Defn: Altering; gradually changing. Bacon.
ALTERANTAl"ter*ant, n.
Defn: An alterative. [R.] Chambers.
ALTERATIONAl`ter*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. altération.]
1. The act of altering or making different. Alteration, though it be from worse to better, hath in it incoveniences. Hooker.
2. The state of being altered; a change made in the form or nature of a thing; changed condition. Ere long might perceive Strange alteration in me. Milton. Appius Claudius admitted to the senate the sons of those who had been slaves; by which, and succeeding alterations, that council degenerated into a most corrupt. Swift.
ALTERATIVEAl"ter*a*tive, a. Etym: [L. alterativus: cf. F. altératif.]
Defn: Causing ateration. Specifically:
Defn: Gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid state of the functions into one of health. Burton.
ALTERATIVEAl"ter*a*tive, n.
Defn: A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.
ALTERCATEAl"ter*cate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Altercated; p. pr. & vb. n.Altercating.] Etym: [L. altercatus, p. p. of altercare, altercari,fr. alter another. See Alter.]
Defn: The contend in words; to dispute with zeal, heat, or anger; to wrangle.
ALTERCATIONAl`ter*ca"tion, n. Etym: [F. altercation, fr. L. altercatio.]
Defn: Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest. "Stormy altercations." Macaulay.
Syn. — Altercation, Dispute, Wrangle. The term dispute is in most cases, but not necessarily, applied to a verbal contest; as, a dispute on the lawfulness of war. An altercation is an angry dispute between two parties, involving an interchange of severe language. A wrangle is a confused and noisy altercation. Their whole life was little else than a perpetual wrangling and altercation. Hakewill.
ALTERCATIVEAl"ter*ca*tive, a.
Defn: Characterized by wrangling; scolding. [R.] Fielding.
ALTERITYAl*ter"i*ty, n. Etym: [F. altérité.]
Defn: The state or quality of being other; a being otherwise. [R.] For outness is but the feeling of otherness (alterity) rendered intuitive, or alterity visually represented. Coleridge.
ALTERNAl"tern, a. Etym: [L. alternus, fr. alter another: cf. F. alterne.]
Defn: Acting by turns; alternate. Milton. Altern base (Trig.), a second side made base, in distinction from a side previously regarded as base.
ALTERNACYAl*ter"na*cy, n.
Defn: Alternateness; alternation. [R.] Mitford.
ALTERNANTAl*ter"nant, a. Etym: [L. alternans, p. pr.: cf. F. alternant. SeeAlternate, v. t.] (Geol.)
Defn: Composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.
ALTERNATAl`ter`nat", n. [F.]
Defn: A usage, among diplomats, of rotation in precedence among representatives of equal rank, sometimes determined by lot and at other times in regular order. The practice obtains in the signing of treaties and conventions between nations.
ALTERNATE Al*ter"nate, a. Etym: [L. alternatus, p. p. of alternate, fr. alternus. See Altern, Alter.]
1. Being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal. And bid alternate passions fall and rise. Pope.
2. Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second; as, the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. ; read every alternate line.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence. Gray. Alternate alligation. See Alligation. — Alternate angles (Geom.), the internal and angles made by two lines with a third, on opposite sides of it. It the parallels AB, CD, are cut by the line EF, the angles AGH, GHD, as also the angles BGH and GHC, are called alternate angles. — Alternate generation. (Biol.) See under Generation.
ALTERNATEAl*ter"nate, n.
1. That which alternates with something else; vicissitude. [R.] Grateful alternates of substantial. Prior.
2. A substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
3. (Math.)
Defn: A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
ALTERNATEAl"ter*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alternated; p. pr. & vb. n.Alternating.] Etym: [L. alternatus, p. p. of alternare. See Altern.]
Defn: To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly. The most high God, in all things appertaining unto this life, for sundry wise ends alternates the disposition of good and evil. Grew.
ALTERNATEAl"ter*nate, v. i.
1. To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; — followed by with; as, the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other. Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast. J. Philips. Different species alternating with each other. Kirwan.
2. To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.
ALTERNATELYAl*ter"nate*ly, adv.
1. In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in alternate order.
2. (Math.)
Defn: By alternation; when, in a proportion, the antecedent term is compared with antecedent, and consequent.
ALTERNATENESSAl*ter"nate*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being alternate, or of following by turns.
ALTERNATING CURRENTAl"ter*nat`ing cur"rent. (Elec.)
Defn: A current which periodically changes or reverses its direction of flow.
ALTERNATIONAl`ter*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. alternatio: cf. F. alternation.]
1. The reciprocal succession of things in time or place; the act of following and being followed by turns; alternate succession, performance, or occurrence; as, the alternation of day and night, cold and heat, summer and winter, hope and fear.
2. (Math.)
Defn: Permutation.
3. The response of the congregation speaking alternately with the minister. Mason. Alternation of generation. See under Generation.
ALTERNATIVEAl*ter"na*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. alternatif.]
1. Offering a choice of two things.
2. Disjunctive; as, an alternative conjunction.
3. Alternate; reciprocal. [Obs.] Holland.
ALTERNATIVEAl*ter"na*tive, n. Etym: [Cf. F. alternative, LL. alternativa.]
1. An offer of two things, one of which may be chosen, but not both; a choice between two things, so that if one is taken, the other must be left. There is something else than the mere alternative of absolute destruction or unreformed existence. Burke.
2. Either of two things or propositions offered to one's choice. Thus when two things offer a choice of one only, the two things are called alternatives. Having to choose between two alternatives, safety and war, you obstinately prefer the worse. Jowett (Thucyd. ).
3. The course of action or the thing offered in place of another. If this demand is refused the alternative is war. Lewis. With no alternative but death. Longfellow.
4. A choice between more than two things; one of several thingsoffered to choose among.My decided preference is for the fourth and last of thalternatives.Gladstone.
ALTERNATIVELYAl*ter"na*tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In the manner of alternatives, or that admits the choice of one out of two things.
