Chapter VII: Part 7

ARM, ärm, _n._ a weapon: a branch of the military service:--_pl._ ARMS, weapons of offence and defence: war, hostilities: deeds or exploits of war: armorial ensigns.--_v.t._ ARM, to furnish with arms or weapons: to fortify.--_v.i._ to take arms.--_n._ AR'MATURE, armour: any apparatus for defence: a piece of iron connecting the poles of a bent magnet.--_adj._ ARMED (ärmd, or arm'ed), furnished with arms: provided with means of defence: (_bot._) having prickles or thorns: (_her._) having part of the body different in colour from the rest, as a beak, claws, &c. of a bird.--_n.pl._ FIRE'ARMS, such weapons as employ gunpowder, as guns and pistols.--_n._ MAN'-AT-ARMS, a fully equipped and practised fighting man.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-ARMS, such as do not require carriages, as opposed to artillery.--ARMED TO THE TEETH, completely armed.--COLLEGE OF ARMS, the Heralds' College, which grants armorial bearings.--IN ARMS WITH, quartered with; OF ALL ARMS, of every kind of troops; STAND OF ARMS, a complete equipment of arms for one soldier.--THE ARMED EYE, strengthened with a magnifying-glass, as opp. to _naked eye_.--TO LAY DOWN ARMS, to surrender or submit; UP IN ARMS, in readiness to fight. [Through Fr. from L. _arma_; cog. with ARM.]

ARMADA, ärm-[=a]'da, _n._ a fleet of armed ships, esp. the self-styled _Invincible_ Armada sent by Philip II. against England in 1588. [Sp.--L. _armata_, _armare_, to arm.]

ARMADILLO, ärm-a-dil'o, _n._ a small American edentate quadruped, having its body armed with bands of bony plates:--_pl._ ARMADILL'OS. [Sp., dim. of _armado_, armed.]

ARMAGEDDON, är-mag-ed'on, _n._ the great symbolical battlefield of the Apocalypse, in which the final struggle between the powers of good and evil is to be fought out. [The name was no doubt suggested by the famous battlefield of _Megiddo_, in the plain of Esdraelon.]

ARMAMENT, ärm'a-ment, _n._ forces armed or equipped for war: munitions of war, esp. the great guns with which a ship is armed. [L. _armamenta_--_arma_.]

ARMENIAN, ar-m[=e]'ni-an, _adj._ belonging to _Armenia_, in Western Asia: belonging to the Armenian branch of the Christian Church.--_n._ a native of Armenia.

ARMET, är'met, _n._ a helmet introduced about 1450 in place of the basinet, consisting of an iron cap, spreading over the back of the neck, having in front the visor, beaver, and gorget. [Fr.]

ARMGAUNT, ärm'gänt, _adj._ (_Shak._ once, _Ant. and Cleop._ I. v. 48), with gaunt limbs (?). The word has not been satisfactorily explained, and is most likely an error.

ARMIGER, är'mi-j[.e]r, _n._ an armour-bearer: one entitled to a coat-of-arms: an esquire--also ARMI'GERO (_Shak._).--_adj._ ARMI'GEROUS. [L.; _arma_, arms, _ger[)e]re_, to bear.]

ARMILLARY, är'mil-lar-i, or är-mil'lar-i, _adj._ resembling an armlet or bracelet: consisting of rings or circles.--_n._ ARMIL'LA, in archæology, a bracelet: one of the coronation ornaments: the regalia.--ARMILLARY SPHERE, an instrument constructed to show the motions of the heavenly bodies. [L. _armilla_, an _armlet_. See ARM (1).]

ARMINIAN, ar-min'yan, _n._ a follower of _Arminius_ (1560-1609), a Dutch divine, who denied the Calvinistic doctrine of absolute predestination, as well as irresistible grace.--_adj._ holding the doctrines of Arminius.--_n._ ARMIN'IANISM.

ARMIPOTENT, ärm-ip'[=o]-tent, _adj._ powerful in arms. [L. _arma_, arms, _potens_, _-entis_, powerful.]

ARMISTICE, ärm'ist-is, _n._ a short suspension of hostilities: a truce. [Fr.--Low L. _armistitium_, from L. _arma_, arms, _sist[)e]re_--_stitum_, to stop.]

ARMOIRE, arm'war, _n._ an ambry or cupboard. [Fr.]

ARMORIC, ar-mor'ik, _n._ the language of the inhabitants of _Armorica_, the ancient name for Brittany. [L. _Armoricus_--Celt. _are-mor_, before the sea.]

ARMOUR, ärm'ur, _n._ defensive arms or dress: heraldic insignia: plating of ships of war.--_adj._ ARM[=O]'RIAL, belonging to armour, or to the arms of a family.--_ns._ ARM'OUR-BEAR'ER; ARM'OURER, a maker or repairer of, or one who has the charge of, armour.--_adj._ ARM'OUR-PLAT'ED.--_ns._ ARM'OURY, ARM'ORY, the place in which arms are made or kept: a collection of ancient armour; COAT'-ARM'OUR, originally a vest of silk embroidered in colours, worn by a knight over his armour. [See ARM (2).]

ARMOZEEN, ARMOZINE, är-mo-z[=e]n', _n._ a kind of taffeta or plain silk, usually black, used for clerical gowns. [Fr. _armoisin_.]

ARMY, ärm'i, _n._ a large body of men armed for war and under military command: a body of men banded together in a special cause, whether travestying military methods, as the 'Salvation Army,' or not, as the 'Blue Ribbon Army:' a host: a great number.--_ns._ ARM'Y-CORPS (-k[=o]r), a main division of an army, a miniature army comprising all arms of the service; ARM'Y-LIST, a list of all commissioned officers, issued periodically by the War Office; ARM'Y-WORM, a European grub which collects in vast armies. [Fr. _armée_--L. _armata_, _arm[=a]re_.]

ARNICA, är'ni-ka, _n._ a genus of composite plants, of which the species _A. montana_, or Mountain Tobacco, formerly enjoyed a great repute in medicine as a stimulant in paralytic affections, low fevers, &c.--its flowers still yield a tincture externally applied to wounds and bruises. [Mod. L.; origin unknown.]

ARNOTTO, ar-not'to. See ANATTA.

AROINT, a-roint', _interj._ (_Shak._) away! begone! used only twice in the phrase, '_Aroint_ thee, witch:' to bid begone (_arch._ usage in Browning).--_v.t._ to drive or frighten away. [Origin unknown; perh. in some provincialism, like the Yorkshire _rynd-ta_, 'round-thee,' 'move-round,' spoken to a cow in her stall.]

AROMA, a-r[=o]'ma, _n._ sweet smell: the odorous principle of plants: (_fig._) flavour or peculiar charm of any kind.--_adj._ AROMAT'IC, fragrant: spicy.--_v.t._ AR[=O]'MATISE, to render aromatic: to perfume:--_pr.p._ ar[=o]'matising; _pa.p._ ar[=o]'matised. [Through Fr. and L. from Gr. _ar[=o]ma_.]

AROSE, a-r[=o]z', _pa.t._ of ARISE.

AROUND, a-rownd', _prep._ on all sides of: (_Amer._) round about.--_adv._ on every side: in a circle: (_Amer._) round, all about, [_a_, on, and ROUND.]

AROUSE, a-rowz', _v.t._ and _v.i._ same as ROUSE.--_ns._ AROUSE, AROUS'AL (_rare_).

AROW, a-r[=o]', _adv._ in a row: one following the other. [Prep. _a_, and ROW.]

AROYNT. Same as AROINT.

ARPEGGIO, är-pej'[=o], _n._ (_mus._) a chord of which the notes are given, not simultaneously, but in rapid succession. [It. _arpeggiare_, to play upon the harp--_arpa_, harp.]

ARPENT, är'pent, _n._ an old French measure for land still used in Quebec and Louisiana = 100 sq. perches, varying with the perch from 1¼ acre to 5/6 of an acre. [Fr.--L. _arepennis_, said to be a Gallic word.]

ARQUEBUSE, är'kwi-bus, _n._ an old-fashioned hand-gun--also HAR'QUEBUS.--_n._ ARQUEBUSIER'. [Fr. _arquebuse_--Dut. _haakbus_--_haak_, hook, and _bus_, box, barrel of a gun; Ger. _hakenbüchse_.]

ARRACACHA, ar-a-kach'ä, _n._ an umbelliferous plant with esculent roots, native to the northern parts of South America. [Native Ind. name.]

ARRACK, ar'ak, _n._ an ardent spirit used in the East, procured from _toddy_ or the fermented juice of the coco and other palms, as well as from rice and _jaggery_ sugar. [Ar. _`araq_, juice.]

ARRAH, ar'a, _interj._ Anglo-Irish expletive of emotion, wonder, &c.

ARRAIGN, ar-r[=a]n', _v.t._ to call one to account: to put a prisoner upon trial: to accuse publicly.--_ns._ ARRAIGN'ER; ARRAIGN'ING; ARRAIGN'MENT. [O. Fr. _aresnier_--Low L. _arration[=a]re_--L. _ad_, to, _rationem_, reason.]

ARRANGE, ar-r[=a]nj', _v.t._ to set in a rank or row: to put in order: to settle: (_mus._) to adapt a composition for instruments or voices for which it was not originally written, as when orchestral or vocal compositions are set for the pianoforte, or the reverse.--_v.i._ to come to an agreement.--_n._ ARRANGE'MENT, act of arranging: classification: settlement. [O. Fr. _arangier_--_à_ (--L. _ad_, to), and _rangier_, _rengier_. See RANGE.]

