Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 2 of 60)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A relation between species or highe
6. (Spiritualism)
Defn: 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", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Affirmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Affirming.] Etym: [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),
Defn: to assert or confirm, as a judgment, decree, or order, brought before an appelate 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)
Defn: 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. -- 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)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Capable of being affirmed, asserted, or declared; -- followed by of; as, an attribute affirmable of every just man.
AFFIRMANCE Af*firm"ance, n. Etym: [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, n. Etym: [L. affirmans, -antis, p. pr. See Affirm.]
1. One who affirms or asserts.
2. (Law)
Defn: One who affirms of taking an oath.
AFFIRMATION Af`fir*ma"tion, n. Etym: [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 as, an affirmation, by the vender, of title to property sold, or of its quality.
4. (Law)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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)
Defn: Expressing the agreement of the two terms of a proposition.
5. (Alg.)
Defn: 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 Ant: 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.
Defn: In an affirmative manner; on the affirmative side of a question; in the affirmative; -- opposed to negatively.
AFFIRMATORY Af*firm"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Giving affirmation; assertive; affirmative. Massey.
AFFIRMER Af*firm"er, n.
Defn: One who affirms.
AFFIX Af*fix", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Affixed; p. pr. & vb. n. Affixing.] Etym: [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. Etym: [L. affixus, p. p. of affigere: cf. F. affixe.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. affixio, fr. affigere.]
Defn: Affixture. [Obs.] T. Adams.
AFFIXTURE Af*fix"ture, n.
Defn: The act of affixing, or the state of being affixed; attachment.
AFFLATION Af*fla"tion, n. Etym: [L. afflatus, p. p. of afflare to blow or breathe on; ad + flare to blow.]
Defn: A blowing or breathing on; inspiration.
AFFLATUS Af*fla"tus, n. Etym: [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.] Etym: [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. Etym: [L. afflictus, p. p.]
Defn: Afflicted. [Obs.] Becon.
AFFLICTEDNESS Af*flict"ed*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being afflicted; affliction. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
AFFLICTER Af*flict"er, n.
Defn: One who afflicts.
AFFLICTING Af*flict"ing, a.
Defn: Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv.
AFFLICTION Af*flic"tion, n. Etym: [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. -- 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.
Defn: Free from affliction.
AFFLICTIVE Af*flic"tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. afflictif.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: In an afflictive manner.
AFFLUENCE Af"flu*ence, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: Affluence. [Obs.] Addison.
AFFLUENT Af"flu*ent, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; a tributary stream.
AFFLUENTLY Af"flu*ent*ly, adv.
Defn: Abundantly; copiously.
AFFLUENTNESS Af*flu*ent*ness, n.
Defn: Great plenty. [R.]
AFFLUX Af"flux`, n. Etym: [L. affluxum, p. p. of affluere: cf. F. afflux. See Affluence.]
Defn: A flowing towards; that which flows to; as, an afflux of blood to the head.
AFFLUXION Af*flux"ion, n.
Defn: The act of flowing towards; afflux. Sir T. Browne.
AFFODILL Af"fo*dill, n.
Defn: Asphodel. [Obs.]
AFFORCE Af*force", v. t. Etym: [OF. afforcier, LL. affortiare; ad + fortiare, fr. L. fortis strong.]
Defn: To reënforce; to strengthen. Hallam.
AFFORCEMENT Af*force"ment, n. Etym: [OF.]
1. A fortress; a fortification for defense. [Obs.] Bailey.
2. A reënforcement; a strengthening. Hallam.
AFFORCIAMENT Af*for"ci*a*ment, n.
Defn: See Afforcement. [Obs.]
AFFORD Af*ford", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Afforded; p. pr. & vb. n. Affording.] Etym: [OE. aforthen, AS. gefor, for, to further, accomplish, afford, fr. for 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.
Defn: That may be afforded.
AFFORDMENT Af*ford"ment, n.
Defn: Anything given as a help; bestowal. [Obs.]
AFFOREST Af*for"est, v. t. Etym: [LL. afforestare; ad + forestare. See Forest.]
Defn: To convert into a forest; as, to afforest a tract of country.
AFFORESTATION Af*for`es*ta"tion, n.
Defn: The act of converting into forest or woodland. Blackstone.
AFFORMATIVE Af*form"a*tive, n.
Defn: An affix.
AFFRANCHISE Af*fran"chise, v. t. Etym: [F. affranchir; (L. ad) + franc free. See Franchise and Frank.]
Defn: To make free; to enfranchise. Johnson.
AFFRANCHISEMENT Af*fran"chise*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. affranchissement.]
Defn: The act of making free; enfranchisement. [R.]
AFFRAP Af*frap", v. t. & i. Etym: [Cf. It. affrappare, frappare, to cut, mince, F. frapper to strike. See Frap.]
Defn: To strike, or strike down. [Obs.] Spenser.
AFFRAY Af*fray", v. t. [p. p. Affrayed.] Etym: [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. Etym: [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)
Defn: 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.
Defn: One engaged in an affray.
AFFRAYMENT Af*fray"ment, n.
Defn: Affray. [Obs.] Spenser.
AFFREIGHT Af*freight", v. t. Etym: [Pref. ad- + freight: cf. F. affréter. See Freight.]
Defn: To hire, as a ship, for the transportation of goods or freight.
AFFREIGHTER Af*freight"er, n.
Defn: One who hires or charters a ship to convey goods.
AFFREIGHTMENT Af*freight"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. affrétement.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. It. affrettare to hasten, fretta haste.]
Defn: A furious onset or attack. [Obs.] Spenser.
AFFRICATE Af"fri*cate, n. [L. affricatus, p. p. of affricare to rub against; af- = ad- + fricare to rub.] (Phon.)
Defn: A combination of a stop, or explosive, with an immediately following fricative or spirant of corresponding organic position, as pf in german Pfeffer, pepper, z (= ts) in German Zeit, time.
AFFRICTION Af*fric"tion, n. Etym: [L. affricare to rub on. See Friction.]
Defn: The act of rubbing against. [Obs.]
AFFRIENDED Af*friend"ed, p. p.
Defn: Made friends; reconciled. [Obs.] "Deadly foes . . . affriended." Spenser.
AFFRIGHT Af*fright", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Affrighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Affrighting.] Etym: [Orig. p. p.; OE. afright, AS. afyrhtan to terrify; a- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + fyrhto fright. See Fright.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: With fright. Drayton.
AFFRIGHTEN Af*fright"en, v. t.
Defn: To frighten. [Archaic] "Fit tales . . . to affrighten babes." Southey.
AFFRIGHTER Af*fright"er, n.
Defn: One who frightens. [Archaic]
AFFRIGHTFUL Af*fright"ful, a.
Defn: Terrifying; frightful. -- Af*fright"ful*ly, adv. [Archaic] Bugbears or affrightful apparitions. Cudworth.
AFFRIGHTMENT Af*fright"ment, n.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [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 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. Etym: [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. 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.
AFFRONTE Af*fron*té", a. Etym: [F. affronté, p. p.] (Her.)
Defn: Face to face, or front to front; facing.
AFFRONTEDLY Af*front"ed*ly, adv.
Defn: Shamelessly. [Obs.] Bacon.
AFFRONTEE Af*fron*tee", n.
Defn: One who receives an affront. Lytton.
AFFRONTER Af*front"er, n.
Defn: One who affronts, or insults to the face.
AFFRONTINGLY Af*front"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In an affronting manner.
AFFRONTIVE Af*front"ive, a.
Defn: Tending to affront or offend; offensive; abusive. How affrontive it is to despise mercy. South.
AFFRONTIVENESS Af*front"ive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality that gives an affront or offense. [R.] Bailey.
AFFUSE Af*fuse", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Affused; p. pr. & vb. n. Affusing.] Etym: [L. affusus, p. p. of affundere to pour to; ad + fundere. See Fuse.]
Defn: To pour out or upon. [R.] I first affused water upon the compressed beans. Boyle.
AFFUSION Af*fu"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. affusion.]
Defn: The act of pouring upon, or sprinkling with a liquid, as water upon a child in baptism. Specifically: (Med)
Defn: 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.] Etym: [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.
Defn: To trust or confide. [Obs.] Shak.
AFGHAN Af"ghan, a.
Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [Pref. a- + fire.]
Defn: On fire.
AFLAME A*flame", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + flame.]
Defn: Inflames; glowing with light or passion; ablaze. G. Eliot.
AFLAT A*flat", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + flat.]
Defn: Level with the ground; flat. [Obs.] Bacon.
AFLAUNT A*flaunt", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + flaunt.]
Defn: In a flaunting state or position. Copley.
AFLICKER A*flick"er, adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + flicker.]
Defn: In a flickering state.
AFLOAT A*float", adv. & a. Etym: [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. Etym: [Pref. a- + flow.]
Defn: Flowing. Their founts aflow with tears. R. Browning.
AFLUSH A*flush", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + flush, n.]
Defn: In a flushed or blushing state.
AFLUSH A*flush", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + flush, a.]
Defn: On a level. The bank is . . . aflush with the sea. Swinburne.
AFLUTTER A*flut"ter, adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + flutter.]
Defn: In a flutter; agitated.
AFOAM A*foam", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + foam.]
Defn: In a foaming state; as, the sea is all afoam.
A. F. OF L. A. F. of L. (Abbrev.)
Defn: American Federation of Labor.
AFOOT A*foot", adv. Etym: [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. Etym: [OE. afore, aforn, AS. onforan or ætforan; pref. a- + fore.]
1. Before. [Obs.] If he have never drunk wine afore. Shak.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: In the fore part of a vessel.
AFORE A*fore", prep.
1. Before (in all its senses). [Archaic]
2. (Naut.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Named or quoted before.
AFOREGOING A*fore"go`ing, a.
Defn: Going before; foregoing.
AFOREHAND A*fore"hand` adv.
Defn: Beforehand; in anticipation. [Archaic or Dial.] She is come aforehand to anoint my body. Mark xiv. 8.
AFOREHAND A*fore"hand`, a.
Defn: Prepared; previously provided; -- opposed to behindhand. [Archaic or Dial.] Aforehand in all matters of power. Bacon.
AFOREMENTIONED A*fore"men`tioned, a.
Defn: Previously mentioned; before-mentioned. Addison.
AFORENAMED A*fore"named`, a.
Defn: Named before. Peacham.
AFORESAID A*fore"said`, a.
Defn: Said before, or in a preceding part; already described or identified.
AFORETHOUGHT A*fore"thought`, a.
Defn: Premeditated; prepense; previously in mind; designed; as, malice aforethought, which is required to constitute murder. Bouvier.
AFORETHOUGHT A*fore"thought`, n.
Defn: Premeditation.
AFORETIME A*fore"time`, adv.
Defn: In time past; formerly. "He prayed . . . as he did aforetime." Dan. vi. 10.
A FORTIORI A for`ti*o"ri. Etym: [L.] (Logic & Math.)
Defn: With stronger reason.
AFOUL A*foul", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + foul.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. afrayed, affraide, p. p. of afraien to affray. See Affray, and cf. Afeard.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Same as Afrit.
AFRESH A*fresh", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + fresh.]
Defn: Anew; again; once more; newly. They crucify . . . the Son of God afresh. Heb. vi. 6.
AFRIC Af"ric, a.
Defn: African. -- n.
Defn: Africa. [Poetic]
AFRICAN Af"ri*can, a. Etym: [L. Africus, Africanus, fr. Afer African.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Africa. African hemp, a fiber prerared 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 violet African-American, a United States citizen of African descent.
AFRICAN Af"ri*can, n.
Defn: A native of Africa; also one ethnologically belonging to an African race.
AFRICANDER Af`ri*can"der, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: To place under the domination of Africans or negroes. [Amer.] Bartlett.
AFRIT; AFRITE; AFREET Af"rit, Af"rite(#), Af"reet(#), n. Etym: [Arab. 'ifrit.] (Moham. Myth.)
Defn: A powerful evil jinnee, demon, or monstrous giant.
AFRONT A*front", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + front.]
Defn: In front; face to face. -- prep. In front of. Shak.
AFT Aft, adv. & a. Etym: [AS. æftan behind; orig. superl. of of, off. See After.] (Naut.)
Defn: Near or towards the stern of a vessel; astern; abaft.
AFTER Aft"er, a. Etym: [AS. æfter after, behind; akin to Goth. aftaro, aftra, backwards, Icel. aptr, Sw. and Dan. efter, OHG. aftar behind, Dutch and LG. achter, Gr. -ter is an old comparative suffix, in E. generally -ther (as in other), and after is a compar. of of, off. 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.)
Defn: 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 PhDryden.
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.
Defn: 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.)
Defn: The placenta and membranes with which the fetus is connected, and which come away after delivery.
AFTERCAST Aft"er*cast`, n.
Defn: A throw of dice after the game in ended; hence, anything done too late. Gower.
AFTERCLAP Aft"er*clap`, n.
Defn: An unexpected subsequent event; something disagreeable happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end. Spenser.
AFTERCROP Aft"er*crop`, n.
Defn: A second crop or harvest in the same year. Mortimer.
AFTER DAMP Aft"er damp`.
Defn: An irrespirable gas, remaining after an explosion of fire damp in mines; choke damp. See Carbonic acid.
AFTER-DINNER Aft"er-din`ner(#), n.
Defn: The time just after dinner. "An after-dinner's sleep." Shak. [Obs.] -- a.
Defn: Following dinner; post-prandial; as, an after-dinner nap.
AFTER-EATAGE Aft"er-eat`age(#), n.
Defn: Aftergrass.
AFTEREYE Aft"er*eye`, v. t.
Defn: To look after. [Poetic] Shak.
AFTERGAME Aft"er*game`, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: A glow of refulgence in the western sky after sunset.
AFTERGRASS Aft"er*grass`, n.
Defn: The grass that grows after the first crop has been mown; aftermath.
AFTERGROWTH Aft"er*growth`, n.
Defn: A second growth or crop, or (metaphorically) development. J. S. Mill.
AFTERGUARD Aft"er*guard`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: The last milk drawn in milking; strokings. [Obs.] Grose.
AFTERMATH Aft"er*math, n. Etym: [After + math. See Math.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Mentioned afterwards; as, persons after-mentioned (in a writing).
AFTERMOST Aft"er*most, a. superl. Etym: [OE. eftemest, AS. æftemest,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.)
Defn: Nearest the stern; most aft.
AFTERNOON Aft"er*noon", n.
Defn: The part of the day which follows noon, between noon and evening.
AFTER-NOTE Aft"er-note`(#), n. (Mus.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: The heel of a rudder.
AFTER-SAILS Aft"er-sails`(#), n. pl. (Naut.)
Defn: The sails on the mizzenmast, or on the stays between the mainmast and mizzenmast. Totten.
AFTERSENSATION Aft"er*sen*sa`tion, n. (Psychol.)
Defn: A sensation or sense impression following the removal of a stimulus producing a primary sensation, and reproducing the primary sensation in positive, negative, or complementary form. The aftersensation may be continuous with the primary sensation or follow it after an interval.
AFTERSHAFT Aft"er*shaft`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The hypoptilum.
AFTERTASTE Aft"er*taste`, n.
Defn: A taste which remains in the mouth after eating or drinking.
AFTERTHOUGHT Aft"er*thought`, n.
Defn: Reflection after an act; later or subsequent thought or expedient.
AFTERWARDS; AFTERWARD Aft"er*wards, Aft"er*ward, adv. Etym: [AS. æfteweard, a., behind. See Aft, and -ward (suffix). The final s in afterwards is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending.]
Defn: At a later or succeeding time.
AFTERWISE Aft"er*wise`, a.
Defn: Wise after the event; wise or knowing, when it is too late.
AFTER-WIT Aft"er-wit`, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Characterized by afterwit; slow-witted. Tyndale.
AFTMOST Aft"most, a. (Naut.)
Defn: Nearest the stern.
AFTWARD Aft"ward, adv. (Naut.)
Defn: Toward the stern.
AGA; AGHA A*ga" or A*gha", n. Etym: [Turk. adha a great lord, chief master.]
Defn: In Turkey, a commander or chief officer. It is used also as a title of respect.
AGAIN A*gain", adv. Etym: [OE. agein, agayn, AS. ongegn, ongeán, against, again; on + geán, 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; AGAINS A*gain", A*gains", prep.
Defn: Against; also, towards (in order to meet). [Obs.] Albeit that it is again his kind. Chaucer.
AGAINBUY A*gain"buy`, v. t.
Defn: To redeem. [Obs.] Wyclif.
AGAINSAY A*gain"say`, v. t.
Defn: To gainsay. [Obs.] Wyclif.
AGAINST A*gainst", prep. Etym: [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.
Defn: To withstand. [Obs.]
AGAINWARD A*gain"ward, adv.
Defn: Back again. [Obs.]
AGALACTIA; AGALAXY Ag`a*lac"ti*a, Ag"a*lax`y, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Failure of the due secretion of milk after childbirth.
AGALACTOUS Ag`a*lac"tous, a.
Defn: Lacking milk to suckle with.
AGAL-AGAL A`gal-a"gal, n.
Defn: Same as Agar-agar.
AGALLOCH; AGALLOCHUM Ag"al*loch, A*gal"lo*chum, n. Etym: [Gr. aguru, Heb. pl. ahalim.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. -lite: cf. F. agalmatolithe.] (Min.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [From the Caribbean name of a species of lizard.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. agex, fr. the native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.
Defn: In an agamic manner.
AGAMIST Ag"a*mist, n. Etym: [See Agamous.]
Defn: An unmarried person; also, one opposed to marriage. Foxe.
AGAMOGENESIS Ag`a*mo*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Reproduction without the union of parents of distinct sexes: asexual reproduction.
AGAMOGENETIC Ag`a*mo*ge*net"ic, n. (Biol.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Having no visible sexual organs; asexual. In Bot., cryptogamous.
AGANGLIONIC A*gan`gli*o"nic, a. Etym: [Pref. a- not + ganglionic.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Without ganglia.
AGAPE A*gape", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + gape.]
Defn: Gaping, as with wonder, expectation, or eager attention. Dazzles the crowd and sets them all agape. Milton.
AGAPE Ag"a*pe, n.; pl. Agapæ. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The love feast of the primitive Christians, being a meal partaken of in connection with the communion.
AGAR-AGAR A`gar-a"gar, n. Etym: [Ceylonese local name.]
Defn: A fucus or seaweed much used in the East for soups and jellies; Ceylon moss (Gracilaria lichenoides).
AGARIC Ag"a*ric, n. Etym: [L. agaricum, Gr. Agara, a town in Sarmatia.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A fungus of the genus Agaricus, of many species, of which the common mushroom is an example.
2. An old name for severwal species of Polyporus, corky fungi growing on decaying wood.
Note: The "female agaric" (Polyporus officinalic) was renowned as a cathartic; the "male agaric" (Polyporus igniarius) is used for preparing touchwood, called punk of 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. Etym: [. a- + gasp.]
Defn: In a state of gasping. Coleridge.
AGAST A*gast", p. p. & a.
Defn: See Aghast.
AGAST; AGHAST A*gast" or A*ghast", v. t.
Defn: To affright; to terrify. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
AGASTRIC A*gas"tric, a. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: Having to stomach, or distinct digestive canal, as the tapeworm.
AGATE A*gate", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- on + gate way.]
Defn: On the way; agoing; as, to be agate; to set the bells agate. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
AGATE Ag"ate, n. Etym: [F. agate, It. agata, L. achates, fr. Gr.
1. (Min.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Agate + -ferous.]
Defn: Containing or producing agates. Craig.
AGATINE Ag"a*tine, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or like, agate.
AGATIZE Ag"a*tize, v. t. Etym: [Usually p. p. Agatized(#).]
Defn: To convert into agate; to make resemble agate. Dana.
AGATY Ag"a*ty, a.
Defn: Of the nature of agate, or containing agate.
AGAVE A*ga"ve, n. Etym: [L. Agave, prop. name, fr. Gr. (bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants (order Amaryllidaceæ) 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. Etym: [Only in p. p.; another spelling for aghast.]
Defn: Gazing with astonishment; amazed. [Obs.] The whole army stood agazed on him. Shak.
AGE Age, n. Etym: [OF. aage, eage, F. âge, 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. 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 Archæan, 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.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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. Having a certain age; at the age of; having lived; as, a man aged forty years.
AGEDLY A"ged*ly, adv.
Defn: In the manner of an aged person.
AGEDNESS A"ged*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being aged; oldness. Custom without truth is but agedness of error. Milton.
AGELESS Age"less, a.
Defn: Without old age limits of duration; as, fountains of ageless youth.
AGEN A*gen", adv. & prep.
Defn: See Again. [Obs.]
AGENCY A"gen*cy, n.; pl. Agencies. Etym: [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.
Defn: See Agendum. [Obs.]
AGENDUM A*gen"dum, n.; pl. Agenda. Etym: [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. Etym: [See Agensis.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Characterized by sterility; infecund.
AGENESIS A*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: Any imperfect development of the body, or any anomaly of organization.
AGENNESIS Ag`en*ne"sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: Impotence; sterility.
AGENT A"gent, a. Etym: [L. agens, agentis, p. pr. of agere to act; akin to Gr. aka to drive, Skr. aj.
Defn: Actingpatient, 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to an agent or an agency. Fitzed. Hall.
AGENTSHIP A"gent*ship, n.
Defn: Agency. Beau. & Fl.
AGERATUM A*ger"a*tum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants, one species of which (A. Mexicanum) has lavender-blue flowers in dense clusters.
AGGENERATION Ag*gen`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. aggenerare to beget in addition. See Generate.]
Defn: The act of producing in addition. [Obs.] T. Stanley.
AGGER Ag"ger, n. Etym: [L., a mound, fr. aggerere to bear to a place, heap up; ad + gerere to bear.]
Defn: An earthwork; a mound; a raised work. [Obs.] Hearne.
AGGERATE Ag"ger*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. aggeratus, p. p. of aggerare. See Agger.]
Defn: To heap up. [Obs.] Foxe.
AGGERATION Ag`ger*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. aggeratio.]
Defn: A heaping up; accumulation; as, aggerations of sand. [R.]
AGGEROSE Ag`ger*ose", a.
Defn: In heaps; full of heaps.
AGGEST Ag*gest", v. t. Etym: [L. aggestus, p. p. of aggerere. See Agger.]
Defn: 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.] Etym: [L. agglomeratus, p. p. of agglomerare; ad + glomerare to form into a ball. See Glomerate.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: To collect in a mass.
AGGLOMERATE Ag*glom"er*ate, n.
1. A collection or mass.
2. (Geol.)
Defn: A mass of angular volcanic fragments united by heat; -- distinguished from conglomerate.
AGGLOMERATE; AGGLOMERATED Ag*glom"er*ate, Ag*glom"er*a`ted, a.
1. Collected into a ball, heap, or mass.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Collected into a rounded head of flowers.
AGGLOMERATION Ag*glom`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. agglomération.]
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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. agglutinans, -antis, p. pr. of agglutinare.]
Defn: Uniting, as glue; causing, or tending to cause, adhesion. -- n.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [L. agglutinatus, p. p. of agglutinare to glue or cement to a thing; ad + glutinare to glue; gluten glue. See Glue.]
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. agglutinatif.]
1. Pertaining to agglutination; tending to unite, or having power to cause adhesion; adhesive.
2. (Philol.)
Defn: 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 Müller.
AGGRACE Ag*grace", v. t. Etym: [Pref. a- + grace: cf. It. aggraziare, LL. aggratiare. See Grace.]
Defn: To favor; to grace. [Obs.] "That knight so much aggraced." Spenser.
AGGRACE Ag*grace", n.
Defn: Grace; favor. [Obs.] Spenser.
AGGRADE Ag*grade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aggraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrading.] (Phys. Geog.)
Defn: To bring, or tend to bring, to a uniform grade, or slope, by addition of material; as, streams aggrade their beds by depositing sediment.
AGGRANDIZABLE Ag"gran*di"za*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being aggrandized.
AGGRANDIZATION Ag*gran`di*za"tion, n.
Defn: Aggrandizement. [Obs.] Waterhouse.
AGGRANDIZE Ag"gran*dize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aggrandized; p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrandizing.] Etym: [F. agrandir; à (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.
Defn: To increase or become great. [Obs.] Follies, continued till old age, do aggrandize. J. Hall.
AGGRANDIZEMENT Ag*gran"dize*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. agrandissement.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who aggrandizes, or makes great.
AGGRATE Ag*grate", v. t. Etym: [It. aggratare, fr. L. ad + gratus pleasing. See Grate, a.]
Defn: 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.] Etym: [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 prisioner'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.
Defn: In an aggravating manner.
AGGRAVATION Ag`gra*va"tion, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: Tending to aggravate. Ag*gres"sive*ly, adv. -- Ag*gres"sive*ness, n. No aggressive movement was made. Macaulay.
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. (Zoöl.) United into a common organized mass; -- said of certain compound animals.
Corporation aggregate. (Law) See under Corporation.
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, n.
1. A mass, assemblage, or sum of particulars; as, a house is an aggregate of stone, brick, timber, etc.
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.
Defn: Collectively; in mass.
AGGREGATION Ag`gre*ga"tion, n. [Cf. LL. aggregatio, F. agrégation.]
Defn: 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. agrégatif.]
1. Taken together; collective.
2. Gregarious; social. [R.] Carlyle.
AGGREGATOR Ag"gre*ga`tor, n.
Defn: One who aggregates.
AGGREGE Ag*grege", v. t. [OF. agreger. See Aggravate.]
Defn: 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.]
Defn: To commit the first act of hostility or offense; to begin a quarrel or controversy; to make an attack; -- with on.
AGGRESS Ag*gress", n. [L. aggressus.]
Defn: Aggression. [Obs.]
Their military aggresses on others. Sir M. Hale.
AGGRESS Ag*gress", v. t.
Defn: To set upon; to attack. [R.]
AGGRESSION Ag*gres"sion, n. [L. aggressio, fr. aggredi: cf. F. agression.]
Defn: 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.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L.: cf. F. agresseur.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [OF. agrevance, fr. agrever. See Aggrieve.]
Defn: Oppression; hardship; injury; grievance. [Archaic]
AGGRIEVE Ag*grieve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aggrieved; p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrieving.] Etym: [OE. agreven, OF. agrever; a (L. ad) + grever to burden, injure, L. gravare to weigh down, fr. gravis heavy. See Grieve, and cf. Aggravate.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: To grieve; to lament. [Obs.]
AGGROUP Ag*group", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aggrouped; p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrouping.] Etym: [F. agrouper; à (L. ad) + groupe group. See Group..]
Defn: To bring together in a group; to group. Dryden.
AGGROUPMENT Ag*group"ment, n.
Defn: Arrangement in a group or in groups; grouping.
AGGRY; AGGRI Ag"gry, Ag"gri, a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Agast, v. t. [Obs.]
AGHAST A*ghast", a & p. p. Etym: [OE. agast, agasted, p. p. of agasten to terrify, fr. AS. pref. a- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + g 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.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. LL. agibilis, fr. L. agere to move, do.]
Defn: Possible to be done; practicable. [Obs.] "Fit for agible things." Sir A. Sherley.
AGILE Ag"ile, a. Etym: [F. agile, L. agilis, fr. agere to move. See Agent.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: In an agile manner; nimbly.
AGILENESS Ag"ile*ness, n.
Defn: Agility; nimbleness. [R.]
AGILITY A*gil"i*ty, n. Etym: [F. agilié, 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. Etym: [It. aggio exchange, discount, premium, the same word as agio ease. See Ease.] (Com.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. agiotage, fr. agioter to practice stockjobbing, fr. agio.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [OF. agister; à (L. ad) + gister to assign a lodging, fr. giste lodging, abode, F. gîte, LL. gistum, gista, fr. L. jacitum, p. p. of jac to lie: cf. LL. agistare, adgistare. See Gist.] (Law)
Defn: 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. Etym: [LL.]
Defn: See Agister.
AGISTER; AGISTOR A*gist"er, A*gist"or, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [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. Etym: [L. agitabilis: cf. F. agitable.]
Defn: Capable of being agitated, or easily moved. [R.]
AGITATE Ag"i*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Agitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Agitating.] Etym: [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.
Defn: In an agitated manner.
AGITATION Ag`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: Tending to agitate.
AGITATO A`gi*ta"to, a. Etym: [It., agitated.] (Med.)
Defn: Sung or played in a restless, hurried, and spasmodic manner.
AGITATOR Ag"i*ta`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
1. One who agitates; one who stirs up or excites others; as, political reformers and agitators.
2. (Eng. Hist.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + gleam.]
Defn: Gleaming; as, faces agleam. Lowell.
AGLET; AIGLET Ag"let, Aig"let, n. Etym: [F. aiguillette point, tagged point, dim. of aiguilee needle, fr. LL. acucula for acicula, dim. of L. acus needle, pinagleter 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)
Defn: A round white staylace. Beck.
AGLEY A*gley", adv.
Defn: Aside; askew. [Scotch] Burns.
AGLIMMER A*glim"mer, adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + glimmer.]
Defn: In a glimmering state. Hawthorne.
AGLITTER A*glit"ter, adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + glitter.]
Defn: Clittering; in a glitter.
AGLOSSAL A*glos"sal, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Without tongue; tongueless.
AGLOW A*glow", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + glow.]
Defn: In a glow; glowing; as, cheeks aglow; the landscape all aglow.
AGLUTITION Ag`lu*ti"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. a- not + L. glutire to swallow.] (Med.)
Defn: Inability to swallow.
AGMINAL Ag"mi*nal, a. Etym: [L. agminalis; agmen, agminis, a train.]
