AUTOGENEALAu`to*ge"ne*al, a.
Defn: Self-produced; autogenous.
AUTOGENESISAu`to*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Auto- + genesis.] (Biol.)
Defn: Spontaneous generation.
AUTOGENETICAu`to*ge*net"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Relating to autogenesis; self-generated.
AUTOGENETIC DRAINAGEAutogenetic drainage. (Phys. Geog.)
Defn: A system of natural drainage developed by the constituent streams through headwater erosion.
AUTOGENETIC TOPOGRAPHYAutogenetic topography. (Phys. Geog.)
Defn: A system of land forms produced by the free action of rain and streams on rocks of uniform texture.
AUTOGENOUSAu*tog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Biol.)
Defn: Self-generated; produced independently.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: Developed from an independent center of ossification. Owen. Autogenous soldering, the junction by fusion of the joining edges of metals without the intervention of solder.
AUTOGENOUSLYAu*tog"e*nous*ly, adv.
Defn: In an autogenous manner; spontaneously.
AUTOGRAPHAu"to*graph, n. Etym: [F. autographe, fr. Gr.
Defn: That which is written with one's own hand; an original manuscript; a person's own signature or handwriting.
AUTOGRAPHAu"to*graph, a.
Defn: In one's own handwriting; as, an autograph letter; an autograph will.
AUTOGRAPHALAu*tog"ra*phal, a.
Defn: Autographic. [Obs.]
AUTOGRAPHIC; AUTOGRAPHICALAu`to*graph"ic, Au`to*graph"ic*al, a.
1. Pertaining to an autograph, or one's own handwriting; of the nature of an autograph.
2. Pertaining to, or used in, the process of autography; as, autographic ink, paper, or press.
AUTOGRAPHYAu*tog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. autographie.]
1. The science of autographs; a person's own handwriting; an autograph.
2. A process in lithography by which a writing or drawing is transferred from paper to stone. Ure.
AUTOHARPAu"to*harp, n. [Auto- + harp.]
Defn: A zitherlike musical instrument, provided with dampers which, when depressed, deaden some strings, leaving free others that form a chord.
AUTOHYPNOTICAu`to*hyp*not"ic, a.
Defn: Pert. to autohypnotism; self-hypnotizing. — n.
Defn: An autohypnotic person.
AUTOHYPNOTISMAu`to*hyp"no*tism, n. [Auto-+ hypnotism.]
Defn: Hypnotism of one's self by concentration of the attention on some object or idea.
AUTO-INFECTIONAu`to-in*fec"tion, n. [Auto- + infection.] (Med.)
Defn: Poisoning caused by a virus that originates and develops in the organism itself.
AUTO-INOCULATIONAu`to-in*oc`u*la"tion, n. [Auto-+ inoculation.] (Med.)
Defn: Inoculation of a person with virus from his own body.
AUTO-INTOXICATIONAu`to-in*tox`i*ca"tion, n. [Auto-+ intoxication.] (Med.)
Defn: Poisoning, or the state of being poisoned, from toxic substances produced within the body; autotoxæmia.
AUTOKINESISAu`to*ki*ne"sis, n. [NL.; auto-+ Gr. motion.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Spontaneous or voluntary movement; movement due to an internal cause.
AUTOKINETICAu`to*ki*net"ic, a. [Auto- + kinetic.]
Defn: Self-moving; moving automatically.
AUTOKINETIC SYSTEMAutokinetic system.
Defn: In fire-alarm telegraphy, a system so arranged that when one alarm is being transmitted, no other alarm, sent in from another point, will be transmitted until after the first alarm has been disposed of.
AUTOLATRYAu*tol"a*try, n. Etym: [Auto- + Gr.
Defn: Self-worship. Farrar.
AUTOMATHAu"to*math, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: One who is self-taught. [R.] Young.
AUTOMATIC; AUTOMATICALAu`to*mat"ic, Au`to*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. automatique. SeeAutomaton.]
1. Having an inherent power of action or motion. Nothing can be said to be automatic. Sir H. Davy.
2. Pertaining to, or produced by, an automaton; of the nature of an automaton; self-acting or self-regulating under fixed conditions; — esp. applied to machinery or devices in which certain things formerly or usually done by hand are done by the machine or device itself; as, the automatic feed of a lathe; automatic gas lighting; an automatic engine or switch; an automatic mouse.
3. Not voluntary; not depending on the will; mechanical; as, automatic movements or functions. Unconscious or automatic reasoning. H. Spenser. Automatic arts, such economic arts or manufacture as are carried on by self-acting machinery. Ure.
AUTOMATICALLYAu`to*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In an automatic manner.
AUTOMATISMAu*tom"a*tism, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being automatic; the power of self- moving; automatic, mechanical, or involuntary action. (Metaph.) A theory as to the activity of matter.
AUTOMATONAu*tom"a*ton, n.; pl. L. Automata (, E. Automatons (. Etym: [L. fr.Gr. ma, man, to strive, think, cf. Mean, v. i.]
1. Any thing or being regarded as having the power of spontaneous motion or action. Huxley. So great and admirable an automaton as the world. Boyle. These living automata, human bodies. Boyle.
2. A self-moving machine, or one which has its motive power within itself; — applied chiefly to machines which appear to imitate spontaneously the motions of living beings, such as men, birds, etc.
AUTOMATOUSAu*tom"a*tous, a. Etym: [L. automatus, Gr. Automaton.]
Defn: Automatic. [Obs.] "Automatous organs." Sir T. Browne.
AUTOMIXTE SYSTEMAu`to*mixte" system. (Mach.)
Defn: A system (devised by Henri Pieper, a Belgian) of driving automobiles employing a gasoline engine and an auxiliary reversible dynamo. When there is an excess of power the dynamo is driven by the engine so as to charge a small storage battery; when there is a deficiency of power the dynamo reverses and acts as an auxiliary motor. Sometimes called Pieper system. — Automixte car, etc.
AUTOMOBILEAu`to*mo"bile, n. [F.]
Defn: An automobile vehicle or mechanism; esp., a self-propelled vehicle suitable for use on a street or roadway. Automobiles are usually propelled by internal combustion engines (using volatile inflammable liquids, as gasoline or petrol, alcohol, naphtha, etc.), steam engines, or electric motors. The power of the driving motor varies from about 4 to 50 H. P. for ordinary vehicles, ranging from the run-about to the touring car, up to as high as 200 H. P. for specially built racing cars. Automobiles are also commonly, and generally in British usage, called motor cars.
