# dictionary

word: 0
definition:
0

0
adj.
1.
indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration; -- representing the number zero as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- zero


word: 1
definition:
1

1
adj.
1.
used of a single unit or thing; not two or more; -- representing the number one as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- one, i, ane


word: 1-dodecanol
definition:
1-dodecanol

1-dodecanol
n.
An insoluble solid alcohol (C12H25OH) with an unbranched paraffin chain, used to make detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate.

Syn. -- lauryl alcohol


word: 1-hitter
definition:
1-hitter

1-hitter
n.
1.
a baseball game in which one team's pitchers allow the opposing team only one hit.

Syn. -- one-hitter


word: 1st-class
definition:
1st-class

1st-class
n.
1.
a class mail comprising letters, postcards, and other mail sealed against inspection, having a higher priority than second, third, or fourth-class mail; -- it is the highest class of mail not handled in a special manner, as is registered or priority mail.

Syn. -- first-class, first-class mail, 1st-class mail


word: 10
definition:
10

10
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of one more than nine and one less than eleven; -- representing the number ten as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- ten, x


word: 100
definition:
100

100
adj.
1.
the Arabic numerals representing the number one hundred; denoting a quantity consisting of one more than ninety nine and one less than one hundred and one; ten times ten

Syn. -- hundred, a hundred, one hundred, c


word: 1000
definition:
1000

1000
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of one more than nine hundred ninety nine and one less than one thousand and one; -- representing the number one thousand as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- thousand, a thousand, one thousand, m, k


word: 1000th
definition:
1000th

1000th
adj.
1.
coming next after the nine hundred ninety-ninth in a series

Syn. -- thousandth


word: 11
definition:
11

11
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of one more than ten and one less than twelve; -- representing the number eleven as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- eleven, xi


word: 11-plus
definition:
11-plus

11-plus
n.
1.
an examination taken by 11 and 12 year old students to select suitable candidates for grammar school.
[formerly in England]

Syn. -- eleven-plus


word: 12
definition:
12

12
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of 12 items or units; -- representing the number twelve as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twelve, xii, dozen


word: 13
definition:
13

13
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of one more than twelve and one less than fourteen; -- representing the number thirteen as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- thirteen, xiii


word: 14
definition:
14

14
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of one more than thirteen and one less than fifteen; -- representing the number fourteen as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- fourteen, xiv


word: 15
definition:
15

15
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of one more than fourteen and one less than sixteen; -- representing the number fifteen as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- fifteen, xv


word: 16
definition:
16

16
adj.
Denoting a quantity consisting of one more than fifteen and one less than seventeen; -- representing the number sixteen as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- sixteen, xvi


word: 17
definition:
17

17
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of one more than sixteen and one less than eighteen; -- representing the number seventeen as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- seventeen, xvii


word: 18
definition:
18

18
adj.
1.
one more than seventeen; denoting a quantity consisting of one more than seventeen and one less than nineteen; -- representing the number eighteen as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- eighteen, xviii


word: 19
definition:
19

19
adj.
1.
one more than eighteen; denoting a quantity consisting of one more than eighteen and one less than twenty; -- representing the number nineteen as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- nineteen, xix


word: 1st
definition:
1st

1st
adj.
1.
preceding all other objects or events in order, time, or importance; occurring before all other members of a series.

Syn. -- first


word: 2
definition:
2

2
adj.
Denoting a quantity consisting of one more than one; one plus one more; -- representing the number two as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- two, ii


word: 2-hitter
definition:
2-hitter

2-hitter
n.
1.
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 2 hits.

Syn. -- two-hitter


word: 20
definition:
20

20
adj.
1.
one more than nineteen; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty items or units; -- representing the number twenty as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty, xx, score


word: 21
definition:
21

21
adj.
1.
one more than twenty; twenty plus one more; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-one items or units; -- representing the number twenty-one as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-one, xxi


word: 22
definition:
22

22
adj.
1.
one more than twenty-one; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-two items or units; -- representing the number twenty-two as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-two, xxii


word: 23
definition:
23

23
adj.
1.
one more than twenty-two; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-three items or units; -- representing the number twenty-three as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-three, xxiii


word: 24
definition:
24

24
adj.
1.
one more than twenty-three; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-four items or units; -- representing the number twenty-four as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-four, xxiv


word: 24/7
definition:
24/7

24/7
adj. & adv.
(twĕn"tēfôr-sĕv"en)
[From 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.]
Without interruption; non-stop; continuous; as, the computer manufacturer provides 24/7 technical help.

Syn. -- twenty-four-seven, 7/24


word: 25
definition:
25

25
adj.
1.
one more than twenty-four; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-five items or units; -- representing the number twenty-five as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-five, xxv


word: 26
definition:
26

26
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-six items or units; -- representing the number twenty-six as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-six, xxvi


word: 27
definition:
27

27
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-seven items or units; -- representing the number twenty-seven as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-seven, xxvii


word: 28
definition:
28

28
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-eight items or units; -- representing the number twenty-eight as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-eight, xxviii


word: 29
definition:
29

29
adj.
1.
denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-nine items or units; -- representing the number twenty-nine as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- twenty-nine, xxix


word: 2nd
definition:
2nd

2d

2d 2nd
adj.
1.
coming next after the first in position in space or time or degree or magnitude

Syn. -- second, 2nd


word: 3
definition:
3

3
adj.
1.
one more than two; denoting a quantity consisting of three items or units; -- representing the number three as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- three, iii


word: 30
definition:
30

30
adj.
1.
one more than twenty-nine; three times ten; denoting a quantity consisting of thirty items or units; -- representing the number thirty as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- thirty, xxx


word: 4
definition:
4

4
adj.
1.
one more than three; denoting a quantity consisting of four items or units; -- representing the number four as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- four, iv


word: 4-hitter
definition:
4-hitter

4-hitter
n.
1.
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 4 hits.

Syn. -- four-hitter


word: 40
definition:
40

40
adj.
1.
one more than thirty-nine; four times ten; denoting a quantity consisting of fourty items or units; -- representing the number fourty as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- forty, xl, twoscore


word: 4to
definition:
4to

4to
n.
1.
the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper twice to form four leaves.

Syn. -- quarto


word: 5
definition:
5

5
adj.
1.
one more than four; denoting a quantity consisting of five items or units; -- representing the number five as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- five, v


word: 5-hitter
definition:
5-hitter

5-hitter
n.
1.
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 5 hits.

Syn. -- five-hitter


word: 50
definition:
50

50
adj.
1.
one more than fourty-nine; five times ten; denoting a quantity consisting of fifty items or units; -- representing the number fifty as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- fifty, l


word: 500
definition:
500

500
adj.
1.
one more than four hundred ninety-nine; five times one hundred; denoting a quantity consisting of five hundred items or units; -- representing the number five hundred as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- five hundred, d


word: 6
definition:
6

6
adj.
1.
one more than five; denoting a quantity consisting of six items or units; -- representing the number six as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- six, vi, half dozen, half a dozen


word: 60
definition:
60

60
adj.
1.
one more than fifty-nine; denoting a quantity consisting of sixty items or units; -- representing the number sixty as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- sixty, lx, threescore

60 minutes
n.
1.

Syn. -- hour, hr
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day.

2.

a 1-hour television program broadcast once weekly on the CBS television network since the 1970's.  Its format is that of a "news magazine" treating typically three topics during each show, plus occasional commentary.
[Proper name]

Syn. -- Sixty Minutes


word: 7
definition:
7

7
adj.
One more than six; constituting or denoting a quantity consisting of seven items or units; -- representing the number seven as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- seven, vii


word: 70
definition:
70

70
adj.
1.
one more than sixty-nine; denoting a quantity consisting of seventy items or units; -- representing the number sevent as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- seventy, lxx


word: 8
definition:
8

8
adj.
1.
one more than seven; denoting a quantity consisting of eight items or units; -- representing the number eight as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- eight, viii


word: 80
definition:
80

80
adj.
1.
one more than seventy-nine and one less than eighty-one; denoting a quantity consisting of eighty items or units; -- representing the number eighty as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- eighty, lxxx, fourscore


word: 9
definition:
9

9
adj.
1.
one more than eight and one less than ten; denoting a quantity consisting of nine items or units; -- representing the number nine as an Arabic numeral

Syn. -- nine, ix


word: 9/11
definition:
9/11

9/11
(nīn" e̝*lĕv"ĕn)
n.
September 11, 2001 -- the day when two airplanes hijacked by Islamic terrorists were deliberately crashed into the "twin towers" (the two 110-storey skyscrapers of the World Trade Center) in New York City, causing those buildings to collapse and much other damage in the nearby area.  Another plane was crashed into the Pentagon near Washington.  In total, the attacks caused nearly 3,000 deaths.  This was the worst incident of terrorism inside the United States to date.  The abbreviated date 9/11 is now taken to refer to that specific day and the terrorist incidents that occured that day.  It is used especially in the phrase “the events of 9/11”.


word: 90
definition:
90

90
adj.
1.
one more than eighty-nine and one less than ninety-one; denoting a quantity consisting of ninety items or units; -- representing the number ninety as Arabic numerals

Syn. -- ninety, xc


word: 3-D
definition:
3-D

3-D
n.
1.
a movie with images having three dimensional form or appearance.

Syn. -- three-D, 3D


word: 3-hitter
definition:
3-hitter

3-hitter
n.
1.
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 3 hits.

Syn. -- three-hitter


word: 8vo
definition:
8vo

8vo
n.
1.
the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper three times to form eight leaves.

Syn. -- octavo, eightvo


word: A
definition:
A

A
(named ā in the English, and most commonly ä in other languages)
The first letter of the English and of many other alphabets. The capital A of the alphabets of Middle and Western Europe, as also the small letter (a), besides the forms in Italic, black letter, etc., are all descended from the old Latin A, which was borrowed from the Greek Alpha, of the same form; and this was made from the first letter (_;) of the Phœnician alphabet, the equivalent of the Hebrew Aleph, and itself from the Egyptian origin. The Aleph was a consonant letter, with a guttural breath sound that was not an element of Greek articulation; and the Greeks took it to represent their vowel Alpha with the ä sound, the Phœnician alphabet having no vowel symbols.

2.
(Mus.)
The name of the sixth tone in the model major scale (that in C), or the first tone of the minor scale, which is named after it the scale in A minor. The second string of the violin is tuned to the A in the treble staff. -- A sharp (A&sharp) is the name of a musical tone intermediate between A and B. -- A flat (A&flat) is the name of a tone intermediate between A and G.

A per se (L. per se by itself), one preëminent; a nonesuch. [Obs.]

O fair Creseide, the flower and A per se
Of Troy and Greece.
Chaucer.


word: A₂
definition:
A

A
(ȧ emph. ā)
1.
[Shortened form of an. AS. ān one. See One.]
An adjective, commonly called the indefinite article, and signifying one or any, but less emphatically.
a
a
a
Shak.
It is placed before nouns of the singular number denoting an individual object, or a quality individualized, before collective nouns, and also before plural nouns when the adjective few or the phrase great many or good many is interposed; as, a dog, a house, a man; a color; a sweetness; a hundred, a fleet, a regiment; a few persons, a great many days.  It is used for an, for the sake of euphony, before words beginning with a consonant sound [for exception of certain words beginning with h, see An]; as, a table, a woman, a year, a unit, a eulogy, a ewe, a oneness, such a one, etc.  Formally an was used both before vowels and consonants.

2.
[Originally the preposition a (an, on).]
In each; to or for each; as, “twenty leagues a day”, “a hundred pounds a year”, “a dollar a yard”, etc.


word: A₃
definition:
A

A
(ȧ)
prep.
[Abbreviated form of an (AS. on). See On.]
1.
In; on; at; by.
[Obs.]
A
a
a
A
Shak.
a
Chaucer.
a
Robynson (More's Utopia).

2.
In process of; in the act of; into; to; -- used with verbal substantives in -ing which begin with a consonant. This is a shortened form of the preposition an (which was used before the vowel sound); as in a hunting, a building, a begging.
a
Heb. xi. 21.
a
a
Shak.
a
Macaulay.
The hyphen may be used to connect a with the verbal substantive (as, a-hunting, a-building) or the words may be written separately. This form of expression is now for the most part obsolete, the a being omitted and the verbal substantive treated as a participle.


word: A₆
definition:
A

A
An expletive, void of sense, to fill up the meter

A merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad tires in a mile-a.
Shak.


word: A-
definition:
A-

A-
A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various sources. (1) It frequently signifies on or in (from an, a forms of AS. on), denoting a state, as in afoot, on foot, abed, amiss, asleep, aground, aloft, away (AS. onweg), and analogically, ablaze, atremble, etc. (2) AS. of off, from, as in adown (AS. ofdūne off the dun or hill). (3) AS. ā- (Goth. us-, ur-, Ger. er-), usually giving an intensive force, and sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in arise, abide, ago. (4) Old English y- or i- (corrupted from the AS. inseparable particle ge-, cognate with OHG. ga-, gi-, Goth. ga-), which, as a prefix, made no essential addition to the meaning, as in aware. (5) French à (L. ad to), as in abase, achieve. (6) L. a, ab, abs, from, as in avert. (7) Greek insep. prefix α without, or privative, not, as in abyss, atheist; akin to E. un-.

Besides these, there are other sources from which the prefix a takes its origin.


word: A 1
definition:
A 1

A 1
(ā wŭn)
A registry mark given by underwriters (as at Lloyd's) to ships in first-class condition. Inferior grades are indicated by A 2 and A 3.

A 1 is also applied colloquially to other things to imply superiority; prime; first-class; first-rate.


word: a.u.
definition:
a.u.

a.u.
n.
1.
(Astron.)
the unit of length equal to the mean distance of the Earth from the sun, about 93 million miles (150 million kiometers); -- used almost exclusively in astronomy, or to describe astronomical distances.

Syn. -- astronomical unit, AU, A.U.


word: AA
definition:
AA

AA
n.
1.
acronym for Associate in Arts, a college degree granted for successful completion of a two-year course of study in arts or general topics.

Syn. -- Associate in Arts

2.
Alcoholics Anonymous.
[Acronym.]


word: Aam
definition:
Aam

Aam
(&asuml_;m or äm)
n.
[D. aam, fr. LL. ama; cf. L. hama a water bucket, Gr. _;]
A Dutch and German measure of liquids, varying in different cities, being at Amsterdam about 41 wine gallons, at Antwerp 361/2, at Hamburg 381/4.
[Written also Aum and Awm.]


word: aardvark
definition:
aardvark

aard"vark`
(ärd"värk`)
n.
[D., earth-pig.]
(Zool.)
An edentate mammal, of the genus Orycteropus (Orycteropus afer), somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of Southern Africa.  It is a nocturnal ungulate, burrows in the ground with its powerful claws, and feeds entirely on ants and termites, which it catches with its long, extensile, slimy tongue.  It is the sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentata.
[Spelled also Aard-vark.]

Syn. --ant bear, anteater, Orycteropus afer, oryctere, orycterope


word: Aard-wolf
definition:
Aard-wolf

Aard"-wolf`
(ärd"wŏlf)
n.
[D, earth-wolf]
(Zool.)
A carnivorous, striped, quadruped mammal (Proteles cristata, formerly Proteles Lalandii), of South Africa, resembling the fox and hyena. It feeds chiefly on insects. See Proteles.


word: Aaronical
definition:
Aaronical

Aaronic

{ Aa*ron"ic (a̝*r&obreve_;n"ĭk), Aa*ron"ic*al (-ĭ*kal), }
a.
Pertaining to Aaron, the first high priest of the Jews.


word: Aaron's rod
definition:
Aaron's rod

Aar"on's rod`
(âr"ŭnz r&obreve_;d`)
[See Exodus vii. 9 and Numbers xvii. 8]
1.
(Arch.)
A rod with one serpent twined around it, thus differing from the caduceus of Mercury, which has two.

2.
(Bot.)
A plant with a tall flowering stem; esp. the great mullein, or hag-taper, and the golden-rod.


word: AAAS
definition:
AAAS

AAAS
n.
1.
the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Its goal is to advance the physical and social sciences, and it publishes a weekly journal Science, with original research articles as well as reviews and commentary.
[Acronym.]

Syn. -- American Association for the Advancement of Science.


word: aas
definition:
aas

aas
n.
1.
a loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by Arabs.
overgarment, outer garment


word: Ab-
definition:
Ab-

Ab-
(ăb)
[Latin prep., etymologically the same as E. of, off. See Of.]
A prefix in many words of Latin origin. It signifies from, away , separating, or departure, as in abduct, abstract, abscond. See A-(6).


word: Ab
definition:
Ab

Ab
(ăb)
n.
[Of Syriac origin.]
The fifth month of the Jewish year according to the ecclesiastical reckoning, the eleventh by the civil computation, coinciding nearly with August.
W. Smith.


word: Abaca
definition:
Abaca

Ab"a*ca
(ăb"ȧ*kȧ)
n.
[The native name.]
The Manila-hemp plant (Musa textilis); also, its fiber. See Manila hemp under Manila.


word: Abacinate
definition:
Abacinate

A*bac"i*nate
(ȧ*băs"ĭ*nāt)
v. t.
[LL. abacinatus, p. p. of abacinare; ab off + bacinus a basin.]
To blind by a red-hot metal plate held before the eyes.
[R.]


word: Abaciscus
definition:
Abaciscus

Ab`a*cis"cus
(ăb`ȧ*sĭs"kŭs)
n.
[Gr. 'abaki`skos, dim of 'a`bax. See Abacus.]
(Arch.)
One of the tiles or squares of a tessellated pavement; an abaculus.


word: Abacist
definition:
Abacist

Ab"a*cist
(ăb"ȧ*sĭst)
n.
[LL abacista, fr. abacus.]
One who uses an abacus in casting accounts; a calculator.


word: Aback
definition:
Aback

A*back"
(ȧ*băk")
adv.
[Pref. a- + back; AS. on bæc at, on, or toward the back. See Back.]
1.
Toward the back or rear; backward.
aback
Chaucer.

2.
Behind; in the rear.
Knolles.

3.
(Naut.)
Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind.
Totten.

To be taken aback. (a) To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven. (b) To be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited. Dickens.


word: Abactinal
definition:
Abactinal

Ab*ac"ti*nal
(ăb*ăk"tĭ*nal)
a.
[L. ab + E. actinal.]
(Zool.)
Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal; -- opposed to actinal.
abactinal
L. Agassiz.


word: Abactor
definition:
Abactor

Ab*ac"tor
(-tẽr)
n.
[L., fr. abigere to drive away; ab + agere to drive.]
(Law)
One who steals and drives away cattle or beasts by herds or droves.
[Obs.]


word: Abaculus
definition:
Abaculus

A*bac"u*lus
(ȧb*ăk"&uuptack_;*lŭs)
n.
pl. Abaculi (-lī).
[L., dim. of abacus.]
(Arch.)
A small tile of glass, marble, or other substance, of various colors, used in making ornamental patterns in mosaic pavements.
Fairholt.


word: Abacus
definition:
Abacus

Ab"a*cus
(ăb"ȧ*kŭs)
n.
pl. Abacuses ; L. pl. Abaci (-sī).
[L. abacus, abax, Gr. 'a`bax]
1.
A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc.
[Obs.]

2.
A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in China.

3.
(Arch.)
(a)
The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See Column.
(b)
A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work.

4.
A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.

Abacus harmonicus (Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument. Crabb.


word: Abaddon
definition:
Abaddon

A*bad"don
(ȧ*băd"dŭn)
n.
[Heb. ābadd&omacrn destruction, abyss, fr. ābad to be lost, to perish.]
1.
The destroyer, or angel of the bottomless pit; -- the same as Apollyon and Asmodeus.

2.
Hell; the bottomless pit.
[Poetic]

In all her gates, Abaddon rues
Thy bold attempt.
Milton.


word: Abaft
definition:
Abaft

A*baft"
(ȧ*bȧft")
prep.
[Pref. a- on + OE. baft, baften, biaften, AS. beæftan; be by + æftan behind. See After, Aft, By.]
(Naut.)
Behind; toward the stern from; as, abaft the wheelhouse.

Abaft the beam. See under Beam.


word: Abaisance
definition:
Abaisance

A*bai"sance
(ȧ*bā"sans)
n.
[For obeisance; confused with F. abaisser, E. abase.]
Obeisance.
[Obs.]
Jonson.


word: Abalienate
definition:
Abalienate

Ab*al"ien*ate
(ăb*āl"yen*āt; 94, 106)
v. t.
[L. abalienatus, p. p. of abalienare; ab + alienus foreign, alien. See Alien.]
1.
(Civil Law)
To transfer the title of from one to another; to alienate.

2.
To estrange; to withdraw.
[Obs.]

3.
To cause alienation of (mind).
Sandys.


word: Abalienation
definition:
Abalienation

Ab*al`ien*a"tion
(-āl`yen*ā"shŭn)
n.
[L. abalienatio: cf. F. abaliénation.]
The act of abalienating; alienation; estrangement.
[Obs.]


word: Abalone
definition:
Abalone

Ab`a*lo"ne
(ăb`ȧ*l&omacr"ne̝)
n.
(Zool.)
A univalve mollusk of the genus Haliotis. The shell is lined with mother-of-pearl, and used for ornamental purposes; the sea-ear. Several large species are found on the coast of California, clinging closely to the rocks.


word: abampere
definition:
abampere

abampere
n.
1.
1
(Electricity)
a unit of electrical current equal to 10 amperes.

Syn. -- abamp


word: Aband
definition:
Aband

A*band"
(ȧ*bănd")
v. t.
[Contracted from abandon.]
1.
To abandon.
[Obs.]

 Enforced the kingdom to aband.
Spenser.

2.
To banish; to expel.
[Obs.]
Mir. for Mag.


word: Abandon
definition:
Abandon

A*ban"don
(ȧ*băn"dŭn)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abandoned (-dŭnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Abandoning.]
[OF. abandoner, F. abandonner; a (L. ad) + bandon permission, authority, LL. bandum, bannum, public proclamation, interdiction, bannire to proclaim, summon: of Germanic origin; cf. Goth. bandwjan to show by signs, to designate OHG. ban proclamation. The word meant to proclaim, put under a ban, put under control; hence, as in OE., to compel, subject, or to leave in the control of another, and hence, to give up. See Ban.]
1.
To cast or drive out; to banish; to expel; to reject.
[Obs.]

That he might . . . abandon them from him.
Udall.

Being all this time abandoned from your bed.
Shak.

2.
To give up absolutely; to forsake entirely ; to renounce utterly; to relinquish all connection with or concern on; to desert, as a person to whom one owes allegiance or fidelity; to quit; to surrender.

Hope was overthrown, yet could not be abandoned.
I. Taylor.

3.
Reflexively: To give (one's self) up without attempt at self-control; to yield (one's self) unrestrainedly; -- often in a bad sense.

He abandoned himself . . . to his favorite vice.
Macaulay.

4.
(Mar. Law)
To relinquish all claim to; -- used when an insured person gives up to underwriters all claim to the property covered by a policy, which may remain after loss or damage by a peril insured against.


word: Abandon₂
definition:
Abandon

A*ban"don
n.
[F. abandon. fr. abandonner. See Abandon, v.]
Abandonment; relinquishment.
[Obs.]


word: Abandon₃
definition:
Abandon

A`ban`don"
(ȧ`bäN`dôN")
n.
[F. See Abandon.]
A complete giving up to natural impulses; freedom from artificial constraint; careless freedom or ease.


word: Abandoned
definition:
Abandoned

A*ban"doned
(ȧ*băn"dŭnd)
a.
1.
Forsaken, deserted.
abandoned
Thomson.

2.
Self-abandoned, or given up to vice; extremely wicked, or sinning without restraint; irreclaimably wicked ; as, an abandoned villain.

God gave them over to a reprobate mind.
Rom. i. 28.


word: Abandonment
definition:
Abandonment

A*ban"don*ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. F. abandonnement.]
1.
The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned; total desertion; relinquishment.

The abandonment of the independence of Europe.
Burke.

2.
(Mar. Law)
The relinquishment by the insured to the underwriters of what may remain of the property insured after a loss or damage by a peril insured against.

3.
(Com. Law)
(a)
The relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege, as to mill site, etc.
(b)
The voluntary leaving of a person to whom one is bound by a special relation, as a wife, husband, or child; desertion.

4.
Careless freedom or ease; abandon.
[R.]
Carlyle.


word: Abanga
definition:
Abanga

A*ban"ga
(ȧ*bă&nsmacr_;"gȧ)
n.
[Name given by the negroes in the island of St. Thomas.]
A West Indian palm; also the fruit of this palm, the seeds of which are used as a remedy for diseases of the chest.


word: Abannition
definition:
Abannition

Abannation

{ Ab`an*na"tion (ăb`ăn*nā"shŭn), Ab`an*nition (ăb`ăn*nĭsh"ŭn), }
n.
[LL. abannatio; ad + LL. bannire to banish.]
(Old Law)
Banishment.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Abarticulation
definition:
Abarticulation

Ab`ar*tic`u*la"tion
(ăb`är*tĭk`&uuptack_;*lā"shŭn)
n.
[L. ab + E. articulation : cf. F. abarticulation. See Article.]
(Anat.)
Articulation, usually that kind of articulation which admits of free motion in the joint; diarthrosis.
Coxe.


word: Abase
definition:
Abase

A*base"
(ȧ*bās")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abased (ȧ*bāst"); p. pr. & vb. n. Abasing.]
[F. abaisser, LL. abassare, abbassare ; ad + bassare, fr. bassus low. See Base, a.]

1.
To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye.
[Archaic]
Bacon.

Saying so, he abased his lance.
Shelton.

2.
To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade.

Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased.
Luke xiv. ll.


word: Abased
definition:
Abased

A*based"
(ȧ*bāst")
a.
1.
Lowered; humbled.

2.
(Her.)
[F. abaissé.]
Borne lower than usual, as a fess; also, having the ends of the wings turned downward towards the point of the shield.


word: Abasement
definition:
Abasement

A*base"ment
(ȧ*bās"ment)
n.
[Cf. F. abaissement.]
The act of abasing, humbling, or bringing low; the state of being abased or humbled; humiliation.


word: Abash
definition:
Abash

A*bash"
(ȧ*băsh")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abashed (ȧ*băsht"); p. pr. & vb. n. Abashing.]
[OE. abaissen, abaisshen, abashen, OF. esbahir, F. ébahir, to astonish, fr. L. ex + the interjection bah, expressing astonishment. In OE. somewhat confused with abase. Cf. Finish.]
To destroy the self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit.

Abashed, the devil stood,
And felt how awful goodness is.
Milton.

He was a man whom no check could abash.
Macaulay.

Satan stood
Awhile as mute, confounded what to say.
Milton.


word: Abashment
definition:
Abashment

A*bash"ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. F. ébahissement.]
The state of being abashed; confusion from shame.


word: Abasia
definition:
Abasia

A*ba"si*a
(ȧ*bā"zhĭ*ȧ; -zĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL.; Gr. 'a- not + ba`sis a step.]
(Med.)
Inability to coordinate muscular actions properly in walking.
AS
[archaic]
A*ba"sic (ȧ*bā"sĭk), 
a.


word: Abassis
definition:
Abassis

Abassi

{ &VerbarA*bas"si (ȧ*băs"sĭ), &VerbarA*bas"sis (ȧ*băs"sĭs), }
n.
[Ar. & Per. abāsī, belonging to Abas (a king of Persia).]
A silver coin of Persia, worth about twenty cents.


word: Abatable
definition:
Abatable

A*bat"a*ble
(ȧ*bāt"ȧ*b'l)
a.
Capable of being abated; as, an abatable writ or nuisance.


word: Abate
definition:
Abate

A*bate"
(ȧ*bāt")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abated, p. pr. & vb. n. Abating.]
[OF. abatre to beat down, F. abattre, LL. abatere; ab or ad + batere, battere (popular form for L. batuere to beat). Cf. Bate, Batter.]
1.
To beat down; to overthrow.
[Obs.]

The King of Scots . . . sore abated the walls.
Edw. Hall.

2.
To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope.

His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
Deut. xxxiv. 7.

3.
To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price.

Nine thousand parishes, abating the odd hundreds.
Fuller.

4.
To blunt.
[Obs.]

To abate the edge of envy.
Bacon.

5.
To reduce in estimation; to deprive.
[Obs.]

She hath abated me of half my train.
Shak.

6.
(Law)
(a)
To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away with; as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ.
(b)
(Eng. Law)
To diminish; to reduce. Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets.

To abate a tax, to remit it either wholly or in part.


word: Abate₂
definition:
Abate

A*bate"
(ȧ*bāt")
v. i.
[See Abate, v. t.]
1.
To decrease, or become less in strength or violence; as, pain abates, a storm abates.

The fury of Glengarry . . . rapidly abated.
Macaulay.

2.
To be defeated, or come to naught; to fall through; to fail; as, a writ abates.

To abate into a freehold, To abate in lands (Law), to enter into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, and before the heir takes possession. See Abatement, 4.


word: Abatement
definition:
Abatement

A*bate"ment
(-ment)
n.
[OF. abatement, F. abattement.]
1.
The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof.

2.
The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed.

3.
(Her.)
A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon.

4.
(Law)
The entry of a stranger, without right, into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee.
Blackstone.

Defense in abatement, Plea in abatement, (Law), plea to the effect that from some formal defect (e.g. misnomer, lack of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated.


word: Abattis
definition:
Abattis

Abatis

{ Ab"a*tis, Aba"t*tis, }
(ăb"ȧ*tĭs; French ȧ`bȧ`tē")
n.
[F. abatis, abattis, mass of things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See Abate.]
(Fort.)
A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the enemy.


word: Abator
definition:
Abator

A*ba"tor
(ȧ*bāt"ẽr)
n.
(Law)
(a)
One who abates a nuisance.
(b)
A person who, without right, enters into a freehold on the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee.
Blackstone.


word: Abattoir
definition:
Abattoir

A`bat`toir"
(ȧ`bȧt`twär")
n.
pl. Abattoirs (-twärz").
[F., fr. abattre to beat down. See Abate.]
A public slaughterhouse for cattle, sheep, etc.


word: Abature
definition:
Abature

Ab"a*ture
(ȧb"ȧ*t&uuptack_;r; 135)
n.
[F. abatture, fr. abattre. See Abate.]
Grass and sprigs beaten or trampled down by a stag passing through them.
Crabb.


word: Abatvoix
definition:
Abatvoix

A`bat`voix"
(ȧ`bȧ`vwä")
n.
[F. abattre to beat down + voix voice.]
The sounding-board over a pulpit or rostrum.


word: Abawed
definition:
Abawed

Ab*awed"
(ăb*&asuml_;d")
p. p.
[Perh. p. p. of a verb fr. OF. abaubir to frighten, disconcert, fr. L. ad + balbus stammering.]
Astonished; abashed.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Abaxile
definition:
Abaxile

Abaxial

{ Ab*ax"i*al (ăb*ăks"ĭ*al), Ab*ax"ile (ăb*ăks"ĭl), }
a.
[L. ab + axis axle.]
(Bot.)
Away from the axis or central line; eccentric.
Balfour.


word: Abay
definition:
Abay

A*bay"
(ȧ*bā")
n.
[OF. abay barking.]
Barking; baying of dogs upon their prey. See Bay.
[Obs.]


word: Abb
definition:
Abb

Abb
(ăb)
n.
[AS. āweb, āb; pref. a- + web. See Web.]
Among weavers, yarn for the warp. Hence, abb wool is wool for the abb.


word: Abba
definition:
Abba

Ab"ba
(ăb"bȧ)
n.
[Syriac abbā father. See Abbot.]
Father; religious superior; -- in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, a title given to the bishops, and by the bishops to the patriarch.


word: Abbacy
definition:
Abbacy

Ab"ba*cy
(ăb"bȧ*s&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Abbacies (-sĭz).
[L. abbatia, fr. abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbey.]
The dignity, estate, or jurisdiction of an abbot.


word: Abbatial
definition:
Abbatial

Ab*ba"tial
(ăb*bā"shal)
a.
[LL. abbatialis : cf. F. abbatial.]
Belonging to an abbey; as, abbatial rights.


word: Abbe
definition:
Abbe

Ab"bé`
(ȧb"ba̝`)
n.
[F. abbé. See Abbot.]
The French word answering to the English abbot, the head of an abbey; but commonly a title of respect given in France to every one vested with the ecclesiastical habit or dress.

&hand_; After the 16th century, the name was given, in social parlance, to candidates for some priory or abbey in the gift of the crown. Many of these aspirants became well known in literary and fashionable life. By further extension, the name came to be applied to unbeneficed secular ecclesiastics generally.
Littré.


word: Abbess
definition:
Abbess

Ab"bess
(ăb"bĕs)
n.
[OF. abaesse, abeesse, F. abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.]
A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey.


word: Abbey
definition:
Abbey

Ab"bey
(ăb"b&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Abbeys (-bĭz).
[OF. abaïe, abbaïe, F. abbaye, L. abbatia, fr. abbas abbot. See Abbot.]
1.
A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings.

&hand_; The men are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess.

2.
The church of a monastery.

In London, the Abbey means Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.


word: Abbot
definition:
Abbot

Ab"bot
(ăb"bŭt)
n.
[AS. abbod, abbad, L. abbas, abbatis, Gr. 'abba^s, fr. Syriac abbā father. Cf. Abba, Abbé.]
1.
The superior or head of an abbey.

2.
One of a class of bishops whose sees were formerly abbeys.
Encyc. Brit.

Abbot of the people. a title formerly given to one of the chief magistrates in Genoa. -- Abbot of Misrule (or Lord of Misrule), in mediæval times, the master of revels, as at Christmas; in Scotland called the Abbot of Unreason. Encyc. Brit.


word: Abbreviate
definition:
Abbreviate

Ab*bre"vi*ate
(ăb*brē"vĭ*āt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abbreviated; p. pr. & vb. n. Abbreviating.]
[L. abbreviatus, p. p. of abbreviare; ad + breviare to shorten, fr. brevis short. See Abridge.]
1.
To make briefer; to shorten; to abridge; to reduce by contraction or omission, especially of words written or spoken.

It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, another by cutting off.
Bacon.

2.
(Math.)
To reduce to lower terms, as a fraction.


word: Abbreviate₂
definition:
Abbreviate

Ab*bre"vi*ate
(ăb*brē"vĭ*a̝t)
a.
[L. abbreviatus, p. p.]
1.
Abbreviated; abridged; shortened.
[R.]
abbreviate
Earle.

2.
(Biol.)
Having one part relatively shorter than another or than the ordinary type.


word: Abbreviation
definition:
Abbreviation

Ab*bre`vi*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. abbreviatio: cf. F. abbréviation.]
1.
The act of shortening, or reducing.

2.
The result of abbreviating; an abridgment.
Tylor.

3.
The form to which a word or phrase is reduced by contraction and omission; a letter or letters, standing for a word or phrase of which they are a part; as, Gen. for Genesis; U.S.A. for United States of America.

4.
(Mus.)
One dash, or more, through the stem of a note, dividing it respectively into quavers, semiquavers, or demi-semiquavers.
Moore.


word: Abbreviator
definition:
Abbreviator

Ab*bre"vi*a`tor
(_;)
n.
[LL.: cf. F. abbréviateur.]
1.
One who abbreviates or shortens.

2.
One of a college of seventy-two officers of the papal court whose duty is to make a short minute of a decision on a petition, or reply of the pope to a letter, and afterwards expand the minute into official form.


word: Abbreviature
definition:
Abbreviature

Ab*bre"vi*a*ture
(_;)
n.
1.
An abbreviation; an abbreviated state or form.
[Obs.]

2.
An abridgment; a compendium or abstract.

This is an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty of a Christian.
Jer. Taylor.


word: A B C
definition:
A B C

A B C"
(ā bē sē")
1.
The first three letters of the alphabet, used for the whole alphabet.

2.
A primer for teaching the alphabet and first elements of reading.
[Obs.]

3.
The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of finance.

A B C book, a primer. Shak.


word: Abdal
definition:
Abdal

Ab"dal
(_;)
n.
[Ar. badīl, pl. abdāl, a substitute, a good, religious man, saint, fr. badala to change, substitute.]
A religious devotee or dervish in Persia.


word: Abderian
definition:
Abderian

Ab*de"ri*an
(_;)
a.
[From Abdera, a town in Thrace, of which place Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher, was a native.]
Given to laughter; inclined to foolish or incessant merriment.


word: Abderite
definition:
Abderite

Ab*de"rite
(_;)
n.
[L. Abderita, Abderites, fr. Gr. 'Abdhri`ths.]
An inhabitant of Abdera, in Thrace.

The Abderite, Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher.


word: Abdest
definition:
Abdest

Ab"dest
(_;)
n.
[Per. ābdast; ab water + dast hand.]
Purification by washing the hands before prayer; -- a Muslim rite.
Heyse.


word: Abdicant
definition:
Abdicant

Ab"di*cant
(_;)
a.
[L. abdicans, p. pr. of abdicare.]
Abdicating; renouncing; -- followed by of.

Monks abdicant of their orders.
Whitlock.


word: Abdicate
definition:
Abdicate

Ab"di*cate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abdicated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abdicating.]
[L. abdicatus, p. p. of abdicare; ab + dicare to proclaim, akin to dicere to say. See Diction.]
1.
To surrender or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station, dignity; as, to abdicate the throne, the crown, the papacy.

&hand_; The word abdicate was held to mean, in the case of James II., to abandon without a formal surrender.

The cross-bearers abdicated their service.
Gibbon.

2.
To renounce; to relinquish; -- said of authority, a trust, duty, right, etc.

He abdicates all right to be his own governor.
Burke.

The understanding abdicates its functions.
Froude.

3.
To reject; to cast off.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.

4.
(Civil Law)
To disclaim and expel from the family, as a father his child; to disown; to disinherit.


word: Abdicate₂
definition:
Abdicate

Ab"di*cate
(_;)
v. i.
To relinquish or renounce a throne, or other high office or dignity.

Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy.
Burke.


word: Abdication
definition:
Abdication

Ab`di*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abdicatio: cf. F. abdication.]
The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder; commonly the voluntary renunciation of sovereign power; as, abdication of the throne, government, power, authority.


word: Abditive
definition:
Abditive

Ab"di*tive
(_;)
a.
[L. abditivus, fr. abdere to hide.]
Having the quality of hiding.
[R.]
Bailey.


word: Abditory
definition:
Abditory

Ab"di*to*ry
(_;)
n.
[L. abditorium.]
A place for hiding or preserving articles of value.
Cowell.


word: Abdomen
definition:
Abdomen

Ab*do"men
(_;)
n.
[L. abdomen (a word of uncertain etymol.): cf. F. abdomen.]
1.
(Anat.)
The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis. Also, the cavity of the belly, which is lined by the peritoneum, and contains the stomach, bowels, and other viscera. In man, often restricted to the part between the diaphragm and the commencement of the pelvis, the remainder being called the pelvic cavity.

2.
(Zool.)
The posterior section of the body, behind the thorax, in insects, crustaceans, and other Arthropoda.


word: Abdominal
definition:
Abdominal

Ab*dom"i*nal
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. abdominal.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral; as, the abdominal regions, muscles, cavity.

2.
(Zool.)
Having abdominal fins; belonging to the Abdominales; as, abdominal fishes.

Abdominal ring (Anat.), a fancied ringlike opening on each side of the abdomen, external and superior to the pubes; -- called also inguinal ring.


word: Abdominales
definition:
Abdominales

Ab*dom`i*na"les
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., masc. pl.]
(Zool.)
A group including the greater part of fresh-water fishes, and many marine ones, having the ventral fins under the abdomen behind the pectorals.


word: Abdominalia
definition:
Abdominalia

Ab*dom`i*na"li*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., neut. pl.]
(Zool.)
A group of cirripeds having abdominal appendages.


word: abdominoscopy
definition:
abdominoscopy

ab*dom`i*nos"co*py
(ăb*d&obreve_;m`ĭ*n&obreve_;s"ko̝*p&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. abdomen + Gr. skopei^n to examine.]
(Med.)
Examination of the abdomen by means of a laparoscope to detect abdominal diseases.


word: Abdominous
definition:
Abdominous

Ab*dom"i*nous
(_;)
a.
Having a protuberant belly; pot-bellied.

Gorgonius sits, abdominous and wan,
Like a fat squab upon a Chinese fan.
Cowper.


word: abdominousness
definition:
abdominousness

abdominousness
n.
1.
1
distension of the stomach area due to overweight.

Syn. -- paunchiness


word: Abduce
definition:
Abduce

Ab*duce"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abduced (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abducing.]
[L. abducere to lead away; ab + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Abduct.]
To draw or conduct away; to withdraw; to draw to a different part.
[Obs.]

If we abduce the eye unto either corner, the object will not duplicate.
Sir T. Browne.


word: abducens
definition:
abducens

abducens
n.
1.
a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.

Syn. -- abducent, abducent nerve, nervus abducens, sixth cranial nerve


word: abducent
definition:
abducent

abducent
n.
1.
1
a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.

Syn. -- abducent nerve, abducens, nervus abducens, sixth cranial nerve


word: abducent₂
definition:
abducent

abducent
adj.
1.
1
(physiol)
drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part; -- especially of muscles
adducent

Syn. -- abducting


word: Abduct
definition:
Abduct

Ab*duct"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abducted (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abducting.]
[L. abductus, p. p. of abducere. See Abduce.]
1.
To take away surreptitiously by force; to carry away (a human being) wrongfully and usually by violence; to kidnap.

2.
To draw away, as a limb or other part, from its ordinary position.


word: abducting
definition:
abducting

abducting
adj.
1.
(Physiol.)
drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part; -- used especially of muscles
adducent

Syn. -- abducent 


word: Abduction
definition:
Abduction

Ab*duc"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abductio: cf. F. abduction.]
1.
The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; a carrying away.
Roget.

2.
(Physiol.)
The movement which separates a limb or other part from the axis, or middle line, of the body.

3.
(Law)
The wrongful, and usually the forcible, carrying off of a human being; as, the abduction of a child, the abduction of an heiress.

4.
(Logic)
A syllogism or form of argument in which the major is evident, but the minor is only probable.


word: Abductor
definition:
Abductor

Ab*duc"tor
(_;)
n.
[NL.]
1.
One who abducts.

2.
(Anat.)
A muscle which serves to draw a part out, or form the median line of the body; as, the abductor oculi, which draws the eye outward.


word: Abeam
definition:
Abeam

A*beam"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + beam.]
(Naut.)
On the beam, that is, on a line which forms a right angle with the ship's keel; opposite to the center of the ship's side.


word: Abear
definition:
Abear

A*bear"
(_;)
v. t.
[AS. āberan; pref. ā- + beran to bear.]
1.
To bear; to behave.
[Obs.]

So did the faery knight himself abear.
Spenser.

2.
To put up with; to endure.
[Prov.]
Dickens.


word: Abecedarian
definition:
Abecedarian

A`be*ce*da"ri*an
(_;)
n.
[L. abecedarius. A word from the first four letters of the alphabet.]
1.
One who is learning the alphabet; hence, a tyro.

2.
One engaged in teaching the alphabet.
Wood.


word: Abecedary
definition:
Abecedary

Abecedarian

{ A`be*ce*da"ri*an, A`be*ce"da*ry (_;), }
a.
Pertaining to, or formed by, the letters of the alphabet; alphabetic; hence, rudimentary.

Abecedarian psalms, hymns, etc., compositions in which (like the 119th psalm in Hebrew) distinct portions or verses commence with successive letters of the alphabet. Hook.


word: Abecedary₂
definition:
Abecedary

A`be*ce"da*ry
(_;)
n.
A primer; the first principle or rudiment of anything.
[R.]
Fuller.


word: Abed
definition:
Abed

A*bed"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- in, on + bed.]
1.
In bed, or on the bed.

Not to be abed after midnight.
Shak.

2.
To childbed (in the phrase “brought abed,” that is, delivered of a child).
Shak.


word: Abele
definition:
Abele

A*bele"
(_;)
n.
[D. abeel (abeel-boom), OF. abel, aubel, fr. a dim. of L. albus white.]
The white poplar (Populus alba).

Six abeles i' the churchyard grow.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Abelonian
definition:
Abelonian

Abelite

Abelian

{ A*bel"i*an (_;), A"bel*ite (_;), A`bel*o"ni*an (_;), }
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect in Africa (4th century), mentioned by St. Augustine, who states that they married, but lived in continence, after the manner, as they pretended, of Abel.


word: Abelmoschus
definition:
Abelmoschus

Abelmoschus
prop. n.
1.
1
A genus of tropical coarse herbs having large lobed leaves and often yellow flowers.

Syn. -- genus Abelmoschus


word: Abelmosk
definition:
Abelmosk

A"bel*mosk`
(_;)
n.
[NL. abelmoschus, fr. Ar. abu-l-misk father of musk, i. e., producing musk. See Musk. (or Ar. &hsdot_;abb-al-mosk, musk seed RHUD 1.3]
(Bot.)
An evergreen shrub (Abelmoschus moschatus -- formerly Hibiscus moschatus), of the East and West Indies and Northern Africa, whose musky seeds are used in perfumery and to flavor coffee; -- sometimes called musk mallow.  The seeds produce ambrette-seed oil.


word: Aber-de-vine
definition:
Aber-de-vine

Ab`er-de-vine"
(#)
n.
(Zool.)
The European siskin (Carduelis spinus), a small green and yellow finch, related to the goldfinch.


word: Aberrancy
definition:
Aberrancy

Aberrance

{ Ab*er"rance (_;), Ab*er"ran*cy (_;), }
n.
the state or condition of being aberrant; a wandering from the right way; deviation from truth, rectitude, etc.

Syn. -- aberrance, aberration, deviance

Aberrancy of curvature (Geom.), the deviation of a curve from a circular form.


word: Aberrant
definition:
Aberrant

Ab*er"rant
(_;)
a.
[L. aberrans, -rantis, p. pr. of aberrare. See Aberr.]
1.
Wandering; straying from the right way.

2.
(Biol.)
Deviating from the ordinary or natural type; exceptional; abnormal.

The more aberrant any form is, the greater must have been the number of connecting forms which, on my theory, have been exterminated.
Darwin.


word: Aberrate
definition:
Aberrate

Ab"er*rate
(_;)
v. i.
[L. aberratus, p. pr. of aberrare; ab + errare to wander. See Err.]
To go astray; to diverge.
[R.]

Their own defective and aberrating vision.
De Quincey.


word: Aberration
definition:
Aberration

Ab`er*ra"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. aberratio: cf. F. aberration. See Aberrate.]
1.
The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type.
aberration
Hall.
Aberrations
Burke.

2.
A partial alienation of reason.
aberrations
Lingard.

Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form.
I. Taylor.

3.
(Astron.)
A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer; called annual aberration, when the observer's motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and daily or diurnal aberration, when of the earth on its axis; amounting when greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'', and in the latter, to 0.3''. Planetary aberration is that due to the motion of light and the motion of the planet relative to the earth.

4.
(Opt.)
The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus; called spherical aberration, when due to the spherical form of the lens or mirror, such form giving different foci for central and marginal rays; and chromatic aberration, when due to different refrangibilities of the colored rays of the spectrum, those of each color having a distinct focus.

5.
(Physiol.)
The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it.

6.
(Law)
The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B.


word: Aberuncate
definition:
Aberuncate

Ab`e*run"cate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. aberuncare, for aberruncare. See Averruncate.]
To weed out.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Abet
definition:
Abet

A*bet"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abetted (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abetting.]
[OF. abeter; a (L. ad) + beter to bait (as a bear), fr. Icel. beita to set dogs on, to feed, originally, to cause to bite, fr. Icel. bīta to bite, hence to bait, to incite. See Bait, Bet.]
1.
To instigate or encourage by aid or countenance; -- used in a bad sense of persons and acts; as, to abet an ill-doer; to abet one in his wicked courses; to abet vice; to abet an insurrection.
abets
South.

Would not the fool abet the stealth,
Who rashly thus exposed his wealth?
Gay.

