# dictionary

word: Advancing edge
definition:
Advancing edge

Ad*van"cing edge
(Aëronautics)
The front edge (in direction of motion) of a supporting surface; -- contr. with following edge, which is the rear edge.


word: Advancing surface
definition:
Advancing surface

Ad*van"cing sur"face
(Aëronautics)
The first of two or more surfaces arranged in tandem; -- contr. with following surface, which is the rear surface.


word: Advantage
definition:
Advantage

Ad*van"tage
(?; 61, 48)
n.
[OE. avantage, avauntage, F. avantage, fr. avant before. See Advance, and cf. Vantage.]
1.
Any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end; benefit; as, the enemy had the advantage of a more elevated position.

Give me advantage of some brief discourse.
Shak.

The advantages of a close alliance.
Macaulay.

2.
Superiority; mastery; -- with of or over.

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us.
2 Cor. ii. 11.

3.
Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit; gain; profit; as, the advantage of a good constitution.

4.
Interest of money; increase; overplus (as the thirteenth in the baker's dozen).
[Obs.]

And with advantage means to pay thy love.
Shak.

5.
(Tennis)
The first point scored after deuce.

Advantage ground, vantage ground. [R.] Clarendon. -- To have the advantage of (any one), to have a personal knowledge of one who does not have a reciprocal knowledge.  “You have the advantage of me; I don't remember ever to have had the honor.” Sheridan. -- To take advantage of, to profit by; (often used in a bad sense) to overreach, to outwit.


word: Advantage₂
definition:
Advantage

Ad*van"tage
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Advantaged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Advantaging (_;).]
[F. avantager, fr. avantage. See Advance.]
To give an advantage to; to further; to promote; to benefit; to profit.

The truth is, the archbishop's own stiffness and averseness to comply with the court designs, advantaged his adversaries against him.
Fuller.

What is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Luke ix. 25.

To advantage one's self of, to avail one's self of. [Obs.]


word: Advantageous
definition:
Advantageous

Ad`van*ta"geous
(_;)
a.
[F. avantageux, fr. avantage.]
Being of advantage; conferring advantage; gainful; profitable; useful; beneficial; as, an advantageous position; trade is advantageous to a nation.

Advabtageous comparison with any other country.
Prescott.

You see . . . of what use a good reputation is, and how swift and advantageous a harbinger it is, wherever one goes.
Chesterfield.


word: Advene
definition:
Advene

Ad*vene"
(_;)
v. i.
[L. advenire; ad + venire to come: cf. F. avenir, advenir. See Come.]
To accede, or come (to); to be added to something or become a part of it, though not essential.
[R.]

Where no act of the will advenes as a coefficient.
Coleridge.


word: Advent
definition:
Advent

Ad`vent
(_;)
n.
[L. adventus, fr. advenire, adventum: cf. F. avent. See Advene.]
1.
(Eccl.)
The period including the four Sundays before Christmas.

Advent Sunday (Eccl.), the first Sunday in the season of Advent, being always the nearest Sunday to the feast of St. Andrew (Now. 30). Shipley.

2.
The first or the expected second coming of Christ.

3.
Coming; any important arrival; approach.

Death's dreadful advent.
Young.

Expecting still his advent home.
Tennyson.


word: Adventism
definition:
Adventism

Adventism
n.
1.
1
any Christian religion that believes the second coming of Christ is imminent.

Syn. -- Second Adventism


word: Adventist
definition:
Adventist

Ad"vent*ist
(_;)
n.
One of a religious body, embracing several branches, who look for the proximate personal coming of Christ; -- called also Second Adventists.
Schaff-Herzog Encyc.


word: adventitious
definition:
adventitious

ad`ven*ti"tious
(ăd`vĕn*tĭsh"ŭs)
a.
[L. adventitius.]
1.
Added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.

Syn. -- accidental; casual; incidental; additional; supervenient; foreign.

To things of great dimensions, if we annex an adventitious idea of terror, they become without comparison greater.
Burke.

2.
(Nat. Hist.)
Out of the proper or usual place; as, adventitious buds or roots.

3.
(Bot.)
Accidentally or sparingly spontaneous in a country or district; not fully naturalized; adventive; -- applied to foreign plants.

4.
(Med.)
Acquired, as diseases; not hereditary.
AS

5.
(Med.)
Occurring in an unusual place or arising from an external source.
Stedman 25


word: Adventure
definition:
Adventure

Ad*ven"ture
(?; 135)
n.
[OE. aventure, aunter, anter, F. aventure, fr. LL. adventura, fr. L. advenire, adventum, to arrive, which in the Romance languages took the sense of “to happen, befall.” See Advene.]

1.
That which happens without design; chance; hazard; hap; hence, chance of danger or loss.

Nay, a far less good to man it will be found, if she must, at all adventures, be fastened upon him individually.
Milton.

2.
Risk; danger; peril.
[Obs.]

He was in great adventure of his life.
Berners.

3.
The encountering of risks; hazardous and striking enterprise; a bold undertaking, in which hazards are to be encountered, and the issue is staked upon unforeseen events; a daring feat.

He loved excitement and adventure.
Macaulay.

4.
A remarkable occurrence; a striking event; a stirring incident; as, the adventures of one's life.
Bacon.

5.
A mercantile or speculative enterprise of hazard; a venture; a shipment by a merchant on his own account.

A bill of adventure (Com.), a writing setting forth that the goods shipped are at the owner's risk.


word: Adventure₂
definition:
Adventure

Ad*ven"ture
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Adventured (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Adventuring (_;).]
[OE. aventuren, auntren, F. aventurer, fr. aventure. See Adventure, n.]
1.
To risk, or hazard; jeopard; to venture.

He would not adventure himself into the theater.
Acts xix. 31.

2.
To venture upon; to run the risk of; to dare.

Yet they adventured to go back.
Bunyan,

Discriminations might be adventured.
J. Taylor.


word: Adventure₃
definition:
Adventure

Ad*ven"ture
v. i.
To try the chance; to take the risk.

I would adventure for such merchandise.
Shak.


word: Adventurer
definition:
Adventurer

Ad*ven"tur*er
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. aventurier.]

1.
One who adventures; as, the merchant adventurers; one who seeks his fortune in new and hazardous or perilous enterprises.

2.
A social pretender on the lookout for advancement.


word: Adventuresome
definition:
Adventuresome

Ad*ven"ture*some
(_;)
a.
Full of risk; adventurous; venturesome.
Ad*ven"ture*some*ness, n.


word: Adventuress
definition:
Adventuress

Ad*ven"tur*ess
(_;)
n.
A female adventurer; a woman who tries to gain position by equivocal means.


word: Adventurous
definition:
Adventurous

Ad*ven"tur*ous
(_;)
a.
[OE. aventurous, aunterous, OF. aventuros, F. aventureux, fr. aventure. See Adventure, n.]
1.
Inclined to adventure; willing to incur hazard; prone to embark in hazardous enterprise; rashly daring; -- applied to persons.

Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve.
Milton.

2.
Full of hazard; attended with risk; exposing to danger; requiring courage; rash; -- applied to acts; as, an adventurous undertaking, deed, song.


word: Adventurousness
definition:
Adventurousness

Ad*ven"tur*ous*ness
n.
The quality or state of being adventurous; daring; venturesomeness.


word: Adverb
definition:
Adverb

Ad"verb
(_;)
n.
[L. adverbium; ad + verbum word, verb: cf. F. adverbe.]
(Gram.)
A word used to modify the sense of a verb, participle, adjective, or other adverb, and usually placed near it; as, he writes well; paper extremely white.


word: Adverbial
definition:
Adverbial

Ad*ver"bi*al
(_;)
a.
[L. adverbialis: cf. F. adverbial.]
Of or pertaining to an adverb; of the nature of an adverb; as, an adverbial phrase or form.


word: Adversaria
definition:
Adversaria

Ad`ver*sa"ri*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[L. adversaria (sc. scripta), neut. pl. of adversarius.]
A miscellaneous collection of notes, remarks, or selections; a commonplace book; also, commentaries or notes.

These parchments are supposed to have been St. Paul's adversaria.
Bp. Bull.


word: Adversary
definition:
Adversary

Ad`ver*sa*ry
(_;)
n.
pl. Adversaries (_;).
[OE. adversarie, direct fr. the Latin, and adversaire, fr. OF. adversier, aversier, fr. L. adversarius (a.) turned toward, (n.) an adversary. See Adverse.]
One who is turned against another or others with a design to oppose or resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an antagonist; an enemy; a foe.

His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries.
Shak.

Agree with thine adversary quickly.
Matt. v. 25.

It may be thought that to vindicate the permanency of truth is to dispute without an adversary.
Beattie.

The Adversary, The Satan, or the Devil.


word: Adversary₂
definition:
Adversary

Ad"ver*sa*ry
(_;)
a.
1.
Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic.
[Archaic]
Bp. King.

2.
(Law)
Having an opposing party; not unopposed; as, an adversary suit.


word: Adversative
definition:
Adversative

Ad*ver"sa*tive
(_;)
a.
[L. adversativus, fr. adversari.]
Expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis; as, an adversative conjunction (but, however, yet, etc. ); an adversative force.
Ad*ver"sa*tive*ly, adv.


word: Adverse
definition:
Adverse

Ad"verse
(_;)
a.
[OE. advers, OF. avers, advers, fr. L. adversus, p. p. advertere to turn to. See Advert.]

1.
Acting against, or in a contrary direction; opposed; contrary; opposite; conflicting; as, adverse winds; an adverse party; a spirit adverse to distinctions of caste.

2.
Opposite.
adverse
Byron.

3.
In hostile opposition to; unfavorable; unpropitious; contrary to one's wishes; unfortunate; calamitous; afflictive; hurtful; as, adverse fates, adverse circumstances, things adverse.

Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune.
Southey.

Adverse possession (Law), a possession of real property avowedly contrary to some claim of title in another person. Abbott.


word: Adversifolious
definition:
Adversifolious

Adversifoliate

{ Ad*ver`si*fo"li*ate (_;), Ad*ver`si*fo"li*ous (_;) }
a.
[L. adversus opposite + folium leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having opposite leaves, as plants which have the leaves so arranged on the stem.


word: Adversity
definition:
Adversity

Ad*ver"si*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Adversities (_;).
[OE. adversite, F. adversité, fr. L. adversitas.]
1.
Opposition; contrariety.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.

Adversity is not without comforts and hopes.
Bacon.


word: Advert
definition:
Advert

Ad*vert"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Adverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adverting.]
[L. advertere, v. t., to turn to; ad + vertere to turn: cf. F. avertir. See Advertise.]
To turn the mind or attention; to refer; to take heed or notice; -- with to; as, he adverted to what was said.

I may again advert to the distinction.
Owen.


word: Advertency
definition:
Advertency

Advertence

{ Ad*vert"ence (_;), Ad*vert"en*cy (_;), }
[OF. advertence, avertence, LL. advertentia, fr. L. advertens. See Advertent.]
The act of adverting, of the quality of being advertent; attention; notice; regard; heedfulness.

To this difference it is right that advertence should be had in regulating taxation.
J. S. Mill.


word: Advertent
definition:
Advertent

Ad*vert"ent
(_;)
a.
[L. advertens, -entis, p. pr. of advertere. See Advert.]
Attentive; heedful; regardful.
Sir M. Hale.
Ad*vert"ent*ly, adv.


word: Advertise
definition:
Advertise

Ad`ver*tise"
(?; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Advertised (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Advertising (_;).]
[F. avertir, formerly also spelt advertir, to warn, give notice to, L. advertere to turn to. The ending was probably influenced by the noun advertisement. See Advert.]
To give notice to; to inform or apprise; to notify; to make known; hence, to warn; -- often followed by of before the subject of information; as, to advertise a man of his loss.
[Archaic]

I will advertise thee what this people shall do.
Num. xxiv. 14.

4.
To give public notice of; to announce publicly, esp. by a printed notice; as, to advertise goods for sale, a lost article, the sailing day of a vessel, a political meeting.


word: Advertisement
definition:
Advertisement

Ad*ver"tise*ment
(ăd*vẽr"tĭz*ment or ăd`vẽr*tīz"ment; 277)
n.
[F. avertisement, formerly also spelled advertissement, a warning, giving notice, fr. avertir.]
1.
The act of informing or notifying; notification.
[Archaic]

An advertisement of danger.
Bp. Burnet.

2.
Admonition; advice; warning.
[Obs.]

Therefore give me no counsel:
My griefs cry louder than advertisement.
Shak.

3.
A public notice, especially a paid notice in some public print; anything that advertises; as, a newspaper containing many advertisements.


word: advertising
definition:
advertising

advertising
n.
1.
a communication publicly promoting some product or service.

Syn. -- ad, advertisement, advert

2.
1
the business of advertising; the activity engaged in by professional publicists for pay.

Syn. -- advertizing, publicizing, the advertising profession, the advertising industry


word: Advice
definition:
Advice

Ad*vice"
(_;)
n.
[OE. avis, F. avis; _; + OF. vis, fr. L. visum seemed, seen; really p. p. of videre to see, so that vis meant that which has seemed best. See Vision, and cf. Avise, Advise.]
1.
An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed; counsel.

We may give advice, but we can not give conduct.
Franklin.

2.
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
[Obs.]

How shall I dote on her with more advice,
That thus without advice begin to love her?
Shak.

3.
Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from France; -- commonly in the plural.

&hand_; In commercial language, advice usually means information communicated by letter; -- used chiefly in reference to drafts or bills of exchange; as, a letter of advice.
McElrath.

4.
(Crim. Law)
Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
Wharton.

Advice boat, a vessel employed to carry dispatches or to reconnoiter; a dispatch boat. -- To take advice. (a) To accept advice. (b) To consult with another or others.


word: Advil
definition:
Advil

Advil
n.
[Trade name.]
1.
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used to relieve the pain of arthritis and as an analgesic and antipyretic; Advil and Motrin and Nuprin are trademarks of brands of ibuprofen tablets.

Syn. -- ibuprofen, isobutylphenyl propionic acid, Motrin, Nuprin


word: Advisable
definition:
Advisable

Ad*vis"a*ble
(_;)
a.
1.
Proper to be advised or to be done; expedient; prudent.

Some judge it advisable for a man to account with his heart every day.
South.

2.
Ready to receive advice.
[R.]
South.


word: Advisable-ness
definition:
Advisable-ness

Ad*vis"a*ble-ness
n.
The quality of being advisable or expedient; expediency; advisability.


word: Advise
definition:
Advise

Ad*vise"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Advised (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Advising (_;).]
[OE. avisen to perceive, consider, inform, F. aviser, fr. LL. advisare. advisare; ad + visare, fr. L. videre, visum, to see. See Advice, and cf. Avise.]
1.
To give advice to; to offer an opinion, as worthy or expedient to be followed; to counsel; to warn.
advise
Milton.

2.
To give information or notice to; to inform; -- with of before the thing communicated; as, we were advised of the risk.

To advise one's self, to bethink one's self; to take counsel with one's self; to reflect; to consider. [Obs.]

Bid thy master well advise himself.
Shak.


word: Advise₂
definition:
Advise

Ad*vise"
v. t.
1.
To consider; to deliberate.
[Obs.]

Advise if this be worth attempting.
Milton.

2.
To take counsel; to consult; -- followed by with; as, to advise with friends.


word: advised
definition:
advised

ad*vised"
adj.
1.
1
Carefully thought out; likely to be the best course; -- said of actions.  Often used in combination; as, ill-advised, well-advised.
Also See: wise
unadvised, ill-advised

Syn. -- considered, well-advised

2.
Having received information; as, be kept advised.
uninformed


word: Advisedly
definition:
Advisedly

Ad*vis"ed*ly
(_;)
adv.
1.
Circumspectly; deliberately; leisurely.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
With deliberate purpose; purposely; by design.
Advisedly
Suckling.


word: Advisement
definition:
Advisement

Ad*vise"ment
(ăd*vīz"ment)
n.
[OE. avisement, F. avisement, fr. aviser. See Advise, and cf. Avisement.]

1.
Counsel; advice; information.
[Archaic]

And mused awhile, waking advisement takes of what had passed in sleep.
Daniel.

2.
Consideration; deliberation; consultation.

Tempering the passion with advisement slow.
Spenser.


word: Adviso
definition:
Adviso

Ad*vi"so
(_;)
n.
[Cf. Sp. aviso. See Advice.]
Advice; counsel; suggestion; also, a dispatch or advice boat.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Advisory
definition:
Advisory

Ad*vi"so*ry
(_;)
a.
Having power to advise; containing advice; as, an advisory council; their opinion is merely advisory.

The General Association has a general advisory superintendence over all the ministers and churches.
Trumbull.


word: Advocacy
definition:
Advocacy

Ad"vo*ca*cy
(_;)
n.
[OF. advocatie, LL. advocatia. See Advocate.]
The act of pleading for or supporting; work of advocating; intercession.


word: Advocate
definition:
Advocate

Ad"vo*cate
(_;)
n.
[OE. avocat, avocet, OF. avocat, fr. L. advocatus, one summoned or called to another; properly the p. p. of advocare to call to, call to one's aid; ad + vocare to call. See Advowee, Avowee, Vocal.]
1.
One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.

&hand_; In the English and American Law, advocate is the same as “counsel,” “counselor,” or “barrister.” In the civil and ecclesiastical courts, the term signifies the same as “counsel” at the common law.

2.
One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.

3.
Christ, considered as an intercessor.

We have an Advocate with the Father.
1 John ii. 1.

Faculty of advocates (Scot.), the Scottish bar in Edinburgh. -- Lord advocate (Scot.), the public prosecutor of crimes, and principal crown lawyer. -- Judge advocate.  See under Judge.


word: Advocate₂
definition:
Advocate

Ad"vo*cate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Advocated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Advocating (_;).]
[See Advocate, n., Advoke, Avow.]
To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.

To advocate the cause of thy client.
Bp. Sanderson (1624).

This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
Burke.

Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.
Mitford.


word: Advocation
definition:
Advocation

Ad`vo*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. advocatio: cf. OF. avocation. See Advowson.]
1.
The act of advocating or pleading; plea; advocacy.
[Archaic]

The holy Jesus . . . sits in heaven in a perpetual advocation for us.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Advowson.
[Obs.]

The donations or advocations of church livings.
Sanderson.

3.
(Scots Law)
The process of removing a cause from an inferior court to the supreme court.
Bell.


word: Advoke
definition:
Advoke

Ad*voke"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. advocare. See Advocate.]
To summon; to call.
[Obs.]

Queen Katharine had privately prevailed with the pope to advoke the cause to Rome.
Fuller.


word: Advolution
definition:
Advolution

Ad`vo*lu"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. advolvere, advolutum, to roll to.]
A rolling toward something.
[R.]


word: Advoutrer
definition:
Advoutrer

Ad*vou"trer
(_;)
n.
[OF. avoutre, avoltre, fr. L. adulter. Cf. Adulterer.]
An adulterer.
[Obs.]


word: Advowtry
definition:
Advowtry

Advoutry

{ Ad*vou"try, Ad*vow"try  }
(_;)
n.
[OE. avoutrie, avouterie, advoutrie, OF. avoutrie, avulterie, fr. L. adulterium. Cf. Adultery.]
Adultery.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Advowee
definition:
Advowee

Ad*vow*ee"
(_;)
n.
[OE. avowe, F. avoué, fr. L. advocatus. See Advocate, Avowee, Avoyer.]
One who has an advowson.
Cowell.


word: Advowson
definition:
Advowson

Ad*vow"son
(?; 277)
n.
[OE. avoweisoun, OF. avoëson, fr. L. advocatio. Cf. Advocation.]
(Eng. Law)
The right of presenting to a vacant benefice or living in the church. [Originally, the relation of a patron (advocatus) or protector of a benefice, and thus privileged to nominate or present to it.]

&hand_; The benefices of the Church of England are in every case subjects of presentation. They are nearly 12,000 in number; the advowson of more than half of them belongs to private persons, and of the remainder to the crown, bishops, deans and chapters, universities, and colleges.
Amer. Cyc.


word: adynamia
definition:
adynamia

ad`y*na"mi*a
(ăd`ĭ*nā"mĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL. adynamia, fr. Gr. 'adynami`a lack of strength; 'a priv + dy`namis power, strength.]
(Med.)
Considerable debility of the vital powers; asthenia.
Dunglison.

2.
Specifically:
(Med)
Absence of motor power or force.


word: adynamic
definition:
adynamic

ad`y*nam"ic
(ăd`ĭ*năm"ĭk)
a.
[Cf. F. adynamique. See Adynamy.]
1.
(Med.)
Pertaining to, or characterized by adynamia; weak.

2.
(Physics)
Characterized by the absence of power or force.

Adynamic fevers, malignant or putrid fevers attended with great muscular debility.


word: Adytum
definition:
Adytum

Ad"y*tum
(_;)
n.
Adyta (#).
[L., fr. Gr. _;, n., fr. _;, a., not to be entered; 'a priv. + _; to enter.]
The innermost sanctuary or shrine in ancient temples, whence oracles were given. Hence: A private chamber; a sanctum.


word: Adze
definition:
Adze

Adz

{ Adz, Adze  }
(_;)
n.
[OE. adese, adis, adse, AS. adesa, adese, ax, hatchet.]
A carpenter's or cooper's tool, formed with a thin arching blade set at right angles to the handle. It is used for chipping or slicing away the surface of wood.


word: Ae
definition:
Ae

AE

Æ or Ae
A diphthong in the Latin language; used also by the Saxon writers.  It corresponds to the Gr. ai.  The Anglo-Saxon short æ was generally replaced by a, the long &aemacr_; by e or ee.  In derivatives from Latin words with ae, it is mostly superseded by e.  For most words found with this initial combination, the reader will therefore search under the letter E.


word: AEcidium
definition:
AEcidium

Æ*cid"i*um
(_;)
n.
pl. Æcidia (_;).
[NL., dim. of Gr. _; injury.]
(Bot.)
A form of fruit in the cycle of development of the Rusts or Brands, an order of fungi, formerly considered independent plants.


word: AEdile
definition:
AEdile

Æ"dile
(_;)
n.
[L. aedilis, fr. aedes temple, public building. Cf. Edify.]
A magistrate in ancient Rome, who had the superintendence of public buildings, highways, shows, etc.; hence, a municipal officer.


word: AEgean
definition:
AEgean

Æ*ge"an
(_;)
a.
[L. Aegeus; Gr. _;.]
Of or pertaining to the sea, or arm of the Mediterranean sea, east of Greece. See Archipelago.


word: AEgicrania
definition:
AEgicrania

Æ`gi*cra"ni*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, _;, goat + _;, n. pl., heads.]
(Arch.)
Sculptured ornaments, used in classical architecture, representing rams' heads or skulls.


word: aegilops
definition:
aegilops

aeg"i*lops
(ĕj"ĭ*l&obreve_;ps or ĕ"jĭ*l&obreve_;ps)
n.
[L. aegilopis, Gr. a'igi`lwps, fr. a'i`x, gen. a'igo`s, goat + 'w`ps eye.]
1.
(Med.)
An ulcer or fistula in the inner corner of the eye.
[Written also egilops]
AS

2.
(Bot.)
(a)
The great wild-oat grass or other cornfield weed.
Crabb.
(b)
[capitalized]
A genus of plants, called also hardgrass.
[Written also egilops]


word: aegis
definition:
aegis

ae"gis
(ē"jĭs)
n.
[L. aegis, fr. Gr. a'igi`s a goat skin, a shield, a'i`x goat, or fr. 'ai`:ssw to rush.]
A shield or protective armor; -- applied in mythology to the shield of Jupiter which he gave to Minerva.  Also fig.: A shield; a protection.


word: AEgrotat
definition:
AEgrotat

Æ*gro"tat
(_;)
n.
[L., he is sick.]
(Camb. Univ.)
A medical certificate that a student is ill.


word: Aegyptopithecus
definition:
Aegyptopithecus

Aegyptopithecus
n.
1.
an extinct primate of about 38 million years ago; -- fossils were found in Egypt.


word: AEneid
definition:
AEneid

Æ*ne"id
(_;)
n.
[L. Aeneis, Aeneidis, or -dos: cf. F. Énéide.]
The great epic poem of Virgil, of which the hero is Æneas.


word: Aengus
definition:
Aengus

Aengus
n.
1.
the Irish god of love and beauty; patron deity of young men and women.

Syn. -- Angus Og, Oengus, Angus


word: AEolian
definition:
AEolian

Æ*o"li*an
(_;)
a.
[L. Aeolius, Gr. _;.]
1.
Of or pertaining to Æolia or Æolis, in Asia Minor, colonized by the Greeks, or to its inhabitants; æolic; as, the Æolian dialect.

2.
Pertaining to Æolus, the mythic god of the winds; aërial.

Viewless forms the æolian organ play.
Campbell.

3.
Relating to or caused by wind; as, aeolian erosion.

Æolian attachment, a contrivance often attached to a pianoforte, which prolongs the vibrations, increases the volume of sound, etc., by forcing a stream of air upon the strings. Moore. -- Æolian harp, Æolian lyre, a musical instrument consisting of a box, on or in which are stretched strings, on which the wind acts to produce the notes; -- usually placed at an open window. Moore. -- Æolian mode (Mus.), one of the ancient Greek and early ecclesiastical modes.


word: Aeolian
definition:
Aeolian

Aeolian
n.
1.
1
a member of one of the four divisions of the prehistoric Greeks.

Syn. -- Eolian


word: aeolic
definition:
aeolic

ae*ol"ic
(e̝*&obreve_;l"ĭk)
a.
[L. Aeolicus; Gr. A'ioliko`s, name of the god of the winds.]
1.
Æolian, 1; as, the Æolic dialect; the Æolic mode.

2.
(Phys. Geog.)
Pertaining to, caused by, or designating, the action of the wind in modifying the earth's surface; as, æolic erosion; æolic sand.  Same as aeolian{3}.
[Written also eolic.]


word: Aeolic
definition:
Aeolic

Aeolic
n.
1.
1
the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Thessaly and Boeotia and Aeolis.

Syn. -- Eolic


word: AEolipyle
definition:
AEolipyle

AEolipile

{ Æ*ol"i*pile, Æ*ol"i*pyle  }
(_;)
n.
[L. aeolipilae; Aeolus god of the winds + pila a ball, or Gr. _; gate (i. e., doorway of Æolus); cf. F. éolipyle.]
An apparatus consisting chiefly of a closed vessel (as a globe or cylinder) with one or more projecting bent tubes, through which steam is made to pass from the vessel, causing it to revolve.
[Written also eolipile.]

&hand_; Such an apparatus was first described by Hero of Alexandria about 200 years b. c. It has often been called the first steam engine.


word: AEolotropic
definition:
AEolotropic

aeolotropic

aeolotropic, Æ`o*lo*trop"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; changeful + _; a turning, _; to turn.]
(Physics)
Exhibiting differences of quality or property in different directions; having properties with different values along different axes; not isotropic.  In specialized contexts, synonymous with anisotropic.
[Also spelled eolotropic.]
Sir W. Thomson.

Syn. -- 


word: AEolotropy
definition:
AEolotropy

Æ`o*lot"ro*py
(_;)
n.
(Physics)
Difference of quality or property in different directions.


word: AEolus
definition:
AEolus

Aeolus

 Aeolus, Æ"o*lus
(_;)
prop. n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
(Gr. & Rom. Myth.)
The god of the winds, in ancient mythology.


word: aeon
definition:
aeon

aeon, Æ"on
(_;)
n.
1.
A period of immeasurable duration. See Eon.

2.
(Gnosticism)
a divine power or nature emanating from the Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation of the universe.

Syn. -- eon

3.
the longest division of geological time; two or more eras.

Syn. -- eon


word: aeonian
definition:
aeonian

aeonian, Æ*o"ni*an
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _;.]
Eternal; everlasting; lasting for an indefinitely long time; immortal; not subject to death.  Opposite of mortal.
Æonian
Tennyson.

Syn. -- eonian

2.
of or pertaining to an eon.


word: Aepyornidae
definition:
Aepyornidae

Aepyornidae
n.
1.
1
coextensive with the order Aepyorniformes.

Syn. -- family Aepyornidae


word: Aepyorniformes
definition:
Aepyorniformes

Aepyorniformes
n.
1.
1
huge extinct flightless birds: elephant birds.

Syn. -- order Aepyorniformes


word: aepyornis
definition:
aepyornis

aepyornis, &VerbarÆ`py*or"nis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; high + _; bird.]
A gigantic (to 9 ft.) extinct flightless bird, of which fossils were found in Madagascar.

Syn. -- elephant bird


word: Aerate
definition:
Aerate

A"ër*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aërated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aërating (_;).]
[Cf. F. aérer. See Air, v. t.]
1.
To combine or charge with gas; usually with carbonic acid gas, formerly called fixed air.

His sparkling sallies bubbled up as from aërated natural fountains.
Carlyle.

2.
To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to aërate soil; to aërate water.

3.
(Physiol.)
To expose to the chemical action of air; to oxygenate (the blood) by respiration; to arterialize.

4.
cause a change by passing air through (of sewage)

Syn. -- activate

Aërated bread, bread raised by charging dough with carbonic acid gas, instead of generating the gas in the dough by fermentation.


word: aerated
definition:
aerated

aerated
adj.
1.
treated by having air passed or bubbled through it for purification; -- of a liquid

2.
(Physiol.)
supplied with oxygen by respiration; -- used of tissues or especially blood

Syn. -- oxygenated

3.
1
supplied with carbon dioxide

Syn. -- charged


word: Aeration
definition:
Aeration

aeration

aer*a"tion, A`ër*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. aération.]
1.
Exposure to the free action of the air; airing; as, aëration of soil, of spawn, etc.

2.
(Physiol.)
A change produced in the blood by exposure to the air in respiration; oxygenation of the blood in respiration; arterialization.

3.
The act or preparation of charging a liquid with carbon dioxide gas to make it effervescent.

4.
the act of charging a liquid with air or oxygen for the purpose of purification.


word: Aerator
definition:
Aerator

aerator

aerator, A"ër*a`tor
(?)
n.
1.
That which supplies with air or gas
specif.:
(a)
An apparatus used for charging mineral waters with gas and in making soda water.
(b)
A fumigator used to bleach grain, destroying fungi and insects.

2.
an apparatus for exposing something to the air (as sewage).


word: Aerenchyma
definition:
Aerenchyma

Aerenchym

{ A"ër*en`chym (?),  &VerbarA`ër*en"chy*ma (?) }
n.
[NL. aërenchyma. See Aëro-; Enchyma.]
(Bot.)
A secondary respiratory tissue or modified periderm, found in many aquatic plants and distinguished by the large intercellular spaces.


word: Aerial
definition:
Aerial

aerial

aerial, A*ë"ri*al
(_;)
a.
[L. aërius. See Air.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the air, or atmosphere; inhabiting or frequenting the air; produced by or found in the air; performed in the air; as, aërial regions or currents; the aërial maneuvers of a fighter plane.
Aërial
Milton.
Aërial
Darwin.

2.
Consisting of air; resembling, or partaking of the nature of air. Hence: Unsubstantial; unreal.

3.
Rising aloft in air; high; lofty; as, aërial spires.

4.
Growing, forming, living, or existing in the air, as opposed to growing or existing in earth or water, or underground; as, aërial rootlets, aërial plants; the aerial roots of a philodendron.
Gray.

5.
Light as air; ethereal.

6.
operating or operated overhead especially on elevated cables.
aerial conveyers for transporting raw materials

7.
operating or moving in the air.
an aerial cable car
aerial combat

Aerial acid, carbonic acid. [Obs.] Ure. -- Aerial perspective. See Perspective.


word: aerial
definition:
aerial

aerial
n.
1.
(Football)
a pass to a receiver downfield from the passer.

Syn. -- forward pass

2.
a metallic wire, rod, or combination of rods connected to an electronic device, designed to send or receive radio or television signals.

Syn. -- antenna


word: aerialist
definition:
aerialist

aer"i*al*ist
n.
1.
an athlete who performs acts high above the ground on a trapeze or high wire, requiring skill and agility and coordination.

Syn. -- trapeze artist

2.
a burglar who gains entrance to buildings from the rooftop, sometimes leaping from building to building in the process.  A type of second-story man.
[Slang]


word: Aerial railway
definition:
Aerial railway

A*ë`ri*al rail"way`
(a)
A stretched wire or rope elevated above the ground and forming a way along which a trolley may travel, for conveying a load suspended from the trolley.
(b)
An elevated cableway.


word: Aerial sickness
definition:
Aerial sickness

A*ë"ri*al sick"ness
A sickness felt by aëronauts due to high speed of flights and rapidity in changing altitudes, combining some symptoms of mountain sickness and some of seasickness.  The nauseous symptoms similar to seasickness experienced by passengers in pressurized aircraft is called air sickness.


word: Aerie
definition:
Aerie

Ae"rie
(?; 277)
n.
[OE. aire, eire, air, nest, also origin, descent, OF. aire, LL. area, aera, nest of a bird of prey, perh. fr. L. area an open space (for birds of prey like to build their nests on flat and open spaces on the top of high rocks). Cf. Area.]
The nest of a bird of prey, as of an eagle or hawk; also a brood of such birds; eyrie. Shak. Also fig.: A human residence or resting place perched like an eagle's nest.


word: Aëriferous
definition:
Aëriferous

A`ër*if"er*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. aër air + -ferous: cf. F. aérifère.]
Conveying or containing air; air-bearing; as, the windpipe is an aëriferous tube.


word: Aërification
definition:
Aërification

A`ër*i*fi*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. aérification. See A_;rify.]
1.
The act of combining air with another substance, or the state of being filled with air.

2.
The act of becoming aërified, or of changing from a solid or liquid form into an aëriform state; the state of being aëriform.


word: Aëriform
definition:
Aëriform

A"ër*i*form
(?; 277)
a.
[L. aër air + -form: cf. F. aériforme.]
Having the form or nature of air, or of an elastic fluid; gaseous. Hence fig.: Unreal.


word: Aërify
definition:
Aërify

A"ër*i*fy
(_;)
v. t.
[L. aër air + -fly.]
1.
To infuse air into; to combine air with.

2.
To change into an aëriform state.


word: Aerobe
definition:
Aerobe

Aer"*obe
(?)
n.
[See aerobies.]
an organism such as a microorganism that requires oxygen for life or growth.


word: Aërobic
definition:
Aërobic

A`ër*o"bic
(?)
a.
(Biol.)
Growing or thriving only in the presence of oxygen; also, pertaining to, or induced by, aërobies; as, aërobic fermentation.
A`ër*o"bic*al*ly (#), adv.


word: Aerobics
definition:
Aerobics

Aer*o"bics
(_;)
n. pl., but sing. or pl. in usage
1.
physical exercises performed in a sustained and strenuous fashion designed to cause a temporary increase in respiration rate and heart rate, such a running, swimming, walking, or calisthenics.  Calisthenic sessions in groups, performed by following a leader in moving to a rhythmic musical accompaniment, are a popular form of aerobics.

2.
a system of physical conditioning relying largely on aerobics exercises.


word: Aërobies
definition:
Aërobies

A"ër*o*bies
(_;)
n. pl.
[Aëro- + Gr. bi`os life.]
(Biol.)
Microörganisms which live in contact with the air and need oxygen for their growth; as the microbacteria which form on the surface of putrefactive fluids; aerobes.
[obsolescent]


word: Aërobiotic
definition:
Aërobiotic

A`ër*o*bi*ot"ic
(?; 101)
a.
(Biol.)
Related to, or of the nature of, aërobies; as, aërobiotic plants, which live only when supplied with free oxygen.


word: Aërobus
definition:
Aërobus

A"ër*o*bus`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + bus.]
An aëroplane or airship designed to carry passengers. Now called a passenger plane or commercial airliner.
[obsolescent]


word: Aëroclub
definition:
Aëroclub

A"ër*o*club`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + club.]
A club or association of persons interested in aëronautics.


word: Aërocurve
definition:
Aërocurve

A"ër*o*curve`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + curve.]
(Aëronautics)
A modification of the aëroplane, having curved surfaces, the advantages of which were first demonstrated by Lilienthal.


word: Aërodonetics
definition:
Aërodonetics

A`ë*ro*do*net"ics
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. _; shaken, _; to shake.]
(Aëronautics)
The science of gliding and soaring flight.


word: Aërodrome
definition:
Aërodrome

A"ë*ro*drome`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. _; a running.]
(Aëronautics)
(a)
A shed for housing an airship or aëroplane.
(b)
A ground or field, esp. one equipped with housing and other facilities, used for flying purposes.
A`ër*o*drom"ic (#), a.


word: Aërodynamic
definition:
Aërodynamic

Aerodynamic

Aer`o*dy*nam"ic, A`ër*o*dy*nam"ic
(_;)
a.
1.
Pertaining to the force of air in motion.

2.
having a shape designed to minimize wind resistance (aerodynamic drag) when moving through the air or other gas; -- used especially of vehicles; as, the aerodynamic styling of an automobile.


word: aerodynamic drag
definition:
aerodynamic drag

aer`o*dy*nam"ic drag
(_;)
n.
1.
the resistance caused by a gas to the motion of a solid body moving through it.  Studied in aerodynamics.


word: Aerodynamics
definition:
Aerodynamics

aerodynamics

aer`o*dy*nam"ics A`ër*o*dy*nam"ics
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + dynamics: cf. F. aérodynamique.]
The science which treats of the air and other gaseous bodies under the action of force, and of their mechanical effects.


word: Aerodyne
definition:
Aerodyne

Aer"o*dyne`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. _; .]
(Aëronautics)
a heavier-than-air aircraft; same as aeroplane.  Contrasted with aerostat.


word: Aerofoil
definition:
Aerofoil

A"ër*o*foil`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + foil.]
A plane or arched surface for sustaining bodies by its movement through the air; a spread wing, as of a bird.


word: Aerognosy
definition:
Aerognosy

A`ër*og"no*sy
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. _; knowing, knowledge: cf. F. aérognosie.]
The science which treats of the properties of the air, and of the part it plays in nature.
Craig.


word: Aerographical
definition:
Aerographical

Aerographic

{ A`ër*o*graph"ic (_;), A`ër*o*graph"ic*al (_;), }
a.
Pertaining to aërography; aërological.


word: Aerography
definition:
Aerography

A`ër*og"ra*phy
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + -graphy: cf. F. aérographie.]
A description of the air or atmosphere; aërology.


word: Aerogun
definition:
Aerogun

A"ër*o*gun`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + gun.]
A cannon capable of being trained at very high angles for use against aircraft.  Now usually referred to an anitaircraft cannon.


word: Aerohydrodynamic
definition:
Aerohydrodynamic

A`ër*o*hy`dro*dy*nam"ic
(_;)
a.
[Aëro- + hydrodynamic.]
Acting by the force of air and water; as, an aërohydrodynamic wheel.


word: Aerolite
definition:
Aerolite

A"ër*o*lite
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + -lite: cf. F. aérolithe.]
(Meteor.)
A stone, or metallic mass, which has fallen to the earth from distant space; a meteorite; a meteoric stone.

&hand_; Some writers limit the word to stony meteorites.


word: Aerolitic
definition:
Aerolitic

A`ër*o*lit"ic
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to aërolites; meteoric; as, aërolitic iron.
Booth.


word: Aerological
definition:
Aerological

Aerologic

{ A`ër*o*log"ic (_;), A`ër*o*log"ic*al (_;), }
a.
Of or pertaining to aërology.


word: Aerology
definition:
Aerology

A`ër*ol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + -logy: cf. F. aérologie.]
That department of physics which treats of the atmosphere.


word: Aeromancy
definition:
Aeromancy

A"ër*o*man`cy
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + -mancy: cf. F. aéromancie.]
Divination from the state of the air or from atmospheric substances; also, forecasting changes in the weather.


word: Aeromechanic
definition:
Aeromechanic

A`ër*o*me*chan"ic
(?)
n.
A mechanic or mechanician expert in the art and practice of aëronautics.


word: Aeromechanical
definition:
Aeromechanical

Aeromechanic

{ A`ër*o*me*chan"ic (?), A`ër*o*me*chan"ical (?) }
a.
Of or pert. to aëromechanics.


word: Aeromechanics
definition:
Aeromechanics

A`ër*o*me*chan"ics
(?)
n.
The science of equilibrium and motion of air or an aëriform fluid, including aërodynamics and aërostatics.


word: Aerometer
definition:
Aerometer

A`ër*om"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + -meter: cf. F. éromètre.]
An instrument for ascertaining the weight or density of air and gases.


word: Aerometry
definition:
Aerometry

A`ër*om"e*try
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + -metry: cf. F. érométrie.]
The science of measuring the air, including the doctrine of its pressure, elasticity, rarefaction, and condensation; pneumatics.


word: Aeronaut
definition:
Aeronaut

A"ër*o*naut
(?; 277)
n.
[F. aéronaute, fr. Gr. _; air + _; sailor. See Nautical.]
An aërial navigator; a balloonist.


word: Aeronef
definition:
Aeronef

A"ër*o*nef`
(?)
n.
[F. aéronef.]
A power-driven, heavier-than-air flying machine.  Now called airplane.
[obsolescent]


word: Aeronautical
definition:
Aeronautical

Aeronautic

{ A`ër*o*naut"ic (_;), A`ër*o*naut"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Cf. F. aéronauitique.]
Pertaining to aëronautics, or aërial sailing.


word: Aeronautics
definition:
Aeronautics

A`ër*o*naut"ics
(_;)
n.
The science or art of ascending and sailing in the air, as by means of a balloon; aërial navigation; ballooning.


word: aerophoby
definition:
aerophoby

Aerophobia

{ &Verbara`ër*o*pho"bi*a (ā`ẽr*&obreve_;"f&omacr"bĭ*ȧ), A`ër*oph"o*by (ā`ẽr*&obreve_;f"o̝*b&ybreve_;), }
n.
[Aero- + Gr. fo`bos fear: cf. F. aérophobie.]
(Med.)
Dread of a current of air or of fresh air.


word: Aerophone
definition:
Aerophone

A"ër*o*phone`
(?)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. _; voice.]
(a)
A form of combined speaking and ear trumpet.
(b)
An instrument, proposed by Edison, for greatly intensifying speech. It consists of a phonograph diaphragm so arranged that its action opens and closes valves, producing synchronous air blasts sufficient to operate a larger diaphragm with greater amplitude of vibration.


word: Aerophyte
definition:
Aerophyte

A"ër*o*phyte
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. fyto`n plant, fy`ein to grow: cf. F. aérophyte.]
(Bot.)
A plant growing entirely in the air, and receiving its nourishment from it; an air plant or epiphyte.


word: aeroplane
definition:
aeroplane

aeroplane

aer"*o*plane` a"ër*o*plane`
(?)
n.
[aëro- + plane.]
(Aëronautics)
1.
A light rigid plane used in aërial navigation to oppose sudden upward or downward movement in the air, as in gliding machines; specif., such a plane slightly inclined and driven forward as a lifting device in some flying machines.  Also called airfoil.

2.
Hence:
A heavier-than-air flying machine using such a device to provide lift; an airplane.  In a modern aeroplane, the airfoils are called the wings, and most of the lift is derived from these surfaces.  In contrast to helicopters, the wings are fixed to the passenger compartment (airframe) and do not move relative to the frame; thus such a machine is called a fixed-wing aircraft.  These machines are called monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, or quadruplanes, according to the number of main supporting planes (wings) used in their construction.  After 1940 few planes with more than one airfoil were constructed, and these are used by hobbyists or for special purposes.  Being heavier than air they depend for their levitation on motion imparted by the thrust from either propellers driven by an engine, or, in a jet plane, by the reaction from a high-velocity stream of gases expelled rearward from a jet engine.  They start from the ground by a run on small wheels or runners, and are guided by a steering apparatus consisting of horizontal and vertical movable planes, which usually form part of the wings or tail.  There are many varieties of form and construction, which in some cases are known by the names of their inventors.  In U.S., an aeroplane is usually called an airplane or plane.


word: Aeroplanist
definition:
Aeroplanist

A"ër*o*plan`ist
(?)
n.
One who flies in an aëroplane.

Syn. -- aviator, aviatrix, airman.


word: Aeroscope
definition:
Aeroscope

A"ër*o*scope
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. _; to look out.]
(Biol.)
An apparatus designed for collecting spores, germs, bacteria, etc., suspended in the air.


word: Aeroscopy
definition:
Aeroscopy

A`ër*os"co*py
(_;)
n.
[Aëro- + Gr. _; a looking out; _; to spy out.]
The observation of the state and variations of the atmosphere.


word: AErose
definition:
AErose

Æ*rose"
(_;)
a.
[L. aerosus, fr. aes, aeris, brass, copper.]
Of the nature of, or like, copper; brassy.
[R.]


word: aerospace
definition:
aerospace

aerospace
n.
1.
the atmosphere and outer space considered together or as a whole.

2.
the sector of industry that designs and builds aircraft, rockets, missiles, and devices or vehicles intended to operate in outer space.


word: Aerostat
definition:
Aerostat

A"ër*o*stat
(_;)
n.
[F. aérostat, fr. Gr. _; air + _; placed. See Statics.]
1.
(Aëronautics)
A balloon, especially a passive balloon; a balloon without motive power.  Contrasted with aerodyne.

2.
A balloonist; an aëronaut.


word: Aerostatical
definition:
Aerostatical

Aerostatic

{A`ër*o*stat"ic (_;), A`ër*o*stat"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Aëro- + Gr. _;: cf. F. aérostatique. See Statical, Statics.]
1.
Of or pertaining to aërostatics; pneumatic.

2.
Aëronautic; as, an aërostatic voyage.


word: Aerostatics
definition:
Aerostatics

A`ër*o*stat"ics
(_;)
n.
The science that treats of the equilibrium of elastic fluids, or that of bodies sustained in them. Hence it includes aëronautics.


word: Aerostation
definition:
Aerostation

A`ër*os*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. aérostation the art of using aërostats.]
1.
That part of aëronautics that deals with passive balloons; the art of raising and guiding balloons in the air.

2.
The science of weighing air; aërostatics.
[Obs.]


word: Aerotaxis
definition:
Aerotaxis

A"ër*o*tax`is
(?)
n.
[NL. See Aëro-; Taxis.]
(Bacteriology)
The positive or negative stimulus exerted by oxygen on aërobic and anaërobic bacteria.
A`ër*o*tac"tic (#), a.


word: Aerotherapeutics
definition:
Aerotherapeutics

A`ër*o*ther`a*peu"tics
(ā`ẽr*o̝*thẽr`ȧ*pū"tĭks)
n.
[Aero- + therapeutics.]
(Med.)
Treatment of disease by the use of air or other gases.
AS


word: Aertex
definition:
Aertex

Aertex
n.
1.
a trademark for a loosely woven cotton fabric that is used to make shirts and underwear.


word: AEruginous
definition:
AEruginous

Æ*ru"gi*nous
(_;)
a.
[L. aeruginosus, fr. aerugo rust of copper, fr. aes copper: cf. F. érugineux.]
Of the nature or color of verdigris, or the rust of copper.


word: AErugo
definition:
AErugo

Æ*ru"go
(_;)
n.
[L. aes brass, copper.]
The rust of any metal, esp. of brass or copper; verdigris.


word: AEsculapian
definition:
AEsculapian

Æs`cu*la"pi*an
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to Æsculapius or to the healing art; medical; medicinal.


word: AEsculapius
definition:
AEsculapius

Æs`cu*la"pi*us
(_;)
n.
[L. Aesculapius, Gr. _;.]
(Myth.)
The god of medicine.  Hence, a physician.


word: AEsir
definition:
AEsir

Æ"sir
(?)
n. pl.
[Icel., pl. of āss god.]
In the old Norse mythology, the gods Odin, Thor, Loki, Balder, Frigg, and the others.  Their home was called Asgard.


word: AEsopian
definition:
AEsopian

Esopian

Æ*so"pi*an
E*so"pi*an
(_;)
a.
[L. Aesopius, from Gr. _;, fr. the famous Greek fabulist Æsop (_;).]
Of or pertaining to Æsop, or in his manner.


word: AEsthesia
definition:
AEsthesia

Æs*the"si*a
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; sensation, fr. _; to perceive.]
(Physiol.)
Perception by the senses; feeling; -- the opposite of anæsthesia.


word: Esthesiometer
definition:
Esthesiometer

AEsthesiometer

Æs*the`si*om"e*ter, Es*the`si*om"e*ter (_;)
n.
[Gr. _; (see Æsthesia) + -meter.]
An instrument to measure the degree of sensation, by determining at how short a distance two impressions upon the skin can be distinguished, and thus to determine whether the condition of tactile sensibility is normal or altered.


word: AEsthesodic
definition:
AEsthesodic

Æs`the*sod"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; sensation + _; a way; cf. F. esthésodique.]
(Physiol.)
Conveying sensory or afferent impulses; -- said of nerves.


word: AEsthete
definition:
AEsthete

Æs"thete
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; one who perceives.]
One who makes much or overmuch of æsthetics.
[Recent]


word: AEsthetical
definition:
AEsthetical

AEsthetic

{Æs*thet"ic (_;), Æs*thet"ic*al (_;), }
a.
Of or Pertaining to æsthetics; versed in æsthetics; as, æsthetic studies, emotions, ideas, persons, etc.


word: AEstheticism
definition:
AEstheticism

Æs*thet"i*cism
(_;)
n.
The doctrine of æsthetics; æsthetic principles; devotion to the beautiful in nature and art.
Lowell.


word: Esthetics
definition:
Esthetics

AEsthetics

Æs*thet"ics, Es*thet"ics (_;; 277)
n.
[Gr. _; perceptive, esp. by feeling, fr. _; to perceive, feel: cf. G. ästhetik, F. esthétique.]
The theory or philosophy of taste; the science of the beautiful in nature and art; esp. that which treats of the expression and embodiment of beauty by art.


word: AEstho-physiology
definition:
AEstho-physiology

Æs`tho-phys`i*ol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; to perceive + E. physiology.]
The science of sensation in relation to nervous action.
H. Spenser.


word: AEstival
definition:
AEstival

Æs"ti*val
(_;)
a.
[L. aestivalis, aestivus, fr. aestas summer.]
Of or belonging to the summer; as, æstival diseases.
[Spelt also estival.]


word: AEstivate
definition:
AEstivate

Æs"ti*vate
(_;)
v. i.
[L. aestivare, aestivatum.]
1.
To spend the summer.

