Note: Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.
2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere. Whewell.
ASTROLATERAs*trol"a*ter, n.
Defn: A worshiper of the stars. Morley.
ASTROLATRYAs*trol"a*try, n. Etym: [Astro- + Gr. astrolâtrie.]
Defn: The worship of the stars.
ASTROLITHOLOGYAs`tro*li*thol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Astro- + lithology.]
Defn: The science of aërolites.
ASTROLOGERAs*trol"o*ger, n. Etym: [See Astrology.]
1. One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]
2. One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.
ASTROLOGIANAs`tro*lo"gi*an, n. Etym: [OF. astrologien.]
Defn: An astrologer. [Obs.]
ASTROLOGIC; ASTROLOGICALAs`tro*log"ic, As`tro*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing astrology. "Astrologi learning." Hudibras. "Astrological prognostication." Cudworth. — As`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
ASTROLOGIZEAs*trol"o*gize, v. t. & i.
Defn: To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.
ASTROLOGYAs*trol"o*gy, n. Etym: [F. astrologie, L. astrologia, fr. Gr. Star.]
Defn: In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.
Note: Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial astrology, which assumed to foretell the fate and acts of nations and individuals, and natural astrology, which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature, such as changes of the weather, etc.
ASTROMANTICAs`tro*man"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to divination by means of the stars; astrologic. [R.] Dr. H. More.
ASTROMETEOROLOGYAs`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Astro- + meteorology.]
Defn: The investigation of the relation between the sun, moon, andstars, and the weather.— As`*tro*me`te*or`o*log"ic*al, a.— As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gist, n.
ASTROMETERAs*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Astro- + meter.]
Defn: An instrument for comparing the relative amount of the light of stars.
ASTROMETRYAs*trom"e*try, n. Etym: [Astro- + metry.]
Defn: The art of making measurements among the stars, or of determining their relative magnitudes.
ASTRONOMERAs*tron"o*mer, n. Etym: [See Astronomy.]
1. An astrologer. [Obs.] Shak.
2. One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena. An undevout astronomer is mad. Young.
ASTRONOMIANAs`tro*no"mi*an, n. Etym: [OE. & OF. astronomien. See Astronomy.]
Defn: An astrologer. [Obs.]
ASTRONOMICAs`tro*nom"ic, a.
Defn: Astronomical.
ASTRONOMICALAs`tro*nom"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. astronomicus, Gr. astronomique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to astronomy; in accordance with the methodsor principles of astronomy.— As`tro*nom"ic*al*ly, adv. Astronomical clock. See under Clock.— Astronomical day. See under Day.— Astronomical fractions, Astronomical numbers. See underSexagesimal.
ASTRONOMIZEAs*tron"o*mize, v. i. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: To study or to talk astronomy. [R.]They astronomized in caves. Sir T. Browne.
ASTRONOMY As*tron"o*my, n. Etym: [OE. astronomie, F. astronomie, L. astronomia, fr. Gr. Star, and Nomad.]
1. Astrology. [Obs.] Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck; And yet methinks I have astronomy. Shak.
2. The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the causes of their various phenomena.
3. A treatise on, or text-book of, the science. Physical astronomy. See under Physical.
ASTROPHELAs"tro*phel, n.
Defn: See Astrofel. [Obs.]
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHYAs`tro*pho*tog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Astro- + photography.]
Defn: The application of photography to the delineation of the sun, moon, and stars.
ASTROPHOTOMETERAs`tro*pho*tom"e*ter, n. [Pref. astro- + photometer.] (Astron.)
Defn: A photometer for measuring the brightness of stars.
ASTROPHOTOMETRYAs`tro*pho*tom"e*try, n. (Astron.)
Defn: The determination of the brightness of stars, and also of the sun, moon, and planets. —As`tro*pho`to*met"ric*al (#), a.
ASTROPHYSICALAs`tro*phys"ic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the physics of astronomical science.
ASTROPHYSICSAs`tro*phys"ics, n. [Astro-+ physics.] (Astron.)
Defn: The science treating of the physical characteristics of the stars and other heavenly bodies, their chemical constitution, light, heat, atmospheres, etc.
Its observations are made with the spectroscope, bolometer, etc.,usually in connection with the telescope.
ASTROPHYTONAs*troph"y*ton, n. Etym: [Astro- + Gr. fyton a plant.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of ophiurans having the arms much branched.
ASTROSCOPEAs"tro*scope, n. Etym: [Astro- + scope.]
Defn: An old astronomical instrument, formed of two cones, on whose surface the constellations were delineated.
ASTROSCOPYAs*tros"co*py, n.
Defn: Observation of the stars. [Obs.]
ASTROTHEOLOGYAs`tro*the*ol"*o*gy, n. Etym: [Astro- + theology.]
Defn: Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial bodies. Derham.
ASTRUCTIVE A*struc"tive, a. Etym: [L. astructus, p. p. of astruere to build up; ad + struere to build.]
Defn: Building up; constructive; — opposed to destructive. [Obs.]
ASTRUTA*strut", a. & adv.
1. Sticking out, or puffed out; swelling; in a swelling manner. [Archaic] Inflated and astrut with self-conceit. Cowper.
2. In a strutting manner; with a strutting gait.
ASTUCIOUSAs*tu"cious, a. Etym: [F. astucieux. See Astute.]
Defn: Subtle; cunning; astute. [R.] Sir W. Scott.— As*tu"cious*ly, adv. [R.]
ASTUCITYAs*tu"ci*ty, n. Etym: [See Astucious.]
Defn: Craftiness; astuteness. [R.] Carlyle.
