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Full text of "The imperial dictionary. Supplement ... Illustrated by nearly four hundred figures engraved on wood"

1 





Presented to the 
LIBRARY of the 

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO 

by 



MRS. ADELAIDE SINCLAIR 



. 



J 



A SUPPLEMENT 



TO THE 



IMPERIAL DICTIONARY, 



ENGLISH, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND SCIENTIFIC: 



CONTAINING 

AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF WORDS, TERMS, AND PHRASES, 

IN THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART; 

TOGETHER WITH 

NUMEROUS OBSOLETE, OBSOLESCENT, AND SCOTTISH WORDS, 

FOUND IN CHAUCER, SPENSER, SHAKSPEARK, AND SCOTT, 
NOT INCLUDED IN PREVIOUS ENGLISH DICTIONARIES. 



EDITED BY JOHN OGILVIE, LL.D. 



ILLUSTRATED BY NEARLY FOUR HUNDRED FIGURES ENGRAVED ON WOOD. 



BLACKIE AND SON: 



ClUEEN STREET, GLASGOW; SOUTH COLLEGE STREET, EDINBURGH; 

AND WARWICK SQUARE, LONDOIi. 

M DC LV. 



pe 

IMS' 

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m.ASGOVf! 

'. O. BLACKIE AND CO., FEIHTUKS, 
VILLAF1KLD. 



PREFACE. 



WHEN the SUPPLEMENT to THE IMPERIAL DICTIONARY was at first commenced, it was 
anticipated it could be issued within a very limited period. However, as the Editor 
proceeded with his labours, the Work increased greatly in his hands beyond what he 
originally contemplated, partly from the more extended researches into which he was 
drawn, partly from numerous contributions sent from all parts of the country, and partly 
from the very rapid introduction of new words in recent times. The following may 
be stated as comprising the chief points aimed at by the Editor in compiling the 
SUPPLEMENT : 

1. To supply such words, terms, and new significations, as had either come into use since 

the publication of THE IMPERIAL DICTIONARY was commenced, or had escaped his 
observation. 

2. To furnish such additional words and terms in the different departments of Literature, 

Arts, and Sciences, as he deemed to be suitable, and which he was enabled to collect 
by travelling over a wide field of research. Of these the number collected by his 
own research is very great ; and not a few, besides, have been supplied by literary 
and scientific Correspondents in various parts of the kingdom. The different gentle- 
men, also, to whom the MS. has been submitted for revisal, have added considerably 
to the list. 

3. To introduce a much greater number of obsolete and obsolescent words than it was 

deemed necessary to insert in the DICTIONARY; specially all words of this description 
in Shakspeare, Spenser, and Chaucer, not inserted in the original Work ; and thus 
to furnish a complete key to the works of those great English poets. 

4. In addition to the Scottish terms admitted into the DICTIONARY (for the most part 

used by Bums), to introduce such as are found in the works of Sir Walter Scott. 
This has been done mainly for the benefit of the English readers of the great 
Novelist. 

5. To make such emendations and corrections on the DICTIONARY as the Editor had 

discovered to be necessary, or which had been pointed out to him by others. 

The SUPPLEMENT has gone through a course of careful revision by gentlemen 
specially versed in different departments of scientific knowledge, similar to that given 
to the original Work. 

On the whole, the Editor indulges a hope that this SUPPLEMENT, although long 
delayed, will not disappoint expectations. The number of additional words which it 



Vi PREFACE. 

contains, including additional significations to words already given, cannot be much under 
Twenty Thousand; and thus THE IMPERIAL DICTIONARY and SUPPLEMENT, together, will 
furnish a more extensive vocabulary than any Dictionary that has hitherto appeared. 

In addition, the Pronouncing Vocabulary of Greek, Latin, and Scripture Proper 
Names, and the copious List of Geographical Names, also with the pronunciation, pre- 
pared by Professor Porter of Yale College, for a recent American edition of Webster's 
English Dictionary, has been appended. 

The SUPPLEMENT is illustrated by nearly FOUR HUNDRED Figures on Wood ; and it 
is paged so that the portions corresponding with the First and the Second Volumes may 
be bound up with them; or it will form a Volume by itself, as purchasers may deem 
most suitable. 

To those numerous Subscribers who favoured the Editor with their contributions to 
the SUPPLEMENT, he takes this opportunity of expressing his grateful acknowledgments. 
Of the greater number of terms thus communicated he has availed himself, as well as of 
several excellent suggestions made by certain of the Contributors. Some terms proposed 
for insertion he has necessarily rejected, because they appeared to be unsuitable, or did 
not seem to rest upon sufficient authority; or because, having been sent without reference 
to the sources from which they were taken, he was unable to ascertain their precise import. 
The Editor, however, cannot but acknowledge that he has received material aid from the 
numerous Correspondents already referred to. 

JOHN OGILVIE. 

ABERDEEN, March 26, 1855. 







SUPPLEMENT 



TO 



THE IMPERIAL DICTIONARY. 



ABATEMENT 



ABBROCHMENT 



ABDOMINOSCOPY 



A [add.] In some words a may be 3 
> contraction of at, of, in, to, or an. 
In some words of Greek origin a initial 
is a prefix of privative or negative sig- 
nification, as in anonymous, achromatic, 
&c. Alpha and Omega, the first and 
last letters of the Greek alphabet, are 
used in Scripture for the beginning and 
the end, representative of Christ. In 
the English phraseology, " A landlord 
has ten thousand a year ;" " the sum 
amounted to ten pounds a man ," a 
is merely the adjective one; and this 
mode of expression is idiomatic. A 
hundred in a [one] year; ten pounds 
to a [one] man. 
A, used by Shakspeare for he. 
AA, or AW, n. Awe. [Scotch.] 
A'ARON'S ROD, n. In arch., a rod 
with a serpent twined round it. It is 
sometimes confounded with caduceus. 
A.B. An abbreviation of artium bacca- 
laureus, bachelor of arts. 
A'BAA, TI. The name given in the 
Philippines to a species of banana 
(Musa textilis) Its fibre is used for 
making mats, cloth, and various other 
articles. 

ABACK',-)- TI [L. abacus.] A flat, 
square stone, or a square surface. 
ABAC'ULUS, n. [L.] A small tile of 
glass, marble, or other substance, of 
various colours, used in making orna- 
mental patterns in mosaic pavements. 
AB'AUS, TI. A rectangular slab of 
marble, stone, porcelain, &c., of vari- 
ous colours, used for coating the walls 
of rooms either in panels or over the 
whole surface. 
AB'AUS, n. [add.] A game among 
the Romans ; so called from its being 
played on a board, somewhat in the 
manner of chess. 
ABAD', n. In the East Indies, an abode ; 
a residence. It is much used in com- 
position ; as, Hyderabad, the capital of 
Hyder. 

ABA'IST, pp. [See ABASE.] Abashed ; 
ashamed. [Chaucer.] 
ABAN'DONED, pp. or a. [add.] De- 
stitute; forlorn. 
ABATAMEN'TUM, 71. [L.] In law 
an entry by interposition. 
ABATE, v. t. [add.] To deprive; to 
curtail; as, 

She luitli abated me of half niy train 

Slink. 

ABATE'MENT, n. [add.] This term i: 

used in English law in three senses 

viz., that of abating a nuisance, o 

I. Surr. 



abating an action or indictment, and of 
abating into a freehold. The abate- 
ment of a nuisance is the beating down 
and removing of it ; the abatement of a 
civil action or indictment is the beating 
down or overthrowing such action or 
indictment; and abatement into a free- 
hold, is where, upon the death of a 
person possessed of freehold lands, an- 
other who has no title enters upon 
those lands to the prejudice of the 
party entitled as heir or devisee. Such 
person is said to abate into the freehold 
of the heir or devisee. 
ABATIS. See ABATTIS. 
ABA'TOR, n. [add.] An agent or cause 
by which an abatement is procured. 
AB'ATTIS.n. [add.] This military work 
properly consists of felled trees, with 
the softer branches cut off, laid side by 
side, with the ends from which the 
branches grew turned towards the 
enemy, thus forming an obstruction to 
his progress, and a breast work for mus- 
ketry to fire over. Written also Ab'atis. 
AB'ATTISED, pp. Provided with an 

ABATTOIR, n. (abatwar'.) [Fr. f,-om 
abattre, to knock down.] A public 
slaughter-house. [ Usually applied only 
to large establishments outside of towns.] 
ABAW'ED.t pp. [add.] Astonished. 
[Chaucer.] 

ABBACl'NATE,t> t. [Hal. ad, to, and 
bacino, a basin.] To deprive of sight 
by applying a red-hot copper basin 
close to the eyes. 

ABBACINA'TION, 71. A horrid pun- 
ishment inflicted in the early ages on 
captive princes and persons of high rank 
and political influence. [See ABBACI- 
NATE.] 

AB'BEY LAND, n. An estate in an- 
cient tenure 'annexed to an abbey. 
ABBRl/VIATE,f 71. An abridgment. 
ABBRE'VIATE OF ADJUDICA- 
TION. In Scots law, an abstract of 
adjudication. [See ADJUHICATION.] 
ABBREVIATION, n. [add.] In music, 
a dash through the stem of a note re- 
duces its duration one half. Thus a 
crotchet f with one oblique dash be- 
comes J a quaver, and by an additional 
oblique dash it becomes a ^ semi- 
quaver, &c. 
ABBROCH',f " < [!< "b, and Fr. 
broche, a spit.] To forestal. 
ABBROCH'MENT.t n. The act of 
forestalling. 

1 



ABTJICANT, n. One who abdicates. 
ABDIA'TION, n. [add.] This term 

is now generally applied to the giving 

up of the kingly office. 
ABDITO'RIUM, n. [L.] An abditory, 

or hiding place, to hide and preserve 

goods, plate, or money ; or a chest in 

which relics were kept. 
ABDOM'INAL REGIONS, n. In anal., 

the abdomen is arbitrarily divided into 

certain regions. An imaginary line (a a) 




ALJominni Region!. 

is drawn transversely from the cartilage 
of the seventh rib on one side to the 
corresponding point of the opposite 
side, and another transverse line (6 4) 
between the anterior superior spines 
of the ilia. The part above the upper 
line is called the epigastric region, that 
between the upper and lower lines, 
the umbilical region, and that beneath 
the lower line the hypooastric region. 
These regions are subdivided by two 
vertical lines (c c), one being drawn on 
each side, from the cartilage of the 
seventh rib to the anterior superior 
spine of the ilium. The central por- 
tion of the epigastric (1) region retains 
the name of epigastric; the lateral por- 
tions (4, 4) are called the right and left 
hypochondriac regions ; the middle part 
of the umbilical region (2) is still called 
umbilical, while the parts to the right 
and left (5, 5) are called lumbar; the 
hypogastric region is denominated pubic 
in its central portion (3), and is divided 
on each side (6, 6) into an iliac and 
inguinal region. 

ABDOMINA'LES, n. An order of 
malacopterygious, or soft-finned fishes. 
[See ABDOMINAL.] 

ABDOMINOS'OPY, u. [L. abdomen, 

and Gr. rxcTsx, to view or examine.) 

fa's 



ABIT 



ABOVE STAIRS 



ABRTJS 



An examination of the abdomen with 
a view to detect disease. 

ABDUCT', v. t.'To take away surrep- 
titiously, and by force 

ABEAM', adv. In natit. Ian., on the 
beam. Guns are said to be pointed 
abeam, when they are pointed in a line 
at right angles to the ship's keel. 

ABECEDA'RIAN, a. Pertaining to, 
or formed by the letters of the alpha- 
bet. Abecedarian psalms, a name 
given in ancient times to those psalms 
each of whose verses began with a dif- 
ferent letter, such letters following one 
another in alphabetical series. 

ABEGGE'.fi v. t. (abeg', abe/, abi'.) 

ABEYE'.f > Tosufferfor.lC/muccr.J 

ABIE',f ) [See ABY.] 

ABERU',t v. i. To wander; to err. 

ABER'RANT, a. [add.] This term is 
applied in the classification of plants or 
animals, to those genera and species 
which deviate most from the type of 
their natural group. 

ABERRA'TION, . [add.] Chromatic 
aberration. In optics, a term employed 
to denote the imperfection arising from 
the unequal refrangibility of the rays, 
composing white light, in consequence 
of which the image of the object, viewed 
through a lens, will be surrounded by 
prismatic colours. Spherical aberration 
produces distortion, chromatic aberra- 
tion produces false colour of the object. 
Circle of aberration, the circle of 
coloured light, observed in experiments 
with convex lenses, between the point 
where the violet rays and that where 
the red rays meet. 

ABET', v. t. [add. ] To avow an appro- 
bation of; as, they abet their forefathers' 
crime. 

ABET'TER, a. One who abets; an 
abettor. 

ABET'TOR, n. [add.] One who aids 
or encourages, in a good sense. [Pope.] 

ABEY'ANCE, n. [add.] In pop. Ian., 
a state of suspension or temporary ex- 
tinction. 

ABEY'ANT, a. In law, being in abey- 
ance. 

ABHOR'RED, pp. [add.] Disgusted ; 
as, 

IIow abhorred my imagination is. 

Slinlc. 

ABHOR'RING, n. Object or feeling 
of abhorrence. 

ABl'DANCE, n. The act of abiding ; 
abode; stay. 

ABID'DEN.f ) pp. of Abide. [Chau- 

ABID'EN.f } cer.] 

AB'IES, n. [add.] To this genus (which 
includes the sections, or sub-genera, 
called Tsuga, Abies, Picea, Larix, and 
Cedrus}, belong the silver fir (A. picea), 
the great Californian fir (A. grandis), 
the balm of Gilead fir (A. balsamifera), 
the large-bracted fir (A. nobilis), the 
hemlock spruce fir (A canadensis), 
sacred Mexican fir (A. religiosa), Nor- 
way spruce fir (A. excelsa), Oriental 
fir (A. orientalis), white spruce fir (A. 
alba), Douglas' fir (A. Douglasii), com- 
mon larch (A. larix), cedar of Lebanon 
(A. cedrus), &c. 

ABIET'I ACID, n. An acid dis- 
covered in the resin of trees of the 
genus Abies. 

AB'IETINE, n. A resinous substance 
obtained from the Strasburg turpen- 
tine. 

AB'IGAIL, n. A waiting woman. 
[Collog.] 

ABIL'IMENT,t n. Ability. 

ABIT',f v. i. third person sing, of Abide. 
Abideth. [Chaucer.] 



ABJC'DICATE.f v. t. To give away 
by judgment. 

ABJUDICA'TION, n. Rejection. 

AB'JUGATE,-)- v. t. [L. abjugo.] To 
unyoke. 

ABLAQ'UEATE,f v. t. To lay bare, 
as the roots of trees. 

A'BLE.f v. t. To enable. 

ABLEEZE', adv. On fire; in a blaze. 
[Scotch.] 

AB'LEGATE.f - *. [L. ablego.] To 
send abroad. 

ABLEG A'TION.f n. The act of send- 
ing abroad. 

ABLEP'SIA, n. [L.] Blindness; ab- 

ABLIGA'TION.f n. The act of tying 
up forms. 

ABLIGURI"TION,t n. [L. abliguri- 
tio.] Excess. 

ABLD'TION, n. Not the cup given to 
the laity, as explained in Diet.; but 
the mixture of wine and water with 
which the officiating priest rinses out 
the chalice, after mass, himself drink- 
ing the same. 

AB'NEGATIVE, a. Denying; nega- 
tive. [Rarely used.] 

ABNOR'MAL, a. [add.] In bot., where 
the organs of a plant have a greater or 
less number of parts than the regular 
number, they are said to be abnormal. 
Plants, or parts of plants, are also 
called abnormal, when they present a 
different structure from what a know- 
ledge of the allied plants would lead 
one to expect. 

ABOARD', adv. [add.] To lay aboard, 
to board. [Shak.] To get aboard, to 
get foul of, as a ship. 

ABOARD', prep. On board ; in ; with. 



ABOLETE'.f a. [L. abolitus.] Old ; 
obsolete. 

ABOON', I prep, or adv. Above. [Scot- 

ABUNE', / land,Yorhshire, and North 
of England.] 

ABOORD'.f adv. [Fr. bord.] From 
the bank. [Spenser.] 

ABORD'.t adv. [Fr. bord.] Across; 
from shore to shore. [Spenser.] 

ABOR'TIENT, a. [L. abortions.] In 
bot., sterile ; barren. 

ABOR'TION, n. [add.] In hot., the 
non-formation of a part which, theo- 
retically, should be present; an incom- 
plete formation. 

ABOR'TIVE, a. [add.] In med., pro- 
ducing abortion ; as, abortive medicines. 
This term is applied to parts of plants 
imperfectly formed ; as, an abortive sta- 
men, whose filament has no anther, or 
its anther no pollen ; or to such as do 
not arrive at perfect maturity; as on 
ovule unimpregnated. 

ABOR'TIVE, n. [add.] Something 
which causes abortion. 

ABOTE'.f PP. [from abate.] Dejected ; 
cast down. [Chaucer.] 

ABOU-HAN'NES, n. The name given 
by the Arabs to the true Egyptian 
ibis ; the Ntimenius ibis (Cuv.) [See 
IBIS.] 

ABOUGHT'.f PP. (abawf.) [from 
abegge.] Endured; atoned for; paid 
dearly for. [Chaucer.] 

ABOUT'EN.t prep. About. [Chaucer.] 

ABOVE'-BOARD, a. Open; frank; 
without concealment. [Collog.] 

ABOVE'-DECK, a. Upon deck; with- 
out artifice. 

ABOVE ONE'S BEND. Out of one's 
power; beyond reach. [American 
colloquialism.] 

ABOVE' STAIRS, n. On the floor 
above. 

2 



ABRADING, n. In agric., the crumb- 
ling down of banks of earth, from the 
effects of frost, or of the alternate ac- 
tion of drought and moisture. 

A'BRAHAM MEN, n. Formerly im- 
postors in England, who wandered 
about the country seeking alms, under 
pretence of lunacy. To shamAbraham, 
is to feign sickness. 

ABKAHAMIT'ICAL, a. Relating to 
Abraham. 

A15RA1D',+ v. t. To rouse; to awake. 

ABRAII>',t v. i. [Sax.] To awake; to 
start. [Chaucer.] 

ABRAID'.t pp. [Sax. abredian.] 
Awaked. [Spenser.] 

ABRAIDE'.f v. t. [Sax. abredian.] To 
rouse ; to awake. 

ABRAIDE'.t pp. Awaked; started. 
[Chaucer.] 

ABRA'MIS, n. A genus of fresh-water 
malacopterygian fishes, belonging to 
the family Cyprinida), and containing 
the common bream (Abramis brama}. 
There are two other British species, 
but they are rare ; these are the white 
bream or bream-flat (A. blicca), and the 
Pomeranian bream (A. buggenhagii). 

ABRAN'HIAN, n. One of the 
Abranchia. 

ABRA'SION, n. [add.] In mech., the 
effect of two rubbing surfaces when the 
wear between them is sensibly great ; 
the use of lubrication is to prevent 
abrasion and diminish friction. 

ABRAX'AS, n. A genus of lepidop- 
terous insects, containing the well- 
known black currant moth (Abraxas 
ffrossulariata). 

ABRAY'.t e. i. [Sax.] To awake. 
[Spenser.] 

ABRAYTT.t . t. Same as ABRAIDE, 
which see in this Supplement. [Spen- 
ser.] 

ABREDE'.t adv. Abroad. [Chaucer.] 

ABRIDGE, v. t. [add.] In law, to 
make a declaration or count shorter by 
subtracting or severing some of the 
substance therefrom. 

ABRIDG'MENT, n. [add.] Used by 
Shakspcare for pastime. 

ABRIGE'.f [Fr.] To abridge; to 
shorten. [Chaucer.] 

ABROACH'.f v.t. To tap; to set 
abroach. 

ABROACH'MENT.f n. The act of 
forestalling the market. 

ABROCHE'.f v. t. [Fr.] To tap ; to 
set abroach. [Chaucer.] 

ABROO'MA, n. [Gr. i/3{, delicate, 
and xx.tui, hair.] A genus of small rodent 
animals, natives of South America, re- 
markable for the fineness of their fur. 
[It is more properly spelled, and is often 
written, Habrocoma.] 

AB'ROGABLE, a. That may be ab- 
rogated. 

AB'ROGATE,t. Annulled; abolished. 

ABRO'MA, n. [Gr. neg. and { u<, 
food.] A genus of plants, nat. order. 
Byttneriacea?. A. augusta is a native of 
the East Indies, and A. fastuosa of 
New South Wales. 

ABROT'ANOID, n. A species of 
coral belonging to the genus Madre- 
pora. It is one of the reef corals of 
the East Indies. 

AB'RUS, n. [Gr. {, elegant.] A 
genus of leguminous plants. A. pre* 
catorius, or wild liquorice, is a West 
Indian evergreen climber. Its polished 
and parti-coloured seeds, called jumble 
beads, were formerly strung and em- 
ployed as beads for rosaries, necklaces, 
&c. Its roots are used in the West 
Indies as liquorice is with ua. 



ABSTAINER 



ACADEMIC 



ACATALECTIC 




C D Abcis 



AB'SCISS, ) n. [add.] Generally, any 

ABSCIS'SA, J part of the diiineter or 
axis of a curve com- 
prised between some 
li\i'(l point where all 
the abscisses begin, 
and another lino 
called the ordinate, 
which is terminated 
in the curve. 

ABSOND',t-<-To 
conceal. 

A BSOND'ED, pp. Deep-hidden ; con- 
cealed from view. 

ABSOND'ENCE,f ". Concealment. 

AB'SENT.f n. One who is not present. 

ABSENTA'NEOUS,t a. Relating to 
absence ; absent. 

ABSIN'TIIATE, n. A salt formed by 
the union of absinthic acid with a 
base. 

ABSIN'THI ACID, n. A peculiar 
acid contained in absinthium, or worm- 
wood. 

ABSIN'THINE, n. The bitter principle 
of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). 

ABSIN'TIUTES, n. Wine impregnated 
with wormwood. 

ABSIST', . i. fL. absisto.] To stand 
off; to leave off. 

AB'SOLUTE, a. [add.] In chem.,pmc; 
unmixed; as, absolute alcohol. In 
mech., the absolute magnitude of a force 
is its intensity measured by weight, as 
by pounds, &c. 

AB'SOLUTE, a. [add.] Peremptory ; 
obstinate. 

ABSOLUTIST, n. An advocate for des- 
potism, or for absolute government. 

AB'SOLUTORY,or ABSOLUTORY. 

ABSOL;TITOR,n. In law, a decree of 
absolutism. 

A li'SONATE,t B. t. To avoid; to detest. 

ABSORBI"TlON,t n. Absorption. 

ABSORPT',t PP. Absorbed; swallow- 
ed up. 

ABSORP'TION, n. [add.] Entire oc- 
cupation or engrossment of mind ; as, 
absorption in business. In physiol., one 
of the vital organic functions, by which 
the materials of growth and nutrition 
are absorbed and conveyed to the or- 
gans of the body, and by which the de- 
cayed and useless parts are absorbed 
and removed from the system. Inter- 
stitinl absnrptiim, the function by which 
the particles of the tissue, which fill the 
meshes of the capillary net-wo-k, are 
removed, as in the atrophy of the pupil- 
lary membrane in the fetus, and in the 
development of cells in bones. Cuta- 
neous or external absorption, the func- 
tion by which certain substances, when 
placed in contact with a living surface, 
produce the same effects upon the sys- 
tem as when taken into the stomach, 
or injected into the veins, only in a less 
degree. Thus, arsenic, when applied 
to an external wound, will sometimes 
affect the system as rapidly as when in- 
troduced into the stomach ; and mer- 
cury, applied externally, has the effect 
of curing syphilis, and exciting saliva- 
tion. Plants absorb moisture and nu- 
tritive juices principally by their roots, 
but sometimes by their general surfaces, 
as in sea-weeds. Absorption of Unlit, 
that quality in an imperfectly transpar- 
ent body, or at a polished surface, by 
which some portion of an incident pen- 
cil of light is retained within the body, 
while the rest is either transmitted 
through it, or reflected from it. 

AHSTAIN'ER, n. One who abstains 
from the use of intoxicating liquors ; a 
tee-totaller. 



ABSTER'GENT, n. [add.] A lotion or 

other application for cleaning a sore. 

[See DKTURSIVE.] 
ABSTER'SION, n. An abstergent or 

detersive. 
ABSTER'SIVENESS.f n. Quality of 

being abstersive. 
AB'STINENCY, n. Same as ABSTI- 

NENCK. 

AB'STINENTS, n. plur. A name some- 
times given to tec-totallers. 

ABSTRACT", v. t. [add.] To take se- 
cretly for one's own use from the pro- 
perty of another when placed in one's 
power ; to purloin ; as, to abstract goods 
from a parcel, or money from a bank. 

AB'STRAT, a. [add.] Having the 
senses unemployed ; insensible to out- 
ward objects ; abstracted. [Milton.] 

AB'STRAT OF TITLE, n. In law, 
an epitome of the evidences of owner- 

ABSTRA'TION, n. [add.] The act of 
withdrawing ; the taking for one's own 
use part of the property of another, 
when placed in one's power. -Abstrac- 
tion and absorption of heat, that power 
by which heat is made to pass from one 
body to whatever surrounds it, or to 
any conducting substance of lower tem- 
perature with which it is in contact. 
The abstraction may take place by ra- 
diation from the surface of the heated 
body, or by an immediate communi- 
cation between the particles of caloric, 
and those of the bodies by which it is 
given and received. 

ABSTRA"TIVELY, adv. In an ab- 
stractive manner. 

ABSTRI'TED,t pp. [L. abstrictus.] 
Unbound. 

ABSUMP'TION.t n. Destruction. 

ABUL'YIEMENTS, n. Habiliments; 
accoutrements. [Scotch.] 

ABUR'TON. In naut. Ian., casks are 
said to be stowed aburton, when placed 
athwartships in the hold. 

ABU'SABLE, a (s as z.) That may be 
abused. 

ABUSE, r. t. (s as z.) [add.] To maim or 
mutilate. 

ABOSE, n. [add.] Deception ; puzzle. 
[Shah.] 

ABUT'MENT, n. [add.] In arch., that 
which receives the end of, and gives 
support to, anything having a tendency 
to spread or thrust outwards, or in a 
horizontal direction. 

ABUT'TER, . He or that which abuts. 

ABYSS", instead of ABYSS. 

ABYS'SAL.f a. Relating to or like an 
abyss. 

AA'CIA, n. [add.] This genus of 
plants belongs to the mit. order Legu- 
minosiu, suborder Mimoseae. As ob- 
jects of ornament, the acacias are usu- 
ally of striking beauty. Some of the 
species produce catechu and gum-ara- 
bic ; the bark of others yields a large 
quantity of tannin, as, A. decurrens, and 
mollissima. Several species afford tim- 
ber of good quality ; as, A. elata, xu- 
Ittcarpa, odoratissiina, sundra, &c. 

AA'CIA TREE, n. A name some- 
times applied to the false acacia or lo- 
cust-tree (Robinia pseudacacia}. 

AC"ACY,t n. Freedom from malice. 

AADEM'I,a. [add.] Figure of aca- 
demic proportions, in painting, a figure 
of little less than half the size of nature, 
such as it is the custom for pupils to 
draw from the antique, and from life : 
also, any figure in an attitude conven- 
tional, or resembling those chosen in 
life academies, for the purpose of dis- 
playing to the students muscular ac- 
3 



tion, form, and colour, to the best ad- 
vantage. 

AAD'EMY, n. [add.] The term aca- 
demy is especially applied to an institu- 
tion for the cultivation and promotion 
of the fine arts, partaking of the charac- 
ter both of an association of artists for 
mutual improvement, and of a school of 
instruction. Academy figure, a figure 
which the artist has selected and com- 
posed in such a manner as to exhibit 
his skill in design, but without due re- 
gard to the character of the personage, 
and the voluntary action of the subject 
of the picture or statue : also, a figure 
drawn, painted, or modelled from the 
nude solely, without any other inten- 
tion than that of studying the human 
form, and as a part of academic studies. 
The term academy figure is sometimes 
understood to be one in which the ac- 
tion is constrained, and the parts with- 
out mutual connection with each other, 
and designed to exhibit the develop- 
ment of certain muscles or members of 
the body. 

AA'DIALITE, n. A siliceous mineral 
found in Nova Scotia ; red chabasie. 

A'AJOU, n. The cashew-nut tree. 

AALE'PHANS, n. The same as ACA- 
LEPH^E, which see. 

AA'LYCINE, a. [L. acalj/cinus.] In 
bat., without a calyx or flower-cup. 

AANTHA'CE7E, n. A nat. order of 
plants, having for its type the genus 
Acanthus. The species are common in 
all tropical countries, and consist of 
herbaceous plants or shrubs, with op- 
posite leaves, and monopetolous corolla. 
Their properties are little known. 

AAN'THICE, n. The sweet juice of 
ivy buds. 

AAN'THION, n. A genus of rodent 
animals, separated from the porcupines, 
properly so called. 

AANTHOCEPH'ALA, n. [Gr. ,- 
On, a spine, and *>t*>i. a head.] A fa- 
mily of intestinal worms, one species 
of which is often found in the aliment- 
ary canal of Swine. Another species is 
found in the liver of the cat. 

ACAN'THODES, n. A genus of fossil 
fishes. 

AAN'THOPHIS, n. A genus of ve- 
nomous serpents, allied to the vipers. 
The species are of small size, reside on 
the surface of the dry land, and feed 
upon frogs, lizards, and small mammals. 
A. Brownii is an inhabitant of Australia 

ACAN'THOPODS, n. A tribe of clavi- 
corn coleopterous beetles, including 
those species with spiny legs. 

AAR'DIA, a. [Gr. priv. and 
*{8i, the heart.] Without a heart. 

ACAR'IDANS,) n. A division of Ar- 

AAR'IDES, }. achnides, which com- 

AAR'IDy, J prehends the mites 
(Acarus), and the ticks (Ricinus). The 
head, thorax, and body are all in one 
piece. 

A'ARON, n. The wild myrtle. 

AAR'PIA, n. [Gr. ( T J Unfruit- 
fulness. 

AAR'PIOUS, a. Sterile ; barren. 

AC'ARUS, n. The mite ; a genus of in - 
sects belonging to the Acarides. In the 
Linnsean classification it comprehends 
the domestic mite (A. domesticus), the 
itch-mite (A. scabiei), the sparrow mite 
(A. passerinus), and many other species, 
which are now divided into distinct 
genera. 

AATALE'TI, a. Not halting 
short ; complete ; having the complete 
number of syllables ; as, an acatalectic 
verse. 



ACCESSORY VALVES 



ACCOMPTANT 



ACCUMULATIVE JUDGMENT 



AATALEP'SIA, n. [L.1 Acatalepsy. 

AATHAR'SIA, . [add.] In med., im- 
purity of the blood and humours. 

AAULES'CENT, a. [Gr. . priv. and 
*KA, a stem.] Stemless ; a term ap- 
plied to a plant in which the stem is 
apparently absent. 

AAU'LINE, > a. In hot., having no 

AAU'LOSE, j stem or stalk. 

ACE'DAS AD U'KIAM. [L.] In 
law, a writ lying where a man has re- 
ceived, or fears, false judgment in an 
inferior court. It is issued by the chan- 
cery, and directed to the sheriff. 

ACELERA'TION, n. [add.] In phy- 
siol. and pathol., a term applied to an 
increased activity of the functions, but 
particularly of the circulating fluids. 
Acceleration and retardation of the tides, 
certain deviations of the times of con- 
secutive high-water at any place, from 
those which would be observed if the 
tides occurred after the lapse of a mean 
interval. The interval between the cul- 
mination of the moon, or the occur- 
rence of her principal phases, and the 
nearest time of high- water, is also called 
the retardation of the tide. 

ACELERA'TOR,n. In<za<.,amuscle 
which contracts to expel or accelerate 
the passage of the urine. 

ACENDEN'TES, or ACENSO'- 
RES, n. [L. accendo.] In the Romish 
church, a lower rank of ministers, 
whose business it is to trim the candles 
and tapers. 

A'CENT, n. [add.] In trigonometry, 
an accent at the right hand of a number 
indicates minutes of a degree ; two ac- 
cents, seconds, &c. ; as, 20 10' 30", 
twenty degrees, ten minutes, thirty se- 
conds In engineering, similar signs 

are used to express feet and inches ; as. 
3' 6", three feet six inches. 

ACCENTED, pp. [add.] Accented 
parts of a bar, in music, are those parts 
of the bar on which the stress falls ; 
as the first and third parts of the bar, 
in common time. 

ACCENTOR, n. A genus or group of 
passerine birds, which includes our well- 
known hedge-sparrow (A. modularis). 
The genus has received its name from 
the sweet notes of the species compos- 
ing it. 

ACCEPT',! " In Shah., consent or 
acceptance. 

ACCEPTOR, n. One who accepts a 
bill of exchange. Before acceptance 
he is call drawee. 

ACCESS', or A'CESS, n. 

A'CESSARILY, adv. In the manner 
of an accessary. 

A'CESSAR1NESS, n. State of being 
accessary. 

AC'CESSARY, n. An accomplice. [See 
ACCESSORY.] 

AC'CESSARY, a. Contributing to a 
crime; additional. [See ACCESSORY.] 

ACCESSED n. [Fr.] A fever. [Chau.] 

AC'CESSORY, n. In hot., something 
additional, or not usually present. 

AC'CESSOR? VALVES, n. Small ad- 
ditional valves placed near the umbones 
of the genus Pholas among shells, and 




a a. Accessory Valvei or Pholas cliikw nsia. 

on the edges of the pedunculated bar- 
nacles among annulose animals. 



ACES'SUS, n. [L.] A climbing ma- 
chine ; a mode of electing a pope, called, 
in English, an election by acclamation. 

ACCIDEN'TAL, n. A property not es- 
sential. 2. In music, a flat or sharp pre- 
fixed to the notes in a movement. 

ACCIDENTAL LIGHTS, n. In paint., 
secondary lights which are not account- 
ed for by the prevalent effect j effects 
of light other than ordinary day-light, 
such as the rays of the sun darting 
through a cloud, or between the leaves 
of a thicket of trees ; the effect of moon- 
light, candle-light, or burning bodies. 

ACCIDENTAL'ITY, n. The quality 
of being accidental. [Rarely used.} 

ACCI'DIE,t n. [L. accidia.] Sloth; 
negligence ; indolence ; melancholy. 
[Chaucer.] 

ACCIPEN'SER, n. A genus of fishes. 
[See STCBGEON.] 

ACCIP'lENT,t n. [L. accipiens.] A 
receiver. 

ACCIP'ITRARY.f n. A catcher of 
birds of prey. 

ACCIP'ITRES, n. The first order of 
birds in the Linnrean system. They 
form two families, the diurnal and noc- 
turnal : the vulture and hawk are ex- 
amples of the first, and the owl of the 
second. [See ACCIPITEK.] 

ACCITE'.f v. t. [add.] To incline; to 
move ; as, 
What acciles your thoughts to think so? 

Stfi. 

ACCLAIM',* v. i. To applaud. 

AC'CLAMATE.t v. t. To applaud. 

ACCLAMA'TIQN, n. [add.] Unani- 
mous and immediate election, viva voce. 

ACCLI'MATE, or AC'CLIMATE. 

ACCLI'MATEMEN T, n. Acclimation. 
[Rarely used.] 

ACCLIMATIZA'TION, n. Act of 
inuring to a climate. [Rarely used.] 

ACCLI'MATIZE, instead of ACCLI- 
MATIS'E. 

ACCLI'MATIZED, pp. Inured to a 
different climate. 

ACCLI'MATIZING, ppr. Inuring to 
a different climate. 

ALIVE',f a. Rising. 

ACCLOY'.f ) v. t. [See CLOY.] To 

ACCLOYE'.t J cloy ; to encumber ; to 
embarrass with superfluity. [Spenser, 
Chaucer.] 

ACCOl'ED,t pp. of ACCOIE, or ACOIE. 
Plucked down, and daunted. [Spenser.] 

A'OLENT, instead of ACCO'- 
LENT. 

ACCOM'MODATED.pp. [add.] Suit- 
able. 

ACCOMTANIER, n. One who ac- 
companies. 

ACCOM'PANIMENT, n. [add.] The 
harmony of a figured base, or thorough 
base, is also termed an accompaniment. 
Accompaniment of the scale, the har- 
mony assigned to the series of notes, 
forming the diatonic scale, ascending 
and descending. Accompaniment, in 
painting, an object accessory to the 
principal object, and serving for its 
ornament or illustration. 

ACCOMPLIC'ITY, n. - The character 
or act of an accomplice. [Rarel// used.] 

ACCOMPLISH, v. t. [add.] In Shah., 
to arm or equip. 

ACCOM'PLISHABLE, a. Capable of 
accomplishment. 

ACCOMPT, n. (account'.) An account. 
[See ACCOUNT.] 

AOMPT'ABLE, a. (accountable.) 
Accountable. 

ACCOMPT' ANT, n. (account'ant.) A 
reckoner ; computer ; accountant. 
NOTE. Accompt and accomptant are 
4 



technical, or are often used when the 
words are officially applied ; as, an 
accomplant-general, an officer in the 
Court of Chancery [see ACCOUNTANT- 
GENERAL] ; but in other cases they are 
written account and accountant. 

ACCOMPT'ING DAY.f n. Day of 
reckoning. 

ACCORD'ANCY, n. Same as ACCORD- 
ANCE. 

ACCOSTING,-)- ppr. In falconry, 
crouching or stooping. [Spenser.] 

AOUCHEUSE, n. (akkooshooz'.) 
[Fr.] A midwife. 

ACCOUNT, n. [add.] Account cur- 
rent, a running account, and the state- 
ment of the mercantile transactions of 
one person with another, drawn out in 
the form of debtor and creditor. Ac- 
count stated, the title of the common 
count in an action at law for the 
amount due upon a balanced account 
between the parties, the form of which 
is, that the defendant was indebted to 
the plaintiff in a certain sum of money, 
found to be due from the defendant to 
the plaintiff, upon an account then 
stated between them, and in considera- 
tion thereof promised payment. 

ACCOUNTABLE, a. [add.] Of which 
an account can be given. 

ACCOUNTANT,* a. Accountable to. 

ACCOUNTANT, n. [add.] Account- 
ants are generally appointed to exa- 
mine the books of traders who 
have become bankrupt or embarrassed 
in their affairs ; or they may be called 
in by a trader to investigate his ac- 
counts, and to ascertain the state of 
his affairs. The collection of debts or 
rents, and the winding up of affairs of 
persons deceased, or who have given 
up business, are matters often put into 
their hands. 

ACCOUNTANTSHIP, n. The office 
or employment of an accountant. 

ACCOU'TERED, or ACCOU'TRED. 

ACCOU'TERING, or ACCOU'- 
TRING. 

ACCOY'ED.f pp. [Sax.l Caressed; 
made much of. [Spenser?] 

ACOYL'ED,+ pp. Gathered together; 
crowded. [Spenser.] 

ACCRES'CENCE, n. Act of growing 
to increase. [Rarely used.] 

ACCRE'TION, n. [add.] Accretion oj 
land by alluvion, land gained from the 
sea by the washing up of sand or earth, 
or by dereliction ; as when the sea sinks 
back below the usual water-mark. 
When the accretion is by small and 
imperceptible degrees, it belongs to 
the owner of the land immediately be- 
hind ; but if it is sudden and consider- 
able, it belongs to the crown. 



ACCREW'ED,tl>p. Increased; united. 
[Spenser ] 

ACRIMINA'TION, n. Accusation. 

ACCRpACH'MENT.f n. Act of ac- 
croaching. 

ACCUM'BENT.t n. One placed at a 
dinner-table. 

AUMULA'TION, n. [add.] Accu- 
mulation of power, a term applied to 
that quantity of motion which exists in 
some machines at the end of intervals 
of time, during which the velocity of 
the moving body has been constantly 
accelerated : thus an accumulation of 
force is obtained in the n.odern coin- 
ing-press by means of its fly-wheel. 

AU'MULATIVE JUDGMENT, n. 
In law, when a person under sentence 
for another crime is convicted of 
felony, the court is empowered to pass 



ACETAL 



ACICULJE 



A-COCK BILL 



a second sentence, to commence after 
the expiration of the first ; and this is 
termed an accumulative judgment. 

AU'MULATIVK LEGACY, n. In 
law, a double legacy, as when equal, 
greater, or leu sums are given in one 
will, or by two distinct writings of dif- 
ferent dates, as l>y a will and a codicil, 
or by t\vo cudifils. 

AU'SATIVE, n. The fourth cose 
tit' Latin nouns. 

ACCUSATORIAL, a. Accusatory. 

ACSATO'UIALLY, adv. By way 
of accusation. 

A-eOSE,f n. Accusation. 

ACSING, ppr. [add.J Bringing ac- 
cusation ; censuring. 

ACCUS'TO.VIEDNESS, n. Famili- 
arity. [Rarely used.} 

ACEN'T1U, a. \a neg. and centre.] 
Not centred. 

ACEPH'ALANS, n. In zool., fee 

ACEPHALA. 

ACEPH'ALIST.f " One who ac- 
knowledges no head or superior. 
ACEPH'ALOUS, a. [add.] In anat., 
a term applied to a fetus having no 
head. Deprived of its tirst syllable, as 
a line of poetry. 

AC'EK, . [L. acer, sharp or hard, 
from Celt, ac.] The maple, a genus of 
plants, many of which are valuable for 
the sake of their timber or of their 
ornamental appearance. Nat. order 
Aceracere. There are numerous spe- 
cies, A. striatum, an American species, 
yields the timber called moosewood; 
A. platanoides, is the Norway maple ; 
and A. saccharinum, the sugar maple 
of North America. A. campestre, com- 
mon maple, and A. pseudo-platanus, 
sycamore maple, are British species. 
[See MAPLE.] 

AC'EKA, \n. A family of apter- 
AC'ERANS,/ ous insects, charac- 
terized by the absence of antennae. 
ACERA'CEJE, n. A nat. order, 
comprehending the maples, and be- 
longing to the Thalamiflora?, orhypogy- 
nous, polypetalous division of dicotyle- 
donous plants. The species, which 
are all trees or shrubs, inhabit the 
temperate parts of Europe and Asia, 
the north of India, and North America. 
[See ACER and MAPLE.] 
AC'ER.iE, n. A family of gastropodous 
molluscs, approximating in many re- 
spects to the Aplysise. The genus 
Bnlla belongs to this family. 
AC'EUAS, n. [Or. without, and 
i<, a horn.] A genus of plants, nat. 
order Orehidaceo?. A. anthropophora, 
man-orchis, is a British plant. [See 
MAN-ORCHIS.] 

AC'ERATE, n. A salt formed of 
aceric acid and a base. 
ACER'BITDDE, n. Sourness ; acer- 
bity. 

ACER'IDES, n. plur. [Gr. priv. and 
r ; .,-, wax.] Plasters made without 
wax. 

ACERIN'EvE, n. Same as ACEHACE*. 
ACERV'ATE, a. In nat. hist., heaped, 
or growing in heaps, or in closely-com- 
pacted clusters. 

ACERVA'TION.t n. The act of 
heaping together. 
AC'ERVOSE.f a. Full of heaps. 
ACES'CENCE.t n. Acescency. 
ACETAB'ULUM, n. [add.] In en- 
tomol., the socket on the trunk on which 
the leg is inserted. A sucker of the 
cuttle-fish and of other molluscous 
animals. 

ACE'TAL, n. A compound of aldehyde 
with ether, formed by the action of 



platinum black on the vapour of 
iilmhol with the presence of oxygen. 
ACE'TI, a. Having the properties of 

vinegar; sonr. 

ACETl.M'ETER, n. [L. acetum, vinegar, 
and Gr. /uir;, measure.] An in- 
strument for ascertaining the strength 
of vinegar. 

ACETIM'ETRY, n. The act, or me- 
thod of ascertaining the strength of 
vinegar, or the proportion of acetic acid 
contained in it. 

ACE'TONE, n. The new chemical 
name for pyro-acetic spirit, which see. 
ACETO'SITY.t n- The state of being 
sour. 

ACE'TOUS, ) a. Sour; acid; as,acetous 
ACE'TOSE, ) spirit. 2. Causing ace- 
tification ; as, acetous fermentation. 
ACE'TYLE, 7i. An hypothetical radi- 
cal, produced by the abstraction of two 
atoms of oxygen from ethyle, by 
oxidating processes. The hydrated 
oxide of acetyle is termed aldehyde. 
ACETYL'I ACID, n. A new name 
for acetic acid. 

ACE'TYLOUS ACID, n. A synonyme 
of aldehydic acid or lampic acid. 
ACH'ATE.f n. [Fr. acheter.} Pur- 
chase ; contract ; bargain. [Chaucer.] 
ACHATES', n. plur. [Fr.] Provisions. 
[Spenser.] 

AHATI'NA, n. A genus of gastero- 
podous mollusca, which feed on trees 
and shrubs in warm climates, such as 
Africa and the West Indies. 
ACHA'TOUR,t n. A purchaser; a 
purveyor ; a caterer. \Chaucer.] 
ACHEK'ED.t ) PP. Choked. [Chau- 
ACHECK'ED.tl /-.] 
ACHE'LOR. See ASHLER, 
AHER'NAR, instead of ACHER'- 
KER. 

AHERON'TIA, n. A genus of lepi- 
dopterous insects belonging to the 
family Sphingidse. A. atropos is the 
death's-head hawk-moth (which see), 
the larva of which is sometimes found 
in our potato-fields. 

AHE'TA, n. A genus of orthopterous 
insects containing the well-known 
house-cricket (Acheta domestica). 
AHILLE'A, n. Milfoil, a genus of 
plants. [See MILFOIL.] 
AHIL'LIS TEN'DO, n. [L.] The 
tendon of Achilles ; the strong tendon 
of the gastro-cnemius and soleus mus- 
cles, which is inserted in the heel. 
A-CHI'RUS, n. [Gr * priv. and X "J, 
hand.] A genus of flat-fish, order 
Malacopterygii, and family Subbran- 
chia, of Cuvier. These fishes resemble 
in external form, the common sole, but 
are distinguished from all other genera 
by the total want of pectoral fins, hence 
their name. They abound mostly in 
the East and West Indies, and as they 
keep near the shores, they furnish a 
plentiful supply of wholesome food to 
the inhabitants. The flesh of the A 
marmoratus is highly esteemed. 
AH'RAS, n. [Gr. ,, the wild pear- 
tree.] A genus of tropical plants, 
nat. order Sapotaceaj, of several species, 
which yields a copious milky fluid whe 
wounded. One species (A. sapota) is 
called in the West Indies, the sapodilla 
plum. The fruit is only eaten in a state 
of decay, and in that state it is very 
rich and sweet. [See cut in Dictionary 
SAPODILLA.] 

AH'ROMATISM, n. Better AH- 
RO'MATISM. 

A.ClG'VLJE,n.plnr. [L. acicula.] The 
spines or prickles of some animals and 
plants. 

5 



ACI'ULATE, a. In but., needle- 
shaped. 

ACI'ULIFORM, a. Having the form 
of needles. 

ACID'IFYING PRINCIPLED. That 
which possesses the property of con- 
verting a substance into an acid. No 
general acidifying principle exists. 

ACID'ULOUS, a. [add.] Aciiliilimt 
mineral waters, are such as contain 
carbonic acid. 

AC'IFORM, a. [L. acus, a needle, and 
forma, form.] Shaped like a needle. 

ACINA'CEOtJS, a. [L. acinus, a grape- 
stone.] Full of kernels. 

ACIN'ACES, n. [L.] A short, straight 



P1jnjn> from the Pem' 




Sculptures eMln tiia 



dagger, worn on the right side, peculiar 
to the Scythians, Medes, and Persians. 
AC'INI, n. plur. [L. acinus, a grape- 
stone.] The minute parts of the lo- 
bules of the liver, connected together 
by vessels. 

AC'INOS, n. [Gr. ,, wild basil.] 
Basil-thyme, a genus of plants, now 
referred to Calamintha. A. vulyaris 
is the same as C. acinos. [See CALA- 
MINTHA.] 

AC'INUS, n. [add.] In anat., a term 
applied to the ultimate secerning fol- 
licles of glands; or the granulations 
composing the structure of some con- 
glomerative glands, as the liver. 
ACIUR'tJY, n. [Gr. *.t, a point or 
something sharp, and ijyoi-, operation.] 
A description of surgical instruments, 
or a demonstration of surgical opera- 
tions. 
AKELE',t v. t. (akeel'.l To cool. 

[Chaucer.] 

ACK'ETON, n. See HACQUETON. 
AKNOW',t v. t. To acknowledge; 
to confess. 

ACKNOWLEDGER,-)- n. One who 
acknowledges. 

AKNOWN',f PP- Acknowledged. 
ALIN'I LINE, n. [Gr. priv. and 
xXi., to incline.] The name given by 
Professor August to an irregular curve 
in the neighbourhood of the terrestrial 
equator, where the magnetic needle 
balances itself horizontally. It has 
been also termed the magnetic equator. 
A'M1TE, n. [Gr. *,cm, a point.] A 
mineral of the augite family, occurring 
in long pointed crystals. It is also 
written Achmite. 

A-OCK BILL. In mar. Ian., the posi- 
tion of an anchor, when it hangs down 
by its ring from the cat-head. Yards 
are said to be a-cock bill, when they 
are topped up at an angle with the 
deck. 



ACRITT 



ACT 



ACTIVE 



AOIE',f t. (ako/.) To make quiet. 

[Chaucer.] 
AOLD',f a. Cold. 



AOM'BER,f v. t. To encumber. 
[Chaucer.] 

AOMB'ERU,t pp. Encumbered. 
[Chaucer.] 

AONI'TI ACID, n. An acid ob- 
tained from species of the genus Aconi- 
tum. It occurs in the form of small 
confused crystals. 

AO'NITINE, n. An alkaloid obtained 
from the roots and leaves of several 
species of Aconitum. It is exceedingly 
poisonous. 

ACONI'TUM, n. [Gr. *., a dart, from 
its use to poison such weapons.] A 
genus of poisonous plants, nat. order 
KanunculaceiB. The species are hardy, 
herbaceous plants, many of them of 
great beauty. A. napellus, or wolf's- 
bane, is extremely virulent [see cut in 
Diet., WOLF*S-BANE] J but the Sish or 
Sikh of Nepaul (A. ferox) is said to 
possess the concentrated power of all 
the European species. 

A'ORN-SHELL, n. The shell of the 
acorn. 

A'CORUS, n. A genus of plants, now 
referred to the nat. order Orontiacese. 

ACOS'MIA, n. [Gr. priv. and xtr/ut, 
order, or beauty.] Irregularity in dis- 
ease, particularly in crises ; also, ill- 
health, with loss of colour in the face. 

ACOS'MIUM, n. A genus of Brazilian 
plants belonging to the nat. order Legu- 
minosse. 

AOTYLE'DONES, ) n. See Aco- 

AOTYLEDO'NE^E, ) TTLEDON. 

ACOU'HETEK, n. [Gr. *,, to hear, 
and /uT{m, measure.] An instrument 
for measuring the extent of the sense 
of hearing. 

AOUS'TIAL, a. Same as ACOUSTIC. 

ACQUAINT' ABLE, a. Easy to be 
acquainted with. 

ACQUAINTANCE, n. [add.] To 
cultivate one's acquaintance, to treat or 
attend to one in order to gain his ac- 
quaintance, with a view to render it 
advantageous, or to derive pleasure 
from it. 

AQUAlNT'ANT,t n. A person with 
whom one is acquainted. 

ACQUAINT'EDNESS, n. State of 
being acquainted. [Not authorized.] 

AQUIES'CENCY, n. Same as AC- 
QUIESCENCE. 

ACQUIS'ITOR, n. One who makes 
acquisition. [Rarely used.] 

AQUIT'TANCE,t . t. To acquit. 

A'RASY, n. [add.] Excess; irregularity. 

ARA'TIA, n. [Gr. a priv. and X..TM, 
strength.] Weakness; intemperance. 

A'CREAGE, n. The number of acres 
in a piece of land ; measurement by the 
acre. 

A'"CRE-DALE, n. Land in a common 
field, different parts of which are held 
by different proprietors. 



A<JRID'IANS, | n. A family of orthop- 
j te 



erous insects, con- 
taining the grasshoppers. All the spe- 
cies of this family can leap. 

ARID'ITY, n. Same as ACKIDNESS. 

ARI'TA, > n. The lowest division 

ACRI'TANS,) of the animal kingdom, 
in which there is no distinct discernible 
nervous system, or distinct and separate 
alimentary canal ; as the sponges, poly- 
pes, &e. 

ACRIT'ICAL, a. In med., having no 
crisis. 

A'RITY,f n. Sharpness ; eagerness. 



AROAMAT'IAL, a. Same as Ac- 

BOAMATIC. 

A'ROBATE, n. [Gr. *{!, to go 
on tip-toe, to climb upwards.] A rope- 
dancer. 

ACROB'ATES, n. A genus of marsu- 
pial animals, indigenous to Australia, 




Opossum Mouse, Arrofiatct Higtnawt. 

containing the opossum mouse ( A. pyg- 
mceus), one of the smallest of the mar- 
supialia. 

A'ROHORD, ) n. A genus of 

AROHORD'US,J serpents found 
in Java, covered entirely with scales, 
which resemble granulated warts when 
the body is inflated. They are destitute 
of poison-fangs. 

AROHORD'ON, n. [Gr. .*;, 
highest, extreme, and x*. a string.] 
An excrescence on the skin, with a 
slender base. 

AROCI'NUS, n. [Gr. ** (n , point, *,., 
I move.] A genus of longicorn coleop- 
terous insects, of which the harlequin 
beetle of South Americn(A.longimanus) 
is the type. It is so called from its 
having the spine on each side of the 
thorax movable. 

A'ROGENS or ACROG'ENjE, n. 
[add.] This term is now extended to 
all those cryptogamic or acotyledonous 
plants, which have a stem and leaves, 
in place of a frond 01 thallus. To it 
belong all the ferns, the Equisetaceaj, 
Musci or mosses, &c. 

AKOG'RAPHY, n. [Gr. *<, and 
y<*<t* to write, or engrave.] The art 
of producing blocks in relief, for the 
purpose of printing from, along with 
type, and thus to supersede wood-en- 
graving. Invented by M. Schiinberg. 

AROKE',f a., (akrok'.) Crooked. 
[Chaucer.] 

ARO'LEINE, n. [Gr. z p t, and L. 
oleum, oil.] A substance of a highly 
pungent odour, given off by oils and 
fats, when boiling at a high tempera- 
ture. 

ACROL'ITHAN, a. Pertaining to an 
acrolith ; formed like an acrolith ; as, 
an acrolithan statue. 

ACRO'MIAL, a. In omit., relating to 
the acromion. 

ARON'IAL, a. More properly 
ARON'YUAL. 

ARON'IALLY, adv. More properly 
ARON'YHALLY. 

ACROS'TICAL, a. Same as ACBOSTIC. 

AROTE'RIAL, a. Pertaining to the 
acroter; as, acroterial ornaments. 

AROTIS'MUS, n. [Gr. . priv. and 
*(>, pulse.] In med., defect of pulse. 

AiJRY'LI ACID, n. An acid obtained 
from acroleine. 

AT, v. i. [add.] To practise; to 
exercise ; to perform the office or part 
of; as, to act tyranny ; to act the critic. 

A-CT, n. [add.] Act before answer, in 
Scots law, is when the lords ordain 
probation to be led before they deter- 
mine the relevancy, and then take both 
at once under their determination. 
Act of curatory, the act extracted by 
the clerk upon any one's acceptance of 
being curator. Act of grace, in Scot- 
land, an act passed in 1696, for provid- 
ing maintenance for debtors imprisoned 
by their creditors. In England, it is 
6 



usually applied to insolvent acts and 
general pardons at the beginning of a 
new reign, or other great occasion. 
ATjE'A, n. [Gr. *m, the elder, from 
the form of its leaves.] A Linnrean 
genus of plants, found in various parts 
of Europe, the north of Asia, and 
America, nat. order Ranunculaceai. 
All the species are possessed of nau- 
seous and deleterious properties. A. 
spicata is known in England by the 
name of herb Christopher. [See CIMI- 

CIFUOA-] 

ATERAI'MINE, n. A star of the 
third magnitude in the left shoulder of 
Cepheus. 

ACTIN'EA, n. [nxrn, a ray.] A genus of 
animals belonging to the sea-nettles 
(Acalepha), Cuv.) The mouth occupies 
the centre of the upper surface, and is 
surrounded by tentacula, which radiate 
from the centre, like the petals of a 
flower. Hence the genus has acquired 
the names of animal flowers, sea- 
anemones, &c. These animals when at 
rest form a sort of ball, and assume 
this form also when disturbed. 

ATIN'I, a. Pertaining to the radia- 
tion of heat or light. 

ATIN'IFORM, n. [Gr. *, a ray, 
and L. forma, form.] Having a radiated 
form. 

A'TINISM, n. [Gr. n> , a ray.] The 
radiation of heat or light; or that 
branch of natural philosophy which 
treats of the radiation of heat or light. 

ATINOAR'PUS, n. Star-fruit, a 
genus of plants, nat. order Alismacese. 
A. damasonium is a British plant, 
growing in ditches and pools, mostly in 
a gravelly soil. It is the Alisma 
damasonium, Linn. 

ATINOC'EROS, n. [Gr. * x ,,,, a. ray, 
and xi{?, a horn.] A generic term, 
signifying the radiate disposition of the 
horns or feelers of animals. 

AT1NORI'NITE, n. An extinct 
animal of the encrinite genus. - 

ATINOCY'LUS, In *<><., a genus of 
diatomaceous plants, found in the sea, 
and sometimes in Peruvian guano, re- 
sembling minute round shells. 

ATINOMET'RI,a. Of or belonging 
to the actinometer. 

A'TINOTE, n. A radiated mineral. 

A'TION, n. [add.] Principle of least 
action, a name given by Lagrange to 
a law of motion, which he enunciates 
thus : " In a system of moving bodies, 
the sum of the products of the masses 
of the bodies by the integral of the 
products of the velocities, and the ele- 
ments of the spaces passed over is con- 
stantly a maximum or minimum." 
Actions, in the animal body, are by phy- 
siologists divided into voluntary, as the 
contraction of the muscles ; involuntary, 
as those of the larynx, pharynx, sphinc- 
ters, &c., and those of the irritability ; 
and mixed, as those motions or alter- 
nations of inspiration and expiration 
which constitute the acts of respiration. 
In Scots law, an action, is a prosecu- 
tion by any party of his right, in order 
to obtain a judicial determination. In 
paint, and sculp, [add.] The effect of a 
figure or figures acting together. Also, 
the principal event which forms the 
subject of a picture or bass-relief. 

A'TION- SERMON, n. The name 
given in Scotland to the sermon 
preached on a communion Sabbath, 
prior to the dispensation of the sacra- 
ment of the Lord's Supper. 
I A'TIVE or LIVING FORCE. See 
Vis VIVA. 



ADDAX 



ADHERENCE 



ADJUVANT 



AT'OK, n. [add.] In law, this woid 
generally signifies a plaintiff'. 
ATS OF SEDE'KUNT. In .SVW.< 
law, statutes made V>y the lords of 
session, by virtue of an act of Parliament 
passed in 1540, which granted them 
power to make such constitutions as 
they might think expedient for ordering 
the procedure and forms of administer- 
ing justice. These are termed acts n} 
stiliTitnt, because they are made by the 
lords of session sitting in judgment. 
AC'TUAL, a. [add.] Present ; existing ; 
now in being ; as, the actual government 
of !' ranee. [Modern.] 
A'TUARY, n. [add.] The manager of 
a joint-stock company, under a I mart! 
of directors, particularly of an insur- 
ance company. Also, a person skilled | 
in the doctrine of life annuities and 
insurances, who is in the habit of giving 
opinions upon cases of annuities, rever- 
sions, &c. 

ATUO8'ITY, n. Power or state of 
action. [Rarelu used.} 

A'TUIlE,t n. Action. 

AC'UATE,t a. Sharpened ; pointed. 

AU'ITY,t n. Sharpness. 

ACULEA'TA, n. A group of hymenop- 
terous insects, in which the abdomen 
of the females and neuters is armed 
with a sting, connected with a poison 
reservoir. To this group belong the 
Praedones, and Melliferae or honey- 
collectors. 

AU'LEATE, n. A hymenopterous in- 
sect ; one of the Aculeata. 

AU'LEATE, v. t. To form to a point ; 
to sharpen. 

AU'LEUS, n. plur. Aeulei. [L.] In 
hot., a prickle. 

ACTE, v. t. To render the accent 
acute. [Rarely used.] 

ADAT',f v. t., [L. adigo.] To drive ; 
to compel. 

ADA'GIAL.f a. Proverbial. 

AD'AGY,+ n. Same as AI>AOE. 

AD'AM'S ALE, or AD'AM'S WINE, 
n. Water. [Cotloq.] 

ADAP'TER, B. He or that which 
adapts. 

ADAPT'IVE, a. Tending to adapt; 
suitable, [llarely ttsed.] 

ADAPTO'RIAL, a. Tending to adapt 
or fit ; suitable. 

AD'ATAIS, 71. A clear, fine Bengal 
muslin. 

ADAW'.t ) v. t. To awake. [Chau- 

ADAWE'.tJ cer.] 

ADAW',t i. To be daunted. [Spenser.] 

ADA\V'ED,f PP. Awaked ; daunted. 

ADAW'LET, or ADAW'LUT.n. [Hin- 
dostanee.] 1. Justice, equity. 2. In the 
East Indies, a court of ju~t iur, civil or 
criminal. 

AD'DA, n. A small species of lizard, 
celebrated throughout the East as being 
efficacious in the cure of various cuta- 
neous diseases to which the inhabitants 
of Egypt and Arabia are peculiarly 
subject. It is about six inches in length, 
with a cylindrical body and tail. 

AD'DABLE, a. See ADDIBLK. 

AD'DAX, TI. A species of antelope 
(Oryx nasomacnlata), and one of the 
largest of the genus. The horns of the 
male are particularly magnificent. They 
are about four feet long, and beautifully 
twisted into a wide-sweeping spiral of 
two turns and a-half, surrounded by a 
prominent wreath, which follows all 
their windings, and is gradually obli- 
terated towards the points, which are 
directed outwards. It was unknown 
to modern naturalists till discovered 
by the German traveller, Riippel, on 



the barren sands of Nubia and Kor- 
dofan. It is also found in the woody 




Head of Adilax, Oryx natomaculitfa. 

parts of Caffraria. It is the Strepsiceros 
of the older writers. 

AD'DER (Great Sea), n. The fifteen- 
spired stickleback, a species of marine 
fish, is so called on the coast. 

AD'DER-GEM, 71. A species of charm. 

AD'DER-PIKE, n. A species of fish 
found on our coast, colled also the lesser 
weever or sting-fish. It is the 7V- 
chinus vipera of naturalists. 

AD'DERSTONE, n. A stone or bead 
used by the Druids as an amulet. 

AD'DER'S TONGUE, n. See OPHIO- 

OLOS8UM. 

ADDITAMEN'TUM, n. [L. See AD- 

DITAMENT. 

ADDITIONAL, n. Something added. 
ADDI"TIONARY,t a. Additional. 
AD'DLE, n. The dry lees of wine. 
AD'DLE-HEADED, a. Same as An- 

DLE-PATED. 

ADDORSE', v. t. In her., to place back 
to back. 

ADDRESS', v. i. To prepare. 

ADDRESS'ED, pp. In Shah., pre- 
pared ; ready. 

ADDRESS'FtJL,t a. Skilful; dexter- 
ous. 

ADDREST', pp. In Shah., ready. 

ADDREST,' pp. Addressed. 

ADDUC'TION, n. [add.] The action 
by"which a part is drawn towards some 
other more principal part ; the action 
of the adducent muscles. 

ADENANTHE'RA, n. [Gr. <,!, a 
gland, and &), an anther.] Gland- 
flower, a genus of plants, natives of the 
East Indies and Ceylon ; nat. order Le- 
guminosaj. A. pavonina is one of the 
largest and handsomest trees of India. 
The seeds, from their equality in weight 
(each = 4 grains), are used by gold- 
smiths as weights. 

ADEN'IFORM, a. Of a gland-like 
shape. 

ADENI'TIS, 7i Inflammation of a 

ADENOPH'YMA,n. [Ge. 3 w ,agland, 
and fvt&tt, a suppurating tumour.] In 
med., a swelling of a gland ; as it occurs 
in the liver, it is called hepatophyma ; 
but as it occurs in the inguinal gland, 
it is termed bubo. 

ADEPH'AGA, TI. A family of carnivor- 
ous and very voracious coleopterous 
insects. It corresponds with the car- 
nivora of Cuvier. The tiger-beetle 
(Cicindela campestris), and garden- 
beetle (Carabus violaceus), are familiar 
examples. 

ADEPHA'GIA, n. [Gr. *t v , abun- 
dantly, and ?5-, to eat.J Voracious 
appetite ; bulimia. 

AD'EPS, n. [L.] Fat ; animal oil. 

ADHE'RENCE, n. [add.] In paint., the 

effect of those parts of a picture, which, 

wanting relief, are not detached, and 

7 



hence appear adhering to the canvas or 

surface. 

VDIIE RENT, a. [add.] In bot., strictly 

signifies sticking to anything, but it i* 

more commonly employed in the sense 

of adnate ; an adherent ovary, an ovary 

ailnatr to the tube of a calyx. 

ADHE'SIVE, a. [add.] Adhesii-e in- 
flammation, in med., that kind of in- 
flammation which causes adhesion 

Adhesive slate, a variety of slaty clay 
adhering strongly to the tongue, and 
rapidly absorbing water. 

ADHORT'ATORY, a. [add.] Exhort- 
ing ; encouraging. 

ADIAN'TUM, n. Maiden-hair, a genus 
of plants. [See MAIDEN-HAIK and CA- 

PILLAIRE.l 

ADIAPH'ORACY.t n. Indifference. 

ADIAPH'ORY.t " Neutrality ; indif- 
ference. 

ADIP'IC ACID, TI. An acid obtained by 
treating oleic with nitric acid. 

ADIPOC'EROUS, a. Relating to adi- 
pocere ; containing adipocere. 

ADIPOCIRE', n. See ADIPOCEUE. 

AD'IPOSE, a. [add.] Adipose sacs and 
ducts, are the bags and ducts which 
contain the fat. Adipose tissue, an 
assemblage of minute round vesicles 
containing the fat closely agglomerated 
and imbedded in the interstices of the 
common cellular tissue. Adipose sub- 
stance, animal fat. 

AD'IPOUS, a. Fat ; of the nature of 
fat. 

ADIP'SIA,) TI. [Gr. priv. and 8/^, 

ADIP'SY, ) thirst.] In med., the 
total absence of thirst. 

ADI"TION,t 71. [L.uu'eo.] Act of going 
to. 

ADI'VE, n. The name of a fox found in 
Siberia, the Vulpes corsac of naturalists. 

ADJA'CENCE.f n. Proximity; near- 
ness. 

Ap'JETIVAL, a. Belonging to or 
like an adjective. \Itarely used.] 

AD'JETIVED, pp. Formed into an 
adjective. [Rarely used.] 

ADJU'DICATOR, n. One who adju- 
dicates. 

AD'JUGATE, v. t. [L. adjugo.\ To 
yoke to. 

ADJUNT'LY, instead ot AD- 
JUNTLY. 

ADJCRE, v. t. [add.] To swear by ; as, 
to adjure the holy name of God. [ Un- 
usual.} 

ADJUST'AGE, n. Adjustment. [Rarely 
used.] 

ADJUST'IVE, a. Tending to adjust. 
[Rarely used.] 

ADJUSTMENT, TI. [add.] In a picture, 
the manner in which draperies are 
chosen, arranged, and disposed ; proper 
disposition or arrangement; adaptation. 

ADJC'TAGE,) n. Better AD'JU- 

AJU'TAGE, } TAGE; or AJ'U- 
TAGE. [add.] This name is given to 
a tube not exceeding a few inches in 
length, which may be fitted to an orifice 
in a reservoir or vessel, in order to 
facilitate the discharge of a fluid from 
such vessel. 

AD'JUTANT-GENERAL, n. In the 
army, a staff- officer, one of those next 
in rank to the commander-in-chief. 
He superintends the details of all the 
dispositions ordered by the commander- 
in-chief, communicates general orders 
to the different brigades, and receives 
and registers the reports of the state of 
each as to numbers, discipline, equip- 
ments, &c. 

ADJU'TORY.f a. That helps. 

ADJU'VANT, or AD'JUVANT, a. 



ADMIRALTY 



ADULARIA 



ADVOCATE 



ADJU'VANT, or AD'JUVANT, n, 

An assistant. 2. In med., a substance 
added to a prescription to aid the opera- 
tion of the principal ingredient or 
basis. 

AD'JUVATE.f v. t. To help 

AD LlB'ITUM,n.[L.] [add.] Inmusic, 
this term denotes that the performer is 
at liberty to pause, or to introduce any 
cadence or addition of his own, as his 
judgment directs. An accompaniment 
is said to be ad libitum, when it is not 
essential, and may be either used or 
omitted as circumstances may require. 

ADMAR'GINATE, r. t. To note, or 
write on the margin. [Rarely used.} 

ADMIN'ISTRABLE,a. Capable of ad- 
ministration. 

ADMIRABIL'ITY, n. Admirableness. 

AD'MIRABLE, n. A drink or liquor 
made of peaches, plums, sugar, water, 
and spirit. 

AD'MIRAL, n. [add.] The office of 
lord high admiral has been in com- 
mission since 1709, with the exception 
of about sixteen months, during which 
it was held by the Duke of Clarence, 
afterwards William IV. The commis- 
sioners, styled the lords commissioners 
of the Admiralty, were formerly seven, 
but are now six in number. The first 
lord is always a member of the cabi- 
net, and it is he who principally exer- 
cises the powers of the office. The 
admirals of her Majesty's navy are dis- 
tinguished into three classes, named 
after the colours of their respective 
flags, namely, admirals of the red, of 
the while, and of the blue. Admirals of 
the red, who form the highest class, 
bear their nag at the maintop-gallant- 
mast head, those of the white at the 
foretop-gallant-mast head, and those 
of the blue at the mizzentop-gallant 
mast head. There are also vice-ad- 
mirals and rear-admirals of each flag. 
The title of Admiral of the Fleet is 
merely an honorary distinction. There 
are also a vice-admiral and a rear-ad- 
miral of the United Kingdom ; but these 
places are now sinecures, being usually 
bestowed upon naval officers of high 
standing and eminent services The 
red admiral butterfly is the Vanessa 
atalanta. The white admiral butterfly 
is the Limenitis Camilla. It is so called 
from its fine flight. 

AD'MIRAL SHELL, n. The popular 
name of a subgenus of magnificent 
shells of the genus Voluta. 

AD'MIRALTY, n. [add.] The office 
and jurisdiction of the lords commis- 
sioners appointed to take the general 
management of maritime affairs, and of 
all matters relating to the royal navy, 
with the government of its various de- 
partments. The lords commissioners 
of the Admiralty are now six in num- 
ber [see under ADMIRAL], Admiralty 
court, or court of admiralty, is a tri- 
bunal having jurisdiction over maritime 
causes, whether of a civil or criminal 
nature. It was formerly held before 
the lord high admiral, but is now 
presided over by his deputy, who is 
called the judge of the court. The 
court of admiralty is twofold: the in- 
stance court, and the prize court ; but 
these are usually presided over by the 
same judge. The civil jurisdiction of 
the instance court extends generally to 
such contracts as are made upon the 
sea, and are founded in maritime ser- 
vice or consideration. It also regulates 
many other points of maritime law 
as disputes between part-owners of ves- 



sels, and questions relating to salvage. 
It has likewise power to inquire into 
certain wrongs or injuries committed 
on the high seas, as in cases of collision. 
In criminal matters the court of ad- 
miralty has, partly by common law, and 
partly by a variety of statutes, cogniz- 
ance of piracy, and all other indictable 
offences committed either upon the sea, 
or on the coasts, when beyond the 
limits of any English county. The 
prize court is the only tribunal for de- 
ciding what is, and what is not lawful 
prize, and for adjudicating upon all 
matters, civil and criminal, relating to 
prize, or every acquisition made by the 
law of war, which is either itself of a 
maritime character, or is made, whether 
at sea or by land, by a naval force. The 
Court of Admiralty for Scotland was 
abolished by 1 William IV., c. CO, and 
the cases formerly brought before this 
court are now prosecuted in the court 
of session, or in that of the sheriff, in 
the same way as ordinary civil causes. 

