# Dictionary

Topic: Amorphous
Definition:
AMORPH'OUS, a.  [Gr. a neg and form.]
Having no determinate form; of irregular shape; not of any regular figure.


Topic: Amortization
Definition:
AMORTIZA'TION or AMORT'IZEMENT, n.  The act or right of alienating lands or tenements to a corporation, which was considered formerly as transferring them to dead hands, as such alienations were mostly made to religious houses for superstitious uses.


Topic: Amortize
Definition:
AMORT'IZE, v.t.  [L. mors, death.  See Mortmain.]
In English law, to alienate in mortmain, that is, to sell to a corporation, sole or aggregate, ecclesiastical or temporal, and their successors.  This was considered as selling to dead hands.  This cannot be done without the kings license.  [See Mortmain.]


Topic: Amount
Definition:
AMOUNT', v.i.  [L. mons, a mountain, or its root.]
1.  To rise to or reach, by an accumulation of particulars, into an aggregate whole; to compose in the whole; as, the interest on the several sums amounts to fifty dollars.
2.  To rise, reach, or extend to, in effect, or substance; to result in, by consequence, when all things are considered; as, the testimony of these witnesses amounts to very little.


Topic: Amounting
Definition:
AMOUNT'ING, ppr.  Rising to, by accumulation or addition; coming or increasing to; resulting in effect or substance.


Topic: Amour
Definition:
AMOUR', n.  [L. amor, love.]
An unlawful connection in love; a love intrigue; an affair of gallantry.


Topic: Ampelite
Definition:
AM'PELITE, n.  [Gr. a vine.  The name of an earth used to kill worms on vines.  Pliny says it is like bitumen.
Cannel coal, or candle coal; an inflammable substance of a black color, compact texture, and resinous luster, and sufficiently hard to be cut and polished.  It burns with a bright flame, of a short duration; and gives but a moderate heat.  It is used like jet for making toys.  It is found in France and England, where husbandmen smear vines with it to kill vermin.


Topic: Amphibia
Definition:
AMPHIB'IAL,  AMPHIB'IA, n.  [Gr. both or about and life.]
In zoology, amphibials are a class of animals, so formed as to live on land, and for a long time under water.  Their heart has but one ventricle; their blood is red and cold; and they have such command of the lungs, as for a considerable time, to suspend respiration.  This class of animals is divided into two orders, the Reptiles and the Serpents.  To the first belong the testudo, or tortoise, the draco or dragon, the lacerta or lizard, and the rana or frog; to the second, the crotalus, boa, coluber, anguis, amphisbena, and cecilia.
The term has also been applied to such quadrupeds, as frequent the water, particularly the marine quadrupeds, such as the seal, walrus and lamantin.


Topic: Amphibiology
Definition:
AMPHIBIOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. on both sides, life, and discourse.]
A discourse or treatise on amphibious animals, or the history and description of such animals.


Topic: Amphibious
Definition:
AMPHIB'IOUS, a.  [See Amphibial.]
1.  Having the power of living in two elements, air and water, as frogs, crocodiles, beavers, and the like.
2.  Of a mixed nature; partaking of two natures; as, an amphibious breed.


Topic: Amphibiousness
Definition:
AMPHIB'IOUSNESS, n.  The quality of being able to live in two elements, or of partaking of two natures.


Topic: Amphibole
Definition:
AM'PHIBOLE, n.  [Gr. equivocal.]
A name given by Hauy to a species of minerals, including the Tremolite, Hornblend, and Actinolite.  Its primitive form is an oblique rhombic prism.


Topic: Amphibolic
Definition:
AMPHIBOL'IC, a.  Pertaining to amphibole; resembling amphibole, or partaking of its nature and characters.


Topic: Amphibology
Definition:
AMPHIBOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. speech.]
A phrase or discourse, susceptible of two interpretations; and hence, a phrase of uncertain meaning.  Amphibology arises from the order of the phrase, rather than from the ambiguous meaning of a word which is called equivocation.  We have an example in the answer of the oracle to Pyrrhus.  'Aio te Romanos vincere posse.'  Here te and Romanos, may either of them precede or follow vincere posse, and the sense may be either, you may conquer the Romans, or the Romans may conquer you.  The English language seldom admits of amphibology.


Topic: Amphibolous
Definition:
AMPHIB'OLOUS, a.  [Gr. to strike.]
Tossed from one to another; striking each way, with mutual blows.  [Little used.]


Topic: Amphibrach
Definition:
AM'PHIBRACH, n.  [Gr. short.]
In poetry, a foot of three syllables, the middle one long, the first and last short; as habere, in Latin.  In English verse, it is used as the last foot, when a syllable is added to the usual number forming a double rhyme; as,
The piece, you think, is incorrect, why take it?


Topic: Amphicome
Definition:
AM'PHICOME, n.  [Gr. hair.]
A kind of figured stone, of a round shape, but rugged and beset with eminences; called Erotylos, on account of its supposed power of exciting love.  Anciently, it was used in divination; but it is little known to the moderns.


Topic: Amphictyons
Definition:
AMPHIC'TYONS, n.  In Grecian history, an assembly or council of deputies from the different states of Greece, supposed to be so called from Amphictyon, the son of Deucalion, but this opinion is probably a fable.  Ten or twelve states were represented in this assembly, which sat at Thermophlae, but ordinarily at Delphi.  Each city sent two deputies, one called Hieromnemon and the other Pylagoras.  The former inspected the sacrifices and ceremonies of religion; the latter, had the charge of deciding causes and differences between private persons.  The former was elected by lot; the latter by a plurality of voices.  They had an equal right to deliberate and vote in all matters relating to the common interests of Greece.


Topic: Amphihexahedral
Definition:
AMPHIHEXAHE'DRAL, a.  [Gr. and hexahedral.]
In crystallography, when the faces of the crystal, counted in two different directions, give two hexahedral outlines, or are found to be six in number.


Topic: Amphimacer
Definition:
AMPHIM'ACER, n.  [Gr. long on both sides.]
In ancient poetry, a foot of three syllables, the middle one short and the others long, as in castitas.


Topic: Amphiscians
Definition:
AMPHIS'CIANS, n.  [Gr. on both sides and shadow.]
In geography, the inhabitants of the tropics, 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 in the southern or northern signs.


Topic: Amphitheater
Definition:
AMPHITHE'ATER, n.  [Gr. about and to see or look.]
1.  An edifice in an oval or circular form, having its area encompassed with rows of seats, rising higher as they recede from the area, on which people used to sit to view the combats of gladiators and of wild beasts, and other sports.  The ancient theater was a semicircle, but exceeding it by a fourth part of its diameter; the amphitheater was a double theater, and its longest diameter was to its shortest as 1 1/2 to 1.  It was at first of wood, but in the reign of Augustus one was erected of stone.  The area or cavea being covered with sand was called arena.
2.  In gardening, a disposition of shrubs and trees in the form of an amphitheater, on a slope, or forming a slope, by placing the lowest in front.  An amphitheater may also be formed of turf only.


Topic: Amphor
Definition:
AM'PHOR, or AM'PHORA, n.  [L. amphora; Gr.]
Among the Greeks and Romans, a liquid measure.  The amphora of the Romans contained about forty-eight sextaries, equal to seven gallons and a pint, English wine measure.  The Grecian or Attic amphor contained about a third more.  This was also, among the Romans, a dry measure of about three bushels.  Among the Venetians, it is a liquid measure of sixteen quarts.
This name was formerly used in England; but the capacity of the Sax. ambra is not certainly known.


Topic: Ample
Definition:
AM'PLE, a.  [L. amplus.]
1.  Large; wide; spacious; extended; as ample room.  This word carries with it the sense of room or space fully sufficient for the use intended.
2.  Great in bulk, or size; as an ample tear.
3.  Liberal; unrestrained; without parsimony; fully sufficient; as, ample provision for the table; ample justice.
4.  Liberal; magnificent; as ample promises.
5.  Diffusive; not brief or contracted; as an ample narrative.


Topic: Amplexicaul
Definition:
AMPLEX'ICAUL, a.  [L. amplexor, to embrace, of amb about, and plico, plexus, to fold, and caulis a stem.]
In botany, surrounding or embracing the stem, as the base of a leaf.


Topic: Ampliation
Definition:
AMPLIA'TION, n.
1.  Enlargement; amplification; diffuseness.  [Little used.]
2.  In Roman antiquity, a deferring to pass sentence; a postponement of a decision, to obtain further evidence.


Topic: Amplification
Definition:
AMPLIFICA'TION, n.  [L. amplificatio.]
1.  Enlargement; extension.
2.  In rhetoric, diffusive description or discussion; exaggerated representation; copious argument, intended to present the subject in every view or in the strongest light; diffuse narrative, or a dilating upon all the particulars of a subject; a description given in more words than are necessary, or an illustration by various examples and proofs.


Topic: Amplifier
Definition:
AM'PLIFIER, n.  One who amplifies or enlarges; one who treats a subject diffusively, to exhibit it in the strongest light.


Topic: Amplify
Definition:
AM'PLIFY, v.t.  [L. amplifico; of amplus and facio, to make large.]
1.  To enlarge; to augment; to increase or extend, in a general sense; applied to material or immaterial things.
2.  In rhetoric, to enlarge in discussion or by representation; to treat copiously, so as to present the subject in every view and in the strongest lights.
3.  To enlarge by addition; to improve or extend; as, to amplify the sense of an author by a paraphrase.
AM'PLIFY, v.i.
1.  To speak largely or copiously; to be diffuse in argument or description; to dilate upon; often followed by on; as, to amplify on the several topics of discourse.
2.  To exaggerate; to enlarge by representation or description; as,
Homer amplifies - not invents.


Topic: Amplitude
Definition:
AM'PLITUDE, n.  [L. amplitudo, from amplus, large.]
1.  Largeness; extent, applied to bodies; as, the amplitude of the earth.
2.  Largeness; extent of capacity or intellectual powers; as, amplitude of mind.
3.  Extent of means or power; abundance; sufficiency.
Amplitude, in astronomy, is an arch of the horizon intercepted between the east and west point, and the center of the sun or star at its rising or setting.  At the rising of a star, 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.
Amplitude of the range, in projectiles, is the horizontal line subtending the path of a body thrown, or the line which measures the distance it has moved.


Topic: Amputate
Definition:
AM'PUTATE, v.t.  [L. amputo, of amb, about, and puto, to prune.]
1.  To prune branches of trees or vines; to cut off.
2.  To cut off a limb or other part of an animal body; a term of surgery.


Topic: Amputation
Definition:
AMPUTA'TION, n.  [L. amputatio.]
The act of operation of cutting off a limb or some part of the body.


Topic: Amulet
Definition:
AM'ULET, n.  [L. amuletum; amolior, amolitus to remove.]
Something worn as a remedy or preservative against evils or mischief, such as diseases and witchcraft.  Amulets, in days of ignorance, were common.  They consisted of certain stones, metals or plants; sometimes of words, characters or sentences, arranged in a particular order.  They were appended to the neck or body.  Among some nations, they are still in use.


Topic: Amuse
Definition:
AMU'SE, v.t. s as z.  [Gr. and L. musso.]
1.  To entertain the mind agreeably; to occupy or detain attention with agreeable objects, whether by singing, conversation, or a show of curiosities.  Dr.Johnson remarks, that amuse implies something less lively than divert, and less important than please.  Hence it is often said, we are amused with trifles.
2.  To detain; to engage the attention by hope or expectation; as, to amuse one by flattering promises.


Topic: Amusement
Definition:
AMU'SEMENT, n.  s as z.  That which amuses, detains or engages the mind; entertainment of the mind; pastime; a pleasurable occupation of the senses, or that which furnishes it, as dancing, sports or music.


Topic: Amusing
Definition:
AMU'SING, ppr. or a.  s as z.  Entertaining; giving moderate pleasure to the mind, so as to engage it; pleasing.


Topic: Amygdalate
Definition:
AMYG'DALATE, a.  [L. amygdalus, an almond.]  Made of almonds.
AMYG'DALATE, n.  An emulsion made of almonds; milk of almonds.


Topic: Amygdaloid
Definition:
AMYG'DALOID, n.  [Gr. an almond, and form;]
Toad-stone; a compound rock, consisting of a basis of basalt, greenstone or some other variety of trap, imbedding nodules of various minerals, particularly calcarious spar, quartz, agate, zeolite, chlorite, &c.  When the imbedded minerals are detached, it is porous, like lava.


Topic: Amylaceous
Definition:
AMYLA'CEOUS, a.  [L. amylum, starch, of a priv. and a mill, being formerly made without grinding.]
Pertaining to starch, or the farinaceous part of grain; resembling starch.


Topic: Amyraldism
Definition:
AM'YRALDISM, n.  In church history, the doctrine of universal grace, as explained by Amyraldus, or Amyrault, of France, in the seventeenth century.  He taught that God desires the happiness of all men, and that none are excluded by a divine decree, but that none can obtain salvation without faith in Christ; that God refuses to none the power of believing, though he does not grant to all his assistance to improve this power.


Topic: Amyztli
Definition:
AMYZ'TLI, n.  A Mexican name of the sealion, an amphibious quadruped, inhabiting the shores and rivers of America, on the Pacific ocean.  Its body is three feet in length, and its tail, two feet.  It has a long snout, short legs and crooked nails.  Its skin is valued for the length and softness of its hair.


Topic: An
Definition:
AN, a.  [L. unus, una, unum; Gr.]
One; noting an individual, either definitely, known, certain, specified, or understood; or indefinitely, not certain, known, or specified.  Definitely, as 'Noah built an ark of Gopher wood.'  'Paul was an eminent apostle.'  Indefinitely, as 'Bring me an orange.'  Before a consonant the letter n is dropped, as a man; but our ancestors wrote an man, an king.  This letter represents an definitely, or indefinitely.  Definitely, as 'I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God.'  Ex. 6.  Indefinitely, as 'the province of a judge is to decide controversies.'  An being the same word as one, should not be used with it; 'such an one' is tautology; the true phrase is such one.  Although an, a and one, are the same word, and always have the same sense, yet by custom, an and a are used exclusively as a definite adjective, and one is used in numbering.  Where our ancestors wrote an, twa, thry, we now use one, two, three.  So an and a are never used except with a noun; but one like other adjectives, is sometimes used without its noun, and as a substitute for it; 'one is at a loss to assign a reason for such conduct.'
AN, in old English authors, signifies if; as, 'an it please your honor.'  Gr.; L. an, if or whether.  It is probably an imperative, like if, gif, give.


Topic: Ana
Definition:
A'NA, aa, or a.  [Gr.]
In medical prescriptions, it signifies an equal quantity of the several ingredients; as, wine and honey, ana, aa or a that is, of wine and honey each two ounces.
A'NA, as a termination, is annexed to the names of authors to denote a collection of their memorable sayings.  Thus, Scaligerana, is a book contained the sayings of Scaliger.  It was used by the Romans, as in Collectaneus, collected, gathered.


Topic: Anabaptist
Definition:
ANABAP'TIST, n.  [Gr. again, and a baptist.]
One who holds the doctrine of the baptism of adults, or of the invalidity of infant baptism, and the necessity of rebaptization in an adult age.  One who maintains that baptism ought always to be performed by immersion.


Topic: Anaca
Definition:
ANACA, n.  A species of parakeet, about the size of a lark; the crown of the head is a dark red, the upper part of the neck, sides, back and wings are green.


Topic: Anacamptic
Definition:
ANACAMP'TIC, a.  [Gr. to bend.]
1.  Reflecting or reflected; a word formerly applied to that part of optics, which treats of reflection; the same as what is now called catoptric.  [See Catoptrics.]
2.  Anacamptic sounds, among the Greeks, were sounds produced by reflection, as in echoes; or such as proceeded downwards from acute to grave.


Topic: Anacardium
Definition:
ANACAR'DIUM, n.  The cashew-nut, or marking nut, which produces a thickish, red, caustic, inflammable liquor, which, when used in marking, turns black, and is very durable.


Topic: Anacathartic
Definition:
ANACATHAR'TIC, a.  [Gr. upward and a purging.  See Cathartic.]
Throwing upwards; cleansing by exciting vomiting, expectoration, &c.
ANACATHAR'TIC, n.  A medicine which excites discharges by the mouth, or nose, as expectorants, emetics, sternutatories and masticatories.


Topic: Anachronism
Definition:
ANACH'RONISM, n.  [Gr. time.]
An error in computing time; any error in chronology, by which events are misplaced.


Topic: Anaclastic
Definition:
ANACLAS'TIC, a.  [Gr. breaking, from to break.]
Refracting; breaking the rectilinear course of light.
Anaclastic glasses, sonorous glasses or phials, which are flexible, and emit a vehement noise by means of the human breath; called also vexing glasses, from the fright which their resilience occasions.  They are low phials with flat bellies, like inverted tunnels, and with very thin convex bottoms.  By drawing out a little air, the bottom springs into a concave form with a smart crack; and by breathing or blowing into them, the bottom, with a like noise, springs into its former convex form.


Topic: Anaclastics
Definition:
ANACLAS'TICS, n.  That part of optics which treats of the refraction of light, commonly called dioptrics, which see.


Topic: Anacoenosis
Definition:
ANACOENO'SIS, n.  [Gr. common.]
A figure of rhetoric, by which a speaker applies to his opponents for their opinion on the point in debate.


Topic: Anaconda
Definition:
ANACOND'A, n.  A name given in Ceylon to a large snake, a species of Boa, which is said to devour travelers.  Its flesh is excellent food.


Topic: Anacreontic
Definition:
ANACREON'TIC, a.  Pertaining to Anacreon, a Greek poet, whose odes and epigrams are celebrated for their delicate, easy and graceful air, and for their exact imitation of nature.  His verse consists of three feet and a half, usually spondees and iambuses, sometimes anapests; as in this line of Horace.
'Lydia, dic per omnes.'

ANACREON'TIC, n.  A poem composed in the manner of Anacreon.


Topic: Anadiplosis
Definition:
ANADIPLO'SIS, n.  [Gr. again, and double.]
Duplication, a figure in rhetoric and poetry, consisting in the repetition of the last word or words in a line or clause of a sentence, in the beginning of the next; as, 'he retained his virtues amidst all his misfortunes, misfortunes which no prudence could foresee or prevent.


Topic: Anadromous
Definition:
ANAD'ROMOUS, a.  [Gr. upward and course.]
Ascending; a word applied to such fish as pass from the sea into fresh waters, at stated seasons.


Topic: Anagogy
Definition:
AN'AGOGY, n.  [Gr. upward, and a leading.]
An elevation of mind to things celestial; the spiritual meaning or application of words; also the application of the types and allegories of the old testament to subjects of the new.


Topic: Anagram
Definition:
AN'AGRAM, n.  [Gr. a letter.]
A transposition of the letters of a name, by which a new word is formed.  Thus Galenus becomes angelus;  William Noy, (attorney general to Charles I., a laborious man,) may be turned into I moyl in law.


Topic: Analemma
Definition:
AN'ALEMMA, n.  [Gr. altitude.]
1.  In geometry, a projection of the sphere on the plane of the meridian, orthographically made by straight lines, circles and ellipses, the eye being supposed at an infinite distance, and in the east or west points of the horizon.
2.  An instrument of wood or brass on which this kind of projection is drawn, with a horizon and cursor fitted to it, in which the solstitial colure, and all circles parallel to it, will be concentric circles; all circles oblique to the eye will be ellipses; and all circles whose planes pass through the eye, will be right lines.


Topic: Analepsis
Definition:
ANALEP'SIS, n.  [Gr. to receive again.]
The augmentation of nutrition of an emaciated body; recovery of strength after a disease.


Topic: Analeptic
Definition:
ANALEP'TIC, a.  Corroborating; invigorating; giving strength after disease.
ANALEP'TIC, n.  A medicine which gives strength, and aids in restoring a body to health after sickness; a restorative.


Topic: Analogical
Definition:
ANALOG'ICAL, a.  Having analogy; used by way of analogy; bearing some relation.  Thus analogical reasoning is reasoning from some similitude which things known bear to things unknown.  An analogical word is one which carries with it some relation to the original idea.  Thus the word firm primarily denotes solidity or compactness in a material body; and by analogy, when used of the mind, it conveys the idea of qualities having a similitude to the solidity of bodies, that is, fixedness or immovability.


Topic: Analogically
Definition:
ANALOG'ICALLY, adv.  In an analogical manner; by way of similitude, relation or agreement.  Thus to reason analogically is to deduce inferences from some agreement or relation which things bear to each other.


Topic: Analogicalness
Definition:
ANALOG'ICALNESS, n.  The quality of being analogical; fitness to be applied for the illustration of some analogy.


Topic: Analogism
Definition:
ANAL'OGISM, n.  [Gr.]  An argument from the cause to the effect.
Investigation of things by the analogy they bear to each other.


Topic: Analogize
Definition:
ANAL'OGIZE, v.t.  To explain by analogy; to form some resemblance between different things; to consider a thing with regard to its analogy to something else.


Topic: Analogous
Definition:
ANAL'OGOUS, a.  Having analogy; bearing some resemblance or proportion; followed by to; as, there is something in the exercise of the mind analogues to that of the body.


Topic: Analogy
Definition:
ANAL'OGY, n.  [Gr. ratio, proportion.]
1.  an agreement or likeness between things in some circumstances or effects, when the things are otherwise entirely different.  Thus a plant is said to have life, because its growth resembles in some degree, that of an animal.  In life and growth, then, there is an analogy between a plant and an animal.  Learning enlightens the mind, because it is to the mind, what light is to the eye, enabling it to discover things before hidden.  When the things which have an analogy follow a preposition, that preposition must be between or betwixt; as there is an analogy between plants and animals, or between customs.  When one of the things precedes a verb, and the other follows, the preposition used must be to or with; as, a plant has some analogy to or with an animal.
2.  With grammarians, analogy is a conformity of words to the genius, structure or general rules of a language.  Thus the general rule in English is that the plural of a noun ends in es; therefore all nouns which have that plural termination have an analogy, or are formed in analogy with other words of a like kind.


Topic: Analysis
Definition:
ANAL'YSIS, n.  [Gr. a loosing, or resolving, from to loosen.  See Loose.]
1.  The separation of a compound body into its constituent parts; a resolving; as, an analysis of water, air or oil, to discover its elements.
2.  A consideration of anything in its separate parts; an examination of the different parts of a subject, each separately; as the words which compose a sentence, the notes of a tune, or the simple propositions which enter into an argument.  It is opposed to synthesis.
In mathematics, analysis is the resolving of problems by algebraic equations.  The analysis of finite quantities is otherwise called algebra, or specious arithmetic.  The analysis of infinites is the method of fluxions, or the differential calculus.
In logic, analysis is the tracing of things to their source, and the resolving of knowledge into its original principles.
3.  A syllabus, or table of the principal heads of a continued discourse, disposed in their natural order.
4.  A brief, methodical illustration of the principles of a science.  In this sense, it is nearly synonymous with synopsis.


Topic: Analytically
Definition:
ANALYT'ICALLY, adv.  In the manner of analysis; by way of separating a body into its constituent parts, or a subject, into its principles.


Topic: Analyze
Definition:
AN'ALYZE, v.t.  [Gr.  See Analysis.]
To resolve a body into its elements; to separate a compound subject into its parts or propositions, for the purpose of an examination of each separately; as, to analyze a fossil substance; to analyze an action to ascertain its morality.


Topic: Anamorphosis
Definition:
ANAMORPHOSIS, n.  [Gr. formation.]
In perspective drawings, a deformed or distorted portrait or figure, which, in one point of view, is confused or unintelligible, and in another, is an exact and regular representation; or confused to the naked eye, but reflected from a plain or curved mirror, appearing regular, and in right proportion.


Topic: Anapest
Definition:
AN'APEST, n.  [Gr to strike.]
In poetry, a foot, consisting of three syllables, the two first short, the last long; the reverse of the dactyl; as,
Can a bosom so gentle remain
Unmoved when her Corydon sighs?


Topic: Anapestic
Definition:
ANAPEST'IC, n.  The anapestic measure.
ANAPEST'IC, a.  Pertaining to an anapest; consisting of anapestic feet.


Topic: Anaphora
Definition:
ANAPH'ORA, n.  [Gr.]
1.  A figure in rhetoric, when the same word or words are repeated at the beginning of two or more succeeding verses or clauses of a sentence; as, 'Where is the wise?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the disputer of this world?'
2.  Among physicians, the discharge  of blood or purulent matter by the mouth.


Topic: Anaplerotic
Definition:
ANAPLEROT'IC, a.  [Gr. to fill.]  Filling up; supplying or renovating flesh.
ANAPLEROT'IC, n.  A medicine which renews flesh or wasted parts.


Topic: Anarchy
Definition:
AN'ARCHY, n.  [Gr. rule.]
Want of government; a state of society, when there is no law or supreme power, or when the laws are not efficient, and individuals do what they please with impunity; political confusion.


Topic: Anarhichas
Definition:
ANAR'HICHAS, n.  The sea wolf; a genus of ravenous fish, of the order of Apodals, found in the northern seas.


Topic: Anas
Definition:
A'NAS, n.  [L.]  A genus of water fowl of the order Anseres; including the swans, geese, and ducks.  The species are very numerous.


Topic: Anasarca
Definition:
ANAS'ARCA, n.  [Gr. in or between, and flesh.]
A species of dropsy, from a serous humor spread between the skin and flesh; or an accumulation of lymph in the cellular membrane, occasioning a soft, pale, inelastic swelling of the skin.


Topic: Anastomose
Definition:
ANAS'TOMOSE, v.i.  s as z.  [Gr. mouth.]
To inosculate; to unite the mouth of one vessel with another, as the arteries with the veins.


Topic: Anastomosis
Definition:
ANASTOMO'SIS, n.  The inosculation of vessels, or the opening of one vessel into another, as an artery into a vein; a relaxation or dilation of the mouths of vessels; also the communication of two vessels, as a vein with a vein.


Topic: Anatase
Definition:
AN'ATASE, n.  [Gr. extension, so named from the length of its crystals.]
Octahedrite; octahedral oxyd of titanium; a mineral that shows a variety of colors by reflected light, from indigo blue to reddish brown.  It is usually crystallized in acute, elongated, pyramidical octahedrons.


Topic: Anathema
Definition:
ANATH'EMA, n.  [Gr. to place behind, backward or at a distance, to separate.]
1.  Excommunication with curses.  Hence, a curse or denunciation by ecclesiastical authority, accompanying excommunication.  This species of excommunication was practiced in the ancient churches, against notorious offenders; all churches were warned not to receive them; all magistrates and private persons were admonished not to harbor or maintain them, and priests were enjoined not to converse with them, or attend their funeral.
There are two kinds of anathemas, judiciary and abjuratory.  The former is pronounced by a council, pope or bishop; the latter is the act of a convert who anathematizes the heresy which he abjures.
2.  In heathen mythology, an offering, or present made to some deity and hung up in a temple.  Whenever a person quitted his employment, he set apart, or dedicated his tools to his patron-deity.  Persons who had escaped danger remarkably, or been otherwise very fortunate, testified their gratitude by some offering to their deity.


Topic: Anathematize
Definition:
ANATH'EMATIZE, v.t.  To excommunicate with a denunciation of curses; to pronounce an anathema against.


Topic: Anatocism
Definition:
ANAT'OCISM, n.  [L. anatocismus, from Gr. again and usury.]
Interest upon interest; the taking of compound interest; or the contract by which such interest is secured.  [Rarely used.]


Topic: Anatomical
Definition:
ANATOM'ICAL, a.  Belonging to anatomy or dissection; produced by or according to the principles of anatomy, or natural structure of the body; relating to the parts of the body when dissected or separated.


Topic: Anatomically
Definition:
ANATOM'ICALLY, adv.  In an anatomical manner; by means of dissection; according to the doctrine of anatomy.


Topic: Anatomist
Definition:
ANAT'OMIST, n.  One who dissects bodies; more generally, one who is skilled in the art of dissection, or versed in the doctrine and principles of anatomy.


Topic: Anatomize
Definition:
ANAT'OMIZE, v.t.  To dissect an animal; to divide into the constituent parts, for the purpose of examining each by itself; to lay open the interior structure of the parts of a body or subject; as, to anatomize an animal or plant; to anatomize an argument.


Topic: Anatomy
Definition:
ANAT'OMY, n.  [Gr. through and to cut.]
1.  The art of dissecting, or artificially separating the different parts of an animal body, to discover their situation, structure and economy.
2.  The doctrine of the structure of the body, learned by dissection; as, a physician understands anatomy.
3.  The act of dividing any thing, corporeal or intellectual, for the purpose of examining its parts; as, the anatomy of a plant, or of a discourse.
4.  The body stripped of its integuments; a skeleton, or the corporeal frame of bones entire, without the skin, flesh and vessels; an improper use of the word, and vulgar.
5.  Ironically, a meager person.


Topic: Anatreptic
Definition:
ANATREP'TIC, a.  [Gr. to overturn.]
Overthrowing; defeating; prostrating; a word applied to the dialogues of Plato, which represent a complete defeat in the gymnastic exercises.


Topic: Anatron
Definition:
AN'ATRON, n.  [Gr. niter.]
1.  Soda or mineral fixed alkali.
2.  Spume or glass gall, a scum which rises upon melted glass, in the furnace, and when taken off, dissolves in the air, and then coagulates into common salt.
3.  The salt which collects on the walls of vaults.


Topic: Ancestor
Definition:
AN'CESTOR, n.  [L. antecessor, of ante, before, and cedo, to go.]
One from whom a person descends, either by the father or mother, at any distance of time, in the tenth or hundredth generation.  An ancestor precedes in the order of nature or blood; a predecessor, in the order of office.


Topic: Ancestral
Definition:
AN'CESTRAL, a.  Relating or belonging to ancestors; claimed or descending from ancestors; as, an ancestral estate.


Topic: Ancestry
Definition:
AN'CESTRY, n.  A series of ancestors, or progenitors; lineage, or those who compose the line of natural descent.  Hence, birth or honorable descent.


Topic: Anchilops
Definition:
AN'CHILOPS, n.  [Gr. a goat and an eye.]
The goat's eye; an abscess in the inner angle of the eye; an incipient fistula lachrymalis.


Topic: Anchor
Definition:
AN'CHOR, n.  [L. anchora; Gr.]
1.  An iron instrument for holding a ship or other vessel at rest in water.  It is a strong shank, with a ring at one end, to which a cable may be fastened; and with two arms and flukes at the other end, forming a suitable angle with the shank to enter the ground.
In seamen's language, the anchor comes home, when it is dislodged from its bed, so as to drag by the violence of the wind, sea or current.
Foul anchor is when the anchor hooks or is entangled with another anchor, or with a wreck or cable, or when the slack cable is entangled.
The anchor a cock bill, is when it is suspended perpendicularly from the cat head, ready to be let go.
The anchor a peek, is when it is drawn in so tight as to bring the ship directly over it.
The anchor is a trip, or a weigh, when it is just drawn out of the ground, in a perpendicular direction, either by the cable or the buoy-rope.
To back an anchor is to lay 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.
At anchor is when a ship rides by her anchor.  Hence, to lie or ride at anchor.
To cast anchor, or to anchor, is to let go an anchor, to keep a ship at rest.
To weigh anchor is to heave or raise the anchor out of the ground.
Anchors are of different sizes.  The principal, and that on which most dependence is placed, is the sheet anchor.  Then come the best bower, the small bower, the space anchor, the stream anchor, and the kedge anchor, which is the smallest.
2.  In a figurative sense, that which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.  Heb. 6.
3.  In architecture, anchors are carved work, somewhat resembling an anchor.  It is commonly a part of the ornaments of the boultins of capitals in the Tuscan, Doric and Ionic orders, and on the moldings of cornices.
In heraldry, anchors are emblems of hope.
AN'CHOR, v.t.  
1.  To place at anchor; to moor; as to anchor a ship.
2.  To fix or fasten on; to fix in a stable condition
AN'CHOR, v.i.  
1.  To cast anchor; to come to anchor; as, our ship anchored off the isle of Wight.
2.  To stop; to fix or rest on.


Topic: Anchorage
Definition:
AN'CHORAGE, n.  
1.  Anchor-ground; a place where a ship can anchor, where the ground is not too rocky, nor the water too deep nor too shallow.
2.  The hold of a ship at anchor, or rather the anchor and all the necessary tackle for anchoring.
3.  A duty imposed on ships for anchoring in a harbor.


Topic: Anchoret
Definition:
AN'CHORET, or AN'CHORITE, n.  [Gr. to retire and to go.  Written by some authors, anachoret.]
A hermit; a recluse; one who retires from society into a desert or solitary place, to avoid the temptations of the world and devote himself to religious duties.  Also a monk, who, with the leave of the abbot, retires to a cave or cell, with an allowance from the monastery, to live in solitude.


Topic: Anchovy-pear
Definition:
ANCHO'VY-PEAR, n.  A fruit of Jamaica, constituting the genus Grias.  It is large, contains a stone, and is esculent.


Topic: Ancient
Definition:
AN'CIENT, a.  Usually pronounced most anomalously, ancient.  The pronunciation of the first vowel ought to accord with that is antiquity, anger, anchor, &c.  [Lt. ante, antiquus.] We usually apply ancient and old to things subject to gradual decay. We say, an old man, an ancient record; but never the old sun, old stars, an old river or mountain.
1.  Old; that happened or existed in former times, usually at a great distance of time; as, ancient authors, ancient days.  Old, says Johnson, relates to the duration of the thing itself, as an old coat; and ancient to time in general, as an ancient dress.  But this distinction is not always observed.  We say, in old times, as well as ancient times; old customs, &c.  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 as 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.  But in these examples ancient seems the most correct, or best authorized.  Some persons apply ancient to men advanced in years still living; but this use is not common in modern practice, though found in scripture.
With the ancient is wisdom.  Job.
2.  Old; that has been of long duration; as, an ancient forest; an ancient city.
3.  Known from ancient times; as the ancient continent, opposed to the new continent.
AN'CIENT, n.  Generally used in the plural, ancients.  Those who lived in former ages, opposed to moderns.
1.  In scripture, very old men.  Also, governors, rulers, political and ecclesiastical.
The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people.  Isa. 3.  Jer. 19.
God is called the Ancient of days from his eternal existence.  Dan. 7.
Hooker uses the word for seniors,  'They were his ancients,' but the use is not authorized.
2.  Ancient is also used for a flag or streamer, in a ship of war; and for an ensign or the bearer of a flag, as in Shakespeare.  Cowel supposed the word, when used for a flag, to be a corruption of end-sheet, a flag at the stern.  It is probably the Fr. enseigne.
Ancient demain, in English Law, is a tenure by which all manors belonging to the crown, in the reign of William the Conqueror, were held.  The numbers, names &c. of these were all entered in a book called Domes-day Book.


Topic: Anciently
Definition:
AN'CIENTLY, adv.  In old times; in times long since past; as Rome was anciently more populous than at present.


Topic: Ancienty
Definition:
AN'CIENTY, n.  Age; antiquity.  [Not used.]
AN'CIENTY, n.  In some old English statutes and authors, eldership or seniority.  


Topic: Ancillary
Definition:
AN'CILLARY, a.  [L. ancilla, a female servant.]
Pertaining to a maid servant, or female service; subservient as a maid servant.


Topic: Ancipital
Definition:
ANCIP'ITAL, a.  [L. anceps.]
Doubtful, or double; double-faced or double-formed; applied to the stem of a plant, it signifies a two edged stem, compressed and forming two opposite angles.


Topic: Ancony
Definition:
AN'CONY, n.  [Probably from Gr., the cubit, from its resemblance to the arm.]
In iron works, a piece of half wrought iron, in the shape of a bar in the middle, but rude and unwrought at the ends.  A piece of cast iron is melted off and hammered at a forge, into a mass of two feet long and square, which is called a bloom; then, carried to a finery, and worked into an ancony; it is then sent to a chafery, where the ends are wrought into the shape of the middle, and whole is made into a bar.


Topic: And
Definition:
AND, conj.
And is a conjunction, connective or conjoining word.  It signifies that a word or part of a sentence is to be added to what precedes.  Thus, give me an apple and an orange; that is, give me an apple, add or give in addition to that, an orange.  John and Peter and James rode to New York, that is, John rode to New York; add or further, Peter rode to New York; add James rode to New York.


Topic: Andalusite
Definition:
AN'DALUSITE, n.  A massive mineral, of a flesh or rose red color; sometimes found crystallized in imperfect four-sided prisms, nearly or quite rectangular.  Its hardness is nearly equal to that of Corundum, and it is infusible by the blow pipe.  It has its name from Andalusia, in Spain, where it was first discovered.


Topic: Andante
Definition:
ANDAN'TE,  [Eng. to wend, to wander.]
In music, a word used to direct to a movement moderately slow, between largo and allegro.


Topic: Andiron
Definition:
AND'IRON, n.  
An iron utensil used, in Great Britain, where coal is the common fuel, to support the ends of a spit; but in America, used to support the wood in fire places.


Topic: Androgynous
Definition:
ANDROG'YNOUS, a.  [Gr. a man and woman.]
Having two sexes; being male and female; hermaphroditical.
In botany, the word is applied to plants which bear both male and female flowers from the same root, as birch, walnut, oak, chestnut, mulberry, &c.  These plants constitute the monecian class in Linne's system, and frequently have an amentum, thong or catkin, for a calyx.


Topic: Android
Definition:
AN'DROID, n.  [Gr. man and form.]
A machine, in the human form, which, by certain springs, performs some of the natural motions of a living man.  One of these machines, invented by M. Vaucanson, appeared at Paris is 1738, representing a flute player.


Topic: Andromeda
Definition:
ANDROM'EDA, n.  
1.  A northern constellation, behind Pegasus, Cassiopeia and Perseus, representing the figure of a woman chained.  The stars in this constellation, in Ptolemy's catalogue, are 23; in Tycho's 22; in Bayer's 27; in Flamsted's 84.
2.  The name of a celebrated tragedy of Euripides, now lost.


Topic: Androphagi
Definition:
ANDROPH'AGI,  [Gr. man, and to eat.]
Man-eaters; but the word is little used, being superseded by anthropophagi, which see.  Herodotus mentions people of this character.


Topic: Anecdote
Definition:
AN'ECDOTE, n.  [Gr. to publish, part, given out.]
In its original sense, secret history, or facts not generally known.  But in more common usage, a particular or detached incident or fact of an interesting nature; a biographical incident; a single passage of private life.  Procopius gave the title of anecdotes to a book he published against Justinian and his wife Theodora; and similar collections of incidents in the lives of eminent men are now common.


Topic: Anemometer
Definition:
ANEMOM'ETER, n.  [Gr. wind, and to measure.]  An instrument or machine for measuring the force and velocity of the wind.


Topic: Anemoscope
Definition:
ANEM'OSCOPE, n.  [Gr. wind, and to view.]  A machine which shows the course or velocity of the wind.


Topic: Aneurism
Definition:
AN'EURISM, n.  [Gr. to dilate, from broad.]
A preternatural dilatation or rupture of the coats of an artery.  This is encysted or diffused.  The encysted aneurism is when the coats of the artery being only dilated, the blood is confined to its proper coat.  Of this kind is the varicose.  The diffused aneurism includes all those in which, from an aperture in the artery, the blood is spread about in the cellular membrane, out of its proper course.


Topic: Anfractuous
Definition:
ANFRAC'TUOUS, a.  [L. anfractus, of amb, about, and fractus, broken.  See Break.]
Winding; full of windings and turnings; written less correctly, anfractuose.


Topic: Angariation
Definition:
ANGARIA'TION, n.  [L. angario; Gr. to compel; a word of Persian origin.]  Compulsion; exertion.  [Not used.]


Topic: Angel
Definition:
AN'GEL, n.  Usually pronounced angel, but most anomalously.  [L. angelus; Gr. a messenger, to tell or announce.]
1.  Literally, a messenger; one employed to communicate news or information from one person to another at a distance.  But appropriately,
2.  A spirit, or a spiritual intelligent being employed by God to communicate his will to man.  Hence angels are ministers of God, and ministring spirits.  Heb. 1.
3.  In a bad sense, an evil spirit; as, the angel of the bottomless pit.  Math. 25.  1Cor 6.  Rev. 9.
4.  Christ, the mediator and head of the church.  Rev. 10.
5.  A minister of the gospel, who is an embassador of God.  Rev. 2 and 3.
6.  Any being whom God employs to execute his judgments.  Rev. 16.
7.  In the style of love, a very beautiful person.


Topic: Angel-fish
Definition:
AN'GEL-FISH,  n.  A species of shark, the squalus squatina.  It is from six to eight feet long, with a large head, teeth broad at the base, but slender and sharp above, disposed in five rows, all around the jaws.  The fish takes its name from its pectoral fins, which are very large and extend horizontally, like wings when spread.  This fish connects the genus of rays, with that of sharks, partaking of the characters of both; but it differs from both in this, that its mouth is placed at the extremity of the head.


Topic: Angelical
Definition:
ANGEL'ICAL, a.  [L. angelicus.]  Resembling angels; belonging to angels, or partaking of their nature; suiting the nature and dignity of angels.


Topic: Angelites
Definition:
AN'GELITES, in Church history, so called from Angelicum in Alexandria, where they held their first meetings, a sect of heretics near the close of the 5th century, who held the persons of the trinity not to be the same, nor to exist by their own nature; but each to be a God existing by participating of a deity common to them all.  They are called also Severites, from Severus, their head; and Theodosians, from one Theodosius, whom they made their Pope.


Topic: Angelot
Definition:
AN'GELOT, n.  
1.  An instrument of music, somewhat resembling a lute.
2.  An ancient English coin struck at Paris while under the dominion of England; so called from the figure of an angel supporting the escutcheon of the arms of England and France.  Also, a small rich sort of cheese made in Normandy.


Topic: Anger
Definition:
AN'GER, n.  ang'ger.  [L. ango, to choke strangle, vex; whence angor, vexation, anguish, the quinsy, angina.  Gr. to strangle, to strain or draw together to vex.  The primary sense is to press, squeeze, make narrow;  Heb. to strangle.]
1.  A violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party.  This passion however varies in degrees of violence, and in ingenuous minds, may be attended only with a desire to reprove or chide the offender.
Anger is also excited by an injury offered to a relation, friend or party to which one is attached; and some degrees of it may be excited by cruelty, injustice or oppression offered to those with whom one has no immediate connection, or even to the community of which one is a member.  Nor is it unusual to see something of this passion roused by gross absurdities in others, especially in controversy or discussion.  Anger may be inflamed till it rises to rage and a temporary delirium.
2.  Paint; smart of a sore or swelling; the literal sense of the word, but little used.
AN'GER, v.t.  ang'ger.
1.  To excite anger; to provoke; to rouse resentment.
2.  To make painful; to cause to smart; to inflame; as, to anger an ulcer.


Topic: Angina
Definition:
ANGI'NA, n.  [L. from ango, to choke.  See Anger.]
A quinsey; an inflammation of the throat; a tumor impeding respiration.  It is a general name of the diseases called sorethroat, as quinsy, scarlet fever, croup, mumps, &c.
Angina pectoris, an anomalous or spasmodic affection of the chest and organs of respiration; or a disease of the heart.


Topic: Angiology
Definition:
ANGIOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. a vessel, and discourse.]
A treatise or discourse on the vessels of the human body, as the arteries, veins, lymphatics, &c.


Topic: Angiosperm
Definition:
AN'GIOSPERM, n.  [Gr. a vessel, and seed.]  In botany, a plant which has its seeds inclosed in a pericarp.


Topic: Angiospermous
Definition:
ANGIOSPERM'OUS, a.  Having seeds inclosed in a pod or other pericarp.  In Linne's system, the second order of plants in the didynamian class are called angiospermia.  This word is opposed to gymnospermous or naked-seeded.


Topic: Angiotomy
Definition:
ANGIOT'OMY, n.  [Gr. a vessel, and to cut.]
The opening of a vessel, whether a vein or an artery, as in bleeding.  It includes both arteriotomy and phlebotomy.


Topic: Angle
Definition:
AN'GLE, n.  [L. angulus, a corner.  Gr.]
In popular language, the point where two lines meet, or the meeting of two lines in a point; a corner.
In geometry, the space comprised between two straight lines that meet in a point, or between two straight converging lines which, if extended, would meet; or the quantity by which two straight lines, departing from a point, diverge from each other.  The point of meeting is the vertex of the angle, and the lines, containing the angle, are its sides or legs.
In optics, the angle of incidence is the angle which a ray of light makes with a perpendicular to the surface, or to that point of the surface on which it falls.
The angle of refraction is the angle which a ray of light refracted makes with the surface of the refracting medium; or rather with a perpendicular to that point of the surface on which it falls.
A right angle, is one formed by a right line falling on another perpendicularly, or an angle of 90 degrees, making the quarter of a circle.
An obtuse angle is greater than a right angle, or more than 90 degrees.
A rectilineal or right-lined angle, is formed by two right lines.
A curvilineal angle, is formed by two curved lines.
A mixed angle is formed by a right line with a curved line.
Adjacent or contiguous angles are such as have one leg common to both angles, and both together are equal to two right angles.
External angles are angles of any right-lined figure without it, when the sides are produced or lengthened.
Internal angles are those which are within any right-lined figure.
Oblique angles are either acute or obtuse, in opposition to right angles.
A solid angle is the meeting of three or more plain angles at one point.
A spherical angle is one made by the meeting of two arches of great circles, which mutually cut one another on the surface of the globe or sphere.
AN'GLE, n.  A hook; an instrument to take fish, consisting of a rod, a line and a hook, or a line and hook.
AN'GLE, v.i.  
1.  To fish with an angle, or with line and hook.
2.  v.t. or i.  To fish for; to try to gain by some bait or insinuation, as men angle for fish; as, to angle for the hearts of people, or to angle hearts.


Topic: Anglicize
Definition:
AN'GLICIZE, v.t.  To make English; to render conformable to the English idiom, or to English analogies.


Topic: Anglo-saxon
Definition:
ANGLO-SAX'ON, a.  Pertaining to the Saxons, who settled in England, or English Saxons.
ANGLO-SAX'ON, n.  A kind of pear; also the language of the English Saxons.


Topic: Angor
Definition:
AN'GOR, n.  [L.  See anger.]
1.  Pain; intense bodily pain.
2.  The retiring of the native bodily heat to the center, occasioning head-ache, palpitation and sadness.


