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ALLOWANCE

tries and ports, the chief of which is called tare.

Allowance (al-lou'ans), v.t. To put upon allowance; to restrain or limit to a certain amount of money or stated quantity of provisions or drink; as, distress compelled the captain of the ship to allowance his crew. Allowedly (al-lou'ed-li), adv. Admittedly. Lord Lyttleton is allowedly the author of these dialogues. Shenstone. Allower (al-lou'ér), n. One who allows, permits, grants, or authorizes. Alloxan (al-loks'an), n. (C,H,N2O4.) One of the products of the decomposition of uric acid by nitric acid. When treated with alkalies it produces alloxanic acid, the salts of which are termed alloxanates. Alloxanate (al-loks'an-at), n. A salt formed by the union of alloxanic acid and a base. Alloxanic (al-loks-an'ik), a. Pertaining to or produced by alloxan; as, alloxanic acid. Alloxantin (al-loks-antin), n. (C.HẠNO+ 3 HO.) A white crystalline substance obtained when alloxan is brought into contact with zinc and hydrochloric acid, with chloride of zinc, or sulphuretted hydrogen. Oxidizing agents reconvert this substance into alloxan. Called also Uroxin. Alloy (al-loi), n. [Fr. aloi, legal standard of coin-à, according to, and loi, law, from L. lex, legis, law. In O. Fr. loi had the meaning of standard alloy for coin, as Sp. ley has still.] 1. A baser metal mixed with a finer; the cheapest metal of a mixture. - 2. A mixture of different metals; any metallic compound. Alloys of metallic substances are either natural or artificial; but those which are artificial are by far the most important. By far the greater number of the metals may be alloyed together in varying proportions. Some of the alloys, however, form definite chemical compounds. When mercury is one of the component parts the alloy is called an amalgam.-3. Fig. evil mixed with good; as, no happiness is without alloy.

Alloy (al-loi'), v. t. 1. To reduce the purity of a metal by mixing with it a portion of one less valuable; as, to alloy gold with silver, or silver with copper.-2. To reduce, abate, or impair by mixture; as, to alloy pleasure with misfortunes.

Alloyage (al-loi'āj), n. 1. The act of alloying metals, or the mixture of a baser metal with a finer, to reduce its purity; the act of mixing metals.-2. A mixture of different metals; an alloy.

All-Hal

All-saints'-day (al'sānts-dā), n. lowmas or Hallowmas, a festival of the Roman Catholic Church, instituted by Pope Gregory IV., in 835, and dedicated to all the saints in general, on account of the impossibility of allotting a day to each saint. It is celebrated on the 1st November, this day being chosen because it was one of the four great heathen festivals of the northern nations, the policy of the early Church being, not so much directly to oppose paganism in many respects, as to supplant it by giving a Christian character to its ob

servances.

All-seed (al'sēd), n. A name applied to two

very different British plants, the one Polycarpon tetraphyllum, a small plant found in the south-west of England, the other Chenopodium polyspermum, found in waste places.

All-sorts (al'sorts), n. A term used in taverns or beer-shops to denote a beverage composed of left drops of liquor of various descriptions mixed together.-All sorts of, a low term used in the Southern States of America for acute, capital, excellent; as, all sorts of a fellow.

All-souls'-day (al'sōlz-dā), n. The 21 November, a festival in the Roman Catholic Church, when prayers are publicly offered up for the release of souls from purgatory. All-spice (al'spis), n. The fruit of Eugenia Pimenta, a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic. Its odour and flavour are supposed to combine those of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, hence the name. Called also Jamaica Pepper.

Allude (al-lud'), v.i. [L. alludo, to smile upon or make sport with-ad, and ludo, to play.] To refer to something not directly mentioned; to have reference; to hint at by remote suggestions.

These speeches. . . do seem to allude unto such ministerial garments as were then in use. Hooker. -Advert, Allude, Refer. See under ADVERT.

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SYN. To hint, refer, suggest, intimate, glance at, advert to.

Alludet (al-lud), v.t. To compare.

To free myselfe from the imputation of partiality, I'le at last allude her to a waterman. John Taylor. Allumée (al-lum-e' or al-lum-a). In her. applied to the eyes of a bear or other beast, when they are drawn red and sparkling. Allumette (al-ly-met), n. [Fr] A match for lighting candles, lamps, &c. Alluminatet (al-lü'min-at), v.t. To colour;

to embellish.

Alluminor † (al-lü'min-or), n. [Fr. enlumineur. See LIMN.] One who anciently illuminated manuscripts; an illuminator. Allurement. Allurancet (al-lur'ans), n.

Allure (al-lür), v. t. pret. & pp. allured; ppr. alluring. [Prefix al for ad, to, and lure, Fr. leurrer, to decoy. See LURE.] To tempt by the offer of some good, real or apparent; to invite by something flattering or acceptable; to draw or try to draw by some proposed pleasure or advantage; as, rewards allure men to brave danger. Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.' Goldsmith.-Allure, Entice, Decoy. Allure, to attract by a lure or bait, to lead aside or onwards by practising upon one's love of pleasure or hope of gain; entice, to seduce by flattering promises or fair speech, by stirring up feelings within us; decoy, to lead into a snare by artifice or by false appearances; to deceitfully lead into danger.. SYN. To attract, entice, tempt, decoy, seduce.

Allure (al-lür'), n. Something set up to entice; a lure. Sir J. Hayward. Allurement (al-lür'ment), n. The act of alluring, or that which allures; any real or apparent good held forth or operating as a motive to action; temptation; enticement; as, the allurements of pleasure or of honour.

Adam, by his wife's allurement, fell. Milton.

Allurer (al-lūr'ėr), n. One who, or that which, allures.

Dryden.

Money, the sweet allurer of our hopes, Ebbs out in oceans, and comes in by drops. Alluring (al-luring), a. Inviting; having the quality of attracting or tempting. Each flatt'ring hope, and each alluring joy.' Lord Lyttleton.

The qua

Alluringly (al-lúr′ing-li), adv. In an alluring manner; enticingly. Alluringness (al-lur'ing-nes), n. lity of alluring or tempting by the prospect of some advantage or pleasure. Allusion (al-lū'zhon), n. [L. allusio. See ALLUDE.] A reference to something not explicitly mentioned; an indirect or incidental suggestion of something supposed to be known; a reference by a speaker to some

striking incident or passage which serves to illustrate the subject on hand; a hint; as, a classical allusion.

The great art of a writer shows itself in the choice of pleasing allusions. Addison.