ASTUNA*stun", v. t. Etym: [See Astony, Stun.]
Defn: To stun. [Obs.] "Breathless and astunned." Somerville.
ASTURIANAs*tu"ri*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Asturias in Spain.— n.
Defn: A native of Asturias.
ASTUTE As*tute", a. Etym: [L. astutus, fr. astus craft, cunning; perh. cognate with E. acute.]
Defn: Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.
Syn.— Keen; eagle-eyed; penetrating; skilled; discriminating; cunning;sagacious; subtle; wily; crafty. As*tute"ly, adv.— As*tute"ness, n.
ASTYLARA*sty"lar, a. Etym: [Gr. (arch.)
Defn: Without columns or pilasters. Weale.
ASTYLLENA*styl"len, n. (Mining)
Defn: A small dam to prevent free passage of water in an adit or level.
ASUNDERA*sun"der, adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + sunder.]
Defn: Apart; separate from each other; into parts; in two;separately; into or in different pieces or places.I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder. Zech. xi. 10.As wide asunder as pole and pole. Froude.
ASURAA*su"ra, n. (Hind. Myth.)
Defn: An enemy of the gods, esp. one of a race of demons and giants.
ASWAILAs"wail, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The sloth bear (Melursus labiatus) of India.
ASWEVEA*sweve", v. t. Etym: [AS. aswebban; a + swebban. See Sweven.]
Defn: To stupefy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ASWINGA*swing", adv.
Defn: In a state of swinging.
ASWOONA*swoon", adv.
Defn: In a swoon. Chaucer.
ASWOONEDA*swooned", adv.
Defn: In a swoon.
ASYLUMA*sy"lum, n.; pl. E. Asylums, L. Asyla. Etym: [L. asylum, Gr.
1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege. So sacred was the church to some, that it had the right of an asylum or sanctuary. Ayliffe.
Note: The name was anciently given to temples, altars, statues of the gods, and the like. In later times Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same sense.
2. Any place of retreat and security. Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom. Southey.
3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.
ASYMMETRALA*sym"me*tral, a.
Defn: Incommensurable; also, unsymmetrical. [Obs.] D. H. More.
ASYMMETRIC; ASYMMETRICALAs`ym*met"ric, As`ym*met"ri*cal, a. Etym: [See Asymmetrous.]
1. Incommensurable. [Obs.]
2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally symmetrical. Huxley.
ASYMMETROUSA*sym"me*trous, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Asymmetrical. [Obs.] Barrow.
ASYMMETRYA*sym"me*try, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a thing, esp. want of bilateral symmetry.
2. (Math.)
Defn: Incommensurability. [Obs.] Barrow.
ASYMPTOTEAs"ymp*tote, n. Etym: [Gr. Symptom.] (Math.)
Defn: A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance.
ASYNARTETEA*syn"ar*tete`, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Disconnected; not fitted or adjusted. — A*syn"ar*tet"ic, a. Asynartete verse (Pros.), a verse of two members, having different rhythms; as when the first consists of iambuses and the second of trochees.
ASYNCHRONOUSA*syn"chro*nous, a. [Gr. not + synchronous.]
Defn: Not simultaneous; not concurrent in time; —opposed to synchronous.
ASYNDETICAs`yn*det"ic, a. Etym: [See Asyndeton.]
Defn: Characterized by the use of asyndeton; not connected byconjunctions.— As`yn*det"ic*al*ly, adv.
ASYNDETONA*syn"de*ton, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure which omits the connective; as, I came, I saw, I conquered. It stands opposed to polysyndeton.
ASYSTOLEA*sys"to*le, n. Etym: [Pref. a- not + systole.] (Physiol.)
Defn: A weakening or cessation of the contractile power of the heart.
ASYSTOLISMA*sys"to*lism, n.
Defn: The state or symptoms characteristic of asystole.
AT At, prep. Etym: [AS. æt; akin to OHG. az, Goth., OS., & Icel. at, Sw. åt, Dan. & L. ad.]
Defn: Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at. It expresses: -
1. A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land.
2. The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage.
3. The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns.
4. The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 80º; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest.
5. The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first.
6. The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands.
7. Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one. At all, At home, At large, At last, At length, At once, etc. See under All, Home, Large, Last (phrase and syn.), Length, Once, etc. — At it, busily or actively engaged. — At least. See Least and However. — At one. See At one, in the Vocabulary.
Syn. — In, At. When reference to the interior of any place is made prominent in is used. It is used before the names of countries and cities (esp. large cities); as, we live in America, in New York, in the South. At is commonly employed before names of houses, institutions, villages, and small places; as, Milton was educated at Christ's College; money taken in at the Customhouse; I saw him at the jeweler's; we live at Beachville. At may be used before the name of a city when it is regarded as a mere point of locality. "An English king was crowned at Paris." Macaulay. "Jean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June, 28, 1712." J. Morley. In regard to time, we say at the hour, on the day, in the year; as, at 9 o'clock, on the morning of July 5th, in the year 1775.
ATABAL At"a*bal, n. Etym: [Sp. atabal, fr. Ar. at-tabl the drum, tabala to beat the drum. Cf. Tymbal.]
Defn: A kettledrum; a kind of tabor, used by the Moors. Croly.
ATACAMITEA*tac"a*mite, n. Etym: [From the desert of Atacama, where found.](Min.)
Defn: An oxychloride of copper, usually in emerald-green prismatic crystals.
ATAFTERAt`aft"er, prep.
Defn: After. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ATAGHANAt"a*ghan, n.
Defn: See Yataghan.
ATAKEA*take", v. t.
