Syn.— Fervor; warmth; eagerness. See Fervor.
ARDUOUS Ar"du*ous, a. Etym: [L. arduus steep, high; akin to Ir. ard high, height.]
1. Steep and lofty, in a literal sense; hard to climb. Those arduous pats they trod. Pope.
2. Attended with great labor, like the ascending of acclivities; difficult; laborious; as, an arduous employment, task, or enterprise.
Syn. — Difficult; trying; laborious; painful; exhausting. — Arduous, Hard, Difficult. Hard is simpler, blunter, and more general in sense than difficult; as, a hard duty to perform, hard work, a hard task, one which requires much bodily effort and perseverance to do. Difficult commonly implies more skill and sagacity than hard, as when there is disproportion between the means and the end. A work may be hard but not difficult. We call a thing arduous when it requires strenuous and persevering exertion, like that of one who is climbing a precipice; as, an arduous task, an arduous duty. "It is often difficult to control our feelings; it is still harder to subdue our will; but it is an arduous undertaking to control the unruly and contending will of others."
ARDUOUSLYAr"du*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: In an arduous manner; with difficulty or laboriousness.
ARDUOUSNESSAr"du*ous*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being arduous; difficulty of execution.
ARDUROUSAr"du*rous, a.
Defn: Burning; ardent. [R.]Lo! further on, Where flames the arduous Spirit of Isidore. Cary.
AREAre. Etym: [AS. (Northumbrian) aron, akin to the 1st pers. pl. forms,Icel. erum, Goth. sijum, L. sumus, Gr. smas; all from a root as. Amand Is, and cf. Be.]
Defn: The present indicative plural of the substantive verb to be; but etymologically a different word from be, or was. Am, art, are, and is, all come from the root as.
AREAre, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. area. See Area.] (Metric system)
Defn: The unit of superficial measure, being a square of which each side is ten meters in length; 100 square meters, or about 119.6 square yards.
AREA A"re*a, n.; pl. Areas . Etym: [L. area a broad piece of level groAre, n.]
1. Any plane surface, as of the floor of a room or church, or of the ground within an inclosure; an open space in a building. The Alban lake . . . looks like the area of some vast amphitheater. Addison.
2. The inclosed space on which a building stands.
3. The sunken space or court, giving ingress and affording light to the basement of a building.
4. An extent of surface; a tract of the earth's surface; a region; as, vast uncultivated areas.
5. (Geom.)
Defn: The superficial contents of any figure; the surface included within any given lines; superficial extent; as, the area of a square or a triangle.
6. (Biol.)
Defn: A spot or small marked space; as, the germinative area.
7. Extent; scope; range; as, a wide area of thought.The largest area of human history and man's common nature. F.Harrison.Dry area. See under Dry.
AREAD; AREEDA*read", A*reed", v. t. Etym: [OE. areden, AS. ar to interpret. SeeRead.]
1. To tell, declare, explain, or interpret; to divine; to guess; as, to aread a riddle or a dream. [Obs.] Therefore more plain aread this doubtful case. Spenser.
2. To read. [Obs.] Drayton.
3. To counsel, advise, warn, or direct. But mark what I aread thee now. Avaunt! Milton.
4. To decree; to adjudge. [Archaic] Ld. Lytton.
AREALA"re*al, a. Etym: [Cf. L. arealis, fr. area.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to an area; as, areal interstices (the areas or spaces inclosed by the reticulate vessels of leaves).
AREARA*rear", v. t. & i. Etym: [AS. ar. See Rear.]
Defn: To raise; to set up; to stir up. [Obs.]
AREARA*rear", adv. Etym: [See Arrear, adv.]
Defn: Backward; in or to the rear; behindhand. Spenser.
ARECAA*re"ca, n. Etym: [Canarese adiki: cf. Pg. & Sp. areca.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of palms, one species of which produces the areca nut, or betel nut, which is chewed in India with the leaf of the Piper Betle and lime.
ARECOLINE; ARECOLIN A*re"co*line, A*re"co*lin, n. [From NL. Areca, a genus of palms bearing betel nut.]
Defn: An oily liquid substance, C8H13O2N, the chief alkaloid of the betel nut, to which the latter owes its anthelmintic action.
AREEKA*reek", adv. & a. Etym: [Pref. a- + reek.]
Defn: In a reeking condition. Swift.
AREFACTIONAr`e*fac"tion, n. Etym: [L. arefacere to dry.]
Defn: The act of drying, or the state of growing dry.The arefaction of the earth. Sir M. Hale.
AREFYAr"e*fy, v. t. Etym: [L. arere to be dry + -fly.]
Defn: To dry, or make dry. Bacon.
ARENA A*re"na, n.; pl. E. Arenas; L. Arenæ. Etym: [L. arena, harena, sand, a sandy place.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: The area in the central part of an amphitheater, in which the gladiators fought and other shows were exhibited; — so called because it was covered with sand.
2. Any place of public contest or exertion; any sphere of action; as, the arenaof debate; the arena of life.
3. (Med.)
Defn: "Sand" or "gravel" in the kidneys.
ARENACEOUSAr`e*na"ceous, a. Etym: [L. arenaceus, fr. arena sand.]
Defn: Sandy or consisting largely of sand; of the nature of sand; easily disintegrating into sand; friable; as, arenaceous limestone.
ARENARIOUSAr`e*na"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. arenarius, fr. arena sand.]
Defn: Sandy; as, arenarious soil.
ARENATIONAr`e*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. arenatio, fr. arena sand.] (Med.)
Defn: A sand bath; application of hot sand to the body. Dunglison.
ARENDATORAr`en*da"tor, n. Etym: [LL. arendator, arrendator, fr. arendare,arrendare, to pay rent, fr. arenda yearly rent; ad + renda, F. rente,E. rent. Cf. Arrentation and Rent.]
Defn: In some provinces of Russia, one who farms the rents or revenues.
Note: A person who rents an estate belonging to the crown is called crown arendator. Tooke.
ARENG; ARENGAA*reng", A*ren"ga, n. Etym: [Malayan.]
Defn: A palm tree (Saguerus saccharifer) which furnishes sago, wine, and fibers for ropes; the gomuti palm.
ARENICOLITE Ar`e*nic"o*lite, n. Etym: [L. arena sand + colere to cherish or live.] (Paleon.)
