Part 16

ASSAULT, as-sawlt', _n._ a sudden attack: a storming, as of a town: (_Eng. law_) unlawful attempt to apply force to the person of another--when force is actually applied, the act amounts to _battery_: an attack of any sort by arguments, appeals, &c.--_v.t._ to make an assault or attack upon: (_law_) to make an assault.--_n._ ASSAULT'ER.--ASSAULT AT ARMS, a display of attack and defence in fencing. [O. Fr. _asaut_--L. _ad_, upon, _saltus_, a leap, _sal[=i]re_, to leap. See ASSAIL.]

ASSAY, as-s[=a]', _v.t._ to determine the proportions of a metal in an ore or alloy: endeavour (more usually _Essay_): (_Spens._) to affect or move: (_Shak._) to put one to the proof, as to accost with a particular purpose, to measure swords with another, &c.: (_poet._) put to proof, examine by trial.--_v.i._ to attempt.--_n._ the determination of the quantity of metal in an ore or alloy: the trial of anything, as in the ancient custom of tasting the drink before handing it to a king or noble: an attempt or endeavour: probation or trial: (_Spens._) ascertained purity.--_ns._ ASSAY'ER, one who assays, esp. metals; ASSAY'ING, the process of assaying or determining the proportion of pure metal in an ore or alloy; ASSAY'-MAS'TER, the officer who determines the amount of gold or silver in coin or bullion. [O. Fr. _assayer_, n. _assai_. See ESSAY.]

ASSEGAI, ASSEGAY. Same as ASSAGAI.

ASSEMBLE, as-sem'bl, _v.t._ to call or bring together: to collect.--_v.i._ to meet together.--_ns._ ASSEM'BLAGE, a collection of persons or things; ASSEM'BLANCE (_Spens._), an assembling: (_Shak._) semblance: representation; ASSEM'BLY, the act of assembling: the company so assembled: a gathering of persons for any purpose, as for religious worship or social entertainment: specially applied to the lower house of the legislature in some of the United States and British colonies: (_mil._) a drum-beat, esp. that before a march, upon which the soldiers strike their tents; ASSEM'BLY-ROOM, a room in which persons assemble, especially for dancing.--GENERAL ASSEMBLY, in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, the highest court of the Presbyterian Church; LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, in many of the British colonies, the title of the lower house of the legislature; NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, the first of the revolutionary assemblies in France, which sat 1789-91--also called the _Constituent Assembly_, superseded in 1791 by the Legislative Assembly. [Fr. _assembler_--Late L. _assimul[=a]re_, to bring together, _ad_, to, _similis_, like. See ASSIMILATE.]

ASSENT, as-sent', _v.i._ to think or concur with, to admit as true (with _to_).--_n._ an agreeing or acquiescence: compliance.--_adj._ ASSENT[=A]'NEOUS, ready to agree.--_ns._ ASSENT'ER, ASSENT'OR, one of the eight voters who indorse the proposer and seconder's nomination of a candidate for election to the parliament of the United Kingdom.--_adjs._ ASSEN'TIENT, ASSENT'IVE.--_adv._ ASSENT'INGLY.--_n._ ASSENT'IVENESS.--ROYAL ASSENT, in England, the sovereign's formal acquiescence in a measure which has passed the two Houses of Parliament. [O. Fr. _asenter_, assent--L. _assent[=a]re_, _assent[=i]re_, L. _ad_, to, _sent[=i]re_, to think.]

ASSENTATION, as-sen-t[=a]'shun, _n._ obsequious assent, adulation.--_n._ AS'SENTATOR (_obs._).--_adv._ ASSENT'ATORILY (_obs._). [L. _assent[=a]ri_, to flatter, freq. of _assent[=i]ri_, assent, agree.]

