4. Settlement on a wife, or jointure. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Advancer \Ad*van"cer\, n.
1. One who advances; a promoter.
2. A second branch of a buck's antler. --Howell.
Advancive \Ad*van"cive\, a.
Tending to advance. [R.]
Advantage \Ad*van"tage\ (?; 61, 48), n. [OE. avantage,
avauntage, F. avantage, fr. avant before. See {Advance}, and
cf. {Vantage}.]
1. Any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means,
particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end;
benefit; as, the enemy had the advantage of a more
elevated position.
Give me advantage of some brief discourse. --Shak.
The advantages of a close alliance. --Macaulay.
2. Superiority; mastery; -- with of or over.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us. --2 Cor.
ii. 11.
3. Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit;
gain; profit; as, the advantage of a good constitution.
4. Interest of money; increase; overplus (as the thirteenth
in the baker's dozen). [Obs.]
And with advantage means to pay thy love. --Shak.
{Advantage ground}, vantage ground. [R.] --Clarendon.
{To have the advantage of} (any one), to have a personal
knowledge of one who does not have a reciprocal knowledge.
``You have the advantage of me; I don't remember ever to
have had the honor.'' --Sheridan.
{To take advantage of}, to profit by; (often used in a bad
sense) to overreach, to outwit.
Syn: {Advantage}, {Advantageous}, {Benefit}, {Beneficial}.
Usage: We speak of a thing as a benefit, or as beneficial,
when it is simply productive of good; as, the benefits
of early discipline; the beneficial effects of
adversity. We speak of a thing as an advantage, or as
advantageous, when it affords us the means of getting
forward, and places us on a ``vantage ground'' for
further effort. Hence, there is a difference between
the benefits and the advantages of early education;
between a beneficial and an advantageous investment of
money.
Advantage \Ad*van"tage\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Advantaged}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Advantaging}.] [F. avantager, fr. avantage. See
{Advance}.]
To give an advantage to; to further; to promote; to benefit;
to profit.
The truth is, the archbishop's own stiffness and
averseness to comply with the court designs, advantaged
his adversaries against him. --Fuller.
What is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world,
and lose himself, or be cast away? --Luke ix. 25.
{To advantage one's self of}, to avail one's self of. [Obs.]
Advantageable \Ad*van"tage*a*ble\, a.
Advantageous. [Obs.]
Advantageous \Ad`van*ta"geous\, a. [F. avantageux, fr.
avantage.]
Being of advantage; conferring advantage; gainful;
profitable; useful; beneficial; as, an advantageous position;
trade is advantageous to a nation.
Advabtageous comparison with any other country.
--Prescott.
You see . . . of what use a good reputation is, and how
swift and advantageous a harbinger it is, wherever one
goes. --Chesterfield.
Advantageously \Ad`van*ta"geous*ly\, adv.
Profitably; with advantage.
Advantageousness \Ad`van*ta"geous*ness\, n.
Profitableness.
Advene \Ad*vene"\, v. i. [L. advenire; ad + venire to come: cf.
F. avenir, advenir. See {Come}.]
To accede, or come (to); to be added to something or become a
part of it, though not essential. [R.]
Where no act of the will advenes as a coefficient.
--Coleridge.
Advenient \Ad*ven"ient\, a. [L. adviens, p. pr.]
Coming from outward causes; superadded. [Obs.]
Advent \Ad`vent\, n. [L. adventus, fr. advenire, adventum: cf.
F. avent. See {Advene}.]
1. (Eccl.) The period including the four Sundays before
Christmas.
{Advent Sunday} (Eccl.), the first Sunday in the season of
Advent, being always the nearest Sunday to the feast of
St. Andrew (Now. 30). --Shipley.
2. The first or the expected second coming of Christ.
3. Coming; any important arrival; approach.
Death's dreadful advent. --Young.
Expecting still his advent home. --Tennyson.
Adventist \Ad"vent*ist\, n.
One of a religious body, embracing several branches, who look
for the proximate personal coming of Christ; -- called also
{Second Adventists}. --Schaff-Herzog Encyc.
Adventitious \Ad`ven*ti"tious\, a. [L. adventitius.]
1. Added extrinsically; not essentially inherent; accidental
or causal; additional; supervenient; foreign.
To things of great dimensions, if we annex an
adventitious idea of terror, they become without
comparison greater. --Burke.
2. (Nat. Hist.) Out of the proper or usual place; as,
adventitious buds or roots.
3. (Bot.) Accidentally or sparingly spontaneous in a country
or district; not fully naturalized; adventive; -- applied
to foreign plants.
4. (Med.) Acquired, as diseases; accidental. --
{Ad`ven*ti"tious*ly}, adv. -- {Ad`ven*ti"tious*ness}, n.
Adventive \Ad*ven"tive\, a.
1. Accidental.
2. (Bot.) Adventitious. --Gray.
Adventive \Ad*ven"tive\, n.
A thing or person coming from without; an immigrant. [R.]
--Bacon.
Adventual \Ad*ven"tu*al\ (?; 135), a.
Relating to the season of advent. --Sanderson.
Adventure \Ad*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. aventure, aunter,
anter, F. aventure, fr. LL. adventura, fr. L. advenire,
adventum, to arrive, which in the Romance languages took the
sense of ``to happen, befall.'' See Advene.]
1. That which happens without design; chance; hazard; hap;
hence, chance of danger or loss.
Nay, a far less good to man it will be found, if she
must, at all adventures, be fastened upon him
individually. --Milton.
2. Risk; danger; peril. [Obs.]
He was in great adventure of his life. --Berners.
3. The encountering of risks; hazardous and striking
enterprise; a bold undertaking, in which hazards are to be
encountered, and the issue is staked upon unforeseen
events; a daring feat.
He loved excitement and adventure. --Macaulay.
4. A remarkable occurrence; a striking event; a stirring
incident; as, the adventures of one's life. --Bacon.
5. A mercantile or speculative enterprise of hazard; a
venture; a shipment by a merchant on his own account.
{A bill of adventure} (Com.), a writing setting forth that
the goods shipped are at the owner's risk.
Syn: Undertaking; enterprise; venture; event.
Adventure \Ad*ven"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adventured}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Adventuring}.] [OE. aventuren, auntren, F.
aventurer, fr. aventure. See {Adventure}, n.]
1. To risk, or hazard; jeopard; to venture.
He would not adventure himself into the theater.
--Acts xix.
31.
2. To venture upon; to run the risk of; to dare.
Yet they adventured to go back. --Bunyan,
Discriminations might be adventured. --J. Taylor.
Adventure \Ad*ven"ture\, v. i.
To try the chance; to take the risk.
I would adventure for such merchandise. --Shak.
Adventureful \Ad*ven"ture*ful\, a.
Given to adventure.
Adventurer \Ad*ven"tur*er\, n. [Cf. F. aventurier.]
1. One who adventures; as, the merchant adventurers; one who
seeks his fortune in new and hazardous or perilous
enterprises.
2. A social pretender on the lookout for advancement.
Adventuresome \Ad*ven"ture*some\, a.
Full of risk; adventurous; venturesome. --
{Ad*ven"ture*some*ness}, n.
Adventuress \Ad*ven"tur*ess\, n.
A female adventurer; a woman who tries to gain position by
equivocal means.
Adventurous \Ad*ven"tur*ous\, a. [OE. aventurous, aunterous, OF.
aventuros, F. aventureux, fr. aventure. See {Adventure}, n.]
1. Inclined to adventure; willing to incur hazard; prone to
embark in hazardous enterprise; rashly daring; -- applied
to persons.
Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve.
--Milton.
2. Full of hazard; attended with risk; exposing to danger;
requiring courage; rash; -- applied to acts; as, an
adventurous undertaking, deed, song.
Syn: Rash; foolhardy; presumptuous; enterprising; daring;
hazardous; venturesome. See {Rash}.
Adventurously \Ad*ven"tur*ous*ly\, adv.
In an adventurous manner; venturesomely; boldly; daringly.
Adventurousness \Ad*ven"tur*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being adventurous; daring;
venturesomeness.
Adverb \Ad"verb\, n. [L. adverbium; ad + verbum word, verb: cf.
F. adverbe.] (Gram.)
A word used to modify the sense of a verb, participle,
adjective, or other adverb, and usually placed near it; as,
he writes well; paper extremely white.
Adverbial \Ad*ver"bi*al\, a. [L. adverbialis: cf. F. adverbial.]
Of or pertaining to an adverb; of the nature of an adverb;
as, an adverbial phrase or form.
Adverbiality \Ad*ver`bi*al"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being adverbial. --Earle.
Adverbialize \Ad*ver"bi*al*ize\, v. t.
To give the force or form of an adverb to.
Adverbially \Ad*ver"bi*al*ly\, adv.
In the manner of an adverb.
Adversaria \Ad`ver*sa"ri*a\, n. pl. [L. adversaria (sc.
scripta), neut. pl. of adversarius.]
A miscellaneous collection of notes, remarks, or selections;
a commonplace book; also, commentaries or notes.
These parchments are supposed to have been St. Paul's
adversaria. --Bp. Bull.
Adversarious \Ad`ver*sa"ri*ous\, a.
Hostile. [R.] --Southey.
Adversary \Ad`ver*sa*ry\, n.; pl. {Adversaries}. [OE.
adversarie, direct fr. the Latin, and adversaire, fr. OF.
adversier, aversier, fr. L. adversarius (a.) turned toward,
(n.) an adversary. See {Adverse}.]
One who is turned against another or others with a design to
oppose
or resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an
opponent; an antagonist; an enemy; a foe.
His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries. --Shak.
Agree with thine adversary quickly. --Matt. v. 25.
It may be thought that to vindicate the permanency of
truth is to dispute without an adversary. --Beattie.
{The Adversary}, The Satan, or the Devil.
Syn: {Adversary}, {Enemy}, {Opponent}, {Antagonist}.
Usage: Enemy is the only one of these words which necessarily
implies a state of personal hostility. Men may be
adversaries, antagonists, or opponents to each other
in certain respects, and yet have no feelings of
general animosity. An adversary may be simply one who
is placed for a time in a hostile position, as in a
lawsuit, an argument, in chess playing, or at fence.
An opponent is one who is ranged against another
(perhaps passively) on the opposing side; as a
political opponent, an opponent in debate. An
antagonist is one who struggles against another with
active effort, either in a literal fight or in verbal
debate.
Adversary \Ad"ver*sa*ry\, a.
1. Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic. [Archaic] --Bp.
King.
2. (Law) Having an opposing party; not unopposed; as, an
adversary suit.
Adversative \Ad*ver"sa*tive\, a. [L. adversativus, fr.
adversari.]
Expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis; as, an
adversative conjunction (but, however, yet, etc. ); an
adversative force. -- {Ad*ver"sa*tive*ly}, adv.
Adversative \Ad*ver"sa*tive\, n.
An adversative word. --Harris.
Adverse \Ad"verse\, a. [OE. advers, OF. avers, advers, fr. L.
adversus, p. p. advertere to turn to. See {Advert}.]
1. Acting against, or in a contrary direction; opposed;
contrary; opposite; conflicting; as, adverse winds; an
adverse party; a spirit adverse to distinctions of caste.
2. Opposite. ``Calpe's adverse height.'' --Byron.
3. In hostile opposition to; unfavorable; unpropitious;
contrary to one's wishes; unfortunate; calamitous;
afflictive; hurtful; as, adverse fates, adverse
circumstances, things adverse.
Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as
well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune.
--Southey.
{Adverse possession} (Law), a possession of real property
avowedly contrary to some claim of title in another
person. --Abbott.
Syn: Averse; reluctant; unwilling. See {Averse}.
Adverse \Ad*verse"\, v. t. [L. adversari: cf. OF. averser.]
To oppose; to resist. [Obs.] --Gower.
Adversely \Ad"verse*ly\ (277), adv.
In an adverse manner; inimically; unfortunately;
contrariwise.
Adverseness \Ad"verse*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being adverse; opposition.
Adversifoliate \Ad*ver`si*fo"li*ate\, Adversifolious
\Ad*ver`si*fo"li*ous\a. [L. adversus opposite + folium leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having opposite leaves, as plants which have the leaves so
arranged on the stem.
Adversion \Ad*ver"sion\, n.[L. adversio]
A turning towards; attention. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Adversity \Ad*ver"si*ty\, n.; pl. {Adversities}. [OE. adversite,
F. adversit['e], fr. L. adversitas.]
1. Opposition; contrariety. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Adversity is not without comforts and hopes.
--Bacon.
Syn: Affliction; distress; misery; disaster; trouble;
suffering; trial.
Advert \Ad*vert"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Adverted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Adverting}.] [L. advertere, v. t., to turn to; ad +
vertere to turn: cf. F. avertir. See {Advertise}.]
To turn the mind or attention; to refer; to take heed or
notice; -- with to; as, he adverted to what was said.
I may again advert to the distinction. --Owen.
Syn: Syn.- To refer; allude; regard. See {Refer}.
Advertence \Ad*vert"ence\, Advertency \Ad*vert"en*cy\, [OF.
advertence, avertence, LL. advertentia, fr. L. advertens. See
{Advertent}.]
The act of adverting, of the quality of being advertent;
attention; notice; regard; heedfulness.
To this difference it is right that advertence should
be had in regulating taxation. --J. S. Mill.
Advertent \Ad*vert"ent\, a. [L. advertens, -entis, p. pr. of
advertere. See {Advert}.]
Attentive; heedful; regardful. --Sir M. Hale. --
{Ad*vert"ent*ly}, adv.
Advertise \Ad`ver*tise"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Advertised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Advertising}.] [F. avertir,
formerly also spelt advertir, to warn, give notice to, L.
advertere to turn to. The ending was probably influenced by
the noun advertisement. See {Advert}.]
To give notice to; to inform or apprise; to notify; to make
known; hence, to warn; -- often followed by of before the
subject of information; as, to advertise a man of his loss.
[Archaic]
I will advertise thee what this people shall do. --Num.
xxiv. 14.
4. To give public notice of; to announce publicly, esp. by a
printed notice; as, to advertise goods for sale, a lost
article, the sailing day of a vessel, a political meeting.
Syn: To apprise; inform; make known; notify; announce;
proclaim; promulgate; publish.
Advertisement \Ad*ver"tise*ment\ ([a^]d*v[~e]r"t[i^]z*ment or
[a^]d`v[~e]r*t[imac]z"ment; 277), n. [F. avertisement,
formerly also spelled advertissement, a warning, giving
notice, fr. avertir.]
1. The act of informing or notifying; notification. [Archaic]
An advertisement of danger. --Bp. Burnet.
2. Admonition; advice; warning. [Obs.]
Therefore give me no counsel: My griefs cry louder
than advertisement. --Shak.
3. A public notice, especially a paid notice in some public
print; anything that advertises; as, a newspaper
containing many advertisements.
Advertiser \Ad`ver*tis"er\, n.
One who, or that which, advertises.
Advice \Ad*vice"\, n. [OE. avis, F. avis; ? + OF. vis, fr. L.
visum seemed, seen; really p. p. of videre to see, so that
vis meant that which has seemed best. See {Vision}, and cf.
{Avise}, {Advise}.]
1. An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be
followed; counsel.
We may give advice, but we can not give conduct.
--Franklin.
2. Deliberate consideration; knowledge. [Obs.]
How shall I dote on her with more advice, That thus
without advice begin to love her? --Shak.
3. Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late
advices from France; -- commonly in the plural.
Note: In commercial language, advice usually means
information communicated by letter; -- used chiefly in
reference to drafts or bills of exchange; as, a letter
of advice. --McElrath.
4. (Crim. Law) Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
--Wharton.
{Advice boat}, a vessel employed to carry dispatches or to
reconnoiter; a dispatch boat.
{To take advice}.
(a) To accept advice.
(b) To consult with another or others.
Syn: Counsel; suggestion; recommendation; admonition;
exhortation; information; notice.
Advisability \Ad*vis`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being advisable; advisableness.
Advisable \Ad*vis"a*ble\, a.
1. Proper to be advised or to be done; expedient; prudent.
Some judge it advisable for a man to account with
his heart every day. --South.
2. Ready to receive advice. [R.] --South.
Syn: Expedient; proper; desirable; befitting.
Advisable-ness \Ad*vis"a*ble-ness\, n.
The quality of being advisable or expedient; expediency;
advisability.
Advisably \Ad*vis"a*bly\, adv.
With advice; wisely.
Advise \Ad*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Advised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Advising}.] [OE. avisen to perceive, consider, inform, F.
aviser, fr. LL. advisare. advisare; ad + visare, fr. L.
videre, visum, to see. See {Advice}, and cf. {Avise}.]
1. To give advice to; to offer an opinion, as worthy or
expedient to be followed; to counsel; to warn. ``I shall
no more advise thee.'' --Milton.
2. To give information or notice to; to inform; -- with of
before the thing communicated; as, we were advised of the
risk.
{To advise one's self}, to bethink one's self; to take
counsel with one's self; to reflect; to consider. [Obs.]
Bid thy master well advise himself. --Shak.
Syn: To counsel; admonish; apprise; acquaint.
Advise \Ad*vise"\, v. t.
1. To consider; to deliberate. [Obs.]
Advise if this be worth attempting. --Milton.
2. To take counsel; to consult; -- followed by with; as, to
advise with friends.
Advisedly \Ad*vis"ed*ly\, adv.
1. Circumspectly; deliberately; leisurely. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. With deliberate purpose; purposely; by design. ``Advisedly
undertaken.'' --Suckling.
Advisedness \Ad*vis"ed*ness\ n.
Deliberate consideration; prudent procedure; caution.
Advisement \Ad*vise"ment\ ([a^]d*v[imac]z"ment), n. [OE.
avisement, F. avisement, fr. aviser. See {Advise}, and cf.
{Avisement}.]
1. Counsel; advice; information. [Archaic]
And mused awhile, waking advisement takes of what
had passed in sleep. --Daniel.
2. Consideration; deliberation; consultation.
Tempering the passion with advisement slow.
--Spenser.
Adviser \Ad*vis"er\, n.
One who advises.
Advisership \Ad*vis"er*ship\, n.
The office of an adviser. [R.]
Adviso \Ad*vi"so\, n. [Cf. Sp. aviso. See {Advice}.]
Advice; counsel; suggestion; also, a dispatch or advice boat.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Advisory \Ad*vi"so*ry\, a.
Having power to advise; containing advice; as, an advisory
council; their opinion is merely advisory.
The General Association has a general advisory
superintendence over all the ministers and churches.
--Trumbull.
Advocacy \Ad"vo*ca*cy\, n. [OF. advocatie, LL. advocatia. See
{Advocate}.]
The act of pleading for or supporting; work of advocating;
intercession.
Advocate \Ad"vo*cate\, n. [OE. avocat, avocet, OF. avocat, fr.
L. advocatus, one summoned or called to another; properly the
p. p. of advocare to call to, call to one's aid; ad + vocare
to call. See {Advowee}, {Avowee}, {Vocal}.]
1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who
pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial
court; a counselor.
Note: In the English and American Law, advocate is the same
as ``counsel,'' ``counselor,'' or ``barrister.'' In the
civil and ecclesiastical courts, the term signifies the
same as ``counsel'' at the common law.
2. One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by
argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an
advocate of truth.
3. Christ, considered as an intercessor.
We have an Advocate with the Father. --1 John ii.
1.
{Faculty of advocates} (Scot.), the Scottish bar in
Edinburgh.
{Lord advocate} (Scot.), the public prosecutor of crimes, and
principal crown lawyer.
{Judge advocate}. See under {Judge}.
Advocate \Ad"vo*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Advocated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Advocating}.] [See {Advocate}, n., {Advoke}, {Avow}.]
To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a
tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend
publicly.
To advocate the cause of thy client. --Bp.
Sanderson
(1624).
This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has
been advocated. --Burke.
Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.
--Mitford.
Advocate \Ad"vo*cate\, v. i.
To act as advocate. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Advocateship \Ad"vo*cate*ship\, n.
Office or duty of an advocate.
Advocation \Ad`vo*ca"tion\, n. [L. advocatio: cf. OF. avocation.
See {Advowson}.]
1. The act of advocating or pleading; plea; advocacy.
[Archaic]
The holy Jesus . . . sits in heaven in a perpetual
advocation for us. --Jer. Taylor.
2. Advowson. [Obs.]
The donations or advocations of church livings.
--Sanderson.
3. (Scots Law) The process of removing a cause from an
inferior court to the supreme court. --Bell.
Advocatory \Ad"vo*ca*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to an advocate. [R.]
Advoke \Ad*voke"\, v. t. [L. advocare. See {Advocate}.]
To summon; to call. [Obs.]
Queen Katharine had privately prevailed with the pope
to advoke the cause to Rome. --Fuller.
Advolution \Ad`vo*lu"tion\, n. [L. advolvere, advolutum, to roll
to.]
A rolling toward something. [R.]
Advoutrer \Ad*vou"trer\, n. [OF. avoutre, avoltre, fr. L.
adulter. Cf. {Adulterer}.]
An adulterer. [Obs.]
Advoutress \Ad*vou"tress\, n.
An adulteress. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Advoutry \Ad*vou"try\, Advowtry \Ad*vow"try\, n. [OE. avoutrie,
avouterie, advoutrie, OF. avoutrie, avulterie, fr. L.
adulterium. Cf. {Adultery}.]
Adultery. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Advowee \Ad*vow*ee"\, n. [OE. avowe, F. avou['e], fr. L.
advocatus. See {Advocate}, {Avowee}, {Avoyer}.]
One who has an advowson. --Cowell.
Advowson \Ad*vow"son\ (?; 277), n. [OE. avoweisoun, OF.
avo["e]son, fr. L. advocatio. Cf. {Advocation}.] (Eng. Law)
The right of presenting to a vacant benefice or living in the
church. [Originally, the relation of a patron (advocatus) or
protector of a benefice, and thus privileged to nominate or
present to it.]
Note: The benefices of the Church of England are in every
case subjects of presentation. They are nearly 12,000
in number; the advowson of more than half of them
belongs to private persons, and of the remainder to the
crown, bishops, deans and chapters, universities, and
colleges. --Amer. Cyc.
Advoyer \Ad*voy"er\, n.
See {Avoyer}. [Obs.]
Adward \Ad*ward"\, n.
Award. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Adynamia \Ad`y*na"mi*a\, n. [NL. adynamia, fr. Gr. ? want of
strength; ? priv + ? power, strength.] (Med.)
Considerable debility of the vital powers, as in typhoid
fever. --Dunglison.
Adynamic \Ad`y*nam"ic\, a. [Cf. F. adynamique. See {Adynamy}.]
1. (Med.) Pertaining to, or characterized by, debility of the
vital powers; weak.
2. (Physics) Characterized by the absence of power or force.
{Adynamic fevers}, malignant or putrid fevers attended with
great muscular debility.
Adynamy \A*dyn"a*my\, n.
Adynamia. [R.] --Morin.
Adytum \Ad"y*tum\, n. {Adyta}. [L., fr. Gr. ?, n., fr. ?, a.,
not to be entered; 'a priv. + ? to enter.]
The innermost sanctuary or shrine in ancient temples, whence
oracles were given. Hence: A private chamber; a sanctum.
Adz \Adz\, Adze \Adze\, n. [OE. adese, adis, adse, AS. adesa,
adese, ax, hatchet.]
A carpenter's or cooper's tool, formed with a thin arching
blade set at right angles to the handle. It is used for
chipping or slicing away the surface of wood.
Adz \Adz\, v. t.
To cut with an adz. [R.] --Carlyle.
AE \[AE]\ or Ae \Ae\
A diphthong in the Latin language; used also by the Saxon
writers. It answers to the Gr. ai. The Anglo-Saxon short [ae]
was generally replaced by a, the long [=ae] by e or ee. In
derivatives from Latin words with ae, it is mostly superseded
by e. For most words found with this initial combination, the
reader will therefore search under the letter E.
AEcidium \[AE]*cid"i*um\, n.; pl. {[AE]cidia}. [NL., dim. of Gr.
? injury.] (Bot.)
A form of fruit in the cycle of development of the Rusts or
Brands, an order of fungi, formerly considered independent
plants.
AEdile \[AE]"dile\, n. [L. aedilis, fr. aedes temple, public
building. Cf. {Edify}.]
A magistrate in ancient Rome, who had the superintendence of
public buildings, highways, shows, etc.; hence, a municipal
officer.
AEdileship \[AE]"dile*ship\, n.
The office of an [ae]dile. --T. Arnold.
AEgean \[AE]*ge"an\, a. [L. Aegeus; Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to the sea, or arm of the Mediterranean sea,
east of Greece. See {Archipelago}.
AEgicrania \[AE]`gi*cra"ni*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, goat +
?, n. pl., heads.] (Arch.)
Sculptured ornaments, used in classical architecture,
representing rams' heads or skulls.
AEgilops \[AE]g"i*lops\, n. [L. aegilopis, Gr. ?, fr. ?, gen. ?,
goat + ? eye.]
1. (Med.) An ulcer or fistula in the inner corner of the eye.
2. (Bot.)
(a) The great wild-oat grass or other cornfield weed.
--Crabb.
(b) A genus of plants, called also {hardgrass}.
AEgis \[AE]"gis\, n. [L. aegis, fr. Gr. ? a goat skin, a shield,
? goat, or fr. ? to rush.]
A shield or protective armor; -- applied in mythology to the
shield of Jupiter which he gave to Minerva. Also fig.: A
shield; a protection.
AEgophony \[AE]*goph"o*ny\, n.
Same as {Egophony}.
AEgrotat \[AE]*gro"tat\, n. [L., he is sick.] (Camb. Univ.)
A medical certificate that a student is ill.
AEneid \[AE]*ne"id\, n. [L. Aeneis, Aeneidis, or -dos: cf. F.
['E]n['e]de.]
The great epic poem of Virgil, of which the hero is [AE]neas.
Aeneous \A*["e]"ne*ous\, a. [L. a["e]neus.] (Zo["o]l.)
Colored like bronze.
AEolian \[AE]*o"li*an\, a. [L. Aeolius, Gr. ?.]
1. Of or pertaining to [AE]olia or [AE]olis, in Asia Minor,
colonized by the Greeks, or to its inhabitants; [ae]olic;
as, the [AE]olian dialect.
2. Pertaining to [AE]olus, the mythic god of the winds;
pertaining to, or produced by, the wind; a["e]rial.
Viewless forms the [ae]olian organ play. --Campbell.
{[AE]olian attachment}, a contrivance often attached to a
pianoforte, which prolongs the vibrations, increases the
volume of sound, etc., by forcing a stream of air upon the
strings. --Moore.
{[AE]olian harp}, {[AE]olian lyre}, a musical instrument
consisting of a box, on or in which are stretched strings,
on which the wind acts to produce the notes; -- usually
placed at an open window. --Moore.
{[AE]olian mode} (Mus.), one of the ancient Greek and early
ecclesiastical modes.
AEolic \[AE]*ol"ic\ ([-e]*[o^]l"[i^]k), a. [L. Aeolicus; Gr.
A'ioliko`s.]
[AE]olian, 1; as, the [AE]olic dialect; the [AE]olic mode.
AEolipile \[AE]*ol"i*pile\, AEolipyle \[AE]*ol"i*pyle\, n. [L.
aeolipilae; Aeolus god of the winds + pila a ball, or Gr. ?
gate (i. e., doorway of [AE]olus); cf. F. ['e]olipyle.]
An apparatus consisting chiefly of a closed vessel (as a
globe or cylinder) with one or more projecting bent tubes,
through which steam is made to pass from the vessel, causing
it to revolve. [Written also {eolipile}.]
Note: Such an apparatus was first described by Hero of
Alexandria about 200 years b. c. It has often been
called the first steam engine.
AEolotropic \[AE]`o*lo*trop"ic\, a. [Gr. ? changeful + ? a
turning, ? to turn.] (Physics)
Exhibiting differences of quality or property in different
directions; not isotropic. --Sir W. Thomson.
AEolotropy \[AE]`o*lot"ro*py\, n. (Physics)
Difference of quality or property in different directions.
AEolus \[AE]"o*lus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Gr. & Rom. Myth.)
The god of the winds.
AEon \[AE]"on\, n.
A period of immeasurable duration; also, an emanation of the
Deity. See {Eon}.
AEonian \[AE]*o"ni*an\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Eternal; everlasting. ``[AE]onian hills.'' --Tennyson.
AEpyornis \[AE]`py*or"nis\, n. [Gr. ? high + ? bird.]
A gigantic bird found fossil in Madagascar.
Aerate \A"["e]r*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {A["e]rated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {A["e]rating}.] [Cf. F. a['e]rer. See {Air}, v. t.]
1. To combine or charge with gas; usually with carbonic acid
gas, formerly called fixed air.
His sparkling sallies bubbled up as from a["e]rated
natural fountains. --Carlyle.
2. To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to a["e]rate
soil; to a["e]rate water.
3. (Physiol.) To expose to the chemical action of air; to
oxygenate (the blood) by respiration; to arterialize.
{A["e]rated bread}, bread raised by charging dough with
carbonic acid gas, instead of generating the gas in the
dough by fermentation.
Aeration \A`["e]r*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. a['e]ration.]
1. Exposure to the free action of the air; airing; as,
a["e]ration of soil, of spawn, etc.
2. (Physiol.) A change produced in the blood by exposure to
the air in respiration; oxygenation of the blood in
respiration; arterialization.
3. The act or preparation of charging with carbonic acid gas
or with oxygen.
Aerator \A"["e]r*a`tor\, n.
That which supplies with air; esp. an apparatus used for
charging mineral waters with gas and in making soda water.
Aerial \A*["e]"ri*al\, a. [L. a["e]rius. See {Air}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the air, or atmosphere; inhabiting or
frequenting the air; produced by or found in the air;
performed in the air; as, a["e]rial regions or currents.
``A["e]rial spirits.'' --Milton. ``A["e]rial voyages.''
--Darwin.
2. Consisting of air; resembling, or partaking of the nature
of air. Hence: Unsubstantial; unreal.
3. Rising aloft in air; high; lofty; as, a["e]rial spires.
4. Growing, forming, or existing in the air, as opposed to
growing or existing in earth or water, or underground; as,
a["e]rial rootlets, a["e]rial plants. --Gray.
5. Light as air; ethereal.
{A["e]rial acid}, carbonic acid. [Obs.] --Ure.
{A["e]rial perspective}. See {Perspective}.
Aeriality \A*["e]`ri*al"i*ty\, n.
The state of being a["e]rial; unsubstantiality. [R.] --De
Quincey.
Aerially \A*["e]"ri*al*ly\, adv.
Like, or from, the air; in an a["e]rial manner. ``A murmur
heard a["e]rially.'' --Tennyson.
Aerie \Ae"rie\ (?; 277), n. [OE. aire, eire, air, nest, also
origin, descent, OF. aire, LL. area, aera, nest of a bird of
prey, perh. fr. L. area an open space (for birds of prey like
to build their nests on flat and open spaces on the top of
high rocks). Cf. {Area}.]
The nest of a bird of prey, as of an eagle or hawk; also a
brood of such birds; eyrie. --Shak. Also fig.: A human
residence or resting place perched like an eagle's nest.
Aeriferous \A`["e]r*if"er*ous\, a. [L. a["e]r air + -ferous: cf.
F. a['e]rif[`e]re.]
Conveying or containing air; air-bearing; as, the windpipe is
an a["e]riferous tube.
Aerification \A`["e]r*i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. a['e]rification.
See {A?rify}.]
1. The act of combining air with another substance, or the
state of being filled with air.
2. The act of becoming a["e]rified, or of changing from a
solid or liquid form into an a["e]riform state; the state
of being a["e]riform.
Aeriform \A"["e]r*i*form\ (?; 277), a. [L. a["e]r air + -form:
cf. F. a['e]riforme.]
Having the form or nature of air, or of an elastic fluid;
gaseous. Hence fig.: Unreal.
Aerify \A"["e]r*i*fy\, v. t. [L. a["e]r air + -fly.]
1. To infuse air into; to combine air with.
2. To change into an a["e]riform state.
Aero- \A"["e]r*o-\ [Gr. ?, ?, air.]
The combining form of the Greek word meaning air.
Aerobies \A"["e]r*o*bies\, n. pl. [A["e]ro- + Gr. ? life.]
(Biol.)
Micro["o]rganisms which live in contact with the air and need
oxygen for their growth; as the microbacteria which form on
the surface of putrefactive fluids.
Aerobiotic \A`["e]r*o*bi*ot"ic\ (?; 101), a. (Biol.)
Related to, or of the nature of, a["e]robies; as,
a["e]robiotic plants, which live only when supplied with free
oxygen.
Aerocyst \A"["e]r*o*cyst\, n. [A["e]ro- + cyst.] (Bot.)
One of the air cells of algals.
Aerodynamic \A"["e]r*o*dy*nam"ic\, a.
Pertaining to the force of air in motion.
Aerodynamics \A`["e]r*o*dy*nam"ics\, n. [A["e]ro- + dynamics:
cf. F. a['e]rodynamique.]
The science which treats of the air and other gaseous bodies
under the action of force, and of their mechanical effects.
Aerognosy \A`["e]r*og"no*sy\, n. [A["e]ro- + Gr. ? knowing,
knowledge: cf. F. a['e]rognosie.]
The science which treats of the properties of the air, and of
the part it plays in nature. --Craig.
Aerographer \A`["e]r*og"ra*pher\, n.
One versed in a["e]ography: an a["e]rologist.
Aerographic \A`["e]r*o*graph"ic\, Aerographical
\A`["e]r*o*graph"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to a["e]rography; a["e]rological.
Aerography \A`["e]r*og"ra*phy\, n. [A["e]ro- + -graphy: cf. F.
a['e]rographie.]
A description of the air or atmosphere; a["e]rology.
Aerohydrodynamic \A`["e]r*o*hy`dro*dy*nam"ic\, a. [A["e]ro- +
hydrodynamic.]
Acting by the force of air and water; as, an
a["e]rohydrodynamic wheel.
Aerolite \A"["e]r*o*lite\, n. [A["e]ro- + -lite: cf. F.
a['e]rolithe.] (Meteor.)
A stone, or metallic mass, which has fallen to the earth from
distant space; a meteorite; a meteoric stone.
Note: Some writers limit the word to stony meteorites.
Aerolith \A"["e]r*o*lith\, n.
Same as {A?rolite}.
Aerolithology \A`["e]r*o*li*thol"o*gy\, n. [A["e]ro- +
lithology.]
The science of a["e]rolites.
Aerolitic \A`["e]r*o*lit"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a["e]rolites; meteoric; as, a["e]rolitic
iron. --Booth.
Aerologic \A`["e]r*o*log"ic\, Aerological \A`["e]r*o*log"ic*al\,
a.
Of or pertaining to a["e]rology.
Aerologist \A`["e]r*ol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in a["e]rology.
Aerology \A`["e]r*ol"o*gy\, n. [A["e]ro- + -logy: cf. F.
a['e]rologie.]
That department of physics which treats of the atmosphere.
Aeromancy \A"["e]r*o*man`cy\, n. [A["e]ro- + -mancy: cf. F.
a['e]romancie.]
Divination from the state of the air or from atmospheric
substances; also, forecasting changes in the weather.
Aerometer \A`["e]r*om"e*ter\, n. [A["e]ro- + -meter: cf. F.
['e]rom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for ascertaining the weight or density of air
and gases.
Aerometric \A`["e]r*o*met"ric\, a.
Of or pertaining to a["e]rometry; as, a["e]rometric
investigations.
Aerometry \A`["e]r*om"e*try\, n. [A["e]ro- + -metry: cf. F.
['e]rom['e]trie.]
The science of measuring the air, including the doctrine of
its pressure, elasticity, rarefaction, and condensation;
pneumatics.
Aeronaut \A"["e]r*o*naut\ (?; 277), n. [F. a['e]ronaute, fr. Gr.
? air + ? sailor. See {Nautical}.]
An a["e]rial navigator; a balloonist.
Aeronautic \A`["e]r*o*naut"ic\, Aeronautical
\A`["e]r*o*naut"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. a['e]ronauitique.]
Pertaining to a["e]ronautics, or a["e]rial sailing.
Aeronautics \A`["e]r*o*naut"ics\, n.
The science or art of ascending and sailing in the air, as by
means of a balloon; a["e]rial navigation; ballooning.
Aerophobia \A`["e]r*o*pho"bi*a\, Aerophoby \A`["e]r*oph"o*by\,
n. [A["e]ro- + Gr. ? fear: cf. F. a['e]rophobie.] (Med.)
Dread of a current of air.
Aerophyte \A"["e]r*o*phyte\, n. [A["e]ro- + Gr. ? plant, ? to
grow: cf. F. a['e]rophyte.] (Bot.)
A plant growing entirely in the air, and receiving its
nourishment from it; an air plant or epiphyte.
Aeroplane \A"["e]r*o*plane`\, n. [A["e]ro- + plane.]
A flying machine, or a small plane for experiments on flying,
which floats in the air only when propelled through it.
Aeroscope \A"["e]r*o*scope\, n. [A["e]ro- + Gr. ? to look out.]
(Biol.)
An apparatus designed for collecting spores, germs, bacteria,
etc., suspended in the air.
Aeroscopy \A`["e]r*os"co*py\, n. [A["e]ro- + Gr. ? a looking
out; ? to spy out.]
The observation of the state and variations of the
atmosphere.
AErose \[AE]*rose"\, a. [L. aerosus, fr. aes, aeris, brass,
copper.]
Of the nature of, or like, copper; brassy. [R.]
Aerosiderite \A`["e]r*o*sid"er*ite\, n. [A["e]ro- + siderite.]
(Meteor.)
A mass of meteoric iron.
Aerosphere \A"["e]r*o*sphere\, n. [A["e]ro- + sphere: cf. F.
a['e]rosph[`e]re.]
The atmosphere. [R.]
Aerostat \A"["e]r*o*stat\, n. [F. a['e]rostat, fr. Gr. ? air + ?
placed. See {Statics}.]
1. A balloon.
2. A balloonist; an a["e]ronaut.
Aerostatic \A`["e]r*o*stat"ic\, Aerostatical
\A`["e]r*o*stat"ic*al\,a. [A["e]ro- + Gr. ?: cf. F.
a['e]rostatique. See {Statical}, {Statics}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a["e]rostatics; pneumatic.
2. A["e]ronautic; as, an a["e]rostatic voyage.
Aerostatics \A`["e]r*o*stat"ics\, n.
The science that treats of the equilibrium of elastic fluids,
or that of bodies sustained in them. Hence it includes
a["e]ronautics.
Aerostation \A`["e]r*os*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. a['e]rostation the
art of using a["e]rostats.]
1. A["e]rial navigation; the art of raising and guiding
balloons in the air.
2. The science of weighing air; a["e]rostatics. [Obs.]
AEruginous \[AE]*ru"gi*nous\, a. [L. aeruginosus, fr. aerugo
rust of copper, fr. aes copper: cf. F. ['e]rugineux.]
Of the nature or color of verdigris, or the rust of copper.
AErugo \[AE]*ru"go\, n. [L. aes brass, copper.]
The rust of any metal, esp. of brass or copper; verdigris.
Aery \Ae"ry\, n.
An aerie.
Aery \A"["e]r*y\, a. [See {Air}.]
A["e]rial; ethereal; incorporeal; visionary. [Poetic] --M.
Arnold.
AEsculapian \[AE]s`cu*la"pi*an\, a.
Pertaining to [AE]sculapius or to the healing art; medical;
medicinal.
AEsculapius \[AE]s`cu*la"pi*us\, n. [L. Aesculapius, Gr. ?.]
(Myth.)
The god of medicine. Hence, a physician.
AEsculin \[AE]s"cu*lin\, n.
Same as {Esculin}.
AEsopian \[AE]*so"pi*an\, Esopian \E*so"pi*an\, a. [L. Aesopius,
from Gr. ?, fr. the famous Greek fabulist [AE]sop .]
Of or pertaining to [AE]sop, or in his manner.
AEsopic \[AE]*sop"ic\, Esopic \E*sop"ic\, a. [L. Aesopicus, Gr.
?.]
Same as {[AE]sopian}.
AEsthesia \[AE]s*the"si*a\, n. [Gr. ? sensation, fr. ? to
perceive.] (Physiol.)
Perception by the senses; feeling; -- the opposite of
an[ae]sthesia.
AEsthesiometer \[AE]s*the`si*om"e*ter\, Esthesiometer
\Es*the`si*om"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? (see {[AE]sthesia}) + -meter.]
An instrument to measure the degree of sensation, by
determining at how short a distance two impressions upon the
skin can be distinguished, and thus to determine whether the
condition of tactile sensibility is normal or altered.
AEsthesis \[AE]s*the""sis\, n. [Gr. ?.]
Sensuous perception. [R.] --Ruskin.
AEsthesodic \[AE]s`the*sod"ic\, a. [Gr. ? sensation + ? a way;
cf. F. esth['e]sodique.] (Physiol.)
Conveying sensory or afferent impulses; --- said of nerves.
AEsthete \[AE]s"thete\, n. [Gr. ? one who perceives.]
One who makes much or overmuch of [ae]sthetics. [Recent]
AEsthetic \[AE]s*thet"ic\, AEsthetical \[AE]s*thet"ic*al\,a.
Of or Pertaining to [ae]sthetics; versed in [ae]sthetics; as,
[ae]sthetic studies, emotions, ideas, persons, etc. --
{[AE]s*thet"ic*al*ly}, adv.
AEsthetican \[AE]s`the*ti"can\, n.
One versed in [ae]sthetics.
AEstheticism \[AE]s*thet"i*cism\, n.
The doctrine of [ae]sthetics; [ae]sthetic principles;
devotion to the beautiful in nature and art. --Lowell.
AEsthetics \[AE]s*thet"ics\, Esthetics \Es*thet"ics\ (?; 277),
n. [Gr. ? perceptive, esp. by feeling, fr. ? to perceive,
feel: cf. G. ["a]sthetik, F. esth['e]tique.]
The theory or philosophy of taste; the science of the
beautiful in nature and art; esp. that which treats of the
expression and embodiment of beauty by art.
AEstho-physiology \[AE]s`tho-phys`i*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? to
perceive + E. physiology.]
The science of sensation in relation to nervous action. --H.
Spenser.
AEstival \[AE]s"ti*val\, a. [L. aestivalis, aestivus, fr. aestas
summer.]
Of or belonging to the summer; as, [ae]stival diseases.
[Spelt also {estival}.]
AEstivate \[AE]s"ti*vate\, v. i. [L. aestivare, aestivatum.]
1. To spend the summer.
2. (Zo["o]l.) To pass the summer in a state of torpor. [Spelt
also {estivate}.]
AEstivation \[AE]s`ti*va"tion\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) The state of torpidity induced by the heat and
dryness of summer, as in certain snails; -- opposed to
{hibernation}.
2. (Bot.) The arrangement of the petals in a flower bud, as
to folding, overlapping, etc.; prefloration. --Gray.
[Spelt also {estivation}.]
AEstuary \[AE]s"tu*a*ry\ (?; 135), n. & a.
See {Estuary}.
AEstuous \[AE]s"tu*ous\, a. [L. aestuosus, fr. aestus fire,
glow.]
Glowing; agitated, as with heat.
Aetheogamous \A*["e]`the*og"a*mous\, a. [Gr. ? unusual ('a priv.
+ ? custom) + ? marriage.] (Bot.)
Propagated in an unusual way; cryptogamous.
AEther \[AE]"ther\, n.
See {Ether}.
AEthiops mineral \[AE]"thi*ops min"er*al\ (Chem.)
Same as {Ethiops mineral}. [Obs.]
AEthogen \[AE]th"o*gen\, n. [Gr. ? fire, light + -gen.] (Chem.)
A compound of nitrogen and boro?, which, when heated before
the blowpipe, gives a brilliant phosphorescent; boric
nitride.
AEthrioscope \[AE]"thri*o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? clear + ? to
observe.]
An instrument consisting in part of a differential
thermometer. It is used for measuring changes of temperature
produced by different conditions of the sky, as when clear or
clouded.
AEtiological \[AE]`ti*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to [ae]tiology; assigning a cause. --
{[AE]`ti*o*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
AEtiology \[AE]`ti*ol"o*gy\, n. [L. aetologia, Gr. ?; ? cause +
? description: cf. F. ['e]tiologie.]
1. The science, doctrine, or demonstration of causes; esp.,
the investigation of the causes of any disease; the
science of the origin and development of things.
2. The assignment of a cause.
Aetites \A`["e]*ti"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? (sc. ?) stone, fr. ?
eagle.]
See {Eaglestone}.
Afar \A*far"\, adv. [Pref. a- (for on or of) + far.]
At, to, or from a great distance; far away; -- often used
with from preceding, or off following; as, he was seen from
afar; I saw him afar off.
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar.
--Beattie.
Afeard \A*feard"\ ([.a]*f[=e]rd"), p. a. [OE. afered, AS.
[=a]f[=ae]red, p. p. of [=a]f[=ae]ran to frighten; [=a]- (cf.
Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + f[=ae]ran to
frighten. See {Fear}.]
Afraid. [Obs.]
Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises. --Shak.
Afer \A"fer\, n. [L.]
The southwest wind. --Milton.
Affability \Af`fa*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. affabilitas: cf. F.
affabilit['e].]
The quality of being affable; readiness to converse;
courteousness in receiving others and in conversation;
complaisant behavior.
Affability is of a wonderful efficacy or power in
procuring love. --Elyot
Affable \Af"fa*ble\, a. [F. affable, L. affabilis, fr. affari to
speak to; ad + fari to speak. See {Fable}.]
1. Easy to be spoken to or addressed; receiving others kindly
and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner;
courteous; sociable.
An affable and courteous gentleman. --Shak.
His manners polite and affable. --Macaulay.
2. Gracious; mild; benign.
A serene and affable countenance. --Tatler.
Syn: Courteous; civil; complaisant; accessible; mild; benign;
condescending.
Affableness \Af"fa*ble*ness\, n.
Affability.
Affably \Af"fa*bly\, adv.
In an affable manner; courteously.
Affabrous \Af"fa*brous\ ([a^]f*f[.a]"br[u^]s), a. [L. affaber
workmanlike; ad + faber.]
Executed in a workmanlike manner; ingeniously made. [R.]
--Bailey.
Affair \Af*fair"\ ([a^]f*f[^a]r"), n. [OE. afere, affere, OF.
afaire, F. affaire, fr. a faire to do; L.. ad + facere to do.
See {Fact}, and cf. {Ado}.]
1. That which is done or is to be done; matter; concern; as,
a difficult affair to manage; business of any kind,
commercial, professional, or public; -- often in the
plural. ``At the head of affairs.'' --Junius. ``A talent
for affairs.'' --Prescott.
2. Any proceeding or action which it is wished to refer to or
characterize vaguely; as, an affair of honor, i. e., a
duel; an affair of love, i. e., an intrigue.
3. (Mil.) An action or engagement not of sufficient magnitude
to be called a battle.
4. Action; endeavor. [Obs.]
And with his best affair Obeyed the pleasure of the
Sun. --Chapman.
5. A material object (vaguely designated).
A certain affair of fine red cloth much worn and
faded. --Hawthorne.
Affamish \Af*fam"ish\ ([acrf]*f[a^]m"[i^]sh), v. t. & i. [F.
affamer, fr. L. ad + fames hunger. See {Famish}.]
To afflict with, or perish from, hunger. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Affamishment \Af*fam"ish*ment\ (-ment), n.
Starvation. --Bp. Hall.
Affatuate \Af*fat"u*ate\, v. t. [L. ad + fatuus foolish.]
To infatuate. [Obs.] --Milton.
Affear \Af*fear"\, v. t. [OE. aferen, AS. [=a]f?ran. See
{Afeard}.]
To frighten. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Affect \Af*fect"\ ([a^]f*f[e^]kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Affected}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Affecting}.] [L. affectus, p. p.
of afficere to affect by active agency; ad + facere to make:
cf. F. affectere, L. affectare, freq. of afficere. See
{Fact}.]
1. To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.
As might affect the earth with cold heat. --Milton.
The climate affected their health and spirits.
--Macaulay.
2. To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to
touch.
A consideration of the rationale of our passions
seems to me very necessary for all who would affect
them upon solid and pure principles. --Burke.
3. To love; to regard with affection. [Obs.]
As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than
affected, rather honored than loved, her. --Fuller.
4. To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to
choose; hence, to frequent habitually.
For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit
for it, indeed. --Shak.
Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank,
nor court that of the great. --Hazlitt.
5. To dispose or incline.
Men whom they thought best affected to religion and
their country's liberty. --Milton.
6. To aim at; to aspire; to covet. [Obs.]
This proud man affects imperial ?way. --Dryden.
7. To tend to by affinity or disposition.
The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
--Newton.
8. To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to
assume; as, to affect ignorance.
Careless she is with artful care, Affecting to seem
unaffected. --Congreve.
Thou dost affect my manners. --Shak.
9. To assign; to appoint. [R.]
One of the domestics was affected to his special
service. --Thackeray.
Syn: To influence; operate; act on; concern; move; melt;
soften; subdue; overcome; pretend; assume.
Affect \Af*fect"\, n. [L. affectus.]
Affection; inclination; passion; feeling; disposition. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Affectation \Af`fec*ta"tion\, n. [L. affectatio: cf. F.
affectation.]
1. An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or
real; false display; artificial show. ``An affectation of
contempt.'' --Macaulay.
Affectation is an awkward and forced imitation of
what should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty
that accompanies what is natural what is natural.
--Locke.
2. A striving after. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
3. Fondness; affection. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Affectationist \Af`fec*ta"tion*ist\, n.
One who exhibits affectation. [R.] --Fitzed. Hall.
Affected \Af*fect"ed\ ([a^]f*f[e^]kt"[e^]d), p. p. & a.
1. Regarded with affection; beloved. [Obs.]
His affected Hercules. --Chapman.
2. Inclined; disposed; attached.
How stand you affected to his wish? --Shak.
3. Given to false show; assuming or pretending to possess
what is not natural or real.
He is . . . too spruce, too affected, too odd.
--Shak.
4. Assumed artificially; not natural.
Affected coldness and indifference. --Addison.
5. (Alg.) Made up of terms involving different powers of the
unknown quantity; adfected; as, an affected equation.
Affectedly \Af*fect"ed*ly\, adv.
1. In an affected manner; hypocritically; with more show than
reality.
2. Lovingly; with tender care. [Obs.] --Shak.
Affectedness \Af*fect"ed*ness\, n.
Affectation.
Affecter \Af*fect"er\, n.
One who affects, assumes, pretends, or strives after.
``Affecters of wit.'' --Abp. Secker.
Affectibility \Af*fect`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being affectible. [R.]
Affectible \Af*fect"i*ble\, a.
That may be affected. [R.]
Lay aside the absolute, and, by union with the
creaturely, become affectible. --Coleridge.
Affecting \Af*fect"ing\, a.
1. Moving the emotions; fitted to excite the emotions;
pathetic; touching; as, an affecting address; an affecting
sight.
The most affecting music is generally the most
simple. --Mitford.
2. Affected; given to false show. [Obs.]
A drawling; affecting rouge. --Shak.
Affectingly \Af*fect"ing*ly\, adv.
In an affecting manner; is a manner to excite emotions.
Affection \Af*fec"tion\, n. [F. affection, L. affectio, fr.
afficere. See {Affect}.]
1. The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being
affected.
2. An attribute; a quality or property; a condition; a bodily
state; as, figure, weight, etc., are affections of bodies.
``The affections of quantity.'' --Boyle.
And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less, An old
and strange affection of the house. --Tennyson.
3. Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural
impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as,
the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the
malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination;
disposition; propensity; tendency.
Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as
a pleasant state of the mind, when impressed by any
object or quality. --Cogan.
4. A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender
attachment; -- often in the pl. Formerly followed by to,
but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial,
social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for
or towards children.
All his affections are set on his own country.
--Macaulay.
5. Prejudice; bias. [Obs.] --Bp. Aylmer.
6. (Med.) Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary
affection. --Dunglison.
7. The lively representation of any emotion. --Wotton.
8. Affectation. [Obs.] ``Spruce affection.'' --Shak.
9. Passion; violent emotion. [Obs.]
Most wretched man, That to affections does the
bridle lend. --Spenser.
Syn: Attachment; passion; tenderness; fondness; kindness;
love; good will. See {Attachment}; {Disease}.
Affectional \Af*fec"tion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the affections; as, affectional impulses;
an affectional nature.
Affectionate \Af*fec"tion*ate\, a. [Cf. F. affectionn['e].]
1. Having affection or warm regard; loving; fond; as, an
affectionate brother.
2. Kindly inclined; zealous. [Obs.] --Johson.
Man, in his love God, and desire to please him, can
never be too affectionate. --Sprat.
3. Proceeding from affection; indicating love; tender; as,
the affectionate care of a parent; affectionate
countenance, message, language.
4. Strongly inclined; -- with to. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Syn: Tender; attached; loving; devoted; warm; fond; earnest;
ardent.
Affectionated \Af*fec"tion*a`ted\, a.
Disposed; inclined. [Obs.]
Affectionated to the people. --Holinshed.
Affectionately \Af*fec"tion*ate*ly\, adv.
With affection; lovingly; fondly; tenderly; kindly.
Affectionateness \Af*fec"tion*ate*ness\, n.
The quality of being affectionate; fondness; affection.
Affectioned \Af*fec"tioned\, a.
1. Disposed. [Archaic]
Be kindly affectioned one to another. --Rom. xii.
10.
2. Affected; conceited. [Obs.] --Shak.
Affective \Af*fec"tive\, a. [Cf. F. affectif.]
1. Tending to affect; affecting. [Obs.] --Burnet.
2. Pertaining to or exciting emotion; affectional; emotional.
--Rogers.
Affectively \Af*fec"tive*ly\, adv.
In an affective manner; impressively; emotionally.
Affectuous \Af*fec"tu*ous\ (?; 135), a. [L. affectuous: cf. F.
affectueux. See {Affect}.]
Full of passion or emotion; earnest. [Obs.] --
{Af*fec"tu*ous*ly}, adv. [Obs.] --Fabyan.
Affeer \Af*feer"\, v. t. [OF. aforer, afeurer, to tax, appraise,
assess, fr. L. ad + forum market, court of justice, in LL.
also meaning price.]
1. To confirm; to assure. [Obs.] ``The title is affeered.''
--Shak.
2. (Old Law) To assess or reduce, as an arbitrary penalty or
amercement, to a certain and reasonable sum.
Amercements . . . were affeered by the judges.
--Blackstone.
Affeerer \Af*feer"er\, Affeeror \Af*feer"or\, n. [OF. aforeur,
LL. afforator.] (Old Law)
One who affeers. --Cowell.
Affeerment \Af*feer"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. aforement.] (Old Law)
The act of affeering. --Blackstone.
Afferent \Af"fer*ent\, a. [L. afferens, p. pr. of afferre; ad +
ferre to bear.] (Physiol.)
Bearing or conducting inwards to a part or organ; -- opposed
to {efferent}; as, afferent vessels; afferent nerves, which
convey sensations from the external organs to the brain.
Affettuoso \Af*fet`tu*o"so\, adv. [It.] (Mus.)
With feeling.
Affiance \Af*fi"ance\, n. [OE. afiaunce trust, confidence, OF.
afiance, fr. afier to trust, fr. LL. affidare to trust; ad +
fidare to trust, fr. L. fides faith. See {Faith}, and cf.
{Affidavit}, {Affy}, {Confidence}.]
1. Plighted faith; marriage contract or promise.
2. Trust; reliance; faith; confidence.
Such feelings promptly yielded to his habitual
affiance in the divine love. --Sir J.
Stephen.
Lancelot, my Lancelot, thou in whom I have Most joy
and most affiance. --Tennyson.
Affiance \Af*fi"ance\, v. t. [imp. ? p. p. {Affianced}; p. pr. ?
vb. n. {Affiancing}.] [Cf. OF. afiancier, fr. afiance.]
1. To betroth; to pledge one's faith to for marriage, or
solemnly promise (one's self or another) in marriage.
To me, sad maid, he was affianced. --Spenser.
2. To assure by promise. [Obs.] --Pope.
Affiancer \Af*fi"an*cer\, n.
One who makes a contract of marriage between two persons.
Affiant \Af*fi"ant\, n. [From p. pr. of OF. afier, LL. affidare.
See {Affidavit}.] (Law)
One who makes an affidavit. [U. S.] --Burrill.
Syn: Deponent. See {Deponent}.
Affidavit \Af`fi*da"vit\, n. [LL. affidavit he has made oath,
perfect tense of affidare. See {Affiance}, {Affy}.] (Law)
A sworn statement in writing; a declaration in writing,
signed and made upon oath before an authorized magistrate.
--Bouvier. --Burrill.
Note: It is always made ex parte, and without
cross-examination, and in this differs from a
deposition. It is also applied to written statements
made on affirmation.
Syn: Deposition. See {Deposition}.
Affile \Af*file"\, v. t. [OF. afiler, F. affiler, to sharpen; a
(L. ad) + fil thread, edge.]
To polish. [Obs.]
Affiliable \Af*fil"i*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being affiliated to or on, or connected with in
origin.
Affiliate \Af*fil"i*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affiliated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Affiliating}.] [LL. adfiliare, affiliare, to
adopt as son; ad + filius son: cf. F. affilier.]
1. To adopt; to receive into a family as a son; hence, to
bring or receive into close connection; to ally.
Is the soul affiliated to God, or is it estranged
and in rebellion? --I. Taylor.
2. To fix the paternity of; -- said of an illegitimate child;
as, to affiliate the child to (or on or upon) one man
rather than another.
3. To connect in the way of descent; to trace origin to.
How do these facts tend to affiliate the faculty of
hearing upon the aboriginal vegetative processes?
--H. Spencer.
4. To attach (to) or unite (with); to receive into a society
as a member, and initiate into its mysteries, plans, etc.;
-- followed by to or with.
{Affiliated societies}, societies connected with a central
society, or with each other.
Affiliate \Af*fil"i*ate\, v. i.
To connect or associate one's self; -- followed by with; as,
they affiliate with no party.
Affiliation \Af*fil`i*a"tion\, n. [F. affiliation, LL.
affiliatio.]
1. Adoption; association or reception as a member in or of
the same family or society.
2. (Law) The establishment or ascertaining of parentage; the
assignment of a child, as a bastard, to its father;
filiation.
3. Connection in the way of descent. --H. Spencer.
Affinal \Af*fi"nal\, a. [L. affinis.]
Related by marriage; from the same source.
Affine \Af*fine"\, v. t. [F. affiner to refine; ? (L. ad) + fin
fine. See {Fine}.]
To refine. [Obs.] --Holland.
Affined \Af*fined"\, a. [OF. afin['e] related, p. p., fr. LL.
affinare to join, fr. L. affinis neighboring, related to; ad
+ finis boundary, limit.]
Joined in affinity or by any tie. [Obs.] ``All affined and
kin.'' --Shak.
Affinitative \Af*fin"i*ta*tive\, a.
Of the nature of affinity. -- {Af*fin"i*ta*tive*ly}, adv.
Affinitive \Af*fin"i*tive\, a.
Closely connected, as by affinity.
Affinity \Af*fin"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Affinities}. [OF. afinit['e],
F. affinit['e], L. affinites, fr. affinis. See {Affined}.]
1. Relationship by marriage (as between a husband and his
wife's blood relations, or between a wife and her
husband's blood relations); -- in contradistinction to
consanguinity, or relationship by blood; -- followed by
with, to, or between.
Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh. --1 Kings iii.
1.
2. Kinship generally; close agreement; relation; conformity;
resemblance; connection; as, the affinity of sounds, of
colors, or of languages.
There is a close affinity between imposture and
credulity. --Sir G. C.
Lewis.
2. Companionship; acquaintance. [Obs.]
About forty years past, I began a happy affinity
with William Cranmer. --Burton.
4. (Chem.) That attraction which takes place, at an
insensible distance, between the heterogeneous particles
of bodies, and unites them to form chemical compounds;
chemism; chemical or elective affinity or attraction.
5. (Nat. Hist.) A relation between species or highe? groups
dependent on resemblance in the whole plan of structure,
and indicating community of origin.
6. (Spiritualism) A superior spiritual relationship or
attraction held to exist sometimes between persons, esp.
persons of the opposite sex; also, the man or woman who
exerts such psychical or spiritual attraction.
Affirm \Af*firm"\ ([a^]f*f[~e]rm"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Affirmed} (-f[~e]rmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Affirming}.] [OE.
affermen, OF. afermer, F. affirmer, affermir, fr. L.
affirmare; ad + firmare to make firm, firmus firm. See
{Firm}.]
1. To make firm; to confirm, or ratify; esp. (Law), to assert
or confirm, as a judgment, decree, or order, brought
before an appellate court for review.
2. To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to
maintain as true; -- opposed to {deny}.
Jesus, . . . whom Paul affirmed to be alive. --Acts
xxv. 19.
3. (Law) To declare, as a fact, solemnly, under judicial
sanction. See {Affirmation}, 4.
Syn: To assert; aver; declare; asseverate; assure; pronounce;
protest; avouch; confirm; establish; ratify.
Usage: To {Affirm}, {Asseverate}, {Aver}, {Protest}. We
affirm when we declare a thing as a fact or a
proposition. We asseverate it in a peculiarly earnest
manner, or with increased positiveness as what can not
be disputed. We aver it, or formally declare it to be
true, when we have positive knowledge of it. We
protest in a more public manner and with the energy of
perfect sincerity. People asseverate in order to
produce a conviction of their veracity; they aver when
they are peculiarly desirous to be believed; they
protest when they wish to free themselves from
imputations, or to produce a conviction of their
innocence.
Affirm \Af*firm"\, v. i.
1. To declare or assert positively.
Not that I so affirm, though so it seem To thee, who
hast thy dwelling here on earth. --Milton.
2. (Law) To make a solemn declaration, before an authorized
magistrate or tribunal, under the penalties of perjury; to
testify by affirmation.
Affirmable \Af*firm"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being affirmed, asserted, or declared; -- followed
by of; as, an attribute affirmable of every just man.
Affirmance \Af*firm"ance\, n. [Cf. OF. afermance.]
1. Confirmation; ratification; confirmation of a voidable
act.
This statute . . . in affirmance of the common law.
--Bacon.
2. A strong declaration; affirmation. --Cowper.
Affirmant \Af*firm"ant\ ([a^]f*f[~e]rm"ant), n. [L. affirmans,
-antis, p. pr. See {Affirm}.]
1. One who affirms or asserts.
2. (Law) One who affirms, instead of taking an oath.
Affirmation \Af`fir*ma"tion\, n. [L. affirmatio: cf. F.
affirmation.]
1. Confirmation of anything established; ratification; as,
the affirmation of a law. --Hooker.
2. The act of affirming or asserting as true; assertion; --
opposed to {negation} or {denial}.
3. That which is asserted; an assertion; a positive
statement; an averment; as, an affirmation, by the vender,
of title to property sold, or of its quality.
4. (Law) A solemn declaration made under the penalties of
perjury, by persons who conscientiously decline taking an
oath, which declaration is in law equivalent to an oath.
--Bouvier.
Affirmative \Af*firm"a*tive\, a. [L. affirmativus: cf. F.
affirmatif.]
1. Confirmative; ratifying; as, an act affirmative of common
law.
2. That affirms; asserting that the fact is so; declaratory
of what exists; answering ``yes'' to a question; --
opposed to {negative}; as, an affirmative answer; an
affirmative vote.
3. Positive; dogmatic. [Obs.] --J. Taylor.
Lysicles was a little by the affirmative air of
Crito. --Berkeley.
4. (logic) Expressing the agreement of the two terms of a
proposition.
5. (Alg.) Positive; -- a term applied to quantities which are
to be added, and opposed to {negative}, or such as are to
be subtracted.
Affirmative \Af*firm"a*tive\, n.
1. That which affirms as opposed to that which denies; an
affirmative proposition; that side of question which
affirms or maintains the proposition stated; -- opposed to
{negative}; as, there were forty votes in the affirmative,
and ten in the negative.
Whether there are such beings or not, 't is
sufficient for my purpose that many have believed
the affirmative. --Dryden.
2. A word or phrase expressing affirmation or assent; as,
yes, that is so, etc.
Affirmatively \Af*firm"a*tive*ly\, adv.
In an affirmative manner; on the affirmative side of a
question; in the affirmative; -- opposed to {negatively}.
Affirmatory \Af*firm"a*to*ry\, a.
Giving affirmation; assertive; affirmative. --Massey.
Affirmer \Af*firm"er\, n.
One who affirms.
Affix \Af*fix"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affixed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Affixing}.] [LL. affixare, L. affixus, p. p. of affigere to
fasten to; ad + figere to fasten: cf. OE. affichen, F.
afficher, ultimately fr. L. affigere. See {Fix}.]
1. To subjoin, annex, or add at the close or end; to append
to; to fix to any part of; as, to affix a syllable to a
word; to affix a seal to an instrument; to affix one's
name to a writing.
2. To fix or fasten in any way; to attach physically.
Should they [caterpillars] affix them to the leaves
of a plant improper for their food. --Ray.
3. To attach, unite, or connect with; as, names affixed to
ideas, or ideas affixed to things; to affix a stigma to a
person; to affix ridicule or blame to any one.
4. To fix or fasten figuratively; -- with on or upon; as,
eyes affixed upon the ground. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Syn: To attach; subjoin; connect; annex; unite.
Affix \Af"fix\, n.; pl. {Affixes}. [L. affixus, p. p. of
affigere: cf. F. affixe.]
That which is affixed; an appendage; esp. one or more letters
or syllables added at the end of a word; a suffix; a postfix.
Affixion \Af*fix"ion\, n. [L. affixio, fr. affigere.]
Affixture. [Obs.] --T. Adams.
Affixture \Af*fix"ture\ (?; 135), n.
The act of affixing, or the state of being affixed;
attachment.
Afflation \Af*fla"tion\, n. [L. afflatus, p. p. of afflare to
blow or breathe on; ad + flare to blow.]
A blowing or breathing on; inspiration.
Afflatus \Af*fla"tus\, n. [L., fr. afflare. See {Afflation}.]
1. A breath or blast of wind.
2. A divine impartation of knowledge; supernatural impulse;
inspiration.
A poet writing against his genius will be like a
prophet without his afflatus. --Spence.
Afflict \Af*flict"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Afflicted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Afflicting}.] [L. afflictus, p. p. of affigere to
cast down, deject; ad + fligere to strike: cf. OF. aflit,
afflict, p. p. Cf. {Flagellate}.]
1. To strike or cast down; to overthrow. [Obs.]
``Reassembling our afflicted powers.'' --Milton.
2. To inflict some great injury or hurt upon, causing
continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously;
to torment.
They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them
with their burdens. --Exod. i. 11.
That which was the worst now least afflicts me.
--Milton.
3. To make low or humble. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an
afflicted truth. --Jer. Taylor.
Syn: To trouble; grieve; pain; distress; harass; torment;
wound; hurt.
Afflict \Af*flict"\, p. p. & a. [L. afflictus, p. p.]
Afflicted. [Obs.] --Becon.
Afflictedness \Af*flict"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being afflicted; affliction. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Afflicter \Af*flict"er\, n.
One who afflicts.
Afflicting \Af*flict"ing\, a.
Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an
afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv.
Affliction \Af*flic"tion\, n. [F. affliction, L. afflictio, fr.
affligere.]
1. The cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness,
losses, etc.; an instance of grievous distress; a pain or
grief.
To repay that money will be a biting affliction.
--Shak.
2. The state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress,
or grief.
Some virtues are seen only in affliction. --Addison.
Syn: Calamity; sorrow; distress; grief; pain; adversity;
misery; wretchedness; misfortune; trouble; hardship.
Usage: {Affliction}, {Sorrow}, {Grief}, {Distress}.
Affliction and sorrow are terms of wide and general
application; grief and distress have reference to
particular cases. Affliction is the stronger term. The
suffering lies deeper in the soul, and usually arises
from some powerful cause, such as the loss of what is
most dear -- friends, health, etc. We do not speak of
mere sickness or pain as ``an affliction,'' though one
who suffers from either is said to be afflicted; but
deprivations of every kind, such as deafness,
blindness, loss of limbs, etc., are called
afflictions, showing that term applies particularly to
prolonged sources of suffering. Sorrow and grief are
much alike in meaning, but grief is the stronger term
of the two, usually denoting poignant mental suffering
for some definite cause, as, grief for the death of a
dear friend; sorrow is more reflective, and is tinged
with regret, as, the misconduct of a child is looked
upon with sorrow. Grief is often violent and
demonstrative; sorrow deep and brooding. Distress
implies extreme suffering, either bodily or mental. In
its higher stages, it denotes pain of a restless,
agitating kind, and almost always supposes some
struggle of mind or body. Affliction is allayed, grief
subsides, sorrow is soothed, distress is mitigated.
Afflictionless \Af*flic"tion*less\, a.
Free from affliction.
Afflictive \Af*flic"tive\, a. [Cf. F. afflictif.]
Giving pain; causing continued or repeated pain or grief;
distressing. ``Jove's afflictive hand.'' --Pope.
Spreads slow disease, and darts afflictive pain.
--Prior.
Afflictively \Af*flic"tive*ly\, adv.
In an afflictive manner.
Affluence \Af"flu*ence\, n. [F. affluence, L. affluentia, fr.
affluens, p. pr. of affluere to flow to; ad + fluere to flow.
See {Flux}.]
1. A flowing to or towards; a concourse; an influx.
The affluence of young nobles from hence into Spain.
--Wotton.
There is an unusual affluence of strangers this
year. --Carlyle.
2. An abundant supply, as of thought, words, feelings, etc.;
profusion; also, abundance of property; wealth.
And old age of elegance, affluence, and ease.
--Coldsmith.
Syn: Abundance; riches; profusion; exuberance; plenty;
wealth; opulence.
Affluency \Af"flu*en*cy\, n.
Affluence. [Obs.] --Addison.
Affluent \Af"flu*ent\, a. [Cf. F. affluent, L. affluens, -entis,
p. pr. See {Affluence}.]
1. Flowing to; flowing abundantly. ``Affluent blood.''
--Harvey.
2. Abundant; copious; plenteous; hence, wealthy; abounding in
goods or riches.
Language . . . affluent in expression. --H. Reed.
Loaded and blest with all the affluent store, Which
human vows at smoking shrines implore. --Prior.
Affluent \Af"flu*ent\, n.
A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake;
a tributary stream.
Affluently \Af"flu*ent*ly\, adv.
Abundantly; copiously.
Affluentness \Af*flu*ent*ness\, n.
Great plenty. [R.]
Afflux \Af"flux`\, n. [L. affluxum, p. p. of affluere: cf. F.
afflux. See {Affluence}.]
A flowing towards; that which flows to; as, an afflux of
blood to the head.
Affluxion \Af*flux"ion\, n.
The act of flowing towards; afflux. --Sir T. Browne.
Affodill \Af"fo*dill\, n.
Asphodel. [Obs.]
Afforce \Af*force"\, v. t. [OF. afforcier, LL. affortiare; ad +
fortiare, fr. L. fortis strong.]
To re["e]nforce; to strengthen. --Hallam.
Afforcement \Af*force"ment\, n. [OF.]
1. A fortress; a fortification for defense. [Obs.] --Bailey.
2. A re["e]nforcement; a strengthening. --Hallam.
Afforciament \Af*for"ci*a*ment\, n.
See {Afforcement}. [Obs.]
Afford \Af*ford"\ ([a^]f*f[=o]rd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Afforded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Affording}.] [OE. aforthen, AS.
gefor[eth]ian, for[eth]ian, to further, accomplish, afford,
fr. for[eth] forth, forward. The prefix ge- has no well
defined sense. See {Forth}.]
1. To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural
result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives
afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an
abundant supply of fish.
2. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its
being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a
good life affords consolation in old age.
His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
--Addison.
The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
--Gilpin.
3. To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting,
expending, with profit, or without loss or too great
injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can
afford a sum yearly in charity.
4. To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an
act which might under other circumstances be injurious; --
with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able
or rich enough.
The merchant can afford to trade for smaller
profits. --Hamilton.
He could afford to suffer With those whom he saw
suffer. --Wordsworth.
Affordable \Af*ford"a*ble\, a.
That may be afforded.
Affordment \Af*ford"ment\, n.
Anything given as a help; bestowal. [Obs.]
Afforest \Af*for"est\, v. t. [LL. afforestare; ad + forestare.
See {Forest}.]
To convert into a forest; as, to afforest a tract of country.
Afforestation \Af*for`es*ta"tion\, n.
The act of converting into forest or woodland. --Blackstone.
Afformative \Af*form"a*tive\, n.
An affix.
Affranchise \Af*fran"chise\, v. t. [F. affranchir; ? (L. ad) +
franc free. See {Franchise} and {Frank}.]
To make free; to enfranchise. --Johnson.
Affranchisement \Af*fran"chise*ment\, n. [Cf. F.
affranchissement.]
The act of making free; enfranchisement. [R.]
Affrap \Af*frap"\, v. t. & i. [Cf. It. affrappare, frappare, to
cut, mince, F. frapper to strike. See {Frap}.]
To strike, or strike down. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Affray \Af*fray"\, v. t. [p. p. {Affrayed}.] [OE. afraien,
affraien, OF. effreer, esfreer, F. effrayer, orig. to
disquiet, put out of peace, fr. L. ex + OHG. fridu peace
(akin to E. free). Cf. {Afraid}, {Fray}, {Frith} inclosure.]
[Archaic]
1. To startle from quiet; to alarm.
Smale foules a great heap That had afrayed
[affrayed] me out of my sleep. --Chaucer.
2. To frighten; to scare; to frighten away.
That voice doth us affray. --Shak.
Affray \Af*fray"\, n. [OE. afrai, affrai, OF. esfrei, F. effroi,
fr. OF. esfreer. See {Affray}, v. t.]
1. The act of suddenly disturbing any one; an assault or
attack. [Obs.]
2. Alarm; terror; fright. [Obs.] --Spenser.
3. A tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl; a fray. ``In the
very midst of the affray.'' --Motley.
4. (Law) The fighting of two or more persons, in a public
place, to the terror of others. --Blackstone.
Note: A fighting in private is not, in a legal sense, an
affray.
Syn: Quarrel; brawl; scuffle; encounter; fight; contest;
feud; tumult; disturbance.
Affrayer \Af*fray"er\, n.
One engaged in an affray.
Affrayment \Af*fray"ment\, n.
Affray. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Affreight \Af*freight"\, v. t. [Pref. ad- + freight: cf. F.
affr['e]ter. See {Freight}.]
To hire, as a ship, for the transportation of goods or
freight.
Affreighter \Af*freight"er\, n.
One who hires or charters a ship to convey goods.
Affreightment \Af*freight"ment\, n. [Cf. F. affr['e]tement.]
The act of hiring, or the contract for the use of, a vessel,
or some part of it, to convey cargo.
Affret \Af*fret"\, n. [Cf. It. affrettare to hasten, fretta
haste.]
A furious onset or attack. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Affriction \Af*fric"tion\, n. [L. affricare to rub on. See
{Friction}.]
The act of rubbing against. [Obs.]
Affriended \Af*friend"ed\, p. p.
Made friends; reconciled. [Obs.] ``Deadly foes . . .
affriended.'' --Spenser.
Affright \Af*fright"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affrighted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Affrighting}.] [Orig. p. p.; OE. afright, AS.
[=a]fyrhtan to terrify; [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig.
meaning out) + fyrhto fright. See {Fright}.]
To impress with sudden fear; to frighten; to alarm.
Dreams affright our souls. --Shak.
A drear and dying sound Affrights the flamens at their
service quaint. --Milton.
Syn: To terrify; frighten; alarm; dismay; appall; scare;
startle; daunt; intimidate.
Affright \Af*fright"\, p. a.
Affrighted. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Affright \Af*fright"\, n.
1. Sudden and great fear; terror. It expresses a stronger
impression than fear, or apprehension, perhaps less than
terror.
He looks behind him with affright, and forward with
despair. --Goldsmith.
2. The act of frightening; also, a cause of terror; an object
of dread. --B. Jonson.
Affrightedly \Af*fright"ed*ly\, adv.
With fright. --Drayton.
Affrighten \Af*fright"en\, v. t.
To frighten. [Archaic] ``Fit tales . . . to affrighten
babes.'' --Southey.
Affrighter \Af*fright"er\, n.
One who frightens. [Archaic]
Affrightful \Af*fright"ful\, a.
Terrifying; frightful. -- {Af*fright"ful*ly}, adv. [Archaic]
Bugbears or affrightful apparitions. --Cudworth.
Affrightment \Af*fright"ment\, n.
Affright; the state of being frightened; sudden fear or
alarm. [Archaic]
Passionate words or blows . . . fill the child's mind
with terror and affrightment. --Locke.
Affront \Af*front"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affronted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Affronting}.] [OF. afronter, F. affronter, to
confront, LL. affrontare to strike against, fr. L. ad + frons
forehead, front. See {Front}.]
1. To front; to face in position; to meet or encounter face
to face. [Obs.]
All the sea-coasts do affront the Levant. --Holland.
That he, as 't were by accident, may here Affront
Ophelia. --Shak.
2. To face in defiance; to confront; as, to affront death;
hence, to meet in hostile encounter. [Archaic]
3. To offend by some manifestation of disrespect; to insult
to the face by demeanor or language; to treat with marked
incivility.
How can any one imagine that the fathers would have
dared to affront the wife of Aurelius? --Addison.
Syn: To insult; abuse; outrage; wound; illtreat; slight;
defy; offend; provoke; pique; nettle.
Affront \Af*front"\, n. [Cf. F. affront, fr. affronter.]
1. An encounter either friendly or hostile. [Obs.]
I walked about, admired of all, and dreaded On
hostile ground, none daring my affront. --Milton.
2. Contemptuous or rude treatment which excites or justifies
resentment; marked disrespect; a purposed indignity;
insult.
Offering an affront to our understanding. --Addison.
3. An offense to one's self-respect; shame. --Arbuthnot.
Syn: {Affront}, {Insult}, {Outrage}.
Usage: An affront is a designed mark of disrespect, usually
in the presence of others. An insult is a personal
attack either by words or actions, designed to
humiliate or degrade. An outrage is an act of extreme
and violent insult or abuse. An affront piques and
mortifies; an insult irritates and provokes; an
outrage wounds and injures.
Captious persons construe every innocent freedom
into an affront. When people are in a state of
animosity, they seek opportunities of offering
each other insults. Intoxication or violent
passion impels men to the commission of
outrages. --Crabb.
Affront'e \Af*fron*t['e]"\, a. [F. affront['e], p. p.] (Her.)
Face to face, or front to front; facing.
Affrontedly \Af*front"ed*ly\, adv.
Shamelessly. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Affrontee \Af*fron*tee"\, n.
One who receives an affront. --Lytton.
Affronter \Af*front"er\, n.
One who affronts, or insults to the face.
Affrontingly \Af*front"ing*ly\, adv.
In an affronting manner.
Affrontive \Af*front"ive\, a.
Tending to affront or offend; offensive; abusive.
How affrontive it is to despise mercy. --South.
Affrontiveness \Af*front"ive*ness\
([a^]f*fr[u^]nt"[i^]v*n[e^]s), n.
The quality that gives an affront or offense. [R.] --Bailey.
Affuse \Af*fuse"\ ([a^]f*f[=u]z"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affused}
(-f[=u]zd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Affusing}.] [L. affusus, p. p.
of affundere to pour to; ad + fundere. See {Fuse}.]
To pour out or upon. [R.]
I first affused water upon the compressed beans.
--Boyle.
Affusion \Af*fu"sion\ ([a^]f*f[=u]"zh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F.
affusion.]
The act of pouring upon, or sprinkling with a liquid, as
water upon a child in baptism. Specifically: (Med) The act of
pouring water or other fluid on the whole or a part of the
body, as a remedy in disease. --Dunglison.
Affy \Af*fy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affied}; p. pr. {Affying}.]
[OF. afier, LL. affidare. Cf. {Affiance}.]
1. To confide (one's self to, or in); to trust. [Obs.]
2. To betroth or espouse; to affiance. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. To bind in faith. [Obs.] --Bp. Montagu.
Affy \Af*fy"\, v. i.
To trust or confide. [Obs.] --Shak.
Afghan \Af"ghan\, a.
Of or pertaining to Afghanistan.
Afghan \Af"ghan\, n.
1. A native of Afghanistan.
2. A kind of worsted blanket or wrap.
Afield \A*field"\, adv. [Pref. a- + field.]
1. To, in, or on the field. ``We drove afield.'' --Milton.
How jocund did they drive their team afield! --Gray.
2. Out of the way; astray.
Why should he wander afield at the age of
fifty-five! --Trollope.
Afire \A*fire"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + fire.]
On fire.
Aflame \A*flame"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + flame.]
Inflames; glowing with light or passion; ablaze. --G. Eliot.
Aflat \A*flat"\, adv. [Pref. a- + flat.]
Level with the ground; flat. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Aflaunt \A*flaunt"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + flaunt.]
In a flaunting state or position. --Copley.
Aflicker \A*flick"er\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + flicker.]
In a flickering state.
Afloat \A*float"\ ([.a]*fl[=o]t"), adv. & a. [Pref. a- + float.]
1. Borne on the water; floating; on board ship.
On such a full sea are we now afloat. --Shak.
2. Moving; passing from place to place; in general
circulation; as, a rumor is afloat.
3. Unfixed; moving without guide or control; adrift; as, our
affairs are all afloat.
Aflow \A*flow"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + flow.]
Flowing.
Their founts aflow with tears. --R. Browning.
Aflush \A*flush"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + flush, n.]
In a flushed or blushing state.
Aflush \A*flush"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + flush, a.]
On a level.
The bank is . . . aflush with the sea. --Swinburne.
Aflutter \A*flut"ter\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + flutter.]
In a flutter; agitated.
Afoam \A*foam"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + foam.]
In a foaming state; as, the sea is all afoam.
Afoot \A*foot"\, adv. [Pref. a- + foot.]
1. On foot.
We 'll walk afoot a while. --Shak.
2. Fig.: In motion; in action; astir; in progress.
The matter being afoot. --Shak.
Afore \A*fore"\, adv. [OE. afore, aforn, AS. onforan or
[ae]tforan; pref. a- + fore.]
1. Before. [Obs.]
If he have never drunk wine afore. --Shak.
2. (Naut.) In the fore part of a vessel.
Afore \A*fore"\, prep.
1. Before (in all its senses). [Archaic]
2. (Naut.) Before; in front of; farther forward than; as,
afore the windlass.
{Afore the mast}, among the common sailors; -- a phrase used
to distinguish the ship's crew from the officers.
Aforecited \A*fore"cit`ed\, a.
Named or quoted before.
Aforegoing \A*fore"go`ing\, a.
Go[=i]ng before; foregoing.
Aforehand \A*fore"hand`\adv.
Beforehand; in anticipation. [Archaic or Dial.]
She is come aforehand to anoint my body. --Mark xiv. 8.
Aforehand \A*fore"hand`\, a.
Prepared; previously provided; -- opposed to {behindhand}.
[Archaic or Dial.]
Aforehand in all matters of power. --Bacon.
Aforementioned \A*fore"men`tioned\, a.
Previously mentioned; before-mentioned. --Addison.
Aforenamed \A*fore"named`\, a.
Named before. --Peacham.
Aforesaid \A*fore"said`\, a.
Said before, or in a preceding part; already described or
identified.
Aforethought \A*fore"thought`\, a.
Premeditated; prepense; previously in mind; designed; as,
malice aforethought, which is required to constitute murder.
--Bouvier.
Aforethought \A*fore"thought`\, n.
Premeditation.
Aforetime \A*fore"time`\, adv.
In time past; formerly. ``He prayed . . . as he did
aforetime.'' --Dan. vi. 10.
A fortiori \A for`ti*o"ri\ [L.] (Logic & Math.)
With stronger reason.
Afoul \A*foul"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + foul.]
In collision; entangled. --Totten.
{To run afoul of}, to run against or come into collision
with, especially so as to become entangled or to cause
injury.
Afraid \A*fraid"\, p. a. [OE. afrayed, affraide, p. p. of
afraien to affray. See {Affray}, and cf. {Afeard}.]
Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear; apprehensive.
[Afraid comes after the noun it limits.] ``Back they
recoiled, afraid.'' --Milton.
Note: This word expresses a less degree of fear than
terrified or frightened. It is followed by of before
the object of fear, or by the infinitive, or by a
dependent clause; as, to be afraid of death. ``I am
afraid to die.'' ``I am afraid he will chastise me.''
``Be not afraid that I your hand should take.'' --Shak.
I am afraid is sometimes used colloquially to soften a
statement; as, I am afraid I can not help you in this
matter.
Syn: Fearful; timid; timorous; alarmed; anxious.
Afreet \Af"reet\, n.
Same as {Afrit}.
Afresh \A*fresh"\, adv. [Pref. a- + fresh.]
Anew; again; once more; newly.
They crucify . . . the Son of God afresh. --Heb. vi. 6.
Afric \Af"ric\, a.
African. -- n. Africa. [Poetic]
African \Af"ri*can\, a. [L. Africus, Africanus, fr. Afer
African.]
Of or pertaining to Africa.
{African hemp}, a fiber prepared from the leaves of the
{Sanseviera Guineensis}, a plant found in Africa and
India.
{African marigold}, a tropical American plant ({Tagetes
erecta}).
{African oak} or {African teak}, a timber furnished by
{Oldfieldia Africana}, used in ship building.
African \Af"ri*can\, n.
A native of Africa; also one ethnologically belonging to an
African race.
Africander \Af`ri*can"der\, n.
One born in Africa, the offspring of a white father and a
``colored'' mother. Also, and now commonly in Southern
Africa, a native born of European settlers.
Africanism \Af"ri*can*ism\, n.
A word, phrase, idiom, or custom peculiar to Africa or
Africans. ``The knotty Africanisms . . . of the fathers.''
--Milton.
Africanize \Af"ri*can*ize\, v. t.
To place under the domination of Africans or negroes. [Amer.]
--Bartlett.
Afrit \Af"rit\, Afrite \Af"rite\, Afreet \Af"reet\, n. [Arab.
'ifr[=i]t.] (Moham. Myth.)
A powerful evil jinnee, demon, or monstrous giant.
Afront \A*front"\, adv. [Pref. a- + front.]
In front; face to face. -- prep. In front of. --Shak.
Aft \Aft\ ([.a]ft), adv. & a. [AS. [ae]ftan behind; orig.
superl. of of, off. See {After}.] (Naut.)
Near or towards the stern of a vessel; astern; abaft.
After \Aft"er\ ([.a]ft"t[~e]r), a. [AS. [ae]fter after, behind;
akin to Goth. aftaro, aftra, backwards, Icel. aptr, Sw. and
Dan. efter, OHG. aftar behind, Dutch and LG. achter, Gr.
'apwte`rw further off. The ending -ter is an old comparative
suffix, in E. generally -ther (as in other), and after is a
compar. of of, off. [root]194. See {Of}; cf. {Aft}.]
1. Next; later in time; subsequent; succeeding; as, an after
period of life. --Marshall.
Note: In this sense the word is sometimes needlessly combined
with the following noun, by means of a hyphen, as,
after-ages, after-act, after-days, after-life. For the
most part the words are properly kept separate when
after has this meaning.
2. Hinder; nearer the rear. (Naut.) To ward the stern of the
ship; -- applied to any object in the rear part of a
vessel; as the after cabin, after hatchway.
Note: It is often combined with its noun; as, after-bowlines,
after-braces, after-sails, after-yards, those on the
mainmasts and mizzenmasts.
{After body} (Naut.), the part of a ship abaft the dead flat,
or middle part.
After \Aft"er\, prep.
1. Behind in place; as, men in line one after another. ``Shut
doors after you.'' --Shak.
2. Below in rank; next to in order. --Shak.
Codrus after Ph?bus sings the best. --Dryden.
3. Later in time; subsequent; as, after supper, after three
days. It often precedes a clause. Formerly that was
interposed between it and the clause.
After I am risen again, I will go before you into
Galilee. --Matt. xxvi.
32.
4. Subsequent to and in consequence of; as, after what you
have said, I shall be careful.
5. Subsequent to and notwithstanding; as, after all our
advice, you took that course.
6. Moving toward from behind; following, in search of; in
pursuit of.
Ye shall not go after other gods. --Deut. vi.
14.
After whom is the king of Israel come out? --1 Sam.
xxiv. 14.
7. Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to;
as, to look after workmen; to inquire after a friend; to
thirst after righteousness.
8. In imitation of; in conformity with; after the manner of;
as, to make a thing after a model; a picture after Rubens;
the boy takes after his father.
{To name} or {call after}, to name like and reference to.
Our eldest son was named George after his uncle.
--Goldsmith.
9. According to; in accordance with; in conformity with the
nature of; as, he acted after his kind.
He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes.
--Isa. xi. 3.
They that are after the flesh do mind the things of
the flesh. --Rom. viii.
5.
10. According to the direction and influence of; in
proportion to; befitting. [Archaic]
He takes greatness of kingdoms according to bulk
and currency, and not after their intrinsic value.
--Bacon.
{After all}, when everything has been considered; upon the
whole.
{After} (with the same noun preceding and following), as,
wave after wave, day after day, several or many (waves,
etc.) successively.
{One after another}, successively.
{To be after}, to be in pursuit of in order to reach or get;
as, he is after money.
After \Aft"er\, adv.
Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward; as, he
follows after.
It was about the space of three hours after. --Acts. v.
7.
Note: After is prefixed to many words, forming compounds, but
retaining its usual signification. The prefix may be
adverbial, prepositional, or adjectival; as in after-
described, after-dinner, after-part. The hyphen is
sometimes needlessly used to connect the adjective
after with its noun. See {Note} under {After}, a., 1.
Afterbirth \Aft"er*birth`\, n. (Med.)
The placenta and membranes with which the fetus is connected,
and which come away after delivery.
Aftercast \Aft"er*cast`\, n.
A throw of dice after the game in ended; hence, anything done
too late. --Gower.
Afterclap \Aft"er*clap`\, n.
An unexpected subsequent event; something disagreeable
happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end.
--Spenser.
Aftercrop \Aft"er*crop`\, n.
A second crop or harvest in the same year. --Mortimer.
After damp \Aft"er damp`\
An irrespirable gas, remaining after an explosion of fire
damp in mines; choke damp. See {Carbonic acid}.
After-dinner \Aft"er-din`ner\, n.
The time just after dinner. ``An after-dinner's sleep.''
--Shak. [Obs.] -- a. Following dinner; post-prandial; as, an
after-dinner nap.
After-eatage \Aft"er-eat`age\, n.
Aftergrass.
Aftereye \Aft"er*eye`\, v. t.
To look after. [Poetic] --Shak.
Aftergame \Aft"er*game`\, n.
A second game; hence, a subsequent scheme or expedient.
--Wotton.
{Aftergame at Irish}, an ancient game very nearly resembling
backgammon. --Beau. & Fl.
After-glow \Aft"er-glow\, n.
A glow of refulgence in the western sky after sunset.
Aftergrass \Aft"er*grass`\, n.
The grass that grows after the first crop has been mown;
aftermath.
Aftergrowth \Aft"er*growth`\, n.
A second growth or crop, or (metaphorically) development.
--J. S. Mill.
Afterguard \Aft"er*guard`\, n. (Naut.)
The seaman or seamen stationed on the poop or after part of
the ship, to attend the after-sails. --Totten.
After-image \Aft"er-im`age\, n.
The impression of a vivid sensation retained by the retina of
the eye after the cause has been removed; also extended to
impressions left of tones, smells, etc.
Afterings \Aft"er*ings\, n. pl.
The last milk drawn in milking; strokings. [Obs.] --Grose.
Aftermath \Aft"er*math\, n. [After + math. See {Math}.]
A second moving; the grass which grows after the first crop
of hay in the same season; rowen. --Holland.
After-mentioned \Aft"er-men`tioned\, a.
Mentioned afterwards; as, persons after-mentioned (in a
writing).
Aftermost \Aft"er*most\, a. superl. [OE. eftemest, AS.
[ae]ftemest,akin to Gothic aftumist and aftuma, the last,
orig. a superlative of of, with the superlative endings -te,
-me, -st.]
1. Hindmost; -- opposed to {foremost}.
2. (Naut.) Nearest the stern; most aft.
Afternoon \Aft"er*noon"\, n.
The part of the day which follows noon, between noon and
evening.
After-note \Aft"er-note`\, n. (Mus.)
One of the small notes occur on the unaccented parts of the
measure, taking their time from the preceding note.
Afterpains \Aft"er*pains`\, n. pl. (Med.)
The pains which succeed childbirth, as in expelling the
afterbirth.
Afterpiece \Aft"er*piece`\, n.
1. A piece performed after a play, usually a farce or other
small entertainment.
2. (Naut.) The heel of a rudder.
After-sails \Aft"er-sails`\, n. pl. (Naut.)
The sails on the mizzenmast, or on the stays between the
mainmast and mizzenmast. --Totten.
Aftershaft \Aft"er*shaft`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The hypoptilum.
Aftertaste \Aft"er*taste`\, n.
A taste which remains in the mouth after eating or drinking.
Afterthought \Aft"er*thought`\, n.
Reflection after an act; later or subsequent thought or
expedient.
Afterwards \Aft"er*wards\, Afterward \Aft"er*ward\, adv. [AS.
[ae]fteweard, a., behind. See {Aft}, and {-ward} (suffix).
The final s in afterwards is adverbial, orig. a genitive
ending.]
At a later or succeeding time.
Afterwise \Aft"er*wise`\, a.
Wise after the event; wise or knowing, when it is too late.
After-wit \Aft"er-wit`\, n.
Wisdom or perception that comes after it can be of use.
``After-wit comes too late when the mischief is done.''
--L'Estrange.
After-witted \Aft"er-wit`ted\, a.
Characterized by after-wit; slow-witted. --Tyndale.
Aftmost \Aft"most\, a. (Naut.)
Nearest the stern.
Aftward \Aft"ward\, adv. (Naut.)
Toward the stern.
Aga \A*ga"\ or Agha \A*gha"\, n. [Turk. adh[=a] a great lord,
chief master.]
In Turkey, a commander or chief officer. It is used also as a
title of respect.
Again \A*gain"\ (?; 277), adv. [OE. agein, agayn, AS. ongegn,
onge['a]n, against, again; on + ge['a]n, akin to Ger. gegewn
against, Icel. gegn. Cf. {Gainsay}.]
1. In return, back; as, bring us word again.
2. Another time; once more; anew.
If a man die, shall he live again? --Job xiv. 14.
3. Once repeated; -- of quantity; as, as large again, half as
much again.
4. In any other place. [Archaic] --Bacon.
5. On the other hand. ``The one is my sovereign . . . the
other again is my kinsman.'' --Shak.
6. Moreover; besides; further.
Again, it is of great consequence to avoid, etc.
--Hersche?.
{Again and again}, more than once; often; repeatedly.
{Now and again}, now and then; occasionally.
{To and again}, to and fro. [Obs.] --De Foe.
Note: Again was formerly used in many verbal combinations,
as, again-witness, to witness against; again-ride, to
ride against; again-come, to come against, to
encounter; again-bring, to bring back, etc.
Again \A*gain"\, Agains \A*gains"\, prep.
Against; also, towards (in order to meet). [Obs.]
Albeit that it is again his kind. --Chaucer.
Againbuy \A*gain"buy`\, v. t.
To redeem. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Againsay \A*gain"say`\, v. t.
To gainsay. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Against \A*gainst"\ (?; 277), prep. [OE. agens, ageynes, AS.
ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See
{Again}.]
1. Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the
mouth of a river; -- in this sense often preceded by over.
Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.
--Tyndale.
2. From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in
contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats
against the roof.
3. In opposition to, whether the opposition is of sentiment
or of action; on the other side; counter to; in
contrariety to; hence, adverse to; as, against reason;
against law; to run a race against time.
The gate would have been shut against her.
--Fielding.
An argument against the use of steam. --Tyndale.
4. By of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to
be ready for the time when. [Archaic or Dial.]
Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came
from Damascus. --2 Kings xvi.
11.
{Against the sun}, in a direction contrary to that in which
the sun appears to move.
Againstand \A*gain"stand`\, v. t.
To withstand. [Obs.]
Againward \A*gain"ward\, adv.
Back again. [Obs.]
Agalactia \Ag`a*lac"ti*a\, Agalaxy \Ag"a*lax`y\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a
priv. + ?, ?, milk.] (Med.)
Failure of the due secretion of milk after childbirth.
Agalactous \Ag`a*lac"tous\, a.
Lacking milk to suckle with.
Agal-agal \A`gal-a"gal\, n.
Same as {Agar-agar}.
Agalloch \Ag"al*loch\, Agallochum \A*gal"lo*chum\, n. [Gr. ?, of
Eastern origin: cf. Skr. aguru, Heb. pl. ah[=a]l[=i]m.]
A soft, resinous wood ({Aquilaria Agallocha}) of highly
aromatic smell, burnt by the orientals as a perfume. It is
called also {agalwood} and {aloes wood}. The name is also
given to some other species.
Agalmatolite \Ag`al*mat"o*lite\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, image, statue +
-lite: cf. F. agalmatolithe.] (Min.)
A soft, compact stone, of a grayish, greenish, or yellowish
color, carved into images by the Chinese, and hence called
{figure stone}, and {pagodite}. It is probably a variety of
pinite.
Agama \Ag"a*ma\, n.; pl. {Agamas}. [From the Caribbean name of a
species of lizard.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of lizards, one of the few which feed upon vegetable
substances; also, one of these lizards.
Agami \Ag"a*mi\, n.; pl. {Agamis}. [F. agex>, fr. the native
name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South American bird ({Psophia crepitans}), allied to the
cranes, and easily domesticated; -- called also the
{gold-breasted trumpeter}. Its body is about the size of the
pheasant. See {Trumpeter}.
Agamic \A*gam"ic\, a. [{Agamous}.]
(a) (Biol.) Produced without sexual union; as, agamic or
unfertilized eggs.
(b) Not having visible organs of reproduction, as flowerless
plants; agamous.
Agamically \A*gam"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an agamic manner.
Agamist \Ag"a*mist\, n. [See {Agamous}.]
An unmarried person; also, one opposed to marriage. --Foxe.
Agamogenesis \Ag`a*mo*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. ? unmarried ('a priv.
+ ? marriage) + ? reproduction.] (Biol.)
Reproduction without the union of parents of distinct sexes:
asexual reproduction.
Agamogenetic \Ag`a*mo*ge*net"ic\, n. (Biol.)
Reproducing or produced without sexual union. --
{Ag`a*mo*ge*net"ic*al*ly}, adv.
All known agamogenetic processes end in a complete
return to the primitive stock. --Huxley.
Agamous \Ag"a*mous\, a. [Gr. 'a`gamos unmarried; 'a priv. +
ga`mos marriage.] (Biol.)
Having no visible sexual organs; asexual. In Bot.,
cryptogamous.
Aganglionic \A*gan`gli*o"nic\, a. [Pref. a- not + ganglionic.]
(Physiol.)
Without ganglia.
Agape \A*gape"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + gape.]
Gaping, as with wonder, expectation, or eager attention.
Dazzles the crowd and sets them all agape. --Milton.
Agape \Ag"a*pe\, n.; pl. {Agap[ae]}. [Gr. 'aga`ph love, pl.
'aga`pai.]
The love feast of the primitive Christians, being a meal
partaken of in connection with the communion.
Agar-agar \A`gar-a"gar\, n. [Ceylonese local name.]
A fucus or seaweed much used in the East for soups and
jellies; Ceylon moss ({Gracilaria lichenoides}).
Agaric \Ag"a*ric\ (?; 277), n. [L. agaricum, Gr. ?, said to be
fr. Agara, a town in Sarmatia.]
1. (Bot.) A fungus of the genus {Agaricus}, of many species,
of which the common mushroom is an example.
2. An old name for several species of {Polyporus}, corky
fungi growing on decaying wood.
Note: The ``female agaric'' ({Polyporus officinalis}) was
renowned as a cathartic; the ``male agaric''
({Polyporus igniarius}) is used for preparing
touchwood, called punk or German tinder.
{Agaric mineral}, a light, chalky deposit of carbonate of
lime, sometimes called {rock milk}, formed in caverns or
fissures of limestone.
Agasp \A*gasp"\, adv. & a. [. a- + gasp.]
In a state of gasping. --Coleridge.
Agast \A*gast"\ or Aghast \A*ghast"\, v. t.
To affright; to terrify. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Spenser.
Agast \A*gast"\, p. p. & a.
See {Aghast}.
Agastric \A*gas"tric\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? stomach.] (Physiol.)
Having to stomach, or distinct digestive canal, as the
tapeworm.
Agate \A*gate"\, adv. [Pref. a- on + gate way.]
On the way; agoing; as, to be agate; to set the bells agate.
[Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Agate \Ag"ate\, n. [F. agate, It. agata, L. achates, fr. Gr. ?.]
1. (Min.) A semipellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz,
presenting various tints in the same specimen. Its colors
are delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in
clouds.
Note: The fortification agate, or Scotch pebble, the moss
agate, the clouded agate, etc., are familiar varieties.
2. (Print.) A kind of type, larger than pearl and smaller
than nonpareil; in England called ruby.
Note: This line is printed in the type called agate.
3. A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small
figures cut in agate for rings and seals. [Obs.] --Shak.
4. A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.; -- so
called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.
Agatiferous \Ag`a*tif"er*ous\, a. [Agate + -ferous.]
Containing or producing agates. --Craig.
Agatine \Ag"a*tine\, a.
Pertaining to, or like, agate.
Agatize \Ag"a*tize\, v. t. [Usually p. p. {Agatized}.]
To convert into agate; to make resemble agate. --Dana.
Agaty \Ag"a*ty\, a.
Of the nature of agate, or containing agate.
Agave \A*ga"ve\, n. [L. Agave, prop. name, fr. Gr. ?, fem. of ?
illustrious, noble.] (bot.)
A genus of plants (order {Amaryllidace[ae]}) of which the
chief species is the maguey or century plant ({A.
Americana}), wrongly called Aloe. It is from ten to seventy
years, according to climate, in attaining maturity, when it
produces a gigantic flower stem, sometimes forty feet in
height, and perishes. The fermented juice is the pulque of
the Mexicans; distilled, it yields mescal. A strong thread
and a tough paper are made from the leaves, and the wood has
many uses.
Agazed \A*gazed"\, p. p. [Only in p. p.; another spelling for
aghast.]
Gazing with astonishment; amazed. [Obs.]
The whole army stood agazed on him. --Shak.
Age \Age\ ([=a]j), n. [OF. aage, eage, F. [^a]ge, fr. L. aetas
through a supposed LL. aetaticum. L. aetas is contracted fr.
aevitas, fr. aevum lifetime, age; akin to E. aye ever. Cf.
{Each}.]
1. The whole duration of a being, whether animal, vegetable,
or other kind; lifetime.
Mine age is as nothing before thee. --Ps. xxxix.
5.
2. That part of the duration of a being or a thing which is
between its beginning and any given time; as, what is the
present age of a man, or of the earth?
3. The latter part of life; an advanced period of life;
seniority; state of being old.
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. --Shak.
4. One of the stages of life; as, the age of infancy, of
youth, etc. --Shak.
5. Mature age; especially, the time of life at which one
attains full personal rights and capacities; as, to come
of age; he (or she) is of age. --Abbott.
Note: In the United States, both males and females are of age
when twenty-one years old.
6. The time of life at which some particular power or
capacity is understood to become vested; as, the age of
consent; the age of discretion. --Abbott.
7. A particular period of time in history, as distinguished
from others; as, the golden age, the age of Pericles.
``The spirit of the age.'' --Prescott.
Truth, in some age or other, will find her witness.
--Milton.
Note: Archeological ages are designated as three: The Stone
age (the early and the later stone age, called
paleolithic and neolithic), the Bronze age, and the
Iron age. During the Age of Stone man is supposed to
have employed stone for weapons and implements. See
{Augustan}, {Brazen}, {Golden}, {Heroic}, {Middle}.
8. A great period in the history of the Earth.
Note: The geologic ages are as follows: 1. The Arch[ae]an,
including the time when was no life and the time of the
earliest and simplest forms of life. 2. The age of
Invertebrates, or the Silurian, when the life on the
globe consisted distinctively of invertebrates. 3. The
age of Fishes, or the Devonian, when fishes were the
dominant race. 4. The age of Coal Plants, or Acrogens,
or the Carboniferous age. 5. The Mesozoic or Secondary
age, or age of Reptiles, when reptiles prevailed in
great numbers and of vast size. 6. The Tertiary age, or
age of Mammals, when the mammalia, or quadrupeds,
abounded, and were the dominant race. 7. The Quaternary
age, or age of Man, or the modern era. --Dana.
9. A century; the period of one hundred years.
Fleury . . . apologizes for these five ages.
--Hallam.
10. The people who live at a particular period; hence, a
generation. ``Ages yet unborn.'' --Pope.
The way which the age follows. --J. H.
Newman.
Lo! where the stage, the poor, degraded stage,
Holds its warped mirror to a gaping age. --C.
Sprague.
11. A long time. [Colloq.] ``He made minutes an age.''
--Tennyson.
{Age of a tide}, the time from the origin of a tide in the
South Pacific Ocean to its arrival at a given place.
{Moon's age}, the time that has elapsed since the last
preceding conjunction of the sun and moon.
Note: Age is used to form the first part of many compounds;
as, agelasting, age-adorning, age-worn, age-enfeebled,
agelong.
Syn: Time; period; generation; date; era; epoch.
Age \Age\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Aged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Aging}.]
To grow aged; to become old; to show marks of age; as, he
grew fat as he aged.
They live one hundred and thirty years, and never age
for all that. --Holland.
I am aging; that is, I have a whitish, or rather a
light-colored, hair here and there. --Landor.
Age \Age\, v. t.
To cause to grow old; to impart the characteristics of age
to; as, grief ages us.
Aged \A"ged\, a.
1. Old; having lived long; having lived almost to or beyond
the usual time allotted to that species of being; as, an
aged man; an aged oak.
2. Belonging to old age. ``Aged cramps.'' --Shak.
3. ([=a]"j[e^]d or [=a]jd) Having a certain age; at the age
of; having lived; as, a man aged forty years.
Agedly \A"ged*ly\, adv.
In the manner of an aged person.
Agedness \A"ged*ness\, n.
The quality of being aged; oldness.
Custom without truth is but agedness of error.
--Milton.
Ageless \Age"less\, a.
Without old age limits of duration; as, fountains of ageless
youth.
Agen \A*gen"\, adv. & prep.
See {Again}. [Obs.]
Agency \A"gen*cy\, n.; pl. {Agencies}. [agentia, fr. L. agens,
agentis: cf. F. agence. See {Agent}.]
1. The faculty of acting or of exerting power; the state of
being in action; action; instrumentality.
The superintendence and agency of Providence in the
natural world. --Woodward.
2. The office of an agent, or factor; the relation between a
principal and his agent; business of one intrusted with
the concerns of another.
3. The place of business of am agent.
Syn: Action; operation; efficiency; management.
Agend \A"gend\, n.
See {Agendum}. [Obs.]
Agendum \A*gen"dum\, n.; pl. {Agenda}. [L., neut. of the
gerundive of agere to act.]
1. Something to be done; in the pl., a memorandum book.
2. A church service; a ritual or liturgy. [In this sense,
usually Agenda.]
Agenesic \Ag`e*nes"ic\, a. [See {Agensis}.] (Physiol.)
Characterized by sterility; infecund.
Agenesis \A*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? birth.] (Physiol.)
Any imperfect development of the body, or any anomaly of
organization.
Agennesis \Ag`en*ne"sis\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? an engendering.]
(Physiol.)
Impotence; sterility.
Agent \A"gent\, a. [L. agens, agentis, p. pr. of agere to act;
akin to Gr. ? to lead, Icel. aka to drive, Skr. aj. [root]2.]
Acting; -- opposed to {patient}, or sustaining, action.
[Archaic] ``The body agent.'' --Bacon.
Agent \A"gent\, n.
1. One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.
Heaven made us agents, free to good or ill.
--Dryden.
2. One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by
authority from him; one intrusted with the business of
another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.
3. An active power or cause; that which has the power to
produce an effect; as, a physical, chemical, or medicinal
agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.
Agential \A*gen"tial\, a.
Of or pertaining to an agent or an agency. --Fitzed. Hall.
Agentship \A"gent*ship\, n.
Agency. --Beau. & Fl.
Ageratum \A*ger"a*tum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a sort of plant; 'a
priv. + ? old age.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants, one species of which ({A. Mexicanum}) has
lavender-blue flowers in dense clusters.
Aggeneration \Ag*gen`er*a"tion\, n. [L. aggenerare to beget in
addition. See {Generate}.]
The act of producing in addition. [Obs.] --T. Stanley.
Agger \Ag"ger\, n. [L., a mound, fr. aggerere to bear to a
place, heap up; ad + gerere to bear.]
An earthwork; a mound; a raised work. [Obs.] --Hearne.
Aggerate \Ag"ger*ate\, v. t. [L. aggeratus, p. p. of aggerare.
See {Agger}.]
To heap up. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Aggeration \Ag`ger*a"tion\, n. [L. aggeratio.]
A heaping up; accumulation; as, aggerations of sand. [R.]
Aggerose \Ag`ger*ose"\, a.
In heaps; full of heaps.
Aggest \Ag*gest"\, v. t. [L. aggestus, p. p. of aggerere. See
{Agger}.]
To heap up. [Obs.]
The violence of the waters aggested the earth.
--Fuller.
Agglomerate \Ag*glom"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Agglomerated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Agglomerating}.] [L.
agglomeratus, p. p. of agglomerare; ad + glomerare to form
into a ball. See {Glomerate}.]
To wind or collect into a ball; hence, to gather into a mass
or anything like a mass.
Where he builds the agglomerated pile. --Cowper.
Agglomerate \Ag*glom"er*ate\, v. i.
To collect in a mass.
Agglomerate \Ag*glom"er*ate\, Agglomerated \Ag*glom"er*a`ted\,
a.
1. Collected into a ball, heap, or mass.
2. (Bot.) Collected into a rounded head of flowers.
Agglomerate \Ag*glom"er*ate\, n.
1. A collection or mass.
2. (Geol.) A mass of angular volcanic fragments united by
heat; -- distinguished from conglomerate.
Agglomeration \Ag*glom`er*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. agglom['e]ration.]
1. The act or process of collecting in a mass; a heaping
together.
An excessive agglomeration of turrets. --Warton.
2. State of being collected in a mass; a mass; cluster.
Agglomerative \Ag*glom"er*a*tive\, a.
Having a tendency to gather together, or to make collections.
Taylor is eminently discursive, accumulative, and (to
use one of his own words) agglomerative. --Coleridge.
Agglutinant \Ag*glu"ti*nant\, a. [L. agglutinans, -antis, p. pr.
of agglutinare.]
Uniting, as glue; causing, or tending to cause, adhesion. --
n. Any viscous substance which causes bodies or parts to
adhere.
Agglutinate \Ag*glu"ti*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Agglutinated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Agglutinating}.] [L.
agglutinatus, p. p. of agglutinare to glue or cement to a
thing; ad + glutinare to glue; gluten glue. See {Glue}.]
To unite, or cause to adhere, as with glue or other viscous
substance; to unite by causing an adhesion of substances.
Agglutinate \Ag*glu"ti*nate\, a.
1. United with glue or as with glue; cemented together.
2. (physiol.) Consisting of root words combined but not
materially altered as to form or meaning; as, agglutinate
forms, languages, etc. See {Agglutination}, 2.
Agglutination \Ag*glu`ti*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F. agglutination.]
1. The act of uniting by glue or other tenacious substance;
the state of being thus united; adhesion of parts.
2. (Physiol.) Combination in which root words are united with
little or no change of form or loss of meaning. See
{Agglutinative}, 2.
Agglutinative \Ag*glu"ti*na*tive\, a. [Cf. F. agglutinatif.]
1. Pertaining to agglutination; tending to unite, or having
power to cause adhesion; adhesive.
2. (Philol.) Formed or characterized by agglutination, as a
language or a compound.
In agglutinative languages the union of words may be
compared to mechanical compounds, in inflective
languages to chemical compounds. --R. Morris.
Cf. man-kind, heir-loom, war-like, which are
agglutinative compounds. The Finnish, Hungarian,
Turkish, the Tamul, etc., are agglutinative
languages. --R. Morris.
Agglutinative languages preserve the consciousness
of their roots. --Max
M["u]ller.
Aggrace \Ag*grace"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + grace: cf. It.
aggraziare, LL. aggratiare. See {Grace}.]
To favor; to grace. [Obs.] ``That knight so much aggraced.''
--Spenser.
Aggrace \Ag*grace"\, n.
Grace; favor. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Aggrandizable \Ag"gran*di"za*ble\, a.
Capable of being aggrandized.
Aggrandization \Ag*gran`di*za"tion\, n.
Aggrandizement. [Obs.] --Waterhouse.
Aggrandize \Ag"gran*dize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aggrandized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Aggrandizing}.] [F. agrandir; [`a] (L. ad) +
grandir to increase, L. grandire, fr. grandis great. See
{Grand}, and cf. {Finish}.]
1. To make great; to enlarge; to increase; as, to aggrandize
our conceptions, authority, distress.
2. To make great or greater in power, rank, honor, or wealth;
-- applied to persons, countries, etc.
His scheme for aggrandizing his son. --Prescott.
3. To make appear great or greater; to exalt. --Lamb.
Syn: To augment; exalt; promote; advance.
Aggrandize \Ag"gran*dize\, v. i.
To increase or become great. [Obs.]
Follies, continued till old age, do aggrandize. --J.
Hall.
Aggrandizement \Ag*gran"dize*ment\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F.
agrandissement.]
The act of aggrandizing, or the state of being aggrandized or
exalted in power, rank, honor, or wealth; exaltation;
enlargement; as, the emperor seeks only the aggrandizement of
his own family.
Syn: Augmentation; exaltation; enlargement; advancement;
promotion; preferment.
Aggrandizer \Ag"gran*di`zer\, n.
One who aggrandizes, or makes great.
Aggrate \Ag*grate"\, v. t. [It. aggratare, fr. L. ad + gratus
pleasing. See {Grate}, a.]
To please. [Obs.]
Each one sought his lady to aggrate. --Spenser.
Aggravate \Ag"gra*vate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aggravated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Aggravating}.] [L. aggravatus, p. p. of
aggravare. See {Aggrieve}.]
1. To make heavy or heavier; to add to; to increase. [Obs.]
``To aggravate thy store.'' --Shak.
2. To make worse, or more severe; to render less tolerable or
less excusable; to make more offensive; to enhance; to
intensify. ``To aggravate my woes.'' --Pope.
To aggravate the horrors of the scene. --Prescott.
The defense made by the prisoner's counsel did
rather aggravate than extenuate his crime.
--Addison.
3. To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate; as, to
aggravate circumstances. --Paley.
4. To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate. [Colloq.]
If both were to aggravate her parents, as my brother
and sister do mine. --Richardson
(Clarissa).
Syn: To heighten; intensify; increase; magnify; exaggerate;
provoke; irritate; exasperate.
Aggravating \Ag"gra*va`ting\, a.
1. Making worse or more heinous; as, aggravating
circumstances.
2. Exasperating; provoking; irritating. [Colloq.]
A thing at once ridiculous and aggravating. --J.
Ingelow.
Aggravatingly \Ag"gra*va`ting*ly\, adv.
In an aggravating manner.
Aggravation \Ag`gra*va"tion\, n. [LL. aggravatio: cf. F.
aggravation.]
1. The act of aggravating, or making worse; -- used of evils,
natural or moral; the act of increasing in severity or
heinousness; something additional to a crime or wrong and
enhancing its guilt or injurious consequences.
2. Exaggerated representation.
By a little aggravation of the features changed it
into the Saracen's head. --Addison.
3. An extrinsic circumstance or accident which increases the
guilt of a crime or the misery of a calamity.
4. Provocation; irritation. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Aggravative \Ag"gra*va*tive\, a.
Tending to aggravate. -- n. That which aggravates.
Aggregate \Ag"gre*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aggregated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Aggregating}.] [L. aggregatus, p. p. of
aggregare to lead to a flock or herd; ad + gregare to collect
into a flock, grex flock, herd. See {Gregarious}.]
1. To bring together; to collect into a mass or sum. ``The
aggregated soil.'' --Milton.
2. To add or unite, as, a person, to an association.
It is many times hard to discern to which of the two
sorts, the good or the bad, a man ought to be
aggregated. --Wollaston.
3. To amount in the aggregate to; as, ten loads, aggregating
five hundred bushels. [Colloq.]
Syn: To heap up; accumulate; pile; collect.
Aggregate \Ag"gre*gate\, a. [L. aggregatus, p. p.]
1. Formed by a collection of particulars into a whole mass or
sum; collective.
The aggregate testimony of many hundreds. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. (Anat.) Formed into clusters or groups of lobules; as,
aggregate glands.
3. (Bot.) Composed of several florets within a common
involucre, as in the daisy; or of several carpels formed
from one flower, as in the raspberry.
4. (Min. & Geol.) Having the several component parts adherent
to each other only to such a degree as to be separable by
mechanical means.
5. (Zo["o]l.) United into a common organized mass; -- said of
certain compound animals.
{Corporation aggregate}. (Law) See under {Corporation}.
Aggregate \Ag"gre*gate\, n.
1. A mass, assemblage, or sum of particulars; as, a house is
an aggregate of stone, brick, timber, etc.
Note: In an aggregate the particulars are less intimately
mixed than in a compound.
2. (Physics) A mass formed by the union of homogeneous
particles; -- in distinction from a {compound}, formed by
the union of heterogeneous particles.
{In the aggregate}, collectively; together.
Aggregately \Ag"gre*gate*ly\, adv.
Collectively; in mass.
Aggregation \Ag`gre*ga"tion\, n. [Cf. LL. aggregatio, F.
agr['e]gation.]
The act of aggregating, or the state of being aggregated;
collection into a mass or sum; a collection of particulars;
an aggregate.
Each genus is made up by aggregation of species.
--Carpenter.
A nation is not an idea only of local extent and
individual momentary aggregation, but . . . of
continuity, which extends in time as well as in
numbers, and in space. --Burke.
Aggregative \Ag"gre*ga*tive\, a. [Cf. Fr. agr['e]gatif.]
1. Taken together; collective.
2. Gregarious; social. [R.] --Carlyle.
Aggregator \Ag"gre*ga`tor\, n.
One who aggregates.
Aggrege \Ag*grege"\, v. t. [OF. agreger. See {Aggravate}.]
To make heavy; to aggravate. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aggress \Ag*gress"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Aggressed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Aggressing}.] [L. aggressus, p. p. of aggredi to go
to, approach; ad + gradi to step, go, gradus step: cf. OF.
aggresser. See {Grade}.]
To commit the first act of hostility or offense; to begin a
quarrel or controversy; to make an attack; -- with on.
Aggress \Ag*gress"\, v. t.
To set upon; to attack. [R.]
Aggress \Ag*gress"\, n. [L. aggressus.]
Aggression. [Obs.]
Their military aggresses on others. --Sir M. Hale.
Aggression \Ag*gres"sion\, n. [L. aggressio, fr. aggredi: cf. F.
agression.]
The first attack, or act of hostility; the first act of
injury, or first act leading to a war or a controversy;
unprovoked attack; assault; as, a war of aggression.
``Aggressions of power.'' --Hallam
Syn: Attack; offense; intrusion; provocation.
Aggressive \Ag*gres"sive\, a. [Cf. F. agressif.]
Tending or disposed to aggress; characterized by aggression;
making assaults; unjustly attacking; as, an aggressive
policy, war, person, nation. -- {Ag*gres"sive*ly}, adv. --
{Ag*gres"sive*ness}, n.
No aggressive movement was made. --Macaulay.
Aggressor \Ag*gres"sor\, n. [L.: cf. F. agresseur.]
The person who first attacks or makes an aggression; he who
begins hostility or a quarrel; an assailant.
The insolence of the aggressor is usually proportioned
to the tameness of the sufferer. --Ames.
Aggrievance \Ag*griev"ance\, n. [OF. agrevance, fr. agrever. See
{Aggrieve}.]
Oppression; hardship; injury; grievance. [Archaic]
Aggrieve \Ag*grieve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aggrieved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Aggrieving}.] [OE. agreven, OF. agrever; a (L. ad) +
grever to burden, injure, L. gravare to weigh down, fr.
gravis heavy. See {Grieve}, and cf. {Aggravate}.]
To give pain or sorrow to; to afflict; hence, to oppress or
injure in one's rights; to bear heavily upon; -- now commonly
used in the passive TO be aggrieved.
Aggrieved by oppression and extortion. --Macaulay.
Aggrieve \Ag*grieve"\, v. i.
To grieve; to lament. [Obs.]
Aggroup \Ag*group"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aggrouped}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Aggrouping}.] [F. agrouper; [`a] (L. ad) + groupe
group. See {Group}..]
To bring together in a group; to group. --Dryden.
Aggroupment \Ag*group"ment\, n.
Arrangement in a group or in groups; grouping.
Aggry \Ag"gry\, Aggri \Ag"gri\, a.
Applied to a kind of variegated glass beads of ancient
manufacture; as, aggry beads are found in Ashantee and Fantee
in Africa.
Aghast \A*ghast"\, v. t.
See {Agast}, v. t. [Obs.]
Aghast \A*ghast"\, a & p. p. [OE. agast, agasted, p. p. of
agasten to terrify, fr. AS. pref. [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-, G.
er-, orig. meaning out) + g?stan to terrify, torment: cf.
Goth. usgaisjan to terrify, primitively to fix, to root to
the spot with terror; akin to L. haerere to stick fast,
cling. See {Gaze}, {Hesitate}.]
Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or
horror.
Aghast he waked; and, starting from his bed, Cold sweat
in clammy drops his limbs o'erspread. --Dryden.
The commissioners read and stood aghast. --Macaulay.
Agible \Ag"i*ble\, a. [Cf. LL. agibilis, fr. L. agere to move,
do.]
Possible to be done; practicable. [Obs.] ``Fit for agible
things.'' --Sir A. Sherley.
Agile \Ag"ile\, a. [F. agile, L. agilis, fr. agere to move. See
{Agent}.]
Having the faculty of quick motion in the limbs; apt or ready
to move; nimble; active; as, an agile boy; an agile tongue.
Shaking it with agile hand. --Cowper.
Syn: Active; alert; nimble; brisk; lively; quick.
Agilely \Ag"ile*ly\, adv.
In an agile manner; nimbly.
Agileness \Ag"ile*ness\, n.
Agility; nimbleness. [R.]
Agility \A*gil"i*ty\, n. [F. agili['e], L. agilitas, fr.
agilis.]
1. The quality of being agile; the power of moving the limbs
quickly and easily; nimbleness; activity; quickness of
motion; as, strength and agility of body.
They . . . trust to the agility of their wit.
--Bacon.
Wheeling with the agility of a hawk. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Activity; powerful agency. [Obs.]
The agility of the sun's fiery heat. --Holland.
Agio \Ag"i*o\, n.; pl. {Agios}. [It. aggio exchange, discount,
premium, the same word as agio ease. See Ease.] (Com.)
The premium or percentage on a better sort of money when it
is given in exchange for an inferior sort. The premium or
discount on foreign bills of exchange is sometimes called
agio.
Agiotage \Ag"i*o*tage\, n. [F. agiotage, fr. agioter to practice
stockjobbing, fr. agio.]
Exchange business; also, stockjobbing; the maneuvers of
speculators to raise or lower the price of stocks or public
funds.
Vanity and agiotage are to a Parisian the oxygen and
hydrogen of life. --Landor.
Agist \A*gist"\, v. t. [OF. agister; [`a] (L. ad) + gister to
assign a lodging, fr. giste lodging, abode, F. g[^i]te, LL.
gistum, gista, fr. L. jacitum, p. p. of jac?re to lie: cf.
LL. agistare, adgistare. See {Gist}.] (Law)
To take to graze or pasture, at a certain sum; -- used
originally of the feeding of cattle in the king's forests,
and collecting the money for the same. --Blackstone.
Agistator \Ag`is*ta"tor\, n. [LL.]
See {Agister}.
Agister \A*gist"er\, Agistor \A*gist"or\, n. [Anglo-Norman
agistour.] (Law)
(a) Formerly, an officer of the king's forest, who had the
care of cattle agisted, and collected the money for the
same; -- hence called {gisttaker}, which in England is
corrupted into {guest-taker}.
(b) Now, one who agists or takes in cattle to pasture at a
certain rate; a pasturer. --Mozley & W.
Agistment \A*gist"ment\, n. [OF. agistement. See {Agist}.] (Law)
(a) Formerly, the taking and feeding of other men's cattle in
the king's forests.
(b) The taking in by any one of other men's cattle to graze
at a certain rate. --Mozley & W.
(c) The price paid for such feeding.
(d) A charge or rate against lands; as, an agistment of sea
banks, i. e., charge for banks or dikes.
Agitable \Ag"i*ta*ble\, a. [L. agitabilis: cf. F. agitable.]
Capable of being agitated, or easily moved. [R.]
Agitate \Ag"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Agitated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Agitating}.] [L. agitatus, p. p. of agitare to put in
motion, fr. agere to move: cf. F. agiter. See {Act},
{Agent}.]
1. To move with a violent, irregular action; as, the wind
agitates the sea; to agitate water in a vessel. ``Winds .
. . agitate the air.'' --Cowper.
2. To move or actuate. [R.] --Thomson.
3. To stir up; to disturb or excite; to perturb; as, he was
greatly agitated.
The mind of man is agitated by various passions.
--Johnson.
4. To discuss with great earnestness; to debate; as, a
controversy hotly agitated. --Boyle.
5. To revolve in the mind, or view in all its aspects; to
contrive busily; to devise; to plot; as, politicians
agitate desperate designs.
Syn: To move; shake; excite; rouse; disturb; distract;
revolve; discuss; debate; canvass.
Agitatedly \Ag"i*ta`ted*ly\, adv.
In an agitated manner.
Agitation \Ag`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. agitatio: cf. F. agitation.]
1. The act of agitating, or the state of being agitated; the
state of being moved with violence, or with irregular
action; commotion; as, the sea after a storm is in
agitation.
2. A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquillity;
disturbance of mind which shows itself by physical
excitement; perturbation; as, to cause any one agitation.
3. Excitement of public feeling by discussion, appeals, etc.;
as, the antislavery agitation; labor agitation.
``Religious agitations.'' --Prescott.
4. Examination or consideration of a subject in controversy,
or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion;
debate.
A logical agitation of the matter. --L'Estrange.
The project now in agitation. --Swift.
Syn: Emotion; commotion; excitement; trepidation; tremor;
perturbation. See {Emotion}.
Agitative \Ag"i*ta*tive\, a.
Tending to agitate.
Agitato \A`gi*ta"to\, a. [It., agitated.] (Mus.)
Sung or played in a restless, hurried, and spasmodic manner.
Agitator \Ag"i*ta`tor\, n. [L.]
1. One who agitates; one who stirs up or excites others; as,
political reformers and agitators.
2. (Eng. Hist.) One of a body of men appointed by the army,
in Cromwell's time, to look after their interests; --
called also {adjutators}. --Clarendon.
3. An implement for shaking or mixing.
Agleam \A*gleam"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + gleam.]
Gleaming; as, faces agleam. --Lowell.
Aglet \Ag"let\ ([a^]g"l[e^]t), Aiglet \Aig"let\ ([=a]g"l[e^]t),
n. [F. aiguillette point, tagged point, dim. of aiguilee
needle, fr. LL. acucula for acicula, dim. of L. acus needle,
pin; cf. OF. agleter to hook on. See {Acute}, and cf.
{Aiguillette}.]
1. A tag of a lace or of the points, braids, or cords
formerly used in dress. They were sometimes formed into
small images. Hence, ``aglet baby'' (--Shak.), an aglet
image.
2. (Haberdashery) A round white staylace. --Beck.
Agley \A*gley"\, adv.
Aside; askew. [Scotch] --Burns.
Aglimmer \A*glim"mer\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + glimmer.]
In a glimmering state. --Hawthorne.
Aglitter \A*glit"ter\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + glitter.]
Glittering; in a glitter.
Aglossal \A*glos"sal\, a. [Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
Without tongue; tongueless.
Aglow \A*glow"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + glow.]
In a glow; glowing; as, cheeks aglow; the landscape all
aglow.
Aglutition \Ag`lu*ti"tion\, n. [Pref. a- not + L. glutire to
swallow.] (Med.)
Inability to swallow.
Agminal \Ag"mi*nal\, a. [L. agminalis; agmen, agminis, a train.]
Pertaining to an army marching, or to a train. [R.]
Agminate \Ag"mi*nate\, Agminated \Ag"mi*na`ted\, a. [L. agmen,
agminis, a train, crowd.] (Physiol.)
Grouped together; as, the agminated glands of Peyer in the
small intestine.
Agnail \Ag"nail\, n. [AS. angn[ae]gl; ange vexation, trouble +
n[ae]gel nail. Cf. {Hangnail}.]
1. A corn on the toe or foot. [Obs.]
2. An inflammation or sore under or around the nail; also, a
hangnail.
Agnate \Ag"nate\, a. [L. agnatus, p. p. of agnasci to be born in
addition to; ad + nasci (for gnasci) to be born. Cf.
{Adnate}.]
1. Related or akin by the father's side; also, sprung from
the same male ancestor.
2. Allied; akin. ``Agnate words.'' --Pownall.
Assume more or less of a fictitious character, but
congenial and agnate with the former. --Landor.
Agnate \Ag"nate\, n. [Cf. F. agnat.] (Civil Law)
A relative whose relationship can be traced exclusively
through males.
Agnatic \Ag*nat"ic\, a. [Cf. F. agnatique.]
Pertaining to descent by the male line of ancestors. ``The
agnatic succession.'' --Blackstone.
Agnation \Ag*na"tion\, n. [L. agnatio: cf. F. agnation.]
1. (Civil Law) Consanguinity by a line of males only, as
distinguished from cognation. --Bouvier.
Agnition \Ag*ni"tion\ ([a^]g*n[i^]sh"[u^]n), n. [L. agnitio, fr.
agnoscere. See {Notion}.]
Acknowledgment. [Obs.] --Grafton.
Agnize \Ag*nize"\ ([a^]g*n[imac]z"), v. t. [Formed like
recognize, fr. L. agnoscere.]
To recognize; to acknowledge. [Archaic]
I do agnize a natural and prompt alacrity. --Shak.
Agnoiology \Ag`noi*ol"o*gy\ ([a^]g`noi*[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n.
[Gr. 'a`gnoia ignorance + -logy.] (Metaph.)
The doctrine concerning those things of which we are
necessarily ignorant.
Agnomen \Ag*no"men\ ([a^]g*n[=o]"m[e^]n), n. [L.; ad + nomen
name.]
1. An additional or fourth name given by the Romans, on
account of some remarkable exploit or event; as, Publius
Caius Scipio Africanus.
2. An additional name, or an epithet appended to a name; as,
Aristides the Just.
Agnominate \Ag*nom"i*nate\ ([a^]g*n[o^]m"[i^]*n[=a]t), v. t.
To name. [Obs.]
Agnomination \Ag*nom`i*na"tion\, n. [L. agnominatio. See
{Agnomen}.]
1. A surname. [R.] --Minsheu.
2. Paronomasia; also, alliteration; annomination.
Agnostic \Ag*nos"tic\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? knowing, ? to know.]
Professing ignorance; involving no dogmatic; pertaining to or
involving agnosticism. -- {Ag*nos"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Agnostic \Ag*nos"tic\, n.
One who professes ignorance, or denies that we have any
knowledge, save of phenomena; one who supports agnosticism,
neither affirming nor denying the existence of a personal
Deity, a future life, etc.
Agnosticism \Ag*nos"ti*cism\, n.
That doctrine which, professing ignorance, neither asserts
nor denies. Specifically: (Theol.) The doctrine that the
existence of a personal Deity, an unseen world, etc., can be
neither proved nor disproved, because of the necessary limits
of the human mind (as sometimes charged upon Hamilton and
Mansel), or because of the insufficiency of the evidence
furnished by physical and physical data, to warrant a
positive conclusion (as taught by the school of Herbert
Spencer); -- opposed alike dogmatic skepticism and to
dogmatic theism.
Agnus \Ag"nus\, n.; pl. E. {Agnuses}; L. {Agni}. [L., a lamb.]
Agnus Dei.
Agnus castus \Ag"nus cas"tus\ [Gr. ? a willowlike tree, used at
a religious festival; confused with ? holy, chaste.] (Bot.)
A species of {Vitex} ({V. agnus castus}); the chaste tree.
--Loudon.
And wreaths of agnus castus others bore. --Dryden.
Agnus Dei \Ag"nus De"i\ [L., lamb of God.] (R. C. Ch.)
(a) A figure of a lamb bearing a cross or flag.
(b) A cake of wax stamped with such a figure. It is made from
the remains of the paschal candles and blessed by the
Pope.
(c) A triple prayer in the sacrifice of the Mass, beginning
with the words ``Agnus Dei.''
Ago \A*go"\, a. & adv. [OE. ago, agon, p. p. of agon to go away,
pass by, AS. [=a]g[=a]n to pass away; [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-,
Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + g[=a]n to go. See {Go}.]
Past; gone by; since; as, ten years ago; gone long ago.
Agog \A*gog"\, a. & adv. [Cf. F. gogue fun, perhaps of Celtic
origin.]
In eager desire; eager; astir.
All agog to dash through thick and thin. --Cowper.
Agoing \A*go"ing\, adv. [Pref. a- + p. pr. of go.]
In motion; in the act of going; as, to set a mill agoing.
Agon \Ag"on\, n.; pl. {Agones}. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to lead.] (Gr.
Antiq.)
A contest for a prize at the public games.
Agone \A*gone"\, a. & adv.
Ago. [Archaic> & Poet.]
Three days agone I fell sick. --1 Sam. xxx.
13.
Agone \A"gone\, n. [See {Agonic}.]
Agonic line.
Agonic \A*gon"ic\, a. [Gr. ? without angles; 'a priv. + ? an
angle.]
Not forming an angle.
{Agonic line} (Physics), an imaginary line on the earth's
surface passing through those places where the magnetic
needle points to the true north; the line of no magnetic
variation. There is one such line in the Western
hemisphere, and another in the Eastern hemisphere.
Agonism \Ag"o*nism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to contend for a prize,
fr. ?. See {Agon}.]
Contention for a prize; a contest. [Obs.] --Blount.
Agonist \Ag"o*nist\, n. [Gr. ?.]
One who contends for the prize in public games. [R.]
Agonistic \Ag`o*nis"tic\, Agonistical \Ag`o*nis"tic*al\, a. [Gr.
?. See {Agonism}.]
Pertaining to violent contests, bodily or mental; pertaining
to athletic or polemic feats; athletic; combative; hence,
strained; unnatural.
As a scholar, he [Dr. Parr] was brilliant, but he
consumed his power in agonistic displays. --De Quincey.
Agonistically \Ag`o*nis"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In an agonistic manner.
Agonistics \Ag`o*nis"tics\, n.
The science of athletic combats, or contests in public games.
Agonize \Ag"o*nize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Agonized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Agonizing}.] [F. agoniser, LL. agonizare, fr. Gr. ?.
See {Agony}.]
1. To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.
To smart and agonize at every pore. --Pope.
2. To struggle; to wrestle; to strive desperately.
Agonize \Ag"o*nize\, v. t.
To cause to suffer agony; to subject to extreme pain; to
torture.
He agonized his mother by his behavior. --Thackeray.
Agonizingly \Ag"o*ni`zing*ly\, adv.
With extreme anguish or desperate struggles.
Agonothete \Ag"o*no*thete`\, n. [Gr. ?; ? + ? to set. appoint.]
[Antiq.]
An officer who presided over the great public games in
Greece.
Agonothetic \Ag`o*no*thet"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to the office of an agonothete.
Agony \Ag"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Agonies}. [L. agonia, Gr. ?, orig. a
contest, fr. ?: cf. F. agonie. See {Agon}.]
1. Violent contest or striving.
The world is convulsed by the agonies of great
nations. --Macaulay.
2. Pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the
body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in
Greece; and hence, extreme pain of mind or body; anguish;
paroxysm of grief; specifically, the sufferings of Christ
in the garden of Gethsemane.
Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. --Luke
xxii. 44.
3. Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
With cries and agonies of wild delight. --Pope.
4. The last struggle of life; death struggle.
Syn: Anguish; torment; throe; distress; pangs; suffering.
Usage: {Agony}, {Anguish}, {Pang}. These words agree in
expressing extreme pain of body or mind. Agony denotes
acute and permanent pain, usually of the whole
system., and often producing contortions. Anguish
denotes severe pressure, and, considered as bodily
suffering, is more commonly local (as anguish of a
wound), thus differing from agony. A pang is a
paroxysm of excruciating pain. It is severe and
transient. The agonies or pangs of remorse; the
anguish of a wounded conscience. ``Oh, sharp
convulsive pangs of agonizing pride!'' --Dryden.
Agood \A*good\([.a]*g[oo^]d"), adv. [Pref. a- + good.]
In earnest; heartily. [Obs.] ``I made her weep agood.''
--Shak.
Agora \Ag"o*ra\ ([a^]g"[-o]*r[.a]), n. [Gr. 'agora`.]
An assembly; hence, the place of assembly, especially the
market place, in an ancient Greek city.
Agouara \A*gou"a*ra\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The crab-eating raccoon ({Procyon cancrivorus}), found in the
tropical parts of America.
Agouta \A*gou"ta\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small insectivorous mammal ({Solenodon paradoxus}), allied
to the moles, found only in Hayti.
Agouti \A*gou"ti\, Agouty \A*gou"ty\ ([.a]*g[=oo]"t[i^]), n. [F.
agouti, acouti, Sp. aguti, fr. native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A rodent of the genus {Dasyprocta}, about the size of a
rabbit, peculiar to South America and the West Indies. The
most common species is the {Dasyprocta agouti}.
Agrace \A*grace"\, n. & v.
See {Aggrace}. [Obs.]
Agraffe \A*graffe"\, n. [F. agrafe, formerly agraffe, OF.
agrappe. See {Agrappes}.]
1. A hook or clasp.
The feather of an ostrich, fastened in her turban by
an agraffe set with brilliants. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A hook, eyelet, or other device by which a piano wire is
so held as to limit the vibration.
Agrammatist \A*gram"ma*tist\, n. [Gr. ? illiterate; 'a priv. + ?
letters, fr. ? to write.]
A illiterate person. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Agraphia \A*graph"i*a\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? to write.]
The absence or loss of the power of expressing ideas by
written signs. It is one form of aphasia.
Agraphic \A*graph"ic\, a.
Characterized by agraphia.
Agrappes \A*grappes"\, n. pl. [OF. agrappe, F. agrafe; a +
grappe (see {Grape}) fr. OHG. kr[=a]pfo hook.]
Hooks and eyes for armor, etc. --Fairholt.
Agrarian \A*gra"ri*an\, a. [L. agrarius, fr. ager field.]
1. Pertaining to fields, or lands, or their tenure; esp.,
relating to an equal or equitable division of lands; as,
the agrarian laws of Rome, which distributed the conquered
and other public lands among citizens.
His Grace's landed possessions are irresistibly
inviting to an agrarian experiment. --Burke.
2. (Bot.) Wild; -- said of plants growing in the fields.
Agrarian \A*gra"ri*an\, n.
1. One in favor of an equal division of landed property.
2. An agrarian law. [R.]
An equal agrarian is perpetual law. --Harrington.
Agrarianism \A*gra"ri*an*ism\, n.
An equal or equitable division of landed property; the
principles or acts of those who favor a redistribution of
land.
Agrarianize \A*gra"ri*an*ize\, v. t.
To distribute according to, or to imbue with, the principles
of agrarianism.
Agre \A*gre"\, Agree \A*gree"\, adv. [F. [`a] gr['e]. See
{Agree}.]
In good part; kindly. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Agree \A*gree"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Agreed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Agreeing}.] [F. agr['e]er to accept or receive kindly, fr.
[`a] gr['e]; [`a] (L. ad) + gr['e] good will, consent,
liking, fr. L. gratus pleasing, agreeable. See {Grateful}.]
1. To harmonize in opinion, statement, or action; to be in
unison or concord; to be or become united or consistent;
to concur; as, all parties agree in the expediency of the
law.
If music and sweet poetry agree. --Shak.
Their witness agreed not together. --Mark xiv.
56.
The more you agree together, the less hurt can your
enemies do you. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. To yield assent; to accede; -- followed by to; as, to
agree to an offer, or to opinion.
3. To make a stipulation by way of settling differences or
determining a price; to exchange promises; to come to
terms or to a common resolve; to promise.
Agree with thine adversary quickly. --Matt. v. 25.
Didst not thou agree with me for a penny ? --Matt.
xx. 13.
4. To be conformable; to resemble; to coincide; to
correspond; as, the picture does not agree with the
original; the two scales agree exactly.
5. To suit or be adapted in its effects; to do well; as, the
same food does not agree with every constitution.
6. (Gram.) To correspond in gender, number, case, or person.
Note: The auxiliary forms of to be are often employed with
the participle agreed. ``The jury were agreed.''
--Macaulay. ``Can two walk together, except they be
agreed ?'' --Amos iii. 3. The principal intransitive
uses were probably derived from the transitive verb
used reflexively. ``I agree me well to your desire.''
--Ld. Berners.
Syn: To assent; concur; consent; acquiesce; accede; engage;
promise; stipulate; contract; bargain; correspond;
harmonize; fit; tally; coincide; comport.
Agree \A*gree"\, v. t.
1. To make harmonious; to reconcile or make friends. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
2. To admit, or come to one mind concerning; to settle; to
arrange; as, to agree the fact; to agree differences.
[Obs.]
Agreeability \A*gree`a*bil"i*ty\, n. [OF. agreablete.]
1. Easiness of disposition. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. The quality of being, or making one's self, agreeable;
agreeableness. --Thackeray.
Agreeable \A*gree"a*ble\, a. [F. agr['e]able.]
1. Pleasing, either to the mind or senses; pleasant;
grateful; as, agreeable manners or remarks; an agreeable
person; fruit agreeable to the taste.
A train of agreeable reveries. --Goldsmith.
2. Willing; ready to agree or consent. [Colloq.]
These Frenchmen give unto the said captain of Calais
a great sum of money, so that he will be but content
and agreeable that they may enter into the said
town. --Latimer.
3. Agreeing or suitable; conformable; correspondent;
concordant; adapted; -- followed by to, rarely by with.
That which is agreeable to the nature of one thing,
is many times contrary to the nature of another.
--L'Estrange.
4. In pursuance, conformity, or accordance; -- in this sense
used adverbially for agreeably; as, agreeable to the order
of the day, the House took up the report.
Syn: Pleasing; pleasant; welcome; charming; acceptable;
amiable. See {Pleasant}.
Agreeableness \A*gree"a*ble*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being agreeable or pleasing; that quality
which gives satisfaction or moderate pleasure to the mind
or senses.
That author . . . has an agreeableness that charms
us. --Pope.
2. The quality of being agreeable or suitable; suitableness
or conformity; consistency.
The agreeableness of virtuous actions to human
nature. --Pearce.
3. Resemblance; concordance; harmony; -- with to or between.
[Obs.]
The agreeableness between man and the other parts of
the universe. --Grew.
Agreeably \A*gree"a*bly\, adv.
1. In an agreeably manner; in a manner to give pleasure;
pleasingly. ``Agreeably entertained.'' --Goldsmith.
2. In accordance; suitably; consistently; conformably; --
followed by to and rarely by with. See {Agreeable}, 4.
The effect of which is, that marriages grow less
frequent, agreeably to the maxim above laid down.
--Paley.
3. Alike; similarly. [Obs.]
Both clad in shepherds' weeds agreeably. --Spenser.
Agreeingly \A*gree"ing*ly\, adv.
In an agreeing manner (to); correspondingly; agreeably.
[Obs.]
Agreement \A*gree"ment\, n. [Cf. F. agr['e]ment.]
1. State of agreeing; harmony of opinion, statement, action,
or character; concurrence; concord; conformity; as, a good
agreement subsists among the members of the council.
What agreement hath the temple of God with idols ?
--2 Cor. vi.
16.
Expansion and duration have this further agreement.
--Locke.
2. (Gram.) Concord or correspondence of one word with another
in gender, number, case, or person.
3. (Law)
(a) A concurrence in an engagement that something shall be
done or omitted; an exchange of promises; mutual
understanding, arrangement, or stipulation; a
contract.
(b) The language, oral or written, embodying reciprocal
promises. --Abbott. Brande & C.
Syn: Bargain; contract; compact; stipulation.
Agreer \A*gre"er\, n.
One who agrees.
Agrestic \A*gres"tic\, a. [L. agrestis, fr. ager field.]
Pertaining to fields or the country, in opposition to the
city; rural; rustic; unpolished; uncouth. ``Agrestic
behavior.'' --Gregory.
Agrestical \A*gres"tic*al\, a.
Agrestic. [Obs.]
Agricolation \A*gric`o*la"tion\, n. [L., agricolatio.]
Agriculture. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Agricolist \A*gric"o*list\, n.
A cultivator of the soil; an agriculturist. --Dodsley.
Agricultor \Ag"ri*cul`tor\, n. [L., fr. ager field + cultor
cultivator.]
An agriculturist; a farmer. [R.]
Agricultural \Ag`ri*cul"tur*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to agriculture; connected with, or engaged
in, tillage; as, the agricultural class; agricultural
implements, wages, etc. -- {Ag`ri*cul"tur*al*ly}, adv.
{Agricultural ant} (Zo["o]l.), a species of ant which gathers
and stores seeds of grasses, for food. The remarkable
species ({Myrmica barbata}) found in Texas clears circular
areas and carefully cultivates its favorite grain, known
as ant rice.
Agriculturalist \Ag`ri*cul"tur*al*ist\, n.
An agriculturist (which is the preferred form.)
Agriculture \Ag"ri*cul`ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. agricultura; ager
field + cultura cultivation: cf. F. agriculture. See {Acre}
and {Culture}.]
The art or science of cultivating the ground, including the
harvesting of crops, and the rearing and management of live
stock; tillage; husbandry; farming.
Agriculturism \Ag`ri*cul"tur*ism\, n.
Agriculture. [R.]
Agriculturist \Ag`ri*cul"tur*ist\, n.
One engaged or skilled in agriculture; a husbandman.
The farmer is always a practitioner, the agriculturist
may be a mere theorist. --Crabb.
Agrief \A*grief"\, adv. [Pref. a- + grief.]
In grief; amiss. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Agrimony \Ag"ri*mo*ny\, n. [OE. agremoyne, OF. aigremoine, L.
agrimonia for argemonia, fr. Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
(a) A genus of plants of the Rose family.
(b) The name is also given to various other plants; as, hemp
agrimony ({Eupatorium cannabinum}); water agrimony
({Bidens}).
Note: The {Agrimonia eupatoria}, or common agrimony, a
perennial herb with a spike of yellow flowers, was once
esteemed as a medical remedy, but is now seldom used.
Agrin \A*grin"\ ([.a]*gr[i^]n"), adv. & a. [Pref. a- + grin.]
In the act of grinning. ``His visage all agrin.'' --Tennyson.
Agriologist \Ag`ri*ol"o*gist\ ([a^]g`r[i^]*[o^]l"[-o]*j[i^]st),
n.
One versed or engaged in agriology.
Agriology \Ag`ri*ol"o*gy\ ([a^]g`r[i^]*[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n.
[Gr. 'a`grios wild, savage + -logy.]
Description or comparative study of the customs of savage or
uncivilized tribes.
Agrise \A*grise"\, v. i. [AS. [=a]gr[=i]san to dread; [=a]- (cf.
Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + gr[=i]san, for
gr?san (only in comp.), akin to OHG. gr?is?n, G. grausen, to
shudder. See {Grisly}.]
To shudder with terror; to tremble with fear. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Agrise \A*grise"\, v. t.
1. To shudder at; to abhor; to dread; to loathe. [Obs.]
--Wyclif.
2. To terrify; to affright. [Obs.]
His manly face that did his foes agrise. --Spenser.
Agrom \A"grom\, n. [Native name.] (Med.)
A disease occurring in Bengal and other parts of the East
Indies, in which the tongue chaps and cleaves.
Agronomic \Ag`ro*nom"ic\, Agronomical \Ag`ro*nom"ic*al\, [Cf. F.
agronomique.]
Pertaining to agronomy, of the management of farms.
Agronomics \Ag`ro*nom"ics\, n.
The science of the distribution and management of land.
Agronomist \A*gron"o*mist\, n.
One versed in agronomy; a student of agronomy.
Agronomy \A*gron"o*my\, n. [Gr. ? rural; as a noun, an overseer
of the public lands; ? field + ? usage, ? to deal out,
manage: cf. F. agronomie.]
The management of land; rural economy; agriculture.
Agrope \A*grope"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + grope.]
In the act of groping. --Mrs. Browning.
Agrostis \A*gros"tis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
A genus of grasses, including species called in common
language bent grass. Some of them, as redtop ({Agrostis
vulgaris}), are valuable pasture grasses.
Agrostographic \A*gros`to*graph"ic\, Agrostographical
\A*gros`to*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. agrostographique.]
Pertaining to agrostography.
Agrostography \Ag`ros*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? + -graphy.]
A description of the grasses.
Agrostologic \A*gros`to*log"ic\, Agrostological
\A*gros`to*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to agrostology.
Agrostologist \Ag`ros*tol"o*gist\, n.
One skilled in agrostology.
Agrostology \Ag`ros*tol"ogy\, n. [Gr. ? + -logy.]
That part of botany which treats of the grasses.
Aground \A*ground"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + ground.]
On the ground; stranded; -- a nautical term applied to a ship
when its bottom lodges on the ground. --Totten.
Agroupment \A*group"ment\, n.
See {Aggroupment}.
Agrypnotic \Ag`ryp*not"ic\, n. [Gr. ? sleepless; ? to chase,
search for + ? sleep: cf. F. agrypnotique.]
Anything which prevents sleep, or produces wakefulness, as
strong tea or coffee.
Aguardiente \A`guar*di*en"te\, n. [Sp., contr. of agua ardiente
burning water (L. aqua water + ardens burning).]
1. A inferior brandy of Spain and Portugal.
2. A strong alcoholic drink, especially pulque. [Mexico and
Spanish America.]
Ague \A"gue\, n. [OE. agu, ague, OF. agu, F. aigu, sharp, OF.
fem. ague, LL. (febris) acuta, a sharp, acute fever, fr. L.
acutus sharp. See {Acute}.]
1. An acute fever. [Obs.] ``Brenning agues.'' --P. Plowman.
2. (Med.) An intermittent fever, attended by alternate cold
and hot fits.
3. The cold fit or rigor of the intermittent fever; as, fever
and ague.
4. A chill, or state of shaking, as with cold. --Dryden.
{Ague cake}, an enlargement of the spleen produced by ague.
{Ague drop}, a solution of the arsenite of potassa used for
ague.
{Ague fit}, a fit of the ague. --Shak.
{Ague spell}, a spell or charm against ague. --Gay.
{Ague tree}, the sassafras, -- sometimes so called from the
use of its root formerly, in cases of ague. [Obs.]
Ague \A"gue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Agued}.]
To strike with an ague, or with a cold fit. --Heywood.
Aguilt \A*guilt"\, v. t.
To be guilty of; to offend; to sin against; to wrong. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Aguise \A*guise"\, n.
Dress. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Aguise \A*guise"\, v. t. [Pref a- + guise.]
To dress; to attire; to adorn. [Obs.]
Above all knights ye goodly seem aguised. --Spenser.
Aguish \A"gu*ish\, a.
1. Having the qualities of an ague; somewhat cold or
shivering; chilly; shaky.
Her aguish love now glows and burns. --Granville.
2. Productive of, or affected by, ague; as, the aguish
districts of England. --T. Arnold. -- {A"gu*ish*ness}, n.
Agush \A*gush"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + gush.]
In a gushing state. --Hawthorne.
Agynous \Ag"y*nous\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + gynh` woman.] (Bot.)
Without female organs; male.
Ah \Ah\, interj. [OE. a: cf. OF. a, F. ah, L. ah, Gr. ?, Sk.
[=a], Icel. [ae], OHG. [=a], Lith. ['a], ['a]['a].]
An exclamation, expressive of surprise, pity, complaint,
entreaty, contempt, threatening, delight, triumph, etc.,
according to the manner of utterance.
Aha \A*ha"\, interj. [Ah, interj. + ha.]
An exclamation expressing, by different intonations, triumph,
mixed with derision or irony, or simple surprise.
Aha \A*ha"\, n.
A sunk fence. See {Ha-ha}. --Mason.
Ahead \A*head"\, adv. [Pref. a- + head.]
1. In or to the front; in advance; onward.
The island bore but a little ahead of us.
--Fielding.
2. Headlong; without restraint. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
{To go ahead}.
(a) To go in advance.
(b) To go on onward.
(c) To push on in an enterprise. [Colloq]
{To get ahead of}.
(a) To get in advance of.
(b) To surpass; to get the better of. [Colloq.]
Aheap \A*heap"\, adv. [Pref. a- + heap.]
In a heap; huddled together. --Hood.
Aheight \A*height"\, adv. [Pref. a- + height.]
Aloft; on high. [Obs.] ``Look up aheight.'' --Shak.
Ahem \A*hem"\, interj.
An exclamation to call one's attention; hem.
Ahey \A*hey"\, interj.
Hey; ho.
Ahigh \A*high"\, adv.
On high. [Obs.] --Shak.
Ahold \A*hold"\, adv. [Pref. a- + hold.]
Near the wind; as, to lay a ship ahold. [Obs.] --Shak.
Ahorseback \A*horse"back\, adv.
On horseback.
Two suspicious fellows ahorseback. --Smollet.
Ahoy \A*hoy"\, interj. [OE. a, interj. + hoy.] (Naut.)
A term used in hailing; as, ``Ship ahoy.''
Ahriman \Ah"ri*man\, n. [Per.]
The Evil Principle or Being of the ancient Persians; the
Prince of Darkness as opposer to Ormuzd, the King of Light.
Ahu \A"hu\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Asiatic gazelle.
Ahull \A*hull"\, adv. [Pref. a- + hull.] (Naut.)
With the sails furled, and the helm lashed alee; -- applied
to ships in a storm. See {Hull}, n.
Ahungered \A*hun"gered\, a. [Pref. a- + hungered.]
Pinched with hunger; very hungry. --C. Bront['e].
Ai \A"i\, n.; pl. {Ais}. [Braz. a["i], ha["i], from the animal's
cry: cf. F. a["i].] (Zo["o]l.)
The three-toed sloth ({Bradypus tridactylus}) of South
America. See {Sloth}.
Aiblins \Ai"blins\, Ablins \A"blins\, adv. [See {Able}.]
Perhaps; possibly. [Scotch] --Burns.
Aich's metal \Aich's met"al\
A kind of gun metal, containing copper, zinc, and iron, but
no tin.
Aid \Aid\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aided}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Aiding}.] [F. aider, OF. aidier, fr. L. adjutare to help,
freq. of adjuvare to help; ad + juvare to help. Cf.
{Adjutant}.]
To support, either by furnishing strength or means in
co["o]peration to effect a purpose, or to prevent or to
remove evil; to help; to assist.
You speedy helpers . . . Appear and aid me in this
enterprise. --Shak.
Syn: To help; assist; support; sustain; succor; relieve;
befriend; co["o]perate; promote. See {Help}.
Aid \Aid\, n. [F. aide, OF. a["i]de, a["i]e, fr. the verb. See
{Aid}, v. t.]
1. Help; succor; assistance; relief.
An unconstitutional mode of obtaining aid. --Hallam.
2. The person or thing that promotes or helps in something
done; a helper; an assistant.
It is not good that man should be alone; let us make
unto him an aid like unto himself. --Tobit viii.
6.
3. (Eng. Hist.) A subsidy granted to the king by Parliament;
also, an exchequer loan.
4. (Feudal Law) A pecuniary tribute paid by a vassal to his
lord on special occasions. --Blackstone.
5. An aid-de-camp, so called by abbreviation; as, a general's
aid.
{Aid prayer} (Law), a proceeding by which a defendant
beseeches and claims assistance from some one who has a
further or more permanent interest in the matter in suit.
{To pray in aid}, to beseech and claim such assistance.
Aidance \Aid"ance\, n. [Cf. OF. aidance.]
Aid. [R.]
Aidance 'gainst the enemy. --Shak.
Aidant \Aid"ant\, a. [Cf. F. aidant, p. pr. of aider to help.]
Helping; helpful; supplying aid. --Shak.
Aid-de-camp \Aid"-de-camp`\, n.; pl. {Aids-de-camp}. . [F. aide
de camp (literally) camp assistant.] (Mil.)
An officer selected by a general to carry orders, also to
assist or represent him in correspondence and in directing
movements.
Aider \Aid"er\, n.
One who, or that which, aids.
Aidful \Aid"ful\, a.
Helpful. [Archaic.] --Bp. Hall.
Aidless \Aid"less\, a.
Helpless; without aid. --Milton.
Aid-major \Aid"-ma`jor\, n.
The adjutant of a regiment.
Aiel \Ai"el\, n.
See {Ayle}. [Obs.]
Aiglet \Aig"let\, n.
Same as {Aglet}.
Aigre \Ai"gre\, a. [F. See {Eager}.]
Sour. [Obs.] --Shak.
Aigremore \Ai"gre*more\, n. [F. origin unknown.]
Charcoal prepared for making powder.
Aigret \Ai"gret\, Aigrette \Ai*grette\, n. [F., a sort of white
heron, with a tuft of feathers on its head; a tuft of
feathers; dim. of the same word as heron. See {Heron}, and
cf. {Egret}, {Egrette}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The small white European heron. See {Egret}.
2. A plume or tuft for the head composed of feathers, or of
gems, etc. --Prescott.
3. A tuft like that of the egret. (Bot.) A feathery crown of
seed; egret; as, the aigrette or down of the dandelion or
the thistle.
Aiguille \Ai`guille"\, n. [F., a needle. See {Aglet}.]
1. A needle-shaped peak.
2. An instrument for boring holes, used in blasting.
Aiguillette \Ai`guil*lette"\, n. [F. See {Aglet}.]
1. A point or tag at the end of a fringe or lace; an aglet.
2. One of the ornamental tags, cords, or loops on some
military and naval uniforms.
Aigulet \Ai"gu*let\, n.
See {Aglet}. --Spenser.
Ail \Ail\ ([=a]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ailed} ([=a]ld); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Ailing}.] [OE. eilen, ailen, AS. eglan to trouble,
pain; akin to Goth. us-agljan to distress, agls troublesome,
irksome, aglo, aglitha, pain, and prob. to E. awe. [root]3.]
To affect with pain or uneasiness, either physical or mental;
to trouble; to be the matter with; -- used to express some
uneasiness or affection, whose cause is unknown; as, what
ails the man? I know not what ails him.
What aileth thee, Hagar? --Gen. xxi.
17.
Note: It is never used to express a specific disease. We do
not say, a fever ails him; but, something ails him.
Ail \Ail\, v. i.
To be affected with pain or uneasiness of any sort; to be ill
or indisposed or in trouble.
When he ails ever so little . . . he is so peevish.
--Richardson.
Ail \Ail\, n.
Indisposition or morbid affection. --Pope.
Ailanthus \Ai*lan"thus\, n.
Same as {Ailantus}.
Ailantus \Ai*lan"tus\, n. [From aylanto, i. e., tree of heaven,
the name of the tree in the Moluccas.] (Bot.)
A genus of beautiful trees, natives of the East Indies. The
tree imperfectly di[oe]cious, and the staminate or male plant
is very offensive when blossom.
Ailette \Ai*lette\, n. [F. ailette, dim. of aile wing, L. ala.]
A small square shield, formerly worn on the shoulders of
knights, -- being the prototype of the modern epaulet.
--Fairholt.
Ailment \Ail"ment\, n.
Indisposition; morbid affection of the body; -- not applied
ordinarily to acute diseases. ``Little ailments.''
--Landsdowne.
Ailuroidea \Ai`lu*roid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? cat + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of the Carnivora, which includes the cats, civets,
and hyenas.
Aim \Aim\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Aimed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Aiming}.] [OE. amen, aimen, eimen, to guess at, to estimate,
to aim, OF. esmer, asmer, fr. L. aestimare to estimate; or
perh. fr. OF. aesmer; ? (L. ad) + esmer. See {Estimate}.]
1. To point or direct a missile weapon, or a weapon which
propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the
intent of hitting it; as, to aim at a fox, or at a target.
2. To direct the indention or purpose; to attempt the
accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;
-- followed by at, or by an infinitive; as, to aim at
distinction; to aim to do well.
Aim'st thou at princes? --Pope.
3. To guess or conjecture. [Obs.] --Shak.
Aim \Aim\, v. t.
To direct or point, as a weapon, at a particular object; to
direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or
against an object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the fist
or a blow (at something); to aim a satire or a reflection (at
some person or vice).
Aim \Aim\, n. [Cf. OF. esme estimation, fr. esmer. See {Aim}, v.
i.]
1. The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow,
in the line of direction with the object intended to be
struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, as a
spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular
point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
Each at the head leveled his deadly aim. --Milton.
2. The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be
attained or affected.
To be the aim of every dangerous shot. --Shak.
3. Intention; purpose; design; scheme.
How oft ambitious aims are crossed! --Pope.
4. Conjecture; guess. [Obs.]
What you would work me to, I have some aim. --Shak.
{To cry aim} (Archery), to encourage. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: End; object; scope; drift; design; purpose; intention;
scheme; tendency; aspiration.
Aimer \Aim"er\, n.
One who aims, directs, or points.
Aimless \Aim"less\, a.
Without aim or purpose; as, an aimless life. --
{Aim"less*ly}, adv. -- {Aim"less*ness}, n.
Aino \Ai"no\, n. [Said to be the native name for man.]
One of a peculiar race inhabiting Yesso, the Kooril Islands
etc., in the northern part of the empire of Japan, by some
supposed to have been the progenitors of the Japanese. The
Ainos are stout and short, with hairy bodies.
Ain't \Ain't\
A contraction for are not and am not; also used for is not.
[Colloq. or illiterate speech]. See {An't}.
Air \Air\ ([^a]r), n. [OE. air, eir, F. air, L. a["e]r, fr. Gr.
'ah`r, air, mist, for 'a[digamma]hr, fr. root 'a[digamma] to
blow, breathe, probably akin to E. wind. In sense 10 the
French has taking a meaning fr. It. aria atmosphere, air, fr.
the same Latin word; and in senses 11, 12, 13 the French
meaning is either fr. L. aria, or due to confusion with F.
aire, in an older sense of origin, descent. Cf. {A["e]ry},
{Debonair}, {Malaria}, {Wind}.]
1. The fluid which we breathe, and which surrounds the earth;
the atmosphere. It is invisible, inodorous, insipid,
transparent, compressible, elastic, and ponderable.
Note: By the ancient philosophers, air was regarded as an
element; but modern science has shown that it is
essentially a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, with a
small amount of carbon dioxide, the average proportions
being, by volume: oxygen, 20.96 per cent.; nitrogen,
79.00 per cent.; carbon dioxide, 0.04 per cent. These
proportions are subject to a very slight variability.
Air also always contains some vapor of water.
2. Symbolically: Something unsubstantial, light, or volatile.
``Charm ache with air.'' --Shak.
He was still all air and fire. [Air and fire being
the finer and quicker elements as opposed to earth and
water.] --Macaulay
.
3. A particular state of the atmosphere, as respects heat,
cold, moisture, etc., or as affecting the sensations; as,
a smoky air, a damp air, the morning air, etc.
4. Any a["e]riform body; a gas; as, oxygen was formerly
called vital air. [Obs.]
5. Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind.
Let vernal airs through trembling osiers play.
--Pope.
6. Odoriferous or contaminated air.
7. That which surrounds and influences.
The keen, the wholesome air of poverty.
--Wordsworth.
8. Utterance abroad; publicity; vent.
You gave it air before me. --Dryden.
9. Intelligence; information. [Obs.] --Bacon.
10. (Mus.)
(a) A musical idea, or motive, rhythmically developed in
consecutive single tones, so as to form a symmetrical
and balanced whole, which may be sung by a single
voice to the stanzas of a hymn or song, or even to
plain prose, or played upon an instrument; a melody;
a tune; an aria.
(b) In harmonized chorals, psalmody, part songs, etc.,
the part which bears the tune or melody -- in modern
harmony usually the upper part -- is sometimes called
the air.
11. The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person;
mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a
lofty air. ``His very air.'' --Shak.
12. Peculiar appearance; apparent character; semblance;
manner; style.
It was communicated with the air of a secret.
--Pope.
12. pl. An artificial or affected manner; show of pride or
vanity; haughtiness; as, it is said of a person, he puts
on airs. --Thackeray.
14. (Paint.)
(a) The representation or reproduction of the effect of
the atmospheric medium through which every object in
nature is viewed. --New Am. Cyc.
(b) Carriage; attitude; action; movement; as, the head of
that portrait has a good air. --Fairholt.
15. (Man.) The artificial motion or carriage of a horse.
Note: Air is much used adjectively or as the first part of a
compound term. In most cases it might be written
indifferently, as a separate limiting word, or as the
first element of the compound term, with or without the
hyphen; as, air bladder, air-bladder, or airbladder;
air cell, air-cell, or aircell; air-pump, or airpump.
{Air balloon}. See {Balloon}.
{Air bath}.
(a) An apparatus for the application of air to the body.
(b) An arrangement for drying substances in air of any
desired temperature.
{Air castle}. See {Castle in the air}, under {Castle}.
{Air compressor}, a machine for compressing air to be used as
a motive power.
{Air crossing}, a passage for air in a mine.
{Air cushion}, an air-tight cushion which can be inflated;
also, a device for arresting motion without shock by
confined air.
{Air fountain}, a contrivance for producing a jet of water by
the force of compressed air.
{Air furnace}, a furnace which depends on a natural draft and
not on blast.
{Air line}, a straight line; a bee line. Hence
{Air-line}, adj.; as, air-line road.
{Air lock} (Hydr. Engin.), an intermediate chamber between
the outer air and the compressed-air chamber of a
pneumatic caisson. --Knight.
{Air port} (Nav.), a scuttle or porthole in a ship to admit
air.
{Air spring}, a spring in which the elasticity of air is
utilized.
{Air thermometer}, a form of thermometer in which the
contraction and expansion of air is made to measure
changes of temperature.
{Air threads}, gossamer.
{Air trap}, a contrivance for shutting off foul air or gas
from drains, sewers, etc.; a stench trap.
{Air trunk}, a pipe or shaft for conducting foul or heated
air from a room.
{Air valve}, a valve to regulate the admission or egress of
air; esp. a valve which opens inwardly in a steam boiler
and allows air to enter.
{Air way}, a passage for a current of air; as the air way of
an air pump; an air way in a mine.
{In the air}.
(a) Prevalent without traceable origin or authority, as
rumors.
(b) Not in a fixed or stable position; unsettled.
(c) (Mil.) Unsupported and liable to be turned or taken
in flank; as, the army had its wing in the air.
{To take air}, to be divulged; to be made public.
{To take the air}, to go abroad; to walk or ride out.
Air \Air\ ([^a]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aired} ([^a]rd); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Airing}.] [See {Air}, n., and cf. {A[eum]rate}.]
1. To expose to the air for the purpose of cooling,
refreshing, or purifying; to ventilate; as, to air a room.
It were good wisdom . . . that the jail were aired.
--Bacon.
Were you but riding forth to air yourself. --Shak.
2. To expose for the sake of public notice; to display
ostentatiously; as, to air one's opinion.
Airing a snowy hand and signet gem. --Tennyson.
3. To expose to heat, for the purpose of expelling dampness,
or of warming; as, to air linen; to air liquors.
Air bed \Air" bed`\
A sack or matters inflated with air, and used as a bed.
Air bladder \Air" blad`der\
1. (Anat.) An air sac, sometimes double or variously lobed,
in the visceral cavity of many fishes. It originates in
the same way as the lungs of air-breathing vertebrates,
and in the adult may retain a tubular connection with the
pharynx or esophagus.
2. A sac or bladder full of air in an animal or plant; also
an air hole in a casting.
Air brake \Air" brake`\ (Mach.)
A railway brake operated by condensed air. --Knight.
Air-built \Air"-built`\, a.
Erected in the air; having no solid foundation; chimerical;
as, an air-built castle.
Air cell \Air" cell`\
1. (Bot.) A cavity in the cellular tissue of plants,
containing air only.
2. (Anat.) A receptacle of air in various parts of the
system; as, a cell or minute cavity in the walls of the
air tubes of the lungs; the air sac of birds; a dilatation
of the air vessels in insects.
Air chamber \Air" cham`ber\
1. A chamber or cavity filled with air, in an animal or
plant.
2. A cavity containing air to act as a spring for equalizing
the flow of a liquid in a pump or other hydraulic machine.
Air cock \Air" cock`\
A faucet to allow escape of air.
Air-drawn \Air"-drawn"\, a.
Drawn in air; imaginary.
This is the air-drawn dagger. --Shak.
Air drill \Air" drill`\
A drill driven by the elastic pressure of condensed air; a
pneumatic drill. --Knight.
Air engine \Air" engine`\
An engine driven by heated or by compressed air. --Knight.
Airer \Air"er\, n.
1. One who exposes to the air.
2. A frame on which clothes are aired or dried.
Air gas \Air" gas`\
See under {Gas}.
Air gun \Air" gun`\ (g[u^]n`).
A kind of gun in which the elastic force of condensed air is
used to discharge the ball. The air is powerfully compressed
into a reservoir attached to the gun, by a condensing pump,
and is controlled by a valve actuated by the trigger.
Air hole \Air" hole`\ (h[=o]l`).
1. A hole to admit or discharge air; specifically, a spot in
the ice not frozen over.
2. (Founding) A fault in a casting, produced by a bubble of
air; a blowhole.
Airily \Air"i*ly\ ([^a]r"[i^]*l[y^]), adv.
In an airy manner; lightly; gaily; jauntily; flippantly.
Airiness \Air"i*ness\, n.
1. The state or quality of being airy; openness or exposure
to the air; as, the airiness of a country seat.
2. Lightness of spirits; gayety; levity; as, the airiness of
young persons.
Airing \Air"ing\ ([^a]r"[i^]ng), n.
1. A walk or a ride in the open air; a short excursion for
health's sake.
2. An exposure to air, or to a fire, for warming, drying,
etc.; as, the airing of linen, or of a room.
Air jacket \Air" jack`et\
A jacket having air-tight cells, or cavities which can be
filled with air, to render persons buoyant in swimming.
Airless \Air"less\, a.
Not open to a free current of air; wanting fresh air, or
communication with the open air.
Air level \Air" lev`el\
Spirit level. See {Level}.
Airlike \Air"like`\, a.
Resembling air.
Airling \Air"ling\, n.
A thoughtless, gay person. [Obs.] ``Slight airlings.'' --B.
Jonson.
Airometer \Air*om"e*ter\, n. [Air + -meter.]
A hollow cylinder to contain air. It is closed above and open
below, and has its open end plunged into water.
Air pipe \Air" pipe`\
A pipe for the passage of air; esp. a ventilating pipe.
Air plant \Air" plant`\ (Bot.)
A plant deriving its sustenance from the air alone; an
a["e]rophyte.
Note: The ``Florida moss'' ({Tillandsia}), many tropical
orchids, and most mosses and lichens are air plants.
Those which are lodged upon trees, but not parasitic on
them, are epiphytes.
Air poise \Air" poise`\ [See {Poise}.]
An instrument to measure the weight of air.
Air pump \Air" pump`\
1. (Physics) A kind of pump for exhausting air from a vessel
or closed space; also, a pump to condense air or force it
into a closed space.
2. (Steam Engines) A pump used to exhaust from a condenser
the condensed steam, the water used for condensing, and
any commingled air.
Air sac \Air" sac`\ (Anat.)
One of the spaces in different parts of the bodies of birds,
which are filled with air and connected with the air passages
of the lungs; an air cell.
Air shaft \Air" shaft`\
A passage, usually vertical, for admitting fresh air into a
mine or a tunnel.
Air-slacked \Air"-slacked`\, a.
Slacked, or pulverized, by exposure to the air; as,
air-slacked lime.
Air stove \Air" stove`\
A stove for heating a current of air which is directed
against its surface by means of pipes, and then distributed
through a building.
Air-tight \Air"-tight`\, a.
So tight as to be impermeable to air; as, an air-tight
cylinder.
Air-tight \Air"-tight`\, n.
A stove the draft of which can be almost entirely shut off.
[Colloq. U. S.]
Air vessel \Air" ves`sel\
A vessel, cell, duct, or tube containing or conducting air;
as the air vessels of insects, birds, plants, etc.; the air
vessel of a pump, engine, etc. For the latter, see {Air
chamber}. The air vessels of insects are called trache[ae],
of plants spiral vessels.
Airward \Air"ward\, Airwards \Air"wards\, adv.
Toward the air; upward. [R.] --Keats.
Airy \Air"y\, a.
1. Consisting of air; as, an airy substance; the airy parts
of bodies.
2. Relating or belonging to air; high in air; a["e]rial; as,
an airy flight. ``The airy region.'' --Milton.
3. Open to a free current of air; exposed to the air; breezy;
as, an airy situation.
4. Resembling air; thin; unsubstantial; not material;
airlike. ``An airy spirit.'' --Shak.
5. Relating to the spirit or soul; delicate; graceful; as,
airy music.
6. Without reality; having no solid foundation; empty;
trifling; visionary. ``Airy fame.'' --Shak.
Empty sound, and airy notions. --Roscommon.
7. Light of heart; vivacious; sprightly; flippant;
superficial. ``Merry and airy.'' --Jer. Taylor.
8. Having an affected manner; being in the habit of putting
on airs; affectedly grand. [Colloq.]
9. (Paint.) Having the light and a["e]rial tints true to
nature. --Elmes.
Aisle \Aisle\, n. [OF. ele, F. aile, wing, wing of a building,
L. ala, contr. fr. axilla.] (Arch.)
(a) A lateral division of a building, separated from the
middle part, called the nave, by a row of columns or
piers, which support the roof or an upper wall
containing windows, called the clearstory wall.
(b) Improperly used also for the have; -- as in the
phrases, a church with three aisles, the middle aisle.
(c) Also (perhaps from confusion with alley), a passage
into which the pews of a church open.