AUTOMOBILISMAu`to*mo"bil*ism, n.
Defn: The use of automobiles, or the practices, methods, or the like, of those who use them. — Au`to*mo"bil*ist, n.
AUTOMORPHICAu`to*mor"phic, a. Etym: [Auto- + Gr.
Defn: Patterned after one's self. The conception which any one frames of another's mind is more or less after the pattern of his own mind, — is automorphic. H. Spenser.
AUTOMORPHISMAu`to*mor"phism, n.
Defn: Automorphic characterization. H. Spenser.
AUTONOMASYAu`to*nom"a*sy, n. Etym: [Auto- + Gr. antonomasia.] (Rhet.)
Defn: The use of a word of common or general signification for the name of a particular thing; as, "He has gone to town," for, "He has gone to London."
AUTONOMICAu`to*nom"ic, a.
Defn: Having the power of self-government; autonomous. Hickok.
AUTONOMISTAu"to"no*mist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. automiste. See Autonomy.]
Defn: One who advocates autonomy.
AUTONOMOUSAu*ton"o*mous, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Independent in government; having the right or power of self- government.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Having independent existence or laws.
AUTONOMYAu*ton"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. autonomie. See Autonomous.]
1. The power or right of self-government; self-government, or political independence, of a city or a state.
2. (Metaph.)
Defn: The sovereignty of reason in the sphere of morals; or man's power, as possessed of reason, to give law to himself. In this, according to Kant, consist the true nature and only possible proof of liberty. Fleming.
AUTOPATHICAu`to*path"ic, a. [See Auto-, and Pathic, a.] (Med.)
Defn: Dependent upon, or due or relating to, the structure and characteristics of the diseased organism; endopathic; as, an autopathic disease; an autopathic theory of diseases.
AUTOPHAGIAu*toph"a*gi, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Birds which are able to run about and obtain their own food as soon as hatched.
AUTOPHAGYAu*toph"a*gy, n. [Gr. self + to eat.] (Med.)
Defn: The feeding of the body upon itself, as in fasting; nutrition by consumption of one's own tissues.
AUTOPHOBYAu*toph"o*by, n. Etym: [Auto- + Gr.
Defn: Fear of one's self; fear of being egotistical. [R.] Hare.
AUTOPHONYAu*toph"o*ny, n. Etym: [Auto- + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: An auscultatory process, which consists in noting the tone of the observer's own voice, while he speaks, holding his head close to the patient's chest. Dunglison.
AUTOPLASTICAu`to*plas"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to autoplasty.
AUTOPLASTYAu"to*plas`ty, n. Etym: [Auto- + -plasty.] (Surg.)
Defn: The process of artificially repairing lesions by taking a piece of healthy tissue, as from a neighboring part, to supply the deficiency caused by disease or wounds.
AUTOPNEUMATICAu`to*pneu*mat"ic, a. [Auto-+ pneumatic.]
Defn: Acting or moving automatically by means of compressed air.
AUTOPSIC; AUTOPSICALAu*top"sic, Au*top"sic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to autopsy; autoptical. [Obs.]
AUTOPSORINAu*top"so*rin, n. Etym: [Auto- + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: That which is given under the doctrine of administering a patient's own virus.
AUTOPSYAu"top*sy, n. Etym: [Gr. autopsie. See Optic, a.]
1. Personal observation or examination; seeing with one's own eyes; ocular view. By autopsy and experiment. Cudworth.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Dissection of a dead body, for the purpose of ascertaining the cause, seat, or nature of a disease; a post-mortem examination.
AUTOPTIC; AUTOPTICALAu*top"tic, Au*top"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. autoptique.]
Defn: Seen with one's own eyes; belonging to, or connected with, personal observation; as, autoptic testimony or experience.
AUTOPTICALLYAu*top"tic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By means of ocular view, or one's own observation. Sir T.Browne.
AUTOSCHEDIASTIC; AUTOSCHEDIASTICALAu`to*sche`di*as"tic, Au`to*sche`di*as"tic*al, a. Etym: [Auto- + Gr.Schediasm.]
Defn: Extemporary; offhand. [R.] Dean Martin.
AUTOSTABILITYAu`to*sta*bil"i*ty, n. [Auto-+ stability.] (Mechanics)
Defn: Automatic stability; also, inherent stability. An aëroplane is inherently stable if it keeps in steady poise by virtue of its shape and proportions alone; it is automatically stable if it keeps in steady poise by means of self-operative mechanism.
AUTOSTYLICAu`to*styl"ic, a. Etym: [Auto- + Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Having the mandibular arch articulated directly to the cranium, as in the skulls of the Amphibia.
AUTOSUGGESTIONAu`to*sug*ges"tion, n. [Auto-+ suggestion.] (Med.)
Defn: Self-suggestion as distinguished from suggestion coming from another, esp. in hypnotism. Autosuggestion is characteristic of certain mental conditions in which expectant belief tends to produce disturbance of function of one or more organs.
AUTOTHEISMAu"to*the`ism, n. Etym: [Auto- + theism.]
1. The doctrine of God's self-existence. [R.]
2. Deification of one's self; self-worship. [R.]
AUTOTHEISTAu"to*the`ist, n.
Defn: One given to self-worship. [R.]
AUTOTOXAEMIA; AUTOTOXEMIAAu`to*tox*æ"mi*a, Au`to*tox*e"mi*a, n. [NL. See Auto-, and Toxæmia.](Physiol.)
Defn: Self-intoxication. See Auto-intoxication.
AUTOTOXICAu`to*tox"ic, a. [Auto- + toxic.] (Med.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or causing, autotoxæmia.
AUTOTOXICATIONAu`to*tox`i*ca"tion, n. [Auto-+ toxication.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Same as Auto-intoxication.
AUTOTRANSFORMERAu`to*trans*form"er, n. [Auto-+ transformer.] (Elec.)
Defn: A transformer in which part of the primary winding is used as a secondary winding, or vice versa; — called also a compensator or balancing coil.
AUTOTROPHICAu`to*troph"ic, a. [Auto- + trophic.] (Plant Physiol.)
Defn: Capable of self-nourishment; — said of all plants in which photosynthetic activity takes place, as opposed to parasitism or saprophytism.
