Asynchronism
Asynchronism, a-sin′kro-nizm, n. want of synchronism or correspondence in time.—adj. Asyn′chronous.
English · e-37683-1780 · brief source recordHistorical source · 1908
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 10
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Page 10 of 179Asyndeton
Asyndeton, a-sin′de-ton, n. (rhet.) a figure in which the conjunctions are omitted, as in Matt. x. 8.—adj. Asyndet′ic. [Gr.; a, neg., syndetos, bound together, syn, together, dein, to bind.]
English · e-37683-1781Asyntactic
Asyntactic, as-in-tak′tik, adj. loosely put together, irregular, ungrammatical. [Gr.; a, neg., syntaktos, syntass-ein, to put in order together.]
English · e-37683-1782Asystole
Asystole, a-sis′to-lē, n. (med.) the condition of a heart the left ventricle of which is unable to empty itself.—Also Asys′tolism. [Made up of Gr. a, neg., systolē, contraction.]
English · e-37683-1783At
At, at, prep. denoting presence, nearness, or relation. Often used elliptically, as in 'At him, good dog.' [A.S. æt; cog. with Goth, and Ice. at, L. ad; Sans. adhi, on.]
English · e-37683-1784Atabal
Atabal, at′a-bal, n. a Moorish kettledrum. [Sp.—Ar. at-tabl, the drum.]
English · e-37683-1785 · brief source recordAtaghan
Ataghan. Same as Yataghan.
English · e-37683-1786 · brief source recordAtavism
Atavism, at′av-izm, n. frequent appearance of ancestral, but not parental, characteristics in an animal or plant: reversion to an original type.—adj. At′avistic. [L. atavus—avus, a grandfather.]
English · e-37683-1787Ataxia
Ataxia, at-ak′si-a, Ataxy, a-tax′i, or at′ax-i, n. (med.) irregularity of the functions of the body through disease, esp. inability to co-ordinate voluntary movements, as in locomotor ataxy. [Gr.; a, neg., taktos, tassei
English · e-37683-1788Ate
Ate, et, or āt, pa.t. of Eat.
English · e-37683-1789 · brief source recordAte
Ate, ā′tē, n. (myth.) the goddess of mischief and of all rash actions and their results. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-1790 · brief source recordAtelier
Atelier, at-el-yā′, n. a workshop, esp. an artist's studio. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-1791 · brief source recordAthanasia
Athanasia, ath-a-nā′si-a, n. deathlessness.—Also Athan′asy. [Gr.; athanatos, a, neg., thanatos, death.]
English · e-37683-1792 · brief source recordAthanasian
Athanasian, ath-a-nāz′yan, adj. relating to Athanasius (296-373), or to the creed erroneously attributed to him.
English · e-37683-1793 · brief source recordAthanor
Athanor, ath′a-nor, n. a self-feeding digesting furnace, used by the alchemists, in which a uniform heat was maintained. [Ar. at-tannur, at = al, the nūr, fire.]
English · e-37683-1794Atheism
Atheism, ā′the-izm, n. disbelief in the existence of God.—v.i. and v.t. A′theise, to talk or write as an atheist.—n. A′theist, one who disbelieves in the existence of God.—adjs. Atheist′ic, -al.—adv. Atheist′ically.—adj.
English · e-37683-1795Atheling
Atheling, ath′el-ing, n. a member of a noble family, latterly a prince of the blood royal, or the heir-apparent. [A.S. ætheling; Ger. adel.]
English · e-37683-1796Athenæum
Athenæum, Atheneum, ath-e-nē′um, n. a temple of Athēna or Minerva at Athens, in which scholars and poets read their works: a public institution for lectures, reading, &c. [Gr. Athēnaion—Athēna or Athēnē, the goddess Mine
English · e-37683-1797Athenian
Athenian, a-thē′ni-an, adj. relating to Athens, the capital of Greece.—n. a native of Athens.
English · e-37683-1798 · brief source recordAtheology
Atheology, a-thē-ol′oj-i, n. opposition to theology.—adj. Atheolog′ical. [Gr. atheos, without God, logia, discourse.]
English · e-37683-1799 · brief source recordAtherine
Atherine, ath′er-īn, n. a genus of small fishes, allied to the Gray Mullet family, abundant in the Mediterranean—one species (Atherina presbyter), found on the south coast of England, is often sold as a smelt. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-1800Athermancy
Athermancy, ath-er′man-si, n. the property of stopping radiant heat.—adj. Ather′manous. [Gr. a, neg., thermain-ein, to heat.]
English · e-37683-1801Atheroma
Atheroma, ath′er-ō-ma, n. a name formerly applied to cysts on the scalp, with contents of the consistence of porridge, but now only used of a common form of inflammation of arteries.—adj. Atherom′atous. [Gr.; atharē, por
English · e-37683-1802Athirst
Athirst, a-thėrst′, adj. thirsty: eager for. [A.S. of thyrst. See Thirst.]
English · e-37683-1803 · brief source recordAthlete
Athlete, ath′lēt, n. a contender for victory in feats of strength: one vigorous in body or mind. The form Athlē′ta survived till the later half of the 18th century.—adj. Athlet′ic, relating to athletics: strong, vigorous
English · e-37683-1804Athrill
Athrill, a-thril′, adv. thrilling.
English · e-37683-1805 · brief source recordAthrob
Athrob, a-throb′, adv. throbbing.
English · e-37683-1806 · brief source recordAthwart
Athwart, a-thwawrt′, prep. across.—adv. sidewise: wrongly: perplexingly. [Prep. a, on, and Thwart.]
