Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1st 100 Pages)

by Noah Webster

<— p. 94 —>

As·terÏoph¶ylÏlite (?), n. [Gr. ? star + ? leaf.] (Paleon.) A fossil plant from the coal formations of Europe and America, now regarded as the branchlets and foliage of calamites.
AÏstert (?), v. t. [Pref. aÏ + start; OE. asterten, asturten.] To start up; to befall; to escape; to shun. [Obs.]
Spenser.
AÏstert¶, v. i. To escape. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Ø As·theÏni¶a (?), As¶theÏny (?), } n. [NL. asthenia, Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? strength.] (Med.) Want or loss of strength; debility; diminution of the vital forces.
AsÏthen¶ic (?), a. [Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? strength.] (Med.) Characterized by, or pertaining to, debility; weak; debilitating.
Ø As·theÏno¶piÏa (?), n. [Gr. ? priv. + ? strength + ? eye.] Weakness of sight. Quain. Ð As·theÏnop¶ic (?), a.
Asth¶ma (?; 277), n. [Gr. ? shortÐdrawn breath, fr. ? to blow, for ?: cf. Skr. v¾, Goth. waian, to blow, E. wind.] (Med.) A disease, characterized by difficulty of breathing (due to a spasmodic contraction of the bronchi), recurring at intervals, accompanied with a wheezing sound, a sense of constriction in the chest, a cough, and expectoration.
AsthÏmat¶ic (?), AsthÏmat¶icÏal (?), } a. [L. asthmaticus, Gr. ?.] Of or pertaining to asthma; as, an asthmatic cough; liable to, or suffering from, asthma; as, an asthmatic patient. Ð AsthÏmat¶icÏalÏly, adv.
AsthÏmat¶ic, n. A person affected with asthma.
As·tigÏmat¶ic (?), a. (Med. & Opt.) Affected with, or pertaining to, astigmatism; as, astigmatic eyes; also, remedying astigmatism; as, astigmatic lenses.
AÏstig¶maÏtism (?), n. [Gr. ? priv. + ?, ?, a prick of a pointed instrument, a spot, fr. ? to prick: cf. F. astigmatisme.] (Med. & Opt.) A defect of the eye or of a lens, in consequence of which the rays derived from one point are not brought to a single focal point, thus causing imperfect images or indistictness of vision.
µ The term is applied especially to the defect causing images of lines having a certain direction to be indistinct, or imperfectly seen, while those of lines transverse to the former are distinct, or clearly seen.
AsÏtip¶uÏlate (?), v. i. [L. astipulari; ad + stipulari to stipulate.] To assent. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
AsÏtip·uÏla¶tion (?), n. [L. astipulatio.] Stipulation; agreement. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
AÏstir¶ (?), adv. & a. [Pref. aÏ + stir.] Stirring; in a state of activity or motion; out of bed.
AÏstom¶aÏtous (?), As¶toÏmous (?), } a. [Gr. ? priv. + ?, ?, mouth.] Not possessing a mouth.
AsÏton¶ (?), AsÏtone¶ (?), } v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astoned, Astond, or Astound.] [See Astonish.] To stun; to astonish; to stupefy. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AsÏton¶ied (?), p. p. Stunned; astonished. See Astony. [Archaic]
And I astonied fell and could not pray.
Mrs. Browning.
AsÏton¶ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astonished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Astonishing.] [OE. astonien, astunian, astonen, OF. estoner, F. ‚tonner, fr. L. ex out + tonare to thunder, but perhaps influenced by E. stun. See Thunder, Astound, Astony.] 1. To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. [Obs.]
Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen had struck Pistol.]
Shak.
The very crampÐfish [i. e., torpedo]… being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others.
Holland.
2. To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze; to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to confound with some sudden emotion or passion.
Musidorus… had his wits astonished with sorrow.
Sidney.
I, Daniel… was astonished at the vision.
Dan. viii. 27.
Syn. - To amaze; astound; overwhelm; surprise. Ð Astonished, Surprised. We are surprised at what is unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We are struck with astonishment. C. J. Smith. See Amaze.
AsÏton¶ishÏedÏly (?), adv. In an astonished manner. [R.]
Bp. Hall.
AsÏton¶ishÏing, a. Very wonderful; of a nature to excite astonishment; as, an astonishing event.
Syn. - Amazing; surprising; wonderful; marvelous.
Ð AsÏton¶ishÏingÏly, adv. Ð AsÏton¶ishÏingÏness, n.
AsÏton¶ishÏment (?), n. [Cf. OF. est?nnement, F. ‚tonnement.] 1. The condition of one who is stunned. Hence: Numbness; loss of sensation; stupor; loss of sense. [Obs.]
A coldness and astonishment in his loins, as folk say.
Holland.
2. Dismay; consternation. [Archaic]
Spenser.
3. The overpowering emotion excited when something unaccountable, wonderful, or dreadful is presented to the mind; an intense degree of surprise; amazement.
Lest the place
And my quaint habits breed astonishment.
Milton.
4. The object causing such an emotion.
Thou shalt become an astonishment.
Deut. xxviii. 37.
Syn. - Amazement; wonder; surprise.
AsÏto¶y (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astonied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Astonying. See Astone.] To stun; to bewilder; to astonish; to dismay. [Archaic]
The captain of the Helots… strake Palladius upon the side of his head, that he reeled astonied.
Sir P. Sidney.
This sodeyn cas this man astonied so,
That reed he wex, abayst, and al quaking.
Chaucer.
AÏstoop¶ (?), adv. [Pref. aÏ + stoop.] In a stooping or inclined position.
Gay.
AsÏtound¶ (?), a. [OE. astouned, astound, astoned, p. p. of astone. See Astone.] Stunned; astounded; astonished. [Archaic]
Spenser.
Thus Ellen, dizzy and astound.
As sudden ruin yawned around.
Sir W. Scott.
AsÏtound¶, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astounded, Obs. Astound; p. pr. & vb. n. Astounding.] [See Astound, a.] 1. To stun; to stupefy.
No puissant stroke his senses once astound.
Fairfax.
2. To astonish; to strike with amazement; to confound with wonder, surprise, or fear.
These thoughts may startle well, but not astound
The virtuous mind.
Milton.
