Agley,Aglee, a-glē′,adv.(Scot.) off the right line: wrong. [Pfx.a-, and Scot.gley,gleg, squint.]
Aglimmer, a-glim′ėr,adv.in a glimmering state.
Aglow, a-glÅ′,adj.andadv.very warm: red-hot.
Agnail, ag′nÄl,n.an inflammation round the toe- or finger-nail: a whitlow: a hangnail. [A.S.angnægl—ang, tight, andnægl, a nail; confounded in meaning by the dictionary-makers with Fr.angonailles, blotches, sores—Low L.anguinalia, carbuncles.]
Agname, ag′nÄm,n.a name over and above the name and surname.—adj.Ag′named, styled by such a name. [L.ag=ad, andName; formed after L.agnomen.]
Agnate, ag′nÄt,adj.related on the father's side: allied.—n.a relation by the father's side.—adjs.Agnat′ic,Agnat′ical.—adv.Agnat′ically.—n.AgnÄ′tion. [L.agnat-us—ad, to,nasci, to be born. SeeCognate.]
Agnise, ag-nīz′,v.t.(arch.) to acknowledge, to confess. [L.agnoscĕre—ad, to,gnoscĕre,noscĕre, to know.]
Agnomen, ag-nÅ′men,n.a surname added to the family name, generally on account of some great exploit, asAfricanusto P. Cornelius Scipio. [L.—ad, to, andgnomen,nomen, a name.]
Agnostic, ag-nos′tik,n.one who holds that we know nothing of things beyond material phenomena—that a First Cause and an unseen world are things unknown and apparently unknowable.—n.Agnos′ticism. [Coined by Prof. Huxley in 1869 from the word in Acts, xvii. 23;a, privative, and Gr.gnÅstikos, good at knowing. SeeGnostic.]
Agnus Dei, ag′nus-dē′ī, a part of the Mass beginning with the wordsAgnus Dei, also the music set to it: a figure of a lamb emblematic of Christ, bearing with its right foot the banner of the cross, and having the nimbus inscribed with the cross around its head: a round cake of wax stamped with such a figure, and blessed by the Pope. [L., lit. 'lamb of God.']
Ago, a-gÅ′,Agone,a-gon′,adv.gone: past: since. [Pa.p. of A.S.ÄgÄn, to pass away—inten. pfx.Ä-, andgÄn, to go.]
Agog, a-gog′,adj.oradv.eager: astir. [Perh. connected with O. Fr.en gogues;estre en ses gogues, to be frolicsome, or Fr.vivre à gogo, to live in abundance. The ultimate origin is unknown.]
Agoing, a-gÅ′ing,adv.going on: current.
Agone. SeeAgo.
Agonic, ag′on-ik,adj.having or making no angle.—Agonic line, the line of no magnetic variation—an irregular line passing through the magnetic poles of the earth, along which the magnetic needle points directly north or south. [Gr.agÅnos;a, neg.,gÅnia, angle.]
Agonist, ag′o-nist,n.one who contends for a prize in public games.—adjs.Agonist′ic,-al, relating to athletic contests: combative.—adv.Agonist′ically.—n.Agonist′ics, the art and theory of games and prize-fighting. [SeeAgony.]
Agony, ag′o-ni,n.a violent struggle: extreme suffering: the death struggle in particular: Christ's anguish in Gethsemane.—v.t.Ag′onise, to struggle, suffer agony: to subject to agony.—adj.Ag′onising, causing agony.—adv.Ag′onisingly.—Agony column, the part of a newspaper containing special advertisements, as for missing friends and the like. [Gr.—agÅn, contest.]
Agood, a-good′,adv.(obs.) in good earnest, heartily. [A.S. pfx.a-, andGood.]
Agora, ag′o-ra,n.an assembly, hence a place of assembly, the market-place. [Gr.]
Agouta, a-gÅÅ′ta,n.a rat-like animal of Hayti.
Agouti, a-gÅÅ′ti,n.a small South American rodent allied to the guinea-pig. [Native word.]
Agraffe, a-graf′,n.a kind of clasp or hook. [Fr.agrafe, a clasp—Low L.grappa, Old High Ger.chrapfo(Ger.krappen), a hook.]
Agrarian, ag-rÄ′ri-an,adj.relating to land, or its management, as in 'agrarian crime,' &c., applied esp. to Roman laws for the equal distribution of the public lands: rural.—n.AgrÄ′rianism, an equal division of lands: a political movement in favour of interference with the ordinary conditions of private property in land. [L.agrarius—ager, a field. SeeAcre.]
Agree, a-grē′,v.i.to be of one mind: to concur: to assent to: to be consistent, to harmonise: to determine, to settle: to resemble, to suit: (gram.) to be in concord with—taking the same gender, number, case, or person: to do well with climate, &c. (followed bywithbefore the person or thing agreeing: byupon,on,for,to,inbefore the condition of the agreement):—pa.p.agreed′.—adj.Agree′able, suitable: pleasant: favourable to, consenting to.—n.Agree′ableness, suitableness: conformity: quality of pleasing—alsoAgreeabil′ity.—adv.Agree′ably.—n.Agree′ment, concord: conformity: harmony: a bargain or contract. [O. Fr.agréer, to accept kindly—L.ad, to, andgratus, pleasing.]
Agrestic, a-gres′tik,adj.pertaining to the fields: rural: unpolished. [L.agrestis—ager, a field.]
Agriculture, ag′ri-kult-ūr,n.the art or practice of cultivating the land.—adj.Agricult′ural, relating to agriculture.—n.Agricult′urist, one skilled in agriculture: a farmer—alsoAgricult′uralist. [L.agricultura—ager, a field,cultura, cultivation. SeeCulture.]
Agrimony, ag′ri-mun-i,n.a genus of plants of the rose-group, with small yellow flowers and bitter taste. [L.agrimonia, forargemonia, Gr.argemÅnÄ“.]
Agrin, a-grin′,adv.on the grin.
Agrise, a-grÄ«z′,v.t.(obs.) to terrify, to make frightful. [A.S.ÄgrÄ«san, to dread.]
Agronomial, ag-rÅ-nÅ′mi-al,adj.relating to the management of farms—alsoAgronom′ic.—n.Agron′omy, agricultural pursuits. [Gr.agronomos;agros, a field,nemein, to deal out.]
Aground, a-grownd′,adv.stranded.
Aguardiente, a-gwär-di-ėn′tė,n.a kind of grape-brandy made in Spain and Portugal: any spirituous liquor, applied even to Mexican pulque. [Sp., fromagua ardiente, burning water;agua—L.aqua;ardiente,arder—L.ardēre, to burn.]
Ague, Ä′gÅ«,n.a fever coming in periodical fits, accompanied with shivering: chilliness: quaking.—adj.A′gued, struck with ague: shivering: cold;A′guish. [O. Fr.aigue(Fr.aigu, sharp)—L.acutus. SeeAcute.]
Aguerried, a-ger′id,adj.inured to war, or instructed in it. [Fr.aguerrir, to make warlike;à —Lat.ad, to, andguerre, war.]
Aguise, a-gīz′,v.t.(Spens.) to dress, to adorn. [Pfx.a-, andGuise.]
Ah, ä,interj.an exclamation of surprise, joy, pity, complaint, &c.
