Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

ALTER EGO

country were to be always a subject rather of altercation than enjoyment. Burke. Alter ego (alter ego) [L.] Another or second I; another self: a title sometimes applied to a person who has full powers to act for another, as to a Spanish viceroy when exercising regal power. It was applied to the crown-prince at Naples when he was appointed vicar-general during an insurrection in July, 1820.

Alterity (al-teri-ti), n. [L. alter, another.] State or quality of being another, or different. [Rare.]

Your outness is but the feeling of otherness (al ferty) rendered intuitive, or alterity visually repreColeridge.

seated.

[blocks in formation]

2 In crystallography, exhibiting on two parts, an upper and a lower part, faces which alternate among themselves, but which, when the two parts are compared, correspond with each other.-Altern base, in trigon, a term used in distinction from the true base. Thus, in oblique triangles, the true base is the sum of the sides, in which case the difference of the sides is the altern base; or inversely, when the true base is the difference of the sides, the sum of the sides is the altern base.

Alternacy (al-tér 'na-si), n. The state of being alternate; performance by turns. [Rare.]

The alternacy of rhymes in a stanza gives a variety that may support the poet, without the aid of music, to a greater length. Mitford.

Alternal (al-ternal), a. Alternative. [Rare.] Alternally (al-ter'nal-li), adv. By turns. [Rare.]

Their men obeyed

Alternally both generals' commands. May. Alternant (al-ter'nant), a. Alternating; specifically, in geol. composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.

Alternat (al-ter-nä), n. [Fr., from L. alterno, alternatum, to alternate.] In diplomacy, a right in virtue of which several states, in order to preserve the equality between them, take each in turn the first place; for example, in the signature of treaties. Alternate (al-ter nat), a. [L. alternatus. See ALTERN.] 1. Being by turns; following

one another in succession of time or place; hence, reciprocal.

And bid alternate passions fall and rise. Pope. Specifically, in bot. (a) placed on opposite sides of an axis on a different level; as, alternate leaves. (b) Placed between other bodies of the same or different whorls, as in an umbellifer, where the stamens are alternate with, that is between, the petals 2 Belonging to a series between every pair in which a member of another series intervenes; having one intervening between each pair: every second; as, only the alter

Alternate Leaves.

nate lines should be read; the odd numbers form one series of alternate numerals, the even numbers another -3. Consisting of alternate parts or members, proceeding by alternation; as, an alternate series; alternate rhyming; alternate proportion.-Alternate angles, in geom. the internal angles made by two lines with

a third, on opposite sides of it. If the two lines are parallel, the alternate angles are equal Thus, if the parallels AB, CD be cut by the line EF, the angles AGH, GHD, as

C

also the angles BGH and GH C, are called alternate angles-Alternate proportion, the equal proportion that subsists between the alternate members of the pairs of a series of proportionals. Thus, if a:b::c:d; then, by alternate proportion, a:e::b: d.-Alter nate quarters, in her. the first and fourth quarters, and the second and third, which are usually of the same nature.-Alternate

eh, chain; ch, Sc. loch; g, go; j, job;

81

generation, in zool. that modification of generation by which the young do not resemble their parent, but their grand-parent or some remote ancestor: called also Heterogenesis, Metagenesis, and Xenogenesis. See HETERO

GENESIS.

Alternate (al-ter'nāt), n. 1. That which happens by turns with something else; vicissitude. [Rare.]

Rais'd in pleasure, or repos'd in ease,
Grateful alternates of substantial peace.

Prior. 2. In American Presb. Ch. one who takes the place of another in performing duty; a Alternate (al'ter-nat or al-ter'nat), v. t. pret. substitute. & pp. alternated; ppr. alternating. [L. alterno, alternatum, to do first one thing then a second. See ALTER.] 1. To perform by turns, or in succession.

[blocks in formation]

of good and evil.

Ob. Grew.

Alternate (al'ter-nāt or al-ter'nat), v.i. 1. To follow one another in time or place reciprocally: often followed by with; as, the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other. 'Different species alternating with each other.' Kirwan.

Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast. Alternately (al-ternat-li), adv. 7. Philips. In an alternate manner: (a) in reciprocal succession; by turns, so that each is succeeded by that which it succeeds, in the same way as night follows day and day follows night. (b) With the omission or intervention of one between each pair; as, read the lines alternately; in French prosody male and female rhymes follow one another in couplets alternately.-Alternately pinnate, in bot. a term used when the leaflets of a pinnate leaf are placed on the one side of a common petiole, opposite the spaces on the other side.

Alternateness (al-ter'nāt-nes), n. The state or quality of being alternate, or of following in succession.

Alternation (al-ter-na'shon), n. 1. The act of alternating, or state of being alternate; the reciprocal succession of things in time or place; the act of following and being fol lowed in succession; as, we observe the alternation of day and night, cold and heat, summer and winter.-2. In math. (a) the different changes or alterations of orders in numbers; called more commonly Permutation. (b) Alternate proportion. See under ALTERNATE.-3. In church ritual, the response of the congregation speaking alternately with the minister.-Alternation of generation. See Alternate Generation under ALTERNATE.

Alternative (al-ter'na-tiv), a. [Fr. alternatif.] 1. Offering a choice or possibility of one of two things.

The conscience of mankind, and the voice alike of philosophy and of religion, reject with equal horror his (J. S. Mill's) alternative solution of the origin of evil, that the Creator of the world is either the author of evil or the slave of it. Ed. Rev.

2. Alternate; reciprocal. Holland.-3. In bot. applied to the aestivation or arrangement of the flower-buds of plants, where the inner whorl alternates with the outer. Alternative (al-ter'na-tiv), n. A choice between two things, so that if one is taken the other must be left, or a possibility of one of two things, so that if one is false the other must be true. The things in question are also called alternatives, and in strictness the word cannot be applied to more than two things, and when one thing only is offered for choice, it is said there is no alternative. Between these alternatives there is no middle ground. Cranch. Alternatively (al-tér'na-tiv-li), adv. In an alternative manner; in a manner that admits the choice or possibility of one out of two things. Alternativeness (al-ter'na-tiv-nes), n. The quality or state of being alternative. Alternity + (al-ter'ni-ti), n. Succession by turns; alternation. The alternity and vicissitude of rest.' Sir T. Browne. Althea (al-the'a), n. [Gr. althaia, from althō, or althaino, to heal.] A genus of plants, nat. order Malvaceae, including the hollyhock (4. rosea), and the marsh-mallow (A.

f, Fr. ton; ng, sing; TH, then; th, thin;

ALTITUDE

officinalis). The so-called A. frutex of the gardens does not belong to the genus, but is a Hibiscus (H. syriacus)

Althein, Altheine (al-the'in), n. (CH SO or CHSO.) A white crystallizable substance contained in the root of the mallow (Althea officinalis) and asparagus; asparagin (which see).