AUTOTROPISMAu*tot"ro*pism, n. [Auto- + Gr. to turn.] (Plant Physiol.)
Defn: The tendency of plant organs to grow in a straight line when uninfluenced by external stimuli.
AUTOTYPEAu"to*type, n. Etym: [Auto- + -type: cf. F. autotype.]
1. A facsimile.
2. A photographic picture produced in sensitized pigmented gelatin by exposure to light under a negative; and subsequent washing out of the soluble parts; a kind of picture in ink from a gelatin plate.
AUTOTYPOGRAPHYAu`to*ty*pog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Auto- + typography.]
Defn: A process resembling "nature printing," by which drawings executed on gelatin are impressed into a soft metal plate, from which the printing is done as from copperplate.
AUTOTYPYAu*tot"y*py, n.
Defn: The art or process of making autotypes.
AUTUMN Au"tumn, n. Etym: [L. auctumnus, autumnus, perh. fr. a root av to satisfy one's self: cf. F. automne. See Avarice.]
1. The third season of the year, or the season between summer and winter, often called "the fall." Astronomically, it begins in the northern temperate zone at the autumnal equinox, about September 23, and ends at the winter solstice, about December 23; but in popular language, autumn, in America, comprises September, October, and November.
Note: In England, according to Johnson, autumn popularly comprises August, September, and October. In the southern hemisphere, the autumn corresponds to our spring.
2. The harvest or fruits of autumn. Milton.
3. The time of maturity or decline; latter portion; third stage.Dr. Preston was now entering into the autumn of the duke's favor.Fuller.Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge. Wordsworth.
AUTUMNALAu*tum"nal, a. Etym: [L. auctumnalis, autumnalis: cf. F. automnal.]
1. Of, belonging to, or peculiar to, autumn; as, an autumnal tint; produced or gathered in autumn; as, autumnal fruits; flowering in autumn; as, an autumnal plant. Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks In Vallombrosa. Milton.
2. Past the middle of life; in the third stage. An autumnal matron. Hawthorne. Autumnal equinox, the time when the sun crosses the equator, as it proceeds southward, or when it passes the ~ point. — ~= point, the point of the equator intersected by the ecliptic, as the sun proceeds southward; the first point of Libra. — ~= signs, the signs Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius, through which the sun passes between the ~ equinox and winter solstice.
AUTUNITEAu"tun*ite, n. [From Autun, France, its locality.] (Min.)
Defn: A lemon-yellow phosphate of uranium and calcium occurring in tabular crystals with basal cleavage, and in micalike scales. H., 2- 2.5. Sp. gr., 3.05-3.19.
AUXANOMETERAux`a*nom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.]
Defn: An instrument to measure the growth of plants. Goodale.
AUXESISAux*e"sis, n. Etym: [NL., Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure by which a grave and magnificent word is put for the proper word; amplification; hyperbole.
AUXETICAux*et"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to, or containing, auxesis; amplifying.
AUXETOPHONEAux*e"to*phone, n. [Gr. that may be increased + sound, voice.]
Defn: A pneumatic reproducer for a phonograph, controlled by the recording stylus on the principle of the relay. It produces much clearer and louder tones than does the ordinary vibrating disk reproducer.
AUXILIARAux*il"iar, a. Etym: [L. auxiliaris: cf. F. auxiliaire. SeeAuxiliary.]
Defn: Auxiliary. [Archaic]The auxiliar troops and Trojan hosts appear. Pope.
AUXILIARAux*il"iar, n.
Defn: An auxiliary. [Archaic] Milton.
AUXILIARLYAux*il"iar*ly, adv.
Defn: By way of help. Harris.
AUXILIARY Aux*il"ia*ry, a. Etym: [L. auxiliarius, fr. auxilium help, aid, fr. augere to increase.]
Defn: Conferring aid or help; helping; aiding; assisting; subsidiary; as auxiliary troops. Auxiliary scales (Mus.), the scales of relative or attendant keys. See under Attendant, a. — Auxiliary verbs (Gram.). See Auxiliary, n., 3.
AUXILIARYAux*il"ia*ry, n.; pl. Auxiliaries (.
1. A helper; an assistant; a confederate in some action or enterprise.
2. (Mil.) pl.
Defn: Foreign troops in the service of a nation at war; (rarely in sing.), a member of the allied or subsidiary force.
3. (Gram.)
Defn: A verb which helps to form the voices, modes, and tenses of other verbs; — called, also, an auxiliary verb; as, have, be, may, can, do, must, shall, and will, in English; être and avoir, in French; avere and essere, in Italian; estar and haber, in Spanish.
4. (Math.)
Defn: A quantity introduced for the purpose of simplifying or facilitating some operation, as in equations or trigonometrical formulæ. Math. Dict.
AUXILIATORYAux*il"ia*to*ry, a.
Defn: Auxiliary; helping. [Obs.]
AUXOMETERAux*om"e*ter, n. [Gr. to increase + -meter.] (Optics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the magnifying power of a lens or system of lenses.
AVAA"va, n.
Defn: Same as Kava. Johnston.
AVADAVATAv`a*da*vat", n.
Defn: Same as Amadavat.
AVAILA*vail", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Availed (p. pr. & vb. n. Availing.]Etym: [OE. availen, fr. F. ad) + valoir to be worth, fr. L. valere tobe strong, to be worth. See Valiant.]
1. To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment. O, what avails me now that honor high ! Milton.
2. To promote; to assist. [Obs.] Pope. To avail one's self of, to make use of; take advantage of. Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names. Milton. I have availed myself of the very first opportunity. Dickens.
AVAILA*vail", v. i.
Defn: To be of use or advantage; to answer the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail; medicines will not avail to check the disease. "What signs avail " Milton. Words avail very little with me, young man. Sir W. Scott.
AVAILA*vail", n.
1. Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without economy, is of little avail. The avail of a deathbed repentance. Jer. Taylor.
2. pl.
Defn: Proceeds; as, the avails of a sale by auction.The avails of their own industry. Stoddard.
Syn.— Use; benefit; utility; profit; service.
AVAILA*vail", v. t. & i.
Defn: See Avale, v. [Obs.] Spenser.
AVAILABILITYA*vail`a*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Availabilities (.