English · e-37683-1807 · brief source recordAtilt
Atilt, a-tilt′, adv. on tilt: as a tilter.
English · e-37683-1808 · brief source recordAtimy
Atimy, at′i-mi, n. loss of honour: in ancient Athens, loss of civil rights, public disgrace. [Gr. atimia—a, neg., timē, honour.]
English · e-37683-1809Atkins
Atkins. See Tommy Atkins.
English · e-37683-1810 · brief source recordAtlantean
Atlantean, at-lan-tē′an, adj. relating to or like Atlas, gigantic: also relating to Atlan′tis, according to ancient tradition, a vast island in the Atlantic Ocean, or to Bacon's ideal commonwealth of that name. [See Atla
English · e-37683-1811Atlantes
Atlantes, at-lan′tēz, n.pl. figures of men used instead of columns. [From Atlas.]
English · e-37683-1812 · brief source recordAtlantic
Atlantic, at-lan′tik, adj. pertaining to Atlas, or to the Atlantic Ocean.—n. the ocean between Europe, Africa, and America. [From Mount Atlas, in the north-west of Africa, named from the Titan, Atlas.]
English · e-37683-1813Atlas
Atlas, at′las, n. that piece of the human vertebral column which articulates with the skull, so called because it supports the head: a collection of maps. [Gr. Atlas, Atlantis, a Titan who bore the world on his shoulders
English · e-37683-1814Atlas
Atlas, at′las, n. a kind of silk-satin manufactured in the East. [Ar.]
English · e-37683-1815 · brief source recordAtmology
Atmology, at-mol′o-ji, n. the science of the phenomena of aqueous vapour.—n. Atmol′ogist. [Gr. atmos, vapour, and logia, discourse—legein, to speak.]
English · e-37683-1816Atmolysis
Atmolysis, at-mol′i-sis, n. a method of separating a mixture of gases by taking advantage of their different rates of passage through a porous septum. [Gr. atmos, vapour, and lysis, loosing—lyein, to loose.]
English · e-37683-1817Atmometer
Atmometer, at-mom′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation from a moist surface. [Gr. atmos, vapour, and Meter.]
English · e-37683-1818Atmosphere
Atmosphere, at′mo-sfēr, n. the gaseous envelope that surrounds the earth or any of the heavenly bodies: any gaseous medium: a conventional unit of atmospheric pressure: (fig.) any surrounding influence.—adjs. Atmospher′i
English · e-37683-1819Atoll
Atoll, a-tol′, or at′ol, n. a coral island consisting of a circular belt of coral enclosing a central lagoon. [A Malay word.]
English · e-37683-1820Atom
Atom, at′om, n. a particle of matter so small that it cannot be cut or divided, the unit of matter; anything very small.—adjs. Atom′ic, -al, pertaining to atoms.—ns. Atomic′ity; Atomisā′tion (med.) the reduction of liqui
English · e-37683-1821Atomy
Atomy, at′om-i, n. (Shak.) a skeleton, walking skeleton. [Formerly also atamy and natomy, for anatomy, mistakingly divided an atomy.]
English · e-37683-1822Atone
Atone, at-ōn′, adv. (Spens.) at one, at once, together. [M.E. also attone, earlier atoon, aton, at one, at on.]
English · e-37683-1823 · brief source recordAtone
Atone, at-ōn′, v.i. to give satisfaction or make reparation (with for): to make up for deficiencies: (Shak.) to agree, be in accordance.—v.t. to appease, to expiate: (arch.) harmonise, or reconcile.—ns. Atone′ment, the a
English · e-37683-1824Atony
Atony, at′on-i, n. want of tone or energy: debility: relaxation.—adj. At′onic (pros.), without tone: unaccented. [Gr. atonia—a, neg., tonos, tone, strength. See Tone.]
English · e-37683-1825Atop
Atop, a-top′, adv. on or at the top. [Prep. a, and Top.]
English · e-37683-1826 · brief source recordAtrabiliar
Atrabiliar, at-ra-bil′i-ar, adj. of a melancholy temperament: hypochondriac: splenetic, acrimonious.—Also Atrabil′iary, Atrabil′ious. [L. ater, atra, black, bilis, gall, bile. See Bile.]
English · e-37683-1827Atramental
Atramental, at-ra-men′tal, adj. (Sir T. Browne) inky, black. [From L. atramentum, ink—atra, black.]
English · e-37683-1828 · brief source recordAtremble
Atremble, a-trem′bl, adv. trembling.
English · e-37683-1829 · brief source recordAtrip
Atrip, a-trip′, adv. said of an anchor when it is just drawn out of the ground in a perpendicular direction—of a sail, when it is hoisted from the cap, sheeted home, and ready for trimming. [Prep. a, on, and Trip.]
English · e-37683-1830Atrium
Atrium, ā′tri-um, n. the entrance-hall or chief apartment of a Roman house. [Prob. orig. the kitchen, and so lit. 'the apartment blackened with smoke'—L. ater, black; others connect the word with ædes, orig. a fireplace,
English · e-37683-1831Atrocious
Atrocious, a-trō′shus, adj. extremely cruel or wicked: heinous: very grievous: execrable.—adv. Atrō′ciously.—ns. Atrō′ciousness; Atroc′ity, atrociousness: an atrocious act. [L. atrox, atrocis, cruel—ater, black.]
