Part 8

ALTISSIMO, al-tis'si-mo, _adj._ (_mus._) in phrase 'in altissimo,' in the second octave above the treble stave beginning with G. [It. _altissimo_, superl. of _alto_, high.]

ALTITUDE, alt'i-tude, _n._ height: a point or position at a height above the sea: high rank or eminence.--_n.pl._ ALT'ITUDES, passion, excitement.--_adj._ ALTIT[=U]'DINAL.--_n._ ALTITUDIN[=A]'RIAN, one given to flightiness in doctrine or belief. [L. _altitudo_--_altus_, high.]

ALTO, alt'o, _n._ (_mus._) properly the same as counter-tenor, the male voice of the highest pitch (now principally _falsetto_), and not the lowest female voice, which is properly _contralto_, though in printed music the second part in a quartet is always called _alto_. [It.--L. _altus_, high.]

ALTOGETHER, awl-too-ge_th_'[.e]r, _adv._ all together: wholly: completely: without exception.

ALTO-RELIEVO, ALTO-RILIEVO, alt'o-re-l[=e]'vo, _n._ high relief: figures projected by at least half their thickness from the background on which they are sculptured. [It. _alto_, high. See RELIEF.]

ALTRUISM, al'tr[=oo]-ism, _n._ the principle of living and acting for the interest of others.--_adj._ ALTRUIST'IC.--_adv._ ALTRUIST'ICALLY. [Fr. _altruisme_, formed by Comte from It. _altrui_--L. _alter_, another.]

ALUM, al'um, _n._ a mineral salt, the double sulphate of alumina and potash, used as a mordant in dyeing and for many purposes.--_adj._ AL'UMISH, having the character or taste of alum.--_ns._ AL'UM-SHALE, or -SLATE, a slate consisting mainly of clay, iron pyrites, and coaly matter, from which alum is obtained. [L. _alumen_.]

ALUMINA, al-[=u]'min-a, ALUMINE, al'[=u]-min, _n._ one of the earths, the characteristic ingredient of common clay--the oxide of aluminium.--_adj._ AL[=U]'MINOUS, containing alum or alumina. [L. _alumen_, alum.]

ALUMINIUM, al-[=u]-min'i-um, _n._ the metallic base of alumina; a metal somewhat resembling silver, and remarkable for its lightness, now made from Bauxite.--ALUMINIUM BRONZE, an alloy lighter than gold, but like it in colour. [First called _Aluminum_ by the discoverer, Sir H. Davy (1778-1829).]

ALUMNUS, al-um'nus, _n._ one educated at a college is called an _alumnus_ of it:--_pl._ ALUM'NI.--_n._ ALUM'NIATE, the period of pupilage. [L.,--_al[)e]re_, to nourish.]

ALUNITE, al'un-[=i]t, _n._ a mineral consisting of common alum together with normal hydrate of aluminium.--Also ALUM-STONE, ALUMIN'ILITE.

ALURE, al-l[=u]r', _n._ (_obs._) a place to walk in, a gallery, a covered passage. [O. Fr. _aleure_, _aller_, to go.]

ALVEARY, al've-ar-i, _n._ a beehive: (_anat._) the hollow of the external ear.--_adj._ AL'VEOLATE, pitted like a honeycomb. [L. _alvearium_, beehive--_alveus_, a hollow vessel.]

ALVEOLAR, al've-o-lar, _adj._ (_anat._) of or belonging to the sockets of the teeth, as the alveolar arch, the part of the upper jaw in which the teeth are placed--also AL'VEOLARY.--_n._ AL'VEOLE, the hollow or socket of a tooth--more common ALV[=E]'OLUS.

ALVINE, al'vin, _adj._ of or from the belly. [From L. _alvus_, belly.]

ALWAYS, awl'w[=a]z, ALWAY, awl'w[=a], _adv._ through all ways: continually: for ever. [Gen. case of ALWAY.]

AM, am, the 1st pers. sing, of the verb To be. [A.S. _eom_; Gr. _ei-mi_; Lat. _s-u-m_ (_as_-(_u_)-_mi_); Goth. _-im_; Sans. _as-mi_.]

AMADOU, am'a-d[=oo], _n._ a soft spongy substance, growing as a fungus on forest trees, used as a styptic and as tinder. [Fr. _amadouer_, to allure (as in the phrase 'to _coax_ a fire'); prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Norse _mata_, to feed.]

AMAIN, a-m[=a]n', _adv._ with main force or strength: violently: at full speed: exceedingly. [Pfx. _a-_ = _on_, and MAIN.]

