A A (named a in the English, and most commonly ä in other languages). (continued 16)

1. To join with one, as a friend, companion, partner, or confederate; as, to associate others with .

2. To join or connect; to combine in acting; as, particles of gold associated with other substances.

3. To connect or place together in thought. He succeeded in associating his name inseparably with some names which will last an long as our language. Macaulay.

4. To accompany; to keep company with. [Obs.] Friends should associate friends in grief and woe. Shak.

ASSOCIATE As*so"ci*ate, v. i.

1. To unite in company; to keep company, implying intimacy; as, congenial minds are disposed to associate.

2. To unite in action, or to be affected by the action of a different part of the body. E. Darwin.

ASSOCIATE As*so"ci*ate, a. Etym: [L. associatus, p. p.]

1. Closely connected or joined with some other, as in interest, purpose, employment, or office; sharing responsibility or authority; as, an associate judge. While I descend . . . to my associate powers. Milton.

2. Admitted to some, but not to all, rights and privileges; as, an associate member.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: Connected by habit or sympathy; as, associate motions, such as occur sympathetically, in consequence of preceding motions. E. Darwin.

ASSOCIATE As*so"ci*ate, n.

1. A companion; one frequently in company with another, implying intimacy or equality; a mate; a fellow.

2. A partner in interest, as in business; or a confederate in a league.

3. One connected with an association or institution without the full rights or privileges of a regular member; as, an associate of the Royal Academy.

4. Anything closely or usually connected with another; an concomitant. The one [idea] no sooner comes into the understanding, than its associate appears with it. Locke.

Syn. — Companion; mate; fellow; friend; ally; partner; coadjutor; comrade; accomplice.

ASSOCIATED As*so"ci*a`ted, a.

Defn: Joined as a companion; brought into association; accompanying; combined. Associated movements (Physiol.), consensual movements which accompany voluntary efforts without our consciousness. Dunglison.

ASSOCIATESHIP As*so"ci*ate*ship, n.

Defn: The state of an associate, as in Academy or an office.

ASSOCIATION As*so`ci*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. association, LL. associatio, fr. L. associare.]

1. The act of associating, or state of being associated; union; connection, whether of persons of things. "Some . . . bond of association." Hooker. Self-denial is a kind of holy association with God. Boyle.

2. Mental connection, or that which is mentally linked or associated with a thing. Words . . . must owe their powers association. Johnson. Why should . . . the holiest words, with all their venerable associations, be profaned Coleridge.

3. Union of persons in a company or society for some particular purpose; as, the American Association for the Advancement of Science; a benevolent association. Specifically, as among the Congregationalists, a society, consisting of a number of ministers, generally the pastors of neighboring churches, united for promoting the interests of religion and the harmony of the churches. Association of ideas (Physiol.), the combination or connection of states of mind or their objects with one another, as the result of which one is said to be revived or represented by means of the other. The relations according to which they are thus connected or revived are called the law of association. Prominent among them are reckoned the relations of time and place, and of cause and effect. Porter.

ASSOCIATIONAL As*so`ci*a"tion*al, a.

1. Of or pertaining to association, or to an association.

2. Pertaining to the theory held by the associationists.

ASSOCIATIONISM As*so`ci*a"tion*ism, n. (Philos.)

Defn: The doctrine or theory held by associationists.

ASSOCIATIONIST As*so`ci*a"tion*ist, n. (Philos.)

Defn: One who explains the higher functions and relations of the soul by the association of ideas; e. g., Hartley, J. C. Mill.

ASSOCIATIVE As*so"ci*a*tive, a.

Defn: Having the quality of associating; tending or leading to association; as, the associative faculty. Hugh Miller.

ASSOCIATOR As*so"ci*a`tor, n.

Defn: An associate; a confederate or partner in any scheme. How Pennsylvania's air agrees with Quakers, And Carolina's with associators. Dryden.

ASSOIL As*soil", v. t. Etym: [OF. assoiler, absoiler, assoldre, F. absoudre, L. absolvere. See Absolve.]

1. To set free; to release. [Archaic] Till from her hands the spright assoiled is. Spenser.

2. To solve; to clear up. [Obs.] Any child might soon be able to assoil this riddle. Bp. Jewel.

3. To set free from guilt; to absolve. [Archaic] Acquitted and assoiled from the guilt. Dr. H. More. Many persons think themselves fairly assoiled, because they are . . . not of scandalous lives. Jer. Taylor.

4. To expiate; to atone for. [Archaic] Spenser. Let each act assoil a fault. E. Arnold.

5. To remove; to put off. [Obs.] She soundly slept, and careful thoughts did quite assoil. Spenser.

ASSOIL As*soil", v. t. Etym: [Pref. ad- + soil.]

Defn: To soil; to stain. [Obs. or Poet.] Beau. & Fl. Ne'er assoil my cobwebbed shield. Wordsworth.

ASSOILMENT As*soil"ment, n.

Defn: Act of assoiling, or state of being assoiled; absolution; acquittal.

ASSOILMENT As*soil"ment, n.

Defn: A soiling; defilement.

ASSOILZIE; ASSOILYIE As*soil"zie, As*soil"yie, v. t. Etym: [Old form assoil. See Assoil.] (Scots Law)

Defn: To absolve; to acquit by sentence of court. God assoilzie him for the sin of bloodshed. Sir W. Scott.

ASSONANCE As"so*nance, n. Etym: [Cf. F. assonance. See Assonant.]

1. Resemblance of sound. "The disagreeable assonance of Steevens.

2. (Pros.)

Defn: A peculiar species of rhyme, in which the last accented vowel and those which follow it in one word correspond in sound with the vowels of another word, while the consonants of the two words are unlike in sound; as, calamo and platano, baby and chary. The assonance is peculiar to the Spaniard. Hallam.

3. Incomplete correspondence. Assonance between facts seemingly remote. Lowell.

ASSONANT As"so*nant, a. Etym: [L. assonans, p. pr. of assonare to sound to, to correspond to in sound; ad + sonare to sound, sonus sound: cf. F. assonant. See Sound.]

1. Having a resemblance of sounds.

2. (Pros.)

Defn: Pertaining to the peculiar species of rhyme called assonance; not consonant.

ASSONANTAL As`so*nan"tal, a.

Defn: Assonant.

ASSONATE As"so*nate, v. i. Etym: [L. assonare, assonatum, to respond to.]

Defn: To correspond in sound.

ASSORT As*sort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Assorting.] Etym: [F. assortir; (L. ad) + sortir to cast or draw lots, to obtain by lot, L. sortiri, fr. sors, sortis, lot. See Sort.]

1. To separate and distribute into classes, as things of a like kind, nature, or quality, or which are suited to a like purpose; to classify; as, to assort goods.

Note: [Rarely applied to persons.] They appear . . . no ways assorted to those with whom they must associate. Burke.

2. To furnish with, or make up of, various sorts or a variety of goods; as, to assort a cargo.

ASSORT As*sort", v. i.

Defn: To agree; to be in accordance; to be adapted; to suit; to fall into a class or place. Mitford.

ASSORTED As*sort"ed, a.

Defn: Selected; culled.

ASSORTMENT As*sort"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. assortiment.]

1. Act of assorting, or distributing into sorts, kinds, or classes.

2. A collection or quantity of things distributed into kinds or sorts; a number of things assorted.

3. A collection containing a variety of sorts or kinds adapted to various wants, demands, or purposes; as, an assortment of goods.

ASSOT As*sot", v. t. Etym: [OF. asoter, F. assoter; ad) + sot stupid. See Sot.]

Defn: To besot; to befool; to beguile; to infatuate. [Obs.] Some ecstasy assotted had his sense. Spenser.

ASSOT As*sot", a.

Defn: Dazed; foolish; infatuated. [Obs.] Willie, I ween thou be assot. Spenser.

ASSUAGE As*suage", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assuaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuaging.] Etym: [OE. asuagen, aswagen, OF. asoagier, asuagier, fr. assouagier, fr. L. ad + suavis sweet. See Sweet.]

Defn: To soften, in a figurative sense; to allay, mitigate, ease, or lessen, as heat, pain, or grief; to appease or pacify, as passion or tumult; to satisfy, as appetite or desire. Refreshing winds the summer's heat assuage. Addison. To assuage the sorrows of a desolate old man Burke. The fount at which the panting mind assuages Her thirst of knowledge. Byron.

Syn. — To alleviate; mitigate; appease; soothe; calm; tranquilize; relieve. See Alleviate.

ASSUAGE As*suage", v. i.

Defn: To abate or subside. [Archaic] "The waters assuaged." Gen. vii. 1. The plague being come to a crisis, its fury began to assuage. De Foe.

ASSUAGEMENT As*suage"ment, n. Etym: [OF. assouagement, asuagement.]

Defn: Mitigation; abatement.

ASSUAGER As*sua"ger, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, assuages.

ASSUASIVE As*sua"sive, a. Etym: [From assuage, as if this were fr. a supposed L. assuadere to persuade to; or from E. pref. ad + -suasive as in persuasive.]

Defn: Mitigating; tranquilizing; soothing. [R.] Music her soft assuasive voice applies. Pope.

ASSUBJUGATE As*sub"ju*gate, v. t. Etym: [Pref. ad- + subjugate.]

Defn: To bring into subjection. [Obs.] Shak.

ASSUEFACTION As`sue*fac"tion, n. Etym: [L. assuefacere to accustom to; assuetus (p. p. of assuescere to accustom to) + facere to make; cf. OF. assuefaction.]

Defn: The act of accustoming, or the state of being accustomed; habituation. [Obs.] Custom and studies efform the soul like wax, and by assuefaction introduce a nature. Jer. Taylor.

ASSUETUDE As"sue*tude, n. Etym: [L. assuetudo, fr. assuetus accustomed.]

Defn: Accustomedness; habit; habitual use. Assuetude of things hurtful doth make them lose their force to hurt. Bacon.

ASSUMABLE As*sum"a*ble, a.

Defn: That may be assumed.

ASSUMABLY As*sum"a*bly, adv.

Defn: By way of assumption.

ASSUME As*sume", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assumed; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuming.] Etym: [L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub + emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See Redeem.]

1. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly. Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne. Pope. The god assumed his native form again. Pope.

2. To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively. The consequences of assumed principles. Whewell.

3. To pretend to possess; to take in appearance. Ambition assuming the mask of religion. Porteus. Assume a virtue, if you have it not. Shak.

4. To receive or adopt. The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company. Sir W. Scott.

Syn. — To arrogate; usurp; appropriate.

ASSUME As*sume", v. i.

1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due. Bp. Burnet.

2. (Law)

Defn: To undertake, as by a promise. Burrill.

ASSUMED As*sumed", a.

1. Supposed.

2. Pretended; hypocritical; make-believe; as, an assumed character.

ASSUMEDLY As*sum"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: By assumption.

ASSUMENT As*sum"ent, n. Etym: [L. assumentum, fr. ad + suere to sew.]

Defn: A patch; an addition; a piece put on. [Obs.] John Lewis (1731).

ASSUMER As*sum"er, n.

Defn: One who assumes, arrogates, pretends, or supposes. W. D. Whitney.

ASSUMING As*sum"ing, a.

Defn: Pretentious; taking much upon one's self; presumptuous. Burke.

ASSUMPSIT As*sump"sit, n. Etym: [L., he undertook, pret. of L. assumere. See Assume.] (Law) (a) A promise or undertaking, founded on a consideration. This promise may be oral or in writing not under seal. It may be express or implied. (b) An action to recover damages for a breach or nonperformance of a contract or promise, express or implied, oral or in writing not under seal. Common or indebitatus assumpsit is brought for the most part on an implied promise. Special assumpsit is founded on an express promise or undertaking. Wharton.