Defn: Pertaining to an army marching, or to a train. [R.]
AGMINATE; AGMINATED Ag"mi*nate, Ag"mi*na`ted, a. Etym: [L. agmen, agminis, a train, crowd.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Grouped together; as, the agminated glands of Peyer in the small intestine.
AGNAIL Ag"nail, n. Etym: [AS. angnægl; ange vexation, trouble + nægel 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [Cf. F. agnat.] (Civil Law)
Defn: A relative whose relationship can be traced exclusively through males.
AGNATIC Ag*nat"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. agnatique.]
Defn: Pertaining to descent by the male line of ancestors. "The agnatic succession." Blackstone.
AGNATION Ag*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. agnatio: cf. F. agnation.]
1. (Civil Law)
Defn: Consanguinity by a line of males only, as distinguished from cognation. Bouvier.
AGNITION Ag*ni"tion, n. Etym: [L. agnitio, fr. agnoscere. See Notion.]
Defn: Acknowledgment. [Obs.] Grafton.
AGNIZE Ag*nize", v. t. Etym: [Formed like recognize, fr. L. agnoscere.]
Defn: To recognize; to acknowledge. [Archaic] I do agnize a natural and prompt alacrity. Shak.
AGNOIOLOGY Ag`noi*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.] (Metaph.)
Defn: The doctrine concerning those things of which we are necessarily ignorant.
AGNOMEN Ag*no"men, n. Etym: [L.; ad + nomen name.]
1. An additional or fourth name given by the Romans, or 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, v. t.
Defn: To name. [Obs.]
AGNOMINATION Ag*nom`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. agnominatio. See Agnomen.]
1. A surname. [R.] Minsheu.
2. Paronomasia; also, alliteration; annomination.
AGNOSTIC Ag*nos"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Professing ignorance; involving no dogmatic; pertaining to or involving agnosticism. -- Ag*nos"tic*al*ly, adv.
AGNOSTIC Ag*nos"tic, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: That doctrine which, professing ignorance, neither asserts nor denies. Specifically: (Theol.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L., a lamb.]
Defn: Agnus Dei.
AGNUS CASTUS Ag"nus cas"tus. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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."
AGNUS SCYTHICUS Ag"nus Scyth"i*cus. [L., Scythian lamb.] (Bot.)
Defn: The Scythian lamb, a kind of woolly-skinned rootstock. See Barometz.
AGO A*go", a. & adv. Etym: [OE. ago, agon, p. p. of agon to go away, pass by, AS. agan to pass away; a- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + gan to go. See Go.]
Defn: Past; gone by; since; as, ten years ago; gone long ago.
AGOG A*gog", a. & adv. Etym: [Cf. F. gogue fun, perhaps of Celtic origin.]
Defn: In eager desire; eager; astir. All agog to dash through thick and thin. Cowper.
AGOING A*go"ing, adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + p. pr. of go.]
Defn: In motion; in the act of going; as, to set a mill agoing.
AGON Ag"on, n.; pl. Agones. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: A contest for a prize at the public games.
AGONE A*gone", a. & adv.
Defn: Ago. [Archaic. & Poet.] Three days agone I fell sick. 1 Sam. xxx. 13.
AGONE A"gone, n. Etym: [See Agonic.]
Defn: Agonic line.
AGONIC A*gon"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. Agon.]
Defn: Contention for a prize; a contest. [Obs.] Blount.
AGONIST Ag"o*nist, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: One who contends for the prize in public games. [R.]
AGONISTIC; AGONISTICAL Ag`o*nis"tic, Ag`o*nis"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. Agonism.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: In an agonistic manner.
AGONISTICS Ag`o*nis"tics, n.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [F. agoniser, LL. agonizare, fr. Gr. 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: With extreme anguish or desperate struggles.
AGONOTHETE Ag"o*no*thete`, n. Etym: [Gr. [Antiq.]
Defn: An officer who presided over the great public games in Greece.
AGONOTHETIC Ag`o*no*thet"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to the office of an agonothete.
AGONY Ag"o*ny, n.; pl. Agonies. Etym: [L. agonia, Gr. agonie. See Agon.]Etym:
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. -- 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.
A-GOOD A-good(#), adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + good.]
Defn: In earnest; heartily. [Obs.] "I made her weep agood." Shak.
AGOOD A*good(a*good"), adv. [Pref. a-+ good.]
Defn: In earnest; heartily. [Obs.] "I made her weep agood." Shak.
AGORA Ag"o*ra, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: An assembly; hence, the place of assembly, especially the market place, in an ancient Greek city.
AGOUARA A*gou"a*ra, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus), found in the tropical parts of America.
AGOUTA A*gou"ta, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small insectivorous mammal (Solenodon paradoxus), allied to the moles, found only in Hayti.
AGOUTI; AGOUTY A*gou"ti, A*gou"ty, n. Etym: [F. agouti, acouti, Sp. aguti, fr. native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Aggrace. [Obs.]
AGRAFFE A*graffe", n. Etym: [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. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A illiterate person. [Obs.] Bailey.
AGRAPHIA A*graph"i*a, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The absence or loss of the power of expressing ideas by written signs. It is one form of aphasia.
AGRAPHIC A*graph"ic, a.
Defn: Characterized by agraphia.
AGRAPPES A*grappes", n. pl. Etym: [OF. agrappe, F. agrafe; a + grappe (see Grape) fr. OHG. krapfo hook.]
Defn: Hooks and eyes for armor, etc. Fairholt.
AGRARIAN A*gra"ri*an, a. Etym: [L. agrarius, fr. ager field.]
1. Pertaining to fields, or lands, or their tenure; esp., relating to am 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.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: To distribute according to, or to imbue with, the principles of agrarianism.
AGRE; AGREE A*gre", A*gree", adv. Etym: [F. à gré. See Agree.]
Defn: In good part; kindly. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
AGREE A*gree", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Agreed; p. pr. & vb. n. Agreeing.] Etym: [F. agréer to accept or receive kindly, fr. à gré; à (L. ad) + gré 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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [F. agréable.]
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.
Defn: In an agreeing manner (to); correspondingly; agreeably. [Obs.]
AGREEMENT A*gree"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. agrément.]
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.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who agrees.
AGRESTIC A*gres"tic, a. Etym: [L. agrestis, fr. ager field.]
Defn: Pertaining to fields or the country, in opposition to the city; rural; rustic; unpolished; uncouth. "Agrestic behavior." Gregory.
AGRESTICAL A*gres"tic*al, a.
Defn: Agrestic. [Obs.]
AGRICOLATION A*gric`o*la"tion, n. Etym: [L., agricolatio.]
Defn: Agriculture. [Obs.] Bailey.
AGRICOLIST A*gric"o*list, n.
Defn: A cultivator of the soil; an agriculturist. Dodsley.
AGRICULTOR Ag"ri*cul`tor, n. Etym: [L., fr. ager field + cultor cultivator.]
Defn: An agriculturist; a farmer. [R.]
AGRICULTURAL Ag`ri*cul"tur*al, a.
Defn: 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 (Zoöl.), 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.
Defn: An agriculturist (which is the preferred form.)
AGRICULTURE Ag"ri*cul`ture, n. Etym: [L. agricultura; ager field + cultura cultivation: cf. F. agriculture. See Acre and Culture.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Agriculture. [R.]
AGRICULTURIST Ag`ri*cul"tur*ist, n.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + grief.]
Defn: In grief; amiss. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AGRIMONY Ag"ri*mo*ny, n. Etym: [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", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + grin.]
Defn: In the act of grinning. "His visage all agrin." Tennyson.
AGRIOLOGIST Ag`ri*ol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One versed or engaged in agriology.
AGRIOLOGY Ag`ri*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: Description or comparative study of the customs of savage or uncivilized tribes.
AGRISE A*grise", v. i. Etym: [AS. agrisan to dread; a- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + grisan, for gr (only in comp.), akin to OHG. gr, G. grausen, to shudder. See Grisly.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Native name.] (Med.)
Defn: A disease occurring in Bengal and other parts of the East Indies, in which the tongue chaps and cleaves.
AGRONOMIC; AGRONOMICAL Ag`ro*nom"ic, Ag`ro*nom"ic*al, Etym: [Cf. F. agronomique.]
Defn: Pertaining to agronomy, of the management of farms.
AGRONOMICS Ag`ro*nom"ics, n.
Defn: The science of the distribution and management of land.
AGRONOMIST A*gron"o*mist, n.
Defn: One versed in agronomy; a student of agronomy.
AGRONOMY A*gron"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. agronomie.]
Defn: The management of land; rural economy; agriculture.
AGROPE A*grope", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + grope.]
Defn: In the act of groping. Mrs. Browning.
AGROSTIS A*gros"tis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
Defn: A genus of grasses, including species called in common language bent grass. Some of them, as redtop (Agrostis vulgaris), are valuable pasture grasses.
AGROSTOGRAPHIC; AGROSTOGRAPHICAL A*gros`to*graph"ic, A*gros`to*graph"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. agrostographique.]
Defn: Pertaining to agrostography.
AGROSTOGRAPHY Ag`ros*tog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]
Defn: A description of the grasses.
AGROSTOLOGIC; AGROSTOLOGICAL A*gros`to*log"ic, A*gros`to*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to agrostology.
AGROSTOLOGIST Ag`ros*tol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One skilled in agrostology.
AGROSTOLOGY Ag`ros*tol"ogy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: That part of botany which treats of the grasses.
AGROTECHNY Ag"ro*tech`ny, n. [Gr. field, land + an art.]
Defn: That branch of agriculture dealing with the methods of conversion of agricultural products into manufactured articles; agricultural technology.
AGROUND A*ground", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + ground.]
Defn: On the ground; stranded; -- a nautical term applied to a ship when its bottom lodges on the ground. Totten.
AGROUPMENT A*group"ment, n.
Defn: See Aggroupment.
AGRYPNOTIC Ag`ryp*not"ic, n. Etym: [Gr. agrypnotique.]
Defn: Anything which prevents sleep, or produces wakefulness, as strong tea or coffee.
AGUARDIENTE A`guar*di*en"te, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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.]
Defn: To strike with an ague, or with a cold fit. Heywood.
AGUILT A*guilt", v. t.
Defn: To be guilty of; to offend; to sin against; to wrong. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AGUISE A*guise", n.
Defn: Dress. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
AGUISE A*guise", v. t. Etym: [Pref a- + guise.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + gush.]
Defn: In a gushing state. Hawthorne.
AGYNOUS Ag"y*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Without female organs; male.
AH Ah, interj. Etym: [OE. a: cf. OF. a, F. ah, L. ah, Gr. a, Icel. æ, OHG. a, Lith. á, á\'a0.]
Defn: An exclamation, expressive of surprise, pity, complaint, entreaty, contempt, threatening, delight, triumph, etc., according to the manner of utterance.
AHA A*ha", interj. Etym: [Ah, interj. + ha.]
Defn: An exclamation expressing, by different intonations, triumph, mixed with derision or irony, or simple surprise.
AHA A*ha", n.
Defn: A sunk fence. See Ha-ha. Mason.
AHEAD A*head", adv. Etym: [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. Etym: [Pref. a- + heap.]
Defn: In a heap; huddled together. Hood.
AHEIGHT A*height", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + height.]
Defn: Aloft; on high. [Obs.] "Look up aheight." Shak.
AHEM A*hem", interj.
Defn: An exclamation to call one's attention; hem.
AHEY A*hey", interj.
Defn: Hey; ho.
AHIGH A*high", adv.
Defn: On high. [Obs.] Shak.
AHOLD A*hold", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + hold.]
Defn: Near the wind; as, to lay a ship ahold. [Obs.] Shak.
AHORSEBACK A*horse"back, adv.
Defn: On horseback. Two suspicious fellows ahorseback. Smollet.
AHOY A*hoy", interj. Etym: [OE. a, interj. + hoy.] (Naut.)
Defn: A term used in hailing; as, "Ship ahoy."
AHRIMAN Ah"ri*man, n. Etym: [Per.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Asiatic gazelle.
AHULL A*hull", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + hull.] (Naut.)
Defn: With the sails furled, and the helm lashed alee; -- applied to ships in a storm. See Hull, n.
AHUNGERED A*hun"gered, a. Etym: [Pref. a- + hungered.]
Defn: Pinched with hunger; very hungry. C. Bronté.
AI A"i, n.; pl. Ais. Etym: [Braz. aï, haï, from the animal's cry: cf. F. aï.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) of South America. See Sloth.
AIBLINS; ABLINS Ai"blins, A"blins, adv. Etym: [See Able.]
Defn: Perhaps; possibly. [Scotch] Burns.
AICH'S METAL Aich's met"al.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [F. aider, OF. aidier, fr. L. adjutare to help, freq. of adjuvare to help; ad + juvare to help. Cf. Adjutant.]
Defn: To support, either by furnishing strength or means in coöperation 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; coöperate; promote. See Help.
AID Aid, n. Etym: [F. aide, OF. aïde, aïe, 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.)
Defn: A subsidy granted to the king by Parliament; also, an exchequer loan.
4. (Feudal Law)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. OF. aidance.]
Defn: Aid. [R.] Aidance 'gainst the enemy. Shak.
AIDANT Aid"ant, a. Etym: [Cf. F. aidant, p. pr. of aider to help.]
Defn: Helping; helpful; supplying aid. Shak.
AID-DE-CAMP Aid"-de-camp`, n.; pl. Aids-de-camp.. Etym: [F. aide de camp (literally) camp assistant.] (Mil.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who, or that which, aids.
AIDFUL Aid"ful, a.
Defn: Helpful. [Archaic.] Bp. Hall.
AIDLESS Aid"less, a.
Defn: Helpless; without aid. Milton.
AID-MAJOR Aid"-ma`jor, n.
Defn: The adjutant of a regiment.
AIEL Ai"el, n.
Defn: See Ayle. [Obs.]
AIGLET Aig"let, n.
Defn: Same as Aglet.
AIGRE Ai"gre, a. Etym: [F. See Eager.]
Defn: Sour. [Obs.] Shak.
AIGREMORE Ai"gre*more, n. Etym: [F. origin unknown.]
Defn: Charcoal prepared for making powder.
AIGRET; AIGRETTE Ai"gret, Ai*grette, n. Etym: [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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A feathery crown of seed; egret; as, the aigrette or down of the dandelion or the thistle.
AIGUILLE Ai`guille", n. Etym: [F., a needle. See Aglet.]
1. A needle-shaped peak.
2. An instrument for boring holes, used in blasting.
AIGUILLETTE Ai`guil*lette", n. Etym: [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.
Defn: See Aglet. Spenser.
AIL Ail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ailing.] Etym: [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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Indisposition or morbid affection. Pope.
AILANTHUS Ai*lan"thus, n.
Defn: Same as Ailantus.
AILANTUS Ai*lan"tus, n. Etym: [From aylanto, i. e., tree of heaven, the name of the tree in the Moluccas.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of beautiful trees, natives of the East Indies. The tree imperfectly di
AILERON Ai"le*ron, n. [F., dim. of aile wing.]
1.
Defn: A half gable, as at the end of a penthouse or of the aisle of a church.
2. (Aëronautics) A small plane or surface capable of being manipulated by the pilot of a flying machine to preserve or destroy lateral balance; a hinged wing tip; a lateral stabilizing or balancing plane.
AILETTE Ai*lette, n. Etym: [F. ailette, dim. of aile wing, L. ala.]
Defn: A small square shield, formerly worn on the shoulders of knights, -- being the prototype of the modern epaulet. Fairholt.
AILMENT Ail"ment, n.
Defn: Indisposition; morbid affection of the body; -- not applied ordinarily to acute diseases. "Little ailments." Landsdowne.
AILUROIDEA Ai`lu*roid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.] Etym: [OE. amen, aimen, eimen, to guess at, to estimate, to aim, OF. esmer, asmer, fr. L. aestimare to estimate; or perh. fr. OF. aesmer; 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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.
Defn: One who aims, directs, or points.
AIMLESS Aim"less, a.
Defn: Without aim or purpose; as, an aimless life. -- Aim"less*ly, adv. -- Aim"less*ness, n.
AINO Ai"no, n. Etym: [Said to be the native name for man.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: A contraction for are not and am not; also used for is not. [Colloq. or llliterate speech]. See An't.
AIR Air, n. Etym: [OE. air, eir, F. air, L. aër, fr. Gr. 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, 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. Macaulay . [Air and fire being the finer and quicker elements as opposed to earth and water.]
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 aëriform 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.
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aired; p. pr. & vb. n. Airing.] Etym: [See Air, n., and cf. A.]
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`.
Defn: A sack or matters inflated with air, and used as a bed.
AIR BLADDER Air" blad`der.
1. (Anat.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A railway brake operated by condensed air. Knight.
AIR BRUSH Air brush.
Defn: A kind of atomizer for applying liquid coloring matter in a spray by compressed air.
AIR-BUILT Air"-built`, a.
Defn: Erected in the air; having no solid foundation; chimerical; as, an air-built castle.
AIR CELL Air" cell`.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A cavity in the cellular tissue of plants, containing air only.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: 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`.
Defn: A faucet to allow escape of air.
AIR COOLING Air cooling.
Defn: In gasoline-engine motor vehicles, the cooling of the cylinder by increasing its radiating surface by means of ribs or radiators, and placing it so that it is exposed to a current of air. Cf. Water cooling. -- Air"-cooled`, a.
AIRCRAFT Air"craft`, n. sing. & pl.
Defn: Any device, as a balloon, aëroplane, etc., for floating in, or flying through, the air.
AIR-DRAWN Air"-drawn", a.
Defn: Drawn in air; imaginary. This is the air-drawn dagger. Shak.
AIR DRILL Air" drill`.
Defn: A drill driven by the elastic pressure of condensed air; a pneumatic drill. Knight.
AIR ENGINE Air" engine`.
Defn: 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 GAP Air gap. (Physics)
Defn: An air-filled gap in a magnetic or electric circuit; specif., in a dynamo or motor, the space between the field-magnet poles and the armature; clearance.
AIR GAS Air" gas`.
Defn: See under Gas.
AIR GUN Air" gun`.
Defn: 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`.
1. A hole to admit or discharge air; specifically, a spot in the ice not frozen over.
2. (Founding)
Defn: A fault in a casting, produced by a bubble of air; a blowhole.
AIRILY Air"i*ly, adv.
Defn: In an airy manner; lightly; gaily; jauntily; fippantly.
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, 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.
Defn: A jacket having air-tight cells, or cavities which can be filled with air, to render persons buoyant in swimming.
AIRLESS Air"less, a.
Defn: Not open to a free current of air; wanting fresh air, or communication with the open air.
AIR LEVEL Air" lev`el.
Defn: Spirit level. See Level.
AIRLIKE Air"like`, a.
Defn: Resembling air.
AIR LINE Air line.
Defn: A path through the air made easy for aërial navigation by steady winds.
AIRLING Air"ling, n.
Defn: A thoughtless, gay person. [Obs.] "Slight airlings." B. Jonson.
AIRMAN Air"man, n.
Defn: A man who ascends or flies in an aircraft; a flying machine pilot.
AIRMANSHIP Air"man*ship, n.
Defn: Art, skill, or ability in the practice of aërial navigation.
AIROL Air"ol, n. (Pharm.)
Defn: A grayish green antiseptic powder, consisting of a basic iodide and gallate of bismuth, sometimes used in place of iodoform. [A Trademark]
AIROMETER Air*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [Air + -meter.]
Defn: 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`.
Defn: A pipe for the passage of air; esp. a ventilating pipe.
AIR PLANT Air" plant`. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant deriving its sustenance from the air alone; an aërophyte.
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`. Etym: [See Poise.]
Defn: A
AIR PUMP Air" pump`.
1. (Physics)
Defn: A kind of pump for exhausting air from a vessel or closed space; also, a pump to condense air of force in into a closed space.
2. (Steam Engines)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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`.
Defn: A passage, usually vertical, for admitting fresh air into a mine or a tunnel.
AIRSICK Air`sick`, a.
Defn: Affected with aërial sickness. -- Air"sick`ness, n.
AIR-SLACKED Air"-slacked`, a.
Defn: Slacked, or pulverized, by exposure to the air; as, air-slacked lime.
AIR STOVE Air" stove`.
Defn: 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.
Defn: So tight as to be impermeable to air; as, an air-tight cylinder.
AIR-TIGHT Air"-tight`, n.
Defn: A stove the draft of which can be almost entirely shut off. [Colloq. U. S.]
AIR VESSEL Air" ves`sel.
Defn: 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 tracheæ, of plants spiral vessels.
AIRWARD; AIRWARDS Air"ward, Air"wards, adv.
Defn: Toward the air; upward. [R.] Keats.
AIRWOMAN Air"wom`an, n.
Defn: A woman who ascends or flies in an aircraft.
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; aërial; 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.)
Defn: Having the light and aërial tints true to nature. Elmes.
AISLE Aisle, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: Furnished with an aisle or aisles.
AISLESS Ais"less, a.
Defn: Without an aisle.
AIT Ait, n. Etym: [AS. ieg, ig, island. See Eyot.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Oat. [Scot.] Burns.
AITCH Aitch, n.
Defn: The letter h or H.
AITCHBONE Aitch"bone`, n. Etym: [For nachebone. For loss of n, cf. Adder. See Natch.]
Defn: The bone of the rump; also, the cut of beef surrounding this bone. [Spelt also edgebone.]
AITIOLOGY Ai`ti*ol"o*gy, n.
Defn: See Ætiology.
AJAR A*jar", adv. Etym: [OE. on char ajar, on the turn; AS. cerr, cyrr, turn, akin to G. kehren to turn, and to D. akerre. See Char.]
Defn: Slightly turned or opened; as, the door was standing ajar.
AJAR A*jar", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + jar.]
Defn: In a state of discord; out of harmony; as, he is ajar with the world.
AJAVA Aj"a*va, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Ajouan.
AJOG A*jog", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + jog.]
Defn: On the jog.
AJOUAN; AJOWAN Aj"ou*an Aj"ow*an, n. [Written also ajwain.] [Prob. native name.] (Bot.)
Defn: The fruit of Ammi Copticum, syn. Carum Ajowan, used both as a medicine and as a condiment. An oil containing thymol is extracted from it. Called also Javanee seed, Javanese seed, and ajava.
AJUTAGE Aj"u*tage, n. Etym: [F. ajutage, for ajoutage, fr. ajouter to add, LL. adjuxtare, fr. L. ad + juxta near to, nigh. Cf. Adjutage, Adjustage, Adjust.]
Defn: A tube through which is water is discharged; an efflux tube; as, the ajutage of a fountain.
AKE Ake, n. & v.
Defn: See Ache.
AKENE A*kene", n. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Achene.
AKETON Ak"e*ton, n. [Obs.]
Defn: See Acton.
AKIMBO A*kim"bo, a. Etym: [Etymology unknown. Cf. Kimbo.]
Defn: With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward. "With one arm akimbo." Irving.
AKIN A*kin", a. Etym: [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. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Paralysis of the motor nerves; loss of movement. Foster.
AKINESIC Ak`i*ne"sic, a. (med.)
Defn: Pertaining to akinesia.
AKNEE A*knee", adv.
Defn: On the knee. [R.] Southey.
AKNOW Ak*now".
Defn: Earlier form of Acknow. [Obs.] To be aknow, to acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.]
AL Al, a.
Defn: All. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AL- Al-. A prefix. (a) Etym: [AS. eal.]
Defn: All; wholly; completely; as, almighty,almost. (b) Etym: [L. ad.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Although; if. [Obs.] See All, conj.
ALA A"la, n.; pl. Alæ. Etym: [L., a wing.] (Biol.)
Defn: A winglike organ, or part.
ALABAMA PERIOD Al`a*ba"ma pe"ri*od. (Geol.)
Defn: A period in the American eocene, the lowest in the tertiary age except the lignitic.
ALABASTER Al"a*bas"ter, n. Etym: [L. alabaster, Gr. Alabastron, the name of a town in Egypt, near which it was common: cf. OF. alabastre, F. albâtre.]
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.
Defn: Alabastrine.
ALABASTRINE Al`a*bas"trine, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or like, alabaster; as alabastrine limbs.
ALABASTRUM Al`a*bas"trum, n.; pl. Alabastra. Etym: [NL.] (Bot.)
Defn: A flower bud. Gray.
ALACK A*lack", interj. Etym: [Prob. from ah! lack! OE. lak loss, failure, misfortune. See Lack.]
Defn: An exclamation expressive of sorrow. [Archaic. or Poet.] Shak.
ALACKADAY A*lack"a*day`, interj. Etym: [For alack the day. Cf. Lackaday.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. alacer, alacris, lively + -fly.]
Defn: To rouse to action; to inspirit.
ALACRIOUS A*lac"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. alacer, alacris.]
Defn: Brisk; joyously active; lively. 'T were well if we were a little more alacrious. Hammond.
ALACRIOUSLY A*lac"ri*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: With alacrity; briskly.
ALACRIOUSNESS A*lac"ri*ous*ness, n.
Defn: Alacrity. [Obs.] Hammond.
ALACRITY A*lac"ri*ty, n. Etym: [L. alacritas, fr. alacer lively, eager, prob. akin to Gr. aljan zeal.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [From Aladin, for Ala Eddin, i. e., height of religion, a learned divine under Mohammed II. and Bajazet II.]
Defn: One of a sect of freethinkers among the Mohammedans.
ALALIA A*la"li*a, n. [NL., fr. Gr. priv. + a talking; cf. speechless.] (Med.)
Defn: Inability to utter articulate sounds, due either to paralysis of the larynx or to that form of aphasia, called motor, or ataxis, aphasia, due to loss of control of the muscles of speech.
ALALONGA; ALILONGHI Al`a*lon"ga, or Al`i*lon"ghi, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The tunny. See Albicore.
ALAMIRE A`la*mi"re, n. Etym: [Compounded of a la mi re, names of notes in the musical scale.]
Defn: The lowest note but one in Guido Aretino's scale of music.
ALAMODALITY Al`a*mo*dal"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being à la mode; conformity to the mode or fashion; fashionableness. [R.] Southey.
ALAMODE Al"a*mode`, adv. & a. Etym: [F. à la mode after the fashion.]
Defn: According to the fashion or prevailing mode. "Alamode beef shops." Macaulay.
ALAMODE Al"a*mode`, n.
Defn: A thin, black silk for hoods, scarfs, etc.; -- often called simply mode. Buchanan.
ALAMORT Al`a*mort", a. Etym: [F. à la mort to the death. Cf. Amort.]
Defn: To the death; mortally.
ALAN A*lan", n. Etym: [OF. alan, alant; cf. Sp. alano.]
Defn: A wolfhound. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ALAND A*land", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + land.]
Defn: On land; to the land; ashore. "Cast aland." Sir P. Sidney.
ALANINE Al"a*nine, n. Etym: [Aldehyde + the ending -ine. The -n- is a euphonic insertion.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline base, C3H7NO2, derived from aldehyde ammonia.
ALANTIN A*lan"tin, n. Etym: [G. alant elecampane, the Inula helenium of Linnæus.] (Chem.)
Defn: See Inulin.
ALAR A"lar, a. Etym: [L. alarius, fr. ala wing: cf. F. alaire.]
1. Pertaining to, or having, wings.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Axillary; in the fork or axil. Gray.
ALARM A*larm", n. Etym: [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 warming 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. -- 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.] Etym: [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.
Defn: Easily alarmed or disturbed.
ALARMED A*larmed", a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: In an alarmed manner.
ALARMING A*larm"ing, a.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. alarmiste.]
Defn: One prone to sound or excite alarms, especially, needless alarms. Macaulay.
ALARUM A*lar"um, n. Etym: [OE. alarom, the same word as alarm, n.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. alarius, fr. ala wing.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to wings; also, wing-shaped. The alary system of insects. Wollaston.
ALAS A*las", interj. Etym: [OE. alas, allas, OF. alas, F. hélas; a interj. (L. ah.) + las wretched (that I am), L. lassus weary, akin to E. late. See Late.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + late.]
Defn: Lately; of late. [Archaic] There hath been alate such tales spread abroad. Latimer.
ALATE; ALATED A"late, A"la*ted, a. Etym: [L. alatus, from ala wing.]
Defn: Winged; having wings, or side appendages like wings.
ALATERN; ALATERNUS Al"a*tern, Al`a*ter"nus, n. Etym: [L. ala wing + terni three each.] (Bot.)
Defn: An ornamental evergreen shrub (Rhamnus alaternus) belonging to the buckthorns.
ALATION A*la"tion, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. alatus winged.]
Defn: The state of being winged.
ALAUNT A*launt", n.
Defn: See Alan. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ALB Alb, n. Etym: [OE. albe, LL. alba, fr. L. albus white. Cf. Album and Aube.]
Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Albicore.
ALBAN Al"ban, n. Etym: [L. albus white.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline resinous substance extracted from gutta- percha by the action of alcohol or ether.
ALBANIAN Al*ba"ni*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Albania, a province of Turkey. -- n.
Defn: A native of Albania.
ALBATA Al*ba"ta, n. Etym: [L. albatus, p. p. of albare to make white, fr. albus white.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Corrupt. fr. Pg. alcatraz cormorant, albatross, or Sp. alcatraz a pelican: cf. Pg. alcatruz, Sp. arcaduz, a bucket, fr. Ar. al-qadus 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.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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; ALBEE Al`be", Al`bee", conj. Etym: [See Albeit.]
Defn: Although; albeit. [Obs.] Albe Clarissa were their chiefest founderess. Spenser.