ARRANT, ar'rant, _adj._ downright, notorious (used in a bad sense): unmitigated.--_adv._ AR'RANTLY. [A variant of ERRANT. From its use in phrases like 'arrant thief,' it passed naturally into a general term used with other terms of abuse.]

ARRAS, ar'ras, _n._ tapestry: a hanging screen of such hung round the walls of rooms.--_p.adj._ AR'RASED, covered with arras.--_n._ AR'RASENE, an embroidery material of wool and silk stitched in like crewels. [From _Arras_ in Northern France, where first manufactured.]

ARRAUGHT, ar-rawt', _adj._ (_Spens._) seized on by force:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of ARREACH. [See REACH.]

ARRAY, ar-r[=a]', _n._ order: dress: equipage.--_v.t._ to put in order: to arrange: to dress, adorn, or equip. [O. Fr. _arroi_, array, equipage--L. _ad_, and a Teut. root, found in Eng. READY, Ger. _bereit_, A.S. _ger['æ]de_, preparation, Dan. _rede_, order.]

ARREAR, ar-r[=e]r', _n._ that which is in the rear or behind: that which remains unpaid or undone (used mostly in _pl._).--_adv._ ARREAR', backward, behind.--_n._ ARREAR'AGE (_Shak._), arrears. [O. Fr. _arere_, _ariere_ (Fr. _arrière_)--L. _ad_, to, _retro_, back, behind.]

ARRECT, a-rekt', _adj._ upright: erected, as the ears: on the alert. [L. _arrectus_.]

ARREST, ar-rest', _v.t._ to stop: to seize: to catch the attention: to apprehend by legal authority.--_n._ stoppage: seizure by warrant.--_adj._ ARREST'ABLE, liable to be arrested.--_n._ ARREST[=A]'TION, the act of arresting: arrest.--_adj._ ARREST'IVE, with a tendency to arrest.--_n._ ARREST'MENT (_law_), detention of a person arrested till liberated on bail, or by security: (_Scots law_) the process which prohibits a debtor from making payment to his creditor until another debt due to the person making use of the arrestment by such creditor is paid. [O. Fr. _arester_--L. _ad_, to, _rest[=a]re_, to stand still.]

ARRET, ar-ret', or a-r[=a]', _n._ decision: judgment of a tribunal--properly of the king or parliament of France. [Fr. _arrêt_. See ARREST.]

ARRIDE, a-r[=i]d', _v.t._ (_Lamb_) to please, gratify. [L. _arrid[=e]-re_.]

ARRIÈRE-BAN, är'yer-bän, or ä-r[=e]r'ban, _n._ in feudal times, the sovereign's summons to all freemen to take the field: the army thus collected. [O. Fr. _ariereban_, Old High Ger. _hari_, army, and _ban_, public proclamation.]

ARRIS, ar'ris, _n._ a sharp ridge or edge on stone or metal. [See ARÊTE.]

ARRIVE, ar-r[=i]v', _v.i._ to reach any place: to attain to any object (with _at_).--_ns._ ARR[=I]V'AL, the act of arriving: persons or things that arrive; ARR[=I]V'ANCE (_Shak._), company arriving. [O. Fr. _ariver_--Low L. _adrip[=a]re_--L. _ad_, to, _ripa_, a bank.]

ARROBA, a-r[=o]'ba, _n._ a weight of 25 or more pounds, used in Spanish and Portuguese regions. [Ar.]

ARROGATE, ar'rog-[=a]t, _v.t._ to claim as one's own: to claim proudly or unduly.--_ns._ AR'ROGANCE, AR'ROGANCY, undue assumption of importance.--_adj._ AR'ROGANT, claiming too much: overbearing.--_adv._ AR'ROGANTLY.--_n._ ARROG[=A]'TION, act of arrogating: undue assumption. [L. _arrog[=a]re_--_ad_, to, _rog[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to ask, to claim.]

ARRONDISSEMENT, ar-ron'd[=e]s-mäng, _n._ a subdivision of a French department, comprising a number of communes. [Fr.--_arrondir_, to make round.]

ARROW, ar'r[=o], _n._ a straight, pointed weapon, made to be shot from a bow: any arrow-shaped pin or ornament: the chief shoot of a plant, esp. the flowering stem of the sugar-cane.--_n._ AR'ROW-HEAD, the head or pointed part of an arrow: an aquatic plant native to England, with arrow-shaped leaves rising above the water--reputed good for hydrophobia.--_adj._ AR'ROW-HEAD'ED, shaped like the head of an arrow.--_n._ AR'ROW-SHOT, the distance traversed by an arrow.--_adj._ AR'ROWY, of or like arrows. [A.S. _earh_, _arwe_; cog. with L. _arcus_; akin to Ice. _ör_, _örvar_.]

ARROWROOT, ar'r[=o]-r[=oo]t, _n._ a starch obtained from the roots of certain plants growing chiefly in West Indies, and much used as food for invalids and children. [Said to be so named because used by the Indians of South America as an antidote against wounds caused by poisoned _arrows_.]

'ARRY, ar'i, _n._ a jovial vulgar fellow who drops his h's:--_fem._ 'AR'RIET.--_adj._ 'AR'RYISH, in holiday spirits. [From the vulgar Cockney pronunciation of _Harry_.]

ARSE, ärs, _n._ the posterior parts of an animal.--_adv._ and _adj._ ARS'Y-VERS'Y, backside foremost, contrary. [A.S. _ears_; Ger. _arsch_, Sw. _ars_; cog. with Gr. _orros_.]

ARSENAL, är'se-nal, _n._ a dock possessing naval stores: a public magazine or manufactory of naval and military stores. [It. _arzenale_, _arsenale_ (Sp., Fr. _arsenal_)--Ar. _d[=a]r aççin[=a]`ah_, workshop; _d[=a]r_, house, _al_, the, _cin[=a]`ah_, art.]

ARSENIC, ar'sen-ik, _n._ one of the chemical elements: a mineral poison: a soft, gray-coloured metal.--_ns._ AR'SENATE, ARS[=E]'NIATE, a salt of arsenic acid.--_adjs._ ARSEN'IC, -AL, composed of or containing arsenic: in chemistry, applied to compounds; ARS[=E]'NIOUS, of or containing arsenic.--_n._ AR'SENITE, a salt of arsenious acid. [Gr. _arsenikon_, _arsen_, male; the alchemists fancied some metals male, others female.]

ARSIS, ar'sis, _n._ grammatical term applied to the elevation of the voice to a higher pitch in speaking: (_mus._) the strong position in a bar: the strong syllable in English metre:--_pl._ AR'S[=E]S. [L.--Gr. _arsis_--_airein_, to lift.]

ARSON, ärs'on, _n._ the crime of wilfully burning houses or other buildings.--_ns._ AR'SONITE, AR'SONIST (_rare_). [O. Fr. _arson_--L. _arsion-em_, _ard[=e]re_, _arsum_, to burn.]

ART, ärt, 2d pers. sing. of the present tense of the verb _To be_. [A.S. _eart._]

ART, ärt, _n._ practical skill guided by rules: human skill as opposed to nature: skill as applied to subjects of taste, the fine arts--music, painting, sculpture, architecture, and poetry: (_pl._) specially used of certain branches of learning to be acquired as necessary for pursuit of higher studies, or for the work of life, as in phrase 'faculty of arts, master of arts:' the rules and methods of doing certain actions: a profession, skilled trade, or craft: contrivance: cunning, artfulness, or address: artifice, special faculty of some kind acquired by practice, skill, dexterity, knack: special faculty of giving expression to æsthetic or artistic quality, as in _art-furniture_, &c., supposed, by the buyer, in this respect, to justify its price.--_adj._ ART'FUL, full of art: (_arch._) dexterous, clever: cunning: produced by art.--_adv._ ART'FULLY.--_n._ ART'FULNESS.--_adj._ ART'LESS, simple: (_rare_) inartistic: guileless, unaffected.--_adv._ ART'LESSLY.--_ns._ ART'LESSNESS; ARTS'MAN, one who cultivates some practical knowledge: (_arch._) a man skilled in arts or in learning.--_n.pl._ ART'-UN'IONS, associations having for their object the promotion of an interest in the fine arts.--ART AND PART, as in the phrase 'to be art and part in,' originally in legal expressions like 'to be concerned in either by art or part'--i.e. either by _art_ in contriving or by _part_ in actual execution; now loosely used in the sense of participating, sharing.--USEFUL ARTS as opposed to _Fine arts_, those in which the hands and body are more concerned than the mind.--SCIENCE and ART differ essentially in their aims--_Science_, in Mill's words, 'takes cognisance of a _phenomenon_, and endeavours to ascertain its _law_; _Art_ proposes to itself an _end_, and looks out for means to effect it.' [L. _ars_, _artis_. See ARM.]

ARTEMISIA, är-t[=e]-miz'i-a, _n._ a genus of composite plants, with a peculiarly bitter taste, including Wormwood, Southernwood, &c.

ARTERY, är't[.e]r-i, _n._ a tube or vessel which conveys blood from the heart (see AORTA)--also metaphorically: any main channel of communication.--_adj._ ART[=E]R'IAL--_v.t._ ART[=E]R'IALISE, to make arterial.--_ns._ ART[=E]RIOT'OMY, the cutting or opening of an artery, to let blood; ARTER[=I]'TIS, inflammation of an artery. [L.--Gr. _art[=e]ria_, orig. the windpipe most probably--Gr. _air-ein_, to raise. The ancient conception of the artery as an air-duct gave rise to the derivation from Gr. _a[=e]r_, air.]

