Arouse, a-rowz′,v.t.andv.i.same asRouse.—ns.Arouse,Arous′al(rare).
Arow, a-rō′,adv.in a row: one following the other. [Prep.a, andRow.]
Aroynt. Same asAroint.
Arpeggio, är-pej′ō,n.(mus.) a chord of which the notes are given, not simultaneously, but in rapid succession. [It.arpeggiare, to play upon the harp—arpa, harp.]
Arpent, är′pent,n.an old French measure for land still used in Quebec and Louisiana = 100 sq. perches, varying with the perch from 1¼ acre to5⁄6of an acre. [Fr.—L.arepennis, said to be a Gallic word.]
Arquebuse, är′kwi-bus,n.an old-fashioned hand-gun—alsoHar′quebus.—n.Arquebusier′. [Fr.arquebuse—Dut.haakbus—haak, hook, andbus, box, barrel of a gun; Ger.hakenbüchse.]
Arracacha, ar-a-kach′ä,n.an umbelliferous plant with esculent roots, native to the northern parts of South America. [Native Ind. name.]
Arrack, ar′ak,n.an ardent spirit used in the East, procured fromtoddyor the fermented juice of the coco and other palms, as well as from rice andjaggerysugar. [Ar.‛araq, juice.]
Arrah, ar′a,interj.Anglo-Irish expletive of emotion, wonder, &c.
Arraign, ar-rān′,v.t.to call one to account: to put a prisoner upon trial: to accuse publicly.—ns.Arraign′er;Arraign′ing;Arraign′ment. [O. Fr.aresnier—Low L.arrationāre—L.ad, to,rationem, reason.]
Arrange, ar-rānj′,v.t.to set in a rank or row: to put in order: to settle: (mus.) to adapt a composition for instruments or voices for which it was not originally written, as when orchestral or vocal compositions are set for the pianoforte, or the reverse.—v.i.to come to an agreement.—n.Arrange′ment, act of arranging: classification: settlement. [O. Fr.arangier—à(—L.ad, to), andrangier,rengier. SeeRange.]
Arrant, ar′rant,adj.downright, notorious (used in a bad sense): unmitigated.—adv.Ar′rantly. [A variant ofErrant. From its use in phrases like 'arrant thief,' it passed naturally into a general term used with other terms of abuse.]
Arras, ar′ras,n.tapestry: a hanging screen of such hung round the walls of rooms.—p.adj.Ar′rased, covered with arras.—n.Ar′rasene, an embroidery material of wool and silk stitched in like crewels. [FromArrasin Northern France, where first manufactured.]
Arraught, ar-rawt′,adj.(Spens.) seized on by force:—pa.t.andpa.p.ofArreach. [SeeReach.]
Array, ar-rā′,n.order: dress: equipage.—v.t.to put in order: to arrange: to dress, adorn, or equip. [O. Fr.arroi, array, equipage—L.ad, and a Teut. root, found in Eng.Ready, Ger.bereit, A.S.gerǽde, preparation, Dan.rede, order.]
Arrear, ar-rēr′,n.that which is in the rear or behind: that which remains unpaid or undone (used mostly inpl.).—adv.Arrear′, backward, behind.—n.Arrear′age(Shak.), arrears. [O. Fr.arere,ariere(Fr.arrière)—L.ad, to,retro, back, behind.]
Arrect, a-rekt′,adj.upright: erected, as the ears: on the alert. [L.arrectus.]
Arrest, ar-rest′,v.t.to stop: to seize: to catch the attention: to apprehend by legal authority.—n.stoppage: seizure by warrant.—adj.Arrest′able, liable to be arrested.—n.Arrestā′tion, the act of arresting: arrest.—adj.Arrest′ive, with a tendency to arrest.—n.Arrest′ment(law), detention of a person arrested till liberated on bail, or by security: (Scots law) the process which prohibits a debtor from making payment to his creditor until another debt due to the person making use of the arrestment by such creditor is paid. [O. Fr.arester—L.ad, to,restāre, to stand still.]
Arret, ar-ret′, ora-rā′,n.decision: judgment of a tribunal—properly of the king or parliament of France. [Fr.arrêt. SeeArrest.]
Arride, a-rīd′,v.t.(Lamb) to please, gratify. [L.arridē-re.]
Arrière-ban, är′yer-bän, orä-rēr′ban,n.in feudal times, the sovereign's summons to all freemen to take the field: the army thus collected. [O. Fr.ariereban, Old High Ger.hari, army, andban, public proclamation.]
Arris, ar′ris,n.a sharp ridge or edge on stone or metal. [SeeArête.]
Arrive, ar-rīv′,v.i.to reach any place: to attain to any object (withat).—ns.Arrīv′al, the act of arriving: persons or things that arrive;Arrīv′ance(Shak.), company arriving. [O. Fr.ariver—Low L.adripāre—L.ad, to,ripa, a bank.]
Arroba, a-rō′ba,n.a weight of 25 or more pounds, used in Spanish and Portuguese regions. [Ar.]
Arrogate, ar′rog-āt,v.t.to claim as one's own: to claim proudly or unduly.—ns.Ar′rogance,Ar′rogancy, undue assumption of importance.—adj.Ar′rogant, claiming too much: overbearing.—adv.Ar′rogantly.—n.Arrogā′tion, act of arrogating: undue assumption. [L.arrogāre—ad, to,rogāre,-ātum, to ask, to claim.]
Arrondissement, ar-ron′dēs-mäng,n.a subdivision of a French department, comprising a number of communes. [Fr.—arrondir, to make round.]
Arrow, ar′rō,n.a straight, pointed weapon, made to be shot from a bow: any arrow-shaped pin or ornament: the chief shoot of a plant, esp. the flowering stem of the sugar-cane.—n.Ar′row-head, the head or pointed part of an arrow: an aquatic plant native to England, with arrow-shaped leaves rising above the water—reputed good for hydrophobia.—adj.Ar′row-head′ed, shaped like the head of an arrow.—n.Ar′row-shot, the distance traversed by an arrow.—adj.Ar′rowy, of or like arrows. [A.S.earh,arwe; cog. with L.arcus; akin to Ice.ör,örvar.]
Arrowroot, ar′rō-rōōt,n.a starch obtained from the roots of certain plants growing chiefly in West Indies, and much used as food for invalids and children. [Said to be so named because used by the Indians of South America as an antidote against wounds caused by poisonedarrows.]
'Arry, ar′i,n.a jovial vulgar fellow who drops his h's:—fem.'Ar′riet.—adj.'Ar′ryish, in holiday spirits. [From the vulgar Cockney pronunciation ofHarry.]
Arse, ärs,n.the posterior parts of an animal.—adv.andadj.Ars′y-vers′y, backside foremost, contrary. [A.S.ears; Ger.arsch, Sw.ars; cog. with Gr.orros.]
