ABIETENEAb"i*e*tene, n. Etym: [L. abies, abietis, a fir tree.]
Defn: A volatile oil distilled from the resin or balsam of the nut pine (Pinus sabiniana) of California.
ABIETICAb`i*et"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the fir tree or its products; as, abietic acid, called also sylvic acid. Watts.
ABIETIN; ABIETINEAb"i*e*tin, Ab"i*e*tine, n. Etym: [See Abietene.] (Chem.)
Defn: A resinous obtained from Strasburg turpentine or Canada balsam. It is without taste or smell, is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol (especially at the boiling point), in strong acetic acid, and in ether. Watts.
ABIETINICAb`i*e*tin"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to abietin; as, abietinic acid.
ABIETITEAb"i*e*tite, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A substance resembling mannite, found in the needles of the common silver fir of Europe (Abies pectinata). Eng. Cyc.
ABIGAILAb"i*gail, n. Etym: [The proper name used as an appellative.]
Defn: A lady's waiting-maid. Pepys. Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of night curls for sleeping in. Leslie.
ABILIMENTA*bil"i*ment, n.
Defn: Habiliment. [Obs.]
ABILITY A*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Abilities(#). Etym: [F. habileté, earlier spelling habilité (with silent h), L. habilitas aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See Able.]
Defn: The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; — in the plural, faculty, talent. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren. Acts xi. 29. Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study. Bacon. The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability. Macaulay.
Syn. — Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability; efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill. Ability, Capacity. These words come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. "Capacity," says H. Taylor, "is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great enterprise." The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments.
ABIME; ABYMEA*bime" or A*byme", n. Etym: [F. abîme. See Abysm.]
Defn: A abyss. [Obs.]
ABIOGENESISAb`i*o*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation; — called also abiogeny, and opposed to biogenesis. I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis. Huxley, 1870.
ABIOGENETICAb`i*o*ge*net"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to abiogenesis. Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic*al*ly, adv.
ABIOGENISTAb`i*og"e*nist, n. (Biol.)
Defn: One who believes that life can be produced independently of antecedent. Huxley.
ABIOGENOUSAb`i*og"e*nous, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Produced by spontaneous generation.
ABIOGENYAb`i*og"e*ny, n. (Biol.)
Defn: Same as Abiogenesis.
ABIOLOGICALAb`i*o*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. biological.]
Defn: Pertaining to the study of inanimate things.
ABIRRITANTAb*ir"ri*tant, n. (Med.)
Defn: A medicine that diminishes irritation.
ABIRRITATEAb*ir"ri*tate, v. t. Etym: [Pref. ab- + irritate.] (Med.)
Defn: To diminish the sensibility of; to debilitate.
ABIRRITATIONAb*ir`ri*ta"tion, n. (Med.)
Defn: A pathological condition opposite to that of irritation; debility; want of strength; asthenia.
ABIRRITATIVEAb*ir"ri*ta*tive, a. (Med.)
Defn: Characterized by abirritation or debility.
ABITA*bit",
Defn: 3d sing. pres. of Abide. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ABJECT Ab"ject, a. Etym: [L. abjectus, p. p. of abjicere to throw away; ab + jacere to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.]
1. Cast down; low-lying. [Obs.] From the safe shore their floating carcasses And broken chariot wheels; so thick bestrown Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood. Milton.
2. Sunk to a law condition; down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile; groveling; despicable; as, abject posture, fortune, thoughts. "Base and abject flatterers." Addison. "An abject liar." Macaulay. And banish hence these abject, lowly dreams. Shak.
Syn. — Mean; groveling; cringing; mean-spirited; slavish; ignoble; worthless; vile; beggarly; contemptible; degraded.
ABJECTAb*ject", v. t. Etym: [From Abject, a.]
Defn: To cast off or down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase. [Obs.] Donne.
ABJECTAb"ject, n.
Defn: A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; acastaway. [Obs.]Shall these abjects, these victims, these outcasts, know any thing ofpleasure I. Taylor.
ABJECTEDNESSAb*ject"ed*ness, n.
Defn: A very abject or low condition; abjectness. [R.] Boyle.
ABJECTIONAb*jec"tion, n. Etym: [F. abjection, L. abjectio.]
1. The act of bringing down or humbling. "The abjection of the king and his realm." Joe.
2. The state of being rejected or cast out. [R.] An adjection from the beatific regions where God, and his angels and saints, dwell forever. Jer. Taylor.
3. A low or downcast state; meanness of spirit; abasement; degradation. That this should be termed baseness, abjection of mind, or servility, is it credible Hooker.
ABJECTLYAb"ject*ly, adv.
Defn: Meanly; servilely.
ABJECTNESSAb"ject*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being abject; abasement; meanness; servility.Grew.
ABJUDGEAb*judge", v. t. Etym: [Pref. ab- + judge, v. Cf. Abjudicate.]
Defn: To take away by judicial decision. [R.]
ABJUDICATE Ab*ju"di*cate, v. t. Etym: [L. abjudicatus, p. p. of abjudicare; ab + judicare. See Judge, and cf. Abjudge.]
Defn: To reject by judicial sentence; also, to abjudge. [Obs.] Ash.
ABJUDICATIONAb*ju`di*ca"tion, n.
Defn: Rejection by judicial sentence. [R.] Knowles.
ABJUGATEAb"ju*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. abjugatus, p. p. of abjugare.]
Defn: To unyoke. [Obs.] Bailey.
ABJUNCTIVE Ab*junc"tive, a. Etym: [L. abjunctus, p. p. of abjungere; ab + jungere to join.]
Defn: Exceptional. [R.] It is this power which leads on from the accidental and abjunctive to the universal. I. Taylor.