ASSUMPT As*sumpt", v. t. Etym: [L. assumptus, p. p. of assumere. See Assume.]

Defn: To take up; to elevate; to assume. [Obs.] Sheldon.

ASSUMPT As*sumpt", n. Etym: [L. assumptum, p. p. neut. of assumere.]

Defn: That which is assumed; an assumption. [Obs.] The sun of all your assumpts is this. Chillingworth.

ASSUMPTION As*sump"tion, n. Etym: [OE. assumpcioun a taking up into heaven, L. assumptio a taking, fr. assumere: cf. F. assomption. See Assume.]

1. The act of assuming, or taking to or upon one's self; the act of taking up or adopting. The assumption of authority. Whewell.

2. The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing without proof; supposition; unwarrantable claim. This gives no sanction to the unwarrantable assumption that the soul sleeps from the period of death to the resurrection of the body. Thodey. That calm assumption of the virtues. W. Black.

3. The thing supposed; a postulate, or proposition assumed; a supposition. Hold! says the Stoic; your assumption's wrong. Dryden.

4. (Logic)

Defn: The minor or second proposition in a categorical syllogism.

5. The taking of a person up into heaven. Hence: (Rom. Cath. & Greek Churches)

Defn: A festival in honor of the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

ASSUMPTIVE As*sump"tive, a. Etym: [L. assumptivus, fr. assumptus, fr. assumere.]

Defn: Assumed, or capable of being assumed; characterized by assumption; making unwarranted claims. — As*sump"tive*ly, adv. Assumptive arms (Her.), originally, arms which a person had a right to assume, in consequence of an exploit; now, those assumed without sanction of the Heralds' College. Percy Smith.

ASSURANCE As*sur"ance, n. Etym: [OE. assuraunce, F. assurance, fr. assurer. See Assure.]

1. The act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full confidence; that which is designed to give confidence. Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts xvii. 31. Assurances of support came pouring in daily. Macaulay.

2. The state of being assured; firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty. Let us draw with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Heb. x. 22.

3. Firmness of mind; undoubting, steadiness; intrepidity; courage; confidence; self-reliance. Brave men meet danger with assurance. Knolles. Conversation with the world will give them knowledge and assurance. Locke.

4. Excess of boldness; impudence; audacity; as, his assurance is intolerable.

5. Betrothal; affiance. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

6. Insurance; a contract for the payment of a sum on occasion of a certain event, as loss or death.

Note: Recently, assurance has been used, in England, in relation to life contingencies, and insurance in relation to other contingencies. It is called temporary assurance, in the time within which the contingent event must happen is limited. See Insurance.

7. (Law)

Defn: Any written or other legal evidence of the conveyance of property; a conveyance; a deed.

Note: In England, the legal evidences of the conveyance of property are called the common assurances of the kingdom. Blackstone.

ASSURE As*sure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assured; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuring.] Etym: [OF. aseürer, F. assurer, LL. assecurare; L. ad + securus secure, sure, certain. See Secure, Sure, and cf. Insure.]

1. To make sure or certain; to render confident by a promise, declaration, or other evidence. His promise that thy seed shall bruise our foe . . . Assures me that the bitterness of death Is past, and we shall live. Milton.

2. To declare to, solemnly; to assert to (any one) with the design of inspiring belief or confidence. I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. Shak.

3. To confirm; to make certain or secure. And it shall be assured to him. Lev. xxvii. 19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John iii. 19.

4. To affiance; to betroth. [Obs.] Shak.

5. (Law)

Defn: To insure; to covenant to indemnify for loss, or to pay a specified sum at death. See Insure.

Syn. — To declare; aver; avouch; vouch; assert; asseverate; protest; persuade; convince.

ASSURED As*sured", a.

Defn: Made sure; safe; insured; certain; indubitable; not doubting; bold to excess.

ASSURED As*sured", n.

Defn: One whose life or property is insured.

ASSUREDLY As*sur"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: Certainly; indubitably. "The siege assuredly I'll raise." Shak.

ASSUREDNESS As*sur"ed*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being assured; certainty; full confidence.

ASSURER As*sur"er, n.

1. One who assures. Specifically: One who insures against loss; an insurer or underwriter.

2. One who takes out a life assurance policy.

ASSURGENCY As*sur"gen*cy, n.

Defn: Act of rising. The . . . assurgency of the spirit through the body. Coleridge.

ASSURGENT As*sur"gent, a. Etym: [L. assurgens, p. pr. of assurgere; ad + surgere to rise.]

Defn: Ascending; (Bot.)

Defn: rising obliquely; curving upward. Gray.

ASSURING As*sur"ing, a.

Defn: That assures; tending to assure; giving confidence. — As*sur"ing*ly, adv.

ASSWAGE As*swage", v.

Defn: See Assuage.

ASSYRIAN As*syr"i*an, a. Etym: [L. Assyrius.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Assyria, or to its inhabitants. — n. A native or an inhabitant of Assyria; the language of Assyria.

ASSYRIOLOGICAL As*syr`i*o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Assyriology; as, Assyriological studies.

ASSYRIOLOGIST As*syr`i*ol"o*gist, n.

Defn: One versed in Assyriology; a student of Assyrian archæology.

ASSYRIOLOGY As*syr`i*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Assyria + -logy.]

Defn: The science or study of the antiquities, language, etc., of ancient Assyria.

ASSYTHMENT As*syth"ment, n. Etym: [From OF. aset, asez, orig. meaning enough. See Assets.]

Defn: Indemnification for injury; satisfaction. [Chiefly in Scots law]

ASTACUS As"ta*cus, n. Etym: [L. astacus a crab, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of crustaceans, containing the crawfish of fresh-water lobster of Europe, and allied species of western North America. See Crawfish.

ASTARBOARD A*star"board, adv. (Naut.)

Defn: Over to the starboard side; — said of the tiller.

ASTART A*start", v. t. & i.

Defn: Same as Astert. [Obs.]

ASTARTE As*tar"te, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of bivalve mollusks, common on the coasts of America and Europe.

ASTATE A*state", n.

Defn: Estate; state. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ASTATIC A*stat"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. a- not + static.] (Magnetism)

Defn: Having little or no tendency to take a fixed or definite position or direction: thus, a suspended magnetic needle, when rendered astatic, loses its polarity, or tendency to point in a given direction. Astatic pair (Magnetism), a pair of magnetic needles so mounted as to be nearly or quite astatic, as in some galvanometers.

ASTATICALLY A*stat"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In an astatic manner.

ASTATICISM A*stat"i*cism, n.

Defn: The state of being astatic.

ASTATIZE As"ta*tize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Astatized; p. pr. & vb. n. Astatizing.] (Magnetism)

Defn: To render astatic.

ASTATKI As*tat"ki, n. [From Russ. ostatki remnants, pl. of ostatok.]

Defn: A thick liquid residuum obtained in the distillation of Russian petroleum, much used as fuel.

ASTAY A*stay", adv. (Naut.)

Defn: An anchor is said to be astay, in heaving it, an acute angle is formed between the cable and the surface of the water.

ASTEISM As"te*ism, n. Etym: [Gr. astéisme.] (Rhet.)

Defn: Genteel irony; a polite and ingenious manner of deriding another.

ASTEL As"tel, n. Etym: [OE. astelle piece of wood, OF. astele splinter, shaving, F. attelle, astelle: cf. L. astula, dim. of assis board.] (Mining)

Defn: An arch, or ceiling, of boards, placed over the men's heads in a mine.

ASTER As"ter, n. Etym: [L. aster aster, star, Gr. Star.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of herbs with compound white or bluish flowers; starwort; Michaelmas daisy.

2. (Floriculture)

Defn: A plant of the genus Callistephus. Many varieties (called China asters, German asters, etc.) are cultivated for their handsome compound flowers.

ASTERIAS As*te"ri*as, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of echinoderms.

Note: Formerly the group of this name included nearly all starfishes and ophiurans. Now it is restricted to a genus including the commonest shore starfishes.

ASTERIATED As*te"ri*a`ted, a. Etym: [See Asterias.]

Defn: Radiated, with diverging rays; as, asteriated sapphire.

ASTERIDIAN As`ter*id"i*an, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Asterioidea. — n.

Defn: A starfish; one of the Asterioidea.

ASTERIOIDEA; ASTERIDEA As*te`ri*oid"e*a, As`ter*id"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -oid. See Asterias.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A class of Echinodermata including the true starfishes. The rays vary in number and always have ambulacral grooves below. The body is starshaped or pentagonal.

ASTERION As*te"ri*on, n. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The point on the side of the skull where the lambdoid, parieto- mastoid and occipito-mastoid sutures.

ASTERISCUS As`ter*is"cus, n. Etym: [L., an asterisk. See Asterisk.] (Anat.)

Defn: The smaller of the two otoliths found in the inner ear of many fishes.

ASTERISK As"ter*isk, n. Etym: [L. asteriscus, Gr. Aster.]

Defn: The figure of a star, thus,

ASTERISM As`ter*ism, n. Etym: [Gr. astérisme.]

1. (Astron.) (a) A constellation. [Obs.] (b) A small cluster of stars.

2. (Printing) (a) An asterisk, or mark of reference. [R.] (b) Three asterisks placed in this manner, *, to direct attention to a particular passage.

3. (Crystallog.)

Defn: An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star- shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.

ASTERN A*stern", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + stern.] (Naut.)

1. In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hinder part, or stern; backward; as, to go astern.

2. Behind a ship; in the rear. "A gale of wind right astern." De Foe. "Left this strait astern." Drake. To bake astern, to go stern foremost. — To be astern of the reckoning, to be behind the position given by the reckoning. — To drop astern, to fall or be left behind. — To go astern, to go backward, as from the action of currents or winds.

ASTERNAL A*ster"nal, a. Etym: [Pref. a- not + sternal.] (Anat.)

Defn: Not sternal; — said of ribs which do not join the sternum.

ASTEROID As"ter*oid, n. Etym: [Gr. astéroïde. See Aster.]

Defn: A starlike body; esp. one of the numerous small planets whose orbits lie between those of Mars and Jupiter; — called also planetoids and minor planets.

ASTEROIDAL As`ter*oid"al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to an asteroid, or to the asteroids.

ASTEROLEPIS As`te*rol"e*pis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A genus of fishes, some of which were eighteen or twenty feet long, found in a fossil state in the Old Red Sandstone. Hugh Miller.

ASTEROPE As*ter"o*pe, n. [Gr. , lit., lightning.]

1. (Myth.)

Defn: One of the Pleiades; — called also Sterope.

2. (Astron.) A double star in the Pleiades (21 k and 22 l Pleiadum, of the 5.8 and 6.4 magnitude respectively), appearing as a single star of the 5.3 magnitude to the naked eye.

ASTEROPHYLLITE As`ter*oph"yl*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A fossil plant from the coal formations of Europe and America, now regarded as the branchlets and foliage of calamites.

ASTERT A*stert, v. t. Etym: [Pref. a- + start; OE. asterten, asturten.]

Defn: To start up; to befall; to escape; to shun. [Obs.] Spenser.

ASTERT A*stert", v. i.

Defn: To escape. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ASTHENIA; ASTHENY As`the*ni"a, As"the*ny, n. Etym: [NL. asthenia, Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Want or loss of strength; debility; diminution of the vital forces.

ASTHENIC As*then"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Characterized by, or pertaining to, debility; weak; debilitating.

ASTHENOPIA As`the*no"pi*a, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Weakness of sight. Quain. — As`the*nop"ic, a.