Arsenal, är′se-nal,n.a dock possessing naval stores: a public magazine or manufactory of naval and military stores. [It.arzenale,arsenale(Sp., Fr.arsenal)—Ar.dār aççinā‛ah, workshop;dār, house,al, the,cinā‛ah, art.]
Arsenic, ar′sen-ik,n.one of the chemical elements: a mineral poison: a soft, gray-coloured metal.—ns.Ar′senate,Arsē′niate, a salt of arsenic acid.—adjs.Arsen′ic,-al, composed of or containing arsenic: in chemistry, applied to compounds;Arsē′nious, of or containing arsenic.—n.Ar′senite, a salt of arsenious acid. [Gr.arsenikon,arsen, male; the alchemists fancied some metals male, others female.]
Arsis, ar′sis,n.grammatical term applied to the elevation of the voice to a higher pitch in speaking: (mus.) the strong position in a bar: the strong syllable in English metre:—pl.Ar′sēs. [L.—Gr.arsis—airein, to lift.]
Arson, ärs′on,n.the crime of wilfully burning houses or other buildings.—ns.Ar′sonite,Ar′sonist(rare). [O. Fr.arson—L.arsion-em,ardēre,arsum, to burn.]
Art, ärt, 2d pers. sing. of the present tense of the verbTo be. [A.S.eart.]
Art, ärt,n.practical skill guided by rules: human skill as opposed to nature: skill as applied to subjects of taste, the fine arts—music, painting, sculpture, architecture, and poetry: (pl.) specially used of certain branches of learning to be acquired as necessary for pursuit of higher studies, or for the work of life, as in phrase 'faculty of arts, master of arts:' the rules and methods of doing certain actions: a profession, skilled trade, or craft: contrivance: cunning, artfulness, or address: artifice, special faculty of some kind acquired by practice, skill, dexterity, knack: special faculty of giving expression to æsthetic or artistic quality, as inart-furniture, &c., supposed, by the buyer, in this respect, to justify its price.—adj.Art′ful, full of art: (arch.) dexterous, clever: cunning: produced by art.—adv.Art′fully.—n.Art′fulness.—adj.Art′less, simple: (rare) inartistic: guileless, unaffected.—adv.Art′lessly.—ns.Art′lessness;Arts′man, one who cultivates some practical knowledge: (arch.) a man skilled in arts or in learning.—n.pl.Art′-un′ions, associations having for their object the promotion of an interest in the fine arts.—Art and part, as in the phrase 'to be art and part in,' originally in legal expressions like 'to be concerned in either by art or part'—i.e. either byartin contriving or bypartin actual execution; now loosely used in the sense of participating, sharing.—Useful artsas opposed toFine arts, those in which the hands and body are more concerned than the mind.—ScienceandArtdiffer essentially in their aims—Science, in Mill's words, 'takes cognisance of aphenomenon, and endeavours to ascertain itslaw;Artproposes to itself anend, and looks out for means to effect it.' [L.ars,artis. SeeArm.]
Artemisia, är-tē-miz′i-a,n.a genus of composite plants, with a peculiarly bitter taste, including Wormwood, Southernwood, &c.
Artery, är′tėr-i,n.a tube or vessel which conveys blood from the heart (seeAorta)—also metaphorically: any main channel of communication.—adj.Artēr′ial—v.t.Artēr′ialise, to make arterial.—ns.Artēriot′omy, the cutting or opening of an artery, to let blood;Arterī′tis, inflammation of an artery. [L.—Gr.artēria, orig. the windpipe most probably—Gr.air-ein, to raise. The ancient conception of the artery as an air-duct gave rise to the derivation from Gr.aēr, air.]
Artesian, är-tē′zhan,adj.applied to wells made by boring until water is reached. [FromArtois(L.Artesium), in the north of France, where the oldest known well of this kind in Europe was sunk in 1126.]
Arthritis, ar-thrī′tis,n.inflammation of a joint: gout.—adj.Arthrit′ic, relating to or affecting the joints: gouty. [Gr.arthritikos—arthron, a joint.]
Arthropoda, ar-throp′od-a,n.pl.a great division of the animal kingdom, the body consisting of a definite number of segments, each having a pair of hollow jointed limbs into which the body muscles proceed. It again divides into two great groups—the water-breathers or Branchiata, and the air-breathers or Tracheata.—adj.Arthrop′odal. [Gr.arthron, joint, andpous,pod-os, a foot.]
Artichoke, är′ti-chōk,n.a thistle-like, perennial, eatable plant with large scaly heads, like the cone of the pine, now growing wild in the south of Europe, though probably a native of Asia.—Jerusalem artichoke, a totally different plant, a species of sunflower, bearing tubers like those of the potato, Jerusalem being a corr. of It.girasole('turn-sun'), sunflower. By a quibble on Jerusalem, the soup made from it is calledPalestine soup. [Old It.articiocco(It.carciofo)—Old Sp.alcarchofa—Ar.al-kharshōfa,al-kharshuf. Popular definitions are many—e.g. the plant thatchokesthegardenor theheart.]
Article, ärt′i-kl,n.a separate element, member, or part of anything: a particular substance: a single clause or term: a distinct point in an agreement, or an agreement looked at as complete, as in 'articles of apprenticeship,' &c.: rules or conditions generally: a section of any document: a literary composition in a journal, newspaper, encyclopædia, &c., treating of a subject distinctly and independently: (gram.) the name given to the adjectivesthe(definite article) andaoran(indefinite article).—v.t.to draw up or bind by articles: to indict, charge with specific accusations: bind by articles of apprenticeship.—adj.Artic′ular, belonging to the joints.—Articles of association, regulations for the business of a joint-stock company registered under the Companies Acts;Articles of faith, binding statement of points held by a particular Church;Articles of war, code of regulations for the government and discipline of the army and navy.—In the article of death(L.in articulo mortis), at the point of death.—Lords of the Articles, a standing committee of the Scottish parliament who drafted the measures to be submitted.—The Thirty-nine Articles, the articles of religious belief finally agreed upon by the entire bishops and clergy of the Church of England in 1562. [L.articulus, a little joint—artus, a joint.]
Articulata, är-tik-ū-lā′ta,n.one of the great primary divisions of the animal kingdom, according to Cuvier, including those animals of which the body is divided into a number of distinct joints—viz. the higher worms or Annelids, and also the Insects, Crustaceans, Arachnids, and Myriopods.
Articulate, är-tik′ūl-āt,adj.distinct: clear.—v.t.to joint: to form into distinct sounds, syllables, or words.—v.i.to speak distinctly.—adv.Artic′ulately.—ns.Artic′ulateness;Articulā′tion, a joining as of the bones: part between two joints: distinctness, or distinct utterance: a consonant;Artic′ulator, one who articulates or speaks: one who articulates bones and mounts skeletons. [L.articulāre,-ātum, to furnish with joints, to utter distinctly. SeeArticle.]