ASSERT, as-s[.e]rt', _v.t._ to vindicate or defend by arguments or measures (now used only of the cause as object or reflexive): to declare strongly: to lay claim to or insist upon anything: to affirm: (_rare_) to bear evidence of.--_adj._ ASSERT'ABLE.--_ns._ ASSERT'ER, ASSERT'OR, a champion, one who makes a positive statement; ASSER'TION, affirmation: the act of claiming one's rights: averment.--_adj._ ASSERT'IVE, asserting or confirming confidently: positive: dogmatic.--_adv._ ASSERT'IVELY.--_n._ ASSERT'IVENESS.--_adj._ ASSERT'ORY, affirmative.--TO ASSERT ONE'S SELF, to defend one's rights or opinions, sometimes with unnecessary zeal, to thrust one's self forward. [L. _asser[)e]re_ (superl. _assertum_), _aliquem manu in libertatem_, to lay hands on a slave in token of manumission, hence to protect, affirm, declare--_ad_, to, and _ser[)e]re_, to join. Cf. SERIES.]

ASSESS, as-ses', _v.t._ to fix the amount of, as a tax (with _upon_): to tax or fine: to fix the value or profits of, for taxation (with _at_): to estimate.--_adj._ ASSESS'ABLE.--_ns._ ASSESS'MENT, act of assessing: a valuation for the purpose of taxation: a tax; ASSESS'OR, a legal adviser who sits beside a magistrate: one who assesses taxes: one who shares another's dignity.--_adj._ ASSESS[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ ASSESS'ORSHIP. [Fr.--L. _assess[=a]re_, freq. of _assid[=e]re_, _assessum_, to sit by, esp. of judges in a court, from _ad_, to, at, _sed[=e]re_, to sit.]

ASSETS, as'sets, _n.pl._ the property of a deceased or insolvent person, considered as chargeable for all debts, &c.: the entire property of all sorts belonging to a merchant or to a trading association. [From the Anglo-Fr. law phrase _aver assetz_, to have sufficient, O. Fr. _asez_, enough--L. _ad_, to, _satis_, enough.]

ASSEVERATE, as-sev'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to declare solemnly--an earlier form is ASSEV'ER.--_adv._ ASSEVERAT'INGLY.--_n._ ASSEVER[=A]'TION, any solemn affirmation or confirmation. [L. _assever[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ad_, to, _severus_, serious. See SEVERE.]

ASSIDUITY, as-sid-[=u]'i-ti, _n._ constant application or diligence: (_pl._) constant attentions, as to a lady.--_adj._ ASSID'UOUS, constant or unwearied in application: diligent.--_adv._ ASSID'UOUSLY.--_n._ ASSID'UOUSNESS. [L. _assiduitas_--_assiduus_, sitting close at--_ad_, to, at, _sed[=e]re_, to sit.]

ASSIEGE, as-s[=e]j', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to besiege. [See SIEGE.]

ASSIENTO, as-[=e]-en'to, _n._ a word especially applied to an exclusive contract between Spain and some foreign nation for the supply of African slaves for its American possessions. [Sp., a seat, a seat in a court, a treaty.]

ASSIGN, as-s[=i]n', _v.t._ to sign or mark out to one: to allot: to appoint: to allege: to transfer: to ascribe or refer to: to suggest: to fix, as a time: to point out exactly.--_n._ one to whom any property or right is made over: (_pl._) appendages (_Shak._).--_adj._ ASSIGN'ABLE, that may be assigned.--_ns._ ASSIGN[=A]'TION, an appointment to meet, used chiefly of love-trysts, and mostly in a bad sense: (_Scots law_) the making over of any right to another, equivalent to ASSIGNMENT; ASSIGNEE (as-sin-[=e]'), one to whom any right or property is assigned: (_pl._) the trustees of a sequestrated estate; ASSIGN'MENT, act of assigning: anything assigned: the writing by which a transfer is made: (_Spens._) design. [Fr.--L. _assign[=a]re_, to mark out--_ad_, to, _signum_, a mark or sign.]

ASSIGNAT, as-sin-y[:a]', _n._ one of the notes (chiefly for 100 francs = L4 each) in the paper currency first issued in 1790 by the French revolutionary government as bonds on the security of the appropriated church lands.