Aha, ä-hä′,interj.an exclamation of exultation, pleasure, surprise, or contempt.
Ahead, a-hed′,adv.farther on: in advance: headlong, as in the phrase 'to goahead.'
Aheap, a-hēp′,adv.in a heap: in a state of collapse through terror or astonishment.
Aheight, a-hīt′,adv.(arch.) on high, aloft.
Ahem, a-hem′,interj.a lengthened form ofHem.
Ahithophel. SeeAchitophel.
Ahigh, a-hī′,adv.an obsolete form ofOn high.
Ahold, a-hÅld′,adv.(Shak.) near the wind, so as to keep clear of the land.
Ahorseback, a-hors′bak,adv.on horseback.
Ahoy, a-hoi′,interj.a nautical term used in hailing. [Form of interj.Hoy.]
Ahull, a-hul′,adv.(naut.) with sails furled, and helm lashed to the lee-side, driving before the wind, stern foremost.
Ahungered, a-hung′gėrd,adj.oppressed with hunger. [Erroneously writtenan hungered, as in Bible.]
Aiblins, Äb′linz,adv.(Scot.) perhaps, possibly. [SeeAble.]
Aid, Äd,v.t.to help, assist.—n.help: assistance, as in defending an action: an auxiliary: subsidy or money grant to the king.—n.Aid′ance, aid, help, support.—adj.Aid′ant, (arch.) aiding, helping.—n.Aid′er, one who brings aid: a helper.—adjs.Aid′ful;Aid′less.—Court of Aids, the court that supervised the customs duties. [O. Fr.aider—L.adjutÄre—ad, andjuvÄre,jutum, to help.]
Aide-de-camp, Äd′-de-kong,n.an officer who carries the orders of a general on the field, and brings him intelligence:—pl.Aides′-de-camp. [Fr., assistant on the field.]
Aiery, a variant ofAerie.
Aigrette, Ä′gret,n.(zool.) a small white heron: (bot.) the down attached to vegetable seeds, as in the thistle: a plume composed of feathers, or of precious stones, like a heron's crest. [Fr.aigrette.]
Aiguille, Ä-gwÄ“l′,n.a sharp, needle-like peak of rock, applied esp. to many of the peaks near Mont Blanc: a slender boring-drill for blasting. [Fr. SeeAglet.]
Aiguillette. SeeAglet.
Ail, Äl,v.i.to feel pain: to be in trouble.—v.t.to trouble, afflict—obs.except in impers. phrase 'What ails you?'—n.trouble: indisposition.—n.Ail′ment, pain: indisposition: disease. [A.S.eglan, to pain. SeeAwe.]
Ailanto, ēl-an′to,n.a lofty and beautiful tree, native to South-eastern Asia, but grown to shade public walks in France and Italy. Its leaves give food to a species of silkworm—it is sometimes called the Vernis du Japon, or Japan Varnish, apparently by confusion with certain species of Rhus.—AlsoAilan′tus. [Native Amboyna name, meaning 'tree of the gods.']
Ailette, Äl-let′,n.an iron plate once worn by men-at-arms for defence on the shoulder. [Fr., dim. ofaille—L.ala, a wing.]
Aim, Äm,v.i.to point at with a weapon: to direct the intention or endeavour (at): (obs.) to conjecture.—v.t.to point, as a weapon or firearm.—n.the pointing of a weapon: the thing pointed at: design: intention.—adj.Aim′less, without aim.—adv.Aim′lessly.—n.Aim′worthiness, good aim.—To cry aim, in old writers, to encourage archers when shooting by crying 'aim,' hence to applaud or encourage. [O. Fr.esmer, to reckon—L.æstimÄre, to estimate. SeeEstimate.]
Ain't, Änt, a colloquial contracted form ofare not—alsoAn't=aren't,are not.—An't(Shak.) occurs as a variant ofon't=on it,of it.
Air, Är,n.the fluid we breathe: the atmosphere: any special condition of atmosphere, as in 'the night-air,' 'to take the air:' a light breeze: publicity: the bearing of a person: outward appearance, manner, look: an assumed or affected manner: (mus.) a rhythmical melody: a song, also specially a sprightly song: the soprano part in a harmonised composition, being that which gives it its character: (pl.) affectation.—v.t.to expose to the air: to dry: to expose to warm air: (obs.) to take an airing.—ns.Air′-bath, an arrangement for drying substances in air of any desired temperature;Air′-bed, a bed for the sick, inflated with air;Air′-blad′der, in some fishes, an organ containing air, by which they maintain their equilibrium in the water;Air′-brake, a railway brake worked by compressed air.—adj.Air′-built, built in air: having no solid foundation.—ns.Air′-cell, a cavity containing air;Air′-cush′ion, an air-tight cushion, which can be inflated;Air′-drain, an ample space at the foot of foundation walls, for the sake of dryness.—adj.Air′drawn, drawn in air: visionary: (Shak.) imaginary.—ns.Air′-en′gine, an engine put in motion by air expanded by heat;Air′-gas, illuminating gas made by charging atmospheric air with vapour of petroleum or other hydrocarbon;Air′-gun, a gun which discharges bullets by means of compressed air.—adv.Air′ily, gaily.—ns.Air′iness, state of being airy; openness: liveliness;Air′ing, exposure to the air or fire: a short excursion in the open air;Air′-jack′et, a jacket with air-tight cavities, which being inflated renders a person buoyant in water.—adj.Air′less, void of air: not having free communication with the open air.—ns.Air′-lock, a small chamber for the entrance and exit of men and materials, at the top of the caisson or hollow cylinder used for founding the piers of bridges under water;Air′-pump, an instrument for pumping the air out of a vessel;Air′-sac, an air-cell or air-space, esp. in the bones of birds;Air′-shaft, a passage for air into a mine;Air′-ship, a navigable balloon;Air′-space, the cubic content of a room, hospital-ward, or the like, with reference to the respirable air contained in it.—adj.Air′-tight, so tight as not to admit air.—n.Air′-ves′sel, a vessel or tube containing air.—adv.Air′wards, up in the air.—adj.Air′y, consisting of or relating to air: open to the air: like air: unsubstantial: light of heart: sprightly.—To take air, to get wind, to become publicly known. [Fr.—L.aër—Gr.]
Airling, Är′ling,n.(obs.) a thoughtless, gay person.
Airt, Ärt,n.(Scot.) direction, quarter. [Gael.aird,Ã rd; Ir.ard.]
Aisle, īl,n.any lateral division of any part of a church, whether of nave, choir, or transept. The word is often erroneously applied to the passage in a church between the pews or seats.—adj.Aisled, (īld), having aisles. [O. Fr.ele,aisle(Fr.aile)—L.axilla,ala, a wing.]
Ait, Ät,n.a small island in a river or lake. [A.S. forms,Ãget,Ãgeoth, supply the key to the word, but its history is obscure.]
Aitchbone, Äch′bÅn,n.the bone of the rump: the cut of beef over this bone. [Orig.nache-ornagebone; O. Fr.nache,nage—L.nates, buttock;a nachebecameaitch, and erroneouslyedge-bone.]
Ajar, a-jär′,adv.partly open. [A.S.on, on,cyrr, a turn.]
