Part 3

ACCOMPANY, ak-kum'pan-i, _v.t._ to keep company with: to attend: to support a singer by singing or playing on any instrument an additional part (_with_, of music; _on_, of the instrument).--_ns._ ACCOM'PANIER; ACCOM'PANIMENT, that which accompanies: (_mus._) the assisting of a solo part by other parts, which may consist of a whole orchestra, or a single instrument, or even subservient vocal parts; ACCOM'PANIST, one who accompanies a singer on an instrument to sustain his voice. [Fr. _accompagner_. See COMPANY.]

ACCOMPLICE, ak-kom'plis, _n._ an associate, esp. in crime, in modern use (with _of_ and _with_ before a person, and _in_ or _of_ before the crime). [L. _ad_, to, _complex_, _-icis_, joined.]

ACCOMPLISH, ak-kom'plish, _v.t._ to complete: to bring about: to effect: to fulfil: to equip.--_adjs._ ACCOM'PLISHABLE, that may be accomplished; ACCOM'PLISHED, complete in acquirements, especially graceful acquirements: polished.--_n._ ACCOM'PLISHMENT, completion: ornamental acquirement. [Fr. _acomplir_--L. _ad_, to, _compl[=e]re_, to fill up. See COMPLETE.]

ACCOMPT, ak-komt', _n._ an almost obsolete form of ACCOUNT; ACCOMPT'ABLE, of ACCOUNTABLE; ACCOMPT'ANT, of ACCOUNTANT.

ACCORAGE. Same as ACCOURAGE.

ACCORD, ak-kord', _v.i._ to agree: to be in correspondence (_with_).--_v.t._ to cause to agree: to reconcile: to grant (_to_, of a person).--_n._ agreement: harmony.--_n._ ACCORD'ANCE, agreement: conformity--also ACCORD'ANCY.--_adj._ ACCORD'ANT, agreeing: corresponding.--_adv._ ACCORD'ANTLY.--_p.adj._ ACCORD'ING, in accordance: agreeing: harmonious.--_adv._ ACCORD'INGLY, agreeably: suitably: in agreement (with what precedes).--ACCORDING AS, in proportion as, or agreeably as; ACCORDING TO, in accordance with, or agreeably to.--OF ONE'S OWN ACCORD, of one's own spontaneous motion. [O. Fr. _acorder_--L. _ad_, to, _cor_, _cordis_, the heart.]

ACCORDION, ak-kor'di-on, _n._ a portable musical instrument consisting of a hand-bellows, with keyboard on one side, the keys resting on free metal reeds so arranged that each sounds two notes, one in expanding, the other in contracting the bellows. [From ACCORD.]

ACCOST, ak-kost', _v.t._ to speak first to: to address.--_ns._ ACCOST', ACCOST'ING (_obs._), address: greeting.--_adj._ ACCOST'ABLE, easy of access. [O. Fr. _acoster_--Low L. _accost[=a]re_, to be side by side--L. _ad_, to, _costa_, a side.]

ACCOUCHEMENT, ak-k[=oo]sh'mong, _n._ delivery in childbed. [Fr. _accoucher_. See COUCH.]

ACCOUCHEUR, ak-k[=oo]-sh[.e]r', _n._ a man who assists women in child-birth: a medical practitioner with this speciality:--_fem._ ACCOUCHEUSE (ak-k[=oo]-sh[.e]z'). [Fr.]

ACCOUNT, ak-kownt', _v.t._ to reckon: to judge, value.--_v.i._ (with _for_) to give a reason: to give an account of money held in trust.--_n._ a counting: statement: value: sake: a reckoning as to money, as in phrases like, 'to render an account,' 'to settle an account,' 'to square accounts' with any one, &c.--_adj._ ACCOUNT'ABLE, liable to account, responsible (_for_, of the thing; _to_, of the person).--_ns._ ACCOUNT'ABLENESS, ACCOUNTABIL'ITY, liability to give account, responsibility to fulfil obligations.--_adv._ ACCOUNT'ABLY.--_ns._ ACCOUNT'ANCY, the office or work of an accountant; ACCOUNT'ANT, one who keeps, or is skilled in, accounts; ACCOUNT'ANTSHIP, the employment of an accountant; ACCOUNT'-BOOK, a book in which accounts are kept.--ACCOUNT CURRENT, or open account, a course of business dealings still going on between two persons, or a person and a bank.--FOR ACCOUNT OF, on behalf of; FOR THE ACCOUNT, for settlement on the regular fortnightly or monthly settling-day, instead of for cash (of sales on the Stock Exchange).--IN ACCOUNT WITH, in business relations requiring the keeping of an account with some one.--ON or TO ACCOUNT, an instalment or interim payment.--TO MAKE ACCOUNT OF, to set value upon; TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, to take into consideration; TO TAKE NO ACCOUNT OF, to overlook. [O. Fr. _acconter_--L. _ad_, to, _comput[=a]re_, to reckon. See COMPUTE, COUNT.]