ASTHMA Asth"ma, n. Etym: [Gr. va, Goth. waian, to blow, E. wind.] (Med.)

Defn: A disease, characterized by difficulty of breathing (due to a spasmodic contraction of the bronchi), recurring at intervals, accompanied with a wheezing sound, a sense of constriction in the chest, a cough, and expectoration.

ASTHMA PAPER Asth"ma pa"per.

Defn: Paper impregnated with saltpeter. The fumes from the burning paper are often inhaled as an alleviative by asthmatics.

ASTHMATIC; ASTHMATICAL Asth*mat"ic, Asth*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. asthmaticus, Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to asthma; as, an asthmatic cough; liable to, or suffering from, asthma; as, an asthmatic patient. — Asth*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.

ASTHMATIC Asth*mat"ic, n.

Defn: A person affected with asthma.

ASTIGMATIC As`tig*mat"ic, a. (Med. & Opt.)

Defn: Affected with, or pertaining to, astigmatism; as, astigmatic eyes; also, remedying astigmatism; as, astigmatic lenses.

ASTIGMATISM A*stig"ma*tism, n. Etym: [Gr. astigmatisme.] (Med. & Opt.)

Defn: A defect of the eye or of a lens, in consequence of which the rays derived from one point are not brought to a single focal point, thus causing imperfect images or indistictness of vision.

Note: The term is applied especially to the defect causing images of lines having a certain direction to be indistinct, or imperfectly seen, while those of lines transverse to the former are distinct, or clearly seen.

ASTIPULATE As*tip"u*late, v. i. Etym: [L. astipulari; ad + stipulari to stipulate.]

Defn: To assent. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

ASTIPULATION As*tip`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. astipulatio.]

Defn: Stipulation; agreement. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

ASTIR A*stir", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + stir.]

Defn: Stirring; in a state of activity or motion; out of bed.

ASTOMATOUS; ASTOMOUS A*stom"a*tous, As"to*mous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Not possessing a mouth.

ASTON; ASTONE As*ton", As*tone", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astoned, Astond, or Astound.] Etym: [See Astonish.]

Defn: To stun; to astonish; to stupefy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ASTONIED As*ton"ied, p. p.

Defn: Stunned; astonished. See Astony. [Archaic] And I astonied fell and could not pray. Mrs. Browning.

ASTONISH As*ton"ish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astonished; p. pr. & vb. n. Astonishing.] Etym: [OE. astonien, astunian, astonen, OF. estoner, F. étonner, fr. L. ex out + tonare to thunder, but perhaps influenced by E. stun. See Thunder, Astound, Astony.]

1. To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. [Obs.] Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen had struck Pistol]. Shak. The very cramp-fish [i. e., torpedo] . . . being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others. Holland.

2. To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze; to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to confound with some sudden emotion or passion. Musidorus . . . had his wits astonished with sorrow. Sidney. I, Daniel . . . was astonished at the vision. Dan. viii. 27.

Syn. — To amaze; astound; overwhelm; surprise. — Astonished, Surprised. We are surprised at what is unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We are struck with astonishment. C. J. Smith. See Amaze.

ASTONISHEDLY As*ton"ish*ed*ly, adv.

Defn: In an astonished manner. [R.] Bp. Hall.

ASTONISHING As*ton"ish*ing, a.

Defn: Very wonderful; of a nature to excite astonishment; as, an astonishing event.

Syn. — Amazing; surprising; wonderful; marvelous. As*ton"ish*ing*ly, adv. — As*ton"ish*ing*ness, n.

ASTONISHMENT As*ton"ish*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. est, F. étonnement.]

1. The condition of one who is stunned. Hence: Numbness; loss of sensation; stupor; loss of sense. [Obs.] A coldness and astonishment in his loins, as folk say. Holland.

2. Dismay; consternation. [Archaic] Spenser.

3. The overpowering emotion excited when something unaccountable, wonderful, or dreadful is presented to the mind; an intense degree of surprise; amazement. Lest the place And my quaint habits breed astonishment. Milton.

4. The object causing such an emotion. Thou shalt become an astonishment. Deut. xxviii. 37.

Syn. — Amazement; wonder; surprise.

ASTONY As*ton"y, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astonied; p. pr. & vb. n. Astonying. See Astone.]

Defn: To stun; to bewilder; to astonish; to dismay. [Archaic] The captain of the Helots . . . strake Palladius upon the side of his head, that he reeled astonied. Sir P. Sidney. This sodeyn cas this man astonied so, That reed he wex, abayst, and al quaking. Chaucer.

ASTOOP A*stoop", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + stoop.]

Defn: In a stooping or inclined position. Gay.

ASTOUND As*tound", a. Etym: [OE. astouned, astound, astoned, p. p. of astone. See Astone.]

Defn: Stunned; astounded; astonished. [Archaic] Spenser. Thus Ellen, dizzy and astound. As sudden ruin yawned around. Sir W. Scott.

ASTOUND As*tound", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astounded, [Obs.] Astound; p. pr. & vb. n. Astounding.] Etym: [See Astound, a.]

1. To stun; to stupefy. No puissant stroke his senses once astound. Fairfax.

2. To astonish; to strike with amazement; to confound with wonder, surprise, or fear. These thoughts may startle well, but not astound The virtuous mind. Milton.

ASTOUNDING As*tound"ing, a.

Defn: Of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an astounding force, statement, or fact. — As*tound"ing*ly, adv.

ASTOUNDMENT As*tound"ment, n.

Defn: Amazement. Coleridge.

ASTRACHAN As`tra*chan", a. & n.

Defn: See Astrakhan.

ASTRADDLE A*strad"dle, adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + straddle.]

Defn: In a straddling position; astride; bestriding; as, to sit astraddle a horse.

ASTRAEAN As*træ"an, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to the genus Astræa or the family Astræidæ. — n.

Defn: A coral of the family Astræidæ; a star coral.

ASTRAGAL As"tra*gal, n. Etym: [L. astragalus, Gr.

1. (Arch.)

Defn: A convex molding of rounded surface, generally from half to three quarters of a circle.

2. (Gun.)

Defn: A round molding encircling a cannon near the mouth.

ASTRAGALAR As*trag"a*lar, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the astragalus.

ASTRAGALOID As*trag"a*loid, a. Etym: [Astragalus + -oid.] (Anat.)

Defn: Resembling the astragalus in form.

ASTRAGALOMANCY As*trag"a*lo*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]

Defn: Divination by means of small bones or dice.

ASTRAGALUS As*trag"a*lus, n. Etym: [L. See Astragal.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The ankle bone, or hock bone; the bone of the tarsus which articulates with the tibia at the ankle.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of papilionaceous plants, of the tribe Galegeæ, containing numerous species, two of which are called, in English, milk vetch and licorice vetch. Gum tragacanth is obtained from different oriental species, particularly the A. gummifer and A. verus.

3. (Arch.)

Defn: See Astragal, 1.

ASTRAKHAN As`tra*khan", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Astrakhan in Russia or its products; made of an Astrakhan skin. — n.

Defn: The skin of stillborn or young lambs of that region, the curled wool of which resembles fur.

ASTRAL As"tral, a. Etym: [L. astralis, fr. astrum star, Gr. astral. See Star.]

Defn: Pertaining to, coming from, or resembling, the stars; starry; starlike. Shines only with an astral luster. I. Taylor. Some astral forms I must invoke by prayer. Dryden. Astral lamp, an Argand lamp so constructed that no shadow is cast upon the table by the flattened ring-shaped reservoir in which the oil is contained. — Astral spirits, spirits formerly supposed to live in the heavenly bodies or the aërial regions, and represented in the Middle Ages as fallen angels, spirits of the dead, or spirits originating in fire.

ASTRAND A*strand", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + strand.]

Defn: Stranded. Sir W. Scott.

ASTRAY A*stray", adv. & a. Etym: [See Estray, Stray.]

Defn: Out of the right, either in a literal or in a figurative sense; wandering; as, to lead one astray. Ye were as sheep going astray. 1 Pet. ii. 25.

ASTRICT As*trict", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astricted; p. pr. & vb. n. Astricting.] Etym: [L. astrictus, p. p. of astringere. See Astringe.]

1. To bind up; to confine; to constrict; to contract. The solid parts were to be relaxed or astricted. Arbuthnot.

2. To bind; to constrain; to restrict; to limit. [R.] The mind is astricted to certain necessary modes or forms of thought. Sir W. Hamilton.

3. (Scots Law)

Defn: To restrict the tenure of; as, to astrict lands. See Astriction, 4. Burrill.

ASTRICT As*trict", a.

Defn: Concise; contracted. [Obs.] Weever.

ASTRICTION As*tric"tion, n. Etym: [L. astrictio.]

1. The act of binding; restriction; also, obligation. Milton.

2. (Med.) (a) A contraction of parts by applications; the action of an astringent substance on the animal economy. Dunglison. (b) Constipation. Arbuthnot.

3. Astringency. [Obs.] Bacon.

4. (Scots Law)

Defn: An obligation to have the grain growing on certain lands ground at a certain mill, the owner paying a toll. Bell.

Note: The lands were said to be astricted to the mill.

ASTRICTIVE As*tric"tive, a.

Defn: Binding; astringent. — n.

Defn: An astringent. — As*tric"tive*ly, adv.

ASTRICTORY As*tric"to*ry, a.

Defn: Astrictive. [R.]

ASTRIDE A*stride", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + stride.]

Defn: With one leg on each side, as a man when on horseback; with the legs stretched wide apart; astraddle. Placed astride upon the bars of the palisade. Sir W. Scott. Glasses with horn bows sat astride on his nose. Longfellow.

ASTRIFEROUS As*trif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. astrifer; astrum star + ferre to bear.]

Defn: Bearing stars. [R.] Blount.

ASTRINGE As*tringe", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Astringing.] Etym: [L. astringere; ad + stringere to draw tight. Cf. Astrict, and see Strain, v. t.]

1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to draw together; to compress. Which contraction . . . astringeth the moistuBacon.

2. To bind by moral or legal obligation. Wolsey.

ASTRINGENCY As*trin"gen*cy, n.

Defn: The quality of being astringent; the power of contracting the parts of the body; that quality in medicines or other substances which causes contraction of the organic textures; as, the astringency of tannin.

ASTRINGENT As*trin"gent, a. Etym: [L. astringens, p. pr. of astringere: cf. F. astringent. See Astringe.]

1. Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; — opposed to laxative; as, astringent medicines; a butter and astringent taste; astringent fruit.

2. Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.

ASTRINGENT As*trin"gent, n.

Defn: A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood, mucus, etc. External astringents are called styptics. Dunglison.

ASTRINGENTLY As*trin"gent*ly, adv.

Defn: In an astringent manner.

ASTRINGER As*trin"ger, n. Etym: [OE. ostreger, OF. ostrucier, F. autoursier, fr. OF. austour, ostor, hawk, F. autour; cf. L. acceptor, for accipiter, hawk.]

Defn: A falconer who keeps a goschawk. [Obs.] Shak. Cowell. [Written also austringer.]

ASTRO- As"tro-.

Defn: The combining form of the Greek word 'a`stron, meaning star.

ASTROFEL; ASTROFELL As"tro*fel, As"tro*fell, n.

Defn: A bitter herb, probably the same as aster, or starwort. Spenser.

ASTROGENY As*trog"e*ny, n. Etym: [Astro- + Gr.

Defn: The creation or evolution of the stars or the heavens. H. Spencer.

ASTROGNOSY As*trog"no*sy, n. Etym: [Astro- + Gr.

Defn: The science or knowledge of the stars, esp. the fixed stars. Bouvier.

