<-- Begin file 1 of 26: Letter A (Version 0.43)
This file is part 1 of the GNU version of
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Also referred to as GCIDE
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GCIDE is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
any later version.
GCIDE is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this copy of GCIDE; see the file COPYING. If not, write
to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330,
Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This dictionary was derived from the
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
Version published 1913
by the C. & G. Merriam Co.
Springfield, Mass.
Under the direction of
Noah Porter, D.D., LL.D.
and from
WordNet, a semantic network created by
the Cognitive Science Department
of Princeton University
under the direction of
Prof. George Miller
and is being updated and supplemented by
an open coalition of volunteer collaborators from
around the world.
This electronic dictionary is the starting point for an
ongoing project to develop a modern on-line comprehensive encyclopedic
dictionary, by the efforts of all individuals willing to help build a
large and freely available knowledge base. Contributions of data,
time, and effort are requested from any person willing to assist creation
of a comprehensive and organized knowledge base for free access on the
internet. Anyone willing to assist in any way in constructing such a
knowledge base should contact:
Patrick Cassidy pc@worldsoul.org
735 Belvidere Ave. Office: (908)668-5252
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 561-3416
Last edit June 18, 2000.
-->
A dictionary containing a natural history requires too many hands, as well as too much time, ever to be hoped for.Locke.
NUMBERS.
0adj.1.indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration; -- representing the number zero as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- zero WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
1adj.1.used of a single unit or thing; not two or more; -- representing the number one as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- one, i, ane WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
1-dodecanoln.An insoluble solid alcohol (C12H25OH) with an unbranched paraffin chain, used to make detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Syn. -- lauryl alcohol WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
1-hittern.1.a baseball game in which one team's pitchers allow the opposing team only one hit. Syn. -- one-hitter WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
1st-classn.1.a class mail comprising letters, postcards, and other mail sealed against inspection, having a higher priority than second, third, or fourth-class mail; -- it is the highest class of mail not handled in a special manner, as is registered or priority mail. Syn. -- first-class, first-class mail, 1st-class mail WordNet 1.5]
10adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than nine and one less than eleven; -- representing the number ten as Arabic numerals Syn. -- ten, x WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
100adj.1.the Arabic numerals representing the number one hundred; denoting a quantity consisting of one more than ninety nine and one less than one hundred and one; ten times ten Syn. -- hundred, a hundred, one hundred, c WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
1000adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than nine hundred ninety nine and one less than one thousand and one; -- representing the number one thousand as Arabic numerals Syn. -- thousand, a thousand, one thousand, m, k WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
1000thadj.1.coming next after the nine hundred ninety-ninth in a series Syn. -- thousandth WordNet 1.5]
10thadj.1.coming next after the ninth in a series Syn. -- tenth WordNet 1.5]
100thadj.1.coming next after the ninety-ninth in a series Syn. -- hundredth, centesimal WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
11adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than ten and one less than twelve; -- representing the number eleven as Arabic numerals Syn. -- eleven, xi WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
11-plusn.1.an examination taken by 11 and 12 year old students to select suitable candidates for grammar school. [formerly in England] Syn. -- eleven-plus WordNet 1.5]
11thadj.1.coming next after the tenth in a series Syn. -- eleventh WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
12adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of 12 items or units; -- representing the number twelve as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twelve, xii, dozen WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
12thadj.1.coming next after the eleventh in a series Syn. -- twelfth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
13adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than twelve and one less than fourteen; -- representing the number thirteen as Arabic numerals Syn. -- thirteen, xiii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
13thadj.1.coming next after the twelfth in a series Syn. -- thirteenth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
14adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than thirteen and one less than fifteen; -- representing the number fourteen as Arabic numerals Syn. -- fourteen, xiv WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
14thadj.1.coming next after the thirteenth in a series Syn. -- fourteenth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
15adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than fourteen and one less than sixteen; -- representing the number fifteen as Arabic numerals Syn. -- fifteen, xv WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
15thadj.1.coming next after the fourteenth in a series Syn. -- fifteenth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
16adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than fifteen and one less than seventeen; -- representing the number sixteen as Arabic numerals Syn. -- sixteen, xvi WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
16thadj.1.coming next after the fifteenth in a series Syn. -- sixteenth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
17adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than sixteen and one less than eighteen; -- representing the number seventeen as Arabic numerals Syn. -- seventeen, xvii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
17thadj.1.coming next after the sixteenth in a series Syn. -- seventeenth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
18adj.1.one more than seventeen; denoting a quantity consisting of one more than seventeen and one less than nineteen; -- representing the number eighteen as Arabic numerals Syn. -- eighteen, xviii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
18thadj.1.coming next after the seventeenth in a series Syn. -- eighteenth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
19adj.1.one more than eighteen; denoting a quantity consisting of one more than eighteen and one less than twenty; -- representing the number nineteen as Arabic numerals Syn. -- nineteen, xix WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
19thadj.1.coming next after the eighteenth in a series Syn. -- nineteenth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
1stadj.1.preceding all other objects or events in order, time, or importance; occurring before all other members of a series. Syn. -- first WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
2adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of one more than one; one plus one more; -- representing the number two as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- two, ii WordNet 1.5]
2-hittern.1.a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 2 hits. Syn. -- two-hitter WordNet 1.5]
20adj.1.one more than nineteen; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty items or units; -- representing the number twenty as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty, xx, score WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
20thadj.1.coming next after the nineteenth in a series Syn. -- twentieth WordNet 1.5]
21adj.1.one more than twenty; twenty plus one more; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-one items or units; -- representing the number twenty-one as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-one, xxi WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
21stadj.1.coming next after the twentieth in a series Syn. -- twenty-first WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
22adj.1.one more than twenty-one; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-two items or units; -- representing the number twenty-two as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-two, xxii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
22ndadj.1.coming next after the twenty-first in a series Syn. -- twenty-second WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
