Unabridged Dictionary - Letter A
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A.
A
A (named \'be in the English, and most commonly \'84 in other
languages). The first letter of the English and of many other
alphabets. The capital A of the alphabets of Middle and Western
Europe, as also the small letter (a), besides the forms in Italic,
black letter, etc., are all descended from the old Latin A, which was
borrowed from the Greek Alpha, of the same form; and this was made
from the first letter (Aleph, and itself from the Egyptian origin. The
Aleph was a consonant letter, with a guttural breath sound that was
not an element of Greek articulation; and the Greeks took it to
represent their vowel Alpha with the \'84 sound, the Ph\'d2nician
alphabet having no vowel symbols. This letter, in English, is used for
several different vowel sounds. See Guide to pronunciation, §§ 43-74.
The regular long a, as in fate, etc., is a comparatively modern sound,
and has taken the place of what, till about the early part of the 17th
century, was a sound of the quality of \'84 (as in far).
2. (Mus.) The name of the sixth tone in the model major scale (that in
C), or the first tone of the minor scale, which is named after it the
scale in A minor. The second string of the violin is tuned to the A in
the treble staff. -- A sharp (A#) is the name of a musical tone
intermediate between A and B. -- A flat (Ab) is the name of a tone
intermediate between A and G.
A per se (L. per se by itself), one pre\'89minent; a nonesuch. [Obs.]
O fair Creseide, the flower and A per se Of Troy and Greece.
Chaucer.
A
A (# emph. #).
1. [Shortened form of an. AS. \'ben one. See One.] An adjective,
commonly called the indefinite article, and signifying one or any, but
less emphatically. "At a birth"; "In a word"; "At a blow". Shak.
NOTE: It is placed before nouns of the singular number denoting an
individual object, or a quality individualized, before collective
nouns, and also before plural nouns when the adjective few or the
phrase great many or good many is interposed; as, a dog, a house, a
man; a color; a sweetness; a hundred, a fleet, a regiment; a few
persons, a great many days. It is used for an, for the sake of
euphony, before words beginning with a consonant sound [for
exception of certain words beginning with h, see An]; as, a table,
a woman, a year, a unit, a eulogy, a ewe, a oneness, such a one,
etc. Formally an was used both before vowels and consonants.
2. [Originally the preposition a (an, on).] In each; to or for each;
as, "twenty leagues a day", "a hundred pounds a year", "a dollar a
yard", etc.
A
A (#), prep. [Abbreviated form of an (AS. on). See On.]
1. In; on; at; by. [Obs.] "A God's name." "Torn a pieces." "Stand a
tiptoe." "A Sundays" Shak. "Wit that men have now a days." Chaucer.
"Set them a work." Robynson (More's Utopia)
2. In process of; in the act of; into; to; -- used with verbal
substantives in -ing which begin with a consonant. This is a shortened
form of the preposition an (which was used before the vowel sound); as
in a hunting, a building, a begging. "Jacob, when he was a dying" Heb.
xi. 21. "We'll a birding together." " It was a doing." Shak. "He burst
out a laughing." Macaulay. The hyphen may be used to connect a with
the verbal substantive (as, a-hunting, a-building) or the words may be
written separately. This form of expression is now for the most part
obsolete, the a being omitted and the verbal substantive treated as a
participle.
A
A. [From AS. of off, from. See Of.] Of. [Obs.] "The name of John a
Gaunt." "What time a day is it ?" Shak. "It's six a clock." B. Jonson.
A
A. A barbarous corruption of have, of he, and sometimes of it and of
they. "So would I a done" "A brushes his hat." Shak.
A
A. An expletive, void of sense, to fill up the meter
A merry heart goes all the day, Your sad tires in a mile-a. Shak.
A-.
A-. A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various sources.
(1) It frequently signifies on or in (from an, a forms of AS. on),
denoting a state, as in afoot, on foot, abed, amiss, asleep, aground,
aloft, away (AS. onweg), and analogically, ablaze, atremble, etc. (2)
AS. of off, from, as in adown (AS. ofd\'81ne off the dun or hill). (3)
AS. \'be- (Goth. us-, ur-, Ger. er-), usually giving an intensive
force, and sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in arise, abide,
ago. (4) Old English y- or i- (corrupted from the AS. inseparable
particle ge-, cognate with OHG. ga-, gi-, Goth. ga-), which, as a
prefix, made no essential addition to the meaning, as in aware. (5)
French \'85 (L. ad to), as in abase, achieve. (6) L. a, ab, abs, from,
as in avert. (7) Greek insep. prefix a without, or privative, not, as
in abyss, atheist; akin to E. un-.
NOTE: Besides th ese, there are other sources from which the prefix
a takes its origin.
A 1
A 1 (#). A registry mark given by underwriters (as at Lloyd's) to
ships in first-class condition. Inferior grades are indicated by A 2
and A 3.
NOTE: A 1 is al so ap plied colloquially to other things to imply
superiority; prime; first-class; first-rate.
Aam
Aam (#), n. [D. aam, fr. LL. ama; cf. L. hama a water bucket, Gr. A
Dutch and German measure of liquids, varying in different cities,
being at Amsterdam about 41 wine gallons, at Antwerp 36\'ab, at
Hamburg 38\'ac. [Written also Aum and Awm.]
Aard-vark
Aard"-vark` (#), n. [D., earth-pig.] (Zo\'94l.) An edentate mammal, of
the genus Orycteropus, somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts
of Southern Africa. It burrows in the ground, and feeds entirely on
ants, which it catches with its long, slimy tongue.
Aard-wolf
Aard"-wolf` (#), n. [D, earth-wolf] (Zo\'94l.) A carnivorous quadruped
(Proteles Lalandii), of South Africa, resembling the fox and hyena.
See Proteles.
Aaronic, Aaronical
Aa*ron"ic (#), Aa*ron"ic*al (#), a. Pertaining to Aaron, the first
high priest of the Jews.
Aaron's rod
Aar"on's rod` (#). [See Exodus vii. 9 and Numbers xvii. 8]
1. (Arch.) A rod with one serpent twined around it, thus differing
from the caduceus of Mercury, which has two.
2. (Bot.) A plant with a tall flowering stem; esp. the great mullein,
or hag-taper, and the golden-rod.
Ab-
Ab- (#). [Latin prep., etymologically the same as E. of, off. See Of.]
A prefix in many words of Latin origin. It signifies from, away ,
separating, or departure, as in abduct, abstract, abscond. See A-(6).
Ab
Ab (#), n. [Of Syriac origin.] The fifth month of the Jewish year
according to the ecclesiastical reckoning, the eleventh by the civil
computation, coinciding nearly with August. W. Smith.
Abaca
Ab"a*ca (#), n. [The native name.] The Manila-hemp plant (Musa
textilis); also, its fiber. See Manila hemp under Manila.
Abacinate
A*bac"i*nate (#), v.t. [LL. abacinatus, p.p. of abacinare; ab off +
bacinus a basin.] To blind by a red-hot metal plate held before the
eyes. [R.]
Abacination
A*bac`i*na"tion (#), n. The act of abacinating. [R.]
Abaciscus
Ab`a*cis"cus (#), n. [Gr.Abacus.] (Arch.) One of the tiles or squares
of a tessellated pavement; an abaculus.
Abacist
Ab"a*cist (#), n. [LL abacista, fr. abacus.] One who uses an abacus in
casting accounts; a calculator.
Aback
A*back" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + back; AS. on b\'91c at, on, or toward
the back. See Back.]
1. Toward the back or rear; backward. "Therewith aback she started."
Chaucer.
2. Behind; in the rear. Knolles.
3. (Naut.) Backward against the mast;-said of the sails when pressed
by the wind. Totten.
To be taken aback. (a) To be driven backward against the mast; -- said
of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven. (b) To
be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited. Dickens.
Aback
Ab"ack (#), n. An abacus. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Abactinal
Ab*ac"ti*nal (#), a. [L. ab + E. actinal.] (Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to
the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal; --
opposed to actinal. "The aboral or abactinal area." L. Agassiz.
Abaction
Ab*ac"tion (#), n. Stealing cattle on a large scale. [Obs.]
Abactor
Ab*ac"tor (#), n. [L., fr. abigere to drive away; ab+agere to drive.]
(Law) One who steals and drives away cattle or beasts by herds or
droves. [Obs.]
Abaculus
A*bac"u*lus (#), n.; pl. Abaculi (#). [L., dim. of abacus.] (Arch.) A
small tile of glass, marble, or other substance, of various colors,
used in making ornamental patterns in mosaic pavements. Fairholt.
Abacus
Ab"a*cus (#), n.>; E. pl. Abacuses ; L. pl. Abaci (#). [L. abacus,
abax, Gr.
1. A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing,
calculating, etc. [Obs.]
2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing
arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in
grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens,
etc. It is still employed in China.
3. (Arch.) (a) The uppermost member or division of the capital of a
column, immediately under the architrave. See Column. (b) A tablet,
panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work.
4. A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for
holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or
sideboard.
Abacus harmonicus (Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the structure and
disposition of the keys of an instrument. Crabb.
Abada
Ab"a*da (#), n. [Pg., the female rhinoceros.] The rhinoceros. [Obs.]
Purchas.
Abaddon
A*bad"don (#), n. [Heb. \'bebadd\'d3n destruction, abyss, fr. \'bebad
to be lost, to perish.]
1. The destroyer, or angel of the bottomless pit; -- the same as
Apollyon and Asmodeus.
2. Hell; the bottomless pit. [Poetic]
In all her gates, Abaddon rues Thy bold attempt. Milton.
Abaft
A*baft" (#), prep. [Pref. a-on + OE. baft, baften, biaften, AS.
be\'91ftan; be by + \'91ftan behind. See After, Aft, By.] (Naut.)
Behind; toward the stern from; as, abaft the wheelhouse. Abaft the
beam. See under Beam.
Abaft
A*baft", adv. (Naut.) Toward the stern; aft; as, to go abaft.
Abaisance
A*bai"sance (#), n. [For obeisance; confused with F. abaisser, E.
abase] Obeisance. [Obs.] Jonson.
Abaiser
A*bai"ser (#), n. Ivory black or animal charcoal. Weale.
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Abaist
A*baist" (#), p.p. Abashed; confounded; discomfited. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Abalienate
Ab*al"ien*ate (#), v.t. [L. abalienatus, p.p. of abalienare; ab +
alienus foreign, alien. See Alien.]
1. (Civil Law) To transfer the title of from one to another; to
alienate.
2. To estrange; to withdraw. [Obs.]
3. To cause alienation of (mind). Sandys.
Abalienation
Ab*al`ien*a"tion (#), n. [L. abalienatio: cf. F. abalianation.] The
act of abalienating; alienation; estrangement. [Obs.]
Abalone
Ab`a*lo"ne (#), n. (Zo\'94l.) A univalve mollusk of the genus
Haliotis. The shell is lined with mother-of-pearl, and used for
ornamental purposes; the sea-ear. Several large species are found on
the coast of California, clinging closely to the rocks.
Aband
A*band" (#), v.t. [Contracted from abandon.]
1. To abandon. [Obs.]
Enforced the kingdom to aband. Spenser.
2. To banish; to expel. [Obs.] Mir. for Mag.
Abandon
A*ban"don (#), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abandoned (#); p.pr. & vb.n.
Abandoning.] [OF. abandoner, F.abandonner; a (L. ad)+bandon
permission, authority, LL. bandum, bannum, public proclamation,
interdiction, bannire to proclaim, summon: of Germanic origin; cf.
Goth. bandwjan to show by signs, to designate OHG. banproclamation.
The word meant to proclaim, put under a ban, put under control; hence,
as in OE., to compel, subject, or to leave in the control of another,
and hence, to give up. See Ban.]
1. To cast or drive out; to banish; to expel; to reject. [Obs.]
That he might . . . abandon them from him. Udall.
Being all this time abandoned from your bed. Shak.
2. To give up absolutely; to forsake entirely ; to renounce utterly;
to relinquish all connection with or concern on; to desert, as a
person to whom one owes allegiance or fidelity; to quit; to surrender.
Hope was overthrown, yet could not be abandoned. I. Taylor.
3. Reflexively : To give (one's self) up without attempt at
self-control ; to yield (one's self) unrestrainedly ; -- often in a
bad sense.
He abandoned himself . . . to his favorite vice. Macaulay.
4. (Mar. Law) To relinquish all claim to; -- used when an insured
person gives up to underwriters all claim to the property covered by a
policy, which may remain after loss or damage by a peril insured
against. Syn. -- To give up; yield; forego; cede; surrender; resign;
abdicate; quit; relinquish; renounce; desert; forsake; leave; retire;
withdraw from. -- To Abandon, Desert, Forsake. These words agree in
representing a person as giving up or leaving some object, but differ
as to the mode of doing it. The distinctive sense of abandon is that
of giving up a thing absolutely and finally; as, to abandon one's
friends, places, opinions, good or evil habits, a hopeless enterprise,
a shipwrecked vessel. Abandon is more widely applicable than forsake
or desert. The Latin original of desert appears to have been
originally applied to the case of deserters from military service.
Hence, the verb, when used of persons in the active voice, has usually
or always a bad sense, implying some breach of fidelity, honor, etc.,
the leaving of something which the person should rightfully stand by
and support; as, to desert one's colors, to desert one's post, to
desert one's principles or duty. When used in the passive, the sense
is not necessarily bad; as, the fields were deserted, a deserted
village, deserted halls. Forsake implies the breaking off of previous
habit, association, personal connection, or that the thing left had
been familiar or frequented; as, to forsake old friends, to forsake
the paths of rectitude, the blood forsook his cheeks. It may be used
either in a good or in a bad sense.
Abandon
A*ban"don, n. [F. abandon. fr. abandonner. See Abandon, v.]
Abandonment; relinquishment. [Obs.]
Abandon
A`ban`don" (#), n. [F. See Abandon.] A complete giving up to natural
impulses; freedom from artificial constraint; careless freedom or
ease.
Abandoned
A*ban"doned (#), a.
1. Forsaken, deserted. "Your abandoned streams." Thomson.
2. Self-abandoned, or given up to vice; extremely wicked, or sinning
without restraint; irreclaimably wicked ; as, an abandoned villain.
Syn. -- Profligate; dissolute; corrupt; vicious; depraved; reprobate;
wicked; unprincipled; graceless; vile. -- Abandoned, Profligate,
Reprobate. These adjectives agree in expressing the idea of great
personal depravity. Profligate has reference to open and shameless
immoralities, either in private life or political conduct; as, a
profligate court, a profligate ministry. Abandoned is stronger, and
has reference to the searing of conscience and hardening of heart
produced by a man's giving himself wholly up to iniquity; as, a man of
abandoned character. Reprobate describes the condition of one who has
become insensible to reproof, and who is morally abandoned and lost
beyond hope of recovery.
God gave them over to a reprobate mind. Rom. i. 28.
Abandonedly
A*ban"doned*ly, adv. Unrestrainedly.
Abandonee
A*ban`don*ee" (#), n. (Law) One to whom anything is legally abandoned.
Abandoner
A*ban"don*er (#), n. One who abandons. Beau. & Fl.
Abandonment
A*ban"don*ment (#), n. [Cf. F. abandonnement.]
1. The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned; total
desertion; relinquishment.
The abandonment of the independence of Europe. Burke.
2. (Mar. Law) The relinquishment by the insured to the underwriters of
what may remain of the property insured after a loss or damage by a
peril insured against.
3. (Com. Law) (a) The relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege,
as to mill site, etc. (b) The voluntary leaving of a person to whom
one is bound by a special relation, as a wife, husband, or child;
desertion.
4. Careless freedom or ease; abandon. [R.] Carlyle.
Abandum
A*ban"*dum (#), n. [LL. See Abandon.] (Law) Anything forfeited or
confiscated.
Abanet
Ab"a*net (#), n. See Abnet.
Abanga
A*ban"ga (#), n. [Name given by the negroes in the island of St.
Thomas.] A West Indian palm; also the fruit of this palm, the seeds of
which are used as a remedy for diseases of the chest.
Abannation, Abannition
Ab`an*na"tion (#), Ab`an*nition (#), n. [LL. abannatio; ad + LL.
bannire to banish.] (Old Law) Banishment. [Obs.] Bailey.
Abarticulation
Ab`ar*tic`u*la"tion (#), n. [L. ab + E. articulation : cf. F.
abarticulation. See Article.] (Anat.) Articulation, usually that kind
of articulation which admits of free motion in the joint; diarthrosis.
Coxe.
Abase
A*base" (#), v.t. [imp.&p.p. Abased (#); p.pr. & vb. n. Abasing.] [F.
abaisser, LL. abassare, abbassare ; ad + bassare, fr. bassus low. See
Base, a.]
1. To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye.
[Archaic] Bacon.
Saying so, he abased his lance. Shelton.
2. To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition
in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to
degrade.
Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. Luke xiv. ll.
Syn. -- To Abase, Debase, Degrade. These words agree in the idea of
bringing down from a higher to a lower state. Abase has reference to a
bringing down in condition or feelings; as to abase one's self before
God. Debase has reference to the bringing down of a thing in purity,
or making it base. It is, therefore, always used in a bad sense, as,
to debase the coin of the kingdom, to debase the mind by vicious
indulgence, to debase one's style by coarse or vulgar expressions.
Degrade has reference to a bringing down from some higher grade or
from some standard. Thus, a priest is degraded from the clerical
office. When used in a moral sense, it denotes a bringing down in
character and just estimation; as, degraded by intemperance, a
degrading employment, etc. "Art is degraded when it is regarded only
as a trade."
Abased
A*based" (#), a.
1. Lowered; humbled.
2. (Her.) [F. abaiss\'82.] Borne lower than usual, as a fess; also,
having the ends of the wings turned downward towards the point of the
shield.
Abasedly
A*bas"ed*ly (#), adv. Abjectly; downcastly.
Abasement
A*base"ment (#), n. [Cf. F. abaissement.] The act of abasing,
humbling, or bringing low; the state of being abased or humbled;
humiliation.
Abaser
A*bas"er (#), n. He who, or that which, abases.
Abash
A*bash" (#), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abashed (#); p.pr. & vb. n. Abashing.]
[OE. abaissen, abaisshen, abashen, OF.esbahir, F. \'82bahir, to
astonish, fr. L. ex + the interjection bah, expressing astonishment.
In OE. somewhat confused with abase. Cf. Finish.] To destroy the
self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a
consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to put to shame; to
disconcert; to discomfit.
Abashed, the devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is. Milton.
He was a man whom no check could abash. Macaulay.
Syn. -- To confuse; confound; disconcert; shame. -- To Abash, Confuse,
Confound. Abash is a stronger word than confuse, but not so strong as
confound. We are abashed when struck either with sudden shame or with
a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was abashed in the presence
of those who are greatly his superiors. We are confused when, from
some unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness of thought
and self-possession. Thus, a witness is often confused by a severe
cross-examination; a timid person is apt to be confused in entering a
room full of strangers. We are confounded when our minds are
overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly unexpected, amazing,
dreadful, etc., so that we have nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is
usually confounded at the discovery of his guilt.
Satan stood Awhile as mute, confounded what to say. Milton.
Abashedly
A*bash"ed*ly (#), adv. In an abashed manner.
Abashment
A*bash"ment (#), n. [Cf. F. \'82bahissement.] The state of being
abashed; confusion from shame.
Abassi, Abassis
A*bas"si (#), A*bas"sis (#), n. [Ar.& Per. ab\'bes\'c6, belonging to
Abas (a king of Persia).] A silver coin of Persia, worth about twenty
cents.
Abatable
A*bat"a*ble (#), a. Capable of being abated; as, an abatable writ or
nuisance.
Abate
A*bate" (#), v.t. [imp.& p.p. Abated, p.pr. & vb.n. Abating.] [OF.
abatre to beat down, F. abattre, LL. abatere; ab or ad + batere,
battere (popular form for L. batuere to beat). Cf. Bate, Batter.]
1. To beat down; to overthrow. [Obs.]
The King of Scots . . . sore abated the walls. Edw. Hall.
2. To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or
degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; toto cut
short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope.
His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. Deut. xxxiv. 7.
3. To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price.
Nine thousand parishes, abating the odd hundreds. Fuller.
4. To blunt. [Obs.]
To abate the edge of envy. Bacon.
5. To reduce in estimation; to deprive. [Obs.]
She hath abated me of half my train. Shak.
6. (Law) (a) To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away with;
as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ. (b) (Eng. Law) To diminish;
to reduce. Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion,
upon a deficiency of assets.
To abate a tax, to remit it either wholly or in part.
Abate
A*bate" (#), v.i. [See Abate, v.t.]
1. To decrease, or become less in strength or violence; as, pain
abates, a storm abates.
The fury of Glengarry . . . rapidly abated. Macaulay.
2. To be defeated, or come to naught; to fall through; to fail; as, a
writ abates.
To abate into a freehold, To abate in lands (Law), to enter into a
freehold after the death of the last possessor, and before the heir
takes possession. See Abatement, 4. Syn. -- To subside; decrease;
intermit; decline; diminish; lessen. -- To Abate, Subside. These
words, as here compared, imply a coming down from some previously
raised or exited state. Abate expresses this in respect to degrees,
and implies a diminution of force or of intensity; as, the storm
abates, the cold abates, the force of the wind abates; or, the wind
abates, a fever abates. Subside (to settle down) has reference to a
previous state of agitation or commotion; as, the waves subside after
a storm, the wind subsides into a calm. When the words are used
figuratively, the same distinction should be observed. If we conceive
of a thing as having different degrees of intensity or strength, the
word to be used is abate. Thus we say, a man's anger abates, the ardor
of one's love abates, "Winter rage abates". But if the image be that
of a sinking down into quiet from preceding excitement or commotion,
the word to be used is subside; as, the tumult of the people subsides,
the public mind subsided into a calm. The same is the case with those
emotions which are tumultuous in their nature; as, his passion
subsides, his joy quickly subsided, his grief subsided into a pleasing
melancholy. Yet if, in such cases, we were thinking of the degree of
violence of the emotion, we might use abate; as, his joy will abate in
the progress of time; and so in other instances.
Abate
A*bate (#), n. Abatement. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Abatement
A*bate"ment (#), n. [OF. abatement, F. abattement.]
1. The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening,
diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the
abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof.
2. The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction;
deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed.
3. (Her.) A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon.
4. (Law) The entry of a stranger, without right, into a freehold after
the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee.
Blackstone.
Defense in abatement, Plea in abatement, (Law), plea to the effect
that from some formal defect (e.g. misnomer, want of jurisdiction) the
proceedings should be abated.
Abater
A*bat"er (#), n. One who, or that which, abates.
Abatis, Abattis
Ab"a*tis, Aba"t*tis, (#) n. [F. abatis, abattis, mass of things beaten
or cut down, fr. abattre. See Abate.] (Fort.) A means of defense
formed by felled trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and
directed outwards, or against the enemy.
Abatised
Ab"a*tised (#), a. Provided with an abatis.
Abator
A*ba"tor (#), n. (Law) (a) One who abates a nuisance. (b) A person
who, without right, enters into a freehold on the death of the last
possessor, before the heir or devisee. Blackstone.
Abattoir
A`bat`toir" (#), n.; pl. Abattoirs (#). [F., fr. abattre to beat down.
See Abate.] A public slaughterhouse for cattle, sheep, etc.
Abature
Ab"a*ture (#), n. [F. abatture, fr. abattre. See Abate.] Grass and
sprigs beaten or trampled down by a stag passing through them. Crabb.
Abatvoix
A`bat`voix" (#), n. [F. abattre to beat down + voix voice.] The
sounding-board over a pulpit or rostrum.
Abawed
Ab*awed" (#), p.p. [Perh. p.p. of a verb fr. OF. abaubir to frighten,
disconcert, fr. L. ad + balbus stammering.] Astonished; abashed.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Abaxial, Abaxile
Ab*ax"i*al (#), Ab*ax"ile (#), a. [L. ab + axis axle.] (Bot.) Away
from the axis or central line; eccentric. Balfour.
Abay
A*bay" (#), n. [OF. abay barking.] Barking; baying of dogs upon their
prey. See Bay. [Obs.]
Abb
Abb (#), n. [AS. \'beweb, \'beb; pref. a- + web. See Web.] Among
weaves, yarn for the warp. Hence, abb wool is wool for the abb.
Abba
Ab"ba (#), n. [Syriac abb\'be father. See Abbot.] Father; religious
superior; -- in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, a title
given to the bishops, and by the bishops to the patriarch.
Abbacy
Ab"ba*cy (#), n.; pl. Abbacies (#). [L. abbatia, fr. abbas, abbatis,
abbot. See Abbey.] The dignity, estate, or jurisdiction of an abbot.
Abbatial
Ab*ba"tial (#), a. [LL. abbatialis : cf. F. abbatial.] Belonging to an
abbey; as, abbatial rights.
Abbatical
Ab*bat"ic*al (#), a. Abbatial. [Obs.]
Abb\'82
Ab"b\'82` (#), n.[F. abb\'82. See Abbot.] The French word answering to
the English abbot, the head of an abbey; but commonly a title of
respect given in France to every one vested with the ecclesiastical
habit or dress.
NOTE: \'b5 Af ter th e 16 th century, the name was given, in social
parlance, to candidates for some priory or abbey in the gift of the
crown. Many of these aspirants became well known in literary and
fashionable life. By further extension, the name came to be applied
to unbeneficed secular ecclesiastics generally.
Littr\'82.
Abbess
Ab"bess (#), n. [OF.abaesse, abeesse, F. abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem.
of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.] A female superior or governess
of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the
nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey.
Abbey
Ab"bey (#), n.; pl. Abbeys (#). [OF. aba\'8be, F. abbaye, L. abbatia,
fr. abbas abbot. See Abbot.]
1. A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the
world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic
building or buildings.
NOTE: &hand; Th e me n ar e called monks, and governed by an abbot;
the women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess.
2. The church of a monastery.
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NOTE: In Lo ndon, th e Ab bey me ans We stminster Ab bey, an d in
Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also
retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as,
Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.
Syn. -- Monastery; convent; nunnery; priory; cloister. See Cloister.
Abbot
Ab"bot (#), n. [AS. abbod, abbad, L. abbas, abbatis, Gr. abb\'be
father. Cf. Abba, Abb\'90.]
1. The superior or head of an abbey.
2. One of a class of bishops whose sees were formerly abbeys. Encyc.
Brit.
Abbot of the people. a title formerly given to one of the chief
magistrates in Genoa. -- Abbot of Misrule (or Lord of Misrule), in
medi\'91val times, the master of revels, as at Christmas; in Scotland
called the Abbot of Unreason. Encyc. Brit.
Abbotship
Ab"bot*ship (#), n. [Abbot + -ship.] The state or office of an abbot.
Abbreviate
Ab*bre"vi*ate (#), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abbreviated (#); p.pr. & vb.n.
Abbreviating.] [L. abbreviatus, p.p. of abbreviare; ad + breviare to
shorten, fr. brevis short. See Abridge.]
1. To make briefer; to shorten; to abridge; to reduce by contraction
or omission, especially of words written or spoken.
It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, another by cutting
off. Bacon.
2. (Math.) To reduce to lower terms, as a fraction.
Abbreviate
Ab*bre"vi*ate (#), a. [L. abbreviatus, p.p.]
1. Abbreviated; abridged; shortened. [R.] "The abbreviate form."
Earle.
2. (Biol.) Having one part relatively shorter than another or than
the ordinary type.
Abbreviate
Ab*bre"vi*ate, n. An abridgment. [Obs.] Elyot.
Abbreviated
Ab*bre"vi*a`ted (#), a. Shortened; relatively short; abbreviate.
Abbreviation
Ab*bre`vi*a"tion (#), n. [LL. abbreviatio: cf. F. abbr\'82viation.]
1. The act of shortening, or reducing.
2. The result of abbreviating; an abridgment. Tylor.
3. The form to which a word or phrase is reduced by contraction and
omission; a letter or letters, standing for a word or phrase of
which they are a part; as, Gen. for Genesis; U.S.A. for United
States of America.
4. (Mus.) One dash, or more, through the stem of a note, dividing
it respectively into quavers, semiquavers, or demi-semiquavers.
Moore.
Abbreviator
Ab*bre"vi*a`tor (#), n. [LL.: cf. F. abbr\'82viateur.]
1. One who abbreviates or shortens.
2. One of a college of seventy-two officers of the papal court
whose duty is to make a short minute of a decision on a petition,
or reply of the pope to a letter, and afterwards expand the minute
into official form.
Abbreviatory
Ab*bre"vi*a*to*ry (#), a. Serving or tending to abbreviate;
shortening; abridging.
Abbreviature
Ab*bre"vi*a*ture (#), n.
1. An abbreviation; an abbreviated state or form. [Obs.]
2. An abridgment; a compendium or abstract.
This is an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty of a Christian.
Jer. Taylor.
Abb wool
Abb" wool (#). See Abb.
A B C
A B C" (#).
1. The first three letters of the alphabet, used for the whole
alphabet.
2. A primer for teaching the alphabet and first elements of
reading. [Obs.]
3. The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of finance.
A B C book, a primer. Shak.
Abdal
Ab"dal (#), n. [Ar. bad\'c6l, pl. abd\'bel, a substitute, a good,
religious man, saint, fr. badala to change, substitute.] A religious
devotee or dervish in Persia.
Abderian
Ab*de"ri*an (#), a. [From Abdera, a town in Thrace, of which place
Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher, was a native.] Given to
laughter; inclined to foolish or incessant merriment.
Abderite
Ab*de"rite (#), n. [L. Abderita, Abderites, fr. Gr. ' An inhabitant of
Abdera, in Thrace. The Abderite, Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher.
Abdest
Ab"dest (#), n. [Per. \'bebdast; ab water + dast hand.] Purification
by washing the hands before prayer; -- a Mohammedan rite. Heyse.
Abdicable
Ab"di*ca*ble (#), a. Capable of being abdicated.
Abdicant
Ab"di*cant (#), a. [L. abdicans, p.pr. of abdicare.] Abdicating;
renouncing; -- followed by of.
Monks abdicant of their orders. Whitlock.
Abdicant
Ab"di*cant, n. One who abdicates. Smart.
Abdicate
Ab"di*cate (#), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abdicated (#); p.pr. & vb.n.
Abdicating.] [L. abdicatus, p.p. of abdicare; ab + dicare to proclaim,
akin to dicere to say. See Diction.]
1. To surrender or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw
definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station,
dignity; as, to abdicate the throne, the crown, the papacy.
NOTE: &hand; Th e wo rd ab dicate wa s held to mean, in the case of
James II., to abandon without a formal surrender.
The cross-bearers abdicated their service. Gibbon.
2. To renounce; to relinquish; -- said of authority, a trust, duty,
right, etc.
He abdicates all right to be his own governor. Burke.
The understanding abdicates its functions. Froude.
3. To reject; to cast off. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
4. (Civil Law) To disclaim and expel from the family, as a father his
child; to disown; to disinherit. Syn. -- To give up; quit; vacate;
relinquish; forsake; abandon; resign; renounce; desert. -- To
Abdicate, Resign. Abdicate commonly expresses the act of a monarch in
voluntary and formally yielding up sovereign authority; as, to
abdicate the government. Resign is applied to the act of any person,
high or low, who gives back an office or trust into the hands of him
who conferred it. Thus, a minister resigns, a military officer
resigns, a clerk resigns. The expression, "The king resigned his
crown," sometimes occurs in our later literature, implying that he
held it from his people. -- There are other senses of resign which are
not here brought into view.
Abdicate
Ab"di*cate (#), v.i. To relinquish or renounce a throne, or other high
office or dignity.
Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate
for the monarchy. Burke.
Abdication
Ab`di*ca"tion (#), n. [L. abdicatio: cf. F. abdication.] The act of
abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by
its holder; commonly the voluntary renunciation of sovereign power;
as, abdication of the throne, government, power, authority.
Abdicative
Ab"di*ca*tive (#), a. [L. abdicativus.] Causing, or implying,
abdication. [R.] Bailey.
Abdicator
Ab"di*ca`tor (#), n. One who abdicates.
Abditive
Ab"di*tive (#), a. [L. abditivus, fr. abdere to hide.] Having the
quality of hiding. [R.] Bailey.
Abditory
Ab"di*to*ry (#), n. [L. abditorium.] A place for hiding or preserving
articles of value. Cowell.
Abdomen
Ab*do"men (#), n. [L. abdomen (a word of uncertain etymol.): cf. F.
abdomen.]
1. (Anat.) The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and
the pelvis. Also, the cavity of the belly, which is lined by the
peritoneum, and contains the stomach, bowels, and other viscera. In
man, often restricted to the part between the diaphragm and the
commencement of the pelvis, the remainder being called the pelvic
cavity.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The posterior section of the body, behind the thorax, in
insects, crustaceans, and other Arthropoda.
Abdominal
Ab*dom"i*nal (#), a. [Cf. F. abdominal.]
1. Of or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral; as, the abdominal
regions, muscles, cavity.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Having abdominal fins; belonging to the Abdominales; as,
abdominal fishes.
Abdominal ring (Anat.), a fancied ringlike opening on each side of the
abdomen, external and superior to the pubes; -- called also inguinal
ring.
Abdominal
Ab*dom"i*nal, n.; E. pl. Abdominals, L. pl. Abdominales. A fish of the
group Abdominales.
Abdominales
Ab*dom`i*na"les (#), n. pl. [NL., masc. pl.] (Zo\'94l.) A group
including the greater part of fresh-water fishes, and many marine
ones, having the ventral fins under the abdomen behind the pectorals.
Abdominalia
Ab*dom`i*na"li*a (#), n. pl. [NL., neut. pl.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of
cirripeds having abdominal appendages.
Abdominoscopy
Ab*dom`i*nos"co*py (#), n. [L. abdomen + Gr. (Med.) Examination of the
abdomen to detect abdominal disease.
Abdominothoracic
Ab*dom`i*no*tho*rac"ic (#), a. Relating to the abdomen and the thorax,
or chest.
Abdominous
Ab*dom"i*nous (#), a. Having a protuberant belly; pot-bellied.
Gorgonius sits, abdominous and wan, Like a fat squab upon a Chinese
fan. Cowper.
Abduce
Ab*duce" (#), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abduced (#); p.pr. & vb.n. Abducing.]
[L. abducere to lead away; ab + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf.
Abduct.] To draw or conduct away; to withdraw; to draw to a different
part. [Obs.]
If we abduce the eye unto either corner, the object will not
duplicate. Sir T. Browne.
Abduct
Ab*duct" (#), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abducted (#); p.pr. & vb.n.
Abducting.] [L. abductus, p.p. of abducere. See Abduce.]
1. To take away surreptitiously by force; to carry away (a human
being) wrongfully and usually by violence; to kidnap.
2. To draw away, as a limb or other part, from its ordinary position.
Abduction
Ab*duc"tion (#), n. [L. abductio: cf. F. abduction.]
1. The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; a carrying away.
Roget.
2. (Physiol.) The movement which separates a limb or other part from
the axis, or middle line, of the body.
3. (Law) The wrongful, and usually the forcible, carrying off of a
human being; as, the abduction of a child, the abduction of an
heiress.
4. (Logic) A syllogism or form of argument in which the major is
evident, but the minor is only probable.
Abductor
Ab*duc"tor (#), n. [NL.]
1. One who abducts.
2. (Anat.) A muscle which serves to draw a part out, or form the
median line of the body; as, the abductor oculi, which draws the eye
outward.
Abeam
A*beam" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + beam.] (Naut.) On the beam, that is, on
a line which forms a right angle with the ship's keel; opposite to the
center of the ship's side.
Abear
A*bear" (#), v.t. [AS. \'beberan; pref. \'be- + beran to bear.]
1. To bear; to behave. [Obs.]
So did the faery knight himself abear. Spenser.
2. To put up with; to endure. [Prov.] Dickens.
Abearance
A*bear"ance (#), n. Behavior. [Obs.] Blackstone.
Abearing
A*bear"ing, n. Behavior. [Obs.] Sir. T. More.
Abecedarian
A`be*ce*da"ri*an (#), n. [L. abecedarius. A word from the first four
letters of the alphabet.]
1. One who is learning the alphabet; hence, a tyro.
2. One engaged in teaching the alphabet. Wood.
Abecedarian, Abecedary
A`be*ce*da"ri*an, A`be*ce"da*ry (#), a. Pertaining to, or formed by,
the letters of the alphabet; alphabetic; hence, rudimentary.
Abecedarian psalms, hymns, etc., compositions in which (like the 119th
psalm in Hebrew) distinct portions or verses commence with successive
letters of the alphabet. Hook.
Abecedary
A`be*ce"da*ry (#), n. A primer; the first principle or rudiment of
anything. [R.] Fuller.
Abed
A*bed" (#), adv. [Pref. a- in, on + bed.]
1. In bed, or on the bed.
Not to be abed after midnight. Shak.
2. To childbed (in the phrase "brought abed," that is, delivered of a
child). Shak.
Abegge
A*beg"ge (#). Same as Aby. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Abele
A*bele" (#), n. [D. abeel (abeel-boom), OF. abel, aubel, fr. a dim. of
L. albus white.] The white polar (Populus alba).
Six abeles i' the churchyard grow. Mrs. Browning.
Abelian, Abelite, Abelonian
A*bel"i*an (#), A"bel*ite (#), A`bel*o"ni*an (#), n. (Eccl. Hist.) One
of a sect in Africa (4th century), mentioned by St. Augustine, who
states that they married, but lived in continence, after the manner,
as they pretended, of Abel.
Abelmosk
A"bel*mosk` (#), n. [NL. abelmoschus, fr. Ar. abu-l-misk father of
musk, i.e., producing musk. See Musk.] (Bot.) An evergreen shrub
(Hibiscus -- formerly Abelmoschus-moschatus), of the East and West
Indies and Northern Africa, whose musky seeds are used in perfumery
and to flavor coffee; -- sometimes called musk mallow.
Ab er-de-vine
Ab` er-de-vine" (#), n. (Zo\'94l.) The European siskin (Carduelis
spinus), a small green and yellow finch, related to the goldfinch.
Aberr
Ab*err" (#), v.i. [L. aberrare. See Aberrate.] To wander; to stray.
[Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Aberrance, Aberrancy
Ab*er"rance (#), Ab*er"ran*cy (#), n. State of being aberrant; a
wandering from the right way; deviation from truth, rectitude, etc.
Aberrancy of curvature (Geom.), the deviation of a curve from a
circular form.
Aberrant
Ab*er"rant (#), a. [L. aberrans, -rantis, p.pr. of aberrare.] See
Aberr.]
1. Wandering; straying from the right way.
2. (Biol.) Deviating from the ordinary or natural type; exceptional;
abnormal.
The more aberrant any form is, the greater must have been the
number of connecting forms which, on my theory, have been
exterminated. Darwin.
Aberrate
Ab"er*rate (#), v.i. [L. aberratus, p.pr. of aberrare; ab + errare to
wander. See Err.] To go astray; to diverge. [R.]
Their own defective and aberrating vision. De Quincey.
Aberration
Ab`er*ra"tion (#), n. [L. aberratio: cf. F. aberration. See Aberrate.]
1. The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral
rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type. "The aberration of
youth." Hall. "Aberrations from theory." Burke.
2. A partial alienation of reason. "Occasional aberrations of
intellect." Lingard.
Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass
with heat into epidemic form. I. Taylor.
3. (Astron.) A small periodical change of position in the stars and
other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of
light and the motion of the observer; called annual aberration, when
the observer's motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and dairy or
diurnal aberration, when of the earth on its axis; amounting when
greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'', and in the latter, to 0.3''.
Planetary aberration is that due to the motion of light and the motion
of the planet relative to the earth.
4. (Opt.) The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of
rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation
of such rays from a single focus; called spherical aberration, when
due to the spherical form of the lens or mirror, such form giving
different foci for central and marginal rays; and chromatic
aberration, when due to different refrangibilities of the colored rays
of the spectrum, those of each color having a distinct focus.
5. (Physiol.) The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not
appropriate for it.
6. (Law) The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an
instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B. Syn.
-- Insanity; lunacy; madness; derangement; alienation; mania;
dementia; hallucination; illusion; delusion. See Insanity.
Aberrational
Ab`er*ra"tion*al (#), a. Characterized by aberration.
Aberuncate
Ab`e*run"cate (#), v.t. [L. aberuncare, for aberruncare. See
Averruncate.] To weed out. [Obs.] Bailey.
Aberuncator
Ab`e*run"ca*tor (#), n. A weeding machine.
Abet
A*bet" (#), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abetted (#); p.pr. & vb.n. Abetting.]
[OF. abeter; a (L. ad) + beter to bait (as a bear), fr. Icel. beita to
set dogs on, to feed, originally, to cause to bite, fr. Icel. b\'c6ta
to bite, hence to bait, to incite. See Bait, Bet.]
1. To instigate or encourage by aid or countenance; -- used in a bad
sense of persons and acts; as, to abet an ill-doer; to abet one in his
wicked courses; to abet vice; to abet an insurrection. "The whole
tribe abets the villany." South.
Would not the fool abet the stealth, Who rashly thus exposed his
wealth? Gay.
2. To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good sense.
[Obs.].
Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted. Jer. Taylor.
3. (Law)To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the
commission of an offense. Syn. -- To incite; instigate; set on; egg
on; foment; advocate; countenance; encourage; second; uphold; aid;
assist; support; sustain; back; connive at.
Abet
A*bet" (#), n. [OF. abet, fr. abeter.] Act of abetting; aid. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Abetment
A*bet"ment (#), n. The act of abetting; as, an abetment of treason,
crime, etc.
Abettal
A*bet"tal (#), n. Abetment. [R.]
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Abetter, Abettor
A*bet"ter, A*bet*tor (#), n. One who abets; an instigator of an
offense or an offender.
NOTE: &hand; The form abettor is the legal term and also in general
use.
Syn. -- Abettor, Accessory, Accomplice. These words denote different
degrees of complicity in some deed or crime. An abettor is one who
incites or encourages to the act, without sharing in its performance.
An accessory supposes a principal offender. One who is neither the
chief actor in an offense, nor present at its performance, but accedes
to or becomes involved in its guilt, either by some previous or
subsequent act, as of instigating, encouraging, aiding, or concealing,
etc., is an accessory. An accomplice is one who participates in the
commission of an offense, whether as principal or accessory. Thus in
treason, there are no abettors or accessories, but all are held to be
principals or accomplices.
Abevacuation
Ab`e*vac"u*a"tion (#), n. [Pref. ab- + evacuation.] (Med.) A partial
evacuation. Mayne.
Abeyance
A*bey"ance (#), n. [OF. abeance expectation, longing; a (L. ad) +
baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to expect, F. bayer, LL.
badare to gape.]
1. (Law) Expectancy; condition of being undetermined.
NOTE: &hand; Wh en th ere is no pe rson in ex istence in whom an
inheritance (or a dignity) can vest, it is said to be in abeyance,
that is, in expectation; the law considering it as always
potentially existing, and ready to vest whenever a proper owner
appears.
Blackstone.
2. Suspension; temporary suppression.
Keeping the sympathies of love and admiration in a dormant state,
or state of abeyance. De Quincey.
Abeyancy
A*bey"an*cy (#), n. Abeyance. [R.] Hawthorne.
Abeyant
A*bey"ant (#), a. Being in a state of abeyance.
Abhal
Ab"hal (#), n. The berries of a species of cypress in the East Indies.
Abhominable
Ab*hom"i*na*ble (#), a. Abominable.
NOTE: [A fa lse or thography an ciently us ed; h wa s foisted into
various words; hence abholish, for abolish, etc.]
This is abhominable, which he [Don Armado] would call abominable.
Shak. Love's Labor's Lost, v. 1.
Abhominal
Ab*hom`i*nal (#), a. [L. ab away from + homo, hominis, man.] Inhuman.
[Obs.] Fuller.
Abhor
Ab*hor" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abhorred (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Abhorring.] [L. abhorrere; ab + horrere to bristle, shiver, shudder:
cf. F. abhorrer. See Horrid.]
1. To shrink back with shuddering from; to regard with horror or
detestation; to feel excessive repugnance toward; to detest to
extremity; to loathe.
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Rom. xii.
9.
2. To fill with horror or disgust. [Obs.]
It doth abhor me now I speak the word. Shak.
3. (Canon Law) To protest against; to reject solemnly. [Obs.]
I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul Refuse you for my judge. Shak.
Syn. -- To hate; detest; loathe; abominate. See Hate.
Abhor
Ab*hor", v. i. To shrink back with horror, disgust, or dislike; to be
contrary or averse; -- with from. [Obs.] "To abhor from those vices."
Udall.
Which is utterly abhorring from the end of all law. Milton.
Abhorrence
Ab*hor"rence (#), n. Extreme hatred or detestation; the feeling of
utter dislike.
Abhorrency
Ab*hor"ren*cy (#), n. Abhorrence. [Obs.] Locke.
Abhorrent
Ab*hor"rent (#), a. [L. abhorens, -rentis, p. pr. of abhorrere.]
1. Abhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence; loathing;
hence, strongly opposed to; as, abhorrent thoughts.
The persons most abhorrent from blood and treason. Burke.
The arts of pleasure in despotic courts I spurn abhorrent. Clover.
2. Contrary or repugnant; discordant; inconsistent; -- followed by to.
"Injudicious profanation, so abhorrent to our stricter principles."
Gibbon.
3. Detestable. "Pride, abhorrent as it is." I. Taylor.
Abhorrently
Ab*hor"rent*ly, adv. With abhorrence.
Abhorrer
Ab*hor"rer (#), n. One who abhors. Hume.
Abhorrible
Ab*hor"ri*ble (#), a. Detestable. [R.]
Abhorring
Ab*hor"ring (#), n.
1. Detestation. Milton.
2. Object of abhorrence. Isa. lxvi. 24.
Abib
A"bib (#), n. [Heb. ab\'c6b, lit. an ear of corn. The month was so
called from barley being at that time in ear.] The first month of the
Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding nearly to our April. After
the Babylonish captivity this month was called Nisan. Kitto.
Abidance
A*bid"ance (#), n. The state of abiding; abode; continuance;
compliance (with).
The Christians had no longer abidance in the holy hill of
Palestine. Fuller.
A judicious abidance by rules. Helps.
Abide
A*bide" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abode (#), formerly Abid(#); p. pr. &
vb. n. Abiding (#).] [AS. \'beb\'c6dan; pref. \'be- (cf. Goth. us-, G.
er-, orig. meaning out) + b\'c6dan to bide. See Bide.]
1. To wait; to pause; to delay. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to dwell; to
sojourn; -- with with before a person, and commonly with at or in
before a place.
Let the damsel abide with us a few days. Gen. xxiv. 55.
3. To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue;
to remain.
Let every man abide in the same calling. 1 Cor. vii. 20.
Followed by by: To abide by. (a) To stand to; to adhere; to maintain.
The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by what he said at
first. Fielding.
(b) To acquiesce; to conform to; as, to abide by a decision or an
award.
Abide
A*bide", v. t.
1. To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I
abide my time. "I will abide the coming of my lord." Tennyson.
NOTE: [[Obs.], with a personal object.
Bonds and afflictions abide me. Acts xx. 23.
2. To endure; to sustain; to submit to.
[Thou] shalt abide her judgment on it. Tennyson.
3. To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with.
She could not abide Master Shallow. Shak.
4.
NOTE: [Confused with aby to pay for. See Aby.]
To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for.
Dearly I abide that boast so vain. Milton.
Abider
A*bid"er (#), n.
1. One who abides, or continues. [Obs.] "Speedy goers and strong
abiders." Sidney.
2. One who dwells; a resident. Speed.
Abiding
A*bid"ing, a. Continuing; lasting.
Abidingly
A*bid"ing*ly, adv. Permanently. Carlyle.
Abies
A"bi*es (#), n. [L., fir tree.] (Bot.) A genus of coniferous trees,
properly called Fir, as the balsam fir and the silver fir. The spruces
are sometimes also referred to this genus.
Abietene
Ab"i*e*tene (#), n. [L. abies, abietis, a fir tree.] A volatile oil
distilled from the resin or balsam of the nut pine (Pinus sabiniana)
of California.
Abietic
Ab`i*et"ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to the fir tree or its products;
as, abietic acid, called also sylvic acid. Watts.
Abietin, Abietine
Ab"i*e*tin, Ab"i*e*tine (#), n. [See Abietene.] (Chem.) A resinous
obtained from Strasburg turpentine or Canada balsam. It is without
taste or smell, is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol
(especially at the boiling point), in strong acetic acid, and in
ether. Watts.
Abietinic
Ab`i*e*tin"ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to abietin; as, abietinic acid.
Abietite
Ab"i*e*tite (#), n. (Chem.) A substance resembling mannite, found in
the needles of the common silver fir of Europe (Abies pectinata). Eng.
Cyc.
Abigail
Ab"i*gail (#), n. [The proper name used as an appellative.] A lady's
waiting-maid. Pepys.
Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of night curls
for sleeping in. Leslie.
Abiliment
A*bil"i*ment (#), n. Habiliment. [Obs.]
Ability
A*bil"i*ty (#), n.; pl. Abilities(#). [F. habilet\'82, earlier
spelling habilit\'82 (with silent h), L. habilitas aptitude, ability,
fr. habilis apt. See Able.] The quality or state of being able; power
to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or
legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of
strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined
to send relief unto the brethren. Acts xi. 29.
Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by
study. Bacon.
The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability; efficiency;
aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill. Ability, Capacity. These
words come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual
powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties.
It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and
promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we
speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument
maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be
done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the
receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness
of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude
for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the
idea of resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the
extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and
Edmund Burke. "Capacity," says H. Taylor, "is requisite to devise, and
ability to execute, a great enterprise." The word abilities, in the
plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental
endowments.
Abime or Abyme
A*bime" or A*byme" (#), n. [F. ab\'8cme. See Abysm.] A abyss. [Obs.]
Abiogenesis
Ab`i*o*gen"e*sis (#), n. [Gr. (Biol.) The supposed origination of
living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not
involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation; --
called also abiogeny, and opposed to biogenesis.
I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced
by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis. Huxley, 1870.
Abiogenetic
Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic (#), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to abiogenesis.
Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic*al*ly, adv.
Abiogenist
Ab`i*og"e*nist (#), n. (Biol.) One who believes that life can be
produced independently of antecedent. Huxley.