ADMIR'ANCE,f n. Admiration. [Spen- 
ser.] 

AD'MIRATIVE,t " The point of 
exclamation or admiration, marked 

thus m. 

ADMIS'SION, n. [add.] Admissions in 
a suit, those facts or matters necessary 
to support the case of the plaintiff, or 
of the defendant, in a suit in equity, 
the necessity of proving which is re- 
moved by the opposite party admitting 
them. Admissions are either upon the 
record, or by agreement between the 
parties. 

ADMITTANCE, n. [add.] In law, 
the giving possession of a copy-hold 
estate. 

ADMIT'TIBLE, a. Admissible. [Itar. 
us.] 

ADMURMURA'TION,t . A mur- 
muring to another. 

ADNAS'CENT, a. [L. adnascens. ] 
Growing upon. 

AD'OBE, n. [Sp.J A sun-dried brick. 

AD'OLODE, n. [Gr. . neg., and ,*.,, 
fraud.] An apparatus for detecting 
fraud in distillation. 

ADON'AI.n. A Hebrew, Chaldean, and 
Syriac name of the Supreme Being, 
signifying Lord or Sustainer. It is 
from this that Adonis is derived. 

ADOORS'.t adv. At doors; at the 
door. 

ADORABIL'ITY, n. Quality of being 
adorable. [Rar. us.] 

ADORE'MENT.t n. Adorability. 

ADOX'A, n. [Gr. without, and 5&*, 
glory.] Moscnatel, a Ijenus of plants, 
nat. order Araliacea?. The only spe- 
cies, A. moschatellina, is a little incon- 
spicuous plant, found in woods and 
moist shady places in all parts of Europe. 
The flowers have a musky smell, and 
the plant is much sought after by the 
curious, for the sake of its modest deli- 
cate appearance. 

AD'RAGANT, n. Gum tragacanth. 
[See TBAOACANTII]. 

ADSC1TI"TIOUSLY, adv. In an ad- 
scititious manner. 

AD'SCRIPT, n. [L. adscript.] One 
who is held to service as attached to 
some object or place ; as when a slave 
is made an adscript of the soil. 

ADULA'RIA, n. A very pure limpid 
variety of the common felspar, called 
by lapidaries moonstone, on account of 
the play of light exhibited by the ar- 
rangement of its crystalline structure. 
It is found on the Alps, but the best 
specimens are from Ceylon. 
8 



AD'ULATE, v. t. To show feigned de- 
votion to ; to flatter. [Lit, us.] 

ADUL'TED,t pp. Completely grown. 

ADUL'TER.f v. i. To commit adultery; 
to pollute. 

ADULTERA'TION, n. [add.] The use 
of ingredients in the production of any 
article, which are cheaper and of a 
worse quality, or which are not con- 
sidered so desirable by the consumer as 
other or genuine ingredients for which 
they are substituted. 

ADULT; SCHOOLS, . Schools for 

instructing in reading and other bran- 
ches of knowledge grown-up persons 
who have not been educated in their 
youth. Adult schools were first estab- 
lished in England in 1811. 

ADUST'IBLE.-f-a. That may be burned 
up. 

ADVANCE'-GUARD, ) n. The van- 
! ADVANCED'-GUARD,) guard; the 
first line or division of an army in order 
of battle, in front of the main body ; 
opposed to rear-guard. 2. A small 
body in advance of the main-guard. 

ADVANCE'MENT,n.[add.] The pay- 
ment of money in advance ; money paid 
in advance. 

ADVANTAGE, v. t. [add.] To enjoy ; 
to profit by. [&AA.] 

ADVAUNST'.tw- [fr.aaanrf.] Ad- 
vanced ; driven forward ; impelled or 
hastened. [Spenser.] 

ADVENTRY.f n An enterprise; an 
adventure. 

ADVENTURE, n. [add.] A remark- 
able occurrence ; a striking event more 
or less important; as, the adventures 
of one's life. In commerce, a specula- 
tion in goods sent abroad under the 
care of a supercargo, to dispose of to 
the best advantage, for the benefit of 
his employers. Sill of adventure, a 
writing signed by a merchant, stating 
that the property of goods shipped in 
his name belongs to another, the ad- 
venture or chance of which the person 
so named is to stand, with a covenant 
from the merchant to account to him 
for the produce. 

ADVER'SABLE,f a. Contrary to ; op- 
posite to. 

ADVERSA'RIA, n. [add.] In litera- 
ture, a miscellaneous collection of notes, 
remarks, or selections ; used as a title 
of books or papers of such character. 

ADVERSIFO'LIATE,) a. [L. advcr- 

ADVEKSIFO'LIOUS,} w,and/- 
um, a leaf.] Having opposite leaves; 
applied to plants where the leaves are 
so arranged on the stem. 

ADVERT.t . t. To regard ; to ad- 

ADVERflSE', or AD'VERTISE. 

ADVER'TISEMENT or ADVER- 
TISE'MENT. 

ADVICE', n. Used by Shah, for govern- 
ment, municipal or civil. 

ADVIG'lLATE,t v. t. [L. advigilo.] 
To watch diligently. 

ADVIS'ERSHIP, n. The office of an 
adviser. [Lit. us.] 

ADVIZE'/)- v. t. See ADVISE. [Spenser.] 

AD'VOCATE, n. [add.] In church 
history, a person appointed to defend 
the rights and revenues of a church 
or monastery. The lord advocate is 
virtually secretary of state for Scot- 
land. He is assisted by a solicitor- 
general, and some junior counsel, 
termed advocates-depute. He is un- 
derstood to have the power of appear- 
ing as prosecutor in any court in Scot- 
land, where any person can be tried for 
an offence, or to appear in any action 



AERATED 



AFFIDAVIT 



where the crown is interested. He and 
his assistants are always members of I 
the ministerial party, and they all re- 
sign their offices on a change of minis- 
try. The Faculty of Advocates consists 
of about 400 members, but of these 
only a small proportion profess to be 
practising lawyers. 

ADVOLA'TION.f . Act of flying to 
something. 

ADVOU'TROUS,t a. Adulterous. 

ADYNA'MIA, n. [Gr. priv., and 
Summit, power.] In med., a defect of 
vital power. 

ADYNAM'I, a. [add.] Adynamia 
fevers, a term employed by Pinel to 
denote malignant or putrid fevers, at- 
tended with great muscular debility. 

ADY'TUM, B. [add.] The chancel or 
altar-end of a church. 

ADZE, t). t. To shape with an adze ; as, 
to adze logs of timber. 

ADZ'ING, ppr. Using an adze. 

^E'DILITE, n. A species of mineral. 

AE'FAULD, a. Simple. [Scotch.] 

jE'GA, n A genus of isopodons crus- 
taceans, parasitic on fish, and hence 
called fish-lice. 

vEGA'GRE, n. A wild species of ibex 
(Capra <egagrus}, believed to be the 
original source of at least one variety 
of the domestic goat. In the stomach 
and intestines of this animal are 
found those concretions called Sezoar- 
stones. 

.ffiGE'AN SEA, 7i. The name given by 
the Greek and Roman writers to that 
part of the Mediterranean now called 
the Archipelago. 

.SGER'IDjE, n. A family of hetero- 
cerous Lepidoptera, comprising a mo- 
derate number of interesting insects. 
The larvae live in the interior of the 
branches or roots of trees. Some of 
them feed upon the apple. One species 
(jEyeria tijtulifurmis) is destructive to 
currant-bushes. 

.33'GILOPS, n. A genus of grasses, one 
species, JE. ovata, found in the south 
of Europe, has been by some supposed 
to be the wild state of the cultivated 
wheat, an hypothesis quite untenable. 

jEGOBRONCHOPH'ONY, n. [Gr. 
i{ a goat, ^(5-x> the wind-pipe, and 
<?>, voice.] In med., the bleating and 
bronchial voice; the principal symp- 
tom in pleuropneumonia. 

.SGOPH'ONY, n. [Gr. ,{, a goat, and 
^BV*), voice.] A peculiar sound of the 
voice resembling the bleating of a 
goat. 

jEGOPOD'IUM, n. [Gr. ,f, a goat, 
and &i*, the foot.] Goutweed, a ge- 
nus of plants. [See GOUTWOKT.] 

yKN'K'ID, or EN'ElD, n. The name of 
Virgil's heroic poem, in which JEneas 
is the hero. 

^O'LIAN, a. Pertaining to ^Eolus, the 
god of the winds. 

jEO'LIC, a. Pertaining to jEolia. 

^EOLI'NA, n. A small musical instru- 
ment, consisting of a number of short, 
elastic, metallic lamina?, or springs, 
fixed in a frame, and acted on by the 
breath of the performer. It is now 
superseded by the accordion. 
jEOI/IPILE. See EOLIPILE. 

A'ER, n. [L.] Air. Used as a prefix 
in various terms. 

JERA'RIUM, n. [L.] An exchequer or 
treasury. 

A'ERATE.ti. <. [add.] In zool., to change 
the circulating fluids of animals by the 
agency of the air ; to arterialize. 
A'ERATED, pp. [add.] Changed by 
the agency of the air ; arterialized. 
I. SUPP. 



A'ERATING, pp. [add.] Changing by 
the agency of the air; arterializing. 

AERA'TION, B. [add.] The satura- 
tion of a liquid with air. In zool., the 
change in the circulating fluids of ani- 
mals, effected by the agency of air ; as 
the arterialization of the blood by res- 
piration in the higher animals, and the 
corresponding change in the lower 
animals. 

AE'RIAL, a. [add.] A term employed 
particularly to specify that part of per- 
spective resulting from the interposi- 
tion of the atmosphere between the 
object and the eye of the spectator ; 
the gradation of the distinctness of 
form and colour. Aerial figures, 
those by which painters seek to repre- 
sent the fabled inhabitants of the air ; 
as demons, genii, gnomes, &c. 

AE'RIAL AClD,t n. Carbonic acid; so 
named from an idea that it entered 
into the composition of atmospheric air. 

AE'RIAL IMAGES, n. Images which 
are caused by the convergence of re- 
flected or refracted rays of light, when 
they appear to be suspended in the air; 
as the different kinds of mirage ; those 
images perceived by looking into or 
towards a concave mirror. 

AE'RIDES, n. [from L. aer, the air.] 
A genus of Epiphytes, nat. order Or- 
chidacere. These plants have the power 
of vegetating when simply suspended 
in the air, without any soil or direct 
supply of water, being supported only 
by the moisture of the atmosphere. 

AE'RIFf, t>. t. [add.] To change into 
an aeriform state. 

AEROG'NOSY, n. [Gr. ,{, air, and 
y, knowledge.] The science which 
treats of the properties of air, and the 
part it performs in the operations of 
nature. 

A'EROLITH, n. Same as AEROLITE. 

AEROMET'RI, a. Pertaining to areo- 
metry ; measuring air. 

AEROSTAT'I, a. [add.] Pertaining 
to aerostatics. 

AEROSTAT'IAL, a. Same as AE- 

ROSTATIC. 

AEROSTAT'ICS, n. The science 
which treats of the weight, pressure, 
and equilibrium of air and other elastic 
fluids, and of the equilibrium of bodies 
sustained in them. It is sometimes 
used to signify the science of aerial 
navigation. 

jERUGlN'EOUS, a. Rusty; having 
the rust of copper or verdigris. 

JERU'GINOUS, a. Same as -ffinuGi- 
NEOUS. [See ERUGINOUS.] 

.ERU'GO, n. [L.] Verdigris, which 
see. 

JES, 71. [L.] The Latin term for what 
appears to have been equivalent to our 
modern term bronze. It is frequently 
translated brass. 

^ESHYNOM'ENE, n. [Gr. a, r ^'V', 
to be modest.] A genus of plants belong- 
ing to the nat. order Leguminosce, and 
allied to Hedysarum. The JE. aspere 
has a spongy stem, which can be cut 
into slices resembling rice-paper. It 
is the Indian rice-paper, but not that 
of China. 

.ffiSCULA'CEjE, n. A nat. order of 
plants, also called Hippocastaneffi, and 
now supposed by some to be a sub- 
order of Sapindacese. They inhabit the 
north of India and North America. 
The species are handsome trees, or 
small bushes, chiefly remarkable for 
their large seeds, with an extensive 
hilum. The seeds are bitter, and con- 
tain a large quantity of starch, and a 
9 



considerable proportion of potash. 
They are nutritive for man and many 
other animals, and are also useful as 
cosmetics. 

^S'ULINE, B. An alkaloid lately 
discovered in the bark of JEsculus hip- 
pocaxtanum, or horse-chestnut ; sup- 
posed to be febrifuge. 

jES'ULUS, 7i. The horse-chestnut, a 
genus of plants. [See HORSE-CHEST- 
NUT.] 

^STIIE'SIA, B. [Gr. *,,tw,, sensibi- 
lity.] Perception ; feeling ; sensibility. 
[See ANESTHESIA.] 

jESTHETTC, ) a. Relating to s- 

vESTHET'ICAL,) thetics. 

jESTHET IS, n. [add.] The science 
of the beautiful. ^Esthetics may be 
considered as the science of sensations, 
or that which explains the cause of 
mental pain or pleasure, as derived from 
a contemplation of the works of nature 
and art ; the science of taste, or that 
which treats of the beautiful in nature 
and art. 

-iESTIVA'TION, B. See ESTIVATION. 

.(ES-US'TUM, B. [L.] Burnt copper; 
a preparation consisting of equal parts 
of copper and rough brimstone, with a 
little common salt, exposed to the fire 
till the brimstone is burned out.- 

AETHEOG'AMOUS, a. [Gr. 9, un- 
usual, and f r*!J : >;. marriage.] In bot., 
the same as cryptogamous. 

JE'THER, B. See ETHEB. 

JE'THIOPS MINERAL. See under 
ETHIOP. 

JE'THOGEN, B. [Gr. ;-, brilliant, 
and w*P*t, to become.] A compound 
of boron and nitrogen, lately discovered 
by Mr. Balmain. It is so named, be- 
cause it gives a brilliant phosphorescent 
light when heated before the blowpipe. 

JETHU'SA, n. [from *,0, to burn.] 
Fool's-parsley, a genus of umbelliferous 
plants. JE. cynapium, fool's-parsley, 
is one of the most poisonous plants 
known in Europe ; and many danger- 
ous accidents have occurred from mis- 
taking this plant for parsley, to which 
it bears a close resemblance. [See 
FOOL'S-PARSLEY.] 

JETI'TES, B. Eagle-stone, which see. 

AFF, prep, or adv. Off. Aff-hands, 
hands off. [Scotch.'] 

AF'FABROUS, a. [L. affabre.] Skil- 
fully made. [Rar. us.] 

AFFABULA'TION.t n. [L. affabula- 
tio.~\ The moral of a fable. 

AFFEAR'.t t>. t. To frighten. 

AFFEAR,f v. *. To confirm. [See 
AFFEER.] 

AFFECT', f n. Affection; passion ; sen- 
sation. 

AFFECT', B. t. [add.] To resemble. 
[,S7mA.| 

AFFEC'TE, n. Affection. [Chaucer.] 

AFFET'EDLY,arf.[add.]Purposely. 

AFF'TIONATED,t a. Disposed; 
inclined. 

AFFEC'TIOUSLY.t adv. In an af- 
fecting manner. 

AFFETUOS'ITY,t B. Passionate- 

AFFERM'ED.twi. Confirmed. [Chau- 
cer.] 

AFFIDA'TION.f n. [Low L. affido.] 
A mutual contract of fidelity. 

AFFIDA'VIT, B. [add.] In law, a 
statement of facts in writing, on oath. 
Affidavits are necessary in a variety of 
cases, in order to bring facts under the 
cognizance of courts of justice. All 
evidence of facts must be given on oath, 
either by oral testimony, or by affida- 
vit ; and where evide'nce is to inform a 
GT 



AFFUSION 



AGAPEMONE 



AGE 



court or judge, it is usually reduced in- 
to the form of an affidavit. 

AFFIE'.t I t. [Fr. affier.] To trust ; 

AFFY',f ) to credit; to rely upon. 
[Chaucer.] [See AFFV.] 

AFFIL'IATED, pp. or a. Adopted; 
associated ; received into a society. 
Affiliated societies, local societies, con- 
nected with a central society, or with 
each other. 

AFFILIATING, ppr. or a. Adopt- 
ing ; associating ; receiving into a so- 
ciety. 

AFFILIA'TION, n. [add.] In tow, the 
assignment, by law, of a child, as a 
bastard, to its father. 

AFFIN'ED.f a. Joined in affinity. 

AFFIN'ITATIVELY, adv. By means 
of affinity. 

AFFIN'ITY, n. [add.] In chem., this 
term was introduced from the idea of 
peculiar attachments and aversions sub- 
sisting between the particles of differ- 
ent substances, as exhibited in the 
phenomena of combination ; those sub- 
stances combining together only, which 
have a relationship to, or resemble, 
each other. [See Chemical Affinity, 
under CHEMICAL.] Single affinity, the 
property by which two elementary 
bodies unite into a binary compound, 
as when iron combines with oxygen to 
form oxide of iron. Reciprocal or 
disposing affinity, the property by which 
bodies which have no tendency to unite, 
are made to combine by means of a 
third, called in this case the medium. 
Thus, when a clean plate of platinum 
is introduced into a mixture of oxygen 
and hydrogen gases, the gases in con- 
tact with the metallic surface instantly 
unite and form water. Quiescent af- 
finity, that property which prevents de- 
composition in a compound, by main- 
taining the elements in their existing 
state. Divellent affinity, that property 
which favours decomposition, by tend- 
ing to arrange the particles of a com- 
pound in a new form. Inductive or 
current affinity, a term expressive of 
the peculiar exhibition of chemical afr 
finity in the simple voltaic circle. 
Elementary affinity, that which takes 
place between the elements of a body. 
In zoo/., affinity is a relation of ani- 
mals to one another, in the similarity 
of the greater part of their organiza- 
tion ; it is distinct from analogy, which 
denotes a resemblance of external 
form. 

AFFIRM'ANT, n. One who affirms; 
one who makes affirmation instead of 
an oath. 

AFFLA'TUS, n. [L.] [add.] In med., 
a species of erysipelas which attacks 
persons suddenly. 

AFFLICT'INGLY, adv. In an afflict- 
ing manner. 

AF'FLUENCY.n. Same as AFFLUENCE. 
AF'FLUENT, n. A tributary stream; 
a small stream or river flowing into a 
larger one. 

AF'FHJENTNESS,fn. State of being 
affluent. 

AFFOR'CIAMENT,t n. A fort; a 
stronghold. 

AFFKAY.t c. *. To fright ; to terrify ; 
to put one in doubt. 
AFFREND'ED.f pp. See AFFHIEKD- 
ED. \Spenser.] 

AFFRIGHT'EN.f v. t. To terrify ; to 
affright. 

AFFU'SION, n. [add.] In med., the act 
of pouring water on the whole, or part 
of the body ; a remedy in disease. Af- 
fusion may be performed by means of 



lotions, aspersions, the shower-bath, or 
douche. 

AFILE'.f . *. To file ; to polish or re- 
fine. [Cliaucer.] [See AFFILE.] 

AFORE', prep, or adv. Before. [Scotch.} 

AFREET. See AFRIT. 

AF'RI, a. Belonging to Africa; 
African. 

AF'RI, n. The country of Africa. 

AF'RICANISM, n. A word or phrase 
peculiar to Africa. 

AFRIT', J n. In Mahometan myth., a 

AFREET', V powerful evil jinnee, or 

EFREET', ) demon. 

AFT, adv. Oft. [Scotch.] 

AF'TER, prep, [add.] Next to in excel- 
lence ; about ; concerning. 

AF'TER - ACCEPTATION, n. A 
sense not at first admitted. 

AF'TER-DIN'NER, n. In Shah., the 
hour just after dinner. 

AF'TER-EYE.f v. t. In Shak., to keep 
one in view. 

XFTERHEND', adv. Afterwards. 
(Scotch. J 

AFTER-LAW, f n. A subsequent law 
or statute. 

XF'TER-NIGHT, After nightfall; in 
the evening. [American.] 

AF'TER -RECK'ONING, n. An ac- 
count given afterwards. 

AF'TER-SAILS. Definition in Diet. 
erroneous; substitute: All sails on the 
main and mizen masts are called after- 
sails ; that is to say, every sail that is 
on or abaft the main -mast, is an tifter- 
sail. 

XFT'WARD, adv. In naut. Ian., af- 
termost ; hindmost. 

AGAIN, adv. [add.] Vehemently, or ex- 
cessively ; as, she cried till she sobbed 
again. 

AGALA'TIA, n. [Gr. a. priv., and 
j.x, milk.] The defect of milk after 
child-birth. 

AGAL'MA, n. [Gr.] In law, the impres- 
sion or image of anything upon a seal. 

A'GAL-WOOD [usually corrupted to 
Eaijle- Wood], n. Supposed by many to 
be the almug-tree of Scripture. [See 
Aijrn.AuiACE*, EAGLE-WOOD, and 
ALMUG.] 

AG'AMI. Instead of Trophia, read 
Psophia. 

AGAM'IDj"E, n. [agama, the name of 
a lizard.] The name given by Cuvicr 
to the first section of the iguanian sau- 
rians, characterized by the absence of 
palatal teeth, and by the caudal scales 
being imbricated. There are many 
genera, found both in the Old and in 
the New World. 

AG'AMOID.a. Pertaining to the Aga- 
mida. 

AG' APJE, n. plur.oi .4f;aj>e(pronounced 
ag'a-pe). Love-feasts, or feasts of 
charity, common among the primitive 
Christians. 

AGAPAN'THUS, n. [Gr. .****, love, 
and u>6n, a flower.] A beautiful genus 
of plants belonging to that group of the 
Liliacea- called Hemerocallideae, much 
cultivated in our drawing-rooms and 
conservatories. 

AGAPE'MONE, n. [Gr. , love, 
charity, and fjunn, dwelling, abode. The 
abode of love, or of charity.] The name 
given to an institution at Charlinch, near 
Taunton, conducted on the principle of 
a community of goods. It was estab- 
lished by the Rev. Mr. Prince in 184G. 
He was a clergyman of the Church of 
England ; but, about 1845, embraced 
the tenets of a sect branched from the 
religionists called Lampeters. Their 
distinguishing belief is that "the day 
10 



of grace and prayer is past, and the time 
of judgment arrived." Mr. Prince suc- 
ceeded in inducing several ladies of 
fortune to adopt his views, three of 
whom were soon afterwards married to 
three of his male disciples or coadjutors, 
and all took up their abode at the Aga- 
pemone. Since then, Mr. Prince and 
his coadjutors have been several times 
before the public, in legal proceedings, 
arising out of the conduct of " the abode 
of love," and, from the evidence ad- 
duced on these occasions, some glimpses 
have been obtained illustrative of its 
internal management. In 1850, there 
were between fifty and sixty persons, 
male and female, living in community, 
at the establishment. They profess to 
carry out the belief in their peculiar 
tenets by the exercise of perpetual 
praises to God, using prayer no more ; 
by a community of property ; and by 
living in a state of constant joyousness 
and mutual love. They, however, do 
not despise the good things of this life, 
and have horses and carriages at com- 
mand. They pay no respect to the 
Sabbath more than to any other day, 
every one doing as he pleases, with this 
exception, according to the statement 
of Mr. Prince, that "all play at hookey, 
males as well as females." 
AG'APHITE, n. The turquoise or 
turkois stone. 

AGARI"CIA, n. The mushroom mad- 
repore, a genus of coral madrepores, so 
named from its resemblance to mush- 
rooms (Agarici). 

AGAR'ICUS, n. The generic name of 
the mushroom tribe of the Fungi, which 
grow in decaying animal or vegetable 
substances. It comprehends those plants 
which have a cap, or pileus, of a fleshy 
nature, supported upon a distinct stalk, 
and a number of parallel unequal ver- 
tical plates or gills, arising out of the 
cap, and inclosing the particles, called 
sporules. A thousand species have been 
enumerated, of which a large propor- 
tion are poisonous; a few are whole- 
some. [See MUSHROOM.] 
AG'ATE-RING, n. A ring embellished 
with agate. 

AG'ATHIS, n. The same as DAMHARA. 
A genus of plants. [SeeDAMMARAand 
DAMMARINJ 

AGATHO'TES, n. [Gr. j.for*, excel- 
lence.] A section of Ophelia, a genus 
of plants found in India, nat. order 
Gentianacea?. The A. chirayta belongs 
to it, and is celebrated as a tonic, and 
anthelmintic, which latter circumstance 
has procured for it the name of worm 
seed plant. 

AG'ATIZE, v. t. To change into agate. 
AGA'VE, n. [add.] [named after the 
nymph Agave.] A genus of plants, nat. 
order Amyrillidaceae. This genus com- 
prehends those plants called by garden- 
ers American aloes. There are many 
species, but the most important is the 
A.Americana. It yields, from incisions 
in the stem, a liquor, which by fer- 
mentation yields a beverage resembling 
cider, called by the Mexicans pulque. 
The fibres of the leaves are formed into 
thread and ropes, and an extract of the 
leaves is used as a substitute for soap; 
the flower-stem, when withered, is 
cut up into slices, and forms excellent 
razor-strops. 

AGE, n. [add.] In law, a person is said 
to be of age, when he has arrived at 
those periods of his life, at which he is 
supposed to have acquired sufficient 
discretion to enable him to do certain 



AGONISTICS 



AI 



AINCE 



acts and enter into certain contracts. 
By the common law of England, a man 
at the age of twelve years may take the 
oath of allegiance ; at the age of four- 
teen,* person of either sex may choose 
a guardian. A female at the age of 
twelve years, and a male at the age of 
fourteen, may make a valid will of per- 
sonal estate, but no person under the 
age of twenty-one years can make a 
will of lands. A person of either sex, 
at the age of seventeen, may be an exe- 
cutor or executrix. A woman may, by 
law, consent to marriage at twelve, and 
a man at fourteen ; but parties under 
the age of twenty-one cannot actually 
marry without the consent of guardians. 
A man cannot be ordained a priest till 
twenty-four, nor a bishop till thirty 
years of age. A person of either sex, 
who has attained the age of fourteen 
years, is liable to prosecution and pun- 
ishment for crimes, but a child above 
seven years of age, and under fourteen, 
may be tried and punished for a crime, 
provided it clearly appears that he is 
conscious of the nature and wickedness 
of the crime. In Shah., the term aye 
is used for seniority. 

AGEE. See AJEE, in this Supplement. 

AGENE'SIA, n. [Gr. priv., and yi,i<, 
generation.] Impotence. Also, any 
anomaly of organization, consisting in 
absence or imperfect development of 
the parts. 

AGGEROSE', a. In heaps, or formed 
in heaps. 

AGGRANDIZEMENT, or AG'- 
GRANDIZEMENT. 

AGGRAP'PES, n. plur. Hooks and 
eyes used in armour or in ordinary cos- 
tume. 

AGGREGA'TA, n. The name given by 
Cuvier to his second family of naked 
Acephalans, which consists of animals 
more or less analogous to the Ascidia?, 
but which are united in a common 
mass, except at their birth, when they 
live and swim about separately. 

AG'GREGATE, n. [add.] In physics, a 
mass formed by the union of homo- 
geneous particles ; in distinction from a 
compound, formed by the union of he- 
terogeneous particles. 

AGGRESS', v. t. To attack. [Rarely 
used.] 

AGGRESSIVENESS, n. The quality 
of being aggressive. 

AGHAST', f " t. To terrify. [Spenser.] 

AGIL'LOCHUM, n. Aloes- wood. 

AGIST, instead of AGIST. 

AGlST'AGE, n. Same as AGISTMENT. 

AGIST'ER, n. Same as AGISTOR. 

AG'LET-HEADED, a. Pointed with 
a tag at the head. 

AG'NUS, n. [L.J A lamb. In the Rom- 
ish church, the image of a lamb, repre- 
senting our Saviour. 

AGOMPHI'ASIS, n. [Gr. priv., and 
ftuft:, a nail.] Looseness of the teeth. 

AGO'NIC LINES, n. [Gr. priv., and 
5-wxoe, an angle.] The name given by 
Prof. August to two lines on the earth's 
surface, on which the magnetic needle 
points to the true north, or where the 
magnetic meridian coincides with the 
geographical. One of these lines, called 
the American agone, is in the western 
hemisphere, and the other, or Asiatic, 
is in the eastern hemisphere. Although 
they extend from south to north, they 
do not coincide with the meridians, but 
intersect them under different angles. 

AGONIS'TER.f n. A prize-fighter. 

AGONIS'TICS, n. The art or theory of 
prize-fighting. 



AGOU'TY, n. Same as AGOUTI. The 
agoutis belong to the genus Dasyprocta 
(i*avs, hairy, and {?, buttocks), and 
are separated from the Cavies properly 
so called. 

AG'RAPHIS, n. [Gr. > neg., and >{?, 
to write.] A genus of plants belonging 
to the Liliacea?, and nearly allied to the 
squills and hyacinths. A. nutans is the 
common wood-hyacinth. 

AGRA'RIAN, a. [add.] Pertaining to 
agrarianism. 

AGRA'RIAN, n. One in favour of an 
equal division of property among the 
inhabitants of a country. 

AGRA'RIANIZE, v. t. To distribute 
among the people. 

AGRASTE'.f i>ret. from Ayr/race. Did 
so much aggrace; showed so much 
grace and favour. [Spenser.] 

AGR',t . t. To please; to reconcile. 
[Chaucer.] 

AGREE'.f ) adv. In good part; kindly; 

AGR',t ) in a friendly manner. 
[Chaucer.] 

AGREE', v. i. [add.] To tally ; to match. 

AGREFE'.f adv. (agref.) In grief. 
[Chaucer.] 

AGREGEYf- ) v. t. (agrej'.) To ag- 

AGRED6E',fJ gravate. [Chaucer.] 

AGREVE'.f v. t. (agreve'.) To grieve. 
[Chaucer.] 

AGRIC'OLIST, n. An agriculturist. 

AGRICULTURALIST, . An agri- 
culturist. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, n. 
Societies for promoting agricultural im- 
provements ; such as the improvement 
of land, the improvement of imple- 
ments, of the breeds of cattle, &c. 

AGRIMO'NIA, n. [a corruption of Ar- 
gemone.] A genus of plants. [See 
AGRIMONY.] 

AGRI'OPES, ) n. A genus of acan- 

AGRI'OPUS,) thopterygious fishes, 
particularly distinguished from most 
other genera of fishes by having only 
nine rays in the pectoral fins. The A. 
torvus, or sea-horse, is upwards of two 
feet in length, and is common on the 
shores of the Cape of Good Hope. 

AGROT'ED,t pp. Cloyed; surfeited; 
saturated. [Chaucer.] 

AGRYPNOCO'MA, n. [Gr. ?;;, 
sleeplessness, and **, drowsiness.] 
A lethargic state, without actual 
sleep. 

AG'UA-TOAD, n. The Bufo agua of 
naturalists ; a gigantic species of toad 
found in intertropical America and 
Jamaica. It makes a loud noise, and 
grows to upwards of a foot long. 

A'GUE DROP, n. A solution of the 
arsenite of potassa, or the liquor ar- 
senialis of the Pharmacopoeia. 

AGUIL'ER.t n. [Fr. aiguille, a needle.] 
A needle-case. [Chaucer.] 

AGUILLANEUF', for AGUILLA- 
NEUF. 

AGUIS'D.f pp. Dressed. [Sjtenser.] 

A'GUISH, a. Productive of agues. 

AGUIZ'D,t pp. Adorned. [Spenser.] 

AGUlZEYfu. t. SeeAouiSE. [Spenser.] 

AHEAD', adv. [add.] Forward; in 
advance ; as, to go ahead, a phrase very 
common in the U. States. 

AHINT', prep, or adv. Behind. [Scotch.] 

AHO'VAI, or AHOU'AI. 

A-HULL', for A-HULL. 

A-HUN'GRY, a. Hungry. 

AI, n. The three-toed sloth, Bradijpus 
tridactylus, Linn., a species in which 
sluggishness, and all the details of the 
organization which produce it, are car- 
ried to the highest degree. It is as 
large as a cat, and is entirely adapted 
11 



for living in trees. It is the only main- 
miferous animal known which has nine 




Thrw-toed Sloth, Brndypu, tridaetfu,. 

cervical vertebra?. It is found in the 
tropical parts of South America. 

A'lA, or AIA'IA. 

AIB'LINS,arf. Perhaps. [See ABLINS.] 
[Scotch.] 

AIDE-DE-CAMP, n. (ad'e-kawng'.) 
[Fr.] plur. Aides-de-camp. See AID- 
DE-CAMP. 

AlD'ER, n. [add.] In law, an advocate; 

_an abettor ; an accessory. 

AID-MA'JOR,t " The former title of 

_the adjutant of a regiment. 

AIDS, n. plur. A general name for the 
extraordinary grants which are made 
by the House of Commons to the crown 
for various purposes. In this sense, 
aids, subsidies, and the modern term 
supplies, are the same thing. In the 
manege, cherishings used to avoid the 
necessary corrections. The inner aids, 
are the inner heel, leg, rein, &c. ; the 
outer aids, the outer heel, leg, rein, &c. 

AlG'LETS,properly4t!7i7tata,n. [Fr.] 
The tags or metal sheathings of the 
ribbons so constantly used to fasten or 
tie the different portions of dress worn 
during the sixteenth and seventeenth 
centuries. [See cut in Diet., POINTS.] 

AIGRE, n. (a'gur.) The flowing of the 
sea. [See EAGRE.] 

AI'GRE, a. Sharp ; sour. [Shak.] 

AIGUA'DO, n. [Sp.; Fr. aiguade.] A 
watering-place for sea-going vessels. 

AIGUILETT'ES, n. See AIOLETS above. 

AIL, . i. To feel pain ; to be in pain or 
trouble, [liar, us.] 

AILLETT'ES, n. [Fr. little wings.] A 
term applied to the small square shields 




of arms which were worn upon the 
shoulders of knights during a part of 
the middle ages. They were the proto- 
types of the modern epaulets. 

AlLU'RUS, n. A genus of carnivorous 
quadrupeds, belonging to the family 
Ursidee. The only species known is 
the A. refulgens, found in the north of 
India. It is of the size of a large eat, 
and is of a beautiful reddish-brown 

_colour. 

AIM, v. i. [add.] To guess or conjec- 
ture. [Shak.] 

AIMED, pp. [add.] Aimed at, guessed 
at. [Shah.] 

AIN, a. Own, [Scotch.] 

*^"- Once ' 



ALACRIOUSLY 



ALBUMINOSE 



ALDER BUCKTHORN 



AIN'SELLS, B. Ownselves. [Scotch.] 

AIR, n. [add.] An aeriform body ; a gas. 
In Shak., appearance ; as, the quality 
and air of our attempt. 

SIR i 

EAR ) adv - Ear] y- [Scotch.] 

AIR-CH AM'BERS, n. In bat., the same 
as AIR-CELLS, which gee. 

AIR--CUH/RENT, B. A stream or cur- 
rent of air. 

AIR-USH'ION, n. A bag of air-tight 
cloth, into which air is blown till it 
expands to the necessary degree of ful- 
ness. It may be used as a cushion, or 
seat. 

AIK-EN'GINE, B. An engineworked by 
heated air instead of steam. The form 
of air-engine contrived by Capt. Erricc- 
son, is named the caloric-engine, for 
no very good reason. 

AIR'ER, n. One who airs, or exposes to 
the air. 

AIR-HOLE, n. In founding, a fault in a 
casting, caused by a bubble of air pass- 
ing from a core outwards, and which 
is retained in the metal ; called also a 
blow-hole. 

AIR'ILY, Hile. In an airy manner; 
gaily. 

AIRN, n. Iron. [Scotch.] 

AIR-PUMP (of a steam-engine), n. The 
pump by which the condensing water 
and condensed steam is drawn off from 
the condenser. It is an appendage of 
every condensing engine; but is not, 
of course, requisite in high-pressure, or 
non-condensing engines. [See cut in 
Diet. STEAM-ENOINE.] 

AIRT, . t. To direct. [Scotch.] 

AIR-TRAP, n. [add.] Also a recess at a 
knee of a water-main, for receiving 
and retaining air that may be liberated 
from the water. It is provided with a 
valve for taking off the air from time 
to time, as it accumulates. 

A1RTS, . Points of the compass. 
IScotch.] 

AIT, B. A small island in a river or lake. 

Al'TAS, B. plur. In Turkey, a kind of j 
myrmidons, or military adventurers, of | 
all nations, forming the irregular body- 
guard of a pasha, or provincial governor, j 
In Europe, such are usually called A I- \ 
banians. 

AIT'-MEAL, B. Oatmeal. [Scotch.] 

AITS, B. Oats. [Scotch.] 



n. A workhorse. [Scotch.] 

AJEE', adv. Awry; off the right line ; 
obliquely; wrong. [Scotch.] 

A'JUGA, B. [Gr. ajyytj.-, unmarried.] 
Bugle, a genus of plants, nat. order 
Labiatic. Four of the species are Bri- 
tish, inhabiting pastures chiefly ; they 
are hardy perennials. 

AJUST'.f v. t. To adjust; to apply. 
[Chaucer.] 

AKAN'T1ONE. See ACANTICONE. 

AK'BEER, n. In the East Indies, a kind 
of red powder thrown on the clothes 
and person at Hindoo festivals. 

AKE'NIUM. See ACHENIUM. 

AKIM'BO, a. Arched ; crooked. The 
arms are akimbo, when the hands are 
on the hips, and the elbows arched 
outwards. [See KIMBO.] 

A'LA, B. plur. Alee. [L.] A wing. [See 



ALABAS'TER, n. [add.] Among anti- 
quaries and artists, the name alabaster 
is given to varieties both of carbonate 
of lime and gypsum ; the alabaster ves- 
sels of the ancients having been formed 
of both those substances. 

ALA'RIOUS,f a. Cheerful ; lively. 

ALAC'HIOUSLY.t adv. Cheerfully. 



A-LA-FRANCAlSE',a. [Fr.] After the 
French fashion. 

ALAME'DA, n. [Sp.] A public walk 
planted with trees. 

A-LA-MOBT-, a. [Fr.] Depressed; 
melancholy. 

AL'ANDS.f ) n. [Sp. alano.] A kind of 

AL AUN'S.t ) bull-dog, chiefly used for 
hunting the boar. [Chaucer.] 

ALANE', adv. Alone. [Scotch.] 

AL ANG'-AL ANG', n. A plant common 
in the islands of the Indian Archipe- 
lago. 

AL ANGI A'CE/15, or AL ANGIE'^E, n. 
A small nat. order of polypetalous peri- 
gynous dicotyledonous plants, allied, in 
the opinion of some, to the Myrtacea,', 
of others, to the Cornaceic. They are 
almost entirely natives of India. They 
yield an edible, but not very palatable 
fruit. They afford good wood. 

A-L'ANGLAISE'. [Fr.] After the Eng- 
lish fashion, or manner. 

AL'ANTINE, n. An amylaceous sub- 
stance extracted from the root of the 
Angelica archangelica, an umbellifer- 
ous plant. 

A'LAR, a. [L. ala, a wing.] Pertaining 
to, or having wings. 

ALARM, n. [add.] A mechanical con- 
trivance for awakening persons from 
sleep, or rousing their attention. 

ALARM'-LOCK, n. A clock which 
can be so set as to ring loudly at a 
particular hour, to wake from sleep, 
or excite attention. 

ALARM'-GAUGE (of a steam-engine), 
n. An automic contrivance by which no- 
tice is given when the pressure of steam 
becomes too high, or the water is too 
low in the boiler. 

ALARM'-GUN, n. A gun fired as a sig- 
nal of alarm. 

ALARM'-WATCH, n. [add.] A watch 
that can be so set as to strike fre- 
quently at a particular hour, to awaken 
attention. 

ALAS'MODON, n. A genus of bivalve 
mollusca, which contains the large fresh- 
water mussel of our streams (A. mar- 
garitiferum), in which pearls are fre- 
quently met with. 

A'LATED, A'LATE, instead of 
ALATED, ALATE. 

A LAT'EHE. [L.] From the side. Le- 
gate a latcre. ~\See under LEGATE.] 

ALAU'DA, n. The lark, a genus of pas- 
serine birds, of many species, found in 
all parts of the globe, and distinguished 
everywhere for their vigilance and their 
singing. [See LARK.] 

ALAU'DIN^E, n. The lark family. 

ALB, or ALBE, n. 

AL'BA, n. [L.] A surplice, or white 
sacerdotal vest ; an alb. 

AL'BACORE, n. A large species of fish, 
of the same family as the mackerel, 
which is common in the Mediterranean, 
and is occasionally taken on our south- 
ern coast. It is the Lichia gtauca of 
naturalists. 

ALBAS'TRUS, n. In hot., a flower-bud. 

ALBE'.f adv. Although ; albeit. 

ALBEE',t adv. Albeit. [Spenser.] 

ALBIN'ISM, or AL'BINISM. 

ALBI'NOISM, n. The state of an albino. 

ALBUGIN'EA, n. [L.] The partial coat 
of the eye, formed by the expansion of 
the tendons of its straight muscles, at 
their insertion into the sclerotica, 
around the cornea. It forms the white 
of the eye. 

ALBU'MEAN, a. Relating to an album. 
[A'o* authorized.] 

ALBU'MlNOSE.a. Same as ALBUMIN- 
OUS. 

12 



AL'BURN, a. Auburn. 

ALBURN'OUS, a. Relating to albur- 
num. 

AL'A, n. In ornith., the generic name 
of the auk. [See AUK.] 

AL'CAD.33, n. A family of oceanic 
birds, including the auks, puffins, and 
guillemots. 

ALCAL'DE, n. [Sp.] In Spaiti, a magis- 
trate or judge. 

ALAR'RAZAS, n. [Sp.] A species of 
porous pottery made in Spain, for the 
purpose of cooling water. 

AL'ARSINE, or AL'CARGENE. 
See ALKARSINE. 

ALA'TO, n. [Ar.] A protection for 
the throat, used by the Crusaders, 
probably of the nature of a gorget of 
mail. 

ALCED'IN^E, ) n. A family of in- 

ALCEDIN'ID^, J sessorial birds, in- 
cluding the kingfishers. 

ALHEM'I. See ALCHTMIC. 

ALCHEMLL'LA, n. [From the Arabic 
alh&melyah, alchemy.] Lady's mantle, 
a genus of plants. [See LADY'S 
MANTLE.] 

AL'CO.n. The name of the variety of dog 
kept by the aborigines of the West 
Indies. It was small, and much pet- 
ted. The minute woolly dog occasion- 
ally brought to this country, and called 
the Mexican mopsy, is a variety of it. 

AL'OATES, n. The name given to 
crystalline compounds formed by al- 
cohol with several of the salts which 
it dissolves. 

AL'COHOL, B. [add.] The strongest 
alcohol that can be produced is termed 
absolute alcohol, to denote its entire 
freedom from water. Alcohol of sul- 
phur, a name given to the bisulphuret 
of carbon. 

ALOHOL'METER,1 n. [Alcohol, 

ALOHOM'ETER, j andGr.wrj.,, 
measure.] An instrument for deter- 
mining the strength of spirits, with a 
scale graduated so as to indicate the 
percentage of pure alcohol, either by 
weight or volume. 

ALOHOLMETRIAL,) a. Relat- 

ALOHOMET'RIAL, J ingtothe 
alcoholmeter; as, alcoholmetrical tables. 

ALCOOM'ETER, n. [Fr. alcoometre.] 
An instrument contrived by Gay-Lussac, 
for determining the strength of spirit, 
by indicating the percentage of pure 
alcohol by volume, 

ALOOMET'R1AL, a. Relating to 
the alcoometer. 

ALORAN'I, a. Relating to the Al- 
coran, or Mahometanism. 

AL'COVE, or ALOVE', n. [add.] A 
recess in a grove. 

ALCYO'NE.iE, n. A group of marine 
productions, somewhat similar to the 
sponges, but more distinctly exhibiting 
an animated nature. They vary much 
in form, being either lobed, branched, 
rounded, or existing in a shapeless mass 
or crust. They are found in all seas, 
and at various depths. 

AL'DER. The ancient genitive plural 
of the Saxon eal, all. It was formerly 
prefixed to adjectives in the superlative ; 
as, alder-first, first of all; alder-best, 
best of all ; alder -liefest, or alder-lievest, 
dearest of all. 

ALDEKAM'IN, n. A star of the third 
magnitude in the northern constella- 
tion Cepheus. 

AL'DER BUCKTHORN, n. A Bri- 
tish plant of the genus Rhamnus, the 
R. frangula. It is a shrub three or 
four feet high, and grows in woods and 
thickets. [See RUAMNUS.] 



ALEXANDERS 



ALKALIFIABLE 



ALLEGATION 



ALD'ERMANCY, n. The office of an 
alderman. 

ALDERMAN'IC, a. Relating to, or 
becoming an alderman. 

ALDEBMANITY.t n. The society of 
aldermen. 

ALD'ERMANRY, n. The office or qua- 
lity of an aldernian. 

AL'DINE EDITIONS, n. A. term ap- 
plied to those editions, chiefly of the 
classics, which proceeded from the 
press of Aldus Maniitins, of Venice, for 
the most part in the sixteenth century. 
The term has been recently applied to 
certain elegant editions of English 
works. 

AL'DRIAN,t n. A star in the neck of 
the Lion. [Chaucer.] 

ALEAK', adv. In a leaking state. 

ALE'TO,n. f/l/c(o,thefury.] Agenus 
of the star-fish family, in which the 
rays are divided into two or three 
branches, and furnished with articu- 
lated threads. The name has also 
been given to a genus of zoophytes 
found in a fossil state. 

ALE'TOR, n. [Or. xi* e , acock.] A 
genus of gallinaceous birds, peculiar 
to the New World. They somewhat re- 
semble turkeys, and have a broad tail of 
fourteen stiff quills. There are several 
species of these birds, which are com- 
monly called curassows. They feed 
on fruit and buds, and are easily do- 
mesticated. 

ALE'GAR, n. [add.] Vinegar made of 

ALE6E',t . t- (aleg'.) [Fr. alleger.} To 
alleviate ; to soothe. [Chaucer .] 

ALEG'EAUNCE,t n. Alleviation. 
[Chaucer.] 

ALEGG'EAUNCE,t n. Alleviation. 
[Spenser.] 

AL'EIS,t n. [Fr. alise.] Aloes; the 
lote-tree. [Chaucer.] 

ALEMAN'NI, a. Belonging to the 
Aletiwtnni, an ancient people of Ger- 
many. 

ALEMAN'NI, n. The language of the 
Alemanni, or ancient people of Ger- 
many. 

ALE' -MEASURE, n. An old liquid 
measure for ale, in which the gallon 
contained 282 cubic inches. 

ALETTE', n. [Ital. aletta.] The face of 
the pier of an arch, extending from the 
arris of the reveal ; but more porticu- 





Alette. A, Arch. B, U, Pillan. 0, 0, Alette* 

larly, that portion betwixt the arris of 
the reveal and the pillar or pilaster 
which is used to decorate the arch. 

ALE W,f n. Halloo ; howling ; lamen- 
tation. [Spenser.] 

AL'EXANDERS, n. The English name 



of a genus of plants, Sinyrnium, which 

see. 
ALEXAN'DRINE,<z. Including twelve 

syllables; as a verso or line. 
ALEXIPHARM'ie, instead of AL- 

EXIPHARM'A. 
ALEXIPHARM'ICAL, a. Same as 

ALEXIPHARMIC. 
ALEXITER'IAL,a. Same as AIEXI- 

TERIC. 

AL'GA, n. [L.] Sea-weed. 

AL'GAL, n. and a. One of the lower 
class of plants, or algm ; of or belonging 
to the algae ; having the nature of alga?. 
[Lindley.] 

AL'GA-ROBA, n. [Ar.] The Arabic 
name of a tree bearing pods, containing 
a nutritious powder, supposed by some 
to have been the locusts on which St. 
John fed in the wilderness. 

AL'GAZEL, n. A species of antelope in- 
digenous to N. Africa (A. Qttzella). It 
is frequently represented on the Egyp- 
tian monuments. 

ALGEBRA'I, ) a. [add.] Alge- 

ALGEBRAI'AL, ) braic signs, cer- 
tain signs or characters used in alge- 
braical and mathematical operations, 
to denote the relation of numbers, 
magnitudes, and quantities ; as, (=) 
equality, (-(-) plus, ( ) minus, (X) 
multiplication, &c. [See SIGN.] 

AL'GEBRAIST, or ALGEBRA'IST. 

ALGOSE/f a. Extremely cold. 

ALGUAZIL', n. In Spain, an inferior 
officer of justice : a constable. 

ALHA'GI, n. The Arabian name of a 
species of camel's - thorn, and now 
adopted as a genus in botany. It be- 
longs to the Leguminosae, and contains 
several species. The A. cainelorum is 
the true camel-thorn. A. maurorum, 
or an unknown allied species in Persia 
and Bokhara, yields manna by merely 
shaking the branches, and some writers 
are of opinion that it was with this 
manna that the children of Israel were 
fed in the wilderness; but the varieties 
now found in Arabia and Egypt pro- 
duce no manna. 

AL'IBLE, a. Nutritive, or that may be 
nourished. 

AL'IDADE, n. [Ar.] The index, or 
ruler, that moves about the centre of 
an astrolabe, or quadrant; the index 
of a graduated instrument. 

A'LIEN, n. [add.] By the Act 7 and 8 
Viet., c. 66, various privileges are con- 
ferred upon aliens, of which, as the law 
formerly stood, they were deprived. 
An alien can now be naturalized with- 
out an act of Parliament. 

A'LIEN,f v. t. To alienate. 

A'LIENOR, n. One who transfers pro- 
perty to another. 

ALIGN', r. i. To form in line; as troops. 

ALI'MA, n. A genus of stomapodous 
Crustacea, the species of which are 
transparent. 

ALIMENT'IVENESS, n. Among 
phrenologists, the name given to the 
organ that communicates the pleasure 
which arises from eating and drinking, 
and which prompts us to take nourish- 
ment. 

ALIS'MA, n. Water-plantain, a genus 
of plants belonging to the nat. order 
Alismaceae. [See WATER-PLANTAIN.] 

AL'ITURE,t n. [L. alitura.] Nourish- 
ment. 

ALIZ'ARINE, n. [From alizari, the 
commercial name of madder in the 
Levant.] A peculiar colouring principle 
obtained from madder. 

AL'KALIFIABLE. or ALKAL'IFI- 
ABLE. 

13 



AL'KALIFIED, or ALKAL'IFIED. 

AL'KALIFF, or ALKAL'IF?. 

AL'KALIZATE, or ALKAL'I- 
ZATE, a. 

AL'KALIZATE.or ALKAL'IZATE.f 
v. t. To make bodies alkaline. | .Sir 
ALKALIZE.] 

AL'KALOID, a. Relating to, or con- 
taining alkali. 

ALKAN'A, n. See ALKENNA, and HEN- 
NA PLANT. 

AL'KER, n. A star of the third magni- 
tude in the constellation Crater. 

ALL, a. [add.] The utmost degree of; 
as, in all probability ; in all appearance. 

ALL- ALONG',a</. Throughout; in ths 
whole. 

ALL -AMORT', a. [Fr. a-la-mort.] 
Dispirited. [SAaA.] 

ALLANTO'I, a. Pertaining to, or 
contained in the allantois. 

ALLANTO'IN, n. A crystalline sub- 
stance found in the allantoic fluid of 
the cow. 

AL'LA PRI'MA, n. [Ital.] A method 
of painting, in which the pigments are 
applied all at once to the canvas, with- 
out impasting or retouching. 

ALLAY'.f . i. To abate; to subside; 
to grow calm. 

ALL-BE', f conj. Although. \Spenser.] 

ALL-ON'QUE1UNG, a. That sub- 
dues everything. 

ALL-ONSOM'ING, a. That con- 
sumes everything. 

ALL-REAT'1NG, a. Creating all 
things. 

ALL-DESIGN'ING, a. Designing all 

ALL-DEVOUR'ING, a. That eats or 

swallows up everything. 
ALL-DIRET'ING, a. Directing all 

things. 

ALL-DIVINE, a. Supremely excellent. 
AL'LECRET, n. [Ger. all strength.] 

Light armour, used both by cavalry and 

infantry in the sixteenth century, and 




AllecrH Armour, A.D. IMO. 

more especially by the Swiss. It con- 
sisted of a breastplate and gussets, 
often reaching to the middle of the 
thigh, and sometimes below the knees. 

ALLET',t v. t. [L. allecto, allicio.] 
To entice. 

ALLEGA'TION, n. [add.] Ecclesiasti- 
cal allegation, the term applied to the 
first plea in testamentary causes. In 
ecclesiastical proceedings of a criminal 
nature, the first plea is termed articles ; 
and in plenary, or ordinary causes, the 
first plea is called the libel. The term 
allegation is also applied to every sub- 
sequent plea in all causes. Responsive 
allegation, the first plea given in by a 



ALLOCATOR 



ALLUVION 



ALNATH 



defendant, the plaintiffs answer to 
which is called a counter-allegation. 
Exceptive allegation, an exception 
made by either party in the case, to 
the credit of any witness upon matter 
contained in his deposition, 

ALLEGE', f i). *. (aleg'.) To alleviate ; 
to lighten. [Spenser.] 

ALLEGGE',t To ease; to alleviate. 
[Spenser.] 

ALLEGG'EAUNCE.f n. Alleviation ; 
ease ; comfort. [Spenser.] 

ALLE'GIANCE, n. [add.] Properly, 
the lawful obedience which a subject 
is bound to render to his sovereign. 
The bond of allegiance is mutual and 
reciprocal ; by it, the subject is bound 
to obey, and the sovereign to protect 
According to the law of England, the 
allegiance of a subject is permanent 
and universal. 

ALLE'GlANT.f . Loyal. 

ALLEGOR'IAL, a. [add.] Allegori- 
cal pictures, pictures representing alle- 
gorical subjects. They are of two kinds; 
those in which the artist unites alle- 
gorical with real persons, and those in 
which he represents allegorical persons 
only. This latter is allegorical painting 
in the true sense of the term. 

AL'LEGORIZER, n. One who alle- 
gorizes, or turns things into allegory. 

ALLE'GRO, n. A piece of music per- 
formed in allegro. 

ALLEMANDE', n. A slow air in com- 
mon time ; or grave, solemn music, with 
a slow movement. Also, a moderately 
quick dance, written in two crotchet 
time. Also, a figure in dancing. 

ALL-FORGIVING, a. Forgiving all. 

ALL-FOUR. See FOUR. 

ALL-FOURS, n. [add.] The phrase, 
on all-fours, has been sometimes used I 
to signify even or evenly ; consistent or 
consistently ; parallel ; square. 
No simile can go ou all-fours. 
This example is on all-fours with the other. 
Jliicititlay's Essays. 

ALL-HAL'LOWMAS, n. All-hallow 
tide. 

ALL HAL'LOWN.t a. Relating to the 
time about All-saints' day. 

ALL-HO'LY, a. Perfectly holy. 

ALLI'ANCE, n. [add.] Holy alliance. 
[See under HOLV.] 

ALLIGA'TOR TORTOISE, n. A spe- 
cies of the Emydai or marsh-tortoises, 
with long tail and limbs, which cannot I 
be entirely drawn within its bucklers. | 
The alligator tortoise ( Chelydra serpen- 
tina) is a native of the lakes, rivers, and 
morasses of Carolina, where it is very 
destructive to fish and water-fowl. 

ALLIGN'MENT, n. See ALIGNMENT, 
ALLINEMENT. 

AL'LIS, n. A species offish belonging to 
the herring family, also called the shad 
(Alosa communis}. 

ALLIT'ERATIVENESS, n. Quality of 
being alliterative. 

ALLIT'ERATOR, n. One who uses 
alliteration. 

ALL-KNOWING, a. Omniscient; all- 
wise. 

ALL LOVES. A former mode of ad- 
juration, meaning, for the love of all, as 
of heaven, earth, &c. ; as, speak of all 
loves ! 

AL'LOCATE, u. t. To place; to set 
apart ; to distribute ; to assign to each 
his share. 

AL'LOATED, pp. Set apart; dis- 
tributed; assigned. 

ALLOCA'TUR, n. [L.] In law, a cer- 
tificate of allowance of cost of taxation 
by the proper officer. 



ALLO'DIALLY, adv. In an allodial 
manner. 

ALLONGE, v. i. (allunj'.) To make a 
pass or thrust with a rapier. 

ALLONGE', n. (allunj'.) [add.] A paper 
annexed to a bill of exchange, when 
there are so many successive endorse- 
ments to be made that the original 
paper would not contain them. 

ALLOP'ATHI, or ALLOPATH'I, 
a. Pertaining to allopathy. 

ALLOPATH'IALLY, adv. In a man- 
ner conformable with allopathy. 

ALLOPHYL'IAN, n. [Gr. MLOC, and 
Qv\r, t a tribe, a race.] " The Allophylian 
nations," in archaol., is the term em- 
ployed by Dr. Richard in designating 
the primitive races supposed to have 
inhabited Britain and the continent of 
Europe, previous to the earliest historic 
indications of the Asian nations pass- 
ing into Europe. 

ALLOT'MENT, n. [add.] The act of 
allotting, or distributing by lot. Allot- 
ment system, the practice of dividing 
land into small portions for cultivation 
by agricultural labourers, and other 
cottagers, at their leisure, and after they 
have performed their ordinary day's 
work. Since 1830, the adoption of this 
system has become common in all the 
agricultural counties in England ; but 
they are nowhere universal. The quan- 
tity of land allotted to each individual 
or family, varies from the lighth part 
of an acre to four or five acres. 

AL'LOTROPIC STATE, n. [Gr. xx, 
another, and (*, condition.] A term 
applied to the dissimilar condition ob- 
served in certain elements, of which the 
various forms of carbon, as diamond, 
graphite, &c., afford a well-known ex- 
ample. 

ALL O'VER, adv. In familiar Ian., 
thoroughly ; entirely ; as, the book en- 
t\t\edDombeyand Sonis Dickens all over. 

ALL O'VERISH,a. In low Ian., neither 
sick nor well. 

ALLO W>.. [add.] To approve. [Shah.] 
In America, to acknowledge ; to think. 
Used in a very loose manner, like the 
word guess. 

ALL-POWERFUL, a. Almighty; om- 
nipotent. 

ALLS, n. plur. All one's goods or pro- 
perty. [ Vulgar.] 

ALL-SEARCH'ING, a. That searches 
all things. 

ALL'-SORTS, n. A term used in gin- 
palaces to denote a beverage composed 
of left drops of liquor of various de- 
scriptions mixed together. 

ALL SORTS OF. In the southern 
states of America, a low term for ex- 
pert, acute, excellent, capital ; thus, all 
sorts of a fellow, means an excellent, 
or smart fellow. 

ALL TO SMASH. An expression used 
in low and familiar language, and sig- 
nifying, all to pieces. 

ALL-TRl'UMPHING, a. Everywhere 
triumphant. 

ALLU'MINATE.t t>. t. To colour; to 
embellish. 

ALLCREV)- n. Something set up to en- 
tice ; a lure. 

ALLC'SION, n. [add.] In rhet.,a. refer- 
ence to some striking incident in his- 
tory, or passage in some writer, which 
serves to illustrate, and at the same 
time pleases by similitude or resem- 
blance. 

ALLU'VION, . [add.] In phys. geog., 
a tract of alluvial formation ; particu- 
larly applied to the bottom-lands and 
deltas of rivers. 

14 



ALLY', v. i. To be closely united. 

AL'LYLE, n. A new radical, discovered 
in the essential oil of garlic (Allium 
sativum), which is a sulphuret of allyle. 

AL'MA, n. See AJ.MK. 

ALMA' AC, n. A star of the second 
magnitude in the northern constella- 
tion Andromeda. 

AL'MAI. See AI.ME. 

ALMAN'DIN, or AL'MANDINE. 

ALMAN'DRES.f n. Almond-trees. 
[Chaucer.] 

ALMAYNE' RIVETS, n. [Fr. alle- 
mayne, that is, German.] In one. 
armour, sliding rivets, or rather, rivets 
fitting into slot-holes, by which various 
of the overlapping plates were fastened 
together, for the purpose of permitting 
the armour to yield to the motion of 
the body. 

AL'MERY, n. See AMBBV. 

AL'MOND-OIL, . A bland, fixed oil, 
obtained from almonds by pressure. 

AL'MOND-SHAPED, a. Shaped like 
an almond. 

AL'MONER, n. [add.] The office of 
lord high almoner of England has 
been long held by the archbishops of 
York. There is also a sub-almoner, 
and the hereditary grand almoner is the 
Marquis of Exeter. The lord almoner 
makes an annual distribution of alms 
in the sovereign's name, to a certain 
number of poor persons at Whitehall, 
on Maundy-Thursday. 

ALM'RY,f n. Same as ALMONRT. 

ALMS, n. [add.] Grammarians regard 
the word alms as of both numbers. 
In respect to its original form, it is sin- 
gular ; but, in respect to its meaning, 
either singular or plural. 

ALMS'-DRINK, n. According to War- 
burton, a phrase among good fellows, 
to signify that liquor of another's share 
which his companion drinks to ease 
him. 

ALMS'-HOUSE, n. [add.] In England, 
an edifice, or collection of tenements, 
built by a private person, and endowed 
with a revenue for the maintenance of 
a certain number of poor, aged, or dis- 
abled people. 

AL'MUCANTAR, AL'MUCANTEH, 
or AL'MAANTER. 

AL'MUCE, ) n. [L. almntium.] A furred 

AU'MUCE, ) hood, having long ends, 
hanging down the front of the dress, 




Figure weiring the Alrnuce, freir ft Sepulchre! Brat*. 

something like the stole, and which 
was worn by the clergy from the thir- 
teenth to the fifteenth centuries, for 
warmth, when officiating in the church 
during inclement weather. 
AL'NATH.t n. The first star in the 



ALSINACE^J 



ALUMNI 



AMARANTHACE^E 



horns of Aries, whence the first man- 
sion of the moon takes its name. 
[Chaucer.] 

AL'NUS, n. [From the Celtic al, near, 
and Ian, a river, or rather Heb. yfes, an 
oak.] The alder, a genus of plants, 
nat. order Betulaceo). A. glutiitiixti, 
the common alder, is a well-known 
tree, which grows in damp places, or 
by the sides of rivers. It supplies ex- 
cellent charcoal for the manufacture of 
gunpowder; the bark is valuable for 
tanning, and the young shoots for dye- 
ing various colours, when mixed with 
other ingredients. Its stems, when hol- 
lowed 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 Naples, and is one of the most 
interesting ornamental trees that have 
of late years been introduced into cul- 
tivation. There are several American 

ALOERETIN'I ACID, n. An acid 
contained in the artificial bitter of 
aloes, along with aloetic acid. 

ALOET'I, ) a. [add.] Consisting 

ALOET'IAL,j chiefly of aloes; hav- 
ing aloes as a principal ingredient ; as, 
an aloetic preparation. 

ALOFT', prep. Above; as, aloft the 
flood. fShak.} 

ALONDE'.f adv. (alond'.) On land. 
[Chaucer.] 

ALONG', adv. [add.] Along, when it 
signifies by the side of, near to, is 
usually classed among prepositions. 

ALOPECU'RUS, n. [Gr. A<ri,5, a fox, 
and cux, a tail.] Foxtail-grass, a genus 
of plants. [See FOXTAIL-GRASS.] 

AL'OHING, > n. The parapet wall, or, 

AL'ORYING, I more correctly, the 

AL'ORYNG, } gutter, or horizontal 

AL'UR, foot and water path, 

AL'URA, -I which the parapet 
supported and protected. The word 
was applied with a more extended sig- 
nification to any passage or gangway, 
such as the triforium and clerestory 
galleries of a church, or the covered 
ways at the sides of streets, as may 
still be seen in the "rows" of Ches- 
ter. 

ALO'SA, n. [add.] Alosa vulgaris is the 
common shad, which see. 

ALOS'ED,f pp. [Sax. hlisan.] Praised. 
[Chaucer.] 

A-LOWE', adv. A fire; in a flame. 
[Scotch.] 

ALP, 71. A local name for the bullfinch. 

AL'PACA, n. A species of Auchenia, 
indigenous to Peru, and celebrated for 
its soft wool-like hair. [See PACO.] 

AL'PES.f n. plur. Bullfinches. [Chau- 
cer.] 

AL'PHA ORCE'INE, n. The name 
given by Kane to one of two blue com- 
pounds contained in archil ; the other 
he terms Seta orceine. 

AL'PHERATZ, n. A star of the second 
magnitude in the head of Andromeda. 

ALPHON'SINE, a. Relating to Al- 
phonso, king of Leon, or his astrono- 
mical tables. 

AL'PIGENE, a. Produced, or growing 
in alpine regions. 

ALS.f adv. Also ; likewise. [Chaucer.] 

AL-SEG'NO, n. In mns., a notice to the 
porformer that he must recommence. 

ALSINA'CE^E, n. Thechickweed tribe 
of plants, a nat. order formerly, and 
still by most, included in the Caryo- 



phyllaceiE of Jussieu. It is distin- 
guished from Illecebraceae by nothing 
but the want of stipules. 

AL'SINE MEDIA, n. The name given 
by Linnanis to common chickweed, or 
the Stellaria media of modern bo- 
tanists. 

AL'SO, adv. [add.] When this word 
notes addition or conjunction, it is 
usually reckoned a conjunction. 

ALSTRCEME'RIA, n. A beautiful 
genus of South American plants, be- 
longing to the nat. order Amaryllidace* 1 , 
and much cultivated in our green- 
houses. 

AL'TAN, n. A star of the first magni- 
tude in the northern constellation 
Aquila, the Eagle with Antinous. 

AL'TAH-SREEN, n. In arch., the 
partition behind the high altar. 

AL'TAR-TOMB, n. In arch., a raised 
monument resembling a tomb. 

AL'TERATIVE, a. [add.] Having the 
power to restore the healthy functions 
of the body, without sensible evacua- 
tions. 

ALTER'ITY, n. State of being another, 
or different. [Rar. us.] 

AL'TERNACY, or ALTERN'ACY. 

ALTERN'ANT, a. In geol., a term ap- 
plied to rocks composed of alternating 
layers. 

ALTERN'ATE, a. [add.] In geom., al- 
ternate angles are properly 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. [See ALTERNATE in Diet.] 

AL'TERNATE, or ALTERN'ATE, 
v. t. The latter accentuation is more 
generally used. 

AL'TERNATE, or ALTERN'ATE, 

ALTERNATELY PINNATE, a. In 

hot., a term used where the leaflets of 
a pinnate leaf are placed alternately 
on the common petiole, as in some 
vetches. 

ALTERNATING, or ALTERN'AT- 
ING, ppr. 

ALTEKN'ATIVE, a. [add.] Alternate ; 
as, alternative command, [-/fou-'e.] 

ALTHE'A, or ALTH^E'A, n. 

ALTHF/1NE, instead of ALTHEIN'E. 

ALTIL'OQUENT, a. High-sounding; 
pompous in language. 

ALTINGIA'CE^E, n. A nat. order of 
dicotyledonous unisexual monochlamy- 
deous plants ; the same as Balsamiflua;, 
which see. 

AL'TITUDE, n. [add.] Altitudes, 
haughty airs ; excessive pride ; as, to 
be in one's altitudes. 

ALTITUDINA'RIAN, a. Having alti- 
tude ; aspiring. [Not authorized ] 

AL'TO. [add.] In mus., the counter- 
tenor part, or that between the tenor 
and treble. [See ALT.] 

AL'TO CLEF, n. In mus., the counter- 
tenor clef. [See ALT.] 

AL'TOUN, n. Oldtown. [ Scotch.] 

ALtJCI'TID^E, n. A family of small 
lepidopterous insects, nearly allied to 
the Tineida?, and having for its type 
the genus Alueita. The wings are sin- 
gularly divided into narrow, feathered 
rays ; the antennae are long, slender, 
and setaceous; and the legs are long 
and slender. 

AL'UMED, a. Mixed with alum. 

ALU'MEN, n. [L.] Alum, which see. 

ALUMINIF'EROUS, a Containing or 
affording alum. 

ALU'MINITE, instead of AL'UMIN- 
1TE. 

ALUM'NI, n. plur. [L.] See ALUMNUS. 



I ALUMO-AL'C1TE, . A silicious 
! mineral. 

AL'UM-OINTMENT, n. Common tur- 
pentine, lard, and powdered alum. 

AL'UM-ROCK, n. Same us ALUM- 
STO.M;. 

AL'UM-SCHIST, n. Same as ALUM- 
SLATE. 

AL'UM- WATER, n. A solution of alum 
in water; used by painters in water- 
colours. 

AL'URA, n. See ALORINO. 

AL'VEATED, a. Formed or vaulted 
like a bee-hive. 

AL'VEOLAR, -> n. [add.] Pertaining 

ALVE'OLAR, I to the arteries and 

AL'VEOLAR Y, f veins of the sockets 

ALVE'OLARY, J of the teeth Al- 
veolar processes, the sockets of the 
teeth. Alveolar structure, a term ap- 
plied to minute superficial cavities in 
the mucous membranes of the stomach, 
esophagus, and small intestines. 

AL'VEOLATE, or ALVE'OLATE. 

AL'VEOLITE, or ALVE'OLITE. 

ALVE'OLUS, instead of ALVEO'LUS. 

AL'VINE CONCRETIONS, n. Calculi 
formed in the stomach or intestines. 

AL'VUS, n. [L.] The belly; the intes- 
tines; also the intestinal evacuation. 

ALYS'SUM, n, [Gr. *xro.] A genus 
of plants, of the nat. order Cruciferse. 
The Koniga maritiina of Adamson was 
formerly called A. maritimum, and is 
still known as the sweet alysson; it 
is much cultivated, having white and 
fragrant honey - scented flowers, to 
which the bees are very partial. 

AMABYK', 7i. An old British word, sig- 
nifying the price of virginity, and ex- 
pressing a barbarous custom which 
formerly prevailed in England and 
Wales, being a sum of money paid to 
the lord, when a maid was married 
within his lordship. 

AMARAT'I, ) a. [Gr. 4^, to- 

AMASTHEN'ieJ gether.and * e r, 
power, or rOuci, force.] Terms appli- 
cable to a lens photographically perfect, 
or which unites all the chemical rays 
into one focus. 

AMADI'NA, n. A genus of small birds, 
of the finch family, with short bulging 
beaks. There are several exotic species, 
which are called amadavats or ama- 
duvats. 

AM'ADINE, TI. A substance produced 
from wheat and potato starch. 

AMA1ST', adv. Almost. [Scotch] 

AMALGAMA'TION, n. [add.] In 
America, the mixing or union of the 
white and black races. Amalgamation 
is a term applied particularly to the 
process of separating gold and silver 
from their ores by means of mercury. 
The mercury readily dissolves these 
metals, as disseminated in the minerals, 
and uniting with them, thus separates 
them from the earthy matters. The 
mercury is afterwards driven off from 
the amalgam by heat. 

AMAND'.t v. t. [L. amando.] To send 
one away. 

AMANDA'TION,f 71. Sending on a 
message. 

AMARANTHA'CE^E, n. A nat. order 
of monochlamydeous dicotyledonous 
plants, chiefly inhabiting tropical 
countries, where they are often 
troublesome weeds. They are remark- 
able for the usually dry-coloured scales 
of which all their bractea) and floral 
envelopes are composed. To this order 
belong the cock's - comb, the globe 
amaranth, the prince's feather, and 
the love-lies-bleeding of our gardens. 



AMBITUS 



AMENAUNCE 



AMICABILITY 



AMARYLLIDA'CE^.n. The Narcis- 
sus tribe of plants, a nat. order of 
monocotyledonous plants, with six sta- 
mens and an inferior fruit, which com- 
prehends the daffodil, the Guernsey 
and belladonna lilies, the Brunsvigias 
and blood-Bowers of the Cape of Good 
Hope. The bulbs of some are poison- 
ous, especially those of Hamanthus 
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. 

AMASSETTE', n. [Fr.] In paint., an 
instrument of horn, with which the 
colours are collected and scraped to- 
gether on the stone during the process 
of grinding. 