ASTROGONY As*trog"o*ny, n.

Defn: Same as Astrogeny. — As`*tro*gon"ic, a.

ASTROGRAPHY As*trog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Astro'cf + -graphy.]

Defn: The art of describing or delineating the stars; a description or mapping of the heavens.

ASTROITE As"tro*ite, n. Etym: [L. astroites: cf. F. astroite.]

Defn: A radiated stone or fossil; star-stone. [Obs.] [Written also astrite and astrion.]

ASTROLABE As"tro*labe, n. Etym: [OE. astrolabie, astrilabe, OF. astrelabe, F. astrolabe, LL. astrolabium, fr. Gr.

1. (Astron.)

Defn: An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.

Note: Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.

2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere. Whewell.

ASTROLATER As*trol"a*ter, n.

Defn: A worshiper of the stars. Morley.

ASTROLATRY As*trol"a*try, n. Etym: [Astro- + Gr. astrolâtrie.]

Defn: The worship of the stars.

ASTROLITHOLOGY As`tro*li*thol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Astro- + lithology.]

Defn: The science of aërolites.

ASTROLOGER As*trol"o*ger, n. Etym: [See Astrology.]

1. One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]

2. One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.

ASTROLOGIAN As`tro*lo"gi*an, n. Etym: [OF. astrologien.]

Defn: An astrologer. [Obs.]

ASTROLOGIC; ASTROLOGICAL As`tro*log"ic, As`tro*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing astrology. "Astrologi learning." Hudibras. "Astrological prognostication." Cudworth. — As`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

ASTROLOGIZE As*trol"o*gize, v. t. & i.

Defn: To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.

ASTROLOGY As*trol"o*gy, n. Etym: [F. astrologie, L. astrologia, fr. Gr. Star.]

Defn: In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.

Note: Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial astrology, which assumed to foretell the fate and acts of nations and individuals, and natural astrology, which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature, such as changes of the weather, etc.

ASTROMANTIC As`tro*man"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to divination by means of the stars; astrologic. [R.] Dr. H. More.

ASTROMETEOROLOGY As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Astro- + meteorology.]

Defn: The investigation of the relation between the sun, moon, and stars, and the weather. — As`*tro*me`te*or`o*log"ic*al, a. — As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gist, n.

ASTROMETER As*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Astro- + meter.]

Defn: An instrument for comparing the relative amount of the light of stars.

ASTROMETRY As*trom"e*try, n. Etym: [Astro- + metry.]

Defn: The art of making measurements among the stars, or of determining their relative magnitudes.

ASTRONOMER As*tron"o*mer, n. Etym: [See Astronomy.]

1. An astrologer. [Obs.] Shak.

2. One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena. An undevout astronomer is mad. Young.

ASTRONOMIAN As`tro*no"mi*an, n. Etym: [OE. & OF. astronomien. See Astronomy.]

Defn: An astrologer. [Obs.]

ASTRONOMIC As`tro*nom"ic, a.

Defn: Astronomical.

ASTRONOMICAL As`tro*nom"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. astronomicus, Gr. astronomique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to astronomy; in accordance with the methods or principles of astronomy. — As`tro*nom"ic*al*ly, adv. Astronomical clock. See under Clock. — Astronomical day. See under Day. — Astronomical fractions, Astronomical numbers. See under Sexagesimal.

ASTRONOMIZE As*tron"o*mize, v. i. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: To study or to talk astronomy. [R.] They astronomized in caves. Sir T. Browne.

ASTRONOMY As*tron"o*my, n. Etym: [OE. astronomie, F. astronomie, L. astronomia, fr. Gr. Star, and Nomad.]

1. Astrology. [Obs.] Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck; And yet methinks I have astronomy. Shak.

2. The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the causes of their various phenomena.

3. A treatise on, or text-book of, the science. Physical astronomy. See under Physical.

ASTROPHEL As"tro*phel, n.

Defn: See Astrofel. [Obs.]

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY As`tro*pho*tog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Astro- + photography.]

Defn: The application of photography to the delineation of the sun, moon, and stars.

ASTROPHOTOMETER As`tro*pho*tom"e*ter, n. [Pref. astro- + photometer.] (Astron.)

Defn: A photometer for measuring the brightness of stars.

ASTROPHOTOMETRY As`tro*pho*tom"e*try, n. (Astron.)

Defn: The determination of the brightness of stars, and also of the sun, moon, and planets. —As`tro*pho`to*met"ric*al (#), a.

ASTROPHYSICAL As`tro*phys"ic*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to the physics of astronomical science.

ASTROPHYSICS As`tro*phys"ics, n. [Astro-+ physics.] (Astron.)

Defn: The science treating of the physical characteristics of the stars and other heavenly bodies, their chemical constitution, light, heat, atmospheres, etc.

Its observations are made with the spectroscope, bolometer, etc., usually in connection with the telescope.

ASTROPHYTON As*troph"y*ton, n. Etym: [Astro- + Gr. fyton a plant.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of ophiurans having the arms much branched.

ASTROSCOPE As"tro*scope, n. Etym: [Astro- + scope.]

Defn: An old astronomical instrument, formed of two cones, on whose surface the constellations were delineated.

ASTROSCOPY As*tros"co*py, n.

Defn: Observation of the stars. [Obs.]

ASTROTHEOLOGY As`tro*the*ol"*o*gy, n. Etym: [Astro- + theology.]

Defn: Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial bodies. Derham.

ASTRUCTIVE A*struc"tive, a. Etym: [L. astructus, p. p. of astruere to build up; ad + struere to build.]

Defn: Building up; constructive; — opposed to destructive. [Obs.]

ASTRUT A*strut", a. & adv.

1. Sticking out, or puffed out; swelling; in a swelling manner. [Archaic] Inflated and astrut with self-conceit. Cowper.

2. In a strutting manner; with a strutting gait.

ASTUCIOUS As*tu"cious, a. Etym: [F. astucieux. See Astute.]

Defn: Subtle; cunning; astute. [R.] Sir W. Scott. — As*tu"cious*ly, adv. [R.]

ASTUCITY As*tu"ci*ty, n. Etym: [See Astucious.]

Defn: Craftiness; astuteness. [R.] Carlyle.

ASTUN A*stun", v. t. Etym: [See Astony, Stun.]

Defn: To stun. [Obs.] "Breathless and astunned." Somerville.

ASTURIAN As*tu"ri*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Asturias in Spain. — n.

Defn: A native of Asturias.

ASTUTE As*tute", a. Etym: [L. astutus, fr. astus craft, cunning; perh. cognate with E. acute.]

Defn: Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.

Syn. — Keen; eagle-eyed; penetrating; skilled; discriminating; cunning; sagacious; subtle; wily; crafty. As*tute"ly, adv. — As*tute"ness, n.

ASTYLAR A*sty"lar, a. Etym: [Gr. (arch.)

Defn: Without columns or pilasters. Weale.

ASTYLLEN A*styl"len, n. (Mining)

Defn: A small dam to prevent free passage of water in an adit or level.

ASUNDER A*sun"der, adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + sunder.]

Defn: Apart; separate from each other; into parts; in two; separately; into or in different pieces or places. I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder. Zech. xi. 10. As wide asunder as pole and pole. Froude.

ASURA A*su"ra, n. (Hind. Myth.)

Defn: An enemy of the gods, esp. one of a race of demons and giants.

ASWAIL As"wail, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The sloth bear (Melursus labiatus) of India.

ASWEVE A*sweve", v. t. Etym: [AS. aswebban; a + swebban. See Sweven.]

Defn: To stupefy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ASWING A*swing", adv.

Defn: In a state of swinging.

ASWOON A*swoon", adv.

Defn: In a swoon. Chaucer.

ASWOONED A*swooned", adv.

Defn: In a swoon.

ASYLUM A*sy"lum, n.; pl. E. Asylums, L. Asyla. Etym: [L. asylum, Gr.

1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege. So sacred was the church to some, that it had the right of an asylum or sanctuary. Ayliffe.

Note: The name was anciently given to temples, altars, statues of the gods, and the like. In later times Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same sense.

2. Any place of retreat and security. Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom. Southey.

3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.

ASYMMETRAL A*sym"me*tral, a.

Defn: Incommensurable; also, unsymmetrical. [Obs.] D. H. More.

ASYMMETRIC; ASYMMETRICAL As`ym*met"ric, As`ym*met"ri*cal, a. Etym: [See Asymmetrous.]

1. Incommensurable. [Obs.]

2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally symmetrical. Huxley.

ASYMMETROUS A*sym"me*trous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Asymmetrical. [Obs.] Barrow.

ASYMMETRY A*sym"me*try, n. Etym: [Gr.

1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a thing, esp. want of bilateral symmetry.

2. (Math.)

Defn: Incommensurability. [Obs.] Barrow.

ASYMPTOTE As"ymp*tote, n. Etym: [Gr. Symptom.] (Math.)

Defn: A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance.

ASYNARTETE A*syn"ar*tete`, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Disconnected; not fitted or adjusted. — A*syn"ar*tet"ic, a. Asynartete verse (Pros.), a verse of two members, having different rhythms; as when the first consists of iambuses and the second of trochees.

ASYNCHRONOUS A*syn"chro*nous, a. [Gr. not + synchronous.]

Defn: Not simultaneous; not concurrent in time; —opposed to synchronous.

ASYNDETIC As`yn*det"ic, a. Etym: [See Asyndeton.]

Defn: Characterized by the use of asyndeton; not connected by conjunctions. — As`yn*det"ic*al*ly, adv.

ASYNDETON A*syn"de*ton, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)

Defn: A figure which omits the connective; as, I came, I saw, I conquered. It stands opposed to polysyndeton.

ASYSTOLE A*sys"to*le, n. Etym: [Pref. a- not + systole.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A weakening or cessation of the contractile power of the heart.

ASYSTOLISM A*sys"to*lism, n.

Defn: The state or symptoms characteristic of asystole.

AT At, prep. Etym: [AS. æt; akin to OHG. az, Goth., OS., & Icel. at, Sw. åt, Dan. & L. ad.]

Defn: Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at. It expresses: -

1. A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land.

2. The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage.

3. The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns.

4. The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 80º; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest.

5. The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first.

6. The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands.

7. Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one. At all, At home, At large, At last, At length, At once, etc. See under All, Home, Large, Last (phrase and syn.), Length, Once, etc. — At it, busily or actively engaged. — At least. See Least and However. — At one. See At one, in the Vocabulary.

Syn. — In, At. When reference to the interior of any place is made prominent in is used. It is used before the names of countries and cities (esp. large cities); as, we live in America, in New York, in the South. At is commonly employed before names of houses, institutions, villages, and small places; as, Milton was educated at Christ's College; money taken in at the Customhouse; I saw him at the jeweler's; we live at Beachville. At may be used before the name of a city when it is regarded as a mere point of locality. "An English king was crowned at Paris." Macaulay. "Jean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June, 28, 1712." J. Morley. In regard to time, we say at the hour, on the day, in the year; as, at 9 o'clock, on the morning of July 5th, in the year 1775.

ATABAL At"a*bal, n. Etym: [Sp. atabal, fr. Ar. at-tabl the drum, tabala to beat the drum. Cf. Tymbal.]

Defn: A kettledrum; a kind of tabor, used by the Moors. Croly.

ATACAMITE A*tac"a*mite, n. Etym: [From the desert of Atacama, where found.] (Min.)

Defn: An oxychloride of copper, usually in emerald-green prismatic crystals.

ATAFTER At`aft"er, prep.

Defn: After. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATAGHAN At"a*ghan, n.

Defn: See Yataghan.

ATAKE A*take", v. t.