ALTERNATIVENESSAl*ter"na*tive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being alternative, or of offering a choice between two.
ALTERNATORAl"ter*na`tor, n. (Elec.)
Defn: An electric generator or dynamo for producing alternating currents.
ALTERNITYAl*ter"ni*ty, n. Etym: [LL. alternitas.]
Defn: Succession by turns; alternation. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
ALTHAEA; ALTHEA Al*thæ"a, Al*the"a, n. Etym: [althaea, Gr. (Bot.) (a) A genus of plants of the Mallow family. It includes the officinal marsh mallow, and the garden hollyhocks. (b) An ornamental shrub (Hibiscus Syriacus) of the Mallow family.
ALTHEINEAl*the"ine, n. (Chem.)
Defn: Asparagine.
ALTHING Al"thing, n. [Icel. (modern) alping, earlier alpingi; allr all + ping assembly. See All, and Thing.]
Defn: The national assembly or parliament of Iceland. See Thing, n., 8.
ALTHOAl*tho", conj.
Defn: Although. [Reformed spelling] Alt"horn`, n. Etym: [Alt + horn.](Mus.)
Defn: An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in military music, often replacing the French horn. Grove.
ALTHORNAlt"horn`, n. [Alt + horn.] (Mus.)
Defn: An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in military music, often replacing the French horn. Grove.
ALTHOUGHAl*though", conj. Etym: [All + though; OE. al thagh.]
Defn: Grant all this; be it that; supposing that; notwithstanding;though.Although all shall be offended, yet will no I. Mark xiv. 29.
Syn. — Although, Though. Although, which originally was perhaps more emphatic than though, is now interchangeable with it in the sense given above. Euphonic consideration determines the choice.
ALTILOQUENCEAl*til"o*quence, n.
Defn: Lofty speech; pompous language. [R.] Bailey.
ALTILOQUENT Al*til"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. altus (adv. alte) high + loquens, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]
Defn: High-sounding; pompous in speech. [R.] Bailey.
ALTIMETER Al*tim"e*ter, n. Etym: [LL. altimeter; altus high + metrum, Gr. altimètre.]
Defn: An instrument for taking altitudes, as a quadrant, sextant, etc. Knight.
ALTIMETRYAl*tim"e*try, n. Etym: [Cf. F. altimétrie.]
Defn: The art of measuring altitudes, or heights.
ALTINCARAl*tin"car, n.
Defn: See Tincal.
ALTISCOPEAl"ti*scope, n. Etym: [L. altus high + Gr.
Defn: An arrangement of lenses and mirrors which enables a person to see an object in spite of intervening objects.
ALTISONANT Al*tis"o*nant, a. Etym: [L. altus high + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to sound.]
Defn: High-sounding; lofty or pompous. Skelton.
ALTISONOUSAl*tis"o*nous, a. Etym: [L. altisonus.]
Defn: Altisonant.
ALTISSIMOAl*tis"si*mo, n. Etym: [It.; superl. of alto.] (Mus.)
Defn: The part or notes situated above F in alt.
ALTITUDEAl"ti*tude, n. Etym: [L. altitudo, fr. altus high. Cf. Altar,Haughty, Enhance.]
1. Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: The elevation of a point, or star, or other celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and the horizon. It is either true or apparent; true when measured from the rational or real horizon, apparent when from the sensible or apparent horizon.
3. (Geom.)
Defn: The perpendicular distance from the base of a figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base; as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram, frustum, etc.
4. Height of degree; highest point or degree. He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue. Shak.
5. Height of rank or excellence; superiority. Swift.
6. pl.
Defn: Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [Colloq.]Richardson.The man of law began to get into his altitude. Sir W. Scott.Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian intercepted between thesouth point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. SeeMeridian, 3.
ALTITUDINALAl`ti*tu"di*nal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to height; as, altitudinal measurements.
ALTITUDINARIANAl`ti*tu`di*na"ri*an, a.
Defn: Lofty in doctrine, aims, etc. [R.] Coleridge.
ALTIVOLANTAl*tiv"o*lant, a. Etym: [L. altivolans. See Volant.]
Defn: Flying high. [Obs.] Blount.
ALTOAl"to, n.; pl. Altos. Etym: [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf. Alt.]
1. (Mus.)
Defn: Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.
2. An alto singer. Alto clef (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef, placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of the staff. Moore.
ALTO-CUMULUSAl`to-cu"mu*lus, n. [L. altus high + L. & E. cumulus.] (Meteor.)
Defn: A fleecy cloud formation consisting of large whitish or grayish globular cloudlets with shaded portions, often grouped in flocks or rows.
ALTOGETHER Al`to*geth"er, adv. Etym: [OE. altogedere; al all + togedere together. See Together.]
1. All together; conjointly. [Obs.] Altogether they wenChaucer.
2. Without exception; wholly; completely. Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Ps. xxxix. 5.
ALTOMETERAl*tom"e*ter, n. Etym: [L. altus high + -meter.]
Defn: A theodolite. Knight.
ALTO-RELIEVOAl"to-re*lie"vo, n.
Defn: Alto-rilievo.
ALTO-RILIEVOAl"to-ri*lie*vo, n.; pl. Alto-rilievos. Etym: [It.] (Sculp.)
Defn: High relief; sculptured work in which the figures project more than half their thickness; as, this figure is an alto-rilievo or in alto-rilievo.
Note: When the figure stands only half out, it is called mezzo- rilievo, demi-rilievo, or medium relief; when its projection is less than one half, basso-rilievo, bas-relief, or low relief.
ALTO-STRATUSAl`to-stra"tus, n. [L. altus high + L. & E. stratus.] (Meteor.)
Defn: A cloud formation similar to cirro-stratus, but heavier and at a lower level.
ALTRICALAl"tri*cal, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like the articles.