Ajee,Agee, a-jē′,adv.(Scot.andprov.) aside, off the straight, ajar. [Prep.a, andgee, to move to one side;jee, a call to a horse to move to one side.]
Ajutage,Adjutage, ad′joo-tÄj,n.a tube adjusted to an orifice through which water is discharged. [Fr.—Fr.ajouter. SeeAdjust.]
Ake, Äk, old form ofAche.
Akee, a-kē′,n.the fruit of a small African sapindaceous tree, now common in the West Indies.
Akimbo, a-kim′bo,adj.with hand on hip and elbow bent outward. [Ety. uncertain; Skeat suggests the Ice.kengboginn, bent into a crook, fromkengr, a crook, twist, kink, andboginn, bowed. Others connect the-kimwithKeen.]
Akin, a-kin′,adj.of kin: related by blood: having the same properties. [OfandKin.]
Alabaster, al′a-bas-tėr,n.a semi-transparent kind of gypsum or sulphate of lime: the fine limestone deposited as stalagmites and stalactites.—adj.made of alabaster.—adj.Alabas′trian. [Gr.alabastros, said to be derived fromAlabastron, a town in Egypt.]
Alack, a-lak′,interj.an exclamation denoting sorrow.
Alack-a-day, a-lak′-a-dÄ,interj.(rare) an exclamation of sadness. [Interj.ah,lak(Lack), andDay.]
Alacrity, a-lak′ri-ti,n.briskness: cheerful readiness: promptitude. [L.alacris, brisk.]
Alalia, a-lÄ′li-a,n.loss of speech. [Gr.a, priv., andlalein, to talk.]
Alameda, a-la-mē′da,n.a public walk or promenade between two rows of trees. [Sp.]
Alamode, a-la-mÅd′,adv.andadj.according to the mode or fashion.—n.a light kind of glossy silk for scarfs, hat-bands, &c.—n.Alamodal′ity(rare).—Alamode beef, beef larded and stewed with vegetables. [Fr.à la mode.]
Alamort, a-la-mort′,adj.half-dead: in a depressed condition: dejected. Sometimes erroneouslyAll amort. [Fr.à la mort, to death. SeeMortal.]
Aland, a-land′,adv.on or to land: landed.
Alar, Ä′lar,adj.of, or having, wings.—AlsoA′lary. [L.ala, a wing.]
Alarm, a-lärm′,n.notice of danger: sudden surprise with fear: a mechanical contrivance to arouse from sleep: a call to arms.—v.t.to call to arms: to give notice of danger: to fill with dread.—adv.Alarm′ingly.—n.Alarm′ist, one who excites alarm: one given to prophesy danger.—adj.alarming. [Fr.alarme—It.all' arme, to arms—L.ad, to,arma, arms.]
Alarum, al-är′um,n.andv.t.same asAlarm—now used, except poetically, only of analarum-clock.
Alas, a-las′,interj.expressive of grief.—Alas the day,Alas the while(in old writers), ah! unhappy day, or time. [O. Fr.ha las,a las(mod. Fr.hélas);ha!andlas,lasse, wretched, weary—L.lassus, wearied.]
Alate, a-lÄt′,adv.(arch.) lately. [A.S. pfx.a-, on, andLate.]
Alate, al′Ät,adj.winged: (bot.) bordered by a leafy expansion.—AlsoAl′ated. [L.alatus—ala, a wing.]
Alb, alb,n.in R.C. churches, a white linen vestment with tight sleeves, reaching to the feet, worn by the officiating priest at the celebration of the eucharist, under the chasuble, cope, or dalmatic. [A.S.albe—Low L.alba, L.albus, white.]
Albacore, al′ba-kÅr,n.a large species of the tunny fish, found in West Indian waters. [Port.—Ar.al, the,bukr, pl.bakÄrat, a young camel.]
Albata, al-bÄ′ta,n.a white silvery alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper—alsoBritish plateandGerman Silver. [L.,albÄre, to whiten,albus, white.]
Albatross, al′ba-tros,n.a large, long-winged, web-footed sea-bird of remarkable powers of flight, found abundantly in the Southern Ocean, particularly near the Cape of Good Hope. [Corr. fromAlcatras(q.v.), perh. with reference toalbus, white, from its colour.]
Albe,Ale-be, awl-bē′,obs.forms ofAlbeit.
Albeit, awl-bē′it,adv.although it be: notwithstanding: even if, although. [All be it (that) = all though it be that]
Albert, al′bert,n.a short kind of watch-chain. [Named from PrinceAlbert, husband of Queen Victoria.]
Albescent, al-bes′ent,adj.becoming white: whitish.—n.Albes′cence. [L.albescens, -entis, pr.p. ofalbescĕre, to grow white—albus, white.]
Albespyne,Albespine, al′be-spīn,n.whitethorn, hawthorn. [O. Fr.albespine,aubespine(Fr.aubépine)—L.alba spina, white thorn.]
Albigenses, al-bi-jen′sēz,n.pl.a name applied to antisacerdotal sects in the south of France during the 12th and 13th centuries, infected with Manichæan heresy, and extirpated with the most horrible cruelties. [The townAlbi.]
Albino, al-bī′no,n.a human being or animal whose skin and hair are abnormally white, and the pupil of the eye of pink colour:—fem.Albī′ness:—pl.Albī′nos.—n.Al′binism, state or condition of being an albino. [Sp.albino, whitish—L.albus, white.]
Albite, al′bīt,n.a species of mineral of the felspar family, of a white colour, and forming a constituent of many kinds of rocks. [From L.albus, white.]
Albugineous, al-bū-jin′e-us,adj.like the white of an egg or of the eye. [L.albugo,albuginis, whiteness, fromalbus, white.]
Album, al′bum,n.among the Romans, a white tablet or register on which the prætor's edicts and such public notices were recorded: a blank book for the insertion of portraits, autographs, poetical extracts, memorial verses, postage-stamps, or the like.—adj.Al′bumē′an, andn.Al′bumess, whimsical coinages of Charles Lamb. [L.albus, white.]
Albumen, al-bū′men,n.the white of eggs: a like substance found in animal and vegetable bodies.—ns.Albū′min, one of the classes of albuminoids, such as are soluble in water, or in dilute acids or alkalis;Albū′minate, one of a class of bodies in which albumin appears in weak combination with a base.—v.t.Albuminise′(phot.), to cover or impregnate with albumen: to coat paper with an albuminous solution.—adj.Albū′minous, like or containing albumen: insipid. [L.—albus, white.]
Albuminoid, al-bū′min-oid,adj.like albumen.—n.one of a class of nitrogenous compounds derived from animal tissues. [Albumen, and Gr.eidos, form.]
Alburnum, al-burn′um,n.in trees, the white and soft parts of wood between the inner bark and the heart-wood.—adj.Alburn′ous. [L.—albus, white.]
Alcahest. SeeAlkahest.
Alcaic, al-kÄ′ik,adj.of or pertaining to the Greek lyrical poet, Alcæus (c.600B.C.), or to the kind of verse invented by him. The most common form consists of an anacrusis, a trochee, a spondee, and two dactyls; a second, of a catalectic iambic pentameter, the third foot always being a spondee; a third, of two dactyls followed by two trochees. The most common arrangement was two lines of (1), followed by one of (2) and one of (3). Cf. Tennyson's 'O mighty-mouth'd inventor of harmonies.'