ACCOUPLE, ak-kup'l, _v.t._ (_obs._) to couple or link together. [O. Fr. _acopler_--_[`a]_, to, _cople_. See COUPLE.]

ACCOURAGE, ak-kur'[=a]j, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to encourage. [O. Fr. _acorager_--_[`a]_ (L. _ad_), and _corage_ (Fr. _courage_). See COURAGE.]

ACCOURT, ak-k[=o]rt', _v.t._ (_Spens._). Same as COURT.

ACCOUTRE, ak-k[=oo]'t[.e]r, _v.t._ to dress or equip (esp. a warrior):--_pr.p._ accou'tring; _pa.p._ accou'tred.--_n.pl._ ACCOU'TREMENTS, dress: military equipments--(_Spens._) ACCOU'STREMENTS. [Fr. _accoutrer_, earlier _accoustrer_--of doubtful origin, prob. conn. with O. Fr. _coustre_, _coutre_, a sacristan who had charge of sacred vestments--Low L. _custor_--L. _custos_, a keeper.]

ACCOY, ak-koi', _v.t._ (_obs._) to still or quieten: to soothe: to subdue. [O. Fr. _acoyer_--_[`a]_, to, and _coi_, quiet--L. _quiet-um_. See COY.]

ACCREDIT, ak-kred'it, _v.t._ to give credit, countenance, authority, or honour to: to furnish with credentials (with _to_, _at_): to vouch for anything belonging to some one--to ascribe or attribute it to him (_with_).--_v.t._ ACCRED'ITATE (_obs._).--_n._ ACCREDIT[=A]'TION, fact of being accredited.--The _pa.p._ ACCRED'ITED, as _adj._, recognised. [Fr. _accr['e]diter_--_[`a]_, to, _cr['e]dit_, credit. See CREDIT.]

ACCRESCENT, ak-kres'ent, _adj._ growing: ever-increasing.--_ns._ ACCRES'CENCE, gradual growth or increase; ACCR[=E]'TION, the process of growing continuously: the growing together of parts externally, or continuous coherence: that which has grown in such a way, any extraneous addition.--_adj._ ACCR[=E]'TIVE. [L. _ad_, in addition, _cresc[)e]re_, to grow.]

ACCREW, ak-kr[=oo]' (_Spens._). Same as ACCRUE.

ACCRUE, ak-kr[=oo]', _v.i._ to spring or grow as a natural result (with _from_): to fall to any one by way of advantage (with _unto_, _to_). [O. Fr. _acrewe_, what grows up in a wood to the profit of the owner; _acreistre_--L. _accresc[)e]re_.]

ACCUBATION, ak-ku-b[=a]'shun, _n._ a lying or reclining on a couch. [L. _ad_, to, and _cubare_, to lie down.]

ACCUMBENT, ak-kumb'ent, _adj._ lying down or reclining on a couch. [L. _ad_, to, _cumb[)e]re_, to lie.]

ACCUMULATE, ak-k[=u]m'[=u]l-[=a]t, _v.t._ to heap or pile up: to amass: to take degrees by accumulation, to take a higher degree at the same time with a lower, or at a shorter interval than usual.--_v.i._ to increase greatly: to go on increasing.--_n._ ACCUMUL[=A]'TION, a heaping up: a heap, mass, or pile.--_adj._ ACCUM'ULATIVE, heaping up.--_n._ ACCUM'ULATOR, a thing or person that accumulates, esp. an apparatus for storing electricity. [L.--_ad_, to, _cumulus_, a heap.]

ACCURATE, ak'k[=u]r-[=a]t, _adj._ done with care: exact.--_n._ AC'CURACY, correctness: exactness.--_adv._ AC'CURATELY.--_n._ AC'CURATENESS. [L. _accuratus_, performed with care (of things)--_ad_, to, _cura_, care.]

ACCURSE, ak-kurs', _v.t._ to curse: to devote to misery or destruction.--_adj._ ACCURS'ED, subjected to a curse: doomed: worthy of a curse: extremely wicked. [Pfx. _[`a]-_, and A.S. _cursian_, to curse.]