ASSIMILATE, as-sim'il-[=a]t, _v.t._ to make similar or like to: to convert into a like substance, as food in our bodies (with _to_, _with_).--_v.i._ to become like, or to be incorporated in.--_n._ ASSIM'ILABILITY (_Coleridge_).--_adj._ ASSIM'ILABLE.--_n._ ASSIMIL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ ASSIM'IL[=A]TIVE, having the power or tendency to assimilate. [L. _assimil[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_ad_, to, _similis_, like.]

ASSIST, as-sist', _v.t._ to help.--_v.i._ to be present at a ceremony: (_Shak._) to accompany.--_n._ ASSIST'ANCE, help: relief.--_adj._ ASSIST'ANT, helping or lending aid.--_n._ one who assists: a helper. [L. _assist[)e]re_, to stand by--_ad_, to, _sist[)e]re_.]

ASSIZE, as-s[=i]z', _v.t._ to assess: to set or fix the quantity or price.--_n._ a statute settling the weight, measure, or price of anything: (_Scot._) a trial by jury, the jury: judgment, sentence, the Last Judgment: (_pl._) the sessions or sittings of a court held periodically in English counties, at which causes are tried by judges of the High Court of Justice on circuit and a jury.--_n._ ASSIZ'ER, an officer who inspects weights and measures. [O. Fr. _assise_, an assembly of judges, a set rate--_asseoir_--L. _assid[=e]re_.]

ASSOCIATE, as-s[=o]'shi-[=a]t, _v.t._ to join with, as a friend or partner: to unite in the same body.--_v.i._ to keep company (_with_): to combine or unite.--_ns._ ASSOCIABIL'ITY, ASS[=O]'CIABLENESS.--_adjs._ ASS[=O]'CIABLE, that may be joined or associated: sociable: companionable; ASS[=O]'CIATE, joined or connected with.--_n._ one joined or connected with another: a companion, friend, partner, or ally.--_ns._ ASS[=O]'CIATESHIP, office of an associate; ASSOCI[=A]'TION, act of associating: union or combination: a society of persons joined together to promote some object.--_adj._ ASS[=O]'CI[=A]TIVE, tending to association.--ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL, the game as formulated by the Football Association (formed in 1863).--ASSOCIATION (OF IDEAS), applied to laws of mental combination which facilitate recollection: similarity: contiguity, repetition. [L. _associ[=a]tum_, _associ[=a]re_--_ad_, to _socius_, a companion.]

ASSOIL, as-soil', _v.t._ to loosen from: to absolve or acquit: to solve: (_Spens._) to remove, to let loose, to renew, to get rid of.--_n._ ASSOIL'MENT. [Through Fr. from L.--L. _ab_, from, _solv[)e]re_, to loose.]

ASSOIL, as-soil', _v.t._ to soil, stain, or make dirty. [L. _ad_, and SOIL. See SOIL (2).]

ASSOILZIE, as-soil'y[=e], _v.i._ to free one accused from a charge: a Scots law term, the same as the archaic _assoil_, to absolve from sin, discharge, pardon. See ABSOLVITOR, under ABSOLVE. [Through Fr. from L. _absolv[)e]re_.]

ASSONANCE, as'son-ans, _n._ a correspondence in sound: in Spanish and Portuguese poetry, a kind of rhyme, consisting in the coincidence of the vowels of the corresponding syllables, without regard to the consonants, as in _mate_ and _shape_, _feel_ and _need_.--_adjs._ AS'SSONANT, resembling in sound; AS'SONANTAL, AS'SONANTIC.--_v.t._ AS'SONATE, to correspond in sound. [Fr.--L. _asson[=a]re_, _as_ = _ad-_, to, _son[=a]re_, to sound.]

ASSORT, as-sort', _v.t._ to separate into classes: to arrange.--_v.i._ to agree or be in accordance with: to fall into a class with, suit well with: (_arch._) to keep company with.--_p.adj._ ASSORT'ED, classified, arranged in sorts.--_ns._ ASSORT'EDNESS; ASSORT'MENT, act of assorting: a quantity or number of things assorted: variety. [Fr. _assortir_--L. _ad_, to, _sors_, a lot.]