Allusive (al-lu'siv), a. Having reference to something not fully expressed; containing allusions. An unsatisfactory series of hasty and allusive sketches.' Sir E. Creasy.

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Allusively (al-lūʼsiv-li), adv. In an allusive manner; by way of allusion; by implication, remote suggestion, or insinuation. Hammond.

Allusiveness (al-lū'siv-nes), n. The quality of being allusive. The multifarious allusiveness of the prophetical style.' Dr. H. More.

Allusory (al-lu'so-ri), a. Allusive. Expresfigurative and allusory.' War

sions

burton. Alluvial (al-lu'vi-al), a. [See ALLUVIUM.] Pertaining to or having the character of alluvium; deposited or thrown up by the action of waves or currents of water; as, alluvial deposits; alluvial soil. Alluvial formations, in geol. recent deposits in valleys or in plains of the detritus of the neighbouring mountains, brought down chiefly by the action of water. Most of our river-plains the haughs, carses, and straths of Scotland, and the dales, holms, and fens of England-are alluvial, having been deposited from the waters either of a river, a lake, or an arm of the sea. See ALLUVIUM. Alluvion, Alluvio (al-lu'vi-on, al-lū'vi-ō), n. The washing up of sand or earth so as to form new soil; the soil thus formed; alluvium: now more especially used as a legal term, and signifying an increase of land on a shore or bank of a river by the action of water, as by a current or by waves. If the

ALMANAC

addition has been gradual and imperceptible the owner of the land thus augmented has a right to the alluvial earth; but if the addition has been sudden and considerable, by the law of England the alluvion is the property of the crown, while by the law of Scotland it remains the property of the person of whose lands it originally formed part. Alluvious (al-lū'vi-us), a. The same as Alluvial. [Rare.]

Alluvium (al-lu'vi-um), n. [L. alluvio, alluvionis, an inundation, alluvius, alluvialad, to, and luo Gr. louo, L. lavo, to wash. Stem seen also in deluge, lave, lotion, dilute, &c.] In geol. and phys. geog. a deposit collected by means of the action of water, such as are found in valleys and plains, consisting of gravel, loam, clay, or other earths washed down from the mountains or high grounds. Great alterations in the limits of countries are produced by alluvial deposits along the sea-shores, the banks of rivers or at their mouths, forming deltas, valley-bottoms (straths), &c.

Ally (al-li'), v. t. pret. & pp. allied; ppr. allying. [Fr. allier, to join, to unite; reciprocal verb s'allier, to confederate or become allied, -al for ad, to, and lier, to tie or unite; L ligo, to bind.] 1. To unite by marriage, treaty, league, or confederacy; to connect by formal agreement: generally used in passive or with reflexive pronouns.-2. To bind together; to connect, as by similitude, resemblance, or friendship.

Wants, frailties, passions, closer still ally

The common interests, or endear the tie. Pope. Ally (al-li'), v.i. To be closely united. Ally (al-li'), n. A prince or state united by treaty or league; a confederate; one related by marriage or other tie: seldom applied now to individuals, except to princes in their public capacity.

Byron.

The foe, the victim, and the fond ally That fights for all, but ever fights in vain. You must talk much of your kindred and allies (acquaintance). B. Jonson. Allyl (al'lil), n. (C3H5.) A radicle which cannot exist in the free state. At the moment of its liberation two molecules combine together to form diallyl (2 СgHz or C6H10). Diallyl is a pungent ethereal liquid. The hydrate of this substance is called allyl alcohol (C3H6O).

Allylamine (al-lil'a-min), n. A mobile liquid having a sharp burning taste, produced by the action of potash on allyl cyanate. It may be regarded as ammonia in which one hydrogen atom is replaced by allyl (NHC ̧H2). Allylene (al'lil-ēn), n. A gaseous hydrocarbon (CH4), standing in the same relation to allyl (CH) as ethylene (CH4) to ethyl (CH). Almacantar (al-ma-kan'tär), n. See ALMU

CANTAR.

Almadie, Almady (al'ma-di), n. [Fr. almadie; Sp. almadia, from Ar. al-madiyat, a raft.] A boat used in India, about 80 feet long and 6 or 7 broad, shaped like a shuttle; also, a small African canoe, made of the bark of trees. Some of the larger squaresterned negro boats are also thus designated.

Almagest (al'ma-jest), n. [A hybrid word composed of Ar. al, the, and Gr. magiste (biblos), greatest book.] A book or collection of problems in astronomy and geometry, drawn up by Ptolemy, and so named by the Arabs because it was reckoned the greatest and most complete on the subjects. The same title has been given to other works of a like kind.

Almagra (al-mā'gra), n. [Sp., from Ar. almaghrat, red clay or earth.] A fine deep red ochre, with an admixture of purple, used in India for staining the person. Sometimes used as a paint, and for polishing silver and glass, under the name of Indian red.

Almain-rivet. See ALMAYNE-RIVET. Alma Mater (al'ma ma'tér). [L., benign mother, fostering mother.] An epithet first given to the earth as the mother of all; then applied by students to the university where they have been trained.

Alman (al'man), n. Same as Almond-fur

nace.

Almanac, Almanack (al'ma-nak), n. [Fr. almanach, It. almanacco, Sp. almanaque, Ar. al-manakh, probably from a root meaning to reckon; Heb. manah.] A table, book, or publication of some kind, generally annual, comprising a calendar of days, weeks, and months, with the times of the rising of the sun and moon, changes of the moon, eclipses, hours of full tide, stated festivals

ALMANDINE

of churches, stated terms of courts, &c., for a certain year or years. Almanacs owed their origin to astrology, and existed in the East and in Egypt in remote ages. The agricultural, political, and statistical information which is usually contained in popular almanacs, though as valuable a part of the work as any, is comparatively of modern date.-Nautical almanac, an almanac published annually by the British government, under the superintendence of the astronomer-royal, and always several years in advance. It contains, among other things, the distances of the moon from the sun and

fixed stars for every three hours of apparent time, adapted to the meridian of Greenwich; by comparing which with the distances carefully observed at sea, the mariner may readily infer his longitude to a degree of exactness that is found sufficient for most nautical purposes.

Almandine (al'man-din), n. [Fr. almandine, LL. alamandina, alavandina, alabandina, a gem brought from Alabanda, a city in Asia Minor. Precious or noble garnet, a beautiful mineral of a red colour, of various shades, sometimes tinged with yellow or blue. It is commonly translucent, sometimes transparent. It occurs crystallized in the rhombic dodecahedron. See GARNET. Almandres, n An almond-tree. Chaucer. Alman-rivet (al'man-riv-et), n. Same as Almayne-rivet.