Defn: An ancient wormhole in sand, preserved in the rocks. Dana.
ARENILITICA*ren`i*lit"ic, a. Etym: [L. arena sand + Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to sandstone; as, arenilitic mountains.Kirwan.
ARENOSEAr"e*nose, a. Etym: [L. arenosus, fr. arena sand.]
Defn: Sandy; full of sand. Johnson.
ARENULOUSA*ren"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. arenula fine sand, dim. of arena.]
Defn: Full of fine sand; like sand. [Obs.]
AREOLA A*re"o*la, n.; pl. Areolæ. Etym: [L. areola, dim. of area: cf. F. aréole. See Area.]
1. An interstice or small space, as between the cracks of the surface in certain crustaceous lichens; or as between the fibers composing organs or vessels that interlace; or as between the nervures of an insect's wing.
2. (Anat. & Med.)
Defn: The colored ring around the nipple, or around a vesicle or pustule.
AREOLARA*re"o*lar, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or like, an areola; filled with interstices or areolæ. reolar tissue (Anat.), a form of fibrous connective tissue in which the fibers are loosely arranged with numerous spaces, or areolæ, between them.
AREOLATE; AREOLATEDA*re"o*late, A*re"o*la*ted, a. Etym: [L. areola: cf. F. aréole.]
Defn: Divided into small spaces or areolations, as the wings of insects, the leaves of plants, or the receptacle of compound flowers.
AREOLATIONA`re*o*la"tion, n.
1. Division into areolæ. Dana.
2. Any small space, bounded by some part different in color or structure, as the spaces bounded by the nervures of the wings of insects, or those by the veins of leaves; an areola.
AREOLEA"re*ole, n.
Defn: Same as Areola.
AREOLETA*re"o*let, n. Etym: [Dim. of L. areola.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small inclosed area; esp. one of the small spaces on the wings of insects, circumscribed by the veins.
AREOMETERA`re*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter: cf. F. aréomètre.] (Physics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the specific gravity of fluids; a form hydrometer.
AREOMETRIC; AREOMETRICALA`re*o*met"ric, A`re*o*met"ric*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or measured by, an areometer.
AREOMETRYA`re*om"e*try, n. Etym: [Gr. -metry.]
Defn: The art or process of measuring the specific gravity of fluids.
AREOPAGISTAr`e*op"a*gist, n.
Defn: See Areopagite.
AREOPAGITEAr`e*op"a*gite, n. Etym: [L. Areopagites, Gr.
Defn: A member of the Areopagus. Acts xvii. 34.
AREOPAGITICAr`e*op`a*git"ic, a. Etym: [L. Areopagiticus, Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to the Areopagus. Mitford.
AREOPAGUSAr`e*op"a*gus, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
Defn: The highest judicial court at Athens. Its sessions were held onMars' Hill. Hence, any high court or tribunal
AREOSTYLEA*re"o*style, a. & n.
Defn: See Intercolumniation, and Aræostyle.
AREOSYSTYLEA*re`o*sys"tyle, a. & n.
Defn: See Intercolumniation, and Aræosystyle.
AREREA*rere", v. t. & i.
Defn: See Arear. [Obs.] Ellis.
ARESTA*rest", n.
Defn: A support for the spear when couched for the attack. [Obs.]Chaucer.
ARETA*ret", v. t. Etym: [OE. aretten, OF. areter; a (L. ad) + OF. reter,L. reputare. See Repute.]
Defn: To reckon; to ascribe; to impute. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ARETAICSAr`e*ta"ics, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The ethical theory which excludes all relations between virtue and happiness; the science of virtue; — contrasted with eudemonics. J. Grote.
ARETE A`rête", n. [F., lit., a sharp fish bone, ridge, sharp edge, fr. L. arista beard of grain.] (Geog.)
Defn: An acute and rugged crest of a mountain range or a subsidiary ridge between two mountain gorges.
ARETOLOGYAr`e*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. arétologie.]
Defn: That part of moral philosophy which treats of virtue, its nature, and the means of attaining to it.
AREWA*rew". adv. Etym: [See Arow, Row.]
Defn: In a row. [Obs.] "All her teeth arew." Spenser.
ARGALAr"gal, n.
Defn: Crude tartar. See Argol.
ARGALAr"gal, adv.
Defn: A ludicrous corruption of the Latin word ergo, therefore. Shak.
ARGAL; ARGALIAr"gal, Ar"ga*li, n. Etym: [Mongolian.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A species of wild sheep (Ovis ammon, or O. argali), remarkable for its large horns. It inhabits the mountains of Siberia and central Asia.
Note: The bearded argali is the aoudad. See Aoudad. The name is also applied to the bighorn sheep of the Rocky Mountains. See Bighorn.
ARGALAAr"ga*la, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The adjutant bird.
ARGAND LAMPAr"gand lamp`. Etym: [Named from the inventor, Aimé Argand ofGeneva.]
Defn: A lamp with a circular hollow wick and glass chimney which allow a current of air both inside and outside of the flame. Argand burner, a burner for an Argand lamp, or a gas burner in which the principle of that lamp is applied.
ARGASAr"gas, n.
Defn: A genus of venomous ticks which attack men and animals. The famous Persian Argas, also called Miana bug, is A. Persicus; that of Central America, called talaje by the natives, is A. Talaje.
ARGEANAr*ge"an, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the ship Argo. See Argo.
ARGENT Ar"gent, n. Etym: [F. argent, fr. L. argentum, silver; akin to Gr. rajata white, silver, raj to shine, Ir. arg white, milk, airgiod silver, money, and L. arguere to make clear. See Argue.]
1. Silver, or money. [Archaic]
2. (Fig. & Poet.)
Defn: Whiteness; anything that is white.The polished argent of her breast. Tennyson.
3. (Her.)
Defn: The white color in coats of arms, intended to represent silver, or, figuratively, purity, innocence, beauty, or gentleness; — represented in engraving by a plain white surface. Weale.
ARGENTAr"gent, a.
Defn: Made of silver; of a silvery color; white; shining.Yonder argent fields above. Pope.
ARGENTALAr*gen"tal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to silver; resembling, containing, or combined with, silver.
ARGENTALIUMAr`gen*ta"li*um, n. [NL.; L. argentum silver + E. aluminium.]
Defn: A (patented) alloy of aluminium and silver, with a density of about 2.9.