AMALGAM, a-mal'gam, _n._ a compound of mercury with another metal: any soft mixture: a combination of various elements: one of the ingredients in an alloy.--_v.t._ AMAL'GAMATE, to mix mercury with another metal: to compound.--_v.i._ to unite in an amalgam: to blend.--_n._ AMALGAM[=A]'TION, the blending of different things: a homogeneous union of diverse elements.--_adj._ AMALGAM[=A]'TIVE. [L. and Gr. _malagma_, an emollient--Gr. _malassein_, to soften.]

AMANDINE, am'an-din, _n._ a kind of cold cream prepared from sweet almonds. [Fr.--_amande_, almond.]

AMANUENSIS, a-man-[=u]-en'sis, _n._ one who writes to dictation: a copyist: a secretary:--_pl._ AMANUEN'S[=E]S. [L.--_ab_, from, and _manus_, the hand.]

AMARACUS, a-mar'a-kus, _n._ (_Tennyson_) marjoram. [L.--Gr.]

AMARANTH, -US, am'ar-anth, -us, _n._ a genus of plants with richly-coloured flowers, that last long without withering, as Love-lies-bleeding, early employed as an emblem of immortality.--_adj._ AMARANTH'INE, pertaining to amaranth: unfading. [Through Fr. and L. from Gr. _amarantos_, unfading--_a_, neg., and root _mar_, to waste away; allied to L. _mori_, to die.]

AMARYLLIS, am-a-ril'is, _n._ a genus of bulbous-rooted plants, including the narcissus, jonquil, &c. [_Amaryllis_, the name of a country girl in Theocritus and Virgil.]

AMASS, a-mas', _v.t._ to gather in large quantity: to accumulate.--_adjs._ AMASS'ABLE.--_pa.p._ AMASSED'.--_n._ AMASS'MENT. [Fr. _amasser_--L. _ad_, to, and _massa_, a mass.]

AMASTHENIC, am-as-then'ik, _adj._ uniting all the chemical rays of light into one focus, applied to a lens perfect for photographic purposes. [Gr. _hama_, together, _sthenos_, force.]

AMATE, a-m[=a]t', _v.t._ to accompany: (_Spens._) to match. [Pfx. _a-_, and MATE.]

AMATE, a-m[=a]t', _v.t._ (_arch._) to subdue, to daunt, to stupefy. [O. Fr. _amatir_, to subdue.]

AMATEUR, am'at-[=u]r, or am-at-[=a]r', _n._ one who cultivates a particular study or art for the love of it, and not professionally: in general terms, one who plays a game for pleasure, as distinguished from a professional who plays for money--nearly every game has its special definition to meet its own requirements.--_adjs._ AMATEUR; AMATEUR'ISH, imperfect and defective, as the work of an amateur rather than a professional hand.--_adv._ AMATEUR'ISHLY.--_ns._ AMATEUR'ISHNESS; AMATEUR'ISM, AMATEUR'SHIP. [Fr.--L. _amator_, a lover, _am[=a]re_, to love.]

AMATIVE, am'at-iv, _adj._ relating to love: amorous.--_n._ AM'ATIVENESS, propensity to love or to sexuality. [From L. _am[=a]re_, -_[=a]tum_, to love.]

AMATORY, am'at-or-i, _adj._ relating to or causing love: affectionate.--_adjs._ AM'ATORY, AMAT[=O]'RIAL, AMAT[=O]'RIAN (_obs._).--_adv._ AMAT[=O]'RIALLY.

AMAUROSIS, am-aw-r[=o]'sis, _n._ total blindness when no change can be seen in the eye sufficient to account for it; _Amblyopia_ being partial loss of sight under similar circumstances. The old name was _Gutta serena_--the 'drop serene' of _Paradise Lost_, iii. 25.--_adj._ AMAUR[=O]'TIC. [Gr. _amaur[=o]sis_, _amauros_, dark.]

AMAZE, a-m[=a]z', _v.t._ to confound with surprise or wonder.--_n._ astonishment: perplexity (much less common than AMAZE'MENT).--_adv._ AMAZ'EDLY, with amazement or wonder.--_n._ AMAZE'MENT, AMAZ'EDNESS (_rare_), surprise mingled with wonder: astonishment.--_p.adj._ AMAZE'ING, causing amazement, astonishment: astonishing.--_adv._ AMAZ'INGLY. [Pfx. _a-_, and MAZE.]