AsÏtound¶ing, a. Of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an astounding force, statement, or fact. Ð AsÏfound¶ingÏly, adv.
AsÏfound¶ment (?), n. Amazement.
Coleridge.
As·traÏchan¶ (?), a. & n. See Astrakhan.
AÏstrad¶dle (?), adv. [Pref. aÏ + straddle.] In a straddling position; astride; bestriding; as, to sit astraddle a horse.
AsÏtr‘¶an (?), a. [Gr. ? starry.] (Zo”l.) Pertaining to the genus Astr‘a or the family Astr‘id‘. Ð n. A coral of the family Astr‘id‘; a star coral.
As¶traÏgal (?), n. [L. astragalus, Gr. ? the ankle bone, a molding in the capital of the Ionic column.] 1. (Arch.) A convex molding of rounded surface, generally from half to three quarters of a circle.
2. (Gun.) A round molding encircling a cannon near the mouth.
AsÏtrag¶aÏlar (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the astragalus.
AsÏtrag¶aÏloid (?), a. [Astragalus + Ïoid.] (Anat.) Resembling the astragalus in form.
AsÏtrag¶aÏloÏman·cy (?), n. [Gr. ? ankle bone, die + Ïmancy.] Divination by means of small bones or dice.
Ø AsÏtrag¶aÏlus (?), n. [L. See Astragal.] 1. (Anat.) The ankle bone, or hock bone; the bone of the tarsus which articulates with the tibia at the ankle.
2. (Bot.) A genus of papilionaceous plants, of the tribe Galege‘, containing numerous species, two of which are called, in English, milk vetch and licorice vetch. Gum tragacanth is obtained from different oriental species, particularly the A. gummifer and A. verus.
3. (Arch.) See Astragal, 1.
As·traÏkhan¶ (?), a. Of or pertaining to ÷ in Russia or its products; made of an ÷ skin. Ð n. The skin of stillborn or young lambs of that region, the curled wool of which resembles fur.
As¶tral (?), a. [L. astralis, fr. astrum star, Gr. ?: cf. F. astral. See Star.] Pertaining to, coming from, or resembling, the stars; starry; starlike.
Shines only with an astral luster.
I. Taylor.
Some astral forms I must invoke by prayer.
Dryden.
÷ lamp, an Argand lamp so constructed that no shadow is cast upon the table by the flattened ringÐshaped reservoir in which the oil is contained. Ð ÷ spirits, spirits formerly supposed to live in the heavenly bodies or the a‰rial regions, and represented in the Middle Ages as fallen angels, spirits of the dead, or spirits originating in fire.
AÏstrand¶ (?), adv. & a. [Pref. aÏ + strand.] Stranded.
Sir W. Scott.
AÏstray¶ (?), adv. & a. [See Estray, Stray.] Out of the right, either in a literal or in a figurative sense; wandering; as, to lead one astray.
Ye were as sheep going astray.
1 Pet. ii. 25.
AsÏtrict¶ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astricted;ÿp. pr. & vb. n. Astricting.] [L. astrictus, p. p. of astringere. See Astringe.] 1. To bind up; to confine; to constrict; to contract.
The solid parts were to be relaxed or astricted.
Arbuthnot.
2. To bind; to constrain; to restrict; to limit. [R.]
The mind is astricted to certain necessary modes or forms of thought.
Sir W. Hamilton.
3. (Scots Law) To restrict the tenure of; as, to astrict lands. See Astriction, 4.
Burrill.
AsÏtrict¶, a. Concise; contracted. [Obs.]
Weever.
AsÏtric¶tion (?), n. [L. astrictio.] 1. The act of binding; restriction; also, obligation.
Milton.
2. (Med.) (a) A contraction of parts by applications; the action of an astringent substance on the animal economy. Dunglison. (b) Constipation.
Arbuthnot.
3. Astringency. [Obs.]
Bacon.
4. (Scots Law) An obligation to have the grain growing on certain lands ground at a certain mill, the owner paying a toll.
Bell.
µ The lands were said to be astricted to the mill.
AsÏtric¶tive (?), a. Binding; astringent. Ð n. An astringent. Ð AsÏtric¶tiveÏly, adv.
AsÏtric¶toÏry (?), a. Astrictive. [R.]
AÏstride¶ (?), adv. [Pref. aÏ + stride.] With one leg on each side, as a man when on horseback; with the legs stretched wide apart; astraddle.
Placed astride upon the bars of the palisade.
Sir W. Scott.
Glasses with horn bows sat astride on his nose.
Longfellow.
AsÏtrif¶erÏous (?), a. [L. astrifer; astrum star + ferre to bear.] Bearing stars. [R.]
Blount.
AsÏtringe¶ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astringed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Astringing (?).] [L. astringere; ad + stringere to draw tight. Cf. Astrict, and see Strain, v. t.] 1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to draw together; to compress.
Which contraction… astringeth the moistu?? ? br?? and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes.
Bacon.
2. To bind by moral or legal obligation.
Wolsey.
AsÏtrin¶genÏcy (?), n. The quality of being astringent; the power of contracting the parts of the body; that quality in medicines or other substances which causes contraction of the organic textures; as, the astringency of tannin.
AsÏtrin¶gent (?), a. [L. astringens, p. pr. of astringere: cf. F. astringent. See Astringe.] 1. Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; Ð opposed to laxative; as, astringent medicines; a butter and astringent taste; astringent fruit.
2. Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.
AsÏtrin¶gent, n. A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood, mucus, etc.
External astringents are called styptics.
Dunglison.
AsÏtrin¶gentÏly, adv. In an astringent manner.
AsÏtrin¶ger (?),n. [OE. ostreger, OF. ostrucier, F. autoursier, fr. OF. austour, ostor, hawk, F. autour; cf. L. acceptor, for accipiter, hawk.] A falconer who keeps a goschawk. [Obs.] Shak. Cowell. [Written also austringer.]
As¶troÏ (?). The combining form of the Greek word ?, meaning star.
As¶troÏfel, As¶troÏfell } (?), n. A bitter herb, probably the same as aster, or starwort.
Spenser.
AsÏtrog¶eÏny (?), n. [AstroÏ + Gr. ? birth.] The creation or evolution of the stars or the heavens.