English · e-37683-1832Atropal
Atropal, at′ro-pal, adj. (bot.) not inverted. [Gr. atropos—a, neg., and trepein, to turn.]
English · e-37683-1833 · brief source recordAtrophy
Atrophy, a′trof-i, n. an alteration of the vital processes in a living organism, either animal or vegetable, resulting in a diminution of size and functional activity of the whole organism (general atrophy), or of certai
English · e-37683-1834Atropia
Atropia, a-trō′pi-a, Atropin, Atropine, at′ro-pin, n. a poisonous alkaloid existing in the deadly nightshade.—n. At′ropism, poisoning by atropin. [From Gr. Atropos, one of the Fates, who cuts the thread of life.]
English · e-37683-1835Attach
Attach, at-tach′, v.t. to bind or fasten: to seize: to gain over: to connect, associate: to join to in action or function: (Shak.) to arrest.—v.i. to adhere, to be fastened upon: (rare) to come into effect.—adj. Attach′a
English · e-37683-1836Attaché
Attaché, a-ta′shā, n. a young diplomatist attached to the suite of an ambassador. [Participle of Fr. attacher, to attach.]
English · e-37683-1837Attack
Attack, at-tak′, v.t. to fall upon violently: to assault: to assail with unfriendly words or writing: to begin to affect, fall upon (of diseases).—n. an assault or onset: the offensive part in any contest: the beginning
English · e-37683-1838Attain
Attain, at-tān′, v.t. to reach or gain by effort: to obtain: to reach a place: to reach.—v.i. to come or arrive: to reach.—adj. Attain′able, that may be reached.—ns. Attain′ableness, Attainabil′ity; Attain′ment, act of a
English · e-37683-1839Attainder
Attainder, at-tān′dėr, n. act of attainting: (law) loss of civil rights through conviction for high-treason.—v.t. Attaint′, to convict: to deprive of rights for being convicted of treason: to accuse of: disgrace, stain (
English · e-37683-1840Attar
Attar, at′ar, n. a very fragrant essential oil made in Turkey and other Eastern lands, chiefly from the damask rose.—Also Otto. [Pers. atar.]
English · e-37683-1841Attask
Attask, at-task′, v.t. to task. [Pfx. a-, and Task.]
English · e-37683-1842 · brief source recordAttemper
Attemper, at-tem′pėr, v.t. to mix in due proportion: to modify or moderate: to adapt.—p.adj. Attem′pered, tempered, mild, regulated. [O. Fr. atemprer—L. attemperāre—ad, to, and temperāre. See Temper.]
English · e-37683-1843Attempt
Attempt, at-temt′, v.t. to try or endeavour: to try to obtain: tempt, entice: to make an effort or attack upon.—v.i. to make an attempt or trial.—n. a trial: endeavour or effort: a personal assault: (Milton) temptation:
English · e-37683-1844Attend
Attend, at-tend′, v.t. to wait on or accompany: to be present at: to wait for: to give attention (with to).—v.i. to yield attention: to act as an attendant: to wait, be consequent (with to, on, upon).—ns. Attend′ance, ac
English · e-37683-1845Attention
Attention, at-ten′shun, n. act of attending, as in to pay, give, call, or attract attention: steady application of the mind: heed: civility, courtesy: care.—interj. (mil.) a cautionary word used as a command to execute s
English · e-37683-1846Attenuate
Attenuate, at-ten′ū-āt, v.t. to make thin or lean: to break down into finer parts: to reduce in density: reduce in strength or value, simplify.—v.i. to become thin or fine: to grow less.—n. Atten′uant, anything possessin
English · e-37683-1847Attest
Attest, at-test′, v.t. to testify or bear witness to: to affirm by signature or oath: to give proof of, to manifest: (obs.) to call to witness.—v.i. to bear witness.—n. (Shak.) witness, testimony.—adjs. Attest′able, Atte
English · e-37683-1848Attic
Attic, at′ik, adj. pertaining to Attica or to Athens: chaste, refined, elegant like the Athenians.—v.t. Att′icise, to make conformable to the language or idiom of Attica.—v.i. to use the idioms of the Athenians: to side
English · e-37683-1849Attic
Attic, at′ik, n. (archit.) a low story above the cornice that terminates the main part of an elevation: a room in the roof of a house. [Introduced in architecture from the idea that the feature to which it alluded was co
English · e-37683-1850Attire
Attire, at-tīr′, v.t. to dress, array, or adorn: to prepare.—n. dress: any kind of covering, even the plants that clothe the soil: (Shak.) a dress or costume.—ns. Attire′ment, Attir′ing. [O. Fr. atirer, put in order—à ti
English · e-37683-1851Attitude
Attitude, at′ti-tūd, n. posture, or position: gesture: any condition of things or relation of persons viewed as expressing some thought, feeling, &c.—adj. Attitud′inal.—n. Attitudinā′rian, one who studies attitudes.—v.i.
English · e-37683-1852Attollent
Attollent, at-tol′lent, adj. lifting up, raising.—n. a muscle with this function. [L. attollens, -entis, pr.p. of attollĕre, to lift up—ad, to, tollĕre, to lift.]
English · e-37683-1853Attorney
Attorney, at-tur′ni, n. one legally authorised to act for another—hence the sense of the phrases 'in person' and 'by attorney:' one legally qualified to manage cases in a court of law: a solicitor—a solicitor or attorney
English · e-37683-1854Attract
Attract, at-trakt′, v.t. to draw to or cause to approach: to allure: to entice: to draw forth.—adj. Attract′able, that may be attracted.—n. Attrac′tion, act of attracting: the force which draws or tends to draw bodies or
English · e-37683-1855Attrahent
Attrahent, at′tra-hent, adj. attracting or drawing.—n. that which attracts. [L. attrahens, -entis, pr.p. of attrahĕre. See Attract.]