ARTESIAN, är-t[=e]'zhan, _adj._ applied to wells made by boring until water is reached. [From _Artois_ (L. _Artesium_), in the north of France, where the oldest known well of this kind in Europe was sunk in 1126.]

ARTHRITIS, ar-thr[=i]'tis, _n._ inflammation of a joint: gout.--_adj._ ARTHRIT'IC, relating to or affecting the joints: gouty. [Gr. _arthritikos_--_arthron_, a joint.]

ARTHROPODA, ar-throp'od-a, _n.pl._ a great division of the animal kingdom, the body consisting of a definite number of segments, each having a pair of hollow jointed limbs into which the body muscles proceed. It again divides into two great groups--the water-breathers or Branchiata, and the air-breathers or Tracheata.--_adj._ ARTHROP'ODAL. [Gr. _arthron_, joint, and _pous_, _pod-os_, a foot.]

ARTICHOKE, är'ti-ch[=o]k, _n._ a thistle-like, perennial, eatable plant with large scaly heads, like the cone of the pine, now growing wild in the south of Europe, though probably a native of Asia.--JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE, a totally different plant, a species of sunflower, bearing tubers like those of the potato, Jerusalem being a corr. of It. _girasole_ ('turn-sun'), sunflower. By a quibble on Jerusalem, the soup made from it is called _Palestine soup_. [Old It. _articiocco_ (It. _carciofo_)--Old Sp. _alcarchofa_--Ar. _al_-_kharsh[=o]fa_, _al-kharshuf_. Popular definitions are many--e.g. the plant that _chokes_ the _garden_ or the _heart_.]

ARTICLE, ärt'i-kl, _n._ a separate element, member, or part of anything: a particular substance: a single clause or term: a distinct point in an agreement, or an agreement looked at as complete, as in 'articles of apprenticeship,' &c.: rules or conditions generally: a section of any document: a literary composition in a journal, newspaper, encyclopædia, &c., treating of a subject distinctly and independently: (_gram._) the name given to the adjectives _the_ (definite article) and _a_ or _an_ (indefinite article).--_v.t._ to draw up or bind by articles: to indict, charge with specific accusations: bind by articles of apprenticeship.--_adj._ ARTIC'ULAR, belonging to the joints.--ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION, regulations for the business of a joint-stock company registered under the Companies Acts; ARTICLES OF FAITH, binding statement of points held by a particular Church; ARTICLES OF WAR, code of regulations for the government and discipline of the army and navy.--IN THE ARTICLE OF DEATH (L. _in articulo mortis_), at the point of death.--LORDS OF THE ARTICLES, a standing committee of the Scottish parliament who drafted the measures to be submitted.--THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES, the articles of religious belief finally agreed upon by the entire bishops and clergy of the Church of England in 1562. [L. _articulus_, a little joint--_artus_, a joint.]

ARTICULATA, är-tik-[=u]-l[=a]'ta, _n._ one of the great primary divisions of the animal kingdom, according to Cuvier, including those animals of which the body is divided into a number of distinct joints--viz. the higher worms or Annelids, and also the Insects, Crustaceans, Arachnids, and Myriopods.

ARTICULATE, är-tik'[=u]l-[=a]t, _adj._ distinct: clear.--_v.t._ to joint: to form into distinct sounds, syllables, or words.--_v.i._ to speak distinctly.--_adv._ ARTIC'ULATELY.--_ns._ ARTIC'ULATENESS; ARTICUL[=A]'TION, a joining as of the bones: part between two joints: distinctness, or distinct utterance: a consonant; ARTIC'ULATOR, one who articulates or speaks: one who articulates bones and mounts skeletons. [L. _articul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to furnish with joints, to utter distinctly. See ARTICLE.]

ARTIFICE, art'i-fis, _n._ artificer's work: a contrivance: a trick or fraud.--_n._ ARTIF'ICER, a workman: an inventor.--_adj._ ARTIFICIAL (ärt-i-fish'yal), made by art: not natural: cultivated: not indigenous: feigned: not natural in manners, affected.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ ARTIFIC'IALISE, to render artificial.--_ns._ ARTIFICIAL'ITY, ARTIFIC'IALNESS.--_adv._ ARTIFIC'IALLY. [L. _artificium_--_artifex_, _-ficis_, an artificer--_ars_, _artis_, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

ARTILLERY, är-til'[.e]r-i, _n._ offensive weapons of war, esp. cannon, mortars, &c.: the men who manage them: a branch of the military service: gunnery.--_ns._ ARTILL'ERIST, one skilled in artillery or gunnery; ARTILL'ERY-MAN, a soldier of the artillery. [O. Fr. _artillerie_, _artiller_, to arm; through a supposed Low L. _artill[=a]re_--L. _ars_, _artis_, art.]

ARTIODACTYLA, är-ti-o-dak'til-a, _n._ a sub-order of the great mammalian order of Ungulata, having the third digit unsymmetrical in itself, but forming a symmetrical pair with the fourth digit--as distinguished from the _Perissodactyla_ (horse, tapir, rhinoceros), which have the third digit of each limb symmetrical in itself, an odd number of digits on the hind-foot, and at least twenty-two dorso-lumbar vertebræ. The Artiodactyla, again, divide into two groups, the Non-Ruminantia and the Ruminantia.

ARTISAN, ärt'i-zan, _n._ one skilled in any art or trade: a mechanic. [Fr.--It. _artigiano_, ult. from L. _artitus_, skilled in the arts--_ars_, _artis_, art.]

ARTIST, ärt'ist, _n._ one who practises an art, esp. one of the fine arts, as painting, sculpture, engraving, or architecture.--_adjs._ ARTIST'IC, -AL, according to art.--_adv._ ARTIST'ICALLY.--_n._ ART'ISTRY, artistic pursuits: artistic workmanship, quality, or ability. [Fr. _artiste_, It. _artista_--L. _ars_, _artis_, art.]

ARTISTE, är-t[=e]st', _n._ one dexterous or tasteful in any art, as an opera dancer, a cook, a hairdresser, &c. [Fr.]

ART-UNION. See ART.

ARUM, [=a]'rum, _n._ a genus of plants represented in England by the Cuckoo-pint or Wake Robin (_A. maculatum_), whose root yields a wholesome farina known as Portland Sago or Arrowroot. [L.--Gr. _aron_.]

ARUNDINACEOUS, a-run-di-n[=a]'shus, _adj._ relating to or like a reed.--Also ARUNDIN'EOUS. [L. _arundinaceus_--_arundo_, a reed.]

ARUSPEX, ARUSPICE, ARUSPICY. See HARUSPEX.

ARVICOLA, är-vik'[=o]-lä, _n._ the general name of the family of animals to which belong the water-vole and field-vole. [Coined from L. _arvum_, a field, _col[)e]-re_, to inhabit.]

ARY, ä'ri, e'ri, _adj._ (_prov._) any. [A modification of _e'er a_ for _ever a_. Cf. NARY.]

ARYAN, ar'i-an, or [=a]'ri-an, _adj._ relating to the family of nations otherwise called Indo-European (comprehending the inhabitants of Europe--except the Basques, Turks, Magyars, and Finns--and those of Armenia, Persia, and North Hindustan), or to their languages--Sanskrit, Zend, Greek, Latin, Celtic, Teutonic, Slavonic, Lettic.--_v.t._ ARYANISE'. [L. _arianus_, belonging to _Ariana_ or _Aria_ (Gr. _Areia_), the east part of Ancient Persia--Sans. _Arya_ (cf. Old Pers. _Ariya_, and _Ir[=a]n_, Persia), often traced to a root _ar_, plough.]

AS, az, _adv._, _conj._, and _pron._ in that degree, so far, _as ... as_: the consequent in a co-relation expressing quantity, degree, &c., _as ... as_, _such ... as_, _same ... as_: since, because: when, while: expressing merely continuation or expansion, for instance: similarly: for example: while: in like manner: that, who, which (after _such_, _same_).--AS CONCERNING, AS TO, AS FOR, so far as concerns; AS IT WERE, so to speak, in some sort; AS MUCH, the same; AS WELL (AS), just as much (as), equally (with). [A worn-down form of _all-so_, A.S. _all-swá_, wholly so.]

AS, as, _n._ in Norse mythology, one of the gods, the inhabitants of _Asgard_:--_pl._ AESIR ([=a]'ser). [Ice. _[=a]ss_, a god (pl. _æsir_)--A.S. _[=o]s_, seen in such proper names as _Os_wold, _Os_ric.]

AS, as, _n._ Latin unit of weight, 12 ounces (L. _unciæ_): a copper coin, the unit of the early monetary system of Rome.

ASAFOETIDA, as-a-fet'i-da, _n._ a medicinal gum-resin, having an offensive smell, procured by drying the milky juice which flows from the root of the plant _Ferula_ (_Narthex_) _asafoetida_. [Pers. _az[=a]_, mastic, and L. _foetida_, stinking.]

ÅSAR, [=e]'sar, _n.pl._ the Swedish name for those long, winding banks and ridges of gravel and sand which occur abundantly in the low grounds of Sweden, supposed to mark the site of sub-glacial streams and rivers.--These _åsar_ are the same as the Irish _eskar_ and the Scotch _kames_.

ASARABACCA, as-a-ra-bak'a, _n._ a European plant, a species of _Asarum_, having acrid properties, formerly used in the preparation of snuffs for catarrh, &c. [L. _asarum_, _bacca_, a berry.]

