Part 7

ALIGHT, a-l[=i]t', _adj._ on fire: lighted up. [_a_, on, and LIGHT. See LIGHT, _n._]

ALIGN, a-l[=i]n', _v.t._ to regulate by a line: to arrange in line, as troops.--_n._ ALIGN'MENT, a laying out by a line: arrangement of soldiers in a line or lines: the ground-plan of a railway or road. [Fr. _aligner_--L. _ad_, and _linea_, a line.]

ALIKE, a-l[=i]k', _adj._ like one another: having resemblance.--_adv._ in the same manner or form: equally: similarly. [A.S. _gel['i]c_, _anl['i]c_, _onl['i]c_. See LIKE.]

ALIMENT, al'i-ment, _n._ nourishment: food: provision for maintenance, alimony: support.--_v.t._ to support, sustain: make provision for the maintenance of.--_adjs._ ALIMENT'AL, supplying food; ALIMENT'ARY, pertaining to aliment: nutritive.--_ns._ ALIMENT[=A]'TION, the act or state of nourishing or of being nourished; ALIMENT'IVENESS (_phrenol._), desire for food or drink; AL'IMONY, an allowance for support made to a wife when legally separated from her husband, or temporarily while the process is pending.--ALIMENTARY CANAL, the principal part of the digestive apparatus of animals, in man extending, with convolutions, about 30 feet from the mouth to the anus--including pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, &c. [L. _alimentum--al[)e]re_, to nourish.]

ALINEATION. See ALLINEATION.

ALIPED, al'i-ped, _adj._ wing-footed.--_n._ an animal whose toes are connected by a membrane serving as a wing, as the bat. [L. _alipes_--_ala_, a wing, and _pes_, _pedis_, a foot.]

ALIQUANT, al'i-kwant, _adj._ an aliquant part of a number is one that will not divide it without a remainder, thus 5 is an aliquant part of 12. [L. _aliquantum_, somewhat, _alius_, another, and _quantus_, how great.]

ALIQUOT, al'i-kwot, _adj._ such a part of a number as will divide it without a remainder. [L. _aliquot_, some, several--_alius_, other, _quot_, how many.]

ALISMA, al-iz'ma, _n._ a small genus of aquatic plants, the chief being the common water-plantain. [Gr.]

ALIVE, a-l[=i]v', _adj._ in life: susceptible. [Prep. _a = on_, and A.S. _l['i]fe_, dat. of _l['i]f_, life.]

ALIZARIN, a-liz'a-r[=e]n, _n._ a colouring matter used in the dyeing of Turkey red, formerly extracted from madder, the commercial name of which in the Levant is _alizari_. [Fr.; Ar. _al_, the, and _'ac[=a]rah_, juice pressed out.]

ALKAHEST, ALCAHEST, al'ka-hest, _n._ the universal solvent of the alchemists. [A coinage of Paracelsus--on Arabic analogies.]

ALKALI, al'ka-li, or -l[=i], _n._ (_chem._) a substance which combines with an acid and neutralises it, forming a salt. Potash, soda, and lime are alkalies; they have an acrid taste (that of soap), and turn vegetable blues to green:--_pl._ AL'KALIES.--_n._ ALKALES'CENCY, tendency to become alkaline.--_adj._ ALKALES'CENT, tending to become alkaline: slightly alkaline.--_n._ ALKALIM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the strength of alkalies.--_adj._ ALKALINE (al'ka-l[=i]n, or -lin), having the properties of an alkali.--_n._ ALKALIN'ITY.--_v.t._ AL'KALISE, to render alkaline:--_pr.p._ al'kal[=i]sing; _pa.p._ al'kal[=i]sed. See ACID. [Ar. _al_-_qal[=i]y_, ashes.]

ALKALIFY, al'ka-li-f[=i], _v.t._ to convert into an alkali.--_v.i._ to become alkaline:--_pr.p._ al'kalifying; _pa.p._ al'kalif[=i]ed.--_adj._ ALKALIF[=I]'ABLE, capable of being converted into an alkali. [ALKALI, and L. _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

ALKALOID, al'ka-loid, _n._ a vegetable principle possessing in some degree alkaline properties.--_adj._ pertaining to or resembling alkali. [ALKALI, and Gr. _eidos_, form or resemblance.]