English · e-37683-1856Attrap
Attrap, at-trap′, v.t. (Spens.) to adorn with trappings: to dress or array. [L. ad, to, and Trap.]
English · e-37683-1857 · brief source recordAttribute
Attribute, at-trib′ūt, v.t. to ascribe, assign, or consider as belonging.—adj. Attrib′utable.—ns. At′tribute, that which is attributed: that which is inherent in, or inseparable from, anything: that which can be predicat
English · e-37683-1858Attrist
Attrist, at-trist′, v.t. (obs.) to sadden. [Fr.—L. ad, to, tristis, sad.]
English · e-37683-1859 · brief source recordAttrite
Attrite, at-trīt′, adj. worn by rubbing or friction: (theol.) repentant through fear of punishment, not yet from the love of God.—n. Attri′tion, the rubbing of one thing against another: a wearing by friction: (theol.) a
English · e-37683-1860Attune
Attune, at-tūn′, v.t. to put in tune: to make one sound accord with another: to arrange fitly: to make musical.—n. Attune′ment. [L. ad, to, and Tune.]
English · e-37683-1861Atwain
Atwain, a-twān′, adv. in twain: (arch.) asunder. [Prep. a, and Twain.]
English · e-37683-1862 · brief source recordAtween
Atween, a-twēn′, adv. (Spens.) between. [Prep. a, and Twain.]
English · e-37683-1863 · brief source recordAtwixt
Atwixt, a-twikst′, adv. (Spens.) betwixt, between. [Pfx. a-, and 'twixt, Betwixt.]
English · e-37683-1864 · brief source recordAubade
Aubade, ō-bäd′, n. a musical announcement of dawn: a sunrise song. [Fr. aube, dawn—L. alba, white.]
English · e-37683-1865 · brief source recordAuberge
Auberge, ō-bėrj′, n. an inn.—adj. Auberg′ical (H. Walpole).—n. Aubergiste (ō-bėrj-ēst′). [Fr., of Teut. origin. See Harbour.]
English · e-37683-1866Aubergine
Aubergine, ō′ber-jēn, n. the fruit of the egg-plant, the brinjal. [Fr. dim. of auberge, a kind of peach—Sp. albérchigo—Ar. al, the, pérsigo—L. persicum, a peach.]
English · e-37683-1867Auburn
Auburn, aw′burn, adj. reddish brown. [The old meaning was a light yellow, or lightish hue; Low L. alburnus, whitish—L. albus, white.]
English · e-37683-1868Auction
Auction, awk′shun, n. a public sale in which the bidder offers an increase on the price offered by another, and the articles go to him who bids highest.—v.t. to sell by auction.—adj. Auc′tionary.—n. Auctioneer′, one who
English · e-37683-1869Auctorial
Auctorial, awk′tōr-i-al, adj. of or pertaining to an author or his trade. [L. auctor.]
English · e-37683-1870 · brief source recordAudacious
Audacious, aw-dā′shus, adj. daring: bold: impudent.—adv. Audā′ciously.—ns. Audā′ciousness, Audacity (aw-das′i-ti). [Fr. audacieux—L. audax—audēre, to dare.]
English · e-37683-1871Audible
Audible, awd′i-bl, adj. able to be heard.—ns. Aud′ibleness, Audibil′ity.—adv. Aud′ibly.—n. Aud′ience, the act of hearing: a judicial hearing: admittance to a hearing: a ceremonial interview: an assembly of hearers: a cou
English · e-37683-1872Audiometer
Audiometer, awd-i-om′et-ėr, n. an instrument for measuring and recording differences in the power of hearing.
English · e-37683-1873 · brief source recordAudiphone
Audiphone, awd′i-fōn, n. an instrument which is pressed against the upper front teeth, the convex side outwards, in order to communicate sounds to the teeth and bones of the skull, thence to the organs of hearing.
English · e-37683-1874Audit
Audit, awd′it, n. an examination of accounts by one or more duly authorised persons: a calling to account generally: a statement of account: (obs.) a periodical settlement of accounts: (obs.) audience, hearing.—v.t. to e
English · e-37683-1875Augean
Augean, aw-jē′an, adj. filthy: difficult. [From Augeas, a fabled king of Elis in Greece, whose stalls, containing 3000 oxen, and uncleaned for thirty years, were swept out by Hercules in one day by his turning the river
English · e-37683-1876Auger
Auger, aw′gėr, n. a carpenter's tool used for boring holes in wood.—n. Au′ger-bit, an auger that fits into a carpenter's brace (see Brace). [A corr. of nauger, an auger, A.S. nafugár—nafu, a nave of a wheel, gár, a pierc
English · e-37683-1877Aught
Aught, awt, n. a whit: ought: anything: a part. [A.S. á-wiht, contr. to áht, whence ōht, ōght, and ought. Shakespeare, Milton, and Pope use ought and aught without distinction. Awiht is from á, ó, ever, and wiht, creatur
English · e-37683-1878Augite
Augite, aw′jīt, n. one of the Pyroxene group of minerals, closely allied to hornblende, usually of a greenish colour, occurring crystallised in prisms, and forming an essential component of many igneous rocks.—adj. Augit
English · e-37683-1879Augment
Augment, awg-ment′, v.t. to increase: to make larger.—v.i. to grow larger.—n. Aug′ment, increase: (gram.) the prefixed vowel to the past tenses of the verb in Sanskrit and Greek. Sometimes applied also to such inflection
English · e-37683-1880Augur
Augur, aw′gur, n. among the Romans, one who gained knowledge of secret or future things by observing the flight and the cries of birds: a diviner; a soothsayer.—v.t. to foretell from signs.—v.i. to guess or conjecture: t
English · e-37683-1881August
August, aw-gust′, adj. venerable: imposing: sublime: majestic—adv. August′ly.—n. August′ness. [L. augustus—augēre, to increase, honour.]