AMATE'.t v. t. instead of r. i. [add ] 
To subdue or daunt. [Spenser.] 

AMAT'ED.f pp. Perplexed. [Spenser.] 

AMATEOit', n. [add.] One who culti- 
vates any study or art, from taste or 
attachment, without pursuing it pro- 
fessionally. 

AMATEOR'SHIP, n. The character or 
quality of an amateur. [Not authorized.] 

AMATOR'ULIST,t n. [L. amator- 
culus.} An insignificant lover. 

AMATO'HIAN, a. Pertaining to love ; 
as, amatorian odes. 

AMATO'RII.n.pto-. [L.] The superior 
oblique muscles of the eye ; so named 
from the expression which they impart. 

A MAX'IMIS AD MIN'IMA. [L.J In 
logic, from the greatest things to the 
least. 

AMA'ZINGLY, adv. [add.] Wonder- 
fully; exceedingly; very much. [Used 
in colloquial language, and applied to 
trifling things.] 

AM'AZON-ANT, n. The Formica ru- 
fescens is so called. The neuters of this 
species of ant make slaves of the neu- 
ters of other species of ants. 

AM'AZON-LIKE, a. Resembling an 
amazon. 

AMBA'OINOUS, a. Circumlocutory; 
tedious. [Rar. us.] 

AMBAGITORY, a. Same as AMBA- 
OINOUS. 

AM'B ARIE, 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. 

AM'BARY, n. An East Indian plant, 
the hibiscus. 

AMBASSADE'.f n. [Fr.] Embassy. 

AMBASSADORIAL, . Belonging to 
an ambassador. \ l\<ir. us.] 

AM'BASSA(iE,t n. An embassy. 

AMBASS'ATRlE,f . [Fr.] Embassy. 
[Chaucer.] 

AM'BASSY.f n. An embassy. 

AM'BER, n. [add.] Amber is chiefly 
used for ornamental purposes. It is 
cut, for instance, into beads for neck- 
laces. 

AM'BER-WEEPING, a. Distilling am- 
ber. 

AM'BER- YELLOW, n. An ochre of a 
rich amber colour, in its raw state; 
when burned it yields a fine brown-red. 

AM'BES-AS,t n. [Fr.] Two aces at 
dice. [See AMBS-AcE.] [Chaucer.] 

AM'BIDEXTER,orAMBlDEX'TER. 

AMBIL'OQUY.f " Use of doubtful 
expressions. 

AMBI"TIOUS, a. [add.] Anxious to 
please. 

AMB1"TIOUSLY, adv. [add.] Studi- 
ously; anxiously. 

AM'BITUS, n. [L.] [add.] A going 
round ; a circuit ; circumference. The 
circumference or exterior edge or bor- 



der of a thing, as of a leaf In Roman 
hist., a canvassing for votes by candi- 
dates for office. 

AM'BLING, n. The motion of a horse 
that ambles 

AMBLO'TI, a. [Gr. n/3x<", abor- 
tion.] Having the power to cause abor- 
tion. 

AMBLYA'PIIIA, n. [Gr. 3;iw, dull, 
and *;> touch.] Insensibility of touch 
or general feeling. 

AMBLYO'PIA.n. Same as AMBLTOPY. 

AMBLYP'TERUS, n. A genus of fishes, 
with heterocercal tail, only found in a 
fossil state. The species are charac- 
teristic of the coal formation. 

AM'BON, n. Same as AMBO. 

AMBRO'SIAN, a. Pertaining to St. 
Ambrose. The Ambrosian office, or 
ritual, is a formula of worship in the 
church of Milan, instituted by St. Am- 
brose. Ambrosian chant, a mode of 
singing or chanting introduced by St. 
Ambrose. It was more monotonous 
than the Gregorian, which was used 
afterwards. 

AMBULA'CRA, n, [L. ambulacrum, an 
alley.] The narrow longitudinal por- 
tions of the shell of the echinus, or sea- 
urchin, which are perforated by small 
orifices, traversed by tentacular suckers, 
and alternated with the broad tuber- 
culated portions. 

AM'BULANCE, n. [Fr.] A moving 
hospital or place of succour for the 
wounded, formed for the occasion iu 
the immediate vicinity of the field of 
battle, so as to be out of the reach of 
the enemy's fire. Such hospitals are 
attached to every French army or di- 
vision of an army. They were intro- 
duced during the wars of Napoleon. 

AM'BULATOR, n. In road-sumeying, 
an instrument for measuring distances. 
[See PERAMBULATOR, of which this 
term is merely a contraction.] 

AM'BULATORY, a. [add.] In ornith , 
formed for walking ; applied to the feet 
of birds with three toes before and one 
behind; as the passerine birds. 

AM'BUSADE, or AMBUSCADE', n. 
[add.] A body of troops lying in am- 
bush. 

AM'BUSADE, or AMBUSCADE', 
v. t. 

AM'BUSCADED, or AMBUSA'- 
DED, pp. 

AM'BUSCADING, or AMBUSCAD- 
ING. 

AMBUSA'DO,t n. An ambuscade. 

AMBUSA'DOED,t a. Privately post- 
ed. 

AMBUST',f a. [L. ambustus.] Burnt. 

AMEBE'AN, a. Answering alternately. 
[See AMOBEAN.] 

AMEER', ) n. [ Ar.] A nobleman ; a 

AMIR', j chief; an emir, which see. 

AM'EL-ORN, ) n. [Latin, amylum, 

AM'YL-ORN, J starch.] A species 
of corn formerly used for starch. 

AMEL'IOHAT OK, n. One who ameli- 
orates. 

AM'ELLED.f a. Enamelled. 

AMEL'LUS, n. A plant mentioned by 
Virgil, and known to botanists as 
Aster amellui ; it has the flowers in 
heads, like the other Composite, those 
in the centre yellow, those in the cir- 
cumference purple, from not under- 
standing which Dryden and other 
English poets have given an absurd 
translation of the passage. 

AM'ENAGE,f n. Manage; carriage. 
[See AMENANCE.] [Spenser.] 

AM'ENAUNCE,f n. See AMENANCE. 
[Spenser.] 

10 




AMENDE', n. [add.] In popular Ian., 
the phrase amende honorable is used to 
signify a public or open recantation and 
reparation to an injured party for im- 
proper language or treatment. 

AMEND'MENT, n. [add.] In parlia- 
mentary proceedings, an alteration pro- 
posed to be made in the draught of any 
bill, or in the terms of any motion 
under discussion. Sometimes an amend- 
ment is moved, the effect of which is 
entirely to reverse the sense of the 
original motion ; but when this is the 
object in view, the more usual way is 
to move a negative. In public meet- 
ings held for discussion the term amend- 
ment is used to signify an alteration 
proposed to be made in the terms of 
any motion ; and sometimes it is used 
to signify a counter-motion. In law, 
this term properly signifies the correc- 
tion of mistakes in the written records 
of judicial proceedings. 

A MEN'S A ET THO'RO, or A MEN'- 
SA ET TO'RO. 

AMENTA'CE^E, n. The name given 
by Jussieu to those plants, the flowers 
of which are arranged in a dense spike 
called an amentum; as the poplar, the 
birch, the willow, the oak, the hazel, 
&c. But modern botanists have sepa- 
rated the Amentaceae into several dif- 
ferent orders, as Cupulifenc, Salica- 
ceae, Betulaceae, and 
Platanacea;. 

AMEN'TUM, n. [Lat.] 
The thong or strap by 
which the ancients fas- 
tened their sandals or 
shoes to the foot. 

AMEN'TY.f a- [Fr. amentie.] Mad- 
ness. 

AMEN'USE,t v. t. [Fr. amenuiser.] To 
lessen; to diminish. [Chaucer.] 

AMERCE' ABLE, a. Liable to amerce- 

AMERC'IAMENT, n. Same as 
AMERCEMENT. 

AMEK'ICAN. Incorrectly written 
AMERI'CAN, in some of the earlier 
issues of the Diet. 

AM'ESS, n. Same as ALMUCE, which 
see. 

AMETABO'LIA, ) n. A division of 

AMETABO'LIANS,) insects which 
do not undergo any metamorphosis, but 
which escape from the egg nearly under 
the same form which they preserve 
through life. [See METABOLIANS.] 

AM'ETHYST, n. [add.] The Oriental 
amethyst is a rare violet-coloured gem, 
called corundum or adamantine spar, 
with the qualities of the sapphire or 
ruby. The amethyst consists chiefly of 
silica. 

AMETHYST'INE, a. [add.] Composed 
of the amethyst ; as, an amethystine cup. 

AMHAR'IC, n. The vernacular lan- 
guage of South-Western Abyssinia. It 
is said to be a degenerated Shemitish 
dialect, with many African elements. 

AMHERST'IA, n. A genus of plants, 
named in honour of Lady Amherst, 
belonging to the nat. order Legumi- 
nosae. The flowers are large, red, and 
form a raceme about three feet long. 
Its native country is unknown. There 
is only one species, the A. nobilis, of 
which three trees were observed by 
Dr. Wallich in Burmah, in which coun- 
try the flowers are collected and laid 
before the shrines of their deities. 

AM'IATITE, n. In miner., fiorite or 
pearl-sinter. 

AMIABIL'ITY, n. Quality of being 
amicable. 



AMONG 



AMPHIGAMOUS 



AMPUL 



AMI'CAL, a. [L. arnicas.} Friendly; 
amiable. 

AM'IT, n. Same as AMICE. 

A.M1CUS CU'HUE, n. [L.] In law 
phrase, a friend of the court ; a stander- 
by, who informs the judge when doubt- 
ful or mistaken in matter of law. 

AM'IS,f [AMICE.] Apparel; garment. 
| Npenser.] 

A M ISS'.f " Fault. [.SAft.] 

AMIS'SlON.t n. [L. amissio.] Loss. 

AM'MIDE, n. A more correct ortho- 
graphy of AMIDE, which see. 

AM'MIDIDE,) n. A compound of am- 

AM'IDIDE, ) mide with a metal; 
us, the ammidiile of mercury. 

AMMID'OGEN, ) n. A basifying and 

AMID'OGEN, ) basic principle, com- 
posed of two equivalents of hydrogen, 
and one of nitrogen. It is the same 
as AMMIDE. 

AM'MIRAL, n. An obsolete form of 
ADMIRAL. 

AMMOCE'TES (not AMMOCETE), n. 
A genus of cyclostomous fishes, sepa- 
rated from the lampreys. One British 
species is known, the pride or stone-grig 
(A. branchialis); it is occasionally met 
with in our rivers, where it lodges in 
the mud. 

AMMODY'TES (not AMMODYTE), 
. A genus of eel-shaped fishes, which 
contains two British species, the wide- 
mouthed launce (A. tobianus), and the 
small-mouthed launce (A. alliciens). 

AMMONI'AUM,) n. Same as AM- 

AMMO'NIAUM,j MONIAC GUM, 
which see. 

AM'MONITE, n. [add.] A fossil genus 
of cephalopodous molluscs, allied to the 
recent genus Nautilus. This genus, 
however, may be considered rather as 
a family, including many genera. To 
this family the name Ammonitida is 
given It contains the genera, Gonia- 
tites, Ceratites, Ammonites, Scaphites, 
Hamites, and others. [See cut in Diet 
AMMONITE.] 

AMMOPH'ILA, n. [Gr. ,u,, sand, 
and qAof, a lover.] Sea-reed, a genus 
of plants, nat. order Gramineae. A. 
arundinacea, common marum, sea- 
reed, mat-weed, or sea-bent, grows on 
sandy sea-shores, and is extensively 
employed in Norfolk and Holland for 
preserving the banks of sand which 
protect those countries from the in- 
roads of the sea, as it serves to bind 
down the sand by its long tough roots. 
It is also manufactured into door-mats 
and floor-brushes. In the Hebrides it 
is made into ropes, mats, bags, and 
hats. It was formerly referred to the 
genus Arundo. In zool., the name of a 
long-bodied genus of fossorial hymen- 
optera, commonly called sand-wasps. 

AMNE'SIA, n. [Gr.] Forgetfulness ; 
loss of memory. 

AMNIC'OLIST.f n. [L. amnicola.] 
One who dwells near a river. 

AMNlG'ENOUS,t a. Born of a river. 

AMNIOT'I, a. [add.] Pertaining to 
the amnion ; contained in the amnion ; 
as, the amniotic fluid. 

AMOBE'AN, a. Properly AMCEB^E'- 
AN. 

AMOBE'UM, n. Properly AMOEBJF/- 
UM. 

AMO'JtlEJE, n. A nat. order of plants, 
now called by some Scitamineac, by 
others Zingiberaceae. 

AMON'ESTE.f v. t. (amon'est.) [Fr.] 
To admonish ; to advise. [Chaucer.] 

A MONG, \ prep, [add.] Used in im- 

AMONGST, ) puting an action to a 
number of persons in general, without 
I. SUPP. 



determining the agency of any of them 
in particular; as, you have among you 
killed a sweet and innocent lady. 
[Shak.] 

AMOKKTTE', ) n. [Fr.] An amorous 

AMOURETTE', ) woman ; also, a love 
knot, or a trifling love affair. 

AMOR'TIZE, or AMOR'TISE. 

AMPARTHRO'SIS, n. Same as AM- 

PIIIARTIIROSIS. 

AM'PELIC ACID, n. An acid obtained 
from the oils of bituminous schist. An 
oily matter prepared from the same 
substance has been termed Ampelin. 

AMPEL'IDJE, n. The chatterers; a 
family of insessorial or perching birds, 
distinguished by the enormous width 
of their gape, which in many extends 
beyond the eye ; most of them inhabit 
tropical America. [See CHATTERER.] 

AMPELID'ETE, or VITA'CE^, n. A 
nat. order of thalamiflorous plants, to 
which the genus Vitis, including the 
V. vinifera, or common vine, belongs. 

AM'PELIS, n. A genus of perching 
birds; the chatterers. [See CHAT- 

AM'PELITE, n. [add.] This term is also 
applied to a kind of slate, found in the 
fossiliferous series of rocks. There 
are two varieties ; the first is termed 
alum-slate, and the second, graphic- 
slate. 

AMPELOP'SIS, n. [Gr. * a vine, 
and v^tf, resemblance.] A genus of 
plants, nat. order Ampelideae, or Vita- 
ceae. Many of the species are known 
by the name of creepers. 

AMPERE'S THEORY, n. An electro- 
dynamic theory established by Andrd 
Mavie Ampere. In this theory the 
mutual attraction and repulsion of two 
magnets is referred to the mutual ac- 
tion of electric currents, according to a 
certain fundamental law, in a manner 
resembling the polar attraction of elec- 
tricity in a state of tension. Ampere 
conceived that the magnetic action of 
the earth is the result of currents cir- 
culating within it, or at its surface, 
from east to west, in planes parallel 
to the magnetic equator. 

AMPHIB'IAL, a. Pertaining to the 
amphibials ; having the power of living 
in air and water. [See AMPHIBIOUS.] 

AMPHIB'IALS, ) n. [add.] These 

AMPHIB'IANS, \ terms are strictly 

AMPHIB'IA, ) applicable only to 
such animals as have the power of liv- 
ing indifferently at the same time, either 
upon land or in water, or to such animals 
as possess both lungs and gills. Four 
genera of batrachian reptiles are found 
to possess this double apparatus, viz., 
the axolotls, the menobranchi, the sirens, 
and the proteus. These arc the only 
known vertebrated animals that are 
truly amphibious. Taking the term, 
however, in a sense somewhat more 
extended, it might be made to include 
the whole order of batrachians. Cuvier 
uses the term to designate a family of 
marine quadrupeds, including the seal 
and walrus. 

AMPHIB'OLIC, or AMPHIBOL'I. 

AMPHIB'OLOID, n. A rock composed 
of amphibole and felspar, in which the 
amphibole predominates ; a variety of 
greenstone. 

AMPHIB'RAHYS, n. Same as AM- 
PHIBRACH. 

AMPHIDES'MA, n. A genus of marine 
bivalve shells, which live in the sand 
on the sea-coasts of this and other 
countries. The shell is inequilateral. 

AMPHIG'AMOUS, a. [Gr. &,, and 
17 



j.,iw, nuptials.] A term applied by 
Do Candolle to those cellular crypto- 
gamic plants which exhibit no trace 
whatever of sexual organs. 

A.MI'IIIOX'US, n. The lancelct, a 
small fish of the lamprey family. So 
rudimentary is the structure of this 
genus of fishes, that Pallas regarded 
and described the first species as a slug 
(Limax.) One species (A. lanceulalus) 
is found on the coasts of England and 
Ireland, in the Firth of Clyde, and the 
Mediterranean. Two other species of 
this curious genus have lately been dis- 
covered, one in S. America, and the 
other in the Eastern seas. The genus 
is also called Branchiostoma. 

AMPHIPLEU'RA, n. In hot., a genus 
of diatomaceous plants allied to Navi- 
cula, with which it was combined by 
Ehrenberg, in his work on infusoria). 

AMPHIP'NEUSTS, n. [Gr. * M ,, and 
>!*, to breathe.] A term applied to the 
true amphibials ; as, the siren, and pro- 
teus. 

AMPHIPRO'RA, n. In lot., a genus of 
diatomaceous plants. 

AMPHITET'RAS, n. In hot., a genus of 
diatonmoere. 

AMPHITHEAT'RI, a. Same as AM- 

PHITHEATRICAL. 

AMPHITHEAT'RICALLY, adv. In 
an amphitheatrical form. 
AM'PHITRITE, n. [add.] These ani- 
mals belong to the order Tubicola, and 
class Annulata, of Cuvier. They are 
easily recognized by their golden-co- 
loured seta?, disposed in the form of a 
crown. Some of them construct slight 
tubes of a regular conical form, which 
they carry about with them. 
AMPHIT'ROPOUS, a. A term applied 
to the ovule of plants, when the fora- 
minal and chalazal ends are transverse 
with respect to the hilum. 
AMPIHU'MA, n. A genus of batra- 
chian reptiles, which frequent the lakes 
and stagnant waters of N. America. 
They first appear in the tadpole form, 
and afterwards gradually acquire small 
legs and feet. The body is of great 
length. 

AM'PHORA, n. In hot., a genus of dia- 
tomaceous plants founded on the Navi- 
cula amphora of Ehrenberg. 
AM'PHORAL, a. Pertaining to, or re- 
sembling an amphora. 
AMPHOR'I RESONANCE, n. [L. 
amphora, a vessel.] In auscultation, a 
sound of the chest like that heard on 
blowing into a decanter. 
AM'PUL, n. [L. ampulla.] A vessel used 
in ecclesiastical rites, various in shape 
and materials, and 
formerly employed 
for containing the 
consecrated oil 
used in baptism, 
consecration, &c.; 
and also at the co- 
ronation of mon- 
archs. In England 
and France, a ves- 
sel of this kind is 
still in use for the 
anointing of sove- 
reigns. That for 
France was kept 
at Rheims, and is 
said to have been 
1 brought from hea- 
ven by a dove for 
the baptismal unc- 
tion of Clovis I. It disappeared at the 
Revolution. The ampulla of England is 
an eagle of pure gold, and richly chased. 
Cu 




ANABAS 



ANAGALLIS 



ANATOMY 




AM'PYX, n. [Gr.] A broad band, or 
plate of metal, often enriched with 
precious stones, worn on the forehead 
by Greek and Roman 
ladies of rank. Ele- 
phants and horses were 
sometimes decorated 
with a similar orna- 
ment. 

AM'SEL, n. A name 
sometimes given to the 
blackbird. [See AMZEL.] 

A'MULE. See AMTLE. 

AMURCOS'ITY.f n. [L. amurea, lees 
of oil.] The quality of lees, or scum. 

AMUR'OUS,t a. Full of dregs or 
lees ; foul. 

AMOS' ABLE, a. Capable of being 
amused. 

AMY'ELOUS, a. [Gr. priv ., and,uMX, 
medulla.] In med., a term applied to 
the fetus, in cases in which there is 
complete absence of the spinal mar- 
row. In cases in which the encephalon 
also is absent, the fetus is termed amy- 
encephalous. 

AMYG'DAL^E, n. A name given to 
the exterior glands of the neck, and to 
the tonsils. 

AMYGDAI/E.S2, n. The almond tribe 
of plants, a sub-order of the Rosacea;. 
The species are trees or shrubs, with al- 
ternate leaves, with free stipules ; poly- 
petalous corolla ; perigynous stamens ; 
ovary superior, solitary, one-celled ; 
style terminal ; fruit drupaceous, one- 
seeded. The peach, nectarine, plum, 
cherry, almond, apricot, prune, damson, 
and bullace are produced by different 
species of the order. The species are 
all, more or less, poisonous, from their 
leaves and kernels yielding an abund- 
ance of prussic or hydrocyanic acid. 

AMYG'DALINE, n. [add.] This p-o- 
duct contains nitrogen, and is one of 
the bases of hydrocyanic acid, though 
it does not possess the poisonous pro- 
perties of that powerful agent. 

AMYGDALOID AL, instead of 
AMYG'DALOIDAL. 

AMYG'DALUS, n. [add.] This genus 
comprehends the almond, peach, and 
nectarine, besides a few bushes. Of 
the common almond there are two prin- 
cipal varieties, the sweet and the bitter. 

A'MYLE, n. [Gr. .u.i/x, starch, and SXii, 
matter, or principle.] The hypothetical 
radical of a series of compounds derived 
from oil of potato-spirit, which is itself, 
when pure, the hydrated oxide of 
amyle, analogous to alcohol. Both the 
radical and its hydrated oxide are un- 
known in a separate state ; but a suffi- 
cient number of compounds has been 
obtained to render its existence highly 
probable. 

AMYL'I ACID, n. A volatile acid ob- 
tained by digesting moistened starch 
with peroxide of manganese. 

AM'YLIN, or AM'YLINE. 

AM'YLUM, n. [L. from Gr. <wi. ] 
Starch. 

AMYRIDA'CE^E. See AMYRIDEJJ. 

AM'YRIS, n. [From Gr. fu, i{ *, myrrh.] 
A genus of plants, and perhaps the 
only legitimate one, of the nat. order 
Amyridaceoe. The species which are 
found in tropical climates are fragrant 
resinous shrjubs. A. Plumierii is said 
to yield part of the gum-elemi of com- 
merce. A. toxifera is said to be poi- 
sonous ; while the wood of A. balsami- 
fera furnishes a sort of lignum-rhodium. 

AN, n. See ANNATS. 

ANABAP'TIZE.t " * To rebaptize. 

AN'ABAS, n. The name given by Cuvier 



to a genus of acanthopterygious bony 
fishes, remarkable for the power pos- 
sessed by the species of living for some 




Anabas, Anabat 



time out of water, and making then- 
way on land for considerable distances. 
There is but one species of this genus, 
the A. scandens, which inhabits India 
and the Indian Archipelago, living in 
marshes, and feeding on aquatic in- 
sects. It is about six inches in length. 
AN'ABLEPS, n. A genus of malacop- 
terygious bony fishes, remarkable for 
the curious structure of their eyes, 



Anableps, telraophthalnrnt. 

which have two pupils, and appear as 
if double ; but there is only one crys- 
talline humour, one vitreous humour, 
and one retina. The A. tetraophthal- 
mus inhabits the rivers of Guiana. It 
has a cylindrical body, a flat head, and 
a blunt snout, while the upper jaw pro- 
jects beyond the lower. 

ANACARDIA'CE^E, n. The cashew- 
nut tribe of plants, and the same as 
Terebinthacea) ; a nat. order of poly- 
petalous dicotyledons, with perigynous 
stamens, a simple superior ovary and 
fruit, with a single ovule rising by means 
of a cord from the base of the cell, and 
alternate leaves without stipules. The 
species are chiefly natives of tropical 
America, Africa, and India ; they con- 
sist of woody plants, abounding in an 
acrid resin, and their juice is often used 
as a varnish ; but it is often dangerous 
to use, on account of the extreme acri- 
dity of the fumes. To the order be- 
long the rhus or sumach, the pistacias, 
the mango (Man/jifera Indica), the 
cashew (Anacardium occidental), the 
marking - nut (Semecarpus anacar- 
dlum), the varnish - tree of Martaban 
(Melanorrheie usitatissima), and the 
Japan-lacquer (Staijmaria vernicijlua). 

ANAATHAR'SIS, n. [Gr. ,, and 
*fli{a, to cleanse.] In med., cough, at- 
tended by expectoration. 

ANACEPHAL^E'OSIS, n. [Gr. ,- 
xtfn>.iuiifu.] In rliet., a summing up; 
recapitulation. 

ANAHRON'I, a. Containing ana- 
chronism. 

ANAC'RISIS, n. [Gr. inquiry.] Among 
civilians, in former times, an investiga- 
tion of truth, interrogation of witnesses, 
and inquiry made into any fact, espe- 
cially by torture. 

ANjEMOT'ROPHY, n. [Gr. . priv., 
and it,/**, blood, and T^ufn, nourishment.] 
In med., a deficiency of sanguineous 
nourishment. 

ANAESTHETIC, a. Of or belonging to 
anaesthesia; having the power of de- 
priving of feeling or sensation. Chlo- 
roform and sulphuric ether are power- 
ful anaesthetic agents. 

ANjESTHET'I,n. Asubstance which 
has the power of depriving of feeling 
or sensation ; as chloroform, when its 
vapour is inhaled. 

ANAGAL'LIS, n. [Gr. ,, again, and 
i-AA, to adorn.] Pimpernel, or poor 
man's weather-glass, a genus of plants. 
[See PIMPERNEL.] 

IS 



ANAGLYPH'ie, a. instead of AN- 

AGLYPHI'. 

ANAGLYPH'I, n. In anc. sculp., a 
term applied to chased or embossed 
work on metal, or to anything worked 
in relief. 

ANAGLYPTOGRAPH'IC ENGRA- 
VING, n. That process of machine 
ruling on an etching ground, which 
gives to a subject the appearance of 
being raised from the surface of the 
paper, as if it were embossed, and is 
frequently employed in the representa- 
tion of coins, medals, bass-reliefs, &c. 

ANAGLYPTOG'RAPHY, n. [Gr. >, 
)iuf<u, and }{?, to write.] The art of 
copying works in relief. 

ANAGNOR'ISIS, n. [Gr.] In rhet., 
recognition ; the unravelling of a plot 
in dramatic action. 

AN'AGRAM, . t. To transpose ; as the 
letters of a name. [Rar. us.] 

ANAGRAMMAT'I,a. [add.] Found- 
ed, or proceeding on the transposition 
of letters. 

ANALE'TA, n. plur. [L.] Fragments ; 
refuse ; collections of extracts or small 
pieces from different authors ; analects. 

ANALE'TI, a. Collected together ; 
relating to collections, or selections. 

ANALEP'SIA, n. See ANALEPSIS. 

ANAL'OGON.n. Something analogous. 
[Rar. us.] 

ANALYZA'TION, n. Act of analyzing. 

ANAMOR'PHOSIS, or ANAMOR- 
PHO'SIS. 

ANANAS'SA, n. The pine-apple, a 
genus of plants, nat. order Bromeliacere. 
[See ANANAS and PINE-APPLE.] 

ANAN"GULAR, a. Without angles. 

ANAPEST'ICAL, a. Same as ANA- 

PESTIC. 

ANAPEST'IALLY, adv. In an ana- 
pestic manner. 

ANAR'THROUS, a. [Gr. . priv., and 
{0(v, a joint, or article.] In gram., 
without the article. In entomol., hav- 
ing neither wings nor legs, as some in- 
sects. 

ANASTAT'I PRINTING, n. [Gr. 
ittirn/M, to raise up.] A mode of ob- 
taining fac-simile impressions of any 
printed page or engraving without re- 
setting the types or re-engraving the 
plate. The printed page or engraving 
being saturated with dilute nitric acid, 
which does not affect the portion co- 
vered with printing-ink, a transfer is 
taken on a plate of zinc, which is soon 
eaten or corroded away by the acid 
from the non-printed parts of the page, 
leaving the printed portion in slight 
relief. A further application of acid 
deepens the corroding and heightens 
the relief to the extent necessary to 
enable the subject to be printed in the 
ordinary manner. 

ANAS'TOMIZE, v. i. In hot., to grow 
together, as two parts which meet from 
different directions. 

ANATH'EMATISM,f n. Act of ana- 
thematizing. 

ANATH'EMATIZER, n. One who 
anathematizes. 

AN'ATHEME, n. An anathema. [Rar. 
used.] 

ANAT'ID^E, n. The duck kind, a fa- 
mily of web-footed birds, of which the 
genus Anas (Linn.) is the type. It com- 
prehends ducks, geese, and swans. 

ANATOMIZA'TION, n. The act of 
anatomizing. 

ANAT'OMY.n. [add.] Anatomy is both 
an art and a science. It is an art, be- 
cause the pursuit of it requires dexterity 
and skilful manipulation ; and it is a 



ANCHOVY 



ANDROMEDA 



ANEROID BAROMETER 



science, inasmuch us certain general 
principles are deducible from it : it may 
be termed the science of organization. 
Descriptive anatomy, that branch 
\vhicli treats of the organs of which the 
human body consists, with regard to 
their shape, position, and mutual rela- 
tions. (lateral anatomy, that branch 
which treats of the structure and phy- 
sical properties of the different tissues 
which are common to several organs, 
without reference to the form or situa- 
tion of the organs themselves. Special 
anatomy, that branch which treats of 
the healthy state of the organs ; in con- 
tradistinction to morbid or pathological 
anatomy, which treats of the diseased 
states of organs, and the changes pro- 
duced upon them by disease. Trans- 
cendental anatomy, that branch which 
investigates the plan or model upon 
which the animal frame or organs are 
formed. -Surgical anatomy, t\\&t branch 
which demonstrates the relative posi- 
tion of organs or parts, with a view to 
those operations which it may be ne- 
cessary to perform upon them. Phy- 
siological anatomy, that branch which 
treats of the structure of organs, only 
in as far as it elucidates their functions. 
Artificial anatomy, the art of making 
models in wax, or other materials, to 
illustrate the healthy or diseased struc- 
ture of parts. 

ANAT'ROPOUS, instead of ANA'- 
TROPOUS, a. In hot, applied to the 
ovule when this is inverted; so that its 
base is at the opposite extremity from 
the hilum. It indicates that the em- 
bryo is homotropal, or not inverted, and 
is of common occurrence in the vege- 
table kingdom. 

ANCES'TRAL, a. More usually AN'- 
CESTRAL. 

AN'CESTRESS, n. A female ancestor. 
[Rar. us.} 

AN'-CHOR, n. [add.] The anchors car- 
ried by ships have been reduced to four 
principal, and these all at the bows. 
Those of the largest size carried by 
men-of-war, are the best and small 
bowers, the sheet, and the spare; to 
which are added the stream and the 
hedge, which are used for particular or 
for temporary purposes. The anchor 
is said to be a-coch-bill, when it is sus- 
pended vertically from the cat-head; 
ready to be let go-a-peah, when it is 
drawn in so tight as to bring the ship 
directly over it ; a-trip or a-weigh, when 
it is just drawn out of the ground in a 
perpendicular direction ; a-wash, when 
the stock is hove up to the surface of 
the water. To back an anchor. [See 
under BACK.] 

AN'HOR,t n. [For ANCHOKET.] A 
recluse. 

AN'HOR-LINING, n. Same as BILL- 
BOARDS, which see. 

AN'HOR-STOCK, n. The cross-piece 
of wood, or iron, at the head of the 
shank of an anchor, to make the flukes 
take hold of the ground. 

ANCHO'VY, n. [add.] The Engraulis 
of Cuvier, a genus of abdominal mala- 
copterygioug fishes, separated by that 




Anchovy, Engrautis enerattctiolw. 

naturalist from the Clupeffi or herrings 
ofLinnteus. The species are all of dimi- 
nutive size, and, with exception of the 



common anchovy, E. encrasicholus and 
B. meletta (both Mediterranean species), 
all inhabitants of the tropical seas of 
India and America. No condiment is 
more generally known and esteemed 
than anchovy-sauce. 

ANCHU'SA, n. [add.] The species of 
this genus of plants are chiefly inhabi 
tants of the temperate parts of the 
earth, either on the mountains of tropi- 
cal climates or the temperate zones. 
They are rough plants, and known by 
the common name of bugloss. A. offi- 
cinaliv, common alkanet or bugloss, is 
an inhabitant of Britain. The roots, 
when boiled, yield a demulcent drink, 
once in repute as a medicine. A. sem- 
pervirens, evergreen bugloss, is also 
found in Britain. 

ANCHU'SINE, n. The name given to 
a red colouring matter obtained from 
Anchusa tinctoria. It is resinous, and 
emits violet vapours when heated. 

AN'CIENT.t n. A flag or streamer of a 
ship; also, the bearer of a flag, now 
called an ensign. 

AN'CIENTS, n. plur. Gentlemen of the 
Inns of Court and Chancery. In Gray's 
Inn, the society consists of benchers, 
ancients, barristers, and students under 
the bar ; and here the ancients are of 
the oldest barristers. In the Middle 
Temple, those who have passed their 
readings are termed ancients. The Inns 
of Chancery consist of ancients, and 
students or clerks. 

ANCI'LE, n. [L.] The shield of Mars; 
the sacred shield of the Romans. 

ANCIL'LA, ) n. A genus of spiral, 

ANCILLA'RIA, } univalve, marine 
shells, allied to the olives. The species 
are chiefly confined to tropical climates. 
One is known by the name of ivory- 
shell. 

AN'CILLART, a. instead of n. 

ANCILLE'.t n. [L. ancilla.} A maid- 
servant. [Chaucer.] 

ANCIP'ITOUS, a. Same as ANCIPITAJ,. 

AN'CONOID, a. [Gr. -,*., the elbow, 
and utot, likeness.] Klbow-like ; ap- 
plied to a process of the cubit. 

AND, conj. [add.] And is sometimes 
used to express indignation ; as, perfi- 
dious man ! and will you thus dishonour 
your past exploits. Sometimes, after 
premises, it introduces a conclusion in 
the form of an interrogation ; but its 
particular force must be gathered from 
the words with which it is connected. 
It is sometimes repeated to signify 
both ; as, and from behind, and from 
before. 

AND'IRON, n. [add.] An iron utensil 
at each end of a fire-grate, in which 
the spit turns. 

ANDR^A'CE^;, n. A nat. order of 
plants proposed for the genus Andrjea 
alone, and differing from the true 
mosses solely by the capsule splitting 
into four valves. By most, however, it 
is considered a mere group of the 
mosses or musci. 

ANDROG'YNE, n. An hermaphrodite. 

ANDROI'DES, n. Same as ANDKOID, 
but more frequently used. 

ANDROM'EDA, n. [Named after the 
virgin of that name.] A genus of plants, 
nat. order Ericaceae. The species are 
hardy shrubs, natives of Europe, Asia, 
and North America. A. polifolia is a 
British plant, called by various names ; 
as wild rosemary, moorwort, marsh 
holy rose, &c. There are several varie- 
ties. A. p. glauciphylla is a Canadian 
variety, a decoction of the leaves of 
which is said to be inebriating. 
19 



AN'DROSPHINXES,n.LGr..,, { ,,J, 




Androephlnx. 

o man, and ?> a sphinx.] In Egyp- 
tian art, lions with human heads. 

AN'DROUS, a. In hot., denoting the 
male sex. 

ANAI/,t t>. *. See ANELE. 

ANEDOT'I, a. Same as ANECDOTI- 

CAL. 

ANEDOT'IAL, a. [add.] Employed 
upon or dealing in anecdotes. 
AN'EDOTIST, n. One who deals in 
anecdotes. 

ANE'LACE, ) n. A knife or dagger, 
AN'LACE, > from eighteen inches 
ANEL A'CIO, ) to two feet long, corn- 



Fig. 2. 



Hi. I. 




Fig. 1 , Anclaw of the Hrae of Edward IV. Fin. , 
Anelace of the time of Henry VII. 

monly worn at the girdle by civilians 
until the end of the fifteenth century. 

ANELEC'TRODE, n. The positive 
pole of a galvanic battery. [See ELEC- 
TRODE.] 

ANEMOM'ETER, n. [add.] Mr. Osier's 
anemometer, now generally used in 
observations, however, registers the 
direction as well as the force of the 
wind continuously. [See British As- 
sociation's lieports for 1846.] 

ANEMOM'ETRY, n. The process of 
determining the pressure or force of the 
wind by means of an anemometer. 

ANEMO'NIA, n. See ANEMONINE. 

ANENCEPHA'LIA, n. [Gr. priv., 
and i-yx<fa>.o;, the brain.] The state of 
an encephalus; the absence of a greater 
or less portion of the brain. 

ANENCE'PHALXJS, n. A fetus born 
without brains. 

ANENT', prep. Opposite ; respecting. 
[Scotch.] 

AN'EROID, n. Same as ANDROID, 
which see, 

ANE'ROID BAROMETER, n. An in- 
strument for indicating the pressure of 
the atmosphere, the invention of M. 
Vidi, of Paris, for whom a patent was 
obtained in England by M. Fontaine- 
moreau in 1844. It answers the pur- 
pose of the ordinary mercurial barome- 
ter, but less perfectly. It is, however, 
portable. It consists of an air-tight 
box, one side of which is a thin me- 
tallic plate, which yields to external 
pressure, and acts upon a spiral spring 
inside, in communication with a system 
of levers, terminating in an external 
index, by which the amount of pressure 
is exhibited on a circular scale. It 
contains no fluid ; hence the name from 
without, irfei. moisture, and </>, like 
or form. It is likely to be completely 



ANGINA PECTORIS 



ANGOSTURA BARK 



ANHARMONIC RATIO 



superseded by M. Bourdon's metallic 
barometer, which is more perfect. 

ANES, adv. Once. [Scotch.] 

ANES-ER'RAND, adv. Of set pur- 
pose ; sole errand. [Scotch.] 

AN'ESIS, n. [Gr. ;, from i^<, to 
remit.] A remission or relaxation of a 
disease, or of its symptoms. 

ANE'THUM, n. [Gr. ,, and ,5, to 
burn.] A genus of plants, of the nat. 
order Umbelliferoe. A. graveolens is 
known by the name of dill [see DILL], 
and A. fceniculum (the Fceniculum 
vulgare of Hoffman), by that of fennel. 
[See FOSNICOLUM and FEXNELJ 

ANEUCH', a., ode., or n. Enough. 
[Scotch.] 

AN'EURYSM, n. See ANEURISM. 

ANFRA'TUOSE, a. Same as AN- 
FRACTUOUS. 

AN'(iEL-BED, n. An open bed without 
posts. 

AN'GELET, n. An old English gold 
coin, equal to half an angel. 

ANGEL'IA, a. [add.] The A. arch- 
angelica, or Archangelica ojficinalis, is 
a native of the banks of rivers and of 
wet ditches in all the northern parts of 
Europe. It has a large fleshy aromatic 
root, and a strong-furrowed branched 
stem as high as a man. It is much 
cultivated on the Continent for the 
sake of its agreeable aromatic odour. 




Angelica fcrehangelica. 

Its blanched stems, candied with sugar, 
form a very agreeable sweetmeat, pos- 
sessing tonic and stomachic qualities. 
The roots contain a pungent, aromatic, 
stimulating principle, on which account 
they have been employed in scrofulous 
diseases, and in the form of infusion 
and powder, as diuretics and,sudori- 
fics; but they are no longer used in 
modern practice, at least in this coun- 
try. A. sylvestris, or wild angelica, pos- 
sesses similar properties, but weaker. 
ANGEL'ICINE, n. A crystallized com- 
pound found in the root of the Angeli- 
ca archanr/elica. 

AN'GERNESS,f n. The state of being 
angry. 

ANGI'NAPE'TORIS,n. [add.] This 
disease, called in English breast-pang 



and spasm of the chest, is attended by 
acute pain, sense of suffocation, anc 
syncope. 

ANGIOCAR'POUS, instead of AN'- 
GIOAR'POUS. 
ANGIOSPOROUS, instead of AN- 

GIOSPO'HOUS. 
AN'GLE, n. [add.] Angle of contact, 
this term has been discarded from 
modern mathematics, and when a curve 
is supposed to be composed of infinitely 
small rectilinear elements, the infi- 
nitely small acute angle formed by one 
element with the production of the next, 
answers for the old angle of contact. 
Angle of draught. [See under DRAUQHT.] 

AN'GLE,-)- n. One who may be easily 
enticed ; a gull. 

AN'GLEMETER, [angle-measure.] The 
name specially given to an instrument 
employed by geologists for measuring 
the dip of strata. 

AN'GLE OF FRIC'TION, n. In mech., 
the angle whose tangent is equal to 
the co-efficient of friction. The co- 
efficient of friction f of a body resting 
on an inclined plane, is found by ob- 
serving the angle of friction <p (the angle 
at which the body begins to slide) when 
/ is put equal to f. 

AN'GLE OF REPOSE, n.Thatangle at 
which one body will just rest upon 
another without slipping. It varies of 
course with the natures of the bodies in 
contact, but is constant for the same 
bodies. It is called by Professor Mose- 
ley, the limiting angle of resistance. 

AN'GLER, n. [add.] The common 
angler (Lophius piscatorius) is not un- 
frequently met with on our coasts, and 
is known by the names of fishing-frog, 
toad-fish, and sea-devil. [See FISHIXG- 
FKOG.] 

AN'GLE-SIIADES, n. The name of a 
very common but very handsome moth 
found in this country. It is the Phlogo- 
phora meticulosa of naturalists. 

AN'GLIAN, n. A member of the 
Church of England. 

AN'GLIAN1SM, n. The principles of, 
or adherence to the Established Church 
of England ; partiality to England. 

ANGLIC'IFY, v. t. To make English ; 
to anglicize. Wo* authorized.] 

AN'GLICUS SU'DOH, n. [L.J Sweat- 
ing-sickness, which see. 

AN'GLO-NORM'AN, n. An English 
Norman. 

AN'GLO-SAX'ONISM, n. A word or 
idiom of the Anglo-Saxon language. 

AN'GOBER, n. A kind of pear. 

ANGOSTU'RA BARK, n. An excel- 
lent bark, possessing febrifugal proper- 




Aogo.tur Bark, 



ties, used by the Catalan 
fnars of the missions on the 
20 



Capuchin 
river Ca 



rony, South America. It is the pro- 
duce of Cusparia febrifuga, or Galipea 
cusparia, a plant belonging to the nat. 
order Rutaceae. False angostura, a 
name given to the bark of the strych- 
nos nux vomica. 

ANGOSTU'RIN, n. A neutral principle 
obtained from'angostura-bark. 
ANGUINA'RIA, A genus of zoophytes 
found occasionally on fuci, in the Bri- 
tish seas. It is the snake coralline of 
Ellis. 

ANGUIN'E AL, a. [L. anguis, a serpent .] 
Resembling, or pertaining to a serpent, 
or serpents. 

ANGUIN'IDjE, n. A family of ophi- 
dian reptiles, which combine the cha- 
racters of the serpents and the lizards. 
They are known by the name of slow- 
worms, 

AN'GUIS, n. [L.] A Linusean genus of 
serpents, belonging to the order Ophi- 
dia of Cuvier. They are characterized 
externally by imbricated scales, with 
which they are completely enveloped. 
They have been separated into four 
sub-genera, viz., Pseudopus, Ophisau- 
rus, Anguis proper, and Acontias. Of 
the sub-genus Anguis proper, the slow- 
worm, or blind-worm (A. fragilis), is 
an example. It derives its specific 
name from being exceedingly brittle. 
AN'GULAR, a. For arbitrary processes, 
read orbitary processes. 
AN'GULAR IN'TERVALS, n. In ... 
tron., those arcs of the equator which 
are intercepted between circles of de- 
clination passing through the objects 
observed. They are measured by means 
of the transit instrument and clork. 
AN'GULAR PERSPECTIVE, n. That 
kind of perspective in which neither of 
the sides of the principal object is pa- 
rallel to the plane of the picture ; and, 
therefore, in the representation, the 
horizontal lines of both converge to va- 
nishing points. It is also called oblique 
perspective. 

AN'GULAR VEIN, n. In anat., the 
name of the facial vein, when it has 
arrived at the side of the nose, near the 
eye. 

AN'GULAR VELOC'ITY, n. The ab- 
solute velocity of a body moving round 
a fixed axis, at a unit of distance, and 
which is found by multiplying the cir- 
cumference described by a radius of 1 , 
by the number of revolutions observed, 
and dividing the product by the time. 
Thus, the number of revolutions being 
10 in 30 seconds, the angular velocity 
referred to a unit of distance of 1 
foot is 3-1416 X 2 X iS = 2-0944 ft. 
per second. Hence, in any circular 
motion, the velocity of any point is 
equal to the angular velocity multiplied 
by its distance from the axis of rotation. 
If the angular velocity =r , and the 
distance from the centre = (, then the 
velocity = , X { - The term is chierly 
used in analytical mechanics. 
AN'GULATE, a. Angled ; applied to 
stems, leaves, petioles, &c., which are 
of an angular shape. 
ANGULOM'ETER, n. [L. angulus, an 
angle, and Gr. /arftt, measure.] The 
name given to an instrument for mea- 
suring external angles. [See An OLE - 
METER, in Supp.] 
ANGUSTIFO'LIATE, a. Same as AN- 

OUSTIFOLIOUS. 

ANHANG'.f t. [Sax.] To hang up. 
[Chaucer.] 

ANHARlVION'ie RATIO, n. Ingeom., 
the name given by Chasler to a double 
ratio, compounded of A B to BC, and of 



ANISETTE 



ANNUITY 



ANONA 



CDtoDA,or(AB:BC)(CD :DA) 
when A, 15, C, 1), are points taken in 
a straight line in any order. 

AN'HIMA, or ANHl'MA, n. This is 
the Palameilea curmtta of naturalists, 
or horned screamer. This latter name 
is derived from its loud, harsh voice. 

A'NI, i. A name given to a species of 
birds found in the West Indies and 
South America, belonging to the genus 
Crotophaga. They have large com- 
pressed beaks, dark plumage, and feed 
chiefly on insects. 

ANIENT'ISSED,t pp. [Fr. anientir.] 
Reduced to nothing. [Chaucer.\ 

AN'ILENESS, . Same as ANILITY. 

AN'IMAL, n. [add.] An inferior or ir- 
rational creature, in contradistinction 
to mankind. 

ANIMAL'ULA, instead of ANI- 
MALULA. 

ANIMALCULE, n. [add.] Animalcules 
are microscopic animals, existing in 
rivers and ponds, and in all animal and 
vegetable infusions. The term is now 
restricted to that division of infusoria 
termed polygastrica. 

ANIMALIZA'TION, n. [add.] The 
process by which food is assimilated, or 
converted into animal matter. 

AN'IMALIZED, pp. [add.] Converted 
into animal matter. 

AN'IMALIZING, ppr. [add.] Con- 
verting into animal matters. 

AN'IMAL MAGNETISM, n. See 
MESMERISM. 

AN'IMAL MECHANICS, n. See un- 
der MECHANICS. 

AN'IMAL PAINTING, n. That 
branch of painting which is restricted 
to the representation of animals. The 
subjects are chiefly animals of the chase. 

AN'IMAL STRENGTH, n. See under 
STRENGTH. 

AN'IMATED, pp. [add.] A painting or 
Ma! in' is said to be animated, when it 
is executed with such vigour and truth, 
that it appears full of life. 

AN'IMATENESS.t n. The state of 
being animated. 

ANIMA'TION, n. [add.] In sculp, and 
paint., a term applied to a figure when 
it exhibits a sort of momentary activity 
in its motions. 

AN'IMINE, n. The name given to an 
oily fluid, extracted from animal oils 
by distillation, and odorous like harts- 
horn. 

AN'IMISM, n. [L. anima, the soul.] 
The doctrine that the phenomena of 
the animal economy are produced by 
the agency of the soul (anima), as 
taught by Stahl and Sauvages ; also, the 
doctrine that the living phenomena of 
organized bodies are produced by an 
actuating or vital principle, distinct 
from the substance of those bodies. 

ANIMOSE',f a. Full of spirit ; hot ; 
vehement; resolute. 

ANIMOSE'NESS,f n. Spirit; vehe- 
mence of temper. 

AN'IMUS, n. plur. Animi. [L.] Mind; 
intention; purpose. 

AN'IONS, n. [Gr. v, upward, and an, 
going.] Literally, that which goes up ; 
a term applied by Faraday to those ele- 
ments of an electrolyte, which inelectro- 
chemical decompositions appear at the 
anode, and are usually termed the 
electro-negative ii.gredients of a com- 
pound ; such as oxygen, chlorine, and 
acids. [See ANODE, CATIONS.] 
ANISETTE', or ANISETTE' DE 
BOURDEAUX, n. [Fr.] A French 
liquor made by distilling anise, fennel, 
and coriander seeds, previously steeped 



in brandy, with sugar, and one-half 
water. 

ANI'Ste ACID, n. An acid obtained 
from anise-seed. It is crystallizable 
and volatile, and forms salts which 
crystallize readily. 

AN'ISOLE, n. A product formed when 
anisic acid is heated with an excess of 
baryta. It is an oily liquid. 

AN JEE'L A, or DOUBLE BOAT, n. A 
sort of floating-house, supported upon 
two warkamoowees, connected with 
planks, and used by the Singhalese, 
both for a habitation, and as a means 
of transporting pottery, wood, oil, &c. 

ANK'EH, n. For 32 gallons, read 10$ 
gallons. 

ANK'ER.t n. An anchorite, or hermit. 
[Chaucer. \ 

AN'KLEl), a. Relating to, or having 
ankles. 

AN'KLE-DEEP, a. So deep as to reach 
the ankles. 

ANKYLO'SIS, n. [Gr.] A stiff joint 
from bony union. 

AN'LACE, n. A short sword ; a dagger ; 
a wood-knife. 

AN'NA, n. In the East Indies, the 16th 
part of a rupee, or about l^d. sterling. 

AN'NAL, n. In the Horn. Cath. church, 
a mass said for any person every day in 
the year ; or a mass said on a particular 
day every year. 

AN'NAT, n. See ANNATS. 

ANNEAL'ING, n. The process of ren- 
dering a metallic body, as iron or steel, 
less brittle, or more malleable, by heat- 
ing it, and allowing it to cool slowly. 
The same process is applied to glass. 

AN'NELIDS, n. For Annelida, read 
Annelida. 

AN'NETT, n. A name applied to the 
kittiwake gull (Larus tridactylus). 

ANNEX',t n. The thing annexed. 

AN'NIUT, n. In East Indies, a dam. 
Annicuts are built across rivers, to 
raise the level of the water, to facili- 
tate both navigation and irrigation. 

ANNI'HILATOR, n. One who anni- 
hilates. 

ANNIVERS'ARY, a. [add.] Anniver- 
sary days, in the Horn. Cath. church, 
the days on which an office is yearly 
performed for the souls of the deceased, 
or on which the martyrdom of the 
saints is yearly celebrated. 

AN'NIVERSE,t n. Anniversary. 

AN'NODON, n. See ANODON. 

ANNOTA'TIONIST, n. An annota- 
tor. 

ANNOT'INOUS, a. In hot., being a 
year old. 



ANNOY'ES,t n. plur. Annoyances. 
[Spenser.} 

AN'NUALIST, n. An editor of, or a 
writer for, an annual publication. 
[Rar. us.] 

AN'NUALS, n. The name given by 
gardeners to all plants, which, if sown 
in the spring, will flower, perfect their 
seed, and perish in the course of the 
same season. Annuals, however, if 
sown in the autumn, become biennials, 
and the latter, if sown early in the 
spring, become annuals. Hardy an- 
nuals are such as grow in the open air ; 
and tender annuals such as require to 
be raised in artificial heat. 

AN'NUARY.f a. Annual. 

AN'NUELLER,t n. [Fr. annuel.] A 
priest employed in singing anniversary 
masses for the dead. [Chaucer.] 

ANNU'ITY, n. [add.] The term an- 

nuity, in its most general sense, signi- 

21 



fics any fixed sum of money, which is 
payable, either yearly, or in given por- 
tions, at stated periods of the year. In 
an ordinary use of the term, it signifies 
a fixed sum of money payable to an 
individual during life. In the former 
case it is called an annuity certain, and 
in the latter, a life annuity. 

AN'NULAHLY, adv. In the manner of 
a ring. 

ANNULO'SA, n. Same as ANNULOSANS. 

AN'NULUM ET BAC'ULUM. [L.] A 
ring and pastoral staff or crosier, the 
delivery of which by the prince was the 
ancient mode of granting investitures 
or bishoprics. 

ANNUN'CI ATORY, a. Making known; 
giving public notice. 

ANO'A, ii. A species of ruminating ani- 
mal (A. depressicornis), allied to the 
buffaloes. It is about the size of a mid- 
dling sheep, and is found among the 
rocky mountains of the island of Celebes. 

AN'ODE, n. [add.] That part of the 
surface of a decomposing body which 
the electric current enters; the part 
immediately touching the positive pole. 

AN'ODON, ) n. [Gr. * priv., and 

ANODON'TA.f <}, teeth.] A ge- 
nus of lamellibranchiate bivalves, in- 
cluding the fresh-water muscles (A. 
anatinus and A. cygneus). Also the 
name of a genus of serpents, with very 
minute teeth. The A. typus is a 
South African species, which lives on 
the eggs of birds. 

ANO'IE,f n. [Fr] Hurt; trouble. 
[Chaucer.] 

ANO'IE.f . (. To hurt; to trouble. 
[Chaucer.] 

ANO'IFUL.t a. Hurtful ; unpleasant. 
[Chaucer.] 

AN'OMAL, n. An anomalous verb or 
word. 

ANOMALIS'TIALLY, adv. Irregu- 
larly. 

ANOM'ALITE, n. An irregular mine- 
ral. 

ANOM'ALY, n. [add.] In mus.,n small 
deviation from a perfect interval in 
tuning instruments with fixed notes. 
[See TEMPERAMENT.] In astron., this 
term is used to signify properly the an- 
gular distance of a planet from its 
perihelion, as seen from the sun. It is 
either true, mean, or eccentric. 

ANO'NA, n. A genus of plants, the type 
of the nat. order Anonacese. A. squa- 
mosa, sweet sop, grows in the West 
Indian islands, and yields an edible 
fruit having a thick, sweet, luscious 
pulp. A. muricata, sour sop, is an- 




Sour Sop, Anona muricata. 

other species cultivated both in the 
West and the East Indies, which pro- 
duces a large oval fruit of a greenish 
yellow colour, containing a sweet pulp, 
mixed with a most agreeable acid. 



ANTENNARIA 



ANTHOTYPE 



ANTIARIS 



ANONYMOS'ITY, n. State of being 

anonymous. [Not authorized.] 

ANON'YMOUSNESS.n. State of being 

anonymous. 

ANOPLOTHE'RIUM, n. [add.] The 

species of this genus had a iong, thick 

tail, resembling that of the otter, and 

they are supposed to have been aquatic 

in their habits. 

ANORM'AL, a. See ABNORMAL. 
ANOR'THOSCOPE, n. [Gr. , { 5,and 
.] The name given by M. Plateau, 
of .Brussels, to an instrument invented 
by him, for producing a peculiar kind of 
optical illusion, by means of two disks 
rotating rapidly opposite to each other. 
The posterior one is transparent, and 
has certain distorted figures painted 
upon it; the first one is opaque, but 
pierced with a number of narrow slits, 
through which the figures on the pos- 
terior disk are viewed. The principle 
is the same as that of the phenakisto- 
scope. 

ANORTHU'RA, n. A name by some 
naturalists applied to the common wren, 
from its cocked-lip tail. 
ANSE DE PAN1ER, or SURBASED 
ARCH, n. An arch in the form of a 
semi-ellipse, its chord being the major 
axis. 

AN'SERES, n. [L.] See ANSERS. 

AN'SWER, n. [add.] Answer, in Chan- 
cery, a defence upon the merits, which 
generally controverts the allegations 
stated in the plaintiff's bill, or some of 
them; and states facts, showing the 
defendant's rights in the subject of the 
suit. 

AN'SWER, v. t. [add.] To respond to, or 
attend to ; as, an attentive servant in- 
stantly answers the bell ; to be ready 
to perform. [Shah.'] 

XN'SWER, v. i. [add.] To undertake ; 
to guarantee ; to insure. 

AN'TA, n. See ANTE. 

ANTAGONIST, a. [add.] Antagonist 
powers, m physics, two opposing powers 
or forces, of which the action of one 
counteracts that of the other, so as to 
maintain an equilibrium. Such are 
the centrifugal and centripetal forces, 
the attractive and repulsive agencies in 
chemistry. 

ANTAGONIST'IAL, a. Same as 
ANTAGONISTIC. 

ANTAL'GI, n. A medicine to alle- 
viate pain ; an anodyne. 

ANTAL'KALI, \ n . In med., a re- 

ANTAI/KALINE, ) medy for the 
purpose of neutralizing alkali, or of 
counteracting an alkaline tendency in 
the system. 

ANT'ARIIISM, or ANTAR'HISM 

ANT'ARHIST, or ANTAR'HIST.' 

ANT-ATCHER, n. The Myothera of 
Illiger, a genus of birds resembling the 
thrush, which live chiefly on ants. 
Species of the genus are found on both 
continents. The ant-catchers include 
species of other genera of the tribe 
Myotherina ; they have all short wings, 
a very short tail, and rather long legs. 

AN'TEDATE, v. t. [add.] To give or 
effect something before the proper 
time ; as, no hostile hand can antedate 
my doom. [Pope.] 

AN'TELOPE, n. [add.] The gazelle, 
properly so called, is the Anlilope dor- 
cos (Linn.) The other more remark- 
able species are the springbok, plunging 
antelope, rock-springer, algazel, cha- 
mois, gnu, &c. 

ANTEN'NAL, a. Belonging to the an- 
tennae. 

ANTENNA'RIA, n. [From antenna.] A 



genus of plants, belonging to the nat 
order Composita), nearly allied tc 
Gnaphalium, and containing some of th< 
everlastings of our gardens. The mosi 
common is A. margaritacea, or pearl; 
everlasting. 

ANTEN'NIFORM, a. Shaped like an- 
tennae. 

ANTENNULA'RIA, . A genus of 

zoophytes, found in the British seas. 

One species, the lobster's horn, co- 

ralline of Ellis (A. antennina), is com- 

mon on oyster-beds. 

AN'TE-NUP, n. Antenuptial fornica- 

tion between persons who are after- 

wards married to each other. [Scotch.] 

ANTEPAG'MENT, n. An ornamented 

jamb of a door. [See ANTEPAOMENTA.] 

ANTEPENULTIMA, n. [L.] Same 

as ANTEPENULT. 

ANTEPENULT'IMATE, n. Same as 
ANTEPENULT. 

AN'TEPONE,t v. t. [L. antepmo.] To 
set before. 

AN'TEPORT, n. An outer port, gate, 
or door. 

ANTE'RIORLY, adv. In an anterior 
manner. 

AN'TES, n. In arch. See ANT*. 

ANTHE'LIA, n.plur. of ANTHELION, 
which see. 

AN'THEM, n. [add.] The anthem may 
be for one, two, or any number of 
voices, but seldom exceeds five parts. 

ANTHER'IUM, n. [Gr.] Spider-wort, 
a genus of plants, nat. order Liliacea?. 

ANTHERID'IU.U, n. plur. Antheri- 
dia. [L.] In bot., the anther-like bodies 
that are found in mosses and other 
cryptogamic plants, but the true nature 
of which is unknown. 

ANTHE'SIS, n. [Gr.] The period when 
flowers expand ; the act of expansion 
in a flower. 

ANTHI'ABINE, n. See ANTIARINE. 

ANTHOAR'POUS, a. [Gr. a,IW, a 
flower, and *{T, fruit.] In but., a 
term applied to fruits formed by masses 
of inflorescences adhering to each 
other ; as the fir-cone, pine-apple, &c 

ANTHOeH^S'RA, n. A genus of Aus- 
tralian birds, belonging to the family 
Meliphagidffi, or honey-eaters. A. 
mellivora, the bush wattle-bird, is 
found wherever there are banksias, in 
New South Wales, South Australia, 
and Van Diemen's Land. Its notes 
are harsh and peculiar, like a person 
vomiting, whence its local name, Goo- 
gwar-ruch. It feeds on the blossoms 
of the banksias. 

ANTHOCY'ANINE, n. [Gr. ,0 W , a 
flower, and *u*., blue.] The blue 
colouring matter of plants. 

ANTUOL'OGY, n. [add.] A collection 
of flowers ; a garland. 

ANTHOL'YSIS,n. [Gr. ,S, and to,,,, 
a breaking up.] In bot., the change of 
flowers from their usual state to some 
other, as leaves, branches, &c. 

ANTHOMY'ZID,E, n . A general divi- 
sion of the Muscida?, composed of 
species having the appearance of com- 
mon flies. The wings are vibratile, the 
legs of moderate size, and the abdomen 
composed of four joints. 

' 



,'- I 

AN'THOS, n. [Gr. ,<>.] A flower. 

ANTHOSPER'ME^E, n. A tribe of 
plants, belonging to the nat. order Ru- 
biacea?. It consists of the genera Cop- 
rosma, Phyllis, Ga'.opina, Ambraria 
and Anthospermum. The species are 
small herbs or shrubs, with opposite, or 
verticillate leaves. 

AN'THOTYPE, n. [Gr. ,,,-, a flower, 
22 



and rvrti, type.] A generic term applied 
to photographic agents, which consist 
of papers impregnated with the coloured 
juices of flowers and other parts of 
vegetables. Such substances, when 
exposed to the chemical influence of 
light, produce well-defined photo- 
graphs. 

ANTHOXANTH'INE, n. fGr. ,, a, 
flower, and J*>9, yellow.] The yellow 
colouring matter of plants. 
ANTHOXAN'THUM, n. [Gr. ,, and 
f*0.] A genus of grasses with only 
two stamens, one species of which 
(A. odoratum) is well known to farmers 
under the name of sweet vernal-grass, 
or spring-grass. [See SPRING-GRASS.] 
ANTHRIS'US, n. Beaked parsley, u 
genus of plants, nat. order UmbellifertB. 
There are two British species, and on 
which has escaped from our gardens 
(A, cerefolium), which is well known 
as a salad and pot-herb, under the 
name of garden-chervil. 
ANTHROPOGLOT'TUS, n. See AH- 

THBOPOGLOT. 

ANTHROPOG'RAPHY,n.[add.] This 
term is applied more particularly to 
that branch of physical geography 
which treats of the actual distribution 
of the human race, as distinguished by 
physical character, language, institu- 
tions and customs. [See ETHNO- 
GRAPHY.] 

ANTHROPOL'OGY, n. [add.] More 
definitely, this term implies the whole 
science or theory of man, coniidered 
physiologically, intellectually, and 
morally, or in his entire nature. 

ANTHROPOM'ETRY, n. [Gr. ,9 <w r, 
man, and A*irj, measure.] The mea- 
surement of tiie human body. 

ANTHROPOMORPHISM, n. [add.] 
The representation of the Deity under 
a human form, or with human attri- 
butes and affections. 

ANTHROPOMOHPH'IST, n. One 
who represents Deity under a human 
form, or with human attributes; an an- 
thropomorphite. 

ANTHROPOMORPH'ITE, a. Relat- 
ing to ANTIIROPOMOBPIIISM. 

ANTHROPOMORPHIT'I, or AN- 
THROPOMORPHIT'IAL, a. Per- 
taining to anthropomorphism. 

ANTHROPOP'ATHISM, n. Same as 
ANTIIROPOPATIIT. 

ANTHROPOPHAG'ICAL, a. Relat- 
ing to cannibalism. 

AN'THUS, n. The pipit, a genus of 
birds separated from the genus Alanda 
(Linn.) There are four species found in 
the British islands, the Antlius JRichar- 
di, A. pratensis, or meadow - pipit, 
A. arboreus, the tree -pipit, and A. 
aquaticus, the shore-pipit. The mea- 
dow-pipit, or titling, is the species to 
whose fostering care the young cuckoo 
is most generally consigned. [See 
PIPIT in this Supp.] 

ANTHYL'LIS, n. [Gr. ,, a flower, 
and uo).tt a beard or down.] Kidney- 
vetch, a genus of leguminous plants. 
[See KIDNEY-VETCH.] 

ANTIABOLI"TIONIST, n. One who 
opposes abolition. Specially applied 
to those who oppose the abolition of 
slavery in the United States of America. 

ANTI-AC'ID, n. See ANT-ACID. 

ANTIADl'TIS, n. [Gr. ,?, the 
tonsils.] Inflammation of the tonsils. 

ANTIAPHRODIS'IA. See ANTA- 

PHBODISIAC. 

AN'TIAR, n. A Javanese poison de- 
rived from the upas-tree. 
ANTI'ARIS, n. A genus of plants, nat. 






ANTIMONIOUS 



ANTISPAST 



ANT-LION 



order Artocarpea?. A. macrophylla, or 
toxicaria, is the celebrated upas-tree 
of Java. [See Ui'AsJ 
ANTIASTIIMAT'KJ. See ANTHAS- 

MATIC. 

ANTIBIL'IOUS, a. Counteractive of 

bilious complaints. 
ANTIBRA'HIAL, a. [L. antibra- 

chium, the fore-arm.] Pertaining to the 

fore-arm. 
ANTICAI/VINIST, n. One opposed 

to Calvinism. 
ANTICALVINIST'IC, a. Opposed to 

Calvinism. 
AN'TIHEIR,n. [Gr. .ti,and x u !t the 

hand.] The thumb, opposed to the 

ANTIHRE'SIS, n. [Gr. ,r<, and *,, 
Xiv, to lend.] An old law-term for 
mortgage. 

ANTIHRON'IAL, a. [Gr. .i., and 
X;, time.] Deviating from the pro- 
per order of time ; erroneously dated. 

ANTIHRON'IALLY, adv. In an 
antichronical manner. 

ANTIC'IPANT, a. Anticipating; ap- 
plied in med.j to periodic diseases, each 
of whose attacks recurs at an earlier 
period than the preceding. 

ANTICIPATE, ti. t. [add.] To occupy 
one's attention before the proper time ; 
as, I shall not anticipate the reader with 
farther descriptions of thiskind. [Swift.] 

AN'TICKES,f n. plur. Buffoons. [See 
ANTIC.] [Spenser.] 

ANTINE'MION, n. [Gr. ,, and 
**H,U>J, the calf of the leg.] The shin- 
bone, as opposed to the calf. 

AN'TICNESS, n. The quality of being 
antic. 

ANTIDES'ME^;, n. A nat. order of 
dicotyledonous unisexual monochlamy- 
deous plants, to which Antidesma be- 
longs. It is now usually called Stila- 
ginacece. 

ANTIDO'TALLY, adv. In the manner 
of an antidote ; by way of antidote. 

AN'TIDOTARY, a. Same as ANTI- 
DOTAL. 

AN'TIENT. See ANCIENT. 

ANTIFED'ERALISM, n. Opposition 
to the ratification of the constitution of 
the United States. 

ANTIHE'LIX. See ANTIIELIX. 

ANTIHYDROPHOB'IC.n. A remedy 
for hydrophobia. 

ANTIHYDROP'I, n. A remedy for 
dropsy. 

ANTILIA, n. A machine used by the 
Greeks for raising the water from the 
wells of their ships. It is supposed to 
have been the Archimedean screw. 

ANTILITH'IC, a. Tending to prevent 
the formation of urinary calculi, or to 
destroy them when formed. 

ANTIL'OQUIST.t n. A contradictor. 

ANTIL'OQUY.t n. [add.] Contradic- 
tion. 

ANTIMA'SON, n. One hostile to ma- 
sonry, or freemasonry. 

ANTIMASON'I, a. Hostile to free- 
masonry. 

ANTIMA'SONRY, n. Opposition to 
freemasonry. 

ANTIMATRIMO'NIAL, a. Hostile to 
matrimony. 

ANTIMONARCH'IC, a. Same as AN- 

TIMONAECHICAL. 

ANTIMO'NIAL ,POWDER,n. In med., 
an oxide of antimony, combined with 
phosphate of lime. 

ANTIMO'NIAL WINE, n. In med., 
a solution of tartar-emetic in proof- 

ANTIMO'NIOUS, a. Pertaining to, or 
containing antimony. 



ANTIMO'NIUM, n. [L.] Antimony. 

AN'TIMONY, n. [add.] Crude anti- 
mony, a name sometimes given to the 
ore or sulphuret of antimony. Argen- 
tineftowers of antimony, the sesquioxide 
of antimony. Butter, glass, and liver of 
antimony. [See these terms in their 
alphabetical places.] 

ANTIMOSA'ICAL, a. Opposing the 
authority of Moses, or of the Mosaic 
record. 

AN'TINOMIST, or ANTIN'OMIST. 

AN'TINOMY.orANTIN'OMY. [add.] 
A law, or other thing, opposite or con- 
trary. 

ANTIP-SDOBAP'TIST. See ANTI- 

PEDOBAPTIST. 

ANTIPARALYT'IAL, a. Same as 
ANTIPARALITIC. 

ANTIP'ATHOUS, a. Adverse; having 
a natural contrariety. 

ANTIPERIOD'If, n. In med., a re- 
medy possessing the property of pre- 
venting the return of periodic diseases, 
as intermittents. 

ANTIPHLOGISTIC, a. [add.] Op- 
posed to the doctrine of phlogiston ; 
as, the antiphlogistic system. 

ANTIPH'ONAL, n. A book of anti- 
phons or anthems ; an antiphonary. 

ANTIPO'DEAN, a. Antipodal ; per- 
taining to the antipodes. 

AN'TIPODES, or ANTIP'ODES, n. 
plur. of Antipode. As a Latin word 
it has no singular. 

ANTIPSOR'I, a. [Gr. ,, and $,*, 
the itch.] Efficacious in curing the itch. 

ANTIPYRET'IC, a. [Gr. ,, and n t ,- 
T, fever.] Efficacious in curing fever. 

AN'TIQUARY.f a. Old ; antique. 

ANTIQUES, n.plur. (anteek's.) Ancient 
works of art ; more especially works 
of Grecian art in sculpture, buss-reliefs, 
engraving of gems, medals, &c., which 
serve as models for imitation. 

ANTIQ'UITIES, . plur. In a limited 
sense, all the knowledge concerning 
the Greeks and Romans that has been 
transmitted to our times, such as their 
forms of polity, systems of philosophy, 
of astronomy ; with their political his- 
tory, architecture, sculpture, poetry, 
religion, domestic manners, &c. In a 
more extended sense, the term is ap- 
plied to the monumental remains, and 
to the works of art of numerous na- 
tions ; as, the Egyptian, Persian, Baby- 
lonian, Hindoo, Peruvian, and Mexican 
antiquities. 

ANTIRRHI'NUM, n. [From Gr. ., 
with, and p, a nose or mask.] Snap-dra- 
gon, a genus of plants, nat. order Scro- 
phulariaceaj. All the species produce 
showy flowers, and are much cultivated 
in gardens. The leaves of A. majus 
are bitter, and slightly stimulant; and 
the leaves of A. orontium, as well as 
those of other species, have been used 
as cataplasms in indolent tumours. 
[See SNAP-DRAGON.] 

AN'TIS. In arch., a portico is said to 
be in antis, when columns stand in a 
line, in front, with the ant;c. [See 
ANT.S.] 

ANTIS'CII, n. plur. [L.] The same as 
ANTISCIANS. [See ANTISCIAN.] 

ANTISORBU'TIAL, a. Same as 
ANTISCORBUTIC. 

AN'TISCRlPT.t n. A writing in op- 
position to another writing. 

ANTISEP'TICAL, a. Same as ANTI- 
SEPTIC. 

ANTISLAV'ERY.a. Hostile to slavery; 
as, an antislavery meeting. 

AN'TISPAST, ) n. [Gr. .r,, and 

ANTISPAS'TUS,) , to draw.] In 
23 



prosody, a tetrasyllable foot, in which 
the first and last syllables are short, 
and the middle syllables long. 

ANTISPAS'TIC, a. [add.] Counter- 
acting spasm ; antispasmodic. 

ANTISPAS'TIC, n. In old writers, a 
medicine supposed to act by causing a 
revulsion of the humours. 2. A remedy 
that counteracts spasm ; an antispas- 
modic. 

ANTISTROPH'ie, a. Relating to the 
antistrophe. 