Although (al-THO), conj. [All and though; comp. albeit. See THOUGH.] Grant all this; be it so; allow all; suppose that; admit all that; notwithstanding.-Although, Though. These words approach very nearly in meaning. Although is perhaps the stronger and more pronounced, bringing the adversative proposition into greater prominence. It is, therefore, generally preferred to commence a sentence.

Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. Mark xiv. 29. The sound of love makes your soft heart afraid, And guard itself, though but a child invade. Waller. Altiloquencet (al-til'ō-kwens),n. [See ALTILOQUENT.] Lofty speech; pompous language. Bailey.

Altiloquentt (al-til'o-kwent), a. [L. altus, high, and loquens, loquentis, ppr. of loquor, to speak.] High-sounding; pompous in lanAltimeter (al-tim'et-ér), n. [L. altus, high, guage. Ash. and Gr. metron, measure.] An instrument for taking altitudes by geometrical principles, as a quadrant, sextant, or theodolite. Altimetry (al-tim'et-ri), n. The art of ascertaining altitudes by means of an altimeter, and by trigonometrical principles without actual mensuration.'

Altincar (al-tin'kär), n. [See TINCAL.] Crude borax, employed in refining metals; tincal Altiscope (al'ti-skop), n. [L. altus, high, and (which see). Gr. skopeo, to look at.] An instrument consisting of an arrangement of lenses and mirrors in a vertical telescopic tube, by means of which a person is able to overlook objects intervening between himself and the object he desires to see. When the sections of the tube are extended, the view is received upon an upper mirror placed at an angle of 45° and reflected thence down the tube to a lower mirror, where it is seen by the observer.

Altisonant, Altisonous (al-tis'o-nant, altis'o-nus), a. [L. altus, high, and sonans, sounding, from sonus, sound.] High-sounding; lofty or pompous, as language. 'Altisonant phrases.' Evelyn. Altitonant (al-tit'o-nant), a. [L. altus, high, and tono, to thunder.] Thundering from on high; high-thundering. [Rare and poetical.]

Altitude (al'ti-tud), n. [L. altitudo-altus, high, and tudo, a common termination denoting state,condition, or manner.] 1. Space extended upward; height; the elevation of an object above its foundation, the ground, or a given level; or the elevation of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain or column; the altitude of a cloud, or of a bird above a tree.-2. The elevation of a point, or star, or other object above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical intercepted between such point and the horizon. It is either apparent or true. Apparent altitude is that which appears by observations made at any place on the surface of the earth; true altitude, that which results by correcting the apparent for refraction, parallax, and dip of the horizon.-3. Highest point or degree.

He did it to please his mother, and to be partly proud; which he is, even to the altitude of his virShak.

[graphic]

tue.

4. Elevation of spirit, especially from liquor; haughty air: in this sense generally used in the plural.

The man of law began to get into his altitudes. Sir W. Scott. -Accessible altitude, the altitude of an object whose base we can have access to, so as to measure the distance between it and the station from which the measure is to be taken. Inaccessible altitude, the altitude of an object whose base cannot be approached.-Refraction of altitude, an arc of a vertical circle, by which the true altitude of a heavenly body is increased, on account of refraction.-Parallax of altitude. See PARALLAX.-Altitude, or elevation of the pole, the arc of the meridian intercepted between the pole and the horizon. It is equal to the latitude of the place.-Meridian altitude, an arc of the meridian be

w, wig; wh, whig; zh, azure.-See KEY.

ALTITUDINARIAN

tween the horizon and any star or point on the meridian.

Altitudinarian (al'ti-tu-di-nă "ri-an), a. Aspiring. Coleridge. [Rare.]

Altivolant (al-tiv'o-lant), a. [L. altus, high, and volans, flying.] Flying high. Bailey. [Rare.]

Alto (al'to or äl'to). [It., from L. altus, high.] High; a common element in terms in music and art, derived from the Italian; as, alto-ripieno, alto-rilievo.

Alto (al'to or äl'to), n. [So called from being higher than the tenor, to which in old music the melody was assigned.] In music, (a) Same as Contralto. (b) The instrument called in England the tenor-violin, and by the Italians the viola.

Alto-clef (al'to-klef), n. In music, the C clef, placed upon the third line of the staff, in order that the notes proper for the alto voice may be conveniently represented. Alto-faggotta (al'to-fag-got"ta or äl'to-fäggot"ta). An old musical instrument played with a reed and mouthpiece similar to a clarionet.

Altogether (al-tu-geтH'èr), adv. [All and together.] Wholly; entirely; completely; quite.

Every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Ps. xxxix. 5.
Same as Alti-

Altometer (al-tom'et-ér), n.
meter (which see).
Alto-relievo (al'to-re-lē"vo), n. Same as
Alto-rilievo (which see).

Alto-rilievo (al'to-re-lé-a"vo). [It. See ALTO and RELIEF.] High relief: a term applied in regard to sculptured figures to express that they stand out boldly from the back-ground, projecting more than half their thickness without being entirely detached; thus a piece of sculpture is said to be an alto-rilievo or in alto rilievo. In mezzo- rilievo, or

Alto-rilievo-Battle of Centaurs and Lapitha.

middle relief, the projection is one-half, and in basso-rilievo, or bas-relief, less than onehalf. Alto-rilievo is further distinguished from mezzo-rilievo by some portion of the figures standing usually quite free from the surface on which they are carved, while in the latter the figures though rounded are not detached in any part. Frequently, though less properly, spelled Alto-relievo. Alto-ripieno (al'to-re-pe-a"no). [It.] The tenor of the great chorus, which sings and plays only in particular places. Alto-viola (al'to-vi'o-la or äl'tō-vē'ō-lä), n. [It.] The tenor instrument of the violin family.

Altruism (al′trö-izm), n._ (Pr. altrui, Fr autrui, others, from L. alter, another.] A term first employed by the Positivists, or followers of the French philosopher Comte, to signify devotion to others or to humanity: the opposite of selfishness. Altruistic (al-trö-ist'ik), a. Pertaining or relating to altruism; regardful of others; having regard to the well-being or best interests of others: opposed to selfish. Aludel (al'ü-del), n. [Fr. and Sp.] In old chem. a name given to a pear-shaped glass or earthen pot open at both ends, somewhat resembling the ancient alembic, used for sublimating mercury.

Alula (al-u'la), n. [L., dim. of ala, a wing.] In ornith. the bastard wing or winglet, consisting of a group of stiff feathers attached to the bone of the wing that represents the

thumb.