23adj.1.one more than twenty-two; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-three items or units; -- representing the number twenty-three as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-three, xxiii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
23rdadj.1.coming next after the twenty-second in a series Syn. -- twenty-third WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
24adj.1.one more than twenty-three; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-four items or units; -- representing the number twenty-four as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-four, xxiv WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
24/7adj. & adv.(tw[From 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.]Without interruption; non-stop; continuous; as, the computer manufacturer provides 24/7 technical help. Syn. -- twenty-four-seven, 7/24 PJC]
24thadj.1.coming next after the twenty-third in a series Syn. -- twenty-fourth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
25adj.1.one more than twenty-four; denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-five items or units; -- representing the number twenty-five as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-five, xxv WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
25thadj.1.coming next after the twenty-fourth in a series Syn. -- twenty-fifth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
26adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-six items or units; -- representing the number twenty-six as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-six, xxvi WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
26thadj.1.coming next after the twenty-fifth in a series Syn. -- twenty-sixth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
27adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-seven items or units; -- representing the number twenty-seven as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-seven, xxvii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
27thadj.1.coming next after the twenty-sixth in a series Syn. -- twenty-seventh WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
28adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-eight items or units; -- representing the number twenty-eight as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-eight, xxviii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
28thadj.1.coming next after the twenty-seventh in a series Syn. -- twenty-eighth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
29adj.1.denoting a quantity consisting of twenty-nine items or units; -- representing the number twenty-nine as Arabic numerals Syn. -- twenty-nine, xxix WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
29thadj.1.coming next after the twenty-eighth in a series Syn. -- twenty-ninth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
2d2ndadj.1.coming next after the first in position in space or time or degree or magnitude Syn. -- second, 2nd WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
3adj.1.one more than two; denoting a quantity consisting of three items or units; -- representing the number three as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- three, iii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
30adj.1.one more than twenty-nine; three times ten; denoting a quantity consisting of thirty items or units; -- representing the number thirty as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- thirty, xxx WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
30thadj.1.coming next after the twenty-ninth in a series Syn. -- thirtieth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
3rdadj.1.coming next after the second in a series Syn. -- third, tertiary WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
4adj.1.one more than three; denoting a quantity consisting of four items or units; -- representing the number four as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- four, iv WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
4-hittern.1.a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 4 hits. Syn. -- four-hitter WordNet 1.5]
40adj.1.one more than thirty-nine; four times ten; denoting a quantity consisting of fourty items or units; -- representing the number fourty as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- forty, xl, twoscore WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
40thadj.1.coming next after the thirty-ninth in position Syn. -- fortieth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
4thadj.1.coming next after the third in position Syn. -- fourth, quaternary WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
4ton.1.the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper twice to form four leaves. Syn. -- quarto WordNet 1.5]
5adj.1.one more than four; denoting a quantity consisting of five items or units; -- representing the number five as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- five, v WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
5-hittern.1.a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 5 hits. Syn. -- five-hitter WordNet 1.5]
50adj.1.one more than fourty-nine; five times ten; denoting a quantity consisting of fifty items or units; -- representing the number fifty as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- fifty, l WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
500adj.1.one more than four hundred ninety-nine; five times one hundred; denoting a quantity consisting of five hundred items or units; -- representing the number five hundred as Arabic numerals Syn. -- five hundred, d WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
50thadj.1.coming next after the fourty-ninth in a series Syn. -- fiftieth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
5thadj.1.coming next after the fourth in a series Syn. -- fifth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
6adj.1.one more than five; denoting a quantity consisting of six items or units; -- representing the number six as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- six, vi, half dozen, half a dozen WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
60adj.1.one more than fifty-nine; denoting a quantity consisting of sixty items or units; -- representing the number sixty as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- sixty, lx, threescore WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
60 minutes
n.1. Syn. -- hour, hr a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day. WordNet 1.5]
2. a 1-hour television program broadcast once weekly on the CBS television network since the 1970's. Its format is that of a "news magazine" treating typically three topics during each show, plus occasional commentary. [Proper name] Syn. -- Sixty Minutes PJC]
60thadj.1.coming next after the fifty-ninth in a series Syn. -- sixtieth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
6thadj.Coming next after the fifth in a series Syn. -- sixth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
7adj.One more than six; constituting or denoting a quantity consisting of seven items or units; -- representing the number seven as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- seven, vii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
7/24adj. & adv.Same as 24/7. PJC]
70adj.1.one more than sixty-nine; denoting a quantity consisting of seventy items or units; -- representing the number sevent as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- seventy, lxx WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
70thadj.1.coming next after the sixty-ninth in a series Syn. -- seventieth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
7thadj.1.coming next after the sixth in a series Syn. -- seventh WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
8adj.1.one more than seven; denoting a quantity consisting of eight items or units; -- representing the number eight as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- eight, viii WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
80adj.1.one more than seventy-nine and one less than eighty-one; denoting a quantity consisting of eighty items or units; -- representing the number eighty as Arabic numerals Syn. -- eighty, lxxx, fourscore WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
80thadj.1.coming next after the seventy-ninth in a series Syn. -- eightieth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
8thadj.1.coming next after the seventh in a series Syn. -- eighth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
9adj.1.one more than eight and one less than ten; denoting a quantity consisting of nine items or units; -- representing the number nine as an Arabic numeral Syn. -- nine, ix WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
90adj.1.one more than eighty-nine and one less than ninety-one; denoting a quantity consisting of ninety items or units; -- representing the number ninety as Arabic numerals Syn. -- ninety, xc WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
90thadj.1.coming next after the eighty-ninth in a series Syn. -- ninetieth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
9thadj.1.coming next after the eighth and just before the tenth in position Syn. -- ninth WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