ASBESTOS, az-best'os, _n._ an incombustible mineral, a variety of hornblende, of a fine fibrous texture, resembling flax: (_fig._) anything unquenchable.--_adjs._ ASBES'TIC, ASBES'TOUS, ASBES'TINE, of or like asbestos: incombustible. [Gr.; (lit.) unquenchable--_a_, neg., _sbestos_, extinguished.]

ASCARIS, as'ka-ris, _n._ a genus of parasitic worms, of the family ASCAR'IDÆ, infesting the small intestines. [Gr. _askaris_, pl. _askarides_.]

ASCEND, as-send', _v.i._ to climb or mount up: to rise, literally or figuratively: to go backwards in the order of time.--_v.t._ to climb or go up on: to mount.--_adjs._ ASCEND'ABLE, ASCEND'IBLE.--ASCENDING RHYTHM, in prosody, a rhythm in which the arsis follows the thesis, as an iambic or anapæstic rhythm: opposed to _descending_ rhythms, as the trochaic and dactylic. [L. _ascend[)e]re_, _ascensum_--_ad_, and _scand[)e]re_, to climb.]

ASCENSION, as-sen'shun, _n._ a rising or going up.--_adjs._ ASCEND'ANT, -ENT, superior: above the horizon.--_n._ superiority: (_astrol._) the part of the ecliptic rising above the horizon at the time of one's birth; it was supposed to have commanding influence over the person's life, hence the phrase, 'in the ascendant:' superiority or great influence: (_rare_) an ancestor.--_n._ ASCEND'ENCY, controlling influence--also ASCEND'ANCY, ASCEND'ANCE, ASCEND'ENCE (_rare_).--_adj._ ASCEN'SIONAL, relating to ascension.--_n._ ASCEN'SION-DAY, the festival held on Holy Thursday, ten days before Whitsunday, to commemorate Christ's _ascension_ to heaven.--_adj._ ASCEN'SIVE, rising: causing to rise.--_n._ ASCENT', act of ascending: upward movement, as of a balloon: way of ascending: degree of elevation or advancement: slope or gradient: a flight of steps.--LINE OF ASCENT, ancestry.--RIGHT ASCENSION (_astron._), the name applied to one of the arcs which determine the position relatively to the equator of a heavenly body on the celestial sphere, the other being the declinator. [L. _ascensio_--_ascend[)e]re_.]

ASCERTAIN, as-s[.e]r-t[=a]n', _v.t._ to determine: to obtain certain knowledge of: (_rare_) to insure, certify, make certain.--_adj._ ASCERTAIN'ABLE.--_n._ ASCERTAIN'MENT. [O. Fr. _acertener_. See CERTAIN.]

ASCETIC, as-set'ik, _n._ one who rigidly denies himself ordinary sensual gratifications for conscience' sake, one who aims to compass holiness through self-mortification, the flesh being considered as the seat of sin, and therefore to be chastened: a strict hermit.--_adjs._ ASCET'IC, -AL, excessively rigid: austere: recluse.--_adv._ ASCET'ICALLY.--_n._ ASCET'ICISM. [Gr. _ask[=e]tikos_ (adj. _ask[=e]t[=e]s_), one that uses exercises to train himself--_askein_, to work, take exercise, (_eccles._) to mortify the body.]

ASCIAN, ash'yan, _n._ name given to the inhabitants of the torrid zone, who are shadowless at certain seasons, from the sun being right over their heads. [Gr. _askios_, shadowless--_a_, neg., _skia_, a shadow.]

ASCIDIANS, a-sid'i-anz, _n.pl._ a group belonging to the tunicate Mollusca, forming a class of degenerate survivors of ancestral vertebrates, asymmetrical marine animals with a tubular heart and no feet, of a double-mouthed flask shape, found at low-water mark on the sea-beach.--_n._ ASCID'IUM, a genus of Ascidians: (_bot._) a pitcher-shaped, leafy formation, as in the _Nepenthes_. [Gr. _askidion_, dim. of _askos_, a leathern bag, wine-skin.]

ASCITITIOUS. Same as ADSCITITIOUS.

ASCLEPIAD, as-kl[=e]'pi-ad, ASCLEPIADIC, as-kl[=e]-pi-ad'ik, _n._ in ancient prosody, a verse consisting of a spondee, two (or three) choriambi, and an iambus: [--|-uu-|-uu-|u-|]--_adj._ ASCLEPIAD'IC. [_Asclepiad[=e]s_, a Greek poet.]

ASCLEPIADS, as-kl[=e]'pi-adz, _n.pl._ an order of Greek physicians, priests of Asclepius or Æsculapius, the god of medicine. [Gr. _askl[=e]pius_, Asclepius.]

ASCLEPIAS, as-kl[=e]'pi-as, _n._ a genus of plants, native to North America, giving name to the natural order of the Asclepidaceæ, and containing the milk-weed, swallow-wort, &c.

ASCRIBE, a-skr[=i]b', _v.t._ to attribute, impute, or assign.--_adj._ ASCRIB'ABLE.--_n._ ASCRIP'TION, act of ascribing or imputing: any expression of ascribing, or any formula for such, like the one ascribing glory to God repeated at the end of a sermon. [L. _ascrib[)e]re_, _-scriptum_--_ad_, to, _scrib-[)e]re_, to write.]

ASEITY, a-s[=e]'i-ti, _n._ self-origination. [L. _a_, from, _se_, self.]

ASEPTIC, a-sep'tik, _adj._ not liable to decay or putrefaction.--_n._ ASEP'TICISM. [From Gr. _a_, neg., _s[=e]ptos_, _s[=e]pomai_, to decay.]

ASEXUAL, a-seks'[=u]-al, _adj._ without sex, once applied to cryptogams--agamic. [Gr. _a_, neg., and SEXUAL.]

ASGARD, as'gärd, _n._ the heaven of Norse mythology, abode of the twelve gods and twenty-six goddesses, and of heroes slain in battle. [Ice. _asgardhr_, _[=a]ss_, a god, _gardhr_, an enclosure.]

ASH, ash, _n._ a well-known timber tree, or its wood, which is white, tough, and hard, much used in carpentry and wheel-work: the ashen shaft of a spear, or a spear itself.--_adj._ ASH'EN.--_n._ GROUND'-ASH, or ASH'-PLANT, an ash sapling.--MOUNTAIN ASH, the rowan-tree; QUAKING ASH, the aspen. [A.S. _æsc_--Ger. _esche_, Ice. _askr_.]

ASHAKE, a-sh[=a]k', _adv. phrase_, shaking. [Prep. _a_, and SHAKE.]

ASHAMED, a-sh[=a]md', _adj._ affected with shame (with _of_ for the cause of shame; _for_, the person).--_v.t._ and _v.i._ ASHAME', to feel shame: to put to shame.--_n._ ASHAMED'NESS.--_p.adj._ ASHAM'ING. [Pa.p. of old verb _ashame_.]

ASHES, ash'ez, _n.pl._ the dust or remains of anything burnt: the remains of the human body when burnt: (_fig._) a dead body: used to express pallor, from the colour of wood-ashes, as in 'pale as ashes,' 'ashy-pale.'--_n._ ASH'-BUCK'ET, a box or bucket in which house-ashes and general refuse are collected for removal.--_adjs._ ASH'EN, ASH'EN-GRAY.--_ns._ ASH'ERY, a place where potash or pearl-ash is made; ASH'-HEAP, a heap of ashes and household refuse; ASH'-LEACH, a tub in which alkaline salts are dissolved from wood-ashes; ASH'-PAN, a kind of tray fitted underneath a grate to receive the ashes.--_adjs._ ASH'Y, ASH'Y-GRAY.--TO LAY IN ASHES, to destroy utterly by burning. [A.S. _asce_; Ice. _aska_.]

ASHET, ash'et, _n._ (now only _Scot._) a large flat dish in which meat is served. [Fr. _assiette_.]

ASHIVER, a-shiv'[.e]r, _adv. phrase_, quivering.

ASHKENAZIM, ash-k[=e]-naz'im, _n.pl._ the Polish and German Jews, as distinguished from the _Sephardim_, the Spanish and Portuguese Jews. [Heb. _Ashkenaz_, the name of a northern people in Gen. x., located in Arabia, by later Jews identified with Germany.]

ASHLAR, ash'lar, ASHLER, ash'l[.e]r, _n._ hewn or squared stone used in facing a wall, as distinguished from rough, as it comes from the quarry--also in ASH'LAR-WORK, as opposed to _Rubble-work_.--_p.adj._ ASH'LARED.--_n._ ASH'LARING. [O. Fr. _aiseler_--L. _axillaris_, _axilla_, dim. of _axis_, _assis_, axle; also plank (cf. Fr. _ais_, It. _asse_.]

ASHORE, a-sh[=o]r', _adv._ on shore. [Prep. _a_, and SHORE.]

ASH-WEDNESDAY, ash-wenz'd[=a], _n._ the first day of Lent, so called from the Roman Catholic custom of sprinkling ashes on the head.

ASIAN, [=a]zh'yan, or [=a]sh'i-an, ASIATIC, [=a]-zhi-at'ik, or [=a]sh-i-at'ik, _adj._ belonging to Asia: florid in literature or art.--_n._ ASIAT'ICISM, imitation of Asiatic or Eastern manners.

ASIDE, a-s[=i]d', _adv._ on or to one side: privately: apart.--_n._ words spoken in an undertone, so as not to be heard by some person present, words spoken by an actor which the other persons on the stage are supposed not to hear: an indirect effort of any kind.--_adj._ private, apart.--TO SET ASIDE, to quash (a judgment).