ABJURATIONAb`ju*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. abjuratio: cf. F. abjuration.]
1. The act of abjuring or forswearing; a renunciation upon oath; as, abjuration of the realm, a sworn banishment, an oath taken to leave the country and never to return.
2. A solemn recantation or renunciation; as, an abjuration of heresy. Oath of abjuration, an oath asserting the right of the present royal family to the crown of England, and expressly abjuring allegiance to the descendants of the Pretender. Brande & C.
ABJURATORYAb*ju"ra*to*ry, a.
Defn: Containing abjuration.
ABJUREAb*jure", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abjured; p. pr. & vb. n. Abjuring.]Etym: [L. abjurare to deny upon oath; ab + jurare to swear, fr. jus,juris, right, law; cf. F. abjurer. See Jury.]
1. To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow; as, to abjure allegiance to a prince. To abjure the realm, is to swear to abandon it forever.
2. To renounce or reject with solemnity; to recant; to abandon forever; to reject; repudiate; as, to abjure errors. "Magic I here abjure." Shak.
Syn.— See Renounce.
ABJUREAb*jure", v. i.
Defn: To renounce on oath. Bp. Burnet.
ABJUREMENTAb*jure"ment, n.
Defn: Renunciation. [R.]
ABJURERAb*jur"er, n.
Defn: One who abjures.
ABLACTATE Ab*lac"tate, v. t. Etym: [L. ablactatus, p. p. of ablactare; ab + lactare to suckle, fr. lac milk.]
Defn: To wean. [R.] Bailey.
ABLACTATIONAb`lac*ta"tion. n.
1. The weaning of a child from the breast, or of young beasts from their dam. Blount.
2. (Hort.)
Defn: The process of grafting now called inarching, or grafting by approach.
ABLAQUEATE Ab*la"que*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. ablaqueatus, p. p. of. ablaqueare; fr. ab + laqueus a noose.]
Defn: To lay bare, as the roots of a tree. [Obs.] Bailey.
ABLAQUEATIONAb*la`que*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. ablaqueatio.]
Defn: The act or process of laying bare the roots of trees to expose them to the air and water. [Obs.] Evelyn.
ABLASTEMICAb`las*tem"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Non-germinal.
ABLATIONAb*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. ablatio, fr. ablatus p. p. of auferre tocarry away; ab + latus, p. p. of ferre carry: cf. F. ablation. SeeTolerate.]
1. A carrying or taking away; removal. Jer. Taylor.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Extirpation. Dunglison.
3. (Geol.)
Defn: Wearing away; superficial waste. Tyndall.
ABLATITIOUSAb`la*ti"tious, a.
Defn: Diminishing; as, an ablatitious force. Sir J. Herschel.
ABLATIVEAb"la*tive, a. Etym: [F. ablatif, ablative, L. ablativus fr. ablatus.See Ablation.]
1. Taking away or removing. [Obs.] Where the heart is forestalled with misopinion, ablative directions are found needful to unteach error, ere we can learn truth. Bp. Hall.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: Applied to one of the cases of the noun in Latin and some other languages, — the fundamental meaning of the case being removal, separation, or taking away.
ABLATIVEAb"la*tive, (Gram.)
Defn: The ablative case. ablative absolute, a construction in Latin, in which a noun in the ablative case has a participle (either expressed or implied), agreeing with it in gender, number, and case, both words forming a clause by themselves and being unconnected, grammatically, with the rest of the sentence; as, Tarquinio regnante, Pythagoras venit, i. e., Tarquinius reigning, Pythagoras came.
ABLAUTAb"laut, n. Etym: [Ger., off-sound; ab off + laut sound.] (Philol.)
Defn: The substitution of one root vowel for another, thus indicating a corresponding modification of use or meaning; vowel permutation; as, get, gat, got; sing, song; hang, hung. Earle.
ABLAZEA*blaze", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + blaze.]
1. On fire; in a blaze, gleaming. Milman. All ablaze with crimson and gold. Longfellow.
2. In a state of glowing excitement or ardent desire. The young Cambridge democrats were all ablaze to assist Torrijos. Carlyle.
ABLE A"ble, a. [Comp. Abler; superl. Ablest.] Etym: [OF. habile, L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful, fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. Habile and see Habit.]
1. Fit; adapted; suitable. [Obs.] A many man, to ben an abbot able. Chaucer.
2. Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a piano.
3. Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able speech. No man wrote abler state papers. Macaulay.
4. (Law)
Defn: Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property.
Note: Able for, is Scotticism."Hardly able for such a march." Robertson.
Syn. — Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
ABLEA"ble, v. t. Etym: [See Able, a.] [Obs.]
1. To make able; to enable; to strengthen. Chaucer.
2. To vouch for. "I 'll able them." Shak.
ABLE; -ABLE; IBLE; -IBLE *a*ble. Etym: [F. -able, L. -abilis.]
Defn: An adjective suffix now usually in a passive sense; able to be; fit to be; expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.
Note: The form ible is used in the same sense.
Note: It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able instead of -ible. "Yet a rule may be laid down as to when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the Anglo-Saxon, to all based on the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever sprung, we annex - able only." Fitzed. Hall.
ABLE-BODIEDA`ble-bod"ied, a.
Defn: Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust."Able-bodied vagrant." Froude.— A`ble-bod"ied*ness, n..
ABLEGATE Ab"le*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. ablegatus, p. p. of ablegare; ab + legare to send with a commission. See Legate.]
Defn: To send abroad. [Obs.] Bailey.
ABLEGATEAb"le*gate, n. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A representative of the pope charged with important commissions in foreign countries, one of his duties being to bring to a newly named cardinal his insignia of office.