Defn: To overtake. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATAMAN At"a*man, n. Etym: [Russ. ataman': cf. Pol. hetman, G. hauptmann headman, chieftain. Cf. Hetman.]

Defn: A hetman, or chief of the Cossacks.

ATAMASCO LILY At`a*mas"co lil"y. [Atamasco is fr. North American Indian.] (Bot.)

Defn: See under Lily.

ATARAXIA; ATARAXY At`a*rax"i*a, At"a*rax`y, n. Etym: [NL. ataraxia, Gr.

Defn: Perfect peace of mind, or calmness.

ATAUNT; ATAUNTO A*taunt", A*taunt"o, adv. Etym: [F. autant as much (as possible).] (Naut.)

Defn: Fully rigged, as a vessel; with all sails set; set on end or set right.

ATAVIC A*tav"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atavique.]

Defn: Pertaining to a remote ancestor, or to atavism.

ATAVISM At"a*vism, n. Etym: [L. atavus an ancestor, fr. avus a grandfather.] (a) The recurrence, or a tendency to a recurrence, of the original type of a species in the progeny of its varieties; resemblance to remote rather than to near ancestors; reversion to the original form. (b) (Biol.) The recurrence of any peculiarity or disease of an ancestor in a subsequent generation, after an intermission for a generation or two. Now and then there occur cases of what physiologists call atavism, or reversion to an ancestral type of character. J. Fiske

ATAXIA; ATAXY A*tax"i*a, At"ax*y, n. Etym: [NL. ataxia, Gr. ataxie.]

1. Disorder; irregularity. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

2. (Med.) (a) Irregularity in disease, or in the functions. (b) The state of disorder that characterizes nervous fevers and the nervous condition. Locomotor ataxia. See Locomotor.

ATAXIC A*tax"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. ataxique. See Ataxia.] (Med.)

Defn: Characterized by ataxy, that is, (a) by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or (b) by a want of coordinating power in movements. Ataxic fever, malignant typhus fever. Pinel.

ATAZIR At`a*zir", n. Etym: [OF., fr. Ar. al-tasir influence.] (Astron.)

Defn: The influence of a star upon other stars or upon men. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATE Ate,

Defn: the preterit of Eat.

ATE A"te, n. Etym: [Gr. (Greek. Myth.)

Defn: The goddess of mischievous folly; also, in later poets, the goddess of vengeance.

-ATE -ate. Etym: [From the L. suffix -atus, the past participle ending of verbs of the 1st conj.]

1. As an ending of participles or participial adjectives it is equivalent to -ed; as, situate or situated; animate or animated.

2. As the ending of a verb, it means to make, to cause, to act, etc.; as, to propitiate (to make propitious); to animate (to give life to).

3. As a noun suffix, it marks the agent; as, curate, delegate. It also sometimes marks the office or dignity; as, tribunate.

4. In chemistry it is used to denote the salts formed from those acids whose names end -ic (excepting binary or halogen acids); as, sulphate from sulphuric acid, nitrate from nitric acid, etc. It is also used in the case of certain basic salts.

ATECHNIC A*tech"nic, a. Etym: [Pref. a- not + technic.]

Defn: Without technical or artistic knowledge. Difficult to convey to the atechnic reader. Etching & Engr.

ATELES At"e*les, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of American monkeys with prehensile tails, and having the thumb wanting or rudimentary. See Spider monkey, and Coaita.

ATELETS SAUCE; SAUCE AUX HATELETS A`te*lets" sauce or Sauce` aux ha`te*lets". [F. hâtelet skewer.]

Defn: A sauce (such as egg and bread crumbs) used for covering bits of meat, small birds, or fish, strung on skewers for frying.

ATELIER A`te*lier" n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A workshop; a studio.

ATELLAN A*tel"lan, a. Etym: [L. Atellanus, fr. Atella, an ancient town of the Osci, in Campania.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Atella, in ancient Italy; as, Atellan plays; farcical; ribald. — n.

Defn: A farcical drama performed at Atella.

ATHALAMOUS A*thal"a*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Not furnished with shields or beds for the spores, as the thallus of certain lichens.

ATHAMAUNT Ath"a*maunt, n.

Defn: Adamant. [Obs.] Written in the table of athamaunt. Chaucer.

ATHANASIA; ATHANASY Ath`a*na"si*a, A*than"a*sy, n. [NL. athanasia, fr. Gr. ; priv. + death.]

Defn: The quality of being deathless; immortality.

Is not a scholiastic athanasy better than none Lowell.

ATHANASIAN Ath`a*na"sian, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century. Athanasian creed, a formulary, confession, or exposition of faith, formerly supposed to have been drawn up by Athanasius; but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles (5th century). It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.

ATHANOR Ath"a*nor, n. Etym: [F., fr. Ar. at-tannur, fr. Heb. tannur an oven or furnace.]

Defn: A digesting furnace, formerly used by alchemists. It was so constructed as to maintain uniform and durable heat. Chambers.

ATHECATA Ath`e*ca"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of Hydroidea in which the zooids are naked, or not inclosed in a capsule. See Tubularian.

ATHEISM A"the*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. athéisme. See Atheist.]

1. The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being. Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness. R. Hall. Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded. Shipley.

2. Godlessness.

ATHEIST A"the*ist, n. Etym: [Gr. athéiste.]

1. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.

2. A godless person. [Obs.]

Syn. — Infidel; unbeliever.

Note: See Infidel.

ATHEISTIC; ATHEISTICAL A`the*is"tic, A`the*is"tic*al, a.

1. Pertaining to, implying, or containing, atheism; — applied to things; as, atheistic doctrines, opinions, or books. Atheistical explications of natural effects. Barrow.

2. Disbelieving the existence of a God; impious; godless; — applied to persons; as, an atheistic writer. — A`the*is"tic*al*ly, adv. — A`the*is"tic*al*ness, n.

ATHEIZE A"the*ize, v. t.

Defn: To render atheistic or godless. [R.] They endeavored to atheize one another. Berkeley.

ATHEIZE A"the*ize, v. i.

Defn: To discourse, argue, or act as an atheist. [R.] — A"the*i`zer, n. Cudworth.

ATHELING Ath"el*ing, n. Etym: [AS. æ noble, fr. æ noble, akin to G. adel nobility, edel noble. The word æ, E. ethel, is in many AS. proper names, as Ethelwolf, noble wolf; Ethelbald, noble bold; Ethelbert, noble bright.]

Defn: An Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman; esp., the heir apparent or a prince of the royal family. [Written also Adeling and Ætheling.]

ATHENEUM; ATHENAEUM Ath`e*ne"um, Ath`e*næ"um, n.; pl. E. Atheneums, L. Athenæa. Etym: [L. Athenaemum, Gr. Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of Athens.]

1 (Gr. Antiq.)

Defn: A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.

2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.

3. A literary or scientific association or club.

4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use.

ATHENIAN A*the"ni*an, a. Etym: [Cf. F. Athénien.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Greece. — n. A native or citizen of Athens.

ATHEOLOGICAL A`the*o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Opposed to theology; atheistic. Bp. Montagu.

ATHEOLOGY A`the*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pref. a- not + theology.]

Defn: Antagonism to theology. Swift.

ATHEOUS A"the*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. Atheist.]

1. Atheistic; impious. [Obs.] Milton.

2. Without God, neither accepting nor denying him. I should say science was atheous, and therefore could not be atheistic. Bp. of Carlisle.

ATHERINE Ath"er*ine, n. Etym: [NL. atherina, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small marine fish of the family Atherinidæ, having a silvery stripe along the sides. The European species (Atherina presbyter) is used as food. The American species (Menidia notata) is called silversides and sand smelt. See Silversides.

ATHERMANCY A*ther"man*cy, n. Etym: [See Athermanous.]

Defn: Inability to transmit radiant; impermeability to heat. Tyndall.

ATHERMANOUS A*ther"ma*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. athermane.] (Chem.)

Defn: Not transmitting heat; — opposed to diathermanous.

ATHERMOUS A*ther"mous, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Athermanous.

ATHEROID Ath"er*oid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.]

Defn: Shaped like an ear of grain.

ATHEROMA Ath`e*ro"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) An encysted tumor containing curdy matter. (b) A disease characterized by thickening and fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries.

ATHEROMATOUS Ath`e*rom"a*tous, a. (Med.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or having the nature of, atheroma. Wiseman.

ATHETIZE Ath"e*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Athetized; p. pr. & vb. n. Athetizing.] [Gr. , fr. set aside, not fixed; not + to place.]

Defn: To set aside or reject as spurious, as by marking with an obelus.

ATHETOSIS Ath`e*to"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A variety of chorea, marked by peculiar tremors of the fingers and toes.

ATHINK A*think", v. t.

Defn: To repent; to displease; to disgust. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATHIRST A*thirst", a. Etym: [OE. ofthurst, AS. ofpyrsted, p. p. of ofpyrstan; pref. of-, intensive + pyrstan to thirst. See Thirst.]

1. Wanting drink; thirsty.

2. Having a keen appetite or desire; eager; longing. "Athirst for battle." Cowper.

ATHLETE Ath"lete, n. Etym: [L. athleta, Gr. wed: cf. F. athlète.]

1. (Antiq.)

Defn: One who contended for a prize in the public games of ancient Greece or Rome.

2. Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion.

3. One fitted for, or skilled in, intellectual contests; as, athletes of debate.

ATHLETIC Ath`let"ic, a. Etym: [L. athleticus, Gr. Athlete.]

1. Of or pertaining to athletes or to the exercises practiced by them; as, athletic games or sports.

2. Befitting an athlete; strong; muscular; robust; vigorous; as, athletic Celts. "Athletic soundness." South. — Ath*let"ic*al*ly, adv.

ATHLETICISM Ath*let"i*cism, n.

Defn: The practice of engaging in athletic games; athletism.

ATHLETICS Ath*let"ics, n.

Defn: The art of training by athletic exercises; the games and sports of athletes.

ATHLETISM Ath"le*tism, n.

Defn: The state or practice of an athlete; the characteristics of an athlete.

ATHREPSIA A*threp"si*a, n. [NL., fr. Gr. priv. + nourishment.] (Med.)

Defn: Profound debility of children due to lack of food and to unhygienic surroundings. —A*threp"tic (#), a.

ATHWART A*thwart", prep. Etym: [Pref. a- + thwart.]

1. Across; from side to side of. Athwart the thicket lone. Tennyson.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: Across the direction or course of; as, a fleet standing athwart our course. Athwart hawse, across the stem of another vessel, whether in contact or at a small distance. — Athwart ships, across the ship from side to side, or in that direction; — opposed to fore and aft.

ATHWART A*thwart", adv.

Defn: 1. Across, especially in an oblique direction; sidewise; obliquely. Sometimes athwart, sometimes he strook him straight. Spenser.

2. Across the course; so as to thwart; perversely. All athwart there came A post from Wales loaden with heavy news. Shak.

ATILT A*tilt", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + tilt.]

1. In the manner of a tilter; in the position, or with the action, of one making a thrust. "To run atilt at men." Hudibras.

2. In the position of a cask tilted, or with one end raised.

Note: [In this sense sometimes used as an adjective.] Abroach, atilt, and run Even to the lees of honor. Beau. & Fl.

ATIMY At"i*my, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)

Defn: Public disgrace or stigma; infamy; loss of civil rights. Mitford.

-ATION -a"tion. Etym: [L. -ationem. See -tion.]

Defn: A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the verbal substantive in -ing. It sometimes has the further meanings of state, and that which results from the action. Many of these nouns have verbs in -ate; as, alliterate -ation, narrate -ation; many are derived through the French; as, alteration, visitation; and many are formed on verbs ending in the Greek formative -ize (Fr. -ise); as, civilization, demoralization.

