Arotoi-Hieroi, Gr. Literally: sacred labours, a term used to denote three agricultural festivals which took place in Attica; the first was held in commemoration of the first sowing; the second, on occasion of reaping the earliest crop of barley in a field near Eleusis; the third, by way of invoking the blessings of Ceres on the field of corn specially set apart for the worship of Athena.
Arquebus. A hand-gun, larger than a musket. The man using it was called an arquebusier.
Arra or Arrha, R. A deposit, or earnest-money to a contract.
Arras. Tapestry. Textile hangings for walls; first made at Arras in the 14th century. It was originally called Opus Saracenicum.
Arrhæ Sponsalitiæ, called also Arrabo, was the name of the betrothal money paid to the parents of a bride; a practice of the Hebrews, continued by Christians.
Arrhephoria, Gr. (Ἀρρηφόρια). A festival held at Athens in the month of June or Scirophorium. The maidens who took part in it were called ἑροηφόροι or ἑροηφόροι. Four little girls and a priestess carried some sacred vessels to a grotto.
Arricciate, Ital. One of the coats of mortar laid on to a wall to receive fresco-painting.
Arrondie, Her. Curved, round.
Arrows, in Christian art, are the emblems of pestilence, death, and destruction.
Arsenicon, Greek for orpiment (q.v.).