AMAZON, am'az-on, _n._ one of a fabled nation of female warriors: a masculine woman: a virago.--_adj._ AMAZ[=O]'NIAN, of or like an Amazon: of masculine manners: warlike. [Popular Gr. ety. from _a_, neg., _mazos_, a breast--they being fabled to cut off the right breast that they might draw the bow to its head (of course all this is idle); some have suggested an original in the Circassian _maza_, the moon.]

AMBAGE, am'b[=a]j, _n._ roundabout phrases: circuitous paths, windings: dark and mysterious courses:--_pl._ AM'BAGES.--_adj._ AMB[=A]'GIOUS, circumlocutory: circuitous.--_adv._ AMB[=A]'GIOUSLY.--_n._ AMB[=A]'GIOUSNESS--_adj._ AMB[=A]'GITORY (_rare_).

AMBASSADOR, am-bas'a-dur, _n._ a diplomatic minister of the highest order sent by one sovereign power to another:--_fem._ AMBASS'ADRESS.--_adj._ AMBASSAD[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ AMBASS'ADORSHIP.--_n._ AMBASS'AGE--now usually EMBASSAGE, the position, or the business, of an ambassador: a number of men despatched on an embassy or mission.--AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY, an ambassador sent on a special occasion, as distinguished from the ordinary or resident ambassador. [It. _ambasciadore_--L. _ambactus_, derived by Grimm from Goth. _andbahts_, a servant, whence Ger. _amt_, office; by Zeuss and others traced to a Celtic source, and identified with W. _amaeth_, a husbandman.]

AMBE, am'b[=e], _n._ an old mechanical contrivance, ascribed to Hippocrates, for reducing dislocations of the shoulder. [Gr. _amb[=e]_, Ionic for _amb[=o]n_, a ridge.]

AMBER, am'b[.e]r, _n._ a yellowish fossil resin, used in making ornaments.--_adjs._ AM'BERED (_obs._), flavoured with amber or ambergris; AMB'ERY. [Fr.--Ar. _`anbar_, ambergris.]

AMBERGRIS, am'b[.e]r-gr[=e]s, _n._ a fragrant substance of an ash-gray colour, found floating on the sea or on the seacoast of warm countries, and in the intestines of the spermaceti whale. [Fr. _ambre gris_, gray amber.]

AMBERITE, am'be-r[=i]t, _n._ a smokeless powder.

AMBIDEXTER, am-bi-deks't[.e]r, _adj._ and _n._ able to use both hands with equal facility: double-dealing, or a double-dealer.--_n._ AMBI'DEXTER'ITY, superior cleverness or adaptability.--_adj._ AMBIDEX'TROUS. [L. _ambo_, both, _dexter_, right hand.]

AMBIENT, am'bi-ent, _adj._ going round: surrounding: investing.--_n._ an encompassing sphere: the air or sky. [L. _ambi_, about, _iens_, _ientis_, pr.p. of _eo_, _[=i]re_, to go.]

AMBIGUOUS, am-big'[=u]-us, _adj._ of doubtful signification: indistinct: wavering or uncertain: equivocal.--_n._ AMBIG[=U]'ITY, uncertainty or dubiousness of meaning--also AMBIG'UOUSNESS.--_adv._ AMBIG'UOUSLY. [L. _ambiguus_--_ambig[)e]re_, to go about--_ambi_, about, _ag[)e]re_, to drive.]

AMBIT, am'bit, _n._ a circuit: a space surrounding a house or town: extent of meaning of words, &c.

AMBITION, am-bish'un, _n._ the desire of power, honour, fame, excellence.--_n._ AMBI'TIONIST (_Carlyle_), an ambitious man.--_adj._ AMBI'TIOUS, full of ambition (with _of_, formerly _for_): strongly desirous of anything--esp. power: aspiring: indicating ambition: showy or pretentious.--_adv._ AMBI'TIOUSLY.--_n._ AMBI'TIOUSNESS. [Fr.--L. _ambition_-_em_, the going about--that is, the canvassing for votes practised by candidates for office in Rome--_ambi_, about, and _[=i]re_, _itum_, to go.]

AMBLE, am'bl, _v.i._ to move as a horse by lifting together both legs on one side alternately with those on the other side: to move at an easy pace affectedly.--_n._ a pace of a horse between a trot and a walk.--_n._ AM'BLER, a horse that ambles: one who ambles in walking or dancing.--_n._ and _adj._ AM'BLING. [Fr. _ambler_--L. _ambul[=a]-re_, to walk about.]

AMBLYGON, am'bli-gon, _adj._ obtuse-angled. [Gr. _amblus_, obtuse, _gonia_, angle.]