2.
(Zool.)
To pass the summer in a state of torpor.


word: AEstivation
definition:
AEstivation

Æs`ti*va"tion
(_;)
n.
1.
(Zool.)
The state of torpidity induced by the heat and dryness of summer, as in certain snails; -- opposed to hibernation.

2.
(Bot.)
The arrangement of the petals in a flower bud, as to folding, overlapping, etc.; prefloration.
Gray.


word: AEstuous
definition:
AEstuous

Æs"tu*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. aestuosus, fr. aestus fire, glow.]
Glowing; agitated, as with heat.


word: Aetheogamous
definition:
Aetheogamous

A*ë`the*og"a*mous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; unusual ('a priv. + _; custom) + _; marriage.]
(Bot.)
Propagated in an unusual way; cryptogamous.


word: AEthogen
definition:
AEthogen

Æth"o*gen
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; fire, light + -gen.]
(Chem.)
A compound of nitrogen and boro_;, which, when heated before the blowpipe, gives a brilliant phosphorescent; boric nitride.


word: Aethrioscope
definition:
Aethrioscope

Æ"thri*o*scope
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; clear + _; to observe.]
An instrument consisting in part of a differential thermometer. It is used for measuring changes of temperature produced by different conditions of the sky, as when clear or clouded.


word: Aetiological
definition:
Aetiological

Ae`ti*o*log"ic*al
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to ætiology; pertaining to the cause; assigning a cause.
Æ`ti*o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.


word: aetiology
definition:
aetiology

etiology

ae`ti*ol"o*gy
(ē`tĭ*&obreve_;l"o̝*j&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. aetologia, Gr. a'itiologi`a; a'iti`a cause + lo`gos description: cf. F. étiologie.]
1.
The science, doctrine, or demonstration of causes; esp., the investigation of the causes of any disease; the science of the origin and development of things; etiology.
AS

2.
The assignment of a cause.

3.
(Med.)
The cause or origin of a disease.  Now more commonly written etiology.


word: Afar
definition:
Afar

A*far"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- (for on or of) + far.]
At, to, or from a great distance; far away; -- often used with from preceding, or off following; as, he was seen from afar; I saw him afar off.

The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar.
Beattie.


word: Afeard
definition:
Afeard

A*feard"
(ȧ*fērd")
p. a.
[OE. afered, AS. āf&aemacr_;red, p. p. of āf&aemacr_;ran to frighten; ā- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + f&aemacr_;ran to frighten. See Fear.]
Afraid.
[Obs.]

Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises.
Shak.


word: Affability
definition:
Affability

Af`fa*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[L. affabilitas: cf. F. affabilité.]
The quality of being affable; readiness to converse; courteousness in receiving others and in conversation; complaisant behavior.

Affability is of a wonderful efficacy or power in procuring love.
Elyot


word: Affable
definition:
Affable

Af"fa*ble
(_;)
a.
[F. affable, L. affabilis, fr. affari to speak to; ad + fari to speak. See Fable.]
1.
Easy to be spoken to or addressed; receiving others kindly and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner; courteous; sociable.

An affable and courteous gentleman.
Shak.

His manners polite and affable.
Macaulay.

2.
Gracious; mild; benign.

A serene and affable countenance.
Tatler.


word: Affabrous
definition:
Affabrous

Af"fa*brous
(ăf*fȧ"brŭs)
a.
[L. affaber workmanlike; ad + faber.]
Executed in a workmanlike manner; ingeniously made.
[R.]
Bailey.


word: Affair
definition:
Affair

Af*fair"
(ăf*fâr")
n.
[OE. afere, affere, OF. afaire, F. affaire, fr. a faire to do; L.. ad + facere to do. See Fact, and cf. Ado.]
1.
That which is done or is to be done; matter; concern; as, a difficult affair to manage; business of any kind, commercial, professional, or public; -- often in the plural. “At the head of affairs.” Junius.
affairs
Prescott.

2.
Any proceeding or action which it is wished to refer to or characterize vaguely; as, an affair of honor, i. e., a duel; an affair of love, i. e., an intrigue.

3.
(Mil.)
An action or engagement not of sufficient magnitude to be called a battle.

4.
Action; endeavor.
[Obs.]

And with his best affair
Obeyed the pleasure of the Sun.
Chapman.

5.
A material object (vaguely designated).

A certain affair of fine red cloth much worn and faded.
Hawthorne.


word: Affamish
definition:
Affamish

Af*fam"ish
(ăf*făm"ĭsh)
v. t. & i.
[F. affamer, fr. L. ad + fames hunger. See Famish.]
To afflict with, or perish from, hunger.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Affect
definition:
Affect

Af*fect"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affected; p. pr. & vb. n. Affecting.]
[L. affectus, p. p. of afficere to affect by active agency; ad + facere to make: cf. F. affectere, L. affectare, freq. of afficere. See Fact.]
1.
To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.

As might affect the earth with cold heat.
Milton.

The climate affected their health and spirits.
Macaulay.

2.
To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to touch.

A consideration of the rationale of our passions seems to me very necessary for all who would affect them upon solid and pure principles.

3.
To love; to regard with affection.
[Obs.]

As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than affected, rather honored than loved, her.
Fuller.

4.
To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to choose; hence, to frequent habitually.

For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for it, indeed.
Shak.

Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank, nor court that of the great.
Hazlitt.

5.
To dispose or incline.

Men whom they thought best affected to religion and their country's liberty.
Milton.

6.
To aim at; to aspire; to covet.
[Obs.]

This proud man affects imperial _;way.
Dryden.

7.
To tend to by affinity or disposition.

The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
Newton.

8.
To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume; as, to affect ignorance.

Careless she is with artful care,
Affecting to seem unaffected.
Congreve.

Thou dost affect my manners.
Shak.

9.
To assign; to appoint.
[R.]

One of the domestics was affected to his special service.
Thackeray.


word: Affect₂
definition:
Affect

Af*fect"
(ăf*fĕkt")
n.
[L. affectus.]
1.
Affection; inclination; passion; feeling; disposition.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
(Psychotherapy)
The emotional complex associated with an idea or mental state. In hysteria, the affect is sometimes entirely dissociated, sometimes transferred to another than the original idea.


word: Affectation
definition:
Affectation

Af`fec*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. affectatio: cf. F. affectation.]
1.
An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.
affectation
Macaulay.

Affectation is an awkward and forced imitation of what should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty that accompanies what is natural what is natural.
Locke.

2.
A striving after.
[Obs.]
Bp. Pearson.

3.
Fondness; affection.
[Obs.]
Hooker.


word: Affected
definition:
Affected

Af*fect"ed
(ăf*fĕkt"ĕd)
p. p. & a.
1.
Regarded with affection; beloved.
[Obs.]

His affected Hercules.
Chapman.

2.
Inclined; disposed; attached.

How stand you affected to his wish?
Shak.

3.
Given to false show; assuming or pretending to possess what is not natural or real.

He is . . . too spruce, too affected, too odd.
Shak.

4.
Assumed artificially; not natural.

Affected coldness and indifference.
Addison.

5.
(Alg.)
Made up of terms involving different powers of the unknown quantity; adfected; as, an affected equation.


word: Affectedly
definition:
Affectedly

Af*fect"ed*ly
adv.
1.
In an affected manner; hypocritically; with more show than reality.

2.
Lovingly; with tender care.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Affecter
definition:
Affecter

Af*fect"er
(_;)
n.
One who affects, assumes, pretends, or strives after.
Affecters
Abp. Secker.


word: Affectible
definition:
Affectible

Af*fect"i*ble
(_;)
a.
That may be affected.
[R.]

Lay aside the absolute, and, by union with the creaturely, become affectible.
Coleridge.


word: Affecting
definition:
Affecting

Af*fect"ing
a.
1.
Moving the emotions; fitted to excite the emotions; pathetic; touching; as, an affecting address; an affecting sight.

The most affecting music is generally the most simple.

2.
Affected; given to false show.
[Obs.]

A drawling; affecting rouge.
Shak.


word: affection
definition:
affection

af*fec"tion
(ăf*fĕk"shŭn)
n.
[F. affection, L. affectio, fr. afficere. See Affect.]
1.
The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.

2.
(Philosophy)
An attribute, especially a contingent or alterable quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc. , are affections of bodies.
affections
Boyle.

And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less,
An old and strange affection of the house.
Tennyson.

3.
Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency.

Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as a pleasant state of the mind, when impressed by any object or quality.
Cogan.

4.
A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender attachment; -- often in the pl.  Formerly followed by to, but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial, social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for or towards children.

All his affections are set on his own country.
Macaulay.

5.
Prejudice; bias.
[Obs.]
Bp. Aylmer.

6.
(Med.)
Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.
Dunglison.
AS

7.
The lively representation of any emotion.
Wotton.

8.
Affectation.
[Obs.]
affection
Shak.

9.
Passion; violent emotion.
[Obs.]

Most wretched man,
That to affections does the bridle lend.
Spenser.


word: Affectional
definition:
Affectional

Af*fec"tion*al
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to the affections; as, affectional impulses; an affectional nature.


word: Affectionate
definition:
Affectionate

Af*fec"tion*ate
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. affectionné.]
1.
Having affection or warm regard; loving; fond; as, an affectionate brother.

2.
Kindly inclined; zealous.
[Obs.]
Johson.

Man, in his love God, and desire to please him, can never be too affectionate.
Sprat.

3.
Proceeding from affection; indicating love; tender; as, the affectionate care of a parent; affectionate countenance, message, language.

4.
Strongly inclined; -- with to.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Affectionated
definition:
Affectionated

Af*fec"tion*a`ted
a.
Disposed; inclined.
[Obs.]

Affectionated to the people.
Holinshed.


word: Affectioned
definition:
Affectioned

Af*fec"tioned
(_;)
a.
1.
Disposed.
[Archaic]

Be kindly affectioned one to another.
Rom. xii. 10.

2.
Affected; conceited.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Affective
definition:
Affective

Af*fec"tive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. affectif.]
1.
Tending to affect; affecting.
[Obs.]
Burnet.

2.
Pertaining to or exciting emotion; affectional; emotional.
Rogers.


word: Affectuous
definition:
Affectuous

Af*fec"tu*ous
(?; 135)
a.
[L. affectuous: cf. F. affectueux. See Affect.]
Full of passion or emotion; earnest.
[Obs.]
Af*fec"tu*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.]
Fabyan.


word: Affeer
definition:
Affeer

Af*feer"
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. aforer, afeurer, to tax, appraise, assess, fr. L. ad + forum market, court of justice, in LL. also meaning price.]
1.
To confirm; to assure.
[Obs.]
affeered
Shak.

2.
(Old Law)
To assess or reduce, as an arbitrary penalty or amercement, to a certain and reasonable sum.

Amercements . . . were affeered by the judges.
Blackstone.


word: Affeeror
definition:
Affeeror

Affeerer

{ Af*feer"er (_;), Af*feer"or (_;), }
n.
[OF. aforeur, LL. afforator.]
(Old Law)
One who affeers.
Cowell.


word: Afferent
definition:
Afferent

Af"fer*ent
(_;)
a.
[L. afferens, p. pr. of afferre; ad + ferre to bear.]
(Physiol.)
Bearing or conducting inwards to a part or organ; -- opposed to efferent; as, afferent vessels; afferent nerves, which convey sensations from the external organs to the brain.


word: Affiance
definition:
Affiance

Af*fi"ance
(ăf*fī"ans)
n.
[OE. afiaunce trust, confidence, OF. afiance, fr. afier to trust, fr. LL. affidare to trust; ad + fidare to trust, fr. L. fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Affidavit, Affy, Confidence.]
1.
Plighted faith; marriage contract or promise.
[archaic]

2.
Trust; reliance; faith; confidence.
[archaic]

Such feelings promptly yielded to his habitual affiance in the divine love.
Sir J. Stephen.

Lancelot, my Lancelot, thou in whom I have
Most joy and most affiance.
Tennyson.


word: affiance
definition:
affiance

af*fi"ance
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. affianced (ăf*fī"anst); p. pr. & vb. n. affiancing (ăf*fī"an*sĭng).]
[Cf. OF. afiancier, fr. afiance.]
1.
To betroth; to pledge one's faith to for marriage, or solemnly promise (one's self or another) in marriage.

To me, sad maid, he was affianced.
Spenser.

2.
To assure by promise.
[Obs.]
Pope.


word: Affiancer
definition:
Affiancer

Af*fi"an*cer
(ăf*fī"an*sẽr)
n.
One who makes a contract of marriage between two persons.


word: Affiant
definition:
Affiant

Af*fi"ant
(_;)
n.
[From p. pr. of OF. afier, LL. affidare. See Affidavit.]
(Law)
One who makes an affidavit.
[U. S.]
Burrill.


word: Affiche
definition:
Affiche

Af`fiche"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. afficher to affix.]
A written or printed notice to be posted, as on a wall; a poster; a placard.


word: Affidavit
definition:
Affidavit

Af`fi*da"vit
(_;)
n.
[LL. affidavit he has made oath, perfect tense of affidare. See Affiance, Affy.]
(Law)
A sworn statement in writing; a declaration in writing, signed and made upon oath before an authorized magistrate.
Bouvier. Burrill.

&hand_; It is always made ex parte, and without cross-examination, and in this differs from a deposition. It is also applied to written statements made on affirmation.


word: Affile
definition:
Affile

Af*file"
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. afiler, F. affiler, to sharpen; a (L. ad) + fil thread, edge.]
To polish.
[Obs.]


word: Affiliable
definition:
Affiliable

Af*fil"i*a*ble
(_;)
a.
Capable of being affiliated to or on, or connected with in origin.


word: Affiliate
definition:
Affiliate

Af*fil"i*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affiliated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Affiliating (_;).]
[LL. adfiliare, affiliare, to adopt as son; ad + filius son: cf. F. affilier.]
1.
To adopt; to receive into a family as a son; hence, to bring or receive into close connection; to ally.

Is the soul affiliated to God, or is it estranged and in rebellion?
I. Taylor.

2.
To fix the paternity of; -- said of an illegitimate child; as, to affiliate the child to (or on or upon) one man rather than another.

3.
To connect in the way of descent; to trace origin to.

How do these facts tend to affiliate the faculty of hearing upon the aboriginal vegetative processes?
H. Spencer.

4.
To attach (to) or unite (with); to receive into a society as a member, and initiate into its mysteries, plans, etc.; -- followed by to or with.

Affiliated societies, societies connected with a central society, or with each other.


word: Affiliate₂
definition:
Affiliate

Af*fil"i*ate
v. i.
To connect or associate one's self; -- followed by with; as, they affiliate with no party.


word: affiliated
definition:
affiliated

affiliated
adj.
1.
1
being joined in close association
affiliated clubs

Syn. -- attached, connected


word: Affiliation
definition:
Affiliation

Af*fil`i*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[F. affiliation, LL. affiliatio.]
1.
Adoption; association or reception as a member in or of the same family or society.

2.
(Law)
The establishment or ascertaining of parentage; the assignment of a child, as a bastard, to its father; filiation.

3.
Connection in the way of descent.
H. Spencer.


word: Affine
definition:
Affine

Af*fine"
(_;)
v. t.
[F. affiner to refine; _; (L. ad) + fin fine. See Fine.]
To refine.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Affined
definition:
Affined

Af*fined"
(_;)
a.
[OF. afiné related, p. p., fr. LL. affinare to join, fr. L. affinis neighboring, related to; ad + finis boundary, limit.]
Joined in affinity or by any tie.
[Obs.]
affined
Shak.


word: Affinity
definition:
Affinity

Af*fin"i*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Affinities (_;).
[OF. afinité, F. affinité, L. affinites, fr. affinis. See Affined.]

1.
Relationship by marriage (as between a husband and his wife's blood relations, or between a wife and her husband's blood relations); -- in contradistinction to consanguinity, or relationship by blood; -- followed by with, to, or between.

Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh.
1 Kings iii. 1.

2.
Kinship generally; close agreement; relation; conformity; resemblance; connection; as, the affinity of sounds, of colors, or of languages.

There is a close affinity between imposture and credulity.
Sir G. C. Lewis.

2.
Companionship; acquaintance.
[Obs.]

About forty years past, I began a happy affinity with William Cranmer.
Burton.

4.
(Chem.)
That attraction which takes place, at an insensible distance, between the heterogeneous particles of bodies, and unites them to form chemical compounds; chemism; chemical or elective affinity or attraction.

5.
(Nat. Hist.)
A relation between species or higher groups dependent on resemblance in the whole plan of structure, and indicating community of origin.

6.
(Spiritualism)
A superior spiritual relationship or attraction held to exist sometimes between persons, esp. persons of the opposite sex; also, the man or woman who exerts such psychical or spiritual attraction.


word: Affirm
definition:
Affirm

Af*firm"
(ăf*fẽrm")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affirmed (-fẽrmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Affirming.]
[OE. affermen, OF. afermer, F. affirmer, affermir, fr. L. affirmare; ad + firmare to make firm, firmus firm. See Firm.]
1.
(Law)
to assert or confirm, as a judgment, decree, or order, brought before an appellate court for review.

2.
To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to maintain as true; -- opposed to deny.

Jesus, . . . whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts xxv. 19.

3.
(Law)
To declare, as a fact, solemnly, under judicial sanction. See Affirmation, 4.


word: Affirm₂
definition:
Affirm

Af*firm"
v. i.
1.
To declare or assert positively.

Not that I so affirm, though so it seem
To thee, who hast thy dwelling here on earth.
Milton.

2.
(Law)
To make a solemn declaration, before an authorized magistrate or tribunal, under the penalties of perjury; to testify by affirmation.


word: Affirmable
definition:
Affirmable

Af*firm"a*ble
(_;)
a.
Capable of being affirmed, asserted, or declared; -- followed by of; as, an attribute affirmable of every just man.


word: Affirmance
definition:
Affirmance

Af*firm"ance
(_;)
n.
[Cf. OF. afermance.]
1.
Confirmation; ratification; confirmation of a voidable act.

This statute . . . in affirmance of the common law.
Bacon.

2.
A strong declaration; affirmation.
Cowper.


word: Affirmant
definition:
Affirmant

Af*firm"ant
(ăf*fẽrm"ant)
n.
[L. affirmans, -antis, p. pr. See Affirm.]
1.
One who affirms or asserts.

2.
(Law)
One who affirms, instead of taking an oath.


word: Affirmation
definition:
Affirmation

Af`fir*ma"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. affirmatio: cf. F. affirmation.]
1.
Confirmation of anything established; ratification; as, the affirmation of a law.
Hooker.

2.
The act of affirming or asserting as true; assertion; -- opposed to negation or denial.

3.
That which is asserted; an assertion; a positive statement; an averment; as, an affirmation, by the vender, of title to property sold, or of its quality.

4.
(Law)
A solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury, by persons who conscientiously decline taking an oath, which declaration is in law equivalent to an oath.
Bouvier.


word: Affirmative
definition:
Affirmative

Af*firm"a*tive
(_;)
a.
[L. affirmativus: cf. F. affirmatif.]
1.
Confirmative; ratifying; as, an act affirmative of common law.

2.
That affirms; asserting that the fact is so; declaratory of what exists; answering “yes” to a question; -- opposed to negative; as, an affirmative answer; an affirmative vote.

3.
Positive; dogmatic.
[Obs.]
J. Taylor.

Lysicles was a little by the affirmative air of Crito.
Berkeley.

4.
(logic)
Expressing the agreement of the two terms of a proposition.

5.
(Alg.)
Positive; -- a term applied to quantities which are to be added, and opposed to negative, or such as are to be subtracted.


word: Affirmative₂
definition:
Affirmative

Af*firm"a*tive
n.
1.
That which affirms as opposed to that which denies; an affirmative proposition; that side of question which affirms or maintains the proposition stated; -- opposed to negative; as, there were forty votes in the affirmative, and ten in the negative.

Whether there are such beings or not, 't is sufficient for my purpose that many have believed the affirmative.
Dryden.

2.
A word or phrase expressing affirmation or assent; as, yes, that is so, etc.


word: affirmative action
definition:
affirmative action

affirmative action
n.
1.
a policy of making active efforts to improve the employment or educational opportunities available to members of minority groups or women; -- achieved by employers or schools by using various techniques, but excluding the use of simple quotas or outright discrimination against white males.
affirmative action is required by law for certain employers in the United States.


word: Affirmatively
definition:
Affirmatively

Af*firm"a*tive*ly
adv.
In an affirmative manner; on the affirmative side of a question; in the affirmative; -- opposed to negatively.


word: Affix
definition:
Affix

Af*fix"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affixed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Affixing.]
[LL. affixare, L. affixus, p. p. of affigere to fasten to; ad + figere to fasten: cf. OE. affichen, F. afficher, ultimately fr. L. affigere. See Fix.]
1.
To subjoin, annex, or add at the close or end; to append to; to fix to any part of; as, to affix a syllable to a word; to affix a seal to an instrument; to affix one's name to a writing.

2.
To fix or fasten in any way; to attach physically.

Should they [caterpillars] affix them to the leaves of a plant improper for their food.
Ray.

3.
To attach, unite, or connect with; as, names affixed to ideas, or ideas affixed to things; to affix a stigma to a person; to affix ridicule or blame to any one.

4.
To fix or fasten figuratively; -- with on or upon; as, eyes affixed upon the ground.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Affix₂
definition:
Affix

Af"fix
(_;)
n.
pl. Affixes (#).
[L. affixus, p. p. of affigere: cf. F. affixe.]
That which is affixed; an appendage; esp. one or more letters or syllables added at the end of a word; a suffix; a postfix.


word: affixed
definition:
affixed

affixed
adj.
1.
attached physically.  Opposite of unaffixed.
Various more specific adjectives meaning affixed are: appendant , basifixed, fastened, secured, glued, pasted, stuck to(predicate) ,  pegged-down , pinned, stapled , taped to(predicate), mounted .


word: Afflation
definition:
Afflation

Af*fla"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. afflatus, p. p. of afflare to blow or breathe on; ad + flare to blow.]
A blowing or breathing on; inspiration.


word: Afflatus
definition:
Afflatus

Af*fla"tus
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. afflare. See Afflation.]
1.
A breath or blast of wind.

2.
A divine impartation of knowledge; supernatural impulse; inspiration.

A poet writing against his genius will be like a prophet without his afflatus.
Spence.


word: Afflict
definition:
Afflict

Af*flict"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Afflicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Afflicting.]
[L. afflictus, p. p. of affigere to cast down, deject; ad + fligere to strike: cf. OF. aflit, afflict, p. p. Cf. Flagellate.]
1.
To strike or cast down; to overthrow.
[Obs.]
afflicted
Milton.

2.
To inflict some great injury or hurt upon, causing continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously; to torment.

They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens.
Exod. i. 11.

That which was the worst now least afflicts me.
Milton.

3.
To make low or humble.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Afflicting
definition:
Afflicting

Af*flict"ing
a.
Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv.


word: Affliction
definition:
Affliction

Af*flic"tion
(_;)
n.
[F. affliction, L. afflictio, fr. affligere.]
1.
The cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, etc.; an instance of grievous distress; a pain or grief.

To repay that money will be a biting affliction.
Shak.

2.
The state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress, or grief.

Some virtues are seen only in affliction.
Addison.


word: Afflictive
definition:
Afflictive

Af*flic"tive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. afflictif.]
Giving pain; causing continued or repeated pain or grief; distressing.
afflictive
Pope.

Spreads slow disease, and darts afflictive pain.
Prior.


word: Affluence
definition:
Affluence

Af"flu*ence
(_;)
n.
[F. affluence, L. affluentia, fr. affluens, p. pr. of affluere to flow to; ad + fluere to flow. See Flux.]
1.
A flowing to or towards; a concourse; an influx.

The affluence of young nobles from hence into Spain.
Wotton.

There is an unusual affluence of strangers this year.
Carlyle.

2.
An abundant supply, as of thought, words, feelings, etc.; profusion; also, abundance of property; wealth.

And old age of elegance, affluence, and ease.
Coldsmith.


word: Affluent
definition:
Affluent

Af"flu*ent
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. affluent, L. affluens, -entis, p. pr. See Affluence.]
1.
Flowing to; flowing abundantly.
Affluent
Harvey.

2.
Abundant; copious; plenteous; hence, wealthy; abounding in goods or riches.

Language . . . affluent in expression.
H. Reed.

Loaded and blest with all the affluent store,
Which human vows at smoking shrines implore.
Prior.


word: Affluent₂
definition:
Affluent

Af"flu*ent
n.
A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; a tributary stream.


word: Afflux
definition:
Afflux

Af"flux`
(_;)
n.
[L. affluxum, p. p. of affluere: cf. F. afflux. See Affluence.]
A flowing towards; that which flows to; as, an afflux of blood to the head.


word: Afforce
definition:
Afforce

Af*force"
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. afforcier, LL. affortiare; ad + fortiare, fr. L. fortis strong.]
To reënforce; to strengthen.
Hallam.


word: Afforcement
definition:
Afforcement

Af*force"ment
(_;)
n.
[OF.]
1.
A fortress; a fortification for defense.
[Obs.]
Bailey.

2.
A reënforcement; a strengthening.
Hallam.


word: Afford
definition:
Afford

Af*ford"
(ăf*f&omacrrd")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Afforded; p. pr. & vb. n. Affording.]
[OE. aforthen, AS. geforðian, forðian, to further, accomplish, afford, fr. forð forth, forward. The prefix ge- has no well defined sense. See Forth.]
1.
To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of fish.

2.
To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.

His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
Addison.

The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
Gilpin.

3.
To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity.

4.
To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; -- with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough.

The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits.
Hamilton.

He could afford to suffer
With those whom he saw suffer.
Wordsworth.


word: Afforest
definition:
Afforest

Af*for"est
(_;)
v. t.
[LL. afforestare; ad + forestare. See Forest.]
To convert into a forest; as, to afforest a tract of country.


word: Afforestation
definition:
Afforestation

Af*for`es*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
The act of converting into forest or woodland.
Blackstone.


word: Affranchise
definition:
Affranchise

Af*fran"chise
(_;)
v. t.
[F. affranchir; _; (L. ad) + franc free. See Franchise and Frank.]
To make free; to enfranchise.
Johnson.


word: Affranchisement
definition:
Affranchisement

Af*fran"chise*ment
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. affranchissement.]
The act of making free; enfranchisement.
[R.]


word: Affrap
definition:
Affrap

Af*frap"
(_;)
v. t. & i.
[Cf. It. affrappare, frappare, to cut, mince, F. frapper to strike. See Frap.]
To strike, or strike down.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Affray
definition:
Affray

Af*fray"
(_;)
v. t.
[p. p. Affrayed.]
[OE. afraien, affraien, OF. effreer, esfreer, F. effrayer, orig. to disquiet, put out of peace, fr. L. ex + OHG. fridu peace (akin to E. free). Cf. Afraid, Fray, Frith inclosure.]
[Archaic]
1.
To startle from quiet; to alarm.

Smale foules a great heap
That had afrayed [affrayed] me out of my sleep.
Chaucer.

2.
To frighten; to scare; to frighten away.

That voice doth us affray.
Shak.


word: Affray₂
definition:
Affray

Af*fray"
(_;)
n.
[OE. afrai, affrai, OF. esfrei, F. effroi, fr. OF. esfreer. See Affray, v. t.]
1.
The act of suddenly disturbing any one; an assault or attack.
[Obs.]

2.
Alarm; terror; fright.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

3.
A tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl; a fray.
affray
Motley.

4.
(Law)
The fighting of two or more persons, in a public place, to the terror of others.
Blackstone.

&hand_; A fighting in private is not, in a legal sense, an affray.


word: Affreight
definition:
Affreight

Af*freight"
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. ad- + freight: cf. F. affréter. See Freight.]
To hire, as a ship, for the transportation of goods or freight.


word: Affreightment
definition:
Affreightment

Af*freight"ment
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. affrétement.]
The act of hiring, or the contract for the use of, a vessel, or some part of it, to convey cargo.


word: Affret
definition:
Affret

Af*fret"
(_;)
n.
[Cf. It. affrettare to hasten, fretta haste.]
A furious onset or attack.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Affricate
definition:
Affricate

Af"fri*cate
(?)
n.
[L. affricatus, p. p. of affricare to rub against; af- = ad- + fricare to rub.]
(Phon.)
A combination of a stop, or explosive, with an immediately following fricative or spirant of corresponding organic position, as pf in german Pfeffer, pepper, z (= ts) in German Zeit, time.


word: Affriction
definition:
Affriction

Af*fric"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. affricare to rub on. See Friction.]
The act of rubbing against.
[Obs.]


word: Affright
definition:
Affright

Af*fright"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affrighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Affrighting.]
[Orig. p. p.; OE. afright, AS. āfyrhtan to terrify; ā- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + fyrhto fright. See Fright.]
To impress with sudden fear; to frighten; to alarm.

Dreams affright our souls.
Shak.

A drear and dying sound
Affrights the flamens at their service quaint.
Milton.


word: Affright₃
definition:
Affright

Af*fright"
n.
1.
Sudden and great fear; terror. It expresses a stronger impression than fear, or apprehension, perhaps less than terror.

He looks behind him with affright, and forward with despair.
Goldsmith.

2.
The act of frightening; also, a cause of terror; an object of dread.
B. Jonson.


word: Affrightful
definition:
Affrightful

Af*fright"ful
(_;)
a.
Terrifying; frightful.
Af*fright"ful*ly, adv. [Archaic]

Bugbears or affrightful apparitions.
Cudworth.


word: Affrightment
definition:
Affrightment

Af*fright"ment
(_;)
n.
Affright; the state of being frightened; sudden fear or alarm.
[Archaic]

Passionate words or blows . . . fill the child's mind with terror and affrightment.
Locke.


word: Affront
definition:
Affront

Af*front"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affronted; p. pr. & vb. n. Affronting.]
[OF. afronter, F. affronter, to confront, LL. affrontare to strike against, fr. L. ad + frons forehead, front. See Front.]
1.
To front; to face in position; to meet or encounter face to face.
[Obs.]

All the sea-coasts do affront the Levant.
Holland.

That he, as 't were by accident, may here
Affront Ophelia.
Shak.

2.
To face in defiance; to confront; as, to affront death; hence, to meet in hostile encounter.
[Archaic]

3.
To offend by some manifestation of disrespect; to insult to the face by demeanor or language; to treat with marked incivility.

How can any one imagine that the fathers would have dared to affront the wife of Aurelius?
Addison.


word: Affront₂
definition:
Affront

Af*front"
n.
[Cf. F. affront, fr. affronter.]
1.
An encounter either friendly or hostile.
[Obs.]

I walked about, admired of all, and dreaded
On hostile ground, none daring my affront.
Milton.

2.
Contemptuous or rude treatment which excites or justifies resentment; marked disrespect; a purposed indignity; insult.

Offering an affront to our understanding.
Addison.

3.
An offense to one's self-respect; shame.
Arbuthnot.

Syn. -- Affront, Insult, Outrage.
An affront is a designed mark of disrespect, usually in the presence of others. An insult is a personal attack either by words or actions, designed to humiliate or degrade. An outrage is an act of extreme and violent insult or abuse. An affront piques and mortifies; an insult irritates and provokes; an outrage wounds and injures.
Captious persons construe every innocent freedom into an affront. When people are in a state of animosity, they seek opportunities of offering each other insults. Intoxication or violent passion impels men to the commission of outrages. Crabb.


word: Affrontive
definition:
Affrontive

Af*front"ive
(_;)
a.
Tending to affront or offend; offensive; abusive.

How affrontive it is to despise mercy.
South.


word: Affrontiveness
definition:
Affrontiveness

Af*front"ive*ness
(ăf*frŭnt"ĭv*nĕs)
n.
The quality that gives an affront or offense.
[R.]
Bailey.


word: Affuse
definition:
Affuse

Af*fuse"
(ăf*fūz")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affused (-fūzd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Affusing (_;).]
[L. affusus, p. p. of affundere to pour to; ad + fundere. See Fuse.]
To pour out or upon.
[R.]

I first affused water upon the compressed beans.
Boyle.


word: Affusion
definition:
Affusion

Af*fu"sion
(ăf*fū"zhŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. affusion.]
The act of pouring upon, or sprinkling with a liquid, as water upon a child in baptism.
Specifically:
(Med)
The act of pouring water or other fluid on the whole or a part of the body, as a remedy in disease.
Dunglison.
[archaic]
AS


word: Affy
definition:
Affy

Af*fy"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Affied (_;); p. pr. Affying.]
[OF. afier, LL. affidare. Cf. Affiance.]
1.
To confide (one's self to, or in); to trust.
[Obs.]

2.
To betroth or espouse; to affiance.
[Obs.]
Shak.

3.
To bind in faith.
[Obs.]
Bp. Montagu.


word: Afghani
definition:
Afghani

Afghani
adj.
1.
1
a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan.

Syn. -- Afghan, Afghanistani, afghanistani


word: Afghanistani
definition:
Afghanistani

Afghanistani
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to Afghanis.

Syn. -- Afghani, Afghan, afghanistani


word: Afghanistani₂
definition:
Afghanistani

Afghanistani
n.
1.
a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan.

Syn. -- Afghan, Pashto, Pathan


word: Afield
definition:
Afield

A*field"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + field.]
1.
To, in, or on the field.
afield
Milton.

How jocund did they drive their team afield!
Gray.

2.
Out of the way; astray.

Why should he wander afield at the age of fifty-five!
Trollope.


word: AFL-CIO
definition:
AFL-CIO

AFL-CIO
[acronym.]
the combined organizations of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.


word: Aflame
definition:
Aflame

A*flame"
(ȧ*flām")
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + flame.]
In flames; glowing with light or passion; ablaze.
G. Eliot.


word: Aflaunt
definition:
Aflaunt

A*flaunt"
(ȧ*fl&asuml_;nt")
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + flaunt.]
In a flaunting state or position.
Copley.


word: Afloat
definition:
Afloat

A*float"
(ȧ*fl&omacrt")
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + float.]
1.
Borne on the water; floating; on board ship.

On such a full sea are we now afloat.
Shak.

2.
Moving; passing from place to place; in general circulation; as, a rumor is afloat.

3.
Unfixed; moving without guide or control; adrift; as, our affairs are all afloat.

4.
Covered with water bearing floating articles; flooded; as, the decks are afloat.


word: Aflow
definition:
Aflow

A*flow"
(ȧ*fl&omacr")
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + flow.]
Flowing.

Their founts aflow with tears.
R. Browning.


word: Aflush₂
definition:
Aflush

A*flush"
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + flush, a.]
On a level.

The bank is . . . aflush with the sea.
Swinburne.


word: Afoot
definition:
Afoot

A*foot"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + foot.]
1.
On foot.

We 'll walk afoot a while.
Shak.

2.
Fig.: In motion; in action; astir; in progress.

The matter being afoot.
Shak.


word: Afore
definition:
Afore

A*fore"
(_;)
adv.
[OE. afore, aforn, AS. onforan or ætforan; pref. a- + fore.]
1.
Before.
[Obs.]

If he have never drunk wine afore.
Shak.

2.
(Naut.)
In the fore part of a vessel.


word: Afore₂
definition:
Afore

A*fore"
prep.
1.
Before (in all its senses).
[Archaic]

2.
(Naut.)
Before; in front of; farther forward than; as, afore the windlass.

Afore the mast, among the common sailors; -- a phrase used to distinguish the ship's crew from the officers.


word: Aforehand
definition:
Aforehand

A*fore"hand`
(_;)
adv.
Beforehand; in anticipation.
[Archaic or Dial.]

She is come aforehand to anoint my body.
Mark xiv. 8.


word: Aforehand₂
definition:
Aforehand

A*fore"hand`
a.
Prepared; previously provided; -- opposed to behindhand.
[Archaic or Dial.]

Aforehand in all matters of power.
Bacon.


word: Aforesaid
definition:
Aforesaid

A*fore"said`
(_;)
a.
Said before, or in a preceding part; already described or identified.


word: Aforethought
definition:
Aforethought

A*fore"thought`
(_;)
a.
Premeditated; prepense; previously in mind; designed; as, malice aforethought, which is required to constitute murder.
Bouvier.


word: Afoul
definition:
Afoul

A*foul"
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + foul.]
In collision; entangled.
Totten.

To run afoul of, to run against or come into collision with, especially so as to become entangled or to cause injury.


word: Afraid
definition:
Afraid

A*fraid"
(_;)
p. a.
[OE. afrayed, affraide, p. p. of afraien to affray. See Affray, and cf. Afeard.]
Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear; apprehensive.
[Afraid comes after the noun it limits.]
afraid
Milton.

&hand_; This word expresses a less degree of fear than terrified or frightened. It is followed by of before the object of fear, or by the infinitive, or by a dependent clause; as, to be afraid of death. “I am afraid to die.”  “I am afraid he will chastise me.”  “Be not afraid that I your hand should take.” Shak. I am afraid is sometimes used colloquially to soften a statement; as, I am afraid I can not help you in this matter.


word: Afresh
definition:
Afresh

A*fresh"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + fresh.]
Anew; again; once more; newly.

They crucify . . . the Son of God afresh.
Heb. vi. 6.


word: African
definition:
African

Af"ri*can
(_;)
a.
[L. Africus, Africanus, fr. Afer African.]
Of or pertaining to Africa.

African hemp, a fiber prepared from the leaves of the Sanseviera Guineensis, a plant found in Africa and India. -- African marigold, a tropical American plant (Tagetes erecta). -- African oak or African teak, a timber furnished by Oldfieldia Africana, used in ship building.

African violet . --  African-American, see African-American.


word: African-American
definition:
African-American

African-American
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to or characteristic of Americans of African ancestry or their history or culture

Syn. -- Afro-American


word: African-American₂
definition:
African-American

African-American
n.
1.
1
an American whose ancestors were born in Africa, especially a United States citizen of African descent.

Syn. -- Afro-American, African, black, negro


word: Africander
definition:
Africander

Af`ri*can"der
(_;)
n.
One born in Africa, the offspring of a white father and a “colored” mother. Also, and now commonly in Southern Africa, a native born of European settlers.


word: African hunting dog
definition:
African hunting dog

African hunting dog
n.
(Zool.)
same as African wild dog.

Syn. -- painted wolf, African hunting dog.


word: Africanism
definition:
Africanism

Af"ri*can*ism
(_;)
n.
A word, phrase, idiom, or custom peculiar to Africa or Africans.
Africanisms
Milton.


word: Africanize
definition:
Africanize

Af"ri*can*ize
(_;)
v. t.
To place under the domination of Africans or negroes.
[Amer.]
Bartlett.


word: African wild dog
definition:
African wild dog

African wild dog
n.
1.
1
(Zool.)
a dog (Lycaon pictus) with mottled fur found in Africa, notable for the strong social structure of its family groups.

Syn. -- painted wolf, African hunting dog.


word: Afreet₂
definition:
Afreet

Afrite

Afrit

Af"rit (_;), Af"rite (_;), Af"reet
(_;)
n.
[Arab. 'ifrīt.]
(Moham. Myth.)
A powerful evil jinnee, demon, or monstrous giant.


word: Afro-American
definition:
Afro-American

Afro-American
n.
1.
an American whose ancestors were born in Africa.

Syn. -- African-American, African.


word: Afro-American₂
definition:
Afro-American

Afro-American
adj.
1.
1
of or pertaining to or characteristic of Americans of African ancestry or their history or culture.

Syn. -- African-American.


word: Afro-Asian
definition:
Afro-Asian

Afro-Asian
adj.
1.
of or relating to the nations of Africa and Asia or their peoples.
Afro-Asian population


word: Afrocarpus
definition:
Afrocarpus

Afrocarpus
n.
1.
1
dioecious evergreen trees or shrubs; equatorial to S and SE Africa: yellowwood2; similar to trees or genus Podocarpus.

Syn. -- genus Afrocarpus


word: afropavo
definition:
afropavo

afropavo
n.
1.
1
an African fowl genus; both sexes are brightly colored.

Syn. -- Congo peafowl, Afropavo congensis


word: Aft
definition:
Aft

Aft
(ȧft)
adv. & a.
[AS. æftan behind; orig. superl. of of, off. See After.]
(Naut.)
Near or towards the stern of a vessel; astern; abaft.


word: After
definition:
After

Aft"er
(ȧft"tẽr)
a.
[AS. æfter after, behind; akin to Goth. aftaro, aftra, backwards, Icel. aptr, Sw. and Dan. efter, OHG. aftar behind, Dutch and LG. achter, Gr. 'apwte`rw further off. The ending -ter is an old comparative suffix, in E. generally -ther (as in other), and after is a compar. of of, off. √194.  See Of; cf. Aft.]
1.
Next; later in time; subsequent; succeeding; as, an after period of life.
Marshall.

&hand_; In this sense the word is sometimes needlessly combined with the following noun, by means of a hyphen, as, after-ages, after-act, after-days, after-life. For the most part the words are properly kept separate when after has this meaning.

2.
Hinder; nearer the rear.
(Naut.)
To ward the stern of the ship; -- applied to any object in the rear part of a vessel; as the after cabin, after hatchway.
It is often combined with its noun; as, after-bowlines, after-braces, after-sails, after-yards, those on the mainmasts and mizzenmasts.

After body (Naut.), the part of a ship abaft the dead flat, or middle part.


word: After₂
definition:
After

Aft"er
prep.
1.
Behind in place; as, men in line one after another.
after
Shak.

2.
Below in rank; next to in order.
Shak.

Codrus after Ph_;bus sings the best.
Dryden.

3.
Later in time; subsequent; as, after supper, after three days. It often precedes a clause. Formerly that was interposed between it and the clause.

After I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Matt. xxvi. 32.

4.
Subsequent to and in consequence of; as, after what you have said, I shall be careful.

5.
Subsequent to and notwithstanding; as, after all our advice, you took that course.

6.
Moving toward from behind; following, in search of; in pursuit of.

Ye shall not go after other gods.
Deut. vi. 14.

After whom is the king of Israel come out?
1 Sam. xxiv. 14.

7.
Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to; as, to look after workmen; to inquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness.

8.
In imitation of; in conformity with; after the manner of; as, to make a thing after a model; a picture after Rubens; the boy takes after his father.

To name or call after, to name like and reference to.

Our eldest son was named George after his uncle.
Goldsmith.

9.
According to; in accordance with; in conformity with the nature of; as, he acted after his kind.

He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes.
Isa. xi. 3.

They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.
Rom. viii. 5.

10.
According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.
[Archaic]

He takes greatness of kingdoms according to bulk and currency, and not after their intrinsic value.
Bacon.

After all, when everything has been considered; upon the whole. -- After (with the same noun preceding and following), as, wave after wave, day after day, several or many (waves, etc.) successively. -- One after another, successively. -- To be after, to be in pursuit of in order to reach or get; as, he is after money.


word: After₃
definition:
After

Aft"er
adv.
Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward; as, he follows after.

It was about the space of three hours after.
Acts. v. 7.

&hand_; After is prefixed to many words, forming compounds, but retaining its usual signification. The prefix may be adverbial, prepositional, or adjectival; as in after- described, after-dinner, after-part. The hyphen is sometimes needlessly used to connect the adjective after with its noun. See Note under After, a., 1.


word: afterbirth
definition:
afterbirth

aft"er*birth`
(ăf"tẽr*bẽrth`)
n.
(Med.)
The placenta and membranes with which the fetus is connected, when they are expelled from the womb after delivery.


word: Aftercast
definition:
Aftercast

Aft"er*cast`
(_;)
n.
A throw of dice after the game in ended; hence, anything done too late.
Gower.


word: Afterclap
definition:
Afterclap

Aft"er*clap`
(_;)
n.
An unexpected subsequent event; something disagreeable happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end.
Spenser.


word: After damp
definition:
After damp

Aft"er damp`
(_;)
An irrespirable gas, remaining after an explosion of fire damp in mines; choke damp. See Carbonic acid.


word: After-dinner
definition:
After-dinner

Aft"er-din`ner
(_;)
n.
The time just after dinner.
after-dinner's
Shak.
[Obs.]
a. Following dinner; post-prandial; as, an after-dinner nap.


word: Aftergame
definition:
Aftergame

Aft"er*game`
(_;)
n.
A second game; hence, a subsequent scheme or expedient.
Wotton.

Aftergame at Irish, an ancient game very nearly resembling backgammon. Beau. & Fl.


word: Aftergrass
definition:
Aftergrass

Aft"er*grass`
(_;)
n.
The grass that grows after the first crop has been mown; aftermath.


word: Aftergrowth
definition:
Aftergrowth

Aft"er*growth`
(_;)
n.
A second growth or crop, or (metaphorically) development.
J. S. Mill.


word: Afterguard
definition:
Afterguard

Aft"er*guard`
(_;)
n.
(Naut.)
The seaman or seamen stationed on the poop or after part of the ship, to attend the after-sails.
Totten.


word: After-image
definition:
After-image

Aft"er-im`age
(_;)
n.
The impression of a vivid sensation retained by the retina of the eye after the cause has been removed; also extended to impressions left of tones, smells, etc.


word: Aftermath
definition:
Aftermath

Aft"er*math
(_;)
n.
[After + math. See Math.]
A second moving; the grass which grows after the first crop of hay in the same season; rowen.
Holland.


word: After-mentioned
definition:
After-mentioned

Aft"er-men`tioned
(_;)
a.
Mentioned afterwards; as, persons after-mentioned (in a writing).


word: Aftermost
definition:
Aftermost

Aft"er*most
(_;)
a. superl.
[OE. eftemest, AS. æftemest, akin to Gothic aftumist and aftuma, the last, orig. a superlative of of, with the superlative endings -te, -me, -st.]
1.
Hindmost; -- opposed to foremost.

2.
(Naut.)
Nearest the stern; most aft.


word: After-note
definition:
After-note

Aft"er-note`
(_;)
n.
(Mus.)
One of the small notes occur on the unaccented parts of the measure, taking their time from the preceding note.


word: Afterpains
definition:
Afterpains

Aft"er*pains`
(ăf"tẽr*pānz`)
n. pl.
(Med.)
The pains which succeed childbirth, as in expelling the afterbirth.
AS


word: Afterpiece
definition:
Afterpiece

Aft"er*piece`
(ăf"tẽr*pēs`)
n.
1.
A piece performed after a play, usually a farce or other small entertainment.

2.
(Naut.)
The heel of a rudder.


word: After-sails
definition:
After-sails

Aft"er-sails`
(ăf"tẽr*sālz`)
n.
pl.
(Naut.)
The sails on the mizzenmast, or on the stays between the mainmast and mizzenmast.
Totten.


word: Aftersensation
definition:
Aftersensation

Aft"er*sen*sa`tion
(?)
n.
(Psychol.)
A sensation or sense impression following the removal of a stimulus producing a primary sensation, and reproducing the primary sensation in positive, negative, or complementary form. The aftersensation may be continuous with the primary sensation or follow it after an interval.


word: aftershafted
definition:
aftershafted

aftershafted
adj.
1.
having an aftershaft (a small feather at the base of some feathers)


word: after-shave lotion
definition:
after-shave lotion

after-shave lotion
n.
1.
1
a fragrant lotion for a man's face after shaving.

Syn. -- after-shave


word: Afterthought
definition:
Afterthought

Aft"er*thought`
(_;)
n.
1.
Reflection after an act; later or subsequent thought.

2.
an action taken after another action and related to the first action, which would normally or optimally be done along with the first action; -- as, to do something as an afterthought.

3.
a feature or part added to a device, not thought of in its original design.


word: Afterward
definition:
Afterward

Afterwards

{ Aft"er*wards (_;), Aft"er*ward (_;), }
adv.
[AS. æfteweard, a., behind. See Aft, and -ward (suffix). The final s in afterwards is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending.]
At a later or succeeding time.


word: After-wit
definition:
After-wit

Aft"er-wit`
(#)
n.
Wisdom or perception that comes after it can be of use.
After-wit
L'Estrange.


word: Agha
definition:
Agha

Aga

&VerbarA*ga" or &VerbarA*gha" (ȧ*gä" or ā"gȧ)
n.
[Turk. aghā a great lord, chief master.]
In Turkey, a commander or chief officer. It is used also as a title of respect.


word: Again
definition:
Again

A*gain"
(?; 277)
adv.
[OE. agein, agayn, AS. ongegn, ongeán, against, again; on + geán, akin to Ger. gegewn against, Icel. gegn. Cf. Gainsay.]
1.
In return, back; as, bring us word again.

2.
Another time; once more; anew.

If a man die, shall he live again?
Job xiv. 14.

3.
Once repeated; -- of quantity; as, as large again, half as much again.

4.
In any other place.
[Archaic]
Bacon.

5.
On the other hand.
again
Shak.

6.
Moreover; besides; further.

Again, it is of great consequence to avoid, etc.
Herschel.

Again and again, more than once; often; repeatedly. -- Now and again, now and then; occasionally. -- To and again, to and fro. [Obs.] De Foe.

&hand_; Again was formerly used in many verbal combinations, as, again-witness, to witness against; again-ride, to ride against; again-come, to come against, to encounter; again-bring, to bring back, etc.


word: Agains
definition:
Agains

Again

{ A*gain" (_;), A*gains" (_;), }
prep.
Against; also, towards (in order to meet).
[Obs.]

Albeit that it is again his kind.
Chaucer.


word: Against
definition:
Against

A*gainst"
(?; 277)
prep.
[OE. agens, ageynes, AS. ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See Again.]
1.
Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the mouth of a river; -- in this sense often preceded by over.

Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.
Tyndale.

2.
From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against the roof.

3.
In opposition to, whether the opposition is of sentiment or of action; on the other side; counter to; in contrariety to; hence, adverse to; as, against reason; against law; to run a race against time.

The gate would have been shut against her.
Fielding.

An argument against the use of steam.
Tyndale.

4.
By of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to be ready for the time when.
[Archaic or Dial.]

Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came from Damascus.
2 Kings xvi. 11.