1. The quality of being available; availableness.
Note: The word is sometimes used derogatively in the sense of "mereavailableness," or capability of success without regard toworthiness.He was . . . nominated for his availability. Lowell.
2. That which is available.
AVAILABLEA*vail"a*ble, a.
1. Having sufficient power, force, or efficacy, for the object; effectual; valid; as, an available plea. [Obs.] Laws human are available by consent. Hooker.
2. Such as one may avail one's self of; capable of being used for the accomplishment of a purpose; usable; profitable; advantageous; convertible into a resource; as, an available measure; an available candidate. Struggling to redeem, as he did, the available months and days out of so many that were unavailable. Carlyle. Having no available funds with which to pay the calls on new shares. H. Spenser.
AVAILABLENESSA*vail"a*ble*ness, n.
1. Competent power; validity; efficacy; as, the availableness of a title. [Obs.]
2. Quality of being available; capability of being used for the purpose intended. Sir M. Hale.
AVAILABLYA*vail"a*bly, adv.
Defn: In an available manner; profitably; advantageously; efficaciously.
AVAILMENTA*vail"ment, n.
Defn: Profit; advantage. [Obs.]
AVALANCHEAv"a*lanche`, n. Etym: [F. avalanche, fr. avaler to descend, to letdown, from aval down, downward; ad) + val, L. vallis, valley. SeeValley.]
1. A large mass or body of snow and ice sliding swiftly down a mountain side, or falling down a precipice.
2. A fall of earth, rocks, etc., similar to that of an avalanche of snow or ice.
3. A sudden, great, or irresistible descent or influx of anything.
AVALEA*vale", v. t. & i. Etym: [F. avaler to descend, to let down. SeeAvalanche.]
1. To cause to descend; to lower; to let fall; to doff. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To bring low; to abase. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.
3. (v. i.)
Defn: To descend; to fall; to dismount. [Obs.]And from their sweaty courses did avale. Spenser.
AVANTA*vant", n. Etym: [For avant-guard. Cf. Avaunt, Van.]
Defn: The front of an army. [Obs.] See Van.
AVANT-COURIERA*vant"-cou`ri*er, n. Etym: [F., fr. avant before + courrier. SeeAvaunt, and Courier.]
Defn: A person dispatched before another person or company, to give notice of his or their approach.
AVANT-GUARDA*vant"-guard` (; sq. root277), n. Etym: [F. avant before + E. guard,F. avant-garde. See Avaunt.]
Defn: The van or advanced body of an army. See Vanguard.
AVARICE Av"a*rice, n. Etym: [F. avaritia, fr. avarus avaricious, prob. fr. av to covert, fr. a root av to satiate one's self: cf. Gr. av to satiate one's self, rejoice, protect.]
1. An excessive or inordinate desire of gain; greediness after wealth; covetousness; cupidity. To desire money for its own sake, and in order to hoard it up, is avarice. Beattie.
2. An inordinate desire for some supposed good. All are taught an avarice of praise. Goldsmith.
AVARICIOUSAv`a*ri"cious, a. Etym: [Cf. F. avaricieux.]
Defn: Actuated by avarice; greedy of gain; immoderately desirous of accumulating property.
Syn. — Greedy; stingy; rapacious; griping; sordid; close. — Avaricious, Covetous, Parsimonious, Penurious, Miserly, Niggardly. The avaricious eagerly grasp after it at the expense of others, though not of necessity with a design to save, since a man may be covetous and yet a spendthrift. The penurious, parsimonious, and miserly save money by disgraceful self-denial, and the niggardly by meanness in their dealing with others. We speak of persons as covetous in getting, avaricious in retaining, parsimonious in expending, penurious or miserly in modes of living, niggardly in dispensing. — Av`a*ri"cious*ly, adv — Av`a*ri"cious*ness, n.
AVAROUSAv"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. avarus.]
Defn: Avaricious. [Obs.]
AVASTA*vast", interj. Etym: [Corrupted from D. houd vast hold fast. SeeHold, v. t., and Fast, a.] (Naut.)
Defn: Cease; stop; stay. "Avast heaving." Totten.
AVATAR Av`a*tar", n. Etym: [Skr. avatâra descent; ava from + root t to cross, pass over.]
1. (Hindoo Myth.)
Defn: The descent of a deity to earth, and his incarnation as a man or an animal; — chiefly associated with the incarnations of Vishnu.
2. Incarnation; manifestation as an object of worship or admiration.
AVAUNCEA*vaunce", v. t. & i. Etym: [See Advance.]
Defn: To advance; to profit. Chaucer.
AVAUNTA*vaunt", interj. Etym: [F. avant forward, fr. L. ab + ante before.Cf. Avant, Advance.]
Defn: Begone; depart; — a word of contempt or abhorrence, equivalent to the phrase "Get thee gone."
AVAUNTA*vaunt", v. t. & i.
1. To advance; to move forward; to elevate. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. To depart; to move away. [Obs.] Coverdale.
AVAUNTA*vaunt", v. t. & i. Etym: [OF. avanter; (L. ad) + vanter. SeeVaunt.]
Defn: To vaunt; to boast. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AVAUNTA*vaunt", n.
Defn: A vaunt; to boast. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AVAUNTOURA*vaunt"our, n. Etym: [OF. avanteur.]
Defn: A boaster. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AVEA"ve, n. Etym: [L., hail.]
1. An ave Maria. He repeated Aves and Credos. Macaulay.
2. A reverential salutation. Their loud applause and aves vehement. Shak.
AVELA*vel, v. t. Etym: [L. avellere.]
Defn: To pull away. [Obs.]Yet are not these parts avelled. Sir T. Browne.
AVELLANEA*vel"lane, a. Etym: [Cf. It. avellana a filbert, fr. L. Avella orAbella a city of Campania.] (Her.)
Defn: In the form of four unhusked filberts; as, an avellane cross.
AVE MARIA; AVE MARYA"ve Ma*ri"a, A"ve Ma"ry.Etym: [From the first words of the RomanCatholic prayer to the Virgin Mary; L. ave hail, Maria Mary.]
1. A salutation and prayer to the Virgin Mary, as mother of God; — used in the Roman Catholic church. To number Ave Maries on his beads. Shak.
2. A particular time (as in Italy, at the ringing of the bells about half an hour after sunset, and also at early dawn), when the people repeat the Ave Maria. Ave Maria ! blessed be the hour ! Byron.