3-Dn.1.a movie with images having three dimensional form or appearance. Syn. -- three-D, 3D WordNet 1.5]
3-hittern.1.a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 3 hits. Syn. -- three-hitter WordNet 1.5]
8von.1.the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper three times to form eight leaves. Syn. -- octavo, eightvo WordNet 1.5]
<-- p. 1 -->
A.
A(named \'be in the English, and most commonly \'84 in other languages). The first letter of the English and of many other alphabets. The capital A of the alphabets of Middle and Western Europe, as also the small letter (a), besides the forms in Italic, black letter, etc., are all descended from the old Latin A, which was borrowed from the Greek Alpha, of the same form; and this was made from the first letter (Aleph, and itself from the Egyptian origin. The Aleph was a consonant letter, with a guttural breath sound that was not an element of Greek articulation; and the Greeks took it to represent their vowel Alpha with the \'84 sound, the Ph\'d2nician alphabet having no vowel symbols. 1913 Webster]
This letter, in English, is used for several different vowel sounds. See Guide to pronunciation, a, as in fate, etc., is a comparatively modern sound, and has taken the place of what, till about the early part of the 17th century, was a sound of the quality of \'84 (as in far). 1913 Webster]
2.(Mus.)The name of the sixth tone in the model major scale (that in C), or the first tone of the minor scale, which is named after it the scale in A minor. The second string of the violin is tuned to the A in the treble staff. -- A sharp (A 1913 Webster]
A per se(L. per se by itself), one pre\'89minent; a nonesuch. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
O fair Creseide, the flower and A per se Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
A(emph. . 1.[Shortened form of an. AS. \'ben one. See One.]An adjective, commonly called the indefinite article, and signifying one or any, but less emphatically. \'bdAt a birth\'b8; \'bdIn a word\'b8; \'bdAt a blow\'b8. Shak.It is placed before nouns of the singular number denoting an individual object, or a quality individualized, before collective nouns, and also before plural nouns when the adjective few or the phrase great many or good many is interposed; as, a dog, a house, a man; a color; a sweetness; a hundred, a fleet, a regiment; a few persons, a great many days. It is used for an, for the sake of euphony, before words beginning with a consonant sound [for exception of certain words beginning with h, see An]; as, a table, a woman, a year, a unit, a eulogy, a ewe, a oneness, such a one, etc. Formally an was used both before vowels and consonants. 1913 Webster]
2.[Originally the preposition a (an, on).]In each; to or for each; as, \'bdtwenty leagues a day\'b8, \'bda hundred pounds a year\'b8, \'bda dollar a yard\'b8, etc. 1913 Webster]
A(, prep.[Abbreviated form of an (AS. on). See On.]1.In; on; at; by. [Obs.] \'bdA God's name.\'b8 \'bdTorn a pieces.\'b8 \'bdStand a tiptoe.\'b8 \'bdA Sundays\'b8 Shak. \'bdWit that men have now a days.\'b8 Chaucer. \'bdSet them a work.\'b8 Robynson (More's Utopia). 1913 Webster]
2.In process of; in the act of; into; to; -- used with verbal substantives in -ing which begin with a consonant. This is a shortened form of the preposition an (which was used before the vowel sound); as in a hunting, a building, a begging. \'bdJacob, when he was a dying\'b8 Heb. xi. 21. \'bdWe'll a birding together.\'b8 \'bd It was a doing.\'b8 Shak. \'bdHe burst out a laughing.\'b8 Macaulay.The hyphen may be used to connect a with the verbal substantive (as, a-hunting, a-building) or the words may be written separately. This form of expression is now for the most part obsolete, the a being omitted and the verbal substantive treated as a participle. 1913 Webster]
A. [From AS. of off, from. See Of.]Of. [Obs.] \'bdThe name of John a Gaunt.\'b8 \'bdWhat time a day is it ?\'b8 Shak. \'bdIt's six a clock.\'b8 B. Jonson. 1913 Webster]
A. A barbarous corruption of have, of he, and sometimes of it and of they. \'bdSo would I a done\'b8 \'bdA brushes his hat.\'b8 Shak. 1913 Webster]
A. An expletive, void of sense, to fill up the meter 1913 Webster]
A merry heart goes all the day, a.Shak. 1913 Webster]
A-. A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various sources. (1) It frequently signifies on or in (from an, a forms of AS. on), denoting a state, as in afoot, on foot, abed, amiss, asleep, aground, aloft, away (AS. onweg), and analogically, ablaze, atremble, etc. (2) AS. of off, from, as in adown (AS. ofd off the dun or hill). (3) AS. \'be- (Goth. us-, ur-, Ger. er-), usually giving an intensive force, and sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in arise, abide, ago. (4) Old English y- or i- (corrupted from the AS. inseparable particle ge-, cognate with OHG. ga-, gi-, Goth. ga-), which, as a prefix, made no essential addition to the meaning, as in aware. (5) French \'85 (L. ad to), as in abase, achieve. (6) L. a, ab, abs, from, as in avert. (7) Greek insep. prefix abyss, atheist; akin to E. un-. 1913 Webster]
Besides these, there are other sources from which the prefix a takes its origin. 1913 Webster]
A 1(. A registry mark given by underwriters (as at Lloyd's) to ships in first-class condition. Inferior grades are indicated by A 2 and A 3. 1913 Webster]
A 1 is also applied colloquially to other things to imply superiority; prime; first-class; first-rate. 1913 Webster]
a.u.n.1.(Astron.)the unit of length equal to the mean distance of the Earth from the sun, about 93 million miles (150 million kiometers); -- used almost exclusively in astronomy, or to describe astronomical distances. Syn. -- astronomical unit, AU, A.U. WordNet 1.5]
AAn.1.acronym for Associate in Arts, a college degree granted for successful completion of a two-year course of study in arts or general topics. Syn. -- Associate in Arts WordNet 1.5]
2.Alcoholics Anonymous. [Acronym.] WordNet 1.5]
\'d8Aam(or , n.[D. aam, fr. LL. ama; cf. L. hama a water bucket, Gr. A Dutch and German measure of liquids, varying in different cities, being at Amsterdam about 41 wine gallons, at Antwerp 36\'ab, at Hamburg 38\'ac.[Written also Aum and Awm.] 1913 Webster]
\'d8aard"vark`(, n.[D., earth-pig.](Zo\'94l.)An edentate mammal, of the genus Orycteropus (Orycteropus afer), somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of Southern Africa. It is a nocturnal ungulate, burrows in the ground with its powerful claws, and feeds entirely on ants and termites, which it catches with its long, extensile, slimy tongue. It is the sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentata.[Spelled also Aard-vark.] Syn. --ant bear, anteater, Orycteropus afer, oryctere, orycterope 1913 Webster WordNet 1.5]
\'d8Aard"-wolf`(, n.[D, earth-wolf](Zo\'94l.)A carnivorous, striped, quadruped mammal (Proteles cristata, formerly Proteles Lalandii), of South Africa, resembling the fox and hyena. It feeds chiefly on insects. See Proteles. 1913 Webster WordNet 1.5]
{ Aa*ron"ic(, Aa*ron"ic*al(-, }a.Pertaining to Aaron, the first high priest of the Jews. 1913 Webster]
Aar"on's rod`(. [See Exodus vii. 9 and Numbers xvii. 8]1.(Arch.)A rod with one serpent twined around it, thus differing from the caduceus of Mercury, which has two. 1913 Webster]
2.(Bot.)A plant with a tall flowering stem; esp. the great mullein, or hag-taper, and the golden-rod. 1913 Webster]
AASn.1.an associate degree conferred for successful studies in applied science. WordNet 1.5]
AAASn.1.the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C. Its goal is to advance the physical and social sciences, and it publishes a weekly journal Science, with original research articles as well as reviews and commentary. [Acronym.] Syn. --American Association for the Advancement of Science.
[WordNet 1.5]
aasn.1.a loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by Arabs.overgarment, outer garment WordNet 1.5]
Ab-(. [Latin prep., etymologically the same as E. of, off. See Of.]A prefix in many words of Latin origin. It signifies from, away , separating, or departure, as in abduct, abstract, abscond. See A-(6). 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab(, n.[Of Syriac origin.]The fifth month of the Jewish year according to the ecclesiastical reckoning, the eleventh by the civil computation, coinciding nearly with August.W. Smith. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab"a*ca(, n.[The native name.]The Manila-hemp plant (Musa textilis); also, its fiber. See Manila hemp under Manila. 1913 Webster]
A*bac"i*nate(, v. t.[LL. abacinatus, p. p. of abacinare; ab off + bacinus a basin.]To blind by a red-hot metal plate held before the eyes. [R.] 1913 Webster]
A*bac`i*na"tion(, n.The act of abacinating. [R.] 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab`a*cis"cus(, n.[Gr. 'abaki`skos, dim of 'a`bax. See Abacus.](Arch.)One of the tiles or squares of a tessellated pavement; an abaculus. 1913 Webster]
Ab"a*cist(, n.[LL abacista, fr. abacus.]One who uses an abacus in casting accounts; a calculator. 1913 Webster]