Against the sun, in a direction contrary to that in which the sun appears to move.


word: agalactia
definition:
agalactia

agalaxy

{ &Verbarag`a*lac"ti*a (ăg`ȧ*lăk"tĭ*ȧ), ag"a*lax`y (ăg"ȧ*lăk`s&ybreve_;), }
n.
[Gr. 'agalakti`a; 'a priv. + ga`la, gala`ktos]
(Med.)
Failure of the due secretion of milk after childbirth.
AS


word: Agallochum
definition:
Agallochum

Agalloch

{ Ag"al*loch (ăg"ăl*l&obreve_;k), &VerbarA*gal"lo*chum (ȧ*găl"lo̝*kŭm), }
n.
[Gr. a`ga`llochon, of Eastern origin: cf. Skr. aguru, Heb. pl. ahālīm.]
A soft, resinous wood (Aquilaria Agallocha) of highly aromatic smell, burnt by the orientals as a perfume.  It is called also agalwood and aloes wood.  The name is also given to some other species.


word: Agalmatolite
definition:
Agalmatolite

Ag`al*mat"o*lite
(ăg`ăl*măt"o̝*līt)
n.
[Gr. 'a`galma, 'a`galmatos, image, statue + -lite: cf. F. agalmatolithe.]
(Min.)
A soft, compact stone, of a grayish, greenish, or yellowish color, carved into images by the Chinese, and hence called figure stone, and pagodite. It is probably a variety of pinite.


word: Agama
definition:
Agama

Ag"a*ma
(ăg"ȧ*mȧ)
n.
pl. Agamas (ăg"ȧ*mȧz).
[From the Caribbean name of a species of lizard.]
(Zool.)
A genus of lizards, one of the few which feed upon vegetable substances; also, one of these lizards.


word: Agami
definition:
Agami

Ag"a*mi
(ăg"ȧ*mē)
n.
pl. Agamis (ăg"ȧ*mēz).
[F. agami, fr. the native name.]
(Zool.)
A South American bird (Psophia crepitans), allied to the cranes, and easily domesticated; -- called also the gold-breasted trumpeter. Its body is about the size of the pheasant. See Trumpeter.


word: Agamic
definition:
Agamic

A*gam"ic
(_;)
a.
[Agamous.]
(a)
(Biol.)
Produced without sexual union; as, agamic or unfertilized eggs.
(b)
Not having visible organs of reproduction, as flowerless plants; agamous.


word: Agamist
definition:
Agamist

Ag"a*mist
(_;)
n.
[See Agamous.]
An unmarried person; also, one opposed to marriage.
Foxe.


word: Agamogenesis
definition:
Agamogenesis

Ag`a*mo*gen"e*sis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; unmarried ('a priv. + _; marriage) + _; reproduction.]
(Biol.)
Reproduction without the union of parents of distinct sexes: asexual reproduction.


word: Agamogenetic
definition:
Agamogenetic

Ag`a*mo*ge*net"ic
(_;)
n.
(Biol.)
Reproducing or produced without sexual union.
Ag`a*mo*ge*net"ic*al*ly (_;), adv.

All known agamogenetic processes end in a complete return to the primitive stock.
Huxley.


word: Agamous
definition:
Agamous

Ag"a*mous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a`gamos unmarried; 'a priv. + ga`mos marriage.]
(Biol.)
Having no visible sexual organs; asexual.
In
(Bot.)
cryptogamous.


word: Agape
definition:
Agape

A*gape"
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + gape.]
Gaping, as with wonder, expectation, or eager attention.

Dazzles the crowd and sets them all agape.
Milton.


word: Agape₂
definition:
Agape

Ag"a*pe
(_;)
n.
pl. Agapæ (#).
[Gr. 'aga`ph love, pl. 'aga`pai.]
The love feast of the primitive Christians, being a meal partaken of in connection with the communion.


word: agar
definition:
agar

a"gar
(_;)
n.
[See agar-agar.]
1.
common shortened form of agar-agar{2}.

Syn. -- gelose, agar-agar.

2.
1
any culture medium that uses agar as the gelling agent; -- used especially with a modifying prefix, as, EMB agar.  The term is applied both to the dehydrated medium powder containing agar and to the gelatinous medium prepared from it.

Syn. -- nutrient agar


word: Agar-agar
definition:
Agar-agar

A`gar-a"gar
(_;)
n.
[Ceylonese local name.]
1.
A fucus or seaweed much used in the East for soups and jellies; Ceylon moss (Gracilaria lichenoides).

2.
A gelatinlike substance, or a solution of it, prepared from certain seaweeds containing gelose (such as Ceylon moss, Gracilaria lichenoides or other seaweeds of the genera Gelidium, Ceramium, Pterocladia, and Eucheuma), and used for solidifying growth media in the artificial cultivation of bacteria, or as a gelling agent in foods; -- usually called simply agar, by abbreviation.
In composition it is predominantly a polysaccharide, and is not degraded by most bacteria.  It thus almost completely replaced the earlier protein-based gelatins used for fixing bacterial colonies on culture plates, as the gelatins were often dissolved by the proteolytic enzymes common in bacteria.

Syn. -- gelose, agar.


word: Agaric
definition:
Agaric

Ag"a*ric
(?; 277)
n.
[L. agaricum, Gr. _;, said to be fr. Agara, a town in Sarmatia.]
1.
(Bot.)
A fungus of the genus Agaricus, of many species, of which the common mushroom is an example.

2.
An old name for several species of Polyporus, corky fungi growing on decaying wood.

&hand_; The “female agaric” (Polyporus officinalis) was renowned as a cathartic; the “male agaric” (Polyporus igniarius) is used for preparing touchwood, called punk or German tinder.

Agaric mineral, a light, chalky deposit of carbonate of lime, sometimes called rock milk, formed in caverns or fissures of limestone.


word: Agastric
definition:
Agastric

A*gas"tric
(ȧ*găs"trĭk)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + gasth'r stomach.]
(Physiol.)
Having to stomach, or distinct digestive canal, as the tapeworm.


word: Agate
definition:
Agate

A*gate"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- on + gate way.]
On the way; agoing; as, to be agate; to set the bells agate.
[Obs.]
Cotgrave.


word: Agate₂
definition:
Agate

Ag"ate
(_;)
n.
[F. agate, It. agata, L. achates, fr. Gr. _;.]
1.
(Min.)
A semipellucid, uncrystallized variety of quartz, presenting various tints in the same specimen. Its colors are delicately arranged in stripes or bands, or blended in clouds.

&hand_; The fortification agate, or Scotch pebble, the moss agate, the clouded agate, etc., are familiar varieties.

2.
(Print.)
A kind of type, larger than pearl and smaller than nonpareil; in England called ruby.

&hand_; This line is printed in the type called agate.

3.
A diminutive person; so called in allusion to the small figures cut in agate for rings and seals.
[Obs.]
Shak.

4.
A tool used by gold-wire drawers, bookbinders, etc.; -- so called from the agate fixed in it for burnishing.


word: Agatize
definition:
Agatize

Ag"a*tize
(_;)
v. t.
[Usually p. p. Agatized (_;).]
To convert into agate; to make resemble agate.
Dana.


word: Agavaceae
definition:
Agavaceae

Agavaceae
n.
1.
1
a natural family of chiefly tropical and xerophytic plants: includes Dracenaceae (Dracaenaceae); comprises plants that in some classifications are divided between the Amaryllidaceae and the Liliaceae.

Syn. -- family Agavaceae, agave family, sisal family.


word: Agave
definition:
Agave

A*ga"ve
(ȧ*gā"ve̝)
prop. n.
[L. Agave, prop. name, fr. Gr. 'agayh`, fem. of 'agayo`s illustrious, noble.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants (order Amaryllidaceae) of which the chief species is the maguey or century plant (Agave Americana), wrongly called Aloe.  It takes from ten to seventy years, according to climate, to attain maturity, when it produces a gigantic flower stem, sometimes forty feet in height, and perishes.  The juice has purgative and diuretic properties.  The fermented juice is the pulque of the Mexicans; distilled, it yields mescal.  A strong thread and a tough paper are made from the leaves, and the wood has many uses.


word: Agazed
definition:
Agazed

A*gazed"
(ȧ*gāzd")
p. p.
[Only in p. p.; another spelling for aghast.]
Gazing with astonishment; amazed.
[Obs.]

The whole army stood agazed on him.
Shak.


word: Age
definition:
Age

Age
(āj)
n.
[OF. aage, eage, F. âge, fr. L. aetas through a supposed LL. aetaticum. L. aetas is contracted fr. aevitas, fr. aevum lifetime, age; akin to E. aye ever. Cf. Each.]
1.
The whole duration of a being, whether animal, vegetable, or other kind; lifetime.

Mine age is as nothing before thee.
Ps. xxxix. 5.

2.
That part of the duration of a being or a thing which is between its beginning and any given time; as, what is the present age of a man, or of the earth?

3.
The latter part of life; an advanced period of life; seniority; state of being old.

Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.
Shak.

4.
One of the stages of life; as, the age of infancy, of youth, etc.
Shak.

5.
Mature age; especially, the time of life at which one attains full personal rights and capacities; as, to come of age; he (or she) is of age.
Abbott.
In the United States, both males and females are of age when twenty-one years old.  Some rights, such as that of voting in elections, are conferred earlier.

6.
The time of life at which some particular power or capacity is understood to become vested; as, the age of consent; the age of discretion.
Abbott.

7.
A particular period of time in history, as distinguished from others; as, the golden age, the age of Pericles.
age
Prescott.

Truth, in some age or other, will find her witness.
Milton.

Archeological ages are designated as three: The Stone age (the early and the later stone age, called paleolithic and neolithic), the Bronze age, and the Iron age. During the Age of Stone man is supposed to have employed stone for weapons and implements.

8.
A great period in the history of the Earth.

The geologic ages are as follows: 1. The Archæan, including the time when was no life and the time of the earliest and simplest forms of life. 2. The age of Invertebrates, or the Silurian, when the life on the globe consisted distinctively of invertebrates. 3. The age of Fishes, or the Devonian, when fishes were the dominant race. 4. The age of Coal Plants, or Acrogens, or the Carboniferous age. 5. The Mesozoic or Secondary age, or age of Reptiles, when reptiles prevailed in great numbers and of vast size. 6. The Tertiary age, or age of Mammals, when the mammalia, or quadrupeds, abounded, and were the dominant race. 7. The Quaternary age, or age of Man, or the modern era.
Dana.

9.
A century; the period of one hundred years.

Fleury . . . apologizes for these five ages.
Hallam.

10.
The people who live at a particular period; hence, a generation.
Ages
Pope.

The way which the age follows.
J. H. Newman.

Lo! where the stage, the poor, degraded stage,
Holds its warped mirror to a gaping age.
C. Sprague.

11.
A long time.
[Colloq.]
age
Tennyson.

12.
(poker)
the right belonging to the player to the left of the dealer to pass the first round in betting, and then to come in last or stay out; also, the player holding this position; the eldest hand.

Age of a tide, the time from the origin of a tide in the South Pacific Ocean to its arrival at a given place. -- Moon's age, the time that has elapsed since the last preceding conjunction of the sun and moon.

&hand_; Age is used to form the first part of many compounds; as, agelasting, age-adorning, age-worn, age-enfeebled, agelong.


word: Age₂
definition:
Age

Age
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Aged (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aging (_;).]
To grow aged; to become old; to show marks of age; as, he grew fat as he aged.

They live one hundred and thirty years, and never age for all that.
Holland.

I am aging; that is, I have a whitish, or rather a light-colored, hair here and there.
Landor.


word: Aged
definition:
Aged

A"ged
(ā"jĕd)
a.
1.
Old; having lived long; having lived almost to or beyond the usual time allotted to that species of being; as, an aged man; an aged oak.

2.
Belonging to old age.
Aged
Shak.

3.
(ā"jĕd or ājd)
Having a certain age; at the age of; having lived; as, a man aged forty years.


word: age-old
definition:
age-old

age-old
adj.
1.
1
of very long duration

Syn. -- ancient

4.
having reached a desired or final condition as a result of standing for a period of time; -- of wines, whiskey, fruit, or cheeses.
As a result of having been aged, the product may be said to be mature or ripe (vs. green).

Syn. -- ripened


word: Agedness
definition:
Agedness

A"ged*ness
n.
The quality of being aged; oldness.

Custom without truth is but agedness of error.
Milton.


word: ageing
definition:
ageing

ageing
adj.
1.
having lived for a relatively long (or a specified) time; not young; -- used especially of persons.  Opposite of young.

Syn. -- aging, senescent, old.


word: Agelaius
definition:
Agelaius

Agelaius
prop. n.
A genus of birds including the red-winged blackbirds.

Syn. -- genus Agelaius.


word: agelong
definition:
agelong

age"long
(āj"l&obreve_;ng)
a.
lasting through all time; unending; as, The agelong struggle for freedom.

Syn. -- unending


word: agency
definition:
agency

a"gen*cy
(ā"jen*s&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Agencies (ā"jen*sĭz).
[agentia, fr. L. agens, agentis: cf. F. agence. See Agent.]
1.
The faculty of acting or of exerting power; the state of being in action; action; instrumentality.

The superintendence and agency of Providence in the natural world.
Woodward.

2.
The office of an agent, or factor; the relation between a principal and his agent; business of one intrusted with the concerns of another.

3.
The place of business of an agent.

4.
An organization or business that provides some service, primarily for other organizations; as, an advertising agency.

5.
An administrative division of a government; as, a state welfare agency; a motor vehicle agency; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).


word: agenda
definition:
agenda

agenda
(ȧ*jĕn"dȧ)
n.
a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to.

Syn. -- docket, schedule

2.
A list of matters to be discussed (as at a meeting).

Syn. -- agendum, docket, order of business

3.
A motive or set of goals; as, to have one's own agenda;
especially,
a secret motive; also called hidden agenda; as, some of the news commentators themselves have an agenda.

Syn. -- goal, hidden motive, secret motive, hidden agenda.


word: Agendum
definition:
Agendum

A*gen"dum
(ȧ*jĕn"dŭm)
n.
pl. Agenda (ȧ*jĕn"dȧ).
[L., neut. of the gerundive of agere to act.]
1.
Something to be done; in the pl., a memorandum book; also, a list of items to be considered.  See agenda.

2.
A church service; a ritual or liturgy. [In this sense, usually Agenda.]


word: Agenesis
definition:
Agenesis

A*gen"e*sis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; birth.]
(Physiol.)
Any imperfect development of the body, or any anomaly of organization.


word: Agennesis
definition:
Agennesis

Ag`en*ne"sis
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; an engendering.]
(Physiol.)
Impotence; sterility.


word: Agent
definition:
Agent

A"gent
(_;)
a.
[L. agens, agentis, p. pr. of agere to act; akin to Gr. _; to lead, Icel. aka to drive, Skr. aj. √2.]
Acting; -- opposed to patient, or sustaining, action.
[Archaic]
agent
Bacon.


word: Agent₂
definition:
Agent

A"gent
n.
1.
One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.

Heaven made us agents, free to good or ill.
Dryden.

2.
One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one intrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.

3.
An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect, such as a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.

4.
(Biochem., Med.)
a chemical substance having biological effects; a drug.


word: Ageratum
definition:
Ageratum

A*ger"a*tum
(ȧ*jĕr"ȧ*tŭm or ăj`ẽr*ā"tŭm)
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. 'agh`raton a sort of plant; 'a priv. + gh`ras old age.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants, one species of which (Ageratum Mexicanum) has lavender-blue flowers in dense clusters.


word: Aggeneration
definition:
Aggeneration

Ag*gen`er*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. aggenerare to beget in addition. See Generate.]
The act of producing in addition.
[Obs.]
T. Stanley.


word: Agger
definition:
Agger

Ag"ger
(_;)
n.
[L., a mound, fr. aggerere to bear to a place, heap up; ad + gerere to bear.]
An earthwork; a mound; a raised work.
[Obs.]
Hearne.


word: Aggerate
definition:
Aggerate

Ag"ger*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. aggeratus, p. p. of aggerare. See Agger.]
To heap up.
[Obs.]
Foxe.


word: Aggeration
definition:
Aggeration

Ag`ger*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. aggeratio.]
A heaping up; accumulation; as, aggerations of sand.
[R.]


word: Aggest
definition:
Aggest

Ag*gest"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. aggestus, p. p. of aggerere. See Agger.]
To heap up.
[Obs.]

The violence of the waters aggested the earth.
Fuller.


word: Agglomerate
definition:
Agglomerate

Ag*glom"er*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Agglomerated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Agglomerating (_;).]
[L. agglomeratus, p. p. of agglomerare; ad + glomerare to form into a ball. See Glomerate.]
To wind or collect into a ball; hence, to gather into a mass or anything like a mass.

Where he builds the agglomerated pile.
Cowper.


word: Agglomerated
definition:
Agglomerated

Agglomerate

{ Ag*glom"er*ate (_;), Ag*glom"er*a`ted (_;), }
a.
1.
Collected into a ball, heap, or mass.

2.
(Bot.)
Collected into a rounded head of flowers.


word: Agglomerate₃
definition:
Agglomerate

Ag*glom"er*ate
(_;)
n.
1.
A collection or mass.

2.
(Geol.)
A mass of angular volcanic fragments united by heat; -- distinguished from conglomerate.


word: agglomerated
definition:
agglomerated

agglomerated
adj.
1.
clustered together but not coherent.
an agglomerated flower head

Syn. -- agglomerate, agglomerative, aggregate, clustered.


word: Agglomeration
definition:
Agglomeration

Ag*glom`er*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. agglomération.]
1.
The act or process of collecting in a mass; a heaping together.

An excessive agglomeration of turrets.
Warton.

2.
State of being collected in a mass; a mass; cluster.


word: Agglomerative
definition:
Agglomerative

Ag*glom"er*a*tive
(_;)
a.
Having a tendency to gather together, or to make collections.

Taylor is eminently discursive, accumulative, and (to use one of his own words) agglomerative.
Coleridge.


word: Agglutinant
definition:
Agglutinant

Ag*glu"ti*nant
(_;)
a.
[L. agglutinans, -antis, p. pr. of agglutinare.]
Uniting, as glue; causing, or tending to cause, adhesion.
n. Any viscous substance which causes bodies or parts to adhere.


word: Agglutinate
definition:
Agglutinate

Ag*glu"ti*nate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Agglutinated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Agglutinating.]
[L. agglutinatus, p. p. of agglutinare to glue or cement to a thing; ad + glutinare to glue; gluten glue. See Glue.]
To unite, or cause to adhere, as with glue or other viscous substance; to unite by causing an adhesion of substances.


word: Agglutinate₂
definition:
Agglutinate

Ag*glu"ti*nate
(_;)
a.
1.
United with glue or as with glue; cemented together.

2.
(Physiol.)
Consisting of root words combined but not materially altered as to form or meaning; as, agglutinate forms, languages, etc.  See Agglutination, 2.


word: Agglutination
definition:
Agglutination

Ag*glu`ti*na"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. agglutination.]
1.
The act of uniting by glue or other tenacious substance; the state of being thus united; adhesion of parts.

2.
(Physiol.)
Combination in which root words are united with little or no change of form or loss of meaning. See Agglutinative, 2.


word: Agglutinative
definition:
Agglutinative

Ag*glu"ti*na*tive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. agglutinatif.]
1.
Pertaining to agglutination; tending to unite, or having power to cause adhesion; adhesive.

Syn. -- polysynthetic, holophrastic.

2.
(Philol.)
Formed or characterized by agglutination, as a language or a compound.

In agglutinative languages the union of words may be compared to mechanical compounds, in inflective languages to chemical compounds.
R. Morris.

Cf. man-kind, heir-loom, war-like, which are agglutinative compounds. The Finnish, Hungarian, Turkish, the Tamul, etc., are agglutinative languages.
R. Morris.

Agglutinative languages preserve the consciousness of their roots.
Max Müller.


word: Aggrace
definition:
Aggrace

Ag*grace"
(_;)
v. t.
[Pref. a- + grace: cf. It. aggraziare, LL. aggratiare. See Grace.]
To favor; to grace.
[Obs.]
aggraced
Spenser.


word: Aggrade
definition:
Aggrade

Ag*grade"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aggraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrading.]
(Phys. Geog.)
To bring, or tend to bring, to a uniform grade, or slope, by addition of material; as, streams aggrade their beds by depositing sediment.


word: Aggrandize
definition:
Aggrandize

Ag"gran*dize
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aggrandized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrandizing (_;).]
[F. agrandir; à (L. ad) + grandir to increase, L. grandire, fr. grandis great. See Grand, and cf. Finish.]
1.
To make great; to enlarge; to increase; as, to aggrandize our conceptions, authority, distress.

2.
To make great or greater in power, rank, honor, or wealth; -- applied to persons, countries, etc.

His scheme for aggrandizing his son.
Prescott.

3.
To make appear great or greater; to exalt.
Lamb.


word: Aggrandize₂
definition:
Aggrandize

Ag"gran*dize
v. i.
To increase or become great.
[Obs.]

Follies, continued till old age, do aggrandize.
J. Hall.


word: Aggrandizement
definition:
Aggrandizement

Ag*gran"dize*ment
(?; 277)
n.
[Cf. F. agrandissement.]
The act of aggrandizing, or the state of being aggrandized or exalted in power, rank, honor, or wealth; exaltation; enlargement; as, the emperor seeks only the aggrandizement of his own family.


word: Aggrate
definition:
Aggrate

Ag*grate"
(_;)
v. t.
[It. aggratare, fr. L. ad + gratus pleasing. See Grate, a.]
To please.
[Obs.]

Each one sought his lady to aggrate.
Spenser.


word: Aggravate
definition:
Aggravate

Ag"gra*vate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aggravated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggravating.]
[L. aggravatus, p. p. of aggravare. See Aggrieve.]
1.
To make heavy or heavier; to add to; to increase.
[Obs.]
aggravate
Shak.

2.
To make worse, or more severe; to render less tolerable or less excusable; to make more offensive; to enhance; to intensify.
aggravate
Pope.

To aggravate the horrors of the scene.
Prescott.

The defense made by the prisoner's counsel did rather aggravate than extenuate his crime.
Addison.

3.
To give coloring to in description; to exaggerate; as, to aggravate circumstances.
Paley.

4.
To exasperate; to provoke; to irritate.
[Colloq.]

If both were to aggravate her parents, as my brother and sister do mine.
Richardson (Clarissa).


word: aggravated
definition:
aggravated

aggravated
adj.
1.
1
made more severe or intense, especially in law; as, aggravated assault.

Syn. -- intensified.

2.
1
incited, especially deliberately, to anger.
aggravated by passive resistance

Syn. -- provoked.


word: Aggravating
definition:
Aggravating

Ag"gra*va`ting
(_;)
a.
1.
Making worse or more heinous; as, aggravating circumstances.

2.
Exasperating; provoking; irritating.
[Colloq.]

A thing at once ridiculous and aggravating.
J. Ingelow.


word: Aggravation
definition:
Aggravation

Ag`gra*va"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. aggravatio: cf. F. aggravation.]
1.
The act of aggravating, or making worse; -- used of evils, natural or moral; the act of increasing in severity or heinousness; something additional to a crime or wrong and enhancing its guilt or injurious consequences.

2.
Exaggerated representation.

By a little aggravation of the features changed it into the Saracen's head.
Addison.

3.
An extrinsic circumstance or accident which increases the guilt of a crime or the misery of a calamity.

4.
Provocation; irritation.
[Colloq.]
Dickens.


word: Aggregate
definition:
Aggregate

Ag"gre*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aggregated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggregating.]
[L. aggregatus, p. p. of aggregare to lead to a flock or herd; ad + gregare to collect into a flock, grex flock, herd. See Gregarious.]
1.
To bring together; to collect into a mass or sum. “The aggregated soil.”
Milton.

2.
To add or unite, as, a person, to an association.

It is many times hard to discern to which of the two sorts, the good or the bad, a man ought to be aggregated.
Wollaston.

3.
To amount in the aggregate to; as, ten loads, aggregating five hundred bushels.
[Colloq.]


word: Aggregate₂
definition:
Aggregate

Ag"gre*gate
(_;)
a.
[L. aggregatus, p. p.]
1.
Formed by a collection of particulars into a whole mass or sum; collective.

The aggregate testimony of many hundreds.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
(Anat.)
Formed into clusters or groups of lobules; as, aggregate glands.

3.
(Bot.)
Composed of several florets within a common involucre, as in the daisy; or of several carpels formed from one flower, as in the raspberry.

4.
(Min. & Geol.)
Having the several component parts adherent to each other only to such a degree as to be separable by mechanical means.

5.
(Zool.)
United into a common organized mass; -- said of certain compound animals.

Corporation aggregate. (Law) See under Corporation.


word: Aggregate₃
definition:
Aggregate

Ag"gre*gate
n.
1.
A mass, assemblage, or sum of particulars; as, a house is an aggregate of stone, brick, timber, etc.

&hand_; In an aggregate the particulars are less intimately mixed than in a compound.

2.
(Physics)
A mass formed by the union of homogeneous particles; -- in distinction from a compound, formed by the union of heterogeneous particles.

In the aggregate, collectively; together.


word: Aggregation
definition:
Aggregation

Ag`gre*ga"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. LL. aggregatio, F. agrégation.]
The act of aggregating, or the state of being aggregated; collection into a mass or sum; a collection of particulars; an aggregate.

Each genus is made up by aggregation of species.
Carpenter.

A nation is not an idea only of local extent and individual momentary aggregation, but . . . of continuity, which extends in time as well as in numbers, and in space.
Burke.


word: Aggregative
definition:
Aggregative

Ag"gre*ga*tive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. Fr. agrégatif.]
1.
Taken together; collective.

2.
Gregarious; social.
[R.]
Carlyle.

3.
tending to gather into a mass.


word: Aggrege
definition:
Aggrege

Ag*grege"
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. agreger. See Aggravate.]
To make heavy; to aggravate.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Aggress
definition:
Aggress

Ag*gress"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Aggressed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggressing.]
[L. aggressus, p. p. of aggredi to go to, approach; ad + gradi to step, go, gradus step: cf. OF. aggresser. See Grade.]
To commit the first act of hostility or offense; to begin a quarrel or controversy; to make an attack; -- with on.

2.
take the initiative and go on the offensive, as in a game.

Syn. -- attack


word: Aggress₃
definition:
Aggress

Ag*gress"
n.
[L. aggressus.]
Aggression.
[Obs.]

Their military aggresses on others.
Sir M. Hale.


word: Aggression
definition:
Aggression

Ag*gres"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. aggressio, fr. aggredi: cf. F. agression.]
The first attack, or act of hostility; the first act of injury, or first act leading to a war or a controversy; unprovoked attack; assault; as, a war of aggression. “Aggressions of power.”
Hallam


word: Aggressive
definition:
Aggressive

Ag*gres"sive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. agressif.]
1.
Tending or disposed to aggress; having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of one's own ends at the expense of others or mindless of others' needs or desires; characterized by aggression; making assaults; unjustly attacking; as, an aggressive policy, war, person, nation; an aggressive businessman; an aggressive basketball player; he was aggressive and imperious in his convictions; aggressive drivers.  Opposite of unaggressive.

No aggressive movement was made.
Macaulay.

2.
Marked by self-confident ambition, vigorous competitiveness, energy and initiative; as, an aggressive young executive.

Syn. -- enterprising, pushful, pushing, pushy

3.
(Med., Biol.)
Tending to grow or spread quickly; as, an aggressive tumor.
invasive (vs. noninvasive) 
AS

Syn. -- fast-growing(prenominal)

4.
Tending to initiate unprovoked attacks; initiating unprovoked military action; eager to fight; as, aggressive acts against another country.

Syn. -- belligerent.

Narrower related terms: bellicose, combative, pugnacious, scrappy, truculent ;  hard-hitting, high-pressure ;  hostile  (used of attempts to buy or take control of a business: "hostile takeover"; "hostile tender offer"); predatory, rapacious, raptorial, ravening, vulturine, vulturous . See also: assertive, hostile, offensive.


word: Aggressor
definition:
Aggressor

Ag*gres"sor
(_;)
n.
[L.: cf. F. agresseur.]
The person who first attacks or makes an aggression; he who begins hostility or a quarrel; an assailant.

The insolence of the aggressor is usually proportioned to the tameness of the sufferer.
Ames.


word: Aggrievance
definition:
Aggrievance

Ag*griev"ance
(_;)
n.
[OF. agrevance, fr. agrever. See Aggrieve.]
Oppression; hardship; injury; grievance.
[Archaic]


word: Aggrieve
definition:
Aggrieve

Ag*grieve"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aggrieved (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrieving (_;).]
[OE. agreven, OF. agrever; a (L. ad) + grever to burden, injure, L. gravare to weigh down, fr. gravis heavy. See Grieve, and cf. Aggravate.]
To give pain or sorrow to; to afflict; hence, to oppress or injure in one's rights; to bear heavily upon; -- now commonly used in the passive TO be aggrieved.

Aggrieved by oppression and extortion.
Macaulay.


word: aggrieved
definition:
aggrieved

aggrieved
adj.
1.
1
subjected to an injustice.
the aggrieved mother.

Syn. -- injured, wronged.


word: aggro
definition:
aggro

aggro
n.
1.
aggravation or aggression.
[informal British usage]
I skipped it because it was too much aggro


word: Aggroup
definition:
Aggroup

Ag*group"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aggrouped (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aggrouping.]
[F. agrouper; à (L. ad) + groupe group. See Group..]
To bring together in a group; to group.
Dryden.


word: Aggri
definition:
Aggri

Aggry

&VerbarAg"gry, &VerbarAg"gri (_;)
a.
Applied to a kind of variegated glass beads of ancient manufacture; as, aggry beads are found in Ashantee and Fantee in Africa.


word: Aghast₃
definition:
Aghast

A*ghast"
(_;)
a. & p. p.
[OE. agast, agasted, p. p. of agasten to terrify, fr. AS. pref. ā- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + g_;stan to terrify, torment: cf. Goth. usgaisjan to terrify, primitively to fix, to root to the spot with terror; akin to L. haerere to stick fast, cling. See Gaze, Hesitate.]
Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror.

Aghast he waked; and, starting from his bed,
Cold sweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erspread.
Dryden.

The commissioners read and stood aghast.
Macaulay.


word: Agible
definition:
Agible

Ag"i*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. LL. agibilis, fr. L. agere to move, do.]
Possible to be done; practicable.
[Obs.]
agible
Sir A. Sherley.


word: Agile
definition:
Agile

Ag"ile
(_;)
a.
[F. agile, L. agilis, fr. agere to move. See Agent.]
Having the faculty of quick motion in the limbs; apt or ready to move; nimble; active; as, an agile boy; an agile tongue.

Shaking it with agile hand.
Cowper.


word: Agility
definition:
Agility

A*gil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[F. agilié, L. agilitas, fr. agilis.]
1.
The quality of being agile; the power of moving the limbs quickly and easily; nimbleness; activity; quickness of motion; as, strength and agility of body.

They . . . trust to the agility of their wit.
Bacon.

Wheeling with the agility of a hawk.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
Activity; powerful agency.
[Obs.]

The agility of the sun's fiery heat.
Holland.


word: Agincourt
definition:
Agincourt

Agincourt
n.
1.
a battle in which English longbowmen under Henry V decisively defeated a much larger French army in 1415.  It was named for the site at which it occurred.


word: Aging
definition:
Aging

Ag"ing
(_;)
n.
the process by which objects or materials acquire desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time under specific conditions.  It is used mostly for foods snd beverages, but also for other materials.
[Also spelled ageing.]


word: Agio
definition:
Agio

Ag"i*o
(_;)
n.
pl. Agios (_;).
[It. aggio exchange, discount, premium, the same word as agio ease. See Ease.]
(Com.)
The premium or percentage on a better sort of money when it is given in exchange for an inferior sort. The premium or discount on foreign bills of exchange is sometimes called agio.


word: Agiotage
definition:
Agiotage

Ag"i*o*tage
(_;)
n.
[F. agiotage, fr. agioter to practice stockjobbing, fr. agio.]
Exchange business; also, stockjobbing; the maneuvers of speculators to raise or lower the price of stocks or public funds.

Vanity and agiotage are to a Parisian the oxygen and hydrogen of life.
Landor.


word: Agist
definition:
Agist

A*gist"
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. agister; à (L. ad) + gister to assign a lodging, fr. giste lodging, abode, F. gîte, LL. gistum, gista, fr. L. jacitum, p. p. of jac_;re to lie: cf. LL. agistare, adgistare. See Gist.]
(Law)
To take to graze or pasture, at a certain sum; -- used originally of the feeding of cattle in the king's forests, and collecting the money for the same.
Blackstone.


word: Agistor
definition:
Agistor

Agister

{ A*gist"er, A*gist"or  }
(_;)
n.
[Anglo-Norman agistour.]
(Law)
(a)
Formerly, an officer of the king's forest, who had the care of cattle agisted, and collected the money for the same; -- hence called gisttaker, which in England is corrupted into guest-taker.
(b)
Now, one who agists or takes in cattle to pasture at a certain rate; a pasturer.
Mozley & W.


word: Agistment
definition:
Agistment

A*gist"ment
(_;)
n.
[OF. agistement. See Agist.]
(Law)
(a)
Formerly, the taking and feeding of other men's cattle in the king's forests.
(b)
The taking in by any one of other men's cattle to graze at a certain rate.
Mozley & W.
(c)
The price paid for such feeding.
(d)
A charge or rate against lands; as, an agistment of sea banks, i. e., charge for banks or dikes.


word: Agitable
definition:
Agitable

Ag"i*ta*ble
(_;)
a.
[L. agitabilis: cf. F. agitable.]
Capable of being agitated, or easily moved.
[R.]


word: Agitate
definition:
Agitate

Ag"i*tate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Agitated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Agitating (_;).]
[L. agitatus, p. p. of agitare to put in motion, fr. agere to move: cf. F. agiter. See Act, Agent.]
1.
To move with a violent, irregular action; as, the wind agitates the sea; to agitate water in a vessel.
agitate
Cowper.

2.
To move or actuate.
[R.]
Thomson.

3.
To stir up; to disturb or excite; to perturb; as, he was greatly agitated.

The mind of man is agitated by various passions.
Johnson.

4.
To discuss with great earnestness; to debate; as, a controversy hotly agitated.
Boyle.

5.
To revolve in the mind, or view in all its aspects; to contrive busily; to devise; to plot; as, politicians agitate desperate designs.


word: agitated
definition:
agitated

agitated
adj.
1.
troubled emotionally and usually deeply.  Opposite of unagitated.
agitated parents
Narrower terms are: demoniac, demoniacal ; distraught, overwrought; disturbed, jolted, shaken; feverish, hectic; frantic, frenetic, phrenetic, frenzied; psychedelic ; rampageous, raging, frenzied ; wild-eyed .
Also See: discomposed, excited, impatient, tense, unquiet, unsteady.

2.
1
throwing oneself from side to side.

Syn. -- tossing

3.
physically disturbed or set in motion; as, the agitated mixture foamed and bubbled.  Opposite of unagitated and left alone, allowed to stand.
[Narrower terms are: churning, churned-up, roiling, roiled, roily, turbulent ; stirred.]


word: Agitation
definition:
Agitation

Ag`i*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. agitatio: cf. F. agitation.]
1.
The act of agitating, or the state of being agitated; the state of being moved with violence, or with irregular action; commotion; as, the sea after a storm is in agitation.

2.
A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquillity; disturbance of mind which shows itself by physical excitement; perturbation; as, to cause any one agitation.

3.
Excitement of public feeling by discussion, appeals, etc.; as, the antislavery agitation; labor agitation.
agitations
Prescott.

4.
Examination or consideration of a subject in controversy, or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion; debate.

A logical agitation of the matter.
L'Estrange.

The project now in agitation.
Swift.


word: agitating
definition:
agitating

agitating
adj.
1.
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment.

Syn. -- agitative, provoking.


word: Agitato
definition:
Agitato

A`gi*ta"to
(_;)
a.
[It., agitated.]
(Mus.)
Sung or played in a restless, hurried, and spasmodic manner.


word: Agitator
definition:
Agitator

Ag"i*ta`tor
(_;)
n.
[L.]
1.
One who agitates; one who stirs up or excites others; as, political reformers and agitators.

2.
(Eng. Hist.)
One of a body of men appointed by the army, in Cromwell's time, to look after their interests; -- called also adjutators.
Clarendon.

3.
An implement for shaking or mixing.


word: agitprop
definition:
agitprop

agitprop
n.
1.
[agitation + propaganda.]
1.
agitation and propaganda; -- used especially for such activities carried out on behalf of communist activists.

2.
a person who disseminates messages calculated to assist some cause or some government; one disseminating agitprop{1}.  Also called agitpropist.

Syn. -- propagandist


word: Agkistrodon
definition:
Agkistrodon

Agkistrodon
n.
a genus of snakes comprising the copperheads.

Syn. -- genus Agkistrodon, Ancistrodon, genus Ancistrodon.


word: Aglaomorpha
definition:
Aglaomorpha

Aglaomorpha
n.
1.
1
a genus of epiphytic ferns of tropical Asia.

Syn. -- genus Aglaomorpha.


word: Aglaonema
definition:
Aglaonema

Aglaonema
n.
1.
1
a genus of Indo-Malayan climbing herbs having thick fleshy oblong leaves and naked unisexual flowers: Chinese evergreen.

Syn. -- genus Aglaonema.


word: Aiglet
definition:
Aiglet

Aglet

{ Ag"let (ăg"lĕt), Aig"let (āg"lĕt), }
n.
[F. aiguillette point, tagged point, dim. of aiguilee needle, fr. LL. acucula for acicula, dim. of L. acus needle, pin; cf. OF. agleter to hook on. See Acute, and cf. Aiguillette.]
1.
A tag of a lace or of the points, braids, or cords formerly used in dress. They were sometimes formed into small images. Hence, “aglet baby” (Shak.), an aglet image.

2.
(Haberdashery)
A round white staylace.
Beck.


word: Aglow
definition:
Aglow

A*glow"
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + glow.]
In a glow; glowing; as, cheeks aglow; the landscape all aglow.


word: aglutition
definition:
aglutition

ag`lu*ti"tion
(ăg`l&uuptack_;*tĭsh"ŭn)
n.
[Pref. a- not + L. glutire to swallow.]
(Med.)
Inability to swallow; dysphagia.

Syn. -- dysphagy.


word: Aglutition
definition:
Aglutition

Ag`lu*ti"tion
(_;)
n.
[Pref. a- not + L. glutire to swallow.]
(Med.)
Inability to swallow.


word: Agminal
definition:
Agminal

Ag"mi*nal
(_;)
a.
[L. agminalis; agmen, agminis, a train.]
Pertaining to an army marching, or to a train.
[R.]


word: Agminated
definition:
Agminated

Agminate

{ Ag"mi*nate (_;), Ag"mi*na`ted (_;), }
a.
[L. agmen, agminis, a train, crowd.]
(Physiol.)
Grouped together; as, the agminated glands of Peyer in the small intestine.


word: Agnail
definition:
Agnail

Ag"nail
(_;)
n.
[AS. angnægl; ange vexation, trouble + nægel nail. Cf. Hangnail.]
1.
A corn on the toe or foot.
[Obs.]

2.
An inflammation or sore under or around the nail; also, a hangnail.


word: Agnate
definition:
Agnate

Ag"nate
(_;)
a.
[L. agnatus, p. p. of agnasci to be born in addition to; ad + nasci (for gnasci) to be born. Cf. Adnate.]
1.
Related or akin by the father's side; also, sprung from the same male ancestor; as, agnate brother: a brother having the same father, but a different mother; in ths sense it is a correlative of uterine.

2.
Allied; akin.
Agnate
Pownall.

Assume more or less of a fictitious character, but congenial and agnate with the former.
Landor.


word: Agnate₂
definition:
Agnate

Ag"nate
n.
[Cf. F. agnat.]
(Civil Law)
A relative whose relationship can be traced exclusively through males.


word: Agnatha
definition:
Agnatha

Agnatha
n.
a class of eel-shaped chordates with a cartilaginous skeleton lacking jaws, scales, and pelvic fins.  Among these are the lampreys and hagfishes.  There are some extinct forms.

Syn. -- class Agnatha.


word: agnathan
definition:
agnathan

agnathan
n.
1.
an eel-shaped vertebrate without jaws or paired appendages; a member of the Agnatha.  The group includes the cyclostomes and some extinct forms.

Syn. -- jawless vertebrate, jawless fish


word: Agnatic
definition:
Agnatic

Ag*nat"ic
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. agnatique.]
Pertaining to descent by the male line of ancestors.
agnatic
Blackstone.


word: Agnation
definition:
Agnation

Ag*na"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. agnatio: cf. F. agnation.]
1.
(Civil Law)
Consanguinity by a line of males only, as distinguished from cognation.
Bouvier.


word: Agnition
definition:
Agnition

Ag*ni"tion
(ăg*nĭsh"ŭn)
n.
[L. agnitio, fr. agnoscere. See Notion.]
Acknowledgment.
[Obs.]
Grafton.


word: Agnize
definition:
Agnize

Ag*nize"
(ăg*nīz")
v. t.
[Formed like recognize, fr. L. agnoscere.]
To recognize; to acknowledge.
[Archaic]

I do agnize a natural and prompt alacrity.
Shak.


word: Agnoiology
definition:
Agnoiology

Ag`noi*ol"o*gy
(ăg`noi*&obreve_;l"o̝*j&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a`gnoia ignorance + -logy.]
(Metaph.)
The doctrine concerning those things of which we are necessarily ignorant.


word: Agnomen
definition:
Agnomen

Ag*no"men
(ăg*n&omacr"mĕn)
n.
[L.; ad + nomen name.]
1.
An additional or fourth name given by the Romans, on account of some remarkable exploit or event; as, Publius Caius Scipio Africanus.

2.
An additional name, or an epithet appended to a name; as, Aristides the Just.


word: Agnomination
definition:
Agnomination

Ag*nom`i*na"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. agnominatio. See Agnomen.]
1.
A surname.
[R.]
Minsheu.

2.
Paronomasia; also, alliteration; annomination.


word: Agnostic
definition:
Agnostic

Ag*nos"tic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; knowing, _; to know.]
Professing ignorance; involving no dogmatic; pertaining to or involving agnosticism.
Ag*nos"tic*al*ly (_;), adv.


word: Agnostic₂
definition:
Agnostic

Ag*nos"tic
n.
One who professes ignorance, or denies that we have any knowledge, save of phenomena; one who supports agnosticism, neither affirming nor denying the existence of a personal Deity, a future life, etc.


word: Agnosticism
definition:
Agnosticism

Ag*nos"ti*cism
(_;)
n.
That doctrine which, professing ignorance, neither asserts nor denies.
Specifically:
(Theol.)
The doctrine that the existence of a personal Deity, an unseen world, etc., can be neither proved nor disproved, because of the necessary limits of the human mind (as sometimes charged upon Hamilton and Mansel), or because of the insufficiency of the evidence furnished by physical and physical data, to warrant a positive conclusion (as taught by the school of Herbert Spencer); -- opposed alike dogmatic skepticism and to dogmatic theism.


word: Agnus castus
definition:
Agnus castus

Ag"nus cas"tus
(_;)
[Gr. _; a willowlike tree, used at a religious festival; confused with _; holy, chaste.]
(Bot.)
A species of Vitex (Vitex agnus castus); the chaste tree.
Loudon.

And wreaths of agnus castus others bore.
Dryden.


word: Agnus Dei
definition:
Agnus Dei

Ag"nus De"i
(_;)
[L., lamb of God.]
(R. C. Ch.)
(a)
A figure of a lamb bearing a cross or flag.
(b)
A cake of wax stamped with such a figure. It is made from the remains of the paschal candles and blessed by the Pope.
(c)
A triple prayer in the sacrifice of the Mass, beginning with the words “Agnus Dei.”


word: Agnus Scythicus
definition:
Agnus Scythicus

Ag"nus Scyth"i*cus
(?)
[L., Scythian lamb.]
(Bot.)
The Scythian lamb, a kind of woolly-skinned rootstock. See Barometz.


word: Ago
definition:
Ago

A*go"
(_;)
a. & adv.
[OE. ago, agon, p. p. of agon to go away, pass by, AS. āgān to pass away; ā- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + gān to go. See Go.]
Past; gone by; since; as, ten years ago; gone long ago.


word: Agog
definition:
Agog

A*gog"
(_;)
a. & adv.
[Cf. F. gogue fun, perhaps of Celtic origin.]
In eager desire; eager; astir.

All agog to dash through thick and thin.
Cowper.


word: Agoing
definition:
Agoing

A*go"ing
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + p. pr. of go.]
In motion; in the act of going; as, to set a mill agoing.


word: Agon
definition:
Agon

Ag"on
(_;)
n.
pl. Agones (_;).
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to lead.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A contest for a prize at the public games.


word: Agone
definition:
Agone

A*gone"
(_;)
a. & adv.
Ago.
[Archaic & Poet.]

Three days agone I fell sick.
1 Sam. xxx. 13.


word: Agonic
definition:
Agonic

A*gon"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; without angles; 'a priv. + _; an angle.]
Not forming an angle.

Agonic line (Physics), an imaginary line on the earth's surface passing through those places where the magnetic needle points to the true north; the line of no magnetic variation. There is one such line in the Western hemisphere, and another in the Eastern hemisphere.


word: Agonism
definition:
Agonism

Ag"o*nism
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to contend for a prize, fr. _;. See Agon.]
Contention for a prize; a contest.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Agonistical
definition:
Agonistical

Agonistic

{ Ag`o*nis"tic (_;), Ag`o*nis"tic*al (_;), }
a.
[Gr. _;. See Agonism.]
Pertaining to violent contests, bodily or mental; pertaining to athletic or polemic feats; athletic; combative; hence, strained; unnatural.

As a scholar, he [Dr. Parr] was brilliant, but he consumed his power in agonistic displays.
De Quincey.


word: Agonize
definition:
Agonize

Ag"o*nize
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Agonized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Agonizing (_;).]
[F. agoniser, LL. agonizare, fr. Gr. _;. See Agony.]
1.
To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.

To smart and agonize at every pore.
Pope.

2.
To struggle; to wrestle; to strive desperately.


word: Agonize₂
definition:
Agonize

Ag"o*nize
v. t.
To cause to suffer agony; to subject to extreme pain; to torture.

He agonized his mother by his behavior.
Thackeray.


word: agonizing
definition:
agonizing

agonizing
adj.
causing agony.  Opposite to painless.

Syn. -- excruciating, harrowing, torturing, torturous, torturesome.


word: Agonothete
definition:
Agonothete

Ag"o*no*thete`
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; + _; to set. appoint.]
[Antiq.]
An officer who presided over the great public games in Greece.


word: Agony
definition:
Agony

Ag"o*ny
(_;)
n.
pl. Agonies (_;).
[L. agonia, Gr. _;, orig. a contest, fr. _;: cf. F. agonie. See Agon.]
1.
Violent contest or striving.

The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations.
Macaulay.

2.
Pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in Greece; and hence, extreme pain of mind or body; anguish; paroxysm of grief; specifically, the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.

Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly.
Luke xxii. 44.

3.
Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.

With cries and agonies of wild delight.
Pope.

4.
The last struggle of life; death struggle.


word: Agora
definition:
Agora

Ag"o*ra
(ăg"o̝*rȧ)
n.
[Gr. 'agora`.]
An assembly; hence, the place of assembly, especially the market place, in an ancient Greek city.


word: Agouara
definition:
Agouara

A*gou"a*ra
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
The crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus), found in the tropical parts of America.


word: Agouta
definition:
Agouta

A*gou"ta
(_;)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
A small insectivorous mammal (Solenodon paradoxus), allied to the moles, found only in Haiti.


word: Agouty
definition:
Agouty

Agouti

{ A*gou"ti, A*gou"ty  }
(ȧ*gō"tĭ)
n.
[F. agouti, acouti, Sp. aguti, fr. native name.]
(Zool.)
1.
A rodent of the genus Dasyprocta, about the size of a rabbit, peculiar to South America and the West Indies. The most common species is the Dasyprocta agouti.

2.
the color of the agouti{1}, a grayish-brown of grizzled texture; -- used especially to describe the color of the fur of a strain of mice.  Also used attributively.


word: Agraffe
definition:
Agraffe

A*graffe"
(_;)
n.
[F. agrafe, formerly agraffe, OF. agrappe. See Agrappes.]
1.
A hook or clasp.

The feather of an ostrich, fastened in her turban by an agraffe set with brilliants.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
A hook, eyelet, or other device by which a piano wire is so held as to limit the vibration.


word: Agrammatist
definition:
Agrammatist

A*gram"ma*tist
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; illiterate; 'a priv. + _; letters, fr. _; to write.]
A illiterate person.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Agraphia
definition:
Agraphia

A*graph"i*a
(_;)
n.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; to write.]
The absence or loss of the power of expressing ideas by written signs. It is one form of aphasia.


word: Agrappes
definition:
Agrappes

A*grappes"
(_;)
n. pl.
[OF. agrappe, F. agrafe; a + grappe (see Grape) fr. OHG. krāpfo hook.]
Hooks and eyes for armor, etc.
Fairholt.


word: Agrarian
definition:
Agrarian

A*gra"ri*an
(_;)
a.
[L. agrarius, fr. ager field.]
1.
Pertaining to fields, or lands, or their tenure; esp., relating to an equal or equitable division of lands; as, the agrarian laws of Rome, which distributed the conquered and other public lands among citizens.

His Grace's landed possessions are irresistibly inviting to an agrarian experiment.
Burke.

2.
(Bot.)
Wild; -- said of plants growing in the fields.


word: Agrarian₂
definition:
Agrarian

A*gra"ri*an
n.
1.
One in favor of an equal division of landed property.