English · e-37683-1882August
August, aw′gust, n. the eighth month of the year, so called after the Roman emperor Augustus Cæsar.
English · e-37683-1883 · brief source recordAugustan
Augustan, aw-gust′an, adj. pertaining to the Emperor Augustus, or to the time in which he reigned (31 B.C.-14 A.D.)—the most brilliant age in Roman literature, hence applied to any similar age, as the reign of Anne in En
English · e-37683-1884Augustine
Augustine, aw-gust′in, Augustinian, aw-gus-tin′i-an, n. one of an order of monks who derive their name and rule from St Augustine: (theol.) one who holds the opinions of St Augustine, esp. on predestination and irresisti
English · e-37683-1885Auk
Auk, awk, n. a genus of web-footed sea-birds, with short wings used only as paddles, found in the northern seas. The Great Auk is supposed to have become extinct in 1844. [Ice. álka.]
English · e-37683-1886Aula
Aula, aw′la, n. a hall.—adj. Aulā′rian, relating to a hall.—n. at Oxford, a member of a hall, as distinguished from a collegian.—Aula regis, also called Curia Regis, a name used in English history for a feudal assembly o
English · e-37683-1887Auld
Auld, awld, adj. (Scot.) old.—adjs. Auld′-far′rant (lit. 'favouring the old'), old-fashioned, wise beyond their years, as of children; Auld′-warld, old-world, ancient.—Auld langsyne, old long since, long ago.
English · e-37683-1888Aulic
Aulic, awl′ik, adj. pertaining to a royal court.—Aulic Council (Ger. Reichshofrath), a court or personal council of the Holy Roman Empire, established in 1501 by Maximilian I., and co-ordinate with the Imperial Chamber (
English · e-37683-1889Aumail
Aumail, aw-māl′, v.t. to enamel: (Spens.) to figure or variegate. [See Enamel.]
English · e-37683-1890 · brief source recordAumbry
Aumbry, awm′bri, n. Same as Ambry.
English · e-37683-1891 · brief source recordAumil
Aumil, o′mil, n. Same as Amildar.
English · e-37683-1892 · brief source recordAumuce
Aumuce, aw′mūs, n. Same as Amice.
English · e-37683-1893 · brief source recordAunt
Aunt, änt, n. a father's or a mother's sister—also the wife of one's uncle: (obs.) an old woman, a gossip, a procuress or bawd.—Aunt Sally, a pastime at English fairs, in which a wooden head is set on a pole, and in the
English · e-37683-1894Aura
Aura, awr′a, n. a supposed subtle emanation proceeding from anything, esp. that essence which is claimed to emanate from all living things and to afford an atmosphere for the operations of animal magnetism and such-like
English · e-37683-1895Aural
Aural, awr′al, adj. pertaining to the ear.—adv. Aur′ally. [L. auris, ear.]
English · e-37683-1896 · brief source recordAurate
Aurate, awr′āt, n. a compound of auric oxide with a base.—adjs. Aur′ated, gold-coloured: compounded with auric acid; Aur′eate, gilded: golden.—n. Aurē′ity, the peculiar properties of gold. [L. aurum, gold.]
English · e-37683-1897Aurelia
Aurelia, awr-ēl′ya, n. the chrysalis of an insect, from its golden colour.—adj. Aurel′ian—formerly also a name for an entomologist devoted esp. to butterflies and moths. [L. aurum, gold.]
English · e-37683-1898Aureola
Aureola, awr-ē′o-la, n. in Christian art, the gold colour surrounding the whole figure in sacred pictures, distinct from the nimbus, which only covers the head, usually reserved for representations of the three Divine Pe
English · e-37683-1899Auric
Auric, awr′ik, adj. pertaining to gold: (chem.) applied to compounds in which gold combines as a triad. [L. aurum, gold.]
English · e-37683-1900Auricle
Auricle, awr′i-kl, n. the external ear: (pl.) the two upper cavities of the heart into which the blood comes from the veins.—adj. Aur′icled, having appendages like ears.—n. Auric′ula, a species of primrose, also called b
English · e-37683-1901Auriferous
Auriferous, awr-if′ėr-us, adj. bearing or yielding gold.—v.t. and v.i. Aur′ify, to turn into gold. [L. aurifer—aurum, gold, ferre, to bear.]
English · e-37683-1902Auriform
Auriform, awr′i-form, adj. ear-shaped. [L. auris, ear, and Form.]
English · e-37683-1903 · brief source recordAuriscope
Auriscope, aw′ri-skōp, n. an instrument for examining the Eustachian passage of the ear. [L. auris, ear, and Gr. skopein, to look.]
English · e-37683-1904Aurist
Aurist, awr′ist, n. one skilled in diseases of the ear. [L. auris, ear.]