A*back"(, adv.[Pref. a- + back; AS. on b\'91c at, on, or toward the back. See Back.]1.Toward the back or rear; backward. \'bdTherewith aback she started.\'b8 Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
2.Behind; in the rear.Knolles. 1913 Webster]
3.(Naut.)Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind.Totten. 1913 Webster]
To be taken aback. (a)To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven.(b)To be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited.Dickens. 1913 Webster]
Ab"ack(, n.An abacus. [Obs.] B. Jonson. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ac"ti*nal(, a.[L. ab + E. actinal.](Zo\'94l.)Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal; -- opposed to actinal. \'bdThe aboral or abactinal area.\'b8 L. Agassiz. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ac"tion(, n.Stealing cattle on a large scale. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ab*ac"tor(-t, n.[L., fr. abigere to drive away; ab + agere to drive.](Law)One who steals and drives away cattle or beasts by herds or droves. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
\'d8A*bac"u*lus(, n.; pl.Abaculi(-l.[L., dim. of abacus.](Arch.)A small tile of glass, marble, or other substance, of various colors, used in making ornamental patterns in mosaic pavements.Fairholt. 1913 Webster]
Ab"a*cus(, n.; E. pl.Abacuses ; L. pl. Abaci(-s.[L. abacus, abax, Gr. 'a`bax]1.A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
2.A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in China. 1913 Webster]
3.(Arch.)(a)The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See Column.(b)A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work. 1913 Webster]
4.A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard. 1913 Webster]
Abacus harmonicus(Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument.Crabb. 1913 Webster]
Ab"a*da(, n.[Pg., the female rhinoceros.]The rhinoceros. [Obs.] Purchas. 1913 Webster]
A*bad"don(, n.[Heb. \'bebadd\'d3n destruction, abyss, fr. \'bebad to be lost, to perish.]1.The destroyer, or angel of the bottomless pit; -- the same as Apollyon and Asmodeus. 1913 Webster]
2.Hell; the bottomless pit. [Poetic] 1913 Webster]
In all her gates, Abaddon rues Milton. 1913 Webster]
A*baft"(, prep.[Pref. a- on + OE. baft, baften, biaften, AS. be\'91ftan; be by + \'91ftan behind. See After, Aft, By.](Naut.)Behind; toward the stern from; as, abaft the wheelhouse. 1913 Webster]
Abaft the beam. See under Beam. 1913 Webster]
A*baft", adv.(Naut.)Toward the stern; aft; as, to go abaft. 1913 Webster]
A*bai"sance(, n.[For obeisance; confused with F. abaisser, E. abase.]Obeisance. [Obs.] Jonson. 1913 Webster]
A*bai"ser(, n.Ivory black or animal charcoal.Weale. 1913 Webster]
<-- p. 2 -->
A*baist"(, p. p.Abashed; confounded; discomfited. [Obs.] Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
Ab*al"ien*ate(, v. t.[L. abalienatus, p. p. of abalienare; ab + alienus foreign, alien. See Alien.]1.(Civil Law)To transfer the title of from one to another; to alienate. 1913 Webster]
2.To estrange; to withdraw. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
3.To cause alienation of (mind).Sandys. 1913 Webster]
Ab*al`ien*a"tion(-, n.[L. abalienatio: cf. F. abali\'82nation.]The act of abalienating; alienation; estrangement. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab`a*lo"ne(, n.(Zo\'94l.)A univalve mollusk of the genus Haliotis. The shell is lined with mother-of-pearl, and used for ornamental purposes; the sea-ear. Several large species are found on the coast of California, clinging closely to the rocks. 1913 Webster]
abamperen.1.1(Electricity)a unit of electrical current equal to 10 amperes. Syn. -- abamp WordNet 1.5]
A*band"(, v. t.[Contracted from abandon.]1.To abandon. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Enforced the kingdom to aband.Spenser. 1913 Webster]
2.To banish; to expel. [Obs.] Mir. for Mag. 1913 Webster]
A*ban"don(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abandoned(-d; p. pr. & vb. n.Abandoning.][OF. abandoner, F. abandonner; a (L. ad) + bandon permission, authority, LL. bandum, bannum, public proclamation, interdiction, bannire to proclaim, summon: of Germanic origin; cf. Goth. bandwjan to show by signs, to designate OHG. ban proclamation. The word meant to proclaim, put under a ban, put under control; hence, as in OE., to compel, subject, or to leave in the control of another, and hence, to give up. See Ban.]1.To cast or drive out; to banish; to expel; to reject. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
That he might . . . abandon them from him.Udall. 1913 Webster]
Being all this time abandoned from your bed.Shak. 1913 Webster]
2.To give up absolutely; to forsake entirely ; to renounce utterly; to relinquish all connection with or concern on; to desert, as a person to whom one owes allegiance or fidelity; to quit; to surrender. 1913 Webster]
Hope was overthrown, yet could not be abandoned.I. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
3.Reflexively: To give (one's self) up without attempt at self-control; to yield (one's self) unrestrainedly; -- often in a bad sense. 1913 Webster]
He abandoned himself . . . to his favorite vice.Macaulay. 1913 Webster]
4.(Mar. Law)To relinquish all claim to; -- used when an insured person gives up to underwriters all claim to the property covered by a policy, which may remain after loss or damage by a peril insured against. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- To give up; yield; forego; cede; surrender; resign; abdicate; quit; relinquish; renounce; desert; forsake; leave; retire; withdraw from. -- To Abandon, Desert, Forsake. These words agree in representing a person as giving up or leaving some object, but differ as to the mode of doing it. The distinctive sense of abandon is that of giving up a thing absolutely and finally; as, to abandon one's friends, places, opinions, good or evil habits, a hopeless enterprise, a shipwrecked vessel. Abandon is more widely applicable than forsake or desert. The Latin original of desert appears to have been originally applied to the case of deserters from military service. Hence, the verb, when used of persons in the active voice, has usually or always a bad sense, implying some breach of fidelity, honor, etc., the leaving of something which the person should rightfully stand by and support; as, to desert one's colors, to desert one's post, to desert one's principles or duty. When used in the passive, the sense is not necessarily bad; as, the fields were deserted, a deserted village, deserted halls. Forsake implies the breaking off of previous habit, association, personal connection, or that the thing left had been familiar or frequented; as, to forsake old friends, to forsake the paths of rectitude, the blood forsook his cheeks. It may be used either in a good or in a bad sense. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A`ban`don"(, n.[F. See Abandon.]A complete giving up to natural impulses; freedom from artificial constraint; careless freedom or ease. 1913 Webster]
2.Self-abandoned, or given up to vice; extremely wicked, or sinning without restraint; irreclaimably wicked ; as, an abandoned villain. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Profligate; dissolute; corrupt; vicious; depraved; reprobate; wicked; unprincipled; graceless; vile. -- Abandoned, Profligate, Reprobate. These adjectives agree in expressing the idea of great personal depravity. Profligate has reference to open and shameless immoralities, either in private life or political conduct; as, a profligate court, a profligate ministry. Abandoned is stronger, and has reference to the searing of conscience and hardening of heart produced by a man's giving himself wholly up to iniquity; as, a man of abandoned character. Reprobate describes the condition of one who has become insensible to reproof, and who is morally abandoned and lost beyond hope of recovery. 1913 Webster]
God gave them over to a reprobate mind.Rom. i. 28. 1913 Webster]
A*ban"doned*ly, adv.Unrestrainedly. 1913 Webster]
A*ban`don*ee"(, n.(Law)One to whom anything is legally abandoned. 1913 Webster]
A*ban"don*er(, n.One who abandons.Beau. & Fl. 1913 Webster]
A*ban"don*ment(-m, n.[Cf. F. abandonnement.]1.The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned; total desertion; relinquishment. 1913 Webster]
The abandonment of the independence of Europe.Burke. 1913 Webster]
2.(Mar. Law)The relinquishment by the insured to the underwriters of what may remain of the property insured after a loss or damage by a peril insured against. 1913 Webster]
3.(Com. Law)(a)The relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege, as to mill site, etc.(b)The voluntary leaving of a person to whom one is bound by a special relation, as a wife, husband, or child; desertion. 1913 Webster]
4.Careless freedom or ease; abandon. [R.] Carlyle. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A*ban"dum(, n.[LL. See Abandon.](Law)Anything forfeited or confiscated. 1913 Webster]
Ab"a*net(, n.See Abnet. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A*ban"ga(, n.[Name given by the negroes in the island of St. Thomas.]A West Indian palm; also the fruit of this palm, the seeds of which are used as a remedy for diseases of the chest. 1913 Webster]