Aisled \Aisled\, a.
Furnished with an aisle or aisles.
Aisless \Ais"less\, a.
Without an aisle.
Ait \Ait\, n. [AS. ?, ?, perh. dim. of [=i]eg, [=i]g, island.
See {Eyot}.]
An islet, or little isle, in a river or lake; an eyot.
The ait where the osiers grew. --R. Hodges
(1649).
Among green aits and meadows. --Dickens.
Ait \Ait\, n.
Oat. [Scot.] --Burns.
Aitch \Aitch\, n.
The letter h or H.
Aitchbone \Aitch"bone`\, n. [For nachebone. For loss of n, cf.
{Adder}. See {Natch}.]
The bone of the rump; also, the cut of beef surrounding this
bone. [Spelt also {edgebone}.]
Aitiology \Ai`ti*ol"o*gy\, n.
See {[AE]tiology}.
Ajar \A*jar"\, adv. [OE. on char ajar, on the turn; AS. cerr,
cyrr, turn, akin to G. kehren to turn, and to D. akerre. See
{Char}.]
Slightly turned or opened; as, the door was standing ajar.
Ajar \A*jar"\, adv. [Pref. a- + jar.]
In a state of discord; out of harmony; as, he is ajar with
the world.
Ajog \A*jog"\, adv. [Pref. a- + jog.]
On the jog.
Ajutage \Aj"u*tage\, n. [F. ajutage, for ajoutage, fr. ajouter
to add, LL. adjuxtare, fr. L. ad + juxta near to, nigh. Cf.
{Adjutage}, {Adjustage}, {Adjust}.]
A tube through which water is discharged; an efflux tube; as,
the ajutage of a fountain.
Ake \Ake\, n. & v.
See {Ache}.
Akene \A*kene"\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Achene}.
Aketon \Ak"e*ton\, n. [Obs.]
See {Acton}.
Akimbo \A*kim"bo\, a. [Etymology unknown. Cf. {Kimbo}.]
With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow
turned outward. ``With one arm akimbo.'' --Irving.
Akin \A*kin"\, a. [Pref. a- (for of) + kin.]
1. Of the same kin; related by blood; -- used of persons; as,
the two families are near akin.
2. Allied by nature; partaking of the same properties; of the
same kind. ``A joy akin to rapture.'' --Cowper.
The literary character of the work is akin to its
moral character. --Jeffrey.
Note: This adjective is used only after the noun.
Akinesia \Ak`i*ne"si*a\, n. [Gr. ? quiescence; 'a priv. + ?
motion.] (Med.)
Paralysis of the motor nerves; loss of movement. --Foster.
Akinesic \Ak`i*ne"sic\, a. (Med.)
Pertaining to akinesia.
Aknee \A*knee"\, adv.
On the knee. [R.] --Southey.
Aknow \Ak*now"\
Earlier form of {Acknow}. [Obs.]
{To be aknow}, to acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.]
Al \Al\, a.
All. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Al- \Al-\ A prefix.
(a) [AS. eal.] All; wholly; completely; as, almighty, almost.
(b) [L. ad.] To; at; on; -- in OF. shortened to a-. See
{Ad-}.
(c) The Arabic definite article answering to the English the;
as, Alkoran, the Koran or the Book; alchemy, the
chemistry.
Al \Al\ conj.
Although; if. [Obs.] See {All}, conj.
Ala \A"la\, n.; pl. {Al[ae]}. [L., a wing.] (Biol.)
A winglike organ, or part.
Alabama period \Al`a*ba"ma pe"ri*od\ (Geol.)
A period in the American eocene, the lowest in the tertiary
age except the lignitic.
Alabaster \Al"a*bas"ter\, n. [L. alabaster, Gr. ?, said to be
derived fr. Alabastron, the name of a town in Egypt, near
which it was common: cf. OF. alabastre, F. alb[^a]tre.]
1. (Min.)
(a) A compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of
fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but
sometimes yellow, red, or gray. It is carved into
vases, mantel ornaments, etc.
(b) A hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat
translucent, or of banded shades of color; stalagmite.
The name is used in this sense by Pliny. It is
sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster.
2. A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.;
-- so called from the stone of which it was originally
made. --Fosbroke.
Alabastrian \Al`a*bas"tri*an\, a.
Alabastrine.
Alabastrine \Al`a*bas"trine\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, alabaster; as alabastrine limbs.
Alabastrum \Al`a*bas"trum\, n.; pl. {Alabastra}. [NL.] (Bot.)
A flower bud. --Gray.
Alack \A*lack"\, interj. [Prob. from ah! lack! OE. lak loss,
failure, misfortune. See {Lack}.]
An exclamation expressive of sorrow. [Archaic. or Poet.]
--Shak.
Alackaday \A*lack"a*day`\, interj. [For alack the day. Cf.
Lackaday.]
An exclamation expressing sorrow.
Note: Shakespeare has ``alack the day'' and ``alack the heavy
day.'' Compare ``woe worth the day.''
Alacrify \A*lac"ri*fy\, v. t. [L. alacer, alacris, lively +
-fly.]
To rouse to action; to inspirit.
Alacrious \A*lac"ri*ous\, a. [L. alacer, alacris.]
Brisk; joyously active; lively.
'T were well if we were a little more alacrious.
--Hammond.
Alacriously \A*lac"ri*ous*ly\, adv.
With alacrity; briskly.
Alacriousness \A*lac"ri*ous*ness\, n.
Alacrity. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Alacrity \A*lac"ri*ty\, n. [L. alacritas, fr. alacer lively,
eager, prob. akin to Gr. ? to drive, Goth. aljan zeal.]
A cheerful readiness, willingness, or promptitude; joyous
activity; briskness; sprightliness; as, the soldiers advanced
with alacrity to meet the enemy.
I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind
that I was wont to have. --Shak.
Aladinist \A*lad"in*ist\, n. [From Aladin, for Ala Eddin, i. e.,
height of religion, a learned divine under Mohammed II. and
Bajazet II.]
One of a sect of freethinkers among the Mohammedans.
Alalonga \Al`a*lon"ga\, or Alilonghi \Al`i*lon"ghi\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
The tunny. See {Albicore}.
Alamire \A`la*mi"re\, n. [Compounded of a la mi re, names of
notes in the musical scale.]
The lowest note but one in Guido Aretino's scale of music.
Alamodality \Al`a*mo*dal"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being [`a] la mode; conformity to the mode or
fashion; fashionableness. [R.] --Southey.
Alamode \Al"a*mode`\, adv. & a. [F. [`a] la mode after the
fashion.]
According to the fashion or prevailing mode. ``Alamode beef
shops.'' --Macaulay.
Alamode \Al"a*mode`\, n.
A thin, black silk for hoods, scarfs, etc.; -- often called
simply mode. --Buchanan.
Alamort \Al`a*mort"\, a. [F. [`a] la mort to the death. Cf.
{Amort}.]
To the death; mortally.
Alan \A*lan"\ ([.a]*l[.a]n"), n. [OF. alan, alant; cf. Sp.
alano.]
A wolfhound. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aland \A*land"\, adv. [Pref. a- + land.]
On land; to the land; ashore. ``Cast aland.'' --Sir P.
Sidney.
Alanine \Al"a*nine\, n. [Aldehyde + the ending -ine. The -n- is
a euphonic insertion.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline base, {C3H7NO2}, derived from aldehyde
ammonia.
Alantin \A*lan"tin\, n. [G. alant elecampane, the Inula helenium
of Linn[ae]us.] (Chem.)
See {Inulin}.
Alar \A"lar\, a. [L. alarius, fr. ala wing: cf. F. alaire.]
1. Pertaining to, or having, wings.
2. (Bot.) Axillary; in the fork or axil. --Gray.
Alarm \A*larm"\ ([.a]*l[aum]rm"), n. [F. alarme, It. all' arme
to arms ! fr. L. arma, pl., arms. See {Arms}, and cf.
{Alarum}.]
1. A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
Arming to answer in a night alarm. --Shak.
2. Any sound or information intended to give notice of
approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a
warning of danger.
Sound an alarm in my holy mountain. --Joel ii. 1.
3. A sudden attack; disturbance; broil. [R.] ``These home
alarms.'' --Shak.
Thy palace fill with insults and alarms. --Pope.
4. Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by
apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly,
sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.
Alarm and resentment spread throughout the camp.
--Macaulay.
5. A mechanical contrivance for awaking persons from sleep,
or rousing their attention; an alarum.
{Alarm bell}, a bell that gives notice on danger.
{Alarm clock} or {watch}, a clock or watch which can be so
set as to ring or strike loudly at a prearranged hour, to
wake from sleep, or excite attention.
{Alarm gauge}, a contrivance attached to a steam boiler for
showing when the pressure of steam is too high, or the
water in the boiler too low.
{Alarm post}, a place to which troops are to repair in case
of an alarm.
Syn: Fright; affright; terror; trepidation; apprehension;
consternation; dismay; agitation; disquiet; disquietude.
Usage: {Alarm}, {Fright}, {Terror}, {Consternation}. These
words express different degrees of fear at the
approach of danger. Fright is fear suddenly excited,
producing confusion of the senses, and hence it is
unreflecting. Alarm is the hurried agitation of
feeling which springs from a sense of immediate and
extreme exposure. Terror is agitating and excessive
fear, which usually benumbs the faculties.
Consternation is overwhelming fear, and carries a
notion of powerlessness and amazement. Alarm agitates
the feelings; terror disorders the understanding and
affects the will; fright seizes on and confuses the
sense; consternation takes possession of the soul, and
subdues its faculties. See {Apprehension}.
Alarm \A*larm"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alarmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Alarming}.] [Alarm, n. Cf. F. alarmer.]
1. To call to arms for defense; to give notice to (any one)
of approaching danger; to rouse to vigilance and action;
to put on the alert.
2. To keep in excitement; to disturb.
3. To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with
anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with
sudden fear.
Alarmed by rumors of military preparation.
--Macaulay.
Alarmable \A*larm"a*ble\, a.
Easily alarmed or disturbed.
Alarmed \A*larmed"\, a.
Aroused to vigilance; excited by fear of approaching danger;
agitated; disturbed; as, an alarmed neighborhood; an alarmed
modesty.
The white pavilions rose and fell On the alarmed air.
--Longfellow.
Alarmedly \A*larm"ed*ly\, adv.
In an alarmed manner.
Alarming \A*larm"ing\, a.
Exciting, or calculated to excite, alarm; causing
apprehension of danger; as, an alarming crisis or report. --
A*larm"ing*ly, adv.
Alarmist \A*larm"ist\, n. [Cf. F. alarmiste.]
One prone to sound or excite alarms, especially, needless
alarms. --Macaulay.
Alarum \A*lar"um\ (?; 277), n. [OE. alarom, the same word as
alarm, n.]
See {Alarm}. [Now Poetic]
Note: The variant form alarum is now commonly restricted to
an alarm signal or the mechanism to sound an alarm (as
in an alarm clock.)
Alary \Al"a*ry\, a. [L. alarius, fr. ala wing.]
Of or pertaining to wings; also, wing-shaped.
The alary system of insects. --Wollaston.
Alas \A*las"\, interj. [OE. alas, allas, OF. alas, F. h['e]las;
a interj. (L. ah.) + las wretched (that I am), L. lassus
weary, akin to E. late. See {Late}.]
An exclamation expressive of sorrow, pity, or apprehension of
evil; -- in old writers, sometimes followed by day or white;
alas the day, like alack a day, or alas the white.
Alate \A*late"\, adv. [Pref. a- + late.]
Lately; of late. [Archaic]
There hath been alate such tales spread abroad.
--Latimer.
Alate \A"late\, Alated \A"la*ted\, a. [L. alatus, from ala
wing.]
Winged; having wings, or side appendages like wings.
Alatern \Al"a*tern\, Alaternus \Al`a*ter"nus\, n. [L. ala wing +
terni three each.] (Bot.)
An ornamental evergreen shrub ({Rhamnus alaternus}) belonging
to the buckthorns.
Alation \A*la"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. alatus winged.]
The state of being winged.
Alaunt \A*launt"\, n.
See {Alan}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Alb \Alb\, n. [OE. albe, LL. alba, fr. L. albus white. Cf.
{Album} and {Aube}.]
A vestment of white linen, reaching to the feet, an
enveloping the person; -- in the Roman Catholic church, worn
by those in holy orders when officiating at mass. It was
formerly worn, at least by clerics, in daily life.
Albacore \Al"ba*core\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Albicore}.
Alban \Al"ban\, n. [L. albus white.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline resinous substance extracted from
gutta-percha by the action of alcohol or ether.
Albanian \Al*ba"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Albania, a province of Turkey. -- n. A
native of Albania.
Albata \Al*ba"ta\, n. [L. albatus, p. p. of albare to make
white, fr. albus white.]
A white metallic alloy; which is made into spoons, forks,
teapots, etc. British plate or German silver. See {German
silver}, under {German}.
Albatross \Al"ba*tross\, n. [Corrupt. fr. Pg. alcatraz
cormorant, albatross, or Sp. alcatraz a pelican: cf. Pg.
alcatruz, Sp. arcaduz, a bucket, fr. Ar. al-q[=a]dus the
bucket, fr. Gr. ka`dos, a water vessel. So an Arabic term for
pelican is water-carrier, as a bird carrying water in its
pouch.] (Zo["o]l.)
A web-footed bird, of the genus {Diomedea}, of which there
are several species. They are the largest of sea birds,
capable of long-continued flight, and are often seen at great
distances from the land. They are found chiefly in the
southern hemisphere.
Albe \Al`be"\, Albee \Al`bee"\, conj. [See {Albeit}.]
Although; albeit. [Obs.]
Albe Clarissa were their chiefest founderess.
--Spenser.
Albedo \Al*be"do\, n. [L., fr. albus white.]
Whiteness. Specifically: (Astron.) The ratio which the light
reflected from an unpolished surface bears to the total light
falling upon that surface.
Albeit \Al`be"it\, conj. [OE. al be although it be, where al is
our all. Cf. {Although}.]
Even though; although; notwithstanding. --Chaucer.
Albeit so masked, Madam, I love the truth. --Tennyson.
Albertite \Al"bert*ite\, n. (Min.)
A bituminous mineral resembling asphaltum, found in the
county of A. ?bert, New Brunswick.
Albertype \Al"ber*type\, n. [From the name of the inventor,
Albert, of Munich.]
A picture printed from a kind of gelatine plate produced by
means of a photographic negative.
Albescence \Al*bes"cence\, n.
The act of becoming white; whitishness.
Albescent \Al*bes"cent\, a. [L. albescens, p. pr. of albescere
to grow white, fr. albus white.]
Becoming white or whitish; moderately white.
Albicant \Al"bi*cant\, a. [L. albicans, p. pr. of albicare,
albicatum, to be white, fr. albus white.]
Growing or becoming white.
Albication \Al`bi*ca"tion\, n.
The process of becoming white, or developing white patches,
or streaks.
Albicore \Al"bi*core\, n. [F. albicore (cf. Sp. albacora, Pg.
albacor, albacora, albecora), fr. Ar. bakr, bekr, a young
camel, young cow, heifer, and the article al: cf. Pg. bacoro
a little pig.] (Zo["o]l.)
A name applied to several large fishes of the Mackerel
family, esp. {Orcynus alalonga}. One species ({Orcynus
thynnus}), common in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, is
called in New England the {horse mackerel}; the tunny.
[Written also {albacore}.]
Albification \Al`bi*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. albification: L.
albus white + ficare (only in comp.), facere, to make.]
The act or process of making white. [Obs.]
Albigenses \Al`bi*gen"ses\, Albigeois \Al`bi`geois"\, n. pl.
[From Albi and Albigeois, a town and its district in the
south of France, in which the sect abounded.] (Eccl. Hist.)
A sect of reformers opposed to the church of Rome in the 12th
centuries.
Note: The Albigenses were a branch of the Catharists (the
pure). They were exterminated by crusades and the
Inquisition. They were distinct from the Waldenses.
Albigensian \Al`bi*gen"sian\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Albigenses.
Albiness \Al*bi"ness\, n.
A female albino. --Holmes.
Albinism \Al"bi*nism\, n.
The state or condition of being an albino: abinoism;
leucopathy.
Albinistic \Al`bi*nis"tic\, a.
Affected with albinism.
Albino \Al*bi"no\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Albinos}. [Sp. or Pg.
albino, orig. whitish, fr. albo white, L. albus.]
A person, whether negro, Indian, or white, in whom by some
defect of organization the substance which gives color to the
skin, hair, and eyes is deficient or in a morbid state. An
albino has a skin of a milky hue, with hair of the same
color, and eyes with deep red pupil and pink or blue iris.
The term is also used of the lower animals, as white mice,
elephants, etc.; and of plants in a whitish condition from
the absence of chlorophyll. --Amer. Cyc.
Note: The term was originally applied by the Portuguese to
negroes met with on the coast of Africa, who were
mottled with white spots.
Albinoism \Al*bi"no*ism\, n.
The state or condition of being an albino; albinism.
Albinotic \Al`bi*not"ic\, a.
Affected with albinism.
Albion \Al"bi*on\, n. [Prob. from the same root as Gael. alp a
height or hill. ``It may have been bestowed on the land lying
behind the white cliffs visible from the coast of Gaul.
Albany, the old name of Scotland, means probably the ``hilly
land.'' --I. Taylor.]
An ancient name of England, still retained in poetry.
In that nook-shotten isle of Albion. --Shak.
Albite \Al"bite\, n. [L. albus white.] (Min.)
A mineral of the feldspar family, triclinic in
crystallization, and in composition a silicate of alumina and
soda. It is a common constituent of granite and of various
igneous rocks. See {Feldspar}.
Albolith \Al"bo*lith\, n. [L. albus white + -lith.]
A kind of plastic cement, or artificial stone, consisting
chiefly of magnesia and silica; -- called also {albolite}.
Alborak \Al"bo*rak\ (?; 277), n. [Ar. al-bur[=a]q, fr. baraqa to
flash, shine.]
The imaginary milk-white animal on which Mohammed was said to
have been carried up to heaven; a white mule.
Albugineous \Al`bu*gin"e*ous\, a. [See {Albugo}.]
Of the nature of, or resembling, the white of the eye, or of
an egg; albuminous; -- a term applied to textures, humors,
etc., which are perfectly white.
Albugo \Al*bu"go\, n.; pl. {Albugines}. [L., whiteness, fr.
albus white.] (Med.)
Same as {Leucoma}.
Album \Al"bum\, n. [L., neut. of albus white: cf. F. album. Cf.
{Alb}.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A white tablet on which anything was
inscribed, as a list of names, etc.
2. A register for visitors' names; a visitors' book.
3. A blank book, in which to insert autographs sketches,
memorial writing of friends, photographs, etc.
Albumen \Al*bu"men\, n. [L., fr. albus white.]
1. The white of an egg.
2. (Bot.) Nourishing matter stored up within the integuments
of the seed in many plants, but not incorporated in the
embryo. It is the floury part in corn, wheat, and like
grains, the oily part in poppy seeds, the fleshy part in
the cocoanut, etc.
3. (Chem.) Same as {Albumin}.
Albumenize \Al*bu"men*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Albumenized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Albumenizing}.]
To cover or saturate with albumen; to coat or treat with an
albuminous solution; as, to albumenize paper.
Album Graecum \Al"bum Gr[ae]"cum\ [L., Greek white.]
Dung of dogs or hyenas, which becomes white by exposure to
air. It is used in dressing leather, and was formerly used in
medicine.
Albumin \Al*bu"min\, n. (Chem.)
A thick, viscous nitrogenous substance, which is the chief
and characteristic constituent of white of eggs and of the
serum of blood, and is found in other animal substances, both
fluid and solid, also in many plants. It is soluble in water
and is coagulated by heat and by certain chemical reagents.
{Acid albumin}, a modification of albumin produced by the
action of dilute acids. It is not coagulated by heat.
{Alkali albumin}, albumin as modified by the action of
alkaline substances; -- called also {albuminate}.
Albuminate \Al*bu"mi*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A substance produced by the action of an alkali upon albumin,
and resembling casein in its properties; also, a compound
formed by the union of albumin with another substance.
Albuminiferous \Al*bu`mi*nif"er*ous\, a. [L. albumen + -ferous.]
Supplying albumen.
Albuminimeter \Al*bu`mi*nim"e*ter\, n. [L. albumen, albuminis +
-meter: cf. F. albuminim[`e]tre.]
An instrument for ascertaining the quantity of albumen in a
liquid.
Albuminin \Al*bu"mi*nin\, n. (Chem.)
The substance of the cells which inclose the white of birds'
eggs.
Albuminiparous \Al*bu`mi*nip"a*rous\, a. [L. albumen + parere to
bear, bring forth.]
Producing albumin.
Albuminoid \Al*bu"mi*noid\, a. [L. albumen + -oid.] (Chem.)
Resembling albumin. -- n. One of a class of organic
principles (called also {proteids}) which form the main part
of organized tissues.
--Brunton.
Albuminoidal \Al*bu`mi*noid"al\, a. (Chem.)
Of the nature of an albuminoid.
Albuminose \Al*bu"mi*nose`\, n. (Chem.)
A diffusible substance formed from albumin by the action of
natural or artificial gastric juice. See {Peptone}.
Albuminous \Al*bu"mi*nous\, Albuminose \Al*bu"mi*nose`\, a. [Cf.
F. albumineux.]
Pertaining to, or containing, albumen; having the properties
of, or resembling, albumen or albumin. --
{Al*bu"mi*nous*ness}, n.
Albuminuria \Al*bu`mi*nu"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. L. albumen + Gr. ?
urine.] (Med.)
A morbid condition in which albumin is present in the urine.
Albumose \Al"bu*mose`\, n. [From albumin.] (Chem.)
A compound or class of compounds formed from albumin by
dilute acids or by an acid solution of pepsin. Used also in
combination, as antialbumose, hemialbumose.
Alburn \Al"burn\, n. [L. alburnus, fr. L. albus white. Cf.
Auburn.] (Zo["o]l.)
The bleak, a small European fish having scales of a
peculiarly silvery color which are used in making artificial
pearls.
Alburnous \Al*bur"nous\, a.
Of or pertaining to alburnum; of the alburnum; as, alburnous
substances.
Alburnum \Al*bur"num\, n. [L., fr. albus white.] (Bot.)
The white and softer part of wood, between the inner bark and
the hard wood or duramen; sapwood.
Albyn \Al"byn\, n. [See {Albion}.]
Scotland; esp. the Highlands of Scotland. --T. Cambell.
Alcade \Al*cade"\ ([a^]k*k[=a]d"), n.
Same as {Alcaid}.
Alcahest \Al"ca*hest\, n.
Same as {Alkahest}.
Alcaic \Al*ca"ic\, a. [L. Alca["i]cus, Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to Alc[ae]us, a lyric poet of Mitylene, about 6000
b. c. -- n. A kind of verse, so called from Alc[ae]us. One
variety consists of five feet, a spondee or iambic, an
iambic, a long syllable, and two dactyls.
Alcaid \Al*caid"\, Alcayde \Al*cayde"\ ([a^]k*k[=a]d"; Sp.
[aum]l*k[aum]*[-e]"d[asl]), n. [Sp. alcaide, fr. Ar.
al-q[=a][=i]d governor, fr. q[=a]da to lead, govern.]
1. A commander of a castle or fortress among the Spaniards,
Portuguese, and Moors.
2. The warden, or keeper of a jail.
Alcalde \Al*cal"de\, n. [Sp. alcalde, fr. Ar. al-q[=a]d[=i]
judge, fr. qada to decide, judge. Hence, the cadi of the
Turks. Cf. {Cadi}.]
A magistrate or judge in Spain and in Spanish America, etc.
--Prescott.
Note: Sometimes confounded with {Alcaid}.
Alcalimeter \Al`ca*lim"e*ter\, n.
See {Alkalimeter}.
Alcanna \Al*can"na\, n. [Sp. alcana, alhe?a, fr. Ar.
al-hinn[=a]. See {Henna}, and cf. {Alkanet}.] (Bot.)
An oriental shrub ({Lawsonia inermis}) from which henna is
obtained.
Alcarraza \Al`car*ra"za\, n.; pl. {Alcarrazas}. [Sp., from Ar.
al-kurr[=a]z earthen vessel.]
A vessel of porous earthenware, used for cooling liquids by
evaporation from the exterior surface.
Alcayde \Al*cayde"\ ([a^]l*k[=a]d"), n.
Same as {Alcaid}.
Alcazar \Al*ca"zar\, n. [ fr. Ar. al the + qacr (in pl.) a
castle.]
A fortress; also, a royal palace. --Prescott.
Alcedo \Al*ce"do\, n. [L., equiv. to Gr. ?. See {Halcyon}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of perching birds, including the European kingfisher
({Alcedo ispida}). See {Halcyon}.
Alchemic \Al*chem"ic\, Alchemical \Al*chem"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
alchimique.]
Of or relating to alchemy.
Alchemically \Al*chem"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In the manner of alchemy.
Alchemist \Al"che*mist\, n. [Cf. OF. alquemiste, F. alchimiste.]
One who practices alchemy.
You are alchemist; make gold. --Shak.
Alchemistic \Al`che*mis"tic\, Alchemistical \Al`che*mis"tic*al\,
a.
Relating to or practicing alchemy.
Metaphysical and alchemistical legislators. --Burke.
Alchemistry \Al"che*mis*try\, n.
Alchemy. [Obs.]
Alchemize \Al"che*mize\, v. t.
To change by alchemy; to transmute. --Lovelace.
Alchemy \Al"che*my\, n. [OF. alkemie, arquemie, F. alchimie, Ar.
al-k[=i]m[=i]a, fr. late Gr. ?, for ?, a mingling, infusion,
? juice, liquid, especially as extracted from plants, fr. ?
to pour; for chemistry was originally the art of extracting
the juices from plants for medicinal purposes. Cf. Sp.
alquimia, It. alchimia. Gr. ? is prob. akin to L. fundere to
pour, Goth. guitan, AS. ge['o]tan, to pour, and so to E.
fuse. See {Fuse}, and cf. {Chemistry}.]
1. An imaginary art which aimed to transmute the baser metals
into gold, to find the panacea, or universal remedy for
diseases, etc. It led the way to modern chemistry.
2. A mixed metal composed mainly of brass, formerly used for
various utensils; hence, a trumpet. [Obs.]
Put to their mouths the sounding alchemy. --Milton.
3. Miraculous power of transmuting something common into
something precious.
Kissing with golden face the meadows green, Gilding
pale streams with heavenly alchemy. --Shak.
Alchymic \Al*chym"ic\, a., Alchymist \Al"chy*mist\, n.,
Alchymistic \Al`chy*mis"tic\, a., Alchymy \Al"chy*my\, n.
See {Alchemic}, {Alchemist}, {Alchemistic}, {Alchemy}.
Alco \Al"co\, n.
A small South American dog, domesticated by the aborigines.
Alcoate \Al"co*ate\, Alcohate \Al"co*hate\, n.
Shortened forms of {Alcoholate}.
Alcohol \Al"co*hol\ ([a^]l"k[-o]*h[o^]l), n. [Cf. F. alcool,
formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony,
galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of
antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was
afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this
powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown
in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. {Alquifou}.]
1. An impalpable powder. [Obs.]
2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation.
[Obs.] --Boyle.
3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit
(called also {ethyl alcohol}); the spirituous or
intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or
more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable
quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from
various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine
nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation.
Note: As used in the U. S. ``Pharmacop[oe]ia,'' alcohol
contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9
per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit)
contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and
54.5 per cent of water.
4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic
alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are
hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical
ethyl forms common or {ethyl alcohol} ({C2H5.OH}); methyl
forms {methyl alcohol} ({CH3.OH}) or {wood spirit}; amyl
forms {amyl alcohol} ({C5H11.OH}) or {fusel oil}, etc.
Alcoholate \Al"co*hol*ate\, n. [Cf. F. alcolaie.] (Chem.)
A crystallizable compound of a salt with alcohol, in which
the latter plays a part analogous to that of water of
crystallization. --Graham.
Alcoholature \Al`co*hol"a*ture\, n. [Cf. F. alcoolature.] (Med.)
An alcoholic tincture prepared with fresh plants. --New Eng.
Dict.
Alcoholic \Al`co*hol"ic\, a. [Cf. F. alcolique.]
Of or pertaining to alcohol, or partaking of its qualities;
derived from, or caused by, alcohol; containing alcohol; as,
alcoholic mixtures; alcoholic gastritis; alcoholic odor.
Alcoholic \Al`co*hol"ic\, n.
1. A person given to the use of alcoholic liquors.
2. pl. Alcoholic liquors.
Alcoholism \Al"co*hol*ism\, n. [Cf. F. alcoolisme.] (Med.)
A diseased condition of the system, brought about by the
continued use of alcoholic liquors.
Alcoholization \Al`co*hol`i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. alcoolisation.]
1. The act of reducing a substance to a fine or impalpable
powder. [Obs.] --Johnson.
2. The act rectifying spirit.
3. Saturation with alcohol; putting the animal system under
the influence of alcoholic liquor.
Alcoholize \Al"co*hol*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alcoholized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Alcoholizing}.] [Cf. F. alcooliser.]
1. To reduce to a fine powder. [Obs.] --Johnson.
2. To convert into alcohol; to rectify; also, to saturate
with alcohol.
Alcoholometer \Al`co*hol*om"e*ter\, Alcoholmeter
\Al`co*hol"me*ter\, n. [Alcohol + -meter.] (Chem.)
An instrument for determining the strength of spirits, with a
scale graduated so as to indicate the percentage of pure
alcohol, either by weight or volume. It is usually a form of
hydrometer with a special scale.
Alcoholometric \Al`co*hol`o*met"ric\, Alcoholometrical
\Al`co*hol`o*met"ric*al\, Alcoholmetrical
\Al`co*hol*met"ric*al\, a.
Relating to the alcoholometer or alcoholometry.
The alcoholometrical strength of spirituous liquors.
--Ure.
Alcoholometry \Al`co*hol"om"e*try\, n.
The process or method of ascertaining the proportion of pure
alcohol which spirituous liquors contain.
Alcohometer \Al`co*hom"e*ter\, n., Alcohometric
\Al`co*ho*met"ric\, a.
Same as {Alcoholometer}, {Alcoholometric}.
Alcoometry \Al`co*["o]m"e*try\, n.
See {Alcoholometry}.
Note: The chemists say alcom[`e]tre, alcoom[`e]trie,
doubtless by the suppression of a syllable in order to
avoid a disagreeable sequence of sounds. (Cf.
{Idolatry}.) --Littr['e].
Alcoran \Al"co*ran\ (?; 277), n. [alcoran, fr. Ar. al-qor[=a]n,
orig. the reading, the book, fr. qaraa to read. Cf. {Koran}.]
The Mohammedan Scriptures; the Koran (now the usual form).
[Spelt also {Alkoran}.]
Alcoranic \Al`co*ran"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Koran.
Alcoranist \Al`co*ran"ist\, n.
One who adheres to the letter of the Koran, rejecting all
traditions.
Alcove \Al"cove\ (?; 277), n. [F. alc[^o]ve, Sp. or Pg. alcoba,
from Ar. al-quobbah arch, vault, tent.]
1. (Arch.) A recessed portion of a room, or a small room
opening into a larger one; especially, a recess to contain
a bed; a lateral recess in a library.
2. A small ornamental building with seats, or an arched seat,
in a pleasure ground; a garden bower. --Cowper.
3. Any natural recess analogous to an alcove or recess in an
apartment.
The youthful wanderers found a wild alcove.
--Falconer.
Alcyon \Al"cy*on\, n.
See {Halcyon}.
Alcyonacea \Al`cy*o*na"ce*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of soft-bodied Alcyonaria, of which {Alcyonium} is
the type. See Illust. under {Alcyonaria}.
Alcyonaria \Al`cy*o*na"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the orders of Anthozoa. It includes the Alcyonacea,
Pennatulacea, and Gorgonacea.
Alcyones \Al*cy"o*nes\, n. pl. [L., pl. of {Alcyon}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The kingfishers.
Alcyonic \Al`cy*on"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Alcyonaria.
Alcyonium \Al`cy*o"ni*um\, n. [Gr. ? a zo["o]phyte, so called
from being like the halcyon's nest.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fleshy Alcyonaria, its polyps somewhat resembling
flowers with eight fringed rays. The term was also formerly
used for certain species of sponges.
Alcyonoid \Al"cy*o*noid\, a. [Gr. ? + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the Alcyonaria. -- n. A zo["o]phyte of
the order Alcyonaria.
Alday \Al"day\, adv.
Continually. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aldebaran \Al*deb"a*ran\, n. [Ar. al-debar[=a]n, fr. dabar to
follow; so called because this star follows upon the
Pleiades.] (Astron.)
A red star of the first magnitude, situated in the eye of
Taurus; the Bull's Eye. It is the bright star in the group
called the Hyades.
Now when Aldebaran was mounted high Above the shiny
Cassiopeia's chair. --Spenser.
Aldehyde \Al"de*hyde\, n. [Abbrev. fr. alcohol dehydrogenatum,
alcohol deprived of its hydrogen.] (Chem.)
A colorless, mobile, and very volatile liquid obtained from
alcohol by certain processes of oxidation.
Note: The aldehydes are intermediate between the alcohols and
acids, and differ from the alcohols in having two less
hydrogen atoms in the molecule, as common aldehyde
(called also {acetic aldehyde} or {ethyl aldehyde}),
{C2H4O}; methyl aldehyde, {CH2O}.
{Aldehyde ammonia} (Chem.), a compound formed by the union of
aldehyde with ammonia.
Aldehydic \Al`de*hy"dic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to aldehyde; as, aldehydic acid. --Miller.
Alder \Al"der\ ([add]l"d[~e]r), n. [OE. aldir, aller, fr. AS.
alr, aler, alor, akin to D. els, G. erle, Icel. erlir, erli,
Swed. al, Dan. elle, el, L. alnus, and E. elm.] (Bot.)
A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the
genus {Alnus}. The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by
dyers and tanners. In the U. S. the species of alder are
usually shrubs or small trees.
{Black alder}.
(a) A European shrub ({Rhamnus frangula}); Alder buckthorn.
(b) An American species of holly ({Ilex verticillata}),
bearing red berries.
Alder \Al"der\ ([add]l"d[~e]r), Aller \Al"ler\ ([add]l"l[~e]r),
a. [From ealra, alra, gen. pl. of AS. eal. The d is
excrescent.]
Of all; -- used in composition; as, alderbest, best of all,
alderwisest, wisest of all. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Alder-liefest \Al`der-lief"est\ ([add]l`d[~e]r*l[=e]f"[e^]st),
a. [For allerliefest dearest of all. See {Lief}.]
Most beloved. [Obs.] --Shak.
Alderman \Al"der*man\ ([add]l"d[~e]r*man), n.; pl. {Aldermen}.
[AS. aldormon, ealdorman; ealdor an elder + man. See {Elder},
n.]
1. A senior or superior; a person of rank or dignity. [Obs.]
Note: The title was applied, among the Anglo-Saxons, to
princes, dukes, earls, senators, and presiding
magistrates; also to archbishops and bishops, implying
superior wisdom or authority. Thus Ethelstan, duke of
the East-Anglians, was called Alderman of all England;
and there were aldermen of cities, counties, and
castles, who had jurisdiction within their respective
districts.
3. One of a board or body of municipal officers next in order
to the mayor and having a legislative function. They may,
in some cases, individually exercise some magisterial and
administrative functions.
Aldermancy \Al"der*man*cy\, n.
The office of an alderman.
Aldermanic \Al"der*man"ic\, a.
Relating to, becoming to, or like, an alderman;
characteristic of an alderman.
Aldermanity \Al`der*man"i*ty\, n.
1. Aldermen collectively; the body of aldermen.
2. The state of being an alderman. [Jocular]
Aldermanlike \Al`der*man*like`\, a.
Like or suited to an alderman.
Aldermanly \Al"der*man*ly\, a.
Pertaining to, or like, an alderman.
Aldermanly \Al"der*man*ly\, a.
Pertaining to, or like, an alderman. ``An aldermanly
discretion.'' --Swift.
Aldermanry \Al"der*man*ry\, n.
1. The district or ward of an alderman.
2. The office or rank of an alderman. [R.] --B. Jonson.
Aldermanship \Al"der*man*ship\, n.
The condition, position, or office of an alderman. --Fabyan.
Aldern \Al"dern\, a.
Made of alder.
Alderney \Al"der*ney\, n.
One of a breed of cattle raised in Alderney, one of the
Channel Islands. Alderneys are of a dun or tawny color and
are often called {Jersey cattle}. See {Jersey}, 3.
Aldine \Al"dine\ (?; 277), a. (Bibliog.)
An epithet applied to editions (chiefly of the classics)
which proceeded from the press of Aldus Manitius, and his
family, of Venice, for the most part in the 16th century and
known by the sign of the anchor and the dolphin. The term has
also been applied to certain elegant editions of English
works.
Ale \Ale\ ([=a]l), n. [AS. ealu, akin to Icel., Sw., and Dan.
["o]l, Lith. alus a kind of beer, OSlav. ol[u^] beer. Cf. Ir.
ol drink, drinking.]
1. An intoxicating liquor made from an infusion of malt by
fermentation and the addition of a bitter, usually hops.
Note: The word ale, in England and the United States, usually
designates a heavier kind of fermented liquor, and the
word beer a lighter kind. The word beer is also in
common use as the generic name for all malt liquors.
2. A festival in English country places, so called from the
liquor drunk. ``At wakes and ales.'' --B. Jonson.``On
ember eves and holy ales.'' --Shak.
Aleak \A*leak"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + leak.]
In a leaking condition.
Aleatory \A"le*a*to*ry\, a. [L. aleatorius, fr. alea chance,
die.] (Law)
Depending on some uncertain contingency; as, an aleatory
contract. --Bouvier.
Alebench \Ale"bench`\, n.
A bench in or before an alehouse. --Bunyan.
Aleberry \Ale"ber`ry\, n. [OE. alebery, alebrey; ale + bre
broth, fr. AS. br[=i]w pottage.]
A beverage, formerly made by boiling ale with spice, sugar,
and sops of bread.
Their aleberries, caudles, possets. --Beau. & Fl.
Alecithal \A*lec"i*thal\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? yelk.] (Biol.)
Applied to those ova which segment uniformly, and which have
little or no food yelk embedded in their protoplasm.
--Balfour.
Aleconner \Ale"con`ner\, n. [/Ale + con, OE. cunnen to test, AS.
cunnian to test. See {Con}.]
Orig., an officer appointed to look to the goodness of ale
and beer; also, one of the officers chosen by the liverymen
of London to inspect the measures used in public houses. But
the office is a sinecure. [Also called aletaster.] [Eng.]
Alecost \Ale"cost`\, n. [Ale + L. costus an aromatic plant: cf.
{Costmary}.] (Bot.)
The plant costmary, which was formerly much used for
flavoring ale.
Alectorides \Al`ec*tor"i*des\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a cock.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of birds including the common fowl and the pheasants.
Alectoromachy \A*lec`to*rom"a*chy\, n. [Gr. ? cock + ? fight.]
Cockfighting.
Alectoromancy \A*lec"to*ro*man`cy\, n.
See {Alectryomancy}.
Alectryom'achy \A*lec`try*om'a*chy\, n. [Gr. ? cock + ? fight.]
Cockfighting.
Alectryomancy \A*lec"try*o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? cock + -mancy.]
Divination by means of a cock and grains of corn placed on
the letters of the alphabet, the letters being put together
in the order in which the grains were eaten. --Amer. Cyc.
Alee \A*lee"\, adv. [Pref. a- + lee.] (Naut.)
On or toward the lee, or the side away from the wind; the
opposite of aweather. The helm of a ship is alee when pressed
close to the lee side.
{Hard alee}, or {Luff alee}, an order to put the helm to the
lee side.
Alegar \Al"e*gar\, n. [Ale + eager sour, F. aigre. Cf.
{Vinegar}.]
Sour ale; vinegar made of ale. --Cecil.
Aleger \Al"e*ger\, a. [F. all[`e]gre, earlier al[`e]gre, fr. L.
alacer.]
Gay; cheerful; sprightly. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Alegge \A*legge"\, v. t. [OE. aleggen, alegen, OF. alegier, F.
all['e]ger, fr. LL. alleviare, for L. allevare to lighten; ad
+ levis light. Cf. {Alleviate}, {Allay}, {Allege}.]
To allay or alleviate; to lighten. [Obs.]
That shall alegge this bitter blast. --Spenser.
Alehoof \Ale"hoof`\ ([=a]l"h[=oo]f`), n. [AS. h[=o]fe ground
ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe
hedgehove, ground ivy, ``in old MSS. heyhowe, heyoue,
haihoue, halehoue.'' --Prior.]
Ground ivy ({Nepeta Glechoma}).
Alehouse \Ale"house`\, n.
A house where ale is retailed; hence, a tippling house.
--Macaulay.
Ale-knight \Ale"-knight`\, n.
A pot companion. [Obs.]
Alemannic \Al`e*man"nic\, a.
Belonging to the Alemanni, a confederacy of warlike German
tribes.
Alemannic \Al`e*man"nic\, n.
The language of the Alemanni.
The Swabian dialect . . . is known as the Alemannic.
--Amer. Cyc.
Alembic \A*lem"bic\ ([.a]*l[e^]m"b[i^]k), n. [F. alambic (cf.
Sp. alambique), Ar. al-anb[=i]q, fr. Gr. 'a`mbix cup, cap of
a still. The cap or head was the alembic proper. Cf.
{Limbec}.]
An apparatus formerly used in distillation, usually made of
glass or metal. It has mostly given place to the retort and
worm still.
Note: Used also metaphorically.
The alembic of a great poet's imagination.
--Brimley.
Alembroth \A*lem"broth\ (-br[o^]th), n. [Origin uncertain.]
The {salt of wisdom} of the alchemists, a double salt
composed of the chlorides of ammonium and mercury. It was
formerly used as a stimulant. --Brande & C.
Alencon lace \A`len`[,c]on" lace"\
See under {Lace}.
Alength \A*length"\ ([.a]*l[e^]ngth"), adv. [Pref. a- + length.]
At full length; lengthwise. --Chaucer.
Alepidote \A*lep"i*dote\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ?, ?, a scale.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Not having scales. -- n. A fish without scales.
Alepole \Ale"pole`\, n.
A pole set up as the sign of an alehouse. [Obs.]
Alert \A*lert"\ ([.a]*l[~e]rt"), a. [F. alerte, earlier [`a]
l'erte on the watch, fr. It. all' erta on the watch, prop.
(standing) on a height, where one can look around; erta a
declivity, steep, erto steep, p. p. of ergere, erigere, to
erect, raise, L. erigere. See {Erect}.]
1. Watchful; vigilant; active in vigilance.
2. Brisk; nimble; moving with celerity.
An alert young fellow. --Addison.
Syn: Active; agile; lively; quick; prompt.
Alert \A*lert"\, n. (Mil.)
An alarm from a real or threatened attack; a sudden attack;
also, a bugle sound to give warning. ``We have had an
alert.'' --Farrow.
{On the alert}, on the lookout or watch against attack or
danger; ready to act.
Alertly \A*lert"ly\, adv.
In an alert manner; nimbly.
Alertness \A*lert"ness\, n.
The quality of being alert or on the alert; briskness;
nimbleness; activity.
Ale silver \Ale" sil`ver\
A duty payable to the lord mayor of London by the sellers of
ale within the city.
Alestake \Ale"stake\, n.
A stake or pole projecting from, or set up before, an
alehouse, as a sign; an alepole. At the end was commonly
suspended a garland, a bunch of leaves, or a ``bush.'' [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Aletaster \Ale"tast`er\, n.
See {Aleconner}. [Eng.]
Alethiology \A*le`thi*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? truth + -logy.]
The science which treats of the nature of truth and evidence.
--Sir W. Hamilton.
Alethoscope \A*leth"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? true + ? to view.]
An instrument for viewing pictures by means of a lens, so as
to present them in their natural proportions and relations.
Aleuromancy \A*leu"ro*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? wheaten flour + -mancy:
cf. F. aleuromancie.]
Divination by means of flour. --Encyc. Brit.
Aleurometer \Al`eu*rom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? flour + -meter.]
An instrument for determining the expansive properties, or
quality, of gluten in flour. --Knight.
Aleurone \A*leu"rone\, n. [Gr. ? flour.] (Bot.)
An albuminoid substance which occurs in minute grains
(``protein granules'') in maturing seeds and tubers; --
supposed to be a modification of protoplasm.
Aleuronic \Al`eu*ron"ic\, a. (Bot.)
Having the nature of aleurone. --D. C. Eaton.
Aleutian \A*leu"tian\, Aleutic \A*leu"tic\, a. [Said to be from
the Russ. aleut a bold rock.]
Of or pertaining to a chain of islands between Alaska and
Kamtchatka; also, designating these islands.
Alevin \Al"e*vin\, n. [F. alevin, OF. alever to rear, fr. L. ad
+ levare to raise.]
Young fish; fry.
Alew \A*lew"\, n.
Halloo. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Alewife \Ale"wife`\, n.; pl. {Alewives}.
A woman who keeps an alehouse. --Gay.
Alewife \Ale"wife`\, n.; pl. {Alewives}. [This word is properly
aloof, the Indian name of a fish. See Winthrop on the culture
of maize in America, ``Phil Trans.'' No. 142, p. 1065, and
Baddam's ``Memoirs,'' vol. ii. p. 131.] (Zo["o]l.)
A North American fish ({Clupea vernalis}) of the Herring
family. It is called also {ellwife}, {ellwhop}, {branch
herring}. The name is locally applied to other related
species.
Alexanders \Al`ex*an"ders\, Alisanders \Al`i*san"ders\, n. [OE.
alisaundre, OF. alissandere, fr. Alexander or Alexandria.]
(Bot)
A name given to two species of the genus {Smyrnium}, formerly
cultivated and used as celery now is; -- called also {horse
parsely}.
Alexandrian \Al`ex*an"dri*an\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to Alexandria in Egypt; as, the
Alexandrian library.
2. Applied to a kind of heroic verse. See {Alexandrine}, n.
Alexandrine \Al`ex*an"drine\ (?; 277), a.
Belonging to Alexandria; Alexandrian. --Bancroft.
Alexandrine \Al`ex*an"drine\, n. [F. alexandrin.]
A kind of verse consisting in English of twelve syllables.
The needless Alexandrine ends the song, That, like a
wounded snake, drags its slow length along. --Pope.
Alexipharmac \A*lex`i*phar"mac\, Alexipharmacal
\A*lex`i*phar"ma*cal\, a. & n. [See {Alexipharmic}.]
Alexipharmic. [Obs.]
Alexipharmic \A*lex`i*phar"mic\, Alexipharmical
\A*lex`i*phar"mic*al\, a. [Gr. ? keeping off poison; ? to keep
off + ? drug, poison: cf. F. alexipharmaque.] (Med.)
Expelling or counteracting poison; antidotal.
Alexipharmic \A*lex`i*phar"mic\, n. (Med.)
An antidote against poison or infection; a counterpoison.
Alexipyretic \A*lex`i*py*ret"ic\, a. [Gr. ? + ? burning heat,
fever, ? fire.] (Med.)
Serving to drive off fever; antifebrile. -- n. A febrifuge.
Alexiteric \A*lex`i*ter"ic\, Alexiterical \A*lex`i*ter"ic*al\,
a. [Gr. ? fit to keep off or help, fr. ? one who keeps off,
helper; ? to keep off: cf. F. alexit[`e]re.] (Med.)
Resisting poison; obviating the effects of venom;
alexipharmic.
Alexiteric \A*lex`i*ter"ic\, n. [Gr. ? a remedy, an amulet: cf.
F. alexit[`e]re, LL. alexiterium.] (Med.)
A preservative against contagious and infectious diseases,
and the effects of poison in general. --Brande & C.
Alfa \Al"fa\or Alfa grass \Al"fa grass"\, n.
A plant ({Macrochloa tenacissima}) of North Africa; also, its
fiber, used in paper making.
Alfalfa \Al*fal"fa\, n. [Sp.] (Bot.)
The lucern ({Medicago sativa}); -- so called in California,
Texas, etc.
Alfenide \Al"fe*nide\, n. (Metal.)
An alloy of nickel and silver electroplated with silver.
Alferes \Al*fe"res\, n. [Sp., fr. Ar. al-f[=a]rs knight.]
An ensign; a standard bearer. [Obs.] --J. Fletcher.
Alfet \Al"fet\, n. [LL. alfetum, fr. AS. [=a]lf[ae]t a pot to
boil in; [=a]l burning + f[ae]t vat.]
A caldron of boiling water into which an accused person
plunged his forearm as a test of innocence or guilt.
Alfilaria \Al*fil`a*ri"a\, n. (Bot.)
The pin grass ({Erodium cicutarium}), a weed in California.
Alfione \Al`fi*o"ne\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An edible marine fish of California ({Rhacochilus toxotes}).
Alfresco \Al*fres"co\, adv. & a. [It. al fresco in or on the
fresh.]
In the open-air. --Smollett.
Alga \Al"ga\, n.; pl. {Alg[ae]}. [L., seaweed.] (Bot.)
A kind of seaweed; pl. the class of cellular cryptogamic
plants which includes the black, red, and green seaweeds, as
kelp, dulse, sea lettuce, also marine and fresh water
conferv[ae], etc.
Algal \Al"gal\, a., (Bot.)
Pertaining to, or like, alg[ae].
Algaroba \Al`ga*ro"ba\, n. [Sp. algarroba, fr. Ar. al-kharr?bah.
Cf. {Carob}.] (Bot.)
(a) The Carob, a leguminous tree of the Mediterranean region;
also, its edible beans or pods, called {St. John's
bread}.
(b) The Honey mesquite ({Prosopis juliflora}), a small tree
found from California to Buenos Ayres; also, its sweet,
pulpy pods. A valuable gum, resembling gum arabic, is
collected from the tree in Texas and Mexico.
Algarot \Al"ga*rot\, Algaroth \Al"ga*roth\, n. [F. algaroth, fr.
the name of the inventor, Algarotti.] (Med.)
A term used for the Powder of Algaroth, a white powder which
is a compound of trichloride and trioxide of antimony. It was
formerly used in medicine as an emetic, purgative, and
diaphoretic.
Algarovilla \Al`ga*ro*vil"la\, n.
The agglutinated seeds and husks of the legumes of a South
American tree ({Inga Marth[ae]}). It is valuable for tanning
leather, and as a dye.
Algate \Al"gate\, Algates \Al"gates\, adv. [All + gate way. The
s is an adverbial ending. See {Gate}.]
1. Always; wholly; everywhere. [Obs.]
Ulna now he algates must forego. --Spenser.
Note: Still used in the north of England in the sense of
``everywhere.''
2. By any or means; at all events. [Obs.] --Fairfax.
3. Notwithstanding; yet. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Algazel \Al"ga*zel`\, n. [Ar. al the + ghaz[=a]l.] (Zo["o]l.)
The true gazelle.
Algebra \Al"ge*bra\, n. [LL. algebra, fr. Ar. al-jebr reduction
of parts to a whole, or fractions to whole numbers, fr.
jabara to bind together, consolidate; al-jebr
w'almuq[=a]balah reduction and comparison (by equations): cf.
F. alg[`e]bre, It. & Sp. algebra.]
1. (Math.) That branch of mathematics which treats of the
relations and properties of quantity by means of letters
and other symbols. It is applicable to those relations
that are true of every kind of magnitude.
2. A treatise on this science.
Algebraic \Al`ge*bra"ic\, Algebraical \Al`ge*bra"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to algebra; containing an operation of
algebra, or deduced from such operation; as, algebraic
characters; algebraical writings.
{Algebraic curve}, a curve such that the equation which
expresses the relation between the co["o]rdinates of its
points involves only the ordinary operations of algebra;
-- opposed to a transcendental curve.
Algebraically \Al`ge*bra"ic*al*ly\, adv.
By algebraic process.
Algebraist \Al"ge*bra`ist\, n.
One versed in algebra.
Algebraize \Al"ge*bra*ize\, v. t.
To perform by algebra; to reduce to algebraic form.
Algerian \Al*ge"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Algeria. -- n. A native of Algeria.
Algerine \Al`ge*rine"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Algiers or Algeria.
Algerine \Al`ge*rine"\, n.
A native or one of the people of Algiers or Algeria. Also, a
pirate.
Algid \Al"gid\, a. [L. algidus cold, fr. algere to be cold: cf.
F. algide.]
Cold; chilly. --Bailey.
{Algid cholera} (Med.), Asiatic cholera.
Algidity \Al*gid"i*ty\, n.
Chilliness; coldness; especially (Med.), coldness and
collapse.
Algidness \Al"gid*ness\, n.
Algidity. [Obs.]
Algific \Al*gif"ic\, a. [L. algificus, fr. algus cold + facere
to make.]
Producing cold.
Algoid \Al"goid\, a. [L. alga + -oid.]
Of the nature of, or resembling, an alga.
Algol \Al"gol\, n. [Ar. al-gh[=u]l destruction, calamity, fr.
gh[=a]la to take suddenly, destroy.] (Astron.)
A fixed star, in Medusa's head, in the constellation Perseus,
remarkable for its periodic variation in brightness.
Algological \Al`go*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to algology; as, algological specimens.
Algologist \Al*gol"o*gist\, n.
One learned about alg[ae]; a student of algology.
Algology \Al*gol"o*gy\, n. [L. alga seaweed + -logy.] (Bot.)
The study or science of alg[ae] or seaweeds.
Algonquin \Al*gon"quin\, Algonkin \Al*gon"kin\, n.
One of a widely spread family of Indians, including many
distinct tribes, which formerly occupied most of the northern
and eastern part of North America. The name was originally
applied to a group of Indian tribes north of the River St.
Lawrence.
Algor \Al"gor\, n. [L.] (Med.)
Cold; chilliness.
Algorism \Al"go*rism\, Algorithm \Al"go*rithm\, n. [OE.
algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf.
Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar.
al-Khow[=a]rezm[=i] of Khow[=a]rezm, the modern Khiwa,
surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Mus[=a], author of a work
on arithmetic early in the 9th century, which was translated
into Latin, such books bearing the name algorismus. The
spelling with th is due to a supposed connection with Gr. ?
number.]
1. The art of calculating by nine figures and zero.
2. The art of calculating with any species of notation; as,
the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.
Algous \Al"gous\, a. [L. algosus, fr. alga seaweed.]
Of or pertaining to the alg[ae], or seaweeds; abounding with,
or like, seaweed.
Alguazil \Al`gua*zil"\, n. [Sp. alguacil, fr. Ar. alwaz[=i]r the
vizier. Cf. {Vizier}.]
An inferior officer of justice in Spain; a warrant officer; a
constable. --Prescott.
Algum \Al"gum\, n.
Same as {Almug} (and etymologically preferable). --2 Chron.
ii. 8.
Alhambra \Al*ham"bra\, n. [Ultimately fr. Ar. al the + hamr[=a]
red; i. e., the red (sc. house).]
The palace of the Moorish kings at Granada.
Alhambraic \Al`ham*bra"ic\, Alhambresque \Al`ham*bresque"\ (?;
277), a.
Made or decorated after the fanciful style of the
ornamentation in the Alhambra, which affords an unusually
fine exhibition of Saracenic or Arabesque architecture.
Alhenna \Al*hen"na\, n.
See {Henna}.
Alias \A"li*as\, adv. [L., fr. alius. See {Else}.] (Law)
(a) Otherwise; otherwise called; -- a term used in legal
proceedings to connect the different names of any one who
has gone by two or more, and whose true name is for any
cause doubtful; as, Smith, alias Simpson.
(b) At another time.
Alias \A"li*as\, n.; pl. {Aliases}. [L., otherwise, at another
time.] (Law)
(a) A second or further writ which is issued after a first
writ has expired without effect.
(b) Another name; an assumed name.
Alibi \Al"i*bi\, n. [L., elsewhere, at another place. See
{Alias}.] (Law)
The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for
a crime proves or attempts to prove that he was in another
place when the alleged act was committed; as, to set up an
alibi; to prove an alibi.
Alibility \Al`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
Quality of being alible.
Alible \Al"i*ble\, a. [L. alibilis, fr. alere to nourish.]
Nutritive; nourishing.
Alicant \Al"i*cant\, n.
A kind of wine, formerly much esteemed; -- said to have been
made near Alicant, in Spain. --J. Fletcher.
Alidade \Al"i*dade\, n. [LL. alidada, alhidada, fr. Ar.
al-'id[=a]da a sort of rule: cf. F. alidade.]
The portion of a graduated instrument, as a quadrant or
astrolabe, carrying the sights or telescope, and showing the
degrees cut off on the arc of the instrument --Whewell.
Alien \Al"ien\, a. [OF. alien, L. alienus, fr. alius another;
properly, therefore, belonging to another. See {Else}.]
1. Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or
to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign; as, alien
subjects, enemies, property, shores.
2. Wholly different in nature; foreign; adverse; inconsistent
(with); incongruous; -- followed by from or sometimes by
to; as, principles alien from our religion.
An alien sound of melancholy. --Wordsworth.
{Alien enemy} (Law), one who owes allegiance to a government
at war with ours. --Abbott.
Alien \Al"ien\, n.
1. A foreigner; one owing allegiance, or belonging, to
another country; a foreign-born resident of a country in
which he does not possess the privileges of a citizen.
Hence, a stranger. See {Alienage}.
2. One excluded from certain privileges; one alienated or
estranged; as, aliens from God's mercies.
Aliens from the common wealth of Israel. --Ephes.
ii. 12.
Alien \Al"ien\, v. t. [F. ali['e]ner, L. alienare.]
To alienate; to estrange; to transfer, as property or
ownership. [R.] ``It the son alien lands.'' --Sir M. Hale.
The prince was totally aliened from all thoughts of . .
. the marriage. --Clarendon.
Alienability \Al`ien*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capability of being alienated. ``The alienability of the
domain.'' --Burke.
Alienable \Al"ien*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. ali['e]nable.]
Capable of being alienated, sold, or transferred to another;
as, land is alienable according to the laws of the state.
Alienage \Al"ien*age\, n. [Cf. OF. ali['e]nage.]
1. The state or legal condition of being an alien.
Note: The disabilities of alienage are removable by
naturalization or by special license from the State of
residence, and in some of the United States by
declaration of intention of naturalization. --Kent.
Wharton.
Estates forfeitable on account of alienage.
--Story.
2. The state of being alienated or transferred to another.
--Brougham.
Alienate \Al"ien*ate\ ([=a]l"yen*[asl]t), a. [L. alienatus, p.
p. of alienare, fr. alienus. See {Alien}, and cf. {Aliene}.]
Estranged; withdrawn in affection; foreign; -- with from.
O alienate from God. --Milton.
Alienate \Al"ien*ate\ (-[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alienated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Alienating}.]
1. To convey or transfer to another, as title, property, or
right; to part voluntarily with ownership of.
2. To withdraw, as the affections; to make indifferent of
averse, where love or friendship before subsisted; to
estrange; to wean; -- with from.
The errors which . . . alienated a loyal gentry and
priesthood from the House of Stuart. --Macaulay.
The recollection of his former life is a dream that
only the more alienates him from the realities of
the present. --I. Taylor.
Alienate \Al"ien*ate\, n.
A stranger; an alien. [Obs.]
Alienation \Al`ien*a"tion\, n. [F. ali['e]nation, L. alienatio,
fr. alienare, fr. alienare. See {Alienate}.]
1. The act of alienating, or the state of being alienated.
2. (Law) A transfer of title, or a legal conveyance of
property to another.
3. A withdrawing or estrangement, as of the affections.
The alienation of his heart from the king. --Bacon.
4. Mental alienation; derangement of the mental faculties;
insanity; as, alienation of mind.
Syn: Insanity; lunacy; madness; derangement; aberration;
mania; delirium; frenzy; dementia; monomania. See
{Insanity}.
Alienator \Al"ien*a"tor\, n.
One who alienates.
Aliene \Al*iene\, v. t.
To alien or alienate; to transfer, as title or property; as,
to aliene an estate.
Alienee \Al"ien*ee"\, n. (Law)
One to whom the title of property is transferred; -- opposed
to alienor.
It the alienee enters and keeps possession.
--Blackstone.
Alienism \Al"ien*ism\, n.
1. The status or legal condition of an alien; alienage.
The law was very gentle in the construction of the
disability of alienism. --Kent.
2. The study or treatment of diseases of the mind.
Alienist \Al"ien*ist\, n. [F. ali['e]niste.]
One who treats diseases of the mind. --Ed. Rev.
Alienor \Al`ien*or"\, n. [OF. ali['e]neur.]
One who alienates or transfers property to another.
--Blackstone.
Aliethmoid \Al`i*eth"moid\, Aliethmoidal \Al`i*eth*moid"al\, a.
[L. ala wing + E. ethomoid.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to expansions of the ethmoid bone or cartilage.
Alife \A*life"\, adv. [Cf. lief dear.]
On my life; dearly. [Obs.] ``I love that sport alife.''
--Beau. & Fl.
Aliferous \A*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. ala wing + -ferous.]
Having wings, winged; aligerous. [R.]
Aliform \Al"i*form\, a. [L. ala wing + -form.]
Wing-shaped; winglike.
Aligerous \A*lig"er*ous\, a. [L. aliger; ala wing + gerere to
carry.]
Having wings; winged. [R.]
Alight \A*light"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Alighted}sometimes
{Alit}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alighting}.] [OE. alihten, fr. AS.
[=a]l[=i]htan; pref. [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig.
meaning out) + l[=i]htan, to alight, orig. to render light,
to remove a burden from, fr. l[=i]ht, leoht, light. See
{Light}, v. i.]
1. To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback
or from a carriage; to dismount.
2. To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop; as, a flying
bird alights on a tree; snow alights on a roof.
3. To come or chance (upon). [R.]
Alight \A*light"\, a. [Pref. a- + light.]
Lighted; lighted up; in a flame. ``The lamps were alight.''
--Dickens.
Align \A*lign"\, v. t. [F. aligner; [`a] (L. ad) + ligne (L.
linea) line. See {Line}, and cf. {Allineate}.]
To adjust or form to a line; to range or form in line; to
bring into line; to aline.
Align \A*lign"\, v. t.
To form in line; to fall into line.
Alignment \A*lign"ment\, n. [F. alignement.]
1. The act of adjusting to a line; arrangement in a line or
lines; the state of being so adjusted; a formation in a
straight line; also, the line of adjustment; esp., an
imaginary line to regulate the formation of troops or of a
squadron.
2. (Engin.) The ground-plan of a railway or other road, in
distinction from the grades or profile.
Alike \A*like"\ ([.a]*l[imac]k), a. [AS. onl[=i]c, gel[=i]c;
pref. [=a] + like.]
Having resemblance or similitude; similar; without
difference. [Now used only predicatively.]
The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
--Ps. cxxxix.
12.
Alike \A*like"\, adv. [AS. gel[=i]ce, onl[=i]ce.]
In the same manner, form, or degree; in common; equally; as,
we are all alike concerned in religion.
Alike-minded \A*like"-mind`ed\, a.
Like-minded. [Obs.]
Aliment \Al"i*ment\, n. [L. alimentum, fr. alere to nourish;
akin to Goth. alan to grow, Icel. ala to nourish: cf. F.
aliment. See {Old}.]
1. That which nourishes; food; nutriment; anything which
feeds or adds to a substance in natural growth. Hence: The
necessaries of life generally: sustenance; means of
support.
Aliments of their sloth and weakness. --Bacon.
2. An allowance for maintenance. [Scot.]
Aliment \Al"i*ment\, v. t.
1. To nourish; to support.
2. To provide for the maintenance of. [Scot.]
Alimental \Al`i*men"tal\, a.
Supplying food; having the quality of nourishing; furnishing
the materials for natural growth; as, alimental sap.
Alimentally \A`li*men"tal*ly\, adv.
So as to serve for nourishment or food; nourishing quality.
--Sir T. Browne.
Alimentariness \Al`i*men"ta*ri*ness\, n.
The quality of being alimentary; nourishing quality. [R.]
Alimentary \Al`i*men"ta*ry\, a. [L. alimentarius, fr. alimentum:
cf. F. alimentaire.]
Pertaining to aliment or food, or to the function of
nutrition; nutritious; alimental; as, alimentary substances.
{Alimentary canal}, the entire channel, extending from the
mouth to the anus, by which aliments are conveyed through
the body, and the useless parts ejected.
Alimentation \Al`i*men*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. alimentation, LL.
alimentatio.]
1. The act or process of affording nutriment; the function of
the alimentary canal.
2. State or mode of being nourished. --Bacon.
Alimentiveness \Al`i*men"tive*ness\, n.
The instinct or faculty of appetite for food. [Chiefly in
Phrenol.]
Alimonious \Al`i*mo"ni*ous\, a.
Affording food; nourishing. [R.] ``Alimonious humors.''
--Harvey.
Alimony \Al"i*mo*ny\, n. [L. alimonia, alimonium, nourishment,
sustenance, fr. alere to nourish.]
1. Maintenance; means of living.
2. (Law) An allowance made to a wife out of her husband's
estate or income for her support, upon her divorce or
legal separation from him, or during a suit for the same.
--Wharton. Burrill.
Alinasal \Al`i*na"sal\, a. [L. ala wing + E. nasal.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to expansions of the nasal bone or cartilage.
Aline \A*line"\, v. t.
To range or place in a line; to bring into line; to align.
--Evelyn.
Alineation \A*lin`e*a"tion\, n.
See {Allineation}.
Alinement \A*line"ment\, n.
Same as {Alignment}.
Note: [The Eng. form alinement is preferable to alignment, a
bad spelling of the French]. --New Eng. Dict. (Murray).
Aliner \A*lin"er\, n.
One who adjusts things to a line or lines or brings them into
line. --Evelyn.
Alioth \Al"i*oth\, n. [Ar. aly[=a]t the tail of a fat sheep.]
(Astron.)
A star in the tail of the Great Bear, the one next the bowl
in the Dipper.
Aliped \Al"i*ped\, a. [L. alipes; ala wing + pes, pedis, foot:
cf. F. alip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
Wing-footed, as the bat. -- n. An animal whose toes are
connected by a membrane, serving for a wing, as the bat.
Aliquant \Al"i*quant\, a. [L. aliquantus some, moderate; alius
other + quantus how great: cf. F. aliquante.] (Math.)
An aliquant part of a number or quantity is one which does
not divide it without leaving a remainder; thus, 5 is an
aliquant part of 16. Opposed to {aliquot}.
Aliquot \Al"i*quot\, a. [L. aliquot some, several; alius other +
quot how many: cf. F. aliquote.] (Math.)
An aliquot part of a number or quantity is one which will
divide it without a remainder; thus, 5 is an aliquot part of
15. Opposed to {aliquant}.
Aliseptal \Al`i*sep"tal\, a. [L. ala wing + E. septal.] (Anat.)
Relating to expansions of the nasal septum.
Alish \Al"ish\, a.
Like ale; as, an alish taste.
Alisphenoid \Al`i*sphe"noid\, Alisphenoidal \Al`i*sphe*noid"al\,
a. [L. ala wing + E. sphenoid.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to or forming the wing of the sphenoid; relating
to a bone in the base of the skull, which in the adult is
often consolidated with the sphenoid; as, alisphenoid bone;
alisphenoid canal.
Alisphenoid \Al`i*sphe"noid\, n. (Anat.)
The alisphenoid bone.
Alitrunk \Al"i*trunk\, n. [L. ala wing + truncus trunk.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The segment of the body of an insect to which the wings are
attached; the thorax. --Kirby.
Aliturgical \Al`i*tur"gic*al\, a. [Pref. a- + liturgical.]
(Eccl.)
Applied to those days when the holy sacrifice is not offered.
--Shipley.
Aliunde \A`li*un"de\, adv. & a. [L.] (Law)
From another source; from elsewhere; as, a case proved
aliunde; evidence aliunde.
Alive \A*live"\, a. [OE. on live, AS. on l[=i]fe in life;
l[=i]fe being dat. of l[=i]f life. See {Life}, and cf.
{Live}, a.]
1. Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a
state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an
animal or a plant which is alive.
2. In a state of action; in force or operation;
unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire
alive; to keep the affections alive.
3. Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings;
swarming; thronged.
The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with
muskets and green boughs. --Macaulay.
4. Sprightly; lively; brisk. --Richardson.
5. Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively
feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
Tremblingly alive to nature's laws. --Falconer.
6. Of all living (by way of emphasis).
Northumberland was the proudest man alive.
--Clarendon.
Note: Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!
Note: Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
Alizari \A`li*za"ri\, n. [Perh. fr. Ar. 'a[,c][=a]rah juice
extracted from a plant, fr. 'a[,c]ara to press.] (Com.)
The madder of the Levant. --Brande & C.
Alizarin \A*liz"a*rin\, n. [F. alizarine, fr. alizari.] (Chem.)
A coloring principle, {C14H6O2(OH)2}, found in madder, and
now produced artificially from anthracene. It produces the
Turkish reds.
Alkahest \Al"ka*hest\, n. [LL. alchahest, F. alcahest, a word
that has an Arabic appearance, but was probably arbitrarily
formed by Paracelsus.]
The fabled ``universal solvent'' of the alchemists; a
menstruum capable of dissolving all bodies. --
{Al`ka*hes"tic}, a.
Alkalamide \Al`kal*am"ide\, n. [Alkali + amide.] (Chem.)
One of a series of compounds that may be regarded as ammonia
in which a part of the hydrogen has been replaced by basic,
and another part by acid, atoms or radicals.
Alkalescence \Al`ka*les`cence\, Alkalescency \Al`ka*les"cen*cy\,
n.
A tendency to become alkaline; or the state of a substance in
which alkaline properties begin to be developed, or to
predominant. --Ure.
Alkalescent \Al`ka*les"cent\, a. [Cf. F. alcalescent.]
Tending to the properties of an alkali; slightly alkaline.
Alkali \Al"ka*li\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Alkalis} or {Alkalies}. [F.
alcali, ultimately fr. Ar. alqal[=i] ashes of the plant
saltwort, fr. qalay to roast in a pan, fry.]
1. Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc.
2. (Chem.) One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda,
potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing
peculiarities are solubility in alcohol and water, uniting
with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming
salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable
yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.
{Fixed alkalies}, potash and soda.
{Vegetable alkalies}. Same as {Alkaloids}.
{Volatile alkali}, ammonia, so called in distinction from the
fixed alkalies.
Alkalifiable \Al"ka*li*fi`a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. alcalifiable.]
Capable of being alkalified, or converted into an alkali.
Alkalify \Al"ka*li*fy\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Alkalified}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alkalifying}.] [Alkali + -fly:
cf. F. alcalifier.]
To convert into an alkali; to give alkaline properties to.
Alkalify \Al"ka*li*fy\, v. i.
To become changed into an alkali.
Alkalimeter \Al`ka*lim"e*ter\, n. [Alkali + -meter. cf. F.
alcalim[`e]tre.]
An instrument to ascertain the strength of alkalies, or the
quantity of alkali in a mixture.
Alkalimetric \Al`ka*li*met"ric\, Alkalimetrical
\Al`ka*li*met"ric*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to alkalimetry.
Alkalimetry \Al`ka*lim"e*try\, n. [Cf. F. alcalim[`e]trie.]
(Chem.)
The art or process of ascertaining the strength of alkalies,
or the quantity present in alkaline mixtures.
Alkaline \Al"ka*line\ (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. alcalin.]
Of or pertaining to an alkali or to alkalies; having the
properties of an alkali.
{Alkaline earths}, certain substances, as lime, baryta,
strontia, and magnesia, possessing some of the qualities
of alkalies.
{Alkaline metals}, potassium, sodium, c[ae]sium, lithium,
rubidium.
{Alkaline reaction}, a reaction indicating alkalinity, as by
the action on limits, turmeric, etc.
Alkalinity \Al`ka*lin"i*ty\, n.
The quality which constitutes an alkali; alkaline property.
--Thomson.
Alkalious \Al*ka"li*ous\, a.
Alkaline. [Obs.]
Alkalizate \Al"ka*li*zate\, a.
Alkaline. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Alkalizate \Al"ka*li**zate\, v. t.
To alkalizate. [R.] --Johnson.
Alkalization \Al`ka*li*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. alcalisation.]
The act rendering alkaline by impregnating with an alkali; a
conferring of alkaline qualities.
Alkalize \Al"ka*lize\ ([a^]l"k[.a]*l[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. {Alkalized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alkalizing}.] [Cf. F.
alcaliser.]
To render alkaline; to communicate the properties of an
alkali to.
Alkaloid \Al"ka*loid\ ([a^]l"k[.a]*loid), Alkaloidal
\Al`ka*loid"al\ ([a^]l`k[.a]*loid"al), a. [Alkali + -oid: cf. F.
alcalo["i]de.]
Pertaining to, resembling, or containing, alkali.
Alkaloid \Al"ka*loid\ ([a^]l"k[.a]*loid), n. (Chem.)
An organic base, especially one of a class of substances
occurring ready formed in the tissues of plants and the
bodies of animals.
Note: Alkaloids all contain nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen,
and many of them also contain oxygen. They include many
of the active principles in plants; thus, morphine and
narcotine are alkaloids found in opium.
Alkanet \Al"ka*net\, n. [Dim. of Sp. alcana, alhe[~n]a, in which
al is the Ar. article. See {Henna}, {and cf}. {Orchanet}.]
1. (Chem.) A dyeing matter extracted from the roots of
{Alkanna tinctoria}, which gives a fine deep red color.
2. (Bot.)
(a) A boraginaceous herb ({Alkanna tinctoria}) yielding
the dye; orchanet.
(b) The similar plant {Anchusa officinalis}; bugloss;
also, the American puccoon.
Alkargen \Al*kar"gen\, n. [Alkarsin + oxygen.] (Chem.)
Same as {Cacodylic acid}.
Alkarsin \Al*kar"sin\, n. [Alkali + arsenic + -in.] (Chem.)
A spontaneously inflammable liquid, having a repulsive odor,
and consisting of cacodyl and its oxidation products; --
called also {Cadel's fuming liquid}.
Alkazar \Al*ka"zar\
See {Alcazar}.
Alkekengi \Al`ke*ken"gi\, n. [Cf. F. alk['e]kenge, Sp.
alquequenje, ultimately fr. Ar. al-k[=a]kanj a kind of resin
from Herat.] (Bot.)
An herbaceous plant of the nightshade family ({Physalis
alkekengi}) and its fruit, which is a well flavored berry,
the size of a cherry, loosely inclosed in a enlarged leafy
calyx; -- also called {winter cherry}, {ground cherry}, and
{strawberry tomato}. --D. C. Eaton.
Alkermes \Al*ker"mes\, n. [Ar. al-qirmiz kermes. See {Kermes}.]
(Old Pharmacy)
A compound cordial, in the form of a confection, deriving its
name from the kermes insect, its principal ingredient.
Alkoran \Al"ko*ran\ (?; 277), n.
The Mohammedan Scriptures. Same as {Alcoran} and {Koran}.
Alkoranic \Al`ko*ran"ic\, a.
Same as {Alcoranic}.
Alkoranist \Al`ko*ran"ist\, n.
Same as {Alcoranist}.
All \All\, a. [OE. al, pl. alle, AS. eal, pl. ealle,
Northumbrian alle, akin to D. & OHG. al, Ger. all, Icel.
allr. Dan. al, Sw. all, Goth. alls; and perh. to Ir. and
Gael. uile, W. oll.]
1. The whole quantity, extent, duration, amount, quality, or
degree of; the whole; the whole number of; any whatever;
every; as, all the wheat; all the land; all the year; all
the strength; all happiness; all abundance; loss of all
power; beyond all doubt; you will see us all (or all of
us).
Prove all things: hold fast that which is good. --1
Thess. v. 21.
2. Any. [Obs.] ``Without all remedy.'' --Shak.
Note: When the definite article ``the,'' or a possessive or a
demonstrative pronoun, is joined to the noun that all
qualifies, all precedes the article or the pronoun; as,
all the cattle; all my labor; all his wealth; all our
families; all your citizens; all their property; all
other joys.
Note: This word, not only in popular language, but in the
Scriptures, often signifies, indefinitely, a large
portion or number, or a great part. Thus, all the
cattle in Egypt died, all Judea and all the region
round about Jordan, all men held John as a prophet, are
not to be understood in a literal sense, but as
including a large part, or very great numbers.
3. Only; alone; nothing but.
I was born to speak all mirth and no matter. --Shak.
{All the whole}, the whole (emphatically). [Obs.] ``All the
whole army.'' --Shak.
All \All\, adv.
1. Wholly; completely; altogether; entirely; quite; very; as,
all bedewed; my friend is all for amusement. ``And cheeks
all pale.'' --Byron.
Note: In the ancient phrases, all too dear, all too much, all
so long, etc., this word retains its appropriate sense
or becomes intensive.
2. Even; just. (Often a mere intensive adjunct.) [Obs. or
Poet.]
All as his straying flock he fed. --Spenser.
A damsel lay deploring All on a rock reclined.
--Gay.
{All to}, or {All-to}. In such phrases as ``all to rent,''
``all to break,'' ``all-to frozen,'' etc., which are of
frequent occurrence in our old authors, the all and the to
have commonly been regarded as forming a compound adverb,
equivalent in meaning to entirely, completely, altogether.
But the sense of entireness lies wholly in the word all
(as it does in ``all forlorn,'' and similar expressions),
and the to properly belongs to the following word, being a
kind of intensive prefix (orig. meaning asunder and
answering to the LG. ter-, HG. zer-). It is frequently to
be met with in old books, used without the all. Thus
Wyclif says, ``The vail of the temple was to rent:'' and
of Judas, ``He was hanged and to-burst the middle:'' i.
e., burst in two, or asunder.
{All along}. See under {Along}.
{All and some}, individually and collectively, one and all.
[Obs.] ``Displeased all and some.'' --Fairfax.
{All but}.
(a) Scarcely; not even. [Obs.] --Shak.
(b) Almost; nearly. ``The fine arts were all but
proscribed.'' --Macaulay.
{All hollow}, entirely, completely; as, to beat any one all
hollow. [Low]
{All one}, the same thing in effect; that is, wholly the same
thing.
{All over}, over the whole extent; thoroughly; wholly; as,
she is her mother all over. [Colloq.]
{All the better}, wholly the better; that is, better by the
whole difference.
{All the same}, nevertheless. ``There they [certain
phenomena] remain rooted all the same, whether we
recognize them or not.'' --J. C. Shairp. ``But Rugby is a
very nice place all the same.'' --T. Arnold. -- See also
under {All}, n.
All \All\, n.
The whole number, quantity, or amount; the entire thing;
everything included or concerned; the aggregate; the whole;
totality; everything or every person; as, our all is at
stake.
Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all.
--Shak.
All that thou seest is mine. --Gen. xxxi.
43.
Note: All is used with of, like a partitive; as, all of a
thing, all of us.
{After all}, after considering everything to the contrary;
nevertheless.
{All in all}, a phrase which signifies all things to a
person, or everything desired; (also adverbially) wholly;
altogether.
Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee, Forever.
--Milton.
Trust me not at all, or all in all. --Tennyson.
{All in the wind} (Naut.), a phrase denoting that the sails
are parallel with the course of the wind, so as to shake.
{All told}, all counted; in all.
{And all}, and the rest; and everything connected. ``Bring
our crown and all.'' --Shak.
{At all}.
(a) In every respect; wholly; thoroughly. [Obs.] ``She is a
shrew at al(l).'' --Chaucer.
(b) A phrase much used by way of enforcement or emphasis,
usually in negative or interrogative sentences, and
signifying in any way or respect; in the least degree or
to the least extent; in the least; under any
circumstances; as, he has no ambition at all; has he any
property at all? ``Nothing at all.'' --Shak. ``If thy
father at all miss me.'' --1 Sam. xx. 6.
{Over all}, everywhere. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Note: All is much used in composition to enlarge the meaning,
or add force to a word. In some instances, it is
completely incorporated into words, and its final
consonant is dropped, as in almighty, already, always:
but, in most instances, it is an adverb prefixed to
adjectives or participles, but usually with a hyphen,
as, all-bountiful, all-glorious, allimportant,
all-surrounding, etc. In others it is an adjective; as,
allpower, all-giver. Anciently many words, as, alabout,
alaground, etc., were compounded with all, which are
now written separately.
All \All\, conj. [Orig. all, adv., wholly: used with though or
if, which being dropped before the subjunctive left all as if
in the sense although.]
Although; albeit. [Obs.]
All they were wondrous loth. --Spenser.
Alla breve \Al`la bre"ve\ [It., according to the breve.] (Old
Church Music)
With one breve, or four minims, to measure, and sung faster
like four crotchets; in quick common time; -- indicated in
the time signature by ?.
Allah \Al"lah\, n. [ contr. fr. the article al the + ilah God.]
The name of the Supreme Being, in use among the Arabs and the
Mohammedans generally.
All-a-mort \All`-a-mort"\, a.
See {Alamort}.
Allanite \Al"lan*ite\, n. [From T. Allan, who first
distinguished it as a species.] (min.)
A silicate containing a large amount of cerium. It is usually
black in color, opaque, and is related to epidote in form and
composition.
Allantoic \Al`lan*to"ic\, a. [Cf. F. allanto["i]que.]
Pertaining to, or contained in, the allantois.
{Allantoic acid}. (Chem.) See {Allantoin}.
Allantoid \Al*lan"toid\, Allantoidal \Al`lan*toid"al\, a. [Gr. ?
shaped like a sausage; ? sausage + ? form.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the allantois.
Allantoidea \Al`lan*toid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Vertebrata in which the embryo develops an
allantois. It includes reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Allantoin \Al*lan"to*in\, n. (Chem.)
A crystalline, transparent, colorless substance found in the
allantoic liquid of the fetal calf; -- formerly called
allantoic acid and amniotic acid.
Allantois \Al*lan"to*is\, Allantoid \Al*lan"toid\, ] n.. (Anat.)
A membranous appendage of the embryos of mammals, birds, and
reptiles, -- in mammals serving to connect the fetus with the
parent; the urinary vesicle.
Allatrate \Al"la*trate\, v. i. [L. allatrare. See {Latrate}.]
To bark as a dog. [Obs.] --Stubbes.
Allay \Al*lay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Allaying}.] [OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down,
humble, put an end to, AS. [=a]lecgan; [=a]- (cf. Goth. us-,
G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with
old forms of allege, alloy, alegge. See {Lay}.]
1. To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to
quell; to calm; as, to allay popular excitement; to allay
the tumult of the passions.
2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the
severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity.
It would allay the burning quality of that fell
poison. --Shak.
Syn: To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate;
subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See
{Alleviate}.
Allay \Al*lay"\, v. t.
To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside. ``When the
rage allays.'' --Shak.
Allay \Al*lay"\, n.
Alleviation; abatement; check. [Obs.]
Allay \Al*lay"\, n.
Alloy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Allay \Al*lay"\, v. t.
To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to
deteriorate. [Archaic] --Fuller.
Allayer \Al*lay"er\, n.
One who, or that which, allays.
Allayment \Al*lay"ment\, n.
An allaying; that which allays; mitigation. [Obs.]
The like allayment could I give my grief. --Shak.
Allecret \Al"le*cret\, n. [OF. alecret, halecret, hallecret.]
A kind of light armor used in the sixteenth century, esp. by
the Swiss. --Fairholt.
Allect \Al*lect"\, v. t. [L. allectare, freq. of allicere,
allectum.]
To allure; to entice. [Obs.]
Allectation \Al`lec*ta"tion\, n. [L. allectatio.]
Enticement; allurement. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Allective \Al*lec"tive\, a. [LL. allectivus.]
Alluring. [Obs.]
Allective \Al*lec"tive\, n.
Allurement. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Alledge \Al*ledge"\, v. t.
See {Allege}. [Obs.]
Note: This spelling, corresponding to abridge, was once the
prevailing one.
Allegation \Al`le*ga"tion\, n. [L. allegatio, fr. allegare,
allegatum, to send a message, cite; later, to free by giving
reasons; ad + legare to send, commission. Cf. {Allege} and
{Adlegation}.]
1. The act of alleging or positively asserting.
2. That which is alleged, asserted, or declared; positive
assertion; formal averment
I thought their allegation but reasonable. --Steele.
3. (Law) A statement by a party of what he undertakes to
prove, -- usually applied to each separate averment; the
charge or matter undertaken to be proved.
Allege \Al*lege"\ ([a^]l*l[e^]j"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alleged}
(-l[e^]jd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Alleging}.] [OE. aleggen to
bring forward as evidence, OF. esligier to buy, prop. to free
from legal difficulties, fr. an assumed LL. exlitigare; L. ex
+ litigare to quarrel, sue (see {Litigate}). The word was
confused with L. allegare (see {Allegation}), and lex law.
Cf. {Allay}.]
1. To bring forward with positiveness; to declare; to affirm;
to assert; as, to allege a fact.
2. To cite or quote; as, to allege the authority of a judge.
[Archaic]
3. To produce or urge as a reason, plea, or excuse; as, he
refused to lend, alleging a resolution against lending.
Syn: To bring forward; adduce; advance; assign; produce;
declare; affirm; assert; aver; predicate.
Allege \Al*lege"\, v. t. [See {Allay}.]
To alleviate; to lighten, as a burden or a trouble. [Obs.]
--Wyclif.
Allegeable \Al*lege"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being alleged or affirmed.
The most authentic examples allegeable in the case.
--South.
Allegeance \Al*lege"ance\, n.
Allegation. [Obs.]
Allegement \Al*lege"ment\, n.
Allegation. [Obs.]
With many complaints and allegements. --Bp.
Sanderson.
Alleger \Al*leg"er\, n.
One who affirms or declares.
Allegge \Al*legge"\, v. t.
See {Alegge} and {Allay}. [Obs.]
Allegiance \Al*le"giance\, n. [OE. alegeaunce; pref. a- + OF.
lige, liege. The meaning was influenced by L. ligare to bind,
and even by lex, legis, law. See {Liege}, {Ligeance}.]
1. The tie or obligation, implied or expressed, which a
subject owes to his sovereign or government; the duty of
fidelity to one's king, government, or state.
2. Devotion; loyalty; as, allegiance to science.
Syn: Loyalty; fealty.
Usage: {Allegiance}, {Loyalty}. These words agree in
expressing the general idea of fidelity and attachment
to the ``powers that be.'' Allegiance is an obligation
to a ruling power. Loyalty is a feeling or sentiment
towards such power. Allegiance may exist under any
form of government, and, in a republic, we generally
speak of allegiance to the government, to the state,
etc. In well conducted monarchies, loyalty is a
warm-hearted feeling of fidelity and obedience to the
sovereign. It is personal in its nature; and hence we
speak of the loyalty of a wife to her husband, not of
her allegiance. In cases where we personify, loyalty
is more commonly the word used; as, loyalty to the
constitution; loyalty to the cause of virtue; loyalty
to truth and religion, etc.
Hear me, recreant, on thine allegiance hear me!
--Shak.
So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found, . .
. Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified, His loyalty
he kept, his love, his zeal. --Milton.
Allegiant \Al*le"giant\, a.
Loyal. --Shak.
Allegoric \Al`le*gor"ic\, Allegorical \Al`le*gor"ic*al\, a. [F.
all['e]gorique, L. allegorius, fr. Gr. ?. See {Allegory}.]
Belonging to, or consisting of, allegory; of the nature of an
allegory; describing by resemblances; figurative. ``An
allegoric tale.'' --Falconer. ``An allegorical application.''
--Pope.
Allegorical being . . . that kind of language which
says one thing, but means another. --Max Miller.
{Al`le*gor"ic*al*ly}, adv. -- {Al`le*gor"ic*al*ness}, n.
Allegorist \Al"le*go*rist\, n. [Cf. F. allegoriste.]
One who allegorizes; a writer of allegory. --Hume.
Allegorization \Al`le*gor"i*za"tion\, n.
The act of turning into allegory, or of understanding in an
allegorical sense.
Allegorize \Al"le*go*rize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allegorized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Allegorizing}.] [Cf. F. all['e]goriser, fr.
L. allegorizare.]
1. To form or turn into allegory; as, to allegorize the
history of a people.
2. To treat as allegorical; to understand in an allegorical
sense; as, when a passage in a writer may understood
literally or figuratively, he who gives it a figurative
sense is said to allegorize it.
Allegorize \Al"le*go*rize\, v. t.
To use allegory. --Holland.
Allegorizer \Al"le*go*ri`zer\, n.
One who allegorizes, or turns things into allegory; an
allegorist.
Allegory \Al"le*go*ry\, n.; pl. {Allegories}. [L. allegoria, Gr.
?, description of one thing under the image of another; ?
other + ? to speak in the assembly, harangue, ? place of
assembly, fr. ? to assemble: cf. F. all['e]gorie.]
1. A figurative sentence or discourse, in which the principal
subject is described by another subject resembling it in
its properties and circumstances. The real subject is thus
kept out of view, and we are left to collect the
intentions of the writer or speaker by the resemblance of
the secondary to the primary subject.
2. Anything which represents by suggestive resemblance; an
emblem.
3. (Paint. & Sculpt.) A figure representation which has a
meaning beyond notion directly conveyed by the object
painted or sculptured.
Syn: Metaphor; fable.
Usage: {Allegory}, {Parable}. ``An allegory differs both from
fable and parable, in that the properties of persons
are fictitiously represented as attached to things, to
which they are as it were transferred. . . . A figure
of Peace and Victory crowning some historical
personage is an allegory. ``I am the Vine, ye are the
branches'' [--John xv. 1-6] is a spoken allegory. In
the parable there is no transference of properties.
The parable of the sower [--Matt. xiii. 3-23]
represents all things as according to their proper
nature. In the allegory quoted above the properties of
the vine and the relation of the branches are
transferred to the person of Christ and His apostles
and disciples.'' --C. J. Smith.
Note: An allegory is a prolonged metaphor. Bunyan's
``Pilgrim's Progress'' and Spenser's ``Fa["e]rie
Queene'' are celebrated examples of the allegory.
Allegresse \Al`le`gresse"\, n. [F. all['e]gresse, fr. L. alacer
sprightly.]
Joy; gladsomeness.
Allegretto \Al`le*gret"to\, a. [It., dim. of allegro.] (Mus.)
Quicker than andante, but not so quick as allegro. -- n. A
movement in this time.
Allegro \Al*le"gro\, a. [It., merry, gay, fr. L. alacer lively.
Cf. {Aleger}.] (Mus.)
Brisk, lively. -- n. An allegro movement; a quick, sprightly
strain or piece.
Alleluia \Al`le*lu"ia\, Alleluiah \Al`le*lu"iah\, n. [L.
alleluia, Gr. ?, fr. Heb. hall[=e]l[=u]-y[=a]h. See
{Hallelujah}.]
An exclamation signifying Praise ye Jehovah. Hence: A song of
praise to God. See {Hallelujah}, the commoner form.
I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying,
Alleluia. --Rev. xix. 1.
Allemande \Al"le*mande"\, n. [F., fr. allemand German.]
1. (Mus.) A dance in moderate twofold time, invented by the
French in the reign of Louis XIV.; -- now mostly found in
suites of pieces, like those of Bach and Handel.
2. A figure in dancing.
Allemannic \Al`le*man"nic\, a.
See {Alemannic}.
Allenarly \Al*len"ar*ly\, adv. [All + anerly singly, fr. ane
one.]
Solely; only. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Aller \Al"ler\, a. [For ealra, the AS. gen. pl. of eal all.]
Same as {Alder}, of all. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Allerion \Al*le"ri*on\, n. [F. al['e]rion, LL. alario a sort of
eagle; of uncertain origin.] (Her.)
Am eagle without beak or feet, with expanded wings. --Burke.
Alleviate \Al*le"vi*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alleviated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Alleviating}.] [LL. alleviare, fr. L. ad +
levis light. See {Alegge}, {Levity}.]
1. To lighten or lessen the force or weight of. [Obs.]
Should no others join capable to alleviate the
expense. --Evelyn.
Those large bladders . . . conduce much to the
alleviating of the body [of flying birds]. --Ray.
2. To lighten or lessen (physical or mental troubles); to
mitigate, or make easier to be endured; as, to alleviate
sorrow, pain, care, etc.; -- opposed to {aggravate}.
The calamity of the want of the sense of hearing is
much alleviated by giving the use of letters. --Bp.
Horsley.
3. To extenuate; to palliate. [R.]
He alleviates his fault by an excuse. --Johnson.
Syn: To lessen; diminish; soften; mitigate; assuage; abate;
relieve; nullify; allay.
Usage: To {Alleviate}, {Mitigate}, {Assuage}, {Allay}. These
words have in common the idea of relief from some
painful state; and being all figurative, they differ
in their application, according to the image under
which this idea is presented. Alleviate supposes a
load which is lightened or taken off; as, to alleviate
one's cares. Mitigate supposes something fierce which
is made mild; as, to mitigate one's anguish. Assuage
supposes something violent which is quieted; as, to
assuage one's sorrow. Allay supposes something
previously excited, but now brought down; as, to allay
one's suffering or one's thirst. To alleviate the
distresses of life; to mitigate the fierceness of
passion or the violence of grief; to assuage angry
feeling; to allay wounded sensibility.
Alleviation \Al*le`vi*a"tion\, n. [LL. alleviatio.]
1. The act of alleviating; a lightening of weight or
severity; mitigation; relief.
2. That which mitigates, or makes more tolerable.
I have not wanted such alleviations of life as
friendship could supply. --Johnson.
Alleviative \Al*le"vi*a*tive\, a.
Tending to alleviate. -- n. That which alleviates.
Alleviator \Al*le"vi*a`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, alleviates.
Alleviatory \Al*le"vi*a*to*ry\, a.
Alleviative. --Carlyle.
Alley \Al"ley\, n.; pl. {Alleys}. [OE. aley, alley, OF. al['e]e,
F. all['e]e, a going, passage, fr. OE. aler, F. aller, to go;
of uncertain origin: cf. Prov. anar, It. andare, Sp. andar.]
1. A narrow passage; especially a walk or passage in a garden
or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes; a bordered
way.
I know each lane and every alley green. --Milton.
2. A narrow passage or way in a city, as distinct from a
public street. --Gay.
3. A passageway between rows of pews in a church.
4. (Persp.) Any passage having the entrance represented as
wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of
length.
5. The space between two rows of compositors' stands in a
printing office.
Alley \Al"ley\, n.; pl. {Alleys}. [A contraction of alabaster,
of which it was originally made.]
A choice taw or marble. --Dickens.
Alleyed \Al"leyed\, a.
Furnished with alleys; forming an alley. ``An alleyed walk.''
--Sir W. Scott.
Alleyway \Al"ley*way`\n.
An alley.
All Fools' Day \All" Fools' Day`\
The first day of April, a day on which sportive impositions
are practiced.
The first of April, some do say, Is set apart for All
Fools' Day. --Poor Robin's
Almanack
(1760).
Allfours \All`fours"\ [All + four (cards).]
A game at cards, called ``High, Low, Jack, and the Game.''
All fours \All` fours"\ [formerly, {All` four"}.]
All four legs of a quadruped; or the two legs and two arms of
a person.
{To be}, {go}, or {run}, {on all fours} (Fig.), to be on the
same footing; to correspond (with) exactly; to be alike in
all the circumstances to be considered. ``This example is
on all fours with the other.'' ``No simile can go on all
fours.'' --Macaulay.
All hail \All` hail"\ [All + hail, interj.]
All health; -- a phrase of salutation or welcome.
All-hail \All`-hail"\, v. t.
To salute; to greet. [Poet.]
Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives
from the king, who all-hailed me ``Thane of Cawdor.''
--Shak.
Allhallond \All`hal"lond\, n.
Allhallows. [Obs.] --Shak.
Allhallow \All`hal"low\, Allhallows \All`hal"lows\, n.
1. All the saints (in heaven). [Obs.]
2. All Saints' Day, November 1st. [Archaic]
Allhallow eve \All`hal"low eve`\ ([=e]v`).
The evening before Allhallows. See {Halloween}.
Allhallowmas \All`hal"low*mas\, n.
The feast of All Saints.
Allhallown \All`hal"lown\, a.
Of or pertaining to the time of Allhallows. [Obs.]
``Allhallown summer.'' --Shak. (i. e., late summer; ``Indian
Summer'').
Allhallowtide \All`hal"low*tide`\, n. [AS. t[=i]d time.]
The time at or near All Saints, or November 1st.
Allheal \All"heal\, n.
A name popularly given to the officinal valerian, and to some
other plants.
Alliable \Al*li"a*ble\, a.
Able to enter into alliance.
Alliaceous \Al`li*a"ceous\, a.
Of or pertaining to the genus {Allium}, or garlic, onions,
leeks, etc.; having the smell or taste of garlic or onions.
Alliance \Al*li"ance\, n. [OE. aliaunce, OF. aliance, F.
alliance, fr. OF. alier, F. allier. See {Ally}, and cf. LL.
alligantia.]
1. The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting;
a union or connection of interests between families,
states, parties, etc., especially between families by
marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as,
matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and
state; an alliance between France and England.
2. Any union resembling that of families or states; union by
relationship in qualities; affinity.
The alliance of the principles of the world with
those of the gospel. --C. J. Smith.
The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics.
--Mansel.
3. The persons or parties allied. --Udall.
Syn: Connection; affinity; union; confederacy; confederation;
league; coalition.
Alliance \Al*li"ance\, v. t.
To connect by alliance; to ally. [Obs.]
Alliant \Al*li"ant\, n. [Cf. F. alliant, p. pr.]
An ally; a confederate. [Obs. & R.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Allice \Al"lice\, Allis \Al"lis\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European shad ({Clupea vulgaris}); allice shad. See
{Alose}.
Alliciency \Al*li"cien*cy\, n.
Attractive power; attractiveness. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Allicient \Al*li"cient\, a. [L. alliciens, p. pr. of allicere to
allure; ad + lacere to entice.]
That attracts; attracting. -- n. That attracts. [Rare or
Obs.]
Allied \Al*lied"\, a.
United; joined; leagued; akin; related. See {Ally}.
Alligate \Al*li*gate\, v. t. [L. alligatus, p. p. of alligare.
See {Ally}.]
To tie; to unite by some tie.
Instincts alligated to their nature. --Sir M. Hale.
Alligation \Al`li*ga"tion\, n. [L. alligatio.]
1. The act of tying together or attaching by some bond, or
the state of being attached. [R.]
2. (Arith.) A rule relating to the solution of questions
concerning the compounding or mixing of different
ingredients, or ingredients of different qualities or
values.
Note: The rule is named from the method of connecting
together the terms by certain ligature-like signs.
Alligation is of two kinds, medial and alternate;
medial teaching the method of finding the price or
quality of a mixture of several simple ingredients
whose prices and qualities are known; alternate,
teaching the amount of each of several simple
ingredients whose prices or qualities are known, which
will be required to make a mixture of given price or
quality.
Alligator \Al"li*ga`tor\, n. [Sp. el lagarto the lizard (el
lagarto de Indias, the cayman or American crocodile), fr. L.
lacertus, lacerta, lizard. See {Lizard}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A large carnivorous reptile of the Crocodile
family, peculiar to America. It has a shorter and broader
snout than the crocodile, and the large teeth of the lower
jaw shut into pits in the upper jaw, which has no marginal
notches. Besides the common species of the southern United
States, there are allied species in South America.
2. (Mech.) Any machine with strong jaws, one of which opens
like the movable jaw of an alligator; as,
(a) (Metal Working) a form of squeezer for the puddle
ball;
(b) (Mining) a rock breaker;
(c) (Printing) a kind of job press, called also {alligator
press}.
{Alligator apple} (Bot.), the fruit of the {Anona palustris},
a West Indian tree. It is said to be narcotic in its
properties. --Loudon.
{Alligator fish} (Zo["o]l.), a marine fish of northwestern
America ({Podothecus acipenserinus}).
{Alligator gar} (Zo["o]l.), one of the gar pikes
({Lepidosteus spatula}) found in the southern rivers of
the United States. The name is also applied to other
species of gar pikes.
{Alligator pear} (Bot.), a corruption of {Avocado pear}. See
{Avocado}.
{Alligator snapper}, {Alligator tortoise}, {Alligator turtle}
(Zo["o]l.), a very large and voracious turtle
({Macrochelys lacertina}) inhabiting the rivers of the
southern United States. It sometimes reaches the weight of
two hundred pounds. Unlike the common snapping turtle, to
which the name is sometimes erroneously applied, it has a
scaly head and many small scales beneath the tail. This
name is sometimes given to other turtles, as to species of
{Trionyx}.
{Alligator wood}, the timber of a tree of the West Indies
({Guarea Swartzii}).
Allignment \Al*lign"ment\, n.
See {Alignment}.
Allineate \Al*lin"e*ate\, v. t. [L. ad + lineatus, p. p. of
lineare to draw a line.]
To align. [R.] --Herschel.
Allineation \Al*lin`e*a"tion\, Alineation \A*lin`e*a"tion\, n.
Alignment; position in a straight line, as of two planets
with the sun. --Whewell.
The allineation of the two planets. --C. A. Young.
Allision \Al*li"sion\, n. [L. allisio, fr. allidere, to strike
or dash against; ad + laedere to dash against.]
The act of dashing against, or striking upon.
The boisterous allision of the sea. --Woodward.
Alliteral \Al*lit"er*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by alliteration.
Alliterate \Al*lit"er*ate\, v. t.
To employ or place so as to make alliteration. --Skeat.
Alliterate \Al*lit"er*ate\, v. i.
To compose alliteratively; also, to constitute alliteration.
Alliteration \Al*lit`er*a"tion\, n. [L. ad + litera letter. See
{Letter}.]
The repetition of the same letter at the beginning of two or
more words immediately succeeding each other, or at short
intervals; as in the following lines:
Behemoth, biggest born of earth, upheaved His vastness.
--Milton.
Fly o'er waste fens and windy fields. --Tennyson.
Note: The recurrence of the same letter in accented parts of
words is also called alliteration. Anglo-Saxon poetry
is characterized by alliterative meter of this sort.
Later poets also employed it.
In a somer seson whan soft was the sonne, I shope
me in shroudes as I a shepe were. --P. Plowman.
Alliterative \Al*lit"er*a*tive\ (?; 277), a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, alliteration; as,
alliterative poetry. -- {Al*lit"er*a*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Al*lit"er*a*tive*ness}, n.
Alliterator \Al*lit"er*a`tor\, n.
One who alliterates.
Allium \Al"li*um\, n. [L., garlic.] (bot.)
A genus of plants, including the onion, garlic, leek, chive,
etc.
Allmouth \All"mouth`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The angler.
Allness \All"ness\, n.
Totality; completeness. [R.]
The allness of God, including his absolute
spirituality, supremacy, and eternity. --R. Turnbull.
Allnight \All"night`\, n.
Light, fuel, or food for the whole night. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Allocate \Al"lo*cate\, v. t. [LL. allocatus, p. p. of allocare,
fr. L. ad + locare to place. See {Allow}.]
1. To distribute or assign; to allot. --Burke.
2. To localize. [R.]
Allocation \Al`lo*ca"tion\, n. [LL. allocatio: cf. F.
allocation.]
1. The act of putting one thing to another; a placing;
disposition; arrangement. --Hallam.
2. An allotment or apportionment; as, an allocation of shares
in a company.
The allocation of the particular portions of
Palestine to its successive inhabitants. --A. R.
Stanley.
3. The admission of an item in an account, or an allowance
made upon an account; -- a term used in the English
exchequer.
Allocatur \Al`lo*ca"tur\, n. [LL., it is allowed, fr. allocare
to allow.] (Law)
``Allowed.'' The word allocatur expresses the allowance of a
proceeding, writ, order, etc., by a court, judge, or judicial
officer.
Allochroic \Al`lo*chro"ic\, a.
Changeable in color.
Allochroite \Al*loch"ro*ite\, n. (Min.)
See {Garnet}.
Allochroous \Al*loch"ro*ous\, a. [Gr. ? changed in color, fr. ?
other + ? color.]
Changing color.
Allocution \Al`lo*cu"tion\, n. [L. allocuto, fr. alloqui to
speak to; ad + loqui to speak: cf. F. allocution.]
1. The act or manner of speaking to, or of addressing in
words.
2. An address; a hortatory or authoritative address as of a
pope to his clergy. --Addison.
Allod \Al"lod\, n.
See {Allodium}.
Allodial \Al*lo"di*al\, a. [LL. allodialis, fr. allodium: cf. F.
allodial. See {Allodium}.] (Law)
Pertaining to allodium; freehold; free of rent or service;
held independent of a lord paramount; -- opposed to {feudal};
as, allodial lands; allodial system. --Blackstone.
Allodial \Al*lo"di*al\, a.
Anything held allodially. --W. Coxe.
Allodialism \Al*lo"di*al*ism\, n.
The allodial system.
Allodialist \Al*lo"di*al*ist\, n.
One who holds allodial land.
Allodially \Al*lo"di*al*ly\, adv.
By allodial tenure.
Allodiary \Al*lo"di*a*ry\, n.
One who holds an allodium.
Allodium \Al*lo"di*um\, n. [LL. allodium, alodium, alodis,
alaudis, of Ger. origin; cf. OHG. al all, and ?t (AS. e[=a]d)
possession, property. It means, therefore, entirely one's
property.] (Law)
Freehold estate; land which is the absolute property of the
owner; real estate held in absolute independence, without
being subject to any rent, service, or acknowledgment to a
superior. It is thus opposed to {feud}. --Blackstone.
--Bouvier.
Allogamous \Al*log"a*mous\, a. (Bot.)
Characterized by allogamy.
Allogamy \Al*log"a*my\n. [Gr. ? other + ? marriage.] (Bot.)
Fertilization of the pistil of a plant by pollen from another
of the same species; cross-fertilization.
Allogeneous \Al`lo*ge"ne*ous\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Different in nature or kind. [R.]
Allograph \Al"lo*graph\, n. [Gr. ? another + -graph.]
A writing or signature made by some person other than any of
the parties thereto; -- opposed to {autograph}.
Allomerism \Al*lom"er*ism\, n. [Gr. ? other + ? part.] (Chem.)
Variability in chemical constitution without variation in
crystalline form.
Allomerous \Al*lom"er*ous\, a. (Chem.)
Characterized by allomerism.
Allomorph \Al"lo*morph\, n. [Gr. ? other + ? form.] (Min.)
(a) Any one of two or more distinct crystalline forms of the
same substance; or the substance having such forms; --
as, carbonate of lime occurs in the allomorphs calcite
and aragonite.
(b) A variety of pseudomorph which has undergone partial or
complete change or substitution of material; -- thus
limonite is frequently an allomorph after pyrite. --G. H.
Williams.
Allomorphic \Al`lo*mor"phic\, a. (Min.)
Of or pertaining to allomorphism.
Allomorphism \Al`lo*mor"phism\, n. (Min.)
The property which constitutes an allomorph; the change
involved in becoming an allomorph.
Allonge \Al*longe"\, n. [F. allonge, earlier alonge, a
lengthening. See {Allonge}, v., and cf. {Lunge}.]
1. (Fencing) A thrust or pass; a lunge.
2. A slip of paper attached to a bill of exchange for
receiving indorsements, when the back of the bill itself
is already full; a rider. [A French usage] --Abbott.
Allonge \Al*longe"\, v. i. [F. allonger; [`a] (L. ad) + long (L.
longus) long.]
To thrust with a sword; to lunge.
Allonym \Al"lo*nym\, n. [F. allonyme, fr. Gr. ? other + ? name.]
1. The name of another person assumed by the author of a
work.
2. A work published under the name of some one other than the
author.
Allonymous \Al*lon"y*mous\, a.
Published under the name of some one other than the author.
Alloo \Al*loo"\, v. t. or i. [See {Halloo}.]
To incite dogs by a call; to halloo. [Obs.]
Allopath \Al"lo*path\, n. [Cf. F. allopathe.]
An allopathist. --Ed. Rev.
Allopathic \Al`lo*path"ic\, a. [Cf. F. allopathique.]
Of or pertaining to allopathy.
Allopathically \Al`lo*path"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a manner conformable to allopathy; by allopathic methods.
Allopathist \Al*lop"a*thist\, n.
One who practices allopathy; one who professes allopathy.
Allopathy \Al*lop"a*thy\, n. [Gr. ? other + ? suffering, ?, ?,
to suffer: cf. G. allopathie, F. allopathie. See {Pathos}.]
That system of medical practice which aims to combat disease
by the use of remedies which produce effects different from
those produced by the special disease treated; -- a term
invented by Hahnemann to designate the ordinary practice, as
opposed to {homeopathy}.
Allophylic \Al`lo*phyl"ic\, Allophylian \Al`lo*phyl"i*an\, a.
[Gr. ? of another tribe; ? other + ? class or tribe.]
Pertaining to a race or a language neither Aryan nor Semitic.
--J. Prichard.
Alloquy \Al"lo*quy\, n. [L. alloquim, fr. alloqui.]
A speaking to another; an address. [Obs.]
Allot \Al*lot"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allotted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Allotting}.] [OF. aloter, F. allotir; a (L. ad) + lot lot.
See {Lot}.]
1. To distribute by lot.
2. To distribute, or parcel out in parts or portions; or to
distribute to each individual concerned; to assign as a
share or lot; to set apart as one's share; to bestow on;
to grant; to appoint; as, let every man be contented with
that which Providence allots him.
Ten years I will allot to the attainment of
knowledge. --Johnson.
Allotheism \Al"lo*the*ism\, n. [Gr. ? other + ? god.]
The worship of strange gods. --Jer. Taylor.
Allotment \Al*lot"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. alotement, F. allotement.]
1. The act of allotting; assignment.
2. That which is allotted; a share, part, or portion granted
or distributed; that which is assigned by lot, or by the
act of God; anything set apart for a special use or to a
distinct party.
The alloments of God and nature. --L'Estrange.
A vineyard and an allotment for olives and herbs.
--Broome.
3. (law) The allowance of a specific amount of scrip or of a
particular thing to a particular person.
{Cottage allotment}, an allotment of a small portion of land
to a country laborer for garden cultivation. [Eng.]
Allotriophagy \Al`lo*tri*oph"a*gy\
([a^]l`l[-o]*tr[i^]*[o^]f"[.a]*j[y^]), n. [Gr. 'allo`trios
strange + fagei^n to eat: cf. F. allotriophagie.] (Med.)
A depraved appetite; a desire for improper food.
Allotropic \Al`lo*trop"ic\ ([a^]l`l[-o]*tr[o^]p"[i^]k),
Allotropical \Al`lo*trop"ic*al\ (-[i^]k*al), a. [Cf. F.
allotropique.]
Of or pertaining to allotropism. -- {Al`lo*trop"ic*al*ly},
adv.
{Allotropic state}, the several conditions which occur in a
case of allotropism.
Allotropicity \Al*lot`ro*pic"i*ty\, n.
Allotropic property or nature.
Allotropism \Al*lot"ro*pism\, Allotropy \Al*lot"ro*py\, n. [Gr.
? other + direction, way, ? to turn: cf. F. allotropie.]
(Chem.)
The property of existing in two or more conditions which are
distinct in their physical or chemical relations.
Note: Thus, carbon occurs crystallized in octahedrons and
other related forms, in a state of extreme hardness, in
the diamond; it occurs in hexagonal forms, and of
little hardness, in black lead; and again occurs in a
third form, with entire softness, in lampblack and
charcoal. In some cases, one of these is peculiarly an
active state, and the other a passive one. Thus, ozone
is an active state of oxygen, and is distinct from
ordinary oxygen, which is the element in its passive
state.
Allotropize \Al*lot"ro*pize\, v. t.
To change in physical properties but not in substance. [R.]
Allottable \Al*lot"ta*ble\, a.
Capable of being allotted.
Allottee \Al*lot`tee"\, n.
One to whom anything is allotted; one to whom an allotment is
made.
Allotter \Al*lot"ter\, n.
One who allots.
Allottery \Al*lot"ter*y\, n.
Allotment. [Obs.] --Shak.
Allow \Al*low"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allowed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Allowing}.] [OE. alouen, OF. alouer, aloer, aluer, F.
allouer, fr. LL. allocare to admit as proved, to place, use;
confused with OF. aloer, fr. L. allaudare to extol; ad +
laudare to praise. See {Local}, and cf. {Allocate}, {Laud}.]
1. To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction. [Obs. or
Archaic]
Ye allow the deeds of your fathers. --Luke xi. 48.
We commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his
life, approve his learning. --Fuller.
2. To like; to be suited or pleased with. [Obs.]
How allow you the model of these clothes?
--Massinger.
3. To sanction; to invest; to intrust. [Obs.]
Thou shalt be . . . allowed with absolute power.
--Shak.
4. To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let
one have; as, to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a
free passage; to allow one day for rest.
He was allowed about three hundred pounds a year.
--Macaulay.
5. To own or acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to
accede to an opinion; as, to allow a right; to allow a
claim; to allow the truth of a proposition.
I allow, with Mrs. Grundy and most moralists, that
Miss Newcome's conduct . . . was highly
reprehensible. --Thackeray.
6. To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; esp.
to abate or deduct; as, to allow a sum for leakage.
7. To grant license to; to permit; to consent to; as, to
allow a son to be absent.
Syn: To allot; assign; bestow; concede; admit; permit;
suffer; tolerate. See {Permit}.
Allow \Al*low"\, v. i.
To admit; to concede; to make allowance or abatement.
Allowing still for the different ways of making it.
--Addison.
{To allow of}, to permit; to admit. --Shak.
Allowable \Al*low"a*ble\, a. [F. allouable.]
1. Praiseworthy; laudable. [Obs.] --Hacket.
2. Proper to be, or capable of being, allowed; permissible;
admissible; not forbidden; not unlawful or improper; as, a
certain degree of freedom is allowable among friends.
Allowableness \Al*low"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being allowable; permissibleness; lawfulness;
exemption from prohibition or impropriety. --South.
Allowably \Al*low"a*bly\, adv.
In an allowable manner.
Allowance \Al*low"ance\, n. [OF. alouance.]
1. Approval; approbation. [Obs.] --Crabbe.
2. The act of allowing, granting, conceding, or admitting;
authorization; permission; sanction; tolerance.
Without the king's will or the state's allowance.
--Shak.
3. Acknowledgment.
The censure of the which one must in your allowance
o'erweigh a whole theater of others. --Shak.
4. License; indulgence. [Obs.] --Locke.
5. That which is allowed; a share or portion allotted or
granted; a sum granted as a reimbursement, a bounty, or as
appropriate for any purpose; a stated quantity, as of food
or drink; hence, a limited quantity of meat and drink,
when provisions fall short.
I can give the boy a handsome allowance.
--Thackeray.
6. Abatement; deduction; the taking into account of
mitigating circumstances; as, to make allowance for the
inexperience of youth.
After making the largest allowance for fraud.
--Macaulay.
7. (com.) A customary deduction from the gross weight of
goods, different in different countries, such as tare and
tret.
Allowance \Al*low"ance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allowancing}.]
[See {Allowance}, n.]
To put upon a fixed allowance (esp. of provisions and drink);
to supply in a fixed and limited quantity; as, the captain
was obliged to allowance his crew; our provisions were
allowanced.
Allowedly \Al*low"ed*ly\adv.
By allowance; admittedly. --Shenstone.
Allower \Al*low"er\, n.
1. An approver or abettor. [Obs.]
2. One who allows or permits.
Alloxan \Al*lox"an\, n. [Allantoin + oxalic, as containing the
elements of allantion and oxalic acid.] (Chem.)
An oxidation product of uric acid. It is of a pale reddish
color, readily soluble in water or alcohol.
Alloxanate \Al*lox"a*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A combination of alloxanic acid and a base or base or
positive radical.
Alloxanic \Al`lox*an"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to alloxan; -- applied to an acid obtained
by the action of soluble alkalies on alloxan.
Alloxantin \Al`lox*an"tin\, n. (Chem.)
A substance produced by acting upon uric with warm and very
dilute nitric acid.
Alloy \Al*loy"\, n. [OE. alai, OF. alei, F. aloyer, to alloy,
alier to ally. See {Alloy}, v. t.]
1. Any combination or compound of metals fused together; a
mixture of metals; for example, brass, which is an alloy
of copper and zinc. But when mercury is one of the metals,
the compound is called an amalgam.
2. The quality, or comparative purity, of gold or silver;
fineness.
3. A baser metal mixed with a finer.
Fine silver is silver without the mixture of any
baser metal. Alloy is baser metal mixed with it.
--Locke.
4. Admixture of anything which lessens the value or detracts
from; as, no happiness is without alloy. ``Pure English
without Latin alloy.'' --F. Harrison.
Alloy \Al*loy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alloyed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Alloying}.] [F. aloyer, OF. alier, allier, later allayer,
fr. L. aligare. See {Alloy}, n., {Ally}, v. t., and cf.
{Allay}.]
1. To reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable
substance; as, to alloy gold with silver or copper, or
silver with copper.
2. To mix, as metals, so as to form a compound.
3. To abate, impair, or debase by mixture; to allay; as, to
alloy pleasure with misfortunes.
Alloy \Al*loy"\, v. t.
To form a metallic compound.
Gold and iron alloy with ease. --Ure.
Alloyage \Al*loy"age\, n. [F. aloyage.]
The act or art of alloying metals; also, the combination or
alloy.
All-possessed \All`-pos*sessed"\, a.
Controlled by an evil spirit or by evil passions; wild.
[Colloq.]
All Saints \All" Saints`\, All Saints' \All" Saints'\,
The first day of November, called, also, Allhallows or
Hallowmas; a feast day kept in honor of all the saints; also,
the season of this festival.
All Souls' Day \All" Souls' Day`\
The second day of November; a feast day of the Roman Catholic
church, on which supplications are made for the souls of the
faithful dead.
Allspice \All"spice`\, n.
The berry of the pimento ({Eugenia pimenta}), a tree of the
West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably
aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to
combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and
hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic
shrubs; as, the {Carolina allspice} ({Calycanthus floridus});
{wild allspice} ({Lindera benzoin}), called also {spicebush},
{spicewood}, and {feverbush}.
Allthing \All`thing`\, adv. [For in all (= every) thing.]
Altogether. [Obs.] --Shak.
Allude \Al*lude"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Alluded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Alluding}.] [L. alludere to play with, to allude; ad +
ludere to play.]
To refer to something indirectly or by suggestion; to have
reference to a subject not specifically and plainly
mentioned; -- followed by to; as, the story alludes to a
recent transaction.
These speeches . . . do seem to allude unto such
ministerial garments as were then in use. --Hooker.
Syn: To refer; point; indicate; hint; suggest; intimate;
signify; insinuate; advert. See {Refer}.
Allude \Al*lude"\, v. t.
To compare allusively; to refer (something) as applicable.
[Obs.] --Wither.
Allumette \Al`lu`mette\, n. [F., from allumer to light.]
A match for lighting candles, lamps, etc.
Alluminor \Al*lu"mi*nor\, n. [OF. alumineor, fr. L. ad +
liminare. See {Luminate}.]
An illuminator of manuscripts and books; a limner. [Obs.]
--Cowell.
Allurance \Al*lur"ance\, n.
Allurement. [R.]
Allure \Al*lure"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alluded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Alluring}.] [OF. aleurrer, alurer, fr. a (L. ad) + leurre
lure. See {Lure}.]
To attempt to draw; to tempt by a lure or bait, that is, by
the offer of some good, real or apparent; to invite by
something flattering or acceptable; to entice; to attract.
With promised joys allured them on. --Falconer.
The golden sun in splendor likest Heaven Allured his
eye. --Milton.
Syn: To attract; entice; tempt; decoy; seduce.
Usage: To {Allure}, {Entice}, {Decoy}, {Seduce}. These words
agree in the idea of acting upon the mind by some
strong controlling influence, and differ according to
the image under which is presented. They are all used
in a bad sense, except allure, which has sometimes
(though rarely) a good one. We are allured by the
prospect or offer (usually deceptive) of some future
good. We are commonly enticed into evil by appeals to
our passions. We are decoyed into danger by false
appearances or representations. We are seduced when
drawn aside from the path of rectitude. What allures
draws by gentle means; what entices leads us by
promises and persuasions; what decoys betrays us, as
it were, into a snare or net; what seduces deceives us
by artful appeals to the passions.
Allure \Al*lure"\, n.
Allurement. [R.] --Hayward.
Allure \Al`lure"\, n. [F.; aller to go.]
Gait; bearing.
The swing, the gait, the pose, the allure of these men.
--Harper's
Mag.
Allurement \Al*lure"ment\, n.
1. The act alluring; temptation; enticement.
Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell. --Milton.
2. That which allures; any real or apparent good held forth,
or operating, as a motive to action; as, the allurements
of pleasure, or of honor.
Allurer \Al*lur"er\, n.
One who, or that which, allures.
Alluring \Al*lur"ing\, a.
That allures; attracting; charming; tempting. --
{Al*lur"ing*ly}, adv. -- {Al*lur"ing*ness}, n.
Allusion \Al*lu"sion\, n. [L. allusio, fr. alludere to allude:
cf. F. allusion.]
1. A figurative or symbolical reference. [Obs.]
2. A reference to something supposed to be known, but not
explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect
reference; a hint.
Allusive \Al*lu"sive\, a.
1. Figurative; symbolical.
2. Having reference to something not fully expressed;
containing an allusion.
Allusively \Al*lu"sive*ly\, adv.
Figuratively [Obs.]; by way of allusion; by implication,
suggestion, or insinuation.
Allusiveness \Al*lu"sive*ness\, n.
The quality of being allusive.
Allusory \Al*lu"so*ry\, a.
Allusive. [R.] --Warburton.
Alluvial \Al*lu"vi*al\, a. [Cf. F. alluvial. See {Alluvion}.]
Pertaining to, contained in, or composed of, alluvium;
relating to the deposits made by flowing water; washed away
from one place and deposited in another; as, alluvial soil,
mud, accumulations, deposits.
Alluvion \Al*lu"vi*on\, n. [F. alluvion, L. alluvio, fr. alluere
to wash against; ad + luere, equiv. to lavare, to wash. See
{Lave}.]
1. Wash or flow of water against the shore or bank.
2. An overflowing; an inundation; a flood. --Lyell.
3. Matter deposited by an inundation or the action of flowing
water; alluvium.
The golden alluvions are there [in California and
Australia] spread over a far wider space: they are
found not only on the banks of rivers, and in their
beds, but are scattered over the surface of vast
plains. --R. Cobden.
4. (Law) An accession of land gradually washed to the shore
or bank by the flowing of water. See {Accretion}.
Alluvious \Al*lu"vi*ous\, n. [L. alluvius. See {Alluvion}.]
Alluvial. [R.] --Johnson.
Alluvium \Al*lu"vi*um\, n.; pl. E. {Alluviums}, L. {Alluvia}.
[L., neut. of alluvius. See {Alluvious}.] (Geol.)
Deposits of earth, sand, gravel, and other transported
matter, made by rivers, floods, or other causes, upon land
not permanently submerged beneath the waters of lakes or
seas. --Lyell.
Allwhere \All"where`\, adv.
Everywhere. [Archaic]
Allwork \All"work`\, n.
Domestic or other work of all kinds; as, a maid of allwork,
that is, a general servant.
Ally \Al*ly"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Allying}.] [OE. alien, OF. alier, F. alier, fr. L. alligare
to bind to; ad + ligare to bind. Cf. {Alligate}, {Alloy},
{Allay}, {Ligament}.]
1. To unite, or form a connection between, as between
families by marriage, or between princes and states by
treaty, league, or confederacy; -- often followed by to or
with.
O chief! in blood, and now in arms allied. --Pope.
2. To connect or form a relation between by similitude,
resemblance, friendship, or love.
These three did love each other dearly well, And
with so firm affection were allied. --Spenser.
The virtue nearest to our vice allied. --Pope.
Note: Ally is generally used in the passive form or
reflexively.
Ally \Al*ly"\, n.; pl. {Allies}. [See {Ally}, v.]
1. A relative; a kinsman. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. One united to another by treaty or league; -- usually
applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate.
The English soldiers and their French allies.
--Macaulay.
3. Anything associated with another as a helper; an
auxiliary.
Science, instead of being the enemy of religion,
becomes its ally. --Buckle.
4. Anything akin to another by structure, etc.
Ally \Al"ly\, n.
See {Alley}, a marble or taw.
Allyl \Al"lyl\, n. [L. allium garlic + -yl.] (Chem.)
An organic radical, {C3H5}, existing especially in oils of
garlic and mustard.
Allylene \Al"ly*lene\, n. (Chem.)
A gaseous hydrocarbon, {C3H4}, homologous with acetylene;
propine.
Alma \Al"ma\, Almah \Al"mah\, n.
Same as {Alme}.
Almacantar \Al`ma*can"tar\, n. (Astron.)
(a) Same as {Almucantar}.
(b) A recently invented instrument for observing the heavenly
bodies as they cross a given almacantar circle. See
{Almucantar}.
Almadia \Al`ma*di"a\, Almadie \Al"ma*die\, n. [F. almadie (cf.
Sp. & Pg. almadia), fr. Ar. alma'd[=i]yah a raft, float.]
(Naut.)
(a) A bark canoe used by the Africans.
(b) A boat used at Calicut, in India, about eighty feet long,
and six or seven broad.
Almagest \Al"ma*gest\, n. [F. almageste, LL. almageste, Ar.
al-majist[=i], fr. Gr. ? (sc. ?), the greatest composition.]
The celebrated work of Ptolemy of Alexandria, which contains
nearly all that is known of the astronomical observations and
theories of the ancients. The name was extended to other
similar works.
Almagra \Al*ma"gra\, n. [Sp. almagra, almagre, fr. Ar.
al-maghrah red clay or earth.]
A fine, deep red ocher, somewhat purplish, found in Spain. It
is the {sil atticum} of the ancients. Under the name of
{Indian red} it is used for polishing glass and silver.
Almain \Al"main\ ([a^]l"m[=a]n), Almayne \Al"mayne\ (-m[=a]n),
Alman \Al"man\ (-man), n. [OF. Aleman, F. Allemand, fr. L.
Alemanni, ancient Ger. tribes.] [Obs.]
1. A German. Also adj., German. --Shak.
2. The German language. --J. Foxe.
3. A kind of dance. See {Allemande}.
{Almain rivets}, {Almayne rivets}, or {Alman rivets}, a sort
of light armor from Germany, characterized by overlapping
plates, arranged to slide on rivets, and thus afford great
flexibility.
Alma Mater \Al"ma Ma"ter\ [L., fostering mother.]
A college or seminary where one is educated.
Almanac \Al"ma*nac\ (?; 277), n. [LL. almanac, almanach: cf. F.
almanach, Sp. almanaque, It. almanacco, all of uncertain
origin.]
A book or table, containing a calendar of days, and months,
to which astronomical data and various statistics are often
added, such as the times of the rising and setting of the sun
and moon, eclipses, hours of full tide, stated festivals of
churches, terms of courts, etc.
{Nautical almanac}, an almanac, or year book, containing
astronomical calculations (lunar, stellar, etc.), and
other information useful to mariners.
Almandine \Al"man*dine\, n. [LL. almandina, alamandina, for L.
alabandina a precious stone, named after Alabanda, a town in
Caria, where it was first and chiefly found: cf. F.
almandine.] (Min.)
The common red variety of garnet.
Alme \Al"me\, Almeh \Al"meh\, n. [Ar. 'almah (fem.) learned, fr.
'alama to know: cf. F. alm['e]e.]
An Egyptian dancing girl; an Alma.
The Almehs lift their arms in dance. --Bayard
Taylor.
Almendron \Al`men*dron"\, n. [Sp., fr. almendra almond.]
The lofty Brazil-nut tree.
Almery \Al"mer*y\, n.
See {Ambry}. [Obs.]
Almesse \Alm"esse\, n.
See {Alms}. [Obs.]
Almightful \Al*might"ful\, Almightiful \Al*might"i*ful\, a.
All-powerful; almighty. [Obs.] --Udall.
Almightily \Al*might"i*ly\, adv.
With almighty power.
Almightiness \Al*might"i*ness\, n.
Omnipotence; infinite or boundless power; unlimited might.
--Jer. Taylor.
Almighty \Al*might"y\ ([add]l*m[imac]t"[y^]), a. [AS. ealmihtig,
[ae]lmihtig; eal (OE. al) all + mihtig mighty.]
1. Unlimited in might; omnipotent; all-powerful;
irresistible.
I am the Almighty God. --Gen. xvii.
1.
2. Great; extreme; terrible. [Slang]
Poor Aroar can not live, and can not die, -- so that
he is in an almighty fix. --De Quincey.
{The Almighty}, the omnipotent God. --Rev. i. 8.
Almner \Alm"ner\, n.
An almoner. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Almond \Alm"ond\ ([aum]"m[u^]nd), n. [OE. almande, almaunde,
alemaunde, F. amande, L. amygdala, fr. Gr. 'amygda`lh: cf.
Sp. almendra. Cf. {Amygdalate}.]
1. The fruit of the almond tree.
Note: The different kinds, as bitter, sweet, thin-shelled,
thick-shelled almonds, and Jordan almonds, are the
products of different varieties of the one species,
{Amygdalus communis}, a native of the Mediterranean
region and western Asia.
2. The tree that bears the fruit; almond tree.
3. Anything shaped like an almond. Specifically: (Anat.) One
of the tonsils.
{Almond oil}, fixed oil expressed from sweet or bitter
almonds.
{Oil of bitter almonds}, a poisonous volatile oil obtained
from bitter almonds by maceration and distillation;
benzoic aldehyde.
{Imitation oil of bitter almonds}, nitrobenzene.
{Almond tree} (Bot.), the tree bearing the almond.
{Almond willow} (Bot.), a willow which has leaves that are of
a light green on both sides; almond-leaved willow ({Salix
amygdalina}). --Shenstone.
Almond furnace \Al"mond fur`nace\ [Prob. a corruption of Almain
furnace, i. e., German furnace. See {Almain}.]
A kind of furnace used in refining, to separate the metal
from cinders and other foreign matter. --Chambers.
Almondine \Al"mon*dine\, n.
See {Almandine}
Almoner \Al"mon*er\, n. [OE. aumener, aulmener, OF. almosnier,
aumosnier, F. aum[^o]nier, fr. OF. almosne, alms, L.
eleemosyna. See {Alms}.]
One who distributes alms, esp. the doles and alms of
religious houses, almshouses, etc.; also, one who dispenses
alms for another, as the almoner of a prince, bishop, etc.
Almonership \Al"mon*er*ship\, n.
The office of an almoner.
Almonry \Al"mon*ry\, n.; pl. {Almonries}. [OF. aumosnerie, F.
aum[^o]nerie, fr. OF. aumosnier. See {Almoner}.]
The place where an almoner resides, or where alms are
distributed.
Almose \Al"mose\, n.
Alms. [Obs.] --Cheke.
Almost \Al"most\, adv. [AS. ealm[ae]st, [ae]lm[ae]st, quite the
most, almost all; eal (OE. al) all + m?st most.]
Nearly; well nigh; all but; for the greatest part.
Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. --Acts
xxvi. 28.
{Almost never}, scarcely ever.
{Almost nothing}, scarcely anything.
Almry \Alm"ry\, n.
See {Almonry}. [Obs.]
Alms \Alms\, n. sing. & pl. [OE. almes, almesse, AS. [ae]lmysse,
fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. ? mercy, charity, alms, fr. ? to pity.
Cf. {Almonry}, {Eleemosynary}.]
Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money,
food, or clothing; a gift of charity.
A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people.
--Acts x. 2.
Alms are but the vehicles of prayer. --Dryden.
{Tenure by free alms}. See {Frankalmoign}. --Blackstone.
Note: This word alms is singular in its form (almesse), and
is sometimes so used; as, ``asked an alms.'' --Acts
iii. 3.``Received an alms.'' --Shak. It is now,
however, commonly a collective or plural noun. It is
much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving,
alms bag, alms chest, etc.
Almsdeed \Alms"deed`\, n.
An act of charity. --Acts ix. 36.
Almsfolk \Alms"folk`\, n.
Persons supported by alms; almsmen. [Archaic] --Holinshed.
Almsgiver \Alms"giv`er\, n.
A giver of alms.
Almsgiving \Alms"giv`ing\, n.
The giving of alms.
Almshouse \Alms"house`\, n.
A house appropriated for the use of the poor; a poorhouse.
Almsman \Alms"man\, n.; fem. {Almswoman}.
1. A recipient of alms. --Shak.
2. A giver of alms. [R.] --Halliwell.
Almucantar \Al`mu*can"tar\, n. [F. almucantarat, almicantarat,
ultimately fr. Ar. al-muqantar[=a]t, pl., fr. qantara to
bend, arch.] (Astron.)
A small circle of the sphere parallel to the horizon; a
circle or parallel of altitude. Two stars which have the same
almucantar have the same altitude. See {Almacantar}.
[Archaic]
{Almucanter staff}, an ancient instrument, having an arc of
fifteen degrees, formerly used at sea to take observations
of the sun's amplitude at the time of its rising or
setting, to find the variation of the compass.
Almuce \Al"muce\, n.
Same as {Amice}, a hood or cape.
Almude \Al*mude"\, n. [Pg. almude, or Sp. almud, a measure of
grain or dry fruit, fr. Ar. al-mudd a dry measure.]
A measure for liquids in several countries. In Portugal the
Lisbon almude is about 4.4, and the Oporto almude about 6.6,
gallons U. S. measure. In Turkey the ``almud'' is about 1.4
gallons.
Almug \Al"mug\, Algum \Al"gum\, n. [Heb., perh. borrowed fr.
Skr. valguka sandalwood.] (Script.)
A tree or wood of the Bible (2 Chron. ii. 8; 1 K. x. 11).
Note: Most writers at the present day follow Celsius, who
takes it to be the red sandalwood of China and the
Indian Archipelago. --W. Smith.
Alnage \Al"nage\ ([a^]l"n[asl]j), n., [OF. alnage, aulnage, F.
aunage, fr. OF. alne ell, of Ger. origin: cf. OHG. elina,
Goth. aleina, cubit. See {Ell}.] (O. Eng. Law)
Measurement (of cloth) by the ell; also, a duty for such
measurement.
Alnager \Al"na*ger\, n. [See {Alnage}.]
A measure by the ell; formerly a sworn officer in England,
whose duty was to inspect and measure woolen cloth, and fix
upon it a seal.
Aloe \Al"oe\ ([a^]l"n[-o]), n.; pl. {Aloes} (-[=o]z). [L.
alo["e], Gr. 'alo`h, aloe: cf. OF. aloe, F. alo[`e]s.]
1. pl. The wood of the agalloch. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
2. (Bot.) A genus of succulent plants, some classed as trees,
others as shrubs, but the greater number having the habit
and appearance of evergreen herbaceous plants; from some
of which are prepared articles for medicine and the arts.
They are natives of warm countries.
3. pl. (Med.) The inspissated juice of several species of
aloe, used as a purgative. [Plural in form but
syntactically singular.]
{American aloe}, {Century aloe}, the agave. See {Agave}.
Aloes wood \Al"oes wood`\
See {Agalloch}.
Aloetic \Al`o*et"ic\, a. [Cf. F. alo['e]tique.]
Consisting chiefly of aloes; of the nature of aloes.
Aloetic \Al`o*et"ic\, n.
A medicine containing chiefly aloes.
Aloft \A*loft"\ (?; 115), adv. [Pref. a- + loft, which properly
meant air. See {Loft}.]
1. On high; in the air; high above the ground. ``He steers
his flight aloft.'' --Milton.
2. (Naut.) In the top; at the mast head, or on the higher
yards or rigging; overhead; hence (Fig. and Colloq.), in
or to heaven.
Aloft \A*loft"\, prep.
Above; on top of. [Obs.]
Fresh waters run aloft the sea. --Holland.
Alogian \A*lo"gi*an\, n. [LL. Alogiani, Alogii, fr. Gr. ?; 'a
priv. + ? word.] (Eccl.)
One of an ancient sect who rejected St. John's Gospel and the
Apocalypse, which speak of Christ as the Logos. --Shipley.
Alogy \Al"o*gy\, n. [L. alogia, Gr. ?, fr. 'a priv. + ? reason.]
Unreasonableness; absurdity. [Obs.]
Aloin \Al"o*in\, n. (Chem.)
A bitter purgative principle in aloes.
Alomancy \Al"o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ?, salt + -mancy: cf. F.
alomancie, halomancie.]
Divination by means of salt. [Spelt also {halomancy}.]
--Morin.
Alone \A*lone"\, a. [All + one. OE. al one all allone, AS. [=a]n
one, alone. See {All}, {One}, {Lone}.]
1. Quite by one's self; apart from, or exclusive of, others;
single; solitary; -- applied to a person or thing.
Alone on a wide, wide sea. --Coleridge.
It is not good that the man should be alone. --Gen.
ii. 18.
2. Of or by itself; by themselves; without any thing more or
any one else; without a sharer; only.
Man shall not live by bread alone. --Luke iv. 4.
The citizens alone should be at the expense.
--Franklin.
3. Sole; only; exclusive. [R.]
God, by whose alone power and conversation we all
live, and move, and have our being. --Bentley.
4. Hence; Unique; rare; matchless. --Shak.
Note: The adjective alone commonly follows its noun.
{To} {let or leave} {alone}, to abstain from interfering with
or molesting; to suffer to remain in its present state.
Alone \A*lone"\, adv.
Solely; simply; exclusively.
Alonely \A*lone"ly\, adv.
Only; merely; singly. [Obs.]
This said spirit was not given alonely unto him, but
unto all his heirs and posterity. --Latimer.
Alonely \A*lone"ly\, a.
Exclusive. [Obs.] --Fabyan.
Aloneness \A*lone"ness\, n.
A state of being alone, or without company; solitariness.
[R.] --Bp. Montagu.
Along \A*long"\ (?; 115), adv. [OE. along, anlong, AS. andlang,
along; pref. and- (akin to OFris. ond-, OHG. ant-, Ger. ent-,
Goth. and-, anda-, L. ante, Gr. ?, Skr. anti, over against) +
lang long. See {Long}.]
1. By the length; in a line with the length; lengthwise.
Some laid along . . . on spokes of wheels are hung.
--Dryden.
2. In a line, or with a progressive motion; onward; forward.
We will go along by the king's highway. --Numb. xxi.
22.
He struck with his o'ertaking wings, And chased us
south along. --Coleridge.
3. In company; together.
He to England shall along with you. --Shak.
{All along}, all through the course of; during the whole
time; throughout. ``I have all along declared this to be a
neutral paper.'' --Addison.
{To get along}, to get on; to make progress, as in business.
``She 'll get along in heaven better than you or I.''
--Mrs. Stowe.
Along \A*long"\, prep.
By the length of, as distinguished from across. ``Along the
lowly lands.'' --Dryden.
The kine . . . went along the highway. --1 Sam. vi.
12.
Along \A*long"\ [AS. gelang owing to.]
(Now heard only in the prep. phrase along of.)
{Along of}, {Along on}, often shortened to {Long of}, prep.
phr., owing to; on account of. [Obs. or Low. Eng.] ``On me
is not along thin evil fare.'' --Chaucer. ``And all this
is long of you.'' --Shak. ``This increase of price is all
along of the foreigners.'' --London Punch.
Alongshore \A*long"shore`\, adv.
Along the shore or coast.
Alongshoreman \A*long"shore`man\, n.
See {Longshoreman}.
Alongside \A*long"side`\, adv.
Along or by the side; side by side with; -- often with of;
as, bring the boat alongside; alongside of him; alongside of
the tree.
Alongst \A*longst"\ (?; 115), prep. & adv. [Formed fr. along,
like amongst fr. among.]
Along. [Obs.]
Aloof \A*loof"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Alewife}.
Aloof \A*loof"\, adv. [Pref. a- + loof, fr. D. loef luff, and so
meaning, as a nautical word, to the windward. See {Loof},
{Luff}.]
1. At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small
distance; apart; away.
Our palace stood aloof from streets. --Dryden.
2. Without sympathy; unfavorably.
To make the Bible as from the hand of God, and then
to look at it aloof and with caution, is the worst
of all impieties. --I. Taylor.
Aloof \A*loof"\, prep.
Away from; clear from. [Obs.]
Rivetus . . . would fain work himself aloof these rocks
and quicksands. --Milton.
Aloofness \A*loof"ness\, n.
State of being aloof. --Rogers (1642).
The . . . aloofness of his dim forest life. --Thoreau.
Alopecia \Al`o*pe"ci*a\ ([a^]l`[-o]*p[=e]"sh[i^]*[.a]), Alopecy
\A*lop"e*cy\ ([.a]*l[o^]p"[-e]*s[y^]), n. [L. alopecia, Gr.
'alwpeki`a, fr. 'alw`phx fox, because loss of the hair is
common among foxes.] (Med.)
Loss of the hair; baldness.
Alopecist \A*lop"e*cist\, n.
A practitioner who tries to prevent or cure baldness.
Alose \A*lose"\, v. t. [OE. aloser.]
To praise. [Obs.]
Alose \A"lose\, n. [F., fr. L. alosa or alausa.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European shad ({Clupea alosa}); -- called also {allice
shad} or {allis shad}. The name is sometimes applied to the
American shad ({Clupea sapidissima}). See {Shad}.
Alouatte \Al`ou*atte"\, n. [Of uncertain origin.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the several species of howling monkeys of South
America. See {Howler, 2}.
Aloud \A*loud"\, adv. [Pref. a- + loud.]
With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice. --Isa. lviii.
1.
Alow \A*low"\, adv. [Pref. a- + low.]
Below; in a lower part. ``Aloft, and then alow.'' --Dryden.
Alp \Alp\, n. [L. Alpes the Alps, said to be of Celtic origin;
cf. Gael. alp a high mountain, Ir. ailp any huge mass or
lump: cf. F. Alpes.]
1. A very high mountain. Specifically, in the plural, the
highest chain of mountains in Europe, containing the lofty
mountains of Switzerland, etc.
Nor breath of vernal air from snowy alp. --Milton.
Hills peep o'er hills, and alps on alps arise.
--Pope.
2. Fig.: Something lofty, or massive, or very hard to be
surmounted.
Note: The plural form Alps is sometimes used as a singular.
``The Alps doth spit.'' --Shak.
Alp \Alp\, n.
A bullfinch. --Rom. of R.
Alpaca \Al*pac"a\, n. [Sp. alpaca, fr. the original Peruvian
name of the animal. Cf. {Paco}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) An animal of Peru ({Lama paco}), having long,
fine, wooly hair, supposed by some to be a domesticated
variety of the llama.
2. Wool of the alpaca.
3. A thin kind of cloth made of the wooly hair of the alpaca,
often mixed with silk or with cotton.
Alpen \Al"pen\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Alps. [R.] ``The Alpen snow.'' --J.
Fletcher.
Alpenstock \Al"pen*stock`\, n. [G.; Alp, gen. pl. Alpen + stock
stick.]
A long staff, pointed with iron, used in climbing the Alps.
--Cheever.
Alpestrine \Al*pes"trine\, a. [L. Alpestris.]
Pertaining to the Alps, or other high mountains; as,
Alpestrine diseases, etc.
Alpha \Al"pha\, n. [L. alpha, Gr. 'a`lfa, from Heb. [=a]leph,
name of the first letter in the alphabet, also meaning ox.]
The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and
hence used to denote the beginning.
In am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the
first and the last. --Rev. xxii.
13.
Note: Formerly used also denote the chief; as, Plato was the
alpha of the wits.
Note: In cataloguing stars, the brightest star of a
constellation in designated by Alpha ([alpha]); as,
[alpha] Lyr[ae].
Alphabet \Al"pha*bet\, n. [L. alphabetum, fr. Gr. ? + ?, the
first two Greek letters; Heb. [=a]leph and beth: cf. F.
alphabet.]
1. The letters of a language arranged in the customary order;
the series of letters or signs which form the elements of
written language.
2. The simplest rudiments; elements.
The very alphabet of our law. --Macaulay.
{Deaf and dumb alphabet}. See {Dactylology}.
Alphabet \Al"pha*bet\, v. t.
To designate by the letters of the alphabet; to arrange
alphabetically. [R.]
Alphabetarian \Al`pha*bet*a"ri*an\, n.
A learner of the alphabet; an abecedarian. --Abp. Sancroft.
Alphabetic \Al`pha*bet"ic\, Alphabetical \Al`pha*bet"ic*al\, a.
[Cf. F. alphab['e]tique.]
1. Pertaining to, furnished with, expressed by, or in the
order of, the letters of the alphabet; as, alphabetic
characters, writing, languages, arrangement.
2. Literal. [Obs.] ``Alphabetical servility.'' --Milton.
Alphabetically \Al`pha*bet"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an alphabetic manner; in the customary order of the
letters.
Alphabetics \Al`pha*bet"ics\, n.
The science of representing spoken sounds by letters.
Alphabetism \Al"pha*bet*ism\, n.
The expression of spoken sounds by an alphabet. --Encyc.
Brit.
Alphabetize \Al"pha*bet*ize\, v. t.
1. To arrange alphabetically; as, to alphabetize a list of
words.
2. To furnish with an alphabet.
Al-phitomancy \Al-phit"o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? barley meal +
-mancy: cf. F. alphitomancie.]
Divination by means of barley meal. --Knowles.
Alphonsine \Al*phon"sine\ ([a^]l*f[o^]n"s[i^]n), a.
Of or relating to Alphonso X., the Wise, King of Castile
(1252-1284).
{Alphonsine tables}, astronomical tables prepared under the
patronage of Alphonso the Wise. --Whewell.
Alpigene \Al"pi*gene\ ([a^]l"p[i^]*j[=e]n), a. [L. Alpes Alps +
-gen.]
Growing in Alpine regions.
Alpine \Al"pine\, a. [L. Alpinus, fr. Alpes the Alps: cf. F.
Alpin.]
1. Of or pertaining to the Alps, or to any lofty mountain;
as, Alpine snows; Alpine plants.
2. Like the Alps; lofty. ``Gazing up an Alpine height.''
--Tennyson.
Alpinist \Al"pin*ist\, n.
A climber of the Alps.
Alpist \Al"pist\, Alpia \Al"pi*a\, n. [F.: cf. Sp. & Pg.
alpiste.]
The seed of canary grass ({Phalaris Canariensis}), used for
feeding cage birds.
Alquifou \Al"qui*fou\, n. [Equiv. to arquifoux, F. alquifoux,
Sp. alquif['o]l, fr. the same Arabic word as alcohol. See
{Alcohol}.]
A lead ore found in Cornwall, England, and used by potters to
give a green glaze to their wares; potter's ore.
Already \Al*read"y\, adv. [All (OE. al) + ready.]
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or
future; by this time; previously. ``Joseph was in Egypt
already.'' --Exod. i. 5.
I say unto you, that Elias is come already. --Matt.
xvii. 12.
Note: It has reference to past time, but may be used for a
future past; as, when you shall arrive, the business
will be already completed, or will have been already
completed.
Als \Als\, adv.
1. Also. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. As. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Alsatian \Al*sa"tian\, a.
Pertaining to Alsatia.
Alsatian \Al*sa"tian\, n.
An inhabitant of Alsatia or Alsace in Germany, or of Alsatia
or White Friars (a resort of debtors and criminals) in
London.
Al segno \Al` se"gno\ [It., to the mark or sign.](Mus.)
A direction for the performer to return and recommence from
the sign ?.
Alsike \Al"sike\, n. [From Alsike, in Sweden.]
A species of clover with pinkish or white flowers; {Trifolium
hybridum}.
Also \Al"so\, adv. & conj. [All + so. OE. al so, AS. ealsw[=a],
alsw?, [ae]lsw[ae]; eal, al, [ae]l, all + sw[=a] so. See
{All}, {So}, {As}.]
1. In like manner; likewise. [Obs.]
2. In addition; besides; as well; further; too.
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . for
where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also. --Matt. vi.
20.
3. Even as; as; so. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Syn: {Also}, {Likewise}, {Too}.
Usage: These words are used by way of transition, in leaving
one thought and passing to another. Also is the widest
term. It denotes that what follows is all so, or
entirely like that which preceded, or may be affirmed
with the same truth; as, ``If you were there, I was
there also;'' ``If our situation has some discomforts,
it has also many sources of enjoyment.'' Too is simply
less formal and pointed than also; it marks the
transition with a lighter touch; as, ``I was there
too;'' ``a courtier yet a patriot too.'' --Pope.
Likewise denotes literally ``in like manner,'' and
hence has been thought by some to be more specific
than also. ``It implies,'' says Whately, ``some
connection or agreement between the words it unites.
We may say, ` He is a poet, and likewise a musician; '
but we should not say, ` He is a prince, and likewise
a musician,' because there is no natural connection
between these qualities.'' This distinction, however,
is often disregarded.
Alt \Alt\, a. & n. [See {Alto}.] (Mus.)
The higher part of the scale. See {Alto}.
{To be in alt}, to be in an exalted state of mind.
Altaian \Al*ta"ian\, Altaic \Al*ta"ic\, a. [Cf. F. alta["i]que.]
Of or pertaining to the Altai, a mountain chain in Central
Asia.
Altar \Al"tar\, n. [OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl.
altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier,
F. autel. Cf. {Altitude}.]
1. A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of
stone or wood) on which sacrifices are offered or incense
burned to a deity.
Noah builded an altar unto the Lord. --Gen. viii.
20.
2. In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or
other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist;
the communion table.
Note: Altar is much used adjectively, or as the first part of
a compound; as, altar bread or altar-bread.
{Altar cloth} or
{Altar-cloth}, the cover for an altar in a Christian church,
usually richly embroidered.
{Altar cushion}, a cushion laid upon the altar in a Christian
church to support the service book.
{Altar frontal}. See {Frontal}.
{Altar rail}, the railing in front of the altar or communion
table.
{Altar screen}, a wall or partition built behind an altar to
protect it from approach in the rear.
{Altar tomb}, a tomb resembling an altar in shape, etc.
{Family altar}, place of family devotions.
{To lead (as a bride) to the altar}, to marry; -- said of a
woman.
Altarage \Al"tar*age\, n. [Cf. OF. auterage, autelage.]
1. The offerings made upon the altar, or to a church.
2. The profit which accrues to the priest, by reason of the
altar, from the small tithes. --Shipley.
Altarist \Al"tar*ist\, n. [Cf. LL. altarista, F. altariste.]
(Old Law)
(a) A chaplain.
(b) A vicar of a church.
Altarpiece \Al"tar*piece`\, n.
The painting or piece of sculpture above and behind the
altar; reredos.
Altarwise \Al"tar*wise`\, adv.
In the proper position of an altar, that is, at the east of a
church with its ends towards the north and south. --Shipley.
Altazimuth \Alt*az"i*muth\, n. [Alltude + azimuth.] (Astron.)
An instrument for taking azimuths and altitudes
simultaneously.
Alter \Al"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Altered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Altering}.] [F. alt['e]rer, LL. alterare, fr. L. alter
other, alius other. Cf. {Else}, {Other}.]
1. To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either
partially or wholly; to vary; to modify. ``To alter the
king's course.'' ``To alter the condition of a man.'' ``No
power in Venice can alter a decree.'' --Shak.
It gilds all objects, but it alters none. --Pope.
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing
that is gone out of my lips. --Ps. lxxxix.
34.
2. To agitate; to affect mentally. [Obs.] --Milton.
3. To geld. [Colloq.]
Syn: {Change}, {Alter}.
Usage: Change is generic and the stronger term. It may
express a loss of identity, or the substitution of one
thing in place of another; alter commonly expresses a
partial change, or a change in form or details without
destroying identity.
Alter \Al"ter\, v. i.
To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change;
as, the weather alters almost daily; rocks or minerals alter
by exposure. ``The law of the Medes and Persians, which
altereth not.'' --Dan. vi. 8.
Alterability \Al`ter*a*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
alt['e]rabilit['e].]
The quality of being alterable; alterableness.
Alterable \Al"ter*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. alt['e]rable.]
Capable of being altered.
Our condition in this world is mutable and uncertain,
alterable by a thousand accidents. --Rogers.
Alterableness \Al"ter*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being alterable; variableness; alterability.
Alterably \Al"ter*a*bly\, adv.
In an alterable manner.
Alterant \Al"ter*ant\, a. [LL. alterans, p. pr.: cf. F.
alt['e]rant.]
Altering; gradually changing. --Bacon.
Alterant \Al"ter*ant\, n.
An alterative. [R.] --Chambers.
Alteration \Al`ter*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. alt['e]ration.]
1. The act of altering or making different.
Alteration, though it be from worse to better, hath
in it incoveniences. --Hooker.
2. The state of being altered; a change made in the form or
nature of a thing; changed condition.
Ere long might perceive Strange alteration in me.
--Milton.
Appius Claudius admitted to the senate the sons of
those who had been slaves; by which, and succeeding
alterations, that council degenerated into a most
corrupt. --Swift.
Alterative \Al"ter*a*tive\, a. [L. alterativus: cf. F.
alt['e]ratif.]
Causing ateration. Specifically: Gradually changing, or
tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one
of health. --Burton.
Alterative \Al"ter*a*tive\, n.
A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and
restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.
Altercate \Al"ter*cate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Altercated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Altercating}.] [L. altercatus, p. p. of
altercare, altercari, fr. alter another. See {Alter}.]
To contend in words; to dispute with zeal, heat, or anger; to
wrangle.
Altercation \Al`ter*ca"tion\ (?; 277), n. [F. altercation, fr.
L. altercatio.]
Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or
anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest. ``Stormy
altercations.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: {Altercation}, {Dispute}, {Wrangle}.
Usage: The term dispute is in most cases, but not
necessarily, applied to a verbal contest; as, a
dispute on the lawfulness of war. An altercation is an
angry dispute between two parties, involving an
interchange of severe language. A wrangle is a
confused and noisy altercation.
Their whole life was little else than a
perpetual wrangling and altercation. --Hakewill.
Altercative \Al"ter*ca*tive\, a.
Characterized by wrangling; scolding. [R.] --Fielding.
Alterity \Al*ter"i*ty\, n. [F. alt['e]rit['e].]
The state or quality of being other; a being otherwise. [R.]
For outness is but the feeling of otherness (alterity)
rendered intuitive, or alterity visually represented.
--Coleridge.
Altern \Al"tern\, a. [L. alternus, fr. alter another: cf. F.
alterne.]
Acting by turns; alternate. --Milton.
{Altern base} (Trig.), a second side made base, in
distinction from a side previously regarded as base.
Alternacy \Al*ter"na*cy\, n.
Alternateness; alternation. [R.] --Mitford.
Alternant \Al*ter"nant\, a. [L. alternans, p. pr.: cf. F.
alternant. See {Alternate}, v. t.] (Geol.)
Composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.
Alternate \Al*ter"nate\ (?; 277), a. [L. alternatus, p. p. of
alternate, fr. alternus. See {Altern}, {Alter}.]
1. Being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in
succession of time or place; by turns first one and then
the other; hence, reciprocal.
And bid alternate passions fall and rise. --Pope.
2. Designating the members in a series, which regularly
intervene between the members of another series, as the
odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every
second; as, the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.; read
every alternate line.
3. (Bot.) Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights
of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular
divergence. --Gray.
{Alternate alligation}. See {Alligation}.
{Alternate angles} (Geom.), the internal and angles made by
two lines with a third, on opposite sides of it. It the
parallels AB, CD, are cut by the line EF, the angles AGH,
GHD, as also the angles BGH and GHC, are called alternate
angles.
{Alternate generation}. (Biol.) See under {Generation}.
Alternate \Al*ter"nate\ (?; 277), n.
1. That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
[R.]
Grateful alternates of substantial. --Prior.
2. A substitute; one designated to take the place of another,
if necessary, in performing some duty.
3. (Math.) A proportion derived from another proportion by
interchanging the means.
Alternate \Al"ter*nate\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Alternated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alternating}.] [L. alternatus,
p. p. of alternare. See {Altern}.]
To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by
turns; to interchange regularly.
The most high God, in all things appertaining unto this
life, for sundry wise ends alternates the disposition
of good and evil. --Grew.
Alternate \Al"ter*nate\, v. i.
1. To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow
reciprocally in place or time; -- followed by with; as,
the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.
Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast. --J.
Philips.
Different species alternating with each other.
--Kirwan.
2. To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky
hills and sandy plains.
Alternately \Al*ter"nate*ly\, adv.
1. In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in
alternate order.
2. (Math.) By alternation; when, in a proportion, the
antecedent term is compared with antecedent, and
consequent.
Alternateness \Al*ter"nate*ness\, n.
The quality of being alternate, or of following by turns.
Alternation \Al`ter*na"tion\, n. [L. alternatio: cf. F.
alternation.]
1. The reciprocal succession of things in time or place; the
act of following and being followed by turns; alternate
succession, performance, or occurrence; as, the
alternation of day and night, cold and heat, summer and
winter, hope and fear.
2. (Math.) Permutation.
3. The response of the congregation speaking alternately with
the minister. --Mason.
{Alternation of generation}. See under {Generation}.
Alternative \Al*ter"na*tive\, a. [Cf. F. alternatif.]
1. Offering a choice of two things.
2. Disjunctive; as, an alternative conjunction.
3. Alternate; reciprocal. [Obs.] --Holland.
Alternative \Al*ter"na*tive\, n. [Cf. F. alternative, LL.
alternativa.]
1. An offer of two things, one of which may be chosen, but
not both; a choice between two things, so that if one is
taken, the other must be left.
There is something else than the mere alternative of
absolute destruction or unreformed existence.
--Burke.
2. Either of two things or propositions offered to one's
choice. Thus when two things offer a choice of one only,
the two things are called {alternatives}.
Having to choose between two alternatives, safety
and war, you obstinately prefer the worse. --Jowett
(Thucyd.).
3. The course of action or the thing offered in place of
another.
If this demand is refused the alternative is war.
--Lewis.
With no alternative but death. --Longfellow.
4. A choice between more than two things; one of several
things offered to choose among.
My decided preference is for the fourth and last of
these alternatives. --Gladstone.
Alternatively \Al*ter"na*tive*ly\, adv.
In the manner of alternatives, or that admits the choice of
one out of two things.
Alternativeness \Al*ter"na*tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being alternative, or of offering a choice
between two.
Alternity \Al*ter"ni*ty\, n. [LL. alternitas.]
Succession by turns; alternation. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Althaea \Al*th[ae]"a\, Althea \Al*the"a\, n. [althaea, Gr. ?.]
(Bot.)
(a) A genus of plants of the Mallow family. It includes the
officinal marsh mallow, and the garden hollyhocks.
(b) An ornamental shrub ({Hibiscus Syriacus}) of the Mallow
family.
Altheine \Al*the"ine\, n. (Chem.)
Asparagine.
Altho \Al*tho"\, conj.
Although. [Reformed spelling]
Althorn \Alt"horn`\, n. [Alt + horn.] (Mus.)
An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in
military music, often replacing the French horn. --Grove.
Although \Al*though"\, conj. [All + though; OE. al thagh.]
Grant all this; be it that; supposing that; notwithstanding;
though.
Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. --Mark
xiv. 29.
Syn: {Although}, {Though}.
Usage: Although, which originally was perhaps more emphatic
than though, is now interchangeable with it in the
sense given above. Euphonic consideration determines
the choice.
Altiloquence \Al*til"o*quence\, n.
Lofty speech; pompous language. [R.] --Bailey.
Altiloquent \Al*til"o*quent\, a. [L. altus (adv. alte) high +
loquens, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]
High-sounding; pompous in speech. [R.] --Bailey.
Altimeter \Al*tim"e*ter\, n. [LL. altimeter; altus high +
metrum, Gr. ?, measure: cf. F. altim[`e]tre.]
An instrument for taking altitudes, as a quadrant, sextant,
etc. --Knight.
Altimetry \Al*tim"e*try\, n. [Cf. F. altim['e]trie.]
The art of measuring altitudes, or heights.
Altincar \Al*tin"car\, n.
See {Tincal}.
Altiscope \Al"ti*scope\, n. [L. altus high + Gr. ? to view.]
An arrangement of lenses and mirrors which enables a person
to see an object in spite of intervening objects.
Altisonant \Al*tis"o*nant\ ([a^]l*t[i^]s"[-o]*nant), a. [L.
altus high + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to sound.]
High-sounding; lofty or pompous. --Skelton.
Altisonous \Al*tis"o*nous\ (-n[u^]s), a. [L. altisonus.]
Altisonant.
Altissimo \Al*tis"si*mo\, n. [It.; superl. of alto.] (Mus.)
The part or notes situated above F in alt.
Altitude \Al"ti*tude\, n. [L. altitudo, fr. altus high. Cf.
{Altar}, {Haughty}, {Enhance}.]
1. Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation
of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or
above a given level, or of one object above another; as,
the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of
a tree.
2. (Astron.) The elevation of a point, or star, or other
celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc
of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and
the horizon. It is either true or apparent; true when
measured from the rational or real horizon, apparent when
from the sensible or apparent horizon.
3. (Geom.) The perpendicular distance from the base of a
figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base;
as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram,
frustum, etc.
4. Height of degree; highest point or degree.
He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.
--Shak.
5. Height of rank or excellence; superiority. --Swift.
6. pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [Colloq.]
--Richardson.
The man of law began to get into his altitude. --Sir
W. Scott.
{Meridian altitude}, an arc of the meridian intercepted
between the south point on the horizon and any point on
the meridian. See {Meridian}, 3.
Altitudinal \Al`ti*tu"di*nal\, a.
Of or pertaining to height; as, altitudinal measurements.
Altitudinarian \Al`ti*tu`di*na"ri*an\, a.
Lofty in doctrine, aims, etc. [R.] --Coleridge.
Altivolant \Al*tiv"o*lant\, a. [L. altivolans. See {Volant}.]
Flying high. [Obs.] --Blount.
Alto \Al"to\, n.; pl. {Altos}. [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf.
{Alt}.]
1. (Mus.) Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or
counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest
female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and
soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.
2. An alto singer.
{Alto clef} (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef,
placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of
the staff. --Moore.
Altogether \Al`to*geth"er\, adv. [OE. altogedere; al all +
togedere together. See {Together}.]
1. All together; conjointly. [Obs.]
Altogether they went at once. --Chaucer.
2. Without exception; wholly; completely.
Every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
--Ps. xxxix.
5.
Altometer \Al*tom"e*ter\, n. [L. altus high + -meter.]
A theodolite. --Knight.
Alto-relievo \Al"to-re*lie"vo\, n.
Alto-rilievo.
Alto-rilievo \Al"to-ri*lie*vo\, n.; pl. {Alto-rilievos}. [It.]
(Sculp.)
High relief; sculptured work in which the figures project
more than half their thickness; as, this figure is an
alto-rilievo or in alto-rilievo.
Note: When the figure stands only half out, it is called
mezzo-rilievo, demi-rilievo, or medium relief; when its
projection is less than one half, basso-rilievo,
bas-relief, or low relief.
Altrical \Al"tri*cal\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like the articles.
Altrices \Al*tri"ces\, n. pl. [L., nourishes, pl. of altrix.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Nursers, -- a term applied to those birds whose young are
hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to
require the care of their parents for some time; -- opposed
to {pr[ae]coces}.
Altruism \Al"tru*ism\, n. [F. altruisme (a word of Comte's), It.
altrui of or to others, fr. L. alter another.]
Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the
interests of others; brotherly kindness; -- opposed to
{egoism} or {selfishness}. [Recent] --J. S. Mill.
Altruist \Al"tru*ist\, n.
One imbued with altruism; -- opposed to {egoist}.
Altruistic \Al`tru*is"tic\, a. [Cf. F. altruiste, a. See
{Altruism}..]
Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; -- opposed to
{egoistic} or {selfish}. --Bain. -- {Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly},
adv.
Aludel \Al"u*del\, n. [F. & Sp. aludel, fr. Ar. aluth[=a]l.]
(Chem.)
One of the pear-shaped pots open at both ends, and so formed
as to be fitted together, the neck of one into the bottom of
another in succession; -- used in the process of sublimation.
--Ure.
Alula \Al"u*la\, n. [NL., dim. of L. ala a wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A false or bastard wing. See under {Bastard}.
Alular \Al"u*lar\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the alula.
Alum \Al"um\, n. [OE. alum, alom, OF. alum, F. alun, fr. L.
alumen alum.] (Chem.)
A double sulphate formed of aluminium and some other element
(esp. an alkali metal) or of aluminium. It has twenty-four
molecules of water of crystallization.
Note: Common alum is the double sulphate of aluminium and
potassium. It is white, transparent, very astringent,
and crystallizes easily in octahedrons. The term is
extended so as to include other double sulphates
similar to alum in formula.
Alum \Al"um\, v. t.
To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of
alum; to treat with alum. --Ure.
Alumen \A*lu"men\, n. [L.] (Chem.)
Alum.
Alumina \A*lu"mi*na\, n. [L. alumen, aluminis. See {Alum}.]
(Chem.)
One of the earths, consisting of two parts of aluminium and
three of oxygen, {Al2O3}.
Note: It is the oxide of the metal aluminium, the base of
aluminous salts, a constituent of a large part of the
earthy siliceous minerals, as the feldspars, micas,
scapolites, etc., and the characterizing ingredient of
common clay, in which it exists as an impure silicate
with water, resulting from the decomposition of other
aluminous minerals. In its natural state, it is the
mineral corundum.
Aluminate \A*lu`mi*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the
substitution of a metal for the hydrogen.
Aluminated \A*lu"mi*na`ted\ a.
Combined with alumina.
Alumine \Al"u*mine\ ([a^]l"[-u]*m[i^]n), n. [F.]
Alumina. --Davy.
Aluminic \Al`u*min"ic\ ([a^]l`[-u]*m[i^]n"[i^]l), a.
Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate.
Aluminiferous \A*lu`mi*nif"er*ous\, a. [L. alumen alum +
-ferous: cf. F. aluminif[`e]re.]
Containing alum.
Aluminiform \A*lu"mi*ni*form\, a. [L. alumen + -form.]
Having the form of alumina.
Aluminium \Al`u*min"i*um\ ([a^]l`[-u]*m[i^]n"[i^]*[u^]m), n. [L.
alumen. See {Alum}.] (Chem.)
The metallic base of alumina. This metal is white, but with a
bluish tinge, and is remarkable for its resistance to
oxidation, and for its lightness, having a specific gravity
of about 2.6. Atomic weight 27.08. Symbol Al.
{Aluminium bronze} or {gold}, a pale gold-colored alloy of
aluminium and copper, used for journal bearings, etc.
Aluminize \A*lu"mi*nize\ ([.a]*l[=u]*m[i^]*n[imac]z), v. t.
To treat or impregnate with alum; to alum.
Aluminous \A*lu"mi*nous\ ([.a]*l[=u]*m[i^]*n[u^]s), a. [L.
aluminosus, fr. alumen alum: cf. F. alumineux.]
Pertaining to or containing alum, or alumina; as, aluminous
minerals, aluminous solution.
Aluminum \A*lu"mi*num\ ([.a]*l[=u]*m[i^]*n[u^]m), n.
See {Aluminium}.
Alumish \Al"um*ish\, a.
Somewhat like alum.
Alumna \A*lum"na\, n. fem.; pl. {Alumn[ae]} . [L. See
{Alumnus}.]
A female pupil; especially, a graduate of a school or
college.
Alumnus \A*lum"nus\, n.; pl. {Alumni}. [L., fr. alere to
nourish.]
A pupil; especially, a graduate of a college or other
seminary of learning.
Alum root \Al"um root`\ (Bot.)
A North American herb ({Heuchera Americana}) of the Saxifrage
family, whose root has astringent properties.
Alum schist \Al"um schist"\, Alum shale \Al"um shale"\, (Min.)
A variety of shale or clay slate, containing iron pyrites,
the decomposition of which leads to the formation of alum,
which often effloresces on the rock.
Alum stone \Al"um stone`\ (Min.)
A subsulphate of alumina and potash; alunite.
Alunite \Al"u*nite\, n. (Min.)
Alum stone.
Alunogen \A*lu"no*gen\, n. [F. alun alum + -gen.] (Min.)
A white fibrous mineral frequently found on the walls of
mines and quarries, chiefly hydrous sulphate of alumina; --
also called feather alum, and hair salt.
Alure \Al"ure\, n. [OF. alure, aleure, walk, gait, fr. aler (F.
aller) to go.]
A walk or passage; -- applied to passages of various kinds.
The sides of every street were covered with fresh
alures of marble. --T. Warton.
Alutaceous \Al"u*ta"ceous\, a. [L. alutacius, fr. aluta soft
leather.]
1. Leathery.
2. Of a pale brown color; leather-yellow. --Brande.
Alutation \Al`u*ta"tion\, n. [See {Alutaceous}.]
The tanning or dressing of leather. [Obs.] --Blount.
Alveary \Al"ve*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Alvearies}. [L. alvearium,
alveare, beehive, fr. alveus a hollow vessel, beehive, from
alvus belly, beehive.]
1. A beehive, or something resembling a beehive. --Barret.
2. (Anat.) The hollow of the external ear. --Quincy.
Alveated \Al"ve*a`ted\, a. [L. alveatus hollowed out.]
Formed or vaulted like a beehive.
Alveolar \Al"ve*o*lar\ (?; 277), a. [L. alveolus a small hollow
or cavity: cf. F. alv['e]olaire.] (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, alveoli or little cells,
sacs, or sockets.
{Alveolar processes}, the processes of the maxillary bones,
containing the sockets of the teeth.
Alveolary \Al"ve*o*la*ry\, a.
Alveolar. [R.]
Alveolate \Al"ve*o*late\, a. [L. alveolatus, fr. alveolus.]
(Bot.)
Deeply pitted, like a honeycomb.
Alveole \Al"ve*ole\, n.
Same as {Alveolus}.
Alveoliform \Al*ve"o*li*form\ ([a^]l*v[=e]"[-o]*l[i^]*f[^o]rm),
a. [L. alveolus + -form.]
Having the form of alveoli, or little sockets, cells, or
cavities.
Alveolus \Al*ve"o*lus\ ([a^]l*v[=e]"[-o]*l[u^]s), n.; pl.
{Alveoli} (-l[imac]). [L., a small hollow or cavity, dim. of
alveus: cf. F. alv['e]ole. See {Alveary}.]
1. A cell in a honeycomb.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil
3. (Anat.) A small depression, sac, or vesicle, as the socket
of a tooth, the air cells of the lungs, the ultimate
saccules of glands, etc.
Alveus \Al"ve*us\, n.; pl. {Alvei}. [L.]
The channel of a river. --Weate.
Alvine \Al"vine\, a. [L. alvus belly: cf. F. alvin.]
Of, from, in, or pertaining to, the belly or the intestines;
as, alvine discharges; alvine concretions.
Alway \Al"way\, adv.
Always. [Archaic or Poetic]
I would not live alway. --Job vii. 16.
Always \Al"ways\, adv. [All + way. The s is an adverbial (orig.
a genitive) ending.]
1. At all times; ever; perpetually; throughout all time;
continually; as, God is always the same.
Even in Heaven his [Mammon's] looks and thoughts.
--Milton.
2. Constancy during a certain period, or regularly at stated
intervals; invariably; uniformly; -- opposed to
{sometimes} or {occasionally}.
He always rides a black galloway. --Bulwer.
Alyssum \A*lys"sum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, name of a plant, perh.
fr. 'a priv. + ? raging madness.] (Bot.)
A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The {sweet alyssum}
({A. maritimum}), cultivated for bouquets, bears small,
white, sweet-scented flowers.
Am \Am\ [AS. am, eom, akin to Gothic im, Icel. em, Olr. am,
Lith. esmi, L. sum., Gr. ?, Zend ahmi, Skr. asmi, fr. a root
as to be. ?. See {Are}, and cf. {Be}, {Was}.]
The first person singular of the verb be, in the indicative
mode, present tense. See {Be}.
God said unto Moses, I am that am. --Exod. iii.
14.
Amability \Am`a*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. amabilitas.]
Lovableness. --Jer. Taylor.
Note: The New English Dictionary (Murray) says this word is
``usefully distinct from Amiability.''
Amacratic \Am`a*crat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? together + ? power.]
(Photog.)
Amasthenic. --Sir J. Herschel.
Amadavat \Am`a*da*vat"\, n. [Indian name. From Ahmedabad, a city
from which it was imported to Europe.] (Zo["o]l.)
The strawberry finch, a small Indian song bird ({Estrelda
amandava}), commonly caged and kept for fighting. The female
is olive brown; the male, in summer, mostly crimson; --
called also {red waxbill}. [Written also {amaduvad} and
{avadavat}.]
Amadou \Am"a*dou\, n. [F. amadou tinder, prop. lure, bait, fr.
amadouer to allure, caress, perh. fr. Icel. mata to feed,
which is akin to E. meat.]
A spongy, combustible substance, prepared from fungus
({Boletus} and {Polyporus}) which grows on old trees; German
tinder; punk. It has been employed as a styptic by surgeons,
but its common use is as tinder, for which purpose it is
prepared by soaking it in a strong solution of niter. --Ure.
Amain \A*main"\, adv. [Pref. a- + main. See 2d {Main}, n.]
1. With might; with full force; vigorously; violently;
exceedingly.
They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows,
perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down
amain. --Milton.
That striping giant, ill-bred and scoffing, shouts
amain. --T. Parker.
2. At full speed; in great haste; also, at once. ``They fled
amain.'' --Holinshed.
Amain \A*main"\, v. t. [F. amener. See {Amenable}.] (Naut.)
To lower, as a sail, a yard, etc.
Amain \A*main"\, v. i. (Naut.)
To lower the topsail, in token of surrender; to yield.
Amalgam \A*mal"gam\, n. [F. amalgame, prob. fr. L. malagma, Gr.
?, emollient, plaster, poultice, fr. ? to make soft, fr. ?
soft.]
1. An alloy of mercury with another metal or metals; as, an
amalgam of tin, bismuth, etc.
Note: Medalists apply the term to soft alloys generally.
2. A mixture or compound of different things.
3. (Min.) A native compound of mercury and silver.
Amalgam \A*mal"gam\, v. t. ? i. [Cf. F. amalgamer]
To amalgamate. --Boyle. B. Jonson.
Amalgama \A*mal"ga*ma\, n.
Same as {Amalgam}.
They divided this their amalgama into a number of
incoherent republics. --Burke.
Amalgamate \A*mal"ga*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amalgamated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Amalgamating}.]
1. To compound or mix, as quicksilver, with another metal; to
unite, combine, or alloy with mercury.
2. To mix, so as to make a uniform compound; to unite or
combine; as, to amalgamate two races; to amalgamate one
race with another.