A-TIPTOE A-tip"toe, adv.

Defn: On tiptoe; eagerly expecting. We all feel a-tiptoe with hope and confidence. F. Harrison.

ATLANTA At*lan"ta, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of small glassy heteropod mollusks found swimming at the surface in mid ocean. See Heteropod.

ATLANTAL At*lan"tal, a. (Anat.) (a) Relating to the atlas. (b) Anterior; cephalic. Barclay.

ATLANTEAN At`lan*te"an, a. Etym: [L. Atlant.]

1. Of or pertaining to the isle Atlantis, which the ancients allege was sunk, and overwhelmed by the ocean.

2. Pertaining to, or resembling, Atlas; strong. With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies. Milton.

ATLANTES At*lan"tes, n. pl. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Atlas.] (Arch.)

Defn: Figures or half figures of men, used as columns to support an entablature; — called also telamones. See Caryatides. Oxf. Gloss.

ATLANTIC At*lan"tic, a. Etym: [L. Atlanticus, fr. Atlas. See Atlas and Atlantes.]

1. Of or pertaining to Mt. Atlas in Libya, and hence applied to the ocean which lies between Europe and Africa on the east and America on the west; as, the Atlantic Ocean (called also the Atlantic); the Atlantic basin; the Atlantic telegraph.

2. Of or pertaining to the isle of Atlantis.

3. Descended from Atlas. The seven Atlantic sisters. Milton.

ATLANTIDES At*lan"ti*des, n. pl. Etym: [L. See Atlantes.]

Defn: The Pleiades or seven stars, fabled to have been the daughters of Atlas.

ATLAS At"las, n.; pl. Atlases. Etym: [L. Atlas, -antis, Gr. Atlas, in W. Africa, regarded as the pillar of heaven. It is from the root of Tolerate.]

1. One who sustains a great burden.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: The first vertebra of the neck, articulating immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head, whence the name.

3. A collection of maps in a volume; —

Note: supposed to be so called from a picture of Atlas supporting the world, prefixed to some collections. This name is said to have been first used by Mercator, the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.

Note:

4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.

5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.

6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; — called also atlas folio.

7. A drawing paper of large size. See under Paper, n. Atlas powder, a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty consistency and great explosive power.

ATLAS At"las, n. Etym: [Ar., smooth.]

Defn: A rich kind of satin manufactured in India. Brande & C.

ATLAS POWDER At"las pow"der.

Defn: A blasting powder or dynamite composed of nitroglycerin, wood fiber, sodium nitrate, and magnesium carbonate.

ATMAN At"man, n. [Skr. atman.] (Hinduism) (a) The life principle, soul, or individual essence. (b) The universal ego from whom all individual atmans arise. This sense is a European excrescence on the East Indian thought.

ATMIATRY At*mi"a*try, n. [Gr. vapor + medical treatment, healing.]

Defn: Treatment of disease by vapors or gases, as by inhalation.

ATMIDOMETER At`mi*dom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter; cf. F. atmidomètre.]

Defn: An instrument for measuring the evaporation from water, ice, or snow. Brande & C.

ATMO At"mo, n. Etym: [Contr. fr. atmosphere.] (Physics)

Defn: The standard atmospheric pressure used in certain physical measurements calculations; conventionally, that pressure under which the barometer stands at 760 millimeters, at a temperature of 0º Centigrade, at the level of the sea, and in the latitude of Paris. Sir W. Thomson.

ATMOLOGIC; ATMOLOGICAL At`mo*log"ic, At`mo*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to atmology. "Atmological laws of heat." Whewell.

ATMOLOGIST At*mol"o*gist, n.

Defn: One who is versed in atmology.

ATMOLOGY At*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.] (Physics)

Defn: That branch of science which treats of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapor. Whewell.

ATMOLYSIS At*mol"y*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: The act or process of separating mingled gases of unequal diffusibility by transmission through porous substances.

ATMOLYZATION At`mol*y*za"tion, n. (Chem.)

Defn: Separation by atmolysis.

ATMOLYZE At"mo*lyze, v. t. (Chem.)

Defn: To subject to atmolysis; to separate by atmolysis.

ATMOLYZER At"mo*ly`zer, n. (Chem.)

Defn: An apparatus for effecting atmolysis.

ATMOMETER At*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter: cf. F. atmomètre.]

Defn: An instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation from a moist surface; an evaporometer. Huxley.

ATMOSPHERE At"mos*phere, n. Etym: [Gr. atman breath, soul, G. athem breath) + atmosphère. See Sphere.]

1. (Physics) (a) The whole mass of aëriform fluid surrounding the earth; — applied also to the gaseous envelope of any celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of Mars. (b) Any gaseous envelope or medium. An atmosphere of cold oxygen. Miller.

2. A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical atmosphere, a medium formerly supposed to surround electrical bodies. Franklin.

3. The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a unit of surface, or about 14.7 Ibs. to the sq. inch. Hydrogen was liquefied under a pressure of 650 atmospheres. Lubbock.

4. Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition. The chillest of social atmospheres. Hawthorne.

5. The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere.

ATMOSPHERIC; ATMOSPHERICAL At`mos*pher"ic, At`mos*pher"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atmosphérique.]

1. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the atmospheric envelope of the earth.

2. Existing in the atmosphere. The lower atmospheric current. Darwin.

3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.

4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.] In am so atmospherical a creature. Pope. Atmospheric engine, a steam engine whose piston descends by the pressure of the atmosphere, when the steam which raised it is condensed within the cylinder. Tomlinson. — Atmospheric line (Steam Engin.), the equilibrium line of an indicator card. Steam is expanded "down to the atmosphere" when its pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere. (See Indicator card.) — Atmospheric pressure, the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in every direction. In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each square inch. — Atmospheric railway, one in which pneumatic power, obtained from compressed air or the creation of a vacuum, is the propelling force. — Atmospheric tides. See under Tide.

ATMOSPHERICALLY At`mos*pher"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In relation to the atmosphere.

ATMOSPHEROLOGY At`mos*phe*rol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Atmosphere + -logy.]

Defn: The science or a treatise on the atmosphere.

ATOKOUS At"o*kous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Producing only asexual individuals, as the eggs of certain annelids.

ATOLE A*to"le, n. [Mex. Sp.]

Defn: A porridge or gruel of maize meal and water, milk, or the like. [Sp. Amer.]

ATOLL A*toll", n. Etym: [The native name in the Indian Ocean.]

Defn: A coral island or islands, consisting of a belt of coral reef, partly submerged, surrounding a central lagoon or depression; a lagoon island.

ATOM At"om, n. Etym: [L. atomus, Gr. atome. See Tome.]

1. (Physics) (a) An ultimate indivisible particle of matter. (b) An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily indivisible; a molecule. (c) A constituent particle of matter, or a molecule supposed to be made up of subordinate particles.

Note: These three definitions correspond to different views of the nature of the ultimate particles of matter. In the case of the last two, the particles are more correctly called molecules. Dana.

2. (Chem.)

Defn: The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.

3. Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit. There was not an atom of water. Sir J. Ross.

ATOM At"om, v. t.

Defn: To reduce to atoms. [Obs.] Feltham.

ATOMIC; ATOMICAL A*tom"ic, A*tom"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atomique.]

1. Of or pertaining to atoms.

2. Extremely minute; tiny. Atomic philosophy, or Doctrine of atoms, a system which assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things. This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean philosophy. — Atomic theory, or the Doctrine of definite proportions (Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of bodies, in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to three, or some other, always expressible in whole numbers. — Atomic weight (Chem.), the weight of the atom of an element as compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken as a standard.

ATOMICALLY A*tom"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In an atomic manner; in accordance with the atomic philosophy.

ATOMICIAN At`o*mi"cian, n.

Defn: An atomist. [R.]

ATOMICISM A*tom"i*cism, n.

Defn: Atomism. [Obs.]

ATOMICITY At`o*mic"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. atomicité.] (Chem.)

Defn: Degree of atomic attraction; equivalence; valence; also (a later use) the number of atoms in an elementary molecule. See Valence.

ATOMISM At"om*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. atomisme.]

Defn: The doctrine of atoms. See Atomic philosophy, under Atomic.

ATOMIST At"om*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. atomiste.]

Defn: One who holds to the atomic philosophy or theory. Locke.

ATOMISTIC At`om*is"tic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to atoms; relating to atomism. [R.] It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy to confound synthesis with synartesis. Coleridge.

ATOMIZATION At`om*i*za"tion, n.

1. The act of reducing to atoms, or very minute particles; or the state of being so reduced.

2. (Med.)

Defn: The reduction of fluids into fine spray.

ATOMIZE At"om*ize, v. t.

Defn: To reduce to atoms, or to fine spray. The liquids in the form of spray are said to be pulverized, nebulized, or atomized. Dunglison.

ATOMIZER At"om*i`zer, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, atomizes; esp., an instrument for reducing a liquid to spray for disinfecting, cooling, or perfuming.

ATOMOLOGY At`om*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Atom + -logy.]

Defn: The doctrine of atoms. Cudworth.

ATOMY At"om*y, n.

Defn: An atom; a mite; a pigmy.

ATOMY At"o*my, n. Etym: [For anatomy, taken as an atomy.]

Defn: A skeleton. [Ludicrous] Shak.

ATONABLE A*ton"a*ble, a.

Defn: Admitting an atonement; capable of being atoned for; expiable.

AT ONE At one". Etym: [OE. at on, atone, atoon, attone.]

1. In concord or friendship; in agreement (with each other); as, to be, bring, make, or set, at one, i. e., to be or bring in or to a state of agreement or reconciliation. If gentil men, or othere of hir contree Were wrothe, she wolde bringen hem atoon. Chaucer.

2. Of the same opinion; agreed; as, on these points we are at one.

3. Together. [Obs.] Spenser. He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violentest contrariety. Shak.

2. To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime. The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood. Pope. The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by any wise or popular measure. Junius.

ATONE A*tone", v. t.

1. To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease. [Obs.] I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. Shak.

2. To unite in making. [Obs. & R.] The four elements . . . have atoned A noble league. Ford.

3. To make satisfaction for; to expiate. Or each atone his guilty love with life. Pope.

ATONEMENT A*tone"ment, n.

1. (Literally, a setting at one.) Reconciliation; restoration of friendly relations; agreement; concord. [Archaic] By whom we have now received the atonement. Rom. v. 11. He desires to make atonement Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers. Shak.

2. Satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing of suffering that which will be received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; expiation; amends; — with for. Specifically, in theology: The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal suffering, and death of Christ. When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement be can make for it is, to warn others. Spectator. The Phocians behaved with, so much gallantry, that they were thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former offense. Potter.

ATONER A*ton"er, n.

Defn: One who makes atonement.

ATONES At*ones, adv.

Defn: Etym: [See At one.] [Obs.] Down he fell atones as a stone. Chaucer.

ATONIC A*ton"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atonique. See Atony.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Characterized by atony, or want of vital energy; as, an atonic disease.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: Unaccented; as, an atonic syllable.

3. Destitute of tone vocality; surd. Rush.

ATONIC A*ton"ic, n.

1. (Gram.)

Defn: A word that has no accent.

2. An element of speech entirely destitute of vocality, or produced by the breath alone; a nonvocal or surd consonant; a breathing. Rush.

3. (Med.)

Defn: A remedy capable of allaying organic excitement or irritation. Dunglison.

ATONY At"o*ny, n. Etym: [Gr. atonie.] (Med.)