ALKANET, al'ka-net, _n._ a plant, native of the Levant and Southern Europe, cultivated for its root, which yields a red colouring matter: the dye itself. [Sp. _alcaneta_.]

ALKORAN, _n._ Same as ALCORAN.

ALL, awl, _adj._ the whole of: every one of: any whatever.--_adv._ wholly: completely: entirely: (_Shak._) only, alone.--_n._ the whole: everything: the totality of things--the universe.--_n._ ALL'-FATH'ER, God.--ALL (_obs._), entirely, altogether, as in 'all to-brake' (Judges, ix. 53). The prefix _to-_ originally belonged to the verb (_t['o] brecan_), but as verbs with this prefix were rarely used without _all_, the fact was forgotten, and the _to_ was erroneously regarded as belonging to the _all_. Hence came into use _all_-_to_ = wholly, utterly; ALL BUT, everything short of, almost; ALL IN ALL, all things in all respects, all or everything together--(_adverbially_) altogether; ALL OVER, thoroughly, entirely; ALL OVER WITH, finished, done with (also _coll._, ALL UP with); ALL RIGHT, a colloquial phrase expressing assent or approbation; ALL'S ONE, it is just the same; ALL TO ONE (_obs._), altogether.--AFTER ALL, when everything has been considered, nevertheless; AND ALL, and everything else; AND ALL THAT, and all the rest of it, _et cetera_; AT ALL, in the least degree or to the least extent.--FOR ALL, notwithstanding; FOR GOOD AND ALL, finally.--ONCE FOR ALL, once only. [A.S. _all_, _eal_; Ger. _all_, Gael. _uile_, W. _oll._]

ALLAH, al'la, _n._ the Arabic name of the one God. [Ar. _al-il[^a]h_, 'the worthy to be adored.']

ALLANTOIS, a-lan't[=o]-is, _n._ a membranous sac-like appendage for effecting oxygenation in the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles.--_adjs._ ALLANT[=O]'IC, ALLAN'TOID. [Gr. _allas_, a sausage.]

ALLAY, al-l[=a]', _v.t._ to lighten, relieve: to make quiet or calm.--_n._ ALLAY'MENT (_obs._), state of being allayed: state of rest: that which allays. [M. E. forms, _aleggen_, _aleyen_ (A.S. _a-lecgan_; lecgan, causal of _licgan_, to lie); identical in form, and accordingly confounded in meaning with M. E. words of Latin origin; _alegge_ (later _allege_, now obs.)--L. _allevi[=a]re_; _alaye_ (modern _allay_, _alloy_)--L. _allig[=a]re_; _aleye_ (obs.)--L. _alleg[=a]re_; _alegge_ (modern _allege_)--Low L. _ex-litig[=a]re_.]

ALLAY, an obsolete form of ALLOY.

ALLEDGE. Old spelling of ALLEGE.

ALLEGE, al-lej', _v.t._ to produce as an argument or plea: to assert: (_B_.) to give proofs--_n._ ALLEG[=A]'TION, an assertion.--_p.adj._ ALLEGED', cited, quoted. [Through O. Fr. forms from Low L. _ex-litig[=a]re_, to clear at law. See ALLAY above.]

ALLEGIANCE, al-l[=e]j'i-ans, _n._ the duty of a subject to his liege or sovereign.--_adj._ ALL[=E]'GIANT. [L. _ad_, to, and LIEGE.]

ALLEGORY, al'le-gor-i, _n._ a description of one thing under the image of another.--_adjs._ ALLEGOR'IC, -al, in the form of an allegory: figurative.--_adv._ ALLEGOR'ICALLY.--_v.t._ AL'LEGORISE, to put in form of an allegory.--_v.i._ to use allegory.--_ns._ AL'LEGORIST, one who uses allegory; ALLEGORIZ[=A]'TION. [Gr. _all[=e]goria_; _allos_, other, and _agoreuein_, to speak.]

ALLEGRO, al-l[=e]'gr[=o], _adv._ and _adj._ (_mus._) a word denoting a brisk movement.--_adv._ and _adj._ ALLEGRET'TO, somewhat brisk. [It.--L. _alacer_, brisk.]

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIAH, al-le-l[=oo]'ya. Same as HALLELUIAH.

ALLEMANDE, al'le-mand, _n._ a name given to various Germain dances: (_mus._) the first movement after the prelude in a suite. [Fr. _Allemande_, German.]