Abiogenous
Ab`i*og"e*nous (#), a. (Biol.) Produced by spontaneous generation.
Abiogeny
Ab`i*og"e*ny (#), n. (Biol.) Same as Abiogenesis.
Abiological
Ab`i*o*log"ic*al (#), a. [Gr. biological.] Pertaining to the study of
inanimate things.
Abirritant
Ab*ir"ri*tant (#), n. (Med.) A medicine that diminishes irritation.
Abirritate
Ab*ir"ri*tate (#), v. t. [Pref. ab- + irritate.] (Med.) To diminish
the sensibility of; to debilitate.
Abirritation
Ab*ir`ri*ta"tion (#), n. (Med.) A pathological condition opposite to
that of irritation; debility; want of strength; asthenia.
Abirritative
Ab*ir"ri*ta*tive (#), a. (Med.) Characterized by abirritation or
debility.
Abit
A*bit" (#), 3d sing. pres. of Abide. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Abject
Ab"ject (#), a. [L. abjectus, p. p. of abjicere to throw away; ab +
jacere to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.]
1. Cast down; low-lying. [Obs.]
From the safe shore their floating carcasses And broken chariot
wheels; so thick bestrown Abject and lost lay these, covering the
flood. Milton.
2. Sunk to a law condition; down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile;
groveling; despicable; as, abject posture, fortune, thoughts. "Base
and abject flatterers." Addison. "An abject liar." Macaulay.
And banish hence these abject, lowly dreams. Shak.
Syn. -- Mean; groveling; cringing; mean-spirited; slavish; ignoble;
worthless; vile; beggarly; contemptible; degraded.
Abject
Ab*ject" (#), v. t. [From Abject, a.] To cast off or down; hence, to
abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase. [Obs.] Donne.
Abject
Ab"ject (#), n. A person in the lowest and most despicable condition;
a castaway. [Obs.]
Shall these abjects, these victims, these outcasts, know any thing
of pleasure? I. Taylor.
Abjectedness
Ab*ject"ed*ness (#), n. A very abject or low condition; abjectness.
[R.] Boyle.
Abjection
Ab*jec"tion (#), n. [F. abjection, L. abjectio.]
1. The act of bringing down or humbling. "The abjection of the king
and his realm." Joe.
2. The state of being rejected or cast out. [R.]
An adjection from the beatific regions where God, and his angels
and saints, dwell forever. Jer. Taylor.
3. A low or downcast state; meanness of spirit; abasement;
degradation.
That this should be termed baseness, abjection of mind, or
servility, is it credible? Hooker.
Abjectly
Ab"ject*ly (#), adv. Meanly; servilely.
Abjectness
Ab"ject*ness, n. The state of being abject; abasement; meanness;
servility. Grew.
Abjudge
Ab*judge" (#), v. t. [Pref. ab- + judge, v. Cf. Abjudicate.] To take
away by judicial decision. [R.]
Abjudicate
Ab*ju"di*cate (#), v. t. [L. abjudicatus, p. p. of abjudicare; ab +
judicare. See Judge, and cf. Abjudge.] To reject by judicial sentence;
also, to abjudge. [Obs.] Ash.
Abjudication
Ab*ju`di*ca"tion (#), n. Rejection by judicial sentence. [R.] Knowles.
Abjugate
Ab"ju*gate (#), v. t. [L. abjugatus, p. p. of abjugare.] To unyoke.
[Obs.] Bailey.
Abjunctive
Ab*junc"tive (#), a. [L. abjunctus, p. p. of abjungere; ab + jungere
to join.] Exceptional. [R.]
It is this power which leads on from the accidental and abjunctive
to the universal. I. Taylor.
Abjuration
Ab`ju*ra"tion (#), n. [L. abjuratio: cf. F. abjuration.]
1. The act of abjuring or forswearing; a renunciation upon oath; as,
abjuration of the realm, a sworn banishment, an oath taken to leave
the country and never to return.
2. A solemn recantation or renunciation; as, an abjuration of heresy.
Oath of abjuration, an oath asserting the right of the present royal
family to the crown of England, and expressly abjuring allegiance to
the descendants of the Pretender. Brande & C.
Abjuratory
Ab*ju"ra*to*ry (#), a. Containing abjuration.
Abjure
Ab*jure" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abjured (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Abjuring (#).] [L. abjurare to deny upon oath; ab + jurare to swear,
fr. jus, juris, right, law; cf. F. abjurer. See Jury.]
1. To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow; as, to abjure
allegiance to a prince. To abjure the realm, is to swear to abandon it
forever.
2. To renounce or reject with solemnity; to recant; to abandon
forever; to reject; repudiate; as, to abjure errors. "Magic I here
abjure." Shak. Syn. -- See Renounce.
Abjure
Ab*jure", v. i. To renounce on oath. Bp. Burnet.
Abjurement
Ab*jure"ment (#), n. Renunciation. [R.]
Abjurer
Ab*jur"er (#), n. One who abjures.
Ablactate
Ab*lac"tate (#), v. t. [L. ablactatus, p. p. of ablactare; ab +
lactare to suckle, fr. lac milk.] To wean. [R.] Bailey.
Ablactation
Ab`lac*ta"tion (#). n.
1. The weaning of a child from the breast, or of young beasts from
their dam. Blount.
2. (Hort.) The process of grafting now called inarching, or grafting
by approach.
Ablaqueate
Ab*la"que*ate (#), v. t. [L. ablaqueatus, p. p. of. ablaqueare; fr. ab
+ laqueus a noose.] To lay bare, as the roots of a tree. [Obs.]
Bailey.
Ablaqueation
Ab*la`que*a"tion (#), n. [L. ablaqueatio.] The act or process of
laying bare the roots of trees to expose them to the air and water.
[Obs.] Evelyn.
Ablastemic
Ab`las*tem"ic (#), a. [Gr. (Biol.) Non-germinal.
Ablation
Ab*la"tion (#), n. [L. ablatio, fr. ablatus p. p. of auferre to carry
away; ab + latus, p. p. of ferre carry: cf. F. ablation. See
Tolerate.]
1. A carrying or taking away; removal. Jer. Taylor.
2. (Med.) Extirpation. Dunglison.
3. (Geol.) Wearing away; superficial waste. Tyndall.
Ablatitious
Ab`la*ti"tious (#), a. Diminishing; as, an ablatitious force. Sir J.
Herschel.
Ablative
Ab"la*tive (#), a. [F. ablatif, ablative, L. ablativus fr. ablatus.
See Ablation.]
1. Taking away or removing. [Obs.]
Where the heart is forestalled with misopinion, ablative directions
are found needful to unteach error, ere we can learn truth. Bp.
Hall.
2. (Gram.) Applied to one of the cases of the noun in Latin and some
other languages, -- the fundamental meaning of the case being removal,
separation, or taking away.
Ablative
Ab"la*tive, (Gram.) The ablative case. ablative absolute, a
construction in Latin, in which a noun in the ablative case has a
participle (either expressed or implied), agreeing with it in gender,
number, and case, both words forming a clause by themselves and being
unconnected, grammatically, with the rest of the sentence; as,
Tarquinio regnante, Pythagoras venit, i. e., Tarquinius reigning,
Pythagoras came.
Ablaut
Ab"laut (#), n. [Ger., off-sound; ab off + laut sound.] (Philol.) The
substitution of one root vowel for another, thus indicating a
corresponding modification of use or meaning; vowel permutation; as,
get, gat, got; sing, song; hang, hung. Earle. <-- p. 5 -->
Ablaze
A*blaze" (#), adv. & a. [Pref. a- + blaze.]
1. On fire; in a blaze, gleaming. Milman.
All ablaze with crimson and gold. Longfellow.
2. In a state of glowing excitement or ardent desire.
The young Cambridge democrats were all ablaze to assist Torrijos.
Carlyle.
Able
A"ble (#), a. [Comp. Abler (#); superl. Ablest (#).] [OF. habile, L.
habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful, fr. habere
to have, hold. Cf. Habile and see Habit.]
1. Fit; adapted; suitable. [Obs.]
A many man, to ben an abbot able. Chaucer.
2. Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or
resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of
qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified;
capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a
mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure
pain; able to play on a piano.
3. Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental
powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the
ablest man in the senate; an able speech.
No man wrote abler state papers. Macaulay.
4. (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to
inherit or devise property.
NOTE:
Able for, is Scotticism.
"Hardly able for such a march." Robertson.
Syn. -- Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; capable;
skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
Able
A"ble, v. t. [See Able, a.] [Obs.]
1. To make able; to enable; to strengthen. Chaucer.
2. To vouch for. "I 'll able them." Shak.
able
*a*ble (#). [F. -able, L. -abilis.] An adjective suffix now usually in
a passive sense; able to be; fit to be; expressing capacity or
worthiness in a passive sense; as, movable, able to be moved;
amendable, able to be amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.
NOTE: The form ible is used in the same sense.
NOTE: &hand; It is di fficult to say when we are not to use -able
instead of -ible. "Yet a rule may be laid down as to when we are to
use it. To all verbs, then, from the Anglo-Saxon, to all based on
the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first
conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever sprung, we annex
-able only."
Fitzed. Hall.
Able-bodied
A`ble-bod"ied (#), a. Having a sound, strong body; physically
competent; robust. "Able-bodied vagrant." Froude. --
A`ble-bod"ied*ness, n..
Ablegate
Ab"le*gate (#), v. t. [L. ablegatus, p. p. of ablegare; ab + legare to
send with a commission. See Legate.] To send abroad. [Obs.] Bailey.
Ablegate
Ab"le*gate (#), n. (R. C. Ch.) A representative of the pope charged
with important commissions in foreign countries, one of his duties
being to bring to a newly named cardinal his insignia of office.
Ablegation
Ab`le*ga"tion (#), n. [L. ablegatio.] The act of sending abroad.
[Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
Able-minded
A`ble-mind"ed (#), a. Having much intellectual power. --
A`ble-mind"ed*ness, n.
Ableness
A"ble*ness (#), n. Ability of body or mind; force; vigor. [Obs. or R.]
Ablepsy
Ab"lep*sy (#), n. [Gr. Blindness. [R.] Urquhart.
Abler
A"bler (#), a., comp. of Able. -- A"blest (#), a., superl. of Able.
Ablet, Ablen
Ab"let (#), Ab"len [F. ablet, ablette, a dim. fr. LL. abula, for
albula, dim. of albus white. Cf. Abele.] (Zo\'94l.) A small
fresh-water fish (Leuciscus alburnus); the bleak.
Abligate
Ab"li*gate (#), v. t. [L. ab + ligatus, p. p. of ligare to tie.] To
tie up so as to hinder from. [Obs.]
Abligurition
Ab*lig`u*ri"tion (#), n. [L. abligurito, fr. abligurire to spend in
luxurious indulgence; ab + ligurire to be lickerish, dainty, fr.
lingere to lick.] Prodigal expense for food. [Obs.] Bailey.
Ablins
A"blins (#), adv. [See Able.] Perhaps. [Scot.]
Abloom
A*bloom" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + bloom.] In or into bloom; in a blooming
state. Masson.
Ablude
Ab*lude" (#), v. t. [L. abludere; ab + ludere to play.] To be unlike;
to differ. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Abluent
Ab"lu*ent (#), a. [L. abluens, p. pr. of. abluere to wash away; ab +
luere (lavere, lavare). See Lave.] Washing away; carrying off
impurities; detergent. -- n. (Med.) A detergent.
Ablush
A*blush" (#), adv. & a. [Pref. a- + blush.] Blushing; ruddy.
Ablution
Ab*lu`tion (#), n. [L. ablutio, fr. abluere: cf. F. ablution. See
Abluent.]
1. The act of washing or cleansing; specifically, the washing of the
body, or some part of it, as a religious rite.
2. The water used in cleansing. "Cast the ablutions in the main."
Pope.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A small quantity of wine and water, which is used to
wash the priest's thumb and index finger after the communion, and
which then, as perhaps containing portions of the consecrated
elements, is drunk by the priest.
Ablutionary
Ab*lu"tion*a*ry (#), a. Pertaining to ablution.
Abluvion
Ab*lu"vi*on (#), n. [LL. abluvio. See Abluent.] That which is washed
off. [R.] Dwight.
Ably
A"bly (#), adv. In an able manner; with great ability; as, ably done,
planned, said.
-ably
-a*bly(#). A suffix composed of -able and the adverbial suffix -ly;
as, favorably.
Abnegate
Ab"ne*gate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abnegated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Abnegating.] [L. abnegatus,p. p. of abnegare; ab + negare to deny. See
Deny.] To deny and reject; to abjure. Sir E. Sandys. Farrar.
Abnegation
Ab`ne*ga"tion (#), n. [L. abnegatio: cf. F. abn\'82gation.] a denial;
a renunciation.
With abnegation of God, of his honor, and of religion, they may
retain the friendship of the court. Knox.
Abnegative
Ab"ne*ga*tive (#), a. [L. abnegativus.] Denying; renouncing; negative.
[R.] Clarke.
Abnegator
Ab"ne*ga`tor(#), n. [L.] One who abnegates, denies, or rejects
anything. [R.]
Abnet
Ab"net (#), n. [Heb.] The girdle of a Jewish priest or officer.
Abnodate
Ab"no*date (#), v. t. [L. abnodatus, p. p. of abnodare; ab + nodus
knot.] To clear (tress) from knots. [R.] Blount.
Abnodation
Ab`no*da"tion (#), n. The act of cutting away the knots of trees. [R.]
Crabb.
Abnormal
Ab*nor"mal (#), a. [For earlier anormal.F. anormal, LL. anormalus for
anomalus, Gr. abnormis. See Anomalous, Abnormous, Anormal.] Not
conformed to rule or system; deviating from the type; anomalous;
irregular. "That deviating from the type; anomalous; irregular. "
Froude.
Abnormality
Ab`nor*mal"i*ty (#), n.; pl. Abnormalities (#).
1. The state or quality of being abnormal; variation; irregularity.
Darwin.
2. Something abnormal.
Abnormally
Ab*nor"mal*ly (#), adv. In an abnormal manner; irregularly. Darwin.
Abnormity
Ab*nor"mi*ty (#), n.; pl. Abnormities (#). [LL. abnormitas. See
Abnormous.] Departure from the ordinary type; irregularity;
monstrosity. "An abnormity . . . like a calf born with two heads."
Mrs. Whitney.
Abnormous
Ab*nor"mous (#), a. [L. abnormis; ab + norma rule. See Normal.]
Abnormal; irregular. Hallam.
A character of a more abnormous cast than his equally suspected
coadjutor. State Trials.
Aboard
A*board" (#), adv. [Pref. a- on, in + board.] On board; into or
within a ship or boat; hence, into or within a railway car.
2. Alongside; as, close aboard. Naut.:
To fall aboard of, to strike a ship's side; to fall foul of. -- To
haul the tacks aboard, to set the courses. -- To keep the land aboard,
to hug the shore. -- To lay (a ship) aboard, to place one's own ship
close alongside of (a ship) for fighting.
Aboard
A*board", prep.
1. On board of; as, to go aboard a ship.
2. Across; athwart. [Obs.]
Nor iron bands aboard The Pontic Sea by their huge navy cast.
Spenser.
Abodance
A*bod"ance (#), n. [See Bode.] An omen; a portending. [Obs.]
Abode
A*bode" (#), pret. of Abide.
Abode
A*bode", n. [OE. abad, abood, fr. abiden to abide. See Abide. For the
change of vowel, cf. abode, imp. of abide.]
1. Act of waiting; delay. [Obs.] Shak.
And with her fled away without abode. Spenser.
2. Stay or continuance in a place; sojourn.
He waxeth at your abode here. Fielding.
3. Place of continuance, or where one dwells; abiding place;
residence; a dwelling; a habitation.
Come, let me lead you to our poor abode. Wordsworth.
Abode
A*bode", n. [See Bode, v. t.] An omen. [Obs.]
High-thundering Juno's husband stirs my spirit with true abodes.
Chapman.
Abode
A*bode", v. t. To bode; to foreshow. [Obs.] Shak.
Abode
A*bode", v. i. To be ominous. [Obs.] Dryden.
Abodement
A*bode"ment (#), n. A foreboding; an omen. [Obs.] "Abodements must not
now affright us." Shak.
Aboding
A*bod"ing (#), n. A foreboding. [Obs.]
Abolish
A*bol"ish (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abolished (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Abolishing.] [F. abolir, L. abolere, aboletum; ab + olere to grow. Cf.
Finish.]
1. To do away with wholly; to annul; to make void; -- said of laws,
customs, institutions, governments, etc.; as, to abolish slavery, to
abolish folly.
2. To put an end to, or destroy, as a physical objects; to wipe out.
[Archaic]
And with thy blood abolish so reproachful blot. Spenser.
His quick instinctive hand Caught at the hilt, as to abolish him.
Tennyson.
Syn. -- To Abolish, Repeal, Abrogate, Revoke, Annul, Nullify, Cancel.
These words have in common the idea of setting aside by some
overruling act. Abolish applies particularly to things of a permanent
nature, such as institutions, usages, customs, etc.; as, to abolish
monopolies, serfdom, slavery. Repeal describes the act by which the
legislature of a state sets aside a law which it had previously
enacted. Abrogate was originally applied to the repeal of a law by the
Roman people; and hence, when the power of making laws was usurped by
the emperors, the term was applied to their act of setting aside the
laws. Thus it came to express that act by which a sovereign or an
executive government sets aside laws, ordinances, regulations,
treaties, conventions, etc. Revoke denotes the act or recalling some
previous grant which conferred, privilege, etc.; as, to revoke a
decree, to revoke a power of attorney, a promise, etc. Thus, also, we
speak of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Annul is used in a
more general sense, denoting simply to make void; as, to annul a
contract, to annul an agreement. Nullify is an old word revived in
this country, and applied to the setting of things aside either by
force or by total disregard; as, to nullify an act of Congress. Cancel
is to strike out or annul, by a deliberate exercise of power,
something which has operative force.
Abolishable
A*bol"ish*a*ble (#), a. [Cf. F. abolissable.] Capable of being
abolished.
Abolisher
A*bol"ish*er (#), n. One who abolishes.
Abolishment
A*bol"ish*ment (#), n. [Cf. F. abolissement.] The act of abolishing;
abolition; destruction. Hooker.
Abolition
Ab"o*li"tion (#), n. [L. abolitio, fr. abolere: cf. F. abolition. See
Abolish.] The act of abolishing, or the state of being abolished; an
annulling; abrogation; utter destruction; as, the abolition of slavery
or the slave trade; the abolition of laws, decrees, ordinances,
customs, taxes, debts, etc.
NOTE: &hand; The application of this word to persons is now unusual
or obsolete
Abolitionism
Ab`o*li"tion*ism (#), n. The principles or measures of abolitionists.
Wilberforce.
Abolitionist
Ab`o*li"tion*ist, n. A person who favors the abolition of any
institution, especially negro slavery.
Abolitionize
Ab`o*li`tion*ize (#), v. t. To imbue with the principles of
abolitionism. [R.] Bartlett.
Aboma
A*bo"ma (#), n. (Zo\'94l.) A large South American serpent (Boa aboma).
Abomasum, Abomasus
Ab`o*ma"sum (#), Ab`o*ma"sus (#), n. [NL., fr. L. ab + omasum (a
Celtic word.] (Anat.) The fourth or digestive stomach of a ruminant,
which leads from the third stomach omasum. See Ruminantia.
Abominable
A*bom"i*na*ble (#), a. [F. abominable. L. abominalis. See Abominate.]
1. Worthy of, or causing, abhorrence, as a thing of evil omen; odious
in the utmost degree; very hateful; detestable; loathsome; execrable.
2. Excessive; large; -- used as an intensive. [Obs.]
NOTE: &hand; Ju liana Be rners . . . informs us that in her time
[15th c.], "abomynable syght of monkes" was elegant English for "a
large company of friars."
G. P. Marsh.
Abominableness
A*bom"i*na*ble*ness, n. The quality or state of being abominable;
odiousness. Bentley.
Abominably
A*bom"i*na*bly (#), adv. In an abominable manner; very odiously;
detestably.
Abominate
A*bom"i*nate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abominated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Abominating.] [L. abominatus, p. p. or abominari to deprecate as
ominous, to abhor, to curse; ab + omen a foreboding. See Omen.] To
turn from as ill-omened; to hate in the highest degree, as if with
religious dread; loathe; as, to abominate all impiety. Syn. -- To
hate; abhor; loathe; detest. See Hate.
Abomination
A*bom`i*na"tion (#), n. [OE. abominacioun, -cion, F. abominatio. See
Abominate.]
1. The feeling of extreme disgust and hatred; abhorrence; detestation;
loathing; as, he holds tobacco in abomination.
2. That which is abominable; anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully
vile; an object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or
shameful vice; pollution.
Antony, most large in his abominations. Shak.
3. A cause of pollution or wickedness. Syn. -- Detestation; loathing;
abhorrence; disgust; aversion; loathsomeness; odiousness. Sir W.
Scott.
Aboon
A*boon" (#), prep. and adv. Above. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Aboon the pass of Bally-Brough. Sir W. Scott.
The ceiling fair that rose aboon. J. R. Drake.
Aboral
Ab*o"ral (#), a. [L. ab. + E. oral.] (Zo\'94l.) Situated opposite to,
or away from, the mouth.
Abord
A*bord" (#), n. [F.] Manner of approaching or accosting; address.
Chesterfield.
Abord
A*bord" (#), v. t. [F. aborder, \'85 (L. ad) + bord rim, brim, or side
of a vessel. See Border, Board.] To approach; to accost. [Obs.] Digby.
Aboriginal
Ab`o*rig"i*nal (#), a. [See Aborigines.]
1. First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal
tribes of America. "Mantled o'er with aboriginal turf." Wordsworth.
2. Of or pertaining to aborigines; as, a Hindoo of aboriginal blood.
Aboriginal
Ab`o*rig"i*nal, n.
1. An original inhabitant of any land; one of the aborigines.
2. An animal or a plant native to the region.
It may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these
islands. Darwin.
Aboriginality
Ab`o*rig`i*nal"i*ty (#), n. The quality of being aboriginal. Westm.
Rev.
Aboriginally
Ab`o*rig"i*nal*ly (#), adv. Primarily.
Aboriginess
Ab`o*rig"i*ness (#), n. pl. [L. Aborigines; ab + origo, especially the
first inhabitants of Latium, those who originally (ab origine)
inhabited Latium or Italy. See Origin.]
1. The earliest known inhabitants of a country; native races.
2. The original fauna and flora of a geographical area
Aborsement
A*borse"ment (#), n. Abortment; abortion. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Aborsive
A*bor"sive (#), a. Abortive. [Obs.] Fuller.
Abort
A*bort" (#), v. i. [L. abortare, fr. abortus, p. p. of aboriri; ab +
oriri to rise, to be born. See Orient.]
1. To miscarry; to bring forth young prematurely.
2. (Biol.) To become checked in normal development, so as either to
remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile.
Abort
A*bort", n. [L. abortus, fr. aboriri.]
1. An untimely birth. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.
2. An aborted offspring. [Obs.] Holland.
Aborted
A*bort"ed, a.
1. Brought forth prematurely.
2. (Biol.) Rendered abortive or sterile; undeveloped; checked in
normal development at a very early stage; as, spines are aborted
branches.
The eyes of the cirripeds are more or less aborted in their mature
state. Owen.
Aborticide
A*bor"ti*cide (#), n. [L. abortus + caedere to kill. See Abort.]
(Med.) The act of destroying a fetus in the womb; feticide.
Abortifacient
A*bor`ti*fa"cient (#), a. [L. abortus (see Abort, v.) + faciens, p.
pr. of facere to make.] Producing miscarriage. -- n. A drug or an
agent that causes premature delivery.
Abortion
A*bor"tion (#), n. [L. abortio, fr. aboriri. See Abort.]
1. The act of giving premature birth; particularly, the expulsion of
the human fetus prematurely, or before it is capable of sustaining
life; miscarriage.
NOTE: &hand; It is so metimes used for the offense of procuring a
premature delivery, but strictly the early delivery is the
abortion, "causing or procuring abortion" is the full name of the
offense.
Abbott.
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2. The immature product of an untimely birth.
3. (Biol.) Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an
imperfect formation or is absorbed.
4. Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything
which in its progress, before it is matured or perfect; a complete
failure; as, his attempt. proved an abortiori.
Abortional
A*bor"tion*al (#), a. Pertaining to abortion; miscarrying; abortive.
Carlyle.
Abortionist
A*bor"tion*ist, n. One who procures abortion or miscarriage.
Abortive
A*bor"tive (#), a. [L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See Abort, v.]
1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child. [R.]
2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum.
[Obs.]
3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] "Plunged in that
abortive gulf." Milton.
4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless;
unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. "An abortive enterprise."
Prescott.
5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as,
an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
6. (Med.) (a) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parr. (b)
Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.
Abortive
A*bor"tive, n.
1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
[Obs.] Shak.
2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]
3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing
abortion.<-- now usu. abortifacient. --> Dunglison.
Abortively
A*bor"tive*ly, adv. In an abortive or untimely manner; immaturely;
fruitlessly.
Abortiveness
A*bor"tive*ness, n. The quality of being abortive.
Abortment
A*bort"ment (#), n. Abortion. [Obs.]
Abought
A*bought" (#), imp. & p. p. of Aby. [Obs.]
Abound
A*bound" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abounded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Abounding.] [OE. abounden, F. abonder, fr. L. abundare to overflow,
abound; ab + unda wave. Cf. Undulate.]
1. To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent; to be plentiful.
The wild boar which abounds in some parts of the continent of
Europe. Chambers.
Where sin abounded grace did much more abound. Rom. v. 20.
2. To be copiously supplied; -- followed by in or with.
To abound in, to posses in such abundance as to be characterized by.
-- To abound with, to be filled with; to possess in great numbers.
Men abounding in natural courage. Macaulay.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings. Prov. xxviii. 20.
It abounds with cabinets of curiosities. Addison.
About
A*bout" (#), prep. [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. \'bebutan,
onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out.
See But, Out.]
1. Around; all round; on every side of. "Look about you." Shak. "Bind
them about thy neck." Prov. iii. 3.
2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to;
near, as to place; by or on (one's person). "Have you much money about
you?" Bulwer.
3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various
directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses. Macaulay.
Roving still about the world. Milton.
4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size,
quantity. "To-morrow, about this time." Exod. ix. 18. "About my
stature." Shak.
He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx. 3.
NOTE: &hand; This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49.
6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of;
going; in act of.
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14.
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. "To treat
about thy ransom." Milton.
She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope.
About
A*bout", adv.
1. On all sides; around.
'Tis time to look about. Shak.
2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside;
as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v. 13.
4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality,
manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of
quantity, number, time. "There fell . . . about three thousand men."
Exod. xxii. 28.
5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on
the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.
To bring about, to cause to take place; to accomplish. -- To come
about, to occur; to take place. See under Come. -- To go about, To set
about, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. "Shall we set about some
revels? Shak. -- Round about, in every direction around.
About-sledge
A*bout"-sledge" (#), n. The largest hammer used by smiths. Weale.
Above
A*bove" (#), prep. [OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon; an (or on)
on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. \'fb199. See Over.]
1. In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface;
over; -- opposed to below or beneath.
Fowl that may fly above the earth. Gen. i. 20.
2. Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing;
beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above
comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach. "Thy worth
. . . is actions above my gifts." Marlowe.
I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the
sun. Acts xxxvi. 13.
3. Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a hundred.
(Passing into the adverbial sense. See Above, adv., 4.)
above all, before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to
other things. Over and above, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to.
Above
A*bove" (#), adv.
1. In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds
above.
2. Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing
page. "That was said above." Dryden.
3. Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above.
4. More than; as, above five hundred were present.
NOTE: Above is often used elliptically as an adjective by omitting
the word mentioned, quoted, or the like; as, the above
observations, the above reference, the above articles. -- Above is
also used substantively. "The waters that come down from above."
Josh. iii. 13. It is also used as the first part of a compound in
the sense of before, previously; as, above-cited, above-described,
above-mentioned, above-named, abovesaid, abovespecified,
above-written, above-given.
Aboveboard
A*bove"board` (#), adv. Above the board or table. Hence: in open
sight; without trick, concealment, or deception. "Fair and
aboveboard." Burke.
NOTE: &hand; Th is ex pression is sa id by Jo hnson to have been
borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put
their hands under the table.
Above-cited
A*bove"-cit`ed (#), a. Cited before, in the preceding part of a book
or writing.
Abovedeck
A*bove"deck` (#), a. On deck; and hence, like aboveboard, without
artifice. Smart.
Above-mentioned, Above-named
A*bove"-men`tioned (#), A*bove"-named`(#), a. Mentioned or named
before; aforesaid.
Abovesaid
A*bove"said` (#), a. Mentioned or recited before.
Abox
A*box" (#), adv. & a. (Naut.) Braced aback.
Abracadabra
Ab`ra*ca*dab"ra (#), n. [L. Of unknown origin.] A mystical word or
collocation of letters written as in the figure. Worn on an amulet it
was supposed to ward off fever. At present the word is used chiefly in
jest to denote something without meaning; jargon.
Abradant
Ab*ra"dant (#), n. A material used for grinding, as emery, sand,
powdered glass, etc.
Abrade
Ab*rade" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrading.]
[L. abradere, abrasum, to scrape off; ab + radere to scrape. See Rase,
Raze.] To rub or wear off; to waste or wear away by friction; as, to
abrade rocks. Lyell.
Abrade
A*brade" (#), v. t. Same as Abraid. [Obs.]
Abrahamic
A`bra*ham"ic (#), a. Pertaining to Abraham, the patriarch; as, the
Abrachamic covenant.
Abrahamitic, ical
A`bra*ham*it"ic, *ic*al(#), a. Relating to the patriarch Abraham.
Abraham-man or Abram-man
A"bra*ham-man`(#) or A"bram-man`(#), n. [Possibly in allusion to the
parable of the beggar Lazarus in Luke xvi. Murray (New Eng. Dict. ).]
One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through England,
feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms. Nares. To sham
Abraham, to feign sickness. Goldsmith.
Abraid
A*braid" (#), v. t. & i. [OE. abraiden, to awake, draw (a sword), AS.
\'bebredgan to shake, draw; pref. \'be- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-,
orig. meaning out) + bregdan to shake, throw. See Braid.] To awake; to
arouse; to stir or start up; also, to shout out. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Abranchial
A*bran"chi*al (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Abranchiate.
Abranchiata
A*bran`chi*a"ta (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A group of
annelids, so called because the species composing it have no special
organs of respiration.
Abranchiate
A*bran"chi*ate (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Without gills.
Abrase
Ab*rase" (#), a. [L. abrasus, p. p. of abradere. See Abrade.] Rubbed
smooth. [Obs.] "An abrase table." B. Jonson.
Abrasion
Ab*ra"sion (#), n. [L. abrasio, fr. abradere. See Abrade.]
1. The act of abrading, wearing, or rubbing off; the wearing away by
friction; as, the abrasion of coins.
2. The substance rubbed off. Berkeley.
3. (Med.) A superficial excoriation, with loss of substance under the
form of small shreds. Dunglison.
Abrasive
Ab*ra"sive (#), a. Producing abrasion. Ure.
Abraum or Abraum salts
A*braum" or A*braum" salts (#), n. [Ger., fr. abr\'84umen to remove.]
A red ocher used to darken mahogany and for making chloride of
potassium.
Abraxas
A*brax"as (#), n. [A name adopted by the Egyptian Gnostic Basilides,
containing the Greek letters \'3ca\'3e, \'3cb\'3e, \'3cr\'3e,
\'3ca\'3e, \'3cx\'3e, \'3ca\'3e, \'3cs\'3e, which, as numerals,
amounted to 365. It was used to signify the supreme deity as ruler of
the 365 heavens of his system.] A mystical word used as a charm and
engraved on gems among the ancients; also, a gem stone thus engraved.
Abray
A*bray" (#), v. [A false form from the preterit abraid, abrayde.] See
Abraid. [Obs.] Spenser.
Abreast
A*breast" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + breast.]
1. Side by side, with breasts in a line; as, "Two men could hardly
walk abreast." Macaulay.
2. (Naut.) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with
the vessel's beam; -- with of.
3. Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to keep
abreast of [or with] the present state of science.
4. At the same time; simultaneously. [Obs.]
Abreast therewith began a convocation. Fuller.
Abregge
A*breg"ge (#), v. t. See Abridge. [Obs.]
Abrenounce
Ab`re*nounce" (#), v. t. [L. abrenuntiare; ab + renuntiare. See
Renounce.] To renounce. [Obs.] "They abrenounce and cast them off."
Latimer.
Abrenunciation
Ab`re*nun`ci*a"tion (#), n. [LL. abrenuntiatio. See Abrenounce.]
Absolute renunciation or repudiation. [Obs.]
An abrenunciation of that truth which he so long had professed, and
still believed. Fuller.
Abreption
Ab*rep"tion (#), n. [L. abreptus, p. p. of abripere to snatch away; ab
+ rapere to snatch.] A snatching away. [Obs.]
Abreuvoir
A`breu`voir" (#), n. [F., a watering place.] (Masonry) The joint or
interstice between stones, to be filled with mortar. Gwilt.
Abricock
A"bri*cock (#), n. See Apricot. [Obs.]
Abridge
A*bridge" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abridged (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Abridging.] [OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F. abr\'82ger, fr. L.
abbreviare; ad + brevis short. See Brief and cf. Abbreviate.]
1. To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to diminish; to
curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights. "The
bridegroom . . . abridged his visit." Smollett.
She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state
to necessity. Fuller.
2. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the
sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a history or
dictionary.
3. To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by from;
as, to abridge one of his rights.
Abridger
A*bridg"er (#), n. One who abridges.
Abridgment
A*bridg"ment (#), n. [OE. abregement. See Abridge.]
1. The act abridging, or the state of being abridged; diminution;
lessening; reduction or deprivation; as, an abridgment of pleasures or
of expenses.
2. An epitome or compend, as of a book; a shortened or abridged form;
an abbreviation.
Ancient coins as abridgments of history. Addison.
3. That which abridges or cuts short; hence, an entertainment that
makes the time pass quickly. [Obs.]
What abridgment have you for this evening? What mask? What music?
Shak.
Syn. -- Abridgment, Compendium, Epitome, Abstract, Synopsis. An
abridgment is made by omitting the less important parts of some larger
work; as, an abridgment of a dictionary. A compendium is a brief
exhibition of a subject, or science, for common use; as, a compendium
of American literature. An epitome corresponds to a compendium, and
gives briefly the most material points of a subject; as, an epitome of
history. An abstract is a brief statement of a thing in its main
points. A synopsis is a bird's-eye view of a subject, or work, in its
several parts.
Abroach
A*broach" (#), v. t. [OE. abrochen, OF. abrochier. See Broach.] To set
abroach; to let out, as liquor; to broach; to tap. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Abroach
A*broach", adv. [Pref. a- + broach.]
1. Broached; in a condition for letting out or yielding liquor, as a
cask which is tapped.
Hogsheads of ale were set abroach. Sir W. Scott.
2. Hence: In a state to be diffused or propagated; afoot; astir.
"Mischiefs that I set abroach." Shak.
Abroad
A*broad" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + broad.]
1. At large; widely; broadly; over a wide space; as, a tree spreads
its branches abroad.
The fox roams far abroad. Prior.
2. Without a certain confine; outside the house; away from one's
abode; as, to walk abroad.
I went to St. James', where another was preaching in the court
abroad. Evelyn.
3. Beyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries; as, we have
broils at home and enemies abroad. "Another prince . . . was living
abroad." Macaulay.
4. Before the public at large; throughout society or the world; here
and there; widely.
He went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the
matter. Mark i. 45.
To be abroad. (a) To be wide of the mark; to be at fault; as, you are
all abroad in your guess. (b) To be at a loss or nonplused.
Abrogable
Ab"ro*ga*ble (#), a. Capable of being abrogated.
Abrogate
Ab"ro*gate (#), a. [L. abrogatus, p. p.] Abrogated; abolished. [Obs.]
Latimer.
Abrogate
Ab"ro*gate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abrogated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Abrogating.] [L. abrogatus, p. p. of abrogare; ab + rogare to ask,
require, propose. See Rogation.]
1. To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of
the maker or his successor; to repeal; -- applied to the repeal of
laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of customs, etc.
Let us see whether the New Testament abrogates what we so
frequently see in the Old. South.
Whose laws, like those of the Medes and Persian, they can not alter
or abrogate. Burke.
2. To put an end to; to do away with. Shak. Syn. -- To abolish; annul;
do away; set aside; revoke; repeal; cancel; annihilate. See Abolish.
Abrogation
Ab`ro*ga"tion (#), n. [L. abrogatio, fr. abrogare: cf. F. abrogation.]
The act of abrogating; repeal by authority. Hume.
Abrogative
Ab"ro*ga*tive (#), a. Tending or designed to abrogate; as, an
abrogative law.
Abrogator
Ab"ro*ga`tor (#), n. One who repeals by authority.
Abrood
A*brood" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + brood.] In the act of brooding. [Obs.]
Abp. Sancroft.
Abrook
A*brook" (#), v. t. [Pref. a- + brook, v.] To brook; to endure. [Obs.]
Shak.
Abrupt
Ab*rupt" (#), a. [L. abruptus, p. p. of abrumpere to break off; ab +
rumpere to break. See Rupture.]
1. Broken off; very steep, or craggy, as rocks, precipices, banks;
precipitous; steep; as, abrupt places. "Tumbling through ricks
abrupt," Thomson.
2. Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty;
unceremonious. "The cause of your abrupt departure." Shak.
3. Having sudden transitions from one subject to another; unconnected.
The abrupt style, which hath many breaches. B. Jonson.
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4. (Bot.) Suddenly terminating, as if cut off. Gray. Syn. -- Sudden;
unexpected; hasty; rough; curt; unceremonious; rugged; blunt;
disconnected; broken.
Abrupt
Ab*rupt" (#), n. [L. abruptum.] An abrupt place. [Poetic]
"Over the vast abrupt." Milton.
Abrupt
Ab*rupt", v. t. To tear off or asunder. [Obs.] "Till death abrupts
them." Sir T. Browne.
Abruption
Ab*rup"tion (#), n. [L. abruptio, fr. abrumpere: cf. F. abruption.] A
sudden breaking off; a violent separation of bodies. Woodward.
Abruptly
Ab*rupt"ly, adv.
1. In an abrupt manner; without giving notice, or without the usual
forms; suddenly.
2. Precipitously.
Abruptly pinnate (Bot.), pinnate without an odd leaflet, or other
appendage, at the end. Gray.
Abruptness
Ab*rupt"ness, n.
1. The state of being abrupt or broken; craggedness; ruggedness;
steepness.
2. Suddenness; unceremonious haste or vehemence; as, abruptness of
style or manner.
Abscess
Ab"scess (#), n.; pl. Abscesses (#). [L. abscessus a going away,
gathering of humors, abscess, fr. abscessus, p. p. of absedere to go
away; ab, abs + cedere to go off, retire. See Cede.] (Med.) A
collection of pus or purulent matter in any tissue or organ of the
body, the result of a morbid process. Cold abscess, an abscess of slow
formation, unattended with the pain and heat characteristic of
ordinary abscesses, and lasting for years without exhibiting any
tendency towards healing; a chronic abscess.
Abscession
Ab*sces"sion (#), n. [L. abscessio a separation; fr. absedere. See
Abscess.] A separating; removal; also, an abscess. [Obs.] Gauden.
Barrough.
Abscind
Ab*scind" (#), v. t. [L. absindere; ab + scindere to rend, cut. See
Schism.] To cut off. [R.] "Two syllables . . . abscinded from the
rest." Johnson.
Abscision
Ab*sci"sion (#), n. [L. abscisio.] See Abscission.
Absciss
Ab"sciss (#), n.; pl. Abscisses (#). See Abscissa.
Abscissa
Ab*scis"sa (#), n.; E. pl. Abscissas, L. pl. Absciss\'91. [L., fem. of
abscissus, p. p. of absindere to cut of. See Abscind.] (Geom.) One of
the elements of reference by which a point, as of a curve, is referred
to a system of fixed rectilineal co\'94rdinate axes.
NOTE: When re ferred to tw o intersecting axes, one of them called
the axis of abscissas, or of X, and the other the axis of
ordinates, or of Y, the abscissa of the point is the distance cut
off from the axis of X by a line drawn through it and parallel to
the axis of Y. When a point in space is referred to three axes
having a common intersection, the abscissa may be the distance
measured parallel to either of them, from the point to the plane of
the other two axes. Abscissas and ordinates taken together are
called co\'94rdinates. -- OX or PY is the abscissa of the point P
of the curve, OY or PX its ordinate, the intersecting lines OX and
OY being the axes of abscissas and ordinates respectively, and the
point O their origin.
Abscission
Ab*scis"sion (#), n. [L. abscissio. See Abscind.]
1. The act or process of cutting off. "Not to be cured without the
abscission of a member." Jer. Taylor.
2. The state of being cut off. Sir T. Browne.
3. (Rhet.) A figure of speech employed when a speaker having begun to
say a thing stops abruptly: thus, "He is a man of so much honor and
candor, and of such generosity -- but I need say no more."
Abscond
Ab*scond" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Absconded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Absconding.] [L. abscondere to hide; ab, abs + condere to lay up; con
+ d\'ddre (only in comp.) to put. Cf. Do.]
1. To hide, withdraw, or be concealed.
The marmot absconds all winter. Ray.
2. To depart clandestinely; to steal off and secrete one's self; --
used especially of persons who withdraw to avoid a legal process; as,
an absconding debtor.
That very homesickness which, in regular armies, drives so many
recruits to abscond. Macaulay.
Abscond
Ab*scond", v. t. To hide; to conceal. [Obs.] Bentley.
Abscondence
Ab*scond"ence (#), n. Fugitive concealment; secret retirement; hiding.
[R.] Phillips.
Absconder
Ab*scond"er (#), n. One who absconds.
Absence
Ab"sence (#), n. [F., fr. L. absentia. See Absent.]
1. A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from
companionship; -- opposed to presence.
Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence. Phil.
ii. 12.
2. Want; destitution; withdrawal. "In the absence of conventional
law." Kent.
3. Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as, absence
of mind. "Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of
mankind." Addison.
To conquer that abstraction which is called absence. Landor.
Absent
Ab"sent (#), a. [F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse to be away
from; ab + esse to be. Cf. Sooth.]
1. Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present.
"Expecting absent friends." Shak.
2. Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent.
3. Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied; as, an
absent air.
What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very
weak or a very affected man. Chesterfield.
Syn. -- Absent, Abstracted. These words both imply a want of attention
to surrounding objects. We speak of a man as absent when his thoughts
wander unconsciously from present scenes or topics of discourse; we
speak of him as abstracted when his mind (usually for a brief period)
is drawn off from present things by some weighty matter for
reflection. Absence of mind is usually the result of loose habits of
thought; abstraction commonly arises either from engrossing interests
and cares, or from unfortunate habits of association.
Absent
Ab*sent" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absented; p. pr. & vb. n.
Absenting.] [Cf. F. absenter.]
1. To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to prevent
intercourse; -- used with the reflexive pronoun.
If after due summons any member absents himself, he is to be fined.
Addison.
2. To withhold from being present. [Obs.] "Go; for thy stay, not free,
absents thee more." Milton.
Absentaneous
Ab`sen*ta"ne*ous (#), a. [LL. absentaneus. See absent] Pertaining to
absence. [Obs.]
Absentation
Ab`sen*ta"tion (#), n. The act of absenting one's self. Sir W.
Hamilton.
Absentee
Ab`sen*tee" (#), n. One who absents himself from his country, office,
post, or duty; especially, a landholder who lives in another country
or district than that where his estate is situated; as, an Irish
absentee. Macaulay.
Absenteeism
Ab`sen*tee"ism (#), n. The state or practice of an absentee; esp. the
practice of absenting one's self from the country or district where
one's estate is situated.
Absenter
Ab*sent"er (#), n. One who absents one's self.
Absently
Ab"sent*ly (#), adv. In an absent or abstracted manner.
Absentment
Ab*sent"ment (#), n. The state of being absent; withdrawal. [R.]
Barrow.
Absent-minded
Ab`sent-mind"ed(#), a. Absent in mind; abstracted; preoccupied. --
Ab`sent-mind"ed*ness, n. -- Ab`sent-mind"ed*ly, adv.
Absentness
Ab"sent*ness (#), n. The quality of being absent-minded. H. Miller.
Absey-book
Ab"sey-book`(#), n. An A-B-C book; a primer. [Obs.] Shak.
Absinthate
Ab"sin"thate (#), n. (Chem.) A combination of absinthic acid with a
base or positive radical.
Absinth, Absinthe
Ab"sinth`, Ab"sinthe` (#), n. [F. absinthe. See Absinthium.]
1. The plant absinthium or common wormwood.
2. A strong spirituous liqueur made from wormwood and brandy or
alcohol.
Absinthial
Ab*sin"thi*al (#), a. Of or pertaining to wormwood; absinthian.
Absinthian
Ab*sin"thi*an (#), n. Of the nature of wormwood. "Absinthian
bitterness." T. Randolph.
Absinthiate
Ab"sin"thi*ate (#), v. t. [From L. absinthium: cf. L. absinthiatus,
a.] To impregnate with wormwood.
Absinthiated
Ab*sin"thi*a`ted (#), a. Impregnated with wormwood; as, absinthiated
wine.
Absinthic
Ab*sin"thic (#), a. (Chem.) Relating to the common wormwood or to an
acid obtained from it.
Absinthin
Ab*sin"thin (#), n. (Chem.) The bitter principle of wormwood
(Artemisia absinthium). Watts.
Absinthism
Ab"sin*thism (#), n. The condition of being poisoned by the excessive
use of absinth.
Absinthium
Ab*sin"thi*um (#), n. [L., from Gr. (Bot.) The common wormwood
(Artemisia absinthium), an intensely bitter plant, used as a tonic and
for making the oil of wormwood.
Absis
Ab"sis (#), n. See Apsis.
Absist
Ab*sist" (#), v. i. [L. absistere, p. pr. absistens; ab + sistere to
stand, causal of stare.] To stand apart from; top leave off; to
desist. [Obs.] Raleigh.
Absistence
Ab*sist"ence (#), n. A standing aloof. [Obs.]
Absolute
Ab"so*lute (#), a. [L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf. F. absolu.
See Absolve.]
1. Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled;
unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy,
sovereignty, an absolute promise or command; absolute power; an
absolute monarch.
2. Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as, absolute
perfection; absolute beauty.
So absolute she seems, And in herself complete. Milton.
3. Viewed apart from modifying influences or without comparison with
other objects; actual; real; -- opposed to relative and comparative;
as, absolute motion; absolute time or space.
NOTE: Absolute ri ghts an d du ties are such as pertain to man in a
state of nature as contradistinguished from relative rights and
duties, or such as pertain to him in his social relations.
4. Loosed from, or unconnected by, dependence on any other being;
self-existent; self-sufficing.
NOTE: &hand; In th is se nse Go d is ca lled th e Absolute by the
Theist. The term is also applied by the Pantheist to the universe,
or the total of all existence, as only capable of relations in its
parts to each other and to the whole, and as dependent for its
existence and its phenomena on its mutually depending forces and
their laws.
5. Capable of being thought or conceived by itself alone;
unconditioned; non-relative.
NOTE: &hand; It is in dispute among philosopher whether the term,
in this sense, is not applied to a mere logical fiction or
abstraction, or whether the absolute, as thus defined, can be
known, as a reality, by the human intellect.
To Cusa we can indeed articulately trace, word and thing, the
recent philosophy of the absolute. Sir W. Hamilton.
6. Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful. [R.]
I am absolute 't was very Cloten. Shak.
7. Authoritative; peremptory. [R.]
The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head, With absolute
forefinger, brown and ringed. Mrs. Browning.
8. (Chem.) Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol.
9. (Gram.) Not immediately dependent on the other parts of the
sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See Ablative absolute,
under Ablative.
Absolute curvature (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of double
curvature, which is measured in the osculating plane of the curve. --
Absolute equation (Astron.), the sum of the optic and eccentric
equations. -- Absolute space (Physics), space considered without
relation to material limits or objects. -- Absolute terms. (Alg.),
such as are known, or which do not contain the unknown quantity.
Davies & Peck. -- Absolute temperature (Physics), the temperature as
measured on a scale determined by certain general thermo-dynamic
principles, and reckoned from the absolute zero. -- Absolute zero
(Physics), the be ginning, or zero point, in the scale of absolute
temperature. It is equivalent to -273° centigrade or -459.4°
Fahrenheit. Syn. -- Positive; peremptory; certain; unconditional;
unlimited; unrestricted; unqualified; arbitrary; despotic; autocratic.
Absolute
Ab"so*lute (#), n. (Geom.) In a plane, the two imaginary circular
points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle
at infinity.
Absolutely
Ab"so*lute*ly, adv. In an absolute, independent, or unconditional
manner; wholly; positively.
Absoluteness
Ab"so*lute*ness, n. The quality of being absolute; independence of
everything extraneous; unlimitedness; absolute power; independent
reality; positiveness.
Absolution
Ab`so*lu"tion (#), n. [F. absolution, L. absolutio, fr. absolvere to
absolve. See Absolve.]
1. An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty;
forgiveness of an offense. "Government . . . granting absolution to
the nation." Froude.
2. (Civil Law) An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring and
accused person innocent. [Obs.]
3. (R. C. Ch.) The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament
of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins of the truly penitent
are forgiven.
NOTE: &hand; In the English and other Protestant churches, this act
regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting forgiveness.
4. (Eccl.) An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, -- for example,
excommunication. P. Cyc.
5. The form of words by which a penitent is absolved. Shipley.
6. Delivery, in speech. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Absolution day (R. C. Ch.), Tuesday before Easter.
Absolutism
Ab"so*lu`tism (#), n.
1. The state of being absolute; the system or doctrine of the
absolute; the principles or practice of absolute or arbitrary
government; despotism.
The element of absolutism and prelacy was controlling. Palfrey.
2. (Theol.) Doctrine of absolute decrees. Ash.
Absolutist
Ab"so*lu`tist (#), n.
1. One who is in favor of an absolute or autocratic government.
2. (Metaph.) One who believes that it is possible to realize a
cognition or concept of the absolute. Sir. W. Hamilton.