English · e-37683-1905 · brief source recordAurochs
Aurochs, awr′oks, n. the European bison or wild ox. [Ger. auerochs. Old High Ger. ûrohso, ur (L. urus, Gr. ouros), a kind of wild ox, and ochs, ox.]
English · e-37683-1906Aurora
Aurora, aw-rō′ra, n. the dawn: in poetry, the goddess of dawn.—adjs. Aurō′ral, Aurō′rean.—adv. Aurō′rally. [Acc. to Curtius, a reduplicated form for ausosa; from a root seen in Sans. ush, to burn; cog. with Gr. ēōs, dawn
English · e-37683-1907Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis, aw-rō′ra bō-rē-ā′lis, the northern aurora or light: a luminous meteoric phenomenon of electrical character seen in northern latitudes, with a tremulous motion, and giving forth streams of light.—Aurora A
English · e-37683-1908Auscultation
Auscultation, aws-kult-ā′shun, n. the art of discovering the condition of the lungs and heart by applying the ear or the stethoscope to the part.—v.i. to examine by auscultation.—n. Auscultā′tor, one who practises auscul
English · e-37683-1909Ausonian
Ausonian, aw-sō′ni-an, adj. Italian. [L. Ausonia, a poetical name for Italy.]
English · e-37683-1910 · brief source recordAuspice
Auspice, aw′spis, n. an omen drawn from observing birds: augury—generally used in pl. Au′spices, protection: patronage: a good start (generally in phrase, Under the auspices of).—v.t. Au′spicate, to foreshow: to initiate
English · e-37683-1911Auster
Auster, aws′tėr, n. the south wind. [L.]
English · e-37683-1912 · brief source recordAustere
Austere, aws-tēr′, adj. harsh: severe: stern: grave: sober: severe in self-discipline, strictly moral or abstinent: severely simple, without luxury.—adv. Austere′ly.—ns. Austere′ness, Auster′ity, quality of being austere
English · e-37683-1913Austral
Austral, aws′tral, adj. southern.—adj. Australasian (aws-tral-ā′zhi-an), pertaining to Australasia, or the islands and island-groups that lie to the south of Asia.—n. a native or colonist of one of these.—adj. Austrā′lia
English · e-37683-1914Austrian
Austrian, aws′tri-an, adj. of or pertaining to Austria, an empire of Central Europe.—n. a native of Austria.
English · e-37683-1915 · brief source recordAustringer
Austringer, aw′string-ėr, n. a keeper of goshawks.—Also A′stringer. [O. Fr. ostruchier, austruchier. See Ostrich.]
English · e-37683-1916 · brief source recordAutarchy
Autarchy, awt′är-ki, n. absolute power. [Gr., from autos, self, and archein, to rule.]
English · e-37683-1917 · brief source recordAuthentic
Authentic, -al, aw-thent′ik, -al, adj. real: genuine, as opposed to counterfeit, apocryphal: original: true: entitled to acceptance, of established credibility. A distinction is sometimes made between authentic and genui
English · e-37683-1918Authenticate
Authenticate, aw-thent′ik-āt, v.t. to make authentic: to prove genuine: to give legal validity to: to certify the authorship of.—ns. Authenticā′tion, act of authenticating: confirmation; Authentic′ity, quality of being a
English · e-37683-1919Author
Author, awth′or, n. one who originates or brings anything into being: a beginner or first mover of any action or state of things: the writer of an original book: elliptically for an author's writings: one's authority for
English · e-37683-1920Authority
Authority, awth-or′it-i, n. legal power or right: power derived from office or character: weight of testimony: permission:—pl. Author′ities, precedents: opinions or sayings carrying weight: persons in power.—adj. Author′
English · e-37683-1921Auto-car
Auto-car, aw′to-kär, n. a vehicle for the road moved from within by steam, electric power, &c. instead of by traction. [Gr. autos, self, and Car.]
English · e-37683-1923Auto-da-fé
Auto-da-fé, aw′to-da-fā′, n. the public declaration of the judgment passed on heretics in Spain and Portugal by the Inquisition, also the infliction of the punishment which immediately followed thereupon, esp. the public
English · e-37683-1927Autobiography
Autobiography, aw-to-bī-og′raf-i, n. the biography or life of a person written by himself.—n. Autobiog′rapher, one who writes his own life.—adjs. Autobiograph′ic, -al. [Gr. autos, one's self, bios, life, graphein, to wri
English · e-37683-1922Autocarpous
Autocarpous, aw-to-kär′pus, adj. applied to such fruit as consists only of the pericarp, with no adnate parts. [Gr. autos, self, karpos, fruit.]
English · e-37683-1924Autochthon
Autochthon, aw-tok′thon, n. one of the primitive inhabitants of a country: an aboriginal:—pl. Autoch′thons and Autoch′thones.—adj. Autoch′thonous.—ns. Autoch′thony, Autoch′thonism, the condition of being autochthonous. [
English · e-37683-1925Autocrat
Autocrat, aw′to-krat, n. one who rules by his own power: an absolute sovereign.—n. Autoc′racy, an absolute government by one man: despotism.—adj. Autocrat′ic,—adv. Autocrat′ically. [Gr. autokratēs—autos, self, kratos, po
English · e-37683-1926Autogenous
Autogenous, aw-toj′e-nus, adj. self-generated: independent.—n. Autog′eny, a mode of spontaneous generation. [Gr. autogenēs, autos, self, genos, offspring.]