Alum (al'um), n. [L. alumen.] A general name for a class of double sulphates containing aluminium and such metals as potassium, ammonium, iron, &c. Common or

82

potash alum has the formula K A12SO4 + 12 HO. It is produced by adding potassium sulphate or chloride to crude aluminium sulphate obtained from alum shale by the action of sulphuric acid, or by roasting shale which contains alumina and pyrites, whereby the sulphur of the latter is oxidized to sulphuric acid, which, acting on the alumina, produces aluminium sulphate. Alum crystallizes in beautiful octahedra which are white, transparent, and very astringent. Alum is of great use in medicine and the arts. In medicine it is used as an astringent-internally, in hemoptoë, diarrhoea, and dysentery; externally, as a styptic applied to bleeding vessels, and as an escharotic. In the arts it is used in dyeing, as a mordant to fix colours; in making candles, for hardening the tallow; in tanning, for restoring the cohesion of skins; in baking it is employed to whiten bread. It occurs in a native state only in small quantities. Alum (al'um), v.t. To steep in or impregnate with a solution of alum. Alumen (al'u-men), n. [L.] Alum (which see).

Alumina (al-u'min-a), n. (Al2O3.) The oxide of aluminium, the most abundant of the earths. It is widely diffused over the globe in the shape of clay, loam, and other similar substances; the adamantine spar, the ruby, corundum, and sapphire are alumina nearly pure and crystallized. In these forms alumina is, next to the diamond, the hardest substance known. Its great value in the arts depends on its affinity for vegetable colouring matters and animal fibres. forms the base of the lakes in dyeing, and acts also as a mordant. Alumine (al'u-min), n. Same as Alumina. Aluminiferous (al-u'min-if"èr-us), a. Containing or affording alum, alumina, or aluminium.

It

Its

Aluminiform (al-u-min'i-form), a. Having the form of alum, alumina, or aluminium. Aluminite (al-u'min-it), n. Hydrous sulphate of alumina, a mineral that occurs in small roundish or reniform masses. colour is snow-white or yellowish-white. Aluminium, Aluminum (al-u-min'i-um, al-u'min-um), n. Chemical sym. Al. At. wt. =275; sp. gr. 26 nearly. The metallic base of alumina; a white metal with a bluish tinge, and a lustre somewhat resembling, but far inferior to, that of silver. It does not occur native, but is extracted for the purposes of commerce from a mineral called cryolite, found in great abundance in Greenland. From its lightness, hardness, ductility, sonorousness, non-liability to rust, and resistance to the action of sulphuretted hydrogen, it is largely employed in the preparation of alloys and for the manufacture of articles for which silver was formerly employed. Aluminium gold, an alloy of 10 parts of aluminium to 90 of copper, of a pale gold colour, harder than bronze, and susceptible of a fine polish. Its hardness and tenacity peculiarly adapt it for journals and bearings.

Aluminous (al-u'min-us), a. Pertaining to or containing alum or alumina, or partaking of the same properties; as, aluminous minerals or waters.

Alumish (al'um-ish), a. Having the nature of alum; somewhat resembling alum. Alumnus (a-lum'nus), n. pl. Alumni (a-lum'ni). [L. alumnus, a nursling, disciple, from alo, to nourish.] A pupil; one educated at a seminary or university; a graduate or undergraduate of a university, regarded as his alma mater. Alum-rock (al'um-rok), n. Same as Alumstone.

Alum-root (al'um-röt), n. A name given to the astringent root of several plants, as Heuchera americana.

Alum-schist, Alum-slate (al'um-shist, al'um-slat), n. A thin bedded fissile rock of a grayish, bluish, or iron-black colour, and often possessed of a glossy shining lustre. It is chiefly composed of silica and alumina, and from it is obtained the largest part of the alum of commerce. Alum-stone (al'um-stōn), n. The siliceous sub-sulphate of alumina and potash; a mineral of a grayish or yellowish white colour, found at Tolfa in Italy, in secondary rocks. Alunogen (al'un-o-jen), n. [Fr. alun, alum, and Gr. ginomai, I produce.] Native sulphate of aluminium, consisting of 36:05 sulphuric acid, 15 40 alumina, and 48.55 water, occurring in fine capillary fibres. It is found in volcanic solfataras, in clays, and

AM

felspar rocks containing pyrites, and as an efflorescence on the walls of mines and quarries.

Aluret (al'ür), n. [Fr. allure, pace, gait, from aller, to go.] 1. An alley; a walk.2. A passage, gangway, or gallery in a building. 'The new alure between the king's chamber and the said chapel.' Brayley.3. The side pavement of a street.

The sides of every street were covered with fresh alures of marble. T. Warton.

Aluta (a-lu'ta), n. [L., leather dressed with alum.] A species of leather-stone, soft, pliable, and not laminated. Alutaceous (al-u-ta'shus), a. Of a pale brown colour, like that of tanned leather. Alutationt (al-u-ta'shon), n. [L. aluta, tanned leather.] The tanning of leather. Alva Marina (al'va ma-ri'na), n. [Corrup tion for alga marina, sea-weed.] A name given in commerce to certain dried seaweeds used for stuffing mattresses, &c. Alveary (al've-a-ri),n. [L. alvearium, alveus, a hollow, a cavity, a bellowing vessel, and particularly a bee-hive, from alvus, the belly.] 1. A bee-hive, or something resembling a bee-hive.-2. The hollow of the external ear, or bottom of the concha where the wax is contained.

Alveated (al'vē-at-ed), a. Formed or vaulted like a bee-hive.

Alveolar, Alveolary (al've-o-lér, al'vé-o-lari), a. [L. alveolus, a small hollow, a socket, dím. of alveus, a hollow vessel. See ALVEARY.] Containing sockets, hollow cells, or pits; pertaining to sockets, specifically the sockets of the teeth; as, the alveolar artery. -Alveolar arches, the parts of the jaws hollowed out by the teeth-sockets.-Alreolar processes, the processes of the maxillary bones containing the sockets of the teeth.

Alveolar structure, a term applied to minute superficial cavities in the mucous membranes of the stomach, esophagus, and small intestines.

Alveolate (al'vē-o-lāt), a. [L. alveolatus, from alveus, a hollow vessel.] Deeply pitted, so as to resemble a honey-comb; having the surface covered with numerous deep hollows, as in the receptacle of some compound flowers.

Alveole (al'vě-ōl), n. Same as Alveolus. Alveolite (al'vé-o-lit), n. [L. alveolus, a socket.] In geol. a genus of Devonian corals composed of concentrically arranged tables of short tubes, externally angular, and rounded within. Page. Alveolus (al-ve'o-lus), n. pl. Alveoli (al-ve'o-li). [L., a little hollow, dim. of alveus.] 1. A cell in a honey-comb or in a fossil. 2. The socket in the jaw, in which a tooth is fixed.

Alveus (al'vē-us), n. [L., a hollow vessel, a channel.] 1. In anat. a tube or canal through which some fluid flows; especially, the larger part of such a tube, as the duct conveying the chyle to the subclavian vein. 2. The bed or channel of a river. Alvine (al'vin), a. [From L. alvus, the belly.] Belonging to the belly or intestines; relating to the intestinal excrements. Alvine concretion, a calculus formed in the stomach or intestines.