AVENAA*ve"na, n. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of grasses, including the common oat (Avena sativa); the oat grasses.
AVENACEOUSAv`e*na"ceous, a. Etym: [L. avenaceus, fr. avena oats.]
Defn: Belonging to, or resembling, oats or the oat grasses.
AVENAGEAv"e*nage, n. Etym: [F. avenage, fr. L. avena oats.] (Old Law)
Defn: A quantity of oats paid by a tenant to a landlord in lieu of rent. Jacob.
AVENALINA*ven"a*lin, n. [L. avena eats.] (Chem.)
Defn: A crystalline globulin, contained in oat kernels, very similar in composition to excelsin, but different in reactions and crystalline form.
AVENER Av"e*ner, n. Etym: [OF. avenier, fr. aveine, avaine, avoine, oats, F. avoine, L. avena.] (Feud. Law)
Defn: An officer of the king's stables whose duty it was to provide oats for the horses. [Obs.]
AVENGEA*venge", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Avenged (p. pr. & vb. n. Avenging (Etym: [OF. avengier; L. ad + vindicare to lay claim to, to avenge,revenge. See Vengeance.]
1. To take vengeance for; to exact satisfaction for by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on a wrongdoer. He will avenge the blood of his servants. Deut. xxxii. 43. Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold. Milton. He had avenged himself on them by havoc such as England had never before seen. Macaulay.
2. To treat revengefully; to wreak vengeance on. [Obs.] Thy judgment in avenging thine enemies. Bp. Hall.
Syn. — To Avenge, Revenge. To avenge is to inflict punishment upon evil doers in behalf of ourselves, or others for whom we act; as, to avenge one's wrongs; to avenge the injuries of the suffering and innocent. It is to inflict pain for the sake of vindication, or retributive justice. To revenge is to inflict pain or injury for the indulgence of resentful and malicious feelings. The former may at times be a duty; the latter is one of the worst exhibitions of human character. I avenge myself upon another, or I avenge another, or I avenge a wrong. I revenge only myself, and that upon another. C. J. Smith.
AVENGEA*venge", v. i.
Defn: To take vengeance. Levit. xix. 18.
AVENGEA*venge", n.
Defn: Vengeance; revenge. [Obs.] Spenser.
AVENGEANCEA*venge"ance, n.
Defn: Vengeance. [Obs.]
AVENGEFULA*venge"ful, a.
Defn: Vengeful. [Obs.] Spenser.
AVENGEMENTA*venge"ment, n.
Defn: The inflicting of retributive punishment; satisfaction taken.[R.] Milton.
AVENGERA*ven"ger, n.
1. One who avenges or vindicates; as, an avenger of blood.
2. One who takes vengeance. [Obs.] Milton.
AVENGERESSA*ven"ger*ess, n.
Defn: A female avenger. [Obs.] Spenser.
AVENIOUSA*ve"ni*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. a- + L. vena a vein.] (Bot.)
Defn: Being without veins or nerves, as the leaves of certain plants.
AVENORAv"e*nor, n.
Defn: See Avener. [Obs.]
AVENSAv"ens, n. Etym: [OF. avence.] (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the genus Geum, esp. Geum urbanum, or herb bennet.
AVENTAILAv"en*tail, n. Etym: [OF. esventail. Cf. Ventail.]
Defn: The movable front to a helmet; the ventail.
AVENTINEAv"en*tine, a.
Defn: Pertaining to Mons Aventinus, one of the seven hills on whichRome stood. Bryant.
AVENTINEAv"en*tine, n.
Defn: A post of security or defense. [Poetic]Into the castle's tower, The only Aventine that now is left him.Beau. & Fl.
AVENTREA*ven"tre, v. t.
Defn: To thrust forward (at a venture), as a spear. [Obs.] Spenser.
AVENTUREA*ven"ture, n. Etym: [See Adventure, n.]
1. Accident; chance; adventure. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. (Old Law)
Defn: A mischance causing a person's death without felony, as by drowning, or falling into the fire.
AVENTURINEA*ven"tu*rine, n. Etym: [F. aventurine: cf. It. avventurino.]
1. A kind of glass, containing gold-colored spangles. It was produced in the first place by the accidental (par aventure) dropping of some brass filings into a pot of melted glass.
2. (Min.)
Defn: A variety of translucent quartz, spangled throughout with scales of yellow mica. ~= feldspar, a variety of oligoclase with internal firelike reflections due to the presence of minute crystals, probably of hematite; sunstone.
AVENUEAv"e*nue, n. Etym: [F. avenue, fr. avenir to come to, L. advenire.See Advene.]
1. A way or opening for entrance into a place; a passage by which a place may by reached; a way of approach or of exit. "The avenues leading to the city by land." Macaulay. On every side were expanding new avenues of inquiry. Milman.
2. The principal walk or approach to a house which is withdrawn from the road, especially, such approach bordered on each side by trees; any broad passageway thus bordered. An avenue of tall elms and branching chestnuts. W. Black.
3. A broad street; as, the Fifth Avenue in New York.
AVER A"ver, n. Etym: [OF. aver domestic animal, whence LL. averia, pl. cattle. See Habit, and cf. Average.]
Defn: A work horse, or working ox. [Obs. or Dial. Eng.]
AVERA*ver", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averred (p. pr. & vb. n. Averring.] Etym:[F. avérer, LL. adverare, averare; L. ad + versus true. See Verity.]
1. To assert, or prove, the truth of. [Obs.]
2. (Law)
Defn: To avouch or verify; to offer to verify; to prove or justify.See Averment.
3. To affirm with confidence; to declare in a positive manner, as in confidence of asserting the truth. It is sufficient that the very fact hath its foundation in truth, as I do seriously aver is the case. Fielding. Then all averred I had killed the bird. Coleridge.
Syn.— To assert; affirm; asseverate. See Affirm.
AVERAGE Av"er*age, n. Etym: [OF. average, LL. averagium, prob. fr. OF. aver, F. avoir, property, horses, cattle, etc.; prop. infin., to have, from L. habere to have. Cf. F. avérage small cattle, and avarie (perh. of different origin) damage to ship or cargo, port dues. The first meaning was peAver, n., Avercorn, Averpenny.]
1. (OLd Eng. Law)
Defn: That service which a tenant owed his lord, to be done by the work beasts of the tenant, as the carriage of wheat, turf, etc.