Ingratitude is indeed their four cardinal virtues
compacted and amalgamated into one. --Burke.
Amalgamate \A*mal"ga*mate\, v. i.
1. To unite in an amalgam; to blend with another metal, as
quicksilver.
2. To coalesce, as a result of growth; to combine into a
uniform whole; to blend; as, two organs or parts
amalgamate.
Amalgamate \A*mal"ga*mate\, Amalgamated \A*mal"ga*ma`ted\, a.
Coalesced; united; combined.
Amalgamation \A*mal`ga*ma"tion\, n. [Cf. F. amalgamation.]
1. The act or operation of compounding mercury with another
metal; -- applied particularly to the process of
separating gold and silver from their ores by mixing them
with mercury. --Ure.
2. The mixing or blending of different elements, races,
societies, etc.; also, the result of such combination or
blending; a homogeneous union. --Macaulay.
Amalgamative \A*mal"ga*ma*tive\, a.
Characterized by amalgamation.
Amalgamator \A*mal"ga*ma`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, amalgamates. Specifically: A machine
for separating precious metals from earthy particles by
bringing them in contact with a body of mercury with which
they form an amalgam.
Amalgamize \A*mal"ga*mize\, v. t.
To amalgamate. [R.]
Amandine \A*man"dine\, n. [F. amande almond. See {Almond}.]
1. The vegetable casein of almonds.
2. A kind of cold cream prepared from almonds, for chapped
hands, etc.
Amanitine \A*man"i*tine\, n. [Gr. ? a sort of fungus.]
The poisonous principle of some fungi.
Amanuensis \A*man`u*en"sis\, n.; pl. {Amanuenses}. [L., fr. a,
ab + manus hand.]
A person whose employment is to write what another dictates,
or to copy what another has written.
Amaracus \A*mar"a*cus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
A fragrant flower. --Tennyson.
Amarant \Am"a*rant\, n.
Amaranth, 1. [Obs.] --Milton.
Amarantaceous \Am`a*ran*ta"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of
which the amaranth is the type.
Amaranth \Am"a*ranth\, n. [L. amarantus, Gr. ?, unfading,
amaranth; 'a priv. + ? to quench, cause to wither, fr. a root
meaning to die, akin to E. mortal; -- so called because its
flowers do not soon wither: cf. F. amarante. The spelling
with th seems to be due to confusion with Gr. ? flower.]
1. An imaginary flower supposed never to fade. [Poetic]
2. (Bot.) A genus of ornamental annual plants ({Amaranthus})
of many species, with green, purplish, or crimson flowers.
2. A color inclining to purple.
Amaranthine \Am`a*ran"thine\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to amaranth. ``Amaranthine bowers.''
--Pope.
2. Unfading, as the poetic amaranth; undying.
They only amaranthine flower on earth Is virtue.
--Cowper.
3. Of a purplish color. --Buchanan.
Amaranthus \Am`a*ran"thus\ ([a^]m`[.a]*r[a^]n"th[u^]s),
Amarantus \Am`a*ran"tus\ ([a^]m`[.a]*r[a^]n"t[u^]s), n.
Same as {Amaranth}.
Amarine \Am"a*rine\, n. [L. amarus bitter.] (Chem.)
A characteristic crystalline substance, obtained from oil of
bitter almonds.
Amaritude \A*mar"i*tude\, n. [L. amaritudo, fr. amarus bitter:
cf. OF. amaritude.]
Bitterness. [R.]
Amaryllidaceous \Am`a*ryl`li*da"ceous\, Amaryllideous
\Am`a*ryl*lid"e*ous\, a. (Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, an order of plants
differing from the lily family chiefly in having the ovary
below the ?etals. The narcissus and daffodil are members of
this family.
Amaryllis \Am`a*ryl"lis\, n. [L. Amaryllis, Gr. ?, ?, the name
of a country girl in Theocritus and Virgil.]
1. A pastoral sweetheart.
To sport with Amaryllis in the shade. --Milton.
2. (bot.)
(a) A family of plants much esteemed for their beauty,
including the narcissus, jonquil, daffodil, agave, and
others.
(b) A genus of the same family, including the Belladonna
lily.
Amass \A*mass"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amassed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Amassing}.] [F. ambusher, LL. amassare; L. ad + massa lump,
mass. See {Mass}.]
To collect into a mass or heap; to gather a great quantity
of; to accumulate; as, to amass a treasure or a fortune; to
amass words or phrases.
The life Homer has been written by amassing all the
traditions and hints the writers could meet with.
--Pope.
Syn: To accumulate; heap up; pile.
Amass \A*mass"\, n. [OF. amasse, fr. ambusher.]
A mass; a heap. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Amassable \A*mass"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being amassed.
Amasser \A*mass"er\, n.
One who amasses.
Amassette \A`mas`sette"\, n. [F. See {Amass}.]
An instrument of horn used for collecting painters' colors on
the stone in the process of grinding.
Amassment \A*mass"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. amassement.]
An amassing; a heap collected; a large quantity or number
brought together; an accumulation.
An amassment of imaginary conceptions. --Glanvill.
Amasthenic \Am`as*then"ic\, a. [Gr. ? together + ? force.]
(Photog.)
Uniting the chemical rays of light into one focus, as a
certain kind of lens; amacratic.
Amate \A*mate"\, v. t. [OF. amater, amatir.]
To dismay; to dishearten; to daunt. [Obs. or Archaic]
The Silures, to amate the new general, rumored the
overthrow greater than was true. --Milton.
Amate \A*mate"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + mate.]
To be a mate to; to match. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Amateur \Am`a*teur"\, n. [F., fr. L. amator lover, fr. amare to
love.]
A person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science
as to music or painting; esp. one who cultivates any study or
art, from taste or attachment, without pursuing it
professionally.
Amateurish \Am`a*teur"ish\, a.
In the style of an amateur; superficial or defective like the
work of an amateur. -- {Am`a*teur"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Am`a*teur"ish*ness}, n.
Amateurism \Am"a*teur*ism\, n.
The practice, habit, or work of an amateur.
Amateurship \Am"a*teur`ship\, n.
The quality or character of an amateur.
Amative \Am"a*tive\, a. [L. amatus, p. p. of amare to love.]
Full of love; amatory.
Amativeness \Am"a*tive*ness\, n. (Phren.)
The faculty supposed to influence sexual desire; propensity
to love. --Combe.
Amatorial \Am`a*to"ri*al\, a. [See {Amatorious}.]
Of or pertaining to a lover or to love making; amatory; as,
amatorial verses.
Amatorially \Am`a*to"ri*al*ly\, adv.
In an amatorial manner.
Amatorian \Am`a*to"ri*an\, a.
Amatory. [R.] --Johnson.
Amatorious \Am`a*to"ri*ous\, a. [L. amatorius, fr. amare to
love.]
Amatory. [Obs.] ``Amatorious poem.'' --Milton.
Amatory \Am"a*to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, producing, or expressing, sexual love; as,
amatory potions.
Amaurosis \Am`au*ro"sis\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? dark, dim.] (Med.)
A loss or decay of sight, from loss of power in the optic
nerve, without any perceptible external change in the eye; --
called also {gutta serena}, the ``{drop serene}'' of Milton.
Amaurotic \Am`au*rot"ic\, a.
Affected with amaurosis; having the characteristics of
amaurosis.
Amaze \A*maze"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amazed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Amazing}.] [Pref. a- + maze.]
1. To bewilder; to stupefy; to bring into a maze. [Obs.]
A labyrinth to amaze his foes. --Shak.
2. To confound, as by fear, wonder, extreme surprise; to
overwhelm with wonder; to astound; to astonish greatly.
``Amazing Europe with her wit.'' --Goldsmith.
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not
this the son of David? --Matt. xii.
23.
Syn: To astonish; astound; confound; bewilder; perplex;
surprise.
Usage: {Amaze}, {Astonish}. Amazement includes the notion of
bewilderment of difficulty accompanied by surprise. It
expresses a state in which one does not know what to
do, or to say, or to think. Hence we are amazed at
what we can not in the least account for. Astonishment
also implies surprise. It expresses a state in which
one is stunned by the vastness or greatness of
something, or struck with some degree of horror, as
when one is overpowered by the ?normity of an act,
etc.
Amaze \A*maze"\, v. i.
To be astounded. [Archaic] --B. Taylor.
Amaze \A*maze"\, v. t.
Bewilderment, arising from fear, surprise, or wonder;
amazement. [Chiefly poetic]
The wild, bewildered Of one to stone converted by
amaze. --Byron.
Amazedly \A*maz"ed*ly\, adv.
In amazement; with confusion or astonishment. --Shak.
Amazedness \A*maz"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being amazed, or confounded with fear, surprise,
or wonder. --Bp. Hall.
Amazeful \A*maze"ful\, a.
Full of amazement. [R.]
Amazement \A*maze"ment\, n.
1. The condition of being amazed; bewilderment [Obs.];
overwhelming wonder, as from surprise, sudden fear,
horror, or admiration.
His words impression left Of much amazement.
--Milton.
2. Frenzy; madness. [Obs.] --Webster (1661).
Amazing \A*maz"ing\, a.
Causing amazement; very wonderful; as, amazing grace. --
{A*maz"ing*ly}, adv.
Amazon \Am"a*zon\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
1. One of a fabulous race of female warriors in Scythia;
hence, a female warrior.
2. A tall, strong, masculine woman; a virago.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A name numerous species of South American
parrots of the genus {Chrysotis}
{Amazon ant} (Zo["o]l.), a species of ant ({Polyergus
rufescens}), of Europe and America. They seize by conquest
the larv[ae] and nymphs of other species and make slaves
of them in their own nests.
Amazonian \Am`a*zo"ni*an\, a.
1. Pertaining to or resembling an Amazon; of masculine
manners; warlike. --Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to the river Amazon in South America, or
to its valley.
Amazonite \Am"a*zon*ite\, Amazon stone \Am"a*zon stone`\, n.
[Named from the river Amazon.] (Min.)
A variety of feldspar, having a verdigris-green color.
Amb- \Amb-\, Ambi- \Am*bi-\ [L. prefix ambi-, amb-, akin to Gr.
?, Skr. abhi, AS. embe, emb, OHG. umbi, umpi, G. um, and also
L. ambo both. Cf. {Amphi-}, {Both}, {By}.]
A prefix meaning about, around; -- used in words derived from
the Latin.
Ambages \Am*ba"ges\, n. pl. [L. (usually in pl.); pref. ambi-,
amb- + agere to drive: cf. F. ambage.]
A circuit; a winding. Hence: Circuitous way or proceeding;
quibble; circumlocution; indirect mode of speech.
After many ambages, perspicuously define what this
melancholy is. --Burton.
Ambaginous \Am*bag"i*nous\, a.
Ambagious. [R.]
Ambagious \Am*ba"gious\, a. [L. ambagiosus.]
Circumlocutory; circuitous. [R.]
Ambagitory \Am*bag"i*to*ry\, a.
Ambagious. [R.]
Ambassade \Am"bas*sade\, Embassade \Em"bas*sade\, n. [F.
ambassade. See {Embassy}.]
1. The mission of an ambassador. [Obs.] --Carew.
2. An embassy. [Obs.] --Strype.
Ambassador \Am*bas"sa*dor\, Embassador \Em*bas"sa*dor\, n. [See
{Embassador}.]
1. A minister of the highest rank sent to a foreign court to
represent there his sovereign or country.
Note: Ambassadors are either ordinary [or resident] or
extraordinary, that is, sent upon some special or
unusual occasion or errand. --Abbott.
2. An official messenger and representative.
Ambassadorial \Am*bas`sa*do"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to an ambassador. --H. Walpole.
Ambassadorship \Am*bas`sa*dor*ship\, n.
The state, office, or functions of an ambassador.
Ambassadress \Am*bas"sa*dress\, n.
A female ambassador; also, the wife of an ambassador.
--Prescott.
Ambassage \Am"bas*sage\, n.
Same as {Embassage}. [Obs. or R.] --Luke xiv. 32.
Ambassy \Am"bas*sy\, n.
See {Embassy}, the usual spelling. --Helps.
Amber \Am"ber\, n. [OE. aumbre, F. ambre, Sp. ['a]mbar, and with
the Ar. article, al['a]mbar, fr. Ar. 'anbar ambergris.]
1. (Min.) A yellowish translucent resin resembling copal,
found as a fossil in alluvial soils, with beds of lignite,
or on the seashore in many places. It takes a fine polish,
and is used for pipe mouthpieces, beads, etc., and as a
basis for a fine varnish. By friction, it becomes strongly
electric.
2. Amber color, or anything amber-colored; a clear light
yellow; as, the amber of the sky.
3. Ambergris. [Obs.]
You that smell of amber at my charge. --Beau. & Fl.
4. The balsam, liquidambar.
{Black amber}, and old and popular name for jet.
Amber \Am"ber\, a.
1. Consisting of amber; made of amber. ``Amber bracelets.''
--Shak.
2. Resembling amber, especially in color; amber-colored.
``The amber morn.'' --Tennyson.
Amber \Am"ber\, v. t. [p. p. & p. a. {Ambered} .]
1. To scent or flavor with ambergris; as, ambered wine.
2. To preserve in amber; as, an ambered fly.
Amber fish \Am"ber fish\ (Zo["o]l.)
A fish of the southern Atlantic coast ({Seriola
Carolinensis.})
Ambergrease \Am"ber*grease\, n.
See {Ambergris}.
Ambergris \Am"ber*gris\, n. [F. ambre gris, i. e., gray amber;
F. gris gray, which is of German origin: cf. OS. gr[^i]s, G.
greis, gray-haired. See {Amber}.]
A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the
Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a
morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale
({Physeter macrocephalus}), which is believed to be in all
cases its true origin. In color it is white, ash-gray,
yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The
floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and
twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a
white vapor at 212[deg] Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in
perfumery. --Dana.
Amber room \Am"ber room\
A room formerly in the Czar's Summer Palace in Russia, which
was richly decorated with walls and fixtures made from amber.
The amber was removed by occupying German troops during the
Second World War and has, as of 1997, never been recovered.
The room is being recreated from old photographs by Russian
artisans. PJC
Amber seed \Am"ber seed`\
Seed of the {Hibiscus abelmoschus}, somewhat resembling
millet, brought from Egypt and the West Indies, and having a
flavor like that of musk; musk seed. --Chambers.
Amber tree \Am"ber tree`\
A species of {Anthospermum}, a shrub with evergreen leaves,
which, when bruised, emit a fragrant odor.
Ambes-as \Ambes"-as\, n.
Ambs-ace. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ambidexter \Am"bi*dex"ter\, a. [LL., fr. L. ambo both + dexter
right, dextra (sc. manus) the right hand.]
Using both hands with equal ease. --Smollett.
Ambidexter \Am`bi*dex"ter\, n.
1. A person who uses both hands with equal facility.
2. Hence: A double-dealer; one equally ready to act on either
side in party disputes.
The rest are hypocrites, ambidexters, so many
turning pictures -- a lion on one side, a lamb on
the other. --Burton.
3. (Law) A juror who takes money from both parties for giving
his verdict. --Cowell.
Ambidexterity \Am"bi*dex*ter"i*ty\, n.
1. The quality of being ambidextrous; the faculty of using
both hands with equal facility. Hence: Versatility;
general readiness; as, ambidexterity of argumentation.
--Sterne.
Ignorant I was of the human frame, and of its latent
powers, as regarded speed, force, and ambidexterity.
--De Quincey.
2. Double-dealing. (Law) A juror's taking of money from the
both parties for a verdict.
Ambidextral \Am`bi*dex"tral\, a.
Pertaining equally to the right-hand side and the left-hand
side. --Earle.
Ambidextrous \Am`bi*dex"trous\, a.
1. Having the faculty of using both hands with equal ease.
--Sir T. Browne.
2. Practicing or siding with both parties.
All false, shuffling, and ambidextrous dealings.
--L'Estrange.
Ambidextrously \Am"bi*dex"trous*ly\, adv.
In an ambidextrous manner; cunningly.
Ambidextrousness \Am`bi*dex"trous*ness\, n.
The quality of being ambidextrous; ambidexterity.
Ambient \Am"bi*ent\, a. [L. ambiens, p. pr. of ambire to go
around; amb- + ire to go.]
Encompassing on all sides; circumfused; investing. ``Ambient
air.'' --Milton. ``Ambient clouds.'' --Pope.
Ambient \Am"bi*ent\, n.
Something that surrounds or invests; as, air . . . being a
perpetual ambient. --Sir H. Wotton.
Ambigenous \Am*big"e*nous\, a. [L. ambo both + genus kind.]
Of two kinds. (Bot.) Partaking of two natures, as the
perianth of some endogenous plants, where the outer surface
is calycine, and the inner petaloid.
Ambigu \Am"bi*gu\, n. [F., fr. ambigu doubtful, L. ambiquus. See
{Ambiguous}.]
An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the
same time.
Ambiguity \Am`bi*gu"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Ambiguities}. [L.
ambiguitas, fr. ambiguus: cf. F. ambiguit['e].]
The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or
uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of
language, arising from its admitting of more than one
meaning; an equivocal word or expression.
No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be
pursued. --I. Taylor.
The words are of single signification, without any
ambiguity. --South.
Ambiguous \Am*big"u*ous\, a. [L. ambiguus, fr. ambigere to
wander about, waver; amb- + agere to drive.]
Doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to
signification; capable of being understood in either of two
or more possible senses; equivocal; as, an ambiguous course;
an ambiguous expression.
What have been thy answers? What but dark, Ambiguous,
and with double sense deluding? --Milton.
Syn: Doubtful; dubious; uncertain; unsettled; indistinct;
indeterminate; indefinite. See {Equivocal}.
Ambiguously \Am*big"u*ous*ly\, adv.
In an ambiguous manner; with doubtful meaning.
Ambiguousness \Am*big"u*ous*ness\, n.
Ambiguity.
Ambilevous \Am`bi*le"vous\, a. [L. ambo both + laevus left.]
Left-handed on both sides; clumsy; -- opposed to
{ambidexter}. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Ambiloquy \Am*bil"o*quy\, n.
Doubtful or ambiguous language. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Ambiparous \Am*bip"a*rous\, a. [L. ambo both + parere to bring
forth.] (Bot.)
Characterized by containing the rudiments of both flowers and
leaves; -- applied to a bud.
Ambit \Am"bit\, n. [L. ambitus circuit, fr. ambire to go around.
See {Ambient}.]
Circuit or compass.
His great parts did not live within a small ambit.
--Milward.
Ambition \Am*bi"tion\, n. [F. ambition, L. ambitio a going
around, especially of candidates for office is Rome, to
solicit votes (hence, desire for office or honor? fr. ambire
to go around. See {Ambient}, {Issue}.]
1. The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or
any other object of desire; canvassing. [Obs.]
[I] used no ambition to commend my deeds. --Milton.
2. An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for
preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment
of something.
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way ambition: By
that sin fell the angels. --Shak.
The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six
thousand more acres. --Burke.
Ambition \Am*bi"tion\, v. t. [Cf. F. ambitionner.]
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet. [R.]
Pausanias, ambitioning the sovereignty of Greece,
bargains with Xerxes for his daughter in marriage.
--Trumbull.
Ambitionist \Am*bi"tion*ist\, n.
One excessively ambitious. [R.]
Ambitionless \Am*bi"tion*less\, a.
Devoid of ambition. --Pollok.
Ambitious \Am*bi"tious\, a. [L. ambitiosus: cf. F. ambitieux.
See {Ambition}.]
1. Possessing, or controlled by, ambition; greatly or
inordinately desirous of power, honor, office,
superiority, or distinction.
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an
honorable man. --Shak.
2. Strongly desirous; -- followed by of or the infinitive;
as, ambitious to be or to do something.
I was not ambitious of seeing this ceremony.
--Evelyn.
Studious of song, and yet ambitious not to sing in
vain. --Cowper.
3. Springing from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition;
showy; aspiring; as, an ambitious style.
A giant statue . . . Pushed by a wild and artless
race, From off wide, ambitious base. --Collins.
Ambitiously \Am*bi"tious*ly\, adv.
In an ambitious manner.
Ambitiousness \Am*bi"tious*ness\ ([a^]m*b[i^]sh"[u^]s*n[e^]s),
n.
The quality of being ambitious; ambition; pretentiousness.
Ambitus \Am"bi*tus\ ([a^]m"b[i^]*t[u^]s), n. [L. See {Ambit},
{Ambition}.]
1. The exterior edge or border of a thing, as the border of a
leaf, or the outline of a bivalve shell.
2. (Rom. Antiq.) A canvassing for votes.
Amble \Am"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ambled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Ambling}.] [F. ambler to amble, fr. L. ambulare to walk, in
LL., to amble, perh. fr. amb-, ambi-, and a root meaning to
go: cf. Gr. ? to go, E. base. Cf. {Ambulate}.]
1. To go at the easy gait called an amble; -- applied to the
horse or to its rider.
2. To move somewhat like an ambling horse; to go easily or
without hard shocks.
The skipping king, he ambled up and down. --Shak.
Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily. --Shak.
Amble \Am"ble\, n.
1. A peculiar gait of a horse, in which both legs on the same
side are moved at the same time, alternating with the legs
on the other side. ``A fine easy amble.'' --B. Jonson.
2. A movement like the amble of a horse.
Ambler \Am"bler\, n.
A horse or a person that ambles.
Amblingly \Am"bling*ly\, adv.
With an ambling gait.
Amblotic \Am*blot"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? an abortion.]
Tending to cause abortion.
Amblygon \Am"bly*gon\, n. [Gr. ? obtuse + ? angle: cf. F.
amblygone.] (Geom.)
An obtuse-angled figure, esp. and obtuse-angled triangle.
[Obs.]
Amblygonal \Am*blyg"o*nal\, a.
Obtuse-angled. [Obs.] --Hutton.
Amblyopia \Am`bly*o"pi*a\, Amblyopy \Am"bly*o`py\, n. [Gr. ?; ?
blunt, dim + ? eye: cf. F. amblyopie.] (Med.)
Weakness of sight, without and opacity of the cornea, or of
the interior of the eye; the first degree of amaurosis.
Amblyopic \Am"bly*op"ic\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to amblyopy. --Quain.
Amblypoda \Am*blyp"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? blunt + ?, ?,
foot.] (Paleon.)
A group of large, extinct, herbivorous mammals, common in the
Tertiary formation of the United States.
Ambo \Am"bo\, n.; pl. {Ambos}. [LL. ambo, Gr. ?, any rising, a
raised stage, pulpit: cf. F. ambon.]
A large pulpit or reading desk, in the early Christian
churches. --Gwilt.
Ambon \Am"bon\, n.
Same as {Ambo}.
Amboyna wood \Am*boy"na wood\
A beautiful mottled and curled wood, used in cabinetwork. It
is obtained from the {Pterocarpus Indicus} of Amboyna,
Borneo, etc.
Ambreate \Am"bre*ate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt formed by the combination of ambreic acid with a base
or positive radical.
Ambreic \Am*bre"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to ambrein; -- said of a certain acid
produced by digesting ambrein in nitric acid.
Ambrein \Am"bre*in\, n. [Cf. F. ambr['e]ine. See {Amber}.]
(Chem.)
A fragrant substance which is the chief constituent of
ambergris.
Ambrite \Am"brite\, n. [From amber.]
A fossil resin occurring in large masses in New Zealand.
Ambrose \Am"brose\, n.
A sweet-scented herb; ambrosia. See {Ambrosia}, 3. --Turner.
Ambrosia \Am*bro"sia\ (?; 277), n. [L. ambrosia, Gr. ?, properly
fem. of ?, fr. ? immortal, divine; 'a priv. + ? mortal
(because it was supposed to confer immortality on those who
partook of it). ? stands for ?, akin to Skr. mrita, L.
mortuus, dead, and to E. mortal.]
1. (Myth.)
(a) The fabled food of the gods (as nectar was their
drink), which conferred immortality upon those who
partook of it.
(b) An unguent of the gods.
His dewy locks distilled ambrosia. --Milton.
2. A perfumed unguent, salve, or draught; something very
pleasing to the taste or smell. --Spenser.
3. Formerly, a kind of fragrant plant; now (Bot.), a genus of
plants, including some coarse and worthless weeds, called
ragweed, hogweed, etc.
Ambrosiac \Am"bro"si*ac\, a. [L. ambrosiacus: cf. F.
ambrosiaque.]
Having the qualities of ambrosia; delicious. [R.]``Ambrosiac
odors.'' --B. Jonson.
Ambrosial \Am*bro"sial\, a. [L. ambrosius, Gr. ?.]
1. Consisting of, or partaking of the nature of, ambrosia;
delighting the taste or smell; delicious. ``Ambrosial
food.'' ``Ambrosial fragrance.'' --Milton.
2. Divinely excellent or beautiful. ``Shakes his ambrosial
curls.'' --Pope.
Ambrosially \Am*bro"sial*ly\, adv.
After the manner of ambrosia; delightfully. ``Smelt
ambrosially.'' --Tennyson.
Ambrosian \Am*bro"sian\, a.
Ambrosial. [R.] --. Jonson.
Ambrosian \Am*bro"sian\, a.
Of or pertaining to St. Ambrose; as, the Ambrosian office, or
ritual, a formula of worship in the church of Milan,
instituted by St. Ambrose.
{Ambrosian chant}, the mode of signing or chanting introduced
by St. Ambrose in the 4th century.
Ambrosin \Am"bro*sin\, n. [LL. Ambrosinus nummus.]
An early coin struck by the dukes of Milan, and bearing the
figure of St. Ambrose on horseback.
Ambrotype \Am"bro*type\ (-t[imac]p), n. [Gr. 'a`mbrotos immortal
+ -type.] (Photog.)
A picture taken on a plate of prepared glass, in which the
lights are represented in silver, and the shades are produced
by a dark background visible through the unsilvered portions
of the glass.
Ambry \Am"bry\, n.; pl. {Ambries}. [OE. aumbry, almery, OF.
almarie, armarie, aumaire, F. armoire, LL. armarium chest,
cupboard, orig. a repository for arms, fr. L. arama arms. The
word has been confused with almonry. See {Armory}.]
1. In churches, a kind of closet, niche, cupboard, or locker
for utensils, vestments, etc.
2. A store closet, as a pantry, cupboard, etc.
3. Almonry. [Improperly so used]
Ambs-ace \Ambs"-ace\, n. [OF. ambesas; ambes both (fr. L. ambo)
+ as ace. See {Ace}.]
Double aces, the lowest throw of all at dice. Hence: Bad
luck; anything of no account or value.
Ambulacral \Am`bu*la"cral\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to ambulacra; avenuelike; as, the ambulacral
ossicles, plates, spines, and suckers of echinoderms.
Ambulacriform \Am`bu*la"cri*form\, a. [Ambulacrum + -form]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the form of ambulacra.
Ambulacrum \Am`bu*la"crum\, n.; pl. {Ambulacra}. [L., an alley
or covered way.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the radical zones of echinoderms, along which run
the principal nerves, blood vessels, and water tubes.
These zones usually bear rows of locomotive suckers or
tentacles, which protrude from regular pores. In star
fishes they occupy the grooves along the under side of
the rays.
(b) One of the suckers on the feet of mites.
Ambulance \Am"bu*lance\, n. [F. ambulance, h[^o]pital ambulant,
fr. L. ambulare to walk. See {Amble}.] (Mil.)
(a) A field hospital, so organized as to follow an army in
its movements, and intended to succor the wounded as soon
as possible. Often used adjectively; as, an ambulance
wagon; ambulance stretcher; ambulance corps.
(b) An ambulance wagon or cart for conveying the wounded from
the field, or to a hospital.
Ambulant \Am"bu*lant\, a. [L. ambulans, p. pr. of ambulare to
walk: cf. F. ambulant.]
Walking; moving from place to place. --Gayton.
Ambulate \Am"bu*late\, v. i. [L. ambulare to walk. See {Amble}.]
To walk; to move about. [R.] --Southey.
Ambulation \Am`bu*la"tion\, n. [L. ambulatio.]
The act of walking. --Sir T. Browne.
Ambulative \Am"bu*la*tive\, a.
Walking. [R.]
Ambulator \Am"bu*la`tor\, n.
1. One who walks about; a walker.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A beetle of the genus {Lamia}.
(b) A genus of birds, or one of this genus.
3. An instrument for measuring distances; -- called also
{perambulator}. --Knight.
Ambulatorial \Am`bu*la*to"ri*al\, a.
Ambulatory; fitted for walking. --Verrill.
Ambulatory \Am"bu*la*to*ry\, a. [L. ambulatorius.]
1. Of or pertaining to walking; having the faculty of
walking; formed or fitted for walking; as, an ambulatory
animal.
2. Accustomed to move from place to place; not stationary;
movable; as, an ambulatory court, which exercises its
jurisdiction in different places.
The priesthood . . . before was very ambulatory, and
dispersed into all families. --Jer. Taylor.
3. Pertaining to a walk. [R.]
The princess of whom his majesty had an ambulatory
view in his travels. --Sir H.
Wotton.
4. (Law) Not yet fixed legally, or settled past alteration;
alterable; as, the dispositions of a will are ambulatory
until the death of the testator.
Ambulatory \Am"bu*la*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Ambulatories}. [Cf. LL.
ambulatorium.] (Arch.)
A place to walk in, whether in the open air, as the gallery
of a cloister, or within a building.
Amburry \Am"bur*ry\, n.
Same as {Anbury}.
Ambuscade \Am`bus*cade"\, n. [F. embuscade, fr. It. imboscata,
or Sp. emboscada, fr. emboscar to ambush, fr. LL. imboscare.
See {Ambush}, v. t.]
1. A lying in a wood, concealed, for the purpose of attacking
an enemy by surprise. Hence: A lying in wait, and
concealed in any situation, for a like purpose; a snare
laid for an enemy; an ambush.
2. A place in which troops lie hid, to attack an enemy
unexpectedly. [R.] --Dryden.
3. (Mil.) The body of troops lying in ambush.
Ambuscade \Am`bus*cade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ambuscaded}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Ambuscading}.]
1. To post or conceal in ambush; to ambush.
2. To lie in wait for, or to attack from a covert or lurking
place; to waylay.
Ambuscade \Am`bus*cade"\, v. i.
To lie in ambush.
Ambuscado \Am`bus*ca"do\, n.
Ambuscade. [Obs.] --Shak.
Ambuscadoed \Am`bus*ca"doed\, p. p.
Posted in ambush; ambuscaded. [Obs.]
Ambush \Am"bush\, n. [F. emb[^u]che, fr. the verb. See {Ambush},
v. t.]
1. A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an
enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen
peril; a device to entrap; a snare.
Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege Or
ambush from the deep. --Milton.
2. A concealed station, where troops or enemies lie in wait
to attack by surprise.
Bold in close ambush, base in open field. --Dryden.
3. The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by
surprise; liers in wait. [Obs.]
The ambush arose quickly out of their place. --Josh.
viii. 19.
{To lay an ambush}, to post a force in ambush.
Ambush \Am"bush\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ambushed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Ambushing}.] [OE. enbussen, enbushen, OF. embushier,
embuissier, F. emb[^u]cher, embusquer, fr. LL. imboscare; in
+ LL. boscus, buscus, a wood; akin to G. bush, E. bush. See
{Ambuscade}, {Bu?h}.]
1. To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
By ambushed men behind their temple ?ai?, We have
the king of Mexico betrayed. --Dryden.
2. To attack by ambush; to waylay.
Ambush \Am"bush\, v. i.
To lie in wait, for the purpose of attacking by surprise; to
lurk.
Nor saw the snake that ambushed for his prey.
--Trumbull.
Ambusher \Am"bush*er\, n.
One lying in ambush.
Ambushment \Am"bush*ment\, n. [OF. embuschement. See {Ambush},
v. t.]
An ambush. [Obs.] --2 Chron. xiii. 13.
Ambustion \Am*bus"tion\ (?; 106), n. [L. ambustio.] (Med.)
A burn or scald. --Blount.
Amebean \Am`e*be"an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Am?bean}.
Ameer \A*meer"\, Amir \A*mir"\, n. [See {Emir}.]
1. Emir. [Obs.]
2. One of the Mohammedan nobility of Afghanistan and Scinde.
Amel \Am"el\, n. [OE. amell, OF. esmail, F. ['e]mail, of German
origin; cf. OHG. smelzi, G. schmelz. See {Smelt}, v. t.]
Enamel. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Amel \Am"el\, v. t. [OE. amellen, OF. esmailler, F. ['e]mailler,
OF. esmail, F. ['e]mail.]
To enamel. [Obs.]
Enlightened all with stars, And richly ameled.
--Chapman.
Amelcorn \Am"el*corn`\, n. [Ger. amelkorn: cf. MHG. amel, amer,
spelt, and L. amylum starch, Gr. ?.]
A variety of wheat from which starch is produced; -- called
also {French rice}.
Ameliorable \A*mel"io*ra*ble\, a.
Capable of being ameliorated.
Ameliorate \A*mel"io*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ameliorated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Ameliorating}.] [L. ad + meliorare to make
better: cf. F. am['e]liorer. See {Meliorate}.]
To make better; to improve; to meliorate.
In every human being there is a wish to ameliorate his
own condition. --Macaulay.
Ameliorate \A*mel"io*rate\, v. i.
To grow better; to meliorate; as, wine ameliorates by age.
Amelioration \A*mel`io*ra"tion\, n. [Cf. F. am['e]lioration.]
The act of ameliorating, or the state of being ameliorated;
making or becoming better; improvement; melioration.
``Amelioration of human affairs.'' --J. S. Mill.
Ameliorative \A*mel"io*ra*tive\, a.
Tending to ameliorate; producing amelioration or improvement;
as, ameliorative remedies, efforts.
Ameliorator \A*mel"io*ra`tor\, n.
One who ameliorates.
Amen \A`men"\ (?; 277), interj., adv., & n. [L. amen, Gr.
'amh`n, Heb. [=a]m[=e]n certainly, truly.]
An expression used at the end of prayers, and meaning, So be
it. At the end of a creed, it is a solemn asseveration of
belief. When it introduces a declaration, it is equivalent to
truly, verily.
Note: It is used as a noun, to denote:
(a) concurrence in belief, or in a statement; assent;
(b) the final word or act;
(c) Christ as being one who is true and faithful.
And let all the people say, Amen. --Ps. cvi. 48.
Amen, amen, I say to thee, except a man be born
again, he can not see the kingdom of God. --John
ii. 3. Rhemish
Trans.
{To say amen to}, to approve warmly; to concur in heartily or
emphatically; to ratify; as, I say Amen to all.
Amen \A`men"\, v. t.
To say Amen to; to sanction fully.
Amenability \A*me`na*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being amenable; amenableness. --Coleridge.
Amenable \A*me"na*ble\, a. [F. amener to lead; ? (L. ad) = mener
to lead, fr. L. minare to drive animals (properly by
threatening cries), in LL. to lead; L. minari, to threaten,
minae threats. See {Menace}.]
1. (Old Law) Easy to be led; governable, as a woman by her
husband. [Obs.] --Jacob.
2. Liable to be brought to account or punishment; answerable;
responsible; accountable; as, amenable to law.
Nor is man too diminutive . . . to be amenable to
the divine government. --I. Taylor.
3. Liable to punishment, a charge, a claim, etc.
4. Willing to yield or submit; responsive; tractable.
Sterling . . . always was amenable enough to
counsel. --Carlyle.
Amenableness \A*me"na*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being amenable; liability to answer
charges; answerableness.
Amenably \A*me"na*bly\, adv.
In an amenable manner.
Amenage \Am"e*nage\, v. t. [OF. amesnagier. See {Manage}.]
To manage. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Amenance \Am"e*nance\, n. [OF. See {Amenable}.]
Behavior; bearing. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Amend \A*mend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amended}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Amending}.] [F. amender, L. emendare; e (ex) + mendum,
menda, fault, akin to Skr. minda personal defect. Cf.
{Emend}, {Mend}.]
To change or modify in any way for the better; as,
(a) by simply removing what is erroneous, corrupt,
superfluous, faulty, and the like;
(b) by supplying deficiencies;
(c) by substituting something else in the place of what is
removed; to rectify.
Mar not the thing that can not be amended. --Shak.
An instant emergency, granting no possibility for
revision, or opening for amended thought. --De Quincey.
We shall cheer her sorrows, and amend her blood, by
wedding her to a Norman. --Sir W.
Scott.
{To amend a bill}, to make some change in the details or
provisions of a bill or measure while on its passage,
professedly for its improvement.
Syn: To {Amend}, {Emend}, {Correct}, {Reform}, {Rectify}.
Usage: These words agree in the idea of bringing things into
a more perfect state. We correct (literally, make
straight) when we conform things to some standard or
rule; as, to correct proof sheets. We amend by
removing blemishes, faults, or errors, and thus
rendering a thing more a nearly perfect; as, to amend
our ways, to amend a text, the draft of a bill, etc.
Emend is only another form of amend, and is applied
chiefly to editions of books, etc. To reform is
literally to form over again, or put into a new and
better form; as, to reform one's life. To rectify is
to make right; as, to rectify a mistake, to rectify
abuses, inadvertencies, etc.
Amend \A*mend"\ ([.a]*m[e^]nd"), v. i.
To grow better by rectifying something wrong in manners or
morals; to improve. ``My fortune . . . amends.'' --Sir P.
Sidney.
Amendable \A*mend"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being amended; as, an amendable writ or error. --
{A*mend"a*ble*ness}, n.
Amendatory \A*mend"a*to*ry\, a.
Supplying amendment; corrective; emendatory. --Bancroft.
Amende \A`mende"\, n. [F. See {Amend}.]
A pecuniary punishment or fine; a reparation or recantation.
{Amende honorable}. (Old French Law) A species of infamous
punishment in which the offender, being led into court
with a rope about his neck, and a lighted torch in his
hand, begged pardon of his God, the court, etc. In popular
language, the phrase now denotes a public apology or
recantation, and reparation to an injured party, for
improper language or treatment.
Amender \A*mend"er\, n.
One who amends.
Amendful \A*mend"ful\, a.
Much improving. [Obs.]
Amendment \A*mend"ment\, n. [F. amendement, LL. amendamentum.]
1. An alteration or change for the better; correction of a
fault or of faults; reformation of life by quitting vices.
2. In public bodies; Any alternation made or proposed to be
made in a bill or motion by adding, changing,
substituting, or omitting.
3. (Law) Correction of an error in a writ or process.
Syn: Improvement; reformation; emendation.
Amends \A*mends"\, n. sing. & pl. [F. amendes, pl. of amende.
Cf. {Amende}.]
Compensation for a loss or injury; recompense; reparation.
[Now const. with sing. verb.] ``An honorable amends.''
--Addison.
Yet thus far fortune maketh us amends. --Shak.
Amenity \A*men"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Amenities}. [F. am['e]nit['e], L.
amoenitas, fr. amoenus pleasant.]
The quality of being pleasant or agreeable, whether in
respect to situation, climate, manners, or disposition;
pleasantness; civility; suavity; gentleness.
A sweetness and amenity of temper. --Buckle.
This climate has not seduced by its amenities. --W.
Howitt.
Amenorrhoea \A*men`or*rh[oe]"a\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? month + ?
to flow: cf. F. am['e]norrh['e]e.] (Med.)
Retention or suppression of the menstrual discharge.
Amenorrhoeal \A*men`or*rh[oe]"al\, a.
Pertaining to amenorrh[oe]a.
A mensa et thoro \A men"sa et tho"ro\ [L., from board and bed.]
(Law)
A kind of divorce which does not dissolve the marriage bond,
but merely authorizes a separate life of the husband and
wife. --Abbott.
Ament \Am"ent\, n. [L. amentum thong or strap.] (Bot.)
A species of inflorescence; a catkin.
The globular ament of a buttonwood. --Coues.
Amentaceous \Am`en*ta"ceous\, a. [LL. amentaceus.] (Bot.)
(a) Resembling, or consisting of, an ament or aments; as, the
chestnut has an amentaceous inflorescence.
(b) Bearing aments; having flowers arranged in aments; as,
amentaceous plants.
Amentia \A*men"ti*a\, n. [L.] (Med.)
Imbecility; total want of understanding.
Amentiferous \Am`en*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. amentum + -ferous.]
(Bot.)
Bearing catkins. --Balfour.
Amentiform \A*men"ti*form\, a. [L. amentum + -form.] (Bot.)
Shaped like a catkin.
Amentum \A*men"tum\, n.; pl. {Amenta}.
Same as {Ament}.
Amenuse \Am"e*nuse\, v. t. [OF. amenuisier. See {Minute}.]
To lessen. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Amerce \A*merce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amerced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Amercing}.] [OF. amercier, fr. a merci at the mercy of,
liable to a punishment. See {Mercy}.]
1. To punish by a pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is
not fixed by law, but left to the discretion of the court;
as, the amerced the criminal in the sum on the hundred
dollars.
Note: The penalty of fine may be expressed without a
preposition, or it may be introduced by in, with, or
of.
2. To punish, in general; to mulct.
Millions of spirits for his fault amerced Of Heaven.
--Milton.
Shall by him be amerced with penance due. --Spenser.
Amerceable \A*merce"a*ble\, a.
Liable to be amerced.
Amercement \A*merce"ment\, n. [OF. amerciment.]
The infliction of a penalty at the discretion of the court;
also, a mulct or penalty thus imposed. It differs from a
fine,in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and
certain sum prescribed by statue for an offense; but an
amercement is arbitrary. Hence, the act or practice of
affeering. [See {Affeer}.] --Blackstone.
Note: This word, in old books, is written amerciament.
{Amercement royal}, a penalty imposed on an officer for a
misdemeanor in his office. --Jacobs.
Amercer \A*mer"cer\, n.
One who amerces.
Amerciament \A*mer"cia*ment\, n. [LL. amerciamentum.]
Same as {Amercement}. --Mozley & W.
American \A*mer"i*can\, a. [Named from Americus Vespucius.]
1. Of or pertaining to America; as, the American continent:
American Indians.
2. Of or pertaining to the United States. ``A young officer
of the American navy.'' --Lyell.
{American ivy}. See {Virginia creeper}.
{American Party} (U. S. Politics), a party, about 1854, which
opposed the influence of foreign-born citizens, and those
supposed to owe allegiance to a foreign power.
{Native american Party} (U. S. Politics), a party of
principles similar to those of the American party. It
arose about 1843, but soon died out.
American \A*mer"i*can\, n.
A native of America; -- originally applied to the aboriginal
inhabitants, but now applied to the descendants of Europeans
born in America, and especially to the citizens of the United
States.
The name American must always exalt the pride of
patriotism. --Washington.
Americanism \A*mer"i*can*ism\, n.
1. Attachment to the United States.
2. A custom peculiar to the United States or to America; an
American characteristic or idea.
3. A word or phrase peculiar to the United States.
Americanization \A*mer`i*can*i*za"tion\, n.
The process of Americanizing.
Americanize \A*mer"i*can*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Americanizer}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Americanizing}.]
To render American; to assimilate to the Americans in
customs, ideas, etc.; to stamp with American characteristics.
Ames-ace \Ames"-ace\, n.
Same as {Ambs-ace}.
Amess \Am"ess\, n. (Eccl.)
Amice, a hood or cape. See 2d {Amice}.
Ametabola \Am`e*tab"o*la\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of insects which do not undergo any metamorphosis.
[Written also {Ametabolia}.]
Ametabolian \A*met`a*bo"li*an\, a. [Gr. ? unchangeable; 'a priv.
+ ? changeable, ? to change.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to insects that do undergo any
metamorphosis.
Ametabolic \A*met`a*bol"ic\, Ametabolous \Am`e*tab"o*lous\, a.
(Zo["o]l.)
Not undergoing any metamorphosis; as, ametabolic insects.
Amethodist \A*meth"o*dist\, n. [Pref. a- not + methodist.]
One without method; a quack. [Obs.]
Amethyst \Am"e*thyst\, [F. ametiste, amatiste, F. am['e]thyste,
L. amethystus, fr. Gr. ? without drunkenness; as a noun, a
remedy for drunkenness, the amethyst, supposed to have this
power; 'a priv. + ? to be drunken, ? strong drink, wine. See
{Mead}.]
1. (Min.) A variety of crystallized quartz, of a purple or
bluish violet color, of different shades. It is much used
as a jeweler's stone.
{Oriental amethyst}, the violet-blue variety of transparent
crystallized corundum or sapphire.
2. (Her.) A purple color in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat
of arms.
Amethystine \Am`e*thys"tine\, a. [L. amethystinus, Gr. ?.]
1. Resembling amethyst, especially in color; bluish violet.
2. Composed of, or containing, amethyst.
Ametropia \Am`e*tro"pi*a\, n. [Gr. ? irregular + ?, ?, eye.]
(Med.)
Any abnormal condition of the refracting powers of the eye.
-- {Am`e*trop"ic}, a.
Amharic \Am*har"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Amhara, a division of Abyssinia; as, the
Amharic language is closely allied to the Ethiopic. -- n. The
Amharic language (now the chief language of Abyssinia).
Amia \Am"i*a\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? a kind of tunny.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fresh-water ganoid fishes, exclusively confined to
North America; called {bowfin} in Lake Champlain, {dogfish}
in Lake Erie, and {mudfish} in South Carolina, etc. See
{Bowfin}.
Amiability \A`mi*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being amiable; amiableness; sweetness of
disposition.
Every excellency is a degree of amiability. --Jer.
Taylor.
Amiable \A"mi*a*ble\, a. [F. amiable, L. amicabilis friendly,
fr. amicus friend, fr. amare to love. The meaning has been
influenced by F. aimable, L. amabilis lovable, fr. amare to
love. Cf. {Amicable}, {Amorous}, {Amability}.]
1. Lovable; lovely; pleasing. [Obs. or R.]
So amiable a prospect. --Sir T.
Herbert.
2. Friendly; kindly; sweet; gracious; as, an amiable temper
or mood; amiable ideas.
3. Possessing sweetness of disposition; having sweetness of
temper, kind-heartedness, etc., which causes one to be
liked; as, an amiable woman.
4. Done out of love. [Obs.]
Lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Ford's
wife. --Shak.
Amiableness \A`mi*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being amiable; amiability.
Amiably \A"mi*a*bly\, adv.
In an amiable manner.
Amianth \Am"i*anth\, n.
See {Amianthus}. [Poetic]
Amianthiform \Am`i*an"thi*form\, a. [Amianthus + -form.]
Resembling amianthus in form.
Amianthoid \Am`i*an"thoid\, a. [Amianthus + -oid: cf. F.
amianto["i]de.]
Resembling amianthus.
Amianthus \Am`i*an"thus\, n. [L. amiantus, Gr. ? ? (lit.,
unsoiled stone) a greenish stone, like asbestus; 'a priv. + ?
to stain, to defile; so called from its incombustibility.]
(Min.)
Earth flax, or mountain flax; a soft silky variety of
asbestus.
Amic \Am"ic\, a. [L. ammonia + -ic.] (Chem.)
Related to, or derived, ammonia; -- used chiefly as a suffix;
as, amic acid; phosphamic acid.
{Amic acid} (Chem.), one of a class of nitrogenized acids
somewhat resembling amides.
Amicability \Am`i*ca*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being amicable; friendliness; amicableness.
--Ash.
Amicable \Am"i*ca*ble\, a. [L. amicabilis, fr. amicus friend,
fr. amare to love. See {Amiable}.]
Friendly; proceeding from, or exhibiting, friendliness; after
the manner of friends; peaceable; as, an amicable
disposition, or arrangement.
That which was most remarkable in this contest was . .
. the amicable manner in which it was managed.
--Prideoux.
{Amicable action} (Law.), an action commenced and prosecuted
by amicable consent of the parties, for the purpose of
obtaining a decision of the court on some matter of law
involved in it. --Bouvier. --Burrill.
{Amicable numbers} (Math.), two numbers, each of which is
equal to the sum of all the aliquot parts of the other.
Syn: Friendly; peaceable; kind; harmonious.
Usage: {Amicable}, {Friendly}. Neither of these words denotes
any great warmth of affection, since friendly has by
no means the same strength as its noun friendship. It
does, however, imply something of real cordiality;
while amicable supposes very little more than that the
parties referred to are not disposed to quarrel.
Hence, we speak of amicable relations between two
countries, an amicable adjustment of difficulties.
``Those who entertain friendly feelings toward each
other can live amicably together.''
Amicableness \Am"i*ca*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being amicable; amicability.
Amicably \Am"i*ca*bly\, adv.
In an amicable manner.
Amice \Am"ice\, n. [OE. amyse, prob. for amyt, OF. amit, ameit,
fr. L. amictus cloak, the word being confused with amice,
almuce, a hood or cape. See next word.]
A square of white linen worn at first on the head, but now
about the neck and shoulders, by priests of the Roman
Catholic Church while saying Mass.
Amice \Am"ice\, n. [OE. amuce, amisse, OF. almuce, aumuce, F.
aumusse, LL. almucium, almucia, aumucia: of unknown origin;
cf. G. m["u]tze cap, prob. of the same origin. Cf.
{Mozetta}.] (Eccl.)
A hood, or cape with a hood, made of lined with gray fur,
formerly worn by the clergy; -- written also amess, amyss,
and almuce.
Amid \A*mid"\, prep.
See {Amidst}.
Amide \Am"ide\ (?; 277), n. [Ammonia + -ide.] (Chem.)
A compound formed by the union of amidogen with an acid
element or radical. It may also be regarded as ammonia in
which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by an
acid atom or radical.
{Acid amide}, a neutral compound formed by the substitution
of the amido group for hydroxyl in an acid.
Amidin \Am"i*din\, n. [Cf. F. amidine, fr. amido? starch, fr. L.
amylum, Gr. ? fine meal, neut. of ? not ground at the mill,
-- hence, of the finest meal; 'a priv. + ?, ?, mill. See
{Meal}.] (Chem.)
Start modified by heat so as to become a transparent mass,
like horn. It is soluble in cold water.
Amido \A*mi"do\, a. [From {Amide}.] (Chem.)
Containing, or derived from, amidogen.
{Amido acid}, an acid in which a portion of the nonacid
hydrogen has been replaced by the amido group. The amido
acids are both basic and acid.
{Amido group}, amidogen, {NH2}.
Amidogen \A*mid"o*gen\, n. [Amide + -gen.] (Chem.)
A compound radical, {NH2}, not yet obtained in a separate
state, which may be regarded as ammonia from the molecule of
which one of its hydrogen atoms has been removed; -- called
also the {amido group}, and in composition represented by the
form amido.
Amidships \A*mid"ships\, adv. (Naut.)
In the middle of a ship, with regard to her length, and
sometimes also her breadth. --Totten.
Amidst \A*midst"\, Amid \A*mid"\, prep. [OE. amidde, amiddes, on
midden, AS. on middan, in the middle, fr. midde the middle.
The s is an adverbial ending, originally marking the
genitive; the t is a later addition, as in whilst, amongst,
alongst. See {Mid}.]
In the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by;
among. ``This fair tree amidst the garden.'' ``Unseen amid
the throng.'' ``Amidst thick clouds.'' --Milton. ``Amidst
acclamations.'' ``Amidst the splendor and festivity of a
court.'' --Macaulay.
But rather famish them amid their plenty. --Shak.
Syn: {Amidst}, {Among}.
Usage: These words differ to some extent from each other, as
will be seen from their etymology. Amidst denotes in
the midst or middle of, and hence surrounded by; as,
this work was written amidst many interruptions. Among
denotes a mingling or intermixing with distinct or
separable objects; as, ``He fell among thieves.''
``Blessed art thou among women.'' Hence, we say, among
the moderns, among the ancients, among the thickest of
trees, among these considerations, among the reasons I
have to offer. Amid and amidst are commonly used when
the idea of separate or distinguishable objects is not
prominent. Hence, we say, they kept on amidst the
storm, amidst the gloom, he was sinking amidst the
waves, he persevered amidst many difficulties; in none
of which cases could among be used. In like manner,
Milton speaks of Abdiel,
The seraph Abdiel, faithful found; Among the
faithless faithful only he, because he was then
considered as one of the angels. But when the poet
adds,
From amidst them forth he passed, we have rather
the idea of the angels as a collective body.
Those squalid cabins and uncleared woods amidst
which he was born. --Macaulay.
Amine \Am"ine\ (?; 277), n. [Ammonia + -ine.] (Chem.)
One of a class of strongly basic substances derived from
ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by a
basic atom or radical.
Amioid \Am"i*oid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the Amioidei. -- n. One of the
Amioidei.
Amioidei \Am`i*oi"de*i\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Amia + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order of ganoid fishes of which Amia is the type. See
{Bowfin} and {Ganoidei}.
Amir \A*mir"\, n.
Same as {Ameer}.
Amiss \A*miss"\, adv. [Pref. a- + miss.]
Astray; faultily; improperly; wrongly; ill.
What error drives our eyes and ears amiss? --Shak.
Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss. --James
iv. 3.
{To take (an act, thing) amiss}, to impute a wrong motive to
(an act or thing); to take offense at; to take unkindly;
as, you must not take these questions amiss.
Amiss \A*miss"\ ([.a]*m[i^]s"), a.
Wrong; faulty; out of order; improper; as, it may not be
amiss to ask advice.
Note: [Used only in the predicate.] --Dryden.
His wisdom and virtue can not always rectify that
which is amiss in himself or his circumstances.
--Wollaston.
Amiss \A*miss"\, n.
A fault, wrong, or mistake. [Obs.]
Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss. --Shak.
Amissibility \A*mis`si*bil"i*ty\, [Cf. F. amissibilit['e]. See
{Amit}.]
The quality of being amissible; possibility of being lost.
[R.]
Notions of popular rights and the amissibility of
sovereign power for misconduct were alternately
broached by the two great religious parties of Europe.
--Hallam.
Amissible \A*mis"si*ble\, a. [L. amissibilis: cf. F. amissible.]
Liable to be lost. [R.]
Amission \A*mis"sion\, n. [L. amissio: cf. F. amission.]
Deprivation; loss. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Amit \A*mit"\, v. t. [L. amittere, amissum, to lose; a (ab) +
mittere to send. See {Missile}.]
To lose. [Obs.]
A lodestone fired doth presently amit its proper
virtue. --Sir T.
Browne.
Amity \Am"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Amities}. [F. amiti['e], OF.
amisti['e], amist['e], fr. an assumed LL. amisitas, fr. L.
amicus friendly, from amare to love. See {Amiable}.]
Friendship, in a general sense, between individuals,
societies, or nations; friendly relations; good
understanding; as, a treaty of amity and commerce; the amity
of the Whigs and Tories.
To live on terms of amity with vice. --Cowper.
Syn: Harmony; friendliness; friendship; affection; good will;
peace.
Amma \Am"ma\, n. [LL. amma, prob. of interjectional or imitative
origin: cf. Sp. ama, G. amme, nurse, Basque ama mother, Heb.
?m, Ar. immun, ummun.]
An abbes or spiritual mother.
Ammeter \Am"me*ter\, n. (Physics)
A contraction of amperometer or amp[`e]remeter.
Ammiral \Am"mi*ral\, n.
An obsolete form of admiral. ``The mast of some great
ammiral.'' --Milton.
Ammite \Am"mite\ ([a^]m"m[imac]t), n. [Gr. 'ammi`ths, 'ammi`tis,
sandstone, fr. 'a`mmos or "a`mmos sand.] (Geol.)
O["o]lite or roestone; -- written also {hammite}. [Obs.]
Ammodyte \Am"mo*dyte\, n. [L. ammodytes, Gr. ? sand burrower, a
kind of serpent; 'a`mmos sand + ? diver, ? to dive.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of a genus of fishes; the sand eel.
(b) A kind of viper in southern Europe. [Obs.]
Ammonia \Am*mo"ni*a\, n. [From sal ammoniac, which was first
obtaining near the temple of Jupiter Ammon, by burning
camel's dung. See {Ammoniac}.] (Chem.)
A gaseous compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, {NH3}, with a
pungent smell and taste: -- often called {volatile alkali},
and {spirits of hartshorn}.
Ammoniac \Am*mo"ni*ac\, Ammoniacal \Am`mo*ni"a*cal\, a.
Of or pertaining to ammonia, or possessing its properties;
as, an ammoniac salt; ammoniacal gas.
{Ammoniacal engine}, an engine in which the vapor of ammonia
is used as the motive force.
{Sal ammoniac} [L. sal ammoniacus], the salt usually called
{chloride of ammonium}, and formerly {muriate of ammonia}.
Ammoniac \Am*mo"ni*ac\(or Gum ammoniac \Gum` am*mo"ni*ac\, n.
[L. Ammoniacum, Gr. ? a resinous gum, said to distill from a
tree near the temple of Jupiter Ammon; cf. F. ammoniac. See
{Ammonite}.] (Med.)
The concrete juice (gum resin) of an umbelliferous plant, the
{Dorema ammoniacum}. It is brought chiefly from Persia in the
form of yellowish tears, which occur singly, or are
aggregated into masses. It has a peculiar smell, and a
nauseous, sweet taste, followed by a bitter one. It is
inflammable, partially soluble in water and in spirit of
wine, and is used in medicine as an expectorant and
resolvent, and for the formation of certain plasters.
Ammoniated \Am*mo"ni*a`ted\, a. (Chem.)
Combined or impregnated with ammonia.
Ammonic \Am*mo"nic\, a.
Of or pertaining to ammonia.
Ammonite \Am"mon*ite\, n. [L. cornu Ammonis born of Ammon; L.
Ammon, Gr. ? an appellation of Jupiter, as represented with
the horns of a ram. It was originally the name of an.
Egyptian god, Amun.] (Paleon.)
A fossil cephalopod shell related to the nautilus. There are
many genera and species, and all are extinct, the typical
forms having existed only in the Mesozoic age, when they were
exceedingly numerous. They differ from the nautili in having
the margins of the septa very much lobed or plaited, and the
siphuncle dorsal. Also called {serpent stone}, {snake stone},
and {cornu Ammonis}.
Ammonitiferous \Am`mon*i*tif"er*ous\, a. [Ammonite + -ferous.]
Containing fossil ammonites.
Ammonitoidea \Am*mon`i*toid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Ammonite +
-oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive group of fossil cephalopods often very abundant
in Mesozoic rocks. See {Ammonite}.
Ammonium \Am*mo"ni*um\, n. [See {Ammonia}.] (Chem.)
A compound radical, {NH4}, having the chemical relations of a
strongly basic element like the alkali metals.
Ammunition \Am`mu*ni"tion\, n. [F. amunition, for munition,
prob. caused by taking la munition as l'amunition. See
{Munition}.]
1. Military stores, or provisions of all kinds for attack or
defense. [Obs.]
2. Articles used in charging firearms and ordnance of all
kinds; as powder, balls, shot, shells, percussion caps,
rockets, etc.
3. Any stock of missiles, literal or figurative.
{Ammunition bread}, {shoes}, etc., such as are contracted for
by government, and supplied to the soldiers. [Eng.]
Ammunition \Am`mu*ni"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ammunitioned};
p pr. & vb. n. {Ammunitioning}.]
To provide with ammunition.
Amnesia \Am*ne"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to
remember.] (Med.)
Forgetfulness; also, a defect of speech, from cerebral
disease, in which the patient substitutes wrong words or
names in the place of those he wishes to employ. --Quian.
Amnesic \Am*ne"sic\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to amnesia. ``Amnesic or co["o]rdinate
defects.'' --Quian.
Amnestic \Am*nes"tic\, a.
Causing loss of memory.
Amnesty \Am"nes*ty\, n. [L. amnestia, Gr. ?, a forgetting, fr. ?
forgotten, forgetful; 'a priv. + ? to remember: cf. F.
amnistie, earlier amnestie. See {Mean}, v.]
1. Forgetfulness; cessation of remembrance of wrong;
oblivion.
2. An act of the sovereign power granting oblivion, or a
general pardon, for a past offense, as to subjects
concerned in an insurrection.
Amnesty \Am"nes*ty\, v. t. [imp. p. p. {Amnestied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Amnestying}.]
To grant amnesty to.
Amnicolist \Am*nic"o*list\, n. [L. amnicola, amnis a river +
colere to dwell.]
One who lives near a river. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Amnigenous \Am*nig"e*nous\, a. [L. amnigena; amnis a river +
root gen of gignere to beget.]
Born or bred in, of, or near a river. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Amnion \Am"ni*on\, n. [Gr. ? the membrane round the fetus, dim.
of ? lamb.] (Anat.)
A thin membrane surrounding the embryos of mammals, birds,
and reptiles.
Amnios \Am"ni*os\, n.
Same as {Amnion}.
Amniota \Am`ni*o"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {Amnion}.] (Zo["o]l.)
That group of vertebrates which develops in its embryonic
life the envelope called the amnion. It comprises the
reptiles, the birds, and the mammals.
Amniotic \Am`ni*ot"ic\, a. [Cf. F. amniotique.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the amnion; characterized by an amnion;
as, the amniotic fluid; the amniotic sac.
{Amniotic acid}. (Chem.) [R.] See {Allantoin}.
Amoeba \A*m[oe]"ba\, n.; pl. L. {Am[oe]b[ae]}; E. {Am[oe]bas}.
[NL., fr. Gr. ? change.] (Zo["o]l.)
A rhizopod. common in fresh water, capable of undergoing many
changes of form at will. See {Rhizopoda}.
Amoebaeum \Am`[oe]*b[ae]"um\, n. [L. am[oe]baeus, Gr. ?,
alternate; L. amoebaeum carmen, Gr. ? ?, a responsive song,
fr. ? change.]
A poem in which persons are represented at speaking
alternately; as the third and seventh eclogues of Virgil.
Amoebea \Am`[oe]*be"a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
That division of the Rhizopoda which includes the am[oe]ba
and similar forms.
Amoebean \Am`[oe]*be"an\, a.
Alternately answering.
Amoebian \A*m[oe]"bi*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Am[oe]bea.
Amoebiform \A*m[oe]"bi*form\, Amoeboid \A*m[oe]"boid\, a.
[Am[oe]ba + -form or -oid.] (Biol.)
Resembling an am[oe]ba; am[oe]ba-shaped; changing in shape
like an am[oe]ba.
{Am[oe]boid movement}, movement produced, as in the am[oe]ba,
by successive processes of prolongation and retraction.
Amoebous \A*m[oe]"bous\, a.
Like an am[oe]ba in structure.
Amolition \Am`o*li"tion\, n. [L. amolitio, fr. amoliri to
remove; a (ab) + moliri to put in motion.]
Removal; a putting away. [Obs.] --Bp. Ward (1673).
Amomum \A*mo"mum\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? an Indian spice plant.]
(Bot.)
A genus of aromatic plants. It includes species which bear
cardamoms, and grains of paradise.
Amoneste \A*mon"este\, v. t.
To admonish. [Obs.]
Among \A*mong"\, Amongst \A*mongst"\, prep. [OE. amongist,
amonges, amonge, among, AS. onmang, ongemang, gemang, in a
crowd or mixture. For the ending -st see {Amidst}. See
{Mingle}.]
1. Mixed or mingled; surrounded by.
They heard, And from his presence hid themselves
among The thickest trees. --Milton.
2. Conjoined, or associated with, or making part of the
number of; in the number or class of.
Blessed art thou among women. --Luke i. 28.
3. Expressing a relation of dispersion, distribution, etc.;
also, a relation of reciprocal action.
What news among the merchants? --Shak.
Human sacrifices were practiced among them. --Hume.
Divide that gold amongst you. --Marlowe.
Whether they quarreled among themselves, or with
their neighbors. --Addison.
Syn: Amidst; between. See {Amidst}, {Between}.
Amontillado \A*mon`til*la"do\, n. [Sp.]
A dry kind of cherry, of a light color. --Simmonds.
Amoret \Am"o*ret\, n. [OF. amorette, F. amourette, dim. of
amour.]
1. An amorous girl or woman; a wanton. [Obs.] --J. Warton.
2. A love knot, love token, or love song. (pl.) Love glances
or love tricks. [Obs.]
3. A petty love affair or amour. [Obs.]
Amorette \Am"o*rette"\, n.
An amoret. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Amorist \Am"o*rist\, n. [L. armor love. See {Amorous}.]
A lover; a gallant. [R.] --Milton.
It was the custom for an amorist to impress the name of
his mistress in the dust, or upon the damp earth, with
letters fixed upon his shoe. --Southey.
A-mornings \A-morn"ings\, adv. [See {Amorwe}. The -s is a
genitival ending. See {-wards}.]
In the morning; every morning. [Obs.]
And have such pleasant walks into the woods A-mornings.
--J. Fletcher.
Amorosa \Am`o*ro"sa\, n. [It. amoroso, fem. amorosa.]
A wanton woman; a courtesan. --Sir T. Herbert.
Amorosity \Am`o*ros"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being amorous; lovingness. [R.] --Galt.
Amoroso \Am`o*ro"so\, n. [It. amoroso, LL. amorosus.]
A lover; a man enamored.
Amoroso \Am`o*ro"so\, adv. [It.] (Mus.)
In a soft, tender, amatory style.
Amorous \Am"o*rous\, a. [OF. amoros, F. amoreux, LL. amorosus,
fr. L. amor love, fr. amare to love.]
1. Inclined to love; having a propensity to love, or to
sexual enjoyment; loving; fond; affectionate; as, an
amorous disposition.
2. Affected with love; in love; enamored; -- usually with of;
formerly with on.
Thy roses amorous of the moon. --Keats.
High nature amorous of the good. --Tennyson.
Sure my brother is amorous on Hero. --Shak.
3. Of or relating to, or produced by, love. ``Amorous
delight.'' --Milton. ``Amorous airs.'' --Waller.
Syn: Loving; fond; tender; passionate; affectionate; devoted;
ardent.
Amorously \Am"o*rous*ly\, adv.
In an amorous manner; fondly.
Amorousness \Am"o*rous*ness\, n.
The quality of being amorous, or inclined to sexual love;
lovingness.
Amorpha \A*mor"pha\, n.; pl. {Amorphas}. [Gr. ? shapeless.]
(Bot.)
A genus of leguminous shrubs, having long clusters of purple
flowers; false or bastard indigo. --Longfellow.
Amorphism \A*mor"phism\, n. [See {Amorphous}.]
A state of being amorphous; esp. a state of being without
crystallization even in the minutest particles, as in glass,
opal, etc.
Note: There are stony substances which, when fused, may cool
as glass or as stone; the glass state is spoken of as a
state of amorphism.
Amorphous \A*mor"phous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? form.]
1. Having no determinate form; of irregular; shapeless.
--Kirwan.
2. Without crystallization in the ultimate texture of a solid
substance; uncrystallized.
3. Of no particular kind or character; anomalous.
Scientific treatises . . . are not seldom rude and
amorphous in style. --Hare.
-- {A*mor"phous*ly}, adv. -- {A*mor"phous*ness}, n.
Amorphozoa \A*mor`pho*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? shapeless;
'a priv. + ? form + ? animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Animals without a mouth or regular internal organs, as the
sponges.
Amorphozoic \A*mor`pho*zo"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Amorphozoa.
Amorphy \A*mor"phy\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. amorphie. See
{Amorphous}.]
Shapelessness. [Obs.] --Swift.
Amort \A*mort"\, a. [Pref. a- + F. mort death, dead; all amort
is for alamort.]
As if dead; lifeless; spiritless; dejected; depressed.
--Shak.
Amortise \A*mor"tise\, v., Amortisation \A*mor`ti*sa"tion\, n.,
Amortisable \A*mor"tis*a*ble\, a., Amortisement
\A*mor"tise*ment\, n.
Same as {Amortize}, {Amortization}, etc.
Amortizable \A*mor"tiz*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. amortissable.]
Capable of being cleared off, as a debt.
Amortization \A*mor`ti*za"tion\, n. [LL. amortisatio,
admortizatio. See {Amortize}, and cf. {Admortization}.]
1. (Law) The act or right of alienating lands to a
corporation, which was considered formerly as transferring
them to dead hands, or in mortmain.
2. The extinction of a debt, usually by means of a sinking
fund; also, the money thus paid. --Simmonds.
Amortize \A*mor"tize\, v. t. [OE. amortisen, LL. amortisare,
admortizare, F. amortir to sell in mortmain, to extinguish;
L. ad + mors death. See {Mortmain}].
1. To make as if dead; to destroy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. (Law) To alienate in mortmain, that is, to convey to a
corporation. See {Mortmain}.
3. To clear off or extinguish, as a debt, usually by means of
a sinking fund.
Amortizement \A*mor"tize*ment\, n. [F. amortissement.]
Same as {Amortization}.
Amorwe \A*mor"we\, adv. [Pref. a- on + OE. morwe. See {Morrow}.]
1. In the morning. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. On the following morning. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Amotion \A*mo"tion\, n. [L. amotio. See {Amove}.]
1. Removal; ousting; especially, the removal of a corporate
officer from his office.
2. Deprivation of possession.
Amotus \A*mo"tus\, a. [L., withdrawn (from it?place).]
(Zo["o]l.)
Elevated, -- as a toe, when raised so high that the tip does
not touch the ground.
Amount \A*mount"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Amounted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Amounting}.] [OF. amonter to increase, advance, ascend,
fr. amont (equiv. to L. ad montem to the mountain) upward, F.
amont up the river. See {Mount}, n.]
1. To go up; to ascend. [Obs.]
So up he rose, and thence amounted straight.
--Spenser.
2. To rise or reach by an accumulation of particular sums or
quantities; to come (to) in the aggregate or whole; --
with to or unto.
3. To rise, reach, or extend in effect, substance, or
influence; to be equivalent; to come practically (to); as,
the testimony amounts to very little.
Amount \A*mount"\, v. t.
To signify; to amount to. [Obs.]
Amount \A*mount"\, n.
1. The sum total of two or more sums or quantities; the
aggregate; the whole quantity; a totality; as, the amount
of 7 and 9 is 16; the amount of a bill; the amount of this
year's revenue.
2. The effect, substance, value, significance, or result; the
sum; as, the amount of the testimony is this.
The whole amount of that enormous fame. --Pope.
Amour \A*mour"\, n. [F., fr. L. amor love.]
1. Love; affection. [Obs.]
2. Love making; a love affair; usually, an unlawful
connection in love; a love intrigue; an illicit love
affair.
{In amours with}, in love with. [Obs.]
Amour propre \A"mour` pro"pre\ ([.a]"m[=oo]r` pr[-o]"pr'). [F.]
Self-love; self-esteem.
Amovability \A*mov`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Liability to be removed or dismissed from office. [R.] --T.
Jefferson.
Amovable \A*mov"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. amovible.]
Removable.
Amove \A*move"\, v. t. [L. amovere; a- (ab) + movere to move:
cf. OF. amover.]
1. To remove, as a person or thing, from a position. [Obs.]
--Dr. H. More.
2. (Law) To dismiss from an office or station.
Amove \A*move"\, v. t. & i. [OE. amovir, L. admovere to move to,
to excite; ad + movere.]
To move or be moved; to excite. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Ampelite \Am"pe*lite\ ([a^]m"p[-e]*l[imac]t), n. [L. ampelitis,
Gr. 'ampeli^tis, fr. 'a`mpelos vine.] (Min.)
An earth abounding in pyrites, used by the ancients to kill
insects, etc., on vines; -- applied by Brongniart to a
carbonaceous alum schist.
Ampere \Am`p[`e]re"\ ([aum]N`p[^a]r"), Ampere \Am*pere"\
([a^]m*p[=a]r"), n. [From the name of a French electrician.]
(Elec.)
The unit of electric current; -- defined by the International
Electrical Congress in 1893 and by U. S. Statute as, one
tenth of the unit of current of the C. G. S. system of
electro-magnetic units, or the practical equivalent of the
unvarying current which, when passed through a standard
solution of nitrate of silver in water, deposits silver at
the rate of 0.001118 grams per second. Called also the
{international amp[`e]re}.
Amperemeter \Am`p[`e]re"me`ter\, Amperometer \Am`pe*rom"e*ter\,
n. [Amp[`e]re + meter.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the strength of an electrical
current in amp[`e]res.
Ampersand \Am"per*sand\, n. [A corruption of and, per se and, i.
e., & by itself makes and.]
A word used to describe the character ?, ?, or &.
--Halliwell.
Amphi- \Am*phi-\ [Gr. 'amfi`.]
A prefix in words of Greek origin, signifying both, of both
kinds, on both sides, about, around.
Amphiarthrodial \Am`phi*ar*thro"di*al\, a. [Pref. amphi- +
arthrodial.]
Characterized by amphiarthrosis.
Amphiarthrosis \Am`phi*ar*thro"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + ?
a joining, ? a joint.] (Anat.)
A form of articulation in which the bones are connected by
intervening substance admitting slight motion; symphysis.
Amphiaster \Am"phi*as`ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + 'asth`r a
star.] (Biol.)
The achromatic figure, formed in mitotic cell-division,
consisting of two asters connected by a spindle-shaped bundle
of rodlike fibers diverging from each aster, and called the
spindle.
Amphibia \Am*phib"i*a\, n. pl. [See {Amphibium}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the classes of vertebrates.
Note: The Amphibia are distinguished by having usually no
scales, by having eggs and embryos similar to those of
fishes, and by undergoing a complete metamorphosis, the
young having gills. There are three living orders: (1)
The tailless, as the frogs ({Anura}); (2) The tailed
({Urodela}), as the salamanders, and the siren group
({Sirenoidea}), which retain the gills of the young
state (hence called {Perennibranchiata}) through the
adult state, among which are the siren, proteus, etc.;
(3) The C[oe]cilians, or serpentlike Amphibia
({Ophiomorpha} or {Gymnophiona}), with minute scales
and without limbs. The extinct Labyrinthodonts also
belonged to this class. The term is sometimes loosely
applied to both reptiles and amphibians collectively.
Amphibial \Am*phib"i*al\ (-al), a. & n.
Amphibian. [R.]
Amphibian \Am*phib"i*an\ (-an), a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Amphibia; as, amphibian reptiles.
Amphibian \Am*phib"i*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Amphibia.
Amphibiological \Am*phib`i*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to amphibiology.
Amphibiology \Am*phib`i*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? amphibious + -logy:
cf. F. amphibiologie.]
A treatise on amphibious animals; the department of natural
history which treats of the Amphibia.
Amphibiotica \Am*phib`i*ot"i*ca\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` +
biwtiko`s pertaining to life.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of insects having aquatic larv[ae].
Amphibious \Am*phib"i*ous\, a. [Gr. 'amfi`bios living a double
life, i. e., both on land in water; 'amfi` + bi`os life.]
1. Having the ability to live both on land and in water, as
frogs, crocodiles, beavers, and some plants.
2. Pertaining to, adapted for, or connected with, both land
and water.
The amphibious character of the Greeks was already
determined: they were to be lords of land and sea.
--Hare.
3. Of a mixed nature; partaking of two natures.
Not in free and common socage, but in this
amphibious subordinate class of villein socage.
--Blackstone.
Amphibiously \Am*phib"i*ous*ly\, adv.
Like an amphibious being.
Amphibium \Am*phib"i*um\, n.; pl. L. {Amphibia}; E.
{Amphibiums}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? (sc. ? an animal). See
{Amphibious}.]
An amphibian.
Amphiblastic \Am`phi*blas"tic\ ([a^]m`f[i^]*bl[a^]s"t[i^]k), a.
[Gr. 'amfi` + blastiko`s tending to sprout.] (Biol.)
Segmenting unequally; -- said of telolecithal ova with
complete segmentation.
Amphibole \Am"phi*bole\ ([a^]m"f[i^]*b[=o]l), n. [Gr.
'amfi`bolos doubtful, equivocal, fr. 'amfiba`llein to throw
round, to doubt: cf. F. amphibole. Ha["u]y so named the genus
from the great variety of color and composition assumed by
the mineral.] (Min.)
A common mineral embracing many varieties varying in color
and in composition. It occurs in monoclinic crystals; also
massive, generally with fibrous or columnar structure. The
color varies from white to gray, green, brown, and black. It
is a silicate of magnesium and calcium, with usually
aluminium and iron. Some common varieties are {tremolite},
{actinolite}, {asbestus}, {edenite}, {hornblende} (the last
name being also used as a general term for the whole
species). Amphibole is a constituent of many crystalline
rocks, as syenite, diorite, most varieties of trachyte, etc.
See {Hornblende}.
Amphibolic \Am`phi*bol"ic\ ([a^]m`f[i^]*b[o^]l"[i^]c), a.
1. Of or pertaining to amphiboly; ambiguous; equivocal.
2. Of or resembling the mineral amphibole.
Amphibological \Am*phib`o*log"ic*al\
([a^]m*f[i^]b`[-o]*l[o^]j"[i^]*kal), a.
Of doubtful meaning; ambiguous. ``Amphibological
expressions.'' --Jer. Taylor. -- {Am*phib`o*log"ic*al*ly},
adv.
Amphibology \Am`phi*bol"o*gy\ ([a^]m`f[i^]*b[-o]l"[-o]*j[y^]),
n.; pl. {Amphibologies} (-j[i^]z). [L. amphibologia, for
amphibolia, fr. Gr. 'amfiboli`a, with the ending -logia as if
fr. Gr. 'amfi`bolos ambiguous + lo`gos speech: cf. F.
amphibologie. See {Amphiboly}.]
A phrase, discourse, or proposition, susceptible of two
interpretations; and hence, of uncertain meaning. It differs
from equivocation, which arises from the twofold sense of a
single term.
Amphibolous \Am*phib"o*lous\, a. [L. amphibolus, Gr. ? thrown
about, doubtful. See {Amphibole}.]
1. Ambiguous; doubtful. [Obs.]
Never was there such an amphibolous quarrel -- both
parties declaring themselves for the king. --Howell.
2. (Logic) Capable of two meanings.
An amphibolous sentence is one that is capable of
two meanings, not from the double sense of any of
the words, but from its admitting of a double
construction; e. g., ``The duke yet lives that Henry
shall depose.'' --Whately.
Amphiboly \Am*phib"o*ly\, n.; pl. {Amphibolies}. [L. amphibolia,
Gr. ?: cf. OE. amphibolie. See {Amphibolous}.]
Ambiguous discourse; amphibology.
If it oracle contrary to our interest or humor, we will
create an amphiboly, a double meaning where there is
none. --Whitlock.
Amphibrach \Am"phi*brach\ ([a^]m"f[i^]*br[a^]k), n. [L. ?, Gr. ?
short at both ends; 'amfi` + brachy`s short.] (Anc. Pros.)
A foot of three syllables, the middle one long, the first and
last short ([crescent] -- [crescent]); as, h[a^]b[=e]r[e^].
In modern prosody the accented syllable takes the place of
the long and the unaccented of the short; as, pro-phet"ic.
Amphicarpic \Am`phi*car"pic\, Amphicarpous \Am`phi*car"pous\, a.
[Gr. 'amfi` + karpo`s fruit.] (Bot.)
Producing fruit of two kinds, either as to form or time of
ripening.
Amphichroic \Am`phi*chro"ic\, a. [Gr. 'amfi` + ? color.] (Chem.)
Exhibiting or producing two colors, as substances which in
the color test may change red litmus to blue and blue litmus
to red.
Amphicoelian \Am`phi*c[oe]"li*an\, Amphicoelous
\Am`phi*c[oe]"lous\, a. [Gr. ? hollowed all round; 'amfi` + ?
hollow.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having both ends concave; biconcave; -- said of vertebr[ae].
Amphicome \Am"phi*come\, n. [Gr. ? with hair all round; 'amfi` +
? hair.]
A kind of figured stone, rugged and beset with eminences,
anciently used in divination. [Obs.] --Encyc. Brit.
Amphictyonic \Am*phic`ty*on"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to the Amphictyons or their League or
Council; as, an Amphictyonic town or state; the Amphictyonic
body. --W. Smith.
Amphictyons \Am*phic"ty*ons\, n. pl. [L. Amphictyones, Gr. ?.
Prob. the word was orig. ? dwellers around, neighbors.]
(Grecian Hist.)
Deputies from the confederated states of ancient Greece to a
congress or council. They considered both political and
religious matters.
Amphictyony \Am*phic"ty*o*ny\, n.; pl. {Amphictyonies}. [Gr. ?.]
(Grecian Hist.)
A league of states of ancient Greece; esp. the celebrated
confederation known as the Amphictyonic Council. Its object
was to maintain the common interests of Greece.
Amphid \Am"phid\, n. [Gr. 'a`mfw both: cf. F. amphide.] (Chem.)
A salt of the class formed by the combination of an acid and
a base, or by the union of two oxides, two sulphides,
selenides, or tellurides, as distinguished from a {haloid}
compound. [R.] --Berzelius.
Amphidisc \Am"phi*disc\, n. [Gr. 'amfi` + di`skos a round
plate.] (Zo["o]l.)
A peculiar small siliceous spicule having a denticulated
wheel at each end; -- found in freshwater sponges.
Amphidromical \Am`phi*drom"ic*al\, a. [Gr. 'amfi`dromos running
about or around.]
Pertaining to an Attic festival at the naming of a child; --
so called because the friends of the parents carried the
child around the hearth and then named it.
Amphigamous \Am*phig"a*mous\, a. [Gr. ? + ? marriage.] (Bot.)
Having a structure entirely cellular, and no distinct sexual
organs; -- a term applied by De Candolle to the lowest order
of plants.
Amphigean \Am`phi*ge"an\, a. [Gr. ? + ?, ?, the earth.]
Extending over all the zones, from the tropics to the polar
zones inclusive.
Amphigen \Am"phi*gen\, n. [Gr. ? + -gen: cf. F. amphig[`e]ne.]
(Chem.)
An element that in combination produces amphid salt; --
applied by Berzelius to oxygen, sulphur, selenium, and
tellurium. [R.]
Amphigene \Am"phi*gene\, n. (Min.)
Leucite.
Amphigenesis \Am`phi*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. ? + ? generation.]
(Biol.)
Sexual generation; amphigony.
Amphigenous \Am*phig"e*nous\, a. (Bot.)
Increasing in size by growth on all sides, as the lichens.
Amphigonic \Am`phi*gon"ic\, a.
Pertaining to amphigony; sexual; as, amphigonic propagation.
[R.]
Amphigonous \Am*phig"o*nous\, a. [Gr. ? + ? a begetting.]
Relating to both parents. [R.]
Amphigony \Am*phig"o*ny\, n.
Sexual propagation. [R.]
Amphigoric \Am`phi*gor"ic\, a. [See {Amphigory}.]
Nonsensical; absurd; pertaining to an amphigory.
Amphigory \Am"phi*go*ry\, n. [F. amphigouri, of uncertain
derivation; perh. fr. Gr. ? + ? a circle.]
A nonsense verse; a rigmarole, with apparent meaning, which
on further attention proves to be meaningless. [Written also
{amphigouri}.]
Amphilogism \Am*phil"o*gism\, Amphilogy \Am*phil"o*gy\, n. [Gr.
? + -logy.]
Ambiguity of speech; equivocation. [R.]
Amphimacer \Am*phim"a*cer\, n. [L. amphimacru?, Gr. ?; ? on both
sides + ? long.] (Anc. Pros.)
A foot of three syllables, the middle one short and the
others long, as in c[=a]st?t[=a]s. --Andrews.
Amphineura \Am`phi*neu"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. ? + ? sinew,
nerve.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Mollusca remarkable for the bilateral symmetry
of the organs and the arrangement of the nerves.
Amphioxus \Am`phi*ox"us\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? + ? sharp.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A fishlike creature ({Amphioxus lanceolatus}), two or three
inches long, found in temperature seas; -- also called the
{lancelet}. Its body is pointed at both ends. It is the
lowest and most generalized of the vertebrates, having
neither brain, skull, vertebr[ae], nor red blood. It forms
the type of the group {Acrania}, {Leptocardia}, etc.
Amphipneust \Am*phip"neust\, n. [Gr. ? + ? one who breathes, ?
to breathe.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a tribe of Amphibia, which have both lungs and gills
at the same time, as the proteus and siren.
Amphipod \Am"phi*pod\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Amphipoda.
Amphipod \Am"phi*pod\, Amphipodan \Am*phip"o*dan\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Amphipoda.
Amphipoda \Am*phip"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., FR. Gr. ? + ?, ? foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A numerous group of fourteen -- footed Crustacea, inhabiting
both fresh and salt water. The body is usually compressed
laterally, and the anterior pairs or legs are directed
downward and forward, but the posterior legs are usually
turned upward and backward. The beach flea is an example. See
{Tetradecapoda} and {Arthrostraca}.
Amphipodous \Am*phip"o*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Amphipoda.
Amphiprostyle \Am*phip"ro*style\, a. [L. amphiprostylos, Gr. ?
having a double prostyle: cf. F. amphiprostyle. See
{Prostyle}.] (Arch.)
Doubly prostyle; having columns at each end, but not at the
sides. -- n. An amphiprostyle temple or edifice.
Amphirhina \Am`phi*rhi"na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? + ?, ?,
nose.] (Zo["o]l.)
A name applied to the elasmobranch fishes, because the nasal
sac is double.
Amphisbaena \Am`phis*b[ae]"na\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? on both
ends + ? to go.]
1. A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either
way. --Milton.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of harmless lizards, serpentlike in
form, without legs, and with both ends so much alike that
they appear to have a head at each, and ability to move
either way. See Illustration in Appendix.
Note: The {Gordius aquaticus}, or hairworm, has been called
an {amphisb[ae]na}; but it belongs among the worms.
Amphisbaenoid \Am`phis*b[ae]"noid\, a. [NL., fr. L. amphisbaena
+ -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the lizards of the genus Amphisb[ae]na.
Amphiscii \Am*phis"ci*i\, Amphiscians \Am*phis"cians\, n. pl.
[Gr. ? throwing a shadow both ways; ? + ? shadow.]
The inhabitants of the tropic, whose shadows in one part of
the year are cast to the north, and in the other to the
south, according as the sun is south or north of their
zenith.
Amphistomous \Am*phis"to*mous\, a. [Gr. ? + ? mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having a sucker at each extremity, as certain entozoa, by
means of which they adhere.
Amphistylic \Am`phi*sty"lic\, a. [Gr. ? + ? pillar, support.]
(Anat.)
Having the mandibular arch articulated with the hyoid arch
and the cranium, as in the cestraciont sharks; -- said of a
skull.
Amphitheater \Am`phi*the"a*ter\, Amphitheatre
\Am`phi*the"a*tre\,, n. [L. amphitheatrum, fr. Gr. ?; ? + ?
theater: cf. F. amphith['e][^a]tre. See {Theater}.]
1. An oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats
about an open space called the arena.
Note: The Romans first constructed amphitheaters for combats
of gladiators and wild beasts.
2. Anything resembling an amphitheater in form; as, a level
surrounded by rising slopes or hills, or a rising gallery
in a theater.
Amphitheatral \Am`phi*the"a*tral\, a. [L. amphitheatralis: cf.
F. amphith['e][^a]tral.]
Amphitheatrical; resembling an amphitheater.
Amphitheatric \Am`phi*the*at"ric\, Amphitheatrical
\Am`phi*the*at"ric*al\, a. [L. amphitheatricus.]
Of, pertaining to, exhibited in, or resembling, an
amphitheater.
Amphitheatrically \Am`phi*the*at"ric*al*ly\, adv.
In the form or manner of an amphitheater.
Amphitrocha \Am*phit"ro*cha\ ([a^]m*f[i^]t"r[-o]k[.a]), n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. 'amfi` + trocho`s a wheel.] (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of annelid larva having both a dorsal and a ventral
circle of special cilia.
Amphitropal \Am*phit"ro*pal\ (-pal), Amphitropous
\Am*phit"ro*pous\ (-p[u^]s), a. [Gr. 'amfi` + tre`pein to turn.]
(Bot.)
Having the ovule inverted, but with the attachment near the
middle of one side; half anatropous.
Amphiuma \Am`phi*u"ma\ ([a^]m`f[i^]*[=u]"m[.a]), n. (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of amphibians, inhabiting the Southern United States,
having a serpentlike form, but with four minute limbs and two
persistent gill openings; the Congo snake.
Amphopeptone \Am`pho*pep"tone\, n. [Gr. ? + E. peptone.]
(Physiol.)
A product of gastric digestion, a mixture of hemipeptone and
antipeptone.
Amphora \Am"pho*ra\, n.; pl. {Amophor[ae]}. [L., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a
jar with two handles; ? + ? bearer, ? to bear. Cf. {Ampul}.]
Among the ancients, a two-handled vessel, tapering at the
bottom, used for holding wine, oil, etc.
Amphoral \Am"pho*ral\, a. [L. amphoralis.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, an amphora.
Amphoric \Am*phor"ic\, a. (Med.)
Produced by, or indicating, a cavity in the lungs, not
filled, and giving a sound like that produced by blowing into
an empty decanter; as, amphoric respiration or resonance.
Amphoteric \Am`pho*ter"ic\, a. [Gr. ? both.]
Partly one and partly the other; neither acid nor alkaline;
neutral. [R.] --Smart.
Ample \Am"ple\, a. [F. ample, L. amplus, prob. for ambiplus full
on both sides, the last syllable akin to L. plenus full. See
{Full}, and cf. {Double}.]
Large; great in size, extent, capacity, or bulk; spacious;
roomy; widely extended.
All the people in that ample house Did to that image
bow their humble knees. --Spenser.
2. Fully sufficient; abundant; liberal; copious; as, an ample
fortune; ample justice.
3. Not contracted of brief; not concise; extended; diffusive;
as, an ample narrative. --Johnson.
Syn: Full; spacious; extensive; wide; capacious; abundant;
plentiful; plenteous; copious; bountiful; rich; liberal;
munificent.
Usage: {Ample}, {Copious}, {Abundant}, {Plenteous}. These
words agree in representing a thing as large, but
under different relations, according to the image
which is used. Ample implies largeness, producing a
sufficiency or fullness of supply for every want; as,
ample stores or resources, ample provision. Copious
carries with it the idea of flow, or of collection at
a single point; as, a copious supply of materials.
``Copious matter of my song.'' --Milton. Abundant and
plenteous refer to largeness of quantity; as, abundant
stores; plenteous harvests.
Amplectant \Am*plec"tant\, a. [L. amplecti to embrace.] (Bot.)
Clasping a support; as, amplectant tendrils. --Gray.
Ampleness \Am"ple*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being ample; largeness; fullness;
completeness.
Amplexation \Am`plex*a"tion\, n. [L. amplexari to embrace.]
An embrace. [Obs.]
An humble amplexation of those sacred feet. --Bp. Hall.
Amplexicaul \Am*plex"i*caul\, a. [L. amplexus, p. p. of amplecti
to encircle, to embrace + caulis stem: cf. F. amplexicaule.]
(Bot.)
Clasping or embracing a stem, as the base of some leaves.
--Gray.
Ampliate \Am"pli*ate\, v. t. [L. ampliatus, p. p. of ampliare to
make wider, fr. amplus. See {Ample}.]
To enlarge. [R.]
To maintain and ampliate the external possessions of
your empire. --Udall.
Ampliate \Am"pli*ate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the outer edge prominent; said of the wings of
insects.
Ampliation \Am`pli*a"tion\, n. [L. ampliatio: cf. F.
ampliation.]
1. Enlargement; amplification. [R.]
2. (Civil Law) A postponement of the decision of a cause, for
further consideration or re-argument.
Ampliative \Am"pli*a*tive\, a. (Logic)
Enlarging a conception by adding to that which is already
known or received.
``All bodies possess power of attraction'' is an
ampliative judgment; because we can think of bodies
without thinking of attraction as one of their
immediate primary attributes. --Abp. W.
Thomson.
Amplificate \Am*plif"i*cate\, v. t. [L. amplificatus, p. p. of
amplificare.]
To amplify. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Amplification \Am`pli*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. amplificatio.]
1. The act of amplifying or enlarging in dimensions;
enlargement; extension.
2. (Rhet.) The enlarging of a simple statement by
particularity of description, the use of epithets, etc.,
for rhetorical effect; diffuse narrative or description,
or a dilating upon all the particulars of a subject.
Exaggeration is a species of amplification. --Brande
& C.
I shall summarily, without any amplification at all,
show in what manner defects have been supplied.
--Sir J.
Davies.
3. The matter by which a statement is amplified; as, the
subject was presented without amplifications.
Amplificative \Am*plif"i*ca*tive\, a.
Amplificatory.
Amplificatory \Am*plif"i*ca*to*ry\, a.
Serving to amplify or enlarge; amplificative. --Morell.
Amplifier \Am"pli*fi`er\, n.
One who or that which amplifies.
Amplify \Am"pli*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amplified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Amplifying}.] [F. amplifier, L. amplificare. See
{Ample}, {-fy}.]
1. To render larger, more extended, or more intense, and the
like; -- used especially of telescopes, microscopes, etc.
2. (Rhet.) To enlarge by addition or discussion; to treat
copiously by adding particulars, illustrations, etc.; to
expand; to make much of.
Troilus and Cressida was written by a Lombard
author, but much amplified by our English
translator. --Dryden.
Amplify \Am"pli*fy\, v. i.
1. To become larger. [Obs.]
Strait was the way at first, withouten light, But
further in did further amplify. --Fairfax.
2. To speak largely or copiously; to be diffuse in argument
or description; to dilate; to expatiate; -- often with on
or upon. --Watts.
He must often enlarge and amplify upon the subject
he handles. --South.
Amplitude \Am"pli*tude\, n. [L. amplitudo, fr. amplus: cf. F.
amplitude. See {Ample}.]
1. State of being ample; extent of surface or space;
largeness of dimensions; size.
The cathedral of Lincoln . . . is a magnificent
structure, proportionable to the amplitude of the
diocese. --Fuller.
2. Largeness, in a figurative sense; breadth; abundance;
fullness.
(a) Of extent of capacity or intellectual powers.
``Amplitude of mind.'' --Milton. ``Amplitude of
comprehension.'' --Macaulay.
(b) Of extent of means or resources. ``Amplitude of
reward.'' --Bacon.
3. (Astron.)
(a) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west
point and the center of the sun, or a star, at its
rising or setting. At the rising, the amplitude is
eastern or ortive: at the setting, it is western,
occiduous, or occasive. It is also northern or
southern, when north or south of the equator.
(b) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west
point and the foot of the vertical circle passing
through any star or object.
4. (Gun.) The horizontal line which measures the distance to
which a projectile is thrown; the range.
5. (Physics) The extent of a movement measured from the
starting point or position of equilibrium; -- applied
especially to vibratory movements.
6. (math.) An angle upon which the value of some function
depends; -- a term used more especially in connection with
elliptic functions.
{Magnetic amplitude}, the angular distance of a heavenly
body, when on the horizon, from the magnetic east or west
point as indicated by the compass. The difference between
the magnetic and the true or astronomical amplitude (see 3
above) is the ``variation of the compass.''
Amply \Am"ply\, adv.
In an ample manner.
Ampul \Am"pul\, n. [AS. ampella, ampolla, L. ampulla: cf. OF.
ampolle, F. ampoule.]
Same as {Ampulla, 2.}
Ampulla \Am*pul"la\, n.; pl. {Ampull[ae]}. [L. ]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A narrow-necked vessel having two handles
and bellying out like a jug.
2. (Eccl.)
(a) A cruet for the wine and water at Mass.
(b) The vase in which the holy oil for chrism, unction, or
coronation is kept. --Shipley.
3. (Biol.) Any membranous bag shaped like a leathern bottle,
as the dilated end of a vessel or duct; especially the
dilations of the semicircular canals of the ear.
Ampullaceous \Am`pul*la"ceous\, a. [L. ampullaceus, fr.
ampulla.]
Like a bottle or inflated bladder; bottle-shaped; swelling.
--Kirby.
{Ampullaceous sac} (Zo["o]l.), one of the peculiar cavities
in the tissues of sponges, containing the zooidal cells.
Ampullar \Am"pul*lar\, Ampullary \Am`pul*la*ry\, a.
Resembling an ampulla.
Ampullate \Am"pul*late\, Ampullated \Am"pul*la`ted\a.
Having an ampulla; flask-shaped; bellied.
Ampulliform \Am*pul"li*form\, a. [Ampulla + -form.]
Flask-shaped; dilated.
Amputate \Am"pu*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amputated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Amputating}.] [L. amputatus, p. p. of amputare: amb-
+ putare to prune, putus clean, akin to E. pure. See
{Putative}.]
1. To prune or lop off, as branches or tendrils.
2. (Surg.) To cut off (a limb or projecting part of the
body). --Wiseman.
Amputation \Am`pu*ta"tion\, n. [L. amputatio: cf. F.
amputation.]
The act of amputating; esp. the operation of cutting off a
limb or projecting part of the body.
Amputator \Am"pu*ta"tor\, n.
One who amputates.
Ampyx \Am"pyx\, n. [Gr. ?.] (Greek Antiq.)
A woman's headband (sometimes of metal), for binding the
front hair.
Amrita \Am*ri"ta\, n. [Skr. amrita.] (Hind. Myth.)
Immortality; also, the nectar conferring immortality. -- a.
Ambrosial; immortal.
Amsel \Am"sel\, Amzel \Am"zel\, n. [Ger. See {Ousel}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The European ring ousel ({Turdus torquatus}).
Amuck \A*muck"\ ([.a]*m[u^]k"), a. & adv. [Malay amoq furious.]
In a frenzied and reckless manner.
{To run amuck}, to rush out in a state of frenzy, as the
Malays sometimes do under the influence of ``bhang,'' and
attack every one that comes in the way; to assail
recklessly and indiscriminately.
Satire's my weapon, but I'm too discreet To run
amuck, and tilt at all I meet. --Pope.
Amulet \Am"u*let\, n. [L. amuletum: cf. F. amulette.]
An ornament, gem, or scroll, or a package containing a relic,
etc., worn as a charm or preservative against evils or
mischief, such as diseases and witchcraft, and generally
inscribed with mystic forms or characters.
Note: [Also used figuratively.]
Amuletic \Am`u*let"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to an amulet; operating as a charm.
Amurcous \A*mur"cous\, a. [LL. amurcosus, L. amurca the dregs of
olives, Gr. 'amo`rghs, fr. 'ame`rgein to pluck.]
Full off dregs; foul. [R.] --Knowles.
Amusable \A*mus"a*ble\ ([.a]*m[=u]z"[.a]*b'l), a. [Cf. F.
amusable.]
Capable of being amused.
Amuse \A*muse"\ ([.a]*m[=u]z"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amused}
([.a]*m[=u]zd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Amusing}.] [F. amuser to
make stay, to detain, to amuse, [`a] (L. ad) + OF. muser. See
{Muse}, v.]
1. To occupy or engage the attention of; to lose in deep
thought; to absorb; also, to distract; to bewilder. [Obs.]
Camillus set upon the Gauls when they were amused in
receiving their gold. --Holland.
Being amused with grief, fear, and fright, he could
not find the house. --Fuller.
2. To entertain or occupy in a pleasant manner; to stir with
pleasing or mirthful emotions; to divert.
A group of children amusing themselves with pushing
stones from the top [of the cliff], and watching as
they plunged into the lake. --Gilpin.
3. To keep in expectation; to beguile; to delude.
He amused his followers with idle promises.
--Johnson.
Syn: To entertain; gratify; please; divert; beguile; deceive;
occupy.
Usage: To {Amuse}, {Divert}, {Entertain}. We are amused by
that which occupies us lightly and pleasantly. We are
entertained by that which brings our minds into
agreeable contact with others, as conversation, or a
book. We are diverted by that which turns off our
thoughts to something of livelier interest, especially
of a sportive nature, as a humorous story, or a
laughable incident.
Whatever amuses serves to kill time, to lull the
faculties, and to banish reflection. Whatever
entertains usually awakens the understanding or
gratifies the fancy. Whatever diverts is lively
in its nature, and sometimes tumultuous in its
effects. --Crabb.
Amuse \A*muse"\, v. i.
To muse; to mediate. [Obs.]
Amused \A*mused"\, a.
1. Diverted.
2. Expressing amusement; as, an amused look.
Amusement \A*muse"ment\, n. [Cf. F. amusement.]
1. Deep thought; muse. [Obs.]
Here I . . . fell into a strong and deep amusement,
revolving in my mind, with great perplexity, the
amazing change of our affairs. --Fleetwood.
2. The state of being amused; pleasurable excitement; that
which amuses; diversion.
His favorite amusements were architecture and
gardening. --Macaulay.
Syn: Diversion; entertainment; recreation; relaxation;
pastime; sport.
Amuser \A*mus"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
One who amuses.
Amusette \Am`u*sette"\, n. [F.]
A light field cannon, or stocked gun mounted on a swivel.
Amusing \A*mus"ing\, a.
Giving amusement; diverting; as, an amusing story. --
{A*mus"ing*ly}, adv.
Amusive \A*mu"sive\ (?; 277), a.
Having power to amuse or entertain the mind; fitted to excite
mirth. [R.] -- {A*mu"sive*ly}, adv. -- {A*mu"sive*ness}, n.
Amy \A*my"\, n. [F. ami, fr. L. amicus.]
A friend. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Amyelous \A*my"e*lous\, a. [Gr. ? without marrow.] (Med.)
Wanting the spinal cord.
Amygdalaceous \A*myg`da*la"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Akin to, or derived from, the almond.
Amygdalate \A*myg"da*late\, a. [L. amygdala, amygdalum, almond,
Gr. ?, ?. See {Almond}.]
Pertaining to, resembling, or made of, almonds.
Amygdalate \A*myg"da*late\, n.
1. (Med.) An emulsion made of almonds; milk of almonds.
--Bailey. Coxe.
2. (Chem.) A salt amygdalic acid.
Amygdalic \Am`yg*dal"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to almonds; derived from amygdalin; as,
amygdalic acid.
Amygdaliferous \A*myg`da*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. amygdalum almond +
-ferous.]
Almond-bearing.
Amygdalin \A*myg"da*lin\, n. (Chem.)
A glucoside extracted from bitter almonds as a white,
crystalline substance.
Amygdaline \A*myg"da*line\, a. [L. amygdalinus.]
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, almonds.
Amygdaloid \A*myg"da*loid\, n. [Gr. ? almond + -oid: cf. F.
amygdalo["i]de.] (Min.)
A variety of trap or basaltic rock, containing small
cavities, occupied, wholly or in part, by nodules or geodes
of different minerals, esp. agates, quartz, calcite, and the
zeolites. When the imbedded minerals are detached or removed
by decomposition, it is porous, like lava.
Amygdaloid \A*myg"da*loid\, Amygdaloidal \A*myg`da*loid"al\, a.
1. Almond-shaped.
2. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, the rock
amygdaloid.
Amyl \Am"yl\, n. [L. amylum starch + -yl. Cf. {Amidin}.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical, {C5H11}, of the paraffine series found
in amyl alcohol or fusel oil, etc.
Amylaceous \Am`y*la"ceous\, a. [L. amylum starch, Gr. ?. See
{Amidin}.]
Pertaining to starch; of the nature of starch; starchy.
Amylate \Am"y*late\, n. (Chem.)
A compound of the radical amyl with oxygen and a positive
atom or radical.
Amylene \Am"y*lene\, n. (Chem.)
One of a group of metameric hydrocarbons, {C5H10}, of the
ethylene series. The colorless, volatile, mobile liquid
commonly called amylene is a mixture of different members of
the group.
Amylic \A*myl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, amyl; as, amylic ether.
{Amylic alcohol} (Chem.), one of the series of alcohols, a
transparent, colorless liquid, having a peculiar odor. It
is the hydroxide of amyl.
{Amylic fermentation} (Chem.), a process of fermentation in
starch or sugar in which amylic alcohol is produced.
--Gregory.
Amylobacter \Am`y*lo*bac"ter\, n. [L. amylum starch + NL.
bacterium. See {Bacterium}.] (Biol.)
A micro["o]rganism ({Bacillus amylobacter}) which develops in
vegetable tissue during putrefaction. --Sternberg.
Amyloid \Am"y*loid\, Amyloidal \Am`y*loid"al\, a. [L. amylum
starch + -oid.]
Resembling or containing amyl; starchlike.
{Amyloid degeneration} (Med.), a diseased condition of
various organs of the body, produced by the deposit of an
albuminous substance, giving a blue color with iodine and
sulphuric acid; -- called also {waxy or lardaceous
degeneration}.
Amyloid \Am"y*loid\ ([a^]m"[y^]*loid), n.
1. A non-nitrogenous starchy food; a starchlike substance.
2. (Med.) The substance deposited in the organs in amyloid
degeneration.
Amylolytic \Am`y*lo*ly"tic\, a. [Gr. ? starch + ? solvent; ? to
dissolve.] (Physiol.)
Effecting the conversion of starch into soluble dextrin and
sugar; as, an amylolytic ferment. --Foster.
Amylose \Am`y*lose"\, n. (Chem.)
One of the starch group {(C6H10O5)n} of the carbohydrates;
as, starch, arabin, dextrin, cellulose, etc.
Amyous \Am"y*ous\ ([a^]m"[i^]*[u^]s), a. [Gr. 'a`myos.] (Med.)
Wanting in muscle; without flesh.
Amyss \Am"yss\ ([a^]m"[i^]s), n.
Same as {Amice}, a hood or cape.
An \An\ ([a^]n). [AS. [=a]n one, the same word as the numeral.
See {One}, and cf. {A}.]
This word is properly an adjective, but is commonly called
the indefinite article. It is used before nouns of the
singular number only, and signifies one, or any, but somewhat
less emphatically. In such expressions as ``twice an hour,''
``once an age,'' a shilling an ounce (see 2d {A}, 2), it has
a distributive force, and is equivalent to each, every.
Note: An is used before a word beginning with a vowel sound;
as, an enemy, an hour. It in also often used before h
sounded, when the accent of the word falls on the
second syllable; as, an historian, an hyena, an heroic
deed. Many writers use a before h in such positions.
Anciently an was used before consonants as well as
vowels.
An \An\, conj. [Shortened fr. and, OE. an., and, sometimes and
if, in introducing conditional clauses, like Icel. enda if,
the same word as and. Prob. and was originally pleonastic
before the conditional clause.]
If; -- a word used by old English authors. --Shak.
Nay, an thou dalliest, then I am thy foe. --B. Jonson.
{An if}, and if; if.
Ana- \An"a-\ [Gr. 'ana` on; in comp., on, up, upwards.]
A prefix in words from the Greek, denoting up, upward,
throughout, backward, back, again, anew.
Ana \A"na\ ([=a]"n[.a]), adv. [Gr. 'ana` (used distributively).]
(Med.)
Of each; an equal quantity; as, wine and honey, ana (or,
contracted, aa), ? ij., that is, of wine and honey, each, two
ounces.
An apothecary with a . . . long bill of anas. --Dryden.
-ana \-a"na\ [The neut. pl. ending of Latin adjectives in
-anus.]
A suffix to names of persons or places, used to denote a
collection of notable sayings, literary gossip, anecdotes,
etc. Thus, Scaligerana is a book containing the sayings of
Scaliger, Johnsoniana of Johnson, etc.
Note: Used also as a substantive; as, the French anas.
It has been said that the table-talk of Selden is
worth all the ana of the Continent. --Hallam.
Anabaptism \An`a*bap"tism\, n. [L. anabaptismus, Gr.
'anabaptismo`s: cf. F. anabaptisme. See {Anabaptize}.]
The doctrine of the Anabaptists.
Anabaptist \An`a*bap"tist\, n. [LL. anabaptista, fr. Gr. as if
'anabaptisth`s: cf. F. anabaptiste.]
A name sometimes applied to a member of any sect holding that
rebaptism is necessary for those baptized in infancy.
Note: In church history, the name Anabaptists usually
designates a sect of fanatics who greatly disturbed the
peace of Germany, the Netherlands, etc., in the
Reformation period. In more modern times the name has
been applied to those who do not regard infant baptism
as real and valid baptism.
Anabaptistic \An`a*bap*tis"tic\, Anabaptistical
\An`a*bap*tis"tic*al\, a.
Relating or attributed to the Anabaptists, or their
doctrines. --Milton. Bp. Bull.
Anabaptistry \An`a*bap"tist*ry\, n.
The doctrine, system, or practice, of Anabaptists. [R.]
Thus died this imaginary king; and Anabaptistry was
suppressed in Munster. --Pagitt.
Anabaptize \An`a*bap*tize"\, v. t. [Gr. ?, fr. ? again + ? to
baptize. See {Baptize}.]
To rebaptize; to rechristen; also, to rename. [R.]
--Whitlock.
Anabas \An"a*bas\, n. [Gr. ?, p. p. of ? to advance.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fishes, remarkable for their power of living long
out of water, and of making their way on land for
considerable distances, and for climbing trees; the climbing
fishes.
Anabasis \A*nab"a*sis\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to go up; ? up + ? to
go.]
1. A journey or expedition up from the coast, like that of
the younger Cyrus into Central Asia, described by Xenophon
in his work called ``The Anabasis.''
The anabasis of Napoleon. --De Quincey.
2. (Med.) The first period, or increase, of a disease;
augmentation. [Obs.]
Anabatic \An`a*bat"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to anabasis; as, an anabatic fever. [Obs.]
Anabolic \An`a*bol"ic\, a. [Gr. ? something heaped up; ? + ? a
stroke.] (Physiol.)
Pertaining to anabolism; an anabolic changes, or processes,
more or less constructive in their nature.
Anabolism \A*nab"o*lism\, n. (Physiol.)
The constructive metabolism of the body, as distinguished
from katabolism.
Anacamptic \An`a*camp"tic\, a. [Gr. ? to bend back; ? back + ?
to bend.]
Reflecting of reflected; as, an anacamptic sound (and echo).
Note: The word was formerly applied to that part of optics
which treats of reflection; the same as what is now
called catoptric. See {Catoptrics}.
Anacamptically \An`a*camp"tic*al*ly\, adv.
By reflection; as, echoes are sound produced anacamptically.
--Hutton.
Anacamptics \An`a*camp"tics\, n.
1. The science of reflected light, now called catoptrics.
2. The science of reflected sounds.
Anacanthini \An`a*can"thi*ni\, Anacanths \An"a*canths\, n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. 'an priv. + ? thorny, fr. ? thorn.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of teleostean fishes destitute of spiny fin-rays, as
the cod.
Anacanthous \An`a*can"thous\, a.
Spineless, as certain fishes.
Anacardiaceous \An`a*car"di*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Belonging to, or resembling, a family, or order, of plants of
which the cashew tree is the type, and the species of sumac
are well known examples.
Anacardic \An`a*car"dic\, a.
Pertaining to, or derived from, the cashew nut; as, anacardic
acid.
Anacardium \An`a*car"di*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? similar to + ?
heart; -- the fruit of this plant being thought to resemble
the heart of a bird.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants including the cashew tree. See {Cashew}.
Anacathartic \An`a*ca*thar"tic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to cleanse
upward, i. e., by vomiting; ? + ?. See {Cathartic}.] (Med.)
Producing vomiting or expectoration. -- n. An anacathartic
medicine; an expectorant or an emetic.
Anacharis \An*ach"a*ris\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? up + ? grace.]
(Bot.)
A fresh-water weed of the frog's-bit family
({Hydrocharidace[ae]}), native to America. Transferred to
England it became an obstruction to navigation. Called also
{waterweed} and {water thyme}.
Anachoret \An*ach"o*ret\, n. Anachoretical \An*ach`o*ret"ic*al\,
a.
See {Anchoret}, {Anchoretic}. [Obs.]
Anachorism \An*ach"o*rism\, n. [Gr. ? + ? place.]
An error in regard to the place of an event or a thing; a
referring something to a wrong place. [R.]
Anachronic \An`a*chron"ic\, Anachronical \An`a*chron"ic*al\,a.
Characterized by, or involving, anachronism; anachronistic.
Anachronism \An*ach"ro*nism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to refer to a
wrong time, to confound times; ? + ? time: cf. F.
anachronisme.]
A misplacing or error in the order of time; an error in
chronology by which events are misplaced in regard to each
other, esp. one by which an event is placed too early;
falsification of chronological relation.
Anachronistic \An*ach`ro*nis"tic\, a.
Erroneous in date; containing an anachronism. --T. Warton.
Anachronize \An*ach"ro*nize\, v. t. [Gr. ?.]
To refer to, or put into, a wrong time. [R.] --Lowell.
Anachronous \An*ach"ro*nous\, a.
Containing an anachronism; anachronistic. --
{An*ach"ro*nous*ly}, adv.
Anaclastic \An`a*clas"tic\, a. [Gr. ? to bend back and break; to
reflect (light); ? + ? to break.]
1. (Opt.) Produced by the refraction of light, as seen
through water; as, anaclastic curves.
2. Springing back, as the bottom of an anaclastic glass.
{Anaclastic glass}, a glass or phial, shaped like an inverted
funnel, and with a very thin convex bottom. By sucking out
a little air, the bottom springs into a concave form with
a smart crack; and by breathing or blowing gently into the
orifice, the bottom, with a like noise, springs into its
former convex form.
Anaclastics \An`a*clas"tics\, n. (Opt.)
That part of optics which treats of the refraction of light;
-- commonly called {dioptrics}. --Encyc. Brit.
Anacoenosis \An`a*c[oe]*no"sis\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ?, to
communicate; ? up + ? to make common, ? common.] (Rhet.)
A figure by which a speaker appeals to his hearers or
opponents for their opinion on the point in debate. --Walker.
Anacoluthic \An`a*co*lu"thic\, a.
Lacking grammatical sequence. -- {An`a*co*lu"thic*al*ly},
adv.
Anacoluthon \An`a*co*lu"thon\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, not following,
wanting sequence; 'an priv. + ? following.] (Gram.)
A want of grammatical sequence or coherence in a sentence; an
instance of a change of construction in a sentence so that
the latter part does not syntactically correspond with the
first part.
Anaconda \An`a*con"da\, n. [Of Ceylonese origin?] (Zo["o]l.)
A large South American snake of the Boa family ({Eunectes
murinus}), which lives near rivers, and preys on birds and
small mammals. The name is also applied to a similar large
serpent ({Python tigris}) of Ceylon.
Anacreontic \A*nac`re*on"tic\, a. [L. Anacreonticus.]
Pertaining to, after the manner of, or in the meter of, the
Greek poet Anacreon; amatory and convivial. --De Quincey.
Anacreontic \A*nac`re*on"tic\, n.
A poem after the manner of Anacreon; a sprightly little poem
in praise of love and wine.
Anacrotic \An`a*crot"ic\, a. (Physiol.)
Pertaining to anachronism.
Anacrotism \A*nac"ro*tism\, n. [Gr. ?, up, again + ? a stroke.]
(Physiol.)
A secondary notch in the pulse curve, obtained in a
sphygmographic tracing.
Anacrusis \An`a*cru"sis\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to push up or back; ?
+ ? to strike.] (Pros.)
A prefix of one or two unaccented syllables to a verse
properly beginning with an accented syllable.
Anadem \An"a*dem\, n. [L. anadema, Gr. ?, fr. ? to wreathe; ? up
+ ? to bind.]
A garland or fillet; a chaplet or wreath. --Drayton.
Tennyson.
Anadiplosis \An`a*di*plo"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? + ? to
double, ?, ?, twofold, double.] (Rhet.)
A repetition of the last word or any prominent word in a
sentence or clause, at the beginning of the next, with an
adjunct idea; as, ``He retained his virtues amidst all his
misfortunes -- misfortunes which no prudence could foresee or
prevent.''
Anadrom \An"a*drom\, n. [Cf. F. anadrome.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fish that leaves the sea and ascends rivers.
Anadromous \A*nad"ro*mous\, a. [Gr. ? running upward; ? + ? a
running, ? to run.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Ascending rivers from the sea, at certain
seasons, for breeding, as the salmon, shad, etc.
2. (Bot.) Tending upwards; -- said of terns in which the
lowest secondary segments are on the upper side of the
branch of the central stem. --D. C. Eaton.
Anaemia \A*n[ae]"mi*a\ ([.a]*n[=e]"m[i^]*[.a]), a. [NL., fr. Gr.
'anaimi`a; 'an priv. + a'i^ma blood.] (Med.)
A morbid condition in which the blood is deficient in quality
or in quantity.
Anaemic \A*n[ae]m"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to an[ae]mia.
Anaerobic \An*a`["e]*rob"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Relating to, or like, ana["e]robies; ana["e]robiotic.
Anaerobies \An*a"["e]r*o*bies\, n. pl. [Gr. 'an priv. + ?, ?,
air + bi`os life.] (Biol.)
Micro["o]rganisms which do not require oxygen, but are killed
by it.
--Sternberg.
Anaerobiotic \An*a`["e]r*o*bi*ot"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Related to, or of the nature of, ana["e]robies.
Anaesthesia \An`[ae]s*the"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; 'an priv. +
? feeling, ? to feel: cf. F. anesth['e]sie. See
{[AE]sthetics}.] (Med.)
Entire or partial loss or absence of feeling or sensation; a
state of general or local insensibility produced by disease
or by the inhalation or application of an an[ae]sthetic.
Anaesthesis \An`[ae]s*the"sis\, n.
See {An[ae]sthesia}.
Anaesthetic \An`[ae]s*thet"ic\, a. (Med.)
(a) Capable of rendering insensible; as, an[ae]sthetic
agents.
(b) Characterized by, or connected with, insensibility; as,
an an[ae]sthetic effect or operation.
Anaesthetic \An`[ae]s*thet"ic\, n. (Med.)
That which produces insensibility to pain, as chloroform,
ether, etc.
Anaesthetization \An*[ae]s`the*ti*za"tion\, n.
The process of an[ae]sthetizing; also, the condition of the
nervous system induced by an[ae]sthetics.
Anaesthetize \An*[ae]s"the*tize\, v. t. (Med.)
To render insensible by an an[ae]sthetic. --Encyc. Brit.
Anaglyph \An"a*glyph\, n. [Gr. ? wrought in low relief, ?
embossed work; ? + ? to engrave.]
Any sculptured, chased, or embossed ornament worked in low
relief, as a cameo.
Anaglyphic \An`a*glyph"ic\, Anaglyphical \An`a*glyph"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to the art of chasing or embossing in relief;
anaglyptic; -- opposed to {diaglyptic} or sunk work.
Anaglyphic \An`a*glyph"ic\, n.
Work chased or embossed relief.
Anaglyptic \An`a*glyp"tic\, a. [L. anaglypticus, Gr. ?, ?. See
{Anaglyph}.]
Relating to the art of carving, enchasing, or embossing in
low relief.
Anaglyptics \An`a*glyp"tics\, n.
The art of carving in low relief, embossing, etc.
Anaglyptograph \An`a*glyp"to*graph\, n. [Gr. ? + -graph.]
An instrument by which a correct engraving of any embossed
object, such as a medal or cameo, can be executed. --Brande &
C.
Anaglyptographic \An`a*glyp`to*graph"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to anaglyptography; as, anaglyptographic
engraving.
Anaglyptography \An`a*glyp*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? embossed +
-graphy.]
The art of copying works in relief, or of engraving as to
give the subject an embossed or raised appearance; -- used in
representing coins, bas-reliefs, etc.
Anagnorisis \An`ag*nor"i*sis\, n. [Latinized fr. Gr. ?; ? + ? to
recognize.]
The unfolding or d['e]nouement. [R.] --De Quincey.
Anagoge \An`a*go"ge\, n. [Gr. ? a leading up; ? + ? a leading, ?
to lead.]
1. An elevation of mind to things celestial.
2. The spiritual meaning or application; esp. the application
of the types and allegories of the Old Testament to
subjects of the New.
Anagogic \An`a*gog"ic\, Anagogical \An`a*gog"ic*al\, a.
Mystical; having a secondary spiritual meaning; as, the rest
of the Sabbath, in an anagogical sense, signifies the repose
of the saints in heaven; an anagogical explication. --
{An`a*gog"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Anagogics \An`a*gog"ics\, n. pl.
Mystical interpretations or studies, esp. of the Scriptures.
--L. Addison.
Anagogy \An"a*go`gy\, n.
Same as {Anagoge}.
Anagram \An"a*gram\, n. [F. anagramme, LL. anagramma, fr. Gr. ?
back, again + ? to write. See {Graphic}.]
Literally, the letters of a word read backwards, but in its
usual wider sense, the change or one word or phrase into
another by the transposition of its letters. Thus Galenus
becomes angelus; William Noy (attorney-general to Charles I.,
and a laborious man) may be turned into I moyl in law.
Anagram \An"a*gram\, v. t.
To anagrammatize.
Some of these anagramed his name, Benlowes, into
Benevolus. --Warburton.
Anagrammatic \An`a*gram*mat"ic\, Anagrammatical
\An`a*gram*mat"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. anagramtique.]
Pertaining to, containing, or making, an anagram. --
{An`a*gram*mat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Anagrammatism \An`a*gram"ma*tism\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F.
anagrammatisme.]
The act or practice of making anagrams. --Camden.
Anagrammatist \An`a*gram"ma*tist\, n. [Cf. F. anagrammatiste.]
A maker anagrams.
Anagrammatize \An`a*gram"ma*tize\, v. t. [Gr. ? cf. F.
anagrammatiser.]
To transpose, as the letters of a word, so as to form an
anagram. --Cudworth.
Anagraph \An"a*graph\, n. [Gr. ? a writing out, fr. ? to write
out, to record; ? + ? to write.]
An inventory; a record. [Obs.] --Knowles.
Anakim \An"a*kim\, Anaks \A"naks\, n. pl. [Heb.] (Bibl.)
A race of giants living in Palestine.
Anal \A"nal\, a. [From {Anus}.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or situated near, the anus; as, the anal fin
or glands.
Analcime \A*nal"cime\, n. [Gr. 'an priv. + 'a`lkimos strong,
'alkh` strength: cf. F. analcime.] (Min.)
A white or flesh-red mineral, of the zeolite family,
occurring in isometric crystals. By friction, it acquires a
weak electricity; hence its name.
Analcite \A*nal"cite\ (-s[imac]t), n. [Gr. 'analkh`s weak.]
Analcime.
Analectic \An`a*lec"tic\ ([a^]n`[.a]*l[e^]k"t[i^]k), a.
Relating to analects; made up of selections; as, an analectic
magazine.
Analects \An"a*lects\ ([a^]n"[.a]*l[e^]kts), Analecta
\An`a*lec"ta\ ([a^]n`[.a]*l[e^]k"t[.a]), n. pl. [Gr. 'ana`lekta
fr. 'anale`gein to collect; 'ana` + le`gein to gather.]
A collection of literary fragments.
Analemma \An`a*lem"ma\ (-l[e^]m"m[.a]), n. [L. analemma a sun
dial on a pedestal, showing the latitude and meridian of a
place, Gr. 'ana`lhmma a support, or thing supported, a sun
dial, fr. 'analamba`nein to take up; 'ana` + lamba`nein to
take.]
1. (Chem.) An orthographic projection of the sphere on the
plane of the meridian, the eye being supposed at an
infinite distance, and in the east or west point of the
horizon.
2. An instrument of wood or brass, on which this projection
of the sphere is made, having a movable horizon or cursor;
-- formerly much used in solving some common astronomical
problems.
3. A scale of the sun's declination for each day of the year,
drawn across the torrid zone on an artificial terrestrial
globe.
Analepsis \An`a*lep"sis\ ([a^]n`[.a]*l[e^]p"s[i^]s), Analepsy
\An"a*lep"sy\ ([a^]n"[.a]*l[e^]p`s[y^]), [Gr. ? a taking up, or
again, recovery, from ?. See {Analemma}.] (Med.)
(a) Recovery of strength after sickness.
(b) A species of epileptic attack, originating from
gastric disorder.
Analeptic \An`a*lep"tic\, a. [Gr. ? restorative: cf. F.
analeptique. See {Analepsis}.] (Med.)
Restorative; giving strength after disease. -- n. A
restorative.
Analgesia \An`al*ge"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'analghsi`a; 'an
priv. + 'a`lghsis sense of pain.] (Med.)
Absence of sensibility to pain. --Quain.
Anallagmatic \An`al*lag*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + ? a
change.] (Math.)
Not changed in form by inversion.
{Anallagmatic curves}, a class of curves of the fourth degree
which have certain peculiar relations to circles; --
sometimes called {bicircular quartics}.
{Anallagmatic surfaces}, a certain class of surfaces of the
fourth degree.
Anallantoic \An`al*lan*to"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Without, or not developing, an allantois.
Anallantoidea \An`al*lan*toid"e*a\, n. pl. [Gr. 'an priv. + E.
allantoidea.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Vertebrata in which no allantois is
developed. It includes amphibians, fishes, and lower forms.
Analogal \A*nal"o*gal\, a.
Analogous. [Obs.] --Donne.
Analogic \An`a*log"ic\, a. [See {Analogous}.]
Of or belonging to analogy. --Geo. Eliot.
Analogical \An`a*log"ic*al\, a.
1. Founded on, or of the nature of, analogy; expressing or
implying analogy.
When a country which has sent out colonies is termed
the mother country, the expression is analogical.
--J. S. Mill.
2. Having analogy; analogous. --Sir M. Hale.
Analogically \An`a*log"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an analogical sense; in accordance with analogy; by way of
similitude.
A prince is analogically styled a pilot, being to the
state as a pilot is to the vessel. --Berkeley.
Analogicalness \An`a*log"ic*al*ness\, n.
Quality of being analogical.
Analogism \A*nal"o*gism\, n. [Gr. ? course of reasoning, fr. ?
to think over, to calculate]
1. Logic an argument from the cause to the effect; an a
priori argument. --Johnson.
2. Investigation of things by the analogy they bear to each
other. --Crabb.
Analogist \A*nal"o*gist\, n.
One who reasons from analogy, or represent, by analogy.
--Cheyne.
Analogize \A*nal"o*gize\, v. i.
To employ, or reason by, analogy.
Analogon \A*nal"o*gon\, n. [Gr. ?.]
Analogue.
Analogous \A*nal"o*gous\, a. [L. analogous, Gr. ? according to a
due ratio, proportionate; ? + ? ratio, proportion. See
{Logic}.]
Having analogy; corresponding to something else; bearing some
resemblance or proportion; -- often followed by to.
Analogous tendencies in arts and manners. --De Quincey.
Decay of public spirit, which may be considered
analogous to natural death. --J. H.
Newman.
{nalogous pole} (Pyroelect.), that pole of a crystal which
becomes positively electrified when heated.
Syn: Correspondent; similar; like. -- {A*nal"o gous*ly}, adv.
-- {A*nal"o*gous*ness}, n.
Analogue \An"a*logue\ (?; 115), n. [F. ?, fr. Gr. ?.]
1. That which is analogous to, or corresponds with, some
other thing.
The vexatious tyranny of the individual despot meets
its analogue in the insolent tyranny of the many.
--I. Taylor.
2. (Philol.) A word in one language corresponding with one in
another; an analogous term; as, the Latin ``pater'' is the
analogue of the English ``father.''
3. (Nat. Hist.)
(a) An organ which is equivalent in its functions to a
different organ in another species or group, or even
in the same group; as, the gill of a fish is the
analogue of a lung in a quadruped, although the two
are not of like structural relations.
(b) A species in one genus or group having its characters
parallel, one by one, with those of another group.
(c) A species or genus in one country closely related to a
species of the same genus, or a genus of the same
group, in another: such species are often called
representative species, and such genera,
representative genera. --Dana.
Analogy \A*nal"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Analogies}. [L. analogia, Gr. ?,
fr. ?: cf. F. analogie. See {Analogous}.]
1. A resemblance of relations; an agreement or likeness
between things in some circumstances or effects, when the
things are otherwise entirely different. Thus, learning
enlightens the mind, because it is to the mind what light
is to the eye, enabling it to discover things before
hidden.
Note: Followed by between, to, or with; as, there is an
analogy between these objects, or one thing has an
analogy to or with another.
Note: Analogy is very commonly used to denote similarity or
essential resemblance; but its specific meaning is a
similarity of relations, and in this consists the
difference between the argument from example and that
from analogy. In the former, we argue from the mere
similarity of two things; in the latter, from the
similarity of their relations. --Karslake.
2. (Biol.) A relation or correspondence in function, between
organs or parts which are decidedly different.
3. (Geom.) Proportion; equality of ratios.
4. (Gram.) Conformity of words to the genius, structure, or
general rules of a language; similarity of origin,
inflection, or principle of pronunciation, and the like,
as opposed to {anomaly}. --Johnson.
Analyse \An"a*lyse\, v., Analyser \An"a*ly`ser\, n., etc.
Same as {Analyze}, {Analyzer}, etc.
Analysis \A*nal"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Analyses}. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to
unloose, to dissolve, to resolve into its elements; ? up + ?
to loose. See {Loose}.]
1. A resolution of anything, whether an object of the senses
or of the intellect, into its constituent or original
elements; an examination of the component parts of a
subject, each separately, as the words which compose a
sentence, the tones of a tune, or the simple propositions
which enter into an argument. It is opposed to
{synthesis}.
2. (Chem.) The separation of a compound substance, by
chemical processes, into its constituents, with a view to
ascertain either (a) what elements it contains, or (b) how
much of each element is present. The former is called
{qualitative}, and the latter {quantitative analysis}.
3. (Logic) The tracing of things to their source, and the
resolving of knowledge into its original principles.
4. (Math.) The resolving of problems by reducing the
conditions that are in them to equations.
5.
(a) A syllabus, or table of the principal heads of a
discourse, disposed in their natural order.
(b) A brief, methodical illustration of the principles of
a science. In this sense it is nearly synonymous with
synopsis.
6. (Nat. Hist.) The process of ascertaining the name of a
species, or its place in a system of classification, by
means of an analytical table or key.
{Ultimate}, {Proximate}, {Qualitative}, {Quantitative}, and
{Volumetric analysis}. (Chem.) See under {Ultimate},
{Proximate}, {Qualitative}, etc.
Analyst \An"a*lyst\, n. [F. analyste. See {Analysis}.]
One who analyzes; formerly, one skilled in algebraical
geometry; now commonly, one skilled in chemical analysis.
Analytic \An`a*lyt"ic\, Analytical \An`a*lyt"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?:
cf. F. analytique. See {Analysis}.]
Of or pertaining to analysis; resolving into elements or
constituent parts; as, an analytical experiment; analytic
reasoning; -- opposed to {synthetic}.
{Analytical} or {co["o]rdinate geometry}. See under
{Geometry}.
{Analytic language}, a noninflectional language or one not
characterized by grammatical endings.
{Analytical table} (Nat. Hist.), a table in which the
characteristics of the species or other groups are
arranged so as to facilitate the determination of their
names.
Analytically \An`a*lyt"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an analytical manner.
Analytics \An`a*lyt"ics\, n.
The science of analysis.
Analyzable \An"a*ly`za*ble\, a.
That may be analyzed.
Analyzation \An`a*ly*za"tion\, n.
The act of analyzing, or separating into constituent parts;
analysis.
Analyze \An"a*lyze\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Analyzed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Analyzing}.] [Cf. F. analyser. See {Analysis}.]
To subject to analysis; to resolve (anything complex) into
its elements; to separate into the constituent parts, for the
purpose of an examination of each separately; to examine in
such a manner as to ascertain the elements or nature of the
thing examined; as, to analyze a fossil substance; to analyze
a sentence or a word; to analyze an action to ascertain its
morality.
No one, I presume, can analyze the sensations of
pleasure or pain. --Darwin.
Analyzer \An"a*ly`zer\, n.
1. One who, or that which, analyzes.
2. (Opt.) The part of a polariscope which receives the light
after polarization, and exhibits its properties.
Anamese \An`a*mese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Anam, to southeastern Asia. -- n. A
native of Anam.
Anamnesis \An`am*ne"sis\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to remind, recall to
memory; ? + ? to put in mind.] (Rhet.)
A recalling to mind; recollection.
Anamnestic \An`am*nes"tic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Aiding the memory; as, anamnestic remedies.
Anamniotic \An*am`ni*ot"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Without, or not developing, an amnion.
Anamorphism \An`a*mor"phism\, n. [Gr. ? again + ? form.]
1. A distorted image.
2. (Biol.) A gradual progression from one type to another,
generally ascending. --Huxley.
Anamorphosis \An`a*mor"pho*sis\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to form anew;
? again + ? to form; ? form.]
1. (Persp.) A distorted or monstrous projection or
representation of an image on a plane or curved surface,
which, when viewed from a certain point, or as reflected
from a curved mirror or through a polyhedron, appears
regular and in proportion; a deformation of an image.
2. (Biol.) Same as {Anamorphism}, 2.
3. (Bot.) A morbid or monstrous development, or change of
form, or degeneration.
Anamorphosy \An`a*mor"pho*sy\, n.
Same as {Anamorphosis}.
Anan \A*nan"\, interj. [See {Anon}.]
An expression equivalent to What did you say? Sir? Eh? [Obs.]
--Shak.
Ananas \A*na"nas\, n. [Sp. ananas, from the native American
name.] (Bot.)
The pineapple ({Ananassa sativa}).
Anandrous \An*an"drous\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + 'andh`r a man.]
(Bot.)
Destitute of stamens, as certain female flowers.
Anangular \An*an"gu*lar\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + E. angular.]
Containing no angle. [R.]
Anantherous \An*an"ther*ous\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + E. anther.]
(Bot.)
Destitute of anthers. --Gray.
Ananthous \An*an"thous\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + 'a`nqos a flower.]
(Bot.)
Destitute of flowers; flowerless.
Anapaest \An`a*p[ae]st\, Anapaestic \An`a*p[ae]s"tic\
Same as {Anapest}, {Anapestic}.
Anapest \An"a*pest\, n. [L. anapaestus, Gr. ? an anapest, i.e.,
a dactyl reserved, or, as it were, struck back; fr. ?; ? back
+ ? to strike.]
1. (Pros.) A metrical foot consisting of three syllables, the
first two short, or unaccented, the last long, or accented
([crescent] [crescent] -); the reverse of the dactyl. In
Latin d[e^]-[i^]-t[=a]s, and in English in-ter-vene", are
examples of anapests.
2. A verse composed of such feet.
Anapestic \An`a*pes"tic\, a. [L. anapaesticus, Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to an anapest; consisting of an anapests; as, an
anapestic meter, foot, verse. -- n. Anapestic measure or
verse.
Anapestical \An`a*pes"tic*al\, a.
Anapestic.
Anaphora \A*naph"o*ra\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to carry up or
back; ? + ? to carry.] (Rhet.)
A repetition of a word or of words at the beginning of two or
more successive clauses.
Anaphrodisia \An*aph`ro*dis"i*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'an priv. + ?
sexual pleasure, ? the goddess of love.] (Med.)
Absence of sexual appetite.
Anaphrodisiac \An*aph`ro*dis"i*ac\, a. & n. [Gr. 'an priv. + ?
pertaining to venery.] (Med.)
Same as {Antaphrodisiac}. --Dunglison.
Anaphroditic \An*aph`ro*dit"ic\, a. [Gr. ? without love.]
(Biol.)
Produced without concourse of sexes.
Anaplastic \An`a*plas"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to anaplasty.
Anaplasty \An`a*plas`ty\, n. [Gr. ? again + ? to form: cf. F.
anaplastie.] (Surg.)
The art of operation of restoring lost parts or the normal
shape by the use of healthy tissue.
Anaplerotic \An`a*ple*rot"ic\, a. [L. anapleroticus, fr. Gr. ?
to fill up; ? + ? to fill.] (Med.)
Filling up; promoting granulation of wounds or ulcers. -- n.
A remedy which promotes such granulation.
Anapnograph \A*nap"no*graph\, n. [Gr. ? respiration + -graph.]
A form of spirometer.
Anapnoic \An`ap*no"ic\, a. [Gr. ? respiration.] (Med.)
Relating to respiration.
Anapodeictic \An*ap`o*deic"tic\, a. [Gr. ?; 'an priv. + ?. See
{Apodeictic}.]
Not apodeictic; undemonstrable. [R.]
Anapophysis \An`a*poph"y*sis\, n. [Gr. ? back + ? offshoot.]
(Anat.)
An accessory process in many lumbar vertebr[ae].
Anaptotic \An`ap*tot"ic\, a. [Gr. ? back + ? belonging to case.]
Having lost, or tending to lose, inflections by phonetic
decay; as, anaptotic languages.
Anaptychus \An*ap"ty*chus\, n.; pl. {Anaptichi}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
unfolding; ? back + ? to fold.] (Paleon.)
One of a pair of shelly plates found in some cephalopods, as
the ammonites.
Anarch \An"arch\, n. [Gr. ? without head or chief; 'an priv. + ?
beginning, the first place, magistracy, government.]
The author of anarchy; one who excites revolt. --Milton.
Imperial anarchs doubling human woes. --Byron.
Anarchal \A*nar"chal\, a.
Lawless; anarchical. [R.]
We are in the habit of calling those bodies of men
anarchal which are in a state of effervescence.
--Landor.
Anarchic \A*nar"chic\, Anarchical \A*nar"chic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
anarchique.]
Pertaining to anarchy; without rule or government; in
political confusion; tending to produce anarchy; as, anarchic
despotism; anarchical opinions.
Anarchism \An"arch*ism\, n. [Cf. F. anarchisme.]
The doctrine or practice of anarchists.
Anarchist \An"arch*ist\, n. [Cf. F. anarchiste.]
An anarch; one who advocates anarchy of aims at the overthrow
of civil government.
Anarchize \An"arch*ize\, v. t.
To reduce to anarchy.
Anarchy \An"arch*y\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. anarchie. See {Anarch}.]
1. Absence of government; the state of society where there is
no law or supreme power; a state of lawlessness; political
confusion.
Spread anarchy and terror all around. --Cowper.
2. Hence, confusion or disorder, in general.
There being then . . . an anarchy, as I may term it,
in authors and their re?koning of years. --Fuller.
Anarthropoda \An`ar*throp"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? without
joints + -poda. See {Anarthrous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the divisions of Articulata in which there are no
jointed legs, as the annelids; -- opposed to {Arthropoda}.
Anarthropodous \An`ar*throp"o*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having no jointed legs; pertaining to Anarthropoda.
Anarthrous \An*ar"throus\, a. [Gr. 'a`narqros without joints,
without the article; 'an priv. + 'a`rqron joint, the
article.]
1. (Gr. Gram.) Used without the article; as, an anarthrous
substantive.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Without joints, or having the joints
indistinct, as some insects.
Anas \A"nas\, n. [L., duck.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of water fowls, of the order Anseres, including
certain species of fresh-water ducks.
Anasarca \An`a*sar"ca\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? throughout + ?, ?,
flesh.] (Med.)
Dropsy of the subcutaneous cellular tissue; an effusion of
serum into the cellular substance, occasioning a soft, pale,
inelastic swelling of the skin.
Anasarcous \An`a*sar"cous\, a.
Belonging, or affected by, anasarca, or dropsy; dropsical.
--Wiseman.
Anastaltic \An`a*stal"tic\ (-st[a^]l"t[i^]k), a. & n. [Gr.
'anastaltiko`s fitted for checking, fr. 'ana` + ste`llein to
send.] (Med.)
Styptic. [Obs.] --Coxe.
Anastate \An"a*state\, n. [Gr. ? up + ? to make to stand.]
(Physiol.)
One of a series of substances formed, in secreting cells, by
constructive or anabolic processes, in the production of
protoplasm; -- opposed to {katastate}. --Foster.
Anastatic \An`a*stat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? up + ? to make to stand: cf.
? causing to stand.]
Pertaining to a process or a style of printing from
characters in relief on zinc plates.
Note: In this process the letterpress, engraving, or design
of any kind is transferred to a zinc plate; the parts
not covered with ink are eaten out, leaving a facsimile
in relief to be printed from.
Anastomose \A*nas"to*mose\, v. i. [imp. p. p. {Anastomozed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Anastomosing}.] [Cf. F. anastomoser, fr.
anastomose. See {Anastomosis}.] (Anat. & Bot.)
To inosculate; to intercommunicate by anastomosis, as the
arteries and veins.
The ribbing of the leaf, and the anastomosing network
of its vessels. --I. Taylor.
Anastomosis \A*nas`to*mo"sis\, n.; pl. {Anastomoses}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? opening, fr. ? to furnish with a mouth or opening, to
open; ? + sto`ma mouth: cf. F. anastomose.] (Anat. & Bot.)
The inosculation of vessels, or intercommunication between
two or more vessels or nerves, as the cross communication
between arteries or veins.
Anastomotic \A*nas`to*mot"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to anastomosis.
Anastrophe \A*nas"tro*phe\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to turn up or back;
? + ? to turn.] (Rhet. & Gram.)
An inversion of the natural order of words; as, echoed the
hills, for, the hills echoed.
Anathema \A*nath"e*ma\, n.; pl. {Anathemas}. [L. anath?ma, fr.
Gr. ? anything devoted, esp. to evil, a curse; also L.
anath?ma, fr. Gr. ? a votive offering; all fr. ? to set up as
a votive gift, dedicate; ? up + ? to set. See {Thesis}.]
1. A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by
ecclesiastical authority, and accompanied by
excommunication. Hence: Denunciation of anything as
accursed.
[They] denounce anathemas against unbelievers.
--Priestley.
2. An imprecation; a curse; a malediction.
Finally she fled to London followed by the anathemas
of both [families]. --Thackeray.
3. Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by
ecclesiastical authority.
The Jewish nation were an anathema destined to
destruction. St. Paul . . . says he could wish, to
save them from it, to become an anathema, and be
destroyed himself. --Locke.
{Anathema Maranatha}(see --1 Cor. xvi. 22), an expression
commonly considered as a highly intensified form of
anathema. Maran atha is now considered as a separate
sentence, meaning, ``Our Lord cometh.''
Anathematic \A*nath`e*mat"ic\, Anathematical
\A*nath`e*mat"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or having the nature of, an anathema. --
{A*nath`e*mat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Anathematism \A*nath"e*ma*tism\, n. [Gr. ? a cursing; cf. F.
anath['e]matisme.]
Anathematization. [Obs.]
We find a law of Justinian forbidding anathematisms to
be pronounced against the Jewish Hellenists. --J.
Taylor.
Anathematization \A*nath`e*ma*ti*za"tion\, n. [LL.
anathematisatio.]
The act of anathematizing, or denouncing as accursed;
imprecation. --Barrow.
Anathematize \A*nath"e*ma*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Anathematized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Anathematizing}.] [L.
anathematizare, Gr. ? to devote, make accursed: cf. F.
anath['e]matiser.]
To pronounce an anathema against; to curse. Hence: To condemn
publicly as something accursed. --Milton.
Anathematizer \A*nath"e*ma*ti`zer\, n.
One who pronounces an anathema. --Hammond.
Anatifa \A*nat"i*fa\, n.; pl. {Anatif[ae]}. [NL., contr. fr.
anatifera. See {Anatiferous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An animal of the barnacle tribe, of the genus {Lepas}, having
a fleshy stem or peduncle; a goose barnacle. See
{Cirripedia}.
Note: The term Anatif[ae], in the plural, is often used for
the whole group of pedunculated cirripeds.
Anatifer \A*nat"i*fer\,, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Anatifa}.
Anatiferous \An`a*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. anas, anatis, a duck +
-ferous.] (Zo["o]l.)
Producing ducks; -- applied to Anatif[ae], under the absurd
notion of their turning into ducks or geese. See {Barnacle}.
Anatine \An"a*tine\, a. [L. anatinus, fr. anas, anatis, a duck.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the ducks; ducklike.
Anatocism \A*nat"o*cism\, n. [L. anatocismus, Gr. ?; ? again + ?
to lend on interest.] (Law)
Compound interest. [R.] --Bouvier.
Anatomic \An`a*tom"ic\, Anatomical \An`a*tom"ic*al\, a. [L.
anatomicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. anatomique. See {Anatomy}.]
Of or relating to anatomy or dissection; as, the anatomic
art; anatomical observations. --Hume.
Anatomically \An`a*tom"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an anatomical manner; by means of dissection.
Anatomism \A*nat"o*mism\, n. [Cf. F. anatomisme.]
1. The application of the principles of anatomy, as in art.
The stretched and vivid anatomism of their [i. e.,
the French] great figure painters. --The London
Spectator.
2. The doctrine that the anatomical structure explains all
the phenomena of the organism or of animal life.
Anatomist \A*nat"o*mist\, n. [Cf. F. anatomiste.]
One who is skilled in the art of anatomy, or dissection.
Anatomization \A*nat`o*mi*za"tion\, n.
The act of anatomizing.
Anatomize \A*nat"o*mize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Anatomized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Anatomizing}.] [Cf. F. anatomiser.]
1. To dissect; to cut in pieces, as an animal vegetable body,
for the purpose of displaying or examining the structure
and use of the several parts.
2. To discriminate minutely or carefully; to analyze.
If we anatomize all other reasonings of this nature,
we shall find that they are founded on the relation
of cause and effect. --Hume.
Anatomizer \A*nat"o*mi`zer\, n.
A dissector.
Anatomy \A*nat"o*my\, n.; pl. {Anatomies}. [F. anatomie, L.
anatomia, Gr. ? dissection, fr. ? to cut up; ? + ? to cut.]
1. The art of dissecting, or artificially separating the
different parts of any organized body, to discover their
situation, structure, and economy; dissection.
2. The science which treats of the structure of organic
bodies; anatomical structure or organization.
Let the muscles be well inserted and bound together,
according to the knowledge of them which is given us
by anatomy. --Dryden.
Note: ``Animal anatomy'' is sometimes called {zomy};
``vegetable anatomy,'' {phytotomy}; ``human anatomy,''
{anthropotomy}.
{Comparative anatomy} compares the structure of different
kinds and classes of animals.
3. A treatise or book on anatomy.
4. The act of dividing anything, corporeal or intellectual,
for the purpose of examining its parts; analysis; as, the
anatomy of a discourse.
5. A skeleton; anything anatomized or dissected, or which has
the appearance of being so.
The anatomy of a little child, representing all
parts thereof, is accounted a greater rarity than
the skeleton of a man in full stature. --Fuller.
They brought one Pinch, a hungry, lean-faced
villain, A mere anatomy. --Shak.
Anatreptic \An`a*trep"tic\, a. [overturning, fr. ? to turn up or
over; ? + ? too turn.]
Overthrowing; defeating; -- applied to Plato's refutative
dialogues. --Enfield.
Anatron \An"a*tron\, n. [F. anatron, natron, Sp. anatron,
natron, fr. Ar. al-natr[=u]n. See {Natron}, {Niter}.] [Obs.]
1. Native carbonate of soda; natron.
2. Glass gall or sandiver.
3. Saltpeter. --Coxe. --Johnson.
Anatropal \A*nat"ro*pal\, Anatropous \A*nat"ro*pous\, a. [Gr. ?
up + ? to turn.] (Bot.)
Having the ovule inverted at an early period in its
development, so that the chalaza is as the apparent apex; --
opposed to {orthotropous}. --Gray.
Anatto \A*nat"to\, n.
Same as {Annotto}.
Anbury \An"bur*y\, Ambury \Am"bur*y\, n. [AS. ampre, ompre, a
crooked swelling vein: cf. Prov. E. amper a tumor with
inflammation. Cf. the first syllable in agnail, and berry a
fruit.]
1. (Far.) A soft tumor or bloody wart on horses or oxen.
2. A disease of the roots of turnips, etc.; -- called also
{fingers and toes}.
-ance \-ance\ [F. -ance, fr. L. -antia and also fr. -entia.]
A suffix signifying action; also, quality or state; as,
assistance, resistance, appearance, elegance. See {-ancy}.
Note: All recently adopted words of this class take either
-ance or -ence, according to the Latin spelling.
Ancestor \An"ces*tor\, n. [OE. ancestre, auncestre, also
ancessour; the first forms fr. OF. ancestre, F. anc[^e]tre,
fr. the L. nom. antessor one who goes before; the last form
fr. OF. ancessor, fr. L. acc. antecessorem, fr. antecedere to
go before; ante before + cedere to go. See {Cede}, and cf.
{Antecessor}.]
1. One from whom a person is descended, whether on the
father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a
progenitor; a fore father.
2. (Biol.) An earlier type; a progenitor; as, this fossil
animal is regarded as the ancestor of the horse.
3. (Law) One from whom an estate has descended; -- the
correlative of heir.
Ancestorial \An`ces*to"ri*al\, a.
Ancestral. --Grote.
Ancestorially \An`ces*to"ri*al*ly\, adv.
With regard to ancestors.
Ancestral \An*ces"tral\ (?; 277), a.
Of, pertaining to, derived from, or possessed by, an ancestor
or ancestors; as, an ancestral estate. ``Ancestral trees.''
--Hemans.
Ancestress \An"ces*tress\, n.
A female ancestor.
Ancestry \An"ces*try\, n. [Cf. OF. ancesserie. See {Ancestor}.]
1. Condition as to ancestors; ancestral lineage; hence, birth
or honorable descent.
Title and ancestry render a good man more
illustrious, but an ill one more contemptible.
--Addison.
2. A series of ancestors or progenitors; lineage, or those
who compose the line of natural descent.
Anchor \An"chor\ ([a^][ng]"k[~e]r), n. [OE. anker, AS. ancor,
oncer, L. ancora, sometimes spelt anchora, fr. Gr. 'a`gkyra,
akin to E. angle: cf. F. ancre. See {Angle}, n.]
1. A iron instrument which is attached to a ship by a cable
(rope or chain), and which, being cast overboard, lays
hold of the earth by a fluke or hook and thus retains the
ship in a particular station.
Note: The common anchor consists of a straight bar called a
shank, having at one end a transverse bar called a
stock, above which is a ring for the cable, and at the
other end the crown, from which branch out two or more
arms with flukes, forming with the shank a suitable
angle to enter the ground.
Note: Formerly the largest and strongest anchor was the sheet
anchor (hence, Fig., best hope or last refuge), called
also {waist anchor}. Now the bower and the sheet anchor
are usually alike. Then came the best bower and the
small bower (so called from being carried on the bows).
The stream anchor is one fourth the weight of the bower
anchor. Kedges or kedge anchors are light anchors used
in warping.
2. Any instrument or contrivance serving a purpose like that
of a ship's anchor, as an arrangement of timber to hold a
dam fast; a contrivance to hold the end of a bridge cable,
or other similar part; a contrivance used by founders to
hold the core of a mold in place.
3. Fig.: That which gives stability or security; that on
which we place dependence for safety.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul. --Heb.
vi. 19.
4. (Her.) An emblem of hope.
5. (Arch.)
(a) A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building
together.
(b) Carved work, somewhat resembling an anchor or
arrowhead; -- a part of the ornaments of certain
moldings. It is seen in the echinus, or egg-and-anchor
(called also {egg-and-dart}, {egg-and-tongue})
ornament.
6. (Zo["o]l.) One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain
sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain
Holothurians, as in species of {Synapta}.
{Anchor ice}. See under {Ice}.
{Anchor ring}. (Math.) Same as {Annulus}, 2 (b).
{Anchor stock} (Naut.), the crossbar at the top of the shank
at right angles to the arms.
{The anchor comes home}, when it drags over the bottom as the
ship drifts.
{Foul anchor}, the anchor when it hooks, or is entangled
with, another anchor, or with a cable or wreck, or when
the slack cable entangled.
{The anchor is acockbill}, when it is suspended
perpendicularly from the cathead, ready to be let go.
{The anchor is apeak}, when the cable is drawn in do tight as
to bring to ship directly over it.
{The anchor is atrip}, or {aweigh}, when it is lifted out of
the ground.
{The anchor is awash}, when it is hove up to the surface of
the water.
{At anchor}, anchored.
{To back an anchor}, to increase the holding power by laying
down a small anchor ahead of that by which the ship rides,
with the cable fastened to the crown of the latter to
prevent its coming home.
{To cast anchor}, to drop or let go an anchor to keep a ship
at rest.
{To cat the anchor}, to hoist the anchor to the cathead and
pass the ring-stopper.
{To fish the anchor}, to hoist the flukes to their resting
place (called the bill-boards), and pass the shank
painter.
{To weigh anchor}, to heave or raise the anchor so as to sail
away.
Anchor \An"chor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Anchored}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Anchoring}.] [Cf. F. ancrer.]
1. To place at anchor; to secure by an anchor; as, to anchor
a ship.
2. To fix or fasten; to fix in a stable condition; as, to
anchor the cables of a suspension bridge.
Till that my nails were anchored in thine eyes.
--Shak.
Anchor \An"chor\, v. i.
1. To cast anchor; to come to anchor; as, our ship (or the
captain) anchored in the stream.
2. To stop; to fix or rest.
My invention . . . anchors on Isabel. --Shak.
Anchor \An"chor\, n. [OE. anker, ancre, AS. ancra, fr. L.
anachoreta. See {Anchoret}.]
An anchoret. [Obs.] --Shak.
Anchorable \An"chor*a*ble\, a.
Fit for anchorage.
Anchorage \An"chor*age\, n.
1. The act of anchoring, or the condition of lying at anchor.
2. A place suitable for anchoring or where ships anchor; a
hold for an anchor.
3. The set of anchors belonging to a ship.
4. Something which holds like an anchor; a hold; as, the
anchorages of the Brooklyn Bridge.
5. Something on which one may depend for security; ground of
trust.
6. A toll for anchoring; anchorage duties. --Johnson.
Anchorage \An"cho*rage\, n.
Abode of an anchoret.
Anchorate \An"chor*ate\, a.
Anchor-shaped.
Anchored \An"chored\, a.
1. Held by an anchor; at anchor; held safely; as, an anchored
bark; also, shaped like an anchor; forked; as, an anchored
tongue.
2. (Her.) Having the extremities turned back, like the flukes
of an anchor; as, an anchored cross. [Sometimes spelt
{ancred}.]
Anchoress \An"cho*ress\, n.
A female anchoret.
And there, a saintly anchoress, she dwelt.
--Wordsworth.
Anchoret \An"cho*ret\, Anchorite \An"cho*rite\, n. [F.
anachor[`e]te, L. anachoreta, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to go back,
retire; ? + ? to give place, retire, ? place; perh. akin to
Skr. h[=a] to leave. Cf. {Anchor} a hermit.]
One who renounces the world and secludes himself, usually for
religious reasons; a hermit; a recluse. [Written by some
authors {anachoret}.]
Our Savior himself . . . did not choose an anchorite's
or a monastic life, but a social and affable way of
conversing with mortals. --Boyle.
Anchoretic \An`cho*ret"ic\, Anchoretical \An`cho*ret"ic*al\, a.
[Cf. Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to an anchoret or hermit; after the manner of an
anchoret.
Anchoretish \An"cho*ret`ish\, a.
Hermitlike.
Anchoretism \An"cho*ret*ism\, n.
The practice or mode of life of an anchoret.
Anchor-hold \An"chor-hold`\, n.
1. The hold or grip of an anchor, or that to which it holds.
2. Hence: Firm hold: security.
Anchorite \An"cho*rite\, n.
Same as {Anchoret}.
Anchoritess \An"cho*ri`tess\, n.
An anchoress. [R.]
Anchorless \An"chor*less\, a.
Without an anchor or stay. Hence: Drifting; unsettled.
Anchovy \An*cho"vy\ ([a^]n*ch[=o]"v[y^]), n. [Sp. anchoa,
anchova, or Pg. anchova, prob. of Iberian origin, and lit. a
dried or pickled fish, fr. Bisc. antzua dry: cf. D. anchovis,
F. anchois.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small fish, about three inches in length, of the Herring
family ({Engraulis encrasicholus}), caught in vast numbers in
the Mediterranean, and pickled for exportation. The name is
also applied to several allied species.
Anchovy pear \An*cho"vy pear`\ ([a^]n*ch[=o]"v[y^] p[^a]r`).
(Bot.)
A West Indian fruit like the mango in taste, sometimes
pickled; also, the tree ({Grias cauliflora}) bearing this
fruit.
Anchusin \An"chu*sin\, n. [L. anchusa the plant alkanet, Gr. ?.]
(Chem.)
A resinoid coloring matter obtained from alkanet root.
Anchylose \An"chy*lose\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Anchylosed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Anchylosing}.] [Cf. F. ankyloser.]
To affect or be affected with anchylosis; to unite or
consolidate so as to make a stiff joint; to grow together
into one. [Spelt also {ankylose}.] --Owen.
Anchylosis \An`chy*lo"sis\, Ankylosis \An`ky*lo"sis\, n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, fr. ? to crook, stiffen, fr. ? crooked: cf.
F. ankylose.]
1. (Med.) Stiffness or fixation of a joint; formation of a
stiff joint. --Dunglison.
2. (Anat.) The union of two or more separate bones to from a
single bone; the close union of bones or other structures
in various animals.
Anchylotic \An`chy*lot"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to anchylosis.
Ancient \An"cient\, a. [OE. auncien, F. ancien, LL. antianus,
fr. L. ante before. See {Ante-}, pref.]
1. Old; that happened or existed in former times, usually at
a great distance of time; belonging to times long past;
specifically applied to the times before the fall of the
Roman empire; -- opposed to {modern}; as, ancient authors,
literature, history; ancient days.
Witness those ancient empires of the earth.
--Milton.
Gildas Albanius . . . much ancienter than his
namesake surnamed the Wise. --Fuller.
2. Old; that has been of long duration; of long standing; of
great age; as, an ancient forest; an ancient castle. ``Our
ancient bickerings.'' --Shak.
Remove not the ancient landmarks, which thy fathers
have set. --Prov. xxii.
28.
An ancient man, strangely habited, asked for
quarters. --Scott.
3. Known for a long time, or from early times; -- opposed to
{recent} or {new}; as, the ancient continent.
A friend, perhaps, or an ancient acquaintance.
--Barrow.
4. Dignified, like an aged man; magisterial; venerable.
[Archaic]
He wrought but some few hours of the day, and then
would he seem very grave and ancient. --Holland.
5. Experienced; versed. [Obs.]
Though [he] was the youngest brother, yet he was the
most ancient in the business of the realm.
--Berners.
6. Former; sometime. [Obs.]
They mourned their ancient leader lost. --Pope.
{Ancient demesne} (Eng. Law), a tenure by which all manors
belonging to the crown, in the reign of William the
Conqueror, were held. The numbers, names, etc., of these
were all entered in a book called Domesday Book.
{Ancient lights} (Law), windows and other openings which have
been enjoined without molestation for more than twenty
years. In England, and in some of the United States, they
acquire a prescriptive right.
Syn: Old; primitive; pristine; antique; antiquated;
old-fashioned; obsolete.
Usage: {Ancient}, {Antiquated}, {Obsolete}, {Antique},
{Antic}, {Old}. -- Ancient is opposed to modern, and
has antiquity; as, an ancient family, ancient
landmarks, ancient institutions, systems of thought,
etc. Antiquated describes that which has gone out of
use or fashion; as, antiquated furniture, antiquated
laws, rules, etc. Obsolete is commonly used, instead
of antiquated, in reference to language, customs,
etc.; as, an obsolete word or phrase, an obsolete
expression. Antique is applied, in present usage,
either to that which has come down from the ancients;
as, an antique cameo, bust, etc.; or to that which is
made to imitate some ancient work of art; as, an
antique temple. In the days of Shakespeare, antique
was often used for ancient; as, ``an antique song,''
``an antique Roman;'' and hence, from singularity
often attached to what is ancient, it was used in the
sense of grotesque; as, ``an oak whose antique root
peeps out; '' and hence came our present word antic,
denoting grotesque or ridiculous. We usually apply
both ancient and old to things subject to gradual
decay. We say, an old man, an ancient record; but
never, the old stars, an old river or mountain. In
general, however, ancient is opposed to modern, and
old to new, fresh, or recent. When we speak of a thing
that existed formerly, which has ceased to exist, we
commonly use ancient; as, ancient republics, ancient
heroes; and not old republics, old heroes. But when
the thing which began or existed in former times is
still in existence, we use either ancient or old; as,
ancient statues or paintings, or old statues or
paintings; ancient authors, or old authors, meaning
books.
Ancient \An"cient\, n.
1. pl. Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the
{moderns}.
2. An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a
person of influence.
The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients
of his people, and the princes thereof. --Isa. iii.
14.
3. A senior; an elder; a predecessor. [Obs.]
Junius and Andronicus . . . in Christianity . . .
were his ancients. --Hooker.
4. pl. (Eng. Law) One of the senior members of the Inns of
Court or of Chancery.
{Council of Ancients} (French Hist.), one of the two
assemblies composing the legislative bodies in 1795.
--Brande.
Ancient \An"cient\, n. [Corrupted from ensign.]
1. An ensign or flag. [Obs.]
More dishonorable ragged than an old-faced ancient.
--Shak.
2. The bearer of a flag; an ensign. [Obs.]
This is Othello's ancient, as I take it. --Shak.
Anciently \An"cient*ly\, adv.
1. In ancient times.
2. In an ancient manner. [R.]
Ancientness \An"cient*ness\, n.
The quality of being ancient; antiquity; existence from old
times.
Ancientry \An"cient*ry\, n.
1. Antiquity; what is ancient.
They contain not word of ancientry. --West.
2. Old age; also, old people. [R.]
Wronging the ancientry. --Shak.
3. Ancient lineage; ancestry; dignity of birth.
A gentleman of more ancientry than estate. --Fuller.
Ancienty \An"cient*y\, n. [F. anciennet['e], fr. ancien. See
{Ancient}.]
1. Age; antiquity. [Obs.] --Martin.
2. Seniority. [Obs.]
Ancile \An*ci"le\, n. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
The sacred shield of the Romans, said to have-fallen from
heaven in the reign of Numa. It was the palladium of Rome.
Ancillary \An"cil*la*ry\, a. [L. ancillaris, fr. ancilla a
female servant.]
Subservient or subordinate, like a handmaid; auxiliary.
The Convocation of York seems to have been always
considered as inferior, and even ancillary, to the
greater province. --Hallam.
Ancille \An*cille"\, n. [OF. ancelle, L. ancilla.]
A maidservant; a handmaid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ancipital \An*cip"i*tal\, Ancipitous \An*cip"i*tous\, a. [L.
anceps, ancipitis, two-headed, double; an- for amb- on both
sides + caput head.] (Bot.)
Two-edged instead of round; -- said of certain flattened
stems, as those of blue grass, and rarely also of leaves.
Ancistroid \An*cis"troid\, a. [Gr. ?; ? a hook + ? shape.]
Hook-shaped.
Ancle \An"cle\, n.
See {Ankle}.
Ancome \An"come\ ([a^][ng]"k[u^]m), n. [AS. ancuman, oncuman, to
come.]
A small ulcerous swelling, coming suddenly; also, a whitlow.
[Obs.] --Boucher.
Ancon \An"con\ ([a^][ng]"k[o^]m), n.; L. pl. {Ancones}. [L., fr.
Gr. 'agkw`n the bent arm, elbow; any hook or bend.] (Anat.)
The olecranon, or the elbow.
{Ancon sheep} (Zo["o]l.), a breed of sheep with short crooked
legs and long back. It originated in Massachusetts in
1791; -- called also the {otter breed}.
Ancon \An"con\, Ancone \An"cone\, n. [See {Ancon}, above.]
(Arch.)
(a) The corner or quoin of a wall, cross-beam, or rafter.
[Obs.] --Gwilt.
(b) A bracket supporting a cornice; a console.
Anconal \An"co*nal\, Anconeal \An*co"ne*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the ancon or elbow. ``The olecranon on
anconeal process.'' --Flower.
Anconeus \An*co"ne*us\, n. [NL., fr. L. ancon elbow.] (Anat.)
A muscle of the elbow and forearm.
Anconoid \An"co*noid\, a.
Elbowlike; anconal.
Ancony \An"co*ny\, n. [Origin unknown.] (Iron Work)
A piece of malleable iron, wrought into the shape of a bar in
the middle, but unwrought at the ends.
-ancy \-an*cy\ [L. -antia.]
A suffix expressing more strongly than -ance the idea of
quality or state; as, constancy, buoyancy, infancy.
And \And\, conj. [AS. and; akin to OS. endi, Icel. enda, OHG.
anti, enti, inti, unti, G. und, D. en, OD. ende. Cf, {An} if,
{Ante-}.]
1. A particle which expresses the relation of connection or
addition. It is used to conjoin a word with a word, a
clause with a clause, or a sentence with a sentence.
Note: (a) It is sometimes used emphatically; as, ``there are
women and women,'' that is, two very different sorts of
women. (b) By a rhetorical figure, notions, one of
which is modificatory of the other, are connected by
and; as, ``the tediousness and process of my travel,''
that is, the tedious process, etc.; ``thy fair and
outward character,'' that is, thy outwardly fair
character, --Schmidt's Shak. Lex.
2. In order to; -- used instead of the infinitival to,
especially after try, come, go.
At least to try and teach the erring soul. --Milton.
3. It is sometimes, in old songs, a mere expletive.
When that I was and a little tiny boy. --Shak.
4. If; though. See {An}, conj. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
As they will set an house on fire, and it were but
to roast their eggs. --Bacon.
{And so forth}, and others; and the rest; and similar things;
and other things or ingredients. The abbreviation, etc.
(et cetera), or &c., is usually read and so forth.
Andabatism \An"da*ba*tism\, n. [L. andabata a kind of Roman
gladiator, who fought hoodwinked.]
Doubt; uncertainty. [Obs.] --Shelford.
Andalusite \An`da*lu"site\, n. (Min.)
A silicate of aluminium, occurring usually in thick rhombic
prisms, nearly square, of a grayish or pale reddish tint. It
was first discovered in Andalusia, Spain.
Andante \An*dan"te\, a. [It. andante, p. pr. of andare to go.]
(Mus.)
Moving moderately slow, but distinct and flowing; quicker
than larghetto, and slower than allegretto. -- n. A movement
or piece in andante time.
Andantino \An`dan*ti"no\, a. [It., dim. of andante.] (Mus.)
Rather quicker than andante; between that allegretto.
Note: Some, taking andante in its original sense of
``going,'' and andantino as its diminutive, or ``less
going,'' define the latter as slower than andante.
Andarac \An"da*rac\, n. [A corruption of sandarac.]
Red orpiment. --Coxe.
Andean \An*de"an\, a.
Pertaining to the Andes.
Andesine \An"des*ine\, n. (Min.)
A kind of triclinic feldspar found in the Andes.
Andesite \An"des*ite\, n. (Min.)
An eruptive rock allied to trachyte, consisting essentially
of a triclinic feldspar, with pyroxene, hornblende, or
hypersthene.
Andine \An"dine\, a.
Andean; as, Andine flora.
Andiron \And"i`ron\, n. [OE. anderne, aunderne, aundyre, OF.
andier, F. landier, fr. LL. andena, andela, anderia, of
unknown origin. The Eng. was prob. confused with brand-iron,
AS. brand-[=i]sen.]
A utensil for supporting wood when burning in a fireplace,
one being placed on each side; a firedog; as, a pair of
andirons.
Andranatomy \An`dra*nat"o*my\, n. [Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man +
?: cf. F. andranatomie. See {Anatomy}, {Androtomy}.]
The dissection of a human body, especially of a male;
androtomy. --Coxe.
Androecium \An*dr[oe]"ci*um\, n. [NL., from Gr. 'anh`r,
'andro`s, man + ? house.] (bot.)
The stamens of a flower taken collectively.
Androgyne \An"dro*gyne\, n.
1. An hermaphrodite.
2. (Bot.) An androgynous plant. --Whewell.
Androgynous \An*drog"y*nous\, Androgynal \An*drog"y*nal\, a. [L.
androgynus, Gr. ?; 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man + gynh` woman: cf.
F. androgyne.]
1. Uniting both sexes in one, or having the characteristics
of both; being in nature both male and female;
hermaphroditic. --Owen.
The truth is, a great mind must be androgynous.
--Coleridge.
2. (Bot.) Bearing both staminiferous and pistilliferous
flowers in the same cluster.
Androgyny \An*drog"y*ny\, Androgynism \An*drog"y*nism\, n.
Union of both sexes in one individual; hermaphroditism.
Android \An"droid\ ([a^]n"droid), Androides \An*droi"des\
([a^]n*droi"d[=e]z), n. [Gr. 'androeidh`s of man's form;
'anh`r, 'andro`s, man + e'i^dos form.]
A machine or automaton in the form of a human being.
Android \An"droid\, a.
Resembling a man.
Andromeda \An*drom"e*da\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, the daughter of
Cepheus and Cassiopeia. When bound to a rock and exposed to a
sea monster, she was delivered by Perseus.]
1. (Astron.) A northern constellation, supposed to represent
the mythical Andromeda.
2. (bot.) A genus of ericaceous flowering plants of northern
climates, of which the original species was found growing
on a rock surrounded by water.
Andron \An"dron\, n. [L. andron, Gr. ?, fr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s,
man.] (Gr. & Rom. Arch.)
The apartment appropriated for the males. This was in the
lower part of the house.
Andropetalous \An`dro*pet"al*ous\, a. [Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man
+ ? leaf.] (Bot.)
Produced by the conversion of the stamens into petals, as
double flowers, like the garden ranunculus. --Brande.
Androphagi \An*droph"a*gi\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; 'anh`r,
'andro`s, man + ? to eat.]
Cannibals; man-eaters; anthropophagi. [R.]
Androphagous \An*droph"a*gous\, a.
Anthropophagous.
Androphore \An"dro*phore\, n. [Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man + ? to
bear.]
1. (Bot.) A support or column on which stamens are raised.
--Gray.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The part which in some Siphonophora bears the
male gonophores.
Androsphinx \An"dro*sphinx\, n. [Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man + ?
sphinx.] (Egypt. Art.)
A man sphinx; a sphinx having the head of a man and the body
of a lion.
Androspore \An"dro*spore\, n. [Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, a man + ? a
seed.] (Bot.)
A spore of some alg[ae], which has male functions.
Androtomous \An*drot"o*mous\, a. (Bot.)
Having the filaments of the stamens divided into two parts.
Androtomy \An*drot"o*my\, n. [Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man + ? a
cutting. Cf. {Anatomy}.]
Dissection of the human body, as distinguished from
zo["o]tomy; anthropotomy. [R.]
androus \*an"drous\ [Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, a man.] (Bot.)
A terminal combining form: Having a stamen or stamens;
staminate; as, monandrous, with one stamen; polyandrous, with
many stamens.
Anear \A*near"\, prep. & adv. [Pref. a- + near.]
Near. [R.] ``It did not come anear.'' --Coleridge.
The measure of misery anear us. --I. Taylor.
Anear \A*near"\, v. t. & i.
To near; to approach. [Archaic]
Aneath \A*neath"\, prep. & adv. [Pref. a- + neath for beneath.]
Beneath. [Scot.]
Anecdotage \An"ec*do`tage\, n.
Anecdotes collectively; a collection of anecdotes.
All history, therefore, being built partly, and some of
it altogether, upon anecdotage, must be a tissue of
lies. --De Quincey.
Anecdotal \An"ec*do`tal\, a.
Pertaining to, or abounding with, anecdotes; as, anecdotal
conversation.
Anecdote \An"ec*dote\, n. [F. anecdote, fr. Gr. ? not published;
'an priv. + ? given out, ? to give out, to publish; ? out + ?
to give. See {Dose}, n.]
1. pl. Unpublished narratives. --Burke.
2. A particular or detached incident or fact of an
interesting nature; a biographical incident or fragment; a
single passage of private life.
Anecdotic \An`ec*dot"ic\, Anecdotical \An`ec*dot"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, consisting of, or addicted to, anecdotes.
``Anecdotical traditions.'' --Bolingbroke.
Anecdotist \An"ec*do"tist\, n.
One who relates or collects anecdotes.
Anelace \An"e*lace\, n.
Same as {Anlace}.
Anele \A*nele"\, v. t. [OE. anelien; an on + AS. ele oil, L.
oleum. See {Oil}, {Anoil}.]
1. To anoint. --Shipley.
2. To give extreme unction to. [Obs.] --R. of Brunne.
Anelectric \An`e*lec"tric\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + E. electric.]
(Physics)
Not becoming electrified by friction; -- opposed to
{idioelectric}. -- n. A substance incapable of being
electrified by friction. --Faraday.
Anelectrode \An`e*lec"trode\, n. [Gr. ? up + E. electrode.]
(Elec.)
The positive pole of a voltaic battery.
Anelectrotonus \An`e*lec*trot"o*nus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? up + E.
electrotonus.] (Physiol.)
The condition of decreased irritability of a nerve in the
region of the positive electrode or anode on the passage of a
current of electricity through it. --Foster.
Anemogram \A*nem"o*gram\, n. [Gr. ? wind + -gram.]
A record made by an anemograph.
Anemograph \A*nem"o*graph\ (-gr[.a]f), n. [Gr. ? wind + -graph.]
An instrument for measuring and recording the direction and
force of the wind. --Knight.
Anemographic \A*nem`o*graph"ic\
([.a]*n[e^]m`[-o]*gr[a^]f"[i^]k), a.
Produced by an anemograph; of or pertaining to anemography.
Anemography \An`e*mog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? wind + -graphy.]
1. A description of the winds.
2. The art of recording the direction and force of the wind,
as by means of an anemograph.
Anemology \An`e*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? wind + -logy.]
The science of the wind.
Anemometer \An`e*mom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? wind + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of the
wind; a wind gauge.
Anemometric \An`e*mo*met"ric\, Anemometrical
\An`e*mo*met"ric*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to anemometry.
Anemometrograph \An`e*mo*met"ro*graph\, n. [Anemometer +
-graph.]
An anemograph. --Knight.
Anemometry \An`e*mom"e*try\, n.
The act or process of ascertaining the force or velocity of
the wind.
Anemone \A*nem"o*ne\, n. [L. anemone, Gr. ?, fr. ? wind.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of plants of the {Ranunculus} or Crowfoot
family; windflower. Some of the species are cultivated in
gardens.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The sea anemone. See {Actinia}, and {Sea
anemone}.
Note: This word is sometimes pronounced
[a^]n`[=e]*m[=o]"n[-e], especially by classical
scholars.
Anemonic \An`e*mon"ic\, a. (Chem.)
An acrid, poisonous, crystallizable substance, obtained from,
the anemone, or from anemonin.
Anemonin \A*nem"o*nin\, n. (Chem.)
An acrid, poisonous, crystallizable substance, obtained from
some species of anemone.
Anemony \A*nem"o*ny\, n.
See {Anemone}. --Sandys.
Anemorphilous \An`e*morph"i*lous\, a. [Gr. 'a`nemos wind +
fi`los lover.] (Bot.)
Fertilized by the agency of the wind; -- said of plants in
which the pollen is carried to the stigma by the wind;
wind-Fertilized. --Lubbock.
Anemoscope \A*nem"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? wind + -scope: cf. F.
an['e]moscope.]
An instrument which shows the direction of the wind; a wind
vane; a weathercock; -- usually applied to a contrivance
consisting of a vane above, connected in the building with a
dial or index with pointers to show the changes of the wind.
Anencephalic \An*en`ce*phal"ic\, Anencephalous
\An`en*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Gr. ?, priv. + ? the brain: cf.
{Encephalon}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Without a brain; brainless. --Todd & B.