ACCUSATIVE, ak-k[=u]z'a-tiv, _adj._ accusing.--_n._ (_gram._) the case which expresses the direct object of transitive verbs (in English, the objective)--primarily expressing destination or the goal of motion.--_adj._ ACCUS'ATIVAL. [Fr. _accusatif_--L. _accusativus_, 'of the nature of accusation,' a translation of the Gr. _(pt[=o]sis) aitiatik[=e]_, (the case) 'of accusing,' but also 'of or pertaining to what is caused or effected' (_aitiaton_, effect, _aitia_, cause); hence, properly, the case of the effect.]

ACCUSE, ak-k[=u]z', _v.t._ to bring a charge against: to blame (with _of_ before the thing charged, sometimes _for_).--_adj._ ACCUS'ABLE, that may be accused.--_ns._ ACCUS'AL, accusation; ACCUS[=A]'TION, the act of accusing: the charge brought against any one.--_adjs._ ACCUSAT[=O]'RIAL, of an accuser; ACCUS'ATORY, containing accusation.--_n._ ACCUSE (_Shak._), accusation.--_p.adj._ ACCUSED', charged with a crime: usually as a _n._, the person accused.--_ns._ ACCUSE'MENT (_Spens._), a charge; ACCUS'ER, one who accuses or brings a charge against another. [O. Fr. _acuser_--L. _accus[=a]re_--_ad_, to, _causa_, cause.]

ACCUSTOM, ak-kus'tum, _v.t._ to make familiar by custom: to habituate (with _to_).--_adj._ ACCUS'TOMARY.--_p.adj._ ACCUS'TOMED, usual: frequent: habituated.--_n._ ACCUS'TOMEDNESS. [O. Fr. _acostumer_ (Fr. _accoutumer_)--_[`a]_, to, _costume_, _coustume_--L. _consuetudinem_. See CUSTOM.]

ACE, [=a]s, _n._ the one at dice, also at cards, dominoes, &c.: a single point, an atom. [Fr.--L. _as_, unity--_as_, Tarentine Doric form of Gr. _heis_, one.]

ACELDAMA, a-sel'da-ma, _n._ a field of blood--the name given to the field outside Jerusalem bought with the blood-money of Jesus. [Gr.--Aramaic.]

ACEPHALAN, a-sef'a-lan, _n._ (_zool._) one of the Acephala, a class of molluscs, which present no traces of a head.--_adj._ ACEPH'ALOUS, without a head. [Gr. _a_, neg., _kephal[=e]_, the head.]

ACERBITY, as-[.e]r'bi-ti, _n._ bitterness: sourness: harshness: severity.--_adj._ ACERB'. [Fr.,--L. _acerbitat-em_--L. _acerbus_, harsh to the taste--_acer_, sharp.]

ACERIC, a-ser'ik, _adj._ obtained from the maple. [From L. _acer_, a maple-tree.]

ACETABULUM, as-[=e]-tab'[=u]-lum, _n._ (_anat._) the cavity which receives the head of the thigh-bone: also a glandular substance found in the placenta of some animals:--_pl._ ACETAB'ULA. [L., a cup-shaped vessel.]

ACETIC, as-et'ik, _adj._ of the nature of vinegar: sour--also AC[=E]'TOUS, ACETOSE'.--_n._ ACES'CENCE, a tendency to sourness.--_adj._ ACES'CENT.--_n._ AC'ETATE, salt of acetic acid which is the sour principle in vinegar. [L. _acetum_, vinegar--_ac-[=e]re_, to be sour.]

ACETIFY, as-et'i-f[=i], _v.t._ or _v.i._ to turn into vinegar.--_n._ ACETIFIC[=A]'TION. [L. _acetum_, vinegar, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

ACETOPATHY, as-et-op'a-thi, _n._ the treating of ailments by the external application of dilute acetic acid. [L. _ac[=e]tum_, acid, and Gr. _pathos_, feeling.]

ACETYLENE, a-set'i-l[=e]n, _n._ a powerful illuminant gas (C_2H_2) produced commercially from carbide of calcium by means of water.

ACHAEAN. See ACHEAN.

ACHARNEMENT, [:a]-sh[:a]rn'ment (sometimes nasalised as in French), _n._ thirst for blood, ferocity. [Fr. _acharner_, refl. _sacharner_, to thirst for blood.]

ACHATES, a-k[=a]ts', _n.pl._ (_Spens._). Same as CATES.

ACHATES, [:a]-k[=a]'tes, _n._ trusty comrade, from the 'fidus Achates' of Virgil's _Aeneid_--the constant companion of Aeneas in his wanderings after the fall of Troy.