ALTRICESAl*tri"ces, n. pl. Etym: [L., nourishes, pl. of altrix.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Nursers, — a term applied to those birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time; — opposed to præcoces.
ALTRUISM Al"tru*ism, n. Etym: [F. altruisme (a word of Comte's), It. altrui of or to others, fr. L. alter another.]
Defn: Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; — opposed to egoism or selfishness. [Recent] J. S. Mill.
ALTRUISTAl"tru*ist, n.
Defn: One imbued with altruism; — opposed to egoist.
ALTRUISTICAl`tru*is"tic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. altruiste, a. See Altruism..]
Defn: Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; — opposed to Ant: egoistic or Ant: selfish. Bain. — Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly, adv.
ALUDELAl"u*del, n. Etym: [F. & Sp. aludel, fr. Ar. aluthal.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of the pear-shaped pots open at both ends, and so formed as to be fitted together, the neck of one into the bottom of another in succession; — used in the process of sublimation. Ure.
ALULAAl"u*la, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. ala a wing.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard.
ALULARAl"u*lar, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to the alula.
ALUM Al"um, n. Etym: [OE. alum, alom, OF. alum, F. alun, fr. L. alumen alum.] (Chem.)
Defn: A double sulphate formed of aluminium and some other element (esp. an alkali metal) or of aluminium. It has twenty-four molecules of water of crystallization.
Note: Common alum is the double sulphate of aluminium and potassium. It is white, transparent, very astringent, and crystallizes easily in octahedrons. The term is extended so as to include other double sulphates similar to alum in formula.
ALUMAl"um, v. t.
Defn: To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum. Ure.
ALUMENA*lu"men, n. Etym: [L.] (Chem.)
Defn: Alum.
ALUMINAA*lu"mi*na, n. Etym: [L. alumen, aluminis. See Alum.] (Chem.)
Defn: One of the earths, consisting of two parts of aluminium and three of oxygen, Al2O3.
Note: It is the oxide of the metal aluminium, the base of aluminous salts, a constituent of a large part of the earthy siliceous minerals, as the feldspars, micas, scapolites, etc., and the characterizing ingredient of common clay, in which it exists as an impure silicate with water, resulting from the decomposition of other aluminous minerals. In its natural state, it is the mineral corundum.
ALUMINATEA*lu`mi*nate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the substitution of a metal for the hydrogen.
ALUMINATEDA*lu"mi*na`ted. a.
Defn: Combined with alumina.
ALUMINEAl"u*mine, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Alumina. Davy.
ALUMINICAl`u*min"ic, a.
Defn: Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate.
ALUMINIFEROUS A*lu`mi*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. alumen alum + -ferous: cf. F. aluminifère.]
Defn: Containing alum.
ALUMINIFORMA*lu"mi*ni*form, a. Etym: [L. alumen + -form.]
Defn: pertaining the form of alumina.
ALUMINIUMAl`u*min"i*um, n. Etym: [L. alumen. See Alum.] (Chem.)
Defn: The metallic base of alumina. This metal is white, but with a bluish tinge, and is remarkable for its resistance to oxidation, and for its lightness, pertaining a specific gravity of about 2.6. Atomic weight 27.08. Symbol Al. Aluminium bronze or gold, a pale gold- colored alloy of aluminium and copper, used for journal bearings, etc.
ALUMINIZEA*lu"mi*nize, v. t.
Defn: To treat impregnate with alum; to alum.
ALUMINOGRAPHYA*lu`mi*nog"ra*phy, n. [Alumin-ium + -graphy.]
Defn: Art or process of producing, and printing from, aluminium plates, after the manner of ordinary lithography. — A*lu`mi*no*graph"ic (#), a.
ALUMINOUS A*lu"mi*nous, a. Etym: [L. aluminosus, fr. alumen alum: cf. F. alumineux.]
Defn: Pertaining to or containing alum, or alumina; as, aluminous minerals, aluminous solution.
ALUMINUMA*lu"mi*num, n.
Defn: See Aluminium.
ALUMISHAl"um*ish, a.
Defn: Somewhat like alum.
ALUMNAA*lum"na, n. fem.; pl. Alumnæ . Etym: [L. See Alumnus.]
Defn: A female pupil; especially, a graduate of a school or college.
ALUMNUSA*lum"nus, n.; pl. Alumni. Etym: [L., fr. alere to nourish.]
Defn: A pupil; especially, a graduate of a college or other seminary of learning.
ALUM ROOTAl"um root`. (Bot.)
Defn: A North American herb (Heuchera Americana) of the Saxifrage family, whose root has astringent properties.
ALUM SCHIST; ALUM SHALEAl"um schist", Al"um shale", (Min.)
Defn: A variety of shale or clay slate, containing iron pyrites, the decomposition of which leads to the formation of alum, which often effloresces on the rock.
ALUM STONEAl"um stone`. (Min.)
Defn: A subsulphate of alumina and potash; alunite.
ALUNITEAl"u*nite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Alum stone.
ALUNOGENA*lu"no*gen, n. Etym: [F. alun alum + -gen.] (Min.)
Defn: A white fibrous mineral frequently found on the walls of mines and quarries, chiefly hydrous sulphate of alumina; — also called feather alum, and hair salt.
ALURE Al"ure, n. Etym: [OF. alure, aleure, walk, gait, fr. aler (F. aller) to go.]
Defn: A walk or passage; — applied to passages of various kinds.The sides of every street were covered with fresh alures of marble.T. Warton.
ALUTACEOUSAl"u*ta"ceous, a. Etym: [L. alutacius, fr. aluta soft leather.]
1. Leathery.
2. Of a pale brown color; leather-yellow. Brande.
ALUTATIONAl`u*ta"tion, n. Etym: [See Alutaceous.]
Defn: The tanning or dressing of leather. [Obs.] Blount.
ALVEARY Al"ve*a*ry, n.; pl. Alvearies. Etym: [L. alvearium, alveare, beehive, fr. alveus a hollow vessel, beehive, from alvus belly, beehive.]