Topic: Angry
Definition:
AN'GRY, a.  [See anger.]
1.  Feeling resentment; provoked; followed generally by with before a person.
God is angry with the wicked every day.  Ps. 7.
But it is usually followed by at before a thing.
Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice?  Eccles. 5.
2.  Showing anger; wearing the marks of anger; caused by anger; as, an angry countenance; angry words.
3.  Inflamed, as a sore; red; manifesting inflammation.
4.  Raging; furious; tumultuous.
Or chain the angry vengeance of the waves.


Topic: Anguifer
Definition:
AN'GUIFER, n.  [L. anguis, a serpent, and fero, to bear.]
In astronomy, a cluster of stars in the form of a man holding a serpent; Serpentarius, one of the twelve signs of the zodiac.


Topic: Anguilla
Definition:
ANGUIL'LA, n.  [L. an eel.]
In zoology, an eel; also the name of a Mediterranean fish used for food, called also hospetus and atherina.


Topic: Anguilliform
Definition:
ANGUIL'LIFORM, a.  [L. anguilla, an eel, and forma, shape.]  In the form of an eel, or of a serpent; resembling an eel or serpent.


Topic: Anguish
Definition:
AN'GUISH, n.  [L. angustia, narrowness, from pressure.  See Anger.]
Extreme pain, either of body or mind.  As bodily pain, it may differ from agony, which is such distress of the whole body as to cause contortion, whereas anguish may be a local pain as of an ulcer, or gout.  But anguish and agony are nearly synonymous.  As pain of the mind, it signifies any keen distress from sorrow, remorse, despair and kindred passions.
And they hearkened not to Moses, for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.  Ex. 6.
AN'GUISH, v.t.  To distress with extreme pain or grief.


Topic: Angular
Definition:
AN'GULAR, a.
1.  Having an angle, angles or corners; pointed; as an angular figure.
2.  Consisting of an angle; forming an angle; as an angular point.


Topic: Angustation
Definition:
ANGUSTA'TION, n.  [L. angustus, narrow.  See Anger.]
The act of making narrow; a straightening, or being made narrow.


Topic: Angusticlave
Definition:
ANGUST'ICLAVE, n.  [L. angustus, narrow, and clavus, a knob or stud.]
A robe or tunic embroidered with purple studs or knobs, or by purple stripes, worn by Roman knights.  The laticlave, with broader studs, was worn by senators.


Topic: Anhelation
Definition:
ANHELA'TION, n.  [L. anhelo, to pant or breathe with difficulty; from halo, to breathe.]
Shortness of breath; a panting; difficult respiration, without fever, or with a sense of suffocation.


Topic: Anhima
Definition:
AN'HIMA, n.  A Brazilian aquatic fowl, larger than a swan, somewhat like a crane.  Its head is small, its bill black, the toes armed with long claws.  But what is remarkable, is a horn growing from its forehead; and the second joint of the wing is armed with two straight triangular spurs, an inch in length.  The fidelity between the male and female is so great, that when one dies, the other remains by the carcass, till it expires.


Topic: Anhydrite
Definition:
AN'HYDRITE, n.  [See Anhydrous.]
A species of sulphate of lime, anhydrous gypsum, of which there are several varieties; compact, granular, fibrous, radiated, sparry, siliciferous or vulpinite, and convoluted.


Topic: Anhydrous
Definition:
ANHY'DROUS, a.  [Gr. dry, and water.]
Destitute of water.  Anhydrite is so called, because it is destitute of the water of crystallization.


Topic: Anight
Definition:
ANI'GHT, adv.  [a or at, and night.]
In the night time; anights, in the plural, is used of frequent and customary acts.
You must come in earlier anights.


Topic: Anility
Definition:
ANIL'ITY, n.  [L. anilis, anilitas, from anus, an old woman; Celtic, hen old.]
The state of being an old woman; the old age of a woman; dotage.


Topic: Animadversion
Definition:
ANIMADVER'SION, n.  [L. animadversio.]
Remarks by way of censure or criticism; reproof; blame.  It may sometimes be used for punishment, or punishment may be implied in the word, but this is not common.  In an ecclesiastical sense, it differs from censure, says Ayliffe; censure, respecting spiritual punishment, and animadversion, a temporal one.  Glanville uses the word in the sense of perception, but this use is not authorized.


Topic: Animadvert
Definition:
ANIMADVERT', v.i.  [L. animadverto, of animus, mind, and adverto, to turn to.]
1.  To turn the mind to; to consider.
2.  To consider or remark upon by way of criticism or censure.
3.  To inflict punishment; followed by upon.


Topic: Animal
Definition:
AN'IMAL,  n.  [L. animal, from anima, air, breath, soul.]
An organized body, endowed with life and the power of voluntary motion; a living, sensitive, locomotive body; as, man is an intelligent animal.  Animals are essentially distinguished from plants by the property of sensation.  The contractile property of some plants, as the mimosa, has the appearance of the effect of sensation, but it may be merely the effect of irritability.
The distinction here made between animals and vegetables, may not be philosophically accurate; for we cannot perhaps ascertain the precise limit between the two kinds of beings, but this is sufficiently correct for common practical purposes.
The history of animals is called zoology.
By way of contempt, a dull person is called a stupid animal.


Topic: Animal-flower
Definition:
ANIMAL-FLOWER, n.  In zoology, sea-anemone, sea-nettle or urtica marina, the name of several species of animals belonging to the genus actinia.  They are called sea-nettle from their supposed property of stinging, and sea-anemone from the resemblance of their claws or tentacles, to the petals of some flowers.  These are disposed in regular circles, and tinged with various bright colors.  Some of these animals are hemispherical, others cylindrical; others are shaped like a fig.  some are stiff and gelatinous; others, fleshy and muscular; but all can alter their figure by extending their claws in search of food.  These animals can move slowly, but are generally fixed by one end to rocks or stones in the sand.  On the other extremity, is the mouth in the center, which is surrounded by rows of fleshy claws and capable of great dilatation.  They are very voracious, and will swallow a muscle, or crab, as large as a hen's egg.
The term Animal Flower, is also extended to many other marine animals, from their resemblance to flowers.  They belong to the Holothurias, which with the Actinias, were ranged under the Molluseas, by Linne; and to the Tubularias and Hydras, which were classed with the Zoophytes.  They are all arranged under Zoophytes, by Cuvier.


Topic: Animalcule
Definition:
ANIMAL'CULE, n.  [L. animalculum, animalcula.]
A little animal; but appropriately, an animal whose figure cannot be discerned without the aid of a magnifying glass; such as are invisible to the naked eye.


Topic: Animalize
Definition:
AN'IMALIZE, v.t.  
1. To give animal life to; to endow with the properties of animals.
2. To convert into animal matter.


Topic: Animate
Definition:
AN'IMATE, v.t  [L. amino.  See Animal.]
1.  To give natural life to; to quicken; to make alive; as the soul animates the body.
2.  To give powers to, or to heighten the powers or effect of a thing; as, to animate a lyre.
3.  To give spirit or vigor; to infuse courage, joy, or other enlivening passion; to stimulate or incite; as, to animate dispirited troops.


Topic: Animated
Definition:
AN'IMATED, pp.
1.  Being endowed with anima life, as the various classes of animated beings.
2.  a.  Lively; vigorous; full of spirit; indicating animation; as an animated discourse.


Topic: Animation
Definition:
ANIMA'TION,  n.  
1.  The act of infusing life; the state of being animated.
2.  The state of being lively, brisk or full of spirit and vigor; as, he recited the story with great animation.


Topic: Anime
Definition:
AN'IME, n.  In heraldry, a term denoting that the eyes of a rapacious animal are borne of a different tincture from the animal himself.
AN'IME, n.  A resin exuding from the stem of a large American tree called by the natives courbaril; by Piso, jetaiba.  It is of a transparent amber color, a light agreeable smell, and of little or no taste.  It dissolves entirely, but not readily, in rectified spirit of wine, and is used by the Brazilians in fumigations, for pains proceeding from cold.


Topic: Animosity
Definition:
ANIMOS'ITY, n.  [L. animositas; animosus, animated, courageous, enraged; from animus, spirit, mind passion.  Gr. wind, breath, is from flowing, swelling, rushing, which gives the sense of violent action and passion.  See animal.]
Violent hatred accompanied with active opposition; active enmity.  Animosity differs from enmity which may be secret and inactive; and it expresses a less criminal passion than malice.  animosity seeks to gain a cause or destroy an enemy or rival, from hatred or private interest; malice seeks revenge for the sake of giving pain.


Topic: Anise
Definition:
AN'ISE, n. an'nis.  [L. anisum; Gr.]
An annual plant, placed by Linne under the genus Pimpinella.  It grows naturally in Egypt, and is cultivated in Spain and Malta, whence the seeds are imported.  The stalk rises a foot and a half high, dividing into slender branches, garnished with narrow leaves, cut into three or four narrow segments.  The branches terminate in large loose umbels,  composed of smaller umbels or rays, on long footstalks.  The flowers are small and of a yellowish white; the seeds oblong and swelling.  Anise seeds have an aromatic smell, and a pleasant warm taste; they are useful in warming the stomach and expelling wind.


Topic: Anker
Definition:
ANK'ER, n.  
A measure of liquids used in Holland, containing about 32 gallons, English measure.
Chambers says it contains two stekans; each stekan, 16 mengles; each mengle, 2 wine quarts.


Topic: Annals
Definition:
AN'NALS, n.  plu.  [L. amnales, annalis, from annus, a year, the root of which may be the Celtic an, ain, a great circle.  Varro says the word annus signifies a great circle.]
1.  A species of history digested in order of time, or a relation of events in chronological order, each event being recorded under the year in which it happened.  Annals differ from history, in merely relating events, without observations on the motives, causes and consequences, which, in history, are more diffusively illustrated.
2.  The books containing annals, as the annals of Tacitus.


Topic: Annats
Definition:
AN'NATS, n.  [L. annus.]
A year's income of a spiritual living; the first fruits, originally given to the Pope, upon the decease of a bishop, abbot or parish clerk, and paid by his successor.  In England, they were, at the reformation, vested in the king, and in the reign of Queen Anne, restored to the church, and appropriated to the augmentation of poor livings.


Topic: Anneal
Definition:
ANNE'AL, v.t.  
1.  To heat; to heat, as glass and iron for the purpose of rendering them less brittle, or to fix colors; vulgarly called nealing.  This is done by heating the metal nearly to fluidity, in an oven or furnace,and suffering it to cool gradually.  Metals made hard and brittle by hammering.  by this process recover their malleability.  The word is applied also to the baking of tiles.
2.  To temper by heat; and Shenstone uses it for tempering by cold.


Topic: Annex
Definition:
ANNEX', v.t.  [L. annecto, annexum.]
1.  To unite at the end; as to annex a codicil to a will.  To subjoin, to affix.
2.  To unite, as a smaller thing to a greater; as to annex a province to a kingdom.
3.  To unite to something proceeding, as the main object; to connect with; as to annex a penalty to a prohibition, or punishment to guilt.
ANNEX', v.i.  To join; to be united.


Topic: Annexation
Definition:
ANNEXA'TION, n.  The act of annexing, or uniting at the end; conjunction; addition; the act of connecting; union.  In English law, the uniting of lands or rents to the crown.


Topic: Annihilate
Definition:
ANNI'HILATE, v.t.  [L. ad and nihilum, nothing, of ne, not, and hilum, a trifle.]
1.  To reduce to nothing; to destroy the existence of.
No human power can annihilate matter.
2.  To destroy the form or peculiar distinctive properties, so that the specific thing no longer exists; as, to annihilate a forest by cutting and carrying away the trees, though the timber may still exist; to annihilate a house by demolishing the structure.


Topic: Annihilation
Definition:
ANNIHILA'TION, n.  
1.  The act of reducing to nothing or non-existence; or the act of destroying the form or combination of parts under which a thing exists, so that the name can no longer be applied to it, as the annihilation of a corporation.
2.  The state of being reduced to nothing.


Topic: Anniversary
Definition:
ANNIVERS'ARY, a.  [L. anniversarius, of annus, year, and verto, to turn.]
Returning with the year, at a stated time; annual; yearly; as an anniversary feast.
ANNIVERS'ARY, n.  
1.  A stated day returning with the revolution of the year.  The term is applied to a day on which some remarkable event is annually celebrated, or a day on which an interesting event is commemorated by solemnities of religion, or exhibitions of respect.  In the Romish church, a day in which an office is yearly performed for the souls of the deceased.
2.  The act of celebration; performance in honor of an event.


Topic: Annomination
Definition:
ANNOMINA'TION, n.  [L. ad and nominatio, from nomino, to name, from nomen.]
1.  A pun; the use of words nearly alike in sound, but of different meanings; a paronomasy.
2.  Alliteration, or the use of two or more words successively beginning with the same letter.


Topic: Annona
Definition:
ANNO'NA, n.  [L. annoma, from annus, a year, and signifying a year's production or increase; hence provisions.]
The custard apple, a genus of several species, one of which, the papaw, is common in the southern and western parts of the United States.  [See Papaw.]


Topic: Annotation
Definition:
ANNOTA'TION, n.  [L. annotatio, of ad and notatio, a marking, from noto, to mark, or nota, a mark.]
1.  A remark, note or commentary on some passage of a book, intended to illustrate its meaning; generally used in the plural, as annotations on the scriptures.
2.  The first symptoms of a fever, or attack of a paroxysm.


Topic: Annotator
Definition:
AN'NOTATOR, n.  A writer of notes; a commentator; a scholiast; one who writes notes to illustrate the composition of an author.


Topic: Annotta
Definition:
ANNOT'TA, n.  Orlean, or roucou; a hard dry paste, consisting of the pellicles of the seeds of the bixa orellana, a shrub growing in S. America and the W. Indies.  It is moderately hard, of a brown color on the outside, and a dull red within.  It is used in dyeing to give an orange cast to a simple yellow.  It is used also in coloring cheese.  [See Anotta.]


Topic: Announce
Definition:
ANNOUNCE, v.t.  announs'.  [L. annuncio, to deliver a message, of ad and nuncio, to tell from nuncius, a messenger.]
1.  To publish; to proclaim; to give notice, or first notice; as, the birth of Christ was announced by an angel.
2.  To pronounce; to declare by judicial sentence.


Topic: Annoy
Definition:
ANNOY', v.t.  [L. neceo, to hurt, that is, to strike; neco, to kill.
To incommode; to injure or disturb by continued or repeated acts; to tease, vex or molest; as, to annoy an army by impeding their march, or by a continued cannonade.
ANNOY', n.  Injury or molestation from continued acts or inconvenience.


Topic: Annoyance
Definition:
ANNOY'ANCE, n.  That which annoys, or injures; the act of annoying; the state of being annoyed.  It includes something more than inconvenience.


Topic: Annual
Definition:
AN'NUAL, a.  [L. annalis, from annus, a year;  Gr.]
1.  Yearly; that returns every year; coming yearly; as an annual feast.
2.  Lasting or continuing only one year or season; that requires to be renewed every year; as an annual plant.  Leaves that grow in the spring, and perish in the autumn, are called annual, in opposition to evergreens.
3.  Performed in a year; as the annual motion of the earth.
AN'NUAL, n.  A plant that lives but one year, or rather but one summer.


Topic: Annuity
Definition:
ANNU'ITY, n.  [See Annual.]
A sum of money, payable yearly, to continue for a given number of years, for life or for ever; an annual income, charged on the person of the grantor; or an annual allowance.  Governments often borrow money upon annuities, that is, for a certain sum advanced on loan, the government contracts to pay the lender a specific sum, for life, or for a term of years.  The stock created by such loans is transferable.


Topic: Annul
Definition:
ANNUL', v.t.  [L. ad nullum, to nothing.]
1.  To make void; to nullify; to abrogate; to abolish; used appropriately of laws, decrees, edicts, decisions of courts, or other established rules, permanent usages, and the like, which are made void by competent authority.
2.  To reduce to nothing; to obliterate.  [Not is much use.]


Topic: Annular
Definition:
AN'NULAR, a.  [L. annulus, a ring, from Celtic ain, a circle, and ul, young, small; annulus, a little circle.]
Having the form of a ring; pertaining to a ring.
Annular crystal is when a hexahedral prism has six, or an octahedral prism eight marginal faces, disposed in a ring about each base; or when these prisms are truncated on all their terminal edges.


Topic: Annulet
Definition:
AN'NULET, n.  [L. annulus, a ring.]
In architecture, a small square member in the Doric capital, under the quarter round; also a narrow flat molding, which is common to many places, as in the bases or capitals; called also a fillet, or listil, or cincture, or a list, timea, eye brow or square rabbit.
In heraldry, a little circle, borne as a charge is coats of arms; formerly reputed a mark of nobility and jurisdiction; it being the custom of prelates to receive their investiture per baculum et annulum, by staff and ring.  It denotes also strength and eternity, by its circular form.  Among the Romans, it represented liberty and distinction of rank.  It denotes also difference, or mark of distinction, which the fifth brother of a family ought to bear on his coat of arms.


Topic: Annumerate
Definition:
ANNU'MERATE, v.t.  [L. annumero, of ad and numero, to numer, from numerus, number.  See Number.]
To add to a former number; to unite to something before mentioned.


Topic: Annunciation
Definition:
ANNUNCIA'TION, n.  
1.  An announcing; the tidings brought by the angel to Mary, of the incarnation of Christ.  Also the day celebrated by the church, in memory of the angel's salutation of the blessed virgin, which is the 25th of March.  The Jews give the title to a part of the ceremony of the passover.
2.  Proclamation; promulgation.


Topic: Annunciator
Definition:
ANNUNCIA'TOR, n.  One who announces; an officer in the church of Constantinople, whose business was to inform the people of the festivals which were to be celebrated.


Topic: Anodyne
Definition:
AN'ODYNE,  [Gr. pain.]
Any medicine which allays pain, or causes sleep, as an opiate, paregoric, narcotic, &c.
AN'ODYNE, a.  Assuaging pain; causing sleep, or insensibility.


Topic: Anoint
Definition:
ANOINT', v.t.  [L. ungo.]
1.  To pour oil upon; to smear or rub over with oil or unctuous substances; also to spread over, as oil.  We say, the man anoints another, or the oil anoints him.
2.  To consecrate by unction, or the use of oil.
Thou shalt anoint the altar, and sanctify it.  Ex. 29.
3.  To smear or daub.
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with clay.  John 9.
4.  To prepare, in allusion to the consecrating use of oil.
Anoint the shield.  Isaiah 21.
To anoint the head with oil, Ps. 23 seems to signify to communicate the consolations of the Holy Spirit.
The use of oil in consecrations, was of high antiquity.  Kings, prophets and priests were set apart or consecrated to their offices by the use of oil.  Hence the peculiar application of the term anointed to Jesus Christ.


Topic: Anointed
Definition:
ANOINT'ED, pp.  Smeared or rubbed with oil; set apart; consecrated with oil.
ANOINT'ED, n.  The Messiah, or Son of God, consecrated to the great office of Redeemer; called the Lord's anointed.  Cyrus is also called the Lord's anointed.  Isaiah 45.


Topic: Anointing
Definition:
ANOINT'ING, ppr.  Smearing with oil; pouring on oil, or other oleaginous substance; consecrating.
ANOINT'ING, n.  The act of smearing with oil; a consecrating.


Topic: Anole
Definition:
ANO'LE, n.  A species of lizard in the W. Indies, of a yellowish color, having several blue and green stripes running down its back.


Topic: Anomaliped
Definition:
ANOM'ALIPED, a.  [Gr. inequality and L. pes, foot.]
An epithet given to fowls, whose middle toe is united to the exterior by three phalanges, and to the interior by one only.
ANOM'ALIPED, n.  An anomalous footed fowl.  [See the adjective.]


Topic: Anomalous
Definition:
ANOM'ALOUS, a.  Irregular; deviating from a general rule, method or analogy; applied, in grammar, to words which deviate from the common rules of inflection; and in astronomy, to the seemingly irregular motions of the planets; but applied also generally to whatever is irregular; as, an anomalous character; anomalous pronunciation.


Topic: Anomaly
Definition:
ANOM'ALY, n.  [Gr. inequality, equal, similar.]
1.  Irregularity; deviation from the common rule; thus oxen, the plural of ox, is an anomaly, in grammar, as the regular plural would be oxes.
2.  In astronomy, an irregularity in the motion of a planet, whereby it deviates from the aphelion or apogee.
3.  In music, a false scale or interval.


Topic: Anomeans
Definition:
ANO'MEANS, n.  [Gr. dissimilar.]
In church history, the pure Arians, as distinguished from the Semi-Arians.


Topic: Anomia
Definition:
ANO'MIA, n.  [Gr. rule.]
A genus of bivalve shells, so called from their unequal valves; the beaked cockle.


Topic: Anomorhomboid
Definition:
ANOMORHOM'BOID, n.  [Gr irregular, and of a rhomboidal figure.]
A genus os spars, pellucid, and crystaline, of no determinate form externally, but breaking into regular rhomboidal masses.  The species are five, mostly of a white color.


Topic: Anon
Definition:
ANON', adv.  
1.  Quickly; without intermission: soon; immediately.
The same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it.  Matt. 13.
2.  Sometimes; now and then; at other times; accompanied with ever, ever and anon.


Topic: Anonymous
Definition:
ANON'YMOUS, a  [L. anonymus; Gr. name.  See Name.]
Nameless; wanting a name; without the real name of the author; as, an anonymous pamphlet.


Topic: Another
Definition:
ANOTH'ER, a.  [an, or one and other.]
1.  Not the same; different; as, we have one form of government; France, another.
2.  One more, in addition to a former number, indefinitely; as, grant one request, they will ask another favor, another and another.
3.  Any other; any different person, indefinitely; as, 'Let another praise thee and not thy own mouth.'  This word is often used without a noun, becoming a substitute for the name of the person or thing; as in the last example.  It is also much used in opposition to one, as in the first and second passages cited.  It is also frequently used with one, in a reciprocal sense; as, 'love one another;' 'bear one another's burdens;' that is, love one, or let one love another.


Topic: Another-guise
Definition:
ANOTH'ER-GUISE, a.  Of a different kind; different.  This is a vulgar word, and usually contracted into other guess.


Topic: Anotta
Definition:
ANOT'TA, n.  An elegant red color, formed from the pellicles or pulp of the seeds of the bixa, a tree common in South America.  This is called also Terra Orleana and Roco.  The annotta is made by steeping the seeds for seven or eight days, pounding them to separate the red skins, then straining the liquor, boiling it, taking off the scum which is the coloring matter, then boiling it to a due consistence, and making it into balls.


Topic: Ansated
Definition:
AN'SATED, a.  [L. ansatus, from ansa, a handle.]
Having a handle or handles, or something in the form of handles.


Topic: Anser
Definition:
AN'SER, n.  [L. a goose.]
1.  In zoology, the name of the goose, whether tame or wild.  The domestic goose is the gray-lag or wild goose, domesticated.
2.  In astronomy, a small star, in the milky way, between the swan and eagle.


Topic: Anserine
Definition:
AN'SERINE, a.  [L. anserinum, from anser, a goose.]
1.  Resembling the skin of a goose; uneven; as, an anserine skin.
2.  Pertaining to the ansers.


Topic: Ansers
Definition:
AN'SERS, n.  In Linne's system, the third order of aves or fowls, whose characteristics are a smooth bill, broadest at the point, covered with a smooth skin, and furnished with teeth.  The tongue is fleshy, and the toes are webbed or palmated.  It includes all the web-footed water fowls, with legs and feet adapted to swimming.


Topic: Answer
Definition:
'ANSWER, v.t.  ansur.
1.  To speak in return to a call or question, or to a speech, declaration or argument of another person; as, 'I have called and ye have not answered.'  'He answered the question or the argument.'  This may be in agreement and confirmation of what was said, or in opposition to it.
2.  To be equivalent to; to be adequate to, or sufficient to accomplish the object.  'Money answereth all things,' noting, primarily, return.
3.  To comply with, fulfill, pay or satisfy; as, he answered my order; to answer a debt.
4.  To act in return, or opposition; as, the enemy answered our fire by a shower of grape shot.
5.  To bear a due proportion to; to be equal or adequate; to suit; as, a weapon does not answer the size and strength of the man using it; the success does not answer our expectation.
6.  To perform what was intended; to accomplish; as, the measure does not answer its end; it does not answer the purpose.
7.  To be opposite to; to face; as, fire answers fire.
8.  To write in reply; to reply to another writing, by way of explanation, refutation or justification; as, to answer a pamphlet.
9.  To solve, as a proposition or problem in mathematics.
This word may be applied to a great variety of objects, expressing the idea of a return; as the notes, or sounds of birds, and other animals; an echo, &c.
'ANSWER, v.i. 
1.  To reply; to speak by way of return; as, there is none to answer.  1Kings 18.
2.  To be accountable, liable or responsible; followed by to before the person, and for before the thing for which one is liable; as, the man must answer to his employer for the money entrusted to his care; we can not answer to God for our offenses.
3.  To vindicate, or give a justificatory account of; followed by for; as, a man cannot answer for his friend.
4.  To correspond with; to suit with; followed by to.
In water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.  Prov. 27.
5.  To act reciprocally, as the strings of an instrument to the hand.
6.  To stand as opposite or correlative; as, allegiance in the subject answers to protection on the part of the prince or government.
7.  To return, as sound reverberated; to echo.  
The noise seems to fly away, and answer at a great distance.
8.  To succeed; to effect the object intended; to have a good effect; as, gypsum answers as a manure on a dry soil.


Topic: Answerable
Definition:
'ANSWERABLE, a.
1.  That may be answered; that to which a reply may be made, usually implying that the answer may be satisfactory; as, an answerable argument.
2.  Obliged to give an account, or liable to be called to account; amenable; responsible; as, an agent is answerable to his principal.
3.  Obliged or liable to pay, indemnify or make good; as, to be answerable for a debt or for damages.
4.  Correspondent; agreeing with; in conformity with; as, the features expressed in a picture are answerable to the original.
5.  Suitable; suited; proportionate; as, an achievement answerable to the preparation for it.
6.  Equal; correspondent; proportionate; as, the success is answerable to my desires.


Topic: Answerably
Definition:
ANSWERABLY, adv.  In due proportion, correspondence or conformity; suitably; as, continents have rivers answerably larger than isles.


Topic: Answerer
Definition:
ANSWERER, n.  One who answers; he or that which makes a return to what another has spoken; he who writes an answer.


Topic: Answering
Definition:
'ANSWERING, ppr.  Replying; corresponding to; fulfilling; solving; succeeding; reverberating; confuting.


Topic: Ant-bear
Definition:
'ANT-BEAR or 'ANT-EATER,  n.  A quadruped that feeds upon ants.  This animal has no teeth, but a snout or muzzle, with a long cylindrical tongue.  the body is covered with long hair.  There are several species, constituting the genus, myrmecophaga, ant eaters.


Topic: Ant-eggs
Definition:
'ANT-EGGS, n.  Little white balls found in the hillocks of ants, usually supposed to be their eggs, but found on examination to be the young brood, in their first state.  They are vermicules, wrapped in a film, composed of a silky substance spun like a spider's web.


Topic: Anta
Definition:
AN'TA, n.  In ancient architecture, a square column, at the corner of a building; a pilaster; written also ante.


Topic: Antacid
Definition:
ANTAC'ID, n.  [anti and acid.]
In pharmacy, an alkali, or a remedy for sourness or acidity; better written anti-acid.


Topic: Antagonist
Definition:
ANTAG'ONIST, n.  [Gr. against, and a champion.  See Act and Agony.]
1.  One who contends with another in combat; used primarily in the Grecian games.  An adversary.
2.  An opponent in controversy.
3.  In anatomy, a muscle which acts in opposition to another; as a flexor, which bends a part, is the antagonist of an extensor, which extends it.
ANTAG'ONIST, a.  Counteracting; opposing; combating; as, an antagonist muscle.


Topic: Antanaclasis
Definition:
ANTANACLA'SIS, n.  [Gr. a driving back.]
1.  In rhetoric, a figure, which consists in repeating the same word in a different sense; as, whilst we live, let us live.  Learn some craft when young, that when old you may live without craft.
2.  It is also a repetition of words, beginning a sentence, after a long parenthesis; as, shall that heart,  (which not only feels them, but which has all motions of life placed in them,) shall that heart, &c.


Topic: Antanagoge
Definition:
ANTANAGO'GE, n.  antanago'gy.  [Gr. against, and a taking up.]
In rhetoric, a figure which consists in replying to an adversary, by way of recrimination; as, when the accusation of one party is unanswerable, the accused person charges him with the same or other crime.


Topic: Antaphrodisiac
Definition:
ANTAPHRODIS'IAC, a.  [Gr. against, and venereal, from Venus.]
Antivenereal; having the quality of extinguishing or lessening venereal desire.
ANTAPHRODIS'IAC, n.  A medicine that lessens or extinguishes the venereal appetite.


Topic: Antaphroditic
Definition:
ANTAPHRODIT'IC, a.  [Gr. See the preceding words.]  Antivenereal, abating the venereal appetite, or efficacious against the venereal disease.
ANTAPHRODIT'IC, n.  A medicine which abates the venereal appetite, or is good against the venereal disease.


Topic: Antarctic
Definition:
ANTARC'TIC, a.  [Gr. against, and the bear, a northern constellation.]
Opposite to the northern or arctic pole; relating to the southern pole or to the region near it, and applied especially to a lesser circle, distant from the pole 23 degrees 28'.  Thus we say the antarctic pole, antarctic circle, or antarctic region.


Topic: Antares
Definition:
ANTA'RES, n.  The name of a star of the first magnitude, called also the scorpion's heart.  Its longitude is 60 degrees 13' 14' of Sagittarius; and its latitude 4 degrees 31' 26 ' South.


Topic: Antarthritic
Definition:
ANTARTHRIT'IC, n.  A remedy which cures or alleviates the gout.
ANTARTHRIT'IC, a.  [Gr against, and gout.]  Counteracting the gout.


Topic: Ante
Definition:
AN'TE.  A Latin preposition, Gr.; much used in the composition of English words, especially in words from the Latin and Greek languages.  It signifies before in place, in front; hence opposite, contrary; and figuratively, before in time.  The Latin ante is generally used in the sense of before, and the Greek, in that of opposite, or in the place of.


Topic: Antecedence
Definition:
ANTECE'DENCE, n.  The act or state of going before in time; precedence.  In astronomy, an apparent motion of a planet towards the west, or contrary to the order of the signs.


Topic: Antecedent
Definition:
ANTECE'DENT, a.  Going before in time; prior; anterior; preceding; as, an event antecedent to the deluge.
ANTECE'DENT, n.  That which goes before in time; hence in writings, that which precedes in place.  In grammar, the noun to which a relative or other substitute refers; as, Solomon was the prince, who built the Temple.  In logic, the first of two propositions in an enthymeme, or argument of two propositions; as, if the sun is fixed, the earth must move.  Here the first and conditional proposition is the antecedent; the second, the consequent.
In mathematics, the first of two terms of a ratio, or that which is compared with the other.


Topic: Antecessor
Definition:
ANTECES'SOR, n.  [L. whence ancestor.  See Antecede.]
1.  One who goes before; a leader; a principal.  It was formerly a title given to those who excelled in any science; to professors of civil law; and in the Universities of France, the teachers of law take the title in their theses.
2.  One that possessed land before the present possessor.


Topic: Antechamber
Definition:
AN'TECHAMBER, n.  [Ante, before, and chamber.]
A chamber or apartment before the chief apartment to which it leads, and in which persons wait for audience.


Topic: Antecian
Definition:
ANTE'CIAN, n.  [Gr. opposite, and to dwell; L. antaci.]
In geography, the antecians are those inhabitants of the earth, under the same meridian, and at the same distance from the equator, but, on opposite sides, one party north, the other south.  They have the same hours of day and night, but different seasons; it being winter with one, when it is summer with the other.


Topic: Antecursor
Definition:
ANTECURS'OR, n.  [L. ante, before, and cursor, a runner, from curro, to run.  See Course.]
One who runs before; a forerunner.  In the Roman armies, the antecursors were a body of horse detached to obtain intelligence, get provisions, &c., for the main body.


Topic: Antedate
Definition:
AN'TEDATE, n.  [Infra.]  Prior date; a date antecedent to another.
AN'TEDATE, v.t.  [L. ante, and datum, given.  See Date.]
1.  To date before the true time; thus, to antedate a deed or a bond is to express a date anterior to the true time of its execution.
2.  To anticipate; to take before the true time.
And antedate the bliss above.


Topic: Antelope
Definition:
AN'TELOPE, n.  [Gr. resembling a deer.]
In zoology, the gazelle; a genus of ruminant quadrupeds, intermediate between the deer and goat.  Their horns are solid and permanent straight or curved; in some species annulated; in others, surrounded by a spiral; and in others, smooth.  They resemble the deer in the lightness and elegance of their forms, and in their agility.  They inhabit open plains or mountains and some species in herds of two or three thousand.  Their eyes are large, black, and of exquisite beauty and vivacity; and are therefore a favorite image with the eastern poets.


Topic: Antelucan
Definition:
ANTELU'CAN, a.  [L. antelucanus, of ante, before, and lux, light.]
Being before light; a word applied to assemblies of christians, in ancient times of persecution, held before light in the morning.


Topic: Antemetic
Definition:
ANTEMET'IC, a.  [against, and emetic, from to vomit.]  Restraining or allaying vomiting.
ANTEMET'IC, n.  A medicine which checks vomiting.


Topic: Antenicene
Definition:
ANTENI'CENE, a.  [ante, before, and Nicene, from Nice.]
Anterior to the first council of Nice; as antenicene faith.


Topic: Antennae
Definition:
ANTEN'NAE, n. plu.  [L. antenna, a sail yard.]
In zoology, the horns or feelers of insects, projecting from the head.


Topic: Antenuptial
Definition:
ANTENUP'TIAL, a.  [ante and nuptial.]
Being before marriage; as, an antenuptial agreement; antenuptial children.


Topic: Antepast
Definition:
AN'TEPAST, n.  [ante, before, and pastum, fed.]
A foretaste; something taken before the proper time.


Topic: Antepenult
Definition:
ANTEPENULT', n.  [L. ante, before, pene, almost, and ultimus, last.]
The last syllable of a word, except two; as syl in syllable.


Topic: Anteposition
Definition:
ANTEPOSI'TION, n.  s as z.  [L. ante, before, and position, from pono, to place.]
In grammar, the placing of a word before another which by ordinary rules, ought to follow it. 


Topic: Antepredicament
Definition:
ANTEPREDIC'AMENT, n.  [ante and predicament.]
A preliminary question in logic to illustrate the doctrine of predicaments and categories; a question which is to be first known.


Topic: Anterior
Definition:
ANTE'RIOR, a.  [L.]  
1.  Before in time or place; prior; antecedent; preceding in time.
2.  Before or in front in place.


Topic: Anteriority
Definition:
ANTERIOR'ITY, n.  The state of being anterior, preceding or in front; a state of being before in time, or situation.


Topic: Antestature
Definition:
ANTESTAT'URE, n.  [ante and stature.]
In fortification, a small retrenchment or work formed of palisades, or sacks of earth.


Topic: Antestomach
Definition:
ANTESTOM'ACH, n.  [ante and stomach.]
A cavity which leads into the stomach, as the crop in birds. [Not in use.]


Topic: Anthelmintic
Definition:
ANTHELMIN'TIC, a.  [against, and a worm.]  Good against worms.
ANTHELMIN'TIC, n.  A remedy for worms in the intestines.


Topic: Anthem
Definition:
AN'THEM, n.  [Gr. against, and a hymn, from to sing.  See Hymn.]
A hymn sung in alternate parts; but in modern usage, a sacred tune or piece of music set to words, taken from the psalms or other parts of the scriptures, first introduced into church service in Elizabeth's reign.


Topic: Anther
Definition:
AN'THER, n.  [L. anthera, a flowery plant, from the Greek, flowery, from a flower.]
In botany, the summit or top of the stamen, connected with the flower, and elevated by means of the filament or thread, within the corol.  It contains the pollen, or fertilizing dust, which, when mature, is emitted for the impregnation of the stigma.  It is called by Ray, the apex, and by Malpighi, the capsula staminis.


Topic: Anthesterion
Definition:
ANTHESTE'RION, n.  The sixth month of the Athenian year, consisting of 29 days, and answering to a part of November and a part of December.  It is supposed to be so called from the Anthesteria, feasts in honor of Bacchus, celebrated in that month, and so called, a flower; garlands of flowers being offered to Bacchus at those feasts.


Topic: Anthology
Definition:
ANTHOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. a flower, and a discourse, a collection.]
1.  A discourse on flowers.
2.  A collection of beautiful passages from authors; a collection of poems or epigrams.  In the Greek church, a collection of devotional pieces.


Topic: Anthophyllite
Definition:
ANTHOPH'YLLITE, n.  [Gr. a flower, and a leaf.]
A mineral in masses composed of interlaced plates, or crystallized in reed-shaped crystals, which appear to be four sided prisms longitudinally streaked.  The color is between dark yellowish gray and olive brown; the luster shining and pearly.


Topic: Anthorism
Definition:
AN'THORISM, n.  [Gr. opposite, and definition.]
In rhetoric, a description or definition contrary to that which is given by the adverse party.


Topic: Anthracite
Definition:
AN'THRACITE, n.  [Gr. a burning coal; infra.]
Slaty glance-coal, or columnar glance coal; that species of coal which has a shining luster, approaching to metallic, and which burns without smoke, and with intense heat.  It consists essentially of carbon.


Topic: Anthrax
Definition:
AN'THRAX, n.  [Gr.; supra.]
A carbuncle; a malignant ulcer, with intense burning.  The ancients gave this name to a gem, and it is sometimes used for lithanthrax or pit-coal.


Topic: Anthropoglot
Definition:
ANTHROP'OGLOT, [Gr. man, and the tongue.]
An animal which has a tongue resembling that of a man, of which kind are parrots.


Topic: Anthropography
Definition:
ANTHROPOG'RAPHY, n.  [Gr. man, and description.]
A description of man or the human race, or of the parts of the human body.


Topic: Anthropolite
Definition:
ANTHROP'OLITE, n.  [Gr. man, and a stone.]
A petrifaction of the human body, or skeleton.  Some naturalists have asserted that skeletons of the animal frame have been found petrified in old mines; but the fact is not credited, and the existence of such petrifactions is denied.
Capt. Wilford informs us, that in digging a well near the Ganga, some persons found, at the depth of 90 feet, on an old bed of that river, the bones of men and quadrupeds, supposed to be petrifactions.
The skeleton of a man has been found in limestone rock, of recent formation, in Guadaloupe.
Human bones have also been found, by Prof. Buckland, in the open cave of Paviland, Glamorganshire.  He considers them postdiluvian.


Topic: Anthropology
Definition:
ANTHROPOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. man, and discourse.]
1.  A discourse upon human nature.
2.  The doctrine of the structure of the human body; the natural history or physiology of the human species.
3.  The word denotes that manner of expression by which the inspired writers attribute human parts and passions to God.


Topic: Anthropomancy
Definition:
ANTHROPOM'ANCY, n.  [Gr. man, and divination.]
Divination by inspecting the entrails of a human being.


Topic: Anthropomorphite
Definition:
ANTHROPOMORPH'ITE, n.  [Gr. man, and form.]
One who believes a human form in the Supreme Being.  A sect of ancient heretics are called anthropomorphites.


Topic: Anthropomorphous
Definition:
ANTHROPOMORPH'OUS, a.  Belonging to that which has the form of man; having the figure of resemblance to a man.


Topic: Anthropopathy
Definition:
ANTHROPOP'ATHY, n.  [man, and passion.]
The affections of man, or the application of human passions to the Supreme Being.


Topic: Anthroposcopy
Definition:
ANTHROPOS'COPY, n.  [Gr. man, and to view.]
The art of discovering or judging of a man's character, passions and inclinations from the lineaments of his body.


Topic: Anthroposophy
Definition:
ANTHROPOS'OPHY, n.  [Gr. man, and wisdom.]
Knowledge of the nature of man; acquaintance with man's structure and functions, comprehending anatomy and physiology.


Topic: Anti
Definition:
AN'TI, n.  [Gr. See Ante.]  A preposition signifying against, opposite, contrary, or in place of; used in many English words.


Topic: Anti-chamber
Definition:
AN'TI-CHAMBER, n.  Dr. Johnson prefers ante-chamber, which see.  But ante and anti are the same word in different dialects; and have the same radical signification.  [See Ante.]


Topic: Anti-christ
Definition:
AN'TI-CHRIST, n.  [Gr. against, and Christ.]
A great adversary of Christ; the man of sin; described 
1John 2:18.  2Thess. 2.  Rev. 9.  Protestants generally suppose this adversary to be the Papal power; and some divines believe that, in a more general sense, the word extends to any persons who deny Christ or oppose the fundamental doctrines of christianity.


Topic: Antiacid
Definition:
ANTIAC'ID, a.  Opposing or removing acidity.  Often written antacid.
ANTIAC'ID, n.  An alkali; a medicine proper to correct sourness, or acidity; an absorbent, as chalk, magnesia, coral, sea shells, hematite, steel fillings; or an obtundent, as oil or fat; or an immutant, as lixivious salts, and soaps.


Topic: Antiamerican
Definition:
ANTIAMER'ICAN, a.  Opposed to America, or to the true interests or government of the United States; opposed to the revolution in America.


Topic: Antiarthritic
Definition:
ANTIARTHRIT'IC, a.  [See Antarthritic.]  Good against the gout.
ANTIARTHRIT'IC, n.  A remedy for the gout.


Topic: Antiasthmatic
Definition:
ANTIASTHMAT'IC, a.  [See Antasthmatic.]  Good against asthma.
ANTIASTHMAT'IC, n.  A remedy for the asthma.


Topic: Antibacchius
Definition:
ANTIBAC'CHIUS, n.  [Gr. a foot of one short and two long syllables.]
In poetry, a foot of three syllables, the two first long and the last short, as ambire; opposed to the bacchius, in which the first syllable is short and the two last long.  This foot is supposed to be so named from its use in hymns to Bacchus.


Topic: Antibasilican
Definition:
ANTIBASIL'ICAN, a.  s as z.  [Gr. a palace; L. royal, a hall of justice.]  Opposed to royal state and magnificence.


Topic: Antic
Definition:
AN'TIC, a.  [L. antiquus.]  Odd' fanciful; as, antic tricks.
AN'TIC, n.  
1.  A buffoon or merry Andrew; one that practices odd gesticulations.
2.  Odd appearance; fanciful figures.
3.  In architecture, sculpture and painting, such pieces as were made by the ancients; usually written antique, and pronounced anteek, but without any good reason.
AN'TIC, v.t.  To make antic.


Topic: Anticachectic
Definition:
ANTICACHEC'TIC, a.  [Gr. of an ill habit of body.]
Curing or tending to cure an ill habit of the constitution.


Topic: Anticatarrhal
Definition:
ANTICAT'ARRHAL, a.  [against, and a catarrh.]  Good against catarrh.
ANTICAT'ARRHAL, a.  Remedy for catarrh.


Topic: Anticausotic
Definition:
ANTICAUSOT'IC, a.  [against, and a burning fever.]  Good against a burning fever.
ANTICAUSOT'IC, n.  A remedy for a burning fever.


Topic: Antichristian
Definition:
ANTICHRIS'TIAN, a.  Pertaining to antichrist; opposite to or opposing the christian religion.
ANTICHRIS'TIAN, n.  A follower of antichrist; one opposed to the christian religion.


Topic: Anticipate
Definition:
ANTIC'IPATE, v.t.  [L. anticipo, of ante, before, and capio, to take.]
1.  To take or act, before another, so as to prevent him; to take first possession.
2.  To take before the proper time; as, the advocate has anticipated that part of his argument.
3.  To foretaste or foresee; to have a previous view or impression of something future; as, to anticipate the pleasures of an entertainment; to anticipate the evils of life.
4.  To prevent by crowding in before; to preclude.
[This sense is essentially included in the first.]


Topic: Anticipation
Definition:
ANTICIPA'TION, n.  
1.  The act of taking up, placing, or considering something before the proper time, in natural order; prevention.
2.  Foretaste; previous view or impression of what is to happen afterward; as, the anticipation of the joys of heaven.
The happy anticipation of a renewed existence in company with the spirits of the just.
3.  Previous notion; preconceived opinion, produced in the mind, before the truth is known; slight previous impression.
4.  The attack of a fever before the usual time.
5.  In music, the obtrusion of a chord upon a syncopated note, to which it forms a discord.


Topic: Anticlimax
Definition:
ANTICLI'MAX, n.  [Gr. opposite, and climax.  See Climate.]
A sentence in which the ideas fall or become less important and striking at the close; opposed to climax.  For example,
Next comes Dalhousie, the great God of war, 
Lieutenant Col'nel to the Earl of Mar.


Topic: Anticor
Definition:
AN'TICOR, n.  [anti, and L. cor, the heart.]
Among farriers, an inflammation in a horse's throat, answering to the quinsy in man.


Topic: Anticosmetic
Definition:
ANTICOSMET'IC, a.  [anti and cosmetic.  See Cosmetic.]  Destructive or injurious to beauty.
ANTICOSMET'IC, n.  Any preparation which injures beauty.


Topic: Anticourtier
Definition:
ANTICOURTIER, n.  anticortyer.  [anti and courtier.]
One who opposed the court, or the measures of administration.


Topic: Antidotal
Definition:
AN'TIDOTAL, a.  That has the quality of preventing the ill effects of poison, or of any thing noxious or mischievous.


Topic: Antidote
Definition:
AN'TIDOTE, n.  [against, to give.]
1.  A medicine to counteract the effects of poison, or of any thing noxious taken into the stomach.
2.  Whatever tends to prevent mischievous effects, or to counteract the evil which something else might produce.


Topic: Antidysenteric
Definition:
ANTIDYSENTER'IC, a.  [Gr. against, and dysenteric.]  Good against the dysentery, or bloody flux.
ANTIDYSENTER'IC, n.  A remedy for dysentery.


Topic: Antiemetic
Definition:
ANTIEMET'IC, a.  [Gr. against, and emetic, from to vomit.]  Having the quality of allaying vomiting.
ANTIEMET'IC,  n.  A remedy to check or allay vomiting.


Topic: Antienneahedral
Definition:
ANTIENNEAHE'DRAL, a.  [Gr.  opposite, nine, and side.]
In crystallography, having nine faces on two opposite parts of the crystal.


Topic: Antifebrile
Definition:
ANTIFE'BRILE, a.  [against, and febrile.]
That has the quality of abating fever; opposing or tending to cure fever.
ANTIFE'BRILE, n.  A medicine that cures, abates, or tends to allay fever.