Alcaid,Alcayde, al-kÄd′,n.a governor: a chief magistrate: a gaoler. [Sp. and Port.—Ar.alkÄÄ«d—al, the,qÄÄ«d, a leader,qÄda, to lead.]
Alcalde, al-kal′dÄ,n.a judge. [Sp.—Ar.al-qÄdÄ«.]
Alcatras, al′ka-tras,n.a name applied loosely to several large ocean birds, as the pelican, gannet, frigate-bird, and even the albatross. [Sp.alcatraz, a white pelican.]
Alchemy,Alchymy, al′ki-mi,n.the infant stage of chemistry, as astrology was of astronomy.—A chief pursuit of the alchemists was to transmute the other metals into gold, and to discover the elixir of life.—adj.Alchem′ic—n.Al′chemist, one skilled in alchemy. [Ar.Al-kÄ«mÄ«Ä—al, the, andkÄ«mÄ«Ä—late Gr.chÄ“meia, 'transmution,' prob. as specially an Egyptian art, fromKhem, the native name of Egypt; confused with Gr.chÅ«meia, pouring, fromchein, to pour, hence the old spellingsalchymy,chymistry.]
Alcohol, al′kÅ-hol,n.pure spirit, a liquid generated by the fermentation of sugar and other saccharine matter, and forming the intoxicating element of fermented liquors.—adj.Alcohol′ic, of or like alcohol.—n.AlcoholisÄ′tion.—v.t.Al′coholise, to convert into alcohol, or saturate with it: to rectify.—n.Al′coholism, a term employed to denote the symptoms of disease produced by alcoholic poisoning.—Absolute alcohol, alcohol entirely free from water. [Ar.al-koh'l—al, the,koh'l, fine powder of antimony used in the East to stain the eyelids.]
Alcoholometer, al-kÅ-hol-om′e-tÄ—r,n.an instrument for ascertaining the strength of spirits.—n.Alcoholom′etry, the process of such measurement. [AlcoholandMeter.]
Alcoran, al′kÅ-ran,n.the Koran. [Al, the Arabic article.]
Alcove, al′kÅv, oral-kÅv′,n.a recess in a room: any recess: a shady retreat. [Sp.alcoba, a place in a room railed off to hold a bed—Ar.al, the,qobbah, a vault.]
Aldehyde, al′dē-hīd,n.a volatile fluid with a suffocating smell, obtained by the oxidation of alcohol: a large class of compounds intermediate between alcohols and acids. [FromAl. dehyd., a contr. forAlcohol dehydrogenatum.]
Alder, awl′dėr,n.a tree related to the birch, usually growing in moist ground. [A.S.alor; Ger.erle; L.alnus.]
Alder-liefest, awl-dėr-lēf′est,adj.(Shak.) most beloved of all. [The M. E. gen. pl. formsalra,alre,aller,alder, survived till about 1600; forliefest, seeLief.]
Alderman, awl′dėr-man,n.in English and Irish boroughs, a civic dignitary next in rank to the mayor.—They are usually chosen for three years; those of London are chosen for life.—The name was assumed incongruously enough for superior members of the county councils set up in England in 1888: in Anglo-Saxon times, the governor of a shire until by Canute displaced by the earl; thenceforward, any head man of a guild.—adjs.Alderman′ic,Al′dermanlike,Al′dermanly, pompous and portly. [A.S.ealdor(fromeald, old), senior, chief;ealdorman, ruler, king, chief magistrate.]
Aldern, awl′dėrn,adj.made of alder.
Aldine, al′dīn,adj.applied to books printed by Aldus Manutius of Venice, in 16th century.
Ale, Äl,n.a beverage made from an infusion of malt by fermentation: a festival, so called from the liquor drunk.—ns.Ale′berry, a beverage made from ale;Ale′conner, an ale-taster, a civic officer appointed to test the quality of the ale brewed—A.S.cunnere, a trier;Ale′-house, a house in which ale is sold. [A.S.alu; Ice.öl.]
Aleatory, Ä′lÄ“-a-tÅ-ri,adj.depending on the throw of the dice: dependent on certain contingencies. [L.ÄleÄtÅrius,Älea, a die.]
Alee, a-lē′,adv.on the lee-side. [SeeLee.]
Aleft, a-left′,adv.on or to the left hand.
Alegar, al′e-gar,n.sour ale. [Ale, and Fr.aigre—L.acer, sour.]
Aleger, al′e-jÄ—r,adj.(Bacon) lively, cheerful. [O. Fr.alègre—L.alÄcr-em.]
Alegge, an obsolete form ofAllege.
Alembic, al-em′bik,n.a vessel used by the old chemists in distillation. [Ar.al, the,anbīq—Gr.ambiks, a cup.]
Alength, a-length′,adv.at full length. [A.S. pfx.a-, on, andLength.]
Alerce, a-lers′,n.the wood of the sandarac-tree: the ChilianArbor vitæ—both of the pine family. [Sp.—Ar.al arza, cedar.]
Alert, al-ėrt′,adj.watchful: brisk.—n.a sudden attack or surprise.—adv.Alert′ly.—n.Alert′ness.—Upon the alert, upon the watch. [Fr.—It.all' erta, on the erect—erto, L.erectus, erect.]
Alew, a-lū′ (Spens.) an obsolete form ofHalloo.
Alewife, Äl′wÄ«f,n.a fish of the same genus as the shad, about a foot in length, common on the east coast of North America. [Said to be a corr. ofaloofe, the Indian name of a fish.]
Alexandrian, al-egz-an′dri-an,adj.relating to Alexandria in Egypt, or its school of philosophy: relating to Alexander.
Alexandrine, al-egz-an′drin,n.a rhyming verse of twelve syllables, six iambic feet, so-called from its use in old French poems onAlexanderthe Great. It is the ordinary verse of French tragedy. French Alexandrines are arranged in couplets, alternately acatalectic with masculine rhymes, and hypercatalectic with feminine rhymes.
Alfa, al′fa,n.an African name for esparto grass—also speltHalfa.
Alfalfa, al-fal′fa,n.a Spanish name for a variety of lucerne—used also in some parts of the United States. [Sp.alfalfa, three-leaved grass; Ar.alfacfacah.]
Alfresco, al-fresk′o,adv.on the fresh, as to paintal fresco= on the fresh plaster: in the fresh or cool air. [It.]
Algæ, al′jē,n.(bot.) a division of plants, embracing seaweeds. [L., pl. ofalga, seaweed.]
Algates, al′gÄts,adv.(obs.) always, altogether, at all events, nevertheless.—AlsoAl′gate. [Lit.alle gate, every way. SeeGate.]
Algebra, al′je-bra,n.a method of calculating by symbols—by means of letters employed to represent the numbers, and signs to represent their relations, thus forming a kind of universal arithmetic.—adjs.AlgebrÄ′ic,-al, pertaining to algebra.—n.AlgebrÄ′ist, one skilled in algebra. [It. and Sp., from Ar.al-jebr, the resetting of anything broken, hence combination;jabara, to reunite.]
Algerine, al′je-rēn,adj.of or belonging to Algeria in Northern Africa.—n.a native of Algeria: a pirate.