1. A beehive, or something resembling a beehive. Barret.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The hollow of the external ear. Quincy.
ALVEATEDAl"ve*a`ted, a. Etym: [L. alveatus hollowed out.]
Defn: Formed or vaulted like a beehive.
ALVEOLAR Al"ve*o*lar, a. Etym: [L. alveolus a small hollow or cavity: cf. F. alvéolaire.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, alveoli or little cells, sacs, or sockets. Alveolar processes, the processes of the maxillary bones, containing the sockets of the teeth.
ALVEOLARYAl"ve*o*la*ry, a.
Defn: Alveolar. [R.]
ALVEOLATEAl"ve*o*late, a. Etym: [L. alveolatus, fr. alveolus.] (Bot.)
Defn: Deeply pitted, like a honeycomb.
ALVEOLEAl"ve*ole, n.
Defn: Same as Alveolus.
ALVEOLIFORMAl*ve"o*li*form, a. Etym: [L. alvelous + -form.]
Defn: Having the form of alveoli, or little sockets, cells, or cavities.
ALVEOLUS Al*ve"o*lus, n.; pl. Alveoli. Etym: [L., a small hollow or cavity, dim. of alveus: cf. F. alvéole. See Alveary.]
1. A cell in a honeycomb.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil
3. (Anat.)
Defn: A small depression, sac, or vesicle, as the socket of a tooth, the air cells of the lungs, the ultimate saccules of glands, etc.
ALVEUSAl"ve*us, n.; pl. Alvei. Etym: [L.]
Defn: The channel of a river. Weate.
ALVINEAl"vine, a. Etym: [L. alvus belly: cf. F. alvin.]
Defn: Of, from, in, or pertaining to, the belly or the intestines; as, alvine discharges; alvine concretions.
ALWAYAl"way, adv.
Defn: Always. [Archaic or Poetic]I would not live alway. Job vii. 16.
ALWAYS Al"ways, adv. Etym: [All + way. The s is an adverbial (orig. a genitive) ending.]
1. At all times; ever; perpetually; throughout all time; continually; as, God is always the same. Even in Heaven his [Mammon's] looks and thoughts. Milton.
2. Constancy during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals; invariably; uniformly; — opposed to sometimes or occasionally. He always rides a black galloway. Bulwer.
ALYSSUMA*lys"sum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The sweet alyssum (A. maritimum), cultivated for bouquets, bears small, white, sweet- scented flowers.
AMAm. Etym: [AS. am, eom, akin to Gothic im, Icel. em, Olr. am, Lith.esmi, L. sum., Gr. ahmi, Skr. asmi, fr. a root as to be. Are, and cf.Be, Was.]
Defn: The first person singular of the verb be, in the indicative mode, present tense. See Be. God said unto Moses, I am that am. Exod. iii. 14.
AMABILITYAm`a*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. amabilitas.]
Defn: Lovableness. Jer. Taylor.
Note: The New English Dictionary (Murray) says this word is "usefully distinct from Amiability."
AMACRATICAm`a*crat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Photog.)
Defn: Amasthenic. Sir J. Herschel.
AMADAVAT Am`a*da*vat", n. Etym: [Indian name. From Ahmedabad, a city from which it was imported to Europe.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The strawberry finch, a small Indian song bird (Estrelda amandava), commonly caged and kept for fighting. The female is olive brown; the male, in summer, mostly crimson; — called also red waxbill. [Written also amaduvad and avadavat.]
AMADOU Am"a*dou, n. Etym: [F. amadou tinder, prop. lure, bait, fr. amadouer to allure, caress, perh. fr. Icel. mata to feed, which is akin to E. meat.]
Defn: A spongy, combustible substance, prepared from fungus (Boletus and Polyporus) which grows on old trees; German tinder; punk. It has been employed as a styptic by surgeons, but its common use is as tinder, for which purpose it is prepared by soaking it in a strong solution of niter. Ure.
AMAINA*main", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + main. See 2d Main, n.]
1. With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly. They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down amain. Milton. That striping giant, ill-bred and scoffing, shouts amain. T. Parker.
2. At full speed; in great haste; also, at once. "They fled amain." Holinshed.
AMAINA*main", v. t. Etym: [F. amener. See Amenable.] (Naut.)
Defn: To lower, as a sail, a yard, etc.
AMAINA*main", v. i. (Naut.)
Defn: To lower the topsail, in token of surrender; to yield.
AMALGAMA*mal"gam, n. Etym: [F. amalgame, prob. fr. L. malagma, Gr.
1. An alloy of mercury with another metal or metals; as, an amalgam of tin, bismuth, etc.
Note: Medalists apply the term to soft alloys generally.
2. A mixture or compound of different things.
3. (Min.)
Defn: A native compound of mercury and silver.
AMALGAMA*mal"gam, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. amalgamer]
Defn: To amalgamate. Boyle. B. Jonson.
AMALGAMAA*mal"ga*ma, n.
Defn: Same as Amalgam. They divided this their amalgama into a number of incoherent republics. Burke.
AMALGAMATEA*mal"ga*mate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amalgamated; p. pr. & vb. n.Amalgamating.]
1. To compound or mix, as quicksilver, with another metal; to unite, combine, or alloy with mercury.
2. To mix, so as to make a uniform compound; to unite or combine; as, to amalgamate two races; to amalgamate one race with another. Ingratitude is indeed their four cardinal virtues compacted and amalgamated into one. Burke.
AMALGAMATEA*mal"ga*mate, v. i.
1. To unite in an amalgam; to blend with another metal, as quicksilver.
2. To coalesce, as a result of growth; to combine into a uniform whole; to blend; as, two organs or parts amalgamate.
AMALGAMATE; AMALGAMATEDA*mal"ga*mate, A*mal"ga*ma`ted, a.
Defn: Coalesced; united; combined.
AMALGAMATIONA*mal`ga*ma"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. amalgamation.]