Topic: Antigugler
Definition:
ANTIGUG'LER, n.  [anti and guggle.]
A crooked tube of metal, so bent as to be introduced into the neck of a bottle, for drawing out the liquor, without disturbing the sediment.


Topic: Antihectic
Definition:
ANTIHEC'TIC, a.  [Gr. against, and hectic.]
That has the quality of opposing or curing hectical disorders.
ANTIHEC'TIC, n.  A medicine that is good in the cure of hectic disorders.


Topic: Antihypnotic
Definition:
ANTIHYPNOT'IC, a.  [Gr. sleep.]
Counteracting sleep; tending to prevent sleep or lethargy.
ANTIHYPNOT'IC, n.  A medicine that prevents or tends to prevent sleep.


Topic: Antihypochondriac
Definition:
ANTIHYPOCHOND'RIAC, a.  [Gr. hypochondriac.]
That counteracts or tends to cure hypochondriac affections, and depression of spirits.
ANTIHYPOCHOND'RIAC, n.  A remedy for hypochondriac affections and low spirits.


Topic: Antihypophora
Definition:
ANTIHYPOPH'ORA, n.  [Gr. an inference.]
In rhetoric, a figure which consists in refuting an objection by the opposition of a contrary sentence.


Topic: Antihysteric
Definition:
ANTIHYSTER'IC, a.  [Gr. uterus.]  Counteracting hysterics.
ANTIHYSTER'IC, n.  A medicine that cures or counteracts hysterical affections.


Topic: Antilogarithm
Definition:
ANTILOG'ARITHM, n.  [anti and logarithm.]
The complement of the logarithm of any sine, tangent or secant, to 90 degrees.


Topic: Antilogy
Definition:
ANTIL'OGY, n.  [Gr. against, and speech.]
A contradiction between any words or passages in an author.


Topic: Antimetabole
Definition:
ANTIMETAB'OLE, n.  antimetab'oly.  [Gr. against, and mutation.]
In rhetoric, a setting of two things in opposition to each other; as, an honorable action may be attended with labor, but the labor is soon past, and the honor is immortal.


Topic: Antimetathesis
Definition:
ANTIMETATH'ESIS, n.  [Gr. against, and a transposition.]
In rhetoric, an inversion of the parts or members of an antithesis; as, 'Compare the arrival of this governor, with the victory of that general.'  Compare this peace with that war.'


Topic: Antimeter
Definition:
ANTIM'ETER, n.  [Gr. measure.]
An optical instrument for measuring angles, with greater accuracy than can be done by the usual quadrants or sextants.


Topic: Antiministerial
Definition:
ANTIMINISTE'RIAL, a.  [anti and ministerial.]
Opposed to the ministry, or administration of government.


Topic: Antimonarchical
Definition:
ANTIMONARCH'ICAL, a.  [anti, against and monarchical.]
Opposed to monarchy; that opposes a kingly government.


Topic: Antimonial
Definition:
ANTIMO'NIAL, a.  [from antimony.]
Pertaining to antimony; relating to antimony, or partaking of its qualities.
ANTIMO'NIAL, n.  A preparation of antimony; a medicine in which antimony is a principal ingredient.


Topic: Antimony
Definition:
AN'TIMONY, n.  [Low L. antimonium.]
Primarily, a metallic ore consisting of sulphur combined with a metal; the sulphuret of antimony, the stibium of the Romans and of the Greeks.  It is a blackish mineral, which stains the hands, hard, brittle, full of long, shining, needlelike striae.  It is found in the mines of Bohemia, and Hungary; in France and England, and in America.  This word is also used for the pure metal of regulus of antimony, a metal of a grayish or silvery white, very brittle, and of a plated or scaly texture, and of moderate specific gravity.  By exposure to air, its surface becomes tarnished, but does not rust.  It is used as an ingredient in concave mirrors, giving them a finer texture.  In bells, it renders the sound more clear; it renders tin more hard, white and sonorous, and gives to printing types more firmness and smoothness.  It is also useful in promoting the fusion of metals, and especially in casting cannon balls.  In its crude state, it is harmless to the human constitution; but many of its preparations act violently as emetics and cathartics.  It has also a peculiar efficacy in promoting the secretions, particularly as a sudorific.


Topic: Antinephritic
Definition:
ANTINEPHRIT'IC, a.  [anti, and nephritic, which see.]
Counteracting diseases of the kidneys.
ANTINEPHRIT'IC, n.  A medicine that tends to remove diseases of the kidneys.


Topic: Antinomian
Definition:
ANTINO'MIAN, a.  [Gr. against, and law.]  Against law; pertaining to the Antinomians.
ANTINO'MIAN, n.  One of a sect who maintain, that, under the gospel dispensation, the law is of no use or obligation; or who hold doctrines which supersede the necessity of good works and a virtuous life.  This sect originated with John Agricola about the year 1538.


Topic: Antiochian
Definition:
ANTIO'CHIAN, a.  Pertaining to Antiochus, the founder of a sect of philosophers, contemporary with Cicero.  This sect was a branch of the academics, though Antiochus was a stoic.  He attempted to reconcile the doctrines of the different schools, and was the last preceptor of the Platonic school.
The Antiochian epoch was a method of computing time, from the proclamation of liberty granted to the city of Antioch, about the time of the battle of Pharsalia.


Topic: Antiparalytic
Definition:
ANTIPARALYT'IC, a.  [paralytic, which see.]  Good against the palsy.
ANTIPARALYT'IC, n.  A remedy for the palsy.


Topic: Antipathy
Definition:
ANTIP'ATHY, n.  [Gr. against, and feeling.]
1.  Natural aversion; instinctive contrariety or opposition in feeling; an aversion felt at the presence, real or ideal, of a particular object.  This word literally denotes a natural aversion, which may be of different degrees, and in some cases may excite terror or horror at the presence of an object.  Such is the aversion of animals for their natural enemies, as the antipathy of a mouse to a cat, or a weasel.  Sometimes persons have an insuperable constitutional antipathy to certain kinds of food.
The word is applied also to aversion contracted by experience or habit; as when a person has suffered an injury from some food, or from an animal, which before was not an object of hatred; or when a particular kind of food or medicine is taken into a sickly stomach, and which nauseates it; the effect is antipathy, which is often of long continuance.
2.  In ethics, antipathy is hatred, aversion or repugnancy; hatred to persons; aversion to persons or things; repugnancy to actions.  Of these hatred is most voluntary.  Aversion, and antipathy, in its true sense, depend more on the constitution; repugnancy may depend on reason or education.
Inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments to others, are to be avoided.
3.  In physics, a contrariety in the properties or affections of matter, as of oil and water, which will not mix.
Antipathy is regularly followed by to, sometimes by against; and is opposed to sympathy.


Topic: Antipatriotic
Definition:
ANTIPATRIOT'IC, a.  Not patriotic; opposing the interests of one's country.
Antipatriotic prejudices.


Topic: Antipedobaptist
Definition:
ANTIPEDOBAP'TIST, n.  [Gr. against, a child, and baptize.]
One who is opposed to the baptism of infants.


Topic: Antiperistaltic
Definition:
ANTIPERISTAL'TIC, a.  [See Peristaltic.]
Opposed to peristaltic; retroverted, as in vomiting; as, the antiperistaltic motion of the intestines.


Topic: Antiperistasis
Definition:
ANTIPERIS'TASIS, n.  [Gr. against, and a standing around.]
The opposition of a contrary quality, by which the quality opposed acquires strength; or the action by which a body attacked collects force by opposition; or the intention of the activity of one quality by the opposition of another.  Thus quick-lime is set on fire, or sensible heat is excited in it, by mixture with water; and cold applied to the human body may increase its heat.


Topic: Antipestilential
Definition:
ANTIPESTILEN'TIAL, a.  [anti and pestilential, which see.]
Counteracting contagion or infection; having the quality of opposing or destroying pestilential diseases.


Topic: Antiphlogistic
Definition:
ANTIPHLOGIS'TIC, a.  Counteracting heat or inflammation; tending to reduce arterial action; opposed to the doctrine of phlogiston.
ANTIPHLOGIS'TIC, n.  Any medicine or diet which tends to reduce inflammation or the activity of the vital power.


Topic: Antiphony
Definition:
ANTIPH'ONY, n.  [contrary, and voice.]
1.  The answer of one choir to another, when an anthem or psalm is sung by two choirs; alternate singing.
2.  A species of psalmody, when a congregation is divided into two parts, and each sings the verses alternately.
3.  The words given out at the beginning of a psalm, to which both the choirs are to accommodate their singing.
4.  A musical composition of several verses, extracted from different psalms.


Topic: Antiphrasis
Definition:
ANTIPH'RASIS, n.  [Gr. against, and a form of speech.]
The use of words in a sense opposite to their proper meaning; as when a court of justice is called a court of vengeance.


Topic: Antipode
Definition:
AN'TIPODE, n.  [Gr. opposite, and foot.]
One who lives on the opposite side of the globe, and of course, whose feet are directly opposite.


Topic: Antipope
Definition:
AN'TIPOPE, n.  [anti and pope.]
One who usurps the papal power, in opposition to the pope.
AN'TIPOPE, n.  An outward gate or door.


Topic: Antiquarian
Definition:
ANTIQUA'RIAN, a.  Pertaining to antiquaries, or to antiquity.  As a noun, this is used for antiquary.


Topic: Antiquary
Definition:
AN'TIQUARY, n.  [L. antiquarius.]
One who studies into the history of ancient things, as statues, coins, medals, paintings, inscriptions, books and manuscripts, or searches for them, and explains their origin and purport; one versed in antiquity.


Topic: Antiquate
Definition:
AN'TIQUATE, v.t.  [L. antiquo.  See Antiquary.]
To make old, or obsolete; to make old in such a degree as to put out of use.  Hence, when applied to laws or customs, it amounts to make void or abrogate.
Christianity might reasonably introduce new laws and antiquate or abrogate old ones.


Topic: Antiquated
Definition:
AN'TIQUATED, pp.  Grown old; obsolete; out of use; having lost its binding force by non-observance; as an antiquated law.


Topic: Antique
Definition:
ANTIQUE, a. antee'k.  [L. antiquus, probably from ante.]
1.  Old; ancient; of genuine antiquity; in this sense it usually refers to the flourishing ages of Greece and Rome; as an antique statue.
2.  Old, as it respects the present age, or a modern period of time; of old fashion, as an antique robe.
3.  Odd; wild; fanciful; more generally written antic.
ANTIQUE, n. antee'k.  In general, any thing very old; but in a more limited sense, the remains of ancient artists, as busts, statues, paintings and vases, the works of Grecian and Roman antiquity.


Topic: Antiqueness
Definition:
ANTIQUENESS, n.  antee'kness.  The quality of being ancient; an appearance of ancient origin and workmanship.


Topic: Antiquity
Definition:
ANTIQ'UITY, n.  [L. antiquitas.]
1.  Ancient times; former ages; times long since past; a very indefinite term; as, Cicero was the most eloquent orator of antiquity.
2.  The ancients; the people of ancient times; as, the fact is admitted by all antiquity.
Meaning that mankind are inclined to verify the predictions of antiquity.
3.  Ancientness; great age; the quality of being ancient; as, a statue of remarkable antiquity; a family of great antiquity.
4.  Old age; a ludicrous sense used by Shak.
5.  The remains of ancient times.  In this sense it is usually or always plural.  Antiquities comprehend all the remains of ancient times; all the monuments, coins, inscriptions, edifices, history and fragments of literature, offices, habiliments, weapons, manners, ceremonies; in short, whatever respects any of the ancient nations of the earth.


Topic: Antirevolutionary
Definition:
ANTIREVOLU'TIONARY, a.  [See Revolution.]
Opposed to a revolution; opposed to an entire change in the form of government.


Topic: Antisabbatarian
Definition:
ANTISABBATA'RIAN, n.  [anti and sabbath.]
One of a sect who oppose the observance of the Christian sabbath; maintaining that the Jewish sabbath was only of ceremonial, not of moral obligation, and was consequently abolished by Christ.


Topic: Antisabian
Definition:
ANTISA'BIAN, a.  [See sabian.]
Opposed or contrary to Sabianism, or the worship of the celestial orbs.


Topic: Antiscian
Definition:
ANTIS'CIAN, ANTIS'CIANS, n.  [L. antiscii, of Gr. opposite, and shadow.]
In geography, the inhabitants of the earth, living on different sides of the equator, whose shadows at noon are cast in contrary directions.  Those who live north of the equator are antiscians to those on the south, and vice versa; the shadows on one side being cast towards the north; those on the other, towards the south.


Topic: Antiscorbutic
Definition:
ANTISCORBU'TIC, a.  [anti and scorbutic.] which see.]
Counteracting the scurvy.
ANTISCORBU'TIC, n.  A remedy for the scurvy.


Topic: Antiseptic
Definition:
ANTISEP'TIC, a.  [Gr. putrid, from to putrify.]
Opposing or counteracting putrefaction.
ANTISEP'TIC, n.  A medicine which resists or corrects putrefaction, as acids, stimulants, saline substances, astringents, &c.


Topic: Antisocial
Definition:
ANTISO'CIAL, a.  [See Social.]
Averse to society; that tends to interrupt or destroy social intercourse.


Topic: Antispasis
Definition:
ANTIS'PASIS, n.  [Gr. against, and to draw.]
A revulsion of fluids, from one part of the body to another.


Topic: Antispasmodic
Definition:
ANTISPASMOD'IC, a.  [Gr. against, and from to draw.]
Opposing spasm; resisting convulsions; as anodynes.
ANTISPASMOD'IC, n.  A remedy for spasm or convulsions, as opium, balsam of Peru, and the essential oils of vegetables.


Topic: Antistasis
Definition:
ANTIS'TASIS, n.  [Gr. Opposite, and station.]
In oratory, the defense of an action from the consideration that if it had been omitted, something worse would have happened.


Topic: Antistrophe
Definition:
ANTIS'TROPHE,'TROPHY, n.  [Gr. opposite, and a turning.
1.  In grammar, the changing of things mutually depending on each other; reciprocal conversion; as, the master of the servant, the servant of the master.
2.  Among the ancients, that part of a song or dance, before the altar, which was performed by turning from west to east, in opposition to the strophy.  The ancient odes consisted of stanzas called strophies and antistrophies, to which was often added the epode.  These were sung by a choir, which turned or changed places when they repeated the different parts of the ode.  The epode was sung, as the chorus stood still.  [See Ode.]


Topic: Antithesis
Definition:
ANTITH'ESIS, n.  [Gr. from, to place.]
1.  In rhetoric, an opposition of words or sentiments; contrast; as,  'When our vices leave us, we flatter ourselves we leave them.'  'The prodigal robs his heir, the miser robs himself.'  'Excess of ceremony shows want of breeding.'  Liberty with laws, and government without oppression.'
2.  Opposition of opinions; controversy.


Topic: Antitrinitarian
Definition:
ANTITRINITA'RIAN, n.  [anti and trinitarian, which see.]
One who denies the trinity or the existence of three persons in the Godhead.
ANTITRINITA'RIAN, a.  Opposing the trinity.


Topic: Antitype
Definition:
AN'TITYPE, n.  [Gr. against, and a type, or pattern.]
A figure corresponding to another figure; that of which the type is the pattern or representation.  Thus the paschal lamb, in scripture, is the type of which Christ is the antitype.  An antitype then, is something which is formed according to a model or pattern, and bearing strong features of resemblance to it.
In the Greek liturgy, the sacramental bread and wine are called antitypes, that is, figures, similitudes; and the Greek fathers used the word in a like sense.


Topic: Antler
Definition:
ANT'LER, n.  [From the root of ante, before.  See Ante.]
A start or branch of a horn, especially of the horns of the cevine animals, as of the stag or moose.  The branch next to the head is called the brow'antler, and the branch next above, the bes-antler.


Topic: Antosiandrian
Definition:
ANTOSIAN'DRIAN, n.  One of a sect of rigid Lutherans, so denominated from their opposing the doctrines of Osiander.  This sect deny that man is made just, but is only imputatively just, that is pronounced so.


Topic: Anvil
Definition:
AN'VIL, n.  [The Latin word incus, incudis,is formed by a like analogy fromin and cudo, to hammer, or shape.]
An iron block with a smooth face, on which smiths hammer and shape their work.  
Figuratively, any thing on which blows are laid.
To be on the anvil, is to be in a state of discussion, formation or preparation; as when a scheme or measure is forming, but not matured.  This figure bears an analogy to that is discussion, a shaking or beating.


Topic: Anxiety
Definition:
ANXI'ETY, n.  angzi'ety.  [L. anxietas, from anxius, solicitous;  L. ango.  See Anger.]
1.  concern or solicitude respecting some event, future or uncertain, which disturbs the mind, and keeps it in a state of painful uneasinerr.  it expresses more than uneasiness or disturbance, and even more than trouble or solicitude.  it usually springs from fear or serious apprehension of evil, and involves a suspense respecting an event, and often, a perplexity of mind, to know how to shape our conduct.
2.  In medical language, uneasiness; unceasing restlessness in sickness.


Topic: Anxious
Definition:
ANX'IOUS, a ank'shus.  
1.  Greatly concerned or solicitous, respecting something future or unknown; being in painful suspense; applied to persons; as, to be anxious for the issue of a battle.
2.  Full of solicitude; unquiet; applied to things; as anxious thoughts or labor.
3.  Very careful; solicitous; as, anxious to please; anxious to commit no mistake.
It is followed by for or about, before the object.


Topic: Anxiously
Definition:
ANX'IOUSLY, adv.  In an anxious manner; solicitously; with painful uncertainty; carefully; unquietly.


Topic: Any
Definition:
AN'Y, a.  en'ny.
1.  One indefinitely.
Nor knoweth any man the Father, save the Son.  Math. 11.
If a soul shall sin against any of the commandments.  
Lev. 4.
2.  Some; an indefinite number, plurally; for though the word is formed from one, it often refers to many.  Are there any witnesses present?  The sense seems to be a small, uncertain number.
3.  Some; an indefinite quantity; a small portion.
Who will show us any good?  Ps. 4.
4.  It is often used as a substitute, the person or thing being understood.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any.  Mark 11.
If any lack wisdom, let him ask it of God.  James 1.
It is used in opposition to none.  Have you any wheat to sell?  I have none.


Topic: Any-wise
Definition:
ANY-WISE is sometimes used adverbially, but the two words may be separated, and used with a preposition, in any wise.


Topic: Aonian
Definition:
AO'NIAN, a.  [From aonia, a part of Boeotia, in Greece.]
Pertaining to the muses, or to Aonia in Boeotia.  The Aonian fount was Aganippe, at the foot of mount Helicon, not far from Thebes, and sacred to the muses.  Hence the muses were called Aonides.  But in truth, Aonia itself is formed from the Celtic aon, a spring or fountain,  [the fabled son of Neptune,]  and this word gave name to Aonia.  As the muses were fond of springs, the word was applied to the muses, and to mountains which were their favorite residence, as to Parnassus.


Topic: Aorist
Definition:
A'ORIST, n.  [Gr. indefinite, of a priv. and limit.]
The name of certain tenses in the grammar of the Greek language, which express time indeterminate, that is, either past, present or future.


Topic: Aorta
Definition:
AORT'A, n.  [Gr. the great artery; also an ark or chest.]
The great artery, or trunk of the arterial system; proceeding from the left ventricle of the heart, and giving origin to all the arteries, except the pulmonary arteries.  It first rises, when it is called the ascending aorta; then makes a great curve, when it gives off branches to the head, and upper extremities; then proceeds downwards, called the descending aorta, when it gives off branches to the trunk; and finally divides into the two iliacs, which supply the pelvis and lower extremities.


Topic: Aouta
Definition:
AOU'TA, n.  The paper-mulberry tree in Otaheite, from whose bark is manufactured a cloth worn by the inhabitants.


Topic: Apace
Definition:
APA'CE, adv.  [a and pace.]
With a quick pace; quick; fast; speedily; with haste; hastily; applied to things in motion or progression; as, birds fly apace; weeds grow apace.


Topic: Apagogy
Definition:
AP'AGOGY, n.  [Gr. from, to draw aside, of from and to drive.]
1.  In logic abduction; a kind of argument, wherein the greater extreme is evidently contained in the medium, but the medium not so evidently in the lesser extreme, as not to require further proof.  Thus, 'All whom God absolves are free from sin; but God absolves all who are in Christ; therefore all who are in Christ are free from sin.'  The first proposition is evident; but the second may require further proof, as that God received full satisfaction for sin, by the suffering of Christ.
2.  In mathematics, a progress or passage from one proposition to another, when the first, having been demonstrated, is employed in proving others.
3.  In the Athenian law, the carrying a criminal, taken in the fact, to a magistrate.


Topic: Apalachian
Definition:
APALACH'IAN, a. Pertaining to the Apalaches, a tribe of Indians, in the westen part of Georgia. Hence the word is applied to the mountains in or near their country, which are in fact the southern extremity of the Alleghanean ridges.


Topic: Apart
Definition:
AP'ART, adv.  [a and part;  See Part.]
1.  Separately; at a distance; in a state of separation, as to place.
Jesus departed thence into a desert place apart.  Math. 14.
2.  In a state of distinction, as to purpose, use or character.
The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself.  
Ps. 4.
3.  Distinctly; separately; as, consider the two propositions apart.
4.  Aside; in exclusion of; as, apart from all regard to his morals, he is not qualified, in other respects, for the office he holds.


Topic: Apartment
Definition:
AP'ARTMENT, n.  [See Part.]
A room in a building; a division in a house, separated from others by partitions; a place separated by inclosure.


Topic: Apathy
Definition:
AP'ATHY, n.  [Gr. passion.]
Want of feeling; an utter privation of passion, or insensibility to pain; applied either to the body or the mind.  As applied to the mind, it is stoicism, a calmness of mind incapable of being ruffled by pleasure, pain or passion.  In the first ages of the church, the christians adopted the term to express a contempt of earthly concerns.  
Quietism is apathy disguised under the appearance of devotion.


Topic: Apatite
Definition:
AP'ATITE, n.  [From Gr. to deceive; it having been often mistaken for other minerals.]
A variety of phosphate of lime; generally crystallized in low, flat, hexahedral prisms, sometimes even tabular.  Its powder phosphoresces on burning coals.
The phosporite of Werner includes the massive and earthy varieties of the phosphate, which are distinguished from the apatite, by their containing a small portion of fluoric acid.


Topic: Ape
Definition:
APE, n.
1.  A genus of quadrupeds, found in the torrid zone of both continents, of a great variety of species.  In common use, the word extends to all the tribe of monkeys and baboons; but in zoology, ape is limited to such of these animals as have no tails; while those with short tails are called baboons, and those with long ones, monkeys.  These animals have four cutting teeth in each jaw, and two canine teeth, with obtuse grinders.  The feet are formed like hands, with four fingers and a thumb, and flat nails.  Apes are lively, full of frolic and chatter, generally untamable, thieving and mischievous.  They inhabit the forests, and live on fruits, leaves and insects.
2.  One who imitates servilely, in allusion to the manners of the ape; a silly fellow.
APE, v.t.  To imitate servilely; to mimic, as an ape imitates human actions.  Weak persons are always prone to ape foreigners.


Topic: Apeak
Definition:
APE'AK, adv.  [a and peak, a point.  See peak.]
1.  One the point; in a posture to pierce.
2.  In seamen's language, perpendicular.  The anchor is apeak, when the cable is drawn so as to bring the ship directly over it.


Topic: Apennine
Definition:
AP'ENNINE, a.  [L. apenninus; ad and penninus, an epithet applied to a peak or ridge of the Alps.]
Pertaining to or designating a chain of mountains,which extend from the plains of Piedmont, round the gulf of Genoa, to the center of Italy, and thence south east to the extremity.
AP'ENNINE,


Topic: Aperient
Definition:
APE'RIENT, a.  [L. aperiens, aperio.]
Opening; that has the quality of opening; deobstruent; laxative.
APE'RIENT, n.  a medicine which promoties the circulation of the fluids, by removing obstructions; a laxative; a deobstruent; as, smallage, fennel, asparagus, parsley, and butcher's broom.


Topic: Apertion
Definition:
APER'TION, n.  The act of opening; the state of being opened; an opening; a gap, aperture, or passage.  [Little used.]


Topic: Aperture
Definition:
AP'ERTURE, n.
1.  The act of opening; more generally, an opening; a gap, cleft or chasm; a passage perforated; a hole through any solid substance.
2.  An opening of meaning; explanation.  [Not used.]
3.  In geometry, the space between two right lines, forming an angle.


Topic: Apetalous
Definition:
APET'ALOUS, a.  [Gr. a flower-leaf or petal.]
In botany, having no petals, or flower-leaves; having no corol.


Topic: Apex
Definition:
A'PEX, n. plu. apexes.  [L. apex, plu. apices.]
The tip, point of summit of any thing.  In antiquity, the cap of a flamen or priest; the crest of a helmet.  In grammar, the mark of a long syllable.  In botany, the anther of flowers, or tops of the stamens, like knobs.


Topic: Aphelion
Definition:
APHE'LION, n.  [Gr. from, and the sun.]
That point of a planet's orbit which is most distant from the sun; opposed to perihelion.


Topic: Apheresis
Definition:
APHERE'SIS, n.  [Gr. from, and to take.]
1.  The taking of a litter or syllable from the beginning of a word.  Thus by an apheresis, omittere is writter, mittere.
2.  In the healing art, the removal of any thing noxious.  In surgery, amputation.


Topic: Aphidivorous
Definition:
APHIDIV'OROUS, a.  [of aphis, the puceron or vine fretter, and voro, to eat.]
Eating, devouring, or subsisting on the aphis, or plant-louse.


Topic: Aphilanthropy
Definition:
APHILAN'THROPY, n.  [of a neg. and to love, and man.]
Want of love to mankind.  In medicine, the first stage of melancholy, when solitude is preferred to society.


Topic: Aphis
Definition:
A'PHIS, n.  In zoology, the puceron, vine fretter, or plant-louse; a genus of insects, belonging to the order of hemipters.  The aphis is furnished with an inflected beak, and with feelers longer than the thorax.  In the same species, some individuals have four erect wings, and others are entirely without wings.  The feet are of the ambulatory kind, and the belly usually ends in two horns, from which is ejected the substance called honey-dew.  The species are very numerous.


Topic: Aphlogistic
Definition:
APHLOGIS'TIC, a.  [Gr. inflammable.]
Flameless; as an aphlogistic lamp, in which a coil of wire is kept in a state of continued ignition by alcohol, without flame.


Topic: Aphorism
Definition:
APH'ORISM, n.  [Gr. determination, distinction; from to separate.]
A maxim; a precept, or principle expressed in few words; a detached sentence containing some important truth; as, the aphorisms of Hippocrates, or of the civil law.


Topic: Aphrite
Definition:
APH'RITE, n.  [Gr. froth; the schaum erde, or earth scum, of Werner; the silvery chalk of Kirwan.]
A subvariety of carbonate of lime, occurring in small masses, solid or tender and friable.  It is composed of lamels or scales, of a pearly luster.  It is connected by insensible shades with argentine.


Topic: Aphrodita
Definition:
APHRODI'TA, n.  
1.  In zoology, a genus of the order of Molluscas, called also sea-mouse.  The body is oval, with many small protuberances or tentacles on each side, which serve as feet.  The mouth is cylindrical, at one end of the body, with two bristly tentacles, and capable of being retracted.
2.  A name of Venus, so called from Gr. froth, from which the goddess was supposed to have been produced.  [See Venus.]


Topic: Aphthong
Definition:
APH'THONG, n.  [Gr. without, and sound.]
A letter or combination of letters, which, in the customary pronunciation  of a word, have no sound.


Topic: Aphthous
Definition:
APH'THOUS, a.  [Gr. ulcers in the mouth.]
Pertaining to thrush; of the nature of thrush or ulcerous affections of the mouth.


Topic: Aphyllous
Definition:
APH'YLLOUS, a.  [Gr. a leaf.]
In botany, destitute of leaves, as the rush, mushrooms, garlic, some sea-weeds, &c.


Topic: Apiary
Definition:
A'PIARY, n.  [L. apiarium, of apis, a bee.]
The place where bees are kept; a stand or shed for bees.


Topic: Apiaster
Definition:
A'PIASTER, n.  [From apis, a bee.]
The bird called a bee-eater, a species of merops.  The apiaster has an iron colored back, and a belly of bluish green.


Topic: Apis
Definition:
A'PIS, n.  In mythology, an ox, worshiped in ancient Egypt, or a divinity or idol in the figure of an ox.
A'PIS, n.  [L.]  In zoology, the bee, a genus of insects, of the order of hymenopters.  The mouth has two jaws, and a proboscis infolded in a double sheath; the wings are four, the two foremost covering the hinder ones when at rest.  The females and working bees have a sting.


Topic: Apish
Definition:
A'PISH, a.  [See Ape.]  Having the qualities of an ape; inclined to imitate in a servile manner; hence, foolish, foppish, affected, trifling, insignificant; as, an apish fellow; apish manners.


Topic: Apitpat
Definition:
APIT'PAT,  With quick beating or palpitation; a word formed from the sound, pit and pat, or from beat.


Topic: Aplanatic
Definition:
APLANAT'IC, a.  [Gr. to wander.]
An aplanatic telescope is one which entirely corrects the aberration of the rays of light.  It is thus distinguished from the achromatic, which only partially corrects the aberration.


Topic: Aplome
Definition:
APLO'ME, n.  [Gr. simple.]
A mineral closely allied to garnet.  It is considered by Jameson, as crystallized common garnet.  It is a rare mineral, found in dodecahedrons, with rhombic faces, supposed to be derived from the cube, by one of the most simple laws of decrement, that of a single range of particles, parallel to all the edges of a cube.


Topic: Apocalypse
Definition:
APOC'ALYPSE, n.  apoc'alyps.  [Gr. from to disclose; and to cover.]
Revelation; discovery; disclosure.  The name of a book of the New Testament, containing many discoveries or predictions respecting the future state of Christianity, written by St. John, in Patmos, near the close of the first century.


Topic: Apocrisary
Definition:
APOC'RISARY, n.  [Gr. from answer, to answer.]
Anciently a resident in an imperial city, in the name of a foreign church or bishop, answering to the modern nuncio.  He was a proctor, in the emperor's court, to negotiate, and transact business for his constituent.


Topic: Apocrustic
Definition:
APOCRUST'IC, a.  [Gr. from, to drive from.]
Astringent; repelling.
APOCRUST'IC, n.  A medicine which constringes, and repels the humors; a repellent.


Topic: Apocrypha
Definition:
APOC'RYPHA, n.  [Gr. from, to conceal.]
Literally such things as are not published; but in an appropriate sense, books whose authors are not known; whose authenticity, as inspired writings, is not admitted, and which are therefore not considered a part of the sacred canon of the scripture.  When the Jews published their sacred books, they called them canonical and divine; such as they did not publish, were called apocryphal.  The apocryphal books are received by the Romish Church as canonical, but not by Protestants.


Topic: Apocryphal
Definition:
APOC'RYPHAL, a.  Pertaining to the apecrypha; not canonical; of uncertain authority or credit; false; fictitious.


Topic: Apode
Definition:
AP'ODE, n.  [Gr. foot.]
An animal that has no feet, applied to certain fabulous fowls, which are said to have no legs, and also to some birds that have very short legs.
In zoology, the apodes are an order of fishes which have no ventral fins; the first order in Linne's system.


Topic: Apogee
Definition:
AP'OGEE, n.  [apogeon, apogeum;  Gr. from, and the earth.]
That point in the orbit of a a planet, which is at the greatest distance from the earth.  The ancients regarded the earth as fixed in the center of the system, and therefore assigned to the sun, with the planets, an apogee;  but the moderns, considering the sun as the center, use the terms perihelion and aphelion, to denote the least and greatest distance of the planets from that orb.  The sun's apogee therefore is in strictness, the earth's aphelion.  Apogee is properly applicable to the moon.


Topic: Apollinarian
Definition:
APOLLINA'RIAN, a.  [From Apollo.]
The Apollinarian games, in Roman antiquity, were celebrated in honor of Apollo; instituted A.R. 542 after the battle of Cannae.  They were merely scenical, with exhibitions of music, dances and various mountebank tricks.


Topic: Apollinarians
Definition:
APOLLINA'RIANS, in Church history, a sect, deriving their name from Apollinaris, bishop of Laodicea, in the 4th Century, who denied the proper humanity of Christ; maintaining that his body was endowed with a sensitive, and not with a rational soul; and that the divine nature supplied the place of the intellectual principle in man.
Apollo-Belvidere, an ancient statue of the first class in excellence.


Topic: Apollyon
Definition:
APOL'LYON, n.  [Gr. destroying.]
The destroyer; a name used Rev. 9:11, for the angel of the bottomless pit, answering to the Hebrew Abaddon.


Topic: Apologist
Definition:
APOL'OGIST, n.  [See Apology.]
One who makes an apology; one who speaks or writes in defense of another.


Topic: Apologize
Definition:
APOL'OGIZE, v.i.  To make an apology; to write or speak in favor of, or to make excuse for; followed by for; as, my correspondent apologized for not answering my letter.


Topic: Apologue
Definition:
AP'OLOGUE, n.  ap'olog.  [Gr. a long speech, a fable.]
A moral fable; a story or relation of fictitious events, intended to convey useful truths.  An apologue differs from a parable in this; the parable is drawn from events which pass among mankind, and is therefore supported by probability; an apologue may be founded on supposed actions of brutes or inanimate things, and therefore does not require to be supported by probability.  Esop's fables are good examples of apologues.


Topic: Apology
Definition:
APOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. discourse.]
An excuse; something said or written in defense or extenuation of what appears to others wrong, or unjustifiable; or of what may be liable to disapprobation.  It may be an extenuation of what is not perfectly justifiable, or a vindication of what is or may be disapproved, but which the apologist deems to be right.  A man makes an apology for not fulfilling an engagement, or for publishing a pamphlet.  An apology then is a reason or reasons assigned for what is wrong or may appear to be wrong, and it may be either an extenuation or a justification of something that is or may be censured, by those who are not acquainted with the reasons.


Topic: Apopemptic
Definition:
APOPEMP'TIC, a.  [Gr. from, and a nerve.]
Denoting a song or hymn among the ancients, sung or addressed to a stranger, on his departure from a place to his own country.  It may be used as a noun for the hymn.


Topic: Apophasis
Definition:
APOPH'ASIS, n.  [Gr. from, and form of speech.]
In rhetoric, a waving or omission of what one, speaking ironically, would plainly insinuate; as, 'I will not mention another argument, which, however, if I should, you could not refute.'


Topic: Apophlegmatic
Definition:
APOPHLEGMAT'IC, a.  [Gr. from, and phlegm.]
Masticatory; having the quality of exciting discharges of phlegm from the mouth or nostrils.
APOPHLEGMAT'IC, n. A masticatory; a medicine which excites discharges of phlegm from the mouth or nostrils.


Topic: Apophyllite
Definition:
APOPH'YLLITE, n.  [Gr. from, and a leaf; so called because of its tendency to exfoliate.]
A mineral occurring  in laminated masses or in regular prismatic crystals, having a strong and peculiar pearly luster.  Its structure is foliated, and when a fragment is forcibly rubbed against a hard body, it separates into thin lamens, like selenite.  It exfoliates also before the flame of a lamp.  From its peculiar luster, it is sometimes called by the harsh name, ichthyophthalmite, fish-eye stone.


Topic: Apoplexy
Definition:
AP'OPLEXY, n.  [Gr. from, to strike.]
A sudden deprivation of all sense and voluntary motion, occasioned by repletion or whatever interrupts the action of the nerves upon the muscles.
Dryden, for the sake of measure, uses apoplex, for apoplexy.


Topic: Aporia
Definition:
APO'RIA, n.  [Gr. from a way or passage.]
1.  In rhetoric, a doubting or being at a loss where to begin, or what to say, on account of the variety of matter.
2.  In the medical art, febrile anxiety; uneasiness; restlessness, from obstructed perspiration, or the stoppage of any natural secretion.


Topic: Apostasy
Definition:
APOS'TASY, n.  [Gr. a defection, to depart.]
1.  An abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one's faith or religion.
2.  The desertion from a party to which one has adhered.
3.  Among physicians, the throwing off of exfoliated or fractured bone, or the various solution of disease.
4.  An abscess.


Topic: Apostate
Definition:
APOS'TATE, n.  [Gr.]
One who has forsaken the church, sect or profession to which he before adhered.  In its original sense, applied to one who has abandoned his religion; but correctly applied also to one who abandons a political or other party.
APOS'TATE, a.  False; traitorous.


Topic: Apostatize
Definition:
APOS'TATIZE, v.i.  To abandon one's profession or church; to forsake principles or faith which one has professed; or the party to which one has been attached.


Topic: Apostemation
Definition:
APOSTEMA'TION, n.  The formation of an aposteme; the process of gathering into an abscess; written corruptly imposthumation.


Topic: Aposteme
Definition:
AP'OSTEME, n.  [Gr. from to go off, to recede; and to stand.]
An abscess; a swelling filled with purulent matter; written also corruptly imposthume.


Topic: Apostle
Definition:
APOS'TLE, n.  [L. apostalus; Gr. to send away, to sent.]
A person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ commissioned to preach the gospel.  Twelve persons were selected by Christ for this purpose; and Judas, one of the number, proving an apostate, his place was supplied by Matthias.  Acts 1.
The title of apostle is applied to Christ himself, Heb. 3.  In the primitive ages of the church, other ministers were called apostles, Rom. 16; as were persons sent to carry alms from one church to another, Philip. 2.  This title was also given to persons who first planted the Christian faith.  Thus Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France; and the Jesuit Missionaries are called apostles.
Among the Jews, the title was given to officers who were sent into distant provinces, as visitors or commissioners, to see the laws observed.
Apostle, in the Greek liturgy, is a book contained the epistles of St. Paul, printed in the order in which they are to be read in churches, through the year.


Topic: Apostolate
Definition:
APOS'TOLATE, n.  A mission; the dignity or office of an apostle.  Ancient writers use it for the office of a bishop; but it is now restricted to the dignity of the pope, whose see is call the Apostolic See.


Topic: Apostolicalness
Definition:
APOSTOL'ICALNESS, n.  The quality of being apostolical, or according to the doctrines of the apostles.


Topic: Apostolics
Definition:
APOSTOL'ICS, n.  Certain sects so called from their pretending to imitate the practice of the apostles, abstaining from marriage, from wine, flesh, pecuniary reward &c., and wandering about clothed in white, with long beards, and bare heads.  Sagarelli, the founder of one of these sects, was burnt at Parma in 1300.


Topic: Apostrophize
Definition:
APOS'TROPHIZE,  v.i. or t.  
1.  To make an apostrophe, or short detached address in speaking; to address by apostrophy.
2.  v.t.  To contract a word by omitting a letter or letters.
3.  To mark with a comma, indicating the omission of a letter.


Topic: Apostrophized
Definition:
APOS'TROPHIZED, pp.  Addressed by way of digression; contracted by the omission of a letter or letters; marked by an apostrophy.


Topic: Apostrophy
Definition:
APOS'TROPHY, n.  [Gr. from and a turning.]
1.  In rhetoric, a diversion of speech; a digressive address; a changing the course of a speech, and addressing a person who is dead or absent, as if present; or a short address introduced into a discourse, directed to some person, different from the party to which the main discourse is directed; as when an advocate, in an argument to the jury, turns and addresses a few remarks to the court.
2.  In grammar, the contraction of a word by the omission of a letter or letters, which omission is marked by a comma, as call'd for called.  The comma used for this purpose may also be called an apostrophe.


Topic: Apotactite
Definition:
APOTAC'TITE, n.  [Gr. from to renounce; to ordain.]
One of a sect of ancient christians, who, in imitation of the first believers, renounced all their effects and possessions.


Topic: Apothecary
Definition:
APOTH'ECARY, n.  [L. and Gr.  apotheca, a repository, from to deposit or lay aside, or from a chest.]
1.  One who practices pharmacy; one who prepares drugs for medicinal uses, and keeps them for sale.  In England, apothecaries are obliged to prepare medicines according to the formulas prescribed by the college of physicians, and are liable to have their shops visited by the censors of the college, who have power to destroy medicines which are not good.
2.  In the middle ages, an apothecary was the keeper of any shop or warehouse; and an officer appointed to take charge of a magazine.


Topic: Apothem
Definition:
AP'OTHEM,  n.  [Gr. from, and word.  It would be eligible to reduce this harsh word to apothem.]
A remarkable saying; a short, sententious, instructive remark, uttered on a particular occasion, or by a distinguished character; as that of Cyrus,  'He is unworthy to be a magistrate, who is not better than his subjects;' or that of Cato, men by doing nothing, soon learn to do mischief.


Topic: Apotheme
Definition:
AP'OTHEME,  n.  [See Apothecary.]
In Russia, an apothecary's shop, or a shop for the preparation and sale of medicines.


Topic: Apotheosis
Definition:
APOTHE'OSIS, n.  [Gr. of God.]
Deification; consecration; the act of placing a prince or other distinguished person among the heathen deities.  This honor was often bestowed on illustrious men in Rome, and followed by the erection of temples, and the institution of sacrifices to the new deity.


Topic: Apothesis
Definition:
APOTH'ESIS, n.  [Gr. to put back.]
1.  The reduction of a dislocated bone.
2.  A place on the south side of the chancel in the primitive churches, furnished with shelves, for books, vestments, &c.


Topic: Apotropy
Definition:
AP'OTROPY, n.  [Gr. to turn.]
In ancient poetry, a verse or hymn composed for averting the wrath of incensed deities.  The deities invoked were called apotropeans.


Topic: Apozem
Definition:
AP'OZEM, n.  [Gr. to boil.]
A decoction, in which the medicinal substances of plants are extracted by boiling.


Topic: Appall
Definition:
APPALL', v.t.  [L. palleo, to become pale.  See Pale.]
1.  To depress or discourage with fear; to impress with fear, in such a manner that the mind shrinks, or loses its firmness; as, the sight appalled the stoutest heart.
2.  To reduce, allay or destroy; as, to appall thirst.  [Unusual.]
APPALL', v.i.  To grow faint; to be dismayed.


Topic: Appanage
Definition:
AP'PANAGE, n.  
1.  Lands appropriated by a prince to the maintenance of his younger sons, as their patrimony; but on condition of the failure of male offspring, they were to revert to the donor or his heir.  From the appanage it was customary for the sons to take their surnames.
2.  Sustenance; means of nourishing.
Wealth - the appanage of wit.


Topic: Apparatus
Definition:
APPARA'TUS, n.  plu.  apparatuses.  [L. from apparo, to prepare, of ad and par.]
1.  Things provided as means to some end; as the tools of an artisan; the furniture of a house; instruments of war.  In more technical language, a complete set of instruments or utensils, for performing any operation.
2.  In surgery, the operation of cutting for the stone, of three kinds, the small, the great, and the high.
Apparatus is also used as the title of several books, in the form of catalogues, bibliothecas, glossaries, dictionaries, &c.


Topic: Apparel
Definition:
APPAR'EL, n.  [L. paro, apparo, to prepare;  Heb. bara]
1.  Clothing; vesture; garments; dress.
2.  External habiliments or decorations; appearance; as, religion appears in the natural apparel of simplicity.
Glorious in apparel.  Is. 63.
3.  The furniture of a ship, as sails, rigging, anchors, &c.
APPAR'EL, v.t.  
1.  To dress or clothe.
They who are gorgeously appareled are in kings court.  
Luke 7.
2.  To adorn with dress.
She did apparel her apparel.
3.  To dress with external ornaments; to cover with something ornamental; to cover, as with garments; as, trees appareled with flowers; or a garden with verdure.
4.  To furnish with external apparatus; as ships appareled for sea.


Topic: Apparent
Definition:
APPA'RENT, a.  [See Appear.]
1.  That may be seen, or easily seen; visible to the eye; within sight or view.
2.  Obvious; plain; evident; indubitable; as, the wisdom of the creator is apparent in his works.
3.  Visible, in opposition to hid or secret; as, a man's apparent conduct is good.
4.  Visible; appearing to the eye; seeming, in distinction from true or real, as the apparent motion or diameter of the sun.
Heirs apparent are those whose right to an estate is indefeasible, if they survive the ancestor; in distinction from presumptive heirs, who, if the ancestor should die immediately, would inherit, but whose right is liable to be defeated by the birth of their children.


Topic: Apparently
Definition:
APPA'RENTLY, adv.
1.  Openly; evidently; as, the goodness of God is apparently manifest in his works of providence.
2.  Seemingly; in appearance; as, a man may be apparently friendly, yet malicious in heart.


Topic: Apparition
Definition:
APPARI'TION, n.  [See Appear.]
1.  In a general sense, an appearance; visibility.  [Little used.]
2.  The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.
3.  A ghost; a specter; a visible spirit.  [This is now the usual sense of the word.]
4.  Mere appearance, opposed to reality.


Topic: Apparitor
Definition:
APPAR'ITOR, n.  [L. apparo, to prepare, or appareo, to attend.]
Among the Romans, any officer who attended magistrates and judges to execute their orders.  In England, a messenger or officer who serves the process of a spiritual court, or a beadle in the university who carries the mace.


Topic: Appeal
Definition:
APPE'AL, v.i.  [L. apello; ad and pello, to drive or send;  Gr. We do not see the sense of call in pello, but to drive or press out, is the radical sense of calling, naming.  This word coincides in elements with L. balo, Eng. bawl, and peal.]
1.  To refer to a superior judge or court, for the decision of a cause depending, or the revision of a cause decided in a lower court.  
I appeal to Cesar.  Acts. 21.
2.  To refer to another for the decision of a question controverted, or the counteraction of testimony or facts; as, I appeal to all mankind for the truth of what is alleged.
APPE'AL, v.t.  To call or remove a cause from an inferior to a superior judge or court.  This may be done after trial and judgment in the lower court; or by special statute or agreement, a party may appeal before trial, upon a fictitious issue and judgment.  We say the cause was appealed before or after trial.
APPE'AL, v.t.  In crimianal law, to charge with a crime; to accuse; to institute a criminal prosecution, for some hainous offense; as, to appeal a person of felony.  This process was anciently given to a private person to recover the weregild, or private pecuniary satisfaction for an injury he had received by the murder of a relation, or by some personal injury.
APPE'AL, n. 
1.  The removal of a cause or suit from an inferior to a superior tribunal, as from a common pleas court to a superior or supreme court.  Also the right of appeal.
2.  An accusation; a process instituted by a private person against a man for some hainous crime by which he has been injured, as for murder, larceny, mayhem.
3.  A summons to answer to a charge.
4.  A call upon a person; a reference to another for proof or decision.
In an oath, a person makes an appeal to the Deity for the truth of his declaration.
5.  Resort; recourse.
Every milder method is to be tried, before a nation makes an appeal to arms.