ANTITH'ENAR, n. [Gr. ., and $,.., 
the palm of the hand.] A muscle which 
extends the thumb, or opposes it to the 
hand; also, the adductor muscle of the 
great toe. 

ANTITHESES, n. plur. of Antithesis, 
which see. 

ANTITH'ETON, n. plur. Antitheta. 
[Gr.] In rhet., something contrary ; an 
opposite. 

ANTITROP'AL, ) a. Better AN- 

ANTITROP'OUS,) TIT'ROPAL, 
ANTIT'ROPOUS. [add.] More cor- 
rectly, a term applied to an embryo 
when in a seed the radicle is turned to 
the end farthest away from the hilum ; 
it corresponds to a homotropous ovule. 

ANTITY'POUS,t a. Antitypical. 

ANTIVAC'CINIST, n. One who op- 
poses vaccination. 

ANT'LER, n. Thenameof a mothfound 
in this country, the larvae of which 
sometimes destroy the herbage of 
whole meadows, so that their ravages 
are sometimes visible for years after- 
wards. It is the Cerapteryx graminis 
of naturalists. 

ANT'LIA, n. [L. a pump.] A term ap- 
plied to the spiral instrument of the 
mouth of butterflies, and other allied 
insects, by which they pump up the 
juices of plants. It is what Kirby and 




Ant'i.-i or Lepldoptera, with the rudiments of the 
parts of the mouth corresponding to those existing in 
nwidibulated insects. 

Spence have called an imperfect mouth ; 
Savigny discovered in it, however, the 
rudiments of almost all the parts of 
a perfect mouth. Fig. 1 is the rudi- 
ment of the upper lip (labrum), c c' 
on each side, the rudimentary man- 
dibles; fig. 2, the base of each half 
of the antlia, with a rudimentary pal- 
pus ; fig. 3 represents a profile view 
of a butterfly's head ; fig. 4, the two 
tubes of which the antlia is com- 
posed. 

ANT'LIA PNEUMAT'ICA, n. The 
Air-pump ; the name of a constellation 
in the southern hemisphere, situated 
between Hydra and Argo Navis. 

ANTLIA'TA, n. The name given by 
Fabricius to insects of the order Dip- 
tera, from their mouth having a sucker 
or proboscis. 

ANT'-LION, n. A neuropterons insect 
(Myrmeleon formicarius), long cele- 



APARTIIROSIS 



APIDJE 



APOCYNACEjE 



brated for the wonderful ingenuity 
which it displays in preparing a kind 
of pitfall for the destruction of such 
insects (chiefly ants) as happen unwarily 




Ant-lion and larva, Myrmeleon formiearius. 

to enter it. There are many species of 
the genus found in the more temperate 
and warmer parts of the globe. Some 
of them from West Africa are at least 
five inches across the wings. 

ANTCECI, n. plur. [L.] Antcecians, or 
antecians. [See ANTECIAN.] 

ANTONOMAS'TIALLY, adv. By 
the figure antonomasia. 

AN'TRE,f n. (an'ter.) [L. antrum.] A 
cavern. 

ANU'BIS, n. An Egyptian deity, the 
conductor of departed spirits, and re- 




Anubis, from an Egyptian painting. 

presented by n human figure with the 
head of a dog, fox, or jackal. 

AN'VILLED, pp. Fashioned on the 
anvil. 

AN'YHOW, adv. In any manner; at 
any rate; on any account. [Provin- 
cial.] 

ANY MANNER OF MEANS. An 
expression used colloquially for any 
means. 

AN'YWHERE, adv. In any place 

AN'YWHITHER,t adv. Anywhere. 

A'ORIST, a. Indefinite with respect to 
time. 

AORIS'TICAL, a. Same as AORISTIC 

AORT'I, a. Same as AOKTAL. 

APAID',tM>. Paid; satisfied. \ Chau- 
cer.] 

AP'ANAGE, n. See APPANAGE. 

AP'AR A, . A species of armadillo (Da- 
supus tricinclus), found in Brazil and 
Paraguay. It has the power of rolling 
itself into a complete ball. 

APAR'GIA, n. [Gr. ,,, from, and 
{/, idleness (of the husbandman).] 
Hawk-bit, a genus of plants. [See 
HAWK-BIT.] 

APARTHRO'SIS, n. [Gr. , and 
*(0(M, a joint.] Same as ABABTICGLA- 
TION, which see. 



APATHET'IAL, a. Same as APA- 
THETIC. 

APATHIST'IAL, a. Apathetic. 
APATU'RA, n. A genus of diurnal 
Lepidoptera, containing many beautiful 
exotic species of butterflies, most of 
which are remarkable for their irides- 
cent colours. There is one British 
species, the Apatura iris, the purple 
emperor, one of the most beautiful of 
the butterfly tribe. It is found in the 
south and west of England. 
APA YDVf pp. Paid ; satisfied. [Spenser.} 
APE, n. [add.] According to its modern 
zoological definition, the genus Ape, or 
Pithecus, includes those quadrumanous 
mammals which have the teeth of the 
same number and form as in man, and 
which possess neither tails nor cheek- 
pouches. 

APE, v. t. [add.] To ape one's betters, a 
popular phrase, signifying to imitate 
one's superiors ; to form into an awk- 
ward or disparaging resemblance. 
APEAK', adv. [add.] A yard or gaff is 
said to be apeak, when it hangs ob- 
liquely to the mast. 
APEEK'. Same as APEAK. 
APEIRE.t v. t. or !. (apeer'.) To im- 
pair; to detract from; to be impaired; 
to go to ruin. [Chaucer.] [See Ap- 
PAIR.] 

APET'ALOUS, a. [add.] Apetalous, 
or more properly monochlamydeous 
plants, constitute one of the great divi- 
sions in the natural system of vege- 
tables. They comprehend all those 
genera which ate dicotyledonous or 
exogenous, and which have a single 
floral covering. 

APH^E'RESIS, n. See APFIERESIS. 
APHANIP'TERA, n. [Gr. ? ., w , in- 
distinct, and r/{o, a wing.] An order 
of apterous, haustellate insects, having 
perfect rudimentary wings. It is com- 
posed of the different species of fleas. 
APH'IDES, ) n. The second family 
APHID IANS, of homopterous in- 
APHID'II, ) sects, having for its 
type the genus Aphis (Linn.) They are 
all injurious to vegetation, living on 



the juices of plants, which they suck 
with their beaks. The wheat plant- 
louse, A. granaria, inhabits corn-crops. 
In July and August it is sometimes 
abundant on the ears of wheat, sucking 
the stem and impoverishing the grain 

APHO'NIA, . [L.I See APHONY. 

APHO'RIA, . [Gr. . priv., and *.*, 
to bear.] Barrenness ; -sterility 

APHORISMAT'I,) a. Relating to 

APHORIS'MI, 'I or containing 
aphorisms. 

?S'/S?' "' Same as APHYLLOCS. 
APHYL'LOUS, for APH'YLLOUS. 
APJA'RIAN, a. Relating to bees. 
AP It AL, a. Relating to the apex or 
top ; belonging to the pointed end of a 
cone-shaped body. 

ATE,a.Sameas A PI CCI,TED. 
,n. The bee family, comprising 



the social bees, the solitary working 
bees, and parasitic bees. It is a most 
extensive family of insects, found in 
every part of the world. Even Green- 
land has its hair-covered humble bees, 
which make their nests in the ground. 
A'PIS MUSCA, n. A new southern 
constellation, consisting of four stars. 
APLANAT'I, a. [add.] Aplanatic 
lens, a lens so formed, that all the 
rays of light, which, diverging from, 
or converging to any one point in the 
axis, are incident upon it, after being 
transmitted through it, may converge 
to, or diverge from, one other point in 
the same axis. In order that a lens 
may be aplanatic, it must have the true 
figure for correcting the aberration, and 
must be constructed of different media 
to correct the effects of the unequal 
refrangibility of the different rays; in 
other words, it must be achromatic. 
Neither of those conditions can be ac- 
curately fulfilled in practice. 
APLAS'TI, a. [Gr. priv., and **,- 
ntts, plastic.] Not plastic; not easily 
moulded. 

APLY'SIA, n. The sea-hare, a genus of 
mollusca, of the order Tectibranchiata. 
Some of the species have the power of 
throwing out a deep purple liquor, with 
which the animal colours the water 
around to a considerable distance when 





it perceives any danger. A. depilans, 
or depilatory aplysia, is found in the 
European seas adhering to rocks; and 
it was long supposed that the acrid 
humour which it throws out occasioned 
the loss of the hair; this fluid is of a 
purple hue, and long retains its colour. 
APO'ALYPT, n. The author of the 
) , Apocalypse. [Lit. us.] 

\ /.J\ / APOALYP'Tie,t n. 
I *5^RJ I An apocalyptical wri- 
U^Bfexj ter. 
m V\ APOREN'IACID, 
^H n. A brown extractive 

^H ^ftlL matter, analogous to 
\ E SF J humine, and derived 
\ w|Hr I from decaying vegeta- 
\ r ^r* I ble matter found in 
1 3 / certain mineral waters. 
' ' APOC'RYPHALIST, 

n. An advocate for the 

gej and natnnU Ax. Apocrypha. 

APOKYPH'IAL,a. 

Doubtful ; not authentic. 
APOCYNA'CE^E, n. A nat. order of 
dicotyledonous plants, having for its 
type the genus Apocynum, or dog's- 
bane. It is very nearly allied to the 
order Asclepiadaceae, from which it is 
distinguished by its stamens free from 
the style and stigma, and anthers of the 
usual form; and to Logan iacese, from 
which it is separated by having a stig- 
ma contracted in the middle. The 
species have opposite or sometimes 
whorled leaves without stipules; the 
corolla gamopetalous, hypogynous, and 
with the stamens inserted upon it ; the 
fruit two-celled. The stems, when 
wounded, yield a milky juice, which is 
generally poisonous; several yield 
caoutchouc. To the order belong the 
tanghin-tree (Tanghinia venenifera), 



APORETINE 



APPARELS 



APPETIZER 



milk-tree of Demerara (Taberncemcii- 
tana ulilis), the cream-fruit of Sierra- 
Leone (Kouitellia ylabra), &c. The 
bark of several species is a powerful 
febrifuge. Wriyhtia tincturia yields 
indigo of good quality. 

APO'CYNUM, n. Dog's-bane, a genus 
of plants, nat. order Apocynaeeoi. 
A, andrvstemifolinm, common dog's- 
tiane, is an American plant. [See Doa's- 
BANE.] 

AP'ODA, n. An order of amphibious 
animals, comprising oidy one genus, the 
Concilia, of a serpent-like form, and 
altogether destitute of feet. The term 
is also applied to an order of fishes. 
\See Ai'onE.J 

AP'ODES, J n. An order of fishes, 

AP'ODA, > which, according to 

AP'ODALS, ) Linna;us, includes all 
those that want the ventral fins. Cu- 
vier 1ms restricted the order to those 
fishes which, besides wanting the ven- 
tral fins, are likewise malacopterygious. 
The common eel furnishes an example. 

APODYTE'RIUM,n. instead of AP'O- 
DYDERIUM. 

APOGJE'ON.-f- n. Apogee. 

APOGyE'UM.n. [L. from Gr. }.i.] 
Same as . \ivxir.i:. 

APOGIATU'HA.n. See APOOOIATURA. 

APOLEP'SY.n. [Gr. T*Awt.] An old 
medical term employed to signify re- 
tention or suppression of any natural 
evacuation, and also a suppressed flow 
of the animal spirits, to which apoplec- 
tic or cataleptic affections were as- 
cribed. 

APOLLINA'KIST, n. Same as APOL- 

LINARIAN. 

APOL'LO BELVIDERE', n. A cele- 
brated statue of Apollo in the Belvidere 
(whence the name) gallery of the Vati- 
can palace at Rome, esteemed one of 
tlie noblest representations of the hu- 
man frame, and one of the finest pieces 
of sculpture extant. It was discovered 
at Porto- Ancio in the reign of Nero. 

APOLOGET'ieS, n. That branch of 
theology which has for its object a sys- 
tematic arrangement of those external 
and internal evidences of Christianity, 
or of the Holy Scriptures, by which 
Christians are enabled scientifically to 
justify and defend the peculiarities of 
their faith. 

APOL'OGI/E, . t. To excuse; to 
make an apology for ; as, to apuloyize 
an offence. [Unusual.'] 

APONEUROT'I, a. Kelating to the 
anoneuroses. 

APONEUROTOMY, n. [Gr. >u- 
(<, a nerve, and repm, a cutting.] Dis- 
section of the aponeuroses. 

APOPHLEGMATIC, or APO- 
PHLEG'MATI, n. 

APOPHLEGMAT'IC, or APO- 
PHLEG'MATIC, a. 

APOPHLEG'MATISM, n. A medicine 
to draw away phlegm. 

APOPIITIIEGMAT'ICAL, a. See. 
APOTHEOMATICAI,. 

APOPH'YLLITE, or APOPHYL'- 
L1TE, . 

AP'OPLEXY, n. [add.] A congestion 
or rupture of the brain, with sudden 
loss of sensation and motion ; an affec- 
tion of the animal functions, the or- 
ganic functions remaining compara- 
tively unimpaired. The premonitory 
symptoms of this dangerous disease ac 
drowsiness, giddiness, dulness of hear- 
ing, frequent yawning, disordered vi- 
sion, noise in the ears, paralysis, &c. 

APOR'ETINE, n. A resin obtained 
from rhubarb. 
I. Sl'PP. 



APO'RIA. See APORY. 

APORRHCE'A, n. [Gr. *{(> to flow 
from.] In nted.,0. deHuxionot humours, 
vapours, and effluvia. 

APOSEP'IDIN, n. [Gr. TO, and ,vn- 
tm, putrefaction.] A peculiar crystal- 
lized substance obtained from putrid 
cheese. 

APOSTASIA'CE;E,n. A nat. order of 
monocotyledonous plants scarcely dif- 
ferent from the Orchidacea;, from which 
they chiefly differ by having three 
perfect anthers, instead of only one or 
two. The species are found in damp 
woods in the hotter parts of India, but 
their properties are unknown. 

APOS'TASIS, n. [Gr.] la ancient med., 
the termination or crisis of a disease by 
some secretion, in opposition to metas- 
tasis, or the termination by transfer to 
some other part. Hence, 2, An apos- 
teme, imposthume, or abscess. 3. The 
throwing off or separation of exfoliated 
or fractured bones. 

APOS'TATE, n. [add.] In the Rom. 
Cath, church, one who, without a legal 
dispensation, forsakes a religious order 
of which he has made profession. 

APOS'TATE.f v. i. To apostatize. 

APOSTAX'IS, n. [Gr. ., and r, 
to drop.] The dropping of any lluid, as 
of blood from the nose. 

APOS'TIL, ) n. [Fr. apostille.] A 

APOS'TILL.J marginal note or refer- 
ence ; a postscript. 

APOSTOL'ICISM, n. The quality of 
being apostolical. [Rar. us.] 

APOSTOLIC'ITY, n. The quality of 
being apostolical. 

APOSTROPH'1, instead of APOS'- 
TROPHI. 

APOTELESMAT'I, a. [Gr. .nxir- 
wtTjxor, from m^-j.-TiLy., an effect of the 
stars.] Relating to astrology; teaching 
by the science of the stars. 

APOTHE'CIUM, n. plur. Apothecia, 
[Gr. , and 3-r,*i), a capsule.] In bot., 
apothecia are the shields or reproduc- 
tive organs of lichens. They appear on 
the i ha! his in the form of little warts, 
cups, or lines, and have a hard disk 
often surrounded by a rim, and contain- 
ing spores, either naked, or inclosed 
within long or rouudish tubes, called 
thec or asei. 

AP'OTHEGM.n. pron. Ap'othem. 

APOTROPjE'A, n. plur. [Gr. ., and 
rprtt, to turn.] In ancient poetry, verses 
or hymns composed for averting the 
wrath of incensed deities. 

AP'PANAGE, n. [add.] Formerly in 
France, the provision of lands or feudal 
superiorities assigned by the kings for 
the maintenance of their younger sons, 
but on condition that on the failure of 
male issue, such lands or superiorities 
were to revert to the crown. By means 
of their appanages, and through the 
operation of the Salic law, which made 
their inheritance of the crown a less 
remote contingency, the princes of the 
blood-royal in France were at all times 
a distinct and formidable class of men. 

APPAN'AGIST, n. [Fr. apanagiste.} 
A prince to whom an appanage was 
granted. 

APPAR'AIL.f i). t. [Fr.] To prepare. 
[Chaucer.] 

APPARA'TUS SCULPTO'RIS, n. 
[L.] The Sculptor's Workshop ; a con- 
stellation situated in that region of the 
heavens immediately to the eastward of 
the large star Fomalhault, and hardly 
rising above the horizon in our hemi- 
sphere. 

APPAlt'ELS, n. Appendages worked 
25 



in silk and gold, embroidered with or- 
naments or sacred imagery, sometimes 
enriched with pearls and preeinns 
stones, worn from the 13th to the 14th 
century, attached to the alb, and other 
ecclesiastical vestments. They either 
went round the wrist, the bottom edge 




of the garment, or the collar, and were 
often quadrangular pieces attached to 
the end of the maniple, the ends of the 
stole, or the bottom edge of the dress. 
The accompanying figure is from a 
brass in Heylesden church, Norfolk, 
and represents Hichard Thasebury, 
who died 1387. 

APPAY'ED, a. In Shalt., Satisfied; 
pleased. 

APPEACH'ED.f pp. Censured, or im- 
peached. [Spenser.] 

APPEACH v ER,t n. An accuser. 

APPEAL', n. [add.] Appeals in criminal 
causes were abolished in England by 
the Act 59 Geo. 111., c. 46. 

APPELE'.f c. t. [See APPEAL.] To ac- 
cuse. [Spenser.] 

APPELO.ANCY, n. Appeal; capability 
of appeal. 

APPEL'LANT, a. Appealing. 

APPEL'LATE, a. [add.] TO or from 
which there may be an appeal. 

APPEL'LATIVENESS, . Quality of 
being appellative. 

APPELLOR', or APPEL'LOR, n. 

APTENAGE. Sec APPANAGE. 

APPEND'ACSE, B. [add.] In bot., a 
part subordinate to another part, as 
hairs and glands to a stem or leaf, or 
nectaries to the corolla; more strictly, 
any part arising from and around the 
axis, as leaves around the stem. 

APPEN'DANT, a. instead of APPEN'- 
DANT, n. 

APPEN'DANT, n. [add.] A thing of 
inheritance belonging to another in- 
heritance which is more worthy ; as an 
advowson, common, &c., which may be 
appendant to a manor ; common of fish- 
ing, to a freehold ; a seat in a church, 
to a house, &c. 

APPENSE', a. Being hung up, as a hat 
on a pin. In hot., applied to an ovule 
attached to the placenta by some point 
intermediate between the apex and the 
middle. 

AP'PETITE,+ . (. To desire; to 
covet. [Chaucer.] 

APPETI"TIOUS,t a. Palatable ; de- 
sirable. 

AP'PETIZE, . t. To create an appe- 
tite. 

AP'PETIZED, pp. Having an appe- 
tite ; rendered hungry. 

AP'PETIZEK, n. He or that which ap. 
petizes. 

6 x 



APPRAISED 



APPROVEMENT 



APTERYX 



AP'PLE, . [add.] The apple is essen- 
tially a fruit of the colder and more 
temperate regions of the globe, over 
which it is almost universally spread 
and cultivated. From its hardiness 
and great abundance, combined with 
its excellent flavour, it constitutes one 
of the most important productions of 
cold climates. In its wild state it is 
the austere crab-apple of the hedges. 
Fourteen hundred varieties of the apple 
have been described, and it is probable 
that this is not more than half the 
number known. 

AP'PLE-BLIGHT.n.Aspecies of aphis, 
covered with a white cottony secretion, 
and which multiplies exceedingly in the 
crevices of diseased apple-trees. 
AP'PLE-BRANDY, ) n. In America, 
AP'PLE-JACK, j a liquor dis- 
tilled from cider ; also called cider- 
brandy. 

AP'PLE-BUTTER, n. In America, a 
sauce made of apples stewed down in 
cider. 

AP'PLE-DUMPLING, n. A dumpling 
made of apples. 

AP'PLE-JOHN, n. A kind of apple 
which keeps long, but becomes with- 
ered. 

AP'PLE-MOTH, n. The Tortrix po- 
monana, a lepidopterpus insect, the 
larva; of which take up their abode in 
apples. 

AP'PLE-PIE ORDER. An expression 
used in familiar conversation, denoting 
perfect order; as, everything in the 
house was in apple-pie order. 
AP'PLE-SNAIL, n. The shells of the 
genus Ampullaria are often so called. 
AP'PLE-TREE, n. [add.] Apple-trees 
are trained in the form either of stand- 
ards, dwarfs, espaliers, or balloons ; and 
they are propagated by seeds, cuttings, 
suckers, layers, ingrafting, or inocula- ' 
tion. 

AP'PLIANT, n. A diligent student ; 
one who applies himself closely to his 
studies.. [American.} 
APPLICATE,f " t. To apply to. 
APPOINT', v. t. [add.] Wilton uses this 
verb in a peculiar sense in his Sampson 
Agonistes: " Appoint not heavenly dis- 
position;" that is, point not at it by 
way of censure or condemnation ; ar- 
raign it not. 

APPOINT', v. i. To ordain ; to deter, 
mine, 2 Sam. xvii. 14. 
APPOINT'MENT, n. [add.] A com- 
mon law-deed or conveyance of a de- 
rivative nature, relating to or dependent 
on some precedent assurance, in which 
a power to appoint to certain uses has 
been created or preserved to the party 
thereby granting or appointing. 
APPOR'TIONATENESS,f Just 

proportion. 

APPOSI"T10N, n. [add.] A term ap- 
plied to that part of the function of 
nutrition, by which the components of 
the blood are transformed on the free 
surface of an organ into a solid unor- 
ganized substance, which is the mode 
of growth of the tissues that are not 
vascular. 

APPRAISE', v. t. [add.] To value ; to 
set a price upon ; to estimate the value 
of. It is generally used for the act of 
valuing by men appointed for the pur- 
pose, under direction of law, or by 
agreement of parties; as, to appraise 
the goods and estate of a deceased per- 
son, or goods taken under a distress for 
rent. 

APPRAIS'ED, pp. Valued ; having the 
worth fixed by authorized persons. 



APPRAISE'MENT, n. [add.] The act 
of setting a value under some authority 
or appointment; also, the rate at which 
a thing is valued; the value fixed, or 
valuation. In England, according to 
the present law, when goods have been 
taken under a distress for rent, it is 
necessary, in order to enable the land- 
lord to sell them, that they should be 
previously appraised or valued by two 
appraisers, who are sworn by the 
sheriif, under-sheriff, or constable, to 
appraise the goods truly, according to 
the best of their understanding. 
APPRAIS'ER, n. [add.] No person can 
act as an appraiser without a special 
license. In London there are about 
900 licensed appraisers, and in other 
parts of England and Wales about 
1700. 

Note. Appraise, appraised, ap- 
praisement, Sic., are now almost uni- 
formly used, instead of apprize, ap- 
prizer, apprizement, &c., although the 
latter were formerly used by good Eng- 
lish authors, as Lord Bacon, Bishop 
Hall, &c. 

APPREA'TION,t P-- apprecor.] 
Earnest prayer. 

AP'PRECATORY.t a. Praying or 
wishing any good. 

APPREHEND', . i. To think; to sup- 
pose ; to imagine. 

APPREHEN'SION, n. [add.] The act 
of seizing or taking hold of; as, the 
hand is an organ of apprehension. 
Simple apprehension, in logic, that act 
or condition of the mind, in which it 
receives a notion of any object. In- 
complex apprehension regards one ob- 
ject or several, without any relation 
being perceived between them, as a 
man, a horse, cards ; complex appre- 
hension is of several objects with such 
a relation, as of a man on horseback, a 
pack of cards. 

APPREN'TICE-FEE, n. A sum given 
to the master of an apprentice, as a 
premium for the instruction of the 
latter. 

APPRISE', v. t. Generally written AP- 
PRIZE. 

APPRISE'.f a. Information. 
APPRIS'ED, ) Generally written AP- 
APPRIS'ING,} 



- 
PRIZED, APPRIZ- 



APPROACH'ING, n. In gardening, the 
act of ingrafting a sprig or shoot of one 
tree into another, without cutting it 
from the parent stock; called also 
ingrafting, and inarching by approach 

APPROBATION, n. [add.] In Shah' 
probation ; proof. 

AP'PROBATOR, n. One who approves. 



or APPRO- 

APPROVE', . t. [add.] In milit. affairs, 
to sanction officially; as, to approve 
the decision of a court-martial. In 
Shak., to confirm. 

APPROVED, pp. [add.] In Shah., 
proved ; as, an approved wanton 

APPROVEMENT, n. [add.] Formerly 
in law, the particulars of the approver's 
disclosure were called an appeal, and 
the persons whom the approver named 
as the partners of his crime, were 
called the appellees. The appeal by 
approvers is now abolished, and the 
present practice is to prefer a bill of 
indictmentagainstallparties implicated 
in the charge, except the approver, and 
to permit the criminal who confesses 
his guilt to give evidence against his 
companions before the grand jury. If 
26 



on the trial the demeanour and testi- 
mony of the accomplice are satisfactory 
to the court, he is recommended to 

APPROXIMATE, a. [add.] Approxi- 
mate quantities, in math., are those 
which are nearly, but not absolutely, 
equal. 

APPROXIMATELY, adv. By ap- 
proximation. 

A'PRIL-FOOL DAY, n. The first dny 
of April. 

A'PRON-STRING, n. The string of an 
apron. 

AP'SIDAL, a. In arch., of or pertaining 
to the apsis ; as, apsidal chapels. 

AP'SIDAL, a. Pertaining to the ap- 
sides. [See APSIS.] 

AP'SIS, n. plur. Apsides, or Apses. 
[add.] 'In modern outran., the apsides 
or apses are the two points of the or- 
bit of a planet or satellite, at which it 
is moving at right angles to the lino 
drawn to the primary. These two 
points being at the extremities of the 
major axis of the orbit, are those at 
which the planet is at its greatest and 




least distances from the primary. The 
point at the greatest distance is called 
the higher apsis, and that at the least 
the lower apsis. In regard to the 
earth and the other primary planets, 
these two points correspond to the 
aphelion and perihelion ; and in regard 
to the moon, they correspond to the 
apogee and perigee. The line of the 
apsides has a slow angular motion in 
the plane of the planet's orbit. In the 
annexed figure, A and B are apsides, or 
points of greatest and least distance of 
a planet from the sun, the orbit of such 
planet being an ellipse with the sun in 
one of the foci, as at S. 

APTENODY'TES, n. [Gr. ,,, 
wingless, and ivm, a diver.] The pen- 
guins, a genus of web-footed diving 
birds, peculiar to the Antarctic shores. 
Their wings are too short for flight, and 
are used as fins or paddles for swim- 
ming under water. The great penguin 
(A. patagonica) is the representative of 
the genus. The apteuodytes feed on 
various species of crabs and other crus- 
taceous animals, and their stomach has 
also been found to contain from 2 Ibs. 
to 10 Ibs. of pebbles. They attain a 
great weight, having been captured 
weighing 78 Ibs. Though on the ice 
or on land they move slowly and awk- 
wardly, yet they slide over the surface 
of deep snow at a considerable pace, by 
lying down on their belly and impelling 
themselves along by their powerful feet. 
[See cut in Diet. PENGUIN.! 

AP'TERANS. SeeApTERA. 

AP'TEROUS, a. In zoo/., destitute of 
wings ; applied to insects of the genus 
Aptera. 2. In hot., destitute of mem- 
branous expansions, as a stem or pe- 
tiole ; opposed to alate. 

AV'TERYX, n. [add.] Three species of 
this curious genus of New Zealand 
birds are now known. A specimen of 
one of these, the Apleryx mantellii, is at 
present (1862) alive in the Zoological 
Gardens, London. It sleeps during the 



AQUILARIACE^E 



ARACIIIS 



ARBITRATION 



day, and is very active at night. It , 
uses its long beak sometimes in walk- 
ing, almost as if it was a third leg. 




Apteryx, Apteryz mantejti. 

None of the species are much larger 
than a good-sized fowl. It is a genus ! 
of birds that in a few years will be ex- 
tinct. 

A'PUS, n. [add.] [Gr. priv., and , 
a foot.] A name given to a genus of 
crustaceous animals which inhabit 
ditches, lakes, and standing waters, 
generally in innumerable quantities. 
APYRET'I, a. [Gr. priv., and ,<, 
fire.] In med., a term that has been 
applied to those days in which the in- 
termission happens in agues, and also 
to local affections which are not accom- 
panied with febrile excitement of the 
system. 

AP'YRINE, n. An alkaline substance 
found in the Cocas lapidea. It is a 
white powder, forming crystalline salts 
with acids. 

AP'YROUS, or APY'ROUS, a. 
A'QUA DISTILLA'TA, n. [L.] . Dis- 
tilled water. 

A'QUA-FONTA'NA, n. [L.] Spring- 
water. 

AQUALEG'IA, read AQUILE'GIA. 
A'QUA MIRAB'ILIS, n. [L.] A medi- 
cal water. 

A'QUA POTAS'S^:, n. [L.] The 
aqueous solution of potassa. 
AQUA'RIUM, n. [L.J An artificial 
pond, cistern, or place in a garden for 
cultivating aquatic plants. 
A'QUA-TINT.n.SameasAQCA-TiNTA. 
AQ'UEDUCT, 71. [add.] In anat., a term 
applied to certain canals occurring in 
different parts of the body; as, the 
aqueduct of the cochlea, and of the 
vestibulum. 

A'QUEOUS, a. [add.] Made by means 
of water ; as, an aqueous solution or hy- 
drate. 

A'QUEOUS ROCKS, n. In geol, rocks 
of the second and third classes, as com- 
posed of matter deposited by water. 
They are also termed metamorphic, and 
stratified rocks. 

AQUIFOLIA'CEyE.n. The holly tribe 
of plants, a nat. order of the polycar- 
pous group of polypetalous exogens. 
The species consist of trees and shrubs, 
with alternate or opposite coriaceous 
leaves ; small, axillary, solitary, or fas- 
cicled flowers; and a fleshy indehiscent 
fruit. The useful plants of the order 
are found in the genera Ilex, Mygin- 
da, and Prinos. 

AQUILARIA'CE^E, n. The agalloch- 
um tribe of plants, a nat, order of the 
tubiferous group of incomplete exogens. 
The species are trees with smooth 



hrinrhcs and a tough bark; alternate, 
entire leaves; the fruit a capsule, pear- 
shaped, and valvcd. The order consists 
of only three genera, Aquilaria (or more 
properly Agallaria), Ophiospermum, 
and Gyrinops. Aloes-wood and eagle 
or agal wood are yielded by species of 
Aquilaria. All the species of the order 
are natives of the East Indies. 

AQUILE'GIA, n. [From aquila, an 
eagle, whose claws the nectaries re- 
present.] Sre definition under AQUALE- 
GIA, which is an incorrect orthography. 

AQUITE'.f v. t. [Fr.] To pay for. 
[Chaucer.] 

A'QU'LA, n. [L. dimin.of aqua, water.] 
A fatty tumour under the skin of the 
eyelid. 

AQUOSE'.f a. Watery. 

AQUOS'ITY.t n. Wateriness. 

A'RA, n. [L.J The Altar; a southern 
constellation, containing nine stars. It 
is not visible in our latitude. 

A'RAB, or AR'AB, n. A native of Ar- 
abia. 

ARAB'IAL, a. Arabian ; Arabic. 

AR'ABIN, n. A name given to the prin- 
ciple which forms the base of all gums. 

AR'ABIS, n. [Gr. ..] Wall-cress or 
rock-cress, a genus of plants. [See 
WALL-CHESS.] 

ARACA'RI, n. [add.] The aracaris are 
not woodpeckers, but birds belonging 
to the genus Pteroglossus, of the Tou- 
can family. 

ARACE'.f v. t. [Fr. arractter.] To tear 
up by the roots ; to draw away by 
force. [Chaucer.] 

ARA'CE^E, n. The arum tribe of plants, 
a nat. order of monocotyledonous 
plants. The species are herbaceous 
plants, with leaves sheathing at the 
base ; the flowers unisexual, and with- 
out a perianth, on a spadix; anthers, 
nearly sessile ; and the fruit succulent. 
They are natives chiefly of tropical 
countries ; and a principle of acridity 
generally pervades them, and exists in 
so strong a degree in some of them, as 
to render them dangerous poisons ; as 
the dumb cane of the West Indies 
and South America. The order was 
originally called Aroideae, and then in- 
cluded Typhacese and Orontacem. 

ARA'CEOUS, a. Pertaining to the nat. 
order of plants Araceie. 

ARACIIIS, n. [add.] A genus of legu- 
minous plants, called the earth-nut or 
pea-nut, much cultivated in warm cli- 
mates, and esteemed a valuable article 




Ki.rth mil, A 

of food. It is allied to the bean. The 
most remarkable species is the A. hy- 
pogeea, the fruit of which, instead of 
hanging down from among the leaves, 
27 



conceals itself in the earth, and is 
deeply buried when it becomes ripe. 
The pod, when mature, is oblong, often 
contracted in the middle, wrinkled, of 
a pale yellow colour, and contains two 
or three seeds, the size of a hazel-nut, 
in flavour sweet as almonds, and yield- 
ing, when pressed, an oil not inferior 
to that of olives. 

ARACH'NIDANS,) n. Same as An- 

ARAH'NIDES, ) ACHNIDA. 

ARACH'NOIO, n. In anat., the arach- 
noid tunic or membrane. [See the Ail- 
i jective.] 

ARAH'NOID, a. [add.] In but., re- 
sembling cobweb ; seeming to be co- 
vered with cobweb, in consequence of 
the entanglement of long white hairs. 

ARACHNOIDIS'CUS, n. In hot., a 
genus of diatomous plants. The A. 
JSItrenbergis is a beautiful microscopic 
object, resembling a minute circular 
shell. 

ARAHNOIDI'TIS, or ARACHNI'- 
TIS, n. Inflammation of the arachnoid 
membrane. 

ARjEOM'ETER, n. See ABEOMF.TEB. 

ARALIA'CEJE, n. A nat. order of 
plants nearly related to the Umbelliferic, 
from which they are distinguished 
chiefly by their three or more celled 
fruit, simple epigynous disk, usually 
valvate corolla, and more shrubby 
habit. The species are natives chiefly 
of China, India, North America, and 
the tropics of the New World. The 
true ginseng of the Chinese is produced 
by Panax ginseng, a plant found in 
China, Nepaul, and Japan ; that so 
called in North America (P. quinque- 
folium),is considered distinct. A species 
of aralia is used in North America as a 
substitute for sarsaparilla. The true 
rice-paper of the Chinese, obtained 
only from the island of Formosa, is 
believed by some to be a species of 
aralia, and called A. papyri/era, but 
its flowers have not yet been seen by 
botanists. 

ARAMjE'AN, a. Relating to Aram, or 
to the Chaldeans, or to their language. 

ARAMA'IC, a. A term applied to the 
language of the Chaldeans and Syrians, 
their literature, &c, 

AR'AMISM, or ARAJLE'ANISM, n. 

ARANE'IFORM, a. Resembling a spi- 
der; having the form or shape of a 
spider. 

ARAN'GOES, n. A species of beads 
made of rough carnelian, generally of 
a cylindrical shape. They constituted 
an article of traffic with Africa pre- 
vious to the abolition of the slave-trade, 
and were imported from Bombay. 
ARA'TOR, n. [L.] A ploughman. 
ARAY',t v. t. To array ; to dress ; to 
set in order, [Spenser.] 
XR'BALEST, 71. A cross-bow. [See 
ABBALIST.] 

XR'BITRAGE.f n. Arbitration. 
ARBITRATION, n. [add.] This mode 
of settling differences is very frequently 
resorted to, as a species of amicable 
litigation, and a means of avoiding the 
delay and expense of a lawsuit, and 
the publicity of a trial. A dispute may 
be referred to arbitration, either when 
there is an action already pending be- 
tween the parties relating thereto, or 
when there is no such action. No in- 
jury can be the subject of arbitration, 
unless it is such as may be a matter of 
civil controversy between the parties. 
By the law of England, the authority of 
an arbitrator cannot be revoked by any 
of the parties, without the leave of the 



ARCHES-COURT 



ARCTOMYS 



ARGALA 



court, or of a judge. In Scotland, the 
system of arbitration is a modification 
o'f that of the Roman law. The sub- 
mission by which the parties agree to 
abide by the decision of an arbiter, is a 
regularly executed contract, and it re- 
quires all the solemnities peculiar to 
the execution of deeds in Scotland. If 
there be more than one arbiter, they 
must be unanimous; but if they are 
not so, an oversman may be appointed 
to decide. 

XRBOR'IAL,t a. Relating to trees. 

ARBORIUL'TURAL, a. Relating to 
arboriculture. 

ARBORIUI/T0RIST, n. One who 
practises arboriculture. 

XRBOR'IFORM, a. Having the form 
of a tree. 

XRBU'TUS, n. A genus of evergreen 
shrubs. [See AKBUTE.] 

XR'A, n. A genus of bivalve mollusca, 
which has numerous teeth on the hinge. 
The species are known by the name of 
ark-shells. Some of them are natives 
of the British seas; one of these is 
called Area Nocc, or Noah's ark. 

ARA'DED, a. Furnished with an ar- 
cade. 

ARAT)IAN, n. A native of Arcadia. 

AR'AD Y,t n. The country of Arcadia. 

XRCA'NUM, n. [add.] In med., a secret 
remedy; a remedy which owes its 
value to its being kept secret. In the 
old chemistry, the secret virtue of any- 
thing. 

XRCaSOG'RAPHY, n. [Gr. ?*<, 
rt*pi, a writing.] A writing or treatise 
on antiquity. 

XRHA;OLO'GIAN, n. An archae- 
ologist. 

XRHA'I, a. Ancient; obsolete. 

ARHA'I, or BRONZE PERIOD, n. 
In arcliccol., the period between the 
introduction of metals, of which copper 
and tin were the principal, and the dis- 
covery of iron. 

ARCHA'ICAL, a. Same as ARCHAIC. 

ARCH'-BOARO, n. A plank placed 
along a ship's stern, and immediately 
under the knuckles of the stern-timbers. 
On this board the ship's name is some- 
times painted. 

ARCH-BUFFOON', n. The chief buf- 
foon. 

ARCH-BUT'LER, n. [add.] This office 
is now extinct. 

ARCH-BUT'TRESS, n. [Fr. arc-bou- 
tant.] In arch., a boldly projecting but- 
tress, with an opening under it, forming 
an arch. In William of Worcester's 
Itinerary, it is called arch-buttant. 

ARHE'AL,t a. Pertaining to the 
archeus ; as, archeal ideas ; caused by 
the archeus ; as, archeal diseases. 
[See AKCHEUS.] 

ARCHEDrARE,t n. An archdeacon. 
[Chaucer.] 

ARCH'ER, 71. [add.] In zool., the tox- 
otes of Cuvier,agenus of acanthoptery- 
gious fishes. [See TOXOTES.] 

ARCH'ERY, n. [add.] In former times, 
a service of keeping a bow for the 
lord's use, in the defence of his castle. 

ARCH'ES, n. A name given to several 
species of moths ; thus, the Psilura 
monacha is the black arches; the Xylo- 
phasia lithoxylea, the light arches; 
Polia herbida, the green arches, &c. 

ARCH'ES -OURT, n. [add.] The 
arches-ccurt has a general appellate 
jurisdiction in ecclesiastical causes 
arising within the province of Canter- 
bury. The dean of the arches, for 
the time being, is president of the col- 
lege of doctors of law, who practise 



in the ecclesiastical and admiralty 
courts. He is selected from the col- 
lege of advocates. 

XRH'ETYPE-SKEL'ETON, n. In 
anat., a term applied to an ideal skele- 
ton, constructed by Professor Owen, 
and of which the endo-skeletons of all 
the vertebrata are modifications. In 
this skeleton is arranged the succession 
of vertebral segments of those animals, 
together with their various processes, 
foramina, and appendages. 

XRCHETYP'ICAL, a. Relating to an 

archetype. 

XRCHE'WIVES,t.pfc-.(arch'wives.) 
Wives of a superior order. [Chaucer.] 

XRH'IATER, ) n. [add.] This term 

ARHI'ATER, $ is applied, on the 
continent of Europe, to the first, or 
body physician of princes, and to the 
first physician of some cities ; in Russia, 
to the first imperial physician. 

ARCHIEPIS'COPACY, n. The state 
of an archbishop. 

ARHIEPIS'OPATE, n. The office 
or jurisdiction of an archbishop; an 
archbishopric. 

ARHIG'RAPHER, n. [Gr. . chief, 
and M, to write.] A chief secretary. 

ARHILO'HIAN, a. [add.] In an- 
cient prosody, this term is applied to 
denote the four metrical combinations 
invented by Archilochus. There are 
three dactylic Archilochian distichs, 
and one iambic Archilochian distich. 
The third verse of the Horatian stanza 
is also sometimes called Archilochian. 

XRH'ILOWE, n. [Derivation un- 
known.] A peace-offering ; the return 
which one who has been treated in an 
inn or tavern, sometimes reckons him- 
self bound in honour to make to the 
company. When he calls for his bottle, 
he is said to give his archilowe'. Also 
written archilayh. [Scotch.] 

ARCHIMANDRITE, n. [add.] In the 
Greek church, a chief of a monastery, 
corresponding to abbot in the Romish 
church ; or a superintendent of several 
monasteries, corresponding to superior 
abbot in the Romish church. In the 
Russian Greek church, the term is ap- 
plied to the higher order of chiefs of 
monasteries, corresponding to the Rom- 
ish abbot. 

ARHIPELAG'I, a. Relating to an 
archipelago. 

ARHITETO'NIAL, a. Relating 
to architecture. 

ARHITE'TOR,t " An architect. 

ARCH'- WAY, n. An entrance or pas- 
sage under an arch. 

ARCH'- WIFE', n. A woman in the 
higher ranks of society, or the wife of 
a person of high rank. 

XRCH'-WORK,n.Formation of arches. 

ARCH'Y, a. Resembling, or having 
arches ; arching. 

AR'TIA AJA, n. The tiger-moth, 
a nocturnal lepidopterons insect, the 
larva of which is clothed with long 
hairs. 

ARTI'ID^;, n A family of lepidop- 
terous insects, belonging to the section 
Heteromera. The types of the family 
are distinguished by their larvae being 
very thickly clothed with long hairs, 
whence they have obtained the name of 
woolly bears. They feed upon the ex- 
ternal parts of plants, and inclose 
themselves in cocoons, when about to 
undergo their transformations. To 
this family belong the tiger-moths. 
AR'TOMYS, n. [Gr. {,, a bear, 
and fwt, a rat.] The marmot, a genus 
of rodent animals. [See MARMOT.) 
28 



AR'UATILE,t a. Bent or curved. 

XR'UBUS, n. A species of gun, with 
a trigger ; an arquebuse. 

XR'US SENI'LIS, n. [L.] The bow 
of old age ; an opacity round the mar- 
gin of the cornea, occurring in advanced 
age. 

ARDAS'SINES, n. A very fine sort of 
Persian silk; the finest used in the 
looms of France. 

XR'DEA, n. A Linnsean genus of wad- 
ing birds, including the herons, storks, 
cranes, bitterns, &c. Modern zoolo- 
gists have formed this genus into seve- 
ral distinct genera, and the genus 
Ardea has been restricted to the herons 
proper, of which our common heron, 
Ardea cinerea, is the type. 

XRDE'ID^E, n. The heron tribe, a 
family of grallatorial or wading birds, 
including the herons, cranes, and storks. 
The beak is long, thick, and stout, 
usually with cutting edges, as well as 
a point. 

XR'DENCY, n. [add.] Among seamen, 
the tendency of a vessel to gripe. 

ARDISIA'CE.*, n. A nat. order of 
plants, now called Myrsinacea;. 

ARD'OR, n. [add.] Among physicians, 
heat ; a sense of heat or burning. 

XRDU'ITY.f n. Height ; difficulty. 

AR'DURE.t n. [L. ardor.] Burning. 
[Chaucer.] 

AREAD'.f v. t. [addj To pronounce. 

ARE'A, n. [add.] Besides the Areca 
catechu, there is another important spe- 
cies of this genus, viz., the A. oleracea, 
or cabbage-tree, or cabbage-palm. [See 
CABBAGE-TREE.] 

AREDE.f v. t. (ared'.) To interpret. 
[See REDE.] [Chaucer.] 

AREED'S.f n. plur. Advices; dis- 
courses. [Spenser.] 

AREISE'.f . *. (areys'.) To raise. 
[Chaucer.] 

ARENA'CEO-GYP'SEOUS, a. In 
!/'"/., containing sand and gypsum, as 
the red sandstone. 

ARENA'HIA, n. Sandwort, a genus of 
plants. [See SANDWORT.] 

ARENG' SAHARIF'ERA, n. The 
botanical name of one of the palms that 
produces sago, and from which palm- 
wine is obtained. It is found in all the 
islands of the Indian Archipelago. Be- 
sides yielding wine and sago, the fibres 
of the stem and leaves are manufactured 
into strong cables. 

ARENI'OLA, n. The lob-worm, a 
genus of dorsibranchiate annelids, com- 
mon on our coasts, and sought for by 
fishermen for bait. 

ARE'OLA, n. See AHEOLE. 

AR'EOLJE, n. More usually written 
ARE'OLjE. 

AREOP'AGIST, n. A member of the 
Areopagus. 

AREOSYS'TYLE, n. See ARJSOSY- 

STVLE. 

ARERE'.f v. t. (areer'.) [Sax. araeran.] 
To rear or raise up ; to excite. [Chau- 
cer.] 

ARE'SON.f v. t. [Fr. arraisoner.] To 
reason with ; to censure ; to arraign. 
[Chaucer.] 

ARETTE ,f . t. (aref.) [Fr. arrester.] 
To impute to ; to reckon, value, or es- 
timate; to lay to the charge. [Chaucer.] 

AREW',^ ) adv. In a row ; in regular 

AREWEYM succession. [Spenser.] 

AR'GAL, instead of ARGAL, n. 

AR'GAL,f adv. A corruption of the 
Latin ergo, therefore. 

AR'GALA, 71. The Indian name of the 
adjutant, or gigantic crane, Ciconia 
argala of Temminck. 



ARGUMENTATIVE 



AIUSTOLOCHIACEJE 



AKMET 



XR'GEL, ) it. A plant found in Upper 

AR'GHEL,) Egypt and Arabia Petraa, 
the Suleuustemiiui nrgel, anil belonging 
to the Asclepiadacent, and used for 
adulterating Egyptian senna, than 
which, however, it is much more grip- 
Ing. 

ARGEMO'NE, . A small genus of 
plants, nat. order Papaveraceje, The 
species are all ornamental, and natives 
of Mexico. From the seeds of A. 
Mexicana, the Mexicans obtain an oil 
very useful to painters. The hand- 
somest species is A. grandifltira, which 
has large flowers of a pure white colour. 

AK'GENTATE, n. Fulminating silver 
is sometimes called argentate of am- 
monia, 

XllGEN'TIC.rt. Relating to, or obtained 
from silver. 

XRGENTl'NA, n. A genus of mala- 
copterygious fishes, belonging to the 
salmon family, so named from their 
silvery scales. A, sphyrtena is a well- 
known species, caught in the Mediter- 
rannean. The Shoppy argentine of 
Pennant (Scopelus Pennantii) is taken 
occasionally on our coast. 

ARGENTINE, or ARGENTINE, a. 
[add.] In zoo/., silver-coloured ; silvery; 
applied to the scales of fishes. 

XRGENT'INE, or AR'GENTINE, n. 
[add.] A name common to the species of 
Argentina, which sec. 

XRGEN'TUM, n. [L.] Silver. 

XR'GHEL. See AROEL. 

AR6lLLA'CEOUS EARTH, n. White 
clay, or potters'-earth ; the earth or 
clay called by chemists alumina. 

XRGILLA'CEOUS ROCKS, n. Those 
homogeneous soft substances which 
comprise the shale or slate clay, bitu- 
minous shale, clay, and marl. 

ARGIL'LO-FERRU'GINOUS, a. Con- 
taining clay and iron, as a mineral. 

XR'GO, n. A constellation. [SeeARao- 
NAVIS.] 

XR'GOIL.t n. [See AHOIL.] Potters'- 
clay. [Chaucer.] 

XR'GOL, n. See ABOIL. 

XRGONAU'TID^E, n. The name of 
the family of cephalopodous molluscs, 
which contains the argonaut or paper- 
sailor. This famed mollusc swims only 
by ejecting water from its funnel, and 
crawls in a reversed position, carrying 
its shell over its back like a snail. The 
account of its floating on the surface of 
the sea, with its sail-shaped arms ex- 
tended to catch the breeze, originated 
with Aristotle, and has been repeated 
by poets ever since ; there is no other 
foundation for the fable. [See cut in 
Did. ARGONAUTA.] 

Xlt'GUABLE, a. That maybe argued ; 
admitting argument. 

XR'GUFY, v. i. To import; to have 
weight, as an argument. [Provincial.] 

XR'GUFY, t>. t. To argue. [Vulgar.] 

XR'GUMENT.n. [add.] In astron., the 
term argument may be defined the 
angle or quantity on which a series of 
numbers in a table depends. Suppose, 
for example, a table of the sun's decli- 
nation were formed, corresponding to 
every degree, &c., of longitude, so that 
the longitude being known, the decli- 
nation might be found opposite to it in 
the table, then the longitude would be 
made the argument of the declination, 
and the table must be entered with the 
argument. In Shak., argument is used 
for conversation ; subject-matter. 

XR'GUMENT, v. i. To reason; to dis- 
course. [Rar. us.] 

XUGUMENT'ATIVE, a. [add.] Ad- 



dicted to argument ; as, an argumenta- 
tive writer. 

ARGUMENT'UM AD HOMINEM. 
[L.] [See under ARGUMENT.] Argu- 
mentiimadverecttndiam. [See under AH- 
OUMENT.] Aryitmenhtm ad iijnurtni- 
iiam, in logic, the employment of some 
kind of fallacy, in the widest sense of 
that word, toward such persons as are 
most likely to be deceived by it. 

XR'GUS, n. A watchful person; so 
named from the fabled Argus, who had 
a hundred eyes. In ornith., a genus of 
gallinaceous birds found in the south of 
Asia, the male of which has a very 
long tail and long quills in the wings 
covered with ocellated spots. It is the 
argus pheasant (Argus giganteus). The 
medusa's head, a species of starfish 
(Astrophvton scutatum), is sometimes 
also so called. 

XRGYN'NIS, . A genus of diurnal 
lepidopterous insects or butterflies, re- 
markable for the silvery spots on the 
under part of the wings. A. paphia is 
abundant in the south of England, and 
A. lathonia on the Continent. 

XRGYRI'TIS, n. [Gr. <>., silver.] 
An old name of litharge. 

A'RIANIZE, . t. To render conform- 
able to A nanism, 

A'RIETIS, n. A star of the second 
magnitude in the head of Aries or the 
Ram. 

AR'ILLATE, a. Relating to, or formed 
like an arillus. 

ARI'ON, n. A genus of pulmoniferous 
mollusca, containing the great black 
slug (Arion ater). This slug feeds on 
living and decaying vegetable sub- 
stances, and deposits its bluish eggs in 
a cluster at the roots of plants. 

AR'IOSE, a. [From arioso.] Charac- 
terized by melody, as distinguished 
from harmony ; as, the ariose beauty of 
Handel. 

ARIO'SO, a. [add. ] This term is used 
adverbially to signify, in the manner of 
an air, as contradistinguished from re- 
citative ; but in instrumental music, it 
denotes, in a sustained vocal style. 
Prefixed to an air, it denotes a sustained 
elaborate style, appropriate to the great 
airs of the opera. 

AR'ISTXRH, n. [From Aristarchus, 
an ancient critic distinguished for 
severity.] A severe critic. 

AR'ISTXRH, n. [Gr. ( .w, best, and 
. chief.] A good man in power. 
[Rar. us.} 

ARISTAlteH'IAN, a. Severely criti- 
cal; like the ancient critic Aristarchus. 

AR'ISTOCRAT, or ARIS'TORAT. 

ARISTOC'RATIZE, v. t. To render 
aristocratic. [Rar. us.] 

ARISTOe'HATY.t n. Same as aristo- 
cracy. 

ARISTOLOCHIA'CEjE.n. The birth- 
wort tribe of plants, a nat. order of dico- 
tyledonous monochlamydeous plants, 
with an inferior 3-C-celled fruit, with 
numerous ovules, small embryo, and 
copious albumen. The species princi- 
pally inhabit the hotter parts of the 
world, and are in many cases used 
medicinally, on account of their tonic 
and stimulating properties, and some 
of them, as the Aristolochia serpentaria, 
or Virginian snake-root, are reputed 
remedies for the bite of venomous ser- 
pents. The genus Aristolochia is re- 
puted emmenagogue, especially the 
European species, Rotunda longa and 
clematis. A. bracteata is used in In- 
dia as an anthelmintic; A. odoratls- 
sima, a West Indian species, is a valu- 



able bitter and alexipharmic. The 
roots of A. serjtenttiria are used as a 
remedy in various kinds of fever. 
Several species of Asarum are also used 
iiK-ilirinally. 

AR'ITHMANCY, or ARITII'- 
MANCY, n. 

XRK, n. [odd.] In early English and 
Scottish writers, a chest or coffer ; as, 
an ark for meal. 

XRLE- PENNY, n. Earnest - penny. 
[Scotch.] 

XRLES, n. plur. Earnest-money given 
to servants. [Scotch.] 

XRM, n. [add.] In marine Ian., the ex- 
tremity of a yard, beam, or bracket. 

XRM, v. t. [add.] To take up in the 
arms ; as, to arm a child. [iSAaS.] To 
fit up; to furnish with the means of 
action or effect; as, to arm a hook in 
angling; to arm a dressing in surgery. 
To arm a loadstone, is to fit it with an 
armature. 

XRMADILXA, . [s p .] A small fleet ; 

a squadron. 

ARMADILLO, n. [add.] This genus 
of animals belongs to the order Eden- 
tata, and forms, with the allied genera 
Chlamyphorus and Orycteropus, a 
small family, intermediate between tho 
sloths and ant-eaters, and character- 
ized by the possession of molar teeth 
only. The tropical and temperate re- 
gions of South America are the original 
and proper habitat of all the known 
species of armadillos. Cuvier divides 
the whole genus into five small groups, 
viz., the Cachicames, the Apars, the 
Encouberts, the Kabassous, and the 
Priodontes. These groups ore princi- 
pally distinguished from each other by 
the number and form of their teeth and 
claws. 

ARM'ATURE, n. [add.] The armature 
of a magnet, as now used, is simply a 
piece of iron connecting the two poles, 
in order to maintain the magnetic 
power undiminished. Horse-shoe mag- 
nets have been substituted for the old 
armed magnets, and the armtiture of 
such a magnet is the piece of iron ap- 
plied to the two poles to connect them. 

ARM'ED, pp. [add.] Furnished with an 
armature or a piece of iron so as to con- 
nect the poles, as a horse-shoe magnet. 
In hot., having prickles or thorns. 

XRMENTOSE'.f a. Abounding with 
cattle. 

XRME'RIA, n [Fr. armoiries latin- 
ized.] Thrift or sea-pink, a genus of 
plants belonging to the nat. order of 
Plumbaginaceae, distinguished from 
Statice by the hairy styles and capi- 
tate flowers. A. maritima, a well- 
known species on our shores, is much 
used for edgings in gardens. [See 
STATICE ABMEBIA.] 

XRMET', n. [Fr.] A helmet used in the 
llth, loth, and 16th centuries. When 




Fig. 1, Armet-crand. FV. , Armet-|*tit. 



worn with the beaver, it was called 
armet-grand (fig. 1); when without, and 
supplied with a triple - barred face- 
guard (fig. 2), it was called armet- 
petit. 



AROMA 



ARRIERE-VOUSSURE 



ARTANTIIE 



ARM'-GAUNT,t a. [See GAUNT.] 
Slender as the arm ; lean ; meagre. 

ARM'-GRETE, a. (arm-great.) As thick 
as a man's arm. [Chaucer.] 

ARMIF'EROUS, a. [L. arnut, and fero, 
to bear.] Bearing arms. [Rar. iw.J 

iRMILAU'SA, 7i. [L.] A garment 




AmiilauM, from an illumination or the fourteenth 
century. 

similar to the surcoat, in use by the 
Saxons and Normans. 

ARM'ING-POINTS,n.Thetiesholding 
together the various parts of armour. 

XRM'INS, n. Coverings of cloth or vel- 
vet for the handle of a pike, to give the 
heated hand a more secure hold. 

XRMIS'ONANT, a. Same as AHMI- 

8ONOC8. 

ARMOIRE, n. (arm-war'.) [Fr.] A 
clothes'-press ; a closet. 
ARMOR'IAN LEAGUE, n. A league 
which existed from the most ancient 
times among all the tribes of Gaul 
dwelling near the sea-shore, and against 
which Julius Caesar had to employ three 
army divisions. At a later period, this 
league only included the tribes in- 
habiting the sea-board between the 
Seine and the Loire. 
ARM'OUR, n. [add.] Armour of a mag- 
net. The same as ARMATURE. 
XRM'OURER, n. [add.] One who has 
the care of the arms and armour of 
another, as of a knight, and who dresses 
him in armour. 

XRMOZEEN', n. A thick, plain, black 
silk. 

XRM'S'-LENGTH, n. The length of the 
arm. To keep at arm's-lenuth is some- 
times used figuratively, for keeping one 
off; not allowing one to come into close 
contact or familiarity. 
ARM YOUR PRIZE, in Shalt., sig- 
nifies, oifer your arm to the lady you 
have won. 

XRNAT'TO, n. See ABNOTTO. 
XR'NICA, n. [A corruption of piar- 
mica.] [add.] There is one European 
species of this genus (.4. montana). The 
whole plant, especially the root, pos- 
sesses a peculiar aromatic but not plea- 
sant odour, and a nauseous taste. In 
some parts of the Continent it is called 
tabac. In every part of this plant 
there has been found an acrid resin 
and a volatile oil, and in the flowers an 
acrid, bitter principle called arnicine. 
The root contains also a considerable 
quantity of tannin. This plant was at 
one time admitted into all the British 
pharmacopoeias, and in Germany all 
parts of it are used in cases of low 
fever, in nervous disorders, in amenor- 
rhcea, and adynamic diseases generally. 
XR'NICINE, n. A bitter principle con- 
tained in the flowers of the Arnica 
muntana. [See ABNICA.] 
AROINT'. See ABOTNT. 
ARO'MA, n. [add.] The characteristic 
odour of other substances besides 
plants. 



XRPEN.n. SeeABPEST. 

XR'PENTATOR.t n. A measurer or 
surveyor of land. 

AR'QUATED, a. Shaped like a bow ; 
arcuate. 

AR'RA.f n. [L. arrha, or arra.\ A 
pledge. 

AR'RACK-PUNCH, n. A liquor con- 
taining arrack. 

ARRAUGHT.t PP- (arawf.) Raught 
or reached. \Spenser.] 

ARREAR'ANCE.t n. Same as Aa- 

BEAB. 

ARREP'TION.t n. The act of taking 

ARREST', n. [add.] For treason, felony, 
or breach of the peace, any person may 
arrest without warrant or precept, but 
in all other cases an arrest must be 
made by virtue of a warrant. In ex- 
traordinary cases a warrant may be 
granted by the privy council, the secre- 
taries of state, and some other public 
officers ; but in the ordinary adminis- 
tration of the law, the only warrants 
which occur are issued by justices of 
the peace. Arrest in civil cases is of 
two kinds, viz., that which takes place 
before trial, and is called arrest on mesne 
process, and that which takes place after 
trial and judgment, and is called arrest 
on final process, or arrest in execu- 
tion. By the statute 1 and 2 Viet., 
c. 110, the law with regard to arrest 
on mesne process has been materially 
altered, and since that statute no de- 
fendant can be arrested before a judg- 
ment has been obtained against him, 
unless it be shown by the affidavit of 
the plaintiff, or some other person, to 
the satisfaction of a judge of one of 
the superior courts, that such plaintiff 
has a cause of action against the de- 
fendant to the amount of 20, or up- 
wards, or has sustained damage to that 
amount, and that there is probable 
cause for believing that the defendant 
is about to quit England unless he be 
forthwith apprehended. The judge is 
then authorized to issue a writ of cap ! as 
against such defendant. By the statute 
7 and 8 Viet., c. 90, an important al- 
teration has also been made in arrest 
on final process, or in execution. By 
that statute it is enacted that no person 
shall be taken or charged in execution 
upon any judgment obtained in any 
court, in any action for the recovery of 
any debt wherein the sum recovered 
shall not exceed the sum of 20, ex- 
clusive of costs. 

ARREST'MENT, n. [add.] In Scots 
law, in civil causes, arrestment is a pro- 
cess by which a creditor may attach 
money or movable property which a 
third party holds for behoof of his 
debtor. It bears a general resemblance 
to foreign attachment by the custom of 
London. It is of two kinds, arrestment 
injudgment, and arrestment in execution. 
The former can proceed only on the 
decree of a court, on a deed containing 
a clause of registration for execution, 
or on such documents as bills of ex- 
change, promissory notes, &c. The 
latter class of arrestments may proceed 
by the order of a judge. 
ARRET', n. [add.] This is a French 
term, and is at present applied par- 
ticularly to the judgments and decisions 
of courts and tribunals in France. It 
also signifies an arrest. 
ARRIERE'-VOUSSURE, n. [Fr.] A 
rear- vault ; an arch placed within the 
opening of a window or door, and of a 
different form, to increase the lightway 
SO 



of the window, and to admit of the bet- 
ter opening of the door ; it seems also 




to have served the purpose of an arch 
of discharge. 

ARRIS'ION, n. [L. arrisio.] The act of 
smiling; a smiling upon. 
ARRI'VAL,. n. [add.] The person or 
thing arriving; as, news brought by 
the last arrival. 
ARRIVE'.f n. Arrival. 
ARRODE', v. t. [L. arrodo.] To gnaw 
or nibble. 

AR'ROGATIVE, instead of ARRO- 
GATIVE. 

AR'ROW-HEAD, n. [add.] In bot. 
[See SAOITTABIA.I 

AR'ROW-HEADED, a. Shaped like 
the head of an arrow. Arrow-headed 
characters. [See under ARBOW-HEAD.] 
ARRU'RA.fn. [From L. aro, to plough.] 
In former times, one day's work at the 
plough, which the tenant was obliged 
to give his lord. 

XR'SENAL, n. [add.] A public estab- 
lishment where naval and military en- 
gines, or warlike equipments, are manu- 
factured or stored ; as at Woolwich. 
XR'SENIC ACID, or XRSEN'IC 

ACID. 

XRSEN'IAL MINERALS, n. A 
family or class of minerals, in which 
arsenic acts the part of the electro-ne- 
gative element. They occur in primitive 
districts in metalliferous veins, usually 
associated with metallic sulphurets. 
XRSE'NIO-SULPHURET, n. A sul- 
phur salt, formed by the union of a 
sulphuret of arsenic with a base ; as, 
the arsenio-persulphuret of potassium. 
XRSENI'URET, ) n. A combination of 
XRSEN'URET, ) arsenic with a me- 
tallic, or other base. The arseniurets 
of cobalt, nickel, and iron are found 
both in veins and in beds. 
XRSENI'URETTED HYDROGEN, 
n. A gas generated by fusing arsenic 
with its own weight of granulated zinc, 
and decomposing the alloy with strong 
hydrochloric acid. It is colourless, has 
a fetid odour like that of garlic, and is 
frightfully poisonous when breathed. 
! XRSENOVIN'IC ACID, n. An acid 
produced by the action of arsenic upon 
alcohol. 

AR'SIS, n. [add.] In prosody, that point 

in a measure where the ictus is put, or 

which is marked by a greater stress or 

force. 

A R S' M E T R I K E,f n. Arithmetic. 

[Chaucer.} 

ART, n. [add.] Formerly, in an academi- 
cal sense, the arts, or the liberal arts 
denoted the sciences and philosophy, 
or the circle of academical education : 
hence, degrees in the arts ; master and 
bachelor of arts. 

ARTAN'THE, n. [Gr. ..., to tie 
together, and >6, a flower.J A genus 



AKTIST 



ARUNDIFEROUS 



ASCENSIONAL 



of plants belonging to the nat. order 
Piperacew. One species, A. saleicefolia, 
from Peru, is a well-known astringent 
and styptic, under the name of Matico. 

ARTE,' r. t. (iirt.) [L. arlus.] To nar- 
row ; to constrain. [Chaucer.] 

XRTEI/RIES.t . Plur. Artillery. 
[Chaucer.] 

XRTE'KIA, n. [L.] An artery. 

ARTE'RIAL, . [add.] Arterial blood 
differs from venous blood, particularly 
by its lighter florid red colour, and its 
greater warmth and coagulability 
changes produced by the process of 
respiration. 

AKTEKIALIZA'TION, n. [add. I The 
conversion of the venous into the ar- 
terial blood during its passage through 
the lungs, by the evolution of carbonic 
acid, and the absorption of ogygen from 
the air. 

ARTE'RIAL NAVIGATION, n. 
Navigation by means of rivers,deepened 
streams, canals, and artificial water- 
courses. 

XRTERl'TIS, n. Inflammation of an 
artery or arteries. 

XRTHRODIAL, a. Belonging to a 
joint; pertaining to that form of joint 
called ball and socket joint. 

ARTHROD'I,.SameasARTiiODiAL. 

XRTHRODYN'I A, n. [See AKTHBODV- 
NIC.] Pains in the joints. 

XRTHROL'O6Y,n.[Gr. {{, a joint, 
and *)., discourse.] A description of 
the joints. 

AR"i'ILE, Ji. [add.'j In the article of 
death [L. inarticulo mortis] literally, 
in the moment of death ; in the last 
struggle or agony. Articles of war, the 
code of regulations for the better 
government and discipline of the army 
and navy. Articles of the peace, a term 
applied to an obligation to the king, 
entered on record, and taken in some 
court, by some judicial officer, whereby 
the parties acknowledge themselves 
to be indebted to the crown in the sum 
required, with condition to be void and 
of none effect if the party shall appear 
in court on such a day, and in the mean- 
time shall keep the peace. Lords of 
articles. [See under LORD.] 

XR'T1LED CLERK, n. A pupil of an 
attorney or solicitor, who undertakes, 
by articles of clerkship containing cove- 
nants mutually binding, to instruct him 
in the principles and practice of the 
profession. 

ARTICULATE, a. [add.] Clear; dis- 
tinct ; as, articulate pronunciation. 

XRT1'ULATE, n. i. To utter articu- 
late sounds; to utter distinct syllables 
or words ; as, to articulate distinctly. 

ARTIC'ULATE, v. t. [add.] To form 
into elementary sounds ; to form into 
distinct syllables or words ; as, to ar- 
ticulate letters or language. 

XRTI'ULATED, pp. or a. [add.] 
Exhibited in articles. [ Used by Shak.] 

ARTI'ULATOR,n. One who articu- 
lates. 

XRTIFI"CIAL, a. [add.] Artijicial 
horizon. [See under HORIZON.] 

XRT1FI"CIAL, n. The production of 
art. [liar, us.] 

XRTIFI"CIAL, a. [add.] Ingenious; 
artful. [Shak.] Subtle; trickish. 
\Alterbury.] 

ART1FI"CIALIZE, v. t. To render 
artificial, \liar. ui.\ 

ARTIL'LERY, n. [add.] The science of 
artillery and gunnery. 

AR'TIST, n. [add.] In present usage, one 
who professes and practices one of the 
liberal arts, in which science and taste 



preside over the manual execution; as 
painting, sculpture, engraving and ar- ' 
chitecture. The artist is thus dis- 
tinguished from the artisan, who fol- 
lows mechanically the rules of his 
handicraft or art. 

XRTtSTE', n. (arteesf.) [Fr.] Among 
the French, a term of very extensive 
application, denoting one who is pe- 
culiarly dexterous and tasteful in almost 
any art ; as an opera-dancer, and even 
a hair-dresser or a cook. The term 
should not be confounded with the 
English word artist. 

ARTIST'I, ) a. Pertaining to an 

ARTIST'IAL,J artist; relating to 
the arts or to the fine arts; made in the 
manner of an artist; conformable to 
art ; regular. 

XRTIST'ICALLY, adv. In an artistic 
manner. 

XRTOARP'OUS, ) a. Relating to 

XRTOCARP'EOUS, j bread-fruit, or 
the bread-fruit tree. 

XRTOCARP'US, n. The bread-fruit, 
a genus of plants belonging to the nat. 
order Urticace*e ; sub -order Artocar- 
pece. Many species are known, some j 
of which yield valuable timber in the ' 




Juck riuit, Artoca 



forests of Bengal and Malabar; but 
the most important species are the 
A. incisa, or true bread-fruit, and A. 
integrifolia, or jack-fruit. [See ARTO- 

CARPF..S.] 

XRT'-SPUN, a. Spun, or made by art. 

ART-U'NION, n. An association or so- 
ciety, the object of which is to aid in 
extending the knowledge of, and love 
for, the arts of design, and to give en- 
couragement to artists beyond that af- 
forded by the patronage of individuals. 
Each member subscribes annually a 
certain sum, and a part of the aggregate 
sum thus raised is generally set apart 
for the purpose of engraving some 
work of art, a copy of which is given 
to every subscriber for each guinea 
subscribed. The greater part of the 
sum annually subscribed is employed 
as a fund for the purchase of pictures, 
sculpture,and other works of art, which 
are distributed by lot among the mem- 
bers. A part of the funds is also 
frequently applied to the offering of pre- 
miums for original designs, and the 
production of bronzes and medals. 

A'RUM, instead of ARUM. 

ARUNDIF'EROUS, a. Producing reeds 
or canes. 

31 



ARUN'DO, n. [add.] This genus of 
grasses is now usually confined to the 
A. donax, and the species which most 
nearly agree with it. A. donax is a 
native of the south of Europe, Egypt, 
and the East. It is one of the largest 
grasses in cultivation, and sometimes 
attains a height of nine or ten feet, 
with broad and long leaves. A. avena- 
ria, or sea-reed, is by modern botanists 
called Ammojihila arundinacea. A. 
phragmites, the common reed, now 
forms the genus Phragmites; it was, 
however, called Arundo by the Romans 
equally with the Donax. 

ARVIiJ'OLA, n. A genus of rodont 
animals. A. amphibia is the water-rat, 
and A. ayrestis is the field-vole, or 
short-tailed field-mouse. The latter is 
a most destructive species, multiplying 
as it does prodigiously in some seasons, 
when it proves a great nuisance in gar- 
dens, plantations, and fields. 

AS, adv. [add.] As if, in the manner that 
it would be if. As to, with respect to. 
At well as, equally with. As though, 
as if. As it is, as the case stands ; in 
present circumstances. As it were, a 
qualifying phrase, used to soften ex- 
pressions which might otherwise seem 
harsh. As followed by as sometimes 
signifies although ; however. 

AS'ARONE, n. A volatile solid obtained 
from Asarum Europ&um. It has a re- 
markable tendency to crystallize in 
beautifully denned forms, and also to 
pass into the amorphous condition, from 
which it may be again brought into the 
crystalline state. 

ASBES'TI, a. Relating to or contain- 
ing asbestos. 

ASBES'TIFORM, a. Having the struc- 
ture of asbestos. 

ASCAL'APHUS.n. A genus of neurop- 
terous insects, with long thread-shaped 
antennae, knobbed at the ends. There 
are many species found on the shores 
of the Mediterranean and in tropical 
countries. They are allied to the ant- 
lions, but the larva; never construct a 
pitfall. 

ASAR'ID^E, n. A family of Entozoa, 
or intestinal worms, which live in the 
bodies of other animals. The body is 
round, elastic, and tapering toward 
each end. 

AS'ARIS, n. [add.] A. lumlricoides is 
the long and round worm which in- 
habits the intestines of emaciated per- 
sons. A. vertnicularis is the thread or 
maw worm. 

ASAUNCE',t adv. See ASKANCE. 
[Spenser.] 