1. The act or operation of compounding mercury with another metal; — applied particularly to the process of separating gold and silver from their ores by mixing them with mercury. Ure.
2. The mixing or blending of different elements, races, societies, etc.; also, the result of such combination or blending; a homogeneous union. Macaulay.
AMALGAMATIVEA*mal"ga*ma*tive, a.
Defn: Characterized by amalgamation.
AMALGAMATORA*mal"ga*ma`tor, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, amalgamates. Specifically: A machine for separating precious metals from earthy particles by bringing them in contact with a body of mercury with which they form an amalgam.
AMALGAMIZEA*mal"ga*mize, v. t.
Defn: To amalgamate. [R.]
AMANDINEA*man"dine, n. Etym: [F. amande almond. See Almond.]
1. The vegetable casein of almonds.
2. A kind of cold cream prepared from almonds, for chapped hands, etc.
AMANITAAm`a*ni"ta, n. [NL. See Amanitine.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of poisonous fungi of the family Agaricaceæ, characterized by having a volva, an annulus, and white spores. The species resemble edible mushrooms, and are frequently mistaken for them. Amanita muscaria, syn. Agaricus muscarius, is the fly amanita, or fly agaric; and A. phalloides is the death cup.
AMANITINEA*man"i*tine, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The poisonous principle of some fungi.
AMANUENSIS A*man`u*en"sis, n.; pl. Amanuenses. Etym: [L., fr. a, ab + manus hand.]
Defn: A person whose employment is to write what another dictates, or to copy what another has written.
AMARACUSA*mar"a*cus, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
Defn: A fragrant flower. Tennyson.
AMARANTAm"a*rant, n.
Defn: Amaranth, 1. [Obs.] Milton.
AMARANTACEOUSAm`a*ran*ta"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the amaranth is the type.
AMARANTH Am"a*ranth, n. Etym: [L. amarantus, Gr. mortal; — so called because its flowers do not soon wither: cf. F. amarante. The spelling with th seems to be due to confusion with Gr.
1. An imaginary flower supposed never to fade. [Poetic]
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of ornamental annual plants (Amaranthus) of many species, with green, purplish, or crimson flowers.
2. A color inclining to purple.
AMARANTHINEAm`a*ran"thine, a.
1. Of or pertaining to amaranth. "Amaranthine bowers." Pope.
2. Unfading, as the poetic amaranth; undying. They only amaranthine flower on earth Is virtue. Cowper.
3. Of a purplish color. Buchanan.
AMARANTHUS; AMARANTUSAm`a*ran"thus, Am`a*ran"tus, n.
Defn: Same as Amaranth.
AMARINEAm"a*rine, n. Etym: [L. amarus bitter.] (Chem.)
Defn: A characteristic crystalline substance, obtained from oil of bitter almonds.
AMARITUDE A*mar"i*tude, n. Etym: [L. amaritudo, fr. amarus bitter: cf. OF. amaritude.]
Defn: Bitterness. [R.]
AMARYLLIDACEOUS; AMARYLLIDEOUSAm`a*ryl`li*da"ceous, Am`a*ryl*lid"e*ous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, an order of plants differing from the lily family chiefly in having the ovary below the
AMARYLLISAm`a*ryl"lis, n. Etym: [L. Amaryllis, Gr.
1. A pastoral sweetheart. To sport with Amaryllis in the shade. Milton.
2. (bot.) (a) A family of plants much esteemed for their beauty, including the narcissus, jonquil, daffodil, agave, and others. (b) A genus of the same family, including the Belladonna lily.
AMASSA*mass", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amassed; p. pr. & vb. n. Amassing.]Etym: [F. ambusher, LL. amassare; L. ad + massa lump, mass. SeeMass.]
Defn: To collect into a mass or heap; to gather a great quantity of; to accumulate; as, to amass a treasure or a fortune; to amass words or phrases. The life Homer has been written by amassing all the traditions and hints the writers could meet with. Pope.
Syn.— To accumulate; heap up; pile.
AMASSA*mass", n. Etym: [OF. amasse, fr. ambusher.]
Defn: A mass; a heap. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.
AMASSABLEA*mass"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being amassed.
AMASSERA*mass"er, n.
Defn: One who amasses.
AMASSETTEA`mas`sette", n. Etym: [F. See Amass.]
Defn: An instrument of horn used for collecting painters' colors on the stone in the process of grinding.
AMASSMENTA*mass"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. amassement.]
Defn: An amassing; a heap collected; a large quantity or number brought together; an accumulation. An amassment of imaginary conceptions. Glanvill.
AMASTHENICAm`as*then"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Photog.)
Defn: Uniting the chemical rays of light into one focus, as a certain kind of lens; amacratic.
AMATEA*mate", v. t. Etym: [OF. amater, amatir.]
Defn: To dismay; to dishearten; to daunt. [Obs. or Archaic] The Silures, to amate the new general, rumored the overthrow greater than was true. Milton.
AMATEA*mate", v. t. Etym: [Pref. a- + mate.]
Defn: To be a mate to; to match. [Obs.] Spenser.
AMATEURAm`a*teur", n. Etym: [F., fr. L. amator lover, fr. amare to love.]
Defn: A person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science as to music or painting; esp. one who cultivates any study or art, from taste or attachment, without pursuing it professionally.
AMATEURISHAm`a*teur"ish, a.
Defn: In the style of an amateur; superficial or defective like thework of an amateur.— Am`a*teur"ish*ly, adv.— Am`a*teur"ish*ness, n.
AMATEURISMAm"a*teur*ism, n.
Defn: The practice, habit, or work of an amateur.
AMATEURSHIPAm"a*teur`ship, n.
Defn: The quality or character of an amateur.
AMATIVEAm"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. amatus, p. p. of amare to love.]
Defn: Full of love; amatory.
AMATIVENESSAm"a*tive*ness, n. (Phren.)
Defn: The faculty supposed to influence sexual desire; propensity to love. Combe.