ARGENTAMINE; ARGENTAMINAr*gen"ta*mine, Ar*gen"ta*min, n. [L. argentum silver + E. amine.](Med.)
Defn: A solution of silver phosphate in an aqueous solution of ethylene diamine, used as an antiseptic astringent and as a disinfectant.
ARGENTANAr"gen*tan, n.
Defn: An alloy of nicked with copper and zinc; German silver.
ARGENTATEAr"gen*tate, a. Etym: [L. argentatus silvered.] (Bot.)
Defn: Silvery white. Gray.
ARGENTATION Ar`gen*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. argentare to silver, fr. argentum silver. See Argent.]
Defn: A coating or overlaying with silver. [R.] Johnson.
ARGENTICAr*gen"tic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, silver; — said of certain compounds of silver in which this metal has its lowest proportion; as, argentic chloride.
ARGENTIFEROUS Ar`gen*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. argentum silver + -ferous: cf. F. argentifère.]
Defn: Producing or containing silver; as, argentiferous lead ore or veins.
ARGENTINEAr"gen*tine (; in the 2d sense, commonly ), a.
1. Pertaining to, or resembling, silver; made of, or sounding like, silver; silvery. Celestial Dian, goddess argentine. Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to the Argentine Republic in South America.
ARGENTINEAr"gen*tine, n. Etym: [Cf. F. argentin, fr. L. argentum silver.]
1. (Min.)
Defn: A siliceous variety of calcite, or carbonate of lime, having a silvery-white, pearly luster, and a waving or curved lamellar structure.
2. White metal coated with silver. Simmonds.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A fish of Europe (Maurolicus Pennantii) with silvery scales.The name is also applied to various fishes of the genus Argentina.
4. A citizen of the Argentine Republic.
ARGENTITEAr"gen*tite, n. Etym: [L. argentum silver.] (Min.)
Defn: Sulphide of silver; — also called vitreous silver, or silver glance. It has a metallic luster, a lead-gray color, and is sectile like lead.
ARGENTOUSAr*gen"tous, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or containing, silver; — said of certain silver compounds in which silver has a higher proportion than in argentic compounds; as, argentous chloride.
ARGENTRYAr"gent*ry, n. Etym: [F. argenterie, fr. argent silver, L. argentum.]
Defn: Silver plate or vessels. [Obs.]Bowls of frosted argentry. Howell.
ARGILAr"gil, n. Etym: [F. argile, L. argilla white clay, akin to Gr.Argent.] (Min.)
Defn: Clay, or potter's earth; sometimes pure clay, or alumina. SeeClay.
ARGILLACEOUSAr`gil*la"ceous, a. Etym: [L. argillaceus, fr. argilla.]
Defn: Of the nature of clay; consisting of, or containing, argil orclay; clayey. Argillaceous sandstone (Geol.), a sandstone containingmuch clay.— Argillaceous iron ore, the clay ironstone.— Argillaceous schist or state. See Argillite.
ARGILLIFEROUSAr`gil*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. argilla white clay + -ferous.]
Defn: Producing clay; — applied to such earths as abound with argil.Kirwan.
ARGILLITEAr"gil*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. -lite.] (Min.)
Defn: Argillaceous schist or slate; clay slate. Its colors is bluish or blackish gray, sometimes greenish gray, brownish red, etc. — Ar`gil*lit"ic, a.
ARGILLO-AREENACEOUSAr*gil`lo-are`e*na"ceous, a.
Defn: Consisting of, or containing, clay and sand, as a soil.
ARGILLO-CALCAREOUSAr*gil`lo-cal*ca"re*ous, a.
Defn: Consisting of, or containing, clay and calcareous earth.
ARGILLO-FERRUGINOUSAr*gil`lo-fer*ru"gi*nous, a.
Defn: Containing clay and iron.
ARGILLOUSAr*gil"lous, a. Etym: [L. argillosus, fr. argilla. See Argil.]
Defn: Argillaceous; clayey. Sir T. Browne.
ARGIVEAr"give, a. Etym: [L. Argivus, fr. Argos, Argi.]
Defn: Of or performance to Argos, the capital of Argolis in Greece.— n.
Defn: A native of Argos. Often used as a generic term, equivalent toGrecian or Greek.
ARGOAr"go, n. Etym: [L. Argo, Gr.
1. (Myth.)
Defn: The name of the ship which carried Jason and his fifty-four companions to Colchis, in quest of the Golden Fleece.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: A large constellation in the southern hemisphere, called also Argo Navis. In modern astronomy it is replaced by its three divisions, Carina, Puppis, and Vela.
ARGOANAr*go"an, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the ship Argo.
ARGOILEAr"goile, n.
Defn: Potter's clay. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ARGOLAr"gol, n. Etym: [Cf. Argal, Orgal. Of unknown origin.]
Defn: Crude tartar; an acidulous salt from which cream of tartar is prepared. It exists in the juice of grapes, and is deposited from wines on the sides of the casks. Ure.
ARGOLICAr*gol"ic, a. Etym: [L. Argolicus, Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to Argolis, a district in the Peloponnesus.
ARGONAr"gon, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A substance regarded as an element, contained in the atmosphere and remarkable for its chemical inertness. Rayleigh and Ramsay.
ARGONAUTAr"go*naut, n. Etym: [L. Argonauta, Gr. Argo.]
1. Any one of the legendary Greek heroes who sailed with Jason, in the Argo, in quest of the Golden Fleece.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A cephalopod of the genus Argonauta.
ARGONAUTAAr`go*nau"ta, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of Cephalopoda. The shell is called paper nautilus or paper sailor.
Note: The animal has much resemblance to an Octopus. It has eight arms, two of which are expanded at the end and clasp the shell, but are never elevated in the air for sails as was formerly supposed. The creature swims beneath the surface by means of a jet of water, like other cephalopods. The male has no shell, and is much smaller than the female. See Hectocotylus.
ARGONAUTICAr"go*naut"ic, a. Etym: [L. Argonauticus.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Argonauts.
ARGOSY Ar"go*sy, n.; pl. Argosies. Etym: [Earlier ragusy, fr. ragusa meaning orig. a vessel of Ragusa.]
Defn: A large ship, esp. a merchant vessel of the largest size. Where your argosies with portly sail . . . Do overpeer the petty traffickers. Shak.
ARGOTAr`got", n. Etym: [F. Of unknown origin.]