Defn: To overtake. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ATAMAN At"a*man, n. Etym: [Russ. ataman': cf. Pol. hetman, G. hauptmann headman, chieftain. Cf. Hetman.]
Defn: A hetman, or chief of the Cossacks.
ATAMASCO LILYAt`a*mas"co lil"y. [Atamasco is fr. North American Indian.] (Bot.)
Defn: See under Lily.
ATARAXIA; ATARAXYAt`a*rax"i*a, At"a*rax`y, n. Etym: [NL. ataraxia, Gr.
Defn: Perfect peace of mind, or calmness.
ATAUNT; ATAUNTOA*taunt", A*taunt"o, adv. Etym: [F. autant as much (as possible).](Naut.)
Defn: Fully rigged, as a vessel; with all sails set; set on end or set right.
ATAVICA*tav"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atavique.]
Defn: Pertaining to a remote ancestor, or to atavism.
ATAVISM At"a*vism, n. Etym: [L. atavus an ancestor, fr. avus a grandfather.] (a) The recurrence, or a tendency to a recurrence, of the original type of a species in the progeny of its varieties; resemblance to remote rather than to near ancestors; reversion to the original form. (b) (Biol.) The recurrence of any peculiarity or disease of an ancestor in a subsequent generation, after an intermission for a generation or two. Now and then there occur cases of what physiologists call atavism, or reversion to an ancestral type of character. J. Fiske
ATAXIA; ATAXYA*tax"i*a, At"ax*y, n. Etym: [NL. ataxia, Gr. ataxie.]
1. Disorder; irregularity. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
2. (Med.) (a) Irregularity in disease, or in the functions. (b) The state of disorder that characterizes nervous fevers and the nervous condition. Locomotor ataxia. See Locomotor.
ATAXICA*tax"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. ataxique. See Ataxia.] (Med.)
Defn: Characterized by ataxy, that is, (a) by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or (b) by a want of coordinating power in movements. Ataxic fever, malignant typhus fever. Pinel.
ATAZIRAt`a*zir", n. Etym: [OF., fr. Ar. al-tasir influence.] (Astron.)
Defn: The influence of a star upon other stars or upon men. [Obs.]Chaucer.
ATEAte,
Defn: the preterit of Eat.
ATEA"te, n. Etym: [Gr. (Greek. Myth.)
Defn: The goddess of mischievous folly; also, in later poets, the goddess of vengeance.
-ATE -ate. Etym: [From the L. suffix -atus, the past participle ending of verbs of the 1st conj.]
1. As an ending of participles or participial adjectives it is equivalent to -ed; as, situate or situated; animate or animated.
2. As the ending of a verb, it means to make, to cause, to act, etc.; as, to propitiate (to make propitious); to animate (to give life to).
3. As a noun suffix, it marks the agent; as, curate, delegate. It also sometimes marks the office or dignity; as, tribunate.
4. In chemistry it is used to denote the salts formed from those acids whose names end -ic (excepting binary or halogen acids); as, sulphate from sulphuric acid, nitrate from nitric acid, etc. It is also used in the case of certain basic salts.
ATECHNICA*tech"nic, a. Etym: [Pref. a- not + technic.]
Defn: Without technical or artistic knowledge.Difficult to convey to the atechnic reader. Etching & Engr.
ATELESAt"e*les, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of American monkeys with prehensile tails, and having the thumb wanting or rudimentary. See Spider monkey, and Coaita.
ATELETS SAUCE; SAUCE AUX HATELETSA`te*lets" sauce or Sauce` aux ha`te*lets". [F. hâtelet skewer.]
Defn: A sauce (such as egg and bread crumbs) used for covering bits of meat, small birds, or fish, strung on skewers for frying.
ATELIERA`te*lier" n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A workshop; a studio.
ATELLANA*tel"lan, a. Etym: [L. Atellanus, fr. Atella, an ancient town of theOsci, in Campania.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Atella, in ancient Italy; as, Atellan plays; farcical; ribald. — n.
Defn: A farcical drama performed at Atella.
ATHALAMOUSA*thal"a*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Not furnished with shields or beds for the spores, as the thallus of certain lichens.
ATHAMAUNTAth"a*maunt, n.
Defn: Adamant. [Obs.]Written in the table of athamaunt. Chaucer.
ATHANASIA; ATHANASY Ath`a*na"si*a, A*than"a*sy, n. [NL. athanasia, fr. Gr. ; priv. + death.]
Defn: The quality of being deathless; immortality.
Is not a scholiastic athanasy better than noneLowell.
ATHANASIANAth`a*na"sian, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century. Athanasian creed, a formulary, confession, or exposition of faith, formerly supposed to have been drawn up by Athanasius; but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles (5th century). It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.
ATHANOR Ath"a*nor, n. Etym: [F., fr. Ar. at-tannur, fr. Heb. tannur an oven or furnace.]
Defn: A digesting furnace, formerly used by alchemists. It was so constructed as to maintain uniform and durable heat. Chambers.
ATHECATAAth`e*ca"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Hydroidea in which the zooids are naked, or not inclosed in a capsule. See Tubularian.
ATHEISMA"the*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. athéisme. See Atheist.]
1. The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being. Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness. R. Hall. Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded. Shipley.
2. Godlessness.
ATHEISTA"the*ist, n. Etym: [Gr. athéiste.]
1. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
2. A godless person. [Obs.]
Syn.— Infidel; unbeliever.
Note: See Infidel.
ATHEISTIC; ATHEISTICALA`the*is"tic, A`the*is"tic*al, a.