ABLEGATIONAb`le*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. ablegatio.]
Defn: The act of sending abroad. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
ABLE-MINDEDA`ble-mind"ed, a.
Defn: Having much intellectual power.— A`ble-mind"ed*ness, n.
ABLENESSA"ble*ness, n.
Defn: Ability of body or mind; force; vigor. [Obs. or R.]
ABLEPSYAb"lep*sy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Blindness. [R.] Urquhart.
ABLERA"bler, a.,
Defn: comp. of Able.— A"blest, a.,
Defn: superl. of Able.
ABLET; ABLEN Ab"let, Ab"len Etym: [F. ablet, ablette, a dim. fr. LL. abula, for albula, dim. of albus white. Cf. Abele.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small fresh-water fish (Leuciscus alburnus); the bleak.
ABLIGATEAb"li*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. ab + ligatus, p. p. of ligare to tie.]
Defn: To tie up so as to hinder from. [Obs.]
ABLIGURITION Ab*lig`u*ri"tion, n. Etym: [L. abligurito, fr. abligurire to spend in luxurious indulgence; ab + ligurire to be lickerish, dainty, fr. lingere to lick.]
Defn: Prodigal expense for food. [Obs.] Bailey.
ABLINSA"blins, adv. Etym: [See Able.]
Defn: Perhaps. [Scot.]
ABLOOMA*bloom", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + bloom.]
Defn: In or into bloom; in a blooming state. Masson.
ABLUDEAb*lude", v. t. Etym: [L. abludere; ab + ludere to play.]
Defn: To be unlike; to differ. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
ABLUENT Ab"lu*ent, a. Etym: [L. abluens, p. pr. of. abluere to wash away; ab + luere (lavere, lavare). See Lave.]
Defn: Washing away; carrying off impurities; detergent. — n. (Med.)
Defn: A detergent.
ABLUSHA*blush", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + blush.]
Defn: Blushing; ruddy.
ABLUTIONAb*lu`tion, n. Etym: [L. ablutio, fr. abluere: cf. F. ablution. SeeAbluent.]
1. The act of washing or cleansing; specifically, the washing of the body, or some part of it, as a religious rite.
2. The water used in cleansing. "Cast the ablutions in the main." Pope.
3. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A small quantity of wine and water, which is used to wash the priest's thumb and index finger after the communion, and which then, as perhaps containing portions of the consecrated elements, is drunk by the priest.
ABLUTIONARYAb*lu"tion*a*ry, a.
Defn: Pertaining to ablution.
ABLUVIONAb*lu"vi*on, n. Etym: [LL. abluvio. See Abluent.]
Defn: That which is washed off. [R.] Dwight.
ABLYA"bly, adv.
Defn: In an able manner; with great ability; as, ably done, planned, said.
-ABLY -a*bly(#).
Defn: A suffix composed of -able and the adverbial suffix -ly; as, favorably.
ABNEGATEAb"ne*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abnegated; p. pr. & vb. n.Abnegating.] Etym: [L. abnegatus,p. p. of abnegare; ab + negare todeny. See Deny.]
Defn: To deny and reject; to abjure. Sir E. Sandys. Farrar.
ABNEGATIONAb`ne*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. abnegatio: cf. F. abnégation.]
Defn: a denial; a renunciation. With abnegation of God, of his honor, and of religion, they may retain the friendship of the court. Knox.
ABNEGATIVEAb"ne*ga*tive, a. Etym: [L. abnegativus.]
Defn: Denying; renouncing; negative. [R.] Clarke.
ABNEGATORAb"ne*ga`tor(#), n. [L.]
Defn: One who abnegates, denies, or rejects anything. [R.]
ABNETAb"net, n. Etym: [Heb.]
Defn: The girdle of a Jewish priest or officer.
ABNODATE Ab"no*date, v. t. Etym: [L. abnodatus, p. p. of abnodare; ab + nodus knot.]
Defn: To clear (tress) from knots. [R.] Blount.
ABNODATIONAb`no*da"tion, n.
Defn: The act of cutting away the knots of trees. [R.] Crabb.
ABNORMAL Ab*nor"mal, a. Etym: [For earlier anormal.F. anormal, LL. anormalus for anomalus, Gr. abnormis. See Anomalous, Abnormous, Anormal.]
Defn: Not conformed to rule or system; deviating from the type; anomalous; irregular. "That deviating from the type; anomalous; irregular. " Froude.
ABNORMALITYAb`nor*mal"i*ty, n.; pl. Abnormalities.
1. The state or quality of being abnormal; variation; irregularity. Darwin.
2. Something abnormal.
ABNORMALLYAb*nor"mal*ly, adv.
Defn: In an abnormal manner; irregularly. Darwin.
ABNORMITYAb*nor"mi*ty, n.; pl. Abnormities. Etym: [LL. abnormitas. SeeAbnormous.]
Defn: Departure from the ordinary type; irregularity; monstrosity."An abnormity . . . like a calf born with two heads." Mrs. Whitney.
ABNORMOUSAb*nor"mous, a. Etym: [L. abnormis; ab + norma rule. See Normal.]
Defn: Abnormal; irregular. Hallam. A character of a more abnormous cast than his equally suspected coadjutor. State Trials.
ABOARDA*board", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- on, in + board.]
Defn: On board; into or within a ship or boat; hence, into or within a railway car.
2. Alongside; as, close aboard. Naut.: To fall aboard of, to strike aship's side; to fall foul of.— To haul the tacks aboard, to set the courses.— To keep the land aboard, to hug the shore.— To lay (a ship) aboard, to place one's own ship close alongsideof (a ship) for fighting.
ABOARDA*board", prep.