Defn: A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves, tramps, and vagabonds; flash.
ARGUABLEAr"gu*a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being argued; admitting of debate.
ARGUEAr"gue, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Argued; p. pr. & vb. n. Arguing.] Etym:[OE. arguen, F. arguer, fr. L. argutare, freq. of arguere to makeclear; from the same root as E. argent.]
1. To invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a proposition, opinion, or measure; to use arguments; to reason. I argue not Against Heaven's hand or will. Milton.
2. To contend in argument; to dispute; to reason; — followed by with; as, you may argue with your friend without convincing him.
ARGUEAr"gue, v. t.
1. To debate or discuss; to treat by reasoning; as, the counsel argued the cause before a full court; the cause was well argued.
2. To prove or evince; too manifest or exhibit by inference, deduction, or reasoning. So many laws argue so many sins. Milton.
3. To persuade by reasons; as, to argue a man into a different opinion.
4. To blame; to accuse; to charge with. [Obs.] Thoughts and expressions . . . which can be truly argued of obscenity, profaneness, or immorality. Dryden.
Syn. — to reason; evince; discuss; debate; expostulate; remonstrate; controvert. — To Argue, Dispute, Debate. These words, as here compared, suppose a contest between two parties in respect to some point at issue. To argue is to adduce arguments or reasons in support of one's cause or position. To dispute is to call in question or deny the statements or arguments of the opposing party. To debate is to strive for or against in a somewhat formal manner by arguments. Men of many words sometimes argue for the sake of talking; men of ready tongues frequently dispute for the sake of victory; men in public life often debate for the sake of opposing the ruling party, or from any other motive than the love of truth. Crabb. Unskilled to argue, in dispute yet loud, Bold without caution, without honors proud. Falconer. Betwixt the dearest friends to raise debate. Dryden.
ARGUERAr"gu*er, n.
Defn: One who argues; a reasoner; a disputant.
ARGUFYAr"gu*fy, v. t. & i. Etym: [Argue + -fy.]
1. To argue pertinaciously. [Colloq.] Halliwell.
2. To signify. [Colloq.]
ARGULUSAr"gu*lus, n. Etym: [NL., dim of Argus.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of copepod Crustacea, parasitic of fishes; a fish louse. See Branchiura.
ARGUMENT Ar"gu*ment, n. Etym: [F. argument, L. argumentum, fr. arguere to argue.]
1. Proof; evidence. [Obs.] There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity. Ray. Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion South.
2. A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it.
3. A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation. The argument is about things, but names. Locke.
4. The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem. You and love are still my argument. Shak. The abstract or argument of the piece. Jeffrey. [Shields] with boastful argument portrayed. Milton.
5. Matter for question; business in hand. [Obs.] Sheathed their swords for lack of argument. Shak.
6. (Astron.)
Defn: The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction.
7. (Math.)
Defn: The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends. Brande & C.
ARGUMENTAr"gu*ment, v. i. Etym: [L. argumentari.]
Defn: To make an argument; to argue. [Obs.] Gower.
ARGUMENTABLEAr`gu*men"ta*ble, a. Etym: [L. argumentabilis.]
Defn: Admitting of argument. [R.] Chalmers.
ARGUMENTALAr`gu*men"tal, a. Etym: [L. argumentalis.]
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or containing, argument; argumentative.
ARGUMENTATIONAr`gu*men*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. argumentatio, from argumentari: cf.F. argumentation.]
1. The act of forming reasons, making inductions, drawing conclusions, and applying them to the case in discussion; the operation of inferring propositions, not known or admitted as true, from facts or principles known, admitted, or proved to be true. Which manner of argumentation, how false and naught it is, . . . every man that hath with perceiveth. Tyndale.
2. Debate; discussion.
Syn.— Reasoning; discussion; controversy. See Reasoning.
ARGUMENTATIVEAr`gu*men"ta*tive, a.
1. Consisting of, or characterized by, argument; containing a process of reasoning; as, an argumentative discourse.
2. Adductive as proof; indicative; as, the adaptation of things to their uses is argumentative of infinite wisdom in the Creator. [Obs.]
3. Given to argument; characterized by argument; disputatious; as, an argumentative writer. —Ar`gu*men"ta*tive*ly, adv. — Ar`gu*men"ta*tive*ness, n.
ARGUMENTIZEAr"gu*men*tize, v. i.
Defn: To argue or discuss. [Obs.] Wood.
ARGUSAr"gus, n. Etym: [L. Argus, Gr.
1. (Myth.)
Defn: A fabulous being of antiquity, said to have had a hundred eyes, who has placed by Juno to guard Io. His eyes were transplanted to the peacock's tail.
2. One very vigilant; a guardian always watchful.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of East Indian pheasants. The common species (A. giganteus) is remarkable for the great length and beauty of the wing and tail feathers of the male. The species A. Grayi inhabits Borneo.
ARGUS-EYEDAr"gus-eyed, a.
Defn: Extremely observant; watchful; sharp-sighted.
ARGUS SHELLAr"gus shell` . (Zoöl.)
Defn: A species of shell (Cypræa argus), beautifully variegated with spots resembling those in a peacock's tail.
ARGUTATIONAr`gu*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. argutatio. See Argue.]
Defn: Caviling; subtle disputation. [Obs.]
ARGUTEAr*gute", a. Etym: [L. argutus, p. p. of arguere. See Argue.]
1. Sharp; shrill. [Obs.] Johnson.
2. Sagacious; acute; subtle; shrewd. The active preacher . . . the argue schoolman. Milman.
ARGUTELYAr*gute"ly, adv.
Defn: In a subtle; shrewdly.
ARGUTENESSAr*gute"ness, n.
Defn: Acuteness. Dryden.
ARHIZAL; ARHIZOUS; ARHYTHMIC; ARHYTHMOUSA*rhi"zal, A*rhi"zous, A*rhyth"*mic, A*rhyth"mous, a.
Defn: See Arrhizal, Arrhizous, Arrhythmic, Arrhythmous.
ARIAA"ri*a, n. Etym: [It., fr. L. aër. See Air.] (Mus.)
Defn: An air or song; a melody; a tune.
Note: The Italian term is now mostly used for the more elaborate accompanied melodies sung by a single voice, in operas, oratorios, cantatas, anthems, etc., and not so much for simple airs or tunes.
