A GLOSSARY
OF SUCH WORDS AND PHRASES AS MAY NOT EASILY BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE YOUNG READER.
[Many words, not contained in this Glossary, will be found explained in the body of the Work, in the places where they first occur. For these, see Index.]
Academy, the Boston, an association in Boston, established for the purpose of promoting the study and culture of the art of music.
Action brought by the Commonwealth, a prosecution conducted in the name of the public, or by the authority of the State.
Alcoholic, made of, or containing, alcohol, an inflammable liquid, which is the basis of ardent spirits.
Alkali, (plural alkalies,) a chemical substance, which has the property of combining with, and neutralizing the properties of, acids, producing salts by the combination. Alkalies change most of the vegetable blues and purples to green, red to purple, and yellow to brown. Caustic alkali, an alkali deprived of all impurities, being thereby rendered more caustic and violent in its operation. This term is usually applied to pure potash. Fixed alkali, an alkali that emits no characteristic smell, and cannot be volatilized or evaporated without great difficulty. Potash and soda are called the fixed alkalies. Soda is also called a fossil, or mineral, alkali, and potash, the vegetable alkali. Volatile alkali, an elastic, transparent, colorless, and consequently invisible gas, known by the name of ammonia, or ammoniacal gas. The odor of spirits of hartshorn is caused by this gas.
Anglo-American, English-American, relating to Americans descended from English ancestors.
Anne, Queen, a Queen of England, who reigned from A. D. 1702, to 1714. She was the daughter of James II., and succeeded to the throne on the death of William III. She died, August 1, 1714, in the fiftieth year of her age. She was not a woman of very great intellect; but was deservedly popular, throughout her reign, being a model of conjugal and maternal duty, and always intending to do good. She was honored with the title of 'Good Queen Anne', which showed the opinion entertained of her virtues by the people.
Anotta, Annotto, Arnotta, or Rocou, a soft, brownish-red substance, prepared from the reddish pulp surrounding the seeds of a tree, which grows in the West Indies, Guiana, and other parts of South America, called the Bixa orellana. It is used as a dye.