Æs. A term used in antiquity to denote brass, copper, bronze, or any alloy of these metals. It also serves, in various connexions, to denote a number of different objects. Such as æs candidum, a brass mixed with silver; æs Corinthum, a brass mixed with gold; æs Cyprium, the ancient name for copper. (See also Bronze.)
Æs grave, R. A general term current in Rome to denote any bronze money at the period when the as was equal to about a pound in value.
Æs rude, R. The name given to the bronze ingots employed at Rome as ready money in exchanges and other commercial transactions.
Æs thermarum, Gr. and R. A bronze gong or metal bell hung up in the public baths, the sound of which, when struck, gave notice to the public that the baths were sufficiently warm to be ready for use.
Æs ustum. Peroxide of copper, or calcined copper.
Æsthetics, Gr. (αἰσθάνομαι, to comprehend). The science of the instinctive apprehension of the harmonies.
Aetos, Gr. (Ἀετός). A Greek word signifying eagle, and by analogy, a gable, pediment, or higher part of a building generally, so called from the resemblance which these parts bear to an eagle with outstretched wings. In the same way the Greeks gave the name of πτερὰ (wings), to the outer rows of columns flanking each side of a temple.
Affidati, It. One of the Italian literary academies. Their device was a nautilus, with the motto “tutus per suprema per ima.”
Affrontée, Her. Showing the full front.
Agalma, Agalmata, Gr. (ἄγαλμα, from ἀγάλλω, to glorify). Any work of art dedicated to a god, whether it were placed in his temple or not; such as tripods; [braziers for incense], or other accessories of a temple. The low pillar placed over a tomb, or the statue of a god might be agalmata.