ASSOT, as-sot', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to besot, to infatuate.--_p.adj._ ASSOT', or ASSOT'TED (_Spens._), infatuated. [O. Fr. _asoter_--_[`a]_, to, _sot_, foolish. See SOT.]

ASSUAGE, as-sw[=a]j', _v.t._ to soften, mitigate, or allay.--_v.i._ to abate or subside: to diminish.--_n._ ASSUAGE'MENT, abatement: mitigation.--_adj._ ASSU[=A]'SIVE, softening, mild. [O. Fr., formed as if from a L. _assuavi[=a]re_--_ad_, to, _suavis_, mild.]

ASSUBJUGATE, as-sub'j[=oo]-g[=a]t, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to reduce to subjugation.

ASSUEFACTION, as-w[=e]-fak'shun, _n._ (_Sir T. Browne_) the act of accustoming, habituation. [L. _assuefac[)e]re_--_assuetus_, accustomed, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

ASSUETUDE, as'w[=e]-t[=u]d, _n._ (_obs._) custom, habit. [L. _assuetus_.]

ASSUME, as-s[=u]m', _v.t._ to adopt, take in: to take up, to take upon one's self: to take for granted: to arrogate: to pretend to possess.--_v.i._ to claim unduly: to be arrogant.--_adjs._ ASSUM'ABLE, ASSUMP'TIVE, that may be assumed.--_adv._ ASSUM'ABLY, presumably.--_adj._ ASSUMED', appropriated, usurped: pretended: taken as the basis of argument.--_advs._ ASSUM'EDLY, ASSUM'INGLY.--_adj._ ASSUM'ING, haughty: arrogant. [L. _assum[)e]re_--_ad_, to, _sum[)e]re_, _sumptum_, to take.]

ASSUMPSIT, a-sump'sit, _n._ an action at law, wherein the plaintiff asserts that the defendant undertook (L. _assumpsit_) to do a certain act and failed to fulfil his promise: in the United States, the most common form of

## action.

ASSUMPTION, as-sum'shun, _n._ act of assuming: a supposition: the thing supposed, a proposition: (_logic_) the minor premise in a syllogism.--ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN, a church festival kept on the 15th of August, based on the notion that after the death of Mary, her soul and body were preserved from corruption and taken up to heaven by Christ and His angels.--DEED OF ASSUMPTION (_Scots law_), a deed executed by trustees under a trust-deed assuming a new trustee or settlement. [L. See ASSUME.]

ASSURE, a-sh[=oo]r', _v.t._ to make sure or secure: to give confidence: (_Shak._) to betroth: to tell positively: to insure.--_adj._ ASSUR'ABLE.--_n._ ASSUR'ANCE, confidence: feeling of certainty: self-reliance: impudence: positive declaration: insurance, as applied to lives: the securing of a title to property: (_theol._) subjective certainty of one's salvation: a solemn declaration or promise, a certain proof: surety, warrant.--_adj._ ASSURED', certain: without doubt: insured: overbold.--_adv._ ASSUR'EDLY.--_ns._ ASSUR'EDNESS; ASSUR'ER, one who gives assurance: an insurer or underwriter: one who insures his life. [O. Fr. _ase[:u]rer_ (Fr. _assurer_)--Late L. _adsecur[=a]re_--_ad_, to, _securus_, safe. See SURE.]

ASSURGENT, as-ur'jent, _adj._ rising, ascending: (_bot._) rising in a curve to an erect position: (_her._) of a bearing depicted as rising from the sea.--_n._ ASSUR'GENCY, the tendency to rise.

ASSWAGE. A form of ASSUAGE.

ASSYRIAN, as-sir'i-an, _adj._ belonging to Assyria.--_n._ an inhabitant of Assyria: the language of Assyria.--_ns._ ASSYRIOL'OGIST; ASSYRIOL'OGY, the science of Assyrian antiquities. [Gr. _Assurios_--_Assuria_, Assyria.]