ASINEGO, as-i-n[=e]'go, _n._ (_Shak._) a stupid fellow.--Also ASINI'CO. [Sp. _asnico_--dim. of _asno_, L. _asinus_, ass.]

ASININE, as'in-[=i]n, _adj._ of or like an ass.--_n._ ASININ'ITY. [See ASS.]

ASK, ask, _v.t._ to seek: to request, inquire, beg, question, invite.--_v.i._ to request: to make inquiry (with _about_ and _for_--as to ask one _after_ or _for_ another). [A.S. _áscian_, _ácsian_; Ger. _heischen_, Ice. _æskja_, Sans. _esh_, to desire.]

ASKANCE, a-skans', ASKANT, a-skant', _adv._ sideways: awry: obliquely: with a side glance, or with a side meaning.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to turn aside.--TO EYE, LOOK, or VIEW ASKANCE, to look at with suspicion. [Ety. very obscure; perh. conn. with It. _a schiáncio_, slopingly, or with Ice. _á-ská_, as in ASKEW.]

ASKEW, a-sk[=u]', _adv._ obliquely: aside: awry. [See ASKANCE.]

ASLAKE, a-sl[=a]k', _v.t._ (_arch._) to slake: to mitigate. [Prep. _a_, and SLAKE.]

ASLANT, a-slant', _adj._ or _adv._ obliquely.--Also ASKLENT' (_Scot._).

ASLEEP, a-sl[=e]p', _adj._ or _adv._ in sleep: sleeping: in the sleep of death, dead. [Prep. _a_, and SLEEP.]

ASLOPE, a-sl[=o]p', _adj._ or _adv._ on the slope.

ASMOULDER, a-sm[=o]l'der, _adv. phrase_, smouldering.

ASNORT, a-snort', _adv. phrase_, snorting. [Prep. _a_, and SNORT.]

ASP, asp, ASPIC, asp'ik, _n._ a popular name applied loosely to various genera of venomous serpents--now chiefly to the _Vipera aspis_ of Southern Europe. Cleopatra's asp was probably the small _Vipera hasselquistii_, or horned viper: the biblical asp (Heb. _pethen_) was probably the Egyptian juggler's snake (_Naja haje_). [L.--Gr. _aspis_.]

ASPARAGUS, as-par'a-gus, _n._ a plant cultivated for its young shoots, esteemed as a table delicacy.--_n._ ASPAR'AGINE, a nitrogenised crystallised substance found in asparagus and other vegetables.--_Sparrow-grass_ was long the form of the word in English. [L.--Gr. _asparagos_.]

ASPECT, as'pekt (in _Shak._ and elsewhere, as-pekt'), _n._ look: view: appearance, also applied figuratively to the mind: position in relation to the points of the compass: the situation of one planet with respect to another, as seen from the earth.--_v.i._ (_obs._) to look at.--_adj._ AS'PECTABLE, visible, worth looking at. [L. _aspectus_--_ad_, at, _spec[)e]re_, to look.]

ASPEN, asp'en, _n._ the trembling poplar.--_adj._ made of or like the aspen: tremulous: timorous.--_adj._ AS'PEN-LIKE. [A.S. _æspe_, Ger. _espe_.]

ASPER, as'p[.e]r, _n._ a small silver Turkish coin.

ASPERATED. See ASPIRATE.

ASPERGES, as-per'jes, _n._ a short service introductory to the mass, so called from the words _Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo et mundabor_ (Ps. li.).

ASPERGILL, -UM, as'p[.e]r-jil, -um, _n._ a kind of brush used in R.C. churches for sprinkling holy water on the people.--Also ASPERGE', ASPER'SOIR. [L. _asperg[)e]re_, to sprinkle, and dim. suffix.]

ASPERGILLUM, as-p[.e]r-jil'um, _n._ a remarkable genus of boring Lamellibranch Molluscs, in which the shell has the form of an elongated cone, terminating at the lower end in a disc, pierced by numerous small tubular holes.--_n._ ASPERGIL'LUS, the name of a genus of minute fungi or moulds occurring on decaying substances of various kinds.

ASPERITY, as-per'i-ti, _n._ roughness: harshness: bitter coldness. [L. _asperitat-em_, _asper_, rough.]

ASPERMOUS, a-sp[.e]r'mus, ASPERMATOUS, a-sp[.e]r'ma-tus, _adj._ without seeds. [Gr. _a_, neg., _sperma_, seed.]

ASPERSE, as-p[.e]rs', _v.t._ to slander or calumniate: to bespatter (_with_).--_n._ ASPER'SION, calumny: slander: (_Shak._) a shower or spray.--_adjs._ ASPERS'IVE, ASPERS'ORY, tending to asperse: defamatory.

ASPERSORIUM, as-per-s[=o]r'i-um, _n._ a vessel used in R.C. churches for holding holy water.

ASPHALT, as-falt', or as'falt, ASPHALTUM, as-falt'um, _n._ a black or dark-brown, hard, bituminous substance, anciently used as a cement, and now for paving, cisterns, water-pipes, &c.--_v.t._ ASPHALT', to lay or cover with asphalt.--_adj._ ASPHALT'IC. [Gr. _asphaltos_, from an Eastern word.]

ASPHETERISM, as-fet'er-izm, _n._ (_Southey_) denial of the right of private property.--_v.i._ ASPHET'ERISE. [Gr. _a_, neg., and _spheteros_, one's own.]

ASPHODEL, as'fo-del, _n._ a kind of lily--in Greek mythology, the peculiar plant of the dead. In Greece they cover the bleakest hillsides with enduring blossom.--_adj._ Elysian. [Gr. _asphodelos_, a plant of the lily kind; cf. Homer's _asphodelos leim[=o]n_, the meadow of the dead. See DAFFODIL.]

ASPHYXIA, as-fik'si-a, _n._ (_lit._) suspended animation, suffocation, when the blood is in such a state as to render impossible a sufficiently free exchange of carbonic acid for oxygen--also ASPHYX'Y.--_n._ ASPHYX'IANT, a chemical substance which produces asphyxia.--_adj._ ASPHYX'I[=A]TED.--_ns._ ASPHYXI[=A]'TION; ASPHYX'I[=A]TOR. [Gr., a stopping of the pulse--_a_, neg., _sphyxis_, the pulse.]

ASPIC, ASPICK, as'pik, _n._ (_poet._) a venomous serpent. [See ASP.]

ASPIC, as'pik, _n._ a savoury meat-jelly containing fish, game, hard-boiled eggs, &c. [Littré suggests its derivation from _aspic_, asp, because it is 'cold as an aspic,' a French proverb.]

ASPIRANT, as-p[=i]r'ant, or as'pir-ant, _n._ one who aspires (with _after_, _for_): a candidate.--_adj._ ambitious: mounting up (_rare_ in both senses). [See ASPIRE.]

ASPIRATE, as'pir-[=a]t, _v.t._ to pronounce with a full breathing, as the letter _h_ in _house_.--_n._ a mark of aspiration, the rough breathing in Greek (`): an aspirated letter.--_p.adj._ AS'PERATED, made harsh.--_ns._ ASPIR[=A]'TION, pronunciation of a letter with a full breathing: an aspirated sound (like Gr. _ch_, _th_, &c.): drawing air in; ASPIR[=A]'TOR, an apparatus for drawing air or other gases through bottles or other vessels: (_med._) an instrument for removing fluids from the cavities of the body.--_adj._ ASP[=I]R'ATORY, relating to breathing.--TO DROP ONE'S ASPIRATES, not to pronounce _h_, a mark of imperfect education or humble social standing. [See ASPIRE.]

ASPIRE, as-p[=i]r' (followed by _to_ or _after_ with the object, or by an infinitive), _v.i._ to desire eagerly: to aim at high things: to tower up.--_n._ ASPIR[=A]'TION, eager desire.--_adj._ ASP[=I]R'ING.--_adv._ ASP[=I]R'INGLY.--_n._ ASP[=I]R'INGNESS. [Fr.--L. _aspir[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ad_, to, _spir[=a]re_, to breathe.]

ASPLENIUM, as-pl[=e]'ni-um, _n._ spleenwort, a genus of ferns, mostly tropical, with long or linear _sori_, with _indusium_ arising laterally from above a vein--including the lady-fern, black maiden-hair, &c. [Gr. _aspl[=e]nion_.]

ASPORT, as-p[=o]rt', _v.t._ (_rare_) to carry away, esp. in a bad sense.--_n._ ASPORT[=A]'TION, feloniously carrying away. [L. _asport[=a]re_--_abs_, away, and _port[=a]re_, to carry.]

ASPOUT, a-spowt', _adv. phrase_, spouting.

ASPRAWL, a-sprawl', _adv. phrase_, sprawling.

ASPREAD, a-spred', _adv. phrase_, spread out.

ASPROUT, a-sprowt', _adv. phrase_, sprouting.

ASQUAT, a-skwät', _adv. phrase_, squatting.

ASQUINT, a-skwint', _adv._ and _adj._ towards the corner of the eye: obliquely.

ASS, as, _n._ a well-known quadruped of the horse family: (_fig._) a dull, stupid fellow.--ASSES' BRIDGE, or PONS ASINORUM, a humorous name for the fifth proposition of the first book of Euclid. [A.S. _assa_, the earlier Teutonic form being _esol_, _esil_ (Goth. _asilus_)--L. _asinus_; Gr. _onos_, ass. Perh. ult. of Semitic origin, as in Heb. _[=a]th[=o]n_, a she-ass.]

ASSAFETIDA. Same as ASAFOETIDA.