ALBEDO Al*be"do, n. Etym: [L., fr. albus white.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. al be although it be, where al is our all. Cf. Although.]
Defn: Even though; although; notwithstanding. Chaucer. Albeit so masked, Madam, I love the truth. Tennyson.
ALBERTITE Al"bert*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: A bituminous mineral resembling asphaltum, found in the county of A.
ALBERT WARE Al"bert ware.
Defn: A soft ornamental terra-cotta pottery, sold in the biscuit state for decorating.
ALBERTYPE Al"ber*type, n. Etym: [From the name of the inventor, Albert, of Munich.]
Defn: A picture printed from a kind of gelatine plate produced by means of a photographic negative.
ALBESCENCE Al*bes"cence, n.
Defn: The act of becoming white; whitishness.
ALBESCENT Al*bes"cent, a. Etym: [L. albescens, p. pr. of albescere to grow white, fr. albus white.]
Defn: Becoming white or whitish; moderately white.
ALBICANT Al"bi*cant, a. Etym: [L. albicans, p. pr. of albicare, albicatum, to be white, fr. albus white.]
Defn: Growing or becoming white.
ALBICATION Al`bi*ca"tion, n.
Defn: The process of becoming white, or developing white patches, or streaks.
ALBICORE Al"bi*core, n. Etym: [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.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. albification: L. albus white + ficare (only in comp.), facere, to make.]
Defn: The act or process of making white. [Obs.]
ALBIGENSES; ALBIGEOIS Al`bi*gen"ses, Al`bi`geois", n. pl. Etym: [From Albi and Albigeois, a town and its district in the south of France, in which the sect abounded.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Albigenses.
ALBINESS Al*bi"ness, n.
Defn: A female albino. Holmes.
ALBINISM Al"bi*nism, n.
Defn: The state or condition of being an albino: abinoism; leucopathy.
ALBINISTIC Al`bi*nis"tic, a.
Defn: Affected with albinism.
ALBINO Al*bi"no, n.; pl. Albinos. Etym: [Sp. or Pg. albino, orig. whitish, fr. albo white, L. albus.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: The state or condition of being an albino; albinism.
ALBINOTIC Al`bi*not"ic, a.
Defn: Affected with albinism.
ALBION Al"bi*on, n. Etym: [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.]
Defn: An ancient name of England, still retained in poetry. In that nook-shotten isle of Albion. Shak.
ALBITE Al"bite, n. Etym: [L. albus white.] (Min.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. albus white + -lith.]
Defn: A kind of plastic cement, or artificial stone, consisting chiefly of magnesia and silica; -- called also albolite.
ALBORAK Al"bo*rak, n. Etym: [Ar. al-buraq, fr. baraqa to flash, shine.]
Defn: The imaginary milk-white animal on which Mohammed was said to have been carried up to heaven; a white mule.
ALB SUNDAY Alb Sunday. (Eccl.)
Defn: The first Sunday after Easter Sunday, properly Albless Sunday, because in the early church those who had been baptized on Easter eve laid aside on the following Saturday their white albs which had been put on after baptism.
ALBUGINEOUS Al`bu*gin"e*ous, a. Etym: [See Albugo.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L., whiteness, fr. albus white.] (Med.)
Defn: Same as Leucoma.
ALBUM Al"bum, n. Etym: [L., neut. of albus white: cf. F. album. Cf. Alb.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L., fr. albus white.]
1. The white of an egg.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Same as Albumin.
ALBUMENIZE Al*bu"men*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Albumenized; p. pr. & vb. n. Albumenizing.]
Defn: To cover or saturate with albumen; to coat or treat with an albuminous solution; as, to albuminize paper.
ALBUM GRAECUM Al"bum Græ"cum. Etym: [L., Greek white.]
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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 is coagulated by heat ad 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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. albumen + -ferous.]
Defn: Supplying albumen.
ALBUMINIMETER Al*bu`mi*nim"e*ter, n. Etym: [L. albumen, albuminis + -meter: cf. F. albuminimètre.]
Defn: An instrument for ascertaining the quantity of albumen in a liquid.
ALBUMININ Al*bu"mi*nin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: The substance of the cells which inclose the white of birds' eggs.
ALBUMINIPAROUS Al*bu`mi*nip"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. albumen + parere to bear, bring forth.]
Defn: Producing albumin.
ALBUMINOID Al*bu"mi*noid, a. Etym: [L. albumen + -oid.] (Chem.)
Defn: Resembling albumin. -- n.
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Of the nature of an albuminoid.
ALBUMINOSE Al*bu"mi*nose`, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A diffusible substance formed from albumin by the action of natural or artificial gastric juice. See Peptone.
ALBUMINOSIS Al*bu`mi*no"sis, n. [NL., fr. E. albumin.] (Med.)
Defn: A morbid condition due to excessive increase of albuminous elements in the blood.
ALBUMINOUS; ALBUMINOSE Al*bu"mi*nous, Al*bu"mi*nose`, a. Etym: [Cf. F. albumineux.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. L. albumen + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A morbid condition in which albumin is present in the urine.
ALBUMOSE Al"bu*mose`, n. Etym: [From albumin.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. alburnus, fr. L. albus white. Cf. Auburn.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to alburnum; of the alburnum; as, alburnous substances.
ALBURNUM Al*bur"num, n. Etym: [L., fr. albus white.] (Bot.)
Defn: The white and softer part of wood, between the inner bark and the hard wood or duramen; sapwood.
ALBYN Al"byn, n. Etym: [See Albion.]
Defn: Scotland; esp. the Highlands of Scotland. T. Cambell.
ALCADE Al*cade", n.
Defn: Same as Alcaid.
ALCAHEST Al"ca*hest, n.
Defn: Same as Alkahest.
ALCAIC Al*ca"ic, a. Etym: [L. Alcaïcus, Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to Alcæus, a lyric poet of Mitylene, about 6000 b. c. -- n. A kind of verse, so called from Alcæus. One variety consists of five feet, a spondee or iambic, an iambic, a long syllable, and two dactyls.
ALCAID; ALCAYDE Al*caid", Al*cayde", n. Etym: [Sp. alcaide, fr. Ar. al-qa\'c6d governor, fr. qada 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. Etym: [Sp. alcalde, fr. Ar. al-qadi judge, fr. qada to decide, judge. Hence, the cadi of the Turks. Cf. Cadi.]
Defn: A magistrate or judge in Spain and in Spanish America, etc. Prescott.
Note: Sometimes confounded with Alcaid.
ALCALDIA Al`cal*di"a, n. [Sp. Alcaldía.]
Defn: The jurisdiction or office of an alcalde; also, the building or chamber in which he conducts the business of his office.
ALCALIMETER Al`ca*lim"e*ter, n.
Defn: See Alkalimeter.
ALCANNA Al*can"na, n. Etym: [Sp. alcana, alhe, fr. Ar. al-hinna. See Henna, and cf. Alkanet.] (Bot.)
Defn: An oriental shrub (Lawsonia inermis) from which henna is obtained.
ALCARRAZA Al`car*ra"za, n.; pl. Alcarrazas. Etym: [Sp., from Ar. al-kurraz earthen vessel.]
Defn: A vessel of porous earthenware, used for cooling liquids by evaporation from the exterior surface.
ALCAYDE Al*cayde", n.
Defn: Same as Alcaid.
ALCAZAR Al*ca"zar, n. Etym: [ fr. Ar. al the + qacr (in pl.) a castle.]
Defn: A fortress; also, a royal palace. Prescott.
ALCEDO Al*ce"do, n. Etym: [L., equiv. to Gr. Halcyon.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of perching birds, including the European kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). See Halcyon.
ALCHEMIC; ALCHEMICAL Al*chem"ic, Al*chem"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. alchimique.]
Defn: Of or relating to alchemy.
ALCHEMICALLY Al*chem"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In the manner of alchemy.
ALCHEMIST Al"che*mist, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. alquemiste, F. alchimiste.]
Defn: One who practices alchemy. You are alchemist; make gold. Shak.
ALCHEMISTIC; ALCHEMISTICAL Al`che*mis"tic, Al`che*mis"tic*al, a.
Defn: Relating to or practicing alchemy. Metaphysical and alchemistical legislators. Burke.
ALCHEMISTRY Al"che*mis*try, n.
Defn: Alchemy. [Obs.]
ALCHEMIZE Al"che*mize, v. t.
Defn: To change by alchemy; to transmute. Lovelace.
ALCHEMY Al"che*my, n. Etym: [OF. alkemie, arquemie, F. alchimie, Ar. al- kimia, fr. late Gr. alquimia, It. alchimia. Gr. fundere to pour, Goth. guitan, AS. geótan, 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; ALCHYMIST; ALCHYMISTIC; ALCHYMY Al*chym"ic, a., Al"chy*mist, n., Al`chy*mis"tic, a., Al"chy*my, n.
Defn: See Alchemic, Alchemist, Alchemistic, Alchemy.
ALCO Al"co, n.
Defn: A small South American dog, domesticated by the aborigines.
ALCOATE; ALCOHATE Al"co*ate, Al"co*hate, n.
Defn: Shortened forms of Alcoholate.
ALCOHOL Al"co*hol, n. Etym: [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 bot 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. "Pharmacopoeia, 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.)
Defn: 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 (C2H5OH); 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. Etym: [Cf. F. alcolaie.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. alcoolature.] (Med.)
Defn: An alcoholic tincture prepared with fresh plants. New Eng. Dict.
ALCOHOLIC Al`co*hol"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. alcolique.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Alcoholic liquors.
ALCOHOLISM Al"co*hol*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. alcoolisme.] (Med.)
Defn: A diseased condition of the system, brought about by the continued use of alcoholic liquors.
ALCOHOLIZATION Al`co*hol`i*za"tion, n. Etym: [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.] Etym: [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; ALCOHOLMETER Al`co*hol*om"e*ter, Al`co*hol"me*ter, n. Etym: [Alcohol + -meter.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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; ALCOHOLOMETRICAL; ALCOHOLMETRICAL Al`co*hol`o*met"ric, Al`co*hol`o*met"ric*al, Al`co*hol*met"ric*al, a.
Defn: Relating to the alcoholometer or alcoholometry. The alcoholometrical strength of spirituous liquors. Ure.
ALCOHOLOMETRY Al`co*hol"om"e*try, n.
Defn: The process or method of ascertaining the proportion of pure alcohol which spirituous liquors contain.
ALCOHOMETER; ALCOHOMETRIC Al`co*hom"e*ter, n., Al`co*ho*met"ric, a.
Defn: Same as Alcoholometer, Alcoholometric.
ALCOOMETRY; ALCOOEMETRY Al`co*öm"e*try, n.
Defn: See Alcoholometry.
Note: The chemists say alcomètre, alcoomètrie, doubtless by the suppression of a syllable in order to avoid a disagreeable sequence of sounds. (Cf. Idolatry.) Littré.
ALCORAN Al"co*ran, n. Etym: [alcoran, fr. Ar. al-qoran, orig. the reading, the book, fr. qaraa to read. Cf. Koran.]
Defn: The Mohammedan Scriptures; the Koran (now the usual form). [Spelt also Alcoran.]
ALCORANIC Al`co*ran"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Koran.
ALCORANIST Al`co*ran"ist, n.
Defn: One who adheres to the letter of the Koran, rejecting all traditions.
ALCORNOQUE Al`cor*no"que, n. [Sp., cork tree.]
Defn: The bark of several trees, esp. of Bowdichia virgilioides of Brazil, used as a remedy for consumption; of Byrsonima crassifolia, used in tanning; of Alchornea latifolia, used medicinally; or of Quercus ilex, the cork tree.
ALCOVE Al"cove, n. Etym: [F. alcôve, Sp. or Pg. alcoba, from Ar. al-quobbah arch, vault, tent.]
1. (Arch.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Halcyon.
ALCYONACEA Al`cy*o*na"ce*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the orders of Anthozoa. It includes the Alcyonacea, Pennatulacea, and Gorgonacea.
ALCYONES Al*cy"o*nes, n. pl. Etym: [L., pl. of Alcyon.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The kingfishers.
ALCYONIC Al`cy*on"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Alcyonaria.
ALCYONIUM Al`cy*o"ni*um, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like or pertaining to the Alcyonaria. -- n.
Defn: A zoöphyte of the order Alcyonaria.
ALDAY Al"day, adv.
Defn: Continually. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ALDEBARAN Al*deb"a*ran, n. Etym: [Ar. al-debaran, fr. dabar to follow; so called because this star follows upon the Pleiades.] (Astron.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Abbrev. fr. alcohol dehydrogenatum, alcohol deprived of its hydrogen.] (Chem.)
Defn: A colorless, mobile, and very volatile liquid obtained from alcohol by certain 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.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to aldehyde; as, aldehydic acid. Miller.
ALDER Al"der, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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; ALLER Al"der, Al"ler, a. Etym: [From ealra, alra, gen. pl. of AS. eal. The d is excrescent.]
Defn: Of all; -- used in composition; as, alderbest, best of all, alderwisest, wisest of all. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ALDER FLY Al"der fly.
1. Any of numerous neuropterous insects of the genus Sialis or allied genera. They have aquatic larvæ, which are used for bait.
2. (Angling) An artificial fly with brown mottled wings, body of peacock harl, and black legs.
ALDER-LIEFEST Al`der-lief"est, a. Etym: [For allerliefest dearest of all. See Lief.]
Defn: Most beloved. [Obs.] Shak.
ALDERMAN Al"der*man, n.; pl. Aldplwmen. Etym: [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.
Defn: The office of an alderman.
ALDERMANIC Al"der*man"ic, a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Like or suited to an alderman.
ALDERMANLY Al"der*man*ly, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or like, an alderman.
ALDERMANLY Al"der*man*ly, a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: The condition, position, or office of an alderman. Fabyan.
ALDERN Al"dern, a.
Defn: Made of alder.
ALDERNEY Al"der*ney, n.
Defn: 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, a. (Bibliog.)
Defn: 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.
ALDOL Al"dol, n. [Aldehyde + -ol as in alcohol.] (Chem.)
Defn: A colorless liquid, C4H8O2, obtained by condensation of two molecules of acetaldehyde: CH3CHO + CH3CHO = H3CH(OH)CH2CO; also, any of various derivatives of this. The same reaction has been applied, under the name of aldol condensation, to the production of many compounds.
ALE Ale, n. Etym: [AS. ealu, akin to Icel., Sw., and Dan. öl, Lith. alus a kind of beer, OSlav. ol 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + leak.]
Defn: In a leaking condition.
ALEATORY A"le*a*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. aleatorius, fr. alea chance, die.] (Law)
Defn: Depending on some uncertain contingency; as, an aleatory contract. Bouvier.
ALEBENCH Ale"bench`, n.
Defn: A bench in or before an alehouse. Bunyan.
ALEBERRY Ale"ber`ry, n. Etym: [OE. alebery, alebrey; ale + bre broth, fr. AS. briw pottage.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [/Ale + con, OE. cunnen to test, AS. cunnian to test. See Con.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Ale + L. costus an aromatic plant: cf. Costmary.] (Bot.)
Defn: The plant costmary, which was formerly much used for flavoring ale.
ALECTORIDES Al`ec*tor"i*des, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of birds including the common fowl and the pheasants.
ALECTOROMACHY A*lec`to*rom"a*chy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Cockfighting.
ALECTOROMANCY A*lec"to*ro*man`cy, n.
Defn: See Alectryomancy.
ALECTRYOMACHY A*lec`try*oma*chy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Cockfighting.
ALECTRYOMANCY A*lec"try*o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + lee.] (Naut.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Ale + eager sour, F. aigre. Cf. Vinegar.]
Defn: Sour ale; vinegar made of ale. Cecil.
ALEGER Al"e*ger, a. Etym: [F. allègre, earlier alègre, fr. L. alacer.]
Defn: Gay; cheerful; sprightly. [Obs.] Bacon.
ALEGGE A*legge", v. t. Etym: [OE. aleggen, alegen, OF. alegier, F. alléger, fr. LL. alleviare, for L. allevare to lighten; ad + levis light. Cf. Alleviate, Allay, Allege.]
Defn: To allay or alleviate; to lighten. [Obs.] That shall alegge this bitter blast. Spenser.
ALEHOOF Ale"hoof`, n. Etym: [AS. h ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove,
ground ivy, "in old MSS. heyhowe, heyoue, haihoue, halehoue." [Prior].
Defn: Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma).
ALEHOUSE Ale"house`, n.
Defn: A house where ale is retailed; hence, a tippling house. Macaulay.
ALE-KNIGHT Ale"-knight`, n.
Defn: A pot companion. [Obs.]
ALEM Al"em, n. [Turk. 'alem, fr. Ar. 'alam.] (Mil.)
Defn: The imperial standard of the Turkish Empire.
ALEMANNIC Al`e*man"nic, a.
Defn: Belonging to the Alemanni, a confederacy of warlike German tribes.
ALEMANNIC Al`e*man"nic, n.
Defn: The language of the Alemanni. The Swabian dialect . . . is known as the Alemannic. Amer. Cyc.
ALEMBIC A*lem"bic, n. Etym: [F. alambic (cf. Sp. alambique), Ar. al-anbiq, fr. Gr. alembic proper. Cf. Limbec.]
Defn: An apparatus formerly used in distillation, usually made of glass or metal. It has mostly given place to the retort and worm still. Used also metaphorically. The alembic of a great poet's imagination. Brimley.
ALEMBROTH A*lem"broth, n. Etym: [Origin uncertain.]
Defn: 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`con" lace".
Defn: See under Lace.
ALENGTH A*length", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + length.]
Defn: At full length; lenghtwise. Chaucer.
ALEPIDOTE A*lep"i*dote, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Not having scales. -- n.
Defn: A fish without scales.
ALEPOLE Ale"pole`, n.
Defn: A pole set up as the sign of an alehouse. [Obs.]
ALEPPO BOIL; ALEPPO BUTTON; ALEPPO EVIL A*lep"po boil, button, or evil. (Med.)
Defn: A chronic skin affection terminating in an ulcer, most commonly of the face. It is endemic along the Mediterranean, and is probably due to a specific bacillus. Called also Aleppo ulcer, Biskara boil, Delhi boil, Oriental sore, etc.
ALEPPO GRASS Aleppo grass. (Bot.)
Defn: One of the cultivated forms of Andropogon Halepensis (syn. Sorghum Halepense). See Andropogon, below.
ALERT A*lert", a. Etym: [F. alerte, earlier à 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.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: In an alert manner; nimbly.
ALERTNESS A*lert"ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being alert or on the alert; briskness; nimbleness; activity.
ALE SILVER Ale" sil`ver.
Defn: A duty payable to the lord mayor of London by the sellers of ale within the city.
ALESTAKE Ale"stake, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Aleconner. [Eng.]
ALETHIOLOGY A*le`thi*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: The science which treats of the nature of truth and evidence. Sir W. Hamilton.
ALETHOSCOPE A*leth"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. -mancy: cf. F. aleuromancie.]
Defn: Divination by means of flour. Encyc. Brit.
ALEUROMETER Al`eu*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.]
Defn: An instrument for determining the expansive properties, or quality, of gluten in flour. Knight.
ALEURONAT A*leu"ro*nat, n. [See Aleurone.]
Defn: Flour made of aleurone, used as a substitute for ordinary flour in preparing bread for diabetic persons.
ALEURONE A*leu"rone, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Having the nature of aleurone. D. C. Eaton.
ALEUTIAN; ALEUTIC A*leu"tian, A*leu"tic, a. Etym: [Said to be from the Russ. aleut a bold rock.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a chain of islands between Alaska and Kamtchatka; also, designating these islands.
ALEVIN Al"e*vin, n. Etym: [F. alevin, OF. alever to rear, fr. L. ad + levare to raise.]
Defn: Young fish; fry.
ALEW A*lew", n.
Defn: Halloo. [Obs.] Spenser.
ALEWIFE Ale"wife`, n.; pl. Alewives.
Defn: A woman who keeps an alehouse. Gay.
ALEWIFE Ale"wife`, n.; pl. Alewives. Etym: [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.]Etym: (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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; ALISANDERS Al`ex*an"ders, Al`i*san"ders, n. Etym: [OE. alisaundre, OF. alissandere, fr. Alexander or Alexandria.] (Bot)
Defn: 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, a.
Defn: Belonging to Alexandria; Alexandrian. Bancroft.
ALEXANDRINE Al`ex*an"drine, n. Etym: [F. alexandrin.]
Defn: 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.
ALEXIA A*lex"i*a, n. [NL.; a- not + Gr. speech, fr. to speak, confused with L. legere to read.] (Med.) (a) As used by some, inability to read aloud, due to brain disease. (b) More commonly, inability, due to brain disease, to understand written or printed symbols although they can be seen, as in case of word blindness.
ALEXIPHARMAC; ALEXIPHARMACAL A*lex`i*phar"mac, A*lex`i*phar"ma*cal, a. & n. Etym: [See Alexipharmic.]
Defn: Alexipharmic. [Obs.]
ALEXIPHARMIC A*lex`i*phar"mic, n. (Med.)
Defn: An antidote against poison or infection; a counterpoison.
ALEXIPHARMIC; ALEXIPHARMICAL A*lex`i*phar"mic, A*lex`i*phar"mic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. alexipharmaque.] (Med.)
Defn: Expelling or counteracting poison; antidotal.
ALEXIPYRETIC A*lex`i*py*ret"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Serving to drive off fever; antifebrile. -- n.
Defn: A febrifuge.
ALEXITERIC A*lex`i*ter"ic, n. Etym: [Gr. alexitère, LL. alexiterium.] (Med.)
Defn: A preservative against contagious and infectious diseases, and the effects of poison in general. Brande & C.
ALEXITERIC; ALEXITERICAL A*lex`i*ter"ic, A*lex`i*ter"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. alexitère.] (med.)
Defn: Resisting poison; obviating the effects of venom; alexipharmic.
ALFA ; ALFA GRASS Al"fa or Al"fa grass", n.
Defn: A plant (Macrochloa tenacissima) of North Africa; also, its fiber, used in paper making.
ALFALFA Al*fal"fa, n. Etym: [Sp.] (Bot.)
Defn: The lucern (Medicago sativa); -- so called in California, Texas, etc.
ALFENIDE Al"fe*nide, n. (Metal.)
Defn: An alloy of nickel and silver electroplated with silver.
ALFERES Al*fe"res, n. Etym: [Sp., fr. Ar. al-fars knight.]
Defn: An ensign; a standard bearer. [Obs.] J. Fletcher.
ALFET Al"fet, n. Etym: [LL. alfetum, fr. AS. alfæt a pot to boil in; al burning + fæt vat.]
Defn: 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.)
Defn: The pin grass (Erodium cicutarium), a weed in California.
ALFILERIA; ALFILERILLA Al*fil`e*ri"a, Al*fil`e*ril"la, n. [Mex. Sp., fr. Sp. alfiler pin.]
Defn: Same as Alfilaria.
ALFIONE Al`fi*o"ne, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An edible marine fish of California (Rhacochilus toxotes).
ALFORJA Al*for"ja, n. [Also alfarga, alforge.] [Sp.]
Defn: A saddlebag. [Sp. Amer.]
ALFRESCO Al*fres"co, adv. & a. Etym: [It. al fresco in or on the fresh.]
Defn: In the open-air. Smollett.
ALGA Al"ga, n.; pl. Algæ. Etym: [L., seaweed.] (Bot.)
Defn: 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 confervæ, etc.
ALGAL Al"gal, a., (Bot.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or like, algæ.
ALGAROBA Al`ga*ro"ba, n. Etym: [Sp. algarroba, fr. Ar. al-kharr. 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; ALGAROTH Al"ga*rot, Al"ga*roth, n. Etym: [F. algaroth, fr. the name of the inventor, Algarotti.] (Med.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: The agglutinated seeds and husks of the legumes of a South American tree (Inga Marthæ). It is valuable for tanning leather, and as a dye.
ALGATE; ALGATES Al"gate, Al"gates, adv. Etym: [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. Etym: [Ar. al the + ghazal.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The true gazelle.
ALGEBRA Al"ge*bra, n. Etym: [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'almuqabalah reduction and comparison (by equations): cf. F. algèbre, It. & Sp. algebra.]
1. (Math.)
Defn: 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; ALGEBRAICAL Al`ge*bra"ic, Al`ge*bra"ic*al, a.
Defn: 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 coördinates of its points involves only the ordinary operations of algebra; -- opposed to a transcendental curve.
ALGEBRAICALLY Al`ge*bra"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By algebraic process.
ALGEBRAIST Al"ge*bra`ist, n.
Defn: One versed in algebra.
ALGEBRAIZE Al"ge*bra*ize, v. t.
Defn: To perform by algebra; to reduce to algebraic form.
ALGERIAN Al*ge"ri*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Algeria. -- n.
Defn: A native of Algeria.
ALGERINE Al`ge*rine", a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Algiers or Algeria.
ALGERINE Al`ge*rine", n.
Defn: A native or one of the people of Algiers or Algeria. Also, a pirate.
ALGID Al"gid, a. Etym: [L. algidus cold, fr. algere to be cold: cf. F. algide.]
Defn: Cold; chilly. Bailey. Algid cholera (Med.), Asiatic cholera.
ALGIDITY Al*gid"i*ty, n.
Defn: Chilliness; coldness; especially (Med.),
Defn: coldness and collapse.
ALGIDNESS Al"gid*ness, n.
Defn: Algidity. [Obs.]
ALGIFIC Al*gif"ic, a. Etym: [L. algificus, fr. algus cold + facere to make.]
Defn: Producing cold.
ALGIN Al"gin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A nitrogenous substance resembling gelatin, obtained from certain algæ.
ALGOID Al"goid, a. Etym: [L. alga + -oid.]
Defn: Of the nature of, or resembling, an alga.
ALGOL Al"gol, n. Etym: [Ar. al-gh destruction, calamity, fr. ghala to take suddenly, destroy.] (Astron.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to algology; as, algological specimens.
ALGOLOGIST Al*gol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One learned about algæ; a student of algology.
ALGOLOGY Al*gol"o*gy, n. Etym: [L. alga seaweed + -logy.] (Bot.)
Defn: The study or science of algæ or seaweeds.
ALGOMETER Al*gom"e*ter, n. [Gr. pain + -meter.] (Psychol.)
Defn: An instrument for measuring sensations of pain due to pressure. It has a piston rod with a blunted tip which is pressed against the skin. -- Al*gom"e*try (#), n. -- Al`go*met"ric (#), *met"ric*al (#), a. --Al`go*met"ric*al*ly, adv.
ALGONKIAN Al*gon"ki*an, a.
1. Var. of Algonquian.
2. (Geol.) Pertaining to or designating a period or era recognized by the United States Geological Survey and some other authorities, between the Archæan and the Paleozoic, from both of which it is generally separated in the record by unconformities. Algonkian rocks are both sedimentary and igneous. Although fossils are rare, life certainly existed in this period. -- n.
Defn: The Algonkian period or era, or system or group of systems.
ALGONQUIAN Al*gon"qui*an, a.
Defn: Pertaining to or designating the most extensive of the linguistic families of North American Indians, their territory formerly including practically all of Canada east of the 115th meridian and south of Hudson's Bay and the part of the United States east of the Mississippi and north of Tennessee and Virginia, with the exception of the territory occupied by the northern Iroquoian tribes. There are nearly 100,000 Indians of the Algonquian tribes, of which the strongest are the Ojibwas (Chippewas), Ottawas, Crees, Algonquins, Micmacs, and Blackfeet. -- n.
Defn: An Algonquian Indian.
ALGONQUIN; ALGONKIN Al*gon"quin, Al*gon"kin, n.
Defn: 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. Etym: [L.] (Med.)
Defn: Cold; chilliness.
ALGORISM; ALGORITHM Al"go*rism, Al"go*rithm, n. Etym: [OE. algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf. Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar. al-Khowarezmi of Khowarezm, the modern Khiwa, surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Musa, 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.
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. Etym: [L. algosus, fr. alga seaweed.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the algæ, or seaweeds; abounding with, or like, seaweed.
ALGUAZIL Al`gua*zil", n. Etym: [Sp. alguacil, fr. Ar. alwazir the vizier. Cf. Vizier.]
Defn: An inferior officer of justice in Spain; a warrant officer; a constable. Prescott.
ALGUM Al"gum, n.
Defn: Same as Almug (and etymologically preferable). 2 Chron. ii. 8.
ALHAMBRA Al*ham"bra, n. Etym: [Ultimately fr. Ar. al the + hamra red; i. e., the red (sc. house).]
Defn: The palace of the Moorish kings at Granada.
ALHAMBRAIC; ALHAMBRESQUE Al`ham*bra"ic, Al`ham*bresque", a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Henna.
ALIAS A"li*as, adv. Etym: [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. Etym: [L., otherwise, at another time.]Etym: (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. Etym: [L., elsewhere, at another place. See Alias.] (Law)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Quality of being alible.
ALIBLE Al"i*ble, a. Etym: [L. alibilis, fr. alere to nourish.]
Defn: Nutritive; nourishing.
ALICANT Al"i*cant, n.
Defn: A kind of wine, formerly much esteemed; -- said to have been made near Alicant, in Spain. J. Fletcher.
ALIDADE Al"i*dade, n. Etym: [LL. alidada, alhidada, fr. Ar. al-'idada a sort of rule: cf. F. alidade.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [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 posses 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. Etym: [F. aliéner, L. alienare.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Capability of being alienated. "The alienability of the domain." Burke.
ALIENABLE Al"ien*a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. aliénable.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. OF. aliénage.]
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. Etym: [L. alienatus, p. p. of alienare, fr. alienus. See Alien, and cf. Aliene.]