Topic: Appealable
Definition:
APPE'ALABLE, 
1.  That may be appealed; that may be removed to a higher tribunal for decision; as, the cause is appealable.
2.  That may be accused or called to answer by appeal; applied to persons; as, a criminal is appealable for manslaughter.


Topic: Appealed
Definition:
APPE'ALED, pp.  Removed to a higher court, as a cause; prosecuted for a crime by a private person, as a criminal.


Topic: Appealing
Definition:
APPE'ALING, ppr.  Removing a cause to a higher tribunal; prosecuting as a private person for an offense; referring to another for a decision.


Topic: Appear
Definition:
APPE'AR, v.i.  [L. appareo, of ad and pareo, to appear, or be manifest.]
1.  To come or be in sight; to be in view; to be visible.
The leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh.  Lev. 13.
And God said, Let the dry land appear.  Gen. 1.
2.  To become visible to the eye, as a spirit, or to the apprehension of the mind; a sense frequent in scripture.
The Lord appeared to Abram, and said.  Gen 12.
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush.  Ex. 3.
3.  To stand in presence of, as parties or advocates before a court, or as persons to be tried.  The defendant, being called, did not appear.
We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.  2Cor. 5.
4.  To be obvious; to be known, as a subject of observation or comprehension.
Let thy work appear to thy servant.  Ps. 90.
It doth not yet appear what we shall be.  1John 3.
5.  To be clear or made clear by evidence; as, this fact appears by ancient records.
But sin that it might appear sin.  Rom 7.
6.  To seem, in opposition to reality.
They disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast.  Mat. 6.
7.  To be discovered, or laid open.
That they shame may appear.  Jer. 13.
APPE'AR, n.  Appearance.  Obs.


Topic: Appearance
Definition:
APPE'ARANCE, n.  
1.  The act of coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me.
2.  The thing seen; a phenomenon; as an appearance in the sky.
3.  Semblance; apparent likeness.
There was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire.  Num. 9.
4.  External show; semblance assumed, in opposition to reality or substance; as, we are often deceived by appearances; he has the appearance of virtue.
For man looketh on the outward appearance.  1Sam. 16.
5.  Personal presence; exhibition of the person; as, he made his first appearance at court or on the stage.
6.  Exhibition of the character; introduction of a person to the public in a particular character, as a person makes his appearance in the world, as a historian, an artist, or an orator.
7.  Probability; likelihood.  This sense is rather an inference from the third or fourth; as probability is inferred from external semblance or show.
8.  Presence; mien; figure; as presented by the person, dress or manners; as, the lady made a noble appearance.
9.  A being present in court; a defendant's filing common or special bail to a process.
10.  An apparition.


Topic: Appearing
Definition:
APPE'ARING, ppr.  Coming in sight; becoming evident; making an external show; seeming; having the semblance.
APPE'ARING, n.  The act of becoming visible; appearance.


Topic: Appease
Definition:
APPE'ASE, v.t. s as z.  [L. pax.  See Peace.]
To make quiet; to calm; to reduce to a state of peace; to still; to pacify; as, to appease the tumult of the ocean or of the passions; to appease hunger or thirst.
[This word is of a general application to every thing in a disturbed, ruffled or agitated state.]


Topic: Appellant
Definition:
APPEL'LANT, n.  [See Appeal.]
1.  One who appeals, or removes a cause from a lower to a higher tribunal.
2.  One who prosecutes another for a crime.
3.  One who challenges, or summons another to single combat.
4.  In church history, one who appeals from the Constitution Unigenitus to a general council.


Topic: Appellate
Definition:
APPEL'LATE, n.  A person appealed, or prosecuted for a crime.  [Not now used.  See Appellee.]
APPEL'LATE, a.  Pertaining to appeals; having cognizance of appeals; as 'appellate jurisdiction.'


Topic: Appellation
Definition:
APPELLA'TION, n.  [L. appellatio.  See Appeal.]
Name; the word by which a thing is called and known.  Spenser uses it for appeal.


Topic: Appellative
Definition:
APPEL'LATIVE, a.  Pertaining to a common name; noting the common name of a species.
APPEL'LATIVE, n.  A common name in distinction from a proper name.  A common name or appelative stands for a whole class, genus or species of beings, or for universal ideas.  Thus man is the name of the whole human race, and fowl of all winged animals.  Tree is the name of all plants of a particular class; plant and vegetable are names of things that grow out of the earth.  A proper name, on the other hand, stands for a single thing, as, London, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston.


Topic: Appellatively
Definition:
APPEL'LATIVELY, adv.  According to the manner of nouns appellative; in a manner to express whole classes or species; as, Hercules is sometimes used appellatively, that is, as a common name to signify a strong man.


Topic: Appellee
Definition:
APPELLEE', n.
1.  The defendant in an appeal.
2.  The person who is appealed, or prosecuted by a private man for a crime.


Topic: Appellor
Definition:
APPELLOR', n.  The person who institutes an appeal, or prosecutes another for a crime.
This word is rarely or never used for the plaintiff in appeal from a lower court, who is called the appellant.  Appellee is opposed both to appellant and appellor.


Topic: Append
Definition:
APPEND', v.t.  [L. appendo, of ad and pendeo, to hand.]
1.  To hang or attach to, as by a string, so that the thing is suspended; as, a seal appended to a record.
2.  To add, as an accessory to the principal thing.


Topic: Appendage
Definition:
APPEND'AGE n.  Something added to a principal or greater thing, though not necessary to it, as a portico to a house.
Modesty is the appendage of sobriety.


Topic: Appendix
Definition:
APPEND'IX, n.  plu.  appendixes.  [L. The Latin plural is appendices.  See Append.]
1.  something appended or added.
Normandy became an appendix to England.
2.  An adjunct, concomitant, or appendage.
3.  More generally, a supplement or short treatise added to a book.


Topic: Appertain
Definition:
APPERTA'IN, v.i.  [L. ad and pertineo, to pertain, of per and teneo, to hold.  Pertineo is to reach to, to extend to, hence to belong.  See Tenant.]
To belong, whether by right, nature or appointment.
Give it to him to whom it appertaineth.  Lev. 6.
[See Pertain.]


Topic: Appertinent
Definition:
APPER'TINENT, a.  Belonging; now written appurtenant.
APPER'TINENT, n.  That which belongs to something else.  Obs.  [See Appurtenance.]


Topic: Appetible
Definition:
AP'PETIBLE, a.  [Low L. appetibilis, from appeto.  Desirable; that may be the object of sensual desire.


Topic: Appetite
Definition:
AP'PETITE, n.  [L. appetitus, from appeto.  See Appetence.]
1.  The natural desire of pleasure or good; the desire of gratification, either of the body or of the mind.  Appetites are passions directed to general objects, as the appetite for fame, glory or riches; in distinction from passions directed to some particular objects, which retain their proper name, as the passion of love, envy or gratitude.  Passion does not exist without an object; natural appetites exist first, and are then directed to objects.
2.  A desire of food or drink; a painful sensation occasioned by hunger or thirst.
3.  Strong desire; eagerness or longing.
4.  The thing desired.
Power being the natural appetite of princes.
Appetites are natural or artificial.  Hunger and thirst are natural appetites; the appetites for olives, tobacco, snuff, &c.  are artificial.
In old authors, appetite is followed by to, but regularly it should be followed by for before the object, as an appetite for pleasure.
To be given to appetite, is to be voracious or gluttonous.  Prov. 23:2.


Topic: Appetitive
Definition:
AP'PETITIVE, a.  That desires; that has the quality of desiring gratification; as appetitive power or faculty.


Topic: Appian
Definition:
AP'PIAN, a.  Designating something that belongs to Appius, particularly a way from Rome through Capua to Brundusium, now Brindisi, constructed by Appius Claudius A.R. 441.  It is more than 330 miles in length, formed of hard stone squared, and so wide as to admit two carriages abreast.


Topic: Applaud
Definition:
APPLAUD', v.t.  [L. applaudo; ad and plaudo, to make a noise by clapping the hands; Eng. loud.]
1.  To praise by clapping the hands, acclamation, or other significant sign.
2.  To praise by words, actions or other means; to express approbation of; to commend; used in a general sense.


Topic: Applause
Definition:
APPLAUSE', n.  s as z.  [L. applausus.]
A shout of approbation; approbation and praise, expressed by clapping the hands, acclamation or huzzas; approbation expressed.  in antiquity, applause differed from acclamation; applause was expressed by the hands, and acclamation by the voice.  There were three species of applause, the bombus, a confused din made by the hands or mouth; the imbrices and testae, made by beating a sort of sounding vessels in the theaters.  Persons were appointed for the purpose of applauding, and masters were employed to teach the art.  The applauds were divided into choruses, and placed opposite to each other, like the choristers in a cathedral.


Topic: Apple
Definition:
AP'PLE, n.
1.  The fruit of the apple tree, [pyrus malus,] from which cider is made.
2.  The apple of the eye is the pupil.
Apple of love, or love apple, the tomato, or lycopersicum, a species of Solanum.  The stalk is herbaceous, with oval, pinnated leaves, and small yellow flowers. The berry is smooth, soft, of a yellow or reddish color, of the size of a plum.  It is used in soups and broths.
AP'PLE, v.t.  To form like an apple.


Topic: Apple-pie
Definition:
AP'PLE-PIE, n.  a pie made of apples stewed or baked, inclosed in paste, or covered with paste, as in England.


Topic: Apple-tree
Definition:
AP'PLE-TREE, n.  A tree arranged by Linne under the genus pyrus.  The fruit of this tree is indefinitely various.  The crab apple is supposed to be the original kind, from which all others have sprung.  New varieties are springing annually from the seeds.


Topic: Applicable
Definition:
AP'PLICABLE, a.  That may be applied; fit to be applied, as related to a thing; that may have relation to something else; as, this observation is applicable to the case under consideration.


Topic: Applicant
Definition:
AP'PLICANT, n.  One who applies; one who makes request; a petitioner.
The applicant for a cup of water declares himself to be the Messias.
The court require the applicant to appear in person.


Topic: Applicate
Definition:
AP'PLICATE, n.  A right line drawn across a curve, so as to be bisected by the diameter; an ordinate.


Topic: Applicate-ordinate
Definition:
AP'PLICATE-ORDINATE.  A right line at right angles applied to the axis of any conic section, and bounded by the curve.


Topic: Application
Definition:
APPLICA'TION, n.  [L. applicatio.  See Apply.]
1.  The act of laying on; as the application of emollients to a diseased limb.
2.  The thing applied; as, the pain was abated by the application.
3.  The act of making request or soliciting; as, he made application to a court of chancery.
4.  The act of applying as means; the employment of means; as, children may be governed by a suitable application of rewards and punishments.  This is the first signification directed to moral objects.
 5.  The act of fixing the mind; intenseness of thought; close study; attention; as, to injure the health by application to study.
Had his application been equal to his talents, his progress might have been greater.
6.  The act of directing or referring something to a particular case, to discover or illustrate the agreement or disagreement; as, I make the remark and leave you to make the application.
7.  In theology, the act by which the merits of Christ are transferred to man, for his justification.
8.  In geometry, a division for applying one quantity to another, whose areas, but not figures, shall be the same; or the transferring a given line into a circle or other figure, so that its ends shall be in the perimeter of the figure.
9.  In sermons, that part of the discourse, in which the principles before laid down and illustrated, are applied to practical uses.


Topic: Apply
Definition:
APPLY', v.t. [L. applico, of ad and plico, to fold or knit together; Gr. to knit, or twist; Eng. ply, display, and employ.]
1.  To lay on; to put one thing to another; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body.
2.  To use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; as, to apply a sum of money to the payment of a debt.
3.  To put, refer or use, as suitable or relative to something; as, to apply the testimony to the case.
4.  To fix the mind; to engage and employ with attention; as, apply thy heart to instruction.
5.  To address or direct; as, 'Sacred vows applied to Pluto.'
6.  To betake; to give the chief part of time and attention; as, to apply one's self to the study of botany.  This is essentially the fourth sense.
7.  To make application; to have recourse by request; as, to apply one's self to a counsellor for advice.  This is generally used intransitively; as, to apply to a counsellor.
8.  To busy; to keep at work; to ply.  Obs.
[Superseded by ply, which see.]


Topic: Appoint
Definition:
APPOINT', v.t. 
1.  To fix; to settle; to establish; to make fast.
When he appointed the foundations of the earth.  Prov. 8.
2.  To constitute, ordain, or fix by decree, order or decision.
Let Pharoah appoint officers over the land.  Gen. 41.
He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world.  Act. 17.
3.  To allot, assign or designate.
Aaron and his sons shall appoint every one to his service.  Num 4.
These cities were appointed for all the children of Israel.  Josh. 20.
4.  To purpose or resolve; to fix the intention.
For so he had appointed.  Acts 20.
5.  To ordain, command or order.
Thy servants are ready to do whatever my Lord the King shall appoint.  2Sam. 15.
6.  To settle; to fix, name or determine by agreement; as, they appointed a time and place for the meeting.


Topic: Appointable
Definition:
APPOINT'ABLE, a.  That may be appointed or constituted; as, officers are appointable by the Executive.


Topic: Appointed
Definition:
APPOINT'ED, pp. 
1.  Fixed; set; established; decreed; ordained; constituted; allotted.
2.  Furnished; equipped with things necessary; as, a ship or an army is well appointed.


Topic: Appointee
Definition:
APPOINTEE', n.  
1.  A person appointed.  'The commission authorizes them to make appointments, and pay the appointee.'
2.  A foot soldier in the French army, who, for long service and bravery, received more pay than other privates.


Topic: Appointment
Definition:
APPOINT'MENT, n.
1.  The act of appointing; designation to office; as, he erred by the appointment of suitable men.
2.  Stipulation; assignation; the act of fixing by mutual agreement; as, they made an appointment to meet at six o'clock.
3.  Decree; established order or constitution; as, it is our duty to submit to the divine appointments.
4.  Direction; order; command.
Wheat, salt, wine and oil, let it be given according to the appointment of the priests.  Ez. 6.
5.  Equipment, furniture, as for a ship, or an army; whatever is appointed for use and management.
6.  An allowance to a person; a salary or pension, as to a public officer.
An appointment differs from wages, in being a special grant, or gratification, not fixed, whereas wages are fixed and ordinary.
7.  A devise or grant to a charitable use.


Topic: Apportion
Definition:
APPO'RTION, v.t.  [L. ad and portio, portion.  See Portion and Part.]
To divide and assign in just proportion; to distribute among two or more, a just part or share to each; as, to apportion undivided rights; to apportion time among various employments.


Topic: Apportionment
Definition:
APPO'RTIONMENT, n.  The act of apportioning; a dividing into just proportions or shares; a dividing and assigning to each proprietor his just portion of an undivided right or property.


Topic: Appose
Definition:
APPO'SE, v.t.  s as z.  [L. appono.  See Apposite.]
1.  To put questions; to examine.  [See Post.]
2.  To apply.


Topic: Apposer
Definition:
APPO'SER, n.  An examiner; one whose business is to put questions.  In the English Court of Exchequer there is an officer called the foreign apposer.  This is ordinarily pronounced poser.


Topic: Apposite
Definition:
AP'POSITE, a.  s as z.  [L. appositus, set or put to, from appono, of ad and pono, to put or place.]
Suitable; fit; very applicable; well adapted; followed by to; as, this argument is very opposite to the case.


Topic: Apposition
Definition:
APPOSI'TION, n.  
1.  The act of adding to; addition; a setting to.
By the opposition of new matter.
2.  In Grammar, the placing of two nouns, in the same case, without a connecting word between them, as, I admire Cicero, the orator.  In this case, the second noun explains or characterizes the first.


Topic: Appraise
Definition:
APPRA'ISE, v.t.  [L. ad and pretium, price.  See Price and Appreciate.]
This word is written and often pronounced after the French and Italian manner.  But generally it is pronounced more correctly apprize, directly from  the Eng. price or prize.  [See Apprize.]
To set a value; to estimate the worth, particularly by persons appointed for the purpose.


Topic: Appraiser
Definition:
APPRA'ISER, n.  One who values; appropriately a person appointed and sworn to estimate and fix the value of goods and estate.  [See Apprizer.]


Topic: Appreciable
Definition:
APPRE'CIABLE, a.  apprishable.  [See Appreciate.]
1.  That may be appreciated; valuable.
2.  That may be estimated; capable of being duly estimated.


Topic: Appreciate
Definition:
APPRE'CIATE, v.t.  apprishate.  [L. ad and pretium, value, price.  See Price.]
1.  To value; to set a price or value on; to estimate; as, we seldom sufficiently appreciate the advantages we enjoy.
2.  To raise the value of.
Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money.
APPRE'CIATE, v.i.  To rise in value; to become of more value; as, the coin of the country appreciates; public securities appreciated, when the debt was funded.


Topic: Appreciation
Definition:
APPRECIA'TION, n.  
1.  A setting a value on; a just valuation or estimate of merit, weight, or any moral consideration.
2.  A rising in value; increase of worth or value.


Topic: Apprehend
Definition:
APPREHEND', v.t.  [L. apprehendo, of ad and prehendo, to take or seize.]
1.  To take or seize; to take hold of.  In this literal sense, it is applied chiefly to taking or arresting persons by legal process, or with a view to trial; as to apprehend a thief.
2.  To take with the understanding, that is, to conceive in the mine; to understand, without passing a judgment, or making an inference.
I apprehend not why so many and various laws are given.
3.  To think; to believe or be of opinion, but without positive certainty; as, all this is true, but we apprehend it is not to the purpose.
Notwithstanding this declaration, we do not apprehend that we are guilty of presumption.
4.  To fear; to entertain suspicion or fear of future evil; as, we apprehend calamities from a feeble or wicked administration.


Topic: Apprehension
Definition:
APPREHEN'SION, n.  
1.  The act of taking or arresting; as, the felon, after his apprehension escaped.
2.  The mere contemplation of things without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment; the operation of the mind in contemplating ideas, without comparing them with others, or referring them to external objects; simple intellection.
3.  An inadequate or imperfect idea, as when the word is applied to our knowledge of God.
4.  Opinion; conception; sentiments.  In this sense, the word often denotes a belief, founded on sufficient evidence to give preponderation to the mind, but insufficient to induce certainty.
To be false, and to be thought false, is all one, in respect of men, who act not according to truth, but apprehension.
In our apprehension, the facts prove the issue.
5.  The faculty by which new ideas are conceived; as, a man of dull apprehension.
6.  Fear; suspicion; the prospect of future evil, accompanied with uneasiness of mind.
Claudius was in no small apprehension for his own life.


Topic: Apprehensive
Definition:
APPREHEN'SIVE, a.  
1.  Quick to understand; as, an apprehensive scholar.
2.  Fearful; in expectation of evil; as, we were apprehensive of fatal consequences. 
[This is the usual sense of the word.]
3.  Suspicious; inclined to believe; as, I am apprehensive he does not understand me.
4.  Sensible; feeling; perceptive.  [Rarely used.]


Topic: Apprentice
Definition:
APPREN'TICE, n.  [L. apprehendo.  See Apprehend.]
1.  One who is bound by covenant to serve a mechanic, or other person, for a certain time, with a view to learn his art, mystery, or occupation, in which his master is bound to instruct him.  Apprentices are regularly bound by indentures.
2.  In old law books, a barrister; a learner of law.
APPREN'TICE, v.t.  To bind to, or put under the care of a master, for the purpose of instruction in the knowledge of a trade or business.


Topic: Apprenticeship
Definition:
APPREN'TICESHIP, n.  
1.  The term for which an apprentice is bound to serve his master.  This term in England is by statute seven years.  In Paris, the term is five years; after which, the person, before he is qualified to exercise the trade as a master, must serve five years as a journeyman; during which term, he is called the companion of his master, and the term is called his companionship.
2.  The service, state or condition of an apprentice; a state in which a person is gaining instruction under a master.


Topic: Apprest
Definition:
APPREST',  [ad and pressed.]
In botany, pressed close; lying near the stem; or applying its upper surface to the stem.


Topic: Apprise
Definition:
APPRI'SE, v.t.  s as z.  [See Apprehend.]
To inform; to give notice, verbal or written; followed by of; as, we will apprise the general of an intended attack; he apprised the commander of what he had done.


Topic: Apprize
Definition:
APPRI'ZE, v.t.  
To value; to set a value, in pursuance of authority.  It is generally used for the act of valuing by men appointed for the purpose, under direction of law, or by agreement of parties; as, to apprize the goods and estate of a deceased person.  The private act of valuing is ordinarily expressed by prize.


Topic: Apprizement
Definition:
APPRI'ZEMENT, n.
1.  The act of setting a value under some authority or appointment; a valuation.
2.  The rate at which a thing is valued; the value fixed, or valuation; as, he purchased the article at the apprizement.


Topic: Apprizer
Definition:
APPRI'ZER, n.  a person appoointed to rate, or set a value on articles.  When apprizers act under the authority of law, they must be sworn.


Topic: Apprizing
Definition:
APPRI'ZING, ppr.  Rating; setting a value under authority.
APPRI'ZING, n.  The act of valuing under authority.


Topic: Approach
Definition:
APPROACH, v.i. [The Latin proximus contains the root, but the word, in the positive degree, is not found in the Latin. It is from a root in class Brg, signifying to drive, move, or press toward.]
1.  To come or go near, in place; to draw near; to advance nearer.
Wherefore approached ye so nigh the city?  2Sam. 11.
2.  To draw near in time.
And so much the more as ye see the day approac.  Heb. 10.
3.  To draw near, in a figurative sense; to advance near to a point aimed at, in science, literature, government, morals, &c.; to approximate; as, he approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.
4.  To draw near in duty, as in prayer or worship.
They take delight in approaching to God.  Isiah. 51.
APPROACH, v.t.  
1.  To come near to; as, Pope approaches Virgil in smoothness of versification.  This use of the word is elliptical, to being omitted, so that the verb can hardly be said to be transitive.  The old use of the word, as 'approach the hand to the handle,' is not legitimate.
2.  To have access carnally.  Lev. 18.
3.  In gardening, to ingraft a sprig or shoot of one tree into another, without cutting it from the parent stock.
APPROACH, n
1.  The act of drawing near; a coming or advancing near; as, he was aprised of the enemy's approach.
2.  Access; as, the approach to kings.
3.  In fortification, not only the advances of an army are called approaches, but the works thrown up by the beseigers, to protect them in their advances towards a fortress.


Topic: Approbate
Definition:
AP'PROBATE, a.  [L. approbatus.]  Approved.
AP'PROBATE, v.t.  [L. approbo, to approve, of ad and probo, to prove or approve.  Approbate is a modern word, but in common use in America.  it differs from approve, denoting not only the act of the mind, but an expression of the act.  See Proof, Approve and Prove.]
To express approbation of; to manifest a liking, or degree of satisfaction; to express approbation officially, as of one's fitness for a public trust.
Mr. Hutchison approbated the choice.


Topic: Approbation
Definition:
APPROBA'TION, n.  [L. approbatio.  See Proof and Prove.]
1.  The act of approving; a liking; that state or disposition of the mind, in which we assent to the propriety of a thing, with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; as, the laws of God require our approbation.
2.  Attestation; support; that is, active approbation, or action in favor of what is approved.
3.  The commendation of a book licensed or permitted to be published by authority, as was formerly the case in England.


Topic: Appropriable
Definition:
APPRO'PRIABLE, a.  [From appropriate.]
That may be appropriated; that may be set apart, sequestered, or assigned exclusively to a particular use.


Topic: Appropriate
Definition:
APPRO'PRIATE, v.t.  [L. ad and proprius, private, peculiar.  See Proper.]
1.  To set apart for, or assign to a particular use, in exclusion of all other uses; as, a spot of ground is appropriated for a garden.
2.  To take to one's self in exclusion of others; to claim or use as by an exclusive right.
Let no man appropriate the use of a common benefit.
3.  To make peculiar; as, to appropriate names to ideas.
4.  To sever an ecclesiastical benefice, and annex it to a spiritual corporation, sole or aggregate, being the patron of the living.
APPRO'PRIATE, a.  
1.  Belonging peculiarly; peculiar; set apart for a particular use or person; as, religious worship is an appropriate duty to the Creator.
2.  Most suitable, fit or proper; as, to use appropriate words in pleading.


Topic: Appropriated
Definition:
APPRO'PRIATED, pp.  Assigned to a particular use; claimed or used exclusively; annexed to an ecclesiastical corporation.


Topic: Appropriating
Definition:
APPRO'PRIATING, ppr.  Assigning to a particular person or use; claiming or using exclusively; severing to the perpetual use of an ecclesiastical corporation.


Topic: Appropriation
Definition:
APPROPRIA'TION, n.
1.  The act of sequestering, or assigning to a particular use or person, in exclusion of all others; application to a special use or purpose; as, of a piece of ground for a park; of a right, to one's self; or of words, to ideas.
2.  In law, the severing or sequestering of a benefice to the perpetual use of a spiritual corporation, sole or aggregate, being the patron of the living.  For this purpose must be obtained the king's license, the consent of the bishop and of the patron.  When the appropriation is thus made, the appropriator and his successors become perpetual parsons of the church, and must sue and be sued in that name.


Topic: Approve
Definition:
APPROVE', v.t.  [L. approbo; of ad and probo, to prove or approve.  See Approbate,  Prove and Proof.]
1.  To like; to be pleased with; to admit the propriety of; as, we approve the measures of administration.  This word may include, with the assent of the mind to the propriety, a commendation to others.
2.  To prove; to show to be true; to justify.
Would'st thou approve thy constancy?  Approve first thy wisdom.
[This sense, though common a century or two ago, is now rare.]
3.  To experience; to prove by trial.  [Not used.  See Prove.]
4.  To make or show to be worthy of approbation; to commend.
Jesus, a man approved of God.  Acts 2.
This word seems to include the idea of Christ's real office as the Messiah, and of God's love and approbation of him in that character.
5.  To like and sustain as right; to commend.
Yet their posterity approve their sayings.  Ps. 49.
This word, when it signifies to be pleased, is often followed by of, in which use, it is intransitive; as, I approve of the measure.  But the tendency of modern usage is to omit of.  'I approve the measure.'
6.  To improve.


Topic: Approved
Definition:
APPROV'ED, pp.  Liked; commended; shown or proved to be worthy of approbation; having the approbation and support of.
Study to show thyself approved to God.  2Tim. 2.
Not he that commendeth himself is approved.  2Cor. 10.


Topic: Approvement
Definition:
APPROVE'MENT, n.
1.  Approbation; liking.
2.  In law, when a person indicated for felony or treason, and arraigned, confesses the fact before plea pleaded, and appeals or accuses his accomplices of the same crime, to obtain his pardon, this confession and accusation are called approvement, and the person an approver.
3.  Improvement of common lands, by inclosing and converting them to the uses of husbandry.


Topic: Approver
Definition:
APPROV'ER, n.  
1.  One who approves.  Formerly one who proves or makes trial.
2.  In law, one who confesses a crime and accuses another.  [See Approvement.]  Also, formerly, one who had the letting of the king's domains in small manors.  In Stat. 1. Edw. 3. C. 8, sheriffs are called approvers.  A bailiff or steward of a manor.


Topic: Approving
Definition:
APPROV'ING, ppr.  Liking; commending; giving or expressing approbation.
APPROV'ING, a.  Yielding approbation; as an approving conscience.


Topic: Approximate
Definition:
APPROX'IMATE, a.  [L. ad and proximus, next.  See approach.]
Nearest to; next; near to.  [This word is superseded by proximate.]
APPROX'IMATE, v.t.  To carry or advance near; to cause to approach.
To approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature.
APPROX'IMATE, v.i.  To come near; to approach.


Topic: Approximation
Definition:
APPROXIMA'TION, n.
1.  Approach; a drawing, moving or advancing near.
2.  In arithmetic and algebra, a continual approach or coming nearer and nearer to a root or other quantity, without being able perhaps ever to arrive at it.
3.  In medicine, communication of disease by contact.
4.  A mode of cure by transplanting a disease into an animal or vegetable by immediate contact.


Topic: Appulse
Definition:
APPULSE, n.  appuls;.  [L. appulsus, of ad and pello, to drive.]
1.  The act of striking against; as in all consonants there is an appulse of he organs.
2.  In astronomy, the approach of any planet to a conjunction with the sun, or a star.
3. Arrival; landing.


Topic: Appurtenance
Definition:
APPUR'TENANCE, n.  so written for appertenance.  See Appertain.]
That which belongs to something else; an adjunct; an appendage.  Appropriately, such buildings, rights and improvements, as belong to land, are called the appurtenances; as small buildings are the appurtenances of a mansion.


Topic: Appurtenant
Definition:
APPUR'TENANT, a.  
1.  Belonging to; pertaining to of right.
2.  In law, common appurtenant is that which is annexed to land, and can be claimed only by prescription or immemorial usage, or a legal presumption of a special grant.


Topic: Apricot
Definition:
A'PRICOT, n. 
A fruit belonging to the genus Prunus, of the plum kind, of an oval figure, and delicious taste.


Topic: Apron
Definition:
A'PRON, n.  
1.  A cloth or piece of leather worn on the forepart of the body, to keep the clothes clean, or defend them from injury.
2.  The fat skin covering the belly of a goose.
3.  In gunnery, a flat piece of lead that covers the vent of a cannon.
4.  In ships, a piece of curved timber, just above the foremost end of the keel.
5.  A platform, or flooring of plank, at the entrance of a dock, on which the dock gates are shut.
6. A piece of lether or other thing to be spread before a person riding in a gig, chaise or sulky, to defend him from rain, snow or dust.


Topic: Apropos
Definition:
AP'ROPOS, adv.  ap'ropo.
1.  Opportunely; seasonably.
2.  By the way; to the purpose; a word used to introduce an incidental observation, suited to the occasion, though not strictly belonging to the narration.


Topic: Apsis
Definition:
AP'SIS, n.  plu apsides.  [Gr. connection, from to connect.]
1.  In astronomy, the apsides are the two points of a planet's orbit, which are at the greatest and least distance from the sun or earth; the most distant point is the aphelion, or apogee; the least distant, the perihelion or perigee.  The line connecting these is called the line of the apsides.
2.  Apsis or absis is the arched roof of a house, room or oven; also the ring or compass of a wheel.
3.  In ecclesiastical writers, an inner part of a church, where the altar was placed, and where the clergy sat, answering to the choir and standing opposite to the nave.  Also, the bishop's seat or throne in ancient churches; called also exedra and tribune.  This same name was given to a reliquary or case in which the relics of saints were kept.


Topic: Apt
Definition:
APT, a.  [L. aptus, from apto, to fit.  Gr. to tie.]
1.  Fit; suitable; as, he used very apt metaphors.
2.  Having a tendency; liable; used of things; as, wheat on moist land is apt to blast or be winter-killed.
3.  Inclined; disposed customarily; used of persons; as, men are too apt to slander others.
4.  Ready; quick; used of the mental powers; as, a pupil apt to learn; an opt wit.
5.  Qualified; fit.
All the men of might, strong and apt for war.  2Kings 24.
APT, v.t.  To fit; to suit or adapt.  Obs.


Topic: Aptitude
Definition:
APT'ITUDE, n.  [of aptus, apt.]
1.  A natural or acquired disposition for a particular purpose, or tendency to a particular action or effect; as, oil has an aptitude to burn; men acquire an aptitude to particular vices.
2.  Fitness; suitableness.
3.  Aptness; readiness in learning; docility.


Topic: Aptly
Definition:
APT'LY, adv.  In an apt or suitable manner; with just correspondence of parts; fitly; properly; justly; pertinently.


Topic: Aptness
Definition:
APT'NESS, n.
1.  Fitness; suitableness; as, the aptness of things to their end.
2.  Disposition of the mind; propensity; as, the aptness of men to follow example.
3.  Quickness of apprehension; readiness in learning; docility; as, an aptness to learn is more observable in some children than in others.
4.  Tendency, in things; as, the aptness of iron to rust.


Topic: Aptote
Definition:
AP'TOTE, n.  [Gr. priv, and case.]
In grammar, a noun which has no variation of termination, or distinction of cases; an indeclinable noun.


Topic: Apyrous
Definition:
AP'YROUS, a.  [Gr. priv. and fire.]
Incombustible, or that sustains a strong heat without alteration of form or properties.
Apyrous bodies differ from those simply refractory.  Refractory bodies cannot be fused by heat, but may be altered.


Topic: Aqua
Definition:
A'QUA, n.  [L. aqua.]
Water; a word much used in pharmacy, and the old chimistry.
Aqua fortis, in the old chimistry, is now called nitric acid.
Aqua marina, a name which jewelers give to the beryl, on account of its color.
Aqua regia, in the old chimistry, is now called nitro-muriatic acid.
Aqua vitae, brandy, or spirit of wine.


Topic: Aquarian
Definition:
AQUA'RIAN, n.  One of a sect of christians, in the primitive church, who consecrated water in the eucharist instead of wine; either under a pretense of abstinence, or because it was unlawful to drink wine.


Topic: Aquarius
Definition:
AQUA'RIUS, n.  [L.]  The water bearer; a sign in the zodiac which the sun enters about the 21st day of January; so called from the rains which prevail at that season, in Italy and the East.  The stars in this constellation according to Ptolenty, are 45; according to Tycho Brahe, 41; according to Hevelius, 45; and according to Flamstead, 108.


Topic: Aquatic
Definition:
AQUAT'IC, a.  [L. aquaticus.  See Aqua.]
Pertaining to water; applied to animals which live in water, as fishes; or to such as frequent it, as aquatic fowls; applied to plants, it denotes such as grown in water.  Aquatical is rarely used.
AQUAT'IC, n.  A plant which grows in water, as the flag.


Topic: Aquatinta
Definition:
AQUATINT'A, n.  [aqua, water.  See tincture.]
A method of etching on copper, by which a beautiful effect is produced, resembling a fine drawing in water colors or Indian ink.  This is performed with a powder of asphalt and fine transparent rosin sifted on the plate, which is a little greased; the loose powder being shaken off, the plate is heated over a chafing dish; and when cool, the light places on the plate are covered with a hair pencil, dipped in turpentine varnish mixed with ivory black.  A rim is then raised with bees wax, and reduced nitrous acid is poured on, and suffered to stand five minutes; then poured off, and the plate dried.  This process with the pencil and the aqua fortis is to be repeated till the darkest shades are produced.


Topic: Aqueduct
Definition:
AQ'UEDUCT, n.  [L. aqua, water, and ductus, a pipe or canal, from duco, to lead.  See Duke.]
A structure made for conveying water from one place to another over uneven ground; either above or under the surface.  It may be either a pipe or a channel.  It may be constructed above ground of stone or wood; carried through hills by piercing them, and over valleys, by a structure supported by props or arches.  some have been formed with three conduits on the same line, elevated one above another.


Topic: Aquila
Definition:
AQ'UILA, n.  [L. whence aquilinus.]
In ornithology, the eagle.  Also a northern constellation containing, according to the British catalogue, 71 stars.


Topic: Aquiline
Definition:
AQ'UILINE, a.  [L. aquilinus.  See aquilla.]
1.  Belonging to the eagle.
2.  Curving; hooked; prominent, like the beak of an eagle.


Topic: Aquitanian
Definition:
AQUITA'NIAN, a.  Pertaining to Aquitania, one of the great divisions of Gaul, which, according to Cesar, lay between the Garonne, the Pyrenees and the Ocean.  In modern days, it has been called Gascony.  The inhabitants, in Cesar's time, spoke a different dialect from that of the proper Celts, between the Garonne and Seine.  This dialect bore an affinity to the Basque, in Biscay, to which they were contiguous; and some remains of it still exist in the Gascon.  Aquitania is the country of the Aqui; from the name of the people, with tan, a Celtic word, signifying region or country.  The Romans, either from their general usage, or from not understanding the Celtic tan, annexed another termination signifying country.  Heb. ai, a settlement or habitation;  Gr. land, country.
A.R. stand for anno regni, the year of the king's reign; as A.R.G.R. 20, in the 20th year of the reign of king George.


Topic: Arabesky
Definition:
ARABESK'Y, a.  [See Arabian.]
1.  In the manner of the Arabians; applied to ornaments consisting of imaginary foliage, stalks, plants, &c., in which there are no figures of animals.
2.  The Arabic language.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Arabic
Definition:
AR'ABIC, a.  Belonging to Arabia, or the language of its inhabitants.
AR'ABIC, n.  The language of the Arabians.


Topic: Arable
Definition:
AR'ABLE, a.  [L. aro, Gr. to plow.]
Fit for plowing or tillage; hence often applied to land which has been plowed.


Topic: Arachnoid
Definition:
ARACH'NOID, a.  [Gr. a spider, and from;  Heb. to weave, that is to stretch, to draw out; Eng. reach.]
In anatomy, the arachnoid tunic, or arachnoid, is a semitransparent thin membrane which is spread over the brain and piamater, and for the most part closely connected with the latter.  The term has also been applied to that capsule of the crystalline lens, which is a continuation of the hyaloid membrane.
ARACH'NOID, n.  A species of madrepore found fossil.


Topic: Arbalist
Definition:
'ARBALIST, n.  [From arcus, a bow, and balista, L., an engine to throw stones;  Gr. to throw.]
A cross-bow.  This consists of a steel bow set in a shaft of wood, furnished with a string and a trigger; and is bent with a piece of iron.  It serves to throw bullets, darts, arrows, &c.


Topic: Arbiter
Definition:
'ARBITER, n.  [L.]
1.  A person appointed, or chosen by parties in controversy, to decide their differences.  This is its sense in the civil law.  In modern usage, arbitrator is the technical word.
2.  In a general sense, now most common, a person who has the power of judging and determining, without control; one whose power of deciding and governing is not limited.
3.  One that commands the destiny, or holds the empire of a nation or state.


Topic: Arbitrament
Definition:
ARBIT'RAMENT, n.
1.  Will; determination.
2.  The award of arbitrators.  In this sense award is more generally used.


Topic: Arbitrary
Definition:
ARBITRARY, a.  [L. arbitrarious.]
1.  Depending on will or discretion; not governed by any fixed rules; as, an arbitrary decision; an arbitrary punishment.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
2.  Despotic; absolute in power; having no external control; as, an arbitrary prince or government.


Topic: Arbitrate
Definition:
'ARBITRATE, v.i.  [L. arbitror.]
To hear and decide, as arbitrators; as, to choose men to arbitrate between us.
'ARBITRATE, v.t.  to decide; to determine; to judge of.


Topic: Arbitration
Definition:
ARBITRA'TION, n.  
1.  The hearing and determination of a cause between parties in controversy, by a person or persons chosen by the parties.  This may be done by one person; but it is usual to choose two or three; or for each party to choose one, and these to name a third, who is called the umpire.  Their determination is called an award.
2.  A hearing before arbitrators, though they make no award.  [This is a common use of the word in the United States.


Topic: Arbitrator
Definition:
'ARBITRATOR, n.  A person chosen by a party, or by the parties who have a controversy, to determine their differences.  The act of the parties in giving power to the arbitrators is called the submission, and this may be verbal or written.  The person chosen as umpire, by two arbitrators, when the parties do not agree, is also called an arbitrator.
2.  An arbiter, governor, or president.
3.  In a more extensive sense, an arbiter; one who has the power of deciding or prescribing without control.


Topic: Arbor
Definition:
'ARBOR, n.  [L. arbor, a tree, and the primary sense.]
1.  A frame of lattice work, covered with vines, branches of trees or other plants, for shade; a bower.
2.  In botany, a tree, as distinguished from a shrub.  The distinction which Linne makes, that a tree springs up with a bud on the stem, and a shrub not, is found not to hold universally; and the tree, in popular understanding, differs from the shrub only in size.  Arbor forms the seventh family of vegetables in Linne's system.  [See Tree.]
3.  In mechanics, the principal part of a machine, sustaining the rest.  Also the axis or spindle of a machine, as of a crane, or windmill.
This in America is called the shaft.


Topic: Arboreous
Definition:
ARBO'REOUS, a.  [L. arborecus, from arbor.]
Belonging to a tree; resembling a tree; constituting a tree; growing on trees, as moss is arboreous.


Topic: Arborescence
Definition:
ARBORES'CENCE, n.  [L. arboresco, to grow to a tree.]
The figure of a tree; the resemblance of a tree in minerals, or crystalizations or groups of crystals in that form.


Topic: Arborescent
Definition:
ARBORES'CENT, a.
1.  Resembling a tree; having the figure of a tree; dendritical.
2.  From herbaceous becoming woody.


Topic: Arborization
Definition:
ARBORIZA'TION, n.  The appearance or figure of a tree or plant in minerals, or fossils.  [See Herborization.]


Topic: Arc
Definition:
'ARC, n.  [L. arcus, a bow, vault or arch; arcuo, to bend;  Gr. beginning, origin; to begin, to be the author or chief.  The Greek word has a different application, but is probably from the same root as arcus, from the sense of springing or stretching, shooting up, rising, which gives the sense of a vault, or bow, as well as of chief or head.  Heb. to weave; to desire, or long for, to ascend.  Gr.; L. fragro; and the sense of arch is from stretching upwards, ascending.  From arc or arch comes the sense of bending, deviating and cunning.]
In geometry, any part of the circumference of a circle, or curved line, lying from one point to another; a segment, or part of a circle, not more than a semicircle.


Topic: Arch
Definition:
'ARCH, n.  [See Arc.]  
1.  A segment or part of a circle.  A concave or hollow structure of stone or brick, supported by its own curve.  It may be constructed of wood, and supported by the mechanism of the work.  This species of structure is much used in bridges.
A vault is properly a board arch.
2.  The space between two piers of a bridge, when arched; or any place covered with an arch.
3.  Any curvature, in form of an arch.
4.  The vault of heaven, or sky.
Triumphal arches are magnificent structures at the entrance of cities, erected to adorn a triumph and perpetuate the memory of the event.
'ARCH, v.t.  To cover with an arch; to form with a curve; as to arch a gate.


Topic: Archangel
Definition:
ARCHAN'GEL, n.
1.  An angel of the highest order; an angel occupying the eighth rank in the celestiai hierarchy.
2.  The name of several plants, as the dead-nettle, or lamium; a species of melittis; and the galeopsis or hedge-nettle.


Topic: Archbishop
Definition:
ARCHBISH'OP, n.  A chief bishop; a church dignitary of the first class; a metropolitan bishop, who superintends the conduct of the suffragan bishops, in his province, and also exercises episcopal authority in his own diocese.


Topic: Archbishopric
Definition:
ARCHBISH'OPRIC, n.  [Archbishop and ric, or rick, territory or jurisdiction.]
The jurisdiction or place of an archbishop; the province over which an archbishop exercises authority.


Topic: Archchamberlain
Definition:
ARCHCHAMBERLAIN, n.  A chief chamberlain; an officer of the German empire, whose office is similar to that of the great chamberlain in England.  This office belongs to the elector of Brandenburg.


Topic: Archchancellor
Definition:
ARCHCH'ANCELLOR, n.  A chief chancellor; an officer in the German empire, who presides over the secretaries of the court.  Under the first races of French kings, when Germany and Italy belonged to them, three archchancellors were appointed; and this institution gave rise to the three archchancellors now subsisting in German, who are the archbishops of Mentz, of Cologne, and of Treves.


Topic: Archcount
Definition:
ARCHCOUNT',  n.  A chief count; a title formerly given to the earl of Flanders, on account of his great riches and power.


Topic: Archdapifer
Definition:
ARCHDAP'IFER, n.  [Arch, chief, and L. dapifer, a food-bearer, from daps, meat or a feast, and fero, to carry.]
An officer in the German empire, whose office is, at the coronation of the emperor, to carry the first dish of meat to table on horseback.


Topic: Archdeacon
Definition:
ARCHDE'ACON, n.  [See Deacon.]
In England, an ecclesiastical dignitary, next in rank below a bishop, who has jurisdiction either over a part or over the whole diocese.  He is usually appointed by the bishop, and has an authority originally derived from the bishop, but now independent of him.  He has a court, the most inferior of ecclesiastical courts, for hearing ecclesiastical causes, and the punishment of offenders by spiritual censures.


Topic: Archdeaconry
Definition:
ARCHDE'ACONRY, n.  The office, jurisdiction or residence of an archdeacon.  In England, every diocese is divided into archdeaconries, of which there are sixty, and each archdeaconry into rural deaneries, and each deanery into parishes.


Topic: Archduke
Definition:
ARCHDU'KE,  [See Duke.]  A title given to princes of the House of Austria; all the sons being archdukes, and the daughters archduchesses.


Topic: Archeology
Definition:
ARCHEOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. ancient, and discourse.]
A discourse an antiquity; learning or knowledge which respects ancient times.


Topic: Archer
Definition:
'ARCHER, n.  [See Arch and Arc.]
A bowman; one who uses a bow in battle; one who is skilled in the use of the bow and arrow.


Topic: Archery
Definition:
'ARCHERY, n.  The use of the bow and arrow; the practice, art or skill of archers; the act of shooting with a bow and arrow.


Topic: Arches-court
Definition:
'ARCHES-COURT, in England, so called from the church of St. Mary le bow (de arcubus,) whose top is raised of stone pillars built archwise, where it was anciently held, is a court of appeal, in the ecclesiastical polity, the judge of which is called the dean of the arches.  This court had jurisdiction over thirteen peculiar parishes in London, belonging to the archbishop of Cantebury; but the office of dean of the arches being united with that of the archbishop's principal office, the dean now receives and determines appeals from the sentence of all inferior courts within the province; and from him lies an appeal to the king in chancery.  This and all the principal spiritual courts are now held at Doctors' Commons.


Topic: Archetype
Definition:
'ARCHETYPE, n.  [Gr. beginning, and form.]
1.  The original pattern or model of a work; or the model from which a thing is made; as, a tree is the archetype or pattern of our idea of that tree.
2.  Among minters, the standard weight, by which others are adjusted.
3.  Among Platonists, the archetypal world is the world as it existed in the idea of God, before the creation.


