AMONTILLADO. [Sp.] See Sherry and Wine.
AMORPH′OUS (-morf′-us). Syn. Amorph′us, L.; Amorphe, Informe, Difforme, Fr.; Amorphisch, Misgebildet, Missgestaltet, Ger. Shapeless. In chemistry and mineralogy, applied to substances devoid of regular or crystalline form; as a lump of chalk, the majority of precipitates, &c. The corresponding substantives are AMORPH′ISM, AMORPH′OUSNESS* (amorphis′mus, L.; amorphisme, Fr.).
AMPHIB′IA (fĭb′-y′ă). [L. pl.; prim. Gr.] Syn. Amphib′ians (-yănz), Amphib′ials (-y′ălz). Animals that possess the faculty of living both in water and on land. In modern zoology it is restricted to those animals which possess both gills and lungs; as the batrach′ia or frog tribe. The term is also often applied, colloquially, to otters, seals, walruses, crocodiles, &c., none of which can breathe under water, although, from the languid nature of their circulation, they are able to remain a long time in it.
AMPHIB′IOUS (y′ŭs). Syn. Amphib′ius, L.; Amphibie, Fr.; Beydlebig, Ger. In botany and zoology, having the faculty of growing or living both on land and in water. See Amphibia.
AM′PHITYPE (-fe-). See Photography.
AMYGDALIN. C20H27NO11.3Aq. This substance exists in bitter almonds. It crystallises in pearly white plates, which are odourless and almost tasteless. It is nearly insoluble in hot and cold water and in cold alcohol, but soluble in boiling alcohol. To prepare amygdalin, boil well-pressed cake of bitter almonds twice in strong alcohol; strain through linen, and press the residue; remove any oil that may appear, heat the liquid again, and filter. In a few days part of the amygdalin crystallises out. Concentrate the residuary liquor to a sixth part, and add ether, which will throw down the amygdalin. Press it between blotting paper, wash it with ether, and set aside to crystallise.
AMYG′DALOID (-loyd). Syn. Amygdaloid′al; Amygdaloï′des (-dēz), L.; Amygdaloïde, Fr. Almond-shaped. In mineralogy, amygdaloid is ‘toadstone.’
AMYKOS (Galen, Upsala). A cosmetic and mouth-wash. Claims to be prepared according to an English patent. It is an aqueous extract of 420 grms. cloves, boiled in a gallon of water, in which 420 grms. of pure glycerine are dissolved, and to which 210 grms. of borax are added. (Hager.)
AMYKOSASEPTIN is linen saturated with a hot solution of borax. (Nyström.)
AMYLA′CEOUS (ăm-e-lā′-sh′ŭs). Syn. Amyla′ceus, L.; Amylacé, Fr. Of or like starch; consisting of or abounding in starch; starchy. See Food, Nutrition, Starch, &c.