H. Spencer.
AsÏtrog¶noÏsy (?), n. [AstroÏ + Gr. ? knowledge.] The science or knowledge of the stars, esp. the fixed stars.
Bouvier.
AsÏtrog¶oÏny (?), n. Same as Astrogeny. Ð As·ÏtroÏgon¶ic (?), a.
AsÏtrog¶raÏphy (?), n. [AstroÏ + Ïgraphy.] The art of describing or delineating the stars; a description or mapping of the heavens.
As¶troÏite (?), n. [L. astroites: cf. F. astroite.] A radiated stone or fossil; starÐstone. [Obs.] [Written also astrite and astrion.]
As¶troÏlabe (?), n. [OE. astrolabie, astrilabe, OF. astrelabe, F. astrolabe, LL. astrolabium, fr. Gr. ?; ? star + ?, ?, to take.] 1. (Astron.) An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.
µ Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.
2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere.
Whewell.
AsÏtrol¶aÏter (?), n. A worshiper of the stars.
Morley.
AsÏtrol¶aÏtry (?), n. [AstroÏ + Gr. ? service, worship: cf. F. astrolƒtrie.] The worship of the stars.
As·troÏliÏthol¶oÏgy (?), n. [AstroÏ + lithology.] The science of a‰rolites.
AsÏtrol¶oÏger (?), n. [See Astrology.] 1. One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]
2. One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.
As·troÏlo¶giÏan (?), n. [OF. astrologien.] An astrologer. [Obs.]
As·troÏlog¶ic (?), As·troÏlog¶icÏal (?), } a. [Gr. ?.] Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing astrology. ½Astrologi? learning.¸ Hudibras. ½Astrological prognostication.¸ Cudworth. Ð As·troÏlog¶icÏalÏly, adv.
AsÏtrol¶oÏgize (?), v. t. & i. To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.
AsÏtrol¶oÏgy (?), n. [F. astrologie, L. astrologia, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? astronomer, astrologer; ? star + ? discourse, ? to speak. See Star.] In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.
µ Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial astrology, which assumed to foretell the fate and acts of nations and individuals, and natural astrology, which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature, such as changes of the weather, etc.
As·troÏman¶tic (?), a. [Gr. ? astrology.] Of or pertaining to divination by means of the stars; astrologic. [R.]
Dr. H. More.
As·troÏme·teÏorÏol¶oÏgy (?), n. [AstroÏ + meteorology.] The investigation of the relation between the sun, moon, and stars, and the weather. Ð As·ÏtroÏme·teÏor·oÏlog¶icÏal (?), a. Ð As·troÏme·teÏorÏol¶oÏgist (?), n.
AsÏtrom¶eÏter (?), n. [AstroÏ + Ïmeter.] An instrument for comparing the relative amount of the light of stars.
AsÏtrom¶eÏtry (?), n. [AstroÏ + Ïmetry.] The art of making measurements among the stars, or of determining their relative magnitudes.
AsÏtron¶oÏmer (?), n. [See Astronomy.] 1. An astrologer. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena.
An undevout astronomer is mad.
Young.
As·troÏno¶miÏan (?), n. [OE. & OF. astronomien. See Astronomy.] An astrologer. [Obs.]
As·troÏnom¶ic (?), a. Astronomical.

<— p. 95 —>

As·troÏnom¶icÏal (?), a. [L. astronomicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. astronomique.] Of or pertaining to astronomy; in accordance with the methods or principles of astronomy. Ð As·troÏnom¶icÏalÏly, adv.
÷ clock. See under Clock. Ð ÷ day. See under Clock. Ð ÷ day. See under Day. Ð ÷ fractions, ÷ numbers. See under Sexagesimal.
AsÏtron¶oÏmize , v. i. [Gr. ?.] To study or to talk astronomy. [R.]
They astronomized in caves.
Sir T. Browne.
AsÏtron¶oÏmy (?), n. [OE. astronomie, F. astronomie, L. astronomia, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? astronomer; ? star + ? to distribute, regulate. See Star, and Nomad.] 1. Astrology. [Obs.]
Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck;
And yet methinks I have astronomy.
Shak.
2. The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the causes of their various phenomena.
3. A treatise on, or textÐbook of, the science.
Physical ~. See under Physical.
As¶troÏphel (?), n. See Astrofel.ÿ[Obs.]
As·troÏphoÏtog¶raÏphy (?), n. [AstroÏ + photography.] The application of photography to the delineation of the sun, moon, and stars.
As·troÏphys¶icÏal (?), a. Pertaining to the physics of astronomical science.
Ø AsÏtroph¶yÏton (?), n. [AstroÏ + Gr. ? a plant.] (Zo”l.) A genus of ophiurans having the arms much branched.
As¶troÏscope (?), n. [AstroÏ + scope.] An old astronomical instrument, formed of two cones, on whose surface the constellations were delineated.
AsÏtros¶coÏpy (?), n. Observation of the stars. [Obs.]
As·troÏtheÏol¶ÏoÏgy (?), n. [AstroÏ + theology.] Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial bodies.
Derham.
AÏstruc¶tive (?), a. [L. astructus, p. p. of astruere to build up; ad + struere to build.] Building up; constructive; Ð opposed to destructive.ÿ[Obs.]
AÏstrut¶ (?), a. & adv. 1. Sticking out, or puffed out; swelling; in a swelling manner. [Archaic]
Inflated and astrut with selfÐconceit.
Cowper.
2. In a strutting manner; with a strutting gait.
AsÏtu¶cious (?), a. [F. astucieux. See Astute.] Subtle; cunning; astute. [R.] Sir W. Scott. Ð AsÏtu¶ciousÏly, adv. [R.]
AsÏtu¶ciÏty (?), n. [See Astucious.] Craftiness; astuteness. [R.]
Carlyle.
AÏstun¶ (?), v. t. [See Astony, Stun.] To stun. [Obs.] ½Breathless and astunned.¸
Somerville.
AsÏtu¶riÏan (?), a. Of or pertaining to Asturias in Spain. Ð n. A native of Asturias.
AsÏtute¶ (?), a. [L. astutus, fr. astus craft, cunning; perh. cognate with E. acute.] Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.
Syn. - Keen; eagleÐeyed; penetrating; skilled; discriminating; cunning; sagacious; subtle; wily; crafty.