2.
To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good sense.
[Obs.]
Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.
Jer. Taylor.

3.
(Law)
To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the commission of an offense.


word: Abettor
definition:
Abettor

Abetter

{ A*bet"ter, A*bet*tor  }
(_;)
n.
One who abets; an instigator of an offense or an offender.

&hand_; The form abettor is the legal term and also in general use.


word: Abevacuation
definition:
Abevacuation

Ab`e*vac"u*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[Pref. ab- + evacuation.]
(Med.)
A partial evacuation.
Mayne.
AS


word: Abeyance
definition:
Abeyance

A*bey"ance
(_;)
n.
[OF. abeance expectation, longing; a (L. ad) + baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to expect, F. bayer, LL. badare to gape.]
1.
(Law)
Expectancy; condition of being undetermined.

&hand_; When there is no person in existence in whom an inheritance (or a dignity) can vest, it is said to be in abeyance, that is, in expectation; the law considering it as always potentially existing, and ready to vest whenever a proper owner appears.
Blackstone.

2.
Suspension; temporary suppression.

Keeping the sympathies of love and admiration in a dormant state, or state of abeyance.
De Quincey.


word: Abhominable
definition:
Abhominable

Ab*hom"i*na*ble
(_;)
a.
Abominable.
[A false orthography anciently used; h was foisted into various words; hence abholish, for abolish, etc.]

This is abhominable, which he [Don Armado] would call abominable.
Shak. Love's Labor's Lost, v. 1.


word: Abhor
definition:
Abhor

Ab*hor"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abhorred (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abhorring.]
[L. abhorrere; ab + horrere to bristle, shiver, shudder: cf. F. abhorrer. See Horrid.]
1.
To shrink back with shuddering from; to regard with horror or detestation; to feel excessive repugnance toward; to detest to extremity; to loathe.

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Rom. xii. 9.

2.
To fill with horror or disgust.
[Obs.]

It doth abhor me now I speak the word.
Shak.

3.
(Canon Law)
To protest against; to reject solemnly.
[Obs.]

I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul
Refuse you for my judge.
Shak.


word: Abhor₂
definition:
Abhor

Ab*hor"
v. i.
To shrink back with horror, disgust, or dislike; to be contrary or averse; -- with
from
[Obs.]
abhor
Udall.

Which is utterly abhorring from the end of all law.
Milton.


word: Abhorrent
definition:
Abhorrent

Ab*hor"rent
(_;)
a.
[L. abhorens, -rentis, p. pr. of abhorrere.]
1.
Abhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence; loathing; hence, strongly opposed to; as, abhorrent thoughts.

The persons most abhorrent from blood and treason.
Burke.

The arts of pleasure in despotic courts
I spurn abhorrent.
Clover.

2.
Contrary or repugnant; discordant; inconsistent; -- followed by to.
abhorrent
Gibbon.

3.
Detestable.
abhorrent
I. Taylor.


word: Abib
definition:
Abib

A"bib
(_;)
n.
[Heb. abīb, lit. an ear of corn. The month was so called from barley being at that time in ear.]
The first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding nearly to our April. After the Babylonish captivity this month was called Nisan.
Kitto.


word: Abidance
definition:
Abidance

A*bid"ance
(_;)
n.
The state of abiding; abode; continuance; compliance (with).

The Christians had no longer abidance in the holy hill of Palestine.
Fuller.

A judicious abidance by rules.
Helps.


word: Abide
definition:
Abide

A*bide"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Abode (_;), formerly Abid (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abiding (_;).]
[AS. ābīdan; pref. ā- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + bīdan to bide. See Bide.]
1.
To wait; to pause; to delay.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to dwell; to sojourn; -- with with before a person, and commonly with at or in before a place.

Let the damsel abide with us a few days.
Gen. xxiv. 55.

3.
To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue; to remain.

Let every man abide in the same calling.
1 Cor. vii. 20.

Followed by by: To abide by. (a) To stand to; to adhere; to maintain.
[1913 Webster]
The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by what he said at first. Fielding.
[1913 Webster]
(b) To acquiesce; to conform to; as, to abide by a decision or an award.


word: Abide₂
definition:
Abide

A*bide"
v. t.
1.
To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I abide my time.
abide
Tennyson.

[[Obs.], with a personal object.

Bonds and afflictions abide me.
Acts xx. 23.

2.
To endure; to sustain; to submit to.

[Thou] shalt abide her judgment on it.
Tennyson.

3.
To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with.

She could not abide Master Shallow.
Shak.

4.
[Confused with aby to pay for. See Aby.]
To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for.

Dearly I abide that boast so vain.
Milton.


word: Abider
definition:
Abider

A*bid"er
(_;)
n.
1.
One who abides, or continues.
[Obs.]
abiders
Sidney.

2.
One who dwells; a resident.
Speed.


word: Abidjan
definition:
Abidjan

Abidjan (administrative)
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of Cote d'Ivoire.  Population (2000) = 106,786.


word: Abies
definition:
Abies

A"bi*es
(_;)
n.
[L., fir tree.]
(Bot.)
A genus of coniferous trees, properly called Fir, as the balsam fir and the silver fir. The spruces are sometimes also referred to this genus.


word: Abietene
definition:
Abietene

Ab"i*e*tene
(_;)
n.
[L. abies, abietis, a fir tree.]
A volatile oil distilled from the resin or balsam of the nut pine (Pinus sabiniana) of California.


word: Abietic
definition:
Abietic

Ab`i*et"ic
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to the fir tree or its products; as, abietic acid, called also sylvic acid.
Watts.


word: Abietine
definition:
Abietine

Abietin

{ Ab"i*e*tin, Ab"i*e*tine  }
(_;)
n.
[See Abietene.]
(Chem.)
A resinous obtained from Strasburg turpentine or Canada balsam. It is without taste or smell, is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol (especially at the boiling point), in strong acetic acid, and in ether.
Watts.


word: Abietite
definition:
Abietite

Ab"i*e*tite
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A substance resembling mannite, found in the needles of the common silver fir of Europe (Abies pectinata).
Eng. Cyc.


word: abigail
definition:
abigail

ab"i*gail
(_;)
n.
[The proper name used as an appellative.]
A lady's waiting-maid.
Pepys.

Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of night curls for sleeping in.
Leslie.


word: Ability
definition:
Ability

A*bil"i*ty
(ȧ*bĭl"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Abilities (ȧ*bĭl"ĭ*tĭz).
[F. habileté, earlier spelling habilité (with silent h), L. habilitas aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See Able.]
The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent.

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren.
Acts xi. 29.

Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study.
Bacon.

The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability.
Macaulay.


word: Abiogenesis
definition:
Abiogenesis

Ab`i*o*gen"e*sis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + bi`os life + ge`nesis, origin, birth.]
(Biol.)
The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation; -- called also abiogeny, and opposed to biogenesis.

I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis.
Huxley, 1870.


word: Abiogenetic
definition:
Abiogenetic

Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic
(_;)
a.
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to abiogenesis.
Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: Abiogenist
definition:
Abiogenist

Ab`i*og"e*nist
(_;)
n.
(Biol.)
One who believes that life can be produced independently of antecedent.
Huxley.


word: Abiological
definition:
Abiological

Ab`i*o*log"ic*al
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + E. biological.]
Pertaining to the study of inanimate things.


word: Abirritate
definition:
Abirritate

Ab*ir"ri*tate
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. ab- + irritate.]
(Med.)
To diminish the sensibility to stimulation of.


word: Abirritation
definition:
Abirritation

Ab*ir`ri*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
(Med.)
A pathological condition opposite to that of irritation; debility; lack of strength; asthenia.
AS


word: abject
definition:
abject

ab"ject
(ăb"jĕkt)
a.
[L. abjectus, p. p. of abjicere to throw away; ab + jacere to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.]
1.
Cast down; low-lying.
[Obs.]

From the safe shore their floating carcasses
And broken chariot wheels; so thick bestrown
Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood.
Milton.

2.
Degraded; servile; groveling; despicable; as, abject posture, fortune, thoughts.
abject
Addison.
abject
Macaulay.

And banish hence these abject, lowly dreams.
Shak.

3.
Sunk to a low condition; down in spirit or hope; miserable; -- of persons.

4.
Humiliating; degrading; wretched; -- of situations; as, abject poverty.


word: Abject
definition:
Abject

Ab*ject"
(ăb*jĕkt")
v. t.
[From Abject, a.]
To cast off or down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase.
[Obs.]
Donne.


word: Abject₂
definition:
Abject

Ab"ject
(ăb"jĕkt)
n.
A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway.
[Obs.]

Shall these abjects, these victims, these outcasts, know any thing of pleasure?
I. Taylor.


word: Abjectedness
definition:
Abjectedness

Ab*ject"ed*ness
(ăb*jĕkt"ĕd*nĕs)
n.
A very abject or low condition; abjectness.
[R.]
Boyle.


word: Abjection
definition:
Abjection

Ab*jec"tion
(ăb*jĕk"shŭn)
n.
[F. abjection, L. abjectio.]
1.
The act of bringing down or humbling.
abjection
Joye.

2.
The state of being rejected or cast out.
[R.]

An abjection from the beatific regions where God, and his angels and saints, dwell forever.
Jer. Taylor.

3.
A low or downcast state; meanness of spirit; abasement; degradation.

That this should be termed baseness, abjection of mind, or servility, is it credible?
Hooker.


word: Abjectness
definition:
Abjectness

Ab"ject*ness
(ăb"jĕkt*nĕs)
n.
The state of being abject; abasement; meanness; servility.
Grew.


word: Abjudge
definition:
Abjudge

Ab*judge"
(ăb*jŭj")
v. t.
[Pref. ab- + judge, v. Cf. Abjudicate.]
To take away by judicial decision.
[R.]


word: Abjudicate
definition:
Abjudicate

Ab*ju"di*cate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. abjudicatus, p. p. of abjudicare; ab + judicare. See Judge, and cf. Abjudge.]
To reject by judicial sentence; also, to abjudge.
[Obs.]
Ash.


word: Abjunctive
definition:
Abjunctive

Ab*junc"tive
(_;)
a.
[L. abjunctus, p. p. of abjungere; ab + jungere to join.]
Exceptional.
[R.]

It is this power which leads on from the accidental and abjunctive to the universal.
I. Taylor.


word: Abjuration
definition:
Abjuration

Ab`ju*ra"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abjuratio: cf. F. abjuration.]
1.
The act of abjuring or forswearing; a renunciation upon oath; as, abjuration of the realm, a sworn banishment, an oath taken to leave the country and never to return.

2.
A solemn recantation or renunciation; as, an abjuration of heresy.

Oath of abjuration, an oath asserting the right of the present royal family to the crown of England, and expressly abjuring allegiance to the descendants of the Pretender. Brande & C.


word: Abjure
definition:
Abjure

Ab*jure"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abjured (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abjuring (_;).]
[L. abjurare to deny upon oath; ab + jurare to swear, fr. jus, juris, right, law; cf. F. abjurer. See Jury.]
1.
To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow; as, to abjure allegiance to a prince. To abjure the realm, is to swear to abandon it forever.

2.
To renounce or reject with solemnity; to recant; to abandon forever; to reject; repudiate; as, to abjure errors.
abjure
Shak.


word: Ablactate
definition:
Ablactate

Ab*lac"tate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. ablactatus, p. p. of ablactare; ab + lactare to suckle, fr. lac milk.]
To wean.
[R.]
Bailey.


word: Ablactation
definition:
Ablactation

Ab`lac*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
1.
The weaning of a child from the breast, or of young beasts from their dam.
Blount.

2.
(Hort.)
The process of grafting now called inarching, or grafting by approach.


word: Ablaqueate
definition:
Ablaqueate

Ab*la"que*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. ablaqueatus, p. p. of. ablaqueare; fr. ab + laqueus a noose.]
To lay bare, as the roots of a tree.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Ablaqueation
definition:
Ablaqueation

Ab*la`que*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. ablaqueatio.]
The act or process of laying bare the roots of trees to expose them to the air and water.
[Obs.]
Evelyn.


word: Ablation
definition:
Ablation

Ab*la"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. ablatio, fr. ablatus p. p. of auferre to carry away; ab + latus, p. p. of ferre carry: cf. F. ablation. See Tolerate.]
1.
A carrying or taking away; removal.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
(Med.)
Extirpation.
Dunglison.
AS

3.
(Med.)
Removing or destroying of a body tissue, especially by a surgical procedure.
Dorland.

4.
(Geol.)
Wearing away; superficial waste, as of glacial ice or snow.
Tyndall.

5.
(Aerospace)
Wearing away of the outer layers of a protective shield or surface by the heat and aerodynamic forces caused by flying through the atmosphere at  hypersonic speed, as during reentry from space; as, ablation of the heat shield during reentry.


word: Ablative
definition:
Ablative

Ab"la*tive
(_;)
a.
[F. ablatif, ablative, L. ablativus fr. ablatus. See Ablation.]
1.
Taking away or removing.
[Obs.]

Where the heart is forestalled with misopinion, ablative directions are found needful to unteach error, ere we can learn truth.
Bp. Hall.

2.
(Gram.)
Applied to one of the cases of the noun in Latin and some other languages, -- the fundamental meaning of the case being removal, separation, or taking away.


word: Ablative₂
definition:
Ablative

Ab"la*tive
(Gram.)
The ablative case.

ablative absolute, a construction in Latin, in which a noun in the ablative case has a participle (either expressed or implied), agreeing with it in gender, number, and case, both words forming a clause by themselves and being unconnected, grammatically, with the rest of the sentence; as, Tarquinio regnante, Pythagoras venit, i. e., Tarquinius reigning, Pythagoras came.


word: Ablaut
definition:
Ablaut

Ab"laut
(_;)
n.
[Ger., off-sound; ab off + laut sound.]
(Philol.)
The substitution of one root vowel for another, thus indicating a corresponding modification of use or meaning; vowel permutation; as, get, gat, got; sing, song; hang, hung.
Earle.


word: Ablaze
definition:
Ablaze

A*blaze"
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + blaze.]
1.
On fire; in a blaze, gleaming.
Milman.

All ablaze with crimson and gold.
Longfellow.

2.
In a state of glowing excitement or ardent desire.

The young Cambridge democrats were all ablaze to assist Torrijos.
Carlyle.


word: Able
definition:
Able

A"ble
(_;)
a.
[comp. Abler (_;); superl. Ablest (_;).]
[OF. habile, L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful, fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. Habile and see Habit.]
1.
Fit; adapted; suitable.
[Obs.]

A many man, to ben an abbot able.
Chaucer.

2.
Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a piano.

3.
Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able speech.

No man wrote abler state papers.
Macaulay.

4.
(Law)
Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property.

Able for, is Scotticism. “Hardly able for such a march.” Robertson.


word: Able₂
definition:
Able

A"ble
v. t.
[See Able, a.]
[Obs.]
1.
To make able; to enable; to strengthen.
Chaucer.

2.
To vouch for.
able
Shak.


word: -able
definition:
-able

-a*ble
(-ȧ*b'l)
[F. -able, L. -abilis.]
An adjective suffix now usually in a passive sense; able to be; fit to be; expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.

The form -ible is used in the same sense.

&hand_; It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able instead of -ible. “Yet a rule may be laid down as to when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the Anglo-Saxon, to all based on the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever sprung, we annex -able only.”
Fitzed. Hall.


word: Able-bodied
definition:
Able-bodied

A`ble-bod"ied
(_;)
a.
Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust.
Able-bodied
Froude.
A`ble-bod"ied*ness, n..


word: Ablegate
definition:
Ablegate

Ab"le*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. ablegatus, p. p. of ablegare; ab + legare to send with a commission. See Legate.]
To send abroad.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Ablegate₂
definition:
Ablegate

Ab"le*gate
(_;)
n.
(R. C. Ch.)
A representative of the pope charged with important commissions in foreign countries, one of his duties being to bring to a newly named cardinal his insignia of office.


word: Ablen
definition:
Ablen

Ablet

Ab"let (_;), Ab"len
[F. ablet, ablette, a dim. fr. LL. abula, for albula, dim. of albus white. Cf. Abele.]
(Zool.)
A small fresh-water fish (Leuciscus alburnus); the bleak.


word: Abligate
definition:
Abligate

Ab"li*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. ab + ligatus, p. p. of ligare to tie.]
To tie up so as to hinder from.
[Obs.]


word: Abligurition
definition:
Abligurition

Ab*lig`u*ri"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abligurito, fr. abligurire to spend in luxurious indulgence; ab + ligurire to be lickerish, dainty, fr. lingere to lick.]
Prodigal expense for food.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Ablude
definition:
Ablude

Ab*lude"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. abludere; ab + ludere to play.]
To be unlike; to differ.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Abluent
definition:
Abluent

Ab"lu*ent
(_;)
a.
[L. abluens, p. pr. of. abluere to wash away; ab + luere (lavere, lavare). See Lave.]
Washing away; carrying off impurities; detergent.
n. (Med.) A detergent.
AS


word: Ablution
definition:
Ablution

Ab*lu`tion
(_;)
n.
[L. ablutio, fr. abluere: cf. F. ablution. See Abluent.]
1.
The act of washing or cleansing; specifically, the washing of the body, or some part of it, as a religious rite.

2.
The water used in cleansing.
ablutions
Pope.

3.
(R. C. Ch.)
A small quantity of wine and water, which is used to wash the priest's thumb and index finger after the communion, and which then, as perhaps containing portions of the consecrated elements, is drunk by the priest.


word: Abnegate
definition:
Abnegate

Ab"ne*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abnegated; p. pr. & vb. n. Abnegating.]
[L. abnegatus, p. p. of abnegare; ab + negare to deny. See Deny.]
To deny and reject; to abjure.
Sir E. Sandys. Farrar.


word: Abnegation
definition:
Abnegation

Ab`ne*ga"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abnegatio: cf. F. abnégation.]
a denial; a renunciation.

With abnegation of God, of his honor, and of religion, they may retain the friendship of the court.
Knox.


word: Abnodate
definition:
Abnodate

Ab"no*date
(_;)
v. t.
[L. abnodatus, p. p. of abnodare; ab + nodus knot.]
To clear (tress) from knots.
[R.]
Blount.


word: Abnormal
definition:
Abnormal

Ab*nor"mal
(_;)
a.
[For earlier anormal, F. anormal, LL. anormalus for anomalus, Gr. _;. Confused with L. abnormis. See Anomalous, Abnormous, Anormal.]
Not conformed to rule or system; deviating from the type; anomalous; irregular.
Froude.


word: Abnormality
definition:
Abnormality

Ab`nor*mal"i*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Abnormalities (_;).
1.
The state or quality of being abnormal; variation; irregularity.
Darwin.

2.
Something abnormal.


word: Abnormity
definition:
Abnormity

Ab*nor"mi*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Abnormities (_;).
[LL. abnormitas. See Abnormous.]
Departure from the ordinary type; irregularity; monstrosity.
abnormity
Mrs. Whitney.


word: Abnormous
definition:
Abnormous

Ab*nor"mous
(_;)
a.
[L. abnormis; ab + norma rule. See Normal.]
Abnormal; irregular.
Hallam.

A character of a more abnormous cast than his equally suspected coadjutor.
State Trials.


word: Aboard
definition:
Aboard

A*board"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- on, in + board.]
1.
On board; into or within a ship or boat; hence, into or within a railway car.

2.
Alongside; as, close aboard.

(Naut.): To fall aboard of, to strike a ship's side; to fall foul of. -- To haul the tacks aboard, to set the courses. -- To keep the land aboard, to hug the shore. -- To lay (a ship) aboard, to place one's own ship close alongside of (a ship) for fighting.


word: Aboard₂
definition:
Aboard

A*board"
prep.
1.
On board of; as, to go aboard a ship.

2.
Across; athwart.
[Obs.]

Nor iron bands aboard
The Pontic Sea by their huge navy cast.
Spenser.


word: Abode₂
definition:
Abode

A*bode"
n.
[OE. abad, abood, fr. abiden to abide. See Abide. For the change of vowel, cf. abode, imp. of abide.]
1.
Act of waiting; delay.
[Obs.]
Shak.

And with her fled away without abode.
Spenser.

2.
Stay or continuance in a place; sojourn.

He waxeth at your abode here.
Fielding.

3.
Place of continuance, or where one dwells; abiding place; residence; a dwelling; a habitation.

Come, let me lead you to our poor abode.
Wordsworth.


word: Abode₃
definition:
Abode

A*bode"
n.
[See Bode, v. t.]
An omen.
[Obs.]

High-thundering Juno's husband stirs my spirit with true abodes.
Chapman.


word: Abolish
definition:
Abolish

A*bol"ish
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abolished (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abolishing.]
[F. abolir, L. abolere, aboletum; ab + olere to grow. Cf. Finish.]
1.
To do away with wholly; to annul; to make void; -- said of laws, customs, institutions, governments, etc.; as, to abolish slavery, to abolish folly.

2.
To put an end to, or destroy, as a physical objects; to wipe out.
[Archaic]

And with thy blood abolish so reproachful blot.
Spenser.

His quick instinctive hand
Caught at the hilt, as to abolish him.
Tennyson.


word: Abolishment
definition:
Abolishment

A*bol"ish*ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. F. abolissement.]
The act of abolishing; abolition; destruction.
Hooker.


word: Abolition
definition:
Abolition

Ab"o*li"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abolitio, fr. abolere: cf. F. abolition. See Abolish.]
The act of abolishing, or the state of being abolished; an annulling; abrogation; utter destruction; as, the abolition of slavery or the slave trade; the abolition of laws, decrees, ordinances, customs, taxes, debts, etc.

&hand_; The application of this word to persons is now unusual or obsolete


word: abolitionary
definition:
abolitionary

abolitionary
adj.
1.
relating to or favoring abolition, especially the abolition of slavery.
2.
of or pertaining to abolition


word: Abolitionist
definition:
Abolitionist

Ab`o*li"tion*ist
n.
A person who favors the abolition of any institution, especially negro slavery.


word: Abolitionize
definition:
Abolitionize

Ab`o*li`tion*ize
(_;)
v. t.
To imbue with the principles of abolitionism.
[R.]
Bartlett.


word: Abomasus
definition:
Abomasus

Abomasum

{ &VerbarAb`o*ma"sum (_;), &VerbarAb`o*ma"sus (_;), }
n.
[NL., fr. L. ab + omasum (a Celtic word).]
(Anat.)
The fourth or digestive stomach of a ruminant, which leads from the third stomach omasum. See Ruminantia.


word: Abominable
definition:
Abominable

A*bom"i*na*ble
(_;)
a.
[F. abominable. L. abominalis. See Abominate.]
1.
Worthy of, or causing, abhorrence, as a thing of evil omen; odious in the utmost degree; very hateful; detestable; loathsome; execrable.

2.
Excessive; large; -- used as an intensive.
[Obs.]

&hand_; Juliana Berners . . . informs us that in her time [15th c.], “abomynable syght of monkes” was elegant English for “a large company of friars.”
G. P. Marsh.


word: Abominableness
definition:
Abominableness

A*bom"i*na*ble*ness
n.
The quality or state of being abominable; odiousness.
Bentley.


word: Abominate
definition:
Abominate

A*bom"i*nate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abominated; p. pr. & vb. n. Abominating.]
[L. abominatus, p. p. or abominari to deprecate as ominous, to abhor, to curse; ab + omen a foreboding. See Omen.]
To turn from as ill-omened; to hate in the highest degree, as if with religious dread; loathe; as, to abominate all impiety.


word: Abomination
definition:
Abomination

A*bom`i*na"tion
(_;)
n.
[OE. abominacioun, -cion, F. abominatio. See Abominate.]
1.
The feeling of extreme disgust and hatred; abhorrence; detestation; loathing; as, he holds tobacco in abomination.

2.
That which is abominable; anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully vile; an object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice; pollution.

Antony, most large in his abominations.
Shak.

3.
A cause of pollution or wickedness.


word: Aboon
definition:
Aboon

A*boon"
(_;)
prep.
and adv. Above.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

Aboon the pass of Bally-Brough.
Sir W. Scott.

The ceiling fair that rose aboon.
J. R. Drake.


word: Abor
definition:
Abor

Abor
n.
1.
a language spoken in Northeast India and adjacent regions of West Burma (Myanmar).

Syn. -- Miri, Mirish, Dafla


word: Aboral
definition:
Aboral

Ab*o"ral
(_;)
a.
[L. ab. + E. oral.]
(Zool.)
Situated opposite to, or away from, the mouth.


word: Abord₂
definition:
Abord

A*bord"
(_;)
v. t.
[F. aborder, à (L. ad) + bord rim, brim, or side of a vessel. See Border, Board.]
To approach; to accost.
[Obs.]
Digby.


word: Aboriginal
definition:
Aboriginal

Ab`o*rig"i*nal
(_;)
a.
[See Aborigines.]
1.
First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America.
aboriginal
Wordsworth.

2.
Of or pertaining to aborigines; as, a Hindu of aboriginal blood.


word: Aboriginal₂
definition:
Aboriginal

Ab`o*rig"i*nal
n.
1.
An original inhabitant of any land; one of the aborigines.

2.
An animal or a plant native to the region.

It may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these islands.
Darwin.


word: Aborigines
definition:
Aborigines

Ab`o*rig"i*nes
(-rĭj"ĭ*nēz)
n. pl.
[L. Aborigines; ab + origo, especially the first inhabitants of Latium, those who originally (ab origine) inhabited Latium or Italy. See Origin.]
1.
The earliest known inhabitants of a country; native races.

2.
The original fauna and flora of a geographical area


word: Abort
definition:
Abort

A*bort"
(ȧ*bôrt")
v. i.
[L. abortare, fr. abortus, p. p. of aboriri; ab + oriri to rise, to be born. See Orient.]

1.
To miscarry; to bring forth young prematurely.

2.
(Biol.)
To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile.

3.
to stop, cease, or fail prior to normal completion.


word: Abort₂
definition:
Abort

A*bort"
(ȧ*bôrt")
v. t.
to cause (an action or process) to stop at an early stage, or before normal completion; as, to abort a rocket flight.


word: Abort₃
definition:
Abort

A*bort"
n.
[L. abortus, fr. aboriri.]
1.
An untimely birth.
[Obs.]
Sir H. Wotton.

2.
An aborted offspring.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Aborted
definition:
Aborted

A*bort"ed
a.
1.
Brought forth prematurely.

2.
(Biol.)
Rendered abortive or sterile; undeveloped; checked in normal development at a very early stage; as, spines are aborted branches.

3.
stopped prior to normal completion.

The eyes of the cirripeds are more or less aborted in their mature state.
Owen.


word: Aborticide
definition:
Aborticide

A*bor"ti*cide
(ȧ*bôr"tĭ*sīd)
n.
[L. abortus + caedere to kill. See Abort.]
(Med.)
The act of destroying a fetus in the womb; feticide.
[archaic]
AS


word: Abortifacient
definition:
Abortifacient

A*bor`ti*fa"cient
(ȧ*bôr`tĭ*fā"shent)
a.
[L. abortus (see Abort, v.) + faciens, p. pr. of facere to make.]
Producing miscarriage.
n. A drug or an agent that causes premature delivery.


word: Abortion
definition:
Abortion

A*bor"tion
(ȧ*bôr"shŭn)
n.
[L. abortio, fr. aboriri. See Abort.]
1.
The act of giving premature birth; particularly, the expulsion of the human fetus prematurely, or before it is capable of sustaining life; miscarriage.

2.
The immature product of an untimely birth; a fetus which has been delivered prematurely due to spontaneous or voluntary abortion, and is dead.

3.
(Biol.)
Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.

4.
Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt proved an abortion.

5.
the removal of a fetus from the womb prior to normal delivery in a manner such as to cause the death of the fetus; also called voluntary abortion, or when performed by a physician, therapeutic abortion.

In the 1913 Webster there was the following note appended to sense 1:
&hand_; It is sometimes used for the offense of procuring a premature delivery, but strictly the early delivery is the abortion, “causing or procuring abortion” is the full name of the offense.  Abbott.
[PJC]
6.
something considered to be a repulsive or monstrous variant of a normal object; a monstrosity.


word: Abortionist
definition:
Abortionist

A*bor"tion*ist
n.
One who performs or procures abortion; among medical personnel, also called an abortion provider.
The word abortionist has negative connotations from the time when the practise was illegal in the United States, and the latter term is preferred among those who do not consider the procedure as morally reprehensible.


word: Abortive
definition:
Abortive

A*bor"tive
(_;)
a.
[L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See Abort, v.]
1.
Produced by abortion.as, an abortive child.
[R.]

2.
Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum.
[Obs.]

3.
Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.
[Obs.]
abortive
Milton.

4.
Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt.
abortive
Prescott.

5.
(Biol.)
Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
AS

6.
(Med.)
(a)
Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines.
Parr.
AS
(b)
Cutting short the period of an illness; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.


word: Abortive₂
definition:
Abortive

A*bor"tive
n.
1.
That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
A fruitless effort or issue.
[Obs.]

3.
(Med.)
A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion; -- also called an abortifacient.
Dunglison.


word: Abound
definition:
Abound

A*bound"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Abounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Abounding.]
[OE. abounden, F. abonder, fr. L. abundare to overflow, abound; ab + unda wave. Cf. Undulate.]
1.
To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent; to be plentiful.

The wild boar which abounds in some parts of the continent of Europe.
Chambers.

Where sin abounded grace did much more abound.
Rom. v. 20.

2.
To be copiously supplied; -- followed by in or with.

To abound in, to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by. -- To abound with, to be filled with; to possess in great numbers.

Men abounding in natural courage.
Macaulay.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings.
Prov. xxviii. 20.

It abounds with cabinets of curiosities.
Addison.


word: About
definition:
About

A*bout"
(_;)
prep.
[OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. ābutan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out.]

1.
Around; all round; on every side of.
about
Shak.
about
Prov. iii. 3.

2.
In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
about
Bulwer.

3.
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.

Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses.
Macaulay.

Roving still about the world.
Milton.

4.
Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity.
about
Exod. ix. 18.
About
Shak.

He went out about the third hour.
Matt. xx. 3.

&hand_; This use passes into the adverbial sense.

5.
In concern with; engaged in; intent on.

I must be about my Father's business.
Luke ii. 49.

6.
Before a verbal noun or an infinitive:
On the point or verge of; going; in act of.

Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
Acts xviii. 14.

7.
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
about
Milton.

She must have her way about Sarah.
Trollope.


word: About₂
definition:
About

A*bout"
adv.
1.
On all sides; around.

'Tis time to look about.
Shak.

2.
In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.

3.
Here and there; around; in one place and another.

Wandering about from house to house.
1 Tim. v. 13.

4.
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time.
about
Exod. xxii. 28.

5.
To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.

To bring about, to cause to take place; to accomplish. -- To come about, to occur; to take place. See under Come. -- To go about, To set about, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. “Shall we set about some revels?” Shak. -- Round about, in every direction around.


word: Above
definition:
Above

A*bove"
(_;)
prep.
[OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon; an (or on) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. √199.  See Over.]
1.
In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; -- opposed to below or beneath.

Fowl that may fly above the earth.
Gen. i. 20.

2.
Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach.
above
Marlowe.

I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun.
Acts xxxvi. 13.

3.
Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a hundred. (Passing into the adverbial sense. See Above, adv., 4.)

above all, before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to other things.

Over and above, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to.


word: Above₂
definition:
Above

A*bove"
(_;)
adv.
1.
In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above.

2.
Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page.
above
Dryden.

3.
Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above.

4.
More than; as, above five hundred were present.

Above is often used elliptically as an adjective by omitting the word mentioned, quoted, or the like; as, the above observations, the above reference, the above articles. -- Above is also used substantively. “The waters that come down from above.”  Josh. iii. 13.
[1913 Webster]
It is also used as the first part of a compound in the sense of before, previously; as, above-cited, above-described, above-mentioned, above-named, abovesaid, abovespecified, above-written, above-given.


word: Aboveboard
definition:
Aboveboard

A*bove"board`
(_;)
adv.
Above the board or table. Hence: in open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception.
aboveboard
Burke.

&hand_; This expression is said by Johnson to have been borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put their hands under the table.


word: Above-named
definition:
Above-named

Above-mentioned

A*bove"-men`tioned (_;), A*bove"-named`
(_;)
a.
Mentioned or named before; aforesaid;  mentioned or named earlier in the same text (in written documents).


word: Abra
definition:
Abra

A"bra
(?)
n.
[Sp., a bay, valley, fissure.]
A narrow pass or defile; a break in a mesa; the mouth of a cañon.
[Southwestern U. S.]


word: Abracadabra
definition:
Abracadabra

Ab`ra*ca*dab"ra
(_;)
n.
[L. Of unknown origin.]
A mystical word or collocation of letters written as in the figure. Worn on an amulet it was supposed to ward off fever. At present the word is used chiefly in jest to denote something without meaning; jargon.


word: Abrade
definition:
Abrade

Ab*rade"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrading.]
[L. abradere, abrasum, to scrape off; ab + radere to scrape. See Rase, Raze.]
To rub or wear off; to waste or wear away by friction; as, to abrade rocks.
Lyell.


word: Abram-man
definition:
Abram-man

Abraham-man

A"bra*ham-man` (_;) or A"bram-man`
(_;)
n.
[Possibly in allusion to the parable of the beggar Lazarus in Luke xvi. Murray (New Eng. Dict. ).]
One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through England, feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms.
Nares.

To sham Abraham, to feign sickness. Goldsmith.


word: Abraid
definition:
Abraid

A*braid"
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[OE. abraiden, to awake, draw (a sword), AS. ābredgan to shake, draw; pref. ā- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + bregdan to shake, throw. See Braid.]
To awake; to arouse; to stir or start up; also, to shout out.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Abranchiata
definition:
Abranchiata

A*bran`chi*a"ta
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. 'a priv. + _;, pl., the gills of fishes.]
(Zool.)
A group of annelids, so called because the species composing it have no special organs of respiration.


word: abranchious
definition:
abranchious

abranchious
adj.
1.
having no gills; -- same as abranchiate.
branchiate

Syn. -- abranchiate, abranchial, gill-less


word: Abrase
definition:
Abrase

Ab*rase"
(_;)
a.
[L. abrasus, p. p. of abradere. See Abrade.]
Rubbed smooth.
[Obs.]
abrase
B. Jonson.


word: Abrasion
definition:
Abrasion

Ab*ra"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. abrasio, fr. abradere. See Abrade.]
1.
The act of abrading, wearing, or rubbing off; the wearing away by friction; as, the abrasion of coins.

2.
The substance rubbed off.
Berkeley.

3.
(Med.)
(a)
A superficial excoriation of skin or mucous membranes.
AS
(b)
Erosion of the tooth substance
AS


word: Abraum salts
definition:
Abraum salts

Abraum

A*braum" or A*braum" salts (_;)
n.
[Ger., fr. abräumen to remove.]
A red ocher used to darken mahogany and for making chloride of potassium.


word: Abraxas
definition:
Abraxas

A*brax"as
(_;)
n.
[A name adopted by the Egyptian Gnostic Basilides, containing the Greek letters α, β, ρ, α, ξ, α, σ, which, as numerals, amounted to 365. It was used to signify the supreme deity as ruler of the 365 heavens of his system.]
A mystical word used as a charm and engraved on gems among the ancients; also, a gem stone thus engraved.


word: Abray
definition:
Abray

A*bray"
(_;)
v.
[A false form from the preterit abraid, abrayde.]
See Abraid.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Abreaction
definition:
Abreaction

Ab`re*ac"tion
(?)
n.
[Pref. ab- + reaction, after G. Abreagirung.]
(Psychotherapy)
the purging of emotional tensions.  See Catharsis, below.

Syn. -- catharsis, katharsis


word: Abreast
definition:
Abreast

A*breast"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + breast.]
1.
Side by side, with breasts in a line; as, “Two men could hardly walk abreast.”
Macaulay.

2.
(Naut.)
Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam; -- with of.

3.
Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science.

4.
At the same time; simultaneously.
[Obs.]

Abreast therewith began a convocation.
Fuller.


word: Abrenounce
definition:
Abrenounce

Ab`re*nounce"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. abrenuntiare; ab + renuntiare. See Renounce.]
To renounce.
[Obs.]
abrenounce
Latimer.


word: Abrenunciation
definition:
Abrenunciation

Ab`re*nun`ci*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. abrenuntiatio. See Abrenounce.]
Absolute renunciation or repudiation.
[Obs.]

An abrenunciation of that truth which he so long had professed, and still believed.
Fuller.


word: Abreption
definition:
Abreption

Ab*rep"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abreptus, p. p. of abripere to snatch away; ab + rapere to snatch.]
A snatching away.
[Obs.]


word: Abreuvoir
definition:
Abreuvoir

A`breu`voir"
(_;)
n.
[F., a watering place.]
(Masonry)
The joint or interstice between stones, to be filled with mortar.
Gwilt.


word: Abridge
definition:
Abridge

A*bridge"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abridged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abridging.]
[OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F. abréger, fr. L. abbreviare; ad + brevis short. See Brief and cf. Abbreviate.]
1.
To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights.
abridged
Smollett.

She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity.
Fuller.

2.
To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a history or dictionary.

3.
To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by from; as, to abridge one of his rights.


word: abridged
definition:
abridged

abridged
adj.
1.
1
shortened by condensing or rewriting; -- said of texts
an abridged version
half-length
unabridged, full-length

Syn. -- condensed


word: Abridgment
definition:
Abridgment

A*bridg"ment
(-brĭj"ment)
n.
[OE. abregement. See Abridge.]
1.
The act of abridging, or the state of being abridged; diminution; lessening; reduction or deprivation; as, an abridgment of pleasures or of expenses.

2.
An epitome or compend, as of a book; a shortened or abridged form, esp. of a written work; an abbreviation.

Ancient coins as abridgments of history.
Addison.

3.
That which abridges or cuts short; hence, an entertainment that makes the time pass quickly.
[Obs.]

What abridgment have you for this evening? What mask? What music?
Shak.

4.
a diminution or curtailment, as of legal rights.


word: Abroach
definition:
Abroach

A*broach"
(_;)
v. t.
[OE. abrochen, OF. abrochier. See Broach.]
To set abroach; to let out, as liquor; to broach; to tap.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Abroach₂
definition:
Abroach

A*broach"
adv.
[Pref. a- + broach.]
1.
Broached; in a condition for letting out or yielding liquor, as a cask which is tapped.

Hogsheads of ale were set abroach.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
Hence: In a state to be diffused or propagated; afoot; astir.
abroach
Shak.


word: Abroad
definition:
Abroad

A*broad"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + broad.]
1.
At large; widely; broadly; over a wide space; as, a tree spreads its branches abroad.

The fox roams far abroad.
Prior.

2.
Without a certain confine; outside the house; away from one's abode; as, to walk abroad.

I went to St. James', where another was preaching in the court abroad.
Evelyn.

3.
Beyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries; as, we have broils at home and enemies abroad.
abroad
Macaulay.

4.
Before the public at large; throughout society or the world; here and there; widely.

He went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter.
Mark i. 45.

To be abroad. (a) To be wide of the mark; to be at fault; as, you are all abroad in your guess. (b) To be at a loss or nonplused.


word: abrocome
definition:
abrocome

abrocome
n.
1.
1
ratlike rodent of the Andes with soft fur and large ears.

Syn. -- chinchilla rat, rat chinchilla


word: Abrogate₂
definition:
Abrogate

Ab"ro*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abrogated; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrogating.]
[L. abrogatus, p. p. of abrogare; ab + rogare to ask, require, propose. See Rogation.]
1.
To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of the maker or his successor; to repeal; -- applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of customs, etc.

Let us see whether the New Testament abrogates what we so frequently see in the Old.
South.

Whose laws, like those of the Medes and Persian, they can not alter or abrogate.
Burke.

2.
To put an end to; to do away with.
Shak.


word: Abrogation
definition:
Abrogation

Ab`ro*ga"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abrogatio, fr. abrogare: cf. F. abrogation.]
The act of abrogating; repeal by authority.
Hume.


word: Abrupt
definition:
Abrupt

Ab*rupt"
(_;)
a.
[L. abruptus, p. p. of abrumpere to break off; ab + rumpere to break. See Rupture.]
1.
Broken off; very steep, or craggy, as rocks, precipices, banks; precipitous; steep; as, abrupt places.
abrupt
Thomson.

2.
Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious.
abrupt
Shak.

3.
Having sudden transitions from one subject to another; unconnected.

The abrupt style, which hath many breaches.
B. Jonson.

4.
(Bot.)
Suddenly terminating, as if cut off.
Gray.


word: Abruption
definition:
Abruption

Ab*rup"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. abruptio, fr. abrumpere: cf. F. abruption.]
A sudden breaking off; a violent separation of bodies.
Woodward.


word: Abruptly
definition:
Abruptly

Ab*rupt"ly
adv.
1.
In an abrupt manner; without giving notice, or without the usual forms; suddenly.

2.
Precipitously.


word: abruptly-pinnate
definition:
abruptly-pinnate

Abruptly pinnate

Abruptly pinnate, abruptly-pinnate
adj.
1.
(Bot.)
pinnate with a pair of leaflets at the apex, i.e. without an odd leaflet, or other appendage, at the end; -- said of a leaf shape

Syn. -- even-pinnate, paripinnate


word: Abruptness
definition:
Abruptness

Ab*rupt"ness
n.
1.
The state of being abrupt or broken; craggedness; ruggedness; steepness.

2.
Suddenness; unceremonious haste or vehemence; as, abruptness of style or manner.


word: abs
definition:
abs

abs
(ăbz)
n. pl.
(Anat.)
The abductor muscles of the stomach; -- a contraction used by body-building and health enthusiasts.   Used similarly to pecs and delts.


word: Abscess
definition:
Abscess

Ab"scess
(ăb"sĕs)
n.
pl. Abscesses (ăb"sĕs*ĕz).
[L. abscessus a going away, gathering of humors, abscess, fr. abscessus, p. p. of absedere to go away; ab, abs + cedere to go off, retire. See Cede.]
(Med.)
A collection of pus or purulent matter in any tissue or organ of the body caused by infection.

Cold abscess, (a) an abscess of slow formation, unattended with the pain and heat characteristic of ordinary abscesses, and lasting for years without exhibiting any tendency towards healing; a chronic abscess. AS (b) an abscess produced by tubercle bacilli, called also tuberculous abscess.
AS


word: Abscession
definition:
Abscession

Ab*sces"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. abscessio a separation; fr. absedere. See Abscess.]
A separating; removal; also, an abscess.
[Obs.]
Gauden. Barrough.


word: Abscind
definition:
Abscind

Ab*scind"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. absindere; ab + scindere to rend, cut. See Schism.]
To cut off.
[R.]
abscinded
Johnson.


word: Abscissa
definition:
Abscissa

Ab*scis"sa
(_;)
n.
E. pl. Abscissas, L. pl. Abscissæ.
[L., fem. of abscissus, p. p. of absindere to cut of. See Abscind.]
(Geom.)
One of the elements of reference by which a point, as of a curve, is referred to a system of fixed rectilineal coördinate axes.
When referred to two intersecting axes, one of them called the axis of abscissas, or of X, and the other the axis of ordinates, or of Y, the abscissa of the point is the distance cut off from the axis of X by a line drawn through it and parallel to the axis of Y.  When a point in space is referred to three axes having a common intersection, the abscissa may be the distance measured parallel to either of them, from the point to the plane of the other two axes.  Abscissas and ordinates taken together are called coördinates. -- OX or PY is the abscissa of the point P of the curve, OY or PX its ordinate, the intersecting lines OX and OY being the axes of abscissas and ordinates respectively, and the point O their origin.


word: Abscission
definition:
Abscission

Ab*scis"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. abscissio. See Abscind.]
1.
The act or process of cutting off.
abscission
Jer. Taylor.

2.
The state of being cut off.
Sir T. Browne.

3.
(Rhet.)
A figure of speech employed when a speaker having begun to say a thing stops abruptly: thus, “He is a man of so much honor and candor, and of such generosity -- but I need say no more.”


word: Abscond
definition:
Abscond

Ab*scond"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Absconded; p. pr. & vb. n. Absconding.]
[L. abscondere to hide; ab, abs + condere to lay up; con + dăre (only in comp.) to put. Cf. Do.]
1.
To hide, withdraw, or be concealed.

The marmot absconds all winter.
Ray.

2.
To depart clandestinely; to steal off and secrete one's self; -- used especially of persons who withdraw to avoid a legal process; as, an absconding debtor.

That very homesickness which, in regular armies, drives so many recruits to abscond.
Macaulay.


word: abscondment
definition:
abscondment

ab*scond"ment
n.
1.
1
the act of running away sectretly (as to avoid arrest).

Syn. -- decampment


word: Absence
definition:
Absence

Ab"sence
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. L. absentia. See Absent.]
1.
A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; -- opposed to presence.

Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.
Phil. ii. 12.

2.
Want; destitution; withdrawal.
absence
Kent.

3.
Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as, absence of mind.
absences
Addison.

To conquer that abstraction which is called absence.
Landor.


word: Absent
definition:
Absent

Ab"sent
(_;)
a.
[F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse to be away from; ab + esse to be. Cf. Sooth.]
1.
Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present.
absent
Shak.

2.
Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent.

3.
Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied; as, an absent air.

What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very weak or a very affected man.
Chesterfield.


word: Absent₂
definition:
Absent

Ab*sent"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Absented; p. pr. & vb. n. Absenting.]
[Cf. F. absenter.]
1.
To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to prevent intercourse; -- used with the reflexive pronoun.

If after due summons any member absents himself, he is to be fined.
Addison.

2.
To withhold from being present.
[Obs.]
absents
Milton.


word: Absentee
definition:
Absentee

Ab`sen*tee"
(_;)
n.
One who absents himself from his country, office, post, or duty; especially, a landholder who lives in another country or district than that where his estate is situated; as, an Irish absentee.
Macaulay.


word: Absenteeism
definition:
Absenteeism

Ab`sen*tee"ism
(_;)
n.
The state or practice of an absentee; esp. the practice of absenting one's self from the country or district where one's estate is situated.


word: Absent-minded
definition:
Absent-minded

Ab`sent-mind"ed
(_;)
a.
Absent in mind; abstracted; preoccupied.
Ab`sent-mind"ed*ness, n. -- Ab`sent-mind"ed*ly, adv.


word: absiemens
definition:
absiemens

absiemens
n.
(Physics)
A unit of conductance equal to 109 mhos; -- the inverse of the abohm.

Syn. -- abmho


word: Absinthe
definition:
Absinthe

Absinth

{ Ab"sinth`, Ab"sinthe`  }
(ăb"sĭnth`)
n.
[F. absinthe. See Absinthium.]
1.
The plant absinthium or common wormwood.

2.
A strong spirituous liqueur made from wormwood and brandy or alcohol.

Absinthe makes the tart grow fonder.
Ernest Dowson

An article on absinthe was prepared by Matthew Baggott (bagg@ellis.uchicago.edu) for distribution on the newsgroup alt.drugs.


word: Absinthate
definition:
Absinthate

Ab"sin"thate
(ăb*sĭn"tha̝t)
n.
(Chem.)
A combination of absinthic acid with a base or positive radical.


word: Absinthiate
definition:
Absinthiate

Ab"sin"thi*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[From L. absinthium: cf. L. absinthiatus, a.]
To impregnate with wormwood.


word: Absinthic
definition:
Absinthic

Ab*sin"thic
(_;)
a.
(Chem.)
Relating to the common wormwood or to an acid obtained from it.


word: Absinthin
definition:
Absinthin

Ab*sin"thin
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
The bitter principle of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium).
Watts.


word: Absinthium
definition:
Absinthium

Ab*sin"thi*um
(_;)
n.
[L., from Gr. _;.]
(Bot.)
The common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), an intensely bitter plant, used as a tonic and for making the oil of wormwood.


word: Absist
definition:
Absist

Ab*sist"
(_;)
v. i.
[L. absistere, p. pr. absistens; ab + sistere to stand, causal of stare.]
To stand apart from; top leave off; to desist.
[Obs.]
Raleigh.


word: Absolute
definition:
Absolute

Ab"so*lute
(_;)
a.
[L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf. F. absolu. See Absolve.]
1.
Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled; unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or command; absolute power; an absolute monarch.