Topic: Archeus
Definition:
ARCHE'US, n.  [Gr. beginning, or a chief.]
A term used by the ancient chimists, to denote the interal efficient cause of all things; the anima mundi or plastic power of the old philosophers; the power that presides over the animal economy, or the vis medicatrix; the active principle of the material world.  In medicine, good health, or ancient practice.


Topic: Archiepiscopal
Definition:
ARCHIEPIS'COPAL, a.  [See Episcopal.]
Belonging to an archbishop; as, Canterbury is an archiepiscopal see.


Topic: Archil
Definition:
'ARCHIL, n.  A lichen, which grows on rocks, in the Canary and Cape de Verd isles, which yields a rich purple color, not durable, but very beautiful.  It is bruised between stones, and moistened with strong spirit of urine mixed with quick lime.  It first takes a purplish red color, and then turns to blue.  In the first state it is called archil; and in the second, lacmas or litmase, litmus.


Topic: Archilochian
Definition:
ARCHILO'CHIAN, a.  Pertaining to Archilochus, the poet, who invented a verse of seven feet, the first four dactyls or spondees, the last three, trochees.


Topic: Archilute
Definition:
'ARCHILUTE, n.
A large lute, a theorbo, the base-strings of which are doubled with an octave, and the higher strings with a unison.


Topic: Archimandrite
Definition:
ARCHIMAND'RITE, n.  [from mandrite, a Syriac word for monk.]
In church history, a chief of the mandrites or monks, answering to abbot in Europe.


Topic: Archipelago
Definition:
ARCHIPEL'AGO, n.  [Authors are not agreed as to the origin of this word.  Some suppose it to be compounded of Gr. chief, and sea; others of the Egean sea.]
In a general sense, a sea interspersed with many isles; but particularly the sea which separates Europe from Asia, otherwise called the Egean Sea.  It contains the Grecian isles, called Cyclades and Sporades.


Topic: Architect
Definition:
'ARCHITECT, n.  [Gr. chief, and a workman.  See Technical.]
1.  A person skilled in the art of building; one who understands architecture, or makes it his occupation to form plans and designs of buildings, and superintend the artificers employed.
2.  A contriver; a former or maker.


Topic: Architectural
Definition:
ARCHITECT'URAL, a.  Pertaining to the art of building; that is according to the rules of architecture.


Topic: Architecture
Definition:
'ARCHITECTURE, n.  [L. architectura.]
1.  The art of building; but in a more limited and appropriate sense, the art of constructing houses, bridges and other buildings for the purposes of civil life.
2.  Frame or structure.
The earth is a piece of divine architecture.
Military architecture is the art of fortification.
Naval architecture is the art of building ships.


Topic: Architrave
Definition:
'ARCHITRAVE, n.  [Gr. chief, and L. trabs, a beam.]
In architecture, the lower division of an entablature, or that part which rests immediately on the column.  It probably represents the beam which, in ancient buildings, extended from column to column, to support the roof.
In chimneys, the architrave is called the mantle piece; and over doors and windows, the hyperthyrion.


Topic: Archivault
Definition:
'ARCHIVAULT, n.  [arch, chief, and vault.]
In building, the inner contour of an arch, or a band adorned with moldings, running over the faces of the arch-stones, and bearing upon the imposts.  It has only a single face in the Tuscan order; two faces crowned in the Doric and Ionic, and the same moldings, as the architrave, in the Corinthian and Composite.


Topic: Archives
Definition:
'ARCHIVES, n.  plu.  [Gr.; Low L. archivum.]
The apartment in which records are kept; also the records and papers which are preserved, as evidences of facts.


Topic: Archmarshal
Definition:
ARCHMAR'SHAL, n.  The grand marshal of the German empire; a dignity belonging to the elector of Saxony.


Topic: Archon
Definition:
'ARCHON, n.  [Gr. a prince.]
The archons in Greece were chief magistrates chosen, after the death of Codrus, from the most illustrious families, to superintend civil and religious concerns.  They were nine in number; the first was properly the archon; the second was called king; the third, polemarch, or general of the forces.  The other six were called thesmothetae, or legislators.


Topic: Archontics
Definition:
ARCHON'TICS, n.  In church history, a branch of the Valentinians, who held that the world was not created by God, but by angels, archontes.


Topic: Archtreasurer
Definition:
ARCHTREAS'URER, n.  [See Treasure.]
The great treasurer of the German empire; a dignity claimed by the elector of Hanover.


Topic: Arcturus
Definition:
ARCTU'RUS, n.  [Gr. a bear, and tail.]  A fixed star of the first magnitude, in the constellation of Bootes.


Topic: Arcuation
Definition:
ARCUA'TION, n.
1.  The act of bending; incurvation; the state of being bent; curvity; crookedness; great convexity of the thorax.
2.  A method of raising trees by layers; that is, by bending branches to the ground, and covering the small shoots with earth, three inches deep upon the joints; making a basin of earth to hold the water.  When these have taken root, they are removed into a nursery.


Topic: Ard
Definition:
'ARD,  The termination of many English words.  We observe it in Goddard, a divine temper; Giffard, a disposition to give, liberality;  Bernard, flial affection; standard, drunkard, dotard, &c.


Topic: Ardency
Definition:
'ARDENCY, n.  [L. ardens, from ardeo, to burn.]
Warmth of passion or affection; ardor; eagerness; as, the ardency of love or zeal.


Topic: Ardent
Definition:
'ARDENT, a.  
1.  Hot; burning; that causes sensation of burning; as, ardent spirits, that is distilled spirits; an ardent fever.
2.  Having the appearance of quality of fire; fierce; as ardent eyes.
3.  Warm, applied to the passions and affections; passionate; affectionate; much engaged; zealous; as, ardent love or vows; ardent zeal.


Topic: Ardor
Definition:
'ARDOR, n.  [L.]
1.  Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays.
2.  Warmth, or heat, applied to the passions and affections; eagerness; as, he pursues study with ardor; they fought with ardor.
Milton uses the word for person or spirit bright and effulgent, but by an unusual license.


Topic: Arduous
Definition:
ARDUOUS, a.  [L. arduus.]
1.  High, lofty, in a literal sense; as, arduous paths.
2.  Difficult; attended with great labor, like the ascending of acclivities; as, an arduous employment, task, or enterprise.


Topic: Are
Definition:
ARE.  The plural of the substantive verb; but a different word from be, am or was.  It is usually pronounced ar.


Topic: Area
Definition:
A'REA, n.  [L. I suspect this to be contracted from Heb. from a root which signifies to reach, stretch, lay or spread.]
1.  Any plain surface, as the floor of a room, of a church or other building, or of the ground.
2.  The space or site on which a building stands; or of any inclosure.
3.  In geometry, the superficial contents of any figure; the surface included within any given lines; as the area of a square or a triangle.
4.  Among physicians, baldness; an empty space; a bald space produced by alopeey; also a name of the disease.
5.  In mining, a compass of ore allotted to diggers.


Topic: Arena
Definition:
ARE'NA, n.  [L. sand.]  
1.  An open space of ground strewed with sand, on which the gladiators, in ancient Rome, exhibited shows of fighting for the amusement of spectators.  Hence, a place for public exhibition.
2.  Among physicians, sand or gravel in the kidneys.


Topic: Arenaceous
Definition:
ARENA'CEOUS, a.  [from arena, sand.]  
1.  Sandy; having the properties of sand.
2.  Brittle; as arenaceous limestone.


Topic: Arendalite
Definition:
AREN'DALITE, n.  In mineralogy, another name of epidote, or pistacite; epidote being the name given to it by Hauy, and pistacite by Werner.  [See Epidote.]


Topic: Arendator
Definition:
ARENDA'TOR, n.  
In Livonia and other provinces of Russia, a farmer of the farms or rents; one who contracts with the crown for the rents of the farms.  He who rents an estate belonging to the crown, is called Crownarendator.  Arende is a term used both for the estate let to farm, and the sum for which it is rented.


Topic: Arenilitic
Definition:
ARENILIT'IC, a.  [arena, sand, and a stone.]
Pertaining to sand stone; consisting of sand stone; as arenilite mountains.


Topic: Areopagus
Definition:
AREOP'AGUS, n.  [Gr. Mars, and hills.]
A sovereign tribunal at Athens, famous for the justice and impartiality of its decisions.  It was originally held on a hill in the city; but afterward removed to the Royal Portico, an open square, where the judges sat in the open air, inclosed by a cord.  Their sessions were in the night, that they might not be diverted by objects of sight, or influenced by the presence and action of the speakers.  By a law of Solon, no person could be a member of this tribunal, until he had been archon or chief magistrate.  This court took cognizance of high crimes, impiety and immorality, and watched over the laws and the public treasury.


Topic: Areotic
Definition:
AREOT'IC, a.  [Gr. thin.]  Attenuating; making thin, as in liquids; rarefying.
AREOT'IC, n.  A medicine, which attenuates the humors, dissolves viscidity, opens the pores, and increases perspiration; an attenuant.


Topic: Aretology
Definition:
ARETOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. virtue, and discourse.]
That part of moral philosophy which treats of virtue, its nature and the means of attaining to it.  [Little used.]


Topic: Argent
Definition:
'ARGENT, n.  [L. argentum; Gr. silver, from white.]
1.  The white color in coats of arms, intended to represent silver, or purity, innocence, beauty, or gentleness.
2.  a.  Silvery; of a pale white, like silver.
3.  a.  Bright.
Ask of yonder argent fields above.


Topic: Argental
Definition:
ARGENT'AL, a.  Pertaining to silver; consisting of silver; containing silver; combined with silver; applied to the native amalgam of silver, as argental mercury.


Topic: Argentic
Definition:
ARGENT'IC, a.  Pertaining to silver; the argentic acid is a saturated combination of silver and oxygen.  This is yet hypothetical.


Topic: Argentiferous
Definition:
ARGENTIF'EROUS, a.  [L. argentum, silver, and fero, to produce.]  Producing silver; as argentiferous ore.


Topic: Argil
Definition:
'ARGIL, n.  A species of the Ardea, or genus of cranes.
'ARGIL, n.  [L. argilla, white clay, from Gr. white.]
In a general sense, clay, or potter's earth; but in a technical sense, pure clay, or alumine.


Topic: Argilliferous
Definition:
ARGILLIF'EROUS, a.  [L. argilla, clay, and fero, to produce.]  Producing clay; applied to such earths as abound with argil.


Topic: Argillite
Definition:
'ARGILLITE, n.  Argillaceous shist or slate; clay-slate.  Its usual color is bluish, greenish or blackish gray.


Topic: Argillocalcite
Definition:
ARGILLOCAL'CITE, n.  [of argilla, clay, and calx, calcarious earth.]
A species of calcarious earth, with a large proportion of clay.


Topic: Argillomurite
Definition:
ARGILLOMU'RITE, n.  [of argilla, clay, and muria, brine or salt water; magnesia being obtained from sea-salt.]
A species of earth consisting of magnesia, mixed with silex, alumine and lime; a variety of Magnesite.


Topic: Argive
Definition:
'ARGIVE, a.  Designating what belongs to Argos, the capital of Argolis in Greece, whose inhabitants were called Argivi.  This name however is used by the poets for the Greeks in general.


Topic: Argo
Definition:
ARGO, n.  The name of the ship which carried Jason and his fifty-four companions to Colchis, in quest of the golden fleece.


Topic: Argo-navis
Definition:
ARGO-NAVIS,  The ship Argo, is a constellation in the southern hemisphere, whose stars, in the British catalogue, are sixty-four.


Topic: Argolic
Definition:
ARGOL'IC, a.  Belonging to Argolis, a territory or district of Peloponnese, between Arcadia and the Egean sea; as the Argolic Gulf.


Topic: Argonaut
Definition:
ARGONAUT, n.  [of Jason's ship, and a sailor.]
One of the persons who sailed to Colchis with Jason, in the Argo, in quest of the golden fleece.


Topic: Argonauta
Definition:
ARGONAUT'A, n.  [See Argonaut.]
A genus of shell-fish, of the order of vermes testacea.  The shell consists of one spiral involuted valve.  There are several species; one of which is the Argo, with a subdentated carina, the famous nautilus, which, when it sails, extends two of its arms, spreading a membrane, which serves for a sail, and six other arms are thrown out, for rowing or steering.


Topic: Argonautic
Definition:
ARGONAUT'IC, a.  Pertaining to the Argonauts, or to their voyage to Colchis; as the Argonautic story.


Topic: Argonautics
Definition:
ARGONAUT'ICS, n.  A poem on the subject of Jason's voyage, or the expedition of the Argonauts; as, the Argonautics of Orpheus, of V. Flaccus, and of Apollonius Rhodius.


Topic: Argue
Definition:
'ARGUE, v.i.  [L. arguo, to show, argue, accuse or convict.]
1.  To reason; to invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a proposition, opinion or measure; as, A argues in favor of a measure; B argues against it.
2.  To dispute; to reason with; followed by with; as, you may argue with your friend, a week, without convincing him.
'ARGUE, v.t.
1.  To debate or discuss; to treat by reasoning; as, the counsel argued the cause before the supreme court; the cause was well argued.
2.  To prove or evince; to manifest by inference or deduction; or to show reasons for; as, the order visible in the universe argues a divine cause.
3.  To persuade by reasons; as, to argue a man into a different opinion.
4.  Formerly, to accuse or charge with; a Latin sense, now obsolete; as, to argue one of profaneness.


Topic: Arguing
Definition:
'ARGUING, ppr.  Inventing and offering reasons; disputing; discussing; evincing; accusing.
'ARGUING, n.  Reasoning; argumentation.
What doth your arguing reprove?  Job 6.


Topic: Argument
Definition:
'ARGUMENT, n.  [L. argumentum.]
1.  A reason offered for or against a proposition, opinion, or measure; a reason offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; followed by for or against.
2.  In logic, an inference drawn from premises, which are indisputable, or at least of probable truth.
3.  The subject of a discourse or writing.
4.  An abstract or summary of a book, or the heads of the subjects.
5.  A debate or discussion; a series of reasoning; as, an argument was had before the court, in which argument, all the reasons were urged.
6.  In astronomy, an arch by which we seek another unknown arch, proportional to the first.


Topic: Argumentation
Definition:
ARGUMENTA'TION, n.  Reasoning; the act of reasoning; the act of inventing or forming reasons, making inductions, drawing conclusions, and applying them to the case in discussion.  The operation of inferring propositions, not known or admitted as true, from facts or principles known, admitted, or proved to be true.


Topic: Argumentative
Definition:
ARGUMENT'ATIVE, a.  
1.  Consisting of argument; containing a process of reasoning; as an argumentative discourse.
2.  Showing reasons for; as, the adaptation of things to their uses is argumentative of infinite wisdom in the Creator.


Topic: Argus
Definition:
'ARGUS, n.  A fabulous being of antiquity, said to have had a hundred eyes, placed by Juno to guard Io.  The origin of this being may perhaps be found in the Teutonic word arg, crafty, cunning, of which the hundred eyes are symbolical.


Topic: Argus-shell
Definition:
ARGUS-SHELL, n.  A species of porcelain-shell, beautifully variegated with spots, resembling, in some measure, a peacock's tail.


Topic: Arian
Definition:
A'RIAN, a.  Pertaining to Arius, a presbyter of the church of Alexandria, in the fourth century; or to his doctrines.
A'RIAN, n.  One who adheres to the doctrines of Arius, who held Christ to be a created being, inferior to God the father in nature and dignity, though the first and noblest of all created beings; and also that the Holy Spirit is not God, but created by the power of the Son.


Topic: Arid
Definition:
AR'ID, a.  [L. aridus, dry, from areo, to be dry.]
Dry; exhausted of moisture; parched with heat; as an arid waste.


Topic: Aries
Definition:
A'RIES, n. [L. from the Celtic.
The ram, a constellation of fixed stars, drawn on the globe, in the figure of a ram.  It is the first of the twelve signs in the zodiac, which the sun enters about the 21st of March.


Topic: Arietation
Definition:
ARIETA'TION, n.  
1.  The act of battering with the aries or battering ram.
2.  The act of striking or conflicting.  [Rarely used.]


Topic: Arillus
Definition:
ARIL'LUS, n.  The exterior coat or covering of a seed, fixed to it at the base only, investing it wholly or partially, and falling off spontaneously; by some writers called, from the Greek, Calyptra.  It is either succulent, or cartilaginous; colored, elastic, rough or knotted.


Topic: Arioso
Definition:
ARIO'SO, a.  Light; airy.
But according to Rousseau, applied to music, it denotes a kind of melody bordering on the majestic style of a capital air.


Topic: Arise
Definition:
ARI'SE, v.i.  s as z  pret. arose; pp. arisen;  Heb.
1.  To ascend, mount up or move to a higher place; as, vapors arise from humid places.
2.  To emerge from below the horizon; as, the sun or a star arises or rises.
3.  To get out of bed; to leave the place or state of rest; or to leave a sitting or lying posture.
The king arose early and went to the den.  Dan. 6.
4.  To begin; to spring up; to originate.
A persecution arose about Stephen.  Act. 11.
5.  To revive from death; to leave the grave.
Many bodies of saints arose.  Math. 27.
Figuratively, to wake from a state of sin and stupidity; to repent.
Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee life.  
Eph. 5.
6.  To begin to act; to exert power; to move from a state of inaction.
7.  To appear, or become known; to become visible, sensible or operative.
To you shall the sun of righteousness arise.  Math. 4.
8.  To be put in motion; to swell or be agitated; as, the waves arose.
9.  To be excited or provoked; as, the wrath of the king shall arise.
10.  To emerge from poverty, depression or distress.
By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.  Amos 7.
11.  To appear in a particular character; to enter upon an office.
There arose a new king who knew not Joseph.  Ex. 1.
12.  To begin sedition, insurrection, or mutiny; as, the men arose, or rose upon their officers.
13.  To invade, assault or begin hostility; followed by against.
When he arose against me, I caught him by the beard.  
1Sam. 17.
In this sense, the word against really belongs to the verb, and is necessary to give it this meaning.  [See Rise, another form of this verb, which has the same signification, and is more generally used in popular language.]


Topic: Arising
Definition:
ARI'SING, ppr.  Ascending; moving upward; originating or proceeding; getting up; springing up; appearing.


Topic: Arista
Definition:
ARIST'A, n.  [L.]  In botany, awn, the long pointed beard which issues from the husk, or scaly flower cup of the grasses, called the glume.


Topic: Aristocracy
Definition:
ARISTO'CRACY, n.  [Gr. best, and to hold or govern.]
A form of government, in which the whole supreme power is vested in the principal persons of a state; or in a few men distinguished by their rank and opulence.  When the supreme power is exercised by a small number, the government is called an oligarchy.  The latter word however is usually applied to a corrupted form of aristocracy.


Topic: Aristocrat
Definition:
ARIST'OCRAT, n.  One who favors an aristocracy in principle or practice; one who is a friend to an aristocratical form of government.


Topic: Aristotelian
Definition:
ARISTOTE'LIAN, a.  Pertaining to Aristotle, a celebrated philosopher, who was born at Stagyra, in Macedon, about 384 years before Christ.  The Aristotelian philosophy is otherwise called peripatetic.
ARISTOTE'LIAN, n.  A follower of Aristotle, who was a disciple of Plato, and founded the sect of peripatetics.  [See Peripatetic.]


Topic: Aristotelic
Definition:
ARISTOTEL'IC, a.  Pertaining to Aristotle or to his philosophy.
The pernicious effects of the Aristotelic system.


Topic: Arithmancy
Definition:
AR'ITHMANCY, n.  [Gr. number, and divination.]
Divination or the foretelling of future events by the use or observation of numbers.


Topic: Arithmetic
Definition:
ARITH'METIC, n.  [Gr. to number, the art of numbering, from number; from number, rhythm, order, agreement.]
The science of numbers, or the art of computation.  The various operations of arithmetic are performed by addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.


Topic: Ark
Definition:
'ARK, n.  [L. arca.]
1.  A small close vessel, chest or coffer, such as that which was the repository of the tables of the covenant among the Jews.  This was about three feet nine inches in length.  The lid was the propitiatory, or mercy seat, over which were the cherubs.  The vessel in which Moses was set afloat upon the Nile was an ark of bulrushes.
2.  The large floating vessel, in which Noah and his family were preserved, during the deluge.
3.  A depository.
Arise, O Lord, into thy rest, thou and the ark of thy strength.  Ps. 132.
4.  A large boat used on American rivers, to transport produce to market.


Topic: Arkite
Definition:
'ARKITE, n.  A term used by Bryant to denote one of the persons who were preserved in the ark; or who, according to pagan fables, belonged to the ark.
'ARKITE, a.  Belonging to the ark.


Topic: Armada
Definition:
ARMA'DA, n.
A fleet of armed ships; a squadron.  The term is usually applied to the Spanish fleet, called the Invincible Armada, consisting of 130 ships, intended to act against England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, A.D. 1588.


Topic: Armadillo
Definition:
ARMADIL'LO, n.
A quadruped peculiar to America, called also tatoo, and in zoology, the dasypus.  This animal has neither fore-teeth, nor dog-teeth; it is covered with a hard, bony shell, divided into movable belts, except on the forehead, shoulders and haunches, where it is not movable.  The belts are connected by a membrane, which enables the animal to roll itself up like a hedge hog.  These animals burrow in the earth, where they lie during the day time, seldom going abroad except at night.  They are of different sizes; the largest 3 feet in length, without the tail.  They subsist chiefly on fruits and roots; sometimes on insects and flesh.  When attacked, they roll themselves into a ball, presenting their armor on all sides to any assailant; but they are inoffensive, and their flesh is esteemed good food.


Topic: Armament
Definition:
'ARMAMENT, n.  [L. armamenta, utensils, tackle, from arma.]
A body of forces equipped for war; used of a land or naval force.  It is more generally used of a naval force, including ships, men and all the necessary furniture for war.


Topic: Armature
Definition:
'ARMATURE, n.  [L. armatura.]
1.  Armor; that which defends the body.  It comprehends whatever is worn for defense of the body, and has been sometimes used for offensive weapons.  Armature, like arms and armor, is used also of the furniture of animals and vegetables, evidently intended for their protection; as prickles, spines and horns.
2.  In ancient military art, an exercise performed with missive weapons, as darts, spears and arrows.


Topic: Armed
Definition:
'ARMED, pp.  
1.  Furnished with weapons of offense or defense; furnished with the means of security; fortified, in a moral sense.
2.  In heraldry, armed is when the beaks, talons, horns, or teeth of beasts and birds of prey are of a different color from the rest of the body.
3.  Capped and cased as the load stone; that is set in iron.
An armed ship is one which is taken into the service of government for a particular occasion, and armed like a ship of war.


Topic: Armenia
Definition:
ARME'NIA, a.  Pertaining to Armenia, a country and formerly, a kingdom, in Asia, divided into Major and Minor.  The greater Armenia is now called Turcomania.


Topic: Armenian
Definition:
ARME'NIAN, n.  A native of Armenia, or the language of the country.
Armenian bole is a species of clay from Armenia, and found in other countries.  But the term, being of uncertain signification, is rejected in modern mineralogy.  [See Bole.]
Armenian stone, a soft blue stone, consisting of calcarious earth or gypsum, with the oxyd of copper.  It is too soft to give fire with steel, loses its color when heated, and does not admit of a polish.


Topic: Armhole
Definition:
'ARMHOLE, n.  [arm and hole.]  
1.  The cavity under the shoulder, or the armpit.
2.  A hole for the arm in a garment.


Topic: Armigerous
Definition:
ARMIG'EROUS, a.  [L. armiger, arma and gero.]
Literally, bearing arms.  But in present usage, armiger is a title of dignity next in degree to a knight.  In times of chivalry, it signified an attendant on a knight, or other person of rank, who bore his shield and rendered him other military services.  so in antiquity, Abimilech, Saul, &c. had their armor bearers.  Judg. 9.  1Sam. 16.  as had Hector and Achilles.  This title, under the French princes, in England, was exchanged, in common usage, for esquire, L. scutum, a shield.  Armiger is still retained with us as a title of respect, being the Latin word equivalent to esquire, which see.


Topic: Armillary
Definition:
'ARMILLARY, a.  [L. armilla, a bracelet, from armus, the arm.]
Resembling a bracelet, or ring; consisting of rings or circles.  It is chiefly applied to an aritificial sphere, composed of a number of circles of the mundane sphere, put together intheir natural order, to assist in giving a just conception of the constitution of the heavens, and the motions of the celestial bodies.  This aritificial sphere revolves upon its axis within a horizon, divided into degrees, and movable every way upon a brass supporter.


Topic: Arming
Definition:
'ARMING, ppr.  Equipping with arms; providing with the means of defense or attack; also, preparing for resistance in a moral sense.


Topic: Arminian
Definition:
ARMIN'IAN, a.  Pertaining to Arminius, or designating his principles.
ARMIN'IAN, n.  One of a sect or party of Christians, so called from Arminius or Harmansen, of Holland, who flourished at the close of the 16th century, and beginning of the 17th.  The Arminian doctrines are, 
1.  conditional election and reprobation, in opposition to absolute predestination.
2.  Universal redemption, or that the atonement was made by Christ for all mankind, though none but believers can be partakers of the benefit.  
3.  That man,in order to exercise true faith, must be regenerated and renewed by the operation of the Holy Spirit, which is the gift of God; but that this grace is not irresistible and may be lost; so that men may relapse from a state of grace and die in their sins.


Topic: Armistice
Definition:
'ARMISTICE, n.  [L. arma and sisto, to stand still, Gr.]
A cessation of arms, for a short time, by convention; a truce; a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of the parties.


Topic: Armor
Definition:
'ARMOR, n.  [from arm.]
1.  Defensive arms; any habit worn to protect the body in battle; formerly called harness.  A complete armor formerly consisted of a casque or helmet, a gorget, cuirass, gauntlets, tasses, brassets, crushes, and covers for the legs to which the spurs were fastened.
In English statutes, armor is used for the whole apparatus of war; including offensive as well as defensive arms.  The statutes of armor directed what arms every man should provide,  27. Hen. II. and of Westminster.  Hence armor includes all instruments of war.
2.  In a spiritual sense, a good conscience, faith and Christian graces are called armor.  Rom. 13. Eph. 6.  2Cor. 6.
Coat-armor is the escutcheon of a person or family, with its several charges and other furniture, as mantling, crest, supporters, motto, &c.


Topic: Armorer
Definition:
'ARMORER, n.  A maker of armor or arms; a manufacturer of instruments of war.  The armorer of a ship has the charge of the arms, to see that they are in a condition fit for service.


Topic: Armory
Definition:
'ARMORY, n.
1.  A place where arms, and instruments of war are deposited for safe keeping.
2.  Armor; defensive arms.
3.  Ensigns armorial.
4.  The knowledge of coat-armor; skill in heraldry.


Topic: Arms
Definition:
'ARMS, n.  plu.  [L. arma.]
1.  Weapons of offense, or armor for defense and protection of the body.
2.  War; hostility.
Arms and the man I sing.
To be in arms, to be in a state of hostility, or in a military life.
To arms is a phrase which denotes a taking arms for war or hostility; particularly, a summoning to war.
To take arms, is to arm for attack or defense.
Bred to arms denotes that a person has been educated to the profession of a soldier.
3.  The ensigns armorial of a family; consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, &c., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.
4.  In law, arms are any thing which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another.
5.  In botany, one of the seven species of fulcra or props of plants, enumerated by Linne and others.  The different species of arms or armor, are prickles, thorns, forks and stings, which seem intended to protect the plants from injury by animals.
Sire arms, are such as may be charged with powder, as cannon, muskets, mortars, &c.
A stand of arms consists of a musket, bayonet, cartridge-box and belt, with a sword.  But for common soldiers a sword is not necessary.
In falconry, arms are the legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot.


Topic: Army
Definition:
'ARMY, n.  
1.  A collection or body of men armed for war, and organized in companies, battalions, regiments, brigades and divisions, under proper officers.  In general, an army in modern times consists of infantry and cavalry, with artillery; although the union of all is not essential to the constitution of an army.  Among savages, armies are differently formed.
2.  A great number; a vast multitude; as an army of locusts or caterpillars.  Joel 2:25.


Topic: Arnoldist
Definition:
'ARNOLDIST, n.  A disciple of Arnold of Brescia, who in the 12th century, preached against the Romish Church, for which he was banished; but he was afterwards permitted to return.  By his preaching, an insurrection was excited, for which he was condemned and executed.


Topic: Aromatize
Definition:
AR'OMATIZE, v.t.  To impregnate with aroma; to infuse an aromatic odor; to give a spicy scent or taste; to perfume.


Topic: Aroph
Definition:
AR'OPH,  [A contraction of aroma philosophorum.]
1.  A name by which saffron is sometimes called.
2.  A chimical preparation of Paracelsus, formed by sublimation from equal quantities of hematite and sal ammoniac.  The word is also used by the same writer as synonymous with lithontriptic, a solvent for the stone.


Topic: Around
Definition:
AROUND', prep.  [a and round.  See Round.]
1.  About; on all sides; encircling; encompassing; as, a lambent flame around his brows.
2.  In a looser sense, from place to place; at random.
AROUND', adv. 
1.  In a circle; on every side.
2.  In a looser sense, at random; without any fixed direction; as, to travel around from town to town.  [See Round.]


Topic: Aroura
Definition:
AROURA, n.  [Gr.]  A Grecian measure of fifty feet.  Also, a square measure of half the plethron, a measure  not ascertained.  The Egyptian aroura was the square of a hundred feet or a hundred cubits.


Topic: Arouse
Definition:
AROUSE, v.t.  arouz'.  [Heb.]
To excite into action, that which is at rest; to stir, or put in motion or exertion that which is languid; as, to arouse one from sleep; to arouse the dormant faculties.


Topic: Arpent
Definition:
'ARPENT, n.  
In Domesday, it is written arpennus, arpendus, and arpent.  Columella mentions that the arepennis was equal to half the Roman juger.  The word is supposed to be corrupted from arvipendium, or aripennium, the measuring of land with a cord.
A portion of land in France, ordinarily containing one hundred square rods or perches, each of 18 feet.  But the arpent is different in different parts of France.  The arpent of Paris contains 900 square toises.  It is less than the English acre, by about one seventh.


Topic: Arrack
Definition:
ARRACK', n.  Contacted into rack. a spirituous liquor imported from the East Indies.  The name is said to signify, in the East, any spirituous liquor; but that which usually bears this name is toddy, a liquor distilled from the juice of the cocoanut tree, procured by incision.  Some persons allege it to be a spirit distilled from rice or sugar, fermented with the juice of the cocoanut.


Topic: Arragonite
Definition:
AR'RAGONITE, n.  
In mineralogy, a species of carbonate of lime, but not pure, and said to contain 3 or 4 per cent. of carbonate of strontian.  It differs from pure carbonate of lime, in hardness, specific gravity, crystaline structure, &c.  It is harder than calcarious spar, and exhibits several varieties of structure and form.  It is often crystallized, generally in hexahedral prisms or pyramids.  The massive varieties have usually a fibrous structure, exhibiting various imitative forms, being sometimes coraloidal.


Topic: Arraign
Definition:
ARRA'IGN v.t.  arra'ne.  [L. reus, contracted from the root of res.]
1.  To call or set a prisoner at the bar of a court, to answer to the matter charged against him in an indictment or information.  When called, the indictment is read to him, and he is put to plead, guity or not guilty, and to elect by whom he will be tried.
2.  According to Law writers, to set in order; to fit for trial; as, to arraign a writ of novel disscisin.  To arraign the assize, is to cause the tenant to be called to make the plaint, and set the cause in order, that the tenant may be brought to answer.
3.  To accuse; to charge with faults.  More correctly, to call before the bar of reason, or taste; to call in question, for faults before any tribunal.
They will not arraign you for want of knowledge.


Topic: Arraignment
Definition:
ARRA'IGNMENT, n.
1.  The act of arraigning; the act of calling and setting a prisoner before a court to answer to an accusation, and to choose his triers.
2.  Accusation.
3.  A calling in question for faults.


Topic: Arrange
Definition:
ARRANGE, v.t 
1.  To put in proper order; to dispose the parts of a whole in the manner intended, or best suited for the purpose; as troops arranged for battle.
2.  To adjust; to settle; to put in order; to prepare; a popular use of the word of very general application.


Topic: Arrangement
Definition:
ARRANGEMENT, n.
1.  The act of putting in proper order; the state of being put in order; disposition in suitable form.
2.  That which is disposed in order; system of parts disposed in due order.
The interest of that portion of social arrangement is in the hands of all those who compose it.
3.  Preparatory measure; previous disposition; as, we have made arrangements for receiving company.
4.  Final settlement; adjustment by agreement; as, the parties have made an arrangement between themselves concerning their disputes; a popular use of the word.
5.  Classification of facts relating to a subject, in a regular, systematic order; as the Linnean arrangement of plants.


Topic: Arrant
Definition:
AR'RANT, a.  [I know not the origin of this word.]
Notorious, in an ill sense; infamous; mere; vile; as an arrant rogue or coward.


Topic: Array
Definition:
ARRA'Y, n.  
1.  Order; disposition in regular lines; as an army in battle array.  Hence a posture of defense.
2.  Dress; garments disposed in order upon the person.
3.  In law, the act of impaneling a jury; or a jury impaneled; that is, a jury set in order by the sheriff, or called man by man.
Commission of array, in English history, was a commission given by the prince to officers in every county, to muster and array the inhabitants, or see them in a condition for war.
ARRA'Y, v.t.
1.  To place or dispose in order, as troops for battle.
2.  To deck or dress; to adorn with dress; it is applied especially to dress of a splendid kind.
Array thyself with glory.  Job 40.
Pharaoh arrayed Joseph with fine linen.  Gen.41.
3.  To set a jury in order for the trial of a cause; that is, to call them man by man.
4.  To envelop.
In gelid caves with horrid glooms arrayed.


Topic: Arrayed
Definition:
ARRA'YED, pp.  Set in order, or in lines; arranged in order for attack or defense; dressed; adorned by dress; impaneled, as a jury; enveloped.


Topic: Arrayer
Definition:
ARRA'YER, n.  One who arrays.  In English history, an officer who had a commission of array, to put soldiers of a country in a condition for military service.


Topic: Arrear
Definition:
ARRE'AR, adv.  [L. ad and retro.]
Behind; at the hinder part.  In this sense obsolete.  But from this use, we retain the word as a noun in the phrase, in arrear, to signify behind in payment.
ARRE'AR, n.  That which is behind in payment, or which remains unpaid, though due.  It is generally used in the plural, as the arrears of rent, wages and taxes; and supposes a part of the money already paid.


Topic: Arrearage
Definition:
ARRE'ARAGE, n.
Arrears; any sum of money remaining unpaid, after previous payment of a part.  A person may be in arrear for the whole amount of a debt; but arrears and arrearage imply that apart has been paid.


Topic: Arrentation
Definition:
ARRENTA'TION, n.  [See Rent.]
In the forest laws of England, a licensing the owner of land in a forest, to inclose it with a small ditch and low hedge, in consideration of a yearly rent.


Topic: Arreptitious
Definition:
ARREPTI'TIOUS, a.  [L. arreptus, of ad and rapio, to snatch.  See Rapacious.]
1.  Snatched away.
2.  Crept in privily.


Topic: Arrest
Definition:
ARREST', v.t.  [L. resto, to stop;  Eng. to rest.  See Rest.]
1.  To obstruct; to stop; to check or hinder motion; as, to arrest the current of a river; to arrest the senses.
2.  To take, seize or apprehend by virtue of a warrant from authority; as, to arrest one for debt or for a crime.
3.  To seize and fix; as, to arrest the eyes or attention.
The appearance of such a person in the world, and at such a period, ought to arrest the consideration of every thinking mind.
ARREST', n.  
1.  The taking or apprehending of a person by virtue of a warrant from authority.  An arrest is made by seizing or touching the body.
2.  Any seizure, or taking by power, physical or moral.
3.  A stop, hindrance or restraint.
4.  In law, an arrest of judgment is the staying or stopping of a judgment after verdict, for causes assigned.  Courts have power to arrest judgment for intrinsic causes appearing upon the face of the record; as when the declaration varies from the original writ; when the verdict differs materially from the pleadings; or when the case laid in the declaration is not sufficient in point of law, to found an action upon.  The motion for this purpose is called a motion in arrest of judgment.
5.  A mangy humor between the ham and pastern of the hind legs of a horse.


Topic: Arrestment
Definition:
ARREST'MENT, n.  
The order of a judge by which a debtor to the arrestor's debtor is prohibited to make payment, till the debt due to the arrestor is paid or secured.


Topic: Arret
Definition:
ARRET', n.  arreste'.
The decision of a court tribunal or council; a decree published; the edict of a soverign prince.

ARRET', v.t.  To assign; to allot.  Obs.


Topic: Arriere
Definition:
ARRIE'RE, n.  The last body of an army; now called rear, which see.
Arriere-ban, or ban and arriere ban.  This phrase is defined to be a general proclamation of the French kings, by which not only their immediate feudatories, but their vassals, were summoned to take the field for war.  In this case, arriere is the French word signifying those who are last or behind, and ban is proclamation.  [See Ban.]
Arriere-fee or fief.  A fee or fief dependent or a superior fee, or a fee held of a feudatory.
Arriere vassal.  The vassal of a vassal.


Topic: Arrival
Definition:
ARRI'VAL, n.
1.  The coming to, or reaching a place, from a distance, whether by water, as in its original sense, or by land.
2.  The attainment or gaining of any object, by effort, agreement, practice or study.


Topic: Arrive
Definition:
ARRI'VE, v.i.  [L. ripa.]
1.  Literally, to come to the shore, or bank.  Hence to come to or reach in progress by water, followed by at.  We arrived at Havre De Grace, July 10, 1924.  N.W.
2.  To come to or reach by traveling on land; as, the post arrives at 7 o'clock.
3.  To reach a point by progressive motion; to gain or compass by effort, practice, study, enquiry, reasoning or experiment; as, to arrive at an unusual degree of excellence or wickedness; to arrive at a conclusion.
4.  To happen or occur.
He to whom this glorious death arrives.
ARRI'VE, v.t.  To reach.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Arroba
Definition:
ARRO'BA, n.  A weight in Portugal of thirty two pounds; in Spain, of twenty five pounds.  Also a Spanish measure of thirty two  Spanish pints.


Topic: Arrogance
Definition:
AR'ROGANCE, n.  [L. arrogantia, from arrogo, to claim; of ad and rogo, to beg, or desire.  See Arrogate.]
The act or quality of taking much upon one's self; that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; conceitedness; presumption.
I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease.  Is. 13.  1Sam. 2.  Pov. 8.


Topic: Arrogant
Definition:
AR'ROGANT, a.
1.  Assuming; making or having the disposition to make exorbitant claims of rank or estimation; giving one's self an undue degree of importance; haughty; conceited; applied to persons.
2.  Containing arrogance; marked with arrogance; proceeding from undue claims of self importance; applied to things; as arrogant pretensions or behavior.


Topic: Arrogate
Definition:
AR'ROGATE, v.t.  [L. arrogo, of ad and rogo.]
To assume, demand or challenge more than is proper; to make undue claims, from vanity or false pretensions to right or merit; as, the Pope arrogated dominion over kings.


Topic: Arrogation
Definition:
ARROGA'TION, n.  The act of arrogating, or making exorbitant claims; the act of taking more than one is justly entitled to.


Topic: Arrondisment
Definition:
ARROND'ISMENT, n.  
A circuit; a district; a division or portion of territory, in France, for the exercise of a particular jurisdiction.


Topic: Arrow
Definition:
AR'ROW, n.
1.  A missive weapon of offense, straight, slender, pointed and barbed, to be shot with a bow.
2.  In scripture, the arrows of God are the apprehensions of his wrath, which pierce and pain the conscience.  Job 6.  Ps. 38.  In a like figurative manner, arrows represent the judgments of God, as thunder, lightning, tempests and famine.  2Sam. 22.  
Ez. 5.  Hab. 3.  The word is used also for slanderous words and malicious purposes of evil men.  Ps. 11.  Prov. 25.  Jer. 9.  Ps. 64.


Topic: Arrow-head
Definition:
AR'ROW-HEAD, n. 
1.  The head of an arrow.
2.  Sagittaria; a genus of aquatic plants, so called from the resemblance of the leaves to the point of an arrow.


Topic: Arrow-root
Definition:
AR'ROW-ROOT, n.  
1.  The Maranta; a genus of plants, natives of the Indies.  The Indians are said to employ the roots of the arundinacea, in extracting the virus of poisoned arrows; whence the name.  There are several species.  From the root of the arundinacea, or starch-plant, is obtained the arrow-root of the shops.
2.  The starch of the maranta, or arrow-root, a nutritive medicinal food.


Topic: Arse
Definition:
'ARSE, n.  'ars.  The buttocks or hind part of an animal.
To hang an arse, is to lag behind; to be sluggish, or tardy.


Topic: Arsenal
Definition:
'ARSENAL, n.  [L. arx navalis, a naval citadel or repository.]
A repository or magazine of arms and military stores, whether for land or naval service.


Topic: Arseniac
Definition:
ARSE'NIAC or ARSEN'ICAL ACID.  Arsenic combined with a greater proportion of oxygen, than in the arsenious acid.  It is called arsenic acid by most authors.


Topic: Arseniate
Definition:
ARSE'NIATE, n.  A neutral salt, formed by arsenical acid combined with any metallic, earthy or saline base.


Topic: Arsenic
Definition:
'ARSENIC, n.  [Gr.'L. arsenicum.]
Arsenic, as it is usually seen in the shops, is not a metal, but an oxyd, from which the metal may be easily obtained by mixing it with half its weight of black flux, and introducing the mixture into a Florence flask, gradually raised to a red heat, in a sand bath.  A brilliant metallic sublimate of pure arsenic collects in the upper part of the flask.  Arsenic is of a steel blue color, quite brittle, and the metal with all its compounds, is a virulent poison, vulgarly called rats-bane.  It forms alloys with most of the metals.  Combined with sulphur it forms orpiment or realgar, which are the yellow and red sulphurets of arsenic.  Orpiment is the true arsenicum of the ancients.  Plin. 34, 18.  native orpiment appears in yellow, brilliant, and seemingly talcky masses of various sizes; realgar is red, of different shades, and often crystallized in needles.  Arsenic is also found as a mineralizer in cobalt, antimony, copper, iron and silver ores.  It is brought chiefly from the cobalt works in Saxony, where zaffer is made.


Topic: Arsenious
Definition:
ARSE'NIOUS, a.  Pertaining to, or containing arsenic.  The arsenious acid, or white oxyd of arsenic, is a combination of arsenic with a less proportion of oxygen than in the arseniac acid.


Topic: Arshine
Definition:
'ARSHINE, n.  a russian measure of two feet, four inches and 242 decimals.  This seems to be the Chinese arschin, of which four make three yards English.


Topic: Arson
Definition:
'ARSON, n.  'arsn.
In law, the malicious burning of a dwelling house or outhouse of another man, which by the common law is felony.  The definition of this crime is varied by statutes in different countries and states.  In Connecticut, the burning not only of a dwelling house or contiguous building, but of a ship or other vessel, is declared to be arson, if human life is thereby destroyed or put to hazard.


Topic: Artemisia
Definition:
ARTEMIS'IA, n.  Mug-wort, southernwood, and wormwood; a genus of plats of numerous species.  Of these, the absinthium or common wormwood is well known.


Topic: Arterial
Definition:
ARTE'RIAL, a.  [See Artery.]
1.  Pertaining to an artery or the arteries; as arterial action.
2.  Contained in an artery; as arterial blood.


Topic: Arteriotomy
Definition:
ARTERIOT'OMY, n.  [Gr. an artery, and a cutting.]
The opening of an artery by the lancet, for the purpose of letting blood.


Topic: Artery
Definition:
'ARTERY, n.  [Gr. from air and to preserve or contain; so called, from the opinion of the ancients, that the arteries contained or circulated air.  The term was also applied to the trachea or wind pipe, anteria aspera.
A cylindrical vessel or tube, which conveys the blood from the heart to all parts of the body.  There are two principal arteries; the aorta, which rises from the left ventricle and ramifies through the whole body; and the pulmonary artery, which conveys the blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, to undergo respiration.  An artery is composed of three coats; the outer consists of condensed cellular membrane, and is supplied with numerous blood vessels and nerves; the middle coat consists of circular fibers, generally supposed to be muscular; the inner coat, thin, smooth, and dense, confines the blood within its canal, and facilitates its motion.


Topic: Artful
Definition:
ARTFUL, a.  [See Art.
1.  Performed with art or skill.
2.  Artificial, as opposed to natural
3.  Cunning; practicing art, or stratagem; crafty; as an artful boy.  [This is the most usual sense.]
4.  Proceeding from art or craft; as an artful scheme.


Topic: Arthritis
Definition:
ARTHRIT'IS, n.  [Gr.  from a joint.  It seems to be of the same family as artus, a limb.]
In a general sense, any painful disease of the joints; but more particularly, the gout, an hereditary, intermitting disease, usually affecting the small joints; sometimes the stomach.


Topic: Arthrodia
Definition:
ARTHRO'DIA, n.  [Gr. from to frame or articulate.]
1.  A species of articulation, in which the head of one bone is received into the shallow socket of another; as the humerus and the scapula.
2.  In natural history, a genus of imperfect crystals, found in complex masses, and forming long single pyramids, with very short and slender columns.


Topic: Artichoke
Definition:
'ARTICHOKE, n.  [Gr.; L. carduus, chard, thistle, corrupted.]
A plant somewhat resembling a thistle, with a dilated, imbricated and prickly calyx.  The head is large, rough and scaly, on an upright stalk.  It is composed of numerous, oval scales, inclosing the florets, sitting on a broad receptacle, which, with the fleshy base of the scales, is the eatable part of the plant.
The Jerusalem artichoke is a species of sunflower or helianthus.