Defn: Estranged; withdrawn in affection; foreign; -- with from. O alienate from God. Milton.
ALIENATE Al"ien*ate, 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.
Defn: A stranger; an alien. [Obs.]
ALIENATION Al`ien*a"tion, n. Etym: [F. aliénation, L. alienatio, fr. alienare, fr. alienare. See Alienate.]
1. The act of alienating, or the state of being alienated.
2. (Law)
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who alienates.
ALIENE Al*iene, v. t.
Defn: To alien or alienate; to transfer, as title or property; as, to aliene an estate.
ALIENEE Al"ien*ee", n. (Law)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. aliéniste.]
Defn: One who treats diseases of the mind. Ed. Rev.
ALIENOR Al`ien*or", n. Etym: [OF. aliéneur.]
Defn: One who alienates or transfers property to another. Blackstone.
ALIETHMOID; ALIETHMOIDAL Al`i*eth"moid, Al`i*eth*moid"al, a. Etym: [L. ala wing + E. ethomoid.] (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to expansions of the ethmoid bone or
ALIFE A*life", adv. Etym: [Cf. lief dear.]
Defn: On my life; dearly. [Obs.] "I love that sport alife." Beau. & Fl.
ALIFEROUS A*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. ala wing + -ferous.]
Defn: Having wings, winged; aligerous. [R.]
ALIFORM Al"i*form, a. Etym: [L. ala wing + -form.]
Defn: Wing-shaped; winglike.
ALIGEROUS A*lig"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. aliger; ala wing + gerere to carry.]
Defn: Having wings; winged. [R.]
ALIGHT A*light", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Alighted sometimes Alit; p. pr. & vb. n. Alighting.] Etym: [OE. alihten, fr. AS. alihtan; pref. a- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lihtan, to alight, orig. to render light, to remove a burden from, fr. liht, 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + light.]
Defn: Lighted; lighted up; in a flame. "The lamps were alight." Dickens.
ALIGN A*lign", v. t. Etym: [F. aligner; à (L. ad) + ligne (L. linea) line. See Line, and cf. Allineate.]
Defn: To adjust or form to a line; to range or form in line; to bring into line; to aline.
ALIGN A*lign", v. t.
Defn: To form in line; to fall into line.
ALIGNMENT A*lign"ment, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: The ground-plan of a railway or other road, in distinction from the grades or profile.
ALIKE A*like", a. Etym: [AS. onlic, gelic; pref. a + like.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [AS. gelice, onlice.]
Defn: In the same manner, form, or degree; in common; equally; as, we are all alike concerne.
ALIKE-MINDED A*like"-mind`ed, a.
Defn: Like-minded. [Obs.]
ALIMENT Al"i*ment, n. Etym: [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 theiBacon.
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.
Defn: Supplying food; having the quality of nourishing; furnishing the materials for natural growth; as, alimental sap.
ALIMENTALLY A`li*men"tal*ly, adv.
Defn: So as to serve for nourishment or food; nourishing quality. Sir T. Browne.
ALIMENTARINESS Al`i*men"ta*ri*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being alimentary; nourishing quality. [R.]
ALIMENTARY Al`i*men"ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. alimentarius, fr. alimentum: cf. F. alimentaire.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.
Defn: The instinct or faculty of appetite for food. [Chiefly in Phrenol.]
ALIMONIOUS Al`i*mo"ni*ous, a.
Defn: Affording food; nourishing. [R.] "Alimonious humors." Harvey.
ALIMONY Al"i*mo*ny, n. Etym: [L. alimonia, alimonium, nourishment, sustenance, fr. alere to nourish.]
1. Maintenance; means of living.
2. (Law)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. ala wing + E. nasal.] (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to expansions of the nasal bone or cartilage.
ALINE A*line", v. t.
Defn: To range or place in a line; to bring into line; to align. Evelyn.
ALINEATION A*lin`e*a"tion, n.
Defn: See Allineation.
ALINEMENT A*line"ment, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who adjusts things to a line or lines or brings them into line. Evelyn.
ALIOTH Al"i*oth, n. Etym: [Ar. alyat the tail of a fat sheep.] (Astron.)
Defn: A star in the tail of the Great Bear, the one next the bowl in the Dipper.
ALIPED Al"i*ped, a. Etym: [L. alipes; ala wing + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. alipède.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Wing-footed, as the bat. -- n.
Defn: An animal whose toes are connected by a membrane, serving for a wing, as the bat.
ALIPHATIC Al`i*phat"ic, a. [Gr. , , oil, fat.] (Org. Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, fat; fatty; -- applied to compounds having an openc-hain structure. The aliphatic compounds thus include not only the fatty acids and other derivatives of the paraffin hydrocarbons, but also unsaturated compounds, as the ethylene and acetylene series.
ALIQUANT Al"i*quant, a. Etym: [L. aliquantus some, moderate; alius other + quantus how great: cf. F. aliquante.] (Math.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. aliquot some, several; alius other + quot how many: cf. F. aliquote.] (Math.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. ala wing + E. septal.] (Anat.)
Defn: Relating to expansions of the nasal septum.
ALISH Al"ish, a.
Defn: Like ale; as, an alish taste.
ALISPHENOID Al`i*sphe"noid, n. (Anat.)
Defn: The alisphenoid bone.
ALISPHENOID; ALISPHENOIDAL Al`i*sphe"noid, Al`i*sphe*noid"al, a. Etym: [L. ala wing + E. sphenoid.] (Anat.)
Defn: 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.
ALITRUNK Al"i*trunk, n. Etym: [L. ala wing + truncus trunk.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The segment of the body of an insect to which the wings are attached; the thorax. Kirby.
ALITURGICAL Al`i*tur"gic*al, a. Etym: [Pref. a- + liturgical.] (Eccl.)
Defn: Applied to those days when the holy sacrifice is not offered. Shipley.
ALIUNDE A`li*un"de, adv. & a. Etym: [L.] (Law)
Defn: From another source; from elsewhere; as, a case proved aliunde; evidence aliunde.
ALIVE A*live", a. Etym: [OE. on live, AS. on life in life; life being dat. of lif 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. Etym: [Perh. fr. Ar. 'a juice extracted from a plant, fr. 'a to press.] (Com.)
Defn: The madder of the Levant. Brande & C.
ALIZARIN A*liz"a*rin, n. Etym: [F. alizarine, fr. alizari.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [LL. alchahest, F. alcahest, a word that has an Arabic appearance, but was probably arbitrarily formed by Paracelsus.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Alkali + amide.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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; ALKALESCENCY Al`ka*les`cence, Al`ka*les"cen*cy, n.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. alcalescent.]
Defn: Tending to the properties of an alkali; slightly alkaline.
ALKALI Al"ka*li, n.; pl. Alkalis or Alkalies. Etym: [F. alcali, ultimately fr. Ar. alqali ashes of the plant saltwort, fr. qalay to roast in a pan, fry.]
1. Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, potash, ammoma, 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. Etym: [Cf. F. alcalifiable.]
Defn: Capable of being alkalified, or converted into an alkali.
ALKALI FLAT Alkali flat.
Defn: A sterile plain, containing an excess of alkali, at the bottom of an undrained basin in an arid region; a playa.
ALKALIFY Al"ka*li*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alkalified; p. pr. & vb. n. Alkalifying.] Etym: [Alkali + -fly: cf. F. alcalifier.]
Defn: To convert into an alkali; to give alkaline properties to.
ALKALIFY Al"ka*li*fy, v. i.
Defn: To become changed into an alkali.
ALKALIMETER Al`ka*lim"e*ter, n. Etym: [Alkali + -meter. cf. F. alcalimètre.]
Defn: An instrument to ascertain the strength of alkalies, or the quantity of alkali in a mixture.
ALKALIMETRIC; ALKALIMETRICAL Al`ka*li*met"ric, Al`ka*li*met"ric*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to alkalimetry.
ALKALIMETRY Al`ka*lim"e*try, n. Etym: [Cf. F. alcalimètrie.] (Chem.)
Defn: The art or process of ascertaining the strength of alkalies, or the quantity present in alkaline mixtures.
ALKALINE Al"ka*line, a. Etym: [Cf. F. alcalin.]
Defn: 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, cæsium, lithium, rubidium. -- Alkaline reaction, a reaction indicating alkalinity, as by the action on limits, turmeric, etc.
ALKALINITY Al`ka*lin"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality which constitutes an alkali; alkaline property. Thomson.
ALKALIOUS Al*ka"li*ous, a.
Defn: Alkaline. [Obs.]
ALKALI SOIL Alkali soil.
Defn: Any one of various soils found in arid and semiarid regions, containing an unusual amount of soluble mineral salts which effloresce in the form of a powder or crust (usually white) in dry weather following rains or irrigation. The basis of these salts is mainly soda with a smaller amount of potash, and usually a little lime and magnesia. Two main classes of alkali are commonly distinguished: black alkali, which may be any alkaline carbonate, but which practically consists of sodium carbonate (sal soda), which is highly corrosive and destructive to vegetation; and white alkali, characterized by the presence of sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt), which is less injurious to vegetation. Black alkali is so called because water containing it dissolves humus, forming a dark-colored solution which, when it collects in puddles and evaporates, produces characteristic black spots.
ALKALI WASTE Alkali waste.
Defn: Waste material from the manufacture of alkali; specif., soda waste.
ALKALIZATE Al"ka*li*zate, a.
Defn: Alkaline. [Obs.] Boyle.
ALKALIZATE Al"ka*li**zate, v. t.
Defn: To alkalizate. [R.] Johnson.
ALKALIZATION Al`ka*li*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. alcalisation.]
Defn: The act rendering alkaline by impregnating with an alkali; a conferring of alkaline qualities.
ALKALIZE Al"ka*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alkalized; p. pr. & vb. n. Alkalizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. alcaliser.]
Defn: To render alkaline; to communicate the properties of an alkali to.
ALKALOID Al"ka*loid, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An organic base, especially one of a class of substances occurring ready formed in the tissues of plants and the bodies of animals.
Note: Alcaloids 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.
ALKALOID; ALKALOIDAL Al"ka*loid, Al`ka*loid"al, a. Etym: [Alkali + -oid: cf. F. alcaloïde.]
Defn: Pertaining to, resembling, or containing, alkali.
ALKANET Al"ka*net, n. Etym: [Dim. of Sp. alcana, alhe, in which al is the Ar. article. See Henna, and cf. Orchanet.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Alkarsin + oxygen.] (Chem.)
Defn: Same as Cacodylic acid.
ALKARSIN Al*kar"sin, n. Etym: [Alkali + arsenic + -in.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Alcazar.
ALKEKENGI Al`ke*ken"gi, n. Etym: [Cf. F. alkékenge, Sp. alquequenje, ultimately fr. Ar. al-kakanj a kind of resin from Herat.] (Bot.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Ar. al-qirmiz kermes. See Kermes.] (Old Pharmacy)
Defn: A compound cordial, in the form of a confection, deriving its name from the kermes insect, its principal ingredient.
ALKORAN Al"ko*ran, n.
Defn: The Mohammedan Scriptures. Same as Alcoran and Koran.
ALKORANIC Al`ko*ran"ic, a.
Defn: Same as Alcoranic.
ALKORANIST Al`ko*ran"ist, n.
Defn: Same as Alcoranist.
ALL All, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: 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. "It 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. Etym: [Orig. all, adv., wholly: used with though or if, which being dropped before the subjunctive left all as if in the sense although.]
Defn: Although; albeit. [Obs.] All they were wondrous loth. Spenser.
ALLA BREVE Al`la bre"ve. Etym: [It., according to the breve.] (Old Church Music)
Defn: 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. Etym: [ contr. fr. the article al the + ilah God.]
Defn: The name of the Supreme Being, in use among the Arabs and the Mohammedans generally.
ALL-A-MORT All`-a-mort", a.
Defn: See Alamort.
ALLANITE Al"lan*ite, n. Etym: [From T. Allan, who first distinguished it as a species.] (min.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. allantoïque.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or contained in, the allantois. Allantoic acid. (Chem.) See Allantoin.
ALLANTOID; ALLANTOIDAL Al*lan"toid, Al`lan*toid"al, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the allantois.
ALLANTOIDEA Al`lan*toid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The division of Vertebrata in which the embryo develops an allantois. It includes reptiles, birds, and mammals.
ALLANTOIN Al*lan"to*in, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A crystalline, transparent, colorless substance found in the allantoic liquid of the fetal calf; -- formerly called allantoic acid and amniotic acid.
ALLANTOIS; ALLANTOID Al*lan"to*is, Al*lan"toid, } n.. (Anat.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. allatrare. See Latrate.]
Defn: To bark as a dog. [Obs.] Stubbes.
ALLAY Al*lay", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Allaying.] Etym: [OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down, humble, put an end to, AS. alecgan; 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.
Defn: To diminish in strength; to abate; to subside. "When the rage allays." Shak.
ALLAY Al*lay", n.
Defn: Alleviation; abatement; check. [Obs.]
ALLAY Al*lay", n.
Defn: Alloy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ALLAY Al*lay", v. t.
Defn: To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate. [Archaic] Fuller.
ALLAYER Al*lay"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, allays.
ALLAYMENT Al*lay"ment, n.
Defn: An allaying; that which allays; mitigation. [Obs.] The like allayment could I give my grief. Shak.
ALLECRET Al"le*cret, n. Etym: [OF. alecret, halecret, hallecret.]
Defn: A kind of light armor used in the sixteenth century, esp. by the Swiss. Fairholt.
ALLECT Al*lect", v. t. Etym: [L. allectare, freq. of allicere, allectum.]
Defn: To allure; to entice. [Obs.]
ALLECTATION Al`lec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. allectatio.]
Defn: Enticement; allurement. [Obs.] Bailey.
ALLECTIVE Al*lec"tive, a. Etym: [LL. allectivus.]
Defn: Alluring. [Obs.]
ALLECTIVE Al*lec"tive, n.
Defn: Allurement. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
ALLEDGE Al*ledge", v. t.
Defn: See Allege. [Obs.]
Note: This spelling, corresponding to abridge, was once the prevailing one.
ALLEGATION Al`le*ga"tion, n. Etym: [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)
Defn: 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", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alleged; p. pr. & vb. n. Alleging.] Etym: [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. Etym: [See Allay.]
Defn: To alleviate; to lighten, as a burden or a trouble. [Obs.] Wyclif.
ALLEGEABLE Al*lege"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being alleged or affirmed. The most authentic examples allegeable in the case. South.
ALLEGEANCE Al*lege"ance, n.
Defn: Allegation. [Obs.]
ALLEGEMENT Al*lege"ment, n.
Defn: Allegation. [Obs.] With many complaints and allegements. Bp. Sanderson.
ALLEGER Al*leg"er, n.
Defn: One who affirms or declares.
ALLEGGE Al*legge", v. t.
Defn: See Alegge and Allay. [Obs.]
ALLEGHENIAN; ALLEGHANIAN Al`le*ghe"ni*an, a. Also Al`le*gha"ni*an. (Biogeography)
Defn: Pertaining to or designating the humid division of the Transition zone extending across the northern United States from New England to eastern Dakota, and including also most of Pennsylvania and the mountainous region as far south as northern Georgia.
ALLEGHENY; ALLEGHANY Al"le*ghe`ny, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the Allegheny Mountains, or the region where they are situated. Also Al"le*gha`ny.
2. [From the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania.] (Geol.) Pertaining to or designating a subdivision of the Pennsylvanian coal measure.
ALLEGIANCE Al*le"giance, n. Etym: [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. -- 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.
Defn: Loyal. Shak.
ALLEGORIC; ALLEGORICAL Al`le*gor"ic, Al`le*gor"ic*al, a. Etym: [F. allégorique, L. allegorius, fr. Gr. Allegory.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. allegoriste.]
Defn: One who allegorizes; a writer of allegory. Hume.
ALLEGORIZATION Al`le*gor"i*za"tion, n.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [Cf. F. allégoriser, 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.
Defn: To use allegory. Holland.
ALLEGORIZER Al"le*go*ri`zer, n.
Defn: One who allegorizes, or turns things into allegory; an allegorist.
ALLEGORY Al"le*go*ry, n.; pl. Allegories. Etym: [L. allegoria, Gr. allégorie.]
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.)
Defn: A figure representation which has a meaning beyond notion directly conveyed by the object painted or sculptured.
Syn. -- Metaphor; fable. -- 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 "Faërie Queene" are celebrated examples of the allegory.
ALLEGRESSE Al`le`gresse", n. Etym: [F. allégresse, fr. L. alacer sprightly.]
Defn: Joy; gladsomeness.
ALLEGRETTO Al`le*gret"to, a. Etym: [It., dim. of allegro.] (Mus.)
Defn: Quicker than andante, but not so quick as allegro. -- n.
Defn: A movement in this time.
ALLEGRO Al*le"gro, a. Etym: [It., merry, gay, fr. L. alacer lively. Cf. Aleger.] (Mus.)
Defn: Brisk, lively. -- n.
Defn: An allegro movement; a quick, sprightly strain or piece.
ALLELOMORPH Al*le"lo*morph, n. [Gr. of one another + Gr. form.] (Biol.)
Defn: One of the pure unit characters commonly existing singly or in pairs in the germ cells of Mendelian hybrids, and exhibited in varying proportion among the organisms themselves. Allelomorphs which under certain circumstances are themselves compound are called hypallelomorphs. See Mendel's law. -- Al*le`lo*mor"phic (#), a.
As we know that the several unit characters are of such a nature that any one of them is capable of independently displacing or being displaced by one or more alternative characters taken singly, we may recognize this fact by naming such characters allelomorphs. Bateson.
ALLELUIA; ALLELUIAH Al`le*lu"ia, Al`le*lu"iah, n. Etym: [L. alleluia, Gr. hall-yah. See Hallelujah.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [F., fr. allemand German.]
1. (Mus.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Alemannic.
ALLENARLY Al*len"ar*ly, adv. Etym: [All + anerly singly, fr. ane one.]
Defn: Solely; only. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
ALLER Al"ler, a. Etym: [For ealra, the AS. gen. pl. of eal all.]
Defn: Same as Alder, of all. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ALLERION Al*le"ri*on, n. Etym: [F. alérion, LL. alario a sort of eagle; of uncertain origin.] (Her.)
Defn: 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.] Etym: [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. -- 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. Etym: [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.
Defn: Tending to alleviate. -- n.
Defn: That which alleviates.
ALLEVIATOR Al*le"vi*a`tor, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, alleviaties.
ALLEVIATORY Al*le"vi*a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Alleviative. Carlyle.
ALLEY Al"ley, n.; pl. Alleys. Etym: [OE. aley, alley, OF. alée, F. allée, 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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [A contraction of alabaster, of which it was originally made.]
Defn: A choice taw or marble. Dickens.
ALLEYED Al"leyed, a.
Defn: Furnished with alleys; forming an alley. "An alleyed walk." Sir W. Scott.
ALLEYWAY Al"ley*way` n.
Defn: An alley.
ALL FOOLS' DAY All" Fools' Day`.
Defn: 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". Etym: [All + four (cards).]
Defn: A game at cards, called "High, Low, Jack, and the Game."
ALL FOURS All` fours" Etym: [formerly, All` four".]
Defn: 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". Etym: [All + hail, interj.]
Defn: All health; -- a phrase of salutation or welcome.
ALL-HAIL All`-hail", v. t.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Allhallows. [Obs.] Shak.
ALLHALLOW All`hal"low.
Defn: The evening before Allhallows. See Halloween.
ALLHALLOW; ALLHALLOWS All`hal"low, All`hal"lows, n.
1. All the saints (in heaven). [Obs.]
2. All Saints' Day, November 1st. [Archaic]
ALLHALLOW EVE All`hal"low eve` (ev`).
Defn: The evening before Allhallows. See Halloween.
ALLHALLOWMAS All`hal"low*mas, n.
Defn: The feast of All Saints.
ALLHALLOWN All`hal"lown, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the time of Allhallows. [Obs.] "Allhallown summer." Shak. (i. e., late summer; "Indian Summer").
ALLHALLOWTIDE All`hal"low*tide`, n. Etym: [AS. tid time.]
Defn: The time at or near All Saints, or November 1st.
ALLHEAL All"heal, n.
Defn: A name popularly given to the officinal valerian, and to some other plants.
ALLIABLE Al*li"a*ble, a.
Defn: Able to enter into alliance.
ALLIACEOUS Al`li*a"ceous, a.
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.
Defn: To connect by alliance; to ally. [Obs.]
ALLIANT Al*li"ant, n. Etym: [Cf. F. alliant, p. pr.]
Defn: An ally; a confederate. [Obs. & R.] Sir H. Wotton.
ALLICE; ALLIS Al"lice, Al"lis, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The European shad (Clupea vulgaris); allice shad. See Alose.
ALLICIENCY Al*li"cien*cy, n.
Defn: Attractive power; attractiveness. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
ALLICIENT Al*li"cient, a. Etym: [L. alliciens, p. pr. of allicere to allure; ad + lacere to entice.]
Defn: That attracts; attracting. -- n.
Defn: That attracts. [Rare or Obs.]
ALLIED Al*lied", a.
Defn: United; joined; leagued; akin; related. See Ally.
ALLIGATE Al*li*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. alligatus, p. p. of alligare. See Ally.]
Defn: To tie; to unite by some tie. Instincts alligated to their nature. Sir M. Hale.
ALLIGATION Al`li*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. alligatio.]
1. The act of tying together or attaching by some bond, or the state of being attached. [R.]
2. (Arith.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Sp. el lagarto the lizard (el lagarto de Indias, the cayman or American crocodile), fr. L. lacertus, lacerta, lizard. See Lizard.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Any machine with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator; as, (a) (Metal Working)
Defn: 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 (Zoöl.), a marine fish of northwestern America (Podothecus acipenserinus). -- Alligator gar (Zoöl.), 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 (Zoöl.), a very large and voracious turtle (Macrochelys lacertina) in habiting 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).
ALLIGATOR WRENCH Al"li*ga`tor wrench. (Mech.)
Defn: A kind of pipe wrench having a flaring jaw with teeth on one side.
ALLIGNMENT Al*lign"ment, n.
Defn: See Alignment.
ALLINEATE Al*lin"e*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. ad + lineatus, p. p. of lineare to draw a line.]
Defn: To align. [R.] Herschel.
ALLINEATION; ALINEEATION Al*lin`e*a"tion, A*line`e*a"tion, n.
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. allisio, fr. allidere, to strike or dash against; ad + laedere to dash against.]
Defn: The act of dashing against, or striking upon. The boisterous allision of the sea. Woodward.
ALLITERAL Al*lit"er*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or characterized by alliteration.
ALLITERATE Al*lit"er*ate, v. t.
Defn: To employ or place so as to make alliteration. Skeat.
ALLITERATE Al*lit"er*ate, v. i.
Defn: To compose alliteratively; also, to constitute alliteration.
ALLITERATION Al*lit`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. ad + litera letter. See Letter.]
Defn: 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, a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who alliterates.
ALLIUM Al"li*um, n. Etym: [L., garlic.] (bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants, including the onion, garlic, leek, chive, etc.
ALLMOUTH All"mouth`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The angler.
ALLNESS All"ness, n.
Defn: Totality; completeness. [R.] The allness of God, including his absolute spirituality, supremacy, and eternity. R. Turnbull.
ALLNIGHT All"night`, n.
Defn: Light, fuel, or food for the whole night. [Obs.] Bacon.
ALLOCATE Al"lo*cate, v. t. Etym: [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. Etym: [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. Etym: [LL., it is allowed, fr. allocare to allow.] (Law)
Defn: "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.
Defn: Changeable in color.
ALLOCHROITE Al*loch"ro*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: See Garnet.
ALLOCHROOUS Al*loch"ro*ous, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Changing color.
ALLOCUTION Al`lo*cu"tion, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: See Allodium.
ALLODIAL Al*lo"di*al, a. Etym: [LL. allodialis, fr. allodium: cf. F. allodial. See Allodium.] (Law)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Anything held allodially. W. Coxe.
ALLODIALISM Al*lo"di*al*ism, n.
Defn: The allodial system.
ALLODIALIST Al*lo"di*al*ist, n.
Defn: One who holds allodial land.
ALLODIALLY Al*lo"di*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By allodial tenure.
ALLODIARY Al*lo"di*a*ry, n.
Defn: One who holds an allodium.
ALLODIUM Al*lo"di*um, n. Etym: [LL. allodium, alodium, alodis, alaudis, of Ger. origin; cf. OHG. al all, and (AS. ead) possession, property. It means, therefore, entirely one's property.] (Law)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Characterized by allogamy.
ALLOGAMY Al*log"a*my n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Fertilization of the pistil of a plant by pollen from another of the same species; cross-fertilization.
ALLOGENEOUS Al`lo*ge"ne*ous, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Different in nature or kind. [R.]
ALLOGRAPH Al"lo*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]
Defn: A writing or signature made by some person other than any of the parties thereto; -- opposed to autograph.
ALLOMERISM Al*lom"er*ism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: Variability in chemical constitution without variation in crystalline form.
ALLOMEROUS Al*lom"er*ous, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Characterized by allomerism.
ALLOMORPH Al"lo*morph, n. Etym: [Gr. (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.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to allomorphism.
ALLOMORPHISM Al`lo*mor"phism, n. (Min.)
Defn: The property which constitutes an allomorph; the change involved in becoming an allomorph.
ALLONGE Al*longe", n. Etym: [F. allonge, earlier alonge, a lengthening. See Allonge, v., and cf. Lunge.]
1. (Fencing)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. allonger; à (L. ad) + long (L. longus) long.]
Defn: To thrust with a sword; to lunge.
ALLONYM Al"lo*nym, n. Etym: [F. allonyme, fr. Gr.
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.
Defn: Published under the name of some one other than the author.
ALLOO Al*loo", v. t. or i. Etym: [See Halloo.]
Defn: To incite dogs by a call; to halloo. [Obs.]
ALLOPATH Al"lo*path, n. Etym: [Cf. F. allopathe.]
Defn: An allopathist. Ed. Rev.
ALLOPATHIC Al`lo*path"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. allopathique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to allopathy.
ALLOPATHICALLY Al`lo*path"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a manner conformable to allopathy; by allopathic methods.
ALLOPATHIST Al*lop"a*thist, n.
Defn: One who practices allopathy; one who professes allopathy.
ALLOPATHY Al*lop"a*thy, n. Etym: [Gr. allopathie, F. allopathie. See Pathos.]
Defn: 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; ALLOPHYLIAN Al`lo*phyl"ic, Al`lo*phyl"i*an, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to a race or a language neither Aryan nor Semitic. J. Prichard.
ALLOQUY Al"lo*quy, n. Etym: [L. alloquim, fr. alloqui.]
Defn: A speaking to another; an address. [Obs.]
ALLOT Al*lot", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Allotting.] Etym: [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. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The worship of strange gods. Jer. Taylor.
ALLOTMENT Al*lot"ment, n. Etym: [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)
Defn: 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, n. Etym: [Gr. allotriophagie.] (Med.)
Defn: A depraved appetite; a desire for improper food.
ALLOTROPHIC Al`lo*troph"ic, a. [Gr. other + trophic.] (a) (Physiol.) Changed or modified in nutritive power by the process of digestion. (b) (Plant Physiol.) Dependent upon other organisms for nutrition; heterotrophic; -- said of plants unable to perform photosynthesis, as all saprophytes; -- opposed to autotrophic.
ALLOTROPIC; ALLOTROPICAL Al`lo*trop"ic, Al`lo*trop"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. allotropique.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Allotropic property or nature.
ALLOTROPISM; ALLOTROPY Al*lot"ro*pism, Al*lot"ro*py, n. Etym: [Gr. allotropie.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: To change in physical properties but not in substance. [R.]
ALLOTTABLE Al*lot"ta*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being allotted.
ALLOTTEE Al*lot`tee", n.
Defn: One to whom anything is allotted; one to whom an allotment is made.
ALLOTTER Al*lot"ter, n.
Defn: One who allots.
ALLOTTERY Al*lot"ter*y, n.
Defn: Allotment. [Obs.] Shak.
ALLOW Al*low", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Allowing.] Etym: [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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.
Defn: The quality of being allowable; permissibleness; lawfulness; exemption from prohibition or impropriety. South.
ALLOWABLY Al*low"a*bly, adv.
Defn: In an allowable manner.
ALLOWANCE Al*low"ance, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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.] Etym: [See Allowance, n.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Allantoin + oxalic, as containing the elements of allantion and oxalic acid.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A combination of alloxanic acid and a base or base or positive radical.
ALLOXANIC Al`lox*an"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A substance produced by acting upon uric with warm and very dilute nitric acid.
ALLOY Al*loy", n. Etym: [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.] Etym: [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.
Defn: To form a metallic compound. Gold and iron alloy with ease. Ure.
ALLOYAGE Al*loy"age, n. Etym: [F. aloyage.]
Defn: The act or art of alloying metals; also, the combination or alloy.
ALLOY STEEL Al"loy steel.
Defn: Any steel containing a notable quantity of some other metal alloyed with the iron, usually chromium, nickel, manganese, tungsten, or vanadium.
ALL-POSSESSED All`-pos*sessed", a.
Defn: Controlled by an evil spirit or by evil passions; wild. [Colloq.]
ALL SAINTS; ALL SAINTS' All" Saints`, All" Saints',
Defn: 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`.
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [For in all (= every) thing.]
Defn: Altogether. [Obs.] Shak.
ALLUDE Al*lude", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Alluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Alluding.] Etym: [L. alludere to play with, to allude; ad + ludere to play.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: To compare allusively; to refer (something) as applicable. [Obs.] Wither.