ASTARE, a-st[=a]r', _adv. phrase_, staring.

ASTART, a-start', _v.i._ (_Spens._) to start up suddenly: to happen, fall out.--_adv._ with a start, suddenly. [Pfx. _a-_, and START.]

ASTATIC, a-stat'ik, _adj._ having a tendency not to stand still: losing polarity, as a magnetic needle. [Gr. neg., _astatos_--_a_, neg., _statos_, verb. adj. of _histanai_, to stand.]

ASTAY, a-st[=a]', _adv._ applied to an anchor when, in lifting it, the cable forms such an angle with the surface of the water as to appear in a line with the stays of the ship. [Prep. _a_, on, and STAY.]

ASTER, as't[.e]r, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order Compositae, with showy radiated flowers varying from white to lilac-blue or purple, mostly perennial, flowering in late summer and autumn, hence often called in England Michaelmas or Christmas daisies.--CHINA ASTER, the best-known and most valued of the family, brought from China to France by a missionary in the 18th century. [Gr. _ast[=e]r_, a star.]

ASTERIAS, as-t[=e]r'i-as, _n._ a genus of Echinoderms, containing the common five-rayed starfish. [Gr. _ast[=e]rias_, a fish--_ast[=e]r_, a star.]

ASTERISK, as't[.e]r-isk, _n._ a star, used in printing as a reference to a note at the bottom or on the margin of the page, and sometimes as a mark of the omission of words, thus *.--_n._ AS'TERISM, a group or collection of small stars: a constellation: three asterisks placed to direct attention to a passage: a property of some minerals which show a star-shaped luminous figure when viewed by reflected light--e.g. the asteriated sapphire. [Gr. _asteriskos_, dim. of _aster_, a star.]

ASTERN, a-st[.e]rn', _adv._ in the stern: towards the hinder part of a ship: behind. [Prep. _a_, and STERN.]

ASTEROID, as't[.e]r-oid, _n._ one of the minor planetary bodies revolving between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.--_adj._ ASTEROID'AL. [Gr. _ast[=e]r_, a star, _eidos_, form.]

ASTERT, a-st[.e]rt'. Same as ASTART.

ASTHENIA, as-th[=e]-n[=i]'a, _n._ debility, lack of strength.--_adj._ ASTHEN'IC [Gr. _a_, priv., and _sthenos_, strength.]

ASTHMA, ast'ma, _n._ a chronic disorder of the organs of respiration, characterised by the occurrence of paroxysms in which the breathing becomes difficult, and accompanied by wheezing and a distressing feeling of tightness in the chest.--_adjs._ ASTHMAT'IC, -AL, pertaining to or affected by asthma.--_adv._ ASTHMAT'ICALLY. [Gr. _asthma_, _asthmat-os_--_az-ein_, to breathe hard, _a-ein_, to blow.]

ASTIGMATISM, a-stig'ma-tizm, _n._ a defective condition of the eye, in which rays proceeding to the eye from one point are not correctly brought to a focus at _one_ point.--_adj._ ASTIGMAT'IC. [Gr. _a_, neg., and _stigma_, _stigmat-os_, a point.]

ASTIR, a-stir', _prep. phr._ or _adv._ on the move, out of bed, in motion or excitement. [Prep. _a_, and STIR.]

ASTOMATOUS, as-tom'a-tus, _adj._ having no mouth, used of a division of the protozoa.

ASTONISH, as-ton'ish, _v.t._ to impress with sudden surprise or wonder: to amaze: (_Shak._) to stun--older form ASTON'Y, whence the _p.adj._ ASTON'IED, dazed, bewildered, greatly astonished.--ASTON', ASTUN', ASTONED', ASTUNNED', are obsolete.--_p.adj._ ASTON'ISHED, amazed: (_obs._) stunned.--_adj._ ASTON'ISHING, very wonderful, amazing.--_adv._ ASTON'ISHINGLY.--_n._ ASTON'ISHMENT, amazement: wonder: a cause for astonishment. [From the earlier form, _Astone_; O. Fr. _estoner_; L. _atton[=a]re_, to strike with a thunderbolt.]