2.
An agrarian law.
[R.]

An equal agrarian is perpetual law.
Harrington.


word: Agrarianism
definition:
Agrarianism

A*gra"ri*an*ism
(_;)
n.
An equal or equitable division of landed property; the principles or acts of those who favor a redistribution of land.


word: Agrarianize
definition:
Agrarianize

A*gra"ri*an*ize
(_;)
v. t.
To distribute according to, or to imbue with, the principles of agrarianism.


word: Agree
definition:
Agree

Agre

{ A*gre", A*gree"  }
(_;)
adv.
[F. à gré. See Agree.]
In good part; kindly.
[Obs.]
Rom. of R.


word: Agree₂
definition:
Agree

A*gree"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Agreed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Agreeing.]
[F. agréer to accept or receive kindly, fr. à gré; à (L. ad) + gré good will, consent, liking, fr. L. gratus pleasing, agreeable. See Grateful.]
1.
To harmonize in opinion, statement, or action; to be in unison or concord; to be or become united or consistent; to concur; as, all parties agree in the expediency of the law.

If music and sweet poetry agree.
Shak.

Their witness agreed not together.
Mark xiv. 56.

The more you agree together, the less hurt can your enemies do you.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
To yield assent; to accede; -- followed by to; as, to agree to an offer, or to opinion.

3.
To make a stipulation by way of settling differences or determining a price; to exchange promises; to come to terms or to a common resolve; to promise.

Agree with thine adversary quickly.
Matt. v. 25.

Didst not thou agree with me for a penny ?
Matt. xx. 13.

4.
To be conformable; to resemble; to coincide; to correspond; as, the picture does not agree with the original; the two scales agree exactly.

5.
To suit or be adapted in its effects; to do well; as, the same food does not agree with every constitution.

6.
(Gram.)
To correspond in gender, number, case, or person.

&hand_; The auxiliary forms of to be are often employed with the participle agreed. “The jury were agreed.” Macaulay. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed ?” Amos iii. 3. The principal intransitive uses were probably derived from the transitive verb used reflexively. “I agree me well to your desire.”  Ld. Berners.


word: Agree₃
definition:
Agree

A*gree"
(_;)
v. t.
1.
To make harmonious; to reconcile or make friends.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

2.
To admit, or come to one mind concerning; to settle; to arrange; as, to agree the fact; to agree differences.
[Obs.]


word: Agreeability
definition:
Agreeability

A*gree`a*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[OF. agreablete.]
1.
Easiness of disposition.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
The quality of being, or making one's self, agreeable; agreeableness.
Thackeray.


word: Agreeable
definition:
Agreeable

A*gree"a*ble
(_;)
a.
[F. agréable.]
1.
Pleasing, either to the mind or senses; pleasant; grateful; as, agreeable manners or remarks; an agreeable person; fruit agreeable to the taste.

A train of agreeable reveries.
Goldsmith.

2.
Willing; ready to agree or consent.
[Colloq.]

These Frenchmen give unto the said captain of Calais a great sum of money, so that he will be but content and agreeable that they may enter into the said town.
Latimer.

3.
Agreeing or suitable; conformable; correspondent; concordant; adapted; -- followed by to, rarely by with.

That which is agreeable to the nature of one thing, is many times contrary to the nature of another.
L'Estrange.

4.
In pursuance, conformity, or accordance; -- in this sense used adverbially for agreeably; as, agreeable to the order of the day, the House took up the report.


word: Agreeableness
definition:
Agreeableness

A*gree"a*ble*ness
n.
1.
The quality of being agreeable or pleasing; that quality which gives satisfaction or moderate pleasure to the mind or senses.

That author . . . has an agreeableness that charms us.
Pope.

2.
The quality of being agreeable or suitable; suitableness or conformity; consistency.

The agreeableness of virtuous actions to human nature.
Pearce.

3.
Resemblance; concordance; harmony; -- with to or between.
[Obs.]

The agreeableness between man and the other parts of the universe.
Grew.


word: Agreeably
definition:
Agreeably

A*gree"a*bly
adv.
1.
In an agreeably manner; in a manner to give pleasure; pleasingly.
Agreeably
Goldsmith.

2.
In accordance; suitably; consistently; conformably; -- followed by to and rarely by with. See Agreeable, 4.

The effect of which is, that marriages grow less frequent, agreeably to the maxim above laid down.
Paley.

3.
Alike; similarly.
[Obs.]

Both clad in shepherds' weeds agreeably.
Spenser.


word: agreeing
definition:
agreeing

agreeing
adj. prenom.
1.
in agreement; of the same mind; having the same opinion.

Syn. -- concordant, concurring(prenominal).

2.
expressing agreement or consent.

Syn. -- assentient, assenting.


word: Agreement
definition:
Agreement

A*gree"ment
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. agrément.]
1.
State of agreeing; harmony of opinion, statement, action, or character; concurrence; concord; conformity; as, a good agreement subsists among the members of the council.

What agreement hath the temple of God with idols ?
2 Cor. vi. 16.

Expansion and duration have this further agreement.
Locke.

2.
(Gram.)
Concord or correspondence of one word with another in gender, number, case, or person.

3.
(Law)
(a)
A concurrence in an engagement that something shall be done or omitted; an exchange of promises; mutual understanding, arrangement, or stipulation; a contract.
(b)
The language, oral or written, embodying reciprocal promises.
Abbott. Brande & C.


word: Agrestic
definition:
Agrestic

A*gres"tic
(_;)
a.
[L. agrestis, fr. ager field.]
Pertaining to fields or the country, in opposition to the city; rural; rustic; unpolished; uncouth.
Agrestic
Gregory.


word: Agricultor
definition:
Agricultor

Ag"ri*cul`tor
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. ager field + cultor cultivator.]
An agriculturist; a farmer.
[R.]


word: Agricultural
definition:
Agricultural

Ag`ri*cul"tur*al
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to agriculture; connected with, or engaged in, tillage; as, the agricultural class; agricultural implements, wages, etc.
Ag`ri*cul"tur*al*ly, adv.

Agricultural ant (Zool.), a species of ant which gathers and stores seeds of grasses, for food. The remarkable species (Myrmica barbata) found in Texas clears circular areas and carefully cultivates its favorite grain, known as ant rice.


word: Agriculture
definition:
Agriculture

Ag"ri*cul`ture
(?; 135)
n.
[L. agricultura; ager field + cultura cultivation: cf. F. agriculture. See Acre and Culture.]
The art or science of cultivating the ground, including the harvesting of crops, and the rearing and management of live stock; tillage; husbandry; farming.


word: Agriculturist
definition:
Agriculturist

Ag`ri*cul"tur*ist
n.
One engaged or skilled in agriculture; a husbandman.

The farmer is always a practitioner, the agriculturist may be a mere theorist.
Crabb.


word: Agrimony
definition:
Agrimony

Ag"ri*mo*ny
(_;)
n.
[OE. agremoyne, OF. aigremoine, L. agrimonia for argemonia, fr. Gr. _;.]
(Bot.)
(a)
A genus of plants of the Rose family.
(b)
The name is also given to various other plants; as, hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum); water agrimony (Bidens).

&hand_; The Agrimonia eupatoria, or common agrimony, a perennial herb with a spike of yellow flowers, was once esteemed as a medical remedy, but is now seldom used.


word: Agriology
definition:
Agriology

Ag`ri*ol"o*gy
(ăg`rĭ*&obreve_;l"o̝*j&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. _; wild, savage + -logy.]
Description or comparative study of the customs of savage or uncivilized tribes.


word: Agrise
definition:
Agrise

A*grise"
(_;)
v. i.
[AS. āgrīsan to dread; ā- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig. meaning out) + grīsan, for gr_;san (only in comp.), akin to OHG. gr_;is_;n, G. grausen, to shudder. See Grisly.]
To shudder with terror; to tremble with fear.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Agrise₂
definition:
Agrise

A*grise"
v. t.
1.
To shudder at; to abhor; to dread; to loathe.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.

2.
To terrify; to affright.
[Obs.]

His manly face that did his foes agrise.
Spenser.


word: agrom
definition:
agrom

a"grom
(ā"gr&obreve_;m)
n.
[Native name.]
(Med.)
A disease occurring in Bengal and other parts of the East Indies, in which the tongue chaps and cleaves.


word: Agronomical
definition:
Agronomical

Agronomic

{ Ag`ro*nom"ic (_;), Ag`ro*nom"ic*al (_;), }
[Cf. F. agronomique.]
Pertaining to agronomy, of the management of farms.


word: Agronomy
definition:
Agronomy

A*gron"o*my
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; rural; as a noun, an overseer of the public lands; _; field + _; usage, _; to deal out, manage: cf. F. agronomie.]
The management of land; rural economy; agriculture.


word: Agrostis
definition:
Agrostis

A*gros"tis
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
A genus of grasses, including species called in common language bent grass. Some of them, as redtop (Agrostis vulgaris), are valuable pasture grasses.


word: Agrostographical
definition:
Agrostographical

Agrostographic

{ A*gros`to*graph"ic (_;), A*gros`to*graph"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Cf. F. agrostographique.]
Pertaining to agrostography.


word: Agrostological
definition:
Agrostological

Agrostologic

{ A*gros`to*log"ic (_;), A*gros`to*log"ic*al (_;), }
a.
Pertaining to agrostology.


word: Agrostology
definition:
Agrostology

Ag`ros*tol"ogy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; + -logy.]
That part of botany which treats of the grasses.


word: Aground
definition:
Aground

A*ground"
(_;)
adv. & a.
[Pref. a- + ground.]
On the ground; stranded; -- a nautical term applied to a ship when its bottom lodges on the ground.
Totten.


word: Agrypnotic
definition:
Agrypnotic

Ag`ryp*not"ic
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; sleepless; _; to chase, search for + _; sleep: cf. F. agrypnotique.]
Anything which prevents sleep, or produces wakefulness, as strong tea or coffee.


word: Aguardiente
definition:
Aguardiente

A`guar*di*en"te
(_;)
n.
[Sp., contr. of agua ardiente burning water (L. aqua water + ardens burning).]
1.
A inferior brandy of Spain and Portugal.

2.
A strong alcoholic drink, especially pulque.
[Mexico and Spanish America.]


word: ague
definition:
ague

a"gue
(ā"g&uuptack_;)
n.
[OE. agu, ague, OF. agu, F. aigu, sharp, OF. fem. ague, LL. (febris) acuta, a sharp, acute fever, fr. L. acutus sharp. See Acute.]
1.
An acute fever.
[Obs.]
agues
P. Plowman.

2.
(Med.)
A fever characterized by paroxysms of high fever and shaking chills.

3.
The cold fit or rigor of malaria or any other intermittent fever; as, fever and ague.

4.
A chill, or state of shaking, as with cold.
Dryden.
AS

Ague cake, an enlargement of the spleen produced by ague. -- Ague drop, a solution of the arsenite of potassa used for ague. -- Ague fit, a fit of the ague. Shak. -- Ague spell, a spell or charm against ague. Gay. -- Ague tree, the sassafras, -- sometimes so called from the use of its root formerly, in cases of ague. [Obs.]


word: agueweed
definition:
agueweed

agueweed
n.
1.
1
a gentian of East North America having clusters of bristly blue flowers.

Syn. -- ague weed, five-flowered gentian, stiff gentian, Gentianella quinquefolia, Gentiana quinquefolia

2.
a perennial herb of the southeastern U. S. having white-rayed flower heads.  It was formerly used in folk medicine.

Syn. -- boneset, thoroughwort, Eupatorium perfoliatum


word: Aguise₂
definition:
Aguise

A*guise"
v. t.
[Pref a- + guise.]
To dress; to attire; to adorn.
[Obs.]

Above all knights ye goodly seem aguised.
Spenser.


word: Aguish
definition:
Aguish

A"gu*ish
(_;)
a.
1.
Having the qualities of an ague; somewhat cold or shivering; chilly; shaky.

Her aguish love now glows and burns.
Granville.

2.
Productive of, or affected by, ague; as, the aguish districts of England.
T. Arnold.


word: Ah
definition:
Ah

Ah
(_;)
interj.
[OE. a: cf. OF. a, F. ah, L. ah, Gr. _;, Sk. ā, Icel. æ, OHG. ā, Lith. á, áá.]
An exclamation, expressive of surprise, pity, complaint, entreaty, contempt, threatening, delight, triumph, etc., according to the manner of utterance.


word: Aha
definition:
Aha

A*ha"
(_;)
interj.
[Ah, interj. + ha.]
An exclamation expressing, by different intonations, triumph, mixed with derision or irony, or simple surprise.


word: Ahead
definition:
Ahead

A*head"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + head.]
1.
In or to the front; in advance; onward.

The island bore but a little ahead of us.
Fielding.

2.
Headlong; without restraint.
[Obs.]
L'Estrange.

To go ahead. (a) To go in advance. (b) To go on onward. (c) To push on in an enterprise. [Colloq] -- To get ahead of. (a) To get in advance of. (b) To surpass; to get the better of. [Colloq.]


word: Ahriman
definition:
Ahriman

Ah"ri*man
(_;)
n.
[Per.]
The Evil Principle or Being of the ancient Persians; the Prince of Darkness as opposer to Ormuzd, the King of Light.


word: Ahull
definition:
Ahull

A*hull"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + hull.]
(Naut.)
With the sails furled, and the helm lashed alee; -- applied to ships in a storm. See Hull, n.


word: Ai
definition:
Ai

A"i
(_;)
n.
pl. Ais (_;).
[Braz. aï, haï, from the animal's cry: cf. F. aï.]
(Zool.)
The three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) of South America. See Sloth.


word: Aich's metal
definition:
Aich's metal

Aich's met"al
(_;)
A kind of gun metal, containing copper, zinc, and iron, but no tin.


word: Aid
definition:
Aid

Aid
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aided (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aiding.]
[F. aider, OF. aidier, fr. L. adjutare to help, freq. of adjuvare to help; ad + juvare to help. Cf. Adjutant.]
To support, either by furnishing strength or means in coöperation to effect a purpose, or to prevent or to remove evil; to help; to assist.

You speedy helpers . . . 
Appear and aid me in this enterprise.
Shak.


word: Aid₂
definition:
Aid

Aid
n.
[F. aide, OF. aïde, aïe, fr. the verb. See Aid, v. t.]
1.
Help; succor; assistance; relief.

An unconstitutional mode of obtaining aid.
Hallam.

2.
The person or thing that promotes or helps in something done; a helper; an assistant.

It is not good that man should be alone; let us make unto him an aid like unto himself.
Tobit viii. 6.

3.
(Eng. Hist.)
A subsidy granted to the king by Parliament; also, an exchequer loan.

4.
(Feudal Law)
A pecuniary tribute paid by a vassal to his lord on special occasions.
Blackstone.

5.
An aid-de-camp, so called by abbreviation; as, a general's aid.

Aid prayer (Law), a proceeding by which a defendant beseeches and claims assistance from some one who has a further or more permanent interest in the matter in suit. -- To pray in aid, to beseech and claim such assistance.


word: Aidant
definition:
Aidant

Aid"ant
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. aidant, p. pr. of aider to help.]
Helping; helpful; supplying aid.
Shak.


word: Aid-de-camp
definition:
Aid-de-camp

Aid"-de-camp`
(_;)
n.
pl. Aids-de-camp. (_;).
[F. aide de camp (literally) camp assistant.]
(Mil.)
An officer selected by a general to carry orders, also to assist or represent him in correspondence and in directing movements.


word: Aigrette
definition:
Aigrette

Aigret

{ Ai"gret (_;), Ai*grette (_;), }
n.
[F., a sort of white heron, with a tuft of feathers on its head; a tuft of feathers; dim. of the same word as heron. See Heron, and cf. Egret, Egrette.]
1.
(Zool.)
The small white European heron. See Egret.

2.
A plume or tuft for the head composed of feathers, or of gems, etc.
Prescott.

3.
A tuft like that of the egret.
(Bot.)
A feathery crown of seed; egret; as, the aigrette or down of the dandelion or the thistle.


word: Aiguille
definition:
Aiguille

Ai`guille"
(_;)
n.
[F., a needle. See Aglet.]
1.
A needle-shaped peak.

2.
An instrument for boring holes, used in blasting.


word: Aiguillette
definition:
Aiguillette

Ai`guil*lette"
(_;)
n.
[F. See Aglet.]
1.
A point or tag at the end of a fringe or lace; an aglet.

2.
One of the ornamental tags, cords, or loops on some military and naval uniforms.


word: Ail
definition:
Ail

Ail
(āl)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ailed (āld); p. pr. & vb. n. Ailing.]
[OE. eilen, ailen, AS. eglan to trouble, pain; akin to Goth. us-agljan to distress, agls troublesome, irksome, aglo, aglitha, pain, and prob. to E. awe. √3.]
To affect with pain or uneasiness, either physical or mental; to trouble; to be the matter with; -- used to express some uneasiness or affection, whose cause is unknown; as, what ails the man? I know not what ails him.

What aileth thee, Hagar?
Gen. xxi. 17.

&hand_; It is never used to express a specific disease. We do not say, a fever ails him; but, something ails him.


word: Ail₂
definition:
Ail

Ail
v. i.
To be affected with pain or uneasiness of any sort; to be ill or indisposed or in trouble.

When he ails ever so little . . . he is so peevish.
Richardson.


word: Ailantus
definition:
Ailantus

Ai*lan"tus
(_;)
n.
[From aylanto, i. e., tree of heaven, the name of the tree in the Moluccas.]
(Bot.)
A genus of beautiful trees, natives of the East Indies. The tree imperfectly diœcious, and the staminate or male plant is very offensive when blossom.


word: Aileron
definition:
Aileron

Ai"le*ron
(ā"le̝*r&obreve_;n)
n.
[F., dim. of aile wing.]
1.
A half gable, as at the end of a penthouse or of the aisle of a church.

2.
(Aëronautics)
A small plane or surface capable of being manipulated by the pilot of a flying machine to control lateral balance; a hinged wing tip; a lateral stabilizing or balancing plane.


word: Ailette
definition:
Ailette

Ai*lette
(_;)
n.
[F. ailette, dim. of aile wing, L. ala.]
A small square shield, formerly worn on the shoulders of knights, -- being the prototype of the modern epaulet.
Fairholt.


word: ailing
definition:
ailing

ailing
adj.
sick; unhealthy.  Opposite of well or healthy.

Syn. -- indisposed, peaked(predicate), poorly(predicate), sickly, unwell.


word: Ailment
definition:
Ailment

Ail"ment
(_;)
n.
Indisposition; morbid affection of the body; -- not applied ordinarily to acute diseases.
ailments
Landsdowne.


word: Ailuroidea
definition:
Ailuroidea

Ai`lu*roid"e*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; cat + -oid.]
(Zool.)
A group of the Carnivora, which includes the cats, civets, and hyenas.


word: Ailuropodidae
definition:
Ailuropodidae

Ailuropodidae
n.
1.
1
in some classifications considered the family comprising the giant pandas.

Syn. -- family Ailuropodidae.


word: Aim
definition:
Aim

Aim
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Aimed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aiming.]
[OE. amen, aimen, eimen, to guess at, to estimate, to aim, OF. esmer, asmer, fr. L. aestimare to estimate; or perh. fr. OF. aesmer; _; (L. ad) + esmer. See Estimate.]
1.
To point or direct a missile weapon, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it; as, to aim at a fox, or at a target.

2.
To direct the indention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor; -- followed by at, or by an infinitive; as, to aim at distinction; to aim to do well.

Aim'st thou at princes?
Pope.

3.
To guess or conjecture.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Aim₂
definition:
Aim

Aim
v. t.
To direct or point, as a weapon, at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the fist or a blow (at something); to aim a satire or a reflection (at some person or vice).


word: Aim₃
definition:
Aim

Aim
n.
[Cf. OF. esme estimation, fr. esmer. See Aim, v. i.]
1.
The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.

Each at the head leveled his deadly aim.
Milton.

2.
The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.

To be the aim of every dangerous shot.
Shak.

3.
Intention; purpose; design; scheme.

How oft ambitious aims are crossed!
Pope.

4.
Conjecture; guess.
[Obs.]

What you would work me to, I have some aim.
Shak.

To cry aim (Archery), to encourage. [Obs.] Shak.


word: Aimless
definition:
Aimless

Aim"less
a.
Without aim or purpose; as, an aimless life.
Aim"less*ly, adv. -- Aim"less*ness, n.


word: ain
definition:
ain

ain
adj.
1.
belonging to or on behalf of a specified person especially one's self; preceded by a possessive.
`my ain' is Scottish

Syn. -- own(prenominal).


word: Ainu
definition:
Ainu

Ai"nu
(_;)
n.
[Said to be the native name for man.]
One of a peculiar race found primarily in Hokkaido, in the northern part of the empire of Japan, the Kurile Islands, and nearby.  They are believed to be the native inhabitants of the Japanese islands. The Ainus are stout and short, with hairy bodies.  Also called Aino and hairy Ainu.


word: Ain't
definition:
Ain't

Ain't
(_;)
A contraction for are not and am not; also used for is not. [Colloq. or illiterate speech]. See An't.


word: aioli
definition:
aioli

aioli
n.
(Cooking)
a French garlic-flavored mayonnaise.  It is often served with fish and other seafood, and sometimes with vegetables.

Syn. -- aioli sauce, garlic sauce


word: Air
definition:
Air

Air
(âr)
n.
[OE. air, eir, F. air, L. aër, fr. Gr. 'ah`r, air, mist, for 'a&digamma_;hr, fr. root 'a&digamma_; to blow, breathe, probably akin to E. wind. In sense 10 the French has taking a meaning fr. It. aria atmosphere, air, fr. the same Latin word; and in senses 11, 12, 13 the French meaning is either fr. L. aria, or due to confusion with F. aire, in an older sense of origin, descent. Cf. Aëry, Debonair, Malaria, Wind.]
1.
The fluid which we breathe, and which surrounds the earth; the atmosphere. It is invisible, inodorous, insipid, transparent, compressible, elastic, and ponderable.

&hand_; By the ancient philosophers, air was regarded as an element; but modern science has shown that it is essentially a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, with a small amount of carbon dioxide, the average proportions being, by volume: oxygen, 20.96 per cent.; nitrogen, 79.00 per cent.; carbon dioxide, 0.04 per cent. These proportions are subject to a very slight variability. Air also always contains some vapor of water.

2.
Symbolically: Something unsubstantial, light, or volatile.
air
Shak.

He was still all air and fire.
Air
fire
earth
water
Macaulay

3.
A particular state of the atmosphere, as respects heat, cold, moisture, etc., or as affecting the sensations; as, a smoky air, a damp air, the morning air, etc.

4.
Any aëriform body; a gas; as, oxygen was formerly called vital air.
[Obs.]

5.
Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind.

Let vernal airs through trembling osiers play.
Pope.

6.
Odoriferous or contaminated air.

7.
That which surrounds and influences.

The keen, the wholesome air of poverty.
Wordsworth.

8.
Utterance abroad; publicity; vent.

You gave it air before me.
Dryden.

9.
Intelligence; information.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

10.
(Mus.)
(a)
A musical idea, or motive, rhythmically developed in consecutive single tones, so as to form a symmetrical and balanced whole, which may be sung by a single voice to the stanzas of a hymn or song, or even to plain prose, or played upon an instrument; a melody; a tune; an aria.
(b)
In harmonized chorals, psalmody, part songs, etc., the part which bears the tune or melody -- in modern harmony usually the upper part -- is sometimes called the air.

11.
The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person; mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a lofty air.
air
Shak.

12.
Peculiar appearance; apparent character; semblance; manner; style.

It was communicated with the air of a secret.
Pope.

12.
pl.
An artificial or affected manner; show of pride or vanity; haughtiness; as, it is said of a person, he puts on airs.
Thackeray.

14.
(Paint.)
(a)
The representation or reproduction of the effect of the atmospheric medium through which every object in nature is viewed.
New Am. Cyc.
(b)
Carriage; attitude; action; movement; as, the head of that portrait has a good air.
Fairholt.

15.
(Man.)
The artificial motion or carriage of a horse.

&hand_; Air is much used adjectively or as the first part of a compound term. In most cases it might be written indifferently, as a separate limiting word, or as the first element of the compound term, with or without the hyphen; as, air bladder, air-bladder, or airbladder; air cell, air-cell, or aircell; air-pump, or airpump.

Air balloon. See Balloon.  -- Air bath. (a) An apparatus for the application of air to the body. (b) An arrangement for drying substances in air of any desired temperature. -- Air castle.  See Castle in the air, under Castle. -- Air compressor, a machine for compressing air to be used as a motive power. -- Air crossing, a passage for air in a mine. -- Air cushion, an air-tight cushion which can be inflated; also, a device for arresting motion without shock by confined air. -- Air fountain, a contrivance for producing a jet of water by the force of compressed air. -- Air furnace, a furnace which depends on a natural draft and not on blast. -- Air line, a straight line; a bee line. Hence Air-line, adj.; as, air-line road. -- Air lock (Hydr. Engin.), an intermediate chamber between the outer air and the compressed-air chamber of a pneumatic caisson. Knight.  -- Air port (Nav.), a scuttle or porthole in a ship to admit air. -- Air spring, a spring in which the elasticity of air is utilized. -- Air thermometer, a form of thermometer in which the contraction and expansion of air is made to measure changes of temperature. -- Air threads, gossamer. -- Air trap, a contrivance for shutting off foul air or gas from drains, sewers, etc.; a stench trap. -- Air trunk, a pipe or shaft for conducting foul or heated air from a room. -- Air valve, a valve to regulate the admission or egress of air; esp. a valve which opens inwardly in a steam boiler and allows air to enter. -- Air way, a passage for a current of air; as the air way of an air pump; an air way in a mine. -- In the air. (a) Prevalent without traceable origin or authority, as rumors. (b) Not in a fixed or stable position; unsettled. (c) (Mil.) Unsupported and liable to be turned or taken in flank; as, the army had its wing in the air. -- on the air, currently transmitting; live; -- used of radio and television broadcasts, to indicate that the images and sounds being picked up by cameras and microphones are being broadcast at the present moment. In call-in programs where individuals outside a radio or television studio have telephoned into the station, when their voice is being directly broadcast, the host of the program commonly states “You're on the air.” as a warning that the conversation is not private.  -- To take air, to be divulged; to be made public. -- To take the air, to go abroad; to walk or ride out.


word: Air₂
definition:
Air

Air
(âr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Aired (ârd); p. pr. & vb. n. Airing.]
[See Air, n., and cf. Aërate.]
1.
To expose to the air for the purpose of cooling, refreshing, or purifying; to ventilate; as, to air a room.

It were good wisdom . . . that the jail were aired.
Bacon.

Were you but riding forth to air yourself.
Shak.

2.
To expose for the sake of public notice; to display ostentatiously; as, to air one's opinion.

Airing a snowy hand and signet gem.
Tennyson.

3.
To expose to heat, for the purpose of expelling dampness, or of warming; as, to air linen; to air liquors.


word: airball
definition:
airball

air"ball`
(âr"b&asuml_;l`)
n.
(Basketball)
A throw at the basket that completely misses, not even hitting the rim.  Compare swoosh and nothing but net.


word: air bed
definition:
air bed

airbed

air"bed`, air" bed`
(_;)
A sack or mattress inflated with air, and used as a bed.

Syn. -- air mattress, air-bed


word: air bladder
definition:
air bladder

air" blad`der
(_;)
1.
(Anat.)
An air sac, sometimes double or variously lobed, in the visceral cavity of many fishes. It originates in the same way as the lungs of air-breathing vertebrates, and in the adult may retain a tubular connection with the pharynx or esophagus.

2.
A sac or bladder full of air in an animal or plant; also an air hole in a casting.


word: airborne
definition:
airborne

airborne
adj.
1.
conveyed by or through air, as dust or pollen; as, a clean room is needed to avoid airborne contaminants.

2.
in flight; flying; -- said of an airplane.

3.
(Mil.)
carried directly to the site of battle by aircraft; -- said of combat troops, as, an airborne division.


word: Air brake
definition:
Air brake

Air" brake`
(_;)
(Mach.)
A railway brake powered by compressed air.
Knight.

Syn. -- airbrake.


word: airbrake
definition:
airbrake

airbrake
n.
1.
1
a small parachute or articulated flap to reduce the speed of an aircraft.

Syn. -- dive brake

2.
a vehicular brake that operates by compressed air; especially for heavy vehicles.  Same as air brake.

Syn. -- air brake

n.
1.
an atomizer to spray by means of compressed air.


word: air brush
definition:
air brush

airbrush

airbrush, air brush
A kind of atomizer for applying liquid coloring matter, such as paint, in a spray by compressed air.


word: airbrush
definition:
airbrush

airbrush
v. t.
1.
1.
to paint with an airbrush.
The old car looks like new now that we airbrushed it

2.
to alter or remove by use of an airbrush.
airbrushed


word: Air-built
definition:
Air-built

Air"-built`
(_;)
a.
Erected in the air; having no solid foundation; chimerical; as, an air-built castle.


word: Air cell
definition:
Air cell

Air" cell`
(_;)
1.
(Bot.)
A cavity in the cellular tissue of plants, containing air only.

2.
(Anat.)
A receptacle of air in various parts of the system; as, a cell or minute cavity in the walls of the air tubes of the lungs; the air sac of birds; a dilatation of the air vessels in insects.


word: Air chamber
definition:
Air chamber

Air" cham`ber
(_;)
1.
A chamber or cavity filled with air, in an animal or plant.

2.
A cavity containing air to act as a spring for equalizing the flow of a liquid in a pump or other hydraulic machine.


word: Air cooling
definition:
Air cooling

Air cooling
In devices generating heat, such as gasoline-engine motor vehicles, the cooling of the device by increasing its radiating surface by means of ribs or radiators, and placing it so that it is exposed to a current of air. Cf. Water cooling.
Air"-cooled`, a.


word: Aircraft
definition:
Aircraft

Air"craft`
(?)
n. sing. & pl.
Any vehicle, such as an airplane, helicopter, balloon, etc., for floating in, or flying through, the air.


word: aircraftsman
definition:
aircraftsman

aircraftman

aircraftman, aircraftsman
n.
1.
1
a noncommissioned officer in the British Royal Air Force.


word: airdock
definition:
airdock

airdock
n.
1.
1
a large building at an airport where aircraft can be stored and maintained.

Syn. -- hangar, repair shed


word: Air drill
definition:
Air drill

Air" drill`
(_;)
A drill driven by the elastic pressure of condensed air; a pneumatic drill.
Knight.


word: airdrome
definition:
airdrome

air"drome`
n.
1.
an airfield equipped with control tower and hangers as well as accommodations for passengers and cargo.

Syn. -- airport, aerodrome


word: aired
definition:
aired

aired
(ârd)
adj.
abounding in fresh air.

Syn. -- airy

2.
made public by radio or television.
The report was aired on the seven o'clock news.

Syn. -- broadcast


word: Airedale
definition:
Airedale

Airedale
n.
1.
1
a breed of large wiry-coated terriers, bred in Yorkshire.

Syn. -- Airedale terrier


word: Airer
definition:
Airer

Air"er
(_;)
n.
1.
One who exposes to the air.

2.
A frame on which clothes are aired or dried.


word: airfield
definition:
airfield

air"field`
(âr"fēld`)
n.
1.
1
a place where planes take off and land; an airport; -- usually used of airports other than those with regularly sheduled commercial flights, such as those at military bases or small fields for private aircraft.

Syn. -- landing field, flying field, field


word: airfoil
definition:
airfoil

air"foil`
n.
1.
1
a surface such as the wing of an airplane designed to provide reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air.

Syn. -- aerofoil


word: airframe
definition:
airframe

airframe
n.
1.
the framework and covering of an airplane or rocket (excluding the engines).


word: Air gap
definition:
Air gap

Air gap
(Physics)
An air-filled gap in a magnetic or electric circuit; specif., in a dynamo or motor, the space between the field-magnet poles and the armature; clearance.


word: air gun
definition:
air gun

airgun

air"gun`, air" gun`
(gŭn`)
A kind of gun in which the elastic force of condensed air is used to discharge the ball.  The air is powerfully compressed into a reservoir attached to the gun, by a condensing pump, and is controlled by a valve actuated by the trigger.  The common BB gun is a type of air gun.


word: Air hammer
definition:
Air hammer

Air hammer
a hammer powered by compressed air so as to be able to provide powerful repeated strokes; a pneumatic hammer.


word: airheaded
definition:
airheaded

airheaded
adj.
1.
lacking seriousness; given to frivolity; scatterbrained; stupid; simple-minded; as, airheaded teenagers.  Contrasted with serious, solemn

Syn. -- dizzy, empty-headed, featherbrained, giddy, lightheaded, light-headed, silly


word: Air hole
definition:
Air hole

Air" hole`
(âr" h&omacrl`)
1.
A hole to admit or discharge air; specifically, a spot in the ice not frozen over.

2.
(Founding)
A fault in a casting, produced by a bubble of air; a blowhole.

3.
(Aëronautics)
A local region in the atmosphere having a downward movement and offering less than normal support for the sustaining surfaces of a flying machine, causing an airplane to drop suddenly.  Same as air pocket.


word: Airiness
definition:
Airiness

Air"i*ness
n.
1.
The state or quality of being airy; openness or exposure to the air; as, the airiness of a country seat.

2.
Lightness of spirits; gayety; levity; as, the airiness of young persons.


word: Airing
definition:
Airing

Air"ing
(âr"ĭng)
n.
1.
A walk or a ride in the open air; a short excursion for health's sake.

2.
An exposure to air, or to a fire, for warming, drying, etc.; as, the airing of linen, or of a room.


word: Air jacket
definition:
Air jacket

Air" jack`et
(_;)
A jacket having air-tight cells, or cavities which can be filled with air, to render persons buoyant in swimming.


word: Airless
definition:
Airless

Air"less
(_;)
a.
Not open to a free current of air; wanting fresh air, or communication with the open air.


word: airline
definition:
airline

air"line`
an organization, usually commercial or governmental, providing transportation by airplane for freight or passengers.  The term includes the organization, its personnel, equipment and other properties, such as approved air routes.


word: Airman
definition:
Airman

Air"man
(?)
n.
1.
A man who ascends or flies in an aircraft; an aviator; an airplane pilot.

2.
an enlisted man in the air force; there are several grades.


word: Airmanship
definition:
Airmanship

Air"man*ship
(?)
n.
Art, skill, or ability in the practice of aerial navigation; aircraft piloting.


word: Airol
definition:
Airol

Air"ol
(?)
n.
(Pharm.)
A grayish green antiseptic powder, consisting of a basic iodide and gallate of bismuth, sometimes used in place of iodoform.
[A Trademark]


word: Airometer
definition:
Airometer

Air*om"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Air + -meter.]
A hollow cylinder to contain air. It is closed above and open below, and has its open end plunged into water.


word: airplane propeller
definition:
airplane propeller

airplane propeller
n.
a propeller designed for propelling airplanes.

Syn. -- airscrew, propeller, prop.


word: Air plant
definition:
Air plant

Air" plant`
(_;)
(Bot.)
A plant deriving its sustenance from the air alone; an aërophyte.

&hand_; The “Florida moss” (Tillandsia, many tropical orchids, and most mosses and lichens are air plants. Those which are lodged upon trees, but not parasitic on them, such as the Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides), are epiphytes.


word: Air pocket
definition:
Air pocket

Air" pock"et
(p&obreve_;k"ĕt)
(aeronautics)
A local region in the atmosphere having a downward movement and offering less than normal support for the sustaining surfaces of a flying machine, causing an airplane to drop suddenly.  Same as air hole.


word: Air pump
definition:
Air pump

Air" pump`
(_;)
1.
(Physics)
A kind of pump for exhausting air from a vessel or closed space; also, a pump to condense air or force it into a closed space.

2.
(Steam Engines)
A pump used to exhaust from a condenser the condensed steam, the water used for condensing, and any commingled air.


word: Air sac
definition:
Air sac

Air" sac`
(_;)
1.
(Anat.)
One of the spaces in different parts of the bodies of birds, which are filled with air and connected with the air passages of the lungs; an air cell.

2.
An alveolus.


word: Air shaft
definition:
Air shaft

Air" shaft`
(_;)
A passage, usually vertical, for admitting fresh air into a mine or a tunnel.


word: Airsick
definition:
Airsick

Air"sick`
(?)
a.
Affected with air sickness or aërial sickness; feeling nauseous due to riding in an airplane.
Air"sick`ness, n.


word: Air sickness
definition:
Air sickness

Air" sick"ness
A vomiting or nauseous feeling similar to seasickness experienced by passengers in aircraft; -- it is caused by motion and distinguished from the effects of low air pressure, as it may also occur in the pressurized cabins of large aircraft.


word: Air-slacked
definition:
Air-slacked

Air"-slacked`
(_;)
a.
Slacked, or pulverized, by exposure to the air; as, air-slacked lime.


word: Air stove
definition:
Air stove

Air" stove`
(_;)
A stove for heating a current of air which is directed against its surface by means of pipes, and then distributed through a building.


word: airstream
definition:
airstream

air"stream`
n.
1.
a relatively well-defined prevailing wind.

2.
the flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller.

Syn. -- slipstream, race, backwash, wash


word: airstrip
definition:
airstrip

air"strip`
n.
1.
1
an airfield without normal airport facilities.

Syn. -- flight strip, landing strip, strip


word: airt₂
definition:
airt

airt
v. t.
[Also spelled airth.]
[Chiefly Scottish]
1.
to point out the way; to direct or guide.

2.
channel into a new direction

Syn. -- redirect


word: Air-tight
definition:
Air-tight

Air"-tight`
(_;)
a.
1.
So tight as to be impermeable to air or other gases; as, an air-tight cylinder; -- said of containers.

2.
of such close construction as to have little leakage of air in or out; -- said of structures

3.
so thoroughly convincing as to be insusceptible to doubt; having no apparent counterarguments; -- of arguments or assertions
an airtight alibi
an airtight argument

Syn. -- airtight, uncontradictable, undeniable.


word: Air-tight₂
definition:
Air-tight

Air"-tight`
n.
A stove the draft of which can be almost entirely shut off.
[Colloq. U. S.]


word: Air vessel
definition:
Air vessel

Air" ves`sel
(_;)
A vessel, cell, duct, or tube containing or conducting air; as the air vessels of insects, birds, plants, etc.; the air vessel of a pump, engine, etc. For the latter, see Air chamber. The air vessels of insects are called tracheæ, of plants spiral vessels.


word: airwaves
definition:
airwaves

air"waves
n. pl.
the medium of transmission of signals by radio or television stations; by radio transmission; -- used non-technically; as, over the airwaves, i. e. by radio or television.


word: airway
definition:
airway

airway
n.
1.
a duct that provides ventilation, as in mines.

Syn. -- air passage, air duct.


word: Airwoman
definition:
Airwoman

Air"wom`an
(?)
n.
A woman who ascends or flies in an aircraft; a woman aviator; a woman airplane pilot or balloonist; an aviatrix.

Syn. -- aviatrix, aviatress


word: Airy
definition:
Airy

Air"y
(_;)
a.
1.
Consisting of air; as, an airy substance; the airy parts of bodies.

2.
Relating or belonging to air; high in air; aërial; as, an airy flight.
airy
Milton.

3.
Open to a free current of air; exposed to the air; breezy; as, an airy situation.

4.
Resembling air; thin; unsubstantial; not material; airlike.
airy
Shak.

5.
Relating to the spirit or soul; delicate; graceful; as, airy music.

6.
Without reality; having no solid foundation; empty; trifling; visionary.
Airy
Shak.

Empty sound, and airy notions.
Roscommon.

7.
Light of heart; vivacious; sprightly; flippant; superficial.
airy
Jer. Taylor.

8.
Having an affected manner; being in the habit of putting on airs; affectedly grand.
[Colloq.]

9.
(Paint.)
Having the light and aërial tints true to nature.
Elmes.


word: Aisle
definition:
Aisle

Aisle
(_;)
n.
[OF. ele, F. aile, wing, wing of a building, L. ala, contr. fr. axilla.]
(Arch.)
(a)
A lateral division of a building, separated from the middle part, called the nave, by a row of columns or piers, which support the roof or an upper wall containing windows, called the clearstory wall.
(b)
Improperly used also for the have; -- as in the phrases, a church with three aisles, the middle aisle.
(c)
Also (perhaps from confusion with alley), a passage into which the pews of a church open.


word: Ait
definition:
Ait

Ait
(_;)
n.
[AS. _;, _;, perh. dim. of īeg, īg, island. See Eyot.]
An islet, or little isle, in a river or lake; an eyot.

The ait where the osiers grew.
R. Hodges (1649).

Among green aits and meadows.
Dickens.


word: Aitchbone
definition:
Aitchbone

Aitch"bone`
(_;)
n.
[For nachebone. For loss of n, cf. Adder. See Natch.]
The bone of the rump; also, the cut of beef surrounding this bone.
[Spelt also edgebone.]


word: Aizoaceae
definition:
Aizoaceae

Aizoaceae
n.
a natural family of succulent herbs or small shrubs mostly of South Africa but also New Zealand and North America: carpetweeds; fig marigolds.

Syn. -- family Aizoaceae, Tetragoniaceae, family Tetragoniaceae, carpetweed family.


word: Ajar
definition:
Ajar

A*jar"
(_;)
adv.
[OE. on char ajar, on the turn; AS. cerr, cyrr, turn, akin to G. kehren to turn, and to D. akerre. See Char.]
Slightly turned or opened; as, the door was standing ajar.


word: Ajar₂
definition:
Ajar

A*jar"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + jar.]
In a state of discord; out of harmony; as, he is ajar with the world.


word: Ajowan
definition:
Ajowan

Ajouan

{ &VerbarAj"ou*an  &VerbarAj"ow*an  }
(?)
n.
[Written also ajwain.]
[Prob. native name.]
(Bot.)
The fruit of Ammi Copticum, syn. Carum Ajowan, used both as a medicine and as a condiment. An oil containing thymol is extracted from it. Called also Javanee seed, Javanese seed, and ajava.


word: ajour
definition:
ajour

a`jour`
(ȧ`zhŏr`)
n.
[F. à jour, open to day.]
of or pertaining to objects which are pierced or decorated with an openwork pattern.
RHUD 1.3


word: Ajutage
definition:
Ajutage

Aj"u*tage
(_;)
n.
[F. ajutage, for ajoutage, fr. ajouter to add, LL. adjuxtare, fr. L. ad + juxta near to, nigh. Cf. Adjutage, Adjustage, Adjust.]
A tube through which water is discharged; an efflux tube; as, the ajutage of a fountain.


word: akee
definition:
akee

akee
n.
a tree (Blighia sapida) widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its fragrant flowers and colorful fruits; introduced in Jamaica by Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty.

Syn. -- akee tree.

2.
red pear-shaped tropical fruit with poisonous seeds; the flesh is poisonous when unripe or overripe.

Syn. -- ackee


word: Akimbo
definition:
Akimbo

A*kim"bo
(_;)
a.
[Etymology unknown. Cf. Kimbo.]
With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward.
akimbo
Irving.


word: Akin
definition:
Akin

A*kin"
(_;)
a.
[Pref. a- (for of) + kin.]
1.
Of the same kin; related by blood; -- used of persons; as, the two families are near akin.

2.
Allied by nature; partaking of the same properties; of the same kind.
akin
Cowper.

The literary character of the work is akin to its moral character.
Jeffrey.

&hand_; This adjective is used only after the noun.


word: akinesia
definition:
akinesia

ak`i*ne"si*a
(ā`kĭ*nē"sē*ȧ or ăk`ĭ*nē"sĭ*ȧ)
n.
[Gr. 'akinhsi`a quiescence; 'a priv. + ki`nhsis motion.]
(Med.)
Loss of the ability for voluntary muscle movement.
Foster.


word: akinesic
definition:
akinesic

akinetic

&Verbarak`i*ne"sic  (ā`kĭ*nē"sĭk or ăk`ĭ*nē"sĭk), a*ki`net"ic (ā`kĭ*nĕt"ĭk)
a.
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to akinesia.


word: Aknow
definition:
Aknow

Ak*now"
(_;)
Earlier form of Acknow.
[Obs.]

To be aknow, to acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.]


word: al-
definition:
al-

al-
prefix.
(a)
[AS. eal.]
All; wholly; completely; as, almighty, almost.
(b)
[L. ad.]
To; at; on; -- in OF. shortened to a-. See ad-.
(c)
The Arabic definite article answering to the English the; as, Alkoran, the Koran or the Book; alchemy, the chemistry.


word: Alabama period
definition:
Alabama period

Al`a*ba"ma pe"ri*od
(_;)
(Geol.)
A period in the American eocene, the lowest in the tertiary age except the lignitic.


word: Alabaster
definition:
Alabaster

Al"a*bas"ter
(_;)
n.
[L. alabaster, Gr. 'ala`bastros, said to be derived fr. Alabastron, the name of a town in Egypt, near which it was common: cf. OF. alabastre, F. albâtre.]
1.
(Min.)
(a)
A compact variety or sulphate of lime, or gypsum, of fine texture, and usually white and translucent, but sometimes yellow, red, or gray.  It is carved into vases, mantel ornaments, etc.
(b)
A hard, compact variety of carbonate of lime, somewhat translucent, or of banded shades of color; stalagmite.  The name is used in this sense by Pliny.  It is sometimes distinguished as oriental alabaster.

2.
A box or vessel for holding odoriferous ointments, etc.; -- so called from the stone of which it was originally made.
Fosbroke.


word: Alack
definition:
Alack

A*lack"
(_;)
interj.
[Prob. from ah! lack! OE. lak loss, failure, misfortune. See Lack.]
An exclamation expressive of sorrow.
[Archaic. or Poet.]
Shak.


word: Alackaday
definition:
Alackaday

A*lack"a*day`
(_;)
interj.
[For alack the day. Cf. Lackaday.]
An exclamation expressing sorrow.

&hand_; Shakespeare has “alack the day” and “alack the heavy day.” Compare “woe worth the day.”


word: Alacrify
definition:
Alacrify

A*lac"ri*fy
(_;)
v. t.
[L. alacer, alacris, lively + -fly.]
To rouse to action; to inspirit.


word: Alacrious
definition:
Alacrious

A*lac"ri*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. alacer, alacris.]
Brisk; joyously active; lively.

'T were well if we were a little more alacrious.
Hammond.


word: Alacrity
definition:
Alacrity

A*lac"ri*ty
(_;)
n.
[L. alacritas, fr. alacer lively, eager, prob. akin to Gr. _; to drive, Goth. aljan zeal.]
A cheerful readiness, willingness, or promptitude; joyous activity; briskness; sprightliness; as, the soldiers advanced with alacrity to meet the enemy.

I have not that alacrity of spirit,
Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have.
Shak.


word: Aladinist
definition:
Aladinist

A*lad"in*ist
(_;)
n.
[From Aladin, for Ala Eddin, i. e., height of religion, a learned divine under Mohammed II. and Bajazet II.]
One of a sect of freethinkers among the Muslims.


word: alalia
definition:
alalia

a*la"li*a
(ȧ*lā"lĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; priv. + _; a talking; cf. _; speechless.]
(Med.)
Impairment of articulate speech, or inability to speak, usually due to impairment of control of muscles in the articulatory apparatus.


word: Alalia
definition:
Alalia

A*la"li*a
()
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; priv. + _; a talking; cf. _; speechless.]
(Med.)
Inability to utter articulate sounds, due either to paralysis of the larynx or to that form of aphasia, called motor, or ataxis, aphasia, due to loss of control of the muscles of speech.


word: Alamire
definition:
Alamire

A`la*mi"re
(_;)
n.
[Compounded of a la mi re, names of notes in the musical scale.]
The lowest note but one in Guido Aretino's scale of music.


word: Alamodality
definition:
Alamodality

Al`a*mo*dal"i*ty
(_;)
n.
The quality of being à la mode; conformity to the mode or fashion; fashionableness.
[R.]
Southey.


word: Alamode
definition:
Alamode

Al"a*mode`
(_;)
adv. & a.
[F. à la mode after the fashion.]
According to the fashion or prevailing mode.
Alamode
Macaulay.


word: Alamode₂
definition:
Alamode

Al"a*mode`
n.
A thin, black silk for hoods, scarfs, etc.; -- often called simply mode.
Buchanan.


word: Alanine
definition:
Alanine

Al"a*nine
(_;)
n.
[Aldehyde + the ending -ine. The -n- is a euphonic insertion.]
(Chem.)
one of the natural amino acids found combined in the proteins of most living tissues.  It can be isolated as a white crystalline base, C3H7NO2.  The natural form is the L-configuration.


word: Alantin
definition:
Alantin

A*lan"tin
(_;)
n.
[G. alant elecampane, the Inula helenium of Linnæus.]
(Chem.)
See Inulin.


word: Alar
definition:
Alar

A"lar
(_;)
a.
[L. alarius, fr. ala wing: cf. F. alaire.]
1.
Pertaining to, or having, wings.

2.
(Bot.)
Axillary; in the fork or axil.
Gray.


word: Alarm
definition:
Alarm

A*larm"
(ȧ*lärm")
n.
[F. alarme, It. all' arme to arms ! fr. L. arma, pl., arms. See Arms, and cf. Alarum.]
1.
A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.

Arming to answer in a night alarm.
Shak.

2.
Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.

Sound an alarm in my holy mountain.
Joel ii. 1.

3.
A sudden attack; disturbance; broil.
[R.]
alarms
Shak.

Thy palace fill with insults and alarms.
Pope.

4.
Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.

Alarm and resentment spread throughout the camp.
Macaulay.

5.
A mechanical contrivance for awaking persons from sleep, or rousing their attention; an alarum.

Alarm bell, a bell that gives notice on danger. -- Alarm clock or watch, a clock or watch which can be so set as to ring or strike loudly at a prearranged hour, to wake from sleep, or excite attention. -- Alarm gauge, a contrivance attached to a steam boiler for showing when the pressure of steam is too high, or the water in the boiler too low. -- Alarm post, a place to which troops are to repair in case of an alarm.


word: Alarm₂
definition:
Alarm

A*larm"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alarmed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Alarming.]
[Alarm, n. Cf. F. alarmer.]
1.
To call to arms for defense; to give notice to (any one) of approaching danger; to rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert.