AMBLYOPIA, am-bli-[=o]'pi-a, _n._ dullness of sight (see AMAUROSIS).--_n._ AMBLYOP'SIS, the bony fish found in the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, the rudimentariness of whose eyes is due to darkness and consequent disuse. [Gr.--_amblys_, dull, _[=o]ps_, eye.]

AMBLYSTOMA, am-blis't[=o]-ma, _n._ a genus of tailed amphibians in the gill-less or salamandroid sub-order--the adult form of axolotl. [Gr. _amblys_, blunt, _stoma_, mouth.]

AMBO, am'b[=o], _n._ a kind of reading-desk or pulpit, which in early Christian churches was placed in the choir. The ambo had two ascents--one from the east, and the other from the west. [Gr. _amb[=o]n_, a rising.]

AMBROSIA, am-br[=o]'zhi-a, _n._ the fabled food of the gods, which gave immortal youth and beauty to those who ate it: the anointing oil of the gods: any finely-flavoured beverage: something delightfully sweet and pleasing.--_adj._ AMBR[=O]'SIAL, fragrant: delicious: immortal: heavenly.--_adv._ AMBR[=O]'SIALLY.--_adj._ AMBR[=O]'SIAN, relating to ambrosia: relating to St Ambrose, bishop of Milan in the 4th century. [L.--Gr. _ambrosios_ = _ambrotos_, immortal--_a_, neg., and _brotos_, mortal, for _mrotos_, Sans. _mrita_, dead--_mri_ (L. _mori_), to die.]

[Illustration]

AMBRY, am'bri, _n._ a niche in churches in which the sacred utensils were kept: a cupboard for victuals. [O. Fr. _armarie_, a repository for arms (Fr. _armoire_, a cupboard)--L. _armarium_, a chest for arms--_arma_, arms.]

AMBS-ACE, [=a]mz'-[=a]s, _n._ double ace: the lowest possible throw at dice: ill-luck: worthlessness. [O. Fr. _ambes as_--L. _ambas as_. See ACE.]

AMBULACRUM, am-b[=u]-l[=a]'krum, _n._ a row of pores in the shell of an echinoderm, as a sea-urchin, through which the tube-feet protrude.--_adj._ AMBUL[=A]'CRAL. [L., a walk--_ambul[=a]re_, to walk.]

AMBULANCE, am'b[=u]l-ans, _n._ a carriage which follows an army and serves as a movable hospital for the wounded--also used as an _adj._, as in ambulance wagon.--_n._ AMBULAN'CIER, a man attached to an ambulance.--_adj._ AM'BULANT, walking: moving from place to place: (_rare_) unfixed.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ AM'BULATE (_rare_), to walk.--_p.adj._ AM'BULATING.--_n._ AMBUL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ AM'BULATORY, having the power or faculty of walking: moving from place to place, not stationary: mutable.--_n._ any part of a building intended for walking in, as the aisles of a church, or the cloisters of a monastery: any kind of corridor. [Fr.--L. _ambulans_, _-antis_, pr.p. of _ambul[=a]re_, to walk about.]

AMBUSCADE, am'busk-[=a]d, _n._ a hiding to attack by surprise: a body of troops in concealment: the hidden place of ambush--used also as a _verb_.--_n._ AMBUSC[=A]'DO, a now archaic form of AMBUSCADE (common in 17th century):--_pl._ AMBUSC[=A]'DOES. [Fr. _embuscade_. See AMBUSH.]

AMBUSH, am'boosh, _n._ and _v._ same meanings as AMBUSCADE.--_n._ AM'BUSHMENT (_B._), ambush. [O. Fr. _embusche_ (mod. _emb[^u]che_), _embuscher_, Low L. _embosc[=a]re_--_in_-, in, and _boscus_, a bush.]

AMEER, or AMERE, a-m[=e]r', _n._ a title of honour, also of an independent ruler in Mohammedan countries. [Ar. _am[=i]r_. See ADMIRAL.]

AMELIORATE, a-m[=e]l'yor-[=a]t, _v.t._ to make better: to improve.--_v.i._ to grow better.--_n._ AMELIOR[=A]'TION, the condition of being made better: improvement or the means of such.--_adj._ AMEL'IORATIVE. [L. _ad_, to, and _melior_, better.]

AMEN, [=a]'men', or [:a]'men', _interj._ so let it be!--_v.t._ to say amen to anything, to ratify solemnly. [Gr.--Heb. _[=a]m[=e]n_, firm, true.]