Algorism, al′go-rizm,n.the Arabic system of numeration: arithmetic.—AlsoAl′gorithm[Through O. Fr. and Late L. from Ar.al-khowÄrazmÄ«, the native of KhwÄrazm, the mathematician Abu Ja'far Mohammed Ben Musa (9th century).]
Algous, al′gus,adj.relating to or like the algæ or seaweeds.
Alguazil, al-gwaz′il,n.in Spain, a warrant officer or sergeant. [Sp.—Ar.al-wazīr. SeeVizier.]
Algum, al′gum. Same asAlmug.
Alhambresque, al-ham′bresk,adj.after the style of the rich ornamentation of the Alhambra, a palace of the Moorish kings of Granada in Spain.
Alias, Ä′li-as,adv.otherwise.—n.an assumed name:—pl.A′liases. [L.alias, at another time, otherwise—alius, Gr.allos, other.]
Alibi, al′i-bī,n.the plea that a person charged with a crime was elsewhere when it was committed. [L.—alius, other,ibi, there.]
Alicant, al′i-kant,n.a Spanish wine formerly much esteemed, said to have been made near Alicante in Spain.
Alien, Äl′yen,adj.foreign: different in nature: adverse to.—n.one belonging to another country: one not entitled to the rights of citizenship.—n.Al′ienage, state of being an alien. [L.alienus—alius, other.]
Alienate, Äl′yen-Ät,v.t.to transfer a right or title to another: to withdraw the affections: to misapply.—adj.withdrawn: estranged.—n.Alienabil′ity.—adj.Al′ienable, capable of being transferred to another.—ns.AlienÄ′tion;AlienÄ′tor.—adj.Al′iened, made alien, estranged.—n.Al′ienism, the position of being a foreigner. [L. SeeAlien.]
Alienist, Äl′yen-ist,n.one who specially treats mental diseases. [Fr.]
Alife, a-līf′,adv.(obs.) on my life, as one's life, excessively.
Alight, a-lÄ«t′,v.i.to come down, as from a horse (from): to descend: to land anywhere (upon): to fall upon. [A.S.alÃhtan, to come down. SeeLight,v.]
Alight, a-līt′,adj.on fire: lighted up. [a, on, andLight. SeeLight,n.]
Align, a-līn′,v.t.to regulate by a line: to arrange in line, as troops.—n.Align′ment, a laying out by a line: arrangement of soldiers in a line or lines: the ground-plan of a railway or road. [Fr.aligner—L.ad, andlinea, a line.]
Alike, a-lÄ«k′,adj.like one another: having resemblance.—adv.in the same manner or form: equally: similarly. [A.S.gelÃc,anlÃc,onlÃc. SeeLike.]
Aliment, al′i-ment,n.nourishment: food: provision for maintenance, alimony: support.—v.t.to support, sustain: make provision for the maintenance of.—adjs.Aliment′al, supplying food;Aliment′ary, pertaining to aliment: nutritive.—ns.AlimentÄ′tion, the act or state of nourishing or of being nourished;Aliment′iveness(phrenol.), desire for food or drink;Al′imony, an allowance for support made to a wife when legally separated from her husband, or temporarily while the process is pending.—Alimentary canal, the principal part of the digestive apparatus of animals, in man extending, with convolutions, about 30 feet from the mouth to the anus—including pharynx, Å“sophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, &c. [L.alimentum—alÄ•re, to nourish.]
Alineation.SeeAllineation.
Aliped, al′i-ped,adj.wing-footed.—n.an animal whose toes are connected by a membrane serving as a wing, as the bat. [L.alipes—ala, a wing, andpes,pedis, a foot.]
Aliquant, al′i-kwant,adj.an aliquant part of a number is one that will not divide it without a remainder, thus 5 is an aliquant part of 12. [L.aliquantum, somewhat,alius, another, andquantus, how great.]
Aliquot, al′i-kwot,adj.such a part of a number as will divide it without a remainder. [L.aliquot, some, several—alius, other,quot, how many.]
Alisma, al-iz′ma,n.a small genus of aquatic plants, the chief being the common water-plantain. [Gr.]
Alive, a-lÄ«v′,adj.in life: susceptible. [Prep.a = on, and A.S.lÃfe, dat. oflÃf, life.]
Alizarin, a-liz′a-rÄ“n,n.a colouring matter used in the dyeing of Turkey red, formerly extracted from madder, the commercial name of which in the Levant isalizari. [Fr.; Ar.al, the, and'açÄrah, juice pressed out.]
Alkahest, Alcahest, al′ka-hest,n.the universal solvent of the alchemists. [A coinage of Paracelsus—on Arabic analogies.]
Alkali, al′ka-li, or -lī,n.(chem.) a substance which combines with an acid and neutralises it, forming a salt. Potash, soda, and lime are alkalies; they have an acrid taste (that of soap), and turn vegetable blues to green:—pl.Al′kalies.—n.Alkales′cency, tendency to become alkaline.—adj.Alkales′cent, tending to become alkaline: slightly alkaline.—n.Alkalim′eter, an instrument for measuring the strength of alkalies.—adj.Alkaline(al′ka-līn, or-lin), having the properties of an alkali.—n.Alkalin′ity.—v.t.Al′kalise, to render alkaline:—pr.p.al′kalīsing;pa.p.al′kalīsed. SeeAcid. [Ar.al-qalīy, ashes.]
Alkalify, al′ka-li-fī,v.t.to convert into an alkali.—v.i.to become alkaline:—pr.p.al′kalifying;pa.p.al′kalifīed.—adj.Alkalifī′able, capable of being converted into an alkali. [Alkali, and L.facĕre, to make.]
Alkaloid, al′ka-loid,n.a vegetable principle possessing in some degree alkaline properties.—adj.pertaining to or resembling alkali. [Alkali, and Gr.eidos, form or resemblance.]
Alkanet, al′ka-net,n.a plant, native of the Levant and Southern Europe, cultivated for its root, which yields a red colouring matter: the dye itself. [Sp.alcaneta.]
Alkoran,n.Same asAlcoran.
All, awl,adj.the whole of: every one of: any whatever.—adv.wholly: completely: entirely: (Shak.) only, alone.—n.the whole: everything: the totality of things—the universe.—n.All′-Fath′er, God.—All(obs.), entirely, altogether, as in 'all to-brake' (Judges, ix. 53). The prefixto-originally belonged to the verb (tó brecan), but as verbs with this prefix were rarely used withoutall, the fact was forgotten, and thetowas erroneously regarded as belonging to theall. Hence came into useall-to= wholly, utterly;All but, everything short of, almost;All in all, all things in all respects, all or everything together—(adverbially) altogether;All over, thoroughly, entirely;All over with, finished, done with (alsocoll.,All upwith);All right, a colloquial phrase expressing assent or approbation;All's one, it is just the same;All to one(obs.), altogether.—After all, when everything has been considered, nevertheless;And all, and everything else;And all that, and all the rest of it,et cetera;At all, in the least degree or to the least extent.—For all, notwithstanding;For good and all, finally.—Once for all, once only. [A.S.all,eal; Ger.all, Gael.uile, W.oll.]
Allah, al′la,n.the Arabic name of the one God. [Ar.al-ilâh, 'the worthy to be adored.']