{ Ab`an*na"tion(, Ab`an*nition(, }n.[LL. abannatio; ad + LL. bannire to banish.](Old Law)Banishment. [Obs.] Bailey. 1913 Webster]
Ab`ar*tic`u*la"tion(, n.[L. ab + E. articulation : cf. F. abarticulation. See Article.](Anat.)Articulation, usually that kind of articulation which admits of free motion in the joint; diarthrosis.Coxe. 1913 Webster]
A*base"(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abased(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abasing.][F. abaisser, LL. abassare, abbassare ; ad + bassare, fr. bassus low. See Base, a.] 1913 Webster]
1.To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye. [Archaic] Bacon. 1913 Webster]
Saying so, he abased his lance.Shelton. 1913 Webster]
2.To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade. 1913 Webster]
Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased.Luke xiv. ll. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- To Abase, Debase, Degrade. These words agree in the idea of bringing down from a higher to a lower state. Abase has reference to a bringing down in condition or feelings; as, to abase the proud, to abase one's self before God. Debase has reference to the bringing down of a thing in purity, or making it base. It is, therefore, always used in a bad sense, as, to debase the coin of the kingdom, to debase the mind by vicious indulgence, to debase one's style by coarse or vulgar expressions. Degrade has reference to a bringing down from some higher grade or from some standard. Thus, a priest is degraded from the clerical office. When used in a moral sense, it denotes a bringing down in character and just estimation; as, degraded by intemperance, a degrading employment, etc. \'bdArt is degraded when it is regarded only as a trade.\'b8 1913 Webster]
A*based"(, a.1.Lowered; humbled. 1913 Webster]
2.(Her.)[F. abaiss\'82.]Borne lower than usual, as a fess; also, having the ends of the wings turned downward towards the point of the shield. 1913 Webster]
A*base"ment(, n.[Cf. F. abaissement.]The act of abasing, humbling, or bringing low; the state of being abased or humbled; humiliation. 1913 Webster]
A*bas"er(, n.He who, or that which, abases. 1913 Webster]
A*bash"(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abashed(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abashing.][OE. abaissen, abaisshen, abashen, OF. esbahir, F. \'82bahir, to astonish, fr. L. ex + the interjection bah, expressing astonishment. In OE. somewhat confused with abase. Cf. Finish.]To destroy the self-possession of; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit. 1913 Webster]
Abashed, the devil stood, Milton. 1913 Webster]
He was a man whom no check could abash.Macaulay. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- To confuse; confound; disconcert; shame. -- To Abash, Confuse, Confound. Abash is a stronger word than confuse, but not so strong as confound. We are abashed when struck either with sudden shame or with a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was abashed by the look of his Master. So a modest youth is abashed in the presence of those who are greatly his superiors. We are confused when, from some unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness of thought and self-possession. Thus, a witness is often confused by a severe cross-examination; a timid person is apt to be confused in entering a room full of strangers. We are confounded when our minds are overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly unexpected, amazing, dreadful, etc., so that we have nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is usually confounded at the discovery of his guilt. 1913 Webster]
Satan stood confounded what to say.Milton. 1913 Webster]
A*bash"ed*ly(-, adv.In an abashed manner. 1913 Webster]
A*bash"ment(-m, n.[Cf. F. \'82bahissement.]The state of being abashed; confusion from shame. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A*ba"si*a(, n.[NL.; Gr. 'a- not + ba`sis a step.](Med.)Inability to co\'94rdinate muscular actions properly in walking. -- A*ba"sic(, a. Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{ \'d8A*bas"si(, \'d8A*bas"sis(, }n.[Ar. & Per. ab\'bes\'c6, belonging to Abas (a king of Persia).]A silver coin of Persia, worth about twenty cents. 1913 Webster]
A*bat"a*ble(, a.Capable of being abated; as, an abatable writ or nuisance. 1913 Webster]
A*bate"(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abated, p. pr. & vb. n.Abating.][OF. abatre to beat down, F. abattre, LL. abatere; ab or ad + batere, battere (popular form for L. batuere to beat). Cf. Bate, Batter.]1.To beat down; to overthrow. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
The King of Scots . . . sore abated the walls.Edw. Hall. 1913 Webster]
2.To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope. 1913 Webster]
His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.Deut. xxxiv. 7. 1913 Webster]
3.To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price. 1913 Webster]
Nine thousand parishes, abating the odd hundreds.Fuller. 1913 Webster]
4.To blunt. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
To abate the edge of envy.Bacon. 1913 Webster]
5.To reduce in estimation; to deprive. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
She hath abated me of half my train.Shak. 1913 Webster]
6.(Law)(a)To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away with; as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ.(b)(Eng. Law)To diminish; to reduce. Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets. 1913 Webster]
To abate a tax, to remit it either wholly or in part. 1913 Webster]
A*bate"(, v. i.[See Abate, v. t.]1.To decrease, or become less in strength or violence; as, pain abates, a storm abates. 1913 Webster]
The fury of Glengarry . . . rapidly abated.Macaulay. 1913 Webster]
2.To be defeated, or come to naught; to fall through; to fail; as, a writ abates. 1913 Webster]
To abate into a freehold,
To abate in lands(Law), to enter into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, and before the heir takes possession. See Abatement, 4. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- To subside; decrease; intermit; decline; diminish; lessen. -- To Abate, Subside. These words, as here compared, imply a coming down from some previously raised or excited state. Abate expresses this in respect to degrees, and implies a diminution of force or of intensity; as, the storm abates, the cold abates, the force of the wind abates; or, the wind abates, a fever abates. Subside (to settle down) has reference to a previous state of agitation or commotion; as, the waves subside after a storm, the wind subsides into a calm. When the words are used figuratively, the same distinction should be observed. If we conceive of a thing as having different degrees of intensity or strength, the word to be used is abate. Thus we say, a man's anger abates, the ardor of one's love abates, \'bdWinter's rage abates\'b8. But if the image be that of a sinking down into quiet from preceding excitement or commotion, the word to be used is subside; as, the tumult of the people subsides, the public mind subsided into a calm. The same is the case with those emotions which are tumultuous in their nature; as, his passion subsides, his joy quickly subsided, his grief subsided into a pleasing melancholy. Yet if, in such cases, we were thinking of the degree of violence of the emotion, we might use abate; as, his joy will abate in the progress of time; and so in other instances. 1913 Webster]
A*bate(, n.Abatement. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. 1913 Webster]
A*bate"ment(-m, n.[OF. abatement, F. abattement.]1.The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof. 1913 Webster]
2.The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed. 1913 Webster]
3.(Her.)A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon. 1913 Webster]
4.(Law)The entry of a stranger, without right, into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee.Blackstone. 1913 Webster]
Defense in abatement,
Plea in abatement, (Law), plea to the effect that from some formal defect (e.g. misnomer, lack of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated. 1913 Webster]
A*bat"er(-, n.One who, or that which, abates. 1913 Webster]
{ Ab"a*tis, Aba"t*tis, }(French n.[F. abatis, abattis, mass of things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See Abate.](Fort.)A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the enemy. 1913 Webster]
Ab"a*tised(, a.Provided with an abatis. 1913 Webster]
A*ba"tor(, n.(Law)(a)One who abates a nuisance.(b)A person who, without right, enters into a freehold on the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee.Blackstone. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A`bat`toir"(, n.; pl.Abattoirs(-tw.[F., fr. abattre to beat down. See Abate.]A public slaughterhouse for cattle, sheep, etc. 1913 Webster]
Ab"a*ture(, n.[F. abatture, fr. abattre. See Abate.]Grass and sprigs beaten or trampled down by a stag passing through them.Crabb. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A`bat`voix"(, n.[F. abattre to beat down + voix voice.]The sounding-board over a pulpit or rostrum. 1913 Webster]