ALLUMETTE Al`lu`mette, n. Etym: [F., from allumer to light.]
Defn: A match for lighting candles, lamps, etc.
ALLUMINOR Al*lu"mi*nor, n. Etym: [OF. alumineor, fr. L. ad + liminare. See Luminate.]
Defn: An illuminator of manuscripts and books; a limner. [Obs.] Cowell.
ALLURANCE Al*lur"ance, n.
Defn: Allurement. [R.]
ALLURE Al*lure", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Alluring.] Etym: [OF. aleurrer, alurer, fr. a (L. ad) + leurre lure. See Lure.]
Defn: 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. -- 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.
Defn: Allurement. [R.] Hayward.
ALLURE Al`lure", n. Etym: [F.; aller to go.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who, or that which, allures.
ALLURING Al*lur"ing, a.
Defn: That allures; attracting; charming; tempting. -- Al*lur"ing*ly, adv. -- Al*lur"ing*ness, n.
ALLUSION Al*lu"sion, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: Figuratively [Obs.]; by way of allusion; by implication, suggestion, or insinuation.
ALLUSIVENESS Al*lu"sive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being allusive.
ALLUSORY Al*lu"so*ry, a.
Defn: Allusive. [R.] Warburton.
ALLUVIAL Al*lu"vi*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. alluvial. See Alluvion.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [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)
Defn: An accession of land gradually washed to the shore or bank by the flowing of water. See Accretion.
ALLUVIOUS Al*lu"vi*ous, n. Etym: [L. alluvius. See Alluvion.]
Defn: Alluvial. [R.] Johnson.
ALLUVIUM Al*lu"vi*um, n.; pl. E. Alluviums, L. Alluvia. Etym: [L., neut. of alluvius. See Alluvious.] (Geol.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Everywhere. [Archaic]
ALLWORK All"work`, n.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [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. Etym: [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.
Defn: See Alley, a marble or taw.
ALLYL Al"lyl, n. Etym: [L. allium garlic + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: An organic radical, C3H5, existing especially in oils of garlic and mustard.
ALLYLENE Al"ly*lene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A gaseous hydrocarbon, C3H4, homologous with acetylene; propine. CH3.C.CH
ALMA; ALMAH Al"ma, Al"mah, n.
Defn: 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; ALMADIE Al`ma*di"a, Al"ma*die, n. Etym: [F. almadie (cf. Sp. & Pg. almadia), fr. Ar. alma'diyah 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. Etym: [F. almageste, LL. almageste, Ar. al-majisti, fr. Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Sp. almagra, almagre, fr. Ar. al-maghrah red clay or earth.]
Defn: 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; ALMAYNE; ALMAN Al"main, Al"mayne, Al"man, n. Etym: [OF. Aleman, F. Allemand, fr. L. Alemanni, ancient Ger. tribes.] [Obs.]
1. A German. Also adj.,
Defn: 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. Etym: [L., fostering mother.]
Defn: A college or seminary where one is educated.
ALMANAC Al"ma*nac, n. Etym: [LL. almanac, almanach: cf. F. almanach, Sp. almanaque, It. almanacco, all of uncertain origin.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.)
Defn: The common red variety of garnet.
ALME; ALMEH Al"me, Al"meh, n. Etym: [Ar. 'almah (fem.) learned, fr. 'alama to know: cf. F. almée.]
Defn: An Egyptian dancing girl; an Alma. The Almehs lift their arms in dance. Bayard Taylor.
ALMENDRON Al`men*dron", n. Etym: [Sp., fr. almendra almond.]
Defn: The lofty Brazil-nut tree.
ALMERY Al"mer*y, n.
Defn: See Ambry. [Obs.]
ALMESSE Alm"esse, n.
Defn: See Alms. [Obs.]
ALMIGHTFUL; ALMIGHTIFUL Al*might"ful, Al*might"i*ful, a.
Defn: All-powerful; almighty. [Obs.] Udall.
ALMIGHTILY Al*might"i*ly, adv.
Defn: With almighty power.
ALMIGHTINESS Al*might"i*ness, n.
Defn: Omnipotence; infinite or boundless power; unlimited might. Jer. Taylor.
ALMIGHTY Al*might"y, a. Etym: [AS. ealmihtig, ælmihtig; eal (OE. al) ail + 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.
Defn: An almoner. [Obs.] Spenser.
ALMOND Alm"ond, n. Etym: [OE. almande, almaunde, alemaunde, F. amande, L. amygdala, fr. Gr. 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 bears the fruit; almond tree.
3. Anything shaped like an almond. Specifically: (Anat.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Prob. a corruption of Almain furnace, i. e., German furnace. See Almain.]
Defn: A kind of furnace used in refining, to separate the metal from cinders and other foreign matter. Chambers.
ALMONDINE Al"mon*dine, n.
Defn: See Almandine
ALMONER Al"mon*er, n. Etym: [OE. aumener, aulmener, OF. almosnier, aumosnier, F. aumônier, fr. OF. almosne, alms, L. eleemosyna. See Alms.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: The office of an almoner.
ALMONRY Al"mon*ry, n.; pl. Almonries. Etym: [OF. aumosnerie, F. aumônerie, fr. OF. aumosnier. See Almoner.]
Defn: The place where an almoner resides, or where alms are distributed.
ALMOSE Al"mose, n.
Defn: Alms. [Obs.] Cheke.
ALMOST Al"most, adv. Etym: [AS. ealmæst, ælmæst, quite the most, almost all; eal (OE. al) all + m most.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Almonry. [Obs.]
ALMS Alms, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. Almonry, Eleemosynary.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: An act of charity. Acts ix. 36.
ALMSFOLK Alms"folk`, n.
Defn: Persons supported by alms; almsmen. [Archaic] Holinshed.
ALMSGIVER Alms"giv`er, n.
Defn: A giver of alms.
ALMSGIVING Alms"giv`ing, n.
Defn: The giving of alms.
ALMSHOUSE Alms"house`, n.
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. almucantarat, almicantarat, ultimately fr. Ar. al-muqantarat, pl., fr. qantara to bend, arch.] (Astron.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Same as Amice, a hood or cape.
ALMUDE Al*mude", n. Etym: [Pg. almude, or Sp. almud, a measure of grain or dry fruit, fr. Ar. al-mudd a dry measure.]
Defn: 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; ALGUM Al"mug, Al"gum, n. Etym: [Heb., perh. borrowed fr. Skr. valguka sandalwood.] (Script.)
Defn: 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, n., Etym: [OF. alnage, aulnage, F. aunage, fr. OF. alne ell, of Ger. origin: cf. OHG. elina, Goth. aleina, cubit. See Ell.] (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: Measurement (of cloth) by the ell; also, a duty for such measurement.
ALNAGER Al"na*ger, n. Etym: [See Alnage.]
Defn: A measure by the ell; formerly a sworn officer in England, whose duty was to inspect act measure woolen cloth, and fix upon it a seal.
ALOE Al"oe, n.; pl. Aloes. Etym: [L. aloë, Gr. aloe, F. aloès.]
1. pl.
Defn: The wood of the agalloch. [Obs.] Wyclif.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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`.
Defn: See Agalloch.
ALOETIC Al`o*et"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. aloétique.]
Defn: Consisting chiefly of aloes; of the nature of aloes.
ALOETIC Al`o*et"ic, n.
Defn: A medicine containing chiefly aloes.
ALOFT A*loft", adv. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Above; on top of. [Obs.] Fresh waters run aloft the sea. Holland.
ALOGIAN A*lo"gi*an, n. Etym: [LL. Alogiani, Alogii, fr. Gr. (Eccl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. alogia, Gr.
Defn: Unreasonableness; absurdity. [Obs.]
ALOIN Al"o*in, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A bitter purgative principle in aloes.
ALOMANCY Al"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy: cf. F. alomancie, halomancie.]
Defn: Divination by means of salt. [Spelt also halomancy.] Morin.
ALONE A*lone", a. Etym: [All + one. OE. al one all allone, AS. an 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.
Defn: Solely; simply; exclusively.
ALONELY A*lone"ly, adv.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Exclusive. [Obs.] Fabyan.
ALONENESS A*lone"ness, n.
Defn: A state of being alone, or without company; solitariness. [R.] Bp. Montagu.
ALONG A*long", adv. Etym: [OE. along, anlong, AS. andlang, along; pref. and- (akin to OFris. ond-, OHG. ant-, Ger. ent-, Goth. and-, anda-, L. ante, Gr. 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 trough 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.
Defn: 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". Etym: [AS. gelang owing to.]
Defn: (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.
Defn: Along the shore or coast.
ALONGSHOREMAN A*long"shore`man, n.
Defn: See Longshoreman.
ALONGSIDE A*long"side`, adv.
Defn: 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", prep. & adv. Etym: [Formed fr. along, like amongst fr. among.]
Defn: Along. [Obs.]
ALOOF A*loof", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Alewife.
ALOOF A*loof", adv. Etym: [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.
Defn: Away from; clear from. [Obs.] Rivetus . . . would fain work himself aloof these rocks and quicksands. Milton.
ALOOFNESS A*loof"ness, n.
Defn: State of being aloof. Rogers (1642). The . . . aloofness of his dim forest life. Thoreau.
ALOPECIA; ALOPECY Al`o*pe"ci*a, A*lop"e*cy, n. Etym: [L. alopecia, Gr. (med.)
Defn: Loss of the hair; baldness.
ALOPECIST A*lop"e*cist, n.
Defn: A practitioner who tries to prevent or cure baldness.
ALOSE A*lose", v. t. Etym: [OE. aloser.]
Defn: To praise. [Obs.]
ALOSE A"lose, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. alosa or alausa.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Of uncertain origin.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the several species of howling monkeys of South America. See Howler, 2.
ALOUD A*loud", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + loud.]
Defn: With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice. Isa. lviii. 1.
ALOW A*low", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + low.]
Defn: Below; in a lower part. "Aloft, and then alow." Dryden.
ALP Alp, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: A bullfinch. Rom. of R.
ALPACA Al*pac"a, n. Etym: [Sp. alpaca, fr. the original Peruvian name of the animal. Cf. Paco.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Alps. [R.] "The Alpen snow." J. Fletcher.
ALPENGLOW Al"pen*glow`, n.
Defn: A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains; specif., a reillumination sometimes observed after the summits have passed into shadow, supposed to be due to a curving downward (refraction) of the light rays from the west resulting from the cooling of the air.
ALPENHORN; ALPHORN { Al"pen*horn`, Alp"horn` }, n. [G. Alpenhorn.]
Defn: A curved wooden horn about three feet long, with a cupped mouthpiece and a bell, used by the Swiss to sound the ranz des vaches and other melodies. Its notes are open harmonics of the tube.
ALPENSTOCK Al"pen*stock`, n. Etym: [G.; Alp, gen. pl. Alpen + stock stick.]
Defn: A long staff, pointed with iron, used in climbing the Alps. Cheever.
ALPESTRINE Al*pes"trine, a. Etym: [L. Alpestris.]
Defn: Pertaining to the Alps, or other high mountains; as, Alpestrine diseases, etc.
ALPHA Al"pha, n. Etym: [L. alpha, Gr. 'a`lfa, from Heb. aleph, name of the first letter in the alphabet, also meaning ox.]
Defn: 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 (a); as, a Lyræ.
ALPHABET Al"pha*bet, n. Etym: [L. alphabetum, fr. Gr. aleph 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.
Defn: To designate by the letters of the alphabet; to arrange alphabetically. [R.]
ALPHABETARIAN Al`pha*bet*a"ri*an, n.
Defn: A learner of the alphabet; an abecedarian. Abp. Sancroft.
ALPHABETIC; ALPHABETICAL Al`pha*bet"ic, Al`pha*bet"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. alphabétique.]
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.
Defn: In an alphabetic manner; in the customary order of the letters.
ALPHABETICS Al`pha*bet"ics, n.
Defn: The science of representing spoken sounds by letters.
ALPHABETISM Al"pha*bet*ism, n.
Defn: 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.
ALPHA PAPER Al"pha pa"per. (Photog.)
Defn: A sensitized paper for obtaining positives by artificial light. It is coated with gelatin containing silver bromide and chloride. [Eng.]
ALPHA RAYS Alpha rays. (Physics & Chem.)
Defn: Rays of relatively low penetrating power emitted by radium and other radioactive substances, and shown to consist of positively charged particles (perhaps particles of helium) having enormous velocities but small masses. They are slightly deflected by a strong magnetic or electric field.
AL-PHITOMANCY Al-phit"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. mancy: cf. F. alphitomancie.]
Defn: Divination by means of barley meal. Knowles.
ALPHOL Al"phol, n. [Alpha- + -ol as in alcohol.] (Pharm.)
Defn: A crystalline derivative of salicylic acid, used as an antiseptic and antirheumatic.
ALPHONSINE Al*phon"sine, a.
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Alpes Alps + -gen.]
Defn: Growing in Alpine regions.
ALPINE Al"pine, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: A climber of the Alps.
ALPIST; ALPIA Al"pist, Al"pi*a, n. Etym: [F.: cf. Sp. & Pg. alpiste.]
Defn: The seed of canary grass (Phalaris Canariensis), used for feeding cage birds.
ALQUIFOU Al"qui*fou, n. Etym: [Equiv. to arquifoux, F. alquifoux, Sp. alquifól, fr. the same Arabic word as alcohol. See Alcohol.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [All (OE. al) + ready.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Pertaining to Alsatia.
ALSATIAN Al*sa"tian, n.
Defn: 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. Etym: [It., to the mark or sign.](Mus.)
Defn: A direction for the performer to return and recommence from the sign
ALSIKE Al"sike, n. Etym: [From Alsike, in Sweden.]
Defn: A species of clover with pinkish or white flowers; Trifolium hybridum.
ALSO Al"so, adv. & conj. Etym: [All + so. OE. al so, AS. ealswa, alsw, ælswæ; eal, al, æl, all + swa 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. 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. Etym: [See Alto.] (Mus.)
Defn: The higher part of the scale. See Alto. To be in alt, to be in an exalted state of mind.
ALTAIAN; ALTAIC Al*ta"ian, Al*ta"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. altaïque.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Altai, a mountain chain in Central Asia.
ALTAR Al"tar, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [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. Etym: [Cf. LL. altarista, F. altariste.] (Old Law) (a) A chaplain. (b) A vicar of a church.
ALTARPIECE Al"tar*piece`, n.
Defn: The painting or piece of sculpture above and behind the altar; reredos.
ALTARWISE Al"tar*wise`, adv.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Alltude + azimuth.] (Astron.)
Defn: An instrument for taking azimuths and altitudes simultaneously.
ALTER Al"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Altered; p. pr. & vb. n. Altering.] Etym: [F. altérer, 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. 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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. altérabilité.]
Defn: The quality of being alterable; alterableness.
ALTERABLE Al"ter*a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. altérable.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: The quality of being alterable; variableness; alterability.
ALTERABLY Al"ter*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In an alterable manner.
ALTERANT Al"ter*ant, a. Etym: [LL. alterans, p. pr.: cf. F. altérant.]
Defn: Altering; gradually changing. Bacon.
ALTERANT Al"ter*ant, n.
Defn: An alterative. [R.] Chambers.
ALTERATION Al`ter*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. altération.]
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. Etym: [L. alterativus: cf. F. altératif.]
Defn: Causing ateration. Specifically:
Defn: Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health. Burton.
ALTERATIVE Al"ter*a*tive, n.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [L. altercatus, p. p. of altercare, altercari, fr. alter another. See Alter.]
Defn: The contend in words; to dispute with zeal, heat, or anger; to wrangle.
ALTERCATION Al`ter*ca"tion, n. Etym: [F. altercation, fr. L. altercatio.]
Defn: Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest. "Stormy altercations." Macaulay.
Syn. -- Altercation, Dispute, Wrangle. 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.
Defn: Characterized by wrangling; scolding. [R.] Fielding.
ALTERITY Al*ter"i*ty, n. Etym: [F. altérité.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. alternus, fr. alter another: cf. F. alterne.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Alternateness; alternation. [R.] Mitford.
ALTERNANT Al*ter"nant, a. Etym: [L. alternans, p. pr.: cf. F. alternant. See Alternate, v. t.] (Geol.)
Defn: Composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.
ALTERNAT Al`ter`nat", n. [F.]
Defn: A usage, among diplomats, of rotation in precedence among representatives of equal rank, sometimes determined by lot and at other times in regular order. The practice obtains in the signing of treaties and conventions between nations.
ALTERNATE Al*ter"nate, a. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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, 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.)
Defn: A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
ALTERNATE Al"ter*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alternated; p. pr. & vb. n. Alternating.] Etym: [L. alternatus, p. p. of alternare. See Altern.]
Defn: 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.)
Defn: By alternation; when, in a proportion, the antecedent term is compared with antecedent, and consequent.
ALTERNATENESS Al*ter"nate*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being alternate, or of following by turns.
ALTERNATING CURRENT Al"ter*nat`ing cur"rent. (Elec.)
Defn: A current which periodically changes or reverses its direction of flow.
ALTERNATION Al`ter*na"tion, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [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 thalternatives. Gladstone.
ALTERNATIVELY Al*ter"na*tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In the manner of alternatives, or that admits the choice of one out of two things.
ALTERNATIVENESS Al*ter"na*tive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being alternative, or of offering a choice between two.
ALTERNATOR Al"ter*na`tor, n. (Elec.)
Defn: An electric generator or dynamo for producing alternating currents.
ALTERNITY Al*ter"ni*ty, n. Etym: [LL. alternitas.]
Defn: Succession by turns; alternation. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
ALTHAEA; ALTHEA Al*thæ"a, Al*the"a, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: Asparagine.
ALTHING Al"thing, n. [Icel. (modern) alping, earlier alpingi; allr all + ping assembly. See All, and Thing.]
Defn: The national assembly or parliament of Iceland. See Thing, n., 8.
ALTHO Al*tho", conj.
Defn: Although. [Reformed spelling] Alt"horn`, n. Etym: [Alt + horn.] (Mus.)
Defn: An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in military music, often replacing the French horn. Grove.
ALTHORN Alt"horn`, n. [Alt + horn.] (Mus.)
Defn: An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in military music, often replacing the French horn. Grove.
ALTHOUGH Al*though", conj. Etym: [All + though; OE. al thagh.]
Defn: Grant all this; be it that; supposing that; notwithstanding; though. Although all shall be offended, yet will no I. Mark xiv. 29.
Syn. -- Although, Though. 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.
Defn: Lofty speech; pompous language. [R.] Bailey.
ALTILOQUENT Al*til"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. altus (adv. alte) high + loquens, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]
Defn: High-sounding; pompous in speech. [R.] Bailey.
ALTIMETER Al*tim"e*ter, n. Etym: [LL. altimeter; altus high + metrum, Gr. altimètre.]
Defn: An instrument for taking altitudes, as a quadrant, sextant, etc. Knight.
ALTIMETRY Al*tim"e*try, n. Etym: [Cf. F. altimétrie.]
Defn: The art of measuring altitudes, or heights.
ALTINCAR Al*tin"car, n.
Defn: See Tincal.
ALTISCOPE Al"ti*scope, n. Etym: [L. altus high + Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. altus high + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to sound.]
Defn: High-sounding; lofty or pompous. Skelton.
ALTISONOUS Al*tis"o*nous, a. Etym: [L. altisonus.]
Defn: Altisonant.
ALTISSIMO Al*tis"si*mo, n. Etym: [It.; superl. of alto.] (Mus.)
Defn: The part or notes situated above F in alt.
ALTITUDE Al"ti*tude, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to height; as, altitudinal measurements.
ALTITUDINARIAN Al`ti*tu`di*na"ri*an, a.
Defn: Lofty in doctrine, aims, etc. [R.] Coleridge.
ALTIVOLANT Al*tiv"o*lant, a. Etym: [L. altivolans. See Volant.]
Defn: Flying high. [Obs.] Blount.
ALTO Al"to, n.; pl. Altos. Etym: [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf. Alt.]
1. (Mus.)
Defn: 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.
ALTO-CUMULUS Al`to-cu"mu*lus, n. [L. altus high + L. & E. cumulus.] (Meteor.)
Defn: A fleecy cloud formation consisting of large whitish or grayish globular cloudlets with shaded portions, often grouped in flocks or rows.
ALTOGETHER Al`to*geth"er, adv. Etym: [OE. altogedere; al all + togedere together. See Together.]
1. All together; conjointly. [Obs.] Altogether they wenChaucer.
2. Without exception; wholly; completely. Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Ps. xxxix. 5.
ALTOMETER Al*tom"e*ter, n. Etym: [L. altus high + -meter.]
Defn: A theodolite. Knight.
ALTO-RELIEVO Al"to-re*lie"vo, n.
Defn: Alto-rilievo.
ALTO-RILIEVO Al"to-ri*lie*vo, n.; pl. Alto-rilievos. Etym: [It.] (Sculp.)
Defn: 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.
ALTO-STRATUS Al`to-stra"tus, n. [L. altus high + L. & E. stratus.] (Meteor.)
Defn: A cloud formation similar to cirro-stratus, but heavier and at a lower level.
ALTRICAL Al"tri*cal, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like the articles.
ALTRICES Al*tri"ces, n. pl. Etym: [L., nourishes, pl. of altrix.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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 præcoces.
ALTRUISM Al"tru*ism, n. Etym: [F. altruisme (a word of Comte's), It. altrui of or to others, fr. L. alter another.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: One imbued with altruism; -- opposed to egoist.
ALTRUISTIC Al`tru*is"tic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. altruiste, a. See Altruism..]
Defn: Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; -- opposed to Ant: egoistic or Ant: selfish. Bain. -- Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly, adv.
ALUDEL Al"u*del, n. Etym: [F. & Sp. aludel, fr. Ar. aluthal.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. ala a wing.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard.
ALULAR Al"u*lar, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to the alula.
ALUM Al"um, n. Etym: [OE. alum, alom, OF. alum, F. alun, fr. L. alumen alum.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum. Ure.
ALUMEN A*lu"men, n. Etym: [L.] (Chem.)
Defn: Alum.
ALUMINA A*lu"mi*na, n. Etym: [L. alumen, aluminis. See Alum.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the substitution of a metal for the hydrogen.
ALUMINATED A*lu"mi*na`ted. a.
Defn: Combined with alumina.
ALUMINE Al"u*mine, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Alumina. Davy.
ALUMINIC Al`u*min"ic, a.
Defn: Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate.
ALUMINIFEROUS A*lu`mi*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. alumen alum + -ferous: cf. F. aluminifère.]
Defn: Containing alum.
ALUMINIFORM A*lu"mi*ni*form, a. Etym: [L. alumen + -form.]
Defn: pertaining the form of alumina.
ALUMINIUM Al`u*min"i*um, n. Etym: [L. alumen. See Alum.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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, pertaining 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, v. t.
Defn: To treat impregnate with alum; to alum.
ALUMINOGRAPHY A*lu`mi*nog"ra*phy, n. [Alumin-ium + -graphy.]
Defn: Art or process of producing, and printing from, aluminium plates, after the manner of ordinary lithography. -- A*lu`mi*no*graph"ic (#), a.
ALUMINOUS A*lu"mi*nous, a. Etym: [L. aluminosus, fr. alumen alum: cf. F. alumineux.]
Defn: Pertaining to or containing alum, or alumina; as, aluminous minerals, aluminous solution.
ALUMINUM A*lu"mi*num, n.
Defn: See Aluminium.
ALUMISH Al"um*ish, a.
Defn: Somewhat like alum.
ALUMNA A*lum"na, n. fem.; pl. Alumnæ . Etym: [L. See Alumnus.]
Defn: A female pupil; especially, a graduate of a school or college.
ALUMNUS A*lum"nus, n.; pl. Alumni. Etym: [L., fr. alere to nourish.]
Defn: A pupil; especially, a graduate of a college or other seminary of learning.
ALUM ROOT Al"um root`. (Bot.)
Defn: A North American herb (Heuchera Americana) of the Saxifrage family, whose root has astringent properties.
ALUM SCHIST; ALUM SHALE Al"um schist", Al"um shale", (Min.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A subsulphate of alumina and potash; alunite.
ALUNITE Al"u*nite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Alum stone.
ALUNOGEN A*lu"no*gen, n. Etym: [F. alun alum + -gen.] (Min.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [OF. alure, aleure, walk, gait, fr. aler (F. aller) to go.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. alutacius, fr. aluta soft leather.]
1. Leathery.
2. Of a pale brown color; leather-yellow. Brande.
ALUTATION Al`u*ta"tion, n. Etym: [See Alutaceous.]
Defn: The tanning or dressing of leather. [Obs.] Blount.
ALVEARY Al"ve*a*ry, n.; pl. Alvearies. Etym: [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.)
Defn: The hollow of the external ear. Quincy.
ALVEATED Al"ve*a`ted, a. Etym: [L. alveatus hollowed out.]
Defn: Formed or vaulted like a beehive.
ALVEOLAR Al"ve*o*lar, a. Etym: [L. alveolus a small hollow or cavity: cf. F. alvéolaire.] (Anat.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Alveolar. [R.]
ALVEOLATE Al"ve*o*late, a. Etym: [L. alveolatus, fr. alveolus.] (Bot.)
Defn: Deeply pitted, like a honeycomb.
ALVEOLE Al"ve*ole, n.
Defn: Same as Alveolus.
ALVEOLIFORM Al*ve"o*li*form, a. Etym: [L. alvelous + -form.]
Defn: Having the form of alveoli, or little sockets, cells, or cavities.
ALVEOLUS Al*ve"o*lus, n.; pl. Alveoli. Etym: [L., a small hollow or cavity, dim. of alveus: cf. F. alvéole. See Alveary.]
1. A cell in a honeycomb.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil
3. (Anat.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L.]
Defn: The channel of a river. Weate.
ALVINE Al"vine, a. Etym: [L. alvus belly: cf. F. alvin.]
Defn: Of, from, in, or pertaining to, the belly or the intestines; as, alvine discharges; alvine concretions.
ALWAY Al"way, adv.
Defn: Always. [Archaic or Poetic] I would not live alway. Job vii. 16.
ALWAYS Al"ways, adv. Etym: [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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The sweet alyssum (A. maritimum), cultivated for bouquets, bears small, white, sweet- scented flowers.
AM Am. Etym: [AS. am, eom, akin to Gothic im, Icel. em, Olr. am, Lith. esmi, L. sum., Gr. ahmi, Skr. asmi, fr. a root as to be. Are, and cf. Be, Was.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. amabilitas.]
Defn: Lovableness. Jer. Taylor.
Note: The New English Dictionary (Murray) says this word is "usefully distinct from Amiability."
AMACRATIC Am`a*crat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Photog.)
Defn: Amasthenic. Sir J. Herschel.
AMADAVAT Am`a*da*vat", n. Etym: [Indian name. From Ahmedabad, a city from which it was imported to Europe.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. amadou tinder, prop. lure, bait, fr. amadouer to allure, caress, perh. fr. Icel. mata to feed, which is akin to E. meat.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [F. amener. See Amenable.] (Naut.)
Defn: To lower, as a sail, a yard, etc.
AMAIN A*main", v. i. (Naut.)
Defn: To lower the topsail, in token of surrender; to yield.
AMALGAM A*mal"gam, n. Etym: [F. amalgame, prob. fr. L. malagma, Gr.
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.)
Defn: A native compound of mercury and silver.
AMALGAM A*mal"gam, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. amalgamer]
Defn: To amalgamate. Boyle. B. Jonson.
AMALGAMA A*mal"ga*ma, n.
Defn: 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; AMALGAMATED A*mal"ga*mate, A*mal"ga*ma`ted, a.
Defn: Coalesced; united; combined.
AMALGAMATION A*mal`ga*ma"tion, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: Characterized by amalgamation.
AMALGAMATOR A*mal"ga*ma`tor, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: To amalgamate. [R.]
AMANDINE A*man"dine, n. Etym: [F. amande almond. See Almond.]
1. The vegetable casein of almonds.
2. A kind of cold cream prepared from almonds, for chapped hands, etc.
AMANITA Am`a*ni"ta, n. [NL. See Amanitine.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of poisonous fungi of the family Agaricaceæ, characterized by having a volva, an annulus, and white spores. The species resemble edible mushrooms, and are frequently mistaken for them. Amanita muscaria, syn. Agaricus muscarius, is the fly amanita, or fly agaric; and A. phalloides is the death cup.
AMANITINE A*man"i*tine, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The poisonous principle of some fungi.
AMANUENSIS A*man`u*en"sis, n.; pl. Amanuenses. Etym: [L., fr. a, ab + manus hand.]
Defn: A person whose employment is to write what another dictates, or to copy what another has written.
AMARACUS A*mar"a*cus, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
Defn: A fragrant flower. Tennyson.
AMARANT Am"a*rant, n.
Defn: Amaranth, 1. [Obs.] Milton.
AMARANTACEOUS Am`a*ran*ta"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the amaranth is the type.
AMARANTH Am"a*ranth, n. Etym: [L. amarantus, Gr. 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.
1. An imaginary flower supposed never to fade. [Poetic]
2. (Bot.)
Defn: 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; AMARANTUS Am`a*ran"thus, Am`a*ran"tus, n.
Defn: Same as Amaranth.
AMARINE Am"a*rine, n. Etym: [L. amarus bitter.] (Chem.)
Defn: A characteristic crystalline substance, obtained from oil of bitter almonds.
AMARITUDE A*mar"i*tude, n. Etym: [L. amaritudo, fr. amarus bitter: cf. OF. amaritude.]
Defn: Bitterness. [R.]