1. On board of; as, to go aboard a ship.
2. Across; athwart. [Obs.] Nor iron bands aboard The Pontic Sea by their huge navy cast. Spenser.
ABODANCEA*bod"ance, n. Etym: [See Bode.]
Defn: An omen; a portending. [Obs.]
ABODEA*bode", pret.
Defn: of Abide.
ABODEA*bode", n. Etym: [OE. abad, abood, fr. abiden to abide. See Abide.For the change of vowel, cf. abode, imp. of abide.]
1. Act of waiting; delay. [Obs.] Shak. And with her fled away without abode. Spenser.
2. Stay or continuance in a place; sojourn. He waxeth at your abode here. Fielding.
3. Place of continuance, or where one dwells; abiding place; residence; a dwelling; a habitation. Come, let me lead you to our poor abode. Wordsworth.
ABODEA*bode", n. Etym: [See Bode, v. t.]
Defn: An omen. [Obs.]High-thundering Juno's husband stirs my spirit with true abodes.Chapman.
ABODEA*bode", v. t.
Defn: To bode; to foreshow. [Obs.] Shak.
ABODEA*bode", v. i.
Defn: To be ominous. [Obs.] Dryden.
ABODEMENTA*bode"ment, n.
Defn: A foreboding; an omen. [Obs.] "Abodements must not now affright us." Shak.
ABODINGA*bod"ing, n.
Defn: A foreboding. [Obs.]
ABOLISHA*bol"ish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abolished; p. pr. & vb. n.Abolishing.] Etym: [F. abolir, L. abolere, aboletum; ab + olere togrow. Cf. Finish.]
1. To do away with wholly; to annul; to make void; — said of laws, customs, institutions, governments, etc.; as, to abolish slavery, to abolish folly.
2. To put an end to, or destroy, as a physical objects; to wipe out.[Archaic]And with thy blood abolish so reproachful blot. Spenser.His quick instinctive hand Caught at the hilt, as to abolish him.Tennyson.
Syn. — To Abolish, Repeal, Abrogate, Revoke, Annul, Nullify, Cancel. These words have in common the idea of setting aside by some overruling act. Abolish applies particularly to things of a permanent nature, such as institutions, usages, customs, etc.; as, to abolish monopolies, serfdom, slavery. Repeal describes the act by which the legislature of a state sets aside a law which it had previously enacted. Abrogate was originally applied to the repeal of a law by the Roman people; and hence, when the power of making laws was usurped by the emperors, the term was applied to their act of setting aside the laws. Thus it came to express that act by which a sovereign or an executive government sets aside laws, ordinances, regulations, treaties, conventions, etc. Revoke denotes the act or recalling some previous grant which conferred, privilege, etc.; as, to revoke a decree, to revoke a power of attorney, a promise, etc. Thus, also, we speak of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Annul is used in a more general sense, denoting simply to make void; as, to annul a contract, to annul an agreement. Nullify is an old word revived in this country, and applied to the setting of things aside either by force or by total disregard; as, to nullify an act of Congress. Cancel is to strike out or annul, by a deliberate exercise of power, something which has operative force.
ABOLISHABLEA*bol"ish*a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. abolissable.]
Defn: Capable of being abolished.
ABOLISHERA*bol"ish*er, n.
Defn: One who abolishes.
ABOLISHMENTA*bol"ish*ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. abolissement.]
Defn: The act of abolishing; abolition; destruction. Hooker.
ABOLITIONAb"o*li"tion, n. Etym: [L. abolitio, fr. abolere: cf. F. abolition.See Abolish.]
Defn: The act of abolishing, or the state of being abolished; an annulling; abrogation; utter destruction; as, the abolition of slavery or the slave trade; the abolition of laws, decrees, ordinances, customs, taxes, debts, etc.
Note: The application of this word to persons is now unusual or obsolete
ABOLITIONISMAb`o*li"tion*ism, n.
Defn: The principles or measures of abolitionists. Wilberforce.
ABOLITIONISTAb`o*li"tion*ist, n.
Defn: A person who favors the abolition of any institution, especially negro slavery.
ABOLITIONIZEAb`o*li`tion*ize, v. t.
Defn: To imbue with the principles of abolitionism. [R.] Bartlett.
ABOMAA*bo"ma, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large South American serpent (Boa aboma).
ABOMASUM; ABOMASUS Ab`o*ma"sum, Ab`o*ma"sus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. ab + omasum (a Celtic word.] (Anat.)
Defn: The fourth or digestive stomach of a ruminant, which leads from the third stomach omasum. See Ruminantia.
ABOMINABLEA*bom"i*na*ble, a. Etym: [F. abominable. L. abominalis. SeeAbominate.]
1. Worthy of, or causing, abhorrence, as a thing of evil omen; odious in the utmost degree; very hateful; detestable; loathsome; execrable.
2. Excessive; large; — used as an intensive. [Obs.]
Note: Juliana Berners . . . informs us that in her time [15th c.], "abomynable syght of monkes" was elegant English for "a large company of friars." G. P. Marsh.
ABOMINABLENESSA*bom"i*na*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being abominable; odiousness. Bentley.
ABOMINABLYA*bom"i*na*bly, adv.
Defn: In an abominable manner; very odiously; detestably.
ABOMINATEA*bom"i*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abominated; p. pr. & vb. n.Abominating.] Etym: [L. abominatus, p. p. or abominari to deprecateas ominous, to abhor, to curse; ab + omen a foreboding. See Omen.]
Defn: To turn from as ill-omened; to hate in the highest degree, as if with religious dread; loathe; as, to abominate all impiety.
Syn.— To hate; abhor; loathe; detest. See Hate.
ABOMINATIONA*bom`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [OE. abominacioun, -cion, F. abominatio.See Abominate.]