Topic: Article
Definition:
'ARTICLE, n.  [L. articulus, a joint, from artus;  Gr.]
1.  A single clause in a contract, account system of regulations, treaty, or other writing; a particular separate charge or item, in an account; a term, condition, or stipulation, in a contract.  In short, a distinct part of a writing, instrument or discourse, consisting of two or more particulars; as, articles of agreement; an account consisting of many articles.
2.  A point of faith; a doctrinal point or proposition in theology; as the thirty-nine articles.
3.  A distinct part.
Upon each article of human duty.
4.  A particular commodity, or substance; as, an article of merchandise; salt is a necessary article.  In common usage, this word is applied to almost every separate substance or material.
The articles which compose the blood.
5.  A point of time.  [Not in use.]
6.  In botany, that part of a stalk or stem, which is between two joints.
7.  In grammar, an adjective used before nouns, to limit or define their application; as hic, ille, ipse, in Latin; in Greek; the, this, that, in English.  The primary use of these adjectives was to convert an indeterminate name into a determinate one; or to limit the application of a common name, to a specific, known, or certain individual.  But article being an improper term to express the true signification, I make use of definitive, which see.
'ARTICLE, v.t.
1.  To draw up in distinct particulars; as, to article the errors or follies of a man.
2.  To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.  'He shall be articled against in the High Court of admiralty.'  Stat. 33.  George III.
3.  To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to article an apprentice to a mechanic.
'ARTICLE, v.i.  [supra.]  To agree by articles; to stipulate.


Topic: Articulate
Definition:
ARTIC'ULATE, a.  [L. articulatus, jointed, distinct.]
1.  Formed by jointing or articulation of the organs of speech; applied to sound.  An articulate sound is made by closing and opening the organs of  speech.  The junction or closing of the organs forms a joint or articulation, as in the syllables ab, ad, ap; in passing from one articulation to another, the organs are, or may be opened, and a vowel is uttered, as in attune; and the different articulations, with the intervening vocal sounds, from what is called articulate sounds; sounds distinct, separate, and modified by articulation or jointing.  This articulation constitutes the prominent difference between the human voice and that of brutes.  Brutes open the mouth and make vocal sounds, but have either not at all, or very imperfectly, the power of articulation.
2.  Expressed in articles, or in separate particulars.  [Not used.]
3.  Jointed; formed with joints.
ARTIC'ULATE, v.t. 
1.  To utter articulate sounds; to utter distinct syllables or words.
2.  To draw up or write in separate particulars.  [Not used.]
3.  To treat, stipulate or make terms.  [Not used.]
4.  To joint.


Topic: Articulated
Definition:
ARTIC'ULATED, pp.
1.  Uttered distinctly in syllables or words.
2.  Jointed; having joints, as a plant.


Topic: Articulately
Definition:
ARTIC'ULATELY, adv.  
1.  With distinct utterance of syllables or words.
2.  Article by article; in detail.


Topic: Articulation
Definition:
ARTICULA'TION, n.  
1.  In anatomy, the joining or juncture of the bones.  This is of three kinds: 1st, diarthrosis, or a movable connection, including enarthrosis, or the ball and socket joint; arthrodia, which is the same, but more superficial; ginglymus, or hinge-like joint; and trochoid, or the wheel and axle:  2d, synarthrosis, immovable connection, as by suture, or junction by serrated margins; harmony, or union by straight margins; and gomphosis, like a nail driven in a board, as the teeth in their sockets:  3d, symphysis, or union by means of another substance; as synchondrosis, union by a cartilage; syssarcosis, union by muscular fibres; synneurosis, union by a tendon; syndesmosis, union by ligaments; and synostosis, union by a bony substance.
2.  In botany, the connection of the parts of a plant by joints; also the nodes or joints, as in cane and maize.
3.  The forming of words; a distinct utterance of syllables and words by the human voice, by means of closing and opening the organs.
4.  A consonant; a letter noting a jointing or closing of the organs.


Topic: Artifice
Definition:
'ARTIFICE, n.  [L. artificium, from ars, art, and facio, to make.]
1.  Stratagem; an artful or ingenious device, in a good or bad sense.  In a bad sense, it corresponds with trick, or fraud.
2.  Art; trade; skill acquired by science or practice.  [Rarely used.]


Topic: Artificer
Definition:
ARTIF'ICER, n.  [L. artifex, from ars, and facio.]
1.  An artist; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind; as a silversmith, or sadler.
2.  One who makes or contrives; an inventor; as an artificer of fraud or lies.
3.  A cunning, or artful fellow.  [not used.]


Topic: Artificial
Definition:
ARTIFI'CIAL, a.
1.  Made or contrived by art, or by human skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as artificial heat or light; an artificial magnet.
2.  Feigned, fictitious; not genuine or natural; as artificial tears.
3.  Contrived with skill or art.
4.  Cultivated; not indigenous; not being of spontaneous growth; as artificial grasses.
Artificial arguments, in rhetoric, are arguments invented by the speaker, in distinction from laws, authorities and the like, which are called inartificial arguments of proofs.
Artificial lines, on a sector or scale, are lines so contrived as to represent the logarithmic sines and tangents, which, by the help of the line of numbers, solve, with tolerable exactness, questions in trigonometry, navigation, &c.
Artificial numbers, the same with logarithms.


Topic: Artificially
Definition:
ARTIFI'CIALLY, adv.  By art, or human skill and contrivance; hence, with good contrivance; with art or ingenuity.


Topic: Artillery
Definition:
ARTIL'LERY, n.  This word has no plural.
1.  In a general sense, offensive weapons of war.  Hence it was formerly used for bows and arrows.
And Jonathan gave his artillery to his lad.  1Sam. 20.
But in present usage, appropriately,
2.  Canon; great guns; ordinance, including guns, mortars and grenades, with their furniture of carriages, balls, bombs and shot of all kinds.
3.  In a more extended sense, the word includes powder, cartridges, matches, utensils, machines of all kinds, and horses that belong to a train of artillery.
4.  The men who manage cannon and mortars, including matrosses, gunners, bombardiers, cannoniers, or by whatever name they are called, with the officers, engineers and persons who supply the artillery with implements and materials.


Topic: Artisan
Definition:
'ARTISAN, n.  s as z.  [L. ars.  See Art.]
An artist; one skilled in any art, mystery or trade; a handicrafts-man; a mechanic; a tradesman.


Topic: Artist
Definition:
'ARTIST, n.  [L. ars.  See Art.]
1.  One skilled in an art or trade; one who is master or professor of a manual art; a good workman in any trade.
2.  A skilful man; not a novice.
3.  In an academical sense, a proficient in the faculty of arts; a philosopher.
4.  One skilled in the fine arts; as a painter, sculptor, architect, &c.


Topic: Artless
Definition:
'ARTLESS, a.  
1.  Unskillful; wanting art, knowledge or skill.
2.  Free from guile, art, craft or stratagem; simple; sincere; unaffected; undesigning; as an artless mind.
3.  Contrived without skill or art; as an artless tale.


Topic: Artlessly
Definition:
'ARTLESSLY, adv. 
1.  Without art or skill; in an artless manner.
2.  Without guile; naturally; sincerely; unaffectedly.


Topic: Artotyrite
Definition:
AR'TOTYRITE, n.  [Gr. bread, and cheese.]
One of a sect of heretics, in the primitive church, who celebrated the eucharist with bread and cheese, alleging that the first oblations of men were not only the fruit of the earth, but of their flocks.  They admitted females to the priesthood and episcopacy.


Topic: Arum
Definition:
A'RUM, n.  [L.  See aurate.]  Gold.
Aurum fulminans, fulminating gold, is gold dissolved in aqua-regia or nitro-muriatic acid, and precipitated by volatile alkali.  This precipitate is of a brown yellow, or orange color, and when exposed to a moderate heat, detonizes with considerable noise.  It is a compound of the oxyd of gold and ammonia.
Aurum mosaicum, or musivum, a sparkling gold-colored substance, from an amalgam of quick-silver and tin, mixed with sulphur and sal ammoniac, set to sublime.  The mercury and part of the sulphur unite into a cinnabar, which sublimes with the salammoniac, and leaves the aurum mosaicum at the bottom.  It is a sulphuret of tin, and is used as a pigment.


Topic: Arundelian
Definition:
ARUNDE'LIAN, a.  Pertaining to Arundel, as Arundelian marbles.  The Arundelian marbles are ancient stones, containing a chronological detail of the principal events of Greece, from Cecrops, who lived about 1582 years before Christ, to the archonship of Diognetus, before Christ 264.  The engraving was done in Paros, and the chronology is called the Parian Chronicle.  These stones are called arundelian from the Earl of Arundel, who employed William Petty to procure relics of antiquity in the East in 1624.  These, with other curiosities, were purchased, and by the Earl's grandson presented to the University of Oxford.  Their antiquity and even their authenticity has been questioned.


Topic: Arura
Definition:
ARU'RA, n.  [Gr.]  Literally, as authors suppose, a plowed field.  According to Herodotus, and Suidas, the arura of Egypt, was a piece of ground fifty feet square.  Others make it a square of 100 cubits; others of 100 feet.  The Grecian aroura was a square measure of half the plethron.  [See Aroura.]


Topic: Aruspice
Definition:
ARUS'PICE, n.  Written also haruspice.  [L. aruspex, or haruspex, a soothsayer, or diviner, who attempted to foretell events by consulting the entrails of beasts slain in sacrifice.]
A priest, in ancient Rome, whose business was to inspect the entrails of victims, killed in sacrifice, and by them to foretell future events.


Topic: Aruspicy
Definition:
ARUS'PICY, n.  The act of prognosticating by inspection of the entrails of beasts, slain in sacrifice.


Topic: As
Definition:
AS, adv. az.  [Gr.  But more probably the English word is contracted from als.]
1.  Literally, like; even; similar.  'Ye shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.'  'As far as we can see,' that is, like far, equally far.  Hence it may be explained by in like manner; as, do as you are commanded.
2.  It was formerly used where we now use that.  Obs.
The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination.
3.  It was formerly used where we now use that.  Obs.
He lies, as he his bliss did know.
4.  While; during; at the same time.  'He trembled as he spoke.'  But in most of its uses, it is resolvable into like, equal, even, or equally, in like manner.  In some phrases, it must be considered a nominative word, or other words must be supplied.  'Appoint to office such men as deserve public confidence.'  This phrase may be elliptical for 'such men as those who deserve public confidence.'
As seems, in some cases, to imply the sense of proportion.  'In general, men are more happy, as they are less involved in public concerns.'
As, in a subsequent part of a sentence, answers to such; give us such things as you please; and in a preceding part of a sentence, has so to answer to it; as with the people, so with the priest.
AS, n.  [L.]
1.  A Roman weight of 12 ounces, answering to the libra or pound.
2.  A Roman coin, originally of a pound weight; but reduced, after the first Punic war, to two ounces; in the second Punic war, to one ounce; and by the Papirian law, to half an ounce.  It was originally stamped with the figure of a sheep, sow, or ox; and afterwards with a Janus, on one side, and on the reverse, a rostrum or prow of a ship.
3.  An integer; a whole or single thing.  Hence the English ace.  Hence the Romans used the word for the whole inheritance; haeres ex asse, an heir to the whole estate.


Topic: Asa-fetida
Definition:
ASA-FET'IDA, n.  [Asa, gum, and L. fatidus, fetid.]
A fetid gum-resin, from the East Indies.  It is the concrete juice of a large unbelliferous plant, much used in Medicine, as an antispasmodic.


Topic: Asbestine
Definition:
ASBES'TINE, a.  [See Asbestus.]
Pertaining to asbestus, or partaking of its nature and qualities; incombustible.


Topic: Asbestinite
Definition:
ASBES'TINITE, n.  [See Asbestus.]  The actinolite or strahlstein.
Calciferous abestinite; a variety of steatite.


Topic: Asbestos
Definition:
ASBES'TOS, n.  [Gr. inextinguishable; of neg. to extinguish.]
A mineral, which has frequently the appearance of a vegetable substance.  It is always fibrous, and its fibers sometimes appear to be prismatic crystals.  They are sometimes delicate, flexible, and elastic; at other times, stiff and brittle.  Its powder is soft to the touch; its colors are some shade of white, gray or green, passing into brown, red or black.  It is incombustible, and has been wrought into a soft, flexible cloth, which was formerly used as a shroud for dead bodies.  It has been also manufactured into incombustible paper, and wicks for lamps.
Ligniform asbestus is a variety of a brown color, of a splintery fracture, and if broken across, presents an irregular filamentous structure, like wood.


Topic: Ascend
Definition:
ASCEND', v.i.  [L. ascendo, from scando, to mount or climb.]
1.  To move upwards; to mount; to go up; to rise, whether in air or water, or upon a material object.
2.  To rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects, from particulars to generals, &c.
3.  To proceed from modern to ancient times; to recur to former ages; as, our inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity.
4.  In a corresponding sense, to proceed in a line towards ancestors; as, to ascend to our first progenitors.
5.  To rise as a star; to proceed or come above the horizon.
6.  In music, to rise in vocal utterance; to pass from any note to one more acute.
ASCEND', v.t.  To go or move upwards upon, as to ascend a hill or ladder; or to climb, as to ascend a tree.


Topic: Ascendant
Definition:
ASCEND'ANT, n.  
1.  Superiority or commanding influence; as, one man has the ascendant over another.
2.  An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy, or degrees of kindred; opposed to descendant.
3.  Height; elevation.  [Little used.]
4.  In astrology, that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the time of one's birth.  That part of the ecliptic at any particular time above the horizon, supposed to have influence on a person's life and fortune.
ASCEND'ANT, a.  
1.  Superior; predominant; surpassing.
2.  In astrology, above the horizon.


Topic: Ascendency
Definition:
ASCEND'ENCY, n.  Power; governing or controlling influence.
Custom has an ascendency over the understanding.


Topic: Ascending
Definition:
ASCEND'ING, ppr.  Rising; moving upwards; proceeding from the less to the greater; proceeding from modern to ancient, from grave to more acute.  A star is said to be ascending, when rising above the horizon, in any parallel of the equator.
Ascending latitude is the latitude of a planet, when moving towards the North pole.
Ascending node is that point of a planet's orbit, wherein it passes the ecliptic to proceed northward.  It is also called the northern node.
Ascending vessels, in anatomy, are those which carry the blood upward or toward the superior parts of the body.


Topic: Ascension
Definition:
ASCEN'SION, n.  [L. ascensio.]
1.  The act of ascending; a rising.  It is frequently applied to the visible elevation of our Savior to Heaven.
2.  The thing rising, or ascending.  [not authorized.]
3.  In astronomy, ascension is either right or oblique.  Right ascension of the sun or of a star, is that degree of the equinoctial, counted from the beginning of Aries, which rises with the sun or star, in a right sphere.  Oblique ascension is an arch of the equator, intercepted between the first point of Aries, and that point of the equator which rises together with a star, in an oblique sphere.


Topic: Ascension-day
Definition:
ASCENSION-DAY, n.  A festival of some christian churches, held ten days or on the Thursday but one, before Whitsuntide, which is called Holy Thursday, in commemoration of our Savior's ascension into heaven, after his resurrection.
Ascensional difference is the difference between the right and oblique ascension of the same point on the surface of the sphere.


Topic: Ascent
Definition:
ASCENT', n.  [L. ascensus.]
1.  The act of rising; motion upwards, whether in air, water or other fluid, or on elevated objects; rise; a mounting upwards; as the ascent of vapors from the earth.
2.  The way by which one ascends; the means of ascending.
3.  An eminence, hill or high place.
4.  The degree of elevation of an object, or the angle it makes with a horizontal line; as, a road has an ascent of five degrees.
5.  Acclivity; the rise of a hill; as a steep ascent.


Topic: Ascertain
Definition:
ASCERTA'IN, v.t.  [L. ad certum, to a certainty.]
1.  To make certain; to define or reduce to precision by moving obscurity or ambiguity.
The divine law ascertains the truth.
2.  To make certain, by trial, examination or experiment, so as to know what was before unknown; as, to ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a metal.
3.  To make sure by previous measures.
The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority in the house of lords, persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
4.  To make certain or confident, followed by a pronoun; as, to ascertain us of the goodness of our work.  [unusual.]
5.  To fix; to establish with certainty; to render invariable, and not subject to will.
The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained the rule and measure of taxation.


Topic: Ascertainable
Definition:
ASCERTA'INABLE, a.  That may be made certain in fact, or certain to the mind; that may be certainly known or reduced to a certainty.


Topic: Ascertaining
Definition:
ASCERTA'INING, ppr.  Making certain; fixing; establishing; reducing to a certainty; obtaining certain knowledge.


Topic: Ascetic
Definition:
ASCET'IC, a.  [Gr. exercised, hardened; from to exercise.
Retired from the world; rigid; severe; austere; employed in devotions and mortifications. 
ASCET'IC, n.  
1.  One who retires from the customary business of life, and devotes himself to the duties of piety and devotion; a hermit; a recluse.
2.  The title of certain books, on devout exercises; as the ascetics of St. Basil.


Topic: Ascian
Definition:
AS'CIAN, n.  [L. ascii, from Gr. priv. and a shadow.]
A person, who, at certain times of the year, has no shadow at noon.  Such are the inhabitants of the torrid zone, who have, at times, a vertical sun.


Topic: Ascitans
Definition:
AS'CITANS, n.  [Gr. a bag or bottle of skin.]
A sect or branch of Montanists, who appeared in the second century.  They introduced into their assemblies, certain bacchanals, who danced around a bag or skin distended with air, in allusion to the bottles filled with new wine.  Math. 9.


Topic: Ascites
Definition:
AS'CITES, n.  [Gr. a bladder.]
A dropsy or tense elastic swelling of the belly, with fluctuation, from a collection of water.


Topic: Ascititious
Definition:
ASCITI'TIOUS, a.  [L. ascitus;  Low L. ascititius, from ascisco, to take to or associate.]
Additional; added; supplemental; not inherent or original.
Homer has been reckoned on ascititious name.


Topic: Asclepiad
Definition:
ASCLE'PIAD, n.  In ancient poetry, a verse of four feet, the first of which is a spondee, the second a choriamb, and the last two, dactyls; or of four feet and a cesura, the first, a spondee, the second, a dactyl, then the cesura, followed by two dactyls.


Topic: Ascribe
Definition:
ASCRI'BE, v.t.  [L. ascribo, of ad and scribo, to write.]
1.  To attribute, impute, or set to, as to a cause; to assign, as effect to a cause; as, losses are often to be ascribed to imprudence.
2.  To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to consider or allege to belong; as, to ascribe perfection to God, or imperfection to man.  Job 36.  Ps. 68.  1Sam. 18.


Topic: Ascriptitious
Definition:
ASCRIPTI'TIOUS, a.  That is ascribed.  This word is applied to villains under the feudal system, who are annexed to the freehold and transferable with it.


Topic: Ash
Definition:
ASH, n. 
1.  A well known tree, of which there are many species.  There is no hermaphrodite calyx, or it is quadripartite; and no corol, or it is tetrapetalous.  There are two stamens; one pistil; one seed, contained in a membranous, lanceolate capsule, and the pistil of the female flower is lanceolate.  The leaves are pinnate, and the capsules grow in cluster.  This wood is valuable, for fuel, as well as for timber; and the tree, when it grows in an open field, often forms, with its branches, a beautiful oval figure and a thick shade.
2.  The wood of the ash tree.
ASH, a.  Pertaining to or like the ash; made of ash.


Topic: Ashamed
Definition:
ASHA'MED, a.  
1. Affected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt or a conviction of some criminal action or indecorous conduct, or by the exposure of some gross errors or misconduct, which the person is conscious must be wrong, and which tends to impair his honor or reputation.  It is followed by of.
Thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed.  Ex. 16.
Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.  Hosea 10.
2.  Confused by a consciousness of guilt or of inferiority; by the mortification of pride; by failure or disappointment.
They shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in images.  
Isa. 42.
[This adjective always follows its noun.]


Topic: Ashes
Definition:
ASH'ES, n.  plu.  Without the singular number.
1.  The earthy particles of combustible substances remaining after combustion; as of wood or coal.
2.  The remains of the human body when burnt.  Hence figuratively, a dead body or corpse.
3.  In scripture, ashes is used to denote vileness, meanness, frailty, or humiliation.
I who am but dust and ashes.  Gen 18.
I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.  Job 42.


Topic: Ashlering
Definition:
ASH'LERING, n.  Quartering for lathing to, in garrets, two or three feet high, perpendicular to the floor, and reaching to the under side of the rafters.


Topic: Ashore
Definition:
ASHO'RE, adv.  [a, at or on, and shore.  See shore.]
1.  On shore; on the land adjacent to water; to the shore; as, bring the goods ashore.
2.  On land, opposed to aboard; as, the captain of the ship remained ashore.
3.  On the ground; as, the ship was driven ashore.


Topic: Ashwednesday
Definition:
ASHWEDNESDAY, n.  The first day of Lent; supposed to be so called from a custom in the Romish Church of sprinkling ashes, that day, on the heads of penitents, then admitted to penance.


Topic: Asian
Definition:
A'SIAN, a.  [from Asia, a name originally given to Asia Minor or some part of it; perhaps from the Asses, Ases or Osses, about Mount Taurus.
Pertaining to Asia.


Topic: Asiarch
Definition:
A'SIARCH, n.  [Asia and chief.]
A chief or pontiff of Asia; one who had the superintendence of the public games. Acts. 19.


Topic: Asiatic
Definition:
ASIAT'IC, a.  Belonging to Asia, a quarter of the globe which extends from the strait of Constantinople and Arabian gulf, to the Pacific ocean on the east.  It is probable, the name was originally appropriated to what is now Asia Minor or rather a part of it.
ASIAT'IC, n.  A native of Asia.


Topic: Aside
Definition:
ASI'DE, ad.  [a and side.  See Side.]
1.  On or to one side; out of a perpendicular or straight direction.
2.  At a little distance from the main part or body.
Thou shalt set aside that which is full.  2Kings 4.
3.  From the body; as, to put or lay aside a garment.  
John 13.
4.  From the company; at a small distance or in private; as when speakers utter something by themselves, upon the stage.
5.  Separate from the person, mind or attention; in a state of abandonment.
Let us lay aside every weight.  Heb. 12.
6.  Out of the line of rectitude or propriety, in a moral view.
They are all gone aside.  Ps. 14.
7.  In a state of separation to a particular use; as, to set aside a thing for a future day.
To set aside, in judicial proceedings, is to defeat the effect or operation of, by a subsequent decision of a superior tribunal; as, to set aside a verdict or a judgment.


Topic: Ask
Definition:
'ASK, v.t.  [Gr.  In former times, the English word was pronounced ax, as in the royal style of assenting to bills in Parliament.  'Be it as it is axed.']
1.  To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; with of before the person to whom the request is made.
Ask counsel of God.  Judges 18.
2.  To require, expect or claim.
To whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  Luke 12.
3.  To interrogate, or inquire; to put a question, with a view to an answer.
He is of age, ask him.  John 9.
4.  To require, or make claim.
Ask me never so much dowry.  Gen. 34.  Dan. 2.
5.  To claim, require or demand, as the price or value of a commodity; to set a price; as, what price do you ask?
6.  To require, as physically necessary.
The exigence of a state asks a much longer time to conduct the design to maturity.
This sense is nearly or entirely obsolete; ask being superseded by require and demand.
7.  To invite; as, to ask guests to a wedding or entertainment; ask my friend to step into the house.
'ASK, v.i.  
1.  To request or petition, followed by for; as, ask for bread; or without for.
Ask and it shall be given you.  Mat. 7.
2.  to inquire, or seek by request; sometimes followed by after.
Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?  Gen. 32.
This verb can hardly be considered as strictly intransitive, for some person or object is always understood.
Ask is not equivalent to demand, claim, and require, at least, in modern usage; much less, is it equivalent to beg and beseech.  The first three words, demand, claim, require, imply a right or supposed right in the person asking, to the thing requested; and beseech implies more urgency, than ask.  Ask and request imply no right, but suppose the thing desired to be a favor.  The French demander is correctly rendered by ask, rather than by deman.


Topic: Asking
Definition:
'ASKING, ppr.
1.  Requesting; petitioning; interrogating; inquiring.
2.  Silently expressing request or desire.
Explain the asking eye.


Topic: Aslant
Definition:
ASL'ANT, a. or adv.  [a and slant.  See Slant.]
On one side; obliquely; not perpendicularly or with a right angle.
The shaft drove through his neck aslant.


Topic: Asleep
Definition:
ASLEE'P,  a. or adv.  [a and sleep.]
1.  sleeping; in a state of sleep; at rest.
Sisera was fast asleep.  Judges 4.
2.  To a state of sleep; as to fall asleep.
3.  Dead; in a state of death.
Concerning them who are asleep, sorrow not.  1Thes. 4.
4.  To death.
For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue.  2Pet. 3.


Topic: Aslope
Definition:
ASLO'PE, a. or adv.  [a and slope.  See Slope.
With leaning or inclination; obliquely; with declivity or descent, as a hill; declining from an upright direction.
Set them not upright, but aslope.


Topic: Asmonean
Definition:
ASMONE'AN, a.  Pertaining to Asmoneus, the father of Simon, and chief of the Asmoneans, a family that reigned over the Jews 126 years.
ASMONE'AN, n.  One of the family of Asmoneus.


Topic: Asparagin
Definition:
ASPAR'AGIN, n.  White transparent crystals of a peculiar vegetable principle, which spontaneously form in asparagus juice evaporated to the consistence of syrup.  They are in the form of rhomboidal prisms.


Topic: Asparagus
Definition:
ASPAR'AGUS, n.  [L. and Gr. probably from to tear, from its lacerated appearance, or from the root of a spire, from its stem.]
Asparagus, sperage, vulgarly, sparrow-grass; a genus of plants.  That which is cultivated in gardens, has an upright herbaceous stalk, bristly leaves, and equal stipulas.  The roots have a bitterish mucilaginous taste; and the stalk is, in some degree, aperient and deobstruent, but not very efficacious.


Topic: Aspect
Definition:
'ASPECT, n.  [L. aspectus, from aspicio, to look on, of ad and specio, to see or look.]
1.  Look; view; appearance to the eye or the mind; as, to present an object or a subject in its true aspect, or under a double aspect.  So we say, public affairs have a favorable aspect.
2.  Countenance; look, or particular appearance of the face; as a mild or severe aspect.
3.  View; sight; act of seeing.  [This sense is now unusual.]
4.  Position or situation with regard to seeing, or that position which enables one to look in a particular direction; as, a house has a southern aspect, that is, a position which faces or looks to the south.
5.  In astronomy, the situation of one planet with respect to another.  The aspects are five sextile, when the planets are 60 degrees distant; quartile or quadrate, when their distance is 90 degrees, or the quarter of a circle; trine, when the distance is 120 degrees; opposition, when the distance is 180 degrees, or half a circle; and conjunction, when they are in the same degree.


Topic: Aspen
Definition:
ASP'EN or ASP, n.  
A species of the poplar, so called from the trembling of its leaves, which move with the slightest impulse of the air.  Its leaves are roundish, smooth, and stand on long slender foot-stalks.


Topic: Asper
Definition:
AS'PER, a.  [L. See Asperate.]  Rough; rugged.  [Little used.]
AS'PER, n.  [L. aspiro, to breathe.]
In grammar, the Greek accent, importing that the letter over which it is placed ought to be aspirated, or pronounced as if the letter h preceded it.
AS'PER, n.  A Turkish coin, of which three make a medine.  Its value is about a cent and 12 decimals.


Topic: Asperifoliate
Definition:
ASPERIFO'LIATE, a.  [L. asper, rough, and folium, a leaf.]
Having rough leaves.  Plants of this kind are, by some authors, classified according to this character.  They constitute the forty-first order of Linne's fragments of a natural method.  In the methods of Herman, Boerhave, and Ray, this class consists of plants which have four naked seeds.  Their leaves stand alternately on the stalks, and the flower is monopetalous in five divisions.


Topic: Asperity
Definition:
ASPER'ITY, n.  [L. asperitas, from asper, rough.]
1.  Roughness of surface; unevenness; opposed to smoothness.
2.  Roughness of sound; that quality which grates the ear; harshness of pronunciation.
3.  Roughness to the taste; sourness.
4.  Roughness or ruggedness of temper; moroseness; sourness; crabbedness.
5.  Sharpness.


Topic: Asperse
Definition:
ASPERSE, v.t.  aspers'.  [L. aspergo, aspersus, of ad and spargo, to scatter.]
1.  To bespatter with foul reports or false and injurious charges; to tarnish in point of reputation, or good name; to slander or calumniate; as, to asperse a poet of his writings; to asperse a character.
2.  To cast upon.


Topic: Aspersion
Definition:
ASPER'SION, n.
1.  A sprinkling, as of water or dust, in a literal sense.
2.  The spreading of calumnious reports or charges, which tarnish reputation, like the bespattering of a body with foul water.


Topic: Asphaltum
Definition:
ASPHALT'UM, n.  [Gr.]  Bitumen Judaicum, Jew's pitch; a smooth, hard, brittle, black or brown substance, which breaks with a polish, melts easily when heated, and when pure, burns without leaving any ashes.  It has little taste, and scarcely any smell, unless heated, when it emits a strong smell of pitch.  it is found in a soft or liquid state on the surface of the Dead Sea, which, from this substance, is called Asphaltite, or the Asphaltic Lake.  It is found also in the earth, in many parts of Asia, Europe and America.  Formerly, it was used for embalming dead bodies; the solid asphalt is still employed in Arabia, Egypt, and Persia, instead of pitch for ships; and the fluid asphalt is used for varnishing, and for burning in lamps.  A species found in Neufchatel is found excellent as a cement for walls and pavements; very durable in air, and not penetrable by water.  A composition of asphalt, lamp black and oil is used for drawing black figures on dialplates.


Topic: Asphodel
Definition:
AS'PHODEL, n.  [L. and Gr.  See Theoph.]
King's-spear; a genus of lilaceous plants, cultivated for the beauty of their flowers.  The ancients planted asphodels near graves, to supply the names of the dead with nourishment.


Topic: Asphurelates
Definition:
ASPHU'RELATES, n.  [Gr. priv. and a hammer; not malleable.]
A series of semimetallic fossils, fusible by fire, and in their purest state not malleable.  In their native state, they are mixed with sulphur and other adventitious matter, in the form of ore.  Under this denomination are classed bismuth, antimony, cobalt, zink and quicksilver.


Topic: Asphyxy
Definition:
ASPHYX'Y, n.  [Gr. of a priv. and pulse.]
  A temporary suspension of the motion of the heart and arteries; swooning; fainting.


Topic: Aspic
Definition:
ASP'IC, n.  [L. aspis; Gr. a round shield and an asp; supposed to be from Heb. to gather in, or collect; from the coil of this serpent, with his head elevated in the center, like the boss of a buckler.]
A small poisonous serpent of Egypt and Libya, whose bite occasions inevitable death, but without pain.  It is said that the celebrated Cleopatra, rather than be carried a captive to Rome by Augustus, suffered death by the bite of the asp; but the fact has been questioned.  Authors are not agreed, as to what species the asp of the ancients should be referred.  Bruce thinks it the coluber cerastes.  Linne.


Topic: Aspirate
Definition:
AS'PIRATE, v.t.  [L. aspiro, to breathe or blow; Gr. to palpitate, from spiro.  See Spire, Spirit.]
To pronounce with a breathing or full emission of breath.  We aspirate the words horse and house.
AS'PIRATE, v.i.  To be uttered with a strong breathing; as, the letter h aspirates.
AS'PIRATE, n.  A letter marked with an asper, or note of breathing; a mark of aspiration, as the Greek accent.
AS'PIRATE, a.  Pronounced with a full breath.


Topic: Aspiration
Definition:
ASPIRA'TION, n.  
1.  The pronunciation of a letter with a full emission of breath.
2.  A breathing after; an ardent wish or desire, chiefly of spiritual blessings.
3.  The act of aspiring or of ardently desiring what is noble or spiritual.


Topic: Aspire
Definition:
ASPI'RE, v.i.  [L. aspiro, to breathe.  See Aspirate.]
1.  To desire with eagerness; to pant after an object, great, noble or spiritual; followed by to or after; as to aspire to a crown or after immortality.
2.  To aim at something elevated; to rise or tower with desire.
Aspiring to be Gods, if angels fell;
Aspiring to be angels, men rebel.


Topic: Aspirer
Definition:
ASPI'RER, n.  One who aspires; one who aims to rise in power or consequence, or to accomplish some important object.


Topic: Aspiring
Definition:
ASPI'RING, ppr.  Desiring eagerly; aiming at something noble, great, or spiritual.
ASPI'RING, a.  Ambitious; animated with an ardent desire of power, importance, or excellence.
ASPI'RING, n.  
1.  Ambition; eager desire of something great.
2.  Points; stops.  [Not used.]


Topic: Asportation
Definition:
ASPORTA'TION, n.  [L. asportatio, of abs and porto, to carry.  See Bear.]
A carrying away.  In law, the felonious removal of goods from the place where they were deposited, is an asportation, and adjudged to be theft, though the goods are not carried from the house or apartment.


Topic: Asquint
Definition:
ASQUINT', adv.  [See Askance, and Squint.]
1.  To the corner or angle of the eye; obliquely; towards one side; not in the straight line of vision; as, to look asquint.
2.  Not with regard or due notice.


Topic: Ass
Definition:
'ASS, n.  [L. asinus;  Gr. an ear.]
1.  A quadruped of the equine genus.  This animal has long slouching ears, a short mane, and a tail covered with long hairs at the end.  He is usually of an ash color, with a black bar across the shoulders.  The tame or domestic ass is patient to stupidity, and carries a heavy burden.  He is slow, but very sure footed, and for this reason very useful on rough steep hills.
2.  A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt.


Topic: Assai
Definition:
ASS'AI,  A term in music; added to a word signifying slow, it denotes a little quicker; and to a word signifying quick, it denotes a little slower.


Topic: Assail
Definition:
ASSA'IL, v.t.  [L. assilio, to leap or rush upon, of ad and salio, to leap, to rise.]
1.  To leap or fall upon by violence; to assault; to attack suddenly, as when one person falls upon another to beat him.
2.  To invade or attack, in a hostile manner, as an army, or nation.
3.  To attack with arguments, censure,abuse, or criticism, with a view to injure, bring into disrepute, or overthrow.
4.  To attack, with a view to overcome, by motives applied to the passions.
Nor hide the encounter of assailing eyes.


Topic: Assailant
Definition:
ASSA'ILANT, n.  One who assails, attacks or assaults.
ASSA'ILANT, a.  Assaulting; attacking; invading with violence.


Topic: Assapanic
Definition:
ASSAPAN'IC, n.  The flying squirrel; an animal which flies a little distance by extending the skin between the fore and hind legs.  [See Squirrel.]


Topic: Assart
Definition:
ASSART', n.  
1.  In ancient laws, the offense of grubbing up trees, and thus destroying thickets or coverts of a forest.
2.  a tree plucked up by the roots, also a piece of land cleared.
ASSART', v.t.  To grub up trees; to commit an assart.


Topic: Assassin
Definition:
ASSAS'SIN, n. 
One who kills or attempts to kill, by surprise or secret assault.  The circumstance of surprise or secresy seems essential to the signification of this word;  though it is sometimes used to denote one who takes any advantage, in killing or attempting to murder; as by attacking one when unarmed.


Topic: Assassinate
Definition:
ASSAS'SINATE, v.t.  
1.  To kill or attempt to kill, by surprise or secret assault; to murder by sudden violence.  Assassin as a verb is not now used.
2.  To way lay; to take by treachery.
ASSAS'SINATE, n.  A murder or murderer.  [not used.]


Topic: Assassination
Definition:
ASSASSINA'TION, n.  The act of killing or murdering, by surprise or secret assault; murder by violence.


Topic: Assassins
Definition:
ASSAS'SINS, n.  In Syria, a tribe or clan called Ismaelians, Batanists or Batenians.  They originated in Persia about the year 1090; whence a colony migrated and settled on the mountains of Lebanon, and were remarkable for their assassinations.  Their religion was a compound of magianism, judaism, and christianity.  One article of their creed was, that the Holy Spirit resided in their Chief, and that his orders proceeded from God himself.  He was called Scheik, and is better known by the denomination of Old man of the mountain.  This barbarous chieftain and his followers spread terror among nations far and near, for almost two centuries, when the tribe was subdued by Sultan Bibaris.


Topic: Assault
Definition:
ASSAULT', n.  [L. assulto, of ad and salto, to leap, formed on salio, or its root.  See Assail.  We have the same root in insult and result.]
1.  An attack or violent onset, whether by an individual, a company, or an army.  An assault by private persons may be made with or without weapons.  As assault by an army is a violent hostile attack; and when made upon a fort or fortified place is called a storm, as opposed to sap or siege.
2.  An attack by hostile words or measures; as, an assault upon the prerogatives of a prince, or upon a constitution of government.
3.  In Law, an unlawful setting upon one's person; an attempt or offer to beat another, without touching his person; as by lifting the fist or a cane, in a threatening manner.  If the blow aimed takes effect, it is a battery.
ASSAULT', v.t.
1.  To attack or fall upon by violence, or with a hostile intention; as, to assault a man, a house or town.
2.  To invade or fall on with force; as, the cry of war assaults our ears.
3.  To attack by words, arguments or unfriendly measures, with a view to shake, impair or overthrow; as, to assault a character, the laws or the administration.


Topic: Assay
Definition:
ASSA'Y, n.  [L. sequor; assequor, to follow, to examine.  See Essay.]
1.  The trial of the goodness, purity, weight, value, &c. of metals or metallic substances.  Any operation or experiement for ascertaining the quantity of a precious metal in an ore or mineral.  Analysis is a term of more comprehensive import, extending to an examination of the nature and quantities of all parts of the compound.
2.  In law, an examination of weights and measures by the standard.
3.  Examination; trial; effort; first entrance upon any business; attempt.  In these senses, which are found in old authors, now rarely used.  [See Essay.]
4.  Value; great purity.  Obs.
ASSA'Y, v.t.  
1.  To try or prove, by examination or experiment, the quantity and purity of metallic substances.
2.  To apply to the touchstone.


Topic: Assay-master
Definition:
ASSAY-MASTER, n.  An assayer; an officer appointed to try the weight and fineness of the precious metals.


Topic: Assayer
Definition:
ASSA'YER, n.  One who examines metals to find their quantity and purity.  An officer of the mint, whose business is to try the weight and purity of metals.


Topic: Assemblage
Definition:
ASSEM'BLAGE, n.  
1.  A collection of individuals, or of particular things; the state of being assembled.
2.  Rarely, the act of assembling.


Topic: Assemble
Definition:
ASSEM'BLE, v.t.  [L. simul.]
To collect a number of individuals or particulars into one place, or body; to bring or call togethe; to convene; to congregate.
ASSEM'BLE, v.i.  To meet or come together; to convene, as a number of individuals.


Topic: Assembling
Definition:
ASSEM'BLING, ppr.  Coming together; collecting into one place.
ASSEM'BLING, n.  A collection or meeting together.  Heb. 10.


Topic: Assembly
Definition:
ASSEM'BLY, n.
1.  A company or collection of individuals, in the same place; usually for the same purpose.
2.  A congregation or religious society convened.
3.  In some of the United States, the legislature, consisting of different houses or branches, whether in session or not.  In some states, the popular branch or House of Representatives is denominated an assembly.  [See the constitutions of the several states.]
4.  a collection of persons for amusement; as a dancing assembly.
5.  A convocation, convention or council of ministers and ruling elders delegated from each presbytery; as the General Assembly of Scotland or of the United States.
6.  In armies, the second beating of the drum before a march, when the soldiers strike their tents.
7.  An assemblage.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Assent
Definition:
ASSENT', n.  [L. assensus, from assentior, to assent, of ad and sentio, to thing.]
1.  The act of the mind in admitting, or agreeing to, the truth of a proposition.
Faith is the assent to any proposition, on the credit of the proposer.
2.  Consent; agreement to a proposal, respecting some right or interest; as, the bill before the house has the assent of a great majority of the members.
The distinction between assent and consent seems to be this: assent is the agreement to an abstract proposition.  We assent to a statement, but we do not consent to it.  Consent is an agreement to some proposal or measure which affects the rights or interest of the consenter.  We consent to a proposal of marriage.  This distinction however is not always observed.  [See Consent.]
3.  Accord; agreement.  2Chron. 18.


Topic: Assentation
Definition:
ASSENTA'TION, n.  [L. assentatio, from assentor, to comply.]
Compliance with the opinion of another, from flattery or dissimulation.


Topic: Assert
Definition:
ASSERT', v.t.  [L. assero, assertum, to claim or challenge, to maintain or assert; of ad and sero.  The sense of sero is to sow, properly to throw or set.  To assert is to throw or set firmly.]
1.  To affirm positively; to declare with assurance; to aver.
2.  To maintain or defend by words or measures; to vindicate a claim or title to; as, to assert our rights and liberties.


Topic: Assertion
Definition:
ASSER'TION, n.  
1.  The act of asserting; the maintaining of a claim.
2.  Positive declaration or averment; affirmation; position advanced.


Topic: Assertor
Definition:
ASSERT'OR, n.  One who affirms positively; one who maintains or vindicates a claim; an affirmer, supporter, or vindicator.


Topic: Assess
Definition:
ASSESS', v.t.  [L. assideo, ad and sedeo.]
1.  To set, fix or charge a certain sum upon one, as a tax; as, to assess each citizen in due proportion.
2.  To value; to fix the value of property, for the purpose of being taxed; as by the law of the United States.  Also, to value or fix the profits of business, for the purpose of taxation.
3.  To set, fix or ascertain; as, it is the province of a jury to assess damages.
ASSESS', n.  Assessment.  [Not used.]


Topic: Assessment
Definition:
ASSESS'MENT, n.  
1.  A valuation of property or profits of business, for the purpose of taxation.  An assessment is a valuation made by authorized persons according to their discretion, as opposed to a sum certain or determined by law.  It may be a direct charge of the tax to be paid; or a valuation of the property of those who are to pay the tax, for the purpose of fixing the proportion which each man shall pay; on which valuation the law imposes a specific sum upon a given amount.
2.  A tax or specific sum charged on the person or property.
3.  The act of assessing; the act of determining the amount of damages by a jury.


Topic: Assessor
Definition:
ASSESS'OR, n.  
1.  One appointed to assess the person or property.
2.  An inferior officer of justice, who sits to assist the judge.
3.  One who sits by another, as next in dignity.


Topic: Assets
Definition:
ASSETS', n.  plu.  [L. sat, satis, enough.]
Goods or estate of a deceased person, sufficient to pay the debts of the deceased.  But the word sufficient, though expressing the original signification of assets, is not with us necessary to the definition.  In present usage, assets are the money, goods or estate of a deceased person, subject by law to the payment of his debts and legacies.  Assets are real or personal; real assets are lands which descend to the heir, subject to the fulfillment of the obligations of the ancestor; personal assets are the money or goods of the deceased, or debts due to him, which come into the hands of the executor or administrator, or which he is bound to collect and convert into money.


Topic: Asseveration
Definition:
ASSEVERA'TION, n.  Positive affirmation or assertion; solemn declaration.  This word is not, generally, if ever, used for a declaration under an official oath, but for a declaration accompanied with solemnity.


Topic: Assideans
Definition:
ASSIDE'ANS or CHASIDE'ANS, [Heb. pious.]
A sect of Jews who resorted to Mattathias to fight for the laws of their God and the liberties of their country.  They were men of great zeal, and observed the traditions of the elders.  From these sprung the Pharisees and Essenes.


Topic: Assident
Definition:
AS'SIDENT, a.  [L. assideo, assidens, of ad and sedeo, to sit.]
Assident signs, in medicine, are such as usually attend a disease, but not always; distinguished from pathognomic signs, which are inseparable from it.


Topic: Assiduity
Definition:
ASSIDU'ITY, n.  [L. assiduitas.  See Assiduous.]
1.  Constant or close application to any business or enterprise; diligence.
2.  Attention; Attentiveness to persons.  Assiduities, in plural, are services rendered with zeal and constancy.


Topic: Assiduous
Definition:
ASSID'UOUS, a.  [L. assiduus, from assideo, to sit close, ad and sedeo;  Eng. to sit.]
1.  Constant in application; as a person assiduous in his occupation.
2.  Attentive; careful; regular in attendance; as an assiduous physician or nurse.
3.  Performed with constant diligence or attention; as assiduous labor.


Topic: Assiento
Definition:
ASSIENT'O, n.  [L. assideo.]
A contract or convention between the king of Spain and other powers, for furnishing slaves for the Spanish dominions in south America.


Topic: Assign
Definition:
ASSI'GN, v.t.  [L. assigno, of ad and signo, to allot to mark out, signum, a mark.  The primary sense of sign is to send, or to set.]
1.  To allot; to appoint or grant by distribution or apportionment.
The priests had a portion assigned them.  Gen. 47.
2.  To designate or appoint for a particular purpose.
They assigned Bezer, a city of refuge.  Josh. 20.
3.  To fix, specify or designate; as an assigned quantity.
4.  To make or set over; to transfer, sell or convey, by writing, as by indorsing a note, or by any writing on a separate paper.
5.  To allege or show in particular; as, to assign a reason for one's conduct.
6.  In law, to show or set forth with particularity; as, to assign error in a writ; to assign false judgment.
ASSI'GN, n.  A person to whom property or an interest is or may be transferred; as, a deed to a man and his heirs and assigns.


Topic: Assignable
Definition:
ASSI'GNABLE, a.  
1.  That may be allotted, appointed or assigned.
2.  That may be transferred by writing; as an assignable note, or bill.
3.  That may be specified, shown with precision or designated; as an assignable error.


Topic: Assignation
Definition:
ASSIGNA'TION, n.  
1.  An appointment of time and place for meeting; used chiefly of love-meetings.
2.  A making over by transfer of title.  [See Assignment.]
3.  In Russia, a public note or bank bill; paper currency.


Topic: Assignee
Definition:
ASSIGNEE', n.  A person to whom an assignment is made; a person appointed or deputed to do some act, perform some business or enjoy some right, privilege or property; as an assignee of a bankrupt.  An assignee may be by special appointment or deed, or be created by law; as an executor.


Topic: Assignment
Definition:
ASSI'GNMENT, n.
1.  An allotting, or an appointment to a particular person or use.
2.  A transfer of title or interest by writing, as of a lease, bond, note, or bill of exchange.
3.  The writing by which an interest is transferred.
4.  The appointment or designation of causes or actions in court, for trial on particular days.
5.  In law, the conveyance of the whole interest which a man has in an estate, usually for life or year.  It differs from a lease, which is the conveyance of a less term than the lessor has in the estate.


Topic: Assignor
Definition:
ASSIGNOR', n.  an assigner; a person who assigns or transfers an interest; as the assignor of a bill of exchange.


Topic: Assimilate
Definition:
ASSIM'ILATE, v.t.  [L. assimilo, of ad and similis, like.  See Similar.]
1.  To bring to a likeness; to cause to resemble.
2.  To convert into a like substance; as, food is assimilated by conversion into animal substances, flesh, chyle, blood, &c.
ASSIM'ILATE, v.i.
1.  To become similar.
2.  To be converted into a like substance.