AMENABLE, a-m[=e]n'a-bl, _adj._ easy to be led or governed: liable or subject to.--_ns._ AMENABIL'ITY, AMEN'ABLENESS.--_adv._ AMEN'ABLY. [Fr. _amener_, to lead--_a_ = L. _ad_, and _mener_, to lead--Low L. _min[=a]re_, to lead, to drive (as cattle)--L. _min[=a]ri_, to threaten.]

AMENAGE, am'e-n[=a]j, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to manage. [O. Fr. _amenager_. See MANAGE.]

AMENANCE, am'e-nans, _n._ (_Spens._) conduct, behaviour. [O. Fr. _amenance_, from root of AMENABLE.]

AMEND, a-mend', _v.t._ to correct: to improve: to alter in detail, as a bill before parliament, often so fundamentally as to overthrow entirely the thing originally proposed.--_v.i._ to grow or become better.--_adjs._ AMEND'ABLE, AMEND'ATORY, corrective.--_n._ AMEND'MENT, correction: improvement: an alteration proposed on a bill under consideration: a counter-proposal put before a public meeting: a counter-motion.--_n.pl._ AMENDS', supply of a loss: compensation: reparation. [Fr. _amender_ for _emender_--L. _emend[=a]re_, to remove a fault--_e_, _ex_, out of, and _menda_, a fault.]

AMENDE, [:a]-mend', _n._ a fine, penalty.--AMENDE HONORABLE, a public confession and apology made for any offence. [Fr. See AMEND.]

AMENITY, am-en'i-ti, _n._ pleasantness, as regards situation, climate, manners, or disposition. [Fr. _am['e]nit['e]_--L. _amoenitas_--_amoenus_, pleasant, from root of _am_-_[=a]re_, to love.]

AMENORRHOEA, AMENORRHEA, a-men-[=o]-r[=e]'a, _n._ absence of menstruation. [From Gr. _a_, priv., _m[=e]n_, month, _roia_, a flowing.]

AMENTUM, a-men'tum, AMENT, am'ent, _n._ a scaly sort of spike, as of the willow: a catkin:--_pl._ AMEN'TA.--_adjs._ AMENT[=A]'CEOUS, AMEN'TAL. [L. _amentum_, thong.]

AMERCE, a-m[.e]rs', _v.t._ to punish by a fine: to deprive of anything, or inflict loss upon.--_n._ AMERCE'MENT, a penalty inflicted--also AMERC'IAMENT. [O. Fr. _amercier_, to impose a fine--L. _merces_, wages, fine.]

AMERICAN, a-mer'ik-an, _adj._ pertaining to America, esp. to the United States.--_n._ a native of America.--_v.t._ AMER'ICANISE, to render American.--_n._ AMER'ICANISM, a custom, characteristic, word, phrase, or idiom peculiar to Americans: condition of being an American citizen: devotion to American institutions. [From _America_, so called unfairly from _Amerigo_ Vespucci, a navigator who explored a small part of South America seven years after the first voyage of Columbus.]

AMETHYST, a'meth-ist, _n._ a bluish-violet variety of quartz of which drinking cups used to be made, which the ancients supposed prevented drunkenness.--_adj._ AMETHYST'INE, [Gr. _amethystos_--_a_, neg., _methy-ein_, to be drunken--_meth[=u]_, wine, cog. with Eng. _mead_, Sans. _madhu_, sweet.]

AMIABLE, [=a]m'i-a-bl, _adj._ lovable: worthy of love: of sweet disposition.--_ns._ AMIABIL'ITY, AM'IABLENESS, quality of being amiable, or of exciting love.--_adv._ AM'IABLY. [O. Fr. _amiable_, friendly--L. _amicabilis_, from _amicus_, a friend; there is a confusion in meaning with O. Fr. _amable_ (mod. Fr. _aimable_), lovable--L. _amabilis_--_am-[=a]re_, to love.]

AMIANTUS, a-mi-ant'us, _n._ the finest fibrous variety of asbestos--it can be made into cloth which when stained is readily cleansed by fire.--Also AMIANTH'US. [Gr. _amiantos_, unpollutable--_a_, neg.,and _miain-ein_, to soil.]

AMICABLE, am'ik-a-bl, _adj._ friendly.--_ns._ AMICABIL'ITY, AM'ICABLENESS.--_adv._ AM'ICABLY. [L. _amicabilis_--_amicus_, a friend, _am-[=a]re_, to love.]

AMICE, am'is, _n._ a flowing cloak formerly worn by priests and pilgrims: a strip of fine linen, with a piece of embroidered cloth sewn upon it, worn formerly on the head, now upon the shoulders, by Roman Catholic priests in the service of the Mass. [O. Fr. _amit_--L. _amictus_, _amic-[)e]re_, to wrap about--_amb_, about, and _jac-[)e]re_, to throw.]