Anenst \A*nenst"\, Anent \A*nent"\, prep. [OE. anent, anentis,
anence, anens, anents, AS. onefen, onemn; an, on, on + efen
even, equal; hence meaning, on an equality with, even with,
beside. See {Even}, a.] [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
1. Over against; as, he lives anent the church.
2. About; concerning; in respect; as, he said nothing anent
this particular.
Anenterous \An*en"ter*ous\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + ? intestine, ?
within, ? in.] (Zo["o]l.)
Destitute of a stomach or an intestine. --Owen.
Aneroid \An"e*roid\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + nhro`s wet, moist +
-oid: cf. F. an['e]ro["i]de.]
Containing no liquid; -- said of a kind of barometer.
{Aneroid barometer}, a barometer the action of which depends
on the varying pressure of the atmosphere upon the elastic
top of a metallic box (shaped like a watch) from which the
air has been exhausted. An index shows the variation of
pressure.
Aneroid \An"e*roid\, n.
An aneroid barometer.
Anes \Anes\ ([=a]nz), adv.
Once. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Anesthesia \An`es*the"si*a\, n., Anesthetic \An`es*thet"ic\, a.
Same as {An[ae]sthesia}, {An[ae]sthetic}.
Anet \An"et\, n. [F. aneth, fr. L. anethum, Gr. 'a`nhqon. See
{Anise}.]
The herb dill, or dillseed.
Anethol \An"e*thol\, n. [L. anethum (see {Anise}) + -ol.]
(Chem.)
A substance obtained from the volatile oils of anise, fennel,
etc., in the form of soft shining scales; -- called also
{anise camphor}. --Watts.
Anetic \A*net"ic\, a. [L. aneticus, Gr. ? relaxing; ? back + ?
to send.] (Med.)
Soothing.
Aneurism \An"eu*rism\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a widening, an opening; ?
up + ? wide.] (Med.)
A soft, pulsating, hollow tumor, containing blood, arising
from the preternatural dilation or rupture of the coats of an
artery. [Written also {aneurysm}.]
Aneurismal \An`eu*ris"mal\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to an aneurism; as, an aneurismal tumor;
aneurismal diathesis. [Written also {aneurysmal}.]
Anew \A*new"\, adv. [Pref. a- + new.]
Over again; another time; in a new form; afresh; as, to arm
anew; to create anew. --Dryden.
Anfractuose \An*frac"tu*ose`\ (?; 135), a. [See {Anfractuous}.]
Anfractuous; as, anfractuose anthers.
Anfractuosity \An*frac`tu*os"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Anfractuosities}.
[Cf. F. anfractuosit['e].]
1. A state of being anfractuous, or full of windings and
turnings; sinuosity.
The anfractuosities of his intellect and temper.
--Macaulay.
2. (Anat.) A sinuous depression or sulcus like those
separating the convolutions of the brain.
Anfractuous \An*frac"tu*ous\, a. [L. anfractuosus, fr. anfractus
a turning, a winding, fr. the unused anfringere to wind,
bend; an-, for amb- + fractus, p. p. of frangere to break:
cf. F. anfractueux.]
Winding; full of windings and turnings; sinuous; tortuous;
as, the anfractuous spires of a born. --
{An*frac"tu*ous*ness}, n.
Anfracture \An*frac"ture\, n.
A mazy winding.
Angariation \An*ga"ri*a"tion\, n. [LL. angariatio, fr. L.
angaria service to a lord, villenage, fr. angarius, Gr.
'a`ggaros (a Persian word), a courier for carrying royal
dispatches.]
Exaction of forced service; compulsion. [Obs.] --Speed.
Angeiology \An`gei*ol"o*gy\, n., Angeiotomy \An`gei*ot"o*my\,
etc.
Same as {Angiology}, {Angiotomy}, etc.
Angel \An"gel\, n. [AS. [ae]ngel, engel, influenced by OF.
angele, angle, F. ange. Both the AS. and the OF. words are
from L. angelus, Gr. 'a`ggelos messenger, a messenger of God,
an angel.]
1. A messenger. [R.]
The dear good angel of the Spring, The nightingale.
--B. Jonson.
2. A spiritual, celestial being, superior to man in power and
intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God's
messengers.
O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope, Thou
hovering angel, girt with golden wings. --Milton.
3. One of a class of ``fallen angels;'' an evil spirit; as,
the devil and his angels.
4. A minister or pastor of a church, as in the Seven Asiatic
churches. [Archaic]
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write.
--Rev. ii. 1.
5. Attendant spirit; genius; demon. --Shak.
6. An appellation given to a person supposed to be of angelic
goodness or loveliness; a darling.
When pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering
angel thou. --Sir W.
Scott.
7. (Numis.) An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the
figure of the archangel Michael. It varied in value from
6s. 8d. to 10s. --Amer. Cyc.
Note: Angel is sometimes used adjectively; as, angel grace;
angel whiteness.
{Angel bed}, a bed without posts.
{Angel fish}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A species of shark ({Squatina angelus}) from six to
eight feet long, found on the coasts of Europe and
North America. It takes its name from its pectoral
fins, which are very large and extend horizontally
like wings when spread.
(b) One of several species of compressed, bright colored
fishes warm seas, belonging to the family
{Ch[ae]todontid[ae]}.
{Angel gold}, standard gold. [Obs.] --Fuller.
{Angel shark}. See {Angel fish}.
{Angel shot} (Mil.), a kind of chain shot.
{Angel water}, a perfumed liquid made at first chiefly from
angelica; afterwards containing rose, myrtle, and
orange-flower waters, with ambergris, etc. [Obs.]
Angelage \An"gel*age\, n.
Existence or state of angels.
Angelet \An"gel*et\, n. [OF. angelet.]
A small gold coin formerly current in England; a half angel.
--Eng. Cyc.
Angel fish \An"gel fish\
See under {Angel}.
Angelhood \An"gel*hood\, n.
The state of being an angel; angelic nature. --Mrs. Browning.
Angelic \An*gel"ic\, Angelical \An*gel"ic*al\, a. [L. angelicus,
Gr. ?: cf. F. ang['e]lique.]
Belonging to, or proceeding from, angels; resembling,
characteristic of, or partaking of the nature of, an angel;
heavenly; divine. ``Angelic harps.'' --Thomson.``Angelical
actions.'' --Hooker.
The union of womanly tenderness and angelic patience.
--Macaulay.
{Angelic Hymn}, a very ancient hymn of the Christian Church;
-- so called from its beginning with the song of the
heavenly host recorded in Luke ii. 14. --Eadie.
Angelic \An*gel"ic\, a. [From {Angelica}.] (Chem.)
Of or derived from angelica; as, angelic acid; angelic ether.
{Angelic acid}, an acid obtained from angelica and some other
plants.
Angelica \An*gel"i*ca\, n. [NL. See {Angelic}.] (Bot.)
1. An aromatic umbelliferous plant ({Archangelica
officinalis} or {Angelica archangelica}) the leaf stalks
of which are sometimes candied and used in confectionery,
and the roots and seeds as an aromatic tonic.
2. The candied leaf stalks of angelica.
{Angelica tree}, a thorny North American shrub ({Aralia
spinosa}), called also {Hercules' club}.
Angelically \An*gel"ic*al*ly\, adv.
Like an angel.
Angelicalness \An*gel"ic*al*ness\, n.
The quality of being angelic; excellence more than human.
Angelify \An*gel"i*fy\, v. t.
To make like an angel; to angelize. [Obs.] --Farindon (1647).
Angelize \An"gel*ize\, v. t.
To raise to the state of an angel; to render angelic.
It ought not to be our object to angelize, nor to
brutalize, but to humanize man. --W. Taylor.
Angellike \An"gel*like`\, a. & adv.
Resembling an angel.
Angelolatry \An`gel*ol"a*try\, n. [Gr. ? angel + ? service,
worship.]
Worship paid to angels.
Angelology \An`gel*ol"o*gy\, n. [L. angelus, Gr. ? + -logy.]
A discourse on angels, or a body of doctrines in regard to
angels.
The same mythology commanded the general consent; the
same angelology, demonology. --Milman.
Angelophany \An`gel*oph"a*ny\, n. [Gr. ? angel + ? to appear.]
The actual appearance of an angel to man.
Angelot \An"ge*lot\, n. [F. angelot, LL. angelotus, angellotus,
dim. of angelus. See {Angel}.]
1. A French gold coin of the reign of Louis XI., bearing the
image of St. Michael; also, a piece coined at Paris by the
English under Henry VI. [Obs.]
2. An instrument of music, of the lute kind, now disused.
--Johnson. R. Browning.
3. A sort of small, rich cheese, made in Normandy.
Angelus \An"ge*lus\, n. [L.] (R. C. Ch.)
(a) A form of devotion in which three Ave Marias are
repeated. It is said at morning, noon, and evening, at
the sound of a bell.
(b) The Angelus bell. --Shipley.
Anger \An"ger\, n. [OE. anger, angre, affliction, anger, fr.
Icel. angr affliction, sorrow; akin to Dan. anger regret,
Swed. [*a]nger regret, AS. ange oppressed, sad, L. angor a
strangling, anguish, angere to strangle, Gr. ? to strangle,
Skr. amhas pain, and to. anguish, anxious, quinsy, and perh.
awe, ugly. The word seems to have orig. meant to choke,
squeeze. ?.]
1. Trouble; vexation; also, physical pain or smart of a sore,
etc. [Obs.]
I made the experiment, setting the moxa where . . .
the greatest anger and soreness still continued.
--Temple.
2. A strong passion or emotion of displeasure or antagonism,
excited by a real or supposed injury or insult to one's
self or others, or by the intent to do such injury.
Anger is like A full hot horse, who being allowed
his way, Self-mettle tires him. --Shak.
Syn: Resentment; wrath; rage; fury; passion; ire gall;
choler; indignation; displeasure; vexation; grudge;
spleen.
Usage: {Anger}, {Indignation}, {Resentment}, {Wrath}, {Ire},
{Rage}, {Fury}. Anger is a feeling of keen displeasure
(usually with a desire to punish) for what we regard
as wrong toward ourselves or others. It may be
excessive or misplaced, but is not necessarily
criminal. Indignation is a generous outburst of anger
in view of things which are indigna, or unworthy to be
done, involving what is mean, cruel, flagitious, etc.,
in character or conduct. Resentment is often a moody
feeling, leading one to brood over his supposed
personal wrongs with a deep and lasting anger. See
{Resentment}. Wrath and ire (the last poetical)
express the feelings of one who is bitterly provoked.
Rage is a vehement ebullition of anger; and fury is an
excess of rage, amounting almost to madness. Warmth of
constitution often gives rise to anger; a high sense
of honor creates indignation at crime; a man of quick
sensibilities is apt to cherish resentment; the wrath
and ire of men are often connected with a haughty and
vindictive spirit; rage and fury are distempers of the
soul to be regarded only with abhorrence.
Anger \An"ger\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Angered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Angering}.] [Cf. Icel. angra.]
1. To make painful; to cause to smart; to inflame. [Obs.]
He . . . angereth malign ulcers. --Bacon.
2. To excite to anger; to enrage; to provoke.
Taxes and impositions . . . which rather angered
than grieved the people. --Clarendon.
Angerly \An"ger*ly\, adv.
Angrily. [Obs. or Poetic]
Why, how now, Hecate! you look angerly. --Shak.
Angevine \An"ge*vine\, a. [F. Angevin.]
Of or pertaining to Anjou in France. -- n. A native of Anjou.
Angienchyma \An`gi*en"chy*ma\, n. [Gr. ? receptacle + ?. Formed
like {Parenchyma}.] (Bot.)
Vascular tissue of plants, consisting of spiral vessels,
dotted, barred, and pitted ducts, and laticiferous vessels.
Angina \An*gi"na\, n. [L., fr. angere to strangle, to choke. See
{Anger}, n.] (Med.)
Any inflammatory affection of the throat or faces, as the
quinsy, malignant sore throat, croup, etc., especially such
as tends to produce suffocation, choking, or shortness of
breath.
{Angina pectoris}, a peculiarly painful disease, so named
from a sense of suffocating contraction or tightening of
the lower part of the chest; -- called also {breast pang},
{spasm of the chest}.
Anginous \An"gi*nous\, Anginose \An"gi*nose`\, a. (Med.)
Pertaining to angina or angina pectoris.
Angio- \An"gi*o-\ ([a^]n"j[i^]*[-o]-). [Gr. 'aggei^on vessel
receptacle.]
A prefix, or combining form, in numerous compounds, usually
relating to seed or blood vessels, or to something contained
in, or covered by, a vessel.
Angiocarpous \An`gi*o*car"pous\
([a^]n`j[i^]*[-o]*k[aum]r"p[u^]s), a. [Angio- + Gr. karpo`s
fruit.] (Bot.)
(a) Having fruit inclosed within a covering that does not
form a part of itself; as, the filbert covered by its
husk, or the acorn seated in its cupule. --Brande & C.
(b) Having the seeds or spores covered, as in certain
lichens. --Gray.
Angiography \An`gi*og"ra*phy\, n. [Angio- + -graphy: cf. F.
angiographie.] (Anat.)
A description of blood vessels and lymphatics.
Angiology \An`gi*ol"o*gy\ (-[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n. [Angio- +
-logy.] (Anat.)
That part of anatomy which treats of blood vessels and
lymphatics.
Angioma \An`gi*o"ma\ (-[=o]"m[.a]), n. [Angio- + -oma.] (Med.)
A tumor composed chiefly of dilated blood vessels.
Angiomonospermous \An`gi*o*mon`o*sper"mous\
([a^]n`j[i^]*[-o]*m[o^]n`[-o]*sp[~e]r"m[u^]s), a. [Angio- +
monospermous.] (Bot.)
Producing one seed only in a seed pod.
Angioscope \An"gi*o*scope\ ([a^]n"j[i^]*[-o]*sk[=o]p), n.
[Angio- + -scope.]
An instrument for examining the capillary vessels of animals
and plants. --Morin.
Angiosperm \An"gi*o*sperm\ (-[a^]n"j[i^]*[-o]*sp[~e]rm), n.
[Angio- + Gr. ?, ?, seed.] (Bot.)
A plant which has its seeds inclosed in a pericarp.
Note: The term is restricted to exogenous plants, and applied
to one of the two grand divisions of these species, the
other division including gymnosperms, or those which
have naked seeds. The oak, apple, beech, etc., are
angiosperms, while the pines, spruce, hemlock, and the
allied varieties, are gymnosperms.
Angiospermatous \An`gi*o*sper"ma*tous\
([a^]n`j[i^]*[-o]*sp[~e]r"m[.a]*t[u^]s), a. (Bot.)
Same as {Angiospermous}.
Angiospermous \An`gi*o*sper"mous\, a. (Bot.)
Having seeds inclosed in a pod or other pericarp.
Angiosporous \An`gi*os"po*rous\, a. [Angio- + spore.] (Bot.)
Having spores contained in cells or thec[ae], as in the case
of some fungi.
Angiostomous \An`gi*os"to*mous\, a. [Angio- + Gr. ? mouth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
With a narrow mouth, as the shell of certain gastropods.
Angiotomy \An`gi*ot"o*my\, n. [Angio- + Gr. ? a cutting.]
(Anat.)
Dissection of the blood vessels and lymphatics of the body.
--Dunglison.
Angle \An"gle\ ([a^][ng]"g'l), n. [F. angle, L. angulus angle,
corner; akin to uncus hook, Gr. 'agky`los bent, crooked,
angular, 'a`gkos a bend or hollow, AS. angel hook, fish-hook,
G. angel, and F. anchor.]
1. The inclosed space near the point where two lines meet; a
corner; a nook.
Into the utmost angle of the world. --Spenser.
To search the tenderest angles of the heart.
--Milton.
2. (Geom.)
(a) The figure made by. two lines which meet.
(b) The difference of direction of two lines. In the lines
meet, the point of meeting is the vertex of the angle.
3. A projecting or sharp corner; an angular fragment.
Though but an angle reached him of the stone.
--Dryden.
4. (Astrol.) A name given to four of the twelve astrological
``houses.'' [Obs.] --Chaucer.
5. [AS. angel.] A fishhook; tackle for catching fish,
consisting of a line, hook, and bait, with or without a
rod.
Give me mine angle: we 'll to the river there.
--Shak.
A fisher next his trembling angle bears. --Pope.
{Acute angle}, one less than a right angle, or less than
90[deg].
{Adjacent} or {Contiguous angles}, such as have one leg
common to both angles.
{Alternate angles}. See {Alternate}.
{Angle bar}.
(a) (Carp.) An upright bar at the angle where two faces of
a polygonal or bay window meet. --Knight.
(b) (Mach.) Same as {Angle iron}.
{Angle bead} (Arch.), a bead worked on or fixed to the angle
of any architectural work, esp. for protecting an angle of
a wall.
{Angle brace}, {Angle tie} (Carp.), a brace across an
interior angle of a wooden frame, forming the hypothenuse
and securing the two side pieces together. --Knight.
{Angle iron} (Mach.), a rolled bar or plate of iron having
one or more angles, used for forming the corners, or
connecting or sustaining the sides of an iron structure to
which it is riveted.
{Angle leaf} (Arch.), a detail in the form of a leaf, more or
less conventionalized, used to decorate and sometimes to
strengthen an angle.
{Angle meter}, an instrument for measuring angles, esp. for
ascertaining the dip of strata.
{Angle shaft} (Arch.), an enriched angle bead, often having a
capital or base, or both.
{Curvilineal angle}, one formed by two curved lines.
{External angles}, angles formed by the sides of any
right-lined figure, when the sides are produced or
lengthened.
{Facial angle}. See under {Facial}.
{Internal angles}, those which are within any right-lined
figure.
{Mixtilineal angle}, one formed by a right line with a curved
line.
{Oblique angle}, one acute or obtuse, in opposition to a
right angle.
{Obtuse angle}, one greater than a right angle, or more than
90[deg].
{Optic angle}. See under {Optic}.
{Rectilineal} or {Right-lined angle}, one formed by two right
lines.
{Right angle}, one formed by a right line falling on another
perpendicularly, or an angle of 90[deg] (measured by a
quarter circle).
{Solid angle}, the figure formed by the meeting of three or
more plane angles at one point.
{Spherical angle}, one made by the meeting of two arcs of
great circles, which mutually cut one another on the
surface of a globe or sphere.
{Visual angle}, the angle formed by two rays of light, or two
straight lines drawn from the extreme points of an object
to the center of the eye.
{For Angles of commutation}, {draught}, {incidence},
{reflection}, {refraction}, {position}, {repose}, {fraction},
see {Commutation}, {Draught}, {Incidence}, {Reflection},
{Refraction}, etc.
Angle \An"gle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Angled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Angling}.]
1. To fish with an angle (fishhook), or with hook and line.
2. To use some bait or artifice; to intrigue; to scheme; as,
to angle for praise.
The hearts of all that he did angle for. --Shak.
Angle \An"gle\, v. t.
To try to gain by some insinuating artifice; to allure.
[Obs.] ``He angled the people's hearts.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Angled \An"gled\, a.
Having an angle or angles; -- used in compounds; as,
right-angled, many-angled, etc.
The thrice three-angled beechnut shell. --Bp. Hall.
Anglemeter \An"gle*me`ter\, n. [Angle + -meter.]
An instrument to measure angles, esp. one used by geologists
to measure the dip of strata.
Angler \An"gler\, n.
1. One who angles.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A fish ({Lophius piscatorius}), of Europe and
America, having a large, broad, and depressed head, with
the mouth very large. Peculiar appendages on the head are
said to be used to entice fishes within reach. Called also
{fishing frog}, {frogfish}, {toadfish}, {goosefish},
{allmouth}, {monkfish}, etc.
Angles \An"gles\, n. pl. [L. Angli. See {Anglican}.] (Ethnol.)
An ancient Low German tribe, that settled in Britain, which
came to be called Engla-land (Angleland or England). The
Angles probably came from the district of Angeln (now within
the limits of Schleswig), and the country now Lower Hanover,
etc.
Anglesite \An"gle*site\, n. [From the Isle of Anglesea.] (Min.)
A native sulphate of lead. It occurs in white or yellowish
transparent, prismatic crystals.
Anglewise \An"gle*wise`\, adv. [Angle + wise, OE. wise manner.]
In an angular manner; angularly.
Angleworm \An"gle*worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A earthworm of the genus {Lumbricus}, frequently used by
anglers for bait. See {Earthworm}.
Anglian \An"gli*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Angles. -- n. One of the Angles.
Anglic \An"glic\, a.
Anglian.
Anglican \An"gli*can\, a. [Angli the Angles, a Germanic tribe in
Lower Germany. Cf. {English}.]
1. English; of or pertaining to England or the English
nation; especially, pertaining to, or connected with, the
established church of England; as, the Anglican church,
doctrine, orders, ritual, etc.
2. Pertaining to, characteristic of, or held by, the high
church party of the Church of England.
Anglican \An"gli*can\, n.
1. A member of the Church of England.
Whether Catholics, Anglicans, or Calvinists.
--Burke.
2. In a restricted sense, a member of the High Church party,
or of the more advanced ritualistic section, in the Church
of England.
Anglicanism \An"gli*can*ism\, n.
1. Strong partiality to the principles and rites of the
Church of England.
2. The principles of the established church of England; also,
in a restricted sense, the doctrines held by the
high-church party.
3. Attachment to England or English institutions.
Anglice \An"gli*ce\, adv. [NL.]
In English; in the English manner; as, Livorno, Anglice
Leghorn.
Anglicify \An*glic"i*fy\, v. t. [NL. Anglicus English + {-fly}.]
To anglicize. [R.]
Anglicism \An"gli*cism\, n. [Cf. F. anglicisme.]
1. An English idiom; a phrase or form language peculiar to
the English. --Dryden.
2. The quality of being English; an English characteristic,
custom, or method.
Anglicity \An*glic"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being English.
Anglicization \An`gli*ci*za"tion\, n.
The act of anglicizing, or making English in character.
Anglicize \An"gli*cize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Anglicized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Anglicizing}.]
To make English; to English; to anglify; render conformable
to the English idiom, or to English analogies.
Anglify \An"gli*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Anglified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Anglifying}.] [L. Angli + -fly.]
To convert into English; to anglicize. --Franklin. --Darwin.
Angling \An"gling\, n.
The act of one who angles; the art of fishing with rod and
line. --Walton.
Anglo- \An"glo-\[NL. Anglus English. See {Anglican}.]
A combining form meaning the same as English; or English and,
or English conjoined with; as, Anglo-Turkish treaty,
Anglo-German, Anglo-Irish.
{Anglo-American}, . Of or pertaining to the English and
Americans, or to the descendants of Englishmen in America.
-- n. A descendant from English ancestors born in America,
or the United States.
{Anglo-Danish}, a. Of or pertaining to the English and Danes,
or to the Danes who settled in England.
{Anglo-Indian}, a. Of or pertaining to the English in India,
or to the English and East Indian peoples or languages. --
n. One of the Anglo-Indian race born or resident in the
East Indies.
{Anglo-Norman}, a. Of or pertaining to the English and
Normans, or to the Normans who settled in England. -- n.
One of the English Normans, or the Normans who conquered
England.
{Anglo-Saxon}. See {Anglo-Saxon} in the Vocabulary.
Anglo-Catholic \An"glo-Cath"o*lic\, a.,
Of or pertaining to a church modeled on the English
Reformation; Anglican; -- sometimes restricted to the
ritualistic or High Church section of the Church of England.
Anglo-Catholic \An"glo-Cath"o*lic\, n.
A member of the Church of England who contends for its
catholic character; more specifically, a High Churchman.
Anglomania \An"glo*ma"ni*a\, n. [Anglo'cf + mania.]
A mania for, or an inordinate attachment to, English customs,
institutions, etc.
Anglomaniac \An`glo*ma"ni*ac\, n.
One affected with Anglomania.
Anglophobia \An`glo*pho"bi*a\, n. [Anglo- + Gr. ? fear.]
Intense dread of, or aversion to, England or the English. --
{An"glo*phobe}, n.
Anglo-Saxon \An"glo-Sax"on\, n. [L. Angli-Saxones English
Saxons.]
1. A Saxon of Britain, that is, an English Saxon, or one the
Saxons who settled in England, as distinguished from a
continental (or ``Old'') Saxon.
2. pl. The Teutonic people (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) of
England, or the English people, collectively, before the
Norman Conquest.
It is quite correct to call [AE]thelstan ``King of
the Anglo-Saxons,'' but to call this or that subject
of [AE]thelstan ``an Anglo-Saxon'' is simply
nonsense. --E. A.
Freeman.
3. The language of the English people before the Conquest
(sometimes called Old English). See {Saxon}.
4. One of the race or people who claim descent from the
Saxons, Angles, or other Teutonic tribes who settled in
England; a person of English descent in its broadest
sense.
Anglo-Saxon \An"glo-Sax"on\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Anglo-Saxons or their language.
Anglo-Saxondom \An"glo-Sax"on*dom\, n.
The Anglo-Saxon domain (i. e., Great Britain and the United
States, etc.); the Anglo-Saxon race.
Anglo-Saxonism \An"glo-Sax"on*ism\, n.
1. A characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race; especially, a
word or an idiom of the Anglo-Saxon tongue. --M. Arnold.
2. The quality or sentiment of being Anglo-Saxon, or English
in its ethnological sense.
Angola \An*go"la\, n. [A corruption of Angora.]
A fabric made from the wool of the Angora goat.
Angola pea \An*go"la pea`\ (Bot.)
A tropical plant ({Cajanus indicus}) and its edible seed, a
kind of pulse; -- so called from Angola in Western Africa.
Called also {pigeon pea} and {Congo pea}.
Angor \An"gor\ ([a^][ng]"g[o^]r), n. [L. See {Anger}.] (Med.)
Great anxiety accompanied by painful constriction at the
upper part of the belly, often with palpitation and
oppression.
Angora \An*go"ra\ ([a^]n*g[=o]"r[.a]), n.
A city of Asia Minor (or Anatolia) which has given its name
to a goat, a cat, etc.
{Angora cat} (Zo["o]l.), a variety of the domestic cat with
very long and silky hair, generally of the brownish white
color. Called also {Angola cat}. See {Cat}.
{Angora goat} (Zo["o]l.), a variety of the domestic goat,
reared for its long silky hair, which is highly prized for
manufacture.
Angostura bark \An`gos*tu"ra bark`\
([aum][ng]`g[o^]s*t[=oo]"r[.a] b[aum]rk`). [From Angostura,
in Venezuela.]
An aromatic bark used as a tonic, obtained from a South
American of the rue family ({Galipea cusparia, or
officinalis}). --U. S. Disp.
Angoumois moth \An`gou`mois" moth"\ (?; 115). [So named from
Angoumois in France.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small moth ({Gelechia cerealella}) which is very
destructive to wheat and other grain. The larva eats out the
interior of the grain, leaving only the shell.
Angrily \An"gri*ly\, adv.
In an angry manner; under the influence of anger.
Angriness \An"gri*ness\, n.
The quality of being angry, or of being inclined to anger.
Such an angriness of humor that we take fire at
everything. --Whole Duty
of Man.
Angry \An"gry\, a. [Compar. {Angrier}; superl. {Angriest}.] [See
{Anger}.]
1. Troublesome; vexatious; rigorous. [Obs.]
God had provided a severe and angry education to
chastise the forwardness of a young spirit. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. Inflamed and painful, as a sore.
3. Touched with anger; under the emotion of anger; feeling
resentment; enraged; -- followed generally by with before
a person, and at before a thing.
Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves. --Gen.
xlv. 5.
Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice?
--Eccles. v.
6.
4. Showing anger; proceeding from anger; acting as if moved
by anger; wearing the marks of anger; as, angry words or
tones; an angry sky; angry waves. ``An angry
countenance.'' --Prov. xxv. 23.
5. Red. [R.]
Sweet rose, whose hue, angry and brave. --Herbert.
6. Sharp; keen; stimulated. [R.]
I never ate with angrier appetite. --Tennyson.
Syn: Passionate; resentful; irritated; irascible; indignant;
provoked; enraged; incensed; exasperated; irate; hot;
raging; furious; wrathful; wroth; choleric; inflamed;
infuriated.
Anguiform \An"gui*form\, a. [L. angius snake + -form.]
Snake-shaped.
Anguilliform \An*guil"li*form\, a. [L. anguilla eel (dim. of
anguis snake) + -form.]
Eel-shaped.
Note: The ``Anguill[ae]formes'' of Cuvier are fishes related
to thee eel.
Anguine \An"guine\, a. [L. anguinus, fr. anguis snake.]
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a snake or serpent. ``The
anguine or snakelike reptiles.'' --Owen.
Anguineal \An*guin"e*al\, a.
Anguineous.
Anguineous \An*guin"e*ous\, a. [L. anguineus.]
Snakelike.
Anguish \An"guish\, n. [OE. anguishe, anguise, angoise, F.
angoisse, fr. L. angustia narrowness, difficulty, distress,
fr. angustus narrow, difficult, fr. angere to press together.
See {Anger}.]
Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.
But they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of
spirit, and for cruel bondage. --Ex. vi. 9.
Anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child.
--Jer. iv. 31.
Note: Rarely used in the plural:
Ye miserable people, you must go to God in
anguishes, and make your prayer to him.
--Latimer.
Syn: Agony; pang; torture; torment. See {Agony}.
Anguish \An"guish\, v. t. [Cf. F. angoisser, fr. L. angustiare.]
To distress with extreme pain or grief. [R.] --Temple.
Angular \An"gu*lar\, a. [L. angularis, fr. angulus angle,
corner. See {Angle}.]
1. Relating to an angle or to angles; having an angle or
angles; forming an angle or corner; sharp-cornered;
pointed; as, an angular figure.
2. Measured by an angle; as, angular distance.
3. Fig.: Lean; lank; raw-boned; ungraceful; sharp and stiff
in character; as, remarkably angular in his habits and
appearance; an angular female.
{Angular aperture}, {Angular distance}. See {Aperture},
{Distance}.
{Angular motion}, the motion of a body about a fixed point or
fixed axis, as of a planet or pendulum. It is equal to the
angle passed over at the point or axis by a line drawn to
the body.
{Angular point}, the point at which the sides of the angle
meet; the vertex.
{Angular velocity}, the ratio of anuglar motion to the time
employed in describing.
Angular \An"gu*lar\, n. (Anat.)
A bone in the base of the lower jaw of many birds, reptiles,
and fishes.
Angularity \An`gu*lar"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being angular; angularness.
Angularly \An"gu*lar*ly\, adv.
In an angular manner; with of at angles or corners. --B.
Jonson.
Angularness \An"gu*lar*ness\, n.
The quality of being angular.
Angulate \An"gu*late\, Angulated \An"gu*la`ted\, a. [L.
angulatus, p. p. of angulare to make angular.]
Having angles or corners; angled; as, angulate leaves.
Angulate \An"gu*late\, v. t.
To make angular.
Angulation \An`gu*la"tion\, n.
A making angular; angular formation. --Huxley.
Angulo-dentate \An"gu*lo-den"tate\, a.. [L. angulus angle +
dens, dentis, tooth.] (Bot.)
Angularly toothed, as certain leaves.
Angulometer \An"gu*lom"e*ter\, n. [L. angulus angle + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring external angles.
Angulose \An"gu*lose`\, a.
Angulous. [R.]
Angulosity \An`gu*los"i*ty\, n.
A state of being angulous or angular. [Obs.]
Angulous \An"gu*lous\, a. [L. angulosus: cf. F. anguleux.]
Angular; having corners; hooked. [R.]
Held together by hooks and angulous involutions.
--Glanvill.
Angust \An*gust"\, a. [L. angustus. See {Anguish}.]
Narrow; strait. [Obs.]
Angustate \An*gus"tate\, a. [L. angustatus, p. p. of angustare
to make narrow.]
Narrowed.
Angustation \An`gus*ta"tion\, n.
The act of making narrow; a straitening or contacting.
--Wiseman.
Angustifoliate \An*gus`ti*fo"li*ate\
([a^]n*g[u^]s`t[i^]*f[=o]"l[i^]*[asl]t), Angustifolious
\An*gus`ti*fo"li*ous\ ([a^]n*g[u^]s`t[i^]*f[=o]"l[i^]*[u^]s), a.
[L. angustus narrow (see {Anguish}) + folium leaf.] (Bot.)
Having narrow leaves. --Wright.
Angustura bark \An`gus*tu"ra bark`\
See {Angostura bark}.
Angwantibo \An`gwan*ti"bo\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small lemuroid mammal ({Arctocebus Calabarensis}) of
Africa. It has only a rudimentary tail.
Anhang \An*hang"\, v. t. [AS. onhangian.]
To hang. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Anharmonic \An`har*mon"ic\, a. [F. anharmonique, fr. Gr. 'an
priv. + ? harmonic.] (Math.)
Not harmonic.
{The anharmonic function} or {ratio} of four points abcd on a
straight line is the quantity (ac/ad):(bc/bd), where the
segments are to be regarded as plus or minus, according to
the order of the letters.
Anhelation \An`he*la"tion\, n. [L. anhelatio, fr. anhelare to
pant; an (perh. akin to E. on) + halare to breathe: cf. F.
anh['e]lation.]
Short and rapid breathing; a panting; asthma. --Glanvill.
Anhele \An*hele"\, v. i. [Cf. OF. aneler, anheler. See
{Anhelation}.]
To pant; to be breathlessly anxious or eager (for). [Obs.]
They anhele . . . for the fruit of our convocation.
--Latimer.
Anhelose \An"he*lose\, a.
Anhelous; panting. [R.]
Anhelous \An*he"lous\, a. [L. anhelus.]
Short of breath; panting.
Anhima \An"hi*ma\, n. [Brazilian name.]
A South American aquatic bird; the horned screamer or kamichi
({Palamedea cornuta}). See {Kamichi}.
Anhinga \An*hin"ga\, n. [Pg.] (Zo["o]l.)
An aquatic bird of the southern United States ({Platus
anhinga}); the darter, or snakebird.
Anhistous \An*his"tous\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + "isto`s web,
tissue: cf. F. anhiste.] (Biol.)
Without definite structure; as, an anhistous membrane.
Anhungered \An*hun"gered\, a.
Ahungered; longing. [Archaic]
Anhydride \An*hy"dride\, n. [See {Anhydrous}.] (Chem.)
An oxide of a nonmetallic body or an organic radical, capable
of forming an acid by uniting with the elements of water; --
so called because it may be formed from an acid by the
abstraction of water.
Anhydrite \An*hy"drite\, n. [See {Anhydrous}.] (Min.)
A mineral of a white or a slightly bluish color, usually
massive. It is anhydrous sulphate of lime, and differs from
gypsum in not containing water (whence the name).
Anhydrous \An*hy"drous\, a. [Gr. ? wanting water; 'an priv. +
"y`dwr water.]
Destitute of water; as, anhydrous salts or acids.
Ani \A"ni\or Ano \A"no\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A black bird of tropical America, the West Indies and Florida
({Crotophaga ani}), allied to the cuckoos, and remarkable for
communistic nesting.
Anicut \An"i*cut\, Annicut \An"ni*cut\, n. [Tamil anai kattu dam
building.]
A dam or mole made in the course of a stream for the purpose
of regulating the flow of a system of irrigation. [India]
--Brande & C.
Anidiomatical \An*id`i*o*mat"ic*al\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + E.
idiomatical.]
Not idiomatic. [R.] --Landor.
Anient \An"i*ent\, Anientise \An`i*en"tise\, v. t. [OF.
anientir, F. an['e]antir.]
To frustrate; to bring to naught; to annihilate. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Anigh \A*nigh"\, prep. & adv. [Pref. a- + nigh.]
Nigh. [Archaic]
Anight \A*night"\, Anights \A*nights"\, adv. [OE. on niht.]
In the night time; at night. [Archaic]
Does he hawk anights still? --Marston.
Anil \An"il\, n. [F. anil, Sp. an[=i]l, or Pg. anil; all fr. Ar.
an-n[=i]l, for al-n[=i]l the indigo plant, fr. Skr. n[=i]la
dark blue, n[=i]l[=i] indigo, indigo plant. Cf. {Lilac}.]
(Bot.)
A West Indian plant ({Indigofera anil}), one of the original
sources of indigo; also, the indigo dye.
Anile \An"ile\, a. [L. anilis, fr. anus an old woman.]
Old-womanish; imbecile. ``Anile ideas.'' --Walpole.
Anileness \An"ile*ness\, n.
Anility. [R.]
Anilic \An*il"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, anil; indigotic; -- applied
to an acid formed by the action of nitric acid on indigo.
[R.]
Anilide \An"i*lide\, n. (Chem.)
One of a class of compounds which may be regarded as amides
in which more or less of the hydrogen has been replaced by
phenyl.
Aniline \An"i*line\ (?; 277), n. [See {Anil}.] (Chem.)
An organic base belonging to the phenylamines. It may be
regarded as ammonia in which one hydrogen atom has been
replaced by the radical phenyl. It is a colorless, oily
liquid, originally obtained from indigo by distillation, but
now largely manufactured from coal tar or nitrobenzene as a
base from which many brilliant dyes are made.
Aniline \An"i*line\, a.
Made from, or of the nature of, aniline.
Anility \A*nil"i*ty\, n. [L. anilitas. See {Anile}.]
The state of being and old woman; old-womanishness; dotage.
``Marks of anility.'' --Sterne.
Animadversal \An`i*mad*ver"sal\, n.
The faculty of perceiving; a percipient. [Obs.] --Dr. H.
More.
Animadversion \An`i*mad*ver"sion\, n. [L. animadversio, fr.
animadvertere: cf. F. animadversion. See {Animadvert}.]
1. The act or power of perceiving or taking notice; direct or
simple perception. [Obs.]
The soul is the sole percipient which hath
animadversion and sense, properly so called.
--Glanvill.
2. Monition; warning. [Obs.] --Clarendon.
3. Remarks by way of criticism and usually of censure;
adverse criticism; reproof; blame.
He dismissed their commissioners with severe and
sharp animadversions. --Clarendon.
4. Judicial cognizance of an offense; chastisement;
punishment. [Archaic] ``Divine animadversions.'' --Wesley.
Syn: Stricture; criticism; censure; reproof; blame; comment.
Animadversive \An`i*mad*ver"sive\, a.
Having the power of perceiving; percipient. [Archaic]
--Glanvill.
I do not mean there is a certain number of ideas
glaring and shining to the animadversive faculty.
--Coleridge.
Animadvert \An`i*mad*vert"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Animadverted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Animadverting}.] [L. animadvertere; animus
mind + advertere to turn to; ad to + vertere to turn.]
1. To take notice; to observe; -- commonly followed by that.
--Dr. H. More.
2. To consider or remark by way of criticism or censure; to
express censure; -- with on or upon.
I should not animadvert on him . . . if he had not
used extreme severity in his judgment of the
incomparable Shakespeare. --Dryden.
3. To take cognizance judicially; to inflict punishment.
[Archaic] --Grew.
Syn: To remark; comment; criticise; censure.
Animadverter \An`i*mad*vert"er\, n.
One who animadverts; a censurer; also [Obs.], a chastiser.
Animal \An"i*mal\, n. [L., fr. anima breath, soul: cf. F.
animal. See {Animate}.]
1. An organized living being endowed with sensation and the
power of voluntary motion, and also characterized by
taking its food into an internal cavity or stomach for
digestion; by giving carbonic acid to the air and taking
oxygen in the process of respiration; and by increasing in
motive power or active aggressive force with progress to
maturity.
2. One of the lower animals; a brute or beast, as
distinguished from man; as, men and animals.
Animal \An"i*mal\, a. [Cf. F. animal.]
1. Of or relating to animals; as, animal functions.
2. Pertaining to the merely sentient part of a creature, as
distinguished from the intellectual, rational, or
spiritual part; as, the animal passions or appetites.
3. Consisting of the flesh of animals; as, animal food.
{Animal magnetism}. See {Magnetism} and {Mesmerism}.
{Animal electricity}, the electricity developed in some
animals, as the electric eel, torpedo, etc.
{Animal flower} (Zo["o]l.), a name given to certain marine
animals resembling a flower, as any species of actinia or
sea anemone, and other Anthozoa, hydroids, starfishes,
etc.
{Animal heat} (Physiol.), the heat generated in the body of a
living animal, by means of which the animal is kept at
nearly a uniform temperature.
{Animal spirits}. See under {Spirit}.
{Animal kingdom}, the whole class of beings endowed with
animal life. It embraces several subkingdoms, and under
these there are Classes, Orders, Families, Genera,
Species, and sometimes intermediate groupings, all in
regular subordination, but variously arranged by different
writers.
Note: The following are the grand divisions, or subkingdoms,
and the principal classes under them, generally
recognized at the present time:
{Vertebrata}, including Mammalia or Mammals, Aves or Birds,
Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces or Fishes, Marsipobranchiata
(Craniota); and Leptocardia (Acrania). {Tunicata}, including the
{Thaliacea}, and {Ascidioidea} or Ascidians. {Articulata} or
{Annulosa}, including Insecta, Myriapoda, Malacapoda, Arachnida,
Pycnogonida, Merostomata, Crustacea (Arthropoda); and Annelida,
Gehyrea (Anarthropoda).
{Helminthes} or {Vermes}, including Rotifera, Ch[ae]tognatha,
Nematoidea, Acanthocephala, Nemertina, Turbellaria, Trematoda,
Cestoidea, Mesozea.
{Molluscoidea}, including Brachiopoda and Bryozoa. {Mollusca},
including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Pteropoda, Scaphopoda,
Lamellibranchiata or Acephala. {Echinodermata}, including
Holothurioidea, Echinoidea, Asterioidea, Ophiuroidea, and
Crinoidea. {C[oe]lenterata}, including {Anthozoa} or {Polyps},
{Ctenophora}, and {Hydrozoa} or Acalephs. {Spongiozoa} or
{Porifera}, including the sponges.
{Protozoa}, including {Infusoria} and {Rhizopoda}. For
definitions, see these names in the Vocabulary.
Animalcular \An`i*mal"cu*lar\, Animalculine \An`i*mal"cu*line\,
a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, animalcules. ``Animalcular
life.'' --Tyndall.
Animalcule \An`i*mal"cule\, n. [As if fr. a L. animalculum, dim.
of animal.]
1. A small animal, as a fly, spider, etc. [Obs.] --Ray.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An animal, invisible, or nearly so, to the
naked eye. See {Infusoria}.
Note: Many of the so-called animalcules have been shown to be
plants, having locomotive powers something like those
of animals. Among these are {Volvox}, the
{Desmidiac[ae]}, and the siliceous {Diatomace[ae]}.
{Spermatic animalcules}. See {Spermatozoa}.
Animalculism \An`i*mal"cu*lism\, n. [Cf. F. animalculisme.]
(Biol.)
The theory which seeks to explain certain physiological and
pathological phenomena by means of animalcules.
Animalculist \An`i*mal"cu*list\, n. [Cf. F. animalculiste.]
1. One versed in the knowledge of animalcules. --Keith.
2. A believer in the theory of animalculism.
Animalculum \An`i*mal"cu*lum\, n.; pl. {Animalcula}. [NL. See
{Animalcule}.]
An animalcule.
Note: Animalcul[ae], as if from a Latin singular animalcula,
is a barbarism.
Animalish \An"i*mal*ish\, a.
Like an animal.
Animalism \An"i*mal*ism\, n. [Cf. F. animalisme.]
The state, activity, or enjoyment of animals; mere animal
life without intellectual or moral qualities; sensuality.
Animality \An`i*mal"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. animalit['e].]
Animal existence or nature. --Locke.
Animalization \An`i*mal*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. animalisation.]
1. The act of animalizing; the giving of animal life, or
endowing with animal properties.
2. Conversion into animal matter by the process of
assimilation. --Owen.
Animalize \An"i*mal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Animalized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Animalizing}.] [Cf. F. animaliser.]
1. To endow with the properties of an animal; to represent in
animal form. --Warburton.
2. To convert into animal matter by the processes of
assimilation.
3. To render animal or sentient; to reduce to the state of a
lower animal; to sensualize.
The unconscious irony of the Epicurean poet on the
animalizing tendency of his own philosophy.
--Coleridge.
Animally \An"i*mal*ly\, adv.
Physically. --G. Eliot.
Animalness \An"i*mal*ness\, n.
Animality. [R.]
Animastic \An`i*mas"tic\, a. [L. anima breath, life.]
Pertaining to mind or spirit; spiritual.
Animastic \An`i*mas"tic\, n.
Psychology. [Obs.]
Animate \An"i*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Animated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Animating}.] [L. animatus, p. p. of animare, fr.
anima breath, soul; akin to animus soul, mind, Gr. ? wind,
Skr. an to breathe, live, Goth. us-anan to expire (us- out),
Icel. ["o]nd breath, anda to breathe, OHG. ando anger. Cf.
{Animal}.]
1. To give natural life to; to make alive; to quicken; as,
the soul animates the body.
2. To give powers to, or to heighten the powers or effect of;
as, to animate a lyre. --Dryden.
3. To give spirit or vigor to; to stimulate or incite; to
inspirit; to rouse; to enliven.
The more to animate the people, he stood on high . .
. and cried unto them with a loud voice. --Knolles.
Syn: To enliven; inspirit; stimulate; exhilarate; inspire;
instigate; rouse; urge; cheer; prompt; incite; quicken;
gladden.
Animate \An"i*mate\, a. [L. animatus, p. p.]
Endowed with life; alive; living; animated; lively.
The admirable structure of animate bodies. --Bentley.
Animated \An"i*ma`ted\, a.
Endowed with life; full of life or spirit; indicating
animation; lively; vigorous. ``Animated sounds.'' --Pope.
``Animated bust.'' --Gray. ``Animated descriptions.''
--Lewis.
Animatedly \An"i*ma`ted*ly\, adv.
With animation.
Animater \An"i*ma`ter\, n.
One who animates. --De Quincey.
Animating \An"i*ma"ting\, a.
Causing animation; life-giving; inspiriting; rousing.
``Animating cries.'' --Pope. -- {An"i*ma`ting*ly}, adv.
Animation \An`i*ma"tion\, n. [L. animatio, fr. animare.]
1. The act of animating, or giving life or spirit; the state
of being animate or alive.
The animation of the same soul quickening the whole
frame. --Bp. Hall.
Perhaps an inanimate thing supplies me, while I am
speaking, with whatever I possess of animation.
--Landor.
2. The state of being lively, brisk, or full of spirit and
vigor; vivacity; spiritedness; as, he recited the story
with great animation.
{Suspended animation}, temporary suspension of the vital
functions, as in persons nearly drowned.
Syn: Liveliness; vivacity; spirit; buoyancy; airiness;
sprightliness; promptitude; enthusiasm; ardor;
earnestness; energy. See {Liveliness}.
Animative \An"i*ma*tive\, a.
Having the power of giving life or spirit. --Johnson.
Animator \An"i*ma`tor\, n. [L. animare.]
One who, or that which, animates; an animater. --Sir T.
Browne.
Anim'e \A"ni*m['e]`\, a. [F., animated.] (Her.)
Of a different tincture from the animal itself; -- said of
the eyes of a rapacious animal. --Brande & C.
Anim'e \A"ni*m['e]\, n. [F. anim['e] animated (from the insects
that are entrapped in it); or native name.]
A resin exuding from a tropical American tree ({Hymen[ae]a
courbaril}), and much used by varnish makers. --Ure.
Animism \An"i*mism\, n. [Cf. F. animisme, fr. L. anima soul. See
{Animate}.]
1. The doctrine, taught by Stahl, that the soul is the proper
principle of life and development in the body.
2. The belief that inanimate objects and the phenomena of
nature are endowed with personal life or a living soul;
also, in an extended sense, the belief in the existence of
soul or spirit apart from matter. --Tylor.
Animist \An"i*mist\, n. [Cf. F. animiste.]
One who maintains the doctrine of animism.
Animistic \An`i*mis"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to animism. --Huxley. Tylor.
Animose \An`i*mose"\, Animous \An"i*mous\, a. [L. animosus, fr.
animus soul, spirit, courage.]
Full of spirit; hot; vehement; resolute. [Obs.] --Ash.
Animoseness \An`i*mose"ness\, n.
Vehemence of temper. [Obs.]
Animosity \An`i*mos"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Animosities}. [F.
animosit['e], fr. L. animositas. See {Animose}, {Animate}, v.
t.]
1. Mere spiritedness or courage. [Obs.] --Skelton.
Such as give some proof of animosity, audacity, and
execution, those she [the crocodile] loveth.
--Holland.
2. Violent hatred leading to active opposition; active
enmity; energetic dislike. --Macaulay.
Syn: Enmity; hatred; opposition. -- {Animosity}, {Enmity}.
Enmity be dormant or concealed; animosity is active
enmity, inflamed by collision and mutual injury between
opposing parties. The animosities which were continually
springing up among the clans in Scotland kept that
kingdom in a state of turmoil and bloodshed for
successive ages. The animosities which have been
engendered among Christian sects have always been the
reproach of the church.
Such [writings] as naturally conduce to inflame
hatreds and make enmities irreconcilable.
--Spectator.
[These] factions . . . never suspended their
animosities till they ruined that unhappy
government. --Hume.
Animus \An"i*mus\, n.; pl. {Animi}. [L., mind.]
Animating spirit; intention; temper.
{nimus furandi} [L.] (Law), intention of stealing.
Anion \An"i*on\, n. [Gr. ?, neut. ?, p. pr. of ? to go up; ? up
+ ? to go.] (Chem.)
An electro-negative element, or the element which, in
electro-chemical decompositions, is evolved at the anode; --
opposed to {cation}. --Faraday.
Anise \An"ise\ ([a^]n"[i^]s), n. [OE. anys, F. anis, L. anisum,
anethum, fr. Gr. 'a`nison, 'a`nhqon.]
1. (Bot.) An umbelliferous plant ({Pimpinella anisum})
growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain,
Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds.
2. The fruit or seeds of this plant.
Aniseed \An"i*seed\, n.
The seed of the anise; also, a cordial prepared from it.
``Oil of aniseed.'' --Brande & C.
Anisette \An`i*sette"\, n. [F.]
A French cordial or liqueur flavored with anise seeds. --De
Colange.
Anisic \A*nis"ic\, a.
Of or derived from anise; as, anisic acid; anisic alcohol.
Anisodactyla \An`i*so*dac"ty*la\, Anisodactyls
\An`i*so*dac"tyls\, n. pl. [NL. anisodactyla, fr. Gr. 'a`nisos
unequal ('an priv. + 'i`sos equal) + da`ktylos finger.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) A group of herbivorous mammals characterized by having
the hoofs in a single series around the foot, as the
elephant, rhinoceros, etc.
(b) A group of perching birds which are anisodactylous.
Anisodactylous \An`i*so*dac"ty*lous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Characterized by unequal toes, three turned forward and one
backward, as in most passerine birds.
Anisomeric \An`i*so*mer"ic\, a. [Gr. ? unequal + ? part.]
(Chem.)
Not isomeric; not made of the same components in the same
proportions.
Anisomerous \An`i*som"er*ous\, a. [See {Anisomeric}.] (Bot.)
Having the number of floral organs unequal, as four petals
and six stamens.
Anisometric \An`i*so*met"ric\, a. [Gr. 'an priv. + E.
isometric.]
Not isometric; having unsymmetrical parts; -- said of
crystals with three unequal axes. --Dana.
Anisopetalous \An`i*so*pet"al*ous\, a. [Gr. ? unequal + ? leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having unequal petals.
Anisophyllous \An`i*soph"yl*lous\, a. [Gr. ? unequal + ? leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having unequal leaves.
Anisopleura \An`i*so*pleu"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? unequal +
? side.] (Zo["o]l.)
A primary division of gastropods, including those having
spiral shells. The two sides of the body are unequally
developed.
Anisopoda \An`i*sop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? unequal +
-poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Crustacea, which, in some its characteristics,
is intermediate between Amphipoda and Isopoda.
Anisostemonous \An`i*so*stem"o*nous\, a. [Gr. ? unequal + ?
warp, thread; ? to stand.] (Bot.)
Having unequal stamens; having stamens different in number
from the petals.
Anisosthenic \An`i*so*sthen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? unequal + ?
strength.]
Of unequal strength.
Anisotrope \An"i*so*trope`\, Anisotropic \An`i*so*trop"ic\, a.
[Gr. ? unequal + ? a turning, ? to turn.] (Physics)
Not isotropic; having different properties in different
directions; thus, crystals of the isometric system are
optically isotropic, but all other crystals are anisotropic.
Anisotropous \An`i*sot"ro*pous\, a.
Anisotropic.
Anker \An"ker\, n. [D. anker: cf. LL. anceria, ancheria.]
A liquid measure in various countries of Europe. The Dutch
anker, formerly also used in England, contained about 10 of
the old wine gallons, or 81/2 imperial gallons.
Ankerite \An"ker*ite\, n. [So called from Prof. Anker of
Austria: cf. F. ank['e]rite, G. ankerit.] (Min.)
A mineral closely related to dolomite, but containing iron.
Ankle \An"kle\ ([a^][ng]"k'l), n. [OE. ancle, anclow, AS.
ancleow; akin to Icel. ["o]kkla, ["o]kli, Dan. and Sw. ankel,
D. enklaauw, enkel, G. enkel, and perh. OHG. encha, ancha
thigh, shin: cf. Skr. anga limb, anguri finger. Cf.
{Haunch}.]
The joint which connects the foot with the leg; the tarsus.
{Ankle bone}, the bone of the ankle; the astragalus.
Ankled \An"kled\, a.
Having ankles; -- used in composition; as, well-ankled.
--Beau. & Fl.
Anklet \An"klet\, n.
An ornament or a fetter for the ankle; an ankle ring.
Ankylose \An"ky*lose\, v. t. & i.
Same as {Anchylose}.
Ankylosis \An`ky*lo"sis\, n.
Same as {Anchylosis}.
Anlace \An"lace\, n. [Origin unknown.]
A broad dagger formerly worn at the girdle. [Written also
{anelace}.]
Ann \Ann\, Annat \An"nat\, n. [LL. annata income of a year,
also, of half a year, fr. L. annus year: cf. F. annate
annats.] (Scots Law)
A half years's stipend, over and above what is owing for the
incumbency, due to a minister's heirs after his decease.
Anna \An"na\, n. [Hindi [=a]n[=a].]
An East Indian money of account, the sixteenth of a rupee, or
about 2? cents.
Annal \An"nal\, n.
See {Annals}.
Annalist \An"nal*ist\, n. [Cf. F. annaliste.]
A writer of annals.
The monks . . . were the only annalists in those ages.
--Hume.
Annalistic \An`nal*is"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or after the manner of, an annalist; as, the
dry annalistic style.``A stiff annalistic method.'' --Sir G.
C. Lewis.
Annalize \An"nal*ize\, v. t.
To record in annals. --Sheldon.
Annals \An"nals\, n. pl. [L. annalis (sc. liber), and more
frequently in the pl. annales (sc. libri), chronicles, fr.
annus year. Cf. {Annual}.]
1. A relation of events in chronological order, each event
being recorded under the year in which it happened.
``Annals the revolution.'' --Macaulay. ``The annals of our
religion.'' --Rogers.
2. Historical records; chronicles; history.
The short and simple annals of the poor. --Gray.
It was one of the most critical periods in our
annals. --Burke.
3. sing. The record of a single event or item. ``In deathless
annal.'' --Young.
4. A periodic publication, containing records of discoveries,
transactions of societies, etc.; as ``Annals of Science.''
Syn: History. See {History}.
Annats \An"nats\, Annates \An"nates\, n. pl. [See {Ann}.] (Eccl.
Law)
The first year's profits of a spiritual preferment, anciently
paid by the clergy to the pope; first fruits. In England,
they now form a fund for the augmentation of poor livings.
Anneal \An*neal"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annealed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Annealing}.] [OE. anelen to heat, burn, AS. an?lan; an on
+ ?lan to burn; also OE. anelen to enamel, prob. influenced
by OF. neeler, nieler, to put a black enamel on gold or
silver, F. nieller, fr. LL. nigellare to blacken, fr. L.
nigellus blackish, dim. of niger black. Cf. {Niello},
{Negro}.]
1. To subject to great heat, and then cool slowly, as glass,
cast iron, steel, or other metal, for the purpose of
rendering it less brittle; to temper; to toughen.
2. To heat, as glass, tiles, or earthenware, in order to fix
the colors laid on them.
Annealer \An*neal"er\, n.
One who, or that which, anneals.
Annealing \An*neal"ing\, n.
1. The process used to render glass, iron, etc., less
brittle, performed by allowing them to cool very gradually
from a high heat.
2. The burning of metallic colors into glass, earthenware,
etc.
Annectent \An*nec"tent\, a. [L. annectere to tie or bind to. See
{Annex}.]
Connecting; annexing. --Owen.
Annelid \An`ne*lid\, Annelidan \An*nel"i*dan\, a. [F.
ann['e]lide, fr. anneler to arrange in rings, OF. anel a
ring, fr. L. anellus a ring, dim. of annulus a ring.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Annelida. -- n. One of the Annelida.
Annelida \An*nel"i*da\, n. pl. [NL. See {Annelid}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the Articulata, having the body formed of
numerous rings or annular segments, and without jointed legs.
The principal subdivisions are the {Ch[ae]topoda}, including
the {Oligoch[ae]ta} or earthworms and {Polych[ae]ta} or
marine worms; and the {Hirudinea} or leeches. See
{Ch[ae]topoda}.
Annelidous \An*nel"i*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of the nature of an annelid.
Annellata \An`nel*la"ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Annelida}.
Anneloid \An"ne*loid\, n. [F. annel['e] ringed + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An animal resembling an annelid.
Annex \An*nex"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annexed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Annexing}.] [F. annexer, fr. L. annexus, p. p. of annectere
to tie or bind to; ad + nectere to tie, to fasten together,
akin to Skr. nah to bind.]
1. To join or attach; usually to subjoin; to affix; to
append; -- followed by to. ``He annexed a codicil to a
will.'' --Johnson.
2. To join or add, as a smaller thing to a greater.
He annexed a province to his kingdom. --Johnson.
3. To attach or connect, as a consequence, condition, etc.;
as, to annex a penalty to a prohibition, or punishment to
guilt.
Syn: To add; append; affix; unite; coalesce. See {Add}.
Annex \An*nex"\, v. i.
To join; to be united. --Tooke.
Annex \An*nex"\, n. [F. annexe, L. annexus, neut. annexum, p. p.
of annectere.]
Something annexed or appended; as, an additional stipulation
to a writing, a subsidiary building to a main building; a
wing.
Annexation \An`nex*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. annexation. See {Annex},
v. t.]
1. The act of annexing; process of attaching, adding, or
appending; the act of connecting; union; as, the
annexation of Texas to the United States, or of chattels
to the freehold.
2.
(a) (Law) The union of property with a freehold so as to
become a fixture. Bouvier.
(b) (Scots Law) The appropriation of lands or rents to the
crown. --Wharton.
Annexationist \An`nex*a"tion*ist\, n.
One who favors annexation.
Annexer \An*nex"er\, n.
One who annexes.
Annexion \An*nex"ion\, n. [L. annexio a tying to, connection:
cf. F. annexion.]
Annexation. [R.] --Shak.
Annexionist \An*nex"ion*ist\, n.
An annexationist. [R.]
Annexment \An*nex"ment\, n.
The act of annexing, or the thing annexed; appendage. [R.]
--Shak.
Annihilable \An*ni"hi*la*ble\, a.
Capable of being annihilated.
Annihilate \An*ni"hi*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annihilated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Annihilating}.] [L. annihilare; ad +
nihilum, nihil, nothing, ne hilum (filum) not a thread,
nothing at all. Cf. {File}, a row.]
1. To reduce to nothing or nonexistence; to destroy the
existence of; to cause to cease to be.
It impossible for any body to be utterly
annihilated. --Bacon.
2. To destroy the form or peculiar distinctive properties of,
so that the specific thing no longer exists; as, to
annihilate a forest by cutting down the trees. ``To
annihilate the army.'' --Macaulay.
3. To destroy or eradicate, as a property or attribute of a
thing; to make of no effect; to destroy the force, etc.,
of; as, to annihilate an argument, law, rights, goodness.
Annihilate \An*ni"hi*late\ (an*n[imac]"h[i^]*l[asl]t), a.
Annihilated. [Archaic] --Swift.
Annihilation \An*ni`hi*la"tion\, n. [Cf. F. annihilation.]
1. The act of reducing to nothing, or nonexistence; or the
act of destroying the form or combination of parts under
which a thing exists, so that the name can no longer be
applied to it; as, the annihilation of a corporation.
2. The state of being annihilated. --Hooker.
Annihilationist \An*ni`hi*la"tion*ist\, n. (Theol.)
One who believes that eternal punishment consists in
annihilation or extinction of being; a destructionist.
Annihilative \An*ni"hi*la*tive\, a.
Serving to annihilate; destructive.
Annihilator \An*ni"hi*la`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, annihilates; as, a fire annihilator.
Annihilatory \An*ni"hi*la*to*ry\, a.
Annihilative.
Anniversarily \An`ni*ver"sa*ri*ly\, adv.
Annually. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Anniversary \An`ni*ver"sa*ry\, a. [L. anniversarius; annus year
+ vertere, versum, to turn: cf. F. anniversaire.]
Returning with the year, at a stated time; annual; yearly;
as, an anniversary feast.
{Anniversary day} (R. C. Ch.). See {Anniversary}, n., 2.
{Anniversary week}, that week in the year in which the annual
meetings of religious and benevolent societies are held in
Boston and New York. [Eastern U. S.]
Anniversary \An`ni*ver"sa*ry\, n.; pl. {Anniversaries}. [Cf. F.
anniversaire.]
1. The annual return of the day on which any notable event
took place, or is wont to be celebrated; as, the
anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
2. (R. C. Ch.) The day on which Mass is said yearly for the
soul of a deceased person; the commemoration of some
sacred event, as the dedication of a church or the
consecration of a pope.
3. The celebration which takes place on an anniversary day.
--Dryden.
Anniverse \An"ni*verse\, n. [L. anni versus the turning of a
year.]
Anniversary. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Annodated \An"no*da`ted\, a. [L. ad to + nodus a knot.] (Her.)
Curved somewhat in the form of the letter S. --Cussans.
Anno Domini \An"no Dom"i*ni\ [L., in the year of [our] Lord
[Jesus Christ]; usually abbrev. a. d.]
In the year of the Christian era; as, a. d. 1887.
Annominate \An*nom"i*nate\, v. t.
To name. [R.]
Annomination \An*nom`i*na"tion\, n. [L. annominatio. See
{Agnomination}.]
1. Paronomasia; punning.
2. Alliteration. [Obs.] --Tyrwhitt.
Annotate \An"no*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annotated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Annotating}.] [L. annotatus; p. p. of annotare to
annotate; ad + notare to mark, nota mark. See {Note}, n.]
To explain or criticize by notes; as, to annotate the works
of Bacon.
Annotate \An"no*tate\, v. i.
To make notes or comments; -- with on or upon.
Annotation \An`no*ta"tion\, n. [L. annotatio: cf. F.
annotation.]
A note, added by way of comment, or explanation; -- usually
in the plural; as, annotations on ancient authors, or on a
word or a passage.
Annotationist \An`no*ta"tion*ist\, n.
An annotator. [R.]
Annotative \An"no*ta*tive\, a.
Characterized by annotations; of the nature of annotation.
Annotator \An"no*ta`tor\, n. [L.]
A writer of annotations; a commentator.
Annotatory \An*no"ta*to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to an annotator; containing annotations. [R.]
Annotine \An"no*tine\, n. [L. annotinus a year old.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bird one year old, or that has once molted.
Annotinous \An*not"i*nous\, a. [L. annotinus, fr. annus year.]
(Bot.)
A year old; in Yearly growths.
Annotto \An*not"to\, Arnotto \Ar*not"to\, n. [Perh. the native
name.]
A red or yellowish-red dyeing material, prepared from the
pulp surrounding the seeds of a tree ({Bixa orellana})
belonging to the tropical regions of America. It is used for
coloring cheese, butter, etc. [Written also {Anatto},
{Anatta}, {Annatto}, {Annotta}, etc.]
Announce \An*nounce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Announced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Announcing}.] [OF. anoncier, F. annoncer, fr. L.
annuntiare; ad + nuntiare to report, relate, nuntius
messenger, bearer of news. See {Nuncio}, and cf.
{Annunciate}.]
1. To give public notice, or first notice of; to make known;
to publish; to proclaim.
Her [Q. Elizabeth's] arrival was announced through
the country by a peal of cannon from the ramparts.
--Gilpin.
2. To pronounce; to declare by judicial sentence.
Publish laws, announce Or life or death. --Prior.
Syn: To proclaim; publish; make known; herald; declare;
promulgate.
Usage: To {Publish}, {Announce}, {Proclaim}, {Promulgate}. We
{publish} what we give openly to the world, either by
oral communication or by means of the press; as, to
publish abroad the faults of our neighbors. We
{announce} what we declare by anticipation, or make
known for the first time; as, to {announce} the speedy
publication of a book; to {announce} the approach or
arrival of a distinguished personage. We {proclaim}
anything to which we give the widest publicity; as, to
{proclaim} the news of victory. We {promulgate} when
we proclaim more widely what has before been known by
some; as, to {promulgate} the gospel.
Announcement \An*nounce"ment\, n.
The act of announcing, or giving notice; that which
announces; proclamation; publication.
Announcer \An*noun"cer\, n.
One who announces.
Annoy \An*noy"\ ([a^]n*noi"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annoyed}
([a^]n*noid"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Annoying}.] [OE. anoien,
anuien, OF. anoier, anuier, F. ennuyer, fr. OF. anoi, anui,
enui, annoyance, vexation, F. ennui. See {Annoy}, n.]
To disturb or irritate, especially by continued or repeated
acts; to tease; to ruffle in mind; to vex; as, I was annoyed
by his remarks.
Say, what can more our tortured souls annoy Than to
behold, admire, and lose our joy? --Prior.
2. To molest, incommode, or harm; as, to annoy an army by
impeding its march, or by a cannonade.
Syn: To molest; vex; trouble; pester; embarrass; perplex;
tease.
Annoy \An*noy"\, n. [OE. anoi, anui, OF. anoi, anui, enui, fr.
L. in odio hatred (esse alicui in odio, Cic.). See {Ennui},
{Odium}, {Noisome}, {Noy}.]
A feeling of discomfort or vexation caused by what one
dislikes; also, whatever causes such a feeling; as, to work
annoy.
Worse than Tantalus' is her annoy. --Shak.
Annoyance \An*noy"ance\, n. [OF. anoiance, anuiance.]
1. The act of annoying, or the state of being annoyed;
molestation; vexation; annoy.
A deep clay, giving much annoyance to passengers.
--Fuller.
For the further annoyance and terror of any besieged
place, they would throw into it dead bodies.
--Wilkins.
2. That which annoys.
A grain, a dust, a gnat, a wandering hair, Any
annoyance in that precious sense. --Shak.
Annoyer \An*noy"er\, n.
One who, or that which, annoys.
Annoyful \An*noy"ful\, a.
Annoying. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Annoying \An*noy"ing\, a.
That annoys; molesting; vexatious. -- {An*noy"ing*ly}, adv.
Annoyous \An*noy"ous\, a. [OF. enuius, anoios.]
Troublesome; annoying. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Annual \An"nu*al\ (?; 135), a. [OE. annuel, F. annuel, fr. L.
annualis, fr. annus year. Cf. {Annals}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a year; returning every year; coming
or happening once in the year; yearly.
The annual overflowing of the river [Nile]. --Ray.
2. Performed or accomplished in a year; reckoned by the year;
as, the annual motion of the earth.
A thousand pound a year, annual support. --Shak.
2. Lasting or continuing only one year or one growing season;
requiring to be renewed every year; as, an annual plant;
annual tickets. --Bacon.
Annual \An"nu*al\, n.
1. A thing happening or returning yearly; esp. a literary
work published once a year.
2. Anything, especially a plant, that lasts but one year or
season; an annual plant.
Oaths . . . in some sense almost annuals; . . . and
I myself can remember about forty different sets.
--Swift.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A Mass for a deceased person or for some
special object, said daily for a year or on the
anniversary day.
Annualist \An"nu*al*ist\, n.
One who writes for, or who edits, an annual. [R.]
Annually \An"nu*al*ly\, adv.
Yearly; year by year.
Annuary \An"nu*a*ry\, a. [Cf. F. annuaire.]
Annual. [Obs.] -- n. A yearbook.
Annueler \An"nu*el*er\, n.
A priest employed in saying {annuals}, or anniversary Masses.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Annuent \An"nu*ent\, a. [L. annuens, p. pr. of annuere; ad +
nuere to nod.]
Nodding; as, annuent muscles (used in nodding).
Annuitant \An*nu"i*tant\, n. [See {Annuity}.]
One who receives, or its entitled to receive, an annuity.
--Lamb.
Annuity \An*nu"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Annuities}. [LL. annuitas, fr. L.
annus year: cf. F. annuit['e].]
A sum of money, payable yearly, to continue for a given
number of years, for life, or forever; an annual allowance.
Annul \An*nul"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annulled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Annulling}.] [F. annuler, LL. annullare, annulare, fr. L. ad
to + nullus none, nullum, neut., nothing. See {Null}, a.]
1. To reduce to nothing; to obliterate.
Light, the prime work of God, to me's extinct. And
all her various objects of delight Annulled.
--Milton.
2. To make void or of no effect; to nullify; to abolish; to
do away with; -- used appropriately of laws, decrees,
edicts, decisions of courts, or other established rules,
permanent usages, and the like, which are made void by
component authority.
Do they mean to annul laws of inestimable value to
our liberties? --Burke.
Syn: To abolish; abrogate; repeal; cancel; reverse; rescind;
revoke; nullify; destroy. See {Abolish}.
Annular \An"nu*lar\, a. [L. annularis, fr. annulis ring: cf. F.
annulaire.]
1. Pertaining to, or having the form of, a ring; forming a
ring; ringed; ring-shaped; as, annular fibers.
2. Banded or marked with circles.
{Annular eclipse} (Astron.), an eclipse of the sun in which
the moon at the middle of the eclipse conceals the central
part of the sun's disk, leaving a complete ring of light
around the border.
Annularity \An`nu*lar"i*ty\, n.
Annular condition or form; as, the annularity of a nebula.
--J. Rogers.
Annularry \An"nu*lar*ry\, adv.
In an annular manner.
Annulary \An"nu*la*ry\, a. [L. annularis. See {Annular}.]
Having the form of a ring; annular. --Ray.
Annulata \An`nu*la"ta\, n. pl. [Neut. pl., fr. L. annulatus
ringed.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class of articulate animals, nearly equivalent to
{Annelida}, including the marine annelids, earthworms,
Gephyrea, Gymnotoma, leeches, etc. See {Annelida}.
Annulate \An"nu*late\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Annulata.
Annulate \An"nu*late\, Annulated \An"nu*la`ted\a. [L.
annulatus.]
1. Furnished with, or composed of, rings; ringed; surrounded
by rings of color.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the Annulata.
Annulation \An`nu*la"tion\, n.
A circular or ringlike formation; a ring or belt.
--Nicholson.
Annulet \An"nu*let\, n. [Dim. of annulus.]
1. A little ring. --Tennyson.
2. (Arch.) A small, flat fillet, encircling a column, etc.,
used by itself, or with other moldings. It is used,
several times repeated, under the Doric capital.
3. (Her.) A little circle borne as a charge.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A narrow circle of some distinct color on a
surface or round an organ.
Annullable \An*nul"la*ble\, a.
That may be Annulled.
Annuller \An*nul"ler\, n.
One who annuls. [R.]
Annulment \An*nul"ment\, n. [Cf. F. annulement.]
The act of annulling; abolition; invalidation.
Annuloid \An"nu*loid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Annuloida.
Annuloida \An`nu*loid"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. annulus ring +
-oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the Articulata, including the annelids and
allied groups; sometimes made to include also the helminths
and echinoderms. [Written also {Annuloidea}.]
Annulosa \An"nu*lo"sa\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the Invertebrata, nearly equivalent to the
Articulata. It includes the Arthoropoda and Anarthropoda. By
some zo["o]logists it is applied to the former only.
Annulosan \An`nu*lo"san\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Annulosa.
Annulose \An"nu*lose`\ (?; 277), a. [L. annulus ring.]
1. Furnished with, or composed of, rings or ringlike
segments; ringed.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the Annulosa.
Annulus \An"nu*lus\, n.; pl. {Annuli}. [L.]
1. A ring; a ringlike part or space.
2. (Geom.)
(a) A space contained between the circumferences of two
circles, one within the other.
(b) The solid formed by a circle revolving around a line
which is the plane of the circle but does not cut it.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Ring-shaped structures or markings, found in,
or upon, various animals.
Annumerate \An*nu"mer*ate\, v. t. [L. annumeratus, p. p. of
annumerare. See {Numerate}.]
To add on; to count in. [Obs.] --Wollaston.
Annumeration \An*nu`mer*a"tion\, n. [L. annumeratio.]
Addition to a former number. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Annunciable \An*nun"ci*a*ble\, a.
That may be announced or declared; declarable. [R.]
Annunciate \An*nun"ci*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annunciated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Annunciating}.] [L. annuntiare. See
{Announce}.]
To announce.
Annunciate \An*nun"ci*ate\, p. p. & a.
Foretold; preannounced. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Annunciation \An*nun`ci*a"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. annuntiatio:
cf. F. annonciation.]
1. The act of announcing; announcement; proclamation; as, the
annunciation of peace.
2. (Eccl.)
(a) The announcement of the incarnation, made by the angel
Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.
(b) The festival celebrated (March 25th) by the Church of
England, of Rome, etc., in memory of the angel's
announcement, on that day; Lady Day.
Annunciative \An*nun"ci*a*tive\, a.
Pertaining to annunciation; announcing. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Annunciator \An*nun"ci*a`tor\, n. [L. annuntiator.]
1. One who announces. Specifically: An officer in the church
of Constantinople, whose business it was to inform the
people of the festivals to be celebrated.
2. An indicator (as in a hotel) which designates the room
where attendance is wanted.
Annunciatory \An*nun"ci*a*to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or containing, announcement; making known.
[R.]
Anoa \A*noa"\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small wild ox of Celebes ({Anoa depressicornis}), allied to
the buffalo, but having long nearly straight horns.
Anode \An"ode\, n. [Gr. ? up + ? way.] (Elec.)
The positive pole of an electric battery, or more strictly
the electrode by which the current enters the electrolyte on
its way to the other pole; -- opposed to {cathode}.
Anodon \An"o*don\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? toothless; 'an priv. + ?,
?, a tooth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fresh-water bivalves, having no teeth at the
hinge. [Written also {{Anodonta}}.]
Anodyne \An"o*dyne\ ([a^]n"[-o]*d[imac]n), a. [L. anodynus, Gr.
? free from pain, stilling pain; 'an priv. + ? pain: cf. F.
anodin.]
Serving to assuage pain; soothing.
The anodyne draught of oblivion. --Burke.
Note: ``The word [in a medical sense] in chiefly applied to
the different preparations of opium, belladonna,
hyoscyamus, and lettuce.'' --Am. Cyc.
Anodyne \An"o*dyne\, n. [L. anodynon. See {Anodyne}, a.]
Any medicine which allays pain, as an opiate or narcotic;
anything that soothes disturbed feelings.
Anodynous \An"o*dy`nous\, a.
Anodyne.
Anoil \A*noil"\, v. t. [OF. enoilier.]
To anoint with oil. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Anoint \A*noint"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Anointed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Anointing}.] [OF. enoint, p. p. of enoindre, fr. L.
inungere; in + ungere, unguere, to smear, anoint. See
{Ointment}, {Unguent}.]
1. To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance;
also, to spread over, as oil.
And fragrant oils the stiffened limbs anoint.
--Dryden.
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.
--John ix. 6.
2. To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred
rite, especially for consecration.
Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it
upon his [Aaron's] head and anoint him. --Exod.
xxix. 7.
Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. --1 Kings xix.
15.
{The Lord's Anointed}, Christ or the Messiah; also, a Jewish
or other king by ``divine right.'' --1 Sam. xxvi. 9.
Anoint \A*noint"\, p. p.
Anointed. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Anointer \A*noint"er\, n.
One who anoints.
Anointment \A*noint"ment\, n.
The act of anointing, or state of being anointed; also, an
ointment. --Milton.
Anolis \A*no"lis\, n. [In the Antilles, anoli, anoalli, a
lizard.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of lizards which belong to the family {Iguanid[ae]}.
They take the place in the New World of the chameleons in the
Old, and in America are often called {chameleons}.
Anomal \A*nom"al\, n.
Anything anomalous. [R.]
Anomaliped \A*nom"a*li*ped\(#), Anomalipede \A*nom"a*li*pede\,
a. [L. anomalus irregular + pes, pedis, foot.]
Having anomalous feet.
Anomaliped \A*nom"a*li*ped\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of perching birds, having the middle toe more
or less united to the outer and inner ones.
Anomalism \A*nom"a*lism\, n.
An anomaly; a deviation from rule. --Hooker.
Anomalistic \A*nom`a*lis"tic\, Anomalistical
\A*nom`a*lis"tic*al\, a. [Cf. F. anomalistique.]
1. Irregular; departing from common or established rules.
2. (Astron.) Pertaining to the anomaly, or angular distance
of a planet from its perihelion.
{Anomalistic month}. See under {Month}.
{Anomalistic revolution}, the period in which a planet or
satellite goes through the complete cycles of its changes
of anomaly, or from any point in its elliptic orbit to the
same again.
{Anomalistic}, or {Periodical year}. See under {Year}.
Anomalistically \A*nom`a*lis"tic*al*ly\, adv.
With irregularity.
Anomaloflorous \A*nom`a*lo*flo"rous\, a. [L. anomalus irregular
+ flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.)
Having anomalous flowers.
Anomalous \A*nom"a*lous\, a. [L. anomalus, Gr. ? uneven,
irregular; 'an priv. + ? even, ? same. See {Same}, and cf.
{Abnormal}.]
Deviating from a general rule, method, or analogy; abnormal;
irregular; as, an anomalous proceeding.
Anomalously \A*nom"a*lous*ly\, adv.
In an anomalous manner.
Anomalousness \A*nom"a*lous*ness\, n.
Quality of being anomalous.
Anomaly \A*nom"a*ly\, n.; pl. {Anomalies}. [L. anomalia, Gr. ?.
See {Anomalous}.]
1. Deviation from the common rule; an irregularity; anything
anomalous.
We are enabled to unite into a consistent whole the
various anomalies and contending principles that are
found in the minds and affairs of men. --Burke.
As Professor Owen has remarked, there is no greater
anomaly in nature than a bird that can not fly.
--Darwin.
2. (Astron.)
(a) The angular distance of a planet from its perihelion,
as seen from the sun. This is the true anomaly. The
eccentric anomaly is a corresponding angle at the
center of the elliptic orbit of the planet. The mean
anomaly is what the anomaly would be if the planet's
angular motion were uniform.
(b) The angle measuring apparent irregularities in the
motion of a planet.
3. (Nat. Hist.) Any deviation from the essential
characteristics of a specific type.
Anomia \A*no"mi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? irregular; 'a priv. +
no'mos law.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of bivalve shells, allied to the oyster, so called
from their unequal valves, of which the lower is perforated
for attachment.
Anomophyllous \An`o*moph"yl*lous\, a. [Gr. ? irregular + ?
leaf.] (Bot.)
Having leaves irregularly placed.
Anomura \An`o*mu"ra\, Anomoura \An`o*mou"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? lawless + ? tail.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of decapod Crustacea, of which the hermit crab in an
example.
Anomural \An`o*mu"ral\, Anomuran \An`o*mu"ran\, a.
Irregular in the character of the tail or abdomen; as, the
anomural crustaceans. [Written also {anomoural},
{anomouran}.]
Anomuran \An`o*mu"ran\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Anomura.
Anomy \An"o*my\, n. [Gr. ?. See {Anomia}.]
Disregard or violation of law. [R.] --Glanvill.
Anon \A*non"\, adv. [OE. anoon, anon, anan, lit., in one
(moment), fr. AS. on in + [=a]n one. See {On} and {One}.]
1. Straightway; at once. [Obs.]
The same is he that heareth the word, and anon with
joy receiveth it. --Matt. xiii.
20.
2. Soon; in a little while.
As it shall better appear anon. --Stow.
3. At another time; then; again.
Sometimes he trots, . . . anon he rears upright.
--Shak.
{Anon right}, at once; right off. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Ever and anon}, now and then; frequently; often.
A pouncet box, which ever and anon He gave his nose.
--Shak.
Anona \A*no"na\, n. [NL. Cf. {Ananas}.] (Bot.)
A genus of tropical or subtropical plants of the natural
order {Anonace[ae]}, including the soursop.
Anonaceous \An`o*na"ceous\, a.
Pertaining to the order of plants including the soursop,
custard apple, etc.
Anonym \An"o*nym\, n. [F. anonyme. See {Anonymous}.]
1. One who is anonymous; also sometimes used for
``pseudonym.''
2. A notion which has no name, or which can not be expressed
by a single English word. [R.] --J. R. Seeley.
Anonymity \An`o*nym"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being anonymous; anonymousness; also,
that which anonymous. [R.]
He rigorously insisted upon the rights of anonymity.
--Carlyle.
Anonymous \A*non"y*mous\, a. [Gr. ? without name; 'an priv. + ?,
Eol. for ? name. See {Name}.]
Nameless; of unknown name; also, of unknown or unavowed
authorship; as, an anonymous benefactor; an anonymous
pamphlet or letter.
Anonymously \A*non"y*mous*ly\ ([.a]*n[o^]n"[i^]*m[u^]s*l[y^]),
adv.
In an anonymous manner; without a name. --Swift.
Anonymousness \A*non"y*mous*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being anonymous. --Coleridge.
Anophyte \An"o*phyte\ ([a^]n"[-o]*f[imac]t), n. [Gr. 'a`nw
upward (fr. 'ana` up) + fyto`n a plant, fy`ein to grow.]
(Bot.)
A moss or mosslike plant which cellular stems, having usually
an upward growth and distinct leaves.
Anopla \An"o*pla\ ([a^]n"[o^]*pl[.a]), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
'a`noplos unarmed.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the two orders of Nemerteans. See {Nemertina}.
Anoplothere \An*op"lo*there\ ([a^]n*[o^]p"l[-o]*th[=e]r),
Anoplotherium
\An`o*plo*the"ri*um\([a^]n`[-o]*pl[-o]*th[=e]"r[i^]*[u^]m), n.
[From Gr. 'a`noplos unarmed ('an priv. + 'o`plon an
implement, weapon) + qhri`on beast.] (Paleon.)
A genus of extinct quadrupeds of the order {Ungulata}, whose
were first found in the gypsum quarries near Paris;
characterized by the shortness and feebleness of their canine
teeth (whence the name).
Anoplura \An`o*plu"ra\ ([a^]n`[-o]*pl[=u]"r[.a]), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. 'an priv. + 'o`plon weapon, sting + o'yra` tail.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of insects which includes the lice.
Anopsia \A*nop"si*a\ ([.a]*n[o^]p"s[i^]*[.a]), Anopsy \An"op`sy\
([a^]n"[o^]p`s[y^]), a. [Gr. 'an priv. + 'o`psis sight.]
(Med.)
Want or defect of sight; blindness.
Anorexia \An`o*rex"i*a\, Anorexy \An"o*rex`y\n. [Gr. ?; 'an
priv. + ? desire, appetite, ? desire.] (Med.)
Want of appetite, without a loathing of food. --Coxe.
Anormal \A*nor"mal\, a. [F. anormal. See {Abnormal}, {Normal}.]
Not according to rule; abnormal. [Obs.]
Anorn \A*norn\, v. t. [OF. a["o]rner, a["o]urner, fr. L.
adornare to adorn. The form a-ourne was corrupted into
anourne.]
To adorn. [Obs.] --Bp. Watson.
Anorthic \A*nor"thic\, a. [See {Anorthite}.] (Min.)
Having unequal oblique axes; as, anorthic crystals.
Anorthite \A*nor"thite\, n. [Gr. 'an priv. + ? straight (? sc. ?
right angle); not in a right angle.]
A mineral of the feldspar family, commonly occurring in small
glassy crystals, also a constituent of some igneous rocks. It
is a lime feldspar. See {Feldspar}.
Anorthoscope \A*nor"tho*scope\, n. [Gr. 'an priv. + ? straight +
-scope.] (Physics)
An optical toy for producing amusing figures or pictures by
means of two revolving disks, on one of which distorted
figures are painted.
Anosmia \A*nos"mi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'an priv. + ? smell.]
(Med.)
Loss of the sense of smell.
Another \An*oth"er\, pron. & a. [An a, one + other.]
1. One more, in addition to a former number; a second or
additional one, similar in likeness or in effect.
Another yet! -- a seventh! I 'll see no more.
--Shak.
Would serve to scale another Hero's tower. --Shak.
2. Not the same; different.
He winks, and turns his lips another way. --Shak.
3. Any or some; any different person, indefinitely; any one
else; some one else.
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own
mouth. --Prov. xxvii.
2.
While I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
--John v. 7.
Note: As a pronoun another may have a possessive another's,
pl. others, poss. pl. other'. It is much used in
opposition to one; as, one went one way, another
another. It is also used with one, in a reciprocal
sense; as, ``love one another,'' that is, let each love
the other or others. ``These two imparadised in one
another's arms.'' --Milton.
Another-gaines \An*oth"er-gaines`\, a. [Corrupted fr.
another-gates.]
Of another kind. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
Another-gates \An*oth"er-gates`\, a. [Another + gate, or gait,
way. Cf. {Algates}.]
Of another sort. [Obs.] ``Another-gates adventure.''
--Hudibras.
Another-guess \An*oth"er-guess\, a. [Corrupted fr.
another-gates.]
Of another sort. [Archaic]
It used to go in another-guess manner. --Arbuthnot.
Anotta \A*not"ta\, n.
See {Annotto}.
Anoura \An*ou"ra\ (?; 277), n.
See {Anura}.
Anourous \An*ou"rous\, a.
See {Anurous}.
Ansa \An"sa\, n.; pl. {Ans[ae]}. [L., a handle.] (Astron.)
A name given to either of the projecting ends of Saturn's
ring.
Ansated \An"sa*ted\, a. [L. ansatus, fr. ansa a handle.]
Having a handle. --Johnson.
Anserated \An"ser*a`ted\, a. (Her.)
Having the extremities terminate in the heads of eagles,
lions, etc.; as, an anserated cross.
Anseres \An"se*res\, n. pl. [L., geese.] (Zo["o]l.)
A Linn[ae]an order of aquatic birds swimming by means of
webbed feet, as the duck, or of lobed feet, as the grebe. In
this order were included the geese, ducks, auks, divers,
gulls, petrels, etc.
Anseriformes \An`se*ri*for"mes\, n. pl. (Zo["o]l.)
A division of birds including the geese, ducks, and closely
allied forms.
Anserine \An"ser*ine\, a. [L. anserinus, fr. anser a goose.]
1. Pertaining to, or resembling, a goose, or the skin of a
goose.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Pertaining to the Anseres.
Anserous \An"ser*ous\, a. [L. anser a goose.]
Resembling a goose; silly; simple. --Sydney Smith.
Answer \An"swer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Answered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Answering}.] [OE. andswerien, AS. andswerian, andswarian,
to answer, fr. andswaru, n., answer. See {Answer}, n.]
1. To speak in defense against; to reply to in defense; as,
to answer a charge; to answer an accusation.
2. To speak or write in return to, as in return to a call or
question, or to a speech, declaration, argument, or the
like; to reply to (a question, remark, etc.); to respond
to.
She answers him as if she knew his mind. --Shak.
So spake the apostate angel, though in pain: . . .
And him thus answered soon his bold compeer.
--Milton.
3. To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way
of explanation, argument, or justification, and the like;
to refute.
No man was able to answer him a word. --Matt. xxii.
46.
These shifts refuted, answer thine appellant.
--Milton.
The reasoning was not and could not be answered.
--Macaulay.
4. To be or act in return or response to. Hence:
(a) To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or
satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, demand; as,
he answered my claim upon him; the servant answered
the bell.
This proud king . . . studies day and night To
answer all the debts he owes unto you. --Shak.
(b) To render account to or for.
I will . . . send him to answer thee. --Shak.
(c) To atone; to be punished for.
And grievously hath C[ae]zar answered it.
--Shak.
(d) To be opposite to; to face.
The windows answering each other, we could just
discern the glowing horizon them. --Gilpin.
(e) To be or act an equivalent to, or as adequate or
sufficient for; to serve for; to repay. [R.]
Money answereth all things. --Eccles. x.
19.
(f) To be or act in accommodation, conformity, relation,
or proportion to; to correspond to; to suit.
Weapons must needs be dangerous things, if they
answered the bulk of so prodigious a person.
--Swift.
Answer \An"swer\, v. i.
1. To speak or write by way of return (originally, to a
charge), or in reply; to make response.
There was no voice, nor any that answered. --1 Kings
xviii. 26.
2. To make a satisfactory response or return. Hence: To
render account, or to be responsible; to be accountable;
to make amends; as, the man must answer to his employer
for the money intrusted to his care.
Let his neck answer for it, if there is any martial
law. --Shak.
3. To be or act in return. Hence:
(a) To be or act by way of compliance, fulfillment,
reciprocation, or satisfaction; to serve the purpose;
as, gypsum answers as a manure on some soils.
Do the strings answer to thy noble hand?
--Dryden.
(b) To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
(c) To be or act as an equivalent, or as adequate or
sufficient; as, a very few will answer.
(d) To be or act in conformity, or by way of
accommodation, correspondence, relation, or
proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; --
usually with to.
That the time may have all shadow and silence in
it, and the place answer to convenience. --Shak.
If this but answer to my just belief, I 'll
remember you. --Shak.
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart
of man to man. --Pro?. xxvii.
19.
Answer \An"swer\, n. [OE. andsware, AS. andswaru; and against +
swerian to swear. ?, ?. See {Anti-}, and {Swear}, and cf. 1st
{un-}.]
1. A reply to a change; a defense.
At my first answer no man stood with me. --2 Tim.
iv. 16.
2. Something said or written in reply to a question, a call,
an argument, an address, or the like; a reply.
A soft answer turneth away wrath. --Prov. xv. 1.
I called him, but he gave me no answer. --Cant. v.
6.
3. Something done in return for, or in consequence of,
something else; a responsive action.
Great the slaughter is Here made by the Roman; great
the answer be Britons must take. --Shak.
4. A solution, the result of a mathematical operation; as,
the answer to a problem.
5. (Law) A counter-statement of facts in a course of
pleadings; a confutation of what the other party has
alleged; a responsive declaration by a witness in reply to
a question. In Equity, it is the usual form of defense to
the complainant's charges in his bill. --Bouvier.
Syn: Reply; rejoinder; response. See {Reply}.
Answerable \An"swer*a*ble\, a.
1. Obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable
to pay, indemnify, or make good; accountable; amenable;
responsible; as, an agent is answerable to his principal;
to be answerable for a debt, or for damages.
Will any man argue that . . . he can not be justly
punished, but is answerable only to God? --Swift.
2. Capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a
satisfactory answer.
The argument, though subtle, is yet answerable.
--Johnson.
3. Correspondent; conformable; hence, comparable.
What wit and policy of man is answerable to their
discreet and orderly course? --Holland.
This revelation . . . was answerable to that of the
apostle to the Thessalonians. --Milton.
4. Proportionate; commensurate; suitable; as, an achievement
answerable to the preparation for it.
5. Equal; equivalent; adequate. [Archaic]
Had the valor of his soldiers been answerable, he
had reached that year, as was thought, the utmost
bounds of Britain. --Milton.
Answerableness \An"swer*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being answerable, liable, responsible, or
correspondent.
Answerably \An"swer*a*bly\, adv.
In an answerable manner; in due proportion or correspondence;
suitably.
Answerer \An"swer*er\, n.
One who answers.
Answerless \An"swer*less\, a.
Having no answer, or impossible to be answered. --Byron.
An 't \An 't\
An it, that is, and it or if it. See {An}, conj. [Obs.]
An't \An't\
A contraction for are and am not; also used for is not; --
now usually written ain't. [Colloq. & illiterate speech.]
Ant- \Ant-\
See {Anti-}, prefix.
-ant \-ant\ [F. -ant, fr. L. -antem or -entem, the pr. p.
ending; also sometimes directly from L. -antem.]
A suffix sometimes marking the agent for action; as,
merchant, covenant, servant, pleasant, etc. Cf. {-ent}.
Ant \Ant\, n. [OE. ante, amete, emete, AS. [ae]mete akin to G.
ameise. Cf. {Emmet}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A hymenopterous insect of the Linn[ae]an genus {Formica},
which is now made a family of several genera; an emmet; a
pismire.
Note: Among ants, as among bees, there are neuter or working
ants, besides the males and females; the former are
without wings. Ants live together in swarms, usually
raising hillocks of earth, variously chambered within,
where they maintain a perfect system of order, store
their provisions, and nurture their young. There are
many species, with diverse habits, as agricultural
ants, carpenter ants, honey ants, foraging ants, amazon
ants, etc. The white ants or Termites belong to the
Neuroptera.
{Ant bird} (Zo["o]l.), one of a very extensive group of South
American birds ({Formicariid[ae]}), which live on ants.
The family includes many species, some of which are called
{ant shrikes}, {ant thrushes}, and {ant wrens}.
{Ant rice} (Bot.), a species of grass ({Aristida oligantha})
cultivated by the agricultural ants of Texas for the sake
of its seed.
Anta \An"ta\, n.; pl. {Ant[ae]}. [L.] (Arch.)
A species of pier produced by thickening a wall at its
termination, treated architecturally as a pilaster, with
capital and base.
Note: Porches, when columns stand between two ant[ae], are
called in Latin in antis.
Antacid \Ant*ac"id\, n. [Pref. anti- + acid.] (Med.)
A remedy for acidity of the stomach, as an alkali or
absorbent. -- a. Counteractive of acidity.
Antacrid \Ant*ac"rid\, a. [Pref. anti- + acrid.]
Corrective of acrimony of the humors.
Antaean \An*t[ae]"an\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to Ant[ae]us, a giant athlete slain by Hercules.
Antagonism \An*tag"o*nism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to struggle
against; ? against + ? to contend or struggle, ? contest: cf.
F. antagonisme. See {Agony}.]
Opposition of action; counteraction or contrariety of things
or principles.
Note: We speak of antagonism between two things, to or
against a thing, and sometimes with a thing.
Antagonist \An*tag"o*nist\, n. [L. antagonista, Gr. ?; ? against
+ ? combatant, champion, fr. ?: cf. F. antagoniste. See
{Antagonism}.]
1. One who contends with another, especially in combat; an
adversary; an opponent.
Antagonist of Heaven's Almigthy King. --Milton.
Our antagonists in these controversies. --Hooker.
2. (Anat.) A muscle which acts in opposition to another; as a
flexor, which bends a part, is the antagonist of an
extensor, which extends it.
3. (Med.) A medicine which opposes the action of another
medicine or of a poison when absorbed into the blood or
tissues.
Syn: Adversary; enemy; opponent; toe; competitor. See
{Adversary}.
Antagonist \An*tag"o*nist\, a.
Antagonistic; opposing; counteracting; as, antagonist schools
of philosophy.
Antagonistic \An*tag`o*nis"tic\, Antagonistical
\An*tag`o*nis"tic*al\, a.
Opposing in combat, combating; contending or acting against;
as, antagonistic forces. -- {An*tag`o*nis"tic*al*ly}, adv.
They were distinct, adverse, even antagonistic.
--Milman.
Antagonize \An*tag"o*nize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Antagonized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Antagonozing}.] [Gr. ?. See {Antagonism}.]
To contend with; to oppose actively; to counteract.
Antagonize \An*tag"o*nize\, v. i.
To act in opposition.
Antagony \An*tag"o*ny\, n. [Gr. ?; ? + ? contest: cf. F. (16th
century) antagonie. See {Antagonism}.]
Contest; opposition; antagonism. [Obs.]
Antagony that is between Christ and Belial. --Milton.
Antalgic \An*tal"gic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? pain: cf. F.
antalgique.] (Med.)
Alleviating pain. -- n. A medicine to alleviate pain; an
anodyne. [R.]
Antalkali \Ant*al"ka*li\ (?; 277), Antalkaline \Ant*al"ka*line\,
n. [Pref. anti- + alkali.]
Anything that neutralizes, or that counteracts an alkaline
tendency in the system. --Hooper.
Antalkaline \Ant*al"ka*line\, a.
Of power to counteract alkalies.
Antambulacral \Ant*am`bu*la"cral\
([a^]nt*[a^]m`b[-u]*l[=a]"kral), a. (Zo["o]l.)
Away from the ambulacral region.
Antanaclasis \Ant`an*a*cla"sis\, n. [Gr. ?; ? + ? a bending back
and breaking. See {Anaclastic}.] (Rhet.)
(a) A figure which consists in repeating the same word in a
different sense; as, Learn some craft when young, that
when old you may live without craft.
(b) A repetition of words beginning a sentence, after a long
parenthesis; as, Shall that heart (which not only feels
them, but which has all motions of life placed in them),
shall that heart, etc.
Antanagoge \Ant`an*a*go"ge\, n. [Pref. anti- + anagoge.] (Rhet.)
A figure which consists in answering the charge of an
adversary, by a counter charge.
Antaphrodisiac \Ant`aph*ro*dis"i*ac\, a. [Pref. anti- +
aphrodisiac.] (Med.)
Capable of blunting the venereal appetite. -- n. Anything
that quells the venereal appetite.
Antaphroditic \Ant`aph*ro*dit"ic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ?
Aphrodite: cf. F. antaphroditique.] (Med.)
1. Antaphrodisiac.
2. Antisyphilitic. [R.]
Antaphroditic \Ant`aph*ro*dit"ic\, n.
An antaphroditic medicine.
Antapoplectic \Ant`ap*o*plec"tic\, a. [Pref. anti- +
apoplectic.] (Med.)
Good against apoplexy. -- n. A medicine used against
apoplexy.
Antarchism \Ant*ar"chism\, n. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? government.]
Opposition to government in general. [R.]
Antarchist \Ant*ar"chist\, n.
One who opposes all government. [R.]
Antarchistic \Ant`ar*chis"tic\, Antarchistical
\Ant`ar*chis"tic*al\, a.
Opposed to all human government. [R.]
Antarctic \Ant*arc"tic\, a. [OE. antartik, OF. antartique, F.
antarctique, L. antarcticus, fr. Gr. ?; ? + ? bear. See
{Arctic}.]
Opposite to the northern or arctic pole; relating to the
southern pole or to the region near it, and applied
especially to a circle, distant from the pole 23[deg]
28[min]. Thus we say the antarctic pole, circle, ocean,
region, current, etc.
Antares \An*ta"res\, n. [Gr. ?; ? similar to + ? Mars. It was
thought to resemble Mars in color.]
The principal star in Scorpio: -- called also the {Scorpion's
Heart}.
Antarthritic \Ant`ar*thrit"ic\, a. [Pref. anti- + arthritic.]
(Med.)
Counteracting or alleviating gout. -- n. A remedy against
gout.
Antasthmatic \Ant`asth*mat"ic\ (? or ?; see {Asthma}; 277), a.
[Pref. anti- + asthmatic.] (Med.)
Opposing, or fitted to relieve, asthma. -- n. A remedy for
asthma.
Ant-bear \Ant"-bear`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An edentate animal of tropical America (the Tamanoir), living
on ants. It belongs to the genus {Myrmecophaga}.
Ant bird \Ant" bird\, (Zo["o]l.)
See {Ant bird}, under {Ant}, n.
Ant-cattle \Ant"-cat`tle\, n. pl. (Zo["o]l.)
Various kinds of plant lice or aphids tended by ants for the
sake of the honeydew which they secrete. See {Aphips}.
Ante- \An"te-\ ([a^]n"t[-e]-).
A Latin preposition and prefix; akin to Gr. 'anti`, Skr.
anti, Goth. and-, anda- (only in comp.), AS. and-, ond-,
(only in comp.: cf. {Answer}, {Along}), G. ant-, ent- (in
comp.). The Latin ante is generally used in the sense of
before, in regard to position, order, or time, and the Gr.
'anti` in that of opposite, or in the place of.
Ante \An"te\, n. (Poker Playing)
Each player's stake, which is put into the pool before (ante)
the game begins.
Ante \An"te\, v. t. & i.
To put up (an ante).
Anteact \An"te*act`\, n.
A preceding act.
Anteal \An"te*al\, a. [antea, ante, before. Cf. {Ancient}.]
Being before, or in front. [R.] --J. Fleming.
Ant-eater \Ant"-eat`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of several species of edentates and monotremes that feed
upon ants. See {Ant-bear}, {Pangolin}, {Aard-vark}, and
{Echidna}.
Antecedaneous \An`te*ce*da"ne*ous\, a. [See {Antecede}.]
Antecedent; preceding in time. ``Capable of antecedaneous
proof.'' --Barrow.
Antecede \An`te*cede"\, v. t. & i. [L. antecedere; ante + cedere
to go. See {Cede}.]
To go before in time or place; to precede; to surpass. --Sir
M. Hale.
Antecedence \An`te*ced"ence\, n.
1. The act or state of going before in time; precedence. --H.
Spenser.
2. (Astron.) An apparent motion of a planet toward the west;
retrogradation.
Antecedency \An`te*ced"en*cy\, n.
The state or condition of being antecedent; priority.
--Fothherby.
Antecedent \An`te*ced"ent\, a. [L. antecedens, -entis, p. pr. of
antecedere: cf. F. ant['e]c['e]dent.]
1. Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an
event antecedent to the Deluge; an antecedent cause.
2. Presumptive; as, an antecedent improbability.
Syn: Prior; previous; foregoing.
Antecedent \An`te*ced"ent\, n. [Cf. F. ant['e]c['e]dent.]
1. That which goes before in time; that which precedes.
--South.
The Homeric mythology, as well as the Homeric
language, has surely its antecedents. --Max Miller.
2. One who precedes or goes in front. [Obs.]
My antecedent, or my gentleman usher. --Massinger.
3. pl. The earlier events of one's life; previous principles,
conduct, course, history. --J. H. Newman.
If the troops . . . prove worthy of their
antecedents, the victory is surely ours. --Gen. G.
McClellan.
4. (Gram.) The noun to which a relative refers; as, in the
sentence ``Solomon was the prince who built the temple,''
prince is the antecedent of who.
5. (Logic)
(a) The first or conditional part of a hypothetical
proposition; as, If the earth is fixed, the sun must
move.
(b) The first of the two propositions which constitute an
enthymeme or contracted syllogism; as, Every man is
mortal; therefore the king must die.
6. (Math.) The first of the two terms of a ratio; the first
or third of the four terms of a proportion. In the ratio
a:b, a is the antecedent, and b the consequent.
Antecedently \An`te*ced"ent*ly\, adv.
Previously; before in time; at a time preceding; as,
antecedently to conversion. --Barrow.
Antecessor \An`te*ces"sor\, n. [L., fr. antecedere, antecessum.
See {Antecede}, {Ancestor}.]
1. One who goes before; a predecessor.
The successor seldom prosecuting his antecessor's
devices. --Sir E.
Sandys.
2. An ancestor; a progenitor. [Obs.]
Antechamber \An"te*cham`ber\, n. [Cf. F. antichambre.]
1. A chamber or apartment before the chief apartment and
leading into it, in which persons wait for audience; an
outer chamber. See {Lobby}.
2. A space viewed as the outer chamber or the entrance to an
interior part.
The mouth, the antechamber to the digestive canal.
--Todd &
Bowman.
Antechapel \An"te*chap`el\, n.
The outer part of the west end of a collegiate or other
chapel. --Shipley.
Antecians \An*te"cians\, n. pl.
See {Ant[oe]cians}.
Antecommunion \An`te*com*mun"ion\, n.
A name given to that part of the Anglican liturgy for the
communion, which precedes the consecration of the elements.
Antecursor \An`te*cur"sor\, n. [L., fr. antecurrere to run
before; ante + currere to run.]
A forerunner; a precursor. [Obs.]
Antedate \An"te*date`\, n.
1. Prior date; a date antecedent to another which is the
actual date.
2. Anticipation. [Obs.] --Donne.
Antedate \An"te*date`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Antedated}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Antedating}.]
1. To date before the true time; to assign to an earlier
date; thus, to antedate a deed or a bond is to give it a
date anterior to the true time of its execution.
2. To precede in time.
3. To anticipate; to make before the true time.
And antedate the bliss above. --Pope.
Who rather rose the day to antedate. --Wordsworth.
Antediluvial \An`te*di*lu"vi*al\, a. [Pref. ante- + diluvial.]
Before the flood, or Deluge, in Noah's time.
Antediluvian \An`te*di*lu"vi*an\, a.
Of or relating to the period before the Deluge in Noah's
time; hence, antiquated; as, an antediluvian vehicle. -- n.
One who lived before the Deluge.
Antefact \An"te*fact`\, n.
Something done before another act. [Obs.]
Antefix \An"te*fix`\, n.; pl. E. {Antefixes}; L. {Antefixa}. [L.
ante + fixus fixed.] (Arch.)
(a) An ornament fixed upon a frieze.
(b) An ornament at the eaves, concealing the ends of the
joint tiles of the roof.
(c) An ornament of the cymatium of a classic cornice,
sometimes pierced for the escape of water.
Anteflexion \An`te*flex"ion\, n. (Med.)
A displacement forward of an organ, esp. the uterus, in such
manner that its axis is bent upon itself. --T. G. Thomas.
Ant egg \Ant" egg`\
One of the small white egg-shaped pup[ae] or cocoons of the
ant, often seen in or about ant-hills, and popularly supposed
to be eggs.
Antelope \An"te*lope\, n. [OF. antelop, F. antilope, fro Gr. ?,
?, Eustathius, ``Hexa["e]m.,'' p. 36, the origin of which is
unknown.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of ruminant quadrupeds, intermediate between
the deer and the goat. The horns are usually annulated, or
ringed. There are many species in Africa and Asia.
The antelope and wolf both fierce and fell. --Spenser.
Note: The common or bezoar antelope of India is {Antilope
bezoartica}. The chamois of the Alps, the gazelle, the
addax, and the eland are other species. See {Gazelle}.
The pronghorn antelope ({Antilocapra Americana}) is
found in the Rocky Mountains. See {Pronghorn}.
Antelucan \An`te*lu"can\, a. [L. antelucanus; ante + lux light.]
Held or being before light; -- a word applied to assemblies
of Christians, in ancient times of persecution, held before
light in the morning. ``Antelucan worship.'' --De Quincey.
Antemeridian \An`te*me*rid"i*an\, a. [L. antemeridianus; ante +
meridianus belonging to midday or noon. See {Meridian}.]
Being before noon; in or pertaining to the forenoon. (Abbrev.
a. m.)
Antemetic \Ant`e*met"ic\, a. [Pref. anti- + emetic.] (Med.)
Tending to check vomiting. -- n. A remedy to check or allay
vomiting.
Antemosaic \An`te*mo*sa"ic\, a.
Being before the time of Moses.
Antemundane \An`te*mun"dane\, a.
Being or occurring before the creation of the world. --Young.
Antemural \An`te*mu"ral\, n. [L. antemurale: ante + murus wall.
See {Mural}.]
An outwork of a strong, high wall, with turrets, in front of
the gateway (as of an old castle), for defending the
entrance.
Antenatal \An`te*na"tal\, a.
Before birth. --Shelley.
Antenicene \An`te*ni"cene\, a. [L.]
Of or in the Christian church or era, anterior to the first
council of Nice, held a. d. 325; as, antenicene faith.
Antenna \An*ten"na\, n.; pl. {Antenn[ae]}. [L. antenna
sail-yard; NL., a feeler, horn of an insect.] (Zo["o]l.)
A movable, articulated organ of sensation, attached to the
heads of insects and Crustacea. There are two in the former,
and usually four in the latter. They are used as organs of
touch, and in some species of Crustacea the cavity of the ear
is situated near the basal joint. In insects, they are
popularly called horns, and also feelers. The term in also
applied to similar organs on the heads of other arthropods
and of annelids.
Antennal \An*ten"nal\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to the antenn[ae]. --Owen.
Antenniferous \An`ten*nif"er*ous\, a. [Antenna + -ferous.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Bearing or having antenn[ae].
Antenniform \An*ten"ni*form\, a. [Antenna + -form.]
Shaped like antenn[ae].
Antennule \An*ten"nule\, n. [Dim. of antenna.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small antenna; -- applied to the smaller pair of antenn[ae]
or feelers of Crustacea.
Antenumber \An`te*num"ber\, n.
A number that precedes another. [R.] --Bacon.
Antenuptial \An`te*nup"tial\, a.
Preceding marriage; as, an antenuptial agreement. --Kent.
Anteorbital \An`te*or"bit*al\, a. & n. (Anat.)
Same as {Antorbital}.
Antepaschal \An`te*pas"chal\, a.
Pertaining to the time before the Passover, or before Easter.
Antepast \An"te*past\, n. [Pref. ante- + L. pastus pasture,
food. Cf. {Repast}.]
A foretaste.
Antepasts of joy and comforts. --Jer. Taylor.
Antependium \An`te*pen"di*um\, n. [LL., fr. L. ante + pendere to
hang.] (Eccl.)
The hangings or screen in front of the altar; an altar cloth;
the frontal. --Smollett.
Antepenult \An`te*pe"nult\, Antepenultima \An`te*pe*nult"i*ma\,
n. [L. antepaenultima (sc. syllaba) antepenultimate; ante
before + paenultimus the last but one; paene almost + ultimus
last.] (Pros.)
The last syllable of a word except two, as -syl- in
monosyllable.
Antepenultimate \An`te*pe*nult"i*mate\, a.
Of or pertaining to the last syllable but two. -- n. The
antepenult.
Antephialtic \Ant`eph*i*al"tic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ?
nightmare.] (Med.)
Good against nightmare. -- n. A remedy nightmare.
--Dunglison.
Antepileptic \Ant`ep*i*lep"tic\, a. [Pref. anti- + epileptic.]
(Med.)
Good against epilepsy. -- n. A medicine for epilepsy.
Antepone \An"te*pone\, v. t. [L. anteponere.]
To put before; to prefer. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Anteport \An"te*port\, n. [Cf. LL. anteporta.]
An outer port, gate, or door.
Anteportico \An`te*por"ti*co\, n.
An outer porch or vestibule.
Anteposition \An`te*po*si"tion\, n. [Cf. LL. antepositio. See
{Position}.] (Gram.)
The placing of a before another, which, by ordinary rules,
ought to follow it.
Anteprandial \An`te*pran"di*al\, a.
Preceding dinner.
Antepredicament \An`te*pre*dic"a*ment\, n. (Logic)
A prerequisite to a clear understanding of the predicaments
and categories, such as definitions of common terms.
--Chambers.
Anterior \An*te"ri*or\, a. [L. anterior, comp. of ante before.]
1. Before in time; antecedent.
Antigonus, who was anterior to Polybius. --Sir G. C.
Lewis.
2. Before, or toward the front, in place; as, the anterior
part of the mouth; -- opposed to posterior.
Note: In comparative anatomy, anterior often signifies at or
toward the head, cephalic; and in human anatomy it is
often used for ventral.
Syn: Antecedent; previous; precedent; preceding; former;
foregoing.
Anteriority \An*te`ri*or"i*ty\, n. [LL. anterioritas.]
The state of being anterior or preceding in time or in
situation; priority. --Pope.
Anteriorly \An*te"ri*or*ly\, adv.
In an anterior manner; before.
Anteroom \An"te*room\, n.
A room before, or forming an entrance to, another; a waiting
room.
Antero- \An"te*ro-\
A combining form meaning anterior, front; as,
antero-posterior, front and back; antero-lateral, front side,
anterior and at the side.
Antes \An"tes\, n. pl.
Ant[ae]. See {Anta}.
Antestature \An`te*stat"ure\, n. (Fort.)
A small intrenchment or work of palisades, or of sacks of
earth.
Antestomach \An"te*stom`ach\, n.
A cavity which leads into the stomach, as in birds. --Ray.
Antetemple \An"te*tem`ple\, n.
The portico, or narthex in an ancient temple or church.
Anteversion \An`te*ver"sion\, n. [Pref. ante- + L. vertere,
versum, to turn.] (Med.)
A displacement of an organ, esp. of the uterus, in such
manner that its whole axis is directed further forward than
usual.
Antevert \An`te*vert"\, v. t. [L. antevertere; ante + vertere to
turn.]
1. To prevent. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
2. (Med.) To displace by anteversion.
Anthelion \Ant*hel"ion\ (?; 277, 106), n.; pl. {Anthelia}.
[Pref. anti + Gr. ? sun.] (Meteor.)
A halo opposite the sun, consisting of a colored ring or
rings around the shadow of the spectator's own head, as
projected on a cloud or on an opposite fog bank.
Anthelix \Ant"he*lix\ ([a^]nt"h[-e]*l[i^]ks), n. (Anat.)
Same as {Antihelix}.
Anthelmintic \An`thel*min"tic\ ([a^]n`th[e^]l*m[i^]n"t[i^]k), a.
[Pref. anti- + Gr. "e`lmins, -inqos, worm, esp. a tapeworm,
or mawworm..] (Med.)
Good against intestinal worms. -- n. An anthelmintic remedy.
[Written also {anthelminthic}.]
Anthem \An"them\, n. [OE. antym, antefne, AS. antefen, fr. LL.
antiphona, fr. Gr. ?, neut. pl. of ? antiphon, or anthem, n.
neut., from ? sounding contrary, returning a sound; ? over
against + ? sound, voice: the anthem being sung by the
choristers alternately, one half-choir answering the other:
cf. OF. anthaine, anteine, antieune, F. antienne. See
{Antiphon}.]
1. Formerly, a hymn sung in alternate parts, in present
usage, a selection from the Psalms, or other parts of the
Scriptures or the liturgy, set to sacred music.
2. A song or hymn of praise. --Milton.
Anthem \An"them\, v. t.
To celebrate with anthems. [Poet.]
Sweet birds antheming the morn. --Keats.
||
Anthemion \An*the"mi*on\, [ fr. Gr. 'anqemi`s flower.]
A floral ornament. See {Palmette}.
Anthemis \An"the*mis\, n. [Gr. 'anqemi`s, equiv. to 'a`nqos
flower; an herb like our chamomile.] (Bot.)
Chamomile; a genus of composite, herbaceous plants.
Anthemwise \An"them*wise`\, adv.
Alternately. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Anther \An"ther\, n. [F. anth[`e]re, L. anthera a medicine
composed of flowers, fr. Gr. ? flowery, fr. 'anqei^n to
bloom, 'a`nqos flower.] (Bot.)
That part of the stamen containing the pollen, or fertilizing
dust, which, when mature, is emitted for the impregnation of
the ovary. -- {An"ther*al}, a.
Antheridium \An`ther*id"i*um\, n.; pl. {Antheridia}. [Anther + ?
(a Gr. diminutive ending).] (Bot.)
The male reproductive apparatus in the lower, consisting of a
cell or other cavity in which spermatozoids are produced; --
called also {spermary}. -- {An`ther*id"i*al}, a.
Antheriferous \An`ther*if"er*ous\, a. [Anther + -ferous.] (Bot.)
(a) Producing anthers, as plants.
(b) Supporting anthers, as a part of a flower. --Gray.
Antheriform \An*ther"i*form\, a. [Anther + -form.]
Shaped like an anther; anther-shaped.
Antherogenous \An`ther*og"e*nous\, a. [Anther + -genous.] (Bot.)
Transformed from anthers, as the petals of a double flower.
Antheroid \An"ther*oid\, a. [Anther + -oid.]
Resembling an anther.
Antherozoid \An`ther*o*zoid\, Antherozooid \An`ther*o*zoo"id\,
n. [Gr. ? flowery + ? animal + -oid. See {Zooid}.] (Bot.)
One of the mobile male reproductive bodies in the antheridia
of cryptogams.
Anthesis \An*the"sis\, n. [Gr. ? bloom, fr. 'anqei^n to bloom,
'a`nqos flower.] (Bot.)
The period or state of full expansion in a flower. --Gray.
Ant-hill \Ant"-hill\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A mound thrown up by ants or by termites in forming their
nests.
Anthobian \An*tho"bi*an\, n. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + bi`os life.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A beetle which feeds on flowers.
Anthobranchia \An`tho*bran"chi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`nqos
flower + ? gills, n. pl.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of nudibranchiate Mollusca, in which the gills
form a wreath or cluster upon the posterior part of the back.
See {Nudibranchiata}, and {Doris}.
Anthocarpous \An`tho*car"pous\, a. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + ?
fruit.] (Bot.)
Having some portion of the floral envelopes attached to the
pericarp to form the fruit, as in the checkerberry, the
mulberry, and the pineapple.
Anthocyanin \An`tho*cy"a*nin\, n.
Same as {Anthokyan}.
Anthodium \An*tho"di*um\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? like flowers,
flowery; 'a`nqos flower + ? form.] (Bot.)
The inflorescence of a compound flower in which many florets
are gathered into a involucrate head.
Anthography \An*thog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + -graphy.]
A description of flowers.
Anthoid \An"thoid\, a. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + -oid.]
Resembling a flower; flowerlike.
Anthokyan \An`tho*ky"an\, n. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + ky`anos
blue.] (Chem.)
The blue coloring matter of certain flowers. Same as
{Cyanin}.
Antholite \An"tho*lite\, n. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + -lite.]
(Paleon.)
A fossil plant, like a petrified flower.
Anthological \An`tho*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to anthology; consisting of beautiful extracts
from different authors, especially the poets.
He published a geographical and anthological
description of all empires and kingdoms . . . in this
terrestrial globe. --Wood.
Anthologist \An*thol"o*gist\, n.
One who compiles an anthology.
Anthology \An*thol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. 'anqolo`gos flower
gathering; 'a`nqos flower + le`gein to gather.]
1. A discourse on flowers. [R.]
2. A collection of flowers; a garland. [R.]
3. A collection of flowers of literature, that is, beautiful
passages from authors; a collection of poems or epigrams;
-- particularly applied to a collection of ancient Greek
epigrams.
4. (Gr. Ch.) A service book containing a selection of pieces
for the festival services.
Anthomania \An`tho*ma"ni*a\, n. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + mani`a
madness.]
A extravagant fondness for flowers. [R.]
Anthony's Fire \An"tho*ny's Fire`\
See Saint Anthony's Fire, under {Saint}.
Anthophagous \An*thoph"a*gous\, a. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + fagei^n
to eat.] (Zo["o]l.)
Eating flowers; -- said of certain insects.
Anthophore \An"tho*phore\, n. [Gr. ? bearing flowers; 'a`nqos
flower + ? bearing, ? to bear.] (Bot.)
The stipe when developed into an internode between calyx and
corolla, as in the Pink family. --Gray.
Anthophorous \An*thoph"o*rous\, a.
Flower bearing; supporting the flower.
Anthophyllite \An*thoph"yl*lite\, n. [NL. anthophyllum clove.]
A mineral of the hornblende group, of a yellowish gray or
clove brown color. -- {An`tho*phyl*lit"ic}, a.
Anthorism \An"tho*rism\, n. [Gr. ?; ? + ? to bound, define.]
(Rhet.)
A description or definition contrary to that which is given
by the adverse party. [R.]
Anthotaxy \An"tho*tax`y\, n. [Gr. 'a`nqos flower + ? order.]
(Bot.)
The arrangement of flowers in a cluster; the science of the
relative position of flowers; inflorescence.
Anthozoa \An`tho*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`nqos flower + ?
animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
The class of the C[oe]lenterata which includes the corals and
sea anemones. The three principal groups or orders are
{Acyonaria}, {Actinaria}, and {Madreporaria}.
Anthozoan \An`tho*zo"an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the Anthozoa. -- n. One of the Anthozoa.
Anthozoic \An"tho*zo"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Anthozoa.
Anthracene \An"thra*cene\, n. [Gr. ? coal.] (Chem.)
A solid hydrocarbon, {C6H4.C2H2.C6H4}, which accompanies
naphthalene in the last stages of the distillation of coal
tar. Its chief use is in the artificial production of
alizarin. [Written also {anthracin}.]
Anthracic \An*thrac"ic\, a.
Of or relating to anthrax; as, anthracic blood.
Anthraciferous \An`thra*cif"er*ous\, a. [Gr. ? coal + -ferous.]
(Min.)
Yielding anthracite; as, anthraciferous strata.
Anthracite \An"thra*cite\, n. [L. anthracites a kind of
bloodstone; fr. Gr. ? like coals, fr. ?, ?, coal or charcoal.
Cf. {Anthrax}.]
A hard, compact variety of mineral coal, of high luster,
differing from bituminous coal in containing little or no
bitumen, in consequence of which it burns with a nearly non
luminous flame. The purer specimens consist almost wholly of
carbon. Also called glance coal and blind coal.
Anthracitic \An"thra*cit"ic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, anthracite; as, anthracitic
formations.
Anthracoid \An"thra*coid\, a. [Anthrax + -oid.] (Biol.)
Resembling anthrax in action; of the nature of anthrax; as,
an anthracoid microbe.
Anthracomancy \An"thra*co*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, coal + -mancy.]
Divination by inspecting a burning coal.
Anthracometer \An`thra*com"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? coal, carbon +
-meter.]
An instrument for measuring the amount of carbonic acid in a
mixture.
Anthracometric \An`thra*co*met"ric\, a.
Of or pertaining to an anthracometer.
Anthraconite \An*thrac"o*nite\, n. [See {Anthracite}.] (Min.)
A coal-black marble, usually emitting a fetid smell when
rubbed; -- called also {stinkstone} and {swinestone}.
Anthraquinone \An`thra*qui"none\, n. [Anthracene + quinone.]
(Chem.)
A hydrocarbon, {C6H4.C2O2.C6H4}, subliming in shining yellow
needles. It is obtained by oxidation of anthracene.
Anthrax \An"thrax\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? coal, carbuncle.]
1. (Med.)
(a) A carbuncle.
(b) A malignant pustule.
2. (Biol.) A microscopic, bacterial organism ({Bacillus
anthracis}), resembling transparent rods. [See Illust.
under {Bacillus}.]
3. An infectious disease of cattle and sheep. It is ascribed
to the presence of a rod-shaped bacterium ({Bacillus
anthracis}), the spores of which constitute the contagious
matter. It may be transmitted to man by inoculation. The
spleen becomes greatly enlarged and filled with bacteria.
Called also {splenic fever}.
Anthrenus \An*thre"nus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a hornet.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small beetles, several of which, in the larval
state, are very destructive to woolen goods, fur, etc. The
common ``museum pest'' is {A. varius}; the carpet beetle is
{A. scrophulari[ae]}. The larv[ae] are commonly confounded
with moths.
Anthropic \An*throp"ic\, Anthropical \An*throp"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
?, fr. ? man.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or related to man; human. [R.] --Owen.
Anthropidae \An*throp"i*d[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? man.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The group that includes man only.
Anthropocentric \An`thro*po*cen"tric\, a. [Gr. ? man + ?
center.]
Assuming man as the center or ultimate end; -- applied to
theories of the universe or of any part of it, as the solar
system. --Draper.
Anthropogenic \An`thro*po*gen"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to anthropogeny.
Anthropogeny \An`thro*pog"e*ny\, n. [Gr. ? man + ? birth.]
The science or study of human generation, or the origin and
development of man.
Anthropoglot \An*throp"o*glot\, n. [Gr. ?; ? man + ?, ?,
tongue.] (Zo["o]l.)
An animal which has a tongue resembling that of man, as the
parrot.
Anthropography \An`thro*pog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? man + -graphy.]
That branch of anthropology which treats of the actual
distribution of the human race in its different divisions, as
distinguished by physical character, language, institutions,
and customs, in contradistinction to ethnography, which
treats historically of the origin and filiation of races and
nations. --P. Cyc.
Anthropoid \An"thro*poid\, a. [Gr. ? man + -oid.]
Resembling man; -- applied especially to certain apes, as the
ourang or gorilla. -- n. An anthropoid ape.
Anthropoidal \An`thro*poid"al\, a.
Anthropoid.
Anthropoidea \An`thro*poid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Anthropoid}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The suborder of primates which includes the monkeys, apes,
and man.
Anthropolatry \An`thro*pol"a*try\, n. [Gr. ? man + ? worship.]
Man worship.
Anthropolite \An*throp"o*lite\, n. [Gr. ? man + -lite.]
(Paleon.)
A petrifaction of the human body, or of any portion of it.
Anthropologic \An`thro*po*log"ic\, Anthropological
\An`thro*po*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to anthropology; belonging to the nature of man.
``Anthropologic wisdom.'' --Kingsley. --
{An`thro*po*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Anthropologist \An`thro*pol"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in anthropology.
Anthropology \An`thro*pol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? man + -logy.]
1. The science of the structure and functions of the human
body.
2. The science of man; -- sometimes used in a limited sense
to mean the study of man as an object of natural history,
or as an animal.
3. That manner of expression by which the inspired writers
attribute human parts and passions to God.
Anthropomancy \An"thro*po*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? man + -mancy.]
Divination by the entrails of human being.
Anthropometric \An`thro*po*met"ric\, Anthropometrical
\An`thro*po*met"ric*al\, a.
Pertaining to anthropometry.
Anthropometry \An`thro*pom"e*try\, n. [Gr. ? man + -mercy.]
Measurement of the height and other dimensions of human
beings, especially at different ages, or in different races,
occupations, etc. --Dunglison.
Anthropomorpha \An`thro*po*mor"pha\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Anthropomorphism}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The manlike, or anthropoid, apes.
Anthropomorphic \An`thro*po*mor"phic\, a.
Of or pertaining to anthropomorphism. --Hadley. --
{An`thro*po*mor"phic*al*ly}, adv.
Anthropomorphism \An`thro*po*mor"phism\, n. [Gr. ? of human
form; ? man + ? form.]
1. The representation of the Deity, or of a polytheistic
deity, under a human form, or with human attributes and
affections.
2. The ascription of human characteristics to things not
human.
Anthropomorphist \An`thro*po*mor"phist\, n.
One who attributes the human form or other human attributes
to the Deity or to anything not human.
Anthropomorphite \An`thro*po*mor"phite\, n.
One who ascribes a human form or human attributes to the
Deity or to a polytheistic deity. Taylor. Specifically, one
of a sect of ancient heretics who believed that God has a
human form, etc. Tillotson.
Anthropomorphitic \An`thro*po*mor*phit"ic\, a. (Biol.)
to anthropomorphism. --Kitto.
Anthropomorphitism \An`thro*po*mor"phi*tism\, n.
Anthropomorphism. --Wordsworth.
Anthropomorphize \An`thro*po*mor"phize\, v. t. & i.
To attribute a human form or personality to.
You may see imaginative children every day
anthropomorphizing. --Lowell.
Anthropomorphology \An`thro*po*mor*phol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? +
-logy. See {Anthropomorphism}.]
The application to God of terms descriptive of human beings.
Anthropomorphosis \An`thro*po*mor"pho*sis\, n.
Transformation into the form of a human being.
Anthropomorphous \An`thro*po*mor"phous\, a.
Having the figure of, or resemblance to, a man; as, an
anthropomorphous plant. ``Anthropomorphous apes.'' --Darwin.
Anthropopathic \An`thro*po*path"ic\, Anthropopathical
\An`thro*po*path"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to anthropopathy. [R.] --
{An`thro*po*path"ic*al*ly}, adv.
The daring anthropopathic imagery by which the prophets
often represent God as chiding, upbraiding,
threatening. --H. Rogers.
Anthropopathism \An`thro*pop"a*thism\, Anthropopathy
\An`thro*pop"a*thy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? man + ? suffering, affection,
passion, ?, ?, to suffer.]
The ascription of human feelings or passions to God, or to a
polytheistic deity.
In its recoil from the gross anthropopathy of the
vulgar notions, it falls into the vacuum of absolute
apathy. --Hare.
Anthropophagi \An`thro*poph"a*gi\, n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. ? eating
men; ? man + + ? to eat.]
Man eaters; cannibals. --Shak.
Anthropophagic \An`thro*po*phag"ic\, Anthropophagical
\An`thro*po*phag"ic*al\, a.
Relating to cannibalism or anthropophagy.
Anthropophaginian \An`thro*poph`a*gin"i*an\, n.
One who east human flesh. [Ludicrous] --Shak.
Anthropophagite \An`thro*poph"a*gite\, n.
A cannibal. --W. Taylor.
Anthropophagous \An`thro*poph"a*gous\, a.
Feeding on human flesh; cannibal.
Anthropophagy \An`thro*poph"a*gy\, n. [Gr. ?.]
The eating of human flesh; cannibalism.
Anthropophuism \An`thro*poph"u*ism\
([a^]n`thr[-o]*p[o^]f"[-u]*[i^]z'm), n. [Gr. 'anqrwpofyh`s of
man's nature; 'a`nqrwpos a man + fyh` nature.]
Human nature. [R.] --Gladstone.
Anthroposcopy \An`thro*pos"co*py\ (-p[o^]s"k[-o]*p[y^]), n. [Gr.
'a`nqrwpos man + -scopy.]
The art of discovering or judging of a man's character,
passions. and inclinations from a study of his visible
features. [R.]
Anthroposophy \An`thro*pos"o*phy\, n. [Gr. ? man + ? wisdom,
knowledge.]
Knowledge of the nature of man; hence, human wisdom.
Anthropotomical \An`thro*po*tom"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to anthropotomy, or the dissection of human
bodies.
Anthropotomist \An`thro*pot"o*mist\, n.
One who is versed in anthropotomy, or human anatomy.
Anthropotomy \An`thro*pot"o*my\, n. [Gr. ? man + ? a cutting.]
The anatomy or dissection of the human body; androtomy.
--Owen.
Anthypnotic \Ant`hyp*not"ic\
See {Antihypnotic}.
Anthypochondriac \Ant`hyp*o*chon"dri*ac\, a. & n.
See {Antihypochondriac}.
Anthysteric \Ant`hys*ter"ic\, a. & n.
See {Antihysteric}.
Anti \An"ti\ [Gr. ? against. See {Ante}.]
A prefix meaning against, opposite or opposed to, contrary,
or in place of; -- used in composition in many English words.
It is often shortened to ant-; as, antacid, antarctic.
Antiae \An"ti*[ae]\, n. pl. [L., forelock.] (Zo["o]l.)
The two projecting feathered angles of the forehead of some
birds; the frontal points.
Antialbumid \An`ti*al*bu"mid\, n. [Pref. anti- + -albumin.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A body formed from albumin by pancreatic and gastric
digestion. It is convertible into antipeptone.
Antialbumose \An`ti*al"bu*mose`\, n. (Physiol.)
See {Albumose}.
Anti-American \An`ti-A*mer"i*can\, a.
Opposed to the Americans, their aims, or interests, or to the
genius of American institutions. --Marshall.
Antiaphrodisiac \An`ti*aph`ro*dis"i*ac\, a. & n.
Same as {Antaphrodisiac}.
Antiapoplectic \An`ti*ap`o*plec"tic\, a. & n. (Med.)
Same as {Antapoplectic}.
Antiar \An"ti*ar\, n. [Jav. antjar.]
A Virulent poison prepared in Java from the gum resin of one
species of the upas tree ({Antiaris toxicaria}).
Antiarin \An`ti*a*rin\, n. (Chem.)
A poisonous principle obtained from antiar. --Watts.
Antiasthmatic \An`ti*asth*mat"ic\, a. & n.
Same as {Antasthmatic}.
Antiattrition \An`ti*at*tri"tion\, n.
Anything to prevent the effects of friction, esp. a compound
lubricant for machinery, etc., often consisting of plumbago,
with some greasy material; antifriction grease.
Antibacchius \An`ti*bac*chi"us\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? + ?. See
{Bacchius}.] (Pros.)
A foot of three syllables, the first two long, and the last
short (#).
Antibillous \An`ti*bil"lous\, a.
Counteractive of bilious complaints; tending to relieve
biliousness.
Antibrachial \An`ti*brach"i*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the antibrachium, or forearm.
Antibrachium \An`ti*brach"i*um\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
That part of the fore limb between the brachium and the
carpus; the forearm.
Antibromic \An`ti*bro"mic\, n. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? a stink.]
An agent that destroys offensive smells; a deodorizer.
Antiburgher \An`ti*burgh"er\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One who seceded from the Burghers (1747), deeming it improper
to take the Burgess oath.
Antic \An"tic\, a. [The same word as antique; cf. It. antico
ancient. See {Antique}.]
1. Old; antique. (Zo["o]l.) ``Lords of antic fame.'' --Phaer.
2. Odd; fantastic; fanciful; grotesque; ludicrous.
The antic postures of a merry-andrew. --Addison.
The Saxons . . . worshiped many idols, barbarous in
name, some monstrous, all antic for shape. --Fuller.
Antic \An"tic\, n.
1. A buffoon or merry-andrew; one that practices odd
gesticulations; the Fool of the old play.
2. An odd imagery, device, or tracery; a fantastic figure.
Woven with antics and wild imagery. --Spenser.
3. A grotesque trick; a piece of buffoonery; a caper.
And fraught with antics as the Indian bird That
writhes and chatters in her wiry cage. --Wordsworth.
4. (Arch.) A grotesque representation. [Obs.]
5. An antimask. [Obs. or R.]
Performed by knights and ladies of his court In
nature of an antic. --Ford.
Antic \An"tic\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Anticked}, {Antickt}.]
To make appear like a buffoon. [Obs.] --Shak.
Antic \An"tic\, v. i.
To perform antics.
Anticatarrhal \An`ti*ca*tarrh`al\, a. (Med.)
Efficacious against catarrh. -- n. An anticatarrhal remedy.
Anticathode \An`ti*cath"ode\, n. (Phys.)
The part of a vacuum tube opposite the cathode. Upon it the
cathode rays impinge.
Anticausodic \An`ti*cau*sod"ic\, a. & n. (Med.)
Same as {Anticausotic}.
Anticausotic \An`ti*cau*sot"ic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? fever,
? to burn.] (Med.)
Good against an inflammatory fever. -- n. A remedy for such a
fever.
Antichamber \An"ti*cham`ber\, n. [Obs.]
See {Antechamber}.
Antichlor \An"ti*chlor\, n. [Pref. anti- + chlorine.] (Chem.)
Any substance (but especially sodium hyposulphite) used in
removing the excess of chlorine left in paper pulp or stuffs
after bleaching.
Antichrist \An"ti*christ\, n. [L. Antichristus, Gr. ?; ? against
+ ?.]
A denier or opponent of Christ. Specif.: A great antagonist,
person or power, expected to precede Christ's second coming.
Antichristian \An`ti*chris"tian\ (?; 106), a.
Opposed to the Christian religion.
Antichristianism \An`ti*chris"tian*ism\, Antichristianity
\An`ti*chris*tian"i*ty\, n.
Opposition or contrariety to the Christian religion.
Antichristianly \An`ti*chris"tian*ly\, adv.
In an antichristian manner.
Antichronical \An`ti*chron"ic*al\, a.
Deviating from the proper order of time. --
{An`ti*chron"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Antichronism \An*tich"ro*nism\, n. [Gr. ?; ? against + ? time.]
Deviation from the true order of time; anachronism. [R.]
--Selden.
Antichthon \An*tich"thon\, n.; pl. {Antichthones}. [Gr. ?; ?
against + ? the earth.]
1. A hypothetical earth counter to ours, or on the opposite
side of the sun. --Grote.
2. pl. Inhabitants of opposite hemispheres. --Whewell.
Anticipant \An*tic"i*pant\, a. [L. anticipans, p. pr. of
anticipare.]
Anticipating; expectant; -- with of.
Wakening guilt, anticipant of hell. --Southey.
Anticipate \An*tic"i*pate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Anticipated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Anticipating}.] [L. anticipatus, p. p. of
anticipare to anticipate; ante + capere to make. See
{Capable}.]
1. To be before in doing; to do or take before another; to
preclude or prevent by prior action.
To anticipate and prevent the duke's purpose. --R.
Hall.
He would probably have died by the hand of the
executioner, if indeed the executioner had not been
anticipated by the populace. --Macaulay.
2. To take up or introduce beforehand, or before the proper
or normal time; to cause to occur earlier or prematurely;
as, the advocate has anticipated a part of his argument.
3. To foresee (a wish, command, etc.) and do beforehand that
which will be desired.
4. To foretaste or foresee; to have a previous view or
impression of; as, to anticipate the pleasures of a visit;
to anticipate the evils of life.
Syn: To prevent; obviate; preclude; forestall; expect.
Usage: To {Anticipate}, {Expect}. These words, as here
compared, agree in regarding some future event as
about to take place. Expect is the stringer. It
supposes some ground or reason in the mind for
considering the event as likely to happen. Anticipate
is, literally, to take beforehand, and here denotes
simply to take into the mind as conception of the
future. Hence, to say, ``I did not anticipate a
refusal,'' expresses something less definite and
strong than to say, `` did not expect it.'' Still,
anticipate is a convenient word to be interchanged
with expect in cases where the thought will allow.
Good with bad Expect to hear; supernal grace
contending With sinfulness of men. --Milton.
I would not anticipate the relish of any
happiness, nor feel the weight of any misery,
before it actually arrives. --Spectator.
Timid men were anticipating another civil war.
--Macaulay.
Anticipation \An*tic`i*pa"tion\, n. [L. anticipatio: cf. F.
anticipation.]
1. The act of anticipating, taking up, placing, or
considering something beforehand, or before the proper
time in natural order.
So shall my anticipation prevent your discovery.
--Shak.
2. Previous view or impression of what is to happen;
instinctive prevision; foretaste; antepast; as, the
anticipation of the joys of heaven.
The happy anticipation of renewed existence in
company with the spirits of the just. --Thodey.
3. Hasty notion; intuitive preconception.
Many men give themselves up to the first
anticipations of their minds. --Locke.
4. (Mus.) The commencing of one or more tones of a chord with
or during the chord preceding, forming a momentary
discord.
Syn: Preoccupation; preclusion; foretaste; prelibation;
antepast; pregustation; preconception; expectation;
foresight; forethought.
Anticipative \An*tic"i*pa*tive\, a.
Anticipating, or containing anticipation. ``Anticipative of
the feast to come.'' --Cary. -- {An*tic"i*pa*tive*ly}, adv.
Anticipator \An*tic"i*pa`tor\, n.
One who anticipates.
Anticipatory \An*tic"i*pa*to*ry\, a.
Forecasting; of the nature of anticipation. --Owen.
Here is an anticipatory glance of what was to be. --J.
C. Shairp.
Anticivic \An`ti*civ"ic\, n.
Opposed to citizenship.
Anticivism \An`ti*civ"ism\, n.
Opposition to the body politic of citizens. [Obs.] --Carlyle.
Anticlastic \An`ti*clas"tic\, a. [Pref. anti- = Gr. ? to break.]
Having to opposite curvatures, that is, curved longitudinally
in one direction and transversely in the opposite direction,
as the surface of a saddle.
Anticlimax \An`ti*cli"max\, n. (Rhet.)
A sentence in which the ideas fall, or become less important
and striking, at the close; -- the opposite of climax. It
produces a ridiculous effect.
Note: Example:
Next comes Dalhousie, the great god of war,
Lieutenant-colonel to the Earl of Mar.
Anticlinal \An`ti*cli"nal\ (-kl[imac]"nal), a. [Pref. anti- +
Gr. kli`nein to incline.]
Inclining or dipping in opposite directions. See {Synclinal}.
{Anticlinal line}, {Anticlinal axis} (Geol.), a line from
which strata dip in opposite directions, as from the ridge
of a roof.
{Anticlinal vertebra} (Anat.), one of the dorsal vertebr[ae],
which in many animals has an upright spine toward which
the spines of the neighboring vertebr[ae] are inclined.
Anticlinal \An`ti*cli"nal\, n. (Geol.)
The crest or line in which strata slope or dip in opposite
directions.
Anticlinorium \An`ti*cli*no"ri*um\, n.; pl. {Anticlinoria}.
[NL., fr. Gr. ? against + kli`nein to incline + 'o`ros
mountain.] (Geol.)
The upward elevation of the crust of the earth, resulting
from a geanticlinal.
Anticly \An"tic*ly\, adv.
Oddly; grotesquely.
Antic-mask \An"tic-mask`\, n.
An antimask. --B. Jonson.
Anticness \An"tic*ness\, n.
The quality of being antic. --Ford.
Anticonstitutional \An`ti*con`sti*tu"tion*al\, a.
Opposed to the constitution; unconstitutional.
Anticontagious \An`ti*con*ta"gious\, a. (Med.)
Opposing or destroying contagion.
Anticonvulsive \An`ti*con*vul"sive\, a. (Med.)
Good against convulsions. --J. Floyer.
Anticor \An"ti*cor\, n. [Pref. anti- + L. cor heart; cf. F.
antic?ur.] (Far.)
A dangerous inflammatory swelling of a horse's breast, just
opposite the heart.
Anticous \An*ti"cous\, a. [L. anticus in front, foremost, fr.
ante before.] (Bot.)
Facing toward the axis of the flower, as in the introrse
anthers of the water lily.
Anticyclone \An"ti*cy`clone\, n. (Meteorol.)
A movement of the atmosphere opposite in character, as
regards direction of the wind and distribution of barometric
pressure, to that of a cyclone. -- {An`ti*cy*clon"ic}, a. --
{An`ti*cy*clon"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Antidotal \An"ti*do`tal\(#) a.
Having the quality an antidote; fitted to counteract the
effects of poison. --Sir T. Browne. -- {An"ti*do`tal*ly},
adv.
Antidotary \An"ti*do`ta*ry\, a.
Antidotal. -- n. Antidote; also, a book of antidotes.
Antidote \An"ti*dote\, n. [L. antidotum, Gr. ? (sc. ?), fr. ?
given against; ? against + ? to give: cf. F. antidote. See
{Dose}, n.]
1. A remedy to counteract the effects of poison, or of
anything noxious taken into the stomach; -- used with
against, for, or to; as, an antidote against, for, or to,
poison.
2. Whatever tends to prevent mischievous effects, or to
counteract evil which something else might produce.
Antidote \An"ti*dote\, v. t.
1. To counteract or prevent the effects of, by giving or
taking an antidote.
Nor could Alexander himself . . . antidote . . . the
poisonous draught, when it had once got into his
veins. --South.
2. To fortify or preserve by an antidote.
Antidotical \An`ti*dot"ic*al\, a.
Serving as an antidote. -- {An`ti*dot"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Antidromous \An*tid"ro*mous\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? a
running.] (Bot.)
Changing the direction in the spiral sequence of leaves on a
stem.
Antidysenteric \An`ti*dys`en*ter"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against dysentery. -- n. A medicine for dysentery.
Antiemetic \An`ti*e*met"ic\, a. ? n. (Med.)
Same as {Antemetic}.
Antiephialtic \An`ti*eph`i*al"tic\, a. & n. (Med.)
Same as {Antephialtic}.
Antiepileptic \An`ti*ep`i*lep"tic\, a. & n. (Med.)
Same as {Antepileptic}.
Antifebrile \An`ti*fe"brile\, a. & n. (Med.)
Febrifuge.
Antifebrine \An`ti*feb"rine\, n. (Med.)
Acetanilide.
Anti-federalist \An`ti-fed"er*al*ist\, n.
One of party opposed to a federative government; -- applied
particularly to the party which opposed the adoption of the
constitution of the United States. --Pickering.
Antifriction \An`ti*fric"tion\, n.
Something to lessen friction; antiattrition. -- a. Tending to
lessen friction.
Antigalastic \An`ti*ga*las"tic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ?, ?,
milk.]
Causing a diminution or a suppression of the secretion of
milk.
Anti-Gallican \An`ti-Gal"li*can\, a.
Opposed to what is Gallic or French.
Antigraph \An"ti*graph\, n. [Gr. ? a transcribing: cf. F.
antigraphe.]
A copy or transcript.
Antiguggler \An`ti*gug"gler\n. [Pref. anti- + guggle or gurgle.]
A crooked tube of metal, to be introduced into the neck of a
bottle for drawing out the liquid without disturbing the
sediment or causing a gurgling noise.
Antihelix \An`ti*he"lix\, n. (Anat.)
The curved elevation of the cartilage of the ear, within or
in front of the helix. See {Ear}.
Antihemorrhagic \An`ti*hem`or*rhag"ic\, a. (Med.)
Tending to stop hemorrhage. -- n. A remedy for hemorrhage.
Antihydrophobic \An`ti*hy`dro*phob"ic\, a. (Med.)
Counteracting or preventing hydrophobia. -- n. A remedy for
hydrophobia.
Antihydropic \An`ti*hy*drop"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against dropsy. -- n. A remedy for dropsy.
Antihypnotic \An`ti*hyp*not"ic\, a. (Med.)
Tending to prevent sleep. -- n. An antihypnotic agent.
Antihypochondriac \An`ti*hyp`o*chon"dri*ac\, a. (Med.)
Counteractive of hypochondria. -- n. A remedy for
hypochondria.
Antihysteric \An`ti*hys*ter"ic\, a. (Med.)
Counteracting hysteria. -- n. A remedy for hysteria.
Antiicteric \An`ti*ic*ter"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against jaundice. -- n. A remedy for jaundice.
Antilegomena \An`ti*le*gom"e*na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? against
+ ? to speak; part. pass. ?.] (Eccl.)
Certain books of the New Testament which were for a time not
universally received, but which are now considered canonical.
These are the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Epistles of James
and Jude, the second Epistle of Peter, the second and third
Epistles of John, and the Revelation. The undisputed books
are called the Homologoumena.
Antilibration \An`ti*li*bra"tion\, n.
A balancing; equipoise. [R.] --De Quincey.
Antilithic \An`ti*lith"ic\, a. (Med.)
Tending to prevent the formation of urinary calculi, or to
destroy them when formed. -- n. An antilithic medicine.
Antilogarithm \An`ti*log"a*rithm\, n. (Math.)
The number corresponding to a logarithm. The word has been
sometimes, though rarely, used to denote the complement of a
given logarithm; also the logarithmic cosine corresponding to
a given logarithmic sine. -- {An`ti*log`a*rith"mic}, a.
Antilogous \An*til"o*gous\, a.
Of the contrary name or character; -- opposed to {analogous}.
{Antilogous pole} (Eccl.), that pole of a crystal which
becomes negatively electrified when heated.
Antilogy \An*til"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Antilogies}. [Gr. ?, fr. ?
contradictory; ? against + ? to speak.]
A contradiction between any words or passages in an author.
--Sir W. Hamilton.
Antiloimic \An`ti*loi"mic\ ([a^]n`t[i^]*loi"m[i^]k), n. (Med.)
A remedy against the plague. --Brande & C.
Antilopine \An*til"o*pine\, a.
Of or relating to the antelope.
Antiloquist \An*til"o*quist\, n.
A contradicter. [Obs.]
Antiloquy \An*til"o*quy\, n. [Pref. anti- + L. loqui to speak.]
Contradiction. [Obs.]
Antilyssic \An`ti*lys"sic\, a. & n. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? rage,
madness.] (Med.)
Antihydrophobic.
Antimacassar \An`ti*ma*cas"sar\, n.
A cover for the back or arms of a chair or sofa, etc., to
prevent them from being soiled by macassar or other oil from
the hair.
Antimagistrical \An`ti*ma*gis"tric*al\, a. [Pref. anti- +
magistrical for magistratical.]
Opposed to the office or authority of magistrates. [Obs.]
--South.
Antimalarial \An`ti*ma*la"ri*al\, a.
Good against malaria.
Antimask \An"ti*mask`\, n.
A secondary mask, or grotesque interlude, between the parts
of a serious mask. [Written also {antimasque}.] --Bacon.
Antimason \An`ti*ma"son\, n.
One opposed to Freemasonry. -- {An`ti*ma*son"ic}, a.
Antimasonry \An`ti*ma"son*ry\, n.
Opposition to Freemasonry.
Antimephitic \An`ti*me*phit"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against mephitic or deleterious gases. -- n. A remedy
against mephitic gases. --Dunglison.
Antimere \An"ti*mere\, n. [. anti- + -mere.] (Biol.)
One of the two halves of bilaterally symmetrical animals; one
of any opposite symmetrical or homotypic parts in animals and
plants.
Antimetabole \An`ti*me*tab"o*le\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Rhet.)
A figure in which the same words or ideas are repeated in
transposed order.
Antimetathesis \An`ti*me*tath"e*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.]
(Rhet.)
An antithesis in which the members are repeated in inverse
order.
Antimeter \An*tim"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? like + ? measure.]
A modification of the quadrant, for measuring small angles.
[Obs.]
Antimonarchic \An`ti*mo*nar"chic\, Antimonarchical
\An`ti*mo*nar"chic*al\,
Opposed to monarchial government. --Bp. Benson. Addison.
Antimonarchist \An`ti*mon"arch*ist\, n.
An enemy to monarchial government.
Antimonate \An`ti*mo"nate\, n. (Chem.)
A compound of antimonic acid with a base or basic radical.
[Written also {antimoniate}.]
Antimonial \An`ti*mo"ni*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to antimony. -- n. (Med.) A preparation or
medicine containing antimony.
{Antimonial powder}, a consisting of one part oxide of
antimony and two parts phosphate of calcium; -- also
called {James's powder}.
Antimoniated \An`ti*mo"ni*a`ted\, a.
Combined or prepared with antimony; as, antimoniated tartar.
Antimonic \An`ti*mon"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, antimony; -- said of those
compounds of antimony in which this element has its highest
equivalence; as, antimonic acid.
Antimonious \An`ti*mo"ni*ous\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, antimony; -- said of those
compounds of antimony in which this element has an
equivalence next lower than the highest; as, antimonious
acid.
Antimonite \An"ti*mo*nite`\, n.
1. (Chem.) A compound of antimonious acid and a base or basic
radical.
2. (Min.) Stibnite.
Antimoniureted \An`ti*mo"ni*u*ret`ed\, a. (Chem.)
Combined with or containing antimony; as, antimoniureted
hydrogen. [Written also {antimoniuretted}.]
Antimony \An"ti*mo*ny\ (?; 112), n. [LL. antimonium, of unknown
origin.] (Chem.)
An elementary substance, resembling a metal in its appearance
and physical properties, but in its chemical relations
belonging to the class of nonmetallic substances. Atomic
weight, 120. Symbol, Sb.
Note: It is of tin-white color, brittle, laminated or
crystalline, fusible, and vaporizable at a rather low
temperature. It is used in some metallic alloys, as
type metal and bell metal, and also for medical
preparations, which are in general emetics or
cathartics. By ancient writers, and some moderns, the
term is applied to native gray ore of antimony, or
stibnite (the stibium of the Romans, and the sti`mmi of
the Greeks, a sulphide of antimony, from which most of
the antimony of commerce is obtained. Cervantite,
senarmontite, and valentinite are native oxides of
antimony.
Antinational \An`ti*na"tion*al\, a.
Antagonistic to one's country or nation, or to a national
government.
Antinephritic \An`ti*ne*phrit"ic\, a. (Med.)
Counteracting, or deemed of use in, diseases of the kidneys.
-- n. An antinephritic remedy.
Antinomian \An`ti*no"mi*an\, a. [See {Antimony}.]
Of or pertaining to the Antinomians; opposed to the doctrine
that the moral law is obligatory.
Antinomian \An`ti*no"mi*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One who maintains that, under the gospel dispensation, the
moral law is of no use or obligation, but that faith alone is
necessary to salvation. The sect of Antinomians originated
with John Agricola, in Germany, about the year 1535.
--Mosheim.
Antinomianism \An`ti*no"mi*an*ism\, n.
The tenets or practice of Antinomians. --South.
Antinomist \An*tin"o*mist\, n.
An Antinomian. [R.] --Bp. Sanderson.
Antinomy \An*tin"o*my\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Antinomies}. [L.
antinomia, Gr. ?; ? against + ? law.]
1. Opposition of one law or rule to another law or rule.
Different commentators have deduced from it the very
opposite doctrines. In some instances this apparent
antinomy is doubtful. --De Quincey.
2. An opposing law or rule of any kind.
As it were by his own antinomy, or counterstatute.
--Milton.
3. (Metaph.) A contradiction or incompatibility of thought or
language; -- in the Kantian philosophy, such a
contradiction as arises from the attempt to apply to the
ideas of the reason, relations or attributes which are
appropriate only to the facts or the concepts of
experience.
Antiochian \An`ti*o"chi*an\, a.
1. Pertaining to Antiochus, a contemporary with Cicero, and
the founder of a sect of philosophers.
2. Of or pertaining to the city of Antioch, in Syria.
{Antiochian epoch} (Chron.), a method of computing time, from
the proclamation of liberty granted to the city of
Antioch, about the time of the battle of Pharsalia, B.C.
48.
Antiodontalgic \An`ti*o`don*tal"gic\, a. (Med.)
Efficacious in curing toothache. -- n. A remedy for
toothache.
Antiorgastic \An`ti*or*gas"tic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? to
swell, as with lust.] (Med.)
Tending to allay venereal excitement or desire; sedative.
Antipapal \An`ti*pa"pal\, a.
Opposed to the pope or to popery. --Milton.
Antiparallel \An`ti*par"al*lel\, a.
Running in a contrary direction. --Hammond.
Antiparallels \An`ti*par"al*lels\, n. pl. (Geom.)
Straight lines or planes which make angles in some respect
opposite in character to those made by parallel lines or
planes.
Antiparalytic \An`ti*par`a*lyt"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against paralysis. -- n. A medicine for paralysis.
Antiparalytical \An`ti*par`a*lyt"ic*al\, a.
Antiparalytic.
Antipathetic \An`ti*pa*thet"ic\, Antipathetical
\An`ti*pa*thet"ic*al\, a.
Having a natural contrariety, or constitutional aversion, to
a thing; characterized by antipathy; -- often followed by to.
--Fuller.
Antipathic \An`ti*path"ic\, a. [NL. antipathicus, Gr. ? of
opposite feelings.] (Med.)
Belonging to antipathy; opposite; contrary; allopathic.
Antipathist \An*tip"a*thist\, n.
One who has an antipathy. [R.] ``Antipathist of light.''
--Coleridge.
Antipathize \An*tip"a*thize\, v. i.
To feel or show antipathy. [R.]
Antipathous \An*tip"a*thous\, a.
Having a natural contrariety; adverse; antipathetic. [Obs.]
--Beau. & Fl.
Antipathy \An*tip"a*thy\, n.; pl. {Antipathies}. [L. antipathia,
Gr. ?; ? against + ? to suffer. Cf. F. antipathie. See
{Pathos}.]
1. Contrariety or opposition in feeling; settled aversion or
dislike; repugnance; distaste.
Inveterate antipathies against particular nations,
and passionate attachments to others, are to be
avoided. --Washington.
2. Natural contrariety; incompatibility; repugnancy of
qualities; as, oil and water have antipathy.
A habit is generated of thinking that a natural
antipathy exists between hope and reason. --I.
Taylor.
Note: Antipathy is opposed to {sympathy}. It is followed by
to, against, or between; also sometimes by for.
Syn: Hatred; aversion; dislike; disgust; distaste; enmity;
ill will; repugnance; contrariety; opposition. See
{Dislike}.
Antipeptone \An`ti*pep"tone\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
A product of gastric and pancreatic digestion, differing from
hemipeptone in not being decomposed by the continued action
of pancreatic juice.
Antiperiodic \An`ti*pe`ri*od"ic\, n. (Med.)
A remedy possessing the property of preventing the return of
periodic paroxysms, or exacerbations, of disease, as in
intermittent fevers.
Antiperistaltic \An`ti*per`i*stal"tic\, a. (Med.)
Opposed to, or checking motion; acting upward; -- applied to
an inverted action of the intestinal tube.
Antiperistasis \An`ti*pe*ris"ta*sis\, n. [Gr. ?; ? against + ? a
standing around, fr. ? to stand around; ? around + ? to
stand.]
Opposition by which the quality opposed asquires strength;
resistance or reaction roused by opposition or by the action
of an opposite principle or quality.
Antiperistatic \An`ti*per`i*stat"ic\, a.
Pertaining to antiperistasis.
Antipetalous \An`ti*pet"al*ous\, a. [Pref. anti- + petal.]
(Bot.)
Standing before a petal, as a stamen.
Antipharmic \An`ti*phar"mic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? poison.]
(Med.)
Antidotal; alexipharmic.
Antiphlogistian \An`ti*phlo*gis"tian\, n.
An opposer of the theory of phlogiston.
Antiphlogistic \An`ti*phlo*gis"tic\, a.
1. (Chem.) Opposed to the doctrine of phlogiston.
2. (Med.) Counteracting inflammation.
Antiphlogistic \An`ti*phlo*gis"tic\, n. (Med.)
Any medicine or diet which tends to check inflammation.
--Coxe.
Antiphon \An"ti*phon\, n. [LL. antiphona, fr. Gr. ?. See
{Anthem}.]
1. A musical response; alternate singing or chanting. See
{Antiphony}, and {Antiphone}.
2. A verse said before and after the psalms. --Shipley.
Antiphonal \An*tiph"o*nal\, a.
Of or pertaining to antiphony, or alternate singing; sung
alternately by a divided choir or opposite choirs. --Wheatly.
-- {An*tiph"o*nal*ly}, adv.
Antiphonal \An*tiph"o*nal\, n.
A book of antiphons or anthems.
Antiphonary \An*tiph"o*na*ry\, n. [LL. antiphonarium. See
{Antiphoner}.]
A book containing a collection of antiphons; the book in
which the antiphons of the breviary, with their musical
notes, are contained.
Antiphone \An"ti*phone\, n. (Mus.)
The response which one side of the choir makes to the other
in a chant; alternate chanting or signing.
Antiphoner \An*tiph"o*ner\, n. [F. antiphonaire. See
{Antiphon}.]
A book of antiphons. --Chaucer.
Antiphonic \An`ti*phon"ic\, a.
Antiphonal.
Antiphony \An*tiph"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Antiphonies}. [See
{Antiphon}.]
1. A musical response; also, antiphonal chanting or signing.
2. An anthem or psalm sung alternately by a choir or
congregation divided into two parts. Also figuratively.
O! never more for me shall winds intone, With all
your tops, a vast antiphony. --R. Browning.
Antiphrasis \An*tiph"ra*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
express by antithesis or negation.] (Rhet.)
The use of words in a sense opposite to their proper meaning;
as when a court of justice is called a court of vengeance.
Antiphrastic \An`ti*phras"tic\, Antiphrastical
\An`ti*phras"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to antiphrasis. -- {An`ti*phras"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Antiphthisic \An`ti*phthis"ic\, a. (Med.)
Relieving or curing phthisis, or consumption. -- n. A
medicine for phthisis.
Antiphysical \An`ti*phys"ic*al\, a. [Pref. anti- + physical.]
Contrary to nature; unnatural.
Antiphysical \An`ti*phys"ic*al\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ? to
inflate.] (Med.)
Relieving flatulence; carminative.
Antiplastic \An`ti*plas"tic\, a.
1. Diminishing plasticity.
2. (Med.) Preventing or checking the process of healing, or
granulation.
Antipodagric \An`ti*po*dag"ric\, a. (Med.)
Good against gout. -- n. A medicine for gout.
Antipodal \An*tip"o*dal\, a.
1. Pertaining to the antipodes; situated on the opposite side
of the globe.
2. Diametrically opposite. ``His antipodal shadow.''
--Lowell.
Antipode \An"ti*pode\, n.
One of the antipodes; anything exactly opposite.
In tale or history your beggar is ever the just
antipode to your king. --Lamb.
Note: The singular, antipode, is exceptional in formation,
but has been used by good writers. Its regular English
plural would be [a^]n"t[i^]*p[=o]des, the last syllable
rhyming with abodes, and this pronunciation is
sometimes heard. The plural form (originally a Latin
word without a singular) is in common use, and is
pronounced, after the English method of Latin,
[a^]n*t[i^]p"[-o]*d[=e]z.
Antipodean \An`ti*po"de*an\, a.
Pertaining to the antipodes, or the opposite side of the
world; antipodal.
Antipodes \An*tip"o*des\, n. [L. pl., fr. Gr. ? with the feet
opposite, pl. ? ?; ? against + ?, ?, foot.]
1. Those who live on the side of the globe diametrically
opposite.
2. The country of those who live on the opposite side of the
globe. --Latham.
3. Anything exactly opposite or contrary.
Can there be a greater contrariety unto Christ's
judgment, a more perfect antipodes to all that hath
hitherto been gospel? --Hammond.
Antipole \An"ti*pole\, n.
The opposite pole; anything diametrically opposed. --Geo.
Eliot.
Antipope \An"ti*pope\, n.
One who is elected, or claims to be, pope in opposition to
the pope canonically chosen; esp. applied to those popes who
resided at Avignon during the Great Schism.
Antipsoric \An`tip*sor"ic\, a. (Med.)
Of use in curing the itch. -- n. An antipsoric remedy.
Antiptosis \An`tip*to"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? against + ? a
falling, a case, ? to fall.] (Gram.)
The putting of one case for another.
Antiputrefactive \An`ti*pu`tre*fac"tive\, Antiputrescent
\An`ti*pu*tres"cent\, a.
Counteracting, or preserving from, putrefaction; antiseptic.
Antipyic \An`ti*py"ic\, a. [Pref. anti- + Gr. ?, ?, pus.] (Med.)
Checking or preventing suppuration. -- n. An antipyic
medicine.
Antipyresis \An`ti*py*re"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? against + ? to
be feverish, fr. ? fire.] (Med.)
The condition or state of being free from fever.
Antipyretic \An`ti*py*ret"ic\, a. (Med.)
Efficacious in preventing or allaying fever. -- n. A
febrifuge.
Antipyrine \An`ti*py"rine\, n. (Med.)
An artificial alkaloid, believed to be efficient in abating
fever.
Antipyrotic \An`ti*py*rot"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against burns or pyrosis. -- n. Anything of use in
preventing or healing burns or pyrosis.
Antiquarian \An`ti*qua"ri*an\, a. [See {Antiquary}].
Pertaining to antiquaries, or to antiquity; as, antiquarian
literature.
Antiquarian \An`ti*qua"ri*an\, n.
1. An antiquary.
2. A drawing paper of large size. See under {Paper}, n.
Antiquarianism \An`ti*qua"ri*an*ism\, n.
Character of an antiquary; study or love of antiquities.
--Warburton.
Antiquarianize \An`ti*qua"ri*an*ize\, v. i.
To act the part of an antiquary. [Colloq.]
Antiquary \An"ti*qua*ry\, a. [L. antiquarius, fr. antiquus
ancient. See {Antique}.]
Pertaining to antiquity. [R.] ``Instructed by the antiquary
times.'' --Shak.
Antiquary \An"ti*qua*ry\, n.; pl. {Antiquaries}.
One devoted to the study of ancient times through their
relics, as inscriptions, monuments, remains of ancient
habitations, statues, coins, manuscripts, etc.; one who
searches for and studies the relics of antiquity.
Antiquate \An"ti*quate\, v. t. [L. antiquatus, p. p. of
antiquare, fr. antiquus ancient.]
To make old, or obsolete; to make antique; to make old in
such a degree as to put out of use; hence, to make void, or
abrogate.
Christianity might reasonably introduce new laws, and
antiquate or abrogate old one. --Sir M. Hale.
Antiquated \An"ti*qua`ted\, a.
Grown old. Hence: Bygone; obsolete; out of use;
old-fashioned; as, an antiquated law. ``Antiquated words.''
--Dryden.
Old Janet, for so he understood his antiquated
attendant was denominated. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: Ancient; old; antique; obsolete. See {Ancient}.
Antiquatedness \An"ti*qua`ted*ness\, n.
Quality of being antiquated.
Antiquateness \An"ti*quate*ness\, n.
Antiquatedness. [Obs.]
Antiquation \An`ti*qua"tion\, n. [L. antiquatio, fr. antiquare.]
The act of making antiquated, or the state of being
antiquated. --Beaumont.
Antique \An*tique"\, a. [F., fr. L. antiquus old, ancient,
equiv. to anticus, from ante before. Cf. {Antic}.]
1. Old; ancient; of genuine antiquity; as, an antique statue.
In this sense it usually refers to the flourishing ages of
Greece and Rome.
For the antique world excess and pride did hate.
--Spenser.
2. Old, as respects the present age, or a modern period of
time; of old fashion; antiquated; as, an antique robe.
``Antique words.'' --Spenser.
3. Made in imitation of antiquity; as, the antique style of
Thomson's ``Castle of Indolence.''
4. Odd; fantastic. [In this sense, written {antic}.]
Syn: Ancient; antiquated; obsolete; antic; old-fashioned;
old. See {Ancient}.
Antique \An*tique"\, n. [F. See {Antique}, a. ]
In general, anything very old; but in a more limited sense, a
relic or object of ancient art; collectively, the antique,
the remains of ancient art, as busts, statues, paintings, and
vases.
Misshapen monuments and maimed antiques. --Byron.
Antiquely \An*tique"ly\, adv.
In an antique manner.
Antiqueness \An*tique"ness\, n.
The quality of being antique; an appearance of ancient origin
and workmanship.
We may discover something venerable in the antiqueness
of the work. --Addison.
Antiquist \An"ti*quist\, n.
An antiquary; a collector of antiques. [R.] --Pinkerton.
Antiquitarian \An*tiq`ui*ta"ri*an\, n.
An admirer of antiquity.
Note: [Used by Milton in a disparaging sense.] [Obs.]
Antiquity \An*tiq"ui*ty\, n.; pl. {Antiquities}. [L. antiquitas,
fr. antiquus: cf. F. antiquit['e]. See {Antique}.]
1. The quality of being ancient; ancientness; great age; as,
a statue of remarkable antiquity; a family of great
antiquity.
2. Old age. [Obs.]
It not your voice broken? . . . and every part about
you blasted with antiquity? --Shak.
3. Ancient times; former ages; times long since past; as,
Cicero was an eloquent orator of antiquity.
4. The ancients; the people of ancient times.
That such pillars were raised by Seth all antiquity
has ?vowed. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
5. An old gentleman. [Obs.]
You are a shrewd antiquity, neighbor Clench. --B.
Jonson.
6. A relic or monument of ancient times; as, a coin, a
statue, etc.; an ancient institution.
Note: [In this sense, usually in the plural.] ``Heathen
antiquities.'' --Bacon.
Antirachitic \An`ti*ra*chit"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against the rickets.
Antirenter \An`ti*rent"er\, n.
One opposed to the payment of rent; esp. one of those who in
1840-47 resisted the collection of rents claimed by the
patroons from the settlers on certain manorial lands in the
State of New York. -- {An`ti*rent"ism}, n.
Antisabbatarian \An`ti*sab`ba*ta"ri*an\, n. (Eccl.)
One of a sect which opposes the observance of the Christian
Sabbath.
Antisacerdotal \An`ti*sac`er*do"tal\, a.
Hostile to priests or the priesthood. --Waterland.
Antiscians \An*tis"cians\, Antiscii \An*tis"ci*i\, n. pl. [L.
antiscii, Gr. ?, pl.; ? against + ? shadow.]
The inhabitants of the earth, living on different sides of
the equator, whose shadows at noon are cast in opposite
directions.
The inhabitants of the north and south temperate zones
are always Antiscians. --Brande & C.
Antiscoletic \An`ti*sco*let"ic\, Antiscolic \An`ti*scol"ic\, a.
[Pref. anti- + Gr. ? a worm.] (Med.)
Anthelmintic.
Antiscorbutic \An`ti*scor*bu"tic\, a. (Med.)
Counteracting scurvy. -- n. A remedy for scurvy.
Antiscorbutical \An`ti*scor*bu"tic*al\, a. (Med.)
Antiscorbutic.
Antiscriptural \An`ti*scrip"tur*al\, a.
Opposed to, or not in accordance with, the Holy Scriptures.
Antisepalous \An`ti*sep"al*ous\, a. [Pref. anti- + sepal.]
(Bot.)
Standing before a sepal, or calyx leaf.
Antiseptic \An`ti*sep"tic\, Antiseptical \An`ti*sep"tic*al\, a.
Counteracting or preventing putrefaction, or a putrescent
tendency in the system; antiputrefactive.
{Antiseptic surgery}, that system of surgical practice which
insists upon a systematic use of antiseptics in the
performance of operations and the dressing of wounds.
Antiseptic \An`ti*sep"tic\, n.
A substance which prevents or retards putrefaction, or
destroys, or protects from, putrefactive organisms; as, salt,
carbolic acid, alcohol, cinchona.
Antiseptically \An`ti*sep"tic*al*ly\, adv.
By means of antiseptics.
Antislavery \An`ti*slav"er*y\, a.
Opposed to slavery. -- n. Opposition to slavery.
Antisocial \An`ti*so"cial\, a.
Tending to interrupt or destroy social intercourse; averse to
society, or hostile to its existence; as, antisocial
principles.
Antisocialist \An`ti*so"cial*ist\, n.
One opposed to the doctrines and practices of socialists or
socialism.
Antisolar \An`ti*so"lar\, a.
Opposite to the sun; -- said of the point in the heavens
180[deg] distant from the sun.
Antispasmodic \An`ti*spas*mod"ic\, a. (Med.)
Good against spasms. -- n. A medicine which prevents or
allays spasms or convulsions.
Antispast \An"ti*spast\, n. [L. antispastus, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
draw the contrary way; ? against + ? to draw.] (Pros.)
A foot of four syllables, the first and fourth short, and the
second and third long (#).
Antispastic \An`ti*spas"tic\, a. [Gr. ?. See {Antispast}.]
(Med.)
(a) Believed to cause a revulsion of fluids or of humors from
one part to another. [Obs.]
(b) Counteracting spasms; antispasmodic. -- n. An antispastic
agent.
Antisplenetic \An`ti*splen"e*tic\ (?; see {Splenetic}, 277), a.
Good as a remedy against disease of the spleen. -- n. An
antisplenetic medicine.
Antistrophe \An*tis"tro*phe\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to turn
to the opposite side; ? against + ? to turn. See {Strophe}.]
1. In Greek choruses and dances, the returning of the chorus,
exactly answering to a previous strophe or movement from
right to left. Hence: The lines of this part of the choral
song.
It was customary, on some occasions, to dance round
the altars whilst they sang the sacred hymns, which
consisted of three stanzas or parts; the first of
which, called strophe, was sung in turning from east
to west; the other, named antistrophe, in returning
from west to east; then they stood before the altar,
and sang the epode, which was the last part of the
song. --Abp. Potter.
2. (Rhet.)
(a) The repetition of words in an inverse order; as, the
master of the servant and the servant of the master.
(b) The retort or turning of an adversary's plea against
him.
Antistrophic \An`ti*stroph"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to an antistrophe.
Antistrophon \An*tis"tro*phon\, n. [Gr. ? turned opposite ways.]
(Rhet.)
An argument retorted on an opponent. --Milton.
Antistrumatic \An`ti*stru"mat"ic\, a. (Med.)
Antistrumous. -- n. A medicine for scrofula.
Antistrumous \An`ti*stru"mous\, a. (Med.)
Good against scrofulous disorders. --Johnson. Wiseman.
Antisyphilitic \An`ti*syph`i*lit"ic\, a. (Med.)
Efficacious against syphilis. -- n. A medicine for syphilis.
Antitheism \An`ti*the"ism\, n.
The doctrine of antitheists. -- {An`ti*the*is"tic}, a.
Antitheist \An`ti*the"ist\, n.
A disbeliever in the existence of God.
Antithesis \An*tith"e*sis\, n.; pl. {Antitheses}. [L., fr. Gr.
?, fr. ? to set against, to oppose; ? against + ? to set. See
{Thesis}.]
1. (Rhet.) An opposition or contrast of words or sentiments
occurring in the same sentence; as, ``The prodigal robs
his heir; the miser robs himself.'' ``He had covertly shot
at Cromwell; he how openly aimed at the Queen.''
2. The second of two clauses forming an antithesis.
3. Opposition; contrast.
Antithet \An"ti*thet\, n. [L. antitheton, fr. Gr. ?, ?,
antithetic.]
An antithetic or contrasted statement. --Bacon.
Antithetic \An`ti*thet"ic\, Antithetical \An`ti*thet"ic*al\, a.
[Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to antithesis, or opposition of words and
sentiments; containing, or of the nature of, antithesis;
contrasted.
Antithetically \An`ti*thet"ic*al*ly\, adv.
By way antithesis.
Antitoxin \An`ti*tox"in\, Antitoxine \An`ti*tox"ine\, n. [Pref.
anti- + toxin.]
A substance (sometimes the product of a specific
micro-organism and sometimes naturally present in the blood
or tissues of an animal), capable of producing immunity from
certain diseases, or of counteracting the poisonous effects
of pathogenic bacteria.
Anti-trade \An"ti-trade`\, n.
A tropical wind blowing steadily in a direction opposite to
the trade wind.
Antitragus \An*tit"ra*gus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Anat.)
A prominence on the lower posterior portion of the concha of
the external ear, opposite the tragus. See {Ear}.
Antitrochanter \An`ti*tro*chan"ter\, n. (Anat.)
An articular surface on the ilium of birds against which the
great trochanter of the femur plays.
Antitropal \An*tit"ro*pal\, Antitropous \An*tit"ro*pous\, a.
[Pref. anti- + Gr. ? turn, ? to turn.] (Bot.)
At the extremity most remote from the hilum, as the embryo,
or inverted with respect to the seed, as the radicle.
--Lindley.
Antitypal \An"ti*ty`pal\, a.
Antitypical. [R.]
Antitype \An"ti*type\ (-t[imac]p), n. [Gr. ? of corresponding
form; ? against + ? type, figure. See {Type}.]
That of which the type is the pattern or representation; that
which is represented by the type or symbol.
Antitypical \An`ti*typ"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to an antitype; explaining the type. --
{An`ti*typ"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Antitypous \An*tit"y*pous\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Resisting blows; hard. [Obs.] --Cudworth.
Antitypy \An*tit"y*py\, n. [Gr. ?.]
Opposition or resistance of matter to force. [R.] --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Antivaccination \An`ti*vac`ci*na"tion\, n.
Opposition to vaccination. --London Times.
Antivaccinationist \An`ti*vac`ci*na"tion*ist\, n.
An antivaccinist.
Antivaccinist \An`ti*vac"ci*nist\, n.
One opposed to vaccination.
Antivariolous \An`ti*va*ri"o*lous\, a.
Preventing the contagion of smallpox.
Antivenereal \An`ti*ve*ne"re*al\, a.
Good against venereal poison; antisyphilitic.
Antivivisection \An`ti*viv`i*sec"tion\, n.
Opposition to vivisection.