Almayne-rivet, Almain-rivet (al-mán'riv'et), n. [Fr. allemayne, German.] In milit antiq. one of a series of rivets or short pieces of metal sliding in slot-holes formed in the overlapping plates of armour, so that the plates would yield to the motions of the human body; first used by the Germans about 1450. The term Almayne-rivets came afterwards to be applied to suits of armour constructed in this manner.

Alme, Almeh (al'mě), n. The name given in some parts of the East, and especially in Egypt, to girls whose occupation is to amuse company with singing and dancing, or to sing dirges at funerals. The almehs lift their arms in dance.' Bayard Taylor. Almehrab, Almihrab (al-ma'rab, al-me'rab), n. [Ar. al, the, and mihrab, the praying-place in a mosque.] Same as Mihrab (which see)

Almena (al-me'na), n. A weight of 2 lbs., used to weigh saffron in several parts of Asia. Almery (al'meêr-i), n. Same as Almonry or Ambry.

Almesse, n. [See ALMS.] Alms. Almicantarath (al-mi-kan'tär-ath), n. Same as Almucantar.

Almightily (al-mi'ti-li), adv. In an almighty manner; with almighty power. H Taylor. [Rare.]

Almightiness (al-mi'ti-nes), n. The quality of being almighty; omnipotence; infinite or boundless power. The force of his almightiness Jer. Taylor.

Almighty (al-mi'ti), a. [All and mighty. See MIGHT 1 Possessing all power; omnipotent; being of unlimited might; being of boundless sufficiency -2. Great; extreme. Poor Aroar can not live, and can not die,-so that he is in an almighty fix. De Quincey.

-Almighty dollar, a phrase forcibly expressive of the power of money, first used by Washington Irving in a sketch of a 'Creole Village published in 1837. The idea of this phrase, however, is much older than Irving's time, Ben Jonson's Epistle to Elizabeth, Countess of Rutland,' commencing thus:

Whilst that for which all virtue now is sold, And almost every vice, almighty gold. -The Almighty, the omnipotent God. the Almighty, who shall bless thee.' Gen.

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By

Almond ('mund), n. [Fr. amande, Pr. amandola, It amandola, corrupted from Lamygdala, Gr. amygdale, an almond. In G it appears as mandel, in D. as amandel. 1 The seed or kernel of Amygdalus commania, or almond-tree, probably a native of Barbary. The fruit is a drupe, ovoid, and with downy outer surface; the fleshy covering is tough and fibrous; it covers the compressed wrinkled stone inclosing the seed or almond within it. There are two varieties, one sweet and the other bitter; both are produced from A.communis, though from different varieties. The chief kinds of sweet almonds are the Valentian, Jordan, and Malaga They contain a bland fixed oil, consisting chiefly of olein. Bitter almonds come from Magadore, and besides a fixed oil they contain an azotized substance called

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emulsin, and also a bitter crystalline substance called amygdalin, which, acting on the emulsin, produces prussic acid; hence the aroma of bitter almonds when mixed with water. Almond-oil is expressed from the kernels. The name almond, with a qualifying word prefixed, is also given to the seeds of other species of plants; thus, Java almonds are the kernels of Canarium commune.-2. In lapidary work, a piece of rockcrystal used in adorning branch candlesticks: so called from its resemblance to the almond.-Almond of the throat, one of the glands commonly known as tonsils. Almond-cake (a'mund-kak), n. The cake left after expressing the oil from the almond. Its powder is used as soap in washing the hands.

Almond-furnace (a'mund-fer-nis), n. [Perhaps corrupted from Fr. allemand, German, and meaning therefore German furnace.] A furnace in which the slags of litharge, left in refining silver, are reduced to lead by being heated with charcoal, which, combining with the oxygen, forms carbonic acid gas, which escapes and leaves the metal

pure.

Almondine (al'mun-din), n. Precious or noble garnet; almandine (which see).

But I would throw to them back in mine, Turkis and agate and almondine. Tennyson. Almond-oil (a'mund-oil), n. A bland, fixed oil obtained from almonds by pressure, used in medicine as a demulcent in catarrhal affections.

Almond-paste (a'mund-past),n. A cosmetic to soften the skin and prevent chaps, composed of bitter almonds, white of egg, roseAlmond-tree (a'mund-tre), n. water, and rectified spirit. A species of Amygdalus (A. communis); the tree which

Almond (Amygdalus communis).

produces the almond. The leaves and flowers resemble those of the peach, but the fruit is longer and more compressed, the green coat is fibrous, thinner, and drier when ripe, and the shell is not so rugged. The almond-tree is only grown in this country for the sake of its beautiful vernal flowers, which appear before the leaves, as it seldom ripens its fruit even in the south of England, except in unusually hot summers, preceded by mild and uninterrupted springs.

Almond-willow (a'mund-wil-lo), n. The Salix amygdalina, a British species of willow, the leaves of which resemble those of the almond-tree, being light green on both sides.

Almoner (al'mon-ér), n. [0. Fr. almosnier, Fr. aumônier, L. L. almonarius, eleemosynarius, from Gr. eleemosyne, really the same word as E. alms. See ALMS.] A dispenser of alms or charity; more especially an officer who directs or carries out the distribution of charitable doles in connection with religious communities, hospitals, or almshouses, or on behalf of some superior. In England there is a lord-almoner, or lord high-almoner, an ecclesiastical officer, generally a bishop, who formerly had the forfeiture of all deodands and the goods of self-murderers, which he had to distribute to the poor. He distributes twice a year the sovereign's bounty, which consists in giving a silver penny each to as many poor persons as the sovereign is years of age. There is also a sub-almoner, and a hereditary grand almoner. The office of the latter is now almost a sinecure.

Almonry (al'mon-ri), n. [L.L. almonarium, eleemosynarium. See ALMS. Corrupted into ambry, aumbry, or aumery. See AMBRY.]

ALMUCE

1. The place where an almoner resides, or where alms are distributed.-2. A receptacle for articles; a closet; a cupboard; an ambry. See AMBRY.

Almory (al'mo-ri), n. Same as Almonry. Almost (almost), adv. [All and most. In Anglo-Saxon the two elements were written separately, thus: All most who were present' (Sax. Chron.). We now use a duplication, almost all who were present.] Nearly; well nigh; for the greatest part.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts xxvi. 28. Almryt (äm'ri), n. Same as Almonry. Alms (amz), n. [A. Sax. almes, almesse, O.E. almesse, almes, almous, almose, &c., Sc. awmous, borrowed, like G. almosen, Icel. almusa, Fr. aumosne, aumône, from L. eleemosyna, alms, from Gr. eleemosyne, pity. from eleeo, to pity. This English monosyllable alms has descended to us from the Greek and Latin word of six syllables, and it well exemplifies the remark of Horne Tooke that letters, like soldiers, are apt to desert and drop off in a long march." Worcester.] Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a charitable dole; charity.