AMATORIALAm`a*to"ri*al, a. Etym: [See Amatorious.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a lover or to love making; amatory; as, amatorial verses.
AMATORIALLYAm`a*to"ri*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In an amatorial manner.
AMATORIANAm`a*to"ri*an, a.
Defn: Amatory. [R.] Johnson.
AMATORIOUSAm`a*to"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. amatorius, fr. amare to love.]
Defn: Amatory. [Obs.] "Amatorious poem." Milton.
AMATORYAm"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, producing, or expressing, sexual love; as, amatory potions.
AMAUROSISAm`au*ro"sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A loss or decay of sight, from loss of power in the optic nerve, without any perceptible external change in the eye; — called also gutta serena, the "drop serene" of Milton.
AMAUROTICAm`au*rot"ic, a.
Defn: Affected with amaurosis; having the characteristics of amaurosis.
AMAZEA*maze", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amazed; p. pr. & vb. n. Amazing.] Etym:[Pref. a- + maze.]
1. To bewilder; to stupefy; to bring into a maze. [Obs.] A labyrinth to amaze his foes. Shak.
2. To confound, as by fear, wonder, extreme surprise; to overwhelm with wonder; to astound; to astonish greatly. "Amazing Europe with her wit." Goldsmith. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David Matt. xii. 23.
Syn. — To astonish; astound; confound; bewilder; perplex; surprise. — Amaze, Astonish. Amazement includes the notion of bewilderment of difficulty accompanied by surprise. It expresses a state in which one does not know what to do, or to say, or to think. Hence we are amazed at what we can not in the least account for. Astonishment also implies surprise. It expresses a state in which one is stunned by the vastness or greatness of something, or struck with some degree of horror, as when one is overpowered by the
AMAZEA*maze", v. i.
Defn: To be astounded. [Archaic] B. Taylor.
AMAZEA*maze", v. t.
Defn: Bewilderment, arising from fear, surprise, or wonder; amazement. [Chiefly poetic] The wild, bewildered Of one to stone converted by amaze. Byron.
AMAZEDLYA*maz"ed*ly, adv.
Defn: In amazement; with confusion or astonishment. Shak.
AMAZEDNESSA*maz"ed*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being amazed, or confounded with fear, surprise, or wonder. Bp. Hall.
AMAZEFULA*maze"ful, a.
Defn: Full of amazement. [R.]
AMAZEMENTA*maze"ment, n.
1. The condition of being amazed; bewilderment [Obs.]; overwhelming wonder, as from surprise, sudden fear, horror, or admiration. His words impression left Of much amazement. Milton.
2. Frenzy; madness. [Obs.] Webster (1661).
AMAZINGA*maz"ing, a.
Defn: Causing amazement; very wonderful; as, amazing grace.— A*maz"ing*ly, adv.
AMAZONAm"a*zon, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. One of a fabulous race of female warriors in Scythia; hence, a female warrior.
2. A tall, strong, masculine woman; a virago.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A name numerous species of South American parrots of the genus Chrysotis Amazon ant (Zoöl.), a species of ant (Polyergus rufescens), of Europe and America. They seize by conquest the larvæ and nymphs other species and make slaves of them in their own nests.
AMAZONIANAm`a*zo"ni*an, a.
1. Pertaining to or resembling an Amazon; of masculine manners; warlike. Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to the river Amazon in South America, or to its valley.
AMAZONITE; AMAZON STONEAm"a*zon*ite, Am"a*zon stone`, n. Etym: [Named from the riverAmazon.] (Min.)
Defn: A variety of feldspar, having a verdigris-green color.
AMB-; AMBI-Amb-, Am*bi-. Etym: [L. prefix ambi-, amb-, akin to Gr. abhi, AS.embe, emb, OHG. umbi, umpi, G. um, and also L. ambo both. Cf. Amphi-,Both, By.]
Defn: A prefix meaning about, around; — used in words derived from the Latin.
AMBAGES Am*ba"ges, n. pl. Etym: [L. (usually in pl.); pref. ambi-, amb- + agere to drive: cf. F. ambage.]
Defn: A circuit; a winding. Hence: Circuitous way or proceeding;quibble; circumlocution; indirect mode of speech.After many ambages, perspicuously define what this melancholy is.Burton.
AMBAGINOUSAm*bag"i*nous, a.
Defn: Ambagious. [R.]
AMBAGIOUSAm*ba"gious, a. Etym: [L. ambagiosus.]
Defn: Circumlocutory; circuitous. [R.]
AMBAGITORYAm*bag"i*to*ry, a.
Defn: Ambagious. [R.]
AMBARY; AMBARY HEMPAm*ba"ry, n., or Ambary hemp. [Hind. ambara, ambari.]
Defn: A valuable East Indian fiber plant (Hibiscus cannabinus), or its fiber, which is used throughout India for making ropes, cordage, and a coarse canvas and sackcloth; —called also brown Indian hemp.
AMBASSADE; EMBASSADEAm"bas*sade, Em"bas*sade, n. Etym: [F. ambassade. See Embassy.]
1. The mission of an ambassador. [Obs.] Carew.
2. An embassy. [Obs.] Strype.
AMBASSADOR; EMBASSADORAm*bas"sa*dor, Em*bas"sa*dor, n. Etym: [See Embassador.]
1. A minister of the highest rank sent a foreign court to represent there his sovereign or country.
Note: Ambassador are either ordinary [or resident] or extraordinary, that is, sent upon some special or unusual occasion or errand. Abbott.
2. An official messenger and representative.
AMBASSADORIALAm*bas`sa*do"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to an ambassador. H. Walpole.
AMBASSADORSHIPAm*bas`sa*dor*ship, n.
Defn: The state, office, or functions of an ambassador.
AMBASSADRESSAm*bas"sa*dress, n.
Defn: A female ambassador; also, the wife of an ambassador. Prescott.
AMBASSAGEAm"bas*sage, n.