ALLENARLY, al-len'ar-li, _adv._ solely, only--obsolete save only in Scotch conveyancing. [All, and _anerly_, formed from _ane_, one.]

ALLEVIATE, al-l[=e]v'i-[=a]t, _v.t._ to make light: to mitigate.--_ns._ ALLEVI[=A]'TION; ALLEV'I[=A]TOR. [L. _ad_, _levis_, light.]

ALLEY, al'li, _n._ a walk in a garden or shrubbery: a passage in a city narrower than a street: a long narrow enclosure for playing at bowls or skittles:--_pl._ ALL'EYS. [O. Fr. _alee_ (Fr. _all['e]e_), a passage, from _aller_, to go, O. Fr. _aner_, most prob. from L. _adn[=a]re_, to go to by water, or _adit[=a]re_, _ad[=i]re_.]

ALLEY, ALLY, al'li, _n._ a name given by boys to a choice taw or large marble. [Contraction of _alabaster_, of which it was originally made.]

ALL-FIRED, awl-f[=i]rd', _adj._ (_slang_) infernal.--_adv._ excessively. [A softening of _hell-fired_, U.S.]

ALL-FOOLS'-DAY, awl-f[=oo]lz'-d[=a], _n._ April first. [From the sportive deceptions practised on that day.]

ALL-FOURS, awl-f[=o]rz', _n.pl._ (preceded by _on_) on four legs, or on two hands and two feet: a game at cards played by two, so called from the four

## particulars by which the reckoning is made--_high_, _low_, _Jack_, and _the

game_: also a game at dominoes.

ALL-HAIL, awl-h[=a]l', _interj._ all health! a phrase of salutation. [See HAIL, interj.]

ALL-HALLOW, awl-hal'l[=o], ALL-HALLOWS, awl-hal'l[=o]z, _n._ the day of all the holy ones. See ALL-SAINTS. [ALL and HALLOW.]

ALL-HALLOW-MASS. See HALLOW-MASS.

ALL-HALLOWN, awl-hal'l[=o]n, _n._ (_Shak._) fine summer weather late in the season--near All-hallows-day.

ALL-HALLOW-TIDE, awl-hal'l[=o]-t[=i]d, _n._ the time near All-hallows-day. [See HALLOW and TIDE.]

ALLHEAL, awl-h[=e]l', _n._ (_obs._) a balsam for all wounds, a panacea--applied to various plants, as the mistletoe, the great valerian, &c.

ALLIACEOUS, al-li-[=a]'shus, _adj._ pertaining to, or having the properties of allium or garlic. [L. _allium_, garlic.]

ALLIANCE, al-l[=i]'ans, _n._ state of being allied: union by marriage or treaty. [See ALLY.]

ALLIGATION, al-li-g[=a]'shun, _n._ (_arith._) a rule for finding the price of a compound of ingredients of different values. [L. _alligatio_, a binding together--_ad_, to, and _lig[=a]re_, to bind.]

ALLIGATOR, al'li-g[=a]-tur, _n._ an animal of the crocodile genus, found in America. [Sp. _el lagarto_--L. _lacerta_, a lizard.]

ALLINEATION, ALINEATION, al-lin-e-[=a]'shun, _n._ the position of two or more bodies in a straight line with a given point.

ALLISION, al-lizh'un, _n._ a striking against. [L. _allisio_, from _allid[)e]re_--_ad_, and _laed[)e]re_, to hurt.]

ALLITERATION, al-lit-[.e]r-[=a]'shun, _n._ the recurrence of the same letter at the beginning of two or more words following close to each other, as in Churchill's '_a_pt _a_lliteration's _a_rtful _a_id:' the recurrence of the same initial sound in the first accented syllables of words: initial rhyme--the characteristic structure of versification of Old English and Teutonic languages generally. Every alliterative couplet had two accented syllables, containing the same initial consonants, one in each of the two sections.--_v.i._ ALLIT'ERATE, to begin with the same letter: to constitute alliteration.--_adj._ ALLIT'ERATIVE. [Fr.--L. _ad_, to, and _litera_, a letter.]

ALLOCATE, al'lo-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to place: to assign to each his share.--_n._ ALLOC[=A]'TION, act of allocating: allotment: an allowance made upon an account. [L. _alloc[=a]re_, _ad_, to, and _loc[=a]re_, _locus_, a place.]