Absolutist
Ab"so*lu`tist, a. Of or pertaining to absolutism; arbitrary; despotic;
as, absolutist principles.
Absolutistic
Ab`so*lu*tis"tic (#), a. Pertaining to absolutism; absolutist.
Absolutory
Ab*sol"u*to*ry (#), a. [L. absolutorius, fr. absolvere to absolve.]
Serving to absolve; absolving. "An absolutory sentence." Ayliffe.
Absolvable
Ab*solv"a*ble (#), a. That may be absolved.
Absolvatory
Ab*solv"a*to*ry (#), a. Conferring absolution; absolutory.
Absolve
Ab*solve" (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absolved (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Absolving.] [L. absolvere to set free, to absolve; ab + solvere to
loose. See Assoil, Solve.]
1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or
responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it
would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a
subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to
an acquittal and remission of his punishment.
Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen. Macaulay.
2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the
sin or guilt.
In his name I absolve your perjury. Gibbon.
3. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.]
The work begun, how soon absolved. Milton.
4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] "We shall not absolve the doubt." Sir
T. Browne.
Syn. -- To Absolve, Exonerate, Acquit. We speak of a man as absolved
from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of
wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the obligation of
an oath, or a promise. We speak of a person as exonerated, when he is
released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate
from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It implies a purely
moral acquittal. We speak of a person as acquitted, when a decision
has been made in his favor with reference to a specific charge, either
by a jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted of all
participation in the crime.
Absolvent
Ab*solv"ent (#), a. [L. absolvens, p. pr. of absolvere.] Absolving.
[R.] Carlyle.
Absolvent
Ab*solv"ent, n. An absolver. [R.] Hobbes.
Absolver
Ab*solv"er (#), n. One who absolves. Macaulay.
Absonant
Ab"so*nant (#), a. [L. ab + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to sound.]
Discordant; contrary; -- opposed to consonant. "Absonant to nature."
Quarles.
Absonous
Ab"so*nous (#), a. [L. absonus; ab + sonus sound.] Discordant;
inharmonious; incongruous. [Obs.] "Absonous to our reason." Glanvill.
Absorb
Ab*sorb" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absorbed (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Absorbing.] [L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin to Gr.
absorber.]
1. To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if
by swallowing up; to use up; to include. "Dark oblivion soon absorbs
them all." Cowper.
The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion. W. Irving.
2. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals
of the body. Bacon.
3. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study
or the pursuit of wealth.
4. To take up by cohesive, chemical, or any molecular action, as when
charcoal absorbs gases. So heat, light, and electricity are absorbed
or taken up in the substances into which they pass. Nichol. p. 8 Syn.
-- To Absorb, Engross, Swallow up, Engulf. These words agree in one
general idea, that of completely taking up. They are chiefly used in a
figurative sense and may be distinguished by a reference to their
etymology. We speak of a person as absorbed (lit., drawn in, swallowed
up) in study or some other employment of the highest interest. We
speak of a person as ebgrossed (lit., seized upon in the gross, or
wholly) by something which occupies his whole time and thoughts, as
the acquisition of wealth, or the attainment of honor. We speak of a
person (under a stronger image) as swallowed up and lost in that which
completely occupies his thoughts and feelings, as in grief at the
death of a friend, or in the multiplied cares of life. We speak of a
person as engulfed in that which (like a gulf) takes in all his hopes
and interests; as, engulfed in misery, ruin, etc.
That grave question which had begun to absorb the Christian mind --
the marriage of the clergy. Milman.
Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage, And sunk to
softness all our tragic rage. Tickell.
Should not the sad occasion swallow up My other cares? Addison.
And in destruction's river Engulf and swallow those. Sir P. Sidney.
Absorbability
Ab*sorb`a*bil"i*ty (#), n. The state or quality of being absorbable.
Graham (Chemistry).
Absorbable
Ab*sorb"a*ble, a. [Cf. F. absorbable.] Capable of being absorbed or
swallowed up. Kerr.
Absorbedly
Ab*sorb"ed*ly, adv. In a manner as if wholly engrossed or engaged.
Absorbency
Ab*sorb"en*cy (#), n. Absorptiveness.
Absorbent
Ab*sorb"ent (#), a. [L. absorbens, p. pr. of absorbere.] Absorbing;
swallowing; absorptive. Absorbent ground (Paint.), a ground prepared
for a picture, chiefly with distemper, or water colors, by which the
oil is absorbed, and a brilliancy is imparted to the colors.
Absorbent
Ab*sorb"ent, n.
1. Anything which absorbs.
The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat. Darwin.
2. (Med.) Any substance which absorbs and neutralizes acid fluid in
the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.; also a substance e.
g., iodine) which acts on the absorbent vessels so as to reduce
enlarged and indurated parts.
3. pl. (Physiol.) The vessels by which the processes of absorption are
carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots
in plants.
Absorber
Ab*sorb"er (#), n. One who, or that which, absorbs.
Absorbing
Ab*sorb"ing, a. Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit. --
Ab*sorb"ing, adv.
Absorbition
Ab`sor*bi"tion (#), n. Absorption. [Obs.]
Absorpt
Ab*sorpt` (#), a. [L. absorptus, p. p.] Absorbed. [Arcahic.] "Absorpt
in care." Pope.
Absorption
Ab*sorp"tion (#), n. [L. absorptio, fr. absorbere. See Absorb.]
1. The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being
absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption of bodies in a
whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.
2. (Chem. & Physics) An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical
action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.
3. (Physiol.) In living organisms, the process by which the materials
of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and
organs.
4. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in
some employment.
Absorptive
Ab*sorp"tive (#), a. Having power, capacity, or tendency to absorb or
imbibe. E. Darwin.
Absorptiveness
Ab*sorp"tive*ness, n. The quality of being absorptive; absorptive
power.
Absorptivity
Ab`sorp*tiv"i*ty (#), n. Absorptiveness.
Absquatulate
Ab*squat"u*late (#), v. i. To take one's self off; to decamp. [A
jocular word. U. S.]
Absque hoc
Abs"que hoc (#). [L., without this.] (Law) The technical words of
denial used in traversing what has been alleged, and is repeated.
Abstain
Ab*stain" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abstained (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Abstaining.] [OE. absteynen, abstenen, OF. astenir, abstenir, F.
abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. & v. i., to keep from;
ab, abs + tenere to hold. See Tenable.] To hold one's self aloof; to
forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of
the passions or appetites; -- with from.
Not a few abstained from voting. Macaulay.
Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? Shak.
Syn. -- To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up;
relinquish.
Abstain
Ab*stain", v. t. To hinder; to withhold.
Whether he abstain men from marrying. Milton.
Abstainer
Ab*stain"er (#), n. One who abstains; esp., one who abstains from the
use of intoxicating liquors.
Abstemious
Ab*ste"mi*ous (#), a. [L. abstemius; ab, abs + root of temetum
intoxicating drink.]
1. Abstaining from wine. [Orig. Latin sense.]
Under his special eye Abstemious I grew up and thrived amain.
Milton.
2. Sparing in diet; refraining from a free use of food and strong
drinks; temperate; abstinent; sparing in the indulgence of the
appetite or passions.
Instances of longevity are chiefly among the abstemious. Arbuthnot.
3. Sparingly used; used with temperance or moderation; as, an
abstemious diet. Gibbon.
4. Marked by, or spent in, abstinence; as, an abstemious life. "One
abstemious day." Pope.
5. Promotive of abstemiousness. [R.]
Such is the virtue of the abstemious well. Dryden.
Abstemiousness
Ab*ste"mi*ous*ness, n. The quality of being abstemious, temperate, or
sparing in the use of food and strong drinks. It expresses a greater
degree of abstinence than temperance.
Abstention
Ab*sten"tion (#), a. [F. See Abstain.] The act of abstaining; a
holding aloof. Jer. Taylor.
Abstentious
Ab*sten"tious (#), a. Characterized by abstinence; self-restraining.
Farrar.
Absterge
Ab*sterge (#), v. t. [L. abstergere, abstersum; ab, abs + tergere to
wipe. Cf. F absterger.] To make clean by wiping; to wipe away; to
cleanse; hence, to purge. [R.] Quincy.
Abstergent
Ab*ster"gent (#), a. [L. abstergens, p. pr. of abstergere.] Serving to
cleanse, detergent.
Abstergent
Ab*ster"gent, n. A substance used in cleansing; a detergent; as, soap
is an abstergent.
Absterse
Ab*sterse" (#), v. t. To absterge; to cleanse; to purge away. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Abstersion
Ab*ster"sion (#), n. [F. abstersion. See Absterge.] Act of wiping
clean; a cleansing; a purging.
The task of ablution and abstersion being performed. Sir W. Scott.
Abstersive
Ab*ster"sive (#), a. [Cf. F. abstersif. See Absterge.] Cleansing;
purging. Bacon.
Abstersive
Ab*ster"sive, n. Something cleansing.
The strong abstersive of some heroic magistrate. Milton.
Abstersiveness
Ab*ster"sive*ness, n. The quality of being abstersive. Fuller.
Abstinence
Ab"sti*nence (#), n. [F. abstinence, L. abstinentia, fr. abstinere.
See Abstain.]
1. The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance of any
action, especially the refraining from an indulgence of appetite, or
from customary gratifications of animal or sensual propensities.
Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages,
-- called also total abstinence.
The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a
pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one. Locke.
2. The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self of certain
kinds of food or drink, especially of meat.
Penance, fasts, and abstinence, To punish bodies for the soul's
offense. Dryden.
Abstinency
Ab"sti*nen*cy (#), n. Abstinence. [R.]
Abstinent
Ab"sti*nent (#), a. [F. abstinent, L. abstinens, p. pr. of abstinere.
See Abstain.] Refraining from indulgence, especially from the
indulgence of appetite; abstemious; continent; temperate. Beau. & Fl.
Abstinent
Ab"sti*nent, n.
1. One who abstains.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect who appeared in France and Spain in the
3d century.
Abstinently
Ab"sti*nent*ly, adv. With abstinence.
Abstorted
Ab*stort"ed (#), a. [As if fr. abstort, fr. L. ab, abs + tortus, p. p.
of torquere to twist.] Wrested away. [Obs.] Bailey.
Abstract
Ab"stract` (#; 277), a. [L. abstractus, p. p. of abstrahere to draw
from, separate; ab, abs + trahere to draw. See Trace.]
1. Withdraw; separate. [Obs.]
The more abstract . . . we are from the body. Norris.
2. Considered apart from any application to a particular object;
separated from matter; exiting in the mind only; as, abstract truth,
abstract numbers. Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult.
3. (Logic) (a) Expressing a particular property of an object viewed
apart from the other properties which constitute it; -- opposed to
concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word. J. S. Mill. (b) Resulting
from the mental faculty of abstraction; general as opposed to
particular; as, "reptile" is an abstract or general name. Locke.
A concrete name is a name which stands for a thing; an abstract
name which stands for an attribute of a thing. A practice has grown
up in more modern times, which, if not introduced by Locke, has
gained currency from his example, of applying the expression
"abstract name" to all names which are the result of abstraction
and generalization, and consequently to all general names, instead
of confining it to the names of attributes. J. S. Mill.
4. Abstracted; absent in mind. "Abstract, as in a trance." Milton.
An abstract idea (Metaph.), an idea separated from a complex object,
or from other ideas which naturally accompany it; as the solidity of
marble when contemplated apart from its color or figure. -- Abstract
terms, those which express abstract ideas, as beauty, whiteness,
roundness, without regarding any object in which they exist; or
abstract terms are the names of orders, genera or species of things,
in which there is a combination of similar qualities. -- Abstract
numbers (Math.), numbers used without application to things, as 6, 8,
10; but when applied to any thing, as 6 feet, 10 men, they become
concrete. -- Abstract OR Pure mathematics. See Mathematics.
Abstract
Ab*stract" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abstracted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Abstracting.] [See Abstract, a.]
1. To withdraw; to separate; to take away.
He was incapable of forming any opinion or resolution abstracted
from his own prejudices. Sir W. Scott.
2. To draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his was wholly
abstracted by other objects.
The young stranger had been abstracted and silent. Blackw. Mag.
3. To separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to consider by
itself; to contemplate separately, as a quality or attribute. Whately.
4. To epitomize; to abridge. Franklin.
5. To take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to abstract goods
from a parcel, or money from a till.
Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins from the
harness. W. Black.
6. (Chem.) To separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts of a
substance, by distillation or other chemical processes. In this sense
extract is now more generally used.
Abstract
Ab*stract", v. t. To perform the process of abstraction. [R.]
I own myself able to abstract in one sense. Berkeley.
Abstract
Ab"stract` (#), n. [See Abstract, a.]
1. That which comprises or concentrates in itself the essential
qualities of a larger thing or of several things. Specifically: A
summary or an epitome, as of a treatise or book, or of a statement; a
brief.
An abstract of every treatise he had read. Watts.
Man, the abstract Of all perfection, which the workmanship Of
Heaven hath modeled. Ford.
2. A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject
in the abstract, or apart from other associated things.
3. An abstract term.
The concretes "father" and "son" have, or might have, the abstracts
"paternity" and "filiety." J. S. Mill.
4. (Med.) A powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance mixed with
sugar of milk in such proportion that one part of the abstract
represents two parts of the original substance.
Abstract of title (Law), an epitome of the evidences of ownership.
Syn. -- Abridgment; compendium; epitome; synopsis. See Abridgment.
Abstracted
Ab*stract"ed (#), a.
1. Separated or disconnected; withdrawn; removed; apart.
The evil abstracted stood from his own evil. Milton.
2. Separated from matter; abstract; ideal. [Obs.]
3. Abstract; abstruse; difficult. [Obs.] Johnson.
4. Inattentive to surrounding objects; absent in mind. "An abstracted
scholar." Johnson.
Abstractedly
Ab*stract"ed*ly, adv. In an abstracted manner; separately; with
absence of mind.
Abstractedness
Ab*stract"ed*ness, n. The state of being abstracted; abstract
character.
Abstracter
Ab*stract"er (#), n. One who abstracts, or makes an abstract.
Abstraction
Ab*strac"tion (#), n. [Cf. F. abstraction. See Abstract, a.]
1. The act of abstracting, separating, or withdrawing, or the state of
being withdrawn; withdrawal.
A wrongful abstraction of wealth from certain members of the
community. J. S. Mill.
2. (Metaph.) The act process of leaving out of consideration one or
more properties of a complex object so as to attend to others;
analysis. Thus, when the mind considers the form of a tree by itself,
or the color of the leaves as separate from their size or figure, the
act is called abstraction. So, also, when it considers whiteness,
softness, virtue, existence, as separate from any particular objects.
NOTE: &hand; Ab straction is necessary to classification, by which
things are arranged in genera and species. We separate in idea the
qualities of certain objects, which are of the same kind, from
others which are different, in each, and arrange the objects having
the same properties in a class, or collected body.
Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the negative of
attention. Sir W. Hamilton.
3. An idea or notion of an abstract, or theoretical nature; as, to
fight for mere abstractions.
4. A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; as, a hermit's
abstraction.
5. Absence or absorption of mind; inattention to present objects.
6. The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property
of another; purloining. [Modern]
7. (Chem.) A separation of volatile parts by the act of distillation.
Nicholson.
Abstractional
Ab*strac"tion*al (#), a. Pertaining to abstraction.
Abstractionist
Ab*strac"tion*ist, n. An idealist. Emerson.
Abstractitious
Ab`strac*ti"tious (#), a. Obtained from plants by distillation. [Obs.]
Crabb.
Abstractive
Ab*strac"tive (#), a. [Cf. F. abstractif.] Having the power of
abstracting; of an abstracting nature. "The abstractive faculty." I.
Taylor.
Abstractively
Ab*strac"tive*ly, adv. In a abstract manner; separately; in or by
itself. Feltham.
Abstractiveness
Ab*strac"tive*ness, n. The quality of being abstractive; abstractive
property.
Abstractly
Ab"stract`ly (#; 277), adv. In an abstract state or manner;
separately; absolutely; by itself; as, matter abstractly considered.
Abstractness
Ab"stract`ness, n. The quality of being abstract. "The abstractness of
the ideas." Locke.
Abstringe
Ab*stringe" (#), v. t. [L ab + stringere, strictum, to press
together.] To unbind. [Obs.] Bailey.
Abstrude
Ab*strude" (#), v. t. [L. abstrudere. See Abstruse.] To thrust away.
[Obs.] Johnson.
Abstruse
Ab*struse" (#), a. [L. abstrusus, p. p. of abstrudere to thrust away,
conceal; ab, abs + trudere to thrust; cf. F. abstrus. See Threat.]
1. Concealed or hidden out of the way. [Obs.]
The eternal eye whose sight discerns Abstrusest thoughts. Milton.
2. Remote from apprehension; difficult to be comprehended or
understood; recondite; as, abstruse learning.
Profound and abstruse topics. Milman.
Abstrusely
Ab*struse"ly, adv. In an abstruse manner.
Abstruseness
Ab*struse"ness, n. The quality of being abstruse; difficulty of
apprehension. Boyle.
Abstrusion
Ab*stru"sion (#), n. [L. abstrusio. See Abstruse.] The act of
thrusting away. [R.] Ogilvie.
Abstrusity
Ab*stru"si*ty (#), n. Abstruseness; that which is abstruse. [R.] Sir
T. Browne.
Absume
Ab*sume" (#), v. t. [L. absumere, absumptum; ab + sumere to take.] To
consume gradually; to waste away. [Obs.] Boyle.
Absumption
Ab*sump"tion (#; 215), n. [L. absumptio. See Absume.] Act of wasting
away; a consuming; extinction. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Absurd
Ab*surd" (#), a. [L. absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a derivative
fr. a root svar to sound; not connected with surd: cf. F. absurde. See
Syringe.] Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and fiatly
opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of
common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as, an
absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream.
This proffer is absurd and reasonless. Shak.
'This phrase absurd to call a villain great. Pope.
p. 9 Syn. -- Foolish; irrational; ridiculous; preposterous;
inconsistent; incongruous. -- Absurd, Irrational, Foolish,
Preposterous. Of these terms, irrational is the weakest, denoting that
which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as,
an irrational course of life. Foolish rises higher, and implies either
a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of
mind; as, foolish enterprises. Absurd rises still higher, denoting
that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and
truth; as, an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc.
Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in
the order of things; or, in plain terms, a "putting of the cart before
the horse;" as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a
preposterous regulation or law.
Absurd
Ab*surd" (#), n. An absurdity. [Obs.] Pope.
Absurdity
Ab*surd"i*ty (#), n.; pl. Absurdities (#). [L. absurditas: cf. F.
absurdite.]
1. The quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth,
reason, or sound judgment. "The absurdity of the actual idea of an
infinite number." Locke.
2. That which is absurd; an absurd action; a logical contradiction.
His travels were full of absurdities. Johnson.
Absurdly
Ab*surd"ly, adv. In an absurd manner.
Absurdness
Ab*surd"ness, n. Absurdity. [R.]
Abuna
A*bu"na (#), n. [Eth. and Ar., our father.] The Patriarch, or head of
the Abyssinian Church.
Abundance
A*bun"dance (#), n. [OE. (h)abudaunce, abundance, F. abundance, F.
abondance, L. abundantia, fr. abundare. See Abound.] An overflowing
fullness; ample sufficiency; great plenty; profusion; copious supply;
superfluity; wealth: -- strictly applicable to quantity only, but
sometimes used of number.
It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble blood hath
been shed with small benefit to the Christian state. Raleigh.
Syn. -- Exuberance; plenteousness; plenty; copiousness; overflow;
riches; affluence; wealth. -- Abundance, Plenty, Exuberance. These
words rise upon each other in expressing the idea of fullness. Plenty
denotes a sufficiency to supply every want; as, plenty of food, plenty
of money, etc. Abundance express more, and gives the idea of
superfluity or excess; as, abundance of riches, an abundance of wit
and humor; often, however, it only denotes plenty in a high degree.
Exuberance rises still higher, and implies a bursting forth on every
side, producing great superfluity or redundance; as, an exuberance of
mirth, an exuberance of animal spirits, etc.
Abundant
A*bun"dant (#), a. [OE. (h)abundant, aboundant, F. abondant, fr. L.
abudans, p. pr. of abundare. See Abound.] Fully sufficient; plentiful;
in copious supply; -- followed by in, rarely by with. "Abundant in
goodness and truth." Exod. xxxiv. 6. Abundant number (Math.), a
number, the sum of whose aliquot parts exceeds the number itself.
Thus, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, the aliquot parts of 12, make the number 16. This
is opposed to a deficient number, as 14, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2,
7, the sum of which is 10; and to a perfect number, which is equal to
the sum of its aliquot parts, as 6, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2., 3.
Syn. -- Ample; plentiful; copious; plenteous; exuberant; overflowing;
rich; teeming; profuse; bountiful; liberal. See Ample.
Abundantly
A*bun"dant*ly, adv. In a sufficient degree; fully; amply; plentifully;
in large measure.
Aburst
A*burst" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + burst.] In a bursting condition.
Abusable
A*bus"a*ble (#), a. That may be abused.
Abusage
A*bus"age (#), n. Abuse. [Obs.] Whately (1634).
Abuse
A*buse" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abused (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Abusing.]
[F. abuser; L. abusus, p. p. of abuti to abuse, misuse; ab + uti to
use. See Use.]
1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use;
to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse inherited
gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one's authority.
This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots rapidly into
popularity. Froude.
2. To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax
excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one's powers,
one's patience.
3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
The . . . tellers of news abused the general. Macaulay.
4. To dishonor. "Shall flight abuse your name?" Shak.
5. To violate; to ravish. Spenser.
6. To deceive; to impose on. [Obs.]
Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and abused
by a double object. Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify; vituperate;
asperse; traduce; malign.
Abuse
A*buse" (#), n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See Abuse, v. t.]
1. Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose;
misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights,
or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language.
Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by
the abuses of power. Madison.
2. Physical ill treatment; injury. "Rejoice . . . at the abuse of
Falstaff." Shak.
3. A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses
in the civil service.
Abuse after disappeared without a struggle.. Macaulay.
4. Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language;
virulent condemnation; reviling.
The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of abuse, came to
blows. Macaulay.
5. Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child. [Obs.]
Or is it some abuse, and no such thing? Shak.
Abuse of distress (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or chattel
distrained, by the distrainer. Syn. -- Invective; contumely; reproach;
scurrility; insult; opprobrium. -- Abuse, Invective. Abuse is
generally prompted by anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words.
It is more personal and coarse than invective. Abuse generally takes
place in private quarrels; invective in writing or public discussions.
Invective may be conveyed in refined language and dictated by
indignation against what is blameworthy. C. J. Smith.
Abuseful
A*buse"ful (#), a. Full of abuse; abusive. [R.] "Abuseful names." Bp.
Barlow.
Abuser
A*bus"er (#), n. One who abuses [in the various senses of the verb].
Abusion
A*bu"sion (#), n. [OE. abusion, abusioun, OF. abusion, fr. L. abusio
misuse of words, f. abuti. See Abuse, v. t.] Evil or corrupt usage;
abuse; wrong; reproach; deception; cheat. Chaucer.
Abusive
A*bu"sive (#), a. [Cf. F. abusif, fr. L. abusivus.]
1. Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied.
I am . . . necessitated to use the word Parliament improperly,
according to the abusive acceptation thereof. Fuller.
2. Given to misusing; also, full of abuses. [Archaic] "The abusive
prerogatives of his see." Hallam.
3. Practicing abuse; prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting words or
by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an abusive fellow.
4. Containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse;
vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous. "An abusive lampoon." Johnson.
5. Tending to deceive; fraudulent; cheating. [Obs.] "An abusive
treaty." Bacon. Syn. -- Reproachful; scurrilous; opprobrious;
insolent; insulting; injurious; offensive; reviling.
Abusively
A*bu"sive*ly, adv. In an abusive manner; rudely; with abusive
language.
Abusiveness
A*bu"sive*ness, n. The quality of being abusive; rudeness of language,
or violence to the person.
Pick out mirth, like stones out of thy ground, Profaneness,
filthiness, abusiveness. Herbert.
Abut
A*but" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abutted; p. pr. & vb. n. Abutting.]
[OF. abouter, aboter; cf. F. aboutir, and also abuter; a (L. ad) + OF.
boter, buter, to push: cf. F. bout end, and but end, purpose.] To
project; to terminate or border; to be contiguous; to meet; -- with
on, upon, or against; as, his land abuts on the road.
Abutilon
A*bu"ti*lon (#), n. [Ar. aub\'d4t\'c6l\'d4n.] (Bot.) A genus of
malvaceous plants of many species, found in the torrid and temperate
zones of both continents; -- called also Indian mallow.
Abutment
A*but"ment (#), n.
1. State of abutting.
2. That on or against which a body abuts or presses; as (a) (Arch.)
The solid part of a pier or wall, etc., which receives the thrust or
lateral pressure of an arch, vault, or strut. Gwilt. (b) (mech.) A
fixed point or surface from which resistance or reaction is obtained,
as the cylinder head of a steam engine, the fulcrum of a lever, etc.
(c) In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel which
receives the pressure due to recoil.
Abuttal
A*but"tal (#), n. The butting or boundary of land, particularly at the
end; a headland. Spelman.
Abutter
A*but"ter (#), n. One who, or that which, abuts. Specifically, the
owner of a contiguous estate; as, the abutters on a street or a river.
Abuzz
A*buzz" (#), a. [Pref. a- + buzz.] In a buzz; buzzing. [Colloq.]
Dickens.
Aby, Abye
A*by", A*bye" (#), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Abought (#).] [AS.
\'bebycgan to pay for; pref. \'be- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig.
meaning out) + bycgan to buy. See Buy, and cf. Abide.]
1. To pay for; to suffer for; to atone for; to make amends for; to
give satisfaction. [Obs.]
Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear. Shak.
2. To endure; to abide. [Obs.]
But nought that wanteth rest can long aby. Spenser.
Abysm
A*bysm" (#), n. [OF. abisme; F. abime, LL. abyssimus, a superl. of L.
abyssus; Gr. Abyss.] An abyss; a gulf. "The abysm of hell." Shak.
Abysmal
A*bys"mal (#), a. Pertaining to, or resembling, an abyss; bottomless;
unending; profound.
Geology gives one the same abysmal extent of time that astronomy
does of space. Carlyle.
Abysmally
A*bys"mal*ly, adv. To a fathomless depth; profoundly. "Abysmally
ignorant." G. Eliot.
Abyss
A*byss" (#), n. [L. abyssus a bottomless gulf, fr. Gr.
1. A bottomless or unfathomed depth, gulf, or chasm; hence, any deep,
immeasurable, and, specifically, hell, or the bottomless pit.
Ye powers and spirits of this nethermost abyss. Milton.
The throne is darkness, in the abyss of light. Dryden.
2. Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth.
The abysses of metaphysical theology. Macaulay.
In unfathomable abysses of disgrace. Burke.
3. (Her.) The center of an escutcheon.
NOTE: &hand; This word, in its leading uses, is associated with the
cosmological notions of the Hebrews, having reference to a supposed
illimitable mass of waters from which our earth sprung, and beneath
whose profound depths the wicked were punished.
Encyc. Brit.
Abyssal
A*byss"al (#), a. [Cf. Abysmal.] Belonging to, or resembling, an
abyss; unfathomable. Abyssal zone (Phys. Geog.), one of the belts or
zones into which Sir E. Forbes divides the bottom of the sea in
describing its plants, animals, etc. It is the one furthest from the
shore, embracing all beyond one hundred fathoms deep. Hence, abyssal
animals, plants, etc.
Abyssinian
Ab`ys*sin"i*an (#), a. Of or pertaining to Abyssinia. Abyssinian gold,
an alloy of 90.74 parts of copper and 8.33 parts of zink. Ure.
Abyssinian
Ab`ys*sin"i*an, n.
1. A native of Abyssinia.
2. A member of the Abyssinian Church.
Acacia
A*ca"ci*a (#), n. (Antiq.) A roll or bag, filled with dust, borne by
Byzantine emperors, as a memento of mortality. It is represented on
medals.
Acacia
A*ca"cia (#), n.; pl. E. Acacias (#), L. Acaci\'91 (#). [L. from Gr.
ak to be sharp. See Acute.]
1. A genus of leguminous trees and shrubs. Nearly 300 species are
Australian or Polynesian, and have terete or vertically compressed
leaf stalks, instead of the bipinnate leaves of the much fewer species
of America, Africa, etc. Very few are found in temperate climates.
2. (Med.) The inspissated juice of several species of acacia; --
called also gum acacia, and gum arabic.
Acacin, Acacine
Ac"a*cin, Ac"a*cine (#), n. Gum arabic.
Academe
Ac`a*deme" (#), n. [L. academia. See Academy.] An academy. [Poetic]
Shak.
Academial
Ac`a*de"mi*al (#), a. Academic. [R.]
Academian
Ac`a*de"mi*an (#), n. A member of an academy, university, or college.
Academic, Academical
Ac`a*dem"ic (#), Ac`a*dem"ic*al (#), a. [L. academicus: cf. F.
acad\'82migue. See Academy.]
1. Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the Academic
sect or philosophy.
2. Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning;
scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction from scientific.
"Academic courses." Warburton. "Academical study." Berkeley.
Academic
Ac`a*dem"ic, n.
1. One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a Platonist.
Hume.
2. A member of an academy, college, or university; an academician.
Academically
Ac`a*dem`ic*al*ly, adv. In an academical manner.
Academicals
Ac`a*dem"ic*als (#), n. pl. The articles of dress prescribed and worn
at some colleges and universities.
Academician
Ac`a*de*mi"cian (#; 277), n. [F. acad\'82micien. See Academy.]
1. A member of an academy, or society for promoting science, art, or
literature, as of the French Academy, or the Royal Academy of arts.
2. A collegian. [R.] Chesterfield.
Academicism
Ac`a*dem"i*cism (#), n.
1. A tenet of the Academic philosophy.
2. A mannerism or mode peculiar to an academy.
Academism
A*cad"e*mism (#), n. The doctrines of the Academic philosophy. [Obs.]
Baxter.
Academist
A*cad"e*mist (#), n. [F. academiste.]
1. An Academic philosopher.
2. An academician. [Obs.] Ray.
Academy
A*cad"e*my (#), n.; pl. Academies (#). [F. acad\'82mie, L. academia.
Cf. Academe.]
1. A garden or grove near Athens (so named from the hero Academus),
where Plato and his followers held their philosophical conferences;
hence, the school of philosophy of which Plato was head.
2. An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a
university. Popularly, a school, or seminary of learning, holding a
rank between a college and a common school.
3. A place of training; a school. "Academies of fanaticism." Hume.
4. A society of learned men united for the advancement of the arts and
sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science; as, the
French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies
of literature and philology.
5. A school or place of training in which some special art is taught;
as, the military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy
of Music.
Academy figure (Paint.), a drawing usually half life-size, in crayon
or pencil, after a nude model.
Acadian
A*ca"di*an (#), a. Of or pertaining to Acadie, or Nova Scotia.
"Acadian farmers." Longfellow. -- n. A native of Acadie. Acadian epoch
(Geol.), an epoch at the beginning of the American paleozoic time, and
including the oldest American rocks known to be fossiliferous. See
Geology. -- Acadian owl (Zo\'94l.), a small North American owl
(Nyctule Acadica); the saw-whet.
Acajou
Ac"a*jou (#), n. [F. See Cashew.] (Bot.) (a) The cashew tree; also,
its fruit. See Cashew. (b) The mahogany tree; also, its timber.
Acaleph, Acalephan
Ac"a*leph (#), Ac`a*le"phan (#) n.; pl. Acalephs (#), Acalephans (#).
[See Acaleph\'91.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the Acaleph\'91.
Acaleph\'91
Ac`a*le"ph\'91 (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. A group of C\'d2lenterata,
including the Medus\'91 or jellyfishes, and hydroids; -- so called
from the stinging power they possess. Sometimes called sea nettles.
Acalephoid
Ac`ale"phoid (#), a. [Acaleph + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) Belonging to or
resembling the Acaleph\'91 or jellyfishes.
Acalycine, Acalysinous
A*cal"y*cine (#), Ac`a*lys`i*nous (#), a. [Gr. (Bot.) Without a calyx,
or outer floral envelope.
Acanth
A*canth" (#), n. Same as Acanthus.
Acantha
A*can"tha (#), n. [Gr. Acute.]
1. (Bot.) A prickle.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A spine or prickly fin.
3. (Anat.) The vertebral column; the spinous process of a vertebra.
Dunglison.
Acanthaceous
Ac"an*tha"ceous (#), a.
1. Armed with prickles, as a plant.
2. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of
which the acanthus is the type.
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Acanthine
A*can"thine (#), a. [L. acanthinus, Gr. Acanthus.] Of, pertaining to,
or resembling, the plant acanthus.
Acanthocarpous
A*can`tho*car"pous (#), a. [Gr. (Bot.) Having the fruit covered with
spines.
Acanthocephala
A*can`tho*ceph"a*la (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A group of
intestinal worms, having the proboscis armed with recurved spines.
Acanthocephalous
A*can`tho*ceph"a*lous (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Having a spiny head, as one
of the Acanthocephala.
Acanthophorous
Ac`an*thoph"o*rous (#), a. [Gr. Spine-bearing. Gray.
Acanthopodious
A*can`tho*po"di*ous (#), a. [Gr. (Bot.) Having spinous petioles.
Acanthopteri
Ac`an*thop"ter*i (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A group of
teleostean fishes having spiny fins. See Acanthopterygii.
Acanthopterous
Ac`an*thop"ter*ous (#), a. [Gr.
1. (Zo\'94l.) Spiny-winged.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Acanthopterygious.
Acanthopterygian
Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*an (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Belonging to the order of
fishes having spinose fins, as the perch. -- n. A spiny-finned fish.
Acanthopterygii
Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*i (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) An order
of fishes having some of the rays of the dorsal, ventral, and anal
fins unarticulated and spinelike, as the perch.
Acanthopterygious
Ac`an*thop`ter*yg"i*ous (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Having fins in which the
rays are hard and spinelike; spiny-finned.
Acanthus
A*can"thus (#), n.; pl. E. Acanthuses (#), L. Acanthi (#). [L., from
Gr. Acantha.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of
Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.
2. (Arch.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the
acanthus (Acanthus spinosus); -- used in the capitals of the
Corinthian and Composite orders.
A cappella
A cap*pel"la (#). [It. See Chapel.] (Mus.) (a) In church or chapel
style; -- said of compositions sung in the old church style, without
instrumental accompaniment; as, a mass a capella, i. e., a mass purely
vocal. (b) A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.
Acapsular
A*cap"su*lar (#), a. [Pref. a- not + capsular.] (Bot.) Having no
capsule.
Acardiac
A*car"di*ac (#), a. [Gr. Without a heart; as, an acardiac fetus.
Acaridan
A*car"i*dan (#), n. [See Acarus.] (Zo\'94l.) One of a group of
arachnids, including the mites and ticks.
Acarina
Ac`a*ri"na (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) The group of
Arachnida which includes the mites and ticks. Many species are
parasitic, and cause diseases like the itch and mange.
Acarine
Ac"a*rine (#), a. (Med.) Of or caused by acari or mites; as, acarine
diseases.
Acaroid
Ac"a*roid (#), a. [NL., acarus a mite + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) Shaped like
or resembling a mite.
Acarpellous
Ac`ar*pel"lous (#), a. [Pref. a- not + carpel.] (Bot.) Having no
carpels.
Acarpous
A*car"pous (#), a. [Gr. (Bot.) Not producing fruit; unfruitful.
Acarus
Ac"a*rus (#), n.; pl. Acari (#). [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A genus
including many species of small mites.
Acatalectic
A*cat`a*lec"tic (#), a. [L. acatalecticus, Gr. (Pros.) Not defective;
complete; as, an acatalectic verse. -- n. A verse which has the
complete number of feet and syllables.
Acatalepsy
A*cat"a*lep`sy (#), n. [Gr. Incomprehensibility of things; the
doctrine held by the ancient Skeptic philosophers, that human
knowledge never amounts to certainty, but only to probability.
Acataleptic
A*cat`a*lep"tic (#), a. [Gr. Incapable of being comprehended;
incomprehensible.
Acater
A*ca"ter (#), n. See Caterer. [Obs.]
Acates
A*cates" (#), n. pl. See Cates. [Obs.]
Acaudate
A*cau"date (#), a. [Pref. a- not + caudate.] Tailless.
Acaulescent
Ac`au*les"cent (#), a. [Pref. a- not + caulescent.] (Bot.) Having no
stem or caulis, or only a very short one concealed in the ground.
Gray.
Acauline
A*cau"line (#), a. [Pref. a- not + cauline.] (Bot.) Same as
Acaulescent.
Acaulose, Acaulous
A*cau"lose (#), A*cau"lous (#), a. [Gr. caulis stalk. See Cole.]
(Bot.) Same as Acaulescent.
Accadian
Ac*ca"di*an (#), a. [From the city Accad. See Gen. x. 10.] Pertaining
to a race supposed to have lived in Babylonia before the Assyrian
conquest. -- Ac*ca"di*an, n., Ac"cad (#), n. Sayce.
Accede
Ac*cede" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Acceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Acceding.]
[L. accedere to approach, accede; ad + cedere to move, yield: cf. F.
acc\'82dere. See Cede.]
1. To approach; to come forward; -- opposed to recede. [Obs.] T. Gale.
2. To enter upon an office or dignity; to attain.
Edward IV., who had acceded to the throne in the year 1461. T.
Warton.
If Frederick had acceded to the supreme power. Morley.
3. To become a party by associating one's self with others; to give
one's adhesion. Hence, to agree or assent to a proposal or a view; as,
he acceded to my request.
The treaty of Hanover in 1725 . . . to which the Dutch afterwards
acceded. Chesterfield.
Syn. -- To agree; assent; consent; comply; acquiesce; concur.
Accedence
Ac*ced"ence (#), n. The act of acceding.
Acceder
Ac*ced"er (#), n. One who accedes.
Accelerando
Ac*cel`er*an"do (#), a. [It.] (Mus.) Gradually accelerating the
movement.
Accelerate
Ac*cel"er*ate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accelerated (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Accelerating.] [L. acceleratus, p. p. of accelerare; ad + celerare
to hasten; celer quick. See Celerity.]
1. To cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add to the
speed of; -- opposed to retard.
2. To quicken the natural or ordinary progression or process of; as,
to accelerate the growth of a plant, the increase of wealth, etc.
3. To hasten, as the occurence of an event; as, to accelerate our
departure.
Accelerated motion (Mech.), motion with a continually increasing
velocity. -- Accelerating force, the force which causes accelerated
motion. Nichol. Syn. -- To hasten; expedite; quicken; dispatch;
forward; advance; further.
Acceleration
Ac*cel`er*a"tion (#), n. [L. acceleratio: cf. F. acc\'82l\'82ration.]
The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase
of motion or action; as, a falling body moves toward the earth with an
acceleration of velocity; -- opposed to retardation.
A period of social improvement, or of intellectual advancement,
contains within itself a principle of acceleration. I. Taylor.
(Astr. & Physics.) Acceleration of the moon, the increase of the
moon's mean motion in its orbit, in consequence of which its period of
revolution is now shorter than in ancient times. -- Acceleration and
retardation of the tides. See Priming of the tides, under Priming. --
Diurnal acceleration of the fixed stars, the amount by which their
apparent diurnal motion exceeds that of the sun, in consequence of
which they daily come to the meridian of any place about three minutes
fifty-six seconds of solar time earlier than on the day preceding. --
Acceleration of the planets, the increasing velocity of their motion,
in proceeding from the apogee to the perigee of their orbits.
Accelerative
Ac*cel"er*a*tive (#), a. Relating to acceleration; adding to velocity;
quickening. Reid.
Accelerator
Ac*cel"er*a`tor (#), n. One who, or that which, accelerates. Also as
an adj.; as, accelerator nerves.
Acceleratory
Ac*cel"er*a*to*ry (#), a. Accelerative.
Accelerograph
Ac*cel"er*o*graph (#), n. [Accelerate + -graph.] (Mil.) An apparatus
for studying the combustion of powder in guns, etc.
Accelerometer
Ac*cel`er*om"e*ter (#), n. [Accelerate + -meter.] An apparatus for
measuring the velocity imparted by gunpowder.
Accend
Ac*cend" (#), v. t. [L. accendere, accensum, to kindle; ad +
cand\'cbre to kindle (only in compounds); rel. to cand\'c7re to be
white, to gleam. See Candle.] To set on fire; to kindle. [Obs.]
Fotherby.
Accendibility
Ac*cend`i*bil"i*ty (#), n. Capacity of being kindled, or of becoming
inflamed; inflammability.
Accendible
Ac*cend"i*ble (#), a. Capable of being inflamed or kindled;
combustible; inflammable. Ure.
Accension
Ac*cen"sion (#), n. The act of kindling or the state of being kindled;
ignition. Locke.
Accensor
Ac*cen"sor (#), n. [LL., from p. p. accensus. See Accend.] (R. C. Ch.)
One of the functionaries who light and trim the tapers.
Accent
Ac"cent` (#), n. [F. accent, L. accentus; ad + cantus a singing,
canere to sing. See Cant.]
1. A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon some
particular syllable of a word or a phrase, distinguishing it from the
others.
NOTE: &hand; Ma ny En glish words have two accents, the primary and
the secondary; the primary being uttered with a greater stress of
voice than the secondary; as in as\'b7pira\'b6tion, where the chief
stress is on the third syllable, and a slighter stress on the
first. Some words, as an\'b7tiap\'b7o-plec\'b6tic,
in-com\'b7pre-hen\'b7si-bil\'b6i-ty, have two secondary accents.
See Guide to Pron., \'c5\'c5 30-46.
2. A mark or character used in writing, and serving to regulate the
pronunciation; esp.: (a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of
the spoken accent; (b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the
vowel marked; as, the French accents.
NOTE: &hand; In th e ancient Greek the acute accent (\'b7) meant a
raised tone or pitch, the grave (`), the level tone or simply the
negation of accent, the circumflex ( ~ or ^) a tone raised and then
depressed. In works on elocution, the first is often used to denote
the rising inflection of the voice; the second, the falling
inflection; and the third (^), the compound or waving inflection.
In dictionaries, spelling books, and the like, the acute accent is
used to designate the syllable which receives the chief stress of
voice.
3. Modulation of the voice in speaking; manner of speaking or
pronouncing; peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice;
tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a German accent. "Beguiled you
in a plain accent." Shak. "A perfect accent." Thackeray.
The tender accent of a woman's cry. Prior.
4. A word; a significant tone; (pl.) expressions in general; speech.
Winds! on your wings to Heaven her accents bear, Such words as
Heaven alone is fit to hear. Dryden.
5. (Pros.) Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.
6. (Mus.) (a) A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the
beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure. (b) A
special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.
(c) The rythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a
period. (d) The expressive emphasis and shading of a passage. J. S.
Dwight.
7. (Math.) (a) A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a
little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a similar kind expressed
by the same letter, but differing in value, as y\'b7, y\'b7\'b7. (b)
(Trigon.) A mark at the right hand of a number, indicating minutes of
a degree, seconds, etc.; as, 12\'b727\'b7\'b7, i. e., twelve minutes
twenty seven seconds. (c) (Engin.) A mark used to denote feet and
inches; as, 6\'b7 10\'b7\'b7 is six feet ten inches.
Accent
Ac*cent" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accented; p. pr. & vb. n.
Accenting.] [OF. accenter, F. accentuer.]
1. To express the accent of (either by the voice or by a mark); to
utter or to mark with accent.
2. To mark emphatically; to emphasize.
Accentless
Ac"cent`less (#), a. Without accent.
Accentor
Ac*cen"tor (#), n. [L. ad. + cantor singer, canere to sing.]
1. (Mus.) One who sings the leading part; the director or leader.
[Obs.]
2. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of European birds (so named from their sweet
notes), including the hedge warbler. In America sometimes applied to
the water thrushes.
Accentuable
Ac*cen"tu*a*ble (#), a. Capable of being accented.
Accentual
Ac*cen"tu*al (#), a. Of or pertaining to accent; characterized or
formed by accent.
Accentuality
Ac*cen`tu*al"i*ty (#), n. The quality of being accentual.
Accentually
Ac*cen"tu*al*ly (#), adv. In an accentual manner; in accordance with
accent.
Accentuate
Ac*cen"tu*ate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accentuated (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Accentuating.] [LL. accentuatus, p. p. of accentuare, fr. L.
accentus: cf. F. accentuer.]
1. To pronounce with an accent or with accents.
2. To bring out distinctly; to make prominent; to emphasize.
In Bosnia, the struggle between East and West was even more
accentuated. London Times.
3. To mark with the written accent.
Accentuation
Ac*cen`tu*a"tion (#), n. [LL. accentuatio: cf. F. accentuation.] Act
of accentuating; applications of accent. Specifically (Eccles. Mus.),
pitch or modulation of the voice in reciting portions of the liturgy.
Accept
Ac*cept" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accepted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Accepting.] [F. accepter, L. acceptare, freq. of accipere; ad + capere
to take; akin to E. heave.]
1. To receive with a consenting mind (something offered); as, to
accept a gift; -- often followed by of.
If you accept them, then their worth is great. Shak.
To accept of ransom for my son. Milton.
She accepted of a treat. Addison.
2. To receive with favor; to approve.
The Lord accept thy burnt sacrifice. Ps. xx. 3.
Peradventure he will accept of me. Gen. xxxii. 20.
3. To receive or admit and agree to; to assent to; as, I accept
your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
4. To take by the mind; to understand; as, How are these words to
be accepted?
5. (Com.) To receive as obligatory and promise to pay; as, to
accept a bill of exchange. Bouvier.
6. In a deliberate body, to receive in acquittance of a duty
imposed; as, to accept the report of a committee. [This makes it
the property of the body, and the question is then on its
adoption.]
To accept a bill
(Law), to agree (on the part of the drawee) to pay it when due. -- To
accept service (Law), to agree that a writ or process shall be
considered as regularly served, when it has not been. -- To accept the
person (Eccl.), to show favoritism. "God accepteth no man's person."
Gal. ii. 6. Syn. -- To receive; take; admit. See Receive.
Accept
Ac*cept", a. Accepted. [Obs.] Shak.
Acceptability
Ac*cept`a*bil"i*ty (#), n. [LL. acceptabilitas.] The quality of being
acceptable; acceptableness. "Acceptability of repentance." Jer.
Taylor.
Acceptable
Ac*cept"a*ble (#), a. [F. acceptable, L. acceptabilis, fr. acceptare.]
Capable, worthy, or sure of being accepted or received with pleasure;
pleasing to a receiver; gratifying; agreeable; welcome; as, an
acceptable present, one acceptable to us.
Acceptableness
Ac*cept"a*ble*ness (#), n. The quality of being acceptable, or
suitable to be favorably received; acceptability.
Acceptably
Ac*cept"a*bly, adv. In an acceptable manner; in a manner to please or
give satisfaction.
Acceptance
Ac*cept"ance (#), n.
1. The act of accepting; a receiving what is offered, with
approbation, satisfaction, or acquiescence; esp., favorable reception;
approval; as, the acceptance of a gift, office, doctrine, etc.
They shall come up with acceptance on mine altar. Isa. lx. 7.
2. State of being accepted; acceptableness. "Makes it assured of
acceptance." Shak.
3. (Com.) (a) An assent and engagement by the person on whom a bill of
exchange is drawn, to pay it when due according to the terms of the
acceptance. (b) The bill itself when accepted.
4. An agreeing to terms or proposals by which a bargain is concluded
and the parties are bound; the reception or taking of a thing bought
as that for which it was bought, or as that agreed to be delivered, or
the taking possession as owner.
5. (Law) An agreeing to the action of another, by some act which binds
the person in law.
NOTE: &hand; Wh at acts shall amount to such an acceptance is often
a question of great nicety and difficulty. Mozley & W.
<-- p. 11 -->
NOTE: &hand; In mo dern la w, pr oposal an d ac ceptance ar e th e
constituent elements into which all contracts are resolved.
Acceptance of a bill of exchange, check, draft, OR order, is an
engagement to pay it according to the terms. This engagement is
usually made by writing the word "accepted" across the face of the
bill. Acceptance of goods, under the statute of frauds, is an
intelligent acceptance by a party knowing the nature of the
transaction.
6. Meaning; acceptation. [Obs.]
Acceptance of persons, partiality, favoritism. See under Accept.
Acceptancy
Ac*cept"an*cy (#), n. Acceptance. [R.]
Here's a proof of gift, But here's no proof, sir, of acceptancy.
Mrs. Browning.
Acceptant
Ac*cept"ant (#), a. Accepting; receiving.
Acceptant
Ac*cept"ant, n. An accepter. Chapman.
Acceptation
Ac`cep*ta"tion (#), n.
1. Acceptance; reception; favorable reception or regard; state of
being acceptable. [Obs.]
This is saying worthy of all acceptation. 1 Tim. i. 15.
Some things . . . are notwithstanding of so great dignity and
acceptation with God. Hooker.
2. The meaning in which a word or expression is understood, or
generally received; as, term is to be used according to its usual
acceptation.
My words, in common acceptation, Could never give this provocation.
Gay.
Acceptedly
Ac*cept"ed*ly (#), adv. In a accepted manner; admittedly.
Accepter
Ac*cept"er (#), n.
1. A person who accepts; a taker.
2. A respecter; a viewer with partiality. [Obs.]
God is no accepter of persons. Chillingworth.
3. (Law) An acceptor.
Acceptilation
Ac*cep`ti*la"tion (#), n. [L. acceptilatio entry of a debt collected,
acquittance, fr. p. p. of accipere (cf. Accept) + latio a carrying,
fr. latus, p. p. of ferre to carry: cf. F. acceptilation.] (Civil Law)
Gratuitous discharge; a release from debt or obligation without
payment; free remission.
Acception
Ac*cep"tion (#), n. [L. acceptio a receiving, accepting: cf. F.
acception.] Acceptation; the received meaning. [Obs.]
Here the word "baron" is not to be taken in that restrictive sense
to which the modern acception hath confined it. Fuller.
Acception of persons or faces (Eccl.), favoritism; partiality. [Obs.]
Wyclif.
Acceptive
Ac*cept"ive (#), a.