1. The feeling of extreme disgust and hatred; abhorrence; detestation; loathing; as, he holds tobacco in abomination.
2. That which is abominable; anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully vile; an object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice; pollution. Antony, most large in his abominations. Shak.
3. A cause of pollution or wickedness.
Syn. — Detestation; loathing; abhorrence; disgust; aversion; loathsomeness; odiousness. Sir W. Scott.
ABOONA*boon", prep.
Defn: and adv. Above. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]Aboon the pass of Bally-Brough. Sir W. Scott.The ceiling fair that rose aboon. J. R. Drake.
ABORALAb*o"ral, a. Etym: [L. ab. + E. oral.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Situated opposite to, or away from, the mouth.
ABORDA*bord", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Manner of approaching or accosting; address. Chesterfield.
ABORD A*bord", v. t. Etym: [F. aborder, à (L. ad) + bord rim, brim, or side of a vessel. See Border, Board.]
Defn: To approach; to accost. [Obs.] Digby.
ABORIGINALAb`o*rig"i*nal, a. Etym: [See Aborigines.]
1. First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America. "Mantled o'er with aboriginal turf." Wordsworth.
2. Of or pertaining to aborigines; as, a Hindoo of aboriginal blood.
ABORIGINALAb`o*rig"i*nal, n.
1. An original inhabitant of any land; one of the aborigines.
2. An animal or a plant native to the region. It may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these islands. Darwin.
ABORIGINALITYAb`o*rig`i*nal"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being aboriginal. Westm. Rev.
ABORIGINALLYAb`o*rig"i*nal*ly, adv.
Defn: Primarily.
ABORIGINES Ab`o*rig"i*nes, n. pl. Etym: [L. Aborigines; ab + origo, especially the first inhabitants of Latium, those who originally (ab origine) inhabited Latium or Italy. See Origin.]
1. The earliest known inhabitants of a country; native races.
2. The original fauna and flora of a geographical area
ABORSEMENTA*borse"ment, n.
Defn: Abortment; abortion. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
ABORSIVEA*bor"sive, a.
Defn: Abortive. [Obs.] Fuller.
ABORT A*bort", v. i. Etym: [L. abortare, fr. abortus, p. p. of aboriri; ab + oriri to rise, to be born. See Orient.]
1. To miscarry; to bring forth young prematurely.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile.
ABORTA*bort", n. Etym: [L. abortus, fr. aboriri.]
1. An untimely birth. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.
2. An aborted offspring. [Obs.] Holland.
ABORTEDA*bort"ed, a.
1. Brought forth prematurely.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Rendered abortive or sterile; undeveloped; checked in normal development at a very early stage; as, spines are aborted branches. The eyes of the cirripeds are more or less aborted in their mature state. Owen.
ABORTICIDEA*bor"ti*cide, n. Etym: [L. abortus + caedere to kill. See Abort.](Med.)
Defn: The act of destroying a fetus in the womb; feticide.
ABORTIFACIENT A*bor`ti*fa"cient, a. Etym: [L. abortus (see Abort, v.) + faciens, p. pr. of facere to make.]
Defn: Producing miscarriage. — n.
Defn: A drug or an agent that causes premature delivery.
ABORTIONA*bor"tion, n. Etym: [L. abortio, fr. aboriri. See Abort.]
1. The act of giving premature birth; particularly, the expulsion of the human fetus prematurely, or before it is capable of sustaining life; miscarriage.
Note: It is sometimes used for the offense of procuring a premature delivery, but strictly the early delivery is the abortion, "causing or procuring abortion" is the full name of the offense. Abbott.
2. The immature product of an untimely birth.
3. (Biol.)
Defn: Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.
4. Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt. proved an abortiori.
ABORTIONALA*bor"tion*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to abortion; miscarrying; abortive. Carlyle.
ABORTIONISTA*bor"tion*ist, n.
Defn: One who procures abortion or miscarriage.
ABORTIVEA*bor"tive, a. Etym: [L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See Abort, v.]
1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child. [R.]
2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum. [Obs.]
3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] "Plunged in that abortive gulf." Milton.
4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. "An abortive enterprise." Prescott.
5. (Biol.)
Defn: Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
6. (Med.) (a) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parr. (b) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.
ABORTIVEA*bor"tive, n.
1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Obs.] Shak.
2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]
3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion. Dunglison.
ABORTIVELYA*bor"tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In an abortive or untimely manner; immaturely; fruitlessly.
ABORTIVENESSA*bor"tive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being abortive.
ABORTMENTA*bort"ment, n.
Defn: Abortion. [Obs.]
ABOUGHTA*bought", imp. & p. p.
Defn: of Aby. [Obs.]
ABOUNDA*bound", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Abounding.]Etym: [OE. abounden, F. abonder, fr. L. abundare to overflow, abound;ab + unda wave. Cf. Undulate.]
1. To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent; to be plentiful.The wild boar which abounds in some parts of the continent of Europe.Chambers.Where sin abounded grace did much more abound. Rom. v. 20.
2. To be copiously supplied; — followed by in or with. To abound in, to posses in such abundance as to be characterized by. — To abound with, to be filled with; to possess in great numbers. Men abounding in natural courage. Macaulay. A faithful man shall abound with blessings. Prov. xxviii. 20. It abounds with cabinets of curiosities. Addison.
ABOUTA*bout", prep. Etym: [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. abutan,onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out.See But, Out.]
1. Around; all round; on every side of. "Look about you." Shak. "Bind them about thy neck." Prov. iii. 3.
2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person). "Have you much money about you" Bulwer.
3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses. Macaulay. Roving still about the world. Milton.
4. Near; not far from; — determining approximately time, size, quantity. "To-morrow, about this time." Exod. ix. 18. "About my stature." Shak. He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx. 3.
Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on. I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49.
6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive:
Defn: On the point or verge of; going; in act of.Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14.
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. "To treat about thy ransom." Milton. She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope.
ABOUTA*bout", adv.
1. On all sides; around. 'Tis time to look about. Shak.
2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another. Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v. 13.
4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; — also of quantity, number, time. "There fell . . . about three thousand men." Exod. xxii. 28.
5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about. To bring about, to cause to take place; to accomplish. — To come about, to occur; to take place. See under Come. — To go about, To set about, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. "Shall we set about some revels Shak. — Round about, in every direction around.
ABOUT-SLEDGEA*bout"-sledge", n.
Defn: The largest hammer used by smiths. Weale.
ABOVE A*bove", prep. Etym: [OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon; an (or on) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. *199. See Over.]
1. In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; — opposed to below or beneath. Fowl that may fly above the earth. Gen. i. 20.
2. Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach. "Thy worth . . . is actions above my gifts." Marlowe. I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun. Acts xxxvi. 13.
3. Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a hundred. (Passing into the adverbial sense. See Above, adv., 4.) above all, before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to other things. Over and above, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to.
ABOVEA*bove", adv.
1. In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above.
2. Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page. "That was said above." Dryden.
3. Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above.
4. More than; as, above five hundred were present.
Note: Above is often used elliptically as an adjective by omitting the word mentioned, quoted, or the like; as, the above observations, the above reference, the above articles. — Above is also used substantively. "The waters that come down from above." Josh. iii. 13. It is also used as the first part of a compound in the sense of before, previously; as, above-cited, above- described, above-mentioned, above-named, abovesaid, abovespecified, above-written, above-given.
ABOVEBOARDA*bove"board`, adv.
Defn: Above the board or table. Hence: in open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception. "Fair and aboveboard." Burke.
Note: This expression is said by Johnson to have been borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put their hands under the table.
ABOVE-CITEDA*bove"-cit`ed, a.
Defn: Cited before, in the preceding part of a book or writing.
ABOVEDECKA*bove"deck`, a.
Defn: On deck; and hence, like aboveboard, without artifice. Smart.
ABOVE-MENTIONED; ABOVE-NAMEDA*bove"-men`tioned, A*bove"-named`(#), a.
Defn: Mentioned or named before; aforesaid.
ABOVESAIDA*bove"said`, a.
Defn: Mentioned or recited before.
ABOXA*box", adv. & a. (Naut.)
Defn: Braced aback.
ABRAA"bra, n. [Sp., a bay, valley, fissure.]
Defn: A narrow pass or defile; a break in a mesa; the mouth of a cañon. [Southwestern U. S.]
ABRACADABRAAb`ra*ca*dab"ra, n. Etym: [L. Of unknown origin.]
Defn: A mystical word or collocation of letters written as in the figure. Worn on an amulet it was supposed to ward off fever. At present the word is used chiefly in jest to denote something without meaning; jargon.
ABRADANTAb*ra"dant, n.
Defn: A material used for grinding, as emery, sand, powdered glass, etc.
ABRADEAb*rade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrading.]Etym: [L. abradere, abrasum, to scrape off; ab + radere to scrape.See Rase, Raze.]
Defn: To rub or wear off; to waste or wear away by friction; as, to abrade rocks. Lyell.
ABRADEA*brade", v. t.
Defn: Same as Abraid. [Obs.]
ABRAHAMICA`bra*ham"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to Abraham, the patriarch; as, the Abrachamic covenant.
ABRAHAMITIC; ABRAHAMITICALA`bra*ham*it"ic, A`bra*ham*it*ic*al(#), a.
Defn: Relating to the patriarch Abraham.
ABRAHAM-MAN; ABRAM-MANA"bra*ham-man`(#) or A"bram-man`(#), n. Etym: [Possibly in allusionto the parable of the beggar Lazarus in Luke xvi. Murray (New Eng.Dict. ).]
Defn: One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through England, feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms. Nares. To sham Abraham, to feign sickness. Goldsmith.
ABRAIDA*braid", v. t. & i. Etym: [OE. abraiden, to awake, draw (a sword),AS. abredgan to shake, draw; pref. a- (cf. Goth. us-, Ger. er-, orig.meaning out) + bregdan to shake, throw. See Braid.]
Defn: To awake; to arouse; to stir or start up; also, to shout out.[Obs.] Chaucer.
ABRANCHIALA*bran"chi*al, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Abranchiate.
ABRANCHIATAA*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of annelids, so called because the species composing it have no special organs of respiration.
ABRANCHIATEA*bran"chi*ate, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Without gills.
ABRASEAb*rase", a. Etym: [L. abrasus, p. p. of abradere. See Abrade.]
Defn: Rubbed smooth. [Obs.] "An abrase table." B. Jonson.
ABRASIONAb*ra"sion, n. Etym: [L. abrasio, fr. abradere. See Abrade.]
1. The act of abrading, wearing, or rubbing off; the wearing away by friction; as, the abrasion of coins.
2. The substance rubbed off. Berkeley.
3. (Med.)
Defn: A superficial excoriation, with loss of substance under the form of small shreds. Dunglison.
ABRASIVEAb*ra"sive, a.
Defn: Producing abrasion. Ure.
ABRAUM; ABRAUM SALTSA*braum" or A*braum" salts, n. Etym: [Ger., fr. abräumen to remove.]
Defn: A red ocher used to darken mahogany and for making chloride of potassium.
ABRAXAS A*brax"as, n. Etym: [A name adopted by the Egyptian Gnostic Basilides, containing the Greek letters , , , , , , , which, as numerals, amounted to 365. It was used to signify the supreme deity as ruler of the 365 heavens of his system.]