2.
To keep in excitement; to disturb.

3.
To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.

Alarmed by rumors of military preparation.
Macaulay.


word: Alarmed
definition:
Alarmed

A*larmed"
(_;)
a.
Aroused to vigilance; excited by fear of approaching danger; agitated; disturbed; as, an alarmed neighborhood; an alarmed modesty.

The white pavilions rose and fell
On the alarmed air.
Longfellow.


word: Alarming
definition:
Alarming

A*larm"ing
a.
Exciting, or calculated to excite, alarm; causing apprehension of danger; as, an alarming crisis or report. -- A*larm"ing*ly, adv.


word: Alarmist
definition:
Alarmist

A*larm"ist
n.
[Cf. F. alarmiste.]
One prone to sound or excite alarms, especially, needless alarms.
Macaulay.


word: Alarum
definition:
Alarum

A*lar"um
(?; 277)
n.
[OE. alarom, the same word as alarm, n.]
See Alarm.
[Now Poetic]

&hand_; The variant form alarum is now commonly restricted to an alarm signal or the mechanism to sound an alarm (as in an alarm clock.)


word: Alary
definition:
Alary

Al"a*ry
(_;)
a.
[L. alarius, fr. ala wing.]
Of or pertaining to wings; also, wing-shaped.

The alary system of insects.
Wollaston.


word: Alas
definition:
Alas

A*las"
(_;)
interj.
[OE. alas, allas, OF. alas, F. hélas; a interj. (L. ah.) + las wretched (that I am), L. lassus weary, akin to E. late. See Late.]
An exclamation expressive of sorrow, pity, or apprehension of evil; -- in old writers, sometimes followed by day or white; alas the day, like alack a day, or alas the white.


word: Alate
definition:
Alate

A*late"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + late.]
Lately; of late.
[Archaic]

There hath been alate such tales spread abroad.
Latimer.


word: Alated
definition:
Alated

Alate

{ A"late (_;), A"la*ted (_;), }
a.
[L. alatus, from ala wing.]
Winged; having wings, or side appendages like wings.


word: Alaternus
definition:
Alaternus

Alatern

{ Al"a*tern (_;), &VerbarAl`a*ter"nus (_;), }
n.
[L. ala wing + terni three each.]
(Bot.)
An ornamental evergreen shrub (Rhamnus alaternus) belonging to the buckthorns.


word: Alb
definition:
Alb

Alb
(_;)
n.
[OE. albe, LL. alba, fr. L. albus white. Cf. Album and Aube.]
A vestment of white linen, reaching to the feet, an enveloping the person; -- in the Roman Catholic church, worn by those in holy orders when officiating at mass. It was formerly worn, at least by clerics, in daily life.


word: Albacore
definition:
Albacore

Al"ba*core
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A name applied to several large fishes of the Mackerel family (Scombridae), esp. Thunnus alalunga (formerly Orcynus alalonga); it is a type of tuna or tunny.  The name has been also applied to a larger related species, Thunnus thynnus (formerly Orcynus thynnus), common in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, which is called in New England the horse mackerel.
[formerly spelled albicore.]


word: Alban
definition:
Alban

Al"ban
(_;)
n.
[L. albus white.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline resinous substance extracted from gutta-percha by the action of alcohol or ether.


word: Albanian
definition:
Albanian

Al*ba"ni*an
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to Albania, a province of Turkey.
n. A native of Albania.


word: Albata
definition:
Albata

Al*ba"ta
(_;)
n.
[L. albatus, p. p. of albare to make white, fr. albus white.]
A white metallic alloy; which is made into spoons, forks, teapots, etc.   British plate or German silver. See German silver, under German.


word: Albatross
definition:
Albatross

Al"ba*tross
(_;)
n.
[Corrupt. fr. Pg. alcatraz cormorant, albatross, or Sp. alcatraz a pelican: cf. Pg. alcatruz, Sp. arcaduz, a bucket, fr. Ar. al-qādus the bucket, fr. Gr. ka`dos, a water vessel. So an Arabic term for pelican is water-carrier, as a bird carrying water in its pouch.]
(Zool.)
A web-footed bird, of the genus Diomedea, of which there are several species. They are the largest of sea birds, capable of long-continued flight, and are often seen at great distances from the land. They are found chiefly in the southern hemisphere.


word: Albee
definition:
Albee

Albe

{ Al`be", Al`bee"  }
(_;)
conj.
[See Albeit.]
Although; albeit.
[Obs.]

Albe Clarissa were their chiefest founderess.
Spenser.


word: Albedo
definition:
Albedo

Al*be"do
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. albus white.]
Whiteness.
Specifically:
(Astron.)
The ratio which the light reflected from an unpolished surface bears to the total light falling upon that surface.


word: Albeit
definition:
Albeit

Al`be"it
(_;)
conj.
[OE. al be although it be, where al is our all. Cf. Although.]
Even though; although; notwithstanding.
Chaucer.

Albeit so masked, Madam, I love the truth.
Tennyson.


word: Albertite
definition:
Albertite

Al"bert*ite
(ăl"bẽrt*īt)
n.
(Min.)
A bituminous mineral resembling asphaltum, found in the county of Albert, New Brunswick.


word: Albert ware
definition:
Albert ware

Al"bert ware
A soft ornamental terra-cotta pottery, sold in the biscuit state for decorating.


word: Albertype
definition:
Albertype

Al"ber*type
(ăl"bẽr*tīp)
n.
[From the name of the inventor, Albert, of Munich.]
A picture printed from a kind of gelatine plate produced by means of a photographic negative.


word: Albescent
definition:
Albescent

Al*bes"cent
(_;)
a.
[L. albescens, p. pr. of albescere to grow white, fr. albus white.]
Becoming white or whitish; moderately white.


word: Albicant
definition:
Albicant

Al"bi*cant
(_;)
a.
[L. albicans, p. pr. of albicare, albicatum, to be white, fr. albus white.]
Growing or becoming white.


word: Albication
definition:
Albication

Al`bi*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
The process of becoming white, or developing white patches, or streaks.


word: Albicore
definition:
Albicore

Al"bi*core
(_;)
n.
[F. albicore (cf. Sp. albacora, Pg. albacor, albacora, albecora), fr. Ar. bakr, bekr, a young camel, young cow, heifer, and the article al: cf. Pg. bacoro a little pig.]
(Zool.)
same as albacore.


word: Albification
definition:
Albification

Al`bi*fi*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. albification: L. albus white + ficare (only in comp.), facere, to make.]
The act or process of making white.
[Obs.]


word: Albigeois
definition:
Albigeois

Albigenses

{ Al`bi*gen"ses (_;), &VerbarAl`bi`geois" (_;), }
n. pl.
[From Albi and Albigeois, a town and its district in the south of France, in which the sect abounded.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
A sect of reformers opposed to the church of Rome in the 12th centuries.

The Albigenses were a branch of the Catharists (the pure). They were exterminated by crusades and the Inquisition. They were distinct from the Waldenses.


word: Albino
definition:
Albino

Al*bi"no
(?; 277)
n.
pl. Albinos (_;).
[Sp. or Pg. albino, orig. whitish, fr. albo white, L. albus.]
A person, whether negro, Indian, or white, in whom by some defect of organization the substance which gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes is deficient or in a morbid state. An albino has a skin of a milky hue, with hair of the same color, and eyes with deep red pupil and pink or blue iris. The term is also used of the lower animals, as white mice, elephants, etc.; and of plants in a whitish condition from the absence of chlorophyll.
Amer. Cyc.

&hand_; The term was originally applied by the Portuguese to negroes met with on the coast of Africa, who were mottled with white spots.


word: Albion
definition:
Albion

Al"bi*on
(_;)
n.
[Prob. from the same root as Gael. alp a height or hill. “It may have been bestowed on the land lying behind the white cliffs visible from the coast of Gaul. Albany, the old name of Scotland, means probably the “hilly land.” I. Taylor.]
An ancient name of England, still retained in poetry.

In that nook-shotten isle of Albion.
Shak.


word: Albite
definition:
Albite

Al"bite
(_;)
n.
[L. albus white.]
(Min.)
A mineral of the feldspar family, triclinic in crystallization, and in composition a silicate of alumina and soda. It is a common constituent of granite and of various igneous rocks. See Feldspar.


word: albizzia
definition:
albizzia

albizzia
n.
1.
1
[Named after Filipo Delgi Albizzi, a Tuscan nobleman of the mid-18th century.]
any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Albizia, of the legume family.
[RHUD]

Syn. -- albizia


word: Albolith
definition:
Albolith

Al"bo*lith
(_;)
n.
[L. albus white + -lith.]
A kind of plastic cement, or artificial stone, consisting chiefly of magnesia and silica; -- called also albolite.


word: Alborak
definition:
Alborak

Al"bo*rak
(?; 277)
n.
[Ar. al-burāq, fr. baraqa to flash, shine.]
The imaginary milk-white animal on which Mohammed was said to have been carried up to heaven; a white mule.


word: Alb Sunday
definition:
Alb Sunday

Alb Sunday
(Eccl.)
The first Sunday after Easter Sunday, properly Albless Sunday, because in the early church those who had been baptized on Easter eve laid aside on the following Saturday their white albs which had been put on after baptism.


word: albuca
definition:
albuca

albuca
n.
1.
any of various plants of the genus Albuca having large clusters of pale yellow flowers; native to South Africa.


word: Albuginaceae
definition:
Albuginaceae

Albuginaceae
n.
1.
1
a family of fungi that produce white blisterlike sori on certain flowering plants.

Syn. -- family Albuginaceae.


word: Albugineous
definition:
Albugineous

Al`bu*gin"e*ous
(_;)
a.
[See Albugo.]
Of the nature of, or resembling, the white of the eye, or of an egg; albuminous; -- a term applied to textures, humors, etc., which are perfectly white.


word: albugo
definition:
albugo

al*bu"go
(ăl*bū"go̝)
n.
pl. Albugines (ăl*bū"jĭ*nēz).
[L., whiteness, fr. albus white.]
(Med.)
Same as Leucoma.
[archaic]


word: Albula
definition:
Albula

Albula
prop. n.
A genus of fish, the type and sole genus of the family Albulidae.

Syn. -- genus Albula.


word: Albulidae
definition:
Albulidae

Albulidae
prop. n.
A natural family of fish comprising the bonefish.

Syn. -- family Albulidae.


word: Album
definition:
Album

Al"bum
(_;)
n.
[L., neut. of albus white: cf. F. album. Cf. Alb.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
A white tablet on which anything was inscribed, as a list of names, etc.

2.
A register for visitors' names; a visitors' book.

3.
A blank book, in which to insert autographs, sketches, memorial writing of friends, photographs, etc.


word: Albumen
definition:
Albumen

Al*bu"men
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. albus white.]
1.
The white of an egg.

2.
(Bot.)
Nourishing matter stored up within the integuments of the seed in many plants, but not incorporated in the embryo. It is the floury part in corn, wheat, and like grains, the oily part in poppy seeds, the fleshy part in the cocoanut, etc.

3.
(Chem.)
Same as Albumin.


word: Albumenize
definition:
Albumenize

Al*bu"men*ize
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Albumenized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Albumenizing.]
To cover or saturate with albumen; to coat or treat with an albuminous solution; as, to albumenize paper.


word: Album Graecum
definition:
Album Graecum

Al"bum Græ"cum
(_;)
[L., Greek white.]
Dung of dogs or hyenas, which becomes white by exposure to air. It is used in dressing leather, and was formerly used in medicine.


word: Albumin
definition:
Albumin

Al*bu"min
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A thick, viscous nitrogenous substance, which is the chief and characteristic constituent of white of eggs and of the serum of blood, and is found in other animal substances, both fluid and solid, also in many plants. It is soluble in water and is coagulated by heat and by certain chemical reagents.

Acid albumin, a modification of albumin produced by the action of dilute acids. It is not coagulated by heat. -- Alkali albumin, albumin as modified by the action of alkaline substances; -- called also albuminate.


word: Albuminate
definition:
Albuminate

Al*bu"mi*nate
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A substance produced by the action of an alkali upon albumin, and resembling casein in its properties; also, a compound formed by the union of albumin with another substance.


word: Albuminemia
definition:
Albuminemia

Al*bu`mi*ne"mi*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. E. albumin.]
(Med.)
The level of albumin in the blood.


word: Albuminimeter
definition:
Albuminimeter

Al*bu`mi*nim"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[L. albumen, albuminis + -meter: cf. F. albuminimètre.]
An instrument for ascertaining the quantity of albumen in a liquid.


word: Albuminin
definition:
Albuminin

Al*bu"mi*nin
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
The substance of the cells which inclose the white of birds' eggs.


word: Albuminiparous
definition:
Albuminiparous

Al*bu`mi*nip"a*rous
(_;)
a.
[L. albumen + parere to bear, bring forth.]
Producing albumin.


word: Albuminoid
definition:
Albuminoid

Al*bu"mi*noid
(_;)
a.
[L. albumen + -oid.]
(Chem.)
Resembling albumin.
n. One of a class of organic principles (called also proteids) which form the main part of organized tissues.
Brunton.


word: Albuminose
definition:
Albuminose

Al*bu"mi*nose`
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A diffusible substance formed from albumin by the action of natural or artificial gastric juice. See Peptone.


word: Albuminosis
definition:
Albuminosis

Al*bu`mi*no"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. E. albumin.]
(Med.)
A condition of excessively high blood albumin level.
[obsolescent]


word: Albuminous
definition:
Albuminous

Albuminose

{ Al*bu"mi*nous (_;), Al*bu"mi*nose` (_;), }
a.
[Cf. F. albumineux.]
1.
Pertaining to, or containing, albumin; having the properties of, or resembling, albumen or albumin; an older term now replaces by proteinaceous.

2.
proteinaceous; containing or composed of protein.
Al*bu"mi*nous*ness, n.


word: albuminuria
definition:
albuminuria

al*bu`mi*nu"ri*a
(ăl*bū`mĭ*nū"rĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL., fr. L. albumen + Gr. o'y^ron urine.]
(Med.)
A morbid condition in which albumin is present in the urine.
AS


word: Albumose
definition:
Albumose

Al"bu*mose`
(_;)
n.
[From albumin.]
(Chem.)
A compound or class of compounds formed from albumin by dilute acids or by an acid solution of pepsin. Used also in combination, as antialbumose, hemialbumose.


word: Alburn
definition:
Alburn

Al"burn
(_;)
n.
[L. alburnus, fr. L. albus white. Cf. Auburn.]
(Zool.)
The bleak, a small European fish having scales of a peculiarly silvery color which are used in making artificial pearls.


word: Alburnous
definition:
Alburnous

Al*bur"nous
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to alburnum; of the alburnum; as, alburnous substances.


word: Alburnum
definition:
Alburnum

Al*bur"num
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. albus white.]
(Bot.)
The white and softer part of wood, between the inner bark and the hard wood or duramen; sapwood.


word: Alcaic
definition:
Alcaic

Al*ca"ic
(_;)
a.
[L. Alcaïcus, Gr. _;.]
Pertaining to Alcæus, a lyric poet of Mitylene, about 6000 b. c.
n. A kind of verse, so called from Alcæus. One variety consists of five feet, a spondee or iambic, an iambic, a long syllable, and two dactyls.


word: Alcayde
definition:
Alcayde

Alcaid

&VerbarAl*caid", Al*cayde" (_;)
n.
[Sp. alcaide, fr. Ar. al-qāīd governor, fr. qāda to lead, govern.]
1.
A commander of a castle or fortress among the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Moors.

2.
The warden, or keeper of a jail.


word: Alcalde
definition:
Alcalde

Al*cal"de
(_;)
n.
[Sp. alcalde, fr. Ar. al-qādī judge, fr. qada to decide, judge. Hence, the cadi of the Turks. Cf. Cadi.]
A magistrate or judge in Spain and in Spanish America, etc.
Prescott.

&hand_; Sometimes confounded with Alcaid.


word: Alcaldia
definition:
Alcaldia

Al`cal*di"a
(?)
n.
[Sp. Alcaldía.]
The jurisdiction or office of an alcalde; also, the building or chamber in which he conducts the business of his office.


word: Alcanna
definition:
Alcanna

Al*can"na
(_;)
n.
[Sp. alcana, alhe_;a, fr. Ar. al-hinnā. See Henna, and cf. Alkanet.]
(Bot.)
An oriental shrub (Lawsonia inermis) from which henna is obtained.


word: Alcarraza
definition:
Alcarraza

Al`car*ra"za
(_;)
n.
pl. Alcarrazas. (_;)
[Sp., from Ar. al-kurrāz earthen vessel.]
A vessel of porous earthenware, used for cooling liquids by evaporation from the exterior surface.


word: Alcazar
definition:
Alcazar

Al*ca"zar
(_;)
n.
[ fr. Ar. al the + qacr (in pl.) a castle.]
A fortress; also, a royal palace.
Prescott.


word: Alcedo
definition:
Alcedo

Al*ce"do
(_;)
n.
[L., equiv. to Gr. _;. See Halcyon.]
(Zool.)
A genus of perching birds, including the European kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). See Halcyon.


word: Alchemical
definition:
Alchemical

Alchemic

{ Al*chem"ic (_;), Al*chem"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Cf. F. alchimique.]
Of or relating to alchemy.


word: Alchemist
definition:
Alchemist

Al"che*mist
(_;)
n.
[Cf. OF. alquemiste, F. alchimiste.]
One who practices alchemy.

You are alchemist; make gold.
Shak.


word: Alchemistical
definition:
Alchemistical

Alchemistic

{ Al`che*mis"tic (_;), Al`che*mis"tic*al (_;), }
a.
Relating to or practicing alchemy.

Metaphysical and alchemistical legislators.
Burke.


word: Alchemy
definition:
Alchemy

Al"che*my
(_;)
n.
[OF. alkemie, arquemie, F. alchimie, Ar. al-kīmīa, fr. late Gr. _;, for _;, a mingling, infusion, _; juice, liquid, especially as extracted from plants, fr. _; to pour; for chemistry was originally the art of extracting the juices from plants for medicinal purposes. Cf. Sp. alquimia, It.  alchimia. Gr. _; is prob. akin to L. fundere to pour, Goth. guitan, AS. geótan, to pour, and so to E. fuse. See Fuse, and cf. Chemistry.]
1.
An imaginary art which aimed to transmute the baser metals into gold, to find the panacea, or universal remedy for diseases, etc. It led the way to modern chemistry.

2.
A mixed metal composed mainly of brass, formerly used for various utensils; hence, a trumpet.
[Obs.]

Put to their mouths the sounding alchemy.
Milton.

3.
Miraculous power of transmuting something common into something precious.

Kissing with golden face the meadows green,
Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy.
Shak.


word: Alchymy
definition:
Alchymy

Alchymistic

Alchymist

Alchymic

Al*chym"ic (_;), a., Al"chy*mist (_;), n., Al`chy*mis"tic (_;), a., Al"chy*my (_;), n.
See Alchemic, Alchemist, Alchemistic, Alchemy.


word: Alcohol
definition:
Alcohol

Al"co*hol
(ăl"ko̝*h&obreve_;l)
n.
[Cf. F. alcool, formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony, galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. Alquifou.]
1.
An impalpable powder.
[Obs.]

2.
The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation.
[Obs.]
Boyle.

3.
Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit (called also ethyl alcohol or ethanol, CH3.CH2.OH); the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation.
[The ferementation is usually carried out by addition of brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae to an aqueous solution containing carbohydrates.]

&hand_; As used in the U. S. “Pharmacopœia,” alcohol contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9 per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit) contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 54.5 per cent of water.

4.
(Organic Chem.)
A class of compounds analogous to vinic alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol (C2H5.OH); methyl forms methyl alcohol (CH3.OH) or wood alcohol; amyl forms amyl alcohol (C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc.


word: Alcoholate
definition:
Alcoholate

Al"co*hol*ate
(ăl"ko̝*h&obreve_;l*a̝t)
n.
[Cf. F. alcolaie.]
(Chem.)
A crystallizable compound of a salt with alcohol, in which the latter plays a part analogous to that of water of crystallization.
Graham.


word: Alcoholature
definition:
Alcoholature

Al`co*hol"a*ture
(ăl`ko̝*h&obreve_;l"ȧ*t&uuptack_;r)
n.
[Cf. F. alcoolature.]
(Med.)
An alcoholic tincture prepared with fresh plants.
New Eng. Dict.


word: Alcoholic
definition:
Alcoholic

Al`co*hol"ic
(ăl`ko̝*h&obreve_;l"ĭk)
a.
[Cf. F. alcolique.]
Of or pertaining to alcohol, or partaking of its qualities; derived from, or caused by, alcohol; containing alcohol; as, alcoholic mixtures; alcoholic gastritis; alcoholic odor.


word: Alcoholic₂
definition:
Alcoholic

Al`co*hol"ic
n.
1.
A person given to the use of alcoholic liquors.

2.
pl.
Alcoholic liquors.


word: alcoholism
definition:
alcoholism

al"co*hol*ism
(ăl"ko̝*h&obreve_;l*ĭz'm)
n.
[Cf. F. alcoolisme.]
1.
(Med.)
Chronic excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages that leads to social, occupational, psychological and physiological problems.

2.
(Med.)
Psychological and physiological dependence on alcohol; sudden cessation of drinking may lead to withdrawal symptoms.


word: Alcoholization
definition:
Alcoholization

Al`co*hol`i*za"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. alcoolisation.]
1.
The act of reducing a substance to a fine or impalpable powder.
[Obs.]
Johnson.

2.
The act rectifying spirit.

3.
Saturation with alcohol; putting the animal system under the influence of alcoholic liquor.


word: Alcoholize
definition:
Alcoholize

Al"co*hol*ize
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alcoholized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Alcoholizing.]
[Cf. F. alcooliser.]
1.
To reduce to a fine powder.
[Obs.]
Johnson.

2.
To convert into alcohol; to rectify; also, to saturate with alcohol.


word: Alcoholmeter
definition:
Alcoholmeter

Alcoholometer

{ Al`co*hol*om"e*ter (_;), Al`co*hol"me*ter (_;), }
n.
[Alcohol + -meter.]
(Chem.)
An instrument for determining the strength of spirits, with a scale graduated so as to indicate the percentage of pure alcohol, either by weight or volume. It is usually a form of hydrometer with a special scale.


word: Alcoholmetrical
definition:
Alcoholmetrical

Alcoholometrical

Alcoholometric

Al`co*hol`o*met"ric (_;), Al`co*hol`o*met"ric*al (_;), Al`co*hol*met"ric*al (_;)
a.
Relating to the alcoholometer or alcoholometry.

The alcoholometrical strength of spirituous liquors.
Ure.


word: Alcoholometry
definition:
Alcoholometry

Al`co*hol"om"e*try
(_;)
n.
The process or method of ascertaining the proportion of pure alcohol which spirituous liquors contain.


word: Alcohometric
definition:
Alcohometric

Alcohometer

Al`co*hom"e*ter (_;), n., Al`co*ho*met"ric
a.
Same as Alcoholometer, Alcoholometric.


word: Alcoometry
definition:
Alcoometry

Al`co*öm"e*try
(_;)
n.
See Alcoholometry.

&hand_; The chemists say alcomètre, alcoomètrie, doubtless by the suppression of a syllable in order to avoid a disagreeable sequence of sounds. (Cf. Idolatry.)
Littré.


word: Alcoran
definition:
Alcoran

Al"co*ran
(?; 277)
n.
[alcoran, fr. Ar. al-qorān, orig. the reading, the book, fr. qaraa to read. Cf. Koran.]
The Muslim Scriptures; the Koran (now the usual form).
[Spelt also Alkoran.]


word: Alcove
definition:
Alcove

Al"cove
(?; 277)
n.
[F. alcôve, Sp. or Pg. alcoba, from Ar. al-quobbah arch, vault, tent.]
1.
(Arch.)
A recessed portion of a room, or a small room opening into a larger one; especially, a recess to contain a bed; a lateral recess in a library.

2.
A small ornamental building with seats, or an arched seat, in a pleasure ground; a garden bower.
Cowper.

3.
Any natural recess analogous to an alcove or recess in an apartment.

The youthful wanderers found a wild alcove.
Falconer.


word: Alcyonacea
definition:
Alcyonacea

Al`cy*o*na"ce*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
A group of soft-bodied Alcyonaria, of which Alcyonium is the type. See Illust. under Alcyonaria.


word: Alcyonaria
definition:
Alcyonaria

Al`cy*o*na"ri*a
(acr/l`sĭ*&obreve_;*nā"rĭ*ȧ)
prop. n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
One of the orders of Anthozoa. It includes the Alcyonacea, Pennatulacea, and Gorgonacea.


word: Alcyonium
definition:
Alcyonium

Al`cy*o"ni*um
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; a zoöphyte, so called from being like the halcyon's nest.]
(Zool.)
A genus of fleshy Alcyonaria, its polyps somewhat resembling flowers with eight fringed rays. The term was also formerly used for certain species of sponges.


word: Alcyonoid
definition:
Alcyonoid

Al"cy*o*noid
(ăl"sĭ*o̝*noid)
a.
[Gr. 'alkyo`nion + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the Alcyonaria.
n. A zoöphyte of the order Alcyonaria.


word: Aldebaran
definition:
Aldebaran

Al*deb"a*ran
(ăl*dĕb"ȧ*răn)
prop. n.
[Ar. al-debarān, fr. dabar to follow; so called because this star follows upon the Pleiades.]
(Astron.)
A red star of the first magnitude, situated in the eye of Taurus; the Bull's Eye.  It is the bright star in the group called the Hyades.

Now when Aldebaran was mounted high
Above the shiny Cassiopeia's chair.
Spenser.


word: Aldehyde
definition:
Aldehyde

Al"de*hyde
(ăl"de̝*hīd)
n.
[Abbrev. fr. alcohol dehydrogenatum, alcohol deprived of its hydrogen.]
1.
(Chem.)
A colorless, mobile, and very volatile liquid obtained from alcohol by certain processes of oxidation.

2.
(Chem.)
Any compound having the group -CHO.  Methyl aldehyde, the simplest aldehyde, is more commonly called formaldehyde, H-CHO, and acetic aldehyde  is now more commonly called acetaldehyde.  The higher aldehydes may be solids.  A reducing sugar typically contains the aldehyde group.

&hand_; The aldehydes are intermediate between the alcohols and acids, and differ from the alcohols in having two less hydrogen atoms in the molecule, as common aldehyde (called also acetaldehyde, acetic aldehyde or ethyl aldehyde), C2H4O; methyl aldehyde (called also formaldehyde), CH2O.

Aldehyde ammonia (Chem.), a compound formed by the union of aldehyde with ammonia.


word: Alder
definition:
Alder

Al"der
(&asuml_;l"dẽr)
n.
[OE. aldir, aller, fr. AS. alr, aler, alor, akin to D. els, G. erle, Icel. erlir, erli, Swed. al, Dan. elle, el, L. alnus, and E. elm.]
(Bot.)
A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the genus Alnus. The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by dyers and tanners.  In the U. S. the species of alder are usually shrubs or small trees.

Black alder. (a) A European shrub (Rhamnus frangula); Alder buckthorn. (b) An American species of holly (Ilex verticillata), bearing red berries.


word: Aller
definition:
Aller

Alder

{ Al"der (&asuml_;l"dẽr), Al"ler (&asuml_;l"lẽr), }
a.
[From ealra, alra, gen. pl. of AS. eal. The d is excrescent.]
Of all; -- used in composition; as, alderbest, best of all, alderwisest, wisest of all.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Alder fly
definition:
Alder fly

alderfly

al"der*fly`, Al"der fly
1.
Any of numerous dark-colored neuropterous insects of the genus Sialis or allied genera. They have predaceous aquatic larvæ, which are used for bait.

2.
(Angling)
An artificial fly with brown mottled wings, body of peacock harl, and black legs.


word: Alder-liefest
definition:
Alder-liefest

Al`der-lief"est
(&asuml_;l`dẽr*lēf"ĕst)
a.
[For allerliefest dearest of all. See Lief.]
Most beloved.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Alderman
definition:
Alderman

Al"der*man
(&asuml_;l"dẽr*man)
n.
pl. Aldermen (_;).
[AS. aldormon, ealdorman; ealdor an elder + man. See Elder, n.]
1.
A senior or superior; a person of rank or dignity.
[Obs.]

&hand_; The title was applied, among the Anglo-Saxons, to princes, dukes, earls, senators, and presiding magistrates; also to archbishops and bishops, implying superior wisdom or authority. Thus Ethelstan, duke of the East-Anglians, was called Alderman of all England; and there were aldermen of cities, counties, and castles, who had jurisdiction within their respective districts.

3.
One of a board or body of municipal officers next in order to the mayor and having a legislative function. They may, in some cases, individually exercise some magisterial and administrative functions.


word: Aldermanic
definition:
Aldermanic

Al"der*man"ic
(_;)
a.
Relating to, becoming to, or like, an alderman; characteristic of an alderman.


word: Aldermanity
definition:
Aldermanity

Al`der*man"i*ty
(_;)
n.
1.
Aldermen collectively; the body of aldermen.

2.
The state of being an alderman.
[Jocular]


word: Aldermanry
definition:
Aldermanry

Al"der*man*ry
(_;)
n.
1.
The district or ward of an alderman.

2.
The office or rank of an alderman.
[R.]
B. Jonson.


word: Alderney
definition:
Alderney

Al"der*ney
(_;)
n.
One of a breed of cattle raised in Alderney, one of the Channel Islands. Alderneys are of a dun or tawny color and are often called Jersey cattle. See Jersey, 3.


word: Aldine
definition:
Aldine

Al"dine
(?; 277)
a.
(Bibliog.)
An epithet applied to editions (chiefly of the classics) which proceeded from the press of Aldus Manitius, and his family, of Venice, for the most part in the 16th century and known by the sign of the anchor and the dolphin. The term has also been applied to certain elegant editions of English works.


word: Aldol
definition:
Aldol

Al"dol
(?)
n.
[Aldehyde + -ol as in alcohol.]
(Chem.)
A colorless liquid, C4H8O2, obtained by condensation of two molecules of acetaldehyde: CH3CHO + CH3CHO = H3CH(OH)CH2CO; also, any of various derivatives of this. The same reaction has been applied, under the name of aldol condensation, to the production of many compounds.


word: Ale
definition:
Ale

Ale
(āl)
n.
[AS. ealu, akin to Icel., Sw., and Dan. öl, Lith. alus a kind of beer, OSlav. olŭ beer. Cf. Ir. ol drink, drinking.]
1.
An intoxicating liquor made from an infusion of malt by fermentation and the addition of a bitter, usually hops.

&hand_; The word ale, in England and the United States, usually designates a heavier kind of fermented liquor, and the word beer a lighter kind. The word beer is also in common use as the generic name for all malt liquors.

2.
A festival in English country places, so called from the liquor drunk.
ales
B. Jonson.
ales
Shak.


word: Aleatory
definition:
Aleatory

A"le*a*to*ry
(_;)
a.
[L. aleatorius, fr. alea chance, die.]
(Law)
Depending on some uncertain contingency; as, an aleatory contract.
Bouvier.


word: Aleberry
definition:
Aleberry

Ale"ber`ry
(_;)
n.
[OE. alebery, alebrey; ale + bre broth, fr. AS. brīw pottage.]
A beverage, formerly made by boiling ale with spice, sugar, and sops of bread.

Their aleberries, caudles, possets.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Alecithal
definition:
Alecithal

A*lec"i*thal
(_;)
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _; yelk.]
(Biol.)
Applied to those ova which segment uniformly, and which have little or no food yelk embedded in their protoplasm.
Balfour.


word: Aleconner
definition:
Aleconner

Ale"con`ner
(_;)
n.
[/Ale + con, OE. cunnen to test, AS. cunnian to test. See Con.]
Orig., an officer appointed to look to the goodness of ale and beer; also, one of the officers chosen by the liverymen of London to inspect the measures used in public houses. But the office is a sinecure. [Also called aletaster.]
[Eng.]


word: Alecost
definition:
Alecost

Ale"cost`
(_;)
n.
[Ale + L. costus an aromatic plant: cf. Costmary.]
(Bot.)
The plant costmary, which was formerly much used for flavoring ale.


word: Alectorides
definition:
Alectorides

Al`ec*tor"i*des
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; a cock.]
(Zool.)
A group of birds including the common fowl and the pheasants.


word: Alectryomancy
definition:
Alectryomancy

A*lec"try*o*man`cy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; cock + -mancy.]
Divination by means of a cock and grains of corn placed on the letters of the alphabet, the letters being put together in the order in which the grains were eaten.
Amer. Cyc.


word: Alee
definition:
Alee

A*lee"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + lee.]
(Naut.)
On or toward the lee, or the side away from the wind; the opposite of aweather. The helm of a ship is alee when pressed close to the lee side.

Hard alee, or Luff alee, an order to put the helm to the lee side.


word: Alegar
definition:
Alegar

Al"e*gar
(_;)
n.
[Ale + eager sour, F. aigre. Cf. Vinegar.]
Sour ale; vinegar made of ale.
Cecil.


word: Aleger
definition:
Aleger

Al"e*ger
(_;)
a.
[F. allègre, earlier alègre, fr. L. alacer.]
Gay; cheerful; sprightly.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Alegge
definition:
Alegge

A*legge"
(_;)
v. t.
[OE. aleggen, alegen, OF. alegier, F. alléger, fr. LL. alleviare, for L. allevare to lighten; ad + levis light. Cf. Alleviate, Allay, Allege.]
To allay or alleviate; to lighten.
[Obs.]

That shall alegge this bitter blast.
Spenser.


word: Alehoof
definition:
Alehoof

Ale"hoof`
(āl"hōf`)
n.
[AS. h&omacrfe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, ground ivy, “in old MSS. heyhowe, heyoue, haihoue, halehoue.” Prior.]
Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma).


word: Alem
definition:
Alem

Al"em
(?)
n.
[Turk. 'alem, fr. Ar. 'alam.]
(Mil.)
The imperial standard of the Turkish Empire.


word: Alemannic₂
definition:
Alemannic

Al`e*man"nic
n.
The language of the Alemanni.

The Swabian dialect . . . is known as the Alemannic.
Amer. Cyc.


word: Alembic
definition:
Alembic

A*lem"bic
(ȧ*lĕm"bĭk)
n.
[F. alambic (cf. Sp. alambique), Ar. al-anbīq, fr. Gr. 'a`mbix cup, cap of a still. The cap or head was the alembic proper. Cf. Limbec.]
An apparatus formerly used in distillation, usually made of glass or metal. It has mostly given place to the retort and worm still.

Used also metaphorically.

The alembic of a great poet's imagination. Brimley.


word: Alembroth
definition:
Alembroth

A*lem"broth
(-br&obreve_;th)
n.
[Origin uncertain.]
The salt of wisdom of the alchemists, a double salt composed of the chlorides of ammonium and mercury. It was formerly used as a stimulant.
Brande & C.


word: Alepidote
definition:
Alepidote

A*lep"i*dote
a.
[Gr. 'a priv. + _;, _;, a scale.]
(Zool.)
Not having scales.
n. A fish without scales.


word: Aleppo evil
definition:
Aleppo evil

Aleppo button

Aleppo boil

{ A*lep"po boil, A*lep"po but"ton, or A*lep"po e"vil  }
(Med.)
Same as Aden ulcer.


word: Aleppo grass
definition:
Aleppo grass

Aleppo grass
(Bot.)
One of the cultivated forms of Andropogon Halepensis (syn. Sorghum Halepense). See Andropogon, below.


word: Alert
definition:
Alert

A*lert"
(ȧ*lẽrt")
a.
[F. alerte, earlier à l'erte on the watch, fr. It. all' erta on the watch, prop. (standing) on a height, where one can look around; erta a declivity, steep, erto steep, p. p. of ergere, erigere, to erect, raise, L. erigere. See Erect.]
1.
Watchful; vigilant; active in vigilance.

2.
Brisk; nimble; moving with celerity.

An alert young fellow.
Addison.


word: Alert₂
definition:
Alert

A*lert"
n.
(Mil.)
An alarm from a real or threatened attack; a sudden attack; also, a bugle sound to give warning.
alert
Farrow.

On the alert, on the lookout or watch against attack or danger; ready to act.


word: alerting
definition:
alerting

alerting
n.
(Physiol.)
a state of readiness to respond.
alerting was indicated by the desynchronization of the EEG

Syn. -- alertness

2.
a warning serves to make you more alert to danger.

Syn. -- alert


word: Alertness
definition:
Alertness

A*lert"ness
n.
The quality of being alert or on the alert; briskness; nimbleness; activity.


word: Ale silver
definition:
Ale silver

Ale" sil`ver
(_;)
A duty payable to the lord mayor of London by the sellers of ale within the city.


word: Alestake
definition:
Alestake

Ale"stake
(_;)
n.
A stake or pole projecting from, or set up before, an alehouse, as a sign; an alepole. At the end was commonly suspended a garland, a bunch of leaves, or a “bush.”
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Alethiology
definition:
Alethiology

A*le`thi*ol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; truth + -logy.]
The science which treats of the nature of truth and evidence.
Sir W. Hamilton.


word: Alethoscope
definition:
Alethoscope

A*leth"o*scope
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; true + _; to view.]
An instrument for viewing pictures by means of a lens, so as to present them in their natural proportions and relations.


word: Aleuromancy
definition:
Aleuromancy

A*leu"ro*man`cy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; wheaten flour + -mancy: cf. F. aleuromancie.]
Divination by means of flour.
Encyc. Brit.


word: Aleurometer
definition:
Aleurometer

Al`eu*rom"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; flour + -meter.]
An instrument for determining the expansive properties, or quality, of gluten in flour.
Knight.


word: Aleuronat
definition:
Aleuronat

A*leu"ro*nat
(?)
n.
[See Aleurone.]
Flour made of aleurone, used as a substitute for ordinary flour in preparing bread for diabetic persons.


word: Aleurone
definition:
Aleurone

A*leu"rone
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; flour.]
(Bot.)
An albuminoid substance which occurs in minute grains (“protein granules”) in maturing seeds and tubers; -- supposed to be a modification of protoplasm.


word: Aleut
definition:
Aleut

Aleut
n.
a member of the people inhabiting the Aleutian Islands.  Same as Aleutian, n.

Syn. -- Aleutian.


word: Aleutic
definition:
Aleutic

Aleutian

{ A*leu"tian (_;), A*leu"tic (_;), }
a.
[Said to be from the Russ. aleut a bold rock.]
Of or pertaining to a chain of islands between Alaska and Kamtchatka; also, designating these islands.


word: Aleutians
definition:
Aleutians

Aleutians
n.
1.
an archipelago in the North Pacific extending southwest from Alaska.

Syn. -- Aleutian Islands.


word: Alevin
definition:
Alevin

Al"e*vin
(_;)
n.
[F. alevin, OF. alever to rear, fr. L. ad + levare to raise.]
Young fish; fry.


word: Alewife₂
definition:
Alewife

Ale"wife`
n.
pl. Alewives.
[This word is properly aloof, the Indian name of a fish. See Winthrop on the culture of maize in America, “Phil Trans.” No. 142, p. 1065, and Baddam's “Memoirs,” vol. ii. p. 131.]
(Zool.)
A North American fish (Clupea vernalis) of the Herring family. It is called also ellwife, ellwhop, branch herring. The name is locally applied to other related species.


word: Alexander
definition:
Alexander

Alexander
n.
1.
1
a European herb (Smyrnium olusatrum) somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb.

Syn. -- Alexanders, black lovage, horse parsley

2.
1
the famous king of Macedon, son of Philip; conqueror of Greece and Egypt and Persia; founder of Alexandria -- (356-323 BC).

Syn. -- Alexander the Great


word: Alexanders
definition:
Alexanders

Alexanders
n.
1.
same as Alexander[wn1]; Smyrnium olusatrum.

Syn. -- Alexander, black lovage, horse parsley, Smyrnium olusatrum


word: Alisanders
definition:
Alisanders

Alexanders

Al`ex*an"ders (_;), Al`i*san"ders
(_;)
n.
[OE. alisaundre, OF. alissandere, fr. Alexander or Alexandria.]
(Bot)
A name given to two species of the genus Smyrnium, formerly cultivated and used as celery now is; -- called also horse parsely.


word: Alexandria
definition:
Alexandria

Alexandria
n.
a city on the Mediterranean Sea, the chief port of Egypt.

Syn. -- El Iskandariyah


word: Alexandrian
definition:
Alexandrian

Al`ex*an"dri*an
(_;)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to Alexandria in Egypt; as, the Alexandrian library.

2.
Applied to a kind of heroic verse. See Alexandrine, n.


word: Alexandrine₂
definition:
Alexandrine

Al`ex*an"drine
(_;)
n.
[F. alexandrin.]
A kind of verse consisting in English of twelve syllables.

The needless Alexandrine ends the song,
That, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along.
Pope.


word: Alexia
definition:
Alexia

A*lex"i*a
(ȧ*lĕks"ĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL.; a- not + Gr. le`xis speech, fr. le`gein to speak, confused with L. legere to read.]
(Med.)
(a)
Inability to read aloud, due to brain disease; the meanings of the words is nevertheless understood.  Called also motor alexia.
(b)
Inability, due to brain disease, to understand written or printed symbols.  Called also Word blindness and text blindness.


word: Alexipharmacal
definition:
Alexipharmacal

Alexipharmac

{ A*lex`i*phar"mac (_;), A*lex`i*phar"ma*cal (_;), }
a. & n.
[See Alexipharmic.]
Alexipharmic.
[Obs.]


word: Alexipharmic
definition:
Alexipharmic

Alexipharmical

{ A*lex`i*phar"mic (ȧ*lĕks`ĭ*fär"mĭk), A*lex`i*phar"mic*al (ȧ*lĕks`ĭ*fär"mĭk*al), }
a.
[Gr. 'alexifa`rmakos keeping off poison; 'alexein to keep off + fa`rmakon drug, poison: cf. F. alexipharmaque.]
(Med.)
Of or relating to an alexipharmic or alexipharmac; warding off poison; antidotal; prophylactic.
[obsolescent]


word: Alexipharmic₂
definition:
Alexipharmic

Alexipharmac

A*lex`i*phar"mic
(ȧ*lĕks`ĭ*fär"mĭk)
n.
(Med.)
An antidote against poison; a counterpoison.
[archaic]


word: alexipyretic
definition:
alexipyretic

a*lex`i*py*ret"ic
(ȧ*lĕks`ĭ*pi̝*rĕt"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. 'ale`xein to keep off  + pyreto`s burning heat, fever, py^r fire.]
(Med.)
Serving to drive off fever; antipyretic; antifebrile.
[archaic]
n. An antipyretic drug; a febrifuge. [archaic]


word: alexiteric
definition:
alexiteric

alexiterical

{ a*lex`i*ter"ic (ȧ*lĕks`ĭ*tĕr"ĭk), a*lex`i*ter"ic*al (ȧ*lĕks`ĭ*tĕr"ĭ*kal), }
a.
[Gr. 'alexhth`rios fit to keep off or help, fr. 'alexhth`r one who keeps off, helper; 'ale`xein to keep off: cf. F. alexitère.]
(Med.)
Resisting poison; obviating the effects of venom; alexipharmic.


word: alexiteric₂
definition:
alexiteric

a*lex`i*ter"ic
n.
[Gr. 'alexhth`rion a remedy, an amulet: cf. F. alexitère, LL. alexiterium.]
(Med.)
A preservative against contagious and infectious diseases, and the effects of poison in general.
Brande & C.


word: Alfa grass
definition:
Alfa grass

Alfa

&VerbarAl"fa (_;) or Al"fa grass" (_;)
n.
A plant (Macrochloa tenacissima) of North Africa; also, its fiber, used in paper making.


word: Alfalfa
definition:
Alfalfa

Al*fal"fa
(_;)
n.
[Sp.]
(Bot.)
The lucern (Medicago sativa), a leguminous plant having bluish purple cloverlike flowers, and cultivated for fodder; -- so called in California, Texas, etc.


word: Alferes
definition:
Alferes

Al*fe"res
(_;)
n.
[Sp., fr. Ar. al-fārs knight.]
An ensign; a standard bearer.
[Obs.]
J. Fletcher.


word: Alfet
definition:
Alfet

Al"fet
n.
[LL. alfetum, fr. AS. ālfæt a pot to boil in; āl burning + fæt vat.]
A caldron of boiling water into which an accused person plunged his forearm as a test of innocence or guilt.


word: Alfilerilla
definition:
Alfilerilla

Alfileria

{ &VerbarAl*fil`e*ri"a ,  &VerbarAl*fil`e*ril"la  }
(?)
n.
[Mex. Sp., fr. Sp. alfiler pin.]
Same as Alfilaria.


word: Alga
definition:
Alga

Al"ga
(_;)
n.
pl. Algæ or algae (_;).
[L., seaweed.]
(Bot.)
A kind of seaweed; pl. the class of cellular cryptogamic plants which includes the black, red, and green seaweeds, as kelp, dulse, sea lettuce, also marine and fresh water confervæ, etc.  The algae are primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.


word: Algaroba
definition:
Algaroba

Al`ga*ro"ba
(_;)
n.
[Sp. algarroba, fr. Ar. al-kharr_;bah. Cf. Carob.]
(Bot.)
(a)
The Carob, a leguminous tree of the Mediterranean region; also, its edible beans or pods, called St. John's bread.
(b)
The Honey mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), a small tree found from California to Buenos Ayres; also, its sweet, pulpy pods. A valuable gum, resembling gum arabic, is collected from the tree in Texas and Mexico.


word: algarot
definition:
algarot

algaroth

{ al"ga*rot (ăl"gȧ*r&obreve_;t), al"ga*roth (ăl"gȧ*r&obreve_;th), }
n.
[F. algaroth, fr. the name of the inventor, Algarotti.]
(Med.)
A term used for the Powder of Algaroth, a white powder which is a compound of trichloride and trioxide of antimony.  It was formerly used in medicine as an emetic, purgative, and diaphoretic.


word: Algarovilla
definition:
Algarovilla

Al`ga*ro*vil"la
(_;)
n.
The agglutinated seeds and husks of the legumes of a South American tree (Inga Marthae).  It is valuable for tanning leather, and as a dye.


word: Algates
definition:
Algates

Algate

{ Al"gate (_;), Al"gates (_;), }
adv.
[All + gate way. The s is an adverbial ending. See Gate.]
1.
Always; wholly; everywhere.
[Obs.]

Ulna now he algates must forego.
Spenser.

&hand_; Still used in the north of England in the sense of “everywhere.”

2.
By any or means; at all events.
[Obs.]
Fairfax.

3.
Notwithstanding; yet.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Algebra
definition:
Algebra

Al"ge*bra
(_;)
n.
[LL. algebra, fr. Ar. al-jebr reduction of parts to a whole, or fractions to whole numbers, fr. jabara to bind together, consolidate; al-jebr w'almuqābalah reduction and comparison (by equations): cf. F. algèbre, It. & Sp. algebra.]
1.
(Math.)
That branch of mathematics which treats of the relations and properties of quantity by means of letters and other symbols. It is applicable to those relations that are true of every kind of magnitude.

2.
A treatise on this science.


word: Algebraical
definition:
Algebraical

Algebraic

{ Al`ge*bra"ic (_;), Al`ge*bra"ic*al (_;), }
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to algebra; using algebra; according to the laws of algebra; containing an operation of algebra, or deduced from such operation; as, algebraic characters; algebraical writings; algebraic geometry.

2.
progressing by constant multiplicatory factors; -- of a series of numbers.  Contrasted to arithmetical.
algebraic progression

Syn. -- algebraic

Algebraic curve, a curve such that the equation which expresses the relation between the coördinates of its points involves only the ordinary operations of algebra; -- opposed to a transcendental curve.


word: Algid
definition:
Algid

Al"gid
(ăl"jĭd)
a.
[L. algidus cold, fr. algere to be cold: cf. F. algide.]
1.
Cold; chilly.
Bailey.
AS

2.
(Med.)
Characterized by the presence of shock and cold skin.

Algid cholera (Med.), (a) A term formerly used for a classic untreated cholera (also called Asiatic cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae); it is marked by three stages that succeed each other. These stages include a watery diarrhea stage, a stage of shock and collapse characterized by a cold skin and, the final stage of high fever.  Patients usually die at the second stage of the disease. (b) In its modern use, algid cholera refers to a cholera that has entered the second stage of the disease.  In the 19th century, the term algid cholera referred to Asiatic cholera, to distinguish it from other less specific intestinal afflictions.


word: Algidity
definition:
Algidity

Al*gid"i*ty
(ăl*jĭd"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
Chilliness; coldness
especially:
(Med.)
coldness and collapse.
AS


word: Algin
definition:
Algin

Al"gin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A nitrogenous substance resembling gelatin, obtained from certain algæ.


word: Algol
definition:
Algol

Al"gol
(_;)
n.
[Ar. al-ghūl destruction, calamity, fr. ghāla to take suddenly, destroy.]
(Astron.)
A fixed star, in Medusa's head, in the constellation Perseus, remarkable for its periodic variation in brightness.


word: Algology
definition:
Algology

Al*gol"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[L. alga seaweed + -logy.]
(Bot.)
The study or science of algæ or seaweeds.


word: Algometer
definition:
Algometer

Al*gom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; pain + -meter.]
(Psychol.)
An instrument for measuring sensations of pain due to pressure. It has a piston rod with a blunted tip which is pressed against the skin.
Al*gom"e*try (#), n. -- Al`go*met"ric (#), *met"ric*al (#), a. -- Al`go*met"ric*al*ly, adv.


word: Algonkian
definition:
Algonkian

Al*gon"ki*an
(?)
a.
1.
Var. of Algonquian.