ASCEN1VANT, n. [add.] In astral., the 
first of the twelve houses of heaven, 
and the planet, or other heavenly body 
which rules in this house, is called lord 
of the ascendant ; hence, to be in the 
ascendant, signifies to have commanding 
power or influence; and lord of the 
ascendant, one who has possession of 
such power or influence; as, to rule, 
for a while, lord of the ascendant. 

ASCEND'ENT.f a. Rising; mounting; 
proceeding upwards. 

ASCEND'ENT, ) a. In lot., when an 

ASCEND'ANT, ) ovule, or seed, is 
attached to the middle of the cell of 
the ovary, or fruit, and is directed up- 
wards. 

ASCEN'DING, ppr. In hot., rising up- 
wards. 

ASCEN'SIONAL, a. Relating to as- 
cension ; ascending ; or rising up. j >'<< 
Ascensional Difference under ASCEN- 

SION-DAY.] 



ASK 



ASPHALTE 



ASSAGAI 



ASCETIC, n. [add.] One who prac- 
tises undue rigour and self-denial in 
religious things. 

ASCID'IA, n. [add.] There are many 
species of this genus, most of them in- 
habitants of the European seas in high 
latitudes. They adhere by their base 
to rocks, shells, and other submarine 
substances ; they are more or less ge- 
latinous, and some are eatable; they 
contract and dilate themselves alter- 
nately, and have the power of squirting 
out the water they have imbibed, some 
to the height of three feet. This con- 
stitutes their principal means of de- 
fence. 

ASCI'DIANS, n. Same as ASCIDIA. 

ASLE'PIAS. A Greek physician, and 
also the Greek name of jEsculapius. 

ASLE'PI AS, n. A genus of plants, the 
type of the nat. order Asclepiadacea;. 
Most of the species are North Ameri- 
can herbs, having opposite, alternate, 
or verticillate leaves. Many of them 
possess powerful medicinal qualities. 
A. decumbens is diaphoretic and sudo- 
rific, and has the singular property of 
exciting general perspiration, without 
increasing in any sensible degree the 
heat of the body; A. curassavica is 
emetic, and its roots are frequently sent 
to England as ipecacuanha ; the roots 
of A. tuberosa are famed for diaphoretic 
properties ; the root and tender stalks 
of A. volubilis (Linn.), sicken and excite 
expectoration. Many other species are 
also used as medicines. 

ASEP'TA, n. plur. [Or. a priv., and 
ffr,xai, to putrefy.] Substances which 
are free from the putrefactive process. 

ASEP'Tte, a. A term applied to sub- 
stances which are free from the putre- 
factive process. 

ASEX'UAL, a. [a neg., and sexual.] 
In bot., having no distinct sex. 

ASH'-OLOUR,n.Thecolourof ashes; 
the colour of the bark or leaves of the 
ash-tree. 

ASH'EN.f n. phir. [Sax.] Ashes. 
[Chaucer.] 

ASH'EllY, n. [add.] A manufactory of 
pot or pearl ashes. 

ASH'ES, n. plur. [add.] The remains of 
anything burnt, whether of vegetable 
or animal origin, and to a certain ex- 
tent of mineral bodies also; but in 
com., the term is restricted to the ashes 
of vegetable substances from which are 
extracted the alkaline matters, called 
pot-ash, pearl-ash, kelp, barilla, &c. 
Volcanic ashes, the loose earthy matter 
ejected by volcanoes. 

ASH'ET, n. [Fr. assiette, a trencher- 
plate.] A large flat plate, generally of 
an oval shape, on which meat is brought 
to the table. [Scotch.] 

ASH'-FLY, n. The oak-fly, Camps quer- 
cusfolii. 

ASH'LEHING, n. [add.] In masonry, 
the act of bedding ashlar in mortar. 

ASH'-PAN, n. A pan beneath a grate 
or furnace to receive ashes. 

ASH'TAROTH, ASH'TORETH, AS'- 
TORETH, instead of ASHTAROTII, 
ASHTORETH, ASTORETH. 

ASH'-TUB, n. A tub to receive ashes. 

ASH'Y, a. [add.] Consisting of ashes ; 
as, an ashy heap. 

AS'ILUS, n. The hornet-fly, a genus of 
dipterous insects, of which above sixty 
European species have beenenumeratcd. 
The type is Asilus crabronifortnis. 

ASI"TI A, n. [Gr. priv.,and r,food.] 
Loss of appetite. 

ASK, n. An asker. or water-newt. 
{Scotch.} 



ASK, v. i. [add.] To ask of, is used in 
Shak. for to ask for; as, ash of Doctor 
Cains' house. 

ASK'ING, n. The making of a request ; 
a petition. [Lit. us.\ 

ASLEEP', a. [add.] In marine Ian., the 
canvas is said to be asleep when the 
wind is just strong enough to distend the 
sails, and prevent them from shaking. 

ASMATOG'RAPHY, n. [Gr. -,., a 
song, and ti"t", to write.] The art of 
composing songs. [Rar. us.] 

ASOAK', a. Soaking in water; in a 
state of soaking 

ASOM'ONED.f PP. Summoned. 
[Chaucer.] 

ASP, n. See ASPEN. 

ASPAI/ATHUM, n. The calambac ; a 
variety of the agallochum, or aloes- 
wood. 

ASPAR'AGI, n. A nat. order of plants 
constituted by Jussieu; part of this, 
including the genus Asparagus, is now 
united to the Liliacese; part, having re- 
ticulated veined leaves, forms the iiat. 
order Smilacese. 

ASPA'SIA, n. [Gr. MWC&PJU, to em- 
brace.] A genus of elegant plants, with 
the aspect of Epidendrum. The flowers 
of A. variegatum are deliciously sweet 
in the morning. Nat. order Orchida- 
ceae. 

ASPE'.f n. (asp'.) A species of poplar. 
[See ASPEN.] [Chaucer.] 

ASPET',f v. t. To behold. 

ASPER'GES, n. [L. aspergo.] In the 
Rom. Catholic church, the rod used for 
sprinkling the holy water. [See As- 
PERGILLUS.] 

ASPERGIL'LUM, n. A genus of shell- 
fish, belonging to the family Tubicolces 
of Lamarck. The A. Javanum is known 
to collectors as the watering-pot. 

ASPERGIL'LUS, n. The brush used in 
the Horn. Catholic church,t 'or sprinkling 
holy .water on the people. 2. A genus 
of cryptogamic plants, the species of 
which, along with many others, form 
what is called mould on various sub- 
stances. They are found on all de- 
caying substances. A. ylaitcus is the ! 
blue mould wliich forms on cheese, 
lard, bread, &c. 

AS'PERLY.f adv. Roughly ; sharply. 

ASPERNA'TION.f n. [L. aspernatio.} 
Neglect; disregard; contempt. 

ASPER'SION, n. [add.] Calumny; 
censure. 

ASPER'SIVE, a. Tending to asperse; 
defamatory; calumnious; slanderous. 

ASPER'SIVELY, adv. By way of as- 
persion. 

ASPERSO'RIUM,n.InareA.,thestoup, 
or holy-water basin. 

ASPEKU'GO, n. [From L. asper, 
r?ugh.] Catch-weed, a genus of plants, 
nat. order Boraginacea;. A. procum- 
bens, trailing catch-weed, is a British 
plant growing in waste places. 

ASPER'ULA.n. [From L.asper, rough.] 
Wood-ruff, a genus of plants, nat. order 
Kubiaceae. Aninfusionof/l.cynanc/iicu, 
small wood-ruff, has a little astringency, 
and has been used as t gargle. [See 
WOOD-ROOF.] 

ASPHALTE', n. Asphaltic mastic ; an 
artificial bituminous compound, em- 
ployed for the covering of roofs and 
arches, the lining of tanks for pave- 
ment and flooring, and as a cement. 
The chief ingredient in this compound 
is a brown bituminous limestone found 
near the Jura mountains. This stone 
is broken to powder, and mixed with a 
portion of mineral tar when intended 
for fine work, as the covering of roofs, 
32 



and application as cement ; or when 
intended for the coarser purposes of 
pavement, with mineral tar end sea- 
grit. The whole is then heated in 
large caldrons, until the ingredients 
are perfectly united. It is then formed 
into cakes or blocks, and delivered for 
use ; but as it is applied in the liquid 
state in laying pavements, covering 
roofs, &c., the cakes are re-melted by 
heat, and an additional quantity of 
mineral tar is added. Among opticians, 
the name asphalte is applied to a thick 
solution of the finest asphalte in spirits 
of turpentine, and is used for making 
cells on pieces of glass, in which ob- 
jects may be preserved in liquid, for the 
use of the microscope. 

ASPHALT'ENE, n. A solid black sub- 
stance, obtained by submitting the 
. bitumen of Bechelborium, purified by 
ether, to a prolonged high temperaturo. 

ASPHALT'OS,) n. Same as ASPHAL- 

ASPHALT'US,) TUM. 

ASPHODEL'EjE. [add.] Now united 
to the Liliacese. 

ASPHO'DELUS, n. [Gr. a neg., and 
afatJjM, to supplant.] Asphodel, a genus 
of monocotyledonous plants, nat. order 
Liliacese. A. lutens is the common 
yellow asphodel, a beautiful perennial ; 
-t. albus is the white asphodel, and 
A ramosus, so common in gardens, is 
probably a variety of this species. 

ASPHYX'IA, n. [L. See ASPHYXY.] 
Originally, interrupted pulse, or cessa- 
tion of the motion of the heart and 
arteries; but as now used, apparent 
death, or suspended animation ; inter- 
rupted respiration, particularly from 
sutfocation or drowning, or the inhala- 
tion of irrespirable gases; applied aim 
to the collapsed state in cholera, with 
want of pulse. 

ASPID'IUM, n. Shield-fern, a genns of 
cryptogamian plants. [See SHIELD- 
FERN.] 

ASPIE'.t v. t. (asp/.) To espy. [Chau- 
cer.] 

ASPI'RANT, or ASTIRANT, n. 

AS'PIRATE, n. [add.] In gram., the 
aspirate, or spiritus asper, is an accent 
peculiar to the Greek language ; it is 
marked thus I'J, and denotes that the 
letter over which it is placed should 
be strongly aspirated, that is, pro- 
nounced as if A were prefixed. In Eng- 
lish, <//. as in church, gh, as in tJto:ujh t 
th, as in this, are aspirates. 

ASPIRE', v. i. [add.] To rise; to ascend ; 
as, the flames aspire. [Pope.] 

ASPIRE', f v. t. To aspire to ; to ascend 
or rise to ; as, to aspire thrones ; to as- 
pire the clouds. Properly the verb here 
is used elliptically for aspire to. 

ASPIRE'MENT.fn.Theact of aspiring. 

ASTHE.t a. [Fr.] Rough; sharp. 
[Chaucer.] 

ASPRE'DO, n. A genus of abdominal, 
malacopterygious fishes, characterized 
by the horizontal flatness of the head, 
and the enlargement of the anterior 
part of the trunk, owing to an unusual 
development of the bones of the 
shoulder. The principal species is the 
Silurus aspredo of Linn., which in- 
habits the rivers and lakes of North 
America. 

AS'PRENESSE,tn. Sharpness. [C7i- 
cer.] 

ASS, or AISE, n. Ashes. [Scotch.] 

ASSAF(ET'LDA, n. See ASAFETIDA. 

AS'SAGAI, n. An instrument of war- 
fare among the Kaffirs ; a throwing 
spear; a species of javelin. 

AS'SAGAI, t; t. To kill with an assagai. 



ASSK;\ 



ASSORTING 



ASTERIAS 



AS'SAGAIED, pp. Killed by means of 
ail assauai. 

AS'SAPAN, n. Sjieoies of flying squir- 
rels, belonging to the Kenus Sciurop- 
terus. They live UIIIOMK trees, and are 
found in the Eastern islands. 

ASSAS'SlN.f . *. To murder; to as- 
sassinate. 

A.S8A8'8INACY,t n. The act of assas- 
sinating. 

ASSAS'SINATE.f An assassin ; mur- 
der. 

ASSAULT', n. [add.] In Scotland, as- 
sault is a punishable offence, usually 
prosecuted by the public prosecutors 
attached to the sheriffs' courts, to the 
police courts, and justice of peace 
courts. When, however, the assault is 
of a highly criminal character, it is 
brought before the supreme criminal 
court, and is then charged as assault 
with some specific aggravation. There 
is no division, as in England, into as-* 
sault and assault and battery. 

ASSAUT'.f n. [Fr.J Assault, [Chaucer.} 

ASSAY', n. [add.] The determination of 
the quantity of any particular metal in 
an ore, or other metallic compound al- 
loy ; or more especially, the determi- 
nation of the quantity of gold or silver 
in coin or in bullion. Also, the sub- 
stance to be assayed. 

ASSAY', v. t. [add.] To determine the 
amount of a particular metal in an ore, 
alloy, or other metallic compound. 

ASSAY'EK, n. [add.] One who examines 
metallic ores or compounds, for the 
purpose of determining the amount of 
any particular metal in the same ; par- 
ticularly of gold and silver. 

ASSAY'ING, n. The determination of 
the amount of any particular metal in 
a metallic compound. [See ASSAY.] 

ASSETA'TlON,t n. Attendance, or 
waiting upon. 

ASSEGE',+ . [Fr.] Siege. [Chaucer.] 

ASSEM'BLY, n. [add.] In a civil or 
political sense, a meeting convened by 
authority, for the transaction of public 
business ; as, the assemblies of the Ro- 
man people ; the national assembly in 
France. 

ASSEN'TIENT, a. Yielding assent. 

ASSEN'TIVE, a. Giving assent ; com- 
plying. [Lit. us.] 

AS'SEK, n. In arch., athin rafter, board, 
or lath. 

ASSERT'ORY, or AS'SERTORY, a. 
ASSESS', v. t. [add.] To value or fix the 
profits of business, or the amount of 
yearly income, for the purpose of taxa- 
tion. 

ASSESS'ED TAXES. See under TAX. 
ASSESS'OR, n. [add.] In England, as- 
sessors are persons chosen to assist the 
mayor and aldermen of corporations in 
matters concerning elections. In Scot- 
land, the magistrates of corporate 
burghs who exercise judicial powers 
generally employ some professional 
lawyer to act as their assessor. Those 
persons whose duty it is to assess the 
value of property for local or public 
taxation, are usually called surveyors, 
not assessors. 

AS'SETH.f n. Sufficient ; enough. [See 
ASSETS.] [Chaucer.] 
AS'SETS, n. plur. [add.] The entire 
property of all sorts belonging to a 
merchant, or to a trading association. 
ASSlEGE'.t v. t. [Fr. assieger.] To 
besiege. 

ASSIGN', v. t. [add.] In law, to transfer, 
or make over to another, the right one 
has in any object, as an estate, chose 
in action, or reversion. To assign, in 



bankruptcy is to transfer property to, 
and vest it in, certain persons called 
assignees, for the benefit of creditors. 

AS S1GNAT, ii. [add.] In French law, 
the assignment of an annuity on an 
estate, by which the annuity is based 
on the security of the latter. Hence 
the name given to paper currency is- 
sued by the revolutionary government 
of France, based on the security of the 
lands belonging to the state, and those 
appropriated by it. 

ASSIGNEE', n, [add.] Assignees, in 
bankruptcy, in England, are persons 
appointed under a commission of bank- 
ruptcy, to manage the estate of the 
bankrupt for the benefit of his credi- 
tors. 

ASSIGNMENT, n. [add.] In bank- 
ruptcy, the transfer of the property of 
a bankrupt to certain persons called 
assignees, in whom it is vested for the 
benefit of creditors. 

ASSIMILABIL'ITY, n. The quality of 
being assimilable, \ltnr. usA 

ASSIM'ILATE, v. i. [add.] To be con- 
verted into the substance of the body ; 
as, flesh assimilates more readily than 
vegetables. 

ASSIMILA'TION, n. [add.] In physio!., 
the conversion of nutriment into the 
fluid, or solid substance of the body. 
Formerly, the supposed conversion of 
the fluids of the body to the nature of 
any morbific matter. 

ASSINE'GO, instead of ASSINEGO. 

ASSlSE'.t /i. (assiz'.) [Fr.] Situation. 
[Chaucer.] 

ASSIZE', n. ) [add.] In England, 

ASSIZ'ES, n. plur. ) thecourtof assize, 
popularly called the assizes, is the ses- 
sion held by at least one of the judges 
of the superior courts in each of the 
counties, under commissions of assize 
for civil cases, and of oyer and terminer, 
and jail delivery, for criminal cases. 
Assizes are holden twice a-year through- 
out the whole of England and Wales, 
excepting London and the parts ad- 
joining. The commission of assize 
originally directed the judges to take 
assizes, or the verdicts of a particular 
jury, called the assize, now obsolete. 
The word assize was used to signify a 
statute, or ordinance generally ; as, 
the assizes of the realm ; the assizes of 
the forest, rules and regulations for the 
management of the royal forests. -Also, 
an ordinance fixing the standard of 
weights and measures; hence, the stand- 
ard weights and measures ; as, the 
custody of the assize. [See SIZE.] 
ASSO'CIABLE, a. [add.] Sociable; 
companionable. 

ASSO'CIATE, a. [add.] In med., con- 
nected by habit or sympathy ; as, as- 
sociate movements, such as occur sympa- 
thetically, in consequence of preceding 
motions. Thus, the eye cannot be moved 
inwards by the action of the rectus 
interims, without contraction of the iris 
being produced. 

ASSO'CIATE, v. i. [add.] To join in 
a confederacy or association. 
ASSOIL'ED.t pp. Absolved. [Spen- 
ser.] 

ASS'OILIZE, ti. t. See ASSOILZIE. 

AS'SONANT, TI. [Sp. asonante.] In 

Spanish verse, a resemblance of sound 

in the termination of verses differing 

from rhyme. 

ASSOKT'ED, pp. [add.] Fitted or 

adapted to. 

They appear .... no way assorted to those 
with whom they most associate. Burkt. 

ASSORTING, ppr. [add.] Agreeing. 
33 



ASSOT.t t'. t. [add.] To make to doat 
upon; to bewitch; to deceive. [Spen- 
ser.] 

ASSOT',f pp. Stupified. [Spenser.] 

ASSOYLE'.t v. t. [See ASSOIL.] To 
liberate, or set free. [Spenser.] 

ASSOYL'ED.f pp. Released ; set free. 
[Spenser.] 

ASSU'MENT.t n, [L. assitmentum.] A 
patch. 

ASSU'RANCE, n. [add.] A contract for 
the payment of a sum on occasion of a 
certain event; as loss, or death. Of 
late years the term assurance has been 
used in relation to life contingencies, 
and insurance in relation to other con- 
tingencies ; as, fire, losses at sea, &c. 
Insurance, in law, is a term applied to 
the legal evidences of the translation of 
property, called common assurances, 
by which every man's property is se- 
cured to him. 

ASSOR'ED, pp. [add.] In Shak , affi- 
anced ; as, 1 was assured to her. 

ASSCll'INGLY,a</r. In a way to create 
assurance. 

ASTA'CIAN, n. A crustaceous animal. 
[See ASTACUS.] 

AS'TAUS, n. A genus of long-tailed 
crustaceous animals, formed from the 
genus Cancer of Linn., and of ancient 
authors. It includes the common lob- 
ster (A. marinus), and the craw-fish 
(A. fluviatilis). By some authors the 
lobster and its allies are made to form 
another genus called Homarus, while 
the name Fotamobius is sometimes 
given to the fresh-water craw-fish. A 
curious species (without eyes) is found 
in the caves of Kentucky ; it is named 
Astacus pellucidus. 

ASTART'.t u. t. To escape; to release; 
to alarm; to take unawares. [See 
ASTEBTE.I [Spenser.] 

ASTAR'TE, n. Ashtoreth, a goddess of 
the Sidonians, supposed to be the 
same as the Venus of the Romans. 
2. A genus of bivalves, or conchifers. 
Some of them are English shells, and 
they are generally found on the sandy 
mud of coasts. There are also many 
fossil species. 

ASTAT'tC, a. [Gr. * priv., and *., 
to stand.] Being without polarity. An 
astatic needle is a magnetic needle, 
having its directive property destroyed 
by the proximity of another needle of 
the same intensity fixed parallel to it, 
but with the poles reversed, so that the 
north pole of the one is adjacent to the 
south pole of the other. In this posi- 
tion the needles neutralize each other, 
and are therefore unaffected by the 
magnetism of the earth, while at the 
same time they are subject to the in- 
fluence of galvanic action. They were 
formerly employed in the electric tele- 
graph. 

A-STAY', adv. In marine Ian., when, in 
heaving the anchor, an acute angle is 
formed between the cable and the sur- 
face of the water, the anchor is said to 
be a-stay; and to be a long stay-peak or 
a short stay-peak, according to the dis- 
tance of the anchor from the vessel. 

AS'TER, n. [add.] Many species are cul- 
tivated in our gardens under the name 
of Michaelmas daisy. 
ASTERA'CEJE, n. In hot., a name 
given by some to the nat. order of 
Composite. 

ASTE'RIAS, M. [add.] The Linniean 
genus Asterias comprised every form 
of radiation which appears in the tribe 
of radiated animals; but Lamarck in- 
cludes only the star-fishes properly so 

Y 



ASTRAGALUS 

. - 

called. Those which have an angular 
body, the rays of which are short, not 
exceeding the diameter of the disk, he 
calls scutellated star-fishes ; and those 
which have a body furnished with 
elongated rays, he calls radiated star- 
fishes. A. iesselata is an example pt 
the former division, and A. glacialis, 
common star-fish, or five-finger, is an 
example of the latter. 
AS'TE ROID, or ASTEROID', n. [add.] 
The name asteroids was given by 
Herschel to the small planets Ceres, 
Pallas, Juno, and Vesta, discovered 
about the commencement of the present 
century. A number of other small 
planets have been discovered more 
recently between the orbits of Mars 
and Jupiter, as Astrsoa, Flora, Iris, 

&c 

ASTEROLE'PIS, or STARRY- 
SCALE, n. [Gr. artr.t, star, MT, scale.] 
A genus of fishes, now only found in a 
fossil state in the old red sandstone. 
From the remains, it would seem that 
these fishes must have sometimes at- 
tained the length of eighteen or twenty 
feet. The structure of this curious 



ATELIER 




AsTFROrgpis, 1, Hyoid plate of Aaterohp's, ' -91H natural aiie. 
2, Internal ridge of hyolU plate, l-4th natural size. 

fossil is elucidated by Mr. Miller in an 
interesting volume called Footprints of 
the Creator; or, the Asterolepis of 
Stromness. We have figured one of its 
most characteristic bones, the hyoid 
plate, with its central strengthening 
ridge. The stellate markings, from 
which the genus derives its name, seem 
to have been restricted to the dermal 
plates of the head. 

ASTERTE'.f v. i. (astert'.) [Sax.] To 
move; to get away; to escape. [Chau- 
cer.] 

ASTHE'NIA, ) n. [See ASTHF.MC ] 

AS'THENY, j Debility; want of 
strength. 

ASTHMATIC, n. A person troubled 
with asthma. 

ASTHMAT'ICAL, a. Same as ASTH- 
MATIC. 

ASTHMATIALLY, adv. In an 
asthmatical manner. 

ASTIR', a. Stirring ; active. 

ASTON'IEDNESS,t n. State of being 
astonished. 



ASTON'ISH, v. t. [add ] To astonish is 
used by Shaft, to signify to stun with a 
blow. 

ASTOUND'.f ' To shake ; to strike 
terror. 

ASTRJE'A, n. One of the small planets 
or asteroids between the orbits of Mars 
and Jupiter, discovered by Encke, a 
Prussian astronomer, December 8, 1845. 
It revolves round the sun in 1511'10 
solar days, and is about 2^ times the 
distance of the earth from the sun. 

ASTRAG'ALUS, n. Milk-vetch, an ex- 
tensive genus of plants, nat. order 
Leguminosre. Gum-tragacanth is ob- 
tained from A. verus, a species found 
in many parts of the Levant ; but the 
same substance is prepared from several 
other species, as A. creticus, and A. 
aristatus. A few species are found in 



Britain ; several are cultivated in gar- 

As"TRAL LAMP, n. [add.] This lamp 
is constructed so as to throw a strong 
and uninterrupted light on the table 
below. 

ASTRAP^'A, n. [Gr. *,,(***, light- 
ning.] A genus of plants, belonging to 
the nat. order of Dombeyacese. It is 
remarkable for the splendid colour of 
the flowers, which are collected into 
large heads, and for its large stipules. 
A. Wallichii is a native of Madagascar, 
but is cultivated and flowers readily in 
our gardens. 
A S'T R E L A B R E,t n. Astrolabe. 

[Chaucer] 

ASTRICT', v. (. [add.] To constrict; to 
contract ; to restrict ; to confine. 
ASTRINGE', . t. [add.] Figuratively, 
to oblige; to constrain; to bind by 
obligation. 

ASTRINGENTLY, adv. In an as- 
tringent manner. 
ASTROCA'RYUM, n. A genns 
of palms inhabiting the tropical 
parts of America. The stems 
are all covered over with stiff 
and very numerous prickles. 
The fruit resembles cocoa-nuts, 
and the fleshy part of the fruit 
of A. murumuru is considered a 
great delicacy by the Americans. 
The wood of A. ayri is much 
used for bows, and similar pur- 
poses; and the fibres of the 
leaves of A. tucuma are used 
for fishing-nets. 

ASTROGNO'SIA, instead of 
ASTROG'NOSIA. 
ASTROG'NOSY, n. Same a 

ASTROONOSIA. 

ASTROL'OGY, n. [add.] The term 

astrology was used by the ancients in 

the sense of astronomy. 
ASTRONOM'ION,t ". A treatise on 

the stars. 
ASTROPHY'TON, n. A genus of ra- 

diated animals, containing the me- 

dusa's head star-fish. 
AS'TROSCOPY, or ASTROS'- 
' OPY,+ n. 
ASTOTE'LY, adv. Shrewdly; sharply; 

cunningly. 
ASTY'LAR, a. [Gr. priv., and tn^t, 

a column.] In arch., a term applied to 

a building without columns. 
ASWEV'ED.t PP. [Sax. swefed.] Stu- 

pified, as in a dream. [Chaucer.] 
ASWOUNE'.t adv. See Aswoos. 
ASY'LUM, n. [add.] An institution for 

the relief or protection of the unfortu- 

nate or destitute ; as, an asi/lum for the 

poor, for the blind, for the deaf and 

dumb, or for the insane. 
ASYM'METROUS,+ a. Asymmetrical. 



AS'YMPTOTE, n. [add.] Sometimes 

written ASYMP'TOTE. 
ASYMPTOT'IC, a. Same as ASYMP- 

TOTICAL. 
AT, prep, [add.] For ; as, a ream of son- 

nets purchased at a crown a sheet. 

[Addison.] 

ATAGHAN', n. See ATTAOIIAN. 
A-TAUNT', or A-TAITNT'O. A ves- 

sel is said to be all-a-taunt, when she 

is fully rigged. 
ATAX'IA, n. Same as ATAXY, but 

more generally used by medical men. 
ATAX'I, n. In med., irregular; charac- 

terized by great irregularity. Ataxic 

fever, a term applied by Pinel to ma- 

lignant typhus fever. 
AT-EARST',t adv. [Sax.] Lately ; at 

length; suddenly; instantly. [Spenser.] 
ATE'LIER, n. [Fr. a workshop.] A 



ATMOSPHERIC LINE 

word derived from the French, and 
applied specially to the work-room of 
sculptors and painters, also called a 

A TEM'PO, or A TEM'PO PRI'MO. 
[It.] In music, a direction that, after 
any change of movement by accelera- 
tion or retardation, the original move- 
ment be restored. 

ATHA'NAS, n. A genus of long-tailed 
crustaceans, containing one British 
species, the Athanas nitescens, found on 
the south coast of England. 
ATHANA'SIAN, n. A follower of 
Athanasins, or a believer in his creed. 
A'THEIZE, t). f. To render atheistic. 
A'THEIZER,f n. One who atheizes. 
ATHE'NE, or ATHE'NA, n. Among 
the Greeks, the goddess of wisdom, of 
arts and sciences, known to the Romans 
as Minerva. In ornith., the name of a 
genus of owls, from the owl having 
been the attendant bird of Minerva. 
ATHER'MANOUS, a. [Gr. priv., and 
ft;u>>, heat.] A term applied to those 
substances which have the power of 
retaining all the heat which they re- 
ceive. Those bodies which transmit 
the heat they receive through their sub- 
stance are called diathermanous. 
ATHEROSPERMA'CEjE, n. A small 
nat. order, nearly allied to Monimiacete, 
and belonging to the monochlamydeons 
class of dicotyledonous plants; they 
have usually unisexual flowers, anthers 
opening by valves, several superior car- 
pels, the styles of which become fea- 
thery, and opposite leaves in short 
stipules. There are only three genera, 
two of which are from Australia, the 
third from Chili. All are fragrant. 
Doryophora sassafras is called sassa- 
fras in New Holland. 
ATHLE'T^E, ) n. [See ATKI.KTIC.] 
ATHLE'TES,} Among the Greeks 
and Romans, contenders at the public 
games for victory; wrestlers; boxers, &c. 
ATHLET'IALLY, adv. In a strong, 
robust, or athletic manner. 
ATHLE'TISM, ) n. The act of con- 
ATHLET'ICISM,) tending at the 
public games; muscular strength. [Rar. 
as.] 

A-THRE',t adv. In three parts. [Chau- 
cer.] 

ATHY'MIA, a. [Gr. > priv., and &BAW, 
courage.] Lowness of spirits ; despond- 
ency; melancholy. 

ATLAN'TA, n. A genus of heteropo- 
dous molluscs, found in the seas of all 
hot climates. The shell is very deli- 
cate, spirally rolled on itself, and having 
a thin and glassy operculum. 
AT'MOSPHERE, n. [add.] In & figura- 
tive sense, pervading influence; as, a 
moral atmosphere. 

ATMOSPHER'I ENGINE, n. A 
variety of steam-engine used only for 
pumping, and known also as the single- 
acting engine. The piston-rod is at- 
tached to one end of the beam, and the 
pump-rods to the other ; and the 
weight of these last are so adjusted as to 
be capable of draw ing the piston to the 
top of the cylinder, when steam of a 
pressure equal to that of the atmo- 
sphere is admitted below it. In this 
position the steam is condensed, and a 
vacuum thereby created under the pis- 
ton, which in consequence descends by 
the pressure of the atmosphere acting 
on the upper surface of it. 
ATMOSPHER'ie LINE (of a steam- 
pressure diagram), n. The line drawn 
by the pencil when the steam is shut off 
from the piston of the indicator, and it 



ATMOSPHERIC KA1LWAY 



ATRABILIAUY 



ATTEMPRE 



is acted on by the pressure of the atmo- 
sphere alone. The height of the steam- 
line above this shows the pressure of 
the steam, and the depth of the 
vacuum lino below shows the decree 
of condensation which is then taking 
place in the engine. 

ATM OSPHER'It PRESSURE, n. The 
weight of the atmosphere on a unit of 
surface, as a square inch. The mean 
atmospheric pressure referred to this 
unit is 147 Ibs. It is also measured by 
the height of a mercurial column which 
it supports in a barometer ; referred to 
this measurement, the atmospheric 
pressure is equal to 29'9 inches. 

ATMOSPHER'I RAILWAY, n. A 
railway so constructed that the motive 
power is derived from the pressure of 
the atmosphere. A continuous iron 
tube of uniform bore, about eighteen 
inches diameter, is laid along the mid- 
Fig, t. 




die of the line, parallel with the rails, 
and in this tube a piston A (tig. 1), of 
peculiar construction is contained, and 
gives motion to a traction vehicle in 
lead of the train of carriages to be pro- 
pelled, by virtue of the predominating 
atmospheric pressure behind it, induced 
by partially extracting the air from 
that end of the tube or main towards 
which it is advancing. To obtain a 



Flg.i. 




connection of the vehicle, the piston is 
provided with a long bar projecting 
backwards, and carrying a weight B, at 
its extremity, to balance the weight of 
the piston itself, and at the middle of 
its length a flat plate C, called the coul- 
ter, is attached, and projects upwards 
through a longitudinal slit in the tube : 
to this plate the traction vehicle is at- 
tached in any convenient way. The 
slit through which the coulter projects 
extends throughout the entire length 




of the tube, and is covered by a con- 
tinuous clack-valve D (in figs. 2 and 
3), consisting of a band of leather, 
strengthened with plates of iron. 
When no train is passing, this valve is 



close, as seen in fig. 3, and is made 
air-tight by some sealing composition 
(of wax and tallow) melted upon the 
loose edges, and it is protected from ex- 
ternal injury by a thin valve E (figs. 
2 and 3), attached also to the tube by a 
leather hinge. That the coulter may 
readily pass along the slit of the tube, 
without injuring the valve, four wheels 
or rollers F (seen in fig. 1), are at- 
tached to the piston-bar, so as to raise 
it sufficiently high to keep it clear of 
the coulter. After the coulter has 
passed, the valve is pressed down by 
the wheel G (fig. 3), and immediately 
sealed by the heater II, attached to the 
after-end of the vehicle. The propul- 
sion of the piston is effected, as already 
intimated, by partially exhausting the 
air from that end of the tube towards 
which it is advancing; which is done 
by means of an appropriate system of 
air-pumps worked by stationary power. 
The system, however, has not hitherto 
fulfilled the expectations of its pro- 
moters, and is therefore meantime 
abandoned. 

AT'OLL, ) n. The name given by the 
ATOL'LON,) natives of the Mal- 
dives to coral-islands, consisting of a 
strip or ring of coral surrounding a 
central lagoon. In yeography, it is 
applied to all coral-islands inclosing a 
lagoon. They are said to be simple if 
not encircled by reefs, or compound 
when they are so encircled. They pre- 
sent often an exceedingly picturesque 
appearance ; a comparatively narrow 
strip of coral-rock thinly coated with 
soil, and covered with a vigorous 




growth of cocoa-nut, pandanus, and 
bread-fruit trees, inclosing a large, 
still sheet of water, usually of con- 
siderable depth, and often well sup- 
plied with fish. The circle of coral is 
often complete, showing no apparent 
communication with the surrounding 
sea; at other times it is interrupted, 
and presents one or more openings, 
frequently of sufficient extent and 
depth to be used as a boat passage. 

ATOM'IClSMyf n. Atomism. 

ATONE', . t. [add.] In Sliah., to make 
at one ; to reconcile ; to make in con- 
cord. To atone together, to unite. 

ATON'IA, n. See ATONY. 

ATON'IC, a. [add.] In med., charac- 
terized by atony, or want of vital 
energy ; as, an atonic disease. 

ATON'K!, n. In gram., a word that has 
no accent. 

AT'ONY, n. [add.] Want of vital 
energy and strength of action in the 
heart and lungs. 

ATRABILAlRE'.t a. [Fr.] Melan- 
choly ; atrabiliary. 

ATKABII/IAKY, ) a. Melancholic, or 

ATRABIL'IOUS, $ hypochondriacal ; 
35 



from the supposed preponderance of 
black bile. Atrauilinri/ capsules, the 
renal or supra- renal glands or capsules. 
ATRABl'LIS, n. [L. from atra, and 
liitix.] Black bile, a thick, black, acrid 
fluid, supposed by the ancients to be 
secreted by the spleen, pancreatic, or 
atrabiliary capsules, but only a morbid 
state of the bile. 

ATKAMENTA'CEOUS, a. Black as 
ink. 
A'TRED.f a. (a'terd.) [L. ater.] Tinged 

with a black colour. 
AT'RIPLEX, n. [Gr. nej?., and r s i?i.., 
to nourish.] Orachc, a genus of plants. 
[See ORACIIE.] 

AT UOPOUS, a. [Gr. * priv., and { IT, 
to turn.] In hot., a term applied to the 
erect ovule. It is synonymous with 
orthotropous. 

ATTAC'CA, n. [It.] In music, a direc- 
tion which denotes that the next move- 
ment is to follow immediately, without 
any pause. 

ATTACH',!), t. [add.] To connect with, 
in a figurative sense ; as, to attack 
great importance to a particular cir- 
cumstance. 

ATTACH', r. t. [add.] To take hold of, 
in a literal sense ; as, to attach the hand 
of a lady. [Sliak.] 

ATTACH'MENT, . [add.] The pro- 
cess of foreign attachment, exists in 
London, Bristol, Exeter, Lancaster, 
and some other towns in England. In 
Scotland, this proceeding is called ar- 
restment. Attachment is also the name 
given to a process issuing in a summary 
manner from a court of record, against 
the person of any one guilty of a con- 
tempt of its rules ; 
as, against attorneys 
for malpractice, 
sheriffs for making 
a false or no return 
toawrit,and parties 
neglecting to pay 
costs, when ruled 
to do so. The term 
attachment is also 
used to signify that 
by which one thing 
is attached to an- 
other ; as, to cut the 
attachments of a 
muscle; also, some 
adjunct, attached to 
an instrument, ma- 
chine, or other object ; as, the Eolian 
attachment to the pianoforte. 
AT'TAGEN, n. [add.] A genus of birds 
(Syrrhaptes), of which the only known 
species is somewhat allied to the par- 
tridges. It is a native of the deserts of 
Central Asia, and is rarely met with in 
the south of Europe. 
ATTAIN'DER, n. [add.] By the act of 
3 and 4 Wm. IV., c. UXj, the conse- 
quences of attainder are limited to the 
life of the person attainted. Bill of 
attainder, the same as act of at- 

ATTAINT', n. Sig. 4. [add.] The writ of 
attaint was abolished by 4 Geo. IV., c. 
50. A corrupt juror is punishable by 
fine and imprisonment, upon an indict- 
ment or information. 

ATTAINT', a. Convicted; attainted. 
[Bare.] 

ATTAKE'.t ) . t. [Sax.] To overtake. 

ATAKE'.f } [Chaucer.] 

ATTAM'ED.f pp. [Fr. entarr.i.] Open- 
ed ; begun ; tasted ; felt ; disgraced. 
[Chaucer.] 

ATTEM'PRE.t a. (attem'per.) [Fr.] 
Temperate. [Chaucer.] 



ATTORNEY-GENERAL 



AUCTIVE 



AULOSTOMA 



ATTEMPT', v. i. To make an attack 
or a trial. 
ATTEMPT', v. t. [add.] To tempt. 

ATTEND'ANT, a. [add.] Attendant 
keys, in music, the keys or scales on the 
fifth above and fifth below, (or fourth 
above,) any key-note or tonic, con- 
sidered in relation to the key or scale 
on that tonic. 

ATTEND'ED, pp. [add.] In Shah., 
waited for ; as, to attend a person in 
secret ambush. 

ATTENT'.f n. Attention. [Spenser.] 
ATTEN'TION, n. [add.] The word of 
command given to soldiers before per- 
forming any exercise or evolution. 
ATTENT'LY, a. Attentively. 
ATTEN'UATE, a. [add.] In hot., at- 
tenuated; growing slender towards a 
point or extremity. 

ATTES'TIVE, a. Giving attestation ; 
attesting. 

ATTre, a. [add.] Marked by such 
qualities as were characteristic of the 
Athenians. An Attic style, a pure, 
classical, and elegant style. Attic dia- 
lect, the dialect of the ancient Greek 
language, used by the Athenians. 
ATTIRE', n. [add.] Attire as a botanical 
term is obsolete. 

ATTITUDE, n. [add.] The posture or 
position of a person, or the manner in 
which the parts of his body are disposed; 
as, a graceful attitude, a becoming atti- 
tude, an ungraceful or unbecoming atti- 
tude. The term is used particularly in 
relation to some purpose or emotion ; 
as, an attitude of defiance, a threatening 
attitude, an attitude of entreaty. 
ATTITUDINA'RIAN, n. One studious 
of attitudes. 

ATTITU'DINIZE, v. i. To assume af- 
fected attitudes, airs, or postures. 
ATTONE',f adv. (atton'.) Together; at 
once. [Spenser.] 

ATTORN', v. t. To turn or transfer the 
homage or service of a vassal or ten- 
ant. 

ATTORN'EY, n. [add.] An attorney is 
either public or private. A private 
attorney is one authorized to make 
contracts, and do other acts for his 
principal out of court, by an instru- 
ment called a letter of attorney. A 
public attorney, or attorney-at-law, is 
an officer of a court of record, legally 
qualified to prosecute and defend ac- 
tions in courts of law, on the retainer 
of clients. A solicitor differs from an 
attorney in practising in courts of 
equity, instead of common law. By 
an Act 6 and 7 Viet., c. 03, the whole 
of the laws relating to attorneys and 
solicitors were consolidated, and spe- 
cial care is taken to prevent un- 
qualified persons practising, and per- 
sons seeking to be admitted attorneys 
are subjected to a regular examination. 
Letter or power of attorney, an in- 
strument by which one person au- 
thorizes another to do some act for 
him ; as to execute a deed, to collect 
rents or debts, to sell estates, &c. 
ATTORN'EY-GENERAL, n. A minis- 
terial officer of the crown, specially 
appointed by letters patent. He is the 
public prosecutor on behalf of the 
crown; having general powers to act 
in all legal proceedings in which the 
crown is a party ; particularly to pro- 
secute in criminal matters affecting 
the state. The attorney-general has 
precedence of all other counsel, and 
the solicitor-general ranks next to 
him. 



ATTORN'EY - GENERALSHIP, n. i 

The office of attorney-general. 

ATTOUR'.f n. [Fr.] Head-dress. 
[Chaucer.] 

ATTRA'TIVE, n. That which draws 
or incites. 

AT'TRAHENS AU'RIS, n. [L. attraho, 
to draw to.] A muscle which draws 
the ear forwards and upwards. 

AT'THAHENT, n. That which draws 
to, or attracts; as a magnet. 2. In 
med., a substance formerly supposed to 
possess the property of drawing the 
humours to the part applied, but which 
in reality only excites action in the 
part, and thus may increase excretion, 
as a blister, sinapism, rubefacient, or 
suppurative. 

ATTRAPT'.f PP. Adorned. [Spenser.] 

AT'TRIBUTE, n. In paint, [add.] At- 
tributes are subordinate natural beings, 
or products of human workmanship, 
which serve to denote the character and 
action of the principal figures. 

ATTRITE', n. [add.] In Rom. Catholic 
theology, repentant only through fear 
of punishment. 

AT'TRY.f ) a- [Sax. cetran, to poi- 

ATTERLY.t) son.] Poisonous ; per- 
nicious; virulent. [Chaucer.] 

ATTONE', . t. [add.] In a figurative 
sense, to arrange fitly; to make accord- 
ant ; to bring into harmony with ; as, 
to attune the thoughts; to attune the 
heart ; to attune our aims to the Divine 
will. 

ATTCN'ED.pp. [add.] Made accordant, 
in a, figurative sense. 

ATTON'ING, ppr. [add.] Making ac- 
cordant, in a figurative sense. 

ATWEEL'. I wot well. 



A-TWINNE/f ) adv. (a-twin'.) In two; 
A-TWO',t ) asunder. [Chaucer.} 
ATWIST', a. Awry ; distorted. [Bar. 
us.] 

AT YA, n. A genus of crustaceous ani- 
mals, forming a peculiar subdivision of 
the shrimp family. One species (Atya 
scabra), is found in the mountain 
streams of some of the West Indian 
Islands. 

ATYP'I, a. [Gr. > priv., and n/w, a 
type.] Having no type ; irregular. [Rar. 
us.} 

AU. In words commencing with this 
syllable, the a has the broad sound, as 
in all. 

AUCHE'NIA, ?i. A genus of ruminat- 
ing animals, allied to the camel. The 
only distinct species are the llama, paco 
or alpaca, and vicugna or vicuna. 
AUCHT, ) v.t. To possess or belong to; 
AUGHT,) as, whae's aught it? to 
whom does it belong? [Scotch.] 
AUCHT, ) n. Possession ; property. In 
AUGIIT, j one's aught, in one's keep- 
ing or possession. [Scotch.] 
AU OURANT', a. [Fr.] Well ac- 
quainted with what is going on; ap- 
plied either to public or private mat- ; 
ters. 

AU'TION, t). t. To sell by auction. 
[Rar. us.] 

AUC'TION, n. [add.] Dutch auction, a 
method of public sale/ which consists 
in the offer of property at a price be- 
yond its value, and then gradually 
lowering or diminishing that price, un- 
til some one among the company agrees 
to become the purchaser. Auction- 
duty, a duty levied upon goods sold by 
auction. 

AU'TION-ROOM, n. A room where 
an auction is held. 

AUC'TIVE.f a. Of an increasing qua- 
lity. 



AU'TOUR,t n. [L. auctor.] A writer 
of credit. [Chaucer.] 

AUDIBILI'TY, n. Audibleness. [liar. 
us.\ 

AUD'IBLE, 71. The object of hearing. 
[Rar. us.] 

AUDIEN'DO ET TERMINAN'DO. 
[L.] In law, a writ or commission to 
certain persons, for appeasing and pun- 
ishing any insurrection or great riot. 

AUD'IT, v. i. To sum up. 

AUDI"TION,t n. A hearing. 

AUD'IT-OFFICE, n. The office where 
the commissioners for auditing the 
public accounts transact their business. 
It is at Somerset House, and is under 
the immediate control of the Lords of 
the Treasury. 

AUD'ITOR, n. [add.] The auditors of 
the exchequer, were officers appointed 
to take the accounts of receivers of 
public revenues. At present there is a 
board of six commissioners for auditing 
the public accounts. Two of them are 
empowered to examine persons on oath, 
and to do all acts concerning the audit 
of public accounts. Auditors are an- 
nually elected by the burgesses, under 
the municipal corporations act, two for 
each borough. They audit the borough 
accounts half-yearly, and must not be 
members of the council. 

AUDIT'UAL, a. Related to hearing. 
[Rar. us.] 

AU FAIT, (o' fa'.) [Fr.] literally, ac- 
quainted with ; up to the accomplish- 
ment of anything; that is, master of 
it ; perfectly able to perform it. 

AU'GER-SHELL, n. The shells of the 
genus Terebra are popularly so called. 

AUGET', n. [Fr.] A tube filled with 
powder, and extending from the cham- 
ber of a mine to the extremity of the 
gallery ; used in exploding mines. 

AUGMENT'ATIVE.n. A word formed 
to express greatness. 

AU'GURING, ppr. or a. Prognosticat- 
ing ; prescient ; as, auguring hope. 

AU'GURIST, n. An augur. [Rar. us.] 

AU'GURSHIP, n. The office, or period 
of office, of an augur. 

AUGUST'INES. See AUOUSTINS. 

AUGUST'LY, adv. In an august man- 
ner. 

AULA'RIAN, a. [L. aula, a hall.] Re- 
lating to a hall. 

AULD, a. Old. [Scotch.] 

AULD LANG SYNE. A phrase used 
to express days, or times long since 
past. [Scotch.] 

AULD-WARLD, a. Old-fashioned; 
ancient; antique. 

AU'LI, a. [add.] The aulic council of 
the former German empire, became 
extinct when that empire was dissolved 
in 1806. There is, however, an aulic 
council at Vienna, for the affairs of the 
war department of the Austrian em- 
pire. It consists of twenty-five coun- 

AULMONIERE, n. [Fr.] A purse. 

AULN, n. (awn.) A French cloth-mea- 
sure. [See AUNE.] 

AUL'NAGE,t n. (aw'-naj.) Measure- 
ment by the ell. [See ALNAGE.] 

AUL'NAGER, n. See AJ.NAOF.K. 

AULOS'TOMA, n. [Gr. <,>., a pipe, 
<TT/.IX, a mouth.] A genus of acanthop- 




terygious fishes, including the pipe- 
mouthed fishes, or those species which 



AUSPICIAL 



AUTOCARPOUS 



AVAUNT 



are characterized by a mouth which is 
lengthened into the form of a pipe or 
tube. 

AUMAYLD'.t in'- [See AUMAIL.] En- 
amelled. [ajpmMr.J 

A UM'BLE.f n. See AMBLE. 

AU'MENEK.t) [Fr. aiimonicre.] A 

AT MF.KK.t j purse. [Chaucer.] 

AUNT, n. [add.] A procuress ; any old 
woman. f.S'/iafl.] 

AUN'TER, for A VENTURE. [Chau- 
cer.] 

AUN'TROUS, for ADVENTROUS. 
[Chaucer.] 

AU'RA, n. [add.] Among physicians, a 
peculiar sensation resembling that pro- 
duced by a current of air. Epileptic 
aura (aura epileptica), a sensation as of 
a current of air, rising from some part 
of the body to the head, preceding an 
attack of epilepsy. Electric aura, a 
term expressive of electricity, as re- 
ceived from a point, from the sensa- 
tion it communicates. 

AU'RA],, a. Pertaining to the air. 

AU'REATE, a. [add.] Same as AUUATE. 

AURE'LIAN, n. An amateur collector 
and breeder of insects, particularly of 
the Lepidoptera. 

AURU/ITLAR, a. [add.] Pertaining to 
the aunclcs of the heart. Auricular 
feathers, in birds, the circle of feathers 
surrounding the opening of the ear. 

AURKTULATE, a. [add.] In conchol., 
a term applied to certain bivalves, 
which have a flat, angulated projection 
on one or both sides of the umbones or 
bosses ; most developed in the pectens. 

AURI'GAL, a. Pertaining to a chariot 
or carriage. [ Har. us.] 

AURIG'RAPHY, n. [L. aurum, gold, 
and Gr. ><{?, to write.] The art of 
writing with gold instead of ink. 

AURISALF'IUM, n. [L.] See Au- 

BISCALP. 

AU'RITED, a. [L. auritus.] Eared; 
auriculate; having lobes or append- 
ages like an ear; a term used both in 
hot. and zool. 

AU'RIUM TIN'NITUS, n. [L.] A 
ringing noise in the ears. 

AU'ROH,n. [add.] This species of wild 
bull was once abundant, roaming in 
herds over many parts of the continent 
of Europe, preferring the neighbour- 
hood of extensive forests. The exten- 




Auroch, Hot tti 

Bion of civilization has reduced its num- 
bers, and were it not for the protection 
afforded to a few herds of this species 
by the Emperor of Russia, it would 
soon be extinct. A noble stuffed speci- 
men, presented by the Emperor of 
Russia, exists in the collection of the 
British Museum. 

AURUNG', H. In India, the place where 
goods are manufactured. 

ATJS'ULTATOR, . One who prac- 
tises auscultation. 

AU'SPIATORY, a. Of or belonging 
to auspices or omens. 

AUSP1"CIAL, a. Relating to prog- 
nostics or omens. 



AUSTRALA'SIAN, a. Relating to 
Australasia. 

AUSTRALA'SIAN, n. A native of 
Australasia. 

AUSTRALIA, n. The name of the 
largest island in the world, otherwise 
called New Holland. It is sometimes 
improperly applied to all the oceanic 
regions between Asia and America. 
In this latter sense the word is sub- 
stituted for Australasia, or the fifth 
division of the globe, which properly 
includes only the islands extending 
from Papua or New Guinea to lat. 50 
S., and from long. 110 to 180 E., the 
principal of which are Papua, Australia, 
Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, 
New Caledonia, &c. 

AUSTRALIAN, a. Pertaining to Aus- 
tralia or to New Holland. 

AUSTRALIAN, n. A native of Aus- 
tralia. 

AU'TARCHY, n. [Gr. ,,, self, and 
"!Xi> government.] A government by 
one; self-sufficiency. 

AU'TER,f n. [Fr.] Altar. [Chaucer.] 

AU'TER-VIE, n. (o'ter vee.) [Law 
Fr.] Another's life. Tenant pour outer- 
vie, one who holds an estate by the life 
of another. 

AUTHEN'TIC, ) a. [add.] Genu- 

AUTHEN'TIAL,j ine; real; ap- 
plied to persons ; as, an authentic au- 
thor ; an authentic sage ; an authentic 
wit. In law, vested with all due 
formalities ; executed by the proper 
authorities, and legally attested. In 
music, having an immediate relation 
to the key-note or tonic; in distinction 
from plagal, having a corresponding 
relation to the fifth or dominant, in the 
octave below the key-note. Authentic 
melodies, those which have their prin- 
cipal notes between the key-note and 
its octave, in distinction from plagal 
melodies, which have their principal 
notes in the octave below the fifth of 
the key. Authentic moods or tones, in 
the ancient church music, the four 
moods introduced by St. Ambrose, in 
which the principal notes of the melo- 
dies are confined within the octave 
above the key-note, in distinction from 
the plagal moods or tones introduced 
by Gregory the Great, in which the 
principal notes of the melodies are con- 
fined within the octave below the fifth 
of the key. Authentic cadence, the 
same as perfect cadence. [See under 
PERFECT.] Plagal cadence, the chord 
or harmony of the fourth or sub-domin- 
ant, followed by that of the tonic. 

AUTHEN'TIATE, . t. [add.] To 
determine as genuine ; as, to authenti- 
cate a portrait. 

AUTHEN'TILY, adv. Authentically. 
[Rar. vs.] 

AUTHEN'TIS, n. An extract from 
the novels of Justinian, by which a law 
of the code is either changed or abo- 
lished. 

AU'THORISM.n. Authorship; quality 
of an author. [Rar. us.] 

AU'THORIZABLE, a. That may be 
authorized. 

AU'THORLESS, a. Without an author. 

AU'THORLY, a. Belonging to an 
author. [Rar. us.] 

AUTOBIOG'RAPHER, n. One who 
writes his own life. 

AUTOBIOGRAPH'I, a. Same as 
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL. 

AUTOBIOG'RAPHIST, n. Same as 

AUTOBIOGRAPHER. 

AUTOARP'OUS, instead of AUTO- 
ARP'IOUS. 

37 



AUTOeH'THON, n. plur. Autoch- 
thones, [add.] An aboriginal or native. 
2. That which is original to a par- 
ticular country, or which had there its 
first origin. 

AUTOH'THONAL, ) a. Indige- 

AUTOCH'THONOUS.) nous. 

AUTORAT'IALLY, adv. In the 
manner of an autocrat. 

AUTO'RATOR, n. An autocrat; a 
person invested with absolute inde- 
pendent power, by which he is ren- 
dered unaccountable for his actions. 

AUTOCRATOR'IAL, a. Pertaining 
to an autocrat ; supreme ; absolute ; as, 
autocratorical power. 

AUTOe'RATRICE,n. A female abso- 
lute sovereign. 

AU'TORATSHIP, n. The office of an 
autocrat. 

AUTOG'ENOUS SOLDERING, n. 
The process of uniting pieces of metal 
by the fusion of part of their own sub- 
stance. 

AUTOG'RAPHAL, a. Same asAuio- 

ORAPHICAL. 

AUTOG'RAPHY, n. A process in 
lithography, by which a writing or 
drawing is transferred from paper to 
stone. 

AUTOM'ATAL, a. Same as AUTOMA- 
TIC. 

AU'TOPISTY, n. [Gr. ,.,, self, and 
writ, faith.] Internal worthiness of 
belief; the quality of credibility exist- 
ing in itself independent of external 
circumstances. 

AUTOP'SIA, n. [Gr. ,,, self, and 
oTrctixi, to see.] Post-mortem examina- 
tion; inspection of the body after 
death. 

NOTE. Autopsia and its derivatives 
are rarely used except by medical 
writers. 

AUTOTHE'ISM, n. The doctrine of 
the self-existence of God. [Rar. us.] 

AU'TUMN, n. [add.] In pop. Ian., 
autumn comprises August, September, 
and October. 

AUXET'I,t a. Amplifying; increas- 
ing. 

AUXIL'IAR.1 n. An auxiliary. 

AUXIL'IAR, ) a. [odd.] Auxiliary 

AUXILIARY, J rerft,averb that assists 
in the conjugation of other verbs. [See 
the JVoim.J Auxiliary scales, in music, 
the six keys or scales, consisting of any 
key major, with its relative minor, and 
the attendant keys of each. 

AUXIL'IARLY, adv. By means of aid 
or help. 

AVADAV'AT, n. An East Indian bird, 
much kept by the natives in cages, on 
account of its pretty plumage. 

AVAlL'.f v. t. See AVALE. 

AVALE'.t i). t. [Fr. avaler.] To let 
down ; to lower, as a sail ; to cause to 
descend ; to depress ; to make abject. 

AVALE'.f v. i. To fall, as rain, or the 
tide ; to descend ; to dismount. 

AVANCE'.f ' (avans'.) [Fr.] To 
advance ; to profit. [Chaucer.] 

AVANT'.f " [Fr.] Boast. [Chaucer.] 

AVANT'AGE.f 11. Advantage. [Chau- 
cer.] 

AVANT' COU'RIER, instead of A- 
VANT' COUREUR. 

AVANTE'.f t). i. (avanf.) [Fr.] To 
boast. [Chaucer.] 

AVATAR', or AVA'TAR. 

AVATA'RA, instead of AVATARA. 

AVAUNC'EMENT,f n. Advancement. 

AVAUNT', t v. i. To come before; to 
advance. 

AVAUNT'.f adv. [Fr.] Forward. 
[Chaucer.] 



AVERSIVE 



A-WHEELS 



AXIS 



AVATJNT'.f ) _ . 

AVAUNT'ANCE,t>H. Boasting. 
AVAUNT'RY.t ) 
AVAUNT'ING.t ppr. [See VAUNT.] 
Boasting. [Spenser.] 
A'VE, n. An ave-mary. 
AVELL',ti>.<. [L.aeHo.l Topullaway. 
A'VE-MA'RY, or A'V-MARI'A, n. 
[add.] In Rom. Catholic countries, a par- 
ticular time, about half-an-hour after 
sunset, and also at early dawn, when 
the bells ring, and the people repeat 
the ave-mary. 

AVENAUNT'.f [*>] Becoming; 
well-looking. [Chaucer.] 
AVENGE',} n. Kevenge. 
AVENGE'FUL, a. Revengeful. [Rar. 
us.] 

AV'ENS, n. Geum, a genus of plants. 
Common avens, or herb-bennet, is 
G. urbanum. Its root has been em- 
ployed as a gentle styptic, corroborant, 
and stomachic, and it is also esteemed 
on the Continent as a febrifuge. The 
root of G. rivals, or water-avens, is in 
high estimation in America in the cure 
of intermittents, and has been alleged 
by some to be as efficacious as Peruvian 
bark. Mountain-avens is a species of 
Dryas, the D. octopetala. 
AVENTAYLE', ) n. (aventayl'.) Sec 
AVENTAILE', ) VENTAIL in Diet. 
AVEN'TRED.f pp. [Fr.] Adventured. 
[Spenser.] 

AVEN'TRING, ppr. Adventuring ; 
pushing forward. [Spenser.] 
AVENT'URINE, n. A brownish - 
coloured glass, interspersed with 
spangles, formerly manufactured at 
Venice, and employed for many orna- 
mental purposes. It derived its pe- 
culiar brilliancy from the presence of 
copper-filings. 

A'VER, n. See AITER in this Swpp. 
AVER', v. t. [add.] In law, to otter to 
verify. [See AVERMENT.] 
AVERAGE, n. [add.] Average, in the 
ordinary use of the term, may be de- 
nned, a quantity intermediate to a num- 
ber of quantities, so that the sum-total 
of its excesses above those which are 
less, is equal to the sum-total of its de- 
fects from those which are greater. 
Hence, to find the average of any num- 
ber of quantities, add them all together, 
and divide the sum by the number of 
quantities : thus 7 is the average of the 
six numbers, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 14, for 
the sum of these is 42, and 42 divided 
by 6 gives 7. The average quantity is 
a valuable test of the goodness or bad- 
ness of any particular lot, when there 
is a perfect similarity of circumstances 
in the things compared ; but its value 
diminishes as the quantities averaged 
vary more from each other. Averages, 
in the corn trade, is the average .1 mom it 
of prices of the several kinds of grain 
in the principal corn-markets. Gene- 
ral average, in maritime law. [See Diet. 
AVERAGE, Sig. 1.] Every species of loss 
incurred on any part of a ship's cargo 
in the course of the voyage, is some- 
what loosely termed average, or par- 
ticular average. 

AVERAGE, a. [add.] Estimated upon 
a medium or mean proportion. 
AVERX'NO, n. Brazilian birds of th< 
family Ampelida3 and genus Casmarhyn 
chug, which have no feathers on th 
throat. 

AVER ORN, n. In lam, a rent pai 
in corn. 

AVERDUPOIS'. See AVOIRDUPOIS. 
AVER'SIVE.f a. Averse; turnin 
away. 



^VICEN'NIA, n. [add.] This genus 
forms the small group Avicenniea) of 
the nat. order Verbenaceae. 

AVI'ULA, n. A genus of bivalve mol- 
lusca, of which one species (A. hirunilo) 
is occasionally met with on our coasts. 
Several species are met with in a fossil 
state. 

AVID, a. Eager; greedy. [Rar. us.] 

AVID'IOUS, a. Eager; greedy. 

\ VIN'CULO MATRIMO'NII. [L.] 
In law, from the bonds of matrimony; 
a form of divorce. 

AVIS',t n. [Fr.] Advice. [Chaucer.] 

AVISAND'.f ppr. [Fr.] Observing. 
[Chaucer.] 

AVISDE',f PP. Advised; considered; 
bethought. [Spenser.] 

AVISE.t v. i. [add.] To see ; to look ; 
to observe To avise one's self, to be- 
think one's self. [Spenser.] 

AVlS'ING.f ppr. Observing; looking 
upon. [Spenser.] 

AVI"SION,tn- Vision. [Chaucer.] 

AVIZD.f pret. of Avise or Adze. 
Saw. [Spenser.] 

A V I Z E'F IJ L L,f a- Circumspect. 
[Spenser.] 

AVOCA'DO. See AVIOATO. 

AV'OCAT, n. [Fr.] An advocate, a 
name given to the higher class of French 
lawyers. 

A.VOCATE, v. t. [add.] To remove 
authoritatively from an inferior to a 
superior court. 

AVO'ATIVE,f a. Calling off. 

AV'OLATE,t v. i. To fly away ; to 
escape ; to exhale. 

AVOOE', n. [Fr.] In France, originally 
a protector of a church or religious 
community ; but at present applied to 
the lower class of French lawyers. 

AVOUR'.t I [*" r - avouer.] Confes- 

AVOURE',t 5 sion ; acknowledgment. 
[Spenser.] 

AVOU'TERER,t ) n. [Fr.] An adul- 

AVOU'TRER,f ) terer. [Chaucer.} 

AVOU'TERIE,t ) n. Adultery. [CJtau- 

AVOU'TRIE.f j cer.] 

AVOW'ABLY.f adv. In an avowable 
manner. 

AVOWAL, n. [add.] The owning or 
acknowledgment of a thing. 

AVUL'SION, n. [add.] In law, a term 
applied where lands are, by an inunda- 
tion, or current, torn off from property 
to which they originally belonged, and 
gained to the estate of another; or 
where a river changes its course, and 
instead of continuing to flow between 
two properties, cuts off part of one and 
joins it to the other. The property of 
the part thus separated continues in 
the original proprietor, in which re- 
spect avulsion differs from alluvion. 
AWAITE', n. (await'.) [Fr.] Watch. 
[Chaucer.] 

AWAKE'NING,.[add.] Act of awak- 
ing. 

AWAKE'NING, ppr. Rousing from 
sleep ; alarming. 

AWAKE'NINGLY, adv. In a manner 
to awaken. 

AWAP'ED.f pp. [Sax. wafian.] Con- 
founded; stupified. [Chaucer.] 
AWE, v. t. [add.] To dread. 
AWE, n. [add.] Overawing influence. 
AWE, v. t. To owe. [Scotch.] 
AWE'-COMPEL'LING, a. Enforcing 
awe. 

AWEEL', adv. Well. [Scotch.] 
AWHAPE'.f v. t. [add.] To terrify 
[Spenser.] 

AWHAP'ED.t pp. Terrified. [Spen 
ser.] 

A-\VHEELS,t adv. On wheels. 
38 



AWM'BRY, n. See AMBRY. 
AW'MOUS, n. Alms. [Scotch.] 
AWN, or A WIN, ppr. Owing. [ Scotch.] 
AWREKE'.f v. t. (arek'.) [Sax. aw- 
recan.] To wreak; to persecute; to 
take vengeance on; to avenge. [Chau- 
cer.] 

A WSOME,. Awful ; terrible. [Scotch.] 
AX, ) v. t. The old English verb for 
AXE, ) ask. It is still in use in various 
parts of England among the common 
people. 

AXAYA'CATL, instead of AXAYA'- 
CAT. 

AXE'-SHAPED, a. In hot., having a 
resemblance to an axe or hatchet ; do- 
labriform. 
AXE'-STONE, . See in Diet, after 

AXOTOMOUS. 

AX'IAL LINE, n. The name given by 
Faraday to the line in which the mag- 
netic force passes from one pole of a 
horse-shoe magnet to the other. 
AX'IALLY, adv. According to, or in a 
line with the axis. 

AXIL'LA, n. [L.] The arm-pit. [See 
AXIL.] 

AXIOMATIC, a. [add.] Consisting of 
axioms. 

AX'IS, n. [add.] In hot., the root and 
stem of the whole plant ; the central 
part or column around which the other 
parts are disposed ; divided into the 
ascending axis, or stem, and the de- 
scending axis, or root, which two are 
united by the collum or neck. Axis of 
rotation, the line about which a body 
turns. Axis of symmetry, a line on 
both sides of which the parts of the 
body are disposed in the same man- 
ner, so that to whatever distance the 
body extends in one direction from 
the axis, it extends as far in the direc- 
tion exactly opposite. The middle line 
of a cone, the diameter of a sphere, the 
line drawn through the middle of the 
opposite faces of a cube, are examples 
of axes of symmetry. Axis of refrac- 
tion, the straight line drawn perpen- 
dicular to the surface of the refracting 
medium, through the point of incidence 
of the refracted ray. Some crystals 
have two axes of refraction. Aris of a 
lens, a straight line drawn through the 
optical centre of the lens, and perpen- 
dicular to both its surfaces. Axis of a 
spherical, concave, or convex mirror, a 
straight line which passes through the 
geometrical and optical centres of the 
mirror. Axis of a beam of light, the 
middle ray of the beam. Axis of a 
magnet, the imaginary line which con- 
nects the north and south poles of the 
magnet. Anticlinal axis, the imaginary 
line lying between the strata that dip 
In opposite directions; or it is the line 
of common section made by the meet- 
ing of the strata. [See ANTICLINAL.] 
Axis of rotation, or axis of revolution. 
In mech., the axis of rotation is the axis 
about which all the parts of a rotating 
body turn ; the axis of revolution is 
the axis about which a revolving body 
moves. The axis of rotation is in the 
body itself; the axis of revolution is at 
the centre of the circle, or other curve, 
in which the body is moving. These 
terms, which are often confounded, are 
exemplified by the motions of the earth, 
which rotates on its own axis, and re- 
volves about a line passing through the 
sun's centre, and perpendicularly to the 
orbit in which it moves. 
AX'IS, n. A species of Indian deer, the 
Cervus axis, of which there are two or 
three varieties. The body of the com- 



BABOON 



UACARIA 



BACILLAK1A 



nmn axis is beautifully marked with 
white spots. 

AX'LED, . Furnished with an axle. 

AX'OLOTL, instead of AXOLOTE, 
n. [add.] The axolotls constitute the 
genus Axolotes. They belong to the 
true amphibiic, having permanent Kills 
or branehi.T, and also lungs. The 
axolotl of the Mexicans (A. cdulis) is 
sold in the markets of Mexico, and 
is esteemed a great luxury by the in- 
habitants; another species has been 
lately described in the annals of na- 
tural history. 

AY, ) adv. [add.] Indeed; noting anger 

AYE, } and reproach, or slight surprise. 

AY'AH, n. In the East Indies, a native 
waiting-woman, or lady's-maid. 

AYE-AYE, n. A singular nocturnal 
quadruped found in Madagascar, the 
Ckeiromys Madagascarii'iisis. In its 
habits it resembles the sloth, but it is 




Aye-aye, Chclromya 



classed by some naturalists with the 
monkey tribe, from the hand-like struc- 
ture of its hinder feet. Cuvier places 
it among the rodent animals after the 



squirrels. It is about the size of a 
hare, and is called aye-aye by the na- 
tives, from its peculiar cry. 

AYEN'.f ) adv. or prep. Again ; 

AYEN'ST.f) against. [Chaucer.] 

AYEN'WARD.f adv. Back; backward. 
[Chaucer.] 

AY'GULETS,t n. plnr. [Fr. aiguilelle.] 
Tagged points. [Siienser.] 

AYUNTAMlEN'TO.n. [Sp.] In Spain 
and Spanish America, a corporation, or 
body of magistrates in cities and towns. 

AZA'LEA, n. [Gr. i*x<, dry, from * 
neg., and C, to live.J A genus of 
plants, nat. order Ericacere. A. pro- 
cumbens is the only species ; it is a 
British plant, growing on dry heathy 
ground on many of the Highland moun- 
tains. Many beautiful species of rho- 
dodendron, with deciduous leaves, are 
also known under the name of azalea 
in gardens; these are principally from 
North America, but what is called A. 
Pontica, is a native of Asia Minor; it 
possesses poisonous properties. 

AZELA'IC ACID, n. An acid obtained 
by treating oleic with nitric acid. It 
closely resembles suberic acid. 

AZOBENZO'IDINE, n. A chemical 
compound derived from benzoyle. 

AZOBENZO'ILIDE, . A chemical 
compound derived from benzoyle, iso- 
meric with azobenzoidine. 

AZOBEN'ZOYLE. See AZOBENZULE. 

AZOERYTH'RINE, n. A colouring 
principle obtained from the archil of 
commerce. 

AZO'I, a. [Gr. priv., and CM,, life.] 
Destitute of organic life. 

AZO'LEIC ACID, n. An acid formed 
by the action of nitric acid on oleic acid. 
It occurs in the form of an oily liquid. 



AZOLIT'MINE.M. A colouring matter 
of a deep blood-red colour obtained 
from litmus. 

A'ZOTANE, n. Chloride of azote. 

AZOT'1 ACID, n. Same as NITRIC 
ACM>. 

AZOT'IC GAS, n. Nitrogen, or nitro- 
gen gas. 

AZ'OTIZED, pp. or a. [add.] Those 
articles of food which contain the least 
quantity of azote are least adapted by 
themselves to afford nourishment to 
the solid fabric of the body ; whilst 
those which, like meat of various kinds, 
are almost exclusively composed of 
azotized compounds, are the most cap- 
able of serving this purpose. Saccha- 
rine and oleaginous matters are termed 
non-azotized substances, and are in- 
capable by themselves of supporting 
animal life. 

AZO'TOUS ACID, n. Nitrous acid. 

AZ'RAEL, n. The name given by the 
Turks and Arabs to the angel of 
death. 

AZUL'MIC ACID, n. The name given 
to the black matter deposited during 
the decomposition of prussic acid. It 
is very similar to ulmic acid. 

AZ'UKE, 7i. and a. More usually written 
A'ZURE (pron. azhur). 

A'ZURE, v. t. instead of AZ'URE. 

A'ZURED, A'ZURE-STONE, A'ZU- 
RITE, A'ZURE-TINTED, A'ZURN, 
instead of AZ'URED, AZ'URE- 
STONE, &c. 

A'ZURINE, n. The elegant blue plum- 
aged maluri, small birds found in 
Australia, are sometimes so called. A 
species of fresh-water fish found in 
Lancashire (the Leuciscvs cceruleus), is 
so called from its colour. 



B. 



Bfadd.] ToknowaBfromabiiirsfoot. 
It is a very common phrase to say, 
" He does not know a B from a bull's 
foot," meaning that a person is very 
illiterate, or very ignorant. The term 
buir* foot is most probably chosen for 
the sake of the alliteration, or from old 
pictorial letters, where B was repre- 
sented by a bull. 

BA', n. A ball; a hand-ball or foot-ball. 
[Scotch.] 

BAB, n. A bunch ; a tassel. [Scotch.] 

BA'BA, n. In the East Indies, a lady. 

BAB'BLER, . Two or three species of 
soft-billed birds are so called. They 
are famed for their fine song. 

BABIA'NA, n. A genus of Cape plants, 
nat. order Iridaceaj. Among the species 
are some of the handsomest of the Cape 
bulbous plants. They have narrow- 
plaited sword-shaped leaves, and the 
flowers are yellow, purple, and scarlet, 
of considerable size, and extremely 
handsome. 

BAB'ILLARD, n. The name of a small 
insectivorous passerine bird, the Cur- 
rucit garrula, also called lesser white- 
throat, nettle-creeper, &c. 