AMICE, am'is, _n._ a furred hood with long ends hanging down in front, originally a cap or covering for the head, afterwards a hood, or cape with a hood, later a mere college hood. [O. Fr. _aumuce_, of doubtful origin; but at any rate cog. with Ger. _mutse_, _m[:u]tze_, Scot. _mutch_.]

AMID, a-mid', AMIDST, a-midst', _prep._ in the middle or midst: among.--_adv._ AMID'MOST (_W. Morris_), in the very middle of.--_adv._ and _n._ AMID'SHIPS, half-way between the stem and stern of a ship, [_a_, on, and MID.]

AMIDE, am'[=i]d, _n._ one of the compound ammonias derived from one or more molecules of common ammonia, by exchanging one or more of the three hydrogen atoms for acid radicals of equivalent acidity.

AMINE, am'[=i]n, _n._ one of the compound ammonias, in which one or more of the three hydrogen atoms in ammonia are exchanged for alcohol or other positive radicals, or for a metal.

AMILDAR, am'il-dar, _n._ a factor or manager in India: a collector of revenue amongst the Mahrattas. [Hind. _`amald[=a]r_--Ar. _`amal_, work.]

AMIR, a-m[=e]r'. Same as AMEER.

AMISS, a-mis', _adj._ in error: wrong.--_adv._ in a faulty manner.--_n._ AMISS'IBILITY.--_adjs._ AMISS'IBLE; AMISS'ING, wanting, lost. [_a_, on, and MISS, failure.]

AMITY, am'i-ti, _n._ friendship: good-will. [Fr. _amiti['e]_--_ami_--L. _amicitia_, friendship, _amicus_, a friend. See AMICABLE.]

AMMIRAL, an old spelling of ADMIRAL.

AMMONIA, am-m[=o]n'i-a, _n._ a pungent gas yielded by smelling-salts, burning feathers, &c.: a solution of ammonia in water (properly _liquid ammonia_): a name of a large series of compounds, analogous to ammonia, including _amines_, _amides_, and _alkalamides_.--_adjs._ AMMON'IAC, AMMON[=I]'ACAL, pertaining to, or having the properties of, ammonia.--_ns._ AMMON'IAC, AMMON[=I]'ACUM, a whitish gum resin of bitter taste and heavy smell, the inspissated juice of a Persian umbelliferous plant--used in medicine for its stimulant and expectorant qualities; AMMON'IAPHONE, an instrument invented about 1880, said to improve the quality of the singing and speaking voice, being an apparatus for inhaling peroxide of hydrogen and free ammonia.--_adj._ AMM[=O]N'IATED, containing ammonia.--_n._ AMMON'IUM, the hypothetical base of ammonia. [From _sal-ammoniac_, or smelling-salts, first obtained by heating camel's dung in Libya, near the temple of Jupiter Ammon.]

AMMONITE, am'mon-[=i]t, _n._ the fossil shell of an extinct genus of molluscs, so called because they resemble the horns on the statue of Jupiter Ammon, worshipped as a ram.

AMMUNITION, am-m[=u]n-ish'un, _n._ anything used for munition or defence: military stores, formerly of all kinds (as still in the word used adjectively, as in ammunition wagon, &c.), now esp. powder, balls, bombs, &c.--_v.t._ to supply with ammunition. [O. Fr. _amunition_. See MUNITION.]

AMNESIA, am-n[=e]'si-a, _n._ loss of memory. [Gr. _amnesia_]

AMNESTY, am'nest-i, _n._ a general pardon of political offenders: an act of oblivion.--_v.t._ to give amnesty to. [Gr. _a-mnestos_, not remembered.]

AMNION, am'ni-on, _n._ the innermost membrane enveloping the embryo of reptiles, birds, and mammals. [Gr.--_amnos_, a lamb.]

AMOEBA, a-m[=e]b'a, _n._ a name given to a number of the simplest animals or Protozoa, which consist of unit masses of living matter. They flow out in all directions in blunt processes (_pseudopodia_, 'false feet'), and have thus an endlessly varying form, hence the name:--_pl._ AMOEB'AE.--_adjs._ AMOEB'IFORM, AMOEB'OID. [Gr. _amoib[=e]_, change.]

AMOEBAEAN, am-e-b[=e]'an, _adj._ answering alternately, responsive, as in some of Virgil's eclogues. [L.--Gr. _amoibaios_, _amoib[=e]_, change, alternation.]