1. Fit for acceptance.
2. Ready to accept. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Acceptor
Ac*cept"or (#; 277), n. [L.] One who accepts; specifically (Law &
Com.), one who accepts an order or a bill of exchange; a drawee after
he has accepted.
Access
Ac*cess" (#; 277), n. [F. acc\'8as, L. accessus, fr. accedere. See
Accede.]
1. A coming to, or near approach; admittance; admission;
accessibility; as, to gain access to a prince.
I did repel his letters, and denied His access to me. Shak.
2. The means, place, or way by which a thing may be approached;
passage way; as, the access is by a neck of land. "All access was
thronged." Milton.
3. Admission to sexual intercourse.
During coverture, access of the husband shall be presumed, unless
the contrary be shown. Blackstone.
4. Increase by something added; addition; as, an access of territory.
[In this sense accession is more generally used.]
I, from the influence of thy looks, receive Access in every virtue.
Milton.
5. An onset, attack, or fit of disease.
The first access looked like an apoplexy. Burnet.
6. A paroxysm; a fit of passion; an outburst; as, an access of fury.
[A Gallicism]
Accessarily
Ac*ces"sa*ri*ly (#), adv. In the manner of an accessary.
Accessariness
Ac*ces"sa*ri*ness, n. The state of being accessary.
Accessary
Ac*ces"sa*ry (#; 277), a. Accompanying, as a subordinate; additional;
accessory; esp., uniting in, or contributing to, a crime, but not as
chief actor. See Accessory.
To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary. Shak.
Amongst many secondary and accessary causes that support monarchy,
these are not of least reckoning. Milton.
Accessary
Ac*ces"sa*ry (277), n.; pl. Accessaries (#). [Cf. Accessory and LL.
accessarius.] (Law) One who, not being present, contributes as an
assistant or instigator to the commission of an offense. Accessary
before the fact (Law), one who commands or counsels an offense, not
being present at its commission. -- Accessary after the fact, one who,
after an offense, assists or shelters the offender, not being present
at the commission of the offense.
NOTE: &hand; Th is wo rd, as us ed in la w, is spelt accessory by
Blackstone and many others; but in this sense is spelt accessary by
Bouvier, Burrill, Burns, Whishaw, Dane, and the Penny Cyclopedia;
while in other senses it is spelt accessory. In recent text-books
on criminal law the distinction is not preserved, the spelling
being either accessary or accessory.
Accessibility
Ac*cess`i*bil"i*ty (#), n. [L. accessibilitas: cf. F.
accessibilit\'82.] The quality of being accessible, or of admitting
approach; receptibility. Langhorne.
Accessible
Ac*cess"i*ble (#), a. [L. accessibilis, fr. accedere: cf. F.
accessible. See Accede.]
1. Easy of access or approach; approachable; as, an accessible town or
mountain, an accessible person.
2. Open to the influence of; -- with to. "Minds accessible to reason."
Macaulay.
3. Obtainable; to be got at.
The best information . . . at present accessible. Macaulay.
Accessibly
Ac*cess"i*bly (#), adv. In an accessible manner.
Accession
Ac*ces"sion (#), n. [L. accessio, fr. accedere: cf. F. accession. See
Accede.]
1. A coming to; the act of acceding and becoming joined; as, a king's
accession to a confederacy.
2. Increase by something added; that which is added; augmentation from
without; as, an accession of wealth or territory.
The only accession which the Roman empire received was the province
of Britain. Gibbon.
3. (Law) (a) A mode of acquiring property, by which the owner of a
corporeal substance which receives an addition by growth, or by labor,
has a right to the part or thing added, or the improvement (provided
the thing is not changed into a different species). Thus, the owner of
a cow becomes the owner of her calf. (b) The act by which one power
becomes party to engagements already in force between other powers.
Kent.
4. The act of coming to or reaching a throne, an office, or dignity;
as, the accession of the house of Stuart; -- applied especially to the
epoch of a new dynasty.
5. (Med.) The invasion, approach, or commencement of a disease; a fit
or paroxysm. Syn. -- Increase; addition; augmentation; enlargement.
Accessional
Ac*ces"sion*al (#), a. Pertaining to accession; additional. [R.] Sir
T. Browne.
Accessive
Ac*ces"sive (#), a. Additional.
Accessorial
Ac`ces*so"ri*al (#), a. Of or pertaining to an accessory; as,
accessorial agency, accessorial guilt.
Accessorily
Ac*ces"so*ri*ly (#), adv. In the manner of an accessory; auxiliary.
Accessoriness
Ac*ces"so*ri*ness, n. The state of being accessory, or connected
subordinately.
Accessory
Ac*ces"so*ry (#; 277), a. [L. accessorius. See Access, and cf.
Accessary.] Accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way;
additional; connected as an incident or subordinate to a principal;
contributing or contributory; said of persons and things, and, when of
persons, usually in a bad sense; as, he was accessory to the riot;
accessory sounds in music.
NOTE: &hand; As h accents the antepenult; and this is not only more
regular, but preferable, on account of easiness of pronunciation.
Most orho\'89pists place the accent on the first syllable.
Syn. -- Accompanying; contributory; auxiliary; subsidiary;
subservient; additional; acceding.
Accessory
Ac*ces"so*ry, n.; pl. Accessories (#).
1. That which belongs to something else deemed the principal;
something additional and subordinate. "The aspect and accessories of a
den of banditti." Carlyle.
2. (Law) Same as Accessary, n.
3. (Fine Arts) Anything that enters into a work of art without being
indispensably necessary, as mere ornamental parts. Elmes. Syn. --
Abettor; accomplice; ally; coadjutor. See Abettor.
Acciaccatura
Ac*ciac`ca*tu"ra (#), n. [It., from acciaccare to crush.] (Mus.) A
short grace note, one semitone below the note to which it is prefixed;
-- used especially in organ music. Now used as equivalent to the short
appoggiatura.
Accidence
Ac"ci*dence (#), n. [A corruption of Eng. accidents, pl. of accident.
See Accident, 2.]
1. The accidents, of inflections of words; the rudiments of grammar.
Milton.
2. The rudiments of any subject. Lowell.
Accident
Ac"ci*dent (#), n. [F. accident, fr. L. accidens, -dentis, p. pr. of
accidere to happen; ad + cadere to fall. See Cadence, Case.]
1. Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's
foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event;
chance; contingency; often, an undesigned and unforeseen occurrence of
an afflictive or unfortunate character; a casualty; a mishap; as, to
die by an accident.
Of moving accidents by flood and field. Shak.
Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident: It is the very place God
meant for thee. Trench.
2. (Gram.) A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, as
gender, number, case.
3. (Her.) A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat
of arms.
4. (Log.) (a) A property or quality of a thing which is not essential
to it, as whiteness in paper; an attribute. (b) A quality or attribute
in distinction from the substance, as sweetness, softness.
5. Any accidental property, fact, or relation; an accidental or
nonessential; as, beauty is an accident.
This accident, as I call it, of Athens being situated some miles
from the sea. J. P. Mahaffy.
6. Unusual appearance or effect. [Obs.] Chaucer.
NOTE: &hand; Ac cident, in La w, is eq uivalent to casus, or such
unforeseen, extraordinary, extraneous interference as is out of the
range of ordinary calculation.
Accidental
Ac`ci*den"tal (#), a. [Cf. F. accidentel, earlier accidental.]
1. Happening by chance, or unexpectedly; taking place not according to
the usual course of things; casual; fortuitous; as, an accidental
visit.
2. Nonessential; not necessary belonging; incidental; as, are
accidental to a play.
Accidental chords (Mus.), those which contain one or more tones
foreign to their proper harmony. -- Accidental colors (Opt.), colors
depending on the hypersensibility of the retina of the eye for
complementary colors. They are purely subjective sensations of color
which often result from the contemplation of actually colored bodies.
-- Accidental point (Persp.), the point in which a right line, drawn
from the eye, parallel to a given right line, cuts the perspective
plane; so called to distinguish it from the principal point, or point
of view, where a line drawn from the eye perpendicular to the
perspective plane meets this plane. -- Accidental lights (Paint.),
secondary lights; effects of light other than ordinary daylight, such
as the rays of the sun darting through a cloud, or between the leaves
of trees; the effect of moonlight, candlelight, or burning bodies.
Fairholt. Syn. -- Casual; fortuitous; contingent; occasional;
adventitious. -- Accidental, Incidental, Casual, Fortuitous,
Contingent. We speak of a thing as accidental when it falls out as by
chance, and not in the regular course of things; as, an accidental
meeting, an accidental advantage, etc. We call a thing incidental when
it falls, as it were, into some regular course of things, but is
secondary, and forms no essential part thereof; as, an incremental
remark, an incidental evil, an incidental benefit. We speak of a thing
as casual, when it falls out or happens, as it were, by mere chance,
without being prearranged or premeditated; as, a casual remark or
encounter; a casual observer. An idea of the unimportant is attached
to what is casual. Fortuitous is applied to what occurs without any
known cause, and in opposition to what has been foreseen; as, a
fortuitous concourse of atoms. We call a thing contingent when it is
such that, considered in itself, it may or may not happen, but is
dependent for its existence on something else; as, the time of my
coming will be contingent on intelligence yet to be received.
Accidental
Ac`ci*den"tal (#), n.
1. A property which is not essential; a nonessential; anything
happening accidentally.
He conceived it just that accidentals . . . should sink with the
substance of the accusation. Fuller.
2. pl. (Paint.) Those fortuitous effects produced by luminous rays
falling on certain objects so that some parts stand forth in abnormal
brightness and other parts are cast into a deep shadow.
3. (Mus.) A sharp, flat, or natural, occurring not at the commencement
of a piece of music as the signature, but before a particular note.
Accidentalism
Ac`ci*den"tal*ism (#), n. Accidental character or effect. Ruskin.
Accidentality
Ac`ci*den*tal"i*ty (#), n. The quality of being accidental;
accidentalness. [R.] Coleridge.
Accidentally
Ac`ci*den"tal*ly (#), adv. In an accidental manner; unexpectedly; by
chance; unintentionally; casually; fortuitously; not essentially.
Accidentalness
Ac`ci*den"tal*ness, n. The quality of being accidental; casualness.
Accidie
Ac"ci*die (#), n. [OF. accide, accidie, LL. accidia, acedia, fr. Gr.
Sloth; torpor. [Obs.] "The sin of accidie." Chaucer.
Accipenser
Ac`ci*pen"ser (#), n. See Acipenser.
Accipient
Ac*cip"i*ent (#), n. [L. accipiens, p. pr. of accipere. See Accept.] A
receiver. [R.] Bailey
Accipiter
Ac*cip"i*ter (#), n.; pl. E. Accipiters (#). L. Accipitres (#). [L.,
hawk.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of rapacious birds; one of the Accipitres or
Raptores.
2. (Surg.) A bandage applied over the nose, resembling the claw of a
hawk.
Accipitral
Ac*cip"i*tral (#), n. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a falcon or
hawk; hawklike. Lowell.
Accipitres
Ac*cip"i*tres (#), n. pl. [L., hawks.] (Zo\'94l.) The order that
includes rapacious birds. They have a hooked bill, and sharp, strongly
curved talons. There are three families, represented by the vultures,
the falcons or hawks, and the owls.
Accipitrine
Ac*cip"i*trine (#; 277), a. [Cf. F. accipitrin.] (Zo\'94l.) Like or
belonging to the Accipitres; raptorial; hawklike.
Accismus
Ac*cis"mus (#), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Rhet.) Affected refusal; coyness.
Accite
Ac*cite" (#), v. t. [L. accitus, p. p. of accire, accere, to call for;
ad + ciere to move, call. See Cite.] To cite; to summon. [Obs.]
Our heralds now accited all that were Endamaged by the Elians.
Chapman.
Acclaim
Ac*claim" (#), v. t. [L. acclamare; ad + clamare to cry out. See
Claim, Clamor.] [R.]
1. To applaud. "A glad acclaiming train." Thomson.
2. To declare by acclamations.
While the shouting crowd Acclaims thee king of traitors. Smollett.
3. To shout; as, to acclaim my joy.
Acclaim
Ac*claim", v. i. To shout applause.
Acclaim
Ac*claim", n. Acclamation. [Poetic] Milton.
Acclaimer
Ac*claim"er (#), n. One who acclaims.
Acclamation
Ac`cla*ma"tion (#), n. [L. acclamatio: cf. F. acclamation.]
1. A shout of approbation, favor, or assent; eager expression of
approval; loud applause.
On such a day, a holiday having been voted by acclamation, an
ordinary walk would not satisfy the children. Southey.
2. (Antiq.) A representation, in sculpture or on medals, of people
expressing joy.
Acclamation medals are those on which laudatory acclamations are
recorded. Elmes.
Acclamatory
Ac*clam"a*to*ry (#), a. Pertaining to, or expressing approval by,
acclamation.
Acclimatable
Ac*cli"ma*ta*ble (#), a. Capable of being acclimated.
Acclimatation
Ac*cli`ma*ta"tion (#), n. [Cf. F. acclimation. See Acclimate.]
Acclimatization.
Acclimate
Ac*cli"mate (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acclimated (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Acclimating.] [F. acclimater; \'85 (l. ad) + climat climate. See
Climate.] To habituate to a climate not native; to acclimatize. J. H.
Newman.
Acclimatement
Ac*cli"mate*ment (#), n. Acclimation. [R.]
Acclimation
Ac`cli*ma"tion (#), n. The process of becoming, or the state of being,
acclimated, or habituated to a new climate; acclimatization.
Acclimatizable
Ac*cli"ma*ti`za*ble (#), a. Capable of being acclimatized.
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Acclimatization
Ac*cli"ma*ti*za"tion (#), n. The act of acclimatizing; the process of
inuring to a new climate, or the state of being so inured. Darwin.
Acclimatize
Ac*cli"ma*tize (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acclimatized (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Acclimatizing (#).] To inure or habituate to a climate different
from that which is natural; to adapt to the peculiarities of a foreign
or strange climate; said of man, the inferior animals, or plants.
Acclimature
Ac*cli"ma*ture (#; 135), n. The act of acclimating, or the state of
being acclimated. [R.] Caldwell.
Acclive
Ac*clive" (#), a. Acclivous. [Obs.]
Accliffitous
Ac*cliff"i*tous (#), a. Acclivous. I. Taylor.
Acclivity
Ac*cliv"i*ty, n.; pl. Acclivities (#). [L. acclivitas, fr. acclivis,
acclivus, ascending; ad + clivus a hill, slope, fr. root kli to lean.
See Lean.] A slope or inclination of the earth, as the side of a hill,
considered as ascending, in opposition to declivity, or descending; an
upward slope; ascent.
Acclivous
Ac*cli"vous (#; 277), a. [L. acclivis and acclivus.] Sloping upward;
rising as a hillside; -- opposed to declivous.
Accloy
Ac*cloy" (#), v. t. [OF. encloyer, encloer, F. enclouer, to drive in a
nail, fr. L. in + clavus nail.] To fill to satiety; to stuff full; to
clog; to overload; to burden. See Cloy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Accoast
Ac*coast" (#), v. t. & i. [See Accost, Coast.] To lie or sail along
the coast or side of; to accost. [Obs.]
Whether high towering or accosting low. Spenser.
Accoil
Ac*coil" (#), v. t. [OE. acoillir to receive, F. accueillir; L. ad +
colligere to collect. See Coil.]
1. To gather together; to collect. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. (Naut.) To coil together. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Accolade
Ac`co*lade" (#; 277), n. [F. accolade, It. accolata, fr. accollare to
embrace; L. ad + collum neck.]
1. A ceremony formerly used in conferring knighthood, consisting am
embrace, and a slight blow on the shoulders with the flat blade of a
sword.
2. (Mus.) A brace used to join two or more staves.
Accombination
Ac*com*bi*na"tion (#), n. [L. ad + E. combination.] A combining
together. [R.]
Accommodable
Ac*com"mo*da*ble (#), a. [Cf. F. accommodable.] That may be
accommodated, fitted, or made to agree. [R.] I. Watts.
Accommodableness
Ac*com"mo*dable*ness, n. The quality or condition of being
accommodable. [R.] Todd.
Accommodate
Ac*com"mo*date (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accommodated (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Accommodating (#).] [L. accommodatus, p. p. of accommodare; ad +
commodare to make fit, help; con- + modus measure, proportion. See
Mode.]
1. To render fit, suitable, or correspondent; to adapt; to conform;
as, to accommodate ourselves to circumstances. "They accomodate their
counsels to his inclination." Addison.
2. To bring into agreement or harmony; to reconcile; to compose; to
adjust; to settle; as, to accommodate differences, a dispute, etc.
3. To furnish with something desired, needed, or convenient; to favor;
to oblige; as, to accommodate a friend with a loan or with lodgings.
4. To show the correspondence of; to apply or make suit by analogy; to
adapt or fit, as teachings to accidental circumstances, statements to
facts, etc.; as, to accommodate prophecy to events. Syn. -- To suit;
adapt; conform; adjust; arrange.
Accommodate
Ac*com"mo*date, v. i. To adapt one's self; to be conformable or
adapted. [R.] Boyle.
Accommodate
Ac*com"mo*date (#), a. [L. accommodatus, p.p. of accommodare.]
Suitable; fit; adapted; as, means accommodate to end. [Archaic]
Tillotson.
Accommodately
Ac*com"mo*date*ly, adv. Suitably; fitly. [R.]
Accommodateness
Ac*com"mo*date*ness, n. Fitness. [R.]
Accommodating
Ac*com"mo*da`ting (#), a. Affording, or disposed to afford,
accommodation; obliging; as an accommodating man, spirit, arrangement.
Accommodation
Ac*com`mo*da"tion (#), n. [L. accommodatio, fr. accommodare: cf. F.
accommodation.]
1. The act of fitting or adapting, or the state of being fitted or
adapted; adaptation; adjustment; -- followed by to. "The organization
of the body with accommodation to its functions." Sir M. Hale.
2. Willingness to accommodate; obligingness.
3. Whatever supplies a want or affords ease, refreshment, or
convenience; anything furnished which is desired or needful; -- often
in the plural; as, the accomodations -- that is, lodgings and food --
at an inn. Sir W. Scott.
4. An adjustment of differences; state of agreement; reconciliation;
settlement. "To come to terms of accommodation." Macaulay.
5. The application of a writer's language, on the ground of analogy,
to something not originally referred to or intended.
Many of those quotations from the Old Testament were probably
intended as nothing more than accommodations. Paley.
6. (Com.) (a) A loan of money. (b) An accommodation bill or note.
Accommodation bill, or note (Com.), a bill of exchange which a person
accepts, or a note which a person makes and delivers to another, not
upon a consideration received, but for the purpose of raising money on
credit. -- Accommodation coach, or train, one running at moderate
speed and stopping at all or nearly all stations. -- Accommodation
ladder (Naut.), a light ladder hung over the side of a ship at the
gangway, useful in ascending from, or descending to, small boats.
Accommodator
Ac*com"mo*da`tor (#), n. He who, or that which, accommodates.
Warburton.
Accompanable
Ac*com"pa*na*ble (#), a. Sociable. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
Accompanier
Ac*com"pa*ni*er (#), n. He who, or that which, accompanies. Lamb.
Accompaniment
Ac*com"pa*ni*ment (#), n. [F. accompagnement.] That which accompanies;
something that attends as a circumstance, or which is added to give
greater completeness to the principal thing, or by way of ornament, or
for the sake of symmetry. Specifically: (Mus.) A part performed by
instruments, accompanying another part or parts performed by voices;
the subordinate part, or parts, accompanying the voice or a principal
instrument; also, the harmony of a figured bass. P. Cyc.
Accompanist
Ac*com"pa*nist (#), n. The performer in music who takes the
accompanying part. Busby.
Accompany
Ac*com"pa*ny (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accompanied (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Accompanying (#)] [OF. aacompaignier, F. accompagner, to associate
with, fr. OF. compaign, compain, companion. See Company.]
1. To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company
with; to go along with; -- followed by with or by; as, he accompanied
his speech with a bow.
The Persian dames, . . . In sumptuous cars, accompanied his march.
Glover.
They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts. Sir
P. Sidney.
He was accompanied by two carts filled with wounded rebels.
Macaulay.
2. To cohabit with. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert. Syn. -- To attend; escort;
go with. -- To Accompany, Attend, Escort. We accompany those with whom
we go as companions. The word imports an equality of station. We
attend those whom we wait upon or follow. The word conveys an idea of
subordination. We escort those whom we attend with a view to guard and
protect. A gentleman accompanies a friend to some public place; he
attends or escorts a lady.
Accompany
Ac*com"pa*ny, v. i.
1. To associate in a company; to keep company. [Obs.] Bacon.
Men say that they will drive away one another, . . . and not
accompany together. Holland.
2. To cohabit (with). [Obs.] Milton.
3. (Mus.) To perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition.
Accompletive
Ac*com"ple*tive (#), a. [L. ad + complere, completum, to fill up.]
Tending to accomplish. [R.]
Accomplice
Ac*com"plice (#), n. [Ac- (perh. for the article a or for L. ad) + E.
complice. See Complice.]
1. A cooperator. [R.]
Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices!
Shak.
2. (Law) An associate in the commission of a crime; a participator in
an offense, whether a principal or an accessory. "And thou, the cursed
accomplice of his treason." Johnson.
NOTE: It is fo llowed by with or of before a person and by in (or
sometimes of) before the crime; as, A was an accomplice with B in
the murder of C. Dryden uses it with to before a thing. "Suspected
for accomplice to the fire." Dryden.
Syn. -- Abettor; accessory; assistant; associate; confederate;
coadjutor; ally; promoter. See Abettor.
Accompliceship
Ac*com"plice*ship (#), n. The state of being an accomplice. [R.] Sir
H. Taylor.
Accomplicity
Ac`com*plic"i*ty (#), n. The act or state of being an accomplice. [R.]
Accomplish
Ac*com"plish (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accomplished (#), p. pr. & vb.
n. Accomplishing.] [OE. acomplissen, OF. accomplir, F. accomplir; L.
ad + complere to fill up, complete. See Complete, Finish.]
1. To complete, as time or distance.
That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of
Jerusalem. Dan. ix. 2.
He had accomplished half a league or more. Prescott.
2. To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform; to
execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a
promise.
This that is written must yet be accomplished in me. Luke xxii. 37.
3. To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements;
to render accomplished; to polish.
The armorers accomplishing the knights. Shak.
It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which
Providence did appoint it. Wilkins.
These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman. Cowden
Clarke.
4. To gain; to obtain. [Obs.] Shak. Syn. -- To do; perform; fulfill;
realize; effect; effectuate; complete; consummate; execute; achieve;
perfect; equip; furnish. -- To Accomplish, Effect, Execute, Achieve,
Perform. These words agree in the general idea of carrying out to some
end proposed. To accomplish (to fill up to the measure of the
intention) generally implies perseverance and skill; as, to accomplish
a plan proposed by one's self, an object, a design, an undertaking.
"Thou shalt accomplish my desire." 1 Kings v. 9.
He . . . expressed his desire to see a union accomplished between
England and Scotland. Macaulay.
To effect (to work out) is much like accomplish. It usually implies
some degree of difficulty contended with; as, he effected or
accomplished what he intended, his purpose, but little. "What he
decreed, he effected." Milton.
To work in close design by fraud or guile What force effected not.
Milton.
To execute (to follow out to the end, to carry out, or into effect)
implies a set mode of operation; as, to execute the laws or the orders
of another; to execute a work, a purpose, design, plan, project. To
perform is much like to do, though less generally applied. It conveys
a notion of protracted and methodical effort; as, to perform a
mission, a part, a task, a work. "Thou canst best perform that
office." Milton.
The Saints, like stars, around his seat Perform their courses
still. Keble.
To achieve (to come to the end or arrive at one's purpose) usually
implies some enterprise or undertaking of importance, difficulty, and
excellence.
Accomplishable
Ac*com"plish*a*ble (#), a. Capable of being accomplished; practicable.
Carlyle.
Accomplished
Ac*com"plished (#), a.
1. Completed; effected; established; as, an accomplished fact.
2. Complete in acquirements as the result usually of training; --
commonly in a good sense; as, an accomplished scholar, an accomplished
villain.
They . . . show themselves accomplished bees. Holland.
Daughter of God and man, accomplished Eve. Milton.
Accomplisher
Ac*com"plish*er (#), n. One who accomplishes.
Accomplishment
Ac*com"plish*ment (#), n. [F. accomplissement, fr. accomplir.]
1. The act of accomplishing; entire performance; completion;
fulfillment; as, the accomplishment of an enterprise, of a prophecy,
etc.
2. That which completes, perfects, or equips thoroughly; acquirement;
attainment; that which constitutes excellence of mind, or elegance of
manners, acquired by education or training. "My new accomplishment of
dancing." Churchill. "Accomplishments befitting a station." Thackeray.
Accomplishments have taken virtue's place, And wisdom falls before
exterior grace. Cowper.
Accompt
Ac*compt" (#; formerly #), n. See Account.
NOTE: &hand; Accompt, accomptant, etc., are archaic forms.
Accomptable
Ac*compt"a*ble (#), a. See Accountable.
Accomptant
Ac*compt"ant (#), n. See Accountant.
Accord
Ac*cord" (#), n. [OE. acord, accord, OF. acort, acorde, F. accord, fr.
OF. acorder, F. accorder. See Accord, v. t.]
1. Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action; harmony of
mind; consent; assent.
A mediator of an accord and peace between them. Bacon.
These all continued with one accord in prayer. Acts i. 14.
2. Harmony of sounds; agreement in pitch and tone; concord; as, the
accord of tones.
Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays. Sir J. Davies.
3. Agreement, harmony, or just correspondence of things; as, the
accord of light and shade in painting.
4. Voluntary or spontaneous motion or impulse to act; -- preceded
by own; as, of one's own accord.
That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not
reap. Lev. xxv. 5.
Of his own accord he went unto you. 2 Cor. vii. 17.
5. (Law) An agreement between parties in controversy, by which
satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed,
bars a suit. Blackstone.
With one accord, with unanimity.
They rushed with one accord into the theater. Acts xix. 29.
Accord
Ac*cord", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accorded; p. pr. & vb. n. According.]
[OE. acorden, accorden, OF. acorder, F. accorder, fr. LL. accordare;
L. ad + cor, cordis, heart. Cf. Concord, Discord, and see Heart.]
1. To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to
adjust; -- followed by to. [R.]
Her hands accorded the lute's music to the voice. Sidney.
2. To bring to an agreement, as persons; to reconcile; to settle,
adjust, harmonize, or compose, as things; as, to accord suits or
controversies.
When they were accorded from the fray. Spenser.
All which particulars, being confessedly knotty and difficult can
never be accorded but by a competent stock of critical learning.
South.
3. To grant as suitable or proper; to concede; to award; as, to accord
to one due praise. "According his desire." Spenser.
Accord
Ac*cord", v. i.
1. To agree; to correspond; to be in harmony; -- followed by with,
formerly also by to; as, his disposition accords with his looks.
My heart accordeth with my tongue. Shak.
Thy actions to thy words accord. Milton.
2. To agree in pitch and tone.
Accordable
Ac*cord"a*ble (#), a. [OF. acordable, F. accordable.]
1. Agreeing. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Reconcilable; in accordance.
Accordance
Ac*cord"ance (#), n. [OF. acordance.] Agreement; harmony; conformity.
"In strict accordance with the law." Macaulay. Syn. -- Harmony;
unison; coincidence.
Accordancy
Ac*cord"an*cy (#), n. Accordance. [R.] Paley.
Accordant
Ac*cord"ant (#), a. [OF. acordant, F. accordant.] Agreeing; consonant;
harmonious; corresponding; conformable; -- followed by with or to.
Strictly accordant with true morality. Darwin.
And now his voice accordant to the string. Coldsmith.
Accordantly
Ac*cord"ant*ly, adv. In accordance or agreement; agreeably;
conformably; -- followed by with or to.
Accorder
Ac*cord"er (#), n. One who accords, assents, or concedes. [R.]
According
Ac*cord"ing, p. a. Agreeing; in agreement or harmony; harmonious.
"This according voice of national wisdom." Burke. "Mind and soul
according well." Tennyson.
According to him, every person was to be bought. Macaulay.
Our zeal should be according to knowledge. Sprat.
NOTE: &hand; Ac cording to has been called a prepositional phrase,
but strictly speaking, according is a participle in the sense of
agreeing, acceding, and to alone is the preposition.
According as, precisely as; the same as; corresponding to the way in
which. According as is an adverbial phrase, of which the propriety has
been doubted; but good usage sanctions it. See According, adv.
Is all things well, According as I gave directions? Shak.
The land which the Lord will give you according as he hath
promised. Ex. xii. 25.
p. 13
According
Ac*cord"ing (#), adv. Accordingly; correspondingly. [Obs.] Shak.
Accordingly
Ac*cord"ing*ly, adv.
1. Agreeably; correspondingly; suitably; in a manner conformable.
Behold, and so proceed accordingly. Shak.
2. In natural sequence; consequently; so. Syn. -- Consequently;
therefore; wherefore; hence; so. -- Accordingly, Consequently,
indicate a connection between two things, the latter of which is done
on account of the former. Accordingly marks the connection as one of
simple accordance or congruity, leading naturally to the result which
followed; as, he was absent when I called, and I accordingly left my
card; our preparations were all finished, and we accordingly set sail.
Consequently all finished, and we accordingly set sail. Consequently
marks a closer connection, that of logical or causal sequence; as, the
papers were not ready, and consequently could not be signed.
Accordion
Ac*cor"di*on (#), n. [See Accord.] (Mus.) A small, portable, keyed
wind instrument, whose tones are generated by play of the wind upon
free metallic reeds.
Accordionist
Ac*cor"di*on*ist, n. A player on the accordion.
Accordment
Ac*cord"ment (#), n. [OF. acordement. See Accord, v.] Agreement;
reconcilement. [Obs.] Gower.
Accorporate
Ac*cor"po*rate (#), v. t. [L. accorporare; ad + corpus, corporis,
body.] To unite; to attach; to incorporate. [Obs.] Milton.
Accost
Ac*cost" (#; 115), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accosted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Accosting.] [F. accoster, LL. accostare to bring side by side; L. ad +
costa rib, side. See Coast, and cf. Accoast.]
1. To join side to side; to border; hence, to sail along the coast or
side of. [Obs.] "So much [of Lapland] as accosts the sea." Fuller.
2. To approach; to make up to. [Archaic] Shak.
3. To speak to first; to address; to greet. "Him, Satan thus accosts."
Milton.
Accost
Ac*cost", v. i. To adjoin; to lie alongside. [Obs.] "The shores which
to the sea accost." Spenser.
Accost
Ac*cost", n. Address; greeting. [R.] J. Morley.
Accostable
Ac*cost"a*ble (#), a. [Cf. F. accostable.] Approachable; affable. [R.]
Hawthorne.
Accosted
Ac*cost"ed, a. (Her.) Supported on both sides by other charges; also,
side by side.
Accouchement
Ac*couche"ment (#; 277), n. [F., fr. accoucher to be delivered of a
child, to aid in delivery, OF. acouchier orig. to lay down, put to
bed, go to bed; L. ad + collocare to lay, put, place. See Collate.]
Delivery in childbed
Accoucheur
Ac*cou*cheur" (#), n. [F., fr. accoucher. See Accouchement.] A man who
assists women in childbirth; a man midwife; an obstetrician.
Accoucheuse
Ac*cou*cheuse" (#), n. [F.., fem. of accoucher.] A midwife. [Recent]
Dunglison.
Account
Ac*count" (#), n. [OE. acount, account, accompt, OF. acont, fr.
aconter. See Account, v. t., Count, n., 1.]
1. A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of
some reckoning; as, the Julian account of time.
A beggarly account of empty boxes. Shak.
2. A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed
statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other
things subjected to a reckoning or review; as, to keep one's account
at the bank.
3. A statement in general of reasons, causes, grounds, etc.,
explanatory of some event; as, no satisfactory account has been given
of these phenomena. Hence, the word is often used simply for reason,
ground, consideration, motive, etc.; as, on no account, on every
account, on all accounts.
4. A statement of facts or occurrences; recital of transactions; a
relation or narrative; a report; a description; as, an account of a
battle. "A laudable account of the city of London." Howell.
5. A statement and explanation or vindication of one's conduct with
reference to judgment thereon.
Give an account of thy stewardship. Luke xvi. 2.
6. An estimate or estimation; valuation; judgment. "To stand high in
your account." Shak.
7. Importance; worth; value; advantage; profit. "Men of account."
Pope. "To turn to account." Shak.
Account current, a running or continued account between two or more
parties, or a statement of the particulars of such an account. -- In
account with, in a relation requiring an account to be kept. -- On
account of, for the sake of; by reason of; because of. -- On one's own
account, for one's own interest or behalf. -- To make account, to have
an opinion or expectation; to reckon. [Obs.]
s other part . . . makes account to find no slender arguments for
this assertion out of those very scriptures which are commonly
urged against it. Milton.
-- To make account of, to hold in estimation; to esteem; as, he makes
small account of beauty. -- To take account of, or to take into
account, to take into consideration; to notice. "Of their doings, God
takes no account." Milton. -- A writ of account (Law), a writ which
the plaintiff brings demanding that the defendant shall render his
just account, or show good cause to the contrary; -- called also an
action of account. Cowell. Syn. -- Narrative; narration; relation;
recital; description; explanation; rehearsal. -- Account, Narrative,
Narration, Recital. These words are applied to different modes of
rehearsing a series of events. Account turns attention not so much to
the speaker as to the fact related, and more properly applies to the
report of some single event, or a group of incidents taken as whole;
as, an account of a battle, of a shipwreck, etc. A narrative is a
continuous story of connected incidents, such as one friend might tell
to another; as, a narrative of the events of a siege, a narrative of
one's life, etc. Narration is usually the same as narrative, but is
sometimes used to describe the mode of relating events; as, his powers
of narration are uncommonly great. Recital denotes a series of events
drawn out into minute particulars, usually expressing something which
peculiarly interests the feelings of the speaker; as, the recital of
one's wrongs, disappointments, sufferings, etc.
1. To reckon; to compute; to count. [Obs.]
The motion of . . . the sun whereby years are accounted. Sir T.
Browne.
2. To place to one's account; to put to the credit of; to assign; --
with to. [R.] Clarendon.
3. To value, estimate, or hold in opinion; to judge or consider; to
deem.
Accounting that God was able to raise him up. Heb. xi. 19.
4. To recount; to relate. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Account
Ac*count", v. i.
1. To render or receive an account or relation of particulars; as, an
officer must account with or to the treasurer for money received.
2. To render an account; to answer in judgment; -- with for; as, we
must account for the use of our opportunities.
3. To give a satisfactory reason; to tell the cause of; to explain; --
with for; as, idleness accounts for poverty.
To account of, to esteem; to prize; to value. Now used only in the
passive. "I account of her beauty." Shak.
Newer was preaching more accounted of than in the sixteenth
century. Canon Robinson.
Accountabilability
Ac*count"a*bil`a*bil"i*ty (#), n. The state of being accountable;
liability to be called on to render an account; accountableness. "The
awful idea of accountability." R. Hall.
Accountable
Ac*count"a*ble (#), a.
1. Liable to be called on to render an account; answerable; as, every
man is accountable to God for his conduct.
2. Capable of being accounted for; explicable. [R.]
True religion . . . intelligible, rational, and accountable, -- not
a burden but a privilege. B. Whichcote.
Syn. -- Amenable; responsible; liable; answerable.
Accountable ness
Ac*count"a*ble ness, n. The quality or state of being accountable;
accountability.
Accountably
Ac*count"a*bly, adv. In an accountable manner.
Accountancy
Ac*count"an*cy (#), n. The art or employment of an accountant.
Accountant
Ac*count"ant (#), n. [Cf. F. accomptant, OF. acontant, p. pr.]
1. One who renders account; one accountable.
2. A reckoner.
3. One who is skilled in, keeps, or adjusts, accounts; an officer in a
public office, who has charge of the accounts.
Accountatn general, the head or superintending accountant in certain
public offices. Also, formerly, an officer in the English court of
chancery who received the moneys paid into the court, and deposited
them in the Bank of England.
Accountant
Ac*count"ant, a. Accountable. [Obs.] Shak.
Accountantship
Ac*count"ant*ship (#), n. [Accountant + -ship.] The office or
employment of an accountant.
Account book
Ac*count" book` (#). A book in which accounts are kept. Swift.
Accouple
Ac*cou"ple (#), v. t. [OF. acopler, F. accoupler. See Couple.] To
join; to couple. [R.]
The Englishmen accoupled themselves with the Frenchmen. Hall.
Accouplement
Ac*cou"ple*ment (#), n. [Cf. F. accouplement.]
1. The act of coupling, or the state of being coupled; union. [R.]
Caxton.
2. That which couples, as a tie or brace. [R.]
Accourage
Ac*cour"age (#), v. t. [OF. acoragier; \'85 (L. ad) + corage. See
Courage.] To encourage. [Obs.]
Accourt
Ac*court" (#), v. t. [Ac-, for L. ad. See Court.] To treat
courteously; to court. [Obs.] Spenser.
Accouter, Accoutre
Ac*cou"ter, Ac*cou"tre (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accoutered or
Accoutred (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Accoutering or Accoutring.] [F.
accouter, OF. accoutrer, accoustrer; \'85 (L. ad) + perh. LL. custor,
for custos guardian, sacristan (cf. Custody), or perh. akin to E.
guilt.] To furnish with dress, or equipments, esp. those for military
service; to equip; to attire; to array.
Bot accoutered like young men. Shak.
For this, in rags accoutered are they seen. Dryden.
Accoutered with his burden and his staff. Wordsworth.
Accouterments, Accoutrements
Ac*cou"ter*ments, Ac*cou"tre*ments (#), n. pl. [F. accoutrement,
earlier also accoustrement, earlier also accoustrement. See Accouter.]
Dress; trappings; equipment; specifically, the devices and equipments
worn by soldiers.
How gay with all the accouterments of war!
Accoy
Ac*coy" (#), v. t. [OF. acoyer; ac-, for L. ad. See Coy.]
1. To render quiet; to soothe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To subdue; to tame; to daunt. [Obs.]
Then is your careless courage accoyed. Spenser.
Accredit
Ac*cred"it (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accredited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Accrediting.] [F. accr\'82diter; \'85 (L. ad) + cr\'82dit credit.
See Credit.]
1. To put or bring into credit; to invest with credit or authority;
to sanction.
His censure will . . . accredit his praises. Cowper.
These reasons . . . which accredit and fortify mine opinion.
Shelton.
2. To send with letters credential, as an ambassador, envoy, or
diplomatic agent; to authorize, as a messenger or delegate.
Beton . . . was accredited to the Court of France. Froude.
3. To believe; to credit; to put trust in.
The version of early Roman history which was accredited in the
fifth century. Sir G. C. Lewis.
He accredited and repeated stories of apparitions and witchcraft.
Southey.
4. To credit; to vouch for or consider (some one) as doing
something, or (something) as belonging to some one.
To accredit (one) with (something), to attribute something to him; as,
Mr. Clay was accredited with these views; they accredit him with a
wise saying.
Accreditation
Ac*cred`i*ta"tion (#), n. The act of accrediting; as, letters of
accreditation.
Accrementitial
Ac`cre*men*ti"tial (#), a. (Physiol.) Pertaining to accremention.
Accrementition
Ac`cre*men*ti"tion (#), n. [See Accresce, Increment.] (Physiol.) The
process of generation by development of blastema, or fission of cells,
in which the new formation is in all respect like the individual from
which it proceeds.
Accresce
Ac*cresce" (#), v. i. [L. accrescere. See Accrue.]
1. To accrue. [R.]
2. To increase; to grow. [Obs.] Gillespie.
Accrescence
Ac*cres"cence (#), n. [LL. accrescentia.] Continuous growth; an
accretion. [R.]
The silent accrescence of belief from the unwatched depositions of
a general, never contradicted hearsy. Coleridge.
Accrescent
Ac*cres"cent (#), a. [L. accrescens, -entis, p. pr. of accrescere; ad
+ crescere to grow. See Crescent.]
1. Growing; increasing. Shuckford.
2. (Bot.) Growing larger after flowering. Gray.
Accrete
Ac*crete" (#), v. i. [From L. accretus, p. p. of accrescere to
increase.]
1. To grow together.
2. To adhere; to grow (to); to be added; -- with to.
Accrete
Ac*crete", v. t. To make adhere; to add. Earle.
Accrete
Ac*crete", a.
1. Characterized by accretion; made up; as, accrete matter.
2. (Bot.) Grown together. Gray.
Accretion
Ac*cre"tion (#), n. [L. accretio, fr. accrescere to increase. Cf.
Crescent, Increase, Accrue.]
1. The act of increasing by natural growth; esp. the increase of
organic bodies by the internal accession of parts; organic growth.
Arbuthnot.
2. The act of increasing, or the matter added, by an accession of
parts externally; an extraneous addition; as, an accretion of earth.
A mineral . . . augments not by grown, but by accretion. Owen.
To strip off all the subordinate parts of his as a later accretion.
Sir G. C. Lewis.
3. Concretion; coherence of separate particles; as, the accretion of
particles so as to form a solid mass.
4. A growing together of parts naturally separate, as of the fingers
toes. Dana.
5. (Law) (a) The adhering of property to something else, by which the
owner of one thing becomes possessed of a right to another; generally,
gain of land by the washing up of sand or sail from the sea or a
river, or by a gradual recession of the water from the usual
watermark. (b) Gain to an heir or legatee, failure of a coheir to the
same succession, or a co-legatee of the same thing, to take his share.
Wharton. Kent.
Accretive
Ac*cre"tive (#), a. Relating to accretion; increasing, or adding to,
by growth. Glanvill.
Accriminate
Ac*crim"i*nate (#), v. t. [L. ac- (for ad to) + criminari.] To accuse
of a crime. [Obs.] -- Ac*crim`i*na"tion (#), n. [Obs.]
Accroach
Ac*croach" (#), v. t. [OE. acrochen, accrochen, to obtain, OF.
acrochier, F. accrocher; \'85 (L. ad) + croc hook (E. crook).]
1. To hook, or draw to one's self as with a hook. [Obs.]
2. To usurp, as jurisdiction or royal prerogatives.
They had attempted to accroach to themselves royal power. Stubbs.
Accroachment
Ac*croach"ment (#), n. [Cf. F. accrochement.] An encroachment;
usurpation. [Obs.] Bailey.
Accrual
Ac*cru"al (#), n. Accrument. [R.]
Accrue
Ac*crue" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Accrued (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Accruing.] [See Accrue, n., and cf. Accresce, Accrete.]
1. To increase; to augment.
And though power failed, her courage did accrue. Spenser.
2. To come to by way of increase; to arise or spring as a growth or
result; to be added as increase, profit, or damage, especially as the
produce of money lent. "Interest accrues to principal." Abbott.
The great and essential advantages accruing to society from the
freedom of the press. Junius.
Accrue
Ac*crue", n. [F. accr\'96, OF. acre\'81, p. p. of accroitre, OF.
acroistre to increase; L. ad + crescere to increase. Cf. Accretion,
Crew. See Crescent.] Something that accrues; advantage accruing.
[Obs.]
Accruer
Ac*cru"er (#), n. (Law) The act of accruing; accretion; as, title by
accruer.
Accrument
Ac*cru"ment (#), n. The process of accruing, or that which has
accrued; increase. Jer. Taylor.
Accubation
Ac`cu*ba"tion (#), n. [L. accubatio, for accubatio, fr. accubare to
recline; ad + cubare to lie down. See Accumb.] The act or posture of
reclining on a couch, as practiced by the ancients at meals.
Accumb
Ac*cumb" (#), v. i. [L. accumbere; ad + cumbere (only in compounds) to
lie down.] To recline, as at table. [Obs.] Bailey.
Accumbency
Ac*cum"ben*cy (#), n. The state of being accumbent or reclining. [R.]
Accumbent
Ac*cum"bent (#), a.
1. Leaning or reclining, as the ancients did at their meals.
The Roman.. accumbent posture in eating. Arbuthnot.
2. (Bot.) Lying against anything, as one part of a leaf against
another leaf. Gray.
Accumbent cotyledons have their edges placed against the caulicle.
Eaton.
Accumbent
Ac*cum"bent, n. One who reclines at table.
Accumber
Ac*cum"ber (#), v. t. To encumber. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Accumulate
Ac*cu"mu*late (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accumulated (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Accumulating.] [L. accumulatus, p. p. of accumulare; ad + cumulare
to heap. See Cumulate.] To heap up in a mass; to pile up; to collect
or bring together; to amass; as, to accumulate a sum of money. Syn. --
To collect; pile up; store; amass; gather; aggregate; heap together;
hoard. <-- p. 14 -->
Accumulate
Ac*cu"mu*late (#), v. i. To grow or increase in quantity or number; to
increase greatly.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth
accumulates, and men decay. Goldsmith.
Accumulate
Ac*cu"mu*late (#), a. [L. accumulatus, p. p. of accumulare.]
Collected; accumulated. Bacon.
Accumulation
Ac*cu`mu*la"tion (#), n. [L. accumulatio; cf. F. accumulation.]
1. The act of accumulating, the state of being accumulated, or that
which is accumulated; as, an accumulation of earth, of sand, of evils,
of wealth, of honors.
2. (Law) The concurrence of several titles to the same proof.
Accumulation of energy or power, the storing of energy by means of
weights lifted or masses put in motion; electricity stored. -- An
accumulation of degrees (Eng. Univ.), the taking of several together,
or at smaller intervals than usual or than is allowed by the rules.
Accumulative
Ac*cu"mu*la*tive (#), a. Characterized by accumulation; serving to
collect or amass; cumulative; additional. -- Ac*cu"mu*la*tive*ly, adv.
-- Ac*cu"mu*la*tive*ness, n.
Accumulator
Ac*cu"mu*la`tor (#), n. [L.]
1. One who, or that which, accumulates, collects, or amasses.
2. (Mech.) An apparatus by means of which energy or power can be
stored, such as the cylinder or tank for storing water for hydraulic
elevators, the secondary or storage battery used for accumulating the
energy of electrical charges, etc.
3. A system of elastic springs for relieving the strain upon a rope,
as in deep-sea dredging.
Accuracy
Ac"cu*ra*cy (#; 277), n. [See Accurate.] The state of being accurate;
freedom from mistakes, this exemption arising from carefulness; exact
conformity to truth, or to a rule or model; precision; exactness;
nicety; correctness; as, the value of testimony depends on its
accuracy.
The professed end [of logic] is to teach men to think, to judge,
and to reason, with precision and accuracy. Reid.
The accuracy with which the piston fits the sides. Lardner.
Accurate
Ac"cu*rate (#), a. [L. accuratus, p. p. and a., fr. accurare to take
care of; ad + curare to take care, cura care. See Cure.]
1. In exact or careful conformity to truth, or to some standard of
requirement, the result of care or pains; free from failure, error, or
defect; exact; as, an accurate calculator; an accurate measure;
accurate expression, knowledge, etc.
2. Precisely fixed; executed with care; careful. [Obs.]
Those conceive the celestial bodies have more accurate influences
upon these things below. Bacon.
Syn. -- Correct; exact; just; nice; particular. -- Accurate, Correct,
Exact, Precise. We speak of a thing as correct with reference to some
rule or standard of comparison; as, a correct account, a correct
likeness, a man of correct deportment. We speak of a thing as accurate
with reference to the care bestowed upon its execution, and the
increased correctness to be expected therefrom; as, an accurate
statement, an accurate detail of particulars. We speak of a thing as
exact with reference to that perfected state of a thing in which there
is no defect and no redundance; as, an exact coincidence, the exact
truth, an exact likeness. We speak of a thing as precise when we think
of it as strictly conformed to some rule or model, as if cut down
thereto; as a precise conformity instructions; precisely right; he was
very precise in giving his directions.
Accurately
Ac"cu*rate*ly, adv. In an accurate manner; exactly; precisely; without
error or defect.
Accurateness
Ac"cu*rate*ness, n. The state or quality of being accurate; accuracy;
exactness; nicety; precision.
Accurse
Ac*curse" (#), v. t. [OE. acursien, acorsien; pref. a + cursien to
curse. See Curse.] To devote to destruction; to imprecate misery or
evil upon; to curse; to execrate; to anathematize.
And the city shall be accursed. Josh. vi. 17.
Thro' you, my life will be accurst. Tennyson.
Accursed, Accurst
Ac*cursed" (#), Ac*curst" (#), p. p. & a. Doomed to destruction or
misery; cursed; hence, bad enough to be under the curse; execrable;
detestable; exceedingly hateful; -- as, an accursed deed. Shak. --
Ac*curs"ed*ly, adv. -- Ac*curs"ed*ness, n.
Accusable
Ac*cus"a*ble (#), a. [L. accusabilis: cf. F. accusable.] Liable to be
accused or censured; chargeable with a crime or fault; blamable; --
with of.
Accusal
Ac*cus"al (#), n. Accusation. [R.] Byron.
Accusant
Ac*cus"ant (#), n. [L. accusans, p. pr. of accusare: cf. F. accusant.]
An accuser. Bp. Hall.
Accusation
Ac`cu*sa"tion (#), n. [OF. acusation, F. accusation, L. accusatio, fr.
accusare. See Accuse.]
1. The act of accusing or charging with a crime or with a lighter
offense.
We come not by the way of accusation To taint that honor every good
tongue blesses. Shak.
2. That of which one is accused; the charge of an offense or crime, or
the declaration containing the charge.
[They] set up over his head his accusation. Matt. xxvii. 37.
Syn. -- Impeachment; crimination; censure; charge.
Accusatival
Ac*cu`sa*ti"val (#), a. Pertaining to the accusative case.
Accusative
Ac*cu"sa*tive (#), a. [F. accusatif, L. accusativus (in sense 2), fr.
accusare. See Accuse.]
1. Producing accusations; accusatory. "This hath been a very
accusative age." Sir E. Dering.
2. (Gram.) Applied to the case (as the fourth case of Latin and Greek
nouns) which expresses the immediate object on which the action or
influence of a transitive verb terminates, or the immediate object of
motion or tendency to, expressed by a preposition. It corresponds to
the objective case in English.
Accusative
Ac*cu"sa*tive, n. (Gram.) The accusative case.
Accusatively
Ac*cu"sa*tive*ly, adv.
1. In an accusative manner.
2. In relation to the accusative case in grammar.
Accusatorial
Ac*cu`sa*to"ri*al (#), a. Accusatory.