Topic: Assimilation
Definition:
ASSIMILA'TION, n.  
1.  The act of bringing to a resemblance.
2.  The act or process by which bodies convert other bodies into their own nature and substance; as, flame assimilates oil, and the food of animals is by assimilation converted into the substances which compose their bodies.
Mineral assimilation is the property which substances possess, in the earth, of appropriating and assimilating to themselves other substances with which they are in contact; a property which seems to be the basis of the natural history of the earth.


Topic: Assist
Definition:
ASSIST', v.t.  [L. assisto, of ad and sisto, to stand up;  English, to stand by.]
To help; to aid; to succor; to give support to in some undertaking or effort, or in time of distress.
ASSIST', v.i.  To lend aid.


Topic: Assistance
Definition:
ASSIST'ANCE,  n.  Help; aid; furtherance; succor; a contribution of support in bodily strength or other means.


Topic: Assistant
Definition:
ASSIST'ANT, a.  Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary.
ASSIST'ANT, n.  One who aids, or who contributes his strength or other means to further the designs of welfare of another; an auxiliary.


Topic: Assizes
Definition:
ASSI'ZES, n.  [L. assideo, to sit by, of ad and sedeo, to sit.]
1.  Originally, an assembly of knights and other substantial men, with a bailiff or justice, in a certain place and at a certain time, for public business.  The word was sometimes applied to the general council, or Wittenagemote, of England.
2.  A court in England, held in every county by special commission to one of the judges, who is called a justice of the assize, and empowered to take assizes, that is, the verdict of a jury, called the assize.
3.  A jury.  In this sense the word was applied to the grand assize, for the trial of property, and to the petty assize, for the trial of possession.  In Scotland, the assize consists of fifteen men, selected from a greater number.
4.  A writ; as an assize of novel disseisin, which is given to recover the possession of lands, tenements, rents, common, &c., of which the tenant has been lately disseised; assize of mort d'ancestor, which lies against an abator, who enters upon land after the death of the tenant, and before the heir enters; assize of darrein presentment, which lies against a stranger who presents a clerk to a benefice.
5.  A particular species of rents, established and not subject to be varied.
6.  The time or place of holding the court of assize.
7.  In a more general sense, any court of justice.
8.  A statute of regulation; an ordinance regulating the weight, measure and price of articles sold in market; and hence the word came to signify the weight, measure or price itself; as the assize of bread.
This word is, in a certain sense, now corrupted into size, which see.


Topic: Associability
Definition:
ASSOCIABIL'ITY, n.  The quality of being capable of association; the quality of suffering some change by sympathy, or of being affected by the affections of another part of the body.


Topic: Associable
Definition:
ASSO'CIABLE, a.  assoshable.  [See Associate.]  
1.  That may be joined to or associated.
2.  In a medical sense, liable to be affected by sympathy, or to receive from other parts correspondent feelings and affections.  'The stomach, the most associable of all the organs of the animal body.'


Topic: Associate
Definition:
ASSO'CIATE, v.t.  assoshate.  [L. associo, of ad and socio, to join.]
1.  To join in company, as a friend, companion, partner or confederate; as, to associate others with us in business, or in an enterprise.
It conveys the idea of intimate union.
2.  To unite in the same mass; as, particles of matte associated with other substances.
ASSO'CIATE, v.i.  
1.  To unite in company; to keep company, implying intimacy; as, congenial minds are disposed to associate.
2.  To unite in action, or be affected by the action of a different part of the body.
ASSO'CIATE, a.  
1.  Joined in interest or purpose; confederate.
2.  Joined in employment or office; as an associate judge.
ASSO'CIATE, n. 
1.  A companion; one frequently in company with another, implying intimacy or equality; a mate; a fellow.
2.  A partner in interest, as in business; or a confederate in a league.
3.  A companion in a criminal transaction; an accomplice.


Topic: Association
Definition:
ASSOCIA'TION, n.  
1.  The act of associating; union; connection of persons.
2.  Union of persons in a company; a society formed for transacting or carrying on some business for mutual advantage; a partnership.  It is often applied to a union of states or a confederacy.
3.  Union of things; apposition, as of particles of matter.
4.  Union or connection of ideas.  An association of ideas is where two or more ideas constantly or naturally follow each other in the mind, so that one almost infallibly produces the other.
5.  An exertion or change of some extreme part of the sensory residing in the muscles or organs of sense, in consequence of some antecedent or attendant fibrous contractions.
6.  In ecclesiastical affairs, a society of the clergy, consisting of a number of pastors of neighboring churches, united for promoting the interests of religion and the harmony of the churches.


Topic: Assoil
Definition:
ASSOIL', v.t.  [L. absolvo.]  To solve; to release; to absolve.
ASSOIL', v.t.  To soil; to stain.  Obs.


Topic: Assonance
Definition:
AS'SONANCE, n.  [L. ad and sono, to sound.  See Sound.]
Resemblance of sounds.  In rhetoric and poetry, a resemblance in sound or termination, without making rhyme.


Topic: Assonant
Definition:
AS'SONANT, a.  Having a resemblance of sounds.  In Spanish poetry, assonant rhymes are those in which a resemblance of sounds serves instead of a natural rhyme; as, ligera, tierra.


Topic: Assort
Definition:
ASSORT', v.t.  [See Sort.]
1.  To separate and distribute into classes things of the like kind, nature or quality, or things which are suited to a like purpose.  It is sometimes applied to persons as well as things.
2.  To furnish with all sorts.


Topic: Assorted
Definition:
ASSORT'ED, pp.  
1.  Distributed into sorts, kinds or classes.
2.  Furnished with an assortment, or with a variety; as a well assorted store.


Topic: Assortment
Definition:
ASSORT'MENT, n.
1.  The act of distributing into sorts, kinds of classes, or of selecting and suiting things.
2.  A mass or quantity distributed into kinds or sorts; or a number of things assorted.
3.  A number of things of the same kind, varied in size, color, quality, price, form, or the like, to suit the market, the wants of people, or various purposes; as an assortment of thread, of silks, of calicoes,  &c.
An assortment of paintings.
4.  A variety of sorts or kinds adapted to various wants, demands or purposes; as an assortment of goods.


Topic: Assuage
Definition:
ASSUA'GE, v.t.  
To soften, in a figurative sense; to allay, mitigate, ease or lessen, as pain or grief; to appease or pacify, as passion or tumult.  In strictness, it signifies rather to moderate, than to quiet, tranquilize or reduce to perfect peace or ease.
ASSUA'GE, v.i.  To abate or subside.
The waters assuaged.  Gen. 8.
But I apprehend the sense is, the waters were checked;  Heb.


Topic: Assuetude
Definition:
AS'SUETUDE, n.  [L. assuetudo, from assuetus, p. of assuesco, to accustom.]  Custom; habit; habitual use.


Topic: Assume
Definition:
ASSU'ME, v.t.  [L. assumo, of ad and sumo, to take.]
1.  To take or take upon one.  If differs from receive, in not implying an offer to give.
The God assumed his native form again.
2.  To take what is not just; to take with arrogant claims; to arrogate; to seize unjustly; as, to assume haughty airs; to assume unwarrantable powers.
3.  To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; as, to assume a principle in reasoning.
4.  To appropriate, or take to one's self; as, to assume the debts of another.
5.  To take what is fictitious; to pretend to possess; to take in appearance; as, to assume the garb of humility.


Topic: Assuming
Definition:
ASSU'MING, ppr.  Taking; arrogating; taking for granted; pretending.
ASSU'MING, a.  Taking or disposed to take upon one's self more than is just; haughty; arrogant.
ASSU'MING, n.  Presumption.


Topic: Assumpsit
Definition:
ASSUMP'SIT, n.  [L. assumo.]
1.  In law, a promise or undertaking, founded on a consideration.  This promise may be verbal or written; An assumpsit is express or implied; express, when made in words of writing; implied, when in consequence of some benefit or consideration accruing to one person from the acts of another, the law presumes that person has promised to make compensation.  In this case, the law, upon a principle of justice, implies or raises a promise, on which an action may be brought to recover the compensation.  Thus if A contracts with B to build a house for him, by implication and intendment of law, A promises to pay B for the same, without any express words to that effect.
2.  An action founded on a promise.  When this action is brought on a debt, it is called indebitatus assumpsit, which is an action on the case to recover damages for the non-payment of a debt. 


Topic: Assumpt
Definition:
ASSUMPT', v.t.  To take up; to raise.  [Barbarous and not used.]
ASSUMPT', n.  That which is assumed.  [not used.]


Topic: Assumption
Definition:
ASSUMP'TION, n.  [L. assumptio.]
1.  The act of taking to one's self.
2.  The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing without proof; supposition.
This gives no sanction to the unwarrantable assumption that the soul sleeps from the period of death to the resurrection of the body.
3.  The thing supposed; a postulate or proposition assumed.  In logic, the minor or second proposition in a categorical syllogism.
4.  A consequence drawn from the propositions of which an argument is composed.
5.  Undertaking; a taking upon one's self.
6.  In the Romish Church, the taking up a person into heaven, as the Virgin Mary.  Also a festival in honor of the miraculous ascent of Mary, celebrated by the Romish and Greek churches.
7.  Adoption.


Topic: Assumptive
Definition:
ASSUMP'TIVE, a.  That is or may be assumed.  In heraldry, assumptive arms are such as a person has a right, with the approbation of his sovereign, and of the heralds, to assume, in consequence of an exploit.


Topic: Assurance
Definition:
ASSU'RANCE, n.  ashu'rance.  [L. verus; or securus, contracted.]
1.  The act of assuring, or of making a declaration in terms that furnish ground of confidence; as, I trusted to his assurances; or the act of furnishing any ground of full confidence.
Whereof he hath given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  Act. 17.
2.  Firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certain expectation; the utmost certainty.
Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith.  Heb. 10.
3.  Firmness of mind; undoubting steadiness; intrepidity.
Brave men meet danger with assurance.
4.  Excess of boldness; impudence; as, his assurance is intolerable.
5.  Freedom from excessive modesty, timidity or bashfulness; laudable confidence.
Conversation with the world will give them knowledge and assurance.
6.  Insurance; a contract to make good a loss.  [See Insurance.]
7.  Any writing or legal evidence of the conveyance of property.
8.  Conviction.
9.  In theology, full confidence of one's interest in Christ, and of final salvation.


Topic: Assure
Definition:
ASSU'RE, v.t.  ashu're.  [See Assurance.]
1.  To make certain; to give confidence by a promise, declaration, or other evidence; as, he assured me of his sincerity.
2.  To confirm; to make certain or secure.
And it shall be assured to him.  Lev. 28.
3.  To embolden; to make confident.
And hereby we shall assure our hearts before him.  1John 3.
4.  To make secure, with of before the object secured; as, let me be assured of your fidelity.
5.  To affiance; to betroth.  Obs.
6.  To insure; to covenant to indemnify for loss.  [See Insure.]


Topic: Assured
Definition:
ASSU'RED, pp.  Made certain or confident; made secure; insured.
ASSU'RED, a.  Certain; indubitable; not doubting; bold to excess.


Topic: Assurgent
Definition:
ASSUR'GENT, a.  [l. assurgens, assurgo.]
Rising upwards in an arch; as an assurgent stem, in botany.


Topic: Asteism
Definition:
AS'TEISM, n.  [Gr. beautiful, polite.]
In rhetoric, genteel irony; a polite and ingenious manner of deriding another.


Topic: Aster
Definition:
AS'TER, n.  [Gr.]  A genus of plants, with compound flowers, many of which are cultivated for their beauty, particularly the China Aster.  The species are very numerous.


Topic: Asteriated
Definition:
ASTE'RIATED, a.  [Supra.]  Radiated; presenting diverging rays, like a star; as asteriated sapphire.


Topic: Asterisk
Definition:
AS'TERISK, n.  [Gr. a little star, from a star.]
The figure of a star thus, *, used in printing and writing as a reference to a passage or note in the margin, or to fill the space when a name is omitted.


Topic: Asterism
Definition:
AS'TERISM, n.  [Gr. a little star, from a star.]
1.  A constellation; a sign in the zodiac.
The figures of the twelve asterisms.
2.  An asterisk, or mark of reference.  [This is less proper.]


Topic: Astern
Definition:
ASTERN', adv.  [a or at, and stern.  See stern.]
1.  In or at the hinder part of a ship; or towards the hinder part, or backwards; as, to go astern.
2.  Behind a ship, at any indefinite distance.


Topic: Asteroid
Definition:
AS'TEROID, n.  [Gr. a star, and form.]  
A name given by Herschel to the newly discovered planets between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.


Topic: Asthenology
Definition:
ASTHENOL'OGY, n.  [Gr. priv., strength, and discourse.]
The doctrine of diseases arising from debility.


Topic: Asthma
Definition:
ASTHMA, n.  ast'ma.  [Gr.]
A shortness of breath; intermitting difficulty of breathing, with cough, straitness and wheezing.


Topic: Astonish
Definition:
ASTON'ISH, v.t.  [L. attono, to astonish; ad and tono.  See Tone and Stun.]
To stun or strike dumb with sudden fear, terror, surprise or wonder; to amaze; to confound with some sudden passion.
I Daniel was astonished at the vision.  Dan. 8.


Topic: Astonishing
Definition:
ASTON'ISHING, ppr.  Amazing; confounding with wonder or fear.
ASTON'ISHING, a.  Very wonderful; of a nature to excite great admiration, or amazement.


Topic: Astonishment
Definition:
ASTON'ISHMENT, n.  Amazement; confusion of mind from fear, surprise or admiration, at an extraordinary or unexpected event.


Topic: Astraddle
Definition:
ASTRAD'DLE, adv.  [ a and straddle.  See Straddle.]
With the legs across a thing, or on different sides; as, to sit astraddle.


Topic: Astragal
Definition:
AS'TRAGAL, n.  [Gr. a turning joint, vertebra, spondylus.]
1.  In architecture, a little round molding which surrounds the top or bottom of a column, in the form of a ring; representing a ring or band of iron, to prevent the splitting of the column.  it is often cut into beads or berries, and is used in ornamented entablatures to separate the several faces of the architrave.
2.  In gunnery, a round molding on cannon near the mouth.
3.  In anatomy, the buckle, ankle, or sling bone; the upper bone of the foot supporting the tibia.
4.  In botany, the wood pea; the milk vetch; the liquorice vetch.


Topic: Astray
Definition:
ASTRA'Y, adv.  [a and stray.  See Stray.]
Out of the right way or proper place, both in a literal and figurative sense.  In morals and religion, it signifies wandering from the path of rectitude, from duty and happiness.
Before I was afflicted, I want astray.  Ps. 129.
Cattle go astray when they leave their proper owners or inclosures.  See Deut. 22.


Topic: Astrea
Definition:
ASTRE'A, n.  [Gr. a star.]
The goddess of justice.  A name sometimes given to the sign virgo.  The poets feign that justice quitted heaen, in the golden age, to reside on earth; but  becoming weary with the iniquities of men, she return to heaven, and commenced a constellation of stars.


Topic: Astrict
Definition:
ASTRICT', v.t  [L. astringo, astrictus.  See Astringe.]
To bind fast, or compress.  [Not much used.]
ASTRICT', a.  Compendious; contracted.


Topic: Astriction
Definition:
ASTRIC'TION, n.
1.  The act of binding close, or compressing with ligatures.
2.  A contraction of parts by applications; the stopping of hemorrhages.


Topic: Astriferous
Definition:
ASTRIF'EROUS, a.  [L. astrifer; astrum, a star, and fero, to bear.]
Bearing or containing stars.  [Little used.]


Topic: Astringe
Definition:
ASTRINGE, v.t.  astrinj'.  [L. astringo, of ad and stringo, to bind fast, to strain.  See Strain.]
To compress; to bind together; to contract by pressing the parts together.


Topic: Astringency
Definition:
ASTRING'ENCY, n.  The power of contracting the parts of the body; that quality in medicines which binds, contracts or strengthens parts which are relaxed; as the astringency of acids or bitters.


Topic: Astringent
Definition:
ASTRING'ENT,  a.  Binding; contracting; strengthening; opposed to laxative.
ASTRING'ENT, n.  a medicine which binds or contracts the parts of the body to which it is applied, restrains profuse discharges, coagulates animal fluids, condenses and strengthens the solids.
Modern practice inclines to the use of astringent, for internal applications, and styptic, for external.


Topic: Astrite
Definition:
AS'TRITE, n.  [Gr. a star.]
An extraneous fossil, called also asteria and astroit.  Astrites are stones in the form of small, short, angular, or sulcated columns, about an inch and a half long, and the third of an inch in diameter, composed of several regular joints, which, when separated, resemble a radiated star.
Astrites are said to be detached articulations of encrinites, a kind of marine polypier.


Topic: Astro-theology
Definition:
ASTRO-THEOL'OGY, n.  [L. astrum, a star, and theologia, divinity.]
Theology founded on the observation of the celestial bodies.


Topic: Astrography
Definition:
ASTROG'RAPHY, n.  [Gr. a star, and to describe.]
A description of the stars, or the science of describing them.


Topic: Astroit
Definition:
AS'TROIT, n.  
1.  Star-stone.  [See Astrite.]
2.  A species of petrified madrepore often found in calcarious stones.


Topic: Astrolabe
Definition:
AS'TROLABE, n.  [Gr. a star, and to take.]
1.  An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the sun or stars at sea.
2.  A stereographic projection of the sphere, either upon the plane of the equator, the eye being supposed to be in the pole of the world; or upon the plane of the meridian, the eye being in the point of intersection of the equinoctial and the horizon.
3.  Among the ancients, the same as the modern armillary sphere.


Topic: Astrology
Definition:
ASTROL'OGY, n.  [Supra.]  A science which teaches to judge of the effects and influences of the stars, and to foretell future events, by their situation and different aspects.  This science was formerly in great request, as men ignorantly supposed the heavenly bodies to have a ruling influence over the physical and moral world; but it is now universally exploded by true science and philosophy.


Topic: Astronomer
Definition:
ASTRON'OMER, n.  One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena.


Topic: Astronomy
Definition:
ASTRON'OMY, n.  [Gr. a star, and a law or rule.]
The science which teaches the knowledge of the celestial bodies, their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, aspects, eclipses, order, &c.  This science depends on observations, made chiefly with instruments, and upon mathematical calculations.


Topic: Astroscope
Definition:
AS'TROSCOPE, n.  [Gr. a star, and to view.]
An astronomical instrument, composed of two cones, on whose surface the constellations, with their stars, are delineated, by means of which the stars may be easily known.


Topic: Astute
Definition:
ASTU'TE, a.  [L. astutus, from astus, craft, subtilty.]
Shrewd; sharp; eagle-eyed; critically examining or discerning.


Topic: Asunder
Definition:
ASUND'ER, adv.  [See sunder.]
Apart; into parts; separately; in a divided state.
The Lord hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.  Ps. 129.


Topic: Asylum
Definition:
ASY'LUM, n.  [L. from Gr. safe from spoil, and spoil, to plunder.]
1.  A sanctuary, or place of refuge, where criminals and debtors shelter themselves from justice, and from which they cannot be taken without sacrilege.  Temples and altars were anciently asylums; as were tombs, statues and monuments.  The ancient heathens allowed asylums for the protection of the vilest criminals; and the Jews had their cities of refuge.
2.  Any place of retreat and security.


Topic: Asymmetry
Definition:
ASYM'METRY, n.  [Gr. priv. symmetry, of with, and to measure.]
The want of proportion between the parts of a thing.  It is also used in mathematics for incommensurability, when between two quantities there is no common measure.


Topic: Asymptote
Definition:
AS'YMPTOTE, n.  [Gr. priv. with, and to fall; not meeting or coinciding.]
A line which approaches nearer and nearer to some curve, but though infinitely extended, would never meet it.  This may be conceived as a tangent to a curve at an infinite distance.


Topic: Asymptotical
Definition:
ASYMPTOT'ICAL, a.  Belonging to an asymptote.  Asymptotical lines or curves are such as continually approach, when extended, but never meet.


Topic: Asyndeton
Definition:
ASYN'DETON, n.  [Gr. priv. and to bind together.]
In grammar, a figure which omits the connective; as, veni, vidi, vici.  It stands opposed to polysymdeton, which is a multiplication of connectives.


Topic: At
Definition:
AT,  prep.  [L. ad. At, ad and to, if not radically the same word often coincide in signification; Heb to come, to a approach.  Hence it primarily denotes presence, meeting, nearness, direction towards.]
In general, at denotes nearness, or presents; as at the ninth hour, at the house; but it is less definite than in or on; at the house, may be in or near the house.  It denotes also towards, versus; as, to aim an arrow at a mark.
From this original import are derived all the various uses of at.  At the sight, is with, present, or coming the sight; at this news, present the news, on or with the approach or arrival of this news.  At peace, at war, in a state of peace or war, peace or war, in a state of peace or war, peace or war existing, being present; at ease, at play, at a loss, &c. convey the like idea.  At arms, furnished with arms, bearing arms present with arms; at hand, within reach of the hand, and therefore near; at my cost, with my cost; at his suit, by or with his suit; at this declaration, he rose from his seat, that is present, or coming this declaration; whence results the idea in consequence of it.  At his command, is either under his command, that is, literally, coming or being come his command, in the power of, or in consequence of it.  He is good at engraving, at husbandry; that is, in performing that business.  He deserves well at our hands; that is, from us.  The peculiar phrases in which this word occurs, with appropriate significations, are numerous.  At first, at last, at least, at best, at the worst, at the highest or lowest, are phrases in which some noun is implied; as, at the first time or beginning; at the last time, or point of time; at the least or best degree, &c.; all denoting an extreme point or superlative degree.  At all, is in any manner or degree.
At is sometimes used for to, or towards, noting progression or direction; as, he aims at perfection; he makes or runs at him, or points at him.  In this phrase, he longs to be at him, at has its general sense of approaching, or present, or with, in contest or attack.


Topic: Ataraxy
Definition:
AT'ARAXY, n.  [Gr. of a priv. and tumult.]
Calmness of mind; a term used by the stoics and skeptics to denote a freedom from the emotions which proceed from vanity and self-conceit.


Topic: Ataxy
Definition:
ATAX'Y, n.  [Gr. priv. and order.]
Want of order; disturbance; irregularity in the functions of the body, or in the crises and paroxysms of disease.


Topic: Ate
Definition:
ATE, The preterite of eat, which see.
ATE, n. a'ty.  [Gr. mischief; to hurt.  Ate is a personification of evil, mischief or malice.]
In pagan mythology, the goddess of mischief, who was cast down from heaven by Jupiter.


Topic: Atellan
Definition:
ATEL'LAN, a.  Relating to the dramas at Atella in Italy.
ATEL'LAN, n.  A dramatic representation, satirical or licentious.


Topic: Atempogiusto
Definition:
ATEMP'OGIUSTO,  [L. in tempore, justo.]
A direction in music, which signifies to sing or play in an equal, true or just time.


Topic: Athanasian
Definition:
ATHANA'SIAN, a.  Pertaining to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, in the fourth century.  The Athanasian creed is a formulary, confession or exposition of faith, supposed formerly to have been drawn up by Athanasius, but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles.  It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.


Topic: Athanor
Definition:
ATH'ANOR, n.  [Heb. thanor, an oven or furnace.]
A digesting furnace, formerly used in chimical operations, so constructed as to maintain a uniform and durable heat.  It is a furnace, with a lateral tower close on all sides, which is to be filled with fuel.  As the fuel below is consumed, that in the tower falls down to supply its place.


Topic: Atheism
Definition:
A'THEISM, n.  The disbelief of the existence of a God, or Supreme intelligent Being.
Atheism is a ferocious system that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us, to awaken tenderness.


Topic: Atheist
Definition:
A'THEIST, n.  [Gr. of a priv. and God.]
One who disbelieves the existence of a God, or Supreme intelligent Being.
A'THEIST, a.  Atheistical; disbelieving or denying the being of a Supreme God.


Topic: Athenian
Definition:
ATHE'NIAN, a.  [from Athens.]  Pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Attica in Greece.
ATHE'NIAN, n.  A native or inhabitant of Athens.


Topic: Atherina
Definition:
ATHERI'NA, n.  a genus of fishes of the abdominal order.  The characters are, the upper jaw is rather flat, the rays of the gill membrane are six, and the side belt or line shines like silver.  There are four species; the best known is the Hepsetus, very abundant in the Mediterranean, where it is caught in large quantities.


Topic: Atherome
Definition:
ATH'EROME, n.  [Gr. from pap.]
An encysted tumor, without pain or discoloration of the skin, containing matter like pap, intermixed with hard stony particles; easily cured by incision. 


Topic: Athirst
Definition:
ATHIRST', a.  athrust'.  [a and thirst.  See Thirst.]
1.  Thirsty; wanting drink.
2.  Having a keen appetite or desire.
He had a soul athirst for knowledge.


Topic: Athletic
Definition:
ATHLET'IC, a.  [Gr.; L. athleta, a wrestler; from strife, contest.]
1.  Belonging to wrestling, boxing, running and other exercises and sports, which were practiced by the ancients, usually called the athletic games.  Hence,
2.  Strong; lusty; robust; vigorous.  An athletic body or constitution is one fitted for vigorous exertions.


Topic: Athwart
Definition:
ATHWART', prep.  [a and thwart.  See Thwart.]
1.  Across; from side to side; transverse; as athwart the path.
2.  In marine language, across the line of a ship's course; as, a fleet standing athwart our course.
Athwart hause, is the situation of a ship when she lies across the stem of another, whether near, or at some distance.
Athwart the fore foot, is a phrase applied to the flight of a cannon ball, across another ship's course, ahead, as a signal for her to bring to.
Athwart ships, reaching across the ship from side to side, or in that direction.
ATHWART', adv.  In a manner to cross and perplex; crossly; wrong; wrongfully.


Topic: Atilt
Definition:
ATILT', adv.  [a and tilt.  See Tilt.]
1.  In the manner of a tilter; in the position, or with the action of a man making a thrust; as, to stand or run atilt.
2.  In the manner of a cask tilted, or with one end raised.


Topic: Atimy
Definition:
AT'IMY, n.  [Gr. honor.]
In ancient Greece, disgrace; exclusion from office or magistracy, by some disqualifying act or decree.


Topic: Atlantean
Definition:
ATLANTE'AN, a.  
1.  Pertaining to the isle Atlantis, which the ancients allege was sunk and overwhelmed by the ocean.
2.  Pertaining to Atlas; resembling Atlas.


Topic: Atlantis
Definition:
ATLAN'TIS,  n.  An isle mentioned by the ancients, situated west of Gades, or Cadiz, on the strait of Gibraltar.  The poets mention two isles and call them Hesperides, western isles, and Elysian fields.  Authors are not agreed whether these isles were the Canaries, or some other isles, or the continent of America.


Topic: Atlas
Definition:
AT'LAS, n.  
1.  A collection of maps in a volume; supposed to be so called from a picture of mount Atlas, supporting the heavens, prefixed to some collection.
2.  A large square folio, resembling a volume of maps.
3.  The supporters of a building.
4.  A silk satin, or stuff, manufactured in the east, with admirable ingenuity.  Atlasses are plain, striped, or flowered; but they have not the fine gloss and luster of some French silks.
5.  The first vertebra of the neck.
6.  A term applied to paper, as atlas fine.


Topic: Atmometer
Definition:
ATMOM'ETER, n.  [Gr. vapor, and to measure.]
An instrument to measure the quantity of exhalation from a humid surface in a given time; an evaporometer.


Topic: Atmosphere
Definition:
AT'MOSPHERE, n.  [Gr. vapor, and a sphere.
The whole mass of fluid, consisting of air, aqueous and other vapors, surrounding the earth.


Topic: Atom
Definition:
AT'OM, n.  [Gr.; L. atomus; from not, and to cut.]
1.  A particle of matter so minute as to admit of no division.  Atoms are conceived to be the first principles or component parts of all bodies.
2.  The ultimate or smallest component part of a body.
3.  Any thing extremely small.


Topic: Atone
Definition:
ATO'NE, adv.  [at and one.]  At one; together.
ATO'NE, v.i.  [Supposed to be compounded of at and one.  L. ad and unus, unio.]
1.  To agree; to be in accordance; to accord.
He and Aufidus can no more atone.
Than violentest contrariety.
[This sense is obsolete.]
2.  To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, amends or satisfaction for an offense or a crime, by which reconciliation is procured between the offended and offending parties.
The murderer fell and blood atoned for blood.
By what propitiation shall I atone for my former gravity.
The life of a slave was deemed to be of so little value, that a very slight compensation atoned for taking it away.
3.  To atone for, to make compensation or amends.
This evil was atoned for by the good effects of the study of the practical physics of Aristotle.
The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by any wise or popular measure.
ATO'NE, v.t.  
1.  To expiate; to answer or make satisfaction for.
or each atone his guilty love with life.
2.  To reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease.  [Not now used.]


Topic: Atonement
Definition:
ATO'NEMENT, n.
1.  Agreement; concord; reconciliation, after enmity or controversy.  Rom. 5.
Between the Duke of Glo'ster and your brothers.
2.  Expiation; satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing or suffering that which is received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; with for.
And Moses said to Aaron, go to the altar, and offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make an atonement for thyself and for the people.  Lev. 9.
When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement he can make for it is, to warn others not to fall into the like.
The Phocians behaved with so much gallantry, that they were thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former offense.
3.  In theology, the expiation of sin made by the obedience and personal sufferings of Christ.


Topic: Atony
Definition:
AT'ONY, n.  [Gr. defect, of a priv. and tone, from to stretch.]
Debility; relaxation; a want of tone or tension; defect of muscular power; palsy.


Topic: Atrip
Definition:
ATRIP', adv.  [a and trip.  See Trip.]
In nautical language, the anchor is atrip, when drawn out of the ground in a perpendicular direction.  The topsails are atrip, when they are hoisted to the top of the mast, or as high as possible.


Topic: Atrocious
Definition:
ATRO'CIOUS, a.  [L. atrox, trux, fierce, cruel.]
1. Extremely hainous, criminal or cruel; enormous; outrageous; as atrocious guilt or offense.
2. Very grievous; violent; as atrocious distempers.


Topic: Atrophy
Definition:
AT'ROPHY, n.  [Gr. a priv. and to nourish.]
A consumption or wasting of the flesh, with loss of strength, without any sensible cause or hectic fever; a wasting from defect of nourishment.


Topic: Atropia
Definition:
ATRO'PIA, n.  A new vegetable alkali extracted from the atropa belladonna, or deadly nightshade.  It is white, brilliant and crystallizes in long needles.


Topic: Attach
Definition:
ATTACH', v.t.  [Gr.; L. tango, for tago, Eng. tack; &c.  See attack and Tack.
1.  To take by legal authority; to arrest the person by writ, to answer for a debt; applied to a taking of the person by a civil process; being never used for the arrest of a criminal.  It is applied also to the taking of goods and real estate by an officer, by virtue of a writ or precept, to hold the same to satisfy a judgment to be rendered in the suit.
2.  To take, seize and lay hold on, by moral force, as by affection or interest; to win the heart; to fasten or bind by moral influence; as, attached to a friend; attaching others to us by wealth or flattery.
3.  To make to adhere; to tie, bind or fasten; as, to attach substances by any glutinous matter; to attach one thing to another by a string.


Topic: Attaching
Definition:
ATTACH'ING, ppr.  Taking or seizing by commandment or writ; drawing to, and fixing by influence; winning the affections.


Topic: Attachment
Definition:
ATTACH'MENT, n. 
1.  A taking of the person, goods or estate by a writ or precept in a civil action, to secure a debt or demand.
2.  A writ directing the person or estate of a person to be taken, to secure his appearance before a court.  In England, the first notice to appear in court is by summons; and if the defendant disobeys this monition, a writ of attachment issues, commanding the sheriff to attach him, by taking gage, or security in goods, which he forfeits by non-appearance, or by making him find safe pledges or sureties for his appearance.  But in trespasses, an attachment is more generally the first process, and in some states, the writ of attachment issues at first against the property or person of the defendant.  In Connecticut, this writ issues against the person, goods or land, in the first instance, commanding to take the goods and estate of the defendant, if to be found; or otherwise, to take his body.  In England, witnesses not appearing upon a summons, may be taken by attachment; a process called with us a capias.  Attachments also issue against persons for contempt of court.  The court of attachments, in England, is held before the verderors of the forest, to attach and try offenders against vert and vension.
Foreign attachment is the taking of the money or goods of a debtor in the hands of a stranger; as when the debtor is not within the jurisdiction of the court or has absconded.  Any person who has goods or effects of a debtor, is considered in law as the agent, attorney, factor or trustee of the debtor; and an attachment served on such person binds the property in his hands to respond the judgment against the debtor.
3.  Close adherence or affection; fidelity; regard; any passion or affection that binds a person; as, an attachment to a friend, or to a party.


Topic: Attack
Definition:
ATTACK', v.t  [Heb. to thrust, to drive, to strike.
1.  To assault; to fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and arms.  It is the appropriate word for the commencing act of hostility between armies and navies.
2.  To fall upon, with unfriendly words or writing; to begin a controversy with; to attempt to overthrow or bring into disrepute, by satire, calumny or criticism; as, to attack a man or his opinions in a pamphlet.
ATTACK', n.  An onset; first invasion; a falling on, with force or violence, or with calumny, satire or criticism.


Topic: Attagen
Definition:
AT'TAGEN, n.  A beautiful fowl, resembling the pheasant, with a short black bill and a fine crest of yellow feathers, variegated with black and white spots, found in the mountains of Sicily.


Topic: Attain
Definition:
ATTA'IN, v.i.  [L. attingo, to reach, come to or overtake; ad and tango, to touch, reach or strike; that is, to thrust, urge or push to.  it has no connection with L. attineo.  See Class.]
1.  To reach; to come to or arrive at, by motion, bodily exertion, or efforts towards a place or object.
If by any means they might attain to Phenice.  Acts 28.
2.  To reach; to come to or arrive at, by an effort of mind.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain to it.  Ps. 139.
Regularly this verb should be always followed by to; the omission of to, and the use of the verb, in a transitive sense, may have originated in mistake, from the opinion that the verb is from the L. attineo, and equivalent to obtain.
ATTA'IN, v.t.  
1.  To gain; to compass; to achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; without to following.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?
This use of the verb is now established; but in strictness to is here implied; attain to the end.  The real sense, as in the intransitive use of the verb is, to reach or come to the end or purpose in view.  This word always implies an effort towards an object.  Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort.  We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means.  An inattention to this distinction has led good authors into great mistakes in the use of this word.
2.  To reach or come to a place or object by progression or motion. 
But ere such tidings shall his ears attain.
Canaan he now attains.
3.  To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.


Topic: Attainable
Definition:
ATTA'INABLE, a.  That may be attained; that may be reached by efforts of the mind or body; that may be compassed or accomplished by efforts directed to the object; as, perfection is not attainable in this life.  From an inattention to the true sense of this word, as explained under attain, authors have very improperly used this word for obtainable, procurable; as in the following passages.  'The kind and quality of food and liquor; the species of habitation, furniture and clothing to which the common people of each country are habituated, must be attainable with ease and certainty.'  'Gen. Howe would not permit them to be purchased in Philadelphia, and they (clothes and blankets) were not attainable in the country.'  Marshall's Life of Washington, 3,428.  Each of these words should be obtainable.


Topic: Attainder
Definition:
ATTA'INDER, n.  [L. ad and tingo, to stain; Gr.  See Tinge.]
1.  Literally a staining, corruption, or rendering impure; a corruption of blood.  Hence,
2.  The judgment of death, or sentence of a competent tribunal upon a person convicted of treason or felony, which judgment attaints, taints or corrupts his blood, so that he can no longer inherit lands.  The consequences of this judgment are, forfeiture of lands, tenements and hereditaments, loss of reputation, and disqualification to be a witness in any court of law.  A statute of Parliament attainting a criminal, is called an act of attainder.
Upon the thorough demonstration of which guilt by legal attainder, the feudal covenant is broken.
3.  The act of attainting.
An act was made for the attainder of several persons.
Note.  by the constitution of the United States, no crime words an attainder.


Topic: Attainment
Definition:
ATTA'INMENT, n.  
1.  The act of attaining; the act of arriving at or reaching; hence the act of obtaining by efforts; as the attainment of excellence.
2.  That which is attained to, or obtained by exertion; acquisition; as, a man of great attainments.


Topic: Attaint
Definition:
ATTA'INT, v.t.  [See Attainder.]
1.  To taint or corrupt; to extinguish the pure or inheritable blood of a person found guilty of treason or felony, by confession, battle, or verdict, and consequent sentence of death, or by special act of Parliament.
No person shall be attainted of high treason where corruption of blood is incurred, but by the oath of two witnesses, &c.
2.  To taint, as the credit of jurors, convicted of giving a false verdict.  This is done by special writ of attaint.  The conviction of such a crime attaints the reputation of jurors, and renders them infamous.
3.  To disgrace; to cloud with infamy; to stain.
4.  To taint or corrupt.
ATTA'INT, n.  
1.  A stain, spot or taint.  [See taint.]
2.  Any thing injurious; that which impairs.  Obs.
3.  A blow or wound on the hinder feet of a horse.
4.  A writ which lies after judgment against a jury for giving a false verdict in any court of record.


Topic: Attainting
Definition:
ATTA'INTING, ppr.  Staining; corrupting; rendering infamous by judicial act; depriving of inheritable blood.


Topic: Attemper
Definition:
ATTEM'PER, v.t.  [L. attempero, of ad and tempero, to temper, mix, or moderate.  See Temper.]
1.  To reduce, modify or moderate by mixture; as, to attemper heat by a cooling mixture, or spirit by diluting it with water.
2.  To soften, mollify or moderate; as, to attemper rigid justice with clemency.
3.  To mix in just proportion; to regulate; as, a mind well attempered with kindness and justice.
4.  To accommodate; to fit or make suitable.
Arts attempered to the lyre.


Topic: Attemperate
Definition:
ATTEM'PERATE, a.  [L. attemperatus.]
Tempered; proportioned; suited.
Hope must be proportioned and attemperate to the promise.
ATTEM'PERATE, v.t.  To attemper.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Attempt
Definition:
ATTEMPT', v.t.  [L. attento, to attempt, of ad and tento, to try; tento is from the same root as tendo, to strain;  Gr.  Hence, the literal sense is to strain, urge, stretch.]
1.  To make an effort to effect some object; to make trial or experiment; to try; to endeavor; to use exertion for any purpose; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight.
2.  To attack; to make an effort upon; as, to attempt the enemy's camp.
This verb is not always followed by an object, and appears to be intransitive; but some object is understood, or a verb in the infinitive follows in the place of an object; as, he attempted to speak.
ATTEMPT', n.  An essay, trial or endeavor; an attack; or an effort to gain a point.


Topic: Attend
Definition:
ATTEND', v.t.  [L. attendo; ad and tendo, to stretch, to tend.  See Tend.]
1.  To go with, or accompany, as a companion, minister or servant.
2.  To be present; to accompany or be united to; as a cold attended with fever.
3.  To be present for some duty, implying charge or oversight; to wait on; as, the physician or the nurse attends the sick.
4.  To be present in business; to be in company from curiosity, or from some connection in affairs; as, lawyers or spectators attend a court.
5.  To be consequent to, from connection of cause; as, a measure attended with ill effects.
6.  To await; to remain, abide or be in store for; as, happiness or misery attends us after death.
7.  To wait for; to lie in wait.
8.  To wait or stay for.
Three days I promised to attend my doom.
9.  To accompany with solicitude; to regard.
Their hunger thus appeased, their care attends.
The doubtful fortune of their absent friends.
10.  To regard; to fix the mind upon.
The pilot doth not attend the unskillful words of the passenger.
This is not now a legitimate sense.  To express this idea, we now use the verb intransitively, with to, attend to.
11.  To expect.  [Not in use.]
ATTEND', v.i.
1.  To listen; to regard with attention; followed by to.
Attend to the voice of my supplication.  Ps. 86.
Hence much used in the imperative, attend!
2.  To regard with observation, and correspondent practice.
My son, attend to my words.
Hence, to regard with compliance.
He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.  Ps. 64.
3.  To fix the attention upon, as an object of pursuit; to be busy or engaged in; as, to attend to the study of the scriptures.
4.  To wait on; to accompany or be present, in pursuance of duty; with on or upon; as, to attend upon a committee; to attend upon business.  Hence,
5.  To wait on, in service or worship; to serve.
That ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.  
1Cor. 7.
6.  To stay; to delay.  Obs.
For this perfection she must yet attend,
Till to her maker she espoused be.
7.  To wait; to be within call.


Topic: Attendance
Definition:
ATTEND'ANCE, n.  
1.  The act of waiting on, or serving.
Of which no man gave attendance at the altar.  Heb. 7.
2.  A waiting on; a being present on business of any kind; as, the attendance of witnesses of persons in court; attendance of members of the legislature.
3.  Service; ministry.
Receive attendance.
4.  The persons attending; a train; a retinue.
5.  Attention; regard; careful application of mind.
Give attendance to reading.  1Tim. 4.
6.  Expectation.  Obs.


Topic: Attendant
Definition:
ATTEND'ANT, a. 
1.  Accompanying; being present, or in the train.
Other suns with their attendant moons.
2.  Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following, as consequential; as, intemperance with all its attendant evils.
3.  In law, depending on or owing service to; as, the wife attendant to the heir.
ATTEND'ANT, n.
1.  One who attends or accompanies, in any character whatever, as a friend, companion, minister or servant; one who belongs to the train.
2.  One who is present; as an attendant at or upon a meeting.
3.  One who owes service to or depends on another.
4.  That which accompanies or is consequent to.
A love of fame, the attendant of noble spirits.
Shame is the attendant of vice.


Topic: Attending
Definition:
ATTEND'ING, ppr.  Going with; accompanying; waiting on; superintending or taking care of; being present; immediately consequent to; serving; listening; regarding with care.


Topic: Attention
Definition:
ATTEN'TION, n.  
1.  The act of attending or heeding; the due application of the ear to sounds, or of the mind to objects presented to its contemplation.  [Literally, a stretching towards.
They say the tongues of dying men
Enforce attention like deep harmony.
2.  Act of civility, or courtesy; as attention to a stranger.


Topic: Attentive
Definition:
ATTENT'IVE, a.
Heedful; intent; observant; regarding with care.  It is applied to the senses of hearing and seeing, as an attentive ear or eye; to the application of the mind, as in contemplation; or to the application of the mind, together with the senses abovementioned, as when a person is attentive to the words, the manner and matter of a speaker at the same time.


Topic: Attenuant
Definition:
ATTEN'UANT, a.  [See Attenuate.]
Making thin, as fluids; diluting; rendering less dense and viscid.
ATTEN'UANT, n.  A medicine which thins the humors, subtilizes their parts, dissolves viscidity, and disposes the fluids to motion, circulation and secretion; a diluent.


Topic: Attenuate
Definition:
ATTEN'UATE, v.t.  [L. attenuo, of ad and tenuo, to make thin; tenuis;  Eng. thin, which see.]
1.  To make thin or less consistent; to subtilize or break the humors of the body into finer parts; to render less viscid; opposed to condense, incrassate or thicken.
2.  To comminute; to break or wear solid substances into finer or very minute parts.
This uninterrupted motion must attenuate and wear away the hardest rocks.
3.  To make slender; to reduce in thickness.
ATTEN'UATE, a.  Made thin, or less viscid; made slender.


Topic: Attenuated
Definition:
ATTEN'UATED, ppr.  Made thin or less viscid; comminuted; made slender.  In botany, growing slender towards the point.


Topic: Attenuating
Definition:
ATTEN'UATING, pp.  Making thin, as fluids; making fine, as solid substances; making slender or lean.


Topic: Attenuation
Definition:
ATTENUA'TION, n.
1.  The act of making thin, as fluids; as the attenuation of the humors.
2.  The act of making fine, by comminution, or attrition.
The action of the air facilitates the attenuation of these rocks.
3.  The act or process of making slender, thin or lean.


Topic: Atteration
Definition:
ATTERA'TION, n.  The operation of forming land by the wearing of the sea, and the wearing of the earth in one place and deposition of it in another.


Topic: Attest
Definition:
ATTEST', v.t.  [L. attestor; of ad and testor, to affirm or bear witness, from testis.  See Testify.]
1.  To bear witness; to; to certify; to affirm to be true or genuine; to make a solemn declaration in words or writing, to support a fact; appropriately used the affirmation of persons in their official capacity; as, to attest the truth of a writing; to attest a copy of record.  Persons also attest writings by subscribing their names.
2.  To bear witness, or support the truth of a fact, by other evidence than words; as, the ruins of Palmyra attest its ancient magnificence.
3.  To call to witness; to invoke as conscious.
The sacred streams which heaven's imperial state Attests in oaths, and fears to violate.
ATTEST', n.  Witness; testimony; attestation.  [Little used.]


Topic: Attestation
Definition:
ATTESTA'TION, n.  Testimony; witness; a solemn or official declaration, verbal or written, in support of a fact; evidence.  The truth appears from the attestation of witnesses, or of the proper officer.  The subscription of a name to a writing is an attestation.


Topic: Attested
Definition:
ATTEST'ED, pp.  Proved or supported by testimony, solemn or official; witnessed; supported by evidence.


Topic: Attic
Definition:
AT'TIC, a.  [L. Atticus; Gr.]
Pertaining to Attica in Greece, or to its principal city, Athens.  Thus, Attic wit, Attic salt, a poignant, delicate wit, peculiar to the Athenians; Attic faith, inviolable faith. 
Attic base, a peculiar base used by the ancient architects in the Ionic order, or column; and by Palladio and others, in the Doric.
Attic order, an order of small square pillars at the uppermost extremity of a building.  This had its origin in Athens, and was intended to conceal the roof.  These pillars should never exceed one third of the length of the order on which they are placed, nor be less than one quarter of it.
Attic story, a story in the upper part of a house, where the windows usually are square.
AT'TIC, n.
1.  A small square pillar with its cornice on the uppermost part of a building.  Attics properly form the crown of the building, or a finishing for the other orders, when they are used in the structure.
2.  An Athenian; an Athenian author.


Topic: Atticism
Definition:
AT'TICISM, n.  
1.  The peculiar style and idiom of the Greek language, used by the Athenians; refined and elegant Greek; concise and elegant expression.
2.  A particular attachment to the Athenians.