ASSAGAI, ASSEGAI, as'sa-g[=i], _n._ a slender spear of hard wood, tipped with iron, some for hurling, some for thrusting with--used by the South African tribes, notably the war-like Zulus.--_v.t._ to kill or slay with an assagai. [Through Fr. or Port. from Ar. _azzagh[=a]yah_, _az_ = _al_, the _zagh[=a]yah_, a Berber word.]

ASSAIL, as-s[=a]l', _v.t._ to assault: to attack.--_adj._ ASSAIL'ABLE.--_ns._ ASSAIL'ANT, one who assails or attacks; ASSAIL'MENT. [O. Fr. _asaillir_--L. _assil[=i]re_--_ad_, upon, and _sal[=i]re_, to leap.]

ASSASSIN, as-as'in, _n._ one who, usually for a reward, kills by surprise or secretly.--_v.t._ ASSAS'SINATE, to murder by surprise or secret assault: (_Milton_) to maltreat: also figuratively, to destroy by treacherous means, as a reputation.--_n._ (_obs._) one who assassinates.--_ns._ ASSASSIN[=A]'TION, secret murder; ASSAS'SINATOR. [Through Fr. or It. from Ar. _hashsh[=a]sh[=i]n_, 'hashish-eaters,' a military and religious order in Syria, of the 11th century, who became notorious for their secret murders in obedience to the will of their chief, and fortified themselves for their adventures by _hashish_, an intoxicating drug or drink made from hemp.]

ASSAULT, as-sawlt', _n._ a sudden attack: a storming, as of a town: (_Eng. law_) unlawful attempt to apply force to the person of another--when force is actually applied, the act amounts to _battery_: an attack of any sort by arguments, appeals, &c.--_v.t._ to make an assault or attack upon: (_law_) to make an assault.--_n._ ASSAULT'ER.--ASSAULT AT ARMS, a display of attack and defence in fencing. [O. Fr. _asaut_--L. _ad_, upon, _saltus_, a leap, _sal[=i]re_, to leap. See ASSAIL.]

ASSAY, as-s[=a]', _v.t._ to determine the proportions of a metal in an ore or alloy: endeavour (more usually _Essay_): (_Spens._) to affect or move: (_Shak._) to put one to the proof, as to accost with a particular purpose, to measure swords with another, &c.: (_poet._) put to proof, examine by trial.--_v.i._ to attempt.--_n._ the determination of the quantity of metal in an ore or alloy: the trial of anything, as in the ancient custom of tasting the drink before handing it to a king or noble: an attempt or endeavour: probation or trial: (_Spens._) ascertained purity.--_ns._ ASSAY'ER, one who assays, esp. metals; ASSAY'ING, the process of assaying or determining the proportion of pure metal in an ore or alloy; ASSAY'-MAS'TER, the officer who determines the amount of gold or silver in coin or bullion. [O. Fr. _assayer_, n. _assai_. See ESSAY.]

ASSEGAI, ASSEGAY. Same as ASSAGAI.

ASSEMBLE, as-sem'bl, _v.t._ to call or bring together: to collect.--_v.i._ to meet together.--_ns._ ASSEM'BLAGE, a collection of persons or things; ASSEM'BLANCE (_Spens._), an assembling: (_Shak._) semblance: representation; ASSEM'BLY, the act of assembling: the company so assembled: a gathering of persons for any purpose, as for religious worship or social entertainment: specially applied to the lower house of the legislature in some of the United States and British colonies: (_mil._) a drum-beat, esp. that before a march, upon which the soldiers strike their tents; ASSEM'BLY-ROOM, a room in which persons assemble, especially for dancing.--GENERAL ASSEMBLY, in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, the highest court of the Presbyterian Church; LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, in many of the British colonies, the title of the lower house of the legislature; NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, the first of the revolutionary assemblies in France, which sat 1789-91--also called the _Constituent Assembly_, superseded in 1791 by the Legislative Assembly. [Fr. _assembler_--Late L. _assimul[=a]re_, to bring together, _ad_, to, _similis_, like. See ASSIMILATE.]

ASSENT, as-sent', _v.i._ to think or concur with, to admit as true (with _to_).--_n._ an agreeing or acquiescence: compliance.--_adj._ ASSENT[=A]'NEOUS, ready to agree.--_ns._ ASSENT'ER, ASSENT'OR, one of the eight voters who indorse the proposer and seconder's nomination of a candidate for election to the parliament of the United Kingdom.--_adjs._ ASSEN'TIENT, ASSENT'IVE.--_adv._ ASSENT'INGLY.--_n._ ASSENT'IVENESS.--ROYAL ASSENT, in England, the sovereign's formal acquiescence in a measure which has passed the two Houses of Parliament. [O. Fr. _asenter_, assent--L. _assent[=a]re_, _assent[=i]re_, L. _ad_, to, _sent[=i]re_, to think.]

ASSENTATION, as-sen-t[=a]'shun, _n._ obsequious assent, adulation.--_n._ AS'SENTATOR (_obs._).--_adv._ ASSENT'ATORILY (_obs._). [L. _assent[=a]ri_, to flatter, freq. of _assent[=i]ri_, assent, agree.]

ASSERT, as-s[.e]rt', _v.t._ to vindicate or defend by arguments or measures (now used only of the cause as object or reflexive): to declare strongly: to lay claim to or insist upon anything: to affirm: (_rare_) to bear evidence of.--_adj._ ASSERT'ABLE.--_ns._ ASSERT'ER, ASSERT'OR, a champion, one who makes a positive statement; ASSER'TION, affirmation: the act of claiming one's rights: averment.--_adj._ ASSERT'IVE, asserting or confirming confidently: positive: dogmatic.--_adv._ ASSERT'IVELY.--_n._ ASSERT'IVENESS.--_adj._ ASSERT'ORY, affirmative.--TO ASSERT ONE'S SELF, to defend one's rights or opinions, sometimes with unnecessary zeal, to thrust one's self forward. [L. _asser[)e]re_ (superl. _assertum_), _aliquem manu in libertatem_, to lay hands on a slave in token of manumission, hence to protect, affirm, declare--_ad_, to, and _ser[)e]re_, to join. Cf. SERIES.]

ASSESS, as-ses', _v.t._ to fix the amount of, as a tax (with _upon_): to tax or fine: to fix the value or profits of, for taxation (with _at_): to estimate.--_adj._ ASSESS'ABLE.--_ns._ ASSESS'MENT, act of assessing: a valuation for the purpose of taxation: a tax; ASSESS'OR, a legal adviser who sits beside a magistrate: one who assesses taxes: one who shares another's dignity.--_adj._ ASSESS[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ ASSESS'ORSHIP. [Fr.--L. _assess[=a]re_, freq. of _assid[=e]re_, _assessum_, to sit by, esp. of judges in a court, from _ad_, to, at, _sed[=e]re_, to sit.]

ASSETS, as'sets, _n.pl._ the property of a deceased or insolvent person, considered as chargeable for all debts, &c.: the entire property of all sorts belonging to a merchant or to a trading association. [From the Anglo-Fr. law phrase _aver assetz_, to have sufficient, O. Fr. _asez_, enough--L. _ad_, to, _satis_, enough.]

ASSEVERATE, as-sev'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to declare solemnly--an earlier form is ASSEV'ER.--_adv._ ASSEVERAT'INGLY.--_n._ ASSEVER[=A]'TION, any solemn affirmation or confirmation. [L. _assever[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ad_, to, _severus_, serious. See SEVERE.]

ASSIDUITY, as-sid-[=u]'i-ti, _n._ constant application or diligence: (_pl._) constant attentions, as to a lady.--_adj._ ASSID'UOUS, constant or unwearied in application: diligent.--_adv._ ASSID'UOUSLY.--_n._ ASSID'UOUSNESS. [L. _assiduitas_--_assiduus_, sitting close at--_ad_, to, at, _sed[=e]re_, to sit.]

ASSIEGE, as-s[=e]j', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to besiege. [See SIEGE.]

ASSIENTO, as-[=e]-en'to, _n._ a word especially applied to an exclusive contract between Spain and some foreign nation for the supply of African slaves for its American possessions. [Sp., a seat, a seat in a court, a treaty.]

ASSIGN, as-s[=i]n', _v.t._ to sign or mark out to one: to allot: to appoint: to allege: to transfer: to ascribe or refer to: to suggest: to fix, as a time: to point out exactly.--_n._ one to whom any property or right is made over: (_pl._) appendages (_Shak._).--_adj._ ASSIGN'ABLE, that may be assigned.--_ns._ ASSIGN[=A]'TION, an appointment to meet, used chiefly of love-trysts, and mostly in a bad sense: (_Scots law_) the making over of any right to another, equivalent to ASSIGNMENT; ASSIGNEE (as-sin-[=e]'), one to whom any right or property is assigned: (_pl._) the trustees of a sequestrated estate; ASSIGN'MENT, act of assigning: anything assigned: the writing by which a transfer is made: (_Spens._) design. [Fr.--L. _assign[=a]re_, to mark out--_ad_, to, _signum_, a mark or sign.]

ASSIGNAT, as-sin-yä', _n._ one of the notes (chiefly for 100 francs = £4 each) in the paper currency first issued in 1790 by the French revolutionary government as bonds on the security of the appropriated church lands.

ASSIMILATE, as-sim'il-[=a]t, _v.t._ to make similar or like to: to convert into a like substance, as food in our bodies (with _to_, _with_).--_v.i._ to become like, or to be incorporated in.--_n._ ASSIM'ILABILITY (_Coleridge_).--_adj._ ASSIM'ILABLE.--_n._ ASSIMIL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ ASSIM'IL[=A]TIVE, having the power or tendency to assimilate. [L. _assimil[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ad_, to, _similis_, like.]