2.
(Geol.)
Pertaining to or designating a period or era recognized by the United States Geological Survey and some other authorities, between the Archæan and the Paleozoic, from both of which it is generally separated in the record by unconformities. Algonkian rocks are both sedimentary and igneous. Although fossils are rare, life certainly existed in this period.
n. The Algonkian period or era, or system or group of systems.


word: Algonquian
definition:
Algonquian

Al*gon"qui*an
(?)
a.
Pertaining to or designating the most extensive of the linguistic families of North American Indians, their territory formerly including practically all of Canada east of the 115th meridian and south of Hudson's Bay and the part of the United States east of the Mississippi and north of Tennessee and Virginia, with the exception of the territory occupied by the northern Iroquoian tribes. There are nearly 100,000 Indians of the Algonquian tribes, of which the strongest are the Ojibwas (Chippewas), Ottawas, Crees, Algonquins, Micmacs, and Blackfeet.
n. An Algonquian Indian.


word: Algonkin
definition:
Algonkin

Algonquin

{ Al*gon"quin (_;), Al*gon"kin (_;), }
prop. n.
One of a widely spread family of Indians, including many distinct tribes, which formerly occupied most of the northern and eastern part of North America. The name was originally applied to a group of Indian tribes north of the River St. Lawrence.


word: algor
definition:
algor

al"gor
(ăl"g&obreve_;r)
n.
[L.]
(Med.)
Cold; chilliness.
AS

Algor mortis (Med.), The decrease of body temperature to room temperature after death.


word: Algorithm
definition:
Algorithm

Algorism

{ Al"go*rism (_;), Al"go*rithm (_;), }
n.
[OE. algorism, algrim, augrim, OF. algorisme, F. algorithme (cf. Sp. algoritmo, OSp. alguarismo, LL. algorismus), fr. the Ar. al-Khowārezmī of Khowārezm, the modern Khiwa, surname of Abu Ja'far Mohammed ben Musā, author of a work on arithmetic early in the 9th century, which was translated into Latin, such books bearing the name algorismus. The spelling with th is due to a supposed connection with Gr. _; number.]
1.
The art of calculating by nine figures and zero; computation with Arabic figures.

2.
the Arabic system of numeration.

Syn. -- decimal system

3.
The art of calculating with any species of notation; as, the algorithms of fractions, proportions, surds, etc.


word: algorithm
definition:
algorithm

algorithm
n.
a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem; a set of procedures guaranteed to find the solution to a problem.

Syn. -- algorithmic rule, algorithmic program


word: algorithmic
definition:
algorithmic

algorithmic
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to an algorithm.
recursive

2.
definitively solvable by a finite number of steps; -- said of mathematical or logical problems.  Contrasted with heuristic.


word: Algous
definition:
Algous

Al"gous
(_;)
a.
[L. algosus, fr. alga seaweed.]
Of or pertaining to the algæ, or seaweeds; abounding with, or like, seaweed.


word: Alguazil
definition:
Alguazil

Al`gua*zil"
(_;)
(_;)
n.
[Sp. alguacil, fr. Ar. alwazīr the vizier. Cf. Vizier.]
An inferior officer of justice in Spain; a warrant officer; a constable.
Prescott.


word: Alhambra
definition:
Alhambra

Al*ham"bra
(_;)
n.
[Ultimately fr. Ar. al the + hamrā red; i. e., the red (sc. house).]
The palace of the Moorish kings at Granada.


word: Alhambresque
definition:
Alhambresque

Alhambraic

{ Al`ham*bra"ic (_;), Al`ham*bresque" (?; 277), }
a.
Made or decorated after the fanciful style of the ornamentation in the Alhambra, which affords an unusually fine exhibition of Saracenic or Arabesque architecture.


word: Alias
definition:
Alias

A"li*as
(_;)
adv.
[L., fr. alius. See Else.]
(Law)
(a)
Otherwise; otherwise called; -- a term used in legal proceedings to connect the different names of any one who has gone by two or more, and whose true name is for any cause doubtful; as, Smith, alias Simpson.
(b)
At another time.


word: Alias₂
definition:
Alias

A"li*as
n.
pl. Aliases (_;).
[L., otherwise, at another time.]
(Law)
(a)
A second or further writ which is issued after a first writ has expired without effect.
(b)
Another name; an assumed name.


word: Alibi
definition:
Alibi

Al"i*bi
(_;)
n.
[L., elsewhere, at another place. See Alias.]
(Law)
The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove that he was in another place when the alleged act was committed; as, to set up an alibi; to prove an alibi.


word: Alicant
definition:
Alicant

Al"i*cant
(_;)
n.
A kind of wine, formerly much esteemed; -- said to have been made near Alicant, in Spain.
J. Fletcher.


word: Alicyclic
definition:
Alicyclic

Al`i*cyc"lic
(?)
a.
(Org. Chem.)
pertaining to compounds that have a ring in the structure, but are not aromatic, as cyclohexane or cyclohexene. Compare aliphatic and aromatic.


word: Alidade
definition:
Alidade

Al"i*dade
(_;)
n.
[LL. alidada, alhidada, fr. Ar. al-'idāda a sort of rule: cf. F. alidade.]
The portion of a graduated instrument, as a quadrant or astrolabe, carrying the sights or telescope, and showing the degrees cut off on the arc of the instrument
Whewell.


word: Alien
definition:
Alien

Al"ien
(_;)
a.
[OF. alien, L. alienus, fr. alius another; properly, therefore, belonging to another. See Else.]
1.
Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign; as, alien subjects, enemies, property, shores.

2.
Wholly different in nature; foreign; adverse; inconsistent (with); incongruous; -- followed by from or sometimes by to; as, principles alien from our religion.

An alien sound of melancholy.
Wordsworth.

Alien enemy (Law), one who owes allegiance to a government at war with ours. Abbott.


word: Alien₂
definition:
Alien

Al"ien
n.
1.
A foreigner; one owing allegiance, or belonging, to another country; a foreign-born resident of a country in which he does not possess the privileges of a citizen. Hence, a stranger. See Alienage.

2.
One excluded from certain privileges; one alienated or estranged; as, aliens from God's mercies.

Aliens from the common wealth of Israel.
Ephes. ii. 12.


word: Alien₃
definition:
Alien

Al"ien
v. t.
[F. aliéner, L. alienare.]
To alienate; to estrange; to transfer, as property or ownership.
[R.]
alien
Sir M. Hale.

The prince was totally aliened from all thoughts of . . . the marriage.
Clarendon.


word: Alienable
definition:
Alienable

Al"ien*a*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. aliénable.]
Capable of being alienated, sold, or transferred to another; as, land is alienable according to the laws of the state.


word: Alienage
definition:
Alienage

Al"ien*age
(_;)
n.
[Cf. OF. aliénage.]
1.
The state or legal condition of being an alien.

&hand_; The disabilities of alienage are removable by naturalization or by special license from the State of residence, and in some of the United States by declaration of intention of naturalization.
Kent. Wharton.

Estates forfeitable on account of alienage.
Story.

2.
The state of being alienated or transferred to another.
Brougham.


word: Alienate
definition:
Alienate

Al"ien*ate
(āl"yen*a̝t)
a.
[L. alienatus, p. p. of alienare, fr. alienus. See Alien, and cf. Aliene.]
Estranged; withdrawn in affection; foreign; -- with from.

O alienate from God.
Milton.


word: Alienate₂
definition:
Alienate

Al"ien*ate
(-āt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alienated (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Alienating.]
1.
To convey or transfer to another, as title, property, or right; to part voluntarily with ownership of.

2.
To withdraw, as the affections; to make indifferent of averse, where love or friendship before subsisted; to estrange; to wean; -- with from.

The errors which . . . alienated a loyal gentry and priesthood from the House of Stuart.
Macaulay.

The recollection of his former life is a dream that only the more alienates him from the realities of the present.
I. Taylor.


word: alienated
definition:
alienated

alienated
adj.
1.
1
socially disoriented.
we live in an age of rootless alienated people

Syn. -- anomic, disoriented

2.
having become indifferent or hostile to one's peers or social group.

Syn. -- estranged


word: Alienation
definition:
Alienation

Al`ien*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[F. aliénation, L. alienatio, fr. alienare, fr. alienare. See Alienate.]
1.
The act of alienating, or the state of being alienated.

2.
(Law)
A transfer of title, or a legal conveyance of property to another.

3.
A withdrawing or estrangement, as of the affections.

The alienation of his heart from the king.
Bacon.

4.
Mental alienation; derangement of the mental faculties; insanity; as, alienation of mind.


word: Aliene
definition:
Aliene

Al*iene
(_;)
v. t.
To alien or alienate; to transfer, as title or property; as, to aliene an estate.


word: Alienee
definition:
Alienee

Al"ien*ee"
(_;)
n.
(Law)
One to whom the title of property is transferred; -- opposed to alienor.

It the alienee enters and keeps possession.
Blackstone.


word: Alienism
definition:
Alienism

Al"ien*ism
(_;)
n.
1.
The status or legal condition of an alien; alienage.

The law was very gentle in the construction of the disability of alienism.
Kent.

2.
The study or treatment of diseases of the mind.


word: Alienor
definition:
Alienor

Al`ien*or"
(_;)
n.
[OF. aliéneur.]
One who alienates or transfers property to another.
Blackstone.


word: Aliethmoidal
definition:
Aliethmoidal

Aliethmoid

{ Al`i*eth"moid (_;), Al`i*eth*moid"al (_;), }
a.
[L. ala wing + E. ethomoid.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to expansions of the ethmoid bone or cartilage.


word: Aligerous
definition:
Aligerous

A*lig"er*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. aliger; ala wing + gerere to carry.]
Having wings; winged.
[R.]


word: Alight
definition:
Alight

A*light"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Alighted (_;) sometimes Alit (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Alighting.]
[OE. alihten, fr. AS. ālīhtan; pref. ā- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + līhtan, to alight, orig. to render light, to remove a burden from, fr. līht, leoht, light. See Light, v. i.]
1.
To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount.

2.
To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop; as, a flying bird alights on a tree; snow alights on a roof.

3.
To come or chance (upon).
[R.]


word: Align
definition:
Align

A*lign"
(_;)
v. t.
[F. aligner; à (L. ad) + ligne (L. linea) line. See Line, and cf. Allineate.]
To adjust or form to a line; to range or form in line; to bring into line; to aline.


word: aligned
definition:
aligned

aligned
adj.
1.
1
in or brought into line with or into proper relative position; -- of spatial position.
well-aligned wheels
unaligned

Syn. -- alined

2.
brought into agreement or cooperation on the side of a faction, party, or cause.  Opposite of nonaligned.

3.
brought into a straight or uniformly curved line.


word: Alignment
definition:
Alignment

A*lign"ment
(_;)
n.
[F. alignement.]
1.
The act of adjusting to a line; arrangement in a line or lines; the state of being so adjusted; a formation in a straight line; also, the line of adjustment; esp., an imaginary line to regulate the formation of troops or of a squadron.

2.
(Engin.)
The ground-plan of a railway or other road, in distinction from the grades or profile.


word: Alike
definition:
Alike

A*like"
(ȧ*līk)
a.
[AS. onlīc, gelīc; pref. ā + like.]
Having resemblance or similitude; similar; without difference.
[Now used only predicatively.]

The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Ps. cxxxix. 12.


word: Alike₂
definition:
Alike

A*like"
adv.
[AS. gelīce, onlīce.]
In the same manner, form, or degree; in common; equally; as, we are all alike concerned in religion.


word: Aliment
definition:
Aliment

Al"i*ment
(_;)
n.
[L. alimentum, fr. alere to nourish; akin to Goth. alan to grow, Icel. ala to nourish: cf. F. aliment. See Old.]
1.
That which nourishes; food; nutriment; anything which feeds or adds to a substance in natural growth. Hence: The necessaries of life generally: sustenance; means of support.

Aliments of their sloth and weakness.
Bacon.

2.
An allowance for maintenance.
[Scot.]


word: Alimental
definition:
Alimental

Al`i*men"tal
(_;)
a.
Supplying food; having the quality of nourishing; furnishing the materials for natural growth; as, alimental sap.


word: Alimentally
definition:
Alimentally

A`li*men"tal*ly
adv.
So as to serve for nourishment or food; nourishing quality.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Alimentariness
definition:
Alimentariness

Al`i*men"ta*ri*ness
(_;)
n.
The quality of being alimentary; nourishing quality.
[R.]


word: Alimentary
definition:
Alimentary

Al`i*men"ta*ry
(_;)
a.
[L. alimentarius, fr. alimentum: cf. F. alimentaire.]
Pertaining to aliment or food, or to the function of nutrition; nutritious; alimental; as, alimentary substances.

Alimentary canal, the entire channel, extending from the mouth to the anus, by which aliments are conveyed through the body, and the useless parts ejected.


word: Alimentation
definition:
Alimentation

Al`i*men*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. alimentation, LL. alimentatio.]
1.
The act or process of affording nutriment; the function of the alimentary canal.

2.
State or mode of being nourished.
Bacon.


word: Alimentiveness
definition:
Alimentiveness

Al`i*men"tive*ness
(_;)
n.
The instinct or faculty of appetite for food.
[Chiefly in Phrenol.]


word: Alimony
definition:
Alimony

Al"i*mo*ny
(_;)
n.
[L. alimonia, alimonium, nourishment, sustenance, fr. alere to nourish.]
1.
Maintenance; means of living.

2.
(Law)
An allowance made to a wife out of her husband's estate or income for her support, upon her divorce or legal separation from him, or during a suit for the same.
Wharton. Burrill.


word: Alinasal
definition:
Alinasal

Al`i*na"sal
(_;)
a.
[L. ala wing + E. nasal.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to expansions of the nasal bone or cartilage.


word: Alinement
definition:
Alinement

A*line"ment
(_;)
n.
Same as Alignment.

[The Eng. form alinement is preferable to alignment, a bad spelling of the French].
New Eng. Dict. (Murray).


word: Aliner
definition:
Aliner

A*lin"er
(_;)
n.
One who adjusts things to a line or lines or brings them into line.
Evelyn.


word: Alioth
definition:
Alioth

Al"i*oth
(_;)
n.
[Ar. alyāt the tail of a fat sheep.]
(Astron.)
A star in the tail of the Great Bear, the one next the bowl in the Dipper.


word: Aliped
definition:
Aliped

Al"i*ped
(_;)
a.
[L. alipes; ala wing + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. alipède.]
(Zool.)
Wing-footed, as the bat.
n. An animal whose toes are connected by a membrane, serving for a wing, as the bat.


word: Aliphatic
definition:
Aliphatic

Al`i*phat"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;, _;, oil, fat.]
(Org. Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, fat; fatty; -- applied to compounds having an open-chain structure. The aliphatic compounds thus include not only the fatty acids and other derivatives of the paraffin hydrocarbons, but also unsaturated compounds, as the ethylene and acetylene series.  Compare alicyclic and aromatic.


word: Aliquant
definition:
Aliquant

Al"i*quant
(_;)
a.
[L. aliquantus some, moderate; alius other + quantus how great: cf. F. aliquante.]
(Math.)
An aliquant part of a number or quantity is one which does not divide it without leaving a remainder; thus, 5 is an aliquant part of 16. Opposed to aliquot.


word: Aliquot
definition:
Aliquot

Al"i*quot
(_;)
a.
[L. aliquot some, several; alius other + quot how many: cf. F. aliquote.]
(Math.)
An aliquot part of a number or quantity is one which will divide it without a remainder; thus, 5 is an aliquot part of 15. Opposed to aliquant.


word: Aliseptal
definition:
Aliseptal

Al`i*sep"tal
(_;)
a.
[L. ala wing + E. septal.]
(Anat.)
Relating to expansions of the nasal septum.


word: Alisphenoidal
definition:
Alisphenoidal

Alisphenoid

{ Al`i*sphe"noid (_;), Al`i*sphe*noid"al (_;), }
a.
[L. ala wing + E. sphenoid.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to or forming the wing of the sphenoid; relating to a bone in the base of the skull, which in the adult is often consolidated with the sphenoid; as, alisphenoid bone; alisphenoid canal.


word: Alitrunk
definition:
Alitrunk

Al"i*trunk
(_;)
n.
[L. ala wing + truncus trunk.]
(Zool.)
The segment of the body of an insect to which the wings are attached; the thorax.
Kirby.


word: Aliturgical
definition:
Aliturgical

Al`i*tur"gic*al
(_;)
a.
[Pref. a- + liturgical.]
(Eccl.)
Applied to those days when the holy sacrifice is not offered.
Shipley.


word: Aliunde
definition:
Aliunde

A`li*un"de
(_;)
adv. & a.
[L.]
(Law)
From another source; from elsewhere; as, a case proved aliunde; evidence aliunde.


word: Alive
definition:
Alive

A*live"
(_;)
a.
[OE. on live, AS. on līfe in life; līfe being dat. of līf life. See Life, and cf. Live, a.]
1.
Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an animal or a plant which is alive.

2.
In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.

3.
Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.

The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs.
Macaulay.

4.
Sprightly; lively; brisk.
Richardson.

5.
Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.

Tremblingly alive to nature's laws.
Falconer.

6.
Of all living (by way of emphasis).

Northumberland was the proudest man alive.
Clarendon.

Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!

&hand_; Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.


word: aliveness
definition:
aliveness

aliveness
n.
1.
the condition of living or the state of being alive.

Syn. -- animation, life, living

2.
having animal life as distinguished from plant life.
full of life

Syn. -- animateness, liveness


word: Alizari
definition:
Alizari

A`li*za"ri
(_;)
n.
[Perh. fr. Ar. 'açārah juice extracted from a plant, fr. 'açara to press.]
(Com.)
The madder of the Levant.
Brande & C.


word: Alizarine
definition:
Alizarine

Alizarin

A*liz"a*rin, A*liz"a*rine
(_;)
n.
[F. alizarine, fr. alizari.]
(Chem.)
A coloring principle, C14H6O2(OH)2, found in madder, and now produced artificially as an an orange-red crystalline compound from anthracene. It is used in making red pigments (such as the Turkish reds), and in dyeing.


word: Alkahest
definition:
Alkahest

Al"ka*hest
(_;)
n.
[LL. alchahest, F. alcahest, a word that has an Arabic appearance, but was probably arbitrarily formed by Paracelsus.]
The fabled “universal solvent” of the alchemists; a menstruum capable of dissolving all bodies.
Al`ka*hes"tic (_;), a.


word: Alkalamide
definition:
Alkalamide

Al`kal*am"ide
(_;)
n.
[Alkali + amide.]
(Chem.)
One of a series of compounds that may be regarded as ammonia in which a part of the hydrogen has been replaced by basic, and another part by acid, atoms or radicals.


word: Alkalescency
definition:
Alkalescency

Alkalescence

{ Al`ka*les`cence (_;), Al`ka*les"cen*cy (_;), }
n.
A tendency to become alkaline; or the state of a substance in which alkaline properties begin to be developed, or to predominant.
Ure.


word: Alkalescent
definition:
Alkalescent

Al`ka*les"cent
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. alcalescent.]
Tending to the properties of an alkali; slightly alkaline.


word: Alkali
definition:
Alkali

Al"ka*li
(?; 277)
n.
pl. Alkalis or Alkalies (_;).
[F. alcali, ultimately fr. Ar. alqalī ashes of the plant saltwort, fr. qalay to roast in a pan, fry.]
1.
Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc.

2.
(Chem.)
One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing peculiarities are solubility in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.

3.
Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters.
[Western U. S.]

Fixed alkalies, potash and soda. -- Vegetable alkalies. Same as Alkaloids. -- Volatile alkali, ammonia, so called in distinction from the fixed alkalies.


word: alkalic
definition:
alkalic

alkalic
adj.
1.
having the properties of an alkali.  Opposite of acidic.
when used of aqueous solutions, it signifies that the solution has a pH greater than 7.

Syn. -- alkaline (vs. acidic), basic


word: Alkali flat
definition:
Alkali flat

Alkali flat
A sterile plain, containing an excess of alkali, at the bottom of an undrained basin in an arid region; a playa.


word: Alkalifiable
definition:
Alkalifiable

Al"ka*li*fi`a*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. alcalifiable.]
Capable of being alkalified, or converted into an alkali.


word: Alkalify
definition:
Alkalify

Al"ka*li*fy
(?; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alkalified (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Alkalifying.]
[Alkali + -fly: cf. F. alcalifier.]
To convert into an alkali; to give alkaline properties to.


word: Alkali metal
definition:
Alkali metal

Alkali metal
Any one of the univalent metals of group I of the periodic table of the elements, including lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.  The hydroxides of these metals are soluble in water and form strongly basic solutions.


word: Alkalimeter
definition:
Alkalimeter

Al`ka*lim"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[Alkali + -meter. cf. F. alcalimètre.]
An instrument to ascertain the strength of alkalies, or the quantity of alkali in a mixture.


word: Alkalimetrical
definition:
Alkalimetrical

Alkalimetric

{ Al`ka*li*met"ric (_;), Al`ka*li*met"ric*al (_;), }
a.
Of or pertaining to alkalimetry.


word: Alkalimetry
definition:
Alkalimetry

Al`ka*lim"e*try
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. alcalimètrie.]
(Chem.)
The art or process of ascertaining the strength of alkalies, or the quantity present in alkaline mixtures.


word: Alkaline
definition:
Alkaline

Al"ka*line
(?; 277)
a.
[Cf. F. alcalin.]
Of or pertaining to an alkali or to alkalies; having the properties of an alkali.

Alkaline earths, certain substances, as lime, baryta, strontia, and magnesia, possessing some of the qualities of alkalies. -- Alkaline metals, potassium, sodium, cæsium, lithium, rubidium. -- Alkaline reaction, a reaction indicating alkalinity, as by the action on limits, turmeric, etc.


word: alkaline-loving
definition:
alkaline-loving

alkaline-loving
adj.
1.
thriving in a relatively alkaline environment; (especially of plants requiring a pH above 7)
acid-loving

Syn. -- alkali-loving


word: Alkalinity
definition:
Alkalinity

Al`ka*lin"i*ty
(_;)
n.
The quality which constitutes an alkali; alkaline property.
Thomson.


word: Alkali soil
definition:
Alkali soil

Alkali soil
Any one of various soils found in arid and semiarid regions, containing an unusual amount of soluble mineral salts which effloresce in the form of a powder or crust (usually white) in dry weather following rains or irrigation. The basis of these salts is mainly soda with a smaller amount of potash, and usually a little lime and  magnesia. Two main classes of alkali are commonly distinguished: black alkali, which may be any alkaline carbonate, but which practically consists of sodium carbonate (sal soda), which is highly corrosive and destructive to vegetation; and white alkali, characterized by the presence of sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt), which is less injurious to vegetation. Black alkali is so called because water containing it dissolves humus, forming a dark-colored solution which, when it collects in puddles and evaporates, produces characteristic black spots.


word: Alkalization
definition:
Alkalization

Al`ka*li*za"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. alcalisation.]
The act of rendering alkaline by impregnating with an alkali; a conferring of alkaline qualities.


word: Alkalize
definition:
Alkalize

Al"ka*lize
(ăl"kȧ*līz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alkalized (ăl"kȧ*līzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Alkalizing (ăl"kȧ*lī`zĭng).]
[Cf. F. alcaliser.]
To render alkaline; to communicate the properties of an alkali to.


word: Alkaloidal
definition:
Alkaloidal

Alkaloid

{ Al"ka*loid (ăl"kȧ*loid), Al`ka*loid"al (ăl`kȧ*loid"al), }
a.
[Alkali + -oid: cf. F. alcaloïde.]
1.
Pertaining to, resembling, or containing, alkali.

2.
of or pertaining to alkaloids.


word: Alkaloid
definition:
Alkaloid

Al"ka*loid
(ăl"kȧ*loid)
n.
(Chem.)
An organic base, especially one of a class of nitrogen-containing substances occurring ready formed in the tissues of plants and the bodies of animals.

&hand_; Alkaloids all contain nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen, and many of them also contain oxygen. They include many of the active principles in plants; thus, morphine and narcotine are alkaloids found in opium.


word: alkane
definition:
alkane

alkane
n.
(Chem.)
a non-aromatic saturated acyclic hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH(2n+2).  A member of the alkane series.


word: alkane series
definition:
alkane series

alkane series
n.
(Chem.)
a series of acyclic non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2). They include methane, ethane, propane, butane, and the paraffins.

Syn. -- methane series, alkane series, paraffin


word: Alkanet
definition:
Alkanet

Al"ka*net
(ăl"kȧ*nĕt)
n.
[Dim. of Sp. alcana, alheña, in which al is the Ar. article. See Henna, and cf. Orchanet.]
1.
(Chem.)
A dyeing matter extracted from the roots of Alkanna tinctoria, which gives a fine deep red color.

2.
(Bot.)
(a)
A boraginaceous herb (Alkanna tinctoria) yielding the dye; orchanet.
(b)
The similar plant Anchusa officinalis; bugloss; also, the American puccoon.


word: Alkarsin
definition:
Alkarsin

Al*kar"sin
(_;)
n.
[Alkali + arsenic + -in.]
(Chem.)
A spontaneously inflammable liquid, having a repulsive odor, and consisting of cacodyl and its oxidation products; -- called also Cadel's fuming liquid.


word: Alka-seltzer
definition:
Alka-seltzer

Alka-seltzer
n.
1.
a commerical antacid; -- the tablets dissolve in water to give an effervescent solution.
[trademark]


word: Alkekengi
definition:
Alkekengi

Al`ke*ken"gi
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. alkékenge, Sp. alquequenje, ultimately fr. Ar. al-kākanj a kind of resin from Herat.]
(Bot.)
An herbaceous plant of the nightshade family (Physalis alkekengi) and its fruit, which is a well flavored berry, the size of a cherry, loosely inclosed in a enlarged leafy calyx; -- also called winter cherry, ground cherry, and strawberry tomato.
D. C. Eaton.


word: Alkermes
definition:
Alkermes

Al*ker"mes
(_;)
n.
[Ar. al-qirmiz kermes. See Kermes.]
(Old Pharmacy)
A compound cordial, in the form of a confection, deriving its name from the kermes insect, its principal ingredient.


word: All
definition:
All

All
(_;)
a.
[OE. al, pl. alle, AS. eal, pl. ealle, Northumbrian alle, akin to D. & OHG. al, Ger. all, Icel. allr. Dan. al, Sw. all, Goth. alls; and perh. to Ir. and Gael. uile, W. oll.]
1.
The whole quantity, extent, duration, amount, quality, or degree of; the whole; the whole number of; any whatever; every; as, all the wheat; all the land; all the year; all the strength; all happiness; all abundance; loss of all power; beyond all doubt; you will see us all (or all of us).

Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.
1 Thess. v. 21.

2.
Any.
[Obs.]
all
Shak.

&hand_; When the definite article “the,” or a possessive or a demonstrative pronoun, is joined to the noun that all qualifies, all precedes the article or the pronoun; as, all the cattle; all my labor; all his wealth; all our families; all your citizens; all their property; all other joys.

This word, not only in popular language, but in the Scriptures, often signifies, indefinitely, a large portion or number, or a great part. Thus, all the cattle in Egypt died, all Judea and all the region round about Jordan, all men held John as a prophet, are not to be understood in a literal sense, but as including a large part, or very great numbers.

3.
Only; alone; nothing but.

I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.
Shak.

All the whole, the whole (emphatically). [Obs.] “All the whole army.”  Shak.


word: All₂
definition:
All

All
adv.
1.
Wholly; completely; altogether; entirely; quite; very; as, all bedewed; my friend is all for amusement.
all
Byron.

&hand_; In the ancient phrases, all too dear, all too much, all so long, etc., this word retains its appropriate sense or becomes intensive.

2.
Even; just. (Often a mere intensive adjunct.)
[Obs. or Poet.]

All as his straying flock he fed.
Spenser.

A damsel lay deploring
All on a rock reclined.
Gay.

All to, or All-to. In such phrases as “all to rent,” “all to break,” “all-to frozen,” etc., which are of frequent occurrence in our old authors, the all and the to have commonly been regarded as forming a compound adverb, equivalent in meaning to entirely, completely, altogether. But the sense of entireness lies wholly in the word all (as it does in “all forlorn,” and similar expressions), and the to properly belongs to the following word, being a kind of intensive prefix (orig. meaning asunder and answering to the LG. ter-, HG. zer-). It is frequently to be met with in old books, used without the all. Thus Wyclif says, “The vail of the temple was to rent:” and of Judas, “He was hanged and to-burst the middle:” i. e., burst in two, or asunder. -- All along. See under Along. -- All and some, individually and collectively, one and all. [Obs.] “Displeased all and some.” Fairfax. -- All but. (a) Scarcely; not even. [Obs.] Shak. (b) Almost; nearly. “The fine arts were all but proscribed.” Macaulay. -- All hollow, entirely, completely; as, to beat any one all hollow. [Low] -- All one, the same thing in effect; that is, wholly the same thing. -- All over, over the whole extent; thoroughly; wholly; as, she is her mother all over. [Colloq.] -- All the better, wholly the better; that is, better by the whole difference. -- All the same, nevertheless.  “There they [certain phenomena] remain rooted all the same, whether we recognize them or not.” J. C. Shairp. “But Rugby is a very nice place all the same.” T. Arnold. -- See also under All, n.


word: All₃
definition:
All

All
(_;)
n.
The whole number, quantity, or amount; the entire thing; everything included or concerned; the aggregate; the whole; totality; everything or every person; as, our all is at stake.

Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all.
Shak.

All that thou seest is mine.
Gen. xxxi. 43.

All is used with of, like a partitive; as, all of a thing, all of us.

After all, after considering everything to the contrary; nevertheless. -- All in all, a phrase which signifies all things to a person, or everything desired; (also adverbially) wholly; altogether.
[1913 Webster]
Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee,
Forever. Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Trust me not at all, or all in all. Tennyson.
[1913 Webster]
-- All in the wind (Naut.), a phrase denoting that the sails are parallel with the course of the wind, so as to shake. -- All told, all counted; in all. -- And all, and the rest; and everything connected. “Bring our crown and all.” Shak. -- At all. (a) In every respect; wholly; thoroughly. [Obs.] “She is a shrew at al(l).” Chaucer. (b) A phrase much used by way of enforcement or emphasis, usually in negative or interrogative sentences, and signifying in any way or respect; in the least degree or to the least extent; in the least; under any circumstances; as, he has no ambition at all; has he any property at all? “Nothing at all.” Shak. “If thy father at all miss me.” 1 Sam. xx. 6. -- Over all, everywhere. [Obs.] Chaucer.

&hand_; All is much used in composition to enlarge the meaning, or add force to a word. In some instances, it is completely incorporated into words, and its final consonant is dropped, as in almighty, already, always: but, in most instances, it is an adverb prefixed to adjectives or participles, but usually with a hyphen, as, all-bountiful, all-glorious, allimportant, all-surrounding, etc. In others it is an adjective; as, allpower, all-giver. Anciently many words, as, alabout, alaground, etc., were compounded with all, which are now written separately.


word: All₄
definition:
All

All
conj.
[Orig. all, adv., wholly: used with though or if, which being dropped before the subjunctive left all as if in the sense although.]
Although; albeit.
[Obs.]

All they were wondrous loth.
Spenser.


word: Alla breve
definition:
Alla breve

Al`la bre"ve
(_;)
[It., according to the breve.]
(Old Church Music)
With one breve, or four minims, to measure, and sung faster like four crotchets; in quick common time; -- indicated in the time signature by _;.


word: Allah
definition:
Allah

Al"lah
(_;)
n.
[ contr. fr. the article al the + ilah God.]
The name of the Supreme Being, in use among the Arabs and the Muslims generally.


word: Allanite
definition:
Allanite

Al"lan*ite
(_;)
n.
[From T. Allan, who first distinguished it as a species.]
(min.)
A silicate containing a large amount of cerium. It is usually black in color, opaque, and is related to epidote in form and composition.


word: Allantoic
definition:
Allantoic

Al`lan*to"ic
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. allantoïque.]
Pertaining to, or contained in, the allantois.

Allantoic acid. (Chem.) See Allantoin.


word: Allantoidal
definition:
Allantoidal

Allantoid

{ Al*lan"toid (_;), Al`lan*toid"al (_;), }
a.
[Gr. _; shaped like a sausage; _; sausage + e'i^dos form.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the allantois.


word: Allantoidea
definition:
Allantoidea

Al`lan*toid"e*a
(_;)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
The division of Vertebrata in which the embryo develops an allantois. It includes reptiles, birds, and mammals.


word: Allantoin
definition:
Allantoin

Al*lan"to*in
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A crystalline, transparent, colorless substance found in the allantoic liquid of the fetal calf; -- formerly called allantoic acid and amniotic acid.


word: Allantoid
definition:
Allantoid

Allantois

{  &VerbarAl*lan"to*is (_;), Al*lan"toid
(_;)
n.
(Anat.)
A membranous appendage of the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles, -- in mammals serving to connect the fetus with the parent; the urinary vesicle.


word: Allay
definition:
Allay

Al*lay"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Allayed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Allaying.]
[OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down, humble, put an end to, AS. ālecgan; ā- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with old forms of allege, alloy, alegge. See Lay.]
1.
To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm; as, to allay popular excitement; to allay the tumult of the passions.

2.
To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity.

It would allay the burning quality of that fell poison.
Shak.


word: Allay₅
definition:
Allay

Al*lay"
v. t.
To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate.
[Archaic]
Fuller.


word: Allayment
definition:
Allayment

Al*lay"ment
(_;)
n.
An allaying; that which allays; mitigation.
[Obs.]

The like allayment could I give my grief.
Shak.


word: Allecret
definition:
Allecret

Al"le*cret
(_;)
n.
[OF. alecret, halecret, hallecret.]
A kind of light armor used in the sixteenth century, esp. by the Swiss.
Fairholt.


word: Allect
definition:
Allect

Al*lect"
(_;)
v. t.
[L. allectare, freq. of allicere, allectum.]
To allure; to entice.
[Obs.]


word: Alledge
definition:
Alledge

Al*ledge"
(_;)
v. t.
See Allege.
[Obs.]

&hand_; This spelling, corresponding to abridge, was once the prevailing one.


word: Allegation
definition:
Allegation

Al`le*ga"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. allegatio, fr. allegare, allegatum, to send a message, cite; later, to free by giving reasons; ad + legare to send, commission. Cf. Allege and Adlegation.]
1.
The act of alleging or positively asserting.

2.
That which is alleged, asserted, or declared; positive assertion; formal averment

I thought their allegation but reasonable.
Steele.

3.
(Law)
A statement by a party of what he undertakes to prove, -- usually applied to each separate averment; the charge or matter undertaken to be proved.


word: Allege
definition:
Allege

Al*lege"
(ăl*lĕj")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alleged (-lĕjd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Alleging.]
[OE. aleggen to bring forward as evidence, OF. esligier to buy, prop. to free from legal difficulties, fr. an assumed LL. exlitigare; L. ex + litigare to quarrel, sue (see Litigate). The word was confused with L. allegare (see Allegation), and lex law. Cf. Allay.]
1.
To bring forward with positiveness; to declare; to affirm; to assert; as, to allege a fact.

2.
To cite or quote; as, to allege the authority of a judge.
[Archaic]

3.
To produce or urge as a reason, plea, or excuse; as, he refused to lend, alleging a resolution against lending.


word: Allege₂
definition:
Allege

Al*lege"
v. t.
[See Allay.]
To alleviate; to lighten, as a burden or a trouble.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.


word: Allegeable
definition:
Allegeable

Al*lege"a*ble
(_;)
a.
Capable of being alleged or affirmed.

The most authentic examples allegeable in the case.
South.


word: Allegement
definition:
Allegement

Al*lege"ment
(_;)
n.
Allegation.
[Obs.]

With many complaints and allegements.
Bp. Sanderson.


word: Alleghanian
definition:
Alleghanian

Alleghenian

Al`le*ghe"ni*an (?), a. Also Al`le*gha"ni*an
(Biogeography)
Pertaining to or designating the humid division of the Transition zone extending across the northern United States from New England to eastern Dakota, and including also most of Pennsylvania and the mountainous region as far south as northern Georgia.


word: Alleghany
definition:
Alleghany

Allegheny

Al"le*ghe`ny
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to the Allegheny Mountains, or the region where they are situated. Also Al"le*gha`ny.

2.
[From the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania.]
(Geol.)
Pertaining to or designating a subdivision of the Pennsylvanian coal measure.


word: Allegiance
definition:
Allegiance

Al*le"giance
(_;)
n.
[OE. alegeaunce; pref. a- + OF. lige, liege. The meaning was influenced by L. ligare to bind, and even by lex, legis, law. See Liege, Ligeance.]
1.
The tie or obligation, implied or expressed, which a subject owes to his sovereign or government; the duty of fidelity to one's king, government, or state.

2.
Devotion; loyalty; as, allegiance to science.

Hear me, recreant, on thine allegiance hear me!
Shak.

So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found, . . . 
Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Milton.


word: Allegorical
definition:
Allegorical

Allegoric

{ Al`le*gor"ic (_;), Al`le*gor"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[F. allégorique, L. allegorius, fr. Gr. _;. See Allegory.]
Belonging to, or consisting of, allegory; of the nature of an allegory; describing by resemblances; figurative.
allegoric
Falconer.
allegorical
Pope.

Allegorical being . . . that kind of language which says one thing, but means another.
Max Miller.


word: Allegorist
definition:
Allegorist

Al"le*go*rist
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. allegoriste.]
One who allegorizes; a writer of allegory.
Hume.


word: Allegorization
definition:
Allegorization

Al`le*gor"i*za"tion
(_;)
n.
The act of turning into allegory, or of understanding in an allegorical sense.


word: Allegorize
definition:
Allegorize

Al"le*go*rize
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Allegorized (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Allegorizing.]
[Cf. F.  allégoriser, fr. L. allegorizare.]
1.
To form or turn into allegory; as, to allegorize the history of a people.

2.
To treat as allegorical; to understand in an allegorical sense; as, when a passage in a writer may understood literally or figuratively, he who gives it a figurative sense is said to allegorize it.


word: Allegorizer
definition:
Allegorizer

Al"le*go*ri`zer
(_;)
n.
One who allegorizes, or turns things into allegory; an allegorist.


word: Allegory
definition:
Allegory

Al"le*go*ry
(_;)
n.
pl. Allegories (_;).
[L. allegoria, Gr. _;, description of one thing under the image of another; _; other + _; to speak in the assembly, harangue, _; place of assembly, fr. _; to assemble: cf. F. allégorie.]
1.
A figurative sentence or discourse, in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. The real subject is thus kept out of view, and we are left to collect the intentions of the writer or speaker by the resemblance of the secondary to the primary subject.

2.
Anything which represents by suggestive resemblance; an emblem.

3.
(Paint. & Sculpt.)
A figure representation which has a meaning beyond notion directly conveyed by the object painted or sculptured.

An allegory is a prolonged metaphor. Bunyan's “Pilgrim's Progress” and Spenser's “Faërie Queene” are celebrated examples of the allegory.


word: Allegretto
definition:
Allegretto

Al`le*gret"to
(_;)
a.
[It., dim. of allegro.]
(Mus.)
Quicker than andante, but not so quick as allegro.
n. A movement in this time.


word: Allegro
definition:
Allegro

Al*le"gro
(_;)
a.
[It., merry, gay, fr. L. alacer lively. Cf. Aleger.]
(Mus.)
Brisk, lively.
n. An allegro movement; a quick, sprightly strain or piece.


word: allele
definition:
allele

al*lele"
n.
1.
1
1.
one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that can have the same place on homologous chromosomes and are responsible for alternative traits.

Syn. -- allelomorph

2.
either of a pair of Mendelian characters that may occur in an organism as a consequence of variation at one gene locus.


word: Allelomorph
definition:
Allelomorph

Al*le"lo*morph
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; of one another + Gr. morfh` form.]
(Biol.)
One of the pure unit characters commonly existing singly or in pairs in the germ cells of Mendelian hybrids, and exhibited in varying proportion among the organisms themselves; same as allele, 2. Allelomorphs which under certain circumstances are themselves compound are called hypallelomorphs. See Mendel's law.
Al*le`lo*mor"phic (#), a.

As we know that the several unit characters are of such a nature that any one of them is capable of independently displacing or being displaced by one or more alternative characters taken singly, we may recognize this fact by naming such characters allelomorphs.
Bateson.


word: Alleluiah
definition:
Alleluiah

Alleluia

{ Al`le*lu"ia, Al`le*lu"iah  }
(_;)
n.
[L. alleluia, Gr. _;, fr. Heb. hallēlū-yāh. See Hallelujah.]
An exclamation signifying Praise ye Jehovah. Hence: A song of praise to God. See Hallelujah, the commoner form.

I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia.
Rev. xix. 1.


word: Allemande
definition:
Allemande

Al"le*mande"
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. allemand German.]
1.
(Mus.)
A dance in moderate twofold time, invented by the French in the reign of Louis XIV.; -- now mostly found in suites of pieces, like those of Bach and Handel.

2.
A figure in dancing.


word: all-embracing
definition:
all-embracing

all-embracing
adj.
1.
1
broad in scope or content.

Syn. -- all-inclusive, across-the-board, blanket(prenominal), broad, complete, global, panoptic, wide


word: Allenarly
definition:
Allenarly

Al*len"ar*ly
(_;)
adv.
[All + anerly singly, fr. ane one.]
Solely; only.
[Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.


word: Aller₂
definition:
Aller

Al"ler
(_;)
a.
[For ealra, the AS. gen. pl. of eal all.]
Same as Alder, of all.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: allergenic
definition:
allergenic

allergenic
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to allergens or allergenicity.

2.
causing an allergy or an allergic reaction.


word: allergic
definition:
allergic

allergic
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to allergy.
allergic reaction

2.
1
having an allergy or peculiar or excessive susceptibilty especially to a specific factor
allergic children

Syn. -- hypersensitive, hypersensitized, sensitized, supersensitive, supersensitized


word: Allerion
definition:
Allerion

Al*le"ri*on
(_;)
n.
[F. alérion, LL. alario a sort of eagle; of uncertain origin.]
(Her.)
Am eagle without beak or feet, with expanded wings.
Burke.


word: Alleviate
definition:
Alleviate

Al*le"vi*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alleviated; p. pr. & vb. n. Alleviating.]
[LL. alleviare, fr. L. ad + levis light. See Alegge, Levity.]
1.
To lighten or lessen the force or weight of.
[Obs.]

Should no others join capable to alleviate the expense.
Evelyn.

Those large bladders . . . conduce much to the alleviating of the body [of flying birds].
Ray.

2.
To lighten or lessen (physical or mental troubles); to mitigate, or make easier to be endured; as, to alleviate sorrow, pain, care, etc. ; -- opposed to aggravate.

The calamity of the want of the sense of hearing is much alleviated by giving the use of letters.
Bp. Horsley.

3.
To extenuate; to palliate.
[R.]

He alleviates his fault by an excuse.
Johnson.


word: alleviated
definition:
alleviated

alleviated
adj.
1.
1
made less severe or intense.
unmitigated

Syn. -- eased, relieved, mitigated.


word: Alleviation
definition:
Alleviation

Al*le`vi*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. alleviatio.]
1.
The act of alleviating; a lightening of weight or severity; mitigation; relief.

2.
That which mitigates, or makes more tolerable.

I have not wanted such alleviations of life as friendship could supply.
Johnson.


word: Alley
definition:
Alley

Al"ley
(_;)
n.
pl. Alleys (_;).
[OE. aley, alley, OF. alée, F. allée, a going, passage, fr. OE. aler, F. aller, to go; of uncertain origin: cf. Prov. anar, It. andare, Sp. andar.]
1.
A narrow passage; especially a walk or passage in a garden or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes; a bordered way.

I know each lane and every alley green.
Milton.

2.
A narrow passage or way in a city, as distinct from a public street.
Gay.

3.
A passageway between rows of pews in a church.

4.
(Persp.)
Any passage having the entrance represented as wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of length.

5.
The space between two rows of compositors' stands in a printing office.


word: Alley₂
definition:
Alley

Al"ley
n.
pl. Alleys (_;).
[A contraction of alabaster, of which it was originally made.]
A choice taw or marble.
Dickens.


word: All Fools' Day
definition:
All Fools' Day

All" Fools' Day`
(_;)
The first day of April, a day on which sportive impositions are practiced.

The first of April, some do say,
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
Poor Robin's Almanack (1760).


word: Allfours
definition:
Allfours

All`fours"
(_;)
[All + four (cards).]
A game at cards, called “High, Low, Jack, and the Game.”


word: All fours
definition:
All fours

All` fours"
[formerly, All` four".]
All four legs of a quadruped; or the two legs and two arms of a person.

To be, go, or run, on all fours (Fig.), to be on the same footing; to correspond (with) exactly; to be alike in all the circumstances to be considered.  “This example is on all fours with the other.”  “No simile can go on all fours.”  Macaulay.


word: All-hail
definition:
All-hail

All`-hail"
v. t.
To salute; to greet.
[Poet.]

Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who all-hailed me “Thane of Cawdor.”
Shak.


word: Allhallows
definition:
Allhallows

Allhallow

{ All`hal"low (_;), All`hal"lows (_;), }
n.
1.
All the saints (in heaven).
[Obs.]

2.
All Saints' Day, November 1st.
[Archaic]


word: Allhallown
definition:
Allhallown

All`hal"lown
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to the time of Allhallows. [Obs.] “Allhallown summer.” Shak. (i. e., late summer; “Indian Summer”).


word: Allhallowtide
definition:
Allhallowtide

All`hal"low*tide`
(_;)
n.
[AS. tīd time.]
The time at or near All Saints, or November 1st.


word: Allheal
definition:
Allheal

All"heal
(_;)
n.
A name popularly given to the officinal valerian, and to some other plants.


word: Alliaceous
definition:
Alliaceous

Al`li*a"ceous
(_;)
a.
Of or pertaining to the genus Allium, or garlic, onions, leeks, etc.; having the smell or taste of garlic or onions.


word: Alliance
definition:
Alliance

Al*li"ance
(_;)
n.
[OE. aliaunce, OF. aliance, F. alliance, fr. OF. alier, F. allier. See Ally, and cf. LL. alligantia.]
1.
The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.

2.
Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

The alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel.
C. J. Smith.

The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics.
Mansel.

3.
The persons or parties allied.
Udall.


word: Alliant
definition:
Alliant

Al*li"ant
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. alliant, p. pr.]
An ally; a confederate.
[Obs. & R.]
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Allis
definition:
Allis

Allice

{ Al"lice, Al"lis  }
(_;)
n.
(Zool.)
The European shad (Clupea vulgaris); allice shad. See Alose.


word: Allicient
definition:
Allicient

Al*li"cient
(_;)
a.
[L. alliciens, p. pr. of allicere to allure; ad + lacere to entice.]
That attracts; attracting.
n. That attracts. [Rare or Obs.]


word: Alligate
definition:
Alligate

Al*li*gate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. alligatus, p. p. of alligare. See Ally.]
To tie; to unite by some tie.

Instincts alligated to their nature.
Sir M. Hale.


word: Alligation
definition:
Alligation

Al`li*ga"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. alligatio.]
1.
The act of tying together or attaching by some bond, or the state of being attached.
[R.]

2.
(Arith.)
A rule relating to the solution of questions concerning the compounding or mixing of different ingredients, or ingredients of different qualities or values.

&hand_; The rule is named from the method of connecting together the terms by certain ligature-like signs. Alligation is of two kinds, medial and alternate; medial teaching the method of finding the price or quality of a mixture of several simple ingredients whose prices and qualities are known; alternate, teaching the amount of each of several simple ingredients whose prices or qualities are known, which will be required to make a mixture of given price or quality.


word: Alligator
definition:
Alligator

Al"li*ga`tor
(_;)
n.
[Sp. el lagarto the lizard (el lagarto de Indias, the cayman or American crocodile), fr. L. lacertus, lacerta, lizard. See Lizard.]
1.
(Zool.)
A large carnivorous reptile of the Crocodile family, peculiar to America. It has a shorter and broader snout than the crocodile, and the large teeth of the lower jaw shut into pits in the upper jaw, which has no marginal notches. Besides the common species of the southern United States, there are allied species in South America.

2.
(Mech.)
Any machine with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator
as,
(a)
(Metal Working)
a form of squeezer for the puddle ball
(b)
(Mining)
a rock breaker
(c)
(Printing)
a kind of job press, called also alligator press.

Alligator apple (Bot.), the fruit of the Anona palustris, a West Indian tree. It is said to be narcotic in its properties. Loudon. -- Alligator fish (Zool.), a marine fish of northwestern America (Podothecus acipenserinus). -- Alligator gar (Zool.), one of the gar pikes (Lepidosteus spatula) found in the southern rivers of the United States. The name is also applied to other species of gar pikes. -- Alligator pear (Bot.), a corruption of Avocado pear. See Avocado. -- Alligator snapper, Alligator tortoise, Alligator turtle (Zool.), a very large and voracious turtle (Macrochelys lacertina) inhabiting the rivers of the southern United States. It sometimes reaches the weight of two hundred pounds. Unlike the common snapping turtle, to which the name is sometimes erroneously applied, it has a scaly head and many small scales beneath the tail. This name is sometimes given to other turtles, as to species of Trionyx. -- Alligator wood, the timber of a tree of the West Indies (Guarea Swartzii).


word: alligator
definition:
alligator

al"li*ga`tor
(_;)
v. i. & t.
[Because of the resemblance to the pattern on the skin of an alligator.]
to form shallow cracks in a reticulated pattern on the surface, or in a coating on the surface, of an object.


word: alligatored
definition:
alligatored

alligatored
adj.
1.
1
having cracks in a reticulated pattern, giving an appearance reminiscent of alligator hide; -- said of a surface coating, e.g., of paint, varnish, or glazing

Syn. -- cracked


word: alligatorfish
definition:
alligatorfish

alligatorfish
n.
1.
1
small very elongate sea poachers.

Syn. -- Aspidophoroides monopterygius


word: Alligatoridae
definition:
Alligatoridae

Alligatoridae
n.
1.
1
the family of reptiles comprising the alligators, and including the caimans.

Syn. -- family Alligatoridae.


word: Alligator wrench
definition:
Alligator wrench

Al"li*ga`tor wrench
(Mech.)
A kind of pipe wrench having a flaring jaw with teeth on one side.


word: all-important
definition:
all-important

all-important
adj. prenom.
1.
of the greatest importance.
the all-important subject of disarmament

Syn. -- all important(predicate), crucial, essential, of the essence(predicate).


word: all-inclusive
definition:
all-inclusive

all-inclusive
adj.
1.
broad in scope or content.