ACHE, [=a]k, _n._ a continued pain.--_v.i._ to be in continued pain:--_pr.p._ [=a]ch'ing; _pa.p._ [=a]ched.--_n._ ACH'ING, continued pain or distress. [The verb is properly _ake_, the noun _ache_, as in _speak_ and _speech_. The A.S. noun _aece_ is from the verb _ac-an_, to ache.]

ACHENIUM, a-k[=e]'ni-um, _n._ (_bot._) a small hard one-seeded fruit, which does not open when ripe, as in the buttercup.--Also ACHENE'. [From Gr. _a_, neg., and _chainein_, to gape.]

ACHERON, ak'k[.e]r-on, _n._ death, hell--from the name of that river in the infernal regions of classical mythology.--_adj._ ACHERON'TIC, deadly.

ACHIEVE, a-ch[=e]v', _v.t._ to bring to a head or end: to perform: to accomplish: to carry out successfully: to gain, win.--_adj._ ACHIEV'ABLE, that may be achieved.--_n._ ACHIEVE'MENT, a performance: an exploit: an escutcheon or armorial shield granted in memory of some achievement, applied especially to the escutcheon over the tomb of a dead person, generally called a _hatchment_. [Fr. _achever_, from _[`a] chief (venir)_--Low L. _ad caput venire_, to come to a head. See CHIEF.]

ACHILLEAN, ak-il-l[=e]'an, _adj._ like Achilles, the great Greek hero in the Trojan war, brave, swift of foot, unrelenting in wrath.--ACHILLES TENDON, the attachment of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the calf of the leg to the heel-bone, so named from the infant Achilles's mother, Thetis, having held him by the heel when she dipped him into the Styx to make him invulnerable.

ACHITOPHEL, [:a]-hit'[=o]-fel, _n._ an able but unprincipled counsellor, from the name of David's sage counsellor who treacherously abetted the rebellion of Absalom. Dryden in his famous satire applied the name to Shaftesbury.--Also AHITH'OPHEL.

ACHROMATIC, a-kr[=o]m-at'ik, _adj._ transmitting light without colour, of a lens or telescope.--_adv._ ACHROMAT'ICALLY.--_n._ ACHROM'ATISM, the state of being achromatic.--_v.t._ ACHROM'ATIZE, to render achromatic. [Gr. _a_, neg., and _chr[=o]ma_, _chromatos_, colour.]

ACICULAR, as-ik'[=u]-lar, _adj._ needle-shaped; slender and sharp-pointed.--Also ACIC'ULATE, ACIC'ULATED. [L. _acicula_, dim. of _acus_, a needle.]

ACID, as'id, _adj._ sharp: sour.--_n._ a sour substance: (_chem._) one of a class of substances, usually sour, which turn vegetable blues to red, and combine with alkalies, metallic oxides, &c. to form salts.--_adj._ ACID'IFIABLE, capable of being converted into an acid.--_ns._ ACIDIFIC[=A]'TION; ACID'ITY, the quality of being acid or sour--also AC'IDNESS.--_v.t._ ACID'ULATE, to make slightly acid. [L. _ac-[=e]re_, to be sour--root _ak_, sharp.]

ACIDIFY, as-id'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make acid: to convert into an acid:--_pr.p._ acid'ifying; _pa.p._ acid'ified. [L. _acidus_, sour, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

ACIDIMETER, as-id-im'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring the strength of acids.--_n._ ACIDIM'ETRY, the act of such measurement. [ACID and METER.]

ACIDULOUS, as-id'[=u]-lus, _adj._ slightly sour: subacid: containing carbonic acid, as mineral waters: (_fig._) caustic, sharp. [L. _acidulus_, dim. of _acidus_, sour. See ACID.]

ACIERAGE, [=a]'s[=e]-[.e]r-[=a]j, _n._ the covering of an engraved copper-plate with a film of iron to ensure durability. [Fr. _acier_, steel--L. _acies_, a sharp point, and _-age_.]

ACIFORM, as'i-form, _adj._ needle-shaped. [L. _acus_, a needle, and FORM, from _forma_, shape.]

ACINIFORM, a-sin'i-form, _adj._ in clusters like grapes, or having the form of grapes. [L. _acinus_, a grape.]

ACKNOW, ak-n[=o]', _v.t._ (_obs._) to know, to recognise.--_adj._ ACKNOWN (_Shak._), known or acquainted. [A.S. _on_, in, on, _cn[^a]wan_, to KNOW.]