When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. Mat. vi. 3.

Enoch set himself, Scorning an alms, to work whereby to live. Tennyson. -Tenure by free alms, in England, a tenure by which the possessor is bound to pray for the soul of the donor, whether dead or alive; frankalmoigne (which see). [This word (like riches) is strictly a singular, but its apparently plural form has caused it to be often regarded as grammatically plural.] Alms-deed (amz'ded), n. An act of charity; a charitable gift. Acts ix. 36. Alms-drink (ämz'dringk), n. The leavings of drink, such as might be given away in alms.

2d Serv. Lepidus is high-coloured.

1st Serv. They have made him drink alms-drink.

Alms-fee (ämz'fē), n. Alms-money.

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Shak.

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Almsgiving (ämz'giv-ing), n. The act of giving alms.

Alms-house (amz'hous), n. A house appropriated for the use of the poor who are supported by the public or by a revenue derived from private endowment; a poor-house. Alms-man (ämz'man), n. pl. Alms-men (amz'men). 1. A person supported by charity or by public provision.

Even bees, the little alms-men of spring bowers. Keats. 2. A charitable person. Becon. [Obsolete and rare.]

Almucantar, Almucantert (al-mu-kan'tär, al-mu-kan'tér), n. [Ar. almugantarat, solar quadrant, clock-al, the, and muqan

tarat, circles parallel to the horizon, from qantara, to bend. Mahn.] In astron. a small circle of the sphere parallel to the horizon; a circle or parallel of altitude. When two stars have the same almucantar they have the same altitude.-Almucantar staff, an instrument having an arc of 15°, formerly used to take observations of the sun about the time of its rising or setting, to find the amplitude and the variations of the com

[graphic]

pass.

Almuce, Aumuce (al'mús, a'mus), n. (0. Fr. almuce, aumuce, aumusse, Pr. almussa, Sp. almucio, a hybrid word composed of Ar. al, the, and the Teutonic word seen as G. mütze, a cap, D. mutse, Sc. mutch.] A furred hood having long ends hanging down the front of the dress, something like the stole; worn by

Priest wearing the Almuce. From a sepulchral brass.

ALMUDE

the clergy from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries for warmth when officiating in the church during inclement weather. Almude (al-mūd'), n. [Pg. almude, Sp. almud, Ar. al-mudd, a dry measure; allied to Heb. mad, a measure.] A variable measure for liquids and grain in Spain and Portugal, ranging for liquids from 3 to 54 English gallons; for grain, from 3 to 11 pints. Almug, Algum (al'mug, al'gum), n. [Heb. almuggim, algummim, translated almug or algum trees.] In Scrip. a tree or wood of unknown species. Max Müller identifies the Hebrew word with the Sanskrit valguka, a Malabar name for sandal-wood. Alnage (al'nāj), n. [Fr. aulnage, now softened into aunage, from O. Fr. alne, Fr. aune, from L. ulna, Gr. ōlenë, an arm, a cubit. See ELL.] A measuring by the ell. Alnager, Alnagar (al'na-jėr, al'na-gär), n. A measurer by the ell; formerly in England a sworn officer, whose duty was to inspect and measure woollen cloth, and fix upon it a seal.

Alnath (al'nath), n. The first star in the horns of Aries, whence the first mansion of the moon takes its name. Chaucer. Alnight (al'nīt), n. A cake of wax with the wick in the midst to burn all night. Bacon.

Alnus (al'nus), n. The alder, a genus of plants, nat. order Betulaceae, inhabiting northern temperate regions, and living in a moist soil. A. glutinosa (the common alder) is a well-known tree, which grows in damp places or by the sides of rivers. It supplies excellent charcoal for the manufacture of gunpowder; the bark is valuable for tanning, and the young shoots for dyeing various colours when mixed with other ingredients. Its stems, when hollowed out, are used for water-pipes and underground purposes, and the veiny knots of the wood are cut into veneers by cabinet-makers. A. incana is the Turkey alder, which grows to a larger size than the common alder. A. cordifolia (the heart-leaved alder) is a native of Italy, and is one of the most interesting ornamental trees that have of late years been introduced into cultivation. There are several American species. Alody (al'o-di), n. In law, same as Allodium. Aloe (al'ō), n. [Gr. aloe, Heb. ahālim, ahāloth, the bitter aloe.] 1. The common name of the plants of the genus Aloë, nat. order Liliaceae. They are natives of warm climates, and especially abundant in the southern part of Africa. Among the Mohammedans the aloe is a symbolic plant, especially in Egypt; and every one who returns from a pilgrimage to Mecca hangs it over his street door, as a token that he has performed the journey. In Africa the leaves of some species of aloe are made into ropes, fishing-lines, bow-strings, and hammocks. Several species yield aloes, the well-known bitter purgative medicine. Many species are cultivated in Britain, growing easily on very dry soil. American See AGAVE. 2. pl. A drug, the juice of several species of aloe, obtained from the leaves, sometimes by cutting them across, when the resinous juice exudes and is evaporated into a firm consistence, sometimes by pressing the juice and mucilage out together, and in other cases by dissolving the juice out of the cut

aloe.

Aloë socotrina.

leaves by boiling and then evaporating down to a proper consistency. There are several kinds sold in the shops, as the Socotrine aloes, from A. socotrina, growing in Socotra, an isle near the mouth of the Red Sea; the hepatic or common Barbadoes aloes, from A. sinuata, of the West Indies; and the fetid or caballine aloes. Aloes is a stimulating stomachic purgative; when taken in small doses it is useful for people of a lax habit and sedentary life. chemical principle contained in aloes is called aloïn (which see). Aloes-wood (al'ōz-wöd), n. See AGAL

LOCHUM.

The

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Aloetic, Aloetical (al-ō-et'ik, al-ō-et'ik-al), a. Pertaining to or obtained from the aloe or aloes; partaking of the qualities, or consisting chiefly, of aloes.

Aloetic (al-ō-et'ik), n. A medicine or preparation consisting chiefly of aloes. Aloexylon, Aloexylum (al-o-eks'i-lon, alō-eks'i-lum), n. [Gr. aloe, the aloe, and xylon, wood.] A genus of plants, nat. order Leguminosa. A. Agallochum, the only species, a tree 60 feet high, said to grow on the high mountains of Cochin-China, produces one of the two kinds of calambac, or agallochum, a fragrant wood and resinous perfume, highly prized in the East. The wood is used for inlaying in cabinet-work, and is highly valued, costing £30 per cwt. in Sumatra.