Allantois, a-lan′tÅ-is,n.a membranous sac-like appendage for effecting oxygenation in the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles.—adjs.AllantÅ′ic,Allan′toid. [Gr.allas, a sausage.]
Allay, al-lÄ′,v.t.to lighten, relieve: to make quiet or calm.—n.Allay′ment(obs.), state of being allayed: state of rest: that which allays. [M. E. forms,aleggen,aleyen(A.S.a-lecgan; lecgan, causal oflicgan, to lie); identical in form, and accordingly confounded in meaning with M. E. words of Latin origin;alegge(laterallege, now obs.)—L.alleviÄre;alaye(modernallay,alloy)—L.alligÄre;aleye(obs.)—L.allegÄre;alegge(modernallege)—Low L.ex-litigÄre.]
Allay, an obsolete form ofAlloy.
Alledge. Old spelling ofAllege.
Allege, al-lej′,v.t.to produce as an argument or plea: to assert: (B.) to give proofs—n.AllegÄ′tion, an assertion.—p.adj.Alleged′, cited, quoted. [Through O. Fr. forms from Low L.ex-litigÄre, to clear at law. SeeAllayabove.]
Allegiance, al-lēj′i-ans,n.the duty of a subject to his liege or sovereign.—adj.Allē′giant. [L.ad, to, andLiege.]
Allegory, al′le-gor-i,n.a description of one thing under the image of another.—adjs.Allegor′ic,-al, in the form of an allegory: figurative.—adv.Allegor′ically.—v.t.Al′legorise, to put in form of an allegory.—v.i.to use allegory.—ns.Al′legorist, one who uses allegory;AllegorizÄ′tion. [Gr.allÄ“goria;allos, other, andagoreuein, to speak.]
Allegro, al-lē′grÅ,adv.andadj.(mus.) a word denoting a brisk movement.—adv.andadj.Allegret′to, somewhat brisk. [It.—L.alacer, brisk.]
Alleluia,Alleluiah, al-le-lÅÅ′ya. Same asHalleluiah.
Allemande, al′le-mand,n.a name given to various Germain dances: (mus.) the first movement after the prelude in a suite. [Fr.Allemande, German.]
Allenarly, al-len′ar-li,adv.solely, only—obsolete save only in Scotch conveyancing. [All, andanerly, formed fromane, one.]
Alleviate, al-lÄ“v′i-Ät,v.t.to make light: to mitigate.—ns.AlleviÄ′tion;Allev′iÄtor. [L.ad,levis, light.]
Alley, al′li,n.a walk in a garden or shrubbery: a passage in a city narrower than a street: a long narrow enclosure for playing at bowls or skittles:—pl.All′eys. [O. Fr.alee(Fr.allée), a passage, fromaller, to go, O. Fr.aner, most prob. from L.adnÄre, to go to by water, oraditÄre,adÄ«re.]
Alley,Ally, al′li,n.a name given by boys to a choice taw or large marble. [Contraction ofalabaster, of which it was originally made.]
All-fired, awl-fīrd′,adj.(slang) infernal.—adv.excessively. [A softening ofhell-fired, U.S.]
All-fools′-day,awl-fÅÅlz′-dÄ,n.April first. [From the sportive deceptions practised on that day.]
All-fours, awl-fÅrz′,n.pl.(preceded byon) on four legs, or on two hands and two feet: a game at cards played by two, so called from the four particulars by which the reckoning is made—high,low,Jack, andthe game: also a game at dominoes.
All-hail, awl-hÄl′,interj.all health! a phrase of salutation. [SeeHail, interj.]
All-hallow, awl-hal′lÅ,All-hallows,awl-hal′lÅz,n.the day of all the holy ones. SeeAll-saints. [AllandHallow.]
All-hallow-mass.SeeHallow-mass.
All-hallown, awl-hal′lÅn,n.(Shak.) fine summer weather late in the season—near All-hallows-day.
All-hallow-tide, awl-hal′lÅ-tÄ«d,n.the time near All-hallows-day. [SeeHallowandTide.]
Allheal, awl-hēl′,n.(obs.) a balsam for all wounds, a panacea—applied to various plants, as the mistletoe, the great valerian, &c.
Alliaceous, al-li-Ä′shus,adj.pertaining to, or having the properties of allium or garlic. [L.allium, garlic.]
Alliance, al-lī′ans,n.state of being allied: union by marriage or treaty. [SeeAlly.]
Alligation, al-li-gÄ′shun,n.(arith.) a rule for finding the price of a compound of ingredients of different values. [L.alligatio, a binding together—ad, to, andligÄre, to bind.]
Alligator, al′li-gÄ-tur,n.an animal of the crocodile genus, found in America. [Sp.el lagarto—L.lacerta, a lizard.]
Allineation,Alineation,al-lin-e-Ä′shun,n.the position of two or more bodies in a straight line with a given point.
Allision, al-lizh′un,n.a striking against. [L.allisio, fromallidĕre—ad, andlædĕre, to hurt.]
Alliteration, al-lit-Ä—r-Ä′shun,n.the recurrence of the same letter at the beginning of two or more words following close to each other, as in Churchill's 'aptalliteration'sartfulaid:' the recurrence of the same initial sound in the first accented syllables of words: initial rhyme—the characteristic structure of versification of Old English and Teutonic languages generally. Every alliterative couplet had two accented syllables, containing the same initial consonants, one in each of the two sections.—v.i.Allit′erate, to begin with the same letter: to constitute alliteration.—adj.Allit′erative. [Fr.—L.ad, to, andlitera, a letter.]
Allocate, al′lo-kÄt,v.t.to place: to assign to each his share.—n.AllocÄ′tion, act of allocating: allotment: an allowance made upon an account. [L.allocÄre,ad, to, andlocÄre,locus, a place.]
Allocution, al-lo-kū′shun,n.a formal address, esp. of the Pope to his clergy. [L.allocutionem—ad, to, andloqui,locutus, to speak.]
Allodial, al-lÅ′di-al,adj.held independent of a superior: freehold—opp. toFeudal.
Allodium, al-lÅ′di-um,n.freehold estate: land held in the possession of the owner without being subject to a feudal superior.—AlsoAllod,Alod. [Low L.allÅdium—Ger.alôd,allôd.]
Allograph, al′lÅ-graf,n.a writing made by one person on behalf of another. [Gr.allos, other,graphÄ“, writing.]
Allopathy, al-lop′a-thi,n.a name given by homeopathists to the current or orthodox medical practice, to distinguish it from their own Homeopathy.—adj.Allopath′ic—ns.Allop′athist,Allopath. [Coined by Hahnemann (1755-1843), Ger.allopathie—Gr.allos, other,patheia,pathos, suffering.]
Allophylian, al-lÅ-fÄ«l′i-an,adj.of another race, alien—applied by Prichard (1786-1848) to the Turanian or non-Aryan and non-Semitic languages of Europe and Asia.—n.Allophyle′. [L.—Gr.allophȳlos, of another tribe;allos, other,phȳlÄ“, a tribe.]
Allot, al-lot′,v.t.to divide as by lot: to distribute in portions: to parcel out:—pr.p.allot′ting;pa.p.allot′ted.—n.Allot′ment, the act of allotting: part or share allotted: a portion of a field assigned to a cottager to labour for himself. [O. Fr.aloter;lotis Teut., seen in Goth.hlauts, A.S.hlot.]