ARIANAr"ian, a. & n. (Ethnol.)
Defn: See Aryan.
ARIANA"ri*an, a. Etym: [L. Arianus.]
Defn: Pertaining to Arius, a presbyter of the church of Alexandria, in the fourth century, or to the doctrines of Arius, who held Christ to be inferior to God the Father in nature and dignity, though the first and noblest of all created beings. — n.
Defn: One who adheres to or believes the doctrines of Arius. Mosheim.
ARIANISMA"ri*an*ism, n.
Defn: The doctrines of the Arians.
ARIANIZEA"ri*an*ize, v. i.
Defn: To admit or accept the tenets of the Arians; to become anArian.
ARIANIZEA"ri*an*ize, v. t.
Defn: To convert to Arianism.
ARICINEAr"i*cine, n. Etym: [From Arica, in Chile.] (Chem.)
Defn: An alkaloid, first found in white cinchona bark.
ARIDAr"id, a. Etym: [L. aridus, fr. arere to be dry: cf. F. aride.]
Defn: Exhausted of moisture; parched with heat; dry; barren. "An arid waste." Thomson.
ARIDITYA*rid"i*ty, n.; pl. Aridities. Etym: [L. ariditas, fr. aridus.]
1. The state or quality of being arid or without moisture; dryness.
2. Fig.: Want of interest of feeling; insensibility; dryness of style or feeling; spiritual drought. Norris.
ARIDNESSAr"id*ness, n.
Defn: Aridity; dryness.
ARIEL; ARIEL GAZELLEA"ri*el, n., or; A"ri*el ga*zelle". Etym: [Ar. aryil, ayyil, stag.](Zoöl.) A)
Defn: A variety of the gazelle (Antilope, or Gazella, dorcas), found in Arabia and adjacent countries. (b) A squirrel-like Australian marsupial, a species of Petaurus. (c) A beautiful Brazilian toucan Ramphastos ariel).
ARIESA"ri*es, n. Etym: [L.]
1. (Astron.) (a) The Ram; the first of the twelve signs in the zodiac, which the sun enters at the vernal equinox, about the 21st of March. (b) A constellation west of Taurus, drawn on the celestial globe in the figure of a ram.
2. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A battering-ram.
ARIETATE Ar"i*e*tate, v. i. Etym: [L. arietatus, p. p. of arietare, fr. aries ram.]
Defn: To butt, as a ram. [Obs.]
ARIETATIONAr`i*e*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. arietatio.]
1. The act of butting like a ram; act of using a battering-ram. [Obs.] Bacon.
2. Act of striking or conflicting. [R.] Glanvill.
ARIETTA; ARIETTE A`ri*et"ta, Ar`i*ette", n. Etym: [It. arietta, dim. of aria; F. ariette.] (Mus.)
Defn: A short aria, or air. "A military ariette." Sir W. Scott.
ARIGHTA*right", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + right.]
Defn: Rightly; correctly; in a right way or form; without mistake or crime; as, to worship God aright.
ARIL; ARILLUS Ar"il, A*ril"lus, n. Etym: [From LL. arilli dry grapes, perh. fr. L. aridus dry: cf. F,. arille.] (Bot.)
Defn: A exterior covering, forming a false coat or appendage to a seed, as the loose, transparent bag inclosing the seed or the white water lily. The mace of the nutmeg is also an aril. Gray.
ARILLATE; ARILLATED; ARILED Ar"il*late. Ar"il*la`ted, Ar"iled, a. Etym: [Cf. NL. arillatus, F. arillé.]
Defn: Having an aril.
ARILLODEAr"il*lode, n. [Arillus + Gr. form.] (Bot.)
Defn: A false aril; an aril originating from the micropyle instead of from the funicle or chalaza of the ovule. The mace of the nutmeg is an arillode.
ARIMANA"ri*man, n.
Defn: See Ahriman.
ARIOLATION Ar`i*o*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. ariolatio, hariolatio, fr. hariolari to prophesy, fr. hariolus soothsayer.]
Defn: A soothsaying; a foretelling. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
ARIOSEAr"i*ose, a. Etym: [It. arioso, fr. aria.]
Defn: Characterized by melody, as distinguished from harmony. Mendelssohn wants the ariose beauty of Handel; vocal melody is not his forte; the interest of his airs harmonic. Foreign Quart. Rev.
ARIOSOA`ri*o"so, adv. & a. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)
Defn: In the smooth and melodious style of an air; ariose.
ARISEA*rise", v. i. [imp. Arose; p. pr. & vb. n. Arising; p. p. Arisen.].Etym: [AS. arisan; a (equiv. to Goth. us-, ur-, G. er-, orig. meaningout) + risan to rise; cf. Goth. urreisan to arise. See Rise.]
1. To come up from a lower to a higher position; to come above the horizon; to come up from one's bed or place of repose; to mount; to ascend; to rise; as, to arise from a kneeling posture; a cloud arose; the sun ariseth; he arose early in the morning.
2. To spring up; to come into action, being, or notice; to become operative, sensible, or visible; to begin to act a part; to present itself; as, the waves of the sea arose; a persecution arose; the wrath of the king shall arise. There arose up a new king . . . which knew not Joseph. Ex. i. 8. The doubts that in his heart arose. Milton.
3. To proceed; to issue; to spring. Whence haply mention may arise Of something not unseasonable to ask. Milton.
ARISEA*rise", n.
Defn: Rising. [Obs.] Drayton.
ARISTA*rist", 3d sing. pres.
Defn: of Arise, for ariseth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ARISTAA*ris"ta, n. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)
Defn: An awn. Gray.
ARISTARCH Ar"is*tarch, n. Etym: [From Aristarchus, a Greek grammarian and critic, of Alexandria, about 200 b. c.]
Defn: A severe critic. Knowles.
ARISTARCHIANAr`is*tar"chi*an, a.
Defn: Severely critical.
ARISTARCHYAr"is*tar`chy, n.
Defn: Severely criticism.
ARISTARCHYAr"is*tar`chy, n.
Defn: Severe criticism. [Obs.] Sir J. Harrington.
ARISTATEA*ris"tate, a. Etym: [L. aristatus, fr. arista. See Arista.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Having a pointed, beardlike process, as the glumes of wheat; awned. Gray.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a slender, sharp, or spinelike tip.