Ð AsÏtute¶ly, adv. Ð AsÏtute¶ness, n.
AÏsty¶lar (?), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? pillar.] (arch.) Without columns pr pilasters.
Weale.
AÏstyl¶len (?), n. (Mining) A small dam to prevent free passage of water in an adit or level.
AÏsun¶der (?), adv. [Pref. aÏ + sunder.] Apart; separate from each other; into parts; in two; separately; into or in different pieces or places.
I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder.
Zech. xi. 10.
As wide asunder as pole and pole.
Froude.
Ø AÏsu¶ra (?), n. (Hind. Myth.) An enemy of the gods, esp. one of a race of demons and giants.
Ø As¶wail (?), n. [Native name.] (Zo”l.) The sloth bear (Melursus labiatus) of India.
AÏswewe¶ (?), v. t. [AS. aswebban; a + swebban. See Sweven.] To stupefy. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AÏswing¶ (?), adv. In a state of swinging.
AÏswoon¶ (?), adv. In a swoon.
Chaucer.
AÏswooned¶ (?), adv. In a swoon.
AÏsy¶lum (?), n.; pl. E. Asylums (?), L. Asyla (?). [L. asylum, Gr. ?, fr. ? exempt from spoliation, inviolable; ? priv. + ? right of seizure.] 1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege.
So sacred was the church to some, that it had the right of an asylum or sanctuary.
Ayliffe.
µ The name was anciently given to temples, altars, statues of the gods, and the like. In later times Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same sense.
2. Any place of retreat and security.
Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom.
Southey.
3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.
AÏsym¶meÏtral (?), a. Incommensurable; also, unsymmetrical. [Obs.]
D. H. More.
As·ymÏmet¶ric (?), As·ymÏmet¶riÏcal (?), } a. [See Asymmetrous.] 1. Incommensurable. [Obs.]
2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally symmetrical.
Huxley.
AÏsym¶meÏtrous (?), a. [Gr. ?.] Asymmetrical. [Obs.]
Barrow.
AÏsym¶meÏtry (?), n. [Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? symmetry.] 1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a thing, esp. want of bilateral symmetry.
2. (Math.) Incommensurability. [Obs.]
Barrow.
As¶ympÏtote (?; 215), n. [Gr. ? not falling together; ? priv. + ? to fall together; ? with + ? to fall. Cf. Symptom.] (Math.) A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance.
As·ympÏtot¶ic (?), As·ympÏtot¶icÏal (?), } a. Pertaining to, or partaking of the nature of, an asymptote; as, asymptotical lines, surfaces, or planes. Ð As·ympÏtot¶icÏly, adv.
AÏsyn¶arÏtete· (?), a. [Gr. ? not united, disconnected; ? priv. + ? with + ? to fasten to.] Disconnected; not fitted or adjusted. Ð AÏsyn¶arÏtet¶ic (?), a.
÷ verse (Pros.), a verse of two members, having different rhythms; as when the first consists of iambuses and the second of trochees.
As·ynÏdet¶ic (?), a. [See Asyndeton.] Characterized by the use of asyndeton; not connected by conjunctions. Ð As·ynÏdet¶icÏalÏly, adv.
AÏsyn¶deÏton (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? unconnected; ? priv. + ? bound together, fr. ?; ? with + ? to bind.] (Rhet.) A figure which omits the connective; as, I came, I saw, I conquered. It stands opposed to polysyndeton.
AÏsys¶toÏle (?)(?), n. [Pref. aÏ not + systole.] (Physiol.) A weakening or cessation of the contractile power of the heart.
AÏsys¶toÏlism (?), n. The state or symptoms characteristic of asystole.
At (?), prep. [AS. ‘t; akin to OHG. az, Goth., OS., & Icel. at, Sw. †t, Dan. & L. ad.] Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at. It expresses: Ð
1. A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land.
2. The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage.
3. The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns.
4. The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 800; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest.
5. The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock; at twentyÐone; at once; at first.
6. The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands.
7. Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one.
At all, At home, At large, At last, At length, At once, etc. See under All, Home, Large, Last (phrase and syn.), Length, Once, etc. Ð At it, busily or actively engaged. Ð At least. See Least and However. Ð At one. See At one, in the Vocabulary.
Syn. - In, At. When reference to the interior of any place is made prominent in is used. It is used before the names of countries and cities (esp. large cities); as, we live in America, in New York, in the South. At is commonly employed before names of houses, institutions, villages, and small places; as, Milton was educated at Christ's College; money taken in at the Customhouse; I saw him at the jeweler's; we live at Beachville. At may be used before the name of a city when it is regarded as a mere point of locality. ½An English king was crowned at Paris.¸ Macaulay. ½Jean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June, 28, 1712.¸ J. Morley. In regard to time, we say at the hour, on the day, in the year; as, at 9 o'clock, on the morning of July 5th, in the year 1775.
At¶aÏbal (?), n. [Sp. atabal, fr. Ar. atÐtabl the drum, tabala to beat the drum. Cf. Tymbal.] A kettledrum; a kind of tabor, used by the Moors. Croly.
AÏtac¶aÏmite (?), n. [From the desert of Atacama, where found.] (Min.) An oxychloride of copper, usually in emeraldÐgreen prismatic crystals.
At·aft¶er (?), prep. After. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
At¶aÏghan (?), n. See Yataghan.
AÏtake¶ (?), v. t. To overtake. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
At¶aÏman (?), n. [Russ. ataman': cf. Pol. hetman, G. hauptmann headman, chieftain. Cf. Hetman.] A hetman, or chief of the Cossacks.
Ø At·aÏrax¶iÏa (?), At¶aÏrax·y (?), } n. [NL. ataraxia, Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? disturbed, ? to disturb.] Perfect peace of mind, or calmness.
AÏtaunt¶ (?), AÏtaunt¶o (?), } adv. [F. autant as much (as possible).] (Naut.) Fully rigged, as a vessel; with all sails set; set on end or set right.
AÏtav¶ic (?), a. [Cf. F. atavique.] Pertaining to a remote ancestor, or to atavism.