Accusatorially
Ac*cu`sa*to"ri*al*ly, adv. By way accusation.
Accusatory
Ac*cu"sa*to*ry (#), a. [L. accusatorius, fr. accusare.] Pertaining to,
or containing, an accusation; as, an accusatory libel. Grote.
Accuse
Ac*cuse" (#), n. Accusation. [Obs.] Shak.
Accuse
Ac*cuse", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accused (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Accusing.]
[OF. acuser, F. accuser, L. accusare, to call to account, accuse; ad +
causa cause, lawsuit. Cf. Cause.]
1. To charge with, or declare to have committed, a crime or offense;
(Law) to charge with an offense, judicially or by a public process; --
with of; as, to accuse one of a high crime or misdemeanor.
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. Acts
xxiv. 13.
We are accused of having persuaded Austria and Sardinia to lay down
their arms. Macaulay.
2. To charge with a fault; to blame; to censure.
Their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another.
Rom. ii. 15.
3. To betray; to show. [L.] Sir P. Sidney.
Syn. -- To charge; blame; censure; reproach; criminate; indict;
impeach; arraign. -- To Accuse, Charge, Impeach, Arraign. These words
agree in bringing home to a person the imputation of wrongdoing. To
accuse is a somewhat formal act, and is applied usually (though not
exclusively) to crimes; as, to accuse of treason. Charge is the most
generic. It may refer to a crime, a dereliction of duty, a fault,
etc.; more commonly it refers to moral delinquencies; as, to charge
with dishonesty or falsehood. To arraign is to bring (a person) before
a tribunal for trial; as, to arraign one before a court or at the bar
public opinion. To impeach is officially to charge with misbehavior in
office; as, to impeach a minister of high crimes. Both impeach and
arraign convey the idea of peculiar dignity or impressiveness.
Accused
Ac*cused" (#), a. Charged with offense; as, an accused person.
NOTE: Commonly us ed su bstantively; as , th e accused, one charged
with an offense; the defendant in a criminal case.
Accusement
Ac*cuse"ment (#), n. [OF. acusement. See Accuse.] Accusation. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Accuser
Ac*cus"er (#), n. [OE. acuser, accusour; cf. OF. acuseor, fr. L.
accusator, fr. accusare.] One who accuses; one who brings a charge of
crime or fault.
Accusingly
Ac*cus"ing*ly, adv. In an accusing manner.
Accustom
Ac*cus"tom (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Accustomed (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Accustoming.] [OF. acostumer, acustumer, F. accoutumer; \'85 (L. ad) +
OF. costume, F. coutume, custom. See Custom.] To make familiar by use;
to habituate, familiarize, or inure; -- with to.
I shall always fear that he who accustoms himself to fraud in
little things, wants only opportunity to practice it in greater.
Adventurer.
Syn. -- To habituate; inure; exercise; train.
Accustom
Ac*cus"tom, v. i.
1. To be wont. [Obs.] Carew.
2. To cohabit. [Obs.]
We with the best men accustom openly; you with the basest commit
private adulteries. Milton.
Accustom
Ac*cus"tom, n. Custom. [Obs.] Milton.
Accustomable
Ac*cus"tom*a*ble (#), a. Habitual; customary; wonted. "Accustomable
goodness." Latimer.
Accustomably
Ac*cus"tom*a*bly, adv. According to custom; ordinarily; customarily.
Latimer.
Accustomance
Ac*cus"tom*ance (#), n. [OF. accoustumance, F. accoutumance.] Custom;
habitual use. [Obs.] Boyle.
Accustomarily
Ac*cus"tom*a*ri*ly (#), adv. Customarily. [Obs.]
Accustomary
Ac*cus"tom*a*ry (#), a. Usual; customary. [Archaic] Featley.
Accustomed
Ac*cus"tomed (#), a.
1. Familiar through use; usual; customary. "An accustomed action."
Shak.
2. Frequented by customers. [Obs.] "A well accustomed shop." Smollett.
Accustomedness
Ac*cus"tomed*ness, n. Habituation.
Accustomedness to sin hardens the heart. Bp. Pearce.
Ace
Ace (#), n.; pl. Aces (#). [OE. as, F. as, fr. L. as, assis, unity,
copper coin, the unit of coinage. Cf. As.]
1. A unit; a single point or spot on a card or die; the card or die so
marked; as, the ace of diamonds.
2. Hence: A very small quantity or degree; a particle; an atom; a jot.
I 'll not wag an ace further. Dryden.
To bate an ace, to make the least abatement. [Obs.]M/mark> -- Within
an ace of, very near; on the point of. W. Irving.
Aceldama
A*cel"da*ma (#), n. [Gr. \'d3k\'c7l dam\'d3 the field of blood.] The
potter's field, said to have lain south of Jerusalem, purchased with
the bribe which Judas took for betraying his Master, and therefore
called the field of blood. Fig.: A field of bloodshed.
The system of warfare . . . which had already converted immense
tracts into one universal aceldama. De Quincey.
Acentric
A*cen"tric (#), a. [Gr. Not centered; without a center.
Acephal
Ac"e*phal (#), n. [Gr. ac\'82phale, LL. acephalus.] (Zo\'94l.) One of
the Acephala.
Acephala
A*ceph"a*la (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. Acephal.] (Zo\'94l.) That
division of the Mollusca which includes the bivalve shells, like the
clams and oysters; -- so called because they have no evident head.
Formerly the group included the Tunicata, Brachiopoda, and sometimes
the Bryozoa. See Mollusca.
Acephalan
A*ceph"a*lan (#), n. Same as Acephal.
Acephalan
A*ceph"a*lan, a. (Zo\'94l.) Belonging to the Acephala.
Acephali
A*ceph"a*li (#), n. pl. [LL., pl. of acephalus. See Acephal.]
1. A fabulous people reported by ancient writers to have heads.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) (a) A Christian sect without a leader. (b) Bishops
and certain clergymen not under regular diocesan control.
3. A class of levelers in the time of K. Henry I.
Acephalist
A*ceph"a*list (#), n. One who acknowledges no head or superior. Dr.
Gauden.
Acephalocyst
A*ceph"a*lo*cyst (#), n. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A larval entozo\'94n in the
form of a subglobular or oval vesicle, or hy datid, filled with fluid,
sometimes found in the tissues of man and the lower animals; -- so
called from the absence of a head or visible organs on the vesicle.
These cysts are the immature stages of certain tapeworms. Also applied
to similar cysts of different origin.
Acephalocystic
A*ceph`a*lo*cys"tic (#), a. Pertaining to, or resembling, the
acephalocysts.
Acephalous
A*ceph"a*lous (#), a. [See Acephal.]
1. Headless.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Without a distinct head; -- a term applied to bivalve
mollusks.
3. (Bot.) Having the style spring from the base, instead of from the
apex, as is the case in certain ovaries.
4. Without a leader or chief.
5. Wanting the beginning.
A false or acephalous structure of sentence. De Quincey.
6. (Pros.) Deficient and the beginning, as a line of poetry. Brande.
Acerate
Ac"er*ate (#), n. [See Aceric.] (Chem.) A combination of aceric acid
with a salifiable base.
Acerate
Ac"er*ate, a. Acerose; needle-shaped.
Acerb
A*cerb" (#), a. [L. acerbus, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. acerbe. See
Acrid.] Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, as unripe fruit; sharp
and harsh.
Acerbate
A*cerb"ate (#), v. t. [L. acerbatus, p. p. of acerbare, fr. acerbus.]
To sour; to imbitter; to irritate.
Acerbic
A*cerb"ic (#), a. Sour or severe.
Acerbitude
A*cerb"i*tude (#), n. [L. acerbitudo, fr. acerbus.] Sourness and
harshness. [Obs.] Bailey.
Acerbity
A*cerb"i*ty (#), n. [F. acerbit\'82, L. acerbitas, fr. acerbus. See
Acerb.]
1. Sourness of taste, with bitterness and astringency, like that of
unripe fruit.
2. Harshness, bitterness, or severity; as, acerbity of temper, of
language, of pain. Barrow.
Aceric
A*cer"ic (#), a. [L. acer maple.] Pertaining to, or obtained from, the
maple; as, aceric acid. Ure.
Acerose
Ac"er*ose` (#), a. [(a) L. acerosus chaffy, fr. acus, gen. aceris,
chaff; (b) as if fr. L. acus needle: cf. F. ac\'82reux.] (Bot.) (a)
Having the nature of chaff; chaffy. (b) Needle-shaped, having a sharp,
rigid point, as the leaf of the pine.
Acerous
Ac"er*ous (#), a. Same as Acerose.
Acerous
Ac"er*ous, a. [Gr. &a; priv. + &keras; a horn.] (Zo\'94l.) (a)
Destitute of tentacles, as certain mollusks. (b) Without antenn\'91,
as some insects.
Acerval
A*cer"val (#), a. [L. acervalis, fr. acervus heap.] Pertaining to a
heap. [Obs.]
Acervate
A*cer"vate (#), v. t. [L. acervatus, p. p. of acervare to heap up, fr.
acervus heap.] To heap up. [Obs.]
Acervate
A*cer"vate (#), a. Heaped, or growing in heaps, or closely compacted
clusters.
Acervation
Ac`er*va"tion (#), n. [L. acervatio.] A heaping up; accumulation. [R.]
Johnson.
Acervative
A*cer"va*tive (#), a. Heaped up; tending to heap up.
Acervose
A*cer"vose (#), a. Full of heaps. [R.] Bailey.
Acervuline
A*cer"vu*line (#), a. Resembling little heaps.
Acescence, Acescency
A*ces"cence (#), A*ces"cen*cy (#), n. [Cf. F. acescence. See
Acescent.] The quality of being acescent; the process of acetous
fermentation; a moderate degree of sourness. Johnson.
Acescent
A*ces"cent (#), a. [L. acescens, -entis, p. pr. of acescere to turn
sour; inchoative of acere to be sour: cf. F. acescent. See Acid.]
Turning sour; readily becoming tart or acid; slightly sour. Faraday.
Acescent
A*ces"cent, n. A substance liable to become sour.
Acetable
Ac"e*ta*ble (#), n. An acetabulum; or about one eighth of a pint.
[Obs.] Holland.
Acetabular
Ac`e*tab"u*lar (#), a. Cup-shaped; saucer-shaped; acetabuliform.
Acetabulifera
Ac`e*tab`u*lif"e*ra (#), n. pl. [NL. See Acetabuliferous.] (Zo\'94l.)
The division of Cephalopoda in which the arms are furnished with
cup-shaped suckers, as the cuttlefishes, squids, and octopus; the
Dibranchiata. See Cephalopoda.
Acetabuliferous
Ac`e*tab`u*lif"er*ous (#), a. [L. acetablum a little cup + -ferous.]
Furnished with fleshy cups for adhering to bodies, as cuttlefish, etc.
Acetabuliform
Ac`e*tab"u*li*form (#), a. [L. acetabulum + -form.] (Bot.) Shaped like
a shallow; saucer-shaped; as, an acetabuliform calyx. Gray.
Acetabulum
Ac`e*tab"u*lum (#), n. [L., a little saucer for vinegar, fr. acetum
vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A vinegar cup; socket of the hip bone; a measure of
about one eighth of a pint, etc.
2. (Anat.) (a) The bony cup which receives the head of the thigh bone.
(b) The cavity in which the leg of an insect is inserted at its
articulation with the body. (c) A sucker of the sepia or cuttlefish
and related animals. (d) The large posterior sucker of the leeches.
(e) One of the lobes of the placenta in ruminating animals.
Acetal
Ac"e*tal (#), n. [Acetic + alcohol.] (Chem.) A limpid, colorless,
inflammable liquid from the slow oxidation of alcohol under the
influence of platinum black.
Acetaldehyde
Ac`et*al"de*hyde (#), n. Acetic aldehyde. See Aldehyde.
Acetamide
Ac`et*am"ide (#), n. [Acetyl + amide.] (Chem.) A white crystalline
solid, from ammonia by replacement of an equivalent of hydrogen by
acetyl.
Acetanilide
Ac`et*an"i*lide (#), n. [Acetyl + anilide.] (Med.) A compound of
aniline with acetyl, used to allay fever or pain; -- called also
antifebrine.
Acetarious
Ac`e*ta"ri*ous (#), a. [L. acetaria, n. pl., salad, fr. acetum
vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.] Used in salads; as, acetarious plants.
<-- p. 15 -->
Acetary
Ac"e*ta*ry (#), n. [L. acetaria salad plants.] An acid pulp in certain
fruits, as the pear. Grew.
Acetate
Ac"e*tate (#), n. [L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.] (Chem.) A
salt formed by the union of acetic acid with a base or positive
radical; as, acetate of lead, acetate of potash.
Acetated
Ac"e*ta`ted (#), a. Combined with acetic acid.
Acetic
A*ce"tic (#; 277), a. [L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
(Chem.) (a) Of a pertaining to vinegar; producing vinegar; producing
vinegar; as, acetic fermentation. (b) Pertaining to, containing, or
derived from, acetyl, as acetic ether, acetic acid. The latter is the
acid to which the sour taste of vinegar is due.
Acetification
A*cet`i*fi*ca"tion (#), n. The act of making acetous or sour; the
process of converting, or of becoming converted, into vinegar.
Acetifier
A*cet"i*fi`er (#), n. An apparatus for hastening acetification.
Knight.
Acetify
A*cet"i*fy (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acetified (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Acetifying (#).] [L. acetum vinegar + -fly.] To convert into acid or
vinegar.
Acetify
A*cet"i*fy, v. i. To turn acid. Encyc. Dom. Econ.
Acetimeter
Ac`e*tim"e*ter (#), n. [L. acetum vinegar + -meter: cf. F.
ac\'82tim\'8atre.] An instrument for estimating the amount of acetic
acid in vinegar or in any liquid containing acetic acid.
Acetimetry
Ac`e*tim"e*try (#), n. The act or method of ascertaining the strength
of vinegar, or the proportion of acetic acid contained in it. Ure.
Acetin
Ac"e*tin (#), n. (Chem.) A combination of acetic acid with glycerin.
Brande & C.
Acetize
Ac"e*tize (#), v. i. To acetify. [R.]
Acetometer
Ac`e*tom"e*ter (#), n. Same as Acetimeter. Brande & C.
Acetone
Ac"e*tone (#), n. [See Acetic.] (Chem.) A volatile liquid consisting
of three parts of carbon, six of hydrogen, and one of oxygen;
pyroacetic spirit, -- obtained by the distillation of certain
acetates, or by the destructive distillation of citric acid, starch,
sugar, or gum, with quicklime.
NOTE: &hand; Th e te rm in al so ap plied to a number of bodies of
similar constitution, more frequently called ketones. See Ketone.
Acetonic
Ac`e*ton"ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to acetone; as, acetonic bodies.
Acetose
Ac"e*tose (#), a. Sour like vinegar; acetous.
Acetosity
Ac`e*tos"i*ty (#), n. [LL. acetositas. See Acetous.] The quality of
being acetous; sourness.
Acetous
A*ce"tous (#; 277), a. [L. acetum vinegar, fr. acere to be sour.]
1. Having a sour taste; sour; acid. "An acetous spirit." Boyle. "A
liquid of an acetous kind." Bp. Lowth.
2. Causing, or connected with, acetification; as, acetous
fermentation.
Acetous acid, a name formerly given to vinegar<-- which contains
acetic acid -->.
Acetyl
Ac"e*tyl (#), n. [L. acetum vinegar + Gr. -yl.] (Chem.) A complex,
hypothetical radical, composed of two parts of carbon to three of
hydrogen and one of oxygen. Its hydroxide is acetic acid.
Acetylene
A*cet"y*lene (#), n. (Chem.) A gaseous compound of carbon and
hydrogen, in the proportion of two atoms of the former to two of the
latter. It is a colorless gas, with a peculiar, unpleasant odor, and
is produced for use as an illuminating gas in a number of ways, but
chiefly by the action of water on calcium carbide. Its light is very
brilliant. Watts.
Ach, Ache
Ach, Ache (#), n. [F. ache, L. apium parsley.] A name given to several
species of plants; as, smallage, wild celery, parsley. [Obs.] Holland.
Ach\'91an, Achaian
A*ch\'91"an (#), A*cha"ian (#) a. [L. Achaeus, Achaius; Gr. Of or
pertaining to Achaia in Greece; also, Grecian. -- n. A native of
Achaia; a Greek.
Acharnement
A*char"ne*ment (#), n. [F.] Savage fierceness; ferocity.
Achate
Ach"ate (#), n. An agate. [Obs.] Evelyn.
Achate
A*chate" (#), n. [F. achat purchase. See Cates.]
1. Purchase; bargaining. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. pl. Provisions. Same as Cates. [Obs.] Spenser.
Achatina
Ach`a*ti"na (#), n. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of land snails,
often large, common in the warm parts of America and Africa.
Achatour
A*cha*tour" (#), n. [See Cater.] Purveyor; acater. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ache
Ache (#), n. [OE. ache, AS. \'91ce, ece, fr. acan to ache. See Ache,
v. i.] Continued pain, as distinguished from sudden twinges, or
spasmodic pain. "Such an ache in my bones." Shak.
NOTE: &hand; Often used in composition, as, a headache, an earache,
a toothache.
Ache
Ache (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ached (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Aching (#).]
[OE. aken, AS. acan, both strong verbs, AS. acan, imp. \'d3c, p. p.
acen, to ache; perh. orig. to drive, and akin to agent.] To suffer
pain; to have, or be in, pain, or in continued pain; to be distressed.
"My old bones ache." Shak.
The sins that in your conscience ache. Keble.
Achean
A*che"an (#), a & n. See Ach\'91an, Achaian.
Achene, Achenium
A*chene" (#), A*che"ni*um (#) n. [Gr. (Bot.) A small, dry, indehiscent
fruit, containing a single seed, as in the buttercup; -- called a
naked seed by the earlier botanists. [Written also akene and
ach\'91nium.]
Achenial
A*che"ni*al (#), a. Pertaining to an achene.
Acheron
Ach"e*ron (#), n. [L., fr. Gr. (Myth.) A river in the Nether World or
infernal regions; also, the infernal regions themselves. By some of
the English poets it was supposed to be a flaming lake or gulf. Shak.
Acherontic
Ach`e*ron"tic (#), a. Of or pertaining to Acheron; infernal; hence,
dismal, gloomy; moribund.
Achievable
A*chiev"a*ble (#), a. Capable of being achieved. Barrow.
Achievance
A*chiev"ance (#), n. [Cf. OF. achevance.] Achievement. [Obs.] Sir T.
Elyot.
Achieve
A*chieve" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Achieved (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Achieving (#).] [OE. acheven, OF. achever, achiever, F. achever, to
finish; \'85 (L. ad) + OF. chief, F. chef, end, head, fr. L. caput
head. See Chief.]
1. To carry on to a final close; to bring out into a perfected state;
to accomplish; to perform; -- as, to achieve a feat, an exploit, an
enterprise.
Supposing faculties and powers to be the same, far more may be
achieved in any line by the aid of a capital, invigorating motive
than without it. I. Taylor.
2. To obtain, or gain, as the result of exertion; to succeed in
gaining; to win.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness. Shak.
Thou hast achieved our liberty. Milton.
NOTE: [[Obs]., with a material thing as the aim.]
Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved. Prior.
He hath achieved a maid That paragons description. Shak.
3. To finish; to kill. [Obs.] Shak. Syn. -- To accomplish; effect;
fulfill; complete; execute; perform; realize; obtain. See Accomplish.
Achievement
A*chieve"ment (#), n. [Cf. F. ach\'8avement, E. Hatchment.]
1. The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by exertion;
successful performance; accomplishment; as, the achievement of his
object.
2. A great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor, boldness,
or praiseworthy exertion; a feat.
[The exploits] of the ancient saints . . . do far surpass the most
famous achievements of pagan heroes. Barrow.
The highest achievements of the human intellect. Macaulay.
3. (Her.) An escutcheon or ensign armorial; now generally applied to
the funeral shield commonly called hatchment. Cussans.
Achiever
A*chiev"er (#), n. One who achieves; a winner.
Achillean
Ach`il*le"an (#), a. Resembling Achilles, the hero of the Iliad;
invincible.
Achilles' tendon
A*chil"les' ten"don (#), n. [L. Achillis tendo.] (Anat.) The strong
tendon formed of the united tendons of the large muscles in the calf
of the leg, an inserted into the bone of the heel; -- so called from
the mythological account of Achilles being held by the heel when
dipped in the River Styx.
Achilous
A*chi"lous (#), a. [Gr. (Bot.) Without a lip.
Aching
Ach"ing (#), a. That aches; continuously painful. See Ache. --
Ach"ing*ly, adv.
The aching heart, the aching head. Longfellow.
Achiote
A`chi*o"te (#), n. [Sp. achiote, fr. Indian achiotl.] Seeds of the
annotto tree; also, the coloring matter, annotto.
Achlamydate
A*chlam"y*date (#), a. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Not possessing a mantle; --
said of certain gastropods.
Achlamydeous
Ach`la*myd"e*ous (#), a. (Bot.) Naked; having no floral envelope,
neither calyx nor corolla.
Acholia
A*cho"li*a (#), n. [NL., from Gr. (Med.) Deficiency or want of bile.
Acholous
Ach"o*lous (#), a. (Med.) Lacking bile.
Achromatic
Ach`ro*mat"ic (#), a. [Gr. achromatique.]
1. (Opt.) Free from color; transmitting light without decomposing it
into its primary colors.
2. (Biol.) Uncolored; not absorbing color from a fluid; -- said of
tissue.
Achromatic lens (Opt.), a lens composed usually of two separate
lenses, a convex and concave, of substances having different
refractive and dispersive powers, as crown and flint glass, with the
curvatures so adjusted that the chromatic aberration produced by the
one is corrected by other, and light emerges from the compound lens
undecomposed. -- Achromatic prism. See Prism. -- Achromatic telescope,
or microscope, one in which the chromatic aberration is corrected,
usually by means of a compound or achromatic object glass, and which
gives images free from extraneous color.
Achromatically
Ach`ro*mat"ic*al*ly (#), adv. In an achromatic manner.
Achromaticity
Ach`ro*ma*tic"i*ty (#), n. Achromatism.
Achromatin
A*chro"ma*tin (#), n. (Biol.) Tissue which is not stained by fluid
dyes. W. Flemming.
Achromatism
A*chro"ma*tism (#), n. [Cf. F. achromatisme.] The state or quality of
being achromatic; as, the achromatism of a lens; achromaticity.
Nichol.
Achromatization
A*chro`ma*ti*za"tion (#), n. [Cf. F. achromatisation.] The act or
process of achromatizing.
Achromatize
A*chro"ma*tize (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Achromatized (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Achromatizing (#).] [Gr. To deprive of color; to make achromatic.
Achromatopsy
A*chro"ma*top"sy (#), n. [Gr. Color blindness; inability to
distinguish colors; Daltonism.
Achronic
A*chron"ic (#), a. See Acronyc.
Achro\'94dextrin
Ach`ro*\'94*dex"trin (#), n. [Gr. dextrin.] (Physiol. Chem.) Dextrin
not colorable by iodine. See Dextrin.
Achroous
Ach"ro*ous (#), a. [Gr. Colorless; achromatic.
Achylous
A*chy"lous (#), a. [Gr. (Physiol.) Without chyle.
Achymous
A*chy"mous (#), a. [Gr. (Physiol.) Without chyme.
Acicula
A*cic"u*la (#), n.; pl. Acicul\'91 (#). [L., a small needle, dimin. of
acus needle.] (Nat. Hist.) One of the needlelike or bristlelike spines
or prickles of some animals and plants; also, a needlelike crystal.
Acicular
A*cic"u*lar (#), a. Needle-shaped; slender like a needle or bristle,
as some leaves or crystals; also, having sharp points like needless.
A*cic"u*lar*ly, adv.
Aciculate, Aciculated
A*cic"u*late (#), A*cic"u*la"ted (#) a. (Nat. Hist.) (a) Furnished
with acicul\'91. (b) Acicular. (c) Marked with fine irregular streaks
as if scratched by a needle. Lindley.
Aciculiform
A*cic"u*li*form (#), a. [L. acicula needle + -form.] Needle-shaped;
acicular.
Aciculite
A*cic"u*lite (#), n. (Min.) Needle ore. Brande & C.
Acid
Ac"id (#), a. [L. acidus sour, fr. the root ak to be sharp: cf. F.
acide. Cf. Acute.]
1. Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of
vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.: Sour-tempered.
He was stern and his face as acid as ever. A. Trollope.
2. Of or pertaining to an acid; as, acid reaction.
Acid
Ac"id, n.
1. A sour substance.
2. (Chem.) One of a class of compounds, generally but not always
distinguished by their sour taste, solubility in water, and reddening
of vegetable blue or violet colors. They are also characterized by the
power of destroying the distinctive properties of alkalies or bases,
combining with them to form salts, at the same time losing their own
peculiar properties. They all contain hydrogen, united with a more
negative element or radical, either alone, or more generally with
oxygen, and take their names from this negative element or radical.
Those which contain no oxygen are sometimes called hydracids in
distinction from the others which are called oxygen acids or oxacids.
NOTE: &hand; In certain cases, sulphur, selenium, or tellurium may
take the place of oxygen, and the corresponding compounds are
called respectively sulphur acids or sulphacids, selenium acids, or
tellurium acids. When the hydrogen of an acid is replaced by a
positive element or radical, a salt is formed, and hence acids are
sometimes named as salts of hydrogen; as hydrogen nitrate for
nitric acid, hydrogen sulphate for sulphuric acid, etc. In the old
chemistry the name acid was applied to the oxides of the negative
or nonmetallic elements, now sometimes called anhydrides.
Acidic
A*cid"ic (#), a. (Min.) Containing a high percentage of silica; --
opposed to basic. <-- 2. of or relating to acid; having the character
of an acid, as an acidic solution. -->
Acidiferous
Ac`id*if"er*ous (#), a. [L. acidus sour + -ferous.] Containing or
yielding an acid.
Acidifiable
A*cid"i*fi`a*ble (#), a. Capable of being acidified, or converted into
an acid.
Acidific
Ac`id*if"ic (#), a. Producing acidity; converting into an acid. Dana.
Acidification
A*cid`i*fi*ca"tion (#), n. [Cf. F. acidification.] The act or process
of acidifying, or changing into an acid.
Acidifier
A*cid"i*fi`er (#), n. (Chem.) A simple or compound principle, whose
presence is necessary to produce acidity, as oxygen, chlorine,
bromine, iodine, etc.
Acidify
A*cid"i*fy (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acidified (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Acidifying (#).] [L. acidus sour, acid + -fy: cf. F. acidifier.]
1. To make acid; to convert into an acid; as, to acidify sugar.
2. To sour; to imbitter.
His thin existence all acidified into rage. Carlyle.
Acidimeter
Ac`id*im"e*ter (#), n. [L. acidus acid + -meter.] (Chem.) An
instrument for ascertaining the strength of acids. Ure.
Acidimetry
Ac`id*im"e*try (#), n. [L. acidus acid + -metry.] (Chem.) The
measurement of the strength of acids, especially by a chemical process
based on the law of chemical combinations, or the fact that, to
produce a complete reaction, a certain definite weight of reagent is
required. -- Ac`id*i*met"ric*al (#), a.
Acidity
A*cid"i*ty (#), n. [L. acidites, fr. acidus: cf. F. acidit\'82. See
Acid.] The quality of being sour; sourness; tartness; sharpness to the
taste; as, the acidity of lemon juice.
Acidly
Ac"id*ly (#), adv. Sourly; tartly.
Acidness
Ac"id*ness (#), n. Acidity; sourness.
Acidulate
A*cid"u*late (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acidulated (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Acidulating (#).] [Cf. F. aciduler. See Acidulous.] To make sour or
acid in a moderate degree; to sour somewhat. Arbuthnot.
Acidulent
A*cid"u*lent (#), a. Having an acid quality; sour; acidulous. "With
anxious, acidulent face." Carlyle.
Acidulous
A*cid"u*lous (#), a. [L. acidulus, dim. of acidus. See Acid.] Slightly
sour; sub-acid; sourish; as, an acidulous tincture. E. Burke.
Acidulous mineral waters, such as contain carbonic anhydride.
Acierage
Ac`i*er*age (#), n. [F. aci\'82rage, fr. acier steel.] The process of
coating the surface of a metal plate (as a stereotype plate) with
steellike iron by means of voltaic electricity; steeling.
Aciform
Ac"i*form (#), a. [L. acus needle + -form.] Shaped like a needle.
Acinaceous
Ac"i*na"ceous (#), a. [L. acinus a grape, grapestone.] (Bot.)
Containing seeds or stones of grapes, or grains like them.
Acinaces
A*cin"a*ces (#), n. [L., from Gr. (Anc. Hist.) A short sword or saber.
Acinaciform
Ac`i*nac"i*form (#), a. [L. acinaces a short sword + -form: cf. F.
acinaciforme.] (Bot.) Scimeter-shaped; as, an acinaciform leaf.
Acinesia
Ac`i*ne"si*a (#), n. (Med.) Same as Akinesia.
Acinet\'91
Ac`i*ne"t\'91 (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A group of
suctorial Infusoria, which in the adult stage are stationary. See
Suctoria.
Acinetiform
Ac`i*net"i*form (#), a. [Acinet\'91 + -form.] (Zo\'94l.) Resembling
the Acinet\'91.
Aciniform
A*cin"i*form (#), a. [L. acinus a grape, grapestone + -form: cf. F.
acinoforme.]
1. Having the form of a cluster of grapes; clustered like grapes.
2. Full of small kernels like a grape.
Acinose, Acinous
Ac"i*nose` (#), Ac"i*nous (#) a. [L. acinosus, fr. acinus grapestone.]
Consisting of acini, or minute granular concretions; as, acinose or
acinous glands. Kirwan.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 16
Acinus
Ac"i*nus (#), n.; pl. Acini (#). [L., grape, grapestone.]
1. (Bot.) (a) One of the small grains or drupelets which make up some
kinds of fruit, as the blackberry, raspberry, etc. (b) A grapestone.
2. (Anat.) One of the granular masses which constitute a racemose or
compound gland, as the pancreas; also, one of the saccular recesses in
the lobules of a racemose gland. Quain.
Acipenser
Ac`i*pen"ser (#), n. [L., the name of a fish.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of
ganoid fishes, including the sturgeons, having the body armed with
bony scales, and the mouth on the under side of the head. See
Sturgeon.
Aciurgy
Ac"i*ur`gy (#), n. [Gr. Operative surgery.
Acknow
Ac*know" (#), v. t. [Pref. a- + know; AS. oncn\'bewan.]
1. To recognize. [Obs.] "You will not be acknown, sir." B. Jonson.
2. To acknowledge; to confess. [Obs.] Chaucer.
To be acknown (often with of or on), to acknowledge; to confess.
[Obs.]
We say of a stubborn body that standeth still in the denying of his
fault, This man will not acknowledge his fault, or, He will not be
acknown of his fault. Sir T. More.
Acknowledge
Ac*knowl"edge (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acknowledged (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Acknowledging (#).] [Prob. fr. pref. a- + the verb knowledge. See
Knowledge, and ci. Acknow.]
1. To of or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth;
to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a God.
I acknowledge my transgressions. Ps. li. 3.
For ends generally acknowledged to be good. Macaulay.
2. To own or recognize in a particular character or relationship; to
admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him. Prov. iii. 6.
By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee. Shak.
3. To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to
acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter.
They his gifts acknowledged none. Milton.
4. To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it
validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledgea deed.
Syn. -- To avow; proclaim; recognize; own; admit; allow; concede;
confess. -- Acknowledge, Recognize. Acknowledge is opposed to keep
back, or conceal, and supposes that something had been previously
known to us (though perhaps not to others) which we now feel bound to
lay open or make public. Thus, a man acknowledges a secret marriage;
one who has done wrong acknowledges his fault; and author acknowledges
his obligation to those who have aided him; we acknowledge our
ignorance. Recognize supposes that we have either forgotten or not had
the evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but that now we
know it (as it were) anew, or receive and admit in on the ground of
the evidence it brings. Thus, we recognize a friend after a long
absence. We recognize facts, principles, truths, etc., when their
evidence is brought up fresh to the mind; as, bad men usually
recognize the providence of God in seasons of danger. A foreign
minister, consul, or agent, of any kind, is recognized on the ground
of his producing satisfactory credentials. See also Confess.
Acknowledgedly
Ac*knowl"edged*ly (#), adv. Confessedly.
Acknowledger
Ac*knowl"edg*er (#), n. One who acknowledges.
Acknowledgment
Ac*knowl"edg*ment (#), n.
1. The act of acknowledging; admission; avowal; owning; confession.
"An acknowledgment of fault." Froude.
2. The act of owning or recognized in a particular character or
relationship; recognition as regards the existence, authority, truth,
or genuineness.
Immediately upon the acknowledgment of the Christian faith, the
eunuch was baptized by Philip. Hooker.
3. The owning of a benefit received; courteous recognition; expression
of thanks. Shak.
4. Something given or done in return for a favor, message, etc.
Smollett.
5. A declaration or avowal of one's own act, to give it legal
validity; as, the acknowledgment of a deed before a proper officer.
Also, the certificate of the officer attesting such declaration.
Acknowledgment money, in some parts of England, a sum paid by copyhold
tenants, on the death of their landlords, as an acknowledgment of
their new lords. Cowell. Syn. -- Confession; concession; recognition;
admission; avowal; recognizance.
Aclinic
A*clin"ic (#), a. [Gr. (Physics.) Without inclination or dipping; --
said the magnetic needle balances itself horizontally, having no dip.
The aclinic line is also termed the magnetic equator. Prof. August.
Acme
Ac"me (#), n. [Gr.
1. The top or highest point; the culmination.
The very acme and pitch of life for epic poetry. Pope.
The moment when a certain power reaches the acme of its supremacy.
I. Taylor.
2. (Med.) The crisis or height of a disease.
3. Mature age; full bloom of life. B. Jonson.
Acne
Ac"ne (#), n. [NL., prob. a corruption of Gr. (Med.) A pustular
affection of the skin, due to changes in the sebaceous glands.
Acnodal
Ac*no"dal (#), a. Pertaining to acnodes.
Acnode
Ac"node (#), n. [L. acus needle + E. node.] (Geom.) An isolated point
not upon a curve, but whose co\'94rdinates satisfy the equation of the
curve so that it is considered as belonging to the curve.
Acock
A*cock" (#), adv. [Pref. a- + cock.] In a cocked or turned up fashion.
Acockbill
A*cock"bill` (#), adv. [Prefix a- + cock + bill: with bills cocked
up.] (Naut.) (a) Hanging at the cathead, ready to let go, as an
anchor. (b) Topped up; having one yardarm higher than the other.
Acold
A*cold" (#), a. [Prob. p. p. of OE. acolen to grow cold or cool, AS.
\'bec\'d3lian to grow cold; pref. a- (cf. Goth. er-, orig. meaning
out) + c\'d3lian to cool. See Cool.] Cold. [Obs.] "Poor Tom's acold."
Shak.
Acologic
Ac`o*log"ic (#), a. Pertaining to acology.
Acology
A*col"o*gy (#), n. [Gr. -logy.] Materia medica; the science of
remedies.
Acolothist
A*col"o*thist (#), n. See Acolythist.
Acolyctine
Ac`o*lyc"tine (#), n. [From the name of the plant.] (Chem.) An organic
base, in the form of a white powder, obtained from Aconitum
lycoctonum. Eng. Cyc.
Acolyte
Ac`o*lyte (#), n. [LL. acolythus, acoluthus, Gr. acolyte.]
1. (Eccl.) One who has received the highest of the four minor orders
in the Catholic church, being ordained to carry the wine and water and
the lights at the Mass.
2. One who attends; an assistant. "With such chiefs, and with James
and John as acolytes." Motley.
Acolyth
Ac"o*lyth (#), n. Same as Acolyte.
Acolythist
A*col"y*thist (#), n. An acolyte. [Obs.]
Aconddylose, Acondylous
A*cond"dy*lose` (#), A*con"dy*lous (#), a. [Gr. (Nat. Hist.) Being
without joints; jointless.
Aconital
Ac`o*ni"tal (#), a. Of the nature of aconite.
Aconite
Ac"o*nite (#), n. [L. aconitum, Gr. aconit.]
1. (Bot.) The herb wolfsbane, or monkshood; -- applied to any plant of
the genus Aconitum (tribe Hellebore), all the species of which are
poisonous.
2. An extract or tincture obtained from Aconitum napellus, used as a
poison and medicinally.
Winter aconite, a plant (Eranthis hyemalis) allied to the aconites.
Aconitia
Ac`o*ni"ti*a (#), n. (Chem.) Same as Aconitine.
Aconitic
Ac`o*nit"ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to aconite.
Aconitine
A*con"i*tine (#), n. (Chem.) An intensely poisonous alkaloid,
extracted from aconite.
Aconitum
Ac`o*ni"tum (#), n. [L. See Aconite.] The poisonous herb aconite;
also, an extract from it.
Strong As aconitum or rash gunpowder. Shak.
Acontia
A*con"ti*a (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Threadlike defensive
organs, composed largely of nettling cells (cnid\'91), thrown out of
the mouth or special pores of certain Actini\'91 when irritated.
Acontias
A*con"ti*as (#), n. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Anciently, a snake,
called dart snake; now, one of a genus of reptiles closely allied to
the lizards.
Acopic
A*cop"ic (#), a. [Gr. priv. + (Med.) Relieving weariness; restorative.
Acorn
A"corn (#), n. [AS. \'91cern, fr. \'91cer field, acre; akin to D. aker
acorn, Ger. ecker, Icel. akarn, Dan. agern, Goth. akran fruit, akrs
field; -- orig. fruit of the field. See Acre.]
1. The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody cup or
cupule.
2. (Naut.) A cone-shaped piece of wood on the point of the spindle
above the vane, on the mast-head.
3. (Zo\'94l.) See Acorn-shell.
Acorn cup
A"corn cup (#). The involucre or cup in which the acorn is fixed.
Acorned
A"corned (#), a.
1. Furnished or loaded with acorns.
2. Fed or filled with acorns. [R.] Shak.
Acorn-shell
A"corn-shell` (#), n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the sessile cirripeds; a
barnacle of the genus Balanus. See Barnacle.
Acosmism
A*cos"mism (#), n. [Gr. A denial of the existence of the universe as
distinct from God.
Acosmist
A*cos"mist (#), n. [See Acosmism.] One who denies the existence of the
universe, or of a universe as distinct from God. G. H. Lewes.
Acotyledon
A*cot`y*le"don (#; 277), n. [Gr. Cotyledon.] (Bot.) A plant which has
no cotyledons, as the dodder and all flowerless plants.
Acotyledonous
A*cot`y*led"on*ous (#; 277), a. Having no seed lobes, as the dodder;
also applied to plants which have no true seeds, as ferns, mosses,
etc.
Acouchy
A*cou"chy (#), n. [F. acouchi, from the native name Guiana.]
(Zo\'94l.) A small species of agouti (Dasyprocta acouchy).
Acoumeter
A*cou"me*ter (#), n. [Gr. -meter.] (Physics.) An instrument for
measuring the acuteness of the sense of hearing. Itard.
Acoumetry
A*cou"me*try (#), n. [Gr. -metry.] The measuring of the power or
extent of hearing.
Acoustic
A*cous"tic (#; 277), a. [F. acoustique, Gr. Pertaining to the sense of
hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds; auditory.
Acoustic duct, the auditory duct, or external passage of the ear. --
Acoustic telegraph, a telegraph making audible signals; a telephone.
-- Acoustic vessels, brazen tubes or vessels, shaped like a bell, used
in ancient theaters to propel the voices of the actors, so as to
render them audible to a great distance.
Acoustic
A*cous"tic, n. A medicine or agent to assist hearing.
Acoustical
A*cous"tic*al (#), a. Of or pertaining to acoustics.
Acoustically
A*cous"tic*al*ly (#), adv. In relation to sound or to hearing.
Tyndall.
Acoustician
Ac`ous*ti"cian (#), n. One versed in acoustics. Tyndall.
Acoustics
A*cous"tics (#; 277), n. [Names of sciences in -ics, as, acoustics,
mathematics, etc., are usually treated as singular. See -ics.]
(Physics.) The science of sounds, teaching their nature, phenomena,
and laws.
Acoustics, then, or the science of sound, is a very considerable
branch of physics. Sir J. Herschel.
NOTE: &hand; Th e sc ience is , by so me wr iters, di vided, in to
diacoustics, which explains the properties of sounds coming
directly from the ear; and catacoustica, which treats of reflected
sounds or echoes.
Acquaint
Ac*quaint" (#), a. [OF. acoint. See Acquaint, v. t.] Acquainted.
[Obs.]
Acquaint
Ac*quaint", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquainted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Acquainting.] [OE. aqueinten, acointen, OF. acointier, LL.
adcognitare, fr. L. ad + cognitus, p. p. of cognoscere to know; con- +
noscere to know. See Quaint, Know.]
1. To furnish or give experimental knowledge of; to make (one) to
know; to make familiar; -- followed by with.
Before a man can speak on any subject, it is necessary to be
acquainted with it. Locke.
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Isa. liii. 3.
2. To communicate notice to; to inform; to make cognizant; -- followed
by with (formerly, also, by of), or by that, introducing the
intelligence; as, to acquaint a friend with the particulars of an act.
Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love. Shak.
I must acquaint you that I have received New dated letters from
Northumberland. Shak.
3. To familiarize; to accustom. [Obs.] Evelyn.
To be acquainted with, to be possessed of personal knowledge of; to be
cognizant of; to be more or less familiar with; to be on terms of
social intercourse with. Syn. -- To inform; apprise; communicate;
advise.
Acquaintable
Ac*quaint"a*ble (#), a. [Cf. OF. acointable]. Easy to be acquainted
with; affable. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
Acquaintance
Ac*quaint"ance (#), n. [OE. aqueintance, OF. acointance, fr.
acointier. See Acquaint.]
1. A state of being acquainted, or of having intimate, or more than
slight or superficial, knowledge; personal knowledge gained by
intercourse short of that of friendship or intimacy; as, I know the
man; but have no acquaintance with him.
Contract no friendship, or even acquaintance, with a guileful man.
Sir W. Jones.
2. A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
Montgomery was an old acquaintance of Ferguson. Macaulay.
NOTE: &hand; In th is se nse th e collective term acquaintance was
formerly both singular and plural, but it is now commonly singular,
and has the regular plural acquaintances.
To be of acquaintance, to be intimate. -- To take acquaintance of or
with, to make the acquaintance of. [Obs.] Syn. -- Familiarity;
intimacy; fellowship; knowledge. -- Acquaintance, Familiarity,
Intimacy. These words mark different degrees of closeness in social
intercourse. Acquaintance arises from occasional intercourse; as, our
acquaintance has been a brief one. We can speak of a slight or an
intimate acquaintance. Familiarity is the result of continued
acquaintance. It springs from persons being frequently together, so as
to wear off all restraint and reserve; as, the familiarity of old
companions. Intimacy is the result of close connection, and the freest
interchange of thought; as, the intimacy of established friendship.
Our admiration of a famous man lessens upon our nearer acquaintance
with him. Addison.
We contract at last such a familiarity with them as makes it
difficult and irksome for us to call off our minds. Atterbury.
It is in our power to confine our friendships and intimacies to men
of virtue. Rogers.
Acquaintanceship
Ac*quaint"ance*ship, n. A state of being acquainted; acquaintance.
Southey.
Acquaintant
Ac*quaint"ant (#), n. [Cf. F. acointant, p. pr.] An acquaintance. [R.]
Swift.
Acquainted
Ac*quaint"ed, a. Personally known; familiar. See To be acquainted
with, under Acquaint, v. t.
Acquaintedness
Ac*quaint"ed*ness, n. State of being acquainted; degree of
acquaintance. [R.] Boyle.
Acquest
Ac*quest" (#), n. [OF. aquest, F. acqu\'88t, fr. LL. acquestum,
acquis\'c6tum, for L. acquis\'c6tum, p. p. (used substantively) of
acquirere to acquire. See Acquire.]
1. Acquisition; the thing gained. [R.] Bacon.
2. (Law) Property acquired by purchase, gift, or otherwise than by
inheritance. Bouvier.
Acquiesce
Ac`qui*esce" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Acquiesced (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Acquiescing (#)] [L. acquiescere; ad + quiescere to be quiet, fr.
quies rest: cf. F. acquiescer. See Quiet.]
1. To rest satisfied, or apparently satisfied, or to rest without
opposition and discontent (usually implying previous opposition or
discontent); to accept or consent by silence or by omitting to object;
-- followed by in, formerly also by with and to.
They were compelled to acquiesce in a government which they did not
regard as just. De Quincey.
2. To concur upon conviction; as, to acquiesce in an opinion; to
assent to; usually, to concur, not heartily but so far as to forbear
opposition. Syn. -- To submit; comply; yield; assent; agree; consent;
accede; concur; conform; accept tacitly.
Acquiescence
Ac`qui*es"cence (#), n. [Cf. F. acquiescence.]
1. A silent or passive assent or submission, or a submission with
apparent content; -- distinguished from avowed consent on the one
hand, and on the other, from opposition or open discontent; quiet
satisfaction.
2. (Crim. Law) (a) Submission to an injury by the party injured. (b)
Tacit concurrence in the action of another. Wharton. p. 17
Acquiescency
Ac`qui*es"cen*cy (#), n. The quality of being acquiescent;
acquiescence.
Acquiescent
Ac`qui*es"cent (#), a. [L. acquiescens, -; p. pr.] Resting satisfied
or submissive; disposed tacitly to submit; assentive; as, an
acquiescent policy.
Acquiescently
Ac`qui*es"cent*ly, adv. In an acquiescent manner.
Acquiet
Ac*qui"et (#), v. t. [LL. acquietare; L. ad + quies rest. See Quiet
and cf. Acquit.] To quiet. [Obs.]
Acquiet his mind from stirring you against your own peace. Sir A.
Sherley.
Acquirability
Ac*quir"a*bil"i*ty (#), n. The quality of being acquirable;
attainableness. [R.] Paley.
Acquirable
Ac*quir"a*ble (#), a. Capable of being acquired.
Acquire
Ac*quire" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquired (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Acquiring (#).] [L. acquirere, acquisitum; ad + quarere to seek
for. In OE. was a verb aqueren, fr. the same, through OF. aquerre.
See Quest..] To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as
one's own; as, to acquire a title, riches, knowledge, skill, good
or bad habits.
No virtue is acquired in an instant, but step by step. Barrow.
Descent is the title whereby a man, on the death of his ancestor,
acquires his estate, by right of representation, as his heir at
law. Blackstone.
Syn. -- To obtain; gain; attain; procure; win; earn; secure. See
Obtain.
Acquirement
Ac*quire"ment (#), n. The act of acquiring, or that which is
acquired; attainment. "Rules for the acquirement of a taste."
Addison.
His acquirements by industry were . . . enriched and enlarged by
many excellent endowments of nature. Hayward.
Syn. -- Acquisition, Acquirement. Acquirement is used in opposition
to a natural gift or talent; as, eloquence, and skill in music and
painting, are acquirements; genius is the gift or endowment of
nature. It denotes especially personal attainments, in opposition
to material or external things gained, which are more usually
called acquisitions; but this distinction is not always observed.
Acquirer
Ac*quir"er (#), n. A person who acquires.
Acquiry
Ac*quir"y (#), n. Acquirement. [Obs.] Barrow.
Acquisite
Ac"qui*site (#), a. [L. acquisitus, p. p. of acquirere. See
Acquire.] Acquired. [Obs.] Burton.
Acquisition
Ac`qui*si"tion (#), n. [L. acquisitio, fr. acquirere: cf. F.
acquisition. See Acquire.]
1. The act or process of acquiring.
The acquisition or loss of a province. Macaulay.
2. The thing acquired or gained; an acquirement; a gain; as,
learning is an acquisition. Syn. -- See Acquirement.
Acquisitive
Ac*quis"i*tive (#), a.
1. Acquired. [Obs.]
He died not in his acquisitive, but in his native soil. Wotton.
2. Able or disposed to make acquisitions; acquiring; as, an
acquisitive person or disposition.
Acquisitively
Ac*quis"i*tive*ly, adv. In the way of acquisition.
Acquisitiveness
Ac*quis"i*tive*ness, n.
1. The quality of being acquisitive; propensity to acquire
property; desire of possession.
2. (Phren.) The faculty to which the phrenologists attribute the
desire of acquiring and possessing. Combe.
Acquisitor
Ac*quis"i*tor (#), n. One who acquires.
Acquist
Ac*quist" (#), n. [Cf. Acquest.] Acquisition; gain. Milton.
Acquit
Ac*quit" (#), p. p. Acquitted; set free; rid of. [Archaic] Shak.
Acquit
Ac*quit", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquitted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Acquitting.] [OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; (L. ad) + OF.
quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See Quit, and cf. Acquiet.]
1. To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to
requite.
A responsibility that can never be absolutely acquitted. I. Taylor.
2. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.] Shak.
3. To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty,
liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge; -- now followed
by of before the charge, formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted
the prisoner; we acquit a man of evil intentions.
4. Reflexively: (a) To clear one's self.k. (b) To bear or conduct
one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted
himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly.
Syn. -- To absolve; clear; exonerate; exonerate; exculpate;
release; discharge. See Absolve.
Acquitment
Ac*quit"ment (#), n. [Cf. OF. aquitement.] Acquittal. [Obs.]
Milton.
Acquittal
Ac*quit"tal (#), n.
1. The act of acquitting; discharge from debt or obligation;
acquittance.
2. (Law) A setting free, or deliverance from the charge of an
offense, by verdict of a jury or sentence of a court. Bouvier.
Acquittance
Ac*quit"tance (#), n. [OF. aquitance, fr. aquiter. See Acquit.]
1. The clearing off of debt or obligation; a release or discharge
from debt or other liability.
2. A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full,
which bars a further demand.
You can produce acquittances For such a sum, from special officers.
Shak.
Acquittance
Ac*quit"tance, v. t. To acquit. [Obs.] Shak.
Acquitter
Ac*quit"ter (#), n. One who acquits or releases.
Acrania
A*cra"ni*a (#), n. [NL., from Gr.
1. (Physiol.) Partial or total absence of the skull.
2. pl. (Zo\'94l.) The lowest group of Vertebrata, including the
amphioxus, in which no skull exists.