ACKNOWLEDGE, ak-nol'ej, _v.t._ to own a knowledge of: to own as true: to confess: to admit or give intimation of the receipt of.--_adj._ ACKNOW'LEDGEABLE.--_adv._ ACKNOW'LEDGEABLY.--_n._ ACKNOWLEDGMENT, recognition: admission: confession: thanks: a receipt. [From the _v._ ACKNOW, with suffix _-ledge_.]

ACLINIC, ak-lin'ik, _adj._ without inclination, applied to the magnetic equator, which cuts the terrestrial equator, inasmuch as on that line the magnetic needle has no dip, but lies horizontal. [Gr. _aklin[=e]s_--_a_, neg., _klin-ein_, to bend.]

ACME, ak'm[=e], _n._ the top or highest point: the culmination or perfection in the career of anything: crisis, as of a disease.--ACME SKATES, the name given to a kind of skates, formed of steel, fixed to the boot by a mechanical device, permitting them to be quickly fixed on or taken off. [Gr. _akm[=e]_--_ak[=e]_, a point.]

ACNE, ak'n[=e], _n._ a common skin disease, an inflammation of the sebaceous follicles of the skin, often occurring on the nose. [A corr. of Gr. _akm[=e]_, a point.]

ACOCK, a-kok', _adv._ in a cocked manner: defiantly.--A COCK-BILL (_naut._), having the ends pointing upward, as of an anchor hanging by its ring at the cat-head, in a position for dropping; or of the yards when topped up by one lift to an angle with the deck--the symbol of mourning. [Prep. _a_, and COCK.]

ACOEMETI, a-sem'[=e]-t[=i], _n.pl._ a congregation of monks founded in 460 near Constantinople, who by alternating choirs kept divine service going on day and night without intermission in their monastery. [Gr. _akoimetoi_, sleepless, _a_, neg., and _koimaein_, to put to sleep.]

ACOLD, a-k[=o]ld', _adj._ (_arch._) cold. [A.S. _ac['o]led_, pa.p. of _ac['o]lian_; pfx. _a-_, intens., and _c['o]lian_, to COOL.]

ACOLYTE, ak'o-l[=i]t, ACOLYTH, ak'o-lith, _n._ an inferior church officer: an attendant or assistant: (_R. C. Church_) one ordained to the fourth of the minor orders, next to the sub-deacon. [Gr. _akolouthos_, an attendant.]

ACONITE, ak'o-n[=i]t, _n._ the plant wolf's-bane or monk's-hood: poison.--_adj._ ACONIT'IC.--_n._ ACON'ITINE, the essential principle of aconite. [L. _aconitum_--Gr. _akoniton_.]

ACOP, a-kop', _adv._ (_obs._) on the top or head: on high. [Prep. _a_, and A.S. _cop_, _copp_, summit.]

ACORN, [=a]'korn, _n._ the seed or fruit of the oak.--_adj._ A'CORNED.--_n._ A'CORN-SHELL, a name for the Bal[)a]nus (L., acorn), a genus of Cirripedes in the class Crustacea. [A.S. _aecern_, prob. from _aecer_, field, hence meaning 'the fruit of the unenclosed land.' The modern form is due to confusion with _oak_ (A.S. _['a]c_) and _corn_.]

ACOSMISM, a-koz'mizm, _n._ refusal to believe in the existence of an eternal world. [Gr., _a_, neg., and _kosmos_, the world.]

ACOTYLEDON, a-kot-i-l[=e]'dun, _n._ a plant without distinct cotyledons or seed-lobes.--_adj._ ACOTYL[=E]'DONOUS. [Gr. _a_, neg., and _kotyl[=e]d[=o]n_. See COTYLEDON.]

ACOUSTIC, a-kowst'ik, _adj._ pertaining to the sense of hearing or to the theory of sounds: used in hearing, auditory.--_n._ ACOUST'ICS, the science of sound. [Fr.--Gr. _akoustikos_--_akouein_, to hear.]

ACOY. Same as ACCOY.

ACQUAINT, ak-kw[=a]nt', _v.t._ to make or let one to know: to inform a person of a thing (_with_): to inform (with personal object only).--_ns._ ACQUAINT'ANCE, familiar knowledge: a person whom we know; ACQUAINT'ANCESHIP, familiar knowledge.--_p.adj._ ACQUAINT'ED (_with_), personally known: having personal knowledge of. [O. Fr. _acointer_--Low L. _accognit[=a]re_--L. _ad_, to, _cognitus_, known.]

ACQUEST, ak-kwest', _n._ an acquisition or thing acquired. [O. Fr.--L. _acquisitus_, _acquir[)e]re_. See ACQUIRE.]