2.
Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as, absolute perfection; absolute beauty.

So absolute she seems,
And in herself complete.
Milton.

3.
Viewed apart from modifying influences or without comparison with other objects; actual; real; -- opposed to relative and comparative; as, absolute motion; absolute time or space.

Absolute rights and duties are such as pertain to man in a state of nature as contradistinguished from relative rights and duties, or such as pertain to him in his social relations.

4.
Loosed from, or unconnected by, dependence on any other being; self-existent; self-sufficing.

&hand_; In this sense God is called the Absolute by the Theist. The term is also applied by the Pantheist to the universe, or the total of all existence, as only capable of relations in its parts to each other and to the whole, and as dependent for its existence and its phenomena on its mutually depending forces and their laws.

5.
Capable of being thought or conceived by itself alone; unconditioned; non-relative.

&hand_; It is in dispute among philosopher whether the term, in this sense, is not applied to a mere logical fiction or abstraction, or whether the absolute, as thus defined, can be known, as a reality, by the human intellect.

To Cusa we can indeed articulately trace, word and thing, the recent philosophy of the absolute.
Sir W. Hamilton.

6.
Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful.
[R.]

I am absolute 't was very Cloten.
Shak.

7.
Authoritative; peremptory.
[R.]

The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head,
With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed.
Mrs. Browning.

8.
(Chem.)
Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol.

9.
(Gram.)
Not immediately dependent on the other parts of the sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See Ablative absolute, under Ablative.

Absolute curvature (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of double curvature, which is measured in the osculating plane of the curve. -- Absolute equation (Astron.), the sum of the optic and eccentric equations. -- Absolute space (Physics), space considered without relation to material limits or objects. -- Absolute terms. (Alg.), such as are known, or which do not contain the unknown quantity. Davies & Peck. -- Absolute temperature (Physics), the temperature as measured on a scale determined by certain general thermo-dynamic principles, and reckoned from the absolute zero. -- Absolute zero (Physics), the be ginning, or zero point, in the scale of absolute temperature. It is equivalent to -273° centigrade or -459.4° Fahrenheit.


word: Absolute₂
definition:
Absolute

Ab"so*lute
(_;)
n.
(Geom.)
In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity.


word: Absolutely
definition:
Absolutely

Ab"so*lute*ly
adv.
In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively.


word: Absoluteness
definition:
Absoluteness

Ab"so*lute*ness
n.
The quality of being absolute; independence of everything extraneous; unlimitedness; absolute power; independent reality; positiveness.


word: Absolution
definition:
Absolution

Ab`so*lu"tion
(_;)
n.
[F. absolution, L. absolutio, fr. absolvere to absolve. See Absolve.]
1.
An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense.
absolution
Froude.

2.
(Civil Law)
An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring and accused person innocent.
[Obs.]

3.
(R. C. Ch.)
The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins of the truly penitent are forgiven.

&hand_; In the English and other Protestant churches, this act regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting forgiveness.

4.
(Eccl.)
An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, -- for example, excommunication.
P. Cyc.

5.
The form of words by which a penitent is absolved.
Shipley.

6.
Delivery, in speech.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.

Absolution day (R. C. Ch.), Tuesday before Easter.


word: Absolutism
definition:
Absolutism

Ab"so*lu`tism
(_;)
n.
1.
The state of being absolute; the system or doctrine of the absolute; the principles or practice of absolute or arbitrary government; despotism.

The element of absolutism and prelacy was controlling.
Palfrey.

2.
(Theol.)
Doctrine of absolute decrees.
Ash.


word: Absolutist
definition:
Absolutist

Ab"so*lu`tist
(_;)
n.
1.
One who is in favor of an absolute or autocratic government.

2.
(Metaph.)
One who believes that it is possible to realize a cognition or concept of the absolute.
Sir. W. Hamilton.


word: Absolutist₂
definition:
Absolutist

Ab"so*lu`tist
a.
Of or pertaining to absolutism; arbitrary; despotic; as, absolutist principles.


word: Absolutory
definition:
Absolutory

Ab*sol"u*to*ry
(_;)
a.
[L. absolutorius, fr. absolvere to absolve.]
Serving to absolve; absolving.
Ayliffe.


word: Absolve
definition:
Absolve

Ab*solve"
(#; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Absolved (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Absolving.]
[L. absolvere to set free, to absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See Assoil, Solve.]
1.
To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment.

Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
Macaulay.

2.
To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the sin or guilt.

In his name I absolve your perjury.
Gibbon.

3.
To finish; to accomplish.
[Obs.]

The work begun, how soon absolved.
Milton.

4.
To resolve or explain.
[Obs.]
absolve
Sir T. Browne.


word: Absonant
definition:
Absonant

Ab"so*nant
(_;)
a.
[L. ab + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to sound.]
Discordant; contrary; -- opposed to consonant.
Absonant
Quarles.


word: Absonous
definition:
Absonous

Ab"so*nous
(_;)
a.
[L. absonus; ab + sonus sound.]
Discordant; inharmonious; incongruous.
[Obs.]
Absonous
Glanvill.


word: Absorb
definition:
Absorb

Ab*sorb"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Absorbed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Absorbing.]
[L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin to Gr. _;: cf. F. absorber.]
1.
To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to include.
absorbs
Cowper.

The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion.
W. Irving.

2.
To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body.
Bacon.

3.
To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study or the pursuit of wealth.

4.
To take up by cohesive, chemical, or any molecular action, as when charcoal absorbs gases. So heat, light, and electricity are absorbed or taken up in the substances into which they pass.
Nichol.

That grave question which had begun to absorb the Christian mind -- the marriage of the clergy.
Milman.

Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage,
And sunk to softness all our tragic rage.
Tickell.

Should not the sad occasion swallow up
My other cares?
Addison.

And in destruction's river
Engulf and swallow those.
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Absorbability
definition:
Absorbability

Ab*sorb`a*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
The state or quality of being absorbable.
Graham (Chemistry).


word: absorbed
definition:
absorbed

absorbed
adj.
1.
1
wholly absorbed as in thought
that engrossed look -- that absorbed and rapt delight

Syn. -- engrossed, intent, rapt, wrapped

2.
not allowed to pass through; -- said of radiant waves such as light
the absorbed light intensity

3.
taken in through the pores of a surface
the absorbed water expanded the sponge


word: absorbent
definition:
absorbent

ab*sorb"ent
(ăb*sôrb"ent)
a.
[L. absorbens, p. pr. of absorbere.]
Absorbing; swallowing; absorptive.

Absorbent ground (Paint.), a ground prepared for a picture, chiefly with distemper, or water colors, by which the oil is absorbed, and a brilliancy is imparted to the colors.


word: Absorbent
definition:
Absorbent

Ab*sorb"ent
n.
1.
Anything which absorbs.
AS

The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat.
Darwin.

2.
(Med.)
Any substance which absorbs and neutralizes acid fluid in the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.; also a substance e. g., iodine which acts on the absorbent vessels so as to reduce enlarged and indurated parts.
AS

3.
pl.
(Physiol.)
The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants.
AS


word: Absorption
definition:
Absorption

Ab*sorp"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. absorptio, fr. absorbere. See Absorb.]
1.
The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.

2.
(Chem. & Physics)
An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.

3.
(Physiol.)
In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs.

4.
Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.


word: Absorptive
definition:
Absorptive

Ab*sorp"tive
(_;)
a.
Having power, capacity, or tendency to absorb or imbibe.
E. Darwin.


word: Absquatulate
definition:
Absquatulate

Ab*squat"u*late
(_;)
v. i.
To take one's self off; to decamp.
[A jocular word. U. S.]


word: Absque hoc
definition:
Absque hoc

Abs"que hoc
(_;)
[L., without this.]
(Law)
The technical words of denial used in traversing what has been alleged, and is repeated.


word: Abstain
definition:
Abstain

Ab*stain"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Abstained (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abstaining.]
[OE. absteynen, abstenen, OF. astenir, abstenir, F. abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. & v. i., to keep from; ab, abs + tenere to hold. See Tenable.]
To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from.

Not a few abstained from voting.
Macaulay.

Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?
Shak.


word: Abstainer
definition:
Abstainer

Ab*stain"er
(_;)
n.
One who abstains; esp., one who abstains from the use of intoxicating liquors.


word: Abstemious
definition:
Abstemious

Ab*ste"mi*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. abstemius; ab, abs + root of temetum intoxicating drink.]
1.
Abstaining from wine.
[Orig. Latin sense.]

Under his special eye
Abstemious I grew up and thrived amain.
Milton.

2.
Sparing in diet; refraining from a free use of food and strong drinks; temperate; abstinent; sparing in the indulgence of the appetite or passions.

Instances of longevity are chiefly among the abstemious.
Arbuthnot.

3.
Sparingly used; used with temperance or moderation; as, an abstemious diet.
Gibbon.

4.
Marked by, or spent in, abstinence; as, an abstemious life.
abstemious
Pope.

5.
Promotive of abstemiousness.
[R.]

Such is the virtue of the abstemious well.
Dryden.


word: Abstemiousness
definition:
Abstemiousness

Ab*ste"mi*ous*ness
n.
The quality of being abstemious, temperate, or sparing in the use of food and strong drinks. It expresses a greater degree of abstinence than temperance.


word: Abstention
definition:
Abstention

Ab*sten"tion
(_;)
a.
[F. See Abstain.]
The act of abstaining; a holding aloof.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Absterge
definition:
Absterge

Ab*sterge
(_;)
v. t.
[L. abstergere, abstersum; ab, abs + tergere to wipe. Cf. F absterger.]
To make clean by wiping; to wipe away; to cleanse; hence, to purge.
[R.]
Quincy.


word: Abstergent
definition:
Abstergent

Ab*ster"gent
(_;)
a.
[L. abstergens, p. pr. of abstergere.]
Serving to cleanse, detergent.


word: Abstersion
definition:
Abstersion

Ab*ster"sion
(_;)
n.
[F. abstersion. See Absterge.]
Act of wiping clean; a cleansing; a purging.

The task of ablution and abstersion being performed.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Abstersive₂
definition:
Abstersive

Ab*ster"sive
n.
Something cleansing.

The strong abstersive of some heroic magistrate.
Milton.


word: Abstinence
definition:
Abstinence

Ab"sti*nence
(_;)
n.
[F. abstinence, L. abstinentia, fr. abstinere. See Abstain.]
1.
The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance of any action, especially the refraining from an indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications of animal or sensual propensities. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages, -- called also total abstinence.

The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one.
Locke.

2.
The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self of certain kinds of food or drink, especially of meat.

Penance, fasts, and abstinence,
To punish bodies for the soul's offense.
Dryden.


word: Abstinent
definition:
Abstinent

Ab"sti*nent
(_;)
a.
[F. abstinent, L. abstinens, p. pr. of abstinere. See Abstain.]
Refraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of appetite; abstemious; continent; temperate.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Abstinent₂
definition:
Abstinent

Ab"sti*nent
n.
1.
One who abstains.

2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect who appeared in France and Spain in the 3d century.


word: Abstorted
definition:
Abstorted

Ab*stort"ed
(_;)
a.
[As if fr. abstort, fr. L. ab, abs + tortus, p. p. of torquere to twist.]
Wrested away.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Abstract
definition:
Abstract

Ab"stract`
(#; 277)
a.
[L. abstractus, p. p. of abstrahere to draw from, separate; ab, abs + trahere to draw. See Trace.]
1.
Withdraw; separate.
[Obs.]

The more abstract . . . we are from the body.
Norris.

2.
Considered apart from any application to a particular object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only; as, abstract truth, abstract numbers.  Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult.

3.
(Logic)
(a)
Expressing a particular property of an object viewed apart from the other properties which constitute it; -- opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word.
J. S. Mill.
(b)
Resulting from the mental faculty of abstraction; general as opposed to particular; as, “reptile” is an abstract or general name.
Locke.

A concrete name is a name which stands for a thing; an abstract name which stands for an attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in more modern times, which, if not introduced by Locke, has gained currency from his example, of applying the expression “abstract name” to all names which are the result of abstraction and generalization, and consequently to all general names, instead of confining it to the names of attributes.
J. S. Mill.

4.
Abstracted; absent in mind.
Abstract
Milton.

An abstract idea (Metaph.), an idea separated from a complex object, or from other ideas which naturally accompany it; as the solidity of marble when contemplated apart from its color or figure. -- Abstract terms, those which express abstract ideas, as beauty, whiteness, roundness, without regarding any object in which they exist; or abstract terms are the names of orders, genera or species of things, in which there is a combination of similar qualities. -- Abstract numbers (Math.), numbers used without application to things, as 6, 8, 10; but when applied to any thing, as 6 feet, 10 men, they become concrete. -- Abstract mathematics or Pure mathematics. See Mathematics.


word: Abstract₂
definition:
Abstract

Ab*stract"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abstracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Abstracting.]
[See Abstract, a.]

1.
To withdraw; to separate; to take away.

He was incapable of forming any opinion or resolution abstracted from his own prejudices.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
To draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his was wholly abstracted by other objects.

The young stranger had been abstracted and silent.
Blackw. Mag.

3.
To separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to consider by itself; to contemplate separately, as a quality or attribute.
Whately.

4.
To epitomize; to abridge.
Franklin.

5.
To take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to abstract goods from a parcel, or money from a till.

Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins from the harness.
W. Black.

6.
(Chem.)
To separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts of a substance, by distillation or other chemical processes. In this sense extract is now more generally used.


word: Abstract₃
definition:
Abstract

Ab*stract"
v. t.
To perform the process of abstraction.
[R.]

I own myself able to abstract in one sense.
Berkeley.


word: Abstract₄
definition:
Abstract

Ab"stract`
(_;)
n.
[See Abstract, a.]
1.
That which comprises or concentrates in itself the essential qualities of a larger thing or of several things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.

An abstract of every treatise he had read.
Watts.

Man, the abstract
Of all perfection, which the workmanship
Of Heaven hath modeled.
Ford.

2.
A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated things.

3.
An abstract term.

The concretes “father” and “son” have, or might have, the abstracts “paternity” and “filiety.”
J. S. Mill.

4.
(Med.)
A powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance mixed with lactose in such proportion that one part of the abstract represents two parts of the original substance.

Abstract of title (Law), a document which provides a summary of the history of ownership of a parcel of real estate, including the conveyances and mortgages; also called brief of title.


word: Abstracted
definition:
Abstracted

Ab*stract"ed
(_;)
a.
1.
Separated or disconnected; withdrawn; removed; apart.

The evil abstracted stood from his own evil.
Milton.

2.
Separated from matter; abstract; ideal.
[Obs.]

3.
Abstract; abstruse; difficult.
[Obs.]
Johnson.

4.
Inattentive to surrounding objects; absent in mind.
abstracted
Johnson.


word: Abstraction
definition:
Abstraction

Ab*strac"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. abstraction. See Abstract, a.]
1.
The act of abstracting, separating, or withdrawing, or the state of being withdrawn; withdrawal.

A wrongful abstraction of wealth from certain members of the community.
J. S. Mill.

2.
(Metaph.)
The act process of leaving out of consideration one or more properties of a complex object so as to attend to others; analysis. Thus, when the mind considers the form of a tree by itself, or the color of the leaves as separate from their size or figure, the act is called abstraction. So, also, when it considers whiteness, softness, virtue, existence, as separate from any particular objects.

&hand_; Abstraction is necessary to classification, by which things are arranged in genera and species. We separate in idea the qualities of certain objects, which are of the same kind, from others which are different, in each, and arrange the objects having the same properties in a class, or collected body.

Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the negative of attention.
Sir W. Hamilton.

3.
An idea or notion of an abstract, or theoretical nature; as, to fight for mere abstractions.

4.
A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; as, a hermit's abstraction.

5.
Absence or absorption of mind; inattention to present objects.

6.
The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property of another; purloining.
[Modern]

7.
(Chem.)
A separation of volatile parts by the act of distillation.
Nicholson.


word: Abstractive
definition:
Abstractive

Ab*strac"tive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. abstractif.]
Having the power of abstracting; of an abstracting nature.
abstractive
I. Taylor.


word: Abstractly
definition:
Abstractly

Ab"stract`ly
(#; 277)
adv.
In an abstract state or manner; separately; absolutely; by itself; as, matter abstractly considered.


word: Abstringe
definition:
Abstringe

Ab*stringe"
(_;)
v. t.
[L ab + stringere, strictum, to press together.]
To unbind.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Abstruse
definition:
Abstruse

Ab*struse"
(_;)
a.
[L. abstrusus, p. p. of abstrudere to thrust away, conceal; ab, abs + trudere to thrust; cf. F. abstrus. See Threat.]
1.
Concealed or hidden out of the way.
[Obs.]

The eternal eye whose sight discerns
Abstrusest thoughts.
Milton.

2.
Remote from apprehension; difficult to be comprehended or understood; recondite; as, abstruse learning.

Profound and abstruse topics.
Milman.


word: Abstrusion
definition:
Abstrusion

Ab*stru"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. abstrusio. See Abstruse.]
The act of thrusting away.
[R.]
Ogilvie.


word: Abstrusity
definition:
Abstrusity

Ab*stru"si*ty
(ăb*str&usuml_;"sĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
Abstruseness; that which is abstruse.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Absume
definition:
Absume

Ab*sume"
(ăb*sūm")
v. t.
[L. absumere, absumptum; ab + sumere to take.]
To consume gradually; to waste away.
[Obs.]
Boyle.


word: Absumption
definition:
Absumption

Ab*sump"tion
(ăb*sŭmp"shŭn; 215)
n.
[L. absumptio. See Absume.]
Act of wasting away; a consuming; extinction.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Absurd
definition:
Absurd

Ab*surd"
(ăb*sûrd")
a.
[L. absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a derivative fr. a root svar to sound; not connected with surd: cf. F. absurde. See Syringe.]
Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as, an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream.

This proffer is absurd and reasonless.
Shak.

'This phrase absurd to call a villain great.
Pope.
p. 9


word: Absurdity
definition:
Absurdity

Ab*surd"i*ty
(-ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Absurdities (-tĭz).
[L. absurditas: cf. F. absurdite.]
1.
The quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment.
absurdity
Locke.

2.
That which is absurd; an absurd action; a logical contradiction.

His travels were full of absurdities.
Johnson.


word: Abu Dhabi
definition:
Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of United Arab Emirates.  Population (2000) = 363,432.


word: abulia
definition:
abulia

abulia
n.
An abnormally intense inability to make decisions; severe irresolution.

Syn. -- indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution


word: Abuna
definition:
Abuna

A*bu"na
(ȧ*bō"nȧ)
n.
[Eth. and Ar., our father.]
The Patriarch, or head of the Abyssinian Church.


word: Abundance
definition:
Abundance

A*bun"dance
(ȧ*bŭn"dans)
n.
[OE. (h)abundaunce, abundance, F. abondance, L. abundantia, fr. abundare. See Abound.]
An overflowing fullness; ample sufficiency; great plenty; profusion; copious supply; superfluity; wealth: -- strictly applicable to quantity only, but sometimes used of number.

It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble blood hath been shed with small benefit to the Christian state.
Raleigh.


word: Abundant
definition:
Abundant

A*bun"dant
(_;)
a.
[OE. (h)abundant, aboundant, F. abondant, fr. L. abudans, p. pr. of abundare. See Abound.]
Fully sufficient; plentiful; in copious supply; -- followed by in, rarely by with.
Abundant
Exod. xxxiv. 6.

Abundant number (Math.), a number, the sum of whose aliquot parts exceeds the number itself. Thus, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, the aliquot parts of 12, make the number 16. This is opposed to a deficient number, as 14, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2, 7, the sum of which is 10; and to a perfect number, which is equal to the sum of its aliquot parts, as 6, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2., 3.


word: Abundantly
definition:
Abundantly

A*bun"dant*ly
adv.
In a sufficient degree; fully; amply; plentifully; in large measure.


word: Abuse
definition:
Abuse

A*buse"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Abused (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abusing.]
[F. abuser; L. abusus, p. p. of abuti to abuse, misuse; ab + uti to use. See Use.]
1.
To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one's authority.

This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots rapidly into popularity.
Froude.

2.
To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one's powers, one's patience.

3.
To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.

The . . . tellers of news abused the general.
Macaulay.

4.
To dishonor.
abuse
Shak.

5.
To violate; to ravish.
Spenser.

6.
To deceive; to impose on.
[Obs.]

Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and abused by a double object.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Abuse₂
definition:
Abuse

A*buse"
(_;)
n.
[F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See Abuse, v. t.]
1.
Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language.

Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power.
Madison.

2.
Physical ill treatment; injury.
abuse
Shak.

3.
A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service.

Abuse after disappeared without a struggle..
Macaulay.

4.
Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.

The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of abuse, came to blows.
Macaulay.

5.
Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child.
[Obs.]

Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?
Shak.

Abuse of distress (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or chattel distrained, by the distrainer.


word: Abusion
definition:
Abusion

A*bu"sion
(_;)
n.
[OE. abusion, abusioun, OF. abusion, fr. L. abusio misuse of words, f. abuti. See Abuse, v. t.]
Evil or corrupt usage; abuse; wrong; reproach; deception; cheat.
Chaucer.


word: Abusive
definition:
Abusive

A*bu"sive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. abusif, fr. L. abusivus.]
1.
Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied.

I am . . . necessitated to use the word Parliament improperly, according to the abusive acceptation thereof.
Fuller.

2.
Given to misusing; also, full of abuses.
[Archaic]
abusive
Hallam.

3.
Practicing abuse; prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting words or by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an abusive fellow.

4.
Containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous.
abusive
Johnson.

5.
Tending to deceive; fraudulent; cheating.
[Obs.]
abusive
Bacon.


word: Abusiveness
definition:
Abusiveness

A*bu"sive*ness
n.
The quality of being abusive; rudeness of language, or violence to the person.

Pick out mirth, like stones out of thy ground,
Profaneness, filthiness, abusiveness.
Herbert.


word: Abut
definition:
Abut

A*but"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Abutted; p. pr. & vb. n. Abutting.]
[OF. abouter, aboter; cf. F. aboutir, and also abuter; a (L. ad) + OF. boter, buter, to push: cf. F. bout end, and but end, purpose.]
To project; to terminate or border; to be contiguous; to meet; -- with on, upon, or against; as, his land abuts on the road.


word: Abutilon
definition:
Abutilon

A*bu"ti*lon
(_;)
n.
[Ar. aubūtīlūn.]
(Bot.)
A genus of malvaceous plants of many species, found in the torrid and temperate zones of both continents; -- called also Indian mallow.


word: Abutment
definition:
Abutment

A*but"ment
(ȧ*bŭt"ment)
n.
1.
State of abutting.

2.
That on or against which a body abuts or presses
as
(a)
(Arch.)
The solid part of a pier or wall, etc., which receives the thrust or lateral pressure of an arch, vault, or strut.
Gwilt.
(b)
(Mech.)
A fixed point or surface from which resistance or reaction is obtained, as the cylinder head of a steam engine, the fulcrum of a lever, etc.
(c)
In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel which receives the pressure due to recoil.


word: Abuttal
definition:
Abuttal

A*but"tal
(_;)
n.
The butting or boundary of land, particularly at the end; a headland.
Spelman.


word: Abutter
definition:
Abutter

A*but"ter
(_;)
n.
One who, or that which, abuts. Specifically, the owner of a contiguous estate; as, the abutters on a street or a river.


word: Abye
definition:
Abye

Aby

{ A*by", A*bye"  }
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Abought (_;).]
[AS. ābycgan to pay for; pref. ā- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + bycgan to buy. See Buy, and cf. Abide.]
1.
To pay for; to suffer for; to atone for; to make amends for; to give satisfaction.
[Obs.]

Syn. -- expiate

Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear.
Shak.

2.
To endure; to abide.
[Obs.]

But nought that wanteth rest can long aby.
Spenser.


word: Abysm
definition:
Abysm

A*bysm"
(_;)
n.
[OF. abisme; F. abime, LL. abyssimus, a superl. of L. abyssus; Gr. _;. See Abyss.]
An abyss; a gulf.
abysm
Shak.


word: Abysmal
definition:
Abysmal

A*bys"mal
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, an abyss; bottomless; unending; profound.

Geology gives one the same abysmal extent of time that astronomy does of space.
Carlyle.


word: Abyss
definition:
Abyss

A*byss"
(_;)
n.
[L. abyssus a bottomless gulf, fr. Gr. _; bottomless; 'a priv. + _; depth, bottom.]
1.
A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep, immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the bottomless pit.

Ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss.
Milton.

The throne is darkness, in the abyss of light.
Dryden.

2.
Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth.

The abysses of metaphysical theology.
Macaulay.

In unfathomable abysses of disgrace.
Burke.

3.
(Her.)
The center of an escutcheon.

&hand_; This word, in its leading uses, is associated with the cosmological notions of the Hebrews, having reference to a supposed illimitable mass of waters from which our earth sprung, and beneath whose profound depths the wicked were punished.
Encyc. Brit.


word: Abyssal
definition:
Abyssal

A*byss"al
(_;)
a.
[Cf. Abysmal.]
Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable.

Abyssal zone (Phys. Geog.), one of the belts or zones into which Sir E. Forbes divides the bottom of the sea in describing its plants, animals, etc. It is the one furthest from the shore, embracing all beyond one hundred fathoms deep. Hence, abyssal animals, plants, etc.


word: Abyssinian
definition:
Abyssinian

Ab`ys*sin"i*an
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to Abyssinia.

Abyssinian gold, an alloy of 90.74 parts of copper and 8.33 parts of zink. Ure.


word: AC
definition:
AC

AC
n.
[Acronym from alternating current.]
an electric current that reverses direction sinusoidally.  Alternative to direct curent, DC.
[acron.]

Syn. -- alternating current


word: Acacia
definition:
Acacia

A*ca"ci*a
(_;)
n.
(Antiq.)
A roll or bag, filled with dust, borne by Byzantine emperors, as a memento of mortality. It is represented on medals.


word: acacia
definition:
acacia

a*ca"cia
(ȧ*kā"shȧ or ȧ*kā"shĭ*ȧ)
n.
pl. E. acacias (ȧ*kā"shȧz), L. acaciae (ȧ*kā"shĭ*ē).
[L. from Gr. 'akaki`a; orig. the name of a thorny tree found in Egypt; prob. fr. the root ak to be sharp.  See Acute.]
1.
[capitalized]
A genus of leguminous trees and shrubs.  Nearly 300 species are Australian or Polynesian, and have terete or vertically compressed leaf stalks, instead of the bipinnate leaves of the much fewer species of America, Africa, etc.  Very few are found in temperate climates.

2.
(Med.)
The inspissated juice of several species of acacia; -- called also gum acacia, and gum arabic.
AS


word: Academical
definition:
Academical

Academic

{ Ac`a*dem"ic (_;), Ac`a*dem"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[L. academicus: cf. F. académigue. See Academy.]
1.
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the Academic sect or philosophy.

2.
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction from scientific.
Academic
Warburton.
Academical
Berkeley.


word: Academic
definition:
Academic

Ac`a*dem"ic
n.
1.
One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a Platonist.
Hume.

2.
A member of an academy, college, or university; an academician.


word: Academicals
definition:
Academicals

Ac`a*dem"ic*als
(_;)
n. pl.
The articles of dress prescribed and worn at some colleges and universities.


word: Academician
definition:
Academician

Ac`a*de*mi"cian
(#; 277)
n.
[F. académicien. See Academy.]
1.
A member of an academy, or society for promoting science, art, or literature, as of the French Academy, or the Royal Academy of arts.

2.
A collegian.
[R.]
Chesterfield.


word: academicianship
definition:
academicianship

academicianship
n.
1.
the position or state of being a member of an honorary academy.


word: Academicism
definition:
Academicism

Ac`a*dem"i*cism
(_;)
n.
1.
A tenet of the Academic philosophy.

2.
A mannerism or mode peculiar to an academy.


word: Academist
definition:
Academist

A*cad"e*mist
(_;)
n.
[F. academiste.]
1.
An Academic philosopher.

2.
An academician.
[Obs.]
Ray.


word: Academy
definition:
Academy

A*cad"e*my
(_;)
n.
pl. Academies (_;).
[F. académie, L. academia. Cf. Academe.]
1.
A garden or grove near Athens (so named from the hero Academus), where Plato and his followers held their philosophical conferences; hence, the school of philosophy of which Plato was head.

2.
An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university. Popularly, a school, or seminary of learning, holding a rank between a college and a common school.

3.
A place of training; a school.
Academies
Hume.

4.
A society of learned men united for the advancement of the arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science; as, the French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and philology.

5.
A school or place of training in which some special art is taught; as, the military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy of Music.

Academy figure (Paint.), a drawing usually half life-size, in crayon or pencil, after a nude model.


word: Acadian
definition:
Acadian

A*ca"di*an
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to Acadia, or Nova Scotia.
Acadian
Longfellow.
n. A native of Acadie.

Acadian epoch (Geol.), an epoch at the beginning of the American paleozoic time, and including the oldest American rocks known to be fossiliferous. See Geology. -- Acadian owl (Zool.), a small North American owl (Nyctule Acadica); the saw-whet.


word: Acajou
definition:
Acajou

Ac"a*jou
(_;)
n.
[F. See Cashew.]
(Bot.)
(a)
The cashew tree; also, its fruit. See Cashew.
(b)
The mahogany tree; also, its timber.


word: Acalephan
definition:
Acalephan

Acaleph

{ Ac"a*leph (_;), Ac`a*le"phan (_;) }
n.
pl. Acalephs (_;), Acalephans (_;).
[See Acalephæ.]
(Zool.)
One of the Acalephæ.


word: Acalephae
definition:
Acalephae

Ac`a*le"phæ
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _;, a nettle.]
A group of Cœlenterata, including the Medusæ or jellyfishes, and hydroids; -- so called from the stinging power they possess. Sometimes called sea nettles.


word: Acalephoid
definition:
Acalephoid

Ac`ale"phoid
(_;)
a.
[Acaleph + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Belonging to or resembling the Acalephæ or jellyfishes.


word: Acalysinous
definition:
Acalysinous

Acalycine

A*cal"y*cine (_;), Ac`a*lys`i*nous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; calyx.]
(Bot.)
Without a calyx, or outer floral envelope.


word: Acantha
definition:
Acantha

A*can"tha
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; thorn, fr. _; point. See Acute.]
1.
(Bot.)
A prickle.

2.
(Zool.)
A spine or prickly fin.

3.
(Anat.)
The vertebral column; the spinous process of a vertebra.
Dunglison.


word: Acanthaceous
definition:
Acanthaceous

Ac"an*tha"ceous
(_;)
a.
1.
Armed with prickles, as a plant.

2.
(Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the acanthus is the type.


word: Acanthine
definition:
Acanthine

A*can"thine
(_;)
a.
[L. acanthinus, Gr. _;, thorny, fr. _;. See Acanthus.]
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the plant acanthus.


word: Acanthocarpous
definition:
Acanthocarpous

A*can`tho*car"pous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; thorn + _; fruit.]
(Bot.)
Having the fruit covered with spines.


word: Acanthocephala
definition:
Acanthocephala

A*can`tho*ceph"a*la
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; a spine, thorn + _; head.]
(Zool.)
A group of intestinal worms, having the proboscis armed with recurved spines.


word: Acanthocephalous
definition:
Acanthocephalous

A*can`tho*ceph"a*lous
(_;)
a.
(Zool.)
Having a spiny head, as one of the Acanthocephala.


word: Acanthophorous
definition:
Acanthophorous

Ac`an*thoph"o*rous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; spine + fe`rein to bear.]
Spine-bearing.
Gray.


word: Acanthopodious
definition:
Acanthopodious

A*can`tho*po"di*ous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; thorn + _;, _;, foot.]
(Bot.)
Having spinous petioles.


word: Acanthopteri
definition:
Acanthopteri

Ac`an*thop"ter*i
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; thorn + _; wing, fin.]
(Zool.)
A group of teleostean fishes having spiny fins. See Acanthopterygii.


word: Acanthopterous
definition:
Acanthopterous

Ac`an*thop"ter*ous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; spine + _; wing.]
1.
(Zool.)
Spiny-winged.

2.
(Zool.)
Acanthopterygious.


word: Acanthopterygian
definition:
Acanthopterygian

Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*an
(_;)
a.
(Zool.)
Belonging to the order of fishes having spinose fins, as the perch.
n. A spiny-finned fish.


word: Acanthopterygii
definition:
Acanthopterygii

Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*i
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; thorn + _; fin, dim. fr. _; wing.]
(Zool.)
An order of fishes having some of the rays of the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins unarticulated and spinelike, as the perch.


word: Acanthopterygious
definition:
Acanthopterygious

Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*ous
(_;)
a.
(Zool.)
Having fins in which the rays are hard and spinelike; spiny-finned.


word: Acanthuridae
definition:
Acanthuridae

Acanthuridae
n.
1.
1
a family of fishes consisting of the surgeonfishes.
fish family

Syn. -- family Acanthuridae


word: Acanthurus
definition:
Acanthurus

Acanthurus
n.
1.
type genus of the family Acanthuridae; doctorfishes.

Syn. -- genus Acanthurus


word: Acanthus
definition:
Acanthus

A*can"thus
(_;)
n.
pl. E. Acanthuses (_;)
Acanthi
(_;)
[L., from Gr. _;. Cf. Acantha.]

1.
(Bot.)
A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.

2.
(Arch.)
An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus (Acanthus spinosus); -- used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.


word: A cappella
definition:
A cappella

A cap*pel"la
(_;)
[It. See Chapel.]
(Mus.)
(a)
In church or chapel style; -- said of compositions sung in the old church style, without instrumental accompaniment; as, a mass a capella, i. e., a mass purely vocal.
(b)
A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.


word: Acardiac
definition:
Acardiac

A*car"di*ac
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;; 'a priv. + _; heart.]
Without a heart; as, an acardiac fetus.


word: acarid
definition:
acarid

acarid
n.
1.
very small free-living arachnid that is parasitic on animals or plants; related to ticks.


word: Acaridae
definition:
Acaridae

Acaridae
n.
1.
the family of arachnids of the order Acarina consisting of mites.

Syn. -- family Acaridae.


word: Acaridan
definition:
Acaridan

A*car"i*dan
(_;)
n.
[See Acarus.]
(Zool.)
One of a group of arachnids, including the mites and ticks.


word: Acarina
definition:
Acarina

Ac`a*ri"na
(_;)
prop. n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; a mite.]
(Zool.)
The order of Arachnida which includes the mites and ticks.  Many species are parasitic, and cause diseases like the itch and mange.


word: acarine
definition:
acarine

ac"a*rine
(ăk"ȧ*rĭn)
a.
(Med.)
Of or caused by acari (acarids, or mites); as, acarine diseases.


word: acarpelous
definition:
acarpelous

Acarpellous

Ac`ar*pel"lous, ac`ar*pel"ous
(_;)
a.
[Pref. a- not + carpel.]
(Bot.)
Having no carpels.  Opposite of  carpellate.

Syn. -- acarpe


word: Acarpous
definition:
Acarpous

A*car"pous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;; 'a priv. + karpo`s fruit.]
(Bot.)
Not producing fruit; unfruitful.


word: Acarus
definition:
Acarus

Ac"a*rus
(_;)
n.
pl. Acari (_;).
[NL., from Gr. _; the cheese mite, tick.]
(Zool.)
A genus including many species of small mites.


word: Acatalectic
definition:
Acatalectic

A*cat`a*lec"tic
(_;)
a.
[L. acatalecticus, Gr. _;, not defective at the end; 'a priv. + _; to cease.]
(Pros.)
Not defective; complete; as, an acatalectic verse.
n. A verse which has the complete number of feet and syllables.


word: Acatalepsy
definition:
Acatalepsy

A*cat"a*lep`sy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;; 'a priv. + _; to seize, comprehend.]
Incomprehensibility of things; the doctrine held by the ancient Skeptic philosophers, that human knowledge never amounts to certainty, but only to probability.


word: Acaulescent
definition:
Acaulescent

Ac`au*les"cent
(_;)
a.
[Pref. a- not + caulescent.]
(Bot.)
Having no stem or caulis, or only a very short one concealed in the ground.
Gray.


word: Acaulous
definition:
Acaulous

Acaulose

{ A*cau"lose (_;), A*cau"lous (_;), }
a.
[Gr. _;; 'a priv. + _; stalk or L. caulis stalk. See Cole.]
(Bot.)
Same as Acaulescent.


word: Accadian
definition:
Accadian

Ac*ca"di*an
(_;)
a.
[From the city Accad. See Gen. x. 10.]
Pertaining to a race supposed to have lived in Babylonia before the Assyrian conquest.


word: Accede
definition:
Accede

Ac*cede"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Acceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Acceding.]
[L. accedere to approach, accede; ad + cedere to move, yield: cf. F. accédere. See Cede.]

1.
To approach; to come forward; -- opposed to recede.
[Obs.]
T. Gale.

2.
To enter upon an office or dignity; to attain.

Edward IV., who had acceded to the throne in the year 1461.
T. Warton.

If Frederick had acceded to the supreme power.
Morley.

3.
To become a party by associating one's self with others; to give one's adhesion. Hence, to agree or assent to a proposal or a view; as, he acceded to my request.

The treaty of Hanover in 1725 . . . to which the Dutch afterwards acceded.
Chesterfield.


word: Accelerate
definition:
Accelerate

Ac*cel"er*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accelerated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accelerating.]
[L. acceleratus, p. p. of accelerare; ad + celerare to hasten; celer quick. See Celerity.]
1.
To cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add to the speed of; -- opposed to retard.

2.
To quicken the natural or ordinary progression or process of; as, to accelerate the growth of a plant, the increase of wealth, etc.

3.
To hasten, as the occurence of an event; as, to accelerate our departure.

Accelerated motion (Mech.), motion with a continually increasing velocity. -- Accelerating force, the force which causes accelerated motion.
Nichol.


word: accelerated
definition:
accelerated

accelerated
adj.
1.
1
caused to move faster

Syn. -- speeded up

2.
1
caused to be completed in a shorter than normal time period;  speeded up, as of an academic course; He took an accelerated curriculum, and graduated in three years.  Opposite of delayed.

Syn. -- expedited


word: Acceleration
definition:
Acceleration

Ac*cel`er*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. acceleratio: cf. F. accélération.]
The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as, a falling body moves toward the earth with an acceleration of velocity; -- opposed to retardation.

A period of social improvement, or of intellectual advancement, contains within itself a principle of acceleration.
I. Taylor.

(Astr. & Physics.) Acceleration of the moon, the increase of the moon's mean motion in its orbit, in consequence of which its period of revolution is now shorter than in ancient times. -- Acceleration and retardation of the tides. See Priming of the tides, under Priming. -- Diurnal acceleration of the fixed stars, the amount by which their apparent diurnal motion exceeds that of the sun, in consequence of which they daily come to the meridian of any place about three minutes fifty-six seconds of solar time earlier than on the day preceding. -- Acceleration of the planets, the increasing velocity of their motion, in proceeding from the apogee to the perigee of their orbits.


word: Accelerative
definition:
Accelerative

Ac*cel"er*a*tive
(_;)
a.
Relating to acceleration; adding to velocity; quickening.
Reid.


word: Accelerator
definition:
Accelerator

Ac*cel"er*a`tor
(_;)
n.
One who, or that which, accelerates. Also as an adj.; as, accelerator nerves.


word: Accelerograph
definition:
Accelerograph

Ac*cel"er*o*graph
(_;)
n.
[Accelerate + -graph.]
(Mil.)
An apparatus for studying the combustion of powder in guns, etc.


word: Accelerometer
definition:
Accelerometer

Ac*cel`er*om"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Accelerate + -meter.]
An apparatus for measuring the velocity imparted by gunpowder.


word: Accend
definition:
Accend

Ac*cend"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. accendere, accensum, to kindle; ad + candĕre to kindle (only in compounds); rel. to candēre to be white, to gleam. See Candle.]
To set on fire; to kindle.
[Obs.]
Fotherby.


word: Accendibility
definition:
Accendibility

Ac*cend`i*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
Capacity of being kindled, or of becoming inflamed; inflammability.


word: Accendible
definition:
Accendible

Ac*cend"i*ble
(_;)
a.
Capable of being inflamed or kindled; combustible; inflammable.
Ure.


word: Accensor
definition:
Accensor

Ac*cen"sor
(_;)
n.
[LL., from p. p. accensus. See Accend.]
(R. C. Ch.)
One of the functionaries who light and trim the tapers.


word: Accent
definition:
Accent

Ac"cent`
(_;)
n.
[F. accent, L. accentus; ad + cantus a singing, canere to sing. See Cant.]
1.
A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon some particular syllable of a word or a phrase, distinguishing it from the others.

&hand_; Many English words have two accents, the primary and the secondary; the primary being uttered with a greater stress of voice than the secondary; as in as′pira&bprime_;tion, where the chief stress is on the third syllable, and a slighter stress on the first. Some words, as an′tiap′o-plec&bprime_;tic, in-com′pre-hen′si-bil&bprime_;i-ty, have two secondary accents. See Guide to Pron., §§ 30-46.

2.
A mark or character used in writing, and serving to regulate the pronunciation; esp.: (a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of the spoken accent; (b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the vowel marked; as, the French accents.

&hand_; In the ancient Greek the acute accent (′) meant a raised tone or pitch, the grave (`), the level tone or simply the negation of accent, the circumflex ( ~ or ^) a tone raised and then depressed. In works on elocution, the first is often used to denote the rising inflection of the voice; the second, the falling inflection; and the third (^), the compound or waving inflection. In dictionaries, spelling books, and the like, the acute accent is used to designate the syllable which receives the chief stress of voice.

3.
Modulation of the voice in speaking; manner of speaking or pronouncing; peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice; tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a German accent.
accent
Shak.
accent
Thackeray.

The tender accent of a woman's cry.
Prior.

4.
A word; a significant tone
(pl.)
expressions in general; speech.

Winds! on your wings to Heaven her accents bear,
Such words as Heaven alone is fit to hear.
Dryden.

5.
(Pros.)
Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.

6.
(Mus.)
(a)
A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.
(b)
A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.
(c)
The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.
(d)
The expressive emphasis and shading of a passage.
J. S. Dwight.

7.
(Math.)
(a)
A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a similar kind expressed by the same letter, but differing in value, as y′, y″.
(b)
(Trigon.)
A mark at the right hand of a number, indicating minutes of a degree, seconds, etc.; as, 12′27″, i. e., twelve minutes twenty seven seconds.
(c)
(Engin.)
A mark used to denote feet and inches; as, 6′ 10″ is six feet ten inches.


word: Accent₂
definition:
Accent

Ac*cent"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accented; p. pr. & vb. n. Accenting.]
[OF. accenter, F. accentuer.]

1.
To express the accent of (either by the voice or by a mark); to utter or to mark with accent.

2.
To mark emphatically; to emphasize.


word: accented
definition:
accented

accented
adj.
1.
(Phonology)
having the main stress of a word; -- used of syllables

Syn. -- tonic (vs. atonic)

2.
1
being pronounced with sterss; -- used of syllables

Syn. -- heavy, strong


word: accenting
definition:
accenting

accenting
n.
1.
the act of giving special importance or significance to something.

Syn. -- emphasizing


word: Accentor
definition:
Accentor

Ac*cen"tor
(_;)
n.
[L. ad. + cantor singer, canere to sing.]
1.
(Mus.)
One who sings the leading part; the director or leader.
[Obs.]

2.
(Zool.)
A genus of European birds (so named from their sweet notes), including the hedge warbler. In America sometimes applied to the water thrushes.


word: Accentuate
definition:
Accentuate

Ac*cen"tu*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accentuated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accentuating.]
[LL. accentuatus, p. p. of accentuare, fr. L. accentus: cf. F. accentuer.]
1.
To pronounce with an accent or with accents.

2.
To bring out distinctly; to make prominent; to emphasize.

In Bosnia, the struggle between East and West was even more accentuated.
London Times.

3.
To mark with the written accent.


word: Accentuation
definition:
Accentuation

Ac*cen`tu*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. accentuatio: cf. F. accentuation.]
Act of accentuating; applications of accent.
(Eccles. Mus.)
pitch or modulation of the voice in reciting portions of the liturgy.


word: Accept
definition:
Accept

Ac*cept"
(ăk*sĕpt")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accepted; p. pr. & vb. n. Accepting.]
[F. accepter, L. acceptare, freq. of accipere; ad + capere to take; akin to E. heave.]

1.
To receive with a consenting mind (something offered); as, to accept a gift; -- often followed by of.

If you accept them, then their worth is great.
Shak.

To accept of ransom for my son.
Milton.

She accepted of a treat.
Addison.

2.
To receive with favor; to approve.

The Lord accept thy burnt sacrifice.
Ps. xx. 3.

Peradventure he will accept of me.
Gen. xxxii. 20.

3.
To receive or admit and agree to; to assent to; as, I accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.

4.
To take by the mind; to understand; as, How are these words to be accepted?

5.
(Com.)
To receive as obligatory and promise to pay; as, to accept a bill of exchange.
Bouvier.

6.
In a deliberate body, to receive in acquittance of a duty imposed; as, to accept the report of a committee. [This makes it the property of the body, and the question is then on its adoption.]

To accept a bill (Law), to agree (on the part of the drawee) to pay it when due. -- To accept service (Law), to agree that a writ or process shall be considered as regularly served, when it has not been. -- To accept the person (Eccl.), to show favoritism. “God accepteth no man's person.”  Gal. ii. 6.


word: Acceptability
definition:
Acceptability

Ac*cept`a*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[LL. acceptabilitas.]
The quality of being acceptable; acceptableness.
Acceptability
Jer. Taylor.


word: Acceptable
definition:
Acceptable

Ac*cept"a*ble
(-sĕpt"ȧ*b'l; 277)
a.
[F. acceptable, L. acceptabilis, fr. acceptare.]
Capable, worthy, or sure of being accepted or received with pleasure; pleasing to a receiver; gratifying; agreeable; welcome; as, an acceptable present, one acceptable to us.


word: Acceptableness
definition:
Acceptableness

Ac*cept"a*ble*ness
(ăk*sĕpt"ȧ*b'l*nĕs)
n.
The quality of being acceptable, or suitable to be favorably received; acceptability.


word: Acceptably
definition:
Acceptably

Ac*cept"a*bly
adv.
In an acceptable manner; in a manner to please or give satisfaction.


word: Acceptance
definition:
Acceptance

Ac*cept"ance
(_;)
n.
1.
The act of accepting; a receiving what is offered, with approbation, satisfaction, or acquiescence; esp., favorable reception; approval; as, the acceptance of a gift, office, doctrine, etc.

They shall come up with acceptance on mine altar.
Isa. lx. 7.

2.
State of being accepted; acceptableness.
acceptance
Shak.

3.
(Com.)
(a)
An assent and engagement by the person on whom a bill of exchange is drawn, to pay it when due according to the terms of the acceptance.
(b)
The bill itself when accepted.

4.
An agreeing to terms or proposals by which a bargain is concluded and the parties are bound; the reception or taking of a thing bought as that for which it was bought, or as that agreed to be delivered, or the taking possession as owner.

5.
(Law)
An agreeing to the action of another, by some act which binds the person in law.

&hand_; What acts shall amount to such an acceptance is often a question of great nicety and difficulty.  Mozley & W.

&hand_; In modern law, proposal and acceptance are the constituent elements into which all contracts are resolved.

acceptance of a bill of exchange, acceptance of a check, acceptance of a draft, or acceptance of an order, is an engagement to pay it according to the terms. This engagement is usually made by writing the word “accepted” across the face of the bill. Acceptance of goods, under the statute of frauds, is an intelligent acceptance by a party knowing the nature of the transaction.

6.
Meaning; acceptation.
[Obs.]

Acceptance of persons, partiality, favoritism. See under Accept.


word: Acceptancy
definition:
Acceptancy

Ac*cept"an*cy
(_;)
n.
Acceptance.
[R.]