AMOMUM, a-m[=o]'mum, _n._ a genus of herbaceous tropical plants (nat. ord. _Scitamineae_), allied to the ginger-plant, several species yielding the cardamoms and grains of paradise of commerce. [Gr. _am[=o]mon_.]

AMONG, a-mung', AMONGST, a-mungst', _prep._ of the number of: amidst. [A.S. _on-gemang_--_mengan_, to mingle.]

AMONTILLADO, a-mon-til-y[:a]'do, _n._ a dry or little sweet kind of sherry of a light colour and body. [Sp.]

AMORET, am'or-et, _n._ (_obs._) a sweetheart. [O. Fr. _amorette_--L. _amor-em_.]

AMORETTO, am-or-et'to, _n._ a lover: a cupid:--_pl._ AMORET'TI. [It.]

AMORNINGS, a-morn'ingz, _adv._ (_obs._) of mornings. [OF and MORNING.]

AMOROSO, am-or-ro'so, _adj._ (_mus._) tender: descriptive of love.--_n._ one in love, a gallant:--_pl._ AMOR[=O]'SI.--_n._ AMOR[=O]'SITY (_rare_), fondness.

AMOROUS, am'or-us, _adj._ easily inspired with love: fondly in love (with _of_): relating to love.--_n._ AM'ORIST, a lover: a gallant.--_adv._ AM'OROUSLY.--_n._ AM'OROUSNESS. [O. Fr. _amorous_ (Fr. _amoureux_)--L. _amoros-um_, _amor_, love.]

AMORPHA, a-mor'fa, _n._ a genus of North American shrubs of the bean family, the false indigoes or lead-plants--also _bastard_ or _wild indigo_.

AMORPHISM, a-mor'fizm, _n._ a state of being amorphous or without crystallisation even in the minutest particles.--_adj._ AMOR'PHOUS, without regular shape, shapeless, uncrystallised. [Gr. _a_, neg., _morph[=e]_, form.]

AMORT, a-mort', _adj._ (_obs._ or _arch._ merely) spiritless, dejected.--_n._ AMORTIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ AMORT'[=I]SE, to alienate in mortmain: to convey to a corporation:--_pr.p._ amort'[=i]sing; _pa.p._ amort'[=i]sed. [Fr. _[`a]_, to, _mort_, death. See MORTAL.]

AMOUNT, a-mownt', _v.i._ to mount or rise to: to result in: to come in meaning or substance to (with _to_).--_n._ the whole sum: the effect or result. [O. Fr. _amonter_, to ascend--L. _ad_, to, _mont_, _mons_, a mountain.]

AMOUR, am-[=oo]r', _n._ a love intrigue, or illicit affection: a love affair (humorously only, for the old innocent sense is now obsolete).--_n._ AMOURETTE', a petty love affair: the love-grass, or quaking-grass: a cupid.--AMOUR PROPRE, self-esteem ready to take offence at slights. [Fr.--L. _amor_, love.]

AMOVE, a-m[=oo]v', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to stir up: to affect:--_pr.p._ amov'ing; _pa.p._ amoved'. [L. _admov[=e]re_--_ad_, to, and _mov-[=e]re_, to move.]

AMOVE, a-m[=oo]v', _v.t._ to remove, esp. from a place (obsolete except in law). [O. Fr. _amover_--L. _amov[=e]re_, _ab_, from, _mov-[=e]re_, to move.]

AMP[`E]RE, am-pehr', _n._ in electricity, unit of current. [From _Amp[`e]re_, a French electrician who died in 1836.]

AMPERSAND, am'p[.e]rs-and, _n._ a name formerly in use for the character _&_ (also called _short and_), commonly placed at the end of the alphabet in primers.--Also AM'PERZAND, AM'PUSSY-AND, and simply AM'PASSY. [A corr. of _and per se and_--that is, _&_ standing by itself means _and_.]

AMPHIBALUS, am-fib'a-lus, _n._ an ecclesiastical vestment like the chasuble. [L.--Gr., from _amphi_, around, _ball-ein_, to cast.]

AMPHIBIA, am-fib'i-a, AMPHIBIALS, AMPHIBIANS, _n.pl._ animals capable of living both under water and on land.--_n._ AMPHIB'IAN.--_adj._ AMPHIB'IOUS. [L.--Gr., from _amphi_, both, _bios_, life.]

AMPHIBOLE, am-fib'ol-[=e], _n._ the name of a group of minerals which are essentially silicates of lime and magnesia, but these bases are often

## partly replaced by alumina, and oxides of iron and manganese--tremolite,

nephrite (jade), and hornblende. [Gr.]