ARISTOCRACY Ar`is*toc"ra*cy, n.; pl. Aristocracies. Etym: [Gr. arm, and orig. meant fitting: cf. F. aristocratie. See Arm, and Create, which is related to Gr.
1. Government by the best citizens.
2. A ruling body composed of the best citizens. [Obs.] In the Senate Right not our quest in this, I will protest them To all the world, no aristocracy. B. Jonson.
3. A form a government, in which the supreme power is vested in the principal persons of a state, or in a privileged order; an oligarchy. The aristocracy of Venice hath admitted so many abuses, trough the degeneracy of the nobles, that the period of its duration seems approach. Swift.
4. The nobles or chief persons in a state; a privileged class or patrician order; (in a popular use) those who are regarded as superior to the rest of the community, as in rank, fortune, or intellect.
ARISTOCRATA*ris"to*crat, n. Etym: [F. aristocrate. See Aristocracy.]
1. One of the aristocracy or people of rank in a community; one of a ruling class; a noble.
2. One who is overbearing in his temper or habits; a proud or haughty person. A born aristocrat, bred radical. Mrs. Browning.
3. One who favors an aristocracy as a form of government, or believes the aristocracy should govern. His whole family are accused of being aristocrats. Romilly.
ARISTOCRATIC; ARISTOCRATICALAr`is*to*crat"ic, Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. aristocratique.]
1. Of or pertaining to an aristocracy; consisting in, or favoring, a government of nobles, or principal men; as, an aristocratic constitution.
2. Partaking of aristocracy; befitting aristocracy; characteristic of, or originating with, the aristocracy; as, an aristocratic measure; aristocratic pride or manners. — Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ly, adv. — Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ness, n.
ARISTOCRATISMAr"is*to*crat`ism, n.
1. The principles of aristocrats. Romilly.
2. Aristocrats, collectively. [R.]
ARISTOLOGYAr`is*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: The science of dining. Quart. Rev.
ARISTOPHANICAr`is*to*phan"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Aristophanes, the Athenian comic poet.
ARISTOTELIANAr`is*to*te"li*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher (384-322 b. c.). — n.
Defn: A follower of Aristotle; a Peripatetic. See Peripatetic.
ARISTOTELIANISMAr`is*to*te"li*an*ism.
Defn: The philosophy of Aristotle, otherwise called the Peripatetic philosophy.
ARISTOTELICAr`is*to*tel"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to Aristotle or to his philosophy. "Aristotelic usage." Sir W. Hamilton.
ARISTOTLE'S LANTERNAr"is*to`tle's lan"tern. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The five united jaws and accessory ossicles of certain sea urchins.
ARISTOTYPEA*ris"to*type`, n. [Gr. best + -type.] (Photog.)
Defn: Orig., a printing-out process using paper coated with silver chloride in gelatin; now, any such process using silver salts in either collodion or gelatin; also, a print so made.
ARISTULATEA*ris"tu*late, a. Etym: [Dim. fr. arista.] (Bot.)
Defn: Pertaining a short beard or awn. Gray.
ARITHMANCYAr"ith*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]
Defn: Divination by means of numbers.
ARITHMETIC A*rith"me*tic, n. Etym: [OE. arsmetike, OF. arismetique, L. arithmetica, fr. Gr. arm, the idea of counting coming from that of fitting, attaching. See Arm. The modern Eng. and French forms are accommodated to the Greek.]
1. The science of numbers; the art of computation by figures.
2. A book containing the principles of this science. Arithmetic of sines, trigonometry. — Political arithmetic, the application of the science of numbers to problems in civil government, political economy, and social science. — Universal arithmetic, the name given by Sir Isaac Newton to algebra.
ARITHMETICALAr`ith*met"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to arithmetic; according to the rules ormethod of arithmetic. Arithmetical complement of a logarithm. SeeLogarithm.— Arithmetical mean. See Mean.— Arithmetical progression. See Progression.— Arithmetical proportion. See Proportion.
ARITHMETICALLYAr`ith*met"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: Conformably to the principles or methods of arithmetic.
ARITHMETICIANA*rith`me*ti"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. arithméticien.]
Defn: One skilled in arithmetic.
ARITHMOMANCYA*rith"mo*man"cy, n.
Defn: Arithmancy.
ARITHMOMETERAr`ith*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter: cf. F. arithmomètre.]
Defn: A calculating machine.
ARK Ark, n. Etym: [OE. ark, arke, arche, AS. arc, earc, earce, fr. L. arca, fr. arcere to inclose, keep off; akin to Gr.
1. A chest, or coffer. [Obs.] Bearing that precious relic in an ark. Spenser.
2. (Jewish Hist.)
Defn: The oblong chest of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, which supported the mercy seat with its golden cherubs, and occupied the most sacred place in the sanctuary. In it Moses placed the two tables of stone containing the ten commandments. Called also the Ark of the Covenant.
3. The large, chestlike vessel in which Noah and his family were preserved during the Deluge. Gen. vi. Hence: Any place of refuge.
4. A large flatboat used on Western American rivers to transport produce to market.
ARKITEArk"ite, a.
Defn: Belonging to the ark. [R.] Faber.
ARKOSEAr*kose", n. [F] (Petrog)
Defn: A sandstone derived from the disintegration of granite or gneiss, and characterized by feldspar fragments. — Ar*kos"ic (#), a.
ARK SHELLArk" shell`. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A marine bivalve shell belonging to the genus Arca and its allies.
ARLESArles, n. pl. Etym: [Cf. F. arrhes, Scot. airles. Cf. Earles penny.]
Defn: An earnest; earnest money; money paid to bind a bargain.[Scot.] Arles penny, earnest money given to servants. Kersey.
ARM Arm, n. Etym: [AS. arm, earm; akin to OHG. aram, G., D., Dan., & Sw. arm, Icel. armr, Goth. arms, L. armus arm, shoulder, and prob. to Gr. rame. Art, Article.]
1. The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey.
2. Anything resembling an arm; as, (a) The fore limb of an animal, as of a bear. (b) A limb, or locomotive or prehensile organ, of an invertebrate animal. (c) A branch of a tree. (d) A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting from a trunk, axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a steelyard. (e) (Naut) The end of a yard; also, the part of an anchor which ends in the fluke. (f) An inlet of water from the sea. (g) A support for the elbow, at the side of a chair, the end of a sofa, etc.
3. Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; thearm of the law.To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed Isa. lii. 1.Arm's end, the end of the arm; a good distance off. Dryden.— Arm's length, the length of the arm.— Arm's reach, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can reach.— To go (or walk) arm in arm, to go with the arm or hand of onelinked in the arm of another. "When arm in armwe went along."Tennyson.— To keep at arm's length, to keep at a distance (literally orfiguratively); not to allow to come into close contact or familiarintercourse.— To work at arm's length, to work disadvantageously.
ARM Arm, n. Etym: [See Arms.] (Mil.) (a) A branch of the military service; as, the cavalry arm was made efficient. (b) A weapon of offense or defense; an instrument of warfare; — commonly in the pl.
ARM Arm, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Armed; p. pr. & vb. n. Arming.] Etym: [OE. armen, F. armer, fr. L. armare, fr. arma, pl., arms. See arms.]
1. To take by the arm; to take up in one's arms. [Obs.]And make him with our pikes and partisans A grave: come, arm him.Shak.Arm your prize; I know you will not lose him. Two N. Kins.
2. To furnish with arms or limbs. [R.] His shoulders broad and strong, Armed long and round. Beau. & Fl.
3. To furnish or equip with weapons of offense or defense; as, to arm soldiers; to arm the country. Abram . . . armed his trained servants. Gen. xiv. 14.
4. To cover or furnish with a plate, or with whatever will add strength, force, security, or efficiency; as, to arm the hit of a sword; to arm a hook in angling.
5. Fig.: To furnish with means of defense; to prepare for resistance; to fortify, in a moral sense. Arm yourselves . . . with the same mind. 1 Pet. iv. 1. To arm a magnet, to fit it with an armature.
ARMArm, v. i.
Defn: To provide one's self with arms, weapons, or means of attack or resistance; to take arms. " 'Tis time to arm." Shak.
ARMADA Ar*ma"da, n. Etym: [Sp. armada, L. as if armata (sc. classic fleet), fr. armatus, p. p. of armare. See Arm, v. t. Army.]
Defn: A fleet of armed ships; a squadron. Specifically, the Spanish fleet which was sent to assail England, a. d. 1558.
ARMADILLO Ar`ma*dil"lo, n.; pl. Armadillos. Etym: [Sp. armadillo, dim. of armado armed, p. p. of armar to arm. Do called from being armed with a bony shell.] (Zoöl.) (a) Any edentate animal if the family Dasypidæ, peculiar to America. The body and head are incased in an armor composed of small bony plates. The armadillos burrow in the earth, seldom going abroad except at night. When attacked, they curl up into a ball, presenting the armor on all sides. Their flesh is good food. There are several species, one of which (the peba) is found as far north as Texas. See Peba, Poyou, Tatouay. (b) A genus of small isopod Crustacea that can roll themselves into a ball.
ARMADOAr*ma"do, n.
Defn: Armada. [Obs.]
ARMAMENT Ar"ma*ment, n. Etym: [L. armamenta, pl., utensils, esp. the tackle of a ship, fr. armare to arm: cf. LL. armamentum, F. armement.]
1. A body of forces equipped for war; — used of a land or naval force. "The whole united armament of Greece." Glover.
2. (Mil. & Nav.)
Defn: All the cannon and small arms collectively, with their equipments, belonging to a ship or a fortification.
3. Any equipment for resistance.
ARMAMENTARY Ar`ma*men"ta*ry, n. Etym: [L. armamentarium, fr. armamentum: cf. F. armamentaire.]
Defn: An armory; a magazine or arsenal. [R.]
ARMATURE Ar"ma*ture, n. Etym: [L. armatura, fr. armare to arm: cf. F. armature. See Arm, v. t., Armor.]
1. Armor; whatever is worn or used for the protection and defense of the body, esp. the protective outfit of some animals and plants.
2. (Magnetism)
Defn: A piece of soft iron used to connect the two poles of a magnet, or electro-magnet, in order to complete the circuit, or to receive and apply the magnetic force. In the ordinary horseshoe magnet, it serves to prevent the dissipation of the magnetic force.
3. (Arch.)
Defn: Iron bars or framing employed for the consolidation of a building, as in sustaining slender columns, holding up canopies, etc. Oxf. Gloss.
ARMCHAIRArm"chair`, n.
Defn: A chair with arms to support the elbows or forearms. Tennyson.
ARMEDArmed, a.
1. Furnished with weapons of offense or defense; furnished with the means of security or protection. "And armed host." Dryden.
2. Furnished with whatever serves to add strength, force, or efficiency. A distemper eminently armed from heaven. De Foe.
3. (Her.)
Defn: Having horns, beak, talons, etc; — said of beasts and birds ofprey. Armed at all points (Blazoning), completely incased in armor,sometimes described as armed cap-à-pie. Cussans.— Armed en flute. (Naut.) See under Flute.— Armed magnet, a magnet provided with an armature.— Armed neutrality. See under Neutrality.
ARMENIANAr*me"ni*an, a. Etym: [Cf. F. Arménien, L. Armenias, fr. Armenia.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Armenia. Armenian bole, a soft clayey earthof a bright red color found in Armenia, Tuscany, etc.— Armenian stone. (a) The commercial name of lapis lazuli. (b)Emery.
ARMENIANAr*me"ni*an, n.
1. A native or one of the people of Armenia; also, the language of the Armenians.
2. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: An adherent of the Armenian Church, an organization similar in some doctrines and practices to the Greek Church, in others to the Roman Catholic.
ARMET Arm"et, n. Etym: [F., dim. of arme arm, or corrupted for healmet helmet.]
Defn: A kind of helmet worn in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
ARMFULArm"ful, n.; pl. Armfulus.
Defn: As much as the arm can hold.
ARMGAUNTArm"gaunt`, a.
Defn: With gaunt or slender legs. "An armgaunt steed." Shak.
Note: This word is peculiar to Shakespeare. Its meaning has not yet been satisfactorily explained.
ARM-GRETArm"-gret`, a.
Defn: Great as a man's arm. [Obs.]A wreath of gold, arm-gret. Chaucer.
ARMHOLEArm"hole`, n. Etym: [Arm + hole.]
1. The cavity under the shoulder; the armpit. Bacon.
2. A hole for the arm in a garment.
ARMIFEROUSAr*mif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. armifer; arma arms + ferre to bear.]
Defn: Bearing arms or weapons. [R.]