Alwayt (al'wa), adv. Same as Always.

Mephibosheth shall eat bread alway at my table. 2 Sam, ix. 10. Always (al'waz), adv [All and way; A. Sax eal, and weg, a way. Comp. algate, algates, from gate, a way; It. tutta via, Sp. todas vias.] 1. Perpetually; uninterruptedly; continually; as, God is always the same.

Ev'n in heaven his (Mammon's) looks and thoughts Were always downward bent. Milton.

2. As often as occasion recurs; as, he always comes home on Saturday.

Always the dulness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits. Shak

Alynedt (a-lind), p. and a. [L. allino, to besmear.] Anointed. Alyssum, Alysson (a-lis'sum, a-lis'son), n. [Gr. a, priv., and lyssa, canine madness, as the ancients believed it to cure hydrophobia and allay anger.] A genus of plants, nat. order Cruciferæ, containing several white or yellow flowered plants, much employed for decorating rock-work. A. maritimum (Koniga maritima) is much cultivated in gardens, having white and fragrant honeyscented flowers, to which the bees are very partial. Several species are cultivated under the name of madwort. Am (am). [A. Sax. eom, for hypothetical eorm, irm, ism; compare the similar forms in the cognate languages, Goth. im for ism,

[graphic]

AMA

Icel em for erm, esm, Lith. esmi, L. sum, Gr eimi, Per. am, Skr. asmi, made up of root as, to breathe, exist, be, and mi, cognate with E me I. In the conjugation of the verb to be three different roots are employed; seen in am, was, be.] The first person of the verb to be, in the indicative mood, present tense.

I am that I am. Ex. iii. 14. Ama (a'ma), n. [L. hama, Gr. hame, a water-bucket, a pail. See AAM.] 1. Eccles. (a) the vessel used for holding the wine and water of the eucharist. The body of the

Amas which belonged to the Abbey of St. Denis.

ama is sometimes formed of glass or agate, mounted in gold, and jewelled. Now called Cruet. (b) The wine itself. -2. A wine

measure.

Amability (am-a-bil'i-ti), n. [L. amabilis, from amo, to love.] Lovableness; amiability. Fer. Taylor.

No rules can make amability. Amacratic (am-a-krat'ik), a. [Gr. hama, together, and kratos, power.] In photog. same as Amasthenic (which see). Amadou (am'a-dö), n. [Fr. amadou, German tinder, touchwood: a word believed to be of Scandinavian origin; comp. Icel. mata, food, bait; Dan mad, meat, made, to feed, to bait, the word originally meaning the food or bait of fire.] A soft leathery substance used for tinder, consisting of the silky portion of a fungus (Polyporus fomentarius) found growing on forest trees, left remaining after the plant has been deprived of its skin and pores by being beaten and steeped in saltpetre. It has been employed by surgeons as a styptic. Called Black Match, Pyrotechnical Sponge, or German Tinder, on account of its inflammability. Amain (a-man'), adv. [Prefix a, in, on, and main, force. See MAIN.] With force, strength, or violence; violently; furiously; suddenly; at once. 'When we fled amain." Milton. Let go amain or strike amain (naut.), to let fall or lower at once. Amaist (a-mást), adv. Almost. [Scotch.] Amalgam (a-mal'gam), n. [Gr. malagma, a soft mass, from malasso, to soften.] 1. A compound of mercury or quicksilver with another metal; any metallic alloy of which mercury forms an essential constituent part. Specifically-2. A native compound of mercury and silver found in fine crystals in mines in which veins of copper and silver cross each other.-3. Fig. a mixture or compound of different things.

Amalgam (a-mal'gam), v.i. To amalgamate 'Quicksilver easily amalgams with metals. Boyle.

Amalgam, Amalgamet (a-mal'gam), v.t. To mix, as metals by amalgamation; to amalgamate 'No more, sir, of gold to amalgame with some six of mercury.' B. Jonson

Amalgamat (a-mal'ga-ma), n. Same as Amalgam

They have divided this their amalgama into a number of republics.

Burke.

Amalgamate (a-mal'gam-at), a. United or coalesced: a term applied to a language the words of which are formed by the coalescence or amalgamation of roots, as the Aryan or Indo-European languages. Amalgamate (a-mal'gam-at), v.t. 1. To compound or mix, as quicksilver with another metal-2 To mix different things to make a compound; to blend; to unite.

Ingratitude is indeed their four cardinal virtues compacted and amalgamated into one. Burke. Amalgamate (a-mal'gam-át), v. i. 1. To compound or unite in an amalgam; to blend with another metal, as quicksilver. Hence2 To unite or coalesce, generally; as, two

83

organs or parts amalgamate as the result of growth.

Amalgamation (a-mal'ga-ma" shon), n. 1. The act or operation of compounding mercury with another metal; specifically, the process of separating gold and silver from their ores by combining them with mercury. The mercury readily dissolves these metals as disseminated in the minerals, and uniting with them separates them from the foreign matters. The mercury is afterwards driven off from the amalgam by heat.-2. The mixing or blending of different things or races; the result of such mixing or blending; complete union.

Early in the fourteenth century the amalgamation of the races was all but complete. Macaulay.

One

To amal

3. The junction or union of two or more joint-stock companies into one concern. Amalgamator (a-mal'ga-ma-tér), n. who or that which amalgamates. Amalgame. See AMALGAM, v.t. Amalgamize (a-mal'gam-iz), v.t. gamate. [Rare.] Amalphitan (a-mal'fi-tan), a. Pertaining to Amalfi, a seaport town of Italy. - Amalphitan code, the oldest existing code of maritime law, compiled during the first crusade by the authorities of Amalfi, which town then possessed considerable commerce and maritime power.

Amandt (a-mand'), v. t. [L. amando-a, away, and mando, to commit, to send word to.] To send one away.

Amand (a-mand), n. [Fr. amende, a fine.] In Scots law, sometimes used of a fine or penalty; formerly also a sum required to be lodged by the defender in a suit who proponed improbation, as a security that he did not do so merely with a view to delay or evasion.

Amandine (a-man'din), n. [Fr. amande, an almond. See ALMOND.] A kind of paste or cold cream for chapped hands, prepared from almonds.

Amandola (a-man'dō-la), n. [It. and Pr., an almond.] A green marble with white spots, having the appearance of honey-comb; of 100 parts, 76 are mild calcareous earth, 20 schist, and 2 iron. The cellular appearance proceeds from the schist.

Amanitin, Amanitine (a-man'i-tin), n. [Gr. amanites, a sort of fungus.] An organic base, the supposed poisonous principle of certain mushrooms, as Agaricus muscarius, A. bulbosus, and others. Amanuensis (a-man'u-en"sis), n. pl. Amanuenses (a-man'u-en"sez). [L. a, from, and manus, the hand-servus a manu, a secretary.] A person whose employment is to write what another dictates, or to copy what has been written by another.