Defn: A mystical word used as a charm and engraved on gems among the ancients; also, a gem stone thus engraved.
ABRAYA*bray", v. Etym: [A false form from the preterit abraid, abrayde.]
Defn: See Abraid. [Obs.] Spenser.
ABREACTIONAb`re*ac"tion, n. [Pref. ab-+ reaction, after G. Abreagirung.](Psychotherapy)
Defn: See Catharsis, below.
ABREASTA*breast", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + breast.]
1. Side by side, with breasts in a line; as, "Two men could hardly walk abreast." Macaulay.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam; — with of.
3. Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science.
4. At the same time; simultaneously. [Obs.] Abreast therewith began a convocation. Fuller.
ABREGGEA*breg"ge, v. t.
Defn: See Abridge. [Obs.]
ABRENOUNCEAb`re*nounce", v. t. Etym: [L. abrenuntiare; ab + renuntiare. SeeRenounce.]
Defn: To renounce. [Obs.] "They abrenounce and cast them off."Latimer.
ABRENUNCIATIONAb`re*nun`ci*a"tion, n. Etym: [LL. abrenuntiatio. See Abrenounce.]
Defn: Absolute renunciation or repudiation. [Obs.] An abrenunciation of that truth which he so long had professed, and still believed. Fuller.
ABREPTION Ab*rep"tion, n. Etym: [L. abreptus, p. p. of abripere to snatch away; ab + rapere to snatch.]
Defn: A snatching away. [Obs.]
ABREUVOIRA`breu`voir", n. Etym: [F., a watering place.] (Masonry)
Defn: The joint or interstice between stones, to be filled with mortar. Gwilt.
ABRICOCKA"bri*cock, n.
Defn: See Apricot. [Obs.]
ABRIDGEA*bridge", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abridged; p. pr. & vb. n. Abridging.]Etym: [OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F. abréger, fr. L. abbreviare; ad +brevis short. See Brief and cf. Abbreviate.]
1. To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights. "The bridegroom . . . abridged his visit." Smollett. She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity. Fuller.
2. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a history or dictionary.
3. To deprive; to cut off; — followed by of, and formerly by from; as, to abridge one of his rights.
ABRIDGERA*bridg"er, n.
Defn: One who abridges.
ABRIDGMENTA*bridg"ment, n. Etym: [OE. abregement. See Abridge.]
1. The act abridging, or the state of being abridged; diminution; lessening; reduction or deprivation; as, an abridgment of pleasures or of expenses.
2. An epitome or compend, as of a book; a shortened or abridged form; an abbreviation. Ancient coins as abridgments of history. Addison.
3. That which abridges or cuts short; hence, an entertainment that makes the time pass quickly. [Obs.] What abridgment have you for this evening What mask What music Shak.
Syn. — Abridgment, Compendium, Epitome, Abstract, Synopsis. An abridgment is made by omitting the less important parts of some larger work; as, an abridgment of a dictionary. A compendium is a brief exhibition of a subject, or science, for common use; as, a compendium of American literature. An epitome corresponds to a compendium, and gives briefly the most material points of a subject; as, an epitome of history. An abstract is a brief statement of a thing in its main points. A synopsis is a bird's-eye view of a subject, or work, in its several parts.
ABROACHA*broach", v. t. Etym: [OE. abrochen, OF. abrochier. See Broach.]
Defn: To set abroach; to let out, as liquor; to broach; to tap.[Obs.] Chaucer.
ABROACHA*broach", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + broach.]
1. Broached; in a condition for letting out or yielding liquor, as a cask which is tapped. Hogsheads of ale were set abroach. Sir W. Scott.
2. Hence: In a state to be diffused or propagated; afoot; astir. "Mischiefs that I set abroach." Shak.
ABROADA*broad", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + broad.]
1. At large; widely; broadly; over a wide space; as, a tree spreads its branches abroad. The fox roams far abroad. Prior.
2. Without a certain confine; outside the house; away from one's abode; as, to walk abroad. I went to St. James', where another was preaching in the court abroad. Evelyn.
3. Beyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries; as, we have broils at home and enemies abroad. "Another prince . . . was living abroad." Macaulay.
4. Before the public at large; throughout society or the world; here and there; widely. He went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter. Mark i. 45. To be abroad. (a) To be wide of the mark; to be at fault; as, you are all abroad in your guess. (b) To be at a loss or nonplused.
ABROGABLEAb"ro*ga*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being abrogated.
ABROGATEAb"ro*gate, a. Etym: [L. abrogatus, p. p.]
Defn: Abrogated; abolished. [Obs.] Latimer.
ABROGATEAb"ro*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abrogated; p. pr. & vb. n.Abrogating.] Etym: [L. abrogatus, p. p. of abrogare; ab + rogare toask, require, propose. See Rogation.]
1. To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of the maker or his successor; to repeal; — applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of customs, etc. Let us see whether the New Testament abrogates what we so frequently see in the Old. South. Whose laws, like those of the Medes and Persian, they can not alter or abrogate. Burke.
2. To put an end to; to do away with. Shak.
Syn. — To abolish; annul; do away; set aside; revoke; repeal; cancel; annihilate. See Abolish.
ABROGATION Ab`ro*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. abrogatio, fr. abrogare: cf. F. abrogation.]
Defn: The act of abrogating; repeal by authority. Hume.
ABROGATIVEAb"ro*ga*tive, a.
Defn: Tending or designed to abrogate; as, an abrogative law.
ABROGATORAb"ro*ga`tor, n.
Defn: One who repeals by authority.
ABROODA*brood", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + brood.]
Defn: In the act of brooding. [Obs.] Abp. Sancroft.