Here's a proof of gift,
But here's no proof, sir, of acceptancy.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Acceptation
definition:
Acceptation

Ac`cep*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
1.
Acceptance; reception; favorable reception or regard; state of being acceptable.
[Obs.]

This is saying worthy of all acceptation.
1 Tim. i. 15.

Some things . . . are notwithstanding of so great dignity and acceptation with God.
Hooker.

2.
The meaning in which a word or expression is understood, or generally received; as, term is to be used according to its usual acceptation.

My words, in common acceptation,
Could never give this provocation.
Gay.


word: Accepter
definition:
Accepter

Ac*cept"er
(_;)
n.
1.
A person who accepts; a taker.

2.
A respecter; a viewer with partiality.
[Obs.]

God is no accepter of persons.
Chillingworth.

3.
(Law)
An acceptor.


word: Acceptilation
definition:
Acceptilation

Ac*cep`ti*la"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. acceptilatio entry of a debt collected, acquittance, fr. p. p. of accipere (cf. Accept) +  latio a carrying, fr. latus, p. p. of ferre to carry: cf. F. acceptilation.]
(Civil Law)
Gratuitous discharge; a release from debt or obligation without payment; free remission.


word: Acception
definition:
Acception

Ac*cep"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. acceptio a receiving, accepting: cf. F. acception.]
Acceptation; the received meaning.
[Obs.]

Here the word “baron” is not to be taken in that restrictive sense to which the modern acception hath confined it.
Fuller.

Acception of persons or faces (Eccl.), favoritism; partiality. [Obs.] Wyclif.


word: Acceptor
definition:
Acceptor

Ac*cept"or
(#; 277)
n.
[L.]
One who accepts
specifically
(Law & Com.)
one who accepts an order or a bill of exchange; a drawee after he has accepted.


word: Access
definition:
Access

Ac*cess"
(#; 277)
n.
[F. accès, L. accessus, fr. accedere. See Accede.]
1.
A coming to, or near approach; admittance; admission; accessibility; as, to gain access to a prince.

I did repel his letters, and denied
His access to me.
Shak.

2.
The means, place, or way by which a thing may be approached; passage way; as, the access is by a neck of land.
access
Milton.

3.
Admission to sexual intercourse.

During coverture, access of the husband shall be presumed, unless the contrary be shown.
Blackstone.

4.
Increase by something added; addition; as, an access of territory. [In this sense accession is more generally used.]

I, from the influence of thy looks, receive
Access in every virtue.
Milton.

5.
An onset, attack, or fit of disease.

The first access looked like an apoplexy.
Burnet.

6.
A paroxysm; a fit of passion; an outburst; as, an access of fury.
[A Gallicism]


word: Accessary
definition:
Accessary

Ac*ces"sa*ry
(#; 277)
a.
Accompanying, as a subordinate; additional; accessory; esp., uniting in, or contributing to, a crime, but not as chief actor. See Accessory.

To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary.
Shak.

Amongst many secondary and accessary causes that support monarchy, these are not of least reckoning.
Milton.


word: Accessary₂
definition:
Accessary

Ac*ces"sa*ry
(277)
n.
pl. Accessaries (_;).
[Cf. Accessory and LL. accessarius.]
(Law)
One who, not being present, contributes as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense.

Accessary before the fact (Law), one who commands or counsels an offense, not being present at its commission. -- Accessary after the fact, one who, after an offense, assists or shelters the offender, not being present at the commission of the offense.

&hand_; This word, as used in law, is spelt accessory by Blackstone and many others; but in this sense is spelt accessary by Bouvier, Burrill, Burns, Whishaw, Dane, and the Penny Cyclopedia; while in other senses it is spelt accessory. In recent text-books on criminal law the distinction is not preserved, the spelling being either accessary or accessory.


word: Accessibility
definition:
Accessibility

Ac*cess`i*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[L. accessibilitas: cf. F. accessibilité.]
The quality of being accessible, or of admitting approach; receptibility.
Langhorne.


word: Accessible
definition:
Accessible

Ac*cess"i*ble
(_;)
a.
[L. accessibilis, fr. accedere: cf. F. accessible. See Accede.]
1.
Easy of access or approach; approachable; as, an accessible town or mountain, an accessible person.

2.
Open to the influence of; -- with to.
accessible
Macaulay.

3.
Obtainable; to be got at.

The best information . . . at present accessible.
Macaulay.


word: Accession
definition:
Accession

Ac*ces"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. accessio, fr. accedere: cf. F. accession. See Accede.]
1.
A coming to; the act of acceding and becoming joined; as, a king's accession to a confederacy.

2.
Increase by something added; that which is added; augmentation from without; as, an accession of wealth or territory.

The only accession which the Roman empire received was the province of Britain.
Gibbon.

3.
(Law)
(a)
A mode of acquiring property, by which the owner of a corporeal substance which receives an addition by growth, or by labor, has a right to the part or thing added, or the improvement (provided the thing is not changed into a different species). Thus, the owner of a cow becomes the owner of her calf.
(b)
The act by which one power becomes party to engagements already in force between other powers.
Kent.

4.
The act of coming to or reaching a throne, an office, or dignity; as, the accession of the house of Stuart; -- applied especially to the epoch of a new dynasty.

5.
(Med.)
The invasion, approach, or commencement of a disease; a fit or paroxysm.
AS


word: Accessorial
definition:
Accessorial

Ac`ces*so"ri*al
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to an accessory; as, accessorial agency, accessorial guilt.


word: Accessory
definition:
Accessory

Ac*ces"so*ry
(#; 277)
a.
[L. accessorius. See Access, and cf. Accessary.]
Accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way; additional; connected as an incident or subordinate to a principal; contributing or contributory; said of persons and things, and, when of persons, usually in a bad sense; as, he was accessory to the riot; accessory sounds in music.

&hand_; Ash accents the antepenult; and this is not only more regular, but preferable, on account of easiness of pronunciation. Most orhoëpists place the accent on the first syllable.


word: Accessory₂
definition:
Accessory

Ac*ces"so*ry
n.
pl. Accessories (_;).
1.
That which belongs to something else deemed the principal; something additional and subordinate.
accessories
Carlyle.

2.
(Law)
Same as Accessary, n.

3.
(Fine Arts)
Anything that enters into a work of art without being indispensably necessary, as mere ornamental parts.
Elmes.


word: Acciaccatura
definition:
Acciaccatura

Ac*ciac`ca*tu"ra
(_;)
n.
[It., from acciaccare to crush.]
(Mus.)
A short grace note, one semitone below the note to which it is prefixed; -- used especially in organ music. Now used as equivalent to the short appoggiatura.


word: Accidence
definition:
Accidence

Ac"ci*dence
(_;)
n.
[A corruption of Eng. accidents, pl. of accident. See Accident, 2.]
1.
The accidents, of inflections of words; the rudiments of grammar.
Milton.

2.
The rudiments of any subject.
Lowell.


word: Accident
definition:
Accident

Ac"ci*dent
(_;)
n.
[F. accident, fr. L. accidens, -dentis, p. pr. of accidere to happen; ad + cadere to fall. See Cadence, Case.]
1.
Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event; chance; contingency; often, an undesigned and unforeseen occurrence of an afflictive or unfortunate character; a casualty; a mishap; as, to die by an accident.

Of moving accidents by flood and field.
Shak.

Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident:
It is the very place God meant for thee.
Trench.

2.
(Gram.)
A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, as gender, number, case.

3.
(Her.)
A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms.

4.
(Log.)
(a)
A property or quality of a thing which is not essential to it, as whiteness in paper; an attribute.
(b)
A quality or attribute in distinction from the substance, as sweetness, softness.

5.
Any accidental property, fact, or relation; an accidental or nonessential; as, beauty is an accident.

This accident, as I call it, of Athens being situated some miles from the sea.
J. P. Mahaffy.

6.
Unusual appearance or effect.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

&hand_; Accident, in Law, is equivalent to casus, or such unforeseen, extraordinary, extraneous interference as is out of the range of ordinary calculation.


word: Accidental
definition:
Accidental

Ac`ci*den"tal
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. accidentel, earlier accidental.]
1.
Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to the usual course of things; casual; fortuitous; as, an accidental visit.

2.
Nonessential; not necessary belonging; incidental; as, are accidental to a play.

Accidental chords (Mus.), those which contain one or more tones foreign to their proper harmony. -- Accidental colors (Opt.), colors depending on the hypersensibility of the retina of the eye for complementary colors. They are purely subjective sensations of color which often result from the contemplation of actually colored bodies. -- Accidental point (Persp.), the point in which a right line, drawn from the eye, parallel to a given right line, cuts the perspective plane; so called to distinguish it from the principal point, or point of view, where a line drawn from the eye perpendicular to the perspective plane meets this plane. -- Accidental lights (Paint.), secondary lights; effects of light other than ordinary daylight, such as the rays of the sun darting through a cloud, or between the leaves of trees; the effect of moonlight, candlelight, or burning bodies. Fairholt.


word: Accidental₂
definition:
Accidental

Ac`ci*den"tal
(_;)
n.
1.
A property which is not essential; a nonessential; anything happening accidentally.

He conceived it just that accidentals . . . should sink with the substance of the accusation.
Fuller.

2.
pl.
(Paint.)
Those fortuitous effects produced by luminous rays falling on certain objects so that some parts stand forth in abnormal brightness and other parts are cast into a deep shadow.

3.
(Mus.)
A sharp, flat, or natural, occurring not at the commencement of a piece of music as the signature, but before a particular note.


word: Accidentality
definition:
Accidentality

Ac`ci*den*tal"i*ty
(_;)
n.
The quality of being accidental; accidentalness.
[R.]
Coleridge.


word: Accidentally
definition:
Accidentally

Ac`ci*den"tal*ly
(_;)
adv.
In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by chance; unintentionally; casually; fortuitously; not essentially.


word: Accidie
definition:
Accidie

Ac"ci*die
(_;)
n.
[OF. accide, accidie, LL. accidia, acedia, fr. Gr. _;; 'a priv. + _; care.]
Sloth; torpor.
[Obs.]
accidie
Chaucer.


word: Accipient
definition:
Accipient

Ac*cip"i*ent
(_;)
n.
[L. accipiens, p. pr. of accipere. See Accept.]
A receiver.
[R.]
Bailey


word: Accipiter
definition:
Accipiter

Ac*cip"i*ter
(_;)
n.
pl. E. Accipiters (_;). L. Accipitres (_;).
[L., hawk.]
1.
(Zool.)
A genus of rapacious birds; one of the Accipitres or Raptores.

2.
(Surg.)
A bandage applied over the nose, resembling the claw of a hawk.


word: Accipitral
definition:
Accipitral

Ac*cip"i*tral
(_;)
n.
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a falcon or hawk; hawklike.
Lowell.


word: Accipitres
definition:
Accipitres

Ac*cip"i*tres
(_;)
n. pl.
[L., hawks.]
(Zool.)
The order that includes rapacious birds. They have a hooked bill, and sharp, strongly curved talons. There are three families, represented by the vultures, the falcons or hawks, and the owls.


word: Accipitridae
definition:
Accipitridae

Accipitridae
n.
1.
1
a family of birds consisting of the hawks; -- this family includes the Old World vultures; kites; harriers; and eagles.

Syn. -- family Accipitridae.


word: Accipitriformes
definition:
Accipitriformes

Accipitriformes
n.
1.
1
in some classifications an alternative name for the Falconiformes.

Syn. -- order Accipitriformes.


word: Accipitrine
definition:
Accipitrine

Ac*cip"i*trine
(#; 277)
a.
[Cf. F. accipitrin.]
(Zool.)
Like or belonging to the Accipitres; raptorial; hawklike.


word: Accite
definition:
Accite

Ac*cite"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. accitus, p. p. of accire, accere, to call for; ad + ciere to move, call. See Cite.]
To cite; to summon.
[Obs.]

Our heralds now accited all that were
Endamaged by the Elians.
Chapman.


word: Acclaim
definition:
Acclaim

Ac*claim"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. acclamare; ad + clamare to cry out. See Claim, Clamor.]
[R.]
1.
To applaud.
acclaiming
Thomson.

2.
To declare by acclamations.

While the shouting crowd
Acclaims thee king of traitors.
Smollett.

3.
To shout; as, to acclaim my joy.


word: Acclamation
definition:
Acclamation

Ac`cla*ma"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. acclamatio: cf. F. acclamation.]
1.
A shout of approbation, favor, or assent; eager expression of approval; loud applause.

On such a day, a holiday having been voted by acclamation, an ordinary walk would not satisfy the children.
Southey.

2.
(Antiq.)
A representation, in sculpture or on medals, of people expressing joy.

3.
In parliamentary usage, the act or method of voting orally and by groups rather than by ballot, esp. in elections;
specif.
(R. C. Ch.)
the election of a pope or other ecclesiastic by unanimous consent of the electors, without a ballot.

Acclamation medals are those on which laudatory acclamations are recorded. Elmes.


word: Acclimate
definition:
Acclimate

Ac*cli"mate
(#; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acclimated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Acclimating.]
[F. acclimater; à (l. ad) + climat climate. See Climate.]
To habituate to a climate not native; to acclimatize.
J. H. Newman.


word: Acclimation
definition:
Acclimation

Ac`cli*ma"tion
(_;)
n.
The process of becoming, or the state of being, acclimated, or habituated to a new climate; acclimatization.


word: Acclimatization
definition:
Acclimatization

Ac*cli"ma*ti*za"tion
(ăk`klī"mȧ*tĭ*zā"shŭn)
n.
The act of acclimatizing; the process of inuring to a new climate, or the state of being so inured.
Darwin.


word: Acclimatize
definition:
Acclimatize

Ac*cli"ma*tize
(ăk`klī"mȧ*tīz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acclimatized (ăk`klī"mȧ*tīzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Acclimatizing (ăk`klī"mȧ*tī`zĭng).]
To inure or habituate to a climate different from that which is natural; to adapt to the peculiarities of a foreign or strange climate; said of man, the inferior animals, or plants.


word: Acclimature
definition:
Acclimature

Ac*cli"ma*ture
(ăk`klī"mȧ*t&uuptack_;r; 135)
n.
The act of acclimating, or the state of being acclimated.
[R.]
Caldwell.


word: Acclivity
definition:
Acclivity

Ac*cliv"i*ty
n.
pl. Acclivities (_;).
[L.  acclivitas, fr. acclivis, acclivus, ascending; ad + clivus a hill, slope, fr. root kli to lean. See Lean.]
A slope or inclination of the earth, as the side of a hill, considered as ascending, in opposition to declivity, or descending; an upward slope; ascent.


word: Acclivous
definition:
Acclivous

Ac*cli"vous
(#; 277)
a.
[L. acclivis and acclivus.]
Sloping upward; rising as a hillside; -- opposed to declivous.


word: Accloy
definition:
Accloy

Ac*cloy"
(ăk*kloi")
v. t.
[OF. encloyer, encloer, F. enclouer, to drive in a nail, fr. L. in + clavus nail.]
To fill to satiety; to stuff full; to clog; to overload; to burden. See Cloy.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Accoast
definition:
Accoast

Ac*coast"
(ăk*k&omacrst")
v. t. & i.
[See Accost, Coast.]
To lie or sail along the coast or side of; to accost.
[Obs.]

Whether high towering or accoasting low.
Spenser.


word: Accoil
definition:
Accoil

Ac*coil"
(ăk*koil")
v. t.
[OE. acoillir to receive, F. accueillir; L. ad + colligere to collect. See Coil.]
1.
To gather together; to collect.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

2.
(Naut.)
To coil together.
Ham. Nav. Encyc.


word: Accolade
definition:
Accolade

Ac`co*lade"
(ăk`ko̝*lād" or ăk`ko̝*lȧd"; 277)
n.
[F. accolade, It. accolata, fr. accollare to embrace; L. ad + collum neck.]
1.
A ceremony formerly used in conferring knighthood, consisting of an embrace, and a slight blow on the shoulders with the flat blade of a sword.

2.
(Mus.)
A brace used to join two or more staves.


word: Accommodable
definition:
Accommodable

Ac*com"mo*da*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. accommodable.]
That may be accommodated, fitted, or made to agree.
[R.]
I. Watts.


word: Accommodableness
definition:
Accommodableness

Ac*com"mo*dable*ness
n.
The quality or condition of being accommodable.
[R.]
Todd.


word: Accommodate
definition:
Accommodate

Ac*com"mo*date
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accommodated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accommodating (_;).]
[L. accommodatus, p. p. of accommodare; ad + commodare to make fit, help; con- + modus measure, proportion. See Mode.]
1.
To render fit, suitable, or correspondent; to adapt; to conform; as, to accommodate ourselves to circumstances.
accommodate
Addison.

2.
To bring into agreement or harmony; to reconcile; to compose; to adjust; to settle; as, to accommodate differences, a dispute, etc.

3.
To furnish with something desired, needed, or convenient; to favor; to oblige; as, to accommodate a friend with a loan or with lodgings.

4.
To show the correspondence of; to apply or make suit by analogy; to adapt or fit, as teachings to accidental circumstances, statements to facts, etc.; as, to accommodate prophecy to events.


word: Accommodate₃
definition:
Accommodate

Ac*com"mo*date
(_;)
a.
[L. accommodatus, p. p. of accommodare.]
Suitable; fit; adapted; as, means accommodate to end.
[Archaic]
Tillotson.


word: Accommodating
definition:
Accommodating

Ac*com"mo*da`ting
(_;)
a.
Affording, or disposed to afford, accommodation; obliging; as an accommodating man, spirit, arrangement.


word: Accommodation
definition:
Accommodation

Ac*com`mo*da"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. accommodatio, fr. accommodare: cf. F. accommodation.]

1.
The act of fitting or adapting, or the state of being fitted or adapted; adaptation; adjustment; -- followed by to.
accommodation
Sir M. Hale.

2.
Willingness to accommodate; obligingness.

3.
Whatever supplies a want or affords ease, refreshment, or convenience; anything furnished which is desired or needful; -- often in the plural; as, the accommodations -- that is, lodgings and food -- at an inn.
Sir W. Scott.

4.
An adjustment of differences; state of agreement; reconciliation; settlement.
accommodation
Macaulay.

5.
The application of a writer's language, on the ground of analogy, to something not originally referred to or intended.

Many of those quotations from the Old Testament were probably intended as nothing more than accommodations.
Paley.

6.
(Com.)
(a)
A loan of money.
(b)
An accommodation bill or note.

Accommodation bill, or note (Com.), a bill of exchange which a person accepts, or a note which a person makes and delivers to another, not upon a consideration received, but for the purpose of raising money on credit. -- Accommodation coach, or train, one running at moderate speed and stopping at all or nearly all stations. -- Accommodation ladder (Naut.), a light ladder hung over the side of a ship at the gangway, useful in ascending from, or descending to, small boats.


word: accompanied
definition:
accompanied

accompanied
adj.
1.
having companions or an escort

Syn. -- accompanied (vs. un), attended


word: Accompaniment
definition:
Accompaniment

Ac*com"pa*ni*ment
(-ment)
n.
[F. accompagnement.]
That which accompanies; something that attends as a circumstance, or which is added to give greater completeness to the principal thing, or by way of ornament, or for the sake of symmetry.
Specifically:
(Mus.)
A part performed by instruments, accompanying another part or parts performed by voices; the subordinate part, or parts, accompanying the voice or a principal instrument; also, the harmony of a figured bass.
P. Cyc.


word: Accompany
definition:
Accompany

Ac*com"pa*ny
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accompanied (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accompanying (_;)]
[OF. aacompaignier, F. accompagner, to associate with, fr. OF. compaign, compain, companion. See Company.]
1.
To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with; -- followed by with or by; as, he accompanied his speech with a bow.

The Persian dames, . . . 
In sumptuous cars, accompanied his march.
Glover.

They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.
Sir P. Sidney.

He was accompanied by two carts filled with wounded rebels.
Macaulay.

2.
To cohabit with.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Herbert.


word: Accompany₂
definition:
Accompany

Ac*com"pa*ny
v. i.
1.
To associate in a company; to keep company.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

Men say that they will drive away one another, . . . and not accompany together.
Holland.

2.
To cohabit (with).
[Obs.]
Milton.

3.
(Mus.)
To perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition.


word: accompanyist
definition:
accompanyist

accompanyist
n.
1.
a person who provides musical accompaniment (usually on a piano).

Syn. -- accompanist


word: Accompletive
definition:
Accompletive

Ac*com"ple*tive
(_;)
a.
[L. ad + complere, completum, to fill up.]
Tending to accomplish.
[R.]


word: Accomplice
definition:
Accomplice

Ac*com"plice
(_;)
n.
[Ac- (perh. for the article a or for L. ad) + E. complice. See Complice.]

1.
A cooperator.
[R.]

Success unto our valiant general,
And happiness to his accomplices!
Shak.

2.
(Law)
An associate in the commission of a crime; a participator in an offense, whether a principal or an accessory.
accomplice
Johnson.
It is followed by with or of before a person and by in (or sometimes of) before the crime; as, A was an accomplice with B in the murder of C. Dryden uses it with to before a thing. “Suspected for accomplice to the fire.”  Dryden.


word: Accomplish
definition:
Accomplish

Ac*com"plish
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accomplished (_;), p. pr. & vb. n. Accomplishing.]
[OE. acomplissen, OF. accomplir, F. accomplir; L. ad + complere to fill up, complete. See Complete, Finish.]
1.
To complete, as time or distance.

That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Dan. ix. 2.

He had accomplished half a league or more.
Prescott.

2.
To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a promise.

This that is written must yet be accomplished in me.
Luke xxii. 37.

3.
To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.

The armorers accomplishing the knights.
Shak.

It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it.
Wilkins.

These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman.
Cowden Clarke.

4.
To gain; to obtain.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Syn. -- To do; perform; fulfill; realize; effect; effectuate; complete; consummate; execute; achieve; perfect; equip; furnish.
To Accomplish, Effect, Execute, Achieve, Perform. These words agree in the general idea of carrying out to some end proposed. To accomplish (to fill up to the measure of the intention) generally implies perseverance and skill; as, to accomplish a plan proposed by one's self, an object, a design, an undertaking. “Thou shalt accomplish my desire.”  1 Kings v. 9.
[1913 Webster]
He . . . expressed his desire to see a union accomplished between England and Scotland. Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
To effect (to work out) is much like accomplish. It usually implies some degree of difficulty contended with; as, he effected or accomplished what he intended, his purpose, but little. “What he decreed, he effected.”  Milton.
[1913 Webster]
To work in close design by fraud or guile
What force effected not. Milton.
[1913 Webster]
To execute (to follow out to the end, to carry out, or into effect) implies a set mode of operation; as, to execute the laws or the orders of another; to execute a work, a purpose, design, plan, project. To perform is much like to do, though less generally applied. It conveys a notion of protracted and methodical effort; as, to perform a mission, a part, a task, a work. “Thou canst best perform that office.”  Milton.
[1913 Webster]
The Saints, like stars, around his seat
Perform their courses still. Keble.
[1913 Webster]
To achieve (to come to the end or arrive at one's purpose) usually implies some enterprise or undertaking of importance, difficulty, and excellence.


word: Accomplished
definition:
Accomplished

Ac*com"plished
(_;)
a.
1.
Completed; effected; established; as, an accomplished fact.

2.
Complete in acquirements as the result usually of training; -- commonly in a good sense; as, an accomplished scholar, an accomplished villain.

They . . . show themselves accomplished bees.
Holland.

Daughter of God and man, accomplished Eve.
Milton.


word: Accomplishment
definition:
Accomplishment

Ac*com"plish*ment
(-ment)
n.
[F. accomplissement, fr. accomplir.]
1.
The act of accomplishing; entire performance; completion; fulfillment; as, the accomplishment of an enterprise, of a prophecy, etc.

2.
That which completes, perfects, or equips thoroughly; acquirement; attainment; that which constitutes excellence of mind, or elegance of manners, acquired by education or training.
accomplishment
Churchill.
Accomplishments
Thackeray.

Accomplishments have taken virtue's place,
And wisdom falls before exterior grace.
Cowper.


word: Accompt
definition:
Accompt

Ac*compt"
(#; formerly #)
n.
See Account.

&hand_; Accompt, accomptant, etc., are archaic forms.


word: Accord
definition:
Accord

Ac*cord"
(_;)
n.
[OE. acord, accord, OF. acort, acorde, F. accord, fr. OF. acorder, F. accorder. See Accord, v. t.]
1.
Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action; harmony of mind; consent; assent.

A mediator of an accord and peace between them.
Bacon.

These all continued with one accord in prayer.
Acts i. 14.

2.
Harmony of sounds; agreement in pitch and tone; concord; as, the accord of tones.

Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays.
Sir J. Davies.

3.
Agreement, harmony, or just correspondence of things; as, the accord of light and shade in painting.

4.
Voluntary or spontaneous motion or impulse to act; -- preceded by own; as, of one's own accord.

That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap.
Lev. xxv. 5.

Of his own accord he went unto you.
2 Cor. vii. 17.

5.
(Law)
An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, bars a suit.
Blackstone.

With one accord, with unanimity.

They rushed with one accord into the theater.
Acts xix. 29.


word: Accord₂
definition:
Accord

Ac*cord"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accorded; p. pr. & vb. n. According.]
[OE. acorden, accorden, OF. acorder, F. accorder, fr. LL. accordare; L. ad + cor, cordis, heart. Cf. Concord, Discord, and see Heart.]
1.
To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust; -- followed by to.
[R.]

Her hands accorded the lute's music to the voice.
Sidney.

2.
To bring to an agreement, as persons; to reconcile; to settle, adjust, harmonize, or compose, as things; as, to accord suits or controversies.

When they were accorded from the fray.
Spenser.

All which particulars, being confessedly knotty and difficult can never be accorded but by a competent stock of critical learning.
South.

3.
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede; to award; as, to accord to one due praise.
According
Spenser.


word: Accord₃
definition:
Accord

Ac*cord"
v. i.
1.
To agree; to correspond; to be in harmony; -- followed by with, formerly also by to; as, his disposition accords with his looks.

My heart accordeth with my tongue.
Shak.

Thy actions to thy words accord.
Milton.

2.
To agree in pitch and tone.


word: Accordable
definition:
Accordable

Ac*cord"a*ble
(_;)
a.
[OF. acordable, F. accordable.]
1.
Agreeing.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
Reconcilable; in accordance.


word: Accordance
definition:
Accordance

Ac*cord"ance
(_;)
n.
[OF. acordance.]
Agreement; harmony; conformity.
accordance
Macaulay.


word: Accordant
definition:
Accordant

Ac*cord"ant
(_;)
a.
[OF. acordant, F. accordant.]
Agreeing; consonant; harmonious; corresponding; conformable; -- followed by with or to.

Strictly accordant with true morality.
Darwin.

And now his voice accordant to the string.
Coldsmith.


word: Accordantly
definition:
Accordantly

Ac*cord"ant*ly
adv.
In accordance or agreement; agreeably; conformably; -- followed by with or to.


word: According
definition:
According

Ac*cord"ing
p. a.
Agreeing; in agreement or harmony; harmonious.
according
Burke.
according
Tennyson.

According to him, every person was to be bought.
Macaulay.

Our zeal should be according to knowledge.
Sprat.

&hand_; According to has been called a prepositional phrase, but strictly speaking, according is a participle in the sense of agreeing, acceding, and to alone is the preposition.

According as, precisely as; the same as; corresponding to the way in which. According as is an adverbial phrase, of which the propriety has been doubted; but good usage sanctions it. See According, adv.

Is all things well,
According as I gave directions?
Shak.

The land which the Lord will give you according as he hath promised.
Ex. xii. 25.


word: Accordingly
definition:
Accordingly

Ac*cord"ing*ly
adv.
1.
Agreeably; correspondingly; suitably; in a manner conformable.

Behold, and so proceed accordingly.
Shak.

2.
In natural sequence; consequently; so.


word: Accordion
definition:
Accordion

Ac*cor"di*on
(_;)
n.
[See Accord.]
(Mus.)
A small, portable, keyed wind instrument, whose tones are generated by play of the wind upon free metallic reeds.


word: Accordment
definition:
Accordment

Ac*cord"ment
(ăk*kôrd"ment)
n.
[OF. acordement. See Accord, v.]
Agreement; reconcilement.
[Obs.]
Gower.


word: Accorporate
definition:
Accorporate

Ac*cor"po*rate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. accorporare; ad + corpus, corporis, body.]
To unite; to attach; to incorporate.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Accost
definition:
Accost

Ac*cost"
(#; 115)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accosted; p. pr. & vb. n. Accosting.]
[F. accoster, LL. accostare to bring side by side; L. ad + costa rib, side. See Coast, and cf. Accoast.]
1.
To join side to side; to border; hence, to sail along the coast or side of.
[Obs.]
accosts
Fuller.

2.
To approach; to make up to.
[Archaic]
Shak.

3.
To speak to first; to address; to greet.
accosts
Milton.


word: Accouchement
definition:
Accouchement

Ac*couche"ment
(#; 277)
n.
[F., fr. accoucher to be delivered of a child, to aid in delivery, OF. acouchier orig. to lay down, put to bed, go to bed; L. ad + collocare to lay, put, place. See Collate.]
Delivery in childbed


word: Accoucheur
definition:
Accoucheur

Ac*cou*cheur"
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. accoucher. See Accouchement.]
A man who assists women in childbirth; a man midwife; an obstetrician.


word: Account
definition:
Account

Ac*count"
(_;)
n.
[OE. acount, account, accompt, OF. acont, fr. aconter. See Account, v. t., Count, n., 1.]
1.
A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of some reckoning; as, the Julian account of time.

A beggarly account of empty boxes.
Shak.

2.
A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review; as, to keep one's account at the bank.

3.
A statement in general of reasons, causes, grounds, etc., explanatory of some event; as, no satisfactory account has been given of these phenomena. Hence, the word is often used simply for reason, ground, consideration, motive, etc.; as, on no account, on every account, on all accounts.

4.
A statement of facts or occurrences; recital of transactions; a relation or narrative; a report; a description; as, an account of a battle.
account
Howell.

5.
A statement and explanation or vindication of one's conduct with reference to judgment thereon.

Give an account of thy stewardship.
Luke xvi. 2.

6.
An estimate or estimation; valuation; judgment.
account
Shak.

7.
Importance; worth; value; advantage; profit.
account
Pope.
account
Shak.

Account current, a running or continued account between two or more parties, or a statement of the particulars of such an account. -- In account with, in a relation requiring an account to be kept. -- On account of, for the sake of; by reason of; because of. -- On one's own account, for one's own interest or behalf. -- To make account, to have an opinion or expectation; to reckon. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
This other part . . . makes account to find no slender arguments for this assertion out of those very scriptures which are commonly urged against it. Milton.
[1913 Webster]
-- To make account of, to hold in estimation; to esteem; as, he makes small account of beauty. -- To take account of, or to take into account, to take into consideration; to notice. “Of their doings, God takes no account.” Milton. -- A writ of account (Law), a writ which the plaintiff brings demanding that the defendant shall render his just account, or show good cause to the contrary; -- called also an action of account. Cowell.


word: Account₂
definition:
Account

Ac*count"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accounted; p. pr. & vb. n. Accounting.]
[OE. acounten, accompten, OF. aconter, à (L. ad) + conter to count.  F. conter to tell, compter to count, L. computare. See Count, v. t.]

1.
To reckon; to compute; to count.
[Obs.]

The motion of . . . the sun whereby years are accounted.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
To place to one's account; to put to the credit of; to assign; -- with to.
[R.]
Clarendon.

3.
To value, estimate, or hold in opinion; to judge or consider; to deem.

Accounting that God was able to raise him up.
Heb. xi. 19.

4.
To recount; to relate.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Account₃
definition:
Account

Ac*count"
v. i.
1.
To render or receive an account or relation of particulars; as, an officer must account with or to the treasurer for money received.

2.
To render an account; to answer in judgment; -- with for; as, we must account for the use of our opportunities.

3.
To give a satisfactory reason; to tell the cause of; to explain; -- with for; as, idleness accounts for poverty.

To account of, to esteem; to prize; to value. Now used only in the passive. “I account of her beauty.”  Shak.

Newer was preaching more accounted of than in the sixteenth century.
Canon Robinson.


word: Accountability
definition:
Accountability

Ac*count`a*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account; the obligation to bear the consequences for failure to perform as expected; accountableness.
accountability
R. Hall.

Syn. -- answerability, answerableness


word: Accountable
definition:
Accountable

Ac*count"a*ble
(_;)
a.
1.
Liable to be called on to render an account; answerable; as, every man is accountable to God for his conduct.

2.
Capable of being accounted for; explicable.
[R.]

True religion . . . intelligible, rational, and accountable, -- not a burden but a privilege.
B. Whichcote.


word: Accountable ness
definition:
Accountable ness

Ac*count"a*ble ness
n.
The quality or state of being accountable; accountability.


word: Accountant
definition:
Accountant

Ac*count"ant
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. accomptant, OF. acontant, p. pr.]
1.
One who renders account; one accountable.

2.
A reckoner.

3.
One who is skilled in, keeps, or adjusts, accounts; an officer in a public office, who has charge of the accounts.

Accountatn general, the head or superintending accountant in certain public offices. Also, formerly, an officer in the English court of chancery who received the moneys paid into the court, and deposited them in the Bank of England.


word: Accountantship
definition:
Accountantship

Ac*count"ant*ship
(_;)
n.
[Accountant + -ship.]
The office or employment of an accountant.


word: Accouple
definition:
Accouple

Ac*cou"ple
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. acopler, F. accoupler. See Couple.]
To join; to couple.
[R.]

The Englishmen accoupled themselves with the Frenchmen.
Hall.


word: Accouplement
definition:
Accouplement

Ac*cou"ple*ment
(-kŭp"'l*ment)
n.
[Cf. F. accouplement.]
1.
The act of coupling, or the state of being coupled; union.
[R.]
Caxton.

2.
That which couples, as a tie or brace.
[R.]


word: Accourage
definition:
Accourage

Ac*cour"age
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. acoragier; à (L. ad) + corage. See Courage.]
To encourage.
[Obs.]


word: Accourt
definition:
Accourt

Ac*court"
(_;)
v. t.
[Ac-, for L. ad. See Court.]
To treat courteously; to court.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Accoutre
definition:
Accoutre

Accouter

{ Ac*cou"ter, Ac*cou"tre  }
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accoutered or Accoutred (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accoutering or Accoutring.]
[F. accouter, OF. accoutrer, accoustrer; à (L. ad) + perh. LL. custor, for custos guardian, sacristan (cf. Custody), or perh. akin to E. guilt.]
To furnish with dress, or equipments, esp. those for military service; to equip; to attire; to array.

Both accoutered like young men.
Shak.

For this, in rags accoutered are they seen.
Dryden.

Accoutered with his burden and his staff.
Wordsworth.


word: accoutred
definition:
accoutred

accoutered

accoutered, accoutred
adj.
1.
provided with necessary articles of equipment for a specialized purpose especially military; as, troops accoutered for battle


word: accoutrement
definition:
accoutrement

accoutrement
n.
1.
an item of clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of one's main clothing.

Syn. -- accessory, accouterment


word: Accoutrements
definition:
Accoutrements

Accouterments

{ Ac*cou"ter*ments, Ac*cou"tre*ments  }
(_;)
n. pl.
[F. accoutrement, earlier also accoustrement, earlier also accoustrement. See Accouter.]
Dress; trappings; equipment; specifically, the devices and equipments worn by soldiers.

How gay with all the accouterments of war!


word: Accoy
definition:
Accoy

Ac*coy"
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. acoyer; ac-, for L. ad. See Coy.]
1.
To render quiet; to soothe.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
To subdue; to tame; to daunt.
[Obs.]

Then is your careless courage accoyed.
Spenser.


word: Accredit
definition:
Accredit

Ac*cred"it
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accredited; p. pr. & vb. n. Accrediting.]
[F. accréditer; à (L. ad) + crédit credit. See Credit.]
1.
To put or bring into credit; to invest with credit or authority; to sanction.

His censure will . . . accredit his praises.
Cowper.

These reasons . . . which accredit and fortify mine opinion.
Shelton.

2.
To send with letters credential, as an ambassador, envoy, or diplomatic agent; to authorize, as a messenger or delegate.

Beton . . . was accredited to the Court of France.
Froude.

3.
To believe; to credit; to put trust in.

The version of early Roman history which was accredited in the fifth century.
Sir G. C. Lewis.

He accredited and repeated stories of apparitions and witchcraft.
Southey.

4.
To credit; to vouch for or consider (some one) as doing something, or (something) as belonging to some one.

To accredit (one) with (something), to attribute something to him; as, Mr. Clay was accredited with these views; they accredit him with a wise saying.


word: accrementition
definition:
accrementition

ac`cre*men*ti"tion
(_;)
n.
[See accresce, Increment.]
(Physiol.)
The process of generation by development of blastema, or fission of cells, in which the new formation is in all respects like the individual from which it proceeds.


word: accresce
definition:
accresce

ac*cresce"
(ăk*krĕs")
v. i.
[L. accrescere. See Accrue.]
1.
To accrue.
[R.]

2.
To increase; to grow.
[Obs.]
Gillespie.


word: accrescence
definition:
accrescence

ac*cres"cence
(ăk*krĕs"sens)
n.
[LL. accrescentia.]
Continuous growth; an accretion.
[R.]

The silent accrescence of belief from the unwatched depositions of a general, never contradicted hearsy.
Coleridge.


word: accrescent
definition:
accrescent

ac*cres"cent
(ăk*krĕs"sent)
a.
[L. accrescens, -entis, p. pr. of accrescere; ad + crescere to grow. See Crescent.]

1.
Growing; increasing.
Shuckford.

2.
(Bot.)
Growing larger after flowering.
Gray.


word: accrete
definition:
accrete

ac*crete"
(ăk*krēt")
v. i.
[From L. accretus, p. p. of accrescere to increase.]
1.
To grow together.

2.
To adhere; to grow (to); to be added; -- with to.


word: accrete₃
definition:
accrete

ac*crete"
a.
1.
Characterized by accretion; made up; as, accrete matter.

2.
(Bot.)
Grown together.
Gray.


word: accretion
definition:
accretion

ac*cre"tion
(ăk*krē"shŭn)
n.
[L. accretio, fr. accrescere to increase. Cf. Crescent, Increase, Accrue.]

1.
The act of increasing by natural growth; esp. the increase of organic bodies by the internal accession of parts; organic growth.
Arbuthnot.

2.
The act of increasing, or the matter added, by an accession of parts externally; an extraneous addition; as, an accretion of earth.

A mineral . . . augments not by growth, but by accretion.
Owen.

To strip off all the subordinate parts of his narrative as a later accretion.
Sir G. C. Lewis.

3.
Concretion; coherence of separate particles; as, the accretion of particles so as to form a solid mass.

4.
A growing together of parts naturally separate, as of the fingers or toes.
Dana.

5.
(Law)
(a)
The adhering of property to something else, by which the owner of one thing becomes possessed of a right to another; generally, gain of land by the washing up of sand or soil from the sea or a river, or by a gradual recession of the water from the usual watermark.
(b)
Gain to an heir or legatee, by failure of a coheir to the same succession, or a co-legatee of the same thing, to take his share.
Wharton. Kent.


word: accretive
definition:
accretive

ac*cre"tive
(_;)
a.
Relating to accretion; increasing, or adding to, by growth.
Glanvill.


word: accriminate
definition:
accriminate

ac*crim"i*nate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. ac- (for ad to) + criminari.]
To accuse of a crime.
[Obs.]
Ac*crim`i*na"tion (_;), n. [Obs.]


word: accroach
definition:
accroach

ac*croach"
(ăk*kr&omacrch")
v. t.
[OE. acrochen, accrochen, to obtain, OF. acrochier, F. accrocher; à (L. ad) + croc hook (E. crook).]
1.
To hook, or draw to one's self as with a hook.
[Obs.]

2.
To usurp, as jurisdiction or royal prerogatives.

They had attempted to accroach to themselves royal power.
Stubbs.


word: Accroachment
definition:
Accroachment

Ac*croach"ment
(ăk*kr&omacrch"ment)
n.
[Cf. F. accrochement.]
An encroachment; usurpation.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Accrue
definition:
Accrue

Ac*crue"
(ăk*kr&usuml_;")
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Accrued (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accruing.]
[See Accrue, n., and cf. Accresce, Accrete.]
1.
To increase; to augment.

And though power failed, her courage did accrue.
Spenser.

2.
To come to by way of increase; to arise or spring as a growth or result; to be added as increase, profit, or damage, especially as the produce of money lent.
accrues
Abbott.

The great and essential advantages accruing to society from the freedom of the press.
Junius.


word: Accrue₂
definition:
Accrue

Ac*crue"
n.
[F. accrû, OF. acreü, p. p. of accroitre, OF. acroistre to increase; L. ad + crescere to increase. Cf. Accretion, Crew. See Crescent.]
Something that accrues; advantage accruing.
[Obs.]


word: Accruer
definition:
Accruer

Ac*cru"er
(ăk*kr&usuml_;"ẽr)
n.
(Law)
The act of accruing; accretion; as, title by accruer.


word: Accrument
definition:
Accrument

Ac*cru"ment
(ăk*kr&usuml_;"ment)
n.
The process of accruing, or that which has accrued; increase.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Accubation
definition:
Accubation

Ac`cu*ba"tion
(ăk*k&uuptack_;*bā"shŭn)
n.
[L. accubatio, for accubitio, fr. accubare to recline; ad + cubare to lie down. See Accumb.]
The act or posture of reclining on a couch, as practiced by the ancients at meals.


word: acculturative
definition:
acculturative

acculturative
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to acculturation (definition 3).

Syn. -- acculturational


word: Accumb
definition:
Accumb

Ac*cumb"
(ăk*kŭmb")
v. i.
[L. accumbere; ad + cumbere (only in compounds) to lie down.]
To recline, as at table.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Accumbency
definition:
Accumbency

Ac*cum"ben*cy
(ăk*kŭm"ben*s&ybreve_;)
n.
The state of being accumbent or reclining.
[R.]


word: Accumbent
definition:
Accumbent

Ac*cum"bent
(-bent)
a.
1.
Leaning or reclining, as the ancients did at their meals.

The Roman . . . accumbent posture in eating.
Arbuthnot.

2.
(Bot.)
Lying against anything, as one part of a leaf against another leaf.
Gray.

Accumbent cotyledons have their edges placed against the caulicle.
Eaton.


word: Accumulate
definition:
Accumulate

Ac*cu"mu*late
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accumulated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accumulating.]
[L. accumulatus, p. p. of accumulare; ad + cumulare to heap. See Cumulate.]
To heap up in a mass; to pile up; to collect or bring together; to amass; as, to accumulate a sum of money.


word: Accumulate₂
definition:
Accumulate

Ac*cu"mu*late
(ăk*kū"m&uuptack_;*lāt)
v. i.
To grow or increase in quantity or number; to increase greatly.

Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.
Goldsmith.


word: Accumulate₃
definition:
Accumulate

Ac*cu"mu*late
(-la̝t)
a.
[L. accumulatus, p. p. of accumulare.]
Collected; accumulated.
Bacon.


word: accumulated
definition:
accumulated

accumulated
adj.
1.
1
brought together into a group or crowd
the accumulated letters in my office

Syn. -- assembled, collected, congregate, massed


word: Accumulation
definition:
Accumulation

Ac*cu`mu*la"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. accumulatio; cf. F. accumulation.]
1.
The act of accumulating, the state of being accumulated, or that which is accumulated; as, an accumulation of earth, of sand, of evils, of wealth, of honors.

2.
(Law)
The concurrence of several titles to the same proof.

Accumulation of energy or power, the storing of energy by means of weights lifted or masses put in motion; electricity stored. -- An accumulation of degrees (Eng. Univ.), the taking of several together, or at smaller intervals than usual or than is allowed by the rules.


word: Accumulative
definition:
Accumulative

Ac*cu"mu*la*tive
(_;)
a.
Characterized by accumulation; serving to collect or amass; cumulative; additional.
Ac*cu"mu*la*tive*ly, adv. -- Ac*cu"mu*la*tive*ness, n.


word: Accumulator
definition:
Accumulator

Ac*cu"mu*la`tor
(_;)
n.
[L.]
1.
One who, or that which, accumulates, collects, or amasses.

2.
(Mech.)
An apparatus by means of which energy or power can be stored, such as the cylinder or tank for storing water for hydraulic elevators, the secondary or storage battery used for accumulating the energy of electrical charges, etc.

3.
A system of elastic springs for relieving the strain upon a rope, as in deep-sea dredging.


word: Accuracy
definition:
Accuracy

Ac"cu*ra*cy
(#; 277)
n.
[See Accurate.]
The state of being accurate; freedom from mistakes, this exemption arising from carefulness; exact conformity to truth, or to a rule or model; precision; exactness; nicety; correctness; as, the value of testimony depends on its accuracy.

The professed end [of logic] is to teach men to think, to judge, and to reason, with precision and accuracy.
Reid.

The accuracy with which the piston fits the sides.
Lardner.


word: Accurate
definition:
Accurate

Ac"cu*rate
(_;)
a.
[L. accuratus, p. p. and a., fr. accurare to take care of; ad + curare to take care, cura care. See Cure.]
1.
In exact or careful conformity to truth, or to some standard of requirement, the result of care or pains; free from failure, error, or defect; exact; as, an accurate calculator; an accurate measure; accurate expression, knowledge, etc.

2.
Precisely fixed; executed with care; careful.
[Obs.]

Those conceive the celestial bodies have more accurate influences upon these things below.
Bacon.


word: Accurateness
definition:
Accurateness

Ac"cu*rate*ness
n.
The state or quality of being accurate; accuracy; exactness; nicety; precision.


word: Accurse
definition:
Accurse

Ac*curse"
(_;)
v. t.
[OE. acursien, acorsien; pref. a + cursien to curse. See Curse.]
To devote to destruction; to imprecate misery or evil upon; to curse; to execrate; to anathematize.

And the city shall be accursed.
Josh. vi. 17.

Thro' you, my life will be accurst.
Tennyson.


word: Accurst
definition:
Accurst

Accursed

{ Ac*cursed" (_;), Ac*curst" (_;), }
p. p. & a.
Doomed to destruction or misery; cursed; hence, bad enough to be under the curse; execrable; detestable; exceedingly hateful; -- as, an accursed deed.
Shak.
Ac*curs"ed*ly, adv. -- Ac*curs"ed*ness, n.


word: Accusable
definition:
Accusable

Ac*cus"a*ble
(_;)
a.
[L. accusabilis: cf. F. accusable.]
Liable to be accused or censured; chargeable with a crime or fault; blamable; -- with of.


word: Accusant
definition:
Accusant

Ac*cus"ant
(_;)
n.
[L. accusans, p. pr. of accusare: cf. F. accusant.]
An accuser.
Bp. Hall.


word: Accusation
definition:
Accusation

Ac`cu*sa"tion
(_;)
n.
[OF. acusation, F. accusation, L. accusatio, fr. accusare. See Accuse.]

1.
The act of accusing or charging with a crime or with a lighter offense.

We come not by the way of accusation
To taint that honor every good tongue blesses.
Shak.

2.
That of which one is accused; the charge of an offense or crime, or the declaration containing the charge.

[They] set up over his head his accusation.
Matt. xxvii. 37.


word: Accusative
definition:
Accusative

Ac*cu"sa*tive
(_;)
a.
[F. accusatif, L. accusativus (in sense 2), fr. accusare. See Accuse.]

1.
Producing accusations; accusatory.
accusative
Sir E. Dering.

2.
(Gram.)
Applied to the case (as the fourth case of Latin and Greek nouns) which expresses the immediate object on which the action or influence of a transitive verb terminates, or the immediate object of motion or tendency to, expressed by a preposition. It corresponds to the objective case in English.


word: Accusatively
definition:
Accusatively

Ac*cu"sa*tive*ly
adv.
1.
In an accusative manner.