1. Pertaining to, implying, or containing, atheism; — applied to things; as, atheistic doctrines, opinions, or books. Atheistical explications of natural effects. Barrow.
2. Disbelieving the existence of a God; impious; godless; — appliedto persons; as, an atheistic writer.— A`the*is"tic*al*ly, adv.— A`the*is"tic*al*ness, n.
ATHEIZEA"the*ize, v. t.
Defn: To render atheistic or godless. [R.]They endeavored to atheize one another. Berkeley.
ATHEIZEA"the*ize, v. i.
Defn: To discourse, argue, or act as an atheist. [R.] — A"the*i`zer, n. Cudworth.
ATHELING Ath"el*ing, n. Etym: [AS. æ noble, fr. æ noble, akin to G. adel nobility, edel noble. The word æ, E. ethel, is in many AS. proper names, as Ethelwolf, noble wolf; Ethelbald, noble bold; Ethelbert, noble bright.]
Defn: An Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman; esp., the heir apparent or a prince of the royal family. [Written also Adeling and Ætheling.]
ATHENEUM; ATHENAEUMAth`e*ne"um, Ath`e*næ"um, n.; pl. E. Atheneums, L. Athenæa. Etym: [L.Athenaemum, Gr. Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess ofAthens.]
1 (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.
2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
3. A literary or scientific association or club.
4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use.
ATHENIANA*the"ni*an, a. Etym: [Cf. F. Athénien.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Greece.— n. A native or citizen of Athens.
ATHEOLOGICALA`the*o*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Opposed to theology; atheistic. Bp. Montagu.
ATHEOLOGYA`the*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pref. a- not + theology.]
Defn: Antagonism to theology. Swift.
ATHEOUSA"the*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. Atheist.]
1. Atheistic; impious. [Obs.] Milton.
2. Without God, neither accepting nor denying him. I should say science was atheous, and therefore could not be atheistic. Bp. of Carlisle.
ATHERINEAth"er*ine, n. Etym: [NL. atherina, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small marine fish of the family Atherinidæ, having a silvery stripe along the sides. The European species (Atherina presbyter) is used as food. The American species (Menidia notata) is called silversides and sand smelt. See Silversides.
ATHERMANCYA*ther"man*cy, n. Etym: [See Athermanous.]
Defn: Inability to transmit radiant; impermeability to heat. Tyndall.
ATHERMANOUSA*ther"ma*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. athermane.] (Chem.)
Defn: Not transmitting heat; — opposed to diathermanous.
ATHERMOUSA*ther"mous, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Athermanous.
ATHEROIDAth"er*oid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.]
Defn: Shaped like an ear of grain.
ATHEROMA Ath`e*ro"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) An encysted tumor containing curdy matter. (b) A disease characterized by thickening and fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries.
ATHEROMATOUSAth`e*rom"a*tous, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or having the nature of, atheroma. Wiseman.
ATHETIZEAth"e*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Athetized; p. pr. & vb. n.Athetizing.] [Gr. , fr. set aside, not fixed; not + to place.]
Defn: To set aside or reject as spurious, as by marking with an obelus.
ATHETOSISAth`e*to"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A variety of chorea, marked by peculiar tremors of the fingers and toes.
ATHINKA*think", v. t.
Defn: To repent; to displease; to disgust. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ATHIRST A*thirst", a. Etym: [OE. ofthurst, AS. ofpyrsted, p. p. of ofpyrstan; pref. of-, intensive + pyrstan to thirst. See Thirst.]
1. Wanting drink; thirsty.
2. Having a keen appetite or desire; eager; longing. "Athirst for battle." Cowper.
ATHLETEAth"lete, n. Etym: [L. athleta, Gr. wed: cf. F. athlète.]
1. (Antiq.)
Defn: One who contended for a prize in the public games of ancientGreece or Rome.
2. Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion.
3. One fitted for, or skilled in, intellectual contests; as, athletes of debate.
ATHLETICAth`let"ic, a. Etym: [L. athleticus, Gr. Athlete.]
1. Of or pertaining to athletes or to the exercises practiced by them; as, athletic games or sports.
2. Befitting an athlete; strong; muscular; robust; vigorous; as, athletic Celts. "Athletic soundness." South. — Ath*let"ic*al*ly, adv.
ATHLETICISMAth*let"i*cism, n.
Defn: The practice of engaging in athletic games; athletism.
ATHLETICSAth*let"ics, n.
Defn: The art of training by athletic exercises; the games and sports of athletes.
ATHLETISMAth"le*tism, n.
Defn: The state or practice of an athlete; the characteristics of an athlete.
ATHREPSIAA*threp"si*a, n. [NL., fr. Gr. priv. + nourishment.] (Med.)
Defn: Profound debility of children due to lack of food and to unhygienic surroundings. —A*threp"tic (#), a.
ATHWARTA*thwart", prep. Etym: [Pref. a- + thwart.]
1. Across; from side to side of. Athwart the thicket lone. Tennyson.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: Across the direction or course of; as, a fleet standing athwart our course. Athwart hawse, across the stem of another vessel, whether in contact or at a small distance. — Athwart ships, across the ship from side to side, or in that direction; — opposed to fore and aft.
ATHWARTA*thwart", adv.
Defn: 1. Across, especially in an oblique direction; sidewise;obliquely.Sometimes athwart, sometimes he strook him straight. Spenser.
2. Across the course; so as to thwart; perversely. All athwart there came A post from Wales loaden with heavy news. Shak.
ATILTA*tilt", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + tilt.]
1. In the manner of a tilter; in the position, or with the action, of one making a thrust. "To run atilt at men." Hudibras.