I had not that happy leisure; no amanuensis, no assistants. Burton. Amaracus (a-mar'a-kus), n. [L., marjoram. See MARJORAM.] Marjoram.

And at their feet the crocus brake like fire,
Violet, amaracus, and asphodel,
Lotos and lilies.
Tennyson.

Amaranth (am'a-ranth), n. [Gr. amarantos -a, neg., and maraino, to decay: so called because when cropped it does not soon wither.] 1. A plant of the genus Amaranthus (which see).-2. In poetry, an imaginary flower supposed never to fade.

Immortal amaranth! a flower which once In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, Began to bloom; but soon, for man's offence, To heaven removed, where first it grew. Milton. 3. A colour inclining to purple. Amaranthaceae (am'a-ran-tha"sē-ē), n. pl. A nat. order of apetalous plants, chiefly inhabiting tropical countries, where they are often troublesome weeds. They are remarkable for the white or sometimes reddish scales of which their flowers are composed. To this order belong the cock'scomb, the globe-amaranth, the prince'sfeather, and the love-lies-bleeding of our gardens.

Amaranthine (am-a-ranth'in), a. 1. Belonging to amaranth; consisting of, containing, or resembling amaranth.

Those happy souls that dwell
In yellow meads of asphodel
Or amaranthine bowers.

Pope.

[blocks in formation]

AMATORIAL

species are found chiefly in tropical countries, and are all annuals. The tricoloured species (A. tricolor), from China, has long been cultivated in gardens on account of the beauty of its variegated leaves. A. hypochondriacus is prince's-feather; A. caudatus, love-lies-bleeding. Amaritude (a-mar'i-tud), n. [L. amaritudo, from amarus, bitter.] Bitterness. Harvey. [Rare.]

Amaryllidaceae (am-a-ril'li-da'sē-e), n. pl. A nat. order of monocotyledonous plants, with six stamens and an inferior fruit, which comprehends the daffodil, the Guernsey and belladonna lilies, the Brunsvigias and blood-flowers of the Cape of Good Hope. The roots are generally bulbous, the flowers on a spathe, and the leaves sword-shaped. The bulbs of some are poisonous, especially those of Haemanthus toxicarius and some neighbouring species, in which the Hottentots are said to dip their arrow-heads. The bulbs of Narcissus poeticus and some other species are emetic. The genus Amaryllis gives the name to the order.

Amaryllis (am-a-ril'lis), n. [Female name in Virgil and Theocritus.] A genus of plants, comprising a great number of species and varieties, the type of the nat. order Amaryllidaceæ, many of which are cultivated in gardens for the beauty of their flowers. See AMARYLLIDACEE.

Amarythrin, Amarythrine (am-a-rith'rin), n. (C12H1607.) The bitter principle of erythric acid.

Amass (a-mas), v.t. [Fr. amasser, It. ammassare, L. massa, a heap or lump. See MASS.] To collect into a heap; to gather a great quantity or number; to accumulate; as, to amass a treasure; to amass a great number of quotations.

The life of Homer has been written by amassing all the traditions and hints the writers could meet with. Pope. Amasst (a-mas'), n. An assemblage, heap, or accumulation.

This pillar is nothing in effect but a medley or Wotton. amass of all the precedent ornaments. Amassette (am-a-set), n. [Fr.] In painting, an instrument of horn with which the colours are collected and scraped together on the stone during the process of grinding. Amassment (a-mas'ment), n. The act of amassing; a heap collected; a large quantity or number brought together; an accumulation. An amassment of imaginary conceptions.' Glanville.

Amasthenic (a-mas-then'ik), a. [Gr. hama, together, and sthenos, strength.] In photog. a term characterizing a superior kind of lens which unites the chemical rays of light into one focus; amacratic.

Amatet (a-mat), v.t. [Prefix a, intens., and mate, to daunt or weaken; Fr. amatir, in O. Fr. to weaken, in Mod. Fr. to deaden, as gold or silver, to deprive of lustre, from O. Fr. mat, quelled, subdued. See MATE, to stupefy.] To terrify; to perplex; to daunt; to subdue.

Upon the wall the Pagans old and young Stood hush'd and still, amated and amaz'd. Fairfax. Amatet (a-mat), v.t. [See MATE, a companion.] To accompany; to entertain, as a companion.

A lovely bevy of fair ladies sate, Courted of many a jolly paramour, The which did them in modest wise amate. Spenser. Amateur (am'a-tür, am-a-tér, è long), n. [Fr., from L. amator, a lover, from amo, to love.] One who cultivates any study or art from taste or attachment without pursuing it professionally or with a view to gain; one who has a taste for the arts. Amateurish (am-a-tür'ish), a. Pertaining to or characteristic of an amateur. A condescending, amateurish way.' Dickens. Amateurship (am-a-tur'ship), n. The character or quality of an amateur. Amative (am'at-iv), a. [L. amo, amatum, to love; as if through a form amatirus.] Full of love; amorous; amatory: applied to the faculties capable of being acted on by love.

Amativeness (am'at-iv-nes), n. In phren. that propensity which impels to sexual passion. Its organ is supposed to be in the back part of the head between the mastoid processes. See cut PHRENOLOGY. Amatorial (am-a-to'ri-al), a. [L. amatorius, from amo, to love.] 1. Relating to love; as, amatorial verses. "Tales of love and chivalry, amatorial sonnets.' T. Warton.

[graphic]

AMATORIALLY

2. Produced by sexual intercourse. Amatorial progeny." Dr. E. Darwin.-3. In anat. a term applied to the oblique muscles of the eye, from their use in ogling. Amatorially (am-a-to'ri-al-li), adv. In an amatorial manner; by way of love. Amatorian (am-a-to'ri-an), a. Pertaining to love. 'Horace's lusory or amatorian odes.' Johnson. [Rare.]

Amatorioust (am-a-to'ri-us), a. Pertaining to love. The vain, amatorious poem of Sir Philip Sidney's 'Arcadia." Milton. Amatory (am'a-to-ri), a. Pertaining to or producing love; expressive of love; amatorial; as, amatory potions.

She could repay each amatory look you lent
With interest.

Byron. Amaurosis (am-a-ro'sis), n. [Gr. amaurosis, from amauros, obscure.] A partial or complete loss of sight from loss of power in the optic nerve or retina, without any visible defect in the eye except an immovable pupil. Sometimes the disease is periodical, coming on suddenly, continuing for hours or days, and then disappearing, and sometimes it is complicated with cataract. It is generally incurable. Formerly and still sometimes called Gutta Serena; by Milton 'the drop serene.'

Amaurotic (a-ma-rot'ik), a. Pertaining to or affected with amaurosis.