2.
In relation to the accusative case in grammar.


word: Accusatory
definition:
Accusatory

Ac*cu"sa*to*ry
(_;)
a.
[L. accusatorius, fr. accusare.]
Pertaining to, or containing, an accusation; as, an accusatory libel.
Grote.


word: Accuse₂
definition:
Accuse

Ac*cuse"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accused (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accusing.]
[OF. acuser, F. accuser, L. accusare, to call to account, accuse; ad + causa cause, lawsuit. Cf. Cause.]
1.
To charge with, or declare to have committed, a crime or offense
(Law)
to charge with an offense, judicially or by a public process; -- with of; as, to accuse one of a high crime or misdemeanor.

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
Acts xxiv. 13.

We are accused of having persuaded Austria and Sardinia to lay down their arms.
Macaulay.

2.
To charge with a fault; to blame; to censure.

Their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another.
Rom. ii. 15.

3.
To betray; to show.
[R.]
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Accused
definition:
Accused

Ac*cused"
(_;)
a.
Charged with offense; as, an accused person.

Commonly used substantively; as, the accused, one charged with an offense; the defendant in a criminal case.


word: Accuser
definition:
Accuser

Ac*cus"er
(_;)
n.
[OE. acuser, accusour; cf. OF. acuseor, fr. L. accusator, fr. accusare.]
One who accuses; one who brings a charge of crime or fault.


word: accusing
definition:
accusing

accusing
adj.
1.
serving to accuse; expressing accusation

Syn. -- accusatorial, accusatory


word: Accustom
definition:
Accustom

Ac*cus"tom
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Accustomed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Accustoming.]
[OF. acostumer, acustumer, F. accoutumer; à (L. ad) + OF. costume, F. coutume, custom. See Custom.]
To make familiar by use; to habituate, familiarize, or inure; -- with to.

I shall always fear that he who accustoms himself to fraud in little things, wants only opportunity to practice it in greater.
Adventurer.


word: Accustom₂
definition:
Accustom

Ac*cus"tom
v. i.
1.
To be wont.
[Obs.]
Carew.

2.
To cohabit.
[Obs.]

We with the best men accustom openly; you with the basest commit private adulteries.
Milton.


word: Accustomance
definition:
Accustomance

Ac*cus"tom*ance
(_;)
n.
[OF. accoustumance, F. accoutumance.]
Custom; habitual use.
[Obs.]
Boyle.


word: Accustomed
definition:
Accustomed

Ac*cus"tomed
(_;)
a.
1.
Familiar through use; usual; customary.
accustomed
Shak.

2.
Frequented by customers.
[Obs.]
accustomed
Smollett.


word: Accustomedness
definition:
Accustomedness

Ac*cus"tomed*ness
n.
Habituation.

Accustomedness to sin hardens the heart.
Bp. Pearce.


word: Ace
definition:
Ace

Ace
(ās)
n.
pl. Aces (ā"sĕz).
[OE. as, F. as, fr. L. as, assis, unity, copper coin, the unit of coinage. Cf. As.]

1.
A unit; a single point or spot on a card or die; the card or die so marked; as, the ace of diamonds.

2.
Hence: A very small quantity or degree; a particle; an atom; a jot.

I 'll not wag an ace further.
Dryden.

3.
(Sport)
A single point won by a stroke, as in handball, rackets, etc.; in tennis, frequently, a point won by a service stroke.

To bate an ace, to make the least abatement. [Obs.] -- Within an ace of, very near; on the point of. W. Irving.


word: ace
definition:
ace

ace
adj.
1.
of the highest quality
an ace reporter

Syn. -- A-one, first-class, first-rate, super, tip-top, topnotch(predicate)


word: acedia
definition:
acedia

acedia
n.
1.
apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue (personified as one of the deadly sins).

Syn. -- sloth, laziness


word: Aceldama
definition:
Aceldama

A*cel"da*ma
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. Syr. &omacrkēl dam&omacr the field of blood.]
The potter's field, said to have lain south of Jerusalem, purchased with the bribe which Judas took for betraying his Master, and therefore called the field of blood. Fig.: A field of bloodshed.

The system of warfare . . . which had already converted immense tracts into one universal aceldama.
De Quincey.


word: acellular
definition:
acellular

acellular
adj.
1.
1
not containing cells
cellular

Syn. -- cell-free

2.
not made up of or divided into cells
cellular

Syn. -- noncellular

3.
occurring outside of cells or without the participation of cells.  Opposite of cellular.


word: Acentric
definition:
Acentric

A*cen"tric
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; a point, a center.]
Not centered; without a center.


word: Acephal
definition:
Acephal

Ac"e*phal
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;; 'a priv. + _; head: cf. F. acéphale, LL. acephalus.]
(Zool.)
One of the Acephala.


word: Acephala
definition:
Acephala

A*ceph"a*la
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, adj. neut. pl., headless. See Acephal.]
(Zool.)
That division of the Mollusca which includes the bivalve shells, like the clams and oysters; -- so called because they have no evident head. Formerly the group included the Tunicata, Brachiopoda, and sometimes the Bryozoa. See Mollusca.


word: Acephali
definition:
Acephali

A*ceph"a*li
(_;)
n. pl.
[LL., pl. of acephalus. See Acephal.]
1.
A fabulous people reported by ancient writers to have heads.

2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
(a)
A Christian sect without a leader.
(b)
Bishops and certain clergymen not under regular diocesan control.

3.
A class of levelers in the time of K. Henry I.


word: Acephalocyst
definition:
Acephalocyst

A*ceph"a*lo*cyst
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'ake`falos without a head + ky`stis bladder.]
(Zool.)
A larval entozoön in the form of a subglobular or oval vesicle, or hydatid, filled with fluid, sometimes found in the tissues of man and the lower animals; -- so called from the absence of a head or visible organs on the vesicle. These cysts are the immature stages of certain tapeworms. Also applied to similar cysts of different origin.


word: Acephalous
definition:
Acephalous

A*ceph"a*lous
(_;)
a.
[See Acephal.]

1.
Headless.

2.
(Zool.)
Without a distinct head; -- a term applied to bivalve mollusks.

3.
(Bot.)
Having the style spring from the base, instead of from the apex, as is the case in certain ovaries.

4.
Without a leader or chief.

5.
Wanting the beginning.

A false or acephalous structure of sentence.
De Quincey.

6.
(Pros.)
Deficient at the beginning, as a line of poetry.
Brande.


word: Acequia
definition:
Acequia

A*ce"qui*a
(ä*sā"ke̝*ȧ; Sp. ä*thā"ke̝*ä)
n.
[Sp.]
A canal or trench for irrigating land.
[Sp. Amer.]


word: Acer
definition:
Acer

Acer
n.
1.
1
type genus of the Aceraceae; trees or shrubs having winged fruit.

Syn. -- genus Acer


word: Aceraceae
definition:
Aceraceae

Aceraceae
n.
1.
1
the family of trees including the maples.

Syn. -- family Aceraceae, maple family


word: Acerate
definition:
Acerate

Ac"er*ate
(_;)
n.
[See Aceric.]
(Chem.)
A combination of aceric acid with a salifiable base.


word: Acerb
definition:
Acerb

A*cerb"
(_;)
a.
[L. acerbus, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. acerbe. See Acrid.]
Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, as unripe fruit; sharp and harsh.


word: Acerbate
definition:
Acerbate

A*cerb"ate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. acerbatus, p. p. of acerbare, fr. acerbus.]
To sour; to imbitter; to irritate.


word: Acerbitude
definition:
Acerbitude

A*cerb"i*tude
(_;)
n.
[L. acerbitudo, fr. acerbus.]
Sourness and harshness.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Acerbity
definition:
Acerbity

A*cerb"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[F. acerbité, L. acerbitas, fr. acerbus. See Acerb.]
1.
Sourness of taste, with bitterness and astringency, like that of unripe fruit.

2.
Harshness, bitterness, or severity; as, acerbity of temper, of language, of pain.
Barrow.


word: Aceric
definition:
Aceric

A*cer"ic
(_;)
a.
[L. acer maple.]
Pertaining to, or obtained from, the maple; as, aceric acid.
Ure.


word: Acerose
definition:
Acerose

Ac"er*ose`
(_;)
a.
[(a) L. acerosus chaffy, fr. acus, gen. aceris, chaff; (b) as if fr. L. acus needle: cf. F. acéreux.]
(Bot.)
(a)
Having the nature of chaff; chaffy.
(b)
Needle-shaped, having a sharp, rigid point, as the leaf of the pine.


word: Acerous₂
definition:
Acerous

Ac"er*ous
a.
[Gr. α priv. + ke`ras a horn.]
(Zool.)
(a)
Destitute of tentacles, as certain mollusks.
(b)
Without antennæ, as some insects.


word: Acervate
definition:
Acervate

A*cer"vate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. acervatus, p. p. of acervare to heap up, fr. acervus heap.]
To heap up.
[Obs.]


word: Acescency
definition:
Acescency

Acescence

{ A*ces"cence (_;), A*ces"cen*cy (_;), }
n.
[Cf. F. acescence. See Acescent.]
The quality of being acescent; the process of acetous fermentation; a moderate degree of sourness.
Johnson.


word: Acescent
definition:
Acescent

A*ces"cent
(_;)
a.
[L. acescens, -entis, p. pr. of acescere to turn sour; inchoative of acere to be sour: cf. F. acescent. See Acid.]
Turning sour; readily becoming tart or acid; slightly sour.
Faraday.


word: Acetabulifera
definition:
Acetabulifera

Ac`e*tab`u*lif"e*ra
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL. See Acetabuliferous.]
(Zool.)
The division of Cephalopoda in which the arms are furnished with cup-shaped suckers, as the cuttlefishes, squids, and octopus; the Dibranchiata. See Cephalopoda.


word: Acetabuliferous
definition:
Acetabuliferous

Ac`e*tab`u*lif"er*ous
(_;)
a.
[L.  acetablum a little cup + -ferous.]
Furnished with fleshy cups for adhering to bodies, as cuttlefish, etc.


word: Acetabuliform
definition:
Acetabuliform

Ac`e*tab"u*li*form
(_;)
a.
[L. acetabulum + -form.]
(Bot.)
Shaped like a shallow cup; saucer-shaped; as, an acetabuliform calyx.
Gray.


word: Acetabulum
definition:
Acetabulum

Ac`e*tab"u*lum
(_;)
n.
[L., a little saucer for vinegar, fr. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]

1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
A vinegar cup; socket of the hip bone; a measure of about one eighth of a pint, etc.

2.
(Anat.)
(a)
The bony cup which receives the head of the thigh bone.
(b)
The cavity in which the leg of an insect is inserted at its articulation with the body.
(c)
A sucker of the sepia or cuttlefish and related animals.
(d)
The large posterior sucker of the leeches.
(e)
One of the lobes of the placenta in ruminating animals.


word: Acetal
definition:
Acetal

Ac"e*tal
(_;)
n.
[Acetic + alcohol.]
(Chem.)
A limpid, colorless, inflammable liquid from the slow oxidation of alcohol under the influence of platinum black.


word: Acetamide
definition:
Acetamide

Ac`et*am"ide
(_;)
n.
[Acetyl + amide.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline solid, from ammonia by replacement of an equivalent of hydrogen by acetyl.


word: acetaminophen
definition:
acetaminophen

acetaminophen
n.
1.
a white crystalline compound (HO.C6H4.NH.CO.CH3) used as an analgesic and also as an antipyretic. It has molecular weight 151.16.  It is the active ingredient in the commercial analgesics Tylenol and Datril.

Syn. -- p-hydroxyacetanilide, p-acetamidophenol, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, paracetamol, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide
It is sold under many trade names, and has been one of the most popular analgesics in the late 20th century.  It is used in place of aspirin by people in whom aspirin causes undesirable side effects, such as stomach irritation or stomach bleeding.


word: acetanilide
definition:
acetanilide

ac`et*an"i*lide
(ăs`ĕt*ăn"ĭ*lĭd)
n.
[Acetyl + anilide.]
(Med., Chem.)
An amide formed from aniline and an acetyl group (C6H5.NH.CO.CH3); it is a white crystalline compound used as an analgesic and also as an antipyretic.  It has molecular weight 135.16.
[Written also acetanilid]
AS

Syn. -- phenylacetamide, N-phenylacetamide, antifebrin, antifebrine, acetylaminobenzene, acetylaniline


word: Acetarious
definition:
Acetarious

Ac`e*ta"ri*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. acetaria, n. pl., salad, fr. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
Used in salads; as, acetarious plants.


word: Acetary
definition:
Acetary

Ac"e*ta*ry
(ăs"e̝*ta̝*r&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. acetaria salad plants.]
An acid pulp in certain fruits, as the pear.
Grew.


word: Acetate
definition:
Acetate

Ac"e*tate
(_;)
n.
[L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
(Chem.)
A salt formed by the union of acetic acid with a base or positive radical; as, acetate of lead, acetate of potash.


word: Acetic
definition:
Acetic

A*ce"tic
(#; 277)
a.
[L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
(Chem.)
(a)
Of a pertaining to vinegar; producing vinegar; producing vinegar; as, acetic fermentation.
(b)
Pertaining to, containing, or derived from, acetyl, as acetic ether, acetic acid. The latter is the acid to which the sour taste of vinegar is due.


word: Acetification
definition:
Acetification

A*cet`i*fi*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
The act of making acetous or sour; the process of converting, or of becoming converted, into vinegar.


word: Acetify
definition:
Acetify

A*cet"i*fy
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acetified (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Acetifying (_;).]
[L. acetum vinegar + -fly.]
To convert into acid or vinegar.


word: Acetimeter
definition:
Acetimeter

Ac`e*tim"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[L. acetum vinegar + -meter: cf. F. acétimètre.]
An instrument for estimating the amount of acetic acid in vinegar or in any liquid containing acetic acid.


word: Acetimetry
definition:
Acetimetry

Ac`e*tim"e*try
(_;)
n.
The act or method of ascertaining the strength of vinegar, or the proportion of acetic acid contained in it.
Ure.


word: acetol
definition:
acetol

ac"e*tol
(?)
n.
[Acetic + -ol as in alcohol.]
(Chem.)
1.
Methyl ketol; also, any of various homologues of the same.

1.
[cap.]
a trade name used at different times to represent different substances, as hydroxyacetone, acetylsalicylic acid, acetal, diethyl aldehyde, or cellulose acetate.
MI11


word: Acetonaemia
definition:
Acetonaemia

Acetonemia

&VerbarAc`e*to*næ"mi*a, Ac`e*to*ne"mi*a
(_;)
n.
[NL. See Acetone; Hæma-.]
(Med.)
A morbid condition characterized by the presence of ketone bodies (including acetone, acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid) in the blood, as in diabetes.


word: acetone
definition:
acetone

ac"e*tone
(ăs"e̝*t&omacrn)
n.
[See Acetic.]
(Chem.)
A volatile liquid (CH3.CO.CH3); pyroacetic spirit; methyl ketone; -- obtained by fermentation, the distillation of certain acetates, or by the destructive distillation of citric acid, starch, sugar, or gum, with quicklime.   It is commonly used as a solvent.

&hand_; The term was once also applied to a number of bodies of similar constitution, more frequently called ketones. See Ketone.


word: acetonuria
definition:
acetonuria

ac`e*to*nu"ri*a
(ăs`e̝*to̝*nū"rĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL. See acetone; Urine.]
(Med.)
Excess of ketone bodies (including acetone, acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid) in the urine, as in starvation or diabetes

Syn. --ketonuria


word: acetophenetidin
definition:
acetophenetidin

acetophenetidin
n.
(Med.)
A white crystalline compound used as an analgesic and also as an antipyretic.

Syn. -- acetphenetidin, phenacetin


word: Acetophenone
definition:
Acetophenone

Ac`e*to*phe"none
(-fē"n&omacrn)
n.
[Acetic + phenyl + one.]
(Chem.)
A crystalline ketone, CH3.CO.C6H5, which may be obtained by the dry distillation of a mixture of the calcium salts of acetic and benzoic acids. It is used as a hypnotic under the name of hypnone.


word: Acetosity
definition:
Acetosity

Ac`e*tos"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[LL. acetositas. See Acetous.]
The quality of being acetous; sourness.


word: Acetous
definition:
Acetous

A*ce"tous
(#; 277)
a.
[L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
1.
Having a sour taste; sour; acid.
acetous
Boyle.
acetous
Bp. Lowth.

2.
Causing, or connected with, acetification; as, acetous fermentation.

Acetous acid, a name formerly given to vinegar, which is a dilute solution of acetic acid.


word: acetphenetidin
definition:
acetphenetidin

acetphenetidin
n.
1.
a white crystalline compound used as an analgesic and also as an antipyretic.

Syn. -- acetophenetidin, phenacetin


word: Acetyl
definition:
Acetyl

Ac"e*tyl
(_;)
n.
[L. acetum vinegar + Gr. _; substance. See -yl.]
(Chem.)
A complex, hypothetical radical, composed of two parts of carbon to three of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Its hydroxide is acetic acid.


word: acetylate
definition:
acetylate

acetylate
v. i.
1.
(Chem.)
receive substitution of an acetyl group; of chemical compounds

Syn. -- acetylize


word: acetylate₂
definition:
acetylate

acetylate
v. t.
(Chem.)
1
introduce an acetyl group into a chemical compound

Syn. -- acetylize


word: acetylcholine
definition:
acetylcholine

acetylcholine
n.
1.
a neurotransmitter released by the transmitting dendron at autononmous synapses and at neuromuscular junctions.  It is a quaternary amine with an obligatory negative counterion.  The nominal formula for the hydroxide form is C7H17NO3.  Structural formula (CH3)3N(+)CH2CH2.O.CO.CH3.OH(-).
Acetylcholine is the first recognized and best-studied of the neurotransmitters.  At receptors it is recycled into choline by the action of acetylcholinesterase.  Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors therefore function as nerve poisons.  For biochemical studies it is prepared typically in the chloride or bromide forms.


word: acetylcholinesterase
definition:
acetylcholinesterase

acetylcholinesterase
n.
1.
an enzyme which exists in nerve cells and hydrolyses acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid.
It is essential for neurotransmission at autonomous synapses and neuromuscular junctions, and its inhibition by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can paralyze or kill an animal.

Syn. -- ACE


word: Acetylene
definition:
Acetylene

A*cet"y*lene
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A gaseous compound of carbon and hydrogen, in the proportion of two atoms of the former to two of the latter. It is a colorless gas, with a peculiar, unpleasant odor, and is produced for use as an illuminating gas in a number of ways, but chiefly by the action of water on calcium carbide. Its light is very brilliant.
Watts.


word: Ache
definition:
Ache

Ach

{ Ach, Ache  }
(_;)
n.
[F. ache, L. apium parsley.]
A name given to several species of plants; as, smallage, wild celery, parsley.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Achaian
definition:
Achaian

Achaean

{ A*chæ"an (_;), A*cha"ian (_;) }
a.
[L. Achaeus, Achaius; Gr. _;.]
Of or pertaining to Achaia in Greece; also, Grecian.
n. A native of Achaia; a Greek.


word: Achate₂
definition:
Achate

A*chate"
(_;)
n.
[F. achat purchase. See Cates.]

1.
Purchase; bargaining.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
pl.
Provisions. Same as Cates.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Achatina
definition:
Achatina

Ach`a*ti"na
(_;)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _; agate.]
(Zool.)
A genus of land snails, often large, common in the warm parts of America and Africa.


word: Ache₂
definition:
Ache

Ache
(_;)
n.
[OE. ache, AS. æce, ece, fr. acan to ache. See Ache, v. i.]
Continued pain, as distinguished from sudden twinges, or spasmodic pain. “Such an ache in my bones.”
Shak.

&hand_; Often used in composition, as, a headache, an earache, a toothache.


word: Ache₃
definition:
Ache

Ache
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Ached (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aching (_;).]
[OE. aken, AS. acan, both strong verbs, AS. acan, imp. &omacrc, p. p. acen, to ache; perh. orig. to drive, and akin to agent.]
To suffer pain; to have, or be in, pain, or in continued pain; to be distressed.
ache
Shak.

The sins that in your conscience ache.
Keble.


word: Achenium
definition:
Achenium

Achene

{ A*chene" (_;), A*che"ni*um (_;) }
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; to gape.]
(Bot.)
A small, dry, indehiscent fruit, containing a single seed, as in the buttercup; -- called a naked seed by the earlier botanists.
[Written also akene and achænium.]


word: Acheron
definition:
Acheron

Ach"e*ron
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
(Myth.)
A river in the Nether World or infernal regions; also, the infernal regions themselves. By some of the English poets it was supposed to be a flaming lake or gulf.
Shak.


word: Acherontic
definition:
Acherontic

Ach`e*ron"tic
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to Acheron; infernal; hence, dismal, gloomy; moribund.


word: Acheta
definition:
Acheta

Acheta
n.
1.
a genus of Orthopteran insects consisting of common house and field crickets.

Syn. -- genus Acheta


word: A cheval
definition:
A cheval

A` che*val"
(?)
[F., lit., on horseback.]
Astride; with a part on each side; -- used specif. in designating the position of an army with the wings separated by some line of demarcation, as a river or road.

A position à cheval on a river is not one which a general willingly assumes.
Swinton.


word: achievability
definition:
achievability

achievability
n.
1.
1
the possibility of being achieved or accomplished; -- a property which may be possessed by a contemplated act.

Syn. -- attainability, attainableness


word: Achieve
definition:
Achieve

A*chieve"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Achieved (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Achieving (_;).]
[OE. acheven, OF. achever, achiever, F. achever, to finish; à (L. ad) + OF. chief, F. chef, end, head, fr. L. caput head. See Chief.]
1.
To carry on to a final close; to bring out into a perfected state; to accomplish; to perform; -- as, to achieve a feat, an exploit, an enterprise.

Supposing faculties and powers to be the same, far more may be achieved in any line by the aid of a capital, invigorating motive than without it.
I. Taylor.

2.
To obtain, or gain, as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness.
Shak.

Thou hast achieved our liberty.
Milton.

[[Obs]., with a material thing as the aim.]

Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved.
Prior.

He hath achieved a maid
That paragons description.
Shak.

3.
To finish; to kill.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Achievement
definition:
Achievement

A*chieve"ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. F. achèvement, E. Hatchment.]
1.
The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by exertion; successful performance; accomplishment; as, the achievement of his object.

2.
A great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor, boldness, or praiseworthy exertion; a feat.

[The exploits] of the ancient saints . . . do far surpass the most famous achievements of pagan heroes.
Barrow.

The highest achievements of the human intellect.
Macaulay.

3.
(Her.)
An escutcheon or ensign armorial; now generally applied to the funeral shield commonly called hatchment.
Cussans.


word: Achilles
definition:
Achilles

Achilles
n.
1.
a mythical Greek hero of the Iliad; a foremost Greek warrior at the seige of Troy.


word: Achilles' tendon
definition:
Achilles' tendon

A*chil"les' ten"don
(_;)
n.
[L. Achillis tendo.]
(Anat.)
The strong tendon formed of the united tendons of the large muscles in the calf of the leg, an inserted into the bone of the heel; -- so called from the mythological account of Achilles being held by the heel when dipped in the River Styx.


word: achimenes
definition:
achimenes

achimenes
n.
1.
1
any plant of the genus Achimenes having gloxinialike flowers.

Syn. -- hot water plant


word: Aching
definition:
Aching

Ach"ing
(_;)
a.
That aches; continuously painful. See Ache.
Ach"ing*ly, adv.

The aching heart, the aching head.
Longfellow.


word: Achiote
definition:
Achiote

A`chi*o"te
(_;)
n.
[Sp. achiote, fr. Indian achiotl.]
Seeds of the annotto tree; also, the coloring matter, annotto.


word: Achlamydate
definition:
Achlamydate

A*chlam"y*date
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _;. _;. a short cloak.]
(Zool.)
Not possessing a mantle; -- said of certain gastropods.


word: Achlamydeous
definition:
Achlamydeous

Ach`la*myd"e*ous
(_;)
a.
(Bot.)
Naked; having no floral envelope, neither calyx nor corolla.


word: Acholia
definition:
Acholia

A*cho"li*a
(ȧ*k&omacr"lĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL., from Gr. 'acholi`a; 'a priv. + cholh` bile.]
(Med.)
Deficiency or lack of bile.
AS


word: achondroplasia
definition:
achondroplasia

achondroplasia
n.
(Med.)
A skeletal disorder beginning before birth; cartilage is converted to bone resulting in dwarfism.


word: Achras
definition:
Achras

Achras
prop. n.
A genus of tropical trees having papery leaves and large fruit.

Syn. -- genus Achras


word: Achromatic
definition:
Achromatic

Ach`ro*mat"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'achrw`matos colorless; 'a priv. + chrw^ma, chrw`matos, color: cf. F. achromatique.]
1.
(Opt.)
Free from color; transmitting light without decomposing it into its primary colors.

2.
(Biol.)
Uncolored; not absorbing color from a fluid; -- said of tissue.

Achromatic lens (Opt.), a lens composed usually of two separate lenses, a convex and concave, of substances having different refractive and dispersive powers, as crown and flint glass, with the curvatures so adjusted that the chromatic aberration produced by the one is corrected by other, and light emerges from the compound lens undecomposed. -- Achromatic prism. See Prism. -- Achromatic telescope, or microscope, one in which the chromatic aberration is corrected, usually by means of a compound or achromatic object glass, and which gives images free from extraneous color.


word: achromatinic
definition:
achromatinic

achromatinic
adj.
1.
not readily colored by stains; -- of substance of a cell nucleus
chromatinic


word: Achromatism
definition:
Achromatism

A*chro"ma*tism
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. achromatisme.]
The state or quality of being achromatic; as, the achromatism of a lens; achromaticity.
Nichol.


word: Achromatization
definition:
Achromatization

A*chro`ma*ti*za"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. achromatisation.]
The act or process of achromatizing.


word: Achromatize
definition:
Achromatize

A*chro"ma*tize
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Achromatized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Achromatizing (_;).]
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; color.]
To deprive of color; to make achromatic.
[Also spelled achromatise.]


word: Achromatous
definition:
Achromatous

A*chro"ma*tous
(?)
a.
[See Ahromatic.]
Lacking, or deficient in, color; as, achromatous blood.


word: Achromatopsy
definition:
Achromatopsy

A*chro"ma*top"sy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; color + _; sight.]
Color blindness; inability to distinguish colors; Daltonism.


word: Achromic
definition:
Achromic

A*chro"mic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; colorless; _; priv. + _; color.]
Free from color; colorless; as, in (Physiol. Chem.), the achromic point of a starch solution acted upon by an amylolytic enzyme is the point at which it fails to give any color with iodine.


word: Achroodextrin
definition:
Achroodextrin

Ach`ro*ö*dex"trin
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; colorless + E. dextrin.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
Dextrin not colorable by iodine. See Dextrin.


word: Acicula
definition:
Acicula

A*cic"u*la
(_;)
n.
pl. Aciculæ (_;).
[L., a small needle, dimin. of acus needle.]
(Nat. Hist.)
One of the needlelike or bristlelike spines or prickles of some animals and plants; also, a needlelike crystal.


word: Acicular
definition:
Acicular

A*cic"u*lar
(_;)
a.
Needle-shaped; slender like a needle or bristle, as some leaves or crystals; also, having sharp points like needles.


word: Aciculated
definition:
Aciculated

Aciculate

{ A*cic"u*late (_;), A*cic"u*la"ted (_;) }
a.
(Nat. Hist.)
(a)
Furnished with aciculæ.
(b)
Acicular.
(c)
Marked with fine irregular streaks as if scratched by a needle.
Lindley.


word: Acid
definition:
Acid

Ac"id
(_;)
a.
[L. acidus sour, fr. the root ak to be sharp: cf. F. acide. Cf. Acute.]
1.
Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.: Sour-tempered.

He was stern and his face as acid as ever.
A. Trollope.

2.
Of or pertaining to an acid; as, acid reaction.


word: Acid₂
definition:
Acid

Ac"id
n.
1.
A sour substance.

2.
(Chem.)
One of a class of compounds, generally but not always distinguished by their sour taste, solubility in water, and reddening of vegetable blue or violet colors. They are also characterized by the power of destroying the distinctive properties of alkalies or bases, combining with them to form salts, at the same time losing their own peculiar properties. They all contain hydrogen, united with a more negative element or radical, either alone, or more generally with oxygen, and take their names from this negative element or radical. Those which contain no oxygen are sometimes called hydracids in distinction from the others which are called oxygen acids or oxacids.

&hand_; In certain cases, sulphur, selenium, or tellurium may take the place of oxygen, and the corresponding compounds are called respectively sulphur acids or sulphacids, selenium acids, or tellurium acids. When the hydrogen of an acid is replaced by a positive element or radical, a salt is formed, and hence acids are sometimes named as salts of hydrogen; as hydrogen nitrate for nitric acid, hydrogen sulphate for sulphuric acid, etc. In the old chemistry the name acid was applied to the oxides of the negative or nonmetallic elements, now sometimes called anhydrides.


word: Acidic
definition:
Acidic

A*cid"ic
(_;)
a.
(Min.)
1.
Containing a high percentage of silica; -- opposed to basic.

2.
of or relating to acid; having the character of an acid, as an acidic solution.


word: Acidification
definition:
Acidification

A*cid`i*fi*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. acidification.]
The act or process of acidifying, or changing into an acid.


word: Acidifier
definition:
Acidifier

A*cid"i*fi`er
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A simple or compound principle, whose presence is necessary to produce acidity, as oxygen, chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc.


word: Acidify
definition:
Acidify

A*cid"i*fy
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acidified (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Acidifying (_;).]
[L. acidus sour, acid + -fy: cf. F. acidifier.]
1.
To make acid; to convert into an acid; as, to acidify sugar.

2.
To sour; to imbitter.

His thin existence all acidified into rage.
Carlyle.


word: Acidimeter
definition:
Acidimeter

Ac`id*im"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[L. acidus acid + -meter.]
(Chem.)
An instrument for ascertaining the strength of acids.
Ure.


word: Acidimetry
definition:
Acidimetry

Ac`id*im"e*try
(_;)
n.
[L. acidus acid + -metry.]
(Chem.)
The measurement of the strength of acids, especially by a chemical process based on the law of chemical combinations, or the fact that, to produce a complete reaction, a certain definite weight of reagent is required.
Ac`id*i*met"ric*al (_;), a.


word: Acidity
definition:
Acidity

A*cid"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[L. acidites, fr. acidus: cf. F. acidité. See Acid.]
The quality of being sour; sourness; tartness; sharpness to the taste; as, the acidity of lemon juice.


word: acid-loving
definition:
acid-loving

acid-loving
adj.
1.
thriving in a relatively acid environment; -- especially of plants requiring a pH well below 7
alkaline-loving


word: acidophilous
definition:
acidophilous

acidophilic

acidophilic acidophilous
adj.
1.
1
growing well in an acid medium; said of some bacteria

Syn. -- aciduric


word: Acid process
definition:
Acid process

Ac"id proc"ess
(Iron Metal.)
That variety of either the Bessemer or the open-hearth process in which the converter or hearth is lined with acid, that is, highly siliceous, material. Opposed to basic process.


word: Acidulate
definition:
Acidulate

A*cid"u*late
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acidulated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Acidulating (_;).]
[Cf. F. aciduler. See Acidulous.]
To make sour or acid in a moderate degree; to sour somewhat.
Arbuthnot.


word: Acidulous
definition:
Acidulous

A*cid"u*lous
(_;)
a.
[L. acidulus, dim. of acidus. See Acid.]
Slightly sour; sub-acid; sourish; as, an acidulous tincture.
E. Burke.

Acidulous mineral waters, such as contain carbonic anhydride.


word: Acierage
definition:
Acierage

Ac`i*er*age
(_;)
n.
[F. aciérage, fr. acier steel.]
The process of coating the surface of a metal plate (as a stereotype plate) with steellike iron by means of voltaic electricity; steeling.


word: Acinaceous
definition:
Acinaceous

Ac"i*na"ceous
(_;)
a.
[L. acinus a grape, grapestone.]
(Bot.)
Containing seeds or stones of grapes, or grains like them.


word: Acinaciform
definition:
Acinaciform

Ac`i*nac"i*form
(ăs`ĭ*năs"ĭ*fôrm)
a.
[L. acinaces a short sword + -form: cf. F. acinaciforme.]
(Bot.)
Scimeter-shaped; as, an acinaciform leaf.


word: Acinetae
definition:
Acinetae

Ac`i*ne"tæ
(ăs`ĭ*nē"tē)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. 'akinhtos immovable.]
(Zool.)
A group of suctorial Infusoria, which in the adult stage are stationary. See Suctoria.


word: Aciniform
definition:
Aciniform

A*cin"i*form
(_;)
a.
[L. acinus a grape, grapestone + -form: cf. F. acinoforme.]
1.
Having the form of a cluster of grapes; clustered like grapes.

2.
Full of small kernels like a grape.


word: Acinous
definition:
Acinous

Acinose

{ Ac"i*nose` (_;), Ac"i*nous (_;) }
a.
[L. acinosus, fr. acinus grapestone.]
Consisting of acini, or minute granular concretions; as, acinose or acinous glands.
Kirwan.


word: Acinus
definition:
Acinus

Ac"i*nus
(ăs"ĭ*nŭs)
n.
pl. Acini (_;).
[L., grape, grapestone.]
1.
(Bot.)
(a)
One of the small grains or drupelets which make up some kinds of fruit, as the blackberry, raspberry, etc.
(b)
A grapestone.

2.
(Anat.)
One of the granular masses which constitute a racemose or compound gland, as the pancreas; also, one of the saccular recesses in the lobules of a racemose gland.
Quain.


word: Acipenser
definition:
Acipenser

Ac`i*pen"ser
(_;)
prop. n.
[L., the name of a fish.]
(Zool.)
A genus of ganoid fishes, including the sturgeons, having the body armed with bony scales, and the mouth on the under side of the head. See Sturgeon.


word: Acipenseridae
definition:
Acipenseridae

Acipenseridae
prop. n.
The natural family of fish including the sturgeons.

Syn. -- family Acipenseridae.


word: ack-ack
definition:
ack-ack

ack-ack
n.
[from AA, meaning antiaircraft pronounced ack-ack by British signalmen.]
(Mil.)
Artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes; antiaircraft artillery.

Syn. -- antiaircraft, antiaircraft gun, flak, pompom, pom-pom, ack-ack gun


word: ackee
definition:
ackee

ackee
n.
1.
1
red pear-shaped tropical fruit with poisonous seeds; its flesh is poisonous when unripe or overripe.

Syn. -- akee


word: Acknow
definition:
Acknow

Ac*know"
(ăk*n&omacr")
v. t.
[Pref. a- + know; AS. oncnāwan.]
1.
To recognize.
[Obs.]
acknown
B. Jonson.

2.
To acknowledge; to confess.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

To be acknown (often with of or on), to acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.]

We say of a stubborn body that standeth still in the denying of his fault, This man will not acknowledge his fault, or, He will not be acknown of his fault.
Sir T. More.


word: acknowledge
definition:
acknowledge

ac*knowl"edge
(ăk*n&obreve_;l"ĕj)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. acknowledged (ăk*n&obreve_;l"ĕjd); p. pr. & vb. n. acknowledging (ăk*n&obreve_;l"ĕj*ĭng).]
[Prob. fr. pref. a- + the verb knowledge.  See Knowledge, and cf. Acknow.]
1.
To own or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a God.

I acknowledge my transgressions.
Ps. li. 3.

For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
Macaulay.

2.
To own or recognize in a particular character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him.
Prov. iii. 6.

By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee.
Shak.

3.
To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter.

They his gifts acknowledged none.
Milton.

4.
To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed.


word: acknowledged
definition:
acknowledged

ac*knowl"edged
(ăk*n&obreve_;l"ĕjd)
adj.
Generally accepted or recognized as correct or reasonable.  Opposite of unacknowledged.
given, granted
unquestionable (vs. questionable)
Also See: known.

Syn. -- accepted, recognized


word: Acknowledgement
definition:
Acknowledgement

Acknowledgment

Ac*knowl"edg*ment, Ac*knowl"edge*ment (ăk*n&obreve_;l"ĕj*ment)
n.
1.
The act of acknowledging; admission; avowal; owning; confession.
acknowledgment
Froude.

2.
The act of owning or recognizing in a particular character or relationship; recognition as regards the existence, authority, truth, or genuineness; a statement acknowledging something or someone.

Immediately upon the acknowledgment of the Christian faith, the eunuch was baptized by Philip.
Hooker.

3.
The owning of a benefit received; courteous recognition; the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged; an expression of thanks.
Shak.

Syn. -- recognition

4.
Something given or done in return for a favor, message, etc.
Smollett.

5.
A declaration or avowal of one's own act, to give it legal validity; as, the acknowledgment of a deed before a proper officer. Also, the certificate of the officer attesting such declaration.

Acknowledgment money, in some parts of England, a sum paid by copyhold tenants, on the death of their landlords, as an acknowledgment of their new lords. Cowell.


word: Aclinic
definition:
Aclinic

A*clin"ic
(ȧ*klĭn"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + kli`nein to incline.]
(Physics.)
Without inclination or dipping; -- said of the imaginary line near the earth's equator on which the magnetic needle balances itself horizontally, having no dip.  The aclinic line is also termed the magnetic equator.
Prof. August.


word: acme
definition:
acme

ac"me
(ăk"me̝)
n.
[Gr. 'akmh` point, top.]
1.
The top or highest point; the culmination.

The very acme and pitch of life for epic poetry.
Pope.

The moment when a certain power reaches the acme of its supremacy.
I. Taylor.

2.
(Med.)
The crisis or height of a disease.
AS

3.
Mature age; full bloom of life.
B. Jonson.


word: acne
definition:
acne

ac"ne
(ăk"ne̝)
n.
[NL., prob. a corruption of Gr. 'akmh`.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the sebaceous glands that are associated with hair follicles, leading to visible comedones and pimples, especially on the face, back, and chest.


word: Acnode
definition:
Acnode

Ac"node
(_;)
n.
[L. acus needle + E. node.]
(Geom.)
An isolated point not upon a curve, but whose coördinates satisfy the equation of the curve so that it is considered as belonging to the curve.


word: Acocanthera
definition:
Acocanthera

Acocanthera
n.
same as Akocanthera.

Syn. -- Akocanthera, genus Acocanthera, genus Acokanthera.


word: Acockbill
definition:
Acockbill

A*cock"bill`
(_;)
adv.
[Prefix a- + cock + bill: with bills cocked up.]
(Naut.)
(a)
Hanging at the cathead, ready to let go, as an anchor.
(b)
Topped up; having one yardarm higher than the other.


word: Acokanthera
definition:
Acokanthera

Acokanthera
n.
1.
small genus of trees and shrubs containing strongly toxic cardiac glycosides; distributed from Arabia to Africa.

Syn. -- Acocanthera, genus Acocanthera, genus Acokanthera


word: Acold
definition:
Acold

A*cold"
(_;)
a.
[Prob. p. p. of OE. acolen to grow cold or cool, AS. āc&omacrlian to grow cold; pref. a- (cf. Goth. er-, orig. meaning out) + c&omacrlian to cool. See Cool.]
Cold.
[Obs.]
acold
Shak.


word: Acolyctine
definition:
Acolyctine

Ac`o*lyc"tine
(_;)
n.
[From the name of the plant.]
(Chem.)
An organic base, in the form of a white powder, obtained from Aconitum lycoctonum.
Eng. Cyc.


word: Acolyte
definition:
Acolyte

Ac`o*lyte
(_;)
n.
[LL. acolythus, acoluthus, Gr. _; following, attending: cf. F. acolyte.]

1.
(Eccl.)
One who has received the highest of the four minor orders in the Catholic church, being ordained to carry the wine and water and the lights at the Mass.

2.
One who attends; an assistant.
acolytes
Motley.


word: Acondylous
definition:
Acondylous

Aconddylose

{ A*cond"dy*lose` (_;), A*con"dy*lous (_;), }
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; joint.]
(Nat. Hist.)
Being without joints; jointless.


word: Aconite
definition:
Aconite

Ac"o*nite
(_;)
n.
[L. aconitum, Gr. _;: cf. F. aconit.]
1.
(Bot.)
The herb wolfsbane, or monkshood; -- applied to any plant of the genus Aconitum (tribe Hellebore), all the species of which are poisonous.

2.
An extract or tincture obtained from Aconitum napellus, used as a poison and medicinally.

Winter aconite, a plant (Eranthis hyemalis) allied to the aconites.


word: Aconitic
definition:
Aconitic

Ac`o*nit"ic
(_;)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to aconite.

2.
(Chem.)
Pert. to or designating a crystalline tribasic acid, C6H6O6, obtained from aconite and other plants. It is a carboxyl derivative of itaconic acid.  Both the natural forma from plants and the form prepared chemically have the trans-configuration.  It is used in the manufacture of itaconic acid (propylene dicarboxylic acid).
MI11

Syn. -- 1-propene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, equisetic acid, citridic acid, achilleic acid


word: Aconitum
definition:
Aconitum

Ac`o*ni"tum
(_;)
n.
[L. See Aconite.]
The poisonous herb aconite; also, an extract from it.

Strong
As aconitum or rash gunpowder.
Shak.


word: Acontia
definition:
Acontia

A*con"ti*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; a little dart.]
(Zool.)
Threadlike defensive organs, composed largely of nettling cells (cnidæ), thrown out of the mouth or special pores of certain Actiniæ when irritated.


word: Acontias
definition:
Acontias

A*con"ti*as
(_;)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _;, fr. _;, dim. _; dart.]
(Zool.)
Anciently, a snake, called dart snake; now, one of a genus of reptiles closely allied to the lizards.


word: acopic
definition:
acopic

a*cop"ic
(ȧ*k&obreve_;p"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + ko`pos striking. weariness, ko`ptein to strike.]
(Med.)
Relieving weariness; restorative.
AS


word: Acorn
definition:
Acorn

A"corn
(_;)
n.
[AS. æcern, fr. æcer field, acre; akin to D. aker acorn, Ger. ecker, Icel. akarn, Dan. agern, Goth. akran fruit, akrs field; -- orig. fruit of the field. See Acre.]
1.
The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody cup or cupule.

2.
(Naut.)
A cone-shaped piece of wood on the point of the spindle above the vane, on the mast-head.

3.
(Zool.)
See Acorn-shell.


word: Acorned
definition:
Acorned

A"corned
(_;)
a.
1.
Furnished or loaded with acorns.

2.
Fed or filled with acorns.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Acorn-shell
definition:
Acorn-shell

A"corn-shell`
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
One of the sessile cirripeds; a barnacle of the genus Balanus. See Barnacle.


word: Acosmism
definition:
Acosmism

A*cos"mism
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; world.]
A denial of the existence of the universe as distinct from God.


word: Acosmist
definition:
Acosmist

A*cos"mist
(_;)
n.
[See Acosmism.]
One who denies the existence of the universe, or of a universe as distinct from God.
G. H. Lewes.


word: Acotyledon
definition:
Acotyledon

A*cot`y*le"don
(#; 277)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; anything cup-shaped. See Cotyledon.]
(Bot.)
A plant which has no cotyledons, as the dodder and all flowerless plants.


word: Acotyledonous
definition:
Acotyledonous

A*cot`y*led"on*ous
(#; 277)
a.
Having no seed lobes, as the dodder; also applied to plants which have no true seeds, as ferns, mosses, etc.


word: Acouchy
definition:
Acouchy

A*cou"chy
(_;)
n.
[F. acouchi, from the native name Guiana.]
(Zool.)
A small species of agouti (Dasyprocta acouchy).


word: Acoumeter
definition:
Acoumeter

A*cou"me*ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; to hear + -meter.]
(Physics.)
An instrument for measuring the acuteness of the sense of hearing.
Itard.


word: Acoumetry
definition:
Acoumetry

A*cou"me*try
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; to hear + -metry.]
The measuring of the power or extent of hearing.


word: Acoustic
definition:
Acoustic

A*cous"tic
(#; 277)
a.
[F. acoustique, Gr. _; relating to hearing, fr. _; to hear.]
Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds; auditory.

Acoustic duct, the auditory duct, or external passage of the ear. -- Acoustic telegraph, a telegraph making audible signals; a telephone. -- Acoustic vessels, brazen tubes or vessels, shaped like a bell, used in ancient theaters to propel the voices of the actors, so as to render them audible to a great distance.


word: Acoustics
definition:
Acoustics

A*cous"tics
(#; 277)
n.
[Names of sciences in -ics, as, acoustics, mathematics, etc., are usually treated as singular. See -ics.]
(Physics.)
The science of sounds, teaching their nature, phenomena, and laws.

Acoustics, then, or the science of sound, is a very considerable branch of physics.
Sir J. Herschel.

&hand_; The science is, by some writers, divided, into diacoustics, which explains the properties of sounds coming directly from the ear; and catacoustica, which treats of reflected sounds or echoes.


word: Acquaint₂
definition:
Acquaint

Ac*quaint"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acquainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acquainting.]
[OE. aqueinten, acointen, OF. acointier, LL. adcognitare, fr. L. ad + cognitus, p. p. of cognoscere to know; con- + noscere to know. See Quaint, Know.]
1.
To furnish or give experimental knowledge of; to make (one) to know; to make familiar; -- followed by with.

Before a man can speak on any subject, it is necessary to be acquainted with it.
Locke.

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
Isa. liii. 3.

2.
To communicate notice to; to inform; to make cognizant; -- followed by with (formerly, also, by of), or by that, introducing the intelligence; as, to acquaint a friend with the particulars of an act.

Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love.
Shak.

I must acquaint you that I have received
New dated letters from Northumberland.
Shak.

3.
To familiarize; to accustom.
[Obs.]
Evelyn.

To be acquainted with, to be possessed of personal knowledge of; to be cognizant of; to be more or less familiar with; to be on terms of social intercourse with.


word: Acquaintable
definition:
Acquaintable

Ac*quaint"a*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. OF. acointable]
Easy to be acquainted with; affable.
[Obs.]
Rom. of R.


word: Acquaintance
definition:
Acquaintance

Ac*quaint"ance
(_;)
n.
[OE. aqueintance, OF. acointance, fr. acointier. See Acquaint.]
1.
A state of being acquainted, or of having intimate, or more than slight or superficial, knowledge; personal knowledge gained by intercourse short of that of friendship or intimacy; as, I know the man; but have no acquaintance with him.

Contract no friendship, or even acquaintance, with a guileful man.
Sir W. Jones.

2.
A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.

Montgomery was an old acquaintance of Ferguson.
Macaulay.

&hand_; In this sense the collective term acquaintance was formerly both singular and plural, but it is now commonly singular, and has the regular plural acquaintances.

To be of acquaintance, to be intimate. -- To take acquaintance of or with, to make the acquaintance of. [Obs.]

Our admiration of a famous man lessens upon our nearer acquaintance with him.
Addison.

We contract at last such a familiarity with them as makes it difficult and irksome for us to call off our minds.
Atterbury.

It is in our power to confine our friendships and intimacies to men of virtue.
Rogers.


word: Acquainted
definition:
Acquainted

Ac*quaint"ed
a.
Personally known; familiar. See To be acquainted with, under Acquaint, v. t.


word: Acquaintedness
definition:
Acquaintedness

Ac*quaint"ed*ness
n.
State of being acquainted; degree of acquaintance.
[R.]
Boyle.


word: Acquest
definition:
Acquest

Ac*quest"
(#)
n.
[OF. aquest, F. acquêt, fr. LL. acquestum, acquisītum, for L. acquisītum, p. p. (used substantively) of acquirere to acquire. See Acquire.]

1.
Acquisition; the thing gained.
[R.]
Bacon.

2.
(Law)
Property acquired by purchase, gift, or otherwise than by inheritance.
Bouvier.


word: Acquiesce
definition:
Acquiesce

Ac`qui*esce"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Acquiesced (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Acquiescing (_;)]
[L. acquiescere; ad + quiescere to be quiet, fr. quies rest: cf. F. acquiescer. See Quiet.]
1.
To rest satisfied, or apparently satisfied, or to rest without opposition and discontent (usually implying previous opposition or discontent); to accept or consent by silence or by omitting to object; -- followed by in, formerly also by with and to.