BABIROUS'SA. See BABYROUSSA. 

BABI'SHNESS, n. Childishness. 

BA'IMK),) n. A Hindoo title of respect 

BA'BU, ) paid to gentlemen, equiva- 
lent to master, sir. 

BABOON', n. [add.] The baboons have 



been considered by more recent zoolo- 
gists as constituting a genus of quad- 
rumana, or four - handed mammals, 
forming the last link in the chain that 
unites the Simiffi, properly so called, 
with the lower animals. The baboons 
are of a gloomy and sullen temper, and 
they exhibit a considerable degree of 
ferocity when attacked. The wan- 
deroo, magot, gray baboon, mandrill, 
and drill are species. 

BABU. See BABOO. 

BA'BY-FEATURED,a. Having infan- 
tine features. 

BA'BYISM, n. The state or quality of a 
baby. 

BA'BY-JUMPER, n. A strong band of 
galvanized caoutchouc, usually suspend- 
ed from the roof of a room, with a seat, 
in which a little child may be securely 
fastened, attached to it. When the 
child's feet touch the ground and par- 
tially support its weight, the caout- 
chouc band contracts, and thus a jump- 
ing or bobbing motion is produced. 

BABYLO'NISH, a. See BABYLONIAN. 

BAB'YLONITE, n. A name given to 
the arrow-shaped Babylonish charac- 
ter. 

BA'BYSHIP, n. The state or condition 
of a baby. 

BACA'RIA, n. A genus of composite 

plants. B. spinoza is an interesting 

plant, growing well in peat and loam. 

39 



B AALATI'REUS, n. [I,.] A bachelor 
of arts. 

BACCHANA'LIA, n. plur. [L.] Feasts 
or festive rites in honour of Bacchus. 
[See BACCHANALS.] 

BA'HANT, instead of BAC- 
CHANT', 7i. [add.] A mad priest of 
Bacchus. 

BAHAN'TES, instead of BAC- 
CHANTE'S. 

BAC'CHICAL, a. Same as BACCHIC. 

BAC'CHUS-BOLE, n. A plant pro- 
ducing large flowers. 

BACE.f a. [See BASE.] Low. [Spen- 
ser.] 

BACE,-H n Thegameofjin'soncrVtae, 

BASE, ) more generally written base. 
[See BASF..] 

BACH'ELER.f 71. A bachelor; aknight. 
[Chaucer.] 

BACH'ELERIE,f n. Knighthood; 
knights. [Chaucer.] 

BACH'ELORISM, n. The state of a 
bachelor. 

BACH'ELOR'S BUTTONS, n. The 
popular name of a plant of the genus 
Ranunculus, the R. acris, or common 
butter-cup, but with double flowers. 
It has yellow blossoms. A white one, 
sometimes, but improperly, also so 
called, is It. aconitifoKut, but the more 
usual popular name of this last is fair 
maids of France. 

BACILLA'RIA,7i. An extensive family 



BACK-WATER 



BAGGAGE 



BAIL 



of infusorial animalcula, constituted by 
Ehrenberg. 

BACIL'LUS, n. [L.] In hot., the name 
given by Link to the cotyledon of the 
hyacinth. In zool., a genus of Phas- 
mid.f, or walking-stick insects. 
BACK, M. In breweries, &c., a water-cis- 
tern or reservoir. The liquor-bach in a 
brewery, is the water-reservoir. 

BACK, adv. [add.] Sack is often used 
in familiar language for ago ; as, a little 
while back, that is, a short time ago. 

BACK, v. t. [add.] In seamanship, to 
back a vessel is to make her move astern. 
A sailing vessel is backed by means of 
the sails, and a steamer by reversing 
the motion of the paddles, or screw- 
propeller, or, in other words, by back- 
ing the engine. To bach the field, in 
horse-racing, is to bet against a particu- 
lar horse or horses, that some one of all 
the other horses in the field will beat 
them. To back out, a current phrase, [ 
signifying to retreat from a difficulty, 
to refuse to fulfil a promise or engage- 
ment. 

BACK, ) n. A coal-scuttle. Ass- 

BACK'ET, ) backet, a scuttle for ashes. 
[Scotch.] 

BACK'- BOARD, n. [add.] A board at- 
tached to the rim of a water-wheel, to 
prevent the water from running off the 
floats or paddles into the interior of 
the wheel. 

BACK'-BOXES, n.plur. The boxes on 
the top of the upper case, used for 
printers' types, usually appropriated to 
small capitals. 

BACK'-CHAIN, n. A chain that passes 
over the cart-saddle of a horse, to sup- 
port the shafts. 

BACK'ER, n. [add.] One who backs or 
supports another in a contest. 

BACK'-FILLING, n. The act of re- 
storing to its place earth which has 
been removed ; the earth so restored. 

BACK'-GROUND, n. [add.] In paint., 
the space behind a portrait, or group of 
figures. 

BACK'ING, n. In horsemanship, the 
operation of breaking a colt for the 
saddle. 2. In book-binding, the prepar- 
ing of the back of a book with glue, 
&c., before putting on the cover. 

BACK'ING-UP, u. A term used in 
cricket, and certain other games, 
for stopping the ball and driving it 
back. 

BACK'-LASH, n. In mech., the reaction 
upon each other of a pair of wheels 
produced by irregularities of velocity, 
when the load is not constant, or the 
moving power is not uniform. 

BACK'LINS.adt). Backward?. [Scotch.] 

BACK'-LOOK, n. Retrospective view; 
as, to take a back-look. [Scotch.] 

BACK'-PARLOUR, n. A parlour in 
the back part of a house. 

BACK'-ROPES, n. See MARTINGALE. 

BACK'SIDE, 71. Sig. 3. [add.J An old 
law term. 

BACKSLI'DING, ppr. or a. Aposta- 
tizing from faith or practice ; falling 
insensibly from religion into sin or 
idolatry. 

BACK'-SPEED, n. In mech., a second 
speed-gear of a lathe, which can be 
brought into action on the fore-speed, 
and second series of speeds of the 
spindle be thereby obtained. 

BACK'-STAY, n. In printing, a strap 
of leather used to cheek the carriage 
of a printing-press. 

BACK'-TRICK, n. A mode of attack- 
ing behind. 

BACK'-WATER, n. A current of water 




from the inland, which clears off the 
deposit of sand, &e., left by the action 
of the sea ; water in a stream which, 
in consequence of some obstruction be- 
low, flows back up the 
stream . In hydraulics, 
the rise of water in the 
tail-race of a wheel, 
&c., in consequence of 
the used water not 
being allowed to flow 
freely away. The term 
is applied whenever the 
tail-water rises above 
its usual level in con- 
sequence of floods, &c.j 
or of its having too 
little clearance to get 
away. 

BACK'-YARD, n. A 
yard behind a house. 
BA'ULITE, n. [add.] 
The baculites are poly- 
thalamous, or many- 
chambered cephalopoda, 
belonging to the family 
of Ammonites. The spe- 
cies are only known in 
a fossil state. The shell 
is straight, more or less 
compressed, conical, and 
very much elongated. 
Thechambersare sinuous, 
and pierced by a mar- 
ginal siphon. The exter- 
nal chamber is consider- 
ably larger than the rest. 
BAC'ULUS, ) n. [L.] A 
BAC'ULUM,) staff; a 
stick ; a sceptre. 

BADG'ER, n. [add.] The badgers, 
though belonging to the bear family,now 
constitute a separate genus, the Meles 
of Cuvier. M. vulgarly is the common 
badger ; M. Labradorica, the American 
badger. 

BADG'ER, v. t. To follow up, or pur- 
sue with great eagerness, as the badger 
is hunted ; to pester ; to worry ; to tease. 
BADG'ERING, n. The practice of 
buying corn or victuals in one place, 
and selling them in another for profit. 
The Act 7 and 8 Viet., c. 24, utterly 
abolished the offence of badgering. 
BADl6'EON,insteadofBADlGE'ON. 
[add.J Also, a mixture of saw-dust and 
glue, used by joiners to fill up defects 
in their work. The same name is given 
to a preparation for colouring houses, 
consisting of powdered stone, saw-dust, 
slaked lime, alum, &c. 
ByE'CKIA, n. A genus of interesting 
plants, natives of New Holland. Nat. 
order Myrtacese. 

B^EOM'YCES, n. [Gr. /S,w, small, 
and prow, fungus.] A genus of fungi. 
The species appear like some small 
kinds of Agaricus, or Helvilla, and arc 
generally found upon heath, oaks, or 
sandstone. 
BAFF, n. A blow; a heavy thump. 

[Scotch.] 

BAFF'ULD,fpp Baffled; treated with 
the greatest ignominy imaginable. 
[Spenser.] 

BAG, ti. t. [add.] To distend, as a bag ; 
as, he bagged his leathern pocket with 
gold. [Gay.] To hook up, and gather 
grain. 

BAGATELLE', . [add.] A game 
played on a board having at the end 
nine holes, into which balls are to be 
struck with a rod held in the hand of 
the player. 

BAG'GAGE, n. [add.] A playful, saucy 
female ; a flirt. [Familiar.] 
10 



BAG'GA&ER.f n. One who carries the 
baggage. 
BAG'GALA, BAG'LO.orDOW.n. A 

two-masted Arab boat, used both for 




commerce and for piracy in the Indian 
Ocean, between the Malabar coast and 
the Red Sea. Large numbers of them 
trade between Muscat, the Red Sea, 
and India, making one voyage each way 
annually with the monsoons. They 
are generally of 200 to 250 tons burden, 
exceedingly weatherly, and sail with 
great rapidity. 

BAGGE.f r. t. To swell ; to swell with 
disdain, pride, arrogance, or self-coii- 
ceit ; to squint. [Chaucer.] 

BAG'GING, n. [add.] The act of put- 
ting into bags. 

BAGG'INGLY.f adv. Sulkily; squint- 
ingly. [Chaucer.] 

BAG'LO, n. An Arab boat. See BAO- 

OALA. 

B AG'NET, n. An interwoven net in the 
form of a bag for catching fish. 

BAGO'US, n. A genus of coleopterons 
insects, belonging to the family Cur- 
culion'idie. They are small beetles, of 
a mud colour, and feed upon aquatic 
plants. Several species are found in 
England. 

BAGUETTE', n. (bagef.) [Fr.] See 
BAOUET. 

BAIK, n. Beck; a curtsy; reverence. 
[Scotch.] 

BAIL, n. [odd.] Common bail is now 
completely abolished, and as the law 
stands at present, in civil cases, when 
a defendant is arrested [see ARREST) 
upon a writ of capias, it is incum- 
bent on the sheriff's officer to liber- 
ate the defendant, on two responsible 
persons signing a bond, called a bail- 
bond, conditioned for the defendant's 
putting in social bail, or as it is termed 
bail above, to answer the action within 
eight days from the arrest, which if the 
defendant or his bondsmen do not per- 
form, or if the defendant do not return 
into custody before the end of the 
eighth day, the bond is forfeited, ami the 
bondsmen are liable to pay the debt 
and costs. If the defendant procures 
at the end of the eight days the same, 
or two other responsible housekeepers 
or freeholders, to enter into a recog- 
nizance before a judge, that they will 
either pay the debt or costs, or render 
the defendant to prison, the defendant 
is discharged from custody until the 
termination of the suit. This second 
suretiship is called in practice putting 
in special bail, and is the performance 
of the condition of the first suretiship, 
the practice of which is attended with 
considerable expense. There are other 
cases of bail, such as attachments for 



BALACHONG 



BALANCE-ELECTROMETER 



BALEEN 



contempt, in which the process is some- 
what different. In almost all criminal 
cases, two justices may admit a party 
to bail if the evidence be not such as to 
raise a strong presumption of guilt, but 
still afford reasonable ground of inquiry. 

BAILE,f n. Power, [ Spenser.] 

BAI'LEY, n. [Lat. ballium;Fr. bailie.] 
The name given to the courts of a castle 
formed by the spaces between the cir- 
cuits of walls or defences which sur- 
rounded the keep. The Old Bailey iii 
London is so derived. 

BAILIE, ?i. See BAII.LIE. 

BAI'LIFF, n. [add.] This name of 
office is legally applied to the chief 
magistrates of some towns, and keep- 
ers of royal castles, persons having 
the conservation of the peace in hun- 
dreds, and in some particular juris- 
dictions, as the bailiff of Westminster, 
and returning-officers in the same ; but 
the chief functionaries to whom the 
name is applied are the bailiffs of 
sheriffs who execute all processes di- 
rected to him; bailiffs of liberties or 
franchises, and bailiffs of manors. 
Bailiff of husbandry, a chief servant 
to a private person of good estate ; 
a sort of steward in respect of farming 
business. A bailiff of the forest is 
the keeper of a walk, and is immedi- 
ately subordinate to the verdereio. 

BAILL'IAGE, n A Frencli term equi- 
valent to bailiwick. 

BAIL'LIE,f n. Custody ; government ; 
jurisdiction. [Chaucer.] 

BAILOR, n. See BAILER. 

BAIN'BERGS, n. [Ger. Bein-beraen.] 
Shin-guards ; a term for the greaves or 
jambs, first used by the military as an 
additional protection, less vulnerable 
than the chain-mail with which the 
body was protected. 

BAI'RAM, n. A Mahometan feast, in- 
stituted in imitation of the Easter of 
the Christian church, and following the 
fast of Ramadan. 

BAIR'MAN, n. An old law-term de- 
noting a debtor sworn in court not to 
be in possession of property worth five 
shillings and fivepence. 

BAIRN'S PART. See under BAIRN. 

BAIS'EMAINS,t n. (bas'mains.) Com- 
pliments; respects. [Spenser.] 

B A ITH, a., pron., or conj. Both. [Scotch.] 

BAIT'ING, n. The act of furnishing a 
bait ; refreshment. 

BAIT'TLE, n. Rich pasture. [Scotch.] 

BA JU'RY, ) n. In the East Indies, a 

BAJ'RA, / species of grain, ffolcus 
spicatus, much used for feeding horses 
and cattle. 

BAKE, v. t. [add.] To harden with cold; 
as, the earth baked with frost. [Shah.] 

BA'KER, n. [add.] A small tin oven on 
which baking is performed. 

BA'KER'S - ITCH, n. A species of 
psoriasis, or scall, so called when it is 
confined to the back of the hand. It 
often appears in bakers. 

BA'KER'S-SALT, n. Subcarbonate of 
ammonia, or smelling-salts, so called 
from its being used by bakers as a sub- 
stitute for yeast, in the manufacture of 
some of the finer kinds of bread. 

BA'KING, n. [add.] The act of harden- 
ing by heat ; th employment of a 
baker. 

BAK'SHISH, ) n. [Ar.] A present, or 

BUK'SHEISH, J gratuity; over-money. 
Nothing can be done with the Arabs 
and Egyptians without buhsheish. 
BAL'ACHONG. n. A substance con- 
sisting of pounded or bruised fish, and 
used in the East as a condiment to rice. 
I. 



BALJE'NIDjE, n. The whale family, 
consisting of cetaceous vertebrata, in 
which the head constitutes one-third, 
or even one-half of the entire length. 
The common or Greenland whale, 
Balama myslicctus, is the type. [See 
WHALE.] 

BALjENOP'TERA, n. De Lacepede's 
name for those whales which, being dis- 
tinguished from the other Balrcnae by 
an adipose fin on their back, are hence 
called finners by sailors ; as, the north- 
ern rorqual (Balamoptera physalis). 

BA'LA LIMESTONE,?!. A slaty lime- 
stone of a dark colour, forming a sub- 
ordinate portion of the Cambrian group 
of rocks. 

BAL'ANCE, n. [add.] Figuratively, 
vacillation; wavering; indetermina- 
tion; fluctuation. Balance of power, 
in politics, a system by which the re- 
lative power of different states and 
alliances is so maintained as to render 
any extensive derangement improbable. 
It is by a few of the leading powers of 
a number of separate and sovereign 
states being made to counterpoise each 
other, that the balance of power is 
principally maintained, and the safety 
of the smaller states secured ; and the 
leading rule by which this has been 
effected has been (at least in modern 
times) to oppose every new arrange- 
ment which threatens either materially 
to augment the strength of one of the 
greater powers, or to diminish that of 
another. Balance of torsion. [See 
TORSION BALANCE.] 

BAL'ANCE, v. i. [add.] In dancing, to 
move towards a person opposite, and 
then back. 

BAL'ANCE-ELECTROM'ETER, n. 
An instrument constructed on the 
principle of the common balance and 
weights, to estimate the mutual attrac- 
tion of oppositely electrified surfaces. 
A glass pillar is fixed in a stand A, to 
which the beam of a delicate balance, 
B' B, is suspended at the point D. 
A scale-pan, d, is suspended from one 
arm, and just rests upon the support E, 




BAL'ANCE-KNIFE, n. A kind of 
table-knife, which, when laid on the 
table, rests wholly on the handle, with- 
out the blade touching the cloth. This 
is effected by making the weight of the 
handle counterbalance that of the 
blade. 

BALANDRA'NA, n. A wide cloak or 
mantle, used as an addition il garmen, 




likewise insulated and fixed upon the 
stand A. From the other arm is sus- 
pended a light gilt cone a, the base of 
which is opposed to the base of another 
inverted cone 6, which may be fixed j 
at any distance from it by sliding upon I 
the insulated pillar d'. The metallic ! 
balance may be connected with the j 
interior of a Leyden jar, or battery, and 
the cone b, with the exterior, and the 
attractive power of any charge at any 
variable distance between the cones, 
may be estimated by weights placed in 
the scale-pan. 

41 



Balandretm, from the Royal M8. Brit. Museum. 

by travellers and others in the 12th and 
lyth centuries. 

B ALANI'TIS, n. [Gr. *., an acorn.] 
Inflammation of the mucous membrane 
of the glans penis. 

BALANOPHERA'CEjE, n. In hot., a 
curious nat. order of flowering plants, 
resembling mushrooms. They have 
a one-celled fruit, with a single seed, 
which contains a minute undivided 
embryo almost on the one side of a 
copious albumen. It is usually referred 
to the class of monocotyledonous vege- 
tables. One of the best-known species 
is the Cynomorium coccineum, or Fun- 
ffus melitensis of druggists, which at 
one time enjoyed a great reputation as 
a styptic. 

BALAUS'TA, n. [L.] In hot., the fruit 
of the pomegranate, having a leathery 
rind, a superior calyx, and several cells, 
with many drupaceous seeds in each. 

BALBU'ClNATE.-f- ) v.i. [L.balbutio.] 

BALBU'TIATE,t ) To stammer in 
speaking. 

BALBU'TIES, n. [L. balbus.] Stam- 
mering. 

BALCONIED, or BALCO'NIED, a. 
Having balconies. 

'BAL'ONY, or BALO'NY, n. 

BALD'-MONEY, n. A British plant of 
the genus Meum, M. athamanticum, 
called also spignel, and meu. [See 
MEUM.] 

BALD'RI, n. See BALDRICK. 

BALD'RICK,) n. [add.] Also called 

BALD'RIC, } cordon. A plain or 
ornamental band, belt, or girdle, worn 
pendant from the shoulder, diagonally 
across the body, to the waist, and em- 
ployed to suspend a sword, dagger, or 
horn. 

BALD-TY'RANT,n. A species of South 
American bird, belonging to the genus 
Gymnocephalus, so called from the 
absence of feathers on the face and 
head. 

BALE,f a. Baleful ; pernicious. 

BALE.f n. [add.] Poison. [Spenser.] 

BALEEN', n. [Fr. baleine, from L. ba- 
Itena, a whale.] A name given by 
whale-fishers to the whalebone of com- 
merce. 

Cz 



BALLOT 



BALSAM 



BANANA-BIRD 



BALE'-GOODS,n. Goods or merchan- 
dise done up in bales. 

BAL'ES,t " A sort of bastard ruby. 
\See BALASS.] [Chaucer.] 

BALES'SAN, n. A balsam obtained 
from a species of Balsamodendron, 
which see. 

BAL'ING, n. The act or operation of 
making up in a bale, as cotton, &c. ; 
the act of freeing from water, as a boat. 

BAL'I SAUK, n. An Indian quadrupe !, 
allied to the badger (Mydaus collaris). 

BALK',t pp. Balked; disappointed. 
[Spenser.} 

BALK'EU, pp. [add.] Heaped ; piled up 
in balks, or ridges. [Shak.] 

BALL, n. [add.] The name of a well- 
known game. In farriery, a form of 
medicine, corresponding to the term 
bolus in pharmacy. It is generally in 
the form of a cylinder two or three 
inches in length. Hall and socket, en- 
arthrosis, a species of movable articu- 
lation, as that of the hip-joint. 

BAL'LAD, n. In music, a short air, re- 
peated to two or more stanzas, simple 
in construction, and having an accom- 
paniment of a strictly subordinate cha- 
racter. 

BAL'LAD-FARCE,n.Amusical drama. 

BAL'LADIST, n. A writer or singer of 
ballads. 

BAL'LAD-OP'ERA, n. A burlesque 
opera. 

BAL'LAD-SING'ING, . The act of 
singing ballads. 

BAL'LANT, n. A ballad. [Scotch.] 

BAL'LAST, n. [add.] A ship is said to 
be in ballast, when she sails without a 
cargo, having on board only the stores 
and other articles requisite for the use 
of the vessel and crew, as well as of 
passengers who may be on board. 

BAL'LASTING, n. [add.] The act of 
furnishing a ship with ballast. The 
art of properly ballasting a ship con- 
sists in placing the centre of gravity 
neither too high nor too low. 

BALL'-AR'TRID6E, n. A cartridge 
containing a ball. 

BAL'LED,ti)p.fromBa//. Smooth as a 
ball ; bald ; deprived of hair. [Chaucer.] 

BAL'LER, n. One who makes up sew- 
ing thread into balls, for domestic use. 
Sailers are commonly young females. 

BAL'LET, n. [add.] A ballet, properly 
so called, is a complete pantomime, or 
theatrical representation, in which a 
story is told, and actions, characters, 
and passions represented by gesture, 
accompanied by characteristic or illus- 
trative music ; and to which dancing, 
scenery, decorations, &c., are the ac- 
cessories. Exhibitions in theatres, which 
consist chiefly of distortion of the per- 
son and unnatural action, are impro- 
perly called ballets. 

BAL'LETTE, n. A ballet. 

BALLIS'MUS, n. [Gr. /3u,;, to trip, 
or caper.] A form of palsy, attended 
with fits of leaping or running. 

BAL'LISTER, n. See BALISTER. 

BALLOON'ING, n. The art of making 
and managing balloons. 

BAL'LOT, n. [add.] Voting by ballot, 
signifies voting by putting little balls of 
different colours into a box or urn ; the 
greater number of one colour put in 
determining the result. In the case, 
however, of an election to an office, 
where only one or a smaller number of 
candidates than are put in nomination 
can be elected, it is usual to place sealed 
lists or tickets, containing the name or 
names of the candidates which the 
voters make choice of into a glass urn, 



from which, after all the votes have 
been collected, they are taken and ex- 
amined, in order to determine in whose 
favour the greatest number of votes has 
been given. In clubs, scientific socie- 
ties, insurance offices, commercial as- 
sociations, &c., the members, managers, 
or directors are almost universally 
elected by ballot, and for this purpose 
coloured balls are usually employed; 
hence, the expression to black ball, 
signifying to reject a candidate. 

BAL'LOTER, n. One who ballots or 
votes by ballot. 

BAL'LOTIST, n. An advocate for vot- 
ing by ballot. 

BAL'LOW.t n. A pole. [Shah.] 

BALL'-ROOM, n. A room for assem- 
blies or balls. 

BALM'IFY,t . t. To render balmy. 

BALM'Y-BREATHING, or BALM'- 
BREATHING, a. Fragrant; odo- 
riferous. 

BALCE'NICEPS, n. A gigantic gralla- 
torial bird, about three feet and a-half 
in height, with a large beak, somewhat 
resembling the boat-bill. It has leen 




Baloenicept res. 



lately found in the interior of Africa. 

Its large flat bill must be useful to it 

in capturing and crushing the lizards 

and other reptiles on which it feeds. 

BAL'SA, ) n. [Sp. from balsa, & kind of 

BAL'ZA, ) light porous wood used in 

Peru for constructing rafts.] A kind 

of boat used on the coasts and rivers of 

Peru, and other parts of South America. 



BAL'SAM,-)- v. t. To render balsamic ; 
to soften. 

BALSAMINA'CE^E, ) n. Asmallorder 

BALSAMIN'E^E, j of plants with 
an irregular cajyx and corolla, each of 
several pieces, and hypogynous stamens. 
It has been placed by some along with 
the gynobasic orders, but the fruit is 
not gynobasic. 

BAL'SAMINE, n. [add.] The common 
name of th'e Balsamina hortensis, or 
Jmpatiens balsamina (Linn.) [See BAL- 

SAMINA.] 

BALSAMODEN'DRON, n. A genus of 
plants scarcely distinct from Protiutn, 
and belonging to the nat. order Bur- 
seraceae, which has by some been made 
a division of Amyridaceae. B. myrrha 
yields myrrh or hobali; it is called 
kerobeta by the Abyssinians ; B. opo- 
balsamum yields the balm of Mecca, 
beshan, or balessan, of Bruce ; B. Gi- 
lendense is also said to produce it ; B. 
Africanum yields the African bdellium. 

BAL'TEI, n. plur. The bands in the 
flanks of Ionic pulvinated capitals. 

BAL'TEUM, ) n. [L.] The belt by 

BAL'TEUS, ) which the sword or 
quiver was suspended. 

BAM, n. A cheat ; an imposition. [Cant 
term.] 

BAMBOO', f. t. To punish or strike 
with a bamboo ; to bastinado. 

BAMBOO'-RAT.n. A species of rodent 
animal of the genus Rhizomys is so 
called. 

BAMBCSID'E^;, n. The bamboo, a 
group of grasses of great economical 
importance, of which upwards of thirty 
species have been enumerated. Of 
these the genus Bambusa, or Bambos, 
is the type. Some of the most import- 
ant are the B. arundinacea. [Ste 
BAMBOO.] It. spinosa, common about 
Calcutta; /;. tn /ili/. used for scaffold- 
ing, and covering the houses of the 
natives of India; B. Balcooa, used in 
India for building purposes ; //. picta, 
used for light walking-sticks ; //. tulin- 
caria, the joints of which are used for 
pipe-sticks; andDendrocalamuistrictus, 
used in India for the shafts of lances. 

BA'MIA, n. A species of silurus, fished 
in the Red Sea. It is much used 
in a dried state as food for native 
sailors. 




Kiln of Peru. 



It is formed of two inflated seal-skins, 
connected by a transom, on which the 
passengers or goods are placed. 
BAL'SAM, n. [add.] The opinion that 
balsams necessarily contain or furnish 

I benzoic acid is not now generally sus- 
tained. The substances known as bal- 

'; sams properly consist of resin and es- 
sential oil. Balsam of Mecca, the 
same as the balm of Gilead. [See 

[ BALM.] 

42 



BAN, n. [add.] This word is now rarely 
used by authors, either as a substantive 
or verb ; but it occurs in a secondary 
sense, in common language, to denote 
cursing, denouncing woe and mischief 
against one who has offended. When 
it denotes notice of marriage, or a 
matrimonial contract, it is used in the 
plural. [See BANS, BANNS.] 

BANA'NA-BIRD, n. The name given 
in Jamaica to the Icterus leucopteryx, a 



BANG 



BANKERS' CASH-NOTES 



BAPTISM 



pretty bird which frequents tlie fruit- 
trees around the houses. It is very 




Binara-blrd, Ictenu teucopteryx. 

fond of the ripe fruit of the banana and 
sour-sop. 

BANCKE.f n. A bank; i seat of hon- 
our. [Spenser.'] 

BAN'O. See BANK. 

B AND,t pret. or pp. of San. Did curse ; 
cursed. [Spenser.] 

BAND,f v. t. To disband ; to interdict. 
[Spenser] 

BAND,f a. A bond; an obligatory 
writing. 

BAND, n. A bond. [Scotch.] 

BAN'DAGE, v. t. To bind up or dress, 
as a wound, a fractured limb, &c., with 
a roller or bandage. 

BAN'DAGED, pp. Bound up with a 
bandage. 

BANDAN'A, n. [add.] This term was 
originally applied to a peculiar kind of 
silk handkerchief manufactured by 
the Hindoos ; but it is now commonly 
given to silk and cotton handkerchiefs 
manufactured in this country, which 
have a uniformly dyed ground, usually 
of bright red or blue, ornamented with 
circular, lozenge - shaped, or other 
simple figures, of a perfectly white 
or yellow colour. The term is also 
applied to a style of calico-print- 
ing, in imitation of bandana handker- 
chiefs. 

BAN'DEAU, n. plur. Bandeaux. [Fr.] 
A fillet or head-band. 

BAN'DELET, n. [Fr. bandelctte] Any 
little band, flat moulding, or fillet; an 
amulet. 

BAND'-FISH,n. A genus of acanthop- 
terygious fishes (Cepola), very thin and 
flat in proportion to their length. C. 
Mediterranea is a native of the Medi- 
terranean, and varies in length from 
eighteen inches to three feet. C. ru- 
bescens, or red band-fish, is found on 
our coasts, and varies from ten to fif- 
teen inches in length. 

BANDILEERS. See BANDOLEERS. 

BAND'ING-PLANE, n. A plane used 
for cutting out grooves, and inlaying 
strings and bands in straight and cir- 
cular work. It bears a general resem- 
blance to the plane called a plough. 

BAND'LET, n. A small band for en- 
circling anything; as, an Indian-rubber 
bandlet. 

BAN'-DOG, n. [add.] A large, fierce 
kind of dog; usually kept chained. 
Hence the name ban-dog, a corruption 
of band-dog. 

BAN'DKOL, or BAN'NEROL. 

BAND'Y, n. [add.] The name of a play, 
in which a ball is struck with a club 
bent at the end. 

BANE, n. [add.] A disease in sheep, 
more commonly culled the rot. 

BANE, n. Bone. [Scotch.] 

BANG, 11. A spring ; a bound. [SeofcA.] 

BANG, ) n. An intoxicating drug, 

BANGUE,) prepared in India from 



the hemp plant, to which opium is 
sometimes added. 

BAN'GHY, n. In the East Indies, a sort 
of bamboo pole, which is carried on a 
person's shoulder, with a basket sus- 
pended at each end, containing, gene- 
rally, the baggage of a palankeen tra- 
veller. The bearer of the banyhy is 
called banf/hy-mtllah. 

BANG'ING, a. Huge; great; surpassing 
in size. [Vutfiar.] 

BAN'GLE-EAR, n. An imperfectly 
formed ear of a horse. 

BAN'GLE EARED, a. Flap-eared, 
like a spaniel. 

BANG'STER, n. A violent fellow who 
carries everything before him. [Scotch.] 

BANGUE, n. See BANG. 

BANIAN', . Banian-days, in seamen's 
Ian., are days in which the sailors have 
no flesh -meat served out to them. 
Formerly two days (not three, as stated 
in Diet.), viz., Tuesday and Friday, 
were so called, but lately only Friday, 
on which salt-fish, plum-pudding, &c., 
were issued. (To be substituted for 
explanation in Diet.') 

BANISTE'RIA, instead of BANIST- 
ERIA. 

BANK, n. [add.] In barbarous Latin 
this word is baneus, and signifies liter- 
ally a bench or high seat; but, as a 
legal ternijit denotes a seat of judgment, 
or tribunal for the administration of 
justice. The ancient Britons were 
accustomed to construct mounds or 
benches of turf for the accommodation 
of their superior judges. Hence the 
king's judges, or those immediately ap- 
pointed by the crown, to administer 
justice in the superior courts of common 
law, were in process of time called jus- 
tices of the bench, or justiciarii de banco, 
and the judges of the court of com- 
mon pleas retain the technical title of 
justices of the bench at Westminster 
to this day. The phrase of sitting in 
banco, or in bank, merely denotes the 
sessions during the law-terms, when 
the judges of each court sit together 
upon their several benches. On the 
revival of commerce, about the middle 
of the 12th century, and when the cities 
of Italy engrossed nearly all the trade 
of Europe, a necessity arose for the 
employment of bankers, or dealers in 
money transactions. At first they car- 
ried on their business in the public mar-i 
ket-places or exchanges, where their 
dealings were conducted on benches [It. 
banco ; low Lat. baneus], whence the ori- 
gin of the word bank as applicable to an 
establishment for the custody and issue 
of money. The word hunk is used, 
in carpentry, to signify a piece of fir- 
wood unslit, of about six inches square,. 
and of any length. It is also the name 
of a kind of table used by printers. 
Days in bank. [See under DAY.] 

BANK, v. t. [add.] To make a heap, or 
bank in ; as, shoals of fish that bank 
the mid sea. [Mi/tnn.\ 

BANK' A, n. A passage-boat without 
outrigger, used ou the river and roads 
at Manilla. It is farmed of a single 
piece of wood, is sixteen to twenty- 
three feet long, and carries three or 
four passengers. 

BANK'-BILL, n. In this country, & note 
or a bill of exchange of a bank, payable 
at some future specified time. Such 
bills are negotiable, but form, in the 
strict sense of the term, no part of the 
currency. In America, bank-bill and 
bank-note are synonymous. 

BANK'ERS' CASH-NOTES, n. Writ- 
43 



ten promises given by bankers to their 
customers as acknowledgments of hav- 
ing received money for their use. They 
are payable to the bearer on demand, 
and considered as money, and transfer- 
able from one person to another by 
delivery; but theyare now seldom made, 
their use having been superseded by the 
introduction of checks. 
j BAN'KERS' CHECKS or DRAFTS, 
n. Written orders or requests addressed 
to bankers, and drawn upon them by 
a party having money in their hands, 
requesting them to pay on presentment 
to a person therein named, or to bearer, 
a certain sum of money. 

BANK'-FENCE, n. A fence made of a 
bank of earth. 

BANK'ING, a. Pertaining to, or con- 
ducted by a bank ; as, banking opera- 

BANK'RUPT-LAWS, n. 4 system of 
statutory regulations, under which the 
property and effects of a merchant or 
trader, on his becoming insolvent, are 
distributed among his creditors. The 
bankrupt-laws have the double object 
of enforcing a complete discovery and 
equitable distribution of the property 
and effects of an insolvent trader, and 
of conferring on the trader the advan- 
tage of security of person, and a dis- 
charge from all future claims of his 
creditors. 

BAN'LIEU, n. [Fr.] The territory 
without the walls, but within the legal 
limits, of a town or city. 

BAN'NER, n. [add.] A banner is essen- 
tially a piece of drapery attached to the 
upper part of a pole or staff, and in 
some way indicative of dignity, rank, 
or command, or as being carried on 
some occasions with which ideas of 
dignity are connected. The word ban- 
ner may be regarded as a generic term, 
of which the words standard, colours, 
flag, pendant, streamer, ensign, &c., in- 
dicate particular species. 

BAN'NERAL.f n. A bandrol ; a little 
flag. [Spenser.] 

BANNES,f n. plur. Bans ; curses. 
[Spenser.] 

BAN'NING, n. [See BAN.] An execra- 
tion or cursing of another. 

BANNI"TION,t n. Expulsion ; ban- 
ishment. 

BAN'NOCK-FLUKE, n. A turbot. 
[Scotch.] 

BANQUETTE', In. [add.] The foot- 

BANQUET, J way of a bridge, 
when raised above the carriage-way. 

BANS, I n.plur. [add.] In the church 

BANNS,) of Emjland, banns of ma- 
trimony are published in the churches 
and chapels, in a manner similar to that 
employed, in Scotland. 

BAN'TAM, n. [add.] A kind of painted 
or carved work, resembling that of Ja- 
pan, only more gaudy. 

BANX'RING, n. A genus of curious in- 
sectivorous mammalia (Tupaia), found 
in the eastern islands. They live on 
trees, where they find then- insect-food. 
They have long tails. 

BAN'YAN, BAN'YAN-TREE. See 
BANIAN. 

BAN'YAN, n. A Hindoo merchant, or 
shopkeeper. 

BAN'YAN, a. Meagre; fasting: as, a 
banyan day. [See BANIAN.] 

BAP'TISM, n. [add.] Hypothetical bap- 
tism, the name given in the Episcopal 
church to baptism when administered 
to persons, in respect to whom it is 
doubtful whether they have or have 
not ben baptized before. The formula 



BARBE 



BARBICANS 



BARKING-BIRD 



in this case is, "If thou art not al- 
ready baptized, I baptize thee," &c. 
BAPTIS'MALLY, adv. In a baptismal 
manner. 

BAPTIZA'TION,t n. The act of bap- 
tizing. 

BAR, n. [add.] The term bar is applied 
in the houses of Parliament to the par- 
tition which divides from the body of 
the respective houses a space near the 
door, beyond which none but the mem- 
bers and clerks are admitted. At these 
bars counsel stand when admitted to 
plead before the respective houses, and 
to the same bar witnesses, and such as 
have been ordered into custody for 
breaches of privilege, are brought. A 
trial at bar, is one which takes place 
before all the judges, at the bar of the 
court in which the action is brought. 
Plea in bar, in laic, a pleading showing 
some ground for barring or defeating 
the action at common law. It is a sub- 
stantial and conclusive answer to the 
action. Pleas in bar are divided into 
pleas by way of traverse, and pleas by 
confession and avoidance. In equity, 
a plea in bar is a defence resorted to 
(when there is no defect apparent 
on the face of the plaintiff's bill), 
inducting affirmative matter, and re- 
ducing the case to a particular point, 
seeking to displace the plaintiff's equity. 
BA'R AH, /!. In the East Indies, a native 
menial who cleans furniture. 
BARB, n. [add.] The name of a noble 
breed of horses reared by the Moors of 
Barbary and Morocco, and introduced 
into Spain during their dominion in 
that country. These animals, however, 
have greatly degenerated in Spain since 
the expulsion of the Moors, and the 
noble race of Barbary horses called 
barb.*, are of rare occurrence even in 
their own country. The true barb 
does not excel in symmetrical beauty, 
but he is unrivalled in speed, abstinence, 
docility, patience, and endurance under 
fatigue. 

BAR'BA, n. [L.] A beard ; a barb. [See 
BARB.] 

BAR'BAANAGE,) n. In former 
BAR'BIANA6E, ) times, money paid 
to the maintenance of a barbacan or 
watch-tower. 

BAR'BADOES FLOWER-FENCE, 
n. A plant. [See POINCIANA Acu- 

LEATA.] 

BXR'BXRA, n. A term in logic, being 
the first word in the technical verses 
intended to represent the various forms 
of the syllogism ; it indicates a syllo- 
gism, the three propositions of which 
are universal affirmatives. 

BARB AR'EA, n. Winter-cress, a genus 
of plants, formerly dedicated to St. 
Barbara. [See WINTER-CRESS.] 

BAR'BARY APE, n. Pithecus intius, a 
species of ape remarkable for docility, 
and which, by force of discipline, is 
made to exhibit considerable intelli- 
gence. It is common in Barbary and 
the lower parts of Africa, and it has 
been the " showman's ape " from time 
immemorial. 

BAR'BARY GUM, n. Morocco gum ; 
a variety of gum-arabic, said to be pro- 
duced by the Acacia gummifera. 

BAR'BASTELLE, n. A small kind of 
bat ; the Plecotus barbastel/us. 

BARBE, n. [add.] Armour of leather 
for horses, studded with iron spikes. 

BARBE, n. [L. barba.] A covering for 
the lower part of the face and chin, 
reaching midway to the waist. It was 
peculiar to nuns and widowg. In the 



accompanying figure, from the brass ol 
Elizabeth Porte, 151C, in the church at 




Etwall, Derbyshire, the barbe is well 
shown. 

BAR'BEUE, n. [add.] In America, this 
term, from its original signification, has 
come to denote a large social entertain- 
ment in the open air, at which animals 
are roasted whole, and other provisions 
of all kinds are consumed. 

BARBE'-FEATHERS, n. plur. The 
feathers under the beak of a hawk. 

BAR'BEL, n. [add.] The barbels are 
distinguished by four beards, or fieshy 
tentacula, which grow from the lips, 
two at the nose, and the other two at 
the corners of the mouth ; whence the 
name. The species are numerous, both 
in the Old and New World, and many of 
them attain a very large size. The 
common barbel (Barbus vulijaris) is 
found abundantly in the Thames; its 
flesh is extremely coarse and unsavoury. 
The binny, another species, inhabits 
the Nile. The beards, or fleshy ten- 
tacula, which grow from the lips of the 
barbels, are also termed barbels, 

BARBES, ) n. A disease incident to 

BAR'BLES,) horses. [See BARBEL.] 

BARBES.f Plur. [See BARB.] Bits or 
bridles. [Spenser.] 

BAR'BET, n. [add.] The barbets consti- 
tute a family of scansorial or climbing 
birds, and are distinguished by their 
large conical beak, which appears swol- 
len, or, as it were, puffed out at the 
sides of its base, and by being bearded 
with five tufts of stiff bristles directed 
forwards; whence the name. They 




African bart-et, Pogoniai hinutui. 



are divided into three subgenera; viz., 
Pogonias, the species of which inhabit 
Africa and the Indies; Bucco, or true 
barbets, found in Africa and America ; 
and Tamatia, or puff-birds, inhabitants 
of America. 

BAR'BIC ANS, n. A species of birds with 
14 



scansorial feet, belonging to the genus 
Pogonias. They are natives of Africa 
and India, and live chiefly on fruit. 
BAR'BIEKS, n. [An Indian term.] A 
chronic affection prevalent in India. 
BXR'BULE, n. [L. barbula.] A small 
barb, or a little beard. 
BXR'BUS, n. A genus of fresh-water 
fishes, of the family Cyprinidaj, so 
called from the beards or filaments 
about the mouth. It contains the 
barbel, which see. 

BXR'DIN, n. [Fr. barde'.] In military 
antiquities, a complete set of armorial 
trapping for a horse. The plural is 
written bardynyes. 

BARE, a. [add.] Under bare poles. [See 
BARE POLES.] 

BARE, n. The part of an image or sta- 
tue which represents bare flesh. 
BARE.f a. [add.] Raw; as, bare flesh. 
[Spenser.] 

BARE'FOOT, a. [add.] Travelled or 
passed over without shoes ; as, a bare- 
foot way. [Shah.] 

BARE'-HANDED, a. Having the hands 
bare. 

BARE'-POLES, n. [add.] [See SCUD.] 

BARE'-WORN, a. Worn bare; naked 
of turf. 

BAR'-FEE, n. In law, a fee of twenty 
pence, which every prisoner acquitted 
(at the bar) of felony pays to the jailer. 

BAR'GAIN, n. [add.] Into the bargain, 
moreover ; besides ; as, she lost a thou- 
sand pounds, and her bridegroom into 
the bargain. [Addiion.] 

BAR'GAIN, B. i. [add.] To agree. 

BAR'GAIN, v. i. To dispute ; to con- 
tend ; to fight. [Scotch.] 

BXR'GAINING, n. The act or art of 
making bargains. 

BAR'GAINOR, B. One who sells to, or 
contracts with another, called the bar- 
gainee. 

BXR'GARET'.f n. [Fr. bergerette.] A 
sort of song. [Chaucer. J 

BXR'-GOWN, . The gown or dress of 
a lawyer. 

UA'RIA, n. Baryta, which see. 

SARID'lUS, for BAR'IDIUS. 

BXK'-IRON, n. Iron wrought into mal- 
leable bars. 

BARIT'ONO.B. [It.] See BARVTONE. 

BXRK, n. [add.] Several kinds of bark 
are used for processes in the arts, or 
for medicine ; as, oak-bark, cork-bark, 
quercitron-bark, Peruvian-bark, cinna- 
mon-bark, &c. 

BARK, v. t. [add.] To inclose as the 
bark does a tree; as, a tetter barked 
about all my smooth body. [Shah.] 

3XRK, t>. t. To tan leather. [Scotch.] 

BAR'- KEEPER, n. One who attends to 
the bar of an inn. 

BXRK'EN, n. The yard cf a house. 
[Local.] 

SXRK'EN, v. t. To incrust. [Scotch.] 

BARK'ERS, B. In London, and other 
large towns, a name given to persons 
stationed at the door, where auctions of 
inferior goods are held, to invite stran- 
gers to enter. 

BXRK'ER'S MILL, n. [add.] This ma - 
chine, as modified by Mr. James White- 
law, is extensively employed under the 
name of the Scotch turbine. 

BXRK'ERY, n. A tan-house, or place 
where bark is kept. 

BARK'HAUSIA. Same as BOUKHAU- 
SIA, which see. 

BAKK'ING-BIRD, n. The Pteroptocnoi 
ntbecula, a tenuirostral bird common 
in Chiloe and Chonos, islands in the 
South American Archipelago. It ha 
received its English name from its 



BAROMETZ 



BARREN-SPIRITED 



BASE-IIUM1LITIE 



cry, which resembles the barking of a 
<log. 

1JAIIK/IT, ]>i>. or a. Tanned. [Scotch ] 

BARK/LESS, n. Destitute of bark. 

BARK'-LOUSE, 71. A minute insect 
that infests trees. 

BABK'-PIT, n. A tan-pit, or pit for 
tanning or steeping leather. 

BARK'-STOVE, n. See B.iRK-Bi;i>. 

BXR'LA-FUMMIL. An exclamation 
for a truce by one who has fallen down 
in wrestling or play. (Scotch.] 

B AR'LE Y. j From Parley J A cry among 
boys at their violent games for a truce. 
[Scotch.] 

BAR'LEY-DIRD, n. A name of the 
siskin. The wryneck (Tunx tor- 
qitilla) is also sometimes so called. 

BAR'LEY-CAKE, n. Cake made of 
barley. 

BAR'LEY-FEVER, n. Illness caused 
by intemperance. \North of Eng.] It 
corresponds to barley-sickness in Scot- 
Itmd. 

BAR'LEY-MEAL, n. Meal made from 
barley. 

BXR'-MAID, n. A maid or woman who 
tends the bar of an inn. 

BAEME,t . [Sax.] The bosom; the 
lap. Barmc-cloth, an apron. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BAR'MOTE, orBARGH'MOTE, n. A 
court, not of record, within the Hun- 
dred of the Peak, in Derbyshire, for 
the regulation of groves, possessions, 
and trade of the miners, and lead. 

BARN'ABEE, n. An insect; the lady- 
bird. 

BAR'NABITE, a. Of or belonging to 
the order of St. Barnabas ; as, a Bar- 
nabite monk ; a Barnabite friar. 

BARN-DOOR FOWLS, . A name 
given to the common domestic fowls. 

BARNE.f n. A child. \Shak.] 

BAKN'FULL, n. As much as a barn 
will hold! 

BARN'-OWL, n. The common owl 
(Strix jlammea) is generally so called 
from being found in barns, where it 
proves very useful, by destroying mice 
and other vermin. 

BARNS'-BREAKING, n. An idle 
frolic. [&tc&.] 

BARN'-YARD, n. A yard adjacent to a 
barn. 

BARN-YARD FOWL, n. The common 
hen. 

BAROC'O, n. In logic, a barbarous 
term employed to indicate a species of 
syllogism, of which the first proposi- 
tion is a universal affirmative, and the 
other two are particular negatives. 

BABOI/OGY, n. [Gr. /3 s , weight, 
and kirn, discourse.] The science of 
weight, or of the gravity of bodies. 

BAROMAROM'ETER,7i. [Gr. f* f ct, 
weight, /*x*i<it, long, and ittrfn, mea- 
sure.] An instrument invented by 
Professor Stein for determining tho 
weight and the length of new-born 
infants. 

BAROME TOGRAPHY, n. The sci- 
ence of the barometer ; also, the art of 
making barometric observations. 
BAROMETRIC, a. Same as BARO- 
METRICAL. 

BAROMET'ROGRAPH, n. [Gr./s { , 
weight, ft'.i-o, measure, and j-;*?*, to 
write.] An instrument contrived for 
inscribing, of itself, upon paper the 
variations of atmospheric pressure. 

BAR'OMETZ, n. A. singular vegetable 
production, consisting of the prostrate 
hairy stem of a species of cibotium, a 
fern. From its shaggy appearance, it 
looks something like a crouching ani- 



mal, from which circumstance it has 
obtained the name of Scythian lamb, 




Barometz, <'i!,,tiuiii alia 



and many fabulous stories have been 
told about it. 

BAR'ON, n. [add.] In cookery, a baron 
of beef consists of two sirloins not cut 
asunder. 

BAR'ON-OURT, n. See COURT- 
BABON. 

B AR'ONY, n. [add.] In Ireland, a terri- 
torial division, corresponding nearly to 
the English hundred, and supposed to 
have been originally the district of a 
native chief. There are 252 baronies 
in Ireland. 

BAROUOHET', n. [Fr.] A small kind 
of barouche; or a four-wheeled open 
carriage, with a head. 

BAR'-POSTS, n. Posts driven into the 
ground to form the sides of a field- 
gate. 

BARQUE, n. [Fr.] See BARK. 

BAR'RACE, n. Bounds; lists for com- 
batants. 

BAR'RAOON, n. [Sp.] A negro -bar- 
rack ; a slave-depot ; a bazaar where 
men of the African races are sold. 
Barracoons are raised at various points 
of the west coast of Africa, also in 
Cuba, Brazil, &c. African barracoons 
are composed of large but low-roofed 
wooden sheds, in which the human 
article is stored, with attaching bolts, 
chains, &c. Some have defensive works, 
to resist the attacks of the British 
forces engaged in the slave-trade pre- 
ventive service. The public bat-racoons 
at the Havana, &c., are comparatively 
solid buildings, serving as prisons, and 
having a patio, or open show-place, in 
the centre. The plantation-prisons, in 
which the field-negroes of Cuba are 
locked up after their daily labour is 
concluded, are also called barracoons. 

BAR'REL, for BARREL. 

BAR'REL-BULK, n. In shipping, a 
measure of capacity for freight, equal 
to five cubic feet. Eight barrel-bulk, or 
40 cubic ft., equal one ton measurement. 

BAR'REL-DRAIN, n. A cylindrical 
drain. 

BAR'REL-ORGAN, n. See OROAN. 

BAR'REN-FLOWERED, a. Having 
flowers without fruit. 

BAR'REN IVY, n. Creeping ivy which 
does not flower. 

BAR'REN LAND, n. In agriculture, 
land which is not fertile or productive ; 
land in which the plants generally 
cultivated do not prosper or arrive at 
maturity. 

BAR'REN MONEY, n. In the civil law, 
money which is not put out to in- 

BAR'REN-SPIRITED, a. Of a poor 
or mean spirit. ' 

45 



BAR'REN -WORT, n. [add.] One 
species of the genus Epimedium is found 
in Persia, and another in America. 

BAR'RING, ppr. [add.] This word is 
used in low style for ezceptiny ; as, 
barring accidents, I warrant the good** 
to be sound. 

BAR'RING-OUT, n. [add.] The act of 
closing the doors of a school-room 
against a schoolmaster, a boyish mode 
of rebellion in schools. 

BARRINGTO'NIA, n. A. genus of 
plants, nat. order Barringtoniacea>. 
One species is a lofty Indian tree, with 
large handsome flowers. 

BARRINGTONIA'CEvE, n. A nut. 
order of plants, closely allied to the 
Myrtacese, with which it is frequently 
conjoined, but differing by the large 
albumen, and alternate often serrated 
leaves, which have no pellucid dots. 
Barringtonia, Stravadia, Careya, and a 
few other genera, belong to it. 

BAR'RIS, n. A name given on the 
Guinea coast to the chimpanzee; and 
also to the mandrill (Ci/noceiihalus mor- 
mon). 

BAR'RISTER, n. [add.] The distinc- 
tion between utter, or outer barristers, 
and inner barristers, is now wholly 
abolished, the former being called bar- 
risters generally, and the latter falling 
under the denomination of students. 

BAR'ROW-TRAM, n. Shaft of a wheel- 
barrow. [Scotch.] 

BAR'-SHOE, n. A particular kind of 
horse-shoe. 

BAR'TIZAN, or BARTIZAN'. 

BARYPHO'NIA, n. [Gr. 0*<w, heavy, 
and fv>, voice.] Heaviness of voice; 
difficulty of pronunciation. 

BARY'TA, BARY'TES, instead of 
BAR'YTA, BAR'YTES. 

BARYTE', n. Same as BARVTES. 

BARY'TIN, 71. A new vegetable base 
obtained from the rhizoma of Veratrum 
album, or white hellebore, so named in 
consequence of its being precipitated 
from its solution like baryta. 

BARY'TO-CAL'CITE, instead of 
BAR'YTO -AL'CITE. 

BARY'TUM, instead of BABfTTUM. 
See BARIUM. 

BASAL'TES, n. The old name of 
basalt. 

BAS BLEU, n. (biiblew.) [Fr.] A lite- 
rary lady ; a blue-stocking. 

BASE, n. [add.] In war, a tract of 
country protected by fortifications, from 
which the operations of an army pro- 
ceed. In chem., a base is sometimes 
defined, the electro-positive ingredient 
of a compound, or the electro-positive 
ingredient of a salt. In the arts, tho 
term base is synonymous with mordant, 
and is applied in dyeing to a substance 
that has an affinity for both the cloth 
and the colouring matter. In conchol., 
the term base is generally used in op- 
position to the apex, or pointed extre- 
mity of univalve shells ; in bivalves, 
which adhere to other substances by 
one of their valves, that which adheres 
is termed the basal valve. [In sig. 13, 
for Thorough bass,rentl Thorough base. \ 

BASE, v. t. [add.] In a figurative sense, 
to found ; to lay the foundation of ; as, 
to base an argument upon facts. 

BASE' OURT, n. [add.] In law, an 
inferior court, not of record, as a court- 
baron, court-leet, &c, 

BASE' FEE. In law, to hold in base 
fee is to hold in fee at the will of tl-.e 
lord ; opposed to socaye tenure. 
BASE'-HUMILITIE.f a. Subjection. 
[Spenser.] 



BASILISK 



BASTARD-BALM 



BATH 



BASE' INFEFTMENT. In Scots law, 
a disposition of lands by a vassal, to be 
held of himself. 

BAS'ELARD, n. An ornamental dagger 
worn hanging at the girdle, immediately 
in front of the person. Such weapons 




Figure wcwhu a lizard, from Cough's Sepulchral 
Monuments. 

were worn by gentlemen of right, and 
by all pretenders to gentility in the 
reign of Henry V. 

BASELLA'CE^E, n. A nat. order of 
the monochlamydeous dicotyledonous 
plants. They are usually fleshy and 
seandent, but otherwise like Cheno- 
podiacese. The stamens are perigynous, 
and the calyx coloured. 
BASE'MENT MEMBRANE, n. A 
membrane which covers every free sur- 
face of the body, both external and in- 
ternal. It forms the outer layer of the 
true skin, lying between it and the 
epidermis or scurf-skin. It forms also 
the lining of the mouth, stomach, and 
intestinal tube, with all the canals open- 
ing into these; it also forms the inner 
layer of the serous membranes, and it 
lines the blood-vessels and other tubes. 
It is also called the primary membrane. 
BAS'EN.f PP. or a. Wide; extended. 

[Spenser.] 

BASE'NET. See BASCINET. 
BASE'-ROCKET,n. The common name 
of two British plants of the genus Re- 
seda, R. lutea and /?. fruticulosa. [See 
RESEDA.] 

BASES, n. A kind of embroidered 
mantle, which hung down from the 
middle to about the knees, or lower, 
worn in ancient times by knights on 
horseback. 

BASE' TENURE, n. In /w,atenureby 
villenage, or other customary service. 
BA'SIC, a. [add.] This term is often 
applied to a salt in which the base is 
in excess, or constitutes a large propor- 
tion of the neutral salt. Basic water, 
a term applied to water which appears 
in some cases to act the part of a base, 
as in phosphoric acid. 
BAS'ILAR, ) a. [add.] Relating to 
BAS'ILARY,) the base; situated at 
the base. 

BAS'ILIC, or BASIL'I, n. 
BASIL'IC, or BASIL'ICA, n. 
BAS'ILI, or BASIL'IC, a. 
BASIL'IA, TI. Same as BASILIC. 
BASIL'ICOK,t A basilisk. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BASILIS'CTS, n. [L.~\ See BASILISK. 
BAS'ILISK, n. [add.] This cannon car- 
ried an iron ball of the weight of 2001bs., 
but it is not now used. Modern writers 



give this name to a cannon of smaller 
size, from ten to fifteen feet long, carry- 
ing a forty-eight pound ball. 

BAS'IL THYME, n. A British plant, 
the Thymus, Linn., and the Acinos vtil- 
garis of modern botanists. It has 
bluish purple flowers, and a fragrant, 
aromatic smell. 

BA'SIN, n. [add.] In phys. geog., a cir- 



BAS'TARD CABBAGE-TREE, n. 
The Geoffroya inermis of botanists. 

BAS'TARD-CEDAR, n. A name given 
to various trees which are known in 
our colonies by the name of cedar, but 
are quite distinct from it. Among 
these may be mentioned the various 
species of Cedrela, and the genus Bub- 
roma. 



cXoVovalvalliyordepressionofthe BAS'TARD-DITTANY, .. A plant; 
earth's surface, the lower part of which I white horehound. 



is generally occupied by a lake, or tra- 
versed by a river; also the entire tract 
of country drained by a river. It is 
also applied to any collection of water, 
as seas, lakes, and rivers, and compre- 
hends all the countries which are 
drained by the waters which run into 
such sea, lake, or river. 
BA'SINED, a. Inclosed in a basin. 
BA'SIN-SHAPED, instead of 
BASIN-SHAPED. 

BASIS OLUTE, a. [L. basis, and sola- 
tus, free.] A term applied to leaves pro- 
longed at the base, below the point of 
origin. 

BASQUE, a. (bask.) Relating to Biscay, 

or the language of the natives of Biscay. 

BAS-RELIEF', n. See BASS-RELIEF. 

BASS, n. [add.] A door-mat for wiping 

dirty shoes on; so named because at 

first made chiefly of the bark of the 

bast or lime-tree. 

BASSE,f n. (bass'.) A kiss; a buss. 

[Chaucer.] 
BASSE, n. The sea-perch (Lubrea 

lupus) is so called. [See BASS.] 
BAS'SET, a. Inclined upwards ; as, the 

basset edge of strata. 
BASSETTE', n. [Fr. j A game at cards. 

[See BASSET.] 

BASS'-HORN, n. A musical instrument 
which is a modification of the bassoon, 
but much lower and deeper in its tones. 
It is now generally substituted in field- 
music for the serpent. 
BAS'SIA, n. A genus of tropical plants 
found in the East Indies and Africa, and 
belonging to the nat. order Sapotaceic. 
One species, B. Parhii, is the shea-tree 
of Park, the fruit of which yields a kind 
of butter. 

BAS'SINET, n. A wicker-basket with 
a covering or hood over one end, in 
which young children are placed as in 
a cradle. 

BAS'SO, 7i. In music, the Italian word 
for bass, or base. 

BAS'SOCK, instead of BAS'SOC. 
BAS'SO-DI-CAM'ERA, n. A double- 
bass or contra-basso, reduced in size and 
power, but not in compass, and thus 
adapted to small or private rooms. It 
has four strings, of the same quality as 
those of the violoncello, but all propor- 
tionally thicker. They are tuned in 
fifths to the same literal notes as the 
violin, but two octaves lower. In 
quality of tone and in compass it is 
superior to the double-bass in chamber- 
music. 

BASSOO'LAH, n. A small adze used in 
India ; its blade, in place of being cir- 
cular, like that of the common adze, is 
plane set at an angle of 45 or 50 degrees 
to the handle, which is very short. 
BASS-RELIEF, instead of BASS- 
RELIEF. 

BASS' VOICE, ) n.lnmusic, the lowest 
BASE' VOICE, ) male voice, the usual 
compass of which is from G or F below 
the base-staff, to D or E above it. 
BAS'TARD-AL'KANET, n. A plant, 
the Lithospermum arvense (Linn.) 
BAS'TARD-BALM,7i. Aplant.the Me- 
liltis melissophyllum. [See MELITTIS.! 
40 



BAS'TARD HARE'S-EAR,7i. A shrub 
from the Canary isles, remarkable for 
the beauty of its leaves; it is called 
Phyllis nobla. 

BAS'TARD-INDIGO, TI. A North 
American shrub, from which indigo 
v.-as formerly obtained; it is the Amur- 
pha fructicosa of botanists. 

BAS'TARDLY,+ a. Spurious. 

BAS'TARD-MANCHINEEL, n. A 
name given to the various species of 
Cameraria, a genus belonging to the 
Apocynaceae. 

BAS'TARD STONE-PARSLEY, n. A 
plant, th3 Sison amomum. [See SISON.] 

BAS'TARD TO AD-FLAX, n. A plant, 
the Thesium linophyllum. [See LINABIA, 
and TOAD-FLAX.] 

BAS'TIMENT.f ) n. [Fr. bastiment.] 

BASTIMEN'TO,+ ) A rampart. 

BAS'TIONED, a. Provided with bas- 
tions. 

BAS'TON, n. [add.] A truncheon or 
small club, used in the tournament in- 
stead of the mace in the regular fight. 

BAS'YLE, TI. [Gr. p*nc, a base, and to.*, 
nature or principle.] In cliem., a term 
recently employed to denote the metal- 
lic radical of a salt, or any electro-posi- 
tive ingredient of a compound. 

BAT, n. [add.] The negroes in Jamaica 
call the true bats, rat-bats, to dis- 
tinguish them from butterflies, which 
they call bats. 

BATARD-EAU'. [add.] [Fr. battre, to 
repel, and eau, water.] 

BATE.f pre*. of Bite. Did bite. [Spen- 
ser.] 

BATE, v. t [add.] To dull or blunt ; as, 
to bate the scythe's keen edge. [Shah. ] 

BATH, TI. [add.] Immersion in a bath ; 
as, to take a bath. Partial bath, a bath 
applied to some particular part of the 
body, as the head, foot, &c. In chem., 
a bath is an apparatus for modifying 
and regulating the heat in various che- 
mical processes, by interposing a quan- 
tity of sand, water, or other substance, 
between the fire and the vessel intended 
to be heated. When a liquid bath of a 
highertemperaturethan212 is required, 
saturated solutions are employed, 
in which the boiling point is higher 
than that of water. Metal bath, a 
chemical bath for higher temperatures 
than can be produced by liquid baths. 
Mercury, fusible metal, tin, or lead, are 
employed for this purpose. Knights of 
the Bath, an order of knighthood sup- 
posed to have been instituted at the 
coronation of Henry IV. in 1399. It re- 
ceived this name from the circumstance 
of the candidates for the honour being 
put into a bath the preceding evening, to 
denote a purification or absolution from 
their former misdeeds, and that they 
were now to commence a new life. 
The present order of the Bath, how- 
ever, was instituted by George I. in 
1725. It was a military order, and 
consisted, exclusive of the sovereign, of 
a grand-master, and thirty-six com- 
panions. In 1815, the order was 
greatly extended, and it is now com- 
posed of three classes, viz., military and 



BATON 



BAUDEKIN 



BAYONET-CLUTCH 



civil knights grand-crosses, knij;lits- 
commanders, and knights-companions. 




H .'!' and Collar of the Bith. 

The badge is a golden cross of eight 
points, with a lion of England between 
the four principal angles, and having 
on the sides a rose, thistle, and sham- 
rock ; motto, Trid juncta in uno. A 
silver star is also worn by the first two 
classes. 

BATH'-BRICK, n. A preparation of 
calcareous earth in the form of a brick, 
used for cleaning knives. 

BATHE, n. Act of bathing; the immer- 
sion of the body in water ; as, to take 
one's usual bathe. 

BATHET'IC, a. Relating to bathos; 
sinking. [Itar. us.] 

BATH'ING, n. [add.] The temporary 
surrounding of the body, or a part of 
it, with a medium different or of a dif- 
ferent temperature from that in which 
it is usually placed, as water, watery 
vapour, or air of a temperature differ- 
ent from that of the common atmo- 
sphere. Bathing is usually employed 
for the prevention or cure of disease, 
or for the pleasure derived from the 
operation. 

BATII'ING-ROOM, n. A bath-room. 

BATH'-METAL, n. An alloy of metal, 
composed of 4J ounces of zinc, and 1 
ounce of brass. 

BATH'-OOLITE. See BATH-STONE. 

BAT'-HORSE, ) n. A horse allowed 

BAW-HORSE, ) to a batman in the 
British army, for conveying the utensils 
in his charge. [See BATMAN.] 

BATHOS,n. [add.] A ludicrous descent 
from the elevated to the mean, in 
writing or speech. 

BATID'EjE, n. A nat. order instituted 
by Martins for the Batis fruticosa. It 
belongs to the unisexual monochlamy- 
deous dicotyledonous plants. Its fruit 
and seeds are unknown, and conse- 
quently its affinities very doubtful. 

BATIFO'LIUM, n. A movable wooden 
tower used by besiegers in attacking 
a fortress. 

B A'TIS, n. A small genus of plants, con- 
sisting of a single species, forming the 
nat. order Baticlea- of Martius. It is 
remarkable for the quantity of barilla 
which it contains. 

BAT'-MONEY, \ n. Money paid to a 

SAW-MONEY,/ batman. 

BAT'-NET, n. A net to put over the 
nests of bats. 

BAT'OLITE, 71. [Fr. baton, a staff, and 
Gr. XiC, a stone.] A genus of straight, 
cylindrical, bivalve fossil shells, allied 
to the hippurites. Some are of great 
length, and form masses of rock in the 
high alps. 

BAT'ON, ) n. [add.] The badge or 

BATOON',) truncheon of inferior 
officers of justice, as the baton of a con- 
stable. In music, a term denoting a 



rest of four semibreves. In her., the 
baton is used to denote illegitimate 
descent. 

BATONNIER', n. [Fr.] In France, an 
elected president of an order or fra- 

BAT'RAIIITE, n. [add.] A fossil 
batrachian or frog; also, a mineral 
found in a mountain in Southern Tyrol, 
considered to be a silicate of mag- 
nesia. 

BATRAHOSPER'MUM, n. [Gr. 
?{, a frog, and *Tf;i*, a seed.] A 
genus of fresh-water algiu. The species 
have more or less the appearance of a 
necklace. 

BAT'-SHELL, n. A species of Voluta, 
of a dusky brown colour. 

BAT'TEL, v. i. [add.] To reside at the 
university ; to keep terms. 

BAT'TEL.f v. t. To render fertile ; to 
batten. 

BAT'TEL, n. [add.] Provisions taken 
by Oxford students from the buttery ; 
and also the charges thereon. At 
Eton college, a small allowance of food, 
which, in addition to the college allow- 
ance, the collegers receive from their 

BATTELLER,) n. [add.] A student 

BATTLER, ) at Oxford, who 
stands indebted, in the college books, 
for provisions and drink at the buttery. 
Hence, one who keeps terms, or resides 
at the university. 

BAT'TEN, v. t. [add.] To fasten with 
battens. To batten down, to fasten 
down with battens, as the hatches of a 
ship during a storm. 

BAT'TENED, pp. [add.] Fastened with 
battens. 

BATTENING, n. [add.] The operation 
of fixing battens to walls for nailing 
up laths. 

BATTER-RULE, n. A plumb-line so 
contrived, that while the plummet 
hangs vertically, the wall to which it is 
applied may be sloping or battered. 
This is effected by forming the edge of 
the instrument so as to incline towards 
the vertical line of the plummet, in 
proportion to the slope of the wall. 

BAT'TERY, n. [add.] Trough battery. 
[See Galvanic battery under GAL- 
VANIC.] 

BAT'TIL.f v. i. To battel, or batten ; 
to grow fat. [Spenser.] 

BATTLE, n. [add.] A drawn battle is 
one in which neither party gains the 
victory. A battle-royal, a battle with 
fists or cudgels, in which more than 
two are engaged ; a melee. The term 
is also applied to a fight of gamecocks, 
in which more than two are engaged. 
[Provincial.] 

BATTLE, v. t. [add.] To encounter; 
to engage in battle. 

BATTLINGS.f n. An allowance of 
money. 

BATTON.fTi. A baton or club, [fiipcn- 
str.] 

BATTS, n. Botts. [Scotch.] 

BATTUTA, n. [add.] In music, the 
motion of beating with the hand or 
foot, in directing the time. 

BATZ, or BATZE, n. 

BAU'BLE, n. A trifling piece of finery; 
a gewgaw; that which is gay and 
showy, without any real value. [See 
BAWBT.E.] 

BAUDE.-f- a. (baud.) [Fr.l Joyous; 
riotously joyous. \ Chaucer?! 

BAU'DEKIN, n. [Said to be fromBal- 

dek or Babylon.] A sumptuous species 

of cloth for garments, used by the 

nobility of the middle ages, and com- 

47 



posed of silk interwoven with threads 
of gold. 

BAUDELAIRE'.t n. [Fr.] A small 
knife carried about the person, or in the 
girdle. 

BAUD'ERIE.f ) n. Bawdry. \Chau- 
I5AUD'RIE,t ) cer.] 
BAUD'RICKE,f I A baldric. 
BAULD'RICKE,*/ [Spenser.] 
BAU'DRONS, n. Puss; a cat. [Scotch.] 
BAUD'Y.f a. Bawdy. [Chaucer.] 
BAUHIN'IA, instead of BAUCHI'- 
NIA. 

BAUKS, n. Balks ; uncultivated places 
between ridges of land. [Scotch.] 

BAULD, a. Bald ; also bold. [Scotch.] 

BAU'LEA, n. A round-bottomed boat 
used on the shallower parts of the 
Ganges, for transporting passengers. 
It is not deep, though sometimes it is 
provided with a mast; but the wind 
must be very light before it dare unfurl 
its sail. Bauleas are chiefly propelled 
with oars, and are much used by 
Europeans and rich natives. 

BAU'LITE, n. A white transparent 
mineral, in very thin splinters, found 
in the matter ejected by Krabla in 
Iceland. It is a silicate of alumina, 
and melts before the blowpipe into a 
clear glass. 

BAVARETTE'.f n. A bib to put be- 
fore the bosom of a child. 

BAVIN, n. [add.] Bavins for fireships, 
fagots of easily-kindled brushwood, 2 or 
3 ft. long. The bush ends are all laid 
one way, dipped .in melted composition, 
and afterwards confined by the hand, to 
keep them from breaking off, and to 
make them burn more fiercely. 

BAWBEE, 71. See BAUBEE. 

BAWL, n. A vehement clamour; an 
outcry. 

BAWNES.f n. plur. [See BAWN.] 
Eminences. [Spenser.] 

BAWSON - PLACED, ) a. Having a 

BAWSINT- FACED,) white spot on 
the forehead or face, as a horse, cow, 
&c. [Scotch.] 

BAXTER, n. A baker. [Scotch.] 

BAY, 71. [add.] A stand made by one 
pursued or attacked, during which the 
enemy holds off. To keep or to stand 
at bay, is to face the enemy ; to ward 
off an attack ; to keep an enemy from 
closing in. Also the noise, or repeated 
barking of a dog when the game turns 
round upon him ; and when a stag 
turns round upon the dogs, he is said 
to keep them at bay, or barking, be- 
cause they dare not close in and attack 
him. 

BAYADEER', n. In the East Indies, a 
regularly bred dancing-girl ; a prosti- 
tute. 

BAY'-BERRY TALLOW, n. A waxy 
substance obtained from the bay-berry 
or wax-myrtle (Myrica cerifera), called 
also myrtle-wax. 

BAYEUX' TAPESTRY, 71. A singular 
monument of the middle ages, which 
consists of a web or roll of linen cloth 
or canvas, upon which a continuous 
representation of the events connected 
with the conquest of England by the 
Normans is worked in woollen thread 
of different colours, in the manner of a 
sampler. It is 214 feet in length, and 
20 inches in width, and divided into 72 
compartments. It is traditionally said 
to be the work of Matilda, queen to 
William the Conqueror, and presented 
by her to the cathedral of Bayeux. 

BAY'ING, n. The barking of a dog. 

BAY'ONET-CLUTCH, n. [add.] In 
machinery, a form of clutch armed 



BEAD 



BEAMS 



BEAIIDING-L1NE 



usually with two prongs a, a, which, in 
gear, act on the ends or " lugs" of a 
friction-strap 4, fitted on a side-boss 
of the wheel to be driven, and which 
is loose on the same shaft. The clutch 
is attached to the shaft by a feather- 
key, and when drawn back, or out of 
gear with the strap, the wheel remains 




Bayonet-clutch. 



at rest, and the clutch continues to re- 
volve with the shaft. When it is re- 
quired to set the machinery again in 
motion, the clutch is thrown forward 
by the fork c, and its prongs, engag- 
ing with the strap, gradually put the 
wheel in motion. 