Amausite (am-a'sit), n. See PETROSILEX. Amayt (a'ma), v. t. and i. [0. Fr. s'esmaier, to be astonished; Pr. esmaiar, esmagar, prefix es for ex, and Goth. magan, to have power, to be strong. See DISMAY.] To dismay; to be dismayed. 'Whereof he dradde and was amayed.' Gower.

Amaze (a-maz), v. t. [Prefix a, on or in, and maze (which see). The older spelling was generally amase.] 1. To confound with fear, sudden surprise, or wonder; to confuse; to perplex.

They shall be afraid; they shall be amazed at one another. Is. xiii. 8.

Till the great plover's human whistle amazed Her heart, and glancing round the waste, she feared In every wavering brake an ambuscade. Tennyson. 2. To strike with simple astonishment, surprise, or wonder; to astonish; to surprise; as, you amaze me; I was amazed to find him there.

Amaze (a-maz'), n. Astonishment; confusion; perplexity arising from fear, surprise, or wonder: used chiefly in poetry, and nearly synonymous with amazement.

[blocks in formation]

Shak.

I speak amazedly; and it becomes My marvel and my message. Amazedness (a-maz'ed-nes), n. The state of being amazed or confounded with fear, surprise, or wonder; astonishment; great wonder.

After a little amazedness, we were all commanded out of the chamber. Shak.

Amazeful (a-maz'ful), a. Full of amazement; calculated to produce amazement. Amazement (a-maz'ment), n. 1. The state of being amazed; astonishment; confusion

or perplexity from a sudden impression of
surprise, or surprise mingled with terror.
They were filled with wonder and amazement at
that which happened unto him.
Acts iii. 10.

His words impression left
Of much amazement to the infernal crew,
Distracted and surprised, with deep dismay.

Milton.

2. Infatuation; madness. Webster. SYN. Astonishment, wonder, surprise, confusion, perplexity, admiration.

Amazing (a-maz'ing), a. Very wonderful; exciting astonishment, perplexity, or terror. 'Fall like amazing thunder.' Shak. Amazingly (a-maz'ing-li), adv. In an amazing manner or degree; in a manner to excite astonishment, or to perplex, confound, or terrify; wonderfully; exceedingly; very much.

If we arise to the world of spirits, our knowledge of them must be amazingly imperfect. Watts. Amazon (am'a-zon), n. [Gr. amazon. Generally, but probably fancifully derived from a, priv., and mazos, a breast, from the fable that they had the right breast removed that it might not interfere with the use of the bow.] 1. One of a fabled race of female warriors who are mentioned by the ancient Greek writers, and are said to have founded

84

an empire on the river Thermodon, in Asia Minor, on the coast of the Euxine. They are said to have excluded men from their

1

Amazons.-1, From Hope's Cost. of the Ancients. 2, From Museo Borbonico.

society, and by their warlike enterprises to have conquered surrounding nations.-2. A warlike or masculine woman; a virago.

Him (Abbé Lefevre), for want of a better, they suspend there: in the pale morning light: over the top of all Paris, which swims in one's failing eyes:a horrible end! Nay, the rope broke, as French ropes often did; or else an amazon cut it. Carlyle. Amazon-ant (am'a-zon-ant), n. The Formica rufescens, a species of ant which robs the nests of other species, carrying off the neuters when in the larva or pupa stage to its own nests, where they are brought up along with its own larvæ by neuters stolen before.

Amazonian (am-a-zō'ni-an), a. 1. Pertaining to or resembling an Amazon: in the following extract, smooth; beardless:

When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bristled lips before him.
Shak.

2. (Applied to females.) Bold; of masculine manners; warlike. To triumph like an Amazonian trull.' Shak.-3. Belonging to the river Marañon (Amazon), in South America, or to the country lying on that river. Amazonian stone, a beautiful green felspar found in rolled masses near the Amazon river.

Ambaget (am'baj), n. [Sing. of the following word.] A winding or turning. Ambages (am-ba'jēz), n. [L. prefix ambi, amb, about, and ago, to drive.] 1. Windings or turnings; hence, a circuit of words to express ideas which may be expressed in fewer words; circumlocution.

They gave those complex ideas names, that they might the more easily record and discourse of things they were daily conversant in, without long ambages and circumlocution. Locke.

2. Subterfuges; evasions.

The other cost me so many strains, and traps, and ambages to introduce it. Swift.

Ambagious, Ambaginous (am-bā'jus, ambaj'i-nus), a. Circumlocutory; tedious. [Rare.]

Ambagitory (am-baj'i-to-ri), a. [From ambages (which see).] Circumlocutory; roundabout. Partaking of what scholars call the periphrastic and ambagitory.' Sir W. Scott. [Rare.]

Ambarie (am'ba-ri), n. In India, an oblong seat furnished with a canopy and curtains, to be placed on an elephant's back for the accommodation of riders.

Ambary (am'ba-ri), n. An East Indian plant, Hibiscus cannabinus. See HIBISCUS. Ambassadet (am'bas-sad), n. [Fr.] Embassy. You disgrace me in my ambassade.' Shak.

Ambassador (am-bas'sa-dor), n. [Fr. ambassadeur, from ambassade, an embassy, a word which, with the allied forms, such as Pr. ambaissada, ambaissat, It. ambasciata, Sp. ambaxada, L.L. ambassata, ambasiata, &c., is derived from the L.L. ambactia, 'which figures in the most ancient Low Latin texts with the meaning of service, employment, mission.' Littré. Ambactia must come either from L. ambactus, a vassal, a dependant, a word used by Cæsar, and said to be a Latinized form of a Celtic word; or from a Teutonic word which appears as Goth. andbahts, a servant or attendant; A. Sax. ambiht, ambeht, a servant, a mes

AMBERGRIS

senger; Icel. ambátt, a handmaid; Dan. embede, office, employment; D. ambacht, trade, employment; G. amt, office. The Goth. andbahts is probably (as Pott thinks) from prefix and (the an in answer), and a root allied to Skr. bhaj, to serve or honour.] A minister of the highest rank, employed by one prince or state at the court of another to manage the public concerns, or support the interests of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign or state. Ambassadors are ordinary when they reside permanently at a foreign court, or extraordinary when they are sent on a special occasion. When ambassadors extraordinary have full powers, as of concluding peace, making treaties, and the like, they are called plenipotentiaries. Ambassadors are also called ministers; as, the French minister at the court of St. James's. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity than ambassadors. The term ambassador is commonly used by writers on public law to designate every kind of diplomatic agent or minister.

An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the commonwealth. Sir H. Wotton. [The spelling Embassador is obsolete, though Embassy, and not Ambassy, is now always written.] Ambassadorial (am-bas'sa-do"ri-al), a. Belonging to an ambassador.