ALLOCUTION, al-lo-k[=u]'shun, _n._ a formal address, esp. of the Pope to his clergy. [L. _allocutionem_--_ad_, to, and _loqui_, _locutus_, to speak.]

ALLODIAL, al-l[=o]'di-al, _adj._ held independent of a superior: freehold--opp. to _Feudal_.

ALLODIUM, al-l[=o]'di-um, _n._ freehold estate: land held in the possession of the owner without being subject to a feudal superior.--Also ALLOD, ALOD. [Low L. _all[=o]dium_--Ger. _al[^o]d_, _all[^o]d_.]

ALLOGRAPH, al'l[=o]-graf, _n._ a writing made by one person on behalf of another. [Gr. _allos_, other, _graph[=e]_, writing.]

ALLOPATHY, al-lop'a-thi, _n._ a name given by homeopathists to the current or orthodox medical practice, to distinguish it from their own Homeopathy.--_adj._ ALLOPATH'IC--_ns._ ALLOP'ATHIST, ALLOPATH. [Coined by Hahnemann (1755-1843), Ger. _allopathie_--Gr. _allos_, other, _patheia_, _pathos_, suffering.]

ALLOPHYLIAN, al-l[=o]-f[=i]l'i-an, _adj._ of another race, alien--applied by Prichard (1786-1848) to the Turanian or non-Aryan and non-Semitic languages of Europe and Asia.--_n._ ALLOPHYLE'. [L.--Gr. _alloph[=y]los_, of another tribe; _allos_, other, _ph[=y]l[=e]_, a tribe.]

ALLOT, al-lot', _v.t._ to divide as by lot: to distribute in portions: to parcel out:--_pr.p._ allot'ting; _pa.p._ allot'ted.--_n._ ALLOT'MENT, the act of allotting: part or share allotted: a portion of a field assigned to a cottager to labour for himself. [O. Fr. _aloter_; _lot_ is Teut., seen in Goth. _hlauts_, A.S. _hlot_.]

ALLOTROPY, al-lot'ro-pi, _n._ the property in some elements, as carbon, of existing in more than one form.--_adj._ ALLOT'ROPIC. [Gr.; _allos_, another, and _tropos_, form.]

ALLOVERISHNESS, awl-[=o]'v[.e]r-ish-nes, _n._ a general sense of indisposition over the whole body, a feeling of discomfort, malaise.--_adj._ ALL[=O]'VERISH.

ALLOW, al-low', _v.t._ to grant: to permit: to acknowledge: to abate: make allowance for: (_obs._) invest, entrust: assert, say (_coll._ in U.S.).--_adj._ ALLOW'ABLE, that may be allowed: not forbidden: lawful.--_n._ ALLOW'ABLENESS.--_adv._ ALLOW'ABLY.--_n._ ALLOW'ANCE, that which is allowed: a limited portion of anything: a stated quantity--of money, &c., to meet expenses: abatement: approbation: permission.--_v.t._ to put any one upon an allowance: to supply anything in limited quantities.--TO MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR, to take excusing circumstances into account. [O. Fr. _alouer_, to grant--L. _ad_, to, and _loc[=a]re_, to place.--ALLOW, in the sense of _approve_ or _sanction_, as used in _B._ and by old writers, has its root in L. _allaud[=a]re_--_ad-_, and _laud[=a]re_, to praise.]

ALLOY, al-loi', _v.t._ to mix one metal with another: to reduce the purity of a metal by mixing a baser one with it: (_fig._) to debase: to temper or qualify.--_n._ a mixture of two or more metals (when mercury is one of the ingredients, it is an _amalgam_): a baser metal mixed with a finer: anything that deteriorates.--_n._ ALLOY'AGE, the act of alloying or mixing metals: a mixture of different metals. [O. Fr. _alei_ (Fr. _aloi_), _aleier_--L. _allig[=a]re_. The modern Fr. words _aloi_ and _aloyer_ were confounded with Fr. _[`a] loi_, to law, and the same confusion was transferred into English.]

ALL-SAINTS'-DAY, awl-s[=a]nts'-d[=a], _n._ November 1, a feast of the Church in honour of all the saints collectively. [See ALL-HALLOWS.]