Acranial
A*cra"ni*al (#), a. Wanting a skull.
Acrase, Acraze
A*crase", A*craze" (#), v. t. [Pref. a- + crase; or cf. F.
\'82craser to crush. See Crase, Craze.]
1. To craze. [Obs.] Grafton.
2. To impair; to destroy. [Obs.] Hacket.
Acrasia, Acrasy
A*cra"si*a (#), Ac"ra*sy (#) n. [Gr. akrasia.] Excess;
intemperance. [Obs. except in Med.] Farindon.
Acraspeda
A*cras"pe*da (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A group of
acalephs, including most of the larger jellyfishes; the Discophora.
Acre
A"cre (#), n. [OE. aker, AS. \'91cer; akin to OS. accar, OHG.
achar, Ger. acker, Icel. akr, Sw. \'86ker, Dan. ager, Goth. akrs,
L. ager, Gr. ajra. \'fb2, 206.]
1. Any field of arable or pasture land. [Obs.]
2. A piece of land, containing 160 square rods, or 4,840 square
yards, or 43,560 square feet. This is the English statute acre.
That of the United States is the same. The Scotch acre was about
1.26 of the English, and the Irish 1.62 of the English.
NOTE: &hand; Th e acre was limited to its present definite quantity
by statutes of Edward I., Edward III., and Henry VIII.
Broad acres, many acres, much landed estate. [Rhetorical] -- God's
acre, God's field; the churchyard.
I like that ancient Saxon phrase, which calls The burial ground,
God's acre. Longfellow.
Acreable
A"cre*a*ble (#), a. Of an acre; per acre; as, the acreable produce.
Acreage
A"cre*age (#), n. Acres collectively; as, the acreage of a farm or a
country.
Acred
A"cred (#), a. Possessing acres or landed property; -- used in
composition; as, large-acred men.
Acrid
Ac"rid (#), a. [L. acer sharp; prob. assimilated in form to acid. See
Eager.]
1. Sharp and harsh, or bitter and not, to the taste; pungent; as,
acrid salts.
2. Causing heat and irritation; corrosive; as, acrid secretions.
3. Caustic; bitter; bitterly irritating; as, acrid temper, mind,
writing.
Acrid poison, a poison which irritates, corrodes, or burns the parts
to which it is applied.
Acridity, Acridness
A*crid"i*ty (#), Ac"rid*ness (#) n. The quality of being acrid or
pungent; irritant bitterness; acrimony; as, the acridity of a plant,
of a speech.
Acridly
Ac"rid*ly (#), adv. In an acid manner.
Acrimonious
Ac"ri*mo"ni*ous (#), a. [Cf. LL. acrimonious, F. acrimonieux.]
1. Acrid; corrosive; as, acrimonious gall. [Archaic] Harvey.
2. Caustic; bitter-tempered' sarcastic; as, acrimonious dispute,
language, temper.
Acrimoniously
Ac`ri*mo"ni*ous*ly, adv. In an acrimonious manner.
Acrimoniousness
Ac`ri*mo"ni*ous*ness, n. The quality of being acrimonious; asperity;
acrimony.
Acrimony
Ac"ri*mo*ny (#), n.; pl. Acrimonies (#). [L. acrimonia, fr. acer,
sharp: cf. F. acrimonie.]
1. A quality of bodies which corrodes or destroys others; also, a
harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain
plants. [Archaic] Bacon.
2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper; irritating
bitterness of disposition or manners.
John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and indignation to
baffle this senseless arrogant conceit of theirs. South.
Syn. -- Acrimony, Asperity, Harshness, Tartness. These words express
different degrees of angry feeling or language. Asperity and harshness
arise from angry feelings, connected with a disregard for the feelings
of others. Harshness usually denotes needless severity or an undue
measure of severity. Acrimony is a biting sharpness produced by an
imbittered spirit. Tartness denotes slight asperity and implies some
degree of intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness of
accusation; acrimony of invective.
In his official letters he expressed, with great acrimony, his
contempt for the king's character. Macaulay.
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no
benefit has been received. Johnson.
A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth of harshness and
brutality. Shaftesbury.
Acrisia, Acrisy
A*cris"i*a (#), Ac"ri*sy (#), n. [LL. acrisia, Gr.
1. Inability to judge.
2. (Med.) Undecided character of a disease. [Obs.]
Acrita
Ac"ri*ta (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) The lowest groups of
animals, in which no nervous system has been observed.
Acritan
Ac"ri*tan (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the Acrita. -- n. An
individual of the Acrita.
Acrite
Ac"rite (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Acritan. Owen.
Acritical
A*crit"ic*al (#), a. [Gr. (Med.) Having no crisis; giving no
indications of a crisis; as, acritical symptoms, an acritical abscess.
Acritochromacy
Ac`ri*to*chro"ma*cy (#), n. [Gr. Color blindness; achromatopsy.
Acritude
Ac"ri*tude (#), n. [L. acritudo, from acer sharp.] Acridity; pungency
joined with heat. [Obs.]
Acrity
Ac"ri*ty (#), n. [L. acritas, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. \'83cret\'82.]
Sharpness; keenness. [Obs.]
Acroamatic, Acroamatical
Ac`ro*a*mat"ic (#), Ac`ro*a*mat"ic*al (#), a. [Gr. Communicated
orally; oral; -- applied to the esoteric teachings of Aristotle, those
intended for his genuine disciples, in distinction from his exoteric
doctrines, which were adapted to outsiders or the public generally.
Hence: Abstruse; profound.
Acroatic
Ac`ro*at"ic (#), a. [Gr. Same as Acroamatic.
Acrobat
Ac"ro*bat (#), n. [F. acrobate, fr. Gr. One who practices rope
dancing, high vaulting, or other daring gymnastic feats.
Acrobatic
Ac`ro*bat"ic (#), a. [Cf. F. acrobatique.] Pertaining to an acrobat.
-- Ac`ro*bat"ic*al*ly, adv.
Acrobatism
Ac"ro*bat*ism (#), n. Feats of the acrobat; daring gymnastic feats;
high vaulting.
Acrocarpous
Ac`ro*car"pous (#), a. [Gr. (Bot.) (a) Having a terminal
fructification; having the fruit at the end of the stalk. (b) Having
the fruit stalks at the end of a leafy stem, as in certain mosses.
Acrocephalic
Ac`ro*ce*phal"ic (#), a. [Gr. Cephalic.] Characterized by a high
skull.
Acrocephaly
Ac`ro*ceph"a*ly (#), n. Loftiness of skull.
Acroceraunian
Ac`ro*ce*rau"ni*an (#), a. [L. acroceraunius, fr. Gr. Of or pertaining
to the high mountain range of "thunder-smitten" peaks (now Kimara),
between Epirus and Macedonia. Shelley.
Acrodactylum
Ac`ro*dac"tyl*um (#), n. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) The upper surface
of the toes, individually.
Acrodont
Ac"ro*dont (#), n. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) One of a group of lizards having
the teeth immovably united to the top of the alveolar ridge. -- a. Of
or pertaining to the acrodonts.
Acrogen
Ac"ro*gen (#), n. [Gr. -gen.]
Acrogen
Ac"ro*gen (#), n. [Gr. -gen.] (Bot.) A plant of the highest class of
cryptograms, including the ferns, etc. See Cryptogamia. The Age of
Acrogens (Geol.), the age of coal plants, or the carboniferous era.
Acrogenous
Ac*rog"e*nous (#), a. (Bot.) Increasing by growth from the extremity;
as, an acrogenous plant.
Acrolein
A*cro"le*in (#), n. [L. acer sharp + ol\'c7re to smell.] (Chem.) A
limpid, colorless, highly volatile liquid, obtained by the dehydration
of glycerin, or the destructive distillation of neutral fats
containing glycerin. Its vapors are intensely irritating. Watts.
Acrolith
Ac"ro*lith (#), n. [L. acrolthus, Gr. with the ends made of stone;
(Arch. & Sculp.) A statue whose extremities are of stone, the trunk
being generally of wood. Elmes.
Acrolithan, Acrolithic
A*crol"i*than (#), Ac`ro*lith"ic (#), a. Pertaining to, or like, an
acrolith.
Acromegaly
Ac`ro*meg"a*ly (#), n. [NL. acromegalia, fr. Gr. (Med.) Chronic
enlargement of the extremities and face.
Acromial
A*cro"mi*al (#), a. [Cf. F. acromial.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the
acromion. Dunglison.
Acromion
A*cro"mi*on (#), n. [Gr. acromion.] (Anat.) The outer extremity of the
shoulder blade.
Acromonogrammatic
Ac`ro*mon`o*gram*mat"ic (#), a. [Gr. Having each verse begin with the
same letter as that with which the preceding verse ends.
Acronyc, Acronychal
A*cron"yc (#), A*cron"ych*al (#), a. [Gr. (Astron.) Rising at sunset
and setting at sunrise, as a star; -- opposed to cosmical.
NOTE: &hand; Th e wo rd is sometimes incorrectly written acronical,
achronychal, acronichal, and acronical.
Acronycally
A*cron"yc*al*ly, adv. In an acronycal manner as rising at the setting
of the sun, and vise vers\'83.
Acronyctous
Ac"ro*nyc"tous (#), a. [Gr. (Astron.) Acronycal.
Acrook
A*crook" (#), adv. Crookedly. [R.] Udall.
Acropetal
A*crop"e*tal (#), a. [Gr. petere to seek.] (Bot.) Developing from
below towards the apex, or from the circumference towards the center;
centripetal; -- said of certain inflorescence.
Achrophony
A*chroph"o*ny (#), n. [Gr. The use of a picture symbol of an object to
represent phonetically the initial sound of the name of the object.
Acropodium
Ac`ro*po"di*um (#), n. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) The entire upper surface of the
foot.
Acropolis
A*crop"o*lis (#), n. [Gr. The upper part, or the citadel, of a Grecian
city; especially, the citadel of Athens.
Acropolitan
Ac"ro*pol"i*tan (#), a. Pertaining to an acropolis.
Acrospire
Ac"ro*spire (#), n. [Gr. (Bot.) The sprout at the end of a seed when
it begins to germinate; the plumule in germination; -- so called from
its spiral form.
Acrospire
Ac"ro*spire, v. i. To put forth the first sprout.
Acrospore
Ac"ro*spore (#), n. [Gr. (Bot.) A spore borne at the extremity of the
cells of fructification in fungi.
Acrosporous
Ac"ro*spor"ous (#), a. Having acrospores.
Across
A*cross" (#; 115), prep. [Pref. a- + cross: cf. F. en croix. See
Cross, n.] From side to side; athwart; crosswise, or in a direction
opposed to the length; quite over; as, a bridge laid across a river.
Dryden. To come across, to come upon or meet incidentally. Freeman. --
To go across the country, to go by a direct course across a region
without following the roads.
Across
A*cross", adv.
1. From side to side; crosswise; as, with arms folded across. Shak.
2. Obliquely; athwart; amiss; awry. [Obs.]
The squint-eyed Pharisees look across at all the actions of Christ.
Bp. Hall.
Acrostic
A*cros"tic (#) (#), n. [Gr.
1. A composition, usually in verse, in which the first or the last
letters of the lines, or certain other letters, taken in order, form a
name, word, phrase, or motto.
2. A Hebrew poem in which the lines or stanzas begin with the letters
of the alphabet in regular order (as Psalm cxix.). See Abecedarian.
Double acrostic, a species of enigma<-- crossword puzzle -->, in which
words are to be guessed whose initial and final letters form other
words.
Acrostic, Acrostial
A*cros"tic (#), A*cros"ti*al (#), n. Pertaining to, or characterized
by, acrostics.
Acrostically
A*cros"tic*al*ly, adv. After the manner of an acrostic.
Acrotarsium
Ac`ro*tar"si*um (#), n. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) The instep or front
of the tarsus. <-- p. 18 -->
Acroteleutic
Ac`ro*te*leu"tic (#), n. [Gr. (Eccles.) The end of a verse or psalm,
or something added thereto, to be sung by the people, by way of a
response.
Acroter
Ac"ro*ter (#), n. [F. acrot\'8are. See Acroterium.] (Arch.) Same as
Acroterium.
Acroterial
Ac`ro*te"ri*al (#), a. Pertaining to an acroterium; as, ornaments. P.
Cyc.
Acroterium
Ac`ro*te`ri*um (#), n.; pl. Acrotplwia (#). [L., fr. Gr. (Arch.) (a)
One of the small pedestals, for statues or other ornaments, placed on
the apex and at the basal angles of a pediment. Acroteria are also
sometimes placed upon the gables in Gothic architecture. J. H. Parker.
(b) One of the pedestals, for vases or statues, forming a part roof
balustrade.
Acrotic
A*crot"ic (#), a. [Gr. (Med.) Pertaining to or affecting the surface.
Acrotism
Ac"ro*tism (#), n. [Gr. (Med.) Lack or defect of pulsation.
Acrotomous
A*crot"o*mous (#), a. [Gr. (Min.) Having a cleavage parallel with the
base.
Acrylic
A*cryl"ic (#), a. (Chem.) Of or containing acryl, the hypothetical
radical of which acrolein is the hydride; as, acrylic acid.
Act
Act (#), n. [L. actus, fr. agere to drive, do: cf. F. acte. See
Agent.]
1. That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect,
of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.
That best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless,
unremembered acts Of kindness and of love. Wordsworth.
Hence, in specific uses: (a) The result of public deliberation; the
decision or determination of a legislative body, council, court of
justice, etc.; a decree, edit, law, judgment, resolve, award; as, an
act of Parliament, or of Congress. (b) A formal solemn writing,
expressing that something has been done. Abbott. (c) A performance of
part of a play; one of the principal divisions of a play or dramatic
work in which a certain definite part of the action is completed. (d)
A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a
candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.
2. A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or
possible existence. [Obs.]
The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility,
what they afterward grow to be. Hooker.
3. Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point
of (doing). "In act to shoot." Dryden.
This woman was taken . . . in the very act. John viii. 4.
Act of attainder. (Law) See Attainder. -- Act of bankruptcy (Law), an
act of a debtor which renders him liable to be adjudged a bankrupt. --
Act of faith. (Ch. Hist.) See Auto-da-F\'82. -- Act of God (Law), an
inevitable accident; such extraordinary interruption of the usual
course of events as is not to be looked for in advance, and against
which ordinary prudence could not guard. -- Act of grace, an
expression often used to designate an act declaring pardon or amnesty
to numerous offenders, as at the beginning of a new reign. -- Act of
indemnity, a statute passed for the protection of those who have
committed some illegal act subjecting them to penalties. Abbott. --
Act in pais, a thing done out of court (anciently, in the country),
and not a matter of record. Syn. -- See Action.
Act
Act, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acting.] [L. actus, p.
p. of agere to drive, lead, do; but influenced by E. act, n.]
1. To move to action; to actuate; to animate. [Obs.]
Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul. Pope.
2. To perform; to execute; to do. [Archaic]
That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our
necessity. Jer. Taylor.
Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of
acting things expedient for us to do. Barrow.
Uplifted hands that at convenient times Could act extortion and the
worst of crimes. Cowper.
3. To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.
4. To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to
act the hero.
5. To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.
With acted fear the villain thus pursued. Dryden.
To act a part, to sustain the part of one of the characters in a play;
hence, to simulate; to dissemble. -- To act the part of, to take the
character of; to fulfill the duties of.
Act
Act, v. i.
1. To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon
food.
2. To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to
move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a
determination of the will.
He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest. Pope.
3. To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public
offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has
acted so.
4. To perform on the stage; to represent a character.
To show the world how Garrick did not act. Cowper.
To act as OR for, to do the work of; to serve as. -- To act on, to
regulate one's conduct according to. -- To act up to, to equal in
action; to fulfill in practice; as, he has acted up to his engagement
or his advantages.<-- to act up, to misbehave -->
Actable
Act"a*ble (#), a. Capable of being acted. Tennyson.
Actinal
Ac"ti*nal (#), a. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to the part of a radiate
animal which contains the mouth. L. Agassiz.
Actinaria
Ac`ti*na"ri*a (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A large division
of Anthozoa, including those which have simple tentacles and do not
form stony corals. Sometimes, in a wider sense, applied to all the
Anthozoa, expert the Alcyonaria, whether forming corals or not.
Acting
Act"ing (#), a.
1. Operating in any way.
2. Doing duty for another; officiating; as, an superintendent.
Actinia
Ac*tin"i*a (#), n.; pl. L. Actini\'91 (#), E. Actinias (#). [Latinized
fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) (a) An animal of the class Anthozoa, and family
Actinid\'91. From a resemblance to flowers in form and color, they are
often called animal flowers and sea anemones. [See Polyp.]. (b) A
genus in the family Actinid\'91.
Actinic
Ac*tin"ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to actinism; as, actinic rays.
Actiniform
Ac*tin"i*form (#), a. [Gr. -form.] Having a radiated form, like a sea
anemone.
Actinism
Ac"tin*ism (#), n. [Gr. The property of radiant energy (found chiefly
in solar or electric light) by which chemical changes are produced, as
in photography.
Actinium
Ac*tin"i*um (#), n. [Gr. (Chem.) A supposed metal, said by Phipson to
be contained in commercial zinc; -- so called because certain of its
compounds are darkened by exposure to light.
Actino-chemistry
Ac`ti*no-chem"is*try (#), n. Chemistry in its relations to actinism.
Draper.
Actinograph
Ac*tin"o*graph (#), n. [Gr. -graph.] An instrument for measuring and
recording the variations in the actinic or chemical force of rays of
light. Nichol.
Actinoid
Ac"tin*oid (#), a. [Gr. -oid.] Having the form of rays; radiated, as
an actinia.
Actinolite
Ac*tin"o*lite (#), n. [Gr. -lite.] (Min.) A bright green variety of
amphibole occurring usually in fibrous or columnar masses.
Actinolitic
Ac`tin*o*lit"ic (#), a. (Min.) Of the nature of, or containing,
actinolite.
Actinology
Ac`ti*nol"o*gy (#), n. [Gr. -logy.] The science which treats of rays
of light, especially of the actinic or chemical rays.
Actinomere
Ac*tin"o*mere (#), n. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) One of the radial segments
composing the body of one of the C\'d2lenterata.
Actinometer
Ac`ti*nom"e*ter (#), n. [Gr. -meter] (a) An instrument for measuring
the direct heating power of the sun's rays. (b) An instrument for
measuring the actinic effect of rays of light.
Actinometric
Ac`ti*no*met"ric (#), a. Pertaining to the measurement of the
intensity of the solar rays, either (a) heating, or (b) actinic.
Actinometry
Ac`ti*nom"e*try (#), n.
1. The measurement of the force of solar radiation. Maury.
2. The measurement of the chemical or actinic energy of light. Abney.
Actinophorous
Ac`ti*noph"o*rous (#), a. [Gr. Having straight projecting spines.
Actinosome
Ac*tin"o*some (#), n. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) The entire body of a
c\'d2lenterate.
Actinost
Ac"tin*ost (#), n. [Gr. (Anat.) One of the bones at the base of a
paired fin of a fish.
Actinostome
Ac*tin"o*stome (#), n. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) The mouth or anterior opening
of a c\'d2lenterate animal.
Actinotrocha
Ac`ti*not"ro*cha (#), n. pl. [NL.; Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A peculiar larval
form of Phoronis, a genus of marine worms, having a circle of ciliated
tentacles.
Actinozoa
Ac"ti*no*zo"a (#), n. pl. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A group of C\'d2lenterata,
comprising the Anthozoa Ctenophora. The sea anemone, or actinia, is a
familiar example.
Actinozoal
Ac`ti*no*zo"al (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the Actinozoa.
Actinozo\'94n
Ac"ti*no*zo"\'94n (#), n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Actinozoa.
Actinula
Ac*tin"u*la (#), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A kind of embryo of
certain hydroids (Tubularia), having a stellate form.
Action
Ac"tion (#), n. [OF. action, L. actio, fr. agere to do. See Act.]
1. A process or condition of acting or moving, as opposed to rest; the
doing of something; exertion of power or force, as when one body acts
on another; the effect of power exerted on one body by another;
agency; activity; operation; as, the action of heat; a man of action.
One wise in council, one in action brave. Pope.
2. An act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.): Habitual deeds;
hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor.
The Lord is a Good of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 1
Sam. ii. 3.
3. The event or connected series of events, either real or imaginary,
forming the subject of a play, poem, or other composition; the
unfolding of the drama of events.
4. Movement; as, the horse has a spirited action.
5. (Mech.) Effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech action of
a gun.
6. (Physiol.) Any one of the active processes going on in an organism;
the performance of a function; as, the action of the heart, the
muscles, or the gastric juice.
7. (Orat.) Gesticulation; the external deportment of the speaker, or
the suiting of his attitude, voice, gestures, and countenance, to the
subject, or to the feelings.
8. (Paint. & Sculp.) The attitude or position of the several parts of
the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.
9. (Law) (a) A suit or process, by which a demand is made of a right
in a court of justice; in a broad sense, a judicial proceeding for the
enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a
wrong, or the punishment of a public offense. (b) A right of action;
as, the law gives an action for every claim.
10. (Com.)A share in the capital stock of a joint-stock company, or in
the public funds; hence, in the plural, equivalent to stocks. [A
Gallicism] [Obs.]
The Euripus of funds and actions. Burke.
11. An engagement between troops in war, whether on land or water; a
battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial action.
12. (Music) The mechanical contrivance by means of which the impulse
of the player's finger is transmitted to the strings of a pianoforte
or to the valve of an organ pipe. Grove.
Chose in action. (Law) See Chose. -- Quantity of action (Physics), the
product of the mass of a body by the space it runs through, and its
velocity. Syn. -- Action, Act. In many cases action and act are
synonymous; but some distinction is observable. Action involves the
mode or process of acting, and is usually viewed as occupying some
time in doing. Act has more reference to the effect, or the operation
as complete.
To poke the fire is an act, to reconcile friends who have quarreled
is a praiseworthy action. C. J. Smith.
Actionable
Ac"tion*a*ble (#), a. [Cf. LL. actionabilis. See Action.] That may be
the subject of an action or suit at law; as, to call a man a thief is
actionable.
Actionably
Ac"tion*a*bly, adv. In an actionable manner.
Actionary, Actionist
Ac"tion*a*ry (#), Ac"tion*ist (#), n. [Cf. F. actionnaire.] (Com.) A
shareholder in joint-stock company. [Obs.]
Actionless
Ac"tion*less, a. Void of action.
Activate
Ac"ti*vate (#), v. t. To make active. [Obs.]
Active
Ac"tive (#), a. [F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere to act.]
1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change;
communicating action or motion; acting; -- opposed to passive, that
receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble;
as, an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait. Wordsworth.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; -- opposed to
quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities;
an active volcano.
4. Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent;
busy; -- opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active
man of business; active mind; active zeal.
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; -- opposed to sedentary
or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; --
opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a
speculative statesman.
7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
8. Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an
active remedy.
9. (Gram.) (a) Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to passive.
See Active voice, under Voice. (b) Applied to verbs which assert that
the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive. (c)
Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere
existence or state.
Active capital, Active wealth, money, or property that may readily be
converted into money. Syn. -- Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble;
lively; quick; sprightly; prompt; energetic.
Actively
Ac"tive*ly, adv.
1. In an active manner; nimbly; briskly; energetically; also, by one's
own action; voluntarily, not passively.
2. (Gram.) In an active signification; as, a word used actively.
Activeness
Ac"tive*ness, n. The quality of being active; nimbleness; quickness of
motion; activity.
Activity
Ac*tiv"i*ty (#), n.; pl. Activities (#). [Cf. F. activit\'82, LL.
activitas.] The state or quality of being active; nimbleness; agility;
vigorous action or operation; energy; active force; as, an increasing
variety of human activities. "The activity of toil." Palfrey. Syn. --
Liveliness; briskness; quickness.
Actless
Act"less (#), a. Without action or spirit. [R.]
Acton
Ac"ton (#), n. [OF. aketon, auqueton, F. hoqueton, a quilted jacket,
fr. Sp. alcoton, algodon, cotton. Cf. Cotton.] A stuffed jacket worn
under the mail, or (later) a jacket plated with mail. [Spelled also
hacqueton.] [Obs.] Halliwell. Sir W. Scott.
Actor
Ac"tor (#), n. [L. actor, fr. agere to act.]
1. One who acts, or takes part in any affair; a doer.
2. A theatrical performer; a stageplayer.
After a well graced actor leaves the stage. Shak.
3. (Law) (a) An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes. Jacobs.
(b) One who institutes a suit; plaintiff or complainant.
Actress
Ac`tress (#), n. [Cf. F. actrice.]
1. A female actor or doer. [Obs.] Cockeram.
2. A female stageplayer; a woman who acts a part.
Actual
Ac"tu*al (#; 135), a. [OE. actuel, F. actuel, L. actualis, fr. agere
to do, act.]
1. Involving or comprising action; active. [Obs.]
Her walking and other actual performances. Shak.
Let your holy and pious intention be actual; that is . . . by a
special prayer or action, . . . given to God. Jer. Taylor.
2. Existing in act or reality; really acted or acting; in fact; real;
-- opposed to potential, possible, virtual, speculative, coceivable,
theoretical, or nominal; as, the actual cost of goods; the actual case
under discussion.
3. In action at the time being; now exiting; present; as the actual
situation of the country.
Actual cautery. See under Cautery. -- Actual sin (Theol.), that kind
of sin which is done by ourselves in contradistinction to "original
sin." Syn. -- Real; genuine; positive; certain. See Real. <-- p. 19
-->
Actual
Ac"tu*al (#), n. (Finance) Something actually received; real, as
distinct from estimated, receipts. [Cant]
The accounts of revenues supplied . . . were not real receipts:
not, in financial language, "actuals," but only Egyptian budget
estimates. Fortnightly Review.
Actualist
Ac"tu*al*ist, n. One who deals with or considers actually existing
facts and conditions, rather than fancies or theories; -- opposed to
idealist. J. Grote.
Actuality
Ac`tu*al"i*ty (#), n.; pl. Actualities (#). The state of being actual;
reality; as, the actuality of God's nature. South.
Actualization
Ac`tu*al*i*za"tion (#), n. A making actual or really existent. [R.]
Emerson.
Actualize
Ac"tu*al*ize (#), v. t. To make actual; to realize in action. [R.]
Coleridge.
Actually
Ac"tu*al*ly, adv.
1. Actively. [Obs.] "Neither actually . . . nor passively." Fuller.
2. In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
Actualness
Ac"tu*al*ness, n. Quality of being actual; actuality.
Actuarial
Ac`tu*a"ri*al (#), a. Of or pertaining to actuaries; as, the actuarial
value of an annuity.
Actuary
Ac"tu*a*ry (#), n.; pl. Actuaries (#). [L. actuarius copyist, clerk,
fr. actus, p. p. of agere to do, act.]
1. (Law) A registar or clerk; -- used originally in courts of civil
law jurisdiction, but in Europe used for a clerk or registar
generally.
2. The computing official of an insurance company; one whose
profession it is to calculate for insurance companies the risks and
premiums for life, fire, and other insurances.
Actuate
Ac"tu*ate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Actuated (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Actuating (#).] [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L. actus act.]
1. To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action; to
influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more commonly used of
persons.
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual
motion. Johnson.
Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on
the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it.
Addison.
2. To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate what you
command." Jer. Taylor. Syn. -- To move; impel; incite; rouse;
instigate; animate.
Actuate
Ac"tu*ate (#), a. [LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare.] Put in action;
actuated. [Obs.] South.
Actuation
Ac`tu*a"tion (#), n. [Cf. LL. actuatio.] A bringing into action;
movement. Bp. Pearson.
Actuator
Ac"tu*a`tor (#), n. One who actuates, or puts into action. [R.]
Melville.
Actuose
Ac"tu*ose` (#), a. [L. actuosus.] Very active. [Obs.]
Actuosity
Ac`tu*os"i*ty (#), n. Abundant activity. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
Acture
Ac"ture (#), n. Action. [Obs.] Shak.
Acturience
Ac*tu"ri*ence (#), n. [A desid. of L. agere, actum, to act.] Tendency
or impulse to act. [R.]
Acturience, or desire of action, in one form or another, whether as
restlessness, ennui, dissatisfaction, or the imagination of
something desirable. J. Grote.
Acuate
Ac"u*ate (#), v. t. [L. acus needle.] To sharpen; to make pungent; to
quicken. [Obs.] "[To] acuate the blood." Harvey.
Acuate
Ac"u*ate (#), a. Sharpened; sharp-pointed.
Acuation
Ac`u*a"tion (#), n. Act of sharpening. [R.]
Acuition
Ac`u*i"tion (#), n. [L. acutus, as if acuitus, p. p. of acuere to
sharpen.] The act of sharpening. [Obs.]
Acuity
A*cu"i*ty (#), n. [LL. acuitas: cf. F. acuit\'82.] Sharpness or
acuteness, as of a needle, wit, etc.
Aculeate
A*cu"le*ate (#), a. [L. aculeatus, fr. aculeus, dim. of acus needle.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) Having a sting; covered with prickles; sharp like a
prickle.
2. (Bot.) Having prickles, or sharp points; beset with prickles.
3. Severe or stinging; incisive. [R.] Bacon.
Aculeated
A*cu"le*a`ted (#), a. Having a sharp point; armed with prickles;
prickly; aculeate.
Aculeiform
A*cu"le*i*form (#), a. Like a prickle.
Aculeolate
A*cu"le*o*late (#), a. [L. aculeolus little needle.] (Bot.) Having
small prickles or sharp points. Gray.
Aculeous
A*cu"le*ous (#), a. Aculeate. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Aculeus
A*cu"le*us (#), n.; pl. Aculei (#). [L., dim. of acus needle.]
1. (Bot.) A prickle growing on the bark, as in some brambles and
roses. Lindley.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A sting.
Acumen
A*cu"men (#), n. [L. acumen, fr. acuere to sharpen. Cf. Acute.]
Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the
faculty of nice discrimination. Selden. Syn. -- Sharpness; sagacity;
keenness; shrewdness; acuteness.
Acuminate
A*cu"mi*nate (#), a. [L. acuminatus, p. p. of acuminare to sharpen,
fr. acumen. See Acumen.] Tapering to a point; pointed; as, acuminate
leaves, teeth, etc.
Acuminate
A*cu"mi*nate (#), v. t. To render sharp or keen. [R.] "To acuminate
even despair." Cowper.
Acuminate
A*cu"mi*nate, v. i. To end in, or come to, a sharp point. "Acuminating
in a cone of prelacy." Milton.
Acumination
A*cu`mi*na"tion (#), n. A sharpening; termination in a sharp point; a
tapering point. Bp. Pearson.
Acuminose
A*cu"mi*nose` (#), a. Terminating in a flat, narrow end. Lindley.
Acuminous
A*cu"mi*nous (#), a. Characterized by acumen; keen. Highmore.
Acupressure
Ac`u*pres"sure (#), n. [L. acus needle + premere, pressum, to press.]
(Surg.) A mode of arresting hemorrhage resulting from wounds or
surgical operations, by passing under the divided vessel a needle, the
ends of which are left exposed externally on the cutaneous surface.
Simpson.
Acupuncturation
Ac`u*punc`tu*ra"tion (#), n. See Acupuncture.
Acupuncture
Ac`u*punc"ture (#), n. [L. acus needle + punctura a pricking, fr.
pungere to prick: cf. F. acuponcture.] Pricking with a needle; a
needle prick. Specifically (Med.): The insertion of needles into the
living tissues for remedial purposes.
Acupuncture
Ac`u*punc"ture (#), v. t. To treat with acupuncture.
Acustumaunce
A*cus"tum*aunce (#), n. See Accustomance. [Obs.]
Acutangular
A*cut"an`gu*lar (#), a. Acute-angled.
Acute
A*cute" (#), a. [L. acutus, p. p. of acuere to sharpen, fr. a root ak
to be sharp. Cf. Ague, Cute, Edge.]
1. Sharp at the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; -- opposed to
blunt or obtuse; as, an acute angle; an acute leaf.
2. Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions;
penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to dull or stupid; as, an
acute observer; acute remarks, or reasoning.
3. Having nice or quick sensibility; susceptible to slight
impressions; acting keenly on the senses; sharp; keen; intense; as, a
man of acute eyesight, hearing, or feeling; acute pain or pleasure.
4. High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; -- opposed to
grave or low; as, an acute tone or accent.
5. (Med.) Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity, and
coming speedily to a crisis; -- opposed to chronic; as, an acute
disease.
Acute angle (Geom.), an angle less than a right angle. Syn. --
Subtile; ingenious; sharp; keen; penetrating; sagacious; sharp-witted;
shrewd; discerning; discriminating. See Subtile.
Acute
A*cute", v. t. To give an acute sound to; as, he acutes his rising
inflection too much. [R.] Walker.
Acuteangled
A*cute"*an`gled (#), a. Having acute angles; as, an acute-angled
triangle, a triangle with every one of its angles less than a right
angle.
Acutely
A*cute"ly, adv. In an acute manner; sharply; keenly; with nice
discrimination.
Acuteness
A*cute"ness, n.
1. The quality of being acute or pointed; sharpness; as, the acuteness
of an angle.
2. The faculty of nice discernment or perception; acumen; keenness;
sharpness; sensitiveness; -- applied to the senses, or the
understanding. By acuteness of feeling, we perceive small objects or
slight impressions: by acuteness of intellect, we discern nice
distinctions.
Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness interested in
bringing it to a successful close. Sir W. Scott.
3. Shrillness; high pitch; -- said of sounds.
4. (Med.) Violence of a disease, which brings it speedily to a crisis.
Syn. -- Penetration; sagacity; keenness; ingenuity; shrewdness;
subtlety; sharp-wittedness.
Acutifoliate
A*cu`ti*fo"li*ate (#), a. [L. acutus sharp + folium leaf.] (Bot.)
Having sharp-pointed leaves.
Acutilobate
A*cu`ti*lo"bate (#), a. [L. acutus sharp + E. lobe.] (Bot.) Having
acute lobes, as some leaves.
Ad-
Ad- (#). [A Latin preposition, signifying to. See At.] As a prefix ad-
assumes the forms ac-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, ar-, as-, at-,
assimilating the d with the first letter of the word to which ad- is
prefixed. It remains unchanged before vowels, and before d, h, j, m,
v. Examples: adduce, adhere, adjacent, admit, advent, accord, affect,
aggregate, allude, annex, appear, etc. It becomes ac- before qu, as in
acquiesce.
Adact
Ad*act" (#), v. t. [L. adactus, p. p. of adigere.] To compel; to
drive. [Obs.] Fotherby.
Adactyl, Adactylous
A*dac"tyl (#), A*dac"tyl*ous (#), a. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Without
fingers or without toes. (b) Without claws on the feet (of crustaceous
animals).
Adage
Ad"age (#), n. [F. adage, fr. L. adagium; ad + the root of L. aio I
say.] An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a proverb.
Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," Like the poor cat i' the
adage. Shak.
Syn. -- Axiom; maxim; aphorism; proverb; saying; saw; apothegm. See
Axiom.
Adagial
A*da"gi*al (#), a. Pertaining to an adage; proverbial. "Adagial
verse." Barrow.
Adagio
A*da"gio (#), a. & adv. [It. adagio; ad (L. ad) at + agio convenience,
leisure, ease. See Agio.] (Mus.) Slow; slowly, leisurely, and
gracefully. When repeated, adagio, adagio, it directs the movement to
be very slow.
Adagio
A*da"gio, n. A piece of music in adagio time; a slow movement; as, an
adagio of Haydn.
Adam
Ad"am (#), n.
1. The name given in the Bible to the first man, the progenitor of the
human race.
2. (As a symbol) "Original sin;" human frailty.
And whipped the offending Adam out of him. Shak.
Adam's ale, water. [Coll.] -- Adam's apple.
1. (Bot.) (a) A species of banana (Musa paradisiaca). It attains a
height of twenty feet or more. Paxton]. (b) A species of lime (Citris
limetta).
2. The projection formed by the thyroid cartilage in the neck. It is
particularly prominent in males, and is so called from a notion that
it was caused by the forbidden fruit (an apple) sticking in the throat
of our first parent. --
Adam's flannel (Bot.), the mullein (Verbascum thapsus). -- Adam's
needle (Bot.), the popular name of a genus (Yucca) of liliaceous
plants.
Adamant
Ad"a*mant (#), n. [OE. adamaunt, adamant, diamond, magnet, OF.
adamant, L. adamas, adamantis, the hardest metal, fr. Gr. adamare to
love, be attached to, the word meant also magnet, as in OF. and LL.
See Diamond, Tame.]
1. A stone imagined by some to be of impenetrable hardness; a name
given to the diamond and other substance of extreme hardness; but in
modern minerology it has no technical signification. It is now a
rhetorical or poetical name for the embodiment of impenetrable
hardness.
Opposed the rocky orb Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield. Milton.
2. Lodestone; magnet. [Obs.] "A great adamant of acquaintance." Bacon.
As true to thee as steel to adamant. Greene.
Adamantean
Ad`a*man*te"an (#), a. [L. adamant\'c7us.] Of adamant; hard as
adamant. Milton.
Adamantine
Ad`a*man"tine (#), a. [L. adamantinus, Gr.
1. Made of adamant, or having the qualities of adamant; incapable of
being broken, dissolved, or penetrated; as, adamantine bonds or
chains.
2. (Min.) Like the diamond in hardness or luster.
Adambulacral
Ad`am*bu*la"cral (#), a. [L. ad + E. ambulacral.] (Zo\'94l.) Next to
the ambulacra; as, the adambulacral ossicles of the starfish.
Adamic, Adamical
A*dam"ic (#), A*dam"ic*al (#), a. Of or pertaining to Adam, or
resembling him. Adamic earth, a name given to common red clay, from a
notion that Adam means red earth.
Adamite
Ad"am*ite (#), n. [From Adam.]
1. A descendant of Adam; a human being.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of visionaries, who, professing to
imitate the state of Adam, discarded the use of dress in their
assemblies.
Adam's apple
Ad"am's ap"ple (#). See under Adam.
Adance
A*dance" (#), adv. Dancing. Lowell.
Adangle
A*dan"gle (#), adv. Dangling. Browning.
Adansonia
Ad`an*so"ni*a (#), n. [From Adanson, a French botanist.] (Bot.) A
genus of great trees related to the Bombax. There are two species, A.
digitata, the baobab or monkey-bread of Africa and India, and A.
Gregorii, the sour gourd or cream-of-tartar tree of Australia. Both
have a trunk of moderate height, but of enormous diameter, and a
wide-spreading head. The fruit is oblong, and filled with pleasantly
acid pulp. The wood is very soft, and the bark is used by the natives
for making ropes and cloth. D. C. Eaton.
Adapt
A*dapt" (#), a. Fitted; suited. [Obs.] Swift.
Adapt
A*dapt", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adapted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adapting.] [L.
adaptare; ad + aptare to fit; cf. F. adapter. See Apt, Adept.] To make
suitable; to fit, or suit; to adjust; to alter so as to fit for a new
use; -- sometimes followed by to or for.
For nature, always in the right, To your decays adapts my sight.
Swift.
Appeals adapted to his [man's] whole nature. Angus.
Streets ill adapted for the residence of wealthy persons. Macaulay.
Adaptability, Adaptableness
A*dapt`a*bil"i*ty (#), A*dapt"a*ble*ness (#), n. The quality of being
adaptable; suitableness. "General adaptability for every purpose."
Farrar.
Adaptable
A*dapt"a*ble (#), a. Capable of being adapted.
Adaptation
Ad`ap*ta"tion (#), n. [Cf. F. adaptation, LL. adaptatio.]
1. The act or process of adapting, or fitting; or the state of being
adapted or fitted; fitness. "Adaptation of the means to the end."
Erskine.
2. The result of adapting; an adapted form.
Adaptative
A*dapt"a*tive (#), a. Adaptive. Stubbs.
Adaptedness
A*dapt"ed*ness (#), n. The state or quality of being adapted;
suitableness; special fitness.
Adapter
A*dapt"er (#), n.
1. One who adapts.
2. (Chem.) A connecting tube; an adopter. <-- 2. any device connecting
two parts of an apparatus (e.g. tubes of different diameters, or
electric cords with different plug types); a device allowing an
apparatus to be used for purposes other than originally intended -->
Adaption
A*dap"tion (#), n. Adaptation. Cheyne.
Adaptive
A*dapt"ive (#), a. Suited, given, or tending, to adaptation;
characterized by adaptation; capable of adapting. Coleridge. --
A*dapt"ive*ly, adv.
Adaptiveness
A*dapt"ive*ness, n. The quality of being adaptive; capacity to adapt.
Adaptly
A*dapt"ly, adv. In a suitable manner. [R.] Prior.
Adaptness
A*dapt"ness, n. Adaptedness. [R.]
Adaptorial
Ad`ap*to"ri*al (#), a. Adaptive. [R.]
Adar
A"dar (#), n. [Heb. ad\'84r.] The twelfth month of the Hebrew
ecclesiastical year, and the sixth of the civil. It corresponded
nearly with March.
Adarce
A*dar"ce (#), n. [L. adarce, adarca, Gr. A saltish concretion on reeds
and grass in marshy grounds in Galatia. It is soft and porous, and was
formerly used for cleansing the skin from freckles and tetters, and
also in leprosy. Dana.
Adatis
Ad"a*tis (#), n. A fine cotton cloth of India.
Adaunt
A*daunt" (#), v. t. [OE. adaunten to overpower, OF. adonter; \'85 (L.
ad) + donter, F. dompter. See Daunt.] To daunt; to subdue; to
mitigate. [Obs.] Skelton.
Adaw
A*daw" (#), v. t. [Cf. OE. adawe of dawe, AS. of dagum from days, i.
e., from life, out of life.] To subdue; to daunt. [Obs.]
The sight whereof did greatly him adaw. Spenser.
Adaw
A*daw", v. t. & i. [OE. adawen to wake; pref. a- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger.
er-) + dawen, dagon, to dawn. See Daw.] To awaken; to arouse. [Obs.]
A man that waketh of his sleep He may not suddenly well taken keep
Upon a thing, ne seen it parfitly Till that he be adawed verily.
Chaucer.
Adays
A*days" (#), adv. [Pref. a- (for on) + day; the final s was orig. a
genitive ending, afterwards forming adverbs.] By day, or every day; in
the daytime. [Obs.] Fielding.
Ad captandum
Ad cap*tan"dum (#). [L., for catching.] A phrase used adjectively
sometimes of meretricious attempts to catch or win popular favor.
Add
Add (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Added; p. pr. & vb. n. Adding.] [L.
addere; ad + dare to give, put. Cf. Date, Do.]
1. To give by way of increased possession (to any one); to bestow
(on).
The Lord shall add to me another son. Gen. xxx. 24.
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2. To join or unite, as one thing to another, or as several
particulars, so as to increase the number, augment the quantity,
enlarge the magnitude, or so as to form into one aggregate. Hence: To
sum up; to put together mentally; as, to add numbers; to add up a
column.
Back to thy punishment, False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings.
Milton.
As easily as he can add together the ideas of two days or two
years. Locke.
3. To append, as a statement; to say further.
He added that he would willingly consent to the entire abolition of
the tax. Macaulay.
Syn. -- To Add, Join, Annex, Unite, Coalesce. We add by bringing
things together so as to form a whole. We join by putting one thing to
another in close or continuos connection. We annex by attaching some
adjunct to a larger body. We unite by bringing things together so that
their parts adhere or intermingle. Things coalesce by coming together
or mingling so as to form one organization. To add quantities; to join
houses; to annex territory; to unite kingdoms; to make parties
coalesce.
Add
Add (#), v. i.
1. To make an addition. To add to, to augment; to increase; as, it
adds to our anxiety. "I will add to your yoke." 1 Kings xii. 14.
2. To perform the arithmetical operation of addition; as, he adds
rapidly.
Addable
Add"a*ble (#), a. [Add, v. + -able.] Addible.
Addax
Ad"dax (#), n. [Native name.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the largest African
antelopes (Hippotragus, OR Oryx, nasomaculatus).
NOTE: &hand; It is no w be lieved to be the Strepsiceros (twisted
horn) of the ancients. By some it is thought to be the pygarg of
the Bible.
Addeem
Ad*deem" (#), v. t. [Pref. a- + deem.] To award; to adjudge. [Obs.]
"Unto him they did addeem the prise." Spenser.
Addendum
Ad*den"dum (#), n.; pl. Addenda (#). [L., fr. addere to add.] A thing
to be added; an appendix or addition. Addendum circle (Mech.), the
circle which may be described around a circular spur wheel or gear
wheel, touching the crests or tips of the teeth. Rankine.
Adder
Add"er (#), n. [See Add.] One who, or that which, adds; esp., a
machine for adding numbers.
Adder
Ad"der, n. [OE. addere, naddere, eddre, AS. n\'91dre, adder, snake;
akin to OS. nadra, OHG. natra, natara, Ger. natter, Goth. nadrs, Icel.
na\'ebr, masc., na\'ebra, fem.: cf. W. neidr, Gorn. naddyr, Ir.
nathair, L. natrix, water snake. An adder is for a nadder.]
1. A serpent. [Obs.] "The eddre seide to the woman." Wyclif. Gen. iii.
4. )
2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A small venomous serpent of the genus Vipera. The
common European adder is the Vipera (or Pelias) berus. The puff adders
of Africa are species of Clotho. (b) In America, the term is commonly
applied to several harmless snakes, as the milk adder, puffing adder,
etc. (c) Same as Sea Adder.
NOTE: &hand; In the sculptures the appellation is given to several
venomous serpents, -- sometimes to the horned viper (Cerastles).
Adder fly/
Ad"der fly/ (#). A dragon fly.
Adder's-tongue
Ad"der's-tongue` (#), n. (Bot.) (a) A genus of ferns (Ophioglossum),
whose seeds are produced on a spike resembling a serpent's tongue. (b)
The yellow dogtooth violet. Gray.
Adderwort
Ad"der*wort` (#), n. (Bot.) The common bistort or snakeweed (Polygonum
bistorta).
Addibility
Add`i*bil"i*ty (#), n. The quantity of being addible; capability of
addition. Locke.
Addible
Add"i*ble (#), a. Capable of being added. "Addible numbers." Locke.
Addice
Ad"dice (#), n. See Adze. [Obs.] Moxon.
Addict
Ad*dict" (#), p. p. Addicted; devoted. [Obs.]
Addict
Ad*dict", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Addicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Addicting.]
[L. addictus, p. p. of addicere to adjudge, devote; ad + dicere to
say. See Diction.]
1. To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; -- with to. "They
addict themselves to the civil law." Evelyn.
He is addicted to his study. Beau. & Fl.
That part of mankind that addict their minds to speculations.
Adventurer.
His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity. Fuller.
A man gross . . . and addicted to low company. Macaulay.
2. To adapt; to make suitable; to fit. [Obs.]
The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but the coldness of
the place hinders the growth. Evelyn.
Syn. -- Addict, Devote, Consecrate, Dedicate. Addict was formerly used
in a good sense; as, addicted to letters; but is now mostly employed
in a bad sense or an indifferent one; as, addicted to vice; addicted
to sensual indulgence. "Addicted to staying at home." J. S. Mill.
Devote is always taken in a good sense, expressing habitual
earnestness in the pursuit of some favorite object; as, devoted to
science. Consecrate and dedicate express devotion of a higher kind,
involving religious sentiment; as, consecrated to the service of the
church; dedicated to God.
Addictedness
Ad*dict"ed*ness, n. The quality or state of being addicted;
attachment.
Addiction
Ad*dic"tion (#), n. [Cf. L. addictio an adjudging.] The state of being
addicted; devotion; inclination. "His addiction was to courses vain."
Shak.
Addison's disease
Ad"di*son's dis*ease" (#). [Named from Thomas Addison, M. D., of
London, who first described it.] (Med.) A morbid condition causing a
peculiar brownish discoloration of the skin, and thought, at one time,
to be due to disease of the suprarenal capsules (two flat triangular
bodies covering the upper part of the kidneys), but now known not to
be dependent upon this causes exclusively. It is usually fatal.
Additament
Ad*dit"a*ment (#), n. [L. additamentum, fr. additus, p. p. of addere
to add.] An addition, or a thing added. Fuller.
My persuasion that the latter verses of the chapter were an
additament of a later age. Coleridge.
Addition
Ad*di"tion (#), n. [F. addition, L. additio, fr. addere to add.]
1. The act of adding two or more things together; -- opposed to
subtraction or diminution. "This endless addition or addibility of
numbers." Locke.
2. Anything added; increase; augmentation; as, a piazza is an addition
to a building.
3. (Math.) That part of arithmetic which treats of adding numbers.
4. (Mus.) A dot at the right side of a note as an indication that its
sound is to be lengthened one half. [R.]
5. (Law) A title annexed to a man's name, to identify him more
precisely; as, John Doe, Esq.; Richard Roe, Gent.; Robert Dale, Mason;
Thomas Way, of New York; a mark of distinction; a title.
6. (Her.) Something added to a coat of arms, as a mark of honor; --
opposed to abatement.
Vector addition (Geom.), that kind of addition of two lines, or
vectors, AB and BC, by which their sum is regarded as the line, or
vector, AC. Syn. -- Increase; accession; augmentation; appendage;
adjunct.
Additional
Ad*di"tion*al (#), a. Added; supplemental; in the way of an addition.
Additional
Ad*di"tion*al, n. Something added. [R.] Bacon.
Additionally
Ad*di"tion*al*ly, adv. By way of addition.
Additionary
Ad*di"tion*a*ry (#), a. Additional. [R.] Herbert.
Addititious
Ad`di*ti"tious (#), a. [L. addititius, fr. addere.] Additive. [R.] Sir
J. Herschel.
Additive
Ad"di*tive (#), a. [L. additivus.] (Math.) Proper to be added;
positive; -- opposed to subtractive.
Additory
Ad"di*to*ry (#), a. Tending to add; making some addition. [R.]
Arbuthnot.
Addle
Ad"dle (#), n. [OE. adel, AS. adela, mud.]
1. Liquid filth; mire. [Obs.]
2. Lees; dregs. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.
Addle
Ad"dle, a. Having lost the power of development, and become rotten, as
eggs; putrid. Hence: Unfruitful or confused, as brains; muddled.
Dryden.
Addle
Ad"dle, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Addled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Addling
(#).] To make addle; to grow addle; to muddle; as, he addled his
brain. "Their eggs were addled." Cowper.