Artifice, art′i-fis,n.artificer's work: a contrivance: a trick or fraud.—n.Artif′icer, a workman: an inventor.—adj.Artificial(ärt-i-fish′yal), made by art: not natural: cultivated: not indigenous: feigned: not natural in manners, affected.—v.t.andv.i.Artific′ialise, to render artificial.—ns.Artificial′ity,Artific′ialness.—adv.Artific′ially. [L.artificium—artifex,-ficis, an artificer—ars,artis, andfacĕre, to make.]
Artillery, är-til′ėr-i,n.offensive weapons of war, esp. cannon, mortars, &c.: the men who manage them: a branch of the military service: gunnery.—ns.Artill′erist, one skilled in artillery or gunnery;Artill′ery-man, a soldier of the artillery. [O. Fr.artillerie,artiller, to arm; through a supposed Low L.artillāre—L.ars,artis, art.]
Artiodactyla, är-ti-o-dak′til-a,n.a sub-order of the great mammalian order of Ungulata, having the third digit unsymmetrical in itself, but forming a symmetrical pair with the fourth digit—as distinguished from thePerissodactyla(horse, tapir, rhinoceros), which have the third digit of each limb symmetrical in itself, an odd number of digits on the hind-foot, and at least twenty-two dorso-lumbar vertebræ. The Artiodactyla, again, divide into two groups, the Non-Ruminantia and the Ruminantia.
Artisan, ärt′i-zan,n.one skilled in any art or trade: a mechanic. [Fr.—It.artigiano, ult. from L.artitus, skilled in the arts—ars,artis, art.]
Artist, ärt′ist,n.one who practises an art, esp. one of the fine arts, as painting, sculpture, engraving, or architecture.—adjs.Artist′ic,-al, according to art.—adv.Artist′ically.—n.Art′istry, artistic pursuits: artistic workmanship, quality, or ability. [Fr.artiste, It.artista—L.ars,artis, art.]
Artiste, är-tēst′,n.one dexterous or tasteful in any art, as an opera dancer, a cook, a hairdresser, &c. [Fr.]
Art-union. SeeArt.
Arum, ā′rum,n.a genus of plants represented in England by the Cuckoo-pint or Wake Robin (A. maculatum), whose root yields a wholesome farina known as Portland Sago or Arrowroot. [L.—Gr.aron.]
Arundinaceous, a-run-di-nā′shus,adj.relating to or like a reed.—AlsoArundin′eous. [L.arundinaceus—arundo, a reed.]
Aruspex,Aruspice,Aruspicy. SeeHaruspex.
Arvicola, är-vik′ō-lä,n.the general name of the family of animals to which belong the water-vole and field-vole. [Coined from L.arvum, a field,colĕ-re, to inhabit.]
Ary, ä′ri,e′ri,adj.(prov.) any. [A modification ofe'er aforever a. Cf.Nary.]
Aryan, ar′i-an, orā′ri-an,adj.relating to the family of nations otherwise called Indo-European (comprehending the inhabitants of Europe—except the Basques, Turks, Magyars, and Finns—and those of Armenia, Persia, and North Hindustan), or to their languages—Sanskrit, Zend, Greek, Latin, Celtic, Teutonic, Slavonic, Lettic.—v.t.Aryanise′. [L.arianus, belonging toArianaorAria(Gr.Areia), the east part of Ancient Persia—Sans.Arya(cf. Old Pers.Ariya, andIrān, Persia), often traced to a rootar, plough.]
As, az,adv.,conj., andpron.in that degree, so far,as ... as: the consequent in a co-relation expressing quantity, degree, &c.,as ... as,such ... as,same ... as: since, because: when, while: expressing merely continuation or expansion, for instance: similarly: for example: while: in like manner: that, who, which (aftersuch,same).—As concerning,As to,As for, so far as concerns;As it were, so to speak, in some sort;As much, the same;As well (as), just as much (as), equally (with). [A worn-down form ofall-so, A.S.all-swá, wholly so.]
As, as,n.in Norse mythology, one of the gods, the inhabitants ofAsgard:—pl.Aesir(ā′ser). [Ice.āss, a god (pl.æsir)—A.S.ōs, seen in such proper names asOswold,Osric.]
As, as,n.Latin unit of weight, 12 ounces (L.unciæ): a copper coin, the unit of the early monetary system of Rome.
Asafœtida, as-a-fet′i-da,n.a medicinal gum-resin, having an offensive smell, procured by drying the milky juice which flows from the root of the plantFerula(Narthex)asafœtida. [Pers.azā, mastic, and L.fœtida, stinking.]
Åsar, ē′sar,n.pl.the Swedish name for those long, winding banks and ridges of gravel and sand which occur abundantly in the low grounds of Sweden, supposed to mark the site of sub-glacial streams and rivers.—Theseåsarare the same as the Irisheskarand the Scotchkames.
Asarabacca, as-a-ra-bak′a,n.a European plant, a species ofAsarum, having acrid properties, formerly used in the preparation of snuffs for catarrh, &c. [L.asarum,bacca, a berry.]
Asbestos, az-best′os,n.an incombustible mineral, a variety of hornblende, of a fine fibrous texture, resembling flax: (fig.) anything unquenchable.—adjs.Asbes′tic,Asbes′tous,Asbes′tine, of or like asbestos: incombustible. [Gr.; (lit.) unquenchable—a, neg.,sbestos, extinguished.]
Ascaris, as′ka-ris,n.a genus of parasitic worms, of the familyAscar′idæ, infesting the small intestines. [Gr.askaris, pl.askarides.]
Ascend, as-send′,v.i.to climb or mount up: to rise, literally or figuratively: to go backwards in the order of time.—v.t.to climb or go up on: to mount.—adjs.Ascend′able,Ascend′ible.—Ascending rhythm, in prosody, a rhythm in which the arsis follows the thesis, as an iambic or anapæstic rhythm: opposed todescendingrhythms, as the trochaic and dactylic. [L.ascendĕre,ascensum—ad, andscandĕre, to climb.]