ALL-SOULS'-DAY, awl-s[=o]lz'-d[=a], _n._ November 2, a feast of the Roman Catholic Church kept in commemoration of all the faithful departed, for the eternal repose of their souls.

ALLSPICE, awl'sp[=i]s, _n._ a name given to a kind of spice called Pimenta or Jamaica pepper, from its being supposed to combine the flavour of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. [ALL and SPICE.]

ALLUDE, al-l[=u]d', _v.i._ to mention slightly, or convey an indirect reference to, in passing: to refer to.--_n._ ALL[=U]'SION, an indirect reference.--_adj._ ALLUS'IVE, alluding to: hinting at: referring to indirectly.--_adv._ ALLUS'IVELY.--ALLUSIVE ARMS (_her._), also _canting_ or _punning_ arms, and _armes parlantes_, those in which the charges convey reference to the bearer's name or title, as the column of the Colonna family, the Vele calf (O. Fr. _veel_, a calf), the Arundel martlets (O. Fr. _arondel_, a young swallow). [L. _allud[)e]re_--_ad_, at, _lud[)e]re_, _lusum_, to play.]

ALLUMETTE, al-[=u]-m[.e]t', _n._ a match for lighting. [Fr.]

ALLURE, al-l[=u]r', _v.t._ to draw on as by a lure or bait: to entice.--_n._ ALLURE'MENT.--_adj._ ALLUR'ING, enticing: seductive: charming.--_adv._ ALLUR'INGLY. [O. Fr. _alurer_--_[`a]_, to, _lurer_, to LURE.]

ALLUVION, al-l[=u]'vi-un, _n._ land gained from the sea by the washing up of sand and earth. [L. _alluvio_--_allu[)e]re_. See ALLUVIUM.]

ALLUVIUM, al-l[=u]'vi-um, _n._ the mass of water-borne matter deposited by rivers on lower lands:--_pl._ ALL[=U]'VIA.--_adj._ ALL[=U]'VIAL. [L.--_allu[)e]re_, to wash to or on--_ad_, and _lu[)e]re_ = _lav[=a]re_, to wash.]

ALLY, al-l[=i]', _v.t._ to form a relation by marriage, friendship, treaty, or resemblance.--_pa.p._ and _adj._ ALLIED'.--_n._ ALLY (al-l[=i]', or al'l[=i]), a confederate: a prince or state united by treaty or league:--_pl._ ALL[=I]ES', or AL'L[=I]ES. [O. Fr. _alier_--L. _allig[=a]re_--_ad_, to, _lig[=a]re_, to bind.]

ALMA, ALMAH, al'ma, _n._ an Egyptian dancing-girl.--Also ALME, ALMEH. [Ar. _`almah_, learned, _`alamah_, to know.]

ALMACANTAR, al-mak-an'tar, _n._ a name for circles of altitude parallel to the horizon, and hence for an astronomical instrument for determining time and latitude. [Ar. _almuqantar[=a]t_, _qantarah_, an arch.]

ALMAGEST, al'ma-jest, _n._ a collection of problems in geometry and astronomy, drawn up by the Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy (about 140 A.D.), so named by the Arabs as the greatest and largest on the subject. [Ar. _al_, the, and Gr. _megistos_, greatest.]

ALMAIN, al'm[=a]n, _n._ (_obs._) an inhabitant of Germany: a kind of dance music in slow time. [Fr. _Allemand_--_Allemanni_, an ancient German tribe.]

ALMANAC, al'ma-nak, _n._ a register of the days, weeks, and months of the year, &c.--_n._ ALMANOG'RAPHER, an almanac-maker. [Most prob. the original of the word as in Fr., It., and Sp. was a Spanish-Arabic _al-man[=a]kh_. Eusebius has _almenichiaka_, an Egyptian word, prob. sig. 'daily observation of things,' but the history of the word has not been traced, and it is hazardous without evidence to connect this with the Arabic word.]

ALMANDINE, al'man-d[=i]n, _n._ a red transparent variety of the garnet.--Also AL'MANDIN. [Earlier ALABANDINE--Low L. _alabandina_--_Alabanda_, a town in Caria, a province of Asia Minor, where it was found.]