Aloft (a-loft'), adv. [Prefix a, and loft; Icel. à lopt. See LOFT.] 1. On high; in the air; high above the ground; as, the eagle soars aloft.

There's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft To keep watch for the life of poor Jack. Dibdin. 2. Naut. in the top; at the mast-head; or on the higher yards or rigging; hence, on the upper part, as of a building. Aloft (a-loft), prep. On the top or surface of; above. "Now I breathe again aloft the flood.' Shak.

Alogian (a-lõ'ji-an), n. [Gr. a, neg., and logos, word.] One of a sect of ancient heretics, who denied Jesus Christ to be the Logos, and consequently rejected the Gospel of St. John.

Alogyt (al'o-ji),n. [L. alogia, from Gr. alogia, from alogos, unreasonable-a, priv., and logos, word, discourse, reason.] Unreasonableness; absurdity.

The error and alogy in this opinion is worse than in the last. Sir T. Browne.

Aloin (al'o-in), n. (C17H1907.) A crystalline bitter principle got from aloes in pale yellow prismatic needles, grouped in stars. Alomancy (al'o-man-si), n. [Gr. hals, salt, and manteia, divination.] Divination by salt.

Alonde, adv. On land. Chaucer.
Alone (a-lon'), a. or adv. [All and one. The
all and one were formerly printed as sepa-
rate words, thus-The Lord is God al one.'
Robt. of Gloucester. Gower has 'wher he
made his mone, within a gardeine all him
one.' G. allein, Dan. allene, D. alleen, alone,
are all formed in the same way.] 1. Apart
from another or others; single; solitary:
applied to a person or thing; as, to remain
alone; to walk alone.

It is not good that man should be alone. Gen. ii. 18.
And when they were alone, he expounded all
things to his disciples.
Mark iv. 34.

2. Only; to the exclusion of other persons or things; sole or solely; as, he alone remained (different from he remained alone);

two men alone returned.

Man shall not live by bread alone. Luke iv. 4. 3. Without a parallel; above all things; rare; par excellence.

Her worth makes other worthies nothing.
She is alone.

Shak.

I am alone the villain of the earth. Shak. [In second sense alone sometimes comes attributively before a noun. The alone merits of our Lord Jesus Christ.' John Wesley. Even one alone verse sometimes makes a perfect poeme. Ben Jonson.]

-To let alone. See under LET. Alonely (a-lõnʼli), a. Exclusive. The alonely rule of the land rested in the queen. Fabyan. Alonelyt (a-lōn'li), adv. Only; merely; singly. This said spirit was not given alonely unto him, but unto all his heirs and posterity. Latimer. Aloneness (a-lōn'nes), n. The state of being alone or without company.

Along (a-long'), adv. [This word represents the A. Sax. andlang, endlong, anlongTeut. prefix and, ant, ent, and long; G. entlang, along. Comp. Fr. le long de, through the length of.] 1. By the length; lengthwise; in a line with the length.

Some laid along, And bound with burning wires, on spokes of wheels are hung. Dryden.

2. In a line, or with a progressive motion; onward; as, let us walk along. A firebrand carried along leaveth a train." Bacon.-3. In company; together. 'He shall to England along with you.' Shak. All along, the whole length; through the whole distance; in the whole way or length.

Ishmael went forth, weeping all along as he went. Jer. xli. 6.

ALP

Along (a-long), prep. By the length of, as distinguished from across; in a longitudinal direction over; as, the troops marched along the banks of the river, or along the highway. 1 Sam. vi. 12.

Along (a-long), prep. [A. Sax. gelang, owing to, O.E. ilong, and often contracted into long (see LONG, prep.); allied to gelingan, to happen.] Owing to; on account of. It was formerly used with a genitive, later with the prepositions on or of, occasionally with. All along of the accursed gold.' Sir W. Scott.

I cannot tell whereon it was along,

But well I wot great strife is us among. Chaucer. 'Tis all along of you that I am thus haunted. Henry Brooke. This preposition is now always followed by of, and its use is mainly confined to the vulgar or uneducated. Sir W. Scott no doubt used it to give an antique flavour to his style. He also used the shorter form long similarly (see LONG).

Alongshore (a-long'shōr), adv. By the shore or coast; lengthwise and near the shore.Alongshore man, a labourer employed about shipping.

Alongside (a-long'sid), adv. Along or by the side; beside each other; as, to be alongside of the wall; two vessels lie alongside.

Alongside (a-long'sid), prep. Beside; by the side of; as, the vessel lay alongside the wharf. [Here alongside may be regarded as the adverb with of omitted.] Alongst (a-longst'), prep. Along; through or by the length of.

The Turks did keep straight watch and ward in all their parts alongst the sea-coast. Knolles. Aloof (a-löf'), adv. [O.E. a-lofe-prefix a, on, and loof or luff, windward; to keep aloof is to keep to windward of a person.] At a distance, but within view; apart; separated. It is necessary the Queen join, for if she stand aloof there will be still suspicions. Suckling.

My lovers and my friends stand aloof. Ps. xxxviii. 11. Aloof (a-löf'), prep. At or to a distance from; away or apart from. The great luminary, Aloof the vulgar constellations thick, That from his lordly eye keep distance due, Dispenses light from far. Milton Aloofness (a-löf'nes), n. The state of being aloof, or of keeping at a distance. Unfaithfulness and aloofness of such as have been greatest friends.' Dan. Rogers. Alopecurus (a-lō-pē-kū'rus), n. [Gr. alōpēz, a fox, and oura, a tail.] Foxtail-grass, a genus of grasses, natives of temperate and cold regions. Six species are natives of Britain; some, like A. agrestis, being troublesome weeds; others, as A. pratensis, being good fodder plants. See FOXTAIL-GRASS.

Alopecy (al'o-pe-si), n. [L. alopecia, Gr. alōpekia, from alōpex, a fox, because foxes are said to be subject to this disease.] A disease called the fox-evil or scurf, which is accompanied by a falling off of the hair, not only from the scalp but from the beard and eyebrows. Sometimes loosely applied to any kind of baldness.