Ascension, as-sen′shun,n.a rising or going up.—adjs.Ascend′ant,-ent, superior: above the horizon.—n.superiority: (astrol.) the part of the ecliptic rising above the horizon at the time of one's birth; it was supposed to have commanding influence over the person's life, hence the phrase, 'in the ascendant:' superiority or great influence: (rare) an ancestor.—n.Ascend′ency, controlling influence—alsoAscend′ancy,Ascend′ance,Ascend′ence(rare).—adj.Ascen′sional, relating to ascension.—n.Ascen′sion-day, the festival held on Holy Thursday, ten days before Whitsunday, to commemorate Christ'sascensionto heaven.—adj.Ascen′sive, rising: causing to rise.—n.Ascent′, act of ascending: upward movement, as of a balloon: way of ascending: degree of elevation or advancement: slope or gradient: a flight of steps.—Line of ascent, ancestry.—Right ascension(astron.), the name applied to one of the arcs which determine the position relatively to the equator of a heavenly body on the celestial sphere, the other being the declinator. [L.ascensio—ascendĕre.]
Ascertain, as-sėr-tān′,v.t.to determine: to obtain certain knowledge of: (rare) to insure, certify, make certain.—adj.Ascertain′able.—n.Ascertain′ment. [O. Fr.acertener. SeeCertain.]
Ascetic, as-set′ik,n.one who rigidly denies himself ordinary sensual gratifications for conscience' sake, one who aims to compass holiness through self-mortification, the flesh being considered as the seat of sin, and therefore to be chastened: a strict hermit.—adjs.Ascet′ic,-al, excessively rigid: austere: recluse.—adv.Ascet′ically.—n.Ascet′icism. [Gr.askētikos(adj.askētēs), one that uses exercises to train himself—askein, to work, take exercise, (eccles.) to mortify the body.]
Ascian, ash′yan,n.name given to the inhabitants of the torrid zone, who are shadowless at certain seasons, from the sun being right over their heads. [Gr.askios, shadowless—a, neg.,skia, a shadow.]
Ascidians, a-sid′i-anz,n.pl.a group belonging to the tunicate Mollusca, forming a class of degenerate survivors of ancestral vertebrates, asymmetrical marine animals with a tubular heart and no feet, of a double-mouthed flask shape, found at low-water mark on the sea-beach.—n.Ascid′ium, a genus of Ascidians: (bot.) a pitcher-shaped, leafy formation, as in theNepenthes. [Gr.askidion, dim. ofaskos, a leathern bag, wine-skin.]
Ascititious.Same asAdscititious.
Asclepiad, as-klē′pi-ad,Asclepiadic,as-klē-pi-ad′ik,n.in ancient prosody, a verse consisting of a spondee, two (or three) choriambi, and an iambus:Asclepiad—adj.Asclepiad′ic. [Asclepiadēs, a Greek poet.]
Asclepiads, as-klē′pi-adz,n.pl.an order of Greek physicians, priests of Asclepius or Æsculapius, the god of medicine. [Gr.asklēpius, Asclepius.]
Asclepias, as-klē′pi-as,n.a genus of plants, native to North America, giving name to the natural order of the Asclepidaceæ, and containing the milk-weed, swallow-wort, &c.
Ascribe, a-skrīb′,v.t.to attribute, impute, or assign.—adj.Ascrib′able.—n.Ascrip′tion, act of ascribing or imputing: any expression of ascribing, or any formula for such, like the one ascribing glory to God repeated at the end of a sermon. [L.ascribĕre,-scriptum—ad, to,scrib-ĕre, to write.]
Aseity, a-sē′i-ti,n.self-origination. [L.a, from,se, self.]
Aseptic, a-sep′tik,adj.not liable to decay or putrefaction.—n.Asep′ticism. [From Gr.a, neg.,sēptos,sēpomai, to decay.]
Asexual, a-seks′ū-al,adj.without sex, once applied to cryptogams—agamic. [Gr.a, neg., andSexual.]
Asgard, as′gärd,n.the heaven of Norse mythology, abode of the twelve gods and twenty-six goddesses, and of heroes slain in battle. [Ice.asgardhr,āss, a god,gardhr, an enclosure.]
Ash, ash,n.a well-known timber tree, or its wood, which is white, tough, and hard, much used in carpentry and wheel-work: the ashen shaft of a spear, or a spear itself.—adj.Ash′en.—n.Ground′-ash, orAsh′-plant, an ash sapling.—Mountain ash, the rowan-tree;Quaking ash, the aspen. [A.S.æsc—Ger.esche, Ice.askr.]
Ashake, a-shāk′,adv. phrase, shaking. [Prep.a, andShake.]
Ashamed, a-shāmd′,adj.affected with shame (withoffor the cause of shame;for, the person).—v.t.andv.i.Ashame′, to feel shame: to put to shame.—n.Ashamed′ness.—p.adj.Asham′ing. [Pa.p. of old verbashame.]
Ashes, ash′ez,n.pl.the dust or remains of anything burnt: the remains of the human body when burnt: (fig.) a dead body: used to express pallor, from the colour of wood-ashes, as in 'pale as ashes,' 'ashy-pale.'—n.Ash′-buck′et, a box or bucket in which house-ashes and general refuse are collected for removal.—adjs.Ash′en,Ash′en-gray.—ns.Ash′ery, a place where potash or pearl-ash is made;Ash′-heap, a heap of ashes and household refuse;Ash′-leach, a tub in which alkaline salts are dissolved from wood-ashes;Ash′-pan, a kind of tray fitted underneath a grate to receive the ashes.—adjs.Ash′y,Ash′y-gray.—To lay in ashes, to destroy utterly by burning. [A.S.asce; Ice.aska.]
Ashet, ash′et,n.(now onlyScot.) a large flat dish in which meat is served. [Fr.assiette.]
Ashiver, a-shiv′ėr,adv. phrase, quivering.
Ashkenazim, ash-kē-naz′im,n.pl.the Polish and German Jews, as distinguished from theSephardim, the Spanish and Portuguese Jews. [Heb.Ashkenaz, the name of a northern people in Gen. x., located in Arabia, by later Jews identified with Germany.]
Ashlar, ash′lar,Ashler,ash′lėr,n.hewn or squared stone used in facing a wall, as distinguished from rough, as it comes from the quarry—also inAsh′lar-work, as opposed toRubble-work.—p.adj.Ash′lared.—n.Ash′laring. [O. Fr.aiseler—L.axillaris,axilla, dim. ofaxis,assis, axle; also plank (cf. Fr.ais, It.asse.]
Ashore, a-shōr′,adv.on shore. [Prep.a, andShore.]
Ash-Wednesday, ash-wenz′dā,n.the first day of Lent, so called from the Roman Catholic custom of sprinkling ashes on the head.
Asian, āzh′yan, orāsh′i-an,Asiatic,ā-zhi-at′ik, orāsh-i-at′ik,adj.belonging to Asia: florid in literature or art.—n.Asiat′icism, imitation of Asiatic or Eastern manners.
Aside, a-sīd′,adv.on or to one side: privately: apart.—n.words spoken in an undertone, so as not to be heard by some person present, words spoken by an actor which the other persons on the stage are supposed not to hear: an indirect effort of any kind.—adj.private, apart.—To set aside, to quash (a judgment).