Defn: Same as Embassage. [Obs. or R.] Luke xiv. 32.
AMBASSYAm"bas*sy, n.
Defn: See Embassy, the usual spelling. Helps.
AMBER Am"ber, n. Etym: [OE. aumbre, F. ambre, Sp. ámbar, and with the Ar. article, alámbar, fr. Ar. 'anbar ambergris.]
1. (Min.)
Defn: A yellowish translucent resin resembling copal, found as a fossil in alluvial soils, with beds of lignite, or on the seashore in many places. It takes a fine polish, and is used for pipe mouthpieces, beads, etc., and as a basis for a fine varnish. By friction, it becomes strongly electric.
2. Amber color, or anything amber-colored; a clear light yellow; as, the amber of the sky.
3. Ambergris. [Obs.] You that smell of amber at my charge. Beau. & Fl.
4. The balsam, liquidambar. Black amber, and old and popular name for jet.
AMBERAm"ber, a.
1. Consisting of amber; made of amber. "Amber bracelets." Shak.
2. Resembling amber, especially in color; amber-colored. "The amber morn." Tennyson.
AMBERAm"ber, v. t. [p. p. & p. a. Ambered .]
1. To scent or flavor with ambergris; as, ambered wine.
2. To preserve in amber; as, an ambered fly.
AMBER FISHAm"ber fish. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A fish of the southern Atlantic coast (Seriola Carolinensis.)
AMBERGREASEAm"ber*grease, n.
Defn: See Ambergris.
AMBERGRISAm"ber*gris, n. Etym: [F. ambre gris, i. e., gray amber; F. grisgray, which is of German origin: cf. OS. grîs, G. greis, gray-haired.See Amber.]
Defn: A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all cases its true origin. In color it is white, ash-gray, yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a white vapor at 212º Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery. Dana.
AMBER ROOMAm"ber room
Defn: A room formerly in the Czar's Summer Palace in Russia, which was richly decorated with walls and fixtures made from amber. The amber was removed by occupying German troops during the Second World War and has, as of 1997, never been recovered. The room is being recreated from old photographs by Russian artisans. PJC
AMBER SEEDAm"ber seed`.
Defn: Seed of the Hibiscus abelmoschus, somewhat resembling millet, brought from Egypt and the West Indies, and having a flavor like that of musk; musk seed. Chambers.
AMBER TREEAm"ber tree`.
Defn: A species of Anthospermum, a shrub with evergreen leaves, which, when bruised, emit a fragrant odor.
AMBES-ASAmbes"-as, n.
Defn: Ambs-ace. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AMBIDEXTER Am"bi*dex"ter, a. Etym: [LL., fr. L. ambo both + dexter right, dextra (sc. manus) the right hand.]
Defn: Using both hands with equal ease. Smollett.
AMBIDEXTERAm`bi*dex"ter, n.
1. A person who uses both hands with equal facility.
2. Hence; A double-dealer; one equally ready to act on either side in party disputes. The rest are hypocrites, ambidexters, so many turning pictures — a lion on one side, a lamb on the other. Burton.
3. (Law)
Defn: A juror who takes money from both parties for giving his verdict. Cowell.
AMBIDEXTERITYAm"bi*dex*ter"i*ty, n.
1. The quality of being ambidexas, ambidexterity of argumentation. Sterne. Ignorant I was of the human frame, and of its latent powers, as regarded speed, force, and ambidexterity. De Quincey.
2. Double-dealing. (Law)
Defn: A juror's taking of money from the both parties for a verdict.
AMBIDEXTRALAm`bi*dex"tral, a.
Defn: Pertaining equally to the right-hand side and the left-hand side. Earle.
AMBIDEXTROUSAm`bi*dex"trous, a.
1. Pertaining the faculty of using both hands with equal ease. Sir T. Browne.
2. Practicing or siding with both parties. All false, shuffling, and ambidextrous dealings. L'Estrange.
AMBIDEXTROUSLYAm"bi*dex"trous*ly, adv.
Defn: In an ambidextrous manner; cunningly.
AMBIDEXTROUSNESSAm`bi*dex"trous*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being ambidextrous; ambidexterity.
AMBIENT Am"bi*ent, a. Etym: [L. ambiens, p. pr. of ambire to go around; amb- + ire to go.]
Defn: Encompassing on all sides; circumfused; investing. "Ambient air." Milton. "Ambient clouds." Pope.
AMBIENTAm"bi*ent, n.
Defn: Something that surrounds or invests; as, air . . . being a perpetual ambient. Sir H. Wotton.
AMBIGENOUSAm*big"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. ambo both + genus kind.]
Defn: Of two kinds. (Bot.)
Defn: Partaking of two natures, as the perianth of some endogenous plants, where the outer surface is calycine, and the inner petaloid.
AMBIGUAm"bi*gu, n. Etym: [F., fr. ambigu doubtful, L. ambiquus. SeeAmbiguous.]
Defn: An entertainment at which a medley of dishes is set on at the same time.
AMBIGUITY Am`bi*gu"i*ty, n.; pl. Ambiguities. Etym: [L. ambiguitas, fr. ambiguus: cf. F. ambiguité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression. No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued. I. Taylor. The words are of single signification, without any ambiguity. South.
AMBIGUOUS Am*big"u*ous, a. Etym: [L. ambiguus, fr. ambigere to wander about, waver; amb- + agere to drive.]
Defn: Doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to signification; capable of being understood in either of two or more possible senses; equivocal; as, an ambiguous course; an ambiguous expression. What have been thy answers What but dark, Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding Milton.
Syn. — Doubtful; dubious; uncertain; unsettled; indistinct; indeterminate; indefinite. See Equivocal.
AMBIGUOUSLYAm*big"u*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: In an ambiguous manner; with doubtful meaning.
AMBIGUOUSNESSAm*big"u*ous*ness, n.
Defn: Ambiguity.
AMBILEVOUSAm`bi*le"vous, a. Etym: [L. ambo both + laevus left.]