ASSIST, as-sist', _v.t._ to help.--_v.i._ to be present at a ceremony: (_Shak._) to accompany.--_n._ ASSIST'ANCE, help: relief.--_adj._ ASSIST'ANT, helping or lending aid.--_n._ one who assists: a helper. [L. _assist[)e]re_, to stand by--_ad_, to, _sist[)e]re_.]

ASSIZE, as-s[=i]z', _v.t._ to assess: to set or fix the quantity or price.--_n._ a statute settling the weight, measure, or price of anything: (_Scot._) a trial by jury, the jury: judgment, sentence, the Last Judgment: (_pl._) the sessions or sittings of a court held periodically in English counties, at which causes are tried by judges of the High Court of Justice on circuit and a jury.--_n._ ASSIZ'ER, an officer who inspects weights and measures. [O. Fr. _assise_, an assembly of judges, a set rate--_asseoir_--L. _assid[=e]re_.]

ASSOCIATE, as-s[=o]'shi-[=a]t, _v.t._ to join with, as a friend or partner: to unite in the same body.--_v.i._ to keep company (_with_): to combine or unite.--_ns._ ASSOCIABIL'ITY, ASS[=O]'CIABLENESS.--_adjs._ ASS[=O]'CIABLE, that may be joined or associated: sociable: companionable; ASS[=O]'CIATE, joined or connected with.--_n._ one joined or connected with another: a companion, friend, partner, or ally.--_ns._ ASS[=O]'CIATESHIP, office of an associate; ASSOCI[=A]'TION, act of associating: union or combination: a society of persons joined together to promote some object.--_adj._ ASS[=O]'CI[=A]TIVE, tending to association.--ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL, the game as formulated by the Football Association (formed in 1863).--ASSOCIATION (OF IDEAS), applied to laws of mental combination which facilitate recollection: similarity: contiguity, repetition. [L. _associ[=a]tum_, _associ[=a]re_--_ad_, to _socius_, a companion.]

ASSOIL, as-soil', _v.t._ to loosen from: to absolve or acquit: to solve: (_Spens._) to remove, to let loose, to renew, to get rid of.--_n._ ASSOIL'MENT. [Through Fr. from L.--L. _ab_, from, _solv[)e]re_, to loose.]

ASSOIL, as-soil', _v.t._ to soil, stain, or make dirty. [L. _ad_, and SOIL. See SOIL (2).]

ASSOILZIE, as-soil'y[=e], _v.i._ to free one accused from a charge: a Scots law term, the same as the archaic _assoil_, to absolve from sin, discharge, pardon. See ABSOLVITOR, under ABSOLVE. [Through Fr. from L. _absolv[)e]re_.]

ASSONANCE, as'son-ans, _n._ a correspondence in sound: in Spanish and Portuguese poetry, a kind of rhyme, consisting in the coincidence of the vowels of the corresponding syllables, without regard to the consonants, as in _mate_ and _shape_, _feel_ and _need_.--_adjs._ AS'SSONANT, resembling in sound; AS'SONANTAL, AS'SONANTIC.--_v.t._ AS'SONATE, to correspond in sound. [Fr.--L. _asson[=a]re_, _as_ = _ad-_, to, _son[=a]re_, to sound.]

ASSORT, as-sort', _v.t._ to separate into classes: to arrange.--_v.i._ to agree or be in accordance with: to fall into a class with, suit well with: (_arch._) to keep company with.--_p.adj._ ASSORT'ED, classified, arranged in sorts.--_ns._ ASSORT'EDNESS; ASSORT'MENT, act of assorting: a quantity or number of things assorted: variety. [Fr. _assortir_--L. _ad_, to, _sors_, a lot.]

ASSOT, as-sot', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to besot, to infatuate.--_p.adj._ ASSOT', or ASSOT'TED (_Spens._), infatuated. [O. Fr. _asoter_--_à_, to, _sot_, foolish. See SOT.]

ASSUAGE, as-sw[=a]j', _v.t._ to soften, mitigate, or allay.--_v.i._ to abate or subside: to diminish.--_n._ ASSUAGE'MENT, abatement: mitigation.--_adj._ ASSU[=A]'SIVE, softening, mild. [O. Fr., formed as if from a L. _assuavi[=a]re_--_ad_, to, _suavis_, mild.]

ASSUBJUGATE, as-sub'j[=oo]-g[=a]t, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to reduce to subjugation.

ASSUEFACTION, as-w[=e]-fak'shun, _n._ (_Sir T. Browne_) the act of accustoming, habituation. [L. _assuefac[)e]re_--_assuetus_, accustomed, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

ASSUETUDE, as'w[=e]-t[=u]d, _n._ (_obs._) custom, habit. [L. _assuetus_.]

ASSUME, as-s[=u]m', _v.t._ to adopt, take in: to take up, to take upon one's self: to take for granted: to arrogate: to pretend to possess.--_v.i._ to claim unduly: to be arrogant.--_adjs._ ASSUM'ABLE, ASSUMP'TIVE, that may be assumed.--_adv._ ASSUM'ABLY, presumably.--_adj._ ASSUMED', appropriated, usurped: pretended: taken as the basis of argument.--_advs._ ASSUM'EDLY, ASSUM'INGLY.--_adj._ ASSUM'ING, haughty: arrogant. [L. _assum[)e]re_--_ad_, to, _sum[)e]re_, _sumptum_, to take.]

ASSUMPSIT, a-sump'sit, _n._ an action at law, wherein the plaintiff asserts that the defendant undertook (L. _assumpsit_) to do a certain act and failed to fulfil his promise: in the United States, the most common form of action.

ASSUMPTION, as-sum'shun, _n._ act of assuming: a supposition: the thing supposed, a proposition: (_logic_) the minor premise in a syllogism.--ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN, a church festival kept on the 15th of August, based on the notion that after the death of Mary, her soul and body were preserved from corruption and taken up to heaven by Christ and His angels.--DEED OF ASSUMPTION (_Scots law_), a deed executed by trustees under a trust-deed assuming a new trustee or settlement. [L. See ASSUME.]

ASSURE, a-sh[=oo]r', _v.t._ to make sure or secure: to give confidence: (_Shak._) to betroth: to tell positively: to insure.--_adj._ ASSUR'ABLE.--_n._ ASSUR'ANCE, confidence: feeling of certainty: self-reliance: impudence: positive declaration: insurance, as applied to lives: the securing of a title to property: (_theol._) subjective certainty of one's salvation: a solemn declaration or promise, a certain proof: surety, warrant.--_adj._ ASSURED', certain: without doubt: insured: overbold.--_adv._ ASSUR'EDLY.--_ns._ ASSUR'EDNESS; ASSUR'ER, one who gives assurance: an insurer or underwriter: one who insures his life. [O. Fr. _aseürer_ (Fr. _assurer_)--Late L. _adsecur[=a]re_--_ad_, to, _securus_, safe. See SURE.]

ASSURGENT, as-ur'jent, _adj._ rising, ascending: (_bot._) rising in a curve to an erect position: (_her._) of a bearing depicted as rising from the sea.--_n._ ASSUR'GENCY, the tendency to rise.

ASSWAGE. A form of ASSUAGE.

ASSYRIAN, as-sir'i-an, _adj._ belonging to Assyria.--_n._ an inhabitant of Assyria: the language of Assyria.--_ns._ ASSYRIOL'OGIST; ASSYRIOL'OGY, the science of Assyrian antiquities. [Gr. _Assurios_--_Assuria_, Assyria.]

ASTARE, a-st[=a]r', _adv. phrase_, staring.

ASTART, a-start', _v.i._ (_Spens._) to start up suddenly: to happen, fall out.--_adv._ with a start, suddenly. [Pfx. _a-_, and START.]

ASTATIC, a-stat'ik, _adj._ having a tendency not to stand still: losing polarity, as a magnetic needle. [Gr. neg., _astatos_--_a_, neg., _statos_, verb. adj. of _histanai_, to stand.]

ASTAY, a-st[=a]', _adv._ applied to an anchor when, in lifting it, the cable forms such an angle with the surface of the water as to appear in a line with the stays of the ship. [Prep. _a_, on, and STAY.]

ASTER, as't[.e]r, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order Compositæ, with showy radiated flowers varying from white to lilac-blue or purple, mostly perennial, flowering in late summer and autumn, hence often called in England Michaelmas or Christmas daisies.--CHINA ASTER, the best-known and most valued of the family, brought from China to France by a missionary in the 18th century. [Gr. _ast[=e]r_, a star.]

ASTERIAS, as-t[=e]r'i-as, _n._ a genus of Echinoderms, containing the common five-rayed starfish. [Gr. _ast[=e]rias_, a fish--_ast[=e]r_, a star.]

ASTERISK, as't[.e]r-isk, _n._ a star, used in printing as a reference to a note at the bottom or on the margin of the page, and sometimes as a mark of the omission of words, thus *.--_n._ AS'TERISM, a group or collection of small stars: a constellation: three asterisks placed to direct attention to a passage: a property of some minerals which show a star-shaped luminous figure when viewed by reflected light--e.g. the asteriated sapphire. [Gr. _asteriskos_, dim. of _aster_, a star.]

ASTERN, a-st[.e]rn', _adv._ in the stern: towards the hinder part of a ship: behind. [Prep. _a_, and STERN.]