Asinego, as-i-nē′go,n.(Shak.) a stupid fellow.—AlsoAsini′co. [Sp.asnico—dim. ofasno, L.asinus, ass.]
Asinine, as′in-īn,adj.of or like an ass.—n.Asinin′ity. [SeeAss.]
Ask, ask,v.t.to seek: to request, inquire, beg, question, invite.—v.i.to request: to make inquiry (withaboutandfor—as to ask oneafterorforanother). [A.S.áscian,ácsian; Ger.heischen, Ice.æskja, Sans.esh, to desire.]
Askance, a-skans′,Askant,a-skant′,adv.sideways: awry: obliquely: with a side glance, or with a side meaning.—v.t.(Shak.) to turn aside.—To eye,look, orview askance, to look at with suspicion. [Ety. very obscure; perh. conn. with It.a schiáncio, slopingly, or with Ice.á-ská, as inAskew.]
Askew, a-skū′,adv.obliquely: aside: awry. [SeeAskance.]
Aslake, a-slāk′,v.t.(arch.) to slake: to mitigate. [Prep.a, andSlake.]
Aslant, a-slant′,adj.oradv.obliquely.—AlsoAsklent′(Scot.).
Asleep, a-slēp′,adj.oradv.in sleep: sleeping: in the sleep of death, dead. [Prep.a, andSleep.]
Aslope, a-slōp′,adj.oradv.on the slope.
Asmoulder, a-smōl′der,adv. phrase, smouldering.
Asnort, a-snort′,adv. phrase, snorting. [Prep.a, andSnort.]
Asp, asp,Aspic, asp′ik,n.a popular name applied loosely to various genera of venomous serpents—now chiefly to theVipera aspisof Southern Europe. Cleopatra's asp was probably the smallVipera hasselquistii, or horned viper: the biblical asp (Heb.pethen) was probably the Egyptian juggler's snake (Naja haje). [L.—Gr.aspis.]
Asparagus, as-par′a-gus,n.a plant cultivated for its young shoots, esteemed as a table delicacy.—n.Aspar′agine, a nitrogenised crystallised substance found in asparagus and other vegetables.—Sparrow-grasswas long the form of the word in English. [L.—Gr.asparagos.]
Aspect, as′pekt (inShak.and elsewhere,as-pekt′),n.look: view: appearance, also applied figuratively to the mind: position in relation to the points of the compass: the situation of one planet with respect to another, as seen from the earth.—v.i.(obs.) to look at.—adj.As′pectable, visible, worth looking at. [L.aspectus—ad, at,specĕre, to look.]
Aspen, asp′en,n.the trembling poplar.—adj.made of or like the aspen: tremulous: timorous.—adj.As′pen-like. [A.S.æspe, Ger.espe.]
Asper, as′pėr,n.a small silver Turkish coin.
Asperated. SeeAspirate.
Asperges, as-per′jes,n.a short service introductory to the mass, so called from the wordsAsperges me, Domine, hyssopo et mundabor(Ps. li.).
Aspergill,-um, as′pėr-jil, -um,n.a kind of brush used in R.C. churches for sprinkling holy water on the people.—AlsoAsperge′,Asper′soir. [L.aspergĕre, to sprinkle, and dim. suffix.]
Aspergillum, as-pėr-jil′um,n.a remarkable genus of boring Lamellibranch Molluscs, in which the shell has the form of an elongated cone, terminating at the lower end in a disc, pierced by numerous small tubular holes.—n.Aspergil′lus, the name of a genus of minute fungi or moulds occurring on decaying substances of various kinds.
Asperity, as-per′i-ti,n.roughness: harshness: bitter coldness. [L.asperitat-em,asper, rough.]
Aspermous, a-spėr′mus,Aspermatous,a-spėr′ma-tus,adj.without seeds. [Gr.a, neg.,sperma, seed.]
Asperse, as-pėrs′,v.t.to slander or calumniate: to bespatter (with).—n.Asper′sion, calumny: slander: (Shak.) a shower or spray.—adjs.Aspers′ive,Aspers′ory, tending to asperse: defamatory.
Aspersorium, as-per-sōr′i-um,n.a vessel used in R.C. churches for holding holy water.
Asphalt, as-falt′, oras′falt,Asphaltum,as-falt′um,n.a black or dark-brown, hard, bituminous substance, anciently used as a cement, and now for paving, cisterns, water-pipes, &c.—v.t.Asphalt′, to lay or cover with asphalt.—adj.Asphalt′ic. [Gr.asphaltos, from an Eastern word.]
Aspheterism, as-fet′er-izm,n.(Southey) denial of the right of private property.—v.i.Asphet′erise. [Gr.a, neg., andspheteros, one's own.]
Asphodel, as′fo-del,n.a kind of lily—in Greek mythology, the peculiar plant of the dead. In Greece they cover the bleakest hillsides with enduring blossom.—adj.Elysian. [Gr.asphodelos, a plant of the lily kind; cf. Homer'sasphodelos leimōn, the meadow of the dead. SeeDaffodil.]
Asphyxia, as-fik′si-a,n.(lit.) suspended animation, suffocation, when the blood is in such a state as to render impossible a sufficiently free exchange of carbonic acid for oxygen—alsoAsphyx′y.—n.Asphyx′iant, a chemical substance which produces asphyxia.—adj.Asphyx′iāted.—ns.Asphyxiā′tion;Asphyx′iātor. [Gr., a stopping of the pulse—a, neg.,sphyxis, the pulse.]
Aspic,Aspick, as′pik,n.(poet.) a venomous serpent. [SeeAsp.]
Aspic, as′pik,n.a savoury meat-jelly containing fish, game, hard-boiled eggs, &c. [Littré suggests its derivation fromaspic, asp, because it is 'cold as an aspic,' a French proverb.]
Aspirant, as-pīr′ant, oras′pir-ant,n.one who aspires (withafter,for): a candidate.—adj.ambitious: mounting up (rarein both senses). [SeeAspire.]
Aspirate, as′pir-āt,v.t.to pronounce with a full breathing, as the letterhinhouse.—n.a mark of aspiration, the rough breathing in Greek (‛): an aspirated letter.—p.adj.As′perated, made harsh.—ns.Aspirā′tion, pronunciation of a letter with a full breathing: an aspirated sound (like Gr.ch,th, &c.): drawing air in;Aspirā′tor, an apparatus for drawing air or other gases through bottles or other vessels: (med.) an instrument for removing fluids from the cavities of the body.—adj.Aspīr′atory, relating to breathing.—To drop one's aspirates, not to pronounceh, a mark of imperfect education or humble social standing. [SeeAspire.]