English · e-37683-1928Autograph
Autograph, aw′to-graf, n. one's own handwriting: a signature: an original manuscript.—v.t. to write with one's hand.—adj. Autograph′ic.—adv. Autograph′ically.—n. Au′tography, act of writing with one's own hand: reproduct
English · e-37683-1929Autogravure
Autogravure, aw-to-grav′ūr, n. a process of photo-engraving akin to autotype. [Gr. auto, self; Fr. gravure, engraving.]
English · e-37683-1930 · brief source recordAutolatry
Autolatry, aw-tol′a-tri, n. worship of one's self.—n. Autol′ogy is merely a justifiable enough scientific study of ourselves. [Gr. autos, self, latreia, worship.]
English · e-37683-1931Autolycus
Autolycus, aw-tol′i-kus, n. a thief: a snapper up of unconsidered trifles: a plagiarist. [From the character in Shakespeare's Winter's Tale.]
English · e-37683-1932Automaton
Automaton, aw-tom′a-ton, n. a self-moving machine, or one which moves by concealed machinery: a living being regarded as without consciousness: the self-acting power of the muscular and nervous systems, by which movement
English · e-37683-1933Automobile
Automobile, aw-to-mō′bil, adj. self-moving.—n. a motor-car. [Gr. autos, self, L. mobilis, mobile.]
English · e-37683-1934 · brief source recordAutomorphic
Automorphic, aw-to-mor′fik, adj. marked by automorphism, the ascription to others of one's own characteristics. [Gr. autos, self, morphē, form.]
English · e-37683-1935Autonomy
Autonomy, aw-ton′om-i, n. the power or right of self-government: (Kant's philos.) the doctrine that the human will carries its guiding principle within itself.—adjs. Auton′omous, Autonom′ic. [Gr.—autos, and nomos, law.]
English · e-37683-1936Autonym
Autonym, aw′ton-im, n. a writing published under the author's real name. [Gr. autos, self, onoma, a name.]
English · e-37683-1937 · brief source recordAutophagous
Autophagous, aw-tof′ag-us, adj. self-devouring.—n. Autoph′agy, sustenance by self-absorption of the tissues of the body. [Gr. autos, self, phagein, to eat.]
English · e-37683-1938Autophoby
Autophoby, aw-tof′ob-i, n. a shrinking from making any reference to one's self. [Gr. autos, self, phobia, fear.]
English · e-37683-1939 · brief source recordAutophony
Autophony, aw-tof′on-i, n. observation of the resonance of one's own voice, heard by placing the ear to the patient's chest. [Gr. autos, self, phōnē, sound.]
English · e-37683-1940Autoplasty
Autoplasty, aw′to-plas-ti, n. a mode of surgical treatment which consists in replacing a diseased part by means of healthy tissue from another part of the same body. [Gr. auto-plastos, self-formed.]
English · e-37683-1941Autopsy
Autopsy, aw′top-si, n. personal inspection, esp. the examination of a body after death.—Also Autop′sia. [Gr.; autos, self, opsis, sight.]
English · e-37683-1942Autoptic
Autoptic, -al, aw-topt′ik, -al, adj. seen with one's own eyes.—adv. Autopt′ically. [See Autopsy.]
English · e-37683-1943 · brief source recordAutoschediasm
Autoschediasm, aw-to-sked′i-azm, n. anything extemporised.—v.t. Autosched′iase.—adj. Autoschedias′tic. [Gr. autos, self, schedios, off-hand.]
English · e-37683-1944Autotheism
Autotheism, aw′to-thē-izm, n. assumption of divine powers: the doctrine of the self-subsistence of God, esp. of the second person in the Trinity.—n. Au′totheist, a self-deifier. [Gr. autos, self, theos, a god.]
English · e-37683-1945Autotype
Autotype, aw′to-tīp, n. a true impress or copy of the original: a process of printing from a photographic negative in a permanent black or other pigment.—v.t. to reproduce by such a process.—n. Autotypog′raphy, a process
English · e-37683-1946Autumn
Autumn, aw′tum, n. the third season of the year when fruits are gathered in, popularly comprising the months of August, September, and October—in North America, September, October, and November. Astronomically, in the no
English · e-37683-1947Auxesis
Auxesis, awk-sē′sis, n. gradual deepening in force of meaning: hyperbole. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-1948 · brief source recordAuxiliar
Auxiliar, awg-zil′yar, Auxiliary, awg-zil′yar-i, adj. helping: subsidiary, as troops.—ns. Auxil′iar, an auxiliary; Auxil′iary, a helper: an assistant: (gram.) a verb that helps to form the moods and tenses of other verbs
English · e-37683-1949Ava
Ava, ä′va, n. native name in the Sandwich Islands for a species of cordyline yielding an intoxicating drink, also called kava: any similar drink.
English · e-37683-1950Avail
Avail, a-vāl′, v.t. to be of value or service to: to benefit: to take the benefit of (used reflexively with of).—v.i. to be of use: to answer the purpose: (obs.) to take or draw advantage: (Amer.) to inform, assure of.—n
English · e-37683-1951Avail
Avail. Same as Avale.
English · e-37683-1952 · brief source recordAvalanche
Avalanche, av′al-ansh, n. a mass of snow and ice sliding down from a mountain: a snow-slip.—v.i. Avāle′ (Spens.), to descend.—v.t. (Spens.) to cause to descend. [Fr. avaler, to slip down—L. ad, to, vall-em, the valley.]
English · e-37683-1953Avant
Avant, av′ang, prefix used as adj. in combination, as in Av′ant-cour′ier, one who runs before, in pl. the skirmishers or advance-guard of an army; Av′ant-garde, the vanguard of an army. [Fr.;—L. ante.]