ALMIGHTY, awl-m[=i]t'i, _adj._ possessing all might or power: omnipotent: very powerful generally: (_slang_) mighty, great.--Older form ALMIGHT'.--_adv._ ALMIGHT'ILY.--_ns._ ALMIGHT'INESS, ALMIGHT'YSHIP.--THE ALMIGHTY, God; THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR, a phrase of Washington Irving's, expressive of the greatness of the power of money. [A.S. _aelmeahtig_. See ALL and MIGHTY.]

ALMNER, an old spelling of ALMONER.

ALMOND, [:a]'mund, _n._ the fruit of the almond-tree.--_n.pl._ ALMONDS ([:a]'mundz), the tonsils or glands of the throat, so called from their resemblance to the fruit of the almond-tree. [O. Fr. _almande_ (Fr. _amande_)--L. _amygdalum_--Gr. _amygdal[=e]_.]

ALMONER, al'mun-[.e]r, _n._ a distributer of alms.--_n._ AL'MONRY, the place where alms are distributed. [O. Fr. _aumoner_, _aumonier_ (Fr. _aum[^o]nier_)--Low L. _eleemosynarius_ (adj.). See ALMS.]

ALMOST, awl'm[=o]st, _adv._ nearly, all but, very nearly. [ALL and MOST.]

ALMRY, [:a]m'ri, _n._ Same as ALMONRY.

ALMS, [:a]mz, _n._ relief given out of pity to the poor.--_ns._ ALMS'-DEED, a charitable deed; ALMS'-DRINK (_Shak._), leavings of drink; ALMS'-FEE, an annual tax of one penny on every hearth, formerly sent from England to Rome, Peter's pence; ALMS'HOUSE, a house endowed for the support and lodging of the poor; ALMS'-MAN, a man who lives by alms. [A.S. _aelmysse_, through Late L., from Gr. _ele[=e]mosyn[=e]_--_eleos_, compassion. Dr Murray notes the Scot. and North Country _almous_, _awmous_, as an independent adoption of the cognate Norse _almusa_; and the legal ALMOIGN, ALMOIN, perpetual tenure by free gift of charity, from O. Fr., perhaps due to a confusion with _alimonium_.]

ALMUCE, an early form of AMICE.

ALMUG, al'mug, _n._ the wood of a tree described in the Bible as brought from Ophir in the time of Solomon, for the house and temple at Jerusalem, and for musical instruments--probably the red sandalwood of India. [Heb. _algumm[^i]m_, _almugg[^i]m_. The better form is ALGUM.]

ALOE, al'[=o], _n._ a genus of plants of considerable medicinal importance, of the 200 species of which as many as 170 are indigenous to the Cape Colony.--The so-called American Aloe is a totally different plant (see AGAVE).--_adj._ AL'OED, planted or shaded with aloes.--The ALOES WOOD of the Bible was the heart-wood of _Aquilaria ovata_ and _Aquilaria Agallochum_, large spreading trees. The wood contains a dark-coloured, fragrant, resinous substance, much prized for the odour it diffuses in burning. [The word was used erroneously in the Septuagint and New Testament as a translation of the Heb. _ah[=a]l[=i]m_, _ah[=a]l[=o]th_ (Gr. _agallochon_), an aromatic resin or wood--called later in Gr. _xylalo[=e]_, from which descend _lignum aloes_, _lign-aloes_, _wood-aloes_, and _aloes-wood_.--A.S. _aluwan_--L. _alo[=e]_--Gr. _alo[=e]_.]

ALOES, al'[=o]z, a purgative bitter drug, the inspissated juice of the leaves of several almost tree-like species of aloe. Used both as a _sing. n._, and as a _pl._ of ALOE.--_n._ and _adj._ ALOET'IC, a medicine containing a large proportion of aloes.

ALOFT, a-loft', _adv._ on high: overhead: at a great height: (_naut._) above the deck, at the masthead: sometimes used as equivalent to _aloof_ (_Mad. D'Arblay_). [Scand.; Icel. _['a] lopt_ (pron. _loft_), expressing motion; _['a] lopti_, expressing positio_n._ Pfx. _a-_ = Icel. _['a]_ = A.S. _on_, in. See LOFT.]

ALONE, al-[=o]n', _adj._ single: solitary: alone of its kind: of itself, or by themselves.--_adv._ singly, by one's self only.--_n._ ALONE'NESS [ALL and ONE.]