AMARYLLIDACEOUS; AMARYLLIDEOUS Am`a*ryl`li*da"ceous, Am`a*ryl*lid"e*ous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, an order of plants differing from the lily family chiefly in having the ovary below the
AMARYLLIS Am`a*ryl"lis, n. Etym: [L. Amaryllis, Gr.
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.] Etym: [F. ambusher, LL. amassare; L. ad + massa lump, mass. See Mass.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [OF. amasse, fr. ambusher.]
Defn: A mass; a heap. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.
AMASSABLE A*mass"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being amassed.
AMASSER A*mass"er, n.
Defn: One who amasses.
AMASSETTE A`mas`sette", n. Etym: [F. See Amass.]
Defn: An instrument of horn used for collecting painters' colors on the stone in the process of grinding.
AMASSMENT A*mass"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. amassement.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Photog.)
Defn: Uniting the chemical rays of light into one focus, as a certain kind of lens; amacratic.
AMATE A*mate", v. t. Etym: [OF. amater, amatir.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. a- + mate.]
Defn: To be a mate to; to match. [Obs.] Spenser.
AMATEUR Am`a*teur", n. Etym: [F., fr. L. amator lover, fr. amare to love.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: The practice, habit, or work of an amateur.
AMATEURSHIP Am"a*teur`ship, n.
Defn: The quality or character of an amateur.
AMATIVE Am"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. amatus, p. p. of amare to love.]
Defn: Full of love; amatory.
AMATIVENESS Am"a*tive*ness, n. (Phren.)
Defn: The faculty supposed to influence sexual desire; propensity to love. Combe.
AMATORIAL Am`a*to"ri*al, a. Etym: [See Amatorious.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a lover or to love making; amatory; as, amatorial verses.
AMATORIALLY Am`a*to"ri*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In an amatorial manner.
AMATORIAN Am`a*to"ri*an, a.
Defn: Amatory. [R.] Johnson.
AMATORIOUS Am`a*to"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. amatorius, fr. amare to love.]
Defn: Amatory. [Obs.] "Amatorious poem." Milton.
AMATORY Am"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, producing, or expressing, sexual love; as, amatory potions.
AMAUROSIS Am`au*ro"sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Affected with amaurosis; having the characteristics of amaurosis.
AMAZE A*maze", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amazed; p. pr. & vb. n. Amazing.] Etym: [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. -- 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
AMAZE A*maze", v. i.
Defn: To be astounded. [Archaic] B. Taylor.
AMAZE A*maze", v. t.
Defn: 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.
Defn: In amazement; with confusion or astonishment. Shak.
AMAZEDNESS A*maz"ed*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being amazed, or confounded with fear, surprise, or wonder. Bp. Hall.
AMAZEFUL A*maze"ful, a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Causing amazement; very wonderful; as, amazing grace. -- A*maz"ing*ly, adv.
AMAZON Am"a*zon, n. Etym: [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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A name numerous species of South American parrots of the genus Chrysotis Amazon ant (Zoöl.), a species of ant (Polyergus rufescens), of Europe and America. They seize by conquest the larvæ and nymphs 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; AMAZON STONE Am"a*zon*ite, Am"a*zon stone`, n. Etym: [Named from the river Amazon.] (Min.)
Defn: A variety of feldspar, having a verdigris-green color.
AMB-; AMBI- Amb-, Am*bi-. Etym: [L. prefix ambi-, amb-, akin to Gr. abhi, AS. embe, emb, OHG. umbi, umpi, G. um, and also L. ambo both. Cf. Amphi-, Both, By.]
Defn: A prefix meaning about, around; -- used in words derived from the Latin.
AMBAGES Am*ba"ges, n. pl. Etym: [L. (usually in pl.); pref. ambi-, amb- + agere to drive: cf. F. ambage.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Ambagious. [R.]
AMBAGIOUS Am*ba"gious, a. Etym: [L. ambagiosus.]
Defn: Circumlocutory; circuitous. [R.]
AMBAGITORY Am*bag"i*to*ry, a.
Defn: Ambagious. [R.]
AMBARY; AMBARY HEMP Am*ba"ry, n., or Ambary hemp. [Hind. ambara, ambari.]
Defn: A valuable East Indian fiber plant (Hibiscus cannabinus), or its fiber, which is used throughout India for making ropes, cordage, and a coarse canvas and sackcloth; --called also brown Indian hemp.
AMBASSADE; EMBASSADE Am"bas*sade, Em"bas*sade, n. Etym: [F. ambassade. See Embassy.]
1. The mission of an ambassador. [Obs.] Carew.
2. An embassy. [Obs.] Strype.
AMBASSADOR; EMBASSADOR Am*bas"sa*dor, Em*bas"sa*dor, n. Etym: [See Embassador.]
1. A minister of the highest rank sent a foreign court to represent there his sovereign or country.
Note: Ambassador 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to an ambassador. H. Walpole.
AMBASSADORSHIP Am*bas`sa*dor*ship, n.
Defn: The state, office, or functions of an ambassador.
AMBASSADRESS Am*bas"sa*dress, n.
Defn: A female ambassador; also, the wife of an ambassador. Prescott.
AMBASSAGE Am"bas*sage, n.
Defn: Same as Embassage. [Obs. or R.] Luke xiv. 32.
AMBASSY Am"bas*sy, n.
Defn: See Embassy, the usual spelling. Helps.
AMBER Am"ber, n. Etym: [OE. aumbre, F. ambre, Sp. ámbar, and with the Ar. article, alámbar, fr. Ar. 'anbar ambergris.]
1. (Min.)
Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A fish of the southern Atlantic coast (Seriola Carolinensis.)
AMBERGREASE Am"ber*grease, n.
Defn: See Ambergris.
AMBERGRIS Am"ber*gris, n. Etym: [F. ambre gris, i. e., gray amber; F. gris gray, which is of German origin: cf. OS. grîs, G. greis, gray-haired. See Amber.]
Defn: 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 212º Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery. Dana.
AMBER ROOM Am"ber room
Defn: 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`.
Defn: 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`.
Defn: A species of Anthospermum, a shrub with evergreen leaves, which, when bruised, emit a fragrant odor.
AMBES-AS Ambes"-as, n.
Defn: Ambs-ace. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AMBIDEXTER Am"bi*dex"ter, a. Etym: [LL., fr. L. ambo both + dexter right, dextra (sc. manus) the right hand.]
Defn: 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)
Defn: 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 ambidexas, 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)
Defn: A juror's taking of money from the both parties for a verdict.
AMBIDEXTRAL Am`bi*dex"tral, a.
Defn: Pertaining equally to the right-hand side and the left-hand side. Earle.
AMBIDEXTROUS Am`bi*dex"trous, a.
1. Pertaining 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.
Defn: In an ambidextrous manner; cunningly.
AMBIDEXTROUSNESS Am`bi*dex"trous*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being ambidextrous; ambidexterity.
AMBIENT Am"bi*ent, a. Etym: [L. ambiens, p. pr. of ambire to go around; amb- + ire to go.]
Defn: Encompassing on all sides; circumfused; investing. "Ambient air." Milton. "Ambient clouds." Pope.
AMBIENT Am"bi*ent, n.
Defn: Something that surrounds or invests; as, air . . . being a perpetual ambient. Sir H. Wotton.
AMBIGENOUS Am*big"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. ambo both + genus kind.]
Defn: Of two kinds. (Bot.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F., fr. ambigu doubtful, L. ambiquus. See Ambiguous.]
Defn: An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the same time.
AMBIGUITY Am`bi*gu"i*ty, n.; pl. Ambiguities. Etym: [L. ambiguitas, fr. ambiguus: cf. F. ambiguité.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. ambiguus, fr. ambigere to wander about, waver; amb- + agere to drive.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: In an ambiguous manner; with doubtful meaning.
AMBIGUOUSNESS Am*big"u*ous*ness, n.
Defn: Ambiguity.
AMBILEVOUS Am`bi*le"vous, a. Etym: [L. ambo both + laevus left.]
Defn: Left-handed on both sides; clumsy; -- opposed to ambidexter. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
AMBILOQUY Am*bil"o*quy, n.
Defn: Doubtful or ambiguous language. [Obs.] Bailey.
AMBIPAROUS Am*bip"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. ambo both + parere to bring forth.] (Bot.)
Defn: Characterized by containing the rudiments of both flowers and leaves; -- applied to a bud.
AMBIT Am"bit, n. Etym: [L. ambitus circuit, fr. ambire to go around. See Ambient.]
Defn: Circuit or compass. His great parts did not live within a small ambit. Milward.
AMBITION Am*bi"tion, n. Etym: [F. ambition, L. ambitio a going around, especially of candidates for office is Rome, to solicit votes (hence, desire for office or honorambire 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. Etym: [Cf. F. ambitionner.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: One excessively ambitious. [R.]
AMBITIONLESS Am*bi"tion*less, a.
Defn: Devoid of ambition. Pollok.
AMBITIOUS Am*bi"tious, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: In an ambitious manner.
AMBITIOUSNESS Am*bi"tious*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being ambitious; ambition; pretentiousness.
AMBITUS Am"bi*tus, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: A canvassing for votes.
AMBLE Am"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ambled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ambling.] Etym: [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. 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.
Defn: A horse or a person that ambles.
AMBLINGLY Am"bling*ly, adv.
Defn: With an ambling gait.
AMBLOTIC Am*blot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Tending to cause abortion.
AMBLYGON Am"bly*gon, n. Etym: [Gr. amblygone.] (Geom.)
Defn: An obtuse-angled figure, esp. and obtuse-angled triangle. [Obs.]
AMBLYGONAL Am*blyg"o*nal, a.
Defn: Obtuse-angled. [Obs.] Hutton.
AMBLYOPIA; AMBLYOPY Am`bly*o"pi*a, Am"bly*o`py, n. Etym: [Gr. amblyopie.] (Med.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to amblyopy. Quain.
AMBLYPODA Am*blyp"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A group of large, extinct, herbivorous mammals, common in the Tertiary formation of the United States.
AMBO Am"bo, n.; pl. Ambos. Etym: [LL. ambo, Gr. ambon.]
Defn: A large pulpit or reading desk, in the early Christian churches. Gwilt.
AMBON Am"bon, n.
Defn: Same as Ambo.
AMBOYNA BUTTON Am*boy"na but"ton. (Med.)
Defn: A chronic contagious affection of the skin, prevalent in the tropics.
AMBOYNA PINE Amboyna pine. (Bot.)
Defn: The resiniferous tree Agathis Dammara, of the Moluccas.
AMBOYNA WOOD Am*boy"na wood.
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A salt formed by the combination of ambreic acid with a base or positive radical.
AMBREIC Am*bre"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to ambrein; -- said of a certain acid produced by digesting ambrein in nitric acid.
AMBREIN Am"bre*in, n. Etym: [Cf. F. ambréine. See Amber.] (Chem.)
Defn: A fragrant substance which is the chief constituent of ambergris.
AMBRITE Am"brite, n. Etym: [From amber.]
Defn: A fossil resin occurring in large masses in New Zealand.
AMBROSE Am"brose, n.
Defn: A sweet-scented herb; ambrosia. See Ambrosia, 3. Turner.
AMBROSIA Am*bro"sia, n. Etym: [L. ambrosia, Gr. 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.
AMBROSIA BEETLE Ambrosia beetle. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A bark beetle that feeds on ambrosia.
AMBROSIAC Am"bro"si*ac, a. Etym: [L. ambrosiacus: cf. F. ambrosiaque.]
Defn: Having the qualities of ambrosia; delicious. [R.]"Ambrosiac odors." B. Jonson.
AMBROSIAL Am*bro"sial, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: After the manner of ambrosia; delightfully. "Smelt ambrosially." Tennyson.
AMBROSIAN Am*bro"sian, a.
Defn: Ambrosial. [R.] . Jonson.
AMBROSIAN Am*bro"sian, a.
Defn: 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. Etym: [LL. Ambrosinus nummus.]
Defn: An early coin struck by the dukes of Milan, and bearing the figure of St. Ambrose on horseback.
AMBROTYPE Am"bro*type, n. Etym: [Gr. -type.] (Photog.)
Defn: A picture taken on a place 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [OF. ambesas; ambes both (fr. L. ambo) + as ace. See Ace.]
Defn: Double aces, the lowest throw of all at dice. Hence: Bad luck; anything of no account or value.
AMBULACRAL Am`bu*la"cral, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to ambulacra; avenuelike; as, the ambulacral ossicles, plates, spines, and suckers of echinoderms.
AMBULACRIFORM Am`bu*la"cri*form, a. Etym: [Ambulacrum + -form] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the form of ambulacra.
AMBULACRUM Am`bu*la"crum, n.; pl. Ambulacra. Etym: [L., an alley or covered way.] (Zoöl.) (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. Etym: [F. ambulance, hôpital 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. Etym: [L. ambulans, p. pr. of ambulare to walk: cf. F. ambulant.]
Defn: Walking; moving from place to place. Gayton.
AMBULATE Am"bu*late, v. i. Etym: [L. ambulare to walk. See Amble.]
Defn: To walk; to move about. [R.] Southey.
AMBULATION Am`bu*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. ambulatio.]
Defn: The act of walking. Sir T. Browne.
AMBULATIVE Am"bu*la*tive, a.
Defn: Walking. [R.]
AMBULATOR Am"bu*la`tor, n.
1. One who walks about; a walker.
2. (Zoöl.) (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.
Defn: Ambulatory; fitted for walking. Verrill.
AMBULATORY Am"bu*la*to*ry, a. Etym: [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)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. LL. ambulatorium.] (Arch.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Same as Anbury.
AMBUSCADE Am`bus*cade", n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: To lie in ambush.
AMBUSCADO Am`bus*ca"do, n.
Defn: Ambuscade. [Obs.] Shak.
AMBUSCADOED Am`bus*ca"doed, p. p.
Defn: Posted in ambush; ambuscaded. [Obs.]
AMBUSH Am"bush, n. Etym: [F. embûche, 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.] Etym: [OE. enbussen, enbushen, OF. embushier, embuissier, F. embûcher, embusquer, fr. LL. imboscare; in + LL. boscus, buscus, a wood; akin to G. bush, E. bush. See Ambuscade, Bu.]
1. To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy. By ambushed men behind their temple Dryden.
2. To attack by ambush; to waylay.
AMBUSH Am"bush, v. i.
Defn: 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.
Defn: One lying in ambush.
AMBUSHMENT Am"bush*ment, n. Etym: [OF. embuschement. See Ambush, v. t.]
Defn: An ambush. [Obs.] 2 Chron. xiii. 13.
AMBUSTION Am*bus"tion, n. Etym: [L. ambustio.] (Med.)
Defn: A burn or scald. Blount.
AMEBEAN Am`e*be"an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Am.
AMEER; AMIR A*meer", A*mir", n. Etym: [See Emir.]
1. Emir. [Obs.]
2. One of the Mohammedan nobility of Afghanistan and Scinde.
AMEL Am"el, n. Etym: [OE. amell, OF. esmail, F. émail, of German origin; cf. OHG. smelzi, G. schmelz. See Smelt, v. t.]
Defn: Enamel. [Obs.] Boyle.
AMEL Am"el, v. t. Etym: [OE. amellen, OF. esmailler, F. émailler, OF. esmail, F. émail.]
Defn: To enamel. [Obs.] Enlightened all with stars, And richly ameled. Chapman.
AMELCORN Am"el*corn`, n. Etym: [Ger. amelkorn: cf. MHG. amel, amer, spelt, and L. amylum starch, Gr.
Defn: A variety of wheat from which starch is produced; -- called also French rice.
AMELIORABLE A*mel"io*ra*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being ameliorated.
AMELIORATE A*mel"io*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ameliorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Ameliorating.] Etym: [L. ad + meliorare to make better: cf. F. améliorer. See Meliorate.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: To grow better; to meliorate; as, wine ameliorates by age.
AMELIORATION A*mel`io*ra"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. amélioration.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Tending to ameliorate; producing amelioration or improvement; as, ameliorative remedies, efforts.
AMELIORATOR A*mel"io*ra`tor, n.
Defn: One who ameliorates.
AMEN A`men", interj., adv., & n. Etym: [L. amen, Gr. am certainly, truly.]
Defn: 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. It is used as a noun, to demote: (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.
Defn: To say Amen to; to sanction fully.
AMENABILITY A*me`na*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being amenable; amenableness. Coleridge.
AMENABLE A*me"na*ble, a. Etym: [F. amener to lead; 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)
Defn: 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.
Defn: The quality or state of being amenable; liability to answer charges; answerableness.
AMENABLY A*me"na*bly, adv.
Defn: In an amenable manner.
AMENAGE Am"e*nage, v. t. Etym: [OF. amesnagier. See Manage.]
Defn: To manage. [Obs.] Spenser.
AMENANCE Am"e*nance, n. Etym: [OF. See Amenable.]
Defn: Behavior; bearing. [Obs.] Spenser.
AMEND A*mend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amended; p. pr. & vb. n. Amending.] Etym: [F. amender, L. emendare; e(ex) + mendum, menda, fault, akin to Skr. minda personal defect. Cf. Emend, Mend.]
Defn: 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. 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", v. i.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Capable of being amended; as, an amendable writ or error. -- A*mend"a*ble*ness, n.
AMENDATORY A*mend"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Supplying amendment; corrective; emendatory. Bancroft.
AMENDE A`mende", n. Etym: [F. See Amend.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who amends.
AMENDFUL A*mend"ful, a.
Defn: Much improving. [Obs.]
AMENDMENT A*mend"ment, n. Etym: [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)
Defn: Correction of an error in a writ or process.
Syn. -- Improvement; reformation; emendation.
AMENDS A*mends", n. sing. & pl. Etym: [F. amendes, pl. of amende. Cf. Amende.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. aménité, L. amoenitas, fr. amoenus pleasant.]
Defn: 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*rhoe"a, n. Etym: [Gr. aménorrhée.] (Med.)
Defn: Retention or suppression of the menstrual discharge.
AMENORRHOEAL A*men`or*rhoe"al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to amenorrhoea.
A MENSA ET THORO A men"sa et tho"ro. Etym: [L., from board and bed.] (Law)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. amentum thong or strap.] (Bot.)
Defn: A species of inflorescence; a catkin. The globular ament of a buttonwood. Coues.
AMENTACEOUS Am`en*ta"ceous, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [L.] (Med.)
Defn: Imbecility; total want of understanding.
AMENTIFEROUS Am`en*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. amentum + -ferous.] (Bot.)
Defn: Bearing catkins. Balfour.
AMENTIFORM A*men"ti*form, a. Etym: [L. amentum + -form.] (Bot.)
Defn: Shaped like a catkin.
AMENTUM A*men"tum, n.; pl. Amenta.
Defn: Same as Ament.
AMENUSE Am"e*nuse, v. t. Etym: [OF. amenuisier. See Minute.]
Defn: To lessen. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AMERCE A*merce", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amerced; p. pr. & vb. n. Amercing.] Etym: [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.
Defn: Liable to be amerced.
AMERCEMENT A*merce"ment, n. Etym: [OF. amerciment.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who amerces.
AMERCIAMENT A*mer"cia*ment, n. Etym: [LL. amerciamentum.]
Defn: Same as Amercement. Mozley & W.
AMERICAN A*mer"i*can, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: The process of Americanizing.
AMERICANIZE A*mer"i*can*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Americanizer; p. pr. & vb. n. Americanizing.]
Defn: To render American; to assimilate to the Americans in customs, ideas, etc.; to stamp with American characteristics.
AMERICAN PLAN A*mer"i*can plan.
Defn: In hotels, aplan upon which guests pay for both room and board by the day, week, or other convenient period; -- contrasted with European plan.
AMERICAN PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION A*mer"i*can Pro*tect"ive As*so`ci*a"tion.
Defn: A secret organization in the United States, formed in Iowa in 1887, ostensibly for the protection of American institutions by keeping Roman Catholics out of public office. Abbrev. commonly to A. P .A.
AMES-ACE Ames"-ace, n.
Defn: Same as Ambs-ace.
AMESS Am"ess, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: Amice, a hood or cape. See 2d Amice.
AMETABOLA Am`e*tab"o*la, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of insects which do not undergo any metamorphosis. [Written also Ametabolia.]
AMETABOLIAN A*met`a*bo"li*an, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to insects that do undergo any metamorphosis.
AMETABOLIC; AMETABOLOUS A*met`a*bol"ic, Am`e*tab"o*lous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Not undergoing any metamorphosis; as, ametabolic insects.
AMETHODIST A*meth"o*dist, n. Etym: [Pref. a- not + methodist.]
Defn: One without method; a quack. [Obs.]
AMETHYST Am"e*thyst, Etym: [F. ametiste, amatiste, F. améthyste, L. amethystus, fr. Gr. Mead.]
1. (Min.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: A purple color in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat of arms.
AMETHYSTINE Am`e*thys"tine, a. Etym: [L. amethystinus, Gr.
1. Resembling amethyst, especially in color; bluish violet.
2. Composed of, or containing, amethyst.
AMETROPIA Am`e*tro"pi*a, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Any abnormal condition of the refracting powers of the eye. -- Am`e*trop"ic, a.
AMHARIC Am*har"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Amhara, a division of Abyssinia; as, the Amharic language is closely allied to the Ethiopic. -- n.
Defn: The Amharic language (now the chief language of Abyssinia).
AMIA Am"i*a, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: The quality of being amiable; amiableness; sweetness of disposition. Every excellency is a degree of amiability. Jer. Taylor.
AMIABLE A"mi*a*ble, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: The quality of being amiable; amiability.
AMIABLY A"mi*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In an amiable manner.
AMIANTH Am"i*anth, n.
Defn: See Amianthus. [Poetic]
AMIANTHIFORM Am`i*an"thi*form, a. Etym: [Amianthus + -form.]
Defn: Resembling amianthus in form.
AMIANTHOID Am`i*an"thoid, a. Etym: [Amianthus + -oid: cf. F. amiantoïde.]
Defn: Resembling amianthus.
AMIANTHUS Am`i*an"thus, n. Etym: [L. amiantus, Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Earth flax, or mountain flax; a soft silky variety of asbestus.
AMIC Am"ic, a. Etym: [L. ammonia + -ic.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: The quality of being amicable; friendliness; amicableness. Ash.
AMICABLE Am"i*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. amicabilis, fr. amicus friend, fr. amare to love. See Amiable.]
Defn: 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. -- 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.
Defn: The quality of being amicable; amicability.
AMICABLY Am"i*ca*bly, adv.
Defn: In an amicable manner.
AMICE Am"ice, n. Etym: [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.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. amuce, amisse, OF. almuce, aumuce, F. aumusse, LL. almucium, almucia, aumucia: of unknown origin; cf. G. mütze cap, prob. of the same origin. Cf. Mozetta.] (Eccl.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: See Amidst.
AMIDE Am"ide, n. Etym: [Ammonia + -ide.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. amidine, fr. amido starch, fr. L. amylum, Gr. Meal.] (Chem.)
Defn: Start modified by heat so as to become a transparent mass, like horn. It is soluble in cold water.
AMIDO A*mi"do, a. Etym: [From Amide.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Amide + -gen.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
AMIDOL Am"i*dol, n. [Amide + -ol as in alcohol.] (Photog. & Chem.)
Defn: A salt of a diamino phenol, C6H3(OH)(NH2)2, used as a developer.
AMIDSHIPS A*mid"ships, adv. (Naut.)
Defn: In the middle of a ship, with regard to her length, and sometimes also her breadth. Totten.
AMIDST; AMID A*midst", A*mid", prep. Etym: [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.]
Defn: 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. 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.
AMIGO A*mi"go, n.; pl. Amigos (#). [Sp., fr. L. amicus.]
Defn: A friend; -- a Spanish term applied in the Philippine Islands to friendly natives.
AMINE Am"ine, n. Etym: [Ammonia + -ine.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
AMINOL Am"i*nol, n. [From amine.] (Pharm.)
Defn: A colorless liquid prepared from herring brine and containing amines, used as a local antiseptic.
AMIOID Am"i*oid, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like or pertaining to the Amioidei. -- n.
Defn: One of the Amioidei.
AMIOIDEI Am`i*oi"de*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Amia + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of ganoid fishes of which Amis is type. See Bowfin and Ganoidei.
AMIR A*mir", n.
Defn: Same as Ameer.
AMISH Am"ish, n. pl. [Written also Omish.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: The Amish Mennonites.
AMISH Am"ish, a. [Written also Omish.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, the followers of Jacob Amman, a strict Mennonite of the 17th century, who even proscribed the use of buttons and shaving as "worldly conformity". There are several branches of Amish Mennonites in the United States.
AMISS A*miss", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + miss.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: A fault, wrong, or mistake. [Obs.] Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss. Shak.
AMISSIBILITY A*mis`si*bil"i*ty, Etym: [Cf. F. amissibilité. See Amit.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. amissibilis: cf. F. amissible.]
Defn: Liable to be lost. [R.]
AMISSION A*mis"sion, n. Etym: [L. amissio: cf. F. amission.]
Defn: Deprivation; loss. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
AMIT A*mit", v. t. Etym: [L. amittere, amissum, to lose; a (ab) + mittere to send. See Missile.]
Defn: To lose. [Obs.] A lodestone fired doth presently amit its proper virtue. Sir T. Browne.
AMITOSIS Am`i*to"sis, n. [NL. See A-not, and Mitosis.] (Biol.)
Defn: Cell division in which there is first a simple cleavage of the nucleus without change in its structure (such as the formation of chromosomes), followed by the division of the cytoplasm; direct cell division; -- opposed to mitosis. It is not the usual mode of division, and is believed by many to occur chiefly in highly specialized cells which are incapable of long-continued multiplication, in transitory structures, and in those in early stages of degeneration.
AMITOTIC Am`i*tot"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to amitosis; karyostenotic; -- opposed to mitotic.
AMITY Am"i*ty, n.; pl. Amities. Etym: [F. amitié, OF. amistié, amisté, fr. an assumed LL. amisitas, fr. L. amicus friendly, from amare to love. See Amiable.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [LL. amma, prob. of interjectional or imitative origin: cf. Sp. ama, G. amme, nurse, Basque ama mother, Heb. , Ar. immun, ummun.]
Defn: An abbes or spiritual mother.
AMMETER Am"me*ter, n. (Physics)
Defn: A contraction of amperometer or ampèremeter.
AMMIRAL Am"mi*ral, n.
Defn: An obsolete form of admiral. "The mast of some great ammiral." Milton.
AMMITE Am"mite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Geol.)
Defn: Oölite or roestone; -- written also hammite. [Obs.]
AMMODYTE Am"mo*dyte, n. Etym: [L. ammodytes, Gr. (Zoöl.) (a) One of a genus of fishes; the sand eel. (b) A kind of viper in southern Europe. [Obs.]
AMMONAL Am"mo*nal`, n. [Ammonium + aluminium.]
Defn: An explosive consisting of a mixture of powdered aluminium and nitrate of ammonium.
AMMONIA Am*mo"ni*a, n. Etym: [From sal ammoniac, which was first obtaining near the temple of Jupiter Ammon, by burning camel's dung. See Ammoniac.] (Chem.)
Defn: A gaseous compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, NH3, with a pungent smell and taste: -- often called volatile alkali, and spirits of hartshorn.
AMMONIAC; AMMONIACAL Am*mo"ni*ac, Am`mo*ni"a*cal, a.
Defn: 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 Etym: [L. sal ammoniacus], the salt usually called chloride of ammonium, and formerly muriate of ammonia.
AMMONIAC; GUM AMMONIAC Am*mo"ni*ac ([or] Gum` am*mo"ni*ac , n. Etym: [L. Ammoniacum, Gr. Ammon; cf. F. ammoniac. See Ammonite.] (Med.)
Defn: 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.
AMMONIACAL FERMENTATION Am`mo*ni"a*cal fer`men*ta"tion.
Defn: Any fermentation process by which ammonia is formed, as that by which urea is converted into ammonium carbonate when urine is exposed to the air.
AMMONIATED Am*mo"ni*a`ted, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Combined or impregnated with ammonia.
AMMONIC Am*mo"nic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to ammonia.
AMMONITE Am"mon*ite, n. Etym: [L. cornu Ammonis born of Ammon; L. Ammon, Gr. Amun.] (Paleon.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Ammonite + -ferous.]
Defn: Containing fossil ammonites.
AMMONITOIDEA Am*mon`i*toid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Ammonite + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive group of fossil cephalopods often very abundant in Mesozoic rocks. See Ammonite.
AMMONIUM Am*mo"ni*um, n. Etym: [See Ammonia.] (Chem.)
Defn: A compound radical, NH4, having the chemical relations of a strongly basic element like the alkali metals.
AMMUNITION Am`mu*ni"tion, n. Etym: [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.]
Defn: To provide with ammunition.
AMNESIA Am*ne"si*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to amnesia. "Amnesic or coördinate defects." Quian.
AMNESTIC Am*nes"tic, a.
Defn: Causing loss of memory.
AMNESTY Am"nes*ty, n. Etym: [L. amnestia, Gr. 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.]
Defn: To grant amnesty to.
AMNICOLIST Am*nic"o*list, n. Etym: [L. amnicola, amnis a river + colere to dwell.]
Defn: One who lives near a river. [Obs.] Bailey.
AMNIGENOUS Am*nig"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. amnigena; amnis a river + root gen of gignere to beget.]
Defn: Born or bred in, of, or near a river. [Obs.] Bailey.
AMNION Am"ni*on, n. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: A thin membrane surrounding the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
AMNIOS Am"ni*os, n.
Defn: Same as Amnion.
AMNIOTA Am`ni*o"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Amnion.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. amniotique.] (Anat.)