At¶aÏvism (?), n. [L. atavus an ancestor, fr. avus a grandfather.] (a) The recurrence, or a tendency to a recurrence, of the original type of a species in the progeny of its varieties; resemblance to remote rather than to near ancestors; reversion to the original form. (b) (Biol.) The recurrence of any peculiarity or disease of an ancestor in a subsequent generation, after an intermission for a generation or two.
Now and then there occur cases of what physiologists call atavism, or reversion to an ancestral type of character.
J. Fiske.
Ø AÏtax¶iÏa (?), At¶axÏy (?), } n. [NL. ataxia, Gr. ?, fr. ? out of order; ? priv. + ? ordered, arranged, ? to put in order: cf. F. ataxie.] 1. Disorder; irregularity. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
2. (Med.) (a) Irregularity in disease, or in the functions. (b) The state of disorder that characterizes nervous fevers and the nervous condition.
Locomotor ataxia. See Locomotor.
AÏtax¶ic (?), a. [Cf. F. ataxique. See Ataxia.] (Med.) Characterized by ataxy, that is, (a) by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or (b) by a want of coordinating power in movements.
÷ fever, malignant typhus fever.
Pinel.
At·aÏzir¶ (?), n. [OF., fr. Ar. alÐtasÆr influence.] (Astron.) The influence of a star upon other stars or upon men. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Ate (?; 277), the preterit of Eat.
A¶te (?), n. [Gr. ?.] (Greek. Myth.) The goddess of mischievous folly; also, in later poets, the goddess of vengeance.
Ïate (?). [From the L. suffix Ïatus, the past participle ending of verbs of the 1st conj.] 1. As an ending of participles or participial adjectives it is equivalent to Ïed; as, situate or situated; animate or animated.
2. As the ending of a verb, it means to make, to cause, to act, etc.; as, to propitiate (to make propitious); to animate (to give life to).
3. As a noun suffix, it marks the agent; as, curate, delegate. It also sometimes marks the office or dignity; as, tribunate.
4. In chemistry it is used to denote the salts formed from those acids whose names end Ïic (excepting binary or halogen acids); as, sulphate from sulphuric acid, nitrate from nitric acid, etc. It is also used in the case of certain basic salts.
AÏtech¶nic (?), a. [Pref. aÏ not + technic.] Without technical or artistic knowledge.
Difficult to convey to the atechnic reader.
Etching & Engr.
Ø At¶eÏles (?), n. [Gr. ? incomplete; ? priv. + ? completion.] (Zo”l.) A genus of American monkeys with prehensile tails, and having the thumb wanting or rudimentary. See Spider monkey, and Coaita.
Ø A·teÏlier¶ (?)(?) n. [F.] A workshop; a studio.
AÏtel¶lan (?), a. [L. Atellanus, fr. Atella, an ancient town of the Osci, in Campania.] Of or pertaining to Atella, in ancient Italy; as, Atellan plays; farcical; ribald. Ð n. A farcical drama performed at Atella.
AÏthal¶aÏmous (?), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? nuptial bed.] (Bot.) Not furnished with shields or beds for the spores, as the thallus of certain lichens.
Ath¶aÏmaunt (?), n. Adamant. [Obs.]
Written in the table of athamaunt.
Chaucer.
Ath·aÏna¶sian (?; 277), a. Of or pertaining to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century.
÷ creed, a formulary, confession, or exposition of faith, formerly supposed to have been drawn up by Athanasius; but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles (5th century). It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.
Ath¶aÏnor (?), n. [F., fr. Ar. atÏtann?r, fr. Heb. tann?r an oven or furnace.] A digesting furnace, formerly used by alchemists. It was so constructed as to maintain uniform and durable heat.
Chambers.
Ø Ath·eÏca¶ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? priv. + ? chest, box.] (Zo”l.) A division of Hydroidea in which the zooids are naked, or not inclosed in a capsule. See Tubularian.
At¶theÏism (?), n. [Cf. F. ath‚isme. See Atheist.] 1. The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness.
R. Hall.
Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded.
Shipley.
2. Godlessness.
A¶theÏist, n. [Gr. ? without god; ? priv. + ? god: cf. F. ath‚iste.] 1. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
2. A godless person. [Obs.]
Syn. - Infidel; unbeliever.
See Infidel.
A·theÏis¶tic (?), A·theÏis¶ticÏal (?), } a. 1. Pertaining to, implying, or containing, atheism; Ð applied to things; as, atheistic doctrines, opinions, or books.
Atheistical explications of natural effects.
Barrow.
2. Disbelieving the existence of a God; impious; godless; Ð applied to persons; as, an atheistic writer. Ð A·theÏis¶ticÏalÏly, adv. Ð A·theÏis¶ticÏalÏness, n.
A¶theÏize (?), v. t. To render atheistic or godless. [R.]
They endeavored to atheize one another.
Berkeley.
A¶theÏize, v. i. To discourse, argue, or act as an atheist. [R.] Ð A¶theÏi·zer (?), n.
Cudworth.

<— p. 96 —>

Ath¶elÏing (?), n. [AS. ‘?eling noble, fr. ‘?ele noble, akin to G. adel nobility, edel noble. The word ‘?el, E. ethel, is in many AS. proper names, as Ethelwolf, noble wolf; Ethelbald, noble bold; Ethelbert, noble bright.] An AngloÐSaxon prince or nobleman; esp., the heir apparent or a prince of the royal family. [Written also Adeling and ’theling.]
Ath·eÏne¶um, Ath·eÏn‘¶um } (?), n. pl. E. Atheneums (?), L. Athen‘a (?). [L. Athenaemum, Gr. ? a temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. ?, contr. fr. ?, ?, in Homer ?, ?, Athene (called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of Athens.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.
2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
3. A literary or scientific association or club.
4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspaper? are kept for use.
AÏthe¶niÏan (?), a. [Cf. F. Ath‚nien.] Of or pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Greece. Ð n. A native or citizen of Athens.
A·theÏoÏlog¶icÏal (?), a. Opposed to theology; atheistic.
Bp. Montagu.
A·theÏol¶oÏgy (?), n. [Pref. aÏ not + theology.] Antagonism to theology.
Swift.
A¶theÏous (?), a. [Gr. ? without God. See Atheist.] 1. Atheistic; impious. [Obs.]
Milton.
2. Without God, neither accepting nor denying him.
I should say science was atheous, and therefore could not be atheistic.