2. Etym: [Cf. F. avarie damage to ship or cargo.] (Com.) (a) A tariff or duty on goods, etc. [Obs.] (b) Any charge in addition to the regular charge for freight of goods shipped. (c) A contribution to a loss or charge which has been imposed upon one of several for the general benefit; damage done by sea perils. (d) The equitable and proportionate distribution of loss or expense among all interested. General average, a contribution made, by all parties concerned in a sea adventure, toward a loss occasioned by the voluntary sacrifice of the property of some of the parties in interest for the benefit of all. It is called general average, because it falls upon the gross amount of ship, cargo, and freight at risk and saved by the sacrifice. Kent. — Particular average signifies the damage or partial loss happening to the ship, or cargo, or freight, in consequence of some fortuitous or unavoidable accident; and it is borne by the individual owners of the articles damaged, or by their insurers. — Petty averages are sundry small charges, which occur regularly, and are necessarily defrayed by the master in the usual course of a voyage; such as port charges, common pilotage, and the like, which formerly were, and in some cases still are, borne partly by the ship and partly by the cargo. In the clause commonly found in bills of lading, "primage and average accustomed," average means a kind of composition established by usage for such charges, which were formerly assessed by way of average. Arnould. Abbott. Phillips.
3. A mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of unequal sums or quantities; an arithmetical mean. Thus, if A loses 5 dollars, B 9, and C 16, the sum is 30, and the average 10.
4. Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a comparison of diverse specific cases; a medium or usual size, quantity, quality, rate, etc. "The average of sensations." Paley.
5. pl.
Defn: In the English corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets. On an average, taking the mean of unequal numbers or quantities.
AVERAGEAv"er*age, a.
1. Pertaining to an average or mean; medial; containing a mean proportion; of a mean size, quality, ability, etc.; ordinary; usual; as, an average rate of profit; an average amount of rain; the average Englishman; beings of the average stamp.
2. According to the laws of averages; as, the loss must be made good by average contribution.
AVERAGEAv"er*age, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averaged (p. pr. & vb. n. Averaging.]
1. To find the mean of, when sums or quantities are unequal; to reduce to a mean.
2. To divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss.
3. To do, accomplish, get, etc., on an average.
AVERAGEAv"er*age, v. i.
Defn: To form, or exist in, a mean or medial sum or quantity; to amount to, or to be, on an ~; as, the losses of the owners will average twenty five dollars each; these spars average ten feet in length.
AVERCORNA"ver*corn`, n. Etym: [Aver,n.+ corn.] (Old Eng. Law)
Defn: A reserved rent in corn, formerly paid to religious houses by their tenants or farmers. Kennet.
AVERMENT A*ver"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. averement, LL. averamentum. See Aver, v. t.]
1. The act of averring, or that which is averred; affirmation; positive assertion. Signally has this averment received illustration in the course of recent events. I. Taylor.
2. Verification; establishment by evidence. Bacon.
3. (Law)
Defn: A positive statement of facts; an allegation; an offer to justify or prove what is alleged.
Note: In any stage of pleadings, when either party advances new matter, he avers it to be true, by using this form of words: "and this he is ready to verify." This was formerly called an averment. It modern pleading, it is termed a verification. Blackstone.
AVERNAL; AVERNIANA*ver"nal, A*ver"ni*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Avernus, a lake of Campania, in Italy, famous for its poisonous vapors, which ancient writers fancied were so malignant as to kill birds flying over it. It was represented by the poets to be connected with the infernal regions.
AVERPENNYAv"er*pen`ny, n. Etym: [Aver,n.+ penny.] (Old Eng. Law)
Defn: Money paid by a tenant in lieu of the service of average.
AVERROISMA*ver"ro*ism, n.
Defn: The tenets of the Averroists.
AVERROISTA*ver"ro*ist, n.
Defn: One of a sect of peripatetic philosophers, who appeared inItaly before the restoration of learning; so denominated fromAverroes, or Averrhoes, a celebrated Arabian philosopher. He held thedoctrine of monopsychism.
AVERRUNCATE Av`er*run"cate, v. t. Etym: [L. averruncare to avert; a, ab, off + verruncare to turn; formerly derived from ab and eruncare to root out. Cf. Aberuncate.]
1. To avert; to ward off. [Obs.] Hudibras.
2. To root up. [Obs.] Johnson.
AVERRUNCATIONAv`er*run*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. averroncation.]
1. The act of averting. [Obs.]
2. Eradication. [R.] De Quincey.
AVERRUNCATORAv`er*run*ca"tor, n. Etym: [Cf. Aberuncator.]
Defn: An instrument for pruning trees, consisting of two blades, or a blade and a hook, fixed on the end of a long rod.
AVERSATION Av`er*sa"tion, n. Etym: [L. aversatio, fr. aversari to turn away, v. intens. of avertere. See Avert.]
Defn: A turning from with dislike; aversion. [Obs.or Archaic] Some men have a natural aversation to some vices or virtues, and a natural affection to others. Jer. Taylor.
AVERSEA*verse", a. Etym: [L. aversus, p. p. of avertere. See Avert.]
1. Turned away or backward. [Obs.] The tracks averse a lying notice gave, And led the searcher backward from the cave. Dryden.
2. Having a repugnance or opposition of mind; disliking; disinclined;unwilling; reluctant.Averse alike to flatter, or offend. Pope.Men who were averse to the life of camps. Macaulay.Pass by securely as men averse from war. Micah ii. 8.
Note: The prevailing usage now is to employ to after averse and its derivatives rather than from, as was formerly the usage. In this the word is in agreement with its kindred terms, hatred, dislike, dissimilar, contrary, repugnant, etc., expressing a relation or an affection of the mind to an object.
Syn. — Averse, Reluctant, Adverse. Averse expresses an habitual, though not of necessity a very strong, dislike; as, averse to active pursuits; averse to study. Reluctant, a term of the of the will, implies an internal struggle as to making some sacrifice of interest or feeling; as, reluctant to yield; reluctant to make the necessary arrangements; a reluctant will or consent. Adverse denotes active opposition or hostility; as, adverse interests; adverse feelings, plans, or movements; the adverse party.
AVERSEA*verse", v. t. & i.
Defn: To turn away. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
AVERSELYA*verse"ly, adv.