ACQUIESCE, ak-kwi-es', _v.i._ to rest satisfied or without making opposition: to assent (with _in_).--_n._ ACQUIES'CENCE, quiet assent or submission.--_adj._ ACQUIES'CENT, resting satisfied: easy: submissive.--_advs._ ACQUIES'CENTLY, ACQUIES'CINGLY. [L. _acquiesc[)e]re_--_ad_, and _quies_, rest.]

ACQUIRE, ak-kw[=i]r', _v.t._ to gain: to attain to.--_n._ ACQUIRABIL'ITY.--_adj._ ACQUIR'ABLE, that may be acquired.--_ns._ ACQUIRE'MENT, something learned or got by effort, rather than a gift of nature; ACQUISI'TION, the act of acquiring: that which is acquired.--_adj._ ACQUIS'ITIVE, desirous to acquire.--_n._ ACQUIS'ITIVENESS, propensity to acquire--one of the phrenologists' so-called faculties, with its special organ. [O. Fr. _aquerre_--L. _acquir[)e]re_, _-quisitum_--_ad_, to, and _quaer[)e]re_, to seek.]

ACQUIST, ak-kwist', _n._ (_Milton_) a form of ACQUEST.

ACQUIT, ak-kwit', _v.t._ to free: to release: to settle, as a debt: to behave or conduct (one's self): to declare innocent (with _of_ before the thing of which acquitted):--_pr.p._ acquit'ting; _pa.p._ acquit'ted.--_ns._ ACQUIT'TAL, a judicial discharge from an accusation; ACQUIT'TANCE, a discharge from an obligation or debt: a receipt in evidence of such a discharge.--_v.t._ (_Shak._), to acquit, clear. [O. Fr. _acquiter_--L. _ad_, to, _quiet[=a]re_, to give rest. See QUIT.]

ACRE, [=a]'k[.e]r, _n._ a measure of land containing 4840 sq. yards. The Scotch acre contains 6150.4 sq. yards (48 Scotch--61 imperial acres): the Irish, 7840 sq. yards (50 Irish--81 imperial acres): (_pl._) for lands, estates generally: (_fig._) large quantities of anything.--_n._ A'CREAGE, the number of acres in a piece of land.--_adj._ A'CRED, possessing acres or land. [A.S. _aecer_; Ger. _acker_, L. _ager_, Gr. _agros_, Sans. _ajras_, a plain.]

ACRID, ak'rid, _adj._ biting to the taste: pungent: bitter.--_ns._ ACRID'ITY, AC'RIDNESS, quality of being acrid: a sharp, bitter taste. [L. _acer_, _acris_, sharp--root _ak_, sharp.]

ACRIMONY, ak'ri-mun-i, _n._ bitterness of feeling or language.--_adj._ ACRIM[=O]'NIOUS, sharp, bitter.--_n._ ACRIM[=O]'NIOUSNESS, the state or quality of being acrimonious: severity. [L. _acrimonia_--_acer_, sharp.]

ACRITOCHROMACY, a-krit-o-kr[=o]'ma-si, _n._ inability to distinguish between colours: colour-blindness. [From Gr. _akritos_, undistinguishable (--_a_, neg., and _krinein_, to separate), and _chr[=o]ma_, _-atos_, colour.]

ACRITUDE, ak'ri-t[=u]d, _n._ the quality of being acrid: a sharp bitter taste: bitterness of temper or language. [L. _acritudo_--_acer_, sharp.]

ACROAMATIC, -AL, ak-ro-a-mat'ik, -al, _adj._ oral, esoteric, secret--applied to the lectures of Aristotle delivered to a select circle of students as opposed to his more popular lectures. [Gr. _akroamatikos_--_akroasthai_, to hear.]

ACROBAT, ak'ro-bat, _n._ a rope-dancer: a tumbler: a vaulter.--_adj._ ACROBAT'IC.--_n._ ACROBAT'ISM, the art of the acrobat. [Gr. _akrobatos_, walking on tiptoe; _akros_, point, _batos_--_bainein_, to go.]

ACROGEN, ak'ro-jen, _n._ a plant that grows at the top chiefly, as a tree-fern.--_adj._ ACROG'ENOUS. [Gr. _akros_, top, _gen[=e]s_, born.]

ACROLITH, ak'ro-lith, _n._ a statue of the earlier Greek artists having the trunk made of wood and the extremities of stone. [Gr. _akrolithos_--_akros_, extreme, and _lithos_, stone.]