Addle
Ad"dle, v. t. & i. [OE. adlen, adilen, to gain, acquire; prob. fr.
Icel. \'94\'eblask to acquire property, akin to o\'ebal property. Cf.
Allodial.]
1. To earn by labor. [Prov. Eng.] Forby.
2. To thrive or grow; to ripen. [Prov. Eng.]
Kill ivy, else tree will addle no more. Tusser.
Addle-brain, Addle-head, Addle-pate
Ad"dle-brain` (#), Ad"dle-head` (#), Ad"dle-pate (#), n. A foolish or
dull-witted fellow. [Colloq.]
Addle-brained, Addle-headed, Addle-pated
Ad"dle-brained` (#), Ad"dle-head`ed (#), Ad"dle-pa`ted (#), a.
Dull-witted; stupid. "The addle-brained Oberstein." Motley.
Dull and addle-pated. Dryden.
Addle-patedness
Ad"dle-pa`ted*ness (#), n. Stupidity.
Addlings
Ad"dlings (#), n. pl. [See Addle, to earn.] Earnings. [Prov. Eng.]
Wright.
Addoom
Ad*doom" (#), v. t. [Pref. a- + doom.] To adjudge. [Obs.] Spenser.
Addorsed
Ad*dorsed" (#), a. [L. ad + dorsum, back: cf. F. adoss\'82.] (Her.)
Set or turned back to back.
Address
Ad*dress" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Addressed (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Addressing.] [OE. adressen to raise erect, adorn, OF. adrecier, to
straighten, address, F. adresser, fr. \'85 (L. ad) + OF. drecier, F.
dresser, to straighten, arrange. See Dress, v.]
1. To aim; to direct. [Obs.] Chaucer.
And this good knight his way with me addrest. Spenser.
2. To prepare or make ready. [Obs.]
His foe was soon addressed. Spenser.
Turnus addressed his men to single fight. Dryden.
The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the
bridegroom's coming. Jer. Taylor.
3. Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill or
energies (to some object); to betake.
These men addressed themselves to the task. Macaulay.
4. To clothe or array; to dress. [Archaic]
Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel. Jewel.
5. To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as a
speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).
The young hero had addressed his players to him for his assistance.
Dryden.
6. To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or
written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to
speak to; to accost.
Are not your orders to address the senate? Addison.
The representatives of the nation addressed the king. Swift.
7. To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and
transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
8. To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
9. (Com.) To consign or intrust to the care of another, as agent or
factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
To address one's self to. (a) To prepare one's self for; to apply
one's self to. (b) To direct one's speech or discourse to.
Address
Ad*dress" (#), v. i.
1. To prepare one's self. [Obs.] "Let us address to tend on Hector's
heels." Shak.
2. To direct speech. [Obs.]
Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest. Dryden.
NOTE: &hand; Th e in transitive us es come from the dropping out of
the reflexive pronoun.
Address
Ad*dress, n. [Cf. F. adresse. See Address, v. t.]
1. Act of preparing one's self. [Obs.] Jer Taylor.
2. Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.
3. A formal communication, either written or spoken; a discourse; a
speech; a formal application to any one; a petition; a formal
statement on some subject or special occasion; as, an address of
thanks, an address to the voters.
4. Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and
place of residence of the person addressed.
5. Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or
insinuating address.
6. Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady. Addison.
7. Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness. Syn. -- Speech;
discourse; harangue; oration; petition; lecture; readiness; ingenuity;
tact; adroitness.
Addressee
Ad`dress*ee" (#), n. One to whom anything is addressed.
Addression
Ad*dres"sion (#), n. The act of addressing or directing one's course.
[Rare & Obs.] Chapman.
Adduce
Ad*duce" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adduced (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adducing (#).] [L. adducere, adductum, to lead or bring to; ad +
ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Adduct.] To bring forward or offer,
as an argument, passage, or consideration which bears on a statement
or case; to cite; to allege.
Reasons . . . were adduced on both sides. Macaulay.
Enough could not be adduced to satisfy the purpose of illustration.
De Quincey.
Syn. -- To present; allege; advance; cite; quote; assign; urge; name;
mention.
Adducent
Ad*du"cent (#), a. [L. addunces, p. pr. of adducere.] (Physiol.)
Bringing together or towards a given point; -- a word applied to those
muscles of the body which pull one part towards another. Opposed to
abducent.
Adducer
Ad*du"cer (#), n. One who adduces.
Adducible
Ad*du"ci*ble (#), a. Capable of being adduced.
Proofs innumerable, and in every imaginable manner diversified, are
adducible. I. Taylor.
Adduct
Ad*duct" (#), v. t. [L. adductus, p. p. of adducere. See Adduce.]
(Physiol.) To draw towards a common center or a middle line. Huxley.
Adduction
Ad*duc"tion (#), n. [Cf. F. adduction. See Adduce.]
1. The act of adducing or bringing forward.
An adduction of facts gathered from various quarters. I. Taylor.
2. (Physiol.) The action by which the parts of the body are drawn
towards its axis]; -- opposed to abduction. Dunglison.
Adductive
Ad*duc"tive (#), a. Adducing, or bringing towards or to something.
Adductor
Ad*duc"tor (#), n. [L., fr. adducere.] (Anat.) A muscle which draws a
limb or part of the body toward the middle line of the body, or closes
extended parts of the body; -- opposed to abductor; as, the adductor
of the eye, which turns the eye toward the nose.
In the bivalve shells, the muscles which close the values of the
shell are called adductor muscles. Verrill.
Addulce
Ad*dulce" (#), v. t. [Like F. adoucir; fr. L. ad. + dulcis sweet.] To
sweeten; to soothe. [Obs.] Bacon.
Adeem
A*deem" (#), v. t. [L. adimere. See Ademption.] (Law) To revoke, as a
legacy, grant, etc., or to satisfy it by some other gift.
Adelantadillo
A`de*lan`ta*dil"lo (#), n. [Sp.] A Spanish red wine made of the first
ripe grapes.
Adelantado
A`de*lan*ta"do (#), n. [Sp., prop. p. of adelantar to advance, to
promote.] A governor of a province; a commander. Prescott.
Adelaster
Ad*e*las"ter (#), n. [Gr. (Bot.) A provisional name for a plant which
has not had its flowers botanically examined, and therefore has not
been referred to its proper genus.
Adeling
Ad"el*ing (#), n. Same as Atheling.
Adelocodonic
A*del`o*co*don"ic (#), a. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Applied to sexual zooids of
hydroids, that have a saclike form and do not become free; -- opposed
to phanerocodonic.
Adelopod
A*del"o*pod (#), n. [Gr. (Zo\'94l.) An animal having feet that are not
apparent.
Adelphia
A*del"phi*a (#), n. [Gr. (Bot.) A "brotherhood," or collection of
stamens in a bundle; -- used in composition, as in the class names,
Monadelphia, Diadelphia, etc.
Adelphous
A*del"phous (#), a. [Gr. (Bot.) Having coalescent or clustered
filaments; -- said of stamens; as, adelphous stamens. Usually in
composition; as, monadelphous. Gray.
Adempt
A*dempt" (#), p. p. [L. ademptus, p. p. of adimere to take away.]
Takes away. [Obs.]
Without any sinister suspicion of anything being added or adempt.
Latimn.
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Ademption
A*demp"tion (#), n. [L. ademptio, fr. adimere, ademptum, to take away;
ad + emere to buy, orig. to take.] (Law) The revocation or taking away
of a grant donation, legacy, or the like. Bouvier.
Aden- or Adeno-
Aden- or Adeno-. [Gr. Combining forms of the Greek word for gland; --
used in words relating to the structure, diseases, etc., of the
glands.
Adenalgia, Adenalgy
Ad`e*nal"gi*a (#), Ad"e*nal`gy (#), n. [Gr. (Med.) Pain in a gland.
Adeniform
A*den"i*form (#), a. [Aden- + -form.] Shaped like a gland; adenoid.
Dunglison.
Adenitis
Ad`e*ni"tis (#), n. [Aden- + -itis.] (Med.) Glandular inflammation.
Dunglison.
Adenographic
Ad`e*no*graph"ic (#), a. Pertaining to adenography.
Adenography
Ad`e*nog"ra*phy (#), n. [Adeno- + -graphy.] That part of anatomy which
describes the glands.
Adenoid, Adenoidal
Ad"e*noid (#), Ad`e*noid"al (#) a. Glandlike; glandular.
Adenological
Ad`e*no*log"ic*al (#), a. Pertaining to adenology.
Adenology
Ad`e*nol"o*gy (#), n. [Adeno- + -logy.] The part of physiology that
treats of the glands.
Adenophorous
Ad`e*noph"o*rous (#), a. [Adeno- + Gr. (Bot.) Producing glands.
Adenophyllous
Ad`e*noph"yl*lous (#), a. [Adeno- + Gr. (Bot.) Having glands on the
leaves.
Adenose
Ad"e*nose` (?; 277), a. Like a gland; full of glands; glandulous;
adenous.
Adenotomic
Ad`e*no*tom"ic (#), a. Pertaining to adenotomy.
Adenotomy
Ad`e*not"o*my (#), n. [Adeno- + Gr. (Anat.) Dissection of, or incision
into, a gland or glands.
Adenous
Ad"e*nous (#), a. Same as Adenose.
Adeps
Ad"eps (#), n. [L.] Animal fat; lard.
Adept
A*dept" (#), n. [L. adeptus obtained (sc. artem), adipsci to arrive ad
+ apisci to pursue. See Apt, and cf. Adapt.] One fully skilled or well
versed in anything; a proficient; as, adepts in philosophy.
Adept
A*dept", a. Well skilled; completely versed; thoroughly proficient.
Beaus adept in everything profound. Cowper.
Adeption
A*dep"tion (#), n. [L. adeptio. See Adept, a.] An obtaining;
attainment. [Obs.]
In the wit and policy of the capitain consisteth the chief adeption
of the victory. Grafton.
Adeptist
A*dept"ist, n. A skilled alchemist. [Obs.]
Adeptness
A*dept"ness, n. The quality of being adept; skill.
Adequacy
Ad"e*qua*cy (#), n. [See Adequate.] The state or quality of being
adequate, proportionate, or sufficient; a sufficiency for a particular
purpose; as, the adequacy of supply to the expenditure.
Adequate
Ad"e*quate (#), a. [L. adaequatus, p. p. of adaequare to make equal
to; ad + aequare to make equal, aequus equal. See Equal.] Equal to
some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient;
as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition.
Ireland had no adequate champion. De Quincey.
Syn. -- Proportionate; commensurate; sufficient; suitable; competent;
capable.
Adequate
Ad"e*quate (#), v. t. [See Adequate, a.]
1. To equalize; to make adequate. [R.] Fotherby.
2. To equal. [Obs.]
It [is] an impossibility for any creature to adequate God in his
eternity. Shelford.
Adequately
Ad"e*quate*ly (#), adv. In an adequate manner.
Adequateness
Ad"e*quate*ness, n. The quality of being adequate; suitableness;
sufficiency; adequacy.
Adequation
Ad`e*qua"tion (#), n. [L. adaequatio.] The act of equalizing; act or
result of making adequate; an equivalent. [Obs.] Bp. Barlow.
Adesmy
A*des"my (#), n. [Gr. (Bot.) The division or defective coherence of an
organ that is usually entire.
Adessenarian
Ad*es`se*na"ri*an (#), n. [Formed fr. L. adesse to be present; ad +
esse to be.] (Eccl. Hist.) One who held the real presence of Christ's
body in the eucharist, but not by transubstantiation.
Adfected
Ad*fect"ed (#), a. [L. adfectus or affectus. See Affect, v.] (Alg.)
See Affected, 5.
Adfiliated
Ad*fil"i*a`ted (#), a. See Affiliated. [Obs.]
Adfiliation
Ad*fil`i*a"tion (#), n. See Affiliation. [Obs.]
Adfluxion
Ad*flux"ion (#), n. See Affluxion.
Adhamant
Ad*ha"mant (#), a. [From L. adhamare to catch; ad + hamus hook.]
Clinging, as by hooks.
Adhere
Ad*here" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Adhered (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adhering (#).] [L. adhaerere, adhaesum; ad + haerere to stick: cf. F.
adh\'82rer. See Aghast.]
1. To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become
joined or united; as, wax to the finger; the lungs sometimes adhere to
the pleura.
2. To hold, be attached, or devoted; to remain fixed, either by
personal union or conformity of faith, principle, or opinion; as, men
adhere to a party, a cause, a leader, a church.
3. To be consistent or coherent; to be in accordance; to agree. "Nor
time nor place did then adhere." Every thing adheres together." Shak.
Syn. -- To attach; stick; cleave; cling; hold
Adherence
Ad*her"ence (#), n. [Cf. F. adh\'82rence, LL. adhaerentia.]
1. The quality or state of adhering.
2. The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady
attachment; adhesion; as, adherence to a party or to opinions. Syn. --
Adherence, Adhesion. These words, which were once freely interchanged,
are now almost entirely separated. Adherence is no longer used to
denote physical union, but is applied, to mental states or habits; as,
a strict adherence to one's duty; close adherence to the argument,
etc. Adhesion is now confined chiefly to the physical sense, except in
the phrase "To give in one's adhesion to a cause or a party."
Adherency
Ad*her"en*cy (#), n.
1. The state or quality of being adherent; adherence. [R.]
2. That which adheres. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
Adherent
Ad*her"ent (#), a. [L. adhaerens, -entis, p. pr.: cf. F. adh\'82rent.]
1. Sticking; clinging; adhering. Pope.
2. Attached as an attribute or circumstance.
3. (Bot.) Congenitally united with an organ of another kind, as calyx
with ovary, or stamens with petals.
Adherent
Ad*her"ent, n.
1. One who adheres; one who adheres; one who follows a leader, party,
or profession; a follower, or partisan; a believer in a particular
faith or church.
2. That which adheres; an appendage. [R.] Milton. Syn. -- Follower;
partisan; upholder; disciple; supporter; dependent; ally; backer.
Adherently
Ad*her"ent*ly, adv. In an adherent manner.
Adherer
Ad*her"er (#), n. One who adheres; an adherent.
Adhesion
Ad*he"sion (#), n. [L. adhaesio, fr. adhaerere: cf. F. adh\'82sion.]
1. The action of sticking; the state of being attached; intimate
union; as the adhesion of glue, or of parts united by growth, cement,
or the like.
2. Adherence; steady or firm attachment; fidelity; as, to error, to a
policy.
His adhesion to the Tories was bounded by his approbation of their
foreign policy. De Quincey.
3. Agreement to adhere; concurrence; assent.
To that treaty Spain and England gave in their adhesion. Macaulay.
4. (Physics) The molecular attraction exerted between bodies in
contact. See Cohesion.
5. (Med.) Union of surface, normally separate, by the formation of new
tissue resulting from an inflammatory process.
6. (Bot.) The union of parts which are separate in other plants, or in
younger states of the same plant. Syn. -- Adherence; union. See
Adherence.
Adhesive
Ad*he"sive (#), a. [Cf. F. adh\'82sif.]
1. Sticky; tenacious, as glutinous substances.
2. Apt or tending to adhere; clinging. Thomson.
Adhesive attraction. (Physics) See Attraction. -- Adhesive
inflammation (Surg.), that kind of inflammation which terminates in
the reunion of divided parts without suppuration. -- Adhesive plaster,
a sticking; a plaster containing resin, wax, litharge, and olive oil.
Adhesively
Ad*he"sive*ly, adv. In an adhesive manner.
Adhesiveness
Ad*he"sive*ness, n.
1. The quality of sticking or adhering; stickiness; tenacity of union.
2. (Phren.) Propensity to form and maintain attachments to persons,
and to promote social intercourse.
Adhibit
Ad*hib"it (#), v. t. [L. adhibitus, p. p. of adhibere to hold to; ad +
habere to have.]
1. To admit, as a person or thing; to take in. Muirhead.
2. To use or apply; to administer. Camden.
3. To attach; to affix. Alison.
Adhibition
Ad`hi*bi"tion (#), n. [L. adhibitio.] The act of adhibiting;
application; use. Whitaker.
Ad hominem
Ad hom"i*nem (#). [L., to the man.] ` phrase applied to an appeal or
argument addressed to the principles, interests, or passions of a man.
Adhort
Ad*hort" (#), v. t. [L. adhortari. See Adhortation.] To exhort; to
advise. [Obs.] Feltham.
Adhortation
Ad`hor*ta"tion (#), n. [L. adhortatio, fr. adhortari to advise; ad +
hortari to exhort.] Advice; exhortation. [Obs.] Peacham.
Adhortatory
Ad*hor"ta*to*ry (#), a. Containing counsel or warning; hortatory;
advisory. [Obs.] Potter.
Adiabatic
Ad`i*a*bat"ic (#), a. [Gr. (Physics) Not giving out or receiving heat.
-- Ad`i*a*bat`ic*al*ly, adv. Adiabatic line or curve, a curve
exhibiting the variations of pressure and volume of a fluid when it
expands without either receiving or giving out heat. Rankine.
Adiactinic
Ad`i*ac*tin"ic (#), a. [Pref. a- not + diactinic.] (Chem.) Not
transmitting the actinic rays.
Adiantum
Ad`i*an"tum (#), n. [L., fr. Gr. (Bot.) A genus of ferns, the leaves
of which shed water; maidenhair. Also, the black maidenhair, a species
of spleenwort.
Adiaphorism
Ad`i*aph"o*rism (#), n. Religious indifference.
Adiaphorist
Ad`i*aph"o*rist (#), n. [See Adiaphorous.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of the
German Protestants who, with Melanchthon, held some opinions and
ceremonies to be indifferent or nonessential, which Luther condemned
as sinful or heretical. Murdock.
Adiaphoristic
Ad`i*aph`o*ris"tic (#), a. Pertaining to matters indifferent in faith
and practice. Shipley.
Adiaphorite
Ad`i*aph"o*rite (#), n. Same as Adiaphorist.
Adiaphorous
Ad`i*aph"o*rous (#), a. [Gr.
1. Indifferent or neutral. Jer. Taylor.
2. (Med.) Incapable of doing either harm or good, as some medicines.
Dunglison.
Adiaphory
Ad`i*aph"o*ry, n. [Gr. Indifference. [Obs.]
Adiathermic
Ad`i*a*ther"mic (#), a. [Gr. Not pervious to heat.
Adieu
A*dieu" (#), interj. & adv. [OE. also adew, adewe, adue, F. dieu, fr.
L. ad to + deus God.] Good-by; farewell; an expression of kind wishes
at parting.
Adieu
A*dieu", n.; pl. Adieus (#). A farewell; commendation to the care of
God at parting. Shak.
Adight
A*dight" (#), v. t. [p. p. Adight.] [Pref. a- (intensive) + OE.
dihten. See Dight.] To set in order; to array; to attire; to deck, to
dress. [Obs.]
Ad infinitum
Ad in`fi*ni"tum (#). [L., to infinity.] Without limit; endlessly.
Ad interim
Ad in"ter*im (#)[L.] Meanwhile; temporary.
Adepescent
Ad`e*pes"cent (#), a. [L. adeps, adipis, fat + -escent.] Becoming
fatty.
Adipic
A*dip"ic (#), a. [L. adeps, adipis, fat.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or
derived from, fatty or oily substances; -- applied to certain acids
obtained from fats by the action of nitric acid. <-- 2. adipic acid. a
dicarboxylic acid containing six carbon atoms in a linear chain -->
Adipocerate
Ad`i*poc"er*ate (#), v. t. To convert adipocere.
Adipoceration
Ad`i*poc`er*a"tion (#), n. The act or process of changing into
adipocere.
Adipocere
Ad"i*po*cere` (#), n. [L. adeps, adipis, fat + cera wax: cf. F.
adipocere.] A soft, unctuous, or waxy substance, of a light brown
color, into which the fat and muscle tissue of dead bodies sometimes
are converted, by long immersion in water or by burial in moist
places. It is a result of fatty degeneration.
Adipoceriform
Ad`i*po*cer"i*form (#), a. [Adipocere + -form.] Having the form or
appearance of adipocere; as, an adipoceriform tumor.
Adipocerous
Ad`i*poc"er*ous (#), a. Like adipocere.
Adipose
Ad"i*pose` (?; 277), a. [L. adeps, adipis, fat, grease.] Of or
pertaining to animal fat; fatty. Adipose fin (Zo\'94l.), a soft
boneless fin. -- Adipose tissue (Anat.), that form of animal tissue
which forms or contains fat.
Adiposeness, Adiposity
Ad"i*pose`ness (#), Ad`i*pos"i*ty (#), n. The state of being fat;
fatness.
Adipous
Ad"i*pous (#), a. Fatty; adipose. [R.]
Adipsous
A*dip"sous (#), a. [Gr. Quenching thirst, as certain fruits.
Adipsy
Ad"ip*sy (#), n. [Gr. (Med.) Absence of thirst.
Adit
Ad"it (#), n. [L. aditus, fr. adire, , to go to; ad + ire to go.]
1. An entrance or passage. Specifically: The nearly horizontal opening
by which a mine is entered, or by which water and ores are carried
away; -- called also drift and tunnel.
2. Admission; approach; access. [R.]
Yourself and yours shall have Free adit. Tennyson.
Adjacence, Adjacency
Ad"ja"cence (#), Ad*ja"cen*cy (#),[Cf. LL. adjacentia.]
1. The state of being adjacent or contiguous; contiguity; as, the
adjacency of lands or buildings.
2. That which is adjacent.[R.] Sir T. Browne.
Adjacent
Ad*ja"cent (#), a. [L. adjacens, -centis, p. pr. of adjacere to lie
near; ad + jac to lie: cf. F. adjacent.] Lying near, close, or
contiguous; neighboring; bordering on; as, a field adjacent to the
highway. "The adjacent forest." B. Jonson. Adjacent or contiguous
angle. (Geom.) See Angle. Syn. -- Adjoining; contiguous; near. --
Adjacent, Adjoining, Contiguous. Things are adjacent when they lie
close each other, not necessary in actual contact; as, adjacent
fields, adjacent villages, etc.
I find that all Europe with her adjacent isles is peopled with
Christians. Howell.
Things are adjoining when they meet at some line or point of junction;
as, adjoining farms, an adjoining highway. What is spoken of as
contiguous should touch with some extent of one side or the whole of
it; as, a row of contiguous buildings; a wood contiguous to a plain.
Adjacent
Ad*ja"cent, n. That which is adjacent. [R.] Locke.
Adjacently
Ad*ja"cent*ly, adv. So as to be adjacent.
Adject
Ad*ject" (#), v. t. [L. adjectus, p. p. of adjicere to throw to, to
add to; ad + ac to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.] To add or annex;
to join. Leland.
Adjection
Ad*jec"tion (#), n. [L. adjectio, fr. adjicere: cf. F. adjection. See
Adject.] The act or mode of adding; also, the thing added. [R.] B.
Jonson.
Adjectional
Ad*jec"tion*al (#), a. Pertaining to adjection; that is, or may be,
annexed. [R.] Earle.
Adjectitious
Ad`jec*ti"tious (#), [L. adjectitius.] Added; additional. Parkhurst.
Adjectival
Ad`jec*ti"val (#), a. Of or relating to the relating to the adjective;
of the nature of an adjective; adjective. W. Taylor (1797)
Adjectivally
Ad`jec*ti"val*ly, adv. As, or in the manner of, an adjective;
adjectively.
Adjective
Ad"jec*tive (#), a. [See Adjective, n.]
1. Added to a substantive as an attribute; of the nature of an
adjunct; as, an word sentence.
2. Not standing by itself; dependent.
Adjective color, a color which requires to be fixed by some mordant or
base to give it permanency.
3. Relating to procedure. "The whole English law, substantive and
adjective." Macaulay.
Adjective
Ad"jec*tive, n. [L. adjectivum (sc. nomen), neut. of adjectivus that
is added, fr. adjicere: cf. F. adjectif. See Adject.]
1. (Gram.) A word used with a noun, or substantive, to express a
quality of the thing named, or something attributed to it, or to limit
or define it, or to specify or describe a thing, as distinct from
something else. Thus, in phrase, "a wise ruler," wise is the
adjective, expressing a property of ruler.
2. A dependent; an accessory. Fuller.
Adjective
Ad"jec*tive, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjectived (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adjectiving (#).] To make an adjective of; to form or change into an
adjective. [R.]
Language has as much occasion to adjective the distinct
signification of the verb, and to adjective also the mood, as it
has to adjective time. It has . . . adjectived all three. Tooke.
Adjectively
Ad"jec*tive*ly, adv. In the manner of an adjective; as, a word used
adjectively.
Adjoin
Ad*join" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjoined (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adjoining.] [OE. ajoinen, OF. ajoindre, F. adjoindre, fr. L.
adjungere; ad + jungere to join. See Join, and cf. Adjunct.] To join
or unite to; to lie contiguous to; to be in contact with; to attach;
to append.
Corrections . . . should be, as remarks, adjoined by way of note.
Watts.
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Adjoin
Ad*join" (#), v. i.
1. To lie or be next, or in contact; to be contiguous; as, the houses
adjoin.
When one man's land adjoins to another's. Blackstone.
NOTE: &hand; Th e co nstruction with to, on, or with is obsolete or
obsolescent.
2. To join one's self. [Obs.]
She lightly unto him adjoined side to side. Spenser.
Adjoinant
Ad*join"ant (#), a. Contiguous. [Obs.] Carew.
Adjoining
Ad*join"ing, a. Joining to; contiguous; adjacent; as, an adjoining
room. "The adjoining fane." Dryden.
Upon the hills adjoining to the city. Shak.
Syn. -- Adjacent; contiguous; near; neighboring; abutting; bordering.
See Adjacent.
Adjoint
Ad"joint (#), n. An adjunct; a helper. [Obs.]
Adjourn
Ad*journ (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjourned (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adjourning (#).] [OE. ajornen, OF. ajoiner, ajurner, F. ajourner; OF.
a (L. ad) + jor, jur, jorn, F. jour, day, fr. L. diurnus belonging to
the day, fr. dies day. Cf. Journal, Journey.] To put off or defer to
another day, or indefinitely; to postpone; to close or suspend for the
day; -- commonly said of the meeting, or the action, of convened body;
as, to adjourn the meeting; to adjourn a debate.
It is a common practice to adjourn the reformation of their lives
to a further time. Barrow.
'Tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day.
Shak.
Syn. -- To delay; defer; postpone; put off; suspend. -- To Adjourn,
Prorogue, Dissolve. These words are used in respect to public bodies
when they lay aside business and separate. Adjourn, both in Great
Britain and this country, is applied to all cases in which such bodies
separate for a brief period, with a view to meet again. Prorogue is
applied in Great Britain to that act of the executive government, as
the sovereign, which brings a session of Parliament to a close. The
word is not used in this country, but a legislative body is said, in
such a case, to adjourn sine die. To dissolve is to annul the
corporate existence of a body. In order to exist again the body must
be reconstituted.
Adjourn
Ad*journ", v. i.To suspend business for a time, as from one day to
another, or for a longer period, or indefinitely; usually, to suspend
public business, as of legislatures and courts, or other convened
bodies; as, congress adjourned at four o'clock; the court adjourned
without day.
Adjournal
Ad*journ"al (#), n. Adjournment; postponement. [R.] "An adjournal of
the Diet." Sir W. Scott.
Adjournment
Ad*journ"ment (#), n. [Cf. f. adjournement, OF. ajornement. See
Adjourn.]
1. The act of adjourning; the putting off till another day or time
specified, or without day.
2. The time or interval during which a public body adjourns its
sittings or postpones business.
Adjudge
Ad*judge" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjudged (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adjudging (#).] [OE. ajugen, OF. ajugier, fr. L. adjudicare; ad +
judicare to judge. See Judge, and cf. Adjudicate.]
1. To award judicially in the case of a controverted question; as, the
prize was adjudged to the victor.
2. To determine in the exercise of judicial power; to decide or award
judicially; to adjudicate; as, the case was adjudged in the November
term.
3. To sentence; to condemn.
Without reprieve, adjudged to death For want of well pronouncing
Shibboleth. Milton.
4. To regard or hold; to judge; to deem.
He adjudged him unworthy of his friendship. Knolles.
Syn. -- To decree; award; determine; adjudicate; ordain; assign.
Adjudger
Ad*judg"er (#), n. One who adjudges.
Adjudgment
Ad*judg"ment (#), n. The act of adjudging; judicial decision;
adjudication. Sir W. Temple.
Adjudicate
Ad*ju"di*cate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjudicated (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Adjudicating (#)] [L. adjudicatus, p. p. of adjudicare. See
Adjudge.] To adjudge; to try and determine, as a court; to settle by
judicial decree.
Adjudicate
Ad*ju"di*cate, v. i. To come to a judicial decision; as, the court
adjudicated upon the case.
Adjudication
Ad*ju`di*ca"tion (#), n. [L. adjudicatio: cf. F. adjudication.]
1. The act of adjudicating; the act or process of trying and
determining judicially.
2. A deliberate determination by the judicial power; a judicial
decision or sentence. "An adjudication in favor of natural rights."
Burke.
3. (Bankruptcy practice) The decision upon the question whether the
debtor is a bankrupt. Abbott.
4. (Scots Law) A process by which land is attached security or in
satisfaction of a debt.
Adjudicative
Ad*ju"di*ca*tive (#), a. Adjudicating.
Adjudicator
Ad*ju"di*ca`tor (#), n. One who adjudicates.
Adjudicature
Ad*ju"di*ca*ture (#), n. Adjudication.
Adjugate
Ad"ju*gate (#), v. t. [L. adjugatus, p. p. of adjugare; ad + jugum a
yoke.] To yoke to. [Obs.]
Adjument
Ad"ju*ment (#), n. [L. adjumentum, for adjuvamentum, fr. adjuvare to
help; ad + juvare to help.] Help; support; also, a helper. [Obs.]
Waterhouse.
Adjunct
Ad"junct` (#), a. [L. adjunctus, p. p. of adjungere. See Adjoin.]
Conjoined; attending; consequent.
Though that my death were adjunct to my act. Shak.
Adjunct notes (Mus.), short notes between those essential to the
harmony; auxiliary notes; passing notes.
Adjunct
Ad"junct`, n.
1. Something joined or added to another thing, but not essentially a
part of it.
Learning is but an adjunct to our self. Shak.
2. A person joined to another in some duty or service; a colleague; an
associate. Wotton.
3. (Gram.) A word or words added to quality or amplify the force of
other words; as, the History of the American Revolution, where the
words in italics are the adjunct or adjuncts of "History."
4. (Metaph.) A quality or property of the body or the mind, whether
natural or acquired; as, color, in the body, judgment in the mind.
5. (Mus.) A key or scale closely related to another as principal; a
relative or attendant key. [R.] See Attendant keys, under Attendant,
a.
Adjunction
Ad*junc"tion (#), n. [L. adjunctio, fr. adjungere: cf. F. adjonction,
and see Adjunct.] The act of joining; the thing joined or added.
Adjunctive
Ad*junc"tive (#), a. [L. adjunctivus, fr. adjungere. See Adjunct.]
Joining; having the quality of joining; forming an adjunct.
Adjunctive
Ad*junc"tive, n. One who, or that which, is joined.
Adjunctively
Ad*junc"tive*ly, adv. In an adjunctive manner.
Adjunctly
Ad*junct"ly (#), adv. By way of addition or adjunct; in connection
with.
Adjuration
Ad`ju*ra"tion (#), n. [L. adjuratio, fr. adjurare: cf. F. adjuration.
See Adjure.]
1. The act of adjuring; a solemn charging on oath, or under the
penalty of a curse; an earnest appeal.
What an accusation could not effect, an adjuration shall. Bp. Hall.
2. The form of oath or appeal.
Persons who . . . made use of prayer and adjurations. Addison.
Adjuratory
Ad*ju"ra*to*ry (#), a. [L. adjuratorius.] Containing an adjuration.
Adjure
Ad*jure" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjured (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adjuring (#)]. [L. adjurare, adjurdium, to swear to; later, to adjure:
cf. F. adjurer. See Jury.] To charge, bind, or command, solemnly, as
if under oath, or under the penalty of a curse; to appeal to in the
most solemn or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly.
Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before
the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho. Josh. vi.
26.
The high priest . . . said . . . I adjure thee by the living God,
that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ. Matt. xxvi. 63.
The commissioners adjured them not to let pass so favorable an
opportunity of securing their liberties. Marshall.
Adjurer
Ad*jur"er (#), n. One who adjures.
Adjust
Ad*just" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjusted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Adjusting.] [OF. ajuster, ajoster (whence F. ajouter to add), LL.
adjuxtare to fit; fr. L. ad + juxta near; confused later with L. ad
and justus just, right, whence F. ajuster to adjust. See Just, v. t.
and cf. Adjute.]
1. To make exact; to fit; to make correspondent or conformable; to
bring into proper relations; as, to adjust a garment to the body, or
things to a standard.
2. To put in order; to regulate, or reduce to system.
Adjusting the orthography. Johnson.
3. To settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are
agreed in the result; as, to adjust accounts; the differences are
adjusted.
4. To bring to a true relative position, as the parts of an
instrument; to regulate for use; as, to adjust a telescope or
microscope. Syn. -- To adapt; suit; arrange; regulate; accommodate;
set right; rectify; settle.
Adjustable
Ad*just"a*ble (#), a. Capable of being adjusted.
Adjustage
Ad*just"age (#), n. [Cf. Ajutage.] Adjustment. [R.]
Adjuster
Ad*just"er (#), n. One who, or that which, adjusts.
Adjustive
Ad*just"ive (#), a. Tending to adjust. [R.]
Adjustment
Ad*just"ment (#), n. [Cf. F. ajustement. See Adjust.]
1. The act of adjusting, or condition of being adjusted; act of
bringing into proper relations; regulation.
Success depends on the nicest and minutest adjustment of the parts
concerned. Paley.
2. (Law) Settlement of claims; an equitable arrangement of conflicting
claims, as in set-off, contribution, exoneration, subrogation, and
marshaling. Bispham.
3. The operation of bringing all the parts of an instrument, as a
microscope or telescope, into their proper relative position for use;
the condition of being thus adjusted; as, to get a good adjustment; to
be in or out of adjustment. Syn. -- Suiting; fitting; arrangement;
regulation; settlement; adaptation; disposition.
Adjutage
Ad"ju*tage (#), n. Same as Ajutage.
Adjutancy
Ad"ju*tan*cy (#), n. [See Adjutant.]
1. The office of an adjutant.
2. Skillful arrangement in aid; assistance.
It was, no doubt, disposed with all the adjutancy of definition and
division. Burke.
Adjutant
Ad"ju*tant (#), n. [L. adjutans, p. pr. of adjutare to help. See Aid.]
1. A helper; an assistant.
2. (Mil.) A regimental staff officer, who assists the colonel, or
commanding officer of a garrison or regiment, in the details of
regimental and garrison duty.
Adjutant general (a) (Mil.), the principal staff officer of an army,
through whom the commanding general receives communications and issues
military orders. In the U. S. army he is brigadier general. (b) (Among
the Jesuits), one of a select number of fathers, who resided with the
general of the order, each of whom had a province or country assigned
to his care.
3. (Zo\'94l.) A species of very large stork (Ciconia argala), a native
of India; -- called also the gigantic crane, and by the native name
argala. It is noted for its serpent-destroying habits.
Adjutator
Ad"ju*ta`tor (#), n. (Eng. Hist.) A corruption of Agitator.
Adjute
Ad*jute" (#), v. t. [F. ajouter; confused with L. adjutare.] To add.
[Obs.]
Adjutor
Ad*ju"tor (#), n. [L., fr. adjuvare. See Aid.] A helper or assistant.
[Archaic] Drayton.
Adjutory
Ad*ju"to*ry (#), a. [L. adjutorius.] Serving to help or assist;
helping. [Obs.]
Adjutrix
Ad*ju"trix (#), n. [L. See Adjutor.] A female helper or assistant.
[R.]
Adjuvant
Ad"ju*vant (#), a. [L. adjuvans, p. pr. of adjuvare to aid: cf. F.
adjuvant. See Aid.] Helping; helpful; assisting. [R.] "Adjuvant
causes." Howell.
Adjuvant
Ad"ju*vant, n.
1. An assistant. [R.] Yelverton.
2. (Med.) An ingredient, in a prescription, which aids or modifies the
action of the principal ingredient.
Adlegation
Ad`le*ga"tion (#), n. [L. adlegatio, allegatio, a sending away; fr.
adlegare, allegare, to send away with a commission; ad in addition +
legare to send as ambassador. Cf. Allegation.] A right formerly
claimed by the states of the German Empire of joining their own
ministers with those of the emperor in public treaties and
negotiations to the common interest of the empire. Encyc. Brit.
Ad libitum
Ad lib"i*tum (#). At one's pleasure; as one wishes.
Adlocution
Ad`lo*cu"tion (#), n. See Allocution. [Obs.]
Admarginate
Ad*mar"gin*ate (#), v. t. [Pref. ad- + margin.] To write in the
margin. [R.] Coleridge.
Admaxillary
Ad*max"il*la*ry (#), a. [Pref. ad- + maxillary.] (Anat.) Near to the
maxilla or jawbone.
Admeasure
Ad*meas"ure (?; 135), v. t. [Cf. OF. amesurer, LL. admensurare. See
Measure.]
1. To measure.
2. (Law) To determine the proper share of, or the proper
apportionment; as, to admeasure dower; to admeasure common of pasture.
Blackstone.
2. The measure of a thing; dimensions; size.
3. (Law) Formerly, the adjustment of proportion, or ascertainment of
shares, as of dower or pasture held in common. This was by writ of
admeasurement, directed to the sheriff.
Admeasurer
Ad*meas"ur*er (#), n. One who admeasures.
Admensuration
Ad*men`su*ra"tion (#), n. [LL. admensuratio; L. ad + mensurare to
measure. See Mensuration.] Same as Admeasurement.
Adminicle
Ad*min"i*cle (#), n. [L. adminculum support, orig., that on which the
hand rests; ad + manus hand + dim. ending -culym.]
1. Help or support; an auxiliary. Grote.
2. (Law) Corroborative or explanatory proof.
NOTE: In Sc ots law, any writing tending to establish the existence
or terms of a lost deed. Bell.
Adminicular
Ad`mi*nic"u*lar (#), a. Supplying help; auxiliary; corroborative;
explanatory; as, adminicular evidence. H. Spencer.
Adminiculary
Ad`mi*nic"u*la*ry (#), a. Adminicular.
Administer
Ad*min"is*ter (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Administered (#); p. pr. & vb.
n. Administering.] [OE. aministren, OF. aministrer, F. administer, fr.
L. administrare; ad + ministrare to serve. See Minister.]
1. To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or superintend
the execution, application, or conduct of; as, to administer the
government or the state.
For forms of government let fools contest: Whate'er is best
administered is best. Pope.
2. To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to administer
relief, to administer the sacrament.
[Let zephyrs] administer their tepid, genial airs. Philips.
Justice was administered with an exactness and purity not before
known. Macaulay.
3. To apply, as medicine or a remedy; to give, as a dose or something
beneficial or suitable. Extended to a blow, a reproof, etc.
A noxious drug had been administered to him. Macaulay.
4. To tender, as an oath.
Swear . . . to keep the oath that we administer. Shak.
5. (Law) To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or
whose will fails of an executor. Syn. -- To manage; conduct; minister;
supply; dispense; give out; distribute; furnish.
Administer
Ad*min"is*ter, v. i.
1. To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to conduce; to minister.
A fountain . . . administers to the pleasure as well as the plenty
of the place. Spectator.
2. (Law) To perform the office of administrator; to act officially;
as, A administers upon the estate of B.
Administer
Ad*min"is*ter, n. Administrator. [Obs.] Bacon.
Administerial
Ad*min`is*te"ri*al (#), a. Pertaining to administration, or to the
executive part of government.
Administrable
Ad*min"is*tra*ble (#), a. Capable of being administered; as, an
administrable law.
Administrant
Ad*min"is*trant (#), a. [F., p. pr. of administrer. See Administer.]
Executive; acting; managing affairs. -- n. One who administers.
Administrate
Ad*min"is*trate (#), v. t. [L. administratus, p. p. of administrare.]
To administer. [R.] Milman.
Administration
Ad*min`is*tra"tion (?; 277), n. [OE. administracioun, L.
administratio: cf. F. administration.]
1. The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service
rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of
any office or employment; direction; management.
His financial administration was of a piece with his military
administration. Macaulay.
2. The executive part of government; the persons collectively who are
intrusted with the execution of laws and the superintendence of public
affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the
council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain.
A mild and popular administration. Macaulay.
The administration has been opposed in parliament. Johnson.
3. The act of administering, or tendering something to another;
dispensation; as, the administration of a medicine, of an oath, of
justice, or of the sacrament.
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4. (Law) (a) The management and disposal, under legal authority, of
the estate of an intestate, or of a testator having no competent
executor. (b) The management of an estate of a deceased person by an
executor, the strictly corresponding term execution not being in use.
Administration with the will annexed, administration granted where the
testator has appointed no executor, or where his appointment of an
executor for any cause has failed, as by death, incompetency, refusal
to act, etc. Syn. -- Conduct; management; direction; regulation;
execution; dispensation; distribution.
Administrative
Ad*min"is*tra`tive (#), a. [L. administrativus: cf. F. administratif.]
Pertaining to administration; administering; executive; as, an
administrative body, ability, or energy. -- Ad*min"is*tra`tive*ly,
adv.
Administrator
Ad*min`is*tra"tor (#), n. [L.]
1. One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or
dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical
affairs; a manager.
2. (Law) A man who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or
of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the
right of administration has been committed by competent authority.
Administratorship
Ad*min`is*tra"tor*ship, n. The position or office of an administrator.
Administratrix
Ad*min`is*tra"trix (#), n. [NL.] A woman who administers; esp., one
who administers the estate of an intestate, or to whom letters of
administration have been granted; a female administrator.
Admirability
Ad`mi*ra*bil"i*ty (#), n. [L. admirabilitac.] Admirableness. [R.]
Johnson.
Admirable
Ad"mi*ra*ble (#), a. [L. admirabilis: cf. F. admirable.]
1. Fitted to excite wonder; wonderful; marvelous. [Obs.]
In man there is nothing admirable but his ignorance and weakness.
Jer. Taylor.
2. Having qualities to excite wonder united with approbation;
deserving the highest praise; most excellent; -- used of persons or
things. "An admirable machine." "Admirable fortitude." Macaulay. Syn.
-- Wonderful; marvelous; surprising; excellent; delightful;
praiseworthy.
Admirableness
Ad"mi*ra*ble*ness, n. The quality of being admirable; wonderful
excellence.
Admirably
Ad"mi*ra*bly, adv. In an admirable manner.
Admiral
Ad"mi*ral (#), n. [OE. amiral, admiral, OF. amiral, ultimately fr. Ar.
am\'c6r-al-bahr commander of the sea; Ar. am\'c6r is commander, al is
the Ar. article, and am\'c6r-al, heard in different titles, was taken
as one word. Early forms of the word show confusion with L.
admirabilis admirable, fr. admirari to admire. It is said to have been
introduced into Europe by the Genoese or Venetians, in the 12th or
13th century. Cf. Ameer, Emir.]
1. A naval officer of the highest rank; a naval officer of high rank,
of which there are different grades. The chief gradations in rank are
admiral, vice admiral, and rear admiral. The admiral is the commander
in chief of a fleet or of fleets.
2. The ship which carries the admiral; also, the most considerable
ship of a fleet.
Like some mighty admiral, dark and terrible, bearing down upon his
antagonist with all his canvas straining to the wind, and all his
thunders roaring from his broadsides. E. Everett.
3. (Zo\'94l.) A handsome butterfly (Pyrameis Atalanta) of Europe and
America. The larva feeds on nettles.
Admiral shell (Zo\'94l.), the popular name of an ornamental cone shell
(Conus admiralis). Lord High Admiral, a great officer of state, who
(when this rare dignity is conferred) is at the head of the naval
administration of Great Britain.
Admiralship
Ad"mi*ral*ship, n. The office or position oaf an admiral; also, the
naval skill of an admiral.
Admiralty
Ad"mi*ral*ty (#), n.; pl. Admiralties (#). [F. amiraut\'82, for an
older amiralt\'82, office of admiral, fr. LL. admiralitas. See
Admiral.]
1. The office or jurisdiction of an admiral. Prescott.
2. The department or officers having authority over naval affairs
generally.
3. The court which has jurisdiction of maritime questions and
offenses.
NOTE: &hand; In England, admiralty jurisdiction was formerly vested
in the High Court of Admiralty, which was held before the Lord High
Admiral, or his deputy, styled the Judge of the Admiralty; but
admiralty jurisdiction is now vested in the probate, divorce, and
admiralty division of the High Justice. In America, there are no
admiralty courts distinct from others, but admiralty jurisdiction
is vested in the district courts of the United States, subject to
revision by the circuit courts and the Supreme Court of the United
States. Admiralty jurisprudence has cognizance of maritime
contracts and torts, collisions at sea, cases of prize in war,
etc., and in America, admiralty jurisdiction is extended to such
matters, arising out of the navigation of any of the public waters,
as the Great Lakes and rivers.
4. The system of jurisprudence of admiralty courts.
5. The building in which the lords of the admiralty, in England,
transact business.
Admirance
Ad*mir"ance (#), n. [Cf. OF. admirance.] Admiration. [Obs.] Spenser.
Admiration
Ad`mi*ra"tion (#), n. [F., fr. L. admiratio. See Admire.]
1. Wonder; astonishment. [Obs.]
Season your admiration for a while. Shak.
2. Wonder mingled with approbation or delight; an emotion excited by a
person or thing possessed of wonderful or high excellence; as,
admiration of a beautiful woman, of a landscape, of virtue.
3. Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased
surprise; a prodigy.
Now, good Lafeu, bring in the admiration. Shak.
Note of admiration, the mark (!), called also exclamation point. Syn.
-- Wonder; approval; appreciation; adoration; reverence; worship.
Admirative
Ad*mir"a*tive (#), a. Relating to or expressing admiration or wonder.
[R.] Earle.
Admire
Ad*mire" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Admired (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Admiring (#).] [F. admirer, fr. L. admirari; ad + mirari to wonder,
for smirari, akin to Gr. smi, and E. smile.]
1. To regard with wonder or astonishment; to view with surprise; to
marvel at. [Archaic]
Examples rather to be admired than imitated. Fuller.
2. To regard with wonder and delight; to look upon with an elevated
feeling of pleasure, as something which calls out approbation, esteem,
love, or reverence; to estimate or prize highly; as, to admire a
person of high moral worth, to admire a landscape.
Admired as heroes and as gods obeyed. Pope.
NOTE: &hand; Ad mire fo llowed by th e in finitive is obsolete or
colloquial; as, I admire to see a man consistent in his conduct.
Syn. -- To esteem; approve; delight in.
Admire
Ad*mire", v. i.To wonder; to marvel; to be affected with surprise; --
sometimes with at.
To wonder at Pharaoh, and even admire at myself. Fuller.
Admired
Ad*mired" (#), a.
1. Regarded with wonder and delight; highly prized; as, an admired
poem.
2. Wonderful; also, admirable. [Obs.] "Admired disorder." " Admired
Miranda." Shak.
Admirer
Ad*mir"er (#), n. One who admires; one who esteems or loves greatly.
Cowper.
Admiring
Ad*mir"ing, a. Expressing admiration; as, an admiring glance. --
Ad*mir"ing*ly, adv. Shak.
Admissibility
Ad*mis`si*bil"i*ty (#), n. [Cf. F. admissibilit\'82.] The quality of
being admissible; admissibleness; as, the admissibility of evidence.
Admissible
Ad*mis"si*ble (#), a. [F. admissible, LL. admissibilis. See Admit.]
Entitled to be admitted, or worthy of being admitted; that may be
allowed or conceded; allowable; as, the supposition is hardly
admissible. -- Ad*mis"si*ble*ness, n. -- Ad*mis"si*bly, adv.
Admission
Ad*mis"sion (#), n. [L. admissio: cf. F. admission. See Admit.]
1. The act or practice of admitting.
2. Power or permission to enter; admittance; entrance; access; power
to approach.
What numbers groan for sad admission there! Young.
3. The granting of an argument or position not fully proved; the act
of acknowledging something
The too easy admission of doctrines. Macaulay.
4. (Law) Acquiescence or concurrence in a statement made by another,
and distinguishable from a confession in that an admission presupposes
prior inquiry by another, but a confession may be made without such
inquiry.
5. A fact, point, or statement admitted; as, admission made out of
court are received in evidence.
6. (Eng. Eccl. Law) Declaration of the bishop that he approves of the
presentee as a fit person to serve the cure of the church to which he
is presented. Shipley. Syn. -- Admittance; concession; acknowledgment;
concurrence; allowance. See Admittance.
Admissive
Ad*mis"sive (#), a.Implying an admission; tending to admit. [R.] Lamb.
Admissory
Ad*mis"so*ry (#), a. Pertaining to admission.
Admit
Ad*mit" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Admitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Admitting.]
[OE. amitten, L. admittere, admissum; ad + mittere to send: cf. F.
admettre, OF. admettre, OF. ametre. See Missile.]
1. To suffer to enter; to grant entrance, whether into a place, or
into the mind, or consideration; to receive; to take; as, they were
into his house; to admit a serious thought into the mind; to admit
evidence in the trial of a cause.
2. To give a right of entrance; as, a ticket one into a playhouse.
3. To allow (one) to enter on an office or to enjoy a privilege; to
recognize as qualified for a franchise; as, to admit an attorney to
practice law; the prisoner was admitted to bail.
4. To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an allegation
which it is impossible to deny; to own or confess; as, the argument or
fact is admitted; he admitted his guilt.
5. To be capable of; to permit; as, the words do not admit such a
construction. In this sense, of may be used after the verb, or may be
omitted.
Both Houses declared that they could admit of no treaty with the
king. Hume.
Admittable
Ad*mit"ta*ble (#), a. Admissible. Sir T. Browne.
Admittance
Ad*mit"tance (#), n.
1. The act of admitting.
2. Permission to enter; the power or right of entrance; also, actual
entrance; reception.
To gain admittance into the house. South.
He desires admittance to the king. Dryden.
To give admittance to a thought of fear. Shak.
3. Concession; admission; allowance; as, the admittance of an
argument. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
4. Admissibility. [Obs.] Shak.
5. (Eng. Law) The act of giving possession of a copyhold estate.