1. Backward; in a backward direction; as, emitted aversely.
2. With repugnance or aversion; unwillingly.
AVERSENESSA*verse"ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being averse; opposition of mind; unwillingness.
AVERSIONA*ver"sion, n. Etym: [L. aversio: cf. F. aversion. See Avert.]
1. A turning away. [Obs.] Adhesion to vice and aversion from goodness. Bp. Atterbury.
2. Opposition or repugnance of mind; fixed dislike; antipathy; disinclination; reluctance. Mutual aversion of races. Prescott. His rapacity had made him an object of general aversion. Macaulay.
Note: It is now generally followed by to before the object. [SeeAverse.] Sometimes towards and for are found; from is obsolete.A freeholder is bred with an aversion to subjection. Addison.His aversion towards the house of York. Bacon.It is not difficult for a man to see that a person has conceived anaversion for him. Spectator.The Khasias . . . have an aversion to milk. J. D. Hooker.
3. The object of dislike or repugnance. Pain their aversion, pleasure their desire. Pope.
Syn.— Antipathy; dislike; repugnance; disgust. See Dislike.
AVERTA*vert", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averted; p. pr. & vb. n. Averting.]Etym: [L. avertere; a, ab + vertere to turn: cf. OF. avertir. SeeVerse, n.]
Defn: To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object; to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as, how can the danger be averted "To avert his ire." Milton. When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church. Bacon. Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. Prior.
AVERTA*vert", v. i.
Defn: To turn away. [Archaic]Cold and averting from our neighbor's good. Thomson.
AVERTEDA*vert"ed, a.
Defn: Turned away, esp. as an expression of feeling; also, offended;unpropitious.Who scornful pass it with averted eye. Keble.
AVERTERA*vert"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, averts.
AVERTIBLEA*vert"i*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being averted; preventable.
AVERTIMENTA*ver"ti*ment, n.
Defn: Advertisement. [Obs.]
AVESA"ves, n. pl. Etym: [L., pl. of avis bird.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The class of Vertebrata that includes the birds.
Note: Aves, or birds, have a complete double circulation, oviparous, reproduction, front limbs peculiarly modified as wings; and they bear feathers. All existing birds have a horny beak, without teeth; but some Mesozoic fossil birds (Odontornithes) had conical teeth inserted in both jaws. The principal groups are: Carinatæ, including all existing flying birds; Ratitæ, including the ostrich and allies, the apteryx, and the extinct moas; Odontornithes, or fossil birds with teeth.
Note: The ordinary birds are classified largely by the structure of the beak and feet, which are in direct relating to their habits. See Beak, Bird, Odontonithes.
AVESTAA*ves"ta, n.
Defn: The Zoroastrian scriptures. See Zend-Avesta.
AVESTANA*ves"tan, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Avesta or the language of the Avesta. - -n.
Defn: The language of the Avesta; — less properly called Zend.
AVIADOA`vi*a"do, n. [Sp.]
Defn: One who works a mine with means provided by another. [Sp. Amer. & Southwestern U. S.]
AVIANA"vi*an, a.
Defn: Of or instrument to birds.
AVIARY A"vi*a*ry, n.; pl. Aviaries. Etym: [L. aviarium, fr. aviarius pertaining to birds, fr. avis bird, akin to Gr, vi.]
Defn: A house, inclosure, large cage, or other place, for keeping birds confined; a bird house. Lincolnshire may be termed the aviary of England. Fuller.
AVIATEA"vi*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Aviated; p. pr. & vb. n. Aviating.]
Defn: To fly, or navigate the air, in an aëroplane or heavier-than- air flying machine. [Colloq.]
AVIATIONA`vi*a"tion, n.
Defn: The art or science of flying.
AVIATOR A"vi*a`tor, n. (a) An experimenter in aviation. (b) A flying machine.
AVIATRESS; AVIATRIXA"vi*a`tress, A`vi*a"trix, n.
Defn: A woman aviator.
AVICULAA*vic"u*la, n. Etym: [L., small bird.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of marine bivalves, having a pearly interior, allied to the pearl oyster; — so called from a supposed resemblance of the typical species to a bird.
AVICULARA*vic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. avicula a small bird, dim. of avis bird.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a bird or to birds.
AVICULARIAA*vic`u*la"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Avicular.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See prehensile processes on the cells of some Bryozoa, often having the shape of a bird's bill.
AVICULTUREA"vi*cul`ture, n. Etym: [L. avis bird + cultura culture.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Rearing and care of birds.
AVIDAv"id, a. Etym: [L. avidus, fr. av to long: cf. F. avide. SeeAvarice.]
Defn: Longing eagerly for; eager; greedy. "Avid of gold, yet greedier of renown." Southey.
AVIDIOUSA*vid"i*ous, a.
Defn: Avid.
AVIDIOUSLYA*vid"i*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: Eagerly; greedily.
AVIDITYA*vid"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. aviditas, fr. avidus: cf. F. avidité. SeeAvid.]
Defn: Greediness; strong appetite; eagerness; intenseness of desire; as, to eat with avidity. His books were received and read with avidity. Milward.
AVIEA*vie", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + vie.]
Defn: Emulously. [Obs.]
AVIETTEA`vi*ette", n.
Defn: A heavier-than-air flying machine in which the motive power is furnished solely by the aviator.
AVIFAUNAA`vi*fau"na, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. avis bird + E. fauna.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The birds, or all the kinds of birds, inhabiting a region.
AVIGATOAv`i*ga"to, n.
Defn: See Avocado.
AVIGNON BERRYA`vignon" ber"ry. (Bot.)
Defn: The fruit of the Rhamnus infectorius, eand of other species of the same genus; — so called from the city of Avignon, in France. It is used by dyers and painters for coloring yellow. Called also French berry.
AVILEA*vile", v. t. Etym: [OF. aviler, F. avilir; a (L. ad) + vil vile.See Vile.]
Defn: To abase or debase; to vilify; to depreciate. [Obs.]Want makes us know the price of what we avile. B. Jonson.
AVISA*vis", n. Etym: [F. avis. See Advice.]
Defn: Advice; opinion; deliberation. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AVISEA*vise", v. t. Etym: [F. aviser. See Advise, v. t.]