ACRONYCAL, a-kron'ik-al, _adj._ midnight, applied to stars that rise at sunset and set at sunrise, or opposite to the sun.--_adv._ ACRON'YCALLY. [Gr. _akros_, summit, middle (of time), and _nyx_, _nyktos_, night.]

ACROPOLIS, a-kro'pol-is, _n._ a citadel, esp. that of Athens. [Gr. _akropolis_--_akros_, the highest, _polis_, a city.]

ACROSPIRE, ak'ro-sp[=i]r, _n._ (_bot._) the first leaf that appears when corn sprouts. [Gr. _akros_, summit, end, _speira_, anything twisted round.]

ACROSS, a-kros', _prep._ or _adv._ crosswise: from side to side. [Prep. _a_, and CROSS.]

ACROSTIC, a-kr[=o]'stik, _n._ a poem of which, if the first or the last letter of each line be taken in succession, they will spell a name or a sentence.--_adj._ ACR[=O]'STICAL.--_adv._ ACR[=O]'STICALLY.--_n._ ACR[=O]'STICISM, method of acrostics. [Gr. _akros_, extreme, and _stichos_, a line.]

ACT, akt, _v.i._ to exert force or influence: to produce an effect: to behave one's self: to feign.--_v.t._ to perform: to imitate or play the part of.--_n._ something done or doing: an exploit: the very process of doing something: a law or decision of a prince or legislative body: an instrument in writing for verification: (_theol._) something done once for all, in opposition to a work: a distinct section of a play: in universities, a public disputation or lecture maintained by a candidate for a degree.--_n._ ACT'ING, action: act of performing an assumed or a dramatic part: feigning.--_adj._ performing some duty temporarily, or for another.--_n._ ACT'OR, one who acts: a stage-player:--_fem._ ACT'RESS.--ACT OF GOD, a result of natural forces, unexpected and not preventable by human foresight.--IN ACT TO, on the very point of doing something.--TO ACT ON, to

## act in accordance with; TO ACT UP TO, to come up in practice to some

expected standard: to fulfil. [L. _ag[)e]re_, _actum_; Gr. _agein_, to put in motion; Sans. _aj_, to drive.]

ACTA, ak'ta, _n.pl._ proceedings in a court civil or ecclesiastical, or the minutes of such.--ACTA MARTYRUM, the early accounts of the martyrs; ACTA SANCTORUM, a general name for collections of accounts of saints and martyrs, especially of the great collection of the Bollandists, begun in 1643, interrupted in 1794 at the fifty-third vol. (Oct. 6), but resumed in 1845.

## ACTINIA, ak-tin'i-a, _n._ a genus of marine animals of the class Polypi,

growing on rocks or shells, with numerous tentacles or rays like the petals of a flower, from which they are often called animal flowers or sea-anemones. [From Gr. _aktis_, _aktinos_, a ray.]

## ACTINIFORM, ak-tin'i-form, _adj._ having a radiated form. [Gr. _aktis_,

_aktinos_, ray, and FORM.]

## ACTINISM, ak'tin-izm, _n._ the chemical force of the sun's rays, as

distinct from light and heat.--_adj._ AC'TINIC. [Gr. _aktis_, _aktinos_, a ray.]

## ACTINOLITE, ak-tin'[=o]-l[=i]t, _n._ a green variety of hornblende. [Gr.

_aktis_, _akt[=i]nos_, a ray, _lithos_, a stone.]

## ACTINOMETER, ak-tin-om'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring the

heat-intensity of the sun's rays or the actinic effect of light-rays. [Gr. _aktis_, _aktinos_, ray, and METER.]

## ACTINOMYCES, ak-ti-no-m[=i]'sez, _n._ the tiny ray-fungus.--_n._

## ACTINOMYC[=O]'SIS, an inflammatory disease in cattle, swine, and sometimes

man, caused by that fungus. [Gr. _aktis_, _aktinos_, ray, and _myces_, mushroom.]

## ACTINOZOA, ak'tin-[=o]-z[=o]'a, _n.pl._ one of the three classes of

Coelenterata, including sea-anemones, dead-men's fingers, corals, &c. [Gr. _aktis_, _-inos_, a ray; _z[=o]a_, animals.]

## ACTION, ak'shun, _n._ a state of acting: activity in the abstract: a deed:

operation: gesture: a battle: a lawsuit, or proceedings in a court: the movement of events in a drama, novel, &c.--_adj._ AC'TIONABLE, liable to a lawsuit.--_n._ AC'TION-TAK'ING (_Shak._), resenting an injury by a lawsuit instead of fighting it out like a man of honour.