The foreign affairs were conducted by a separate department, called the ambassadorial office. Brougham. Ambassadress (am-bas'sa-dres), n. [Fr. ambassadrice.] 1. The wife of an ambassador. 2. A woman sent on a public message. Well, my ambassadress Come you to menace war, and loud defiance? Rowe. Ambassaget (am'bas-aj), n. An embassy. Ambassatrie,tn. Embassy. Chaucer. Ambassyt (am'bas-i), n. An embassy. Ambe, Ambi (am'be, am'bi), n. [Gr. ambe, a brim.] 1. In med. a superficial eminence on a bone.-2. In surg. an ancient mechanical contrivance for reducing dislocated shoulders.

Amber (am'ber), n. [Fr. ambre, It. ambra, Sp. ambar, from the Ar. ambar, anbar, ambergris. 1. A mineralized pale-yellow, and sometimes reddish or brownish, resin of extinct pine-trees, occurring in beds of lignite and in alluvial soils, but found most abundantly on the shores of the Baltic, where it is thrown up by the sea between Königsberg and Memel. It is a hard translucent substance, brittle, having a specific gravity of 107, without taste or smell, except when heated, when it emits a fragrant odour. Its most remarkable quality is its capability of becoming negatively electric by friction; indeed the word electricity is derived from elektron, the Greek term for amber. It sometimes incloses flies and remains of extinct species. It yields by distillation an empyreumatic oil consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons and succinic acid. It is used now chiefly for pipe mouthpieces and beads, and in the arts for ambervarnish.-2. Ambergris. You that smell of amber at my charge.' Beau. & Fl. Amber (am'ber), a. Consisting of or resembling amber; of the colour of amber. What time the amber morn Forth gushes from beneath a low-hung cloud. Tennyson. Ambert (am'ber), v. t. To scent or flavour with amber or ambergris.

Be sure

The wines be lusty, high, and full of spirit,
And amber'd all.
Beau. & Fl.
An old Eng-

Amber (am'ber), n. [A. Sax.]
lish measure of 4 bushels.
Ambergris (am'bér-grès), n. [Fr. ambre
gris (gris, gray), gray amber. See AMBER]
A solid, opaque, ash-coloured inflammable
substance, variegated like marble, remark-
ably light, rugged on its surface, and hav-
ing, when heated, a fragrant odour It does
not effervesce with acids; it melts easily
into a kind of yellow resin, and is highly
soluble in spirit of wine. It is a morbid
secretion of the intestines of the spermaceti
whale, the Catodon (Physeter) macrocepha-
lus. It is usually found floating on the sur-
face of the ocean in regions frequented by
whales, or on the shore, as on the coasts of
the Bahama Islands; sometimes in masses
of from 60 to 225 lbs. weight. In this sub-
stance are found the beaks of the cuttle-
fish, on which the whale is known to feed.
It is highly valued as a material in perfum-

AMBER-SEED

ery, and was formerly prized for spicing wines.

Amber-seed (am'ber-sed), n. The seed of Abelmoschus moschatus, imported from Egypt and the West Indies. It resembles millet in appearance, has a bitterish taste, and a smell like that of musk. It is used to perfume pomatum. Called also MuskLood

Amber-tree (am'bér-tre), n. The English name for the species of Anthospermum, a genus of African shrubs with evergreen leaves, which, when bruised, emit a fragrant odour.

Ambes-as, n. [See AMBS-ACE.] A double ace, as when two dice turn up the ace. Chaucer.

Ambidexter (am-bi-deks'ter), n. [L. ambo, both, and dexter, the right hand.] 1. A person who uses both hands with equal facility Sir T. Browne.-2. A double-dealer; one equally ready to act on either side in party disputes. Burton.-3. In law, a juror who takes money from both parties for giving his verdict.

Ambidexterity, Ambidextrousness (am'bi-deks-teri-ti, am-bi-deks'trus-nes), n. The quality of being ambidextrous: as, (a) the faculty of using both hands with equal facility.

Ignorant I was of the human frame, and of its latent powers, as regarded speed, force, and ambi dexterity. De Quincey.

(b) Double-dealing. (c) In law, the taking of money from both parties for a verdict. Ambidextrous (am-bi-deks' trus), a. [See AMBIDEXTER] 1. Having both hands right hands; having the faculty of using both hands with equal ease.-2. Practising or siding with both parties; double-dealing. "Shuffling and ambidextrous dealings.' Sir R L'Estrange. [Rare.]

Ambient (am'bi-ent), a. [L. ambiens, ambientis-amb, around, and iens, ppr. of ire, to go.] Surrounding; encompassing on all sides; investing: applied to fluids or diffusible substances; as, the ambient air. Ambient (am'bi-ent), n. That which encompasses on all sides.

Air being a perpetual arabient. Reliquiae Wottoniana. [Rare.] Ambigenal (am-bij'en-al), a. [L. ambo, both, and genu, a knee.] A word used only in the phrase ambigenal hyperbola, a hyperbola of the third order, having one of its infinite legs falling within an angle formed by the asymptotes, and the other without. Ambigu (am'bi-gü), n. [Fr. See AMBIGUOUS] An entertainment or feast, consisting, not of regular courses, but of a medley of dishes set on the table together. Dr. W. King

Ambiguity (am-bi-gu'i-ti), n. The state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly of signification. 'The words are of single meaning without any ambiguity. South.

No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued. Is. Taylor. Ambiguous (am-big'u-us), a. L. ambiguus, from ambigo, to go about-ambi, about, and ago, to drive] 1. Doubtful or uncertain, especially in respect to signification; equivocal, obscure.

What have been thy answers, what but dark,
Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding.
Milton.

2 Speaking or acting ambiguously. [Rare.] Th' ambiguous god, who ruled her lab'ring breast, la these mysterious words his mind exprest. Dryden. STN. Indeterminate, indefinite, doubtful, uncertain, unsettled, indistinct, equivocal Ambiguously (am-big'u-us-li), adv. In an ambiguous manner; with doubtful meaning. Ambiguousness (am-big'u-us-nes), n. The quality of being ambiguous; ambiguity; obscurity

Ambilevous (am-bi-le 'vus), a. [L. ambo, both, and laevus, left.] Having both hands left hands; unable to use either hand with facility.

Some are as Galen hath expressed; that is, ambi levens, or left-handed on both sides; such as with agility and vigour have not the use of either.

Sir T. Browne.

Ambilogy (am-bil'o-ji), n. [L. ambo, both, and Gr Logos, speech] Talk or language of doubtful meaning. Bailey. Ambiloquoust (am-bil'o-kwus), a. [L. ambo, both, and loquor, to speak.] Using ambiguous expressions. Bailey.

Ambiloquyt (am-bil'o-kwi), n. Ambiguous or doubtful language. Bailey. Ambit (am'bit), n. (L ambitus, a circuit, from ambio, to go about. See AMBIENT.]

[blocks in formation]

Compass or circuit; circumference. 'Within ambit of the ancient kingdom of Burgundy.' Sir F. Palgrave. [Rare.]