Aspire, as-pīr′ (followed bytoorafterwith the object, or by an infinitive),v.i.to desire eagerly: to aim at high things: to tower up.—n.Aspirā′tion, eager desire.—adj.Aspīr′ing.—adv.Aspīr′ingly.—n.Aspīr′ingness. [Fr.—L.aspirāre,-ātum—ad, to,spirāre, to breathe.]
Asplenium, as-plē′ni-um,n.spleenwort, a genus of ferns, mostly tropical, with long or linearsori, withindusiumarising laterally from above a vein—including the lady-fern, black maiden-hair, &c. [Gr.asplēnion.]
Asport, as-pōrt′,v.t.(rare) to carry away, esp. in a bad sense.—n.Asportā′tion, feloniously carrying away. [L.asportāre—abs, away, andportāre, to carry.]
Aspout, a-spowt′,adv. phrase, spouting.
Asprawl, a-sprawl′,adv. phrase, sprawling.
Aspread, a-spred′,adv. phrase, spread out.
Asprout, a-sprowt′,adv. phrase, sprouting.
Asquat, a-skwät′,adv. phrase, squatting.
Asquint, a-skwint′,adv.andadj.towards the corner of the eye: obliquely.
Ass, as,n.a well-known quadruped of the horse family: (fig.) a dull, stupid fellow.—Asses' bridge, orPons asinorum, a humorous name for the fifth proposition of the first book of Euclid. [A.S.assa, the earlier Teutonic form beingesol,esil(Goth.asilus)—L.asinus; Gr.onos, ass. Perh. ult. of Semitic origin, as in Heb.āthōn, a she-ass.]
Assafetida. Same asAsafœtida.
Various forms of Assagais.
Assagai,Assegai, as′sa-gī,n.a slender spear of hard wood, tipped with iron, some for hurling, some for thrusting with—used by the South African tribes, notably the war-like Zulus.—v.t.to kill or slay with an assagai. [Through Fr. or Port. from Ar.azzaghāyah,az=al, thezaghāyah, a Berber word.]
Assail, as-sāl′,v.t.to assault: to attack.—adj.Assail′able.—ns.Assail′ant, one who assails or attacks;Assail′ment. [O. Fr.asaillir—L.assilīre—ad, upon, andsalīre, to leap.]
Assassin, as-as′in,n.one who, usually for a reward, kills by surprise or secretly.—v.t.Assas′sinate, to murder by surprise or secret assault: (Milton) to maltreat: also figuratively, to destroy by treacherous means, as a reputation.—n.(obs.) one who assassinates.—ns.Assassinā′tion, secret murder;Assas′sinator. [Through Fr. or It. from Ar.hashshāshīn, 'hashish-eaters,' a military and religious order in Syria, of the 11th century, who became notorious for their secret murders in obedience to the will of their chief, and fortified themselves for their adventures byhashish, an intoxicating drug or drink made from hemp.]
Assault, as-sawlt′,n.a sudden attack: a storming, as of a town: (Eng. law) unlawful attempt to apply force to the person of another—when force is actually applied, the act amounts tobattery: an attack of any sort by arguments, appeals, &c.—v.t.to make an assault or attack upon: (law) to make an assault.—n.Assault′er.—Assault at arms, a display of attack and defence in fencing. [O. Fr.asaut—L.ad, upon,saltus, a leap,salīre, to leap. SeeAssail.]
Assay, as-sā′,v.t.to determine the proportions of a metal in an ore or alloy: endeavour (more usuallyEssay): (Spens.) to affect or move: (Shak.) to put one to the proof, as to accost with a particular purpose, to measure swords with another, &c.: (poet.) put to proof, examine by trial.—v.i.to attempt.—n.the determination of the quantity of metal in an ore or alloy: the trial of anything, as in the ancient custom of tasting the drink before handing it to a king or noble: an attempt or endeavour: probation or trial: (Spens.) ascertained purity.—ns.Assay′er, one who assays, esp. metals;Assay′ing, the process of assaying or determining the proportion of pure metal in an ore or alloy;Assay′-mas′ter, the officer who determines the amount of gold or silver in coin or bullion. [O. Fr.assayer, n.assai. SeeEssay.]
Assegai,Assegay. Same asAssagai.
Assemble, as-sem′bl,v.t.to call or bring together: to collect.—v.i.to meet together.—ns.Assem′blage, a collection of persons or things;Assem′blance(Spens.), an assembling: (Shak.) semblance: representation;Assem′bly, the act of assembling: the company so assembled: a gathering of persons for any purpose, as for religious worship or social entertainment: specially applied to the lower house of the legislature in some of the United States and British colonies: (mil.) a drum-beat, esp. that before a march, upon which the soldiers strike their tents;Assem′bly-room, a room in which persons assemble, especially for dancing.—General Assembly, in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, the highest court of the Presbyterian Church;Legislative Assembly, in many of the British colonies, the title of the lower house of the legislature;National Assembly, the first of the revolutionary assemblies in France, which sat 1789-91—also called theConstituent Assembly, superseded in 1791 by the Legislative Assembly. [Fr.assembler—Late L.assimulāre, to bring together,ad, to,similis, like. SeeAssimilate.]
Assent, as-sent′,v.i.to think or concur with, to admit as true (withto).—n.an agreeing or acquiescence: compliance.—adj.Assentā′neous, ready to agree.—ns.Assent′er,Assent′or, one of the eight voters who indorse the proposer and seconder's nomination of a candidate for election to the parliament of the United Kingdom.—adjs.Assen′tient,Assent′ive.—adv.Assent′ingly.—n.Assent′iveness.—Royal Assent, in England, the sovereign's formal acquiescence in a measure which has passed the two Houses of Parliament. [O. Fr.asenter, assent—L.assentāre,assentīre, L.ad, to,sentīre, to think.]
Assentation, as-sen-tā′shun,n.obsequious assent, adulation.—n.As′sentator(obs.).—adv.Assent′atorily(obs.). [L.assentāri, to flatter, freq. ofassentīri, assent, agree.]
Assert, as-sėrt′,v.t.to vindicate or defend by arguments or measures (now used only of the cause as object or reflexive): to declare strongly: to lay claim to or insist upon anything: to affirm: (rare) to bear evidence of.—adj.Assert′able.—ns.Assert′er,Assert′or, a champion, one who makes a positive statement;Asser′tion, affirmation: the act of claiming one's rights: averment.—adj.Assert′ive, asserting or confirming confidently: positive: dogmatic.—adv.Assert′ively.—n.Assert′iveness.—adj.Assert′ory, affirmative.—To assert one's self, to defend one's rights or opinions, sometimes with unnecessary zeal, to thrust one's self forward. [L.asserĕre(superl.assertum),aliquem manu in libertatem, to lay hands on a slave in token of manumission, hence to protect, affirm, declare—ad, to, andserĕre, to join. Cf.Series.]