ALONG, a-long', _adv._ by or through the length of: lengthwise: throughout: onward: (fol. by _with_) in company of.--_prep._ by the side of: near.--_n.pl._ ALONG'SHORE-MEN, labourers employed about the docks or wharves in the Thames and other rivers.--_prep._ ALONG'SIDE, by the side, beside.--ALONG OF, (_arch._ or _dial._) owing to. [A.S. _andlang_--pfx. _and-_, against, and _lang_, LONG.]

ALONGST, a-longst', _prep._ (_obs._ except _dial._) along: by the length. [M. E. _alongest_, from _along_, with adv. gen. _-es_.]

ALOOF, a-l[=oo]f', _adv._ at a distance: apart.--_n._ ALOOF'NESS, withdrawal from common action or sympathy. [Pfx. _a-_ (--A.S. _on_), on, and LOOF, prob. Dut. _loef._ See LUFF.]

ALOPECIA, al-o-p[=e]'si-a, _n._ baldness: a skin-disease producing this. [Gr. _alopekia_, fox-mange.]

ALOUD, a-lowd', _adv._ with a loud voice: loudly. [Prep. _a_ (--A.S. _on_), and _hl['u]d_, noise; Ger. _laut_.]

ALOW, a-l[=o]', _adv._ in a low place--opp. to _Aloft_.

ALOW, al-low', _adv._ (_Scot._) ablaze. [Prep. _a_, and LOW, a flame.]

ALP, alp, _n._ a high mountain:--_pl._ ALPS, specially applied to the lofty ranges of Switzerland.--_adjs._ ALP'EN; ALPINE (alp'in, or alp'[=i]n), pertaining to the Alps, or to any lofty mountains: very high.--_ns._ AL'PINIST, ALPES'TRIAN, one devoted to Alpine climbing. [L.; of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. _alp_, a mountain; allied to L. _albus_, white (with snow).]

ALPACA, al-pak'a, _n._ the Peruvian sheep, akin to the llama, having long silken wool: cloth made of its wool. [Sp. _alpaca_ or _al-paco_, from _al_, Arab. article, and _paco_, most prob. a Peruvian word.]

ALPENHORN, al'pen-horn, _n._ a long powerful horn, wide and curved at the mouth, used chiefly by Alpine cowherds.--Also ALP'HORN. [Gr. _Alpen_, of the Alps, _horn_, horn.]

ALPENSTOCK, alp'n-stok, _n._ a long stick or staff used by travellers in climbing the Alps. [Ger. _Alpen_, of the Alps; _stock_, stick.]

ALPHA, al'fa, _n._ the first letter of the Greek alphabet: the first or beginning. [Gr. _alpha_--Heb. _aleph_, an ox, the name of the first letter of the Phoenician and Hebrew alphabet. See A.]

ALPHABET, al'fa-bet, _n._ the letters of a language arranged in the usual order.--_n._ ALPHABET[=A]'RIAN, one learning his alphabet, a beginner: a student of alphabets.--_adjs._ ALPHABET'IC, -AL, relating to or in the order of an alphabet.--_adv._ ALPHABET'ICALLY.--_v.t._ AL'PHABETISE, to arrange alphabetically:--_pr.p._ al'phabet[=i]sing; _pa.p._ al'phabet[=i]sed. [Gr. _alpha_, _beta_, the first two Greek letters.]

ALPHONSINE, al'fons-[=i]n, _adj._ of Alphonso (X.) the Wise, king of Castile, pertaining to his planetary tables, completed in 1252.

ALREADY, awl-red'i, _adv._ previously, or before the time specified.--Sometimes used adjectively = present. [ALL and READY.]

ALS, an old form of ALSO.

ALSATIAN, al-s[=a]'shi-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to Alsatia (Ger. _Elsass_), a province between France and Germany.--_n._ a rogue or debauchee, such as haunted Alsatia--a cant name for Whitefriars, a district in London between the Thames and Fleet Street, which enjoyed privileges of sanctuary down to 1697, and was consequently infested with lawless characters. See Scott's _Fortunes of Nigel_.

ALSO, awl'so, _adv._ in like manner: further. [Compounded of _all_ and _so_; A.S. _al_ and _sw['a]_.]

ALT, alt, _n._ high tone, in voice or instrument.--IN ALT, in the octave above the treble stave beginning with G; (_fig._) in an exalted and high-flown mood.