Syn. -- all-embracing, across-the-board, blanket(prenominal), broad, complete, global, panoptic, wide.


word: Allineate
definition:
Allineate

Al*lin"e*ate
(_;)
v. t.
[L. ad + lineatus, p. p. of lineare to draw a line.]
To align.
[R.]
Herschel.


word: Alineation₂
definition:
Alineation

Allineation

{ Al*lin`e*a"tion (_;), A*lin`e*a"tion (_;), }
n.
Alignment; position in a straight line, as of two planets with the sun.
Whewell.

The allineation of the two planets.
C. A. Young.


word: Allision
definition:
Allision

Al*li"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. allisio, fr. allidere, to strike or dash against; ad + laedere to dash against.]
The act of dashing against, or striking upon.

The boisterous allision of the sea.
Woodward.


word: Alliteration
definition:
Alliteration

Al*lit`er*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. ad + litera letter. See Letter.]
The repetition of the same letter at the beginning of two or more words immediately succeeding each other, or at short intervals; as in the following lines: -

Behemoth, biggest born of earth, upheaved
His vastness.
Milton.

Fly o'er waste fens and windy fields.
Tennyson.

&hand_; The recurrence of the same letter in accented parts of words is also called alliteration. Anglo-Saxon poetry is characterized by alliterative meter of this sort. Later poets also employed it.

In a somer seson whan soft was the sonne,
I shope me in shroudes as I a shepe were.
P. Plowman.


word: Alliterative
definition:
Alliterative

Al*lit"er*a*tive
(?; 277)
a.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, alliteration; as, alliterative poetry.
Al*lit"er*a*tive*ly, adv. -- Al*lit"er*a*tive*ness, n.


word: Allium
definition:
Allium

Al"li*um
(_;)
n.
[L., garlic.]
(bot.)
A genus of plants, including the onion, garlic, leek, chive, etc.


word: all-mains
definition:
all-mains

all-mains
adj. prenom.
1.
adaptable to all voltages; -- of a radio receiver.
[British]
For power supplies, the term "switching" is used to designate ability to use more than one voltage as a power source.  Typically, it is used for the ability to use both 110 and 220 volt AC sources.
an all-mains set


word: Allness
definition:
Allness

All"ness
(_;)
n.
Totality; completeness.
[R.]

The allness of God, including his absolute spirituality, supremacy, and eternity.
R. Turnbull.


word: Allocate
definition:
Allocate

Al"lo*cate
(_;)
v. t.
[LL. allocatus, p. p. of allocare, fr. L. ad + locare to place. See Allow.]
1.
To distribute or assign; to allot.
Burke.

2.
To localize.
[R.]


word: Allocation
definition:
Allocation

Al`lo*ca"tion
(_;)
n.
[LL. allocatio: cf. F. allocation.]
1.
The act of putting one thing to another; a placing; disposition; arrangement.
Hallam.

2.
An allotment or apportionment; as, an allocation of shares in a company.

The allocation of the particular portions of Palestine to its successive inhabitants.
A. R. Stanley.

3.
The admission of an item in an account, or an allowance made upon an account; -- a term used in the English exchequer.


word: Allocatur
definition:
Allocatur

Al`lo*ca"tur
(_;)
n.
[LL., it is allowed, fr. allocare to allow.]
(Law)
“Allowed.” The word allocatur expresses the allowance of a proceeding, writ, order, etc., by a court, judge, or judicial officer.


word: Allochroous
definition:
Allochroous

Al*loch"ro*ous
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; changed in color, fr. _; other + _; color.]
Changing color.


word: Allocution
definition:
Allocution

Al`lo*cu"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. allocuto, fr. alloqui to speak to; ad + loqui to speak: cf. F. allocution.]
1.
The act or manner of speaking to, or of addressing in words.

2.
An address; a hortatory or authoritative address as of a pope to his clergy.
Addison.


word: Allodial
definition:
Allodial

Al*lo"di*al
(_;)
a.
[LL. allodialis, fr. allodium: cf. F. allodial. See Allodium.]
(Law)
Pertaining to allodium; freehold; free of rent or service; held independent of a lord paramount; -- opposed to feudal; as, allodial lands; allodial system.
Blackstone.


word: Allodium
definition:
Allodium

Al*lo"di*um
(_;)
n.
[LL. allodium, alodium, alodis, alaudis, of Ger. origin; cf. OHG. al all, and _;t (AS. eād) possession, property. It means, therefore, entirely one's property.]
(Law)
Freehold estate; land which is the absolute property of the owner; real estate held in absolute independence, without being subject to any rent, service, or acknowledgment to a superior. It is thus opposed to feud.
Blackstone. Bouvier.


word: Allogamy
definition:
Allogamy

Al*log"a*my
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; other + _; marriage.]
(Bot.)
Fertilization of the pistil of a plant by pollen from another of the same species; cross-fertilization.


word: Allograph
definition:
Allograph

Al"lo*graph
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; another + -graph.]
A writing or signature made by some person other than any of the parties thereto; -- opposed to autograph.


word: Allomerism
definition:
Allomerism

Al*lom"er*ism
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; other + _; part.]
(Chem.)
Variability in chemical constitution without variation in crystalline form.


word: allometry
definition:
allometry

allometry
n.
1.
the study of the relative growth of a part of an organism in relation to the growth of the whole.


word: Allomorph
definition:
Allomorph

Al"lo*morph
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; other + morfh` form.]
(Min.)
(a)
Any one of two or more distinct crystalline forms of the same substance; or the substance having such forms; -- as, carbonate of lime occurs in the allomorphs calcite and aragonite.
(b)
A variety of pseudomorph which has undergone partial or complete change or substitution of material; -- thus limonite is frequently an allomorph after pyrite.
G. H. Williams.


word: Allomorphism
definition:
Allomorphism

Al`lo*mor"phism
(_;)
n.
(Min.)
The property which constitutes an allomorph; the change involved in becoming an allomorph.


word: Allonge
definition:
Allonge

Al*longe"
(_;)
n.
[F. allonge, earlier alonge, a lengthening. See Allonge, v., and cf. Lunge.]
1.
(Fencing)
A thrust or pass; a lunge.

2.
A slip of paper attached to a bill of exchange for receiving indorsements, when the back of the bill itself is already full; a rider.
[A French usage]
Abbott.


word: Allonge₂
definition:
Allonge

Al*longe"
v. i.
[F. allonger; à (L. ad) + long (L. longus) long.]
To thrust with a sword; to lunge.


word: Allonym
definition:
Allonym

Al"lo*nym
(_;)
n.
[F. allonyme, fr. Gr. _; other + _; name.]
1.
The name of another person assumed by the author of a work.

2.
A work published under the name of some one other than the author.


word: Allopathically
definition:
Allopathically

Al`lo*path"ic*al*ly
(_;)
adv.
In a manner conformable to allopathy; by allopathic methods.


word: Allopathy
definition:
Allopathy

Al*lop"a*thy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; other + _; suffering, _;, _;, to suffer: cf. G. allopathie, F. allopathie. See Pathos.]
That system of medical practice which aims to combat disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the special disease treated; -- a term invented by Hahnemann to designate the ordinary practice, as opposed to homeopathy.


word: allophone
definition:
allophone

allophone
n.
any one of two or more speech sounds that considered variants of the same phoneme.  For example, the p sounds of pin and spin are allophones of p; and the t sounds of toe stop and catnip  are allophones of t.


word: Allophylian
definition:
Allophylian

Allophylic

{ Al`lo*phyl"ic (_;), Al`lo*phyl"i*an (_;), }
a.
[Gr. _; of another tribe; _; other + _; class or tribe.]
Pertaining to a race or a language neither Aryan nor Semitic.
J. Prichard.


word: Allot
definition:
Allot

Al*lot"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Allotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Allotting.]
[OF. aloter, F. allotir; a (L. ad) + lot lot. See Lot.]
1.
To distribute by lot.

2.
To distribute, or parcel out in parts or portions; or to distribute to each individual concerned; to assign as a share or lot; to set apart as one's share; to bestow on; to grant; to appoint; as, let every man be contented with that which Providence allots him.

Ten years I will allot to the attainment of knowledge.
Johnson.


word: Allotheism
definition:
Allotheism

Al"lo*the*ism
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; other + _; god.]
The worship of strange gods.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Allotment
definition:
Allotment

Al*lot"ment
(_;)
n.
[Cf. OF. alotement, F. allotement.]
1.
The act of allotting; assignment.

2.
That which is allotted; a share, part, or portion granted or distributed; that which is assigned by lot, or by the act of God; anything set apart for a special use or to a distinct party.

The alloments of God and nature.
L'Estrange.

A vineyard and an allotment for olives and herbs.
Broome.

3.
(law)
The allowance of a specific amount of scrip or of a particular thing to a particular person.

Cottage allotment, an allotment of a small portion of land to a country laborer for garden cultivation. [Eng.]


word: allotriophagy
definition:
allotriophagy

al`lo*tri*oph"a*gy
(ăl`lo̝*trĭ*&obreve_;f"ȧ*j&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. 'allo`trios strange + fagei^n to eat: cf. F. allotriophagie.]
(Med.)
A depraved appetite; a desire for strange or nonnutritious food, such as clay or starch.  Called also pica.
AS


word: allotrophic
definition:
allotrophic

al`lo*troph"ic
(ăl`lo̝*tr&obreve_;f"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. 'a`llos other + trophic.]
(a)
(Physiol.)
Changed or modified in nutritive power by the process of digestion.
(b)
(Plant Physiol.)
Dependent upon other organisms for nutrition; heterotrophic; -- said of plants unable to perform photosynthesis, as all saprophytes; -- opposed to autotrophic.


word: Allotropic
definition:
Allotropic

Allotropical

{ Al`lo*trop"ic (ăl`lo̝*tr&obreve_;p"ĭk), Al`lo*trop"ic*al (-ĭk*al), }
a.
[Cf. F. allotropique.]
Of or pertaining to allotropism.
Al`lo*trop"ic*al*ly, adv.

Allotropic state, the several conditions which occur in a case of allotropism.


word: Allotropicity
definition:
Allotropicity

Al*lot`ro*pic"i*ty
(ăl`l&obreve_;t`ro̝*pĭs"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
Allotropic property or nature.


word: Allotropy
definition:
Allotropy

Allotropism

{ Al*lot"ro*pism (_;), Al*lot"ro*py (_;), }
n.
[Gr. _; other + direction, way, _; to turn: cf. F. allotropie.]
(Chem.)
The property of existing in two or more conditions which are distinct in their physical or chemical relations.

&hand_; Thus, carbon occurs crystallized in octahedrons and other related forms, in a state of extreme hardness, in the diamond; it occurs in hexagonal forms, and of little hardness, in black lead; and again occurs in a third form, with entire softness, in lampblack and charcoal. In some cases, one of these is peculiarly an active state, and the other a passive one. Thus, ozone is an active state of oxygen, and is distinct from ordinary oxygen, which is the element in its passive state.


word: Allow
definition:
Allow

Al*low"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Allowed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Allowing.]
[OE. alouen, OF. alouer, aloer, aluer, F. allouer, fr. LL. allocare to admit as proved, to place, use; confused with OF. aloer, fr. L. allaudare to extol; ad + laudare to praise. See Local, and cf. Allocate, Laud.]
1.
To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.
[Obs. or Archaic]

Ye allow the deeds of your fathers.
Luke xi. 48.

We commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning.
Fuller.

2.
To like; to be suited or pleased with.
[Obs.]

How allow you the model of these clothes?
Massinger.

3.
To sanction; to invest; to intrust.
[Obs.]

Thou shalt be . . . allowed with absolute power.
Shak.

4.
To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have; as, to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest.

He was allowed about three hundred pounds a year.
Macaulay.

5.
To own or acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to accede to an opinion; as, to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow the truth of a proposition.

I allow, with Mrs. Grundy and most moralists, that Miss Newcome's conduct . . . was highly reprehensible.
Thackeray.

6.
To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; esp. to abate or deduct; as, to allow a sum for leakage.

7.
To grant license to; to permit; to consent to; as, to allow a son to be absent.


word: Allow₂
definition:
Allow

Al*low"
v. i.
To admit; to concede; to make allowance or abatement.

Allowing still for the different ways of making it.
Addison.

To allow of, to permit; to admit. Shak.


word: Allowable
definition:
Allowable

Al*low"a*ble
(_;)
a.
[F. allouable.]
1.
Praiseworthy; laudable.
[Obs.]
Hacket.

2.
Proper to be, or capable of being, allowed; permissible; admissible; not forbidden; not unlawful or improper; as, a certain degree of freedom is allowable among friends.


word: Allowableness
definition:
Allowableness

Al*low"a*ble*ness
n.
The quality of being allowable; permissibleness; lawfulness; exemption from prohibition or impropriety.
South.


word: Allowance
definition:
Allowance

Al*low"ance
(_;)
n.
[OF. alouance.]
1.
Approval; approbation.
[Obs.]
Crabbe.

2.
The act of allowing, granting, conceding, or admitting; authorization; permission; sanction; tolerance.

Without the king's will or the state's allowance.
Shak.

3.
Acknowledgment.

The censure of the which one must in your allowance o'erweigh a whole theater of others.
Shak.

4.
License; indulgence.
[Obs.]
Locke.

5.
That which is allowed; a share or portion allotted or granted; a sum granted as a reimbursement, a bounty, or as appropriate for any purpose; a stated quantity, as of food or drink; hence, a limited quantity of meat and drink, when provisions fall short.

I can give the boy a handsome allowance.
Thackeray.

6.
Abatement; deduction; the taking into account of mitigating circumstances; as, to make allowance for the inexperience of youth.

After making the largest allowance for fraud.
Macaulay.

7.
(com.)
A customary deduction from the gross weight of goods, different in different countries, such as tare and tret.


word: Allowance₂
definition:
Allowance

Al*low"ance
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Allowancing (_;).]
[See Allowance, n.]
To put upon a fixed allowance (esp. of provisions and drink); to supply in a fixed and limited quantity; as, the captain was obliged to allowance his crew; our provisions were allowanced.


word: Alloxan
definition:
Alloxan

Al*lox"an
(_;)
n.
[Allantoin + oxalic, as containing the elements of allantion and oxalic acid.]
(Chem.)
An oxidation product of uric acid. It is of a pale reddish color, readily soluble in water or alcohol.


word: Alloxanate
definition:
Alloxanate

Al*lox"a*nate
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A combination of alloxanic acid and a base or base or positive radical.


word: Alloxanic
definition:
Alloxanic

Al`lox*an"ic
(_;)
a.
(Chem.)
Of or pertaining to alloxan; -- applied to an acid obtained by the action of soluble alkalies on alloxan.


word: Alloxantin
definition:
Alloxantin

Al`lox*an"tin
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A substance produced by acting upon uric with warm and very dilute nitric acid.


word: Alloy
definition:
Alloy

Al*loy"
n.
[OE. alai, OF. alei, F. aloyer, to alloy, alier to ally. See Alloy, v. t.]
1.
Any combination or compound of metals fused together; a mixture of metals; for example, brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc. But when mercury is one of the metals, the compound is called an amalgam.

2.
The quality, or comparative purity, of gold or silver; fineness.

3.
A baser metal mixed with a finer.

Fine silver is silver without the mixture of any baser metal. Alloy is baser metal mixed with it.
Locke.

4.
Admixture of anything which lessens the value or detracts from; as, no happiness is without alloy.
alloy
F. Harrison.


word: Alloy₂
definition:
Alloy

Al*loy"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alloyed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Alloying.]
[F. aloyer, OF. alier, allier, later allayer, fr. L. aligare. See Alloy, n., Ally, v. t., and cf. Allay.]
1.
To reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable substance; as, to alloy gold with silver or copper, or silver with copper.

2.
To mix, as metals, so as to form a compound.

3.
To abate, impair, or debase by mixture; to allay; as, to alloy pleasure with misfortunes.


word: Alloyage
definition:
Alloyage

Al*loy"age
(_;)
n.
[F. aloyage.]
The act or art of alloying metals; also, the combination or alloy.


word: Alloy steel
definition:
Alloy steel

Al"loy steel
Any steel containing a notable quantity of some other metal alloyed with the iron, usually chromium, nickel, manganese, tungsten, or vanadium.


word: All-possessed
definition:
All-possessed

All`-pos*sessed"
(_;)
a.
Controlled by an evil spirit or by evil passions; wild.
[Colloq.]


word: all-powerful
definition:
all-powerful

all-powerful
adj.
1.
having full power over all aspects of a situation.

Syn. -- almighty, omnipotent.


word: all right
definition:
all right

all right
pred. adj.
1.
satisfactory; better than average; as, everything is all right.

Syn. -- all-right(predicate), ok, o.k., okay.


word: all-right
definition:
all-right

all-right
adj. prenom.
1.
satisfactory; better than average.
an all-right movie

Syn. -- all right(predicate), ok, o.k., okay


word: all-round
definition:
all-round

all-round
adj. prenom.
1.
many-sided.
an all-round athlete

Syn. -- all-around(prenominal), well-rounded


word: all-rounder
definition:
all-rounder

all-rounder
n.
1.
1
a versatile person who is expert at many things.
she's the best all-rounder they've seen in years

Syn. -- all arounder


word: All Saints'
definition:
All Saints'

All Saints

{ All" Saints` (_;), All" Saints' (_;), }
The first day of November, called, also, Allhallows or Hallowmas; a feast day kept in honor of all the saints; also, the season of this festival.


word: All Souls' Day
definition:
All Souls' Day

All" Souls' Day`
(_;)
The second day of November; a feast day of the Roman Catholic church, on which supplications are made for the souls of the faithful dead.


word: Allspice
definition:
Allspice

All"spice`
(_;)
n.
The berry of the pimento (Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus); wild allspice (Lindera benzoin), called also spicebush, spicewood, and feverbush.


word: all-time
definition:
all-time

all-time
adj.
1.
unsurpassed in some respect up to the present.
prices at an all-time high
morale at an all-time low
among the all-time great lefthanders


word: Allude
definition:
Allude

Al*lude"
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Alluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Alluding.]
[L. alludere to play with, to allude; ad + ludere to play.]
To refer to something indirectly or by suggestion; to have reference to a subject not specifically and plainly mentioned; -- followed by to; as, the story alludes to a recent transaction.

These speeches . . . do seem to allude unto such ministerial garments as were then in use.
Hooker.


word: Allumette
definition:
Allumette

Al`lu`mette
(_;)
n.
[F., from allumer to light.]
A match for lighting candles, lamps, etc.


word: Alluminor
definition:
Alluminor

Al*lu"mi*nor
(_;)
n.
[OF. alumineor, fr. L. ad + liminare. See Luminate.]
An illuminator of manuscripts and books; a limner.
[Obs.]
Cowell.


word: Allure
definition:
Allure

Al*lure"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alluded (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Alluring.]
[OF. aleurrer, alurer, fr. a (L. ad) + leurre lure. See Lure.]
To attempt to draw; to tempt by a lure or bait, that is, by the offer of some good, real or apparent; to invite by something flattering or acceptable; to entice; to attract.

With promised joys allured them on.
Falconer.

The golden sun in splendor likest Heaven
Allured his eye.
Milton.


word: Allure₃
definition:
Allure

Al`lure"
(_;)
n.
[F.; aller to go.]
Gait; bearing.

The swing, the gait, the pose, the allure of these men.
Harper's Mag.


word: Allurement
definition:
Allurement

Al*lure"ment
(_;)
n.
1.
The act alluring; temptation; enticement.

Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell.
Milton.

2.
That which allures; any real or apparent good held forth, or operating, as a motive to action; as, the allurements of pleasure, or of honor.


word: Alluring
definition:
Alluring

Al*lur"ing
a.
That allures; attracting; charming; tempting.
Al*lur"ing*ly, adv. -- Al*lur"ing*ness, n.


word: Allusion
definition:
Allusion

Al*lu"sion
(_;)
n.
[L. allusio, fr. alludere to allude: cf. F. allusion.]
1.
A figurative or symbolical reference.
[Obs.]

2.
A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.


word: Allusive
definition:
Allusive

Al*lu"sive
(_;)
a.
1.
Figurative; symbolical.

2.
Having reference to something not fully expressed; containing an allusion.


word: Allusively
definition:
Allusively

Al*lu"sive*ly
adv.
Figuratively [Obs.]; by way of allusion; by implication, suggestion, or insinuation.


word: Alluvial₂
definition:
Alluvial

Al*lu"vi*al
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. alluvial. See Alluvion.]
Pertaining to, contained in, or composed of, alluvium; relating to the deposits made by flowing water; washed away from one place and deposited in another; as, alluvial soil, mud, accumulations, deposits.


word: Alluvion
definition:
Alluvion

Al*lu"vi*on
(_;)
n.
[F. alluvion, L. alluvio, fr. alluere to wash against; ad + luere, equiv. to lavare, to wash. See Lave.]
1.
Wash or flow of water against the shore or bank.

2.
An overflowing; an inundation; a flood.
Lyell.

3.
Matter deposited by an inundation or the action of flowing water; alluvium.

The golden alluvions are there [in California and Australia] spread over a far wider space: they are found not only on the banks of rivers, and in their beds, but are scattered over the surface of vast plains.
R. Cobden.

4.
(Law)
An accession of land gradually washed to the shore or bank by the flowing of water. See Accretion.


word: Alluvium
definition:
Alluvium

Al*lu"vi*um
(_;)
n.
pl. E. Alluviums, L. Alluvia (_;).
[L., neut. of alluvius. See Alluvious.]
(Geol.)
Deposits of earth, sand, gravel, and other transported matter, made by rivers, floods, or other causes, upon land not permanently submerged beneath the waters of lakes or seas.
Lyell.


word: Allwork
definition:
Allwork

All"work`
(_;)
n.
Domestic or other work of all kinds; as, a maid of allwork, that is, a general servant.


word: Ally
definition:
Ally

Al*ly"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Allied (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Allying.]
[OE. alien, OF. alier, F. alier, fr. L. alligare to bind to; ad + ligare to bind. Cf. Alligate, Alloy, Allay, Ligament.]
1.
To unite, or form a connection between, as between families by marriage, or between princes and states by treaty, league, or confederacy; -- often followed by to or with.

O chief! in blood, and now in arms allied.
Pope.

2.
To connect or form a relation between by similitude, resemblance, friendship, or love.

These three did love each other dearly well,
And with so firm affection were allied.
Spenser.

The virtue nearest to our vice allied.
Pope.

&hand_; Ally is generally used in the passive form or reflexively.


word: Ally₂
definition:
Ally

Al*ly"
(_;)
n.
pl. Allies (_;).
[See Ally, v.]
1.
A relative; a kinsman.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
One united to another by treaty or league; -- usually applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate.

The English soldiers and their French allies.
Macaulay.

3.
Anything associated with another as a helper; an auxiliary.

Science, instead of being the enemy of religion, becomes its ally.
Buckle.

4.
Anything akin to another by structure, etc.


word: Allyl
definition:
Allyl

Al"lyl
(_;)
n.
[L. allium garlic + -yl.]
(Chem.)
An organic radical, C3H5, existing especially in oils of garlic and mustard.


word: Allylene
definition:
Allylene

Al"ly*lene
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A gaseous hydrocarbon, C3H4, homologous with acetylene; propine.


word: Almacantar
definition:
Almacantar

Al`ma*can"tar
(_;)
n.
(Astron.)
(a)
Same as Almucantar.
(b)
A recently invented instrument for observing the heavenly bodies as they cross a given almacantar circle. See Almucantar.


word: Almadie
definition:
Almadie

Almadia

{ &VerbarAl`ma*di"a (_;), &VerbarAl"ma*die (_;), }
n.
[F. almadie (cf. Sp. & Pg. almadia), fr. Ar. alma'dīyah a raft, float.]
(Naut.)
(a)
A bark canoe used by the Africans.
(b)
A boat used at Calicut, in India, about eighty feet long, and six or seven broad.


word: Almagest
definition:
Almagest

Al"ma*gest
(_;)
n.
[F. almageste, LL. almageste, Ar. al-majistī, fr. Gr. _; (sc. _;), the greatest composition.]
The celebrated work of Ptolemy of Alexandria, which contains nearly all that is known of the astronomical observations and theories of the ancients. The name was extended to other similar works.


word: Almagra
definition:
Almagra

Al*ma"gra
(_;)
n.
[Sp. almagra, almagre, fr. Ar. al-maghrah red clay or earth.]
A fine, deep red ocher, somewhat purplish, found in Spain. It is the sil atticum of the ancients. Under the name of Indian red it is used for polishing glass and silver.


word: Alman
definition:
Alman

Almayne

Almain

{ Al"main (ăl"mān), Al"mayne (-mān), Al"man (-man), }
n.
[OF. Aleman, F. Allemand, fr. L. Alemanni, ancient Ger. tribes.]
[Obs.]
1.
A German.
Also
adj., German.
Shak.

2.
The German language.
J. Foxe.

3.
A kind of dance. See Allemande.

Almain rivets, Almayne rivets, or Alman rivets, a sort of light armor from Germany, characterized by overlapping plates, arranged to slide on rivets, and thus afford great flexibility.


word: Almanac
definition:
Almanac

Al"ma*nac
(?; 277)
n.
[LL. almanac, almanach: cf. F. almanach, Sp. almanaque, It. almanacco, all of uncertain origin.]
A book or table, containing a calendar of days, and months, to which astronomical data and various statistics are often added, such as the times of the rising and setting of the sun and moon, eclipses, hours of full tide, stated festivals of churches, terms of courts, etc.

Nautical almanac, an almanac, or year book, containing astronomical calculations (lunar, stellar, etc.), and other information useful to mariners.


word: Almandine
definition:
Almandine

Al"man*dine
(_;)
n.
[LL. almandina, alamandina, for L. alabandina a precious stone, named after Alabanda, a town in Caria, where it was first and chiefly found: cf. F. almandine.]
(Min.)
The common red variety of garnet.


word: Almeh
definition:
Almeh

Alme

{ &VerbarAl"me, &VerbarAl"meh  }
(_;)
n.
[Ar. 'almah (fem.) learned, fr. 'alama to know: cf. F. almée.]
An Egyptian dancing girl; an Alma.

The Almehs lift their arms in dance.
Bayard Taylor.


word: Almightiful
definition:
Almightiful

Almightful

{ Al*might"ful (_;), Al*might"i*ful (_;), }
a.
All-powerful; almighty.
[Obs.]
Udall.


word: Almightiness
definition:
Almightiness

Al*might"i*ness
n.
Omnipotence; infinite or boundless power; unlimited might.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Almighty
definition:
Almighty

Al*might"y
(&asuml_;l*mīt"&ybreve_;)
a.
[AS. ealmihtig, ælmihtig; eal (OE. al) all + mihtig mighty.]
1.
Unlimited in might; omnipotent; all-powerful; irresistible.

I am the Almighty God.
Gen. xvii. 1.

2.
Great; extreme; terrible.
[Slang]

Poor Aroar can not live, and can not die, -- so that he is in an almighty fix.
De Quincey.

The Almighty, the omnipotent God. Rev. i. 8.


word: Almond
definition:
Almond

Alm"ond
(ä"mŭnd)
n.
[OE. almande, almaunde, alemaunde, F. amande, L. amygdala, fr. Gr. 'amygda`lh: cf. Sp. almendra. Cf. Amygdalate.]
1.
The fruit of the almond tree.

&hand_; The different kinds, as bitter, sweet, thin-shelled, thick-shelled almonds, and Jordan almonds, are the products of different varieties of the one species, Amygdalus communis, a native of the Mediterranean region and western Asia.

2.
The tree that bears the fruit; almond tree.

3.
Anything shaped like an almond.
Specifically:
(Anat.)
One of the tonsils.

Almond oil, fixed oil expressed from sweet or bitter almonds. -- Oil of bitter almonds, a poisonous volatile oil obtained from bitter almonds by maceration and distillation; benzoic aldehyde. -- Imitation oil of bitter almonds, nitrobenzene. -- Almond tree (Bot.), the tree bearing the almond. -- Almond willow (Bot.), a willow which has leaves that are of a light green on both sides; almond-leaved willow (Salix amygdalina). Shenstone.


word: Almond furnace
definition:
Almond furnace

Al"mond fur`nace
(_;)
[Prob. a corruption of Almain furnace, i. e., German furnace. See Almain.]
A kind of furnace used in refining, to separate the metal from cinders and other foreign matter.
Chambers.


word: almond-shaped
definition:
almond-shaped

almond-shaped
adj.
having the shape of an almond, i.e. ellipsoidal with somewhat pointed ends.

Syn. -- amygdaliform, amygdaloid, amygdaloidal.


word: Almoner
definition:
Almoner

Al"mon*er
(ăl"mŭn*ẽr)
n.
[OE. aumener, aulmener, OF. almosnier, aumosnier, F. aumônier, fr. OF. almosne, alms, L. eleemosyna. See Alms.]
1.
One who distributes alms, esp. the doles and alms of religious houses, almshouses, etc.; also, one who dispenses alms for another, as the almoner of a prince, bishop, etc.

2.
A social worker in a hospital.
[Chiefly Brit.]

3.
An official in a hospital whose job it is to calculate how much a patient must pay for treatment.
[Chiefly Brit.]


word: Almonry
definition:
Almonry

Al"mon*ry
(ăl"mŭn*r&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Almonries (ăl"mŭn*rĭz).
[OF. aumosnerie, F. aumônerie, fr. OF. aumosnier. See Almoner.]
The place where an almoner resides, or where alms are distributed.


word: Almost
definition:
Almost

Al"most
(&asuml_;l"m&omacrst)
adv.
[AS. ealmæst, ælmæst, quite the most, almost all; eal (OE. al) all + m_;st most.]
Nearly; well nigh; all but; for the greatest part.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Acts xxvi. 28.

Almost never, hardly ever; scarcely ever. -- Almost nothing, scarcely anything.


word: Alms
definition:
Alms

Alms
(&asuml_;mz)
n. sing. & pl.
[OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. 'elehmosy`nh mercy, charity, alms, fr. 'eleei^n to pity. Cf. Almonry, Eleemosynary.]
Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity.

A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people.
Acts x. 2.

Alms are but the vehicles of prayer.
Dryden.

Tenure by free alms. See Frankalmoign. Blackstone.

&hand_; This word alms is singular in its form (almesse), and is sometimes so used; as, “asked an alms.”  Acts iii. 3.  “Received an alms.” Shak.  It is now, however, commonly a collective or plural noun.  It is much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving, alms bag, alms chest, etc.


word: Almsfolk
definition:
Almsfolk

Alms"folk`
(&asuml_;mz"f&omacrk`)
n.
Persons supported by alms; almsmen.
[Archaic]
Holinshed.


word: Almsman
definition:
Almsman

Alms"man
(_;)
n.
fem. Almswoman
1.
A recipient of alms.
Shak.

2.
A giver of alms.
[R.]
Halliwell.


word: Almucantar
definition:
Almucantar

Al`mu*can"tar
(_;)
n.
[F. almucantarat, almicantarat, ultimately fr. Ar. al-muqantarāt, pl., fr. qantara to bend, arch.]
(Astron.)
A small circle of the sphere parallel to the horizon; a circle or parallel of altitude. Two stars which have the same almucantar have the same altitude. See Almacantar.
[Archaic]

Almucanter staff, an ancient instrument, having an arc of fifteen degrees, formerly used at sea to take observations of the sun's amplitude at the time of its rising or setting, to find the variation of the compass.


word: Almude
definition:
Almude

Al*mude"
(_;)
n.
[Pg. almude, or Sp. almud, a measure of grain or dry fruit, fr. Ar. al-mudd a dry measure.]
A measure for liquids in several countries. In Portugal the Lisbon almude is about 4.4, and the Oporto almude about 6.6, gallons U. S. measure.  In Turkey the “almud” is about 1.4 gallons.


word: Algum₂
definition:
Algum

Almug

{ Al"mug (_;), Al"gum (_;), }
n.
[Heb., perh. borrowed fr. Skr. valguka sandalwood.]
(Script.)
A tree or wood of the Bible (2 Chron. ii. 8; 1 K. x. 11).

&hand_; Most writers at the present day follow Celsius, who takes it to be the red sandalwood of China and the Indian Archipelago.
W. Smith.


word: Alnage
definition:
Alnage

Al"nage
(ăl"na̝j)
n.
[OF. alnage, aulnage, F. aunage, fr. OF. alne ell, of Ger. origin: cf. OHG. elina, Goth. aleina, cubit. See Ell.]
(O. Eng. Law)
Measurement (of cloth) by the ell; also, a duty for such measurement.


word: Alnager
definition:
Alnager

Al"na*ger
(_;)
n.
[See Alnage.]
A measure by the ell; formerly a sworn officer in England, whose duty was to inspect and measure woolen cloth, and fix upon it a seal.


word: alocasia
definition:
alocasia

alocasia
n.
1.
1
any plant of the genus Alocasia having large showy basal leaves and boat-shaped spathe and reddish berries.

Syn. -- elephant's ear, elephant ear


word: aloe
definition:
aloe

al"oe
(ăl"no̝)
n.
pl. Aloes (ăl"&omacrz).
[L. aloë, Gr. 'alo`h, aloe: cf. OF. aloe, F. aloès.]
1.
pl.
The wood of the agalloch.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.

2.
(Bot.)
[capitalized]
A genus of succulent plants, some classed as trees, others as shrubs, but the greater number having the habit and appearance of evergreen herbaceous plants; from some of which are prepared articles for medicine and the arts.  They are natives of warm countries.

3.
pl.
(Med.)
The inspissated juice of several species of aloe, used as a purgative.
[Plural in form but syntactically singular.]
AS

American aloe, Century aloe, the agave. See Agave.


word: Aloeaceae
definition:
Aloeaceae

Aloeaceae
prop. n.
One of many families or subfamilies into which some classification systems subdivide the Liliaceae but not widely accepted.

Syn. -- family Aloeaceae, aloe family.


word: Aloetic
definition:
Aloetic

Al`o*et"ic
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. aloétique.]
Consisting chiefly of aloes; of the nature of aloes.


word: Aloft
definition:
Aloft

A*loft"
(?; 115)
adv.
[Pref. a- + loft, which properly meant air. See Loft.]
1.
On high; in the air; high above the ground.
aloft
Milton.

2.
(Naut.)
In the top; at the mast head, or on the higher yards or rigging; overhead; hence (Fig. and Colloq.), in or to heaven.


word: Alogian
definition:
Alogian

A*lo"gi*an
(_;)
n.
[LL. Alogiani, Alogii, fr. Gr. _;; 'a priv. + _; word.]
(Eccl.)
One of an ancient sect who rejected St. John's Gospel and the Apocalypse, which speak of Christ as the Logos.
Shipley.


word: Alogy
definition:
Alogy

Al"o*gy
(_;)
n.
[L. alogia, Gr. _;, fr. 'a priv. + _; reason.]
Unreasonableness; absurdity.
[Obs.]


word: Alomancy
definition:
Alomancy

Al"o*man`cy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _;, salt + -mancy: cf. F. alomancie, halomancie.]
Divination by means of salt.
[Spelt also halomancy.]
Morin.


word: Alone
definition:
Alone

A*lone"
(_;)
a.
[All + one. OE. al one all allone, AS. ān one, alone. See All, One, Lone.]
1.
Quite by one's self; apart from, or exclusive of, others; single; solitary; -- applied to a person or thing.

Alone on a wide, wide sea.
Coleridge.

It is not good that the man should be alone.
Gen. ii. 18.

2.
Of or by itself; by themselves; without any thing more or any one else; without a sharer; only.

Man shall not live by bread alone.
Luke iv. 4.

The citizens alone should be at the expense.
Franklin.

3.
Sole; only; exclusive.
[R.]

God, by whose alone power and conversation we all live, and move, and have our being.
Bentley.

4.
Hence; Unique; rare; matchless.
Shak.

&hand_; The adjective alone commonly follows its noun.

To let alone or To leave alone, to abstain from interfering with or molesting; to suffer to remain in its present state.


word: Alonely
definition:
Alonely

A*lone"ly
adv.
Only; merely; singly.
[Obs.]

This said spirit was not given alonely unto him, but unto all his heirs and posterity.
Latimer.


word: Aloneness
definition:
Aloneness

A*lone"ness
n.
A state of being alone, or without company; solitariness.
[R.]
Bp. Montagu.


word: Along
definition:
Along

A*long"
(?; 115)
adv.
[OE. along, anlong, AS. andlang, along; pref. and- (akin to OFris. ond-, OHG. ant-, Ger. ent-, Goth. and-, anda-, L. ante, Gr. _;, Skr. anti, over against) + lang long. See Long.]
1.
By the length; in a line with the length; lengthwise.

Some laid along . . . on spokes of wheels are hung.
Dryden.

2.
In a line, or with a progressive motion; onward; forward.

We will go along by the king's highway.
Numb. xxi. 22.

He struck with his o'ertaking wings,
And chased us south along.
Coleridge.

3.
In company; together.

He to England shall along with you.
Shak.

All along, all through the course of; during the whole time; throughout.  “I have all along declared this to be a neutral paper.” Addison. -- To get along, to get on; to make progress, as in business. “She 'll get along in heaven better than you or I.” Mrs. Stowe.


word: Along₂
definition:
Along

A*long"
prep.
By the length of, as distinguished from across.
Along
Dryden.

The kine . . . went along the highway.
1 Sam. vi. 12.


word: Along₃
definition:
Along

A*long"
[AS. gelang owing to.]
(Now heard only in the prep. phrase along of.)

Along of, Along on, often shortened to Long of, prep. phr., owing to; on account of. [Obs. or Low. Eng.] “On me is not along thin evil fare.” Chaucer. “And all this is long of you.” Shak. “This increase of price is all along of the foreigners.” London Punch.


word: Alongside
definition:
Alongside

A*long"side`
(_;)
adv.
Along or by the side; side by side with; -- often with of; as, bring the boat alongside; alongside of him; alongside of the tree.


word: Aloof₂
definition:
Aloof

A*loof"
adv.
[Pref. a- + loof, fr. D. loef luff, and so meaning, as a nautical word, to the windward. See Loof, Luff.]
1.
At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.

Our palace stood aloof from streets.
Dryden.

2.
Without sympathy; unfavorably.

To make the Bible as from the hand of God, and then to look at it aloof and with caution, is the worst of all impieties.
I. Taylor.


word: Aloof₃
definition:
Aloof

A*loof"
(_;)
prep.
Away from; clear from.
[Obs.]

Rivetus . . . would fain work himself aloof these rocks and quicksands.
Milton.


word: Aloofness
definition:
Aloofness

A*loof"ness
n.
State of being aloof.
Rogers (1642).

The . . . aloofness of his dim forest life.
Thoreau.


word: Alopecia
definition:
Alopecia

Alopecy

{ &VerbarAl`o*pe"ci*a (ăl`o̝*pē"shĭ*ȧ), A*lop"e*cy (ȧ*l&obreve_;p"e̝*s&ybreve_;), }
n.
[L. alopecia, Gr. 'alwpeki`a, fr. 'alw`phx fox, because loss of the hair is common among foxes.]
(Med.)
Loss of the hair; baldness.
AS


word: Alopecist
definition:
Alopecist

A*lop"e*cist
(ȧ*l&obreve_;p"e̝*sĭst)
n.
A practitioner who tries to prevent or cure baldness.


word: Alopiidae
definition:
Alopiidae

Alopiidae
n.
1.
1
a family of fish comprising the thresher sharks.

Syn. -- family Alopiidae.


word: Alopius
definition:
Alopius

Alopius
n.
1.
1
type genus of the family Alopiidae; in some classifications considered a genus of the family Lamnidae.

Syn. -- genus Alopius


word: Alosa
definition:
Alosa

Alosa
n.
the genus comprising the most common varieties of shad.  It replaces the older term Clupea.  See also shad.

Syn. -- genus Alosa.


word: Alose₂
definition:
Alose

A"lose
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. L. alosa or alausa.]
(Zool.)
The European shad (Alosa alosa formerly Clupea alosa); -- called also allice shad or allis shad. The name is sometimes applied to the American shad (Alosa sapidissima formerly Clupea sapidissima). See Shad.


word: Alouatte
definition:
Alouatte

Alouatta

Alouatta, &VerbarAl`ou*atte"
(_;)
n.
[Of uncertain origin.]
(Zool.)
One of the several species of howling monkeys of South America. See Howler{2}.


word: Aloud
definition:
Aloud

A*loud"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + loud.]
With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly.

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice.
Isa. lviii. 1.


word: Alp
definition:
Alp

Alp
(_;)
n.
[L. Alpes the Alps, said to be of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. alp a high mountain, Ir. ailp any huge mass or lump: cf. F. Alpes.]
1.
A very high mountain. Specifically, in the plural, the highest chain of mountains in Europe, containing the lofty mountains of Switzerland, etc.

Nor breath of vernal air from snowy alp.
Milton.

Hills peep o'er hills, and alps on alps arise.
Pope.

2.
Fig.: Something lofty, or massive, or very hard to be surmounted.

&hand_; The plural form Alps is sometimes used as a singular. “The Alps doth spit.”
Shak.


word: Alpaca
definition:
Alpaca

Al*pac"a
(_;)
n.
[Sp. alpaca, fr. the original Peruvian name of the animal. Cf. Paco.]
1.
(Zool.)
An animal of Peru (Lama paco), having long, fine, wooly hair, supposed by some to be a domesticated variety of the llama.

2.
Wool of the alpaca.

3.
A thin kind of cloth made of the wooly hair of the alpaca, often mixed with silk or with cotton.


word: Alpenglow
definition:
Alpenglow

Al"pen*glow`
(?)
n.
A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains; specif., a reillumination sometimes observed after the summits have passed into shadow, supposed to be due to a curving downward (refraction) of the light rays from the west resulting from the cooling of the air.


word: Alphorn
definition:
Alphorn

Alpenhorn

{ Al"pen*horn` (?), Alp"horn`  }
n.
[G. Alpenhorn.]
A curved wooden horn about three feet long, with a cupped mouthpiece and a bell, used by the Swiss to sound the ranz des vaches and other melodies. Its notes are open harmonics of the tube.


word: Alpenstock
definition:
Alpenstock

Al"pen*stock`
(_;)
n.
[G.; Alp, gen. pl. Alpen + stock stick.]
A long staff, pointed with iron, used in climbing the Alps.
Cheever.


word: Alpestrine
definition:
Alpestrine

Al*pes"trine
(_;)
a.
[L. Alpestris.]
1.
Pertaining to the Alps, or other high mountains; as, Alpestrine diseases, etc.

2.
(Bot.)
Growing on the elevated parts of mountains, but not above the timber line; subalpine.


word: Alpha
definition:
Alpha

Al"pha
(_;)
n.
[L. alpha, Gr. 'a`lfa, from Heb. āleph, name of the first letter in the alphabet, also meaning ox.]
The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and hence used to denote the beginning.

In am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev. xxii. 13.

Formerly used also denote the chief; as, Plato was the alpha of the wits.

&hand_; In cataloguing stars, the brightest star of a constellation in designated by Alpha (α); as, α Lyræ.


word: Alphabet
definition:
Alphabet

Al"pha*bet
(_;)
n.
[L. alphabetum, fr. Gr. _; + _;, the first two Greek letters; Heb. āleph and beth: cf. F. alphabet.]
1.
The letters of a language arranged in the customary order; the series of letters or signs which form the elements of written language.

2.
The simplest rudiments; elements.

The very alphabet of our law.
Macaulay.

Deaf and dumb alphabet. See Dactylology.


word: Alphabet₂
definition:
Alphabet

Al"pha*bet
v. t.
To designate by the letters of the alphabet; to arrange alphabetically.
[R.]


word: Alphabetarian
definition:
Alphabetarian

Al`pha*bet*a"ri*an
(_;)
n.
A learner of the alphabet; an abecedarian.
Abp. Sancroft.


word: Alphabetical
definition:
Alphabetical

Alphabetic

{ Al`pha*bet"ic (_;), Al`pha*bet"ic*al (_;), }
a.
[Cf. F. alphabétique.]
1.
Pertaining to, furnished with, expressed by, or in the order of, the letters of the alphabet; as, alphabetic characters, writing, languages, arrangement.
English has an alphabetical writing system.

2.
Literal.
[Obs.]
Alphabetical
Milton.

3.
in alphabetical order.

Syn. -- abecedarian


word: Alphabetically
definition:
Alphabetically

Al`pha*bet"ic*al*ly
adv.
In an alphabetic manner; in the customary order of the letters.


word: Alphabetize
definition:
Alphabetize

Al"pha*bet*ize
(_;)
v. t.
1.
To arrange alphabetically; as, to alphabetize a list of words.

2.
To furnish with an alphabet.


word: alphanumerical
definition:
alphanumerical

alphanumerical
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to alphanumerics.

Syn. -- alphanumeric, alphameric, alphamerical

2.
(Computers)
using or consisting of only alphabetical and numerical characters; -- contrasting with binary or control.
alphanumeric characters

Syn. -- alphanumeric, alphanumerical, alphameric, alphamerical


word: alphanumerics
definition:
alphanumerics

alphanumerics
n.
1.
a character set that includes letters and digits and punctuation marks.


word: Alpha paper
definition:
Alpha paper

Al"pha pa"per
(Photog.)
A sensitized paper for obtaining positives by artificial light. It is coated with gelatin containing silver bromide and chloride.
[Eng.]


word: alpha particle
definition:
alpha particle

alpha particle
(Physics & Chem.)
a particle emitted at high velocity from certain radioactive substances.  It is identical to the helium nucleus, consisting of two protons and two neutrons.  Rays of such particles are called alpha rays.


word: Alpha rays
definition:
Alpha rays

Alpha rays
(Physics & Chem.)
Rays of relatively low penetrating power emitted by radium and other radioactive substances, and shown to consist of positively charged alpha particles (helium nuclei) having enormous velocities but small masses. They are slightly deflected by a strong magnetic or electric field.  Compare beta ray and gamma ray.  Because the rays penetrate only a small distance in dense matter such as living tissue, small pellets of radioactive substances emitting alpha rays have been used to cause local destruction of tissue, as in cancer therapy.


word: Alphitomancy
definition:
Alphitomancy

Al*phit"o*man`cy
(_;)
n.
[Gr. _; barley meal + -mancy: cf. F. alphitomancie.]
Divination by means of barley meal.
Knowles.


word: Alphol
definition:
Alphol

Al"phol
(?)
n.
[Alpha- + -ol as in alcohol.]
(Pharm.)
A crystalline derivative of salicylic acid, used as an antiseptic and antirheumatic.


word: Alphonsine
definition:
Alphonsine

Al*phon"sine
(ăl*f&obreve_;n"sĭn)
a.
Of or relating to Alphonso X., the Wise, King of Castile (1252-1284).

Alphonsine tables, astronomical tables prepared under the patronage of Alphonso the Wise. Whewell.


word: Alpinia
definition:
Alpinia

Alpinia
n.
1.
1
a genus of perennial rhizomatous herbs of Asia and Australia and Polynesia having ginger-scented rhizomes.

Syn. -- genus Alpinia, genus Zerumbet, genus Languas.


word: Alpine
definition:
Alpine

Al"pine
(_;)
a.
[L. Alpinus, fr. Alpes the Alps: cf. F. Alpin.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the Alps, or to any lofty mountain; as, Alpine snows; Alpine plants.

2.
Like the Alps; lofty.
Alpine
Tennyson.


word: Alpia
definition:
Alpia

Alpist

{ Al"pist (_;), Al"pi*a (_;), }
n.
[F.: cf. Sp. & Pg. alpiste.]
The seed of canary grass (Phalaris Canariensis), used for feeding cage birds.


word: Alquifou
definition:
Alquifou

Al"qui*fou
(_;)
n.
[Equiv. to arquifoux, F. alquifoux, Sp. alquifól, fr. the same Arabic word as alcohol. See Alcohol.]
A lead ore found in Cornwall, England, and used by potters to give a green glaze to their wares; potter's ore.


word: Already
definition:
Already

Al*read"y
(_;)
adv.
[All (OE. al) + ready.]
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
already
Exod. i. 5.

I say unto you, that Elias is come already.
Matt. xvii. 12.

&hand_; It has reference to past time, but may be used for a future past; as, when you shall arrive, the business will be already completed, or will have been already completed.


word: Alsace
definition:
Alsace

Alsace
n.
1.
1
a region of northeastern France famous for its wines.

Syn. -- Alsatia, Elsass


word: Alsatia
definition:
Alsatia

Alsatia
n.
1.
a region of northeastern France famous for its wines.

Syn. -- Alsace, Elsass


word: Alsatian₂
definition:
Alsatian

Al*sa"tian
n.
An inhabitant of Alsatia or Alsace in Germany, or of Alsatia or White Friars (a resort of debtors and criminals) in London.


word: Al segno
definition:
Al segno

Al` se"gno
(_;)
[It., to the mark or sign.]
(Mus.)
A direction for the performer to return and recommence from the sign _;.


word: Alsike
definition:
Alsike

Al"sike
(_;)
n.
[From Alsike, in Sweden.]
A species of clover with pinkish or white flowers; Trifolium hybridum.


word: Also
definition:
Also

Al"so
(_;)
adv. & conj.
[All + so. OE. al so, AS. ealswā, alsw_;, ælswæ; eal, al, æl, all + swā so. See All, So, As.]
1.
In like manner; likewise.
[Obs.]

2.
In addition; besides; as well; further; too.

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matt. vi. 20.

3.
Even as; as; so.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Alsobia
definition:
Alsobia

Alsobia
n.
1.
1
a genus of tropical American herbs sometimes included in genus Episcia.

Syn. -- genus Alsobia.


word: Alstonia
definition:
Alstonia

Alstonia
n.
1.
1
genus of evergreen trees or shrubs with white funnel-shaped flowers and milky sap; tropical Africa to southeast Asia and Polynesia.

Syn. -- genus Alstonia.


word: alstroemeria
definition:
alstroemeria

alstroemeria
n.
1.
any of various South American plants of the genus Alstroemeria valued for their handsome umbels of beautiful flowers.


word: Alstroemeriaceae
definition:
Alstroemeriaceae

Alstroemeriaceae
n.
1.
1
one of many families or subfamilies into which some classification systems subdivide the Liliaceae but not widely accepted; sometimes included in subfamily Amaryllidaceae.