AMPHIBOLOGY, am-fib-ol'o-ji, _n._ the use of ambiguous phrases or such as can be construed in two senses. A good example is Shakespeare's 'The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose' (2 _Henry VI._, I. iv. 33)--also AMPHIB'OLY.--_adjs._ AMPHIB'OLOUS, AMPHIBOL'IC. [Gr., from _amphi_, on both sides, _ball-ein_, to throw.]

AMPHIBRACH, am'fi-brak, _n._ in prosody, a foot of three syllables--a short, a long, and a short, as _[)a]m[=a]r[)e]_. The name is sometimes applied in English to such a word as _amusement_, where an accented syllable falls between two unaccented. [L.--Gr., made up of Gr. _amphi_, on each side, _brachys_, short.]

AMPHICTYONIC, am-fik-ti-on'ik, _adj._ The Amphictyonic Council was an old Greek assembly composed of deputies (Amphictyons) from twelve of the leading states.--_n._ AMPHIC'TYONY, an association of such states. [Gr. _amphiktyones_, 'those dwelling around.']

AMPHIMACER, am-fim'a-s[.e]r, _n._ in prosody, a foot of three syllables, the middle one short, and the first and last long, as _c[=a]r[)i]t[=a]s_. Sometimes applied to such Eng. words as _runaway_. [Gr., 'long at both ends;' _amphi_, on both sides, _makros_, long.]

AMPHIOXUS, am-f[=i]-oks'us, _n._ the lancelet, one of the lowest backboned animals, found on the sandy coasts of warm and temperate seas. The body is about two inches long and pointed at both ends. [Gr. _amphi_, on both sides, and _oxys_, sharp.]

AMPHIPODS, am'fi-pods, _n._ an order of small sessile-eyed crustaceans--a familiar example is the sand-hopper. [Gr. _amphi_, both ways, _pous_, _podos_, a foot.]

AMPHISBAENA, am-fis-b[=e]'na, _n._ a family of lizard-snakes, chiefly found in tropical America, which have their tails so rounded as to give them the appearance of having a head at both ends.--_adj._ AMPHISB[=E]'NIC. [Gr. _amphisbaina_--_amphi_, _amphis_, both ways, and _bain-ein_, to go.]

AMPHISCIANS, am-fish'i-anz, _n.pl._ the inhabitants of the torrid zone, whose shadows are thrown both ways--that is, to the north one part of the year, and to the south the other part, according as the sun is north or south of the equator. [Gr. _amphiskios_--_amphi_, both ways, _skia_, a shadow.]

AMPHISTOMOUS, am-fis't[=o]-mus, _adj._ having a mouth-like orifice at either end, as some parasitic worms. [Gr., _amphistomos_, double mouthed.]

AMPHITHEATRE, am-fi-th[=e]'a-t[.e]r, _n._ an oval or circular edifice having rows of seats one above another, around an open space, called the arena, in which public spectacles are exhibited: anything like an amphitheatre in form.--_adjs._ AMPHITHEAT'RICAL, AMPHITHEAT'RAL.--_adv._ AMPHITHEAT'RICALLY. [Gr. _amphi_, round about, _theatron_, a place for seeing--_theaomai_, to see.]

AMPHITRYON, am-fit'ri-on, _n._ a host or entertainer. [From _Amphitryon_ in Moli[`e]re's comedy, who gives a great dinner. Amphitryon in Gr. mythology was husband of Alcmene, who was deceived by Zeus in her husband's semblance, and so became the mother of Hercules.]

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AMPHORA, am'f[=o]-ra, _n._ a two-handled vessel or jar used by the Greeks and Romans for holding liquids.--_adj._ AM'PHORIC (_med._), like the sound produced by speaking into an amphora or any large vessel with a small mouth. [Gr. _amphoreus_, _amphiphoreus_--_amphi_, on both sides, _pher-ein_, to bear.]

AMPLE, am'pl, _adj._ spacious: large enough: abundant: liberal: copious, or of great length.--_ns._ AM'PLENESS; AMPLI[=A]'TION, enlarging, an enlargement.--_adj._ AMPLI[=A]'TIVE (_rare_).--_adv._ AM'PLY. [Fr.--L. _amplus_, large.]

AMPLEXICAUL, am-pleks'i-kawl, _adj._ (_bot._) nearly surrounding the stem--said of sessile leaves. [Modern L. _amplexicaulis_--L. _amplexus_, embrace, and _caulis_, stem.]