Bp. of Carlisle.
Ath¶erÏine (?), n. [NL. atherina, fr. Gr. ? a kind of smelt.] (Zo”l.) A small marine fish of the family Atherinid‘,ÿhaving a silvery stripe along the sides. The European species (Atherina presbyter) is used as food. The American species (Menidia notata) is called silversides and sand smelt. See Silversides.
AÏther¶manÏcy (?), n. [See Athermanous.] Inability to transmit radiant; impermeability to heat.
Tyndall.
AÏther¶maÏnous (?), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? to heat, ? heat: cf. F. athermane.] (Chem.) Not transmitting heat; Ð opposed to diathermanous.
AÏther¶mous (?), a. (Chem.) Athermanous.
Ath¶erÏoid (?), a. [Gr. ?, ?, a beard, or an ear, of grain + Ïoid.] Shaped like an ear of grain.
Ø Ath·eÏro¶ma (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? gr?ats, meal.] (Med.) (a) An encysted tumor containing curdy matter. (b) A disease characterized by thickening and fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries.
Ath·eÏrom¶aÏtous (?), a. (Med.) Of, pertaining to, or having the nature of, atheroma.
Wiseman.
Ø Ath·eÏto¶sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? not fixed; ? priv. + ? to set.] (Med.) A variety of chorea, marked by peculiar tremors of the fingers and toes.
AÏthink¶ (?), v. t. To repent; to displease; to disgust. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AÏthirst¶ (?), a. [OE. ofthurst, AS. ofpyrsted, p. p. of ofpyrstan; pref. ofÏ, intensive + pyrstan to thirst. See Thirst.] 1. Wanting drink; thirsty.
2.ÿHaving a keen appetite or desire; eager; longing. ½Athirst for battle.¸
Cowper.
Ath¶lete (?), n. [L. athleta, Gr. ? prizefighter, fr. ? to contend for a prize, ?, Hom. ?, contest, ? prize; fr. the same root as E. wed: cf. F. athlŠte.] 1. (Antiq.) One who contended for a prize in the public games of ancient Greece or Rome.
2. Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion.
3. One fitted for, or skilled in, intellectual contests; as, athletes of debate.
Ath·let¶ic (?), a. [L. athleticus, Gr. ?. See Athlete.] 1. Of or pertaining to athletes or to the exercises practiced by them; as, athletic games or sports.
2. Befitting an athlete; strong; muscular; robust; vigorous; as, athletic Celts. ½Athletic soundness.¸ South. Ð AthÏlet¶icÏalÏly (?), adv.
AthÏlet¶iÏcism (?), n. The practice of engaging in athletic games; athletism.
AthÏlet¶ics (?), n. The art of training by athletic exercises; the games and sports of athletes.
Ath¶leÏtism (?), n. The state or practice of an athlete; the characteristics of an athlete.
AÏthwart¶ (?), prep. [Pref. aÏ + thwart.] 1. Across; from side to side of.
Athwart the thicket lone.
Tennyson.
2. (Naut.) Across the direction or course of; as, a fleet standing athwart our course.
÷ hawse, across the stem of another vessel, whether in contact or at a small distance. Ð ÷ ships, across the ship from side to side, or in that direction; Ð opposed to fore and aft.
AÏthwart¶, adv. 1. Across, especially in an oblique direction; sidewise; obliquely.
Sometimes athwart, sometimes he strook him straight.
Spenser.
2. Across the course; so as to thwart; perversely.
All athwart there came
A post from Wales loaden with heavy news.
Shak.
AÏtilt¶ (?), adv. [Pref. aÏ + tilt.] 1. In the manner of a tilter; in the position, or with the action, of one making a thrust. ½To run atilt at men.¸ Hudibras.
2. In the position of a cask tilted, or with one end raised. [In this sense sometimes used as an adjective.]
Abroach, atilt, and run
Even to the lees of honor.
Beau. & Fl.
At¶iÏmy (?), n. [Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? honor.] (Gr. Antiq.) Public disgrace or stigma; infamy; loss of civil rights.
Mitford.
Ïa¶tion (?). [L. Ïationem. See Ïtion.] A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the verbal substantive in Ïing. It sometimes has the further meanings of state, and that which results from the action. Many of these nouns have verbs in Ïate; as, alliterate Ïation, narrate Ïation; many are derived through the French; as, alteration, visitation; and many are formed on verbs ending in the Greek formative Ïize (Fr. Ïise); as, civilization, demoralization.
AÐtip¶toe (?), adv. One tiptoe; eagerly expecting.
We all feel aÏtiptoe with hope and confidence.
F. Harrison.
Ø AtÏlan¶ta (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Zo”l.) A genus of small glassy heteropod mollusks found swimming at the surface in mid ocean. See Heteropod.
AtÏlan¶tal (?), a. (Anat.) (a) Relating to the atlas. (b) Anterior; cephalic.
Barclay.
At·lanÏte¶an (?), a. [L. Atlant?us.] 1. Of or pertaining to the isle Atlantis, which the ancients allege was sunk, and overwhelmed by the ocean.
2. Pertaining to, or resembling, Atlas; strong.
With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear
The weight of mightiest monarchies.
Milton.
Ø AtÏlan¶tes (?), n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. ?, pl. of ?. See Atlas.] (Arch.) Figures or half figures of men, used as columns to support an entablature; Ð called also telamones. See Caryatides.
Oxf. Gloss.
AtÏlan¶tic (?), a. [L. Atlanticus, fr. Atlas. See Atlas and Atlantes.] 1. Of or pertaining to Mt. Atlas in Libya, and hence applied to the ocean which lies between Europe and Africa on the east and America on the west; as, the Atlantic Ocean (called also the Atlantic); the Atlantic basin; the Atlantic telegraph.
2. Of or pertaining to the isle of Atlantis.
3. Descended from Atlas.
The seven Atlantic sisters.
Milton.
Ø AtÏlan¶tiÏdes (?), n. pl. [L. See Atlantes.] The Pleiades or seven stars, fabled to have been the daughters of Atlas.
At¶las (?), n.; pl. Atlases (?). [L. Atlas, Ïantis, Gr. ?, ?, one of the older family of gods, who bears up the pillars of heaven; also Mt. Atlas, in W. Africa, regarded as the pillar of heaven. It is from the root of ? to bear. See Tolerate.] 1. One who sustains a great burden.