Bouvier. Syn. -- Admission; access; entrance; initiation. --
Admittance, Admission. These words are, to some extent, in a state of
transition and change. Admittance is now chiefly confined to its
primary sense of access into some locality or building. Thus we see on
the doors of factories, shops, etc. "No admittance." Its secondary or
moral sense, as "admittance to the church," is almost entirely laid
aside. Admission has taken to itself the secondary or figurative
senses; as, admission to the rights of citizenship; admission to the
church; the admissions made by one of the parties in a dispute. And
even when used in its primary sense, it is not identical with
admittance. Thus, we speak of admission into a country, territory, and
other larger localities, etc., where admittance could not be used. So,
when we speak of admission to a concert or other public assembly, the
meaning is not perhaps exactly that of admittance, viz., access within
the walls of the building, but rather a reception into the audience,
or access to the performances. But the lines of distinction on this
subject are one definitely drawn.
Admittatur
Ad`mit*ta"tur (#), n. [L., let him be admitted.] The certificate of
admission given in some American colleges.
Admitted, a. Received as true or valid; acknowledged. -- Admittedly
Ad*mit"ted (#), a. Received as true or valid; acknowledged. --
Ad*mit"ted*ly adv. Confessedly.
Admitter
Ad*mit"ter (#), n. One who admits.
Admix
Ad*mix" (#), v. t. [Pref. ad- + mix: cf. L. admixtus, p. p. of
admiscere. See Mix.] To mingle with something else; to mix. [R.]
Admixtion
Ad*mix"tion (?; 106), n. [L. admixtio.] A mingling of different
things; admixture. Glanvill.
Admixture
Ad*mix"ture (?; 135), n. [L. admiscere, admixtum, to admix; ad +
miscere to mix. See Mix.]
1. The act of mixing; mixture.
2. The compound formed by mixing different substances together.
3. That which is mixed with anything.
Admonish
Ad*mon"ish (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Admonished (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Admonishing.] [OE. amonesten, OF. amonester, F. admonester, fr. a
supposed LL. admonesstrare, fr. L. admonere to remind, warn; ad +
monere to warn. See Monition.]
1. To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove gently or kindly, but
seriously; to exhort. "Admonish him as a brother." 2 Thess. iii. 15.
2. To counsel against wrong practices; to cation or advise; to warn
against danger or an offense; -- followed by of, against, or a
subordinate clause.
Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns. Col. iii. 16.
I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold The danger, and the
lurking enemy. Milton.
3. To instruct or direct; to inform; to notify.
Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the
tabernacle. Heb. viii. 5.
Admonisher
Ad*mon"ish*er (#), n. One who admonishes.
Admonishment
Ad*mon"ish*ment (#), n. [Cf. OF. amonestement, admonestement.]
Admonition. [R.] Shak.
Admonition
Ad`mo*ni"tion (#), n. [OE. amonicioun, OF. amonition, F. admonition,
fr. L. admonitio, fr. admonere. See Admonish.] Gentle or friendly
reproof; counseling against a fault or error; expression of
authoritative advice; friendly caution or warning. Syn. -- Admonition,
Reprehension, Reproof. Admonition is prospective, and relates to moral
delinquencies; its object is to prevent further transgression.
Reprehension and reproof are retrospective, the former being milder
than the latter. A person of any age or station may be liable to
reprehension in case of wrong conduct; but reproof is the act of a
superior. It is authoritative fault-finding or censure addressed to
children or to inferiors.
Admonitioner
Ad`mo*ni"tion*er (#), n. Admonisher. [Obs.]
Admonitive
Ad*mon"i*tive (#), a. Admonitory. [R.] Barrow. -- Ad*mon"i*tive*ly,
adv.
Admonitor
Ad*mon"i*tor (#), n. [L.] Admonisher; monitor.
Conscience is at most times a very faithful and prudent admonitor.
Shenstone.
Admonitorial
Ad*mon`i*to"ri*al (#), a. Admonitory. [R.] "An admonitorial tone."
Dickens.
Admonitory
Ad*mon"i*to*ry (#), a. [LL. admonitorius.] That conveys admonition;
warning or reproving; as, an admonitory glance. -- Ad*mon"i*to*ri*ly,
(#), adv.
Admonitrix
Ad*mon"i*trix (#), n. [L.] A female admonitor.
Admortization
Ad*mor`ti*za"tion (#), n. [LL. admortizatio. Cf. Amortization.] (Law)
The reducing or lands or tenements to mortmain. See Mortmain.
Admove
Ad*move" (#), v. t. [L. admovere. See Move.] To move or conduct to or
toward. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Adnascent
Ad*nas"cent (#), a. [L. adnascens, p. pr. of adnasci to be born,
grow.] Growing to or on something else. "An adnascent plant." Evelyn.
Adnate
Ad"nate (#), a. [L. adnatus, p. p. of adnasci. See Adnascent, and cf.
Agnate.]
1. (Physiol.) Grown to congenitally.
2. (Bot.) Growing together; -- said only of organic cohesion of unlike
parts.
An anther is adnate when fixed by its whole length to the filament.
Gray.
3. (Zo\'94l.) Growing with one side adherent to a stem; -- a term
applied to the lateral zooids of corals and other compound animals.
Adnation
Ad*na"tion (#), n. (Bot.) The adhesion or cohesion of different floral
verticils or sets of organs.
Adnominal
Ad*nom"i*nal (#), a. [L. ad + nomen noun.] (Gram.) Pertaining to an
adnoun; adjectival; attached to a noun. Gibbs. -- Ad*nom"i*nal*ly,
adv.
Adnoun
Ad"noun` (#), n. [Pref. ad- + noun.] (Gram.) An adjective, or
attribute. [R.] Coleridge.
Adnubilated
Ad*nu"bi*la`ted (#), a. [L. adnubilatus, p. p. of adnubilare.]
Clouded; obscured. [R.]
Ado
A*do" (#), (1) v. inf., (2) n. [OE. at do, northern form for to do.
Cf. Affair.]
1. To do; in doing; as, there is nothing. "What is here ado?" J.
Newton.
2. Doing; trouble; difficulty; troublesome business; fuss; bustle; as,
to make a great ado about trifles.
With much ado, he partly kept awake. Dryden.
Let's follow to see the end of this ado. Shak.
Adobe
A*do"be (#), n. [Sp.] An unburnt brick dried in the sun; also used as
an adjective, as, an adobe house, in Texas or New Mexico.
Adolescence
Ad`o*les"cence (#), n. [Fr., fr. L. adolescentia.] The state of
growing up from childhood to manhood or womanhood; youth, or the
period of life between puberty and maturity, generally considered to
be, in the male sex, from fourteen to twenty-one. Sometimes used with
reference to the lower animals.
Adolescency
Ad`o*les"cen*cy (#), n. The quality of being adolescent; youthfulness.
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Adolescent
Ad`o*les"cent (#), a. [L. adolescens, p. pr. of adolescere to grow up
to; ad + the inchoative olescere to grow: cf. F. adolescent. See
Adult.] Growing; advancing from childhood to maturity.
Schools, unless discipline were doubly strong, Detain their
adolescent charge too long. Cowper.
Adolescent
Ad`o*les"cent, n. A youth.
Adonean
Ad`o*ne"an (#), a. [L. Adon.] Pertaining to Adonis; Adonic. "Fair
Adonean Venus." Faber.
Adonic
A*don"ic (#), a. [F. adonique: cf. L. Adonius.] Relating to Adonis,
famed for his beauty. -- n. An Adonic verse. Adonic verse, a verse
consisting of a dactyl and spondee (#).
Adonis
A*do"nis (#), n. [L., gr. Gr.
1. (Gr. Myth.) A youth beloved by Venus for his beauty. He was killed
in the chase by a wild boar.
2. A pre\'89minently beautiful young man; a dandy.
3. (Bot.) A genus of plants of the family Ranunculace\'91, containing
the pheasaut's eye (Adonis autumnalis); -- named from Adonis, whose
blood was fabled to have stained the flower.
Adonist
A*do"nist (#), n. [Heb. my Lords.] One who maintains that points of
the Hebrew word translated "Jehovah" are really the vowel points of
the word "Adonai." See Jehovist.
Adonize
Ad"o*nize (#), v. t. [Cf. F. adoniser, fr. Adonis.] To beautify; to
dandify.
I employed three good hours at least in adjusting and adonozing
myself. Smollett.
Adoor, Adoors
A*door (#), A*doors (#),At the door; of the door; as, out adoors.
Shak.
I took him in adoors. Vicar's Virgil (1630).
Adopt
A*dopt" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adopted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adopting.]
[L. adoptare; ad + optare to choose, desire: cf. F. adopter. See
Option.]
1. To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir, friend,
citizen, etc. ; esp. to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to
be in the place of, or as, one's own child.
2. To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally; to select
and take or approve; as, to adopt the view or policy of another; these
resolutions were adopted.
Adoptable
A*dopt"a*ble (#), a. Capable of being adopted.
Adopted
A*dopt"ed (#), a. Taken by adoption; taken up as one's own; as, an
adopted son, citizen, country, word. -- A*dopt"ed*ly, adv.
Adopter
A*dopt"er (#), n.
1. One who adopts.
2. (Chem.) A receiver, with two necks, opposite to each other, one of
which admits the neck of a retort, and the other is joined to another
receiver. It is used in distillations, to give more space to elastic
vapors, to increase the length of the neck of a retort, or to unite
two vessels whose openings have different diameters. [Written also
adapter.]
Adoption
A*dop"tion (#), n. [L. adoptio, allied to adoptare to adopt: cf. F.
adoption.]
1. The act of adopting, or state of being adopted; voluntary
acceptance of a child of other parents to be the same as one's own
child.
2. Admission to a more intimate relation; reception; as, the adoption
of persons into hospitals or monasteries, or of one society into
another.
3. The choosing and making that to be one's own which originally was
not so; acceptance; as, the adoption of opinions. Jer. Taylor.
Adoptionist
A*dop"tion*ist, n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect which maintained that
Christ was the Son of God not by nature but by adoption.
Adoptious
A*dop"tious (#), a. Adopted. [Obs.]
Adoptive
A*dopt"ive (#), a. [L. adoptivus: cf. F. adoptif.] Pertaining to
adoption; made or acquired by adoption; fitted to adopt; as, an
adoptive father, an child; an adoptive language. -- A*dopt"ive*ly,
adv.
Adorability
A*dor`a*bil"i*ty (#), n. Adorableness.
Adorable
A*dor"a*ble (#), a. [L. adorabilis, fr. adorare: cf. F. adorable.]
1. Deserving to be adored; worthy of divine honors.
The adorable Author of Christianity. Cheyne.
2. Worthy of the utmost love or respect.
Adorableness
A*dor"a*ble*ness, n. The quality of being adorable, or worthy of
adoration. Johnson.
Adorably
A*dor"a*bly, adv. In an adorable manner.
Adoration
Ad`o*ra"tion (#), n. [L. adoratio, fr. adorare: cf. F. adoration.]
1. The act of playing honor to a divine being; the worship paid to
God; the act of addressing as a god.
The more immediate objects of popular adoration amongst the
heathens were deified human beings. Farmer.
2. Homage paid to one in high esteem; profound veneration; intense
regard and love; fervent devotion.
3. A method of electing a pope by the expression of homage from two
thirds of the conclave.
[Pole] might have been chosen on the spot by adoration. Froude.
Adore
A*dore" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adored (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Adoring
(#).] [OE. aouren, anouren, adoren, OF. aorer, adorer, F. adorer, fr.
L. adorare; ad + orare to speak, pray, os, oris, mouth. In OE.
confused with honor, the French prefix a- being confused with OE. a,
an, on. See Oral.]
1. To worship with profound reverence; to pay divine honors to; to
honor as deity or as divine.
Bishops and priests, . . . bearing the host, which he [James
adored. Smollett.
2. To love in the highest degree; to regard with the utmost esteem and
affection; to idolize.
The great mass of the population abhorred Popery and adored
Montouth. Macaulay.
Adore
A*dore", v. t. To adorn. [Obs.]
Congealed little drops which do the morn adore. Spenser.
Adorement
A*dore"ment (#), n. The act of adoring; adoration. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
Adorer
A*dor"er (#), n. One who adores; a worshiper; one who admires or loves
greatly; an ardent admirer. "An adorer of truth." Clarendon.
I profess myself her adorer, not her friend. Shak.
Adoringly
A*dor"ing*ly, adv. With adoration.
Adorn
A*dorn" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adorned (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adorning.] [OE. aournen, anournen, adornen, OF. aorner, fr. L.
aaornare; ad + ornare to furnish, embellish. See Adore, Ornate.] To
deck or dress with ornaments; to embellish; to set off to advantage;
to render pleasing or attractive.
As a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isa. lxi. 10.
At church, with meek and unaffected grace, His looks adorned the
venerable place. Goldsmith.
Syn. -- To deck; decorate; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace;
dignify; exalt; honor. -- To Adorn, Ornament, Decorate, Embellish. We
decorate and ornament by putting on some adjunct which is attractive
or beautiful, and which serves to heighten the general effect. Thus, a
lady's head-dress may be ornament or decorated with flowers or
jewelry; a hall may be decorated or ornament with carving or gilding,
with wreaths of flowers, or with hangings. Ornament is used in a wider
sense than decorate. To embellish is to beautify or ornament richly,
not so much by mere additions or details as by modifying the thing
itself as a whole. It sometimes means gaudy and artificial decoration.
We embellish a book with rich engravings; a style is embellished with
rich and beautiful imagery; a shopkeeper embellishes his front window
to attract attention. Adorn is sometimes identical with decorate, as
when we say, a lady was adorned with jewels. In other cases, it seems
to imply something more. Thus, we speak of a gallery of paintings as
adorned with the works of some of the great masters, or adorned with
noble statuary and columns. Here decorated and ornamented would hardly
be appropriate. There is a value in these works of genius beyond mere
show and ornament. Adorn may be used of what is purely moral; as, a
character adorned with every Christian grace. Here neither decorate,
nor ornament, nor embellish is proper.
Adorn
A*dorn", n. Adornment. [Obs.] Spenser.
Adorn
A*dorn", a. Adorned; decorated. [Obs.] Milton.
Adornation
Ad`or*na"tion (#), n. Adornment. [Obs.]
Adorner
A*dorn"er (#), n. He who, or that which, adorns; a beautifier.
Adorningly
A*dorn"ing*ly, adv. By adorning; decoratively.
Adornment
A*dorn"ment (#), n. [Cf. OF. adornement. See Adorn.] An adorning; an
ornament; a decoration.
Adosculation
Ad*os"cu*la"tion (#), n. [L. adosculari, adosculatum, to kiss. See
Osculate.] (Biol.) Impregnation by external contact, without
intromission.
Adown
A*down" (#), adv. [OE. adun, adoun, adune. AS. of d\'d4ne off the
hill. See Down.] From a higher to a lower situation; downward; down,
to or on the ground. [Archaic] "Thrice did she sink adown." Spenser.
Adown
A*down", prep. Down. [Archaic & Poetic]
Her hair adown her shoulders loosely lay displayed. Prior.
Adpress
Ad*press" (#), v. t. [L. adpressus, p. p. of adprimere.] See
Appressed. -- Ad*pressed", (#), a.
Adrad
A*drad" (#), p. a. [P. p. of adread.] Put in dread; afraid. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Adragant
Ad"ra*gant (#), n. [F., a corruption of tragacanth.] Gum tragacanth.
Brande & C.
Adread
A*dread" (#), v. t. & i. [AS. andr\'91dan, ondr\'91; pref. a- (for and
against) + dr\'91den to dread. See Dread.] To dread. [Obs.] Sir P.
Sidney.
Adreamed
A*dreamed" (#), p. p. Visited by a dream; -- used in the phrase, To be
adreamed, to dream. [Obs.]
Adrenal
Ad*re"nal (#), a. [Pref. ad- + renal.] (Anat.) Suprarenal.
Adrian
A"dri*an (#), a. [L. Hadrianus.] Pertaining to the Adriatic Sea; as,
Adrian billows.
Adriatic
A`dri*at"ic (#), a. [L. Adriaticus, Hadriaticus, fr. Adria or Hadria,
a town of the Veneti.] Of or pertaining to a sea so named, the
northwestern part of which is known as the Gulf of Venice.
Adrift
A*drift" (#), adv. & a. [Pref. a- (for on) + drift.] Floating at
random; in a drifting condition; at the mercy of wind and waves. Also
fig.
So on the sea shall be set adrift. Dryden.
Were from their daily labor turned adrift. Wordsworth.
Adrip
A*drip" (#), adv. & a. [Pref. a- in + drip.] In a dripping state; as,
leaves all adrip. D. G. Mitchell.
Adrogate
Ad"ro*gate (#), v. t. [See Arrogate.] (Rom. Law) To adopt (a person
who is his own master).
Adrogation
Ad`ro*ga"tion (#), n. [L. adrogatio, arrogatio, fr. adrogare. See
Arrogate.] (Rom. Law) A kind of adoption in ancient Rome. See
Arrogation.
Adroit
A*droit" (#), a. [F. adroit; \'85 (L. ad) = droit straight, right, fr.
L. directus, p. p. of dirigere. See Direct.] Dexterous in the use of
the hands or in the exercise of the mental faculties; exhibiting skill
and readiness in avoiding danger or escaping difficulty; ready in
invention or execution; -- applied to persons and to acts; as, an
adroit mechanic, an adroit reply. "Adroit in the application of the
telescope and quadrant." Horsley. "He was adroit in intrigue."
Macaulay. Syn. -- Dexterous; skillful; expert; ready; clever; deft;
ingenious; cunning; ready-witted.
Adroitly
A*droit"ly, adv. In an adroit manner.
Adroitness
A*droit"ness, n. The quality of being adroit; skill and readiness;
dexterity.
Adroitness was as requisite as courage. Motley.
Syn. -- See Skill.
Adry
A*dry" (#), a. [Pref. a- (for on) + dry.] In a dry or thirsty
condition. "A man that is adry." Burton.
Adscititious
Ad`sci*ti"tious (#), a. [L. adscitus, p. p. of adsciscere, asciscere,
to take knowingly; ad + sciscere to seek to know, approve, scire to
know.] Supplemental; additional; adventitious; ascititious.
"Adscititious evidence." Bowring. -- Ad`sci*ti"tious*ly, adv.
Adscript
Ad"script (#), a. [L. adscriptus, p. p. of adscribere to enroll. See
Ascribe.] Held to service as attached to the soil; -- said of feudal
serfs.
Adscript
Ad"script (#), n. One held to service as attached to the glebe or
estate; a feudal serf. Bancroft.
Adscriptive
Ad*scrip"tive (#), a.[L. adscriptivus. See Adscript.] Attached or
annexed to the glebe or estate and transferable with it. Brougham.
Adsignification
Ad*sig`ni*fi*ca"tion (#), n. Additional signification. [R.] Tooke.
Adsignify
Ad*sig"ni*fy (#), v. t. [L. adsignificare to show.] To denote
additionally. [R.] Tooke.
Adstrict
Ad*strict" (#), v. t. -- Ad*stric"tion, (#) n. See Astrict, and
Astriction.
Adstrictory
Ad*stric"to*ry (#), a. See Astrictory.
Adstringent
Ad*strin"gent (#), a. See Astringent.
Adularia
Ad`u*la"ri*a (#), n. [From Adula, a mountain peak in Switzerland,
where fine specimens are found.] (Min.) A transparent or translucent
variety of common feldspar, or orthoclase, which often shows pearly
opalescent reflections; -- called by lapidaries moonstone.
Adulate
Ad"u*late (#), v. t. [L. adulatus, p. p. of adulari.] To flatter in a
servile way. Byron.
Adulation
Ad`u*la"tion (#), n. [F. adulation, fr. L. adulatio, fr. adulari,
adulatum, to flatter.] Servile flattery; praise in excess, or beyond
what is merited.
Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out With titles blown from
adulation? Shak.
Syn. -- Sycophancy; cringing; fawning; obsequiousness; blandishment.
-- Adulation, Flattery, Compliment. Men deal in compliments from a
desire to please; they use flattery either from undue admiration, or a
wish to gratify vanity; they practice adulation from sordid motives,
and with a mingled spirit of falsehood and hypocrisy. Compliment may
be a sincere expression of due respect and esteem, or it may be
unmeaning; flattery is apt to become gross; adulation is always
servile, and usually fulsome.
Adulator
Ad"u*la`tor (#), n. [L., fr. adulari: cf. F. adulateur.] A servile or
hypocritical flatterer. Carlyle.
Adulatory
Ad"u*la*to*ry (#), a. [L. adulatorius, fr. adulari: cf. OF.
adulatoire.] Containing excessive praise or compliment; servilely
praising; flattering; as, an adulatory address.
A mere rant of adulatory freedom. Burke.
Adulatress
Ad"u*la`tress (#), n. A woman who flatters with servility.
Adult
A*dult" (#), a. [L. adultus, p. p. of adolescere, akin to alere to
nourish: cf. F. adulte. See Adolescent, Old.] Having arrived at
maturity, or to full size and strength; matured; as, an adult person
or plant; an adult ape; an adult age.
Adult
A*dult", n. A person, animal, or plant grown to full size and
strength; one who has reached maturity.
NOTE: &hand; In the common law, the term is applied to a person who
has attained full age or legal majority; in the civil law, to males
after the age of fourteen, and to females after twelve.
Adulter
A*dul"ter (#), v. i. [L. adulterare.] To commit adultery; to pollute.
[Obs.] B. Jonson.
Adulterant
A*dul"ter*ant (#), n. [L. adulterans, p. pr. of adulterare.] That
which is used to adulterate anything. -- a. Adulterating; as,
adulterant agents and processes.
Adulterate
A*dul"ter*ate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adulterated (#); p. pr. & vb. n
Adulterating (#).] [L. adulteratus, p. p. of adulterare, fr. adulter
adulterer, prob. fr. ad + alter other, properly one who approaches
another on account of unlawful love. Cf. Advoutry.]
1. To defile by adultery. [Obs.] Milton.
2. To corrupt, debase, or make impure by an admixture of a foreign or
a baser substance; as, to adulterate food, drink, drugs, coin, etc.
The present war has . . . adulterated our tongue with strange
words. Spectator.
Syn. -- To corrupt; defile; debase; contaminate; vitiate;
sophisticate.
Adulterate
A*dul"ter*ate, v. i. To commit adultery. [Obs.]
Adulterate
A*dul"ter*ate (#), a.
1. Tainted with adultery.
2. Debased by the admixture of a foreign substance; adulterated;
spurious. -- A*dul"ter*ate*ly, adv. -- A*dul"ter*ate*ness, n.
Adulteration
A*dul`ter*a"tion (#), n. [L. adulteratio.]
1. The act of adulterating; corruption, or debasement (esp. of food or
drink) by foreign mixture.
The shameless adulteration of the coin. Prescott.
2. An adulterated state or product.
Adulterator
A*dul"ter*a`tor (#), n. [L.] One who adulterates or corrupts. [R.]
Cudworth.
Adulterer
A*dul"ter*er (#), n. [Formed fr. the verb adulter, with the E. ending
-er. See Advoutrer.]
1. A man who commits adultery; a married man who has sexual
intercourse with a woman not his wife.
2. (Script.) A man who violates his religious covenant. Jer. ix. 2.
Adulteress
A*dul"ter*ess (#), n. [Fem. from L. adulter. Cf. Advoutress.]
1. A woman who commits adultery.
2. (Script.) A woman who violates her religious engagements. James iv.
4.
Adulterine
A*dul"ter*ine (#), a.[L. adulterinus, fr. adulter.] Proceeding from
adulterous intercourse. Hence: Spurious; without the support of law;
illegal.
When any particular class of artificers or traders thought proper
to act as a corporation without a charter, such were called
adulterine guilds. Adam Smith.
Adulterine
A*dul"ter*ine, n. An illegitimate child. [R.]
Adulterize
A*dul"ter*ize (#), v. i. To commit adultery. Milton.
Adulterous
A*dul"ter*ous (#), a.
1. Guilty of, or given to, adultery; pertaining to adultery; illicit.
Dryden.
2. Characterized by adulteration; spurious. "An adulterous mixture."
[Obs.] Smollett.
Adulterously
A*dul"ter*ous*ly, adv. In an adulterous manner.
Adultery
A*dul"ter*y (#), n.; pl. Adulteries(#). [L. adulterium. See Advoutry.]
1. The unfaithfulness of a married person to the marriage bed; sexual
intercourse by a married man with another than his wife, or voluntary
sexual intercourse by a married woman with another than her husband.
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NOTE: &hand; It is adultery on the part of the married wrongdoer.
The word has also been used to characterize the act of an unmarried
participator, the other being married. In the United States the
definition varies with the local statutes. Unlawful intercourse
between two married persons is sometimes called double adultery;
between a married and an unmarried person, single adultery.
2. Adulteration; corruption. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
3. (Script.) (a) Lewdness or unchastity of thought as well as act, as
forbidden by the seventh commandment. (b) Faithlessness in religion.
Jer. iii. 9.
4. (Old Law) The fine and penalty imposed for the offense of adultery.
5. (Eccl.) The intrusion of a person into a bishopric during the life
of the bishop.
6. Injury; degradation; ruin. [Obs.]
You might wrest the caduceus out of my hand to the adultery and
spoil of nature. B. Jonson.
Adultness
A*dult"ness (#), n. The state of being adult.
Adumbrant
Ad*um"brant (#), a. [L. adumbrans, p. pr. of adumbrare.] Giving a
faint shadow, or slight resemblance; shadowing forth.
Adumbrate
Ad*um"brate (#), v. t. [L. adumbratus, p. p. of adumbrare; ad +
umbrare to shade; umbra shadow.]
1. To give a faint shadow or slight representation of; to outline; to
shadow forth.
Both in the vastness and the richness of the visible universe the
invisible God is adumbrated. L. Taylor.
2. To overshadow; to shade.
Adumbration
Ad`um*bra"tion (#), n. [L. adumbratio.]
1. The act of adumbrating, or shadowing forth.
2. A faint sketch; an outline; an imperfect portrayal or
representation of a thing.
Elegant adumbrations of sacred truth. Bp. Horsley.
3. (Her.) The shadow or outlines of a figure.
Adumbrative
Ad*um"bra*tive (#), a. Faintly representing; typical. Carlyle.
Adunation
Ad`u*na"tion (#), n. [L. adunatio; ad + unus one.] A uniting; union.
Jer. Taylor.
Adunc, Adunque
A*dunc", A*dunque" (#), a. (Zo\'94l.) Hooked; as, a parrot has an
adunc bill.
Aduncity
A*dun"ci*ty (#), n. [L. aduncitas. See Aduncous.] Curvature inwards;
hookedness.
The aduncity of the beaks of hawks. Pope.
Aduncous
A*dun"cous (#), a. [L. aduncus; ad + uncus hooked, hook.] Curved
inwards; hooked.
Adure
A*dure" (#), v. t. [L. adurere; ad + urere to burn.] To burn up.
[Obs.] Bacon.
Adust
A*dust" (#), a. [L. adustus, p. p. of adurere: cf. F. aduste.]
1. Inflamed or scorched; fiery. "The Libyan air adust." Milton.
2. Looking as if or scorched; sunburnt.
A tall, thin man, of an adust complexion. Sir W. Scott.
3. (Med.) Having much heat in the constitution and little serum in the
blood. [Obs.] Hence: Atrabilious; sallow; gloomy.
Adusted
A*dust"ed, a. Burnt; adust. [Obs.] Howell.
Adustible
A*dust"i*ble (#), a. That may be burnt. [Obs.]
Adustion
A*dus"tion (?; 106), n. [L. adustio, fr. adurere, adustum: cf. F.
adustion.]
1. The act of burning, or heating to dryness; the state of being thus
heated or dried. [Obs.] Harvey.
2. (Surg.) Cauterization. Buchanan.
Ad valorem
Ad va*lo"rem (#). [L., according to the value.] (Com.) A term used to
denote a duty or charge laid upon goods, at a certain rate per cent
upon their value, as stated in their invoice, -- in opposition to a
specific sum upon a given quantity or number; as, an ad valorem duty
of twenty per cent.
Advance
Ad*vance" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Advanced (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Advancing (#)(#).] [OE. avancen, avauncen, F. avancer, fr. a supposed
LL. abantiare; ab + ante (F. avant) before. The spelling with d was a
mistake, a- being supposed to be fr. L. ad. See Avaunt.]
1. To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go
on.
2. To raise; to elevate. [Archaic]
They . . . advanced their eyelids. Shak.
3. To raise to a higher rank; to promote.
Ahasueres . . . advanced him, and set his seat above all the
princes. Esther iii. 1.
4. To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to forward; to
help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to
advance one's interests.
5. To bring to view or notice; to offer or propose; to show; as, to
advance an argument.
Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own. Pope.
6. To make earlier, as an event or date; to hasten.
7. To furnish, as money or other value, before it becomes due, or in
aid of an enterprise; to supply beforehand; as, a merchant advances
money on a contract or on goods consigned to him.
8. To raise to a higher point; to enhance; to raise in rate; as, to
advance the price of goods.
9. To extol; to laud. [Obs.]
Greatly advancing his gay chivalry. Spenser.
Syn. -- To raise; elevate; exalt; aggrandize; improve; heighten;
accelerate; allege; adduce; assign.
Advance
Ad*vance", v. i.
1. To move or go forward; to proceed; as, he advanced to greet me.
2. To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to advance in
knowledge, in stature, in years, in price.
3. To rise in rank, office, or consequence; to be preferred or
promoted.
Advanced to a level with ancient peers. Prescott.
Advance
Ad*vance", n. [Cf. F. avance, fr. avancer. See Advance, v.]
1. The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.
2. Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or
socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance
in rank or office.
3. An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an advance on
the prime cost of goods.
4. The first step towards the attainment of a result; approach made to
gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an
overture; a tender; an offer; -- usually in the plural.
[He] made the like advances to the dissenters. Swift.
5. A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received (as
money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on loan; payment
beforehand; the money or goods thus furnished; money or value supplied
beforehand.
I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances. Jay.
The account was made up with intent to show what advances had been
made. Kent.
In advance (a) In front; before. (b) Beforehand; before an equivalent
is received. (c) In the state of having advanced money on account; as,
A is advance to B a thousand dollars or pounds.
Advance
Ad*vance" (#), a. Before in place, or beforehand in time; -- used for
advanced; as, an advance guard, or that before the main guard or body
of an army; advance payment, or that made before it is due; advance
proofs, advance sheets, pages of a forthcoming volume, received in
advance of the time of publication.
Advanced
Ad*vanced" (#), a.
1. In the van or front.
2. In the front or before others, as regards progress or ideas; as,
advanced opinions, advanced thinkers.
3. Far on in life or time.
A gentleman advanced in years, with a hard experience written in
his wrinkles. Hawthorne.
Advanced guard, a detachment of troops which precedes the march of the
main body.
Advancement
Ad*vance"ment (#), n. [OE. avancement, F. avancement. See Advance, v.
t.]
1. The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; progression;
improvement; furtherance; promotion to a higher place or dignity; as,
the advancement of learning.
In heaven . . . every one (so well they love each other) rejoiceth
and hath his part in each other's advancement. Sir T. More.
True religion . . . proposes for its end the joint advancement of
the virtue and happiness of the people. Horsley.
2. An advance of money or value; payment in advance. See Advance, 5.
3. (Law) Property given, usually by a parent to a child, in advance of
a future distribution.
4. Settlement on a wife, or jointure. [Obs.] Bacon.
Advancer
Ad*van"cer (#), n.
1. One who advances; a promoter.
2. A second branch of a buck's antler. Howell.
Advancive
Ad*van"cive (#), a. Tending to advance. [R.]
Advantage
Ad*van"tage (?; 61, 48), n. [OE. avantage, avauntage, F. avantage, fr.
avant before. See Advance, and cf. Vantage.]
1. Any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly
favorable to success, or to any desired end; benefit; as, the enemy
had the advantage of a more elevated position.
Give me advantage of some brief discourse. Shak.
The advantages of a close alliance. Macaulay.
2. Superiority; mastery; -- with of or over.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us. 2 Cor. ii. 11.
3. Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit; gain;
profit; as, the advantage of a good constitution.
4. Interest of money; increase; overplus (as the thirteenth in the
baker's dozen). [Obs.]
And with advantage means to pay thy love. Shak.
Advantage ground, vantage ground. [R.] Clarendon. -- To have the
advantage of (any one), to have a personal knowledge of one who does
not have a reciprocal knowledge. "You have the advantage of me; I
don't remember ever to have had the honor." Sheridan. -- To take
advantage of, to profit by; (often used in a bad sense) to overreach,
to outwit. Syn. -- Advantage, Advantageous, Benefit, Beneficial. We
speak of a thing as a benefit, or as beneficial, when it is simply
productive of good; as, the benefits of early discipline; the
beneficial effects of adversity. We speak of a thing as an advantage,
or as advantageous, when it affords us the means of getting forward,
and places us on a "vantage ground" for further effort. Hence, there
is a difference between the benefits and the advantages of early
education; between a beneficial and an advantageous investment of
money.
Advantage
Ad*van"tage, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Advantaged (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Advantaging (#).] [F. avantager, fr. avantage. See Advance.] To give
an advantage to; to further; to promote; to benefit; to profit.
The truth is, the archbishop's own stiffness and averseness to
comply with the court designs, advantaged his adversaries against
him. Fuller.
What is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose
himself, or be cast away? Luke ix. 25.
To advantage one's self of, to avail one's self of. [Obs.]
Advantageable
Ad*van"tage*a*ble (#), a. Advantageous. [Obs.]
Advantageous
Ad`van*ta"geous (#), a. [F. avantageux, fr. avantage.] Being of
advantage; conferring advantage; gainful; profitable; useful;
beneficial; as, an advantageous position; trade is advantageous to a
nation.
Advabtageous comparison with any other country. Prescott.
You see . . . of what use a good reputation is, and how swift and
advantageous a harbinger it is, wherever one goes. Chesterfield.
Advantageously
Ad`van*ta"geous*ly, adv. Profitably; with advantage.
Advantageousness
Ad`van*ta"geous*ness, n. Profitableness.
Advene
Ad*vene" (#), v. i. [L. advenire; ad + venire to come: cf. F. avenir,
advenir. See Come.] To accede, or come (to); to be added to something
or become a part of it, though not essential. [R.]
Where no act of the will advenes as a coefficient. Coleridge.
Advenient
Ad*ven"ient (#), a. [L. adviens, p. pr.] Coming from outward causes;
superadded. [Obs.]
Advent
Ad`vent (#), n. [L. adventus, fr. advenire, adventum: cf. F. avent.
See Advene.]
1. (Eccl.) The period including the four Sundays before Christmas.
Advent Sunday (Eccl.), the first Sunday in the season of Advent, being
always the nearest Sunday to the feast of St. Andrew (Now. 30).
Shipley.
2. The first or the expected second coming of Christ.
3. Coming; any important arrival; approach.
Death's dreadful advent. Young.
Expecting still his advent home. Tennyson.
Adventist
Ad"vent*ist (#), n. One of a religious body, embracing several
branches, who look for the proximate personal coming of Christ; --
called also Second Adventists. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.
Adventitious
Ad`ven*ti"tious (#), a. [L. adventitius.]
1. Added extrinsically; not essentially inherent; accidental or
causal; additional; supervenient; foreign.
To things of great dimensions, if we annex an adventitious idea of
terror, they become without comparison greater. Burke.
2. (Nat. Hist.) Out of the proper or usual place; as, adventitious
buds or roots.
3. (Bot.) Accidentally or sparingly spontaneous in a country or
district; not fully naturalized; adventive; -- applied to foreign
plants.
4. (Med.) Acquired, as diseases; accidental. -- Ad`ven*ti"tious*ly,
adv. -- Ad`ven*ti"tious*ness, n.
Adventive
Ad*ven"tive (#), a.
1. Accidental.
2. (Bot.) Adventitious. Gray.
Adventive
Ad*ven"tive, n. A thing or person coming from without; an immigrant.
[R.] Bacon.
Adventual
Ad*ven"tu*al (?; 135), a. Relating to the season of advent. Sanderson.
Adventure
Ad*ven"ture (?; 135), n. [OE. aventure, aunter, anter, F. aventure,
fr. LL. adventura, fr. L. advenire, adventum, to arrive, which in the
Romance languages took the sense of "to happen, befall." See Advene.]
1. That which happens without design; chance; hazard; hap; hence,
chance of danger or loss.
Nay, a far less good to man it will be found, if she must, at all
adventures, be fastened upon him individually. Milton.
2. Risk; danger; peril. [Obs.]
He was in great adventure of his life. Berners.
3. The encountering of risks; hazardous and striking enterprise; a
bold undertaking, in which hazards are to be encountered, and the
issue is staked upon unforeseen events; a daring feat.
He loved excitement and adventure. Macaulay.
4. A remarkable occurrence; a striking event; a stirring incident; as,
the adventures of one's life. Bacon.
5. A mercantile or speculative enterprise of hazard; a venture; a
shipment by a merchant on his own account.
A bill of adventure (Com.), a writing setting forth that the goods
shipped are at the owner's risk. Syn. -- Undertaking; enterprise;
venture; event.
Adventure
Ad*ven"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adventured (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Adventuring (#).] [OE. aventuren, auntren, F. aventurer, fr. aventure.
See Adventure, n.]
1. To risk, or hazard; jeopard; to venture.
He would not adventure himself into the theater. Acts xix. 31.
2. To venture upon; to run the risk of; to dare.
Yet they adventured to go back. Bunyan,
Discriminations might be adventured. J. Taylor.
Adventure
Ad*ven"ture, v. i. To try the chance; to take the risk.
I would adventure for such merchandise. Shak.
Adventureful
Ad*ven"ture*ful (#), a. Given to adventure.
Adventurer
Ad*ven"tur*er (#), n. [Cf. F. aventurier.]
1. One who adventures; as, the merchant adventurers; one who seeks his
fortune in new and hazardous or perilous enterprises.
2. A social pretender on the lookout for advancement.
Adventuresome
Ad*ven"ture*some (#), a. Full of risk; adventurous; venturesome. --
Ad*ven"ture*some*ness, n.
Adventuress
Ad*ven"tur*ess (#), n. A female adventurer; a woman who tries to gain
position by equivocal means.
Adventurous
Ad*ven"tur*ous (#), a. [OE. aventurous, aunterous, OF. aventuros, F.
aventureux, fr. aventure. See Adventure, n.]
1. Inclined to adventure; willing to incur hazard; prone to embark in
hazardous enterprise; rashly daring; -- applied to persons.
Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve. Milton.
2. Full of hazard; attended with risk; exposing to danger; requiring
courage; rash; -- applied to acts; as, an adventurous undertaking,
deed, song. Syn. -- Rash; foolhardy; presumptuous; enterprising;
daring; hazardous; venturesome. See Rash.
Adventurously
Ad*ven"tur*ous*ly, adv. In an adventurous manner; venturesomely;
boldly; daringly.
Adventurousness
Ad*ven"tur*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being adventurous;
daring; venturesomeness.
Adverb
Ad"verb (#), n. [L. adverbium; ad + verbum word, verb: cf. F.
adverbe.] (Gram.) A word used to modify the sense of a verb,
participle, adjective, or other adverb, and usually placed near it;
as, he writes well; paper extremely white.
Adverbial
Ad*ver"bi*al (#), a. [L. adverbialis: cf. F. adverbial.] Of or
pertaining to an adverb; of the nature of an adverb; as, an adverbial
phrase or form.
Adverbiality
Ad*ver`bi*al"i*ty (#), n. The quality of being adverbial. Earle.
Adverbialize
Ad*ver"bi*al*ize (#), v. t. To give the force or form of an adverb to.
Adverbially
Ad*ver"bi*al*ly, adv. In the manner of an adverb.
Adversaria
Ad`ver*sa"ri*a (#), n. pl. [L. adversaria (sc. scripta), neut. pl. of
adversarius.] A miscellaneous collection of notes, remarks, or
selections; a commonplace book; also, commentaries or notes.
These parchments are supposed to have been St. Paul's adversaria.
Bp. Bull.
Adversarious
Ad`ver*sa"ri*ous (#), a. Hostile. [R.] Southey.
Adversary
Ad`ver*sa*ry (#), n.; pl. Adversaries (#). [OE. adversarie, direct fr.
the Latin, and adversaire, fr. OF. adversier, aversier, fr. L.
adversarius (a.) turned toward, (n.) an adversary. See Adverse.] One
who is turned against another or others with a design to oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> 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
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Page 26
or resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent;
an antagonist; an enemy; a foe.
His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries. Shak.
Agree with thine adversary quickly. Matt. v. 25.
It may be thought that to vindicate the permanency of truth is to
dispute without an adversary. Beattie.
The Adversary, The Satan, or the Devil. Syn. -- Adversary, Enemy,
Opponent, Antagonist. Enemy is the only one of these words which
necessarily implies a state of personal hostility. Men may be
adversaries, antagonists, or opponents to each other in certain
respects, and yet have no feelings of general animosity. An adversary
may be simply one who is placed for a time in a hostile position, as
in a lawsuit, an argument, in chess playing, or at fence. An opponent
is one who is ranged against another (perhaps passively) on the
opposing side; as a political opponent, an opponent in debate. An
antagonist is one who struggles against another with active effort,
either in a literal fight or in verbal debate.
Adversary
Ad`ver*sa*ry (#), 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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"ver*sa*ry (#), a.
1. Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic. [Archaic] Bp. King.
2. (Law) Having an opposing party; not unopposed; as, an adversary
suit.
Adversative
Ad`ver*sa*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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*ver"sa*tive (#), a. [L. adversativus,
fr. adversari.] Expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis; as,
an adversative conjunction (but, however, yet, etc. ); an adversative
force. -- Ad*ver"sa*tive*ly, adv.
Adversative
Ad`ver*sa*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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*ver"sa*tive, n. An adversative word.
Harris.
Adverse
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"verse (#), a. [OE. advers, OF. avers,
advers, fr. L. adversus, p. p. advertere to turn to. See Advert.]
1. Acting against, or in a contrary direction; opposed; contrary;
opposite; conflicting; as, adverse winds; an adverse party; a spirit
adverse to distinctions of caste.
2. Opposite. "Calpe's adverse height." Byron.
3. In hostile opposition to; unfavorable; unpropitious; contrary to
one's wishes; unfortunate; calamitous; afflictive; hurtful; as,
adverse fates, adverse circumstances, things adverse.
Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely
as we endure an adverse fortune. Southey.
Adverse possession (Law), a possession of real property avowedly
contrary to some claim of title in another person. Abbott. Syn. --
Averse; reluctant; unwilling. See Averse.
Adverse
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*verse" (#), v. t. [L. adversari: cf.
OF. averser.] To oppose; to resist. [Obs.] Gower.
Adversely
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"verse*ly (277), adv. In an adverse
manner; inimically; unfortunately; contrariwise.
Adverseness
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"verse*ness, n. The quality or state
of being adverse; opposition.
Adversifoliate, Adversifolious
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*ver`si*fo"li*ate (#),
Ad*ver`si*fo"li*ous (#) a. [L. adver + folium leaf.] (Bot.) Having
opposite leaves, as plants which have the leaves so arranged on the
stem.
Adversion
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*ver"sion (#), n.[L. adversio] A
turning towards; attention. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
Adversity
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*ver"si*ty (#), n.; pl.
Adversities(#). [OE. adversite, F. adversit\'82, fr. L. adversitas.]
1. Opposition; contrariety. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Adversity is not without comforts and hopes. Bacon.
Syn. -- Affliction; distress; misery; disaster; trouble; suffering;
trial.
Advert
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vert" (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
Adverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adverting.] [L. advertere, v. t., to turn
to; ad + vertere to turn: cf. F. avertir. See Advertise.] To turn the
mind or attention; to refer; to take heed or notice; -- with to; as,
he adverted to what was said.
I may again advert to the distinction. Owen.
Syn.- To refer; allude; regard. See Refer.
Advertence, Advertency
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> 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.
Advertent
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vert"ent (#), a. [L. advertens,
-entis, p. pr. of advertere. See Advert.] Attentive; heedful;
regardful. Sir M. Hale. -- Ad*vert"ent*ly, adv.
Advertise
Ad`ver*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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad`ver*tise" (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Advertised (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Advertising (#).] [F. avertir,
formerly also spelt advertir, to warn, give notice to, L. advertere to
turn to. The ending was probably influenced by the noun advertisement.
See Advert.] To give notice to; to inform or apprise; to notify; to
make known; hence, to warn; -- often followed by of before the subject
of information; as, to advertise a man of his loss. [Archaic]
I will advertise thee what this people shall do. Num. xxiv. 14.
4. To give public notice of; to announce publicly, esp. by a printed
notice; as, to advertise goods for sale, a lost article, the sailing
day of a vessel, a political meeting. Syn. -- To apprise; inform; make
known; notify; announce; proclaim; promulgate; publish.
Advertisement
Ad`ver*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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*ver"tise*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
advertisement.
Advertiser
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad`ver*tis"er (#), n. One who, or that
which, advertises.
Advice
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vice" (#), n. [OE. avis, F. avis; +
OF. vis, fr. L. visum seemed, seen; really p. p. of videre to see, so
that vis meant that which has seemed best. See Vision, and cf. Avise,
Advise.]
1. An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed;
counsel.
We may give advice, but we can not give conduct. Franklin.
2. Deliberate consideration; knowledge. [Obs.]
How shall I dote on her with more advice, That thus without advice
begin to love her? Shak.
3. Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from
France; -- commonly in the plural.
NOTE: &hand; In co mmercial la nguage, ad vice us ually me ans
information communicated by letter; -- used chiefly in reference to
drafts or bills of exchange; as, a letter of advice.
McElrath.
4. (Crim. Law) Counseling to perform a specific illegal act. Wharton.
Advice boat, a vessel employed to carry dispatches or to reconnoiter;
a dispatch boat. -- To take advice. (a) To accept advice. (b) To
consult with another or others. Syn. -- Counsel; suggestion;
recommendation; admonition; exhortation; information; notice.
Advisability
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis`a*bil"i*ty (#), n. The quality of
being advisable; advisableness.
Advisable
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis"a*ble (#), a.
1. Proper to be advised or to be done; expedient; prudent.
Some judge it advisable for a man to account with his heart every
day. South.
2. Ready to receive advice. [R.] South. Syn. -- Expedient; proper;
desirable; befitting.
Advisable-ness
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis"a*ble-ness, n. The quality of
being advisable or expedient; expediency; advisability.
Advisably
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis"a*bly, adv. With advice; wisely.
Advise
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vise" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Advised (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Advising (#).] [OE. avisen to perceive,
consider, inform, F. aviser, fr. LL. advisare. advisare; ad + visare,
fr. L. videre, visum, to see. See Advice, and cf. Avise.]
1. To give advice to; to offer an opinion, as worthy or expedient to
be followed; to counsel; to warn. "I shall no more advise thee."
Milton.
2. To give information or notice to; to inform; -- with of before the
thing communicated; as, we were advised of the risk.
To advise one's self, to bethink one's self; to take counsel with
one's self; to reflect; to consider. [Obs.]
Bid thy master well advise himself. Shak.
Syn. -- To counsel; admonish; apprise; acquaint.
Advise
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vise", v. t.
1. To consider; to deliberate. [Obs.]
Advise if this be worth attempting. Milton.
2. To take counsel; to consult; -- followed by with; as, to advise
with friends.
Advisedly
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis"ed*ly (#), adv.
1. Circumspectly; deliberately; leisurely. [Obs.] Shak.
2. With deliberate purpose; purposely; by design. "Advisedly
undertaken." Suckling.
Advisedness
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis"ed*ness n. Deliberate
consideration; prudent procedure; caution.
Advisement
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vise"ment (#), n. [OE. avisement, F.
avisement, fr. aviser. See Advise, and cf. Avisement.]
1. Counsel; advise; information. [Archaic]
And mused awhile, waking advisement takes of what had passed in
sleep. Daniel.
2. Consideration; deliberation; consultation.
Tempering the passion with advisement slow. Spenser.
Adviser
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis"er (#), n. One who advises.
Advisership
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vis"er*ship, n. The office of an
adviser. [R.]
Adviso
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vi"so (#), n. [Cf. Sp. aviso. See
Advice.] Advice; counsel; suggestion; also, a dispatch or advice boat.
[Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Advisory
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*vi"so*ry (#), a. Having power to
advise; containing advice; as, an advisory council; their opinion is
merely advisory.
The General Association has a general advisory superintendence over
all the ministers and churches. Trumbull.
Advocacy
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"vo*ca*cy (#), n. [OF. advocatie, LL.
advocatia. See Advocate.] The act of pleading for or supporting; work
of advocating; intercession.
Advocate
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"vo*cate (#), n. [OE. avocat, avocet,
OF. avocat, fr. L. advocatus, one summoned or called to another;
properly the p. p. of advocare to call to, call to one's aid; ad +
vocare to call. See Advowee, Avowee, Vocal.]
1. One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads
the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
NOTE: &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.
Advocate
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"vo*cate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Advocated (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Advocating (#).] [See Advocate, n.,
Advoke, Avow.] To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a
tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
To advocate the cause of thy client. Bp. Sanderson (1624).
This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been
advocated. Burke.
Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause. Mitford.
Advocate
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"vo*cate, v. i. To act as advocate.
[Obs.] Fuller.
Advocateship
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"vo*cate*ship, n. Office or duty of an
advocate.
Advocation
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad`vo*ca"tion (#), n. [L. advocatio: cf.
OF. avocation. See Advowson.]
1. The act of advocating or pleading; plea; advocacy. [Archaic]
The holy Jesus . . . sits in heaven in a perpetual advocation for
us. Jer. Taylor.
2. Advowson. [Obs.]
The donations or advocations of church livings. Sanderson.
3. (Scots Law) The process of removing a cause from an inferior court
to the supreme court. Bell.
Advocatory
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad"vo*ca*to*ry (#), a. Of or pertaining
to an advocate. [R.]
Advoke
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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad*voke" (#), v. t. [L. advocare. See
Advocate.] To summon; to call. [Obs.]
Queen Katharine had privately prevailed with the pope to advoke the
cause to Rome. Fuller.
Advolution
Ad`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 oppose26 or
resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an
antagonist; an enemy; a foe.> Ad`vo*lu"tion (#), n. [L. advolvere,
advolutum,