ASTOUND, as-townd', _v.t._ to amaze, to strike dumb with astonishment:--_pa.p._ astound'ed; _pr.p._ astound'ing.--_pa.p._ ASTOUND' (_arch._).--_p.adj._ ASTOUND'ING. [ASTOUND (adj.) is developed from ASTONED, hence the verb is a doublet of ASTONISH.]

ASTRADDLE, a-strad'dl, _adv._ sitting astride. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRADDLE.]

[Illustration]

ASTRAGAL, as'tra-gal, _n._ (_archit._) a small semicircular moulding or bead encircling a column: a round moulding near the mouth of a cannon: the bars which hold the panes of a window. [Gr. _astragalos_, one of the vertebrae, a moulding.]

ASTRAGALUS, as-trag'al-us, _n._ a bone of the foot, forming with the leg-bones the hinge of the ankle-joint, by a convex upper surface and smooth sides. [Gr.]

ASTRAKHAN, as'tra-kan, _n._ name given to lamb-skins with a curled wool obtained from _Astrakhan_ on the Caspian Sea: a rough fabric made in imitation of it.

ASTRAL, as'tral, _adj._ belonging to the stars: starry: in the science of Theosophy, descriptive of a supersensible substance supposed to pervade all space and enter into all bodies.--ASTRAL BODY, a living form composed of astral fluid, a ghost or wraith; ASTRAL SPIRITS, pervading spirits supposed to animate the heavenly bodies, forming, as it were, their souls--among the most potent of demoniacal spirits in medieval demonology. [L. _astralis_, _astrum_, a star.]

ASTRAND, a-strand', _adv._ stranded. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRAND.]

ASTRAY, a-str[=a]', _adv._ out of the right way. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRAY.]

ASTRICTION, as-trik'shun, _n._ a binding or contraction: restriction.--_v.t._ ASTRICT', to bind, restrict. [L. _astriction-em_, _astring[)e]re_. See ASTRINGENT.]

ASTRIDE, a-str[=i]d', _adv._ with the legs apart, or across. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRIDE.]

ASTRINGENT, as-trin'jent, _adj._ binding: contracting: strengthening.--_n._ a medicine that causes costiveness.--_v.t._ ASTRINGE', to bind together: to draw tight: hence to render constipated.--_n._ ASTRIN'GENCY.--_adv._ ASTRIN'GENTLY. [L. _astringent-em_, _astring[)e]re_--_ad_, to, _string[)e]re_, to bind.]

ASTROLABE, as'tr[=o]-l[=a]b, _n._ an instrument for measuring the altitudes of the sun or stars, now superseded by Hadley's quadrant and sextant. [Gr.; _astron_, a star, _labb-_, _lambano_, I take.]

ASTROLATRY, as-trol'a-tri, _n._ the worship of the stars. [Gr. _astron_, a star, _latreia_, worship.]

ASTROLOGY, as-trol'o-ji, _n._ the infant stage of the science of the stars, out of which grew _Astronomy_; it was occupied chiefly in determining from the positions and motions of the heavenly bodies their supposed influence on human and terrestrial affairs.--_n._ ASTROL'OGER, one versed in astrology.--_adjs._ ASTROLOG'IC, -AL.--_adv._ ASTROLOG'ICALLY. [Gr. _astrologia_--_astron_, star, _logos_, knowledge.]

ASTRONOMY, as-tron'om-i, _n._ the laws or science of the stars or heavenly bodies.--_n._ ASTRON'OMER, one versed in astronomy.--_adj._ ASTRONOM'IC.--_adv._ ASTRONOM'ICALLY.--_v.t._ ASTRON'OMISE. [Gr. _astronomia_--_astron_, star, _nomos_, a law.]

ASTROPHEL, as'tro-fel, _n._ a name applied by Spenser to some kind of bitter herb.