Defn: 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*moe"ba, n; pl. L. Amoebæ; E. Amoebas. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A rhizopod. common in fresh water, capable of undergoing many changes of form at will. See Rhizopoda.
AMOEBAEUM Am`oe*bæ"um, n. Etym: [L. amoebaeus, Gr. amoebaeum carmen, Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: That division of the Rhizopoda which includes the amoeba and similar forms.
AMOEBEAN Am`oe*be"an, a.
Defn: Alternately answering.
AMOEBIAN A*moe"bi*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Amoebea.
AMOEBIFORM; AMOEBOID A*moe"bi*form, A*moe"boid, a. Etym: [Amoeba + -form or -oid.] (Biol.)
Defn: Resembling an amoeba; amoeba-shaped; changing in shape like an amoeba. Amoeboid movement, movement produced, as in the amoeba, by successive processes of prolongation and retraction.
AMOEBOUS A*moe"bous, a.
Defn: Like an amoeba in structure.
AMOLE A*mo"le, n. [Mex.] (Bot.)
Defn: Any detergent plant, or the part of it used as a detergent, as the roots of Agave Americana, Chlorogalum pomeridianum, etc. [Sp. Amer. & Mex.]
AMOLITION Am`o*li"tion, n. Etym: [L. amolitio, fr. amoliri to remove; a (ab) + moliri to put in motion.]
Defn: Removal; a putting away. [Obs.] Bp. Ward (1673).
AMOMUM A*mo"mum, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of aromatic plants. It includes species which bear cardamoms, and grains of paradise.
AMONESTE A*mon"este, v. t.
Defn: To admonish. [Obs.]
AMONG; AMONGST A*mong", A*mongst", prep. Etym: [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. Etym: [Sp.]
Defn: A dry kind of cherry, of a light color. Simmonds.
AMORET Am"o*ret, n. Etym: [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.
Defn: An amoret. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
AMORIST Am"o*rist, n. Etym: [L. armor love. See Amorous.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [See Amorwe. The -s is a genitival ending. See -wards.]
Defn: In the morning; every morning. [Obs.] And have such pleasant walks into the woods A-mornings. J. Fletcher.
AMOROSA Am`o*ro"sa, n. Etym: [It. amoroso, fem. amorosa.]
Defn: A wanton woman; a courtesan. Sir T. Herbert.
AMOROSITY Am`o*ros"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being amorous; lovingness. [R.] Galt.
AMOROSO Am`o*ro"so, n. Etym: [It. amoroso, LL. amorosus.]
Defn: A lover; a man enamored.
AMOROSO Am`o*ro"so, adv. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)
Defn: In a soft, tender, amatory style.
AMOROUS Am"o*rous, a. Etym: [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.
Defn: In an amorous manner; fondly.
AMOROUSNESS Am"o*rous*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being amorous, or inclined to sexual love; lovingness.
AMORPHA A*mor"pha, n.; pl. Amorphas. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of leguminous shrubs, having long clusters of purple flowers; false or bastard indigo. Longfellow.
AMORPHISM A*mor"phism, n. Etym: [See Amorphous.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr.
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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Animals without a mouth or regular internal organs, as the sponges.
AMORPHOZOIC A*mor`pho*zo"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Amorphozoa.
AMORPHY A*mor"phy, n. Etym: [Gr. amorphie. See Amorphous.]
Defn: Shapelessness. [Obs.] Swift.
AMORT A*mort", a. Etym: [Pref. a- + F. mort death, dead; all amort is for alamort.]
Defn: As if dead; lifeless; spiritless; dejected; depressed. Shak.
AMORTISE; AMORTISATION; AMORTISABLE; AMORTISEMENT A*mor"tise, v., A*mor`ti*sa"tion, n., A*mor"tis*a*ble, a., A*mor"tise*ment, n.
Defn: Same as Amortize, Amortization, etc.
AMORTIZABLE A*mor"tiz*a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. amortissable.]
Defn: Capable of being cleared off, as a debt.
AMORTIZATION A*mor`ti*za"tion, n. Etym: [LL. amortisatio, admortizatio. See Amortize, and cf. Admortization.]
1. (Law)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. amortissement.]
Defn: Same as Amortization.
AMORWE A*mor"we, adv. Etym: [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. Etym: [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. Etym: [L., withdrawn (from it (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.] Etym: [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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Self-love; self-esteem.
AMOVABILITY A*mov`a*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: Liability to be removed or dismissed from office. [R.] T. Jefferson.
AMOVABLE A*mov"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. amovible.]
Defn: Removable.
AMOVE A*move", v. t. Etym: [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)
Defn: To dismiss from an office or station.
AMOVE A*move", v. t. & i. Etym: [OE. amovir, L. admovere to move to, to excite; ad + movere.]
Defn: To move or be moved; to excite. [Obs.] Spenser.
AMPELITE Am"pe*lite, n. Etym: [L. ampelitis, Gr. (Min.)
Defn: An earth abounding in pyrites, used by the ancients to kill insects, etc., on vines; -- applied by Brongniart to a carbonaceous alum schist.
AMPELOPSIS Am`pe*lop"sis (am`pe*lop"sis), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a`mpelos vine + 'o`psis appearance.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus formerly including the Virginia creeper.
AMPERAGE Am*per"age, n. (Elec.)
Defn: The strength of a current of electricity carried by a conductor or generated by a machine, measured in ampères.
AMPERE; AMPERE Am`père", Am*pere", n. Etym: [From the name of a French electrician.] (Elec.)
Defn: 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 ampère.
AMPERE FOOT Am`père" foot. (Elec.)
Defn: A unit, employed in calculating fall of pressure in distributing mains, equivalent to a current of one ampère flowing through one foot of conductor.
AMPERE HOUR; AMPERE MINUTE; AMPERE SECOND Ampère hour. (Elec.)
Defn: The quantity of electricity delivered in one hour by a current whose average strength is one ampère. It is used as a unit of quantity, and is equal to 3600 coulombs. The terms Ampère minute and Ampère second are sometimes similarly used.
AMPEREMETER; AMPEROMETER Am`père"me`ter, Am`pe*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Ampère + meter.] (Physics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the strength of an electrical current in ampères.
AMPERE TURN Ampère turn. (Elec.)
Defn: A unit equal to the product of one complete convolution (of a coiled conductor) into one ampère of current; thus, a conductor having five convolutions and carrying a current of half an ampère is said to have 2½ ampère turns. The magnetizing effect of a coil is proportional to the number of its ampère turns.
AMPERSAND Am"per*sand, n. Etym: [A corruption of and, per se and, i. e., & by itself makes and.]
Defn: A word used to describe the character Halliwell.
AMPHI- Am*phi-. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. amphi- + arthrodial.]
Defn: Characterized by amphiarthrosis.
AMPHIARTHROSIS Am`phi*ar*thro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: A form of articulation in which the bones are connected by intervening substance admitting slight motion; symphysis.
AMPHIASTER Am"phi*as`ter, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [See Amphibium.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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 Coecilians, 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.
Defn: Amphibian. [R.]
AMPHIBIAN Am*phib"i*an (-an), a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Amphibia; as, amphibian reptiles.
AMPHIBIAN Am*phib"i*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Amphibia.
AMPHIBIOLOGICAL Am*phib`i*o*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to amphibiology.
AMPHIBIOLOGY Am*phib`i*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy: cf. F. amphibiologie.]
Defn: A treatise on amphibious animals; the department of natural history which treats of the Amphibia.
AMPHIBIOTICA Am*phib`i*ot"i*ca, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of insects having aquatic larvæ.
AMPHIBIOUS Am*phib"i*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. i. e., both on land in water;
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.
Defn: Like an amphibious being.
AMPHIBIUM Am*phib"i*um, n.; pl. L. Amphibia; E. Amphibiums. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Amphibious.]
Defn: An amphibian.
AMPHIBLASTIC Am`phi*blas"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Segmenting unequally; -- said of telolecithal ova with complete segmentation.
AMPHIBOLE Am"phi*bole, n. Etym: [Gr. amphibole. Haüy so named the genus from the great variety of color and composition assumed by the mineral.] (Min.)
Defn: 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.
1. Of or pertaining to amphiboly; ambiguous; equivocal.
2. Of or resembling the mineral amphibole.
AMPHIBOLOGICAL Am*phib`o*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of doubtful meaning; ambiguous. "Amphibological expressions." Jer. Taylor. -- Am*phib`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
AMPHIBOLOGY Am`phi*bol"o*gy, n.; pl. Amphibologies. Etym: [L. amphibologia, for amphibolia, fr. Gr. logia as if fr. Gr. amphibologie. See Amphiboly.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. amphibolus, Gr. Amphibole.]
1. Ambiguous; doubtful. [Obs.] Never was there such an amphibolous quarrel -- both parties declaring themselves for the king. Howell.
2. (Logic)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. amphibolia, Gr. amphibolie. See Amphibolous.]
Defn: 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, n. Etym: [L. (Anc. Pros.)
Defn: A foot of three syllables, the middle one long, the first and last short (as, h. In modern prosody the accented syllable takes the place of the long and the unaccented of the short; as, pro-phet''ic.
AMPHICARPIC; AMPHICARPOUS Am`phi*car"pic, Am`phi*car"pous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Producing fruit of two kinds, either as to form or time of ripening.
AMPHICHROIC Am`phi*chro"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: Exhibiting or producing two colors, as substances which in the color test may change red litmus to blue and blue litmus to red.
AMPHICOELIAN; AMPHICOELOUS Am`phi*coe"li*an, Am`phi*coe"lous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having both ends concave; biconcave; -- said of vertebræ.
AMPHICOME Am"phi*come, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A kind of figured stone, rugged and beset with eminences, anciently used in divination. [Obs.] Encyc. Brit.
AMPHICTYONIC Am*phic`ty*on"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Amphictyones, Gr. (Grecian Hist.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Grecian Hist.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. amphide.] (Chem.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A peculiar small siliceous spicule having a denticulated wheel at each end; -- found in freshwater sponges.
AMPHIDROMICAL Am`phi*drom"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Extending over all the zones, from the tropics to the polar zones inclusive.
AMPHIGEN Am"phi*gen, n. Etym: [Gr. -gen: cf. F. amphigène.] (Chem.)
Defn: An element that in combination produces amphid salt; -- applied by Berzelius to oxygen, sulphur, selenium, and tellurium. [R.]
AMPHIGENE Am"phi*gene, n. (Min.)
Defn: Leucite.
AMPHIGENESIS Am`phi*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Sexual generation; amphigony.
AMPHIGENOUS Am*phig"e*nous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Increasing in size by growth on all sides, as the lichens.
AMPHIGONIC Am`phi*gon"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to amphigony; sexual; as, amphigonic propagation. [R.]
AMPHIGONOUS Am*phig"o*nous, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Relating to both parents. [R.]
AMPHIGONY Am*phig"o*ny, n.
Defn: Sexual propagation. [R.]
AMPHIGORIC Am`phi*gor"ic, a. Etym: [See Amphigory.]
Defn: Nonsensical; absurd; pertaining to an amphigory.
AMPHIGORY Am"phi*go*ry, n. Etym: [F. amphigouri, of uncertain derivation; perh. fr. Gr.
Defn: A nonsense verse; a rigmarole, with apparent meaning, which on further attention proves to be meaningless. [Written also amphigouri.]
AMPHILOGISM; AMPHILOGY Am*phil"o*gism, Am*phil"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: Ambiguity of speech; equivocation. [R.]
AMPHIMACER Am*phim"a*cer, n. Etym: [L. amphimacru, Gr. (Anc. Pros.)
Defn: A foot of three syllables, the middle one short and the others long, as in cast. Andrews.
AMPHINEURA Am`phi*neu"ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Mollusca remarkable for the bilateral symmetry of the organs and the arrangement of the nerves.
AMPHIOXUS Am`phi*ox"us, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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, vertebræ, nor red blood. It forms the type of the group Acrania, Leptocardia, etc.
AMPHIPNEUST Am*phip"neust, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Amphipoda.
AMPHIPOD; AMPHIPODAN Am"phi*pod, Am*phip"o*dan, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Amphipoda.
AMPHIPODA Am*phip"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., FR. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Amphipoda.
AMPHIPROSTYLE Am*phip"ro*style, a. Etym: [L. amphiprostylos, Gr. amphiprostyle. See Prostyle.] (Arch.)
Defn: Doubly prostyle; having columns at each end, but not at the sides. -- n.
Defn: An amphiprostyle temple or edifice.
AMPHIRHINA Am`phi*rhi"na, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A name applied to the elasmobranch fishes, because the nasal sac is double.
AMPHISBAENA Am`phis*bæ"na, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either way. Milton.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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 amphisbæna; but it belongs among the worms.
AMPHISBAENOID Am`phis*bæ"noid, a. Etym: [NL., fr. L. amphisbaena + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like or pertaining to the lizards of the genus Amphisbæna.
AMPHISCII; AMPHISCIANS Am*phis"ci*i, Am*phis"cians, n. pl. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a sucker at each extremity, as certain entozoa, by means of which they adhere.
AMPHISTYLIC Am`phi*sty"lic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Having the mandibular arch articulated with the hyoid arch and the cranium, as in the cestraciont sharks; -- said of a skull.
AMPHITHEATER; AMPHITHEATRE Am`phi*the"a*ter, Am`phi*the"a*tre,, n. Etym: [L. amphitheatrum, fr. Gr. amphithé\'83tre. 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. Etym: [L. amphitheatralis: cf. F. amphithé\'83tral.]
Defn: Amphitheatrical; resembling an amphitheater.
AMPHITHEATRIC; AMPHITHEATRICAL Am`phi*the*at"ric, Am`phi*the*at"ric*al, a. Etym: [L. amphitheatricus.]
Defn: Of, pertaining to, exhibited in, or resembling, an amphitheater.
AMPHITHEATRICALLY Am`phi*the*at"ric*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In the form or manner of an amphitheater.
AMPHITROCHA Am*phit"ro*cha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of annelid larva having both a dorsal and a ventral circle of special cilia.
AMPHITROPAL; AMPHITROPOUS Am*phit"ro*pal, Am*phit"ro*pous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the ovule inverted, but with the attachment near the middle of one side; half anatropous.
AMPHIUMA Am`phi*u"ma, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. peptone.] (Physiol.)
Defn: A product of gastric digestion, a mixture of hemipeptone and antipeptone.
AMPHORA Am"pho*ra, n.; pl. Amophoræ. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Ampul.]
Defn: Among the ancients, a two-handled vessel, tapering at the bottom, used for holding wine, oil, etc.
AMPHORAL Am"pho*ral, a. Etym: [L. amphoralis.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, an amphora.
AMPHORIC Am*phor"ic, a. (Med.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Partly one and partly the other; neither acid nor alkaline; neutral. [R.] Smart.
AMPLE Am"ple, a. Etym: [F. ample, L. amplus, prob. for ambiplus full on both sides, the last syllable akin to L. plenus full. See Full, and cf. Double.]
Defn: 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. -- 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. Etym: [L. amplecti to embrace.] (Bot.)
Defn: Clasping a support; as, amplectant tendrils. Gray.
AMPLENESS Am"ple*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being ample; largeness; fullness; completeness.
AMPLEXATION Am`plex*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. amplexari to embrace.]
Defn: An embrace. [Obs.] An humble amplexation of those sacred feet. Bp. Hall.
AMPLEXICAUL Am*plex"i*caul, a. Etym: [L. amplexus, p. p. of amplecti to encircle, to embrace + caulis stem: cf. F. amplexicaule.] (Bot.)
Defn: Clasping or embracing a stem, as the base of some leaves. Gray.
AMPLIATE Am"pli*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. ampliatus, p. p. of ampliare to make wider, fr. amplus. See Ample.]
Defn: To enlarge. [R.] To maintain and ampliate the external possessions of your empire. Udall.
AMPLIATE Am"pli*ate, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the outer edge prominent; said of the wings of insects.
AMPLIATION Am`pli*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. ampliatio: cf. F. ampliation.]
1. Enlargement; amplification. [R.]
2. (Civil Law)
Defn: A postponement of the decision of a cause, for further consideration or re-argument.
AMPLIATIVE Am"pli*a*tive, a. (Logic)
Defn: 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 attribute. Abp. W. Thomson.
AMPLIFICATE Am*plif"i*cate, v. t. Etym: [L. amplificatus, p. p. of amplificare.]
Defn: To amplify. [Obs.] Bailey.
AMPLIFICATION Am`pli*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. amplificatio.]
1. The act of amplifying or enlarging in dimensions; enlargement; extension.
2. (Rhet.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Amplificatory.
AMPLIFICATORY Am*plif"i*ca*to*ry, a.
Defn: Serving to amplify or enlarge; amplificative. Morell.
AMPLIFIER Am"pli*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who or that which amplifies.
AMPLIFY Am"pli*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amplified; p. pr. & vb. n. Amplifying.] Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.)
Defn: The horizontal line which measures the distance to which a projectile is thrown; the range.
5. (Physics)
Defn: The extent of a movement measured from the starting point or position of equilibrium; -- applied especially to vibratory movements.
6. (math.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: In an ample manner.
AMPUL Am"pul, n. Etym: [AS. ampella, ampolla, L. ampulla: cf. OF. ampolle, F. ampoule.]
Defn: Same as Ampulla, 2.
AMPULLA Am*pul"la, n.; pl. Ampullæ. Etym: [L. ]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. ampullaceus, fr. ampulla.]
Defn: Like a bottle or inflated bladder; bottle-shaped; swelling. Kirby. Ampullaceous sac (Zoöl.), one of the peculiar cavities in the tissues of sponges, containing the zooidal cells.
AMPULLAR; AMPULLARY Am"pul*lar, Am`pul*la*ry, a.
Defn: Resembling an ampulla.
AMPULLATE; AMPULLATED Am"pul*late, Am"pul*la`ted a.
Defn: Having an ampulla; flask-shaped; bellied.
AMPULLIFORM Am*pul"li*form, a. Etym: [Ampulla + -form.]
Defn: Flask-shaped; dilated.
AMPUTATE Am"pu*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amputated; p. pr. & vb. n. Amputating.] Etym: [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.)
Defn: To cut off (a limb or projecting part (of the body). Wiseman.
AMPUTATION Am`pu*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. amputatio: cf. F. amputation.]
Defn: The act amputating; esp. the operation of cutting of a limb or projecting part of the body.
AMPUTATOR Am"pu*ta"tor, n.
Defn: One who amputates.
AMPYX Am"pyx, n. Etym: [Gr. (Greek Antiq.)
Defn: A woman's headband (sometimes of metal), for binding the front hair.
AMRITA Am*ri"ta, n. Etym: [Skr. amrita.] (Hind. Myth.)
Defn: Immorality; also, the nectar conferring immortality. -- a. Ambrosial; immortal.
AMSEL; AMZEL Am"sel, Am"zel, n. Etym: [Ger. See Ousel.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The European ring ousel (Turdus torquatus).
AMT Amt, n.; pl. Amter (#), E. Amts (#). [Dan. & Norw., fr. G.]
Defn: An administrative territorial division in Denmark and Norway.
Each of the provinces [of Denmark] is divided into several amts, answering . . . to the English hundreds. Encyc. Brit.
AMUCK A*muck", a. & adv. Etym: [Malay amoq furious.]
Defn: In a frenzied and reckless. 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. Etym: [L. amuletum: cf. F. amulette.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to an amulet; operating as a charm.
AMURCOUS A*mur"cous, a. Etym: [LL. amurcous, L. amurca the dregs of olives, Gr.
Defn: Full off dregs; foul. [R.] Knowles.
AMUSABLE A*mus"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. amusable.]
Defn: Capable of being amused.
AMUSE A*muse", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amused; p. pr. & vb. n. Amusing.] Etym: [F. amuser to make stay, to detain, to amuse, 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 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 extraction; to beguile; to delude. He amused his followers with idle promises. Johnson.
Syn. -- To entertain; gratify; please; divert; beguile; deceive; occupy. -- 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 a wakens 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.
Defn: To muse; to mediate. [Obs.]
AMUSED A*mused", a.
1. Diverted.
2. Expressing amusement; as, an amused look.
AMUSEMENT A*muse"ment, n. Etym: [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, n.
Defn: One who amuses.
AMUSETTE Am`u*sette", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A light field cannon, or stocked gun mounted on a swivel.
AMUSING A*mus"ing, a.
Defn: Giving amusement; diverting; as, an amusing story. -- A*mus"ing*ly, adv.
AMUSIVE A*mu"sive, a.
Defn: Having power to amuse or entertain the mind; fitted to excite mirth. [R.] -- A*mu"sive*ly, adv. -- A*mu"sive*ness, n.
AMVIS Am"vis, n. [Ammonium (nitrate) + L. vis strength, force.]
Defn: An explosive consisting of ammonium nitrate, a derivative of nitrobenzene, chlorated napthalene, and wood meal.
AMY A*my", n. Etym: [F. ami, fr. L. amicus.]
Defn: A friend. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AMYELOUS A*my"e*lous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Wanting the spinal cord.
AMYGDALA A*myg"da*la (a*mig"da*la), n.; pl. -læ (-le). [L., an almond, fr. Gr. 'amygda`lh. See Almond.]
1. An almond.
2. (Anat.) (a) One of the tonsils of the pharynx. (b) One of the rounded prominences of the lower surface of the lateral hemispheres of the cerebellum, each side of the vallecula.
AMYGDALACEOUS A*myg`da*la"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Akin to, or derived from, the almond.
AMYGDALATE A*myg"da*late, a. Etym: [L. amygdala, amygdalum, almond, Gr. Almond.]
Defn: Pertaining to, resembling, or made of, almonds.
AMYGDALATE A*myg"da*late, n.
1. (Med.)
Defn: An emulsion made of almonds; milk of almonds. Bailey. Coxe.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt amygdalic acid.
AMYGDALIC Am`yg*dal"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to almonds; derived from amygdalin; as, amygdalic acid.
AMYGDALIFEROUS A*myg`da*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. amygdalum almond + -ferous.]
Defn: Almond-bearing.
AMYGDALIN A*myg"da*lin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A glucoside extracted from bitter almonds as a white, crystalline substance.
AMYGDALINE A*myg"da*line, a. Etym: [L. amygdalinus.]
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, almonds.
AMYGDALOID A*myg"da*loid, n. Etym: [Gr. -oid: cf. F. amygdaloïde.] (Min.)
Defn: 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; AMYGDALOIDAL A*myg"da*loid, A*myg`da*loid"al, a.
1. Almond-shaped.
2. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, the rock amygdaloid.
AMYL Am"yl, n. Etym: [L. amylum starch + -yl. Cf. Amidin.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hydrocarbon radical, C5H11, of the paraffine series found in amyl alcohol or fusel oil, etc.
AMYLACEOUS Am`y*la"ceous, a. Etym: [L. amylum starch, Gr. Amidin.]
Defn: Pertaining to starch; of the nature of starch; starchy.
AMYL ALCOHOL Am"yl al"co*hol. (Org. Chem.)
Defn: Any of eight isomeric liquid compounds, C5H11OH; ordinarily, a mixture of two of these forming a colorless liquid with a peculiar cough-exciting odor and burning taste, the chief constituent of fusel oil. It is used as a source of amyl compounds, such as amyl acetate, amyl nitrite, etc.
AMYLATE Am"y*late, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A compound of the radical amyl with oxygen and a positive atom or radical.
AMYLENE Am"y*lene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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.
AMYL NITRITE Amyl nitrite.
Defn: A yellowish oily volatile liquid, C5H11NO2, used in medicine as a heart stimulant and a vasodilator. The inhalation of its vapor instantly produces flushing of the face.
AMYLOBACTER Am`y*lo*bac"ter, n. Etym: [L. amylum starch + NL. bacterium. See Bacterium.] (Biol.)
Defn: A microörganism (Bacillus amylobacter) which develops in vegetable tissue during putrefaction. Sternberg.
AMYLOGEN A*myl"o*gen, n. [Amylum + -gen.] (Chem.)
Defn: That part of the starch granule or granulose which is soluble in water.
AMYLOGENESIS Am`y*lo*gen"e*sis, n. [Amylum + genesis.]
Defn: The formation of starch.
AMYLOGENIC Am`y*lo*gen"ic, a.
1. Of or pert. to amylogen.
2. Forming starch; -- applied specif. to leucoplasts.
AMYLOID Am"y*loid, n.
1. A non-nitrogenous starchy food; a starchlike substance.
2. (Med.)
Defn: The substance deposited in the organs in amyloid degeneration.
AMYLOID; AMYLOIDAL Am"y*loid, Am`y*loid"al, a. Etym: [L. amylum starch + -oid.]
Defn: 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.
AMYLOLYSIS Am`y*lol"y*sis, n. [Amylum + Gr. a loosing.] (Chem.)
Defn: The conversion of starch into soluble products, as dextrins and sugar, esp. by the action of enzymes. -- Am`y*lo*lyt"ic (#), a.
AMYLOLYTIC Am`y*lo*ly"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: Effecting the conversion of starch into soluble dextrin and sugar; as, an amylolytic ferment. Foster.
AMYLOMETER Am`y*lom"e*ter, n. [Amylum + -meter.]
Defn: Instrument for determining the amount of starch in a substance.
AMYLOPLASTIC Am`y*lo*plas"tic, a. [Amylum + -plastic.]
Defn: Starch-forming; amylogenic.
AMYLOPSIN Am`y*lop"sin, n. [Amylum + Gr. appearance.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: The diastase of the pancreatic juice.
AMYLOSE Am`y*lose", n. (Chem.)
Defn: One of the starch group (C6H10O5)n of the carbohydrates; as, starch, arabin, dextrin, cellulose, etc.
AMYOUS Am"y*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Wanting in muscle; without flesh.
AMYSS Am"yss, n.
Defn: Same as Amice, a hood or cape.
AN An. Etym: [AS. an one, the same word as the numeral. See One, and cf. A.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.]
Defn: 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-. Etym: [/Gr. in comp., on, up, upwards.]
Defn: A prefix in words from the Greek, denoting up, upward, throughout, backward, back, again, anew.
ANA A"na, adv. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Of each; an equal quantity; as, wine and honey, ana (or, contracted, aa), ., that is, of wine and honey, each, two ounces. An apothecary with a . . . long bill of anas. Dryden.
ANA *a"na. Etym: [The neut. pl. ending of Latin adjectives in -anus.]
Defn: 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.
-ANA -a"na. [The neut. pl. ending of Latin adjectives in -anus.]
Defn: 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.
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. Etym: [L. anabaptismus, Gr. anabaptisme. See Anabaptize.]
Defn: The doctrine of the Anabaptists.
ANABAPTIST An`a*bap"tist, n. Etym: [LL. anabaptista, fr. Gr. as if : cf. F. anabaptiste.]
Defn: 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; ANABAPTISTICAL An`a*bap*tis"tic, An`a*bap*tis"tic*al, a.
Defn: Relating or attributed to the Anabaptists, or their doctrines. Milton. Bp. Bull.
ANABAPTISTRY An`a*bap"tist*ry, n.
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. Baptize.]
Defn: To rebaptize; to rechristen; also, to rename. [R.] Whitlock.
ANABAS An"a*bas, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr.
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.)
Defn: The first period, or increase, of a disease; augmentation. [Obs.]
ANABATIC An`a*bat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to anabasis; as, an anabatic fever. [Obs.]
ANABOLIC An`a*bol"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: Pertaining to anabolism; an anabolic changes, or processes, more or less constructive in their nature.
ANABOLISM A*nab"o*lism, n. (Physiol.)
Defn: The constructive metabolism of the body, as distinguished from katabolism.
ANABRANCH An"a*branch, n. [Anastomosing + branch.]
Defn: A branch of a river that reënters, or anastomoses with, the main stream; also, less properly, a branch which loses itself in sandy soil. [Australia]
Such branches of a river as after separation reunite, I would term anastomosing branches; or, if a word might be coined, anabranches, and the islands they form branch islands. Col. Jackson.
ANACAMPTIC An`a*camp"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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; ANACANTHS An`a*can"thi*ni, An"a*canths, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of teleostean fishes destitute of spiny fin-rays, as the cod.
ANACANTHOUS An`a*can"thous, a.
Defn: Spineless, as certain fishes.
ANACARDIACEOUS An`a*car"di*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the cashew nut; as, anacardic acid.
ANACARDIUM An`a*car"di*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants including the cashew tree. See Cashew.
ANACATHARTIC An`a*ca*thar"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. i. e., by vomiting; Cathartic.] (Med.)
Defn: Producing vomiting or expectoration. -- n.
Defn: An anacatharic medicine; an expectorant or an emetic.
ANACHARIS An*ach"a*ris, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A fresh-water weed of the frog's-bit family (Hydrocharidaceæ), native to America. Transferred to England it became an obstruction to navigation. Called also waterweed and water thyme.
ANACHORET; ANACHORETICAL An*ach"o*ret, n. An*ach`o*ret"ic*al, a.
Defn: See Anchoret, Anchoretic. [Obs.]
ANACHORISM An*ach"o*rism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: An error in regard to the place of an event or a thing; a referring something to a wrong place. [R.]
ANACHRONIC; ANACHRONICAL An`a*chron"ic, An`a*chron"ic*al, a.
Defn: Characterized by, or involving, anachronism; anachronistic.
ANACHRONISM An*ach"ro*nism, n. Etym: [Gr. anachronisme.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Erroneous in date; containing an anachronism. T. Warton.
ANACHRONIZE An*ach"ro*nize, v. t. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: To refer to, or put into, a wrong time. [R.] Lowell.
ANACHRONOUS An*ach"ro*nous, a.