BAY'-KUM, n. A spirit obtained by dis- 
tilling the leaves of the bay-tree. 

BAYS, n. See BAIZE. 

BAYT.f ". t. To rest. [Spenser.] 

BAY'-TREE, n. The laurel-tree (Lau- 
rus nobilis). 

BDEL'LIUM, n. [add] The Indian 
bdellium, according to Royle, is the 
produce of a species of Amyris, the A. 
commiphora, Roxburgh. The African 
bdellium is a product of the Hendelotia 
Africana, a plant belonging to the ca- 
shew tribe. The Sicilian bdellium is 
produced by the Daucus Hispanicus ; 
and the Egyptian bdellium is supposed 
to be produced by the Borassusflabclli- 
formis, Linn. 

BEACH'ING, n. The act of running a 
vessel on shore, after springing a leak, 
to prevent her from sinking ; or when, 
from peculiar circumstances, she may 
be otherwise placed in imminent peril. 
The term applies also to running a 
vessel on the beach, for the purpose of 
being loaded, or careened, where there 
is no suitable accommodation. 

BEA'ON, v. t. To afford light or aid, 
as a beacon ; to light up. 

BEA'ONLESS, a. Having no beacon. 

BEAD, n. [add.] A small piece of metal 
on a gun-barrel, to take sight by. 

BEAD, n. In joiner//, a round moulding 
variously modified; as 1. Head and 
butt, framed work, where the panel is 
flush with the framing, and has a bead 
run on two edges in the direction of 
the grain only, while the ends are left 
plain (fig. 1). 2. Bead and flush, framed 
work in which a bead is run on the 




edge of the framing (fig. 2). 3. Head 
and quirk, a bead formed or stuck, as 
it is called, on the edge of a piece of 
stuff flush with its surface (fig. 3.) 4. 
Bead and double quirk, or return bead, 
a bead stuck, on a piece of stuff, and 

F 'l 3 PU. I. 



quirked or relieved on both surfaces, 
(fig. 4) 5. Bead butt and square mark, 



when the panel has beads on two of its 
edges on one side only, and the other 
side is plain. 6. Bead flush and square, 
when the framing is beaded on one side 
only. 

BEAD'LERY, n. The office or jurisdic- 
tion of a beadle. 

BEAD-MOULD, n. A species of fungus 
which attacks fruit - preserves. Its 
stems consist of single cells, loosely 
jointed together, so as to present the 
appearance of strings of beads. 

BEAD-PLANE, n. In joinery, a plane 
for forming a bead. 

BEADS, n. A number of glass globules 
for trying the strength of spirits. These 
globules are all numbered according 
to their specific gravities, and the 
strength of the spirit is denominated 
by the number of that one which re- 
mains suspended in it, and neither sinks 
to the bottom, nor floats on the surface. 
This is but a rude way of determining 
the strength of spirits, and is nowsuper- 
seded by the hydrometer. 

BEAD'-SNAKE, n. A species of coluber, 
of a brown colour, with spots. 

BE AD'-TOOL, n. A turning tool which 
has its cutting face ground to a concave 
curve, so that it may produce a con- 
vex moulding when applied to the 
work. 

BEAD'-TREE, n. [add.] The Melia 
azedarach. Its nuts are used for 
beads in necklaces, which are worn by 
the Roman Catholics, especially in 
Spain and Portugal, hence the name. 
The root is bitter, and is used as an 
anthelmiutic in North America. 

BEAK'ED PARSLEY. Se ANTIIRIS- 
cus. 

BEAK'-IRON, n. [add.] Tools of the 
same name, but very unlike those of 
the blacksmith, are used by copper- 
smiths and workers in sheet-metal. 
They are often very long, and are sel- 
dom attached to the anvil, but generally 
held in the jaws of the vice. 

BEAK/-KUSH, n. The common name 
of two British herbaceous plants of the 
genus Rhynchospora. [SeRnvxcuos- 

PORA.] 

BEAL, ) n. [Gael.] A mouth ; an open- 

BIEL, ) ing. 

BEAM, n. [add.] In optics, a collection 
or body of parallel rays of light. The 
middle ray of a beam is called its axis. 
[See PENCIL.] 

BEAM, t'. t. [add.] To emit in beams or 
rays. This verb is generally followed 
by forth ; as, to beam forth light. 

BEAM'ED, a. The head of a stag is said 
to be beamed, when it has all its ant- 
lers put forth. 

BEAM'ED, pp. Emitted in beams or 
rays. 

BEAM'-ENGINE.n. A steam-engine in 
which the motion of the piston is trans- 
mitted to the crank by means of an 
overhead-beam and connecting-rod, as 
distinct from a direct - action engine 
and a side-lever engine, in which the 
motion is communicated by two side- 
levers or beams, below the level of the 
piston cross-head. 

BEAM'-FEATHER, n. A long feather 
of a hawk's wing. 

BEAM'-FILLING, n. [add.] In naut. 
Ian., that portion of the c4rgo which is 
stowed betwixt the beams. 

BEAMS, n. plur. In ship-building, strong 
pieces of timber, extending from one 
Bide of the vessel to the other. They 
rest upon the clamps or shelf-pieces, 
and, besides binding the vessel together, 
they are indispensable as supports to 
48 



the deck. Break -beams, beams inlro 
dueed at the break of a deck. Breast- 
beams, in vessels furnished with a poop 
and topgallant forecastle, the beams 
which are placed at the forepart of the 
quarter-deck, and at the afterpart of 
the forecastle. Half-beams, or fork- 
beams, short beams which are intro- 
duced for the purpose of supporting 
the deck, either in places where the 
framing is kept asunder by hatchways, 
or there is no framing at all. Hold- 
beams, in trading vessels, the lowest 
range of beams. 

BEAM'-TREE, n. [add.] The Crat&gus 
aria, Linn., and the Purus aria, De 
Candolle. It is also called white-beam ; 
its wood is hard, compact, and tough, 
and is used for axle-trees, naves of 
wheels, and cogs of machinery. 

BEAN, a. See BEIN in this Supp. 

BEAR, n. Barley that has more than 
two rows of grain in the ear. [Scotch.] 

BEAR, v. i. [add.] To press, with upon ; 
as, to bear heavily upon one's spirits ; 
to bear hard upon an antagonist. To 
relate or refer to, with on or upon ; as, 
how does this bear on the question. . 
To convey intelligence ; as, the letters 
bore that succour was at hand. 

BEAR, n. [add.] The brown or black 
bear of Europe is the Ursus arctos. It 
is a native of almost all the northern 
parts of Europe and Asia, and was at 
one time common in the British islands. 
It is savage and solitary. The Ameri- 
can black bear is the Ursus Americanus, 
somewhat smaller than the European 
brown bear. The grisly bear (Ursus 
ferox) is an inhabitant of the Rocky 
Mountains; it is a ferocious animal, 
and has a bulky and unwieldy form, 
but is nevertheless capable of great 
rapidity of motion. The Siberian bear 
(Ursut collaris) approaches closely 
to the brown bear. The polar bear 
(Ursus maritimuti) is an animal pos- 
sessed of great strength and fierceness, 
but the accounts of early navigators of 
the size, strength, and ferocity of these 
animals have been found to be greatly 
exaggerated. They are, indeed, said 
to be seen frequently in Greenland in 
great droves, and will sometimes sur- 
round the habitations of the natives, 
and attempt to break in. Bears and 
bulls, cant terms applied to persons 
engaged in the gambling transactions 
of the stock-exchange. A bear is one 
who contracts to deliver, at a specified 
future time, stocks which he does not 
own ; a bull is one who contracts to 
take them. Hence, in the intervening 
time, it is the interest of the former to 
depress stocks, and of the latter to 
raise them. The stock is, in fact, never 
delivered, and was never meant to be 
so ; and when the time of delivery ar- 
rives, the losing party pays the differ- 
ence between the price of the stock 
then and at the time when the contract 
was made. A rude, unpolished, or un- 
couth man is in common parlance called 
a bear. 

BEAR'-BIND, n. A plant, the Caluste- 
gia sepium, Brown, and Convolvolus 
sepium, Linn. 

BEARD, v. t. [add.] To furnish with 
beard. 

BEARD,t v. t. To affront. [Spenser.] 

BEARD'-GRASS, n. The common 
name of two well-known British plants 
of the genus Polypogon, nat. order 
Gramineae. 

BEARD'ING-LINE, n. In ship-build- 
ing, a curved line formed by reducing the 



BEAT 



BECAUSE 



BEECII-NUT 



surface of the dead-wood to the shape 
of the vessel's body. [See BEARDING.] 

BEARD'-MOSS, n. A species of lichen, 
which grows on the fir, ash, oak, and 
birch. 

BEARD'Y, n. The local name of the 
whitethroat (Sylvia cinerea), one of our 
most lively and loquacious little birds. 
Also the local name of the loche 
(Cobitis barbatula), a small fresh- water 
fish, so called from the threads about 
its mouth. 

BEARE.f - A bier. [Spenser.] 

BEAR'EHS.f n. In law, persons who 
oppress others; usually called main- 
tainers. 

BEARING, n. [add.] In geography and 
navigation, the direction or point of 
the compass in which an object is seen, 
or the situation of one object in regard 
to another, with reference to the points 
of the compass. Thus, if from a 




situation, a, an object, b, is seen in the 
direction of north-east, the bearing of 
the object is said to be N.E. from a. 
To take bearings, is to ascertain on 
what point of the compass objects lie. 
The term is also applied to the situa- 
tion or direction of any object esti- 
mated with reference to some part of 
a ship ; as, on the beam, before the beam, 
abqft the beam, &c. The bearings of 
a vessel are the widest part of her 
below the plank-sheer. 
BEAR'ING-LOTH, n. Theclothwith 
which a child is covered when carried 
to church to be baptized. 
BEAR'S'-GREASE,n. The fat of bears, 
extensively used to promote the growth 
of hair. 

BEAR'-SKIN, n. The skin of a bear. 
2. A coarse shaggy woollen cloth for 
over-coats. 

BEAR'S WHOR'TLEBERRY, n. A 
British plant, the Arctostaphylos ttva 
ursi, or Arbutus uva ursi, Linn. Its 
leaves possess manifest astringent, and 
under certain circumstances, diuretic 
properties. They have been used in 
medicine in cases of tendency to cal- 
culous diseases. 

BEAR'-WARD, 71. A keeper of bears. 
BEAST'EE, n. In the East Indies, a 
native water-carrier. 
BEAST'LIHEAD.t n. A greeting to a 
beast, addressed as a person. [Spenser. 
BEAT, n. [add.] A round or course 
which is frequently gone over; as, a 
watchman's beat. Also, a place of 
habitual or frequent resort. In music 
beats is a term applied to denote the 
beatings or pulsations resulting from 
the joint vibrations of two sounds o 
the same strength, and nearly the sami 
pitch, or almost in unison. When th( 
unison is complete no beats are heard. 
BEAT, u. t. [add.] To beat hollow, to 
surpass or overcome completely; as 
the author of The Diary of a Physician 
beats Sir Walter Scott hollow. [Col 
loquial.] 

BEAT, v. i. [add.] To be tossed so as 
to strike the ground frequently; as 



floating corps lie beating on the shore. 
[Addison.] To be employed iit inces- 
sant and painful thought. 

Do not infest your mind with beating on 
the strangeness of this business. Shak. 

BEAT, 1 pp. or a. [add.] Rendered 

BEATEN, ) trite by frequent discus- 
sion; as, beaten subjects; beaten topics. 

BEA'l'H'ED.t Pl>. Bathed; hardened 
by fire. [Spenser.] 

BEATS, or BEATINGS, n. In music. 
[See under BEAT in this Supp., and 
under BEATING in Diet.] 

BEAUMONT'ITE, n. In mineralogy, a 
hydrosilicate of copper. 

BEAU'PERES.f ". Plur. [Beau and 
peer.] Fair companions. [Spenser.] 

BEAU-SEM'BLANT.f n. (bo-sem'- 
blant.) [Fr.] Fair appearance. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BEAU'SHIP, n. The character and 
quality of a beau. 

BEAU-SIRE,f n. (bo'-sire.) [Fr.] Fair 
sir; a mode of address. [Chaucer.] 

BEAU'TIFTJL, n. That which possesses 
beauty ; as, the beautiful in nature or 
art. 

BEAU'TILESS, a. Destitute of beauty. 

BEAU'TY BEAMING, a. Diffusing 
beauty. 

BEAUX ESPRITS, n. plur. (boz'- 
espre'.) [Fr.] Men of wit or genius. 

BEA'VER, n. [add.] Of the American 
beaver (Castor fiber), so much prized 
for its fur, and the castor which it 
yields, there are several varieties; as, 
the nigra, or black beaver, the varia, 
or spotted beaver, and the alba, or 
white beaver. Beaver-skins are not so 
much sought for as they used to be ; 
the general use of silk hats has driven 
them, in great measure, out of demand. 

BEA'VER, a. Made of beaver, or of the 
fur of beaver. 

BEA'VER,') n. In armour, the mova- 

BEE'VOR, ( ble face-guard of a hel- 

BE'VOR, { met, sometimes also used 

BE'VER, J to signify the whole hel- 
met. 

He wore his beaver np. 

Shale. Uamlel, act i. scene 2. 
Whut, is my beater easier than it was? 

Shut. Richard III 

Fig. 1. Fig. 2. 




HU.UKT, time of Henry Til. Fijr. 1. Beaver closed. 
Fig. e, Beaver raised. 

BEA'VER-RAT, n. The musk-rat, 
which see. 

BEAVERTEEN', n. Aspecies of fustian 
cloth. 

BEBEE'RINE, \n. The active princi- 

BEBEA'RINE, ) pie of the bark of the 
bebeeru tree of Guiana. It appears to 
be analogous to quinine, and both it 
and its salts are bitter, and highly 
febrifuge. 

BEBEE'RU, ) n. A tree of British Gui- 

BEBEA'RU,) ana (Nectandra Ro- 
dicei), the jjmber of which is known to 
wood-me'rchants by the name of green- 
heart. 

BEt!AFI'O, or BEAFI'GO, n, 
[add.] The true becafico or pettychaps, 
is the Sylvia hortensis of Bechstein. 

BECAUSE', [add.] Because, used to 

express the motive or end, is either 

49 




improper or obsolete ; as, the multi- 
tude rebuked them, because they should 
hold their peace (Matt. xx. 31). We 
should now use that, or in order 
that. 

BECHANCE'.t adv. Accidentally; by 
chance. 

BECHE DE MERE, n. [Fr.] The tre- 
pang, a species of holothuria. [See 
TBEPANO.J 

BE'HI, instead of 
BEtHI, n. 
BECKS, n. Pendant tip- 
pets of the head-dress, 
turned like a beak over 
the forehead; worn in 
the time of Henry VI. 
BEtOM'ED, a. Used by Shah, for 
BECOMING. 

BED, n. [add.] Bed of a stone, slate, or 
mortar, in masonry, the under surface. 
BED,f v. t. for BID. [Spenser.] 
BEDiRK'EN, v. t. To obscure ; to dar- 
ken. 

BED'-BUG, n. The Cimex lectularius, 
a troublesome beaked insect of the 
order Hemiptera, with an offensive 
smell, which infests the crevices of 
bedsteads, &c. 

BED'-CHAIR, n. A chair for the sick, 
with a movable back, which rises or 
falls, to sustain the patient while sit- 
ting up in bed. 

BEDE'MAN, or BEDES'MAN, n. A 
person who resides in a bedehouse, or 
is supported by the funds appropriated 
for this purpose. One that prays for 
or to ; a poor pensioner. [Scotch.] 
BEDEVILLED, pp. or a. Thrown 
into utter disorder and confusion. 
BEDIGHT,t PP- Called or named. 
[Spenser.] 

BED'LAM-BEGGARS, n. The name 
anciently given to such patients of the 
hospital of bedlam as, being partially 
cured, were allowed to go at large, or 
a-begging. 

BED'-LIN'EN, n. Linen for beds, as 
sheets, pillow-covers. 
BED'OUINS, n. plur. The name of 
those Arabs who live in tents, and are 
scattered over Arabia, Egypt, and other 
parts of Africa. 

BED'-PAN, 7i. An utensil for a person 
bedridden. 

BED'-PLATE, n. In mechanics, the 
sole-plate or foundation-plate of an 
engine, &c., is often thus named. 
BED'-QUILT, n. A quilted cover for a 
bed. 

BED'RAL, n. A beadle ; a person who 
is bedrid. [Scotch.] 
BEDREINTE',t pp. (bedrenf.) [Sax. 
bedrencean.] Drenched ; thoroughly 
wetted. [Chaucer.] 
BED'-STEPS, 7i. Steps for ascending a 
bed. 

BED'-STRAW,n. Inbot. [See GALIUM.] 
BED'TICK, n. A case of strong linen 
or cotton cloth for containing the 
feathers or other materials of a bed. 
BEDUNG', v. t. To cover with dung. 
BEE, n. In America, the name given to 
an assemblage of people, generally 
neighbours, to unite their labours for 
the benefit of one individual or family. 
BEEBERA. Misprintfor BEBEERU, 
which see in this Supp. 
BEE'-BIRD, n. The local name of the 
spotted fly-catcher (Muscicapa grisola), 
so called from its catching bees. 
BEECH'-FINCH, n. The chaffinch 
(Fringilla ecelebs) is locally so named. 
BEECH'-GALL, n. A hard nut on the 
leaf of the beech. 

BEECH'-NUT, n. The nut of the beech- 
7 A 



BEGONNE 



BELGARDES 



BELL-ROPE 



tree, from which an oil is extractec 

[See BEECH-OIL.] 

BEECH'Y,a. Made of beech ; consistin 

of beeches. 

BEEF'- WOOD, n. The Australian nam 

of the wood of the species of the genu, 

Casuarina. It is of a reddish colour 

hard, and close-grained, with dark am 

whitish streaks. It is chiefly used in 

fine ornamental work. 

BEE'-HAWK, n. The honey-buzzarc 

(Perm's apivora) is so called, frorr 

preying on hymenopterous insects 

such as wasps, &c. Lepidopterous in 

sects of the genus Sesia are also often 

called bee-hawks, or bee-hawk moths 

BEE'-HOUSE, n. A house or repository 

for bees. 

BEE'-LINE. In America, to take a bee- 

line is to take the most direct 01 

straight way from one point to another. 

as bees do in returning loaded with 

honey to their hives. 

BEE'-MOTII, n. A moth, from whose 

eggs are produced caterpillars which 

infest bee-hives. It is the Galleria 

cereana of naturalists. 

BEEN,f n. plur. Bees. [Chaucer.] 

BEE'-ORHIS, n. A British plant of 

the genus Ophrys, the O. apifera. [See 

OPHRYS.] 

BEER'-SHOP, n. A shop in which beer 
is sold. 

BEES"- WAX, n. The wax collected by 
bees, and of which their cells are con- 
structed. [See WAX.] 
BEETLE, . [add.] In entom., this term 
is more properly used to designate those 
insects which are covered by a strong 
horny substance, the -abdominal part 
of the body being protected by two 
sheaths, under which the wings are 
folded. Hence, the term is synonymous 
with coleoptera. The " black beetles " 
of kitchens and cellars are cockroaches 
(Blatta germanica], and belong to the 
order Orthoptera. 

BEEVOR.n. In armour. [See BEAVER.! 
BEFLAT'TER, v. t. To flatter; to 
cajole. 

BEFLOW'ER, v. t. To besprinkle, or 
scatter over with eruptions or pustules. 
[ffobba.] 

BEFLUM'MED, pp. or a. Palavered ; 
nattered. [Sir W. Scott.] 
BEFOG', . t. To involve in fog.. 
BEFOREN',f \adv. or prep. Before 
BEFORNE'.f I [Chaucer.] 
BEFRIEND'MENT.n. Actof befriend- 
ing. 

BEFUR', v. t. To cover or supply with 
fur. 

BE'GA, n. A Bengal land-measure, 
about one-third of an English acre. 
BEG'GAR-BRAT, n. A child that be K s. 
BEG'GAR'S-LICE, n. The name of a 
noxious American weed, the Echino- 
spermum virginiaim. It has a bur-like 
fruit, or nut, with hooked prickles, 
which fasten on those who pass by 
BEGHARDS',) n. [add.] A German 
BEGUAKDS', ) word, signifying one 
who begs with importunity. In this 
sense it was frequently applied to the 
Franciscan and other mendicant orders, 
denoting the practice by which they 
gained their subsistence. The term 
was also applied to a class of persons 
distinguished for the fervour and fre- 
quency of their prayers. 
BEGINNE', for BEGINNING. [Spenser 1 
BEGON'.t PP. Gone. [Chaucer.] 
BEGO'NIA, n. A genus of plants. [See 
BEGONIACE.S ] 

BEGONNE,t pp. (begon'.) Begun. 
[Cliaucer.] 



BEGRUT'TEN, pp. or a. Exhauste 
with weeping. [Scotch.] 
BEGUIN', n. [Fr.] [add.] The Beguin. 
were properly certain tertiaries, or half 
monks, who followed the third rule o 
St. Francis, in the 13th century. They 
were the Beghards of Germany. [Se 
BEGHARDS.] 

BEGUINES', n. [Fr.] An order of fe 
males who sprung up in Germany am 
Belgium in the 13th century. Withou: 
taking the monastic vows, they formet 
themselves into societies, for the pur- 
poses of devotion and charity, and livec 
in houses called beguinages. Com- 
munities of Beguines still subsist in 
Holland, Belgium, and Germany. 
BEGUM', v. t. To daub or cover with 
gum. 




* Atrick - 

BEHAVE'.t v. t. [add.] To possess, use, 

or occupy. [Spenser.] 
BE'HEMOTH, n. [add.] Some authors 

consider the behemoth as a kind of 

type, or representation of the largest 

land auimals, under the generic name 

of behemoth, which is a plural, denoting 

literally, beasts. 
BE'HEN, ) n. [add.] The white behen 

BEN, > of the shops is the root of 
BEK'EN, ) the Centaurea behen, n na- 

tive of the Levant; the red behen is 

the root of the Statice limonium, or 

sea-lavender. 
BEHESTE',f n. (behest'.) Promise. 

^Chaucer.] 
BEHETE,f v. t. (behef.) [Sax.] To 

promise. [Chaucer.] 
BEHEWEYh>p.(behew'.)[.BeandAKe.] 

Coloured. [Chaucer.] 
BEHIGHT'EN,t \fP- [See BEIIIOIIT.] 
BEHIGHTE'.f / Promised. [Chau- 

cer.] 
BEHOLD'ING, n. Act of seeing. 

2.f Obligation. 

5EIK)OVE',t " Advantage; behoof. 



n. Shelter. [Scotch.] 

BEIN, n. Wealthy; well to do; com- 
fortable ; well provided, f Scotch.] 

BE'ING-PLACE,t n. A place to exist 
in ; a state of existence. 

BEIST'INGS, n. The name among 
farmers for the first milk of the cow 
after the birth of a calf. [See BIEST- 

1NQS.] 

E IT SO. A phrase of anticipation- 
suppose it to be so ; or, of permission 
let it be so. [Shak.] 
JEJAUN'DICE, v. t. To infect with 
the jaundice. 

JEL-AOYLE', n. [Fr. bel, and nc- 
cueil.] Kind salutation and reception. 
JELAYD'.t pp. [See BELAY.] Laid over 
or decorated. [Spenser.] 
JELCH, v. i. To eject wind from the 
stomach; to issue out with eructa- 
tion. 

SELECTION MOULDINGS, n. See 
BALECTION MOULDINGS. 
JELECTURE, t>. t. To vex with lec- 
tures ; to lecture. 

JELEMNIT'ID^., n. The family of 
cephalopodous mollusca which contains 
the belemnites, of which at least 100 
species are known in a fossil state. 
JEL ESPRIT, n. (bel' espree.) Plur. 
Beaux esprits. A wit ; a fine genius. 
Also, a pretender to wit. 
tEL'FRY, n. [add.] In ships, the orna- 
mental frame usually fixed on the top 
of the pawl-bit, in which the shin's 
sell is hung. 

SELGARDES.f See BELLQARDS in 
this Supp. 

60 



BELIEVE', v. t. [add.] To think to be 
true ; to suppose. 

BELIKE', adv. Perhaps. [Scotch.] 
BELIVE', ) adv. By and by ; speedily. 
BELYVE', f [Scotch.] 
BELL, n. [add.] To curse by bell, book, 
and candle, in the Rom. church, was to 
read a form of execration against an 
excommunicated person, with the ring- 
ing of bells and candles lighted, to in- 
spire the greater dread 

Bell-roof, in arcA., a roof, 
the vertical section of which, 
perpendicular to the wall or 
its springing line, is a curve 
of contrary flexure, being con- 
cave at bottom and convex 
at top. 

BELL, v. t. To bell the cat, to encounter 
and cripple an adversary of a greatly 
superior power. The phrase is derived 
from the fable of the mice resolving to 
put a bell on the cat, to guard them 
against its attack. 

BELLATRIX,n. [L.] A ruddy glitter- 
ing star of the second magnitude, in 
the left shoulder of Orion ; so named 
from its imaginary influence in exciting 
war. 

BELL'-BIRD, n. A species of chatterer 
(Procnias carunculata), distinguished 
by a long soft caruncle at the base of 
its beak. It is a native of South Ame- 
rica, and its loud sonorous voice exactly 
resembles the tolling of a bell, being 
all the more striking, that it is, perhaps, 
the only bird which is not silent during 
the heat of the day. 

BELL'-CRANK, n. In mech., a rectan- 
gular lever by which the direction of 
motion is changed through an angle of 
ninety degrees, and by which its velo- 
city-ratio and range may 
be altered at pleasure, by 
making the arms of differ- 
ent lengths. It is so named 
from its being the form of 
crank employed in chang- 
ing the direction of the 
bell-wires of house-bells. 
F is the fixed centre of motion, about 
which the arms oscillate. 
SELLE,f a. (bel'.) [Fr.] Fair. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BELLE, f . t. [Sax.J To roar ; to bel- 
low. [Chaucer.] 

ELL'-FOUND'ERY,) n. A place 
BELL'-FOUND'RY, $ where bells 
are founded or cast. 

BELLGARDS'.f Plur. [Fr. belles 

regardes.] Beautiful looks. [Spenser.] 

BELL'-HANGER, n. One who hangs 

and fixes bells. 

BELL'-HANGING, n. The hanging 
and fixing of bells. 

BEL'LIOSE, ) n. Inclined to war: 
BEL'LIOUS, f warlike. [Lit. us.] 
BEL'LIED, pp. or a. [add!] In bot. t 
ventricose ; swelling out in the middle ; 
as a monopetalous corol. 
BELLIG'ERATE.t [L. belligero.] 
To make war. 

BELL'-MOUTHED, a. Gradually ex- 
panded at the mouth in the form of n 
bell ; applied to the intake end of 
water-mains, usually thus formed. 
BEL'LOWER, n. One who bellows. 
BEL'LOWS-MAKER, n. One who 
makes bellows. 

BEL'LOWS-SOUND, n. In ausculta- 
tion, an unnatural sound of the heart, 
resembling the puffing of a small bel- 
lows. 

BELL'-PULL, n. A bell-rope ; that by 
which a bell is made to ring. 
BELL'-ROPE, n. A rope for ringing a 




BEMBIDIIDyE 



BEN-NUTS 



BERME 



bell ; nn appendage to the vesture of a 
Roman Catholic priest. 
BELI/-8HJLPED,* [add.] In 5o/.,cam- 
panula'e ; swelling out, without a tube 
at the base, as a monopetalous corol. 

HELL THE CAT. See BKLL, ti. t. 

BELL'-WAVERING,;>pr. Wandering. 
[Scottk.] 

BEL'LY, n. [add.] Belly of a sail, the 
concave or hollow side of a sail, when 
it is inflated by the wind. Belly of a 
curved timber, the concave side of it, or 
the inside, the outside being termed the 
back. 

BEL'LY-BAND, n. [add.] In sea Ian., 
a band of canvas to strengthen a sail ; 
viz., between the lower reefs and the 
foot of a topsail or course. The belly- 
band, or gripes of a quarter-boat or 
stern-boat, serve to keep the vessel 
steady in rolling or pitching. 

BEL'ONE, n. [add.] A genus of fishes 
of the family Esocidie, of which one 
species, the common gar (B. vulgaris), 
is taken in our seas. The bones of this 
species become green by boiling. 

BELORD', v. t. To domineer over. 
[Rar. vs.] 

BELOVE',+ v. t. To love. 

BEL'S1RE,+ n. An illustrious ancestor. 

BELT, n. [add.] A band, usually of 
leather, passing round any piece of 
machinery, as a wheel or axle. A long 
narrow plantation. 

BELT'EIN, n. See BELTANE. 

BELU'GA, 7i. [add.] The sea-beluga is 
the Delphinaptera leucas, or D. albi- 
cans ; but the Russians apply the term 
beluga properly to the white sturgeon 
(Acipenser puso), which furnishes isin- 
glass and caviar; caught particularly 
in the Volga and other rivers of the 
Caspian. 

BE'LUS, ) n. The chief deity of the 

BEL, J Babylonians and Assyrians ; 
also called Baal. [See BAAL.] 

BELVEDERE', n. [It.] In Italianarch., 
a small building constructed at the top 
of a house or palace, and open to the 
air, at least on one side, and frequently 
on all. It is constructed for the pur- 
pose of obtaining a view of the country, 
and for enjoying the cool evening breeze. 
In France, the name is given to a 
summer-house in a park or garden. 
The word is improperly written belvi- 
dere. 

BELVISIA'CE^;, n. A small nat. order 
of plants, having an inferior several- 
celled fruit, a monopetalous corolla 
furnished with a corona, a valvate calyx, 
many stamens, amygdaloid cotyledons, 
and alternate leaves. Its annuities are 
obscure, ome things indicating a re- 
semblance to the Myrtacese, others to 
the Passifloracese, and others to the 
BJiizophoracea?. There are only two 
genera, Asteranthus and Napoleona, 
which last is sometimes called Belvisia. 
All are from tropical Africa. 

BEMAT'TER.t v. t. To smear or cover 
with matter. 

BEM'BEX, n. A genus of hymenopte- 
rous insects, peculiar to hot climates, 
and resembling wasps both in size and 
colour. They form the typical group 
of the family Bembicidai of Leach. 

BEMBIDI'ID^:, n. A family of minute 
carnivorous beetles, which generally 
frequent the margins of rivers, ponds, 
and ditches. They are usually of a 
bright blue or green metallic colour, 
having two or four pale yellow spots on 
the elytra; the terminal joint of the 
1'alpi is sharp-pointed, hence the name 
subulipalpi frequently applied to them. 



BE'MES.t . plur. [Sax.] Trumpets. 
\Chaucer.} 

BEMOIL'ED.f pp. Bemired. 

BE'MOL, n. In music, B-flat, a semitone 
below B-nutural. 

BEMUD'DLE, . t. To confuse; to 
stupefy. 

BEMOSE', v. t. To enchant or overcome 
by the muses. [Poetical.] 

BEN, n. [be-in.] The inner apartment of 
a house. [Scotch.] 

BEN, adv. Towards the inner apartment 
of a house. To bring far ben, to treat 
with great respect and hospitality. 
To be far ben with one, to be on terms 
of intimacy or familiarity with him ; to 
be in great honour with him. [Scotch.] 

BENCH'-MARKS, n. Fixed points left 
on a line of survey for future refer- 
ence. 

BEND, v. t. [add.] To bend the sails, is 
to extend and make them fast in their 
proper positions. 

BEND, n. [add.] In naut. Ian., a knot 
by which two ropes are united; as, 
cable bends, carrick bends, a fisherman's 
bend, &c. 

BEND'ER, n. In New York, a spree; a 
frolic. To go on a bender, is to go on a 
spree. 

BEND'-LEATHER, n. The strongest 
kind of sole-leather for shoes, made 
from cow-hides. [Scotch.] 

BENDS, n. Ribbands or bandages for 
the head, used, in ancient times, by 
ladies, in imitation of the circles of gold 
among the Normans. 

BEN'EDIT, n. [add.] This word, used 
as a cant term for a married man, or a 
man newly-married, is derived from one 
of the characters in Shakspeare's play 
of Much ado about nothing. 

BENEDIC'TORY, a. Conferring be- 
nediction. 

BEN'EFIT, n. [add.] Indulgence; con- 
cession ; a performance at a theatre, 
the proceeds of which go to one of the 
actors as part of his recompense. The 
same name is given to a public per- 
formance, the proceeds of which go to 
some indigent deserving person, or to 
some public institution or charity. 

BEN'EFIT-PLAY, n. A play acted for 
the advantage of some one. 

BEN'EFIT-SOCIETIES, n. Friendly 
societies, which see. 

BENEMPTE', pp. Benamed. [Spen- 
ser.] 

BENEV'OLENTNESS, n. Benevo- 
lence. [Rar. as.] 

BEN'GAL- LIGHT, n. A species of 
fireworks used as signals by night or 
otherwise, producing a steady and vivid 
blue-coloured fire. 

BEN'GAL-QUINCE, n. A plant, the 
Agle marmelos. 

BEN'GAL- STRIPES, n. A kind of 
cotton cloth woven with coloured 
stripes; ginghams. 

BEN'ICKE, 7i. In Turkey, a kind of 
military fete, similar to the tournament 
of the middle ages in Europe, but 
without the presence of ladies. 

BENIG'NANTLY.adv. Inabenignant 
manner. 

BENIME,-)- v. t. (benim'.) [Sax.] To 
take away. [Chaucer.] 

BEN'JAMIN TREE, TI. The Laurus 
benzoin ; also, a species of ficus, the 
F. benjamina. 

BEN'NISON, n. See BENISOW. 

BEN'-NUTS, n. The seeds of an Ara- 
bian plant, Moringa pteri/ffosperinft, 
which yield an oil called oil of ben, or 
ben-oil. They have been employed in 
syphilitic diseases. 
61 



BEN'-OIL, n. The expressed oil of the 
ben-nut, which is remarkable for not 
becoming rancid for many years. It is 
perfectly inodorous, on which account 
it is much used by perfumers, to retain 
the scent of the more fragrant oils. At 
a low temperature it separates into two 
parts, the one solid and the other 
liquid ; and the latter is employed by 
watchmakers, in preference to any 
other oil, for lubricating their delicate 
works, on account of its having no ac- 
tion upon the metals. 

BENO'MEN.f pp. fromBenime. Taken 
away. [Chaucer.] 

BEN'SHIE, n. An Irish fairy, or a 
fairy's wife. 

BENT, ) n. [add.] Bent, in 

BENT'-GRASS,} Scotch, is used me- 
taphorically, to signify the hill; the 
moor. To taK the bent, to take the 
field ; to run away. 

BENTHA'MIA, n. A genus of plants, 
nat. order Cornaceas. C.frugifera is 
a very handsome plant, and yields an 
eatable fruit. It is a native of the 
East Indies. 

BENUMB'ERS, 77. In med., agents 
which cause topical numbness, or mus- 
cular weakness. 

BEN'ZOYLE, n. The radical of benzoic 
acid, of oil of bitter almonds, and of an 
extensive series of compounds. [See 
BENZILE, BENZULE.] 

BEPLAS'TER, v. t. To cover with 
plaster; to embellish. 

BEQUEATH', v. t. [add.] To hand down 
to posterity; as, to bequeath a family 
quarrel. 

BEQUOTE', v. t. To quote frequently 
or much. 

BERBERIDACE^E, n. See BERBEBI- 

DEjE. 

BER'BERINE, n. [add.] This sub- 
stance is used in dyeing yellow. 

BER'BERIS, n. [add.] The species of 
this genus are known by the common 
name of barberry. They are interesting 
both for their utility and their beauty. 
The berries of the common barberry 
(JEf. vulgaris) are acid and astringent, 
and form with sugar an agreeable re- 
freshing preserve. The stem and bark 
are excessively astringent, and are for 
that reason employed by dyers. The 
root yields a yellow dye. 

BER'BERRY-BLIGHT, n. A fungus 
plant, the jEcidium berberidis, which 
is parasitic upon the leaves of the com- 
mon berberry. 

BERDE',t7i.(berd.) Beard. [Chaucer.} 

BERE'ANS, n. A sect of dissenters 
from the church of Scotland, the foun- 
der of which was John Barclay. They 
profess to follow the example of the 
ancient Bereans mentioned in the New 
Testament, in building their system of 
faith and practice upon the Scriptures 
alone, without regard to human autho- 
rity. 

BEKEA'VER, n. One who bereaves, or 
deprives another of something valued. 

BERENGA'RIANS, n. A sect which 
followed Berengarius or Berenger, 
archdeacon of St. Mary's at Anjou, who 
in the llth century, denied the pre- 
sence of the body and blood of Christ 
in the sacrament. 

BER'EWI,f n. [Sax.] A village or 
hamlet. 

BERG'ANDER,7i. [add.] The Tadorna 
vulpanser, or sheldrake. 

BER'GIL, ) n. The species of acan- 

BER'GYLT,) thopterygian fishes of 
the genus Labrus are so called. 

BERME, n. [add.] The bank or side of 



BEVEL 



BIBLIC1ST 



a canal which is opposite to the towing 
path ; called also berme bank. 

BERME,t n. (berm.) Yeast; barm. 
[Chaucer.] 

BERNE.t n. (bern.) A barn. [Chaucer] 

BER'NICLE GOOSE, n. The Berni- 
cla leucopsis, a bird which inhabits the 
Arctic regions, but in autumn and win- 
ter visits England, France, Germany, 
Holland, &c. It is rather more than 
two feet in length, and weighs about 
five pounds. [See BARNACLE.] 

BE'ROE, n. A genus of small marine 
animals, belonging to the class Acale- 
pha. The species, which are transpa- 
rent and gelatinous, are either oval or 
globular, arid float in the ocean, where 
they are widely diffused. They are 
phosphoric, and shine at night liko 
lamps suspended in the sea. Two or 
three species occur in the British 
seas. 

BERO'SUS, n. A genus of fresh-water 
coleopterous insects, usually found in 
ponds, in which they may often be seen 
swimming in an inverted position. 

BER'RYA, n. A genus of plants, be- 
longing to the nat. order of Tiliacefe. 
B. ammonilla is the Trincomalee wood 
tree, a native of Ceylon, where it is 
called ammonilla. It received its bo- 
tanical name in honour of Dr. Berry, of 
Madras. 

BERTH, n. [add.] To give the land, or 
any object, a wide berth, is to keep at a I 
proper distance from it. Berth and ' 
space, in ship-building, the distance j 
between the moulding edge of one 
timber and the moulding edge of the 
one next to it. 

BERTHIERITE, instead of BER'- 
THECRITE. 

BERTH'ING, B. A term used by seamen 
most generally to denote the bulwark of 
a merchant ship. In ships of war it 
is the planking outside above the 
sheer-strake, and is designated the 
berthing of the quarter-deck, of the 
poop, or of the forecastle, as the case 
may be. It is also used to denote the 
close boarding between the head-rails, 
and in this case it is called the berthiii'j 
of the head. 

BESAGNES', n. [Fr.] The two circular 
plates, about the size of a shilling, which 
covered the pins on 
which the visor of 
the helmet turned. 

BESAGUE', n. [Fr.] 
A cornuted staff or 
club used by knights 
until the end of the 
14th century. 
BESEKE ,f v. t. (be- 
seek'.) To beseech. 
[Chaucer.] 

BESETE'.f ) pp. [Sax.] Placed ; em- 
BESETTE',tJ ployed. [Chaucer] 
BESEYE'.f pp. from Besee. Beseen. 
[Chaucer] 

BE'SHAN, n. A kind of balsam. [See 
BALSAMODENDRON.] 
BESHET'.t PP- from Beshut. Shut up. 
[Chaucer.] 

BESIDES'.jJrej). [add.] Except; bating; 
near. [Spenser.] 

BESI'REN, v. t. To allure or entice as 
a siren. 

BESLOB'BER, . t. To daub ; to soil. 
BESMOT'RED.f pp. from Besmut. 
Smutted; blackened with smut. [Chau- 
cer] 

BESPEAK', v. t. [add.] To secure ; as, 
to besiteah one's favour 
BESPET'.f pp. [Sax.] Spit upon. 
[Chaucer.] 




BESPEW, v. t. To daub with spew or 
vomit. 

BESPRINT'.f PP- Besprinkled. [Spen- 
ser.] 

BESPUT'TER, v.t. To sputter over. 

BEST, a. [add.] Best is sometimes fol- 
lowed by a verb in the infinitive ; as, 
I sat down to consider what 1 had best 
to do. 

BESTADDE',t ) pp. from Bestead. 

BESTAD'.f ) Situated; circum- 
stanced well or ill ; distressed. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BESTE,t n. A beast. [Chaucer.] 

BEST'IATE,f v. t. To make like a 
beast. 

BESTIL'LED, pp. Dissolved. [SAaA.] 

BESTOW, v. t. [add.] To give or im- 
part, in a bad sense ; as, to bestow cen- 
sure. 

BESTREAK', v. t. To mark or cover 
with streaks. 

BESTROW, v. t. To scatter over ; to 
besprinkle ; to bestrew. 

BESURE', adv. [For to be ture.] Cer- 
tainly; surely. [Collog.] 

BES'Y.f a. Busy. [Chaucer.] 

BET, BETTE, for BETTER. [Chaucer.] 

BETAKE, f i'. t. [Sax.] To give; to 
recommend to ; to commit. [Spenser.] 

BETE.f r. t. (bet'.) [Sax.] To prepare ; 
to mend ; to make ; to heal. [Chaucer.] 

BETE.f v. t. [Fr.] To beat. [Chaucer.] 

BETECHE',1 for BETAKE or BETEACH. 
[Chaucer.] 

BETEEM', v. t. [add.] To allow; to 
suffer. [Shaft.] 

BETEEME.f r. t. To give ; to deliver. 
[Spenser.] 

BE'TELGEUSE, n. A star of the first 
magnitude in the southern constellation 
Orion. 

BETH.f . i. imperat. Be ye. [Chaucer. 1 

BETID', f ) pp. from Betide. Hap- 

BETlDDE',fj pened. [Chaucer.] 

BETIGHT'.f pp. of Betide. Happened. 
[Spenser] 

BETOKE'.f PP- from Betake. Recom- 
mend. [Chaucer.] 

BE'TON, n. A mixture of lime and 
gravel, which grows into a compact 
mass, and is used to form an artificial 
foundation when the ground is insecure ; 
concrete. 

BETON'GIA, n. A genus of marsupial 
mammalia allied to the kangaroos, one 
species of which (B. cuniculus) is called 
the forest-rat by the colonists of Van 
Diemen's Land. 

BETO'NIA, n. Betony, a genus of 
plants now merged in the genus Sta- 
chys. 

BETOOKE'.t pret. of Betake. Deli- 
vered; committed. [Spenser.] 

BETRAIS'ED.f pp. [Fr.] Betrayed. 
[Ckaucir.] ' 

BETROTH' AL, n. Betrothment. [Rar. 
us.] 

BETT, for BETTER. [Spetuer.] 
BETTER,t v. i. To grow better ; to 
become better. 

BETTERMENTS, n. plur. Improve- 
ments made on new lands, by cultiva- 
tion, fences, buildings, &c. [American.] 
BETTING, a. The laying of a wager ; 

the practice of laying wagers. 
BETUTOR, v.t. To instruct; to tutor. 
[Rar. us] 

BETWEEN DECKS,} n. The space 
TWIXT DECKS, j between any 
two decks of a vessel. 
BETWIX'.t \ prep. Between. 
BETWIX'EN.tJ [Chaucer.] 
BEVEL, a. [add.] Slant; having the 
form of a bevel. 

BEVEL, v. i. [add.] To slant or incline 
62 



off to a bevel-angle, or from a direct 
line. 

BEVEL- ANGLE, n. Any angle which 
is greater or less than a right angle. 

BEVELLED, pp. [add.] In mineral, 
replaced by two planes inclining equally 
upon the adjacent planes, as an edge ; 
having its edges replaced as above, as u 
cube or other solid. 

BEVELLING, a. [add.] Slanting to- 
ward a bevel-angle. 

BEVELLING.n. [add.] The hewing of 
timber with a proper and regular slant 
toward a bevel-angle, according to a 
mould laid on one side of the surface. 
The bevelling of a piece of timber also 
signifies the angle contained by two of 
its adjacent sides ; if this angle is acute, 
it is called an under bevelling or bevel, 
and if the angle is obtuse, it is termed a 
standing bevel. 

BE'VER, n. In armour. [See BEATER.] 

BEVIE,f n. See BEVY. [Spenser.] 

BE'VOR, n. In armour. [See BEAVER.] 

BEVY, n. [add.] Sportsmen now con- 
fine this term to a flock of quails. 

BEWAILE'.f v. t. [See BEWAIL.] To 
make choice of; to select. [Spen- 
ser.] 

BEWEPE'.f v. t. To weep over. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BEWHORE', v. t. To corrupt with re- 
gard to chastity. 2.f To pronounce a 
whore. 

BEWHEY'.f) v.t. To discover. [Chau- 

BEWIUE'.t ) cer.] 

BEYE.t . t. To buy. [Chaucer.] 

BEYETE'.f PP. (beyef.) [Sax.] Begot- 
ten. [Chaucer.] 

BEY'RAGHEE, n. In the East Indies, 
a native beggar. 

BEZOAR'TIAL, a. Having the qua- 
lities of an antidote. 

BEZO'NIAN, n. [From It. bitogno.] An 
indigent wretch. [Shak.] 

B-FLAT, n. The common bed-bug is 
sometimes so called. 

BI. [L. bis, twice.] In chem., a prefix of 
certain saline compounds, into which 
two proportions of acid enter for one 
of base ; as 6i-arseniate. 

BIADETTO, n. [Ital.J The same as 
BICE. 

BIAN'O SEO, n. [Ital.] A white 
used in fresco painting, consisting of 
lime macerated in water until its caus- 
ticity is removed, to which pulverized 
marble is added. 

- Having two axes. 

BIB, n. [add.] The bib is a species of 
the cod family,and is theHforrhua lusca 
of naturalists. In Shetland it is called 
the smeltie. 

BIB'BED,t pp. Drunk. [Chaucer.] 

BIB'IO, n. [add.] A genus of dipterous 
insects, belonging to the family Tipu- 
lidae. All the species are of small size, 
and their flight is slow and heavy. 
They are found in damp, marshy places, 
and fly but little, being very sluggish. 

BIB'ITORY, a. Pertaining to drinking 
or tippling. 

BI'BLE,f n. Any greatbook. [Chaucer.] 

BI'BLE CHRISTIANS, n. A religious 
sect in America, who abstain from all 
animal food and spirituous liquors, and 
live on vegetables and fruits. They 
profess to follow the great doctrines of 
the Bible, and reject all human autho- 
rity in matters of religion. 

BI'BLE-OATH, n. An oath on the 
Bible ; a sacred obligation. 

BIB'LIALLY, adv. According to the 
Bible. 

BLB'LICIST, n. One skilled in the 



BIDDE 



BIG GIT 



BILALO 



knowledge and interpretation of the 
Bible. 

BIBLIOGRAPH'ICALLY, adv. In a 
bibliographical manner. 

BIBLIOLO6'IAL, a. Relating to 
bibliology. 

BIBLIOL'O&Y, w. [Or. &>., a book, 
and Ao/of, discourse.] Biblical literature, 
doctrine, or theology; a treatise on 
books; bibliography. 

BIBLIOM'ANCY, or BIB'LIOMAN- 
CY. 

BIBUOMA'NIANISM.n. Book-mad- 
ness; bibliomania. [Not authorized.} 

BIBLIOM'ANIST, n. One affected by 
bibliomania. 

BIBLIOPH'ILISM, n. [Gr. ftCx.,, and 
QI/.IV, to love.] Love of bibliography or 
of books. 

BIBLIOPII'ILIST, n. A lover of biblio- 
graphy or of books. 

BIBLIOPHO'BIA n. [Gr. .:*, and 
$CIC/JL*I, to fear.] A dread of books. 
.BIBLIOPOL'ICAL, a. Relating to 
bookselling or booksellers. 

BIBLIOP'OLISM, n. The employment 
of a bibliopolist ; bibliomania. 

BIBLIOPOLIS'TtC, a. Relating to a 
bookseller or bookselling. 

BIB'LUS, n. [L.] The papyrus, an Egyp- 
tian aquatic plant. [See PAPYRUS.] 

BIBROMISATIN'I ACID, n. An 
acid produced by bibromisatine. 

BICE, n. [add.] Slue bice, mountain- 
blue, a native carbonate of copper. 
Green bice, mountain -green, or mala- 
chite green, also a carbonate of copper, 
mixed with a small proportion of the 
oxide of iron. 

BI'CEPS, a. [L. bis, double, and caput, 
the head.] Two-headed, or having two 
distinct origins, as applied to a muscle 
of the thigh and of the arm. 

BIHLORISATIN'ie ACID, n. An 
acid yielded by bichlorisatine when 
treated with caustic potash. 

BICH'Y, or CO'LA, n. The Cola 
acuminata, a tree belonging to the nat. 
order of Sterculiacese. It is from the 
north coast of tropical Africa, but has 
been introduced into the West Indies, 
&c., by the negroes, who use the seeds 
for bowel complaints. 

BICK'ERING, n. Contention; skir- 
mish. 

BILIN'IUM, n. [L.] In ancient Ro- 
man houses, a dining-room with only 
two beds or reclining benches in it. 

BI'OLOR, a. [L. bis, and color.] Of 
two colours. 

BION'GREGATE, a. [L. bis, and 
congrego.] In hot., bigeminate, or ar- 
ranged in two pairs, as the leaflets of 
Mimosa unguis cati. 

BICON'JUGATE, a. [L. bis, and con- 
juyo, to unite.] In pairs ; placed side by 
side. 

BIOR'NIS, a. [L. bis, double, and cor- 
nu, a horn.] In anat., a term applied 
to the os hydides, which has two pro- 
cesses or horns. 

BIRE'NATE, a. [L. bis, and crena, 
a notch.] In hot., doubly crenate, a 
term applied to crenate leaves when the 
crenatures or toothings are themselves 
crenate. 

BICUSPID, BIUS'PIDATE, a. 
[add.] In anat., a term applied to teeth 
having two fangs, or tubercles ; as 
the two first pairs of grinders in each 
jaw. 

BIUS'PIS, n. [L.] A tooth with two 
points. 

BIDDE.t t). t. To bid; to offer; to 
order. [Chaucer.] To wish; to pray. 
[Spenser.] 



BID'DERY WARE, n. A kind of me- 
tallic ware made at Bidderyin Hindus- 
tan, composed of copper, lead, tin, and 
spelter. 

BID'DING OF BEADS, n. A praying 
with beads ; also, a charge given by a 
Roman Catholic parish priest to his 
parishioners at some special time, to 
come to prayers upon any festival or 
saint's day. 

BID'DINGS, n. The raising of the price 
of a thing at a sale or auction. 

BID'D Y, n. A domestic fowl; a chicken; 
a term generally used in calling fowls 
to meat. 

BIDE, for BID, v. t. [Spenser.] 

BIDE, v. i. To stay ; to reside. As a 
verb active, to endure. [Scotch.] 

BIDE, v. t. [add.] To wait for ; as, I 
bide my time. [Scotch.] 

BI'DENT, instead of BIDE'NT, n. 

BIDENT'AL, -i a. [add.] In tool., 

BIDENT'ED, 1 having two teeth, 

BIDENT'ATED, [ or two tooth-like 

BIDENT'ATE, J processes. [Bi- 
DENTAL and BiDENTEnare little used.] 

BIDEN'TIAL, a. Having two teeth; 
bidcntal. 

BIDET', n. [add.] An article of bed- 
room furniture used in washing the 
body. 

BIDIG'ITATE, a. [L. bis, and digitus, 
a finger.] In hot., a term applied to 
leaves, the common petiole of which 
has two leaflets at its extremity. 

BID'ING, ppr. Abiding; waiting; re- 
siding. [Scotch.] 

BIELD, n. ' See BEILD in this Supp. 

BIEN, a. See BEIN in this Supp. 

BIEN'NIAL, n. A plant which requires 
two seasons of growth to produce its 
flowers and fruit, and which perishes 
as soon as its seeds are ripened. 

BIF'FIN, n. A baked apple crushed 
down into a flat round cake. 

BIFLO'RATE, a. SameasBiFLOKOUs. 

BIFO'LIOLATE, a. [L. bis, and folio- 
l a in. a little leaf.] In hut., a term applied 
when two folioles or leaflets are deve- 
loped at the same point at the end of 
the petiole. The term is synonymous 
with conjugate. 

BI'FORINES.n. plur. [L. bis, and/oris, 
a door.] Minute oval sacs found in the 
interior of the green pulpy part of the 
leaves of some araceous plants. The 
sacs taper toward each end, where they 
are perforated, and within each there 
is a second sac or bag, filled with fine 
spiculae, the space between the two 
bags being filled with a transparent 
fluid. When the biforine is placed in 
water, it discharges its spiculae first 
from one end, and then 
from the other, until 
it becomes empty. 
The use and origin of 
these bodies are un- 
known. 

BIG, . t. To build. 
[Scotch.] 

BI'GA, n. [L.] A cha- 
riot or car drawn by 
two horses. 

BIGAS'TER, a. [L. 
bis, and Gr. yonrttt^ 
belly.] Two-bellied ; 
a term applied to mus- 
cles, and synonymous 
with biventer and di- 
gastricus. 

BKiEN'TIAL, a. [L. 
bis, and uens, nation, 
tribe.] Comprising two tribes of peo- 
ple. [American.] 

BIG'G1T,M>. BuUt. {Scotch.} 
53 



BIG'GONET, ) n. A large hood or cap 
) w ' 



BIG'GON 



with ears, like those 




Blgfonrt, from the Eojl MS. Brit. Muwom. 

worn by nuns, and particularly by the 
Beguines. 

BIGNO'NIA, n. A genus of plants of 
many species, inhabitants of hot cli- 
mates, nat. order Bignoniacea?. The 
species are usually climbing shrubs, 
furnished with tendrils; the flowers 
are mostly in terminal or axillary 
panicles; the corollas are trumpet- 
shaped, hence the name of trumpet- 
jlower has been given to these plants. 
All the species are splendid plants when 
in blossom. B. tsquinoxialis, a native 
of Guiana, is applied by the negroes to 
swellings of the feet ; B. leucoxylon, a 
native of Jamaica, is a tree, the wood 
of which is said to be an antidote to 
the poison of manchineel ; the wood of 
B. chica yields a red colouring matter, 
with which the Indians paint their 
bodies ; B. radicans, or Tecoma radi- 
cans, is a well-known much admired 
species, capable of living in the open 
air in this country against a wall. 

BIG-WIGS, n. A cant name for great 
people, or people of consequence. Ap- 
plied especially to judges, from their 
large wigs. 

BYK^ } . A wild bee's nest. [Scotch.] 
BIKH.'or BISH, n. The name given by 
the natives of Nepaul to a poison con- 
tained in the root of the Aconitumferox. 
It is most virulent, and was used by the 
inhabitants of Nepaul to poison their 
wells when the British invaded them. 
BILA'LO, or GUILA'LA, n. A two- 
masted passenger-boat, about sixty, 




Bllalo or Manilla 

five feet long and ten feet broad, pe- 
culiar to the bay of Manilla, combining 
local arrangements with European 



BILL-BOAKDS 



BINDINGS 



BIRD-FANCIER 



forms. Behind the mainmast is a 
large cabin. It carries also an outrig- 
ger for use when it blows fresh. 
BILAM'ELLATED, a. Same as BILA- 

MELLATE. 

BILD'ER.f n. A builder. [Chaucer.} 
BILECTION MOULDING, n. See 
BALF.CTJON MOULDINGS. 
BILGE'-KEELS, ) n. Pieces of tim- 
BILdE'-PlECES, J bcr fastened edge- 
ways to the bottom of a ship, for the 
double purpose of keeping her from 
rolling heavily, and from drifting to 
leeward. 

BILCJE'-PLANKS, n. Thick planks 
which run round the bilge of a ship, 
both inside and outside. 
BIL6E'-WAYS, n. In ship-building, 
planks of timber placed under a ves- 
sel's bilge on the building-slip to sup- 
port her while launching. They are 
also termed launching-ways. 

BILIM'BI, or BILIM'BING, n. The 
Malayan name of a species of acid fruit 
belonging to the genus Averrhoa, used 
in pickles. 

BI'LINE, n. The name given by Berze- 
lius to what he conceived to be the 
constituent principle of bile, but which 
is found to be nothing more nor less 
than either pure bile or choleic acid. 

BILIN'GUAL, \ a. [See BILINGUOUS.] 

BILIN'GUAK, f Containing two lan- 
guages ; as, a bilingual inscription. 

BILIN'GUIST, n. One who speaks two 
languages. 

BILIVER'DINE, n. An ingredient in 
the bile. It is the principal constituent 
of the yellow matter forming the con- 
cretions found in the ox, and much 
prized by painters. 

BILK, re. A cheat; a trick. [Rar. us.] 

BILL, n. [add.J Bill of sight, a form of 
entry at the custom-house, by which 
goods, respecting which the importer 
is not possessed of full information, may 
be provisionally landed for examina- 
tion. Bill of health, a certificate from 
the proper authorities as to the state of 
health of a ship's company at the time 
of her leaving port. Bill of credit, a 
bill or note for raising money on the 
mere credit of a state. Bill in Parlia- 
ment, [add.] Bills are either public or 
private. A public bill is one which 
relates to the public generally, or to 
the kingdom at large ; a private bill is 
one which directly relates to the con- 
cerns of private individuals, or bodies 
of individuals, and not to matters of 
state, or to the community in general. 
Money-bills, that is, bills for raising 
money by any species of taxation, must 
always be brought first into the House 
of Commons, but bills of every other 
kind may originate in either House. 
Bills of mortality, returns of the deaths 
which occur within a particular district, 
specifying the numbers that died of 
each different disease, and showing in 
decennial or shorter periods the ages 
at which death took place. [See MOR- 
TALITY.] 

BILL,-)-?!. A letter ; a billet. [Chaucer.] 

BILLARDIE'RA, n. A genus of plants, 
iiat. order Pittosporaceie. The species 
are called apple-berries ; they are climb- 
ing shrubs, natives of New Holland and 
Van Diemen's Land. They bear edible 
fruit. 

BILL'-BOARDS, n. Pieces of timber 
fixed between the projecting planks 
of the bow of a vessel, and also pieces 
fixed to the bulwarks, serving to guide 
the bill of the anchor past those pro- 
jecting planks. 



BILL'-BOOK, n. A book in which a 
person keeps an account of his bills, 
bills of exchange, &c., thus showing all 
that he issues and receives. 

BILL'-BROKER, n. An exchange- 
broker. [See BROKER.] 

BILL'-CHAMBER, n. A department 
of the Court of Session in Scotland, in 
which one of the judges officiates at all 
times during session and vacation. All 
proceedings for summary remedies, or 
for protection against impending pro- 
ceedings, commence in the bitl-ckam- , 
ber, such as interdicts. The process of j 
sequestration or bankruptcy issues from 
this department of the court. 

BILLED, a. Furnished with a bill. 

BIL'LET-HEAD, n. A round piece of 
timber fixed in the bow or stern of a 
whaling-boat, round which the line is 
run out when the whale darts off after 
being harpooned. 

BILL'-FISH, n. A fish of considerable 
size, found in the great lakes of North 
America. 

BIL'LING, n. The act of joining bills, 
or of caressing. 

BIL'LINGSGATE, n. [From a market 
of this name in London, celebrated for 
fish and foul language.] Foul lan- 
guage; ribaldry. 

BILL'-MAN, n. One who uses a bill or 
hooked axe; formerly applied to a 
soldier armed with a bill. 

BIL'LOT, n. Gold or silver bullion in 
the mass previous to being coined. 

BIL'LGW.f v. t. To raise in waves or 
billows. 

BlLL'-STICKER,n. One who posts up 
bills or advertisements in public places. 

BIL'LY, ) n. A companion; a comrade; 

BIL'LIE, ) a term expressive of affec- 
tion and familiarity ; a lover ; a bro- 
ther; a young man. [Scotch.] 

BIL'LY - BITER, n. A familiar name 
given to the pretty blue titmouse (Parua 
caruleus). 

BIMA'ULATE, a. instead of BI- 
MA'CULATE. 

BIMA'ULATED, a. Same as BIMA- 

OULATE. 

BI'MANE, a. [See BIMANOUS.] Having 
two hands. 

BIMENE'.f v. t. (bimen'.) To bemoan. 
[Chaucer.] 

BIMES'TRIAL,a. [L. bimestris.] Hap- 
pening every two months ; continuing 
two months. 

BIN, for BINUS, as a prefix, is synony- 
mous with Bi. 

BIN, n. [add.] A large chest or wooden 
erection for containing a ship's stores. 

BI'NARY, a. [add.] Binary compound, 
in chem., a compound of two elements, 
or of an element and a compound per- 
forming the function of an element, 
or of two compounds performing the 
function of elements, according to the 
laws of combination. Binary star, a 
double star, whose members have a 
revolution round their common centre 
of gravity. Binary logarithms, a sys- 
tem of logarithms contrived and calcu- 
lated by Euler for facilitating musical 
calculations. In this system, 1 is the 
logarithm of 2, 2 of 4, &c., and the 
modulus is 1-442695; whereas in the 
kind commonly used, 1 is the logarithm 
of 10, 2 of 100, &c., and the modulus 
is -43429448. 

BIND, n. In drinking, as much liquor as 
one can carry under his band or girdle 
[Scotch.] 

BIND'INGS, n. plur. In shipbuilding 
the beams, transoms, knees, wales, keel- 
son, and other chief timbers used for 



connecting and strengthening the vari- 
ous parts of a vessel. 
BINK, n. A bench ; a bank ; acclivity. 

[Scotch.] 

BINN, ) n. A heap of unthrashed corn. 
BING,) [Scotch.] 
BIN'NA. Be not. [Scotch.] 
BtNO'ULUS, n. [add.] In sur., a band- 
age for securing the dressings on both 
eyes. 

BINO'MIAL, a. [add.] Binomial equa- 
tion, an algebraical equation consisting 
of two terms ; as, ax" -f- bx m = o. 
BINO'MIAL, n. In alge., a, quantity 
consisting of two terms connected to- 
gether by the sign plus or minus. [See 
the Adjective.] 

BINOX'ALATE, n. In chem., an oxa- 
late in which there are two equivalents 
of the acid to one of the base ; as, bin- 
oxalate of potash. 

BINOX'IDE, n. In chem., deutoxide, 
which see. 

BINT, for BINDETH. [Chaucer.'] 
BINT'WRONGS, n. plur. Carnivorous 
mammalia of the genus Ictides, found 
in India. They are allied to and some- 
what resemble the raccoon. 
BIO'PHYTUM, re. A genus of plants, 
nat. order Oxalidaceae. B. sensitivum 
is a very pretty Chinese annual, with 
rich yellow flowers. The pods open 
when touched. 

BI'OTINE, ) n. [From Biot, a French 
BIOTI'NA, f naturalist.] A variety 
of anorthite, fonnd among the volcanic 
debris of Vesuvius. [See ANORTHITE.] 
BI'PELATE, or BIPEL'TATE, a. 
BIPELTA'TA, n. A family of crusta- 
ceans, belonging to the order Stoma- 
poda, in which the shell is divided into 
two shields, the anterior of which is 
very large, more or less oval, compos- 
ing the head ; and the second, corre- 
sponding with the thorax, is transverse 
and angulated in its outline, and bears 
the foot, jaws, and the ordinary feet. 
There is but one genus (Phyllosoma), 
containing the eleganttransparent glass- 
crabs, several species of which are in- 
habitants of the Atlantic and Eastern 
oceans, while one is occa- 
sionally met with in the 
Mediterranean. 
BIPEN'NIS, n. [L.] An axe 
with two blades, or heads, 
one on each side of the 
handle. It is the weapon 
usually seen depicted in the 
hands of the Amazons. 
BI'PES, instead of BI'- 
PRES. 
BIPET'ALOUS, a. [L. bis, and Gr. 
T-;>.6, a petal.] Having two petals. 
B I PIN'N ATED, a. Same as BIPINNATE. 
BIPINNAT'IFID.BIPENNAT'IFID, 
for BIPIN'NATIFID. BIPEN'NA- 
TIFID. 
BI'PONT, 
BIPONT'INE,. 

the classic authors, printed at Dem 
Ponts [L, Bipontium], Germany. 
BIQUAD'RATE,instead of BI'QUAD- 

RATE. 

BIRCH'-BROOM, n. A broom made 
of birch. 

BIRD'-CHERRY.n. [add.] The Primus 
padus, Linn., and the Cerasus padus, 
De Candolle. 

BIRDE, for BRIDE. [Chaucer.] 
BIRD'-EYED,a. Having eyes like those 
of a bird ; quick -sighted. 
BIRD'-FANCIER, n. One who takes 
pleasure in rearing birds. 2. One who 
keeps for sale the various kinds of 
birds which are kept in cages. 




) a. In bibliography, re- 
'.. t lating to editions of 



BISHOP 



BIT 



BITTERINO 



BIRD OK PARADISE. See BIRD, t>. . 

BIRDS, n. [See BIRD.] Natumlists 
have arranged birds in various orders, 
founded chiefly on tlie organs of man- 
ducation and of prehension. The fol- 
lowing is Cuvier's arrangement: 1. 
Accipitres, or birds of prey. 2. Pas- 
seres, or passerine birds. 3. Setauortl, 
or climbers. 4. Gallinte, or gallina- 
ceous birds. 6. Gralld, or waders. 
(!. Palmipedes, or web-footed birds. 
Each of these orders is subdivided into 
families and genera, principally accord- 
ing to the formation of the beak. La- 
tham, Illiger, Viellot, Temminck, Vi- 
gors, Latreille, and other ornithologists, 
have adopted systems of arrangement 
dirtVrint; in several respects from that 
of Cuvier. The arrangement adopted 
by I/innsBHS is given under Avis. 

BIRD'S-EYE, n. The eye of a bird; a 
plant; a species of primrose, or wild 
germander. 

BIRD'S-E?E VIEW. See BIBD-EYE. 

BIRD'S-FOOT, n. [add.] In to*. [See 
ORNITHOPUS.] 

BIRD'S-FOOT TREFOIL, n. [add.] 
In hot. [See LOTUS.] 

BIRD'-SPIDER, n. A species of spider. 
The Mygale avicularia, and other spe- 
cies of the genus Mygalc, were at one 
time believed to catch birds, and hence 
received this name. 

B1RK, n. Birch. [Scotch.] 

BIRK'EN, a. Birchen. [Scotch.] 

BIRK'IE, n. A child's game at cards; a 
lively young fellow. [Scotch.] 

BIR'LING, ppr. Drinking ; administer- 
ing liquor ; making a grumbling noise, 
like an old-fashioned spinning-wheel, 
or hand-mill in motion. [Scotch.] 

BIR'LY-M AN, n. The petty officer of a 
burgh of barony. [Scotch.] 

BIRN, n. A burden. Shin an' birn, the 
whole of anything. [Scotch.] 

BIR'RUS, n. [L.] A coarse species of 
thick woollen cloth, used by the poorer 
classes in the middle ages, for cloaks, 
and external clothing. Birrus was also 
a name for a woollen cap, or hood, worn 
over the shoulder, or over the head, as 
a cowl. 

BIRSE, n. Bristles. To set up one's 
birse, to rouse him to his mettle ; to 
put him in a towering passion. 
[Scotch.] 

BIHTH'DAY, a. Relating to the day 
of one's birth ; as, birthday festivities. 

BIRTH'-HOUR'S BLOT, n. A cor- 
poral blemish. [5/taft.] 

BIHTH'-SIN, n. Original sin. 

BIS'CUIT, n. [add.] In sculp., a species 
of unglazed porcelain, in which groups 
and figures are formed in miniature. 

BISE'RIAL, a. Arranged in two series 
or rows ; bifarious. 

BISH'OP, n. [add.] Bishops in partibia 
(infideliuiri), in the church of Rome, 
bishops who have no actual see, but 
who are consecrated as if they had, 
under the fiction that they ore bishops 
in succession to those who were the 
actual bishops in cities where Chris- 
tianity is extinct ; as in Syria, Asia 
Minor, Greece, and the northern coast 
of Asia. The term is applied to those 
missionaries sent forth by the pope as 
bishops into a country imperfectly 
Christianized, and where the converts 
are not brought into any regular church 
order. Such missionaries are not con- 
secrated as bishops of the country in 
which their services are required, but 
as bishops of some of the extinct sees. 
Boy-bishop, in former times, a boy 
elected a bishop on St. Nicholas'-day, 



in the cathedral and other greater 
churches. He was usually one of the 
children of the choir, and was invested 
w ith the mill's and other insignia of the 
episcopal office, and he continued from 
St. Nicholas'-day to the feast of the 
Holy Innocents to practise a kind of 
mimicry of the ceremonies in which 
the bishop usually officiated. 

BISH'OP'S-COURT, n. In England, 
an ecclesiastical court held in the ca- 
thedral of each diocese, the judge 
whereof is the bishop's chancellor, who 
judges by the civil canon law. 

BISH'OP'S-LENGTH, n. In painting, 
canvas measuring 68 inches by 94. The 
half-bishop measures 45 inches by 60. 

BISIL'IQUOUS, a. Having seed in two 
pods. 

BISMARE'.t " [Sax.] Abusive speech. 
[Chaucer.] 

BISMIL'LAH, ) In the name of God.' 

BIZMEL'LAH,) [Turkish.] An ad- 
juration or exclamation common with 
the devout, or pretendedly devout, in 
Turkey. 

BIS'MUTH, n. [add.] Butter of bismuth, 
the chloride of bismuth. 

BIS'MUTH-GLAUCE, n. An ore of 
bismuth. Prismatic bismuth-glance is 
a sulphuret of bismuth ; and acicular 
bismuth-glance is the same aa needle- 
ore, which see. 

BISOG'NO, n. [It.] A person of low 
rank ; a beggar. 

BI'SON, instead of BISON. 

BISUL'CATE.a. [add.] In zool, cloven- 
footed, or having two-hoofed digits. 

BIT, n. [add.] A name common to all 
those exchangeable boring tools for 
wood applied by means of the crank- 
formed handle known as the carpen- 
ter's brace. The similar tools used for 
metal, and applied by the drill-bow, 
ratchet, brace, lathe, or drilling-ma- 
chine, are termed drills or drill-bits. 
The distinction, however, is not uni- 
formly maintained: very frequently all 
those small revolving borers which 
admit of being exchanged in their 
holders or stocks, are included under 
the name of bits. The variety is, 
therefore, very great, and the particu- 
lar names used to designate them are 
derived, in most cases, from their forms 
and the purposes for which they are 
employed. For wood, the typical form 
is the shell-bit (fig. a), which is shaped 
like a gouge, with the piercing end 
sharpened to a semicircular edge for 
shearing the fibres round the circum- 
ference of the hole. When large, it is 
termed a gouge-bit, and when small, 
a quill-bit. Some- 
times the piercing 
end is drawn to a 
radial point, and it 
is then known as the 
spoon-bit of which 
the cooper's dowel- 
bit and the table or 
furniture bit are ex- 
amples. Occasion- 
ally the end is bent 
into a semicircular 
form horizontally, 
and it then becomes 
The centre-bit (fig. 
b), is another typical form, of which 
there are many modifications. The 
end is flat, and provided with a centre- 
point or pin, filed triangularly, and 
which serves as a guide for position; 
a shearing edge or nicker serving to 
cut the fibres round the margin of 
the hole, and a broad chisel-edge or 
65 




J 

y 

the duck-nose bit. 