Assess, as-ses′,v.t.to fix the amount of, as a tax (withupon): to tax or fine: to fix the value or profits of, for taxation (withat): to estimate.—adj.Assess′able.—ns.Assess′ment, act of assessing: a valuation for the purpose of taxation: a tax;Assess′or, a legal adviser who sits beside a magistrate: one who assesses taxes: one who shares another's dignity.—adj.Assessō′rial.—n.Assess′orship. [Fr.—L.assessāre, freq. ofassidēre,assessum, to sit by, esp. of judges in a court, fromad, to, at,sedēre, to sit.]
Assets, as′sets,n.pl.the property of a deceased or insolvent person, considered as chargeable for all debts, &c.: the entire property of all sorts belonging to a merchant or to a trading association. [From the Anglo-Fr. law phraseaver assetz, to have sufficient, O. Fr.asez, enough—L.ad, to,satis, enough.]
Asseverate, as-sev′ėr-āt,v.t.to declare solemnly—an earlier form isAssev′er.—adv.Asseverat′ingly.—n.Asseverā′tion, any solemn affirmation or confirmation. [L.asseverāre,-ātum—ad, to,severus, serious. SeeSevere.]
Assiduity, as-sid-ū′i-ti,n.constant application or diligence: (pl.) constant attentions, as to a lady.—adj.Assid′uous, constant or unwearied in application: diligent.—adv.Assid′uously.—n.Assid′uousness. [L.assiduitas—assiduus, sitting close at—ad, to, at,sedēre, to sit.]
Assiege, as-sēj′,v.t.(Spens.) to besiege. [SeeSiege.]
Assiento, as-ē-en′to,n.a word especially applied to an exclusive contract between Spain and some foreign nation for the supply of African slaves for its American possessions. [Sp., a seat, a seat in a court, a treaty.]
Assign, as-sīn′,v.t.to sign or mark out to one: to allot: to appoint: to allege: to transfer: to ascribe or refer to: to suggest: to fix, as a time: to point out exactly.—n.one to whom any property or right is made over: (pl.) appendages (Shak.).—adj.Assign′able, that may be assigned.—ns.Assignā′tion, an appointment to meet, used chiefly of love-trysts, and mostly in a bad sense: (Scots law) the making over of any right to another, equivalent toAssignment;Assignee(as-sin-ē′), one to whom any right or property is assigned: (pl.) the trustees of a sequestrated estate;Assign′ment, act of assigning: anything assigned: the writing by which a transfer is made: (Spens.) design. [Fr.—L.assignāre, to mark out—ad, to,signum, a mark or sign.]
Assignat, as-sin-yä′,n.one of the notes (chiefly for 100 francs = £4 each) in the paper currency first issued in 1790 by the French revolutionary government as bonds on the security of the appropriated church lands.
Assimilate, as-sim′il-āt,v.t.to make similar or like to: to convert into a like substance, as food in our bodies (withto,with).—v.i.to become like, or to be incorporated in.—n.Assim′ilability(Coleridge).—adj.Assim′ilable.—n.Assimilā′tion.—adj.Assim′ilātive, having the power or tendency to assimilate. [L.assimilāre,-ātum—ad, to,similis, like.]
Assist, as-sist′,v.t.to help.—v.i.to be present at a ceremony: (Shak.) to accompany.—n.Assist′ance, help: relief.—adj.Assist′ant, helping or lending aid.—n.one who assists: a helper. [L.assistĕre, to stand by—ad, to,sistĕre.]
Assize, as-sīz′,v.t.to assess: to set or fix the quantity or price.—n.a statute settling the weight, measure, or price of anything: (Scot.) a trial by jury, the jury: judgment, sentence, the Last Judgment: (pl.) the sessions or sittings of a court held periodically in English counties, at which causes are tried by judges of the High Court of Justice on circuit and a jury.—n.Assiz′er, an officer who inspects weights and measures. [O. Fr.assise, an assembly of judges, a set rate—asseoir—L.assidēre.]
Associate, as-sō′shi-āt,v.t.to join with, as a friend or partner: to unite in the same body.—v.i.to keep company (with): to combine or unite.—ns.Associabil′ity,Assō′ciableness.—adjs.Assō′ciable, that may be joined or associated: sociable: companionable;Assō′ciate, joined or connected with.—n.one joined or connected with another: a companion, friend, partner, or ally.—ns.Assō′ciateship, office of an associate;Associā′tion, act of associating: union or combination: a society of persons joined together to promote some object.—adj.Assō′ciātive, tending to association.—Association football, the game as formulated by the Football Association (formed in 1863).—Association (of Ideas), applied to laws of mental combination which facilitate recollection: similarity: contiguity, repetition. [L.associātum,associāre—ad, tosocius, a companion.]
Assoil, as-soil′,v.t.to loosen from: to absolve or acquit: to solve: (Spens.) to remove, to let loose, to renew, to get rid of.—n.Assoil′ment. [Through Fr. from L.—L.ab, from,solvĕre, to loose.]
Assoil, as-soil′,v.t.to soil, stain, or make dirty. [L.ad, andSoil. SeeSoil(2).]
Assoilzie, as-soil′yē,v.i.to free one accused from a charge: a Scots law term, the same as the archaicassoil, to absolve from sin, discharge, pardon. SeeAbsolvitor, underAbsolve. [Through Fr. from L.absolvĕre.]
Assonance, as′son-ans,n.a correspondence in sound: in Spanish and Portuguese poetry, a kind of rhyme, consisting in the coincidence of the vowels of the corresponding syllables, without regard to the consonants, as inmateandshape,feelandneed.—adjs.As′ssonant, resembling in sound;As′sonantal,As′sonantic.—v.t.As′sonate, to correspond in sound. [Fr.—L.assonāre,as=ad-, to,sonāre, to sound.]
Assort, as-sort′,v.t.to separate into classes: to arrange.—v.i.to agree or be in accordance with: to fall into a class with, suit well with: (arch.) to keep company with.—p.adj.Assort′ed, classified, arranged in sorts.—ns.Assort′edness;Assort′ment, act of assorting: a quantity or number of things assorted: variety. [Fr.assortir—L.ad, to,sors, a lot.]
Assot, as-sot′,v.t.(Spens.) to besot, to infatuate.—p.adj.Assot′, orAssot′ted(Spens.), infatuated. [O. Fr.asoter—à, to,sot, foolish. SeeSot.]
Assuage, as-swāj′,v.t.to soften, mitigate, or allay.—v.i.to abate or subside: to diminish.—n.Assuage′ment, abatement: mitigation.—adj.Assuā′sive, softening, mild. [O. Fr., formed as if from a L.assuaviāre—ad, to,suavis, mild.]