ASTRUT, a-strut', _adv._ in a strutting manner. [Prep. _a_, on, and STRUT.]

ASTUTE, ast-[=u]t', _adj._ crafty: cunning: shrewd: sagacious.--_adv._ ASTUTE'LY.--_n._ ASTUTE'NESS.--The _adj._ AST[=U]'CIOUS, _adv._ AST[=U]'CIOUSLY, and _n._ AST[=U]'CITY are all _rare_. [L. _astutus_--_astus_, crafty, akin perhaps to ACUTE.]

ASTYLAR, a-st[=i]'lar, _adj._ without columns. [Gr. _a_, neg., _stylos_, a column.]

ASUDDEN, a-sud'en, _adv._ suddenly. [Prep. _a_, and SUDDEN.]

ASUNDER, a-sun'd[.e]r, _adv._ apart: into parts: separately. [Prep. _a_, and SUNDER.]

ASWARM, a-sw[:a]rm', _adv._ swarming. [Prep. _a_, and SWARM.]

ASWAY, a-sw[=a]', _adv._ swaying.

ASWIM, a-swim', _adv._ afloat.

ASWING, a-swing', _adv._ swinging.

ASWOON, a-sw[=oo]n', _adv._ in a swoon.

ASYLUM, a-s[=i]l'um, _n._ a place of refuge for debtors and for such as were accused of some crime: an institution for the care or relief of the unfortunate, such as the blind or insane: any place of refuge or protection. [L.--Gr. _asylon_--_a_, neg., _syl[=e]_, right of seizure.]

ASYMMETRY, a-sim'e-tri, _n._ want of symmetry or proportion between parts.--_adjs._ ASYMMET'RIC, -AL.--_adv._ ASYMMET'RICALLY. [Gr. See SYMMETRY.]

ASYMPTOTE, a'sim-t[=o]t, _n._ (_math._) a line that continually approaches nearer to some curve without ever meeting it.--_adjs._ ASYMPTOT'IC, -AL.--_adv._ ASYMPTOT'ICALLY. [Gr. _asympt[=o]tos_, not coinciding--_a_, not, _syn_, with, _pt[=o]tos_, apt to fall, _pipt-ein_, to fall.]

ASYNARTETE, a-sin'ar-t[=e]t, _adj._ and _n._ not connected, consisting of two members having different rhythms; a verse of such a kind.--Also ASYN'ARTETIC. [Gr.; _a_, neg., _syn_, together, _arta-ein_, to knit.]

ASYNCHRONISM, a-sin'kro-nizm, _n._ want of synchronism or correspondence in time.--_adj._ ASYN'CHRONOUS.

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.]

ASYNTACTIC, as-in-tak'tik, _adj._ loosely put together, irregular, ungrammatical. [Gr.; _a_, neg., _syntaktos_, _syntass-ein_, to put in order together.]

ASYSTOLE, a-sis'to-l[=e], _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., _systol[=e]_, contraction.]

AT, at, _prep._ denoting presence, nearness, or relation. Often used elliptically, as in 'At him, good dog.' [A.S. _aet_; cog. with Goth, and Ice. _at_, L. _ad_; Sans. _adhi_, on.]

ATABAL, at'a-bal, _n._ a Moorish kettledrum. [Sp.--Ar. _at-tabl_, the drum.]

ATAGHAN. Same as YATAGHAN.

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.]

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_, _tassein_, to arrange.]

ATE, et, or [=a]t, _pa.t._ of EAT.

ATE, [=a]'t[=e], _n._ (_myth._) the goddess of mischief and of all rash

## actions and their results. [Gr.]

ATELIER, at-el-y[=a]', _n._ a workshop, esp. an artist's studio. [Fr.]

ATHANASIA, ath-a-n[=a]'si-a, _n._ deathlessness.--Also ATHAN'ASY. [Gr.; _athanatos_, _a_, neg., _thanatos_, death.]