English · e-37683-1954Avanturine
Avanturine. See Aventurine.
English · e-37683-1955 · brief source recordAvarice
Avarice, av′ar-is, n. eager desire for wealth: covetousness.—adj. Avari′cious, extremely covetous: greedy.—adv. Avari′ciously.—n. Avari′ciousness. [Fr.—L. avaritia—avarus, greedy—avēre, to pant after.]
English · e-37683-1956Avast
Avast, a-väst′, interj. (naut.) hold fast! stop! [Dut. houd vast, hold fast.]
English · e-37683-1957 · brief source recordAvatar
Avatar, a-va-tär′, n. the descent of a Hindu deity in a visible form: incarnation: (fig.) supreme glorification of any principle. [Sans.; ava, away, down, tar, to pass over.]
English · e-37683-1958Avaunt
Avaunt, a-vawnt′, interj. move on! begone! (Shak.) used as n. 'to give her the avaunt.'—v.i. (Spens.) to advance: (obs.) depart. [Fr. avant, forward—L. ab, from, ante, before.]
English · e-37683-1959Avaunt
Avaunt, a-vawnt′, v.i. (Spens.) to advance boastfully. [O. Fr. avanter—Low L. vanitare, to boast—L. vanus, vain.]
English · e-37683-1960 · brief source recordAve
Ave, ā′vē, interj. and n. be well or happy: hail, an address or prayer to the Virgin Mary: in full, Ave Marī′a.—Ave Maria, or Ave Mary, the Hail Mary, or angelic salutation (Luke, i. 28). [L. avēre, to be well or propiti
English · e-37683-1961Avenaceous
Avenaceous, av′en-ā-shus, adj. of the nature of oats. [L. avena, oats.]
English · e-37683-1962 · brief source recordAvenge
Avenge, a-venj′, v.t. to vindicate: take vengeance on some one on account of some injury or wrong (with on, upon; of obsolete).—adj. Avenge′ful.—ns. Avenge′ment; Aveng′er, one who avenges:—fem. Aveng′eress. [O. Fr. aveng
English · e-37683-1963Avens
Avens, ā′vens, n. popular name of two species of Geum—the herb bennet (once used to flavour ale) and the sub-alpine mountain-avens. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-1964Aventail
Aventail, Aventaile, av′en-tāl, n. the flap or movable part of a helmet in front, for admitting air to the wearer. [O. Fr. esventail, air-hole—L. ex, out, ventus, wind.]
English · e-37683-1965Aventre
Aventre, a-ven′tr, v.t. or v.i. (Spens.) to throw, as a spear or dart. [O. Fr. venter, to cast to the wind.]
English · e-37683-1966 · brief source recordAventure
Aventure, a-vent′ūr, v.t. obsolete form of Adventure.
English · e-37683-1967 · brief source recordAventurine
Aventurine, a-ven′tū-rin, n. a brown, spangled kind of Venetian glass: a kind of quartz.—Also Avan′turine. [It. avventura, chance—because of the accidental discovery of the glass.]
English · e-37683-1968Avenue
Avenue, av′en-ū, n. the principal approach to a country-house, usually bordered by trees: a double row of trees, with or without a road: a wide and handsome street, with or without trees, esp. in America: any passage or
English · e-37683-1969Aver
Aver, a-vėr′, v.t. to declare to be true: to affirm or declare positively: (law) to prove or justify a plea:—pr.p. aver′ring; pa.p. averred.—n. Aver′ment, positive assertion: (law) a formal offer to prove a plea: the pro
English · e-37683-1970Average
Average, av′ėr-āj, n. the mean value or quantity of a number of values or quantities: any expense incurred beyond the freight, payable by the owner of the goods shipped, as in the phrase Petty average: any loss or damage
English · e-37683-1971Averroism
Averroism, av-er-ō′izm, n. the doctrine of the Arabian philosopher Averrhoes (died 1198), that the soul is perishable, the only immortal soul being the world-soul from which individual souls went forth, and to which they
English · e-37683-1972Averruncate
Averruncate, a-vėr-ungk′āt, v.t. (rare) to avert or ward off: to pull up by the roots.—ns. Averruncā′tion, act of averting: extirpation; Averrunc′ātor, an instrument for cutting off branches of trees. [L. averruncāre, to
English · e-37683-1973Averse
Averse, a-vėrs′, adj. having a disinclination or hatred (with to; from is, however, still used): disliking: turned away from anything: turned backward; (her.) turned so as to show the back, as of a right hand.—n. Aversā′
English · e-37683-1974Aversion
Aversion, a-vėr′-shun, n. dislike: hatred: the object of dislike. [See Avert.]
English · e-37683-1975 · brief source recordAvert
Avert, a-vėrt′, v.t. to turn from or aside: to prevent: ward off.—p.adj. Avert′ed.—adv. Avert′edly.—adj. Avert′ible, capable of being averted. [L. avert-ēre—ab, from, vert-ĕre, to turn.]
English · e-37683-1976Avertiment
Avertiment, for Advertisement (Milton).
English · e-37683-1977 · brief source recordAves
Aves, ā′vēz, n.pl. birds. [L.]
English · e-37683-1978 · brief source recordAviary
Aviary, ā′vi-ar-i, n. a place for keeping birds.—n. A′viarist, one who keeps an aviary. [L. aviarium—avis, a bird.]
English · e-37683-1979 · brief source recordJump to a source dictionary page
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