Alosa (a-lō'sa), n. The genus of fishes, family Clupeidæ, including the shad (which see). Alose, tv.t. [Prefix a, and obs. lose, to praise.] To praise; to fame. Chaucer. Aloud (a-loud'), adv. [Prefix a, and loud. See LOUD.] With a loud voice or great noise; loudly. Cry aloud, spare not. Is. lviii. 1. Alow (a-lō'), adv. [Prefix a, and low.] In a low place, or a lower part: opposed to aloft. [Rare.]

And now alow and now aloft they fly. Dryden. Alowe (a-lou'), adv. [Prefix a, on, and lowe, flame.] A-fire; in a flame. [Scotch.]-To gang alowe, to take fire, or be set on fire; to blaze; to be burned.

That discreet man Cardinal Beaton is e'en to gang alowe this blessed day if we dinna stop it. Tennant Aloysia (a-loi'si-a), n. A genus of plants, nat. order Verbenacea, to which belongs a shrub, A. citriodora, much cultivated in greenhouses and apartments in Britain for the grateful fragrance which its leaves emit when slightly bruised. It is popularly known as Verbena, and was formerly known to botanists as Verbena triphylla.

Alp (alp), n. An old and local name for the bullfinch.

Alp (alp), n. [Gael. alp, a height; W. alp, a craggy rock or precipice; Ir. ailp, a mass Grimm associates alp with alb, white, in

ALPACA

allusion to snow-capped hills. See ALBION.] A high mountain; specifically, in the plural, the great mountain-ranges in Switzerland, the north of Italy, and in Austria, comprising the loftiest mountains in Europe.

North breath of vernal air from snowy alp. Milton. Hills peep o'er hills, and alps on alps arise. Pope.

Alpaca (al-pak'a), n. [Peruv. paco, alpaco. The al is probably the Ar. art. the, through the Spanish] 1. A ruminant mammal, of the camel tribe, and genus Auchenia (4. Paco), a native of the Andes, especially of

Alpaca (Auchenia Paco).

the mountains of Chili and Peru, and so closely allied to the llama that by some it is regarded rather as a smaller variety than a distinct species. It has been domesticated, and remains also in a wild state. In form and size it approaches the sheep, but has a longer neck. It is valued chiefly for its long, soft, and silky wool, which is straighter than that of the sheep, and very strong, and is woven into fabrics of great beauty. Its flesh is pleasant and wholesome.-2. A fabric manufactured from the hair or wool of the alpaca, used for shawls, clothing for warm climates, coat-linings, and very largely for umbrellas

Alpen (al'pen), a. Of or pertaining to the Alps; Alpine. The Alpen snow.' J. Fletcher. Alpen-horn (al'pen-horn), n. [G. Alpen, the Alps, and horn, a horn.] A very long, powerful, nearly straight horn, but curving slightly

Alpen-horn.

and widening towards its extremity, used on the Alps to convey signals, and formerly by the Swiss to sound the charge in battle. Called also Alp-horn.

Alpen-stock (al'pen-stok), n. [G., Alpen, the Alps, and stock, a stick.] A strong tall stick shod with iron, pointed at the end so as to take hold in, and give support on, ice and other dangerous places in climbing the Alps and other high mountains. Alpestrine (al-pes'trin), a Pertaining or peculiar to the Alps or other mountainous regions. Alpestrine diseases.' Dana. [Rare.] Alpha (alfa), n. [Gr., from Heb. aleph, from ally, an ox; perhaps because originally the outline of the letter represented an ox's head, or because the name of the animal commenced with this letter. ] The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and used to denote first or beginning; as. I am Alpha and Omega.' Rev. i. 8. It was formerly used also to denote chief; as, Plato was the alpha of the wits. Alphabet (alfa-bet), n. [Gr. alpha and ta, A and B.] 1. The letters of a language

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arranged in the customary order; the series of letters or characters which form the elements of written language.-2. A series of dashes, dots, &c., to be used in telegraphy in the transmission of messages.-3. First elements; simplest rudiments; as, not to know the alphabet of a science. Alphabet (alfa-bet), v. t. To arrange in the order of an alphabet; to mark by the letters of the alphabet.

Alphabetarian (al'fa-bet-a"ri-an), n. A learner of the alphabet. Alphabetic, Alphabetical (al-fa-bet'ik, alfa-bet'ik-al), a. Pertaining to an alphabet; furnished with an alphabet; expressed by an alphabet; in the order of an alphabet, or in the order of the letters as customarily arranged.

Alphabetically (al-fa-bet'ik-al-li), adv. In an alphabetical manner; in the customary order of the letters.

Alphabetize (al'fa-bet-iz), v. t. To arrange alphabetically.

Alphenic (al-fen'ik), n. [Sp. alfenique, from Ar. al-fanid, sweetness, sugar; Per. fanid, panid, sugar-candy.] In med. white barleysugar, used for colds.

Alphitomancy (al-fit'o-man-si), n. [Fr., from Gr.alphiton, barley-meal, and manteia, divination.] Divination by means of barley

meal.

Alphonsin (al-fon'sin), n. A surgical instrument for extracting bullets from wounds, so called from its inventor, Alphonso Ferri of Naples. It consists of three arms, which close by a ring, and open when it is drawn back.

Alphonsine (al-fon'sin), a. Of or pertaining to any person of the name of Alphonso.-Alphonsine tables, astronomical tables published in 1488 and succeeding years, under the patronage of Alphonso X., king of Castile and Leon.

Alp-horn (alp'horn), n.

horn.

Same as Alpen

Alphos, Alphus (al'fos, al'fus), n. [Gr. alphos, white.] That species of leprosy, called also vitiligo, in which the skin is rough, with white patches and rose-coloured areolæ. Alpia, n. See ALPIST.

Alpigene (al'pi-jen), a. [L. Alpes, the Alps, and gigno, genui, to produce.] Produced or growing in alpine regions. [Rare.] Alpine (al'pin), a. [L. alpinus, from Alpes.] Of or pertaining to, or connected with, the Alps, or any lofty mountain; very high; elevated; as, alpine plants.

Alpine (al'pin), n. A plant, as for instance a kind of strawberry, growing on lofty hills.

Alpinery (al-pin'èr-i), n. A place in a garden or pleasure-ground, specially adapted for the cultivation of alpine plants. Alpist, Alpia (al'pist, al'pi-a), n. The seed of the canary-grass (Phalaris canariensis), raised largely in the Isle of Thanet for feeding birds, especially canaries; the seed of various species of Alopecurus, or foxtailgrass, also used for feeding birds. Alquier (al'ker), n. [Fr. from Pg. alquiere, and that from Ar. al-kayl, a measure properly of grain, from kala, to measure grain.] A dry as well as a liquid measure in Portugal, containing half an almude, or about 2 gallons.