They were compelled to acquiesce in a government which they did not regard as just.
De Quincey.

2.
To concur upon conviction; as, to acquiesce in an opinion; to assent to; usually, to concur, not heartily but so far as to forbear opposition.


word: Acquiescence
definition:
Acquiescence

Ac`qui*es"cence
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. acquiescence.]

1.
A silent or passive assent or submission, or a submission with apparent content; -- distinguished from avowed consent on the one hand, and on the other, from opposition or open discontent; quiet satisfaction.

2.
(Crim. Law)
(a)
Submission to an injury by the party injured.
(b)
Tacit concurrence in the action of another.
Wharton.


word: Acquiescent
definition:
Acquiescent

Ac`qui*es"cent
(_;)
a.
[L. acquiescens, -centis; p. pr.]
Resting satisfied or submissive; disposed tacitly to submit; assentive; as, an acquiescent policy.


word: Acquiet
definition:
Acquiet

Ac*qui"et
(_;)
v. t.
[LL. acquietare; L. ad + quies rest. See Quiet and cf. Acquit.]
To quiet.
[Obs.]

Acquiet his mind from stirring you against your own peace.
Sir A. Sherley.


word: Acquirability
definition:
Acquirability

Ac*quir"a*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
The quality of being acquirable; attainableness.
[R.]
Paley.


word: Acquire
definition:
Acquire

Ac*quire"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acquired (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Acquiring (_;).]
[L. acquirere, acquisitum; ad + quarere to seek for. In OE. was a verb aqueren, fr. the same, through OF. aquerre. See Quest..]
To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own; as, to acquire a title, riches, knowledge, skill, good or bad habits.

No virtue is acquired in an instant, but step by step.
Barrow.

Descent is the title whereby a man, on the death of his ancestor, acquires his estate, by right of representation, as his heir at law.
Blackstone.


word: acquired
definition:
acquired

acquired
adj.
1.
1
(Biol.)
gotten through environmental forces.  Contrasted with inherited.
acquired characteristics cannot be passed on
noninheritable (vs. inheritable), nonheritable

Syn. -- nurtural


word: Acquirement
definition:
Acquirement

Ac*quire"ment
(-ment)
n.
The act of acquiring, or that which is acquired; attainment.
acquirement
Addison.

His acquirements by industry were . . . enriched and enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature.
Hayward.


word: Acquisite
definition:
Acquisite

Ac"qui*site
(_;)
a.
[L. acquisitus, p. p. of acquirere. See Acquire.]
Acquired.
[Obs.]
Burton.


word: Acquisition
definition:
Acquisition

Ac`qui*si"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. acquisitio, fr. acquirere: cf. F. acquisition. See Acquire.]
1.
The act or process of acquiring.

The acquisition or loss of a province.
Macaulay.

2.
Specifically:
(Business, Finance)
The purchase of one commercial enterprise by another, whether for cash, or in a trade of stock of the purchasing company for that of the purchased company.

Syn. -- buyout, takeover.

3.
The thing acquired or gained; an acquirement; a gain; as, learning is an acquisition.


word: Acquisitive
definition:
Acquisitive

Ac*quis"i*tive
(_;)
a.
1.
Acquired.
[Obs.]

He died not in his acquisitive, but in his native soil.
Wotton.

2.
Able or disposed to make acquisitions; acquiring; as, an acquisitive person or disposition.


word: Acquisitiveness
definition:
Acquisitiveness

Ac*quis"i*tive*ness
n.
1.
The quality of being acquisitive; propensity to acquire property; desire of possession.

2.
(Phren.)
The faculty to which the phrenologists attribute the desire of acquiring and possessing.
Combe.


word: Acquit₂
definition:
Acquit

Ac*quit"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acquitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acquitting.]
[OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; _; (L. ad) + OF. quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See Quit, and cf. Acquiet.]
1.
To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to requite.

A responsibility that can never be absolutely acquitted.
I. Taylor.

2.
To pay for; to atone for.
[Obs.]
Shak.

3.
To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge; -- now followed by of before the charge, formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we acquit a man of evil intentions.

4.
(a)
To clear one's self.
Shak.
(b)
To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly.


word: Acquittal
definition:
Acquittal

Ac*quit"tal
(_;)
n.
1.
The act of acquitting; discharge from debt or obligation; acquittance.

2.
(Law)
A setting free, or deliverance from the charge of an offense, by verdict of a jury or sentence of a court.
Bouvier.


word: Acquittance
definition:
Acquittance

Ac*quit"tance
(_;)
n.
[OF. aquitance, fr. aquiter. See Acquit.]
1.
The clearing off of debt or obligation; a release or discharge from debt or other liability.

2.
A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand.

You can produce acquittances
For such a sum, from special officers.
Shak.


word: Acrania
definition:
Acrania

A*cra"ni*a
(_;)
n.
[NL., from Gr. 'a priv. + _; skull.]
1.
(Physiol.)
Partial or total absence of the skull.

2.
pl.
(Zool.)
The lowest group of Vertebrata, including the amphioxus, in which no skull exists.


word: Acraze
definition:
Acraze

Acrase

{ A*crase", A*craze"  }
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. a- + crase; or cf. F. écraser to crush. See Crase, Craze.]

1.
To craze.
[Obs.]
Grafton.

2.
To impair; to destroy.
[Obs.]
Hacket.


word: Acrasy
definition:
Acrasy

Acrasia

{ &VerbarA*cra"si*a (_;), Ac"ra*sy (_;) }
n.
[Gr. akrasia.]
Excess; intemperance.
[Obs. except in Med.]
Farindon.


word: Acraspeda
definition:
Acraspeda

A*cras"pe*da
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + _; border.]
(Zool.)
A group of acalephs, including most of the larger jellyfishes; the Discophora.


word: Acre
definition:
Acre

A"cre
(_;)
n.
[OE. aker, AS. æcer; akin to OS. accar, OHG. achar, Ger. acker, Icel. akr, Sw. åker, Dan. ager, Goth. akrs, L. ager, Gr. _;, Skr. ajra. √2, 206.]
1.
Any field of arable or pasture land.
[Obs.]

2.
A piece of land, containing 160 square rods, or 4,840 square yards, or 43,560 square feet. This is the English statute acre. That of the United States is the same. The Scotch acre was about 1.26 of the English, and the Irish 1.62 of the English.

&hand_; The acre was limited to its present definite quantity by statutes of Edward I., Edward III., and Henry VIII.

Broad acres, many acres, much landed estate. [Rhetorical] -- God's acre, God's field; the churchyard.

I like that ancient Saxon phrase, which calls
The burial ground, God's acre.
Longfellow.


word: Acred
definition:
Acred

A"cred
(_;)
a.
Possessing acres or landed property; -- used in composition; as, large-acred men.


word: Acrid
definition:
Acrid

Ac"rid
(_;)
a.
[L. acer sharp; prob. assimilated in form to acid. See Eager.]
1.
Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not, to the taste; pungent; as, acrid salts.

2.
Causing heat and irritation; corrosive; as, acrid secretions.

3.
Caustic; bitter; bitterly irritating; as, acrid temper, mind, writing.

Acrid poison, a poison which irritates, corrodes, or burns the parts to which it is applied.


word: Acridness
definition:
Acridness

Acridity

{ A*crid"i*ty (_;), Ac"rid*ness (_;) }
n.
The quality of being acrid or pungent; irritant bitterness; extreme bitterness; acrimony; as, the acridity of a plant, of a speech.

Syn. -- acridness

2.
having an acrid smell.

Syn. -- pungency


word: Acridotheres
definition:
Acridotheres

Acridotheres
n.
1.
1
a genus of birds comprising the mynas.

Syn. -- genus Acridotheres.


word: Acrimonious
definition:
Acrimonious

Ac"ri*mo"ni*ous
(_;)
a.
[Cf. LL. acrimonious, F. acrimonieux.]
1.
Acrid; corrosive; as, acrimonious gall.
[Archaic]
Harvey.

2.
Caustic; bitter-tempered' sarcastic; as, acrimonious dispute, language, temper.


word: Acrimony
definition:
Acrimony

Ac"ri*mo*ny
(_;)
n.
pl. Acrimonies (_;).
[L. acrimonia, fr. acer, sharp: cf. F. acrimonie.]
1.
A quality of bodies which corrodes or destroys others; also, a harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain plants.
[Archaic]
Bacon.

2.
Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper; irritating bitterness of disposition or manners.

John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant conceit of theirs.
South.

In his official letters he expressed, with great acrimony, his contempt for the king's character.
Macaulay.

It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received.
Johnson.

A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth of harshness and brutality.
Shaftesbury.


word: acrisy
definition:
acrisy

acrisia

{ &Verbara*cris"i*a (ȧ*krĭs"ĭ*ȧ), ac"ri*sy (ăk"rĭ*s&ybreve_;), }
n.
[LL. acrisia, Gr. 'akrisi`a; 'a priv. + kri`nein to separate, to decide.]
1.
Inability to judge.

2.
(Med.)
Undecided character of a disease.
[Obs.]


word: Acrita
definition:
Acrita

Ac"ri*ta
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _; indiscernible; 'a priv. + _; to distinguish.]
(Zool.)
The lowest groups of animals, in which no nervous system has been observed.


word: Acritical
definition:
Acritical

A*crit"ic*al
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; critical.]
(Med.)
Having no crisis; giving no indications of a crisis; as, acritical symptoms, an acritical abscess.
[R.]
AS


word: Acritochromacy
definition:
Acritochromacy

Ac`ri*to*chro"ma*cy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; undistinguishable; 'a priv. + _; to separate, distinguish + _; color.]
Color blindness; achromatopsy.


word: Acritude
definition:
Acritude

Ac"ri*tude
(_;)
n.
[L. acritudo, from acer sharp.]
Acridity; pungency joined with heat.
[Obs.]


word: Acroamatical
definition:
Acroamatical

Acroamatic

{ Ac`ro*a*mat"ic (_;), Ac`ro*a*mat"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to hear.]
Communicated orally; oral; -- applied to the esoteric teachings of Aristotle, those intended for his genuine disciples, in distinction from his exoteric doctrines, which were adapted to outsiders or the public generally. Hence: Abstruse; profound.


word: Acrobat
definition:
Acrobat

Ac"ro*bat
(_;)
n.
[F. acrobate, fr. Gr. _; walking on tiptoe, climbing aloft; _; high + _; to go.]
One who practices rope dancing, high vaulting, or other daring gymnastic feats.


word: Acrocarpous
definition:
Acrocarpous

Ac`ro*car"pous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; extreme, highest + _; fruit.]
(Bot.)
(a)
Having a terminal fructification; having the fruit at the end of the stalk.
(b)
Having the fruit stalks at the end of a leafy stem, as in certain mosses.


word: Acrocephalic
definition:
Acrocephalic

Ac`ro*ce*phal"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; highest + _;. See Cephalic.]
Characterized by a high skull.


word: Acroceraunian
definition:
Acroceraunian

Ac`ro*ce*rau"ni*an
(_;)
a.
[L. acroceraunius, fr. Gr. _; high, n. pl. _; heights + _; thunderbolt.]
Of or pertaining to the high mountain range of “thunder-smitten” peaks (now Kimara), between Epirus and Macedonia.
Shelley.


word: Acroclinium
definition:
Acroclinium

Acroclinium
n.
1.
1
a genus of herbs and shrubs of Australia and Southern Africa, with an everlasting flower; most species are usually placed in genus Helipterum.

Syn. -- genus Acroclinium


word: Acrocomia
definition:
Acrocomia

Acrocomia
n.
1.
1
a genus of Central and South American feather palms.

Syn. -- genus Acrocomia


word: Acrodactylum
definition:
Acrodactylum

Ac`ro*dac"tyl*um
(_;)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _; topmost + _; finger.]
(Zool.)
The upper surface of the toes, individually.


word: Acrodont
definition:
Acrodont

Ac"ro*dont
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a`kros summit + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.]
(Zool.)
One of a group of lizards having the teeth immovably united to the top of the alveolar ridge.
a. Of or pertaining to the acrodonts.


word: Acrogen
definition:
Acrogen

Ac"ro*gen
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a`kros extreme, high + -gen.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the highest class of cryptogams, including the ferns, etc. See Cryptogamia.

The Age of Acrogens (Geol.), the age of coal plants, or the carboniferous era.


word: acrogenic
definition:
acrogenic

acrogenic
adj.
1.
1
pertaining to acrogens, flowerless plants (ferns or mosses) in which growth occurs only at the tip of the main stem.

Syn. -- acrogenous


word: Acrogenous
definition:
Acrogenous

Ac*rog"e*nous
(_;)
a.
(Bot.)
Increasing by growth from the extremity; as, an acrogenous plant.


word: Acrolein
definition:
Acrolein

A*cro"le*in
(_;)
n.
[L. acer sharp + olēre to smell.]
(Chem.)
A limpid, colorless, highly volatile liquid, obtained by the dehydration of glycerin, or the destructive distillation of neutral fats containing glycerin. Its vapors are intensely irritating.
Watts.


word: Acrolith
definition:
Acrolith

Ac"ro*lith
(_;)
n.
[L. acrolthus, Gr. 'akroli`qos with the ends made of stone; 'a`kros extreme + li`qos stone.]
(Arch. & Sculp.)
A statue whose extremities are of stone, the trunk being generally of wood.
Elmes.


word: Acrolithic
definition:
Acrolithic

Acrolithan

{ A*crol"i*than (_;), Ac`ro*lith"ic (_;), }
a.
Pertaining to, or like, an acrolith.


word: Acromegaly
definition:
Acromegaly

Ac`ro*meg"a*ly
(ăk`ro̝*mĕg"ȧ*l&ybreve_;)
n.
[NL. acromegalia, fr. Gr. 'a`kron point, peak + me`gas, mega`loy, big.]
(Med.)
Chronic enlargement of many bones of the skeleton, especially bones of hands, feet and face; the condition is due to excessive secretion of growth hormone.


word: Acromial
definition:
Acromial

A*cro"mi*al
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. acromial.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the acromion.
Dunglison.


word: Acromion
definition:
Acromion

A*cro"mi*on
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;; 'a`kros extreme + _; shoulder: cf. F. acromion.]
(Anat.)
The outer extremity of the shoulder blade.


word: Acromonogrammatic
definition:
Acromonogrammatic

Ac`ro*mon`o*gram*mat"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a`kros extreme + _; alone + _; a letter.]
Having each verse begin with the same letter as that with which the preceding verse ends.


word: Acronychal
definition:
Acronychal

Acronyc

{ A*cron"yc (_;), A*cron"ych*al (_;), }
a.
[Gr. 'akro`nychos at nightfall; 'a`kros + ny`x night.]
(Astron.)
Rising at sunset and setting at sunrise, as a star; -- opposed to cosmical.

&hand_; The word is sometimes incorrectly written acronical, achronychal, acronichal, and acronical.


word: Acronycally
definition:
Acronycally

A*cron"yc*al*ly
adv.
In an acronycal manner as rising at the setting of the sun, and vice versa.


word: Acronyctous
definition:
Acronyctous

Ac"ro*nyc"tous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'akro`nyktos; 'a`kros + ny`x, nykto`s, night.]
(Astron.)
Acronycal.


word: Acropetal
definition:
Acropetal

A*crop"e*tal
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a`kros summit + L. petere to seek.]
(Bot.)
Developing from below towards the apex, or from the circumference towards the center; centripetal; -- said of certain inflorescence.


word: Acrophony
definition:
Acrophony

A*croph"o*ny
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a`kros extreme + _; sound.]
The use of a picture symbol of an object to represent phonetically the initial sound of the name of the object.


word: Acropodium
definition:
Acropodium

Ac`ro*po"di*um
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a`kros topmost + poy`s, podo`s, foot.]
(Zool.)
The entire upper surface of the foot.


word: Acropolis
definition:
Acropolis

A*crop"o*lis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'akro`polis; 'a`kros extreme + po`lis city.]
The upper part, or the citadel, of a Grecian city; especially, the citadel of Athens.


word: Acrospire
definition:
Acrospire

Ac"ro*spire
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; + _; anything twisted.]
(Bot.)
The sprout at the end of a seed when it begins to germinate; the plumule in germination; -- so called from its spiral form.


word: Acrospore
definition:
Acrospore

Ac"ro*spore
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; + _; fruit.]
(Bot.)
A spore borne at the extremity of the cells of fructification in fungi.


word: Across
definition:
Across

A*cross"
(#; 115)
prep.
[Pref. a- + cross: cf. F. en croix. See Cross, n.]
From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river.
Dryden.

To come across, to come upon or meet incidentally. Freeman. -- To go across the country, to go by a direct course across a region without following the roads.


word: Across₂
definition:
Across

A*cross"
adv.
1.
From side to side; crosswise; as, with arms folded across.
Shak.

2.
Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry.
[Obs.]

The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ.
Bp. Hall.


word: across-the-board
definition:
across-the-board

across-the-board
adj.
1.
broad in scope or content
limited, exclusive

Syn. -- all-embracing, all-inclusive, blanket(prenominal), broad, complete, global, panoptic, wide


word: Acrostic
definition:
Acrostic

A*cros"tic
(_;)
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; extreme + _; order, line, verse.]
1.
A composition, usually in verse, in which the first or the last letters of the lines, or certain other letters, taken in order, form a name, word, phrase, or motto.

2.
A Hebrew poem in which the lines or stanzas begin with the letters of the alphabet in regular order (as Psalm cxix.). See Abecedarian.

Double acrostic, a species of enigma, in which words are to be guessed whose initial and final letters form other words.


word: Acrostical
definition:
Acrostical

Acrostic

{ A*cros"tic (_;), A*cros"tic*al (_;), }
n.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, acrostics.


word: Acrotarsium
definition:
Acrotarsium

Ac`ro*tar"si*um
(_;)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _; topmost + _; tarsus.]
(Zool.)
The instep or front of the tarsus.


word: Acroteleutic
definition:
Acroteleutic

Ac`ro*te*leu"tic
(ăk`ro̝*te̝*lū"tĭk)
n.
[Gr. 'a`kros extreme + teley`th end.]
(Eccles.)
The end of a verse or psalm, or something added thereto, to be sung by the people, by way of a response.


word: Acroter
definition:
Acroter

Ac"ro*ter
(ăk`ro̝*tẽr or ȧ*kr&omacr*tẽr)
n.
[F. acrotère. See Acroterium.]
(Arch.)
Same as Acroterium.


word: Acroterial
definition:
Acroterial

Ac`ro*te"ri*al
(ăk`ro̝*tē"rĭ*al)
a.
Pertaining to an acroterium; as, acroterial ornaments.
P. Cyc.


word: Acroterium
definition:
Acroterium

Ac`ro*te`ri*um
(-ŭm)
n.
pl. Acroteria (_;).
[L., fr. Gr. 'akrwth`rion summit, fr. 'a`kros topmost.]
(Arch.)
(a)
One of the small pedestals, for statues or other ornaments, placed on the apex and at the basal angles of a pediment. Acroteria are also sometimes placed upon the gables in Gothic architecture.
J. H. Parker.
(b)
One of the pedestals, for vases or statues, forming a part roof balustrade.


word: acrotic
definition:
acrotic

a*crot"ic
(ȧ*kr&obreve_;t"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. 'akro`ths an extreme, fr. 'a`kros.]
1.
(Med.)
Pertaining to or affecting the surface of the body.
AS

2.
(Med.)
Pertaining to acrotism.
Dorland.


word: acrotism
definition:
acrotism

ac"ro*tism
(ăk"ro̝*tĭz'm)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + kro`tos a rattling, beating.]
(Med.)
Lack or defect of pulsation.
AS


word: Acrotomous
definition:
Acrotomous

A*crot"o*mous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'akro`tomos cut off sharp; 'a`kros extreme + te`mnein to cut.]
(Min.)
Having a cleavage parallel with the base.


word: acrylic
definition:
acrylic

a*cryl"ic
(ȧ*krĭl"ĭk)
a.
1.
(Chem.)
Of or containing acryl, the hypothetical radical (R.CH:CH.CO-) of which acrolein (H2C:CH.CHO) is the hydride; as, acrylic acid.  The characteristic residue in an acrylic compound is the carbonyl group attached directly to an ethylenic carbon.

2.
Of or pertaining to a derivative of acrylic acid, or an object consisting mostly of an acrylic resin; as, an acrylic window.


word: Acrylic
definition:
Acrylic

A*cryl"ic
(_;)
a.
1.
A paint in which the pigment is suspended in a solution of an acrylic resin, which dries to a hard film on exposure to air.

2.
A painting made using an acrylic paint; as, he donated several of his acrylics to the museum.

3.
Same as acrylic resin.

4.
Same as acrylic fiber.


word: Acrylic resin
definition:
Acrylic resin

A*cryl"ic re"sin
(_;)
n.
1.
(Chem.)
a thermoplastic made by polymerization of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or some derivative of these (such as the esters or amides).  It can be formed into a clear hard plastic, and is the basis for the commercial plastics called Lucite and Plexiglass.


word: acrylonitrile
definition:
acrylonitrile

acrylonitrile
n.
1.
a colorless liquid compound (H2C:CH.CN); used as raw material for acrylic fibers, and as a solvent.

Syn. -- vinyl cyanide, cyanoethylene, 2-propenenitrile


word: Act
definition:
Act

Act
(ăkt)
n.
[L. actus, fr. agere to drive, do: cf. F. acte. See Agent.]
1.
That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.

That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love.
Wordsworth.

2.
A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.
[Obs.]

The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be.
Hooker.

3.
Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).
In act
Dryden.

This woman was taken . . . in the very act.
John viii. 4.

Act of attainder. (Law) See Attainder. -- Act of bankruptcy (Law), an act of a debtor which renders him liable to be adjudged a bankrupt. -- Act of faith. (Ch. Hist.) See Auto-da-Fé. -- Act of God (Law), an inevitable accident; such extraordinary interruption of the usual course of events as is not to be looked for in advance, and against which ordinary prudence could not guard. --  Act of grace, an expression often used to designate an act declaring pardon or amnesty to numerous offenders, as at the beginning of a new reign. -- Act of indemnity, a statute passed for the protection of those who have committed some illegal act subjecting them to penalties. Abbott. -- Act in pais, a thing done out of court (anciently, in the country), and not a matter of record.


word: Act₂
definition:
Act

Act
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Acted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acting.]
[L. actus, p. p. of agere to drive, lead, do; but influenced by E. act, n.]
1.
To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
[Obs.]

Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul.
Pope.

2.
To perform; to execute; to do.
[Archaic]

That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity.
Jer. Taylor.

Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do.
Barrow.

Uplifted hands that at convenient times
Could act extortion and the worst of crimes.
Cowper.

3.
To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.

4.
To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.

5.
To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.

With acted fear the villain thus pursued.
Dryden.

To act a part, to sustain the part of one of the characters in a play; hence, to simulate; to dissemble. -- To act the part of, to take the character of; to fulfill the duties of.


word: Act₃
definition:
Act

Act
v. i.
1.
To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.

2.
To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a determination of the will.

He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest.
Pope.

3.
To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has acted so.

4.
To perform on the stage; to represent a character.

To show the world how Garrick did not act.
Cowper.

To act as or To act for, to do the work of; to serve as. -- To act on, to regulate one's conduct according to. -- To act up to, to equal in action; to fulfill in practice; as, he has acted up to his engagement or his advantages.


word: ACTH
definition:
ACTH

ACTH
n.
1.
a growth hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates the adrenal cortex.

Syn. -- adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, adrenocorticotropin, adrenocorticotrophin, corticotropin, corticotrophin


word: Actinal
definition:
Actinal

Ac"ti*nal
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray.]
(Zool.)
Pertaining to the part of a radiate animal which contains the mouth.
L. Agassiz.


word: Actinaria
definition:
Actinaria

Ac`ti*na"ri*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. _;, _;, ray.]
(Zool.)
An order of Anthozoa, including those which have simple tentacles and do not form stony corals. Sometimes, in a wider sense, applied to all the Anthozoa, expert the Alcyonaria, whether forming corals or not.


word: Acting
definition:
Acting

Act"ing
(_;)
a.
1.
Operating in any way.

2.
Doing duty for another; officiating; as, an   acting superintendent.


word: Actinia
definition:
Actinia

Ac*tin"i*a
(_;)
n.
pl. L. Actiniæ (_;), E. Actinias (_;).
[Latinized fr. Gr. _;, _;, ray.]
(Zool.)
(a)
An animal of the class Anthozoa, and family Actinidæ.  From a resemblance to flowers in form and color, they are often called animal flowers and sea anemones. [See Polyp.].
(b)
A genus in the family Actinidæ.


word: Actiniaria
definition:
Actiniaria

Actiniaria
n.
1.
1
the order comprising sea anemones.

Syn. -- order Actiniaria, Actinaria, order Actinaria


word: Actinidia
definition:
Actinidia

Actinidia
n.
1.
1
a small Asiatic woody vine bearing many-seeded fruit.

Syn. -- genus Actinidia.


word: Actinidiaceae
definition:
Actinidiaceae

Actinidiaceae
n.
1.
1
tropical trees or shrubs or woody vines.

Syn. -- family Actinidiaceae


word: Actiniform
definition:
Actiniform

Ac*tin"i*form
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + -form.]
Having a radiated form, like a sea anemone.


word: Actiniopteris
definition:
Actiniopteris

Actiniopteris
n.
1.
1
a genus of terrestrial ferns of tropical Asia and Africa.

Syn. -- genus Actiniopteris.


word: Actinism
definition:
Actinism

Ac"tin*ism
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _; ray.]
The property of radiant energy (found chiefly in solar or electric light) by which chemical changes are produced, as in photography.


word: Actinium
definition:
Actinium

Ac*tin"i*um
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray.]
(Chem.)
A supposed metal, said by Phipson to be contained in commercial zinc; -- so called because certain of its compounds are darkened by exposure to light.


word: Actinogram
definition:
Actinogram

Ac*tin"o*gram
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + -gram.]
A record made by the actinograph.

[Obsolescent]


word: Actinograph
definition:
Actinograph

Ac*tin"o*graph
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + -graph.]
An instrument for measuring and recording the variations in the actinic or chemical force of rays of light.
Nichol.


word: Actinoid
definition:
Actinoid

Ac"tin*oid
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + -oid.]
Having the form of rays; radiated, as an actinia.


word: Actinolite
definition:
Actinolite

Ac*tin"o*lite
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + -lite.]
(Min.)
A bright green variety of amphibole occurring usually in fibrous or columnar masses.


word: Actinology
definition:
Actinology

Ac`ti*nol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + -logy.]
The science which treats of rays of light, especially of the actinic or chemical rays.


word: Actinomere
definition:
Actinomere

Ac*tin"o*mere
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + _; part.]
(Zool.)
One of the radial segments composing the body of one of the Cœlenterata.


word: Actinometer
definition:
Actinometer

Ac`ti*nom"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + -meter]
(a)
An instrument for measuring the direct heating power of the sun's rays.
(b)
An instrument for measuring the actinic effect of rays of light.


word: Actinometric
definition:
Actinometric

Ac`ti*no*met"ric
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to the measurement of the intensity of the solar rays, either (a) heating, or (b) actinic.


word: Actinometry
definition:
Actinometry

Ac`ti*nom"e*try
(_;)
n.
1.
The measurement of the force of solar radiation.
Maury.

2.
The measurement of the chemical or actinic energy of light.
Abney.


word: Actinomycetales
definition:
Actinomycetales

Actinomycetales
n.
1.
1
filamentous or rod-shaped bacteria.

Syn. -- order Actinomycetales


word: actinomycetes
definition:
actinomycetes

actinomycetes
n.
1.
branched gram-positive bacteria, often found in soil, some of which are pathogenic for humans and animals.
some species have been found to produce metabolites which are useful in medicine.  Many species of these bacteria have been isolated and extensively screened by pharmaceutical companies and university research groups for production of useful therapeutic agents.  Among the agent produced by actinomycetes are tetracyclines, streptomycin, avermectin, and thienamycin


word: actinomycin
definition:
actinomycin

actinomycin
n.
[From actinomyces, the genus of the organism in which they were first found.]
1.
any of various red antibiotics isolated from soil bacteria with a three-ring heterocyclic nucleus with an attached peptide chain.
Actinomycin D is the most well-known and has been used to treat certain tumors.  They act by binding to DNA and inhibiting the transcription of RNA.  Their binding to DNA has been much studied.

Syn. -- actinomycin
actinomycin C
actinomycin F1
actinomycin D


word: actinomycin D
definition:
actinomycin D

actinomycin D
n.
[From actinomyces, the genus of the organism in which they were first found.]
The most well-known of the actinomycins (C62H86N12O16), a class of antibiotics which act by binding to DNA and inhibiting synthesis of RNA; they act agains gram-positive bacteria and many eukaryotic organisma.  Actinomycin D has been used in human medicine to treat certain tumors.

Syn. -- dactinomycin, actinomycin IV, Cosmegen[trade name], actinomycin C1, actinomycin I1


word: Actinomycosis
definition:
Actinomycosis

Ac`ti*no*my*co"sis
(ăk`tĭ*no̝*mī*k&omacr"sĭs)
n.
[NL.]
(Med.)
A chronic infectious disease of cattle and man due to infection with actinomycetes, especially by Actinomyces bovis in cattle and by Actinomyces israeli or Arachnia propionica in man. It is characterized by hard swellings usually in the mouth and jaw. In man the disease may also affect the abdomen or thorax. In cattle it is called also lumpy jaw or big jaw.


word: Actinomyxidia
definition:
Actinomyxidia

Actinomyxidia
n.
1.
an order comprising parasites of worms.

Syn. -- order Actinomyxidia.


word: Actinophone
definition:
Actinophone

Ac*tin"o*phone
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + _; voice.]
(Physics)
An apparatus for the production of sound by the action of the actinic, or ultraviolet, rays.


word: Actinophonic
definition:
Actinophonic

Ac*tin`o*phon"ic
(?)
a.
(Physics)
Pertaining to, or causing the production of, sound by means of the actinic, or ultraviolet, rays; as, actinophonic phenomena.


word: Actinophorous
definition:
Actinophorous

Ac`ti*noph"o*rous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + fe`rein to bear.]
Having straight projecting spines.


word: Actinosome
definition:
Actinosome

Ac*tin"o*some
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; ray + _; body.]
(Zool.)
The entire body of a cœlenterate.


word: Actinost
definition:
Actinost

Ac"tin*ost
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + _; bone.]
(Anat.)
One of the bones at the base of a paired fin of a fish.


word: Actinostome
definition:
Actinostome

Ac*tin"o*stome
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, a ray + _; mouth.]
(Zool.)
The mouth or anterior opening of a cœlenterate animal.


word: Actinotrocha
definition:
Actinotrocha

Ac`ti*not"ro*cha
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL.; Gr. _;, _;, a ray + _; a ring.]
(Zool.)
A peculiar larval form of Phoronis, a genus of marine worms, having a circle of ciliated tentacles.


word: Actinozoa
definition:
Actinozoa

Ac"ti*no*zo"a
(_;)
n. pl.
[Gr. _;, _;, ray + zw^,on animal.]
(Zool.)
A group of Cœlenterata, comprising the Anthozoa and Ctenophora. The sea anemone, or actinia, is a familiar example.


word: Actinula
definition:
Actinula

Ac*tin"u*la
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, _;, a ray.]
(Zool.)
A kind of embryo of certain hydroids (Tubularia), having a stellate form.


word: Action
definition:
Action

Ac"tion
(_;)
n.
[OF. action, L. actio, fr. agere to do. See Act.]
1.
A process or condition of acting or moving, as opposed to rest; the doing of something; exertion of power or force, as when one body acts on another; the effect of power exerted on one body by another; agency; activity; operation; as, the action of heat; a man of action.

One wise in council, one in action brave.
Pope.

2.
An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.):   Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.

The Lord is a Good of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
1 Sam. ii. 3.

3.
The event or connected series of events, either real or imaginary, forming the subject of a play, poem, or other composition; the unfolding of the drama of events.

4.
Movement; as, the horse has a spirited action.

5.
(Mech.)
Effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech action of a gun.

6.
(Physiol.)
Any one of the active processes going on in an organism; the performance of a function; as, the action of the heart, the muscles, or the gastric juice.

7.
(Orat.)
Gesticulation; the external deportment of the speaker, or the suiting of his attitude, voice, gestures, and countenance, to the subject, or to the feelings.

8.
(Paint. & Sculp.)
The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.

9.
(Law)
(a)
A suit or process, by which a demand is made of a right in a court of justice; in a broad sense, a judicial proceeding for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense.
(b)
A right of action; as, the law gives an action for every claim.

10.
(Com.)
A share in the capital stock of a joint-stock company, or in the public funds; hence, in the plural, equivalent to stocks.
[A Gallicism]
[Obs.]

The Euripus of funds and actions.
Burke.

11.
An engagement between troops in war, whether on land or water; a battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial action.

12.
(Music)
The mechanical contrivance by means of which the impulse of the player's finger is transmitted to the strings of a pianoforte or to the valve of an organ pipe.
Grove.

Chose in action. (Law) See Chose. -- Quantity of action (Physics), the product of the mass of a body by the space it runs through, and its velocity.

Syn. -- Action, Act.
 In many cases action and act are synonymous; but some distinction is observable.  Action involves the mode or process of acting, and is usually viewed as occupying some time in doing. Act has more reference to the effect, or the operation as complete.
To poke the fire is an act, to reconcile friends who have quarreled is a praiseworthy action. C. J. Smith.


word: Actionable
definition:
Actionable

Ac"tion*a*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. LL. actionabilis. See Action.]
That may be the subject of an action or suit at law; as, to call a man a thief is actionable.


word: Actionist
definition:
Actionist

Actionary

{ Ac"tion*a*ry (_;), Ac"tion*ist (_;), }
n.
[Cf. F. actionnaire.]
(Com.)
A shareholder in joint-stock company.
[Obs.]


word: Actium
definition:
Actium

Actium
n.
1.
naval battle where Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian's fleet under Agrippa in 31 BC.


word: activated
definition:
activated

activated
adj.
1.
(Sewage treatment)
treated with aeration and bacteria to aid decomposition; -- of sewage

3.
(Physics)
made reactive or more reactive; -- of e.g. a molecule

Syn. -- activated, excited

4.
rendered active; -- as e.g. radioactive or luminescent or photosensitive or conductive

Syn. -- activated

5.
(Military)
 set up and placed on active assignment
a newly activated unit

Syn. -- activated


word: activating
definition:
activating

activating
adj. prenom.
1.
causing motion or action or change

Syn. -- actuating(prenominal)


word: activation
definition:
activation

activation
n.
1.
the process of making active.

Syn. -- energizing, activating

2.
making active and effective (as a bomb).

certain devices, as bombs or artillery shells, are designed to be unable to operate until a specific action (activation or arming) is taken to make them operable.


word: activator
definition:
activator

activator
n.
1.
any agency bringing about activation; (Biol.) a molecule that increases the activity of an enzyme or a protein that increases the production of a gene product in DNA transcription.


word: Active
definition:
Active

Ac"tive
(_;)
a.
[F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere to act.]
1.
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; -- opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.

2.
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.

Active and nervous was his gait.
Wordsworth.

3.
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; -- opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.

4.
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; -- opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.

5.
Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.

6.
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; -- opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.

7.
Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.

8.
Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.

9.
(Gram.)
(a)
Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice. 
(b)
Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
(c)
Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.

Active capital, Active wealth, money, or property that may readily be converted into money.


word: Actively
definition:
Actively

Ac"tive*ly
adv.
1.
In an active manner; nimbly; briskly; energetically; also, by one's own action; voluntarily, not passively.

2.
(Gram.)
In an active signification; as, a word used   actively.


word: Activeness
definition:
Activeness

Ac"tive*ness
n.
The quality of being active; nimbleness; quickness of motion; activity.


word: activism
definition:
activism

activism
n.
1.
a policy of taking direct and militant action to achieve a political or social goal.


word: Activity
definition:
Activity

Ac*tiv"i*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Activities (_;).
[Cf. F. activité, LL. activitas.]
The state or quality of being active; nimbleness; agility; vigorous action or operation; energy; active force; as, an increasing variety of human activities.
activity
Palfrey.


word: Acton
definition:
Acton

Ac"ton
(_;)
n.
[OF. aketon, auqueton, F. hoqueton, a quilted jacket, fr. Sp. alcoton, algodon, cotton. Cf. Cotton.]
A stuffed jacket worn under the mail, or (later) a jacket plated with mail.
[Spelled also hacqueton.]
[Obs.]
Halliwell. Sir W. Scott.


word: Actor
definition:
Actor

Ac"tor
(_;)
n.
[L. actor, fr. agere to act.]
1.
One who acts, or takes part in any affair; a doer.

2.
A theatrical performer; a stageplayer.

After a well graced actor leaves the stage.
Shak.

3.
(Law)
(a)
An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes.
Jacobs.
(b)
One who institutes a suit; plaintiff or complainant.


word: Actress
definition:
Actress

Ac`tress
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. actrice.]
1.
A female actor or doer.
[Obs.]
Cockeram.

2.
A female stageplayer; a woman who acts a part.


word: Acts
definition:
Acts

Acts
n.
1.
1
one of the books of the Christian New Testament describing the activities of Christ's apostles after his death.

Syn. -- Acts of the Apostles


word: Actual
definition:
Actual

Ac"tu*al
(#; 135)
a.
[OE. actuel, F. actuel, L. actualis, fr. agere to do, act.]
1.
Involving or comprising action; active.
[Obs.]

Her walking and other actual performances.
Shak.

Let your holy and pious intention be actual; that is . . . by a special prayer or action, . . . given to God.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Existing in act or reality; really acted or acting; in fact; real; -- opposed to potential, possible, virtual, speculative, conceivable, theoretical, or nominal; as, the actual cost of goods; the actual case under discussion.

3.
In action at the time being; now exiting; present; as the actual situation of the country.

Actual cautery. See under Cautery. -- Actual sin (Theol.), that kind of sin which is done by ourselves in contradistinction to “original sin.”


word: Actual₂
definition:
Actual

Ac"tu*al
(_;)
n.
(Finance)
Something actually received; real, as distinct from estimated, receipts.
[Cant]

The accounts of revenues supplied . . . were not real receipts: not, in financial language, “actuals,” but only Egyptian budget estimates.
Fortnightly Review.


word: Actualist
definition:
Actualist

Ac"tu*al*ist
n.
One who deals with or considers actually existing facts and conditions, rather than fancies or theories; a realist; -- opposed to idealist.
J. Grote.


word: Actuality
definition:
Actuality

Ac`tu*al"i*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Actualities (_;).
The state of being actual; reality; as, the actuality of God's nature.
South.


word: Actualization
definition:
Actualization

Actualisation

Ac`tu*al*i*sa"tion, Ac`tu*al*i*za"tion
(_;)
n.
A making actual or really existent; giving the appearance of reality.
[R.]
Emerson.

Syn. -- realization, realisation.


word: actualized
definition:
actualized

actualized
adj.
changed from potential to actual; as, saw his worst fears actualized.

Syn. -- realized


word: Actually
definition:
Actually

Ac"tu*al*ly
adv.
1.
Actively.
[Obs.]
actually
Fuller.

2.
In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.


word: Actuarial
definition:
Actuarial

Ac`tu*a"ri*al
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to actuaries; as, the actuarial value of an annuity.


word: Actuary
definition:
Actuary

Ac"tu*a*ry
(_;)
n.
pl. Actuaries (_;).
[L. actuarius copyist, clerk, fr. actus, p. p. of agere to do, act.]
1.
(Law)
A registrar or clerk; -- used originally in courts of civil law jurisdiction, but in Europe used for a clerk or registrar generally.

2.
The computing official of an insurance company; one whose profession it is to calculate for insurance companies the risks and premiums for life, fire, and other insurances.


word: Actuate
definition:
Actuate

Ac"tu*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Actuated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Actuating (_;).]
[LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L. actus act.]
1.
To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action; to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more commonly used of persons.

Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
Johnson.

Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it.
Addison.

2.
To carry out in practice; to perform.
[Obs.]
actuate
Jer. Taylor.


word: Actuate₂
definition:
Actuate

Ac"tu*ate
(_;)
a.
[LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare.]
Put in action; actuated.
[Obs.]
South.


word: actuating
definition:
actuating

actuating
adj. prenom.
1.
causing motion or action or change

Syn. -- activating(prenominal)


word: Actuation
definition:
Actuation

Ac`tu*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. LL. actuatio.]
A bringing into action; movement.
Bp.  Pearson.


word: Acturience
definition:
Acturience

Ac*tu"ri*ence
(_;)
n.
[A desid. of L. agere, actum, to act.]
Tendency or impulse to act.
[R.]

Acturience, or desire of action, in one form or another, whether as restlessness, ennui, dissatisfaction, or the imagination of something desirable.
J. Grote.


word: Acuate
definition:
Acuate

Ac"u*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. acus needle.]
To sharpen; to make pungent; to quicken.
[Obs.]
acuate
Harvey.


word: Acuition
definition:
Acuition

Ac`u*i"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. acutus, as if acuitus, p. p. of acuere to sharpen.]
The act of sharpening.
[Obs.]


word: Acuity
definition:
Acuity

A*cu"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[LL. acuitas: cf. F. acuité.]
Sharpness or acuteness, as of a needle, wit, etc.


word: Aculea
definition:
Aculea

A*cu"le*a
(_;)
n.
[L. aculeus, dim. of acus needle.]
A small spiny outgrowth on the wings of certain insects.


word: Aculeate
definition:
Aculeate

A*cu"le*ate
(_;)
a.
[L. aculeatus, fr. aculeus, dim. of acus needle.]
1.
(Zool.)
Having a sting; covered with prickles; sharp like a prickle.

2.
(Bot.)
Having prickles, or sharp points; beset with prickles.

3.
Severe or stinging; incisive.
[R.]
Bacon.


word: Aculeolate
definition:
Aculeolate

A*cu"le*o*late
(_;)
a.
[L. aculeolus little needle.]
(Bot.)
Having small prickles or sharp points.
Gray.


word: Aculeus
definition:
Aculeus

A*cu"le*us
(_;)
n.
pl. Aculei (_;).
[L., dim. of acus needle.]
1.
(Bot.)
A prickle growing on the bark, as in some brambles and roses.
Lindley.

2.
(Zool.)
A sting.


word: Acumen
definition:
Acumen

A*cu"men
(_;)
n.
[L. acumen, fr. acuere to sharpen. Cf. Acute.]
Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination.
Selden.


word: Acuminate
definition:
Acuminate

A*cu"mi*nate
(_;)
a.
[L. acuminatus, p. p. of acuminare to sharpen, fr. acumen. See Acumen.]
Tapering to a point; pointed; as, acuminate leaves, teeth, etc.


word: Acumination
definition:
Acumination

A*cu`mi*na"tion
(_;)
n.
A sharpening; termination in a sharp point; a tapering point.
Bp. Pearson.


word: Acupressure
definition:
Acupressure

Ac`u*pres"sure
(_;)
n.
[L. acus needle + premere, pressum, to press.]
(Surg.)
A mode of arresting hemorrhage resulting from wounds or surgical operations, by passing under the divided vessel a needle, the ends of which are left exposed externally on the cutaneous surface.
Simpson.


word: Acupuncture
definition:
Acupuncture

Ac`u*punc"ture
(ăk`&uuptack_;*pŭ&nsmacr_;k"t&uuptack_;r or ăk"&uuptack_;*pŭ&nsmacr_;k`ch&uuptack_;r)
n.
[L. acus needle + punctura a pricking, fr. pungere to prick: cf. F. acuponcture.]
Pricking with a needle; a needle prick.
Specifically
(Med.)
The insertion of needles into the living tissues for remedial purposes, such as to relieve pain.  It was first recorded as being practised in China, and the technique is believed to be over 2,000 years old.
AS

Acupuncture
(An NIH Consensus Statement prepared by a nonadvocate, non-Federal panel of experts)

November 3-5, 1997
Vol. 15, No. 5

Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States.  While there have been many studies of its potential usefulness, many of these studies provide equivocal results because of design, sample size, and other factors.  The issue is further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of appropriate controls, such as placebos and sham acupuncture groups.  However, promising results have emerged, for example, showing efficacy of acupuncture in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain.  There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofacial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.  Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful.

taken from: http://odp.od.nih.gov/consensus/cons/107/107_intro.htm


word: Acute
definition:
Acute

A*cute"
(_;)
a.
[L. acutus, p. p. of acuere to sharpen, fr. a root ak to be sharp. Cf. Ague, Cute, Edge.]
1.
Sharp at the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; -- opposed to blunt or obtuse; as, an acute angle; an acute leaf.

2.
Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to dull or stupid; as, an acute observer; acute remarks, or reasoning.

3.
Having nice or quick sensibility; susceptible to slight impressions; acting keenly on the senses; sharp; keen; intense; as, a man of acute eyesight, hearing, or feeling; acute pain or pleasure.

4.
High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; -- opposed to grave or low; as, an acute tone or accent.

5.
(Med.)
Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity, and coming speedily to a crisis; -- opposed to chronic; as, an acute disease.
AS

Acute angle (Geom.), an angle less than a right angle.


word: Acute₂
definition:
Acute

A*cute"
v. t.
To give an acute sound to; as, he acutes his rising inflection too much.
[R.]
Walker.


word: Acute-angled
definition:
Acute-angled

A*cute"-an`gled
(-ă&nsmacr_;"g'ld)
a.
Having acute angles; as, an acute-angled triangle, a triangle with every one of its angles less than a right angle.


word: Acuteness
definition:
Acuteness

A*cute"ness
n.
1.
The quality of being acute or pointed; sharpness; as, the acuteness of an angle.
AS

2.
The faculty of nice discernment or perception; acumen; keenness; sharpness; sensitiveness; -- applied to the senses, or the understanding.  By acuteness of feeling, we perceive small objects or slight impressions: by acuteness of intellect, we discern fine distinctions.

Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness interested in bringing it to a successful close.
Sir W. Scott.

3.
Shrillness; high pitch; -- said of sounds.

4.
(Med.)
Violence of a disease, which brings it speedily to a crisis.
AS


word: Acutifoliate
definition:
Acutifoliate

A*cu`ti*fo"li*ate
(_;)
a.
[L. acutus sharp + folium leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having sharp-pointed leaves.


word: Acutilobate
definition:
Acutilobate

A*cu`ti*lo"bate
(_;)
a.
[L. acutus sharp + E. lobe.]
(Bot.)
Having acute lobes, as some leaves.


word: Acutorsion
definition:
Acutorsion

Ac`u*tor"sion
(?)
n.
[L. acus needle + torsion.]
(Med.)
The twisting of an artery with a needle to arrest hemorrhage.
[Not in Stedman -- an obsolete procedure?]
[archaic]
AS


word: Acyclic
definition:
Acyclic

A*cyc"lic
(?)
a.
[Pref. a- not + cyclic.]
Not cyclic; not disposed in cycles or whorls
as:
(a)
(Bot.)
Of a flower, having its parts inserted spirally on the receptacle.
(b)
(Org. Chem.)
Having an open-chain structure; aliphatic.


word: Acyl
definition:
Acyl

Ac"yl
(?)
n.
[Acid + -yl.]
(Org. Chem.)
An acid radical, as acetyl, malonyl, or benzoyl.  An acyl radical can be depicted as R-CO-, where -CO- is the carbonyl group, and R is the group that characterizes the acyl moiety.


word: Ad-
definition:
Ad-

Ad-
(_;)
[A Latin preposition, signifying to. See At.]
As a prefix ad- assumes the forms ac-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, ar-, as-, at-, assimilating the d with the first letter of the word to which ad- is prefixed. It remains unchanged before vowels, and before d, h, j, m, v. Examples: adduce, adhere, adjacent, admit, advent, accord, affect, aggregate, allude, annex, appear, etc. It becomes ac- before qu, as in acquiesce.


word: Adactylous
definition:
Adactylous

Adactyl

{ A*dac"tyl (_;), A*dac"tyl*ous (_;), }
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; finger.]
(Zool.)
(a)
Without fingers or without toes.
(b)
Without claws on the feet (of crustaceous animals).


word: Adage
definition:
Adage

Ad"age
(_;)
n.
[F. adage, fr. L. adagium; ad + the root of L. aio I say.]
An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a proverb.

Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,”
Like the poor cat i' the adage.
Shak.


word: Adagio
definition:
Adagio

A*da"gio
(_;)
a. & adv.
[It. adagio; ad (L. ad) at + agio convenience, leisure, ease. See Agio.]
(Mus.)
Slow; slowly, leisurely, and gracefully. When repeated, adagio, adagio, it directs the movement to be very slow.


word: Adam
definition:
Adam

Ad"am
(_;)
n.
1.
The name given in the Bible to the first man, the progenitor of the human race.

2.
(As a symbol)
“Original sin;” human frailty.

And whipped the offending Adam out of him.
Shak.

Adam's ale, water. [Coll.] -- Adam's apple. 1. (Bot.) (a) A species of banana (Musa paradisiaca). It attains a height of twenty feet or more. Paxton. (b) A species of lime (Citris limetta). 2. The projection formed by the thyroid cartilage in the neck. It is particularly prominent in males, and is so called from a notion that it was caused by the forbidden fruit (an apple) sticking in the throat of our first parent. -- Adam's flannel (Bot.), the mullein (Verbascum thapsus). -- Adam's needle (Bot.), the popular name of a genus (Yucca) of liliaceous plants.


word: adam-and-eve
definition:
adam-and-eve

adam-and-eve
n.
1.
North American orchid (Aplectrum hyemale) bearing a single leaf and yellowish-brown flowers.

Syn. -- puttyroot.


word: Adamant
definition:
Adamant

Ad"a*mant
(ăd"ȧ*mănt)
n.
[OE. adamaunt, adamant, diamond, magnet, OF. adamant, L. adamas, adamantis, the hardest metal, fr. Gr. 'ada`mas, -antos; 'a priv. + dama^,n to tame, subdue. In OE., from confusion with L. adamare to love, be attached to, the word meant also magnet, as in OF. and LL. See Diamond, Tame.]
1.
A stone imagined by some to be of impenetrable hardness; a name given to the diamond and other substances of extreme hardness; but in modern mineralogy it has no technical signification. It is now a rhetorical or poetical name for the embodiment of impenetrable hardness.

Opposed the rocky orb
Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield.
Milton.

2.
Lodestone; magnet.
[Obs.]
adamant
Bacon.

As true to thee as steel to adamant.
Greene.


word: Adamantine
definition:
Adamantine

Ad`a*man"tine
(_;)
a.
[L. adamantinus, Gr. _;.]
1.
Made of adamant, or having the qualities of adamant; incapable of being broken, dissolved, or penetrated; as, adamantine bonds or chains.

2.
(Min.)
Like the diamond in hardness or luster.


word: Adambulacral
definition:
Adambulacral

Ad`am*bu*la"cral
(_;)
a.
[L. ad + E. ambulacral.]
(Zool.)
Next to the ambulacra; as, the adambulacral ossicles of the starfish.


word: Adamical
definition:
Adamical

Adamic

{ A*dam"ic (_;), A*dam"ic*al (_;), }
a.
Of or pertaining to Adam, or resembling him.

Adamic earth, a name given to common red clay, from a notion that Adam means red earth.


word: Adamite
definition:
Adamite

Ad"am*ite
(_;)
n.
[From Adam.]
1.
A descendant of Adam; a human being.

2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of visionaries, who, professing to imitate the state of Adam, discarded the use of dress in their assemblies.


word: Adansonia
definition:
Adansonia

Ad`an*so"ni*a
(_;)
n.
[From Adanson, a French botanist.]
(Bot.)
A genus of great trees related to the Bombax.  There are two species, Adansonia digitata, the baobab or monkey-bread of Africa and India, and Adansonia Gregorii, the sour gourd or cream-of-tartar tree of Australia.  Both have a trunk of moderate height, but of enormous diameter, and a wide-spreading head.  The fruit is oblong, and filled with pleasantly acid pulp.  The wood is very soft, and the bark is used by the natives for making ropes and cloth.
D. C. Eaton.


word: Adapa
definition:
Adapa

Adapa
[Babylonian.]
n.
1.
a demigod or first man: "seed of mankind"; sometimes identified with Adam.


word: Adapid
definition:
Adapid

Adapid
n.
1.
1
extinct small mostly diurnal lower primates that fed on leaves and fruit; abundant in North America and Europe 30 to 50 million years ago; their descendents probably include the lemurs and lorises; some authorities consider them ancestral to anthropoids but others consider them only cousins.

Syn. -- Adapid group


word: Adapt₂
definition:
Adapt

A*dapt"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adapted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adapting.]
[L. adaptare; ad + aptare to fit; cf. F. adapter. See Apt, Adept.]
To make suitable; to fit, or suit; to adjust; to alter so as to fit for a new use; -- sometimes followed by to or for.

For nature, always in the right,
To your decays adapts my sight.
Swift.

Appeals adapted to his [man's] whole nature.
Angus.

Streets ill adapted for the residence of wealthy persons.
Macaulay.


word: Adaptableness
definition:
Adaptableness

Adaptability

{ A*dapt`a*bil"i*ty (_;), A*dapt"a*ble*ness (_;), }
n.
The quality of being adaptable; suitableness.
adaptability
Farrar.


word: Adaptation
definition:
Adaptation

Ad`ap*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. adaptation, LL. adaptatio.]
1.
The act or process of adapting, or fitting; or the state of being adapted or fitted; fitness.
Adaptation
Erskine.

2.
The result of adapting; an adapted form.


word: adaptational
definition:
adaptational

adaptational
adj.
1.
1
having a capacity for adaptation.  Opposed to maladaptive.

Syn. -- adaptive, adaptative


word: Adaptedness
definition:
Adaptedness

A*dapt"ed*ness
(_;)
n.
The state or quality of being adapted; suitableness; special fitness.


word: Adaptive
definition:
Adaptive

A*dapt"ive
(_;)
a.
Suited, given, or tending, to adaptation; characterized by adaptation; capable of adapting.
Coleridge.
A*dapt"ive*ly, adv.


word: adaptive optics
definition:
adaptive optics

adaptive optics
n.
(Astron.)
an optical system used in some telescopes since the 1980's which rapidly changes the shape of the primary reflecting mirror to adjust for distortions of light which are caused by atmospheric turbulence.  By reducing the distortions caused by the atmosphere, telescopes fitted with such optics can achieve a higher resolving power than normal telescopes with static mirrors.


word: adaptive radiation
definition:
adaptive radiation

adaptive radiation
n.
1.
(Palaeontology)
the evolutionary generation of multiple specialized life forms from one ancestral form, evidenced in the fossil record.  The inverse of extinction.


word: Adar
definition:
Adar

A"dar
(_;)
n.
[Heb. adär.]
The twelfth month of the Hebrew ecclesiastical year, and the sixth of the civil. It corresponded nearly with March.


word: Adarce
definition:
Adarce

A*dar"ce
(_;)
n.
[L. adarce, adarca, Gr. _;.]
A saltish concretion on reeds and grass in marshy grounds in Galatia. It is soft and porous, and was formerly used for cleansing the skin from freckles and tetters, and also in leprosy.
Dana.


word: Adaunt
definition:
Adaunt

A*daunt"
(_;)
v. t.
[OE. adaunten to overpower, OF. adonter; à (L. ad) + donter, F. dompter. See Daunt.]
To daunt; to subdue; to mitigate.
[Obs.]
Skelton.


word: Adaw
definition:
Adaw

A*daw"
(_;)
v. t.
[Cf. OE. adawe of dawe, AS. of dagum from days, i. e., from life, out of life.]
To subdue; to daunt.
[Obs.]

The sight whereof did greatly him adaw.
Spenser.


word: Adaw₂
definition:
Adaw

A*daw"
v. t. & i.
[OE. adawen to wake; pref. a- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-) + dawen, dagon, to dawn. See Daw.]
To awaken; to arouse.
[Obs.]

A man that waketh of his sleep
He may not suddenly well taken keep
Upon a thing, ne seen it parfitly
Till that he be adawed verily.
Chaucer.


word: Adays
definition:
Adays

A*days"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- (for on) + day; the final s was orig. a genitive ending, afterwards forming adverbs.]
By day, or every day; in the daytime.
[Obs.]
Fielding.


word: Ad captandum
definition:
Ad captandum

Ad cap*tan"dum
(_;)
[L., for catching.]
A phrase used adjectively sometimes of meretricious attempts to catch or win popular favor.


word: Add
definition:
Add

Add
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Added; p. pr. & vb. n. Adding.]
[L. addere; ad + dare to give, put. Cf. Date, Do.]
1.
To give by way of increased possession (to any one); to bestow (on).

The Lord shall add to me another son.
Gen. xxx. 24.

2.
To join or unite, as one thing to another, or as several particulars, so as to increase the number, augment the quantity, enlarge the magnitude, or so as to form into one aggregate. Hence: To sum up; to put together mentally; as, to add numbers; to add up a column.

Back to thy punishment,
False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings.
Milton.

As easily as he can add together the ideas of two days or two years.
Locke.

3.
To append, as a statement; to say further.

He added that he would willingly consent to the entire abolition of the tax.
Macaulay.


word: Add₂
definition:
Add

Add
(_;)
v. i.
1.
To make an addition. To add to, to augment; to increase; as, it adds to our anxiety.
add
1 Kings xii. 14.

2.
To perform the arithmetical operation of addition; as, he adds rapidly.


word: Addax
definition:
Addax

Ad"dax
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
One of the largest African antelopes (Hippotragusnasomaculatus or Oryx nasomaculatus).

&hand_; It is now believed to be the Strepsiceros (twisted horn) of the ancients. By some it is thought to be the pygarg of the Bible.


word: added
definition:
added

added
adj.
1.
being in addition [to something else]
accessorial 
additional, further(prenominal), more(prenominal) --- (used with mass nouns: "takes on added significance"; "asked for additional help"; "we have further information"; "there will be further delays"; "kids have more fun than anybody")
another(prenominal), other(prenominal), else(postnominal), extra, intercalary
superimposed 
supplementary, supplemental 
value-added 
subtracted


word: Addendum
definition:
Addendum

Ad*den"dum
(_;)
n.
pl. Addenda (_;).
[L., fr. addere to add.]
A thing to be added; an appendix or addition.

Addendum circle (Mech.), the circle which may be described around a circular spur wheel or gear wheel, touching the crests or tips of the teeth. Rankine.


word: Adder₂
definition:
Adder

Ad"der
n.
[OE. addere, naddere, eddre, AS. nædre, adder, snake; akin to OS. nadra, OHG. natra, natara, Ger. natter, Goth. nadrs, Icel. naðr, masc., naðra, fem.: cf. W. neidr, Gorn. naddyr, Ir. nathair, L. natrix, water snake. An adder is for a nadder.]
1.
A serpent.
[Obs.]
eddre
Wyclif. Gen. iii. 4. )

2.
(Zool.)
(a)
A small venomous serpent of the genus Vipera. The common European adder is the Vipera  berus or Pelias berus. The puff adders of Africa are species of Clotho.
(b)
In America, the term is commonly applied to several harmless snakes, as the milk adder, puffing adder, etc.
(c)
Same as Sea Adder.

&hand_; In the sculptures the appellation is given to several venomous serpents, -- sometimes to the horned viper (Cerastles).


word: Adder's-tongue
definition:
Adder's-tongue

Ad"der's-tongue`
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
A genus of ferns (Ophioglossum), whose seeds are produced on a spike resembling a serpent's tongue.
(b)
The yellow dogtooth violet.
Gray.


word: Addict₂
definition:
Addict

Ad*dict"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Addicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Addicting.]
[L. addictus, p. p. of addicere to adjudge, devote; ad + dicere to say. See Diction.]
1.
To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; -- with to.
addict
Evelyn.

He is addicted to his study.
Beau. & Fl.

That part of mankind that addict their minds to speculations.
Adventurer.

His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity.
Fuller.

A man gross . . . and addicted to low company.
Macaulay.

2.
To adapt; to make suitable; to fit.
[Obs.]

The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but the coldness of the place hinders the growth.
Evelyn.


word: Addiction
definition:
Addiction

Ad*dic"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. L. addictio an adjudging.]
The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.
addiction
Shak.


word: Addis Ababa
definition:
Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa
prop. n.
(Geography)
The capital city of Ethiopia.  Population (2000) = 2,200,186.


word: Addison's disease
definition:
Addison's disease

Ad"di*son's dis*ease"
(_;)
[Named from Thomas Addison, M. D., of London, who first described it.]
(Med.)
A morbid condition causing a peculiar brownish discoloration of the skin, hypotension, and loss of weight; it is due to insufficient secretion of adrenocortical hormones. Untreated disease is usually fatal.  Called also chronic adrenocortical insufficiency


word: Additament
definition:
Additament

Ad*dit"a*ment
(ăd*dĭt"ȧ*ment)
n.
[L. additamentum, fr. additus, p. p. of addere to add.]
An addition, or a thing added.
Fuller.

My persuasion that the latter verses of the chapter were an additament of a later age.
Coleridge.


word: Addition
definition:
Addition

Ad*di"tion
(_;)
n.
[F. addition, L. additio, fr. addere to add.]
1.
The act of adding two or more things together; -- opposed to subtraction or diminution.
addition
Locke.

2.
Anything added; increase; augmentation; as, a piazza is an addition to a building.

3.
(Math.)
That part of arithmetic which treats of adding numbers.

4.
(Mus.)
A dot at the right side of a note as an indication that its sound is to be lengthened one half.
[R.]

5.
(Law)
A title annexed to a man's name, to identify him more precisely; as, John Doe, Esq.; Richard Roe, Gent.; Robert Dale, Mason; Thomas Way, of New York; a mark of distinction; a title.

6.
(Her.)
Something added to a coat of arms, as a mark of honor; -- opposed to abatement.

Vector addition (Geom.), that kind of addition of two lines, or vectors, AB and BC, by which their sum is regarded as the line, or vector, AC.


word: Additive
definition:
Additive

Ad"di*tive
(_;)
a.
[L. additivus.]
(Math.)
Proper to be added; positive; -- opposed to subtractive.


word: Addle
definition:
Addle

Ad"dle
(_;)
n.
[OE. adel, AS. adela, mud.]

1.
Liquid filth; mire.
[Obs.]

2.
Lees; dregs.
[Prov. Eng.]
Wright.


word: Addle₂
definition:
Addle

Ad"dle
a.
Having lost the power of development, and become rotten, as eggs; putrid. Hence: Unfruitful or confused, as brains; muddled.
Dryden.


word: Addle₃
definition:
Addle

Ad"dle
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Addled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Addling (_;).]
To make addle; to grow addle; to muddle; as, he addled his brain.
addled
Cowper.


word: Addle₄
definition:
Addle

Ad"dle
v. t. & i.
[OE. adlen, adilen, to gain, acquire; prob. fr. Icel. öðlask to acquire property, akin to oðal property. Cf. Allodial.]
1.
To earn by labor.
[Prov. Eng.]
Forby.

2.
To thrive or grow; to ripen.
[Prov. Eng.]

Kill ivy, else tree will addle no more.
Tusser.


word: Addle-pate
definition:
Addle-pate

Addle-head

Addle-brain

{ Ad"dle-brain` (_;), Ad"dle-head` (_;), Ad"dle-pate (_;), }
n.
A foolish or dull-witted fellow.
[Colloq.]


word: Addle-pated
definition:
Addle-pated

Addle-headed

Addle-brained

{ Ad"dle-brained` (_;), Ad"dle-head`ed (_;), Ad"dle-pa`ted (_;), }
a.
Dull-witted; stupid.
addle-brained
Motley.

Dull and addle-pated.
Dryden.


word: Addorsed
definition:
Addorsed

Ad*dorsed"
(_;)
a.
[L. ad + dorsum, back: cf. F. adossé.]
(Her.)
Set or turned back to back.


word: Address
definition:
Address

Ad*dress"
(ăd*drĕs")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Addressed (-drĕst"); p. pr. & vb. n. Addressing.]
[OE. adressen to raise erect, adorn, OF. adrecier, to straighten, address, F. adresser, fr. à (L. ad) + OF. drecier, F. dresser, to straighten, arrange. See Dress, v.]
1.
To aim; to direct.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

And this good knight his way with me addrest.
Spenser.

2.
To prepare or make ready.
[Obs.]

His foe was soon addressed.
Spenser.

Turnus addressed his men to single fight.
Dryden.

The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the bridegroom's coming.
Jer. Taylor.

3.
Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.

These men addressed themselves to the task.
Macaulay.

4.
To clothe or array; to dress.
[Archaic]

Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel.
Jewel.

5.
To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).

The young hero had addressed his players to him for his assistance.
Dryden.

6.
To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to; to accost.

Are not your orders to address the senate?
Addison.

The representatives of the nation addressed the king.
Swift.

7.
To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.

8.
To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.

9.
(Com.)
To consign or intrust to the care of another, as agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.

To address one's self to. (a) To prepare one's self for; to apply one's self to. (b) To direct one's speech or discourse to. --  To address the ball (Golf), to take aim at the ball, adjusting the grip on the club, the attitude of the body, etc., to a convenient position.


word: Address₂
definition:
Address

Ad*dress"
(ăd*drĕs")
v. i.
1.
To prepare one's self.
[Obs.]
address
Shak.

2.
To direct speech.
[Obs.]

Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest.
Dryden.

&hand_; The intransitive uses come from the dropping out of the reflexive pronoun.


word: Address₃
definition:
Address

Ad*dress
n.
[Cf. F. adresse. See Address, v. t.]

1.
Act of preparing one's self.
[Obs.]
Jer Taylor.

2.
Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.

3.
A formal communication, either written or spoken; a discourse; a speech; a formal application to any one; a petition; a formal statement on some subject or special occasion; as, an address of thanks, an address to the voters.

4.
Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and place of residence of the person addressed.

5.
Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or insinuating address.

6.
Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady.
Addison.

7.
Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.


word: Addression
definition:
Addression

Ad*dres"sion
(_;)
n.
The act of addressing or directing one's course.
[Rare & Obs.]
Chapman.


word: Addressograph
definition:
Addressograph

Addressograph
n.
1.
a printer that automatically prints addresses on letters for mailing.

Syn. -- addressing machine


word: Adduce
definition:
Adduce

Ad*duce"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adduced (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adducing (_;).]
[L. adducere, adductum, to lead or bring to; ad + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Adduct.]
To bring forward or offer, as an argument, passage, or consideration which bears on a statement or case; to cite; to allege.

Reasons . . . were adduced on both sides.
Macaulay.

Enough could not be adduced to satisfy the purpose of illustration.
De Quincey.


word: Adducent
definition:
Adducent

Ad*du"cent
(_;)
a.
[L. addunces, p. pr. of adducere.]
(Physiol.)
Bringing together or towards a given point; -- a word applied to those muscles of the body which pull one part towards another. Opposed to abducent.


word: Adducible
definition:
Adducible

Ad*du"ci*ble
(_;)
a.
Capable of being adduced.

Proofs innumerable, and in every imaginable manner diversified, are adducible.
I. Taylor.


word: Adduct
definition:
Adduct

Ad*duct"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. adductus, p. p. of adducere. See Adduce.]
(Physiol.)
To draw towards a common center or a middle line.
Huxley.


word: Adduction
definition:
Adduction

Ad*duc"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. adduction. See Adduce.]
1.
The act of adducing or bringing forward.

An adduction of facts gathered from various quarters.
I. Taylor.

2.
(Physiol.)
The action by which the parts of the body are drawn towards its axis]; -- opposed to abduction.
Dunglison.


word: Adductor
definition:
Adductor

Ad*duc"tor
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. adducere.]
(Anat.)
A muscle which draws a limb or part of the body toward the middle line of the body, or closes extended parts of the body; -- opposed to abductor; as, the adductor of the eye, which turns the eye toward the nose.

In the bivalve shells, the muscles which close the values of the shell are called adductor muscles.
Verrill.


word: Addulce
definition:
Addulce

Ad*dulce"
(_;)
v. t.
[Like F. adoucir; fr. L. ad. + dulcis sweet.]
To sweeten; to soothe.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Adeem
definition:
Adeem

A*deem"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. adimere. See Ademption.]
(Law)
To revoke, as a legacy, grant, etc., or to satisfy it by some other gift.


word: Adelantado
definition:
Adelantado

A`de*lan*ta"do
(_;)
n.
[Sp., prop. p. of adelantar to advance, to promote.]
A governor of a province; a commander.
Prescott.


word: Adelaster
definition:
Adelaster

Ad*e*las"ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; not manifest + _; a star.]
(Bot.)
A provisional name for a plant which has not had its flowers botanically examined, and therefore has not been referred to its proper genus.


word: Adelocodonic
definition:
Adelocodonic

A*del`o*co*don"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; invisible + _; a bell.]
(Zool.)
Applied to sexual zooids of hydroids, that have a saclike form and do not become free; -- opposed to phanerocodonic.


word: Adelopod
definition:
Adelopod

A*del"o*pod
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; invisible + _;, _;, foot.]
(Zool.)
An animal having feet that are not apparent.


word: Adelphia
definition:
Adelphia

A*del"phi*a
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'adelfo`s brother.]
(Bot.)
A “brotherhood,” or collection of stamens in a bundle; -- used in composition, as in the class names, Monadelphia, Diadelphia, etc.


word: Adelphous
definition:
Adelphous

A*del"phous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'adelfo`s brother.]
(Bot.)
Having coalescent or clustered filaments; -- said of stamens; as, adelphous stamens. Usually in composition; as, monadelphous.
Gray.


word: Adempt
definition:
Adempt

A*dempt"
(ȧ*dĕmt"; 215)
p. p.
[L. ademptus, p. p. of adimere to take away.]
Taken away.
[Obs.]
Without any sinister suspicion of anything being added or adempt.
Latimer.


word: Ademption
definition:
Ademption

A*demp"tion
(ȧ*dĕmp"shŭn)
n.
[L. ademptio, fr. adimere, ademptum, to take away; ad + emere to buy, orig. to take.]
(Law)
The revocation or taking away of a grant, donation, legacy, or the like.
Bouvier.


word: Adeno-
definition:
Adeno-

Aden-

Aden- or Adeno-.
[Gr. 'adh`n, 'ade`nos, gland.]
Combining forms of the Greek word for gland; -- used in words relating to the structure, diseases, etc., of the glands.


word: adenalgy
definition:
adenalgy

adenalgia

{ &Verbarad`e*nal"gi*a (ăd`e̝*năl"jĭ*ȧ), ad"e*nal`gy (ăd"e̝*năl`j&ybreve_;), }
n.
[Gr. 'adh`n gland + 'a`lgos pain.]
(Med.)
Pain in a gland.  Called also adenodynia


word: adeniform
definition:
adeniform

a*den"i*form
(ȧ*dĕn"ĭ*fôrm)
a.
[Aden- + -form.]
Shaped like a gland; adenoid.
Dunglison.


word: adenitis
definition:
adenitis

ad`e*ni"tis
(ăd`e̝*nī"tĭs)
n.
[Aden- + -itis.]
(Med.)
Glandular inflammation.
Dunglison. AS


word: Adenography
definition:
Adenography

Ad`e*nog"ra*phy
(_;)
n.
[Adeno- + -graphy.]
That part of anatomy which describes the glands.


word: Adenoid
definition:
Adenoid

Ad"e*noid
(?)
n.
1.
(Med.)
Lymphoid tissue in the roof of the nasopharynx; -- often in the pl.
Stedman 25.

2.
(Med.)
A swelling produced by overgrowth of adenoid{1} tissue; -- usually in pl.
AS


word: Adenoid₂
definition:
Adenoid

 Ad"e*noid
(?)
adj.
1.
(Med.)
Of or relating to a gland.

2.
(Med.)
Pertaining to adenoids{2}.
Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary.


word: Adenology
definition:
Adenology

Ad`e*nol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[Adeno- + -logy.]
The part of physiology that treats of the glands.


word: adenoma
definition:
adenoma

ad`e*no"ma
(ăd`e̝*n&omacr"mȧ)
n.
L. pl. -mata (#)
[NL.; adeno- + -oma.]
(Med.)
A benign tumor of epithelial tissue with a glandlike structure.
-- Ad`e*nom"a*tous (_;), a.
AS


word: adenopathy
definition:
adenopathy

ad"e*nop"a*thy
(ăd`e̝*n&obreve_;p"ȧ*th&ybreve_;)
n.
[Adeno- + Gr. pa`qos suffering, paqei^n to suffer.]
(Med.)
Pathological enlargement of a lymph node.


word: Adenophyllous
definition:
Adenophyllous

Ad`e*noph"yl*lous
(_;)
a.
[Adeno- + Gr. fy`llon leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having glands on the leaves.


word: Adenosclerosis
definition:
Adenosclerosis

Ad"e*no*scle*ro"sis
(ăd`e̝*no̝*skle̝*r&omacr"sĭs)
n.
[NL.; adeno- + sclerosis.]
(Med.)
The hardening of a gland.
AS


word: Adenotomy
definition:
Adenotomy

Ad`e*not"o*my
(_;)
n.
[Adeno- + Gr. _; a cutting, _; to cut.]
(Anat.)
Dissection of, or incision into, a gland or glands.


word: Aden ulcer
definition:
Aden ulcer

A"den ul"cer
(ä"den ŭl"sẽr or ā"den ŭl"sẽr)
[So named after Aden, a seaport in Southern Arabia, where it occurs.]
(Med.)
One of the numerous names of the lesion of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis.  Called also Aleppo boil, Aleppo button, Aleppo evil, Bagdad boil, Biskra boil, Cochin China ulcer, Delhi boil, Jerico boil, Oriental boil, Oriental sore, Persian ulcer, tropical ulcer, etc.


word: Adept
definition:
Adept

A*dept"
(_;)
n.
[L. adeptus obtained (sc. artem), _;he who has obtained an art, p. p. of adipsci to arrive _;at, to obtain; ad + apisci to pursue. See Apt, and cf. Adapt.]
One fully skilled or well versed in anything; a proficient; as, adepts in philosophy.


word: Adept₂
definition:
Adept

A*dept"
a.
Well skilled; completely versed; thoroughly proficient.

Beaus adept in everything profound.
Cowper.


word: Adeption
definition:
Adeption

A*dep"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adeptio. See Adept, a.]
An obtaining; attainment.
[Obs.]

In the wit and policy of the capitain consisteth the chief adeption of the victory.
Grafton.


word: Adequacy
definition:
Adequacy

Ad"e*qua*cy
(_;)
n.
[See Adequate.]
The state or quality of being adequate, proportionate, or sufficient; a sufficiency for a particular purpose; as, the adequacy of supply to the expenditure.


word: Adequate
definition:
Adequate

Ad"e*quate
(_;)
a.
[L. adaequatus, p. p. of adaequare to make equal to; ad + aequare to make equal, aequus equal. See Equal.]
Equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient; as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition.

Ireland had no adequate champion.
De Quincey.


word: Adequate₂
definition:
Adequate

Ad"e*quate
(_;)
v. t.
[See Adequate, a.]
1.
To equalize; to make adequate.
[R.]
Fotherby.

2.
To equal.
[Obs.]

It [is] an impossibility for any creature to adequate God in his eternity.
Shelford.


word: Adequateness
definition:
Adequateness

Ad"e*quate*ness
n.
The quality of being adequate; suitableness; sufficiency; adequacy.


word: Adequation
definition:
Adequation

Ad`e*qua"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adaequatio.]
The act of equalizing; act or result of making adequate; an equivalent.
[Obs.]
Bp. Barlow.


word: Adesmy
definition:
Adesmy

A*des"my
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; unfettered; 'a priv. + _; a fetter.]
(Bot.)
The division or defective coherence of an organ that is usually entire.


word: Adessenarian
definition:
Adessenarian

Ad*es`se*na"ri*an
(_;)
n.
[Formed fr. L. adesse to be present; ad + esse to be.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One who held the real presence of Christ's body in the eucharist, but not by transubstantiation.


word: Adhere
definition:
Adhere

Ad*here"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Adhered (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adhering (_;).]
[L. adhaerere, adhaesum; ad + haerere to stick: cf. F. adhérer. See Aghast.]
1.
To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become joined or united; as, wax   to the finger; the lungs sometimes adhere to the pleura.

2.
To hold, be attached, or devoted; to remain fixed, either by personal union or conformity of faith, principle, or opinion; as, men adhere to a party, a cause, a leader, a church.

3.
To be consistent or coherent; to be in accordance; to agree.
adhere
adheres
Shak.


word: Adherence
definition:
Adherence

Ad*her"ence
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. adhérence, LL. adhaerentia.]
1.
The quality or state of adhering.

2.
The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady attachment; adhesion; as, adherence to a party or to opinions.


word: Adherency
definition:
Adherency

Ad*her"en*cy
(_;)
n.
1.
The state or quality of being adherent; adherence.
[R.]

2.
That which adheres.
[Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Adherent
definition:
Adherent

Ad*her"ent
(_;)
a.
[L. adhaerens, -entis, p. pr.: cf. F. adhérent.]
1.
Sticking; clinging; adhering.
Pope.

2.
Attached as an attribute or circumstance.

3.
(Bot.)
Congenitally united with an organ of another kind, as calyx with ovary, or stamens with petals.


word: Adherent₂
definition:
Adherent

Ad*her"ent
n.
1.
One who adheres; one who adheres; one who follows a leader, party, or profession; a follower, or partisan; a believer in a particular faith or church.

2.
That which adheres; an appendage.
[R.]
Milton.


word: Adhesion
definition:
Adhesion

Ad*he"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. adhaesio, fr. adhaerere: cf. F. adhésion.]
1.
The action of sticking; the state of being attached; intimate union; as, the adhesion of glue, or of parts united by growth, cement, or the like.

2.
Adherence; steady or firm attachment; fidelity; as, adhesion to error, adhesion to a policy.

His adhesion to the Tories was bounded by his approbation of their foreign policy.
De Quincey.

3.
Agreement to adhere; concurrence; assent.

To that treaty Spain and England gave in their adhesion.
Macaulay.

4.
(Physics)
The molecular attraction exerted between bodies in contact. See Cohesion.

5.
(Med.)
The process of uniting surfaces by the formation of new fibrous bands resulting from an inflammatory process.

6.
(Med.)
 One of the fibrous bands resulting from adhesion{5}.

7.
(Bot.)
The union of parts which are separate in other plants, or in younger states of the same plant.


word: Adhesive
definition:
Adhesive

Ad*he"sive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. adhésif.]
1.
Sticky; tenacious, as glutinous substances.

2.
Apt or tending to adhere; clinging.
Thomson.

Adhesive attraction. (Physics) See Attraction. -- Adhesive inflammation (Surg.), that kind of inflammation which terminates in the reunion of divided parts without suppuration. -- Adhesive plaster, a sticking; a plaster containing resin, wax, litharge, and olive oil.


word: Adhesiveness
definition:
Adhesiveness

Ad*he"sive*ness
n.
1.
The quality of sticking or adhering; stickiness; tenacity of union.

2.
(Phren.)
Propensity to form and maintain attachments to persons, and to promote social intercourse.


word: Adhibit
definition:
Adhibit

Ad*hib"it
(_;)
v. t.
[L. adhibitus, p. p. of adhibere to hold to; ad + habere to have.]
1.
To admit, as a person or thing; to take in.
Muirhead.

2.
To use or apply; to administer.
Camden.

3.
To attach; to affix.
Alison.


word: Adhibition
definition:
Adhibition

Ad`hi*bi"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adhibitio.]
The act of adhibiting; application; use.
Whitaker.


word: Ad hominem
definition:
Ad hominem

Ad hom"i*nem
(_;)
[L., to the man.]
A phrase applied to an appeal or argument addressed to the principles, interests, or passions of a man.


word: Adhortation
definition:
Adhortation

Ad`hor*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adhortatio, fr. adhortari to advise; ad + hortari to exhort.]
Advice; exhortation.
[Obs.]
Peacham.


word: Adhortatory
definition:
Adhortatory

Ad*hor"ta*to*ry
(_;)
a.
Containing counsel or warning; hortatory; advisory.
[Obs.]
Potter.


word: Adiabatic
definition:
Adiabatic

Ad`i*a*bat"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'adia`batos not passable; 'a priv. + dia` through + bai`nein to go.]
(Physics)
Not giving out or receiving heat.
Ad`i*a*bat`ic*al*ly, adv.

&hand_;The adiabatic expansion of carbon dioxide from a compressed container causes the temperature of the gas to decrease rapidly below its freezing point, resulting in the familiar carbon dioxide “snow” emitted by carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.

Adiabatic line or curve, a curve exhibiting the variations of pressure and volume of a fluid when it expands without either receiving or giving out heat. Rankine.


word: Adiactinic
definition:
Adiactinic

Ad`i*ac*tin"ic
(_;)
a.
[Pref. a- not + diactinic.]
(Chem.)
Not transmitting the actinic rays.


word: Adiantum
definition:
Adiantum

Ad`i*an"tum
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. 'adi`anton, maidenhair; 'a priv. + diai`nein to wet.]
(Bot.)
A genus of ferns, the leaves of which shed water; maidenhair. Also, the black maidenhair, a species of spleenwort.


word: Adiaphorist
definition:
Adiaphorist

Ad`i*aph"o*rist
(ăd`ĭ*ăf"o̝*rĭst)
n.
[See Adiaphorous.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of the German Protestants who, with Melanchthon, held some opinions and ceremonies to be indifferent or nonessential, which Luther condemned as sinful or heretical.
Murdock.


word: Adiaphoristic
definition:
Adiaphoristic

Ad`i*aph`o*ris"tic
(ăd`ĭ*ăf`o̝*rĭs"tĭk)
a.
Pertaining to matters indifferent in faith and practice.
Shipley.


word: Adiaphorous
definition:
Adiaphorous

Ad`i*aph"o*rous
(ăd`ĭ*ăf"o̝*rŭs)
a.
[Gr. 'adia`foros; 'a priv. + dia`foros different; dia` through + fe`rein to bear.]
1.
Indifferent or neutral.
Jer. Taylor. AS

2.
(Med.)
Incapable of doing either harm or good as a medicine.
Dunglison.


word: Adieu
definition:
Adieu

A*dieu"
(_;)
interj. & adv.
[OE. also adew, adewe, adue, F. _; dieu, fr. L. ad to + deus God.]
Good-by; farewell; an expression of kind wishes at parting.


word: Adight
definition:
Adight

A*dight"
(_;)
v. t.
[p. p. Adight.]
[Pref. a- (intensive) + OE. dihten. See Dight.]
To set in order; to array; to attire; to deck, to dress.
[Obs.]


word: Adios
definition:
Adios

A`dios"
(ä`dyo̝s")
interj.
[Sp., fr. L. ad to + deus god. Cf. Adieu.]
Adieu; farewell; good-by; -- chiefly used among Spanish-speaking people; as, adios amigos (good-bye friends).

&hand_; This word is often pronounced ȧ*dē"o̝s, but the Spanish accent, though weak, is on the final syllable.


word: Adipic
definition:
Adipic

A*dip"ic
(ȧ*dĭp"ĭk)
a.
[L. adeps, adipis, fat.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, fatty or oily substances; -- applied to certain acids obtained from fats by the action of nitric acid.


word: adipic acid
definition:
adipic acid

adipic acid
an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (HO.CO.(CH2)4.CO.OH), containing six carbon atoms in a linear chain.  It is found in beet juice.  It is used in the manufacture of synthetic plastics such as Nylon, as well as other products.


word: Adipocere
definition:
Adipocere

Ad"i*po*cere`
(_;)
n.
[L. adeps, adipis, fat + cera wax: cf. F. adipocere.]
A soft, unctuous, or waxy substance, of a light brown color, into which the fat and muscle tissue of dead bodies sometimes are converted, by long immersion in water or by burial in moist places. It is a result of fatty degeneration.


word: Adipoceriform
definition:
Adipoceriform

Ad`i*po*cer"i*form
(_;)
a.
[Adipocere + -form.]
Having the form or appearance of adipocere; as, an adipoceriform tumor.


word: adipogenous
definition:
adipogenous

ad`i*pog"e*nous
(ăd`ĭ*p&obreve_;j"e̝*nŭs)
a.
[See Adipose; -genous.]
(Med.)
Producing fat.
AS


word: adipolysis
definition:
adipolysis

ad`i*pol"y*sis
(ăd`ĭ*p&obreve_;l"ĭ*sĭs)
n.
[NL.; L. adeps, adipis, fat + Gr. ly`sis a loosing.]
(Physiol.)
The digestion of fats.


word: Adipolytic
definition:
Adipolytic

Ad`i*po*lyt"ic
(?)
a.
[L. adeps, adipis, fat + Gr. _; to loose.]
(Chem.)
Hydrolyzing fats; converting neutral fats into glycerin and free fatty acids, esp. by the action of an enzyme; as, adipolytic action.  Contrast saponify, to hydrolyze fat by the action of an alkali.


word: adipoma
definition:
adipoma

ad`i*po"ma
(ăd`ĭ*p&omacr"mȧ)
n.
L. pl. adipomata (ăd`ĭ*p&omacr"mȧ*tȧ)
[NL. See adipose; -oma.]
(Med.)
An obsolete term for lipoma.
Ad`i*pom"a*tous (ăd`ĭ*p&obreve_;m"ȧ*tŭs or ăd`ĭ*p&omacr"mȧ*tŭs), a.


word: Adipose
definition:
Adipose

Ad"i*pose`
(?)
n.
(Physiol.)
The fat present in the cells of adipose tissue, composed mainly of varying mixtures of tripalmitin, tristearin, and triolein.  It solidifies after death.


word: Adipose₂
definition:
Adipose

Ad"i*pose`
(?; 277)
a.
[L. adeps, adipis, fat, grease.]
Of or pertaining to animal fat; fatty.

Adipose fin (Zool.), a soft boneless fin. -- Adipose tissue (Anat.), that form of animal tissue which forms or contains fat.


word: Adiposity
definition:
Adiposity

Adiposeness

{ Ad"i*pose`ness (_;), Ad`i*pos"i*ty (_;), }
n.
The state of being fat; fatness.


word: Adipsia
definition:
Adipsia

Adipsy

&VerbarA*dip"si*a, A*dip"sy
(ăd"ĭp*s&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a`dipsos not thirsty; 'a priv. + di`psa thirst.]
(Med.)
Absence of thirst.


word: Adipsous
definition:
Adipsous

A*dip"sous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a`dipsos; 'a priv. + di`psa, thirst.]
Quenching thirst, as certain fruits.


word: adit
definition:
adit

ad"it
(ăd"ĭt)
n.
[L. aditus, fr. adire, aditum, to go to; ad + ire to go.]
1.
An entrance or passage. Specifically: The nearly horizontal opening by which a mine is entered, or by which water and ores are carried away; -- called also drift and tunnel.

2.
Admission; approach; access.
[R.]

Yourself and yours shall have
Free adit.
Tennyson.


word: Adjacency
definition:
Adjacency

Adjacence

{ Ad"ja"cence (_;), Ad*ja"cen*cy (_;), }
[Cf. LL. adjacentia.]
1.
The state or attribute of being adjacent or contiguous; contiguity; the attribute of being so near as to be touching; as, the adjacency of lands or buildings.

Syn. -- contiguousness

2.
That which is adjacent.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Adjacent
definition:
Adjacent

Ad*ja"cent
(_;)
a.
[L. adjacens, -centis, p. pr. of adjacere to lie near; ad + jacēre to lie: cf. F. adjacent.]
Lying near, close, or contiguous; neighboring; bordering on; as, a field adjacent to the highway.
adjacent
B. Jonson.

Adjacent or contiguous angle. (Geom.) See Angle.

Syn. -- Adjoining; contiguous; near.
 -- Adjacent, Adjoining, Contiguous. Things are adjacent when they lie close each other, not necessary in actual contact; as, adjacent fields, adjacent villages, etc. 
I find that all Europe with her adjacent isles is peopled with Christians. Howell.
[1913 Webster]
Things are adjoining when they meet at some line or point of junction; as, adjoining farms, an adjoining highway. What is spoken of as contiguous should touch with some extent of one side or the whole of it; as, a row of contiguous buildings; a wood contiguous to a plain.


word: Adject
definition:
Adject

Ad*ject"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. adjectus, p. p. of adjicere to throw to, to add to; ad + jacĕre to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.]
To add or annex; to join.
Leland.


word: Adjection
definition:
Adjection

Ad*jec"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adjectio, fr. adjicere: cf. F. adjection. See Adject.]
The act or mode of adding; also, the thing added.
[R.]
B. Jonson.


word: Adjectional
definition:
Adjectional

Ad*jec"tion*al
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to adjection; that is, or may be, annexed.
[R.]
Earle.


word: Adjectival
definition:
Adjectival

Ad`jec*ti"val
(_;)
a.
Of or relating to the relating to the adjective; of the nature of an adjective; adjective.
W. Taylor (1797)


word: Adjective
definition:
Adjective

Ad"jec*tive
(ăd"jĕk*tĭv)
a.
[See Adjective, n.]

1.
Added to a substantive as an attribute; of the nature of an adjunct; as, an adjective word or sentence.

2.
Not standing by itself; dependent.

Adjective color, a color which requires to be fixed by some mordant or base to give it permanency.

3.
Relating to procedure.
adjective
Macaulay.


word: Adjective₂
definition:
Adjective

Ad"jec*tive
n.
[L. adjectivum  (sc. nomen), neut. of adjectivus that is added, fr. adjicere: cf. F. adjectif. See Adject.]
1.
(Gram.)
A word used with a noun, or substantive, to express a quality of the thing named, or something attributed to it, or to limit or define it, or to specify or describe a thing, as distinct from something else. Thus, in phrase, “a wise ruler,” wise is the adjective, expressing a property of ruler.

2.
A dependent; an accessory.
Fuller.


word: Adjective₃
definition:
Adjective

Ad"jec*tive
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adjectived (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adjectiving (_;).]
To make an adjective of; to form or change into an adjective.
[R.]

Language has as much occasion to adjective the distinct signification of the verb, and to adjective also the mood, as it has to adjective time. It has . . . adjectived all three.
Tooke.


word: Adjoin
definition:
Adjoin

Ad*join"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adjoined (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adjoining.]
[OE. ajoinen, OF. ajoindre, F. adjoindre, fr. L. adjungere; ad + jungere to join. See Join, and cf. Adjunct.]
To join or unite to; to lie contiguous to; to be in contact with; to attach; to append.

Corrections . . . should be, as remarks, adjoined by way of note.
Watts.


word: Adjoin₂
definition:
Adjoin

Ad*join"
(ăd*join")
v. i.
1.
To lie or be next, or in contact; to be contiguous; as, the houses adjoin.

When one man's land adjoins to another's.
Blackstone.

&hand_; The construction with to, on, or with is obsolete or obsolescent.

2.
To join one's self.
[Obs.]

She lightly unto him adjoined side to side.
Spenser.


word: Adjoining
definition:
Adjoining

Ad*join"ing
a.
Joining to; contiguous; adjacent; as, an adjoining room.
adjoining
Dryden.

Upon the hills adjoining to the city.
Shak.


word: Adjourn
definition:
Adjourn

Ad*journ
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adjourned (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adjourning (_;).]
[OE. ajornen, OF. ajoiner, ajurner, F. ajourner; OF. a (L. ad) + jor, jur, jorn, F. jour, day, fr. L. diurnus belonging to the day, fr. dies day. Cf. Journal, Journey.]
To put off or defer to another day, or indefinitely; to postpone; to close or suspend for the day; -- commonly said of the meeting, or the action, of convened body; as, to adjourn the meeting; to adjourn a debate.

It is a common practice to adjourn the reformation of their lives to a further time.
Barrow.

'Tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day.
Shak.


word: Adjourn₂
definition:
Adjourn

Ad*journ"
v. i.
To suspend business for a time, as from one day to another, or for a longer period, or indefinitely; usually, to suspend public business, as of legislatures and courts, or other convened bodies; as, congress adjourned at four o'clock; the court adjourned without day.


word: Adjournment
definition:
Adjournment

Ad*journ"ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. f. adjournement, OF. ajornement. See Adjourn.]
1.
The act of adjourning; the putting off till another day or time specified, or without day.

2.
The time or interval during which a public body adjourns its sittings or postpones business.


word: Adjudge
definition:
Adjudge

Ad*judge"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adjudged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adjudging (_;).]
[OE. ajugen, OF. ajugier, fr. L. adjudicare; ad + judicare to judge. See Judge, and cf. Adjudicate.]
1.
To award judicially in the case of a controverted question; as, the prize was adjudged to the victor.

2.
To determine in the exercise of judicial power; to decide or award judicially; to adjudicate; as, the case was adjudged in the November term.

3.
To sentence; to condemn.

Without reprieve, adjudged to death
For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth.
Milton.

4.
To regard or hold; to judge; to deem.

He adjudged him unworthy of his friendship.
Knolles.


word: Adjudgment
definition:
Adjudgment

Ad*judg"ment
(-ment)
n.
The act of adjudging; judicial decision; adjudication.
Sir W. Temple.


word: Adjudicate
definition:
Adjudicate

Ad*ju"di*cate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adjudicated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adjudicating (_;)]
[L. adjudicatus, p. p. of adjudicare. See Adjudge.]
To adjudge; to try and determine, as a court; to settle by judicial decree.


word: Adjudicate₂
definition:
Adjudicate

Ad*ju"di*cate
v. i.
To come to a judicial decision; as, the court adjudicated upon the case.


word: Adjudication
definition:
Adjudication

Ad*ju`di*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adjudicatio: cf. F. adjudication.]
1.
The act of adjudicating; the act or process of trying and determining judicially.

2.
A deliberate determination by the judicial power; a judicial decision or sentence.
adjudication
Burke.

3.
(Bankruptcy practice)
The decision upon the question whether the debtor is a bankrupt.
Abbott.

4.
(Scots Law)
A process by which land is attached security or in satisfaction of a debt.


word: Adjugate
definition:
Adjugate

Ad"ju*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. adjugatus, p. p. of adjugare; ad + jugum a yoke.]
To yoke to.
[Obs.]


word: Adjument
definition:
Adjument

Ad"ju*ment
(ăd"j&uuptack_;*ment)
n.
[L. adjumentum, for adjuvamentum, fr. adjuvare to help; ad + juvare to help.]
Help; support; also, a helper.
[Obs.]
Waterhouse.


word: Adjunct
definition:
Adjunct

Ad"junct`
(_;)
a.
[L. adjunctus, p. p. of adjungere. See Adjoin.]
Conjoined; attending; consequent.

Though that my death were adjunct to my act.
Shak.

Adjunct notes (Mus.), short notes between those essential to the harmony; auxiliary notes; passing notes.


word: Adjunct₂
definition:
Adjunct

Ad"junct`
n.
1.
Something joined or added to another thing, but not essentially a part of it.

Learning is but an adjunct to our self.
Shak.

2.
A person joined to another in some duty or service; a colleague; an associate.
Wotton.

3.
(Gram.)
A word or words added to quality or amplify the force of other words; as, the History of the American Revolution, where the words in italics are the adjunct or adjuncts of “History.”

4.
(Metaph.)
A quality or property of the body or the mind, whether natural or acquired; as, color, in the body, judgment in the mind.

5.
(Mus.)
A key or scale closely related to another as principal; a relative or attendant key. [R.] See Attendant keys, under Attendant, a.


word: Adjunction
definition:
Adjunction

Ad*junc"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adjunctio, fr. adjungere: cf. F. adjonction, and see Adjunct.]
The act of joining; the thing joined or added.


word: Adjunctive
definition:
Adjunctive

Ad*junc"tive
(_;)
a.
[L. adjunctivus, fr. adjungere. See Adjunct.]
Joining; having the quality of joining; forming an adjunct.


word: Adjuration
definition:
Adjuration

Ad`ju*ra"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adjuratio, fr. adjurare: cf. F. adjuration. See Adjure.]
1.
The act of adjuring; a solemn charging on oath, or under the penalty of a curse; an earnest appeal.