Allotropy, al-lot′ro-pi,n.the property in some elements, as carbon, of existing in more than one form.—adj.Allot′ropic. [Gr.;allos, another, andtropos, form.]
Alloverishness, awl-Å′vÄ—r-ish-nes,n.a general sense of indisposition over the whole body, a feeling of discomfort, malaise.—adj.AllÅ′verish.
Allow, al-low′,v.t.to grant: to permit: to acknowledge: to abate: make allowance for: (obs.) invest, entrust: assert, say (coll.in U.S.).—adj.Allow′able, that may be allowed: not forbidden: lawful.—n.Allow′ableness.—adv.Allow′ably.—n.Allow′ance, that which is allowed: a limited portion of anything: a stated quantity—of money, &c., to meet expenses: abatement: approbation: permission.—v.t.to put any one upon an allowance: to supply anything in limited quantities.—To make allowance for, to take excusing circumstances into account. [O. Fr.alouer, to grant—L.ad, to, andlocÄre, to place.—Allow, in the sense ofapproveorsanction, as used inB.and by old writers, has its root in L.allaudÄre—ad-, andlaudÄre, to praise.]
Alloy, al-loi′,v.t.to mix one metal with another: to reduce the purity of a metal by mixing a baser one with it: (fig.) to debase: to temper or qualify.—n.a mixture of two or more metals (when mercury is one of the ingredients, it is anamalgam): a baser metal mixed with a finer: anything that deteriorates.—n.Alloy′age, the act of alloying or mixing metals: a mixture of different metals. [O. Fr.alei(Fr.aloi),aleier—L.alligÄre. The modern Fr. wordsaloiandaloyerwere confounded with Fr.à loi, to law, and the same confusion was transferred into English.]
All-saints'-day, awl-sÄnts′-dÄ,n.November 1, a feast of the Church in honour of all the saints collectively. [SeeAll-hallows.]
All-souls'-day, awl-sÅlz′-dÄ,n.November 2, a feast of the Roman Catholic Church kept in commemoration of all the faithful departed, for the eternal repose of their souls.
Allspice, awl′spīs,n.a name given to a kind of spice called Pimenta or Jamaica pepper, from its being supposed to combine the flavour of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. [AllandSpice.]
Allude, al-lūd′,v.i.to mention slightly, or convey an indirect reference to, in passing: to refer to.—n.Allū′sion, an indirect reference.—adj.Allus′ive, alluding to: hinting at: referring to indirectly.—adv.Allus′ively.—Allusive arms(her.), alsocantingorpunningarms, andarmes parlantes, those in which the charges convey reference to the bearer's name or title, as the column of the Colonna family, the Vele calf (O. Fr.veël, a calf), the Arundel martlets (O. Fr.arondel, a young swallow). [L.alludĕre—ad, at,ludĕre,lusum, to play.]
Allumette, al-ū-mėt′,n.a match for lighting. [Fr.]
Allure, al-lūr′,v.t.to draw on as by a lure or bait: to entice.—n.Allure′ment.—adj.Allur′ing, enticing: seductive: charming.—adv.Allur′ingly. [O. Fr.alurer—à , to,lurer, toLure.]
Alluvion, al-lū′vi-un,n.land gained from the sea by the washing up of sand and earth. [L.alluvio—alluĕre. SeeAlluvium.]
Alluvium, al-lū′vi-um,n.the mass of water-borne matter deposited by rivers on lower lands:—pl.Allū′via.—adj.Allū′vial. [L.—alluÄ•re, to wash to or on—ad, andluÄ•re=lavÄre, to wash.]
Ally, al-lī′,v.t.to form a relation by marriage, friendship, treaty, or resemblance.—pa.p.andadj.Allied′.—n.Ally(al-lī′, oral′lÄ«), a confederate: a prince or state united by treaty or league:—pl.AllÄ«es′, orAl′lÄ«es. [O. Fr.alier—L.alligÄre—ad, to,ligÄre, to bind.]
Alma,Almah, al′ma,n.an Egyptian dancing-girl.—AlsoAlme,Almeh. [Ar.‛almah, learned,‛alamah, to know.]
Almacantar, al-mak-an′tar,n.a name for circles of altitude parallel to the horizon, and hence for an astronomical instrument for determining time and latitude. [Ar.almuqantarÄt,qantarah, an arch.]
Almagest, al′ma-jest,n.a collection of problems in geometry and astronomy, drawn up by the Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy (about 140A.D.), so named by the Arabs as the greatest and largest on the subject. [Ar.al, the, and Gr.megistos, greatest.]
Almain, al′mÄn,n.(obs.) an inhabitant of Germany: a kind of dance music in slow time. [Fr.Allemand—Allemanni, an ancient German tribe.]
Almanac, al′ma-nak,n.a register of the days, weeks, and months of the year, &c.—n.Almanog′rapher, an almanac-maker. [Most prob. the original of the word as in Fr., It., and Sp. was a Spanish-Arabical-manÄkh. Eusebius hasalmenichiaka, an Egyptian word, prob. sig. 'daily observation of things,' but the history of the word has not been traced, and it is hazardous without evidence to connect this with the Arabic word.]
Almandine, al′man-dīn,n.a red transparent variety of the garnet.—AlsoAl′mandin. [EarlierAlabandine—Low L.alabandina—Alabanda, a town in Caria, a province of Asia Minor, where it was found.]
Almighty, awl-mīt′i,adj.possessing all might or power: omnipotent: very powerful generally: (slang) mighty, great.—Older formAlmight′.—adv.Almight′ily.—ns.Almight′iness,Almight′yship.—The Almighty, God;The almighty dollar, a phrase of Washington Irving's, expressive of the greatness of the power of money. [A.S.ælmeahtig. SeeAllandMighty.]
Almner, an old spelling ofAlmoner.
Almond, ä′mund,n.the fruit of the almond-tree.—n.pl.Almonds(ä′mundz), the tonsils or glands of the throat, so called from their resemblance to the fruit of the almond-tree. [O. Fr.almande(Fr.amande)—L.amygdalum—Gr.amygdalē.]
Almoner, al′mun-ėr,n.a distributer of alms.—n.Al′monry, the place where alms are distributed. [O. Fr.aumoner,aumonier(Fr.aumônier)—Low L.eleemosynarius(adj.). SeeAlms.]
Almost, awl′mÅst,adv.nearly, all but, very nearly. [AllandMost.]
Almry, äm′ri,n.Same asAlmonry.
Alms, ämz,n.relief given out of pity to the poor.—ns.Alms′-deed, a charitable deed;Alms′-drink(Shak.), leavings of drink;Alms′-fee, an annual tax of one penny on every hearth, formerly sent from England to Rome, Peter's pence;Alms′house, a house endowed for the support and lodging of the poor;Alms′-man, a man who lives by alms. [A.S.ælmysse, through Late L., from Gr.eleēmosynē—eleos, compassion. Dr Murray notes the Scot. and North Countryalmous,awmous, as an independent adoption of the cognate Norsealmusa; and the legalAlmoign,Almoin, perpetual tenure by free gift of charity, from O. Fr., perhaps due to a confusion withalimonium.]
Almuce, an early form ofAmice.