ASTEROID, as't[.e]r-oid, _n._ one of the minor planetary bodies revolving between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.--_adj._ ASTEROID'AL. [Gr. _ast[=e]r_, a star, _eidos_, form.]

ASTERT, a-st[.e]rt'. Same as ASTART.

ASTHENIA, as-th[=e]-n[=i]'a, _n._ debility, lack of strength.--_adj._ ASTHEN'IC [Gr. _a_, priv., and _sthenos_, strength.]

ASTHMA, ast'ma, _n._ a chronic disorder of the organs of respiration, characterised by the occurrence of paroxysms in which the breathing becomes difficult, and accompanied by wheezing and a distressing feeling of tightness in the chest.--_adjs._ ASTHMAT'IC, -AL, pertaining to or affected by asthma.--_adv._ ASTHMAT'ICALLY. [Gr. _asthma_, _asthmat-os_--_az-ein_, to breathe hard, _a-ein_, to blow.]

ASTIGMATISM, a-stig'ma-tizm, _n._ a defective condition of the eye, in which rays proceeding to the eye from one point are not correctly brought to a focus at _one_ point.--_adj._ ASTIGMAT'IC. [Gr. _a_, neg., and _stigma_, _stigmat-os_, a point.]

ASTIR, a-stir', _prep. phr._ or _adv._ on the move, out of bed, in motion or excitement. [Prep. _a_, and STIR.]

ASTOMATOUS, as-tom'a-tus, _adj._ having no mouth, used of a division of the protozoa.

ASTONISH, as-ton'ish, _v.t._ to impress with sudden surprise or wonder: to amaze: (_Shak._) to stun--older form ASTON'Y, whence the _p.adj._ ASTON'IED, dazed, bewildered, greatly astonished.--ASTON', ASTUN', ASTONED', ASTUNNED', are obsolete.--_p.adj._ ASTON'ISHED, amazed: (_obs._) stunned.--_adj._ ASTON'ISHING, very wonderful, amazing.--_adv._ ASTON'ISHINGLY.--_n._ ASTON'ISHMENT, amazement: wonder: a cause for astonishment. [From the earlier form, _Astone_; O. Fr. _estoner_; L. _atton[=a]re_, to strike with a thunderbolt.]

ASTOUND, as-townd', _v.t._ to amaze, to strike dumb with astonishment:--_pa.p._ astound'ed; _pr.p._ astound'ing.--_pa.p._ ASTOUND' (_arch._).--_p.adj._ ASTOUND'ING. [ASTOUND (adj.) is developed from ASTONED, hence the verb is a doublet of ASTONISH.]

ASTRADDLE, a-strad'dl, _adv._ sitting astride. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRADDLE.]

ASTRAGAL, as'tra-gal, _n._ (_archit._) a small semicircular moulding or bead encircling a column: a round moulding near the mouth of a cannon: the bars which hold the panes of a window. [Gr. _astragalos_, one of the vertebræ, a moulding.]

ASTRAGALUS, as-trag'al-us, _n._ a bone of the foot, forming with the leg-bones the hinge of the ankle-joint, by a convex upper surface and smooth sides. [Gr.]

ASTRAKHAN, as'tra-kan, _n._ name given to lamb-skins with a curled wool obtained from _Astrakhan_ on the Caspian Sea: a rough fabric made in imitation of it.

ASTRAL, as'tral, _adj._ belonging to the stars: starry: in the science of Theosophy, descriptive of a supersensible substance supposed to pervade all space and enter into all bodies.--ASTRAL BODY, a living form composed of astral fluid, a ghost or wraith; ASTRAL SPIRITS, pervading spirits supposed to animate the heavenly bodies, forming, as it were, their souls--among the most potent of demoniacal spirits in medieval demonology. [L. _astralis_, _astrum_, a star.]

ASTRAND, a-strand', _adv._ stranded. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRAND.]

ASTRAY, a-str[=a]', _adv._ out of the right way. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRAY.]

ASTRICTION, as-trik'shun, _n._ a binding or contraction: restriction.--_v.t._ ASTRICT', to bind, restrict. [L. _astriction-em_, _astring[)e]re_. See ASTRINGENT.]

ASTRIDE, a-str[=i]d', _adv._ with the legs apart, or across. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRIDE.]

ASTRINGENT, as-trin'jent, _adj._ binding: contracting: strengthening.--_n._ a medicine that causes costiveness.--_v.t._ ASTRINGE', to bind together: to draw tight: hence to render constipated.--_n._ ASTRIN'GENCY.--_adv._ ASTRIN'GENTLY. [L. _astringent-em_, _astring[)e]re_--_ad_, to, _string[)e]re_, to bind.]

ASTROLABE, as'tr[=o]-l[=a]b, _n._ an instrument for measuring the altitudes of the sun or stars, now superseded by Hadley's quadrant and sextant. [Gr.; _astron_, a star, _labb-_, _lambano_, I take.]

ASTROLATRY, as-trol'a-tri, _n._ the worship of the stars. [Gr. _astron_, a star, _latreia_, worship.]

ASTROLOGY, as-trol'o-ji, _n._ the infant stage of the science of the stars, out of which grew _Astronomy_; it was occupied chiefly in determining from the positions and motions of the heavenly bodies their supposed influence on human and terrestrial affairs.--_n._ ASTROL'OGER, one versed in astrology.--_adjs._ ASTROLOG'IC, -AL.--_adv._ ASTROLOG'ICALLY. [Gr. _astrologia_--_astron_, star, _logos_, knowledge.]

ASTRONOMY, as-tron'om-i, _n._ the laws or science of the stars or heavenly bodies.--_n._ ASTRON'OMER, one versed in astronomy.--_adj._ ASTRONOM'IC.--_adv._ ASTRONOM'ICALLY.--_v.t._ ASTRON'OMISE. [Gr. _astronomia_--_astron_, star, _nomos_, a law.]

ASTROPHEL, as'tro-fel, _n._ a name applied by Spenser to some kind of bitter herb.

ASTRUT, a-strut', _adv._ in a strutting manner. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRUT.]

ASTUTE, ast-[=u]t', _adj._ crafty: cunning: shrewd: sagacious.--_adv._ ASTUTE'LY.--_n._ ASTUTE'NESS.--The _adj._ AST[=U]'CIOUS, _adv._ AST[=U]'CIOUSLY, and _n._ AST[=U]'CITY are all _rare_. [L. _astutus_--_astus_, crafty, akin perhaps to ACUTE.]

ASTYLAR, a-st[=i]'lar, _adj._ without columns. [Gr. _a_, neg., _stylos_, a column.]

ASUDDEN, a-sud'en, _adv._ suddenly. [Prep. _a_, and SUDDEN.]

ASUNDER, a-sun'd[.e]r, _adv._ apart: into parts: separately. [Prep. _a_, and SUNDER.]

ASWARM, a-swärm', _adv._ swarming. [Prep. _a_, and SWARM.]

ASWAY, a-sw[=a]', _adv._ swaying.

ASWIM, a-swim', _adv._ afloat.

ASWING, a-swing', _adv._ swinging.

ASWOON, a-sw[=oo]n', _adv._ in a swoon.

ASYLUM, a-s[=i]l'um, _n._ a place of refuge for debtors and for such as were accused of some crime: an institution for the care or relief of the unfortunate, such as the blind or insane: any place of refuge or protection. [L.--Gr. _asylon_--_a_, neg., _syl[=e]_, right of seizure.]

ASYMMETRY, a-sim'e-tri, _n._ want of symmetry or proportion between parts.--_adjs._ ASYMMET'RIC, -AL.--_adv._ ASYMMET'RICALLY. [Gr. See SYMMETRY.]

ASYMPTOTE, a'sim-t[=o]t, _n._ (_math._) a line that continually approaches nearer to some curve without ever meeting it.--_adjs._ ASYMPTOT'IC, -AL.--_adv._ ASYMPTOT'ICALLY. [Gr. _asympt[=o]tos_, not coinciding--_a_, not, _syn_, with, _pt[=o]tos_, apt to fall, _pipt-ein_, to fall.]

ASYNARTETE, a-sin'ar-t[=e]t, _adj._ and _n._ not connected, consisting of two members having different rhythms; a verse of such a kind.--Also ASYN'ARTETIC. [Gr.; _a_, neg., _syn_, together, _arta-ein_, to knit.]

ASYNCHRONISM, a-sin'kro-nizm, _n._ want of synchronism or correspondence in time.--_adj._ ASYN'CHRONOUS.

ASYNDETON, a-sin'de-ton, _n._ (_rhet._) a figure in which the conjunctions are omitted, as in Matt. x. 8.--_adj._ ASYNDET'IC. [Gr.; _a_, neg., _syndetos_, bound together, _syn_, together, _dein_, to bind.]

ASYNTACTIC, as-in-tak'tik, _adj._ loosely put together, irregular, ungrammatical. [Gr.; _a_, neg., _syntaktos_, _syntass-ein_, to put in order together.]

ASYSTOLE, a-sis'to-l[=e], _n._ (_med._) the condition of a heart the left ventricle of which is unable to empty itself.--Also ASYS'TOLISM. [Made up of Gr. _a_, neg., _systol[=e]_, contraction.]

AT, at, _prep._ denoting presence, nearness, or relation. Often used elliptically, as in 'At him, good dog.' [A.S. _æt_; cog. with Goth, and Ice. _at_, L. _ad_; Sans. _adhi_, on.]

ATABAL, at'a-bal, _n._ a Moorish kettledrum. [Sp.--Ar. _at-tabl_, the drum.]

ATAGHAN. Same as YATAGHAN.