What an accusation could not effect, an adjuration shall.
Bp. Hall.

2.
The form of oath or appeal.

Persons who . . . made use of prayer and adjurations.
Addison.


word: Adjure
definition:
Adjure

Ad*jure"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adjured (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adjuring (_;)]
[L. adjurare, adjurdium, to swear to; later, to adjure: cf. F. adjurer. See Jury.]
To charge, bind, or command, solemnly, as if under oath, or under the penalty of a curse; to appeal to in the most solemn or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly.

Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho.
Josh. vi. 26.

The high priest . . . said . . . I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ.
Matt. xxvi. 63.

The commissioners adjured them not to let pass so favorable an opportunity of securing their liberties.
Marshall.


word: Adjust
definition:
Adjust

Ad*just"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adjusted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adjusting.]
[OF. ajuster, ajoster (whence F. ajouter to add), LL. adjuxtare to fit; fr. L. ad + juxta near; confused later with L. ad and justus just, right, whence F. ajuster to adjust. See Just, v. t. and cf. Adjute.]
1.
To make exact; to fit; to make correspondent or conformable; to bring into proper relations; as, to adjust a garment to the body, or things to a standard.

2.
To put in order; to regulate, or reduce to system.

Adjusting the orthography.
Johnson.

3.
To settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result; as, to adjust accounts; the differences are adjusted.

4.
To bring to a true relative position, as the parts of an instrument; to regulate for use; as, to adjust a telescope or microscope.


word: adjusted
definition:
adjusted

adjusted
adj.
1.
1
accommodated to certain requirements

Syn. -- regulated

2.
1
having become accustomed [to surroundings, a situation. etc.]
oriented (vs. unoriented), orientated 

Syn. -- familiarized

3.
1
(Music)
so tuned as to allow modulation into other keys
tempered (vs. untempered)

Syn. -- tuned

4.
adjusted to produce a clear image; -- of an optical system (e.g. eye or opera glasses)
focused (vs. unfocused), focussed 


word: Adjuster
definition:
Adjuster

Ad*just"er
(_;)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, adjusts.

2.
an insurance agent who examines claims against personal or property damage insurance policies and makes estimates and recommendations regarding the amount which should be paid to the policyholder.


word: Adjusting surface
definition:
Adjusting surface

Adjusting plane

{ Adjusting plane, Adjusting surface. }
(Aëronautics)
A small plane or surface, usually capable of adjustment but not of manipulation, for preserving lateral balance in an aëroplane or flying machine.


word: Adjustment
definition:
Adjustment

Ad*just"ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. F. ajustement. See Adjust.]
1.
The act of adjusting, or condition of being adjusted; act of bringing into proper relations; regulation.

Success depends on the nicest and minutest adjustment of the parts concerned.
Paley.

2.
(Law)
Settlement of claims; an equitable arrangement of conflicting claims, as in set-off, contribution, exoneration, subrogation, and marshaling.
Bispham.

3.
The operation of bringing all the parts of an instrument, as a microscope or telescope, into their proper relative position for use; the condition of being thus adjusted; as, to get a good adjustment; to be in or out of adjustment.


word: Adjutancy
definition:
Adjutancy

Ad"ju*tan*cy
(-tan*s&ybreve_;)
n.
[See Adjutant.]
1.
The office of an adjutant.

2.
Skillful arrangement in aid; assistance.

It was, no doubt, disposed with all the adjutancy of definition and division.
Burke.


word: Adjutant
definition:
Adjutant

Ad"ju*tant
(_;)
n.
[L. adjutans, p. pr. of adjutare to help. See Aid.]
1.
A helper; an assistant.

2.
(Mil.)
A regimental staff officer, who assists the colonel, or commanding officer of a garrison or regiment, in the details of regimental and garrison duty.

Adjutant general (a) (Mil.), the principal staff officer of an army, through whom the commanding general receives communications and issues military orders. In the U. S. army he is brigadier general. (b) (Among the Jesuits), one of a select number of fathers, who resided with the general of the order, each of whom had a province or country assigned to his care.

3.
(Zool.)
A species of very large stork (Ciconia argala), a native of India; -- called also the gigantic crane, and by the native name argala. It is noted for its serpent-destroying habits.


word: Adjuvant
definition:
Adjuvant

Ad"ju*vant
(_;)
a.
[L. adjuvans, p. pr. of adjuvare to aid: cf. F. adjuvant. See Aid.]
Helping; helpful; assisting.
[R.]
Adjuvant
Howell.


word: Adjuvant₂
definition:
Adjuvant

Ad"ju*vant
(ăd"j&uuptack_;*vant)
n.
[L. adjuvamentum, fr. adjuvare to help; ad + juvare to help.]
1.
An assistant.
[R.]
Yelverton.
AS

2.
(Med.)
An ingredient in a prescription drug, which aids or modifies the action of the principal ingredient.
AS

3.
(Med., Immunology)
A substance that non-specifically enhances immune response to an antigen, such as by enhancing the production of antibodies.
AS


word: Adlegation
definition:
Adlegation

Ad`le*ga"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adlegatio, allegatio, a sending away; fr. adlegare, allegare, to send away with a commission; ad in addition + legare to send as ambassador. Cf. Allegation.]
A right formerly claimed by the states of the German Empire of joining their own ministers with those of the emperor in public treaties and negotiations to the common interest of the empire.
Encyc. Brit.


word: Admarginate
definition:
Admarginate

Ad*mar"gin*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. ad- + margin.]
To write in the margin.
[R.]
Coleridge.


word: Admaxillary
definition:
Admaxillary

Ad*max"il*la*ry
(_;)
a.
[Pref. ad- + maxillary.]
(Anat.)
Near to the maxilla or jawbone.


word: Admeasure
definition:
Admeasure

Ad*meas"ure
(?; 135)
v. t.
[Cf. OF. amesurer, LL. admensurare. See Measure.]
1.
To measure.

2.
(Law)
To determine the proper share of, or the proper apportionment; as, to admeasure dower; to admeasure common of pasture.
Blackstone.

2.
The measure of a thing; dimensions; size.

3.
(Law)
Formerly, the adjustment of proportion, or ascertainment of shares, as of dower or pasture held in common. This was by writ of admeasurement, directed to the sheriff.


word: Admensuration
definition:
Admensuration

Ad*men`su*ra"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. admensuratio; L. ad + mensurare to measure. See Mensuration.]
Same as Admeasurement.


word: Adminicle
definition:
Adminicle

Ad*min"i*cle
(_;)
n.
[L. adminculum support, orig., that on which the hand rests; ad + manus hand + dim. ending -culym.]
1.
Help or support; an auxiliary.
Grote.

2.
(Law)
Corroborative or explanatory proof.

In Scots law, any writing tending to establish the existence or terms of a lost deed.  Bell.


word: Adminicular
definition:
Adminicular

Ad`mi*nic"u*lar
(_;)
a.
Supplying help; auxiliary; corroborative; explanatory; as, adminicular evidence.
H. Spencer.


word: Administer
definition:
Administer

Ad*min"is*ter
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Administered (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Administering.]
[OE. aministren, OF. aministrer, F. administer, fr. L. administrare; ad + ministrare to serve. See Minister.]
1.
To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or superintend the execution, application, or conduct of; as, to administer the government or the state.

For forms of government let fools contest:
Whate'er is best administered is best.
Pope.

2.
To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to administer relief, to administer the sacrament.

[Let zephyrs] administer their tepid, genial airs.
Philips.

Justice was administered with an exactness and purity not before known.
Macaulay.

3.
To apply, as medicine or a remedy; to give, as a dose or something beneficial or suitable. Extended to a blow, a reproof, etc.

A noxious drug had been administered to him.
Macaulay.

4.
To tender, as an oath.

Swear . . . to keep the oath that we administer.
Shak.

5.
(Law)
To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.


word: Administer₂
definition:
Administer

Ad*min"is*ter
v. i.
1.
To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to conduce; to minister.

A fountain . . . administers to the pleasure as well as the plenty of the place.
Spectator.

2.
(Law)
To perform the office of administrator; to act officially; as, A administers upon the estate of B.


word: Administerial
definition:
Administerial

Ad*min`is*te"ri*al
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to administration, or to the executive part of government.


word: Administrant
definition:
Administrant

Ad*min"is*trant
(_;)
a.
[F., p. pr. of administrer. See Administer.]
Executive; acting; managing affairs.
n. One who administers.


word: Administrate
definition:
Administrate

Ad*min"is*trate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. administratus, p. p. of administrare.]
To administer.
[R.]
Milman.


word: Administration
definition:
Administration

Ad*min`is*tra"tion
(?; 277)
n.
[OE. administracioun, L. administratio: cf. F. administration.]
1.
The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction; management.

His financial administration was of a piece with his military administration.
Macaulay.

2.
The executive part of government; the persons collectively who are intrusted with the execution of laws and the superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain.

A mild and popular administration.
Macaulay.

The administration has been opposed in parliament.
Johnson.

3.
The act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation; as, the administration of a medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament.

4.
(Law)
(a)
The management and disposal, under legal authority, of the estate of an intestate, or of a testator having no competent executor.
(b)
The management of an estate of a deceased person by an executor, the strictly corresponding term execution not being in use.

Administration with the will annexed, administration granted where the testator has appointed no executor, or where his appointment of an executor for any cause has failed, as by death, incompetency, refusal to act, etc.


word: Administrative
definition:
Administrative

Ad*min"is*tra`tive
(ăd*mĭn"ĭs*trā`tĭv)
a.
[L. administrativus: cf. F. administratif.]
Pertaining to administration; administering; executive; as, an administrative body, ability, or energy.
Ad*min"is*tra`tive*ly, adv.


word: Administrator
definition:
Administrator

Ad*min`is*tra"tor
(_;)
n.
[L.]
1.
One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager.

2.
(Law)
A man who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority.


word: Administratrix
definition:
Administratrix

Ad*min`is*tra"trix
(_;)
n.
[NL.]
A woman who administers; esp., one who administers the estate of an intestate, or to whom letters of administration have been granted; a female administrator.


word: Admirable
definition:
Admirable

Ad"mi*ra*ble
(_;)
a.
[L. admirabilis: cf. F. admirable.]
1.
Fitted to excite wonder; wonderful; marvelous.
[Obs.]

In man there is nothing admirable but his ignorance and weakness.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Having qualities to excite wonder united with approbation; deserving the highest praise; most excellent; -- used of persons or things.
admirable
Admirable
Macaulay.


word: Admiral
definition:
Admiral

Ad"mi*ral
(_;)
n.
[OE. amiral, admiral, OF. amiral, ultimately fr. Ar. amīr-al-bahr commander of the sea; Ar. amīr is commander, al is the Ar. article, and amīr-al, heard in different titles, was taken as one word. Early forms of the word show confusion with L. admirabilis admirable, fr. admirari to admire. It is said to have been introduced into Europe by the Genoese or Venetians, in the 12th or 13th century. Cf. Ameer, Emir.]
1.
A naval officer of the highest rank; a naval officer of high rank, of which there are different grades. The chief gradations in rank are admiral, vice admiral, and rear admiral. The admiral is the commander in chief of a fleet or of fleets.

2.
The ship which carries the admiral; also, the most considerable ship of a fleet.

Like some mighty admiral, dark and terrible, bearing down upon his antagonist with all his canvas straining to the wind, and all his thunders roaring from his broadsides.
E. Everett.

3.
(Zool.)
A handsome butterfly (Pyrameis Atalanta) of Europe and America. The larva feeds on nettles.

Admiral shell (Zool.), the popular name of an ornamental cone shell (Conus admiralis).

Lord High Admiral, a great officer of state, who (when this rare dignity is conferred) is at the head of the naval administration of Great Britain.


word: Admiralship
definition:
Admiralship

Ad"mi*ral*ship
n.
The office or position oaf an admiral; also, the naval skill of an admiral.


word: Admiralty
definition:
Admiralty

Ad"mi*ral*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Admiralties (_;).
[F. amirauté, for an older amiralté, office of admiral, fr. LL. admiralitas. See Admiral.]
1.
The office or jurisdiction of an admiral.
Prescott.

2.
The department or officers having authority over naval affairs generally.

3.
The court which has jurisdiction of maritime questions and offenses.

&hand_; In England, admiralty jurisdiction was formerly vested in the High Court of Admiralty, which was held before the Lord High Admiral, or his deputy, styled the Judge of the Admiralty; but admiralty jurisdiction is now vested in the probate, divorce, and admiralty division of the High Justice. In America, there are no admiralty courts distinct from others, but admiralty jurisdiction is vested in the district courts of the United States, subject to revision by the circuit courts and the Supreme Court of the United States. Admiralty jurisprudence has cognizance of maritime contracts and torts, collisions at sea, cases of prize in war, etc., and in America, admiralty jurisdiction is extended to such matters, arising out of the navigation of any of the public waters, as the Great Lakes and rivers.

4.
The system of jurisprudence of admiralty courts.

5.
The building in which the lords of the admiralty, in England, transact business.


word: Admiration
definition:
Admiration

Ad`mi*ra"tion
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. L. admiratio. See Admire.]
1.
Wonder; astonishment.
[Obs.]

Season your admiration for a while.
Shak.

2.
Wonder mingled with approbation or delight; an emotion excited by a person or thing possessed of wonderful or high excellence; as, admiration of a beautiful woman, of a landscape, of virtue.

3.
Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased surprise; a prodigy.

Now, good Lafeu, bring in the admiration.
Shak.

Note of admiration, the mark (!), called also exclamation point.


word: Admire
definition:
Admire

Ad*mire"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Admired (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Admiring (_;).]
[F. admirer, fr. L. admirari; ad + mirari to wonder, for smirari, akin to Gr. _; to smile, Skr. smi, and E. smile.]
1.
To regard with wonder or astonishment; to view with surprise; to marvel at.
[Archaic]

Examples rather to be admired than imitated.
Fuller.

2.
To regard with wonder and delight; to look upon with an elevated feeling of pleasure, as something which calls out approbation, esteem, love, or reverence; to estimate or prize highly; as, to admire a person of high moral worth, to admire a landscape.

Admired as heroes and as gods obeyed.
Pope.

&hand_; Admire followed by the infinitive is obsolete or colloquial; as, I admire to see a man consistent in his conduct.


word: Admire₂
definition:
Admire

Ad*mire"
v. i.
To wonder; to marvel; to be affected with surprise; -- sometimes with at.

To wonder at Pharaoh, and even admire at myself.
Fuller.


word: Admired
definition:
Admired

Ad*mired"
(_;)
a.
1.
Regarded with wonder and delight; highly prized; as, an admired poem.

2.
Wonderful; also, admirable.
[Obs.]
Admired
Admired
Shak.


word: Admissibility
definition:
Admissibility

Ad*mis`si*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. admissibilité.]
The quality of being admissible; admissibleness; as, the admissibility of evidence.


word: Admissible
definition:
Admissible

Ad*mis"si*ble
(_;)
a.
[F. admissible, LL. admissibilis. See Admit.]
Entitled to be admitted, or worthy of being admitted; that may be allowed or conceded; allowable; as, the supposition is hardly admissible.
Ad*mis"si*ble*ness, n. -- Ad*mis"si*bly, adv.


word: Admission
definition:
Admission

Ad*mis"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. admissio: cf. F. admission. See Admit.]
1.
The act or practice of admitting.

2.
Power or permission to enter; admittance; entrance; access; power to approach.

What numbers groan for sad admission there!
Young.

3.
The granting of an argument or position not fully proved; the act of acknowledging something _;serted; acknowledgment; concession.

The too easy admission of doctrines.
Macaulay.

4.
(Law)
Acquiescence or concurrence in a statement made by another, and distinguishable from a confession in that an admission presupposes prior inquiry by another, but a confession may be made without such inquiry.

5.
A fact, point, or statement admitted; as, admission made out of court are received in evidence.

6.
(Eng. Eccl. Law)
Declaration of the bishop that he approves of the presentee as a fit person to serve the cure of the church to which he is presented.
Shipley.


word: Admit
definition:
Admit

Ad*mit"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Admitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Admitting.]
[OE. amitten, L. admittere, admissum; ad + mittere to send: cf. F. admettre, OF. admettre, OF. ametre. See Missile.]
1.
To suffer to enter; to grant entrance, whether into a place, or into the mind, or consideration; to receive; to take; as, they were into his house; to admit a serious thought into the mind; to admit evidence in the trial of a cause.

2.
To give a right of entrance; as, a ticket admits one into a playhouse.

3.
To allow (one) to enter on an office or to enjoy a privilege; to recognize as qualified for a franchise; as, to admit an attorney to practice law; the prisoner was admitted to bail.

4.
To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an allegation which it is impossible to deny; to own or confess; as, the argument or fact is admitted; he admitted his guilt.

5.
To be capable of; to permit; as, the words do not admit such a construction. In this sense, of may be used after the verb, or may be omitted.

Both Houses declared that they could admit of no treaty with the king.
Hume.


word: Admittance
definition:
Admittance

Ad*mit"tance
(_;)
n.
1.
The act of admitting.

2.
Permission to enter; the power or right of entrance; also, actual entrance; reception.

To gain admittance into the house.
South.

He desires admittance to the king.
Dryden.

To give admittance to a thought of fear.
Shak.

3.
Concession; admission; allowance; as, the admittance of an argument.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.

4.
Admissibility.
[Obs.]
Shak.

5.
(Eng. Law)
The act of giving possession of a copyhold estate.
Bouvier.


word: Admittatur
definition:
Admittatur

Ad`mit*ta"tur
(_;)
n.
[L., let him be admitted.]
The certificate of admission given in some American colleges.


word: Admittedly
definition:
Admittedly

Admitted

Ad*mit"ted
(_;)
a.
Received as true or valid; acknowledged.
Ad*mit"ted*ly adv. Confessedly.


word: Admix
definition:
Admix

Ad*mix"
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. ad- + mix: cf. L. admixtus, p. p. of admiscere. See Mix.]
To mingle with something else; to mix.
[R.]


word: Admixtion
definition:
Admixtion

Ad*mix"tion
(?; 106)
n.
[L. admixtio.]
A mingling of different things; admixture.
Glanvill.


word: Admixture
definition:
Admixture

Ad*mix"ture
(?; 135)
n.
[L. admiscere, admixtum, to admix; ad + miscere to mix. See Mix.]

1.
The act of mixing; mixture.

2.
The compound formed by mixing different substances together.

3.
That which is mixed with anything.


word: Admonish
definition:
Admonish

Ad*mon"ish
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Admonished (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Admonishing.]
[OE. amonesten, OF. amonester, F. admonester, fr. a supposed LL. admonesstrare, fr. L. admonere to remind, warn; ad + monere to warn. See Monition.]
1.
To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove gently or kindly, but seriously; to exhort.
Admonish
2 Thess. iii. 15.

2.
To counsel against wrong practices; to cation or advise; to warn against danger or an offense; -- followed by of, against, or a subordinate clause.

Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns.
Col. iii. 16.

I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold
The danger, and the lurking enemy.
Milton.

3.
To instruct or direct; to inform; to notify.

Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle.
Heb. viii. 5.


word: admonishing
definition:
admonishing

admonishing
adj.
1.
expressing adverse criticism as a corrective

Syn. -- admonitory, reproachful, reproving


word: Admonishment
definition:
Admonishment

Ad*mon"ish*ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. OF. amonestement, admonestement.]
Admonition.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Admonition
definition:
Admonition

Ad`mo*ni"tion
(_;)
n.
[OE. amonicioun, OF. amonition, F. admonition, fr. L. admonitio, fr. admonere. See Admonish.]
Gentle or friendly reproof; counseling against a fault or error; expression of authoritative advice; friendly caution or warning.


word: Admonitor
definition:
Admonitor

Ad*mon"i*tor
(_;)
n.
[L.]
Admonisher; monitor.

Conscience is at most times a very faithful and prudent admonitor.
Shenstone.


word: Admonitory
definition:
Admonitory

Ad*mon"i*to*ry
(_;)
a.
[LL. admonitorius.]
That conveys admonition; warning or reproving; as, an admonitory glance.
Ad*mon"i*to*ri*ly, (_;), adv.


word: Admortization
definition:
Admortization

Ad*mor`ti*za"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. admortizatio. Cf. Amortization.]
(Law)
The reducing or lands or tenements to mortmain. See Mortmain.


word: Admove
definition:
Admove

Ad*move"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. admovere. See Move.]
To move or conduct to or toward.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Adnascent
definition:
Adnascent

Ad*nas"cent
(_;)
a.
[L. adnascens, p. pr. of adnasci to be born, grow.]
Growing to or on something else.
adnascent
Evelyn.


word: Adnate
definition:
Adnate

Ad"nate
(_;)
a.
[L. adnatus, p. p. of adnasci. See Adnascent, and cf. Agnate.]
1.
(Physiol.)
Grown to congenitally.

2.
(Bot.)
Growing together; -- said only of organic cohesion of unlike parts.

An anther is adnate when fixed by its whole length to the filament.
Gray.

3.
(Zool.)
Growing with one side adherent to a stem; -- a term applied to the lateral zooids of corals and other compound animals.


word: Adnation
definition:
Adnation

Ad*na"tion
(_;)
n.
(Bot.)
The adhesion or cohesion of different floral verticils or sets of organs.


word: Adnominal
definition:
Adnominal

Ad*nom"i*nal
(_;)
a.
[L. ad + nomen noun.]
(Gram.)
Pertaining to an adnoun; adjectival; attached to a noun.
Gibbs.
Ad*nom"i*nal*ly, adv.


word: Adnubilated
definition:
Adnubilated

Ad*nu"bi*la`ted
(_;)
a.
[L. adnubilatus, p. p. of adnubilare.]
Clouded; obscured.
[R.]


word: Ado
definition:
Ado

A*do"
(ȧ*dō")
v. inf.
n.
[OE. at do, northern form for to do. Cf. Affair.]
1.
To do; in doing; as, there is nothing ado.
ado
J. Newton.

2.
Doing; trouble; difficulty; troublesome business; fuss; bustle; as, to make a great ado about trifles.

With much ado, he partly kept awake.
Dryden.

Let's follow to see the end of this ado.
Shak.


word: Adobe
definition:
Adobe

A*do"be
(ȧ*d&omacr"ba̝)
n.
[Sp.]
1.
An unburnt brick dried in the sun; also used as an adjective, as, an adobe house, in Texas or New Mexico.

2.
Earth from which unburnt bricks are made.
[Western U. S.]

3.
(Geol.)
Alluvial and playa clays of desert and arid regions, differing from ordinary clays of humid regions in containing carbonates and other soluble minerals.


word: adobe-lily
definition:
adobe-lily

adobe-lily
n.
1.
a California herb (Fritillaria pluriflora) with pinkish purple flowers.

Syn. -- adobe lily, pink fritillary, Fritillaria pluriflora


word: Adolescence
definition:
Adolescence

Ad`o*les"cence
(_;)
n.
[Fr., fr. L. adolescentia.]
The state of growing up from childhood to manhood or womanhood; youth, or the period of life between puberty and maturity, generally considered to be, in the male sex, from fourteen to twenty-one. Sometimes used with reference to the lower animals.


word: Adolescent
definition:
Adolescent

Ad`o*les"cent
(ăd`o̝*lĕs"sent)
a.
[L. adolescens, p. pr. of adolescere to grow up to; ad + the inchoative olescere to grow: cf. F. adolescent. See Adult.]
Growing; advancing from childhood to maturity.

Schools, unless discipline were doubly strong,
Detain their adolescent charge too long.
Cowper.


word: Adonai
definition:
Adonai

Ad`o*na"i
(?)
n.
[Heb. ad&omacrnāi, lit., my lord.]
A Hebrew name for God, usually translated in the Old Testament by the word “Lord”.

&hand_; The later Jews used its vowel points to fill out the tetragrammaton Yhvh, or Ihvh, “the incommunicable name,” and in reading substituted “Adonai”.


word: Adonic
definition:
Adonic

A*don"ic
(_;)
a.
[F. adonique: cf. L. Adonius.]
Relating to Adonis, famed for his beauty.
n. An Adonic verse.

Adonic verse, a verse consisting of a dactyl and spondee (-- &breve &breve | -- --).


word: Adonis
definition:
Adonis

A*do"nis
(ȧ*d&omacr"nĭs)
n.
[L., gr. Gr. 'A`dwnis.]
1.
(Gr. Myth.)
A youth beloved by Venus for his beauty. He was killed in the chase by a wild boar.

2.
A preëminently beautiful young man; a dandy.

3.
(Bot.)
A genus of plants of the family Ranunculaceæ, containing the pheasant's eye (Adonis autumnalis); -- named from Adonis, whose blood was fabled to have stained the flower.


word: Adonist
definition:
Adonist

A*do"nist
(ȧ*d&omacr"nĭst)
n.
[Heb. ăd&omacrnāi my Lords.]
One who maintains that points of the Hebrew word translated “Jehovah” are really the vowel points of the word “Adonai.” See Jehovist.


word: Adonize
definition:
Adonize

Ad"o*nize
(ăd"o̝*nīz)
v. t.
[Cf. F. adoniser, fr. Adonis.]
To beautify; to dandify.

I employed three good hours at least in adjusting and adonozing myself.
Smollett.


word: Adoors
definition:
Adoors

Adoor

{ A*door (_;), A*doors (_;), }
At the door; of the door; as, out adoors.
Shak.

I took him in adoors.
Vicar's Virgil (1630).


word: Adopt
definition:
Adopt

A*dopt"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adopted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adopting.]
[L. adoptare; ad + optare to choose, desire: cf. F. adopter. See Option.]
1.
To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.; esp. to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own child.

2.
To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally; to select and take or approve; as, to adopt the view or policy of another; these resolutions were adopted.


word: Adopted
definition:
Adopted

A*dopt"ed
(_;)
a.
Taken by adoption; taken up as one's own; as, an adopted son, citizen, country, word.
A*dopt"ed*ly, adv.


word: Adopter
definition:
Adopter

A*dopt"er
(_;)
n.
1.
One who adopts.

2.
(Chem.)
A receiver, with two necks, opposite to each other, one of which admits the neck of a retort, and the other is joined to another receiver. It is used in distillations, to give more space to elastic vapors, to increase the length of the neck of a retort, or to unite two vessels whose openings have different diameters.
[Written also adapter.]


word: Adoption
definition:
Adoption

A*dop"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adoptio, allied to adoptare to adopt: cf. F. adoption.]
1.
The act of adopting, or state of being adopted; voluntary acceptance of a child of other parents to be the same as one's own child.

2.
Admission to a more intimate relation; reception; as, the adoption of persons into hospitals or monasteries, or of one society into another.

3.
The choosing and making that to be one's own which originally was not so; acceptance; as, the adoption of opinions.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Adoptionist
definition:
Adoptionist

A*dop"tion*ist
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect which maintained that Christ was the Son of God not by nature but by adoption.


word: Adoptive
definition:
Adoptive

A*dopt"ive
(_;)
a.
[L. adoptivus: cf. F. adoptif.]
Pertaining to adoption; made or acquired by adoption; fitted to adopt; as, an adoptive father, an child; an adoptive language.
A*dopt"ive*ly, adv.


word: Adorable
definition:
Adorable

A*dor"a*ble
(_;)
a.
[L. adorabilis, fr. adorare: cf. F. adorable.]
1.
Deserving to be adored; worthy of divine honors.

The adorable Author of Christianity.
Cheyne.

2.
Worthy of the utmost love or respect.


word: Adoration
definition:
Adoration

Ad`o*ra"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adoratio, fr. adorare: cf. F. adoration.]
1.
The act of playing honor to a divine being; the worship paid to God; the act of addressing as a god.

The more immediate objects of popular adoration amongst the heathens were deified human beings.
Farmer.

2.
Homage paid to one in high esteem; profound veneration; intense regard and love; fervent devotion.

3.
A method of electing a pope by the expression of homage from two thirds of the conclave.

[Pole] might have been chosen on the spot by adoration.
Froude.


word: adore
definition:
adore

a*dore"
(ȧ*d&omacrr")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. adored (ȧ*d&omacrrd"); p. pr. & vb. n. adoring (ȧ*d&omacrr"ĭng).]
[OE. aouren, anouren, adoren, OF. aorer, adorer, F. adorer, fr. L. adorare; ad + orare to speak, pray, os, oris, mouth.  In OE. confused with honor, the French prefix a- being confused with OE. a, an, on.  See Oral.]
1.
To worship with profound reverence; to pay divine honors to; to honor as a deity or as divine.

Bishops and priests, . . . bearing the host, which he [James II.] publicly adored.
Smollett.

2.
To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost esteem and affection; to idolize.

The great mass of the population abhorred Popery and adored Monmouth.
Macaulay.


word: Adorer
definition:
Adorer

A*dor"er
(ȧ*d&omacrr"ẽr)
n.
One who adores; a worshiper; one who admires or loves greatly; an ardent admirer.
adorer
Clarendon.

I profess myself her adorer, not her friend.
Shak.


word: adoring
definition:
adoring

adoring
adj.
1.
1
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration.  Opposite of irreverent.

Syn. -- worshipful, reverent

2.
1
feeling or showing a deep love and devotion to.
her adoring parents

Syn. -- doting, fond, lovesome


word: Adorn
definition:
Adorn

A*dorn"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adorned (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adorning.]
[OE. aournen, anournen, adornen, OF. aorner, fr. L. aaornare; ad + ornare to furnish, embellish. See Adore, Ornate.]
To deck or dress with ornaments; to embellish; to set off to advantage; to render pleasing or attractive.

As a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Isa. lxi. 10.

At church, with meek and unaffected grace,
His looks adorned the venerable place.
Goldsmith.


word: Adornment
definition:
Adornment

A*dorn"ment
(-ment)
n.
[Cf. OF. adornement. See Adorn.]
An adorning; an ornament; a decoration.


word: Adosculation
definition:
Adosculation

Ad*os"cu*la"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adosculari, adosculatum, to kiss. See Osculate.]
(Biol.)
Impregnation by external contact, without intromission.


word: Adown
definition:
Adown

A*down"
(_;)
adv.
[OE. adun, adoun, adune. AS. of dūne off the hill. See Down.]
From a higher to a lower situation; downward; down, to or on the ground.
[Archaic]
adown
Spenser.


word: Adown₂
definition:
Adown

A*down"
prep.
Down.
[Archaic & Poetic]

Her hair adown her shoulders loosely lay displayed.
Prior.


word: Adpress
definition:
Adpress

Ad*press"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. adpressus, p. p. of adprimere.]
See Appressed.
Ad*pressed", (_;), a.


word: Adread
definition:
Adread

A*dread"
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[AS. andrædan, ondræ; pref. a- (for and against) + dræden to dread. See Dread.]
To dread.
[Obs.]
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Adreamed
definition:
Adreamed

A*dreamed"
(_;)
p. p.
Visited by a dream; -- used in the phrase, To be adreamed, to dream.
[Obs.]


word: Adrenalin
definition:
Adrenalin

Adrenaline

Ad*re"nal*ine (?), n. Also Ad*re"nal*in (_;)
(Physiol. Chem.)
a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that acts as a powerful stimulant in reponse to fear or stress; it stimulates autonomic nerve action.  It can be obtained as a crystalline substance, C9H13NO3. It is used in medicine as a vasoconstrictor (hemostatic) and cardiac stimulant, also to reduce allergic reactions and to stimulate the heart in cases of cardiac arrest.
MI11

Syn. -- epinephrine; 3,4-dihydroxy-1-[1-hydroxy-2-(methylamino)-ethyl]benzene.


word: adrenergic
definition:
adrenergic

adrenergic
adj.
1.
producing or activated by epinephrine or adrenaline
an adrenergic nerve fiber


word: adrenocorticotropic
definition:
adrenocorticotropic

adrenocorticotrophic

adrenocorticotrophic adrenocorticotropic 
adj.
1.
stimulating or acting on the adrenal cortex


word: adrenocorticotropin
definition:
adrenocorticotropin

adrenocorticotropin
n.
1.
a growth hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; it stimulates the adrenal cortex.

Syn. -- adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, adrenocorticotrophin, corticotropin, corticotrophin, ACTH


word: adrenosterone
definition:
adrenosterone

adrenosterone
n.
1.
a steroid having androgenic activity; obtained from the cortex of the adrenal gland.


word: Adrianople
definition:
Adrianople

Adrianople
n.
1.
a city in Northwest Turkey; a Thracian town that was rebuilt and renamed by the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Syn. -- Edirne, Adrianopolis


word: Adrianopolis
definition:
Adrianopolis

Adrianopolis
n.
1.
a city in Northwest Turkey; a Thracian town that was rebuilt and renamed by the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Syn. -- Edirne, Adrianople


word: Adriatic
definition:
Adriatic

A`dri*at"ic
(_;)
a.
[L. Adriaticus, Hadriaticus, fr. Adria or Hadria, a town of the Veneti.]
Of or pertaining to a sea so named, the northwestern part of which is known as the Gulf of Venice.


word: Adrift
definition:
Adrift

A*drift"
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- (for on) + drift.]
Floating at random; in a drifting condition; at the mercy of wind and waves. Also fig.

So on the sea shall be set adrift.
Dryden.

Were from their daily labor turned adrift.
Wordsworth.


word: Adrip
definition:
Adrip

A*drip"
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- in + drip.]
In a dripping state; as, leaves all adrip.
D. G. Mitchell.


word: Adrogate
definition:
Adrogate

Ad"ro*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[See Arrogate.]
(Rom. Law)
To adopt (a person who is his own master).


word: Adrogation
definition:
Adrogation

Ad`ro*ga"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adrogatio, arrogatio, fr. adrogare. See Arrogate.]
(Rom. Law)
A kind of adoption in ancient Rome. See Arrogation.


word: Adroit
definition:
Adroit

A*droit"
(_;)
a.
[F. adroit; à (L. ad) = droit straight, right, fr. L. directus, p. p. of dirigere. See Direct.]
Dexterous in the use of the hands or in the exercise of the mental faculties; exhibiting skill and readiness in avoiding danger or escaping difficulty; ready in invention or execution; -- applied to persons and to acts; as, an adroit mechanic, an adroit reply.
Adroit
Horsley.
adroit
Macaulay.


word: Adroitness
definition:
Adroitness

A*droit"ness
n.
The quality of being adroit; skill and readiness; dexterity.

Adroitness was as requisite as courage.
Motley.


word: Adscititious
definition:
Adscititious

Ad`sci*ti"tious
(_;)
a.
[L. adscitus, p. p. of adsciscere, asciscere, to take knowingly; ad + sciscere to seek to know, approve, scire to know.]
Supplemental; additional; adventitious; ascititious.
Adscititious
Bowring.
Ad`sci*ti"tious*ly, adv.


word: Adscript
definition:
Adscript

Ad"script
(_;)
a.
[L. adscriptus, p. p. of adscribere   to enroll. See Ascribe.]
Held to service as attached to the soil; -- said of feudal serfs.


word: Adscript₂
definition:
Adscript

Ad"script
(_;)
n.
One held to service as attached to the glebe or estate; a feudal serf.
Bancroft.


word: Adscriptive
definition:
Adscriptive

Ad*scrip"tive
(_;)
a.
[L. adscriptivus. See Adscript.]
Attached or annexed to the glebe or estate and transferable with it.
Brougham.


word: adsorb
definition:
adsorb

ad*sorb"
v. t.
to attract and bind (molecules of a substance in a fluid) so as to form a thin layer on the surface, by non-electrostatic forces; to bind by adsorption.  Distinguished from absorb, in which the foreign substance penetrates the body of the absorbing material.

Syn. -- surface assimilation


word: adsorption
definition:
adsorption

adsorption
n.
1.
1
the process by which molecules of a substance form a thin film on the surface of a solid.  Distinguished from absorption, in which the foreign substance penetrates the body of the absorbing material.

Syn. -- surface assimilation


word: adsorptive
definition:
adsorptive

adsorptive
adj.
1.
having capacity or tendency to adsorb or cause to accumulate on a surface; displaying adsorption.
chemisorptive, chemosorptive 
nonadsorbent

Syn. -- adsorbent, surface-assimilative


word: Adsuki bean
definition:
Adsuki bean

Ad*su"ki bean
(ăd*sō"kĭ; ăd*zō"kĭ)
[Jap. adzuki.]
A cultivated variety of the Asiatic gram, now introduced into the United States.


word: Adularia
definition:
Adularia

Ad`u*la"ri*a
(_;)
n.
[From Adula, a mountain peak in Switzerland, where fine specimens are found.]
(Min.)
A transparent or translucent variety of common feldspar, or orthoclase, which often shows pearly opalescent reflections; -- called by lapidaries moonstone.


word: Adulation
definition:
Adulation

Ad`u*la"tion
(_;)
n.
[F. adulation, fr. L. adulatio, fr. adulari, adulatum, to flatter.]
Servile flattery; praise in excess, or beyond what is merited.

Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out
With titles blown from adulation?
Shak.


word: Adulator
definition:
Adulator

Ad"u*la`tor
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. adulari: cf. F. adulateur.]
A servile or hypocritical flatterer.
Carlyle.


word: Adulatory
definition:
Adulatory

Ad"u*la*to*ry
(_;)
a.
[L. adulatorius, fr. adulari: cf. OF. adulatoire.]
Containing excessive praise or compliment; servilely praising; flattering; as, an adulatory address.

A mere rant of adulatory freedom.
Burke.


word: Adult
definition:
Adult

A*dult"
(_;)
a.
[L. adultus, p. p. of adolescere, akin to alere to nourish: cf. F. adulte. See Adolescent, Old.]
Having arrived at maturity, or to full size and strength; matured; as, an adult person or plant; an adult ape; an adult age.


word: Adult₂
definition:
Adult

A*dult"
n.
A person, animal, or plant grown to full size and strength; one who has reached maturity.

&hand_; In the common law, the term is applied to a person who has attained full age or legal majority; in the civil law, to males after the age of fourteen, and to females after twelve.


word: Adulterant
definition:
Adulterant

A*dul"ter*ant
(_;)
n.
[L. adulterans, p. pr. of adulterare.]
That which is used to adulterate anything.
a. Adulterating; as, adulterant agents and processes.


word: Adulterate
definition:
Adulterate

A*dul"ter*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adulterated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adulterating (_;).]
[L. adulteratus, p. p. of adulterare, fr. adulter adulterer, prob. fr. ad + alter   other, properly one who approaches another on account of unlawful love. Cf. Advoutry.]

1.
To defile by adultery.
[Obs.]
Milton.

2.
To corrupt, debase, or make impure by an admixture of a foreign or a baser substance; as, to adulterate food, drink, drugs, coin, etc.

The present war has . . . adulterated our tongue with strange words.
Spectator.


word: Adulterate₃
definition:
Adulterate

A*dul"ter*ate
(_;)
a.
1.
Tainted with adultery.

2.
Debased by the admixture of a foreign substance; adulterated; spurious.


word: adulterated
definition:
adulterated

adulterated
adj.
1.
having been made impure by addition of inferior ingredients; -- said of substances or foods
 used ususally of articles of commerce, dulted with less costly materials so as to enhance profit; -- usually imlying that the dilution is surreptitious and unethical

Syn. -- adulterate, debased


word: adulterating
definition:
adulterating

adulterating
adj.
1.
making impure or corrupt by virtue of extraneous origin; -- of impurities.
the adulterating effect of extraneous materials
purifying

Syn. -- adulterant

2.
making impure or corrupt by adding extraneous materials; -- of people.

Syn. -- adulterant.


word: Adulteration
definition:
Adulteration

A*dul`ter*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adulteratio.]
1.
The act of adulterating; corruption, or debasement (esp. of food or drink) by foreign mixture.

The shameless adulteration of the coin.
Prescott.

2.
An adulterated state or product.


word: Adulterer
definition:
Adulterer

A*dul"ter*er
(_;)
n.
[Formed fr. the verb adulter, with the E. ending -er. See Advoutrer.]
1.
A man who commits adultery; a married man who has sexual intercourse with a woman not his wife.

2.
(Script.)
A man who violates his religious covenant.
Jer. ix. 2.


word: Adulteress
definition:
Adulteress

A*dul"ter*ess
(_;)
n.
[Fem. from L. adulter. Cf. Advoutress.]
1.
A woman who commits adultery.

2.
(Script.)
A woman who violates her religious engagements.
James iv. 4.


word: Adulterine
definition:
Adulterine

A*dul"ter*ine
(_;)
a.
[L. adulterinus, fr. adulter.]
Proceeding from adulterous intercourse. Hence: Spurious; without the support of law; illegal.

When any particular class of artificers or traders thought proper to act as a corporation without a charter, such were called adulterine guilds.
Adam Smith.


word: Adulterous
definition:
Adulterous

A*dul"ter*ous
(_;)
a.
1.
Guilty of, or given to, adultery; pertaining to adultery; illicit.
Dryden.

2.
Characterized by adulteration; spurious.
adulterous
[Obs.]
Smollett.


word: Adultery
definition:
Adultery

A*dul"ter*y
(_;)
n.
pl. Adulteries (_;).
[L. adulterium. See Advoutry.]
1.
The unfaithfulness of a married person to the marriage bed; sexual intercourse by a married man with another than his wife, or voluntary sexual intercourse by a married woman with another than her husband.

&hand_; It is adultery on the part of the married wrongdoer.
The word has also been used to characterize the act of an unmarried participator, the other being married. In the United States the definition varies with the local statutes. Unlawful intercourse between two married persons is sometimes called double adultery; between a married and an unmarried person, single adultery.

2.
Adulteration; corruption.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.

3.
(Script.)
(a)
Lewdness or unchastity of thought as well as act, as forbidden by the seventh commandment.
(b)
Faithlessness in religion.
Jer. iii. 9.

4.
(Old Law)
The fine and penalty imposed for the offense of adultery.

5.
(Eccl.)
The intrusion of a person into a bishopric during the life of the bishop.

6.
Injury; degradation; ruin.
[Obs.]

You might wrest the caduceus out of my hand to the adultery and spoil of nature.
B. Jonson.


word: Adumbrant
definition:
Adumbrant

Ad*um"brant
(_;)
a.
[L. adumbrans, p. pr. of adumbrare.]
Giving a faint shadow, or slight resemblance; shadowing forth.


word: Adumbrate
definition:
Adumbrate

Ad*um"brate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. adumbratus, p. p. of adumbrare; ad + umbrare to shade; umbra shadow.]

1.
To give a faint shadow or slight representation of; to outline; to shadow forth.

Both in the vastness and the richness of the visible universe the invisible God is adumbrated.
L. Taylor.

2.
To overshadow; to shade.


word: Adumbration
definition:
Adumbration

Ad`um*bra"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. adumbratio.]
1.
The act of adumbrating, or shadowing forth.

2.
A faint sketch; an outline; an imperfect portrayal or representation of a thing.

Elegant adumbrations of sacred truth.
Bp. Horsley.

3.
(Her.)
The shadow or outlines of a figure.


word: Aduncity
definition:
Aduncity

A*dun"ci*ty
(_;)
n.
[L. aduncitas. See Aduncous.]
Curvature inwards; hookedness.

The aduncity of the beaks of hawks.
Pope.


word: Adurol
definition:
Adurol

Ad"u*rol
(?)
n.
(Photog.)
Either of two compounds, a chlorine derivative and bromine derivative, of hydroquinone, used as developers.


word: adust
definition:
adust

a*dust"
(ă*dŭst")
a.
[L. adustus, p. p. of adurere: cf. F. aduste.]
1.
Inflamed or scorched; dried or darkened by heat.
adust
Milton.
AS

2.
Sunburnt.
[archaic]
AS

A tall, thin man, of an adust complexion.
Sir W. Scott.

3.
(Med.)
Looking or acting depressed; atrabilious; gloomy.
[archaic]
AS


word: Adustion
definition:
Adustion

A*dus"tion
(?; 106)
n.
[L. adustio, fr. adurere, adustum: cf. F. adustion.]
1.
The act of burning, or heating to dryness; the state of being thus heated or dried.
[Obs.]
Harvey.

2.
(Surg.)
Cauterization.
Buchanan.


word: Ad valorem
definition:
Ad valorem

Ad va*lo"rem
(_;)
[L., according to the value.]
(Com.)
A term used to denote a duty or charge laid upon goods, at a certain rate per cent upon their value, as stated in their invoice, -- in opposition to a specific sum upon a given quantity or number; as, an ad valorem duty of twenty per cent.


word: Advance
definition:
Advance

Ad*vance"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Advanced (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Advancing (_;)(#).]
[OE. avancen, avauncen, F. avancer, fr. a supposed LL. abantiare; ab + ante (F. avant) before. The spelling with d was a mistake, a- being supposed to be fr. L. ad. See Avaunt.]
1.
To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.

2.
To raise; to elevate.
[Archaic]

They . . . advanced their eyelids.
Shak.

3.
To raise to a higher rank; to promote.

Ahasueres . . . advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes.
Esther iii. 1.

4.
To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to forward; to help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to advance one's interests.

5.
To bring to view or notice; to offer or propose; to show; as, to advance an argument.

Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own.
Pope.

6.
To make earlier, as an event or date; to hasten.

7.
To furnish, as money or other value, before it becomes due, or in aid of an enterprise; to supply beforehand; as, a merchant advances money on a contract or on goods consigned to him.

8.
To raise to a higher point; to enhance; to raise in rate; as, to advance the price of goods.

9.
To extol; to laud.
[Obs.]

Greatly advancing his gay chivalry.
Spenser.


word: Advance₂
definition:
Advance

Ad*vance"
v. i.
1.
To move or go forward; to proceed; as, he advanced to greet me.

2.
To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to advance in knowledge, in stature, in years, in price.

3.
To rise in rank, office, or consequence; to be preferred or promoted.

Advanced to a level with ancient peers.
Prescott.


word: Advance₃
definition:
Advance

Ad*vance"
n.
[Cf. F. avance, fr. avancer. See Advance, v.]
1.
The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.

2.
Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.

3.
An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an advance on the prime cost of goods.

4.
The first step towards the attainment of a result; approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer; -- usually in the plural.

[He] made the like advances to the dissenters.
Swift.

5.
A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received (as money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on loan; payment beforehand; the money or goods thus furnished; money or value supplied beforehand.

I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances.
Jay.

The account was made up with intent to show what advances had been made.
Kent.

In advance (a) In front; before. (b) Beforehand; before an equivalent is received. (c) In the state of having advanced money on account; as, A is in advance to B a thousand dollars or pounds.


word: Advance₄
definition:
Advance

Ad*vance"
(_;)
a.
Before in place, or beforehand in time; -- used for advanced; as, an advance guard, or that before the main guard or body of an army; advance payment, or that made before it is due; advance proofs, advance sheets, pages of a forthcoming volume, received in advance of the time of publication.


word: Advanced
definition:
Advanced

Ad*vanced"
(_;)
a.
1.
In the van or front.

2.
In the front or before others, as regards progress or ideas; as, advanced opinions, advanced thinkers.

3.
Far on in life or time.

A gentleman advanced in years, with a hard experience written in his wrinkles.
Hawthorne.

Advanced guard, a detachment of troops which precedes the march of the main body.


word: Advancement
definition:
Advancement

Ad*vance"ment
(ăd*vȧns"ment)
n.
[OE. avancement, F. avancement. See Advance, v. t.]
1.
The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; progression; improvement; furtherance; promotion to a higher place or dignity; as, the advancement of learning.

In heaven . . . every one (so well they love each other) rejoiceth and hath his part in each other's advancement.
Sir T. More.

True religion . . . proposes for its end the joint advancement of the virtue and happiness of the people.
Horsley.

2.
An advance of money or value; payment in advance. See Advance, 5.

3.
(Law)
Property given, usually by a parent to a child, in advance of a future distribution.

4.
Settlement on a wife, or jointure.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Advancer
definition:
Advancer

Ad*van"cer
(_;)
n.
1.
One who advances; a promoter.

2.
A second branch of a buck's antler.
Howell.