2.ÿ(Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head, whence the name.
3. A collection of maps in a volume; Ð supposed to be so called from a picture of ÷ supporting the world, prefixed to some collections. This name is said to have been first used by Mercator, the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.
4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.
5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.
6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; Ð called also atlas folio.
7. A drawing paper of large size. See under Paper, n.
÷ powder, a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty consistency and great explosive power.
At¶las, n. [Ar., smooth.] A rich kind of satin manufactured in India.
Brande & C.
At·miÏdom¶eÏter (?), n. [Gr. ?, ?, smoke, vapor + Ïmeter; cf. F. atmidomŠtre.] An instrument for measuring the evaporation from water, ice, or snow.
Brande & C.
At¶mo (?), n. [Contr. fr. atmosphere.] (Physics) The standard atmospheric pressure used in certain physical measurements calculations; conventionally, that pressure under which the barometer stands at 760 millimeters, at a temperature of 00 Centigrade, at the level of the sea, and in the latitude of Paris.
Sir W. Thomson.
At·moÏlog¶ic (?), At·moÏlog¶icÏal (?), } a. Of or pertaining to atmology. ½Atmological laws of heat.¸
Whewell.
AtÏmol¶oÏgist (?), n. One who is versed in atmology.
AtÏmol¶oÏgy (?), n. [Gr. ? vapor + Ïlogy.] (Physics) That branch of science which treats of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapor.
Whewell.
AtÏmol¶yÏsis (?), n. [Gr. ? vapor + ? a loosing, ? to loose.] (Chem.) The act or process of separating mingled gases of unequal diffusibility by transmission through porous substances.
At·molÏyÏza¶tion , n. (Chem.) Separation by atmolysis.
At¶moÏlyze (?), v. t. (Chem.) To subject to atmolysis; to separate by atmolysis.
At¶moÏly·zer (?), n. (Chem.) An apparatus for effecting atmolysis.
AtÏmom¶eÏter (?), n. [Gr. ? smoke, vapor + Ïmeter: cf. F. atmomŠtre.] An instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation from a moist surface; an evaporometer.
Huxley.
At¶mosÏphere (?), n. [Gr. ? vapor (akin to Skr. ¾tman breath, soul, G. athem breath) + ? sphere: cf. F. atmosphŠre. See Sphere.] 1. (Physics) (a) The whole mass of a‰riform fluid surrounding the earth; Ð applied also to the gaseous envelope of any celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of Mars. (b) Any gaseous envelope or medium.
An atmosphere of cold oxygen.
Miller.
2. A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical atmosphere, a medium formerly supposed to surround electrical bodies.
Franklin.
3. The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a unit of surface, or about 14.7 Ibs. to the sq. inch.
Hydrogen was liquefied under a pressure of 650 atmospheres.
Lubbock.
4. Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition.
The chillest of social atmospheres.
Hawthorne.
5. The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere.
At·mosÏpher¶ic (?), At·mosÏpher¶icÏal (?), } a. [Cf. F. atmosph‚rique.] 1. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the atmospheric envelope of the earth.
2. Existing in the atmosphere.
The lower atmospheric current.
Darwin.
3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.
4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.]
In am so atmospherical a creature.
Pope.
Atmospheric engine, a steam engine whose piston descends by the pressure of the atmosphere, when the steam which raised it is condensed within the cylinder. Tomlinson. Ð Atmospheric line (Steam Engin.), the equilibrium line of an indicator card. Steam is expanded ½down to the atmosphere¸ when its pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere. (See Indicator card.) Ð Atmospheric pressure, the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in every direction. In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each square inch. Ð Atmospheric railway, one in which pneumatic power, obtained from compressed air or the creation of a vacuum, is the propelling force. Ð Atmospheric tides. See under Tide.
At·mosÏpher¶icÏalÏly (?), adv. In relation to the atmosphere.
At·mosÏpheÏrol¶oÏgy (?), n. [Atmosphere + Ïlogy.] The science or a treatise on the atmosphere.
At¶oÏkous (?), a. [Gr. ? barren; ? priv. + ? offspring.] (Zo”l.) Producing only asexual individuals, as the eggs of certain annelids.
AÏtoll¶ (?), n. [The native name in the Indian Ocean.] A coral island or islands, consisting of a belt of coral reef, partly submerged, surrounding a central lagoon or depression; a lagoon island.
At¶om (?), n. [L. atomus, Gr. ?, uncut, indivisible; ? priv. + ?, verbal adj. of ? to cut: cf. F. atome. See Tome.] 1. (Physics) (a) An ultimate indivisible particle of matter. (b) An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily indivisible; a molecule. (c) A constituent particle of matter, or a molecule supposed to be made up of subordinate particles.
µ These three definitions correspond to different views of the nature of the ultimate particles of matter. In the case of the last two, the particles are more correctly called molecules.
Dana.
2.ÿ(Chem.) The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.
3. Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.
There was not an atom of water.
Sir J. Ross.
At¶om, v. t. To reduce to atoms. [Obs.]
Feltham.
AÏtom¶ic (?), AÏtom¶icÏal (?), } a. [Cf. F. atomique.] 1. Of or pertaining to atoms.
2. Extremely minute; tiny.
Atomic philosophy, or Doctrine of atoms, a system which assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things. This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean philosophy. Ð Atomic theory, or the Doctrine of definite proportions (Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of bodies, in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to three, or some other, always expressible in whole numbers. Ð Atomic weight (Chem.), the weight of the atom of an element as compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken as a standard.
AÏtom¶icÏalÏly, adv. In an atomic manner; in accordance with the atomic philosophy.
At·oÏmi¶cian (?), n. An atomist. [R.]
AÏtom¶iÏcism (?), n. Atomism. [Obs.]
At·oÏmic¶iÏty (?), n. [Cf. F. atomicit‚.] (Chem.) Degree of atomic attraction; equivalence; valence; also (a later use) the number of atoms in an elementary molecule. See Valence.
At¶omÏism (?), n. [Cf. F. atomisme.] The doctrine of atoms. See Atomic philosophy, under Atomic.