Ambition (am-bi'shon), n. [L. ambitio, ambitionis, a going round, the going about of candidates for office in Rome-amb, around, round about, and itio, a going; from eo, itum, to go, from L. Gr. and Skr. root i, to go.] 1. The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or other object of desire; a canvassing.

I on the other side

Used no ambition to commend my plans. Millon, 2. An eager and sometimes inordinate desire after some object, as preferment, honour, pre-eminence, superiority, power, fame, or whatever confers distinction; desire to distinguish one's self in some way among others.

Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition:
By that sin fell the angels.
Shak.

Ambition (am-bi'shon), v.t. To seek after
ambitiously or eagerly; to aspire to. [Rare.]
This nobleman (Lord Chesterfield), however, failed
to attain that place among the most eminent states-
men of his country, which he ambitioned.
Wingrove Cooke.
Ambitionless (am-bi'shon-les), a. Devoid
of ambition.
Ambitious (am-bi'shus), a. [L. ambitiosus.]
1. Possessing ambition; eagerly or inordin-
ately desirous of power, honour, fame, office,
superiority, or distinction. Trajan, a
prince ambitious of glory.' Arbuthnot.-
2. Strongly desirous.

I was not ambitious of seeing this ceremony. Evelyn. 3. Springing from, indicating, or characterized by ambition; showy; pretentious; Ambitiously (am-bi 'shus-li), adv. as, an ambitious style; ambitious ornament. In an

The

ambitious manner. Ambitiousness (am-bi'shus-nes), n. Ambitus (am'bi-tus), n. [L.] 1. A going quality of being ambitious; ambition. round; a circuit; the circumference or exterior edge or border of a thing, as of a leaf, or valve of a shell.-2. In arch. an open Amble (am'bl), v.i. pret. & pp. ambled; ppr. space surrounding a building or tomb. ambling. [0. Fr. ambler, to amble, from L. ambulo, to go about, to walk, from amb, about.] 1. To move with a peculiar pace, as a horse, first lifting the two legs on one side, and then changing to the other; hence, to move easily and gently without hard shocks. An abbot on ambling pad.' Ten

nyson.

Your wit ambles well, it goes easily. 2. To move affectedly.

Shak.

[blocks in formation]

Amblygon (am'bli-gon), n. [Gr. amblys, obtuse, and gonia, an angle.] In geom. an obtuse-angled triangle; a triangle with one angle of more than ninety degrees. Ency. Brit. Of or perAmblygonal (am-blig'on-al), a. taining to an amblygon; having an obtuse angle. Hutton. Amblygonite (am-blig'on-it), n. [Gr. amblygonios, having an obtuse angle. See AMBLYGON.] A greenish-coloured mineral, of different pale shades, marked with reddish and yellowish brown spots. It consists of phosphates and fluorides of aluminium and lithium. It occurs massive or crystallized in oblique four-sided prisms, in granite, with topaz and tourmalin, in Saxony. Amblyopsis (am-bli-op'sis), n. [Gr. amblys, blunt, dull, and opsis, countenance, sight.] A genus of fishes, including the blind-fish (A. spelaus). See BLIND-FISH. Amblyopy (am'bli-op-i), n. [Gr. amblys, dull, and ops, eye.] In med. dulness or obscurity of sight, without any apparent defect of the organs: the first stage of amaurosis.

Amblypterus (am-blip'ter-us), n. [Gr. amblys, dull, blunt, and pteron, a wing, a fin.] A genus of ganoid fishes, with heterocercal

AMBROSIAN

tail, found only in a fossil state. The species are characteristic of the coal formation. Amblyrhynchus (am-bli-ringk'us), n. [Gr. amblys, blunt, and rhynchos, snout.] A genus of lizards found in the Galapagos Islands, resembling the iguana. A.cristatus, in length varying from 3 to 4 feet, is the only known existing marine lizard. Their flesh is considered delicate food. Ambo, Ambon (am'bo, am'bon), n. [Eccles. L. ambo, a pulpit, a reading-desk; Gr. ambon, any rising, a stage, and later a pulpit.] In early Christian churches a raised desk or pulpit, from which were read or chanted certain parts of the service. It was generally an oblong inclosure with steps at both

[graphic]

Ambo, Church of San Lorenzo, Rome. ends, and was sometimes richly decorated. A tall ornamented pillar for holding the paschal candle is often associated with the ambo.

Ambodexter (am-bō-deks'ter), n. Same as Ambidexter.

Amboyna-wood (am-boi'na-wud), n. [Amboyna, one of the Molucca or Spice Islands.] A beautifully mottled and curled wood, employed in cabinet-work. Called also Kiabooca-wood (which see).

Ambreada (am-bre-a'da), n. [From amber.] A kind of fictitious amber, sold by Europeans to the Africans.

Ambreic (am-bre'ik), a. In chem. formed, as a certain acid, by digesting ambrein in nitric acid.

Ambrein, Ambreine (am'bre-in), n. A peculiar fatty substance obtained from ambergris by digesting it in hot alcohol. It is crystallized, is of a brilliant white colour, and has an agreeable odour. Ambroset (am'brōz), n. Ambrosia.

Burton.

At first, ambrose itself was not sweeter. Ambrosia (am-bro'zhi-a), n. [L. and Gr. ambrosia, the food of the gods, conferring immortality, from ambrotos, immortal (same elements as in Skr. amritas, immortal)-a, priv., and brotos, for mrotos mortos, mortal, from the widely-spread Indo-European root mar, mor, whence L. mors, death, and E. murder. See Max Müller's Lectures.] 1. According to the belief of the ancient Greeks, the food of the gods, which conferred immortality on those who partook of it; hence, anything pleasing to the taste or smell, as a perfumed draught, unguent, or the like. 'His dewy locks distilled ambrosia.' Milton. 2. In bot. a genus of plants belonging to the nat. order Compositae, consisting of annual weeds resembling wormwood. Ambrosiac (am-bro'zhi-ak), a. Of or pertaining to or having the qualities of ambrosia. 'Ambrosiac odours.' B. Jonson. Ambrosial (am-bro'zhi-al), a. Of or pertaining to ambrosia; partaking of the nature or qualities of ambrosia; anointed or fragrant with ambrosia; delighting the taste or smell; delicious; fragrant; as, ambrosial dews.

To

Thou too mayest become a Political Power: and with the shakings of thy horse-hair wig, shake principalities and dynasties, like a very Jove with his ambrosial curls. Carlyle. Ambrosialize (am-brō'zhi-al-iz), v.t. render ambrosial. Ambrosially (am-bro'zhi-al-li), adv. In an ambrosial manner; with an ambrosial odour. A fruit of pure Hesperian gold, That smelt ambrosially. Tennyson. Ambrosian (am-bro'zhi-an), a. Of or pertain

« AnteriorContinuar »