Defn: Want of tone; weakness of the system, or of any organ, especially of such as are contractile.

ATOP A*top", adv.

Defn: On or at the top. Milton.

ATRABILARIAN; ATRABILARIOUS At`ra*bi*la"ri*an, At`ra*bi*la"ri*ous, a. Etym: [LL. atrabilarius, fr. L. atra bilis black bile: cf. F. atrabilaire, fr. atrabile.]

Defn: Affected with melancholy; atrabilious. Arbuthnot.

ATRABILARIAN At`ra*bi*la"ri*an, n.

Defn: A person much given to melancholy; a hypochondriac. I. Disraeli.

ATRABILIAR At`ra*bil"iar, a.

Defn: Melancholy; atrabilious.

ATRABILIARY At`ra*bil"ia*ry, a.

1. Of or pertaining to atra bilis or black bile, a fluid formerly supposed to be produced by the kidneys.

2. Melancholic or hypohondriac; atrabilious; — from the supposed predominance of black bile, to the influence of which the ancients attributed hypochondria, melancholy, and mania. Atrabiliary arteries, capsules, and veins (Anat.), those pertaining to the kidney; — called also renal arteries, capsules, and veins.

ATRABILIOUS At`ra*bil"ious, a.

Defn: Melancholic or hypochondriac; atrabiliary. Dunglision. A hard-faced, atrabilious, earnest-eyed race. Lowell. He was constitutionally atrabilious and scornful. Froude.

ATRAMENTACEOUS At`ra*men*ta"ceous, a. Etym: [L. atramentum ink, fr. ater black.]

Defn: Black, like ink; inky; atramental. [Obs.] Derham.

ATRAMENTAL; ATRAMENTOUS At`ra*men"tal, At`ra*men"tous, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to ink; inky; black, like ink; as, atramental galls; atramentous spots.

ATRAMENTARIOUS At`ra*men*ta"ri*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atramentaire. See Atramentaceous.]

Defn: Like ink; suitable for making ink. Sulphate of iron (copperas, green vitriol) is called atramentarious, as being used in making ink.

ATREDE At*rede, v. t. Etym: [OE. at (AS. æt) out + rede.]

Defn: To surpass in council. [Obs.] Men may the olde atrenne, but hat atrede. Chaucer.

ATRENNE At*renne", v. t. Etym: [OE. at + renne to run.]

Defn: To outrun. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATRESIA A*tre"si*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Absence or closure of a natural passage or channel of the body; imperforation.

ATRIAL A"tri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to an atrium.

ATRIP A*trip", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + trip.] (Naut.) (a) Just hove clear of the ground; -said of the anchor. (b) Sheeted home, hoisted taut up and ready for trimming; — said of sails. (c) Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; — said of yards.

ATRIUM A"tri*um, n.; pl. Atria. Etym: [L., the fore court of a Roman house.]

1. (Arch.) (a) A square hall lighted from above, into which rooms open at one or more levels. (b) An open court with a porch or gallery around three or more sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica or other church. The name was extended in the Middle Ages to the open churchyard or cemetery.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: The main part of either auricle of the heart as distinct from the auricular appendix. Also, the whole articular portion of the heart.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A cavity in ascidians into which the intestine and generative ducts open, and which also receives the water from the gills. See Ascidioidea.

ATROCHA At`ro*cha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A kind of chætopod larva in which no circles of cilia are developed.

ATROCIOUS A*tro"cious, a. Etym: [L. atrox, atrocis, cruel, fierce: cf. F. atroce.]

1. Extremely heinous; full of enormous wickedness; as, atrocious quilt or deeds.

2. Characterized by, or expressing, great atrocity, great atrocity. Revelations . . . so atrocious that nothing in history approaches them. De Quincey.

3. Very grievous or violent; terrible; as, atrocious distempers. [Obs.] Cheyne.

Syn. — Atrocious, Flagitious, Flagrant. Flagitious points to an act as grossly wicked and vile; as, a flagitious proposal. Flagrant marks the vivid impression made upon the mind by something strikingly wrong or erroneous; as, a flagrant misrepresentation; a flagrant violation of duty. Atrocious represents the act as springing from a violent and savage spirit. If Lord Chatham, instead of saying "the atrocious crime of being a young man," had used either of the other two words, his irony would have lost all its point, in his celebrated reply to Sir Robert Walpole, as reported by Dr. Johnson. — A*tro"cious*ly, adv. — A*tro"cious*ness, n.

ATROCITY A*troc"i*ty, n.; pl. Atrocities. Etym: [F. atrocité, L. atrocitas, fr. atrox, atrocis, cruel.]

1. Enormous wickedness; extreme heinousness or cruelty.

2. An atrocious or extremely cruel deed. The atrocities which attend a victory. Macaulay.

ATROPHIC A*troph"ic, a.

Defn: Relating to atrophy.

ATROPHIED At"ro*phied, p. a.

Defn: Affected with atrophy, as a tissue or organ; arrested in development at a very early stage; rudimentary.

ATROPHY At"ro*phy, n. Etym: [L. atrophia, Gr. atrophie.]

Defn: A wasting away from want of nourishment; diminution in bulk or slow emaciation of the body or of any part. Milton.

ATROPHY At"ro*phy, v. t. [p. p. Atrophied.]

Defn: To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or weaken.

ATROPHY At"ro*phy, v. i.

Defn: To waste away; to dwindle.

ATROPIA A*tro"pi*a, n.

Defn: Same as Atropine.

ATROPINE At"ro*pine, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from the Atropa belladonna, or deadly nightshade, and the Datura Stramonium, or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also daturine.

ATROPISM At"ro*pism, n. (Med.)

Defn: A condition of the system produced by long use of belladonna.

ATROPOUS At"ro*pous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Not inverted; orthotropous.

ATROUS A"trous, a. Etym: [L. ater.]

Defn: Coal-black; very black.

ATRYPA A*try"pa, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A extinct genus of Branchiopoda, very common in Silurian limestones.

ATTABAL At"ta*bal, n.

Defn: See Atabal.

ATTACCA At*tac"ca. Etym: [It., fr. attaccare to tie, bind. See Attach.] (Mus.)

Defn: Attack at once; — a direction at the end of a movement to show that the next is to follow immediately, without any pause.

ATTACH At*tach", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attached; p. pr. & vb. n. Attaching.] Etym: [OF. atachier, F. attacher, to tie or fasten: cf. Celt. tac, tach, nail, E. tack a small nail, tack to fasten. Cf. Attack, and see Tack.]

1. To bind, fasten, tie, or connect; to make fast or join; as, to attach one thing to another by a string, by glue, or the like. The shoulder blade is . . . attached only to the muscles. Paley. A huge stone to which the cable was attached. Macaulay.

2. To connect; to place so as to belong; to assign by authority; to appoint; as, an officer is attached to a certain regiment, company, or ship.

3. To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or self-interest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral influence; — with to; as, attached to a friend; attaching others to us by wealth or flattery. Incapable of attaching a sensible man. Miss Austen. God . . . by various ties attaches man to man. Cowper.

4. To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or attribute; to affix; — with to; as, to attach great importance to a particular circumstance. Top this treasure a curse is attached. Bayard Taylor.

5. To take, seize, or lay hold of. [Obs.] Shak.

6. To take by legal authority: (a) To arrest by writ, and bring before a court, as to answer for a debt, or a contempt; — applied to a taking of the person by a civil process; being now rarely used for the arrest of a criminal. (b) To seize or take (goods or real estate) by virtue of a writ or precept to hold the same to satisfy a judgment which may be rendered in the suit. See Attachment, 4. The earl marshal attached Gloucester for high treason. Miss Yonge. Attached column (Arch.), a column engaged in a wall, so that only a part of its circumference projects from it.

Syn. — To affix; bind; tie; fasten; connect; conjoin; subjoin; annex; append; win; gain over; conciliate.

ATTACH At*tach", v. i.

1. To adhere; to be attached. The great interest which attaches to the mere knowledge of these facts cannot be doubted. Brougham.

2. To come into legal operation in connection with anything; to vest; as, dower will attach. Cooley.

ATTACH At*tach", n.

Defn: An attachment. [Obs.] Pope.

ATTACHABLE At*tach"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being attached; esp., liable to be taken by writ or precept.

ATTACHE At`ta*ché", n. Etym: [F., p. p. of attacher. See Attach, v. t.]

Defn: One attached to another person or thing, as a part of a suite or staff. Specifically: One attached to an embassy.

ATTACHMENT At*tach"ment, n. Etym: [F. attachment.]

1. The act attaching, or state of being attached; close adherence or affection; fidelity; regard; anas, an attachment to a friend, or to a party.

2. That by which one thing is attached to another; connection; as, to cut the attachments of a muscle. The human mind . . . has exhausted its forces in the endeavor to rend the supernatural from its attachment to this history. I. Taylor.

3. Something attached; some adjunct attached to an instrument, machine, or other object; as, a sewing machine attachment (i. e., a device attached to a sewing machine to enable it to do special work, as tucking, etc.).

4. (Giv. Law) (a) A seizure or taking into custody by virtue of a legal process. (b) The writ or percept commanding such seizure or taking.

Note: The term is applied to a seizure or taking either of persons or property. In the serving of process in a civil suit, it is most generally applied to the taking of property, whether at common law, as a species of distress, to compel defendant's appearance, or under local statutes, to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover in the action. The terms attachment and arrest are both applied to the taking or apprehension of a defendant to compel an appearance in a civil action. Attachments are issued at common law and in chancery, against persons for contempt of court. In England, attachment is employed in some cases where capias is with us, as against a witness who fails to appear on summons. In some of the New England States a writ of attachment is a species of mesne process upon which the property of a defendant may be seized at the commencement of a suit and before summons to him, and may be held to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover. In other States this writ can issue only against absconding debtors and those who conceal themselves. See Foreign, Garnishment, Trustee process. Bouvier. Burrill. Blackstone.

Syn. — Attachment, Affection. The leading idea of affection is that of warmth and tenderness; the leading idea of attachment is that of being bound to some object by strong and lasting ties. There is more of sentiment (and sometimes of romance) in affection, and more of principle in preserving attachment. We speak of the ardor of the one, and the fidelity of the other. There is another distinction in the use and application of these words. The term attachment is applied to a wider range of objects than affection. A man may have a strong attachment to his country, to his profession, to his principles, and even to favorite places; in respect to none of these could we use the word affection.

ATTACK At*tack", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attacked; p. pr. & vb. n. Attacking.] Etym: [F. attaquer, orig. another form of attacher to attack: cf. It. attacare to fasten, attack. See Attach, Tack a small nail.]

1. To fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and arms; to assault. "Attack their lines." Dryden.

2. To assail with unfriendly speech or writing; to begin a controversy with; to attempt to overthrow or bring into disrepute, by criticism or satire; to censure; as, to attack a man, or his opinions, in a pamphlet.

3. To set to work upon, as upon a task or problem, or some object of labor or investigation.

4. To begin to affect; to begin to act upon, injuriously or destructively; to begin to decompose or waste. On the fourth of March he was attacked by fever. Macaulay. Hydrofluoric acid . . . attacks the glass. B. Stewart.

Syn. — To Attack, Assail, Assault, Invade. These words all denote a violent onset; attack being the generic term, and the others specific forms of attack. To attack is to commence the onset; to assail is to make a sudden and violent attack, or to make repeated attacks; to assault (literally, to leap upon) is to attack physically by a had- to-hand approach or by unlawful and insulting violence; to invade is to enter by force on what belongs to another. Thus, a person may attack by offering violence of any kind; he may assail by means of missile weapons; he may assault by direct personal violence; a king may invade by marching an army into a country. Figuratively, we may say, men attack with argument or satire; they assail with abuse or reproaches; they may be assaulted by severe temptations; the rights of the people may be invaded by the encroachments of the crown.