Antivivisectionist \An`ti*viv`i*sec"tion*ist\, n.
One opposed to vivisection
Antizymic \An`ti*zym"ic\, a.
Preventing fermentation.
Antizymotic \An`ti*zy*mot"ic\, a. (Med.)
Preventing fermentation or decomposition. -- n. An agent so
used.
Antler \Ant"ler\, n. [OE. auntelere, OF. antoillier, andoiller,
endouiller, fr. F. andouiller, fr. an assumed LL.
antocularis, fr. L. ante before + oculus eye. See {Ocular}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The entire horn, or any branch of the horn, of a cervine
animal, as of a stag.
Huge stags with sixteen antlers. --Macaulay.
Note: The branch next to the head is called the brow antler,
and the branch next above, the bez antler, or bay
antler. The main stem is the beam, and the branches are
often called tynes. Antlers are deciduous bony (not
horny) growths, and are covered with a periosteum while
growing. See {Velvet}.
{Antler moth} (Zo["o]l.), a destructive European moth
({Cerapteryx graminis}), which devastates grass lands.
Antlered \Ant"lered\, a.
Furnished with antlers.
The antlered stag. --Cowper.
Antlia \Ant"li*a\, n.; pl. {Antil[ae]}. [L., a pump, Gr, ? hold
of a ship] (Zo["o]l.)
The spiral tubular proboscis of lepidopterous insects. See
{Lepidoptera}.
Ant-lion \Ant"-li`on\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A neuropterous insect, the larva of which makes in the sand a
pitfall to capture ants, etc. The common American species is
{Myrmeleon obsoletus}, the European is {M. formicarius}.
Antoeci \An*t[oe]"ci\ ([a^]n*t[=e]"s[imac]), Antoecians
\An*t[oe]"cians\(-shanz), n. pl. [NL. antoeci, fr. Gr. pl.
'a`ntoiki; 'anti` opposite + o'ikei^n to live.]
Those who live under the same meridian, but on opposite
parallels of latitude, north and south of the equator.
Antonomasia \An`to*no*ma"si*a\ (?; 277), n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr.
? to name instead; ? + ? to name, ? name.] (Rhet.)
The use of some epithet or the name of some office, dignity,
or the like, instead of the proper name of the person; as
when his majesty is used for a king, or when, instead of
Aristotle, we say, the philosopher; or, conversely, the use
of a proper name instead of an appellative, as when a wise
man is called a Solomon, or an eminent orator a Cicero.
Antonomastic \An`to*no*mas"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, antonomasia. --
{An`to*no*mas"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Antonomasy \An*ton"o*ma*sy\, n.
Antonomasia.
Antonym \An"to*nym\, n. [Gr. ? a word used in substitution for
another; ? + ?, ?, a word.]
A word of opposite meaning; a counterterm; -- used as a
correlative of synonym. [R.] --C. J. Smith.
Antorbital \Ant*or"bit*al\, a. [Pref. anti- + orbital.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or situated in, the region of the front of the
orbit. -- n. The antorbital bone.
Antorgastic \Ant`or*gas"tic\, a.
See {Antiorgastic}.
Antozone \Ant*o"zone\, n. [Pref. anti- + ozone.] (Chem.)
A compound formerly supposed to be modification of oxygen,
but now known to be hydrogen dioxide; -- so called because
apparently antagonistic to ozone, converting it into ordinary
oxygen.
Antral \An"tral\, a. (Anat.)
Relating to an antrum.
Antre \An"tre\, n. [F. antre, L. antrum, fr. Gr. ?.]
A cavern. [Obs.] --Shak.
Antrorse \An*trorse"\ ([a^]n*tr[^o]rs"), a. [From L. ante +
versun turned; apparently formed in imitation of retrorse.]
(Bot.)
Forward or upward in direction. --Gray.
Antrovert \An`tro*vert"\, v. t.
To bend forward. [R.] --Owen.
Antrum \An"trum\, n.; pl. {Antra}. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
A cavern or cavity, esp. an anatomical cavity or sinus.
--Huxley.
Antrustion \An*trus"tion\, n. [F., fr. LL. antrustio.]
A vassal or voluntary follower of Frankish princes in their
enterprises.
Ant thrush \Ant" thrush`\ (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of several species of tropical birds, of the Old
World, of the genus {Pitta}, somewhat resembling the
thrushes, and feeding chiefly on ants.
(b) See {Ant bird}, under {Ant}.
Anubis \A*nu"bis\, n. [L.] (Myth.)
An Egyptian deity, the conductor of departed spirits,
represented by a human figure with the head of a dog or fox.
Anura \A*nu"ra\ ([.a]*n[=u]"r[.a]), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'an
priv. + o'yra` a tail.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the orders of amphibians characterized by the absence
of a tail, as the frogs and toads. [Written also {anoura}.]
Anurous \A*nu"rous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Destitute of a tail, as the frogs and toads. [Also written
{anourous}.]
Anury \An"u*ry\, n. [Gr. 'an priv. + o'y^ron urine.] (Med.)
Nonsecretion or defective secretion of urine; ischury.
Anus \A"nus\, n. [L., prob. for asnus: cf. Gr. ? to sit, Skr.
[=a]s.] (Anat.)
The posterior opening of the alimentary canal, through which
the excrements are expelled.
Anvil \An"vil\, n. [OE. anvelt, anfelt, anefelt, AS. anfilt,
onfilt; of uncertain origin; cf. OHG. anafalz, D. aanbeld.]
1. An iron block, usually with a steel face, upon which
metals are hammered and shaped.
2. Anything resembling an anvil in shape or use. Specifically
(Anat.), the incus. See {Incus}.
{To be on the anvil}, to be in a state of discussion,
formation, or preparation, as when a scheme or measure is
forming, but not matured. --Swift.
Anvil \An"vil\, v. t.
To form or shape on an anvil; to hammer out; as, anviled
armor. --Beau. & Fl.
Anxietude \Anx*i"e*tude\, n. [L. anxietudo.]
The state of being anxious; anxiety. [R.]
Anxiety \Anx*i"e*ty\, n.; pl. {Anxieties}. [L. anxietas, fr.
anxius: cf. F. anxi['e]t['e]. See {Anxious}.]
1. Concern or solicitude respecting some thing or event,
future or uncertain, which disturbs the mind, and keeps it
in a state of painful uneasiness.
2. Eager desire. --J. D. Forbes
3. (Med.) A state of restlessness and agitation, often with
general indisposition and a distressing sense of
oppression at the epigastrium. --Dunglison.
Syn: Care; solicitude; foreboding; uneasiness; perplexity;
disquietude; disquiet; trouble; apprehension;
restlessness. See {Care}.
Anxious \Anx"ious\ ([a^][ng]k"sh[u^]s), a. [L. anxius, fr.
angere to cause pain, choke; akin to Gr. 'a`gchein to choke.
See {Anger}.]
1. Full of anxiety or disquietude; greatly concerned or
solicitous, esp. respecting something future or unknown;
being in painful suspense; -- applied to persons; as,
anxious for the issue of a battle.
2. Accompanied with, or causing, anxiety; worrying; --
applied to things; as, anxious labor.
The sweet of life, from which God hath bid dwell far
off all anxious cares. --Milton.
3. Earnestly desirous; as, anxious to please.
He sneers alike at those who are anxious to preserve
and at those who are eager for reform. --Macaulay.
Note: Anxious is followed by for, about, concerning, etc.,
before the object of solicitude.
Syn: Solicitous; careful; uneasy; unquiet; restless;
concerned; disturbed; watchful.
Anxiously \Anx"ious*ly\, adv.
In an anxious manner; with painful uncertainty; solicitously.
Anxiousness \Anx"ious*ness\, n.
The quality of being anxious; great solicitude; anxiety.
Any \A"ny\, a. & pron. [OE. [ae]ni[yogh], [ae]ni, eni, ani, oni,
AS. [=ae]nig, fr. [=a]n one. It is akin to OS. [=e]nig, OHG.
einic, G. einig, D. eenig. See {One}.]
1. One indifferently, out of an indefinite number; one
indefinitely, whosoever or whatsoever it may be.
Note: Any is often used in denying or asserting without
limitation; as, this thing ought not be done at any
time; I ask any one to answer my question.
No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither
knoweth any man the Father, save the Son. --Matt.
xi. 27.
2. Some, of whatever kind, quantity, or number; as, are there
any witnesses present? are there any other houses like it?
``Who will show us any good?'' --Ps. iv. 6.
Note: It is often used, either in the singular or the plural,
as a pronoun, the person or thing being understood;
anybody; anyone; (pl.) any persons.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, .
. . and it shall be given him. --Jas. i. 5.
That if he found any of this way, whether they
were men or women, he might bring them bound unto
Jerusalem. --Acts ix. 2.
{At any rate}, {In any case}, whatever may be the state of
affairs; anyhow.
Any \A"ny\, adv.
To any extent; in any degree; at all.
You are not to go loose any longer. --Shak.
Before you go any farther. --Steele.
Anybody \A"ny*bod*y\, n.
1. Any one out of an indefinite number of persons; anyone;
any person.
His Majesty could not keep any secret from anybody.
--Macaulay.
2. A person of consideration or standing. [Colloq.]
All the men belonged exclusively to the mechanical
and shopkeeping classes, and there was not a single
banker or anybody in the list. --Lond. Sat.
Rev.
Anyhow \A"ny*how`\, adv.
In any way or manner whatever; at any rate; in any event.
Anyhow, it must be acknowledged to be not a simple
selforiginated error. --J. H.
Newman.
Anyhow, the languages of the two nations were closely
allied. --E. A.
Freeman.
Anyone \A"ny*one\, n.
One taken at random rather than by selection; anybody.
Note: [Commonly written as two words.]
Anything \A"ny*thing\, n.
1. Any object, act, state, event, or fact whatever; thing of
any kind; something or other; aught; as, I would not do it
for anything.
Did you ever know of anything so unlucky? --A.
Trollope.
They do not know that anything is amiss with them.
--W. G.
Sumner.
2. Expressing an indefinite comparison; -- with as or like.
[Colloq. or Lowx]
I fear your girl will grow as proud as anything.
--Richardson.
Note: Any thing, written as two words, is now commonly used
in contradistinction to any person or anybody. Formerly
it was also separated when used in the wider sense.
``Necessity drove them to undertake any thing and
venture any thing.'' --De Foe.
{Anything but}, not at all or in any respect. ``The battle
was a rare one, and the victory anything but secure.''
--Hawthorne.
{Anything like}, in any respect; at all; as, I can not give
anything like a fair sketch of his trials.
Anything \A"ny*thing\, adv.
In any measure; anywise; at all.
Mine old good will and hearty affection towards you is
not . . . anything at all quailed. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
Anythingarian \A`ny*thing*a"ri*an\, n.
One who holds to no particular creed or dogma.
Anyway \A"ny*way\, Anyways \A"ny*ways\, adv.
Anywise; at all. --Tennyson. Southey.
Anywhere \A"ny*where\, adv.
In any place. --Udall.
Anywhither \A"ny*whith`er\, adv.
To or towards any place. [Archaic] --De Foe.
Anywise \A"ny*wise\, adv.
In any wise or way; at all. ``Anywise essential.'' --Burke.
Aonian \A*o"ni*an\ ([asl]*[=o]"n[i^]*an), a. [From Aonia, a part
of B[oe]otia, in Greece.]
Pertaining to Aonia, in B[oe]otia, or to the Muses, who were
supposed to dwell there.
{Aonian fount}, the fountain of Aganippe, at the foot of
Mount Helicon, not far from Thebes, and sacred to the
Muses.
Aorist \A"o*rist\ ([=a]"[-o]*r[i^]st), n. [Gr. 'ao`ristos
indefinite; 'a priv. + "ori`zein to define, ? boundary,
limit.] (Gram.)
A tense in the Greek language, which expresses an action as
completed in past time, but leaves it, in other respects,
wholly indeterminate.
Aoristic \A`o*ris"tic\, a. [Gr. 'aoristiko`s.]
Indefinite; pertaining to the aorist tense.
Aorta \A*or"ta\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to lift, heave.]
(Anat.)
The great artery which carries the blood from the heart to
all parts of the body except the lungs; the main trunk of the
arterial system.
Note: In fishes and the early stages of all higher
vertebrates the aorta divides near its origin into
several branches (the aortic arches) which pass in
pairs round the [oe]sophagus and unite to form the
systemic aorta. One or more pairs of these arches
persist in amphibia and reptiles, but only one arch in
birds and mammals, this being on the right side in the
former, and on the left in the latter.
Aortic \A*or"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the aorta.
Aortitis \A`or*ti"tis\, n. [Aorta + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the aorta.
Aoudad \A"ou*dad\, n. [The Moorish name.] (Zo["o]l.)
An African sheeplike quadruped (the {Ammotragus tragelaphus})
having a long mane on the breast and fore legs. It is,
perhaps, the chamois of the Old Testament.
Apace \A*pace"\, adv. [Pref. a- + pace. OE. a pas at a walk, in
which a is the article. See {Pace}.]
With a quick pace; quick; fast; speedily.
His dewy locks did drop with brine apace. --Spenser.
A visible triumph of the gospel draws on apace. --I.
Taylor.
Apaches \A*pa"ches\, n. pl.; sing. Apache. (Ethnol.)
A group of nomadic North American Indians including several
tribes native of Arizona, New Mexico, etc.
Apagoge \Ap`a*go"ge\, n. [Gr. ? a leading away, fr. ? to lead
away; ? from + ? to lead.] (Logic)
An indirect argument which proves a thing by showing the
impossibility or absurdity of the contrary.
Apagogic \Ap`a*gog"ic\, Apagogical \Ap`a*gog"ic*al\, a.
Proving indirectly, by showing the absurdity, or
impossibility of the contrary. --Bp. Berkeley.
Apaid \A*paid"\, a.
Paid; pleased. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Apair \A*pair"\, v. t. & i.
To impair or become impaired; to injure. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Apalachian \Ap`a*la"chi*an\, a.
See {Appalachian}.
Apanage \Ap"an*age\, n.
Same as {Appanage}.
Apanthropy \A*pan"thro*py\, n. [Gr. ?; ? from + ? man.]
An aversion to the company of men; a love of solitude.
Apar \A"par\, Apara \A"pa*ra\, n. [Native name apara.]
(Zo["o]l.)
See {Mataco}.
Aparejo \A`pa*re"jo\, n. [Sp.]
A kind of pack saddle used in the American military service
and among the Spanish Americans. It is made of leather
stuffed with hay, moss, or the like.
Aparithmesis \Ap`a*rith"me*sis\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. ?, from ? to
count off or over.] (Rhet.)
Enumeration of parts or particulars.
Apart \A*part"\, adv. [F. [`a] part; (L. ad) + part part. See
{Part}.]
1. Separately, in regard to space or company; in a state of
separation as to place; aside.
Others apart sat on a hill retired. --Milton.
The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for
himself. --Ps. iv. 3.
2. In a state of separation, of exclusion, or of distinction,
as to purpose, use, or character, or as a matter of
thought; separately; independently; as, consider the two
propositions apart.
3. Aside; away. ``Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and
superfluity of naughtiness.'' --Jas. i. 21.
Let Pleasure go, put Care apart. --Keble.
4. In two or more parts; asunder; to piece; as, to take a
piece of machinery apart.
Apartment \A*part"ment\, n. [F. appartement; cf. It.
appartamento, fr. appartare to separate, set apart; all fr.
L. ad + pars, partis, part. See {Apart}.]
1. A room in a building; a division in a house, separated
from others by partitions. --Fielding.
2. A set or suite of rooms. --De Quincey.
3. A compartment. [Obs.] --Pope.
Apartness \A*part"ness\, n.
The quality of standing apart.
Apastron \Ap*as"tron\, n. [Gr. ? from + ? star.] (Astron.)
That point in the orbit of a double star where the smaller
star is farthest from its primary.
Apathetic \Ap`a*thet"ic\, Apathetical \Ap`a*thet"ic*al\a. [See
{Apathy}.]
Void of feeling; not susceptible of deep emotion;
passionless; indifferent.
Apathetically \Ap`a*thet"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an apathetic manner.
Apathist \Ap"a*thist\, n. [Cf. F. apathiste.]
One who is destitute of feeling.
Apathistical \Ap`a*this"tic*al\, a.
Apathetic; une motional. [R.]
Apathy \Ap"a*thy\, n.; pl. {Apathies}. [L. apathia, Gr. ?; 'a
priv. + ?, fr. ?, ?, to suffer: cf. F. apathie. See
{Pathos}.]
Want of feeling; privation of passion, emotion, or
excitement; dispassion; -- applied either to the body or the
mind. As applied to the mind, it is a calmness, indolence, or
state of indifference, incapable of being ruffled or roused
to active interest or exertion by pleasure, pain, or passion.
``The apathy of despair.'' --Macaulay.
A certain apathy or sluggishness in his nature which
led him . . . to leave events to take their own course.
--Prescott.
According to the Stoics, apathy meant the extinction of
the passions by the ascendency of reason. --Fleming.
Note: In the first ages of the church, the Christians adopted
the term to express a contempt of earthly concerns.
Syn: Insensibility; unfeelingness; indifference; unconcern;
stoicism; supineness; sluggishness.
Apatite \Ap"a*tite\, n. [Gr. ? deceit, fr. ? to deceive; it
having been often mistaken for other minerals.] (Min.)
Native phosphate of lime, occurring usually in six-sided
prisms, color often pale green, transparent or translucent.
Apaum'e \A`pau`m['e]"\, n.
See {Appaum['e]}.
Ape \Ape\ ([=a]p), n. [AS. apa; akin to D. aap, OHG. affo, G.
affe, Icel. api, Sw. apa, Dan. abe, W. epa.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A quadrumanous mammal, esp. of the family
{Simiad[ae]}, having teeth of the same number and form as
in man, and possessing neither a tail nor cheek pouches.
The name is applied esp. to species of the genus
{Hylobates}, and is sometimes used as a general term for
all Quadrumana. The higher forms, the gorilla, chimpanzee,
and ourang, are often called {anthropoid apes} or {man
apes}.
Note: The ape of the Old Testament was probably the rhesus
monkey of India, and allied forms.
2. One who imitates servilely (in allusion to the manners of
the ape); a mimic. --Byron.
3. A dupe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ape \Ape\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Aping}.]
To mimic, as an ape imitates human actions; to imitate or
follow servilely or irrationally. ``How he apes his sire.''
--Addison.
The people of England will not ape the fashions they
have never tried. --Burke.
Apeak \A*peak"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + peak. Cf. F. [`a] pic
vertically.] (Naut.)
In a vertical line. The anchor in apeak, when the cable has
been sufficiently hove in to bring the ship over it, and the
ship is them said to be hove apeak. [Spelt also {apeek}.]
Apehood \Ape"hood\, n.
The state of being an ape.
Apellous \A*pel"lous\, a. [Pref. a- not + L. pellis skin.]
Destitute of skin. --Brande & C.
Apennine \Ap"en*nine\, a. [L. Apenninus, fr. Celtic pen, or ben,
peak, mountain.]
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the Apennines, a chain of
mountains extending through Italy.
Apepsy \A*pep"sy\, n. [NL. apepsia, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? uncooked,
undigested; 'a priv. + ? cooked, ? to cook, digest.] (Med.)
Defective digestion, indigestion. --Coxe.
Aper \Ap"er\, n.
One who apes.
Aperea \A*pe"re*a\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The wild Guinea pig of Brazil ({Cavia aperea}).
Aperient \A*pe"ri*ent\, a. [L. aperiens, p. pr. of aperire to
uncover, open; ab + parire, parere, to bring forth, produce.
Cf. {Cover}, {Overt}.] (Med.)
Gently opening the bowels; laxative. -- n. An aperient
medicine or food. --Arbuthnot.
Aperitive \A*per"i*tive\, a. [Cf. F. ap['e]ritif, fr. L.
aperire.]
Serving to open; aperient. --Harvey.
Apert \A*pert"\, a. [OF. apert, L. apertus, p. p. of aperire.
See {Aperient}, and cf. {Pert}, a.]
Open; evident; undisguised. [Archaic] --Fotherby.
Apert \A*pert"\, adv.
Openly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Apertion \A*per"tion\, n. [L. apertio.]
The act of opening; an opening; an aperture. [Archaic]
--Wiseman.
Apertly \A*pert"ly\, adv.
Openly; clearly. [Archaic]
Apertness \A*pert"ness\, n.
Openness; frankness. [Archaic]
Aperture \Ap"er*ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. apertura, fr. aperire.
See {Aperient}.]
1. The act of opening. [Obs.]
2. An opening; an open space; a gap, cleft, or chasm; a
passage perforated; a hole; as, an aperture in a wall.
An aperture between the mountains. --Gilpin.
The back aperture of the nostrils. --Owen.
3. (Opt.) The diameter of the exposed part of the object
glass of a telescope or other optical instrument; as, a
telescope of four-inch aperture.
Note: The aperture of microscopes is often expressed in
degrees, called also the angular aperture, which
signifies the angular breadth of the pencil of light
which the instrument transmits from the object or point
viewed; as, a microscope of 100[deg] aperture.
Apery \Ap"er*y\, n.; pl. {Aperies}.
1. A place where apes are kept. [R.] --Kingsley.
2. The practice of aping; an apish action. --Coleridge.
Apetalous \A*pet"al*ous\ ([.a]*p[e^]t"al*[u^]s), a. [Pref. a-
not + petal.] (Bot.)
Having no petals, or flower leaves. [See Illust. under
{Anther}].
Apetalousness \A*pet"al*ous*ness\, n.
The state of being apetalous.
Apex \A"pex\, n.; pl. E. {Apexes}; L. {Apices}. [L.]
1. The tip, top, point, or angular summit of anything; as,
the apex of a mountain, spire, or cone; the apex, or tip,
of a leaf.
2. (Mining) The end or edge of a vein nearest the surface.
[U.S.]
{Apex of the earth's motion} (Astron.), that point of the
heavens toward which the earth is moving in its orbit.
Aphaeresis \A*ph[ae]r"e*sis\ (?; 277), n. [L.]
Same as {Apheresis}.
Aphakia \A*pha"ki*a\, n. [NL.; Gr. 'a priv. + ? seed of a
lentil.] (Med.)
An anomalous state of refraction caused by the absence of the
crystalline lens, as after operations for cataract. The
remedy is the use of powerful convex lenses. --Dunglison.
Aphakial \A*pha"ki*al\, a. (Med.)
Pertaining to aphakia; as, aphakial eyes.
Aphaniptera \Aph`a*nip"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? invisible
('a priv. + ? to appear) + ? a wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of wingless insects, of which the flea in the type.
See {Flea}.
Aphanipterous \Aph`a*nip"ter*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Aphaniptera.
Aphanite \Aph"a*nite\, n. [Gr. ? invisible; 'a priv. + ? to
appear.] (Min.)
A very compact, dark-colored ?ock, consisting of hornblende,
or pyroxene, and feldspar, but neither of them in perceptible
grains.
Aphanitic \Aph`a*nit"ic\, a. (Min.)
Resembling aphanite; having a very fine-grained structure.
Aphasia \A*pha"si*a\, Aphasy \Aph"a*sy\, n. [NL. aphasia, Gr. ?,
fr. ? not spoken; 'a priv. + ? to speak: cf. F. aphasie.]
(Med.)
Loss of the power of speech, or of the appropriate use of
words, the vocal organs remaining intact, and the
intelligence being preserved. It is dependent on injury or
disease of the brain.
Aphasic \A*pha"sic\, a.
Pertaining to, or affected by, aphasia; speechless.
Aphelion \A*phel"ion\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Aphelia}. [Gr. ? + ?
sun.] (Astron.)
That point of a planet's or comet's orbit which is most
distant from the sun, the opposite point being the
perihelion.
Apheliotropic \A*phe`li*o*trop"ic\, a. [Gr. ? + ? sun + ?
belonging to a turning.]
Turning away from the sun; -- said of leaves, etc. --Darwin.
Apheliotropism \A*phe`li*ot"ro*pism\, n.
The habit of bending from the sunlight; -- said of certain
plants.
Aphemia \A*phe"mi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ? voice.]
(Med.)
Loss of the power of speaking, while retaining the power of
writing; -- a disorder of cerebral origin.
Apheresis \A*pher"e*sis\ (?; 277), n. [L. aphaeresis, Gr. ?, fr.
? to take away; ? + ? to take.]
1. (Gram.) The dropping of a letter or syllable from the
beginning of a word; e. g., cute for acute.
2. (Surg.) An operation by which any part is separated from
the rest. [Obs.] --Dunglison.
Aphesis \Aph"e*sis\, n. [Gr. ? a letting go; ? + ? to let go.]
The loss of a short unaccented vowel at the beginning of a
word; -- the result of a phonetic process; as, squire for
esquire. --New Eng. Dict.
Aphetic \A*phet"ic\, a. [Gr. ? letting go, fr. ? to let go.]
Shortened by dropping a letter or a syllable from the
beginning of a word; as, an aphetic word or form. --
{A*phet"ic*al*ly}, adv. --New Eng. Dict.
Aphetism \Aph"e*tism\, n.
An aphetized form of a word. --New Eng. Dict.
Aphetize \Aph"e*tize\, v. t.
To shorten by aphesis.
These words . . . have been aphetized. --New Eng.
Dict.
Aphid \A"phid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the genus Aphis; an aphidian.
Aphides \Aph"i*des\, n. pl. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Aphis}.
Aphidian \A*phid"i*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the family {Aphid[ae]}. -- n. One of the
aphides; an aphid.
Aphidivorous \Aph`i*div"o*rous\ [Aphis + L. vorare to devour.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Devouring aphides; aphidophagous.
Aphidophagous \Aph`i*doph"a*gous\, a. [Aphis + Gr. ? to eat.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Feeding upon aphides, or plant lice, as do beetles of the
family {Coccinellid[ae]}.
Aphilanthropy \Aph`i*lan"thro*py\, n. [Gr. ? not loving man; 'a
priv. + ? to love + ? man.]
Want of love to mankind; -- the opposite of philanthropy.
--Coxe.
Aphis \A"phis\, n.; pl. {Aphides}. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera and
family {Aphid[ae]}, including numerous species known as plant
lice and green flies.
Note: Besides the true males and females, there is a race of
wingless asexual individuals which have the power of
producing living young in rapid succession, and these
in turn may produce others of the same kind for several
generations, before sexual individuals appear. They
suck the sap of plants by means of a tubular proboscis,
and owing to the wonderful rapidity of their
reproduction become very destructive to vegetation.
Many of the {Aphid[ae]} excrete honeydew from two tubes
near the end of the body.
Aphis lion \A"phis li"on\ (Zo["o]l.)
The larva of the lacewinged flies ({Chrysopa}), which feeds
voraciously upon aphids. The name is also applied to the
larv[ae] of the ladybugs ({Coccinella}).
Aphlogistic \Aph`lo*gis"tic\, a. [Gr. ? not inflammable; 'a
priv. + ? set on fire. See {Phlogiston}.]
Flameless; as, an aphlogistic lamp, in which a coil of wire
is kept in a state of continued ignition by alcohol, without
flame.
Aphonia \A*pho"ni*a\, Aphony \Aph"o*ny\, n. [NL. aphonia, Gr. ?,
fr. ? voiceless; 'a priv. + ? voice: cf. F. aphonie.] (Med.)
Loss of voice or vocal utterance.
Aphonic \A*phon"ic\, Aphonous \Aph"o*nous\, a.
Without voice; voiceless; nonvocal.
Aphorism \Aph"o*rism\, n. [F. aphorisme, fr. Gr. ? definition, a
short, pithy sentence, fr. ? to mark off by boundaries, to
define; ? from + ? to separate, part. See {Horizon}.]
A comprehensive maxim or principle expressed in a few words;
a sharply defined sentence relating to abstract truth rather
than to practical matters.
The first aphorism of Hippocrates is, ``Life is short,
and the art is long.'' --Fleming.
Syn: Axiom; maxim; adage; proverb; apothegm; saying; saw;
truism; dictum. See {Axiom}.
Aphorismatic \Aph`o*ris*mat"ic\, Aphorismic \Aph`o*ris"mic\, a.
Pertaining to aphorisms, or having the form of an aphorism.
Aphorismer \Aph`o*ris"mer\n.
A dealer in aphorisms. [Used in derogation or contempt.]
--Milton.
Aphorist \Aph"o*rist\, n.
A writer or utterer of aphorisms.
Aphoristic \Aph`o*ris"tic\, Aphoristical \Aph`o*ris"tic*al\, a.
[Gr. ?.]
In the form of, or of the nature of, an aphorism; in the form
of short, unconnected sentences; as, an aphoristic style.
The method of the book is aphoristic. --De Quincey.
Aphoristically \Aph`o*ris"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In the form or manner of aphorisms; pithily.
Aphorize \Aph"o*rize\, v. i.
To make aphorisms.
Aphrite \Aph"rite\, n. (Min.)
See under {Calcite}.
Aphrodisiac \Aph`ro*dis"i*ac\, Aphrodisiacal
\Aph`ro*di*si"a*cal\, a. [Gr. ? pertaining to sensual love, fr.
?. See {Aphrodite}.]
Exciting venereal desire; provocative to venery.
Aphrodisiac \Aph`ro*dis"i*ac\, n.
That which (as a drug, or some kinds of food) excites to
venery.
Aphrodisian \Aph`ro*dis"i*an\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to Aphrodite or Venus. ``Aphrodisian dames'' [that
is, courtesans]. --C. Reade.
Aphrodite \Aph`ro*di"te\, n. [Gr. ?.]
1. (Classic Myth.) The Greek goddess of love, corresponding
to the Venus of the Romans.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large marine annelid, covered with long,
lustrous, golden, hairlike set[ae]; the sea mouse.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A beautiful butterfly ({Argunnis Aphrodite}) of
the United States.
Aphroditic \Aph`ro*dit"ic\, a.
Venereal. [R.] --Dunglison.
Aphtha \Aph"tha\, n. [Sing. of {Aphth[ae]}.] (Med.)
(a) One of the whitish specks called aphth[ae].
(b) The disease, also called thrush.
Aphthae \Aph"th[ae]\, n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. ? (mostly in pl. ?,
Hipp.) an eruption, thrush, fr. ? to set on fire, inflame.]
(Med.)
Roundish pearl-colored specks or flakes in the mouth, on the
lips, etc., terminating in white sloughs. They are commonly
characteristic of thrush.
Aphthoid \Aph"thoid\, a. [Aphtha + -oid.]
Of the nature of aphth[ae]; resembling thrush.
Aphthong \Aph"thong\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. ? silent; 'a priv. + ?
voice, sound, fr. ? to sound.]
A letter, or a combination of letters, employed in spelling a
word, but in the pronunciation having no sound. --
{Aph*thon"gal}, a.
Aphthous \Aph"thous\a. [Cf. F. aphtheux.]
Pertaining to, or caused by, aphth[ae]; characterized by
apht[ae]; as, aphthous ulcers; aphthous fever.
Aphyllous \Aph"yl*lous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? leaf.] (Bot.)
Destitute of leaves, as the broom rape, certain
euphorbiaceous plants, etc.
Apiaceous \A`pi*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Umbelliferous.
Apian \A"pi*an\, a.
Belonging to bees.
Apiarian \A`pi*a"ri*an\, a.
Of or relating to bees.
Apiarist \A"pi*a*rist\, n.
One who keeps an apiary.
Apiary \A"pi*a*ry\, n. [L. apiarium, fr. apis bee.]
A place where bees are kept; a stand or shed for bees; a
beehouse.
Apical \Ap"ic*al\, a. [L. apex, apicis, tip or summit.]
At or belonging to an apex, tip, or summit. --Gray.
Apices \Ap"i*ces\, n. pl.
See {Apex}.
Apician \A*pi"cian\, a. [L. Apicianus.]
Belonging to Apicius, a notorious Roman epicure; hence
applied to whatever is peculiarly refined or dainty and
expensive in cookery. --H. Rogers.
Apicular \A*pic"u*lar\, a. [NL. apiculus, dim. of L. apex,
apicis.]
Situated at, or near, the apex; apical.
Apiculate \A*pic"u*late\, Apiculated \A*pic"u*la`ted\, a. [See
{Apicular}.] (Bot.)
Terminated abruptly by a small, distinct point, as a leaf.
Apiculture \Ap"i*cul`ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. apis bee + E.
culture.]
Rearing of bees for their honey and wax.
Apiece \A*piece"\, adv. [Pref. a- + piece.]
Each by itself; by the single one; to each; as the share of
each; as, these melons cost a shilling apiece. ``Fined . . .
a thousand pounds apiece.'' --Hume.
Apieces \A*pie"ces\, adv.
In pieces or to pieces. [Obs.] ``Being torn apieces.''
--Shak.
Apiked \A*pik"ed\, a.
Trimmed. [Obs.]
Full fresh and new here gear apiked was. --Chaucer.
Apiol \A"pi*ol\, n. [L. apium parsley + -ol.] (Med.)
An oily liquid derived from parsley.
Apiologist \A`pi*ol"o*gist\, n. [L. apis bee + -logist (see
{-logy}).]
A student of bees. [R.] --Emerson.
Apis \A"pis\, n. [L., bee.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of insects of the order Hymenoptera, including the
common honeybee ({Apis mellifica}) and other related species.
See {Honeybee}.
Apish \Ap"ish\, a.
Having the qualities of an ape; prone to imitate in a servile
manner. Hence: Apelike; fantastically silly; foppish;
affected; trifling.
The apish gallantry of a fantastic boy. --Sir W.
Scott.
Apishly \Ap"ish*ly\, adv.
In an apish manner; with servile imitation; foppishly.
Apishness \Ap"ish*ness\, n.
The quality of being apish; mimicry; foppery.
Apitpat \A*pit"pat\, adv. [Pref. a- + pitpat.]
With quick beating or palpitation; pitapat. --Congreve.
Aplacental \Ap`la*cen"tal\, a. [Pref. a- + placental.]
Belonging to the Aplacentata; without placenta.
Aplacentata \Ap`la*cen*ta"ta\, n. pl. [Pref. a- not + placenta.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Mammals which have no placenta.
Aplacophora \Ap`la*coph"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ?
a flat cake + ? to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Amphineura in which the body is naked or
covered with slender spines or set[ae], but is without shelly
plates.
Aplanatic \Ap`la*nat"ic\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? disposed to
wander, wandering, ? to wander.] (Opt.)
Having two or more parts of different curvatures, so combined
as to remove spherical aberration; -- said of a lens.
{Aplanatic focus} of a lens (Opt.), the point or focus from
which rays diverging pass the lens without spherical
aberration. In certain forms of lenses there are two such
foci; and it is by taking advantage of this fact that the
best aplanatic object glasses of microscopes are
constructed.
Aplanatism \A*plan"a*tism\, n.
Freedom from spherical aberration.
Aplastic \A*plas"tic\, a. [Pref. a- not + plastic.]
Not plastic or easily molded.
Aplomb \A`plomb"\, n. [F., lit. perpendicularity; ? to + plomb
lead. See {Plumb}.]
Assurance of manner or of action; self-possession.
Aplotomy \A*plot"o*my\, n. [Gr. ? simple + ? a cutting.] (Surg.)
Simple incision. --Dunglison.
Aplustre \A*plus"tre\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Rom. Antiq.)
An ornamental appendage of wood at the ship's stern, usually
spreading like a fan and curved like a bird's feather.
--Audsley.
Aplysia \A*plys"i*a\, n. [Gr. ? a dirty sponge, fr. ? unwashed;
'a priv. + ? to wash.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marine mollusks of the order {Tectibranchiata};
the sea hare. Some of the species when disturbed throw out a
deep purple liquor, which colors the water to some distance.
See Illust. in Appendix.
Apneumona \Ap*neu"mo*na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ?, ?,
a lung.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of holothurians in which the internal respiratory
organs are wanting; -- called also {Apoda} or {Apodes}.
Apnoea \Ap*n[oe]"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ?, ?, breath, ?
to breathe, blow.] (Med.)
Partial privation or suspension of breath; suffocation.
Apo \Ap"o\ [Gr. ?. See {Ab-}.]
A prefix from a Greek preposition. It usually signifies from,
away from, off, or asunder, separate; as, in apocope (a
cutting off), apostate, apostle (one sent away), apocarpous.
Apocalypse \A*poc"a*lypse\, n. [L. apocalypsis, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
uncover, to disclose; ? from + ? to cover, conceal: cf. F.
apocalypse.]
1. The revelation delivered to St. John, in the isle of
Patmos, near the close of the first century, forming the
last book of the New Testament.
2. Anything viewed as a revelation; a disclosure.
The new apocalypse of Nature. --Carlyle.
Apocalyptic \A*poc`a*lyp"tic\, Apocalyptical
\A*poc`a*lyp"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to a revelation, or, specifically, to the
Revelation of St. John; containing, or of the nature of, a
prophetic revelation.
{Apocalyptic number}, the number 666, mentioned in --Rev.
xiii. 18. It has been variously interpreted.
Apocalyptic \A*poc`a*lyp"tic\ ([.a]*p[o^]k`[.a]*l[i^]p"t[i^]k),
Apocalyptist \A*poc`a*lyp"tist\, n.
The writer of the Apocalypse.
Apocalyptically \A*poc`a*lyp"tic*al*ly\, adv.
By revelation; in an apocalyptic manner.
Apocarpous \Ap`o*car"pous\, a. [Pref. apo- + Gr. karpo`s fruit.]
(Bot.)
Either entirely or partially separate, as the carpels of a
compound pistil; -- opposed to {syncarpous}. --Lindley.
Apocopate \A*poc"o*pate\, v. t. [LL. apocopatus, p. p. of
apocopare to cut off, fr. L. apocore. See {Apocope}.] (Gram.)
To cut off or drop; as, to apocopate a word, or the last
letter, syllable, or part of a word.
Apocopate \A*poc"o*pate\, Apocopated \A*poc"o*pa`ted\, a.
Shortened by apocope; as, an apocopate form.
Apocopation \A*poc`o*pa"tion\, n.
Shortening by apocope; the state of being apocopated.
Apocope \A*poc"o*pe\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? a cutting off, fr. ? to
cut off; ? from + ? to cut.]
1. The cutting off, or omission, of the last letter,
syllable, or part of a word.
2. (Med.) A cutting off; abscission.
Apocrisiary \Ap`o*cris"i*a*ry\, Apocrisiarius
\Ap`o*cris`i*a"ri*us\, n. [L. apocrisiarius, apocrisarius, fr.
Gr. ? answer, fr. ? to answer; ? from + ? to separate.]
(Eccl.)
A delegate or deputy; especially, the pope's nuncio or legate
at Constantinople.
Apocrustic \Ap`o*crus"tic\, a. [Gr. ? able to drive off, fr. ?
to drive off.] (Med.)
Astringent and repellent. -- n. An apocrustic medicine.
Apocrypha \A*poc"ry*pha\, n. pl., but often used as sing. with
pl. {Apocryphas}. [L. apocryphus apocryphal, Gr. ? hidden,
spurious, fr. ? to hide; ? from + ? to hide.]
1. Something, as a writing, that is of doubtful authorship or
authority; -- formerly used also adjectively. [Obs.]
--Locke.
2. Specif.: Certain writings which are received by some
Christians as an authentic part of the Holy Scriptures,
but are rejected by others.
Note: Fourteen such writings, or books, formed part of the
Septuagint, but not of the Hebrew canon recognized by
the Jews of Palestine. The Council of Trent included
all but three of these in the canon of inspired books
having equal authority. The German and English
Reformers grouped them in their Bibles under the title
Apocrypha, as not having dogmatic authority, but being
profitable for instruction. The Apocrypha is now
commonly ?mitted from the King James's Bible.
Apocryphal \A*poc"ry*phal\, a.
1. Pertaining to the Apocrypha.
2. Not canonical. Hence: Of doubtful authority; equivocal;
mythic; fictitious; spurious; false.
The passages . . . are, however, in part from
apocryphal or fictitious works. --Sir G. C.
Lewis.
Apocryphalist \A*poc"ry*phal*ist\, n.
One who believes in, or defends, the Apocrypha. [R.]
Apocryphally \A*poc"ry*phal*ly\, adv.
In an apocryphal manner; mythically; not indisputably.
Apocryphalness \A*poc"ry*phal*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being apocryphal; doubtfulness of
credit or genuineness.
Apocynaceous \A*poc`y*na"ceous\, Apocyneous \Ap`o*cyn"e*ous\, a.
[Gr. ? dogbane; ? from + ? dog.] (Bot.)
Belonging to, or resembling, a family of plants, of which the
dogbane ({Apocynum}) is the type.
Apocynin \A*poc"y*nin\, n. [From Apocynum, the generic name of
dogbane.] (Chem.)
A bitter principle obtained from the dogbane ({Apocynum
cannabinum}).
Apod \Ap"od\, Apodal \Ap"o*dal\, a. [See {Apod}, n.]
1. Without feet; footless.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Destitute of the ventral fin, as the eels.
Apod \Ap"od\, Apode \Ap"ode\, n.; pl. {Apods}or {Apodes}. [Gr.
?, ?, footless; 'a priv. + ?, ?, foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of certain animals that have no feet or footlike organs;
esp. one of certain fabulous birds which were said to have no
feet.
Note: The bird of paradise formerly had the name {Paradisea
apoda}, being supposed to have no feet, as these were
wanting in the specimens first obtained from the East
Indies.
Apoda \Ap"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?. See {Apod}, n.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) A group of cirripeds, destitute of footlike organs.
(b) An order of Amphibia without feet. See {Ophiomorpha}.
(c) A group of worms without appendages, as the leech.
Apodan \Ap"o*dan\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Apodal.
Apodeictic \Ap"o*deic"tic\, Apodictic \Ap`o*dic"tic\,
Apodeictical \Ap`o*deic"tic*al\, Apodictical \Ap`o*dic"tic*al\,
a. [L. apodicticus, Gr. ?, fr. ? to point out, to show by
argument; ? from + ? to show.]
Self-evident; intuitively true; evident beyond contradiction.
--Brougham. Sir Wm. Hamilton.
Apodeictically \Ap`o*deic"tic*al*ly\, Apodictically
\Ap`o*dic"tic*al*ly\, adv.
So as to be evident beyond contradiction.
Apodeme \Ap"o*deme\, n. [Pref. apo- + Gr. ? body.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the processes of the shell which project inwards and
unite with one another, in the thorax of many Crustacea.
Apodes \Ap"o*des\, n. pl. [NL., masc. pl. See {Apoda}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) An order of fishes without ventral fins, including the
eels.
(b) A group of holothurians destitute of suckers. See
{Apneumona}.
Apodictic \Ap`o*dic"tic\, a.
Same as {Apodeictic}.
Apodixis \Ap`o*dix"is\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?.]
Full demonstration.
Apodosis \A*pod"o*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to give back; ?
from, back again + ? to give.] (Gram.)
The consequent clause or conclusion in a conditional
sentence, expressing the result, and thus distinguished from
the protasis or clause which expresses a condition. Thus, in
the sentence, ``Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,''
the former clause is the protasis, and the latter the
apodosis.
Note: Some grammarians extend the terms protasis and apodosis
to the introductory clause and the concluding clause,
even when the sentence is not conditional.
Apodous \Ap"o*dous\(#), a. (Zo["o]l.)
Apodal; apod.
Apodyterium \A*pod`y*te"ri*um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
strip one's self.] (Anc. Arch.)
The apartment at the entrance of the baths, or in the
palestra, where one stripped; a dressing room.
Apogaic \Ap`o*ga"ic\, a. [Gr. ? far from the earth.]
Apogean.
Apogamic \Ap`o*gam"ic\, a.
Relating to apogamy.
Apogamy \A*pog"a*my\, n. [Pref. apo- + Gr. ? marriage.] (Bot.)
The formation of a bud in place of a fertilized ovule or
o["o]spore. --De Bary.
Apogeal \Ap`o*ge"al\, a. (Astron.)
Apogean.
Apogean \Ap`o*ge"an\, a.
Connected with the apogee; as, apogean (neap) tides, which
occur when the moon has passed her apogee.
Apogee \Ap"o*gee\, n. [Gr. ? from the earth; ? from + ?, ?,
earth: cf. F. apog['e]e.]
1. (Astron.) That point in the orbit of the moon which is at
the greatest distance from the earth.
Note: Formerly, on the hypothesis that the earth is in the
center of the system, this name was given to that point
in the orbit of the sun, or of a planet, which was
supposed to be at the greatest distance from the earth.
2. Fig.: The farthest or highest point; culmination.
Apogeotropic \Ap`o*ge`o*trop"ic\, a. [Pref. apo- + Gr. ? earth +
? turning.] (Bot.)
Bending away from the ground; -- said of leaves, etc.
--Darwin.
Apogeotropism \Ap"o*ge*ot"ro*pism\, n.
The apogeotropic tendency of some leaves, and other parts.
Apograph \Ap"o*graph\, n. [Gr. ?; ? from + ? to write: cf. F.
apographe.]
A copy or transcript. --Blount.
Apohyal \Ap`o*hy"al\, a. [Pref. apo- + the Gr. letter Y.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a portion of the horn of the hyoid bone.
Apoise \A*poise"\, adv. [Pref. a- + poise.]
Balanced.
Apolar \A*po"lar\, a. [Pref. a- + polar.] (Biol.)
Having no radiating processes; -- applied particularly to
certain nerve cells.
Apolaustic \Ap`o*laus"tic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to enjoy.]
Devoted to enjoyment.
Apollinarian \A*pol`li*na"ri*an\, a. [L. Apollinaris, fr.
Apollo.] (Rom. Antiq.)
In honor of Apollo; as, the Apollinarian games.
Apollinarian \A*pol`li*na"ri*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Apollinaris, Bishop of Laodicea in the fourth
century, who denied the proper humanity of Christ.
Apollinaris water \A*pol`li*na"ris wa"ter\
An effervescing alkaline mineral water used as a table
beverage. It is obtained from a spring in Apollinarisburg,
near Bonn.
Apollo \A*pol"lo\, n. [L. Apollo, -linis, Gr. ?.] (Classic
Myth.)
A deity among the Greeks and Romans. He was the god of light
and day (the ``sun god''), of archery, prophecy, medicine,
poetry, and music, etc., and was represented as the model of
manly grace and beauty; -- called also {Ph['e]bus}.
{The Apollo Belvedere}, a celebrated statue of Apollo in the
Belvedere gallery of the Vatican palace at Rome, esteemed
of the noblest representations of the human frame.
Apollonian \Ap`ol*lo"ni*an\, Apollonic \Ap`ol*lon"ic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, Apollo.
Apollyon \A*pol"ly*on\, n. [Gr. ? destroying, fr. ?, ?, to
destroy utterly; ? from, entirely + ? to destroy.]
The Destroyer; -- a name used --(Rev. ix. 11) for the angel
of the bottomless pit, answering to the Hebrew Abaddon.
Apologer \A*pol"o*ger\, n.
A teller of apologues. [Obs.]
Apologetic \A*pol`o*get"ic\, Apologetical \A*pol`o*get"ic*al\,
a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to speak in defense of; ? from + ? speech, ?
to say, to speak. See {Logic}.]
Defending by words or arguments; said or written in defense,
or by way of apology; regretfully excusing; as, an apologetic
essay. ``To speak in a subdued and apologetic tone.''
--Macaulay.
Apologetically \A*pol`o*get"ic*al*ly\, adv.
By way of apology.
Apologetics \A*pol`o*get"ics\, n.
That branch of theology which defends the Holy Scriptures,
and sets forth the evidence of their divine authority.
Apologist \A*pol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. apologiste.]
One who makes an apology; one who speaks or writes in defense
of a faith, a cause, or an institution; especially, one who
argues in defense of Christianity.
Apologize \A*pol"o*gize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Apologized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Apologizing}.] [Cf. F. apologiser.]
1. To make an apology or defense. --Dr. H. More.
2. To make an apology or excuse; to make acknowledgment of
some fault or offense, with expression of regret for it,
by way of amends; -- with for; as, my correspondent
apologized for not answering my letter.
To apologize for his insolent language. --Froude.
Apologize \A*pol"o*gize\, v. t.
To defend. [Obs.]
The Christians . . . were apologized by Plinie. --Dr.
G. Benson.
Apologizer \A*pol"o*gi`zer\, n.
One who makes an apology; an apologist.
Apologue \Ap"o*logue\, n. [L. apologous, Gr. ?; ? from + ?
speech, ? to speak: cf. F. apologue.]
A story or relation of fictitious events, intended to convey
some moral truth; a moral fable.
Note: An apologue differs from a parable in this;: the
parable is drawn from events which take place among
mankind, and therefore requires probability in the
narrative; the apologue is founded on supposed actions
of brutes or inanimate things, and therefore is not
limited by strict rules of probability. [AE]sop's
fables are good examples of apologues.
Apology \A*pol"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Apologies}. [L. apologia, Gr. ?;
? from + ?: cf. F. apologie. See {Apologetic}.]
1. Something said or written in defense or justification of
what appears to others wrong, or of what may be liable to
disapprobation; justification; as, Tertullian's Apology
for Christianity.
It is not my intention to make an apology for my
poem; some will think it needs no excuse, and others
will receive none. --Dryden.
2. An acknowledgment intended as an atonement for some
improper or injurious remark or act; an admission to
another of a wrong or discourtesy done him, accompanied by
an expression of regret.
3. Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.
He goes to work devising apologies for window
curtains. --Dickens.
Syn: {Excuse}.
Usage: An apology, in the original sense of the word, was a
pleading off from some charge or imputation, by
explaining and defending one's principles or conduct.
It therefore amounted to a vindication. One who offers
an apology, admits himself to have been, at least
apparently, in the wrong, but brings forward some
palliating circumstance, or tenders a frank
acknowledgment, by way of reparation. We make an
apology for some breach of propriety or decorum (like
rude expressions, unbecoming conduct, etc.), or some
deficiency in what might be reasonably expected. We
offer an excuse when we have been guilty of some
breach or neglect of duty; and we do it by way of
extenuating our fault, and with a view to be forgiven.
When an excuse has been accepted, an apology may
still, in some cases, be necessary or appropriate.
``An excuse is not grounded on the claim of innocence,
but is rather an appeal for favor resting on some
collateral circumstance. An apology mostly respects
the conduct of individuals toward each other as
equals; it is a voluntary act produced by feelings of
decorum, or a desire for the good opinion of others.''
--Crabb.
Apology \A*pol"o*gy\, v. i.
To offer an apology. [Obs.]
For which he can not well apology. --J. Webster.
Apomecometer \Ap`o*me*com"e*ter\, n.
An instrument for measuring the height of objects. --Knight.
Apomecometry \Ap`o*me*com"e*try\, n. [Pref. apo- + Gr. ? length
+ -metry.]
The art of measuring the distance of objects afar off. [Obs.
or R.]
Apomorphia \Ap`o*mor"phi*a\, Apomorphine \Ap`o*mor"phine\, n.
[Pref. apo- + morphia, morphine.] (Chem.)
A crystalline alkaloid obtained from morphia. It is a
powerful emetic.
Aponeurosis \Ap`o*neu*ro"sis\, n.; pl. {Aponeuroses}. [Gr. ?,
fr. ? to pass into a tendon; ? from + ? to strain the sinews,
? sinew, tendon, nerve.] (Anat.)
Any one of the thicker and denser of the deep fasci[ae] which
cover, invest, and the terminations and attachments of, many
muscles. They often differ from tendons only in being flat
and thin. See {Fascia}.
Aponeurotic \Ap`o*neu*rot"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to an aponeurosis.
Aponeurotomy \Ap`o*neu*rot"o*my\, n. [Aponeurosis + Gr. ? a
cutting.]
Dissection of aponeuroses.
Apopemptic \Ap`o*pemp"tic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to send off or
away; ? from + ? to send.]
Sung or addressed to one departing; valedictory; as,
apoplectic songs or hymns.
Apophasis \A*poph"a*sis\, n. [Gr. ? denial, fr. ? to speak out,
to deny.] (Rhet.)
A figure by which a speaker formally declines to take notice
of a favorable point, but in such a manner as to produce the
effect desired. [For example, see Mark Antony's oration.
--Shak., Julius C[ae]sar, iii. 2.]
Apophlegmatic \Ap`o*phleg*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; ? from + ? full of
phlegm. See {Phlegmatic}.] (Med.)
Designed to facilitate discharges of phlegm or mucus from
mouth or nostrils. -- n. An apophlegmatic medicine.
Apophlegmatism \Ap`o*phleg"ma*tism\, n. [Gr. ?, Galen.]
1. (Med.) The action of apophlegmatics.
2. An apophlegmatic. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Apophlegmatizant \Ap`o*phleg*mat"i*zant\, n. (Med.)
An apophlegmatic. [Obs.]
Apophthegm \Ap`oph*thegm\, n.
See {Apothegm}.
Apophthegmatic \Ap`oph*theg*mat"ic\, Apophthegmatical
\Ap`oph*theg*mat"ic*al\, a.
Same as {Apothegmatic}.
Apophyge \A*poph"y*ge\, n. [Gr. 'apofygh` escape, in arch. the
curve with which the shaft escapes into its base or capital,
fr. 'apofey`gein to flee away; 'apo` from + fey`gein to flee:
cf. F. apophyge.] (Arch.)
The small hollow curvature given to the top or bottom of the
shaft of a column where it expands to meet the edge of the
fillet; -- called also the {scape}. --Parker.
Apophyllite \A*poph"yl*lite\, n. [Pref. apo- + Gr. ? leaf; so
called from its foliated structure or easy cleavage.] (Min.)
A mineral relating to the zeolites, usually occurring in
square prisms or octahedrons with pearly luster on the
cleavage surface. It is a hydrous silicate of calcium and
potassium.
Apophysis \A*poph"y*sis\, n.; pl. {-ses}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
offshoot, process of a bone, fr. ? to grow from; ? from + ?,
?, to grow.]
1. (Anat.) A marked prominence or process on any part of a
bone.
2. (Bot.) An enlargement at the top of a pedicel or stem, as
seen in certain mosses. --Gray.
Apoplectic \Ap`o*plec"tic\(#) Apoplectical \Ap`o*plec"tic*al\,
a. [L. apoplecticus, Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F. apoplectique. See
{Apoplexy}.]
Relating to apoplexy; affected with, inclined to, or
symptomatic of, apoplexy; as, an apoplectic person, medicine,
habit or temperament, symptom, fit, or stroke.
Apoplectic \Ap`o*plec"tic\, n.
One liable to, or affected with, apoplexy.
Apoplectiform \Ap`o*plec"ti*form\, Apoplectoid \Ap`o*plec"toid\,
a. [Apoplectic + -form, -oid.]
Resembling apoplexy.
Apoplex \Ap"o*plex\, n.
Apoplexy. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Apoplexed \Ap`o*plexed\ (-pl[e^]kst), a.
Affected with apoplexy. [Obs.] --Shak.
Apoplexy \Ap"o*plex`y\ ([a^]p"[-o]*pl[e^]ks`[y^]), n. [OE.
poplexye, LL. poplexia, apoplexia, fr. Gr. 'apoplhxi`a, fr.
'apoplh`ssein to cripple by a stroke; 'apo` from + plh`ssein
to strike: cf. F. apoplexie. See {Plague}.] (Med.)
Sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and
voluntary motion, usually caused by pressure on the brain.
Note: The term is now usually limited to cerebral apoplexy,
or loss of consciousness due to effusion of blood or
other lesion within the substance of the brain; but it
is sometimes extended to denote an effusion of blood
into the substance of any organ; as, apoplexy of the
lung.
Aporetical \Ap`o*ret"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?. See {Aporia}.]
Doubting; skeptical. [Obs.] --Cudworth.
Aporia \A*po"ri*a\, n.; pl. {Aporias}. [L., doubt, Gr. ?, fr. ?
without passage, at a loss; 'a priv. + ? passage.] (Rhet.)
A figure in which the speaker professes to be at a loss what
course to pursue, where to begin to end, what to say, etc.
Aporosa \Ap`o*ro"sa\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?. See {Aporia}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of corals in which the coral is not porous; --
opposed to {Perforata}.
Aporose \Ap`o*rose"\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Without pores.
Aport \A*port"\, adv. [Pref. a- + port.] (Naut.)
On or towards the port or left side; -- said of the helm.
Aposiopesis \Ap`o*si`o*pe"sis\ (?; 277), n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, from
? to be quite silent.] (Rhet.)
A figure of speech in which the speaker breaks off suddenly,
as if unwilling or unable to state what was in his mind; as,
``I declare to you that his conduct -- but I can not speak of
that, here.''
Apositic \Ap`o*sit"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; ? from + ? food.] (Med.)
Destroying the appetite, or suspending hunger.
Apostasy \A*pos"ta*sy\, n.; pl. {Apostasies}. [OE. apostasie, F.
apostasie, L. apostasia, fr. Gr. ? a standing off from, a
defection, fr. ? to stand off, revolt; ? from + ? to stand.
See {Off} and {Stand}.]
An abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed; a total
desertion of departure from one's faith, principles, or
party; esp., the renunciation of a religious faith; as,
Julian's apostasy from Christianity.
Apostate \A*pos"tate\, n. [L. apostata, Gr. ?, fr. ?. See
{Apostasy}.]
1. One who has forsaken the faith, principles, or party, to
which he before adhered; esp., one who has forsaken his
religion for another; a pervert; a renegade.
2. (R. C. Ch.) One who, after having received sacred orders,
renounces his clerical profession.
Apostate \A*pos"tate\, a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to
moral allegiance; renegade.
So spake the apostate angel. --Milton.
A wretched and apostate state. --Steele.
Apostate \A*pos"tate\, v. i. [L. apostatare.]
To apostatize. [Obs.]
We are not of them which apostate from Christ. --Bp.
Hall.
Apostatic \Ap`o*stat"ic\, a. [L. apostaticus, Gr. ?.]
Apostatical. [R.]
Apostatical \Ap`o*stat"ic*al\, a.
Apostate.
An heretical and apostatical church. --Bp. Hall.
Apostatize \A*pos"ta*tize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Apostatized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Apostatizing}.] [LL. apostatizare.]
To renounce totally a religious belief once professed; to
forsake one's church, the faith or principles once held, or
the party to which one has previously adhered.
He apostatized from his old faith in facts, took to
believing in ?emblances. --Carlyle.
Apostemate \A*pos"te*mate\, v. i. [See {Aposteme}.]
To form an abscess; to swell and fill with pus. --Wiseman.
Apostemation \A*pos`te*ma"tion\, n. [LL. apostematio: cf. F.
apost['e]mation.] (Med.)
The formation of an aposteme; the process of suppuration.
[Written corruptly {imposthumation}.] --Wiseman.
Apostematous \Ap`os*tem"a*tous\, a.
Pertaining to, or partaking of the nature of, an aposteme.
Aposteme \Ap"os*teme\, n. [L. apostema, Gr. ? the separation of
corrupt matter into an ulcer, fr. ? to stand off: cf. F.
apost[`e]me. See {Apostasy}.] (Med.)
An abscess; a swelling filled with purulent matter. [Written
corruptly {imposthume}.]
A posteriori \A` pos*te`ri*o"ri\ [L. a (ab) + posterior latter.]
1. (Logic) Characterizing that kind of reasoning which
derives propositions from the observation of facts, or by
generalizations from facts arrives at principles and
definitions, or infers causes from effects. This is the
reverse of a priori reasoning.
2. (Philos.) Applied to knowledge which is based upon or
derived from facts through induction or experiment;
inductive or empirical.
Apostil \A*pos"til\, Apostille \A*pos"tille\, n. [F. apostille.
See {Postil}.]
A marginal note on a letter or other paper; an annotation.
--Motley.
Apostle \A*pos"tle\, n. [OE. apostle, apostel, postle, AS.
apostol, L. apostolus, fr. Gr. ? messenger, one sent forth or
away, fr. ? to send off or away; ? from + ? to send; akin to
G. stellen to set, E. stall: cf. F. ap[^o]tre, Of. apostre,
apostle, apostele, apostole.]
1. Literally: One sent forth; a messenger. Specifically: One
of the twelve disciples of Christ, specially chosen as his
companions and witnesses, and sent forth to preach the
gospel.
He called unto him his disciples, and of them he
chose twelve, whom also he named apostles. --Luke
vi. 13.
Note: The title of apostle is also applied to others, who,
though not of the number of the Twelve, yet were equal
with them in office and dignity; as, ``Paul, called to
be an apostle of Jesus Christ.'' --1 Cor. i. 1. In
--Heb. iii. 1, the name is given to Christ himself, as
having been sent from heaven to publish the gospel. In
the primitive church, other ministers were called
apostles --(Rom. xvi. 7).
2. The missionary who first plants the Christian faith in any
part of the world; also, one who initiates any great moral
reform, or first advocates any important belief; one who
has extraordinary success as a missionary or reformer; as,
Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France, John
Eliot the apostle to the Indians, Theobald Mathew the
apostle of temperance.
3. (Civ. & Admiralty Law) A brief letter dimissory sent by a
court appealed from to the superior court, stating the
case, etc.; a paper sent up on appeals in the admiralty
courts. --Wharton. Burrill.
{Apostles' creed}, a creed of unknown origin, which was
formerly ascribed to the apostles. It certainly dates back
to the beginning of the sixth century, and some assert
that it can be found in the writings of Ambrose in the
fourth century.
{Apostle spoon} (Antiq.), a spoon of silver, with the handle
terminating in the figure of an apostle. One or more were
offered by sponsors at baptism as a present to the
godchild. --B. Jonson.
Apostleship \A*pos"tle*ship\, n.
The office or dignity of an apostle.
Apostolate \A*pos"to*late\, n. [L. apostolatus, fr. apostolus.
See {Apostle}.]
1. The dignity, office, or mission, of an apostle;
apostleship.
Judas had miscarried and lost his apostolate. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. The dignity or office of the pope, as the holder of the
apostolic see.
Apostolic \Ap`os*tol"ic\, Apostolical \Ap`os*tol"ic*al\, a. [L.
apostolicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. apostolique.]
1. Pertaining to an apostle, or to the apostles, their times,
or their peculiar spirit; as, an apostolical mission; the
apostolic age.
2. According to the doctrines of the apostles; delivered or
taught by the apostles; as, apostolic faith or practice.
3. Of or pertaining to the pope or the papacy; papal.
{Apostolical brief}. See under {Brief}.
{Apostolic canons}, a collection of rules and precepts
relating to the duty of Christians, and particularly to
the ceremonies and discipline of the church in the second
and third centuries.
{Apostolic church}, the Christian church; -- so called on
account of its apostolic foundation, doctrine, and order.
The churches of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem
were called apostolic churches.
{Apostolic constitutions}, directions of a nature similar to
the apostolic canons, and perhaps compiled by the same
authors or author.
{Apostolic fathers}, early Christian writers, who were born
in the first century, and thus touched on the age of the
apostles. They were Polycarp, Clement, Ignatius, and
Hermas; to these Barnabas has sometimes been added.
{Apostolic king} (or {majesty}), a title granted by the pope
to the kings of Hungary on account of the extensive
propagation of Christianity by St. Stephen, the founder of
the royal line. It is now a title of the emperor of
Austria in right of the throne of Hungary.
{Apostolic see}, a see founded and governed by an apostle;
specifically, the Church of Rome; -- so called because, in
the Roman Catholic belief, the pope is the successor of
St. Peter, the prince of the apostles, and the only
apostle who has successors in the apostolic office.
{Apostolical succession}, the regular and uninterrupted
transmission of ministerial authority by a succession of
bishops from the apostles to any subsequent period.
--Hook.
Apostolic \Ap`os*tol"ic\, n. [L. apostolicus.] (Eccl. Hist.)
A member of one of certain ascetic sects which at various
times professed to imitate the practice of the apostles.
Apostolically \Ap`os*tol"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an apostolic manner.
Apostolicalness \Ap`os*tol"ic*al*ness\, n.
Apostolicity. --Dr. H. More.
Apostolicism \Ap`os*tol"i*cism\, Apostolicity
\A*pos`to*lic"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being apostolical.
Apostrophe \A*pos"tro*phe\, n. [(1) L., fr. Gr. ? a turning
away, fr. ? to turn away; ? from + ? to turn. (2) F., fr. L.
apostrophus apostrophe, the turning away or omitting of a
letter, Gr. ?.]
1. (Rhet.) A figure of speech by which the orator or writer
suddenly breaks off from the previous method of his
discourse, and addresses, in the second person, some
person or thing, absent or present; as, Milton's
apostrophe to Light at the beginning of the third book of
``Paradise Lost.''
2. (Gram.) The contraction of a word by the omission of a
letter or letters, which omission is marked by the
character ['] placed where the letter or letters would
have been; as, call'd for called.
3. The mark ['] used to denote that a word is contracted (as
in ne'er for never, can't for can not), and as a sign of
the possessive, singular and plural; as, a boy's hat,
boys' hats. In the latter use it originally marked the
omission of the letter e.
Note: The apostrophe is used to mark the plural of figures
and letters; as, two 10's and three a's. It is also
employed to mark the close of a quotation.
Apostrophic \Ap`os*troph"ic\, a.
Pertaining to an apostrophe, grammatical or rhetorical.
Apostrophize \A*pos"tro*phize\, v. t., [imp. & p. p.
{Apostrophized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Apostrophizing}.]
1. To address by apostrophe.
2. To contract by omitting a letter or letters; also, to mark
with an apostrophe (') or apostrophes.
Apostrophize \A*pos"tro*phize\, v. i.
To use the rhetorical figure called apostrophe.
Apostume \Ap"os*tume\, n.
See {Aposteme}. [Obs.]
Apotactite \Ap`o*tac"tite\, n. [LL. pl. apotactitae, Gr. ?, fr.
? set apart; ? from + ? to arrange, ordain.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of ancient Christians, who, in supposed
imitation of the first believers, renounced all their
possessions.
Apotelesm \A*pot"e*lesm\, n. [See {Apotelesmatic}.]
1. The result or issue. [Obs.]
2. (Astrol.) The calculation and explanation of a nativity.
[Obs.] --Bailey.
Apotelesmatic \Ap`o*tel`es*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? effect of
the stars on human destiny, fr. ? to complete; ? from + ? to
end, ? end.]
1. Relating to the casting of horoscopes. [Archaic]
--Whewell.
2. Relating to an issue of fulfillment.
In this way a passage in the Old Testament may have,
or rather comprise, an apotelesmatic sense, i. e.,
one of after or final accomplishment. --M. Stuart.
Apothecary \A*poth"e*ca*ry\, n.; pl. {Apothecaries}. [OE.
apotecarie, fr. LL. apothecarius, fr. L. apotheca storehouse,
Gr. apo, fr. ? to put away; ? from + ? to put: cf. F.
apothicaire, OF. apotecaire. See {Thesis}.]
One who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal
purposes.
Note: In England an apothecary is one of a privileged class
of practitioners -- a kind of sub-physician. The
surgeon apothecary is the ordinary family medical
attendant. One who sells drugs and makes up
prescriptions is now commonly called in England a
druggist or a pharmaceutical chemist.
{Apothecaries' weight}, the system of weights by which
medical prescriptions were formerly compounded. The pound
and ounce are the same as in Troy weight; they differ only
in the manner of subdivision. The ounce is divided into 8
drams, 24 scruples, 480 grains. See {Troy weight}.
Apothecium \Apo`*the"ci*um\, n.; pl. {Apothecia}. [NL.] (Bot.)
The ascigerous fructification of lichens, forming masses of
various shapes.
Apothegm \Ap"o*thegm\, Apophthegm \Ap"oph*thegm\, n. [Gr.
'apo`fqegma thing uttered, apothegm, from 'apofqe`ggesqai to
speak out; 'apo` from + fqe`ggesqai to speak.]
A short, pithy, and instructive saying; a terse remark,
conveying some important truth; a sententious precept or
maxim.
Note: [Apothegm is now the prevalent spelling in the United
States.]
Apothegmatic \Ap`o*theg*mat"ic\, Apothegmatical
\Ap`o*theg*mat"ic*al\, a. [Gr. 'apofqegmatiko`s.]
Pertaining to, or in the manner of, an apothegm; sententious;
pithy.
Apothegmatist \Ap`o*theg"ma*tist\, n.
A collector or maker of apothegms. --Pope.
Apothegmatize \Ap`o*theg"ma*tize\, v. i.
To utter apothegms, or short and sententious sayings.
Apothem \Ap"o*them\, n. [Gr. ? + ? that which is placed, ? to
place.]
1. (Math.) The perpendicular from the center to one of the
sides of a regular polygon.
2. A deposit formed in a liquid extract of a vegetable
substance by exposure to the air.
Apotheosis \Ap`o*the"o*sis\ (?; 277), n. pl. {Apotheoses}. [L.,
fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to deify; ? from + ? to deify, ? a god.]
1. The act of elevating a mortal to the rank of, and placing
him among, ``the gods;'' deification.
2. Glorification; exaltation. ``The apotheosis of chivalry.''
--Prescott. ``The noisy apotheosis of liberty and
machinery.'' --F. Harrison.
Apotheosize \Ap`o*the"o*size\, v. t.
To exalt to the dignity of a deity; to declare to be a god;
to deify; to glorify.
Apothesis \A*poth"e*sis\, n. [Gr. ? a putting back or away, fr.
?. See {Apothecary}.] (Arch.)
(a) A place on the south side of the chancel in the primitive
churches, furnished with shelves, for books, vestments,
etc. --Weale.
(b) A dressing room connected with a public bath.
Apotome \A*pot"o*me\, n. [Gr. ? a cutting off, fr. ? to cut off;
? from + ? to cut.]
1. (Math.) The difference between two quantities
commensurable only in power, as between [root]2 and 1, or
between the diagonal and side of a square.
2. (Mus) The remaining part of a whole tone after a smaller
semitone has been deducted from it; a major semitone.
[Obs.]
Apozem \Ap"o*zem\, n. [L. apozema, Gr. ?, fr. ? to extract by
boiling; ? from + ? boil.] (Med.)
A decoction or infusion. [Obs.] --Wiseman.
Apozemical \Ap`o*zem"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, a decoction. [Obs.] --J.
Whitaker.
Appair \Ap*pair"\, v. t. & i. [OF. empeirier, F. empire. See
{Impair}.]
To impair; to grow worse. [Obs.]
Appalachian \Ap`pa*la"chi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to a chain of mountains in the United
States, commonly called the {Allegheny} mountains.
Note: The name Appalachian was given to the mountains by the
Spaniards under De Soto, who derived it from the
neighboring Indians. --Am. Cyc.
Appall \Ap*pall"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Appalled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Appalling}.] [OF. appalir to grow pale, make pale; a (L.
ad) + p[^a]lir to grow pale, to make pale, p[^a]le pale. See
Pale, a., and cf. {Pall}.]
1. To make pale; to blanch. [Obs.]
The answer that ye made to me, my dear, . . . Hath
so appalled my countenance. --Wyatt.
2. To weaken; to enfeeble; to reduce; as, an old appalled
wight. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Wine, of its own nature, will not congeal and
freeze, only it will lose the strength, and become
appalled in extremity of cold. --Holland.
3. To depress or discourage with fear; to impress with fear
in such a manner that the mind shrinks, or loses its
firmness; to overcome with sudden terror or horror; to
dismay; as, the sight appalled the stoutest heart.
The house of peers was somewhat appalled at this
alarum. --Clarendon.
Syn: To dismay; terrify; daunt; frighten; affright; scare;
depress. See {Dismay}.
Appall \Ap*pall"\, v. i.
1. To grow faint; to become weak; to become dismayed or
discouraged. [Obs.] --Gower.
2. To lose flavor or become stale. [Obs.]
Appall \Ap*pall"\, n.
Terror; dismay. [Poet.] --Cowper.
Appalling \Ap*pall"ing\, a.
Such as to appall; as, an appalling accident. --
{Ap*pall"ing*ly}, adv.
Appallment \Ap*pall"ment\, n.
Depression occasioned by terror; dismay. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Appanage \Ap"pa*nage\, n. [F. apanage, fr. OF. apaner to
nourish, support, fr. LL. apanare to furnish with bread, to
provision; L. ad + pains bread.]
1. The portion of land assigned by a sovereign prince for the
subsistence of his younger sons.
2. A dependency; a dependent territory.
3. That which belongs to one by custom or right; a natural
adjunct or accompaniment. ``Wealth . . . the appanage of
wit.'' --Swift.
Appanagist \Ap*pan"a*gist\ ([a^]p*p[a^]n"[.a]*j[i^]st), n. [F.
apanagiste.]
A prince to whom an appanage has been granted.
Apparaillyng \Ap*par"ail*lyng\, n. [See {Apparel}, n. & v.]
Preparation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Apparatus \Ap"pa*ratus\, n.; pl. {Apparatus}, also rarely
{Apparatuses}. [L., from apparare, apparatum, to prepare; ad
+ prepare to make ready.]
1. Things provided as means to some end.
2. Hence: A full collection or set of implements, or
utensils, for a given duty, experimental or operative; any
complex instrument or appliance, mechanical or chemical,
for a specific action or operation; machinery; mechanism.
3. (Physiol.) A collection of organs all of which unite in a
common function; as, the respiratory apparatus.
Apparel \Ap*par"el\, n. [OE. apparel, apareil, OF. apareil,
appareil, preparation, provision, furniture, OF. apareiller
to match, prepare, F. appareiller; OF. a (L. ad) + pareil
like, similar, fr. LL. pariculus, dim. of L. par equal. See
{Pair}.]
1. External clothing; vesture; garments; dress; garb;
external habiliments or array.
Fresh in his new apparel, proud and young. --Denham.
At public devotion his resigned carriage made
religion appear in the natural apparel of
simplicity. --Tatler.
2. A small ornamental piece of embroidery worn on albs and
some other ecclesiastical vestments.
3. (Naut.) The furniture of a ship, as masts, sails, rigging,
anchors, guns, etc.
Syn: Dress; clothing; vesture; garments; raiment; garb;
costume; attire; habiliments.
Apparel \Ap*par"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Appareled}, or
{Apparelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Appareling}, or
{Apparelling}.] [OF. apareiller.]
1. To make or get (something) ready; to prepare. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
2. To furnish with apparatus; to equip; to fit out.
Ships . . . appareled to fight. --Hayward.
3. To dress or clothe; to attire.
They which are gorgeously appareled, and live
delicately, are in kings' courts. --Luke vii.
25.
4. To dress with external ornaments; to cover with something
ornamental; to deck; to embellish; as, trees appareled
with flowers, or a garden with verdure.
Appareled in celestial light. --Wordsworth.
Apparence \Ap*par"ence\, n. [OF. aparence.]
Appearance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Apparency \Ap*par"en*cy\, n.
1. Appearance. [Obs.]
2. Apparentness; state of being apparent. --Coleridge.
3. The position of being heir apparent.
Apparent \Ap*par"ent\, a. [F. apparent, L. apparens, -entis, p.
pr. of apparere. See {Appear}.]
1. Capable of being seen, or easily seen; open to view;
visible to the eye; within sight or view.
The moon . . . apparent queen. --Milton.
2. Clear or manifest to the understanding; plain; evident;
obvious; known; palpable; indubitable.
It is apparent foul play. --Shak.
3. Appearing to the eye or mind (distinguished from, but not
necessarily opposed to, true or real); seeming; as the
apparent motion or diameter of the sun.
To live on terms of civility, and even of apparent
friendship. --Macaulay.
What Berkeley calls visible magnitude was by
astronomers called apparent magnitude. --Reid.
{Apparent horizon}, the circle which in a level plain bounds
our view, and is formed by the apparent meeting of the
earth and heavens, as distinguished from the rational
horizon.
{Apparent time}. See {Time}.
{Heir apparent} (Law), one whose to an estate is indefeasible
if he survives the ancestor; -- in distinction from
presumptive heir. See {Presumptive}.
Syn: Visible; distinct; plain; obvious; clear; certain;
evident; manifest; indubitable; notorious.
Apparent \Ap*par"ent\, n.
An heir apparent. [Obs.]
I'll draw it [the sword] as apparent to the crown.
--Shak.
Apparently \Ap*par"ent*ly\, adv.
1. Visibly. [Obs.] --Hobbes.
2. Plainly; clearly; manifestly; evidently.
If he should scorn me so apparently. --Shak.
3. Seemingly; in appearance; as, a man may be apparently
friendly, yet malicious in heart.
Apparentness \Ap*par"ent*ness\, n.
Plainness to the eye or the mind; visibleness; obviousness.
[R.] --Sherwood.
Apparition \Ap`pa*ri"tion\, n. [F. apparition, L. apparitio, fr.
apparere. See {Appear}.]
1. The act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility.
--Milton.
The sudden apparition of the Spaniards. --Prescott.
The apparition of Lawyer Clippurse occasioned much
speculation in that portion of the world. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.
Which apparition, it seems, was you. --Tatler.
3. An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; a
ghost; a specter; a phantom. ``The heavenly bands . . . a
glorious apparition.'' --Milton.
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes That shapes
this monstrous apparition. --Shak.
4. (Astron.) The first appearance of a star or other luminary
after having been invisible or obscured; -- opposed to
{occultation}.
{Circle of perpetual apparition}. See under {Circle}.
Apparitional \Ap`pa*ri"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to an apparition or to apparitions; spectral. ``An
apparitional soul.'' --Tylor.
Apparitor \Ap*par"i*tor\, n. [L., fr. apparere. See {Appear}.]
1. Formerly, an officer who attended magistrates and judges
to execute their orders.
Before any of his apparitors could execute the
sentence, he was himself summoned away by a sterner
apparitor to the other world. --De Quincey.
2. (Law) A messenger or officer who serves the process of an
ecclesiastical court. --Bouvier.
Appaum'e \Ap`pau`m['e]"\, n. [F. appaum['e]; ? (l. ad) + paume
the palm, fr. L. palma.] (Her.)
A hand open and extended so as to show the palm.
Appay \Ap*pay"\, v. t. [OF. appayer, apaier, LL. appacare,
appagare, fr. L. ad + pacare to pacify, pax, pacis, peace.
See {Pay}, {Appease}.]
To pay; to satisfy or appease. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
Appeach \Ap*peach"\, v. t. [OE. apechen, for empechen, OF.
empeechier, F. emp[^e]cher, to hinder. See {Impeach}.]
To impeach; to accuse; to asperse; to inform against; to
reproach. [Obs.]
And oft of error did himself appeach. --Spenser.
Appeacher \Ap*peach"er\, n.
An accuser. [Obs.] --Raleigh.
Appeachment \Ap*peach"ment\, n.
Accusation. [Obs.]
Appeal \Ap*peal"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Appealed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Appealing}.] [OE. appelen, apelen, to appeal, accuse, OF.
appeler, fr. L. appellare to approach, address, invoke,
summon, call, name; akin to appellere to drive to; ad +
pellere to drive. See {Pulse}, and cf. {Peal}.]
1. (Law)
(a) To make application for the removal of (a cause) from
an inferior to a superior judge or court for a
rehearing or review on account of alleged injustice or
illegality in the trial below. We say, the cause was
appealed from an inferior court.
(b) To charge with a crime; to accuse; to institute a
private criminal prosecution against for some heinous
crime; as, to appeal a person of felony.
2. To summon; to challenge. [Archaic]
Man to man will I appeal the Norman to the lists.
--Sir W.
Scott.
3. To invoke. [Obs.] --Milton.
Appeal \Ap*peal"\, v. t.
1. (Law) To apply for the removal of a cause from an inferior
to a superior judge or court for the purpose of
re["e]xamination of for decision. --Tomlins.
I appeal unto C[ae]sar. --Acts xxv.
11.
2. To call upon another to decide a question controverted, to
corroborate a statement, to vindicate one's rights, etc.;
as, I appeal to all mankind for the truth of what is
alleged. Hence: To call on one for aid; to make earnest
request.
I appeal to the Scriptures in the original.
--Horsley.
They appealed to the sword. --Macaulay.
Appeal \Ap*peal"\, n. [OE. appel, apel, OF. apel, F. appel, fr.
appeler. See {Appeal}, v. t.]
1. (Law)
(a) An application for the removal of a cause or suit from
an inferior to a superior judge or court for
re["e]xamination or review.
(b) The mode of proceeding by which such removal is
effected.
(c) The right of appeal.
(d) An accusation; a process which formerly might be
instituted by one private person against another for
some heinous crime demanding punishment for the
particular injury suffered, rather than for the
offense against the public.
(e) An accusation of a felon at common law by one of his
accomplices, which accomplice was then called an
approver. See {Approvement}. --Tomlins. --Bouvier.
2. A summons to answer to a charge. --Dryden.
3. A call upon a person or an authority for proof or
decision, in one's favor; reference to another as witness;
a call for help or a favor; entreaty.
A kind of appeal to the Deity, the author of
wonders. --Bacon.
4. Resort to physical means; recourse.
Every milder method is to be tried, before a nation
makes an appeal to arms. --Kent.
Appealable \Ap*peal"a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being appealed against; that may be removed to
a higher tribunal for decision; as, the cause is
appealable.
2. That may be accused or called to answer by appeal; as, a
criminal is appealable for manslaughter. [Obs.]
Appealant \Ap*peal"ant\, n.
An appellant. [Obs.] --Shak.
Appealer \Ap*peal"er\, n.
One who makes an appeal.
Appealing \Ap*peal"ing\, a.
That appeals; imploring. -- {Ap*peal"ing*ly}, adv. --
{Ap*peal"ing*ness}, n.
Appear \Ap*pear"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Appeared}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Appearing}.] [OE. apperen, aperen, OF. aparoir, F.
apparoir, fr. L. appar?re to appear + par?reto come forth, to
be visible; prob. from the same root as par?re to produce.
Cf. {Apparent}, {Parent}, {Peer}, v. i.]
1. To come or be in sight; to be in view; to become visible.
And God . . . said, Let . . . the dry land appear.
--Gen. i. 9.
2. To come before the public; as, a great writer appeared at
that time.
3. To stand in presence of some authority, tribunal, or
superior person, to answer a charge, plead a cause, or the
like; to present one's self as a party or advocate before
a court, or as a person to be tried.
We must all appear before the judgment seat.
--[hand] Cor.
v. 10.
One ruffian escaped because no prosecutor dared to
appear. --Macaulay.
4. To become visible to the apprehension of the mind; to be
known as a subject of observation or comprehension, or as
a thing proved; to be obvious or manifest.
It doth not yet appear what we shall be. --1 John
iii. 2.
Of their vain contest appeared no end. --Milton.
5. To seem; to have a certain semblance; to look.
They disfigure their faces, that they may appear
unto men to fast. --Matt. vi.
16.
Syn: To seem; look. See {Seem}.
Appear \Ap*pear"\, n.
Appearance. [Obs.] --J. Fletcher.
Appearance \Ap*pear"ance\, n. [F. apparence, L. apparentia, fr.
apparere. See {Appear}.]
1. The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of
becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance
surprised me.
2. A thing seed; a phenomenon; a phase; an apparition; as, an
appearance in the sky.
3. Personal presence; exhibition of the person; look; aspect;
mien.
And now am come to see . . . It thy appearance
answer loud report. --Milton.
4. Semblance, or apparent likeness; external show. pl.
Outward signs, or circumstances, fitted to make a
particular impression or to determine the judgment as to
the character of a person or a thing, an act or a state;
as, appearances are against him.
There was upon the tabernacle, as it were, the
appearance of fire. --Num. ix. 15.
For man looketh on the outward appearance. --1 Sam.
xvi. 7.
Judge not according to the appearance. --John. vii.
24.
5. The act of appearing in a particular place, or in society,
a company, or any proceedings; a coming before the public
in a particular character; as, a person makes his
appearance as an historian, an artist, or an orator.
Will he now retire, After appearance, and again
prolong Our expectation? --Milton.
6. Probability; likelihood. [Obs.]
There is that which hath no appearance. --Bacon.
7. (Law) The coming into court of either of the parties; the
being present in court; the coming into court of a party
summoned in an action, either by himself or by his
attorney, expressed by a formal entry by the proper
officer to that effect; the act or proceeding by which a
party proceeded against places himself before the court,
and submits to its jurisdiction. --Burrill. --Bouvier.
--Daniell.
{To put in an appearance}, to be present; to appear in
person.
{To save appearances}, to preserve a fair outward show.
Syn: Coming; arrival; presence; semblance; pretense; air;
look; manner; mien; figure; aspect.
Appearer \Ap*pear"er\, n.
One who appears. --Sir T. Browne.
Appearingly \Ap*pear"ing*ly\, adv.
Apparently. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Appeasable \Ap*peas"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being appeased or pacified; placable. --
{Ap*peas"a*ble*ness}, n.
Appease \Ap*pease"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Appealed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Appeasing}.] [OE. apesen, apaisen, OF. apaisier,
apaissier, F. apaiser, fr. a (L. ad) + OF. pais peace, F.
paix, fr. L. pax, pacis. See {Peace}.]
To make quiet; to calm; to reduce to a state of peace; to
still; to pacify; to dispel (anger or hatred); as, to appease
the tumult of the ocean, or of the passions; to appease
hunger or thirst.
Syn: To pacify; quiet; conciliate; propitiate; assuage;
compose; calm; allay; hush; soothe; tranquilize.
Appeasement \Ap*pease"ment\, n.
The act of appeasing, or the state of being appeased;
pacification. --Hayward.
Appeaser \Ap*peas"er\, n.
One who appeases; a pacifier.
Appeasive \Ap*pea"sive\, a.
Tending to appease.
Appellable \Ap*pel"la*ble\, a.
Appealable.
Appellancy \Ap*pel"lan*cy\, n.
Capability of appeal.
Appellant \Ap*pel"lant\, a. [L. appellans, p. pr. of appellare;
cf. F. appelant. See {Appeal}.]
Relating to an appeal; appellate. ``An appellant
jurisdiction.'' --Hallam.
{Party appellant} (Law), the party who appeals; appellant; --
opposed to {respondent}, or {appellee}. --Tomlins.
Appellant \Ap*pel"lant\, n.
1. (Law)
(a) One who accuses another of felony or treason. [Obs.]
(b) One who appeals, or asks for a rehearing or review of
a cause by a higher tribunal.
2. A challenger. [Obs.] --Milton.
3. (Eccl. Hist.) One who appealed to a general council
against the bull Unigenitus.
4. One who appeals or entreats.
Appellate \Ap*pel"late\, a. [L. appelatus, p. p. of appellare.]
Pertaining to, or taking cognizance of, appeals. ``Appellate
jurisdiction.'' --Blackstone. ``Appellate judges.'' --Burke.
{Appelate court}, a court having cognizance of appeals.
Appellate \Ap*pel"late\, n.
A person or prosecuted for a crime. [Obs.] See {Appellee}.
Appellation \Ap`pel*la"tion\, n. [L. appellatio, fr. appellare:
cf. F. appellation. See {Appeal}.]
1. The act of appealing; appeal. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. The act of calling by a name.
3. The word by which a particular person or thing is called
and known; name; title; designation.
They must institute some persons under the
appellation of magistrates. --Hume.
Syn: See {Name}.
Appellative \Ap*pel"la*tive\, a. [L. appellativus, fr.
appellare: cf. F. appelatif. See {Appeal}.]
1. Pertaining to a common name; serving as a distinctive
denomination; denominative; naming. --Cudworth.
2. (Gram.) Common, as opposed to {proper}; denominative of a
class.
Appellative \Ap*pel"la*tive\, n. [L. appelativum, sc. nomen.]
1. A common name, in distinction from a proper name. A common
name, or appellative, stands for a whole class, genus, or
species of beings, or for universal ideas. Thus, tree is
the name of all plants of a particular class; plant and
vegetable are names of things that grow out of the earth.
A proper name, on the other hand, stands for a single
thing; as, Rome, Washington, Lake Erie.
2. An appellation or title; a descriptive name.
God chosen it for one of his appellatives to be the
Defender of them. --Jer. Taylor.
Appellatively \Ap*pel"la*tive*ly\, adv.
After the manner of nouns appellative; in a manner to express
whole classes or species; as, Hercules is sometimes used
appellatively, that is, as a common name, to signify a strong
man.
Appellativeness \Ap*pel"la*tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being appellative. --Fuller.
Appellatory \Ap*pel"la*tory\, a. [L. appellatorius, fr.
appellare.]
Containing an appeal.
An appellatory libel ought to contain the name of the
party appellant. --Ayliffe.
Appellee \Ap`pel*lee"\, n. [F. appel['e], p. p. of appeler, fr.
L. appellare.] (Law)
(a) The defendant in an appeal; -- opposed to {appellant}.
(b) The person who is appealed against, or accused of crime;
-- opposed to {appellor}. --Blackstone.
Appellor \Ap`pel*lor"\ ([a^]p`p[e^]l*l[^o]r"), n. [OF. apeleur,
fr. L. appellator, fr. appellare.] (Law)
(a) The person who institutes an appeal, or prosecutes
another for a crime. --Blackstone.
(b) One who confesses a felony committed and accuses his
accomplices. --Blount. --Burrill.
Note: This word is rarely or never used for the plaintiff in
appeal from a lower court, who is called the
{appellant}. Appellee is opposed both to {appellant}
and appellor.
Appenage \Ap"pen*age\, n.
See {Appanage}.
Append \Ap*pend"\ ([a^]p*p[e^]nd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Appended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Appending}.] [L. appendere or F.
appendre: cf. OE. appenden, apenden, to belong, OF. apendre,
F. appendre, fr. L. append[=e]re, v. i., to hang to,
append[e^]re, v. t., to hang to; ad + pend[=e]re, v. i., to
hang, pend[e^]re, v. t., to hang. See {Pendant}.]
1. To hang or attach to, as by a string, so that the thing is
suspended; as, a seal appended to a record; the
inscription was appended to the column.
2. To add, as an accessory to the principal thing; to annex;
as, notes appended to this chapter.
A further purpose appended to the primary one. --I.
Taylor.
Appendage \Ap*pend"age\, n.
1. Something appended to, or accompanying, a principal or
greater thing, though not necessary to it, as a portico to
a house.
Modesty is the appendage of sobriety. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Biol.) A subordinate or subsidiary part or organ; an
external organ or limb, esp. of the articulates.
Antenn[ae] and other appendages used for feeling.
--Carpenter.
Syn: Addition; adjunct; concomitant.
Appendaged \Ap*pend"aged\, a.
Furnished with, or supplemented by, an appendage.
Appendance \Ap*pend"ance\, n. [F.]
Something appendant.
Appendant \Ap*pend"ant\, a. [F. appendant, p. pr. of appendre.
See {Append}, v. t.]
1. Hanging; annexed; adjunct; concomitant; as, a seal
appendant to a paper.
As they have transmitted the benefit to us, it is
but reasonable we should suffer the appendant
calamity. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Law) Appended by prescription, that is, a personal usage
for a considerable time; -- said of a thing of inheritance
belonging to another inheritance which is superior or more
worthy; as, an advowson, common, etc., which may be
appendant to a manor, common of fishing to a freehold, a
seat in church to a house. --Wharton. --Coke.
Appendant \Ap*pend"ant\, n.
1. Anything attached to another as incidental or subordinate
to it.
2. (Law) A inheritance annexed by prescription to a superior
inheritance.
Appendence \Ap*pend"ence\, Appendency \Ap*pend"en*cy\, n.
State of being appendant; appendance. [Obs.]
Appendical \Ap*pend"i*cal\, a.
Of or like an appendix.
Appendicate \Ap*pend"i*cate\, v. t.
To append. [Obs.]
Appendication \Ap*pend`i*ca"tion\, n.
An appendage. [Obs.]
Appendicitis \Ap*pend`i*ci"tis\, n. (Med.)
Inflammation of the vermiform appendix.
Appendicle \Ap*pend"i*cle\, n. [L. appendicula, dim. of.
appendix.]
A small appendage.
Appendicular \Ap`pen*dic"u*lar\, a.
Relating to an appendicle; appendiculate. [R.]
Appendicularia \Ap`pen*dic`u*la"ri*a\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small free-swimming Tunicata, shaped somewhat like
a tadpole, and remarkable for resemblances to the larv[ae] of
other Tunicata. It is the type of the order Copelata or
Larvalia. See Illustration in Appendix.
Appendiculata \Ap`pen*dic`u*la"ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of annelids; the Polych[ae]ta.
Appendiculate \Ap`pen*dic"u*late\, a. [See {Appendicle}.]
Having small appendages; forming an appendage.
{Appendiculate leaf}, a small appended leaf. --Withering.
Appendix \Ap*pen"dix\, n.; pl. E. {Appendixes}, L. {Appendices}.
[L. appendix, -dicis, fr. appendere. See {Append}.]
1. Something appended or added; an appendage, adjunct, or
concomitant.
Normandy became an appendix to England. --Sir M.
Hale.
2. Any literary matter added to a book, but not necessarily
essential to its completeness, and thus distinguished from
supplement, which is intended to supply deficiencies and
correct inaccuracies.
Syn: See {Supplement}.
Appension \Ap*pen"sion\, n.
The act of appending. [Obs.]
Apperceive \Ap`per*ceive"\, v. t. [F. apercevoir, fr. L. ad +
percipere, perceptum, to perceive. See {Perceive}.]
To perceive; to comprehend. --Chaucer.
Apperception \Ap`per*cep"tion\, n. [Pref. ad- + perception: cf.
F. apperception.] (Metaph.)
The mind's perception of itself as the subject or actor in
its own states; perception that reflects upon itself;
sometimes, intensified or energetic perception. --Leibnitz.
Reid.
This feeling has been called by philosophers the
apperception or consciousness of our own existence.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
Apperil \Ap*per"il\, n.
Peril. [Obs.] --Shak.
Appertain \Ap`per*tain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Appertained}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Appertaining}.] [OE. apperteinen, apertenen,
OF. apartenir, F. appartenir, fr. L. appertinere; ad +
pertinere to reach to, belong. See {Pertain}.]
To belong or pertain, whether by right, nature, appointment,
or custom; to relate.
Things appertaining to this life. --Hooker.
Give it unto him to whom it appertaineth. --Lev. vi. 5.
Appertainment \Ap`per*tain"ment\, n.
That which appertains to a person; an appurtenance. [Obs. or
R.] --Shak.
Appertinance \Ap*per"ti*nance\, Appertinence \Ap*per"ti*nence\,
n.
See {Appurtenance}.
Appertinent \Ap*per"ti*nent\, a.
Belonging; appertaining. [Now usually written {appurtenant}.]
--Coleridge.
Appertinent \Ap*per"ti*nent\, n.
That which belongs to something else; an appurtenant. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Appete \Ap*pete"\, v. t. [L. appetere: cf. F. app['e]ter. See
{Appetite}.]
To seek for; to desire. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Appetence \Ap"pe*tence\, n. [Cf. F. app['e]tence. See
{Appetency}.]
A longing; a desire; especially an ardent desire; appetite;
appetency.
Appetency \Ap"pe*ten*cy\, n.; pl. {Appetencies}. [L. appetentia,
fr. appetere to strive after, long for. See {Appetite}.]
1. Fixed and strong desire; esp. natural desire; a craving;
an eager appetite.
They had a strong appetency for reading. --Merivale.
2. Specifically: An instinctive inclination or propensity in
animals to perform certain actions, as in the young to
suck, in aquatic fowls to enter into water and to swim;
the tendency of an organized body to seek what satisfies
the wants of its organism.
These lacteals have mouths, and by animal selection
or appetency the absorb such part of the fluid as is
agreeable to their palate. --E. Darwin.
3. Natural tendency; affinity; attraction; -- used of
inanimate objects.
Appetent \Ap"pe*tent\, a. [L. appetens, p. pr. of appetere.]
Desiring; eagerly desirous. [R.]
Appetent after glory and renown. --Sir G. Buck.
Appetibility \Ap`pe*ti*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
app['e]tibilit['e].]
The quality of being desirable. --Bramhall.
Appetible \Ap"pe*ti*ble\, a. [L. appetibilis, fr. appetere: cf.
F. app['e]tible.]
Desirable; capable or worthy of being the object of desire.
--Bramhall.
Appetite \Ap"pe*tite\, n. [OE. appetit, F. app['e]tit, fr. L.
appetitus, fr. appetere to strive after, long for; ad +
petere to seek. See {Petition}, and cf. {Appetence}.]
1. The desire for some personal gratification, either of the
body or of the mind.
The object of appetite it whatsoever sensible good
may be wished for; the object of will is that good
which reason does lead us to seek. --Hooker.
2. Desire for, or relish of, food or drink; hunger.
Men must have appetite before they will eat.
--Buckle.
3. Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing.
It God had given to eagles an appetite to swim.
--Jer. Taylor.
To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvelous.
--Macaulay.
4. Tendency; appetency. [Obs.]
In all bodies there as an appetite of union.
--Bacon.
5. The thing desired. [Obs.]
Power being the natural appetite of princes.
--Swift.
Note: In old authors, appetite is followed by to or of, but
regularly it should be followed by for before the
object; as, an appetite for pleasure.
Syn: Craving; longing; desire; appetency; passion.
Appetition \Ap`pe*ti"tion\, n. [L. appetitio: cf. F.
app['e]tition.]
Desire; a longing for, or seeking after, something.
--Holland.
Appetitive \Ap"pe*ti"tive\, a. [Cf. F. app['e]titif.]
Having the quality of desiring gratification; as, appetitive
power or faculty. --Sir M. Hale.
Appetize \Ap"pe*tize\, v. t.
To make hungry; to whet the appetite of. --Sir W. Scott.
Appetizer \Ap"pe*ti`zer\, n.
Something which creates or whets an appetite.
Appetizing \Ap"pe*ti`zing\, a. [Cf. F. app['e]tissant.]
Exciting appetite; as, appetizing food.
The appearance of the wild ducks is very appetizing.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Appetizing \Ap"pe*ti`zing\, adv.
So as to excite appetite.
Appian \Ap"pi*an\, a. [L. Appius, Appianus.]
Of or pertaining to Appius.
{Appian Way}, the great paved highway from ancient Rome
trough Capua to Brundisium, now Brindisi, constructed
partly by Appius Claudius, about 312 b. c.
Applaud \Ap*plaud"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Applauded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Applauding}.] [L. applaudere; ad + plaudere to clash,
to clap the hands: cf. F. applaudir. Cf. {Explode}.]
1. To show approval of by clapping the hands, acclamation, or
other significant sign.
I would applaud thee to the very echo, That should
applaud again. --Shak.
2. To praise by words; to express approbation of; to commend;
to approve.
By the gods, I do applaud his courage. --Shak.
Syn: To praise; extol; commend; cry up; magnify; approve. See
{Praise}.
Applaud \Ap*plaud"\, v. i.
To express approbation loudly or significantly.
Applauder \Ap*plaud"er\, n.
One who applauds.
Applausable \Ap*plaus"a*ble\, a.
Worthy of applause; praiseworthy. [Obs.]
Applause \Ap*plause"\, n. [L. applaudere, applausum. See
{Applaud}.]
The act of applauding; approbation and praise publicly
expressed by clapping the hands, stamping or tapping with the
feet, acclamation, huzzas, or other means; marked
commendation.
The brave man seeks not popular applause. --Dryden.
Syn: Acclaim; acclamation; plaudit; commendation; approval.
Applausive \Ap*plau"sive\, a. [LL. applausivus.]
Expressing applause; approbative. -- {Ap*plau"sive*ly}, adv.
Apple \Ap"ple\ ([a^]p"p'l), n. [OE. appel, eppel, AS. [ae]ppel,
[ae]pl; akin to Fries. & D. appel, OHG, aphul, aphol, G.
apfel, Icel. epli, Sw. ["a]ple, Dan. [ae]ble, Gael. ubhall,
W. afal, Arm. aval, Lith. ob[*u]lys, Russ. iabloko; of
unknown origin.]
1. The fleshy pome or fruit of a rosaceous tree ({Pyrus
malus}) cultivated in numberless varieties in the
temperate zones.
Note: The European crab apple is supposed to be the original
kind, from which all others have sprung.
2. (bot.) Any tree genus {Pyrus} which has the stalk sunken
into the base of the fruit; an apple tree.
3. Any fruit or other vegetable production resembling, or
supposed to resemble, the apple; as, apple of love, or
love apple (a tomato), balsam apple, egg apple, oak apple.
4. Anything round like an apple; as, an apple of gold.
Note: Apple is used either adjectively or in combination; as,
apple paper or apple-paper, apple-shaped, apple
blossom, apple dumpling, apple pudding.
{Apple blight}, an aphid which injures apple trees. See
{Blight}, n.
{Apple borer} (Zo["o]l.), a coleopterous insect ({Saperda
candida or bivittata}), the larva of which bores into the
trunk of the apple tree and pear tree.
{Apple brandy}, brandy made from apples.
{Apple butter}, a sauce made of apples stewed down in cider.
--Bartlett.
{Apple corer}, an instrument for removing the cores from
apples.
{Apple fly} (Zo["o]l.), any dipterous insect, the larva of
which burrows in apples. Apple flies belong to the genera
{Drosophila} and {Trypeta}.
{Apple midge} (Zo["o]l.) a small dipterous insect ({Sciara
mali}), the larva of which bores in apples.
{Apple of the eye}, the pupil.
{Apple of discord}, a subject of contention and envy, so
called from the mythological golden apple, inscribed ``For
the fairest,'' which was thrown into an assembly of the
gods by Eris, the goddess of discord. It was contended for
by Juno, Minerva, and Venus, and was adjudged to the
latter.
{Apple of love}, or {Love apple}, the tomato ({Lycopersicum
esculentum}).
{Apple of Peru}, a large coarse herb ({Nicandra physaloides})
bearing pale blue flowers, and a bladderlike fruit
inclosing a dry berry.
{Apples of Sodom}, a fruit described by ancient writers as
externally of fair appearance but dissolving into smoke
and ashes when plucked; Dead Sea apples. The name is often
given to the fruit of {Solanum Sodom[ae]um}, a prickly
shrub with fruit not unlike a small yellow tomato.
{Apple sauce}, stewed apples. [U. S.]
{Apple snail} or {Apple shell} (Zo["o]l.), a fresh-water,
operculated, spiral shell of the genus {Ampullaria}.
{Apple tart}, a tart containing apples.
{Apple tree}, a tree which naturally bears apples. See
{Apple, 2.}
{Apple wine}, cider.
{Apple worm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of a small moth
({Carpocapsa pomonella}) which burrows in the interior of
apples. See {Codling moth}.
{Dead Sea Apple}.
(a) pl. Apples of Sodom. Also Fig. ``To seek the Dead Sea
apples of politics.'' --S. B. Griffin.
(b) A kind of gallnut coming from Arabia. See {Gallnut}.
Apple \Ap"ple\ ([a^]p"p'l), v. i.
To grow like an apple; to bear apples. --Holland.
Apple-faced \Ap"ple-faced`\, a.
Having a round, broad face, like an apple. ``Apple-faced
children.'' --Dickens.
Apple-jack \Ap"ple-jack`\, n.
Apple brandy. [U.S.]
Apple-john \Ap"ple-john`\, n..
A kind of apple which by keeping becomes much withered; --
called also {Johnapple}. --Shak.
Apple pie \Ap"ple pie`\
A pie made of apples (usually sliced or stewed) with spice
and sugar.
{Apple-pie bed}, a bed in which, as a joke, the sheets are so
doubled (like the cover of an apple turnover) as to
prevent any one from getting at his length between them.
--Halliwell --Conybeare.
{Apple-pie order}, perfect order or arrangement. [Colloq.]
--Halliwell.
Apple-squire \Ap"ple-squire`\, n.
A pimp; a kept gallant. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Appliable \Ap*pli"a*ble\, a. [See {Apply}.]
Applicable; also, compliant. [Obs.] --Howell.
Appliance \Ap*pli"ance\, n.
1. The act of applying; application; [Obs.] subservience.
--Shak.
2. The thing applied or used as a means to an end; an
apparatus or device; as, to use various appliances; a
mechanical appliance; a machine with its appliances.
Applicability \Ap`pli*ca*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being applicable or fit to be applied.
Applicable \Ap"pli*ca*ble\, a. [Cf. F. aplicable, fr. L.
applicare. See {Apply}.]
Capable of being applied; fit or suitable to be applied;
having relevance; as, this observation is applicable to the
case under consideration. -- {Ap"pli*ca*ble*ness}, n. --
{Ap"pli*ca*bly}, adv.
Applicancy \Ap"pli*can*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being applicable. [R.]
Applicant \Ap"pli*cant\, n. [L. applicans, p. pr. of applicare.
See {Apply}.]
One who apples for something; one who makes request; a
petitioner.
The applicant for a cup of water. --Plumtre.
The court require the applicant to appear in person.
--Z. Swift.
Applicate \Ap"pli*cate\, a. [L. applicatus, p. p. of applicare.
See {Apply}.]
Applied or put to some use.
Those applicate sciences which extend the power of man
over the elements. --I. Taylor.
{Applicate number} (Math.), one which applied to some
concrete case.
{Applicate ordinate}, right line applied at right angles to
the axis of any conic section, and bounded by the curve.
Applicate \Ap"pli*cate\, v. i.
To apply. [Obs.]
The act of faith is applicated to the object. --Bp.
Pearson.
Application \Ap`pli*ca"tion\, n. [L. applicatio, fr. applicare:
cf. F. application. See {Apply}.]
1. The act of applying or laying on, in a literal sense; as,
the application of emollients to a diseased limb.
2. The thing applied.
He invented a new application by which blood might
be stanched. --Johnson.
3. The act of applying as a means; the employment of means to
accomplish an end; specific use.
If a right course . . . be taken with children,
there will not be much need of the application of
the common rewards and punishments. --Locke.
4. The act of directing or referring something to a
particular case, to discover or illustrate agreement or
disagreement, fitness, or correspondence; as, I make the
remark, and leave you to make the application; the
application of a theory.
5. Hence, in specific uses:
(a) That part of a sermon or discourse in which the
principles before laid down and illustrated are
applied to practical uses; the ``moral'' of a fable.
(b) The use of the principles of one science for the
purpose of enlarging or perfecting another; as, the
application of algebra to geometry.
6. The capacity of being practically applied or used;
relevancy; as, a rule of general application.
7. The act of fixing the mind or closely applying one's self;
assiduous effort; close attention; as, to injure the
health by application to study.
Had his application been equal to his talents, his
progress might have been greater. --J. Jay.
8. The act of making request of soliciting; as, an
application for an office; he made application to a court
of chancery.
9. A request; a document containing a request; as, his
application was placed on file.
Applicative \Ap"pli*ca*tive\ ([a^]p"pl[i^]*k[asl]*t[i^]v), a.
[Cf. F. applicatif, fr. L. applicare. See {Apply}.]
Capable of being applied or used; applying; applicatory;
practical. --Bramhall. -- {Ap"pli*ca*tive*ly}, adv.
Applicatorily \Ap"pli*ca*to*ri*ly\, adv.
By way of application.
Applicatory \Ap"pli*ca*to*ry\, a.
Having the property of applying; applicative; practical. --
n. That which applies.
Appliedly \Ap*pli"ed*ly\, adv.
By application. [R.]
Applier \Ap*pli"er\, n.
He who, or that which, applies.
Appliment \Ap*pli"ment\, n.
Application. [Obs.] --Marston
Appliqu'e \Ap`pli`qu['e]"\ (?; 277), a. [F., fr. appliquer to
put on.]
Ornamented with a pattern (which has been cut out of another
color or stuff) applied or transferred to a foundation; as,
appliqu['e] lace; appliqu['e] work.
Applot \Ap*plot"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Applotted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Applotting}.] [Pref. ad- + plot.]
To divide into plots or parts; to apportion. --Milton.
Applotment \Ap*plot"ment\, n.
Apportionment.
Apply \Ap*ply"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Applied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Applying}.] [OF. aplier, F. appliquer, fr. L. applicare to
join, fix, or attach to; ad + plicare to fold, to twist
together. See {Applicant}, {Ply}.]
1. To lay or place; to put or adjust (one thing to another);
-- with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply
medicaments to a diseased part of the body.
He said, and the sword his throat applied. --Dryden.
2. To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose,
or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to
apply money to the payment of a debt.
3. To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable,
fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the
case; to apply an epithet to a person.
Yet God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom
applied. --Milton.
4. To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with
attention; to attach; to incline.
Apply thine heart unto instruction. --Prov. xxiii.
12.
5. To direct or address. [R.]
Sacred vows . . . applied to grisly Pluto. --Pope.
6. To betake; to address; to refer; -- used reflexively.
I applied myself to him for help. --Johnson.
7. To busy; to keep at work; to ply. [Obs.]
She was skillful in applying his ``humors.'' --Sir
P. Sidney.
8. To visit. [Obs.]
And he applied each place so fast. --Chapman.
{Applied chemistry}. See under {Chemistry}.
{Applied mathematics}. See under {Mathematics}.
Apply \Ap*ply"\, v. i.
1. To suit; to agree; to have some connection, agreement, or
analogy; as, this argument applies well to the case.
2. To make request; to have recourse with a view to gain
something; to make application. (to); to solicit; as, to
apply to a friend for information.
3. To ply; to move. [R.]
I heard the sound of an oar applying swiftly through
the water. --T. Moore.
4. To apply or address one's self; to give application; to
attend closely (to).
Appoggiatura \Ap*pog`gia*tu"ra\, n. [It., fr. appogiarre to
lean, to rest; ap- (L. ad) + poggiare to mount, ascend,
poggio hill, fr. L. podium an elevated place.] (Mus.)
A passing tone preceding an essential tone, and borrowing the
time it occupies from that; a short auxiliary or grace note
one degree above or below the principal note unless it be of
the same harmony; -- generally indicated by a note of smaller
size, as in the illustration above. It forms no essential
part of the harmony.
Appoint \Ap*point"\ ([a^]p*point"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Appointed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Appointing}.] [OE. appointen,
apointen, OF. apointier to prepare, arrange, lean, place, F.
appointer to give a salary, refer a cause, fr. LL. appunctare
to bring back to the point, restore, to fix the point in a
controversy, or the points in an agreement; L. ad + punctum a
point. See {Point}.]
1. To fix with power or firmness; to establish; to mark out.
When he appointed the foundations of the earth.
--Prov. viii.
29.
2. To fix by a decree, order, command, resolve, decision, or
mutual agreement; to constitute; to ordain; to prescribe;
to fix the time and place of.
Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the
king shall appoint. --2 Sam. xv.
15.
He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge
the world in righteousness. --Acts xvii.
31.
Say that the emperor request a parley . . . and
appoint the meeting. --Shak.
3. To assign, designate, or set apart by authority.
Aaron and his shall go in, and appoint them every
one to his service. --Num. iv. 19.
These were cities appointed for all the children of
Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among
them. --Josh. xx. 9.
4. To furnish in all points; to provide with everything
necessary by way of equipment; to equip; to fit out.
The English, being well appointed, did so entertain
them that their ships departed terribly torn.
--Hayward.
5. To point at by way, or for the purpose, of censure or
commendation; to arraign. [Obs.]
Appoint not heavenly disposition. --Milton.
6. (Law) To direct, designate, or limit; to make or direct a
new disposition of, by virtue of a power contained in a
conveyance; -- said of an estate already conveyed.
--Burrill. Kent.
{To appoint one's self}, to resolve. [Obs.] --Crowley.
Appoint \Ap*point"\ ([a^]p*point"), v. i.
To ordain; to determine; to arrange.
For the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel
of Ahithophel. --2 Sam. xvii.
14.
Appointable \Ap*point"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being appointed or constituted.
Appointee \Ap*point*ee"\, n. [F. appoint['e], p. p. of
appointer. See {Appoint}, v. t.]
1. A person appointed.
The commission authorizes them to make appointments,
and pay the appointees. --Circular of
Mass.
Representatives
(1768).
2. (law) A person in whose favor a power of appointment is
executed. --Kent. Wharton.
Appointer \Ap*point"er\, n.
One who appoints, or executes a power of appointment. --Kent.
Appointive \Ap*point"ive\, a.
Subject to appointment; as, an appointive office. [R.]
Appointment \Ap*point"ment\, n. [Cf. F. appointement.]
1. The act of appointing; designation of a person to hold an
office or discharge a trust; as, he erred by the
appointment of unsuitable men.
2. The state of being appointed to som? service or office; an
office to which one is appointed; station; position; an,
the appointment of treasurer.
3. Stipulation; agreement; the act of fixing by mutual
agreement. Hence:: Arrangement for a meeting; engagement;
as, they made an appointment to meet at six.
4. Decree; direction; established order or constitution; as,
to submit to the divine appointments.
According to the appointment of the priests. --Ezra
vi. 9.
5. (Law) The exercise of the power of designating (under a
``power of appointment'') a person to enjoy an estate or
other specific property; also, the instrument by which the
designation is made.
6. Equipment, furniture, as for a ship or an army; whatever
is appointed for use and management; outfit; (pl.) the
accouterments of military officers or soldiers, as belts,
sashes, swords.
The cavaliers emulated their chief in the richness
of their appointments. --Prescott.
I'll prove it in my shackles, with these hands Void
of appointment, that thou liest. --Beau. & Fl.
7. An allowance to a person, esp. to a public officer; a
perquisite; -- properly only in the plural. [Obs.]
An expense proportioned to his appointments and
fortune is necessary. --Chesterfield.
8. A honorary part or exercise, as an oration, etc., at a
public exhibition of a college; as, to have an
appointment. [U.S.]
Syn: Designation; command; order; direction; establishment;
equipment.
Appointor \Ap*point*or"\, n. (Law)
The person who selects the appointee. See {Appointee, 2.}
Apporter \Ap*por"ter\, n. [Cf. F. apporter to bring in, fr. L.
apportare; ad + portare to bear.]
A bringer in; an importer. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
Apportion \Ap*por"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Apportioned}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Apportioning}.] [OF. apportionner, LL.
apportionare, fr. L. ad + portio. See {Portion}.]
To divide and assign in just proportion; to divide and
distribute proportionally; to portion out; to allot; as, to
apportion undivided rights; to apportion time among various
employments.
Apportionateness \Ap*por"tion*ate*ness\, n.
The quality of being apportioned or in proportion. [Obs. &
R.]
Apportioner \Ap*por"tion*er\, n.
One who apportions.
Apportionment \Ap*por"tion*ment\, n. [Cf. F. apportionnement,
LL. apportionamentum.]
The act of apportioning; a dividing into just proportions or
shares; a division or shares; a division and assignment, to
each proprietor, of his just portion of an undivided right or
property. --A. Hamilton.
Appose \Ap*pose"\, v. t. [F. apposer to set to; ? (L. ad) +
poser to put, place. See {Pose}.]
1. To place opposite or before; to put or apply (one thing to
another).
The nymph herself did then appose, For food and
beverage, to him all best meat. --Chapman.
2. To place in juxtaposition or proximity.
Appose \Ap*pose"\, v. t. [For oppose. See {Oppose}.]
To put questions to; to examine; to try. [Obs.] See {Pose}.
To appose him without any accuser, and that secretly.
--Tyndale.
Apposed \Ap*posed"\, a.
Placed in apposition; mutually fitting, as the mandibles of a
bird's beak.
Apposer \Ap*pos"er\, n.
An examiner; one whose business is to put questions.
Formerly, in the English Court of Exchequer, an officer who
audited the sheriffs' accounts.
Apposite \Ap"po*site\, a. [L. appositus, p. p. of apponere to
set or put to; ad + ponere to put, place.]
Very applicable; well adapted; suitable or fit; relevant;
pat; -- followed by to; as, this argument is very apposite to
the case. -- {Ap"po*site*ly}, adv. -- {Ap"po*site*ness}, n.
Apposition \Ap`po*si"tion\, n. [L. appositio, fr. apponere: cf.
F. apposition. See {Apposite}.]
1. The act of adding; application; accretion.
It grows . . . by the apposition of new matter.
--Arbuthnot.
2. The putting of things in juxtaposition, or side by side;
also, the condition of being so placed.
3. (Gram.) The state of two nouns or pronouns, put in the
same case, without a connecting word between them; as, I
admire Cicero, the orator. Here, the second noun explains
or characterizes the first.
{Growth by apposition} (Physiol.), a mode of growth
characteristic of non vascular tissues, in which nutritive
matter from the blood is transformed on the surface of an
organ into solid unorganized substance.
Appositional \Ap`po*si"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to apposition; put in apposition syntactically.
--Ellicott.
Appositive \Ap*pos"i*tive\, a.
Of or relating to apposition; in apposition. -- n. A noun in
apposition. -- {Ap*pos"i*tive*ly}, adv.
Appositive to the words going immediately before.
--Knatchbull.
Appraisable \Ap*prais"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being appraised.
Appraisal \Ap*prais"al\, n. [See {Appraise}. Cf. {Apprizal}.]
A valuation by an authorized person; an appraisement.
Appraise \Ap*praise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Appraised}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Appraising}.] [Pref. ad- + praise. See {Praise},
{Price}, {Apprize}, {Appreciate}.]
1. To set a value; to estimate the worth of, particularly by
persons appointed for the purpose; as, to appraise goods
and chattels.
2. To estimate; to conjecture.
Enoch . . . appraised his weight. --Tennyson.
3. To praise; to commend. [Obs.] --R. Browning.
Appraised the Lycian custom. --Tennyson.
Note: In the United States, this word is often pronounced,
and sometimes written, apprize.
Appraisement \Ap*praise"ment\, n. [See {Appraise}. Cf.
{Apprizement}.]
The act of setting the value; valuation by an appraiser;
estimation of worth.
Appraiser \Ap*prais"er\, n. [See {Appraise}, {Apprizer}.]
One who appraises; esp., a person appointed and sworn to
estimate and fix the value of goods or estates.
Apprecation \Ap`pre*ca"tion\, n. [L. apprecari to pray to; ad +
precari to pray, prex, precis, prayer.]
Earnest prayer; devout wish. [Obs.]
A solemn apprecation of good success. --Bp. Hall.
Apprecatory \Ap"pre*ca*to*ry\, a.
Praying or wishing good. [Obs.]``Apprecatory benedictions.''
--Bp. Hall.
Appreciable \Ap*pre"ci*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. appr['e]ciable.]
Capable of being appreciated or estimated; large enough to be
estimated; perceptible; as, an appreciable quantity. --
{Ap*pre"ci*a*bly}, adv.
Appreciant \Ap*pre"ci*ant\, a.
Appreciative. [R.]
Appreciate \Ap*pre"ci*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Appreciated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Appreciating}.] [L. appretiatus, p. p. of
appretiare to value at a price, appraise; ad + pretiare to
prize, pretium price. Cf. {Appraise}.]
1. To set a price or value on; to estimate justly; to value.
To appreciate the motives of their enemies.
--Gibbon.
3. To raise the value of; to increase the market price of; --
opposed to {depreciate}. [U.S.]
Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money.
--Ramsay.
4. To be sensible of; to distinguish.
To test the power of bees to appreciate color.
--Lubbock.
Syn: To {Appreciate}, {Estimate}, {Esteem}.
Usage: Estimate is an act of judgment; esteem is an act of
valuing or prizing, and when applied to individuals,
denotes a sentiment of moral approbation. See
{Estimate}. Appreciate lies between the two. As
compared with estimate, it supposes a union of
sensibility with judgment, producing a nice and
delicate perception. As compared with esteem, it
denotes a valuation of things according to their
appropriate and distinctive excellence, and not simply
their moral worth. Thus, with reference to the former
of these (delicate perception), an able writer says.
``Women have a truer appreciation of character than
men;'' and another remarks, ``It is difficult to
appreciate the true force and distinctive sense of
terms which we are every day using.'' So, also, we
speak of the difference between two things, as
sometimes hardly appreciable. With reference to the
latter of these (that of valuation as the result of a
nice perception), we say, ``It requires a peculiar
cast of character to appreciate the poetry of
Wordsworth;'' ``He who has no delicacy himself, can
not appreciate it in others;'' ``The thought of death
is salutary, because it leads us to appreciate worldly
things aright.'' Appreciate is much used in cases
where something is in danger of being overlooked or
undervalued; as when we speak of appreciating the
difficulties of a subject, or the risk of an
undertaking. So Lord Plunket, referring to an
``ominous silence'' which prevailed among the Irish
peasantry, says, ``If you knew how to appreciate that
silence, it is more formidable than the most clamorous
opposition.'' In like manner, a person who asks some
favor of another is apt to say, ``I trust you will
appreciate my motives in this request.'' Here we have
the key to a very frequent use of the word. It is
hardly necessary to say that appreciate looks on the
favorable side of things. we never speak of
appreciating a man's faults, but his merits. This idea
of regarding things favorably appears more fully in
the word appreciative; as when we speak of an
appreciative audience, or an appreciative review,
meaning one that manifests a quick perception and a
ready valuation of excellence.
Appreciate \Ap*pre"ci*ate\, v. i.
To rise in value. [See note under {Rise}, v. i.] --J. Morse.
Appreciatingly \Ap*pre"ci*a`ting*ly\, adv.
In an appreciating manner; with appreciation.
Appreciation \Ap*pre`ci*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. appr['e]ciation.]
1. A just valuation or estimate of merit, worth, weight,
etc.; recognition of excellence.
2. Accurate perception; true estimation; as, an appreciation
of the difficulties before us; an appreciation of colors.
His foreboding showed his appreciation of Henry's
character. --J. R. Green.
3. A rise in value; -- opposed to {depreciation}.
Appreciative \Ap*pre"ci*a*tive\, a.
Having or showing a just or ready appreciation or perception;
as, an appreciative audience. -- {Ap*pre"ci*a*tive*ly}, adv.
Appreciativeness \Ap*pre"ci*a*tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being appreciative; quick recognition of
excellence.
Appreciator \Ap*pre"ci*a`tor\, n.
One who appreciates.
Appreciatory \Ap*pre"ci*a*to*ry\, a.
Showing appreciation; appreciative; as, appreciatory
commendation. -- {Ap*pre"ci*a*to*ri*ly}, adv.
Apprehend \Ap`pre*hend"\ ([a^]p`pr[-e]*h[e^]nd"), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. {Apprehended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Apprehending}.] [L.
apprehendere; ad + prehendere to lay hold of, seize; prae
before + -hendere (used only in comp.); akin to Gr.
chanda`nein to hold, contain, and E. get: cf. F.
appr['e]hender. See {Prehensile}, {Get}.]
1. To take or seize; to take hold of. [Archaic]
We have two hands to apprehend it. --Jer. Taylor.
2. Hence: To take or seize (a person) by legal process; to
arrest; as, to apprehend a criminal.
3. To take hold of with the understanding, that is, to
conceive in the mind; to become cognizant of; to
understand; to recognize; to consider.
This suspicion of Earl Reimund, though at first but
a buzz, soon got a sting in the king's head, and he
violently apprehended it. --Fuller.
The eternal laws, such as the heroic age apprehended
them. --Gladstone.
4. To know or learn with certainty. [Obs.]
G. You are too much distrustful of my truth. E. Then
you must give me leave to apprehend The means and
manner how. --Beau. & Fl.
5. To anticipate; esp., to anticipate with anxiety, dread, or
fear; to fear.
The opposition had more reason than the king to
apprehend violence. --Macaulay.
Syn: To catch; seize; arrest; detain; capture; conceive;
understand; imagine; believe; fear; dread.
Usage: To {Apprehend}, {Comprehend}. These words come into
comparison as describing acts of the mind. Apprehend
denotes the laying hold of a thing mentally, so as to
understand it clearly, at least in part. Comprehend
denotes the embracing or understanding it in all its
compass and extent. We may apprehended many truths
which we do not comprehend. The very idea of God
supposes that he may be apprehended, though not
comprehended, by rational beings. ``We may apprehended
much of Shakespeare's aim and intention in the
character of Hamlet or King Lear; but few will claim
that they have comprehended all that is embraced in
these characters.'' --Trench.
Apprehend \Ap`pre*hend"\, v. i.
1. To think, believe, or be of opinion; to understand; to
suppose.
2. To be apprehensive; to fear.
It is worse to apprehend than to suffer. --Rowe.
Apprehender \Ap`pre*hend"er\, n.
One who apprehends.
Apprehensibiity \Ap`pre*hen`si*bi"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being apprehensible. [R.] --De Quincey.
Apprehensible \Ap`pre*hen"si*ble\, a. [L. apprehensibilis. See
{Apprehend}.]
Capable of being apprehended or conceived. ``Apprehensible by
faith.'' --Bp. Hall. -- {Ap`*pre*hen"si*bly}, adv.
Apprehension \Ap`pre*hen"sion\, n. [L. apprehensio: cf. F.
appr['e]hension. See {Apprehend}.]
1. The act of seizing or taking hold of; seizure; as, the
hand is an organ of apprehension. --Sir T. Browne.
2. The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest; as,
the felon, after his apprehension, escaped.
3. The act of grasping with the intellect; the contemplation
of things, without affirming, denying, or passing any
judgment; intellection; perception.
Simple apprehension denotes no more than the soul's
naked intellection of an object. --Glanvill.
4. Opinion; conception; sentiment; idea.
Note: In this sense, the word often denotes a belief, founded
on sufficient evidence to give preponderation to the
mind, but insufficient to induce certainty; as, in our
apprehension, the facts prove the issue.
To false, and to be thought false, is all one in
respect of men, who act not according to truth,
but apprehension. --South.
5. The faculty by which ideas are conceived; understanding;
as, a man of dull apprehension.
6. Anticipation, mostly of things unfavorable; distrust or
fear at the prospect of future evil.
After the death of his nephew Caligula, Claudius was
in no small apprehension for his own life.
--Addison.
Syn: {Apprehension}, {Alarm}.
Usage: Apprehension springs from a sense of danger when
somewhat remote, but approaching; alarm arises from
danger when announced as near at hand. Apprehension is
calmer and more permanent; alarm is more agitating and
transient.
Apprehensive \Ap`pre*hen"sive\, a. [Cf. F. appr['e]hensif. See
{Apprehend}.]
1. Capable of apprehending, or quick to do so; apt;
discerning.
It may be pardonable to imagine that a friend, a
kind and apprehensive . . . friend, is listening to
our talk. --Hawthorne.
2. Knowing; conscious; cognizant. [R.]
A man that has spent his younger years in vanity and
folly, and is, by the grace of God, apprehensive of
it. --Jer. Taylor.
3. Relating to the faculty of apprehension.
Judgment . . . is implied in every apprehensive act.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
4. Anticipative of something unfavorable' fearful of what may
be coming; in dread of possible harm; in expectation of
evil.
Not at all apprehensive of evils as a distance.
--Tillotson.
Reformers . . . apprehensive for their lives.
--Gladstone.
5. Sensible; feeling; perceptive. [R.]
Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings,
Mangle my apprehensive, tenderest parts. --Milton.
Apprehensively \Ap`pre*hen"sive*ly\, adv.
In an apprehensive manner; with apprehension of danger.
Apprehensiveness \Ap`pre*hen"sive*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being apprehensive.
Apprentice \Ap*pren"tice\, n. [OE. apprentice, prentice, OF.
aprentis, nom. of aprentif, fr. apprendare to learn, L.
apprendere, equiv. to apprehendere, to take hold of (by the
mind), to comprehend. See {Apprehend}, {Prentice}.]
1. One who is bound by indentures or by legal agreement to
serve a mechanic, or other person, for a certain time,
with a view to learn the art, or trade, in which his
master is bound to instruct him.
2. One not well versed in a subject; a tyro.
3. (Old law) A barrister, considered a learner of law till of
sixteen years' standing, when he might be called to the
rank of serjeant. [Obs.] --Blackstone.
Apprentice \Ap*pren"tice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Apprenticed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Apprenticing}.]
To bind to, or put under the care of, a master, for the
purpose of instruction in a trade or business.
Apprenticeage \Ap*pren"tice*age\, n. [F. apprentissage.]
Apprenticeship. [Obs.]
Apprenticehood \Ap*pren"tice*hood\, n.
Apprenticeship. [Obs.]
Apprenticeship \Ap*pren"tice*ship\, n.
1. The service or condition of an apprentice; the state in
which a person is gaining instruction in a trade or art,
under legal agreement.
2. The time an apprentice is serving (sometimes seven years,
as from the age of fourteen to twenty-one).
Appressed \Ap*pressed"\, Apprest \Ap*prest"\, a. [p. p. appress,
which is not in use. See {Adpress}.] (Bot.)
Pressed close to, or lying against, something for its whole
length, as against a stem, --Gray.
Apprise \Ap*prise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Apprised}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Apprising}.] [F. appris, fem. apprise, p. p.
apprendre to learn, to teach, to inform. Cf. {Apprehend},
{Apprentice}.]
To give notice, verbal or written; to inform; -- followed by
of; as, we will apprise the general of an intended attack; he
apprised the commander of what he had done.
Apprise \Ap*prise"\, n.
Notice; information. [Obs.] --Gower.
Apprizal \Ap*priz"al\, n.
See {Appraisal}.
Apprize \Ap*prize"\, v. t. [The same as {Appraise}, only more
accommodated to the English form of the L. pretiare.]
To appraise; to value; to appreciate.
Apprizement \Ap*prize"ment\, n.
Appraisement.
Apprizer \Ap*priz"er\, n.
1. An appraiser.
2. (Scots Law) A creditor for whom an appraisal is made.
--Sir W. Scott.
Approach \Ap*proach"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Approached}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Approaching}.] [OE. approchen, aprochen, OF.
approcher, LL. appropriare, fr. L. ad + propiare to draw
near, prope near.]
1. To come or go near, in place or time; to draw nigh; to
advance nearer.
Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city? --2
Sam. xi. 20.
But exhorting one another; and so much the more, as
ye see the day approaching. --Heb. x. 25.
2. To draw near, in a figurative sense; to make advances; to
approximate; as, he approaches to the character of the
ablest statesman.
Approach \Ap*proach"\, v. t.
1. To bring near; to cause to draw near; to advance.
[Archaic] --Boyle.
2. To come near to in place, time, or character; to draw
nearer to; as, to approach the city; to approach my cabin;
he approached the age of manhood.
He was an admirable poet, and thought even to have
approached Homer. --Temple.
3. (Mil.) To take approaches to.
Approach \Ap*proach"\, n. [Cf. F. approche. See {Approach}, v.
i.]
1. The act of drawing near; a coming or advancing near. ``The
approach of summer.'' --Horsley.
A nearer approach to the human type. --Owen.
2. A access, or opportunity of drawing near.
The approach to kings and principal persons.
--Bacon.
3. pl. Movements to gain favor; advances.
4. A way, passage, or avenue by which a place or buildings
can be approached; an access. --Macaulay.
5. pl. (Fort.) The advanced works, trenches, or covered roads
made by besiegers in their advances toward a fortress or
military post.
6. (Hort.) See {Approaching}.
Approachability \Ap*proach`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being approachable; approachableness.
Approachable \Ap*proach"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being approached; accessible; as, approachable
virtue.
Approachableness \Ap*proach"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being approachable; accessibility.
Approacher \Ap*proach"er\, n.
One who approaches.
Approaching \Ap*proach"ing\, n. (Hort.)
The act of ingrafting a sprig or shoot of one tree into
another, without cutting it from the parent stock; -- called,
also, inarching and grafting by approach.
Approachless \Ap*proach"less\, a.
Impossible to be approached.
Approachment \Ap*proach"ment\, n. [Cf. F. approachement.]
Approach. [Archaic] --Holland.
Approbate \Ap"pro*bate\, a. [L. approbatus, p. p. of approbare
to approve.]
Approved. [Obs.] --Elyot.
Approbate \Ap"pro*bate\, v. t.
To express approbation of; to approve; to sanction
officially.
I approbate the one, I reprobate the other. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Note: This word is obsolete in England, but is occasionally
heard in the United States, chiefly in a technical
sense for license; as, a person is approbated to
preach; approbated to keep a public house. --Pickering
(1816).
Approbation \Ap`pro*ba"tion\, n. [L. approbatio: cf. F.
approbation. See {Approve} to prove.]
1. Proof; attestation. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. The act of approving; an assenting to the propriety of a
thing with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction;
approval; sanction; commendation.
Many . . . joined in a loud hum of approbation.
--Macaulay.
The silent approbation of one's own breast.
--Melmoth.
Animals . . . love approbation or praise. --Darwin.
3. Probation or novitiate. [Obs.]
This day my sister should the cloister enter, And
there receive her approbation. --Shak.
Syn: Approval; liking; sanction; consent; concurrence.
Usage: {Approbation}, {Approval}. Approbation and approval
have the same general meaning, assenting to or
declaring as good, sanction, commendation; but
approbation is stronger and more positive. ``We may be
anxious for the approbation of our friends; but we
should be still more anxious for the approval of our
own consciences.'' ``He who is desirous to obtain
universal approbation will learn a good lesson from
the fable of the old man and his ass.'' ``The work has
been examined by several excellent judges, who have
expressed their unqualified approval of its plan and
execution.''
Approbative \Ap"pro*ba*tive\, a. [Cf. F. approbatif.]
Approving, or implying approbation. --Milner.
Approbativeness \Ap"pro*ba*tive*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being approbative.
2. (Phren.) Love of approbation.
Approbator \Ap"pro*ba`tor\, n. [L.]
One who approves. [R.]
Approbatory \Ap"pro*ba`to*ry\, a.
Containing or expressing approbation; commendatory.
--Sheldon.
Appromt \Ap*promt"\ (?; 215), v. t. [Pref. ad- + promt.]
To quicken; to prompt. [Obs.]
To appromt our invention. --Bacon.
Approof \Ap*proof"\, n. [See {Approve}, and {Proof}.]
1. Trial; proof. [Archaic] --Shak.
2. Approval; commendation. --Shak.
Appropinquate \Ap`pro*pin"quate\, v. i. [L. appropinquatus, p.
p. of appropinquare; ad + prope near.]
To approach. [Archaic] --Ld. Lytton.
Appropinquation \Ap`pro*pin*qua"tion\, n. [L. appropinquatio.]
A drawing nigh; approach. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Appropinquity \Ap`pro*pin"qui*ty\, n. [Pref. ad- + propinquity.]
Nearness; propinquity. [R.] --J. Gregory.
Appropre \Ap*pro"pre\, v. t. [OE. appropren, apropren, OF.
approprier, fr. L. appropriare. See {Appropriate}.]
To appropriate. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Appropriable \Ap*pro"pri*a*ble\, a. [See {Appropriate}.]
Capable of being appropriated, set apart, sequestered, or
assigned exclusively to a particular use. --Sir T. Browne.
Appropriament \Ap*pro"pri*a*ment\, n.
What is peculiarly one's own; peculiar qualification. [Obs.]
If you can neglect Your own appropriaments. --Ford.
Appropriate \Ap*pro"pri*ate\, a. [L. appropriatus, p. p. of
appropriare; ad + propriare to appropriate, fr. proprius
one's own, proper. See {Proper}.]
Set apart for a particular use or person. Hence: Belonging
peculiarly; peculiar; suitable; fit; proper.
In its strict and appropriate meaning. --Porteus.
Appropriate acts of divine worship. --Stillingfleet.
It is not at all times easy to find words appropriate
to express our ideas. --Locke.
Appropriate \Ap*pro"pri*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Appropriated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Appropriating}.]
1. To take to one's self in exclusion of others; to claim or
use as by an exclusive right; as, let no man appropriate
the use of a common benefit.
2. To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or
use, in exclusion of all others; -- with to or for; as, a
spot of ground is appropriated for a garden; to
appropriate money for the increase of the navy.
3. To make suitable; to suit. [Archaic] --Paley.
4. (Eng. Eccl. Law) To annex, as a benefice, to a spiritual
corporation, as its property. --Blackstone.
Appropriate \Ap*pro"pri*ate\, n.
A property; attribute. [Obs.]
Appropriately \Ap*pro"pri*ate*ly\, adv.
In an appropriate or proper manner; fitly; properly.
Appropriateness \Ap*pro"pri*ate*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being appropriate; peculiar fitness.
--Froude.
Appropriation \Ap*pro`pri*a"tion\, n. [L. appropriatio: cf. F.
appropriation.]
1. The act of setting apart or assigning to a particular use
or person, or of taking to one's self, in exclusion of all
others; application to a special use or purpose, as of a
piece of ground for a park, or of money to carry out some
object.
2. Anything, especially money, thus set apart.
The Commons watched carefully over the
appropriation. --Macaulay.
3. (Law)
(a) The severing or sequestering of a benefice to the
perpetual use of a spiritual corporation. Blackstone.
(b) The application of payment of money by a debtor to his
creditor, to one of several debts which are due from
the former to the latter. --Chitty.
Appropriative \Ap*pro"pri*a*tive\, a.
Appropriating; making, or tending to, appropriation; as, an
appropriative act. -- {Ap*pro"pri*a*tive*ness}, n.
Appropriator \Ap*pro"pri*a`tor\, n.
1. One who appropriates.
2. (Law) A spiritual corporation possessed of an appropriated
benefice; also, an impropriator.
Approvable \Ap*prov"a*ble\, a.
Worthy of being approved; meritorious. --
{Ap*prov"a*ble*ness}, n.
Approval \Ap*prov"al\, n.
Approbation; sanction.
A censor . . . without whose approval n? capital
sentences are to be executed. --Temple.
Syn: See {Approbation}.
Approvance \Ap*prov"ance\, n.
Approval. [Archaic] --Thomson.
Approve \Ap*prove"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Approved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Approving}.] [OE. aproven, appreven, to prove, OF.
aprover, F. approuver, to approve, fr. L. approbare; ad +
probare to esteem as good, approve, prove. See {Prove}, and
cf. {Approbate}.]
1. To show to be real or true; to prove. [Obs.]
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? Approve First
thy obedience. --Milton.
2. To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show
practically.
Opportunities to approve . . . worth. --Emerson.
He had approved himself a great warrior. --Macaulay.
'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true. --Byron.
His account . . . approves him a man of thought.
--Parkman.
3. To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to
approve the decision of a court-martial.
4. To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to
think well of; as, we approve the measured of the
administration.
5. To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
The first care and concern must be to approve
himself to God. --Rogers.
Note: This word, when it signifies to be pleased with, to
think favorably (of), is often followed by of.
They had not approved of the deposition of James.
--Macaulay.
They approved of the political institutions. --W.
Black.
Approve \Ap*prove"\ ([a^]p*pr[=oo]v"), v. t. [OF. aprouer; a (L.
ad) + a form apparently derived fr. the pro, prod, in L.
prodest it is useful or profitable, properly the preposition
pro for. Cf. {Improve}.] (Eng. Law)
To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit; -- said
esp. of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the
manor.
Approvedly \Ap*prov"ed*ly\, adv.
So as to secure approbation; in an approved manner.
Approvement \Ap*prove"ment\, n. [Obs.]
1. Approbation.
I did nothing without your approvement. --Hayward.
2. (Eng. Law) a confession of guilt by a prisoner charged
with treason or felony, together with an accusation of his
accomplish and a giving evidence against them in order to
obtain his own pardon. The term is no longer in use; it
corresponded to what is now known as turning king's (or
queen's) evidence in England, and state's evidence in the
United States. --Burrill. Bouvier.
Approvement \Ap*prove"ment\, n. (Old Eng. Law)
Improvement of common lands, by inclosing and converting them
to the uses of husbandry for the advantage of the lord of the
manor. --Blackstone.
Approver \Ap*prov"er\, n.
1. One who approves. Formerly, one who made proof or trial.
2. An informer; an accuser. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. (Eng. Law) One who confesses a crime and accuses another.
See 1st {Approvement}, 2.
Approver \Ap*prov"er\, n. [See 2d {Approve}, v. t.] (Eng. Law)
A bailiff or steward; an agent. [Obs.] --Jacobs.
Approving \Ap*prov"ing\, a.
Expressing approbation; commending; as, an approving smile.
-- {Ap*prov"ing*ly}, adv.
Approximate \Ap*prox"i*mate\, a. [L. approximatus, p. p. of
approximare to approach; ad + proximare to come near. See
{Proximate}.]
1. Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.
2. Near correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate;
as, approximate results or values.
{Approximate quantities} (Math.), those which are nearly, but
not, equal.
Approximate \Ap*prox"i*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Approximated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Approximating}.]
1. To carry or advance near; to cause to approach.
To approximate the inequality of riches to the level
of nature. --Burke.
2. To come near to; to approach.
The telescope approximates perfection. --J. Morse.
Approximate \Ap*prox"i*mate\, v. i.
To draw; to approach.
Approximately \Ap*prox"i*mate*ly\, adv.
With approximation; so as to approximate; nearly.
Approximation \Ap*prox`i*ma"tion\ n. [Cf. F. approximation, LL.
approximatio.]
1. The act of approximating; a drawing, advancing or being
near; approach; also, the result of approximating.
The largest capacity and the most noble dispositions
are but an approximation to the proper standard and
true symmetry of human nature. --I. Taylor.
2. An approach to a correct estimate, calculation, or
conception, or to a given quantity, quality, etc.
3. (Math.)
(a) A continual approach or coming nearer to a result; as,
to solve an equation by approximation.
(b) A value that is nearly but not exactly correct.
Approximative \Ap*prox"i*ma*tive\, a. [Cf. F. approximatif.]
Approaching; approximate. -- {Ap*prox"i*ma*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Ap*prox"i*ma*tive*ness}, n.
Approximator \Ap*prox"i*ma`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, approximates.
Appui \Ap`pui"\, n. [F., fr. L. ad + podium foothold, Gr. ?,
dim. of ?, ?, foot.]
A support or supporter; a stay; a prop. [Obs.]
If a vine be to climb trees that are of any great
height, there would be stays and appuies set to it.
--Holland.
{Point d'appui}. [F., a point of support.] (Mil.)
(a) A given point or body, upon which troops are formed, or
by which are marched in line or column.
(b) An advantageous defensive support, as a castle, morass,
wood, declivity, etc.
Appulse \Ap"pulse\ (?; 277), n. [L. appulsus, fr. appellere,
appulsum, to drive to; ad + pellere to drive: cf. F.
appulse.]
1. A driving or running towards; approach; impulse; also, the
act of striking against.
In all consonants there is an appulse of the organs.
--Holder.
2. (Astron.) The near approach of one heavenly body to
another, or to the meridian; a coming into conjunction;
as, the appulse of the moon to a star, or of a star to the
meridian.
Appulsion \Ap*pul"sion\, n.
A driving or striking against; an appulse.
Appulsive \Ap*pul"sive\, a.
Striking against; impinging; as, the appulsive influence of
the planets. --P. Cyc.
Appulsively \Ap*pul"sive*ly\, adv.
By appulsion.
Appurtenance \Ap*pur"te*nance\, n. [OF. apurtenaunce,
apartenance, F. appartenance, LL. appartenentia, from L.
appertinere. See {Appertain}.]
That which belongs to something else; an adjunct; an
appendage; an accessory; something annexed to another thing
more worthy; in common parlance and legal acceptation,
something belonging to another thing as principal, and which
passes as incident to it, as a right of way, or other
easement to land; a right of common to pasture, an outhouse,
barn, garden, or orchard, to a house or messuage. In a strict
legal sense, land can never pass as an appurtenance to land.
--Tomlins. --Bouvier. --Burrill.
Globes . . . provided as appurtenances to astronomy.
--Bacon.
The structure of the eye, and of its appurtenances.
--Reid.
Appurtenant \Ap*pur"te*nant\, a. [F. appartenant, p. pr. of
appartenir. See {Appurtenance}.]
Annexed or pertaining to some more important thing;
accessory; incident; as, a right of way appurtenant to land
or buildings. --Blackstone.
{Common appurtenant}. (Law) See under {Common, n.}
Appurtenant \Ap*pur"te*nant\, n.
Something which belongs or appertains to another thing; an
appurtenance.
Mysterious appurtenants and symbols of redemption.
--Coleridge.
Apricate \Ap"ri*cate\, v. t. & i. [L. apricatus, p. p. of
apricare, fr. apricus exposed to the sun, fr. aperire to
uncover, open.]
To bask in the sun. --Boyle.
Aprication \Ap`ri*ca"tion\, n.
Basking in the sun. [R.]
Apricot \A"pri*cot\, n. [OE. apricock, abricot, F. abricot, fr.
Sp. albaricoque or Pg. albricoque, fr. Ar. albirq[=u]q,
al-burq[=u]q. Though the E. and F. form abricot is derived
from the Arabic through the Spanish, yet the Arabic word
itself was formed from the Gr. praiko`kia, pl. (Diosc. c.
100) fr. L. praecoquus, praecox, early ripe. The older E.
form apricock was prob. taken direct from Pg. See
{Precocious}, {Cook}.] (Bot.)
A fruit allied to the plum, of an orange color, oval shape,
and delicious taste; also, the tree ({Prunus Armeniaca} of
Linn[ae]us) which bears this fruit. By cultivation it has
been introduced throughout the temperate zone.
April \A"pril\, n. [L. Aprilis. OE. also Averil, F. Avril, fr.
L. Aprilis.]
1. The fourth month of the year.
2. Fig.: With reference to April being the month in which
vegetation begins to put forth, the variableness of its
weather, etc.
The April's her eyes; it is love's spring. --Shak.
{April fool}, one who is sportively imposed upon by others on
the first day of April.
A priori \A` pri*o"ri\ [L. a (ab) + prior former.]
1. (Logic) Characterizing that kind of reasoning which
deduces consequences from definitions formed, or
principles assumed, or which infers effects from causes
previously known; deductive or deductively. The reverse of
a posteriori.
3. (Philos.) Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or
presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to make
experience rational or possible.
A priori, that is, form these necessities of the
mind or forms of thinking, which, though first
revealed to us by experience, must yet have
pre["e]xisted in order to make experience possible.
--Coleridge.
Apriorism \A`pri*o"rism\, n. [Cf. F. apriorisme.]
An a priori principle.
Apriority \A`pri*or"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being innate in the mind, or prior to
experience; a priori reasoning.
Aprocta \A*proc"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ? anus.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of Turbellaria in which there is no anal aperture.
Aproctous \A*proc"tous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Without an anal office.
Apron \A"pron\ ([=a]"p[u^]rn or [=a]"pr[u^]n; 277), n. [OE.
napron, OF. naperon, F. napperon, dim. of OF. nape, F. nappe,
cloth, tablecloth, LL. napa, fr. L. mappa, napkin, table
napkin. See {Map}.]
1. An article of dress, of cloth, leather, or other stuff,
worn on the fore part of the body, to keep the clothes
clean, to defend them from injury, or as a covering. It is
commonly tied at the waist by strings.
2. Something which by its shape or use suggests an apron; as,
(a) The fat skin covering the belly of a goose or duck.
[Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
(b) A piece of leather, or other material, to be spread
before a person riding on an outside seat of a
vehicle, to defend him from the rain, snow, or dust; a
boot. ``The weather being too hot for the apron.''
--Hughes.
(c) (Gun.) A leaden plate that covers the vent of a
cannon.
(d) (Shipbuilding) A piece of carved timber, just above
the foremost end of the keel. --Totten.
(e) A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a
dock, against which the dock gates are shut.
(f) A flooring of plank before a dam to cause the water to
make a gradual descent.
(g) (Mech.) The piece that holds the cutting tool of a
planer.
(h) (Plumbing) A strip of lead which leads the drip of a
wall into a gutter; a flashing.
(i) (Zo["o]l.) The infolded abdomen of a crab.
Aproned \A"proned\, a.
Wearing an apron.
A cobbler aproned, and a parson gowned. --Pope.
Apronful \A"pron*ful\, n.; pl. {Apronfuls}.
The quantity an apron can hold.
Apronless \A"pron*less\, a.
Without an apron.
Apron man \A"pron man`\
A man who wears an apron; a laboring man; a mechanic. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Apron string \A"pron string`\
The string of an apron.
{To be tied to a} {wife's or mother's} {apron strings}, to be
unduly controlled by a wife or mother.
He was so made that he could not submit to be tied
to the apron strings even of the best of wives.
--Macaulay.
Aprosos \Ap"ro*sos`\, a. & adv. [F. ? propos; ? (L. ad) + propos
purpose, L. proposium plan, purpose, fr. proponere to
propose. See {Propound}.]
1. Opportunely or opportune; seasonably or seasonable.
A tale extremely apropos. --Pope.
2. By the way; to the purpose; suitably to the place or
subject; -- a word used to introduce an incidental
observation, suited to the occasion, though not strictly
belonging to the narration.
Apse \Apse\, n.; pl. Apses. [See {Apsis}.]
1. (Arch.)
(a) A projecting part of a building, esp. of a church,
having in the plan a polygonal or semicircular
termination, and, most often, projecting from the east
end. In early churches the Eastern apse was occupied
by seats for the bishop and clergy. Hence:
(b) The bishop's seat or throne, in ancient churches.
2. A reliquary, or case in which the relics of saints were
kept.
Note: This word is also written apsis and absis.
Apsidal \Ap"si*dal\, a.
1. (Astron.) Of or pertaining to the apsides of an orbit.
2. (Arch.) Of or pertaining to the apse of a church; as, the
apsidal termination of the chancel.
Apsides \Ap"si*des\, n. pl.
See {Apsis}.
Apsis \Ap"sis\ ([a^]p"s[i^]s), n.; pl. {Apsides}
([a^]p"s[i^]*d[=e]z). See {Apse}. [L. apsis, absis, Gr.
"apsi`s, "apsi^dos, a tying, fastening, the hoop of a wheel,
the wheel, a bow, arch, vault, fr. "a`ptein to fasten.]
1. (Astron.) One of the two points of an orbit, as of a
planet or satellite, which are at the greatest and least
distance from the central body, corresponding to the
aphelion and perihelion of a planet, or to the apogee and
perigee of the moon. The more distant is called the higher
apsis; the other, the lower apsis; and the line joining
them, the line of apsides.
2. (Math.) In a curve referred to polar co["o]rdinates, any
point for which the radius vector is a maximum or minimum.
3. (Arch.) Same as {Apse}.
Apt \Apt\, a. [F. apte, L. aptus, fr. obsolete apere to fasten,
to join, to fit, akin to apisci to reach, attain: cf. Gr. ?
to fasten, Skr. [=a]pta fit, fr. [=a]p to reach attain.]
1. Fit or fitted; suited; suitable; appropriate.
They have always apt instruments. --Burke.
A river . . . apt to be forded by a lamb. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. Having an habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely;
-- used of things.
My vines and peaches . . . were apt to have a soot
or smuttiness upon their leaves and fruit. --Temple.
This tree, if unprotected, is apt to be stripped of
the leaves by a leaf-cutting ant. --Lubbock.
3. Inclined; disposed customarily; given; ready; -- used of
persons.
Apter to give than thou wit be to ask. --Beau. & Fl.
That lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt
to remember their grandfathers. --F. Harrison.
4. Ready; especially fitted or qualified (to do something);
quick to learn; prompt; expert; as, a pupil apt to learn;
an apt scholar. ``An apt wit.'' --Johnson.
Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so
apt to die. --Shak.
I find thee apt . . . Now, Hamlet, hear. --Shak.
Syn: Fit; meet; suitable; qualified; inclined; disposed;
liable; ready; quick; prompt.
Apt \Apt\, v. t. [L. aptare. See {Aptate}.]
To fit; to suit; to adapt. [Obs.] `` To apt their places.''
--B. Jonson.
That our speech be apted to edification. --Jer. Taylor.
Aptable \Apt"a*ble\, a. [LL. aptabilis, fr. L. aptare.]
Capable of being adapted. [Obs.] --Sherwood.
Aptate \Ap"tate\, v. t. [L. aptatus, p. p. of aptare. See
{Apt}.]
To make fit. [Obs.] --Bailey
Aptera \Ap"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL. aptera, fr. Gr. ? without wings;
'a priv. + ? wing, ? to fly.] (Zo["o]l.)
Insects without wings, constituting the seventh Linn[ae]n
order of insects, an artificial group, which included
Crustacea, spiders, centipeds, and even worms. These animals
are now placed in several distinct classes and orders.
Apteral \Ap"ter*al\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Apterous.
2. (Arch.) Without lateral columns; -- applied to buildings
which have no series of columns along their sides, but are
either prostyle or amphiprostyle, and opposed to
{peripteral}. --R. Cyc.
Apteran \Ap"ter*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Aptera.
Apteria \Ap*te"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Aptera}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Naked spaces between the feathered areas of birds. See
{Pteryli[ae]}.
Apterous \Ap"ter*ous\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Destitute of wings; apteral; as, apterous
insects.
2. (Bot.) Destitute of winglike membranous expansions, as a
stem or petiole; -- opposed to {alate}.
Apteryges \Ap*ter"y*ges\, n. pl. [NL. See {Apteryx}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of birds, including the genus Apteryx.
Apteryx \Ap"te*ryx\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + pte`ryx wing. Cf.
{Aptera}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of New Zealand birds about the size of a hen, with
only short rudiments of wings, armed with a claw and without
a tail; the kiwi. It is allied to the gigantic extinct moas
of the same country. Five species are known.
Aptitude \Apt"i*tude\, n. [F. aptitude, LL. aptitudo, fr. L.
aptus. See {Apt}, and cf. {Attitude}.]
1. A natural or acquired disposition or capacity for a
particular purpose, or tendency to a particular action or
effect; as, oil has an aptitude to burn.
He seems to have had a peculiar aptitude for the
management of irregular troops. --Macaulay.
2. A general fitness or suitableness; adaptation.
That sociable and helpful aptitude which God
implanted between man and woman. --Milton.
3. Readiness in learning; docility; aptness.
He was a boy of remarkable aptitude. --Macaulay.
Aptitudinal \Apt`i*tu"di*nal\, a.
Suitable; fit. [Obs.]
Aptly \Apt"ly\, adv.
In an apt or suitable manner; fitly; properly; pertinently;
appropriately; readily.
Aptness \Apt"ness\, n.
1. Fitness; suitableness; appropriateness; as, the aptness of
things to their end.
The aptness of his quotations. --J. R. Green.
2. Disposition of the mind; propensity; as, the aptness of
men to follow example.
3. Quickness of apprehension; readiness in learning;
docility; as, an aptness to learn is more observable in
some children than in others.
4. Proneness; tendency; as, the aptness of iron to rust.
Aptote \Ap"tote\ ([a^]p"t[=o]t), n. [L. aptotum, Gr. ?
indeclinable; 'a priv. + ? fallen, declined, ? to fall.]
(Gram.)
A noun which has no distinction of cases; an indeclinable
noun.
Aptotic \Ap*tot"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, aptotes; uninflected; as,
aptotic languages.
Aptychus \Ap"ty*chus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ?, ?, fold.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A shelly plate found in the terminal chambers of ammonite
shells. Some authors consider them to be jaws; others,
opercula.
Apus \A"pus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?. See {Apode}, n.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fresh-water phyllopod crustaceans. See
{Phyllopod}.
Apyretic \Ap`y*ret"ic\, a. [Pref. a? not + pyretic.] (Med.)
Without fever; -- applied to days when there is an
intermission of fever. --Dunglison.
Apyrexia \Ap`y*rex"i*a\, Apyrexy \Ap`y*rex`y\, n. [NL. apyrexia,
fr. Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to be feverish, fr. ? fire: cf. F.
apyrexie.] (Med.)
The absence or intermission of fever.
Apyrexial \Ap`y*rex"i*al\, a. (Med.)
Relating to apyrexy. ``Apyrexial period.'' --Brande & C.
Apyrous \Ap"y*rous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? fire.]
Incombustible; capable of sustaining a strong heat without
alteration of form or properties.
Aqua \A"qua\, n. [L. See {Ewer}.]
Water; -- a word much used in pharmacy and the old chemistry,
in various signification, determined by the word or words
annexed.
{Aqua ammoni[ae]}, the aqueous solution of ammonia; liquid
ammonia; often called {aqua ammonia}.
{Aqua marine}, or {Aqua marina}. Same as {Aquamarine}.
{Aqua regia}. [L., royal water] (Chem.), a very corrosive
fuming yellow liquid consisting of nitric and hydrochloric
acids. It has the power of dissolving gold, the ``royal''
metal.
{Aqua Tofana}, a fluid containing arsenic, and used for
secret poisoning, made by an Italian woman named Tofana,
in the middle of the 17th century, who is said to have
poisoned more than 600 persons. --Francis.
{Aqua vit[ae]}[L., water of life. Cf. {Eau de vie},
{Usquebaugh}], a name given to brandy and some other
ardent spirits. --Shak.
Aqua fortis \A`qua for"tis\ [L., strong water.] (Chem.)
Nitric acid. [Archaic]
Aquamarine \A`qua*ma*rine"\, n. (Min.)
A transparent, pale green variety of beryl, used as a gem.
See {Beryl}.
Aquapuncture \A`qua*punc"ture\, n. [L. aqua water, + punctura
puncture, pungere, punctum, to, prick.] (Med.)
The introduction of water subcutaneously for the relief of
pain.
Aquarelle \Aq`ua*relle"\, n. [F., fr. Ital acquerello, fr. acqua
water, L. aqua.]
A design or painting in thin transparent water colors; also,
the mode of painting in such colors.
Aquarellist \Aq`ua*rel"list\, n.
A painter in thin transparent water colors.
Aquarial \A*qua"ri*al\, Aquarian \A*qua"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to an aquarium.
Aquarian \A*qua"ri*an\, n. [L. (assumed) Aquarianus, fr. aqua:
cf. F. Aquarien. See {Aqua}.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of Christian in the primitive church who used
water instead of wine in the Lord's Supper.
Aquarium \A*qua"ri*um\, n.; pl. E. {Aquariums}, L. {Aquaria}.
[L. See {Aquarius}, {Ewer}.]
An artificial pond, or a globe or tank (usually with glass
sides), in which living specimens of aquatic animals or
plants are kept.
Aquarius \A*qua"ri*us\, n. [L. aquarius, adj., relating to
water, and n., a water-carrier, fr. aqua. See {Aqua}.]
(Astron.)
(a) The Water-bearer; the eleventh sign in the zodiac, which
the sun enters about the 20th of January; -- so called
from the rains which prevail at that season in Italy and
the East.
(b) A constellation south of Pegasus.
Aquatic \A*quat"ic\, a. [L. aquaticus: cf. F. aquatique. See
{Aqua}.]
Pertaining to water; growing in water; living in, swimming
in, or frequenting the margins of waters; as, aquatic plants
and fowls.
Aquatic \A*quat`ic\, n.
1. An aquatic animal or plant.
2. pl. Sports or exercises practiced in or on the water.
Aquatical \A*quat"ic*al\, a.
Aquatic. [R.]
Aquatile \Aq"ua*tile\, a. [L. aquatilis: cf. F. aquatile.]
Inhabiting the water. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Aquatint \A"qua*tint\, Aquatinta \A`qua*tin"ta\, n. [It.
acquatinta dyed water; acqua (L. aqua) water + tinto, fem.
tinta, dyed. See {Tint}.]
A kind of etching in which spaces are bitten by the use of
aqua fortis, by which an effect is produced resembling a
drawing in water colors or India ink; also, the engraving
produced by this method.
Aqueduct \Aq"ue*duct\, n. [F. aqueduc, OF. aqueduct (Cotgr.),
fr. L. aquaeductus; aquae, gen. of aqua water + ductus a
leading, ducere to lead. See {Aqua}, {Duke}.]
1. A conductor, conduit, or artificial channel for conveying
water, especially one for supplying large cities with
water.
Note: The term is also applied to a structure (similar to the
ancient aqueducts), for conveying a canal over a river
or hollow; more properly called an aqueduct bridge.
2. (Anat.) A canal or passage; as, the aqueduct of Sylvius, a
channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles of the
brain.
Aqueity \A*que"i*ty\, n.
Wateriness. [Obs.]
Aqueous \A"que*ous\, a. [Cf. F. aqueux, L. aquosus, fr. aqua.
See {Aqua}, {Aquose}.]
1. Partaking of the nature of water, or abounding with it;
watery.
The aqueous vapor of the air. --Tyndall.
2. Made from, or by means of, water.
An aqueous deposit. --Dana.
{Aqueous extract}, an extract obtained from a vegetable
substance by steeping it in water.
{Aqueous humor} (Anat.), one the humors of the eye; a limpid
fluid, occupying the space between the crystalline lens
and the cornea. (See {Eye}.)
{Aqueous rocks} (Geol.), those which are deposited from water
and lie in strata, as opposed to {volcanic} rocks, which
are of igneous origin; -- called also {sedimentary} rocks.
Aqueousness \A`que*ous*ness\, n.
Wateriness.
Aquiferous \A*quif"er*ous\, a. [L. aqua water + -ferous.]
Consisting or conveying water or a watery fluid; as,
aquiferous vessels; the aquiferous system.
Aquiform \A"qui*form\, a. [L. aqua water + -form.]
Having the form of water.
Aquila \Aq"ui*la\, n.; pl. {Aquil[ae]}. [L., an eagle.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of eagles.
2. (Astron.) A northern constellation southerly from Lyra and
Cygnus and preceding the Dolphin; the Eagle.
{Aquila alba} [L., white eagle], an alchemical name of
{calomel}. --Brande & C.
Aquilated \Aq"ui*la`ted\, a. (Her.)
Adorned with eagles' heads.
Aquiline \Aq"ui*line\ (?; 277), a. [L. aquilinus, fr. aquila
eagle: cf. F. aquilin. See {Eagle}. ]
1. Belonging to or like an eagle.
2. Curving; hooked; prominent, like the beak of an eagle; --
applied particularly to the nose
Terribly arched and aquiline his nose. --Cowper.
Aquilon \Aq"ui*lon\, n. [L. aquilo, -lonis: cf. F. aquilon.]
The north wind. [Obs.] --Shak.
Aquiparous \A*quip"a*rous\, a. [L. aqua water + parere to bring
forth.] (Med.)
Secreting water; -- applied to certain glands. --Dunglison.
Aquitanian \Aq`ui*ta"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Aquitania, now called Gascony.
Aquose \A*quose"\, a. [L. aquosus watery, fr. aqua. See {Aqua},
{Aqueous}.]
Watery; aqueous. [R.] --Bailey.
Aquosity \A*quos"i*ty\, n. [LL. aquositas.]
The condition of being wet or watery; wateriness. --Huxley.
Very little water or aquosity is found in their belly.
--Holland.
Ar \Ar\, conj.
Ere; before. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ara \A"ra\, n. [L.] (Astron.)
The Altar; a southern constellation, south of the tail of the
Scorpion.
Ara \A"ra\, n. [Native Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A name of the great blue and yellow macaw ({Ara ararauna}),
native of South America.
Arab \Ar"ab\ (?; 277), n. [Prob. ultimately fr. Heb. arabah a
desert, the name employed, in the Old Testament, to denote
the valley of the Jordan and Dead Sea. Ar. Arab, Heb. arabi,
arbi, arbim: cf. F. Arabe, L. Arabs, Gr. ?.]
One of a swarthy race occupying Arabia, and numerous in
Syria, Northern Africa, etc.
{Street Arab}, a homeless vagabond in the streets of a city,
particularly and outcast boy or girl. --Tylor.
The ragged outcasts and street Arabs who are
shivering in damp doorways. --Lond. Sat.
Rev.
Arabesque \Ar`a*besque"\, n. [F. arabesque, fr. It. arabesco,
fr. Arabo Arab.]
A style of ornamentation either painted, inlaid, or carved in
low relief. It consists of a pattern in which plants, fruits,
foliage, etc., as well as figures of men and animals, real or
imaginary, are fantastically interlaced or put together.
Note: It was employed in Roman imperial ornamentation, and
appeared, without the animal figures, in Moorish and
Arabic decorative art. (See {Moresque}.) The arabesques
of the Renaissance were founded on Greco-Roman work.
Arabesque \Ar`a*besque"\, a.
1. Arabian. [Obs.]
2. Relating to, or exhibiting, the style of ornament called
arabesque; as, arabesque frescoes.
Arabesqued \Ar`a*besqued"\, a.
Ornamented in the style of arabesques.
Arabian \A*ra"bi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Arabia or its inhabitants.
{Arabian bird}, the phenix. --Shak.
Arabian \A*ra"bi*an\, n.
A native of Arabia; an Arab.
Arabic \Ar"a*bic\, a. [L. Arabicus, fr. Arabia.]
Of or pertaining to Arabia or the Arabians.
{Arabic numerals} or {figures}, the nine digits, 1, 2, 3,
etc., and the cipher 0.
{Gum arabic}. See under {Gum}.
Arabic \Ar"a*bic\, n.
The language of the Arabians.
Note: The Arabic is a Semitic language, allied to the Hebrew.
It is very widely diffused, being the language in which
all Mohammedans must read the Koran, and is spoken as a
vernacular tongue in Arabia, Syria, and Northern
Africa.
Arabical \A*rab"ic*al\, a.
Relating to Arabia; Arabic. -- {A*rab"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Arabin \Ar"a*bin\, n.
1. (Chem.) A carbohydrate, isomeric with cane sugar,
contained in gum arabic, from which it is extracted as a
white, amorphous substance.
2. Mucilage, especially that made of gum arabic.
Arabinose \Ar"a*bin*ose`\, n. (Chem.)
A sugar of the composition {C5H10O5}, obtained from cherry
gum by boiling it with dilute sulphuric acid.
Arabism \Ar"a*bism\, n. [Cf. F. Arabisme.]
An Arabic idiom peculiarly of language. --Stuart.
Arabist \Ar`a*bist\, n. [Cf. F. Arabiste.]
One well versed in the Arabic language or literature; also,
formerly, one who followed the Arabic system of surgery.
Arable \Ar"a*ble\, a. [F. arable, L. arabilis, fr. arare to
plow, akin to Gr. ?, E. ear, to plow. See {Earable}.]
Fit for plowing or tillage; -- hence, often applied to land
which has been plowed or tilled.
Arable \Ar"a*ble\, n.
Arable land; plow land.
Araby \Ar"a*by\, n.
The country of Arabia. [Archaic & Poetic]
Aracanese \Ar`a*ca*nese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Aracan, a province of British Burmah. --
n. sing. & pl. A native or natives of Aracan.
Aracari \A`ra*[,c]a"ri\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American bird, of the genus {Pleroglossius}, allied
to the toucans. There are several species.
Arace \A*race"\, v. t. [OE. aracen, arasen, OF. arachier,
esracier, F. arracher, fr. L. exradicare, eradicare. The
prefix a- is perh. due to L. ab. See {Eradicate}.]
To tear up by the roots; to draw away. [Obs.] --Wyatt.
Araceous \A*ra"ceous\, a. [L. arum a genus of plants, fr. Gr.
?.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to an order of plants, of which the genus
{Arum} is the type.
Arachnid \A*rach"nid\, n.
An arachnidan. --Huxley.
Arachnida \A*rach"ni*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? spider.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the classes of Arthropoda. See Illustration in
Appendix.
Note: They have four pairs of legs, no antenn[ae] nor wings,
a pair of mandibles, and one pair of maxill[ae] or
palpi. The head is usually consolidated with the
thorax. The respiration is either by tranche[ae] or by
pulmonary sacs, or by both. The class includes three
principal orders: {Araneina}, or spiders;
{Arthrogastra}, including scorpions, etc.; and
{Acarina}, or mites and ticks.
Arachnidan \A*rach"ni*dan\, n. [Gr. ? spider.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Arachnida.
Arachnidial \Ar`ach*nid"i*al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Of or pertaining to the Arachnida.
(b) Pertaining to the arachnidium.
Arachnidium \Ar`ach*nid"i*um\, n. [NL. See {Arachnida}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The glandular organ in which the material for the web of
spiders is secreted.
Arachnitis \Ar`ach*ni"tis\, n. [Gr. ? + ?.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the arachnoid membrane.
Arachnoid \A*rach"noid\, a. [Gr. ? like a cobweb; ? spider,
spider's web + ? form.]
1. Resembling a spider's web; cobweblike.
2. (Anat.) Pertaining to a thin membrane of the brain and
spinal cord, between the dura mater and pia mater.
3. (Bot.) Covered with, or composed of, soft, loose hairs or
fibers, so as to resemble a cobweb; cobwebby.
Arachnoid \A*rach"noid\, n.
1. (Anat.) The arachnoid membrane.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the Arachnoidea.
Arachnoidal \Ar`ach*noid"al\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to the arachnoid membrane; arachnoid.
Arachnoidea \Ar`ach*noid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Arachnida}.
Arachnological \A*rach`no*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to arachnology.
Arachnologist \Ar`ach*nol"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in, or studies, arachnology.
Arachnology \Ar`ach*nol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? spider + -logy.]
The department of zo["o]logy which treats of spiders and
other Arachnida.
Araeometer \A`r[ae]*om"e*ter\ (?; 277).
See {Areometer}.
Araeostyle \A*r[ae]"o*style\, a. & n. [L. araeostylos, Gr. ?; ?
at intervals + ? pillar, column.] (Arch.)
See {Intercolumniation}.
Araeosystyle \A*r[ae]`o*sys"tyle\, a. & n. [Gr. ? as intervals +
?. See {Systyle}.] (Arch.)
See {Intercolumniation}.
Aragonese \Ar`a*go*nese\, a.
Of or pertaining to Aragon, in Spain, or to its inhabitants.
-- n. sing. & pl. A native or natives of Aragon, in Spain.
Aragonite \A*rag"o*nite\, n. [From Aragon, in Spain.] (Min.)
A mineral identical in composition with calcite or carbonate
of lime, but differing from it in its crystalline form and
some of its physical characters.
Araguato \A`ra*gua"to\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South American monkey, the ursine howler ({Mycetes
ursinus}). See {Howler}, n., 2.
Araise \A*raise""\, v. t.
To raise. [Obs.] --Shak.
Arak \Ar"ak\, n.
Same as {Arrack}.
Aramaean \Ar`a*m[ae]an\, Aramean \Ar`a*me"an\, a. [L. Aramaeus,
Gr. ?, fr. Heb. Ar[=a]m, i. e. Highland, a name given to
Syria and Mesopotamia.]
Of or pertaining to the Syrians and Chaldeans, or to their
language; Aramaic. -- n. A native of Aram.
Aramaic \Ar`a*ma"ic\, a. [See {Aram[ae]an}, a.]
Pertaining to Aram, or to the territory, inhabitants,
language, or literature of Syria and Mesopotamia; Aram[ae]an;
-- specifically applied to the northern branch of the Semitic
family of languages, including Syriac and Chaldee. -- n. The
Aramaic language.
Aramaism \Ar`a*ma"ism\, n.
An idiom of the Aramaic.
Araneida \Ar`a*ne"i*da\, Araneoidea \Ar`a*ne*oid"e*a\, n. pl.
[NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Araneina}.
Araneidan \Ar`a*ne"i*dan\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Araneina or spiders. -- n. One of the
Araneina; a spider.
Araneiform \Ar`a*ne"i*form\a. [L. aranea spider + -form.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the form of a spider. --Kirby.
Araneina \A*ra`ne*i"na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. aranea spider.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The order of Arachnida that includes the spiders.
Note: They have mandibles, modified a poison fa?gs, leglike
palpi, simple eyes, abdomen without segments, and
spinnerets for spinning a web. They breathe by
pulmonary sacs and trache[ae] in the abdomen. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Araneose \A*ra"ne*ose`\, a. [L. araneous.]
Of the aspect of a spider's web; arachnoid.
Araneous \A*ra"ne*ous\, a. [L. araneosus, fr. aranea spider,
spider's web.]
Cobweblike; extremely thin and delicate, like a cobweb; as,
the araneous membrane of the eye. See {Arachnoid}. --Derham.
Arango \A*ran"go\ ([.a]*r[a^][ng]"g[-o]), n.; pl. {Arangoes}
(-g[=o]z). [The native name.]
A bead of rough carnelian. Arangoes were formerly imported
from Bombay for use in the African slave trade. --McCulloch.
Arapaima \A`ra*pai"ma\, n. [Prob. native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large fresh-water food fish of South America.
Arara \A*ra"ra\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The palm (or great black) cockatoo, of Australia
({Microglossus aterrimus}).
Aration \A*ra"tion\, n. [L. aratio, fr. arare to plow.]
Plowing; tillage. [R.]
Lands are said to be in a state of aration when they
are under tillage. --Brande.
Aratory \Ar"a*to*ry\, a. [LL. aratorius: cf. F. aratoire.]
Contributing to tillage.
Araucaria \Ar`au*ca"ri*a\, n. [Araucania, a territory south of
Chili.] (Bot.)
A genus of tall conifers of the pine family. The species are
confined mostly to South America and Australia. The wood
cells differ from those of other in having the dots in their
lateral surfaces in two or three rows, and the dots of
contiguous rows alternating. The seeds are edible.
Araucarian \Ar`au*ca"ri*an\, a.
Relating to, or of the nature of, the Araucaria. The earliest
conifers in geological history were mostly Araucarian.
--Dana.
Arbalest \Ar"ba*lest\, Arbalist \Ar"ba*list\, n. [OF. arbaleste,
LL. arbalista, for L. arcuballista; arcus bow + ballista a
military engine. See {Ballista}.] (Antiq.)
A crossbow, consisting of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood,
furnished with a string and a trigger, and a mechanical
device for bending the bow. It served to throw arrows, darts,
bullets, etc. [Written also {arbalet} and {arblast}.]
--Fosbroke.
Arbalester \Ar"ba*lest`er\, Arbalister \Ar"ba*list`er\, n. [OF.
arblastere, OF. arbalestier. See {Arbalest}.]
A crossbowman. [Obs.] --Speed.
Arbiter \Ar"bi*ter\, n. [L. arbiter; ar- (for ad) + the root of
betere to go; hence properly, one who comes up to look on.]
1. A person appointed, or chosen, by parties to determine a
controversy between them.
Note: In modern usage, arbitrator is the technical word.
2. Any person who has the power of judging and determining,
or ordaining, without control; one whose power of deciding
and governing is not limited.
For Jove is arbiter of both to man. --Cowper.
Syn: Arbitrator; umpire; director; referee; controller;
ruler; governor.
Arbiter \Ar"bi*ter\, v. t.
To act as arbiter between. [Obs.]
Arbitrable \Ar"bi*tra*ble\, a. [Cf. F. arbitrable, fr. L.
arbitrari. See {Arbitrate}, v. t.]
Capable of being decided by arbitration; determinable.
[Archaic] --Bp. Hall.
Arbitrage \Ar"bi*trage\, n. [F., fr. arbiter to give judgment,
L. arbitrari.]
1. Judgment by an arbiter; authoritative determination.
[Archaic]
2. (Com) A traffic in bills of exchange (see Arbitration of
Exchange); also, a traffic in stocks which bear differing
values at the same time in different markets.
Arbitral \Ar"bi*tral\, a. [L. arbitralis.]
Of or relating to an arbiter or an arbitration. [R.]
Arbitrament \Ar*bit"ra*ment\, n. [LL. arbitramentum.]
1. Determination; decision; arbitration.
The arbitrament of time. --Everett.
Gladly at this moment would MacIvor have put their
quarrel to personal arbitrament. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. The award of arbitrators. --Cowell.
Arbitrarily \Ar"bi*tra*ri*ly\, adv.