Syn. -- family Alstroemeriaceae.


word: Alt
definition:
Alt

Alt
(_;)
a. & n.
[See Alto.]
(Mus.)
The higher part of the scale. See Alto.

To be in alt, to be in an exalted state of mind.


word: Altaic
definition:
Altaic

Altaian

Al*ta"ian (_;), Al*ta"ic
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. altaïque.]
Of or pertaining to the Altai, a mountain chain in Central Asia.


word: Altaic₂
definition:
Altaic

Altaic
n.
a collective term for a group of related linguistic families including the Turkic, Tungusik and Mongolian languages, spoken over a broad area from southeastern Europe and Asia, as far east as the Pacific.


word: Altar
definition:
Altar

Al"tar
(_;)
n.
[OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl. altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier, F. autel. Cf. Altitude.]
1.
A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are offered or incense burned to a deity.

Noah builded an altar unto the Lord.
Gen. viii. 20.

2.
In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; the communion table.

&hand_; Altar is much used adjectively, or as the first part of a compound; as, altar bread or altar-bread.

Altar cloth or Altar-cloth, the cover for an altar in a Christian church, usually richly embroidered. -- Altar cushion, a cushion laid upon the altar in a Christian church to support the service book. -- Altar frontal. See Frontal. -- Altar rail, the railing in front of the altar or communion table. -- Altar screen, a wall or partition built behind an altar to protect it from approach in the rear. -- Altar tomb, a tomb resembling an altar in shape, etc. -- Family altar, place of family devotions. -- To lead (as a bride) to the altar, to marry; -- said of a woman.


word: Altarage
definition:
Altarage

Al"tar*age
(_;)
n.
[Cf. OF. auterage, autelage.]
1.
The offerings made upon the altar, or to a church.

2.
The profit which accrues to the priest, by reason of the altar, from the small tithes.
Shipley.


word: altar boy
definition:
altar boy

al"tar boy
(_;)
n.
a boy who assists a priest at the clebration of the Holy Mass and other forms of public worship; -- also called acolyte.


word: Altarist
definition:
Altarist

Al"tar*ist
(_;)
n.
[Cf. LL. altarista, F. altariste.]
(Old Law)
(a)
A chaplain.
(b)
A vicar of a church.


word: Altarpiece
definition:
Altarpiece

Al"tar*piece`
(_;)
n.
The painting or piece of sculpture above and behind the altar; reredos.


word: Altarwise
definition:
Altarwise

Al"tar*wise`
(_;)
adv.
In the proper position of an altar, that is, at the east of a church with its ends towards the north and south.
Shipley.


word: Altazimuth
definition:
Altazimuth

Alt*az"i*muth
(_;)
n.
[Alltude + azimuth.]
(Astron.)
An instrument for taking azimuths and altitudes simultaneously.


word: Alter
definition:
Alter

Al"ter
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Altered (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Altering.]
[F. altérer, LL. alterare, fr. L. alter other, alius other. Cf. Else, Other.]
1.
To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify.
alter
alter
alter
Shak.

It gilds all objects, but it alters none.
Pope.

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Ps. lxxxix. 34.

2.
To agitate; to affect mentally.
[Obs.]
Milton.

3.
To geld.
[Colloq.]


word: Alter₂
definition:
Alter

Al"ter
v. i.
To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change; as, the weather alters almost daily; rocks or minerals alter by exposure.
altereth
Dan. vi. 8.


word: Alterability
definition:
Alterability

Al`ter*a*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. altérabilité.]
The quality of being alterable; alterableness.


word: Alterable
definition:
Alterable

Al"ter*a*ble
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. altérable.]
Capable of being altered.

Our condition in this world is mutable and uncertain, alterable by a thousand accidents.
Rogers.


word: Alterant
definition:
Alterant

Al"ter*ant
(_;)
a.
[LL. alterans, p. pr.: cf. F. altérant.]
Altering; gradually changing.
Bacon.


word: Alteration
definition:
Alteration

Al`ter*a"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. altération.]
1.
The act of altering or making different.

Alteration, though it be from worse to better, hath in it incoveniences.
Hooker.

2.
The state of being altered; a change made in the form or nature of a thing; changed condition.

Ere long might perceive
Strange alteration in me.
Milton.

Appius Claudius admitted to the senate the sons of those who had been slaves; by which, and succeeding alterations, that council degenerated into a most corrupt.
Swift.


word: Alterative
definition:
Alterative

Al"ter*a*tive
(_;)
a.
[L. alterativus: cf. F. altératif.]
Causing ateration.
Specifically:
Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health.
Burton.


word: Alterative₂
definition:
Alterative

Al"ter*a*tive
n.
A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.


word: Altercate
definition:
Altercate

Al"ter*cate
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Altercated; p. pr. & vb. n. Altercating.]
[L. altercatus, p. p. of altercare, altercari, fr. alter another. See Alter.]
To contend in words; to dispute with zeal, heat, or anger; to wrangle.


word: Altercation
definition:
Altercation

Al`ter*ca"tion
(?; 277)
n.
[F. altercation, fr. L. altercatio.]
Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest.
altercations
Macaulay.

Their whole life was little else than a perpetual wrangling and altercation.
Hakewill.


word: Alterity
definition:
Alterity

Al*ter"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[F. altérité.]
The state or quality of being other; a being otherwise.
[R.]

For outness is but the feeling of otherness (alterity) rendered intuitive, or alterity visually represented.
Coleridge.


word: Altern
definition:
Altern

Al"tern
(_;)
a.
[L. alternus, fr. alter another: cf. F. alterne.]
Acting by turns; alternate.
Milton.

Altern base (Trig.), a second side made base, in distinction from a side previously regarded as base.


word: Alternant
definition:
Alternant

Al*ter"nant
(_;)
a.
[L. alternans, p. pr.: cf. F. alternant. See Alternate, v. t.]
(Geol.)
Composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.


word: Alternat
definition:
Alternat

Al`ter`nat"
(?)
n.
[F.]
A usage, among diplomats, of rotation in precedence among representatives of equal rank, sometimes determined by lot and at other times in regular order. The practice obtains in the signing of treaties and conventions between nations.


word: Alternate
definition:
Alternate

Al*ter"nate
(?; 277)
a.
[L. alternatus, p. p. of alternate, fr. alternus. See Altern, Alter.]
1.
Being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal.

And bid alternate passions fall and rise.
Pope.

2.
Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second; as, the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. ; read every alternate line.

3.
(Bot.)
Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence.
Gray.

Alternate alligation. See Alligation. -- Alternate angles (Geom.), the internal and angles made by two lines with a third, on opposite sides of it. It the parallels AB, CD, are cut by the line EF, the angles AGH, GHD, as also the angles BGH and GHC, are called alternate angles. -- Alternate generation. (Biol.) See under Generation.


word: Alternate₂
definition:
Alternate

Al*ter"nate
(?; 277)
n.
1.
That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
[R.]

Grateful alternates of substantial.
Prior.

2.
A substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.

3.
(Math.)
A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.


word: Alternate₃
definition:
Alternate

Al"ter*nate
(?; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alternated; p. pr. & vb. n. Alternating.]
[L. alternatus, p. p. of alternare. See Altern.]
To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.

The most high God, in all things appertaining unto this life, for sundry wise ends alternates the disposition of good and evil.
Grew.


word: Alternate₄
definition:
Alternate

Al"ter*nate
v. i.
1.
To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; -- followed by with; as, the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.

Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast.
J. Philips.

Different species alternating with each other.
Kirwan.

2.
To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.


word: Alternately
definition:
Alternately

Al*ter"nate*ly
(_;)
adv.
1.
In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in alternate order.

2.
(Math.)
By alternation; when, in a proportion, the antecedent term is compared with antecedent, and consequent.


word: Alternating current
definition:
Alternating current

Al"ter*nat`ing cur"rent
(Elec.)
A current which periodically changes or reverses its direction of flow, especially an electric current that reverses direction sinusoidally, as is used for most domestic and industrial power requirements.  Contrasted with direct curent.

Syn. -- AC

The common household current is alternating.  Alternating current is easier than direct current to transform to high voltage and back, making long-distance transmission more efficient.


word: Alternation
definition:
Alternation

Al`ter*na"tion
(_;)
n.
[L. alternatio: cf. F. alternation.]
1.
The reciprocal succession of things in time or place; the act of following and being followed by turns; alternate succession, performance, or occurrence; as, the alternation of day and night, cold and heat, summer and winter, hope and fear.

2.
(Math.)
Permutation.

3.
The response of the congregation speaking alternately with the minister.
Mason.

Alternation of generation. See under Generation.


word: Alternative
definition:
Alternative

Al*ter"na*tive
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. alternatif.]
1.
Offering a choice of two things.

2.
Disjunctive; as, an alternative conjunction.

3.
Alternate; reciprocal.
[Obs.]
Holland.


word: Alternative₂
definition:
Alternative

Al*ter"na*tive
n.
[Cf. F. alternative, LL. alternativa.]
1.
An offer of two things, one of which may be chosen, but not both; a choice between two things, so that if one is taken, the other must be left.

There is something else than the mere alternative of absolute destruction or unreformed existence.
Burke.

2.
Either of two things or propositions offered to one's choice. Thus when two things offer a choice of one only, the two things are called alternatives.

Having to choose between two alternatives, safety and war, you obstinately prefer the worse.
Jowett (Thucyd.).

3.
The course of action or the thing offered in place of another.

If this demand is refused the alternative is war.
Lewis.

With no alternative but death.
Longfellow.

4.
A choice between more than two things; one of several things offered to choose among.

My decided preference is for the fourth and last of these alternatives.
Gladstone.


word: Alternatively
definition:
Alternatively

Al*ter"na*tive*ly
adv.
In the manner of alternatives, or that admits the choice of one out of two things.


word: Alternativeness
definition:
Alternativeness

Al*ter"na*tive*ness
n.
The quality of being alternative, or of offering a choice between two.


word: Alternator
definition:
Alternator

Al"ter*na`tor
(?)
n.
(Elec.)
An electric generator or dynamo for producing alternating currents.


word: Alternity
definition:
Alternity

Al*ter"ni*ty
(_;)
n.
[LL. alternitas.]
Succession by turns; alternation.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Althea
definition:
Althea

Althaea

{ &VerbarAl*thæ"a, &VerbarAl*the"a  }
(_;)
n.
[althaea, Gr. _;.]
(Bot.)
(a)
A genus of plants of the Mallow family. It includes the officinal marsh mallow, and the garden hollyhocks.
(b)
An ornamental shrub (Hibiscus Syriacus) of the Mallow family.


word: Althing
definition:
Althing

Al"thing
(?)
n.
[Icel. (modern) alping, earlier alpingi; allr all + ping assembly. See All, and Thing.]
The national assembly or parliament of Iceland. See Thing, n., 8.


word: Althorn
definition:
Althorn

Alt"horn`
(_;)
n.
[Alt + horn.]
(Mus.)
An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in military music, often replacing the French horn.
Grove.


word: Although
definition:
Although

Al*though"
(_;)
conj.
[All + though; OE. al thagh.]
Grant all this; be it that; supposing that; notwithstanding; though.

Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
Mark xiv. 29.


word: Altiloquent
definition:
Altiloquent

Al*til"o*quent
(_;)
a.
[L. altus (adv. alte) high + loquens, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]
High-sounding; pompous in speech.
[R.]
Bailey.


word: Altimeter
definition:
Altimeter

Al*tim"e*ter
(_;)
n.
[LL. altimeter; altus high + metrum, Gr. _;, measure: cf. F. altimètre.]
An instrument for taking altitudes, as a quadrant, sextant, etc.
Knight.


word: Altiscope
definition:
Altiscope

Al"ti*scope
(_;)
n.
[L. altus high + Gr. _; to view.]
An arrangement of lenses and mirrors which enables a person to see an object in spite of intervening objects.  Since the early 1900's, most commonly called periscope.


word: Altisonant
definition:
Altisonant

Al*tis"o*nant
(ăl*tĭs"o̝*nant)
a.
[L. altus high + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to sound.]
High-sounding; lofty or pompous.
Skelton.


word: Altissimo
definition:
Altissimo

Al*tis"si*mo
(_;)
n.
[It.; superl. of alto.]
(Mus.)
The part or notes situated above F in alt.


word: Altitude
definition:
Altitude

Al"ti*tude
(_;)
n.
[L. altitudo, fr. altus high. Cf. Altar, Haughty, Enhance.]
1.
Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree.

2.
(Astron.)
The elevation of a point, or star, or other celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and the horizon. It is either true or apparent; true when measured from the rational or real horizon, apparent when from the sensible or apparent horizon.

3.
(Geom.)
The perpendicular distance from the base of a figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base; as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram, frustum, etc.

4.
Height of degree; highest point or degree.

He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.
Shak.

5.
Height of rank or excellence; superiority.
Swift.

6.
pl.
Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.
[Colloq.]
Richardson.

The man of law began to get into his altitude.
Sir W. Scott.

Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian intercepted between the south point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See Meridian, 3.


word: Alto
definition:
Alto

Al"to
(_;)
n.
pl. Altos (_;).
[It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf. Alt.]
1.
(Mus.)
Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.

2.
An alto singer.

Alto clef (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef, placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of the staff. Moore.


word: Alto-cumulus
definition:
Alto-cumulus

Al`to-cu"mu*lus
(?)
n.
[L. altus high + L. & E. cumulus.]
(Meteor.)
A fleecy cloud formation consisting of large whitish or grayish globular cloudlets with shaded  portions, often grouped in flocks or rows.


word: Altogether
definition:
Altogether

Al`to*geth"er
(#)
adv.
[OE. altogedere; al all + togedere together. See Together.]
1.
All together; conjointly.
[Obs.]

Altogether they went at once.
Chaucer.

2.
Without exception; wholly; completely.

Every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Ps. xxxix. 5.


word: altogether
definition:
altogether

altogether
n.
1.
nakedness; -- used mostly in the phrase “in the altogether”.
[informal]

Syn. -- raw, buff, birthday suit


word: Alto-rilievo
definition:
Alto-rilievo

Al"to-ri*lie*vo
(_;)
n.
pl. Alto-rilievos (_;).
[It.]
(Sculp.)
High relief; sculptured work in which the figures project more than half their thickness; as, this figure is an alto-rilievo or in alto-rilievo.

&hand_; When the figure stands only half out, it is called mezzo-rilievo, demi-rilievo, or medium relief; when its projection is less than one half, basso-rilievo, bas-relief, or low relief.


word: Alto-stratus
definition:
Alto-stratus

altostratus

altostratus, Al`to-stra"tus
(?)
n.
[L. altus high + L. & E. stratus.]
(Meteor.)
A cloud formation similar to cirro-stratus, but heavier and at a lower level; a stratus cloud at an intermediate altitude of 2 or 3 miles.


word: Altrices
definition:
Altrices

Al*tri"ces
(_;)
n. pl.
[L., nourishes, pl. of altrix.]
(Zool.)
Nursers, -- a term applied to those birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time; -- opposed to præcoces.


word: altricial
definition:
altricial

altricial
adj.
1.
born naked and blind and dependent on parents for food; -- of hatchlings.  Opposite of precocial.


word: Altruism
definition:
Altruism

Al"tru*ism
(_;)
n.
[F. altruisme (a word of Comte's), It. altrui of or to others, fr. L. alter another.]
Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; -- opposed to egoism or selfishness.
[Recent]
J. S. Mill.


word: Altruistic
definition:
Altruistic

Al`tru*is"tic
(_;)
a.
[Cf. F. altruiste, a. See Altruism..]
Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; -- opposed to egoistic or selfish.
Bain.
Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly, adv.


word: Aludel
definition:
Aludel

Al"u*del
(_;)
n.
[F. & Sp. aludel, fr. Ar. aluthāl.]
(Chem.)
One of the pear-shaped pots open at both ends, and so formed as to be fitted together, the neck of one into the bottom of another in succession; -- used in the process of sublimation.
Ure.


word: Alula
definition:
Alula

Al"u*la
(_;)
n.
[NL., dim. of L. ala a wing.]
(Zool.)
A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard.


word: Alum
definition:
Alum

Al"um
(_;)
n.
[OE. alum, alom, OF. alum, F. alun, fr. L. alumen alum.]
(Chem.)
A double sulphate formed of aluminium and some other element (esp. an alkali metal) or of aluminium. It has twenty-four molecules of water of crystallization.

&hand_; Common alum is the double sulphate of aluminium and potassium. It is white, transparent, very astringent, and crystallizes easily in octahedrons. The term is extended so as to include other double sulphates similar to alum in formula.


word: Alum₂
definition:
Alum

Al"um
(_;)
v. t.
To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum.
Ure.


word: Alumina
definition:
Alumina

A*lu"mi*na
(_;)
n.
[L. alumen, aluminis. See Alum.]
(Chem.)
One of the earths, consisting of two parts of aluminium and three of oxygen, Al2O3.

&hand_; It is the oxide of the metal aluminium, the base of aluminous salts, a constituent of a large part of the earthy siliceous minerals, as the feldspars, micas, scapolites, etc., and the characterizing ingredient of common clay, in which it exists as an impure silicate with water, resulting from the decomposition of other aluminous minerals. In its natural state, it is the mineral corundum.


word: Aluminate
definition:
Aluminate

A*lu`mi*nate
(_;)
n.
(Chem.)
A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the substitution of a metal for the hydrogen.


word: Aluminic
definition:
Aluminic

Al`u*min"ic
(ăl`&uuptack_;*mĭn"ĭl)
a.
Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate.


word: Aluminiferous
definition:
Aluminiferous

A*lu`mi*nif"er*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. alumen alum + -ferous: cf. F. aluminifère.]
Containing alum.


word: Aluminium
definition:
Aluminium

Al`u*min"i*um
(ăl`&uuptack_;*mĭn"ĭ*ŭm)
n.
[L. alumen. See Alum.]
(Chem.)
same as aluminum, chiefly British in usage.

Aluminium bronze or gold, a pale gold-colored alloy of aluminium and copper, used for journal bearings, etc.


word: Aluminography
definition:
Aluminography

A*lu`mi*nog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Alumin-ium + -graphy.]
Art or process of producing, and printing from, aluminium plates, after the manner of ordinary lithography.
A*lu`mi*no*graph"ic (#), a.


word: Aluminous
definition:
Aluminous

A*lu"mi*nous
(ȧ*lū*mĭ*nŭs)
a.
[L. aluminosus, fr.  alumen alum: cf. F. alumineux.]
Pertaining to or containing alum, or alumina; as, aluminous minerals, aluminous solution.


word: Aluminum
definition:
Aluminum

A*lu"mi*num
(ȧ*lū*mĭ*nŭm)
n.
The metallic element forming the base of alumina. This metal is white, but with a bluish tinge, and is remarkable for its resistance to oxidation, and for its lightness, having a specific gravity of about 2.6. Atomic weight 27.08. Symbol Al.  Also called aluminium.


word: Alumna
definition:
Alumna

A*lum"na
(_;)
n. fem.
pl. Alumnæ (_;)
[L. See Alumnus.]
A female pupil; especially, a graduate of a school or college.


word: Alumnus
definition:
Alumnus

A*lum"nus
(_;)
n.
pl. Alumni (_;).
[L., fr. alere to nourish.]
A pupil; especially, a graduate of a college or other seminary of learning.


word: Alum root
definition:
Alum root

Al"um root`
(_;)
(Bot.)
A North American herb (Heuchera Americana) of the Saxifrage family, whose root has astringent properties.


word: Alum shale
definition:
Alum shale

Alum schist

{ Al"um schist" (_;), Al"um shale" (_;), }
(Min.)
A variety of shale or clay slate, containing iron pyrites, the decomposition of which leads to the formation of alum, which often effloresces on the rock.


word: Alunogen
definition:
Alunogen

A*lu"no*gen
(_;)
n.
[F. alun alum + -gen.]
(Min.)
A white fibrous mineral frequently found on the walls of mines and quarries, chiefly hydrous sulphate of alumina; -- also called feather alum, and hair salt.


word: Alure
definition:
Alure

Al"ure
(_;)
n.
[OF. alure, aleure, walk, gait, fr. aler (F. aller) to go.]
A walk or passage; -- applied to passages of various kinds.

The sides of every street were covered with fresh alures of marble.
T. Warton.


word: Alutaceous
definition:
Alutaceous

Al"u*ta"ceous
(_;)
a.
[L. alutacius, fr. aluta soft leather.]
1.
Leathery.

2.
Of a pale brown color; leather-yellow.
Brande.


word: Alutation
definition:
Alutation

Al`u*ta"tion
(_;)
n.
[See Alutaceous.]
The tanning or dressing of leather.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Alveary
definition:
Alveary

Al"ve*a*ry
(_;)
n.
pl. Alvearies (_;).
[L. alvearium, alveare, beehive, fr. alveus a hollow vessel, beehive, from alvus belly, beehive.]
1.
A beehive, or something resembling a beehive.
Barret.

2.
(Anat.)
The hollow of the external ear.
Quincy.


word: Alveolar
definition:
Alveolar

Al"ve*o*lar
(?; 277)
a.
[L. alveolus a small hollow or cavity: cf. F. alvéolaire.]
(Anat.)
1.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, alveoli or little cells, sacs, or sockets.

2.
(Phon.)
Articulated with the tip of the tongue pressing against the alveolar processes of the upper front teeth.

Alveolar processes, the processes of the maxillary bones, containing the sockets of the teeth.


word: Alveolate
definition:
Alveolate

Al"ve*o*late
(_;)
a.
[L. alveolatus, fr. alveolus.]
(Bot.)
Deeply pitted, like a honeycomb.


word: Alveoliform
definition:
Alveoliform

Al*ve"o*li*form
(ăl*vē"o̝*lĭ*fôrm)
a.
[L. alveolus + -form.]
Having the form of alveoli, or little sockets, cells, or cavities.


word: Alveolus
definition:
Alveolus

Al*ve"o*lus
(ăl*vē"o̝*lŭs)
n.
pl. Alveoli (-lī).
[L., a small hollow or cavity, dim. of alveus: cf. F. alvéole. See Alveary.]
1.
A cell in a honeycomb.

2.
(Zool.)
A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil

3.
(Anat.)
A small depression, sac, or vesicle, as the socket of a tooth, the air cells of the lungs, the ultimate saccules of glands, etc.


word: Alvine
definition:
Alvine

Al"vine
(_;)
a.
[L. alvus belly: cf. F. alvin.]
Of, from, in, or pertaining to, the belly or the intestines; as, alvine discharges; alvine concretions.


word: Always
definition:
Always

Al"ways
(_;)
adv.
[All + way. The s is an adverbial (orig. a genitive) ending.]
1.
At all times; ever; perpetually; throughout all time; continually; as, God is always the same.

Even in Heaven his [Mammon's] looks and thoughts.
Milton.

2.
Constancy during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals; invariably; uniformly; -- opposed to sometimes or occasionally.

He always rides a black galloway.
Bulwer.


word: Alyssum
definition:
Alyssum

A*lys"sum
(ȧ*lĭs"sŭm)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. 'a`lysson, name of a plant, perh. fr. 'a priv. + ly`ssa raging madness.]
(Bot.)
A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The sweet alyssum (Alyssum maritimum), cultivated for bouquets, bears small, white, sweet-scented flowers.


word: Am
definition:
Am

Am
(_;)
[AS. am, eom, akin to Gothic im, Icel. em, Olr. am, Lith. esmi, L. sum., Gr. _;, Zend ahmi, Skr. asmi, fr. a root as to be. _;. See Are, and cf. Be, Was.]
The first person singular of the verb be, in the indicative mode, present tense. See Be.

God said unto Moses, I am that am.
Exod. iii. 14.


word: Amability
definition:
Amability

Am`a*bil"i*ty
(_;)
n.
[L. amabilitas.]
Lovableness.
Jer. Taylor.

&hand_; The New English Dictionary (Murray) says this word is “usefully distinct from Amiability.”


word: Amacratic
definition:
Amacratic

Am`a*crat"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; together + _; power.]
(Photog.)
Amasthenic.
Sir J. Herschel.


word: Amadavat
definition:
Amadavat

Am`a*da*vat"
(_;)
n.
[Indian name. From Ahmedabad, a city from which it was imported to Europe.]
(Zool.)
The strawberry finch, a small Indian song bird (Estrelda amandava), commonly caged and kept for fighting. The female is olive brown; the male, in summer, mostly crimson; -- called also red waxbill.
[Written also amaduvad and avadavat.]


word: Amadou
definition:
Amadou

Am"a*dou
(_;)
n.
[F. amadou tinder, prop. lure, bait, fr. amadouer to allure, caress, perh. fr. Icel. mata to feed, which is akin to E. meat.]
A spongy, combustible substance, prepared from fungus (Boletus and Polyporus) which grows on old trees; German tinder; punk. It has been employed as a styptic by surgeons, but its common use is as tinder, for which purpose it is prepared by soaking it in a strong solution of niter.
Ure.


word: amah
definition:
amah

amah
n.
1.
a woman hired to suckle a child of someone else.

Syn. -- wet nurse

2.
a female domestic.

Syn. -- maid, maidservant, housemaid


word: Amain
definition:
Amain

A*main"
(_;)
adv.
[Pref. a- + main. See 2d Main, n.]
1.
With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly.

They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down amain.
Milton.

That striping giant, ill-bred and scoffing, shouts amain.
T. Parker.

2.
At full speed; in great haste; also, at once.
amain
Holinshed.


word: amalgam
definition:
amalgam

a*mal"gam
(ȧ*măl"gam)
n.
[F. amalgame, prob. fr. L. malagma, Gr. ma`lagma, emollient, plaster, poultice, fr. mala`ssein to make soft, fr. malako`s soft.]
1.
An alloy of mercury with another metal or metals; as, an amalgam of tin, bismuth, etc.

&hand_; Medalists apply the term to soft alloys generally.

2.
A mixture or compound of different things.

3.
(Min.)
A native compound of mercury and silver.


word: Amalgama
definition:
Amalgama

A*mal"ga*ma
(_;)
n.
Same as Amalgam.

They divided this their amalgama into a number of incoherent republics.
Burke.


word: Amalgamate
definition:
Amalgamate

A*mal"ga*mate
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Amalgamated; p. pr. & vb. n. Amalgamating.]
1.
To compound or mix, as quicksilver, with another metal; to unite, combine, or alloy with mercury.

2.
To mix, so as to make a uniform compound; to unite or combine; as, to amalgamate two races; to amalgamate one race with another.

Ingratitude is indeed their four cardinal virtues compacted and amalgamated into one.
Burke.


word: Amalgamate₂
definition:
Amalgamate

A*mal"ga*mate
v. i.
1.
To unite in an amalgam; to blend with another metal, as quicksilver.

2.
To coalesce, as a result of growth; to combine into a uniform whole; to blend; as, two organs or parts amalgamate.


word: Amalgamated
definition:
Amalgamated

Amalgamate

{ A*mal"ga*mate (_;), A*mal"ga*ma`ted (_;), }
a.
Coalesced; united; combined.


word: Amalgamation
definition:
Amalgamation

A*mal`ga*ma"tion
(_;)
n.
[Cf. F. amalgamation.]
1.
The act or operation of compounding mercury with another metal; -- applied particularly to the process of separating gold and silver from their ores by mixing them with mercury.
Ure.

2.
The mixing or blending of different elements, races, societies, etc.; also, the result of such combination or blending; a homogeneous union.
Macaulay.


word: Amalgamator
definition:
Amalgamator

A*mal"ga*ma`tor
(_;)
n.
One who, or that which, amalgamates. Specifically: A machine for separating precious metals from earthy particles by bringing them in contact with a body of mercury with which they form an amalgam.


word: Amandine
definition:
Amandine

A*man"dine
(_;)
n.
[F. amande almond. See Almond.]
1.
The vegetable casein of almonds.

2.
A kind of cold cream prepared from almonds, for chapped hands, etc.


word: Amanita
definition:
Amanita

Am`a*ni"ta
(?)
n.
[NL. See Amanitine.]
(Bot.)
A genus of poisonous fungi of the family Agaricaceæ, characterized by having a volva, an annulus, and white spores. The species resemble edible mushrooms, and are frequently mistaken for them. Amanita muscaria, syn. Agaricus muscarius, is the fly amanita, or fly agaric; and Agaricus phalloides is the death cup (or death cap).


word: Amanuensis
definition:
Amanuensis

A*man`u*en"sis
(_;)
n.
pl. Amanuenses (_;).
[L., fr. a, ab + manus hand.]
A person whose employment is to write what another dictates, or to copy what another has written.


word: Amarantaceous
definition:
Amarantaceous

Am`a*ran*ta"ceous
(_;)
a.
(Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the amaranth is the type.


word: Amaranth
definition:
Amaranth

Am"a*ranth
(_;)
n.
[L. amarantus, Gr. _;, unfading, amaranth; 'a priv. + _; to quench, cause to wither, fr. a root meaning to die, akin to E. mortal; -- so called because its flowers do not soon wither: cf. F. amarante. The spelling with th seems to be due to confusion with Gr. _; flower.]
1.
An imaginary flower supposed never to fade.
[Poetic]

2.
(Bot.)
A genus of ornamental annual plants (Amaranthus) of many species, with green, purplish, or crimson flowers.

3.
A color inclining to purple.


word: Amaranthaceae
definition:
Amaranthaceae

Amaranthaceae
n.
1.
1
a cosmopolitan family of herbs and shrubs.

Syn. -- family Amaranthaceae, amaranth family


word: Amaranthine
definition:
Amaranthine

Am`a*ran"thine
(_;)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to amaranth.
Amaranthine
Pope.

2.
Unfading, as the poetic amaranth; undying.

They only amaranthine flower on earth
Is virtue.
Cowper.

3.
Of a purplish color.
Buchanan.


word: Amarantus
definition:
Amarantus

Amaranthus

{ Am`a*ran"thus (ăm`ȧ*răn"thŭs), &VerbarAm`a*ran"tus (ăm`ȧ*răn"tŭs), }
n.
Same as Amaranth.


word: amarelle
definition:
amarelle

amarelle
n.
1.
1
any of several varieties of cultivated sour cherry trees of the species Prunus cerasus bearing fruit with colorless juice, e.g. Prunus cerasus caproniana.

2.
a pale red sour cherry with colorless or nearly colorless juice.


word: Amarine
definition:
Amarine

Am"a*rine
(_;)
n.
[L. amarus bitter.]
(Chem.)
A characteristic crystalline substance, obtained from oil of bitter almonds.


word: Amaritude
definition:
Amaritude

A*mar"i*tude
(_;)
n.
[L. amaritudo, fr. amarus bitter: cf. OF. amaritude.]
Bitterness.
[R.]


word: Amaryllidaceae
definition:
Amaryllidaceae

Amaryllidaceae
n.
1.
1
a family of flowering plants including the snowdrop, narcissus, and daffodil; in some classification systems considered a subfamily of the Liliaceae.

Syn. -- family Amaryllidaceae, amaryllis family


word: Amaryllideous
definition:
Amaryllideous

Amaryllidaceous

{ Am`a*ryl`li*da"ceous (_;), Am`a*ryl*lid"e*ous (_;), }
a.
(Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, an order of plants differing from the lily family chiefly in having the ovary below the petals. The narcissus and daffodil are members of this family.


word: Amaryllis
definition:
Amaryllis

Am`a*ryl"lis
(_;)
n.
[L. Amaryllis, Gr. _;, _;, the name of a country girl in Theocritus and Virgil.]
1.
A pastoral sweetheart.

To sport with Amaryllis in the shade.
Milton.

2.
(bot.)
(a)
A family of plants much esteemed for their beauty, including the narcissus, jonquil, daffodil, agave, and others.
(b)
A genus of the same family, including the Belladonna lily.


word: Amass
definition:
Amass

A*mass"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Amassed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Amassing.]
[F. ambusher, LL. amassare; L. ad + massa lump, mass. See Mass.]
To collect into a mass or heap; to gather a great quantity of; to accumulate; as, to amass a treasure or a fortune; to amass words or phrases.

The life of Homer has been written by amassing all the traditions and hints the writers could meet with.
Pope.


word: Amassette
definition:
Amassette

A`mas`sette"
(_;)
n.
[F. See Amass.]
An instrument of horn used for collecting painters' colors on the stone in the process of grinding.


word: Amassment
definition:
Amassment

A*mass"ment
(_;)
n.
[Cf. OF. amassement.]
An amassing; a heap collected; a large quantity or number brought together; an accumulation.

An amassment of imaginary conceptions.
Glanvill.


word: Amasthenic
definition:
Amasthenic

Am`as*then"ic
(_;)
a.
[Gr. _; together + _; force.]
(Photog.)
Uniting the chemical rays of light into one focus, as a certain kind of lens; amacratic.


word: Amate
definition:
Amate

A*mate"
(_;)
v. t.
[OF. amater, amatir.]
To dismay; to dishearten; to daunt.
[Obs. or Archaic]

The Silures, to amate the new general, rumored the overthrow greater than was true.
Milton.


word: Amateur
definition:
Amateur

Am`a*teur"
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. L. amator lover, fr. amare to love.]
A person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science as to music or painting; esp. one who cultivates any study or art, from taste or attachment, without pursuing it professionally.


word: Amateurish
definition:
Amateurish

Am`a*teur"ish
a.
In the style of an amateur; superficial or defective like the work of an amateur.
Am`a*teur"ish*ly, adv. -- Am`a*teur"ish*ness, n.


word: Amativeness
definition:
Amativeness

Am"a*tive*ness
n.
(Phren.)
The faculty supposed to influence sexual desire; propensity to love.
Combe.


word: Amatorial
definition:
Amatorial

Am`a*to"ri*al
(_;)
a.
[See Amatorious.]
Of or pertaining to a lover or to love making; amatory; as, amatorial verses.


word: Amatorious
definition:
Amatorious

Am`a*to"ri*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. amatorius, fr. amare to love.]
Amatory.
[Obs.]
Amatorious
Milton.


word: Amatory
definition:
Amatory

Am"a*to*ry
(_;)
a.
Pertaining to, producing, or expressing, sexual love; as, amatory potions.


word: amatungulu
definition:
amatungulu

amatungulu
n.
1.
a very large closely branched South African shrub (Carissa grandiflora) of the dogbane family having forked bright green spines, white flowers, shiny leaves, and red berries.  Also called natal plum.

Syn. -- natal plum, Carissa macrocarpa.

2.
the fruit of the amatungulu{1}.


word: Amauropelta
definition:
Amauropelta

Amauropelta
n.
a genus of epiphytic or terrestrial ferns of America and Africa and Polynesia.

Syn. -- genus Amauropelta.


word: amaurosis
definition:
amaurosis

am`au*ro"sis
(ăm`&asuml_;*r&omacr"sĭs)
n.
[Gr. 'amay`rosis, fr. 'amayro`s dark, dim.]
(Med.)
A loss or decay of sight as the result of a neurological disease, without any perceptible changes in the eye; -- called also gutta serena, the “drop serene” of Milton.

Amaurosis fugax (Med.), Temporary amaurosis


word: Amaze
definition:
Amaze

A*maze"
(_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Amazed (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Amazing.]
[Pref. a- + maze.]
1.
To bewilder; to stupefy; to bring into a maze.
[Obs.]

A labyrinth to amaze his foes.
Shak.

2.
To confound, as by fear, wonder, extreme surprise; to overwhelm with wonder; to astound; to astonish greatly.
Amazing
Goldsmith.

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
Matt. xii. 23.


word: Amaze₃
definition:
Amaze

A*maze"
v. t.
Bewilderment, arising from fear, surprise, or wonder; amazement.
[Chiefly poetic]

The wild, bewildered
Of one to stone converted by amaze.
Byron.


word: Amazedness
definition:
Amazedness

A*maz"ed*ness
n.
The state of being amazed, or confounded with fear, surprise, or wonder.
Bp. Hall.


word: Amazement
definition:
Amazement

A*maze"ment
(_;)
n.
1.
The condition of being amazed; bewilderment [Obs.]; overwhelming wonder, as from surprise, sudden fear, horror, or admiration.

His words impression left
Of much amazement.
Milton.

2.
Frenzy; madness.
[Obs.]
Webster (1661).


word: Amazing
definition:
Amazing

A*maz"ing
(_;)
a.
Causing amazement; very wonderful; as, amazing grace.
A*maz"ing*ly, adv.


word: Amazon
definition:
Amazon

Am"a*zon
(_;)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
1.
One of a fabulous race of female warriors in Scythia; hence, a female warrior.

2.
A tall, strong, masculine woman; a virago.

3.
(Zool.)
A name numerous species of South American parrots of the genus Chrysotis

Amazon ant (Zool.), a species of ant (Polyergus rufescens), of Europe and America. They seize by conquest the larvæ and nymphs of other species and make slaves of them in their own nests.


word: Amazonian
definition:
Amazonian

Am`a*zo"ni*an
(_;)
a.
1.
Pertaining to or resembling an Amazon; of masculine manners; warlike.
Shak.

2.
Of or pertaining to the river Amazon in South America, or to its valley.


word: Amazon stone
definition:
Amazon stone

Amazonite

{ Am"a*zon*ite (_;), Am"a*zon stone` (_;), }
n.
[Named from the river Amazon.]
(Min.)
A variety of feldspar, having a verdigris-green color.


word: Ambi-
definition:
Ambi-

Amb-

Amb-, Am*bi-
[L. prefix ambi-, amb-, akin to Gr. _;, Skr. abhi, AS. embe, emb, OHG. umbi, umpi, G. um, and also L. ambo both. Cf. Amphi-, Both, By.]
A prefix meaning about, around; -- used in words derived from the Latin.


word: Ambages
definition:
Ambages

Am*ba"ges
(_;)
n. pl.
[L. (usually in pl.); pref. ambi-, amb- + agere to drive: cf. F. ambage.]
A circuit; a winding. Hence: Circuitous way or proceeding; quibble; circumlocution; indirect mode of speech.

After many ambages, perspicuously define what this melancholy is.
Burton.


word: Ambary hemp
definition:
Ambary hemp

Ambary

{ Am*ba"ry (?), n., or Ambary hemp  }
[Hind. ambārā, ambārī.]
A valuable East Indian fiber plant (Hibiscus cannabinus), or its fiber, which is used throughout India for making ropes, cordage, and a coarse canvas and sackcloth; -- called also brown Indian hemp.


word: Embassade
definition:
Embassade

Ambassade

Am"bas*sade (_;), Em"bas*sade (_;)
n.
[F. ambassade.  See Embassy.]
1.
The mission of an ambassador.
[Obs.]
Carew.

2.
An embassy.
[Obs.]
Strype.


word: Embassador
definition:
Embassador

Ambassador

Am*bas"sa*dor (_;), Em*bas"sa*dor (_;)
n.
[See Embassador.]
1.
A minister of the highest rank sent to a foreign court to represent there his sovereign or country.

&hand_; Ambassadors are either ordinary [or resident] or extraordinary, that is, sent upon some special or unusual occasion or errand.
Abbott.

2.
An official messenger and representative.


word: Ambassadress
definition:
Ambassadress

Am*bas"sa*dress
(_;)
n.
A female ambassador; also, the wife of an ambassador.
Prescott.


word: Amber
definition:
Amber

Am"ber
(ăm"bẽr)
n.
[OE. aumbre, F. ambre, Sp. ámbar, and with the Ar. article, alámbar, fr. Ar. 'anbar ambergris.]
1.
(Min.)
A yellowish translucent resin resembling copal, found as a fossil in alluvial soils, with beds of lignite, or on the seashore in many places. It takes a fine polish, and is used for pipe mouthpieces, beads, etc., and as a basis for a fine varnish. By friction, it becomes strongly electric.

   Amber is classified as a fossil resin, being typically of ancient origin, having solidified from the exudates of certain trees millions of years ago.  Many pieces are found with insects embedded, the insects having been trapped by the resin while they were alive.  The insects are often very well preserved, due to the antimicrobial action of components of the amber.  It typically contains from 5 to 8 percent of succinic acid.  "Baltic amber" has been mined for centuries in the region of Poland formerly called East Prussia, and is the variety used in most jewelry made in Poland and Russia.  The Baltic strata containing amber extend under the sea, and amber beads may be found there deposited by waves along the shore.  Amber was known to the ancient Greeks.  The name "electron" comes from the Latin word for amber, electrum, derived from the Greek word, 'h`lektron (see electric), due to the electric charge that amber takes when rubbed, as with cat fur.  Although at one time used in fine varnishes, it no longer has any commercial value for that purpose, being used mostly in jewelry.  Significant deposits are also found in the Carribean region, and smaller amounts in various other places.  The notion, that DNA sufficiently intact to recreate extinct animals might be extracted from amber, was the basis for Michael Crichton's novel "Jurassic Park", but has as yet (1997) not been demonstrated to be possible.

2.
Amber color, or anything amber-colored; a clear light yellow; as, the amber of the sky.

3.
Ambergris.
[Obs.]

You that smell of amber at my charge.
Beau. & Fl.

4.
The balsam, liquidambar.

Black amber, and old and popular name for jet.


word: Amber₂
definition:
Amber

Am"ber
a.
1.
Consisting of amber; made of amber.
Amber
Shak.

2.
Resembling amber, especially in color; amber-colored.
amber
Tennyson.


word: Amber₃
definition:
Amber

Am"ber
v. t.
[p. p. & p. a. Ambered .]
1.
To scent or flavor with ambergris; as, ambered wine.

2.
To preserve in amber; as, an ambered fly.


word: Amberboa
definition:
Amberboa

Amberboa
n.
1.
1
a genus of herbs of Mediterranean to Central Asia cultivated for their flowers.

Syn. -- genus Amberboa.


word: Amber fish
definition:
Amber fish

amberfish

am"ber*fish`, Am"ber fish`
(ăm"bẽr*fĭsh`)
(Zool.)
Any of several amber to coppery fork-tailed warm-water carangid fishes of the genus Seriola, especially a large vigorous sport fish of the southern Atlantic coast (Seriola Dumerili).  It is also called the amberjack.
Seriola Carolinensis was the species name given in the 1890 Webster: same fish or different?

Syn. -- amberjack


word: Ambergris
definition:
Ambergris

Am"ber*gris
(ăm"bẽr*grēs)
n.
[F. ambre gris, i. e., gray amber; F. gris gray, which is of German origin: cf. OS. grîs, G. greis, gray-haired. See Amber.]
A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all cases its true origin. In color it is white, ash-gray, yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a white vapor at 212° Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery.
Dana.


word: Amber room
definition:
Amber room

Am"ber room
A room formerly in the Czar's Summer Palace in Russia, which was richly decorated with walls and fixtures made from amber.  The amber was removed by occupying German troops during the Second World War and has, as of 1997, never been recovered.  The room is being recreated from old photographs by Russian artisans.


word: Amber seed
definition:
Amber seed

Am"ber seed`
(ăm"bẽr sēd`)
Seed of the Hibiscus abelmoschus, somewhat resembling millet, brought from Egypt and the West Indies, and having a flavor like that of musk; musk seed.
Chambers.


word: Amber tree
definition:
Amber tree

Am"ber tree`
(_;)
A species of Anthospermum, a shrub with evergreen leaves, which, when bruised, emit a fragrant odor.


word: Ambidexter
definition:
Ambidexter

Am"bi*dex"ter
(_;)
a.
[LL., fr. L. ambo both + dexter right, dextra (sc. manus) the right hand.]
Using both hands with equal ease.
Smollett.


word: Ambidexter₂
definition:
Ambidexter

Am`bi*dex"ter
n.
1.
A person who uses both hands with equal facility.

2.
A double-dealer; one equally ready to act on either side in party disputes.

The rest are hypocrites, ambidexters, so many turning pictures -- a lion on one side, a lamb on the other.
Burton.

3.
(Law)
A juror who takes money from both parties for giving his verdict.
Cowell.


word: Ambidexterity
definition:
Ambidexterity

Am"bi*dex*ter"i*ty
(_;)
n.
1.
The quality of being ambidextrous; the faculty of using both hands with equal facility.
Versatility; general readiness; as, ambidexterity of argumentation.
Sterne.

Ignorant I was of the human frame, and of its latent powers, as regarded speed, force, and ambidexterity.
De Quincey.

2.
Double-dealing.
(Law)
A juror's taking of money from the both parties for a verdict.


word: Ambidextral
definition:
Ambidextral

Am`bi*dex"tral
(_;)
a.
Pertaining equally to the right-hand side and the left-hand side.
Earle.


word: Ambidextrous
definition:
Ambidextrous

Am`bi*dex"trous
(_;)
a.
1.
Having the faculty of using both hands with equal ease.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
Practicing or siding with both parties.

All false, shuffling, and ambidextrous dealings.
L'Estrange.


word: Ambient
definition:
Ambient

Am"bi*ent
(_;)
a.
[L. ambiens, p. pr. of ambire to go around; amb- + ire to go.]
Encompassing on all sides; circumfused; investing.
Ambient
Milton.
Ambient
Pope.


word: Ambient₂
definition:
Ambient

Am"bi*ent
n.
Something that surrounds or invests; as, air . . . being a perpetual ambient.
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Ambigenous
definition:
Ambigenous

Am*big"e*nous
(_;)
a.
[L. ambo both + genus kind.]
Of two kinds.
(Bot.)
Partaking of two natures, as the perianth of some endogenous plants, where the outer surface is calycine, and the inner petaloid.


word: Ambigu
definition:
Ambigu

Am"bi*gu
(_;)
n.
[F., fr. ambigu doubtful, L. ambiquus. See Ambiguous.]
An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the same time.


word: Ambiguity
definition:
Ambiguity

Am`bi*gu"i*ty
(_;)
n.
pl. Ambiguities (_;).
[L. ambiguitas, fr. ambiguus: cf. F. ambiguité.]
The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression.

No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued.
I. Taylor.

The words are of single signification, without any ambiguity.
South.


word: Ambiguous
definition:
Ambiguous

Am*big"u*ous
(_;)
a.
[L. ambiguus, fr. ambigere to wander about, waver; amb- + agere to drive.]
Doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to signification; capable of being understood in either of two or more possible senses; equivocal; as, an ambiguous course; an ambiguous expression.

What have been thy answers? What but dark,
Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding?
Milton.


word: Ambilevous
definition:
Ambilevous

Am`bi*le"vous
(_;)
a.
[L. ambo both + laevus left.]
Left-handed on both sides; clumsy; -- opposed to ambidexter.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Ambiparous
definition:
Ambiparous

Am*bip"a*rous
(_;)
a.
[L. ambo both + parere to bring forth.]
(Bot.)
Characterized by containing the rudiments of both flowers and leaves; -- applied to a bud.


word: Ambit
definition:
Ambit

Am"bit
(_;)
n.
[L. ambitus circuit, fr. ambire to go around. See Ambient.]
Circuit or compass.

His great parts did not live within a small ambit.
Milward.


word: Ambition
definition:
Ambition

Am*bi"tion
(_;)
n.
[F. ambition, L. ambitio a going around, especially of candidates for office is Rome, to solicit votes (hence, desire for office or honor), fr. ambire to go around. See Ambient, Issue.]
1.
The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
[Obs.]

[I] used no ambition to commend my deeds.
Milton.

2.
An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something.

Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way ambition:
By that sin fell the angels.
Shak.

The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six thousand more acres.
Burke.


word: Ambition₂
definition:
Ambition

Am*bi"tion
v. t.
[Cf. F. ambitionner.]
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
[R.]

Pausanias, ambitioning the sovereignty of Greece, bargains with Xerxes for his daughter in marriage.
Trumbull.


word: Ambitious
definition:
Ambitious

Am*bi"tious
(_;)
a.
[L. ambitiosus: cf. F. ambitieux. See Ambition.]
1.
Possessing, or controlled by, ambition; greatly or inordinately desirous of power, honor, office, superiority, or distinction.

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
Shak.

2.
Strongly desirous; -- followed by of or the infinitive; as, ambitious to be or to do something.

I was not ambitious of seeing this ceremony.
Evelyn.

Studious of song, and yet ambitious not to sing in vain.
Cowper.

3.
Springing from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition; showy; aspiring; as, an ambitious style.

A giant statue . . . 
Pushed by a wild and artless race,
From off wide, ambitious base.
Collins.


word: Ambitiousness
definition:
Ambitiousness

Am*bi"tious*ness
(ăm*bĭsh"ŭs*nĕs)
n.
The quality of being ambitious; ambition; pretentiousness.


word: Ambitus
definition:
Ambitus

Am"bi*tus
(ăm"bĭ*tŭs)
n.
[L. See Ambit, Ambition.]
1.
The exterior edge or border of a thing, as the border of a leaf, or the outline of a bivalve shell.

2.
(Rom. Antiq.)
A canvassing for votes.


word: ambivalency
definition:
ambivalency

ambivalence

ambivalence, ambivalency
n.
1.
mixed feelings or emotions; uncertainty or vacillation in making a choice.

2.
(Psychol.)
the simultaneous existence within a person of both positive and negative feelings toward another person or action, or toward an object (as of attraction and revulsion), resulting in internal conflict.


word: ambivalent
definition:
ambivalent

ambivalent
adj.
1.
1
undecided as to whether or not to take a proposed course of action; having feelings both for and against the proposed action.

Syn. -- on the fence(predicate), suspensive, uncertain


word: ambiversion
definition:
ambiversion

ambiversion
n.
1.
a balanced disposition intermediate between extroversion and introversion.


word: ambiversive
definition:
ambiversive

ambiversive
adj.
1.
(Psychol.)
intermediate between introversive and extroversive.  Contrasted to introversive and extroversive.


word: Amble
definition:
Amble

Am"ble
(_;)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Ambled (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Ambling (_;).]
[F. ambler to amble, fr. L. ambulare to walk, in LL., to amble, perh. fr. amb-, ambi-, and a root meaning to go: cf. Gr. _; to go, E. base. Cf. Ambulate.]
1.
To go at the easy gait called an amble; -- applied to the horse or to its rider.

2.
To move somewhat like an ambling horse; to go easily or without hard shocks.

The skipping king, he ambled up and down.
Shak.

Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
Shak.