Ab*awed"(, p. p.[Perh. p. p. of a verb fr. OF. abaubir to frighten, disconcert, fr. L. ad + balbus stammering.]Astonished; abashed. [Obs.] Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
{ Ab*ax"i*al(, Ab*ax"ile(, }a.[L. ab + axis axle.](Bot.)Away from the axis or central line; eccentric.Balfour. 1913 Webster]
A*bay"(, n.[OF. abay barking.]Barking; baying of dogs upon their prey. See Bay. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Abb(, n.[AS. \'beweb, \'beb; pref. a- + web. See Web.]Among weavers, yarn for the warp. Hence, abb wool is wool for the abb. 1913 Webster]
Ab"ba(, n.[Syriac abb\'be father. See Abbot.]Father; religious superior; -- in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, a title given to the bishops, and by the bishops to the patriarch. 1913 Webster]
Ab"ba*cy(, n.; pl.Abbacies(-s.[L. abbatia, fr. abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbey.]The dignity, estate, or jurisdiction of an abbot. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ba"tial(, a.[LL. abbatialis : cf. F. abbatial.]Belonging to an abbey; as, abbatial rights. 1913 Webster]
Ab*bat"ic*al(, a.Abbatial. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab"b\'82`(, n.[F. abb\'82. See Abbot.]The French word answering to the English abbot, the head of an abbey; but commonly a title of respect given in France to every one vested with the ecclesiastical habit or dress. 1913 Webster]
Littr\'82. 1913 Webster]
Ab"bess(, n.[OF. abaesse, abeesse, F. abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.]A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey. 1913 Webster]
Ab"bey(, n.; pl.Abbeys(-b.[OF. aba\'8be, abba\'8be, F. abbaye, L. abbatia, fr. abbas abbot. See Abbot.]1.A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings. 1913 Webster]
monks, and governed by an abbot; the women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess. 1913 Webster]
2.The church of a monastery. 1913 Webster]
In London, the Abbey means Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron. 1913 Webster]
Ab"bot(, n.[AS. abbod, abbad, L. abbas, abbatis, Gr. 'abba^s, fr. Syriac abb\'be father. Cf. Abba, Abb\'90.]1.The superior or head of an abbey. 1913 Webster]
2.One of a class of bishops whose sees were formerly abbeys.Encyc. Brit. 1913 Webster]
Abbot of the people. a title formerly given to one of the chief magistrates in Genoa. --
Abbot of Misrule (or
Lord of Misrule), in medi\'91val times, the master of revels, as at Christmas; in Scotland called the Abbot of Unreason.Encyc. Brit. 1913 Webster]
Ab"bot*ship(, n.[Abbot + -ship.]The state or office of an abbot. 1913 Webster]
Ab*bre"vi*ate(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abbreviated(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abbreviating.][L. abbreviatus, p. p. of abbreviare; ad + breviare to shorten, fr. brevis short. See Abridge.]1.To make briefer; to shorten; to abridge; to reduce by contraction or omission, especially of words written or spoken. 1913 Webster]
It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, another by cutting off.Bacon. 1913 Webster]
2.(Math.)To reduce to lower terms, as a fraction. 1913 Webster]
Ab*bre`vi*a"tion(, n.[LL. abbreviatio: cf. F. abbr\'82viation.]1.The act of shortening, or reducing. 1913 Webster]
2.The result of abbreviating; an abridgment.Tylor. 1913 Webster]
3.The form to which a word or phrase is reduced by contraction and omission; a letter or letters, standing for a word or phrase of which they are a part; as, Gen. for Genesis; U.S.A. for United States of America. 1913 Webster]
4.(Mus.)One dash, or more, through the stem of a note, dividing it respectively into quavers, semiquavers, or demi-semiquavers.Moore. 1913 Webster]
Ab*bre"vi*a`tor(, n.[LL.: cf. F. abbr\'82viateur.]1.One who abbreviates or shortens. 1913 Webster]
2.One of a college of seventy-two officers of the papal court whose duty is to make a short minute of a decision on a petition, or reply of the pope to a letter, and afterwards expand the minute into official form. 1913 Webster]
Ab*bre"vi*a*to*ry(, a.Serving or tending to abbreviate; shortening; abridging. 1913 Webster]
Ab*bre"vi*a*ture(, n.1.An abbreviation; an abbreviated state or form. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
2.An abridgment; a compendium or abstract. 1913 Webster]
This is an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty of a Christian.Jer. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
Abb" wool(. See Abb. 1913 Webster]
A B C"(. 1.The first three letters of the alphabet, used for the whole alphabet. 1913 Webster]
2.A primer for teaching the alphabet and first elements of reading. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
3.The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of finance. 1913 Webster]
A B C book, a primer.Shak. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab"dal(, n.[Ar. bad\'c6l, pl. abd\'bel, a substitute, a good, religious man, saint, fr. badala to change, substitute.]A religious devotee or dervish in Persia. 1913 Webster]
Ab*de"ri*an(, a.[From Abdera, a town in Thrace, of which place Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher, was a native.]Given to laughter; inclined to foolish or incessant merriment. 1913 Webster]
Ab*de"rite(, n.[L. Abderita, Abderites, fr. Gr. 'Abdhri`ths.]An inhabitant of Abdera, in Thrace. 1913 Webster]
The Abderite, Democritus, the Laughing Philosopher. 1913 Webster]
Ab"dest(, n.[Per. \'bebdast; ab water + dast hand.]Purification by washing the hands before prayer; -- a Mohammedan rite.Heyse. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*ca*ble(, a.Capable of being abdicated. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*cant(, a.[L. abdicans, p. pr. of abdicare.]Abdicating; renouncing; -- followed by of. 1913 Webster]
Monks abdicant of their orders.Whitlock. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*cant, n.One who abdicates.Smart. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*cate(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abdicated(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abdicating.][L. abdicatus, p. p. of abdicare; ab + dicare to proclaim, akin to dicere to say. See Diction.]1.To surrender or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station, dignity; as, to abdicate the throne, the crown, the papacy. 1913 Webster]
abdicate was held to mean, in the case of James II., to abandon without a formal surrender. 1913 Webster]
The cross-bearers abdicated their service.Gibbon. 1913 Webster]
2.To renounce; to relinquish; -- said of authority, a trust, duty, right, etc. 1913 Webster]
He abdicates all right to be his own governor.Burke. 1913 Webster]
The understanding abdicates its functions.Froude. 1913 Webster]
3.To reject; to cast off. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. 1913 Webster]
4.(Civil Law)To disclaim and expel from the family, as a father his child; to disown; to disinherit. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- To give up; quit; vacate; relinquish; forsake; abandon; resign; renounce; desert. -- To Abdicate, Resign. Abdicate commonly expresses the act of a monarch in voluntary and formally yielding up sovereign authority; as, to abdicate the government. Resign is applied to the act of any person, high or low, who gives back an office or trust into the hands of him who conferred it. Thus, a minister resigns, a military officer resigns, a clerk resigns. The expression, \'bdThe king resigned his crown,\'b8 sometimes occurs in our later literature, implying that he held it from his people. -- There are other senses of resign which are not here brought into view. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*cate(, v. i.To relinquish or renounce a throne, or other high office or dignity. 1913 Webster]
Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy.Burke. 1913 Webster]
Ab`di*ca"tion(, n.[L. abdicatio: cf. F. abdication.]The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder; commonly the voluntary renunciation of sovereign power; as, abdication of the throne, government, power, authority. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*ca*tive(, a.[L. abdicativus.]Causing, or implying, abdication. [R.] Bailey. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*ca`tor(, n.One who abdicates. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*tive(, a.[L. abditivus, fr. abdere to hide.]Having the quality of hiding. [R.] Bailey. 1913 Webster]
Ab"di*to*ry(, n.[L. abditorium.]A place for hiding or preserving articles of value.Cowell. 1913 Webster]
Ab*do"men(, n.[L. abdomen (a word of uncertain etymol.): cf. F. abdomen.]1.(Anat.)The belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis. Also, the cavity of the belly, which is lined by the peritoneum, and contains the stomach, bowels, and other viscera. In man, often restricted to the part between the diaphragm and the commencement of the pelvis, the remainder being called the pelvic cavity. 1913 Webster]
2.(Zo\'94l.)The posterior section of the body, behind the thorax, in insects, crustaceans, and other Arthropoda. 1913 Webster]
Ab*dom"i*nal(, a.[Cf. F. abdominal.]1.Of or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral; as, the abdominal regions, muscles, cavity. 1913 Webster]