Elias is come already.

Alquifou, Alquifore (al'ki-fö, al'ki-fōr), n. [Fr. alquifoux, Sp. alquifol: of Arabic origin.] A sort of lead ore found in Cornwall, used by potters to give a green varnish to their wares, and called potter's ore. A small mixture of manganese gives it a blackish hue. Called also Arquifoux. Already (al-red'i), adv. [All and ready. See READY.] Before the present time; before some specified time, either future, present, or past. Mat. xvii. 12. Joseph was in Egypt already. Ex. i. 5. It has reference to past time, but may be used for a future past; as, when you shall arrive the business will be already completed, or will have been completed already. Alst (als), adv. or conj. [Corrupted from A. Sax. eall-swa, alswa, that is, all-so; whence also and as.] 1. Also; likewise.-2. As. Alsatian (al-sa'shi-an), a. 1. Of or pertaining to the province of Alsace (G. Elsass), in Germany.-2. Of or pertaining to Alsatia, formerly a cant name for Whitefriars, a district in London between the Thames and Fleet Street, and adjoining the Temple, which, possessing certain privileges of sanctuary, became for that reason a nest of mischievous characters, who were generally

ALTAR

obnoxious to the law. These privileges it derived from having been an establishment of the Carmelites or White Friars (founded in 1241), and James I. confirmed and added to them by charter in 1608. They were abolished in 1697. The name Alsatia is a Latinized form of Alsace, a German province on the frontiers of France, which, like our own debatable land,' was a harbour for necessitous or troublesome characters from both countries.

Alsatian (al-sa'shi-an), n. 1. A native or inhabitant of the province of Alsace (G. Elsass), in Germany.-2. An inhabitant of Alsatia, or Whitefriars, London. Al-segno (al-sa'nyo), n. [It.] In music, to the sign: a direction to the performer that he must return to that portion of the piece marked with the sign S, and conclude with the first double bar which follows, or go on to the word Fine, or the pause Alsike-clover (al'sik-klo'ver), n. [From Alsike, a place in Sweden.] A species of clover (Trifolium hybridum), with pinkish or white flowers. It is called hybrid clover from being apparently intermediate between T. pratense, or common red, and T. repens, white or Dutch clover. It is a good pasture plant.

Al sirat (al se'rat), n. [Ar] In Mohammedan theol. the bridge extending over the abyss of hell which must be crossed by every one on his journey to heaven. It is finer than a hair, as sharp as the edge of a sword, and beset with thorns on either side. The righteous will pass over with ease and swiftness, but the wicked will fall into hell below.

Also (al'so), adv. and conj. eall-swa, ealswa, alswa, the whole, and swa, so. like manner; likewise.

[graphic]

[All and so. A. Sax. from eall, eal, all, See ALS, AS.] 1. In

As the blame of ill-succeeding things Shall light on you, so light the harmes also. Old play. 2. In addition; too; further.

God do so to me, and more also: for thou shalt surely die. 1 Sam. xiv. 44.

Alsophila (al-so'fl-la), n. [Gr. alsos, a grove, and phileo, to love-from the habitat of the plant.] A genus of tropical cyatheaceous ferns, often becoming magnificent trees, distinguished from the allied forms by having no indusium to the sorus. A. excelsa of Norfolk Island rises to the height of 80 feet. Alstroemeria (al-stre-me'ri-a), n. [In honour of Baron Claudius Alstromer, a Swedish botanist.] A beautiful genus of South American plants, nat. order Amaryllidaceæ,much culti vated in our greenhouses.

Alt (alt). In music, a term applied to the high notes of the scale.

Altaic, Altaian (al-ta'ik, al-ta'yan), a. Pertaining to the Altai, a vast range of mountains extending in an easterly direction through a considerable part of Asia, and forming part of the boundary between the Russian and Chinese dominions.-Altaic or Altaian family of languages, a family of languages occupying a portion of Northern and Eastern Europe, and nearly the whole of Northern and Central Asia, together with some other regions, and divided into five branches, the Ugrian or Finno-Hungarian, Samoyedic, Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic. Also called Scythian, Ural-Altaic, Tataric, and Turanian.

Altair (al'ta-er), n. The Arabic name for a Aquila, the most important star in the constellation Aquila. It is one of the stars of which the lunar distances are calculated and tabulated in the Nautical Almanac, and is therefore useful in finding the longitude. Altaite (al-ta'it), n. A mineral found, with petzite, in the Altai Mountains. It consists of lead and tellurium, with a small proportion of silver. Altambour (al-tam-bör), n. [Ar. al, the, and tumbur, a kind of lute or guitar, a drum.] A large Spanish or Moorish drum. Altar (alter), n. [L. altare, from a root seen in L. altus, high.] 1. An elevated place on which sacrifices were offered or incense burned to a deity. The earliest altars were turf mounds, large flat-topped stones, or other rude elevations, natural or artificial; but when temples came to be built altars were made of hewn stone or marble, and became progressively more and more adorned. Greek and Roman altars were round, triangular, or square in form, often adorned with sculpture of the most tasteful and elaborate description, and bearing inscriptions. The Jews had the altar of burnt-offering, which stood at the entrance to the tabernacle, and after

[graphic]

ALTARAGE

wards occupied a corresponding site in the temple, and the altar of incense, which stood in the holy place. Both were made of shittim

Ancient Heathen Altars.

wood, and the former was overlaid with brass. the latter with gold.--2. In some Christian churches the term applied to the communion-table. In the primitive church it was of wood, subsequently of stone, marble, or bronze, adorned with rich architectural ornaments, sculptures, and paintings. With the introduction of Gothic art altar architecture acquired a new and exalted character, the simple table being now often developed into

Gothic Altar.-Church of St. Waudru, Mons.

a structure pointing heavenward, magnificent as a whole, and full of symbolic meaning. See ALTAR-TABLE.

Altarage (al'tér-aj), n. 1. Offerings made upon an altar or to a church.-2. The profits arising to priests from oblations, gifts, or dues on account of the altar; the small tithes. Called also Altar-dues.-3. In Scotland, formerly an endowment granted for the saying of masses at a particular altar for deceased friends. Altar-bread (al'tér-bred), n.

Bread prepared for the eucharist. According to the use of the Roman Catholic Church it is round and unleavened and stamped with an IHS or a crucifix.

Altar-card (al'ter-kärd), n. A printed or written transcript of certain portions of the communion service for the use of the priest officiating at the altar.

Altar-carpet (al'tér-kär-pet), n. Same as Altar-cloth.