In an arbitrary manner; by will only; despotically;
absolutely.
Arbitrariness \Ar"bi*tra*ri*ness\, n.
The quality of being arbitrary; despoticalness; tyranny.
--Bp. Hall.
Arbitrarious \Ar`bi*tra"ri*ous\, a. [L. arbitrarius. See
{Arbitrary}.]
Arbitrary; despotic. [Obs.] -- {Ar`bi*tra"ri*ous*ly}, adv.
[Obs.]
Arbitrary \Ar"bi*tra*ry\, a. [L. arbitrarius, fr. arbiter: cf.
F. arbitraire. See {Arbiter}.]
1. Depending on will or discretion; not governed by any fixed
rules; as, an arbitrary decision; an arbitrary punishment.
It was wholly arbitrary in them to do so. --Jer.
Taylor.
Rank pretends to fix the value of every one, and is
the most arbitrary of all things. --Landor.
2. Exercised according to one's own will or caprice, and
therefore conveying a notion of a tendency to abuse the
possession of power.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the
ruins of liberty abused licentiousness.
--Washington.
3. Despotic; absolute in power; bound by no law; harsh and
unforbearing; tyrannical; as, an arbitrary prince or
government. --Dryden.
{Arbitrary constant}, {Arbitrary function} (Math.), a
quantity of function that is introduced into the solution
of a problem, and to which any value or form may at will
be given, so that the solution may be made to meet special
requirements.
{Arbitrary quantity} (Math.), one to which any value can be
assigned at pleasure.
Arbitrate \Ar"bi*trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arbitrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Arbitrating}.] [L. arbitratus, p. p. of
arbitrari to be a hearer or beholder of something, to make a
decision, to give judgment, fr. arbiter. See {Arbiter}.]
1. To hear and decide, as arbitrators; as, to choose to
arbitrate a disputed case.
2. To decide, or determine generally. --South.
There shall your swords and lances arbitrate The
swelling difference of your settled hate. --Shak.
Arbitrate \Ar"bi*trate\, v. i.
1. To decide; to determine. --Shak.
2. To act as arbitrator or judge; as, to arbitrate upon
several reports; to arbitrate in disputes among neighbors;
to arbitrate between parties to a suit.
Arbitration \Ar`bi*tra"tion\, n. [F. arbitration, L. arbitratio,
fr. arbitrari.]
The hearing and determination of a cause between parties in
controversy, by a person or persons chosen by the parties.
Note: This may be done by one person; but it is usual to
choose two or three called arbitrators; or for each
party to choose one, and these to name a third, who is
called the umpire. Their determination is called the
award. --Bouvier
{Arbitration bond}, a bond which obliges one to abide by the
award of an arbitration.
{Arbitration of Exchange}, the operation of converting the
currency of one country into that of another, or
determining the rate of exchange between such countries or
currencies. An arbitrated rate is one determined by such
arbitration through the medium of one or more intervening
currencies.
Arbitrator \Ar"bi*tra`tor\, n. [L., fr. arbitrari: cf. F.
arbitrateur.]
1. A person, or one of two or more persons, chosen by parties
who have a controversy, to determine their differences.
See {Arbitration}.
2. One who has the power of deciding or prescribing without
control; a ruler; a governor.
Though Heaven be shut, And Heaven's high Arbitrators
sit secure. --Milton.
Masters of their own terms and arbitrators of a
peace. --Addison.
Syn: Judge; umpire; referee; arbiter. See {Judge}.
Arbitratrix \Ar"bi*tra`trix\, n. [L., fem. of arbitrator.]
A female who arbitrates or judges.
Arbitress \Ar"bi*tress\, n. [From {Arbiter}.]
A female arbiter; an arbitratrix. --Milton.
Arblast \Ar"blast\, n.
A crossbow. See {Arbalest}.
Arbor \Ar"bor\, n. [OE. herber, herbere, properly a garden of
herbs, F. herbier, fr. L. herbarium. See {Herb}, and cf.
{Herbarium}.]
A kind of latticework formed of, or covered with, vines,
branches of trees, or other plants, for shade; a bower. --Sir
P. Sidney.
Arbor \Ar"bor\, n. [Written also arbour.] [L., a tree, a beam.]
1. (Bot.) A tree, as distinguished from a shrub.
2. [Cf. F. arbre.] (Mech.)
(a) An axle or spindle of a wheel or opinion.
(b) A mandrel in lathe turning. --Knight.
{Arbor Day}, a day appointed for planting trees and shrubs.
[U.S.]
Arborary \Ar"bo*ra*ry\, a. [L. arborarius, fr. arbor tree.]
Of or pertaining to trees; arboreal.
Arborator \Ar"bo*ra`tor\, n. [L., fr. arbor tree.]
One who plants or who prunes trees. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Arbor Dianae \Ar"bor Di*a"n[ae]\ [L., the tree of Diana, or
silver.] (Chem.)
A precipitation of silver, in a beautiful arborescent form.
Arboreal \Ar*bo"re*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a tree, or to trees; of nature of
trees. --Cowley.
2. Attached to, found in or upon, or frequenting, woods or
trees; as, arboreal animals.
Woodpeckers are eminently arboreal. --Darwin.
Arbored \Ar"bored\, a.
Furnished with an arbor; lined with trees. ``An arboreal
walk.'' --Pollok.
Arboreous \Ar*bo"re*ous\, a. [L. arboreous, fr. arbor tree.]
1. Having the form, constitution, or habits, of a proper
tree, in distinction from a shrub. --Loudon.
2. Pertaining to, or growing on, trees; as, arboreous moss.
--Quincy.
Arborescence \Ar`bo*res"cence\, n.
The state of being arborescent; the resemblance to a tree in
minerals, or crystallizations, or groups of crystals in that
form; as, the arborescence produced by precipitating silver.
Arborescent \Ar`bo*res"cent\, a. [L. arborescens, p. pr. of
arborescere to become a tree, fr. arbor tree.]
Resembling a tree; becoming woody in stalk; dendritic; having
crystallizations disposed like the branches and twigs of a
tree. ``Arborescent hollyhocks.'' --Evelyn.
Arboret \Ar"bo*ret\, n. [OF. arboret, dim. of arbre tree, L.
arbor]
A small tree or shrub. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Among thick-woven arborets, and flowers Imbordered on
each bank. --Milton.
Arboretum \Ar`bo*re"tum\, n.; pl. {Arboreta}. [L., a place grown
with trees.]
A place in which a collection of rare trees and shrubs is
cultivated for scientific or educational purposes.
Arborical \Ar*bor"ic*al\, a.
Relating to trees. [Obs.]
Arboricole \Ar*bor"i*cole\, a. [L. arbor + colere to inhabit.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Tree-inhabiting; -- said of certain birds.
Arboricultural \Ar`bor*i*cul"tur*al\, a.
Pertaining to arboriculture. --Loudon.
Arboriculture \Ar`bor*i*cul"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. arbor tree +
cultura. See {Culture}.]
The cultivation of trees and shrubs, chiefly for timber or
for ornamental purposes.
Arboriculturist \Ar`bor*i*cul"tur*ist\, n.
One who cultivates trees.
Arboriform \Ar*bor"i*form\, a.
Treelike in shape.
Arborist \Ar"bor*ist\, n. [F. arboriste, fr. L. arbor tree.]
One who makes trees his study, or who is versed in the
knowledge of trees. --Howell.
Arborization \Ar`bor*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. arborisation, fr. L.
arbor tree.]
The appearance or figure of a tree or plant, as in minerals
or fossils; a dendrite.
Arborized \Ar"bor*ized\, a.
Having a treelike appearance. ``An arborized or moss agate.''
--Wright.
Arborous \Ar"bor*ous\, a.
Formed by trees. [Obs.]
From under shady, arborous roof. --Milton.
Arbor vine \Ar"bor vine`\
A species of bindweed.
Arbor vitae \Ar"bor vi"t[ae]\ [L., tree of life.]
1. (Bot.) An evergreen tree of the cypress tribe, genus
{Thuja}. The American species is the {T. occidentalis}.
2. (Anat.) The treelike disposition of the gray and white
nerve tissues in the cerebellum, as seen in a vertical
section.
Arbuscle \Ar"bus*cle\, n. [L. arbuscula small tree, shrub, dim.
of arbor tree.]
A dwarf tree, one in size between a shrub and a tree; a
treelike shrub. --Bradley.
Arbuscular \Ar*bus"cu*lar\, a.
Of or pertaining to a dwarf tree; shrublike. --Da Costa.
Arbustive \Ar*bus"tive\, a. [L. arbustivus, fr. arbustum place
where trees are planted.]
Containing copses of trees or shrubs; covered with shrubs.
--Bartram.
Arbutus \Ar"bu*tus\, Arbute \Ar"bute\, n. [L. arbutus, akin to
arbor tree.]
The strawberry tree, a genus of evergreen shrubs, of the
Heath family. It has a berry externally resembling the
strawberry; the arbute tree.
{Trailing arbutus} (Bot.), a creeping or trailing plant of
the Heath family ({Epig[ae]a repens}), having white or
usually rose-colored flowers with a delicate fragrance,
growing in small axillary clusters, and appearing early in
the spring; in New England known as {mayflower}; -- called
also {ground laurel}. --Gray.
Arc \Arc\, n. [F. arc, L. arcus bow, arc. See {Arch}, n.]
1. (Geom.) A portion of a curved line; as, the arc of a
circle or of an ellipse.
2. A curvature in the shape of a circular arc or an arch; as,
the colored arc (the rainbow); the arc of Hadley's
quadrant.
3. An arch. [Obs.]
Statues and trophies, and triumphal arcs. --Milton.
4. The apparent arc described, above or below the horizon, by
the sun or other celestial body. The diurnal arc is
described during the daytime, the nocturnal arc during the
night.
{Electric arc}, {Voltaic arc}. See under {Voltaic}.
Arcade \Ar*cade"\, n. [F. arcade, Sp. arcada, LL. arcata, fr. L.
arcus bow, arch.]
1. (Arch.)
(a) A series of arches with the columns or piers which
support them, the spandrels above, and other necessary
appurtenances; sometimes open, serving as an entrance
or to give light; sometimes closed at the back (as in
the cut) and forming a decorative feature.
(b) A long, arched building or gallery.
2. An arched or covered passageway or avenue.
Arcaded \Ar*cad"ed\, a.
Furnished with an arcade.
Arcadia \Ar*ca"di*a\, n. [L. Arcadia, Gr. ?.]
1. A mountainous and picturesque district of Greece, in the
heart of the Peloponnesus, whose people were distinguished
for contentment and rural happiness.
2. Fig.: Any region or scene of simple pleasure and
untroubled quiet.
Where the cow is, there is Arcadia. --J.
Burroughs.
Arcadian \Ar*ca"di*an\, Arcadic \Ar*ca"dic\, a. [L. Arcadius,
Arcadicus, fr. Arcadia: cf. F. Arcadien, Arcadique.]
Of or pertaining to Arcadia; pastoral; ideally rural; as,
Arcadian simplicity or scenery.
Arcane \Ar*cane"\, a. [L. arcanus.]
Hidden; secret. [Obs.] ``The arcane part of divine wisdom.''
--Berkeley.
Arcanum \Ar*ca"num\, n.; pl. {Arcana}. [L., fr. arcanus closed,
secret, fr. arca chest, box, fr. arcere to inclose. See
{Ark}.]
1. A secret; a mystery; -- generally used in the plural.
Inquiries into the arcana of the Godhead.
--Warburton.
2. (Med.) A secret remedy; an elixir. --Dunglison.
Arcboutant \Arc`*bou`tant"\, n. [F.] (Arch.)
A flying buttress. --Gwilt.
Arch \Arch\, n. [F. arche, fr. LL. arca, for arcus. See {Arc}.]
1. (Geom.) Any part of a curved line.
2. (Arch.)
(a) Usually a curved member made up of separate
wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them
disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve;
used to support the wall or other weight above an
opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i.
e., semicircular), or pointed.
(b) A flat arch is a member constructed of stones cut into
wedges or other shapes so as to support each other
without rising in a curve.
Note: Scientifically considered, the arch is a means of
spanning an opening by resolving vertical pressure into
horizontal or diagonal thrust.
3. Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into
the arch of a bridge.
4. Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the
aorta. ``Colors of the showery arch.'' --Milton.
{Triumphal arch}, a monumental structure resembling an arched
gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate
a triumph.
Arch \Arch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Arching}.]
1. To cover with an arch or arches.
2. To form or bend into the shape of an arch.
The horse arched his neck. --Charlesworth.
Arch \Arch\, v. i.
To form into an arch; to curve.
Arch- \Arch-\ (["a]rch-, except in archangel and one or two
other words). [L. arch-, Gr. ?. See {Arch-}.]
A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.
Arch \Arch\ (["a]rch), a. [See {Arch-}, pref.]
1. Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
The most arch act of piteous massacre. --Shak.
2. Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an
arch look, word, lad.
[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.
--Tatler.
Arch \Arch\, n. [See {Arch-}, pref.]
A chief. [Obs.]
My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. --Shak.
-arch \-arch\ [Gr. 'archo`s chief, commander, 'a`rchein to rule.
See {Arch}, a.]
A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).
Archaean \Ar*ch[ae]"an\, a. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient, fr. 'archh`
beginning.]
Ancient; pertaining to the earliest period in geological
history.
Archaean \Ar*ch[ae]"an\, n. (Geol.)
The earliest period in geological period, extending up to the
Lower Silurian. It includes an Azoic age, previous to the
appearance of life, and an Eozoic age, including the earliest
forms of life.
Note: This is equivalent to the formerly accepted term Azoic,
and to the Eozoic of Dawson.
Archaeography \Ar`ch[ae]*og"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? ancient +
-graphy.]
A description of, or a treatise on, antiquity or antiquities.
Archaeolithic \Ar`ch[ae]*o*lith"ic\, a. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient
+ liqiko`s pertaining to a stone.] (Arch[ae]ol.)
Of or pertaining to the earliest Stone age; -- applied to a
prehistoric period preceding the Paleolithic age.
Archaeologian \Ar`ch[ae]*o*lo"gi*an\, n.
An arch[ae]ologist.
Archaeologic \Ar`ch[ae]*o*log"ic\, Archaeological
\Ar`ch[ae]*o*log"ic*al\,
Relating to arch[ae]ology, or antiquities; as,
arch[ae]ological researches. -- {Ar`*ch[ae]*o*log"ic*al*ly},
adv.
Archaeologist \Ar`ch[ae]*ol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in arch[ae]ology; an antiquary. --Wright.
Archaeology \Ar`ch[ae]*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; 'archai^os ancient
(fr. 'archh` beginning) + ? discourse, ? to speak.]
The science or study of antiquities, esp. prehistoric
antiquities, such as the remains of buildings or monuments of
an early epoch, inscriptions, implements, and other relics,
written manuscripts, etc.
Archaeopteryx \Ar`ch[ae]*op"te*ryx\, n. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient
+ pte`ryx wing.] (Paleon.)
A fossil bird, of the Jurassic period, remarkable for having
a long tapering tail of many vertebr[ae] with feathers along
each side, and jaws armed with teeth, with other reptilian
characteristics.
Archaeostomatous \Ar`ch[ae]*o*stom"a*tous\, a. [Gr. 'archai^os
ancient + sto`ma mouth.] (Biol.)
Applied to a gastrula when the blastopore does not entirely
close up.
Archaeozoic \Ar`ch[ae]*o*zo"ic\, a. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient +
zw^,on animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or belonging to the earliest forms of animal life.
Archaic \Ar*cha"ic\, a. [Gr. 'archai:ko`s old-fashioned, fr.
'archai^os ancient.]
Of or characterized by antiquity or archaism; antiquated;
obsolescent.
Archaical \Ar*cha"ic*al\, a.
Archaic. [R.] -- {Ar*cha"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Archaism \Ar"cha*ism\, n. [Gr. 'archai:smo`s, fr. 'archai^os
ancient, fr. 'archh` beginning: cf. F. archa["i]sme. See
{Arch}, a.]
1. An ancient, antiquated, or old-fashioned, word,
expression, or idiom; a word or form of speech no longer
in common use.
2. Antiquity of style or use; obsoleteness.
A select vocabulary corresponding (in point of
archaism and remoteness from ordinary use) to our
Scriptural vocabulary. --De Quincey.
Archaist \Ar"cha*ist\, n.
1. Am antiquary.
2. One who uses archaisms.
Archaistic \Ar`cha*is"tic\, a.
Like, or imitative of, anything archaic; pertaining to an
archaism.
Archaize \Ar"cha*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Archaized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Archaizing}.] [Gr. 'archai:`zein.]
To make appear archaic or antique. --Mahaffy.
Archangel \Arch`an"gel\, n. [L. archangelus, Gr. 'archa`ggelos:
cf. OF. archangel, F. archange. See {Arch-}, pref., and
{Angel}.]
1. A chief angel; one high in the celestial hierarchy.
--Milton.
2. (Bot.) A term applied to several different species of
plants ({Angelica archangelica}, {Lamium album}, etc.).
Archangelic \Arch`an*gel"ic\, a. [Cf. F. archang['e]lique.]
Of or pertaining to archangels; of the nature of, or
resembling, an archangel. --Milton.
Archbishop \Arch`bish"op\, n. [AS. arcebisceop, arcebiscop, L.
archiepiscopus, fr. Gr. 'archiepi`skopos. See {Bishop}.]
A chief bishop; a church dignitary of the first class (often
called a metropolitan or primate) who superintends the
conduct of the suffragan bishops in his province, and also
exercises episcopal authority in his own diocese.
Archbishopric \Arch`bish"op*ric\, n. [AS. arcebiscopr[=i]ce. See
{-ric}.]
The jurisdiction or office of an archbishop; the see or
province over which archbishop exercises archiepiscopal
authority.
Arch brick \Arch" brick`\
A wedge-shaped brick used in the building of an arch.
Archbutler \Arch`but"ler\, n. [Pref. arch- + butler.]
A chief butler; -- an officer of the German empire.
Archchamberlain \Arch`cham"ber*lain\, n. [Cf. G. erzk["a]mmerer.
See {Arch-}, pref.]
A chief chamberlain; -- an officer of the old German empire,
whose office was similar to that of the great chamberlain in
England.
Archchancellor \Arch`chan"cel*lor\, n. [Cf. Ger. erzkanzler. See
{Arch-}, pref.]
A chief chancellor; -- an officer in the old German empire,
who presided over the secretaries of the court.
Archchemic \Arch`chem"ic\, a.
Of supreme chemical powers. [R.] ``The archchemic sun.''
--Milton.
Archdeacon \Arch`dea"con\, n. [AS. arcediacon, archidiacon, L.
archidiaconus, fr. Gr. ?. See {Arch-}, pref., and {Deacon}.]
In England, an ecclesiastical dignitary, next in rank below a
bishop, whom he assists, and by whom he is appointed, though
with independent authority. --Blackstone.
Archdeaconry \Arch`dea"con*ry\, n.
The district, office, or residence of an archdeacon. See
{Benefice}.
Every diocese is divided into archdeaconries.
--Blackstone.
Archdeaconship \Arch`dea"con*ship\, n.
The office of an archdeacon.
Archdiocese \Arch`di"o*cese\, n. [Pref. arch- + diocese.]
The diocese of an archbishop.
Archducal \Arch`du"cal\, a.
Of or pertaining to an archduke or archduchy.
Archduchess \Arch`duch"ess\, n. [Pref. arch- + duchess.]
The consort of an archduke; also, a princess of the imperial
family of Austria. See {Archduke}.
Archduchy \Arch`duch"y\, n.
The territory of an archduke or archduchess. --Ash.
Archduke \Arch`duke"\, n. [Pref. arch- + duke.]
A prince of the imperial family of Austria.
Note: Formerly this title was assumed by the rulers of
Lorraine, Brabant, Austria, etc. It is now appropriated
to the descendants of the imperial family of Austria
through the make line, all such male descendants being
styled archduke, and all such female descendants
archduchesses.
Archdukedom \Arch`duke"dom\, n.
An archduchy.
Archebiosis \Ar`che*bi*o"sis\, n. [Pref. arche- = archi- + Gr.
bi`wsis, bi`os, life.]
The origination of living matter from non-living. See
{Abiogenesis}. --Bastian.
Arched \Arched\, a.
Made with an arch or curve; covered with an arch; as, an
arched door.
Archegonial \Ar`che*go"ni*al\, a.
Relating to the archegonium.
Archegonium \Ar`che*go"ni*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the first of a
race.] (Bot.)
The pistillidium or female organ in the higher cryptogamic
plants, corresponding to the pistil in flowering plants.
Archegony \Ar*cheg"o*ny\, n. [See {Archegonium}.] (Biol.)
Spontaneous generation; abiogenesis.
Archelogy \Ar*chel"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? an element or first
principle + -logy.]
The science of, or a treatise on, first principles.
--Fleming.
Archencephala \Ar`chen*ceph"a*la\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. pref. ?
+ ? the brain.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division that includes man alone. --R. Owen.
Archenemy \Arch`en"e*my\, n. [Pref. arch- + enemy.]
A principal enemy. Specifically, Satan, the grand adversary
of mankind. --Milton.
Archenteric \Arch`en*ter"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Relating to the archenteron; as, archenteric invagination.
Archenteron \Arch`en"ter*on\, n. [Pref. arch- + Gr. ?
intestine.] (Biol.)
The primitive enteron or undifferentiated digestive sac of a
gastrula or other embryo. See Illust. under {Invagination}.
Archeology \Ar`che*ol"o*gy\, n., Archeological
\Ar`che*o*log`ic*al\, a.
Same as {Arch[ae]ology}, etc.
Archer \Arch"er\, n. [archier, F. archer, LL. arcarius, fr. L.
arcus bow. See {Arc}, {Arch}, n.]
A bowman, one skilled in the use of the bow and arrow.
Archeress \Arch"er*ess\, n.
A female archer. --Markham.
Archer fish \Arch"er fish`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A small fish ({Toxotes jaculator}), of the East Indies; -- so
called from its ejecting drops of water from its mouth at its
prey. The name is also applied to {Ch[ae]todon rostratus}.
Archership \Arch"er*ship\, n.
The art or skill of an archer.
Archery \Arch"er*y\, n. [OE. archerie.]
1. The use of the bow and arrows in battle, hunting, etc.;
the art, practice, or skill of shooting with a bow and
arrows.
2. Archers, or bowmen, collectively.
Let all our archery fall off In wings of shot a-both
sides of the van. --Webster
(1607).
Arches \Arch"es\,
pl. of {Arch}, n.
{Court of arches}, or {Arches Court} (Eng. Law), the court of
appeal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, whereof the judge,
who sits as deputy to the archbishop, is called the Dean
of the Arches, because he anciently held his court in the
church of St. Mary-le-Bow (de arcubus). It is now held in
Westminster. --Mozley & W.
Archetypal \Ar"che*ty`pal\, a.
Of or pertaining to an archetype; consisting a model (real or
ideal) or pattern; original. ``One archetypal mind.''
--Gudworth.
Note: Among Platonists, the archetypal world is the world as
it existed as an idea of God before the creation.
Archetypally \Ar"che*ty`pal*ly\, adv.
With reference to the archetype; originally. ``Parts
archetypally distinct.'' --Dana.
Archetype \Ar"che*type\ ([aum]r"k[-e]*t[imac]p), n. [L.
archetypum, Gr. 'arche`typon, fr. 'arche`typos stamped first
and as model; 'arche = 'archi + ty`pos stamp, figure,
pattern, ty`ptein to strike: cf. F. arch['e]type. See
{Arch-}, pref.]
1. The original pattern or model of a work; or the model from
which a thing is made or formed.
The House of Commons, the archetype of all the
representative assemblies which now meet.
--Macaulay.
Types and shadows of that glorious archetype that
was to come into the world. --South.
2. (Coinage) The standard weight or coin by which others are
adjusted.
3. (Biol.) The plan or fundamental structure on which a
natural group of animals or plants or their systems of
organs are assumed to have been constructed; as, the
vertebrate archetype.
Archetypical \Ar`che*typ"ic*al\, a.
Relating to an archetype; archetypal.
Archeus \Ar*che"us\, n. [LL. arch[=e]us, Gr. 'archai^os ancient,
primeval, fr. 'archh` beginning. See {Archi-}, pref.]
The vital principle or force which (according to the
Paracelsians) presides over the growth and continuation of
living beings; the {anima mundi} or plastic power of the old
philosophers. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Archi- \Ar"chi-\ [L., archi-, Gr. 'archi-, a prefix which is
from the same root as 'a`rchein to be first, to begin; 'archh
the first place, beginning; 'archo`s chief. Cf. AS. arce-,
erce-, OHG. erzi-, G. erz-.]
A prefix signifying chief, arch; as, architect,
archiepiscopal. In Biol. and Anat. it usually means
primitive, original, ancestral; as, archipterygium, the
primitive fin or wing.
Archiannelida \Ar`chi*an*nel"i*da\, n. pl. [NL.; pref. archi- +
annelida.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Annelida remarkable for having no external
segments or distinct ventral nerve ganglions.
Archiater \Ar"chi*a`ter\, n. [L. archiatrus, Gr. ?; pref. ? + ?
physician, ? to heal.]
Chief physician; -- a term applied, on the continent of
Europe, to the first or body physician of princes and to the
first physician of some cities. --P. Cyc.
Archiblastula \Ar`chi*blas"tu*la\, n. [Pref. archi + blastula.]
(Biol.)
A hollow blastula, supposed to be the primitive form; a
c[oe]loblastula.
Archical \Ar"chi*cal\, a. [Gr. ? able to govern, fr. ?
beginning, government. See {Arch-}, pref.]
Chief; primary; primordial. [Obs.] --Cudworth.
Archidiaconal \Ar`chi*di*ac"o*nal\, a. [L. archidiaconus, Gr. ?,
equiv. to E. archdeacon.]
Of or pertaining to an archdeacon.
This offense is liable to be censured in an
archidiaconal visitation. --Johnson.
Archiepiscopacy \Ar`chi*e*pis"co*pa*cy\, n. [Pref. archi- +
episcopacy.]
1. That form of episcopacy in which the chief power is in the
hands of archbishops.
2. The state or dignity of an archbishop.
Archiepiscopal \Ar`chi*e*pis"co*pal\, a. [Pref. archi- +
episcopal.]
Of or pertaining to an archbishop; as, Canterbury is an
archiepiscopal see.
Archiepiscopality \Ar`chi*e*pis`co*pal"i*ty\, n.
The station or dignity of an archbishop; archiepiscopacy.
--Fuller.
Archiepiscopate \Ar`chi*e*pis"co*pate\, n. [Pref. archi- +
episcopate.]
The office of an archbishop; an archbishopric.
Archierey \Ar*chi"e*rey\, n. [Russ. archier['e]i, fr. Gr. ?;
pref. ? (E. arch-) + [hand] priest.]
The higher order of clergy in Russia, including
metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops. --Pinkerton.
Archil \Ar"chil\ (?; 277), n. [OF. orchel, orcheil, It. orcella,
oricello, or OSp. orchillo. Cf. {Orchil}.]
1. A violet dye obtained from several species of lichen
({Roccella tinctoria}, etc.), which grow on maritime rocks
in the Canary and Cape Verd Islands, etc. --Tomlinson.
2. The plant from which the dye is obtained. [Written also
{orchal} and {orchil}.]
Archilochian \Ar`chi*lo"chi*an\, a. [L. Archilochius.]
Of or pertaining to the satiric Greek poet Archilochus; as,
Archilochian meter.
Archimage \Ar"chi*mage\, Archimagus \Ar`chi*ma"gus\, n. [NL.;
pref. archi- + L. magus, Gr. ?, a Magian.]
1. The high priest of the Persian Magi, or worshipers of
fire.
2. A great magician, wizard, or enchanter. --Spenser.
Archimandrite \Ar`chi*man"drite\, n. [L. archimandrita, LGr. ?;
pref. ? (E. arch-) + ? an inclosed space, esp. for cattle, a
fold, a monastery.] (Gr. Church)
(a) A chief of a monastery, corresponding to abbot in the
Roman Catholic church.
(b) A superintendent of several monasteries, corresponding
to superior abbot, or father provincial, in the Roman
Catholic church.
Archimedean \Ar`chi*me*de"an\, a. [L. Archimedeus.]
Of or pertaining to Archimedes, a celebrated Greek
philosopher; constructed on the principle of Archimedes'
screw; as, Archimedean drill, propeller, etc.
{Archimedean screw}, or {Archimedes' screw}, an instrument,
said to have been invented by Archimedes, for raising
water, formed by winding a flexible tube round a cylinder
in the form of a screw. When the screw is placed in an
inclined position, and the lower end immersed in water, by
causing the screw to revolve, the water is raised to the
upper end. --Francis.
Archimedes \Ar`chi*me"des\, n. (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of Bryzoa characteristic of the
subcarboniferous rocks. Its form is that of a screw.
Arching \Arch"ing\, n.
1. The arched part of a structure.
2. (Naut.) Hogging; -- opposed to {sagging}.
Archipelagic \Ar`chi*pe*lag"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to an archipelago.
Archipelago \Ar`chi*pel"a*go\, n.; pl. {-goes} or {-gos}. [It.
arcipelago, properly, chief sea; Gr. pref ? + ? sea, perh.
akin to ? blow, and expressing the beating of the waves. See
{Plague}.]
1. The Grecian Archipelago, or [AE]gean Sea, separating
Greece from Asia Minor. It is studded with a vast number
of small islands.
2. Hence: Any sea or broad sheet of water interspersed with
many islands or with a group of islands.
Archipterygium \Ar*chip`te*ryg"i*um\
([aum]r*k[i^]p`t[-e]*r[i^]j"[i^]*[u^]m), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
pref. 'archi- (E. arch-) + ptery`gion wing, fin.] (Anat.)
The primitive form of fin, like that of Ceratodus.
Architect \Ar"chi*tect\ ([aum]r"k[i^]*t[e^]kt), n. [L.
architectus, architecton, Gr. ? chief artificer, master
builder; pref. 'archi- (E. archi-) + ? workman, akin to ?
art, skill, ? to produce: cf. F. architecte, It. architetto.
See {Technical}.]
1. A person skilled in the art of building; one who
understands architecture, or makes it his occupation to
form plans and designs of buildings, and to superintend
the artificers employed.
2. A contriver, designer, or maker.
The architects of their own happiness. --Milton.
A French woman is a perfect architect in dress.
--Coldsmith.
Architective \Ar`chi*tec"tive\, a.
Used in building; proper for building. --Derham.
Architectonic \Ar`chi*tec*ton"ic\, Architectonical
\Ar`chi*tec*ton"ic*al\, a. [L. architectonicus, Gr. ?. See
{Architect}.]
1. Pertaining to a master builder, or to architecture;
evincing skill in designing or construction; constructive.
``Architectonic wisdom.'' --Boyle.
These architectonic functions which we had hitherto
thought belonged. --J. C.
Shairp.
2. Relating to the systemizing of knowledge.
Architectonic \Ar`chi*tec*ton"ic\, n. [Cf. F. architectonique.]
1. The science of architecture.
2. The act of arranging knowledge into a system.
Architectonics \Ar`chi*tec*ton"ics\, n.
The science of architecture.
Architector \Ar"chi*tec`tor\, n.
An architect. [Obs.] --North.
Architectress \Ar"chi*tec`tress\, n.
A female architect.
Architectural \Ar`chi*tec"tur*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the art of building; conformed to the
rules of architecture. -- {Ar`chi*tec"tur*al*ly}, adv.
Architecture \Ar"chi*tec`ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. architectura,
fr. architectus: cf. F. architecture. See {Architect}.]
1. The art or science of building; especially, the art of
building houses, churches, bridges, and other structures,
for the purposes of civil life; -- often called civil
architecture.
Many other architectures besides Gothic. --Ruskin.
3. Construction, in a more general sense; frame or structure;
workmanship.
The architecture of grasses, plants, and trees.
--Tyndall.
The formation of the first earth being a piece of
divine architecture. --Burnet.
{Military architecture}, the art of fortifications.
{Naval architecture}, the art of building ships.
Architeuthis \Ar`chi*teu"this\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. pref. ? + ?, ?,
a kind of squid.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of gigantic cephalopods, allied to the squids, found
esp. in the North Atlantic and about New Zealand.
Architrave \Ar"chi*trave\, n. [F. architrave, fr. It.
architrave; pref. archi- + trave beam, L. trabs.] (Arch.)
(a) The lower division of an entablature, or that part which
rests immediately on the column, esp. in classical
architecture. See {Column}.
(b) The group of moldings, or other architectural member,
above and on both sides of a door or other opening,
especially if square in form.
Architraved \Ar"chi*traved\, a.
Furnished with an architrave. --Cowper.
Archival \Ar"chi*val\, a.
Pertaining to, or contained in, archives or records. --Tooke.
Archive \Ar"chive\, n.; pl. {Archives}. [F. archives, pl., L.
archivum, archium, fr. Gr. ? government house, ? ? archives,
fr. ? the first place, government. See {Archi-}, pref.]
1. pl. The place in which public records or historic
documents are kept.
Our words . . . . become records in God's court, and
are laid up in his archives as witnesses. --Gov. of
Tongue.
2. pl. Public records or documents preserved as evidence of
facts; as, the archives of a country or family. [Rarely
used in sing.]
Some rotten archive, rummaged out of some seldom
explored press. --Lamb.
Syn: Registers; records; chronicles.
Archivist \Ar"chi*vist\, n. [F. archiviste.]
A keeper of archives or records. [R.]
Archivolt \Ar"chi*volt\, n. [F. archivolte, fr. It. archivolto;
pref. archi- + volto vault, arch. See {Vault}.] (Arch.)
(a) The architectural member surrounding the curved opening
of an arch, corresponding to the architrave in the case
of a square opening.
(b) More commonly, the molding or other ornaments with which
the wall face of the voussoirs of an arch is charged.
Archlute \Arch"lute\, Archilute \Arch"i*lute\, n. [Cf. F.
archiluth, It. arciliuto.] (Mus.)
A large theorbo, or double-necked lute, formerly in use,
having the bass strings doubled with an octave, and the
higher strings with a unison.
Archly \Arch"ly\, adv.
In an arch manner; with attractive slyness or roguishness;
slyly; waggishly.
Archly the maiden smiled. --Longfellow.
Archmarshal \Arch`mar"shal\, n. [G. erzmarschall. See {Arch-},
pref.]
The grand marshal of the old German empire, a dignity that to
the Elector of Saxony.
Archness \Arch"ness\, n.
The quality of being arch; cleverness; sly humor free from
malice; waggishness. --Goldsmith.
Archon \Ar"chon\, n. [L. archon, Gr. ?, ?, ruler, chief
magistrate, p. pr. of ? to be first, to rule.] (Antiq.)
One of the chief magistrates in ancient Athens, especially,
by pre["e]minence, the first of the nine chief magistrates.
-- {Ar*chon"tic}, a.
Archonship \Ar"chon*ship\, n.
The office of an archon. --Mitford.
Archontate \Ar"chon*tate\, n. [Cf. F. archontat.]
An archon's term of office. --Gibbon.
Archonts \Ar"chonts\, n. pl. [Gr. 'a`rchwn, p. pr. See
{Archon}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The group including man alone.
Archprelate \Arch`prel"ate\, n. [Pref. arch- + prelate.]
An archbishop or other chief prelate.
Archpresbyter \Arch`pres"by*ter\, n.
Same as {Archpriest}.
Archpresbytery \Arch`pres"by*ter*y\, n. [Pref. arch- +
presbytery.]
The absolute dominion of presbytery. --Milton.
Archpriest \Arch`priest"\, n.
A chief priest; also, a kind of vicar, or a rural dean.
Archprimate \Arch`pri"mate\, n. [Pref. arch- + primate.]
The chief primate. --Milton.
Arch stone \Arch" stone`\
A wedge-shaped stone used in an arch; a voussoir.
Archtraitor \Arch`trai"tor\, n. [Pref. arch- + traitor.]
A chief or transcendent traitor. --I. Watts.
Archtreasurer \Arch`treas"ur*er\ (?; 135), n. [Pref. arch- +
treasurer.]
A chief treasurer. Specifically, the great treasurer of the
German empire.
Archway \Arch"way\, n.
A way or passage under an arch.
Archwife \Arch`wife"\, n. [Pref. arch- + wife.]
A big, masculine wife. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Archwise \Arch"wise\, adv.
Arch-shaped.
Archy \Arch"y\, a.
Arched; as, archy brows.
archy \*ar"chy\ [Gr. ?, fr. ? chief. See {Arch-}, pref.]
A suffix properly meaning a rule, ruling, as in monarchy, the
rule of one only. Cf. {-arch}.
Arciform \Ar"ci*form\, a. [L. arcus bow + -form.]
Having the form of an arch; curved.
Arcograph \Arc"o*graph\, n. [L. arcus (E. arc) + -graph.]
An instrument for drawing a circular arc without the use of a
central point; a cyclograph.
Arctation \Arc*ta"tion\, n. [L. arctus shut in, narrow, p. p. of
arcere to shut in: cf. F. arctation.] (Med.)
Constriction or contraction of some natural passage, as in
constipation from inflammation.
Arctic \Arc"tic\, a. [OE. artik, OF. artique, F. arctique, L.
arcticus, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? a bear, also a northern
constellation so called; akin to L. ursus bear, Skr. ?ksha.]
Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation
called the Bear; northern; frigid; as, the arctic pole,
circle, region, ocean; an arctic expedition, night,
temperature.
Note: The arctic circle is a lesser circle, parallel to the
equator, 23[deg] 28' from the north pole. This and the
antarctic circle are called the polar circles, and
between these and the poles lie the frigid zones. See
{Zone}.
Arctic \Arc"tic\, n.
1. The arctic circle.
2. A warm waterproof overshoe. [U.S.]
Arctisca \Arc*tis"ca\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Arachnida. See Illust. in Appendix.
Arctogeal \Arc`to*ge"al\, a. [Gr. ? the north + ?, ?, country.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to arctic lands; as, the arctogeal fauna.
Arctoidea \Arc*toid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? bear + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of the Carnivora, that includes the bears, weasels,
etc.
Arcturus \Arc*tu"rus\, n. [L. Arcturus, Gr. ? bearward, equiv.
to ?; ? bear + ? ward, guard. See {Arctic}.] (Anat.)
A fixed star of the first magnitude in the constellation
Bo["o]tes.
Note: Arcturus has sometimes been incorrectly used as the
name of the constellation, or even of Ursa Major.
Canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons [Rev.
Ver.: ``the Bear with her train'']. --Job
xxxviii. 32.
Arcual \Arc"u*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to an arc.
{Arcual measure of an angle} (Math.), that in which the unit
angle has its measuring arc equal to the radius of the
circle.
Arcuate \Arc"u*ate\, Arcuated \Arc"u*a`ted\(#), a. [L. arcuatus,
p. p. of arcuare to shape like a bow, fr. arcus. See {Arc}.]
Bent or curved in the form of a bow. ``Arcuate stalks.''
--Gray.
Arcuately \Arc"u*ate*ly\, adv.
In the form of a bow.
Arcuation \Arc`u*a"tion\, n. [L. arcuatio.]
1. The act of bending or curving; incurvation; the state of
being bent; crookedness. --Coxe.
2. (Hort.) A mode of propagating trees by bending branches to
the ground, and covering the small shoots with earth;
layering. --Chambers.
Arcubalist \Ar"cu*ba*list\, n. [See {Arbalist}.]
A crossbow. --Fosbroke.
Arcubalister \Ar`cu*bal"ist*er\, n. [L. arcuballistarius. Cf.
{Arbalister}.]
A crossbowman; one who used the arcubalist. --Camden.
Arcubus \Ar"cu*bus\, n.
See {Arquebus}. [Obs.]
-ard \-ard\, -art \-art\
The termination of many English words; as, coward, reynard,
drunkard, mostly from the French, in which language this
ending is of German origin, being orig. the same word as
English hard. It usually has the sense of one who has to a
high or excessive degree the quality expressed by the root;
as, braggart, sluggard.
Ardassine \Ar*das"sine\, n. [F. (cf. Sp. ardacina), fr. ardasse
a kind of silk thread, fr. Ar. & Per. ardan a kind of raw
silk.]
A very fine sort of Persian silk.
Ardency \Ar"den*cy\, n.
1. Heat. [R.] --Sir T. Herbert.
2. Warmth of passion or affection; ardor; vehemence;
eagerness; as, the ardency of love or zeal.
Ardent \Ar"dent\, a. [OE. ardaunt, F. ardant, p. pr. of arder to
burn, fr. L. ardere.]
1. Hot or burning; causing a sensation of burning; fiery; as,
ardent spirits, that is, distilled liquors; an ardent
fever.
2. Having the appearance or quality of fire; fierce; glowing;
shining; as, ardent eyes. --Dryden.
3. Warm, applied to the passions and affections; passionate;
fervent; zealous; vehement; as, ardent love, feelings,
zeal, hope, temper.
An ardent and impetuous race. --Macaulay.
Syn: Burning; hot; fiery; glowing; intense; fierce; vehement;
eager; zealous; keen; fervid; fervent; passionate;
affectionate.
Ardently \Ar"dent*ly\, adv.
In an ardent manner; eagerly; with warmth; affectionately;
passionately.
Ardentness \Ar"dent*ness\, n.
Ardency. [R.]
Ardor \Ar"dor\, n. [L. ardor, fr. ardere to burn: cf. OF. ardor,
ardur, F. ardeur.] [Spelt also {ardour}.]
1. Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays.
2. Warmth or heat of passion or affection; eagerness; zeal;
as, he pursues study with ardor; the fought with ardor;
martial ardor.
3. pl. Bright and effulgent spirits; seraphim. [Thus used by
Milton.]
Syn: Fervor; warmth; eagerness. See {Fervor}.
Arduous \Ar"du*ous\ (?; 135), a. [L. arduus steep, high; akin to
Ir. ard high, height.]
1. Steep and lofty, in a literal sense; hard to climb.
Those arduous paths they trod. --Pope.
2. Attended with great labor, like the ascending of
acclivities; difficult; laborious; as, an arduous
employment, task, or enterprise.
Syn: Difficult; trying; laborious; painful; exhausting.
Usage: {Arduous}, {Hard}, {Difficult}. Hard is simpler,
blunter, and more general in sense than difficult; as,
a hard duty to perform, hard work, a hard task, one
which requires much bodily effort and perseverance to
do. Difficult commonly implies more skill and sagacity
than hard, as when there is disproportion between the
means and the end. A work may be hard but not
difficult. We call a thing arduous when it requires
strenuous and persevering exertion, like that of one
who is climbing a precipice; as, an arduous task, an
arduous duty. ``It is often difficult to control our
feelings; it is still harder to subdue our will; but
it is an arduous undertaking to control the unruly and
contending will of others.''
Arduously \Ar"du*ous*ly\, adv.
In an arduous manner; with difficulty or laboriousness.
Arduousness \Ar"du*ous*ness\, n.
The quality of being arduous; difficulty of execution.
Ardurous \Ar"du*rous\, a.
Burning; ardent. [R.]
Lo! further on, Where flames the arduous Spirit of
Isidore. --Cary.
Are \Are\ [AS. (Northumbrian) aron, akin to the 1st pers. pl.
forms, Icel. erum, Goth. sijum, L. sumus, Gr. ?, Skr. smas;
all from a root as. ? See {Am} and {Is}, and cf. {Be}.]
The present indicative plural of the substantive verb to be;
but etymologically a different word from be, or was. Am, art,
are, and is, all come from the root as.
Are \Are\, n. [F., fr. L. area. See {Area}.] (Metric system)
The unit of superficial measure, being a square of which each
side is ten meters in length; 100 square meters, or about
119.6 square yards.
Area \A"re*a\ ([=a]"r[-e]*[.a]; 277), n.; pl. {Areas} (-[.a]z) .
[L. area a broad piece of level ground. Cf. {Are}, n.]
1. Any plane surface, as of the floor of a room or church, or
of the ground within an inclosure; an open space in a
building.
The Alban lake . . . looks like the area of some
vast amphitheater. --Addison.
2. The inclosed space on which a building stands.
3. The sunken space or court, giving ingress and affording
light to the basement of a building.
4. An extent of surface; a tract of the earth's surface; a
region; as, vast uncultivated areas.
5. (Geom.) The superficial contents of any figure; the
surface included within any given lines; superficial
extent; as, the area of a square or a triangle.
6. (Biol.) A spot or small marked space; as, the germinative
area.
7. Extent; scope; range; as, a wide area of thought.
The largest area of human history and man's common
nature. --F. Harrison.
{Dry area}. See under {Dry}.
Aread \A*read"\, Areed \A*reed"\, v. t. [OE. areden, AS.
[=a]r[=ae]dan to interpret. See {Read}.]
1. To tell, declare, explain, or interpret; to divine; to
guess; as, to aread a riddle or a dream. [Obs.]
Therefore more plain aread this doubtful case.
--Spenser.
2. To read. [Obs.] --Drayton.
3. To counsel, advise, warn, or direct.
But mark what I aread thee now. Avaunt! --Milton.
4. To decree; to adjudge. [Archaic] --Ld. Lytton.
Areal \A"re*al\, a. [Cf. L. arealis, fr. area.]
Of or pertaining to an area; as, areal interstices (the areas
or spaces inclosed by the reticulate vessels of leaves).
Arear \A*rear"\, v. t. & i. [AS. [=a]r[=ae]ran. See {Rear}.]
To raise; to set up; to stir up. [Obs.]
Arear \A*rear"\, adv. [See {Arrear}, adv.]
Backward; in or to the rear; behindhand. --Spenser.
Areca \A*re"ca\, n. [Canarese adiki: cf. Pg. & Sp. areca.]
(Bot.)
A genus of palms, one species of which produces the areca
nut, or betel nut, which is chewed in India with the leaf of
the {Piper Betle} and lime.
Areek \A*reek"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + reek.]
In a reeking condition. --Swift.
Arefaction \Ar`e*fac"tion\, n. [L. arefacere to dry.]
The act of drying, or the state of growing dry.
The arefaction of the earth. --Sir M. Hale.
Arefy \Ar"e*fy\, v. t. [L. arere to be dry + -fly.]
To dry, or make dry. --Bacon.
Arena \A*re"na\, n.; pl. E. {Arenas}; L. {Aren[ae]}. [L. arena,
harena, sand, a sandy place.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) The area in the central part of an
amphitheater, in which the gladiators fought and other
shows were exhibited; -- so called because it was covered
with sand.
2. Any place of public contest or exertion; any sphere of
action; as, the arenaof debate; the arena of life.
3. (Med.) ``Sand'' or ``gravel'' in the kidneys.
Arenaceous \Ar`e*na"ceous\, a. [L. arenaceus, fr. arena sand.]
Sandy or consisting largely of sand; of the nature of sand;
easily disintegrating into sand; friable; as, arenaceous
limestone.
Arenarious \Ar`e*na"ri*ous\, a. [L. arenarius, fr. arena sand.]
Sandy; as, arenarious soil.
Arenation \Ar`e*na"tion\ ([a^]r`[-e]*n[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [L.
arenatio, fr. arena sand.] (Med.)
A sand bath; application of hot sand to the body.
--Dunglison.
Arendator \Ar`en*da"tor\, n. [LL. arendator, arrendator, fr.
arendare, arrendare, to pay rent, fr. arenda yearly rent; ad
+ renda, F. rente, E. rent. Cf. {Arrentation} and {Rent}.]
In some provinces of Russia, one who farms the rents or
revenues.
Note: A person who rents an estate belonging to the crown is
called crown arendator. --Tooke.
Areng \A*reng"\, Arenga \A*ren"ga\, n. [Malayan.]
A palm tree ({Saguerus saccharifer}) which furnishes sago,
wine, and fibers for ropes; the gomuti palm.
Arenicolite \Ar`e*nic"o*lite\, n. [L. arena sand + colere to
cherish or live.] (Paleon.)
An ancient wormhole in sand, preserved in the rocks. --Dana.
Arenilitic \A*ren`i*lit"ic\, a. [L. arena sand + Gr. li`qos
stone.]
Of or pertaining to sandstone; as, arenilitic mountains.
--Kirwan.
Arenose \Ar"e*nose\, a. [L. arenosus, fr. arena sand.]
Sandy; full of sand. --Johnson.
Arenulous \A*ren"u*lous\, a. [L. arenula fine sand, dim. of
arena.]
Full of fine sand; like sand. [Obs.]
Areola \A*re"o*la\, n.; pl. {Areol[ae]}. [L. areola, dim. of
area: cf. F. ar['e]ole. See {Area}.]
1. An interstice or small space, as between the cracks of the
surface in certain crustaceous lichens; or as between the
fibers composing organs or vessels that interlace; or as
between the nervures of an insect's wing.
2. (Anat. & Med.) The colored ring around the nipple, or
around a vesicle or pustule.
Areolar \A*re"o*lar\, a.
Pertaining to, or like, an areola; filled with interstices or
areol[ae].
{reolar tissue} (Anat.), a form of fibrous connective tissue
in which the fibers are loosely arranged with numerous
spaces, or areol[ae], between them.
Areolate \A*re"o*late\, Areolated \A*re"o*la*ted\, a. [L.
areola: cf. F. ar['e]ole.]
Divided into small spaces or areolations, as the wings of
insects, the leaves of plants, or the receptacle of compound
flowers.
Areolation \A`re*o*la"tion\, n.
1. Division into areol[ae]. --Dana.
2. Any small space, bounded by some part different in color
or structure, as the spaces bounded by the nervures of the
wings of insects, or those by the veins of leaves; an
areola.
Areole \A"re*ole\, n.
Same as {Areola}.
Areolet \A*re"o*let\, n. [Dim. of L. areola.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small inclosed area; esp. one of the small spaces on the
wings of insects, circumscribed by the veins.
Areometer \A`re*om"e*ter\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. 'araio`s thin, rare
+ -meter: cf. F. ar['e]om[`e]tre.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the specific gravity of fluids; a
form hydrometer.
Areometric \A`re*o*met"ric\, Areometrical \A`re*o*met"ric*al\,
a.
Pertaining to, or measured by, an areometer.
Areometry \A`re*om"e*try\, n. [Gr. 'araio`s thin, rare +
-metry.]
The art or process of measuring the specific gravity of
fluids.
Areopagist \Ar`e*op"a*gist\, n.
See {Areopagite}.
Areopagite \Ar`e*op"a*gite\, n. [L. Areopagites, Gr. ?.]
A member of the Areopagus. --Acts xvii. 34.
Areopagitic \Ar`e*op`a*git"ic\, a. [L. Areopagiticus, Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to the Areopagus. --Mitford.
Areopagus \Ar`e*op"a*gus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, and ? ?, hill of
Ares (Mars' Hill).]
The highest judicial court at Athens. Its sessions were held
on Mars' Hill. Hence, any high court or tribunal
Areostyle \A*re"o*style\, a. & n.
See {Intercolumniation}, and {Ar[ae]ostyle}.
Areosystyle \A*re`o*sys"tyle\, a. & n.
See {Intercolumniation}, and {Ar[ae]osystyle}.
Arere \A*rere"\, v. t. & i.
See {Arear}. [Obs.] --Ellis.
Arest \A*rest"\, n.
A support for the spear when couched for the attack. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Aret \A*ret"\, v. t. [OE. aretten, OF. areter; a (L. ad) + OF.
reter, L. reputare. See {Repute}.]
To reckon; to ascribe; to impute. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aretaics \Ar`e*ta"ics\, n. [Gr. ? virtue.]
The ethical theory which excludes all relations between
virtue and happiness; the science of virtue; -- contrasted
with eudemonics. --J. Grote.
Aretology \Ar`e*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? virtue + ? discourse, ?
to speak: cf. F. ar['e]tologie.]
That part of moral philosophy which treats of virtue, its
nature, and the means of attaining to it.
Arew \A*rew"\ adv. [See {Arow}, {Row}.]
In a row. [Obs.] ``All her teeth arew.'' --Spenser.
Argal \Ar"gal\, n.
Crude tartar. See {Argol}.
Argal \Ar"gal\, adv.
A ludicrous corruption of the Latin word ergo, therefore.
--Shak.
Argal \Ar"gal\, Argali \Ar"ga*li\, n. [Mongolian.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of wild sheep ({Ovis ammon}, or {O. argali}),
remarkable for its large horns. It inhabits the mountains of
Siberia and central Asia.
Note: The bearded argali is the aoudad. See {Aoudad}. The
name is also applied to the bighorn sheep of the Rocky
Mountains. See {Bighorn}.
Argala \Ar"ga*la\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The adjutant bird.
Argand lamp \Ar"gand lamp`\ [Named from the inventor, Aim['e]
Argand of Geneva.]
A lamp with a circular hollow wick and glass chimney which
allow a current of air both inside and outside of the flame.
{Argand burner}, a burner for an Argand lamp, or a gas burner
in which the principle of that lamp is applied.
Argas \Ar"gas\, n.
A genus of venomous ticks which attack men and animals. The
famous Persian Argas, also called {Miana bug}, is {A.
Persicus}; that of Central America, called {talaje} by the
natives, is {A. Talaje}.
Argean \Ar*ge"an\, a.
Pertaining to the ship Argo. See {Argo}.
Argent \Ar"gent\, n. [F. argent, fr. L. argentum, silver; akin
to Gr. 'a`rgyros silver, 'argo`s, 'argh`s, white, bright,
Skr. rajata white, silver, raj to shine, Ir. arg white, milk,
airgiod silver, money, and L. arguere to make clear. See
{Argue}.]
1. Silver, or money. [Archaic]
2. (Fig. & Poet.) Whiteness; anything that is white.
The polished argent of her breast. --Tennyson.
3. (Her.) The white color in coats of arms, intended to
represent silver, or, figuratively, purity, innocence,
beauty, or gentleness; -- represented in engraving by a
plain white surface. --Weale.
Argent \Ar"gent\, a.
Made of silver; of a silvery color; white; shining.
Yonder argent fields above. --Pope.
Argental \Ar*gen"tal\, a.
Of or pertaining to silver; resembling, containing, or
combined with, silver.
Argentan \Ar"gen*tan\, n.
An alloy of nickel with copper and zinc; German silver.
Argentate \Ar"gen*tate\, a. [L. argentatus silvered.] (Bot.)
Silvery white. --Gray.
Argentation \Ar`gen*ta"tion\, n. [L. argentare to silver, fr.
argentum silver. See {Argent}.]
A coating or overlaying with silver. [R.] --Johnson.
Argentic \Ar*gen"tic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, silver; -- said
of certain compounds of silver in which this metal has its
lowest proportion; as, argentic chloride.
Argentiferous \Ar`gen*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. argentum silver +
-ferous: cf. F. argentif[`e]re.]
Producing or containing silver; as, argentiferous lead ore or
veins.
Argentine \Ar"gen*tine\ (?; in the 2d sense, commonly ?), a.
1. Pertaining to, or resembling, silver; made of, or sounding
like, silver; silvery.
Celestial Dian, goddess argentine. --Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to the Argentine Republic in South
America.
Argentine \Ar"gen*tine\, n. [Cf. F. argentin, fr. L. argentum
silver.]
1. (Min.) A siliceous variety of calcite, or carbonate of
lime, having a silvery-white, pearly luster, and a waving
or curved lamellar structure.
2. White metal coated with silver. --Simmonds.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A fish of Europe ({Maurolicus Pennantii}) with
silvery scales. The name is also applied to various fishes
of the genus {Argentina}.
4. A citizen of the Argentine Republic.
Argentite \Ar"gen*tite\, n. [L. argentum silver.] (Min.)
Sulphide of silver; -- also called {vitreous silver}, or
{silver glance}. It has a metallic luster, a lead-gray color,
and is sectile like lead.
Argentous \Ar*gen"tous\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, silver; -- said of certain
silver compounds in which silver has a higher proportion than
in argentic compounds; as, argentous chloride.
Argentry \Ar"gent*ry\, n. [F. argenterie, fr. argent silver, L.
argentum.]
Silver plate or vessels. [Obs.]
Bowls of frosted argentry. --Howell.
Argil \Ar"gil\, n. [F. argile, L. argilla white clay, akin to
Gr. ? or ? argil, ? white. See {Argent}.] (Min.)
Clay, or potter's earth; sometimes pure clay, or alumina. See
{Clay}.
Argillaceous \Ar`gil*la"ceous\, a. [L. argillaceus, fr.
argilla.]
Of the nature of clay; consisting of, or containing, argil or
clay; clayey.
{Argillaceous sandstone} (Geol.), a sandstone containing much
clay.
{Argillaceous iron ore}, the clay ironstone.
{Argillaceous schist} or {state}. See {Argillite}.
Argilliferous \Ar`gil*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. argilla white clay +
-ferous.]
Producing clay; -- applied to such earths as abound with
argil. --Kirwan.
Argillite \Ar"gil*lite\, n. [Gr. ? clay + -lite.] (Min.)
Argillaceous schist or slate; clay slate. Its colors is
bluish or blackish gray, sometimes greenish gray, brownish
red, etc. -- {Ar`gil*lit"ic}, a.
Argillo-areenaceous \Ar*gil`lo-are`e*na"ceous\, a.
Consisting of, or containing, clay and sand, as a soil.
Argillo-calcareous \Ar*gil`lo-cal*ca"re*ous\, a.
Consisting of, or containing, clay and calcareous earth.
Argillo-ferruginous \Ar*gil`lo-fer*ru"gi*nous\, a.
Containing clay and iron.
Argillous \Ar*gil"lous\, a. [L. argillosus, fr. argilla. See
{Argil}.]
Argillaceous; clayey. --Sir T. Browne.
Argive \Ar"give\, a. [L. Argivus, fr. Argos, Argi.]
Of or performance to Argos, the capital of Argolis in Greece.
-- n. A native of Argos. Often used as a generic term,
equivalent to Grecian or Greek.
Argo \Ar"go\, n. [L. Argo, Gr. ?.]
1. (Myth.) The name of the ship which carried Jason and his
fifty-four companions to Colchis, in quest of the Golden
Fleece.
2. (Astron.) A large constellation in the southern
hemisphere, called also {Argo Navis}. In modern astronomy
it is replaced by its three divisions, Carina, Puppis, and
Vela.
Argoan \Ar*go"an\, a.
Pertaining to the ship Argo.
Argoile \Ar"goile\, n.
Potter's clay. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Argol \Ar"gol\, n. [Cf. {Argal}, {Orgal}. Of unknown origin.]
Crude tartar; an acidulous salt from which cream of tartar is
prepared. It exists in the juice of grapes, and is deposited
from wines on the sides of the casks. --Ure.
Argolic \Ar*gol"ic\, a. [L. Argolicus, Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to Argolis, a district in the Peloponnesus.
Argon \Ar"gon\, n. [Gr. ? inactive.] (Chem.)
A substance regarded as an element, contained in the
atmosphere and remarkable for its chemical inertness.
--Rayleigh and Ramsay.
Argonaut \Ar"go*naut\, n. [L. Argonauta, Gr. ?; ? + ? sailor, ?
ship. See {Argo}.]
1. Any one of the legendary Greek heroes who sailed with
Jason, in the Argo, in quest of the Golden Fleece.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A cephalopod of the genus Argonauta.
Argonauta \Ar`go*nau"ta\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Cephalopoda. The shell is called paper nautilus or
paper sailor.
Note: The animal has much resemblance to an Octopus. It has
eight arms, two of which are expanded at the end and
clasp the shell, but are never elevated in the air for
sails as was formerly supposed. The creature swims
beneath the surface by means of a jet of water, like
other cephalopods. The male has no shell, and is much
smaller than the female. See {Hectocotylus}.
Argonautic \Ar"go*naut"ic\, a. [L. Argonauticus.]
Of or pertaining to the Argonauts.
Argosy \Ar"go*sy\, n.; pl. {Argosies}. [Earlier ragusy, fr.
ragusa meaning orig. a vessel of Ragusa.]
A large ship, esp. a merchant vessel of the largest size.
Where your argosies with portly sail . . . Do overpeer
the petty traffickers. --Shak.
Argot \Ar`got"\, n. [F. Of unknown origin.]
A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves,
tramps, and vagabonds; flash.
Arguable \Ar"gu*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being argued; admitting of debate.
Argue \Ar"gue\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Argued}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Arguing}.] [OE. arguen, F. arguer, fr. L. argutare, freq. of
arguere to make clear; from the same root as E. argent.]
1. To invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a
proposition, opinion, or measure; to use arguments; to
reason.
I argue not Against Heaven's hand or will. --Milton.
2. To contend in argument; to dispute; to reason; -- followed
by with; as, you may argue with your friend without
convincing him.
Argue \Ar"gue\, v. t.
1. To debate or discuss; to treat by reasoning; as, the
counsel argued the cause before a full court; the cause
was well argued.
2. To prove or evince; too manifest or exhibit by inference,
deduction, or reasoning.
So many laws argue so many sins. --Milton.
3. To persuade by reasons; as, to argue a man into a
different opinion.
4. To blame; to accuse; to charge with. [Obs.]
Thoughts and expressions . . . which can be truly
argued of obscenity, profaneness, or immorality.
--Dryden.
Syn: to reason; evince; discuss; debate; expostulate;
remonstrate; controvert.
Usage: To {Argue}, {Dispute}, {Debate}. These words, as here
compared, suppose a contest between two parties in
respect to some point at issue. To argue is to adduce
arguments or reasons in support of one's cause or
position. To dispute is to call in question or deny
the statements or arguments of the opposing party. To
debate is to strive for or against in a somewhat
formal manner by arguments.
Men of many words sometimes argue for the sake
of talking; men of ready tongues frequently
dispute for the sake of victory; men in public
life often debate for the sake of opposing the
ruling party, or from any other motive than the
love of truth. --Crabb.
Unskilled to argue, in dispute yet loud, Bold
without caution, without honors proud.
--Falconer.
Betwixt the dearest friends to raise debate.
--Dryden.
Arguer \Ar"gu*er\, n.
One who argues; a reasoner; a disputant.
Argufy \Ar"gu*fy\, v. t. & i. [Argue + -fy.]
1. To argue pertinaciously. [Colloq.] --Halliwell.
2. To signify. [Colloq.]
Argulus \Ar"gu*lus\, n. [NL., dim of Argus.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of copepod Crustacea, parasitic of fishes; a fish
louse. See {Branchiura}.
Argument \Ar"gu*ment\, n. [F. argument, L. argumentum, fr.
arguere to argue.]
1. Proof; evidence. [Obs.]
There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument
of the existence of a Deity. --Ray.
Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument
of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast
off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence
for religion? --South.
2. A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or
convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an
argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition,
for or in favor of it, or against it.
3. A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of
rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.
The argument is about things, but names. --Locke.
4. The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic
representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or
summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.
You and love are still my argument. --Shak.
The abstract or argument of the piece. --Jeffrey.
[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed.
--Milton.
5. Matter for question; business in hand. [Obs.]
Sheathed their swords for lack of argument. --Shak.
6. (Astron.) The quantity on which another quantity in a
table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the
refraction.
7. (Math.) The independent variable upon whose value that of
a function depends. --Brande & C.
Argument \Ar"gu*ment\ ([a^]r"g[-u]*ment), v. i. [L.
argumentari.]
To make an argument; to argue. [Obs.] --Gower.
Argumentable \Ar`gu*men"ta*ble\ (-men"t[.a]*b'l), a. [L.
argumentabilis.]
Admitting of argument. [R.] --Chalmers.
Argumental \Ar`gu*men"tal\, a. [L. argumentalis.]
Of, pertaining to, or containing, argument; argumentative.
Argumentation \Ar`gu*men*ta"tion\, n. [L. argumentatio, from
argumentari: cf. F. argumentation.]
1. The act of forming reasons, making inductions, drawing
conclusions, and applying them to the case in discussion;
the operation of inferring propositions, not known or
admitted as true, from facts or principles known,
admitted, or proved to be true.
Which manner of argumentation, how false and naught
it is, . . . every man that hath with perceiveth.
--Tyndale.
2. Debate; discussion.
Syn: Reasoning; discussion; controversy. See {Reasoning}.
Argumentative \Ar`gu*men"ta*tive\, a.
1. Consisting of, or characterized by, argument; containing a
process of reasoning; as, an argumentative discourse.
2. Adductive as proof; indicative; as, the adaptation of
things to their uses is argumentative of infinite wisdom
in the Creator. [Obs.]
3. Given to argument; characterized by argument;
disputatious; as, an argumentative writer.
--{Ar`gu*men"ta*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Ar`gu*men"ta*tive*ness}, n.
Argumentize \Ar"gu*men*tize\, v. i.
To argue or discuss. [Obs.] --Wood.
Argus \Ar"gus\, n. [L. Argus, Gr. ?.]
1. (Myth.) A fabulous being of antiquity, said to have had a
hundred eyes, who has placed by Juno to guard Io. His eyes
were transplanted to the peacock's tail.
2. One very vigilant; a guardian always watchful.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of East Indian pheasants. The common
species ({A. giganteus}) is remarkable for the great
length and beauty of the wing and tail feathers of the
male. The species {A. Grayi} inhabits Borneo.
Argus-eyed \Ar"gus-eyed\, a.
Extremely observant; watchful; sharp-sighted.
Argus shell \Ar"gus shell`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A species of shell ({Cypr[ae]a argus}), beautifully
variegated with spots resembling those in a peacock's tail.
Argutation \Ar`gu*ta"tion\, n. [L. argutatio. See {Argue}.]
Caviling; subtle disputation. [Obs.]
Argute \Ar*gute"\, a. [L. argutus, p. p. of arguere. See
{Argue}.]
1. Sharp; shrill. [Obs.] --Johnson.
2. Sagacious; acute; subtle; shrewd.
The active preacher . . . the argue schoolman.
--Milman.
Argutely \Ar*gute"ly\, adv.
In a subtle; shrewdly.
Arguteness \Ar*gute"ness\, n.
Acuteness. --Dryden.
Arhizal \A*rhi"zal\, Arhizous \A*rhi"zous\, Arhythmic
\A*rhyth"mic\, Arhythmous \A*rhyth"mous\, a.
See {Arrhizal}, {Arrhizous}, {Arrhythmic}, {Arrhythmous}.
Aria \A"ri*a\, n. [It., fr. L. a["e]r. See {Air}.] (Mus.)
An air or song; a melody; a tune.
Note: The Italian term is now mostly used for the more
elaborate accompanied melodies sung by a single voice,
in operas, oratorios, cantatas, anthems, etc., and not
so much for simple airs or tunes.
Arian \Ar"ian\, a. & n. (Ethnol.)
See {Aryan}.
Arian \A"ri*an\, a. [L. Arianus.]
Pertaining to Arius, a presbyter of the church of Alexandria,
in the fourth century, or to the doctrines of Arius, who held
Christ to be inferior to God the Father in nature and
dignity, though the first and noblest of all created beings.
-- n. One who adheres to or believes the doctrines of Arius.
--Mosheim.
Arianism \A"ri*an*ism\, n.
The doctrines of the Arians.
Arianize \A"ri*an*ize\, v. i.
To admit or accept the tenets of the Arians; to become an
Arian.
Arianize \A"ri*an*ize\, v. t.
To convert to Arianism.
Aricine \Ar"i*cine\, n. [From Arica, in Chile.] (Chem.)
An alkaloid, first found in white cinchona bark.
Arid \Ar"id\, a. [L. aridus, fr. arere to be dry: cf. F. aride.]
Exhausted of moisture; parched with heat; dry; barren. ``An
arid waste.'' --Thomson.
Aridity \A*rid"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Aridities}. [L. ariditas, fr.
aridus.]
1. The state or quality of being arid or without moisture;
dryness.
2. Fig.: Want of interest of feeling; insensibility; dryness
of style or feeling; spiritual drought. --Norris.
Aridness \Ar"id*ness\, n.
Aridity; dryness.
Ariel \A"ri*el\, n., or Ariel gazelle \A"ri*el ga*zelle"\ [Ar.
aryil, ayyil, stag.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A variety of the gazelle ({Antilope, or Gazella,
dorcas}), found in Arabia and adjacent countries.
(b) A squirrel-like Australian marsupial, a species of
{Petaurus}.
(c) A beautiful Brazilian toucan {Ramphastos ariel}).
Aries \A"ri*es\, n. [L.]
1. (Astron.)
(a) The Ram; the first of the twelve signs in the zodiac,
which the sun enters at the vernal equinox, about the
21st of March.
(b) A constellation west of Taurus, drawn on the celestial
globe in the figure of a ram.
2. (Rom. Antiq.) A battering-ram.
Arietate \Ar"i*e*tate\, v. i. [L. arietatus, p. p. of arietare,
fr. aries ram.]
To butt, as a ram. [Obs.]
Arietation \Ar`i*e*ta"tion\, n. [L. arietatio.]
1. The act of butting like a ram; act of using a
battering-ram. [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. Act of striking or conflicting. [R.] --Glanvill.
Arietta \A`ri*et"ta\, Ariette \Ar`i*ette"\, n. [It. arietta,
dim. of aria; F. ariette.] (Mus.)
A short aria, or air. ``A military ariette.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Aright \A*right"\, adv. [Pref. a- + right.]
Rightly; correctly; in a right way or form; without mistake
or crime; as, to worship God aright.
Aril \Ar"il\, Arillus \A*ril"lus\, n. [From LL. arilli dry
grapes, perh. fr. L. aridus dry: cf. F,. arille.] (Bot.)
A exterior covering, forming a false coat or appendage to a
seed, as the loose, transparent bag inclosing the seed or the
white water lily. The mace of the nutmeg is also an aril.
--Gray.
Arillate \Ar"il*late\ Arllated \Ar"l*la`ted\, Ariled \Ar"iled\,
a. [Cf. NL. arillatus, F. arill['e].]
Having an aril.
Ariman \A"ri*man\, n.
See {Ahriman}.
Ariolation \Ar`i*o*la"tion\, n. [L. ariolatio, hariolatio, fr.
hariolari to prophesy, fr. hariolus soothsayer.]
A soothsaying; a foretelling. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Ariose \Ar"i*ose\, a. [It. arioso, fr. aria.]
Characterized by melody, as distinguished from harmony.
Mendelssohn wants the ariose beauty of Handel; vocal
melody is not his forte; the interest of his airs is
harmonic. --Foreign
Quart. Rev.
Arioso \A`ri*o"so\, adv. & a. [It.] (Mus.)
In the smooth and melodious style of an air; ariose.
Arise \A*rise"\ ([.a]*r[imac]z"), v. i. [imp. {Arose}
(-r[=o]z"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Arising}; p. p. {Arisen}
(-r[i^]z"'n).]. [AS. [=a]r[=i]san; [=a] (equiv. to Goth. us-,
ur-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + r[=i]san to rise; cf. Goth.
urreisan to arise. See {Rise}.]
1. To come up from a lower to a higher position; to come
above the horizon; to come up from one's bed or place of
repose; to mount; to ascend; to rise; as, to arise from a
kneeling posture; a cloud arose; the sun ariseth; he arose
early in the morning.
2. To spring up; to come into action, being, or notice; to
become operative, sensible, or visible; to begin to act a
part; to present itself; as, the waves of the sea arose; a
persecution arose; the wrath of the king shall arise.
There arose up a new king . . . which knew not
Joseph. --Ex. i. 8.
The doubts that in his heart arose. --Milton.
3. To proceed; to issue; to spring.
Whence haply mention may arise Of something not
unseasonable to ask. --Milton.
Arise \A*rise"\, n.
Rising. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Arist \A*rist"\,
3d sing. pres. of {Arise}, for ariseth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Arista \A*ris"ta\, n. [L.] (Bot.)
An awn. --Gray.
Aristarch \Ar"is*tarch\, n. [From Aristarchus, a Greek
grammarian and critic, of Alexandria, about 200 b. c.]
A severe critic. --Knowles.
Aristarchian \Ar`is*tar"chi*an\, a.
Severely critical.
Aristarchy \Ar"is*tar`chy\, n.
Severely criticism.
Aristarchy \Ar"is*tar`chy\, n.
Severe criticism. [Obs.] --Sir J. Harrington.
Aristate \A*ris"tate\, a. [L. aristatus, fr. arista. See
{Arista}.]
1. (Bot.) Having a pointed, beardlike process, as the glumes
of wheat; awned. --Gray.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having a slender, sharp, or spinelike tip.
Aristocracy \Ar`is*toc"ra*cy\, n.; pl. {Aristocracies}. [Gr. ?;
? best + ? to be strong, to rule, ? strength; ? is perh. from
the same root as E. arm, and orig. meant fitting: cf. F.
aristocratie. See {Arm}, and {Create}, which is related to
Gr. ?.]
1. Government by the best citizens.
2. A ruling body composed of the best citizens. [Obs.]
In the Senate Right not our quest in this, I will
protest them To all the world, no aristocracy. --B.
Jonson.
3. A form a government, in which the supreme power is vested
in the principal persons of a state, or in a privileged
order; an oligarchy.
The aristocracy of Venice hath admitted so many
abuses, trough the degeneracy of the nobles, that
the period of its duration seems approach. --Swift.
4. The nobles or chief persons in a state; a privileged class
or patrician order; (in a popular use) those who are
regarded as superior to the rest of the community, as in
rank, fortune, or intellect.
Aristocrat \A*ris"to*crat\ (?; 277), n. [F. aristocrate. See
{Aristocracy}.]
1. One of the aristocracy or people of rank in a community;
one of a ruling class; a noble.
2. One who is overbearing in his temper or habits; a proud or
haughty person.
A born aristocrat, bred radical. --Mrs.
Browning.
3. One who favors an aristocracy as a form of government, or
believes the aristocracy should govern.
His whole family are accused of being aristocrats.
--Romilly.
Aristocratic \Ar`is*to*crat"ic\, Aristocratical
\Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. aristocratique.]
1. Of or pertaining to an aristocracy; consisting in, or
favoring, a government of nobles, or principal men; as, an
aristocratic constitution.
2. Partaking of aristocracy; befitting aristocracy;
characteristic of, or originating with, the aristocracy;
as, an aristocratic measure; aristocratic pride or
manners. -- {Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ly}, adv. --
{Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ness}, n.
Aristocratism \Ar"is*to*crat`ism\, n.
1. The principles of aristocrats. --Romilly.
2. Aristocrats, collectively. [R.]
Aristology \Ar`is*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? dinner + -logy.]
The science of dining. --Quart. Rev.
Aristophanic \Ar`is*to*phan"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Aristophanes, the Athenian comic poet.
Aristotelian \Ar`is*to*te"li*an\ (?; 277), a.
Of or pertaining to Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher
(384-322 b. c.). -- n. A follower of Aristotle; a
Peripatetic. See {Peripatetic}.
Aristotelianism \Ar`is*to*te"li*an*ism\
The philosophy of Aristotle, otherwise called the Peripatetic
philosophy.
Aristotelic \Ar`is*to*tel"ic\, a.
Pertaining to Aristotle or to his philosophy. ``Aristotelic
usage.'' --Sir W. Hamilton.
Aristotle's lantern \Ar"is*to`tle's lan"tern\ (Zo["o]l.)
The five united jaws and accessory ossicles of certain sea
urchins.
Aristulate \A*ris"tu*late\ (?; 135), a. [Dim. fr. arista.]
(Bot.)
Having a short beard or awn. --Gray.
Arithmancy \Ar"ith*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? number + -mancy.]
Divination by means of numbers.
Arithmetic \A*rith"me*tic\, n. [OE. arsmetike, OF. arismetique,
L. arithmetica, fr. Gr. ? (sc. ?), fr. ? arithmetical, fr. ?
to number, fr. ? number, prob. fr. same root as E. arm, the
idea of counting coming from that of fitting, attaching. See
{Arm}. The modern Eng. and French forms are accommodated to
the Greek.]
1. The science of numbers; the art of computation by figures.
2. A book containing the principles of this science.
{Arithmetic of sines}, trigonometry.
{Political arithmetic}, the application of the science of
numbers to problems in civil government, political
economy, and social science.
{Universal arithmetic}, the name given by Sir Isaac Newton to
algebra.
Arithmetical \Ar`ith*met"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to arithmetic; according to the rules or
method of arithmetic.
{Arithmetical complement of a logarithm}. See {Logarithm}.
{Arithmetical mean}. See {Mean}.
{Arithmetical progression}. See {Progression}.
{Arithmetical proportion}. See {Proportion}.
Arithmetically \Ar`ith*met"ic*al*ly\, adv.
Conformably to the principles or methods of arithmetic.
Arithmetician \A*rith`me*ti"cian\, n. [Cf. F. arithm['e]ticien.]
One skilled in arithmetic.
Arithmomancy \A*rith"mo*man"cy\, n.
Arithmancy.
Arithmometer \Ar`ith*mom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? number + -meter: cf.
F. arithmom[`e]tre.]
A calculating machine.
Ark \Ark\, n. [OE. ark, arke, arche, AS. arc, earc, earce, fr.
L. arca, fr. arcere to inclose, keep off; akin to Gr. ? to
keep off.]
1. A chest, or coffer. [Obs.]
Bearing that precious relic in an ark. --Spenser.
2. (Jewish Hist.) The oblong chest of acacia wood, overlaid
with gold, which supported the mercy seat with its golden
cherubs, and occupied the most sacred place in the
sanctuary. In it Moses placed the two tables of stone
containing the ten commandments. Called also the {Ark of
the Covenant}.
3. The large, chestlike vessel in which Noah and his family
were preserved during the Deluge. --Gen. vi. Hence: Any
place of refuge.
4. A large flatboat used on Western American rivers to
transport produce to market.
Arkite \Ark"ite\, a.
Belonging to the ark. [R.] --Faber.
Ark shell \Ark" shell`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A marine bivalve shell belonging to the genus {Arca} and its
allies.
Arles \Arles\, n. pl. [Cf. F. arrhes, Scot. airles. Cf. {Earles
penny}.]
An earnest; earnest money; money paid to bind a bargain.
[Scot.]
{Arles penny}, earnest money given to servants. --Kersey.
Arm \Arm\, n. [AS. arm, earm; akin to OHG. aram, G., D., Dan., &
Sw. arm, Icel. armr, Goth. arms, L. armus arm, shoulder, and
prob. to Gr. ? joining, joint, shoulder, fr. the root ? to
join, to fit together; cf. Slav. rame. ?. See {Art},
{Article}.]
1. The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder
to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey.
2. Anything resembling an arm; as,
(a) The fore limb of an animal, as of a bear.
(b) A limb, or locomotive or prehensile organ, of an
invertebrate animal.
(c) A branch of a tree.
(d) A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting
from a trunk, axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a
steelyard.
(e) (Naut) The end of a yard; also, the part of an anchor
which ends in the fluke.
(f) An inlet of water from the sea.
(g) A support for the elbow, at the side of a chair, the
end of a sofa, etc.
3. Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular
arm; the arm of the law.
To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? --Isa. lii.
1.
{Arm's end}, the end of the arm; a good distance off.
--Dryden.
{Arm's length}, the length of the arm.
{Arm's reach}, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can
reach.
{To go} (or {walk}) {arm in arm}, to go with the arm or hand
of one linked in the arm of another. ``When arm in armwe
went along.'' --Tennyson.
{To keep at arm's length}, to keep at a distance (literally
or figuratively); not to allow to come into close contact
or familiar intercourse.
{To work at arm's length}, to work disadvantageously.
Arm \Arm\, n. [See {Arms}.] (Mil.)
(a) A branch of the military service; as, the cavalry arm
was made efficient.
(b) A weapon of offense or defense; an instrument of
warfare; -- commonly in the pl.
Arm \Arm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Armed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Arming}.] [OE. armen, F. armer, fr. L. armare, fr. arma,
pl., arms. See {arms}.]
1. To take by the arm; to take up in one's arms. [Obs.]
And make him with our pikes and partisans A grave:
come, arm him. --Shak.
Arm your prize; I know you will not lose him. --Two
N. Kins.
2. To furnish with arms or limbs. [R.]
His shoulders broad and strong, Armed long and
round. --Beau. & Fl.
3. To furnish or equip with weapons of offense or defense;
as, to arm soldiers; to arm the country.
Abram . . . armed his trained servants. --Gen. xiv.
14.
4. To cover or furnish with a plate, or with whatever will
add strength, force, security, or efficiency; as, to arm
the hit of a sword; to arm a hook in angling.
5. Fig.: To furnish with means of defense; to prepare for
resistance; to fortify, in a moral sense.
Arm yourselves . . . with the same mind. --1 Pet.
iv. 1.
{To arm a magnet}, to fit it with an armature.
Arm \Arm\, v. i.
To provide one's self with arms, weapons, or means of attack
or resistance; to take arms. `` 'Tis time to arm.'' --Shak.
Armada \Ar*ma"da\ ([aum]r*m[=a]"d[.a] or [aum]r*m[aum]"d[.a]),
n. [Sp. armada, L. as if armata (sc. classic fleet), fr.
armatus, p. p. of armare. See {Arm}, v. t. {Army}.]
A fleet of armed ships; a squadron. Specifically, the Spanish
fleet which was sent to assail England, a. d. 1558.
Armadillo \Ar`ma*dil"lo\ ([aum]r`m[.a]*d[i^]l"l[-o]), n.; pl.
{Armadillos} (-l[=o]z). [Sp. armadillo, dim. of armado armed,
p. p. of armar to arm. So called from being armed with a bony
shell.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any edentate animal if the family {Dasypid[ae]}, peculiar
to America. The body and head are incased in an armor
composed of small bony plates. The armadillos burrow in
the earth, seldom going abroad except at night. When
attacked, they curl up into a ball, presenting the armor
on all sides. Their flesh is good food. There are several
species, one of which (the peba) is found as far north as
Texas. See {Peba}, {Poyou}, {Tatouay}.
(b) A genus of small isopod Crustacea that can roll
themselves into a ball.
Armado \Ar*ma"do\ ([aum]r*m[=a]"d[-o]), n.
Armada. [Obs.]
Armament \Ar"ma*ment\, n. [L. armamenta, pl., utensils, esp. the
tackle of a ship, fr. armare to arm: cf. LL. armamentum, F.
armement.]
1. A body of forces equipped for war; -- used of a land or
naval force. ``The whole united armament of Greece.''
--Glover.
2. (Mil. & Nav.) All the cannon and small arms collectively,
with their equipments, belonging to a ship or a
fortification.
3. Any equipment for resistance.
Armamentary \Ar`ma*men"ta*ry\, n. [L. armamentarium, fr.
armamentum: cf. F. armamentaire.]
An armory; a magazine or arsenal. [R.]
Armature \Ar"ma*ture\, n. [L. armatura, fr. armare to arm: cf.
F. armature. See {Arm}, v. t., {Armor}.]
1. Armor; whatever is worn or used for the protection and
defense of the body, esp. the protective outfit of some
animals and plants.
2. (Magnetism) A piece of soft iron used to connect the two
poles of a magnet, or electro-magnet, in order to complete
the circuit, or to receive and apply the magnetic force.
In the ordinary horseshoe magnet, it serves to prevent the
dissipation of the magnetic force.
3. (Arch.) Iron bars or framing employed for the
consolidation of a building, as in sustaining slender
columns, holding up canopies, etc. --Oxf. Gloss.
Armchair \Arm"chair`\, n.
A chair with arms to support the elbows or forearms.
--Tennyson.
Armed \Armed\, a.
1. Furnished with weapons of offense or defense; furnished
with the means of security or protection. ``And armed
host.'' --Dryden.
2. Furnished with whatever serves to add strength, force, or
efficiency.
A distemper eminently armed from heaven. --De Foe.
3. (Her.) Having horns, beak, talons, etc; -- said of beasts
and birds of prey.
{Armed at all points} (Blazoning), completely incased in
armor, sometimes described as {armed cap-[`a]-pie}.
--Cussans.
{Armed en flute}. (Naut.) See under {Flute}.
{Armed magnet}, a magnet provided with an armature.
{Armed neutrality}. See under {Neutrality}.
Armenian \Ar*me"ni*an\, a. [Cf. F. Arm['e]nien, L. Armenias, fr.
Armenia.]
Of or pertaining to Armenia.
{Armenian bole}, a soft clayey earth of a bright red color
found in Armenia, Tuscany, etc.
{Armenian stone}.
(a) The commercial name of lapis lazuli.
(b) Emery.
Armenian \Ar*me"ni*an\, n.
1. A native or one of the people of Armenia; also, the
language of the Armenians.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) An adherent of the Armenian Church, an
organization similar in some doctrines and practices to
the Greek Church, in others to the Roman Catholic.
Armet \Arm"et\, n. [F., dim. of arme arm, or corrupted for
healmet helmet.]
A kind of helmet worn in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
Armful \Arm"ful\, n.; pl. {Armfulus}.
As much as the arm can hold.
Armgaunt \Arm"gaunt`\, a.
With gaunt or slender legs. (?) ``An armgaunt steed.''
--Shak.
Note: This word is peculiar to Shakespeare. Its meaning has
not yet been satisfactorily explained.
Arm-gret \Arm"-gret`\, a.
Great as a man's arm. [Obs.]
A wreath of gold, arm-gret. --Chaucer.
Armhole \Arm"hole`\, n. [Arm + hole.]
1. The cavity under the shoulder; the armpit. --Bacon.
2. A hole for the arm in a garment.
Armiferous \Ar*mif"er*ous\, a. [L. armifer; arma arms + ferre to
bear.]
Bearing arms or weapons. [R.]
Armiger \Ar"mi*ger\, n. [L. armiger armor bearer; arma arms +
gerere to bear.]
Formerly, an armor bearer, as of a knight, an esquire who
bore his shield and rendered other services. In later use,
one next in degree to a knight, and entitled to armorial
bearings. The term is now superseded by esquire. --Jacob.
Armigerous \Ar*mig"er*ous\, a.
Bearing arms. [R.]
They belonged to the armigerous part of the population,
and were entitled to write themselves Esquire. --De
Quincey.
Armil \Ar"mil\, n. [L. armilla a bracelet, fr. armus arm: cf.
OF. armille.]
1. A bracelet. [Obs.]
2. An ancient astronomical instrument.
Note: When composed of one ring placed in the plane of the
equator for determining the time of the equinoxes, it
is called an equinoctial armil; when of two or more
rings, one in the plane of the meridian, for observing
the solstices, it is called a solstitial armil.
--Whewell.
Armilla \Ar*mil"la\, n.; pl. E. {Armillas}, L. {Armill[ae]}.
[L., a bracelet.]
1. An armil.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A ring of hair or feathers on the legs.
Armillary \Ar"mil*la*ry\, a. [LL. armillarius, fr. L. armilla
arm ring, bracelet, fr. armus arm: cf. F. armillaire. See
{Arm}, n.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, a bracelet or ring; consisting
of rings or circles.
{Armillary sphere}, an ancient astronomical machine composed
of an assemblage of rings, all circles of the same sphere,
designed to represent the positions of the important
circles of the celestial sphere. --Nichol.
Arming \Arm"ing\, n.
1. The act of furnishing with, or taking, arms.
The arming was now universal. --Macaulay.
2. (Naut.) A piece of tallow placed in a cavity at the lower
end of a sounding lead, to bring up the sand, shells,
etc., of the sea bottom. --Totten.
3. pl. (Naut.) Red dress cloths formerly hung fore and aft
outside of a ship's upper works on holidays.
{Arming press} (Bookbinding), a press for stamping titles and
designs on the covers of books.
Arminian \Ar*min"i*an\ (?; 277), a.
Of or pertaining to Arminius of his followers, or to their
doctrines. See note under {Arminian}, n.
Arminian \Ar*min"i*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One who holds the tenets of Arminius, a Dutch divine (b.
1560, d. 1609).
Note: The Arminian doctrines are: 1. Conditional election and
reprobation, in opposition to absolute predestination.
2. Universal redemption, or that the atonement was made
by Christ for all mankind, though none but believers
can be partakers of the benefit. 3. That man, in order
to exercise true faith, must be regenerated and renewed
by the operation of the Holy Spirit, which is the gift
of God. 4. That man may resist divine grace. 5. That
man may relapse from a state of grace.
Arminianism \Ar*min"i*an*ism\, n.
The religious doctrines or tenets of the Arminians.
Armipotence \Ar*mip"o*tence\, n. [L. armipotentia, fr.
armipotents.]
Power in arms. [R.] --Johnson.
Armipotent \Ar*mip"o*tent\, a. [L. armipotents; arma arms +
potens powerful, p. pr. of posse to be able.]
Powerful in arms; mighty in battle.
The temple stood of Mars armipotent. --Dryden.
Armisonant \Ar*mis"o*nant\, Armisonous \Ar*mis"o*nous\, a. [L.
armisonus; arma arms + sonare (p. pr. sonans) to sound.]
Rustling in arms; resounding with arms. [Obs.]
Armistice \Ar"mis*tice\, n. [F. armistice, fr. (an assumed word)
L. armistitium; arma arms + stare, statum (combining form,
-stitum), to stand still.]
A cessation of arms for a short time, by convention; a
temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement; a truce.
Armless \Arm"less\, a.
1. Without any arm or branch.
2. Destitute of arms or weapons.
Armlet \Arm"let\, n. [Arm + -let.]
1. A small arm; as, an armlet of the sea. --Johnson.
2. An arm ring; a bracelet for the upper arm.
3. Armor for the arm.
Armoniac \Ar*mo"ni*ac\, a.
Ammoniac. [Obs.]
Armor \Ar"mor\, n. [OE. armure, fr. F. armure, OF. armeure, fr.
L. armatura. See {Armature}.] [Spelt also {armour}.]
1. Defensive arms for the body; any clothing or covering worn
to protect one's person in battle.
Note: In English statues, armor is used for the whole
apparatus of war, including offensive as well as
defensive arms. The statues of armor directed what arms
every man should provide.
2. Steel or iron covering, whether of ships or forts,
protecting them from the fire of artillery.
{Coat armor}, the escutcheon of a person or family, with its
several charges and other furniture, as mantling, crest,
supporters, motto, etc.
{Submarine}, a water-tight dress or covering for a diver. See
under {Submarine}.
Armor-bearer \Ar"mor-bear`er\, n.
One who carries the armor or arms of another; an armiger.
--Judg. ix. 54.
Armored \Ar"mored\, a.
Clad with armor.
Armorer \Ar"mor*er\, n. [OE. armurer, armerer, fr. F. armurter,
fr. armure armor.]
1. One who makes or repairs armor or arms.
2. Formerly, one who had care of the arms and armor of a
knight, and who dressed him in armor. --Shak.
3. One who has the care of arms and armor, cleans or repairs
them, etc.
Armorial \Ar*mo"ri*al\, a. [F. armorial, fr. armoiries arms,
coats of arms, for armoieries, fr. OF. armoier to paint arms,
coats of arms, fr. armes, fr. L. arma. See {Arms}, {Armory}.]
Belonging to armor, or to the heraldic arms or escutcheon of
a family.
Figures with armorial signs of race and birth.
--Wordsworth.
{Armorial bearings}. See {Arms}, 4.
Armoric \Ar*mor"ic\, Armorican \Ar*mor"i*can\, a. [L. Armoricus,
fr. Celtic ar on, at + mor sea.]
Of or pertaining to the northwestern part of France (formerly
called Armorica, now Bretagne or Brittany), or to its people.
-- n. The language of the Armoricans, a Celtic dialect which
has remained to the present times.
Armorican \Ar*mor"i*can\, n.
A native of Armorica.
Armorist \Ar"mor*ist\, n. [F. armoriste.]
One skilled in coat armor or heraldry. --Cussans.
Armor-plated \Ar"mor-plat`ed\, a.
Covered with defensive plates of metal, as a ship of war;
steel-clad.
This day will be launched . . . the first armor-plated
steam frigate in the possession of Great Britain.
--Times (Dec.
29, 1860).
Armory \Ar"mo*ry\, n.; pl. {Armories}. [OF. armaire, armarie, F.
armoire, fr. L. armarium place for keeping arms; but confused
with F. armoiries. See {Armorial}, {Ambry}.]
1. A place where arms and instruments of war are deposited
for safe keeping.
2. Armor; defensive and offensive arms.
Celestial armory, shields, helms, and spears.
--Milton.
3. A manufactory of arms, as rifles, muskets, pistols,
bayonets, swords. [U.S.]
4. Ensigns armorial; armorial bearings. --Spenser.
5. That branch of heraldry which treats of coat armor.
The science of heraldry, or, more justly speaking,
armory, which is but one branch of heraldry, is,
without doubt, of very ancient origin. --Cussans.
Armozeen \Ar`mo*zeen"\, Armozine \Ar`mo*zine"\, n. [armosin,
armoisin.]
A thick plain silk, generally black, and used for clerical.
--Simmonds.
Armpit \Arm"pit`\, n. [Arm + pit.]
The hollow beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder; the
axilla.
Armrack \Arm"rack`\, n.
A frame, generally vertical, for holding small arms.
Arms \Arms\, n. pl. [OE. armes, F. arme, pl. armes, fr. L. arma,
pl., arms, orig. fittings, akin to armus shoulder, and E.
arm. See {Arm}, n.]
1. Instruments or weapons of offense or defense.
He lays down his arms, but not his wiles. --Milton.
Three horses and three goodly suits of arms.
--Tennyson.
2. The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science.
``Arms and the man I sing.'' --Dryden.
3. (Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to
strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.
--Cowell. Blackstone.
4. (Her.) The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of
figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as
marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from
father to son.
5. (Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot.
--Halliwell.
{Bred to arms}, educated to the profession of a soldier.
{In arms}, armed for war; in a state of hostility.
{Small arms}, portable firearms known as muskets, rifles,
carbines, pistols, etc.
{A stand of arms}, a complete set for one soldier, as a
musket, bayonet, cartridge box and belt; frequently, the
musket and bayonet alone.
{To arms}! a summons to war or battle.
{Under arms}, armed and equipped and in readiness for battle,
or for a military parade.
{Arm's end},
{Arm's length},
{Arm's reach}. See under {Arm}.
Armure \Ar"mure\, n. [F. See {Armor}.]
1. Armor. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. A variety of twilled fabric ribbed on the surface.
Army \Ar"my\, n. [F. arm['e]e, fr. L. armata, fem. of armatus,
p. p. of armare to arm. Cf. {Armada}.]
1. A collection or body of men armed for war, esp. one
organized in companies, battalions, regiments, brigades,
and divisions, under proper officers.
2. A body of persons organized for the advancement of a
cause; as, the Blue Ribbon Army.
3. A great number; a vast multitude; a host.
An army of good words. --Shak.
{Standing army}, a permanent army of professional soldiers,
as distinguished from militia or volunteers.
Army worm \Ar"my worm`\ (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A lepidopterous insect, which in the larval state
often travels in great multitudes from field to field,
destroying grass, grain, and other crops. The common
army worm of the northern United States is {Leucania
unipuncta}. The name is often applied to other related
species, as the cotton worm.
(b) The larva of a small two-winged fly ({Sciara}), which
marches in large companies, in regular order. See
{Cotton worm}, under {Cotton}.
Arna \Ar"na\, Arnee \Ar"nee\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The wild buffalo of India ({Bos, or Bubalus, arni}), larger
than the domestic buffalo and having enormous horns.
Arnatto \Ar*nat"to\, n.
See {Annotto}.
Arnica \Ar"ni*ca\, n. [Prob. a corruption of ptarmica.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants; also, the most important species ({Arnica
montana}), native of the mountains of Europe, used in
medicine as a narcotic and stimulant.
Note: The tincture of arnica is applied externally as a
remedy for bruises, sprains, etc.
Arnicin \Ar"ni*cin\, n. [See {Arnica}.] (Chem.)
An active principle of {Arnica montana}. It is a bitter
resin.
Arnicine \Ar"ni*cine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid obtained from the arnica plant.
Arnot \Ar"not\, Arnut \Ar"nut\, n. [Cf. D. aardnoot, E.
earthut.]
The earthnut. [Obs.]
Arnotto \Ar*not"to\, n.
Same as {Annotto}.
Aroid \A"roid\, Aroideous \A*roid"e*ous\, a. [Arum + -oid.]
(Bot.)
Belonging to, or resembling, the Arum family of plants.
Aroint \A*roint"\ ([.a]*roint"), interj. [Cf. Prov. E. rynt,
rynt thee, roynt, or runt, terms used by milkmaids to a cow
that has been milked, in order to drive her away, to make
room for others; AS. r[=y]man to make room or way, fr. r[=u]m
room. The final t is perh. for ta, for thou. Cf. {Room}
space.]
Stand off, or begone. [Obs.]
Aroint thee, witch, the rump-fed ronyon cries. --Shak.
Aroint \A*roint"\, v. t.
To drive or scare off by some exclamation. [R.] ``Whiskered
cats arointed flee.'' --Mrs. Browning.
Aroma \A*ro"ma\, n. [L. aroma, Gr. ?: cf. OE. aromaz, aromat,
spice, F. aromate.]
1. The quality or principle of plants or other substances
which constitutes their fragrance; agreeable odor; as, the
aroma of coffee.
2. Fig.: The fine diffusive quality of intellectual power;
flavor; as, the subtile aroma of genius.
Aromatic \Ar`o*mat"ic\, Aromatical \Ar`o*mat"ic*al\, a. [L.
aromaticus, Gr. ?: cf. F. aromatique. See {Aroma}.]
Pertaining to, or containing, aroma; fragrant; spicy;
strong-scented; odoriferous; as, aromatic balsam.
{Aromatic compound} (Chem.), one of a large class of organic
substances, as the oils of bitter almonds, wintergreen,
and turpentine, the balsams, camphors, etc., many of which
have an aromatic odor. They include many of the most
important of the carbon compounds and may all be derived
from the benzene group, {C6H6}. The term is extended also
to many of their derivatives.
{Aromatic vinegar}. See under {Vinegar}.
Aromatic \Ar`o*mat"ic\ ([a^]r`[-o]*m[a^]t"[i^]k), n.
A plant, drug, or medicine, characterized by a fragrant
smell, and usually by a warm, pungent taste, as ginger,
cinnamon, spices.
Aromatization \Ar`o*mat`i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. aromatisation.]
The act of impregnating or secting with aroma.
Aromatize \A*ro"ma*tize\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Aromatized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Aromatizing}.] [L.
aromatizare, Gr. ?: cf. F. aromatiser.]
To impregnate with aroma; to render aromatic; to give a spicy
scent or taste to; to perfume. --Bacon.
Aromatizer \A*ro"ma*ti`zer\, n.
One who, or that which, aromatizes or renders aromatic.
--Evelyn.
Aromatous \A*ro"ma*tous\, a.
Aromatic. [Obs.] --Caxton.
Aroph \Ar"oph\, n. [A contraction of aroma philosophorum.]
A barbarous word used by the old chemists to designate
various medical remedies. [Obs.]
Arose \A*rose"\
The past or preterit tense of {Arise}.
Around \A*round"\, adv. [Pref. a- + round.]
1. In a circle; circularly; on every side; round.
2. In a circuit; here and there within the surrounding space;
all about; as, to travel around from town to town.
3. Near; in the neighborhood; as, this man was standing
around when the fight took place. [Colloq. U. S.]
Note: See {Round}, the shorter form, adv. & prep., which, in
some of the meanings, is more commonly used.
Around \A*round"\, prep.
1. On all sides of; encircling; encompassing; so as to make
the circuit of; about.
A lambent flame arose, which gently spread Around
his brows. --Dryden.
2. From one part to another of; at random through; about; on
another side of; as, to travel around the country; a house
standing around the corner. [Colloq. U. S.]
Arousal \A*rous"al\, n.
The act of arousing, or the state of being aroused.
Whatever has associated itself with the arousal and
activity of our better nature. --Hare.
Arouse \A*rouse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aroused}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Arousing}.] [Pref. a- + rouse.]
To excite to action from a state of rest; to stir, or put in
motion or exertion; to rouse; to excite; as, to arouse one
from sleep; to arouse the dormant faculties.
Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse His brother,
mighty sovereign on the host. --Cowper.
No suspicion was aroused. --Merivale.
Arow \A*row"\, adv. [Pref. a- + row.]
In a row, line, or rank; successively; in order. --Shak.
And twenty, rank in rank, they rode arow. --Dryden.
Aroynt \A*roynt"\, interj.
See {Aroint}.
Arpeggio \Ar*peg"gio\, n. [It., fr. arpeggiare to play on the
harp, fr. arpa harp.] (Mus.)
The production of the tones of a chord in rapid succession,
as in playing the harp, and not simultaneously; a strain thus
played.
Arpent \Ar"pent\, Arpen \Ar"pen\, n. [F. arpent, fr. L.
arepennis, arapennis. According to Columella, a Gallic word
for a measure equiv. to half a Roman jugerum.]
Formerly, a measure of land in France, varying in different
parts of the country. The arpent of Paris was 4,088 sq.
yards, or nearly five sixths of an English acre. The woodland
arpent was about 1 acre, 1 rood, 1 perch, English.
Arpentator \Ar`pen*ta"tor\, n. [See {Arpent}.]
The Anglicized form of the French arpenteur, a land surveyor.
[R.]
Arpine \Ar"pine\, n.
An arpent. [Obs.] --Webster (1623).
Arquated \Ar"qua*ted\, a.
Shaped like a bow; arcuate; curved. [R.]
Arquebus \Ar"que*bus\, Arquebuse \Ar"que*buse\ (?; 277), n. [F.
arquebuse, OF. harquebuse, fr. D. haak-bus; cf. G.
hakenb["u]chse a gun with a hook. See {Hagbut}.]
A sort of hand gun or firearm a contrivance answering to a
trigger, by which the burning match was applied. The musket
was a later invention. [Written also {harquebus}.]
Arquebusade \Ar`que*bus*ade"\, n. [F. arquebusade shot of an
arquebus; eau d'arquebusade a vulnerary for gunshot wounds.]
1. The shot of an arquebus. --Ash.
2. A distilled water from a variety of aromatic plants, as
rosemary, millefoil, etc.; -- originally used as a
vulnerary in gunshot wounds. --Parr.
Arquebusier \Ar`que*bus*ier\, n. [F. arquebusier.]
A soldier armed with an arquebus.
Soldiers armed with guns, of whatsoever sort or
denomination, appear to have been called arquebusiers.
--E. Lodge.
Arquifoux \Ar"qui*foux\, n.
Same as {Alquifou}.
Arrach \Ar"rach\, n.
See {Orach}.
Arrack \Ar"rack\ (?; 277), n. [Ar. araq sweat, juice, spirituous
liquor, fr. araqa to sweat. Cf. {Rack} arrack.]
A name in the East Indies and the Indian islands for all
ardent spirits. Arrack is often distilled from a fermented
mixture of rice, molasses, and palm wine of the cocoanut tree
or the date palm, etc.
Arragonite \Ar*rag"o*nite\, n.
See {Aragonite}.
Arraign \Ar*raign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arraigned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Arraigning}.] [OE. arainen, arenen, OF. aragnier,
aranier, araisnier, F. arraisonner, fr. LL. arrationare to
address to call before court; L. ad + ratio reason,
reasoning, LL. cause, judgment. See {Reason}.]
1. (Law) To call or set as a prisoner at the bar of a court
to answer to the matter charged in an indictment or
complaint. --Blackstone.
2. To call to account, or accuse, before the bar of reason,
taste, or any other tribunal.
They will not arraign you for want of knowledge.
--Dryden.
It is not arrogance, but timidity, of which the
Christian body should now be arraigned by the world.
--I. Taylor.
Syn: To accuse; impeach; charge; censure; criminate; indict;
denounce. See {Accuse}.
Arraign \Ar*raign"\, n.
Arraignment; as, the clerk of the arraigns. --Blackstone.
Macaulay.
Arraign \Ar*raign"\, v. t. [From OF. aramier, fr. LL.
adhramire.] (Old Eng. Law)
To appeal to; to demand; as, to arraign an assize of novel
disseizin.
Arraigner \Ar*raign"er\, n.
One who arraigns. --Coleridge.
Arraignment \Ar*raign"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. arraynement,
aresnement.]
1. (Law) The act of arraigning, or the state of being
arraigned; the act of calling and setting a prisoner
before a court to answer to an indictment or complaint.
2. A calling to an account to faults; accusation.
In the sixth satire, which seems only an Arraignment
of the whole sex, there is a latent admonition.
--Dryden.
Arraiment \Ar*rai"ment\, Arrayment \Ar*ray"ment\, n. [From
{Array}, v. t.]
Clothes; raiment. [Obs.]
Arrange \Ar*range"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arranged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Arranging}.] [OE. arayngen, OF. arengier, F.
arranger, fr. a (L. ad) + OF. rengier, rangier, F. ranger.
See {Range}, v. t.]
1. To put in proper order; to dispose (persons, or parts) in
the manner intended, or best suited for the purpose; as,
troops arranged for battle.
So [they] came to the market place, and there he
arranged his men in the streets. --Berners.
[They] were beginning to arrange their hampers.
--Boswell.
A mechanism previously arranged. --Paley.
2. To adjust or settle; to prepare; to determine; as, to
arrange the preliminaries of an undertaking.
Syn: Adjust; adapt; range; dispose; classify.
Arrangement \Ar*range"ment\, n. [Cf. F. arrangement.]
1. The act of arranging or putting in an orderly condition;
the state of being arranged or put in order; disposition
in suitable form.
2. The manner or result of arranging; system of parts
disposed in due order; regular and systematic
classification; as, arrangement of one's dress; the
Linn[ae]an arrangement of plants.
3. Preparatory proceeding or measure; preparation; as, we
have made arrangement for receiving company.
4. Settlement; adjustment by agreement; as, the parties have
made an arrangement between themselves concerning their
disputes; a satisfactory arrangement.
5. (Mus.)
(a) The adaptation of a composition to voices or
instruments for which it was not originally written.
(b) A piece so adapted; a transcription; as, a pianoforte
arrangement of Beethoven's symphonies; an orchestral
arrangement of a song, an opera, or the like.
Arranger \Ar*ran"ger\, n.
One who arranges. --Burke.
Arrant \Ar"rant\, a. [OE. erraunt, errant, errand, equiv. to E.
errant wandering, which was first applied to vagabonds, as an
errant rogue, an errant thief, and hence passed gradually
into its present and worse sense. See {Errant}.]
Notoriously or pre["e]minently bad; thorough or downright, in
a bad sense; shameless; unmitigated; as, an arrant rogue or
coward.
I discover an arrant laziness in my soul. --Fuller.
2. Thorough or downright, in a good sense. [Obs.]
An arrant honest woman. --Burton.
Arrantly \Ar"rant*ly\, adv.
Notoriously, in an ill sense; infamously; impudently;
shamefully. --L'Estrange.
Arras \Ar"ras\, n. [From Arras the capital of Artois, in the
French Netherlands.]
Tapestry; a rich figured fabric; especially, a screen or
hangings of heavy cloth with interwoven figures.
Stateliest couches, with rich arras spread. --Cowper.
Behind the arras I'll convey myself. --Shak.
Arras \Ar"ras\, v. t.
To furnish with an arras. --Chapman.
Arrasene \Ar`ras*ene"\, n. [From {Arras}.]
A material of wool or silk used for working the figures in
embroidery.
Arrastre \Ar*ras"tre\, n. [Sp.]
A rude apparatus for pulverizing ores, esp. those containing
free gold.
Arraswise \Ar"ras*wise`\, Arrasways \Ar"ras*ways`\, adv. [Prob.
a corruption of arriswise. See {Arris}.]
Placed in such a position as to exhibit the top and two
sides, the corner being in front; -- said of a rectangular
form. --Encyc. Brit. Cussans.
Arraught \Ar*raught"\ [The past tense of an old v. areach or
arreach. Cf. {Reach}, obs. pret. raught.]
Obtained; seized. --Spenser.
Array \Ar*ray"\, n. [OE. arai, arrai, OF. arrai, arrei, arroi,
order, arrangement, dress, F. arroi; a (L. ad) + OF. rai,
rei, roi, order, arrangement, fr. G. or Scand.; cf. Goth.
raidjan, garaidjan, to arrange, MHG. gereiten, Icel.
rei[eth]i rigging, harness; akin to E. ready. Cf. {Ready},
{Greith}, {Curry}.]
1. Order; a regular and imposing arrangement; disposition in
regular lines; hence, order of battle; as, drawn up in
battle array.
Wedged together in the closest array. --Gibbon.
2. The whole body of persons thus placed in order; an orderly
collection; hence, a body of soldiers.
A gallant array of nobles and cavaliers. --Prescott.
3. An imposing series of things.
Their long array of sapphire and of gold. --Byron.
4. Dress; garments disposed in order upon the person; rich or
beautiful apparel. --Dryden.
5. (Law)
(a) A ranking or setting forth in order, by the proper
officer, of a jury as impaneled in a cause.
(b) The panel itself.
(c) The whole body of jurors summoned to attend the court.
{To challenge the array} (Law), to except to the whole panel.
--Cowell. --Tomlins. --Blount.
{Commission of array} (Eng. Hist.), a commission given by the
prince to officers in every county, to muster and array
the inhabitants, or see them in a condition for war.
--Blackstone.
Array \Ar*ray"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arrayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Arraying}.] [OE. araien, arraien, fr. OE. arraier, arreier,
arreer, arroier, fr. arrai. See {Array}, n.]
1. To place or dispose in order, as troops for battle; to
marshal.
By torch and trumpet fast arrayed, Each horseman
drew his battle blade. --Campbell.
These doubts will be arrayed before their minds.
--Farrar.
2. To deck or dress; to adorn with dress; to cloth to
envelop; -- applied esp. to dress of a splendid kind.
Pharaoh . . . arrayed him in vestures of fine linen.
--Gen. xli.?.
In gelid caves with horrid gloom arrayed.
--Trumbull.
3. (Law) To set in order, as a jury, for the trial of a
cause; that is, to call them man by man. --Blackstone.
{To array a panel}, to set forth in order the men that are
impaneled. --Cowell. --Tomlins.
Syn: To draw up; arrange; dispose; set in order.
Arrayer \Ar*ray"er\, n.
One who arrays. In some early English statutes, applied to an
officer who had care of the soldiers' armor, and who saw them
duly accoutered.
Arrear \Ar*rear"\, adv. [OE. arere, OF. arere, ariere, F.
arri[`e]re, fr. L. ad + retro backward. See {Rear}.]
To or in the rear; behind; backwards. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Arrear \Ar*rear"\, n.
That which is behind in payment, or which remains unpaid,
though due; esp. a remainder, or balance which remains due
when some part has been paid; arrearage; -- commonly used in
the plural, as, arrears of rent, wages, or taxes. --Locke.
For much I dread due payment by the Greeks Of
yesterday's arrear. --Cowper.
I have a large arrear of letters to write. --J. D.
Forbes.
{In arrear} or {In arrears}, behind; backward; behindhand; in
debt.
Arrearage \Ar*rear"age\, n. [F. arr['e]rage, fr. arri[`e]re, OF.
arere. See {Arrear}.]
That which remains unpaid and overdue, after payment of a
part; arrears.
The old arrearages . . . being defrayed. --Howell.
Arrect \Ar*rect"\, Arrected \Ar*rect"ed\, a. [L. arrectus, p. p.
of arrigere to raise, erect; ad + regere to lead straight, to
direct.]
1. Lifted up; raised; erect.
2. Attentive, as a person listening. [Obs.]
God speaks not the idle and unconcerned hearer, but
to the vigilant and arrect. --Smalridge.
Arrect \Ar*rect"\, v. t.
1. To direct. [Obs.]
My supplication to you I arrect. --Skelton.
2. [See {Aret}.] To impute. [Obs.] --Sir T. More.
Arrectary \Ar*rect"a*ry\, n. [L. arrectarius, fr. arrigere o set
up.]
An upright beam. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Arrenotokous \Ar`re*not"o*kous\, a. [Gr. ? bearing males; ? a
male + ? a bringing forth.] (Zo["o]l.)
Producing males from unfertilized eggs, as certain wasps and
bees.
Arrentation \Ar`ren*ta"tion\ [Cf. F. arrenter to give or take as
rent. See {Arendator}.] (O. Eng. Law)
A letting or renting, esp. a license to inclose land in a
forest with a low hedge and a ditch, under a yearly rent.
Arreption \Ar*rep"tion\, n. [L. arripere, arreptum, to seize,
snatch; ad + rapere to snatch. See {Rapacious}.]
The act of taking away. [Obs.] ``This arreption was sudden.''
--Bp. Hall.
Arreptitious \Ar`rep*ti"tious\, a. [L. arreptitius.]
Snatched away; seized or possessed, as a demoniac; raving;
mad; crack-brained. [Obs.]
Odd, arreptitious, frantic extravagances. --Howell.
Arrest \Ar*rest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arrested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Arresting}.] [OE. aresten, OF. arester, F. arr[^e]ter,
fr. LL. arrestare; L. ad + restare to remain, stop; re +
stare to stand. See {Rest} remainder.]
1. To stop; to check or hinder the motion or action of; as,
to arrest the current of a river; to arrest the senses.
Nor could her virtues the relentless hand Of Death
arrest. --Philips.
2. (Law) To take, seize, or apprehend by authority of law;
as, to arrest one for debt, or for a crime.
Note: After this word Shakespeare uses of (``I arrest thee of
high treason'') or on; the modern usage is for.
3. To seize on and fix; to hold; to catch; as, to arrest the
eyes or attention. --Buckminster.
4. To rest or fasten; to fix; to concentrate. [Obs.]
We may arrest our thoughts upon the divine mercies.
--Jer. Taylor.
Syn: To obstruct; delay; detain; check; hinder; stop;
apprehend; seize; lay hold of.
Arrest \Ar*rest"\, v. i.
To tarry; to rest. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Arrest \Ar*rest"\, n. [OE. arest, arrest, OF. arest, F.
arr[^e]t, fr. arester. See {Arrest}, v. t., {Arr?t}.]
1. The act of stopping, or restraining from further motion,
etc.; stoppage; hindrance; restraint; as, an arrest of
development.
As the arrest of the air showeth. --Bacon.
2. (Law) The taking or apprehending of a person by authority
of law; legal restraint; custody. Also, a decree, mandate,
or warrant.
William . . . ordered him to be put under arrest.
--Macaulay.
[Our brother Norway] sends out arrests On
Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys. --Shak.
Note: An arrest may be made by seizing or touching the body;
but it is sufficient in the party be within the power
of the officer and submit to the arrest. In Admiralty
law, and in old English practice, the term is applied
to the seizure of property.
3. Any seizure by power, physical or moral.
The sad stories of fire from heaven, the burning of
his sheep, etc., . . . were sad arrests to his
troubled spirit. --Jer. Taylor.
4. (Far.) A scurfiness of the back part of the hind leg of a
horse; -- also named rat-tails. --White.
{Arrest of judgment} (Law), the staying or stopping of a
judgment, after verdict, for legal cause. The motion for
this purpose is called a motion in arrest of judgment.
Arrestation \Ar`res*ta"tion\, n. [F. arrestation, LL.
arrestatio.]
Arrest. [R.]
The arrestation of the English resident in France was
decreed by the National Convention. --H. M.
Williams.
Arrestee \Ar`res*tee"\, n. [See {Arrest}, v.] (Scots Law)
The person in whose hands is the property attached by
arrestment.
Arrester \Ar*rest"er\, n.
1. One who arrests.
2. (Scots Law) The person at whose suit an arrestment is
made. [Also written {arrestor}.]
Arresting \Ar*rest"ing\ ([a^]r*r[e^]st"[i^]ng), a.
Striking; attracting attention; impressive.
This most solemn and arresting occurrence. --J. H.
Newman.
Arrestive \Ar*rest"ive\ (-[i^]v), a.
Tending to arrest. --McCosh.
Arrestment \Ar*rest"ment\, n. [OF. arrestement.]
1. (Scots Law) The arrest of a person, or the seizure of his
effects; esp., a process by which money or movables in the
possession of a third party are attached.
2. A stoppage or check. --Darwin.
Arret \Ar*r[^e]t\, n. [F. See {Arrest}, n.] (F. Law)
(a) A judgment, decision, or decree of a court or high
tribunal; also, a decree of a sovereign.
(b) An arrest; a legal seizure.
Arret \Ar*ret"\, v. t.
Same as {Aret}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Arrhaphostic \Ar`rha*phos"tic\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to sew
together.]
Seamless. [R.]
Arrhizal \Ar*rhi"zal\, Arrhizous \Ar*rhi"zous\, a. [Gr. ? not
rooted; 'a priv. + ? a root.] (Bot.)
Destitute of a true root, as a parasitical plant.
Arrhythmic \Ar*rhyth"mic\, Arrhythmous \Ar*rhyth"mous\, a. [Gr.
?; 'a priv. + ? rhythm.] (Med.)
Being without rhythm or regularity, as the pulse.
Arrhytmy \Ar"rhyt*my\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? rhythm.]
Want of rhythm. [R.]
Arride \Ar*ride"\, v. t. [L. arridere; ad + ridere to laugh.]
To please; to gratify. [Archaic] --B. Jonson.
Above all thy rarities, old Oxenford, what do most
arride and solace me are thy repositories of moldering
learning. --Lamb.
Arriere \Ar*riere"\, n. [F. arri[`e]re. See {Arrear}.]
``That which is behind''; the rear; -- chiefly used as an
adjective in the sense of behind, rear, subordinate.
{Arriere fee}, {Arriere fief}, a fee or fief dependent on a
superior fee, or a fee held of a feudatory.
{Arriere vassal}, the vassal of a vassal.
Arriere-ban \Ar*riere"-ban`\, n. [F., fr. OE. arban, heriban,
fr. OHG. hariban, heriban, G. heerbann, the calling together
of an army; OHG. heri an army + ban a public call or order.
The French have misunderstood their old word, and have
changed it into arri[`e]re-ban, though arri[`e]re has no
connection with its proper meaning. See {Ban}, {Abandon}.]
A proclamation, as of the French kings, calling not only
their immediate feudatories, but the vassals of these
feudatories, to take the field for war; also, the body of
vassals called or liable to be called to arms, as in ancient
France.
Arris \Ar"ris\, n. [OF. areste, F. ar[^e]te, fr. L. arista the
top or beard of an ear of grain, the bone of a fish.] (Arch.)
The sharp edge or salient angle formed by two surfaces
meeting each other, whether plane or curved; -- applied
particularly to the edges in moldings, and to the raised
edges which separate the flutings in a Doric column. --P.
Cyc.
{Arris fillet}, a triangular piece of wood used to raise the
slates of a roof against a chimney or wall, to throw off
the rain. --Gwilt.
{Arris gutter}, a gutter of a V form fixed to the eaves of a
building. --Gwilt.
Arrish \Ar"rish\, n. [See {Eddish}.]
The stubble of wheat or grass; a stubble field; eddish.
[Eng.] [Written also {arish}, {ersh}, etc.]
The moment we entered the stubble or arrish. --Blackw.
Mag.
Arriswise \Ar"ris*wise`\, adv.
Diagonally laid, as tiles; ridgewise.
Arrival \Ar*riv"al\, n. [From {Arrive}.]
1. The act of arriving, or coming; the act of reaching a
place from a distance, whether by water (as in its
original sense) or by land.
Our watchmen from the towers, with longing eyes,
Expect his swift arrival. --Dryden.
2. The attainment or reaching of any object, by effort, or in
natural course; as, our arrival at this conclusion was
wholly unexpected.
3. The person or thing arriving or which has arrived; as,
news brought by the last arrival.
Another arrival still more important was speedily
announced. --Macaulay.
4. An approach. [Obs.]
The house has a corner arrival. --H. Walpole.
Arrivance \Ar*riv"ance\, n.
Arrival. [Obs.] --Shak.
Arrive \Ar*rive"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Arrived}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Arriving}.] [OE. ariven to arrive, land, OF. ariver, F.
arriver, fr. LL. arripare, adripare, to come to shore; L. ad
+ ripa the shore or sloping bank of a river. Cf. {Riparian}.]
1. To come to the shore or bank. In present usage: To come in
progress by water, or by traveling on land; to reach by
water or by land; -- followed by at (formerly sometimes by
to), also by in and from. ``Arrived in Padua.'' --Shak.
[[AE]neas] sailing with a fleet from Sicily, arrived
. . . and landed in the country of Laurentum.
--Holland.
There was no outbreak till the regiment arrived at
Ipswich. --Macaulay.
2. To reach a point by progressive motion; to gain or compass
an object by effort, practice, study, inquiry, reasoning,
or experiment.
{To arrive at}, or attain to.
When he arrived at manhood. --Rogers.
We arrive at knowledge of a law of nature by the
generalization of facts. --McCosh.
If at great things thou wouldst arrive. --Milton.
3. To come; said of time; as, the time arrived.
4. To happen or occur. [Archaic]
Happy! to whom this glorious death arrives.
--Waller.
Arrive \Ar*rive"\, v. t.
1. To bring to shore. [Obs.]
And made the sea-trod ship arrive them. --Chapman.
2. To reach; to come to. [Archaic]
Ere he arrive the happy isle. --Milton.
Ere we could arrive the point proposed. --Shak.
Arrive at last the blessed goal. --Tennyson.
Arrive \Ar*rive"\, n.
Arrival. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
How should I joy of thy arrive to hear! --Drayton.
Arriver \Ar*riv"er\, n.
One who arrives.
Arroba \Ar*ro"ba\, n. [Sp. and Pg., from Ar. arrub, ar-rubu, a
fourth part.]
1. A Spanish weight used in Mexico and South America = 25.36
lbs. avoir.; also, an old Portuguese weight, used in
Brazil = 32.38 lbs. avoir.
2. A Spanish liquid measure for wine = 3.54 imp. gallons, and
for oil = 2.78 imp. gallons.
Arrogance \Ar"ro*gance\, n. [F., fr. L. arrogantia, fr.
arrogans. See {Arrogant}.]
The act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims in an
overbearing manner; that species of pride which consists in
exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation, or power, or
which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an
undue degree; proud contempt of others; lordliness;
haughtiness; self-assumption; presumption.
I hate not you for her proud arrogance. --Shak.
Syn: Haughtiness; hauteur; assumption; lordliness;
presumption; pride; disdain; insolence; conceit;
conceitedness. See {Haughtiness}.
Arrogancy \Ar"ro*gan*cy\, n.
Arrogance. --Shak.
Arrogant \Ar"ro*gant\, a. [F. arrogant, L. arrogans, p. pr. of
arrogare. See {Arrogate}.]
1. Making, or having the disposition to make, exorbitant
claims of rank or estimation; giving one's self an undue
degree of importance; assuming; haughty; -- applied to
persons.
Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate. --Shak.
2. Containing arrogance; marked with arrogance; proceeding
from undue claims or self-importance; -- applied to
things; as, arrogant pretensions or behavior.
Syn: Magisterial; lordly; proud; assuming; overbearing;
presumptuous; haughty. See {Magisterial}.
Arrogantly \Ar"ro*gant*ly\, adv.
In an arrogant manner; with undue pride or self-importance.
Arrogantness \Ar"ro*gant*ness\, n.
Arrogance. [R.]
Arrogate \Ar"ro*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arrogated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Arrogating}.] [L. arrogatus, p. p. of adrogare,
arrogare, to ask, appropriate to one's self; ad + rogare to
ask. See {Rogation}.]
To assume, or claim as one's own, unduly, proudly, or
presumptuously; to make undue claims to, from vanity or
baseless pretensions to right or merit; as, the pope
arrogated dominion over kings.
He arrogated to himself the right of deciding
dogmatically what was orthodox doctrine. --Macaulay.
Arrogation \Ar`ro*ga"tion\, n. [L. arrogatio, fr. arrogare. Cf.
{Adrogation}.]
1. The act of arrogating, or making exorbitant claims; the
act of taking more than one is justly entitled to. --Hall.
2. (Civ. Law) Adoption of a person of full age.
Arrogative \Ar"ro*ga*tive\, a.
Making undue claims and pretension; prone to arrogance. [R.]
--Dr. H. More.
Arrondissement \Ar`ron`disse`ment"\, n. [F., fr. arrondir to
make round; ad + rond round, L. rotundus.]
A subdivision of a department. [France]
Note: The territory of France, since the revolution, has been
divided into departments, those into arrondissements,
those into cantons, and the latter into communes.
Arrose \Ar*rose"\, v. t. [F. arroser.]
To drench; to besprinkle; to moisten. [Obs.]
The blissful dew of heaven does arrose you. --Two N.
Kins.
Arrosion \Ar*ro"sion\, n. [L. arrodere, arrosum, to gnaw: cf. F.
arrosion.]
A gnawing. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Arrow \Ar"row\, n. [OE. arewe, AS. arewe, earh; akin to Icel.
["o]r, ["o]rvar, Goth. arhwazna, and perh. L. arcus bow. Cf.
{Arc}.]
A missile weapon of offense, slender, pointed, and usually
feathered and barbed, to be shot from a bow.
{Broad arrow}.
(a) An arrow with a broad head.
(b) A mark placed upon British ordnance and government
stores, which bears a rude resemblance to a broad
arrowhead.
Arrow grass \Ar"row grass`\, n. (Bot.)
An herbaceous grasslike plant ({Triglochin palustre}, and
other species) with pods opening so as to suggest barbed
arrowheads.
Arrowhead \Ar"row*head`\, n.
1. The head of an arrow.
2. (Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus {Sagittaria}, esp.
{S. sagittifolia}, -- named from the shape of the leaves.
Arrowheaded \Ar"row*head`ed\, a.
Shaped like the head of an arrow; cuneiform.
{Arrowheaded characters}, characters the elements of which
consist of strokes resembling arrowheads, nailheads, or
wedges; -- hence called also nail-headed, wedge-formed,
cuneiform, or cuneatic characters; the oldest written
characters used in the country about the Tigris and
Euphrates, and subsequently in Persia, and abounding among
the ruins of Persepolis, Nineveh, and Babylon. See
{Cuneiform}.
Arrowroot \Ar"row*root`\, n.
1. (Bot.) A west Indian plant of the genus {Maranta}, esp.
{M. arundinacea}, now cultivated in many hot countries. It
said that the Indians used the roots to neutralize the
venom in wounds made by poisoned arrows.
2. A nutritive starch obtained from the rootstocks of
{Maranta arundinacea}, and used as food, esp. for children
an invalids; also, a similar starch obtained from other
plants, as various species of {Maranta} and {Curcuma}.
Arrowwood \Ar"row*wood`\, n.
A shrub ({Viburnum dentatum}) growing in damp woods and
thickets; -- so called from the long, straight, slender
shoots.
Arrowworm \Ar"row*worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A peculiar transparent worm of the genus {Sagitta}, living at
the surface of the sea. See {Sagitta}.
Arrowy \Ar"row*y\, a.
1. Consisting of arrows.
How quick they wheeled, and flying, behind them shot
Sharp sleet of arrowy showers. --Milton.
2. Formed or moving like, or in any respect resembling, an
arrow; swift; darting; piercing. ``His arrowy tongue.''
--Cowper.
By the blue rushing of the arrowy Rhone. --Byron.
With arrowy vitalities, vivacities, and ingenuities.
--Carlyle.
Arroyo \Ar*roy"o\, n.; pl. {Arroyos}. [Sp., fr. LL. arrogium;
cf. Gr. ? river, stream, fr. ? to flow.]
1. A water course; a rivulet.
2. The dry bed of a small stream. [Western U. S.]
Arschin \Ar"schin\, n.
See {Arshine}.
Arse \Arse\, n. [AS. ears; [ae]rs; akin to OHG. ars. G. arsch,
D. aars, Sw. ars, Dan. arts, Gr. ? (cf. ? tail).]
The buttocks, or hind part of an animal; the posteriors; the
fundament; the bottom.
Arsenal \Ar"se*nal\, n. [Sp. & F. arsenal arsenal, dockyard, or
It. arzanale, arsenale (cf. It. & darsena dock); all fr. Ar.
d[=a]r?in[=a]'a house of industry or fabrication; d[=a]r
house + ?in[=a] art, industry.]
A public establishment for the storage, or for the
manufacture and storage, of arms and all military equipments,
whether for land or naval service.
Arsenate \Ar"se*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of arsenic acid.
Arseniate \Ar*se"ni*ate\, n.
See {Arsenate}. [R.]
Arsenic \Ar"se*nic\ ([aum]r"s[-e]*n[i^]k; 277), n. [L.
arsenicum, Gr. 'arseniko`n, 'arreniko`n, yellow orpiment,
perh. fr. 'arseniko`s or better Attic 'arreniko`s masculine,
'a`rrhn male, on account of its strength, or fr. Per.
zern[=i]kh: cf. F. arsenic.]
1. (Chem.) One of the elements, a solid substance resembling
a metal in its physical properties, but in its chemical
relations ranking with the nonmetals. It is of a
steel-gray color and brilliant luster, though usually dull
from tarnish. It is very brittle, and sublimes at 356[deg]
Fahrenheit. It is sometimes found native, but usually
combined with silver, cobalt, nickel, iron, antimony, or
sulphur. Orpiment and realgar are two of its sulphur
compounds, the first of which is the true arsenicum of the
ancients. The element and its compounds are active
poisons. Specific gravity from 5.7 to 5.9. Atomic weight
75. Symbol As.
2. (Com.) Arsenious oxide or arsenious anhydride; -- called
also {arsenious acid}, {white arsenic}, and {ratsbane}.
Arsenic \Ar*sen"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, arsenic; -- said of those
compounds of arsenic in which this element has its highest
equivalence; as, arsenic acid.
Arsenical \Ar*sen"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to, or containing, arsenic; as, arsenical
vapor; arsenical wall papers.
{Arsenical silver}, an ore of silver containing arsenic.
Arsenicate \Ar*sen"i*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arsenicated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Arsenicating}.]
To combine with arsenic; to treat or impregnate with arsenic.
Arsenicism \Ar*sen"i*cism\, n. (Med.)
A diseased condition produced by slow poisoning with arsenic.
Arsenide \Ar"sen*ide\, n. (Chem.)
A compound of arsenic with a metal, or positive element or
radical; -- formerly called arseniuret.
Arseniferous \Ar`sen*if"er*ous\, a. [Arsenic + -ferous.]
Containing or producing arsenic.
Arsenious \Ar*se"ni*ous\, a. [Cf. F. ars['e]nieux.]
1. Pertaining to, consisting of, or containing, arsenic; as,
arsenious powder or glass.
2. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, arsenic, when
having an equivalence next lower than the highest; as,
arsenious acid.
Arsenite \Ar"sen*ite\, n. [Cf. F. ars['e]nite.] (Chem.)
A salt formed by the union of arsenious acid with a base.
Arseniuret \Ar`se*ni"u*ret\, n. (Chem.)
See {Arsenide}.
Arseniureted \Ar`se*ni"u*ret`ed\, a. (Chem.)
Combined with arsenic; -- said some elementary substances or
radicals; as, arseniureted hydrogen. [Also spelt
{arseniuretted}.]
Arsenopyrite \Ar`sen*o*pyr"ite\, n. [Arsenic + pyrite.] (Min.)
A mineral of a tin-white color and metallic luster,
containing arsenic, sulphur, and iron; -- also called
{arsenical pyrites} and {mispickel}.
Arsesmart \Arse"smart\, n.
Smartweed; water pepper. --Dr. Prior.
Arshine \Ar"shine\ ([aum]r"sh[=e]n), n. [Russ. arshin, of
Turkish-Tartar origin; Turk. arshin, arsh[=u]n, ell, yard.]
A Russian measure of length = 2 ft. 4.246 inches.
Arsine \Ar"sine\ ([aum]r"s[i^]n or -s[=e]n), n. [From
{Arsenic}.] (Chem.)
A compound of arsenic and hydrogen, {AsH3}, a colorless and
exceedingly poisonous gas, having an odor like garlic;
arseniureted hydrogen.
Arsis \Ar"sis\ ([aum]r"s[i^]s), n. [L. arsis, Gr. 'a`rsis a
raising or lifting, an elevation of the voice, fr. a'i`rein
to raise or lift up. Its ordinary use is the result of am
early misapprehension; originally and properly it denotes the
lifting of the hand in beating time, and hence the unaccented
part of the rhythm.]
1. (Pros.)
(a) That part of a foot where the ictus is put, or which
is distinguished from the rest (known as the thesis)
of the foot by a greater stress of voice. --Hermann.
(b) That elevation of voice now called {metrical
accentuation}, or the rhythmic accent.
Note: It is uncertain whether the arsis originally consisted
in a higher musical tone, greater volume, or longer
duration of sound, or in all combined.
2. (Mus.) The elevation of the hand, or that part of the bar
at which it is raised, in beating time; the weak or
unaccented part of the bar; -- opposed to {thesis}.
--Moore.
Arsmetrike \Ars`met"rike\ ([aum]rz`m[e^]t"r[i^]k), n. [An
erroneous form of arithmetic, as if from L. ars metrica the
measuring art.]
Arithmetic. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Arson \Ar"son\ ([aum]r"s'n; 277), n. [OF. arson, arsun, fr. L.
ardere, arsum, to burn.] (Law)
The malicious burning of a dwelling house or outhouse of
another man, which by the common law is felony; the malicious
and voluntary firing of a building or ship. --Wharton.
Note: The definition of this crime is varied by statues in
different countries and states. The English law of
arson has been considerably modified in the United
States; in some of the States it has been materially
enlarged, while in others, various degrees of arson
have been established, with corresponding punishment.
--Burrill.
Art \Art\ ([aum]rt).
The second person singular, indicative mode, present tense,
of the substantive verb {Be}; but formed after the analogy of
the plural are, with the ending -t, as in thou shalt, wilt,
orig. an ending of the second person sing. pret. Cf. {Be}.
Now used only in solemn or poetical style.
Art \Art\ ([aum]rt), n. [F. art, L. ars, artis, orig., skill in
joining or fitting; prob. akin to E. arm, aristocrat,
article.]
1. The employment of means to accomplish some desired end;
the adaptation of things in the natural world to the uses
of life; the application of knowledge or power to
practical purposes.
Blest with each grace of nature and of art. --Pope.
2. A system of rules serving to facilitate the performance of
certain actions; a system of principles and rules for
attaining a desired end; method of doing well some special
work; -- often contradistinguished from science or
speculative principles; as, the art of building or
engraving; the art of war; the art of navigation.
Science is systematized knowledge . . . Art is
knowledge made efficient by skill. --J. F.
Genung.
3. The systematic application of knowledge or skill in
effecting a desired result. Also, an occupation or
business requiring such knowledge or skill.
The fishermen can't employ their art with so much
success in so troubled a sea. --Addison.
4. The application of skill to the production of the
beautiful by imitation or design, or an occupation in
which skill is so employed, as in painting and sculpture;
one of the fine arts; as, he prefers art to literature.
5. pl. Those branches of learning which are taught in the
academical course of colleges; as, master of arts.
In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts.
--Pope.
Four years spent in the arts (as they are called in
colleges) is, perhaps, laying too laborious a
foundation. --Goldsmith.
6. Learning; study; applied knowledge, science, or letters.
[Archaic]
So vast is art, so narrow human wit. --Pope.
7. Skill, dexterity, or the power of performing certain
actions, acquired by experience, study, or observation;
knack; as, a man has the art of managing his business to
advantage.
8. Skillful plan; device.
They employed every art to soothe . . . the
discontented warriors. --Macaulay.
9. Cunning; artifice; craft.
Madam, I swear I use no art at all. --Shak.
Animals practice art when opposed to their superiors
in strength. --Crabb.
10. The black art; magic. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Art and part} (Scots Law), share or concern by aiding and
abetting a criminal in the perpetration of a crime,
whether by advice or by assistance in the execution;
complicity.
Note: The arts are divided into various classes.
{The useful, mechanical, or industrial arts} are those in
which the hands and body are more concerned than the mind;
as in making clothes and utensils. These are called
trades.
{The fine arts} are those which have primarily to do with
imagination and taste, and are applied to the production
of what is beautiful. They include poetry, music,
painting, engraving, sculpture, and architecture; but the
term is often confined to painting, sculpture, and
architecture.
{The liberal arts} (artes liberales, the higher arts, which,
among the Romans, only freemen were permitted to pursue)
were, in the Middle Ages, these seven branches of
learning, -- grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic,
geometry, music, and astronomy. In modern times the
liberal arts include the sciences, philosophy, history,
etc., which compose the course of academical or collegiate
education. Hence, degrees in the arts; master and bachelor
of arts.
In America, literature and the elegant arts must
grow up side by side with the coarser plants of
daily necessity. --Irving.
Syn: Science; literature; aptitude; readiness; skill;
dexterity; adroitness; contrivance; profession;
business; trade; calling; cunning; artifice; duplicity.
See {Science}.
Artemia \Ar*te"mi*a\ ([aum]r*t[e^]"m[i^]*[.a]), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
'A`rtemis, a Greek goddess.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of phyllopod Crustacea found in salt lakes and
brines; the brine shrimp. See {Brine shrimp}.
Artemisia \Ar`te*mi"si*a\ ([aum]rt[-e]"m[i^]zh"[i^]*[.a] or
[aum]rt[-e]"m[i^]sh"[i^]*[.a]), n. [L. Artemisia, Gr.
'Artemisi`a.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants including the plants called mugwort,
southernwood, and wormwood. Of these {A. absinthium}, or
common wormwood, is well known, and {A. tridentata} is the
sage brush of the Rocky Mountain region.
Arteriac \Ar*te"ri*ac\, a. [L. arteriacus, Gr. ?. See {Artery}.]
Of or pertaining to the windpipe.
Arterial \Ar*te"ri*al\, a. [Cf. F. art['e]riel.]
1. Of or pertaining to an artery, or the arteries; as,
arterial action; the arterial system.
2. Of or pertaining to a main channel (resembling an artery),
as a river, canal, or railroad.
{Arterial blood}, blood which has been changed and vitalized
(arterialized) during passage through the lungs.
Arterialization \Ar*te`ri*al*i*za"tion\, n. (Physiol.)
The process of converting venous blood into arterial blood
during its passage through the lungs, oxygen being absorbed
and carbonic acid evolved; -- called also {a["e]ration} and
{hematosis}.
Arterialize \Ar*te"ri*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Arterialized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Arterializing}.]
To transform, as the venous blood, into arterial blood by
exposure to oxygen in the lungs; to make arterial.
Arteriography \Ar*te`ri*og"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? + -graphy.]
A systematic description of the arteries.
Arteriole \Ar*te"ri*ole\, n. [NL. arteriola, dim. of L. arteria:
cf. F. art['e]riole.]
A small artery.
Arteriology \Ar*te`ri*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? + -logy.]
That part of anatomy which treats of arteries.
Arteriotomy \Ar*te`ri*ot"o*my\, n. [L. arteriotomia, Gr. ?; ? +
? a cutting.]
1. (Med.) The opening of an artery, esp. for bloodletting.
2. That part of anatomy which treats of the dissection of the
arteries.
Arteritis \Ar`te*ri"tis\, n. [Artery + -etis.]
Inflammation of an artery or arteries. --Dunglison.
Artery \Ar"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Arteries}. [L. arteria windpipe,
artery, Gr. ?.]
1. The trachea or windpipe. [Obs.] ``Under the artery, or
windpipe, is the mouth of the stomach.'' --Holland.
2. (Anat.) One of the vessels or tubes which carry either
venous or arterial blood from the heart. They have tricker
and more muscular walls than veins, and are connected with
them by capillaries.
Note: In man and other mammals, the arteries which contain
arterialized blood receive it from the left ventricle
of the heart through the aorta. See {Aorta}. The
pulmonary artery conveys the venous blood from the
right ventricle to the lungs, whence the arterialized
blood is returned through the pulmonary veins.
3. Hence: Any continuous or ramified channel of
communication; as, arteries of trade or commerce.
Artesian \Ar*te"sian\, a. [F. art['e]sien, fr. Artois in France,
where many such wells have been made since the middle of the
last century.]
Of or pertaining to Artois (anciently called Artesium), in
France.
{Artesian wells}, wells made by boring into the earth till
the instrument reaches water, which, from internal
pressure, flows spontaneously like a fountain. They are
usually of small diameter and often of great depth.
Artful \Art"ful\, a. [From {Art}.]
1. Performed with, or characterized by, art or skill.
[Archaic] ``Artful strains.'' ``Artful terms.'' --Milton.
2. Artificial; imitative. --Addison.
3. Using or exhibiting much art, skill, or contrivance;
dexterous; skillful.
He [was] too artful a writer to set down events in
exact historical order. --Dryden.
4. Cunning; disposed to cunning indirectness of dealing;
crafty; as, an artful boy. [The usual sense.]
Artful in speech, in action, and in mind. --Pope.
The artful revenge of various animals. --Darwin.
Syn: Cunning; skillful; adroit; dexterous; crafty; tricky;
deceitful; designing. See {Cunning}.
Artfully \Art"ful*ly\, adv.
In an artful manner; with art or cunning; skillfully;
dexterously; craftily.
Artfulness \Art"ful*ness\, n.
The quality of being artful; art; cunning; craft.
Arthen \Ar"then\, a.
Same as {Earthen}. [Obs.] ``An arthen pot.'' --Holland.
Arthritic \Ar*thrit"ic\, Arthritical \Ar*thrit"ic*al\, a. [L.
arthriticus, Gr. 'arqritiko`s. See {Arthritis}.]
1. Pertaining to the joints. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. Of or pertaining to arthritis; gouty. --Cowper.
Arthritis \Ar*thri"tis\ ([aum]r*thr[imac]"t[i^]s), n. [L., fr.
Gr. 'arqri^tis (as if fem. of 'arqri`tis belonging to the
joints, sc. no`sos disease) gout, fr. 'a`rqron a joint.]
(Med.)
Any inflammation of the joints, particularly the gout.
Arthroderm \Ar"thro*derm\, n. [Gr. 'a`rqron joint + 'derm.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The external covering of an Arthropod.
Arthrodia \Ar*thro"di*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? well
articulated; 'a`rqron a joint + ? shape.] (Anat.)
A form of diarthrodial articulation in which the articular
surfaces are nearly flat, so that they form only an imperfect
ball and socket.
Arthrodial \Ar*thro"di*al\, Arthrodic \Ar*throd"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to arthrodia.
Arthrodynia \Ar`thro*dyn"i*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`rqron joint +
'ody`nh pain.] (Med.)
An affection characterized by pain in or about a joint, not
dependent upon structural disease.
Arthrodynic \Ar`thro*dyn"ic\, a.
Pertaining to arthrodynia, or pain in the joints; rheumatic.
Arthrogastra \Ar`thro*gas"tra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`rqron
joint + ? stomach.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the Arachnida, having the abdomen annulated,
including the scorpions, harvestmen, etc.; pedipalpi.
Arthrography \Ar*throg"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. 'a`rqron joint +
-graphy.]
The description of joints.
Arthrology \Ar*throl"o*gy\, n. [Gr. 'a`rqron joint + -logy.]
That part of anatomy which treats of joints.
Arthromere \Ar"thro*mere\, n. [Gr. 'a`rqron joint + -mere.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the body segments of Arthropods. See {Arthrostraca}.
--Packard.
Arthropleura \Ar`thro*pleu"ra\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`rqron joint
+ ? the side.] (Zo["o]l.)
The side or limb-bearing portion of an arthromere.
Arthropod \Ar"thro*pod\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Arthropoda.
Arthropoda \Ar*throp"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`rqron joint
+ -poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large division of Articulata, embracing all those that have
jointed legs. It includes Insects, Arachnida, Pychnogonida,
and Crustacea. -- {Ar*throp"o*dal}, a.
Arthropomata \Ar`thro*pom"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`rqron
joint + ? lid.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the orders of Branchiopoda. See {Branchiopoda}.
Arthrosis \Ar*thro"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. 'a`rqron
joint.] (Anat.)
Articulation.
Arthrostraca \Ar*thros"tra*ca\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`rqron
joint + ? a shell.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the larger divisions of Crustacea, so called because
the thorax and abdomen are both segmented; Tetradecapoda. It
includes the Amphipoda and Isopoda.
Arthrozoic \Ar`thro*zo"ic\, a. [Gr. 'a`rqron joint + ? animal,
fr. ? an animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Articulata; articulate.
Artiad \Ar"ti*ad\, a. [Gr. ? even, fr. ? exactly.] (Chem.)
Even; not odd; -- said of elementary substances and of
radicals the valence of which is divisible by two without a
remainder.
Artichoke \Ar"ti*choke\, n. [It. articiocco, perh. corrupted fr.
the same word as carciofo; cf. older spellings archiciocco,
archicioffo, carciocco, and Sp. alcachofa, Pg. alcachofra;
prob. fr. Ar. al-harshaf, al-kharsh[=u]f.] (Bot.)
1. The {Cynara scolymus}, a plant somewhat resembling a
thistle, with a dilated, imbricated, and prickly
involucre. The head (to which the name is also applied) is
composed of numerous oval scales, inclosing the florets,
sitting on a broad receptacle, which, with the fleshy base
of the scales, is much esteemed as an article of food.
2. See {Jerusalem artichoke}.
Article \Ar"ti*cle\, n. [F., fr. L. articulus, dim. of artus
joint, akin to Gr. ?, fr. a root ar to join, fit. See {Art},
n.]
1. A distinct portion of an instrument, discourse, literary
work, or any other writing, consisting of two or more
particulars, or treating of various topics; as, an article
in the Constitution. Hence: A clause in a contract, system
of regulations, treaty, or the like; a term, condition, or
stipulation in a contract; a concise statement; as,
articles of agreement.
2. A literary composition, forming an independent portion of
a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.
3. Subject; matter; concern; distinct. [Obs.]
A very great revolution that happened in this
article of good breeding. --Addison.
This last article will hardly be believed. --De Foe.
4. A distinct part. ``Upon each article of human duty.''
--Paley. ``Each article of time.'' --Habington.
The articles which compose the blood. --E. Darwin.
5. A particular one of various things; as, an article of
merchandise; salt is a necessary article.
They would fight not for articles of faith, but for
articles of food. --Landor.
6. Precise point of time; moment. [Obs. or Archaic]
This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the
article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have
had no little influence on the jury and all the
bench to his prejudice. --Evelyn.
7. (Gram.) One of the three words, a, an, the, used before
nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is
called the indefinite article, the the definite article.
8. (Zo["o]l.) One of the segments of an articulated
appendage.
{Articles of Confederation}, the compact which was first made
by the original thirteen States of the United States. They
were adopted March 1, 1781, and remained the supreme law
until March, 1789.
{Articles of impeachment}, an instrument which, in cases of
impeachment, performs the same office which an indictment
does in a common criminal case.
{Articles of war}, rules and regulations, fixed by law, for
the better government of the army.
{In the article of death} [L. in articulo mortis], at the
moment of death; in the dying struggle.
{Lords of the articles} (Scot. Hist.), a standing committee
of the Scottish Parliament to whom was intrusted the
drafting and preparation of the acts, or bills for laws.
{The Thirty-nine Articles}, statements (thirty-nine in
number) of the tenets held by the Church of England.
Article \Ar"ti*cle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Articled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Articling}.] [Cf. F. articuler, fr. L. articulare.
See {Article}, n., {Articulate}.]
1. To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct
particulars.
If all his errors and follies were articled against
him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.
He shall be articled against in the high court of
admiralty. --Stat. 33
Geo. III.
3. To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to
article an apprentice to a mechanic.
Article \Ar"ti*cle\, v. i.
To agree by articles; to stipulate; to bargain; to covenant.
[R.]
Then he articled with her that he should go away when
he pleased. --Selden.
Articled \Ar"ti*cled\, a.
Bound by articles; apprenticed; as, an articled clerk.
Articular \Ar*tic"u*lar\, a. [L. articularis: cf. F.
articulaire. See {Article}, n.]
Of or pertaining to the joints; as, an articular disease; an
articular process.
Articular \Ar*tic"u*lar\, Articulary \Ar*tic"u*la*ry\, n.
(Anat.)
A bone in the base of the lower jaw of many birds, reptiles,
amphibians, and fishes.
Articularly \Ar*tic"u*lar*ly\ ([aum]r*t[i^]k"[-u]*l[~e]r*l[y^]),
adv.
In an articular or an articulate manner.
Articulata \Ar*tic`u*la"ta\ ([aum]r*t[i^]k`[-u]*l[=a]"t[.a]), n.
pl. [Neut. pl. from L. articulatus furnished with joints,
distinct, p. p. of articulare. See {Article}, v.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. One of the four subkingdoms in the classification of
Cuvier. It has been much modified by later writers.
Note: It includes those Invertebrata having the body composed
of a series of ringlike segments (arthromeres). By some
writers, the unsegmented worms (helminths) have also
been included; by others it is restricted to the
Arthropoda. It corresponds nearly with the Annulosa of
some authors. The chief subdivisions are Arthropoda
(Insects, Myriapoda, Malacopoda, Arachnida,
Pycnogonida, Crustacea); and Anarthropoda, including
the Annelida and allied forms.
2. One of the subdivisions of the Brachiopoda, including
those that have the shells united by a hinge.
3. A subdivision of the Crinoidea.
Articulate \Ar*tic"u*late\, a. [L. articulatus. See
{Articulata}.]
1. Expressed in articles or in separate items or particulars.
[Archaic] --Bacon.
2. Jointed; formed with joints; consisting of segments united
by joints; as, articulate animals or plants.
3. Distinctly uttered; spoken so as to be intelligible;
characterized by division into words and syllables; as,
articulate speech, sounds, words.
Total changes of party and articulate opinion.
--Carlyle.
Articulate \Ar*tic"u*late\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An animal of the subkingdom Articulata.
Articulate \Ar*tic"u*late\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Articulated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Articulating}].
1. To utter articulate sounds; to utter the elementary sounds
of a language; to enunciate; to speak distinctly.
2. To treat or make terms. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. To join or be connected by articulation.
Articulate \Ar*tic"u*late\, v. t.
1. To joint; to unite by means of a joint; to put together
with joints or at the joints.
2. To draw up or write in separate articles; to
particularize; to specify. [Obs.]
3. To form, as the elementary sounds; to utter in distinct
syllables or words; to enunciate; as, to articulate
letters or language. ``To articulate a word.'' --Ray.
4. To express distinctly; to give utterance to.
Luther articulated himself upon a process that hand
already begun in the Christian church. --Bibliotheca
Sacra.
To . . . articulate the dumb, deep want of the
people. --Carlyle.
Articulated \Ar*tic"u*la`ted\, a.
1. United by, or provided with, articulations; jointed; as,
an articulated skeleton.
2. Produced, as a letter, syllable, or word, by the organs of
speech; pronounced.
Articulately \Ar*tic"u*late*ly\, adv.
1. After the manner, or in the form, of a joint.
2. Article by article; in distinct particulars; in detail;
definitely. --Paley.
I had articulately set down in writing our points.
--Fuller.
3. With distinct utterance of the separate sounds.
Articulateness \Ar*tic"u*late*ness\, n.
Quality of being articulate.
Articulation \Ar*tic`u*la"tion\, n. [Cf. F. articulation, fr. L.
articulatio.]
1. (Anat.) A joint or juncture between bones in the skeleton.
Note: Articulations may be immovable, when the bones are
directly united (synarthrosis), or slightly movable,
when they are united intervening substance
(amphiarthrosis), or they may be more or less freely
movable, when the articular surfaces are covered with
synovial membranes, as in complete joints
(diarthrosis). The last (diarthrosis) includes hinge
joints, admitting motion in one plane only (ginglymus),
ball and socket joints (enarthrosis), pivot and
rotation joints, etc.
2. (Bot.)
(a) The connection of the parts of a plant by joints, as
in pods.
(b) One of the nodes or joints, as in cane and maize.
(c) One of the parts intercepted between the joints; also,
a subdivision into parts at regular or irregular
intervals as a result of serial intermission in
growth, as in the cane, grasses, etc. --Lindley.
3. The act of putting together with a joint or joints; any
meeting of parts in a joint.
4. The state of being jointed; connection of parts. [R.]
That definiteness and articulation of imagery.
--Coleridge.
5. The utterance of the elementary sounds of a language by
the appropriate movements of the organs, as in
pronunciation; as, a distinct articulation.
6. A sound made by the vocal organs; an articulate utterance
or an elementary sound, esp. a consonant.
Articulative \Ar*tic"u*la*tive\, a.
Of or pertaining to articulation. --Bush.
Articulator \Ar*tic"u*la`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, articulates; as:
(a) One who enunciates distinctly.
(b) One who prepares and mounts skeletons.
(c) An instrument to cure stammering.
Articulus \Ar*tic"u*lus\n.; pl. {Articuli}. [L. See {Article}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A joint of the cirri of the Crinoidea; a joint or segment of
an arthropod appendage.
Artifice \Ar"ti*fice\, n. [L. artificium, fr. artifex artificer;
ars, artis, art + facere to make: cf. F. artifice.]
1. A handicraft; a trade; art of making. [Obs.]
2. Workmanship; a skillfully contrived work.
The material universe.. in the artifice of God, the
artifice of the best Mechanist. --Cudworth.
3. Artful or skillful contrivance.
His [Congreve's] plots were constructed without much
artifice. --Craik.
4. Crafty device; an artful, ingenious, or elaborate trick.
Note: [Now the usual meaning.]
Those who were conscious of guilt employed
numerous artifices for the purpose of averting
inquiry. --Macaulay.
Artificer \Ar*tif"i*cer\, n. [Cf. F. artificier, fr. LL.
artificiarius.]
1. An artistic worker; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose
occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular
kind, as a silversmith.
2. One who makes or contrives; a deviser, inventor, or
framer. ``Artificer of fraud.'' --Milton.
The great Artificer of all that moves. --Cowper.
3. A cunning or artful fellow. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
4. (Mil.) A military mechanic, as a blacksmith, carpenter,
etc.; also, one who prepares the shells, fuses, grenades,
etc., in a military laboratory.
Syn: Artisan; artist. See {Artisan}.
Artificial \Ar`ti*fi"cial\, a. [L. artificialis, fr. artificium:
cf. F. artificiel. See {Artifice}.]
1. Made or contrived by art; produced or modified by human
skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as, artificial
heat or light, gems, salts, minerals, fountains, flowers.
Artificial strife Lives in these touches, livelier
than life. --Shak.
2. Feigned; fictitious; assumed; affected; not genuine.
``Artificial tears.'' --Shak.
3. Artful; cunning; crafty. [Obs.] --Shak.
4. Cultivated; not indigenous; not of spontaneous growth; as,
artificial grasses. --Gibbon.
{Artificial arguments} (Rhet.), arguments invented by the
speaker, in distinction from laws, authorities, and the
like, which are called inartificial arguments or proofs.
--Johnson.
{Artificial classification} (Science), an arrangement based
on superficial characters, and not expressing the true
natural relations species; as, ``the artificial system''
in botany, which is the same as the Linn[ae]an system.
{Artificial horizon}. See under {Horizon}.
{Artificial light}, any light other than that which proceeds
from the heavenly bodies.
{Artificial lines}, lines on a sector or scale, so contrived
as to represent the logarithmic sines and tangents, which,
by the help of the line of numbers, solve, with tolerable
exactness, questions in trigonometry, navigation, etc.
{Artificial numbers}, logarithms.
{Artificial person} (Law). See under {Person}.
{Artificial sines}, {tangents}, etc., the same as logarithms
of the natural sines, tangents, etc. --Hutton.
Artificiality \Ar`ti*fi`ci*al"i*ty\, n.
The quality or appearance of being artificial; that which is
artificial.
Artificialize \Ar`ti*fi"cial*ize\, v. t.
To render artificial.
Artificially \Ar`ti*fi"cial*ly\, adv.
1. In an artificial manner; by art, or skill and contrivance,
not by nature.
2. Ingeniously; skillfully. [Obs.]
The spider's web, finely and artificially wrought.
--Tillotson.
3. Craftily; artfully. [Obs.]
Sharp dissembled so artificially. --Bp. Burnet.
Artificialness \Ar`ti*fi"cial*ness\, n.
The quality of being artificial.
Artificious \Ar`ti*fi"cious\, a. [L. artificiosus.]
Artificial. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Artilize \Art"i*lize\, v. t.
To make resemble. [Obs.]
If I was a philosopher, says Montaigne, I would
naturalize art instead of artilizing nature.
--Bolingbroke.
Artillerist \Ar*til"ler*ist\, n.
A person skilled in artillery or gunnery; a gunner; an
artilleryman.
Artillery \Ar*til"ler*y\, n. [OE. artilrie, OF. artillerie,
arteillerie, fr. LL. artillaria, artilleria, machines and
apparatus of all kinds used in war, vans laden with arms of
any kind which follow camps; F. artillerie great guns,
ordnance; OF. artillier to work artifice, to fortify, to arm,
prob. from L. ars, artis, skill in joining something, art.
See {Art}.]
1. Munitions of war; implements for warfare, as slings, bows,
and arrows. [Obs.]
And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad. --1
Sam. xx. 40.
2. Cannon; great guns; ordnance, including guns, mortars,
howitzers, etc., with their equipment of carriages, balls,
bombs, and shot of all kinds.
Note: The word is sometimes used in a more extended sense,
including the powder, cartridges, matches, utensils,
machines of all kinds, and horses, that belong to a
train of artillery.
3. The men and officers of that branch of the army to which
the care and management of artillery are confided.
4. The science of artillery or gunnery. --Campbell.
{Artillery park}, or {Park of artillery}.
(a) A collective body of siege or field artillery,
including the guns, and the carriages, ammunition,
appurtenances, equipments, and persons necessary for
working them.
(b) The place where the artillery is encamped or
collected.
{Artillery train}, or {Train of artillery}, a number of
pieces of ordnance mounted on carriages, with all their
furniture, ready for marching.
Artilleryman \Ar*til"ler*y*man\, n.
A man who manages, or assists in managing, a large gun in
firing.
Artiodactyla \Ar`ti*o*dac"ty*la\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? even +
? finger or toe.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the divisions of the ungulate animals. The functional
toes of the hind foot are even in number, and the third digit
of each foot (corresponding to the middle finger in man) is
asymmetrical and paired with the fourth digit, as in the hog,
the sheep, and the ox; -- opposed to {Perissodactyla}.
Artiodactyle \Ar`ti*o*dac"tyle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Artiodactyla.
Artiodactylous \Ar`ti*o*dac"ty*lous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Even-toed.
Artisan \Ar"ti*san\ (?; 277), n. [F. artisan, fr. L. artitus
skilled in arts, fr. ars, artis, art: cf. It. artigiano. See
{Art}, n.]
1. One who professes and practices some liberal art; an
artist. [Obs.]
2. One trained to manual dexterity in some mechanic art or
trade; and handicraftsman; a mechanic.
This is willingly submitted to by the artisan, who
can . . . compensate his additional toil and
fatigue. --Hume.
Syn: Artificer; artist.
Usage: {Artisan}, {Artist}, {Artificer}. An artist is one who
is skilled in some one of the fine arts; an artisan is
one who exercises any mechanical employment. A
portrait painter is an artist; a sign painter is an
artisan, although he may have the taste and skill of
an artist. The occupation of the former requires a
fine taste and delicate manipulation; that of the
latter demands only an ordinary degree of contrivance
and imitative power. An artificer is one who requires
power of contrivance and adaptation in the exercise of
his profession. The word suggest neither the idea of
mechanical conformity to rule which attaches to the
term artisan, nor the ideas of refinement and of
peculiar skill which belong to the term artist.
Artist \Art"ist\, n. [F. artiste, LL. artista, fr. L. ars. See
{Art}, n., and cf. {Artiste}.]
1. One who practices some mechanic art or craft; an artisan.
[Obs.]
How to build ships, and dreadful ordnance cast,
Instruct the articles and reward their. --Waller.
2. One who professes and practices an art in which science
and taste preside over the manual execution.
Note: The term is particularly applied to painters,
sculptors, musicians, engravers, and architects.
--Elmes.
3. One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual
art or occupation. --Pope.
4. An artful person; a schemer. [Obs.]
Syn: Artisan. See {Artisan}.
Artiste \Ar*tiste"\, n. [F. See {Artist}.]
One peculiarly dexterous and tasteful in almost any
employment, as an opera dancer, a hairdresser, a cook.
Note: This term should not be confounded with the English
word artist.
Artistic \Ar*tis"tic\, Artistical \Ar*tis"tic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
artistique, fr. artiste.]
Of or pertaining to art or to artists; made in the manner of
an artist; conformable to art; characterized by art; showing
taste or skill. -- {Ar*tis"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Artistry \Art"ist*ry\, n.
1. Works of art collectively.
2. Artistic effect or quality. --Southey.
3. Artistic pursuits; artistic ability. --The Academy.
Artless \Art"less\, a.
1. Wanting art, knowledge, or skill; ignorant; unskillful.
Artless of stars and of the moving sand. --Dryden.
2. Contrived without skill or art; inartistic. [R.]
Artless and massy pillars. --T. Warton.
3. Free from guile, art, craft, or stratagem; characterized
by simplicity and sincerity; sincere; guileless;
ingenuous; honest; as, an artless mind; an artless tale.
They were plain, artless men, without the least
appearance of enthusiasm or credulity about them.
--Porteus.
O, how unlike the complex works of man, Heaven's
easy, artless, unencumbered plan! --Cowper.
Syn: Simple; unaffected; sincere; undesigning; guileless;
unsophisticated; open; frank; candid.
Artlessly \Art"less*ly\, adv.
In an artless manner; without art, skill, or guile;
unaffectedly. --Pope.
Artlessness \Art"less*ness\, n.
The quality of being artless, or void of art or guile;
simplicity; sincerity.
Artly \Art"ly\, adv.
With art or skill. [Obs.]
Artocarpeous \Ar`to*car"pe*ous\, Artocarpous \Ar`to*car"pous\,
a. [Gr. ? bread + ? fruit.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the breadfruit, or to the genus
{Artocarpus}.
Artotype \Ar"to*type\, n. [Art + type.]
A kind of autotype.
Artotyrite \Ar`to*ty"rite\, n. [LL. Artotyritae, pl., fr. Gr. ?
bread + ? cheese.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect in the primitive church, who celebrated the
Lord's Supper with bread and cheese, alleging that the first
oblations of men not only of the fruit of the earth, but of
their flocks. [--Gen. iv. 3, 4.]
Artow \Ar"tow\
A contraction of art thou. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Artsman \Arts"man\, n.
A man skilled in an art or in arts. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Art union \Art` un"ion\
An association for promoting art (esp. the arts of design),
and giving encouragement to artists.
Arum \A"rum\, n. [L. arum, aros, Gr. ?.]
A genus of plants found in central Europe and about the
Mediterranean, having flowers on a spadix inclosed in a
spathe. The cuckoopint of the English is an example.
Our common arums -- the lords and ladies of village
children. --Lubbock.
Note: The American ``Jack in the pulpit'' is now separated
from the genus Arum.
Arundelian \Ar`un*del"ian\, a.
Pertaining to an Earl of Arundel; as, Arundel or Arundelian
marbles, marbles from ancient Greece, bought by the Earl of
Arundel in 1624.
Arundiferous \Ar`un*dif"er*ous\, a. [L. arundifer; arundo reed +
ferre to bear.]
Producing reeds or canes.
Arundinaceous \A*run`di*na"ceous\, a. [L. arundinaceus, fr.
arundo reed.]
Of or pertaining to a reed; resembling the reed or cane.
Arundineous \Ar`un*din"e*ous\, a. [L. arundineus, fr. arundo
reed.]
Abounding with reeds; reedy.
Aruspex \A*rus"pex\, n.; pl. {Aruspices}. [L. aruspex or
haruspex.]
One of the class of diviners among the Etruscans and Romans,
who foretold events by the inspection of the entrails of
victims offered on the altars of the gods.
Aruspice \A*rus"pice\, n. [L. aruspex: cf. F. aruspice. Cf.
{Aruspex}, {Haruspice}.]
A soothsayer of ancient Rome. Same as {Aruspex}. [Written
also {haruspice}.]
Aruspicy \A*rus"pi*cy\, n. [L. aruspicium, haruspicium.]
Prognostication by inspection of the entrails of victims
slain sacrifice.
Arval \Ar"val\, n. [W. arwyl funeral; ar over + wylo to weep, or
cf. arf["o]l; Icel. arfr inheritance + Sw. ["o]l ale. Cf.
{Bridal}.]
A funeral feast. [North of Eng.] --Grose.
Arvicole \Ar"vi*cole\, n. [L. arvum field + colere to inhabit.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A mouse of the genus {Arvicola}; the meadow mouse. There are
many species.
Aryan \Ar"yan\ ([aum]r"yan or [a^]r"[i^]*an), n. [Skr. [=a]rya
excellent, honorable; akin to the name of the country Iran,
and perh. to Erin, Ireland, and the early name of this
people, at least in Asia.]
1. One of a primitive people supposed to have lived in
prehistoric times, in Central Asia, east of the Caspian
Sea, and north of the Hindoo Koosh and Paropamisan
Mountains, and to have been the stock from which sprang
the Hindoo, Persian, Greek, Latin, Celtic, Teutonic,
Slavonic, and other races; one of that ethnological
division of mankind called also Indo-European or
Indo-Germanic.
2. The language of the original Aryans. [Written also
{Arian}.]
Aryan \Ar"yan\ ([aum]r"yan or [a^]r"[i^]*an), a.
Of or pertaining to the people called Aryans; Indo-European;
Indo-Germanic; as, the Aryan stock, the Aryan languages.
Aryanize \Ar"yan*ize\, v. t.
To make Aryan (a language, or in language). --K. Johnston.
Arytenoid \A*ryt"e*noid\, a. [Gr. ? shaped like a ladle; ? a
ladle + ? form.] (Anat.)
Ladle-shaped; -- applied to two small cartilages of the
larynx, and also to the glands, muscles, etc., connected with
them. The cartilages are attached to the cricoid cartilage
and connected with the vocal cords.
As \As\ ([a^]z), adv. & conj. [OE. as, als, alse, also, al swa,
AS. eal sw[=a], lit. all so; hence, quite so, quite as: cf.
G. als as, than, also so, then. See {Also}.]
1. Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner;
like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in
accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree
in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall
be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you
sow; do as you are bidden.
His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved
his soul, to emancipate his brethren. --Macaulay.
Note: As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or
correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing
an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as
you please, and so long as you please, or as long as
you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as
amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as
possible. ``Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same
colors as we do.'' --Lubbock. As, in a preceding part
of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively
to it; as with the people, so with the priest.
2. In the idea, character, or condition of, -- limiting the
view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue
considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet.
The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man
merely as a king. --Dewey.
3. While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he
trembled as he spoke.
As I return I will fetch off these justices. --Shak.
4. Because; since; it being the case that.
As the population of Scotland had been generally
trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently
prepared. --Sir W.
Scott.
[See Synonym under {Because}.]
5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in
meaning).
We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the
interest, transient as it may be, which this work
has excited. --Macaulay.
6. That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence,
after the correlatives so and such. [Obs.]
I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall
never find thee. --Rowe.
{So as}, so that. [Obs.]
The relations are so uncertain as they require a
great deal of examination. --Bacon.
7. As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic]
He lies, as he his bliss did know. --Waller.
8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to
introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.
9. Than. [Obs. & R.]
The king was not more forward to bestow favors on
them as they free to deal affronts to others their
superiors. --Fuller.
10. Expressing a wish. [Obs.] ``As have,''
Note: i. e., may he have. --Chaucer.
{As . . as}. See {So . . as}, under {So}.
{As far as}, to the extent or degree. ``As far as can be
ascertained.'' --Macaulay.
{As far forth as}, as far as. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{As for}, or {As to}, in regard to; with respect to.
{As good as}, not less than; not falling short of.
{As good as one's word}, faithful to a promise.
{As if}, or {As though}, of the same kind, or in the same
condition or manner, that it would be if.
{As it were} (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to
apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be
regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner.
{As now}, just now. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{As swythe}, as quickly as possible. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{As well}, also; too; besides. --Addison.
{As well as}, equally with, no less than. ``I have
understanding as well as you.'' --Job xii. 3.
{As yet}, until now; up to or at the present time; still;
now.
As \As\, n. [See {Ace}.]
An ace. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Ambes-as}, double aces.
As \As\, n.; pl. {Asses}. [L. as. See {Ace}.]
1. A Roman weight, answering to the libra or pound, equal to
nearly eleven ounces Troy weight. It was divided into
twelve ounces.
2. A Roman copper coin, originally of a pound weight (12
oz.); but reduced, after the first Punic war, to two
ounces; in the second Punic war, to one ounce; and
afterwards to half an ounce.
Asa \As"a\, n. [NL. asa, of oriental origin; cf. Per. az[=a]
mastic, Ar. as[=a] healing, is[=a] remedy.]
An ancient name of a gum.
Asafetida \As`a*fet"i*da\, Asafoetida \As`a*f[oe]t"i*da\, n.
[Asa + L. foetidus fetid.]
The fetid gum resin or inspissated juice of a large
umbelliferous plant ({Ferula asaf[oe]tida}) of Persia and the
East Indies. It is used in medicine as an antispasmodic.
[Written also {assaf[oe]tida}.]
Asaphus \As"a*phus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? indistinct, uncertain.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of trilobites found in the Lower Silurian formation.
See Illust. in Append.
Asarabacca \As`a*ra*bac"ca\, n. [L. asarum + bacca a berry. See
{Asarone}.] (Bot.)
An acrid herbaceous plant ({Asarum Europ[ae]um}), the leaves
and roots of which are emetic and cathartic. It is
principally used in cephalic snuffs.
Asarone \As"a*rone\, n. [L. asarum hazelwort, wild spikenard,
Gr. 'a`saron] (Chem.)
A crystallized substance, resembling camphor, obtained from
the {Asarum Europ[ae]um}; -- called also {camphor of asarum}.
Asbestic \As*bes"tic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling asbestus; inconsumable;
asbestine.
Asbestiform \As*bes"ti*form\, a. [L. asbestus + -form.]
Having the form or structure of asbestus.
Asbestine \As*bes"tine\, a.
Of or pertaining to asbestus, or partaking of its nature;
incombustible; asbestic.
Asbestous \As*bes"tous\, a.
Asbestic.
Asbestus \As*bes"tus\, Asbestos \As*bes"tos\ (?; 277), n. [L.
asbestos (NL. asbestus) a kind of mineral unaffected by fire,
Gr. ? (prop. an adj.) inextinguishable; 'a priv. + ? to
extinguish.] (Min.)
A variety of amphibole or of pyroxene, occurring in long and
delicate fibers, or in fibrous masses or seams, usually of a
white, gray, or green-gray color. The name is also given to a
similar variety of serpentine.
Note: The finer varieties have been wrought into gloves and
cloth which are incombustible. The cloth was formerly
used as a shroud for dead bodies, and has been
recommended for firemen's clothes. Asbestus in also
employed in the manufacture of iron safes, for
fireproof roofing, and for lampwicks. Some varieties
are called amianthus. --Dana.
Asbolin \As"bo*lin\, n. [Gr. ? soot.] (Chem.)
A peculiar acrid and bitter oil, obtained from wood soot.
Ascarid \As"ca*rid\, n.; pl. {Ascarides}or {Ascarids}. [NL.
ascaris, fr. Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A parasitic nematoid worm, espec. the roundworm, {Ascaris
lumbricoides}, often occurring in the human intestine, and
allied species found in domestic animals; also commonly
applied to the pinworm ({Oxyuris}), often troublesome to
children and aged persons.
Ascend \As*cend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ascended}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Ascending}.] [L. ascendere; ad + scandere to climb,
mount. See {Scan}.]
1. To move upward; to mount; to go up; to rise; -- opposed to
{descend}.
Higher yet that star ascends. --Bowring.
I ascend unto my father and your father. --John xx.
17.
Note: Formerly used with up.
The smoke of it ascended up to heaven. --Addison.
2. To rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an
inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects,
from particulars to generals, from modern to ancient
times, from one note to another more acute, etc.; as, our
inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity; to ascend to
our first progenitor.
Syn: To rise; mount; climb; scale; soar; tower.
Ascend \As*cend"\, v. t.
To go or move upward upon or along; to climb; to mount; to go
up the top of; as, to ascend a hill, a ladder, a tree, a
river, a throne.
Ascendable \As*cend"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being ascended.
Ascendancy \As*cend"an*cy\, Ascendance \As*cend"ance\, n.
Same as {Ascendency}.
Ascendant \As*cend"ant\, n. [F. ascendant, L. ascendens; p. pr.
of ascendere.]
1. Ascent; height; elevation. [R.]
Sciences that were then in their highest ascendant.
--Temple.
2. (Astrol.) The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic
which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's
birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a
person's life and fortune.
Note: Hence the phrases
{To be in the ascendant}, to have commanding power or
influence, and
{Lord of the ascendant}, one who has possession of such power
or influence; as, to rule, for a while, lord of the
ascendant. --Burke.
3. Superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency; as, one
man has the ascendant over another.
Chievres had acquired over the mind of the young
monarch the ascendant not only of a tutor, but of a
parent. --Robertson.
4. An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees
of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a
progenitor; -- opposed to {descendant}. --Ayliffe.
Ascendant \As*cend"ant\, Ascendent \As*cend"ent\, a.
1. Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon.
The constellation . . . about that time ascendant.
--Browne.
2. Rising; ascending. --Ruskin.
3. Superior; surpassing; ruling.
An ascendant spirit over him. --South.
The ascendant community obtained a surplus of
wealth. --J. S. Mill.
Without some power of persuading or confuting, of
defending himself against accusations, . . . no man
could possibly hold an ascendent position. --Grote.
Ascendency \As*cend"en*cy\, n.
Governing or controlling influence; domination; power.
An undisputed ascendency. --Macaulay.
Custom has an ascendency over the understanding.
--Watts.
Syn: Control; authority; influence; sway; dominion;
prevalence; domination.
Ascendible \As*cend"i*ble\, a. [L. ascendibilis.]
Capable of being ascended; climbable.
Ascending \As*cend"ing\, a.
Rising; moving upward; as, an ascending kite. --
{As*cend"ing*ly}, adv.
{Ascending latitude} (Astron.), the increasing latitude of a
planet. --Ferguson.
{Ascending line} (Geneol.), the line of relationship traced
backward or through one's ancestors. One's father and
mother, grandfather and grandmother, etc., are in the line
direct ascending.
{Ascending node} having, that node of the moon or a planet
wherein it passes the ecliptic to proceed northward. It is
also called the {northern node}. --Herschel.
{Ascending series}. (Math.)
(a) A series arranged according to the ascending powers of a
quantity.
(b) A series in which each term is greater than the
preceding.
{Ascending signs}, signs east of the meridian.
Ascension \As*cen"sion\, n. [F. ascension, L. ascensio, fr.
ascendere. See {Ascend}.]
1. The act of ascending; a rising; ascent.
2. Specifically: The visible ascent of our Savior on the
fortieth day after his resurrection. (--Acts i. 9.) Also,
Ascension Day.