Topic: Atticize
Definition:
AT'TICIZE, v.t.  To conform or make conformable to the language or idiom of Attica.  
AT'TICIZE, v.i.  To use atticisms, or the idiom of the Athenians.


Topic: Attire
Definition:
ATTI'RE, v.t.
To dress; to array; to adorn with elegant or splendid garments.
With the linen miter shall Aaron be attired.  Lev. 16.
ATTI'RE, n. 
1.  Dress; clothes; habit; but appropriately, ornamental dress.
Can a bride forget her attire.  Jer. 2.
2.  The horns of a deer.
3.  In botany, the generative parts of plants.  florid attire, called thrums or suits, as in the flowers of marygold or tansy, consists of two or three parts, of which the outer part is the floret.  semiform attire consists of the chives and apexes.  This language is now obsolete.


Topic: Attitude
Definition:
AT'TITUDE, n.  [L. actus, ago. 
1.  In painting and sculpture, the posture or action in which a figure or statue is placed; the gesture of a figure or statue; such a disposition of the parts as serves to express the action and sentiments of the person represented.
2.  Posture; position of things or persons; as, in times of trouble let the prince or a nation preserve a firm attitude.


Topic: Attollent
Definition:
ATTOL'LENT, a.  [L. attollens, attollo, of ad and tollor, to lift.]
Lifting up; raising; as an attollent muscle.
ATTOL'LENT, n.  a muscle which raises some part, as the ear, the tip of the nose, or the upper eye lid; otherwise called levator and elevator.


Topic: Attorn
Definition:
ATTORN',  v.i.  [L. ad and torno.]
In the feudal law, to turn, or transfer homage and service from one lord to another.  This is the act of feudatories, vassels or tenants, upon the alienation of the estate.


Topic: Attorney
Definition:
ATTORN'EY, n.  plu.  attorneys.
One who is appointed or admitted in the place of another, to manage his matters in law.  The word formerly signified any person who did business for another; but its sense is now chiefly or wholly restricted to persons who act as substitutes for the persons concerned, in prosecuting and defending actions before courts of justice, or in transacting other business in which legal rights are involved.  The word answers to the procurator, (proctor,) of the civilians.
Attorneys are not admitted to practice in courts until examined, approved, licensed and sworn, by direction of some court; after which they are proper officers of the court.
In G. Britain, and in some of the United States, attorneys are not permitted to be advocates or counsel in the higher courts; this privilege being confined to counsellors and sergeants.  In other states, there is no distinction of rank, and attorneys practice in all the courts.  And in general sense, the word attorney comprehends counsellors, barristers and serjeants.
In Virginia, the duties of attorney, counsellor, conveyancer and advocate, are all performed by the same individual.
An attorney may have general powers to transact business for another; or his powers may be special, or limited to a particular act or acts.
Attorney General is an officer appointed to manage business for the king, the state or public; and his duty, in particular, is to prosecute persons guilty of crimes.
A letter or warrant of attorney is a written authority from one person empowering another to transact business for him.
ATTORN'EY, v.t.  To perform by proxy; to employ as a proxy.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Attorning
Definition:
ATTORN'ING, ppr.  Acknowledging a new lord, or transferring homage and fealty to the purchaser of an estate.


Topic: Attornment
Definition:
ATTORN'MENT, n.  The act of a feudatory, vassal or tenant, by which he consents, upon the alienation of an estate, to receive a new lord or superior, and transfers to him his homage and service.


Topic: Attract
Definition:
ATTRACT', v.t.  [L. attraho, attractus, of ad and trako, to draw.  See Drag and Draw.]
1.  To draw to; to cause to move towards, and unite with; as, electrical bodies attract straws, and light substances, by physical laws.
2.  To draw to or incline to unite with though some cause may prevent the union; as, the sun is supposed to attract the planets.
3.  To draw by influence of a moral kind; to invite or allure; as, to attract admirers.
4.  To engage; as, to attract attention.
ATTRACT', n.  Attraction.  [Not in use.]


Topic: Attractability
Definition:
ATTRACTABIL'ITY, n.  The quality of being attractable, or of being subject to the law of attraction.


Topic: Attraction
Definition:
ATTRAC'TION, n.  
1.  The power in bodies which is supposed to draw them together; or the tendency or principle which inclines them to unite or cohere; called by Copernicus, appetence.
This power, principle or tendency in bodies to unite, is distinguished by philosophers into attraction of gravity or gravitation, which extends to a sensible distance, such as the tendency of the planets to the sun, or of a stone, when raised in the air, to fall to the earth, and of which kind is the attraction of magnetism, and of electricity; and into attraction of cohesion, or that tendency which is manifested between small particles of matter, at insensible distances, or near the point of contact, to unite them in coherence. 
The attraction of gravity is supposed to be the great principle which confines the planets in their orbits.  Its power or force is directly as the quantity of matter in a body, and inversely as the square of the distances of the attracting bodies.
2.  The act of attracting; the effect of the principle of attraction.
Attraction may be performed by impulse or other means.
3.  The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting or engaging; as the attraction of beauty or eloquence.
Contiguous attraction is that which is exerted between minute particles or atoms, at insensible distances.  When this principle unites particles of the same kind, it is called affinity of aggregation, cohesive affinity or cohesion.  When it operates on dissimilar particles, producing union, it is distinguished as heterogeneous, and called chimical attraction or affinity.
Elective attraction, in chimistry, is otherwise called affinity.  It is that power in substances, which elects or selects from a mixture those elements with which they have the strongest tendency to combine.


Topic: Attractive
Definition:
ATTRACT'IVE, a. 
1.  Having the quality of attracting; drawing to; as the attractive force of bodies.
2.  Drawing to by moral influence; alluring; inviting; engaging; as the attractive graces.
An attractive undertaking.


Topic: Attributable
Definition:
ATTRIB'UTABLE, a.  [See attribute.]
That may be ascribed, imputed or attributed; ascribable; imputable; as, the fault is not attributable to the author.


Topic: Attribute
Definition:
ATTRIB'UTE, v.t.  [L. attribuo; ad and tribuo, to divide, to bestow, to assign; tribus, a tribe, division or ward.  See Tribe.]
1.  To allot or attach, in contemplation; to ascribe; to consider as belonging.
We attribute nothing to God, that contains a contradiction.
2.  To give as due; to yield as an act of the mind; as, to attribute to God all the glory of redemption.
3.  To impute, as to a cause; as, our misfortunes are generally to be attributed to our follies or imprudence.


Topic: Attributive
Definition:
ATTRIB'UTIVE, a.  Pertaining to or expressing an attribute.
ATTRIB'UTIVE, n.  In grammar, a word significant of an attribute; as an adjective, verb or particle, which is the attribute of a substance.


Topic: Attrite
Definition:
ATTRI'TE, a.  [L. attritus, worn, of ad and tero to wear; Gr.  See Trite.]  worn by rubbing or friction.
[See Trite, which is now generally used.]


Topic: Attrition
Definition:
ATTRI'TION, n. 
1.  Abrasion; the act of wearing by friction, or rubbing substances together.
the change of aliment is effected by the attrition of the stomach.
2.  the state of being worn.
3.  with divines, grief for sin arising from fear of punishment; the lowest degree of repentance.


Topic: Attune
Definition:
ATTU'NE, v.t  [of ad and tune.  See tone and Tune.]
1.  to make musical.
Vernal airs attune the trembling leaves.
2.  To tune, or put in tune; to adjust one sound to another; to make accordant; as, to attune the voice to a harp.


Topic: Aubaine
Definition:
AUBA'INE, n.  aub'ain.
The droit d'aubaine, in France, is the right of the king to the goods of an alien dying within his jurisdiction, the king standing in the place of the heirs.


Topic: Auction
Definition:
AUC'TION, n.  [L. auctio, a public sale; Eng. to hawk.  See Hawk.]
1.  A public sale of property to the highest bidder, and regularly, by a person licensed and authorized for the purpose; a vendue.  contracts for services, sometimes, are sold to the lowest bidder.  By the Romans, this species of sale was made by a crier, sub hasta, under a spear stuck in the earth.
2.  The thing sold at auction.


Topic: Auctioneer
Definition:
AUCTIONEE'R, n.  [L. auctionarius.]
The person who sells at auction; a person licensed by government to dispose of goods or lands by public sale to the highest bidder.
AUCTIONEE'R, v.t.  To sell at auction.


Topic: Aucupation
Definition:
AUCUPA'TION, n.  [L. aucupatio, from aucupor, of avis and capio.]  The act or practice of taking birds; fowling; bird-catching.  [Little used.]


Topic: Audacious
Definition:
AUDA'CIOUS, a.  [L. audax; audeo, to dare.  The sense is, advancing forward.]
1.  Very bold or daring; impudent; conteming the restraints of law, religion or decorum; used for bold in wickedness; applied to persons; as an audacious wretch.
2.  Committed with, or proceeding from, daring effrontery, or contempt of law; as an audacious crime.
3.  Bold; spirited.


Topic: Audacity
Definition:
AUDAC'ITY, n.
1.  Boldness, sometimes in a good sense; daring spirit, resolution or confidence.
2.  Audaciousness; impudence; in a bad sense; implying a contempt of law or moral restraint.


Topic: Audeanism
Definition:
AUD'EANISM, n.  Anthropomorphism; or the doctrine of Audeus, who maintained that God has a human shape, from Gen. 1:26.


Topic: Audible
Definition:
AUD'IBLE, a.  [L. audibilis, from audio, to hear.  This word is evidently connected with the name of the ear; Gr.]
That may be heard; perceivable by the ear; loud enough to be heard; as an audible voice or whisper.


Topic: Audience
Definition:
AUD'IENCE, n.
1.  The act of hearing, or attending to sounds.
His bold discourse had audience.
2.  Admittance to a hearing; public reception to an interview; a ceremony observed in courts, or by official characters, when ambassadors or applicants to men in office are permitted to appear and state their business in person.
3.  An auditory; an assembly of hearers.
4.  In the Spanish dominions, a court; as the audience of Seville, which is a court of oyer and terminer; and the audience pretorial, in the Indies, which is a high court of judicature.  The word in Spain also signifies certain law-officers, appointed to institute a judicial inquiry.
5.  In England, a court held by the arch-bishop of Canterbury, on the subject of consecrations, elections, institutions, marriages, &c.


Topic: Audit
Definition:
AUD'IT, n.  [L. audit, he hears.]  
1.  An examination of an account or of accounts, with a hearing of the parties concerned, by proper officers, or persons appointed for that purpose, who compare the charges with the vouchers, examine witnesses, and state the balance.
2.  The result of such an examination, or account as adjusted by auditors; a final account.
AUD'IT, v.t.  To examine and adjust an account or accounts, by proper officers, or by persons legally authorized for the purpose; as, to audit the accounts of a treasurer, or of parties who have a suit depending in court.


Topic: Auditor
Definition:
AUD'ITOR, [L.]  
1.  A hearer; one who attends to hear a discourse.
2.  A person appointed and authorized to examine an account or accounts, compare the charges with the vouchers, examine the parties and witnesses, allow or reject charges, and state the balance.  It is usual with courts to refer accounts, on which an action is brought, to auditors for adjustment, and their report, if received, is the basis of the judgment.
In England, there are officers who are auditors of courts; as the auditors of the Exchequer, of the receipts, &c.


Topic: Auditory
Definition:
AUD'ITORY, a.  That has the power of hearing; pertaining to the sense or organs of hearing; as, the auditory nerve.
AUD'ITORY, n.  [L. auditorium.]  
1.  An audience; an assembly of hearers, as in a church or lecture room.
2.  A place or apartment where discourses are delivered.  In ancient churches, the nave, where the hearers stood to be instructed.
3.  A bench on which a judge sits to hear causes.


Topic: Augean
Definition:
AUGE'AN, a.  The Augean stable, in Grecian mythology, is represented as belonging to Augeas or Augias, one of the Argonauts, and afterwards king of Elis.  This prince kept a great number of oxen, in a stable which was never cleansed, until Hercules undertook the task; a task which it seemed impracticable to execute.  Hence the Augean stable came to represent what is deemed impracticable, or a place which has not, for a long time been cleansed.


Topic: Auger
Definition:
AUG'ER, n.  
An instrument for boring large holes, chiefly used by carpenters, joiners, cabinet makers, wheelwrights and shipwrights.  It consists of an iron blade, ending in a steel bit, with a handle placed at right angles with the blade.  Augers, made with a straight channel or groove, in some places, are called pod-augers; the modern augers, with spiral channels, are called screw-augers.


Topic: Aught
Definition:
AUGHT, n. aut.[L. qui, quae, quod, quid, what, to be the same word varied in orthography.  This word should not be written ought.]
1.  Any thing, indefinitely.
But go, my son, and see if aught be wanting.
2.  Any part, the smallest; a jot or tittle.
There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken. Josh. 21.


Topic: Augite
Definition:
AU'GITE, n.  [Gr. brightness.]
A mineral called by Hauy, pyroxene; often found in distinct crystals.  Its secondary forms are all six or eight-sided prisms.  Sometimes it appears in hemitrope crystals.  It has a foliated structure, and is harder than hornblend.  The varieties are common augite, sahlite, fassaite, and cocolite.  The omphacite of Werner appears also to be a variety; and the common augite, found near the lake Baikal, has been called Baikalite.
Werner divides augite into four sub-species; granular, foliated, conchoidal, and common; and there is a variety called slaggy augite.


Topic: Augment
Definition:
AUGMENT', v.t.  [L. augmento, augmentum, from augeo, auxi, to increase; Gr.  It seems to be the Eng. to wax, or to eke.]
1.  To increase; to enlarge in size or extent; to swell; to make bigger; as, to augment an army, by reinforcement; rain augments a stream.
2.  To increase or swell the degree, amount or magnitude; as, impatience augments an evil.
AUGMENT', v.i.  To increase; to grow larger; as, a stream augments by rain.


Topic: Augmentation
Definition:
AUGMENTA'TION, n. 
1.  The act of increasing, or making larger, by addition, expansion, or dilatation.
2.  The state of being increased or enlarged.
3.  The thing added by which a thing is enlarged.
4.  In music, a doubling the value of the notes of the subject of a fugue or canon.
Augmentation Court, in England, a court erected by 27 Hen. VIII., to augment the revenues of the crown, by the suppression of monasteries.  It was long ago dissolved.
In heraldry, augmentation consists in additional charges to a coat-armor, often as marks of honor, borne on the escutcheon or a canton.


Topic: Augur
Definition:
AU'GUR, n.  [L. augur.  The first syllable is from avis, a fowl; but the meaning and origin of the last syllable are not obvious.]
1.  Among the Romans, an officer whose duty was to foretell future events by the singing, chattering, flight and feeding of birds.  There was a college or community of augers, originally three in number, and afterwards nine, four patricians, and five plebeians.  They bore a staff or wand, and were held in great respect.
2.  One who pretends to foretell future events by omens.
We all know that augur cannot look at augur without laughing.
AU'GUR, v.i.  To guess; to conjecture by signs or omens; to prognosticate.
AU'GUR, v.t.  To predict or foretell; as, to augur ill success.


Topic: Augural
Definition:
AU'GURAL, a.  [L. auguralis.]  Pertaining to an augur, or to prediction by the appearance of birds.  The Romans had their augural staff and augural books.


Topic: Auguration
Definition:
AUGURA'TION, n.  The practice of augury, or the foretelling of events by the chattering and flight of birds.  It may be used for prediction by other signs and omens.


Topic: Augury
Definition:
AU'GURY, n.  [L. augurium.]  
1.  The art or practice of foretelling events by the flight or chattering of birds.
2.  An omen; prediction; prognostication.


Topic: August
Definition:
AUGUST', a.  [L. augustus.  The first syllable of this word is probably from the root of augeo, or of awe.]
Grand; magnificent; majestic; impressing awe; inspiring reverence.
The Trojan chief appeared, august in visage.
It is related that this epithet was first conferred by the Roman senate upon Octavius, after confirming him in the sovereign power.


Topic: Augustan
Definition:
AUGUST'AN, a.
1.  Pertaining to Augustus; as the Augustan age.
2.  The Augustan confession, drawn up at Augusta or Augsburg, by Luther and Melancthon, in 1530, contains the principles of the protestants, and their reasons for separating from the Romish church.


Topic: Augustinians
Definition:
AUGUSTIN'IANS, n.  Those divines, who from St. Augustin, maintain that grace is effectual from its nature, absolutely and morally, not relatively and gradually.


Topic: Auk
Definition:
AUK, n.  [contracted from Alca.]  The alca, a genus of aquatic fowls, of the order of ansers, including the northern penguin or great auk, the little auk or black and white diver, the puffin, &c.


Topic: Aulic
Definition:
AU'LIC, a.  [L. audicus, from aula, a hall, court or palace; Gr.]
Pertaining to a royal court.  The epithet is probably confined to the German Empire, where it is used to designate certain courts or officers composing the courts.  The aulic council is composed of a president, who is a catholic, a vice-chancellor and eighteen counsellors, nine of whom are protestants, and nine catholics.  They always follow the Emperor's court, and decide without an appeal.  This council ceases at the death of the Emperor.
The Aulic, in some European universities, is an act of a young divine, on being admitted a doctor of divinity.  It begins by a harangue of the chancellor addressed to the young doctor, after which he receives the cap and presides at the Aulic or disputation.


Topic: Aum
Definition:
AUM, n.
A Dutch liquid measure, containing eight steckans or twenty verges or verteels, equal to the English tierce, the sixth of a French tun, and the seventh of an English tun, or thirty-six gallons.


Topic: Aune
Definition:
AUNE, n.  [A contraction of aulne, ulna.]
A French cloth measure, but of different lengths in different parts of the country.  At Rouen, it is an Eng. ell; at Calais, 1.52; at Lyons, 1.061; at Paris, 0.95.


Topic: Aunt
Definition:
'AUNT, n.  [L. amita, contracted.]
The sister of one's father or mother, correlative to nephew or niece.


Topic: Aura
Definition:
AU'RA, n.  [L. from Heb. a stream; Gr.  See Air.]
Literally, a breeze, or gentle current of air, but used by English writers for a stream of fine particles flowing from a body, as effluvia, aroma, or odor; an exhalation.


Topic: Aurate
Definition:
AU'RATE, n.  [Supposed to be from aurum, gold.]
A sort of pear.
AU'RATE, n.  [L. aurum, gold; Heb. light fire, and to shine, from its color.]
A combination of the oxyd of gold with a base; as aurate of potash.


Topic: Aurelia
Definition:
AURE'LIA, n.  [from aurum, or aur, gold, from its color.  See Chrysalis.]
In natural history, the nymph or chrysalis of an insect; or the form of an animal, like a worm or maggot, covered with a hardish pellicle, and in a state of seeming insensibility.  From this state, it changes to a moth, butterfly or other winged insect.


Topic: Auric
Definition:
AU'RIC, a.  [from aurum, gold.]  Pertaining to gold.  The auric acid is a saturated combination of gold and oxygen.


Topic: Auricle
Definition:
AU'RICLE, n.  [L. auricula, dim. from auris, the ear.]
1.  The external ear, or that part which is prominent from the heat.
2.  The auricles of the heart are two muscular bags, situated at the base, serving as diverticula for the blood, during the diastole.  They resemble the auricle of the ear, and cover the ventricles of the heart, like caps.  Their systole of the heart, and vice versa.  They receive the blood from the veins, and communicate it to the ventricles.


Topic: Auricular
Definition:
AURIC'ULAR, a.  [from L. auricula, the ear.]
1.  Pertaining to the ear; within the sense of hearing; told in the ear; as auricular confession.
2.  Recognized by the ear; known by the sense of hearing; as auricular evidence.
3.  Traditional; known by report; as auricular traditions.


Topic: Auriferous
Definition:
AURIF'EROUS, a.  [L. aurifer, from aurum, gold, and fero, to produce.]  
That yields or produces gold; as auriferous sands or streams.


Topic: Auriga
Definition:
AURI'GA, n.  [L. of aurea, orea, a head-stall, a bridle, and rego, to govern or manage.]
Literally, the director of a car, or wagon.  
1.  In astronomy, the wagoner, a constellation in the northern hemisphere, consisting of 23 stars, according to Tycho; 40, according to Hevelius; and 68, in the British catalogue.
2.  The fourth lobe of the liver; also a bandage for the sides.


Topic: Auriscalp
Definition:
AU'RISCALP, n.  [L. auris, ear, and scalpo, to scrape.]
An instrument to clean the ears; used also in operations of surgery on the ear.


Topic: Aurora
Definition:
AURO'RA, n.  [L. aurora;  Heb. light and to raise.]
1.  The rising light of the morning; the dawn of day, or morning twilight.
2.  The goddess of the morning, or twilight deified by fancy.  The poets represented her as rising out of the ocean, in a chariot, with rosy fingers dropping gentle dew.
3.  A species of crowfoot.
Aurora Borealis, or lumen boreale; northern twilight.  This species of light usually appears in streams, ascending towards the zenith from a dusky line a few degrees above the horizon.  sometimes it assumes a wavy appearance, as in America, in March 1782, when it overspread the whole hemisphere.  Sometimes it appears in detached places; at other times, it almost covers the hemisphere.  As the streams of light have a tremulous motion, they are called, in the Shetland isles, merry dancers.  They assume all shapes, and a variety of colors, from a pale red or yellow to a deep red or blood color; and in the northern latitudes, serve to illuminate the earth and cheer the gloom of long winter nights.  This light is sometimes near the earth.  It is said to have been seen between the spectator and a distant mountain.


Topic: Auscultation
Definition:
AUSCULTA'TION, n.  [L. from antiq. ause, Gr. the ear, and cultus, from colo, to use or exercise.]
1.  The act of listening, or hearkening to.
2.  In medicine, a method of distinguishing diseases, particularly in the thorax, by observing the sounds in the part, generally by means of a tube applied to the surface.


Topic: Auspicate
Definition:
AU'SPICATE, v.t.  [L. asupicor.]  
1.  To give a favorable turn to; a sense taken from the Roman practice of taking the auspicium, or inspection of birds, before they undertook any important business.
2.  To foreshow.
3.  To begin.


Topic: Auspice
Definition:
AU'SPICE, AU'SPICES, n.  [L. auspicium, of avis, a bird, and specio, to inspect.]
1.  The omens of an undertaking, drawn from birds; the same as augury, which see.
2.  Protection; favor shown; patronage; influence.  In this sense the word is generally plural auspices.


Topic: Auspicious
Definition:
AUSPI'CIOUS, a.  [See auspice.]  
1.  Having omens of success, or favorable appearances; as an auspicious beginning.
2.  Prosperous; fortunate; applied to persons; as auspicious chief.
3.  Favorable; kind; propitious; applied to persons or things; as an auspicious mistress.


Topic: Austere
Definition:
AUSTE'RE, a.  [L. Austerus.  
1.  Severe; harsh; rigid; stern; applied to persons; as an austere master; an austere look.
2.  Sour; harsh; rough to the taste; applied to things; as austere fruit, or wine.


Topic: Austerity
Definition:
AUSTER'ITY, n.  [L. austeritas.]  Severity of manners or life; rigor; strictness; harsh discipline.  It is particularly applied to the mortifications of a monastic life, which are called austerities.


Topic: Austral
Definition:
AUS'TRAL, a.  [L. australis, from auster, the south wind, or south.]
Southern; lying or being in the south; as austral land; austral signs.


Topic: Australasia
Definition:
AUSTRALA'SIA, n.  [austral and Asia.]  A name given to the countries situated to the south of Asia; comprehending New Holland, New Guinea, New Zealand, &c.


Topic: Austrian
Definition:
AUS'TRIAN, a.  [from Austria.  This word is formed with the Latin termination, ia, country.]
Pertaining to Austria, a circle or district of Germany, and an empire, lying on the Danube north of the gulf of Venice.
AUS'TRIAN, n.  A native of Austria.


Topic: Austromancy
Definition:
AUS'TROMANCY, n.  [from auster, the south wind, and Gr. divination.]
Soothsaying, or prediction of future events, from observations of the winds.
Auterfoits, a word composed of the French autre, another, and foits, fois, time, introduced into law language, under the Norman princes of England.  It signifies, at another time, formerly; as auterfoits acquit, auterfoits attaint, auterfoits convict, formerly acquitted, attainted or convicted, which being specially pleaded, is a bar to a second prosecution for the same offense.


Topic: Authenticalness
Definition:
AUTHEN'TICALNESS, n. The quality of being authentic; genuineness; the quality of being of good authority; authenticity.
[The latter word is generally used.]


Topic: Authenticate
Definition:
AUTHEN'TICATE, v.t.  To render authentic; to give authority to, by the proof, attestation, or formalities, required by law, or sufficient to entitle to credit.
The king serves only as a notary to authenticate the choice of judges.


Topic: Authenticating
Definition:
AUTHEN'TICATING, ppr.  Giving authority by the necessary signature, seal, attestation or other forms.


Topic: Authentication
Definition:
AUTHENTICA'TION, n.  The act of authenticating; the giving of authority by the necessary formalities.


Topic: Authenticity
Definition:
AUTHENTIC'ITY, n.  Genuineness; the quality of being of genuine original; as the authenticity of the scriptures.


Topic: Author
Definition:
AU'THOR, n.  [L. auctor.  The Latin word is from the root of augeo, to increase, or cause to enlarge.  The primary sense is one who brings or causes to come forth.]
1.  One who produces, creates, or brings into being; as, God is the author of the Universe.
2.  The beginner, former, or first mover of any thing; hence, the efficient cause of a thing.  It is appropriately applied to one who composes or writes a book, or original work, and in a more general sense, to one whose occupation is to compose and write books; opposed to compiler or translator.
AU'THOR, v.t.  To occasion; to effect.  [Not used.]


Topic: Authoritativeness
Definition:
AUTHOR'ITATIVENESS, n.  The quality of being authoritative; an acting by authority; authoritative appearance.


Topic: Authority
Definition:
AUTHOR'ITY, n.  [L. auctoritas.]
1.  Legal power, or a right to command or to act; as the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children.  Power; rule; sway.
2.  The power derived from opinion,  respect or esteem; influence of character or office; credit; as the authority of age or example, which is submitted to or respected, in some measure, as a law, or rule of action.  That which is claimed in justification or support of opinions and measures.
3.  Testimony; witness; or the person who testifies; as, the Gospels or the evangelists are our authorities for the miracles of Christ.
4.  Weight of testimony; credibility; as a historian of no authority.
5.  Weight of character; respectability; dignity; as a magistrate of great authority in the city.
6.  Warrant; order; permission.
By what authority dost thou these things.  Mat. 21.  Acts 9.
7.  Precedents, decisions of a court, official declarations, respectable opinions and says, also the books that contain them, are call authorities, as they influence the opinions of others; and in law, the decisions of supreme courts have a binding force upon inferior courts, and are called authorities.
8.  Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as the local authorities of the states.
In Connecticut, the justices of the peace are denominated the civil authority.


Topic: Authorize
Definition:
AU'THORIZE, v.t.
1.  To give authority, warrant or legal power to; to give a right to act; to empower; as, to authorize commissioners to settle the boundary of the state.
2.  To make legal; as, to authorize a marriage.
3.  To establish by authority, as by usage, or public opinion; as an authorized idiom of language.
4.  To give authority, credit or reputation to; as to authorize a report, or opinion.
5.  To justify; to support as right.  Suppress desires which reason does not authorize.


Topic: Authorized
Definition:
AU'THORIZED, pp.  Warranted by right; supported by authority; derived from legal or proper authority; having power or authority.


Topic: Autocrasy
Definition:
AUTOC'RASY, n.  [Gr. self, and power, or to govern, to take or hold.]
Independent power; supreme, uncontrolled, unlimited authority or right of governing, in a single person.


Topic: Autocrator
Definition:
AU'TOCRATOR, n.  
1.  An absolute prince or sovereign; a ruler or monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government by inherent right, not subject to restriction; a title assumed by the Emperors of Russia.
2.  This title was sometimes conferred by the Athenians on their ambassadors and generals, when invested with unlimited powers.


Topic: Autocratrix
Definition:
AU'TOCRATRIX, n.  A female sovereign, who is independent and absolute; a title given to the Empresses of Russia.
1.  In the Romish church, a solemn day held by the Inquisition, for the punishment of heretics, and the absolution of the innocent accused.
2.  A sentence given by the Inquisition, and road to a criminal, or heretic, on the scaffold, just before he is executed.
3.  The session of the court of inquisition.


Topic: Automalite
Definition:
AUTOM'ALITE, n.  A mineral called by Hauy, spinelle zincifere.  it is classed with the spinel ruby.  it occurs imbedded in talcky slate; the color, a dark green.  It is crystallized in regular octahedrons, or in tetrahedrons with truncated angles.  It is harder than quartz, but not so hard as spinel.  It is sometimes called gahnite, from Gahn, its discoverer.


Topic: Automation
Definition:
AUTOM'ATION, n.  [Gr. self.  The Greek plural, automata, is sometimes used; but the regular English plural, automatons, is preferable.]
A self-moving machine, or one which moves by invisible springs.


Topic: Autonomy
Definition:
AUTON'OMY, n.  [Gr. self, and law, rule.]
This word is rarely used.  It signifies the power or right of self government, whether in a city which elects its own magistrates and makes its own laws, or in an individual who lives according to his own will.


Topic: Autoptically
Definition:
AUTOP'TICALLY, adv.  By means of ocular view, or one's own observation.
[Autopsy and its derivatives are rarely used.]


Topic: Autumn
Definition:
AU'TUMN, n.  au'tum.  [L. autumnus, 'Etymon multum torquetur.']
The third season of the year, or the season between summer and winter.  Astronomically, it begins at the equinox, when the sun enters libra, and ends at the winter solstice; but in popular language autumn comprises September, October and November.
The golden pomp of autumn.


Topic: Autumnal
Definition:
AUTUM'NAL,a.  Belonging to autumn; produced or gathered in autumn; as autumnal fruits.
AUTUM'NAL, n.  A plant that flowers in Autumn.  The autumnals form the third  division of plants in Du Pas' arrangement.


Topic: Auxesis
Definition:
AUXE'SIS, n.  [Gr. increase.]
In rhetoric, a figure by which any thing is magnified too much; an increasing, or exornation, when, for amplification, a more grave and magnificent word is put for the proper word.


Topic: Auxiliary
Definition:
AUXIL'IARY, a.  [L. auxiliaris, from auxilium, aid, uuxilior, to aid.]
Helping; aiding; assisting; subsidiary; conferring aid or support by joint exertion, influence or use; as auxiliary troops.


Topic: Avail
Definition:
AVA'IL, v.t.  [L. valeo, to be strong or able, to profit, to be of force or authority; Eng. well.  The primary sense is, to stretch or extend, whence strength, value.]
1.  To profit one's self; to turn to advantage; followed by the pronouns, myself, thyself, himself, herself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves, with of before the thing used; as, let him avail himself of his license.
2.  To assist or profit; to effect the object, or bring to a successful issue; as, what will skill avail us against numbers.  Artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment.
AVA'IL, v.i.  To be of use, or advantage; to answer the purpose; as, strength without judgment will rarely avail.  Generally, it signifies to have strength, force or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail; medicines will not avail to check the disease; suppositions, without proof, will not avail.
AVA'IL, n.  Profit; advantage towards success; benefit; as, labor without economy is of little avail.  It seems usually to convey the idea of efficacious aid or strength.


Topic: Available
Definition:
AVA'ILABLE, a.  
1.  Profitable; advantageous; having efficacy; as, a measure is more or less available.
2.  Having sufficient power, force, or efficacy,for the object; valid; as an available plea. 
Laws are available by consent.


Topic: Availableness
Definition:
AVA'ILABLENESS, n. 
1.  Power or efficacy, in promoting an end in view.
2.  Competent power; legal force; validity; as the availableness of a title.


Topic: Avails
Definition:
AVA'ILS, n.  plu.  Profits or proceeds. It is used in New England, for the proceeds of goods sold, or for rents, issues or profits.  


Topic: Avarice
Definition:
AV'ARICE, n.  [L. avaritia, from avarus, from aveo, to covet.]
An inordinate desire of gaining and possessing wealth; covetousness; greediness or insatiable desire of gain.
Avarice sheds a blasting influence over the finest affections and sweetest comforts of mankind.


Topic: Avariciousness
Definition:
AVARI'CIOUSNESS, n.  The quality of being avaricious; insatiable or inordinate passion for property.


Topic: Avaunt
Definition:
AVAUNT,  exel.
Begone; depart; a word of contempt or abhorrence, equivalent to the phrase,  'Get thee behind me.'


Topic: Avemary
Definition:
A'VEMARY, n.  [from the first words of Gabriel's salutation to the Virgin Mary; L. ave, hail.]
A form of devotion in the Romish Church. Their chaplets and rosaries are divided into a certain number of ave-marys and paternosters.


Topic: Avenaceous
Definition:
AVENA'CEOUS, a.  [L. avenacceus, from avena, oats.]
Belonging to, or partaking of the nature of oats.


Topic: Avenage
Definition:
AV'ENAGE, n.  A certain quantity of oats paid by a tenant to a landlord in lieu of rent or other duty.


Topic: Avengement
Definition:
AVENG'EMENT, n.  Vengeance; punishment; the act of taking satisfaction for an injury in inflicting pain or evil on the offender; satisfaction taken; revenge.


Topic: Avenging
Definition:
AVENG'ING, ppr.  Executing vengeance; taking satisfaction for an injury by the punishment of the offender; vindicating.


Topic: Aventure
Definition:
AVEN'TURE, n.  [L. venio, to come.]
A mischance causing a person;s death without felony; as by drowning, or falling from a house.  [See Adventure.]


Topic: Avenue
Definition:
AV'ENUE, n.  [L. venio.]
1.  A passage; away or opening for entrance into a place; any opening or passage by which a thing is or may be introduced.
2.  An alley, or walk in a garden, planted with trees, and leading to a house, gate, wood, &c., and generally terminated by some distant object.  The trees may be in rows on the sides, or, according to the more modern practice, in clumps at some distance from each other.
3.  A wide street, as in Washington, Columbia.


Topic: Aver
Definition:
AVER', v.t  [See Verify.]
To affirm with confidence; to declare in a positive or peremptory manner, as in confidence of asserting the truth.


Topic: Average
Definition:
AV'ERAGE, n.  
1.  In commerce, a contribution to a general loss.  When for the safety of a ship in distress, any destruction of property is incurred, either by cutting away the masts, throwing goods overboard, or other means, all persons who have goods on board, or property in the ship, contribute to the loss according to their average, that is, the goods of each on board.  This principle, introduced into the commerce of Europe, from the Rhodian laws, and recognized by the regulations of Wisby, is now an established rule in the maritime laws of Europe; for it is most reasonable, that when one man's property is sacrificed to save a ship, all persons whose property is saved, or in like hazard, should bear their proportion of the loss.
2.  From the practice of contributing to bear losses, in proportion to each man's property, this word has obtained the present popular sense, which is, that of a mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of unequal sums or quantities.  Thus, if A loses 5 dollars, B 9 and C 16, the sum is 30, and the average, 10.
3.  A small duty payable by the shippers of goods, to the master of the ship, over and above the freight, for his care of the goods.
Hence the expression in bills of lading, 'paying so much freight with primage and average accustomed.'
4.  In England, the breaking up of cornfields, eddish or roughings.
Upon, or on an average, is taking the mean of unequal numbers or quantities.
AV'ERAGE, a.  Medial; containing a mean proportion.
AV'ERAGE, v.t.  To find the mean of unequal sums or quantities; to reduce to a medium; to divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss.
AV'ERAGE, v.i.  To form a mean or medial sum or quantity; as, the losses of the owners will average 25 dollars each.
These spars average 10 feet in length.


Topic: Averaged
Definition:
AV'ERAGED, pp.  Reduced or formed into a mean proportion, or into shares proportioned to each man's property.


Topic: Averaging
Definition:
AV'ERAGING, ppr.  Forming a mean proportion out of unequal sums or quantities, or reducing to just shares according to each man's property.


Topic: Averment
Definition:
AVER'MENT, n.  [See Aver.]
1.  Affirmation; positive assertion; the act of averring.
2.  Verification; establishment by evidence.
3.  In pleading, an offer of either party to justify or prove what he alleges.  In any stage of pleadings, when either party advances new matter, he avers it to be true, and concludes with these words, 'and this he is ready to verify.'  This is called an averment.


Topic: Avernian
Definition:
AVER'NIAN, a.  Pertaining to Avernus, a lake of Campania in Italy, famous for its poisonous qualities, which the poets represent as so malignant, as to kill fowls flying over.  Hence, as authors tell us, its name, without birds.


Topic: Averpenny
Definition:
AV'ERPENNY, n.  Money paid towards the kings carriages by land, instead of service by the beasts in kind.


Topic: Averroist
Definition:
AVERROIST,  n.  One of a sect of peripatetic philosophers, who were so demoninated from Averroes, a celebrated Arabian author.  They held the soul to be mortal, though they pretended to submit to the christian theology.


Topic: Averruncate
Definition:
AVERRUNC'ATE, v.t  [L. averrunco, of ab and erunco, from runco, to weed, or rake away.]
To root up; to scrape or tear away by the roots.


Topic: Aversation
Definition:
AVERSA'TION, n.  [L. aversor.  See Avert.]
A turning from with disgust or dislike; aversion; hatred; disinclination.
It is nearly superseded by aversion.


Topic: Averse
Definition:
AVERSE, a.  avers'.  [See Avert.]  The literal sense of this word is, turned from, in manifestation of dislike.  Hence the real sense is,
1.  Disliking; unwilling; having a repugnance of mind.
Averse alike to flatter or offend.
2.  Unfavorable; indisposed; malign.
And Pallas now averse refused her aid.
This word and its derivatives ought to be followed by to, and never by from.  This word includes the idea of from; but the literal meaning being lost, the affection of the mind signified by the word, is exerted towards the object of dislike, and like its kindred terms, hatred, dislike, contrary, repugnant, &c., should be followed by to.  Indeed it is absurd to speak of an affection of the mind exerted from an object.  Averse expresses a less degree of opposition in the mind, than detesting and abhorring.
Milton once uses averse in its literal sense, with from, but it is not according to the English idiom.


Topic: Aversion
Definition:
AVER'SION, n.  [L. averto.]
1.  Opposition or repugnance of mind; dislike; disinclination; reluctance; hatred.  Usually this word expresses moderate hatred, or opposition of mind, not amounting to abhorrence or detestation.  It ought generally to be followed by to before the object.  [See averse.]  Sometimes it admits of for.
A freeholder is bred with an aversion to subjection.
2.  Opposition or contrariety of nature; applied to inanimate substances.
Magnesia, notwithstanding this aversion to solution, forms a kind of paste with water.
3. The cause of dislike.
Pain their aversion, pleasure their desire.


Topic: Avert
Definition:
AVERT', v.t.  [L. averto, a, from, and verto, to turn, anciently, vorto; hence vertex, vortex, averto; probably allied to L. vario;  Eng. veer.]
1.  To turn from; to turn off or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object.
2.  To keep off, divert or prevent; as, to avert an approaching calamity.
3.  To cause to dislike.  But this sense seems to be improper, except when heart or some equivalent word is used; as, to avert the heart or affections, which may signify to alienate the affections.
AVERT', v.i.  To turn away.


Topic: Aviary
Definition:
A'VIARY, n.  [L. aviarium, from avis, a fowl.]
A bird cage; an inclosure for keeping birds confined.


Topic: Avidity
Definition:
AVID'ITY, n.  [L. aviditas, from avidus, and this from aveo, to desire, to have appetite;  Heb. to desire, or covet.]
1.  Greediness; strong appetite; applied to the senses:
2.  Eagerness; intenseness of desire; applied to the mind.


Topic: Avocado
Definition:
AVOCA'DO, n.  The Persea, or alligator-pear, a species ranked under the genus Laurus, a native of the W. Indies.  The tree has a straight trunk, long oval pointed leaves, and flowers of six petals disposed like a star, produced in clusters, on the extremities of the branches.  The fruit is insipid.
Avignon-berry, the fruit of a species of lycium, so called from the city, Avignon, in France.  The berry is less than a pea, of a yellowish green color, and bitter astringent taste; used by dyers and painters for staining yellow.


Topic: Avocate
Definition:
AV'OCATE, v.t.  [L. avoco, from a and voco, to call.  See Voice and Vocal.]
To call off, or away.  [Not used.]


Topic: Avocation
Definition:
AVOCA'TION, n.  [See Vocation, Voice, Vocal.]
1.  The act of calling aside, or diverting from some employment; as an avocation from sin or from business.
2.  The business which calls aside.  The word is generally used for the smaller affairs of life, or occasional calls which summon a person to leave his ordinary or principal business.  The use of this word for vocation is very improper.


Topic: Avoid
Definition:
AVOID', v.t.  [Eng. side, void, widow;  L. vidua, vito, evito.  See Void.]
1.  To shun; to keep at a distance from; that is, literally, to go or be wide from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters.
2.  To shift off, or clear off; as, to avoid expense.
3.  To quit; to evacuate; to shun by leaving; as, to avoid the house.
4.  To escape; as, to avoid danger.
5.  To emit or throw out; as, to avoid excretions.  For this, void is now generally used.
6.  To make void; to annul or vacate.
The grant cannot be avoided without injustice to the grantee.
7.  In pleading, to set up some new matter or distinction, which shall avoid, that is, defeat or evade the allegation of the other party.  Thus, in a replication, the plaintiff may deny the defendant's plea, or confess it, and avoid it by starting new matter.
AVOID',  v.i.  To retire; to withdraw.
David avoided out of his presence.  1Sam. 18.  [Improper.]
2.  To become void, vacant or empty.
A benefice avoids by common law.


Topic: Avoidable
Definition:
AVOID'ABLE, a.  
1.  That may be avoided, left at a distance, shunned or escaped.
2.  That may be vacated; liable to be annulled.


Topic: Avoidance
Definition:
AVOID'ANCE, n.  
1.  The act of avoiding, or shunning.
2.  The act of vacating, or the state of being vacant.  It is appropriately used for the state of a benefice becoming void, by the death, deprivation, or resignation of the incumbent.
3.  The act of annulling.
4.  The course by which any thing is carried off.


Topic: Avoider
Definition:
AVOID'ER, n.
1.  One who avoids, shuns or escapes.
2.  The person who carries any thing away; the vessel in which things are carried away.


Topic: Avoiding
Definition:
AVOID'ING, ppr.  Shunning, escaping; keeping at a distance; ejecting; evacuating; making void, or vacant.


Topic: Avoirdupois
Definition:
AVOIRDUPOIS', n.  s as z.  [See Poise.]
A weight, of which a pound contains 16 ounces.  Its proportion to a pound Troy is as 17 to 14.  this is the weight for the larger and coarser commodities, as hay, iron, cheese, groceries, &c.


Topic: Avolation
Definition:
AVOLA'TION, n.  [L. avolo, to fly away, of a and volo.  See Volatile.]
The act of flying away; flight; escape.  [Little used.]


Topic: Avouch
Definition:
AVOUCH', v.t.  [L. voco, advoco.  See Voice.]
1.  To affirm; to declare or assert with positiveness.
2.  To produce or call in; to affirm in favor of, maintain or support.
Such antiquities could be avouched for the Irish.
3.  To maintain, vindicate or justify.
AVOUCH', n.  Evidence; testimony; declaration.  [Little used.]


Topic: Avow
Definition:
AVOW', v.t.  [L. voveo.]
1.  To declare openly, with a view to justify, maintain or defend; or simply to own, acknowledge or confess frankly; as, a man avows his principles or his crimes.
2.  In law, to acknowledge and justify; as when the distrainer of goods defends in an action of replevin, and avows the taking, but insists that such taking was legal.
AVOW', n.  A vow or determination.  [Not used.]


Topic: Avowant
Definition:
AVOW'ANT, n.  The defendant in replevin, who avows the distress of the goods, and justifies the taking.


Topic: Avowee
Definition:
AVOW'EE, n.  Sometimes used for advowee, the person who has a right to present to a benefice, the patron.  [See Advowson.]


Topic: Avowry
Definition:
AVOW'RY, n.  In law, the act of the distrainer of goods, who, in an action of replevin, avows and justifies the taking; the act of maintaining the right to distrain, by the distrainer, or defendant in replevin.


Topic: Avulsion
Definition:
AVUL'SION, n.  [L. avulsio, from avello, a and vello, to pull coinciding with Heb. to separate;  Eng. pull.]
A pulling or tearing asunder; a rending or violent separation.


Topic: Await
Definition:
AWA'IT, v.t.  [a and wait.  See Wait.]
Literally, to remain, hold or stay.
1.  To wait for; to look for, or expect.
Betwixt the rocky pillars, Gabriel sat,
Chief of the Angelic guards, awaiting night.
2.  To be in store for; to attend; to be ready for; as, a glorious reward awaits the good.
AWA'IT, n.  Ambush; in a state of waiting for.


Topic: Awake
Definition:
AWA'KE, v.t.  pret. awoke, awaked; pp. awaked.  [The L. vigilo seems to be formed on this root.  See Wake.]
1.  To rouse from asleep.
I go that I may awake him out of sleep.  John 11.
2.  To excite from a state resembling sleep, as from death, stupidity or inaction; to put into action, or new life; as, to awake the dead; to awake the dormant faculties.
AWA'KE, v.i.  
1.  To cease to sleep; to come from a state of natural sleep.
Jacob awaked out of sleep.  Gen. 28.
2.  To bestir, revive or rouse from a state of inaction; to be invigorated with new life; as, the mind awakes from its stupidity.
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd.  Zech. 13.
3.  To rouse from spiritual sleep.
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  Eph. 5.
Awake to righteousness.  1Cor. 15.
4.  To rise from the dead.  Job 14.
AWA'KE, a.  Not sleeping; in a state of vigilance or action.


Topic: Awaken
Definition:
AWA'KEN, v.t. awa'kn.  This is the word awake, with its Saxon infinitive.  It is transitive or intransitive; but more frequently transitive, as awake is more frequently intransitive.  its significations are the same as those of awake.


Topic: Award
Definition:
AWARD', v.t.  [See Guard and Regard.]
To adjudge; to give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign by sentence.  This word is appropriately used to express the act of arbitrators in pronouncing upon the rights of parties; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to A. B.
AWARD', v.i.  To judge; to determine; to make an award.
AWARD', n.  
1.  The judgment, or determination of arbitrators, or the paper containing it.
2.  Judgment; sentence; determination of points submitted to arbitrators.