2. In the position of a cask tilted, or with one end raised.
Note: [In this sense sometimes used as an adjective.]Abroach, atilt, and run Even to the lees of honor. Beau. & Fl.
ATIMYAt"i*my, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: Public disgrace or stigma; infamy; loss of civil rights.Mitford.
-ATION -a"tion. Etym: [L. -ationem. See -tion.]
Defn: A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the verbal substantive in -ing. It sometimes has the further meanings of state, and that which results from the action. Many of these nouns have verbs in -ate; as, alliterate -ation, narrate -ation; many are derived through the French; as, alteration, visitation; and many are formed on verbs ending in the Greek formative -ize (Fr. -ise); as, civilization, demoralization.
A-TIPTOEA-tip"toe, adv.
Defn: On tiptoe; eagerly expecting.We all feel a-tiptoe with hope and confidence. F. Harrison.
ATLANTAAt*lan"ta, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of small glassy heteropod mollusks found swimming at the surface in mid ocean. See Heteropod.
ATLANTAL At*lan"tal, a. (Anat.) (a) Relating to the atlas. (b) Anterior; cephalic. Barclay.
ATLANTEANAt`lan*te"an, a. Etym: [L. Atlant.]
1. Of or pertaining to the isle Atlantis, which the ancients allege was sunk, and overwhelmed by the ocean.
2. Pertaining to, or resembling, Atlas; strong. With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies. Milton.
ATLANTESAt*lan"tes, n. pl. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Atlas.] (Arch.)
Defn: Figures or half figures of men, used as columns to support an entablature; — called also telamones. See Caryatides. Oxf. Gloss.
ATLANTICAt*lan"tic, a. Etym: [L. Atlanticus, fr. Atlas. See Atlas andAtlantes.]
1. Of or pertaining to Mt. Atlas in Libya, and hence applied to the ocean which lies between Europe and Africa on the east and America on the west; as, the Atlantic Ocean (called also the Atlantic); the Atlantic basin; the Atlantic telegraph.
2. Of or pertaining to the isle of Atlantis.
3. Descended from Atlas. The seven Atlantic sisters. Milton.
ATLANTIDESAt*lan"ti*des, n. pl. Etym: [L. See Atlantes.]
Defn: The Pleiades or seven stars, fabled to have been the daughters of Atlas.
ATLASAt"las, n.; pl. Atlases. Etym: [L. Atlas, -antis, Gr. Atlas, in W.Africa, regarded as the pillar of heaven. It is from the root ofTolerate.]
1. One who sustains a great burden.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The first vertebra of the neck, articulating immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head, whence the name.
3. A collection of maps in a volume; —
Note: supposed to be so called from a picture of Atlas supporting the world, prefixed to some collections. This name is said to have been first used by Mercator, the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.
Note:
4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.
5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.
6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; — called also atlas folio.
7. A drawing paper of large size. See under Paper, n. Atlas powder, a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty consistency and great explosive power.
ATLASAt"las, n. Etym: [Ar., smooth.]
Defn: A rich kind of satin manufactured in India. Brande & C.
ATLAS POWDERAt"las pow"der.
Defn: A blasting powder or dynamite composed of nitroglycerin, wood fiber, sodium nitrate, and magnesium carbonate.
ATMAN At"man, n. [Skr. atman.] (Hinduism) (a) The life principle, soul, or individual essence. (b) The universal ego from whom all individual atmans arise. This sense is a European excrescence on the East Indian thought.
ATMIATRYAt*mi"a*try, n. [Gr. vapor + medical treatment, healing.]
Defn: Treatment of disease by vapors or gases, as by inhalation.
ATMIDOMETERAt`mi*dom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter; cf. F. atmidomètre.]
Defn: An instrument for measuring the evaporation from water, ice, or snow. Brande & C.
ATMOAt"mo, n. Etym: [Contr. fr. atmosphere.] (Physics)
Defn: The standard atmospheric pressure used in certain physical measurements calculations; conventionally, that pressure under which the barometer stands at 760 millimeters, at a temperature of 0º Centigrade, at the level of the sea, and in the latitude of Paris. Sir W. Thomson.
ATMOLOGIC; ATMOLOGICALAt`mo*log"ic, At`mo*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to atmology. "Atmological laws of heat."Whewell.
ATMOLOGISTAt*mol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One who is versed in atmology.
ATMOLOGYAt*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.] (Physics)
Defn: That branch of science which treats of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapor. Whewell.
ATMOLYSISAt*mol"y*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: The act or process of separating mingled gases of unequal diffusibility by transmission through porous substances.
ATMOLYZATIONAt`mol*y*za"tion, n. (Chem.)
Defn: Separation by atmolysis.
ATMOLYZEAt"mo*lyze, v. t. (Chem.)
Defn: To subject to atmolysis; to separate by atmolysis.
ATMOLYZERAt"mo*ly`zer, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An apparatus for effecting atmolysis.
ATMOMETERAt*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter: cf. F. atmomètre.]
Defn: An instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation from a moist surface; an evaporometer. Huxley.
ATMOSPHERE At"mos*phere, n. Etym: [Gr. atman breath, soul, G. athem breath) + atmosphère. See Sphere.]
1. (Physics) (a) The whole mass of aëriform fluid surrounding the earth; — applied also to the gaseous envelope of any celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of Mars. (b) Any gaseous envelope or medium. An atmosphere of cold oxygen. Miller.
2. A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical atmosphere, a medium formerly supposed to surround electrical bodies. Franklin.
3. The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a unit of surface, or about 14.7 Ibs. to the sq. inch. Hydrogen was liquefied under a pressure of 650 atmospheres. Lubbock.
4. Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition. The chillest of social atmospheres. Hawthorne.
5. The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere.
ATMOSPHERIC; ATMOSPHERICALAt`mos*pher"ic, At`mos*pher"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atmosphérique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the atmospheric envelope of the earth.
2. Existing in the atmosphere. The lower atmospheric current. Darwin.
3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.
4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.] In am so atmospherical a creature. Pope. Atmospheric engine, a steam engine whose piston descends by the pressure of the atmosphere, when the steam which raised it is condensed within the cylinder. Tomlinson. — Atmospheric line (Steam Engin.), the equilibrium line of an indicator card. Steam is expanded "down to the atmosphere" when its pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere. (See Indicator card.) — Atmospheric pressure, the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in every direction. In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each square inch. — Atmospheric railway, one in which pneumatic power, obtained from compressed air or the creation of a vacuum, is the propelling force. — Atmospheric tides. See under Tide.
ATMOSPHERICALLYAt`mos*pher"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In relation to the atmosphere.
ATMOSPHEROLOGYAt`mos*phe*rol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Atmosphere + -logy.]
Defn: The science or a treatise on the atmosphere.
ATOKOUSAt"o*kous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Producing only asexual individuals, as the eggs of certain annelids.
ATOLEA*to"le, n. [Mex. Sp.]
Defn: A porridge or gruel of maize meal and water, milk, or the like.[Sp. Amer.]
ATOLLA*toll", n. Etym: [The native name in the Indian Ocean.]
Defn: A coral island or islands, consisting of a belt of coral reef, partly submerged, surrounding a central lagoon or depression; a lagoon island.
ATOMAt"om, n. Etym: [L. atomus, Gr. atome. See Tome.]
1. (Physics) (a) An ultimate indivisible particle of matter. (b) An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily indivisible; a molecule. (c) A constituent particle of matter, or a molecule supposed to be made up of subordinate particles.
Note: These three definitions correspond to different views of the nature of the ultimate particles of matter. In the case of the last two, the particles are more correctly called molecules. Dana.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.
3. Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit. There was not an atom of water. Sir J. Ross.
ATOMAt"om, v. t.
Defn: To reduce to atoms. [Obs.] Feltham.
ATOMIC; ATOMICALA*tom"ic, A*tom"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atomique.]
1. Of or pertaining to atoms.
2. Extremely minute; tiny. Atomic philosophy, or Doctrine of atoms, a system which assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things. This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean philosophy. — Atomic theory, or the Doctrine of definite proportions (Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of bodies, in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to three, or some other, always expressible in whole numbers. — Atomic weight (Chem.), the weight of the atom of an element as compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken as a standard.
ATOMICALLYA*tom"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In an atomic manner; in accordance with the atomic philosophy.
ATOMICIANAt`o*mi"cian, n.
Defn: An atomist. [R.]
ATOMICISMA*tom"i*cism, n.
Defn: Atomism. [Obs.]
ATOMICITYAt`o*mic"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. atomicité.] (Chem.)
Defn: Degree of atomic attraction; equivalence; valence; also (a later use) the number of atoms in an elementary molecule. See Valence.
ATOMISMAt"om*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. atomisme.]
Defn: The doctrine of atoms. See Atomic philosophy, under Atomic.
ATOMISTAt"om*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. atomiste.]
Defn: One who holds to the atomic philosophy or theory. Locke.
ATOMISTICAt`om*is"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to atoms; relating to atomism. [R.] It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy to confound synthesis with synartesis. Coleridge.
ATOMIZATIONAt`om*i*za"tion, n.
1. The act of reducing to atoms, or very minute particles; or the state of being so reduced.
2. (Med.)
Defn: The reduction of fluids into fine spray.
ATOMIZEAt"om*ize, v. t.
Defn: To reduce to atoms, or to fine spray. The liquids in the form of spray are said to be pulverized, nebulized, or atomized. Dunglison.
ATOMIZERAt"om*i`zer, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, atomizes; esp., an instrument for reducing a liquid to spray for disinfecting, cooling, or perfuming.
ATOMOLOGYAt`om*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Atom + -logy.]
Defn: The doctrine of atoms. Cudworth.
ATOMYAt"om*y, n.
Defn: An atom; a mite; a pigmy.
ATOMYAt"o*my, n. Etym: [For anatomy, taken as an atomy.]
Defn: A skeleton. [Ludicrous] Shak.
ATONABLEA*ton"a*ble, a.
Defn: Admitting an atonement; capable of being atoned for; expiable.
AT ONEAt one". Etym: [OE. at on, atone, atoon, attone.]
1. In concord or friendship; in agreement (with each other); as, to be, bring, make, or set, at one, i. e., to be or bring in or to a state of agreement or reconciliation. If gentil men, or othere of hir contree Were wrothe, she wolde bringen hem atoon. Chaucer.
2. Of the same opinion; agreed; as, on these points we are at one.
3. Together. [Obs.] Spenser. He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violentest contrariety. Shak.
2. To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime. The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood. Pope. The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by any wise or popular measure. Junius.
ATONEA*tone", v. t.
1. To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease. [Obs.] I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. Shak.
2. To unite in making. [Obs. & R.] The four elements . . . have atoned A noble league. Ford.
3. To make satisfaction for; to expiate. Or each atone his guilty love with life. Pope.
ATONEMENTA*tone"ment, n.
1. (Literally, a setting at one.) Reconciliation; restoration of friendly relations; agreement; concord. [Archaic] By whom we have now received the atonement. Rom. v. 11. He desires to make atonement Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers. Shak.
2. Satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing of suffering that which will be received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; expiation; amends; — with for. Specifically, in theology: The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal suffering, and death of Christ. When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement be can make for it is, to warn others. Spectator. The Phocians behaved with, so much gallantry, that they were thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former offense. Potter.
ATONERA*ton"er, n.
Defn: One who makes atonement.
ATONESAt*ones, adv.
Defn: Etym: [See At one.] [Obs.]Down he fell atones as a stone. Chaucer.
ATONICA*ton"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atonique. See Atony.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: Characterized by atony, or want of vital energy; as, an atonic disease.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: Unaccented; as, an atonic syllable.
3. Destitute of tone vocality; surd. Rush.
ATONICA*ton"ic, n.
1. (Gram.)
Defn: A word that has no accent.
2. An element of speech entirely destitute of vocality, or produced by the breath alone; a nonvocal or surd consonant; a breathing. Rush.
3. (Med.)
Defn: A remedy capable of allaying organic excitement or irritation.Dunglison.
ATONYAt"o*ny, n. Etym: [Gr. atonie.] (Med.)
Defn: Want of tone; weakness of the system, or of any organ, especially of such as are contractile.
ATOPA*top", adv.
Defn: On or at the top. Milton.
ATRABILARIAN; ATRABILARIOUS At`ra*bi*la"ri*an, At`ra*bi*la"ri*ous, a. Etym: [LL. atrabilarius, fr. L. atra bilis black bile: cf. F. atrabilaire, fr. atrabile.]
Defn: Affected with melancholy; atrabilious. Arbuthnot.
ATRABILARIANAt`ra*bi*la"ri*an, n.
Defn: A person much given to melancholy; a hypochondriac. I.Disraeli.
ATRABILIARAt`ra*bil"iar, a.
Defn: Melancholy; atrabilious.
ATRABILIARYAt`ra*bil"ia*ry, a.
1. Of or pertaining to atra bilis or black bile, a fluid formerly supposed to be produced by the kidneys.
2. Melancholic or hypohondriac; atrabilious; — from the supposed predominance of black bile, to the influence of which the ancients attributed hypochondria, melancholy, and mania. Atrabiliary arteries, capsules, and veins (Anat.), those pertaining to the kidney; — called also renal arteries, capsules, and veins.
ATRABILIOUSAt`ra*bil"ious, a.
Defn: Melancholic or hypochondriac; atrabiliary. Dunglision.A hard-faced, atrabilious, earnest-eyed race. Lowell.He was constitutionally atrabilious and scornful. Froude.
ATRAMENTACEOUSAt`ra*men*ta"ceous, a. Etym: [L. atramentum ink, fr. ater black.]
Defn: Black, like ink; inky; atramental. [Obs.] Derham.
ATRAMENTAL; ATRAMENTOUSAt`ra*men"tal, At`ra*men"tous, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to ink; inky; black, like ink; as, atramental galls; atramentous spots.
ATRAMENTARIOUSAt`ra*men*ta"ri*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. atramentaire. SeeAtramentaceous.]
Defn: Like ink; suitable for making ink. Sulphate of iron (copperas, green vitriol) is called atramentarious, as being used in making ink.
ATREDEAt*rede, v. t. Etym: [OE. at (AS. æt) out + rede.]
Defn: To surpass in council. [Obs.]Men may the olde atrenne, but hat atrede. Chaucer.
ATRENNEAt*renne", v. t. Etym: [OE. at + renne to run.]
Defn: To outrun. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ATRESIAA*tre"si*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Absence or closure of a natural passage or channel of the body; imperforation.
ATRIALA"tri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to an atrium.
ATRIP A*trip", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + trip.] (Naut.) (a) Just hove clear of the ground; -said of the anchor. (b) Sheeted home, hoisted taut up and ready for trimming; — said of sails. (c) Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; — said of yards.
ATRIUMA"tri*um, n.; pl. Atria. Etym: [L., the fore court of a Roman house.]
1. (Arch.) (a) A square hall lighted from above, into which rooms open at one or more levels. (b) An open court with a porch or gallery around three or more sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica or other church. The name was extended in the Middle Ages to the open churchyard or cemetery.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The main part of either auricle of the heart as distinct from the auricular appendix. Also, the whole articular portion of the heart.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A cavity in ascidians into which the intestine and generative ducts open, and which also receives the water from the gills. See Ascidioidea.
ATROCHAAt`ro*cha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of chætopod larva in which no circles of cilia are developed.
ATROCIOUS A*tro"cious, a. Etym: [L. atrox, atrocis, cruel, fierce: cf. F. atroce.]
1. Extremely heinous; full of enormous wickedness; as, atrocious quilt or deeds.
2. Characterized by, or expressing, great atrocity, great atrocity. Revelations . . . so atrocious that nothing in history approaches them. De Quincey.
3. Very grievous or violent; terrible; as, atrocious distempers. [Obs.] Cheyne.
Syn. — Atrocious, Flagitious, Flagrant. Flagitious points to an act as grossly wicked and vile; as, a flagitious proposal. Flagrant marks the vivid impression made upon the mind by something strikingly wrong or erroneous; as, a flagrant misrepresentation; a flagrant violation of duty. Atrocious represents the act as springing from a violent and savage spirit. If Lord Chatham, instead of saying "the atrocious crime of being a young man," had used either of the other two words, his irony would have lost all its point, in his celebrated reply to Sir Robert Walpole, as reported by Dr. Johnson. — A*tro"cious*ly, adv. — A*tro"cious*ness, n.