ALTALTISSIMO, alt-al-tis'si-mo, _n._ the very highest summit. [It. reduplicated comp. of _alto_, high, and _altissimo_, highest.]

ALTAR, awlt'ar, _n._ an elevated place or structure, block or stone, or the like, on which sacrifices were anciently offered: in Christian churches, the table on which the officiating priest consecrates the eucharist: the communion table: (_fig._) a place of worship.--_ns._ ALT'ARAGE, offerings made upon the altar during the offertory, provided for the maintenance of the priest; ALT'AR-CLOTH, the covering of the altar, placed over and around it, of silk, velvet, satin, or cloth, often used as including the frontal (_antependium_), and the super-frontal; ALT'ARPIECE, a decorative screen, retable, or reredos, placed behind an altar--a work of art, whether a sacred painting or sculpture.--_n.pl._ ALT'AR-RAILS, rails separating the sacrarium from the rest of the chancel.--_ns._ ALT'AR-STONE, the slab forming the top or chief part of an altar; ALT'AR-TOMB, a monumental memorial, in form like an altar, often with a canopy. These were often placed over the vaults or burying-place, and frequently on the north and south walls of choirs, aisles, and chantry chapels.--_adj._ ALT'ARWISE, placed like an altar--north and south, at the upper end of the chancel.--FAMILY ALTAR, the practice or the place of private devotional worship in the family; HIGH ALTAR, the principal altar in a cathedral or other church having more than one altar; PORTABLE ALTAR, a small tablet of marble, jasper, or precious stone, used by special license for Mass when said away from the parish altar, in oratories or other similar places. It was termed _super-altare_, because commonly placed upon some other altar, or some fitting construction of wood or stone. [L. _alt[=a]re_--_altus_, high.]

ALTAZIMUTH, alt-az'i-muth, _n._ an instrument devised by Sir G. B. Airy for determining the apparent places of the heavenly bodies on the celestial sphere. [A contr. for '_altitude_ and _azimuth_ instrument.']

ALTER, awl't[.e]r, _v.t._ to make different: to change: (_U.S._) to castrate.--_v.i._ to become different: to vary.--_ns._ ALTERABIL'ITY, AL'TERABLENESS.--_adj._ AL'TERABLE, that may be altered.--_adv._ AL'TERABLY.--_adj._ AL'TERANT, altering: having the power of producing changes.--_n._ ALTER[=A]'TION, change.--_adj._ AL'TERATIVE, having power to alter.--_n._ a medicine that makes a change in the vital functions.--_n._ ALTER'ITY (_Coleridge_), the state of being other or different. [L. _alter_, another--_al_ (root of _alius_, other), and the old comp. suffix _-ter_ = Eng. _-ther_.]

ALTERCATE, al't[.e]r-k[=a]t, _v.i._ to dispute or wrangle.--_n._ ALTERC[=A]'TION, contention: controversy.--_adj._ ALTERC[=A]'TIVE. [L. _alterc[=a]ri_, _-catus_, to bandy words from one to the other (_alter_).]

ALTER EGO, al't[.e]r [=e]'go, _n._ second self, counterpart, double. [L. _alter_, other; _ego_, I.]

ALTERNATE, al't[.e]r-n[=a]t, or al-t[.e]r'n[=a]t, _v.t._ to cause to follow by turns or one after the other.--_v.i._ to happen by turns: to follow every other or second time--also AL'TERNISE.--_adjs._ AL'TERN (_Milton_), alternate, acting by turns; ALTER'NANT (_geol._), in alternate layers; ALTER'NATE, one after the other: by turns.--_adv._ ALTER'NATELY.--_ns._ ALTER'NATENESS, ALTER'NACY (_rare_); ALTERN[=A]'TION, the act of alternating: interchange: reading or singing antiphonally.--_adj._ ALTER'NATIVE, offering a choice of two things.--_n._ a choice between two things.--_adv._ ALTER'NATIVELY. [L. _alter_, other.]

ALTHAEA, al-th[=e]'a, _n._ a genus of plants including the marsh mallow and the hollyhock. [Gr.]

ALTHOUGH, awl-_th_[=o]', _conj._ admitting all that: notwithstanding that. [See THOUGH.]

ALTIMETER, al-tim'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring heights.--_adj._ ALTIMET'RICAL.--_n._ ALTIM'ETRY. [L. _altus_, high, and METER.]