ARMIGER Ar"mi*ger, n. Etym: [L. armiger armor bearer; arma arms + gerere to bear.]
Defn: Formerly, an armor bearer, as of a knight, an esquire who bore his shield and rendered other services. In later use, one next in degree to a knight, and entitled to armorial bearings. The term is now superseded by esquire. Jacob.
ARMIGEROUSAr*mig"er*ous, a.
Defn: Bearing arms. [R.] They belonged to the armigerous part of the population, and were entitled to write themselves Esquire. De Quincey.
ARMIL Ar"mil, n. Etym: [L. armilla a bracelet, fr. armus arm: cf. OF. armille.]
1. A bracelet. [Obs.]
2. An ancient astronomical instrument.
Note: When composed of one ring placed in the plane of the equator for determining the time of the equinoxes, it is called an equinoctial armil; when of two or more rings, one in the plane of the meridian, for observing the solstices, it is called a solstitial armil. Whewell.
ARMILLAAr*mil"la, n.; pl. E. Armillas, L. Armillæ. Etym: [L., a bracelet.]
1. An armil.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A ring of hair or feathers on the legs.
ARMILLARY Ar"mil*la*ry, a. Etym: [LL. armillarius, fr. L. armilla arm ring, bracelet, fr. armus arm: cf. F. armillaire. See Arm, n.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a bracelet or ring; consisting of rings or circles. Armillary sphere, an ancient astronomical machine composed of an assemblage of rings, all circles of the same sphere, designed to represent the positions of the important circles of the celestial sphere. Nichol.
ARMINGArm"ing, n.
1. The act of furnishing with, or taking, arms. The arming was now universal. Macaulay.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: A piece of tallow placed in a cavity at the lower end of a sounding lead, to bring up the sand, shells, etc., of the sea bottom. Totten.
3. pl. (Naut.)
Defn: Red dress cloths formerly hung fore and aft outside of a ship's upper works on holidays. Arming press (Bookbinding), a press for stamping titles and designs on the covers of books.
ARMINIANAr*min"i*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Arminius of his followers, or to their doctrines. See note under Arminian, n.
ARMINIANAr*min"i*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One who holds the tenets of Arminius, a Dutch divine (b. 1560, d. 1609).
Note: The Arminian doctrines are: 1. Conditional election and reprobation, in opposition to absolute predestination. 2. Universal redemption, or that the atonement was made by Christ for all mankind, though none but believers can be partakers of the benefit. 3. That man, in order to exercise true faith, must be regenerated and renewed by the operation of the Holy Spirit, which is the gift of God. 4. That man may resist divine grace. 5. That man may relapse from a state of grace.
ARMINIANISMAr*min"i*an*ism, n.
Defn: The religious doctrines or tenets of the Arminians.
ARMIPOTENCEAr*mip"o*tence, n. Etym: [L. armipotentia, fr. armipotents.]
Defn: Power in arms. [R.] Johnson.
ARMIPOTENT Ar*mip"o*tent, a. Etym: [L. armipotents; arma arms + potens powerful, p. pr. of posse to be able.]
Defn: Powerful in arms; mighty in battle.The temple stood of Mars armipotent. Dryden.
ARMISONANT; ARMISONOUS Ar*mis"o*nant, Ar*mis"o*nous, a. Etym: [L. armisonus; arma arms + sonare (p. pr. sonans) to sound.]
Defn: Rustling in arms; resounding with arms. [Obs.]
ARMISTICE Ar"mis*tice, n. Etym: [F. armistice, fr. (an assumed word) L. armistitium; arma arms + stare, statum (combining form, -stitum), to stand still.]
Defn: A cessation of arms for a short time, by convention; a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement; a truce.
ARMLESSArm"less, a.
1. Without any arm or branch.
2. Destitute of arms or weapons.
ARMLETArm"let, n. Etym: [Arm + -let.]
1. A small arm; as, an armlet of the sea. Johnson.
2. An arm ring; a bracelet for the upper arm.
3. Armor for the arm.
ARMONIACAr*mo"ni*ac, a.
Defn: Ammoniac. [Obs.]
ARMOR Ar"mor, n. Etym: [OE. armure, fr. F. armure, OF. armeure, fr. L. armatura. See Armature.] [Spelt also armour.]
1. Defensive arms for the body; any clothing or covering worn to protect one's person in battle.
Note: In English statues, armor is used for the whole apparatus of war, including offensive as well as defensive arms. The statues of armor directed what arms every man should provide.
2. Steel or iron covering, whether of ships or forts, protecting them from the fire of artillery. Coat armor, the escutcheon of a person or family, with its several charges and other furniture, as mantling, crest, supporters, motto, etc. — Submarine, a water-tight dress or covering for a diver. See under Submarine.
ARMOR-BEARERAr"mor-bear`er, n.
Defn: One who carries the armor or arms of another; an armiger. Judg. ix. 54.
ARMOREDAr"mored, a.
Defn: Clad with armor.
ARMORED CRUISERAr"mored cruis"er. (Nav.)
Defn: A man-of-war carrying a large coal supply, and more or less protected from the enemy's shot by iron or steel armor. There is no distinct and accepted classification distinguishing armored and protected cruisers from each other, except that the first have more or heavier armor than the second.
ARMORER Ar"mor*er, n. Etym: [OE. armurer, armerer, fr. F. armurter, fr. armure armor.]
1. One who makes or repairs armor or arms.
2. Formerly, one who had care of the arms and armor of a knight, and who dressed him in armor. Shak.
3. One who has the care of arms and armor, cleans or repairs them, etc.
ARMORIAL Ar*mo"ri*al, a. Etym: [F. armorial, fr. armoiries arms, coats of arms, for armoieries, fr. OF. armoier to paint arms, coats of arms, fr. armes, fr. L. arma. See Arms, Armory.]
Defn: Belonging to armor, or to the heraldic arms or escutcheon of afamily.Figures with armorial signs of race and birth. Wordsworth.Armorial bearings. See Arms, 4.
ARMORIC; ARMORICAN Ar*mor"ic, Ar*mor"i*can, a. Etym: [L. Armoricus, fr. Celtic ar on, at + mor sea.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the northwestern part of France (formerly called Armorica, now Bretagne or Brittany), or to its people. — n.
Defn: The language of the Armoricans, a Celtic dialect which has remained to the present times.