1. To look at; to view; to think of. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To advise; to counsel. [Obs.] Shak. To avise one's self, to consider with one's self, to reflect, to deliberate. [Obs.] Chaucer. Now therefore, if thou wilt enriched be, Avise thee well, and change thy willful mood. Spenser.
AVISEA*vise", v. i.
Defn: To consider; to reflect. [Obs.]
AVISEFULA*vise"ful, a.
Defn: Watchful; circumspect. [Obs.]With sharp, aviseful eye. Spenser.
AVISELYA*vise"ly, adv.
Defn: Advisedly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AVISEMENTA*vise"ment, n.
Defn: Advisement; observation; deliberation. [Obs.]
AVISIONA*vi"sion, n.
Defn: Vision. [Obs.] Chaucer.
AVISOA*vi"so, n. Etym: [Sp.]
1. Information; advice.
2. An advice boat, or dispatch boat.
AVOCADO Av`o*ca"do, n. Etym: [Corrupted from the Mexican ahuacatl: cf. Sp. aguacate, F. aguacaté, avocat, G. avogadobaum.]
Defn: The pulpy fruit of Persea gratissima, a tree of tropical America. It is about the size and shape of a large pear; — called also avocado pear, alligator pear, midshipman's butter.
AVOCATAv`o*cat, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: An advocate.
AVOCATE Av"o*cate, v. t. Etym: [L. avocatus, p. p. of avocare; a, ab + vocare to call. Cf. Avoke, and see Vocal, a.]
Defn: To call off or away; to withdraw; to transfer to anothertribunal. [Obs. or Archaic]One who avocateth his mind from other occupations. Barrow.He, at last, . . . avocated the cause to Rome. Robertson.
AVOCATIONAv`o*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. avocatio.]
1. A calling away; a diversion. [Obs. or Archaic] Impulses to duty, and powerful avocations from sin. South.
2. That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation. Heaven is his vocation, and therefore he counts earthly employments avocations. Fuller. By the secular cares and avocations which accompany marriage the clergy have been furnished with skill in common life. Atterbury.
Note: In this sense the word is applied to the smaller affairs of life, or occasional calls which summon a person to leave his ordinary or principal business. Avocation (in the singular) for vocation is usually avoided by good writers.
3. pl.
Defn: Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation. There are professions, among the men, no more favorable to these studies than the common avocations of women. Richardson. In a few hours, above thirty thousand men left his standard, and returned to their ordinary avocations. Macaulay. An irregularity and instability of purpose, which makes them choose the wandering avocations of a shepherd, rather than the more fixed pursuits of agriculture. Buckle.
AVOCATIVEA*vo"ca*tive, a.
Defn: Calling off. [Obs.]
AVOCATIVEA*vo"ca*tive, n.
Defn: That which calls aside; a dissuasive.
AVOCET; AVOSET Av"o*cet, Av"o*set, n. Etym: [F. avocette: cf. It. avosetta, Sp. avoceta.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A grallatorial bird, of the genus Recurvirostra; the scooper. The bill is long and bend upward toward the tip. The American species is R. Americana. [Written also avocette.]
AVOIDA*void" (, v. t. [p. & p. p. Avoided; p. pr. & vb. n. Avoiding.]Etym: [OF. esvuidier, es (L. ex) + vuidier, voidier, to empty. SeeVoid, a.]
1. To empty. [Obs.] Wyclif.
2. To emit or throw out; to void; as, to avoid excretions. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
3. To quit or evacuate; to withdraw from. [Obs.] Six of us only stayed, and the rest avoided the room. Bacon.
4. To make void; to annul or vacate; to refute. How can these grants of the king's be avoided Spenser.
5. To keep away from; to keep clear of; to endeavor no to meet; to shun; to abstain from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters. What need a man forestall his date of grief. And run to meet what he would most avoid Milton. He carefully avoided every act which could goad them into open hostility. Macaulay.
6. To get rid of. [Obs.] Shak.
7. (Pleading)
Defn: To defeat or evade; to invalidate. Thus, in a replication, the plaintiff may deny the defendant's plea, or confess it, and avoid it by stating new matter. Blackstone.
Syn. — To escape; elude; evade; eschew. — To Avoid, Shun. Avoid in its commonest sense means, to keep clear of, an extension of the meaning, to withdraw one's self from. It denotes care taken not to come near or in contact; as, to avoid certain persons or places. Shun is a stronger term, implying more prominently the idea of intention. The words may, however, in many cases be interchanged. No man can pray from his heart to be kept from temptation, if the take no care of himself to avoid it. Mason. So Chanticleer, who never saw a fox, Yet shunned him as a sailor shuns the rocks. Dryden.
AVOIDA*void", v. i.
1. To retire; to withdraw. [Obs.] David avoided out of his presence. 1 Sam. xviii. 11.
2. (Law)
Defn: To become void or vacant. [Obs.] Ayliffe.
AVOIDABLEA*void"a*ble, a.
1. Capable of being vacated; liable to be annulled or made invalid; voidable. The charters were not avoidable for the king's nonage. Hale.
2. Capable of being avoided, shunned, or escaped.
AVOIDANCEA*void"ance, n.
1. The act of annulling; annulment.
2. The act of becoming vacant, or the state of being vacant; — specifically used for the state of a benefice becoming void by the death, deprivation, or resignation of the incumbent. Wolsey, . . . on every avoidance of St. Peter's chair, was sitting down therein, when suddenly some one or other clapped in before him. Fuller.
3. A dismissing or a quitting; removal; withdrawal.
4. The act of avoiding or shunning; keeping clear of. "The avoidance of pain." Beattie.
5. The courts by which anything is carried off. Avoidances and drainings of water. Bacon.
AVOIDERA*void"er, n.
1. The person who carries anything away, or the vessel in which things are carried away. Johnson.
2. One who avoids, shuns, or escapes.
AVOIDLESSA*void"less, a.
Defn: Unavoidable; inevitable.
AVOIRDUPOIS Av`oir*du*pois", n. & a. Etym: [OE. aver de peis, goods of weight, where peis is fr. OF. peis weight, F. poids, L. pensum. See Aver, n., and Poise, n.]
1. Goods sold by weight. [Obs.]
2. Avoirdupois weight.
3. Weight; heaviness; as, a woman of much avoirdupois. [Colloq.] Avoirdupois weight, a system of weights by which coarser commodities are weighed, such as hay, grain, butter, sugar, tea.