3. An ascending or arising, as in distillation; also that
which arises, as from distillation.
Vaporous ascensions from the stomach. --Sir T.
Browne.
{Ascension Day}, the Thursday but one before Whitsuntide, the
day on which commemorated our Savior's ascension into
heaven after his resurrection; -- called also {Holy
Thursday}.
{Right ascension} (Astron.), that degree of the equinoctial,
counted from the beginning of Aries, which rises with a
star, or other celestial body, in a right sphere; or the
arc of the equator intercepted between the first point of
Aries and that point of the equator that comes to the
meridian with the star; -- expressed either in degrees or
in time.
{Oblique ascension} (Astron.), an arc of the equator,
intercepted between the first point of Aries and that
point of the equator which rises together with a star, in
an oblique sphere; or the arc of the equator intercepted
between the first point of Aries and that point of the
equator that comes to the horizon with a star. It is
little used in modern astronomy.
Ascensional \As*cen"sion*al\, a.
Relating to ascension; connected with ascent; ascensive;
tending upward; as, the ascensional power of a balloon.
{Ascensional difference} (Astron.), the difference between
oblique and right ascension; -- used chiefly as expressing
the difference between the time of the rising or setting
of a body and six o'clock, or six hours from its meridian
passage.
Ascensive \As*cen"sive\, a. [See {Ascend}.]
1. Rising; tending to rise, or causing to rise. --Owen.
2. (Gram.) Augmentative; intensive. --Ellicott.
Ascent \As*cent"\ [Formed like descent, as if from a F. ascente,
fr. a verb ascendre, fr. L. ascendere. See {Ascend},
{Descent}.]
1. The act of rising; motion upward; rise; a mounting upward;
as, he made a tedious ascent; the ascent of vapors from
the earth.
To him with swift ascent he up returned. --Milton.
2. The way or means by which one ascends.
3. An eminence, hill, or high place. --Addison.
4. The degree of elevation of an object, or the angle it
makes with a horizontal line; inclination; rising grade;
as, a road has an ascent of five degrees.
Ascertain \As`cer*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ascertained}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Ascertaining}.] [OF. acertener; a (L. ad) +
certain. See {Certain}.]
1. To render (a person) certain; to cause to feel certain; to
make confident; to assure; to apprise. [Obs.]
When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained. --Jer.
Taylor.
Muncer assured them that the design was approved of
by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream
ascertained him of its effects. --Robertson.
2. To make (a thing) certain to the mind; to free from
obscurity, doubt, or change; to make sure of; to fix; to
determine. [Archaic]
The divine law . . . ascertaineth the truth.
--Hooker.
The very deferring [of his execution] shall increase
and ascertain the condemnation. --Jer. Taylor.
The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority . . .
persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
--Smollett.
The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained
the rule and measure of taxation. --Gibbon.
3. To find out or learn for a certainty, by trial,
examination, or experiment; to get to know; as, to
ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a
metal.
He was there only for the purpose of ascertaining
whether a descent on England was practicable.
--Macaulay.
Ascertainable \As`cer*tain"a*ble\, a.
That may be ascertained. -- {As`cer*tain"a*ble*ness}, n. --
{As`cer*tain"a*bly}, adv.
Ascertainer \As`cer*tain"er\, n.
One who ascertains.
Ascertainment \As`cer*tain"ment\, n.
The act of ascertaining; a reducing to certainty; a finding
out by investigation; discovery.
The positive ascertainment of its limits. --Burke.
Ascessancy \As*ces"san*cy\, n. Ascessant \As*ces"sant\, a.
See {Acescency}, {Acescent}. [Obs.]
Ascetic \As*cet"ic\a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to exercise, to practice
gymnastics.]
Extremely rigid in self-denial and devotions; austere;
severe.
The stern ascetic rigor of the Temple discipline. --Sir
W. Scott.
Ascetic \As*cet"ic\, n.
In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary
and contemplative life, characterized by devotion, extreme
self-denial, and self-mortification; a hermit; a recluse;
hence, one who practices extreme rigor and self-denial in
religious things.
I am far from commending those ascetics that take up
their quarters in deserts. --Norris.
{Ascetic theology}, the science which treats of the practice
of the theological and moral virtues, and the counsels of
perfection. --Am. Cyc.
Asceticism \As*cet"i*cism\, n.
The condition, practice, or mode of life, of ascetics.
Ascham \As"cham\, n. [From Roger {Ascham}, who was a great lover
of archery.]
A sort of cupboard, or case, to contain bows and other
implements of archery.
Asci \As"ci\, n. pl.
See {Ascus}.
Ascian \As"cian\, n.
One of the Ascii.
Ascidian \As*cid"i*an\, n. [Gr. ? bladder, pouch.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Ascidioidea, or in a more general sense, one of
the Tunicata. Also as an adj.
Ascidiarium \As*cid`i*a"ri*um\, n. [NL. See {Ascidium}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The structure which unites together the ascidiozooids in a
compound ascidian.
Ascidiform \As*cid"i*form\, a. [Gr. ? a pouch + -form.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Shaped like an ascidian.
Ascidioidea \As*cid`i*oid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. ascidium +
-oid. See {Ascidium}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Tunicata, often shaped like a two-necked bottle.
The group includes, social, and compound species. The gill is
a netlike structure within the oral aperture. The integument
is usually leathery in texture. See Illustration in Appendix.
Ascidiozooid \As*cid`i*o*zo"oid\
([a^]s*s[i^]d`[i^]*[-o]*z[=o]"oid), n. [Ascidium + zooid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the individual members of a compound ascidian. See
{Ascidioidea}.
Ascidium \As*cid"i*um\ ([a^]s*s[i^]d"[i^]*[u^]m), n.; pl.
{Ascidia} (-[.a]). [NL., fr. ascus. See {Ascus}.]
1. (Bot.) A pitcher-shaped, or flask-shaped, organ or
appendage of a plant, as the leaves of the pitcher plant,
or the little bladderlike traps of the bladderwort
(Utricularia).
2. pl. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of simple ascidians, which formerly
included most of the known species. It is sometimes used
as a name for the Ascidioidea, or for all the Tunicata.
Ascigerous \As*cig"er*ous\, a. [Ascus + -gerous.] (Bot.)
Having asci. --Loudon.
Ascii \As"ci*i\, Ascians \As"cians\, n. pl. [L. ascii, pl. of
ascius, Gr. ? without shadow; 'a priv. + ? shadow.]
Persons who, at certain times of the year, have no shadow at
noon; -- applied to the inhabitants of the torrid zone, who
have, twice a year, a vertical sun.
Ascites \As*ci"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? (sc. ? disease), fr. ?
bladder, belly.] (Med.)
A collection of serous fluid in the cavity of the abdomen;
dropsy of the peritoneum. --Dunglison.
Ascitic \As*cit"ic\, Ascitical \As*cit"ic*al\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or affected by, ascites; dropsical.
Ascititious \As`ci*ti"tious\, a. [See {Adscititious}.]
Supplemental; not inherent or original; adscititious;
additional; assumed.
Homer has been reckoned an ascititious name. --Pope.
Asclepiad \As*cle"pi*ad\, n. (Gr. & L. Pros.)
A choriambic verse, first used by the Greek poet Asclepias,
consisting of four feet, viz., a spondee, two choriambi, and
an iambus.
Asclepiadaceous \As*cle`pi*a*da"ceous\, a. [See {Asclepias}.]
(Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, plants of the Milkweed
family.
Asclepias \As*cle"pi*as\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, named from
Asclepios or Aesculapius.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants including the milkweed, swallowwort, and
some other species having medicinal properties.
{Asclepias butterfly} (Zo["o]l.), a large, handsome, red and
black butterfly ({Danais Archippus}), found in both
hemispheres. It feeds on plants of the genus Asclepias.
Ascococcus \As`co*coc"cus\, n.; pl. {Ascococci}. [NL., fr. Gr.
'asko`s bladder, bag + ? kernel.] (Biol.)
A form of micrococcus, found in putrid meat infusions,
occurring in peculiar masses, each of which is inclosed in a
hyaline capsule and contains a large number of spherical
micrococci.
Ascospore \As"co*spore\, n. [Ascus + spore.] (Bot.)
One of the spores contained in the asci of lichens and fungi.
[See Illust. of {Ascus}.]
Ascribable \As*crib"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being ascribed; attributable.
Ascribe \As*cribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ascribed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Ascribing}.] [L. ascribere, adscribere, to ascribe;
ad + scribere to write: cf. OF. ascrire. See {Scribe}.]
1. To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause; as, his
death was ascribed to a poison; to ascribe an effect to
the right cause; to ascribe such a book to such an author.
The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the
whole poem. --Addison.
2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to
consider or allege to belong.
Syn: To {Ascribe}, {Attribute}, {Impute}.
Usage: Attribute denotes, 1. To refer some quality or
attribute to a being; as, to attribute power to God.
2. To refer something to its cause or source; as, to
attribute a backward spring to icebergs off the coast.
Ascribe is used equally in both these senses, but
involves a different image. To impute usually denotes
to ascribe something doubtful or wrong, and hence, in
general literature, has commonly a bad sense; as, to
impute unworthy motives. The theological sense of
impute is not here taken into view.
More than good-will to me attribute naught.
--Spenser.
Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit.
--Pope.
And fairly quit him of the imputed blame.
--Spenser.
Ascript \As"cript\, a.
See {Adscript}. [Obs.]
Ascription \As*crip"tion\, n. [L. ascriptio, fr. ascribere. See
{Ascribe}.]
The act of ascribing, imputing, or affirming to belong; also,
that which is ascribed.
Ascriptitious \As`crip*ti"tious\, a. [L. ascriptitius, fr.
ascribere.]
1. Ascribed.
2. Added; additional. [Obs.]
An ascriptitious and supernumerary God. --Farindon.
Ascus \As"cus\, n.; pl. Asci. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bladder.] (Bot.)
A small membranous bladder or tube in which are inclosed the
seedlike reproductive particles or sporules of lichens and
certain fungi.
A-sea \A-sea\, adv. [Pref. a- + sea.]
On the sea; at sea; toward the sea.
Aseptic \A*sep"tic\, a. [Pref. a- not + septic.]
Not liable to putrefaction; nonputrescent. -- n. An aseptic
substance.
Asexual \A*sex"u*al\ (?; 135), a. [Pref. a- not + sexual.]
(Biol.)
Having no distinct sex; without sexual action; as, asexual
reproduction. See {Fission} and {Gemmation}.
Asexually \A*sex"u*al*ly\, adv.
In an asexual manner; without sexual agency.
Ash \Ash\ ([a^]sh), n. [OE. asch, esh, AS. [ae]sc; akin to OHG.
asc, Sw. & Dan. ask, Icel. askr, D. esch, G. esche.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of trees of the Olive family, having
opposite pinnate leaves, many of the species furnishing
valuable timber, as the European ash ({Fraxinus
excelsior}) and the white ash ({F. Americana}).
{Prickly ash} ({Zanthoxylum Americanum}) and {Poison ash}
({Rhus venenata}) are shrubs of different families,
somewhat resembling the true ashes in their foliage.
{Mountain ash}. See {Roman tree}, and under {Mountain}.
2. The tough, elastic wood of the ash tree.
Note: Ash is used adjectively, or as the first part of a
compound term; as, ash bud, ash wood, ash tree, etc.
Ash \Ash\, n.,
sing. of {Ashes}.
Note: Ash is rarely used in the singular except in connection
with chemical or geological products; as, soda ash,
coal which yields a red ash, etc., or as a qualifying
or combining word; as, ash bin, ash heap, ash hole, ash
pan, ash pit, ash-grey, ash-colored, pearlash, potash.
{Bone ash}, burnt powered; bone earth.
{Volcanic ash}. See under {Ashes}.
Ash \Ash\, v. t.
To strew or sprinkle with ashes. --Howell.
Ashame \A*shame\, v. t. [Pref. a- + shame: cf. AS. [=a]scamian
to shame (where [=a]- is the same as Goth. us-, G. er-, and
orig. meant out), gescamian, gesceamian, to shame.]
To shame. [R.] --Barrow.
Ashamed \A*shamed"\, a. [Orig. a p. p. of ashame, v. t.]
Affected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt, or a
conviction or consciousness of some wrong action or
impropriety. ``I am ashamed to beg.'' --Wyclif.
All that forsake thee shall be ashamed. --Jer. xvii.
13.
I began to be ashamed of sitting idle. --Johnson.
Enough to make us ashamed of our species. --Macaulay.
An ashamed person can hardly endure to meet the gaze of
those present. --Darwin.
Note: Ashamed seldom precedes the noun or pronoun it
qualifies. By a Hebraism, it is sometimes used in the
Bible to mean disappointed, or defeated.
Ashamedly \A*sham"ed*ly\, adv.
Bashfully. [R.]
Ashantee \Ash`an*tee"\, n.; pl. {Ashantees}.
A native or an inhabitant of Ashantee in Western Africa.
Ashantee \Ash`an*tee"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Ashantee.
Ash-colored \Ash"-col`ored\, a.
Of the color of ashes; a whitish gray or brownish gray.
Ashen \Ash"en\, a. [See {Ash}, the tree.]
Of or pertaining to the ash tree. ``Ashen poles.'' --Dryden.
Ashen \Ash"en\, a.
Consisting of, or resembling, ashes; of a color between brown
and gray, or white and gray.
The ashen hue of age. --Sir W.
Scott.
Ashen \Ash"en\, n.,
obs. pl. for {Ashes}. --Chaucer.
Ashery \Ash"er*y\, n.
1. A depository for ashes.
2. A place where potash is made.
Ashes \Ash"es\, n. pl. [OE. asche, aske, AS. asce, [ae]sce, axe;
akin to OHG. asca, G. asche, D. asch, Icel. & Sw. aska, Dan.
aske, Goth. azgo.]
1. The earthy or mineral particles of combustible substances
remaining after combustion, as of wood or coal.
2. Specifically: The remains of the human body when burnt, or
when ``returned to dust'' by natural decay.
Their martyred blood and ashes sow. --Milton.
The coffins were broken open. The ashes were
scattered to the winds. --Macaulay.
3. The color of ashes; deathlike paleness.
The lip of ashes, and the cheek of flame. --Byron.
{In dust and ashes}, {In sackcloth and ashes}, with humble
expression of grief or repentance; -- from the method of
mourning in Eastern lands.
{Volcanic ashes}, or {Volcanic ash}, the loose, earthy
matter, or small fragments of stone or lava, ejected by
volcanoes.
Ash-fire \Ash"-fire\, n.
A low fire used in chemical operations.
Ash-furnace \Ash"-fur`nace\, Ash-oven \Ash"-ov`en\, n.
A furnace or oven for fritting materials for glass making.
Ashine \A*shine"\, a.
Shining; radiant.
Ashlar \Ash"lar\, Ashler \Ash"ler\, n. [OE. ascheler, achiler,
OF. aiseler, fr. aiselle, dim. of ais plank, fr. L. axis,
assis, plank, axle. See {Axle}.]
1. (Masonry)
(a) Hewn or squared stone; also, masonry made of squared
or hewn stone.
Rough ashlar, a block of freestone as brought
from the quarry. When hammer-dressed it is known
as common ashlar. --Knight.
(b) In the United States especially, a thin facing of
squared and dressed stone upon a wall of rubble or
brick. --Knight.
Ashlaring \Ash"lar*ing\, Ashlering \Ash"ler*ing\, n.
1. The act of bedding ashlar in mortar.
2. Ashlar when in thin slabs and made to serve merely as a
case to the body of the wall. --Brande & C.
3. (Carp.) The short upright pieces between the floor beams
and rafters in garrets. See {Ashlar}, 2.
Ashore \A*shore"\, adv. [Pref. a- + shore.]
On shore or on land; on the land adjacent to water; to the
shore; to the land; aground (when applied to a ship); --
sometimes opposed to {aboard} or {afloat}.
Here shall I die ashore. --Shak.
I must fetch his necessaries ashore. --Shak.
Ashtoreth \Ash"to*reth\, n.; pl. {Ashtaroth}.
The principal female divinity of the Ph[oe]nicians, as Baal
was the principal male divinity. --W. Smith.
Ash Wednesday \Ash` Wednes"day\ ([a^]sh` w[e^]nz"d[asl]).
The first day of Lent; -- so called from a custom in the
Roman Catholic church of putting ashes, on that day, upon the
foreheads of penitents.
Ashweed \Ash"weed`\, n. (Bot.) [A corruption of ache-weed; F.
ache. So named from the likeness of its leaves to those of
ache (celery).]
Goutweed.
Ashy \Ash"y\, a.
1. Pertaining to, or composed of, ashes; filled, or strewed
with, ashes.
2. Ash-colored; whitish gray; deadly pale. --Shak.
{Ashy pale}, pale as ashes. --Shak.
Asian \A"sian\, a. [L. Asianus, Gr. ?, fr. ?, L. Asia.]
Of or pertaining to Asia; Asiatic. ``Asian princes.'' --Jer.
Taylor. -- n. An Asiatic.
Asiarch \A"si*arch\, n. [L. Asiarcha, Gr. ?; ? + ? ruler.]
One of the chiefs or pontiffs of the Roman province of Asia,
who had the superintendence of the public games and religious
rites. --Milner.
Asiatic \A`si*at"ic\, a. [L. Asiaticus, Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to Asia or to its inhabitants. -- n. A
native, or one of the people, of Asia.
Asiaticism \A`si*at"i*cism\, n.
Something peculiar to Asia or the Asiatics.
Aside \A*side"\, adv. [Pref. a- + side.]
1. On, or to, one side; out of a straight line, course, or
direction; at a little distance from the rest; out of the
way; apart.
Thou shalt set aside that which is full. --2 Kings
iv. 4.
But soft! but soft! aside: here comes the king.
--Shak.
The flames were blown aside. --Dryden.
2. Out of one's thoughts; off; away; as, to put aside gloomy
thoughts. ``Lay aside every weight.'' --Heb. xii. 1.
3. So as to be heard by others; privately.
Then lords and ladies spake aside. --Sir W.
Scott.
{To set aside} (Law), to annul or defeat the effect or
operation of, by a subsequent decision of the same or of a
superior tribunal; to declare of no authority; as, to set
aside a verdict or a judgment.
Aside \A*side"\, n.
Something spoken aside; as, a remark made by a stageplayer
which the other players are not supposed to hear.
Asilus \A*si"lus\, n. [L., a gadfly.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large and voracious two-winged flies, including
the bee killer and robber fly.
Asinego \As`i*ne"go\, Assinego \As`si*ne"go\, n. [Sp. asnico,
dim. of asno an ass.]
A stupid fellow. [Obs.] --Shak.
Asinine \As"i*nine\, a. [L. asininus, fr. asinus ass. See
{Ass}.]
Of or belonging to, or having the qualities of, the ass, as
stupidity and obstinacy. ``Asinine nature.'' --B. Jonson.
``Asinine feast.'' --Milton.
Asininity \As`i*nin"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being asinine; stupidity combined with
obstinacy.
Asiphonate \A*si"phon*ate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Destitute of a siphon or breathing tube; -- said of many
bivalve shells. -- n. An asiphonate mollusk.
Asiphonea \As`i*pho"ne*a\, Asiphonata \A*si`pho*na"ta\,
Asiphonida \As`i*phon"i*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ? a
tube.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of bivalve mollusks destitute of siphons, as the
oyster; the asiphonate mollusks.
Asitia \A*si"ti*a\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? food.] (Med.)
Want of appetite; loathing of food.
Ask \Ask\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Asked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Asking}.] [OE. asken, ashen, axien, AS. [=a]scian,
[=a]csian; akin to OS. [=e]sc[=o]n, OHG. eisc[=o]n, Sw.
[=a]ska, Dan. [ae]ske, D. eischen, G. heischen, Lith.
j["e]sk['o]ti, OSlav. iskati to seek, Skr. ish to desire.
[root]5.]
1. To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to
solicit; -- often with of, in the sense of from, before
the person addressed.
Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God. --Judg. xviii.
5.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye
shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto
you. --John xv. 7.
2. To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of
remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity; as,
what price do you ask?
Ask me never so much dowry. --Gen. xxxiv.
12.
To whom men have committed much, of him they will
ask the more. --Luke xii.
48.
An exigence of state asks a much longer time to
conduct a design to maturity. --Addison.
3. To interrogate or inquire of or concerning; to put a
question to or about; to question.
He is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
--John ix. 21.
He asked the way to Chester. --Shak.
4. To invite; as, to ask one to an entertainment.
5. To publish in church for marriage; -- said of both the
banns and the persons. --Fuller.
Syn: To beg; request; seek; petition; solicit; entreat;
beseech; implore; crave; require; demand; claim;
exhibit; inquire; interrogate. See {Beg}.
Ask \Ask\, v. i.
1. To request or petition; -- usually followed by for; as, to
ask for bread.
Ask, and it shall be given you. --Matt. vii.
7.
2. To make inquiry, or seek by request; -- sometimes followed
by after.
Wherefore . . . dost ask after my name? --Gen.
xxxii. 29.
Ask \Ask\, n. [See 2d {Asker}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A water newt. [Scot. & North of Eng.]
Askance \A*skance"\, Askant \A*skant"\, adv. [Cf. D. schuin,
schuins, sideways, schuiven to shove, schuinte slope. Cf.
{Asquint}.]
Sideways; obliquely; with a side glance; with disdain, envy,
or suspicion.
They dart away; they wheel askance. --Beattie.
My palfrey eyed them askance. --Landor.
Both . . . were viewed askance by authority.
--Gladstone.
Askance \A*skance"\, v. t.
To turn aside. [Poet.]
O, how are they wrapped in with infamies That from
their own misdeeds askance their eyes! --Shak.
Asker \Ask"er\, n.
One who asks; a petitioner; an inquirer. --Shak.
Asker \Ask"er\, n. [A corruption of AS. a?exe lizard, newt.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An ask; a water newt. [Local Eng.]
Askew \A*skew"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + skew.]
Awry; askance; asquint; oblique or obliquely; -- sometimes
indicating scorn, or contempt, or entry. --Spenser.
Asking \Ask"ing\, n.
1. The act of inquiring or requesting; a petition;
solicitation. --Longfellow.
2. The publishing of banns.
Aslake \A*slake"\ ([.a]*sl[=a]k"), v. t. & i. [AS. [=a]slacian,
slacian, to slacken. Cf. {Slake}.]
To mitigate; to moderate; to appease; to abate; to diminish.
[Archaic] --Chaucer.
Aslant \A*slant"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + slant.]
Toward one side; in a slanting direction; obliquely.
[The shaft] drove through his neck aslant. --Dryden.
Aslant \A*slant"\, prep.
In a slanting direction over; athwart.
There is a willow grows aslant a brook. --Shak.
Asleep \A*sleep"\, a. & adv. [Pref. a- + sleep.]
1. In a state of sleep; in sleep; dormant.
Fast asleep the giant lay supine. --Dryden.
By whispering winds soon lulled asleep. --Milton.
2. In the sleep of the grave; dead.
Concerning them which are asleep . . . sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope. --1 Thess. iv.
13.
3. Numbed, and, usually, tingling. --Udall.
Leaning long upon any part maketh it numb, and, as
we call it, asleep. --Bacon.
Aslope \A*slope"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + slope.]
Slopingly; aslant; declining from an upright direction;
sloping. ``Set them not upright, but aslope.'' --Bacon.
Aslug \A*slug"\, adv. [Pref. a- + slug to move slowly.]
Sluggishly. [Obs.] --Fotherby.
Asmear \A*smear"\, a. [Pref. a- + smear.]
Smeared over. --Dickens.
Asmonean \As`mo*ne"an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the patriotic Jewish family to which the
Maccabees belonged; Maccabean; as, the Asmonean dynasty.
[Written also {Asmon[ae]an}.]
Asmonean \As`mo*ne"an\, n.
One of the Asmonean family. The Asmoneans were leaders and
rulers of the Jews from 168 to 35 b. c.
Asoak \A*soak"\, a. [Pref. a- + soak.]
Soaking.
Asomatous \A*so"ma*tous\, a. [L. asomatus, Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ?
body.]
Without a material body; incorporeal. --Todd.
Asonant \As"o*nant\, a. [Pref. a- not + sonant.]
Not sounding or sounded. [R.] --C. C. Felton.
Asp \Asp\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Aspen}. ``Trembling poplar or asp.'' --Martyn.
Asp \Asp\ ([.a]sp), n. [L. aspis, fr. Gr. 'aspi`s: cf. OF. aspe,
F. aspic.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, hooded, poisonous serpent of Egypt and adjacent
countries, whose bite is often fatal. It is the {Naja haje}.
The name is also applied to other poisonous serpents, esp. to
{Vipera aspis} of southern Europe. See {Haje}.
Aspalathus \As*pal"a*thus\, n. [L. aspalathus, Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
(a) A thorny shrub yielding a fragrant oil. --Ecclus. xxiv.
15.
(b) A genus of plants of the natural order {Leguminos[ae]}.
The species are chiefly natives of the Cape of Good Hope.
Asparagine \As*par"a*gine\, n. [Cf. F. asparagine.] (Chem.)
A white, nitrogenous, crystallizable substance,
{C4H8N2O3+H2O}, found in many plants, and first obtained from
asparagus. It is believed to aid in the disposition of
nitrogenous matter throughout the plant; -- called also
{altheine}.
Asparaginous \As`pa*rag"i*nous\, a.
Pertaining or allied to, or resembling, asparagus; having
shoots which are eaten like asparagus; as, asparaginous
vegetables.
Asparagus \As*par"a*gus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, ?; cf. ? to swell
with sap or juice, and Zend ?paregha prong, sprout, Pers.
asparag, Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh.
the Greek borrowed from the Persian. Cf. {Sparrowgrass}.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial plants belonging to the
natural order {Liliace[ae]}, and having erect much
branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are
sometimes mistaken for leaves. {Asparagus racemosus} is a
shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers.
Specifically: The {Asparagus officinalis}, a species
cultivated in gardens.
2. The young and tender shoots of {A. officinalis}, which
form a valuable and well-known article of food.
Note: This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but
this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to
uneducated people.
{Asparagus beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a small beetle ({Crioceris
asparagi}) injurious to asparagus.
Aspartic \As*par"tic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived, asparagine; as, aspartic acid.
Aspect \As"pect\, n. [L. aspectus, fr. aspicere, aspectum, to
look at; ad + spicere, specere, to look, akin to E. spy.]
1. The act of looking; vision; gaze; glance. [R.] ``The
basilisk killeth by aspect.'' --Bacon.
His aspect was bent on the ground. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Look, or particular appearance of the face; countenance;
mien; air. ``Serious in aspect.'' --Dryden.
[Craggs] with aspect open shall erect his head.
--Pope.
3. Appearance to the eye or the mind; look; view. ``The
aspect of affairs.'' --Macaulay.
The true aspect of a world lying in its rubbish.
--T. Burnet.
4. Position or situation with regard to seeing; that position
which enables one to look in a particular direction;
position in relation to the points of the compass; as, a
house has a southern aspect, that is, a position which
faces the south.
5. Prospect; outlook. [Obs.]
This town affords a good aspect toward the hill from
whence we descended. --Evelyn.
6. (Astrol.) The situation of planets or stars with respect
to one another, or the angle formed by the rays of light
proceeding from them and meeting at the eye; the joint
look of planets or stars upon each other or upon the
earth. --Milton.
Note: The aspects which two planets can assume are five;
sextile, ?, when the planets are 60[deg] apart;
quartile, or quadrate, ?, when their distance is
90[deg] or the quarter of a circle; trine, ?, when the
distance is 120[deg]; opposition, ?, when the distance
is 180[deg], or half a circle; and conjunction, ?, when
they are in the same degree. Astrology taught that the
aspects of the planets exerted an influence on human
affairs, in some situations for good and in others for
evil.
7. (Astrol.) The influence of the stars for good or evil; as,
an ill aspect. --Shak.
The astrologers call the evil influences of the
stars evil aspects. --Bacon.
{Aspect of a plane} (Geom.), the direction of the plane.
Aspect \As*pect"\, v. t. [L. aspectare, v. intens. of aspicere.
See {Aspect}, n.]
To behold; to look at. [Obs.]
Aspectable \As*pect"a*ble\, a. [L. aspectabilis.]
Capable of being; visible. ``The aspectable world.'' --Ray.
``Aspectable stars.'' --Mrs. Browning.
Aspectant \As*pect"ant\, a. (Her.)
Facing each other.
Aspected \As*pect"ed\, a.
Having an aspect. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Aspection \As*pec"tion\, n. [L. aspectio, fr. aspicere to look
at.]
The act of viewing; a look. [Obs.]
Aspen \Asp"en\ ([a^]s"p[e^]n), Asp \Asp\ ([.a]sp), n. [AS.
[ae]sp, [ae]ps; akin to OHG. aspa, Icel. ["o]sp, Dan. [ae]sp,
Sw. asp, D. esp, G. espe, ["a]spe, aspe; cf. Lettish apsa,
Lith. apuszis.] (Bot.)
One of several species of poplar bearing this name,
especially the {Populus tremula}, so called from the
trembling of its leaves, which move with the slightest
impulse of the air.
Aspen \Asp"en\ ([a^]s"p[e^]n), a.
Of or pertaining to the aspen, or resembling it; made of
aspen wood.
Nor aspen leaves confess the gentlest breeze. --Gay.
Asper \As"per\ ([a^]s"p[~e]r), a. [OE. aspre, OF. aspre, F.
[^a]pre, fr. L. asper rough.]
Rough; rugged; harsh; bitter; stern; fierce. [Archaic] ``An
asper sound.'' --Bacon.
Asper \As"per\ ([a^]s"p[~e]r), n. [L. spiritus asper rough
breathing.] (Greek Gram.)
The rough breathing; a mark ([asper]) placed over an initial
vowel sound or over [rho] to show that it is aspirated, that
is, pronounced with h before it; thus "ws, pronounced h[=o]s,
"rh`twr, pronounced hr[=a]"t[=o]r.
Asper \As"per\, n. [F. aspre or It. aspro, fr. MGr. 'a`spron,
'a`spros, white (prob. from the whiteness of new silver
coins).]
A Turkish money of account (formerly a coin), of little
value; the 120th part of a piaster.
Asperate \As"per*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Asperated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Asperating}.] [L. asperatus, p. p. of asperare, fr.
asper rough.]
To make rough or uneven.
The asperated part of its surface. --Boyle.
Asperation \As`per*a"tion\, n.
The act of asperating; a making or becoming rough. --Bailey.
Asperges \As*per"ges\, n. [L., Thou shalt sprinkle.] (R. C. Ch.)
(a) The service or ceremony of sprinkling with holy water.
(b) The brush or instrument used in sprinkling holy water; an
aspergill.
Aspergill \As"per*gill\, Aspergillum \As`per*gil"lum\, n. [LL.
aspergillum, fr. L. aspergere. See {Asperse}, v. t.]
1. The brush used in the Roman Catholic church for sprinkling
holy water on the people. [Also written aspergillus.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) See {Wateringpot shell}.
Aspergilliform \As`per*gil"li*form\, a. [Aspergillum + -form.]
(Bot.)
Resembling the aspergillum in form; as, an aspergilliform
stigma. --Gray.
Asperifoliate \As`per*i*fo"li*ate\, Asperifolious
\As`per*i*fo"li*ous\, a. [L. asper rough + folium leaf.] (Bot.)
Having rough leaves.
Note: By some applied to the natural order now called
Boraginace[ae] or borageworts.
Asperity \As*per"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Asperities}. [L. asperitas, fr.
asper rough: cf. F. asp['e]rit['e].]
1. Roughness of surface; unevenness; -- opposed to
{smoothness}. ``The asperities of dry bodies.'' --Boyle.
2. Roughness or harshness of sound; that quality which grates
upon the ear; raucity.
3. Roughness to the taste; sourness; tartness.
4. Moral roughness; roughness of manner; severity;
crabbedness; harshness; -- opposed to {mildness}.
``Asperity of character.'' --Landor.
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess
obligations where no benefit has been received.
--Johnson.
5. Sharpness; disagreeableness; difficulty.
The acclivities and asperities of duty. --Barrow.
Syn: Acrimony; moroseness; crabbedness; harshness; sourness;
tartness. See {Acrimony}.
Aspermatous \A*sper"ma*tous\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ?, ?, seed.]
(Bot.)
Aspermous.
Aspermous \A*sper"mous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? seed.] (Bot.)
Destitute of seeds; aspermatous.
Asperne \A*sperne"\, v. t. [L. aspernari; a (ab) + spernari.]
To spurn; to despise. [Obs.] --Sir T. More.
Asperous \As"per*ous\, a. [See {Asper}, a.]
Rough; uneven. --Boyle.
Asperse \As*perse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aspersed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Aspersing}.] [L. aspersus, p. p. of aspergere to
scatter, sprinkle; ad + spargere to strew. See {Sparse}.]
1. To sprinkle, as water or dust, upon anybody or anything,
or to besprinkle any one with a liquid or with dust.
--Heywood.
2. To bespatter with foul reports or false and injurious
charges; to tarnish in point of reputation or good name;
to slander or calumniate; as, to asperse a poet or his
writings; to asperse a man's character.
With blackest crimes aspersed. --Cowper.
Syn: To slander; defame; detract from; calumniate; vilify.
Usage: To {Asperse}, {Defame}, {Slander}, {Calumniate}. These
words have in common the idea of falsely assailing the
character of another. To asperse is figuratively to
cast upon a character hitherto unsullied the
imputation of blemishes or faults which render it
offensive or loathsome. To defame is to detract from a
man's honor and reputation by charges calculated to
load him with infamy. Slander (etymologically the same
as scandal) and calumniate, from the Latin, have in
common the sense of circulating reports to a man's
injury from unworthy or malicious motives. Men asperse
their neighbors by malignant insinuations; they defame
by advancing charges to blacken or sully their fair
fame; they slander or calumniate by spreading
injurious reports which are false, or by magnifying
slight faults into serious errors or crimes.
Aspersed \As*persed"\, a.
1. (Her.) Having an indefinite number of small charges
scattered or strewed over the surface. --Cussans.
2. Bespattered; slandered; calumniated. --Motley.
Asperser \As*pers"er\, n.
One who asperses; especially, one who vilifies another.
Aspersion \As*per"sion\, n. [L. aspersio, fr. aspergere: cf. F.
aspersion.]
1. A sprinkling, as with water or dust, in a literal sense.
Behold an immersion, not and aspersion. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. The spreading of calumniations reports or charges which
tarnish reputation, like the bespattering of a body with
foul water; calumny.
Every candid critic would be ashamed to cast
wholesale aspersions on the entire body of
professional teachers. --Grote.
Who would by base aspersions blot thy virtue.
--Dryden.
Aspersive \As*pers"ive\, a.
Tending to asperse; defamatory; slanderous. --
{As*pers"ive*ly}, adv.
Aspersoir \As`per`soir"\, n. [F.]
An aspergill.
Aspersorium \As`per*so"ri*um\, n.; pl. {Aspersoria}. [LL. See
{Asperse}.]
1. The stoup, basin, or other vessel for holy water in Roman
Catholic churches.
2. A brush for sprinkling holy water; an aspergill.
Asphalt \As"phalt\, Asphaltum \As*phal"tum\, n. [Gr. ?, of
eastern origin: cf. F. asphalte.]
1. Mineral pitch, Jews' pitch, or compact native bitumen. It
is brittle, of a black or brown color and high luster on a
surface of fracture; it melts and burns when heated,
leaving no residue. It occurs on the surface and shores of
the Dead Sea, which is therefore called Asphaltites, or
the Asphaltic Lake. It is found also in many parts of
Asia, Europe, and America. See {Bitumen}.
2. A composition of bitumen, pitch, lime, and gravel, used
for forming pavements, and as a water-proof cement for
bridges, roofs, etc.; asphaltic cement. Artificial asphalt
is prepared from coal tar, lime, sand, etc.
{Asphalt stone}, {Asphalt rock}, a limestone found
impregnated with asphalt.
Asphalt \As"phalt\, v. t.
To cover with asphalt; as, to asphalt a roof; asphalted
streets.
Asphalte \As`phalte"\, n. [F. See {Asphalt}.]
Asphaltic mastic or cement. See {Asphalt}, 2.
Asphaltic \As*phal"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing, asphalt;
bituminous. ``Asphaltic pool.'' ``Asphaltic slime.''
--Milton.
Asphaltite \As*phal"tite\, a.
Asphaltic.
Asphaltite \As*phal"tite\, a.
Asphaltic. --Bryant.
Asphaltus \As*phal"tus\, n.
See {Asphalt}.
Asphodel \As"pho*del\, n. [L. asphodelus, Gr. ?. See
{Daffodil}.] (Bot.)
A general name for a plant of the genus {Asphodelus}. The
asphodels are hardy perennial plants, several species of
which are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers.
Note: The name is also popularly given to species of other
genera. The asphodel of the early English and French
poets was the daffodil. The asphodel of the Greek poets
is supposed to be the {Narcissus poeticus}. --Dr.
Prior.
Pansies, and violets, and asphodel. --Milton.
Asphyctic \As*phyc"tic\, a.
Pertaining to asphyxia.
Asphyxia \As*phyx"i*a\, Asphyxy \As*phyx"y\, n. [NL. asphyxia,
fr. Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to throb, beat.] (Med.)
Apparent death, or suspended animation; the condition which
results from interruption of respiration, as in suffocation
or drowning, or the inhalation of irrespirable gases.
Asphyxial \As*phyx"i*al\, a.
Of or relating to asphyxia; as, asphyxial phenomena.
Asphyxiate \As*phyx"i*ate\, v. t.
To bring to a state of asphyxia; to suffocate.
Note: [Used commonly in the past pple.]
Asphyxiated \As*phyx"i*a`ted\, Asphyxied \As*phyx"ied\, p. p.
In a state of asphyxia; suffocated.
Asphyxiation \As*phyx`i*a"tion\, n.
The act of causing asphyxia; a state of asphyxia.
Aspic \As"pic\, n. [F. See {Asp}.]
1. The venomous asp. [Chiefly poetic] --Shak. Tennyson.
2. A piece of ordnance carrying a 12 pound shot. [Obs.]
Aspic \As"pic\, n. [F., a corrupt. of spic (OF. espi, F.
['e]pi), L. spica (spicum, spicus), ear, spike. See {Spike}.]
A European species of lavender ({Lavandula spica}), which
produces a volatile oil. See {Spike}.
Aspic \As"pic\, n. [F., prob. fr. aspic an asp.]
A savory meat jelly containing portions of fowl, game, fish,
hard boiled eggs, etc. --Thackeray.
Aspidobranchia \As`pi*do*bran"chi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?,
shield + ? gills.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Gastropoda, with limpetlike shells, including the
abalone shells and keyhole limpets.
Aspirant \As*pir"ant\ (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. aspirant, p. pr. of
aspirer. See {Aspire}.]
Aspiring.
Aspirant \As*pir"ant\, n. [Cf. F. aspirant.]
One who aspires; one who eagerly seeks some high position or
object of attainment.
In consequence of the resignations . . . the way to
greatness was left clear to a new set of aspirants.
--Macaulay.
Aspirate \As"pi*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Aspirated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Aspirating}.] [L. aspiratus, p. p. of aspirare to
breathe toward or upon, to add the breathing h; ad + spirare
to breathe, blow. Cf. {Aspire}.]
To pronounce with a breathing, an aspirate, or an h sound;
as, we aspirate the words horse and house; to aspirate a
vowel or a liquid consonant.
Aspirate \As"pi*rate\, n.
1. A sound consisting of, or characterized by, a breath like
the sound of h; the breathing h or a character
representing such a sound; an aspirated sound.
2. A mark of aspiration ([asper]) used in Greek; the asper,
or rough breathing. --Bentley.
3. An elementary sound produced by the breath alone; a surd,
or nonvocal consonant; as, f, th in thin, etc.
Aspirate \As"pi*rate\ ([a^]s"p[i^]*r[asl]t), Aspirated
\As"pi*ra"ted\ (-r[=a]"t[e^]d), a. [L. aspiratus, p. p.]
Pronounced with the h sound or with audible breath.
But yet they are not aspirate, i. e., with such an
aspiration as h. --Holder.
Aspiration \As`pi*ra"tion\, n. [L. aspiratio, fr. aspirare: cf.
F. aspiration.]
1. The act of aspirating; the pronunciation of a letter with
a full or strong emission of breath; an aspirated sound.
If aspiration be defined to be an impetus of
breathing. --Wilkins.
2. The act of breathing; a breath; an inspiration.
3. The act of aspiring of a ardently desiring; strong wish;
high desire. ``Aspirations after virtue.'' --Johnson.
Vague aspiration after military renown. --Prescott.
Aspirator \As"pi*ra`tor\, n.
1. (Chem.) An apparatus for passing air or gases through or
over certain liquids or solids, or for exhausting a closed
vessel, by means of suction.
2. (Med.) An instrument for the evacuation of the fluid
contents of tumors or collections of blood.
Aspiratory \As*pir"a*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to breathing; suited to the inhaling of air
Aspire \As*pire"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Aspired}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Aspiring}.] [F. aspirer, L. aspirare. See {Aspirate}, v.
t.]
1. To desire with eagerness; to seek to attain something high
or great; to pant; to long; -- followed by to or after,
and rarely by at; as, to aspire to a crown; to aspire
after immorality.
Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell; Aspiring to be
angels, men rebel. --Pope.
2. To rise; to ascend; to tower; to soar.
My own breath still foments the fire, Which flames
as high as fancy can aspire. --Waller.
Aspire \As*pire"\, v. t.
To aspire to; to long for; to try to reach; to mount to.
[Obs.]
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds. --Shak.
Aspire \As*pire"\, n.
Aspiration. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Aspirement \As*pire"ment\, n.
Aspiration. [Obs.]
Aspirer \As*pir"er\, n.
One who aspires.
Aspiring \As*pir"ing\, a.
That aspires; as, an Aspiring mind. -- {As*pir"ing*ly}, adv.
-- {As*pir"ing*ness}, n.
Aspish \Asp"ish\, a.
Pertaining to, or like, an asp.
Asportation \As`por*ta"tion\, n. [L. asportatio, fr. asportare
to carry away; abs = ab + portare to bear, carry.] (Law)
The felonious removal of goods from the place where they were
deposited.
Note: It is adjudged to be larceny, though the goods are not
carried from the house or apartment. --Blackstone.
Asprawl \A*sprawl"\, adv. & a.
Sprawling.
Asquat \A*squat"\, adv. & a.
Squatting.
Asquint \A*squint"\, adv. [Cf. {Askant}, {Squint}.]
With the eye directed to one side; not in the straight line
of vision; obliquely; awry, so as to see distortedly; as, to
look asquint.
Ass \Ass\, n. [OE. asse, AS. assa; akin to Icel. asni, W. asen,
asyn, L. asinus, dim. aselus, Gr. ?; also to AS. esol, OHG.
esil, G. esel, Goth. asilus, Dan. [ae]sel, Lith. asilas,
Bohem. osel, Pol. osiel. The word is prob. of Semitic origin;
cf. Heb. ath?n she ass. Cf. {Ease}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A quadruped of the genus {Equus} ({E. asinus}),
smaller than the horse, and having a peculiarly harsh bray
and long ears. The tame or domestic ass is patient, slow,
and sure-footed, and has become the type of obstinacy and
stupidity. There are several species of wild asses which
are swift-footed.
2. A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt. --Shak.
{Asses' Bridge}. [L. pons asinorum.] The fifth proposition of
the first book of Euclid, ``The angles at the base of an
isosceles triangle are equal to one another.'' [Sportive]
``A schoolboy, stammering out his Asses' Bridge.'' --F.
Harrison.
{To make an ass of one's self}, to do or say something very
foolish or absurd.
Assafoetida \As`sa*f[oe]t"i*da\, n.
Same as {Asafetida}.
Assagai \As"sa*gai\, Assegai \As"se*gai\, n. [Pg. azagaia, Sp.
azagaya, fr. a Berber word. Cf. {Lancegay}.]
A spear used by tribes in South Africa as a missile and for
stabbing, a kind of light javelin.
Assai \As*sa"i\ [It., fr. L. ad + satis enough. See {Assets}.]
(Mus.)
A direction equivalent to very; as, adagio assai, very slow.
Assail \As*sail"\ ([a^]s*s[=a]l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Assailed} (-s[=a]ld"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Assailing}.] [OE.
assailen, asailen, OF. asaillir, assailler, F. assaillir; a
(L. ad) + saillir to burst out, project, fr. L. salire to
leap, spring; cf. L. assilire to leap or spring upon. See
{Sally}.]
1. To attack with violence, or in a vehement and hostile
manner; to assault; to molest; as, to assail a man with
blows; to assail a city with artillery.
No rude noise mine ears assailing. --Cowper.
No storm can now assail The charm he wears within.
--Keble.
2. To encounter or meet purposely with the view of mastering,
as an obstacle, difficulty, or the like.
The thorny wilds the woodmen fierce assail. --Pope.
3. To attack morally, or with a view to produce changes in
the feelings, character, conduct, existing usages,
institutions; to attack by words, hostile influence, etc.;
as, to assail one with appeals, arguments, abuse,
ridicule, and the like.
The papal authority . . . assailed. --Hallam.
They assailed him with keen invective; they assailed
him with still keener irony. --Macaulay.
Syn: To attack; assault; invade; encounter; fall upon. See
{Attack}.
Assailable \As*sail"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being assailed.
Assailant \As*sail"ant\, a. [F. assaillant, p. pr. of
assaillir.]
Assailing; attacking. --Milton.
Assailant \As*sail"ant\, n. [F. assaillant.]
One who, or that which, assails, attacks, or assaults; an
assailer.
An assailant of the church. --Macaulay.
Assailer \As*sail"er\, n.
One who assails.
Assailment \As*sail"ment\, n.
The act or power of assailing; attack; assault. [R.]
His most frequent assailment was the headache.
--Johnson.
Assamar \As"sa*mar\, n. [L. assare to roast + amarus, bitter.]
(Chem.)
The peculiar bitter substance, soft or liquid, and of a
yellow color, produced when meat, bread, gum, sugar, starch,
and the like, are roasted till they turn brown.
Assamese \As`sam*ese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Assam, a province of British India, or to
its inhabitants. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or natives of
Assam.
Assapan \As`sa*pan"\, Assapanic \As`sa*pan"ic\, n. [Prob. Indian
name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The American flying squirrel ({Pteromys volucella}).
Assart \As*sart"\ ([a^]s*s[aum]rt"), n. [OF. essart the grubbing
up of trees, fr. essarter to grub up or clear ground of
bushes, shrubs, trees, etc., fr. LL. exartum, exartare, for
exsaritare; L. ex + sarire, sarrire, saritum, to hoe, weed.]
1. (Old Law) The act or offense of grubbing up trees and
bushes, and thus destroying the thickets or coverts of a
forest. --Spelman. --Cowell.
2. A piece of land cleared of trees and bushes, and fitted
for cultivation; a clearing. --Ash.
{Assart land}, forest land cleared of woods and brush.
Assart \As*sart"\, v. t.
To grub up, as trees; to commit an assart upon; as, to assart
land or trees. --Ashmole.
Assassin \As*sas"sin\, n. [F. (cf. It. assassino), fr. Ar.
`hashishin one who has drunk of the hashish. Under its
influence the Assassins of the East, followers of the Shaikh
al-Jabal (Old Man of the Mountain), were said to commit the
murders required by their chief.]
One who kills, or attempts to kill, by surprise or secret
assault; one who treacherously murders any one unprepared for
defense.
Assassin \As*sas"sin\, v. t.
To assassinate. [Obs.] --Stillingfleet.
Assassinate \As*sas"sin*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Assassinated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Assassinating}.] [LL.
assassinatus, p. p. of assassinare.]
1. To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by
treacherous violence.
Help, neighbors, my house is broken open by force,
and I am ravished, and like to be assassinated.
--Dryden.
2. To assail with murderous intent; hence, by extended
meaning, to maltreat exceedingly. [Archaic]
Your rhymes assassinate our fame. --Dryden.
Such usage as your honorable lords Afford me,
assassinated and betrayed. --Milton.
Syn: To kill; murder; slay. See {Kill}.
Assassinate \As*sas"sin*ate\, n. [F. assassinat.]
1. An assassination, murder, or murderous assault. [Obs.]
If I had made an assassinate upon your father. --B.
Jonson.
2. An assassin. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Assassination \As*sas`si*na"tion\, n.
The act of assassinating; a killing by treacherous violence.
Assassinator \As*sas"si*na`tor\, n.
An assassin.
Assassinous \As*sas"sin*ous\, a.
Murderous. --Milton.
Assastion \As*sas"tion\, n. [F., fr. LL. assatio, fr. L. assare
to roast.]
Roasting. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Assault \As*sault"\, n. [OE. asaut, assaut, OF. assaut, asalt,
F. assaut, LL. assaltus; L. ad + saltus a leaping, a
springing, salire to leap. See {Assail}.]
1. A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows,
weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an
attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a
house, or a town.
The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault.
--Prescott.
Unshaken bears the assault Of their most dreaded
foe, the strong southwest. --Wordsworth.
2. A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words,
arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault
on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of
a government. --Clarendon.
3. (Law) An apparently violent attempt, or willful offer with
force or violence, to do hurt to another; an attempt or
offer to beat another, accompanied by a degree of
violence, but without touching his person, as by lifting
the fist, or a cane, in a threatening manner, or by
striking at him, and missing him. If the blow aimed takes
effect, it is a battery. --Blackstone. Wharton.
Practically, however, the word assault is used to
include the battery. --Mozley & W.
Syn: Attack; invasion; incursion; descent; onset; onslaught;
charge; storm.
Assault \As*sault"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assaulted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Assaulting}.] [From {Assault}, n.: cf. OF. assaulter,
LL. assaltare.]
1. To make an assault upon, as by a sudden rush of armed men;
to attack with unlawful or insulting physical violence or
menaces.
Insnared, assaulted, overcome, led bound. --Milton.
2. To attack with moral means, or with a view of producing
moral effects; to attack by words, arguments, or
unfriendly measures; to assail; as, to assault a
reputation or an administration.
Before the gates, the cries of babes newborn, . . .
Assault his ears. --Dryden.
Note: In the latter sense, assail is more common.
Syn: To attack; assail; invade; encounter; storm; charge. See
{Attack}.
Assaultable \As*sault"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being assaulted.
Assaulter \As*sault"er\, n.
One who assaults, or violently attacks; an assailant. --E.
Hall.
Assay \As*say"\, n. [OF. asai, essai, trial, F. essa. See
{Essay}, n.]
1. Trial; attempt; essay. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
I am withal persuaded that it may prove much more
easy in the assay than it now seems at distance.
--Milton.
2. Examination and determination; test; as, an assay of bread
or wine. [Obs.]
This can not be, by no assay of reason. --Shak.
3. Trial by danger or by affliction; adventure; risk;
hardship; state of being tried. [Obs.]
Through many hard assays which did betide.
--Spenser.
4. Tested purity or value. [Obs.]
With gold and pearl of rich assay. --Spenser.
5. (Metallurgy) The act or process of ascertaining the
proportion of a particular metal in an ore or alloy;
especially, the determination of the proportion of gold or
silver in bullion or coin.
6. The alloy or metal to be assayed. --Ure.
Usage: {Assay} and {essay} are radically the same word; but
modern usage has appropriated {assay} chiefly to
experiments in metallurgy, and {essay} to intellectual
and bodily efforts. See {Essay}.
Note: Assay is used adjectively or as the first part of a
compound; as, assay balance, assay furnace.
{Assay master}, an officer who assays or tests gold or silver
coin or bullion.
{Assay ton}, a weight of 29,1662/3 grams.
Assay \As*say"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Assaying}.] [OF. asaier, essaier, F. essayer, fr. essai. See
{Assay}, n., {Essay}, v.]
1. To try; to attempt; to apply. [Obs. or Archaic]
To-night let us assay our plot. --Shak.
Soft words to his fierce passion she assayed.
--Milton.
2. To affect. [Obs.]
When the heart is ill assayed. --Spenser.
3. To try tasting, as food or drink. [Obs.]
4. To subject, as an ore, alloy, or other metallic compound,
to chemical or metallurgical examination, in order to
determine the amount of a particular metal contained in
it, or to ascertain its composition.
Assay \As*say"\, v. i.
To attempt, try, or endeavor. [Archaic. In this sense essay
is now commonly used.]
She thrice assayed to speak. --Dryden.
Assayable \As*say"a*ble\, a.
That may be assayed.
Assayer \As*say"er\, n.
One who assays. Specifically: One who examines metallic ores
or compounds, for the purpose of determining the amount of
any particular metal in the same, especially of gold or
silver.
Assaying \As*say"ing\, n.
The act or process of testing, esp. of analyzing or examining
metals and ores, to determine the proportion of pure metal.
Asse \Asse\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small foxlike animal ({Vulpes cama}) of South Africa,
valued for its fur.
Assecuration \As`se*cu*ra"tion\, n. [LL. assecuratio, fr.
assecurare.]
Assurance; certainty. [Obs.]
Assecure \As`se*cure"\, v. t. [LL. assecurare.]
To make sure or safe; to assure. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Assecution \As`se*cu"tion\, n. [F. ass['e]cution, fr. L. assequi
to obtain; ad + sequi to follow.]
An obtaining or acquiring. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
Assegai \As"se*gai\, n.
Same as {Assagai}.
Assemblage \As*sem"blage\, n. [Cf. F. assemblage. See
{Assemble}.]
1. The act of assembling, or the state of being assembled;
association.
In sweet assemblage every blooming grace. --Fenton.
2. A collection of individuals, or of individuals, or of
particular things; as, a political assemblage; an
assemblage of ideas.
Syn: Company; group; collection; concourse; gathering;
meeting; convention.
Usage: {Assemblage}, {Assembly}. An assembly consists only of
persons; an assemblage may be composed of things as
well as persons, as, an assemblage of incoherent
objects. Nor is every assemblage of persons an
assembly; since the latter term denotes a body who
have met, and are acting, in concert for some common
end, such as to hear, to deliberate, to unite in
music, dancing, etc. An assemblage of skaters on a
lake, or of horse jockeys at a race course, is not an
assembly, but might be turned into one by collecting
into a body with a view to discuss and decide as to
some object of common interest.
Assemblance \As*sem"blance\, n. [Cf. OF. assemblance.]
1. Resemblance; likeness; appearance. [Obs.]
Care I for the . . . stature, bulk, and big
assemblance of a man? Give me the spirit. --Shak.
2. An assembling; assemblage. [Obs.]
To weete [know] the cause of their assemblance.
--Spenser.
Assemble \As*sem"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assembled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Assembling}.] [F. assembler, fr. LL. assimulare to
bring together to collect; L. ad + simul together; akin to
similis like, Gr. ? at the same time, and E. same. Cf.
{Assimilate}, {Same}.]
To collect into one place or body; to bring or call together;
to convene; to congregate.
Thither he assembled all his train. --Milton.
All the men of Israel assembled themselves. --1 Kings
viii. 2.
Assemble \As*sem"ble\, v. i.
To meet or come together, as a number of individuals; to
convene; to congregate. --Dryden.
The Parliament assembled in November. --W. Massey.
Assemble \As*sem"ble\, v. i.
To liken; to compare. [Obs.]
Bribes may be assembled to pitch. --Latimer.
Assembler \As*sem"bler\, n.
One who assembles a number of individuals; also, one of a
number assembled.
Assembly \As*sem"bly\, n.; pl. {Assemblies}. [F. assembl['e]e,
fr. assembler. See {Assemble}.]
1. A company of persons collected together in one place, and
usually for some common purpose, esp. for deliberation and
legislation, for worship, or for social entertainment.
2. A collection of inanimate objects. [Obs.] --Howell.
3. (Mil.) A beat of the drum or sound of the bugle as a
signal to troops to assemble.
Note: In some of the United States, the legislature, or the
popular branch of it, is called the Assembly, or the
General Assembly. In the Presbyterian Church, the
General Assembly is the highest ecclesiastical
tribunal, composed of ministers and ruling elders
delegated from each presbytery; as, the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States, or of Scotland.
{Assembly room}, a room in which persons assemble, especially
for dancing.
{Unlawful assembly} (Law), a meeting of three or more persons
on a common plan, in such a way as to cause a reasonable
apprehension that they will disturb the peace
tumultuously.
{Westminster Assembly}, a convocation, consisting chiefly of
divines, which, by act of Parliament, assembled July 1,
1643, and remained in session some years. It framed the
``Confession of Faith,'' the ``Larger Catechism,'' and the
``Shorter Catechism,'' which are still received as
authority by Presbyterians, and are substantially accepted
by Congregationalists.
Syn: See {Assemblage}.
Assemblyman \As*sem"bly*man\ ([a^]s*s[e^]m"bl[y^]*man), n.; pl.
{Assemblymen} (-men).
A member of an assembly, especially of the lower branch of a
state legislature.
Assent \As*sent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assented}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assenting}.] [F. assentir, L. assentire, assentiri; ad +
sentire to feel, think. See {Sense}.]
To admit a thing as true; to express one's agreement,
acquiescence, concurrence, or concession.
Who informed the governor . . . And the Jews also
assented, saying that these things were so. --Acts
xxiv. 9.
The princess assented to all that was suggested.
--Macaulay.
Syn: To yield; agree; acquiesce; concede; concur.
Assent \As*sent"\, n. [OE. assent, fr. assentir. See {Assent},
v.]
The act of assenting; the act of the mind in admitting or
agreeing to anything; concurrence with approval; consent;
agreement; acquiescence.
Faith is the assent to any proposition, on the credit
of the proposer. --Locke.
The assent, if not the approbation, of the prince.
--Prescott.
Too many people read this ribaldry with assent and
admiration. --Macaulay.
{Royal assent}, in England, the assent of the sovereign to a
bill which has passed both houses of Parliament, after
which it becomes law.
Syn: Concurrence; acquiescence; approval; accord.
Usage: {Assent}, {Consent}. Assent is an act of the
understanding, consent of the will or feelings. We
assent to the views of others when our minds come to
the same conclusion with theirs as to what is true,
right, or admissible. We consent when there is such a
concurrence of our will with their desires and wishes
that we decide to comply with their requests. The king
of England gives his assent, not his consent, to acts
of Parliament, because, in theory at least, he is not
governed by personal feelings or choice, but by a
deliberate, judgment as to the common good. We also
use assent in cases where a proposal is made which
involves but little interest or feeling. A lady may
assent to a gentleman's opening the window; but if he
offers himself in marriage, he must wait for her
consent.
Assentation \As`sen*ta"tion\, n. [L. assentatio. See {Assent},
v.]
Insincere, flattering, or obsequious assent; hypocritical or
pretended concurrence.
Abject flattery and indiscriminate assentation degrade
as much as indiscriminate contradiction and noisy
debate disgust. --Ld.
Chesterfield.
Assentator \As`sen*ta"tor\, n. [L., fr. assentari to assent
constantly.]
An obsequious; a flatterer. [R.]
Assentatory \As*sent"a*to*ry\, a.
Flattering; obsequious. [Obs.] -- {As*sent"a*to*ri*ly}, adv.
[Obs.]
Assenter \As*sent"er\, n.
One who assents.
Assentient \As*sen"tient\, a.
Assenting.
Assenting \As*sent"ing\, a.
Giving or implying assent. -- {As*sent"ing*ly}, adv.
Assentive \As*sent"ive\, a.
Giving assent; of the nature of assent; complying. --
{As*sent"ive*ness}, n.
Assentment \As*sent"ment\, n.
Assent; agreement. [Obs.]
Assert \As*sert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Asserted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Asserting}.] [L. assertus, p. p. of asserere to join or
fasten to one's self, claim, maintain; ad + serere to join or
bind together. See {Series}.]
1. To affirm; to declare with assurance, or plainly and
strongly; to state positively; to aver; to asseverate.
Nothing is more shameful . . . than to assert
anything to be done without a cause. --Ray.
2. To maintain; to defend. [Obs. or Archaic]
That . . . I may assert Eternal Providence, And
justify the ways of God to men. --Milton.
I will assert it from the scandal. --Jer. Taylor.
3. To maintain or defend, as a cause or a claim, by words or
measures; to vindicate a claim or title to; as, to assert
our rights and liberties.
{To assert one's self}, to claim or vindicate one's rights or
position; to demand recognition.
Syn: To affirm; aver; asseverate; maintain; protest;
pronounce; declare; vindicate.
Usage: To {Assert}, {Affirm}, {Maintain}, {Vindicate}. To
assert is to fasten to one's self, and hence to claim.
It is, therefore, adversative in its nature. We assert
our rights and privileges, or the cause of tree
institutions, as against opposition or denial. To
affirm is to declare as true. We assert boldly; we
affirm positively. To maintain is to uphold, and
insist upon with earnestness, whatever we have once
asserted; as, to maintain one's cause, to maintain an
argument, to maintain the ground we have taken. To
vindicate is to use language and measures of the
strongest kind, in defense of ourselves and those for
whom we act. We maintain our assertions by adducing
proofs, facts, or arguments; we are ready to vindicate
our rights or interests by the utmost exertion of our
powers.
Asserter \As*sert"er\, n.
One who asserts; one who avers pr maintains; an assertor.
The inflexible asserter of the rights of the church.
--Milman.
Assertion \As*ser"tion\, n. [L. assertio, fr. asserere.]
1. The act of asserting, or that which is asserted; positive
declaration or averment; affirmation; statement asserted;
position advanced.
There is a difference between assertion and
demonstration. --Macaulay.
2. Maintenance; vindication; as, the assertion of one's
rights or prerogatives.
Assertive \As*sert"ive\, a.
Positive; affirming confidently; affirmative; peremptory.
In a confident and assertive form. --Glanvill.
{As*sert"ive*ly}, adv. -- {As*sert"ive*ness}, n.
Assertor \As*sert"or\, n. [L., fr. asserere.]
One who asserts or avers; one who maintains or vindicates a
claim or a right; an affirmer, supporter, or vindicator; a
defender; an asserter.
The assertors of liberty said not a word. --Macaulay.
Faithful assertor of thy country's cause. --Prior.
Assertorial \As`ser*to"ri*al\, a.
Asserting that a thing is; -- opposed to {problematical} and
{apodeictical}.
Assertory \As*sert"o*ry\, a. [L. assertorius, fr. asserere.]
Affirming; maintaining.
Arguments . . . assertory, not probatory. --Jer.
Taylor.
An assertory, not a promissory, declaration. --Bentham.
A proposition is assertory, when it enounces what is
known as actual. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Assess \As*sess"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assessed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assessing}.] [OF. assesser to regulate, settle, LL.
assessare to value for taxation, fr. L. assidere, supine as
if assessum, to sit by, esp. of judges in a court, in LL. to
assess, tax. Cf. {Assize}, v., {Cess}.]
1. To value; to make a valuation or official estimate of for
the purpose of taxation.
2. To apportion a sum to be paid by (a person, a community,
or an estate), in the nature of a tax, fine, etc.; to
impose a tax upon (a person, an estate, or an income)
according to a rate or apportionment.
3. To determine and impose a tax or fine upon (a person,
community, estate, or income); to tax; as, the club
assessed each member twenty-five cents.
4. To fix or determine the rate or amount of.
This sum is assessed and raised upon individuals by
commissioners in the act. --Blackstone.
Assessable \As*sess"a*ble\, a.
Liable to be assessed or taxed; as, assessable property.
Assessee \As`sess*ee"\, n.
One who is assessed.
Assession \As*ses"sion\, n. [L. assessio, fr. assid?re to sit by
or near; ad + sed?re to sit. See {Sit}.]
A sitting beside or near.
Assessment \As*sess"ment\, n. [LL. assessamentum.]
1. The act of assessing; the act of determining an amount to
be paid; as, an assessment of damages, or of taxes; an
assessment of the members of a club.
2. A valuation of property or profits of business, for the
purpose of taxation; such valuation and an adjudging of
the proper sum to be levied on the property; as, an
assessment of property or an assessment on property.
Note: An assessment is a valuation made by authorized persons
according to their discretion, as opposed to a sum
certain or determined by law. It is a valuation of the
property of those who are to pay the tax, for the
purpose of fixing the proportion which each man shall
pay. --Blackstone. Burrill.
3. The specific sum levied or assessed.
4. An apportionment of a subscription for stock into
successive installments; also, one of these installments
(in England termed a ``call''). [U. S.]
Assessor \As*sess"or\, n. [L., one who sits beside, the
assistant of a judge, fr. assid?re. See {Assession}. LL., one
who arranges of determines the taxes, fr. assid?re. See
{Assess}, v., and cf. {Cessor}.]
1. One appointed or elected to assist a judge or magistrate
with his special knowledge of the subject to be decided;
as legal assessors, nautical assessors. --Mozley & W.
2. One who sits by another, as next in dignity, or as an
assistant and adviser; an associate in office.
Whence to his Son, The assessor of his throne, he
thus began. --Milton.
With his ignorance, his inclinations, and his fancy,
as his assessors in judgment. --I. Taylor.
3. One appointed to assess persons or property for the
purpose of taxation. --Bouvier.
Assessorial \As`ses*so"ri*al\, a. [Cf. F. assessorial, fr. L.
assessor.]
Of or pertaining to an assessor, or to a court of assessors.
--Coxe.
Assessorship \As*sess"or*ship\, n.
The office or function of an assessor.
Asset \As"set\, n.
Any article or separable part of one's assets.
Assets \As"sets\, n. pl. [OF. asez enough, F. assez, fr. L. ad +
satis, akin to Gr. ? enough, Goth. saps full. Cf. {Assai},
{Satisfy}.]
1. (Law)
(a) Property of a deceased person, subject by law to the
payment of his debts and legacies; -- called assets
because sufficient to render the executor or
administrator liable to the creditors and legatees, so
far as such goods or estate may extend. --Story.
--Blackstone.
(b) Effects of an insolvent debtor or bankrupt, applicable
to the payment of debts.
2. The entire property of all sorts, belonging to a person, a
corporation, or an estate; as, the assets of a merchant or
a trading association; -- opposed to {liabilities}.
Note: In balancing accounts the assets are put on the Cr.
side and the debts on the Dr. side.
Assever \As*sev"er\, v. t. [Cf. OF. asseverer, fr. L.
asseverare.]
See {Asseverate}. [Archaic]
Asseverate \As*sev"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Asseverated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Asseverating}.] [L. asseveratus, p. p. of
asseverare to assert seriously or earnestly; ad + severus.
See {Severe}.]
To affirm or aver positively, or with solemnity.
Syn: To affirm; aver; protest; declare. See {Affirm}.
Asseveration \As*sev`er*a"tion\, n. [L. asseveratio.]
The act of asseverating, or that which is asseverated;
positive affirmation or assertion; solemn declaration.
Another abuse of the tongue I might add, -- vehement
asseverations upon slight and trivial occasions. --Ray.
Asseverative \As*sev"er*a*tive\, a.
Characterized by asseveration; asserting positively.
Asseveratory \As*sev"er*a*to*ry\, a.
Asseverative.
Assibilate \As*sib"i*late\, v. t. [L. assibilatus, p. p. of
assibilare to hiss out; ad + sibilare to hiss.]
To make sibilant; to change to a sibilant. --J. Peile.
Assibilation \As*sib`i*la"tion\, n.
Change of a non-sibilant letter to a sibilant, as of -tion to
-shun, duke to ditch.
Assidean \As`si*de"an\, n. [Heb. kh[=a]sad to be pious.]
One of a body of devoted Jews who opposed the Hellenistic
Jews, and supported the Asmoneans.
Assident \As"si*dent\, a. [L. assidens, p. pr. of assid?re to
sit by: cf. F. assident. See {Assession}.] (Med.)
Usually attending a disease, but not always; as, assident
signs, or symptoms.
Assiduate \As*sid"u*ate\, a. [L. assiduatus, p. p. of assiduare
to use assiduously.]
Unremitting; assiduous. [Obs.] ``Assiduate labor.'' --Fabyan.
Assiduity \As`si*du"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Assiduities}. [L.
assiduitas: cf. F. assiduite. See {Assiduous}.]
1. Constant or close application or attention, particularly
to some business or enterprise; diligence.
I have, with much pains and assiduity, qualified
myself for a nomenclator. --Addison.
2. Studied and persevering attention to a person; -- usually
in the plural.
Assiduous \As*sid"u*ous\, a. [L. assiduus, fr. assid?re to sit
near or close; ad + sed[=e]re to sit. See {Sit}.]
1. Constant in application or attention; devoted; attentive;
unremitting.
She grows more assiduous in her attendance.
--Addison.
2. Performed with constant diligence or attention;
unremitting; persistent; as, assiduous labor.
To weary him with my assiduous cries. --Milton.
Syn: Diligent; attentive; sedulous; unwearied; unintermitted;
persevering; laborious; indefatigable.
{As*sid"u*ous*ly}, adv. -- {As*sid"u*ous*ness}, n.
Assiege \As*siege"\, v. t. [OE. asegen, OF. asegier, F.
assi['e]ger, fr. LL. assediare, assidiare, to besiege. See
{Siege}.]
To besiege. [Obs.] ``Assieged castles.'' --Spenser.
Assiege \As*siege"\, n.
A siege. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Assientist \As`si*en"tist\, n. [Cf. F. assientiste, Sp.
asentista.]
A shareholder of the Assiento company; one of the parties to
the Assiento contract. --Bancroft.
Assiento \As`si*en"to\, n. [Sp. asiento seat, contract or
agreement, fr. asentar to place on a chair, to adjust, to
make an agreement; a (L. ad) + sentar, a participial verb; as
if there were a L. sedentare to cause to sit, fr. sedens,
sedentis, p. pr. of sed?re to sit.]
A contract or convention between Spain and other powers for
furnishing negro slaves for the Spanish dominions in America,
esp. the contract made with Great Britain in 1713.
Assign \As*sign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assigned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assigning}.] [OE. assignen, asignen, F. assigner, fr. L.
assignare; ad + signare to mark, mark out, designate, signum
mark, sign. See {Sign}.]
1. To appoint; to allot; to apportion; to make over.
In the order I assign to them. --Loudon.
The man who could feel thus was worthy of a better
station than that in which his lot had been
assigned. --Southey.
He assigned to his men their several posts.
--Prescott.
2. To fix, specify, select, or designate; to point out
authoritatively or exactly; as, to assign a limit; to
assign counsel for a prisoner; to assign a day for trial.
All as the dwarf the way to her assigned. --Spenser.
It is not easy to assign a period more eventful.
--De Quincey.
3. (Law) To transfer, or make over to another, esp. to
transfer to, and vest in, certain persons, called
assignees, for the benefit of creditors.
{To assign dower}, to set out by metes and bounds the widow's
share or portion in an estate. --Kent.
Assign \As*sign"\, n. [From {Assign}, v.]
A thing pertaining or belonging to something else; an
appurtenance. [Obs.]
Six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as
girdles, hangers, and so. --Shak.
Assign \As*sign"\, n. [See {Assignee}.] (Law)
A person to whom property or an interest is transferred; as,
a deed to a man and his heirs and assigns.
Assignability \As*sign`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being assignable.
Assignable \As*sign"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being assigned, allotted, specified, or
designated; as, an assignable note or bill; an assignable
reason; an assignable quantity.
Assignat \As`si`gnat"\ (?; 277), n. [F. assignat, fr. L.
assignatus, p. p. of assignare.]
One of the notes, bills, or bonds, issued as currency by the
revolutionary government of France (1790-1796), and based on
the security of the lands of the church and of nobles which
had been appropriated by the state.
Assignation \As`sig*na"tion\, n. [L. assignatio, fr. assignare:
cf. F. assignation.]
1. The act of assigning or allotting; apportionment.
This order being taken in the senate, as touching
the appointment and assignation of those provinces.
--Holland.
2. An appointment of time and place for meeting or interview;
-- used chiefly of love interviews, and now commonly in a
bad sense.
While nymphs take treats, or assignations give.
--Pope.
3. A making over by transfer of title; assignment.
{House of assignation}, a house in which appointments for
sexual intercourse are fulfilled.
Assignee \As`sign*ee"\, n. [F. assign['e], p. p. of assigner.
See {Assign}, v., and cf. {Assign} an assignee.] (Law)
(a) A person to whom an assignment is made; a person
appointed or deputed by another to do some act,
perform some business, or enjoy some right, privilege,
or property; as, an assignee of a bankrupt. See
{Assignment}
(c) . An assignee may be by special appointment or deed,
or be created by jaw; as an executor. --Cowell.
--Blount.
(b) pl. In England, the persons appointed, under a
commission of bankruptcy, to manage the estate of a
bankrupt for the benefit of his creditors.
Assigner \As*sign"er\ ([a^]s*s[imac]n"[~e]r), n.
One who assigns, appoints, allots, or apportions.
Assignment \As*sign"ment\, n. [LL. assignamentum: cf. OF.
assenement.]
1. An allotting or an appointment to a particular person or
use; or for a particular time, as of a cause or causes in
court.
2. (Law)
(a) A transfer of title or interest by writing, as of
lease, bond, note, or bill of exchange; a transfer of
the whole of some particular estate or interest in
lands.
(b) The writing by which an interest is transferred.
(c) The transfer of the property of a bankrupt to certain
persons called assignees, in whom it is vested for the
benefit of creditors.
{Assignment of dower}, the setting out by metes and bounds of
the widow's thirds or portion in the deceased husband's
estate, and allotting it to her.
Note: Assignment is also used in law as convertible with
specification; assignment of error in proceedings for
review being specification of error; and assignment of
perjury or fraud in indictment being specifications of
perjury or fraud.
Assignor \As`sign*or"\, n. [L. assignator. Cf. {Assigner}.]
(Law)
An assigner; a person who assigns or transfers an interest;
as, the assignor of a debt or other chose in action.
Assimilability \As*sim`i*la*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being assimilable. [R.] --Coleridge.
Assimilable \As*sim"i*la*ble\, a.
That may be assimilated; that may be likened, or appropriated
and incorporated.
Assimilate \As*sim"i*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assimilated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Assimilating}.] [L. assimilatus, p. p. of
assimilare; ad + similare to make like, similis like. See
{Similar}, {Assemble}, {Assimilate}.]
1. To bring to a likeness or to conformity; to cause a
resemblance between. --Sir M. Hale.
To assimilate our law to the law of Scotland. --John
Bright.
Fast falls a fleecy; the downy flakes Assimilate all
objects. --Cowper.
2. To liken; to compa?e. [R.]
3. To appropriate and transform or incorporate into the
substance of the assimilating body; to absorb or
appropriate, as nourishment; as, food is assimilated and
converted into organic tissue.
Hence also animals and vegetables may assimilate
their nourishment. --Sir I.
Newton.
His mind had no power to assimilate the lessons.
--Merivale.
Assimilate \As*sim"i*late\, v. i.
1. To become similar or like something else. [R.]
2. To change and appropriate nourishment so as to make it a
part of the substance of the assimilating body.
Aliment easily assimilated or turned into blood.
--Arbuthnot.
3. To be converted into the substance of the assimilating
body; to become incorporated; as, some kinds of food
assimilate more readily than others.
I am a foreign material, and cannot assimilate with
the church of England. --J. H.
Newman.
Assimilation \As*sim`i*la"tion\, n. [L. assimilatio: cf. F.
assimilation.]
1. The act or process of assimilating or bringing to a
resemblance, likeness, or identity; also, the state of
being so assimilated; as, the assimilation of one sound to
another.
To aspire to an assimilation with God. --Dr. H.
More.
The assimilation of gases and vapors. --Sir J.
Herschel.
2. (Physiol.) The conversion of nutriment into the fluid or
solid substance of the body, by the processes of digestion
and absorption, whether in plants or animals.
Not conversing the body, not repairing it by
assimilation, but preserving it by ventilation.
--Sir T.
Browne.
Note: The term assimilation has been limited by some to the
final process by which the nutritive matter of the
blood is converted into the substance of the tissues
and organs.
Assimilative \As*sim"i*la*tive\, a. [Cf. LL. assimilativus, F.
assimilatif.]
Tending to, or characterized by, assimilation; that
assimilates or causes assimilation; as, an assimilative
process or substance.
Assimilatory \As*sim"i*la*to*ry\, a.
Tending to assimilate, or produce assimilation; as,
assimilatory organs.
Assimulate \As*sim"u*late\, v. t. [L. assimulatus, p. p. of
assimulare, equiv. to assimilare. See {Assimilate}, v. t.]
1. To feign; to counterfeit; to simulate; to resemble. [Obs.]
--Blount.
2. To assimilate. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
Assimulation \As*sim`u*la"tion\, n. [L. assimulatio, equiv. to
assimilatio.]
Assimilation. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Assinego \As`si*ne"go\, n.
See {Asinego}.
Assish \Ass"ish\, a.
Resembling an ass; asinine; stupid or obstinate.
Such . . . appear to be of the assich kind . . .
--Udall.
Assist \As*sist"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assisted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assisting}.] [L. assistere; ad + sistere to cause to
stand, to stand, from stare to stand: cf. F. assister. See
{Stand}.]
To give support to in some undertaking or effort, or in time
of distress; to help; to aid; to succor.
Assist me, knight. I am undone! --Shak.
Syn: To help; aid; second; back; support; relieve; succor;
befriend; sustain; favor. See {Help}.
Assist \As*sist"\, v. i.
1. To lend aid; to help.
With God not parted from him, as was feared, But
favoring and assisting to the end. --Milton.
2. To be present as a spectator; as, to assist at a public
meeting. [A Gallicism] --Gibbon. Prescott.
Assistance \As*sist"ance\, n. [Cf. F. assistance.]
1. The act of assisting; help; aid; furtherance; succor;
support.
Without the assistance of a mortal hand. --Shak.
2. An assistant or helper; a body of helpers. [Obs.]
Wat Tyler [was] killed by valiant Walworth, the lord
mayor of London, and his assistance, . . . John
Cavendish. --Fuller.
3. Persons present. [Obs. or a Gallicism]
Assistant \As*sist"ant\, a. [Cf. F. assistant, p. pr. of
assister.]
1. Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary.
Genius and learning . . . are mutually and greatly
assistant to each other. --Beattie.
2. (Mil.) Of the second grade in the staff of the army; as,
an assistant surgeon. [U.S.]
Note: In the English army it designates the third grade in
any particular branch of the staff. --Farrow.
Assistant \As*sist"ant\, n.
1. One who, or that which, assists; a helper; an auxiliary; a
means of help.
Four assistants who his labor share. --Pope.
Rhymes merely as assistants to memory. --Mrs.
Chapone.
2. An attendant; one who is present. --Dryden.
Assistantly \As*sist"ant*ly\, adv.
In a manner to give aid. [R.]
Assister \As*sist"er\, n.
An assistant; a helper.
Assistful \As*sist"ful\, a.
Helpful.
Assistive \As*sist"ive\, a.
Lending aid, helping.
Assistless \As*sist"less\, a.
Without aid or help. [R.] --Pope.
Assistor \As*sist"or\, n. (Law)
A assister.
Assithment \As*sith"ment\, n.
See {Assythment}. [Obs.]
Assize \As*size"\, n. [OE. assise, asise, OF. assise, F.
assises, assembly of judges, the decree pronounced by them,
tax, impost, fr. assis, assise, p. p. of asseoir, fr. L.
assid?re to sit by; ad + sed[=e]re to sit. See {Sit}, {Size},
and cf. {Excise}, {Assess}.]
1. An assembly of knights and other substantial men, with a
bailiff or justice, in a certain place and at a certain
time, for public business. [Obs.]
2. (Law)
(a) A special kind of jury or inquest.
(b) A kind of writ or real action.
(c) A verdict or finding of a jury upon such writ.
(d) A statute or ordinance in general. Specifically: (1) A
statute regulating the weight, measure, and
proportions of ingredients and the price of articles
sold in the market; as, the assize of bread and other
provisions; (2) A statute fixing the standard of
weights and measures.
(e) Anything fixed or reduced to a certainty in point of
time, number, quantity, quality, weight, measure,
etc.; as, rent of assize. --Glanvill. --Spelman.
--Cowell. --Blackstone. --Tomlins. --Burrill.
Note: [This term is not now used in England in the sense of a
writ or real action, and seldom of a jury of any kind,
but in Scotch practice it is still technically applied
to the jury in criminal cases. --Stephen. --Burrill.
--Erskine.]
(f) A court, the sitting or session of a court, for the
trial of processes, whether civil or criminal, by a
judge and jury. --Blackstone. --Wharton. --Encyc.
Brit.
(g) The periodical sessions of the judges of the superior
courts in every county of England for the purpose of
administering justice in the trial and determination
of civil and criminal cases; -- usually in the plural.
--Brande. --Wharton. --Craig. --Burrill.
(h) The time or place of holding the court of assize; --
generally in the plural, assizes.
3. Measure; dimension; size. [In this sense now corrupted
into {size}.]
An hundred cubits high by just assize. --Spenser.
[Formerly written, as in French, {assise}.]
Assize \As*size"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assized}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assizing}.] [From {Assize}, n.: cf. LL. assisare to
decree in assize. Cf. {Asses}, v.]
1. To assess; to value; to rate. [Obs.] --Gower.
2. To fix the weight, measure, or price of, by an ordinance
or regulation of authority. [Obs.]
Assizer \As*siz"er\, n.
An officer who has the care or inspection of weights and
measures, etc.
Assizor \As*siz"or\, n. (Scots Law)
A juror.
Assober \As*so"ber\, v. t. [Pref. ad- + sober. Cf. {Ensober}.]
To make or keep sober. [Obs.] --Gower.
Associability \As*so`cia*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being associable, or capable of association;
associableness. ``The associability of feelings.'' --H.
Spencer.
Associable \As*so"cia*ble\, a. [See {Associate}.]
1. Capable of being associated or joined.
We know feelings to be associable only by the proved
ability of one to revive another. --H. Spencer.
2. Sociable; companionable. [Obs.]
3. (Med.) Liable to be affected by sympathy with other parts;
-- said of organs, nerves, muscles, etc.
The stomach, the most associable of all the organs
of the animal body. --Med. Rep.
Associableness \As*so"cia*ble*ness\, n.
Associability.
Associate \As*so"ci*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Associated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Associating}.] [L. associatus, p. p. of
associare; ad + sociare to join or unite, socius companion.
See {Social}.]
1. To join with one, as a friend, companion, partner, or
confederate; as, to associate others with us in business,
or in an enterprise.
2. To join or connect; to combine in acting; as, particles of
gold associated with other substances.
3. To connect or place together in thought.
He succeeded in associating his name inseparably
with some names which will last as long as our
language. --Macaulay.
4. To accompany; to keep company with. [Obs.]
Friends should associate friends in grief and woe.
--Shak.
Associate \As*so"ci*ate\, v. i.
1. To unite in company; to keep company, implying intimacy;
as, congenial minds are disposed to associate.
2. To unite in action, or to be affected by the action of a
different part of the body. --E. Darwin.
Associate \As*so"ci*ate\, a. [L. associatus, p. p.]
1. Closely connected or joined with some other, as in
interest, purpose, employment, or office; sharing
responsibility or authority; as, an associate judge.
While I descend . . . to my associate powers.
--Milton.
2. Admitted to some, but not to all, rights and privileges;
as, an associate member.
3. (Physiol.) Connected by habit or sympathy; as, associate
motions, such as occur sympathetically, in consequence of
preceding motions. --E. Darwin.
Associate \As*so"ci*ate\, n.
1. A companion; one frequently in company with another,
implying intimacy or equality; a mate; a fellow.
2. A partner in interest, as in business; or a confederate in
a league.
3. One connected with an association or institution without
the full rights or privileges of a regular member; as, an
associate of the Royal Academy.
4. Anything closely or usually connected with another; an
concomitant.
The one [idea] no sooner comes into the
understanding, than its associate appears with it.
--Locke.
Syn: Companion; mate; fellow; friend; ally; partner;
coadjutor; comrade; accomplice.
Associated \As*so"ci*a`ted\, a.
Joined as a companion; brought into association;
accompanying; combined.
{Associated movements} (Physiol.), consensual movements which
accompany voluntary efforts without our consciousness.
--Dunglison.
Associateship \As*so"ci*ate*ship\, n.
The state of an associate, as in Academy or an office.
Association \As*so`ci*a"tion\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. association,
LL. associatio, fr. L. associare.]
1. The act of associating, or state of being associated;
union; connection, whether of persons of things. ``Some .
. . bond of association.'' --Hooker.
Self-denial is a kind of holy association with God.
--Boyle.
2. Mental connection, or that which is mentally linked or
associated with a thing.
Words . . . must owe their powers association.
--Johnson.
Why should . . . the holiest words, with all their
venerable associations, be profaned? --Coleridge.
3. Union of persons in a company or society for some
particular purpose; as, the American Association for the
Advancement of Science; a benevolent association.
Specifically, as among the Congregationalists, a society,
consisting of a number of ministers, generally the pastors
of neighboring churches, united for promoting the
interests of religion and the harmony of the churches.
{Association of ideas} (Physiol.), the combination or
connection of states of mind or their objects with one
another, as the result of which one is said to be revived
or represented by means of the other. The relations
according to which they are thus connected or revived are
called the law of association. Prominent among them are
reckoned the relations of time and place, and of cause and
effect. --Porter.
Associational \As*so`ci*a"tion*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to association, or to an association.
2. Pertaining to the theory held by the associationists.
Associationism \As*so`ci*a"tion*ism\, n. (Philos.)
The doctrine or theory held by associationists.
Associationist \As*so`ci*a"tion*ist\, n. (Philos.)
One who explains the higher functions and relations of the
soul by the association of ideas; e. g., Hartley, J. C. Mill.
Associative \As*so"ci*a*tive\, a.
Having the quality of associating; tending or leading to
association; as, the associative faculty. --Hugh Miller.
Associator \As*so"ci*a`tor\, n.
An associate; a confederate or partner in any scheme.
How Pennsylvania's air agrees with Quakers, And
Carolina's with associators. --Dryden.
Assoil \As*soil"\, v. t. [OF. assoiler, absoiler, assoldre, F.
absoudre, L. absolvere. See {Absolve}.]
1. To set free; to release. [Archaic]
Till from her hands the spright assoiled is.
--Spenser.
2. To solve; to clear up. [Obs.]
Any child might soon be able to assoil this riddle.
--Bp. Jewel.
3. To set free from guilt; to absolve. [Archaic]
Acquitted and assoiled from the guilt. --Dr. H.
More.
Many persons think themselves fairly assoiled,
because they are . . . not of scandalous lives.
--Jer. Taylor.
4. To expiate; to atone for. [Archaic] --Spenser.
Let each act assoil a fault. --E. Arnold.
5. To remove; to put off. [Obs.]
She soundly slept, and careful thoughts did quite
assoil. --Spenser.
Assoil \As*soil"\, v. t. [Pref. ad- + soil.]
To soil; to stain. [Obs. or Poet.] --Beau. & Fl.
Ne'er assoil my cobwebbed shield. --Wordsworth.
Assoilment \As*soil"ment\, n.
Act of assoiling, or state of being assoiled; absolution;
acquittal.
Assoilment \As*soil"ment\, n.
A soiling; defilement.
Assoilzie \As*soil"zie\, Assoilyie \As*soil"yie\, v. t. [Old
form assoil[yogh]e. See {Assoil}.] (Scots Law)
To absolve; to acquit by sentence of court.
God assoilzie him for the sin of bloodshed. --Sir W.
Scott.
Assonance \As"so*nance\, n. [Cf. F. assonance. See {Assonant}.]
1. Resemblance of sound. ``The disagreeable assonance of
`sheath' and `sheathed.''' --Steevens.
2. (Pros.) A peculiar species of rhyme, in which the last
acce`ted vow`l and tnose whioh follow it in one word
correspond in sound with the vowels of another word, while
the consonants of the two words are unlike in sound; as,
calamo and platano, baby and chary.
The assonance is peculiar to the Spaniard. --Hallam.
3. Incomplete correspondence.
Assonance between facts seemingly remote. --Lowell.
Assonant \As"so*nant\, a. [L. assonans, p. pr. of assonare to
sound to, to correspond to in sound; ad + sonare to sound,
sonus sound: cf. F. assonant. See {Sound}.]
1. Having a resemblance of sounds.
2. (Pros.) Pertaining to the peculiar species of rhyme called
assonance; not consonant.
Assonantal \As`so*nan"tal\, a.
Assonant.
Assonate \As"so*nate\, v. i. [L. assonare, assonatum, to respond
to.]
To correspond in sound.
Assort \As*sort"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assorted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assorting}.] [F. assortir; ? (L. ad) + sortir to cast or
draw lots, to obtain by lot, L. sortiri, fr. sors, sortis,
lot. See {Sort}.]
1. To separate and distribute into classes, as things of a
like kind, nature, or quality, or which are suited to a
like purpose; to classify; as, to assort goods.
Note: [Rarely applied to persons.]
They appear . . . no ways assorted to those with
whom they must associate. --Burke.
2. To furnish with, or make up of, various sorts or a variety
of goods; as, to assort a cargo.
Assort \As*sort"\, v. i.
To agree; to be in accordance; to be adapted; to suit; to
fall into a class or place. --Mitford.
Assorted \As*sort"ed\ ([a^]s*s[^o]rt"[e^]d), a.
Selected; culled.
Assortment \As*sort"ment\ (-ment), n. [Cf. F. assortiment.]
1. Act of assorting, or distributing into sorts, kinds, or
classes.
2. A collection or quantity of things distributed into kinds
or sorts; a number of things assorted.
3. A collection containing a variety of sorts or kinds
adapted to various wants, demands, or purposes; as, an
assortment of goods.
Assot \As*sot"\, v. t. [OF. asoter, F. assoter; ? (L. ad) + sot
stupid. See {Sot}.]
To besot; to befool; to beguile; to infatuate. [Obs.]
Some ecstasy assotted had his sense. --Spenser.
Assot \As*sot"\, a.
Dazed; foolish; infatuated. [Obs.]
Willie, I ween thou be assot. --Spenser.
Assuage \As*suage"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assuaged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Assuaging}.] [OE. asuagen, aswagen, OF. asoagier,
asuagier, fr. assouagier, fr. L. ad + suavis sweet. See
{Sweet}.]
To soften, in a figurative sense; to allay, mitigate, ease,
or lessen, as heat, pain, or grief; to appease or pacify, as
passion or tumult; to satisfy, as appetite or desire.
Refreshing winds the summer's heat assuage. --Addison.
To assuage the sorrows of a desolate old man --Burke.
The fount at which the panting mind assuages Her thirst
of knowledge. --Byron.
Syn: To alleviate; mitigate; appease; soothe; calm;
tranquilize; relieve. See {Alleviate}.
Assuage \As*suage"\, v. i.
To abate or subside. [Archaic] ``The waters assuaged.''
--Gen. vii. 1.
The plague being come to a crisis, its fury began to
assuage. --De Foe.
Assuagement \As*suage"ment\, n. [OF. assouagement, asuagement.]
Mitigation; abatement.
Assuager \As*sua"ger\, n.
One who, or that which, assuages.
Assuasive \As*sua"sive\, a. [From assuage, as if this were fr. a
supposed L. assuadere to persuade to; or from E. pref. ad +
-suasive as in persuasive.]
Mitigating; tranquilizing; soothing. [R.]
Music her soft assuasive voice applies. --Pope.
Assubjugate \As*sub"ju*gate\, v. t. [Pref. ad- + subjugate.]
To bring into subjection. [Obs.] --Shak.
Assuefaction \As`sue*fac"tion\, n. [L. assuefacere to accustom
to; assuetus (p. p. of assuescere to accustom to) + facere to
make; cf. OF. assuefaction.]
The act of accustoming, or the state of being accustomed;
habituation. [Obs.]
Custom and studies efform the soul like wax, and by
assuefaction introduce a nature. --Jer. Taylor.
Assuetude \As"sue*tude\, n. [L. assuetudo, fr. assuetus
accustomed.]
Accustomedness; habit; habitual use.
Assuetude of things hurtful doth make them lose their
force to hurt. --Bacon.
Assumable \As*sum"a*ble\, a.
That may be assumed.
Assumably \As*sum"a*bly\, adv.
By way of assumption.
Assume \As*sume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assumed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Assuming}.] [L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub +
emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See {Redeem}.]
1. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and
demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take
unjustly.
Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne.
--Pope.
The god assumed his native form again. --Pope.
2. To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a
fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.
The consequences of assumed principles. --Whewell.
3. To pretend to possess; to take in appearance.
Ambition assuming the mask of religion. --Porteus.
Assume a virtue, if you have it not. --Shak.
4. To receive or adopt.
The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and
lower rank, assumed into that honorable company.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: To arrogate; usurp; appropriate.
Assume \As*sume"\, v. i.
1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.
--Bp. Burnet.
2. (Law) To undertake, as by a promise. --Burrill.
Assumed \As*sumed"\, a.
1. Supposed.
2. Pretended; hypocritical; make-believe; as, an assumed
character.
Assumedly \As*sum"ed*ly\, adv.
By assumption.
Assument \As*sum"ent\, n. [L. assumentum, fr. ad + suere to
sew.]
A patch; an addition; a piece put on. [Obs.] --John Lewis
(1731).
Assumer \As*sum"er\, n.
One who assumes, arrogates, pretends, or supposes. --W. D.
Whitney.
Assuming \As*sum"ing\, a.
Pretentious; taking much upon one's self; presumptuous.
--Burke.
Assumpsit \As*sump"sit\ (?; 215), n. [L., he undertook, pret. of
L. assumere. See {Assume}.] (Law)
(a) A promise or undertaking, founded on a consideration.
This promise may be oral or in writing not under seal. It
may be express or implied.
(b) An action to recover damages for a breach or
nonperformance of a contract or promise, express or
implied, oral or in writing not under seal. Common or
indebitatus assumpsit is brought for the most part on an
implied promise. Special assumpsit is founded on an
express promise or undertaking. --Wharton.
Assumpt \As*sumpt"\ (?; 215), v. t. [L. assumptus, p. p. of
assumere. See {Assume}.]
To take up; to elevate; to assume. [Obs.] --Sheldon.
Assumpt \As*sumpt"\, n. [L. assumptum, p. p. neut. of assumere.]
That which is assumed; an assumption. [Obs.]
The sun of all your assumpts is this. --Chillingworth.
Assumption \As*sump"tion\ (?; 215), n. [OE. assumpcioun a taking
up into heaven, L. assumptio a taking, fr. assumere: cf. F.
assomption. See {Assume}.]
1. The act of assuming, or taking to or upon one's self; the
act of taking up or adopting.
The assumption of authority. --Whewell.
2. The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing
without proof; supposition; unwarrantable claim.
This gives no sanction to the unwarrantable
assumption that the soul sleeps from the period of
death to the resurrection of the body. --Thodey.
That calm assumption of the virtues. --W. Black.
3. The thing supposed; a postulate, or proposition assumed; a
supposition.
Hold! says the Stoic; your assumption's wrong.
--Dryden.
4. (Logic) The minor or second proposition in a categorical
syllogism.
5. The taking of a person up into heaven. Hence: (Rom. Cath.
& Greek Churches) A festival in honor of the ascent of the
Virgin Mary into heaven.
Assumptive \As*sump"tive\, a. [L. assumptivus, fr. assumptus,
fr. assumere.]
Assumed, or capable of being assumed; characterized by
assumption; making unwarranted claims. -- {As*sump"tive*ly},
adv.
{Assumptive arms} (Her.), originally, arms which a person had
a right to assume, in consequence of an exploit; now,
those assumed without sanction of the Heralds' College.
--Percy Smith.
Assurance \As*sur"ance\, n. [OE. assuraunce, F. assurance, fr.
assurer. See {Assure}.]
1. The act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full
confidence; that which is designed to give confidence.
Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in
that he hath raised him from the dead. --Acts xvii.
31.
Assurances of support came pouring in daily.
--Macaulay.
2. The state of being assured; firm persuasion; full
confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty.
Let us draw with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience. --Heb. x. 22.
3. Firmness of mind; undoubting, steadiness; intrepidity;
courage; confidence; self-reliance.
Brave men meet danger with assurance. --Knolles.
Conversation with the world will give them knowledge
and assurance. --Locke.
4. Excess of boldness; impudence; audacity; as, his assurance
is intolerable.
5. Betrothal; affiance. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
6. Insurance; a contract for the payment of a sum on occasion
of a certain event, as loss or death.
Note: Recently, assurance has been used, in England, in
relation to life contingencies, and insurance in
relation to other contingencies. It is called temporary
assurance, in the time within which the contingent
event must happen is limited. See {Insurance}.
7. (Law) Any written or other legal evidence of the
conveyance of property; a conveyance; a deed.
Note: In England, the legal evidences of the conveyance of
property are called the common assurances of the
kingdom. --Blackstone.
Assure \As*sure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Assured}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Assuring}.] [OF. ase["u]rer, F. assurer, LL. assecurare; L.
ad + securus secure, sure, certain. See {Secure}, {Sure}, and
cf. {Insure}.]
1. To make sure or certain; to render confident by a promise,
declaration, or other evidence.
His promise that thy seed shall bruise our foe . . .
Assures me that the bitterness of death Is past, and
we shall live. --Milton.
2. To declare to, solemnly; to assert to (any one) with the
design of inspiring belief or confidence.
I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take
alive the noble Brutus. --Shak.
3. To confirm; to make certain or secure.
And it shall be assured to him. --Lev. xxvii.
19.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and
shall assure our hearts before him. --1 John iii.
19.
4. To affiance; to betroth. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. (Law) To insure; to covenant to indemnify for loss, or to
pay a specified sum at death. See {Insure}.
Syn: To declare; aver; avouch; vouch; assert; asseverate;
protest; persuade; convince.
Assured \As*sured"\, a.
Made sure; safe; insured; certain; indubitable; not doubting;
bold to excess.
Assured \As*sured"\, n.
One whose life or property is insured.
Assuredly \As*sur"ed*ly\, adv.
Certainly; indubitably. ``The siege assuredly I'll raise.''
--Shak.
Assuredness \As*sur"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being assured; certainty; full confidence.
Assurer \As*sur"er\, n.
1. One who assures. Specifically: One who insures against
loss; an insurer or underwriter.
2. One who takes out a life assurance policy.
Assurgency \As*sur"gen*cy\, n.
Act of rising.
The . . . assurgency of the spirit through the body.
--Coleridge.
Assurgent \As*sur"gent\, a. [L. assurgens, p. pr. of assurgere;
ad + surgere to rise.]
Ascending; (Bot.) rising obliquely; curving upward. --Gray.
Assuring \As*sur"ing\, a.
That assures; tending to assure; giving confidence. --
{As*sur"ing*ly}, adv.
Asswage \As*swage"\, v.
See {Assuage}.
Assyrian \As*syr"i*an\, a. [L. Assyrius.]
Of or pertaining to Assyria, or to its inhabitants. -- n. A
native or an inhabitant of Assyria; the language of Assyria.
Assyriological \As*syr`i*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to Assyriology; as, Assyriological studies.
Assyriologist \As*syr`i*ol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in Assyriology; a student of Assyrian
arch[ae]ology.
Assyriology \As*syr`i*ol"o*gy\, n. [Assyria + -logy.]
The science or study of the antiquities, language, etc., of
ancient Assyria.
Assythment \As*syth"ment\, n. [From OF. aset, asez, orig.
meaning enough. See {Assets}.]
Indemnification for injury; satisfaction. [Chiefly in Scots
law]
Astacus \As"ta*cus\, n. [L. astacus a crab, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of crustaceans, containing the crawfish of
fresh-water lobster of Europe, and allied species of western
North America. See {Crawfish}.
Astarboard \A*star"board\, adv. (Naut.)
Over to the starboard side; -- said of the tiller.
Astart \A*start"\, v. t. & i.
Same as {Astert}. [Obs.]
Astarte \As*tar"te\, n. [Gr. ? a Ph[oe]nician goddess.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of bivalve mollusks, common on the coasts of America
and Europe.
Astate \A*state"\, n.
Estate; state. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Astatic \A*stat"ic\, a. [Pref. a- not + static.] (Magnetism)
Having little or no tendency to take a fixed or definite
position or direction: thus, a suspended magnetic needle,
when rendered astatic, loses its polarity, or tendency to
point in a given direction.
{Astatic pair} (Magnetism), a pair of magnetic needles so
mounted as to be nearly or quite astatic, as in some
galvanometers.
Astatically \A*stat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an astatic manner.
Astaticism \A*stat"i*cism\, n.
The state of being astatic.
Astay \A*stay"\, adv. (Naut.)
An anchor is said to be astay, when, in heaving it, an acute
angle is formed between the cable and the surface of the
water.
Asteism \As"te*ism\, n. [Gr. ? refined and witty talk, fr. ? of
the town, polite, witty, fr. ? city: cf. F. ast['e]isme.]
(Rhet.)
Genteel irony; a polite and ingenious manner of deriding
another.
Astel \As"tel\ ([a^]s"t[~e]l), n. [OE. astelle piece of wood,
OF. astele splinter, shaving, F. attelle, astelle: cf. L.
astula, dim. of assis board.] (Mining)
An arch, or ceiling, of boards, placed over the men's heads
in a mine.
Aster \As"ter\ ([a^]s"t[~e]r), n. [L. aster aster, star, Gr.
'asth`r star. See {Star}.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of herbs with compound white or bluish
flowers; starwort; Michaelmas daisy.
2. (Floriculture) A plant of the genus {Callistephus}. Many
varieties (called {China asters}, {German asters}, etc.)
are cultivated for their handsome compound flowers.
Asterias \As*te"ri*as\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? starred, fr. 'asth`r
star.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of echinoderms.
Note: Formerly the group of this name included nearly all
starfishes and ophiurans. Now it is restricted to a
genus including the commonest shore starfishes.
Asteriated \As*te"ri*a`ted\, a. [See {Asterias}.]
Radiated, with diverging rays; as, asteriated sapphire.
Asteridian \As`ter*id"i*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Asterioidea. -- n. A starfish; one of
the Asterioidea.
Asterioidea \As*te`ri*oid"e*a\, Asteridea \As`ter*id"e*a\, n.
pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'asteri`as + -oid. See {Asterias}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A class of Echinodermata including the true starfishes. The
rays vary in number and always have ambulacral grooves below.
The body is star-shaped or pentagonal.
Asterion \As*te"ri*on\, n. [Gr. 'aste`rion starry.] (Anat.)
The point on the side of the skull where the lambdoid,
parieto-mastoid and occipito-mastoid sutures.
Asteriscus \As`ter*is"cus\, n. [L., an asterisk. See
{Asterisk}.] (Anat.)
The smaller of the two otoliths found in the inner ear of
many fishes.
Asterisk \As"ter*isk\, n. [L. asteriscus, Gr. ?, dim. of 'asth`r
star. See {Aster}.]
The figure of a star, thus, ?, used in printing and writing
as a reference to a passage or note in the margin, to supply
the omission of letters or words, or to mark a word or phrase
as having a special character.
Asterism \As`ter*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. 'asth`r star; cf. F.
ast['e]risme.]
1. (Astron.)
(a) A constellation. [Obs.]
(b) A small cluster of stars.
2. (Printing)
(a) An asterisk, or mark of reference. [R.]
(b) Three asterisks placed in this manner, [asterism], to
direct attention to a particular passage.
3. (Crystallog.) An optical property of some crystals which
exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star
sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.
Astern \A*stern"\, adv. [Pref. a- + stern.] (Naut.)
1. In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hinder
part, or stern; backward; as, to go astern.
2. Behind a ship; in the rear. ``A gale of wind right
astern.'' --De Foe. ``Left this strait astern.'' --Drake.
{To bake astern}, to go stern foremost.
{To be astern of the reckoning}, to be behind the position
given by the reckoning.
{To drop astern}, to fall or be left behind.
{To go astern}, to go backward, as from the action of
currents or winds.
Asternal \A*ster"nal\, a. [Pref. a- not + sternal.] (Anat.)
Not sternal; -- said of ribs which do not join the sternum.
Asteroid \As"ter*oid\, n. [Gr. ? starlike, starry; 'asth`r star
+ ? form: cf. F. ast['e]ro["i]de. See {Aster}.]
A starlike body; esp. one of the numerous small planets whose
orbits lie between those of Mars and Jupiter; -- called also
{planetoids} and {minor planets}.
Asteroidal \As`ter*oid"al\, a.
Of or pertaining to an asteroid, or to the asteroids.
Asterolepis \As`te*rol"e*pis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'asth`r star + ?
scale.] (Paleon.)
A genus of fishes, some of which were eighteen or twenty feet
long, found in a fossil state in the Old Red Sandstone.
--Hugh Miller.
Asterophyllite \As`ter*oph"yl*lite\
([a^]s`t[~e]r*[o^]f"[i^]l*l[imac]t), n. [Gr. 'asth`r star +
fy`llon leaf.] (Paleon.)
A fossil plant from the coal formations of Europe and
America, now regarded as the branchlets and foliage of
calamites.
Astert \A*stert\, v. t. [Pref. a- + start; OE. asterten,
asturten.]
To start up; to befall; to escape; to shun. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Astert \A*stert"\, v. i.
To escape. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Asthenia \As`the*ni"a\, Astheny \As"the*ny\, n. [NL. asthenia,
Gr. 'asqe`nia; 'a priv. + sqe`nos strength.] (Med.)
Want or loss of strength; debility; diminution of the vital
forces.
Asthenic \As*then"ic\, a. [Gr. 'asqeniko`s; 'a priv. + sqe`nos
strength.] (Med.)
Characterized by, or pertaining to, debility; weak;
debilitating.
Asthenopia \As`the*no"pi*a\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + sqe`nos strength
+ 'w`ps eye.]
Weakness of sight. --Quain. -- {As`the*nop"ic}, a.
Asthma \Asth"ma\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. ? short-drawn breath, fr. ?
to blow, for ?: cf. Skr. v[=a], Goth. waian, to blow, E.
wind.] (Med.)
A disease, characterized by difficulty of breathing (due to a
spasmodic contraction of the bronchi), recurring at
intervals, accompanied with a wheezing sound, a sense of
constriction in the chest, a cough, and expectoration.
Asthmatic \Asth*mat"ic\, Asthmatical \Asth*mat"ic*al\, a. [L.
asthmaticus, Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to asthma; as, an asthmatic cough; liable
to, or suffering from, asthma; as, an asthmatic patient. --
{Asth*mat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Asthmatic \Asth*mat"ic\, n.
A person affected with asthma.
Astigmatic \As`tig*mat"ic\, a. (Med. & Opt.)
Affected with, or pertaining to, astigmatism; as, astigmatic
eyes; also, remedying astigmatism; as, astigmatic lenses.
Astigmatism \A*stig"ma*tism\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + ?, ?, a prick
of a pointed instrument, a spot, fr. ? to prick: cf. F.
astigmatisme.] (Med. & Opt.)
A defect of the eye or of a lens, in consequence of which the
rays derived from one point are not brought to a single focal
point, thus causing imperfect images or indistinctness of
vision.
Note: The term is applied especially to the defect causing
images of lines having a certain direction to be
indistinct, or imperfectly seen, while those of lines
transverse to the former are distinct, or clearly seen.
Astipulate \As*tip"u*late\, v. i. [L. astipulari; ad + stipulari
to stipulate.]
To assent. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Astipulation \As*tip`u*la"tion\, n. [L. astipulatio.]
Stipulation; agreement. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Astir \A*stir"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + stir.]
Stirring; in a state of activity or motion; out of bed.
Astomatous \A*stom"a*tous\, Astomous \As"to*mous\, a. [Gr. 'a
priv. + ?, ?, mouth.]
Not possessing a mouth.
Aston \As*ton"\, Astone \As*tone"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Astoned}, {Astond}, or {Astound}.] [See {Astonish}.]
To stun; to astonish; to stupefy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Astonied \As*ton"ied\, p. p.
Stunned; astonished. See {Astony}. [Archaic]
And I astonied fell and could not pray. --Mrs.
Browning.
Astonish \As*ton"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Astonished}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Astonishing}.] [OE. astonien, astunian, astonen,
OF. estoner, F. ['e]tonner, fr. L. ex out + tonare to
thunder, but perhaps influenced by E. stun. See {Thunder},
{Astound}, {Astony}.]
1. To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. [Obs.]
Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen
had struck Pistol]. --Shak.
The very cramp-fish [i. e., torpedo] . . . being
herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others.
--Holland.
2. To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze;
to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to
confound with some sudden emotion or passion.
Musidorus . . . had his wits astonished with sorrow.
--Sidney.
I, Daniel . . . was astonished at the vision. --Dan.
viii. 27.
Syn: To amaze; astound; overwhelm; surprise.
Usage: {Astonished}, {Surprised}. We are surprised at what is
unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or
beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We
are struck with astonishment. --C. J. Smith. See
{Amaze}.
Astonishedly \As*ton"ish*ed*ly\, adv.
In an astonished manner. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Astonishing \As*ton"ish*ing\, a.
Very wonderful; of a nature to excite astonishment; as, an
astonishing event.
Syn: Amazing; surprising; wonderful; marvelous.
{As*ton"ish*ing*ly}, adv. -- {As*ton"ish*ing*ness}, n.
Astonishment \As*ton"ish*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. estonnement, F.
['e]tonnement.]
1. The condition of one who is stunned. Hence: Numbness; loss
of sensation; stupor; loss of sense. [Obs.]
A coldness and astonishment in his loins, as folk
say. --Holland.
2. Dismay; consternation. [Archaic] --Spenser.
3. The overpowering emotion excited when something
unaccountable, wonderful, or dreadful is presented to the
mind; an intense degree of surprise; amazement.
Lest the place And my quaint habits breed
astonishment. --Milton.
4. The object causing such an emotion.
Thou shalt become an astonishment. --Deut.
xxviii. 37.
Syn: Amazement; wonder; surprise.
Astony \As*ton"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Astonied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Astonying}. See {Astone}.]
To stun; to bewilder; to astonish; to dismay. [Archaic]
The captain of the Helots . . . strake Palladius upon
the side of his head, that he reeled astonied. --Sir P.
Sidney.
This sodeyn cas this man astonied so, That reed he wex,
abayst, and al quaking. --Chaucer.
Astoop \A*stoop"\, adv. [Pref. a- + stoop.]
In a stooping or inclined position. --Gay.
Astound \As*tound"\, a. [OE. astouned, astound, astoned, p. p.
of astone. See {Astone}.]
Stunned; astounded; astonished. [Archaic] --Spenser.
Thus Ellen, dizzy and astound. As sudden ruin yawned
around. --Sir W.
Scott.
Astound \As*tound"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Astounded}, [Obs.]
{Astound}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Astounding}.] [See {Astound}, a.]
1. To stun; to stupefy.
No puissant stroke his senses once astound.
--Fairfax.
2. To astonish; to strike with amazement; to confound with
wonder, surprise, or fear.
These thoughts may startle well, but not astound The
virtuous mind. --Milton.
Astounding \As*tound"ing\, a.
Of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an
astounding force, statement, or fact. -- {As*tound"ing*ly},
adv.
Astoundment \As*tound"ment\, n.
Amazement. --Coleridge.
Astrachan \As`tra*chan"\, a. & n.
See {Astrakhan}.
Astraddle \A*strad"dle\, adv. [Pref. a- + straddle.]
In a straddling position; astride; bestriding; as, to sit
astraddle a horse.
Astraean \As*tr[ae]"an\, a. [Gr. ? starry.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the genus {Astr[ae]a} or the family
{Astr[ae]id[ae]}. -- n. A coral of the family
{Astr[ae]id[ae]}; a star coral.
Astragal \As"tra*gal\, n. [L. astragalus, Gr. ? the ankle bone,
a molding in the capital of the Ionic column.]
1. (Arch.) A convex molding of rounded surface, generally
from half to three quarters of a circle.
2. (Gun.) A round molding encircling a cannon near the mouth.
Astragalar \As*trag"a*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the astragalus.
Astragaloid \As*trag"a*loid\, a. [Astragalus + -oid.] (Anat.)
Resembling the astragalus in form.
Astragalomancy \As*trag"a*lo*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? ankle bone, die
+ -mancy.]
Divination by means of small bones or dice.
Astragalus \As*trag"a*lus\, n. [L. See {Astragal}.]
1. (Anat.) The ankle bone, or hock bone; the bone of the
tarsus which articulates with the tibia at the ankle.
2. (Bot.) A genus of papilionaceous plants, of the tribe
{Galege[ae]}, containing numerous species, two of which
are called, in English, {milk vetch} and {licorice vetch}.
{Gum tragacanth} is obtained from different oriental
species, particularly the {A. gummifer} and {A. verus}.
3. (Arch.) See {Astragal}, 1.
Astrakhan \As`tra*khan"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Astrakhan in Russia or its products; made
of an Astrakhan skin. -- n. The skin of stillborn or young
lambs of that region, the curled wool of which resembles fur.
Astral \As"tral\, a. [L. astralis, fr. astrum star, Gr. ?: cf.
F. astral. See {Star}.]
Pertaining to, coming from, or resembling, the stars; starry;
starlike.
Shines only with an astral luster. --I. Taylor.
Some astral forms I must invoke by prayer. --Dryden.
{Astral lamp}, an Argand lamp so constructed that no shadow
is cast upon the table by the flattened ring-shaped
reservoir in which the oil is contained.
{Astral spirits}, spirits formerly supposed to live in the
heavenly bodies or the a["e]rial regions, and represented
in the Middle Ages as fallen angels, spirits of the dead,
or spirits originating in fire.
Astrand \A*strand"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + strand.]
Stranded. --Sir W. Scott.
Astray \A*stray"\, adv. & a. [See {Estray}, {Stray}.]
Out of the right, either in a literal or in a figurative
sense; wandering; as, to lead one astray.
Ye were as sheep going astray. --1 Pet. ii.
25.
Astrict \As*trict"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Astricted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Astricting}.] [L. astrictus, p. p. of astringere. See
{Astringe}.]
1. To bind up; to confine; to constrict; to contract.
The solid parts were to be relaxed or astricted.
--Arbuthnot.
2. To bind; to constrain; to restrict; to limit. [R.]
The mind is astricted to certain necessary modes or
forms of thought. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
3. (Scots Law) To restrict the tenure of; as, to astrict
lands. See {Astriction}, 4. --Burrill.
Astrict \As*trict"\, a.
Concise; contracted. [Obs.] --Weever.
Astriction \As*tric"tion\, n. [L. astrictio.]
1. The act of binding; restriction; also, obligation.
--Milton.
2. (Med.)
(a) A contraction of parts by applications; the action of
an astringent substance on the animal economy.
--Dunglison.
(b) Constipation. --Arbuthnot.
3. Astringency. [Obs.] --Bacon.
4. (Scots Law) An obligation to have the grain growing on
certain lands ground at a certain mill, the owner paying a
toll. --Bell.
Note: The lands were said to be astricted to the mill.
Astrictive \As*tric"tive\, a.
Binding; astringent. -- n. An astringent. --
{As*tric"tive*ly}, adv.
Astrictory \As*tric"to*ry\, a.
Astrictive. [R.]
Astride \A*stride"\, adv. [Pref. a- + stride.]
With one leg on each side, as a man when on horseback; with
the legs stretched wide apart; astraddle.
Placed astride upon the bars of the palisade. --Sir W.
Scott.
Glasses with horn bows sat astride on his nose.
--Longfellow.
Astriferous \As*trif"er*ous\ (acr/s*tr[i^]f"[~e]r*[u^]s), a. [L.
astrifer; astrum star + ferre to bear.]
Bearing stars. [R.] --Blount.
Astringe \As*tringe"\ ([a^]s*tr[i^]nj"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Astringed} (-tr[i^]njd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Astringing}
(-j[i^]ng).] [L. astringere; ad + stringere to draw tight.
Cf. {Astrict}, and see {Strain}, v. t.]
1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to
draw together; to compress.
Which contraction . . . astringeth the moisture of
the brain and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes.
--Bacon.
2. To bind by moral or legal obligation. --Wolsey.
Astringency \As*trin"gen*cy\ ([a^]s*tr[i^]n"jen*s[y^]), n.
The quality of being astringent; the power of contracting the
parts of the body; that quality in medicines or other
substances which causes contraction of the organic textures;
as, the astringency of tannin.
Astringent \As*trin"gent\ (-jent), a. [L. astringens, p. pr. of
astringere: cf. F. astringent. See {Astringe}.]
1. Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; --
opposed to {laxative}; as, astringent medicines; a butter
and astringent taste; astringent fruit.
2. Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.
Astringent \As*trin"gent\, n.
A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in
the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood,
mucus, etc.
External astringents are called styptics. --Dunglison.
Astringently \As*trin"gent*ly\, adv.
In an astringent manner.
Astringer \As*trin"ger\, n. [OE. ostreger, OF. ostrucier, F.
autoursier, fr. OF. austour, ostor, hawk, F. autour; cf. L.
acceptor, for accipiter, hawk.]
A falconer who keeps a goshawk. [Obs.] --Shak. --Cowell.
[Written also {austringer}.]
Astro- \As"tro-\
The combining form of the Greek word 'a`stron, meaning star.
Astrofel \As"tro*fel\, Astrofell \As"tro*fell\, n.
A bitter herb, probably the same as aster, or starwort.
--Spenser.
Astrogeny \As*trog"e*ny\, n. [Astro- + Gr. ? birth.]
The creation or evolution of the stars or the heavens. --H.
Spencer.
Astrognosy \As*trog"no*sy\, n. [Astro- + Gr. ? knowledge.]
The science or knowledge of the stars, esp. the fixed stars.
--Bouvier.
Astrogony \As*trog"o*ny\, n.
Same as {Astrogeny}. -- {As`*tro*gon"ic}, a.
Astrography \As*trog"ra*phy\, n. [Astro'cf + -graphy.]
The art of describing or delineating the stars; a description
or mapping of the heavens.
Astroite \As"tro*ite\, n. [L. astroites: cf. F. astroite.]
A radiated stone or fossil; star-stone. [Obs.] [Written also
{astrite} and {astrion}.]
Astrolabe \As"tro*labe\ ([a^]s"tr[-o]*l[=a]b), n. [OE.
astrolabie, astrilabe, OF. astrelabe, F. astrolabe, LL.
astrolabium, fr. Gr. 'astrola`bon; 'a`stron star + ?, ?, to
take.]
1. (Astron.) An instrument for observing or showing the
positions of the stars. It is now disused.
Note: Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary
sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking
altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th
century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and
sextant.
2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a
great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a
planisphere. --Whewell.
Astrolater \As*trol"a*ter\, n.
A worshiper of the stars. --Morley.
Astrolatry \As*trol"a*try\, n. [Astro- + Gr. ? service, worship:
cf. F. astrol[^a]trie.]
The worship of the stars.
Astrolithology \As`tro*li*thol"o*gy\, n. [Astro- + lithology.]
The science of a["e]rolites.
Astrologer \As*trol"o*ger\, n. [See {Astrology}.]
1. One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]
2. One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell
events by the aspects and situation of the stars.
Astrologian \As`tro*lo"gi*an\, n. [OF. astrologien.]
An astrologer. [Obs.]
Astrologic \As`tro*log"ic\, Astrological \As`tro*log"ic*al\, a.
[Gr. 'astrologiko`s.]
Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing
astrology. ``Astrologic learning.'' --Hudibras.
``Astrological prognostication.'' --Cudworth. --
{As`tro*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Astrologize \As*trol"o*gize\, v. t. & i.
To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.
Astrology \As*trol"o*gy\ ([a^]s*tr[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n. [F.
astrologie, L. astrologia, fr. Gr. 'astrologi`a, fr.
'astrolo`gos astronomer, astrologer; 'asth`r star + lo`gos
discourse, le`gein to speak. See {Star}.]
In its etymological signification, the science of the stars;
among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently,
the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human
affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and
aspects.
Note: Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and
became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did
of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial
astrology, which assumed to foretell the fate and acts
of nations and individuals, and natural astrology,
which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature,
such as changes of the weather, etc.
Astromantic \As`tro*man"tic\, a. [Gr. ? astrology.]
Of or pertaining to divination by means of the stars;
astrologic. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Astrometeorology \As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gy\, n. [Astro- +
meteorology.]
The investigation of the relation between the sun, moon, and
stars, and the weather. -- {As`*tro*me`te*or`o*log"ic*al}, a.
-- {As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gist}, n.
Astrometer \As*trom"e*ter\, n. [Astro- + meter.]
An instrument for comparing the relative amount of the light
of stars.
Astrometry \As*trom"e*try\, n. [Astro- + metry.]
The art of making measurements among the stars, or of
determining their relative magnitudes.
Astronomer \As*tron"o*mer\, n. [See {Astronomy}.]
1. An astrologer. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of
the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which
their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena.
An undevout astronomer is mad. --Young.
Astronomian \As`tro*no"mi*an\, n. [OE. & OF. astronomien. See
{Astronomy}.]
An astrologer. [Obs.]
Astronomic \As`tro*nom"ic\, a.
Astronomical.
Astronomical \As`tro*nom"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a. [L.
astronomicus, Gr. 'astronomiko`s: cf. F. astronomique.]
Of or pertaining to astronomy; in accordance with the methods
or principles of astronomy. -- {As`tro*nom"ic*al*ly}, adv.
{Astronomical clock}. See under {Clock}.
{Astronomical day}. See under {Day}.
{Astronomical fractions}, {Astronomical numbers}. See under
{Sexagesimal}.
Astronomize \As*tron"o*mize\, v. i. [Gr. ?.]
To study or to talk astronomy. [R.]
They astronomized in caves. --Sir T.
Browne.
Astronomy \As*tron"o*my\, n. [OE. astronomie, F. astronomie, L.
astronomia, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? astronomer; 'asth`r star + ? to
distribute, regulate. See {Star}, and {Nomad}.]
1. Astrology. [Obs.]
Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck; And yet
methinks I have astronomy. --Shak.
2. The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their
magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution,
eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the
causes of their various phenomena.
3. A treatise on, or text-book of, the science.
{Physical astronomy}. See under {Physical}.
Astrophel \As"tro*phel\, n.
See {Astrofel}. [Obs.]
Astrophotography \As`tro*pho*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Astro- +
photography.]
The application of photography to the delineation of the sun,
moon, and stars.
Astrophysical \As`tro*phys"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to the physics of astronomical science.
Astrophyton \As*troph"y*ton\, n. [Astro- + Gr. fyton a plant.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of ophiurans having the arms much branched.
Astroscope \As"tro*scope\, n. [Astro- + scope.]
An old astronomical instrument, formed of two cones, on whose
surface the constellations were delineated.
Astroscopy \As*tros"co*py\, n.
Observation of the stars. [Obs.]
Astrotheology \As`tro*the*ol"o*gy\, n. [Astro- + theology.]
Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial
bodies. --Derham.
Astructive \A*struc"tive\, a. [L. astructus, p. p. of astruere
to build up; ad + struere to build.]
Building up; constructive; -- opposed to {destructive}.
[Obs.]
Astrut \A*strut"\, a. & adv.
1. Sticking out, or puffed out; swelling; in a swelling
manner. [Archaic]
Inflated and astrut with self-conceit. --Cowper.
2. In a strutting manner; with a strutting gait.
Astucious \As*tu"cious\, a. [F. astucieux. See {Astute}.]
Subtle; cunning; astute. [R.] --Sir W. Scott. --
{As*tu"cious*ly}, adv. [R.]
Astucity \As*tu"ci*ty\, n. [See {Astucious}.]
Craftiness; astuteness. [R.] --Carlyle.
Astun \A*stun"\, v. t. [See {Astony}, {Stun}.]
To stun. [Obs.] ``Breathless and astunned.'' --Somerville.
Asturian \As*tu"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Asturias in Spain. -- n. A native of
Asturias.
Astute \As*tute"\, a. [L. astutus, fr. astus craft, cunning;
perh. cognate with E. acute.]
Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.
Syn: Keen; eagle-eyed; penetrating; skilled; discriminating;
cunning; sagacious; subtle; wily; crafty. {As*tute"ly},
adv. -- {As*tute"ness}, n.
Astylar \A*sty"lar\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? pillar.] (arch.)
Without columns or pilasters. --Weale.
Astyllen \A*styl"len\, n. (Mining)
A small dam to prevent free passage of water in an adit or
level.
Asunder \A*sun"der\, adv. [Pref. a- + sunder.]
Apart; separate from each other; into parts; in two;
separately; into or in different pieces or places.
I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder.
--Zech. xi.
10.
As wide asunder as pole and pole. --Froude.
Asura \A*su"ra\, n. (Hind. Myth.)
An enemy of the gods, esp. one of a race of demons and
giants.
Aswail \As"wail\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The sloth bear ({Melursus labiatus}) of India.
Asweve \A*sweve"\, v. t. [AS. aswebban; a + swebban. See
{Sweven}.]
To stupefy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aswing \A*swing"\, adv.
In a state of swinging.
Aswoon \A*swoon"\, adv.
In a swoon. --Chaucer.
Aswooned \A*swooned"\, adv.
In a swoon.
Asylum \A*sy"lum\, n.; pl. E. {Asylums}, L. {Asyla}. [L. asylum,
Gr. ?, fr. ? exempt from spoliation, inviolable; 'a priv. + ?
right of seizure.]
1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where
criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they
could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege.
So sacred was the church to some, that it had the
right of an asylum or sanctuary. --Ayliffe.
Note: The name was anciently given to temples, altars,
statues of the gods, and the like. In later times
Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same
sense.
2. Any place of retreat and security.
Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold
bosom. --Southey.
3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class
of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an
asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a
lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.
Asymmetral \A*sym"me*tral\, a.
Incommensurable; also, unsymmetrical. [Obs.] --D. H. More.
Asymmetric \As`ym*met"ric\, Asymmetrical \As`ym*met"ri*cal\, a.
[See {Asymmetrous}.]
1. Incommensurable. [Obs.]
2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally
symmetrical. --Huxley.
Asymmetrous \A*sym"me*trous\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Asymmetrical. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Asymmetry \A*sym"me*try\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? symmetry.]
1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a
thing, esp. want of bilateral symmetry.
2. (Math.) Incommensurability. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Asymptote \As"ymp*tote\ (?; 215), n. [Gr. ? not falling
together; 'a priv. + ? to fall together; ? with + ? to fall.
Cf. {Symptom}.] (Math.)
A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable
distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet
it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear
asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an
infinite distance.
Asynartete \A*syn"ar*tete`\, a. [Gr. ? not united, disconnected;
'a priv. + ? with + ? to fasten to.]
Disconnected; not fitted or adjusted. -- {A*syn"ar*tet"ic},
a.
{Asynartete verse} (Pros.), a verse of two members, having
different rhythms; as when the first consists of iambuses
and the second of trochees.
Asyndetic \As`yn*det"ic\, a. [See {Asyndeton}.]
Characterized by the use of asyndeton; not connected by
conjunctions. -- {As`yn*det"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Asyndeton \A*syn"de*ton\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? unconnected;
'a priv. + ? bound together, fr. ?; ? with + ? to bind.]
(Rhet.)
A figure which omits the connective; as, I came, I saw, I
conquered. It stands opposed to {polysyndeton}.
Asystole \A*sys"to*le\, n. [Pref. a- not + systole.] (Physiol.)
A weakening or cessation of the contractile power of the
heart.
Asystolism \A*sys"to*lism\, n.
The state or symptoms characteristic of asystole.
At \At\, prep. [AS. [ae]t; akin to OHG. az, Goth., OS., & Icel.
at, Sw. [*a]t, Dan. & L. ad.]
Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence,
nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the
ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less
definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the
house. From this original import are derived all the various
uses of at. It expresses:
1. A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on,
something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at
school; at hand; at sea and on land.
2. The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at
peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at
risk; at disadvantage.
3. The relation of some employment or action; occupied with;
as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat
(eating); except at puns.
4. The relation of a point or position in a series, or of
degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at
80[deg]; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated
at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest.
5. The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock;
at twenty-one; at once; at first.
6. The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or
effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything;
at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require,
receive, deserve, endure at your hands.
7. Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at
it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike,
shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one.
{At all}, {At home}, {At large}, {At last}, {At length}, {At
once}, etc. See under {All}, {Home}, {Large}, {Last} (phrase
and syn.), {Length}, {Once}, etc.
{At it}, busily or actively engaged.
{At least}. See {Least} and {However}.
{At one}. See {At one}, in the Vocabulary.
Syn: {In}, {At}.
Usage: When reference to the interior of any place is made
prominent in is used. It is used before the names of
countries and cities (esp. large cities); as, we live
in America, in New York, in the South. At is commonly
employed before names of houses, institutions,
villages, and small places; as, Milton was educated at
Christ's College; money taken in at the Customhouse; I
saw him at the jeweler's; we live at Beachville. At
may be used before the name of a city when it is
regarded as a mere point of locality. ``An English
king was crowned at Paris.'' --Macaulay. ``Jean
Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June, 28, 1712.''
--J. Morley. In regard to time, we say at the hour, on
the day, in the year; as, at 9 o'clock, on the morning
of July 5th, in the year 1775.
Atabal \At"a*bal\, n. [Sp. atabal, fr. Ar. at-tabl the drum,
tabala to beat the drum. Cf. {Tymbal}.]
A kettledrum; a kind of tabor, used by the Moors. --Croly.
Atacamite \A*tac"a*mite\, n. [From the desert of Atacama, where
found.] (Min.)
An oxychloride of copper, usually in emerald-green prismatic
crystals.
Atafter \At`aft"er\, prep.
After. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ataghan \At"a*ghan\, n.
See {Yataghan}.
Atake \A*take"\, v. t.
To overtake. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ataman \At"a*man\, n. [Russ. ataman': cf. Pol. hetman, G.
hauptmann headman, chieftain. Cf. {Hetman}.]
A hetman, or chief of the Cossacks.
Ataraxia \At`a*rax"i*a\, Ataraxy \At"a*rax`y\, n. [NL. ataraxia,
Gr. 'ataraxi`a; 'a priv. + tarakto`s disturbed, tara`ssein to
disturb.]
Perfect peace of mind, or calmness.
Ataunt \A*taunt"\, Ataunto \A*taunt"o\, adv. [F. autant as much
(as possible).] (Naut.)
Fully rigged, as a vessel; with all sails set; set on end or
set right.
Atavic \A*tav"ic\, a. [Cf. F. atavique.]
Pertaining to a remote ancestor, or to atavism.
Atavism \At"a*vism\, n. [L. atavus an ancestor, fr. avus a
grandfather.]
(a) The recurrence, or a tendency to a recurrence, of the
original type of a species in the progeny of its
varieties; resemblance to remote rather than to near
ancestors; reversion to the original form.
(b) (Biol.) The recurrence of any peculiarity or disease of
an ancestor in a subsequent generation, after an
intermission for a generation or two.
Now and then there occur cases of what
physiologists call atavism, or reversion to an
ancestral type of character. --J. Fiske
Ataxia \A*tax"i*a\, Ataxy \At"ax*y\, n. [NL. ataxia, Gr. ?, fr.
? out of order; 'a priv. + ? ordered, arranged, ? to put in
order: cf. F. ataxie.]
1. Disorder; irregularity. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
2. (Med.)
(a) Irregularity in disease, or in the functions.
(b) The state of disorder that characterizes nervous
fevers and the nervous condition.
{Locomotor ataxia}. See {Locomotor}.
Ataxic \A*tax"ic\, a. [Cf. F. ataxique. See {Ataxia}.] (Med.)
Characterized by ataxy, that is,
(a) by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or
(b) by a want of coordinating power in movements.
{Ataxic fever}, malignant typhus fever. --Pinel.
Atazir \At`a*zir"\, n. [OF., fr. Ar. al-tas[=i]r influence.]
(Astron.)
The influence of a star upon other stars or upon men. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Ate \Ate\ (?; 277),
the preterit of {Eat}.
Ate \A"te\, n. [Gr. ?.] (Greek. Myth.)
The goddess of mischievous folly; also, in later poets, the
goddess of vengeance.
-ate \-ate\ [From the L. suffix -atus, the past participle
ending of verbs of the 1st conj.]
1. As an ending of participles or participial adjectives it
is equivalent to -ed; as, situate or situated; animate or
animated.
2. As the ending of a verb, it means to make, to cause, to
act, etc.; as, to propitiate (to make propitious); to
animate (to give life to).
3. As a noun suffix, it marks the agent; as, curate,
delegate. It also sometimes marks the office or dignity;
as, tribunate.
4. In chemistry it is used to denote the salts formed from
those acids whose names end -ic (excepting binary or
halogen acids); as, sulphate from sulphuric acid, nitrate
from nitric acid, etc. It is also used in the case of
certain basic salts.
Atechnic \A*tech"nic\, a. [Pref. a- not + technic.]
Without technical or artistic knowledge.
Difficult to convey to the atechnic reader. --Etching &
Engr.
Ateles \At"e*les\, n. [Gr. ? incomplete; 'a priv. + ?
completion.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of American monkeys with prehensile tails, and having
the thumb wanting or rudimentary. See {Spider monkey}, and
{Coaita}.
Atelier \A`te*lier"\n. [F.]
A workshop; a studio.
Atellan \A*tel"lan\, a. [L. Atellanus, fr. Atella, an ancient
town of the Osci, in Campania.]
Of or pertaining to Atella, in ancient Italy; as, Atellan
plays; farcical; ribald. -- n. A farcical drama performed at
Atella.
Athalamous \A*thal"a*mous\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? nuptial bed.]
(Bot.)
Not furnished with shields or beds for the spores, as the
thallus of certain lichens.
Athamaunt \Ath"a*maunt\, n.
Adamant. [Obs.]
Written in the table of athamaunt. --Chaucer.
Athanasian \Ath`a*na"sian\ (?; 277), a.
Of or pertaining to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria in the
4th century.
{Athanasian creed}, a formulary, confession, or exposition of
faith, formerly supposed to have been drawn up by
Athanasius; but this opinion is now rejected, and the
composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles
(5th century). It is a summary of what was called the
orthodox faith.
Athanor \Ath"a*nor\, n. [F., fr. Ar. at-tann[=u]r, fr. Heb.
tann[=u]r an oven or furnace.]
A digesting furnace, formerly used by alchemists. It was so
constructed as to maintain uniform and durable heat.
--Chambers.
Athecata \Ath`e*ca"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ? chest,
box.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Hydroidea in which the zooids are naked, or not
inclosed in a capsule. See {Tubularian}.
Atheism \A"the*ism\, n. [Cf. F. ath['e]isme. See {Atheist}.]
1. The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or
supreme intelligent Being.
Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing
above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken
tenderness. --R. Hall.
Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded.
--Shipley.
2. Godlessness.
Atheist \A"the*ist\, n. [Gr. ? without god; 'a priv. + ? god:
cf. F. ath['e]iste.]
1. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or
supreme intelligent Being.
2. A godless person. [Obs.]
Syn: Infidel; unbeliever.
Note: See {Infidel}.
Atheistic \A`the*is"tic\, Atheistical \A`the*is"tic*al\, a.
1. Pertaining to, implying, or containing, atheism; --
applied to things; as, atheistic doctrines, opinions, or
books.
Atheistical explications of natural effects.
--Barrow.
2. Disbelieving the existence of a God; impious; godless; --
applied to persons; as, an atheistic writer. --
{A`the*is"tic*al*ly}, adv. -- {A`the*is"tic*al*ness}, n.
Atheize \A"the*ize\, v. t.
To render atheistic or godless. [R.]
They endeavored to atheize one another. --Berkeley.
Atheize \A"the*ize\, v. i.
To discourse, argue, or act as an atheist. [R.] --
{A"the*i`zer}, n. --Cudworth.
Atheling \Ath"el*ing\ ([a^]th"[e^]l*[i^]ng), n. [AS.
[ae][eth]eling noble, fr. [ae][eth]ele noble, akin to G. adel
nobility, edel noble. The word [ae][eth]el, E. ethel, is in
many AS. proper names, as Ethelwolf, noble wolf; Ethelbald,
noble bold; Ethelbert, noble bright.]
An Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman; esp., the heir apparent or
a prince of the royal family. [Written also {Adeling} and
{[AE]theling}.]
Atheneum \Ath`e*ne"um\, Athenaeum \Ath`e*n[ae]"um\, n.; pl. E.
{Atheneums}, L. {Athen[ae]a}. [L. Athenaeum, Gr. 'Aqhn`aion a
temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. 'Aqhna^, contr. fr.
'Aqhna`a, 'Aqhnai`a, in Homer 'Aqh`nh, 'Aqhnai`n, Athene
(called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of
Athens.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which
scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and
instruct students.
2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
3. A literary or scientific association or club.
4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals,
and newspapers are kept for use.
Athenian \A*the"ni*an\, a. [Cf. F. Ath['e]nien.]
Of or pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Greece. -- n. A
native or citizen of Athens.
Atheological \A`the*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Opposed to theology; atheistic. --Bp. Montagu.
Atheology \A`the*ol"o*gy\, n. [Pref. a- not + theology.]
Antagonism to theology. --Swift.
Atheous \A"the*ous\, a. [Gr. ? without God. See {Atheist}.]
1. Atheistic; impious. [Obs.] --Milton.
2. Without God, neither accepting nor denying him.
I should say science was atheous, and therefore
could not be atheistic. --Bp. of
Carlisle.
Atherine \Ath"er*ine\, n. [NL. atherina, fr. Gr. ? a kind of
smelt.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small marine fish of the family {Atherinid[ae]}, having a
silvery stripe along the sides. The European species
({Atherina presbyter}) is used as food. The American species
({Menidia notata}) is called {silversides} and {sand smelt}.
See {Silversides}.
Athermancy \A*ther"man*cy\ ([.a]*th[~e]r"m[a^]n*s[y^]), n. [See
{Athermanous}.]
Inability to transmit radiant heat; impermeability to heat.
--Tyndall.
Athermanous \A*ther"ma*nous\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + qermai`nein to
heat, qe`rma heat: cf. F. athermane.] (Chem.)
Not transmitting heat; -- opposed to {diathermanous}.
Athermous \A*ther"mous\, a. (Chem.)
Athermanous.
Atheroid \Ath"er*oid\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, a beard, or an ear, of
grain + -oid.]
Shaped like an ear of grain.
Atheroma \Ath`e*ro"ma\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? gr?ats,
meal.] (Med.)
(a) An encysted tumor containing curdy matter.
(b) A disease characterized by thickening and fatty
degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries.
Atheromatous \Ath`e*rom"a*tous\, a. (Med.)
Of, pertaining to, or having the nature of, atheroma.
--Wiseman.
Athetosis \Ath`e*to"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? not fixed; 'a priv.
+ ? to set.] (Med.)
A variety of chorea, marked by peculiar tremors of the
fingers and toes.
Athink \A*think"\, v. t.
To repent; to displease; to disgust. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Athirst \A*thirst"\, a. [OE. ofthurst, AS. ofpyrsted, p. p. of
ofpyrstan; pref. of-, intensive + pyrstan to thirst. See
{Thirst}.]
1. Wanting drink; thirsty.
2. Having a keen appetite or desire; eager; longing.
``Athirst for battle.'' --Cowper.
Athlete \Ath"lete\, n. [L. athleta, Gr. ? prizefighter, fr. ? to
contend for a prize, ?, Hom. ?, contest, ? prize; fr. the
same root as E. wed: cf. F. athl[`e]te.]
1. (Antiq.) One who contended for a prize in the public games
of ancient Greece or Rome.
2. Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great
physical agility and strength; one who has great activity
and strength; a champion.
3. One fitted for, or skilled in, intellectual contests; as,
athletes of debate.
Athletic \Ath`let"ic\, a. [L. athleticus, Gr. ?. See {Athlete}.]
1. Of or pertaining to athletes or to the exercises practiced
by them; as, athletic games or sports.
2. Befitting an athlete; strong; muscular; robust; vigorous;
as, athletic Celts. ``Athletic soundness.'' --South. --
{Ath*let"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Athleticism \Ath*let"i*cism\, n.
The practice of engaging in athletic games; athletism.
Athletics \Ath*let"ics\, n.
The art of training by athletic exercises; the games and
sports of athletes.
Athletism \Ath"le*tism\, n.
The state or practice of an athlete; the characteristics of
an athlete.
Athwart \A*thwart"\, prep. [Pref. a- + thwart.]
1. Across; from side to side of.
Athwart the thicket lone. --Tennyson.
2. (Naut.) Across the direction or course of; as, a fleet
standing athwart our course.
{Athwart hawse}, across the stem of another vessel, whether
in contact or at a small distance.
{Athwart ships}, across the ship from side to side, or in
that direction; -- opposed to {fore and aft}.
Athwart \A*thwart"\, adv.
1. Across, especially in an oblique direction; sidewise;
obliquely.
Sometimes athwart, sometimes he strook him straight.
--Spenser.
2. Across the course; so as to thwart; perversely.
All athwart there came A post from Wales loaden with
heavy news. --Shak.
Atilt \A*tilt"\, adv. [Pref. a- + tilt.]
1. In the manner of a tilter; in the position, or with the
action, of one making a thrust. ``To run atilt at men.''
--Hudibras.
2. In the position of a cask tilted, or with one end raised.
Note: [In this sense sometimes used as an adjective.]
Abroach, atilt, and run Even to the lees of
honor. --Beau. & Fl.
Atimy \At"i*my\, n. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? honor.] (Gr. Antiq.)
Public disgrace or stigma; infamy; loss of civil rights.
--Mitford.
-ation \-a"tion\ [L. -ationem. See {-tion}.]
A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the
verbal substantive in -ing. It sometimes has the further
meanings of state, and that which results from the action.
Many of these nouns have verbs in -ate; as, alliterate
-ation, narrate -ation; many are derived through the French;
as, alteration, visitation; and many are formed on verbs
ending in the Greek formative -ize (Fr. -ise); as,
civilization, demoralization.
A-tiptoe \A-tip"toe\, adv.
On tiptoe; eagerly expecting.
We all feel a-tiptoe with hope and confidence. --F.
Harrison.
Atlanta \At*lan"ta\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small glassy heteropod mollusks found swimming at
the surface in mid ocean. See {Heteropod}.
Atlantal \At*lan"tal\, a. (Anat.)
(a) Relating to the atlas.
(b) Anterior; cephalic. --Barclay.
Atlantean \At`lan*te"an\, a. [L. Atlant?us.]
1. Of or pertaining to the isle Atlantis, which the ancients
allege was sunk, and overwhelmed by the ocean.
2. Pertaining to, or resembling, Atlas; strong.
With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear The weight of
mightiest monarchies. --Milton.
Atlantes \At*lan"tes\, n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. ?, pl. of ?. See
{Atlas}.] (Arch.)
Figures or half figures of men, used as columns to support an
entablature; -- called also {telamones}. See {Caryatides}.
--Oxf. Gloss.
Atlantic \At*lan"tic\, a. [L. Atlanticus, fr. Atlas. See {Atlas}
and {Atlantes}.]
1. Of or pertaining to Mt. Atlas in Libya, and hence applied
to the ocean which lies between Europe and Africa on the
east and America on the west; as, the Atlantic Ocean
(called also the Atlantic); the Atlantic basin; the
Atlantic telegraph.
2. Of or pertaining to the isle of Atlantis.
3. Descended from Atlas.
The seven Atlantic sisters. --Milton.
Atlantides \At*lan"ti*des\, n. pl. [L. See {Atlantes}.]
The Pleiades or seven stars, fabled to have been the
daughters of Atlas.
Atlas \At"las\, n.; pl. {Atlases}. [L. Atlas, -antis, Gr. ?, ?,
one of the older family of gods, who bears up the pillars of
heaven; also Mt. Atlas, in W. Africa, regarded as the pillar
of heaven. It is from the root of ? to bear. See {Tolerate}.]
1. One who sustains a great burden.
2. (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating
immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of
the head, whence the name.
3. A collection of maps in a volume;
Note: supposed to be so called from a picture of Atlas
supporting the world, prefixed to some collections.
This name is said to have been first used by Mercator,
the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.
4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.
5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from
or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.
6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; --
called also {atlas folio}.
7. A drawing paper of large size. See under {Paper}, n.
{Atlas powder}, a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty
consistency and great explosive power.
Atlas \At"las\, n. [Ar., smooth.]
A rich kind of satin manufactured in India. --Brande & C.
Atmidometer \At`mi*dom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, smoke, vapor +
-meter; cf. F. atmidom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for measuring the evaporation from water, ice,
or snow. --Brande & C.
Atmo \At"mo\, n. [Contr. fr. atmosphere.] (Physics)
The standard atmospheric pressure used in certain physical
measurements calculations; conventionally, that pressure
under which the barometer stands at 760 millimeters, at a
temperature of 0[deg] Centigrade, at the level of the sea,
and in the latitude of Paris. --Sir W. Thomson.
Atmologic \At`mo*log"ic\, Atmological \At`mo*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to atmology. ``Atmological laws of heat.''
--Whewell.
Atmologist \At*mol"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in atmology.
Atmology \At*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? vapor + -logy.] (Physics)
That branch of science which treats of the laws and phenomena
of aqueous vapor. --Whewell.
Atmolysis \At*mol"y*sis\, n. [Gr. ? vapor + ? a loosing, ? to
loose.] (Chem.)
The act or process of separating mingled gases of unequal
diffusibility by transmission through porous substances.
Atmolyzation \At`mol*y*za"tion\, n. (Chem.)
Separation by atmolysis.
Atmolyze \At"mo*lyze\, v. t. (Chem.)
To subject to atmolysis; to separate by atmolysis.
Atmolyzer \At"mo*ly`zer\, n. (Chem.)
An apparatus for effecting atmolysis.
Atmometer \At*mom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? smoke, vapor + -meter: cf.
F. atmom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation from a
moist surface; an evaporometer. --Huxley.
Atmosphere \At"mos*phere\, n. [Gr. ? vapor (akin to Skr.
[=a]tman breath, soul, G. athem breath) + ? sphere: cf. F.
atmosph[`e]re. See {Sphere}.]
1. (Physics)
(a) The whole mass of a["e]riform fluid surrounding the
earth; -- applied also to the gaseous envelope of any
celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of
Mars.
(b) Any gaseous envelope or medium.
An atmosphere of cold oxygen. --Miller.
2. A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical
atmosphere, a medium formerly supposed to surround
electrical bodies. --Franklin.
3. The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a
unit of surface, or about 14.7 Ibs. to the sq. inch.
Hydrogen was liquefied under a pressure of 650
atmospheres. --Lubbock.
4. Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition.
The chillest of social atmospheres. --Hawthorne.
5. The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a
special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere
of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere.
Atmospheric \At`mos*pher"ic\, Atmospherical \At`mos*pher"ic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. atmosph['e]rique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or
resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the
atmospheric envelope of the earth.
2. Existing in the atmosphere.
The lower atmospheric current. --Darwin.
3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an
atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.
4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.]
In am so atmospherical a creature. --Pope.
{Atmospheric engine}, a steam engine whose piston descends by
the pressure of the atmosphere, when the steam which
raised it is condensed within the cylinder. --Tomlinson.
{Atmospheric line} (Steam Engin.), the equilibrium line of an
indicator card. Steam is expanded ``down to the
atmosphere'' when its pressure is equal to that of the
atmosphere. (See {Indicator card}.)
{Atmospheric pressure}, the pressure exerted by the
atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in every direction.
In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each square inch.
{Atmospheric railway}, one in which pneumatic power, obtained
from compressed air or the creation of a vacuum, is the
propelling force.
{Atmospheric tides}. See under {Tide}.
Atmospherically \At`mos*pher"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In relation to the atmosphere.
Atmospherology \At`mos*phe*rol"o*gy\, n. [Atmosphere + -logy.]
The science or a treatise on the atmosphere.
Atokous \At"o*kous\, a. [Gr. ? barren; 'a priv. + ? offspring.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Producing only asexual individuals, as the eggs of certain
annelids.
Atoll \A*toll"\, n. [The native name in the Indian Ocean.]
A coral island or islands, consisting of a belt of coral
reef, partly submerged, surrounding a central lagoon or
depression; a lagoon island.
Atom \At"om\, n. [L. atomus, Gr. ?, uncut, indivisible; 'a priv.
+ ?, verbal adj. of ? to cut: cf. F. atome. See {Tome}.]
1. (Physics)
(a) An ultimate indivisible particle of matter.
(b) An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily
indivisible; a molecule.
(c) A constituent particle of matter, or a molecule
supposed to be made up of subordinate particles.
Note: These three definitions correspond to different views
of the nature of the ultimate particles of matter. In
the case of the last two, the particles are more
correctly called molecules. --Dana.
2. (Chem.) The smallest particle of matter that can enter
into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a
molecule.
3. Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.
There was not an atom of water. --Sir J. Ross.
Atom \At"om\, v. t.
To reduce to atoms. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Atomic \A*tom"ic\, Atomical \A*tom"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. atomique.]
1. Of or pertaining to atoms.
2. Extremely minute; tiny.
{Atomic philosophy}, or {Doctrine of atoms}, a system which,
assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion,
accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things.
This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was
developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by
Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean
philosophy.
{Atomic theory}, or the {Doctrine of definite proportions}
(Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place
between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of
bodies, in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to
three, or some other, always expressible in whole numbers.
{Atomic weight} (Chem.), the weight of the atom of an element
as compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken
as a standard.
Atomically \A*tom"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an atomic manner; in accordance with the atomic
philosophy.
Atomician \At`o*mi"cian\, n.
An atomist. [R.]
Atomicism \A*tom"i*cism\, n.
Atomism. [Obs.]
Atomicity \At`o*mic"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. atomicit['e].] (Chem.)
Degree of atomic attraction; equivalence; valence; also (a
later use) the number of atoms in an elementary molecule. See
{Valence}.
Atomism \At"om*ism\, n. [Cf. F. atomisme.]
The doctrine of atoms. See {Atomic philosophy}, under
{Atomic}.
Atomist \At"om*ist\, n. [Cf. F. atomiste.]
One who holds to the atomic philosophy or theory. --Locke.
Atomistic \At`om*is"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to atoms; relating to atomism. [R.]
It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy
to confound synthesis with synartesis. --Coleridge.
Atomization \At`om*i*za"tion\, n.
1. The act of reducing to atoms, or very minute particles; or
the state of being so reduced.
2. (Med.) The reduction of fluids into fine spray.
Atomize \At"om*ize\, v. t.
To reduce to atoms, or to fine spray.
The liquids in the form of spray are said to be
pulverized, nebulized, or atomized. --Dunglison.
Atomizer \At"om*i`zer\ ([a^]t"[u^]m*[imac]`z[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, atomizes; esp., an instrument for
reducing a liquid to spray for disinfecting, cooling, or
perfuming.
Atomology \At`om*ol"o*gy\ ([a^]t`[u^]m*[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n.
[Atom + -logy.]
The doctrine of atoms. --Cudworth.
Atomy \At"om*y\ ([a^]t"[u^]m*[y^]), n.
An atom; a mite; a pigmy.
Atomy \At"o*my\, n. [For anatomy, taken as an atomy.]
A skeleton. [Ludicrous] --Shak.
Atonable \A*ton"a*ble\, a.
Admitting an atonement; capable of being atoned for;
expiable.
At one \At one"\ [OE. at on, atone, atoon, attone.]
1. In concord or friendship; in agreement (with each other);
as, to be, bring, make, or set, at one, i. e., to be or
bring in or to a state of agreement or reconciliation.
If gentil men, or othere of hir contree Were wrothe,
she wolde bringen hem atoon. --Chaucer.
2. Of the same opinion; agreed; as, on these points we are at
one.
3. Together. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Atone \A*tone"\ ([.a]*t[=o]n"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Atoned}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Atoning}.] [From at one,, i. e., to be, or
cause to be, at one. See {At one}.]
1. To agree; to be in accordance; to accord. [Obs.]
He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violentest
contrariety. --Shak.
2. To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation,
compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime.
The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood.
--Pope.
The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by
any wise or popular measure. --Junius.
Atone \A*tone"\, v. t.
1. To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as
parties at variance; to appease. [Obs.]
I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear
to Cassio. --Shak.
2. To unite in making. [Obs. & R.]
The four elements . . . have atoned A noble league.
--Ford.
3. To make satisfaction for; to expiate.
Or each atone his guilty love with life. --Pope.
Atonement \A*tone"ment\, n.
1. (Literally, a setting at one.) Reconciliation; restoration
of friendly relations; agreement; concord. [Archaic]
By whom we have now received the atonement. --Rom.
v. 11.
He desires to make atonement Betwixt the Duke of
Gloucester and your brothers. --Shak.
2. Satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent
for an injury, or by doing of suffering that which will be
received in satisfaction for an offense or injury;
expiation; amends; -- with for. Specifically, in theology:
The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal
suffering, and death of Christ.
When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best
atonement be can make for it is, to warn others.
--Spectator.
The Phocians behaved with, so much gallantry, that
they were thought to have made a sufficient
atonement for their former offense. --Potter.
Atoner \A*ton"er\, n.
One who makes atonement.
Atones \At*ones\, adv. [See {At one}.] [Obs.]
Down he fell atones as a stone. --Chaucer.
Atonic \A*ton"ic\, a. [Cf. F. atonique. See {Atony}.]
1. (Med.) Characterized by atony, or want of vital energy;
as, an atonic disease.
2. (Gram.) Unaccented; as, an atonic syllable.
3. Destitute of tone vocality; surd. --Rush.
Atonic \A*ton"ic\, n.
1. (Gram.) A word that has no accent.
2. An element of speech entirely destitute of vocality, or
produced by the breath alone; a nonvocal or surd
consonant; a breathing. --Rush.
3. (Med.) A remedy capable of allaying organic excitement or
irritation. --Dunglison.
Atony \At"o*ny\, n. [Gr. ? slackness; 'a priv. + ? tone,
strength, ? to stretch: cf. F. atonie.] (Med.)
Want of tone; weakness of the system, or of any organ,
especially of such as are contractile.
Atop \A*top"\, adv.
On or at the top. --Milton.
Atrabilarian \At`ra*bi*la"ri*an\, Atrabilarious
\At`ra*bi*la"ri*ous\, a. [LL. atrabilarius, fr. L. atra bilis
black bile: cf. F. atrabilaire, fr. atrabile.]
Affected with melancholy; atrabilious. --Arbuthnot.
Atrabilarian \At`ra*bi*la"ri*an\, n.
A person much given to melancholy; a hypochondriac. --I.
Disraeli.
Atrabiliar \At`ra*bil"iar\, a.
Melancholy; atrabilious.
Atrabiliary \At`ra*bil"ia*ry\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to atra bilis or black bile, a fluid
formerly supposed to be produced by the kidneys.
2. Melancholic or hypohondriac; atrabilious; -- from the
supposed predominance of black bile, to the influence of
which the ancients attributed hypochondria, melancholy,
and mania.
{Atrabiliary arteries}, {capsules}, and {veins} (Anat.),
those pertaining to the kidney; -- called also renal
arteries, capsules, and veins.
Atrabilious \At`ra*bil"ious\, a.
Melancholic or hypochondriac; atrabiliary. --Dunglision.
A hard-faced, atrabilious, earnest-eyed race. --Lowell.
He was constitutionally atrabilious and scornful.
--Froude.
Atramentaceous \At`ra*men*ta"ceous\, a. [L. atramentum ink, fr.
ater black.]
Black, like ink; inky; atramental. [Obs.] --Derham.
Atramental \At`ra*men"tal\, Atramentous \At`ra*men"tous\, a.
Of or pertaining to ink; inky; black, like ink; as,
atramental galls; atramentous spots.
Atramentarious \At`ra*men*ta"ri*ous\, a. [Cf. F. atramentaire.
See {Atramentaceous}.]
Like ink; suitable for making ink. Sulphate of iron
(copperas, green vitriol) is called atramentarious, as being
used in making ink.
Atrede \At*rede\, v. t. [OE. at (AS. [ae]t) out + rede.]
To surpass in council. [Obs.]
Men may the olde atrenne, but hat atrede. --Chaucer.
Atrenne \At*renne"\, v. t. [OE. at + renne to run.]
To outrun. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Atresia \A*tre"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? not perforated.] (Med.)
Absence or closure of a natural passage or channel of the
body; imperforation.
Atrial \A"tri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to an atrium.
Atrip \A*trip"\, adv. [Pref. a- + trip.] (Naut.)
(a) Just hove clear of the ground; -- said of the anchor.
(b) Sheeted home, hoisted taut up and ready for trimming; --
said of sails.
(c) Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; -- said of
yards.
Atrium \A"tri*um\, n.; pl. {Atria}. [L., the fore court of a
Roman house.]
1. (Arch.)
(a) A square hall lighted from above, into which rooms
open at one or more levels.
(b) An open court with a porch or gallery around three or
more sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica
or other church. The name was extended in the Middle
Ages to the open churchyard or cemetery.
2. (Anat.) The main part of either auricle of the heart as
distinct from the auricular appendix. Also, the whole
articular portion of the heart.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A cavity in ascidians into which the intestine
and generative ducts open, and which also receives the
water from the gills. See {Ascidioidea}.
Atrocha \At`ro*cha\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ? a circle.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A kind of ch[ae]topod larva in which no circles of cilia are
developed.
Atrocious \A*tro"cious\, a. [L. atrox, atrocis, cruel, fierce:
cf. F. atroce.]
1. Extremely heinous; full of enormous wickedness; as,
atrocious quilt or deeds.
2. Characterized by, or expressing, great atrocity.
Revelations . . . so atrocious that nothing in
history approaches them. --De Quincey.
3. Very grievous or violent; terrible; as, atrocious
distempers. [Obs.] --Cheyne.
Syn: {Atrocious}, {Flagitious}, {Flagrant}.
Usage: Flagitious points to an act as grossly wicked and
vile; as, a flagitious proposal. Flagrant marks the
vivid impression made upon the mind by something
strikingly wrong or erroneous; as, a flagrant
misrepresentation; a flagrant violation of duty.
Atrocious represents the act as springing from a
violent and savage spirit. If Lord Chatham, instead of
saying ``the atrocious crime of being a young man,''
had used either of the other two words, his irony
would have lost all its point, in his celebrated reply
to Sir Robert Walpole, as reported by Dr. Johnson. --
{A*tro"cious*ly}, adv. -- {A*tro"cious*ness}, n.
Atrocity \A*troc"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Atrocities}. [F. atrocit['e],
L. atrocitas, fr. atrox, atrocis, cruel.]
1. Enormous wickedness; extreme heinousness or cruelty.
2. An atrocious or extremely cruel deed.
The atrocities which attend a victory. --Macaulay.
Atrophic \A*troph"ic\, a.
Relating to atrophy.
Atrophied \At"ro*phied\, p. a.
Affected with atrophy, as a tissue or organ; arrested in
development at a very early stage; rudimentary.
Atrophy \At"ro*phy\, n. [L. atrophia, Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to
nourish: cf. F. atrophie.]
A wasting away from want of nourishment; diminution in bulk
or slow emaciation of the body or of any part. --Milton.
Atrophy \At"ro*phy\, v. t. [p. p. {Atrophied}.]
To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or
weaken.
Atrophy \At"ro*phy\, v. i.
To waste away; to dwindle.
Atropia \A*tro"pi*a\, n.
Same as {Atropine}.
Atropine \At"ro*pine\, n. [Gr. ? inflexible; hence ? ?, one of
the three Parc[ae]; 'a priv. + ? to turn.] (Chem.)
A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from
the {Atropa belladonna}, or deadly nightshade, and the
{Datura Stramonium}, or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its
power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also
{daturine}.
Atropism \At"ro*pism\, n. (Med.)
A condition of the system produced by long use of belladonna.
Atropous \At"ro*pous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? to turn.] (Bot.)
Not inverted; orthotropous.
Atrous \A"trous\, a. [L. ater.]
Coal-black; very black.
Atrypa \A*try"pa\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ? a hole.]
(Paleon.)
A extinct genus of Branchiopoda, very common in Silurian
limestones.
Attabal \At"ta*bal\, n.
See {Atabal}.
Attacca \At*tac"ca\ [It., fr. attaccare to tie, bind. See
{Attach}.] (Mus.)
Attack at once; -- a direction at the end of a movement to
show that the next is to follow immediately, without any
pause.
Attach \At*tach"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attached}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Attaching}.] [OF. atachier, F. attacher, to tie or
fasten: cf. Celt. tac, tach, nail, E. tack a small nail, tack
to fasten. Cf. {Attack}, and see {Tack}.]
1. To bind, fasten, tie, or connect; to make fast or join;
as, to attach one thing to another by a string, by glue,
or the like.
The shoulder blade is . . . attached only to the
muscles. --Paley.
A huge stone to which the cable was attached.
--Macaulay.
2. To connect; to place so as to belong; to assign by
authority; to appoint; as, an officer is attached to a
certain regiment, company, or ship.
3. To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or
self-interest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral
influence; -- with to; as, attached to a friend; attaching
others to us by wealth or flattery.
Incapable of attaching a sensible man. --Miss
Austen.
God . . . by various ties attaches man to man.
--Cowper.
4. To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or
attribute; to affix; -- with to; as, to attach great
importance to a particular circumstance.
Top this treasure a curse is attached. --Bayard
Taylor.
5. To take, seize, or lay hold of. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. To take by legal authority:
(a) To arrest by writ, and bring before a court, as to
answer for a debt, or a contempt; -- applied to a
taking of the person by a civil process; being now
rarely used for the arrest of a criminal.
(b) To seize or take (goods or real estate) by virtue of a
writ or precept to hold the same to satisfy a judgment
which may be rendered in the suit. See {Attachment},
4.
The earl marshal attached Gloucester for high
treason. --Miss Yonge.
{Attached column} (Arch.), a column engaged in a wall, so
that only a part of its circumference projects from it.
Syn: To affix; bind; tie; fasten; connect; conjoin; subjoin;
annex; append; win; gain over; conciliate.
Attach \At*tach"\, v. i.
1. To adhere; to be attached.
The great interest which attaches to the mere
knowledge of these facts cannot be doubted.
--Brougham.
2. To come into legal operation in connection with anything;
to vest; as, dower will attach. --Cooley.
Attach \At*tach"\, n.
An attachment. [Obs.] --Pope.
Attachable \At*tach"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being attached; esp., liable to be taken by writ
or precept.
Attach'e \At`ta*ch['e]"\, n. [F., p. p. of attacher. See
{Attach}, v. t.]
One attached to another person or thing, as a part of a suite
or staff. Specifically: One attached to an embassy.
Attachment \At*tach"ment\, n. [F. attachment.]
1. The act attaching, or state of being attached; close
adherence or affection; fidelity; regard; an? passion of
affection that binds a person; as, an attachment to a
friend, or to a party.
2. That by which one thing is attached to another;
connection; as, to cut the attachments of a muscle.
The human mind . . . has exhausted its forces in the
endeavor to rend the supernatural from its
attachment to this history. --I. Taylor.
3. Something attached; some adjunct attached to an
instrument, machine, or other object; as, a sewing machine
attachment (i. e., a device attached to a sewing machine
to enable it to do special work, as tucking, etc.).
4. (Giv. Law)
(a) A seizure or taking into custody by virtue of a legal
process.
(b) The writ or percept commanding such seizure or taking.
Note: The term is applied to a seizure or taking either of
persons or property. In the serving of process in a
civil suit, it is most generally applied to the taking
of property, whether at common law, as a species of
distress, to compel defendant's appearance, or under
local statutes, to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff
may recover in the action. The terms attachment and
arrest are both applied to the taking or apprehension
of a defendant to compel an appearance in a civil
action. Attachments are issued at common law and in
chancery, against persons for contempt of court. In
England, attachment is employed in some cases where
capias is with us, as against a witness who fails to
appear on summons. In some of the New England States a
writ of attachment is a species of mesne process upon
which the property of a defendant may be seized at the
commencement of a suit and before summons to him, and
may be held to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may
recover. In other States this writ can issue only
against absconding debtors and those who conceal
themselves. See {Foreign}, {Garnishment}, {Trustee
process}. --Bouvier. --Burrill. --Blackstone.
Syn: {Attachment}, {Affection}.
Usage: The leading idea of affection is that of warmth and
tenderness; the leading idea of attachment is that of
being bound to some object by strong and lasting ties.
There is more of sentiment (and sometimes of romance)
in affection, and more of principle in preserving
attachment. We speak of the ardor of the one, and the
fidelity of the other. There is another distinction in
the use and application of these words. The term
attachment is applied to a wider range of objects than
affection. A man may have a strong attachment to his
country, to his profession, to his principles, and
even to favorite places; in respect to none of these
could we use the word affection.
Attack \At*tack"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attacked}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Attacking}.] [F. attaquer, orig. another form of attacher
to attack: cf. It. attacare to fasten, attack. See {Attach},
{Tack} a small nail.]
1. To fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and
arms; to assault. ``Attack their lines.'' --Dryden.
2. To assail with unfriendly speech or writing; to begin a
controversy with; to attempt to overthrow or bring into
disrepute, by criticism or satire; to censure; as, to
attack a man, or his opinions, in a pamphlet.
3. To set to work upon, as upon a task or problem, or some
object of labor or investigation.
4. To begin to affect; to begin to act upon, injuriously or
destructively; to begin to decompose or waste.
On the fourth of March he was attacked by fever.
--Macaulay.
Hydrofluoric acid . . . attacks the glass. --B.
Stewart.
Syn: To {Attack}, {Assail}, {Assault}, {Invade}.
Usage: These words all denote a violent onset; attack being
the generic term, and the others specific forms of
attack. To attack is to commence the onset; to assail
is to make a sudden and violent attack, or to make
repeated attacks; to assault (literally, to leap upon)
is to attack physically by a had-to-hand approach or
by unlawful and insulting violence; to invade is to
enter by force on what belongs to another. Thus, a
person may attack by offering violence of any kind; he
may assail by means of missile weapons; he may assault
by direct personal violence; a king may invade by
marching an army into a country. Figuratively, we may
say, men attack with argument or satire; they assail
with abuse or reproaches; they may be assaulted by
severe temptations; the rights of the people may be
invaded by the encroachments of the crown.
Attack \At*tack"\, v. i.
To make an onset or attack.
Attack \At*tack"\, n. [Cf. F. attaque.]
1. The act of attacking, or falling on with force or
violence; an onset; an assault; -- opposed to defense.
2. An assault upon one's feelings or reputation with
unfriendly or bitter words.
3. A setting to work upon some task, etc.
4. An access of disease; a fit of sickness.
5. The beginning of corrosive, decomposing, or destructive
action, by a chemical agent.
Attackable \At*tack"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being attacked.
Attacker \At*tack"er\, n.
One who attacks.
Attagas \At"ta*gas\, Attagen \At"ta*gen\, n. [L. attagen a kind
of bird, Gr. ?, ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of sand grouse ({Syrrghaptes Pallasii}) found in
Asia and rarely in southern Europe.
Attaghan \At"ta*ghan\ ([a^]t"t[.a]*g[a^]n), n.
See {Yataghan}.
Attain \At*tain"\ ([a^]t*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Attained} (-t[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Attaining}.] [Of.
atteinen, atteignen, atainen, OF. ateindre, ataindre, F.
atteindre, fr. L. attingere; ad + tangere to touch, reach.
See {Tangent}, and cf. {Attinge}, {Attaint}.]
1. To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to
gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the
means? --Abp.
Tillotson.
2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a
material object.] --Chaucer.
3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.]
Not well attaining his meaning. --Fuller.
4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive
at. ``Canaan he now attains.'' --Milton.
5. To overtake. [Obs.] --Bacon.
6. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
Syn: To {Attain}, {Obtain}, {Procure}.
Usage: Attain always implies an effort toward an object.
Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure,
which do not necessarily imply such effort or motion.
We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and
we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by
such means.
Attain \At*tain"\, v. i.
1. To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or
efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
If by any means they might attain to Phenice. --Acts
xxvii. 12.
Nor nearer might the dogs attain. --Sir W.
Scott.
To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
--Cowper.
Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as
this. --J. R. Green.
2. To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high,
I can not attain unto it. --Ps. cxxxix.
6.
Attain \At*tain"\, n.
Attainment. [Obs.]
Attainability \At*tain`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being attainable; attainableness.
Attainable \At*tain"a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being attained or reached by efforts of the
mind or body; capable of being compassed or accomplished
by efforts directed to the object.
The highest pitch of perfection attainable in this
life. --Addison.
2. Obtainable. [Obs.]
General Howe would not permit the purchase of those
articles [clothes and blankets] in Philadelphia, and
they were not attainable in the country. --Marshall.
Attainableness \At*tain"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being attainable; attainability.
Attainder \At*tain"der\, n. [OF. ataindre, ateindre, to accuse,
convict. Attainder is often erroneously referred to F.
teindre tie stain. See {Attaint}, {Attain}.]
1. The act of attainting, or the state of being attainted;
the extinction of the civil rights and capacities of a
person, consequent upon sentence of death or outlawry; as,
an act of attainder. --Abbott.
Note: Formerly attainder was the inseparable consequence of a
judicial or legislative sentence for treason or felony,
and involved the forfeiture of all the real and
personal property of the condemned person, and such
``corruption of blood'' that he could neither receive
nor transmit by inheritance, nor could he sue or
testify in any court, or claim any legal protection or
rights. In England attainders are now abolished, and in
the United States the Constitution provides that no
bill of attainder shall be passed; and no attainder of
treason (in consequence of a judicial sentence) shall
work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during
the life of the person attainted.
2. A stain or staining; state of being in dishonor or
condemnation. [Obs.]
He lived from all attainder of suspect. --Shak.
{Bill of attainder}, a bill brought into, or passed by, a
legislative body, condemning a person to death or
outlawry, and attainder, without judicial sentence.
Attainment \At*tain"ment\, n.
1. The act of attaining; the act of arriving at or reaching;
hence, the act of obtaining by efforts.
The attainment of every desired object. --Sir W.
Jones.
2. That which is attained to, or obtained by exertion;
acquirement; acquisition; (pl.), mental acquirements;
knowledge; as, literary and scientific attainments.
Attaint \At*taint"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attainted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Attainting}.] [OE. atteynten to convict, fr. atteynt,
OF. ateint, p. p. of ateindre, ataindre. The meanings 3, 4,
5, and 6 were influenced by a supposed connection with taint.
See {Attain}, {Attainder}.]
1. To attain; to get act; to hit. [Obs.]
2. (Old Law) To find guilty; to convict; -- said esp. of a
jury on trial for giving a false verdict. [Obs.]
Upon sufficient proof attainted of some open act by
men of his own condition. --Blackstone.
3. (Law) To subject (a person) to the legal condition
formerly resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry,
pronounced in respect of treason or felony; to affect by
attainder.
No person shall be attainted of high treason where
corruption of blood is incurred, but by the oath of
two witnesses. --Stat. 7 & 8
Wm. III.
4. To accuse; to charge with a crime or a dishonorable act.
[Archaic]
5. To affect or infect, as with physical or mental disease or
with moral contagion; to taint or corrupt.
My tender youth was never yet attaint With any
passion of inflaming love. --Shak.
6. To stain; to obscure; to sully; to disgrace; to cloud with
infamy.
For so exceeding shone his glistring ray, That
Ph?bus' golden face it did attaint. --Spenser.
Lest she with blame her honor should attaint.
--Spenser.
Attaint \At*taint"\, p. p.
Attainted; corrupted. [Obs.] --Shak.
Attaint \At*taint"\, n. [OF. attainte. See {Attaint}, v.]
1. A touch or hit. --Sir W. Scott.
2. (Far.) A blow or wound on the leg of a horse, made by
overreaching. --White.
3. (Law) A writ which lies after judgment, to inquire whether
a jury has given a false verdict in any court of record;
also, the convicting of the jury so tried. --Bouvier.
4. A stain or taint; disgrace. See {Taint}. --Shak.
5. An infecting influence. [R.] --Shak.
Attaintment \At*taint"ment\, n.
Attainder; attainture; conviction.
Attainture \At*tain"ture\, n.
Attainder; disgrace.
Attal \At"tal\, n.
Same as {Attle}.
Attame \At*tame"\, v. t. [OF. atamer, from Latin. See
{Attaminate}.]
1. To pierce; to attack. [Obs.]
2. To broach; to begin.
And right anon his tale he hath attamed. --Chaucer.
Attaminate \At*tam"i*nate\, v. t. [L. attaminare; ad + root of
tangere. See {Contaminate}.]
To corrupt; to defile; to contaminate. [Obs.] --Blount.
Attar \At"tar\, n. [Per. 'atar perfume, essence, Ar. 'itr, fr.
'atara to smell sweet. Cf. {Otto}.]
A fragrant essential oil; esp., a volatile and highly
fragrant essential oil obtained from the petals of roses.
[Also written {otto} and {ottar}.]
Attask \At*task"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + task.]
To take to task; to blame. --Shak.
Attaste \At*taste\, v. t. [Pref. a- + taste.]
To taste or cause to taste. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Atte \At"te\
At the. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Attemper \At*tem"per\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attempered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Attempering}.] [OF. atemprer, fr. L. attemperare;
ad + temperare to soften, temper. See {Temper}, and cf.
{Attemperate}.]
1. To reduce, modify, or moderate, by mixture; to temper; to
regulate, as temperature.
If sweet with bitter . . . were not attempered
still. --Trench.
2. To soften, mollify, or moderate; to soothe; to temper; as,
to attemper rigid justice with clemency.
3. To mix in just proportion; to regulate; as, a mind well
attempered with kindness and justice.
4. To accommodate; to make suitable; to adapt.
Arts . . . attempered to the lyre. --Pope.
Note: This word is now not much used, the verb temper taking
its place.
Attemperament \At*tem"per*a*ment\, n. [OF. attemprement.]
A tempering, or mixing in due proportion.
Attemperance \At*tem"per*ance\, n. [Cf. OF. atemprance.]
Temperance; attemperament. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Attemperate \At*tem"per*ate\, a. [L. attemperatus, p. p. of
attemperare. See {Attemper}.]
Tempered; proportioned; properly adapted.
Hope must be . . . attemperate to the promise.
--Hammond.
Attemperate \At*tem"per*ate\, v. t.
To attemper. [Archaic]
Attemperation \At*tem`per*a"tion\, n.
The act of attempering or regulating. [Archaic] --Bacon.
Attemperly \At*tem"per*ly\, adv.
Temperately. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Attemperment \At*tem"per*ment\, n.
Attemperament.
Attempt \At*tempt"\ (?; 215), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attempted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Attempting}.] [OF. atenter, also spelt
atempter, F. attenter, fr. L. attentare to attempt; ad +
tentare, temptare, to touch, try, v. intens. of tendere to
stretch. See {Tempt}, and cf. {Attend}.]
1. To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do
or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to
sing; to attempt a bold flight.
Something attempted, something done, Has earned a
night's repose. --Longfellow.