Altar-cloth (al'tér-kloth), n. The cloth that covers the altar, and hangs down in front, the portion hanging down in front being called the antependium, and that which covers the top the super-frontal. Altar-dues (al'ter-düz), n. pl. Same as Altarage, 1.

Altar-fire (al'tér-fir), n. Fire on an altar. Altar-frontal (al'tér-front-al), n. Same as Antependium.

Altar-hearse (al'tér-hers), n. A term sometimes applied to the frame supporting a

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temporary canopy erected over an altar on special solemnities. Rev. F. G. Lee. Altar-horn (al'tér-horn), n. One of the western corners of the altar. The north corner is called the Gospel horn, the southern the Epistle horn. Rev. F. G. Lee. Altarist, Altar-thane (al'tér-ist, al'térthan), n. In old law, an appellation given to the priest to whom the altarage belonged; also, a chaplain.

Altar-ledge (al'tér-lej), n. A step or ledge behind an altar, on which the cross, candlesticks, and flower-vases are placed. Rev. F. G. Lee.

Altar-piece (al'tér-pēs), n. A painting or piece of sculpture placed behind or above an altar in a church; also the decorative portion of an altar. Altar-rail (al'tèr-ral), n. The low rail or balustrade which fences off the sanctuary from the choir in the chancel. Altar-screen (al'ter-skren), n. In arch. (a) the partition of stone, wood, or metal, behind the high altar, separating the choir from the east end of the building. (b) The shrine or tabernacle work inclosing the painted or sculptured altar-piece. Altar-side (al'ter-sid), n. That part of the altar which faces the congregation. Altar-stairs (al'tér-starz), n. pl. Stairs leading up to an altar.

The great world's altar-stairs,

That slope thro' darkness up to God. Tennyson. Altar-stole (al'tér-stōl), n. A mediæval ornament shaped like the ends of a stole, which hung down in front of the altarcloth. Rev. F. G. Lee.

Altar-table (al'tèr-ta'bl), n. A table, generally of wood, and supported on four legs, on which, in the Church of England, the communion elements are placed; the communion table. At first this table was placed

Wooden Altar-table, time of James I.-St. Clement's Church, Townstall, Devonshire.

by the Reformers in the situation occupied by the old stone altars, namely, attached to an eastern wall. This position gave umbrage to the Puritans, and Cromwell caused it to be removed to the middle of the chancel, and to be surrounded with seats for the communicants. At the Restoration it was almost universally replaced in its ancient position. When used it is covered with a white linen cloth.

Altar-thane. See ALTARIST.

Altar-tomb (al'ter-töm), n. In arch, a raised tomb, or monument surmounting a tomb, having a general resemblance to an altar:

Tomb of the Black Prince, Canterbury Cathedral. altar-tombs are frequently surmounted by a recumbent effigy. Altar-vase (al'tér-vaz), n. A vase for holding flowers to decorate the altar.

ALTERCATION

Altar-vessel (al'ter-ves'el), n. One of the vessels used in the services of the altar, namely, the chalice, paten, and ciborium. Altar-wall (al'tér-wal), n. The wall behind an altar.

Altar-wise (al'tér-wiz), adv. Placed in the manner of an altar, that is, with its ends towards the north and south. Abp. Laud Altazimuth (alt-az'i-muth), n. [Abbrev. of altitude-azimuth.] In astron. a telescope so arranged as to be capable of being turned round horizontally to any point of the compass, and so differing from a transit-circle, which is fixed in the meridian. The altazimuth is brought to bear upon objects by motions affecting their altitude and azimuth. Called also an Altitude-and-azimuth Instrument.

Alter (alter), v. t. [L.L. altero, to change, from alter, another of two-made up of root al, another, seen in alius, Gr. allos, another, and compar. suffix ter, seen in L. uter. whether, Gr. heteros, another E. ther in other, &c.] 1. To make some change in; to make different in some particular; to vary in some degree, without an entire change. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Ps. lxxxix. 34.

2. To change entirely or materially; as, to alter an opinion.

She promised that no force,
Persuasion, no, nor death could alter her.
Tennyson.

See

3. To exchange. 'She that would alter services with thee.' Shak. 4. To agitate. 'Altered and moved inwardly.' Milton.Altered strata, in geol. strata whose constituent mineral elements have undergone physical and chemical change, under the influence of heat and moisture, percolation of mineral solutions, or of pressure. Metamorphic Rocks under METAMORPHIC Alter, Change. In general alter is to change partially, while change is more commonly to substitute one thing for another, or to make a material difference in a thing. Alter (al'ter), v. i. To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change. The law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.' Dan. vi. 8.

Love is not love which alters.

[graphic]
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Shak

Alterability (al'tér-a-bil'i-ti), n. The quality of being susceptible of alteration. Alterable (al'tér-a-bl), a. Capable of being altered, varied, or made different. Alterableness (al'tèr-a-bl-nes), n. The quality of being alterable or admitting alteration; variableness.

Alterably (al'tér-a-bli), adv. In an alterable manner; so as to be altered or varied. Alteraget (al'tèr-aj), n. [From alo, alitum or altum, to feed, or from alter, another.] The nourishing or fostering of a child. Sir J. Davies.

Alterant+ (al'tér-ant), a. Altering; gradually changing. Whether the body be alterant or altered.' Bacon. Alterant (al'ter-ant), n. An alterative (which see). [Rare.]

Alteratet (al'tér-at), p. and a. 1. Altered; changed.-2. Fickle; changeable. Chaucer.

Alteration (al-tér-a'shon), n. [L. alteratio. See ALTER.] The act of altering, making different, or of varying in some particular; the state of being altered; also, the change made, or the loss or acquisition of qualities not essential to the form or nature of a thing.

Appius Claudius admitted to the senate the sons of those who had been slaves; by which, and succeeding alterations, that council degenerated into a most corrupt body. Suyft. Alterative (al'tér-at-iv), a. Causing alteration; having the power to alter; especially. in med. having the power to restore the healthy functions of the body, without sensible evacuations.

Alterative (alter-at-iv), n. A medicine, as mercury, iodine, &c., which, administered in small doses, gradually induces a change in the habit or constitution, and imperceptibly alters disordered secretions and actions, and restores healthy functions without producing any sensible evacuation by perspiration, purging, or vomiting. Altercate (al'tér-kát), v.i. [L. altercor, altercatus, to wrangle, from alter, another ] To contend in words; to dispute with zeal, heat, or anger; to wrangle. Altercation (al-ter-ka'shon), n. [L altercatio. See ALTERCATE.] The act of altercating; warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle. As if the constitution of our

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