ATHANASIAN, ath-a-n[=a]z'yan, _adj._ relating to _Athanasius_ (296-373), or to the creed erroneously attributed to him.

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 _n[=u]r_, fire.]

ATHEISM, [=a]'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._ A'THEOUS (_Milton_), atheistic. [Fr. _ath['e]isme_--Gr. _a_, neg., and _theos_, God.]

ATHELING, ath'el-ing, _n._ a member of a noble family, latterly a prince of the blood royal, or the heir-apparent. [A.S. _aetheling_; Ger. _adel_.]

ATHENAEUM, ATHENEUM, ath-e-n[=e]'um, _n._ a temple of Ath[=e]na or Minerva at Athens, in which scholars and poets read their works: a public institution for lectures, reading, &c. [Gr. _Ath[=e]naion_--_Ath[=e]na_ or _Ath[=e]n[=e]_, the goddess Minerva.]

ATHENIAN, a-th[=e]'ni-an, _adj._ relating to Athens, the capital of Greece.--_n._ a native of Athens.

ATHEOLOGY, a-th[=e]-ol'oj-i, _n._ opposition to theology.--_adj._ ATHEOLOG'ICAL. [Gr. _atheos_, without God, _logia_, discourse.]

ATHERINE, ath'er-[=i]n, _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.]

ATHERMANCY, ath-er'man-si, _n._ the property of stopping radiant heat.--_adj._ ATHER'MANOUS. [Gr. _a_, neg., _thermain-ein_, to heat.]

ATHEROMA, ath'er-[=o]-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.; _athar[=e]_, porridge.]

ATHIRST, a-th[.e]rst', _adj._ thirsty: eager for. [A.S. _of thyrst_. See THIRST.]

ATHLETE, ath'l[=e]t, _n._ a contender for victory in feats of strength: one vigorous in body or mind. The form ATHL[=E]'TA survived till the later half of the 18th century.--_adj._ ATHLET'IC, relating to athletics: strong, vigorous.--_adv._ ATHLET'ICALLY.--_n._ ATHLETICISM (ath-let'i-sizm), the act of engaging in athletic exercises: devotion to athletics.--_n.pl._ ATHLET'ICS, the art of wrestling, running, &c.: athletic sports. [Gr. _athl[=e]t[=e]s_--_athlos_, contest.]

ATHRILL, a-thril', _adv._ thrilling.

ATHROB, a-throb', _adv._ throbbing.

ATHWART, a-thwawrt', _prep._ across.--_adv._ sidewise: wrongly: perplexingly. [Prep. _a_, on, and THWART.]

ATILT, a-tilt', _adv._ on tilt: as a tilter.

ATIMY, at'i-mi, _n._ loss of honour: in ancient Athens, loss of civil rights, public disgrace. [Gr. _atimia_--_a_, neg., _tim[=e]_, honour.]

ATKINS. See TOMMY ATKINS.

ATLANTEAN, at-lan-t[=e]'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 ATLAS.]

ATLANTES, at-lan't[=e]z, _n.pl._ figures of men used instead of columns. [From ATLAS.]

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.]

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, and whose figure used to be given on the title-page of atlases.]

ATLAS, at'las, _n._ a kind of silk-satin manufactured in the East. [Ar.]

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.]

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.]

ATMOMETER, at-mom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation from a moist surface. [Gr. _atmos_, vapour, and METER.]

ATMOSPHERE, at'mo-sf[=e]r, _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'IC, -AL, of or depending on the atmosphere.--_adv._ ATMOSPHER'ICALLY.--ATMOSPHERIC ENGINE, a variety of steam-engine in which the steam is admitted only to the under side of the piston; ATMOSPHERIC HAMMER, a hammer driven by means of compressed air; ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY, a railway where the motive-power is derived from the pressure of the atmosphere acting on a piston working in an iron tube of uniform bore. [Gr. _atmos_, air, _sphaira_, a sphere.]

ATOLL, a-tol', or at'ol, _n._ a coral island consisting of a circular belt of coral enclosing a central lagoon. [A Malay word.]