ATTACK At*tack", v. i.

Defn: To make an onset or attack.

ATTACK At*tack", n. Etym: [Cf. F. attaque.]

1. The act of attacking, or falling on with force or violence; an onset; an assault; — opposed to defense.

2. An assault upon one's feelings or reputation with unfriendly or bitter words.

3. A setting to work upon some task, etc.

4. An access of disease; a fit of sickness.

5. The beginning of corrosive, decomposing, or destructive action, by a chemical agent.

ATTACKABLE At*tack"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being attacked.

ATTACKER At*tack"er, n.

Defn: One who attacks.

ATTAGAS; ATTAGEN At"ta*gas, At"ta*gen, n. Etym: [L. attagen a kind of bird, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A species of sand grouse (Syrrghaptes Pallasii) found in Asia and rarely in southern Europe.

ATTAGHAN At"ta*ghan, n.

Defn: See Yataghan.

ATTAIN At*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attained; p. pr. & vb. n. Attaining.] Etym: [Of. atteinen, atteignen, , OF. ateindre, ataindre, F. atteindre, fr. L. attingere; ad + tangere to touch, reach. See Tangent, and cf. Attinge, Attaint.]

1. To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest. Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means Abp. Tillotson.

2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a material object.] Chaucer.

3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.] Not well attaining his meaning. Fuller.

4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at. "Canaan he now attains." Milton.

5. To overtake. [Obs.] Bacon.

6. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.

Syn. — To Attain, Obtain, Procure. Attain always implies an effort toward an object. Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort or motion. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means.

ATTAIN At*tain", v. i.

1. To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach. If by any means they might attain to Phenice. Acts xxvii. 12. Nor nearer might the dogs attain. Sir W. Scott. To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber. Cowper. Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this. J. R. Green.

2. To come or arrive, by an effort of mind. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attain unto it. Ps. cxxxix. 6.

ATTAIN At*tain", n.

Defn: Attainment. [Obs.]

ATTAINABILITY At*tain`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality of being attainable; attainbleness.

ATTAINABLE At*tain"a*ble, a.

1. Capable of being attained or reached by efforts of the mind or body; capable of being compassed or accomplished by efforts directed to the object. The highest pitch of perfection attainable in this life. Addison.

2. Obtainable. [Obs.] General Howe would not permit the purchase of those articles [clothes and blankets] in Philadelphia, and they were not attainable in the country. Marshall.

ATTAINABLENESS At*tain"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being attainable; attainability.

ATTAINDER At*tain"der, n. Etym: [OF. ataindre, ateindre, to accuse, convict. Attainder is often erroneously referred to F. teindre tie stain. See Attaint, Attain.]

1. The act of attainting, or the state of being attainted; the extinction of the civil rights and capacities of a person, consequent upon sentence of death or outlawry; as, an act of attainder. Abbott.

Note: Formerly attainder was the inseparable consequence of a judicial or legislative sentence for treason or felony, and involved the forfeiture of all the real and personal property of the condemned person, and such "corruption of blood" that he could neither receive nor transmit by inheritance, nor could he sue or testify in any court, or claim any legal protection or rights. In England attainders are now abolished, and in the United States the Constitution provides that no bill of attainder shall be passed; and no attainder of treason (in consequence of a judicial sentence) shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.

2. A stain or staining; state of being in dishonor or condemnation. [Obs.] He lived from all attainder of suspect. Shak. Bill of attainder, a bill brought into, or passed by, a legislative body, condemning a person to death or outlawry, and attainder, without judicial sentence.

ATTAINMENT At*tain"ment, n.

1. The act of attaining; the act of arriving at or reaching; hence, the act of obtaining by efforts. The attainment of every desired object. Sir W. Jones.

2. That which is attained to, or obtained by exertion; acquirement; acquisition; (pl.), mental acquirements; knowledge; as, literary and scientific attainments.

ATTAINT At*taint", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Attainting.] Etym: [OE. atteynten to convict, fr. atteynt, OF. ateint, p. p. of ateindre, ataindre. The meanings 3, 4, 5, and 6 were influenced by a supposed connection with taint. See Attain, Attainder.]

1. To attain; to get act; to hit. [Obs.]

2. (Old Law)

Defn: To find guilty; to convict; — said esp. of a jury on trial for giving a false verdict. [Obs.] Upon sufficient proof attainted of some open act by men of his own condition. Blackstone.

3. (Law)

Defn: To subject (a person) to the legal condition formerly resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry, pronounced in respect of treason or felony; to affect by attainder. No person shall be attainted of high treason where corruption of blood is incurred, but by the oath of two witnesses. Stat. 7 & 8 Wm. III.

4. To accuse; to charge with a crime or a dishonorable act. [Archaic]

5. To affect or infect, as with physical or mental disease or with moral contagion; to taint or corrupt. My tender youth was never yet attaint With any passion of inflaming love. Shak.

6. To stain; to obscure; to sully; to disgrace; to cloud with infamy. For so exceeding shone his glistring ray, That Phattaint. Spenser. Lest she with blame her honor should attaint. Spenser.

ATTAINT At*taint", p. p.

Defn: Attainted; corrupted. [Obs.] Shak.

ATTAINT At*taint", n. Etym: [OF. attainte. See Attaint, v.]

1. A touch or hit. Sir W. Scott.

2. (Far.)

Defn: A blow or wound on the leg of a horse, made by overreaching. White.

3. (Law)

Defn: A writ which lies after judgment, to inquire whether a jury has given a false verdict in any court of record; also, the convicting of the jury so tried. Bouvier.

4. A stain or taint; disgrace. See Taint. Shak.

5. An infecting influence. [R.] Shak.

ATTAINTMENT At*taint"ment, n.

Defn: Attainder; attainture; conviction.

ATTAINTURE At*tain"ture, n.

Defn: Attainder; disgrace.

ATTAL At"tal, n.

Defn: Same as Attle.

ATTAME At*tame", v. t. Etym: [OF. atamer, from Latin. See Attaminate.]

1. To pierce; to attack. [Obs.]

2. To broach; to begin. And right anon his tale he hath attamed. Chaucer.

ATTAMINATE At*tam"i*nate, v. t. Etym: [L. attaminare; ad + root of tangere. See Contaminate.]

Defn: To corrupt; to defile; to contaminate. [Obs.] Blount.

ATTAR At"tar, n. Etym: [Per. 'atar perfume, essence, Ar. 'itr, fr. 'atara to smell sweet. Cf. Otto.]

Defn: A fragrant essential oil; esp., a volatile and highly fragrant essential oil obtained from the petals of roses. [Also written otto and ottar.]

ATTASK At*task", v. t. Etym: [Pref. a- + task.]

Defn: To take to task; to blame. Shak.

ATTASTE At*taste, v. t. Etym: [Pref. a- + taste.]

Defn: To taste or cause to taste. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATTE At"te.

Defn: At the. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATTEMPER At*tem"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempered; p. pr. & vb. n. Attempering.] Etym: [OF. atemprer, fr. L. attemperare; ad + temperare to soften, temper. See Temper, and cf. Attemperate.]

1. To reduce, modify, or moderate, by mixture; to temper; to regulate, as temperature. If sweet with bitter . . . were not attempered still. Trench.

2. To soften, mollify, or moderate; to soothe; to temper; as, to attemper rigid justice with clemency.

3. To mix in just proportion; to regulate; as, a mind well attempered with kindness and justice.

4. To accommodate; to make suitable; to adapt. Arts . . . attempered to the lyre. Pope.

Note: This word is now not much used, the verb temper taking its place.

ATTEMPERAMENT At*tem"per*a*ment, n. Etym: [OF. attemprement.]

Defn: A tempering, or mixing in due proportion.

ATTEMPERANCE At*tem"per*ance, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. atemprance.]

Defn: Temperance; attemperament. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATTEMPERATE At*tem"per*ate, a. Etym: [L. attemperatus, p. p. of attemperare. See Attemper.]

Defn: Tempered; proportioned; properly adapted. Hope must be . . . attemperate to the promise. Hammond.

ATTEMPERATE At*tem"per*ate, v. t.

Defn: To attemper. [Archaic]

ATTEMPERATION At*tem`per*a"tion, n.

Defn: The act of attempering or regulating. [Archaic] Bacon.

ATTEMPERLY At*tem"per*ly, adv.

Defn: Temperately. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ATTEMPERMENT At*tem"per*ment, n.

Defn: Attemperament.

ATTEMPT At*tempt", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempted; p. pr. & vb. n. Attempting.] Etym: [OF. atenter, also spelt atempter, F. attenter, fr. L. attentare to attempt; ad + tentare, temptare, to touch, try, v. intens. of tendere to stretch. See Tempt, and cf. Attend.]

1. To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight. Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose. Longfellow.

2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt. [Obs. or Archaic] It made the laughter of an afternoon That Vivien should attempt the blameless king. Thackeray.

3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, one who attempts the virtue of a woman. Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further: Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute. Shak.

4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp. Without attempting his adversary's life. Motley.

Syn. — See Try.

ATTEMPT At*tempt", v. i.

Defn: To make an attempt; — with upon. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

ATTEMPT At*tempt", n.

Defn: A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking; an attack, or an effort to gain a point; esp. an unsuccessful, as contrasted with a successful, effort. By his blindness maimed for high attempts. Milton. Attempt to commit a crime (Law), such an intentional preparatory act as will apparently result, if not extrinsically hindered, in a crime which it was designed to effect. Wharton.

Syn. — Attempt, Endeavor, Effort, Exertion, Trial. These words agree in the idea of calling forth our powers into action. Trial is the generic term; it denotes a putting forth of one's powers with a view to determine what they can accomplish; as, to make trial of one's strength. An attempt is always directed to some definite and specific object; as, "The attempt, and not the deed, confounds us." Shak. An endeavor is a continued attempt; as, "His high endeavor and his glad success." Cowper. Effort is a specific putting forth of strength in order to carry out an attempt. Exertion is the putting forth or active exercise of any faculty or power. "It admits of all degrees of effort and even natural action without effort." C. J. Smith. See Try.

ATTEMPTABLE At*tempt"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being attempted, tried, or attacked. Shak.

ATTEMPTER At*tempt"er, n.

1. One who attempts; one who essays anything.

2. An assailant; also, a temper. [Obs.]

ATTEMPTIVE At*tempt"ive, a.

Defn: Disposed to attempt; adventurous. [Obs.] Daniel.

ATTEND At*tend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attended; p. pr. & vb. n. Attending.] Etym: [OE. atenden, OF. atendre, F. attendre, to expect, to wait, fr. L. attendre to stretch, (sc. animum), to apply the mind to; ad + tendere to stretch. See Tend.]

1. To direct the attention to; to fix the mind upon; to give heed to; to regard. [Obs.] The diligent pilot in a dangerous tempest doth not attend the unskillful words of the passenger. Sir P. Sidney.

2. To care for; to look after; to take charge of; to watch over.

3. To go or stay with, as a companion, nurse, or servant; to visit professionally, as a physician; to accompany or follow in order to do service; to escort; to wait on; to serve. The fifth had charge sick persons to attend. Spenser. Attends the emperor in his royal court. Shak. With a sore heart and a gloomy brow, he prepared to attend William thither. Macaulay.

4. To be present with; to accompany; to be united or consequent to; as, a measure attended with ill effects. What cares must then attend the toiling swain. Dryden.

5. To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a concert, a business meeting.