Defn: Containing an anachronism; anachronistic. -- An*ach"ro*nous*ly, adv.
ANACLASTIC An`a*clas"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Opt.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: That part of optics which treats of the refraction of light; -- commonly called dioptrics. Encyc. Brit.
ANACOENOSIS An`a*coe*no"sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Lacking grammatical sequence. -- An`a*co*lu"thic*al*ly, adv.
ANACOLUTHON An`a*co*lu"thon, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gram.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Of Ceylonese origin] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Anacreonticus.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: A poem after the manner of Anacreon; a sprightly little poem in praise of love and wine.
ANACROTIC An`a*crot"ic, a. (Physiol.)
Defn: Pertaining to anachronism.
ANACROTISM A*nac"ro*tism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: A secondary notch in the pulse curve, obtained in a sphygmographic tracing.
ANACRUSIS An`a*cru"sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Pros.)
Defn: A prefix of one or two unaccented syllables to a verse properly beginning with an accented syllable.
ANADEM An"a*dem, n. Etym: [L. anadema, Gr.
Defn: A garland or fillet; a chaplet or wreath. Drayton. Tennyson.
ANADIPLOSIS An`a*di*plo"sis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. anadrome.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A fish that leaves the sea and ascends rivers.
ANADROMOUS A*nad"ro*mous, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Ascending rivers from the sea, at certain seasons, for breeding, as the salmon, shad, etc.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: 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*næ"mi*a, a. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A morbid condition in which the blood is deficient in quality or in quantity.
ANAEMIC A*næm"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to anæmia.
ANAEROBIA; ANAEROBES An*a`ër*o"bi*a, An*a"ër*obes, n. pl. [NL. anaerobia; an-not + aëro- + Gr. life.] (Bacteriol.)
Defn: Anaërobic bacteria. They are called facultative anaërobia when able to live either in the presence or absence of free oxygen; obligate, or obligatory, anaërobia when they thrive only in its absence.
ANAEROBIC An*a`ë*rob"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Relating to, or like, anaërobies; araërobiotic.
ANAEROBIES An*a"ër*o*bies, n. pl. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Microörganisms which do not require oxygen, but are killed by it. Sternberg.
ANAEROBIOTIC An*a`ër*o*bi*ot"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Related to, or of the nature of, anaërobies.
ANAESTHESIA An`æs*the"si*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. anesthésie. See Æsthetics.] (Med.)
Defn: 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 anæsthetic.
ANAESTHESIS An`æs*the"sis, n.
Defn: See Anæsthesia.
ANAESTHETIC An`æs*thet"ic, a. (Med.) (a) Capable of rendering insensible; as, anæsthetic agents. (b) Characterized by, or connected with, insensibility; as, an anæsthetic effect or operation.
ANAESTHETIC An`æs*thet"ic, n. (Med.)
Defn: That which produces insensibility to pain, as chloroform, ether, etc.
ANAESTHETIZATION An*æs`the*ti*za"tion, n.
Defn: The process of anæsthetizing; also, the condition of the nervous system induced by anæsthetics.
ANAESTHETIZE An*æs"the*tize, v. t. (Med.)
Defn: To render insensible by an anæsthetic. Encyc. Brit.
ANAGLYPH An"a*glyph, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Any sculptured, chased, or embossed ornament worked in low relief, as a cameo.
ANAGLYPHIC An`a*glyph"ic, n.
Defn: Work chased or embossed relief.
ANAGLYPHIC; ANAGLYPHICAL An`a*glyph"ic, An`a*glyph"ic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the art of chasing or embossing in relief; anaglyptic; -- opposed to diaglyptic or sunk work.
ANAGLYPTIC An`a*glyp"tic, a. Etym: [L. anaglypticus, Gr. Anaglyph.]
Defn: Relating to the art of carving, enchasing, or embossing in low relief.
ANAGLYPTICS An`a*glyp"tics, n.
Defn: The art of carving in low relief, embossing, etc.
ANAGLYPTOGRAPH An`a*glyp"to*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to anaglyptography; as, analyptographic engraving.
ANAGLYPTOGRAPHY An`a*glyp*tog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Latinized fr. Gr.
Defn: The unfolding or dénouement. [R.] De Quincey.
ANAGOGE An`a*go"ge, n. Etym: [Gr.
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; ANAGOGICAL An`a*gog"ic, An`a*gog"ic*al, a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Mystical interpretations or studies, esp. of the Scriptures. L. Addison.
ANAGOGY An"a*go`gy, n.
Defn: Same as Anagoge.
ANAGRAM An"a*gram, n. Etym: [F. anagramme, LL. anagramma, fr. Gr. Graphic.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: To anagrammatize. Some of these anagramed his name, Benlowes, into Benevolus. Warburton.
ANAGRAMMATIC; ANAGRAMMATICAL An`a*gram*mat"ic, An`a*gram*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. anagramtique.]
Defn: Pertaining to, containing, or making, anagram. -- An`a*gram*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.
ANAGRAMMATISM An`a*gram"ma*tism, n. Etym: [Gr. anagrammatisme.]
Defn: The act or practice of making anagrams. Camden.
ANAGRAMMATIST An`a*gram"ma*tist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. anagrammatiste.]
Defn: A maker anagrams.
ANAGRAMMATIZE An`a*gram"ma*tize, v. t. Etym: [Gr. anagrammatiser.]
Defn: To transpose, as the letters of a word, so as to form an anagram. Cudworth.
ANAGRAPH An"a*graph, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: An inventory; a record. [Obs.] Knowles.
ANAKIM; ANAKS An"a*kim, A"naks, n. pl. Etym: [Heb.] (Bibl.)
Defn: A race of giants living in Palestine.
ANAL A"nal, a. Etym: [From Anus.] (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or situated near, the anus; as, the anal fin or glands.
ANALCIME A*nal"cime, n. Etym: [Gr. analcime.] (Min.)
Defn: A white or flesh-red mineral, of the zeolite, occurring in isometric crystals. By friction, it acquires a weak electricity; hence its name.
ANALCITE A*nal"cite, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Analcime.
ANALECTIC An`a*lec"tic, a.
Defn: Relating to analects; made up of selections; as, an analectic magazine.
ANALECTS; ANALECTA An"a*lects, An`a*lec"ta, n. pl. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A collection of literary fragments.
ANALEMMA An`a*lem"ma, n. Etym: [L. analemma a sun dial on a pedestal, showing the latitude and meridian of a place, Gr.
1. (Chem.)
Defn: 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; ANALEPSY An"a*lep"sis, An"a*lep"sy, Etym: [Gr. Analemma.] (Med.) (a) Recovery of strength after sickness. (b) A species of epileptic attack, originating from gastric disorder.
ANALEPTIC An"a*lep"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. analeptique. See Analepsis.] (Med.)
Defn: Restorative; giving strength after disease. -- n.
Defn: A restorative.
ANALGEN; ANALGENE An*al"gen, An*al"gene, n. [Gr. painless.]
Defn: A crystalline compound used as an antipyretic and analgesic, employed chiefly in rheumatism and neuralgia. It is a complex derivative of quinoline.
ANALGESIA An`al*ge"si*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Absence of sensibility to pain. Quain.
ANALLAGMATIC An`al*lag*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Math.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Without, or not developing, an allantois.
ANALLANTOIDEA An`al*lan*toid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [Gr. allantoidea.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The division of Vertebrata in which no allantois is developed. It includes amphibians, fishes, and lower forms.
ANALOGAL A*nal"o*gal, a.
Defn: Analogous. [Obs.] Donne.
ANALOGIC An`a*log"ic, a. Etym: [See Analogous.]
Defn: 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.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Quality of being analogical.
ANALOGISM A*nal"o*gism, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. Logic
Defn: 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.
Defn: One who reasons from analogy, or represent, by analogy. Cheyne.
ANALOGIZE A*nal"o*gize, v. i.
Defn: To employ, or reason by, analogy.
ANALOGON A*nal"o*gon, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Analogue.
ANALOGOUS A*nal"o*gous, a. Etym: [L. analogous, Gr. Logic.]
Defn: 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, n. Etym: [F.
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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. analogia, Gr. 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.)
Defn: A relation or correspondence in function, between organs or parts which are decidedly different.
3. (Geom.)
Defn: Proportion; equality of ratios.
4. (Gram.)
Defn: 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 pl. analogies. Johnson.
ANALYSE; ANALYSER An"a*lyse, v., An"a*ly`ser, n., etc.
Defn: Same as Analyze, Analyzer, etc.
ANALYSIS A*nal"y*sis, n.; pl. Analyses. Etym: [Gr. 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.)
Defn: 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)
Defn: The tracing of things to their source, and the resolving of knowledge into its original principles.
4. (Math.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. analyste. See Analysis.]
Defn: One who analyzes; formerly, one skilled in algebraical geometry; now commonly, one skilled in chemical analysis.
ANALYTIC; ANALYTICAL An`a*lyt"ic, An`a*lyt"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. analytique. See Analysis.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to analysis; resolving into elements or constituent parts; as, an analytical experiment; analytic reasoning; -- opposed to synthetic. Analytical or coördinate 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.
Defn: In an analytical manner.
ANALYTICS An`a*lyt"ics, n.
Defn: The science of analysis.
ANALYZABLE An"a*ly`za*ble, a.
Defn: That may be analyzed.
ANALYZATION An`a*ly*za"tion, n.
Defn: 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.] Etym: [Cf. F. analyser. See Analysis.]
Defn: 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.)
Defn: The part of a polariscope which receives the light after polarization, and exhibits its properties.
ANAMESE An`a*mese", a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Anam, to southeastern Asia. -- n.
Defn: A native of Anam.
ANAMNESIS An`am*ne"sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A recalling to mind; recollection.
ANAMNESTIC An`am*nes"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Aiding the memory; as, anamnestic remedies.
ANAMNIOTIC An*am`ni*ot"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Without, or not developing, an amnion.
ANAMORPHISM An`a*mor"phism, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. A distorted image.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: A gradual progression from one type to another, generally ascending. Huxley.
ANAMORPHOSCOPE An`a*mor"pho*scope, n. [Anamorphosis + -scope.]
Defn: An instrument for restoring a picture or image distorted by anamorphosis to its normal proportions. It usually consists of a cylindrical mirror.
ANAMORPHOSIS An`a*mor"pho*sis, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Persp.)
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Same as Anamorphism, 2.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: A morbid or monstrous development, or change of form, or degeneration.
ANAMORPHOSY An`a*mor"pho*sy, n.
Defn: Same as Anamorphosis.
ANAN A*nan", interj. Etym: [See Anon.]
Defn: An expression equivalent to What did you say Sir Eh [Obs.] Shak.
ANANAS A*na"nas, n. Etym: [Sp. ananas, from the native American name.] (Bot.)
Defn: The pineapple (Ananassa sativa).
ANANDROUS An*an"drous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Destitute of stamen
ANANGULAR An*an"gu*lar, a. Etym: [Gr. angular.]
Defn: Containing no angle. [R.]
ANANTHEROUS An*an"ther*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. anther.] (Bot.)
Defn: Destitute of anthers. Gray.
ANANTHOUS An*an"thous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Destitute of flowers; flowerless.
ANAPAEST; ANAPAESTIC An`a*pæst, An`a*pæs"tic.
Defn: Same as Anapest, Anapestic.
ANAPEST An"a*pest, n. Etym: [L. anapaestus, Gr. i.e., a dactyl reserved, or, as it were, struck back; fr.
1. (Pros.)
Defn: A metrical foot consisting of three syllables, the first two short, or unaccented, the last long, or accented; the reverse of the dactyl. In Latin d, and in English in-ter-vene, are examples of anapests.
2. A verse composed of such feet.
ANAPESTIC An`a*pes"tic, a. Etym: [L. anapaesticus, Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to an anapest; consisting of an anapests; as, an anapestic meter, foot, verse. -- n.
Defn: Anapestic measure or verse.
ANAPESTICAL An`a*pes"tic*al, a.
Defn: Anapestic.
ANAPHORA A*naph"o*ra, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Absence of sexual appetite.
ANAPHRODISIAC An*aph`ro*dis"i*ac, a. & n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Same as Antaphrodisiac. Dunglison.
ANAPHRODITIC An*aph`ro*dit"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Produced without concourse of sexes.
ANAPLASTIC An`a*plas"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to anaplasty.
ANAPLASTY An`a*plas`ty, n. Etym: [Gr. anaplastie.] (Surg.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. anapleroticus, fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Filling up; promoting granulation of wounds or ulcers. -- n.
Defn: A remedy which promotes such granulation.
ANAPNOGRAPH A*nap"no*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]
Defn: A form of spirometer.
ANAPNOIC An`ap*no"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Relating to respiration.
ANAPODEICTIC An*ap`o*deic"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. Apodeictic.]
Defn: Not apodeictic; undemonstrable. [R.]
ANAPOPHYSIS An`a*poph"y*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: An accessory process in many lumbar vertebræ.
ANAPTOTIC An`ap*tot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Having lost, or tending to lose, inflections by phonetic decay; as, anaptotic languages.
ANAPTYCHUS An*ap"ty*chus, n.; pl. Anaptichi. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: One of a pair of shelly plates found in some cephalopods, as the ammonites.
ANARCH An"arch, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The author of anarchy; one who excites revolt. Milton. Imperial anarchs doubling human woes. Byron.
ANARCHAL A*nar"chal, a.
Defn: Lawless; anarchical. [R.] We are in the habit of calling those bodies of men anarchal which are in a state of effervescence. Landor.
ANARCHIC; ANARCHICAL A*nar"chic, A*nar"chic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. anarchique.]
Defn: Pertaining to anarchy; without rule or government; in political confusion; tending to produce anarchy; as, anarchic despotism; anarchical opinions.
ANARCHISM An"arch*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. anarchisme.]
Defn: The doctrine or practice of anarchists.
ANARCHIST An"arch*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. anarchiste.]
Defn: An anarch; one who advocates anarchy of aims at the overthrow of civil government.
ANARCHIZE An"arch*ize, v. t.
Defn: To reduce to anarchy.
ANARCHY An"arch*y, n. Etym: [Gr. 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 reFuller.
ANARTHROPODA An`ar*throp"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. -poda. See Anarthrous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having no jointed legs; pertaining to Anarthropoda.
ANARTHROUS An*ar"throus, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Gr. Gram.)
Defn: Used without the article; as, an anarthrous substantive.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Without joints, or having the joints indistinct, as some insects.
ANAS A"nas, n. Etym: [L., duck.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of water fowls, of the order Anseres, including certain species of fresh-water ducks.
ANASARCA An`a*sar"ca, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Med.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Belonging, or affected by, anasarca, or dropsy; dropsical. Wiseman.
ANASEISMIC An`a*seis"mic, a. [Cf. Gr. a shaking up and down.]
Defn: Moving up and down; -- said of earthquake shocks.
ANASTALTIC An`a*stal"tic, a. & n. Etym: [Gr. fitted for checking, fr. (Med.)
Defn: Styptic. [Obs.] Coxe.
ANASTATE An"a*state, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: 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.
ANASTIGMATIC An*as`tig*mat"ic, a. [Pref. an-not + astigmatic.] (Optics)
Defn: Not astigmatic; --said esp. of a lens system which consists of a converging lens and a diverging lens of equal and opposite astigmatism but different focal lengths, and sensibly free from astigmatism.
ANASTOMOSE A*nas"to*mose, v. i. [imp. p. p. Anastomozed; p. pr. Anastomosing.] Etym: [Cf. F. anastomoser, fr. anastomose. See Anastomosis.] (Anat. & Bot.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. anastomose.] (Anat. & Bot.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to anastomosis.
ANASTROPHE A*nas"tro*phe, n. Etym: [Gr. (Rhet. & Gram.)
Defn: An inversion of the natural order of words; as, echoed the hills, for, the hills echoed.
ANATHEMA A*nath"e*ma, n.; pl. Anathemas. Etym: [L. anath, fr. Gr. anath, fr. Gr. 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 Etym: (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; ANATHEMATICAL A*nath`e*mat"ic, A*nath`e*mat"ic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or having the nature of, an anathema. -- A*nath`e*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.
ANATHEMATISM A*nath"e*ma*tism, n. Etym: [Gr. anathématisme.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [LL. anathematisatio.]
Defn: 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.] Etym: [L. anathematizare, Gr. anathématiser.]
Defn: To pronounce an anathema against; to curse. Hence: To condemn publicly as something accursed. Milton.
ANATHEMATIZER A*nath"e*ma*ti`zer, n.
Defn: One who pronounces an anathema. Hammond.
ANATIFA A*nat"i*fa, n.; pl. Anatifæ. Etym: [NL., contr. fr. anatifera. See Anatiferous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An animal of the barnacle tribe, of the genus Lepas, having a fleshy stem or peduncle; a goose barnacle. See Cirripedia.
Note: The term Anatifæ, in the plural, is often used for the whole group of pedunculated cirripeds.
ANATIFER A*nat"i*fer,, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Anatifa.
ANATIFEROUS An`a*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. anas, anatis, a duck + -ferous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Producing ducks; -- applied to Anatifæ, under the absurd notion of their turning into ducks or geese. See Barnacle.
ANATINE An"a*tine, a. Etym: [L. anatinus, fr. anas, anatis, a duck.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the ducks; ducklike.
ANATOCISM A*nat"o*cism, n. Etym: [L. anatocismus, Gr. (Law)
Defn: Compound interest. [R.] Bouvier.
ANATOMIC; ANATOMICAL An`a*tom"ic, An`a*tom"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. anatomicus, Gr. anatomique. See Anatomy.]
Defn: Of or relating to anatomy or dissection; as, the anatomic art; anatomical observations. Hume.
ANATOMICALLY An`a*tom"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In an anatomical manner; by means of dissection.
ANATOMISM A*nat"o*mism, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [Cf. F. anatomiste.]
Defn: One who is skilled in the art of anatomy, or dissection.
ANATOMIZATION A*nat`o*mi*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act of anatomizing.
ANATOMIZE A*nat"o*mize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Anatomized; p. pr. & vb. n. Anatomizing.] Etym: [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.
Defn: A dissector.
ANATOMY A*nat"o*my, n.; pl. Anatomies. Etym: [F. anatomie, L. anatomia, Gr.
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. Etym: [overturning, fr.
Defn: Overthrowing; defeating; -- applied to Plato's refutative dialogues. Enfield.
ANATRON An"a*tron, n. Etym: [F. anatron, natron, Sp. anatron, natron, fr. Ar. al-natr. See Natron, Niter.] [Obs.]
1. Native carbonate of soda; natron.
2. Glass gall or sandiver.
3. Saltpeter. Coxe. Johnson.
ANATROPAL; ANATROPOUS A*nat"ro*pal, A*nat"ro*pous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Same as Annotto.
ANBURY; AMBURY An"bur*y, Am"bur*y, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. -ance, fr. L. -antia and also fr. -entia.]
Defn: 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.
-ANCE -ance. [F. -ance, fr. L. -antia and also fr. -entia.]
Defn: A suffix signifying action; also, quality or state; as, assistance, resistance, appearance, elegance. See -ancy.
All recently adopted words of this class take either -ance or -ence, according to the Latin spelling.
ANCESTOR An"ces*tor, n. Etym: [OE. ancestre, auncestre, also ancessour; the first forms fr. OF. ancestre, F. ancêtre, 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.)
Defn: An earlier type; a progenitor; as, this fossil animal is regarded as the ancestor of the horse.
3. (Law)
Defn: One from whom an estate has descended; -- the correlative of heir.
ANCESTORIAL An`ces*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Ancestral. Grote.
ANCESTORIALLY An`ces*to"ri*al*ly, adv.
Defn: With regard to ancestors.
ANCESTRAL An*ces"tral, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, derived from, or possessed by, an ancestor or ancestors; as, an ancestral estate. "Ancestral trees." Hemans.
ANCESTRESS An"ces*tress, n.
Defn: A female ancestor.
ANCESTRY An"ces*try, n. Etym: [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, n. Etym: [OE. anker, AS. ancor, oncer, L. ancora, sometimes spelt anchora, fr. Gr. 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.)
Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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.] Etym: [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. Etym: [OE. anker, ancre, AS. ancra, fr. L. anachoreta. See Anchoret.]
Defn: An anchoret. [Obs.] Shak.
ANCHORABLE An"chor*a*ble, a.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Abode of an anchoret.
ANCHORATE An"chor*ate, a.
Defn: 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.)
Defn: Having the extremities turned back, like the flukes of an anchor; as, an anchored cross. [Sometimes spelt ancred.]
ANCHOR ESCAPEMENT An"chor es*cape"ment. (Horol.) (a) The common recoil escapement. (b) A variety of the lever escapement with a wide impulse pin.
ANCHORESS An"cho*ress, n.
Defn: A female anchoret. And there, a saintly anchoress, she dwelt. Wordsworth.
ANCHORET; ANCHORITE An"cho*ret, An"cho*rite, n. Etym: [F. anachorète, L. anachoreta, fr. Gr. ha to leave. Cf. Anchor a hermit.]
Defn: 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; ANCHORETICAL An`cho*ret"ic, An`cho*ret"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to an anchoret or hermit; after the manner of an anchoret.
ANCHORETISH An"cho*ret`ish, a.
Defn: Hermitlike.
ANCHORETISM An"cho*ret*ism, n.
Defn: 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.
Defn: Same as Anchoret.
ANCHORITESS An"cho*ri`tess, n.
Defn: An anchoress. [R.]
ANCHORLESS An"chor*less, a.
Defn: Without an anchor or stay. Hence: Drifting; unsettled.
ANCHOR LIGHT Anchor light. (Naut.)
Defn: The lantern shown at night by a vessel at anchor. International rules of the road require vessels at anchor to carry from sunset to sunrise a single white light forward if under 150 feet in length, and if longer, two such lights, one near the stern and one forward.
ANCHOR SHOT Anchor shot. (Billiards)
Defn: A shot made with the object balls in an anchor space.
ANCHOR SPACE Anchor space. (Billiards)
Defn: In the balk-line game, any of eight spaces, 7 inches by 3½, lying along a cushion and bisected transversely by a balk line. Object balls in an anchor space are treated as in balk.
ANCHOR WATCH Anchor watch. (Naut.)
Defn: A detail of one or more men who keep watch on deck at night when a vessel is at anchor.
ANCHOVY An*cho"vy, n. Etym: [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.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: 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`. (Bot.)
Defn: A West Indian fruit like the mango in taste, sometimes pickled; also, the tree (Grias cauliflora) bearing this fruit.
ANCHUSIN An"chu*sin, n. Etym: [L. anchusa the plant alkanet, Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A resinoid coloring matter obtained from alkanet root.
ANCHYLOSE An"chy*lose, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Anchylosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Anchylosing.] Etym: [Cf. F. ankyloser.]
Defn: 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; ANKYLOSIS An`chy*lo"sis, An`ky*lo"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. ankylose.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: Stiffness or fixation of a joint; formation of a stiff joint. Dunglison.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: 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.
Defn: Of or pertaining to anchylosis.
ANCIENT An"cient, a. Etym: [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. -- 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.
Defn: 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)
Defn: 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. Etym: [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.
Defn: 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. Etym: [F. ancienneté, fr. ancien. See Ancient.]
1. Age; antiquity. [Obs.] Martin.
2. Seniority. [Obs.]
ANCILE An*ci"le, n. Etym: [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [L. ancillaris, fr. ancilla a female servant.]
Defn: 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.
ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION An"cil*la*ry ad*min`is*tra"tion. (Law)
Defn: An administration subordinate to, and in aid of, the primary or principal administration of an estate.
ANCILLE An*cille", n. Etym: [OF. ancelle, L. ancilla.]
Defn: A maidservant; a handmaid. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ANCIPITAL; ANCIPITOUS An*cip"i*tal, An*cip"i*tous, a. Etym: [L. anceps, ancipitis, two- headed, double; an- for amb- on both sides + caput head.] (Bot.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Hook-shaped.
ANCLE An"cle, n.
Defn: See Ankle.
ANCOME An"come, n. Etym: [AS. ancuman, oncuman, to come.]
Defn: A small ulcerous swelling, coming suddenly; also, a whitlow. [Obs.] Boucher.
ANCON An"con, n.; L. pl. Ancones. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The olecranon, or the elbow. Ancon sheep (Zoöl.), a breed of sheep with short crooked legs and long back. It originated in Massachusetts in 1791; -- called also the otter breed.
ANCON; ANCONE An"con, An"cone, n. Etym: [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; ANCONEAL An"co*nal, An*co"ne*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the ancon or elbow. "The olecranon on anconeal process." Flower.
ANCONEUS An*co"ne*us, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. ancon elbow.] (Anat.)
Defn: A muscle of the elbow and forearm.
ANCONOID An"co*noid, a.
Defn: Elbowlike; anconal.
ANCONY An"co*ny, n. Etym: [Origin unknown.] (Iron Work)
Defn: A piece of malleable iron, wrought into the shape of a bar in the middle, but unwrought at the ends.
-ANCY -an*cy. Etym: [L. -antia.-]
Defn: A suffix expressing more strongly than -ance the idea of quality or state; as, constancy, buoyancy, infancy.
AND And, conj. Etym: [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. Etym: [L. andabata a kind of Roman gladiator, who fought hoodwinked.]
Defn: Doubt; uncertainty. [Obs.] Shelford.
ANDALUSITE An`da*lu"site, n. (Min.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [It. andante, p. pr. of andare to go.] (Mus.)
Defn: Moving moderately slow, but distinct and flowing; quicker than larghetto, and slower than allegretto. -- n.
Defn: A movement or piece in andante time.
ANDANTINO An`dan*ti"no, a. Etym: [It., dim. of andante.] (Mus.)
Defn: 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. Etym: [A corruption of sandarac.]
Defn: Red orpiment. Coxe.
ANDEAN An*de"an, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the Andes.
ANDESINE An"des*ine, n. (Min.)
Defn: A kind of triclinic feldspar found in the Andes.
ANDESITE An"des*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: An eruptive rock allied to trachyte, consisting essentially of a triclinic feldspar, with pyroxene, hornblende, or hypersthene.
ANDINE An"dine, a.
Defn: Andean; as, Andine flora.
ANDIRON And"i`ron, n. Etym: [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-isen.]
Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. andranatomie. See Anatomy, Androtomy.]
Defn: The dissection of a human body, especially of a male; androtomy. Coxe.
ANDROCEPHALOUS An`dro*ceph"a*lous, a. [Gr. , , man + head.]
Defn: Having a human head (upon an animal's body), as the Egyptian sphinx.
ANDRODIOECIOUS; ANDRODIECIOUS An`dro*di*o"cious, An`dro*di*e"cious, a. [Gr. , , man + E. diocious.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having perfect and staminate flowers on different plants. -- An`dro*di*o"cism, -di*e"cism (#), n.
ANDROECIUM An*droe"ci*um, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (bot.)
Defn: The stamens of a flower taken collectively.
ANDROGYNE An"dro*gyne, n.
1. An hermaphrodite.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: An androgynous plant. Whewell.
ANDROGYNOUS; ANDROGYNAL An*drog"y*nous, An*drog"y*nal, a. Etym: [L. androgynus, Gr. 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.)
Defn: Bearing both staminiferous and pistilliferous flowers in the same cluster.
ANDROGYNY; ANDROGYNISM An*drog"y*ny, An*drog"y*nism, n.
Defn: Union of both sexes in one individual; hermaphroditism.
ANDROID An"droid, a.
Defn: Resembling a man.
ANDROID; ANDROIDES An"droid, An*droi"des, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A machine or automaton in the form of a human being.
ANDROMEDA An*drom"e*da, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Astron.)
Defn: A northern constellation, supposed to represent the mythical Andromeda.
2. (bot.)
Defn: A genus of ericaceous flowering plants of northern climates, of which the original species was found growing on a rock surrounded by water.
ANDROMEDE; ANDROMED An"dro*mede, An"dro*med, n. (Astron.)
Defn: A meteor appearing to radiate from a point in the constellation Andromeda, -- whence the name.
A shower of these meteors takes place every year on November 27th or 28th. The Andromedes are also called Bielids, as they are connected with Biela's comet and move in its orbit.
ANDRON An"dron, n. Etym: [L. andron, Gr. (Gr. & Rom. Arch.)
Defn: The apartment appropriated for the males. This was in the lower part of the house.
ANDROPETALOUS An`dro*pet"al*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Produced by the conversion of the stamens into petals, as double flowers, like the garden ranunculus. Brande.
ANDROPHAGI An*droph"a*gi, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: Cannibals; man-eaters; anthropophagi. [R.]
ANDROPHAGOUS An*droph"a*gous, a.
Defn: Anthropophagous.
ANDROPHORE An"dro*phore, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A support or column on which stamens are raised. Gray.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The part which in some Siphonophora bears the male gonophores.
ANDROPOGON An`dro*po"gon, n. [NL.; Gr. 'anh`r, 'andro`s, man + pw`gwn the beard.] (Bot.)
Defn: A very large and important genus of grasses, found in nearly all parts of the world. It includes the lemon grass of Ceylon and the beard grass, or broom sedge, of the United States. The principal subgenus is Sorghum, including A. sorghum and A. halepensis, from which have been derived the Chinese sugar cane, the Johnson grass, the Aleppo grass, the broom corn, and the durra, or Indian millet. Several East Indian species, as A. nardus and A. schonanthus, yield fragrant oils, used in perfumery.
ANDROSPHINX An"dro*sphinx, n. Etym: [Gr. (Egypt. Art.)
Defn: A man sphinx; a sphinx having the head of a man and the body of a lion.
ANDROSPORE An"dro*spore, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A spore of some algæ, which has male functions.