ABROOKA*brook", v. t. Etym: [Pref. a- + brook, v.]
Defn: To brook; to endure. [Obs.] Shak.
ABRUPT Ab*rupt", a. Etym: [L. abruptus, p. p. of abrumpere to break off; ab + rumpere to break. See Rupture.]
1. Broken off; very steep, or craggy, as rocks, precipices, banks; precipitous; steep; as, abrupt places. "Tumbling through ricks abrupt," Thomson.
2. Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious. "The cause of your abrupt departure." Shak.
3. Having sudden transitions from one subject to another; unconnected. The abrupt style, which hath many breaches. B. Jonson.
4. (Bot.)
Defn: Suddenly terminating, as if cut off. Gray.
Syn. — Sudden; unexpected; hasty; rough; curt; unceremonious; rugged; blunt; disconnected; broken.
ABRUPTAb*rupt", n. Etym: [L. abruptum.]
Defn: An abrupt place. [Poetic]"Over the vast abrupt." Milton.
ABRUPTAb*rupt", v. t.
Defn: To tear off or asunder. [Obs.] "Till death abrupts them." SirT. Browne.
ABRUPTIONAb*rup"tion, n. Etym: [L. abruptio, fr. abrumpere: cf. F. abruption.]
Defn: A sudden breaking off; a violent separation of bodies.Woodward.
ABRUPTLYAb*rupt"ly, adv.
1. In an abrupt manner; without giving notice, or without the usual forms; suddenly.
2. Precipitously. Abruptly pinnate (Bot.), pinnate without an odd leaflet, or other appendage, at the end. Gray.
ABRUPTNESSAb*rupt"ness, n.
1. The state of being abrupt or broken; craggedness; ruggedness; steepness.
2. Suddenness; unceremonious haste or vehemence; as, abruptness of style or manner.
ABSCESS Ab"scess, n.; pl. Abscesses. Etym: [L. abscessus a going away, gathering of humors, abscess, fr. abscessus, p. p. of absedere to go away; ab, abs + cedere to go off, retire. See Cede.] (Med.)
Defn: A collection of pus or purulent matter in any tissue or organ of the body, the result of a morbid process. Cold abscess, an abscess of slow formation, unattended with the pain and heat characteristic of ordinary abscesses, and lasting for years without exhibiting any tendency towards healing; a chronic abscess.
ABSCESSIONAb*sces"sion, n. Etym: [L. abscessio a separation; fr. absedere. SeeAbscess.]
Defn: A separating; removal; also, an abscess. [Obs.] Gauden.Barrough.
ABSCINDAb*scind", v. t. Etym: [L. absindere; ab + scindere to rend, cut. SeeSchism.]
Defn: To cut off. [R.] "Two syllables . . . abscinded from the rest."Johnson.
ABSCISIONAb*sci"sion, n. Etym: [L. abscisio.]
Defn: See Abscission.
ABSCISSAb"sciss, n.; pl. Abscisses.
Defn: See Abscissa.
ABSCISSA Ab*scis"sa, n.; E. pl. Abscissas, L. pl. Abscissæ. Etym: [L., fem. of abscissus, p. p. of absindere to cut of. See Abscind.] (Geom.)
Defn: One of the elements of reference by which a point, as of a curve, is referred to a system of fixed rectilineal coördinate axes.
Note: When referred to two intersecting axes, one of them called the axis of abscissas, or of X, and the other the axis of ordinates, or of Y, the abscissa of the point is the distance cut off from the axis of X by a line drawn through it and parallel to the axis of Y. When a point in space is referred to three axes having a common intersection, the abscissa may be the distance measured parallel to either of them, from the point to the plane of the other two axes. Abscissas and ordinates taken together are called coördinates. — OX or PY is the abscissa of the point P of the curve, OY or PX its ordinate, the intersecting lines OX and OY being the axes of abscissas and ordinates respectively, and the point O their origin.
ABSCISSIONAb*scis"sion, n. Etym: [L. abscissio. See Abscind.]
1. The act or process of cutting off. "Not to be cured without the abscission of a member." Jer. Taylor.
2. The state of being cut off. Sir T. Browne.
3. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure of speech employed when a speaker having begun to say a thing stops abruptly: thus, "He is a man of so much honor and candor, and of such generosity — but I need say no more."
ABSCONDAb*scond", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Absconded; p. pr. & vb. n.Absconding.] Etym: [L. abscondere to hide; ab, abs + condere to layup; con + dare (only in comp.) to put. Cf. Do.]
1. To hide, withdraw, or be concealed. The marmot absconds all winter. Ray.
2. To depart clandestinely; to steal off and secrete one's self; — used especially of persons who withdraw to avoid a legal process; as, an absconding debtor. That very homesickness which, in regular armies, drives so many recruits to abscond. Macaulay.
ABSCONDAb*scond", v. t.
Defn: To hide; to conceal. [Obs.] Bentley.
ABSCONDENCEAb*scond"ence, n.
Defn: Fugitive concealment; secret retirement; hiding. [R.] Phillips.
ABSCONDERAb*scond"er, n.
Defn: One who absconds.
ABSENCEAb"sence, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. absentia. See Absent.]
1. A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; — opposed to presence. Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence. Phil. ii. 12.
2. Want; destitution; withdrawal. "In the absence of conventional law." Kent.
3. Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as, absence of mind. "Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind." Addison. To conquer that abstraction which is called absence. Landor.
ABSENT Ab"sent, a. Etym: [F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse to be away from; ab + esse to be. Cf. Sooth.]
1. Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present. "Expecting absent friends." Shak.
2. Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent.
3. Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied; as, an absent air. What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very weak or a very affected man. Chesterfield.