## ACTIVATE, ak'ti-v[=a]t, _v.t._ (_Bacon_) to make active:--_pr.p._

ac'tiv[=a]ting; _pa.p._ ac'tiv[=a]ted.

## ACTIVE, akt'iv, _adj._ that acts: busy: nimble: practical, as opposed to

speculative: effective: (_gram._) transitive.--_adv._ ACT'IVELY.--_ns._

## ACTIV'ITY, ACT'IVENESS.

ACTON, ak'tun, _n._ a stuffed leather jacket which used to be worn under a coat of mail. [O. Fr. _auqueton_, through Sp. from Ar. _al-q[=u]tun_.]

ACTUAL, akt'[=u]-al, _adj._ real: existing in fact and now, as opp. to an imaginary or past state of things.--_v.t._ ACT'UALISE, to make actual: to realise in action.--_n._ ACTUAL'ITY.--_adv._ ACT'UALLY.

ACTUARY, akt'[=u]-ar-i, _n._ a registrar or clerk: one who makes the calculations connected with an insurance office.--_adj._ ACTUA'RIAL. [L. _actuarius (scriba)_, an amanuensis, a clerk.]

ACTUATE, akt'[=u]-[=a]t, _v.t._ to put into or incite to action: to influence.--_n._ ACTU[=A]'TION. [L. _actus_, action. See ACT.]

ACULEATED, ak-[=u]l-e-[=a]t'ed, _p.adj._ pointed: (_fig._) pungent, incisive. [L. _aculeatus_, _aculeus_, dim. of _acus_, needle.]

ACUMEN, ak-[=u]'men, _n._ sharpness: quickness of perception: penetration. [L. See ACUTE.]

ACUMINATE, a-k[=u]'min-[=a]t, _adj._ (_bot._) having a long tapering point--also AC[=U]'MINATED.--_v.t._ AC[=U]'MINATE, to sharpen: (_fig._) give point to.--_n._ ACCUMIN[=A]'TION. [L. _acuminatum_, pa.p. of _acumin[=a]re_, to make pointed--_acumen_, a point. See ACUMEN.]

ACUPRESSURE, ak-[=u]-presh'[=u]r, _n._ a mode of arresting hemorrhage from cut arteries, by inserting a needle into the flesh so as to press across the mouth of the artery. [L. _acus_, a needle, and PRESSURE.]

ACUPUNCTURE, ak-[=u]-pungkt'[=u]r, _n._ an operation for relieving pain by puncturing the flesh with needles. [L. _acus_, a needle, and PUNCTURE.]

ACUTE, ak-[=u]t', _adj._ sharp-pointed: keen: opp. of dull: shrewd: shrill: critical.--_adv._ ACUTE'LY.--_n._ ACUTE'NESS.--ACUTE ANGLE, an angle less than a right angle (see ANGLE); ACUTE DISEASE, one coming to a violent crisis, as opp. to _Chronic_. [L. _acutus_, pa.p. of _acu[)e]re_, to sharpen, from root _ak_, sharp.]

ADAGE, ad'[=a]j, _n._ an old saying: a proverb. [Fr.--L. _adagium_, from _ad_, to, and root of _aio_, I say.]

ADAGIO, a-d[=a]'g[=i]-o, _adv._ (_mus._) slowly.--_n._ a slow movement: a piece in adagio time. [It. _ad agio_, at ease.]

ADAM, ad'am, _n._ the first man: unregenerate human nature: a gaoler.--_n._ AD'AMITE, one descended from Adam: one of a 2d-century heretical sect in Northern Africa, and in the 15th in Germany, whose members, claiming the primitive innocence of Eden, went about naked.--_adjs._ ADAMIT'IC, -AL.--_n._ AD'AMITISM.

ADAMANT, ad'a-mant, _n._ a very hard stone: the diamond.--_adjs._ ADAMANT[=E]'AN (_Milton_), hard as adamant; ADAMAN'TINE, made of or like adamant: that cannot be broken or penetrated. [L. and Gr. _adamas_, _-antos_--_a_, neg., and _damaein_, to break, to tame. See TAME.]

ADAMIC, a-dam'ik, _adj._ relating to Adam.

ADAM'S-APPLE, ad'amz-ap'pl, _n._ the angular projection of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx in front of the throat, so called from an idea that part of the forbidden fruit stuck in Adam's throat.--ADAM'S ALE or WINE, water.

ADANSONIA, ad-an-s[=o]'ni-a, _n._ the baobab, monkey-bread, or calabash-tree of West Africa. [So called from _Adanson_, a French botanist (1727-1806).]