Assubjugate, as-sub′jōō-gāt,v.t.(Shak.) to reduce to subjugation.
Assuefaction, as-wē-fak′shun,n.(Sir T. Browne) the act of accustoming, habituation. [L.assuefacĕre—assuetus, accustomed, andfacĕre, to make.]
Assuetude, as′wē-tūd,n.(obs.) custom, habit. [L.assuetus.]
Assume, as-sūm′,v.t.to adopt, take in: to take up, to take upon one's self: to take for granted: to arrogate: to pretend to possess.—v.i.to claim unduly: to be arrogant.—adjs.Assum′able,Assump′tive, that may be assumed.—adv.Assum′ably, presumably.—adj.Assumed′, appropriated, usurped: pretended: taken as the basis of argument.—advs.Assum′edly,Assum′ingly.—adj.Assum′ing, haughty: arrogant. [L.assumĕre—ad, to,sumĕre,sumptum, to take.]
Assumpsit, a-sump′sit,n.an action at law, wherein the plaintiff asserts that the defendant undertook (L.assumpsit) to do a certain act and failed to fulfil his promise: in the United States, the most common form of action.
Assumption, as-sum′shun,n.act of assuming: a supposition: the thing supposed, a proposition: (logic) the minor premise in a syllogism.—Assumption of the Virgin, a church festival kept on the 15th of August, based on the notion that after the death of Mary, her soul and body were preserved from corruption and taken up to heaven by Christ and His angels.—Deed of assumption(Scots law), a deed executed by trustees under a trust-deed assuming a new trustee or settlement. [L. SeeAssume.]
Assure, a-shōōr′,v.t.to make sure or secure: to give confidence: (Shak.) to betroth: to tell positively: to insure.—adj.Assur′able.—n.Assur′ance, confidence: feeling of certainty: self-reliance: impudence: positive declaration: insurance, as applied to lives: the securing of a title to property: (theol.) subjective certainty of one's salvation: a solemn declaration or promise, a certain proof: surety, warrant.—adj.Assured′, certain: without doubt: insured: overbold.—adv.Assur′edly.—ns.Assur′edness;Assur′er, one who gives assurance: an insurer or underwriter: one who insures his life. [O. Fr.aseürer(Fr.assurer)—Late L.adsecurāre—ad, to,securus, safe. SeeSure.]
Assurgent, as-ur′jent,adj.rising, ascending: (bot.) rising in a curve to an erect position: (her.) of a bearing depicted as rising from the sea.—n.Assur′gency, the tendency to rise.
Asswage. A form ofAssuage.
Assyrian, as-sir′i-an,adj.belonging to Assyria.—n.an inhabitant of Assyria: the language of Assyria.—ns.Assyriol′ogist;Assyriol′ogy, the science of Assyrian antiquities. [Gr.Assurios—Assuria, Assyria.]
Astare, a-stār′,adv. phrase, staring.
Astart, a-start′,v.i.(Spens.) to start up suddenly: to happen, fall out.—adv.with a start, suddenly. [Pfx.a-, andStart.]
Astatic, a-stat′ik,adj.having a tendency not to stand still: losing polarity, as a magnetic needle. [Gr. neg.,astatos—a, neg.,statos, verb. adj. ofhistanai, to stand.]
Astay, a-stā′,adv.applied to an anchor when, in lifting it, the cable forms such an angle with the surface of the water as to appear in a line with the stays of the ship. [Prep.a, on, andStay.]
Aster, as′tėr,n.a genus of plants of the natural order Compositæ, with showy radiated flowers varying from white to lilac-blue or purple, mostly perennial, flowering in late summer and autumn, hence often called in England Michaelmas or Christmas daisies.—China aster, the best-known and most valued of the family, brought from China to France by a missionary in the 18th century. [Gr.astēr, a star.]
Asterias, as-tēr′i-as,n.a genus of Echinoderms, containing the common five-rayed starfish. [Gr.astērias, a fish—astēr, a star.]
Asterisk, as′tėr-isk,n.a star, used in printing as a reference to a note at the bottom or on the margin of the page, and sometimes as a mark of the omission of words, thus *.—n.As′terism, a group or collection of small stars: a constellation: three asterisks placed to direct attention to a passage: a property of some minerals which show a star-shaped luminous figure when viewed by reflected light—e.g. the asteriated sapphire. [Gr.asteriskos, dim. ofaster, a star.]
Astern, a-stėrn′,adv.in the stern: towards the hinder part of a ship: behind. [Prep.a, andStern.]
Asteroid, as′tėr-oid,n.one of the minor planetary bodies revolving between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.—adj.Asteroid′al. [Gr.astēr, a star,eidos, form.]
Astert, a-stėrt′. Same asAstart.
Asthenia, as-thē-nī′a,n.debility, lack of strength.—adj.Asthen′ic[Gr.a, priv., andsthenos, strength.]
Asthma, ast′ma,n.a chronic disorder of the organs of respiration, characterised by the occurrence of paroxysms in which the breathing becomes difficult, and accompanied by wheezing and a distressing feeling of tightness in the chest.—adjs.Asthmat′ic,-al, pertaining to or affected by asthma.—adv.Asthmat′ically. [Gr.asthma,asthmat-os—az-ein, to breathe hard,a-ein, to blow.]
Astigmatism, a-stig′ma-tizm,n.a defective condition of the eye, in which rays proceeding to the eye from one point are not correctly brought to a focus atonepoint.—adj.Astigmat′ic. [Gr.a, neg., andstigma,stigmat-os, a point.]
Astir, a-stir′,prep. phr.oradv.on the move, out of bed, in motion or excitement. [Prep.a, andStir.]
Astomatous, as-tom′a-tus,adj.having no mouth, used of a division of the protozoa.
Astonish, as-ton′ish,v.t.to impress with sudden surprise or wonder: to amaze: (Shak.) to stun—older formAston′y, whence thep.adj.Aston′ied, dazed, bewildered, greatly astonished.—Aston′,Astun′,Astoned′,Astunned′, are obsolete.—p.adj.Aston′ished, amazed: (obs.) stunned.—adj.Aston′ishing, very wonderful, amazing.—adv.Aston′ishingly.—n.Aston′ishment, amazement: wonder: a cause for astonishment. [From the earlier form,Astone; O. Fr.estoner; L.attonāre, to strike with a thunderbolt.]
Astound, as-townd′,v.t.to amaze, to strike dumb with astonishment:—pa.p.astound′ed;pr.p.astound′ing.—pa.p.Astound′(arch.).—p.adj.Astound′ing. [Astound(adj.) is developed fromAstoned, hence the verb is a doublet ofAstonish.]
Astraddle, a-strad′dl,adv.sitting astride. [Prep.a, on, andStraddle.]