2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by
temptations; to tempt. [Obs. or Archaic]
It made the laughter of an afternoon That Vivien
should attempt the blameless king. --Thackeray.
3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, one who attempts
the virtue of a woman.
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further: Take
some remembrance of us, as a tribute. --Shak.
4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to
take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp.
Without attempting his adversary's life. --Motley.
Syn: See {Try}.
Attempt \At*tempt"\, v. i.
To make an attempt; -- with upon. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Attempt \At*tempt"\, n.
A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking; an attack, or an
effort to gain a point; esp. an unsuccessful, as contrasted
with a successful, effort.
By his blindness maimed for high attempts. --Milton.
{Attempt to commit a crime} (Law), such an intentional
preparatory act as will apparently result, if not
extrinsically hindered, in a crime which it was designed
to effect. --Wharton.
Syn: {Attempt}, {Endeavor}, {Effort}, {Exertion}, {Trial}.
Usage: These words agree in the idea of calling forth our
powers into action. Trial is the generic term; it
denotes a putting forth of one's powers with a view to
determine what they can accomplish; as, to make trial
of one's strength. An attempt is always directed to
some definite and specific object; as, ``The attempt,
and not the deed, confounds us.'' --Shak. An endeavor
is a continued attempt; as, ``His high endeavor and
his glad success.'' --Cowper. Effort is a specific
putting forth of strength in order to carry out an
attempt. Exertion is the putting forth or active
exercise of any faculty or power. ``It admits of all
degrees of effort and even natural action without
effort.'' --C. J. Smith. See {Try}.
Attemptable \At*tempt"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being attempted, tried, or attacked. --Shak.
Attempter \At*tempt"er\ (?; 215), n.
1. One who attempts; one who essays anything.
2. An assailant; also, a temper. [Obs.]
Attemptive \At*tempt"ive\, a.
Disposed to attempt; adventurous. [Obs.] --Daniel.
Attend \At*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attended}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Attending}.] [OE. atenden, OF. atendre, F. attendre, to
expect, to wait, fr. L. attendre to stretch, (sc. animum), to
apply the mind to; ad + tendere to stretch. See {Tend}.]
1. To direct the attention to; to fix the mind upon; to give
heed to; to regard. [Obs.]
The diligent pilot in a dangerous tempest doth not
attend the unskillful words of the passenger. --Sir
P. Sidney.
2. To care for; to look after; to take charge of; to watch
over.
3. To go or stay with, as a companion, nurse, or servant; to
visit professionally, as a physician; to accompany or
follow in order to do service; to escort; to wait on; to
serve.
The fifth had charge sick persons to attend.
--Spenser.
Attends the emperor in his royal court. --Shak.
With a sore heart and a gloomy brow, he prepared to
attend William thither. --Macaulay.
4. To be present with; to accompany; to be united or
consequent to; as, a measure attended with ill effects.
What cares must then attend the toiling swain.
--Dryden.
5. To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a concert,
a business meeting.
6. To wait for; to await; to remain, abide, or be in store
for. [Obs.]
The state that attends all men after this. --Locke.
Three days I promised to attend my doom. --Dryden.
Syn: To {Attend}, {Mind}, {Regard}, {Heed}, {Notice}.
Usage: Attend is generic, the rest are specific terms. To
mind is to attend so that it may not be forgotten; to
regard is to look on a thing as of importance; to heed
is to attend to a thing from a principle of caution;
to notice is to think on that which strikes the
senses. --Crabb. See {Accompany}.
Attend \At*tend"\, v. i.
1. To apply the mind, or pay attention, with a view to
perceive, understand, or comply; to pay regard; to heed;
to listen; -- usually followed by to.
Attend to the voice of my supplications. --Ps.
lxxxvi. 6.
Man can not at the same time attend to two objects.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. To accompany or be present or near at hand, in pursuance
of duty; to be ready for service; to wait or be in
waiting; -- often followed by on or upon.
He was required to attend upon the committee.
--Clarendon.
3. (with to) To take charge of; to look after; as, to attend
to a matter of business.
4. To wait; to stay; to delay. [Obs.]
For this perfection she must yet attend, Till to her
Maker she espoused be. --Sir J.
Davies.
Syn: To {Attend}, {Listen}, {Hearken}.
Usage: We attend with a view to hear and learn; we listen
with fixed attention, in order to hear correctly, or
to consider what has been said; we hearken when we
listen with a willing mind, and in reference to
obeying.
Attendance \At*tend"ance\, n. [OE. attendance, OF. atendance,
fr. atendre, F. attendre. See {Attend}, v. t.]
1. Attention; regard; careful application. [Obs.]
Till I come, give attendance to reading. --1 Tim.
iv. 13.
2. The act of attending; state of being in waiting; service;
ministry; the fact of being present; presence.
Constant attendance at church three times a day.
--Fielding.
3. Waiting for; expectation. [Obs.]
Languishing attendance and expectation of death.
--Hooker.
4. The persons attending; a retinue; attendants.
If your stray attendance by yet lodged. --Milton.
Attendancy \At*tend"an*cy\, n.
The quality of attending or accompanying; attendance; an
attendant. [Obs.]
Attendant \At*tend"ant\, a. [F. attendant, p. pr. of attendre.
See {Attend}, v. t.]
1. Being present, or in the train; accompanying; in waiting.
From the attendant flotilla rang notes triumph.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Cherub and Seraph . . . attendant on their Lord.
--Milton.
2. Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following, as
consequential; consequent; as, intemperance with all its
attendant evils.
The natural melancholy attendant upon his situation
added to the gloom of the owner of the mansion.
--Sir W.
Scott.
3. (Law) Depending on, or owing duty or service to; as, the
widow attendant to the heir. --Cowell.
{Attendant keys} (Mus.), the keys or scales most nearly
related to, or having most in common with, the principal
key; those, namely, of its fifth above, or dominant, its
fifth below (fourth above), or subdominant, and its
relative minor or major.
Attendant \At*tend"ant\, n.
1. One who attends or accompanies in any character whatever,
as a friend, companion, servant, agent, or suitor. ``A
train of attendants.'' --Hallam.
2. One who is present and takes part in the proceedings; as,
an attendant at a meeting.
3. That which accompanies; a concomitant.
[A] sense of fame, the attendant of noble spirits.
--Pope.
4. (Law) One who owes duty or service to, or depends on,
another. --Cowell.
Attendement \At*tend"e*ment\, n.
Intent. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Attender \At*tend"er\, n.
One who, or that which, attends.
Attendment \At*tend"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. atendement.]
An attendant circumstance. [Obs.]
The uncomfortable attendments of hell. --Sir T.
Browne.
Attent \At*tent"\, a. [L. attentus, p. p. of attendere. See
{Attend}, v. t.]
Attentive; heedful. [Archaic]
Let thine ears be attent unto the prayer. --2 Chron.
vi. 40.
Attent \At*tent"\, n.
Attention; heed. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Attentate \At*ten"tate\, Attentat \At*ten"tat\, n. [L.
attentatum, pl. attentata, fr. attentare to attempt: cf. F.
attentat criminal attempt. See {Attempt}.]
1. An attempt; an assault. [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. (Law)
(a) A proceeding in a court of judicature, after an
inhibition is decreed.
(b) Any step wrongly innovated or attempted in a suit by
an inferior judge.
Attention \At*ten"tion\, n. [L. attentio: cf. F. attention.]
1. The act or state of attending or heeding; the application
of the mind to any object of sense, representation, or
thought; notice; exclusive or special consideration;
earnest consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or
affectionate heed; the supposed power or faculty of
attending.
They say the tongues of dying men Enforce attention like
deep harmony. --Shak.
Note: Attention is consciousness and something more. It is
consciousness voluntarily applied, under its law of
limitations, to some determinate object; it is
consciousness concentrated. --Sir W. Hamilton.
2. An act of civility or courtesy; care for the comfort and
pleasure of others; as, attentions paid to a stranger.
{To pay attention to}, {To pay one's attentions to}, to be
courteous or attentive to; to wait upon as a lover; to
court.
Syn: Care; heed; study; consideration; application;
advertence; respect; regard.
Attentive \At*ten"tive\ ([a^]t*t[e^]n"t[i^]v), a. [Cf. F.
attentif.]
1. Heedful; intent; observant; regarding with care or
attention.
Note: Attentive is applied to the senses of hearing and
seeing, as, an attentive ear or eye; to the application
of the mind, as in contemplation; or to the application
of the mind, in every possible sense, as when a person
is attentive to the words, and to the manner and
matter, of a speaker at the same time.
2. Heedful of the comfort of others; courteous.
Syn: Heedful; intent; observant; mindful; regardful;
circumspect; watchful. -- {At*ten"tive*ly}, adv. --
{At*ten"tive*ness}, n.
Attently \At*tent"ly\, adv.
Attentively. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Attenuant \At*ten"u*ant\, a. [L. attenuans, p. pr. of attenuare:
cf. F. att['e]nuant. See {Attenuate}.]
Making thin, as fluids; diluting; rendering less dense and
viscid; diluent. -- n. (Med.) A medicine that thins or
dilutes the fluids; a diluent.
Attenuate \At*ten"u*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attenuated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Attenuating}.] [L. attenuatus, p. p. of
attenuare; ad + tenuare to make thin, tenuis thin. See
{Thin}.]
1. To make thin or slender, as by mechanical or chemical
action upon inanimate objects, or by the effects of
starvation, disease, etc., upon living bodies.
2. To make thin or less consistent; to render less viscid or
dense; to rarefy. Specifically: To subtilize, as the
humors of the body, or to break them into finer parts.
3. To lessen the amount, force, or value of; to make less
complex; to weaken.
To undersell our rivals . . . has led the
manufacturer to . . . attenuate his processes, in
the allotment of tasks, to an extreme point. --I.
Taylor.
We may reject and reject till we attenuate history
into sapless meagerness. --Sir F.
Palgrave.
Attenuate \At*ten"u*ate\, v. i.
To become thin, slender, or fine; to grow less; to lessen.
The attention attenuates as its sphere contracts.
--Coleridge.
Attenuate \At*ten"u*ate\, Attenuated \At*ten"u*a`ted\, a. [L.
attenuatus, p. p.]
1. Made thin or slender.
2. Made thin or less viscid; rarefied. --Bacon.
Attenuation \At*ten`u*a"tion\, n. [L. attenuatio: cf. F.
att['e]nuation.]
1. The act or process of making slender, or the state of
being slender; emaciation.
2. The act of attenuating; the act of making thin or less
dense, or of rarefying, as fluids or gases.
3. The process of weakening in intensity; diminution of
virulence; as, the attenuation of virus.
Atter \At"ter\, n. [AS. [=ae]tter.]
Poison; venom; corrupt matter from a sore. [Obs.] --Holland.
Attercop \At"ter*cop\, n. [AS. attercoppa a spider; [=ae]tter
poison + coppa head, cup.]
1. A spider. [Obs.]
2. A peevish, ill-natured person. [North of Eng.]
Atterrate \At*ter*rate\, v. t. [It. atterrare (cf. LL. atterrare
to cast to earth); L. ad + terra earth, land.]
To fill up with alluvial earth. [Obs.] --Ray.
Atterration \At`ter*ra"tion\, n.
The act of filling up with earth, or of forming land with
alluvial earth. [Obs.]
Attest \At"test"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Attesting}.] [L. attestari; ad + testari to bear witness:
cf. F. attester.]
1. To bear witness to; to certify; to affirm to be true or
genuine; as, to attest the truth of a writing, a copy of
record.
Facts . . . attested by particular pagan authors.
--Addison.
2. To give proof of; to manifest; as, the ruins of Palmyra
attest its ancient magnificence.
3. To call to witness; to invoke. [Archaic]
The sacred streams which Heaven's imperial state
Attests in oaths, and fears to violate. --Dryden.
Attest \At*test"\, n.
Witness; testimony; attestation. [R.]
The attest of eyes and ears. --Shak.
Attestation \At`tes*ta"tion\, n. [L. attestatio: cf. F.
attestation.]
The act of attesting; testimony; witness; a solemn or
official declaration, verbal or written, in support of a
fact; evidence. The truth appears from the attestation of
witnesses, or of the proper officer. The subscription of a
name to a writing as a witness, is an attestation.
Attestative \At*test"a*tive\, a.
Of the nature of attestation.
Attester \At*test"er\, Attestor \At*test"or\, n.
One who attests.
Attestive \At*test"ive\, a.
Attesting; furnishing evidence.
Attic \At"tic\, a. [L. Atticus, Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to Attica, in Greece, or to Athens, its
principal city; marked by such qualities as were
characteristic of the Athenians; classical; refined.
{Attic base} (Arch.), a peculiar form of molded base for a
column or pilaster, described by Vitruvius, applied under
the Roman Empire to the Ionic and Corinthian and ``Roman
Doric'' orders, and imitated by the architects of the
Renaissance.
{Attic faith}, inviolable faith.
{Attic purity}, special purity of language.
{Attic salt}, {Attic wit}, a poignant, delicate wit, peculiar
to the Athenians.
{Attic story}. See {Attic}, n.
{Attic style}, a style pure and elegant.
Attic \At"tic\, n. [In sense (a) from F. attique, orig. meaning
Attic. See {Attic}, a.]
1. (Arch.)
(a) A low story above the main order or orders of a
facade, in the classical styles; -- a term introduced
in the 17th century. Hence:
(b) A room or rooms behind that part of the exterior; all
the rooms immediately below the roof.
2. An Athenian; an Athenian author.
Attical \At"tic*al\, a.
Attic. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Atticism \At"ti*cism\, n. [Gr. ?.]
1. A favoring of, or attachment to, the Athenians.
2. The style and idiom of the Greek language, used by the
Athenians; a concise and elegant expression.
Atticize \At"ti*cize\, v. t. [Gr. ?.]
To conform or make conformable to the language, customs,
etc., of Attica.
Atticize \At"ti*cize\, v. i.
1. To side with the Athenians.
2. To use the Attic idiom or style; to conform to the customs
or modes of thought of the Athenians.
Attiguous \At*tig"u*ous\, a. [L. attiguus, fr. attingere to
touch. See {Attain}.]
Touching; bordering; contiguous. [Obs.] --
{At*tig"u*ous*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Attinge \At*tinge"\, v. t. [L. attingere to touch. See
{Attain}.]
To touch lightly. [Obs.] --Coles.
Attire \At*tire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attired}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Attiring}.] [OE. atiren to array, dispose, arrange, OF.
atirier; [`a] (L. ad) + F. tire rank, order, row; of Ger.
origin: cf. As. tier row, OHG. ziar[=i], G. zier, ornament,
zieren to adorn. Cf. {Tire} a headdress.]
To dress; to array; to adorn; esp., to clothe with elegant or
splendid garments.
Finely attired in a robe of white. --Shak.
With the linen miter shall he be attired. --Lev. xvi.
4.
Attire \At*tire"\, n.
1. Dress; clothes; headdress; anything which dresses or
adorns; esp., ornamental clothing.
Earth in her rich attire. --Milton.
I 'll put myself in poor and mean attire. --Shak.
Can a maid forget her ornament, or a bride her
attire? --Jer. ii. 32.
2. The antlers, or antlers and scalp, of a stag or buck.
3. (Bot.) The internal parts of a flower, included within the
calyx and the corolla. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Attired \At*tired"\, p. p. (Her.)
Provided with antlers, as a stag.
Attirement \At*tire"ment\, n.
Attire; adornment.
Attirer \At*tir"er\, n.
One who attires.
Attitude \At"ti*tude\, n. [It. attitudine, LL. aptitudo, fr. L.
aptus suited, fitted: cf. F. attitude. Cf. {Aptitude}.]
1. (Paint. & Sculp.) The posture, action, or disposition of a
figure or a statue.
2. The posture or position of a person or an animal, or the
manner in which the parts of his body are disposed;
position assumed or studied to serve a purpose; as, a
threatening attitude; an attitude of entreaty.
3. Fig.: Position as indicating action, feeling, or mood; as,
in times of trouble let a nation preserve a firm attitude;
one's mental attitude in respect to religion.
The attitude of the country was rapidly changing.
--J. R. Green.
{To strike an attitude}, to take an attitude for mere effect.
Syn: {Attitude}, {Posture}.
Usage: Both of these words describe the visible disposition
of the limbs. Posture relates to their position
merely; attitude refers to their fitness for some
specific object. The object of an attitude is to set
forth exhibit some internal feeling; as, attitude of
wonder, of admiration, of grief, etc. It is,
therefore, essentially and designedly expressive. Its
object is the same with that of gesture; viz., to hold
forth and represent. Posture has no such design. If we
speak of posture in prayer, or the posture of
devotion, it is only the natural disposition of the
limbs, without any intention to show forth or exhibit.
'T is business of a painter in his choice of
attitudes (positur[ae]) to foresee the effect
and harmony of the lights and shadows. --Dryden.
Never to keep the body in the same posture half
an hour at a time. --Bacon.
Attitudinal \At`ti*tu"di*nal\, a.
Relating to attitude.
Attitudinarian \At`ti*tu`di*na"ri*an\, n.
One who attitudinizes; a posture maker.
Attitudinarianism \At`ti*tu`di*na"ri*an*ism\, n.
A practicing of attitudes; posture making.
Attitudinize \At`ti*tu"di*nize\, v. i.
To assume affected attitudes; to strike an attitude; to pose.
Maria, who is the most picturesque figure, was put to
attitudinize at the harp. --Hannah More.
Attitudinizer \At`ti*tu"di*ni`zer\, n.
One who practices attitudes.
Attle \At"tle\, n. [Cf. {Addle} mire.] (Mining)
Rubbish or refuse consisting of broken rock containing little
or no ore. --Weale.
Attollent \At*tol"lent\, a. [L. attollens, p. pr. of attollere;
ad + tollere to lift.]
Lifting up; raising; as, an attollent muscle. --Derham.
Attonce \At*tonce"\, adv. [At + once.]
At once; together. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Attone \At*tone"\, adv.
See {At one}. [Obs.]
Attorn \At*torn"\, v. i. [OF. atorner, aturner, atourner, to
direct, prepare, dispose, attorn (cf. OE. atornen to return,
adorn); [`a] (L. ad) + torner to turn; cf. LL. attornare to
commit business to another, to attorn; ad + tornare to turn,
L. tornare to turn in a lathe, to round off. See {Turn}, v.
t.]
1. (Feudal Law) To turn, or transfer homage and service, from
one lord to another. This is the act of feudatories,
vassals, or tenants, upon the alienation of the estate.
--Blackstone.
2. (Modern Law) To agree to become tenant to one to whom
reversion has been granted.
Attorney \At*tor"ney\, n.; pl. {Attorneys}. [OE. aturneye, OF.
atorn['e], p. p. of atorner: cf. LL. atturnatus, attornatus,
fr. attornare. See {Attorn}.]
1. A substitute; a proxy; an agent. [Obs.]
And will have no attorney but myself. --Shak.
2. (Law)
(a) One who is legally appointed by another to transact
any business for him; an attorney in fact.
(b) A legal agent qualified to act for suitors and
defendants in legal proceedings; an attorney at law.
Note: An attorney is either public or private. A private
attorney, or an attorney in fact, is a person appointed
by another, by a letter or power of attorney, to
transact any business for him out of court; but in a
more extended sense, this class includes any agent
employed in any business, or to do any act in pais, for
another. A public attorney, or attorney at law, is a
practitioner in a court of law, legally qualified to
prosecute and defend actions in such court, on the
retainer of clients. --Bouvier. -- The attorney at law
answers to the procurator of the civilians, to the
solicitor in chancery, and to the proctor in the
ecclesiastical and admiralty courts, and all of these
are comprehended under the more general term lawyer. In
Great Britain and in some states of the United States,
attorneys are distinguished from counselors in that the
business of the former is to carry on the practical and
formal parts of the suit. In many states of the United
States however, no such distinction exists. In England,
since 1873, attorneys at law are by statute called
solicitors.
{A power}, {letter}, or {warrant}, {of attorney}, a written
authority from one person empowering another to transact
business for him.
Attorney \At*tor"ney\, v. t.
To perform by proxy; to employ as a proxy. [Obs.] --Shak.
Attorney-general \At*tor"ney-gen"er*al\, n.; (pl.
Attorney-generals or Attorneys-general). (Law)
The chief law officer of the state, empowered to act in all
litigation in which the law-executing power is a party, and
to advise this supreme executive whenever required.
--Wharton.
Attorneyism \At*tor"ney*ism\, n.
The practice or peculiar cleverness of attorneys.
Attorneyship \At*tor"ney*ship\, n.
The office or profession of an attorney; agency for another.
--Shak.
Attornment \At*torn"ment\, n. [OF. attornement, LL.
attornamentum. See {Attorn}.] (Law)
The act of a feudatory, vassal, or tenant, by which he
consents, upon the alienation of an estate, to receive a new
lord or superior, and transfers to him his homage and
service; the agreement of a tenant to acknowledge the
purchaser of the estate as his landlord. --Burrill.
Blackstone.
Attract \At*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attracted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Attracting}.] [L. attractus, p. p. of attrahere; ad +
trahere to draw. See {Trace}, v. t.]
1. To draw to, or cause to tend to; esp. to cause to
approach, adhere, or combine; or to cause to resist
divulsion, separation, or decomposition.
All bodies and all parts of bodies mutually attract
themselves and one another. --Derham.
2. To draw by influence of a moral or emotional kind; to
engage or fix, as the mind, attention, etc.; to invite or
allure; as, to attract admirers.
Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze. --Milton.
Syn: To draw; allure; invite; entice; influence.
Attract \At*tract"\, n.
Attraction. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
Attractability \At*tract`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or fact of being attractable. --Sir W. Jones.
Attractable \At*tract"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being attracted; subject to attraction. --
{At*tract"a*ble*ness}, n.
Attracter \At*tract"er\, n.
One who, or that which, attracts.
Attractile \At*tract"ile\, a.
Having power to attract.
Attracting \At*tract"ing\, a.
That attracts. -- {At*tract"ing*ly}, adv.
Attraction \At*trac"tion\, n. [L. attractio: cf. F. attraction.]
1. (Physics) An invisible power in a body by which it draws
anything to itself; the power in nature acting mutually
between bodies or ultimate particles, tending to draw them
together, or to produce their cohesion or combination, and
conversely resisting separation.
Note: Attraction is exerted at both sensible and insensible
distances, and is variously denominated according to
its qualities or phenomena. Under attraction at
sensible distances, there are, -- (1.)
{Attraction of gravitation}, which acts at all distances
throughout the universe, with a force proportional
directly to the product of the masses of the bodies and
inversely to the square of their distances apart. (2.)
{Magnetic}, {diamagnetic}, and {electrical attraction}, each
of which is limited in its sensible range and is polar in
its action, a property dependent on the quality or
condition of matter, and not on its quantity. Under
attraction at insensible distances, there are, -- (1.)
{Adhesive attraction}, attraction between surfaces of
sensible extent, or by the medium of an intervening
substance. (2.)
{Cohesive attraction}, attraction between ultimate particles,
whether like or unlike, and causing simply an aggregation
or a union of those particles, as in the absorption of
gases by charcoal, or of oxygen by spongy platinum, or the
process of solidification or crystallization. The power in
adhesive attraction is strictly the same as that of
cohesion. (3.)
{Capillary attraction}, attraction causing a liquid to rise,
in capillary tubes or interstices, above its level
outside, as in very small glass tubes, or a sponge, or any
porous substance, when one end is inserted in the liquid.
It is a special case of cohesive attraction. (4.)
{Chemical attraction}, or
{affinity}, that peculiar force which causes elementary
atoms, or groups of atoms, to unite to form molecules.
2. The act or property of attracting; the effect of the power
or operation of attraction. --Newton.
3. The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting, or
engaging; an attractive quality; as, the attraction of
beauty or eloquence.
4. That which attracts; an attractive object or feature.
Syn: Allurement; enticement; charm.
Attractive \At*tract"ive\, a. [Cf. F. attractif.]
1. Having the power or quality of attracting or drawing; as,
the attractive force of bodies. --Sir I. Newton.
2. Attracting or drawing by moral influence or pleasurable
emotion; alluring; inviting; pleasing. ``Attractive
graces.'' --Milton. ``Attractive eyes.'' --Thackeray.
Flowers of a livid yellow, or fleshy color, are most
attractive to flies. --Lubbock.
-- {At*tract"ive*ly}, adv. -- {At*tract"ive*ness}, n.
Attractive \At*tract"ive\, n.
That which attracts or draws; an attraction; an allurement.
Speaks nothing but attractives and invitation. --South.
Attractivity \At`trac*tiv"i*ty\
([a^]t`tr[a^]k*t[i^]v"[i^]*t[y^]), n.
The quality or degree of attractive power.
Attractor \At*tract"or\ ([a^]t*tr[a^]kt"[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, attracts. --Sir T. Browne
Attrahent \At"tra*hent\, a. [L. attrahens, p. pr. of attrahere.
See {Attract}, v. t.]
Attracting; drawing; attractive.
Attrahent \At"tra*hent\, n.
1. That which attracts, as a magnet.
The motion of the steel to its attrahent.
--Glanvill.
2. (Med.) A substance which, by irritating the surface,
excites action in the part to which it is applied, as a
blister, an epispastic, a sinapism.
Attrap \At*trap"\, v. t. [F. attraper to catch; [`a] (L. ad) +
trappe trap. See {Trap} (for taking game).]
To entrap; to insnare. [Obs.] --Grafton.
Attrap \At*trap"\, v. t. [Pref. ad + trap to adorn.]
To adorn with trapping; to array. [Obs.]
Shall your horse be attrapped . . . more richly?
--Holland.
Attrectation \At`trec*ta"tion\, n. [L. attrectatio; ad +
tractare to handle.]
Frequent handling or touching. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Attributable \At*trib"u*ta*ble\, a.
Capable of being attributed; ascribable; imputable.
Errors . . . attributable to carelessness. --J. D.
Hooker.
Attribute \At*trib"ute\ ([a^]t"tr[i^]*b[=u]t), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. {Attributed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Attributing}.] [L.
attributus, p. p. of attribuere; ad + tribuere to bestow. See
{Tribute}.]
To ascribe; to consider (something) as due or appropriate
(to); to refer, as an effect to a cause; to impute; to
assign; to consider as belonging (to).
We attribute nothing to God that hath any repugnancy or
contradiction in it. --Abp.
Tillotson.
The merit of service is seldom attributed to the true
and exact performer. --Shak.
Syn: See {Ascribe}.
Attribute \At"tri*bute\, n. [L. attributum.]
1. That which is attributed; a quality which is considered as
belonging to, or inherent in, a person or thing; an
essential or necessary property or characteristic.
But mercy is above this sceptered away; . . . It is
an attribute to God himself. --Shak.
2. Reputation. [Poetic] --Shak.
3. (Paint. & Sculp.) A conventional symbol of office,
character, or identity, added to any particular figure;
as, a club is the attribute of Hercules.
4. (Gram.) Quality, etc., denoted by an attributive; an
attributive adjunct or adjective.
Attribution \At`tri*bu"tion\, n. [L. attributio: cf. F.
attribution.]
1. The act of attributing or ascribing, as a quality,
character, or function, to a thing or person, an effect to
a cause.
2. That which is ascribed or attributed.
Attributive \At*trib"u*tive\, a. [Cf. F. attributif.]
Attributing; pertaining to, expressing, or assigning an
attribute; of the nature of an attribute.
Attributive \At*trib"u*tive\, n., (Gram.)
A word that denotes an attribute; esp. a modifying word
joined to a noun; an adjective or adjective phrase.
Attributively \At*trib"u*tive*ly\, adv.
In an attributive manner.
Attrite \At*trite"\, a. [L. attritus, p. p. of atterere; ad +
terere to rub. See {Trite}.]
1. Rubbed; worn by friction. --Milton.
2. (Theol.) Repentant from fear of punishment; having
attrition of grief for sin; -- opposed to {contrite}.
Attrition \At*tri"tion\, n. [L. attritio: cf. F. attrition.]
1. The act of rubbing together; friction; the act of wearing
by friction, or by rubbing substances together; abrasion.
Effected by attrition of the inward stomach.
--Arbuthnot.
2. The state of being worn. --Johnson.
3. (Theol.) Grief for sin arising only from fear of
punishment or feelings of shame. See {Contrition}.
--Wallis.
Attry \At"try\, a. [See {Atter}.]
Poisonous; malignant; malicious. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Attune \At*tune"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Attuned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Attuning}.] [Pref. ad- + tune.]
1. To tune or put in tune; to make melodious; to adjust, as
one sound or musical instrument to another; as, to attune
the voice to a harp.
2. To arrange fitly; to make accordant.
Wake to energy each social aim, Attuned spontaneous
to the will of Jove. --Beattie.
Atwain \A*twain"\, adv. [OE. atwaine, atwinne; pref. a- +
twain.]
In twain; asunder. [Obs. or Poetic] ``Cuts atwain the
knots.'' --Tennyson.
Atween \A*tween"\, adv. or prep. [See {Atwain}, and cf.
{Between}.]
Between. [Archaic] --Spenser. Tennyson.
Atwirl \A*twirl"\, a. & adv. [Pref. a- + twist.]
Twisted; distorted; awry. [R.] --Halliwell.
Atwite \A*twite"\, v. t. [OE. attwyten, AS. [ae]tw[=i]tan. See
{Twit}.]
To speak reproachfully of; to twit; to upbraid. [Obs.]
Atwixt \A*twixt"\, adv.
Betwixt. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Atwo \A*two"\, adv. [Pref. a- + two.]
In two; in twain; asunder. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Atypic \A*typ"ic\, Atypical \A*typ"ic*al\, a. [Pref. a- not +
typic, typical.]
That has no type; devoid of typical character; irregular;
unlike the type.
Aubade \Au`bade"\, n. [F., fr. aube the dawn, fr. L. albus
white.]
An open air concert in the morning, as distinguished from an
evening serenade; also, a pianoforte composition suggestive
of morning. --Grove.
The crowing cock . . . Sang his aubade with lusty voice
and clear. --Longfellow.
Aubaine \Au`baine"\, n. [F., fr. aubain an alien, fr. L. alibi
elsewhere.]
Succession to the goods of a stranger not naturalized.
--Littr['e].
{Droit d'aubaine}, the right, formerly possessed by the king
of France, to all the personal property of which an alien
died possessed. It was abolished in 1819. --Bouvier.
Aube \Aube\, n. [See {Ale}.]
An alb. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Auberge \Au`berge"\, n. [F.]
An inn. --Beau. & Fl.
Aubin \Au"bin\, n. [F.]
A broken gait of a horse, between an amble and a gallop; --
commonly called a {Canterbury gallop}.
Auburn \Au"burn\, a. [OE. auburne blonde, OF. alborne, auborne,
fr. LL. alburnus whitish, fr. L. albus white. Cf. {Alburn}.]
1. Flaxen-colored. [Obs.] --Florio.
2. Reddish brown.
His auburn locks on either shoulder flowed.
--Dryden.
Auchenium \Au*che"ni*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? the neck.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The part of the neck nearest the back.
Auctary \Auc"ta*ry\, n. [L. auctarium.]
That which is superadded; augmentation. [Obs.] --Baxter.
Auction \Auc"tion\, n. [L. auctio an increasing, a public sale,
where the price was called out, and the article to be sold
was adjudged to the last increaser of the price, or the
highest bidder, fr. L. augere, auctum, to increase. See
{Augment}.]
1. A public sale of property to the highest bidder, esp. by a
person licensed and authorized for the purpose; a vendue.
2. The things sold by auction or put up to auction.
Ask you why Phryne the whole auction buys ? --Pope.
Note: In the United States, the more prevalent expression has
been ``sales at auction,'' that is, by an increase of
bids (Lat. auctione). This latter form is preferable.
{Dutch auction}, the public offer of property at a price
beyond its value, then gradually lowering the price, till
some one accepts it as purchaser. --P. Cyc.
Auction \Auc"tion\, v. t.
To sell by auction.
Auctionary \Auc"tion*a*ry\, a. [L. auctionarius.]
Of or pertaining to an auction or an auctioneer. [R.]
With auctionary hammer in thy hand. --Dryden.
Auctioneer \Auc`tion*eer"\, n.
A person who sells by auction; a person whose business it is
to dispose of goods or lands by public sale to the highest or
best bidder.
Auctioneer \Auc`tion*eer"\, v. t.
To sell by auction; to auction.
Estates . . . advertised and auctioneered away.
--Cowper.
Aucupation \Au`cu*pa"tion\, n. [L. aucupatio, fr. auceps, contr.
for aviceps; avis bird + capere to take.]
Birdcatching; fowling. [Obs.] --Blount.
Audacious \Au*da"cious\, a. [F. audacieux, as if fr. LL.
audaciosus (not found), fr. L. audacia audacity, fr. audax,
-acis, bold, fr. audere to dare.]
1. Daring; spirited; adventurous.
As in a cloudy chair, ascending rides Audacious.
--Milton.
2. Contemning the restraints of law, religion, or decorum;
bold in wickedness; presumptuous; impudent; insolent. ``
Audacious traitor.'' --Shak. `` Such audacious
neighborhood.'' --Milton.
3. Committed with, or proceedings from, daring effrontery or
contempt of law, morality, or decorum. ``Audacious
cruelty.'' ``Audacious prate.'' --Shak.
Audaciously \Au*da"cious*ly\, adv.
In an audacious manner; with excess of boldness; impudently.
Audaciousness \Au*da"cious*ness\, n.
The quality of being audacious; impudence; audacity.
Audacity \Au*dac"i*ty\, n.
1. Daring spirit, resolution, or confidence; venturesomeness.
The freedom and audacity necessary in the commerce
of men. --Tatler.
2. Reckless daring; presumptuous impudence; -- implying a
contempt of law or moral restraints.
With the most arrogant audacity. --Joye.
Audibility \Au`di*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being audible; power of being heard; audible
capacity.
Audible \Au"di*ble\, a. [LL. audibilis, fr. L. audire, auditum,
to hear: cf. Gr. ? ear, L. auris, and E. ear.]
Capable of being heard; loud enough to be heard; actually
heard; as, an audible voice or whisper.
Audible \Au"di*ble\, n.
That which may be heard. [Obs.]
Visibles are swiftlier carried to the sense than
audibles. --Bacon.
Audibleness \Au"di*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being audible.
Audibly \Au"di*bly\, adv.
So as to be heard.
Audience \Au"di*ence\, n. [F. audience, L. audientia, fr. audire
to hear. See {Audible}, a.]
1. The act of hearing; attention to sounds.
Thou, therefore, give due audience, and attend.
--Milton.
2. Admittance to a hearing; a formal interview, esp. with a
sovereign or the head of a government, for conference or
the transaction of business.
According to the fair play of the world, Let me have
audience: I am sent to speak. --Shak.
3. An auditory; an assembly of hearers. Also applied by
authors to their readers.
Fit audience find, though few. --Milton.
He drew his audience upward to the sky. --Dryden.
{Court of audience}, or {Audience court} (Eng.), a court long
since disused, belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury;
also, one belonging to the Archbishop of York. --Mozley &
W.
{In general} (or {open}) {audience}, publicly.
{To give audience}, to listen; to admit to an interview.
Audient \Au"di*ent\, a. [L. audiens, p. pr. of audire. See
{Audible}, a.]
Listening; paying attention; as, audient souls. --Mrs.
Browning.
Audient \Au"di*ent\, n.
A hearer; especially a catechumen in the early church. [Obs.]
--Shelton.
Audiometer \Au`di*om"e*ter\, n. [L. audire to hear + -meter.]
(Acous.)
An instrument by which the power of hearing can be gauged and
recorded on a scale.
Audiphone \Au"di*phone\, n. [L. audire to hear + Gr. ? sound.]
An instrument which, placed against the teeth, conveys sound
to the auditory nerve and enables the deaf to hear more or
less distinctly; a dentiphone.
Audit \Au"dit\, n. [L. auditus a hearing, fr. audire. See
{Audible}, a.]
1. An audience; a hearing. [Obs.]
He appeals to a high audit. --Milton.
2. An examination in general; a judicial examination.
Note: Specifically: An examination of an account or of
accounts, with the hearing of the parties concerned, by
proper officers, or persons appointed for that purpose,
who compare the charges with the vouchers, examine
witnesses, and state the result.
3. The result of such an examination, or an account as
adjusted by auditors; final account.
Yet I can make my audit up. --Shak.
4. A general receptacle or receiver. [Obs.]
It [a little brook] paid to its common audit no more
than the revenues of a little cloud. --Jer. Taylor.
{Audit ale}, a kind of ale, brewed at the English
universities, orig. for the day of audit.
{Audit house}, {Audit room}, an appendage to a cathedral, for
the transaction of its business.
Audit \Au"dit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Audited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Auditing}.]
To examine and adjust, as an account or accounts; as, to
audit the accounts of a treasure, or of parties who have a
suit depending in court.
Audit \Au"dit\, v. i.
To settle or adjust an account.
Let Hocus audit; he knows how the money was disbursed.
--Arbuthnot.
Audita querela \Au*di"ta que*re"la\ [L., the complaint having
been heard.] (Law)
A writ which lies for a party against whom judgment is
recovered, but to whom good matter of discharge has
subsequently accrued which could not have been availed of to
prevent such judgment. --Wharton.
Audition \Au*di"tion\, n. [L. auditio.]
The act of hearing or listening; hearing.
Audition may be active or passive; hence the difference
between listening and simple hearing. --Dunglison.
Auditive \Au"di*tive\, a. [Cf. F. auditif.]
Of or pertaining to hearing; auditory. [R.] --Cotgrave.
Auditor \Au"di*tor\, n. [L. auditor, fr. audire. See {Audible},
a.]
1. A hearer or listener. --Macaulay.
2. A person appointed and authorized to audit or examine an
account or accounts, compare the charges with the
vouchers, examine the parties and witnesses, allow or
reject charges, and state the balance.
3. One who hears judicially, as in an audience court.
Note: In the United States government, and in the State
governments, there are auditors of the treasury and of
the public accounts. The name is also applied to
persons employed to check the accounts of courts,
corporations, companies, societies, and partnerships.
Auditorial \Au`di*to"ri*al\, a.
Auditory. [R.]
Auditorium \Au`di*to"ri*um\, n. [L. See {Auditory}, n.]
The part of a church, theater, or other public building,
assigned to the audience.
Note: In ancient churches the auditorium was the nave, where
hearers stood to be instructed; in monasteries it was
an apartment for the reception of strangers.
Auditorship \Au"di*tor*ship\, n.
The office or function of auditor.
Auditory \Au"di*to*ry\, a. [L. auditorius.]
Of or pertaining to hearing, or to the sense or organs of
hearing; as, the auditory nerve. See {Ear}.
{Auditory canal} (Anat.), the tube from the auditory meatus
or opening of the ear to the tympanic membrane.
Auditory \Au"di*to*ry\, n. [L. auditorium.]
1. An assembly of hearers; an audience.
2. An auditorium. --Udall.
Auditress \Au"di*tress\, n.
A female hearer. --Milton.
Auditual \Au*dit"u*al\, a.
Auditory. [R.] --Coleridge.
Auf \Auf\ ([add]f), n. [OE. auph, aulf, fr. Icel. [=a]lfr elf.
See {Elf}.] [Also spelt {oaf}, {ouphe}.]
A changeling or elf child, -- that is, one left by fairies; a
deformed or foolish child; a simpleton; an oaf. [Obs.]
--Drayton.
Au fait \Au` fait"\ ([=o]` f[asl]"). [F. Lit., to the deed, act,
or point. Fait is fr. L. factum. See {Fact}.]
Expert; skillful; well instructed.
Augean \Au*ge"an\, a.
1. (Class. Myth.) Of or pertaining to Augeus, king of Elis,
whose stable contained 3000 oxen, and had not been cleaned
for 30 years. Hercules cleansed it in a single day.
2. Hence: Exceedingly filthy or corrupt.
{Augean stable} (Fig.), an accumulation of corruption or
filth almost beyond the power of man to remedy.
Auger \Au"ger\, n. [OE. augoure, nauger, AS. nafeg[=a]r, fr.
nafu, nafa, nave of a wheel + g[=a]r spear, and therefore
meaning properly and originally a nave-bore. See {Nave} (of a
wheel) and 2d {Gore}, n.]
1. A carpenter's tool for boring holes larger than those
bored by a gimlet. It has a handle placed crosswise by
which it is turned with both hands. A pod auger is one
with a straight channel or groove, like the half of a bean
pod. A screw auger has a twisted blade, by the spiral
groove of which the chips are discharge.
2. An instrument for boring or perforating soils or rocks,
for determining the quality of soils, or the nature of the
rocks or strata upon which they lie, and for obtaining
water.
{Auger bit}, a bit with a cutting edge or blade like that of
an anger.
Auget \Au*get"\, n. [F., dim. of auge trough, fr. L. alveus
hollow, fr. alvus belly.] (Mining)
A priming tube connecting the charge chamber with the
gallery, or place where the slow match is applied. --Knight.
Aught \Aught\, Aucht \Aucht\, n. [AS. ?ht, fr. [=a]gan to own,
p. p. [=a]hte.]
Property; possession. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Aught \Aught\, n. [OE. aught, ought, awiht, AS. [=a]wiht, [=a]
ever + wiht. [root]136. See {Aye} ever, and {Whit}, {Wight}.]
Anything; any part. [Also written {ought}.]
There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord
has spoken. --Josh. xxi.
45
But go, my son, and see if aught be wanting. --Addison.
Aught \Aught\ ([add]t), adv.
At all; in any degree. --Chaucer.
Augite \Au"gite\ ([add]"j[imac]t), n. [L. augites, Gr.
a'ygi`ths, fr. a'ygh` brightness: cf. F. augite.]
A variety of pyroxene, usually of a black or dark green
color, occurring in igneous rocks, such as basalt; -- also
used instead of the general term pyroxene.
Augitic \Au*git"ic\ ([add]*j[i^]t"[i^]k), a.
Pertaining to, or like, augite; containing augite as a
principal constituent; as, augitic rocks.
Augment \Aug*ment"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Augmented}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Augmenting}.] [L. augmentare, fr. augmentum an
increase, fr. augere to increase; perh. akin to Gr. ?, ?, E.
wax, v., and eke, v.: cf. F. augmenter.]
1. To enlarge or increase in size, amount, or degree; to
swell; to make bigger; as, to augment an army by
re["e]forcements; rain augments a stream; impatience
augments an evil.
But their spite still serves His glory to augment.
--Milton.
2. (Gram.) To add an augment to.
Augment \Aug*ment"\, v. i.
To increase; to grow larger, stronger, or more intense; as, a
stream augments by rain.
Augment \Aug"ment\, n. [L. augmentum: cf. F. augment.]
1. Enlargement by addition; increase.
2. (Gram.) A vowel prefixed, or a lengthening of the initial
vowel, to mark past time, as in Greek and Sanskrit verbs.
Note: In Greek, the syllabic augment is a prefixed ?, forming
an intial syllable; the temporal augment is an increase
of the quantity (time) of an initial vowel, as by
changing ? to ?.
Augmentable \Aug*ment"a*ble\, a.
Capable of augmentation. --Walsh.
Augmentation \Aug`men*ta"tion\, n. [LL. augmentatio: cf. F.
augmentation.]
1. The act or process of augmenting, or making larger, by
addition, expansion, or dilation; increase.
2. The state of being augmented; enlargement.
3. The thing added by way of enlargement.
4. (Her.) A additional charge to a coat of arms, given as a
mark of honor. --Cussans.
5. (Med.) The stage of a disease in which the symptoms go on
increasing. --Dunglison.
6. (Mus.) In counterpoint and fugue, a repetition of the
subject in tones of twice the original length.
{Augmentation court} (Eng. Hist.), a court erected by Stat.
27 Hen. VIII., to augment the revenues of the crown by the
suppression of monasteries. It was long ago dissolved.
--Encyc. Brit.
Syn: Increase; enlargement; growth; extension; accession;
addition.
Augmentative \Aug*ment"a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. augmentatif.]
Having the quality or power of augmenting; expressing
augmentation. -- {Aug*ment"a*tive*ly}, adv.
Augmentative \Aug*ment"a*tive\, n. (Gram.)
A word which expresses with augmented force the idea or the
properties of the term from which it is derived; as, dullard,
one very dull. Opposed to {diminutive}. --Gibbs.
Augmenter \Aug*ment"er\, n.
One who, or that which, augments or increases anything.
Augrim \Au"grim\, n.
See {Algorism}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Augrim stones}, pebbles formerly used in numeration.
{Noumbres of Augrim}, Arabic numerals. --Chaucer.
Augur \Au"gur\, n. [L. Of uncertain origin: the first part of
the word is perh. fr. L. avis bird, and the last syllable,
gur, equiv. to the Skr. gar to call, akin to L. garrulus
garrulous.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) An official diviner who foretold events by
the singing, chattering, flight, and feeding of birds, or
by signs or omens derived from celestial phenomena,
certain appearances of quadrupeds, or unusual occurrences.
2. One who foretells events by omens; a soothsayer; a
diviner; a prophet.
Augur of ill, whose tongue was never found Without a
priestly curse or boding sound. --Dryden.
Augur \Au"gur\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Augured}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Auguring}.]
1. To conjecture from signs or omens; to prognosticate; to
foreshow.
My auguring mind assures the same success. --Dryden.
2. To anticipate, to foretell, or to indicate a favorable or
an unfavorable issue; as, to augur well or ill.
Augur \Au"gur\, v. t.
To predict or foretell, as from signs or omens; to betoken;
to presage; to infer.
It seems to augur genius. --Sir W.
Scott.
I augur everything from the approbation the proposal
has met with. --J. F. W.
Herschel.
Syn: To predict; forebode; betoken; portend; presage;
prognosticate; prophesy; forewarn.
Augural \Au"gu*ral\, a. [L. auguralis.]
Of or pertaining to augurs or to augury; betokening; ominous;
significant; as, an augural staff; augural books. ``Portents
augural.'' --Cowper.
Augurate \Au"gu*rate\, v. t. & i. [L. auguratus, p. p. of
augurari to augur.]
To make or take auguries; to augur; to predict. [Obs.] --C.
Middleton.
Augurate \Au"gu*rate\, n.
The office of an augur. --Merivale.
Auguration \Au`gu*ra"tion\, n. [L. auguratio.]
The practice of augury.
Augurer \Au"gur*er\, n.
An augur. [Obs.] --Shak.
Augurial \Au*gu"ri*al\, a. [L. augurialis.]
Relating to augurs or to augury. --Sir T. Browne.
Augurist \Au"gu*rist\, n.
An augur. [R.]
Angurize \An"gur*ize\, v. t.
To augur. [Obs.] --Blount.
Augurous \Au"gu*rous\, a.
Full of augury; foreboding. [Obs.] ``Augurous hearts.''
--Chapman.
Augurship \Au"gur*ship\, n.
The office, or period of office, of an augur. --Bacon.
Augury \Au"gu*ry\, n.; pl. {Auguries}. [L. aucurium.]
1. The art or practice of foretelling events by observing the
actions of birds, etc.; divination.
2. An omen; prediction; prognostication; indication of the
future; presage.
From their flight strange auguries she drew.
--Drayton.
He resigned himself . . . with a docility that gave
little augury of his future greatness. --Prescott.
3. A rite, ceremony, or observation of an augur.
August \Au*gust"\, a. [L. augustus; cf. augere to increase; in
the language of religion, to honor by offerings: cf. F.
auguste. See {Augment}.]
Of a quality inspiring mingled admiration and reverence;
having an aspect of solemn dignity or grandeur; sublime;
majestic; having exalted birth, character, state, or
authority. ``Forms august.'' --Pope. ``August in visage.''
--Dryden. ``To shed that august blood.'' --Macaulay.
So beautiful and so august a spectacle. --Burke.
To mingle with a body so august. --Byron.
Syn: Grand; magnificent; majestic; solemn; awful; noble;
stately; dignified; imposing.
August \Au"gust\, n. [L. Augustus. See note below, and {August},
a.]
The eighth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.
Note: The old Roman name was Sextilis, the sixth month from
March, the month in which the primitive Romans, as well
as Jews, began the year. The name was changed to August
in honor of Augustus C[ae]sar, the first emperor of
Rome, on account of his victories, and his entering on
his first consulate in that month.
Augustan \Au*gus"tan\, a. [L. Augustanus, fr. Augustus. See
{August}, n.]
1. Of or pertaining to Augustus C[ae]sar or to his times.
2. Of or pertaining to the town of Augsburg.
{Augustan age} of any national literature, the period of its
highest state of purity and refinement; -- so called
because the reign of Augustus C[ae]sar was the golden age
of Roman literature. Thus the reign of Louis XIV. (b.
1638) has been called the Augustan age of French
literature, and that of Queen Anne (b. 1664) the Augustan
age of English literature.
{Augustan confession} (Eccl. Hist.), or confession of
Augsburg, drawn up at Augusta Vindelicorum, or Augsburg,
by Luther and Melanchthon, in 1530, contains the
principles of the Protestants, and their reasons for
separating from the Roman Catholic church.
Augustine \Au*gus"tine\, Augustinian \Au`gus*tin"i*an\, n.
(Eccl.)
A member of one of the religious orders called after St.
Augustine; an Austin friar.
Augustinian \Au`gus*tin"i*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to St. Augustine, bishop of Hippo in
Northern Africa (b. 354 -- d. 430), or to his doctrines.
{Augustinian canons}, an order of monks once popular in
England and Ireland; -- called also {regular canons of St.
Austin}, and {black canons}.
{Augustinian hermits} or {Austin friars}, an order of friars
established in 1265 by Pope Alexander IV. It was
introduced into the United States from Ireland in 1790.
{Augustinian nuns}, an order of nuns following the rule of
St. Augustine.
{Augustinian rule}, a rule for religious communities based
upon the 109th letter of St. Augustine, and adopted by the
Augustinian orders.
Augustinian \Au`gus*tin"i*an\, n.
One of a class of divines, who, following St. Augustine,
maintain that grace by its nature is effectual absolutely and
creatively, not relatively and conditionally.
Augustinianism \Au`gus*tin"i*an*ism\, Augustinism
\Au*gus"tin*ism\, n.
The doctrines held by Augustine or by the Augustinians.
Augustly \Au*gust"ly\, adv.
In an august manner.
Augustness \Au*gust"ness\, n.
The quality of being august; dignity of mien; grandeur;
magnificence.
Auk \Auk\, n. [Prov. E. alk; akin to Dan. alke, Icel. & Sw.
alka.] (Zo["o]l.)
A name given to various species of arctic sea birds of the
family {Alcid[ae]}. The great auk, now extinct, is {Alca (or
Plautus) impennis}. The razor-billed auk is {A. torda}. See
{Puffin}, {Guillemot}, and {Murre}.
Aukward \Auk"ward\, a.
See {Awkward}. [Obs.]
Aularian \Au*la"ri*an\, a. [L. aula hall. Cf. LL. aularis of a
court.]
Relating to a hall.
Aularian \Au*la"ri*an\, n.
At Oxford, England, a member of a hall, distinguished from a
collegian. --Chalmers.
Auld \Auld\, a. [See {Old}.]
Old; as, Auld Reekie (old smoky), i. e., Edinburgh. [Scot. &
Prov. Eng.]
Auld lang syne \Auld` lang syne"\
A Scottish phrase used in recalling recollections of times
long since past. ``The days of auld lang syne.''
Auletic \Au*let"ic\, a. [L. auleticus, Gr. ?, fr. ? flute.]
Of or pertaining to a pipe (flute) or piper. [R.] --Ash.
Aulic \Au"lic\, a. [L. aulicus, Gr. ?, fr. ? hall, court, royal
court.]
Pertaining to a royal court.
Ecclesiastical wealth and aulic dignities. --Landor.
{Aulic council} (Hist.), a supreme court of the old German
empire; properly the supreme court of the emperor. It
ceased at the death of each emperor, and was renewed by
his successor. It became extinct when the German empire
was dissolved, in 1806. The term is now applied to a
council of the war department of the Austrian empire, and
the members of different provincial chanceries of that
empire are called aulic councilors. --P. Cyc.
Aulic \Au"lic\, n.
The ceremony observed in conferring the degree of doctor of
divinity in some European universities. It begins by a
harangue of the chancellor addressed to the young doctor, who
then receives the cap, and presides at the disputation (also
called the aulic).
Auln \Auln\, n.
An ell. [Obs.] See {Aune}.
Aulnage \Aul"nage\, Aulnager \Aul"na*ger\, n.
See {Alnage} and {Alnager}.
Aum \Aum\, n.
Same as {Aam}.
Aumail \Au*mail"\, v. t. [OE. for amel, enamel.]
To figure or variegate. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Aumbry \Aum"bry\, n.
Same as {Ambry}.
Aumery \Au"me*ry\, n.
A form of {Ambry}, a closet; but confused with {Almonry}, as
if a place for alms.
Auncel \Aun"cel\, n.
A rude balance for weighing, and a kind of weight, formerly
used in England. --Halliwell.
Auncetry \Aun"cet*ry\, n.
Ancestry. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aune \Aune\, n. [F. See {Alnage}.]
A French cloth measure, of different parts of the country (at
Paris, 0.95 of an English ell); -- now superseded by the
meter.
Aunt \Aunt\, n. [OF. ante, F. tante, L. amita father's sister.
Cf. {Amma}.]
1. The sister of one's father or mother; -- correlative to
nephew or niece. Also applied to an uncle's wife.
Note: Aunt is sometimes applied as a title or term of
endearment to a kind elderly woman not thus related.
2. An old woman; and old gossip. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. A bawd, or a prostitute. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Aunt Sally}, a puppet head placed on a pole and having a
pipe in its mouth; also a game, which consists in trying
to hit the pipe by throwing short bludgeons at it.
Auntter \Aunt"ter\, n.
Adventure; hap. [Obs.]
{In aunters}, perchance.
Aunter \Aun"ter\, Auntre \Aun"tre\, v. t. [See {Adventure}.]
To venture; to dare. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Auntie \Aunt"ie\, Aunty \Aunt"y\, n.
A familiar name for an aunt. In the southern United States a
familiar term applied to aged negro women.
Auntrous \Aun"trous\, a.
Adventurous. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aura \Au"ra\, n.; pl. {Aur[ae]}. [L. aura air, akin to Gr. ?.]
1. Any subtile, invisible emanation, effluvium, or exhalation
from a substance, as the aroma of flowers, the odor of the
blood, a supposed fertilizing emanation from the pollen of
flowers, etc.
2. (Med.) The peculiar sensation, as of a light vapor, or
cold air, rising from the trunk or limbs towards the head,
a premonitory symptom of epilepsy or hysterics.
{Electric aura}, a supposed electric fluid, emanating from an
electrified body, and forming a mass surrounding it,
called the electric atmosphere. See {Atmosphere}, 2.
Aural \Au"ral\, a. [L. aura air.]
Of or pertaining to the air, or to an aura.
Aural \Au"ral\, a. [L. auris ear.]
Of or pertaining to the ear; as, aural medicine and surgery.
Aurantiaceous \Au*ran`ti*a"ceous\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, the Aurantiace[ae], an order of
plants (formerly considered natural), of which the orange is
the type.
Aurate \Au"rate\, n. [L. auratus, p. p. of aurare to gild, fr.
aurum gold: cf. F. aurate.] (Chem.)
A combination of auric acid with a base; as, aurate or
potassium.
Aurated \Au"ra*ted\, a. [See {Aurate}.]
1. Resembling or containing gold; gold-colored; gilded.
2. (Chem.) Combined with auric acid.
Aurated \Au"ra*ted\, a.
Having ears. See {Aurited}.
Aureate \Au"re*ate\, a. [L. aureatus, fr. aureus golden, fr.
aurum gold.]
Golden; gilded. --Skelton.
Aurelia \Au*re"li*a\ (?; 106), n. [NL., fr. L. aurum gold: cf.
F. aur['e]lie. Cf. {Chrysalis}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The chrysalis, or pupa of an insect, esp. when reflecting
a brilliant golden color, as that of some of the
butterflies.
(b) A genus of jellyfishes. See {Discophora}.
Aurelian \Au*re"li*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the aurelia.
Aurelian \Au*re"li*an\, n.
An amateur collector and breeder of insects, esp. of
butterflies and moths; a lepidopterist.
Aureola \Au*re"o*la\, Aureole \Au"re*ole\, n. [F. aur['e]ole,
fr. L. aureola, (fem adj.) of gold (sc. corona crown), dim.
of aureus. See {Aureate}, {Oriole}.]
1. (R. C. Theol.) A celestial crown or accidental glory added
to the bliss of heaven, as a reward to those (as virgins,
martyrs, preachers, etc.) who have overcome the world, the
flesh, and the devil.
2. The circle of rays, or halo of light, with which painters
surround the figure and represent the glory of Christ,
saints, and others held in special reverence.
Note: Limited to the head, it is strictly termed a nimbus;
when it envelops the whole body, an aureola.
--Fairholt.
3. A halo, actual or figurative.
The glorious aureole of light seen around the sun
during total eclipses. --Proctor.
The aureole of young womanhood. --O. W.
Holmes.
4. (Anat.) See {Areola}, 2.
Auric \Au"ric\, a. [L. aurum gold.]
1. Of or pertaining to gold.
2. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, gold; -- said of
those compounds of gold in which this element has its
higher valence; as, auric oxide; auric chloride.
Aurichalceous \Au`ri*chal"ce*ous\, a. [L. aurichalcum, for
orichalcum brass.] (Zo["o]l.)
Brass-colored.
Aurichalcite \Au`ri*chal"cite\, n. [See {Aurichalceous}.] (Min.)
A hydrous carbonate of copper and zinc, found in pale green
or blue crystalline aggregations. It yields a kind of brass
on reduction.
Auricle \Au"ri*cle\, n. [L. auricula, dim. of auris ear. See
{Ear}.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) The external ear, or that part of the ear which is
prominent from the head.
(b) The chamber, or one of the two chambers, of the heart,
by which the blood is received and transmitted to the
ventricle or ventricles; -- so called from its
resemblance to the auricle or external ear of some
quadrupeds. See {Heart}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An angular or ear-shaped lobe.
3. An instrument applied to the ears to give aid in hearing;
a kind of ear trumpet. --Mansfield.
Auricled \Au"ri*cled\, a.
Having ear-shaped appendages or lobes; auriculate; as,
auricled leaves.
Auricula \Au*ric"u*la\, n.; pl. L. {Auricul[ae]}, E.
{Auriculas}. [L. auricula. See {Auricle}.]
1. (Bot.) (a) A species of {Primula}, or primrose, called
also, from the shape of its leaves, {bear's-ear}.
(b)
(b) A species of {Hirneola} ({H. auricula}), a
membranaceous fungus, called also {auricula Jud[ae]},
or {Jew's-ear}. --P. Cyc.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A genus of air-breathing mollusks mostly found near
the sea, where the water is brackish
(b) One of the five arched processes of the shell around
the jaws of a sea urchin.
Auricular \Au*ric"u*lar\ ([add]*r[i^]k"[-u]*l[~e]r), a. [LL.
auricularis: cf. F. auriculaire. See {Auricle}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the ear, or to the sense of hearing;
as, auricular nerves.
2. Told in the ear, i. e., told privately; as, auricular
confession to the priest.
This next chapter is a penitent confession of the
king, and the strangest . . . that ever was
auricular. --Milton.
3. Recognized by the ear; known by the sense of hearing; as,
auricular evidence. ``Auricular assurance.'' --Shak.
4. Received by the ear; known by report. ``Auricular
traditions.'' --Bacon.
5. (Anat.) Pertaining to the auricles of the heart.
{Auricular finger}, the little finger; so called because it
can be readily introduced into the ear passage.
Auricularia \Au*ric`u*la"ri*a\, n. pl. [Neut. pl., fr. LL.
auricularis.] (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of holothurian larva, with soft, blunt appendages. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Auricularly \Au*ric"u*lar*ly\, adv.
In an auricular manner.
Auriculars \Au*ric"u*lars\, n. pl. (Zo["o]l.)
A circle of feathers surrounding the opening of the ear of
birds.
Auriculate \Au*ric"u*late\, Auriculated \Au*ric"u*la`ted\, a.
[See {Auricle}.] (Biol.)
Having ears or appendages like ears; eared. Esp.:
(a) (Bot.) Having lobes or appendages like the ear; shaped
like the ear; auricled.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) Having an angular projection on one or both
sides, as in certain bivalve shells, the foot of some
gastropods, etc.
{Auriculate leaf}, one having small appended leaves or lobes
on each side of its petiole or base.
Auriferous \Au*rif"er*ous\, a. [L. aurifer; aurum gold + ferre
to bear: cf. F. aurif[`e]re.]
Gold-bearing; containing or producing gold.
Whence many a bursting stream auriferous plays.
--Thomson.
{Auriferous pyrites}, iron pyrites (iron disulphide),
containing some gold disseminated through it.
Auriflamme \Au"ri*flamme\, n.
See {Oriflamme}.
Auriform \Au"ri*form\, a. [L. auris ear + -form.]
Having the form of the human ear; ear-shaped.
Auriga \Au*ri"ga\, n. [L., charioteer.] (Anat.)
The Charioteer, or Wagoner, a constellation in the northern
hemisphere, situated between Perseus and Gemini. It contains
the bright star Capella.
Aurigal \Au*ri"gal\, a. [L. aurigalis.]
Of or pertaining to a chariot. [R.]
Aurigation \Au`ri*ga"tion\, n. [L. aurigatio, fr. aurigare to be
a charioteer, fr. auriga.]
The act of driving a chariot or a carriage. [R.] --De
Quincey.
Aurigraphy \Au*rig"ra*phy\, n. [L. aurum gold + -graphy.]
The art of writing with or in gold.
Aurin \Au"rin\ ([add]"r[i^]n), n. [L. aurum gold.] (Chem.)
A red coloring matter derived from phenol; -- called also, in
commerce, {yellow corallin}.
Auriphrygiate \Au`ri*phryg"i*ate\
([add]`r[i^]*fr[i^]"j[i^]*[asl]t), a. [LL. auriphrigiatus; L.
aurum gold + LL. phrygiare to adorn with Phrygian needlework,
or with embroidery; perhaps corrupted from some other word.
Cf. {Orfrays}.]
Embroidered or decorated with gold. [R.] --Southey.
Auripigment \Au`ri*pig"ment\ ([add]`r[i^]*p[i^]g"ment), n.
See {Orpiment}. [Obs.]
Auriscalp \Au"ri*scalp\ ([add]"r[i^]*sk[a^]lp), n. [L. auris ear
+ scalpere to scrape.]
An earpick.
Auriscope \Au"ri*scope\ (-sk[=o]p), n. [L. auris + -scope.]
(Med.)
An instrument for examining the condition of the ear.
Auriscopy \Au*ris"co*py\ ([add]*r[i^]s"k[-o]*p[y^]), n.
Examination of the ear by the aid of the auriscope.
Aurist \Au"rist\ ([add]"r[i^]st), n. [L. auris ear.]
One skilled in treating and curing disorders of the ear.
Aurited \Au"ri*ted\, a. [L. auritus, fr. auris ear.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having lobes like the ear; auriculate.
Aurivorous \Au*riv"o*rous\, a. [L. aurum gold + vorare to
devour.]
Gold-devouring. [R.] --H. Walpole.
Aurocephalous \Au`ro*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Aurum + cephalous.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having a gold-colored head.
Aurochloride \Au`ro*chlo"ride\, n. [Aurum + chloride.] (Chem.)
The trichloride of gold combination with the chloride of
another metal, forming a double chloride; -- called also
{chloraurate}.
Aurochs \Au"rochs\ ([add]"r[o^]ks), n. [G. auerochs, OHG.
[=u]rohso; [=u]r (cf. AS. [=u]r) + ohso ox, G. ochs. Cf.
{Owre}, {Ox}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European bison ({Bison bonasus, or Europ[ae]us}), once
widely distributed, but now nearly extinct, except where
protected in the Lithuanian forests, and perhaps in the
Caucasus. It is distinct from the Urus of C[ae]sar, with
which it has often been confused.
Aurocyanide \Au`ro*cy"a*nide\, n. [Aurum + cyanide.] (Chem.)
A double cyanide of gold and some other metal or radical; --
called also {cyanaurate}.
Aurora \Au*ro"ra\, n.; pl. E. {Auroras}, L. (rarely used)
{Auror[ae]}. [L. aurora, for ausosa, akin to Gr. ?, ?, dawn,
Skr. ushas, and E. east.]
1. The rising light of the morning; the dawn of day; the
redness of the sky just before the sun rises.
2. The rise, dawn, or beginning. --Hawthorne.
3. (Class. Myth.) The Roman personification of the dawn of
day; the goddess of the morning. The poets represented her
a rising out of the ocean, in a chariot, with rosy fingers
dropping gentle dew.
4. (Bot.) A species of crowfoot. --Johnson.
5. The aurora borealis or aurora australis (northern or
southern lights).
{Aurora borealis}, i. e., northern daybreak; popularly called
northern lights. A luminous meteoric phenomenon, visible
only at night, and supposed to be of electrical origin.
This species of light usually appears in streams,
ascending toward the zenith from a dusky line or bank, a
few degrees above the northern horizon; when reaching
south beyond the zenith, it forms what is called the
corona, about a spot in the heavens toward which the
dipping needle points. Occasionally the aurora appears as
an arch of light across the heavens from east to west.
Sometimes it assumes a wavy appearance, and the streams of
light are then called merry dancers. They assume a variety
of colors, from a pale red or yellow to a deep red or
blood color. The
{Aurora australis}is a corresponding phenomenon in the
southern hemisphere, the streams of light ascending in the
same manner from near the southern horizon.
Auroral \Au*ro"ral\, a.
Belonging to, or resembling, the aurora (the dawn or the
northern lights); rosy.
Her cheeks suffused with an auroral blush.
--Longfellow.
Aurous \Au"rous\, a.
1. Containing gold.
2. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, gold; -- said of
those compounds of gold in which this element has its
lower valence; as, aurous oxide.
Aurum \Au"rum\, n. [L.]
Gold.
{Aurum fulminans} (?). See {Fulminate}.
{Aurum mosaicum} (?). See {Mosaic}.
Auscult \Aus*cult"\, v. i. & t.
To auscultate.
Auscultate \Aus"cul*tate\, v. i. & t.
To practice auscultation; to examine by auscultation.
Auscultation \Aus`cul*ta"tion\, n. [L. ausculcatio, fr.
auscultare to listen, fr. a dim. of auris, orig. ausis, ear.
See {Auricle}, and cf. {Scout}, n.]
1. The act of listening or hearkening to. --Hickes.
2. (Med.) An examination by listening either directly with
the ear (immediate auscultation) applied to parts of the
body, as the abdomen; or with the stethoscope (mediate
auscultation), in order to distinguish sounds recognized
as a sign of health or of disease.
Auscultator \Aus"cul*ta`tor\, n.
One who practices auscultation.
Auscultatory \Aus*cul"ta*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to auscultation. --Dunglison.
Ausonian \Au*so"ni*an\, a. [L. Ausonia, poetic name for Italy.]
Italian. --Milton.
Auspicate \Aus"pi*cate\, a. [L. auspicatus, p. p. of auspicari
to take auspices, fr. auspex a bird seer, an augur, a contr.
of avispex; avis bird + specere, spicere, to view. See
{Aviary}, {Spy}.]
Auspicious. [Obs.] --Holland.
Auspicate \Aus"pi*cate\, v. t.
1. To foreshow; to foretoken. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
2. To give a favorable turn to in commencing; to inaugurate;
-- a sense derived from the Roman practice of taking the
auspicium, or inspection of birds, before undertaking any
important business.
They auspicate all their proceedings. --Burke.
Auspice \Aus"pice\, n.; pl. {Auspices}. [L. auspicium, fr.
auspex: cf. F. auspice. See {Auspicate}, a.]
1. A divining or taking of omens by observing birds; an omen
as to an undertaking, drawn from birds; an augury; an omen
or sign in general; an indication as to the future.
2. Protection; patronage and care; guidance.
Which by his auspice they will nobler make.
--Dryden.
Note: In this sense the word is generally plural, auspices;
as, under the auspices of the king.
Auspicial \Aus*pi"cial\, a.
Of or pertaining to auspices; auspicious. [R.]
Auspicious \Aus*pi"cious\, a. [See {Auspice}.]
1. Having omens or tokens of a favorable issue; giving
promise of success, prosperity, or happiness; predicting
good; as, an auspicious beginning.
Auspicious union of order and freedom. --Macaulay.
2. Prosperous; fortunate; as, auspicious years. ``Auspicious
chief.'' --Dryden.
3. Favoring; favorable; propitious; -- applied to persons or
things. ``Thy auspicious mistress.'' --Shak. ``Auspicious
gales.'' --Pope.
Syn: See {Propitious}. -- {Aus*pi"cious*ly}, adv. --
{Aus*pi"cious*ness}, n.
Auster \Aus"ter\, n. [L. auster a dry, hot, south wind; the
south.]
The south wind. --Pope.
Austere \Aus*tere"\, [F. aust[`e]re, L. austerus, fr. Gr. ?, fr.
? to parch, dry. Cf. {Sear}.]
1. Sour and astringent; rough to the state; having acerbity;
as, an austere crab apple; austere wine.
2. Severe in modes of judging, or living, or acting; rigid;
rigorous; stern; as, an austere man, look, life.
From whom the austere Etrurian virtue rose.
--Dryden.
3. Unadorned; unembellished; severely simple.
Syn: Harsh; sour; rough; rigid; stern; severe; rigorous;
strict.
Austerely \Aus*tere"ly\, adv.
Severely; rigidly; sternly.
A doctrine austerely logical. --Macaulay.
Austereness \Aus*tere"ness\, n.
1. Harshness or astringent sourness to the taste; acerbity.
--Johnson.
2. Severity; strictness; austerity. --Shak.
Austerity \Aus*ter"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Austerities}. [F.
aust['e]rit['e], L. austerias, fr. austerus. See {Austere}.]
1. Sourness and harshness to the taste. [Obs.] --Horsley.
2. Severity of manners or life; extreme rigor or strictness;
harsh discipline.
The austerity of John the Baptist. --Milton.
3. Plainness; freedom from adornment; severe simplicity.
Partly owing to the studied austerity of her dress,
and partly to the lack of demonstration in her
manners. --Hawthorne.
Austin \Aus"tin\, a.
Augustinian; as, Austin friars.
Austral \Aus"tral\, a. [L. australis, fr. auster: cf. F.
austral.]
Southern; lying or being in the south; as, austral land;
austral ocean.
{Austral signs} (Astron.), the last six signs of the zodiac,
or those south of the equator.
Australasian \Aus`tral*a"sian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Australasia; as, Australasian regions. --
n. A native or an inhabitant of Australasia.
Australian \Aus*tra"li*an\, a. [From L. Terra Australis southern
land.]
Of or pertaining to Australia. -- n. A native or an
inhabitant of Australia.
Australize \Aus"tral*ize\, v. i. [See {Austral}.]
To tend toward the south pole, as a magnet. [Obs.]
They [magnets] do septentrionate at one extreme, and
australize at another. --Sir T.
Browne.
Austrian \Aus"tri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Austria, or to its inhabitants. -- n. A
native or an inhabitant of Austria.
Austrine \Aus"trine\, n. [L. austrinus, from auster south.]
Southern; southerly; austral. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Austro-Hungarian \Aus"tro-Hun*ga"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the monarchy composed of Austria and
Hungary.
Austromancy \Aus"tro*man`cy\, n. [L. auster south wind +
-mancy.]
Soothsaying, or prediction of events, from observation of the
winds.
Autarchy \Au"tar*chy\, n. [Gr. ? independence; a'yto`s self +
'arkei^n to be sufficient.]
Self-sufficiency. [Obs.] --Milton.
Authentic \Au*then"tic\, a. [OE. autentik, OF. autentique, F.
authentique, L. authenticus coming from the real author, of
original or firsthand authority, from Gr. ?, fr. ? suicide, a
perpetrator or real author of any act, an absolute master;
a'yto`s self + a form "enths (not found), akin to L. sons and
perh. orig. from the p. pr. of e'i^nai to be, root as, and
meaning the one it really is. See {Am}, {Sin}, n., and cf.
{Effendi}.]
1. Having a genuine original or authority, in opposition to
that which is false, fictitious, counterfeit, or
apocryphal; being what it purports to be; genuine; not of
doubtful origin; real; as, an authentic paper or register.
To be avenged On him who had stole Jove's authentic
fire. --Milton.
2. Authoritative. [Obs.] --Milton.
3. Of approved authority; true; trustworthy; credible; as, an
authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic
information.
4. (Law) Vested with all due formalities, and legally
attested.
5. (Mus.) Having as immediate relation to the tonic, in
distinction from plagal, which has a correspondent
relation to the dominant in the octave below the tonic.
Syn: {Authentic}, {Genuine}.
Usage: These words, as here compared, have reference to
historical documents. We call a document genuine when
it can be traced back ultimately to the author or
authors from whom it professes to emanate. Hence, the
word has the meaning, ``not changed from the original,
uncorrupted, unadulterated:'' as, a genuine text. We
call a document authentic when, on the ground of its
being thus traced back, it may be relied on as true
and authoritative (from the primary sense of ``having
an author, vouched for''); hence its extended
signification, in general literature, of trustworthy,
as resting on unquestionable authority or evidence;
as, an authentic history; an authentic report of
facts.
A genuine book is that which was written by the
person whose name it bears, as the author of it.
An authentic book is that which relates matters
of fact as they really happened. A book may be
genuine without being, authentic, and a book may
be authentic without being genuine. --Bp.
Watson.
Note: It may be said, however, that some writers use
authentic (as, an authentic document) in the sense of
``produced by its professed author, not counterfeit.''
Authentic \Au*then"tic\, n.
An original (book or document). [Obs.] ``Authentics and
transcripts.'' --Fuller.
Authentical \Au*then"tic*al\, a.
Authentic. [Archaic]
Authentically \Au*then"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In an authentic manner; with the requisite or genuine
authority.
Authenticalness \Au*then*tic*al*ness\, n.
The quality of being authentic; authenticity. [R.] --Barrow.
Authenticate \Au*then"ti*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Authenticated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Authenticating} (?).] [Cf.
LL. authenticare.]
1. To render authentic; to give authority to, by the proof,
attestation, or formalities required by law, or sufficient
to entitle to credit.
The king serves only as a notary to authenticate the
choice of judges. --Burke.
2. To prove authentic; to determine as real and true; as, to
authenticate a portrait. --Walpole.
Authenticity \Au`then*tic"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. authenticit['e].]
1. The quality of being authentic or of established authority
for truth and correctness.
2. Genuineness; the quality of being genuine or not corrupted
from the original.
Note: In later writers, especially those on the evidences of
Christianity, authenticity is often restricted in its
use to the first of the above meanings, and
distinguished from qenuineness.
Authenticly \Au*then"tic*ly\, adv.
Authentically.
Authenticness \Au*then"tic*ness\, n.
The quality of being authentic; authenticity. [R.] --Hammond.
Authentics \Au*then"tics\, n. (Ciwil Law)
A collection of the Novels or New Constitutions of Justinian,
by an anonymous author; -- so called on account of its
authenticity. --Bouvier.
Author \Au"thor\ ([add]"th[~e]r), n. [OE. authour, autour, OF.
autor, F. auteur, fr. L. auctor, sometimes, but erroneously,
written autor or author, fr. augere to increase, to produce.
See {Auction}, n.]
1. The beginner, former, or first mover of anything; hence,
the efficient cause of a thing; a creator; an originator.
Eternal King; thee, Author of all being. --Milton.
2. One who composes or writes a book; a composer, as
distinguished from an editor, translator, or compiler.
The chief glory of every people arises from its
authors. --Johnson.
3. The editor of a periodical. [Obs.]
4. An informant. [Archaic] --Chaucer.
Author \Au"thor\ ([add]"th[~e]r), v. t.
1. To occasion; to originate. [Obs.]
Such an overthrow . . . I have authored. --Chapman.
2. To tell; to say; to declare. [Obs.]
More of him I dare not author. --Massinger.
Authoress \Au"thor*ess\, n.
A female author. --Glover.
Note: The word is not very much used, author being commonly
applied to a female writer as well as to a male.
Authorial \Au*tho"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to an author. ``The authorial ?we.'''
--Hare.
Authorism \Au"thor*ism\ ([add]"th[~e]r*[i^]z'm), n.
Authorship. [R.]
Authoritative \Au*thor"i*ta*tive\, a.
1. Having, or proceeding from, due authority; entitled to
obedience, credit, or acceptance; determinate; commanding.
The sacred functions of authoritative teaching.
--Barrow.
2. Having an air of authority; positive; dictatorial;
peremptory; as, an authoritative tone.
The mock authoritative manner of the one, and the
insipid mirth of the other. --Swift.
-- {Au*thor"i*ta*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Au*thor"i*ta*tive*ness}, n.
Authority \Au*thor"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Authorities}. [OE. autorite,
auctorite, F. autorit['e], fr. L. auctoritas, fr. auctor. See
{Author}, n.]
1. Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act;
power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or
trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the
authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over
children; the authority of a court.
Thus can the demigod, Authority, Make us pay down
for our offense. --Shak.
By what authority doest thou these things ? --Matt.
xxi. 23.
2. Government; the persons or the body exercising power or
command; as, the local authorities of the States; the
military authorities. [Chiefly in the plural.]
3. The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem;
influence of character, office, or station, or mental or
moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or
obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of
great authority.
4. That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in
support of opinions, actions, measures, etc. Hence:
(a) Testimony; witness. ``And on that high authority had
believed.'' --Milton.
(b) A precedent; a decision of a court, an official
declaration, or an opinion, saying, or statement
worthy to be taken as a precedent.
(c) A book containing such a statement or opinion, or the
author of the book.
(d) Justification; warrant.
Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discern
Authority for sin, warrant for blame. --Shak.
Authorizable \Au"thor*i`za*ble\, a. [LL. authorisabilis.]
Capable of being authorized. --Hammond.
Authorization \Au`thor*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. autorisation.]
The act of giving authority or legal power; establishment by
authority; sanction or warrant.
The authorization of laws. --Motley.
A special authorization from the chief. --Merivale.
Authorize \Au"thor*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Authorized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Authorizing}.] [OE. autorize, F. autoriser, fr.
LL. auctorizare, authorisare. See {Author}.]
1. To clothe with authority, warrant, or legal power; to give
a right to act; to empower; as, to authorize commissioners
to settle a boundary.
2. To make legal; to give legal sanction to; to legalize; as,
to authorize a marriage.
3. To establish by authority, as by usage or public opinion;
to sanction; as, idioms authorized by usage.
4. To sanction or confirm by the authority of some one; to
warrant; as, to authorize a report.
A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authorized by
her grandam. --Shak.
5. To justify; to furnish a ground for. --Locke.
{To authorize one's self}, to rely for authority. [Obs.]
Authorizing himself, for the most part, upon other
histories. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Authorized \Au"thor*ized\, a.
1. Possessed of or endowed with authority; as, an authorized
agent.
2. Sanctioned by authority.
{The Authorized Version} of the Bible is the English
translation of the Bible published in 1611 under sanction
of King James I. It was ``appointed to be read in
churches,'' and has been the accepted English Bible. The
Revised Version was published in a complete form in 1855.
Authorizer \Au"thor*i`zer\, n.
One who authorizes.
Authorless \Au"thor*less\, a.
Without an author; without authority; anonymous.
Authorly \Au"thor*ly\, a.
Authorial. [R.] --Cowper.
Authorship \Au"thor*ship\, n.
1. The quality or state of being an author; function or
dignity of an author.
2. Source; origin; origination; as, the authorship of a book
or review, or of an act, or state of affairs.
Authotype \Au"tho*type\, n.
A type or block containing a facsimile of an autograph.
--Knight.
Auto- \Au"to-\ [Gr. ? self.]
A combining form, with the meaning of self, one's self, one's
own, itself, its own.
Autobiographer \Au`to*bi*og"ra*pher\, n. [Auto- + biographer.]
One who writers his own life or biography.
Autobiographic \Au`to*bi`o*graph"ic\, Autobiographical
\Au`to*bi`o*graph"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or containing, autobiography; as, an
autobiographical sketch. ``Such traits of the autobiographic
sort.'' --Carlyle. -- {Au`to*bi`o*graph"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Autobiographist \Au`to*bi*og"ra*phist\, n.
One who writes his own life; an autobiographer. [R.]
Autobiography \Au`to*bi*og"ra*phy\, n.; pl. {Autobiographies}.
[Auto- + biography.]
A biography written by the subject of it; memoirs of one's
life written by one's self.
Autocarpous \Au`to*car"pous\, Autocarpian \Au`to*car"pi*an\, a.
[Auto- + Gr. karpo`s fruit.] (Bot.)
Consisting of the ripened pericarp with no other parts adnate
to it, as a peach, a poppy capsule, or a grape.
Autocephalous \Au`to*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Gr. ? independent; ? self
+ ? head.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Having its own head; independent of episcopal or patriarchal
jurisdiction, as certain Greek churches.
Autochronograph \Au`to*chron"o*graph\, n. [Auto- + chronograph.]
An instrument for the instantaneous self-recording or
printing of time. --Knight.
Autochthon \Au*toch"thon\, n.; pl. E. {Authochthons}, L.
{Autochthones}. [L., fr. Gr. ?, pl. ?, from the land itself;
a'yto`s self + ? earth, land.]
1. One who is supposed to rise or spring from the ground or
the soil he inhabits; one of the original inhabitants or
aborigines; a native; -- commonly in the plural. This
title was assumed by the ancient Greeks, particularly the
Athenians.
2. That which is original to a particular country, or which
had there its origin.
Autochthonal \Au*toch"tho*nal\, Authochthonic
\Au`thoch*thon"ic\, Autochthonous \Au*toch"tho*nous\, a.
Aboriginal; indigenous; native.
Autochthonism \Au*toch"tho*nism\, n.
The state of being autochthonal.
Autochthony \Au*toch"tho*ny\, n.
An aboriginal or autochthonous condition.
Autoclave \Au"to*clave\, n. [F., fr. Gr. a'yto`s self + L.
clavis key.]
A kind of French stewpan with a steam-tight lid. --Knight.
Autocracy \Au*toc"ra*cy\, n.; pl. {Autocracies}. [Gr. ?: cf. F.
autocratie. See {Autocrat}.]
1. Independent or self-derived power; absolute or controlling
authority; supremacy.
The divine will moves, not by the external impulse
or inclination of objects, but determines itself by
an absolute autocracy. --South.
2. Supreme, uncontrolled, unlimited authority, or right of
governing in a single person, as of an autocrat.
3. Political independence or absolute sovereignty (of a
state); autonomy. --Barlow.
4. (Med.) The action of the vital principle, or of the
instinctive powers, toward the preservation of the
individual; also, the vital principle. [In this sense,
written also {autocrasy}.] --Dunglison.
Autocrat \Au"to*crat\, n. [Gr. ?; ? self + ? strength, ? strong:
cf. F. autocrate. See {Hard}, a.]
1. An absolute sovereign; a monarch who holds and exercises
the powers of government by claim of absolute right, not
subject to restriction; as, Autocrat of all the Russias (a
title of the Czar).
2. One who rules with undisputed sway in any company or
relation; a despot.
The autocrat of the breakfast table. --Holmes.
Autocratic \Au`to*crat"ic\, Autocratical \Au`to*crat"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to autocracy or to an autocrat; absolute;
holding independent and arbitrary powers of government. --
{Au`to*crat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Autocrator \Au*toc"ra*tor\, n. [Gr. ?.]
An autocrat. [Archaic]
Autocratorical \Au`to*cra*tor"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to an autocrator; absolute. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
Autocratrix \Au*toc"ra*trix\, n. [NL.]
A female sovereign who is independent and absolute; -- a
title given to the empresses of Russia.
Autocratship \Au"to*crat*ship\, n.
The office or dignity of an autocrat.
Auto-da-f'e \Au"to-da-f['e]"\, n.; pl. {Autos-da-f['e]}. [Pg.,
act of the faith; auto act, fr. L. actus + da of the + f['e]
faith, fr. L. fides.]
1. A judgment of the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal
condemning or acquitting persons accused of religious
offenses.
2. An execution of such sentence, by the civil power, esp.
the burning of a heretic. It was usually held on Sunday,
and was made a great public solemnity by impressive forms
and ceremonies.
3. A session of the court of Inquisition.
Auto-de-fe \Au"to-de-fe"\, n.; pl. {Autos-de-fe}. [Sp., act of
faith.]
Same as {Auto-da-f['e]}.
Autodidact \Au"to*di*dact`\, n. [Gr. ? self-taught.]
One who is self-taught; an automath.
Autodynamic \Au`to*dy*nam"ic\, a. [Auto- + dynamic.]
Supplying its own power; -- applied to an instrument of the
nature of a water-ram.
Autofecundation \Au`to*fec`un*da"tion\, n. [Auto- +
fecundation.] (Biol.)
Self-impregnation. --Darwin.
Autogamous \Au*tog"a*mous\, a. (Bot.)
Characterized by autogamy; self-fertilized.
Autogamy \Au*tog"a*my\, n. [Auto- + Gr. ? marriage.] (Bot.)
Self-fertilization, the fertilizing pollen being derived from
the same blossom as the pistil acted upon.
Autogeneal \Au`to*ge"ne*al\, a.
Self-produced; autogenous.
Autogenesis \Au`to*gen"e*sis\, n. [Auto- + genesis.] (Biol.)
Spontaneous generation.
Autogenetic \Au`to*ge*net"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Relating to autogenesis; self-generated.
Autogenous \Au*tog"e*nous\, a. [Gr. ?; ? self + root of ? to be
born.]
1. (Biol.) Self-generated; produced independently.
2. (Anat.) Developed from an independent center of
ossification. --Owen.
{Autogenous soldering}, the junction by fusion of the joining
edges of metals without the intervention of solder.
Autogenously \Au*tog"e*nous*ly\, adv.
In an autogenous manner; spontaneously.
Autograph \Au"to*graph\, n. [F. autographe, fr. Gr. ?
autographic; ? self + ? to write.]
That which is written with one's own hand; an original
manuscript; a person's own signature or handwriting.
Autograph \Au"to*graph\, a.
In one's own handwriting; as, an autograph letter; an
autograph will.
Autographal \Au*tog"ra*phal\, a.
Autographic. [Obs.]
Autographic \Au`to*graph"ic\, Autographical \Au`to*graph"ic*al\,
a.
1. Pertaining to an autograph, or one's own handwriting; of
the nature of an autograph.
2. Pertaining to, or used in, the process of autography; as,
autographic ink, paper, or press.
Autography \Au*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Cf. F. autographie.]
1. The science of autographs; a person's own handwriting; an
autograph.
2. A process in lithography by which a writing or drawing is
transferred from paper to stone. --Ure.
Autolatry \Au*tol"a*try\, n. [Auto- + Gr. ? worship.]
Self-worship. --Farrar.
Automath \Au"to*math\, n. [Gr. ?; ? self + ?, ?, to learn.]
One who is self-taught. [R.] --Young.
Automatic \Au`to*mat"ic\, Automatical \Au`to*mat"ic*al\, a. [Cf.
F. automatique. See {Automaton}.]
1. Having an inherent power of action or motion.
Nothing can be said to be automatic. --Sir H. Davy.
2. Pertaining to, or produced by, an automaton; of the nature
of an automaton; self-acting or self-regulating under
fixed conditions; -- esp. applied to machinery or devices
in which certain things formerly or usually done by hand
are done by the machine or device itself; as, the
automatic feed of a lathe; automatic gas lighting; an
automatic engine or switch; an automatic mouse.
3. Not voluntary; not depending on the will; mechanical; as,
automatic movements or functions.
Unconscious or automatic reasoning. --H. Spenser.
{Automatic arts}, such economic arts or manufacture as are
carried on by self-acting machinery. --Ure.
Automatically \Au`to*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an automatic manner.
Automatism \Au*tom"a*tism\, n.
The state or quality of being automatic; the power of
self-moving; automatic, mechanical, or involuntary action.
(Metaph.) A theory as to the activity of matter.
Automaton \Au*tom"a*ton\, n.; pl. L. {Automata}, E.
{Automatons}. [L. fr. Gr. ?, neut. of ? self-moving; ? self +
a root ma, man, to strive, think, cf. ? to strive. See
{Mean}, v. i.]
1. Any thing or being regarded as having the power of
spontaneous motion or action. --Huxley.
So great and admirable an automaton as the world.
--Boyle.
These living automata, human bodies. --Boyle.
2. A self-moving machine, or one which has its motive power
within itself; -- applied chiefly to machines which appear
to imitate spontaneously the motions of living beings,
such as men, birds, etc.
Automatous \Au*tom"a*tous\, a. [L. automatus, Gr. ?. See
{Automaton}.]
Automatic. [Obs.] ``Automatous organs.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Automorphic \Au`to*mor"phic\, a. [Auto- + Gr. ? for, shape.]
Patterned after one's self.
The conception which any one frames of another's mind
is more or less after the pattern of his own mind, --
is automorphic. --H. Spenser.
Automorphism \Au`to*mor"phism\, n.
Automorphic characterization. --H. Spenser.
Autonomasy \Au`to*nom"a*sy\, n. [Auto- + Gr. ? a name, fr. ? a
name; or for E. antonomasia.] (Rhet.)
The use of a word of common or general signification for the
name of a particular thing; as, ``He has gone to town,'' for,
``He has gone to London.''
Autonomic \Au`to*nom"ic\, a.
Having the power of self-government; autonomous. --Hickok.
Autoomist \Au"to"o*mist\, n. [Cf. F. automiste. See {Autonomy}.]
One who advocates autonomy.
Autonomous \Au*ton"o*mous\, a. [Gr. ?; ? self + ? to assign,
hold, sway.]
1. Independent in government; having the right or power of
self-government.
2. (Biol.) Having independent existence or laws.
Autonomy \Au*ton"o*my\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. autonomie. See
{Autonomous}.]
1. The power or right of self-government; self-government, or
political independence, of a city or a state.
2. (Metaph.) The sovereignty of reason in the sphere of
morals; or man's power, as possessed of reason, to give
law to himself. In this, according to Kant, consist the
true nature and only possible proof of liberty. --Fleming.
Autophagi \Au*toph"a*gi\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? self + ? to
eat.] (Zo["o]l.)
Birds which are able to run about and obtain their own food
as soon as hatched.
Autophoby \Au*toph"o*by\, n. [Auto- + Gr. ? fear.]
Fear of one's self; fear of being egotistical. [R.] --Hare.
Autophony \Au*toph"o*ny\, n. [Auto- + Gr. ? a sound.] (Med.)
An auscultatory process, which consists in noting the tone of
the observer's own voice, while he speaks, holding his head
close to the patient's chest. --Dunglison.
Autoplastic \Au`to*plas"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to autoplasty.
Autoplasty \Au"to*plas`ty\, n. [Auto- + -plasty.] (Surg.)
The process of artificially repairing lesions by taking a
piece of healthy tissue, as from a neighboring part, to
supply the deficiency caused by disease or wounds.
Autopsic \Au*top"sic\, Autopsical \Au*top"sic*al\, a.
Pertaining to autopsy; autoptical. [Obs.]
Autopsorin \Au*top"so*rin\, n. [Auto- + Gr. ? the itch.] (Med.)
That which is given under the doctrine of administering a
patient's own virus.
Autopsy \Au"top*sy\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? seen by one's self; ? self
+ ? seen: cf. F. autopsie. See {Optic}, a.]
1. Personal observation or examination; seeing with one's own
eyes; ocular view.
By autopsy and experiment. --Cudworth.
2. (Med.) Dissection of a dead body, for the purpose of
ascertaining the cause, seat, or nature of a disease; a
post-mortem examination.
Autoptic \Au*top"tic\ ([add]*t[o^]p"t[i^]k), Autoptical
\Au*top"tic*al\ (-t[i^]k*al), a. [Gr. a'ytoptiko`s: cf. F.
autoptique.]
Seen with one's own eyes; belonging to, or connected with,
personal observation; as, autoptic testimony or experience.
Autoptically \Au*top"tic*al*ly\ ([add]*t[o^]p"t[i^]*kal*l[y^]),
adv.
By means of ocular view, or one's own observation. --Sir T.
Browne.
Autoschediastic \Au`to*sche`di*as"tic\
([add]`t[-o]*sk[=e]`d[i^]*[a^]s"t[i^]k), Autoschediastical
\Au`to*sche`di*as"tic*al\ (-[a^]s"t[i^]*kal), a. [Auto- + Gr.
schedia`zein to do hastily. See {Schediasm}.]
Extemporary; offhand. [R.] --Dean Martin.
Autostylic \Au`to*styl"ic\, a. [Auto- + Gr. sty^los pillar.]
(Anat.)
Having the mandibular arch articulated directly to the
cranium, as in the skulls of the Amphibia.
Autotheism \Au"to*the`ism\, n. [Auto- + theism.]
1. The doctrine of God's self-existence. [R.]
2. Deification of one's self; self-worship. [R.]
Autotheist \Au"to*the`ist\, n.
One given to self-worship. [R.]
Autotype \Au"to*type\, n. [Auto- + -type: cf. F. autotype.]
1. A facsimile.
2. A photographic picture produced in sensitized pigmented
gelatin by exposure to light under a negative; and
subsequent washing out of the soluble parts; a kind of
picture in ink from a gelatin plate.
Autotypography \Au`to*ty*pog"ra*phy\, n. [Auto- + typography.]
A process resembling ``nature printing,'' by which drawings
executed on gelatin are impressed into a soft metal plate,
from which the printing is done as from copperplate.
Autotypy \Au*tot"y*py\, n.
The art or process of making autotypes.
Autumn \Au"tumn\, n. [L. auctumnus, autumnus, perh. fr. a root
av to satisfy one's self: cf. F. automne. See {Avarice}.]
1. The third season of the year, or the season between summer
and winter, often called ``the fall.'' Astronomically, it
begins in the northern temperate zone at the autumnal
equinox, about September 23, and ends at the winter
solstice, about December 23; but in popular language,
autumn, in America, comprises September, October, and
November.
Note: In England, according to Johnson, autumn popularly
comprises August, September, and October. In the
southern hemisphere, the autumn corresponds to our
spring.
2. The harvest or fruits of autumn. --Milton.
3. The time of maturity or decline; latter portion; third
stage.
Dr. Preston was now entering into the autumn of the
duke's favor. --Fuller.
Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge.
--Wordsworth.
Autumnal \Au*tum"nal\, a. [L. auctumnalis, autumnalis: cf. F.
automnal.]
1. Of, belonging to, or peculiar to, autumn; as, an autumnal
tint; produced or gathered in autumn; as, autumnal fruits;
flowering in autumn; as, an autumnal plant.
Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks In
Vallombrosa. --Milton.
2. Past the middle of life; in the third stage.
An autumnal matron. --Hawthorne.
{Autumnal equinox}, the time when the sun crosses the
equator, as it proceeds southward, or when it passes the
autumnal point.
{Autumnal point}, the point of the equator intersected by the
ecliptic, as the sun proceeds southward; the first point
of Libra.
{Autumnal signs}, the signs Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius,
through which the sun passes between the autumnal equinox
and winter solstice.
Auxanometer \Aux`a*nom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? to cause to increase +
-meter.]
An instrument to measure the growth of plants. --Goodale.
Auxesis \Aux*e"sis\, n. [NL., Gr. ? increase, fr. ?, ?, to
increase.] (Rhet.)
A figure by which a grave and magnificent word is put for the
proper word; amplification; hyperbole.
Auxetic \Aux*et"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to, or containing, auxesis; amplifying.
Auxiliar \Aux*il"iar\ (?; 106), a. [L. auxiliaris: cf. F.
auxiliaire. See {Auxiliary}.]
Auxiliary. [Archaic]
The auxiliar troops and Trojan hosts appear. --Pope.
Auxiliar \Aux*il"iar\, n.
An auxiliary. [Archaic] --Milton.
Auxiliarly \Aux*il"iar*ly\, adv.
By way of help. --Harris.
Auxiliary \Aux*il"ia*ry\ (?; 106), a. [L. auxiliarius, fr.
auxilium help, aid, fr. augere to increase.]
Conferring aid or help; helping; aiding; assisting;
subsidiary; as auxiliary troops.
{Auxiliary scales} (Mus.), the scales of relative or
attendant keys. See under {Attendant}, a.
{Auxiliary verbs} (Gram.). See {Auxiliary}, n., 3.
Auxiliary \Aux*il"ia*ry\, n.; pl. {Auxiliaries}.
1. A helper; an assistant; a confederate in some action or
enterprise.
2. (Mil.) pl. Foreign troops in the service of a nation at
war; (rarely in sing.), a member of the allied or
subsidiary force.
3. (Gram.) A verb which helps to form the voices, modes, and
tenses of other verbs; -- called, also, an auxiliary verb;
as, have, be, may, can, do, must, shall, and will, in
English; [^e]tre and avoir, in French; avere and essere,
in Italian; estar and haber, in Spanish.
4. (Math.) A quantity introduced for the purpose of
simplifying or facilitating some operation, as in
equations or trigonometrical formul[ae]. --Math. Dict.
Auxiliatory \Aux*il"ia*to*ry\, a.
Auxiliary; helping. [Obs.]
Ava \A"va\, n.
Same as {Kava}. --Johnston.
Avadavat \Av`a*da*vat"\, n.
Same as {Amadavat}.
Avail \A*vail"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Availed} (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Availing}.] [OE. availen, fr. F. ? (L. ad) + valoir to be
worth, fr. L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See
{Valiant}.]
1. To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to
profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail
the sinner in the day of judgment.
O, what avails me now that honor high ! --Milton.
2. To promote; to assist. [Obs.] --Pope.
{To avail one's self of}, to make use of; take advantage of.
Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names.
--Milton.
I have availed myself of the very first opportunity.
--Dickens.
Avail \A*vail"\, v. i.
To be of use or advantage; to answer the purpose; to have
strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the
object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be
sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail;
medicines will not avail to check the disease. ``What signs
avail ?'' --Milton.
Words avail very little with me, young man. --Sir W.
Scott.
Avail \A*vail"\, n.
1. Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as,
labor, without economy, is of little avail.
The avail of a deathbed repentance. --Jer. Taylor.
2. pl. Proceeds; as, the avails of a sale by auction.
The avails of their own industry. --Stoddard.
Syn: Use; benefit; utility; profit; service.
Avail \A*vail"\, v. t. & i.
See {Avale}, v. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Availability \A*vail`a*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Availabilities}.
1. The quality of being available; availableness.
Note: The word is sometimes used derogatively in the sense of
``mere availableness,'' or capability of success
without regard to worthiness.
He was . . . nominated for his availability.
--Lowell.
2. That which is available.
Available \A*vail"a*ble\, a.
1. Having sufficient power, force, or efficacy, for the
object; effectual; valid; as, an available plea. [Obs.]
Laws human are available by consent. --Hooker.
2. Such as one may avail one's self of; capable of being used
for the accomplishment of a purpose; usable; profitable;
advantageous; convertible into a resource; as, an
available measure; an available candidate.
Struggling to redeem, as he did, the available
months and days out of so many that were
unavailable. --Carlyle.
Having no available funds with which to pay the
calls on new shares. --H. Spenser.
Availableness \A*vail"a*ble*ness\, n.
1. Competent power; validity; efficacy; as, the availableness
of a title. [Obs.]
2. Quality of being available; capability of being used for
the purpose intended. --Sir M. Hale.
Avaiably \A*vai"a*bly\, adv.
In an available manner; profitably; advantageously;
efficaciously.
Availment \A*vail"ment\, n.
Profit; advantage. [Obs.]
Avalanche \Av"a*lanche`\ (?; 277), n. [F. avalanche, fr. avaler
to descend, to let down, from aval down, downward; ? (L. ad)
+ val, L. vallis, valley. See {Valley}.]
1. A large mass or body of snow and ice sliding swiftly down
a mountain side, or falling down a precipice.
2. A fall of earth, rocks, etc., similar to that of an
avalanche of snow or ice.
3. A sudden, great, or irresistible descent or influx of
anything.
Avale \A*vale"\, v. t. & i. [F. avaler to descend, to let down.
See {Avalanche}.]
1. To cause to descend; to lower; to let fall; to doff.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To bring low; to abase. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
3. (v. i.) To descend; to fall; to dismount. [Obs.]
And from their sweaty courses did avale. --Spenser.
Avant \A*vant"\, n. [For avant-guard. Cf. {Avaunt}, {Van}.]
The front of an army. [Obs.] See {Van}.
Avant-courier \A*vant"-cou`ri*er\, n. [F., fr. avant before +
courrier. See {Avaunt}, and {Courier}.]
A person dispatched before another person or company, to give
notice of his or their approach.
Avant-guard \A*vant"-guard`\ (?; [root]277), n. [F. avant before
+ E. guard, F. avant-garde. See {Avaunt}.]
The van or advanced body of an army. See {Vanguard}.
Avarice \Av"a*rice\ ([a^]v"[.a]*r[i^]s), n. [F. avaritia, fr.
avarus avaricious, prob. fr. av[=e]re to covet, fr. a root av
to satiate one's self: cf. Gr. 'a`menai, 'a^sai, to satiate,
Skr. av to satiate one's self, rejoice, protect.]
1. An excessive or inordinate desire of gain; greediness
after wealth; covetousness; cupidity.
To desire money for its own sake, and in order to
hoard it up, is avarice. --Beattie.
2. An inordinate desire for some supposed good.
All are taught an avarice of praise. --Goldsmith.
Avaricious \Av`a*ri"cious\, a. [Cf. F. avaricieux.]
Actuated by avarice; greedy of gain; immoderately desirous of
accumulating property.
Syn: Greedy; stingy; rapacious; griping; sordid; close.
Usage: {Avaricious}, {Covetous}, {Parsimonious}, {Penurious},
{Miserly}, {Niggardly}. The avaricious eagerly grasp
after it at the expense of others, though not of
necessity with a design to save, since a man may be
covetous and yet a spendthrift. The penurious,
parsimonious, and miserly save money by disgraceful
self-denial, and the niggardly by meanness in their
dealing with others. We speak of persons as covetous
in getting, avaricious in retaining, parsimonious in
expending, penurious or miserly in modes of living,
niggardly in dispensing. -- {Av`a*ri"cious*ly}, adv.
-- {Av`a*ri"cious*ness}, n.
Avarous \Av"a*rous\, a. [L. avarus.]
Avaricious. [Obs.]
Avast \A*vast"\, interj. [Corrupted from D. houd vast hold fast.
See {Hold}, v. t., and {Fast}, a.] (Naut.)
Cease; stop; stay. ``Avast heaving.'' --Totten.
Avatar \Av`a*tar"\, n. [Skr. avat[^a]ra descent; ava from + root
t[.r] to cross, pass over.]
1. (Hindoo Myth.) The descent of a deity to earth, and his
incarnation as a man or an animal; -- chiefly associated
with the incarnations of Vishnu.
2. Incarnation; manifestation as an object of worship or
admiration.
Avaunce \A*vaunce"\, v. t. & i. [See {Advance}.]
To advance; to profit. --Chaucer.
Avaunt \A*vaunt"\, interj. [F. avant forward, fr. L. ab + ante
before. Cf. {Avant}, {Advance}.]
Begone; depart; -- a word of contempt or abhorrence,
equivalent to the phrase ``Get thee gone.''
Avaunt \A*vaunt"\, v. t. & i.
1. To advance; to move forward; to elevate. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. To depart; to move away. [Obs.] --Coverdale.
Avaunt \A*vaunt"\, v. t. & i. [OF. avanter; [`a] (L. ad) +
vanter. See {Vaunt}.]
To vaunt; to boast. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Avaunt \A*vaunt"\, n.
A vaunt; to boast. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Avauntour \A*vaunt"our\, n. [OF. avanteur.]
A boaster. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ave \A"ve\, n. [L., hail.]
1. An ave Maria.
He repeated Aves and Credos. --Macaulay.
2. A reverential salutation.
Their loud applause and aves vehement. --Shak.
Avel \A*vel\, v. t. [L. avellere.]
To pull away. [Obs.]
Yet are not these parts avelled. --Sir T.
Browne.
Avellane \A*vel"lane\, a. [Cf. It. avellana a filbert, fr. L.
Avella or Abella a city of Campania.] (Her.)
In the form of four unhusked filberts; as, an avellane cross.
Ave Maria \A"ve Ma*ri"a\, Ave Mary \A"ve Ma"ry\ [From the first
words of the Roman Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary; L. ave
hail, Maria Mary.]
1. A salutation and prayer to the Virgin Mary, as mother of
God; -- used in the Roman Catholic church.
To number Ave Maries on his beads. --Shak.
2. A particular time (as in Italy, at the ringing of the
bells about half an hour after sunset, and also at early
dawn), when the people repeat the Ave Maria.
Ave Maria ! blessed be the hour ! --Byron.
Avena \A*ve"na\, n. [L.] (Bot.)
A genus of grasses, including the common oat ({Avena
sativa}); the oat grasses.
Avenaceous \Av`e*na"ceous\, a. [L. avenaceus, fr. avena oats.]
Belonging to, or resembling, oats or the oat grasses.
Avenage \Av"e*nage\, n. [F. avenage, fr. L. avena oats.] (Old
Law)
A quantity of oats paid by a tenant to a landlord in lieu of
rent. --Jacob.
Avener \Av"e*ner\, n. [OF. avenier, fr. aveine, avaine, avoine,
oats, F. avoine, L. avena.] (Feud. Law)
An officer of the king's stables whose duty it was to provide
oats for the horses. [Obs.]
Avenge \A*venge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Avenged} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Avenging} (?).] [OF. avengier; L. ad + vindicare to
lay claim to, to avenge, revenge. See {Vengeance}.]
1. To take vengeance for; to exact satisfaction for by
punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting
pain or evil on a wrongdoer.
He will avenge the blood of his servants. --Deut.
xxxii. 43.
Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones
Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold.
--Milton.
He had avenged himself on them by havoc such as
England had never before seen. --Macaulay.
2. To treat revengefully; to wreak vengeance on. [Obs.]
Thy judgment in avenging thine enemies. --Bp. Hall.
Syn: To {Avenge}, {Revenge}.
Usage: To avenge is to inflict punishment upon evil doers in
behalf of ourselves, or others for whom we act; as, to
avenge one's wrongs; to avenge the injuries of the
suffering and innocent. It is to inflict pain for the
sake of vindication, or retributive justice. To
revenge is to inflict pain or injury for the
indulgence of resentful and malicious feelings. The
former may at times be a duty; the latter is one of
the worst exhibitions of human character.
I avenge myself upon another, or I avenge
another, or I avenge a wrong. I revenge only
myself, and that upon another. --C. J. Smith.
Avenge \A*venge"\, v. i.
To take vengeance. --Levit. xix.
18.
Avenge \A*venge"\, n.
Vengeance; revenge. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Avengeance \A*venge"ance\, n.
Vengeance. [Obs.]
Avengeful \A*venge"ful\, a.
Vengeful. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Avengement \A*venge"ment\, n.
The inflicting of retributive punishment; satisfaction taken.
[R.] --Milton.
Avenger \A*ven"ger\, n.
1. One who avenges or vindicates; as, an avenger of blood.
2. One who takes vengeance. [Obs.] --Milton.
Avengeress \A*ven"ger*ess\, n.
A female avenger. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Avenious \A*ve"ni*ous\, a. [Pref. a- + L. vena a vein.] (Bot.)
Being without veins or nerves, as the leaves of certain
plants.
Avenor \Av"e*nor\, n.
See {Avener}. [Obs.]
Avens \Av"ens\, n. [OF. avence.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Geum}, esp. {Geum urbanum}, or herb
bennet.
Aventail \Av"en*tail\, n. [OF. esventail. Cf. {Ventail}.]
The movable front to a helmet; the ventail.
Aventine \Av"en*tine\, a.
Pertaining to Mons Aventinus, one of the seven hills on which
Rome stood. --Bryant.
Aventine \Av"en*tine\, n.
A post of security or defense. [Poetic]
Into the castle's tower, The only Aventine that now is
left him. --Beau. & Fl.
Aventre \A*ven"tre\, v. t.
To thrust forward (at a venture), as a spear. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Aventure \A*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [See {Adventure}, n.]
1. Accident; chance; adventure. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. (Old Law) A mischance causing a person's death without
felony, as by drowning, or falling into the fire.
Aventurine \A*ven"tu*rine\, n. [F. aventurine: cf. It.
avventurino.]
1. A kind of glass, containing gold-colored spangles. It was
produced in the first place by the accidental (par
aventure) dropping of some brass filings into a pot of
melted glass.
2. (Min.) A variety of translucent quartz, spangled
throughout with scales of yellow mica.
{Aventurine feldspar}, a variety of oligoclase with internal
firelike reflections due to the presence of minute
crystals, probably of hematite; sunstone.
Avenue \Av"e*nue\, n. [F. avenue, fr. avenir to come to, L.
advenire. See {Advene}.]
1. A way or opening for entrance into a place; a passage by
which a place may by reached; a way of approach or of
exit. ``The avenues leading to the city by land.''
--Macaulay.
On every side were expanding new avenues of inquiry.
--Milman.
2. The principal walk or approach to a house which is
withdrawn from the road, especially, such approach
bordered on each side by trees; any broad passageway thus
bordered.
An avenue of tall elms and branching chestnuts. --W.
Black.
3. A broad street; as, the Fifth Avenue in New York.
Aver \A"ver\ ([=a]"v[~e]r), n. [OF. aver domestic animal, whence
LL. averia, pl. cattle. See {Habit}, and cf. {Average}.]
A work horse, or working ox. [Obs. or Dial. Eng.]
Aver \A*ver"\ ([.a]*v[~e]r"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Averred}
([.a]*v[~e]rd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Averring}.] [F. av['e]rer,
LL. adverare, averare; L. ad + versus true. See {Verity}.]
1. To assert, or prove, the truth of. [Obs.]
2. (Law) To avouch or verify; to offer to verify; to prove or
justify. See {Averment}.
3. To affirm with confidence; to declare in a positive
manner, as in confidence of asserting the truth.
It is sufficient that the very fact hath its
foundation in truth, as I do seriously aver is the
case. --Fielding.
Then all averred I had killed the bird. --Coleridge.
Syn: To assert; affirm; asseverate. See {Affirm}.
Average \Av"er*age\, n. [OF. average, LL. averagium, prob. fr.
OF. aver, F. avoir, property, horses, cattle, etc.; prop.
infin., to have, from L. habere to have. Cf. F. av['e]rage
small cattle, and avarie (perh. of different origin) damage
to ship or cargo, port dues. The first meaning was perh. the
service of carting a feudal lord's wheat, then charge for
carriage, the contribution towards loss of things carried, in
proportion to the amount of each person's property. Cf.
{Aver}, n., {Avercorn}, {Averpenny}.]
1. (OLd Eng. Law) That service which a tenant owed his lord,
to be done by the work beasts of the tenant, as the
carriage of wheat, turf, etc.
2. [Cf. F. avarie damage to ship or cargo.] (Com.)
(a) A tariff or duty on goods, etc. [Obs.]
(b) Any charge in addition to the regular charge for
freight of goods shipped.
(c) A contribution to a loss or charge which has been
imposed upon one of several for the general benefit;
damage done by sea perils.
(d) The equitable and proportionate distribution of loss
or expense among all interested.
{General average}, a contribution made, by all parties
concerned in a sea adventure, toward a loss occasioned by
the voluntary sacrifice of the property of some of the
parties in interest for the benefit of all. It is called
general average, because it falls upon the gross amount of
ship, cargo, and freight at risk and saved by the
sacrifice. --Kent.
{Particular average} signifies the damage or partial loss
happening to the ship, or cargo, or freight, in
consequence of some fortuitous or unavoidable accident;
and it is borne by the individual owners of the articles
damaged, or by their insurers.
{Petty averages} are sundry small charges, which occur
regularly, and are necessarily defrayed by the master in
the usual course of a voyage; such as port charges, common
pilotage, and the like, which formerly were, and in some
cases still are, borne partly by the ship and partly by
the cargo. In the clause commonly found in bills of
lading, ``primage and average accustomed,'' average means
a kind of composition established by usage for such
charges, which were formerly assessed by way of average.
--Arnould. --Abbott. --Phillips.
3. A mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of
unequal sums or quantities; an arithmetical mean. Thus, if
A loses 5 dollars, B 9, and C 16, the sum is 30, and the
average 10.
4. Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a
comparison of diverse specific cases; a medium or usual
size, quantity, quality, rate, etc. ``The average of
sensations.'' --Paley.
5. pl. In the English corn trade, the medial price of the
several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.
{On an average}, taking the mean of unequal numbers or
quantities.
Average \Av"er*age\, a.
1. Pertaining to an average or mean; medial; containing a
mean proportion; of a mean size, quality, ability, etc.;
ordinary; usual; as, an average rate of profit; an average
amount of rain; the average Englishman; beings of the
average stamp.
2. According to the laws of averages; as, the loss must be
made good by average contribution.
Average \Av"er*age\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Averaged} (?); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Averaging}.]
1. To find the mean of, when sums or quantities are unequal;
to reduce to a mean.
2. To divide among a number, according to a given proportion;
as, to average a loss.
3. To do, accomplish, get, etc., on an average.
Average \Av"er*age\, v. i.
To form, or exist in, a mean or medial sum or quantity; to
amount to, or to be, on an average; as, the losses of the
owners will average twenty five dollars each; these spars
average ten feet in length.
Avercorn \A"ver*corn`\, n. [Aver,n.+ corn.] (Old Eng. Law)
A reserved rent in corn, formerly paid to religious houses by
their tenants or farmers. --Kennet.
Averment \A*ver"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. averement, LL. averamentum.
See {Aver}, v. t.]
1. The act of averring, or that which is averred;
affirmation; positive assertion.
Signally has this averment received illustration in
the course of recent events. --I. Taylor.
2. Verification; establishment by evidence. --Bacon.
3. (Law) A positive statement of facts; an allegation; an
offer to justify or prove what is alleged.
Note: In any stage of pleadings, when either party advances
new matter, he avers it to be true, by using this form
of words: ``and this he is ready to verify.'' This was
formerly called an averment. It modern pleading, it is
termed a verification. --Blackstone.
Avernal \A*ver"nal\, Avernian \A*ver"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Avernus, a lake of Campania, in Italy,
famous for its poisonous vapors, which ancient writers
fancied were so malignant as to kill birds flying over it. It
was represented by the poets to be connected with the
infernal regions.
Averpenny \Av"er*pen`ny\, n. [Aver,n.+ penny.] (Old Eng. Law)
Money paid by a tenant in lieu of the service of average.
Averroism \A*ver"ro*ism\, n.
The tenets of the Averroists.
Averroist \A*ver"ro*ist\, n.
One of a sect of peripatetic philosophers, who appeared in
Italy before the restoration of learning; so denominated from
Averroes, or Averrhoes, a celebrated Arabian philosopher. He
held the doctrine of monopsychism.
Averruncate \Av`er*run"cate\, v. t. [L. averruncare to avert; a,
ab, off + verruncare to turn; formerly derived from ab and
eruncare to root out. Cf. {Aberuncate}.]
1. To avert; to ward off. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
2. To root up. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Averruncation \Av`er*run*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. OF. averroncation.]
1. The act of averting. [Obs.]
2. Eradication. [R.] --De Quincey.
Averruncator \Av`er*run*ca"tor\, n. [Cf. {Aberuncator}.]
An instrument for pruning trees, consisting of two blades, or
a blade and a hook, fixed on the end of a long rod.
Aversation \Av`er*sa"tion\, n. [L. aversatio, fr. aversari to
turn away, v. intens. of avertere. See {Avert}.]
A turning from with dislike; aversion. [Obs.or Archaic]
Some men have a natural aversation to some vices or
virtues, and a natural affection to others. --Jer.
Taylor.
Averse \A*verse"\, a. [L. aversus, p. p. of avertere. See
{Avert}.]
1. Turned away or backward. [Obs.]
The tracks averse a lying notice gave, And led the
searcher backward from the cave. --Dryden.
2. Having a repugnance or opposition of mind; disliking;
disinclined; unwilling; reluctant.
Averse alike to flatter, or offend. --Pope.
Men who were averse to the life of camps.
--Macaulay.
Pass by securely as men averse from war. --Micah ii.
8.
Note: The prevailing usage now is to employ to after averse
and its derivatives rather than from, as was formerly
the usage. In this the word is in agreement with its
kindred terms, hatred, dislike, dissimilar, contrary,
repugnant, etc., expressing a relation or an affection
of the mind to an object.
Syn: {Averse}, {Reluctant}, {Adverse}.
Usage: Averse expresses an habitual, though not of necessity
a very strong, dislike; as, averse to active pursuits;
averse to study. Reluctant, a term of the of the will,
implies an internal struggle as to making some
sacrifice of interest or feeling; as, reluctant to
yield; reluctant to make the necessary arrangements; a
reluctant will or consent. Adverse denotes active
opposition or hostility; as, adverse interests;
adverse feelings, plans, or movements; the adverse
party.
Averse \A*verse"\, v. t. & i.
To turn away. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Aversely \A*verse"ly\, adv.
1. Backward; in a backward direction; as, emitted aversely.
2. With repugnance or aversion; unwillingly.
Averseness \A*verse"ness\, n.
The quality of being averse; opposition of mind;
unwillingness.
Aversion \A*ver"sion\, n. [L. aversio: cf. F. aversion. See
{Avert}.]
1. A turning away. [Obs.]
Adhesion to vice and aversion from goodness. --Bp.
Atterbury.
2. Opposition or repugnance of mind; fixed dislike;
antipathy; disinclination; reluctance.
Mutual aversion of races. --Prescott.
His rapacity had made him an object of general
aversion. --Macaulay.
Note: It is now generally followed by to before the object.
[See {Averse}.] Sometimes towards and for are found;
from is obsolete.
A freeholder is bred with an aversion to
subjection. --Addison.
His aversion towards the house of York. --Bacon.
It is not difficult for a man to see that a
person has conceived an aversion for him.
--Spectator.
The Khasias . . . have an aversion to milk. --J.
D. Hooker.
3. The object of dislike or repugnance.
Pain their aversion, pleasure their desire. --Pope.
Syn: Antipathy; dislike; repugnance; disgust. See {Dislike}.
Avert \A*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Averted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Averting}.] [L. avertere; a, ab + vertere to turn: cf. OF.
avertir. See {Verse}, n.]
To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object;
to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as,
how can the danger be averted? ``To avert his ire.''
--Milton.
When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many
discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth
avert them from the church. --Bacon.
Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. --Prior.
Avert \A*vert"\, v. i.
To turn away. [Archaic]
Cold and averting from our neighbor's good. --Thomson.
Averted \A*vert"ed\, a.
Turned away, esp. as an expression of feeling; also,
offended; unpropitious.
Who scornful pass it with averted eye. --Keble.
Averter \A*vert"er\, n.
One who, or that which, averts.
Avertible \A*vert"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being averted; preventable.
Avertiment \A*ver"ti*ment\, n.
Advertisement. [Obs.]
Aves \A"ves\, n. pl. [L., pl. of avis bird.] (Zo["o]l.)
The class of Vertebrata that includes the birds.
Note: Aves, or birds, have a complete double circulation,
oviparous, reproduction, front limbs peculiarly
modified as wings; and they bear feathers. All existing
birds have a horny beak, without teeth; but some
Mesozoic fossil birds (Odontornithes) had conical teeth
inserted in both jaws. The principal groups are:
{Carinat[ae]}, including all existing flying birds;
{Ratit[ae]}, including the ostrich and allies, the
apteryx, and the extinct moas; {Odontornithes}, or
fossil birds with teeth.
Note: The ordinary birds are classified largely by the
structure of the beak and feet, which are in direct
relation to their habits. See {Beak}, {Bird},
{Odontonithes}.
Avesta \A*ves"ta\, n.
The Zoroastrian scriptures. See {Zend-Avesta}.
Avian \A"vi*an\, a.
Of or instrument to birds.
Aviary \A"vi*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Aviaries}. [L. aviarium, fr.
aviarius pertaining to birds, fr. avis bird, akin to Gr, ?,
Skr. vi.]
A house, inclosure, large cage, or other place, for keeping
birds confined; a bird house.
Lincolnshire may be termed the aviary of England.
--Fuller.
Aviation \A`vi*a"tion\, n.
The art or science of flying.
Aviator \A"vi*a`tor\, n.
(a) An experimenter in aviation.
(b) A flying machine.
Avicula \A*vic"u*la\, n. [L., small bird.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marine bivalves, having a pearly interior, allied
to the pearl oyster; -- so called from a supposed resemblance
of the typical species to a bird.
Avicular \A*vic"u*lar\, a. [L. avicula a small bird, dim. of
avis bird.]
Of or pertaining to a bird or to birds.
Avicularia \A*vic`u*la"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Avicular}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
See prehensile processes on the cells of some Bryozoa, often
having the shape of a bird's bill.
Aviculture \A"vi*cul`ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. avis bird + cultura
culture.] (Zo["o]l.)
Rearing and care of birds.
Avid \Av"id\, a. [L. avidus, fr. av?re to long: cf. F. avide.
See {Avarice}.]
Longing eagerly for; eager; greedy. ``Avid of gold, yet
greedier of renown.'' --Southey.
Avidious \A*vid"i*ous\, a.
Avid.
Avidiously \A*vid"i*ous*ly\, adv.
Eagerly; greedily.
Avidity \A*vid"i*ty\, n. [L. aviditas, fr. avidus: cf. F.
avidit['e]. See {Avid}.]
Greediness; strong appetite; eagerness; intenseness of
desire; as, to eat with avidity.
His books were received and read with avidity.
--Milward.
Avie \A*vie"\, adv. [Pref. a- + vie.]
Emulously. [Obs.]
Avifauna \A`vi*fau"na\, n. [NL., fr. L. avis bird + E. fauna.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The birds, or all the kinds of birds, inhabiting a region.
Avigato \Av`i*ga"to\, n.
See {Avocado}.
Avignon berry \A`vignon" ber"ry\ (Bot.)
The fruit of the {Rhamnus infectorius}, eand of other species
of the same genus; -- so called from the city of Avignon, in
France. It is used by dyers and painters for coloring yellow.
Called also {French berry}.
Avile \A*vile"\, v. t. [OF. aviler, F. avilir; a (L. ad) + vil
vile. See {Vile}.]
To abase or debase; to vilify; to depreciate. [Obs.]
Want makes us know the price of what we avile. --B.
Jonson.
Avis \A*vis"\, n. [F. avis. See {Advice}.]
Advice; opinion; deliberation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Avise \A*vise"\, v. t. [F. aviser. See {Advise}, v. t.]
1. To look at; to view; to think of. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To advise; to counsel. [Obs.] --Shak.
{To avise one's self}, to consider with one's self, to
reflect, to deliberate. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Now therefore, if thou wilt enriched be, Avise thee
well, and change thy willful mood. --Spenser.
Avise \A*vise"\, v. i.
To consider; to reflect. [Obs.]
Aviseful \A*vise"ful\, a.
Watchful; circumspect. [Obs.]
With sharp, aviseful eye. --Spenser.
Avisely \A*vise"ly\, adv.
Advisedly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Avisement \A*vise"ment\, n.
Advisement; observation; deliberation. [Obs.]
Avision \A*vi"sion\, n.
Vision. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Aviso \A*vi"so\, n. [Sp.]
1. Information; advice.
2. An advice boat, or dispatch boat.
Avocado \Av`o*ca"do\, n. [Corrupted from the Mexican ahuacatl:
cf. Sp. aguacate, F. aguacat['e], avocat, G. avogadobaum.]
The pulpy fruit of {Persea gratissima}, a tree of tropical
America. It is about the size and shape of a large pear; --
called also {avocado pear}, {alligator pear}, {midshipman's
butter}.
Avocat \Av`o*cat\, n. [F.]
An advocate.
Avocate \Av"o*cate\, v. t. [L. avocatus, p. p. of avocare; a, ab
+ vocare to call. Cf. {Avoke}, and see {Vocal}, a.]
To call off or away; to withdraw; to transfer to another
tribunal. [Obs. or Archaic]
One who avocateth his mind from other occupations.
--Barrow.
He, at last, . . . avocated the cause to Rome.
--Robertson.
Avocation \Av`o*ca"tion\, n. [L. avocatio.]
1. A calling away; a diversion. [Obs. or Archaic]
Impulses to duty, and powerful avocations from sin.
--South.
2. That which calls one away from one's regular employment or
vocation.
Heaven is his vocation, and therefore he counts
earthly employments avocations. --Fuller.
By the secular cares and avocations which accompany
marriage the clergy have been furnished with skill
in common life. --Atterbury.
Note: In this sense the word is applied to the smaller
affairs of life, or occasional calls which summon a
person to leave his ordinary or principal business.
Avocation (in the singular) for vocation is usually
avoided by good writers.
3. pl. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time;
usual employment; vocation.
There are professions, among the men, no more
favorable to these studies than the common
avocations of women. --Richardson.
In a few hours, above thirty thousand men left his
standard, and returned to their ordinary avocations.
--Macaulay.
An irregularity and instability of purpose, which makes
them choose the wandering avocations of a shepherd, rather
than the more fixed pursuits of agriculture. --Buckle.
Avocative \A*vo"ca*tive\ ([.a]*v[=o]"k[.a]*t[i^]v), a.
Calling off. [Obs.]
Avocative \A*vo"ca*tive\, n.
That which calls aside; a dissuasive.
Avocet \Av"o*cet\, Avoset \Av"o*set\ ([a^]v"[-o]*s[e^]t), n. [F.
avocette: cf. It. avosetta, Sp. avoceta.] (Zo["o]l.)
A grallatorial bird, of the genus {Recurvirostra}; the
scooper. The bill is long and bend upward toward the tip. The
American species is {R. Americana}. [Written also
{avocette}.]
Avoid \A*void"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Avoided}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Avoiding}.] [OF. esvuidier, es (L. ex) + vuidier, voidier,
to empty. See {Void}, a.]
1. To empty. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
2. To emit or throw out; to void; as, to avoid excretions.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
3. To quit or evacuate; to withdraw from. [Obs.]
Six of us only stayed, and the rest avoided the
room. --Bacon.
4. To make void; to annul or vacate; to refute.
How can these grants of the king's be avoided?
--Spenser.
5. To keep away from; to keep clear of; to endeavor no to
meet; to shun; to abstain from; as, to avoid the company
of gamesters.
What need a man forestall his date of grief. And run
to meet what he would most avoid ? --Milton.
He carefully avoided every act which could goad them
into open hostility. --Macaulay.
6. To get rid of. [Obs.] --Shak.
7. (Pleading) To defeat or evade; to invalidate. Thus, in a
replication, the plaintiff may deny the defendant's plea,
or confess it, and avoid it by stating new matter.
--Blackstone.
Syn: To escape; elude; evade; eschew.
Usage: To {Avoid}, {Shun}. Avoid in its commonest sense
means, to keep clear of, an extension of the meaning,
to withdraw one's self from. It denotes care taken not
to come near or in contact; as, to avoid certain
persons or places. Shun is a stronger term, implying
more prominently the idea of intention. The words may,
however, in many cases be interchanged.
No man can pray from his heart to be kept from
temptation, if the take no care of himself to
avoid it. --Mason.
So Chanticleer, who never saw a fox, Yet shunned
him as a sailor shuns the rocks. --Dryden.
Avoid \A*void"\, v. i.
1. To retire; to withdraw. [Obs.]
David avoided out of his presence. --1 Sam.
xviii. 11.
2. (Law) To become void or vacant. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
Avoidable \A*void"a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being vacated; liable to be annulled or made
invalid; voidable.
The charters were not avoidable for the king's
nonage. --Hale.
2. Capable of being avoided, shunned, or escaped.
Avoidance \A*void"ance\, n.
1. The act of annulling; annulment.
2. The act of becoming vacant, or the state of being vacant;
-- specifically used for the state of a benefice becoming
void by the death, deprivation, or resignation of the
incumbent.
Wolsey, . . . on every avoidance of St. Peter's
chair, was sitting down therein, when suddenly some
one or other clapped in before him. --Fuller.
3. A dismissing or a quitting; removal; withdrawal.
4. The act of avoiding or shunning; keeping clear of. ``The
avoidance of pain.'' --Beattie.
5. The courts by which anything is carried off.
Avoidances and drainings of water. --Bacon.
Avoider \A*void"er\, n.
1. The person who carries anything away, or the vessel in
which things are carried away. --Johnson.
2. One who avoids, shuns, or escapes.
Avoidless \A*void"less\, a.
Unavoidable; inevitable.
Avoirdupois \Av`oir*du*pois"\ ([a^]v`[~e]r*d[-u]*poiz"), n. & a.
[OE. aver de peis, goods of weight, where peis is fr. OF.
peis weight, F. poids, L. pensum. See {Aver}, n., and
{Poise}, n.]
1. Goods sold by weight. [Obs.]
2. Avoirdupois weight.
3. Weight; heaviness; as, a woman of much avoirdupois.
[Colloq.]
{Avoirdupois weight}, a system of weights by which coarser
commodities are weighed, such as hay, grain, butter,
sugar, tea.
Note: The standard Avoirdupois pound of the United States is
equivalent to the weight of 27.7015 cubic inches of
distilled water at 62[deg] Fahrenheit, the barometer
being at 30 inches, and the water weighed in the air
with brass weights. In this system of weights 16 drams
make 1 ounce, 16 ounces 1 pound, 25 pounds 1 quarter, 4
quarters 1 hundred weight, and 20 hundred weight 1 ton.
The above pound contains 7,000 grains, or 453.54 grams,
so that 1 pound avoirdupois is equivalent to 1 31-144
pounds troy. (See {Troy weight}.) Formerly, a hundred
weight was reckoned at 112 pounds, the ton being 2,240
pounds (sometimes called a long ton).
Avoke \A*voke"\, v. t. [Cf. {Avocate}.]
To call from or back again. [Obs.] --Bp. Burnet.
Avolate \Av"o*late\, v. i. [L. avolare; a (ab) + volare to fly.]
To fly away; to escape; to exhale. [Obs.]
Avolation \Av`o*la"tion\, n. [LL. avolatio.]
The act of flying; flight; evaporation. [Obs.]
Avoset \Av"o*set\, n.
Same as {Avocet}.
Avouch \A*vouch"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Avouched} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Avouching}.] [OF. avochier, LL. advocare to recognize
the existence of a thing, to advocate, fr. L. advocare to
call to; ad + vocare to call. Cf. {Avow} to declare,
{Advocate}, and see {Vouch}, v. t.]
1. To appeal to; to cite or claim as authority. [Obs.]
They avouch many successions of authorities. --Coke.
2. To maintain a just or true; to vouch for.
We might be disposed to question its authenticity,
it if were not avouched by the full evidence.
--Milman.
3. To declare or assert positively and as matter of fact; to
affirm openly.
If this which he avouches does appear. --Shak.
Such antiquities could have been avouched for the
Irish. --Spenser.
4. To acknowledge deliberately; to admit; to confess; to
sanction.
Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God.
--Deut. xxvi.
17.
Avouch \A*vouch"\, n.
Evidence; declaration. [Obs.]
The sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes. --Shak.
Avouchable \A*vouch"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being avouched.
Avoucher \A*vouch"er\, n.
One who avouches.
Avouchment \A*vouch"ment\, n.
The act of avouching; positive declaration. [Obs.] --Milton.
Avoutrer \A*vou"trer\, n.
See {Advoutrer}. [Obs.]
Avoutrie \A*vou"trie\, n. [OF.]
Adultery. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Avow \A*vow"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Avowed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Avowing}.] [F. avouver, fr. L. advocare to call to (whence
the meanings, to call upon as superior; recognize as lord,
own, confess); ad + vocare to call. See {Advocate},
{Avouch}.]
1. To declare openly, as something believed to be right; to
own or acknowledge frankly; as, a man avows his principles
or his crimes.
Which I to be the of Israel's God Avow, and
challenge Dagon to the test. --Milton.
2. (Law) To acknowledge and justify, as an act done. See
{Avowry}. --Blackstone.
Syn: To acknowledge; own; confess. See {Confess}.
Avow \A*vow"\, n. [Cf. F. aveu.]
Avowal. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Avow \A*vow"\, v. t. & i. [OF. avouer, fr. LL. votare to vow,
fr. L. votun. See {Vote}, n.]
To bind, or to devote, by a vow. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Avow \A*vow"\, n.
A vow or determination. [Archaic]
Avowable \A*vow"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being avowed, or openly acknowledged, with
confidence. --Donne.
Avowal \A*vow"al\, n.
An open declaration; frank acknowledgment; as, an avowal of
such principles. --Hume.
Avowance \A*vow"ance\, n.
1. Act of avowing; avowal.
2. Upholding; defense; vindication. [Obs.]
Can my avowance of king-murdering be collected from
anything here written by me? --Fuller.
Avowant \A*vow"ant\, n. (Law)
The defendant in replevin, who avows the distress of the
goods, and justifies the taking. --Cowell.
Avowed \A*vowed"\, a.
Openly acknowledged or declared; admitted. -- {A*vow"ed*ly},
adv.
Avowee \A*vow`ee"\, n. [F. avou['e]. Cf. {Advowee}, {Advocate},
n.]
The person who has a right to present to a benefice; the
patron; an advowee. See {Advowson}.
Avower \A*vow"er\, n.
One who avows or asserts.
Avowry \A*vow"ry\, n. [OE. avouerie protection, authority, OF.
avouerie. See {Avow} to declare.]
1. An advocate; a patron; a patron saint. [Obs.]
Let God alone be our avowry. --Latimer.
2. The act of the distrainer of goods, who, in an action of
replevin, avows and justifies the taking in his own right.
--Blackstone.
Note: When an action of replevin is brought, the distrainer
either makes avowry, that is, avours taking the
distress in his own right, or the right of his wife,
and states the reason if it, as for arrears of rent,
damage done, or the like; or makes cognizance, that is,
acknowledges the taking, but justifies in an another's
right, as his bailiff or servant.
Avowtry \A*vow"try\, v. t.
Adultery. See {Advoutry}.
Avoyer \A*voy"er\, n. [F.]
A chief magistrate of a free imperial city or canton of
Switzerland. [Obs.]
Avulse \A*vulse"\, v. t. [L. avulsus, p. p. of avellere to tear
off; a (ab) + vellere to pluck.]
To pluck or pull off. --Shenstone.
Avulsion \A*vul"sion\, n. [L. avulsio.]
1. A tearing asunder; a forcible separation.
The avulsion of two polished superficies. --Locke.
2. A fragment torn off. --J. Barlow.
3. (Law) The sudden removal of lands or soil from the estate
of one man to that of another by an inundation or a
current, or by a sudden change in the course of a river by
which a part of the estate of one man is cut off and
joined to the estate of another. The property in the part
thus separated, or cut off, continues in the original
owner. --Wharton. Burrill.
Avuncular \A*vun"cu*lar\, a. [L. avunculus uncle.]
Of or pertaining to an uncle.
In these rare instances, the law of pedigree, whether
direct or avuncular, gives way. --I. Taylor.
Await \A*wait"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Awaited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Awaiting}.] [OF. awaitier, agaitier; ? (L. ad) + waitier,
gaitier to watch, F. guetter. See {Wait}.]
1. To watch for; to look out for. [Obs.]
2. To wait on, serve, or attend. [Obs.]
3. To wait for; to stay for; to expect. See {Expect}.
Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat, Chief of
the angelic guards, awaiting night. --Milton.
4. To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for; as, a
glorious reward awaits the good.
O Eve, some farther change awaits us night.
--Milton.
Await \A*wait"\, v. i.
1. To watch. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To wait (on or upon). [Obs.]
3. To wait; to stay in waiting. --Darwin.
Await \A*wait"\, n.
A waiting for; ambush; watch; watching; heed. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Awake \A*wake"\, v. t. [imp. {Awoke}, {Awaked}; p. p. {Awaked};
(Obs.) {Awaken}, {Awoken}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Awaking}. The
form {Awoke} is sometimes used as a p. p.] [AS.
[=a]w[ae]cnan, v. i. (imp. aw[=o]c), and [=a]wacian, v. i.
(imp. awacode). See {Awaken}, {Wake}.]
1. To rouse from sleep; to wake; to awaken.
Where morning's earliest ray . . . awake her.
--Tennyson.
And his disciples came to him, and awoke him,
saying, Lord, save us; we perish. --Matt. viii.
25.
2. To rouse from a state resembling sleep, as from death,
stupidity., or inaction; to put into action; to give new
life to; to stir up; as, to awake the dead; to awake the
dormant faculties.
I was soon awaked from this disagreeable reverie.
--Goldsmith.
It way awake my bounty further. --Shak.
No sunny gleam awakes the trees. --Keble.
Awake \A*wake"\, v. i.
To cease to sleep; to come out of a state of natural sleep;
and, figuratively, out of a state resembling sleep, as
inaction or death.
The national spirit again awoke. --Freeman.
Awake to righteousness, and sin not. --1 Cor. xv.
34.
Awake \A*wake"\, a. [From awaken, old p. p. of awake.]
Not sleeping or lethargic; roused from sleep; in a state of
vigilance or action.
Before whom awake I stood. --Milton.
She still beheld, Now wide awake, the vision of her
sleep. --Keats.
He was awake to the danger. --Froude.
Awaken \A*wak"en\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Awakened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Awakening}.] [OE. awakenen, awaknen, AS.
[=a]w[ae]cnan, [=a]w[ae]cnian, v. i.; pref. on- + w[ae]cnan
to wake. Cf. {Awake}, v. t.]
To rouse from sleep or torpor; to awake; to wake.
[He] is dispatched Already to awaken whom thou nam'st.
--Cowper.
Their consciences are thoroughly awakened. --Tillotson.
Syn: To arouse; excite; stir up; call forth.
Awakener \A*wak"en*er\, n.
One who, or that which, awakens.
Awakening \A*wak"en*ing\, a.
Rousing from sleep, in a natural or a figurative sense;
rousing into activity; exciting; as, the awakening city; an
awakening discourse; the awakening dawn. --
{A*wak"en*ing*ly}, adv.
Awakening \A*wak"en*ing\, n.
The act of awaking, or ceasing to sleep. Specifically: A
revival of religion, or more general attention to religious
matters than usual.
Awakenment \A*wak"en*ment\, n.
An awakening. [R.]
Awanting \A*want"ing\, a. [Pref. a- + wanting.]
Missing; wanting. [Prov. Scot. & Eng.] --Sir W. Hamilton.
Award \A*ward"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Awarded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Awarding}.] [OF. eswarder to look at, consider, decide,
judge; es (L. ex) + warder, garder, to observe, take heed,
keep, fr. OHG. wart[=e]n to watch, guard. See {Ward}.]
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or
apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to
adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to the
complainant.
To review The wrongful sentence, and award a new.
--Dryden.
Award \A*ward"\, v. i.
To determine; to make an award.
Award \A*ward"\, n. [Cf. OF. award, awart, esgart. See {Award},
v. t.]
1. A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The
decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.``Impatient
for the award.'' --Cowper.
An award had been given against. --Gilpin.
2. The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that
which is warded. --Bouvier.
Awarder \A*ward"er\, n.
One who awards, or assigns by sentence or judicial
determination; a judge.
Aware \A*ware"\, a. [OE. iwar, AS. gew[ae]r, fr. w[ae]r wary.
The pref. ge- orig. meant together, completely. ?. See
{Wary}.]
1. Watchful; vigilant or on one's guard against danger or
difficulty.
2. Apprised; informed; cognizant; conscious; as, he was aware
of the enemy's designs.
Aware of nothing arduous in a task They never
undertook. --Cowper.
Awarn \A*warn"\, v. t. [Pref. a- + warn, AS. gewarnian. See
{Warn}, v. t.]
To warn. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Awash \A*wash"\, a. [Pref. a- + wash.]
Washed by the waves or tide; -- said of a rock or strip of
shore, or (Naut.) of an anchor, etc., when flush with the
surface of the water, so that the waves break over it.
Away \A*way"\, adv. [AS. aweg, anweg, onweg; on on + weg way.]
1. From a place; hence.
The sound is going away. --Shak.
Have me away, for I am sore wounded. --2 Chron.
xxxv. 23.
2. Absent; gone; at a distance; as, the master is away from
home.
3. Aside; off; in another direction.
The axis of rotation is inclined away from the sun.
--Lockyer.
4. From a state or condition of being; out of existence.
Be near me when I fade away. --Tennyson.
5. By ellipsis of the verb, equivalent to an imperative: Go
or come away; begone; take away.
And the Lord said . . . Away, get thee down. --Exod.
xix. 24.
6. On; in continuance; without intermission or delay; as,
sing away. [Colloq.]
Note: It is much used in phrases signifying moving or going
from; as, go away, run away, etc.; all signifying
departure, or separation to a distance. Sometimes
without the verb; as, whither away so fast ? ``Love
hath wings, and will away.'' --Waller. It serves to
modify the sense of certain verbs by adding that of
removal, loss, parting with, etc.; as, to throw away;
to trifle away; to squander away, etc. Sometimes it has
merely an intensive force; as, to blaze away.
{Away with}, bear, abide. [Obs. or Archaic] ``The calling of
assemblies, I can not away with.'' (--Isa. i. 13), i. e.,
``I can not bear or endure [it].''
{Away with} one, signifies, take him away. ``Away with him,
crucify him.'' --John xix. 15.
{To make away with}.
(a) To kill or destroy.
(b) To carry off.
Away-going \A*way"-go"ing\ ([.a]*w[=a]"go"[i^]ng), a. (Law)
Sown during the last years of a tenancy, but not ripe until
after its expiration; -- said of crops. --Wharton.
Awayward \A*way"ward\ ([.a]*w[=a]"w[~e]rd), adv.
Turned away; away. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Awe \Awe\ ([add]), n. [OE. a[yogh]e, aghe, fr. Icel. agi; akin
to AS. ege, [=o]ga, Goth. agis, Dan. ave chastisement, fear,
Gr. 'a`chos pain, distress, from the same root as E. ail.
[root]3. Cf. {Ugly}.]
1. Dread; great fear mingled with respect. [Obs. or
Obsolescent]
His frown was full of terror, and his voice Shook
the delinquent with such fits of awe. --Cowper.
2. The emotion inspired by something dreadful and sublime; an
undefined sense of the dreadful and the sublime;
reverential fear, or solemn wonder; profound reverence.
There is an awe in mortals' joy, A deep mysterious
fear. --Keble.
To tame the pride of that power which held the
Continent in awe. --Macaulay.
The solitude of the desert, or the loftiness of the
mountain, may fill the mind with awe -- the sense of
our own littleness in some greater presence or
power. --C. J. Smith.
{To stand in awe of}, to fear greatly; to reverence
profoundly.
Syn: See {Reverence}.
Awe \Awe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Awed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Awing}.]
To strike with fear and reverence; to inspire with awe; to
control by inspiring dread.
That same eye whose bend doth awe the world. --Shak.
His solemn and pathetic exhortation awed and melted the
bystanders. --Macaulay.
Awearied \A*wea"ried\, p. p.
Wearied. [Poetic]
Aweary \A*wea"ry\, a. [Pref. a- + weary.]
Weary. [Poetic] ``I begin to be aweary of thee.'' --Shak.
Aweather \A*weath"er\, adv. [Pref. a- + weather.] (Naut.)
On the weather side, or toward the wind; in the direction
from which the wind blows; -- opposed to {alee}; as, helm
aweather! --Totten.
Aweigh \A*weigh"\, adv. [Pref. a- + weigh.] (Naut.)
Just drawn out of the ground, and hanging perpendicularly;
atrip; -- said of the anchor. --Totten.
Aweless \Awe"less\, a.
See {Awless}.
Awesome \Awe"some\, a.
1. Causing awe; appalling; awful; as, an awesome sight.
--Wright.
2. Expressive of awe or terror.
An awesome glance up at the auld castle. --Sir W.
Scott.
Awesomeness \Awe"some*ness\, n.
The quality of being awesome.
Awe-stricken \Awe"-strick`en\, a.
Awe-struck.
Awe-struck \Awe"-struck`\, a.
Struck with awe. --Milton.
Awful \Aw"ful\, a.
1. Oppressing with fear or horror; appalling; terrible; as,
an awful scene. ``The hour of Nature's awful throes.''
--Hemans.
2. Inspiring awe; filling with profound reverence, or with
fear and admiration; fitted to inspire reverential fear;
profoundly impressive.
Heaven's awful Monarch. --Milton.
3. Struck or filled with awe; terror-stricken. [Obs.]
A weak and awful reverence for antiquity. --I.
Watts.
4. Worshipful; reverential; law-abiding. [Obs.]
Thrust from the company of awful men. --Shak.
5. Frightful; exceedingly bad; great; -- applied intensively;
as, an awful bonnet; an awful boaster. [Slang]
Syn: See {Frightful}.
Awfully \Aw"ful*ly\, adv.
1. In an awful manner; in a manner to fill with terror or
awe; fearfully; reverently.
2. Very; excessively. [Slang]
Awfulness \Aw"ful*ness\, n.
1. The quality of striking with awe, or with reverence;
dreadfulness; solemnity; as, the awfulness of this sacred
place.
The awfulness of grandeur. --Johnson.
2. The state of being struck with awe; a spirit of solemnity;
profound reverence. [Obs.]
Producing in us reverence and awfulness. --Jer.
Taylor.
Awhape \A*whape"\, v. t. [Cf. whap blow.]
To confound; to terrify; to amaze. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Awhile \A*while"\, adv. [Adj. a + while time, interval.]
For a while; for some time; for a short time.
Awing \A*wing"\, adv. [Pref. a- + wing.]
On the wing; flying; fluttering. --Wallace.
Awk \Awk\ ([add]k), a. [OE. auk, awk (properly) turned away;
(hence) contrary, wrong, from Icel. ["o]figr, ["o]fugr,
afigr, turning the wrong way, fr. af off, away; cf. OHG.
abuh, Skr. ap[=a]c turned away, fr. apa off, away + a root
ak, a[u^]k, to bend, from which come also E. angle, anchor.]
1. Odd; out of order; perverse. [Obs.]
2. Wrong, or not commonly used; clumsy; sinister; as, the awk
end of a rod (the but end). [Obs.] --Golding.
3. Clumsy in performance or manners; unhandy; not dexterous;
awkward. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Awk \Awk\, adv.
Perversely; in the wrong way. --L'Estrange.
Awkly \Awk"ly\, adv.
1. In an unlucky (left-handed) or perverse manner. [Obs.]
--Holland.
2. Awkwardly. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Awkward \Awk"ward\, a. [Awk + -ward.]
1. Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of
instruments; not dexterous; without skill; clumsy; wanting
ease, grace, or effectiveness in movement; ungraceful; as,
he was awkward at a trick; an awkward boy.
And dropped an awkward courtesy. --Dryden.
2. Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.
A long and awkward process. --Macaulay.
An awkward affair is one that has gone wrong, and is
difficult to adjust. --C. J. Smith.
3. Perverse; adverse; untoward. [Obs.] ``Awkward
casualties.'' ``Awkward wind.'' --Shak.
O blind guides, which being of an awkward religion,
do strain out a gnat, and swallow up a cancel.
--Udall.
Syn: Ungainly; unhandy; clownish; lubberly; gawky; maladroit;
bungling; inelegant; ungraceful; unbecoming.
Usage: {Awkward}, {Clumsy}, {Uncouth}. Awkward has a special
reference to outward deportment. A man is clumsy in
his whole person, he is awkward in his gait and the
movement of his limbs. Clumsiness is seen at the first
view. Awkwardness is discovered only when a person
begins to move. Hence the expressions, a clumsy
appearance, and an awkward manner. When we speak
figuratively of an awkward excuse, we think of a want
of ease and grace in making it; when we speak of a
clumsy excuse, we think of the whole thing as coarse
and stupid. We apply the term uncouth most frequently
to that which results from the want of instruction or
training; as, uncouth manners; uncouth language. --
{Awk"ward*ly}, adv. -- {Awk"ward*ness}, n.
Awl \Awl\, n. [OE. aul, awel, al, AS. ?l, awel; akin to Icel.
alr, OHG. [=a]la, G. ahle, Lith. yla, Skr. [=a]r[=a].]
A pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather
or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc.
The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different
uses, as in the brad awl, saddler's awl, shoemaker's awl,
etc.
Awless \Aw"less\, a.
1. Wanting reverence; void of respectful fear. ``Awless
insolence.'' --Dryden.
2. Inspiring no awe. [Obs.] ``The awless throne.'' --Shak.
[Written also {aweless}]
Awlessness \Aw"less*ness\, n.
The quality of being awless.
Awl-shaped \Awl"-shaped`\, a.
1. Shaped like an awl.
2. (Nat. Hist.) Subulate. See {Subulate}. --Gray.
Awlwort \Awl"wort`\, n. [Awl + wort.] (Bot.)
A plant ({Subularia aquatica}), with awl-shaped leaves.
Awm \Awm\ (?m), n.
See {Aam}.
Awn \Awn\, n. [OE. awn, agune, from Icel. ["o]gn, pl. agnir;
akin to Sw. agn, Dan. avne, Goth. ahana, OHG. agana, G. agen,
ahne, chaff, Gr. ?, AS. egla; prob. from same root as E.
acute. See 3d {Ear}. ?1.] (Bot.)
The bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, etc., or any
similar bristlelike appendage; arista. --Gray.
Awned \Awned\, a. (Bot.)
Furnished with an awn, or long bristle-shaped tip; bearded.
--Gray.
Awning \Awn"ing\, n. [Origin uncertain: cf. F. auvent awing, or
Pers. [=a]wan, [=a]wang, anything suspended, or LG. havening
a place sheltered from wind and weather, E. haven.]
1. A rooflike cover, usually of canvas, extended over or
before any place as a shelter from the sun, rain, or wind.
2. (Naut.) That part of the poop deck which is continued
forward beyond the bulkhead of the cabin.
Awninged \Awn"inged\, a.
Furnished with an awning.
Awnless \Awn"less\, a.
Without awns or beard.
Awny \Awn"y\, a.
Having awns; bearded.
Awork \A*work"\, adv. [Pref. a- + work.]
At work; in action. ``Set awork.'' --Shak.
Aworking \A*work"ing\, adv. [Pref. a- + working.]
At work; in action. [Archaic or Colloq.] --Spenser.
Awreak \A*wreak"\, Awreke \A*wreke"\,, v. t. & i.
To avenge. [Obs.] See {Wreak}.
Awrong \A*wrong"\, adv. [Pref. a- + wrong.]
Wrongly. --Ford.
Awry \A*wry"\, adv. & a. [Pref. a- + wry.]
1. Turned or twisted toward one side; not in a straight or
true direction, or position; out of the right course;
distorted; obliquely; asquint; with oblique vision; as, to
glance awry. ``Your crown's awry.'' --Shak.
Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues awry.
Into the devious air. --Milton.
2. Aside from the line of truth, or right reason;
unreasonable or unreasonably; perverse or perversely.
Or by her charms Draws him awry, enslaved. --Milton.
Nothing more awry from the law of God and nature
than that a woman should give laws to men. --Milton.
Awsome \Aw"some\, a.
Same as {Awesome}.
Ax \Ax\, Axe \Axe\,, n. [OE. ax, axe, AS. eax, [ae]x, acas; akin
to D. akse, OS. accus, OHG. acchus, G. axt, Icel. ["o]x,
["o]xi, Sw. yxe, Dan. ["o]kse, Goth. aqizi, Gr. ?, L. ascia;
not akin to E. acute.]
A tool or instrument of steel, or of iron with a steel edge
or blade, for felling trees, chopping and splitting wood,
hewing timber, etc. It is wielded by a wooden helve or
handle, so fixed in a socket or eye as to be in the same
plane with the blade. The broadax, or carpenter's ax, is an
ax for hewing timber, made heavier than the chopping ax, and
with a broader and thinner blade and a shorter handle.
Note: The ancient battle-ax had sometimes a double edge.
Note: The word is used adjectively or in combination; as,
axhead or ax head; ax helve; ax handle; ax shaft;
ax-shaped; axlike.
Note: This word was originally spelt with e, axe; and so also
was nearly every corresponding word of one syllable:
as, flaxe, taxe, waxe, sixe, mixe, pixe, oxe, fluxe,
etc. This superfluous e is not dropped; so that, in
more than a hundred words ending in x, no one thinks of
retaining the e except in axe. Analogy requires its
exclusion here.
Note: ``The spelling ax is better on every ground, of
etymology, phonology, and analogy, than axe, which has
of late become prevalent.'' --New English Dict.
(Murray).
Ax \Ax\, v. t. & i. [OE. axien and asken. See {Ask}.]
To ask; to inquire or inquire of.
Note: This word is from Saxon, and is as old as the English
language. Formerly it was in good use, but now is
regarded as a vulgarism. It is still dialectic in
England, and is sometimes heard among the uneducated in
the United States. ``And Pilate axide him, Art thou
king of Jewis?'' ``Or if he axea fish.'' --Wyclif.
'bdThe king axed after your Grace's welfare.'' --Pegge.
Axal \Ax"al\, a.
[See {Axial}.] [R.]
Axe \Axe\, Axeman \Axe"man\, etc.
See {Ax}, {Axman}.
Axial \Ax"i*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to an axis; of the nature of, or
resembling, an axis; around an axis.
To take on an axial, and not an equatorial,
direction. --Nichol.
2. (Anat.) Belonging to the axis of the body; as, the axial
skeleton; or to the axis of any appendage or organ; as,
the axial bones.
{Axial line} (Magnetism), the line taken by the magnetic
force in passing from one pole of a horseshoe magnet to
the other. --Faraday.
Axially \Ax"i*al*ly\, adv.
In relation to, or in a line with, an axis; in the axial
(magnetic) line.
Axil \Ax"il\, n. [L. axilla. Cf. {Axle}.] (Bot.)
The angle or point of divergence between the upper side of a
branch, leaf, or petiole, and the stem or branch from which
it springs. --Gray.
Axile \Ax"ile\, a.
Situated in the axis of anything; as an embryo which lies in
the axis of a seed. --Gray.
Axilla \Ax*il"la\, n.; pl. {Axillae}. [L.] (Anat.)
The armpit, or the cavity beneath the junction of the arm and
shoulder.
2. (Bot.) An axil.
Axillar \Ax"il*lar\, a.
Axillary.
Axillaries \Ax"il*la*ries\, Axillars \Ax"il*lars\, n. pl.
(Zo["o]l.)
Feathers connecting the under surface of the wing and the
body, and concealed by the closed wing.
Axillary \Ax"il*la*ry\, a. [See {Axil}.]
1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the axilla or armpit; as,
axillary gland, artery, nerve.
2. (Bot.) Situated in, or rising from, an axil; of or
pertaining to an axil. ``Axillary buds.'' --Gray.
Axinite \Ax"i*nite\, n. [Named in allusion to the form of the
crystals, fr. Gr. ? an ax.] (Min.)
A borosilicate of alumina, iron, and lime, commonly found in
glassy, brown crystals with acute edges.
Axinomancy \Ax*in"o*man`cy\, n. [L. axinomantia, Gr. ? ax +
-mancy.]
A species of divination, by means of an ax or hatchet.
Axiom \Ax"i*om\, n. [L. axioma, Gr. ? that which is thought
worthy, that which is assumed, a basis of demonstration, a
principle, fr. ? to think worthy, fr. ? worthy, weighing as
much as; cf. ? to lead, drive, also to weigh so much: cf F.
axiome. See {Agent}, a.]
1. (Logic & Math.) A self-evident and necessary truth, or a
proposition whose truth is so evident as first sight that
no reasoning or demonstration can make it plainer; a
proposition which it is necessary to take for granted; as,
``The whole is greater than a part;'' ``A thing can not,
at the same time, be and not be.''
2. An established principle in some art or science, which,
though not a necessary truth, is universally received; as,
the axioms of political economy.
Syn: {Axiom}, {Maxim}, {Aphorism}, {Adage}.
Usage: An axiom is a self-evident truth which is taken for
granted as the basis of reasoning. A maxim is a
guiding principle sanctioned by experience, and
relating especially to the practical concerns of life.
An aphorism is a short sentence pithily expressing
some valuable and general truth or sentiment. An adage
is a saying of long-established authority and of
universal application.
Axiomatic \Ax`i*o*mat"ic\, Axiomatical \Ax`i*o*mat"ic*al\, a.
[Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to an axiom; having the nature of an axiom;
self-evident; characterized by axioms. ``Axiomatical truth.''
--Johnson.
The stores of axiomatic wisdom. --I. Taylor.
Axiomatically \Ax`i*o*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
By the use of axioms; in the form of an axiom.
Axis \Ax"is\, n. [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
The spotted deer ({Cervus axis} or {Axis maculata}) of India,
where it is called {hog deer} and {parrah} (Moorish name).
Axis \Ax"is\, n.; pl. {Axes}. [L. axis axis, axle. See {Axle}.]
A straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body,
on which it revolves, or may be supposed to revolve; a line
passing through a body or system around which the parts are
symmetrically arranged.
2. (Math.) A straight line with respect to which the
different parts of a magnitude are symmetrically arranged;
as, the axis of a cylinder, i. e., the axis of a cone,
that is, the straight line joining the vertex and the
center of the base; the axis of a circle, any straight
line passing through the center.
3. (Bot.) The stem; the central part, or longitudinal
support, on which organs or parts are arranged; the
central line of any body. --Gray.
4. (Anat.)
(a) The second vertebra of the neck, or {vertebra
dentata}.
(b) Also used of the body only of the vertebra, which is
prolonged anteriorly within the foramen of the first
vertebra or atlas, so as to form the odontoid process
or peg which serves as a pivot for the atlas and head
to turn upon.
5. (Crystallog.) One of several imaginary lines, assumed in
describing the position of the planes by which a crystal
is bounded.
6. (Fine Arts) The primary or secondary central line of any
design.
{Anticlinal axis} (Geol.), a line or ridge from which the
strata slope downward on the two opposite sides.
{Synclinal axis}, a line from which the strata slope upward
in opposite directions, so as to form a valley.
{Axis cylinder} (Anat.), the neuraxis or essential, central
substance of a nerve fiber; -- called also {axis band},
{axial fiber}, and {cylinder axis}.
{Axis in peritrochio}, the wheel and axle, one of the
mechanical powers.
{Axis of a curve} (Geom.), a straight line which bisects a
system of parallel chords of a curve; called a {principal
axis}, when cutting them at right angles, in which case it
divides the curve into two symmetrical portions, as in the
parabola, which has one such axis, the ellipse, which has
two, or the circle, which has an infinite number. The two
axes of the ellipse are the {major axis} and the {minor
axis}, and the two axes of the hyperbola are the
{transverse axis} and the {conjugate axis}.
{Axis of a lens}, the straight line passing through its
center and perpendicular to its surfaces.
{Axis of a} {telescope or microscope}, the straight line with
which coincide the axes of the several lenses which
compose it.
{Axes of co["o]rdinates in a plane}, two straight lines
intersecting each other, to which points are referred for
the purpose of determining their relative position: they
are either rectangular or oblique.
{Axes of co["o]rdinates in space}, the three straight lines
in which the co["o]rdinate planes intersect each other.
{Axis of a balance}, that line about which it turns.
{Axis of oscillation}, of a pendulum, a right line passing
through the center about which it vibrates, and
perpendicular to the plane of vibration.
{Axis of polarization}, the central line around which the
prismatic rings or curves are arranged. --Brewster.
{Axis of revolution} (Descriptive Geom.), a straight line
about which some line or plane is revolved, so that the
several points of the line or plane shall describe circles
with their centers in the fixed line, and their planes
perpendicular to it, the line describing a surface of
revolution, and the plane a solid of revolution.
{Axis of symmetry} (Geom.), any line in a plane figure which
divides the figure into two such parts that one part, when
folded over along the axis, shall coincide with the other
part.
{Axis of the} {equator, ecliptic, horizon} (or other circle
considered with reference to the sphere on which it lies),
the diameter of the sphere which is perpendicular to the
plane of the circle. --Hutton.
{Axis of the Ionic capital} (Arch.), a line passing
perpendicularly through the middle of the eye of the
volute.
{Neutral axis} (Mech.), the line of demarcation between the
horizontal elastic forces of tension and compression,
exerted by the fibers in any cross section of a girder.
{Optic axis of a crystal}, the direction in which a ray of
transmitted light suffers no double refraction. All
crystals, not of the isometric system, are either uniaxial
or biaxial.
{Optic axis}, {Visual axis} (Opt.), the straight line passing
through the center of the pupil, and perpendicular to the
surface of the eye.
{Radical axis of two circles} (Geom.), the straight line
perpendicular to the line joining their centers and such
that the tangents from any point of it to the two circles
shall be equal to each other.
{Spiral axis} (Arch.), the axis of a twisted column drawn
spirally in order to trace the circumvolutions without.
{Axis of abscissas} and {Axis of ordinates}. See {Abscissa}.
Axle \Ax"le\ ([a^]ks"'l), n. [OE. axel, exel, shoulder, AS.
eaxl; akin to AS. eax axle, Sw. & Dan. axel shoulder, axle,
G. achse axle, achsel shoulder, L. axis axle, Gr. 'a`xwn,
Skr. aksha, L. axilla shoulder joint: cf. F. essieu, axle,
OF. aissel, fr. dim. of L. axis. [root]205. Cf. 2d {Axis}.]
1. The pin or spindle on which a wheel revolves, or which
revolves with a wheel.
2. A transverse bar or shaft connecting the opposite wheels
of a car or carriage; an axletree.
3. An axis; as, the sun's axle.
Had from her axle torn The steadfast earth.
--Milton.
Note: Railway axles are called leading and trailing from
their position in the front or in the rear of a car or
truck respectively.
Axle box \Ax"le box`\
1. A bushing in the hub of a wheel, through which the axle
passes.
2. The journal box of a rotating axle, especially a railway
axle.
Note: In railway construction, the axle guard, or pedestal,
with the superincumbent weight, rests on the top of the
box (usually with a spring intervening), and holds it
in place by flanges. The box rests upon the journal
bearing and key, which intervene between the inner top
of the box and the axle.
Axled \Ax"led\, a.
Having an axle; -- used in composition.
Merlin's agate-axled car. --T. Warton.
Axle guard \Ax"le guard`\
The part of the framing of a railway car or truck, by which
an axle box is held laterally, and in which it may move
vertically; -- also called a jaw in the United States, and a
housing in England.
Axletree \Ax"le*tree`\, n. [Cf. Icel. ["o]xultr?.]
1. A bar or beam of wood or iron, connecting the opposite
wheels of a carriage, on the ends of which the wheels
revolve.
2. A spindle or axle of a wheel. [Obs.]
Axman \Ax"man\, n.; pl. {Axmen}.
One who wields an ax.
Axminster \Ax"min`ster\, n.
An Axminster carpet, an imitation Turkey carpet, noted for
its thick and soft pile; -- so called from Axminster, Eng.
Axolotl \Ax"o*lotl\, n. [The native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
An amphibian of the salamander tribe found in the elevated
lakes of Mexico; the siredon.
Note: When it breeds in captivity the young develop into true
salamanders of the genus {Amblystoma}. This also occurs
naturally under favorable conditions, in its native
localities; although it commonly lives and breeds in a
larval state, with persistent external gills. See
{Siredon}.
Axstone \Ax"stone`\, n. (Min.)
A variety of jade. It is used by some savages, particularly
the natives of the South Sea Islands, for making axes or
hatchets.
Axtree \Ax"tree\, n.
Axle or axletree. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Axunge \Ax"unge\, n. [F. axonge, L. axungia; axis wheel + ungere
to grease.]
Fat; grease; esp. the fat of pigs or geese; usually (Pharm.),
lard prepared for medical use.
Ay \Ay\, interj.
Ah! alas! ``Ay me! I fondly dream `Had ye been there.'''
--Milton.
Ay \Ay\, adv.
Same as {Aye}.
Ayah \A"yah\, n. [Pg. aia, akin to Sp. aya a governess, ayo a
tutor.]
A native nurse for children; also, a lady's maid. [India]
Aye \Aye\, Ay \Ay\, adv. [Perh. a modification of yea, or from
the interjection of admiration or astonishment, OE. ei, ey,
why, hey, ay, well, ah, ha. Cf. MHG. & G. ei, Dan. ej. Or
perh. akin to aye ever.]
Yes; yea; -- a word expressing assent, or an affirmative
answer to a question. It is much used in viva voce voting in
legislative bodies, etc.
Note: This word is written I in the early editions of
Shakespeare and other old writers.
Aye \Aye\, n.
An affirmative vote; one who votes in the affirmative; as,
``To call for the ayes and noes;'' ``The ayes have it.''
Aye \Aye\, Ay \Ay\, adv. [Icel. ei, ey; akin to AS. [=a],
[=a]wa, always, Goth. aiws an age, Icel. [ae]fi, OHG, ?wa, L.
aevum, Gr. ? an age, ?, ?, ever, always, G. je, Skr. ?va
course. ?,?. Cf. {Age}, v., {Either}, a., {Or}, conj.]
Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time.
For his mercies aye endure. --Milton.
{For aye}, {always}; forever; eternally.
Aye-aye \Aye"-aye`\, n. [From the native name, prob. from its
cry.] (Zo["o]l.)
A singular nocturnal quadruped, allied to the lemurs, found
in Madagascar ({Cheiromys Madagascariensis}), remarkable for
its long fingers, sharp nails, and rodent-like incisor teeth.
Ayegreen \Aye"green`\, n. [Aye ever + green.] (Bot.)
The houseleek ({Sempervivum tectorum}). --Halliwell.
Ayen \A*yen"\, Ayein \A*yein"\, Ayeins \A*yeins"\, adv. & prep.
[OE. ?, ?. See {Again}.]
Again; back against. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ayenward \A*yen"ward\, adv.
Backward. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Ayle \Ayle\, n. [OE. ayel, aiel, OF. aiol, aiel, F. a["i]eul, a
dim. of L. avus grandfather.]
A grandfather. [Obs.]
{Writ of Ayle}, an ancient English writ which lay against a
stranger who had dispossessed the demandant of land of
which his grandfather died seized.
Ayme \Ay"me`\, n. [Cf. F. ahi interj.]
The utterance of the ejaculation ``Ay me !'' [Obs.] See {Ay},
interj. ``Aymees and hearty heigh-hoes.'' --J. Fletcher.
Ayond \A*yond"\, prep. & adv.
Beyond. [North of Eng.]
Ayont \A*yont"\, prep. & adv.
Beyond. [Scot.]
Ayrie \A"y*rie\, Ayry \A"y*ry\, n.
See {Aerie}. --Drayton.
Ayrshire \Ayr"shire\, n. (Agric.)
One of a superior breed of cattle from Ayrshire, Scotland.
Ayrshires are notable for the quantity and quality of their
milk.
Ayuntamiento \A*yun`ta*mi*en"to\, n. [Sp., fr. OSp. ayuntar to
join.]
In Spain and Spanish America, a corporation or body of
magistrates in cities and towns, corresponding to mayor and
aldermen.
Azalea \A*za"le*a\ (?; 97), n.; pl. {Azaleas}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
dry, -- so called because supposed to grow best in dry
ground.] (Bot.)
A genus of showy flowering shrubs, mostly natives of China or
of North America; false honeysuckle. The genus is scarcely
distinct from Rhododendron.
Azarole \Az"a*role\, n. [F. azerole, the name of the fruit, fr.
Ar. az-zo'r?r: cf. It. azzeruolo, Sp. acerolo.] (Bot.)
The Neapolitan medlar ({Crat[ae]gus azarolus}), a shrub of
southern Europe; also, its fruit.
Azedarach \A*zed"a*rach\, n. [F. az['e]darac, Sp. acederaque,
Pers. [=a]z[=a]ddirakht noble tree.]
1. (Bot.) A handsome Asiatic tree ({Melia azedarach}), common
in the southern United States; -- called also, {Pride of
India}, {Pride of China}, and {Bead tree}.
2. (Med.) The bark of the roots of the azedarach, used as a
cathartic and emetic.
Azimuth \Az"i*muth\, n. [OE. azimut, F. azimut, fr. Ar.
as-sum?t, pl. of as-samt a way, or perh., a point of the
horizon and a circle extending to it from the zenith, as
being the Arabic article: cf. It. azzimutto, Pg. azimuth, and
Ar. samt-al-r[=a]'s the vertex of the heaven. Cf. {Zenith}.]
(Astron. & Geodesy)
(a) The quadrant of an azimuth circle.
(b) An arc of the horizon intercepted between the meridian
of the place and a vertical circle passing through the
center of any object; as, the azimuth of a star; the
azimuth or bearing of a line surveying.
Note: In trigonometrical surveying, it is customary to reckon
the azimuth of a line from the south point of the
horizon around by the west from 0[deg] to 360[deg].
{Azimuth circle}, or {Vertical circle}, one of the great
circles of the sphere intersecting each other in the
zenith and nadir, and cutting the horizon at right angles.
--Hutton.
{Azimuth compass}, a compass resembling the mariner's
compass, but having the card divided into degrees instead
of rhumbs, and having vertical sights; used for taking the
magnetic azimuth of a heavenly body, in order to find, by
comparison with the true azimuth, the variation of the
needle.
{Azimuth dial}, a dial whose stile or gnomon is at right
angles to the plane of the horizon. --Hutton.
{Magnetic azimuth}, an arc of the horizon, intercepted
between the vertical circle passing through any object and
the magnetic meridian. This is found by observing the
object with an azimuth compass.
Azimuthal \Az"i*muth`al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the azimuth; in a horizontal circle.
{Azimuthal error} of a transit instrument, its deviation in
azimuth from the plane of the meridian.
Azo- \Az"o-\ [See {Azote}.] (Chem.)
A combining form of azote;
(a) Applied loosely to compounds having nitrogen variously
combined, as in cyanides, nitrates, etc.
(b) Now especially applied to compounds containing a two atom
nitrogen group uniting two hydrocarbon radicals, as in
azobenzene, azobenzoic, etc. These compounds furnish many
artificial dyes. See {Diazo-}.
Azobenzene \Az`o*ben"zene\, n. [Azo- + benzene.] (Chem.)
A substance ({C6H5.N2.C6H5}) derived from nitrobenzene,
forming orange red crystals which are easily fusible.
Azoic \A*zo"ic\, a. [Gr. 'a priv. + ? life, from ? to live.]
Destitute of any vestige of organic life, or at least of
animal life; anterior to the existence of animal life; formed
when there was no animal life on the globe; as, the azoic.
rocks.
{Azoic age} (Geol.), the age preceding the existence of
animal life, or anterior to the paleozoic tome. Azoic is
also used as a noun, age being understood. See
{Arch[ae]an}, and {Eozoic}.
Azoleic \Az`o*le"ic\, a. [Azo- + oleic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to an acid produced by treating oleic with nitric
acid. [R.]
Azonic \A*zon"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? zone, region.]
Confined to no zone or region; not local.
Azorian \A*zo"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Azores. -- n. A native of the Azores.
Azote \Az"ote\ (?; 277), n. [F. azote, fr. Gr. 'a priv. + ?
life; -- so named by Lavoisier because it is incapable of
supporting life.]
Same as {Nitrogen}. [R.]
Azoth \Az"oth\, n. [LL. azoch, azoth, fr. Ar. az-zauq mercury.]
(Alchemy)
(a) The first principle of metals, i. e., mercury, which was
formerly supposed to exist in all metals, and to be
extractable from them.
(b) The universal remedy of Paracelsus.
Azotic \A*zot"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to azote, or nitrogen; formed or consisting of
azote; nitric; as, azotic gas; azotic acid. [R.] --Carpenter.
Azotite \Az"o*tite\, n. (Chem.)
A salt formed by the combination of azotous, or nitrous, acid
with a base; a nitrite. [R.]
Azotize \Az"o*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Azotized} (?); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Azotizing} (?).]
To impregnate with azote, or nitrogen; to nitrogenize.
Azotometer \Az`o*tom"e*ter\, n. [Azote + -meter.] (Chem.)
An apparatus for measuring or determining the proportion of
nitrogen; a nitrometer.
Azotous \A*zo"tous\, a.
Nitrous; as, azotous acid. [R.]
Aztec \Az"tec\, a.
Of or relating to one of the early races in Mexico that
inhabited the great plateau of that country at the time of
the Spanish conquest in 1519. -- n. One of the Aztec race or
people.
Azure \Az"ure\ (?; 277), a. [F. & OSp. azur, Sp. azul, through
Ar. from Per. l[=a]jaward, or l[=a]juward, lapis lazuli, a
blue color, l[=a]jaward[=i], l[=a]juward[=i], azure,
cerulean, the initial l having been dropped, perhaps by the
influence of the Ar. azr-aq azure, blue. Cf. G. lasur,
lasurstein, azure color, azure stone, and NL. lapis lazuli.]
Sky-blue; resembling the clear blue color of the unclouded
sky; cerulean; also, cloudless.
{Azure stone} (Min.), the lapis lazuli; also, the lazulite.
Azure \Az"ure\, n.
1. The lapis lazuli. [Obs.]
2. The clear blue color of the sky; also, a pigment or dye of
this color. ``In robes of azure.'' --Wordsworth.
3. The blue vault above; the unclouded sky.
Not like those steps On heaven's azure. --Milton.
4. (Her.) A blue color, represented in engraving by
horizontal parallel lines.
Azure \Az"ure\, v. t.
To color blue.
Azured \Az"ured\, a.
Of an azure color; sky-blue. ``The azured harebell.'' --Shak.
Azureous \A*zu"re*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of a fine blue color; azure.
Azurine \Az"u*rine\, a. [Cf. {Azurn}.]
Azure.
Azurine \Az"u*rine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The blue roach of Europe ({Leuciscus c[ae]ruleus}); -- so
called from its color.
Azurite \Az"u*rite\, n. (Min.)
Blue carbonate of copper; blue malachite.
Azurn \Az"urn\, a. [Cf. OF. azurin, asurin, LL. azurinus. See
{Azure}, a.]
Azure. [Obs.]
Thick set with agate, and the azurn sheen Of turkis
blue, and emerald green. --Milton.
Azygous \Az"y*gous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? yoke.]
Odd; having no fellow; not one of a pair; single; as, the
azygous muscle of the uvula.
Azym \Az"ym\, Azyme \Az"yme\, n. [F. azyme unleavened, L.
azymus, fr. Gr. ?; 'a priv. + ? leaven.]
Unleavened bread.
Azymic \A*zym"ic\, a.
Azymous.
Azymite \Az"y*mite\, n. [Cf. F. azymite.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One who administered the Eucharist with unleavened bread; --
a name of reproach given by those of the Greek church to the
Latins.
Azymous \Az"y*mous\, a. [See {Azym}.]
Unleavened; unfermented. ``Azymous bread.'' --Dunglison.