2.(Zo\'94l.)Having abdominal fins; belonging to the Abdominales; as, abdominal fishes. 1913 Webster]
Abdominal ring(Anat.), a fancied ringlike opening on each side of the abdomen, external and superior to the pubes; -- called also inguinal ring. 1913 Webster]
Ab*dom"i*nal, n.; E. pl. Abdominals, L. pl. Abdominales.A fish of the group Abdominales. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab*dom`i*na"les(, n. pl.[NL., masc. pl.](Zo\'94l.)A group including the greater part of fresh-water fishes, and many marine ones, having the ventral fins under the abdomen behind the pectorals. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab*dom`i*na"li*a(, n. pl.[NL., neut. pl.](Zo\'94l.)A group of cirripeds having abdominal appendages. 1913 Webster]
Ab*dom`i*nos"co*py(, n.[L. abdomen + Gr. (Med.)Examination of the abdomen to detect abdominal disease. 1913 Webster]
Ab*dom`i*no*tho*rac"ic(, a.Relating to the abdomen and the thorax, or chest. 1913 Webster]
Ab*dom"i*nous(, a.Having a protuberant belly; pot-bellied. 1913 Webster]
Gorgonius sits, abdominous and wan, Cowper. 1913 Webster]
abdominousnessn.1.1distension of the stomach area due to overweight. Syn. -- paunchiness WordNet 1.5]
Ab*duce"(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abduced(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abducing.][L. abducere to lead away; ab + ducere to lead. See Duke, and cf. Abduct.]To draw or conduct away; to withdraw; to draw to a different part. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
If we abduce the eye unto either corner, the object will not duplicate.Sir T. Browne. 1913 Webster]
abducensn.1.a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye. Syn. -- abducent, abducent nerve, nervus abducens, sixth cranial nerve WordNet 1.5]
abducentn.1.1a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye. Syn. -- abducent nerve, abducens, nervus abducens, sixth cranial nerve WordNet 1.5]
abducentadj.1.1(physiol)drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part; -- especially of musclesadducent Syn. -- abducting WordNet 1.5]
Ab*duct"(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abducted(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abducting.][L. abductus, p. p. of abducere. See Abduce.]1.To take away surreptitiously by force; to carry away (a human being) wrongfully and usually by violence; to kidnap. 1913 Webster]
2.To draw away, as a limb or other part, from its ordinary position. 1913 Webster]
abductingadj.1.(Physiol.)drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part; -- used especially of musclesadducent Syn. -- abducent WordNet 1.5]
Ab*duc"tion(, n.[L. abductio: cf. F. abduction.]1.The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; a carrying away.Roget. 1913 Webster]
2.(Physiol.)The movement which separates a limb or other part from the axis, or middle line, of the body. 1913 Webster]
3.(Law)The wrongful, and usually the forcible, carrying off of a human being; as, the abduction of a child, the abduction of an heiress. 1913 Webster]
4.(Logic)A syllogism or form of argument in which the major is evident, but the minor is only probable. 1913 Webster]
Ab*duc"tor(, n.[NL.]1.One who abducts. 1913 Webster]
2.(Anat.)A muscle which serves to draw a part out, or form the median line of the body; as, the abductor oculi, which draws the eye outward. 1913 Webster]
A*beam"(, adv.[Pref. a- + beam.](Naut.)On the beam, that is, on a line which forms a right angle with the ship's keel; opposite to the center of the ship's side. 1913 Webster]
A*bear"(, v. t.[AS. \'beberan; pref. \'be- + beran to bear.]1.To bear; to behave. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
So did the faery knight himself abear.Spenser. 1913 Webster]
2.To put up with; to endure. [Prov.] Dickens. 1913 Webster]
A*bear"ing, n.Behavior. [Obs.] Sir. T. More. 1913 Webster]
A`be*ce*da"ri*an(, n.[L. abecedarius. A word from the first four letters of the alphabet.]1.One who is learning the alphabet; hence, a tyro. 1913 Webster]
2.One engaged in teaching the alphabet.Wood. 1913 Webster]
{ A`be*ce*da"ri*an, A`be*ce"da*ry(, }a.Pertaining to, or formed by, the letters of the alphabet; alphabetic; hence, rudimentary. 1913 Webster]
Abecedarian psalms,
hymns, etc., compositions in which (like the 119th psalm in Hebrew) distinct portions or verses commence with successive letters of the alphabet.Hook. 1913 Webster]
A`be*ce"da*ry(, n.A primer; the first principle or rudiment of anything. [R.] Fuller. 1913 Webster]
A*bed"(, adv.[Pref. a- in, on + bed.]1.In bed, or on the bed. 1913 Webster]
Not to be abed after midnight.Shak. 1913 Webster]
2.To childbed (in the phrase \'bdbrought abed,\'b8 that is, delivered of a child).Shak. 1913 Webster]
A*beg"ge(. Same as Aby. [Obs.] Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
A*bele"(, n.[D. abeel (abeel-boom), OF. abel, aubel, fr. a dim. of L. albus white.]The white poplar (Populus alba). 1913 Webster]
Six abeles i' the churchyard grow.Mrs. Browning. 1913 Webster]
{ A*bel"i*an(, A"bel*ite(, A`bel*o"ni*an(, }n.(Eccl. Hist.)One of a sect in Africa (4th century), mentioned by St. Augustine, who states that they married, but lived in continence, after the manner, as they pretended, of Abel. 1913 Webster]
Abelmoschusn.1.1genus of tropical coarse herbs having large lobed leaves and often yellow flowers. Syn. -- genus Abelmoschus WordNet 1.5]
A"bel*mosk`(, n.[NL. abelmoschus, fr. Ar. abu-l-misk father of musk, i. e., producing musk. See Musk. (or Ar. , musk seed RHUD 1.3](Bot.)An evergreen shrub (Abelmoschus moschatus -- formerly Hibiscus moschatus), of the East and West Indies and Northern Africa, whose musky seeds are used in perfumery and to flavor coffee; -- sometimes called musk mallow. The seeds produce ambrette-seed oil. 1913 Webster +PJC]
Ab`er-de-vine"(#), n.(Zo\'94l.)The European siskin (Carduelis spinus), a small green and yellow finch, related to the goldfinch. 1913 Webster]
Ab*err"(, v. i.[L. aberrare. See Aberrate.]To wander; to stray. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. 1913 Webster]
{ Ab*er"rance(, Ab*er"ran*cy(, }n.the state or condition of being aberrant; a wandering from the right way; deviation from truth, rectitude, etc. Syn. -- aberrance, aberration, deviance 1913 Webster WordNet 1.5]
Aberrancy of curvature(Geom.), the deviation of a curve from a circular form. 1913 Webster]
aberrancyn.1.an aberrant state or condition. 1913 Webster]
Ab*er"rant(, a.[L. aberrans, -rantis, p. pr. of aberrare. See Aberr.]1.Wandering; straying from the right way. 1913 Webster]
2.(Biol.)Deviating from the ordinary or natural type; exceptional; abnormal. 1913 Webster]
The more aberrant any form is, the greater must have been the number of connecting forms which, on my theory, have been exterminated.Darwin. 1913 Webster]
Ab"er*rate(, v. i.[L. aberratus, p. pr. of aberrare; ab + errare to wander. See Err.]To go astray; to diverge. [R.] 1913 Webster]
Their own defective and aberrating vision.De Quincey. 1913 Webster]
Ab`er*ra"tion(, n.[L. aberratio: cf. F. aberration. See Aberrate.]1.The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type. \'bdThe aberration of youth.\'b8 Hall. \'bdAberrations from theory.\'b8 Burke. 1913 Webster]
2.A partial alienation of reason. \'bdOccasional aberrations of intellect.\'b8 Lingard. 1913 Webster]
Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form.I. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
3.(Astron.)A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer; called annual aberration, when the observer's motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and daily or diurnal aberration, when of the earth on its axis; amounting when greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'', and in the latter, to 0.3''. Planetary aberration is that due to the motion of light and the motion of the planet relative to the earth. 1913 Webster]
4.(Opt.)The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus; called spherical aberration, when due to the spherical form of the lens or mirror, such form giving different foci for central and marginal rays; and chromatic aberration, when due to different refrangibilities of the colored rays of the spectrum, those of each color having a distinct focus. 1913 Webster]
5.(Physiol.)The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it. 1913 Webster]
6.(Law)The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B. 1913 Webster]
A*bet"(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abetted(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abetting.][OF. abeter; a (L. ad) + beter to bait (as a bear), fr. Icel. beita to set dogs on, to feed, originally, to cause to bite, fr. Icel. b\'c6ta to bite, hence to bait, to incite. See Bait, Bet.]1.To instigate or encourage by aid or countenance; -- used in a bad sense of persons and acts; as, to abet an ill-doer; to abet one in his wicked courses; to abet vice; to abet an insurrection. \'bdThe whole tribe abets the villany.\'b8 South. 1913 Webster]
Would not the fool abet the stealth, Gay. 1913 Webster]
2.To support, uphold, or aid; to maintain; -- in a good sense. [Obs.].
Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted.Jer. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
3.(Law)To contribute, as an assistant or instigator, to the commission of an offense. 1913 Webster]
A*bet"ment(-m, n.The act of abetting; as, an abetment of treason, crime, etc. 1913 Webster]
A*bet"tal(, n.Abetment. [R.] 1913 Webster]
<-- p. 4 -->
{ A*bet"ter, A*bet*tor }(, n.One who abets; an instigator of an offense or an offender. 1913 Webster]
abettor is the legal term and also in general use. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Abettor, Accessory, Accomplice. These words denote different degrees of complicity in some deed or crime. An abettor is one who incites or encourages to the act, without sharing in its performance. An accessory supposes a principal offender. One who is neither the chief actor in an offense, nor present at its performance, but accedes to or becomes involved in its guilt, either by some previous or subsequent act, as of instigating, encouraging, aiding, or concealing, etc., is an accessory. An accomplice is one who participates in the commission of an offense, whether as principal or accessory. Thus in treason, there are no abettors or accessories, but all are held to be principals or accomplices. 1913 Webster]
A*bey"ance(, n.[OF. abeance expectation, longing; a (L. ad) + baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to expect, F. bayer, LL. badare to gape.]1.(Law)Expectancy; condition of being undetermined. 1913 Webster]
abeyance, that is, in expectation; the law considering it as always potentially existing, and ready to vest whenever a proper owner appears.Blackstone. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ab"hal(, n.The berries of a species of cypress in the East Indies. 1913 Webster]
Ab*hom"i*na*ble(, a.Abominable.[A false orthography anciently used; h was foisted into various words; hence abholish, for abolish, etc.] 1913 Webster]
This is abhominable, which he [Don Armado] would call abominable.Shak. Love's Labor's Lost, v. 1. 1913 Webster]
Ab*hom`i*nal(, a.[L. ab away from + homo, hominis, man.]Inhuman. [Obs.] Fuller. 1913 Webster]
Ab*hor"(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Abhorred(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abhorring.][L. abhorrere; ab + horrere to bristle, shiver, shudder: cf. F. abhorrer. See Horrid.]1.To shrink back with shuddering from; to regard with horror or detestation; to feel excessive repugnance toward; to detest to extremity; to loathe. 1913 Webster]
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.Rom. xii. 9. 1913 Webster]
2.To fill with horror or disgust. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
It doth abhor me now I speak the word.Shak. 1913 Webster]
3.(Canon Law)To protest against; to reject solemnly. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul Shak. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- To hate; detest; loathe; abominate. See Hate. 1913 Webster]
Ab*hor", v. i.To shrink back with horror, disgust, or dislike; to be contrary or averse; -- withfrom. [Obs.] \'bdTo abhor from those vices.\'b8 Udall. 1913 Webster]
Which is utterly abhorring from the end of all law.Milton. 1913 Webster]
Ab*hor"rence(, n.Extreme hatred or detestation; the feeling of utter dislike. 1913 Webster]
Ab*hor"rent(, a.[L. abhorens, -rentis, p. pr. of abhorrere.]1.Abhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence; loathing; hence, strongly opposed to; as, abhorrent thoughts. 1913 Webster]
The persons most abhorrent from blood and treason.Burke. 1913 Webster]
The arts of pleasure in despotic courts abhorrent.Clover. 1913 Webster]
2.Contrary or repugnant; discordant; inconsistent; -- followed by to. \'bdInjudicious profanation, so abhorrent to our stricter principles.\'b8 Gibbon. 1913 Webster]
3.Detestable. \'bdPride, abhorrent as it is.\'b8 I. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
2.Object of abhorrence.Isa. lxvi. 24. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A"bib(, n.[Heb. ab\'c6b, lit. an ear of corn. The month was so called from barley being at that time in ear.]The first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding nearly to our April. After the Babylonish captivity this month was called Nisan.Kitto. 1913 Webster]
A*bid"ance(, n.The state of abiding; abode; continuance; compliance (with). 1913 Webster]
The Christians had no longer abidance in the holy hill of Palestine.Fuller. 1913 Webster]
A judicious abidance by rules.Helps. 1913 Webster]
A*bide"(, v. i.[imp. & p. p.Abode(, formerly Abid(; p. pr. & vb. n.Abiding(.][AS. \'beb\'c6dan; pref. \'be- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + b\'c6dan to bide. See Bide.]1.To wait; to pause; to delay. [Obs.] Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
2.To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to dwell; to sojourn; -- with with before a person, and commonly with at or in before a place. 1913 Webster]
Let the damsel abide with us a few days.Gen. xxiv. 55. 1913 Webster]
3.To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue; to remain. 1913 Webster]
Let every man abide in the same calling.1 Cor. vii. 20. 1913 Webster]
Followed by by:
To abide by. (a)To stand to; to adhere; to maintain. 1913 Webster]
The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by what he said at first.Fielding. 1913 Webster]
(b)To acquiesce; to conform to; as, to abide by a decision or an award. 1913 Webster]
A*bide", v. t.1.To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I abide my time. \'bdI will abide the coming of my lord.\'b8 Tennyson. 1913 Webster]
[[Obs.], with a personal object. 1913 Webster]
Bonds and afflictions abide me.Acts xx. 23. 1913 Webster]
2.To endure; to sustain; to submit to. 1913 Webster]
[Thou] shalt abide her judgment on it.Tennyson. 1913 Webster]
3.To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with. 1913 Webster]
She could not abide Master Shallow.Shak. 1913 Webster]
4.[Confused with aby to pay for. See Aby.]To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for. 1913 Webster]
Dearly I abide that boast so vain.Milton. 1913 Webster]
A*bid"er(, n.1.One who abides, or continues. [Obs.] \'bdSpeedy goers and strong abiders.\'b8 Sidney. 1913 Webster]
\'d8A"bi*es(, n.[L., fir tree.](Bot.)A genus of coniferous trees, properly called Fir, as the balsam fir and the silver fir. The spruces are sometimes also referred to this genus. 1913 Webster]
Ab"i*e*tene(, n.[L. abies, abietis, a fir tree.]A volatile oil distilled from the resin or balsam of the nut pine (Pinus sabiniana) of California. 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*et"ic(, a.Of or pertaining to the fir tree or its products; as, abietic acid, called also sylvic acid.Watts. 1913 Webster]
{ Ab"i*e*tin, Ab"i*e*tine }(, n.[See Abietene.](Chem.)A resinous obtained from Strasburg turpentine or Canada balsam. It is without taste or smell, is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol (especially at the boiling point), in strong acetic acid, and in ether.Watts. 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*e*tin"ic(, a.Of or pertaining to abietin; as, abietinic acid. 1913 Webster]
Ab"i*e*tite(, n.(Chem.)A substance resembling mannite, found in the needles of the common silver fir of Europe (Abies pectinata).Eng. Cyc. 1913 Webster]
ab"i*gail(, n.[The proper name used as an appellative.]A lady's waiting-maid.Pepys. 1913 Webster]
Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of night curls for sleeping in.Leslie. 1913 Webster]
A*bil"i*ment(, n.Habiliment. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
A*bil"i*ty(, n.; pl.Abilities(.[F. habilet\'82, earlier spelling habilit\'82 (with silent h), L. habilitas aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See Able.]The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent. 1913 Webster]
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren.Acts xi. 29. 1913 Webster]
Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study.Bacon. 1913 Webster]
The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability.Macaulay. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability; efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill.Ability, Capacity. These words come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. \'bdCapacity,\'b8 says H. Taylor, \'bdis requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great enterprise.\'b8 The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments. 1913 Webster]
A*bime" or A*byme"(#), n.[F. ab\'8cme. See Abysm.]A abyss. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*o*gen"e*sis(, n.[Gr. 'a priv. + bi`os life + ge`nesis, origin, birth.](Biol.)The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation; -- called also abiogeny, and opposed to biogenesis. 1913 Webster]
I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis.Huxley, 1870. 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic(, a.(Biol.)Of or pertaining to abiogenesis.Ab`i*o*ge*net"ic*al*ly, adv. 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*og"e*nist(, n.(Biol.)One who believes that life can be produced independently of antecedent.Huxley. 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*og"e*nous(, a.(Biol.)Produced by spontaneous generation. 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*og"e*ny(, n.(Biol.)Same as Abiogenesis. 1913 Webster]
Ab`i*o*log"ic*al(, a.[Gr. 'a priv. + E. biological.]Pertaining to the study of inanimate things. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ir"ri*tant(, n.(Med.)A medicine that diminishes irritation. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ir"ri*tate(, v. t.[Pref. ab- + irritate.](Med.)To diminish the sensibility of; to debilitate. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ir`ri*ta"tion(, n.(Med.)A pathological condition opposite to that of irritation; debility; lack of strength; asthenia. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ir"ri*ta*tive(, a.(Med.)Characterized by abirritation or debility. 1913 Webster]
A*bit"(,3d sing. pres. of Abide. [Obs.] Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
ab"ject(, a.[L. abjectus, p. p. of abjicere to throw away; ab + jacere to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.]1.Cast down; low-lying. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
From the safe shore their floating carcasses Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood.Milton. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ject"(, v. t.[From Abject, a.]To cast off or down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase. [Obs.] Donne. 1913 Webster]
Ab"ject(, n.A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Shall these abjects, these victims, these outcasts, know any thing of pleasure?I. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
Ab*ject"ed*ness(, n.A very abject or low condition; abjectness. [R.] Boyle. 1913 Webster]
Ab*jec"tion(, n.[F. abjection, L. abjectio.]1.The act of bringing down or humbling. \'bdThe abjection of the king and his realm.\'b8 Joye. 1913 Webster]
2.The state of being rejected or cast out. [R.] 1913 Webster]
An abjection from the beatific regions where God, and his angels and saints, dwell forever.Jer. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
3.A low or downcast state; meanness of spirit; abasement;