-b-H 



cutter to pare away and remove the 
wood within the circle defined by the 
nicker. The plug-centre bit, used 
chiefly for making countersinks for 
cylinder- headed screws; the button- 
tool, which retains only the centre- 
pin and nicker, and is used for cutting 
out discs of leather and the like ; the 
flute-drill, the cup-key tool, the wine- 
cooper's bit, are all modifications of 
this borer, suited to special kinds of 
work. The half-round bit (fig. c), i 
employed for enlarging holes in metal, 
and is usually 
fixed in the lathe 
or vertically. 
The cutting end 
is ground with 
an incline to the 
right angle, both 
horizontally and 
vertically, 
three to six de- 
grees, according 
to the hardness 
of the material 
to be bored. The 
rose-bit (fig. d) is cylindrical, and ter- 
minates in a truncated cone, the 
oblique surface of which is cut into 
teeth like the rose-countersink, of 
which it is a modification. It is also 
used for enlarging holes of con- 
siderable depth in metals and hard- 
woods. 

BIT, n. In the southern states of 
America, &c., a silver coin of the 
value of one-eighth of a dollar, is 
called a bit. 

BIT, n. A small space ; a spot. 
[Scotch.] 

BIT, for BIDDETH. [Chaucer.] 

BIT, a. Used as a diminutive ; as, a bit 
burn, a small rivulet ; a bit lassock, a 
little girl. [Scotch.] 

BITE, v. t. [add.] To bite in, to corrode 
copper or steel plates; as by nitric 
acid. To bite the thumb at a person, 
was formerly a mark of contempt, de- 
signed to provoke a quarrel. 

BITE, n. [add.] In letter-press printing, 
that part of the impression which is 
improperly printed, owing to the frisket 
not being sufficiently cut away. 

BITE, n. A bit. Bite of bread, a mouth- 
ful of bread. [Scotch.] 

BIT'ING-IN, n. In engraving, a term 
used to describe the action of the aqua- 
fortis upon the copper or steel, on those 
parts from which the etching ground is 
removed by the graver and other 
tools. 

BIT'-MAKER, n. One who makes bits. 

BIT NO'BEN, n. Instead of khola mi- 
muc, read khala nimuk. 

BIT'ORE.f n. [Fr.] A bittern. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BITRENT'.t PP. [Sax.] Twisted; car- 
ried round. [Chaucer.] 

BITS, n. plur. In ships. [See BITTS.] 

BIT'TER- ALMOND, n. TheAmygda- 
lus amara. 

BIT'TER-ASH, n. A tree ; called also 
bitter-wood. 

BIT'TER-BEAN, n. A deleterious or 
poisonous nut. 

BITTER-CUCUMBER, n. The same 

as BlTTEK-GoUKD. 

BIT'TER -DAM'SON, n. A tree, a 
species of quassia. 

BIT'TER-EARTH, n. Talc earth; cal- 
cined magnesia. . 

BlT'TERFUL,t a. Full of bitterness. 

BIT'TERING, n. A preparation used 
by brewers to adulterate beer. [See 
BITTERN in this Supp.] 



BLACK-CURRANT 



BLACK-PUDDING 



BLADDER- ANGLING 



BITTERN, n. [add.] A very bitter 
compound of quassia, cocculus-indicus, 
liquorice, tobacco, &c., used by fraudu- 
lent brewers in adulterating beer. It 
is also called Uttering. 
BIT'TER-OAK, n. A plant, the Quer- 
ctii cerris. 

BIT'TLE, ) n. A wooden bat for beat- 
BfiE'TLE,) ing of linen. [Scotch.] 
BIT'TOCK, n. [Dimin.] A little bit ; a 
short distance. 

BIT'TUR,t n. A bittern. [Spenser.'] 
BITU'MINOUS CEMENT, n. The 
best bituminous cements are obtained 
from natural asphalt, which is met 
with in large quantities on the shores 
of the Dead Sea ; in Albania ; in Trini- 
dad; at Lobsaun and Bekelbroun, 
in the department of the Bas-Rhin; 
in the department of Puy-de-D6me; 
near Seyssel, in the department of Ain ; 
at Gaugeac, in the Landes ; and would 
in all probability be found near Castle- 
ton, in Derbyshire, if carefully sought 
for. There are two sorts in commerce, 
the pure and the impure. The first 
does not contain extraneous matter in 
any great degree ; the second contains 
a variable proportion of carbonate of 
lime, and is therefore better adapted to 
such works as are exposed to the 
effects of the sun. The purer asphalt 
melts in such positions, but is better 
for subterranean works. In commerce 
much fraud takes place by mixing coal- 
tar and pitch; but these materials, 
though very valuable by themselves, 
destroy the superior qualities of the 
mineral asphalts. [G. R. Brunell.] 

BITU'MINOUS MASTIC, n. The 
same as BITUMINOUS CEMENT, which 
see in this Supp. 

BITU'MINOUS SCHIST, n. Same as 
BITUMINOUS SHALE, tcMe/i see. 

BITU'MINOUS SPRINGS, n. Springs 
impregnated with petroleum, naphtha, 
&c. In Persia, there are numerous 
springs of almost pure petroleum. 

BI'VALVED, a. Having two valves. 

BIV'OUA, n. [add.] The system by 
which soldiers on a march, or in ex- 
pectation of an engagement, remain all 
night in the open air, in contradistinc- 
tion to the systems of encampment and 
cantonment. This is the present sig- 
nification of the term. 

BIVOUAC, v. t. [add.] To remain all 
night in the open air without tents or 
covering, as an army on march, or in 
expectation of an engagement. 

BIWOP'EN.f PP- from Bewepe. 
Drowned in tears. [Chaucer.] 

BLACK, n. [add.] A scoundrel. A 
Latin use of the word. 

BLACR'AVICED,) a.Darkcom- 

BLACK'AVISED,) plexioned. 
[Scotch.] 

BLACie-BALL, n. [add.] A ball of a 
black colour, used as a negative in 
voting. 

BLACK'-BEER, or DAN'TZI, n. A 
kind of beer manufactured at Dantzic. 
It is of a black colour, of a syrupy con- 
sistence, and is much prized. 

BLACK'-BRYONY, n. A plant of the 
genus Tamus, the T. communis. [See 
TAMUS.] 

BLACK'-ANKER, n. A disease it. 
turnips and other crops, produced by 
a species of caterpillar. 

BLACK'-OAT, n. A common and fa- 
miliar name for a clergyman ; as red- 
coat is for a soldier. 

BLACK'-URRANT, n. A well- 
known garden-plant and its fruit, of 
the genus Ribes, the R. nigrum. 



BLACK'-DAY, n. A day of gloom and 
disaster. 

BLACK'-DEATH, n. The name given 
to an Oriental plague which occurred 
in the 14th century, characterized by 
inflammatory boils and black spots 01 
the skin, indicating putrid decomposi- 
tion. 

BLACK' -DISEASE, n. The black 
plague or pestilence, the Morbus niger 
of the Latin writers. 
BLACK'-DRAUGHT, n. A popular 
purgative medicine, consisting of the 
infusion of senna with sulphate of mag- 
nesia. 

BLACK'-DROP, n. A liquid prepara- 
tion of opium in vinegar, sold as a nos- 
trum, and known also under the names 
of Lancaster, and Quaker's black-drops. 
BL ACK'-DYE, n. A compound of oxide 
of iron with gallic acid and tannin. 
BLACK'ET, pp. or a. Blackened. 
[Scotch.] 

BLACK'-EXTRACT.n. A preparation 
from cocculus-indicus, imparting an in- 
toxicating quality to beer. 

BLACK'EY, n. A black person; a negro. 

BLACK'-FISH, n. [add.] The tantog or 
Labrus Americanus ; also, a small kind 
of whale about twenty feet long. In 
Scotland, fish newly spawned are called 
black or foul fish, and the practice of 
taking salmon in the rivers, when they 
newly come up to spawn, is called 
black-fishing. 

BLACK-FISH'ERS, n. Poachers who 
kill salmon in close time. [Scotch.] 

BLACK'-FLEA, n. An insect of the 
beetle tribe, injurious to turnips ; the 
Haltica nemorum of naturalists. 

BLACK'-GAME,n. A species of grouse. 
\See BLACK-COCK and GROUSE.] 

BLACK'-GUARD, v. t. To revile in 
scurrilous language. [ Vulgar.] 

BLACK'-GUARD, a. Scurrilous; abu- 
sive; low; vile. 

BLACK'-GUM, n. An American tree of 
the genus Nyssa, which bears a deep 
blue berry. The wood is solid, and not 
apt to split, and hence is used for naves 
and in ship-building. It is also called 
yellow-gum and sour-gum. 

BLACK'-HAIRED, a. Having black 
hair. 

BLACK'ING, n. [add.] The name given 
by founders to a black-wash, composed 
of clay, water, and powdered charcoal, 
with which cores and loam-moulds are 
coated, to give the requisite smoothness 
to the surfaces which come into contact 
with the melted metal. 

BLACK'-IRON, n. Malleable iron, in 
contradistinction to iron which is 
tinned, called white-iron. 

BLACK'-LEG, n. A notorious gambler 
or cheat. 

BLACK' - LETTER, a. Written or 
printed in black-letter; as, a blach- 
letter manuscript or book 

BLACK'-MARTIN, n. A bird of the 
swallow tribe, the Cupselus aims; also 
known by the name of the swift. 

BLACK'-MATCH, n. A pyrotechnical 
match or sponge. 

BLACK'-NAPHTHA, n. Petroleum or 
rock-oil. 

BLACK'-NEBS, n. Democrats; factious 
discontented revilers. 

BLACK'-PIGMENT, n. A fine, light, 
carbonaceous substance, or lamp-black, 
prepared chiefly for the manufacture 
of printer's ink. By a recent process, 
it is obtained by burning common coal- 
tar. 

BLACK' -PUDDING, n. A kind of 

sausage made of blood and suet (un- 

66 



rendered tallow), and boiled; blood- 

pudding. 

And fat black-puddings, proper food 
1 or warriors that delight m blood. 



BLACK'-ROD, n. [add.] This official 
is styled Gentleman-usher of the Black 
Rod, and his deputy is styled the Yeo- 
man-usher. They are the official mes- 
sengers of the House of Lords; and 
either the gentleman or the yeoman- 
usher summons the Commons to the 
House of Lords when the royal assent 
is given to bills; and also executes 
orders for the commitment of parties 
guilty of breach of privilege and con- 
tempt. 

BLACK'-RUST, n. A disease of wheat, 
in which a black moist matter is de- 
posited in the fissure of the grain. 
BLACK'-SALTS, n. In America, wood- 
ashes after they have been lixiviated, 
and the solution evaporated, until the 
mass has become black. 
BLACK'-SALTWORT, n. A British 
plant of the genus Glaux, the G. mori- 
tiiini, called also sea-milkwort. [See 
GLAUX.] 

BLACK'- SIL'VER, n. A mineral, 
called also brittle silver-ore, consisting 
of silver, antimony, and sulphur. 
BLACK'-SNAKE, n. [add.] The black- 
snake of Jamaica is the Natrix atra. 
Though not poisonous, its bite is very 
severe ; it feeds chiefly on lizards. 
BLACK'-SPAUL, n. A disease inci- 
dent to young cattle, especially calves, 
called also black-leg, and black-quarter. 
It is indicated by lameness in the fore- 
foot (sfiaul or leg), and gives a black 
hue to the flesh. 

BLACK' STICKING-PLASTER, n. 
A solution of isinglass, with some 
tincture of benjamin, brushed over 
black sarsenet. 

BLACK'-TUR'PETH, n. The protox- 
ide of mercury, commonly called the 
gray, ash, or black oxide. 
BLACK'-TWITCH, n. A noxious 
weed in wet grounds. [See TWITCH- 
GRASS.] 

BLACK'-VARNISH TREE, n. The 
Melanorrluea usitatissima, an East In- 
dian tree, which, when wounded, yields 
a I. lark varnish, called Theet-see or 
Kheu. It is extremely dangerous, as 
the skin, when rubbed with it, inflames, 
and becomes covered with pimples, 
which are difficult to heal. 
BLACK'-VOMIT, n. Melama cruenia, 
a discharge from the stomach of sub- 
stances of a black appearance, as in 
yellow fever, &c. 

BLACK'-WALNUT, n. The Juglans 
nigra, an American tree, the wood of 
which is of a dark colour, forming a 
beautiful material for cabinet-work. 
BLACK'- WARD, n. A sub-vassal who 
held ward of the king's vassal. 
BLACK'- WATCH, n. The designation 
given to the companies of loyal High- 
landers raised after the rebellion in 
Scotland in 1715, for preserving peace 
in the Highlands. They were so named 
from their dark tartan habiliments. 
The black watch formed the nucleus 
of the 42d regiment. 
BLACK' Y-TOP, n. A local name given 
to the stone-chat (Saxicola rubicola), 
from the black head and throat of the 
male bird. 

JLAD'DER, r. t. To puff np; to fill 
with wind. [Bar. us.} 
BLAD'DER-AN'GLING, n. Fishinj* 
by means of a baited hook attached to 
an inflated bladder. The sudden rising 



BLANK- VERSE 



BLATTA 



BLENNIUS 



of the bladder, after it has been pulled 
under water, never fails to strike the 
fish as effectually as the spring of a rod. 

BLAD'DER-FERN, n. Cystea, or Cy- 
stopteris, a genus of cryptogamian 
plants, nat. order Polypodiaceae; BO 
named from the bladder-like form of 
the capsules. There are several British 
species. 

BLAD'DER-GREEN, n. A green pig- 
meirt prepared from the ripe berries of 
the buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus), 
mixed with gum-arabic aud lime-water. 

BLAD'DER-KELP, tt. Another name 
for bladder-wrack. 

BLAD'DER-TREE, n. A handsome 
American shrub of thegenus Staphylea, 
the S. trifolia, called also three-leaved 
bladder-nut. [See STAPHYLEA.] 

BLAD'DER-WORT, n. Utricularla, a 
genus of plants, f See UTRICULABIA.] 

BLAD'DER- WRACK, n. A sea-weed, 
the Fucus vesiculosus, called also sea- 
oak and sea-wrack. (See Fncus.] 

BLAD'DERY- FEVER, n. Vesicular 
fever, in which the skin is covered with 
blisters. 

BLADE'-FISH, n. An acanthoptery- 
gious 6sh of the genus Lepturus; so 
called from its flatness and resem- 
blance to a sword-blade. It is occa- 
sionally found off our coasts. 

BLADE'-METAL, n. Metal for sword- 
blades. 

BLAE'BERRY, n. In Scotland, the 
name given to a plant and its fruit, of 
the genus Vaccinium, the V. myrtillus, 
which grows on heaths and in woods. 
[See VACCINIUM.] 

BLANCH, v. t. [add.] In gardening, to 
whiten, by excluding the light, as the 
stalks or leaves of plants, by earthing 
them up, or tying them together. 

BLANCH'-FARM, ) n. A kind of quit- 

BLANCH'-FERM,} rent; rent paid 
in silver. [See under BLANCHING.] 

BLANCH'-FIRM.n. [Fr. blanchir,&ad 
law Lat. firma, rent.] White -rent; 
rent paid in silver, not in grain or 
cattle. 

BLANCH'-HOLDING. [See under 
BLANCHING.] 

BLANCH'ING, n. [add.] In gardening, 
the process of whitening the stalks and 
leaves of plants. [See the Verb in this 
Supp.] 

BLANCH'ING-LIQUOR,n. The solu- 
tion of chloride of lime used for bleach- 
ing. 

BLANCK.f a. [See BLANK.] Con- 
founded ; out of countenance. [Spen- 
ser.] 

BLANCK'ED.t pp. Confounded or 
disappointed. [Spenser.] 

BLANC-MANGE, n. (blomonje'.) [Fr.] 
Same as BLANC-MASGEB. 

BLANDFORD'IA, n. A genus of 
beautiful plants, natives of New South 
Wales. Nat. order Liliacese. 

BLAN'DISE.f . t. To blandish ; to 
flatter. [Chaucer.] 

BLANK' -BAR. In law. [See under 
BLANK, n.l 

BLANK'-AR'TRIDGE, n. A cart- 
ridge filled with powder, but having no 
ball. 
BLANK'-DOOR, ) n. A sinking 

BLANK'-WINDOW, ) in a wall, 
either in the exterior or interior of a 
building, finished with dressings like a 
door or window. 
BLANK'- VERSE, n. Any verse with- 
out rhyme ; applied particularly to the 
heroic verse of five feet without rhyme ; 
fuch as that adopted in dramatic poetry, 
and in Milton's Paradise Lost. 
i.Sorr. 



BLANQUETTE', n. (blanket'.) [Fr.] 
In cookery, a white fricassee. 

BLAR'NEY, n. A marvellous narration; 
gross flattery ; smooth, deceitful talk ; 
unmeaning or vexations discourse. 
[Irish.] 

BLAS'PHEMY, n. [add.] Etymologi- 
cally, this term denotes speaking so as 
to hurt ; using, to a person's face, re- 
proachful, insulting, and injurious lan- 
guage, calumny, reviling, &c. In this 
general way it is used by Greek writers, 
and also in the New Testament. In 
the modern and restricted sense, blas- 
phemy signifies the use of insulting or 
derogatory, or unbelieving language, 
with respect to God and divine things; 
and the kind of blasphemy cognizable 
by the law of England is described by 
Blackstone to be " denying the being 
or providence of God, contumelious re- 
proaches of our Saviour Christ, profane 
scoffing at the Holy Scripture, or ex- 
posing it to contempt and ridicule." 
The crime of blasphemy is punished 
by the laws of most civilized nations. 
In Roman Catholic countries, speaking 
disrespectfully of the Virgin Mary 
and of the saints is held to be blas- 
phemy. 

BLAS'PHEMY, n. A blasphemous 
person. [SAaft.] 

BLAST, n. [add.] A current of air di- 
rected on a furnace by bellows or by a 
blowing machine, for the purpose of 
quickening the combustion, and in- 
creasing the heat. A flatulent disease 
in sheep. 

BLAST, . i. To wither; to be blighted. 

BLAST, v. i. To pant ; to breathe hard; 
to smoke tobacco ; to boast ; to speak 
in an ostentatious manner. \Scotch.] 

BLASTE'MA, n. [Gr./3A<rr.,tobud.] 
In hot., the axis of growth of an em- 
bryo ; the thallus of lichens. In anal., 
the granular gelatinous basis of the 
ovum ; the rudimental mass of an or- 
gan in the state of formation. 

BLASTODERM, instead of BLAS- 
TODE'RM. 

BLAST'-PIPE, n. The waste-pipe of 
a steam-engine ; more especially a pipe 
in a locomotive steam-engine to carry 
the waste steam up the chimney, and 
to urge the fire, by creating a stronger 
current of air. In the figure, a a re- 
present in section the cylinders of a 




locomotive, from which the steam, 

after doing its duty, escapes by the 

blast-pipe b, into the chimney d ; C is 

the smoke-box. 
BLAS'TUS.n. [Gr. #Arr, a shoot.] In 

hot., a term sometimes applied to the 

plumule of grasses. 
BLAT'TA, n. A genus of orthopterous 

insects, including the cockroaches. 
67 



BLAT'TER,f v. i. [add.] To rail or 
rage. \Spenser.] 

BLAT'TID^E, n. In Diet., for haherlae, 
read kakerlac. 

BLAW, v. i. To blow ; to breathe ; to 
publish ; to brag ; to boast. As a verb 
active, to natter; to coax. To blaw in 
one's lug, to cajole ; to flatter a person. 
Ilence, a blaw-in-my-lug, is a name for 
a flatterer ; a parasite. [Scutch.] 

BLAW'ORT, ) n. A plant ; blue- 

BLAE'WORT, J bottle, Centaurea cy- 
anus. Linn. [Scotch.] 

BLAZE, n. [add.] In America, a white 
spot made on trees, by removing the 
bark with a hatchet. Such marks are 
often made on trees in dense forests, to 
enable a traveller to find his way, or to 
retrace his steps. 

BLAZE, v. i. [add.] To blaze away, to 
keep up a discharge of firearms. 

BLAZ'ING OFF, n. Burning off the 
composition of oil, suet, wax, and other 
ingredients, with which saws and springs 
are cooled in the process of harden- 

BLAZ'ING-STAR, n. A plant, the 
Aletris farinosa, the root of which is 
greatly esteemed by the Indians, and 
people of the western states of Ame- 
rica, as a tonic and stomachic. 

BLA'ZON, v. i. To make a brilliant 
figure ; to shine. [Rar. us.] 

BLE,+ ) n. [Sax. bteoh.] Colour; hue. 

BLEE.tt [Chaucer.] 

BLEA'BERRY, n. See BLAEBERRY. 

BLEACH'FIELD, n. A field where 
cloth or yarn is bleached. 

BLEACH'ING-LIQUID. SeeBLAMOH- 

INU-LlQUOR. 

BLEAK, n. [add.] The bleak is the 
Leuciscus alburnus; the silvery scales 
of this species are used in the manu- 
facture of artificial pearls. 

BLEAK'LY, adv. In a bleak manner; 
coldly. 

BLEAR, n. Something that obscures 
the sight. To blear one's e'e, to blind 
by flattery. [Scotch.] 

BLEAR'-EYE, n. Lippitude ; a chronic 
catarrhal inflammation of the eyelids. 

BLEH'NUM, n. Hard-fern, a genus 
of plants. [See HARD-FEBNJ 

BLEEZE, n. or v. Blaze. [Scotch.] 

BLEINE.t n. (blein'.) [Sax.] A pustule. 
[Chaucer.] 

BLENCH'ER.t n. He or that which 
frightens. 

BLENCH'ES,t n. flur. Deviations. 
[Shah.] 

BLENCH'ING, ppr. For "cheched; 
deadened," read, checking ; deadening ; 
shrinking. 

BLENCH'ING, n. A shrinking back; 
a giving way. 

BLEND, ) n. [For " Ger. blenden, to 

BLENDE, } bind," read, Ger. blenden, 
to blind.] [add.] The term blende is 
most commonly used by mineralogists 
to denote an order of minerals, to which 
the following genera belong: Man- 
ganese-blende, zinc-blende, antimony- 
blende, ruby-blende. 

NOTE. The word should be always 
written blende, not blend. 

BLEND'ING, n. In painting, a process 
by which the fusion or melting of the 
pigments is effected by means of a soft 
brush of fitch or badger's hair, called a 
blender or softener, which is passed over 
the little ridges with a soft feathery 
touch. 

BLEN'NIUS, n. The blenny, a genus of 
small acanthopterygious fishes, living 
in small shoals, and frequenting rocky 
coasts. They are distinguished by their 



BLISTER-STEEL 



BLOCK-HOUSE 



BLOW-FLY 



having the ventral fin placed before the 
pectoral, and containing generally but 
two rays. Their bodies are covered 
with a mucous secretion, the form is 
elongated and compressed, and there is 
but one dorsal fin. Several species fre- 
quent our coasts, as the S. Montagui, or 
Montagu's blenny; B. ocellaris, the 
ocellated blenny, or butterfly-fish ; B. 
galerita, the crested blenny ; B, pholit, 
the shanny. 

BLENT.t pp. of Blend. Confounded; 
blemished; disgraced. [Spenser.] 

BLER'ED,tp#. Bleared; imposed upon. 
[Chaucer.] 

BLEST.tpre*. otpp. of Bless. Acquitted ; 
preserved. [Spenser.] 

BLETH'ER, v. {.and t. To speak in- 
distinctly ; to prattle ; to talk nonsensi- 
cally. [Scotch.] 

BLETH'ER, n. Nonsense; foolish talk. 
Often used in the plural. [Scotch.] 

BLETH'ER, n. A bladder. [Scotch.] 

BLE'TIA, n. A genus of tuberous- 
rooted flowering plants, the species of 
which are natives of tropical climates. 
Nat. order Orehidaceae. 

BLETS, n. plur. The spots formed on 
ripe fruits during the process of decom- 
position. 

BLET'TING, n. [Fr. blet, bleite, over- 
ripe, half-rotten.] A term adopted by 
Dr. Lindley to denote the peculiar 
spotted appearance exhibited by ripe 
fruits when, after being kept for some 
time, they undergo the process of de- 
composition, and are no longer fit for 
the ordinary uses of man. 

BLE VE,f v. t. [Sax.] To stay. [Chaucer.] 

BLIGHT, n. [add.] A name given to 
certain downy species of the aphis, or 
plant-louse, destructive to fruit-trees. 
Also, a slight palsy, induced by sudden 
cold or damp, applied to one side of 
the face. 

BLIND, v. t. [add.] To hide ; to conceal. 

BLIND'AGE, ) n. A military building, 

BLIND, j of a temporary nature, 

consisting usually of stout timbers, to 

secure troops, stores, or artillery. In 

fortresses, structures of this kind are 
employed to supply the place of regular 
casemates. 

BLIND'-BEETLE, n. An insect; the 
cockchaffer is often so called from fly- 
ing against persons, as if it were blind. 
BLIND'ER, n. He or that which blinds. 
Blinders, expansions of the sides of 
the bridle of a horse, to prevent him 

from seeing on either side. They are 

also called blinkers and winhers. 
BLINK, n. A glance of the eye; glimpse ; 

a twinkling. [Scotch.] 
BLINK, v. t. To shut out of sight ; to 

avoid or purposely evade; as, to blink 

the question before the house. 
BLINK'-BEER, n. Beer kept un- 

broached till it is sharp. 
BLINK'ING, ppr. [add.] Evading; 

avoiding, 
BLINKS, n. In hunting, boughs broken 

down from trees, and thrown in a way 

where deer are likely to pass, with the 

view of hindering their running, and of 

recovering them the better. 
BLISSE.f t>. t. To bless. [Chaucer.] 
BLIST,-)- pret. of Blisse. [Fr. blesser.] 

"Wounded. [Spenser.] 
BLIS'TER-BEETLE, n. The blister- 
fly. [See CANTHABIS.] Species of Myla- 

bris are also used as blister-beetles, and 

are so called. 
BLIS'TER-PLAS'TER, n. A plaster of 

Spanish flies, designed to raise a blister. 
BLIS'TER-STEEL, n. Iron bars when 

converted into steel have their surface 



covered with blisters, probably from tha 
expansion of minute bubbles of air. 
Steel is used in the blister state for 
welding to iron for certain pieces of 
mechanism, but is not employed for 
making edge-tools. It requires for this 
purpose to be converted into cast or 
shear steel. 

BLI'TUM, n. A genns of plants, nat. 
order Chenqpodiaceso. B. capitatum, 
and B. virgatum, and some others, are 
known by the name of strawberry-blite. 
The herb, Good-Henry, OTChenopodium 
bonus Henricus, is by several placed in 
this genus. 

BLIVE,t 1 adv. [Sax.] Quickly. 

BELIVE'.tJ [Chaucer.] 

BLOATER, n. A dried herring. [See 

BlOTE.] 

BLOB, n. [From blabber.] A small 
lump; omething blunt and round; a 
bubble ; a dew-drop. [Provincial.] 

BLOB'TALE, n. A tell-tale ; a blabber. 

BLOCK, n. [add.] In America, & con- 
tinuous row of buildings; as, a block of 
houses. The wooden mould on which 
a hat is formed. Sig. 6. [add.] Blocks 
are sometimes made of iron, as well as 
of wood. Blocks, to which the name 
of dead-eyes has been given, are not 
1 ml lies, being unprovided with sheaves. 
Many of the blocks used in ships are 
named after the ropes or chains which 
are rove through them; as, bow-line 
blocks, clue-line and clue-garnet blocks. 
Jewel-block, a block used for hoisting 
the studding-sails. Sister-block, one 
for raising the topping-lifts and reef- 
tackle. 

BLOCK, v. t. [add.] To form into blocks. 

BLOCK'HEADISM, n. The quality of 
a blockhead. [A low word.] 

BLOCK'-HOUSE, n. A military edifice 
or fortress of one or more stories, so 
named because constructed chiefly of 
hewn timber. Block-houses are sup- 
plied with loopholes for musketry and 
with embrasures for cannon, and when 
of several stories, the upper ones are 
made to overhang those below, and 
are furnished with machicolations or 
loopholes in the overhung floor, so that 
a perpendicular fire can be directed 




Block-liouie erected in Hot ner the Uohk river, C.S. 

against the enemy in dose attack. 
The accompanying figure represents 
Fort-Plain block-house, erected dur- 
ing the American Revolution, near the 
Mohawk river, United States. When 
a block-house stands alone, it consti- 
tutes an independent fort, and is of 
great advantage in mountainous coun- 
tries ; when it is formed in the interior 
of a field-work, it becomes a retrench- 
ment or redoubt. Stockades are some- 
times called block-houses. 
68 



BLOCK'ING, n. A small rough piece 
of wood fitted in and glued to the in- 
terior angle of two boards. [See BLOCK- 
INGS.] 

BLOCK'-MACHIN'ERY, n. A syste- 
matic assemblage of machines for mak- 
ing the shells and sheaves of the wood 
blocks used for ship-tackle. 
BLOCK'-MAKER, n. One who makes 
blocks. 

BLOCK'-PRINTING,n. The act wart 
of printing from engraved blocks of 
wood. 

BLONCK'ET.t a. Gray. Bloncket- 
liveries, gray coats. [Spenser.] 
BLONDE, a. Of a fair colour or com- 
plexion. 

BLONDE, n. [Fr.] A person of very 
fair complexion, with light hair, and 
light-blue eyes. 2. Blood-lace. 
BLONT.fa.Blunt; stupid; unpolished. 
[Spenser.] 

BLOOD, n. [add.] Natural disposition. 
[SAnAJ 

BLOOD'-BAPTISM, n. In the ancient 
church, a term applied to the martyr- 
dom of those who had not been bap- 
tized. They were considered as bap- 
tized in blood, and this was regarded 
as a full substitute for literal baptism. 
BLOOD'-BOLT'ERED.f a. [add.] 
Applied to one whose blood has issued 
out at many wounds, as flour of corn 
passes through the holes of a sieve. 
BLOOD'-BROTHER, n. Brother by 
blood or birth. 

BLOOD'-LIKE, n. Resembling blood. 
BLOOD'-PUDDING. See BLACK- 
PUDDING. 

BLOOD-RELA'TION, n. One related 
by blood or descent. 
BLOOD'-SHOTTEN, a. Blood-shot. 
BLOOD'-SPIL'LEK,n. One who sheds 
blood. 

BLOOD'-STROKE, n. An instantane- 
ous and universal congestion, without 
any escape of blood from the vessels. 
BLOOD'-SWOLN, . Suffused with 
blood. 

BLOODY, a. [add.] Bloody fire, a fire 
in the blood. | .vWi.J 
BLOOM,f v. t. [add.] To cover with 
blossoms. 

BLOOM' ARY. See BLOMART. 
BLOOM'ING, n. A clouded appearance 
which varnish sometimes assumes upon 
the surface of a picture ; so called, be- 
cause it somewhat resembles the bloom 
on the surface of certain kinds of fruit, 
such as plums, grapes, &c. 
BLOSME.f n. and v. i. (blosm.) Blos- 
som ; to blossom. [Chaucer.] 
BLOS'MY.f a. Full of blossoms. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BLOS'SOMED,f a. Covered with blos- 
soms ; in bloom ; as, blossomed beans. 
BLOUSE, n. [Fr.] A light loose gar- 
ment, resembling a frock-coat, made of 
linen or cotton, and worn by men to 
protect from dust, or supply the want 
of a coat. 

BLOW, v. t. [add.] In low Ian., to turn 
informer on an accomplice. To blow 
up, to scold or abuse either in speaking 
or writing. [Vulgar.] To blow a 
horse, to put him out of breath, to 
cause him to blow from fatigue. 
BLOW, n. [add.] Blow-out, a feast; an 
entertainment. [Cullog. ]Bloiu-up, a 
quarrel; a dispute. [Colloy. and fami- 
liar.] 

BLOW, v. i. [add.] To biota over, to 

pass away ; to subside ) as, the present 

disturbances will soon blow over. 

BLOW'-FLY, n. The Muscavomitoria, 

Af. carnaria, and other species of dip- 



BLUE-LIGHT 



BOARD 



BOB 



terous insects, which deposit their eggs 
or larva? on flesh, and thus taint it, are 
so called. 

BLOW-MILK, n. Milk from which 
cream is blown off. 

BLOWN, pp. [add.] Out of breath; as, 
the horse was very much blown. 
Blown upon, made common or stale; 
as, a passage in an author not yet blown 
upon. 

BLOW-OFF PIPE,n. In steam-boilers, 
a pipe at the foot of the holler, com- 
municating with the ashpit in land, 
and with the sea in marine boilers, and 
furnished with a cock, by opening which 
the steam forces the water and sedi- 
ment or brine out; the operation is 
called blowing-off. 

BLOWSE. See BLOUSE in this Supp. 

BLOW'- VALVE, n. The snifting-valve 
of a condensing engine. 

BLOWY, a. Windy ; blowing. [Local.] 

BLCE, a. [add.] The blues (a contrac- 
tion for blue-devils), low spirits ; melan- 
choly. To look blue, to be confounded 
or terrified. [Provincial.} To look 
blue at one, to look at one with a coun- 
tenance expressive of displeasure or 
dissatisfaction. [Collog.] 

HI, IK, n. One of the seven primary co- 
lours ; the colour of the sky. [See the 
Adjective.] 

BLOE'-BELL, n. A well-known, beau- 
tiful flowering plant, the Campanula 
rotundifolia, with blue bell -shaped 
flowers. 

Where the blue-bell and gownn lurk lowly nn- 
Been. Hums. 

[See cut in Did. HABE-BELL.] 

BLCE'-BERRY, n. See BLAEBEHBY. 

BLCE'-BLACK, n. Ivory-black, so 
called from its bluish hue; a colour 
resembling ivory-black. 

BLCE'-BONNET, n. A familiar name 
given to the blue titmouse (Pants cae- 
ruleus). 

BLCE'-BOOK, n. In the United States, 
a book containing the names of all the 
persons in the employment of the go- 
vernment. 

BLCE-BUT'TERFLY, n. A name ap- 
plied to several species of butterflies of 
the genus Polyommatus; the upper 
side of the wings being often of a blue 
colour. 

BLOE'-AP,7i. [add.] A species of small 
bird. [See BLUE-BONNET.] 

BLCE'-AT, n. A Siberian cat, valued 
for its fur. 

BLOE'-OMPOUNDS, n. Chemical 
compounds employed as blue pigments 
or dyes ; as, Berlin blue, a sesquiferri- 
cyanide of iron ; Saxon blue, a sulphate 
of indigo; blue verditer, an impure 
carbonate of copper; TurnbulVs blue, 
ferrocyanide of iron. 

BLCE OPPER-ORE, n. The finely 
crystallized subcarbonate of copper. 

BLOE'-DEVILS, n. A cant phrase for 
dejection, hypochondria, or lowness of 
spirits. 

BLOE'-DISEASE.Ti. The blue jaundice 
of the ancients ; a disease in which the 
complexion is tinged with blue or 
venous blood. 

BLCE'-DYES, n. Indigo, Prussian blue, 
logwood, bilberry, elder-berries, mul- 
berries, privet-berries, and some other 
berries, whose juices become blue by 
the addition of a small portion of alkali, 
or of the salts of copper. 
BLCE'- JOHN, 71. A name given to fluor- 
spar by the miners in Derbyshire. 
BLCE'-LIGHT,n. A composition which 
burns with a blue flame, used as a night- 
signal in ships. 



BLOE'-PETER, n. [A corruption of 
blue repeater.] In the British marine, a 
blue flag having a white square in the 
centre, used as a signal for sailing, to 
recal boats, &c. 

BLCE-PIG'MENTS, n. Prussian blue, 
mountain-blue, blue verditer, iron-blue, 
cobalt-blue, smalt, charcoal-blue, ultra- 
marine, indigo, litmus, &c. 

BLCE'-POT, n. A black-lead crucible. 

BLCE'-RUIN, n. A cant name for 
whisky, gin, &c. 

BLtE'-STOCKING, n. [add.] A lite- 
rary lady ; applied usually with the im- 
putation of pedantry. The term is de- 
rived from the name given to certain 
meetings held by ladies, in the days of 
Dr. Johnson, for conversation with dis- 
tinguished literary men. One of the 
most eminent of these literati was a Mr. 
Stillingfleet, who always wore blue 
stockings, and whose conversations on 
literary subjects at these meetings was 
BO much prized, that his absence at any 
time was felt to be a great loss, so that 
the remark became common. " We can 
do nothing without the blue stockings;" 
hence these meetings were sportively 
called blue-stocking clubs, and the 
ladies who attend them, blue-stock- 

BLOE-STOCK'INGISM, n. Female 
learning or pedantry. [ Unauthorized.] 

BLCE'-WING, n. A genus of ducks is 
so called from the colour of its wing- 
coverts. One species (Cyanopterus dis- 
cors) is brought in great quantities to 
market in Jamaica, the flesh being 
highly esteemed for its flavour. 

BLUID, n. Blood. [Scotch.] 

BLUMENBA'CHIA, n. A genus of 
ornamental plants, nat. order Loasa- 
cese. 

BLUN'DER, v. t. To mix or confound 
foolishly; to utter in a blundering 
manner; as, to blander out senseless 
rhymes. 

BLUNK, 7i. A name in Scotland for 
calico, or cotton cloth manufactured 
for being printed. Hence blunher sig- 
nifies a calico-printer. 

BLUN'KER, n. A bungler ; one that 
spoils everything he meddles with. 
[Scotch.] [See BLUNK.] 

BLUNT'ISH, a. Somewhat blunt. 

BLYS'MXJS, n. [Gr. p*.v rf u,, source.] A 
genus of plants, nat. order Cyperaceae. 
Two species are found in Britain, viz., 
B. compressus, and B. rufus. They 
grow on boggy or marshy places, or by 
river-sides, especially near the sea. 

BO'A, n. An article of dress for the neck, 
made of fur, and worn by ladies ; so 
called from its resemblance to the ser- 
pent of the same name. 

BOARD, n. Sig. 4. [add.] A term ap- 
plied to certain persons in their collec- 
tive capacity, to whom is intrusted the 
management of some office or depart- 
ment, usually of a public or corporate 
character ; as, the Board of Admiralty, 
the Board of Customs, Board of Trade, 
Board of Taxes, &c. The same term 
is applied to designate those persons who 
are chosen to manage the operations of 
any joint-stock association, and who 
are styled the board of directors. The 
guardians of the poor in parishes are 
called the Board of Guardians, or Par- 
ochial Board. In arch., a piece of tim- 
ber of undefined length, more than 
four inches in breadth, and not more 
than two inches and a-half in thick- 
ness. When boards are thinner on one 
edge than the other, they are called 
feather-edged boards. Board-lear, or 
69 



Icar-board, the board upon which the 
lead work of a gutter is laid, to pre- 
vent it sinking between the rafters. 
Listed boards, boards which arc re- 
duced in their width by taking off the 
sap from their sides. Valley-boards, 
those fixed on the valley-rafters, or 
pieces for the leaden gutters of the val- 
ley to rest on. The boards or college- 
boards in the English universities, are 
the official list of the members of the 
university. To go by the board, in 
marine Ian., is for the mast of a ship 
to be broken off and thrown over the 
bord or side; hence used figuratively 
to denote a complete sweep or destruc- 
tion. A ship is said to make a stern 
board when, on either tack, she fetches 
stern-way instead of gaining ground. 

BOARD'ED, pp. [add.] Accosted. 
[Shak.] Boarded-Jloors, floors covered 
with boards. 

BoARD'ING, n. The act of entering a 
ship by force in combat. 2. The act 
of covering with boards, and also the 
covering itself. 3. Thesameasioard; 
food; diet. Boarding -joists, those in 
naked flooring to which the joists are 
to be fixed. 

BOARD'ING-HOUSE, n. A house 
where board is furnished. 

BOARD'ING-NETTINGS, n. A frame 
of stout nettings put round a ship to 
prevent her being boarded. [See NET- 
TING.] 

BOAR'-FISH, n. The Capros aper, an 
acanthopterygious fish, resembling the 
dory in its general outline, but it has no 
spines along the dorsal or anal fin. It 
has the power of extending and con- 
tracting its mouth at will. When ex- 
tended the mouth takes the form of a 
hog's snout, whence the name. 

BOAST, v. t. To threaten ; to endeavour 
to terrify or intimidate. [Scotch.] 

BOAST'ING, n. In masonry, the act of 
paring a stone with a broad chisel and 
mallet, but not in uniform lines. In 
carving, the thorough cutting round 
the ornaments, to reduce them to their 
contours and profiles before the in- 
cisions are made for forming the mi- 
nuter parts. 

BOAT, n. [add.] The boats belonging 
to a ship of war are the launch or long- 
boat, which is the largest, the barge, 
the pinnace, the yawl, cutters, the 
jolly-boat, and the gig. The boats be- 
longing to a merchant vessel are the 
launch, or long-boat, before mentioned, 
the skiff, the jolly-boat, or yawl, the 
stern-boat, the quarter-boat, and the 
captain's gig. 

BO AT'-FLY, 71. An aquatic hemipterous 
insect, of the genus Notonecta. These 
insects swim on their backs ; and their 
hind-legs aptly enough resemble a pair 
of oars, the body representiug a boat, 
hence the name. 

BOAT'-LIKE, a. Resembling a boat. 

BOAT'-SHELL, 71. The name of the 
species of shells of the genus Cymba, 
belonging to the family Volutidte. 

BOAT'SWAIN, n. [add.] Pronounced 
bos'n by saamen. 

BOB, n. [Sad.] A short, jerking action; 
as, a bob of the head. 

BOB, v. t. [add.] To move in a short, 
jerking manner; as, to bob one's head; 
to bob a courtesy. 

BOB, n. A familiar name for a small 
wheel made entirely of a thick piece of 
bull-neck or sea-cow leather, perfo- 
rated for the reception of its spindle, 
and used in polishing the insides of the 
bowls of spoons and other articles. 



BOG-ASPHODEL 



BOLTONIA 



BOND-DEBT 



BOB'BED, pp. [add.] Moved short and 
quick. 

BOB'BERY, n. A squabble; a row. 
[Colloq. and vulgar.} 

BOB'BIN, n. [add.] Round tape. 

BOBBINET', n. A kind of lace which 
is wrought by machines, and not by 
hand. 

BOB'OLINK, n. [add.] This bird is the 
Dolichonyx oryzivorus of naturalists. 
It is destructive to the growing crops 
in many parts of the United States. 

BOB'STAY, n. A chain or a rope em- 
ployed to retain a vessel's bowsprit 
down towards the stem or cut-water/ 
and counteract the upward strain of 
the stays. The bobstay is attached to 
the stem of the vessel by iron plates, 
called bobstay-plates, the upper end 
being fastened to the bowsprit by a 
hoop. 

BOB'TAILED, a. [add.] Having the 
tail cut short. 

BOB'TAIL-WIG, ?i. Same as BOB- 
WIG. 

BOC'CIUS'-LIGHT, n. A form of gas- 
burner invented by Mr. Boccius. It 
consists of two concentric metal cylin- 
ders placed over the flame, within the 
usual lamp-glass, and between which 
the gas is emitted. 

BOCHE.f n. (bosh.) [Fr. bosse] A. 
swelling; a wen; aboil. [Chaucer.] 

BOD'ACH, n. [Gael.] An old man. 

BOD'DLE, 7i. See BODLE. 

BODE, n. What is bidden; an offer 
made in order to a bargain. [Scotch.] 

BODE,f pp. from Side. Remained. 
[Chaucer.] 

BODE.f I pp. from Bede. Bidden; 

BOD'EN.t ) commanded. [Chaucer.] 

BODE'KIN.t n. (bodkin.) A dagger. 
[Chaucer.] 

BOD'ICE, or BOD'DICE. 

BOD'ILY, adv. [add.] In respect to the 
entire body or mass; entirely; com- 
pletely ; as, to carry away bodily. 

BOD'HAGS.t n. plur. Bordragings ; 
incursions. [Spenser.] [See BOBD- 
BAGING.] 

BOD'Y, n. [add.] The material or- 
ganized substance of an animal, whether 
living or dead ; the main central part 
of an animal, in distinction from the 
head and extremities. 

BOD'Y, v. t. [add.] To incarnate; to in- 
vest with a body. 

BOD'Y-OLOURS, n. A term applied 
in oil-painting to pigments, or to their 
vehicles, and expresses their degree of 
consistence, substance, and tinging 
power. In water - colour painting, 
works are said to be executed in body- 
colours, when, in contradistinction to 
the early mode of proceeding in tints 
and washes, the pigments are laid on 
thickly, and mixed with white, as in 
oil-painting. 

BOD'Y-PLAN, 71. In ship-building, an 
end view, showing the contour of the 
sides of the ship at certain points of 
her length. 

BOD'Y-POLITie, ii. The collective 
body of a nation under civil govern- 
ment. 

BOD'Y-SNATCH'ER, 7i.One who 
secretly disinters the bodies of the dead 
in church-yards, for the purposes of 
dissection. 

BOD'Y-SNATCHING, n. The act of 
robbing of the grave, for the purposes 
of dissection. 

BOG-AS'PHODEL, n. A British plant 
of the nat. order Juncaceae, and genus 
Narthecium, the N. ossifragum. It 
has eword- shaped leaves, handsome 



but small yellow flowers, and grows on 
wet heaths. [See NAKTHECIUM.] 

BOG'-BUMPER, n. A local name for 
the bittern (Botaurus stellaris). 

BOG'GLER, n. [add.] A jilt; one false 
in love. [Shah.] 

BO'GIE, 7i. The frame of the carriage of 
a locomotive. 

BOG'-IRON ORE. See Boo-OKE. 

BOG'-MOSS, n. Sphagnum, a genus of 
aquatic moss-plants. [See SPHAGNUM.] 

BOG'-ORHIS, n. A British plant of 
the genus Malaxis, the M. paludosa. 
[See MALAXIS.] 

BOG'-RUSH, n. A British plant of the 
genus Schcenus, the S. nigricans. 
[See SCHCEKUS.J 

BOISTE,f . [FrJ A box. [Chaucer.] 

BOIS'TOUS, for BOISTEBOUS. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BOIS'TOUSLY, for BOISTEBOUSLY. 
[Chaucer.] 

BOKE'LER, forBucKLEB. [Chaucer.] 

BOKE'LING, for BUCKLING. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BOL'AS.f n. Bullace; a sort of sloe. 
[Chaucer.] 

BOLE, n. A corn measure of six bushels; 
a round head of land ; a boss ; a bul- 
lock. Tennyson's Princess. 

BOLE, ) 71. A small locker in the wall 

BOAL, f of a cottage, for keeping 
books, &c.; also, an opening in the wall 
of a house, for occasionally admitting 
air or light, usually with a wooden 
shutter instead of a pane of glass. 
[Scotch.] 

BOLE'TION MOULDINGS, n. In 



joinery, mouldings which project be- 
yond the surface of the framing. 

BOLE'RO, n. [Sp.] A favourite dance 
in Spain. 

BOL'LARDS. See BOLL, v. i. 

BOL'LARD- TIMBERS. See under 
BOLL, v. i. 

BOL'LEN.t pp. from Bulge. Swollen. 
[Chaucer.] 

BOLOG'NA-PHIALS.n. Small phials 
of unannealcd glass, which fly in pieces 
when their surface is scratched by a 
hard body, as by dropping into them 
an angular fragment of flint, whereas a 
lead bullet, or other smooth body, may 
be dropped into them without causing 
injury. 

BOLOGN'IAN PHOSPHORUS, n. A 
preparation of the powdered calcined 
sulphate of barytes, or Bolognian stone, 
which has the property of shining in 
the dark like phosphorus. 

BOL STER, . t. To lie together, or on 
the same bolster. [SAaS.] 

BOL'STERS.n. ID ships, pieces of tim- 
ber planted on various parts of a ship, 
to prevent the works or ropes from 
being abraded. 

BOLT, v. t. [add.] To throw precipi- 
tately; to swallow without chewing; 
as, to bolt food down one's throat. 

BOLT,f n. A long narrow piece of silk 
or stuff. 

BOLT'ING, n. [Sax. bolt, a house.] A 
term used in the inns of court to sig- 
nify a private arguing of cases, pro- 
bably so named because done privately 
in the house for instruction. In Lin- 
coln's Inn, Mondays and Wednesdays 
are the bolting days. 

BOLTO'NIA, 71. A genus of interesting 

plants, very closely resembling the 

species of the genus Aster. They are 

60 



natives of North America. Nat. order 
Composite. 

BOMB, n. [add.] Bombs are now termed 
shells. 

BOMBARDIER', n. [add.] A non- 
commissioned officer of the Royal Ar- 
tillery, whose duty it is to load shells, 
grenades, &c., to make and fix the 
fuses, and who is particularly appointed 
to the service of mortars and howitzers. 

BOMBARDIER'-BEETLE, n. The 
Brachinus crepitans, a coleopterous in- 
sect found under stones. It possesses, 
when under a sense of danger, a re- 
markable power of violently expelling, 
from the anus a pungent, acrid fluid, 
accompanied by a loud report. 

BOMBARD'MENT, n. [add.] The act 
of throwing shells, carcasses, and shot 
into an enemy's town, in order to de- 
stroy the buildings, and chiefly the 
military magazines. 

BOM'BARDS.f n. Padded breeches. 

BOMBASlN', ) n. [add.] A twilled 

BOMBAZJNE'J fabric, of which the 
warp is silk and the weft worsted, or- 
dinarily black. 

BOMB'-SHELL. See BOMB. 

BOMBYL'IOUS, a. Resembling the 
noise of a large kind of bee. 

BON, a. [Fr. from L. JOTIIW.] Good; 
valid as security for something. 

BON, n. [Fr.] A good saying ; a jest ; a 
tale. 

BO'NA, 71. plur. [From L. bonum.] In 
the civil law, a term which includes all 
sorts of property, movable and im- 
movable. 

BO'NA FI'DES, n. [L.] Good faith; 
fair dealing. [See BoNA-FroE.] 

BO'NA MOBIL'IA, n. plur. [L.] In 
law, movable effects and goods. 

BO'NA NOTABIL'IA, n. plur. [L.] In 
law, where a person dies, having at the 
time of his death goods and chattels in 
some other diocese or jurisdiction, be- 
sides those in the diocese or jurisdic- 
tion where he dies, to the amount of 
five pounds, he is said to have buna 
notabilia. 

BONAPART'EAN, a. Pertaining to 
Bonaparte. 

BONAPART'IST, n. One attached to 
the policy of Bonaparte. 

BO'NA PERITU'RA, n. plur. [L.] 
Perishable goods. 

BONA'SIA, n. A subgenus of the true 
Tetraonidte, or grouse family. It con- 
tains the ruffed grouse ( Tetrao umbel- 
lus), and hazel-grouse (Tetrao bonasia). 

BON'-BON, n. [Fr.] Sugar-confection- 
ary ; a sugar-plum. 

BOND, 7i. [add.] In law, a deed by 
which he wno makes it, called the ob- 
ligor, binds himself to another, called 
the obligee, to pay a sum of money, or 
to do, or not to do, any other act. 
Bonds for the payment of money are the 
most common. Penal bond. When 
a man is required to oblige himself to 
do or not to do any act, he often enters 
into a bond for payment of a certain 
sum of money as a penalty, in case he 
departs from his agreement. This is 
termed a penal bond. Penal bonds 
have now almost superseded in general 
use single bonds, or bonds without 
condition. Bonds, in arch., a general 
term which includes the whole of the 
timbers disposed in the walls of a house, 
as bond-timbers, wall-plates, lintels, 
and templets. 

BOND'-REDITOR, n. A creditor 
who is secured by a bond. 

BOND'-DEBT, n. A debt contracted 
under the obligation of a bond. 



BOOKCASE 



BOOTS 



BORING 



BOND'-TENANTS, n. A name some- 
times given to copy-holders and cus- 
tomary tenants. 

BONK, for BOON. [Chaucer.} 

BONE'-BREAKER, n. The sea-eagle, 
an antiquated name, the translation of 
ossifragus, a name given to the young 
of the white-tailed eagle. 

BONE'-BROWN, n. A brown pigment 
produced by roasting bones or ivory 
till they become of brown colour 
throughout. 

BONELL'IA, n. A genus of echino- 
dermatous zoophytes, having an oval 
body, and a proboscis formed of a 
folded fleshy plate, susceptible of 
great extension, and forked at its ex- 
tremity. 

BpNE'-SPIRIT, n. An ammoniacal 
liquor of a brown colour, obtained in 
the process of manufacturing charcoal 
from bones. 

BONI'TO, TI. A scomberoid fish, the 
Thynnus pelamis, Cuvier, common in 
the tropical ocean. It is also called 
the striped tunny. 

BON'NALLY, ) n. A parting-cup with 

BON'NAILE, J a friend, in earnest of 
wishing him a prosperous journey. 
[Scotch.] 

BONNE -BOUCHE, n. (bon boosh'.) 
[Fr.] A delicate morsel or mouthful. 

BON'NET-LAIRD, n. A small pro- 
prietor of land. [Scotch.] 

BONNET-LIMPET, n. The name of 
the various species of shells of the 
family Calyptraeidae, which are found 
adhering to stones and shells. The 
name is more particularly applied to 
the species of the genus Pileopsis, one 
of which, the P. hungaricus, is a native 
of the British coast. 

BON'NY-WAWLIES, n. Toys; trin- 
kets. ^Scotch.] 

BON'SPIEL, ) n. [Supposed to be from 

BON'SPELL,) Belg. bonne, a village, 
a district, and ipel, play.] A match at 
the diversion of curling on the ice, be- 
tween two opposite parties. [Scotch.] 

BO'NCS, n. [add.] An extra dividend 
or allowance to the shareholders of a 
joint-stock company out of accumu- 
lated profits. 

BO'NUSHEN'RIUS,n. Good-Henry, 
a plant of the genus Chenopodium, ac- 
cording to some, the C. bonus Henri- 
cits, by others placed in the genus Bli turn . 
It was formerly supposed to possess 
medicinal properties. [See CHENO- 
PODIUM and GOOSE-FOOT.] 

BOO'BY, n. [add.] The English name 
of a genus of birds belonging to the 
pelican family, the Dysporus of Illiger, 
Morus of Vieillot, and the Sula of Bris- 
son. The boobies are also known by 
the name of gannets, but navigators 
apply the term booby to the Sula fus- 
ca. [See BOOBY in Diet., where, how- 
ever, the account of its beak is erro- 
neous.] The Sula bassana is the gan- 
net of the English, and the solan-goose 
of the Scotch. 

BOO'BY, a. Having the characteristics 
of a booby. 

BOO'BY-HUTCH, n. A clumsy, ill- 
contrived, covered carriage or seat, 
xised in the east part of England. 

BUDDH' } See BuDDItA in S "PP- 

BOOD'HISM. See BUDDHISM in Supp. 
BOOD'HIST. See BUDDHIST. 
BOOK'BiNDERY, n. A place where 

books are bound. 
BOOK'ASE, n. A case with shelves, 

and commonly doors, for holding 

books. 



BOOK'-DEBT, n. A debt for goods 
delivered, and charged by the seller on 
his book of accounts. 

BOOK' -KNOWLEDGE, n. Know- 
ledge gained by reading books, in dis- 
tinction from knowledge obtained from 
observation and experience. 

BOOK'-MAKER, n. One who writes 
and* publishes books. 

BOO 1C' -MONGER, B. A dealer in 
books. 

BOOK OF RESPONSES. See RE- 

BPONDE BOOK. 

BOOK'-SORPION, n. A species of 
arachnidan (Chelifer cancroides), re- 
sembling a scorpion without a tail, 
often found in old books. 

BOOK'SELLING, n. The business of 
selling books. 

BOOK'-STALL, n. A stand or stall, 
commonly in the open air, on which 
books are placed which are offered for 
sale. 

BQOK'-STAND, n. A stand or small 
case for books. Also a stand or frame 
for containing books offered for sale on 
the streets. 

BOOK'-STORE, n. [add.] An Ameri- 
canism for a bookseller's shop. 

BOOiM, Ti. [add.] A strong beam, and 
sometimes merely a cable, stretched 
across the mouth of a river, or the en- 
trance of a harbour, to prevent the 
approach of an enemy's ships. A deep, 
hollow roar, as of waves or of cannon. 
Booms, a space in a vessel's waist, 
used for stowing the boats and spare 
spars. 

BOOM, . i. [add.] To boom along, to 
move rapidly, as a ship under full sail. 

BOOM'ING, ppr. or a. Hushing with 
violence ; moving rapidly ; roaring like 
waves. 

BOOM'-IRONS, TI. Rings of iron at- 
tached to a vessel's yard for traversing 
the studding-sails. 

BOOM'KIN, 71. See BUMKIN. 

BO'OPS, n. [add.] A genus of acan- 
thopterygious fishes, with oblong, com- 
pressed bodies, found chiefly in the 
Mediterranean. The species are gene- 
rally of brilliant colouring, and have a 
small mouth and large eyes. The 
JJtilmia hoops is a species of Greenland 
whale. [See BOOPS in Diet.] 

BOORD.f v. t. or i. [Fr. bourder.] To 
accost ; to address ; to attack in speech 
sportively, jeeringly, or jestingly; to 
jest, to jeer, to banter. To board by, 
to run sportingly by, as a river. [Spen- 
ser.] 

BOORD'ED,t pret. of Board. Ac- 
costed; addressed. [Spenser.] 

BOOS'ER, n. One who guzzles liquor; 
a tippler. 

BOOT.f TI. [add.] According to Tooke, 
the phrase, to boot, is the infinitive of 
the Saxon verb botan, and signifies to 
superadd. 

BOOT'-tRIMP, TI. A frame or last 
used by bootmakers for drawing and 
shaping the body of a boot. 

BOOTH, 7i. [add.] A sort of shop made 
of wood, erected in a fair or market. 

BOOTH'AGE, n. Customary dues paid 
to the lord of a manor or soil, for the 
pitching or standing of booths in fairs 
or markets. 

BOOT'IKIN, n. Thediminutiveof boot; 
a little boot. 

B O OT'I N G - ORN,f J . [Sax. bate, 

BOT'ING-ORN,t ) compensa- 
tion.] Rent-corn. 

BOOT'LESSNESS, n. The state of 
being unavailing or useless. 

BOOTS, TI. A cant name for a servant 
61 



in hotels, who cleans the boots of 
lodgers; formerly called a boot-catcher. 

BO'RACOUS, a. Partaking of borax ; 
containing borax. 

BORA'GO, n. [Gr. /J^., food, and L. 
ago.] Borage, a genus of plants, the 
type of the nat. order Boragin.'U-iM'. 
All the species are rough plants, with 
fusiform roots, oblong or lanceolate 
leaves, and blue, panicled, drooping 
flowers. B. officinalls, or common 
borage, is a British plant, growing in 
waste ground near houses. The flowers 
were formerly supposed to be cordial, 
and were infused in drinks. 

BO'RAX, TI. [add.] Borax is prepared 
both in England and France from soda, 
and boracic acid imported from Tus- 
cany. 

BORBO'NIA, n. A genus of Cape 
plants, nat. order Leguminosce. The 
species are very showy when in flower. 

BOR'BORUS, n. A genus rl two- 
winged flies, belonging to the family 
Miisciclii'. These little flies are found 
in marshy places, and on putrid sub- 
stances, but more particularly on dung- 
heaps. 

BORBORYG'MUS, In. [Gr. ,,$,,<*- 

BOR'BORYGM, f ^.] The rum- 
bling noise caused by wind within the 
intestines. 

BORD.f TI. [Fr. bourde.] A jest ; a pre- 
tence. [Spenser.] 

BORD, v. t. [See BOOBD in this Supp.] 
To accost or address. [Spenser.] 

BORD,f n. [Fr.] Border; the side of a 
ship. \Chaucer.] 

BORDE,f n. A table. \Chaucer.] 

BORD'ER- WARRANT. See after 
BORD-SERVICE. 

BORE, v. t. [add.] To weary by tedious 
iteration or repetition; to molest by 
solicitation. 

BORE, v. i. [add.] To penetrate the 
earth by means of a chisel, or other 
proper boring instrument, for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining the presence of 
minerals, as veins of ore or beds of 
coal, or for obtaining springs of water, 
as in Artesian wells or fountains of 
salt-water, &c. Amon^ horsemen, a 
horse is said to bare when he carries his 
nose to the ground. 

BORE, n. [add.] A person or thing that 
wearies by iteration ; a tiresome per- 
son or unwelcome visitor, who makes 
himself obnoxious by his disagreeable 
manners, or by a repetition of visits. 

BORE, n. [add.] A phenomenon which 
occurs in some rivers, near their mouth, 
at spring-tides. When the tide enters 
the river, the waters suddenly rise to 
a great height, and rush with tremen- 
dous noise against the current for a 
considerable distance. In England, 
the bore is observed more especially in 
the Severn, the Trent, Wye, and iu 
Solway Frith. 

BORE'OLE, n. [add.] The leaves of 
this kind of cabbage are curled or 
wrinkled, and have no disposition to 
form into a heart or head. It is chiefly 
valued for winter use. The best sorts 
are the Colebrookdale-borecole, and 
the Scotch kail. 

BOR'EL,f n. [Fr. bureau.] Coarse cloth 
of a brown colour. [Chaucer.] 

BOR'EL, ) a. Made of plain, coarse 

BOR'REL.f stuff. Sorrel -folk, or 
barrel-men, laymen. [Chaucer.] 

BORES, n. plur. Wounds or thrusts. 
[Shak.] 

BOR'ING, ppr. [add.] Making hollow; 
wearying by tedious iteration. 

BOR'ING, n. [add.] Borings, the chips 



BORRERA 



BOTCHERLY 



BOUCHE 



made by perforating a body. Borin 
instruments are of various kinds, as 
awls, or brad-awls, gimblets, augers, bit 
of various kinds [see BIT], drills, &c. 
BOR'ING-BAR, n. In mech. [Se 
CuTTER-BAR,of which it is an enlarge 
application.] 

BOR'ING-BLOCK, n. In mech., 
strong cylindrical piece fitted on th 
boring-bar of a boring-mill, and ii 
which the cutters are fixed. 
BORKHAU'SIA, n. A genus of plant 
named after Moritz Borkhausen, nat 
order Compositse, tribe Cichoraceae 
There are several European species 
The flowers are yellow or pale purple 
Several are cultivated in gardens, when 
they form a pretty border-plant. B 
taraxacifolia and B. fatida are Brit is! 
species. 

BORN, pp. [add.] To be born with a 
silver spoon in one's mouth, in collo- 
quial phrase, ip to inherit a fortune b; 
birth. 

BOR'NEEN, n. A compound of carbon 
and hydrogen found in valeric acid 
supposed to be identical with liquid- 
camphor. 

BOR'NEO-CAMPHOR, n. The cam- 
phor of the camphor-tree of Sumatra 
(Dryobalanops aromaticd). 
BOR'OUGH, n. [add.] A borough may 
be defined to be a town possessed of cer- 
tain municipal institutions, its organi- 
zation for local government forming 
the natural or necessary basis of its 
political character and efficiency. 
Parliamentary boroughs, such towns 
or boroughs as send representatives to 
Parliament. By the Reform Act, 
wherever the words city or borough, 
or cities and boroughs, may occur 
throughout the act, those words shall 
be construed to include, except there 
be something in the subject or context 
manifestly repugnant to such con- 
struction, all towns corporate, Cinque- 
ports, districts, or places within Eng- 
land and Wales, which shall be en- 
titled to return a member or members 
to serve in Parliament, other than 
counties at large, and ridings, parts and 
divisions of counties at large, and shall 
also include the town of Berwick-upon- 
Tweed. 

BOR'OUGH-OURTS, n. Private and 
limited species of tribunals, held by 
prescription, charter, or act of Parlia- 
ment. They are erected in particular 
districts for the convenience of the in- 
habitants, that they may prosecute 
small suits, and receive justice at 
home. 

BOR'OUGH - HEADS, n. Borough- 
holders, or bors-holders. 
BOR'OUGH-MONGER, n. One who 
buys or sells the patronage of a borough 
BOR'OUGH-REEVE, n. Ancientlyfzn 
elective municipal officer, exercising 
functions analogous to those of the 
shire-reeve or sheriff. 
BOR'OUGH -SESSIONS, n. Courts 
established in boroughs, under the 
Municipal Corporation's Act. They 
are held by the recorders of the respec- 
tive boroughs, once a quarter or oftener. 
Ihe jurisdiction is over such offences as 
are cognizable by the county-sessions 
BOR'OWE,f " [See BORROW.] A 
pledge; a security. Borowe-base, base 
pledges or usury. [Sptfur.] 
BOR'REL,f a. [Fr. bureau.] Rustic- 
plain. [Spenser.] 

BOR'REL- LOONS, n. Low, rustic 
rogues. [Scotch.] 
BOHRE'RA, n. A genus of lichens, 



very interesting to the cryptogamist, o 
account of the natural habit of th 
species. 

BORRE'RIA, n. A genus of plants, na 
order Cinchonaceae. The species ar 
mostly herbs or under-shrubs, and ar 
nearly all natives of tropical Americ. 
B. ferruginea is a native of Brazil, an 
yields a bastard ipecacuanha. 
BOR'ROW.f n. [add.] A pledge o 
surety. [Spenser.] 

BOR'RO WING-DAYS, n. The thre 
last days of March, old style ; eo name< 
because it was believed that Marc 
borrowed them from April. [Scotch. 
BOR'URET, n. A compound of boro 
with a metal. 

BOR'WE,t n. [See BOBBOW.] A se 
curity; a pledge. [Chaucer.] 
BOS'ARD.f " A buzzard. [Chaucer. 
BO'8OVj>.t. [add.] To embrace. [Shah. 
BOS'OPRI ACID, n. [Gr. W , an 
ox, and <r;, dung.] A strong, colour 
less acid procured from fresh cow-dung 
It is of great efficacy in purifying mor 
danted cotton in the cow-dung bath. 
BOSS, n. [add.] In mech., the enlarged 
part of a shaft on which a wheel is to 
be keyed, is called the wheel-boss. The 
term is, however, applied ordinarily to 
any enlarged part of the diameter, as 
to the ends of the separate pieces of a 
lin'e of shafts connected by couplings 
Hollow shafts through which others 
pass, are sometimes also called bosses 
but improperly. 
3OSS, a. Hollow. [Scotch ] 
BOST,f n. Pride; boasting. \Chaucer. 
BOST.farfo. Aloud. [Chaucer.] 
BOS'TRICHUS, n. A genus of coleop- 
terous insects, belonging to the group 
Xylophila, some species of which are 
highly destructive to wood. One o: 
the most destructive species is the 
B. typographies, or typographer- 
beetle, which devours, both in the larva 
and perfect state, the soft wood be- 
neath the bark of trees, and thus causes 
their death. 

BOTAN'IC GARDEN, n. A garden 
devoted to the culture of plants col- 
lected for the purpose of illustrating 
the science of botany. 
BOT'ANIZING, n. The seeking of 
plants for botanical purposes ; also, the 
studying of plants. 
BOTANOM'ANCY, or BOT'ANOM- 

A1VCY. 

BOT'ANY, n. [add.] Structural botany, 
that branch of the science of botany 
which relates to the laws of vegetable 
structure or organization, internal or 
external, independently of the presence 
of a vital principle. It is also called 
organography. Physiological or or- 
gmological botany, that branch which 
relates to the history of vegetable life, 
the functions of the various organs of 
plants, their changes in disease or 
health, &c. Descriptive botany, that 
branch which relates to the description 
and nomenclature of plants. It is also 
called phytography, Systematic bo- 
tany, that branch which relates to the 
principles upon which plants are con 
nected with, and distinguished from 
each other. It is also called taxonomy, 
faloiontological botany embraces the 
study of the forms and structures of 
the plants found in a fossil state, in the 
various strata of which the earth is 
composed. 
tOTAU'RUS, n. The generic name of 



^-_.j ... j. ii c generic 

the bitterns. [See BITTERN.! 
OTCH'ERLY.a. Clumsy; av 



patched. [Rar. Kt.l 
63 



iwkwardly 



BOTE.fti. t. [Sax.] To help. [Chau- 
cer.} 

BOTE,fpp. from Bite. Bit. [Chau- 
cer.] 

BOT'-FLY, n. The gadfly, an insect of 
the genus (Estrus. 

BOTH'ER, . t. [add.] To perplex ; to 
confound ; to pother. [Low ] 
BOTHERA'TION, n. Trouble; vexa- 
tion ; perplexity. [A low word.] 
BOT'-HOLE, n. A hole in a skin made 
by a hot. 

BOTHREN'HTMA, n. [Gr. fr^*, " 
pit, and i^i/^, a tissue.] In hot., a 
term applied to denote the pitted tis- 
sue or dotted ducts of plants. It is 
either articulated or continuous 
BOTH-SHEETS-AFT. In marine Ian., 
a square-rigged vessel is said to have 
both-sheets - aft .when the yards are 
squared, and the ship is running before 
the wind. 

BOTH'UM,t [Fr. bouton.] A bud, 
particularly of a rose. [Chaucer.] 
BOTH'Y, n. A hut; a hovel; a place 
where labouring servants are lodged. 
[Scotch.] 

BOTRY'HIUM,n.[Gr. / 3., { ,abunch 
of grapes.] Moon-wort, a genus of 
ferns, nat. order Osmundaceae. It has 
distinct capsules (thecae or sporangia) 
disposed in a compound spike, attached 
to a pinnate or bipinnate frond. B. 
lunaria, common moon-wort, is a na- 
tive of Britain. It has lunate-shaped 
pinnae, hence the English name. Both 
magical and healing powers were for- 
merly attributed to it. 
BOTRY'OGEN, n. A red or ochre- 
coloured mineral, consisting of the 
hydrous sulphates of protoxide of iron, 
oxide of iron, magnesia, and lime. It 
is said to have been found on Vesuvius. 
BOTT, n. The name given by lace- 
weavers to the round cushion placed 
on the knee, on which the lace is 
woven. 

BOT'TLE-BCMP, n. A name given by 
some to the bittern. 

BOTTLE-FISH, n. An eel-like fish of 
the genus Saccopharynx, the S. ampul- 
laceuf. The body is capable of being 
inflated like a sack or leathern bottle, 




Bottlc-flth inflated, Saecopharynx ampuOaoeui. 

hence the name. It if from four to six 
feet long, aud is believed to be very 
voracious. A few specimens have been 
met with floating in the Atlantic Ocean. 
BOT'TLE-GLXSS, n. A coarse, green 
glass, used in the manufacture of bot- 
tles. 

JOT'TLE-NOSE, n. A species of whale 
of the genus Hyperoodon. 
8OT'TLE-TIT, n. A name applied to 
the long-tailed titmouse (Parut cau- 
datus), from its long, curious, bottle- 
shaped nest. 

OT'TOM, n. [add.] Heart; secret 
;houghts; real inclination opposed to 
ipparent conduct ; as, he is sincere at 
mttom ; we are still at bottom as good 
friends as ever. 
OTTS. SeeBoTS. 
OTULIN'I ACID, n. A fatty acid 
)btained from sausages 
OUCHE, n. (boosh.) [Fr. mouth.] A 
erm used anciently to denote a certain 
allowance of provisions from the king 



BOURD 



BOWLING 



BOX-WOOD 



to knights and others who attended 
him in any military expedition. Also 
written bouge, and budge. [See BOUOE.] 

BOUCHE, n. [Fr.] The indent at the 
top of n shield to admit a lance, which 
rested there, without depriving the 
soldier of the protection afforded by 
his shield to the lower part of the face 
or neck. 

BOUCHETE'.n. [Fr.] The large buckle 
used for fastening the lower part of the 
breastplate to the upper one. 

BOU6E,f n. [add.] A cask. 'Bouge of 
court, was an allowance of meat and 
drink for the tables of the inferior offi- 
cers and others, who were occasionally 
called to serve and entertain the 
court. 

BOU6'ET,t n. [Fr. bougette.] A budget 
or pouch. [Spenser.] In her., the re- 
presentation of a vessel for carrying 
water. 

BOUGHT AND SOLD NOTES, n. 
Among licensed brokers, the practice is 
to enter or register in a book the terms 
of any contract they effect, and the 
names of the parties, which is legally 
binding: as, when the broker for a 
seller treats with a buyer, he is deemed 
the agent of both, and he in strictness 
should sign the book, and deliver a 
transcript or memorandum thereof to 
each party, which is called a bought 
and sold note. 

BOUGHTES.f n. (bawts.) Circular 
folds; twists. [Spenser.] 

BOUKE,f n. [Sax.] The body. [Chau- 

BOUL'DER- FORMATION, n. In 
geol., a term recently introduced to 
express what were formerly termed di- 
luvial deposits. 

BOULET', or BOULETT'E. 

BOU'LEVARD, n. (boo'leviir.) [Fr.] 
Originally, a bulwark or rampart of a 
fortification or fortified town. At p