Almug, al′mug,n.the wood of a tree described in the Bible as brought from Ophir in the time of Solomon, for the house and temple at Jerusalem, and for musical instruments—probably the red sandalwood of India. [Heb.algummîm,almuggîm. The better form isAlgum.]
Aloe, al′Å,n.a genus of plants of considerable medicinal importance, of the 200 species of which as many as 170 are indigenous to the Cape Colony.—The so-called American Aloe is a totally different plant (seeAgave).—adj.Al′oed, planted or shaded with aloes.—TheAloes woodof the Bible was the heart-wood ofAquilaria ovataandAquilaria Agallochum, large spreading trees. The wood contains a dark-coloured, fragrant, resinous substance, much prized for the odour it diffuses in burning. [The word was used erroneously in the Septuagint and New Testament as a translation of the Heb.ahÄlÄ«m,ahÄlÅth(Gr.agallochon), an aromatic resin or wood—called later in Gr.xylaloÄ“, from which descendlignum aloes,lign-aloes,wood-aloes, andaloes-wood.—A.S.aluwan—L.aloē—Gr.aloÄ“.]
Aloes, al′Åz, a purgative bitter drug, the inspissated juice of the leaves of several almost tree-like species of aloe. Used both as asing. n., and as apl.ofAloe.—n.andadj.Aloet′ic, a medicine containing a large proportion of aloes.
Aloft, a-loft′,adv.on high: overhead: at a great height: (naut.) above the deck, at the masthead: sometimes used as equivalent toaloof(Mad. D'Arblay). [Scand.; Icel.á lopt(pron.loft), expressing motion;á lopti, expressing position.Pfx.a-= Icel.á= A.S.on, in. SeeLoft.]
Alone, al-Ån′,adj.single: solitary: alone of its kind: of itself, or by themselves.—adv.singly, by one's self only.—n.Alone′ness[AllandOne.]
Along, a-long′,adv.by or through the length of: lengthwise: throughout: onward: (fol. bywith) in company of.—prep.by the side of: near.—n.pl.Along′shore-men, labourers employed about the docks or wharves in the Thames and other rivers.—prep.Along′side, by the side, beside.—Along of, (arch.ordial.) owing to. [A.S.andlang—pfx.and-, against, andlang,Long.]
Alongst, a-longst′,prep.(obs.exceptdial.) along: by the length. [M. E.alongest, fromalong, with adv. gen.-es.]
Aloof, a-lÅÅf′,adv.at a distance: apart.—n.Aloof′ness, withdrawal from common action or sympathy. [Pfx.a-(—A.S.on), on, andLoof, prob. Dut.loef.SeeLuff.]
Alopecia, al-o-pē′si-a,n.baldness: a skin-disease producing this. [Gr.alopekia, fox-mange.]
Aloud, a-lowd′,adv.with a loud voice: loudly. [Prep.a(—A.S.on), andhlúd, noise; Ger.laut.]
Alow, a-lÅ′,adv.in a low place—opp. toAloft.
Alow, al-low′,adv.(Scot.) ablaze. [Prep.a, andLow, a flame.]
Alp, alp,n.a high mountain:—pl.Alps, specially applied to the lofty ranges of Switzerland.—adjs.Alp′en;Alpine(alp′in, oralp′īn), pertaining to the Alps, or to any lofty mountains: very high.—ns.Al′pinist,Alpes′trian, one devoted to Alpine climbing. [L.; of Celtic origin; cf. Gael.alp, a mountain; allied to L.albus, white (with snow).]
Alpaca, al-pak′a,n.the Peruvian sheep, akin to the llama, having long silken wool: cloth made of its wool. [Sp.alpacaoral-paco, fromal, Arab. article, andpaco, most prob. a Peruvian word.]
Alpenhorn, al′pen-horn,n.a long powerful horn, wide and curved at the mouth, used chiefly by Alpine cowherds.—AlsoAlp′horn. [Gr.Alpen, of the Alps,horn, horn.]
Alpenstock, alp′n-stok,n.a long stick or staff used by travellers in climbing the Alps. [Ger.Alpen, of the Alps;stock, stick.]
Alpha, al′fa,n.the first letter of the Greek alphabet: the first or beginning. [Gr.alpha—Heb.aleph, an ox, the name of the first letter of the Phœnician and Hebrew alphabet. SeeA.]
Alphabet, al′fa-bet,n.the letters of a language arranged in the usual order.—n.AlphabetÄ′rian, one learning his alphabet, a beginner: a student of alphabets.—adjs.Alphabet′ic,-al, relating to or in the order of an alphabet.—adv.Alphabet′ically.—v.t.Al′phabetise, to arrange alphabetically:—pr.p.al′phabetÄ«sing;pa.p.al′phabetÄ«sed. [Gr.alpha,beta, the first two Greek letters.]
Alphonsine, al′fons-īn,adj.of Alphonso (X.) the Wise, king of Castile, pertaining to his planetary tables, completed in 1252.
Already, awl-red′i,adv.previously, or before the time specified.—Sometimes used adjectively = present. [AllandReady.]
Als, an old form ofAlso.
Alsatian, al-sÄ′shi-an,adj.of or pertaining to Alsatia (Ger.Elsass), a province between France and Germany.—n.a rogue or debauchee, such as haunted Alsatia—a cant name for Whitefriars, a district in London between the Thames and Fleet Street, which enjoyed privileges of sanctuary down to 1697, and was consequently infested with lawless characters. See Scott'sFortunes of Nigel.
Also, awl′so,adv.in like manner: further. [Compounded ofallandso; A.S.alandswá.]
Alt, alt,n.high tone, in voice or instrument.—In alt, in the octave above the treble stave beginning with G; (fig.) in an exalted and high-flown mood.
Altaltissimo, alt-al-tis′si-mo,n.the very highest summit. [It. reduplicated comp. ofalto, high, andaltissimo, highest.]
Altar, awlt′ar,n.an elevated place or structure, block or stone, or the like, on which sacrifices were anciently offered: in Christian churches, the table on which the officiating priest consecrates the eucharist: the communion table: (fig.) a place of worship.—ns.Alt′arage, offerings made upon the altar during the offertory, provided for the maintenance of the priest;Alt′ar-cloth, the covering of the altar, placed over and around it, of silk, velvet, satin, or cloth, often used as including the frontal (antependium), and the super-frontal;Alt′arpiece, a decorative screen, retable, or reredos, placed behind an altar—a work of art, whether a sacred painting or sculpture.—n.pl.Alt′ar-rails, rails separating the sacrarium from the rest of the chancel.—ns.Alt′ar-stone, the slab forming the top or chief part of an altar;Alt′ar-tomb, a monumental memorial, in form like an altar, often with a canopy. These were often placed over the vaults or burying-place, and frequently on the north and south walls of choirs, aisles, and chantry chapels.—adj.Alt′arwise, placed like an altar—north and south, at the upper end of the chancel.—Family altar, the practice or the place of private devotional worship in the family;High altar, the principal altar in a cathedral or other church having more than one altar;Portable altar, a small tablet of marble, jasper, or precious stone, used by special license for Mass when said away from the parish altar, in oratories or other similar places. It was termedsuper-altare, because commonly placed upon some other altar, or some fitting construction of wood or stone. [L.altÄre—altus, high.]