ATROCITY A*troc"i*ty, n.; pl. Atrocities. Etym: [F. atrocité, L. atrocitas, fr. atrox, atrocis, cruel.]
1. Enormous wickedness; extreme heinousness or cruelty.
2. An atrocious or extremely cruel deed. The atrocities which attend a victory. Macaulay.
ATROPHICA*troph"ic, a.
Defn: Relating to atrophy.
ATROPHIEDAt"ro*phied, p. a.
Defn: Affected with atrophy, as a tissue or organ; arrested in development at a very early stage; rudimentary.
ATROPHYAt"ro*phy, n. Etym: [L. atrophia, Gr. atrophie.]
Defn: A wasting away from want of nourishment; diminution in bulk or slow emaciation of the body or of any part. Milton.
ATROPHYAt"ro*phy, v. t. [p. p. Atrophied.]
Defn: To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or weaken.
ATROPHYAt"ro*phy, v. i.
Defn: To waste away; to dwindle.
ATROPIAA*tro"pi*a, n.
Defn: Same as Atropine.
ATROPINEAt"ro*pine, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from the Atropa belladonna, or deadly nightshade, and the Datura Stramonium, or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also daturine.
ATROPISMAt"ro*pism, n. (Med.)
Defn: A condition of the system produced by long use of belladonna.
ATROPOUSAt"ro*pous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Not inverted; orthotropous.
ATROUSA"trous, a. Etym: [L. ater.]
Defn: Coal-black; very black.
ATRYPAA*try"pa, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A extinct genus of Branchiopoda, very common in Silurian limestones.
ATTABALAt"ta*bal, n.
Defn: See Atabal.
ATTACCAAt*tac"ca. Etym: [It., fr. attaccare to tie, bind. See Attach.](Mus.)
Defn: Attack at once; — a direction at the end of a movement to show that the next is to follow immediately, without any pause.
ATTACHAt*tach", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attached; p. pr. & vb. n. Attaching.]Etym: [OF. atachier, F. attacher, to tie or fasten: cf. Celt. tac,tach, nail, E. tack a small nail, tack to fasten. Cf. Attack, and seeTack.]
1. To bind, fasten, tie, or connect; to make fast or join; as, to attach one thing to another by a string, by glue, or the like. The shoulder blade is . . . attached only to the muscles. Paley. A huge stone to which the cable was attached. Macaulay.
2. To connect; to place so as to belong; to assign by authority; to appoint; as, an officer is attached to a certain regiment, company, or ship.
3. To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or self-interest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral influence; — with to; as, attached to a friend; attaching others to us by wealth or flattery. Incapable of attaching a sensible man. Miss Austen. God . . . by various ties attaches man to man. Cowper.
4. To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or attribute; to affix; — with to; as, to attach great importance to a particular circumstance. Top this treasure a curse is attached. Bayard Taylor.
5. To take, seize, or lay hold of. [Obs.] Shak.
6. To take by legal authority: (a) To arrest by writ, and bring before a court, as to answer for a debt, or a contempt; — applied to a taking of the person by a civil process; being now rarely used for the arrest of a criminal. (b) To seize or take (goods or real estate) by virtue of a writ or precept to hold the same to satisfy a judgment which may be rendered in the suit. See Attachment, 4. The earl marshal attached Gloucester for high treason. Miss Yonge. Attached column (Arch.), a column engaged in a wall, so that only a part of its circumference projects from it.
Syn. — To affix; bind; tie; fasten; connect; conjoin; subjoin; annex; append; win; gain over; conciliate.
ATTACHAt*tach", v. i.
1. To adhere; to be attached. The great interest which attaches to the mere knowledge of these facts cannot be doubted. Brougham.
2. To come into legal operation in connection with anything; to vest; as, dower will attach. Cooley.
ATTACHAt*tach", n.
Defn: An attachment. [Obs.] Pope.
ATTACHABLEAt*tach"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being attached; esp., liable to be taken by writ or precept.
ATTACHEAt`ta*ché", n. Etym: [F., p. p. of attacher. See Attach, v. t.]
Defn: One attached to another person or thing, as a part of a suite or staff. Specifically: One attached to an embassy.
ATTACHMENTAt*tach"ment, n. Etym: [F. attachment.]
1. The act attaching, or state of being attached; close adherence or affection; fidelity; regard; anas, an attachment to a friend, or to a party.
2. That by which one thing is attached to another; connection; as, to cut the attachments of a muscle. The human mind . . . has exhausted its forces in the endeavor to rend the supernatural from its attachment to this history. I. Taylor.
3. Something attached; some adjunct attached to an instrument, machine, or other object; as, a sewing machine attachment (i. e., a device attached to a sewing machine to enable it to do special work, as tucking, etc.).
4. (Giv. Law) (a) A seizure or taking into custody by virtue of a legal process. (b) The writ or percept commanding such seizure or taking.
Note: The term is applied to a seizure or taking either of persons or property. In the serving of process in a civil suit, it is most generally applied to the taking of property, whether at common law, as a species of distress, to compel defendant's appearance, or under local statutes, to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover in the action. The terms attachment and arrest are both applied to the taking or apprehension of a defendant to compel an appearance in a civil action. Attachments are issued at common law and in chancery, against persons for contempt of court. In England, attachment is employed in some cases where capias is with us, as against a witness who fails to appear on summons. In some of the New England States a writ of attachment is a species of mesne process upon which the property of a defendant may be seized at the commencement of a suit and before summons to him, and may be held to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover. In other States this writ can issue only against absconding debtors and those who conceal themselves. See Foreign, Garnishment, Trustee process. Bouvier. Burrill. Blackstone.