Defn: Left-handed on both sides; clumsy; — opposed to ambidexter.[R.] Sir T. Browne.
AMBILOQUYAm*bil"o*quy, n.
Defn: Doubtful or ambiguous language. [Obs.] Bailey.
AMBIPAROUSAm*bip"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. ambo both + parere to bring forth.](Bot.)
Defn: Characterized by containing the rudiments of both flowers and leaves; — applied to a bud.
AMBITAm"bit, n. Etym: [L. ambitus circuit, fr. ambire to go around. SeeAmbient.]
Defn: Circuit or compass.His great parts did not live within a small ambit. Milward.
AMBITION Am*bi"tion, n. Etym: [F. ambition, L. ambitio a going around, especially of candidates for office is Rome, to solicit votes (hence, desire for office or honorambire to go around. See Ambient, Issue.]
1. The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing. [Obs.] [I] used no ambition to commend my deeds. Milton.
2. An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something. Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way ambition: By that sin fell the angels. Shak. The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six thousand more acres. Burke.
AMBITIONAm*bi"tion, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. ambitionner.]
Defn: To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet. [R.]Pausanias, ambitioning the sovereignty of Greece, bargains withXerxes for his daughter in marriage. Trumbull.
AMBITIONISTAm*bi"tion*ist, n.
Defn: One excessively ambitious. [R.]
AMBITIONLESSAm*bi"tion*less, a.
Defn: Devoid of ambition. Pollok.
AMBITIOUSAm*bi"tious, a. Etym: [L. ambitiosus: cf. F. ambitieux. SeeAmbition.]
1. Possessing, or controlled by, ambition; greatly or inordinately desirous of power, honor, office, superiority, or distinction. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man. Shak.
2. Strongly desirous; — followed by of or the infinitive; as, ambitious to be or to do something. I was not ambitious of seeing this ceremony. Evelyn. Studious of song, and yet ambitious not to sing in vain. Cowper.
3. Springing from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition; showy; aspiring; as, an ambitious style. A giant statue . . . Pushed by a wild and artless race, From off wide, ambitious base. Collins.
AMBITIOUSLYAm*bi"tious*ly, adv.
Defn: In an ambitious manner.
AMBITIOUSNESSAm*bi"tious*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being ambitious; ambition; pretentiousness.
AMBITUSAm"bi*tus, n. Etym: [L. See Ambit, Ambition.]
1. The exterior edge or border of a thing, as the border of a leaf, or the outline of a bivalve shell.
2. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A canvassing for votes.
AMBLEAm"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ambled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ambling.] Etym:[F. ambler to amble, fr. L. ambulare to walk, in LL., to amble, perh.fr. amb-, ambi-, and a root meaning to go: cf. Gr. base. Cf.Ambulate.]
1. To go at the easy gait called an amble; — applied to the horse or to its rider.
2. To move somewhat like an ambling horse; to go easily or withouthard shocks.The skipping king, he ambled up and down. Shak.Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily. Shak.
AMBLEAm"ble, n.
1. A peculiar gait of a horse, in which both legs on the same side are moved at the same time, alternating with the legs on the other side. "A fine easy amble." B. Jonson.
2. A movement like the amble of a horse.
AMBLERAm"bler, n.
Defn: A horse or a person that ambles.
AMBLINGLYAm"bling*ly, adv.
Defn: With an ambling gait.
AMBLOTICAm*blot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Tending to cause abortion.
AMBLYGONAm"bly*gon, n. Etym: [Gr. amblygone.] (Geom.)
Defn: An obtuse-angled figure, esp. and obtuse-angled triangle.[Obs.]
AMBLYGONALAm*blyg"o*nal, a.
Defn: Obtuse-angled. [Obs.] Hutton.
AMBLYOPIA; AMBLYOPYAm`bly*o"pi*a, Am"bly*o`py, n. Etym: [Gr. amblyopie.] (Med.)
Defn: Weakness of sight, without and opacity of the cornea, or of the interior of the eye; the first degree of amaurosis.
AMBLYOPICAm"bly*op"ic, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to amblyopy. Quain.
AMBLYPODAAm*blyp"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A group of large, extinct, herbivorous mammals, common in theTertiary formation of the United States.
AMBOAm"bo, n.; pl. Ambos. Etym: [LL. ambo, Gr. ambon.]
Defn: A large pulpit or reading desk, in the early Christian churches. Gwilt.
AMBONAm"bon, n.
Defn: Same as Ambo.
AMBOYNA BUTTONAm*boy"na but"ton. (Med.)
Defn: A chronic contagious affection of the skin, prevalent in the tropics.
AMBOYNA PINEAmboyna pine. (Bot.)
Defn: The resiniferous tree Agathis Dammara, of the Moluccas.
AMBOYNA WOODAm*boy"na wood.
Defn: A beautiful mottled and curled wood, used in cabinetwork. It is obtained from the Pterocarpus Indicus of Amboyna, Borneo, etc.
AMBREATEAm"bre*ate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt formed by the combination of ambreic acid with a base or positive radical.
AMBREICAm*bre"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to ambrein; — said of a certain acid produced by digesting ambrein in nitric acid.
AMBREINAm"bre*in, n. Etym: [Cf. F. ambréine. See Amber.] (Chem.)
Defn: A fragrant substance which is the chief constituent of ambergris.
AMBRITEAm"brite, n. Etym: [From amber.]
Defn: A fossil resin occurring in large masses in New Zealand.
AMBROSEAm"brose, n.
Defn: A sweet-scented herb; ambrosia. See Ambrosia, 3. Turner.
AMBROSIA Am*bro"sia, n. Etym: [L. ambrosia, Gr. mrita, L. mortuus, dead, and to E. mortal.]
1. (Myth.) (a) The fabled food of the gods (as nectar was their drink), which conferred immortality upon those who partook of it. (b) An unguent of the gods. His dewy locks distilled ambrosia. Milton.