At¶omÏist, n. [Cf. F. atomiste.] One who holds to the atomic philosophy or theory.
Locke.
At·omÏis¶tic (?), a. Of or pertaining to atoms; relating to atomism. [R.]
It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy to confound synthesis with synartesis.
Coleridge.
At·omÏiÏza¶tion , n. 1. The act of reducing to atoms, or very minute particles; or the state of being so reduced.
2. (Med.) The reduction of fluids into fine spray.
At¶omÏize , v. t. To reduce to atoms, or to fine spray.
The liquids in the form of spray are said to be pulverized, nebulized, or atomized.
Dunglison.

<— p. 97 —>

At¶omÏi·zer , n. One who, or that which, atomizes; esp., an instrument for reducing a liquid to spray for disinfecting, cooling, or perfuming. At·omÏol¶oÏgy (?), n. [Atom + Ïlogy.] The doctrine of atoms. Cudworth. At¶omÏy (?), n. An atom; a mite; a pigmy. At¶oÏmy (?), n. [For anatomy, taken as an atomy.] A skeleton. [Ludicrous] Shak. AÏton¶aÏble (?), a. Admitting an atonement; capable of being atoned for; expiable. At one¶ (?). [OE. at on, atone, atoon, attone.] 1. In concord or friendship; in agreement (with each other); as, to be, bring, make, or set, at one, i. e., to be or bring in or to a state of agreement or reconciliation. If gentil men, or othere of hir contree Were wrothe, she wolde bringen hem atoon. Chaucer. 2. Of the same opinion; agreed; as, on these points we are at one. 3. Together. [Obs.] Spenser. AÏtone¶ (?), v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Atoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Atoning.] [From at one, i. e., to be, or cause to be, at one. See At one.] 1. To agree; to be in accordance; to accord. [Obs.] He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violentest contrariety. Shak. 2. To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime. The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood. Pope. The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by any wise or popular measure. Junius. AÏtone¶, v. t. 1. To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease. [Obs.] I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. Shak. 2. To unite in making. [Obs. & R.] The four elements… have atoned A noble league. Ford. 3. To make satisfaction for; to expiate. Or each atone his guilty love with life. Pope. AÏtone¶ment (?), n. 1. (Literally, a setting at one.) Reconciliation; restoration of friendly relations; agreement; concord. [Archaic] By whom we have now received the atonement. Rom. v. 11. He desires to make atonement Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers. Shak. 2. Satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing of suffering that which will be received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; expiation; amends; Ð with for. Specifically, in theology: The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal suffering, and death of Christ. When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement be can make for it is, to warn others. Spectator. The Phocians behaved with, so much gallantry, that they were thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former offense. Potter. AÏton¶er (?), n. One who makes atonement. AtÏones (?), adv. [See At one.] [Obs.] Down he fell atones as a stone. Chaucer. AÏton¶ic (?), a. [Cf. F. atonique. See Atony.] 1. (Med.) Characterized by atony, or want of vital energy; as, an atonic disease. 2. (Gram.) Unaccented; as, an atonic syllable. 3. Destitute of tone vocality; surd. Rush. AÏton¶ic, n. 1. (Gram.) A word that has no accent. 2. An element of speech entirely destitute of vocality, or produced by the breath alone' a nonvocal or surd consonant; a breathing. Rush. 3. (Med.) A remedy capable of allaying organic excitement or irritation. Dunglison. At¶oÏny (?), n. [Gr. ? slackness; ? priv. + ? tone, strength, ? to stretch: cf. F. atonie.] (Med.) Want of tone; weakness of the system, or of any organ, especially of such as are contractile. AÏtop¶ (?), adv. On or at the top. Milton. At·raÏbiÏla¶riÏan (?), At·raÏbiÏla¶riÏous (?), } a. [LL. atrabilarius, fr. L. atra bilis black bile: cf. F. atrabilaire, fr. atrabile.] Affected with melancholy; atrabilious. Arbuthnot. At·raÏbiÏla¶riÏan, n. A person much given to melancholy; a hypochondriac. I. Disraeli. At·raÏbil¶iar (?), a. Melancholy; atrabilious. At·raÏbil¶iaÏry (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to atra bilis or black bile, a fluid formerly supposed to be produced by the kidneys. 2. Melancholic or hypohondriac; atrabilious; Ð from the supposed predominance of black bile, to the influence of which the ancients attributed hypochondria, melancholy, and mania. ÷ arteries, capsules, and veins (Anat.), those pertaining to the kidney; Ð called also renal arteries, capsules, and veins. At·raÏbil¶ious (?), a. Melancholic or hypochondriac; atrabiliary. Dunglision. A hardÐfaced, atrabilious, earnestÐeyed race. Lowell. He was constitutionally atrabilious and scornful. Froude. At·raÏmenÏta¶ceous (?), a. [L. atramentum ink, fr. ater black.] Black, like ink; inky; atramental. [Obs.] Derham. At·raÏmen¶tal (?), At·raÏmen¶tous (?), } a. Of or pertaining to ink; inky; black, like ink; as, atramental galls; atramentous spots. At·raÏmenÏta¶riÏous (?), a. [Cf. F. atramentaire. See Atramentaceous.] Like ink; suitable for making ink. Sulphate of iron (copperas, green vitriol) is called atramentarious, as being used in making ink. AtÏrede (?), v. t. [OE. at (AS. ‘t) out + rede.] To surpass in council. [Obs.] Men may the olde atrenne, but hat atrede. Chaucer. AtÏrenne¶ (?), v. t. [OE. at + renne to run.] To outrun. [Obs.] Chaucer. Ø AÏtre¶siÏa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? not perforated.] (Med.) Absence or closure of a natural passage or channel of the body; imperforation. A¶triÏal , a. Of or pertaining to an atrium. AÏtrip¶ (?), adv. [Pref. aÏ + trip.] (Naut.) (a) Just hove clear of the ground; Ðsaid of the anchor. (b) Sheeted home, hoisted taut up and ready for trimming; Ð said of sails. (c) Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; Ð said of yards. Ø A¶triÏum (?), n.; pl. Atria (?). [L., the fore court of a Roman house.] 1. (Arch.) (a) A square hall lighted from above, into which rooms open at one or more levels. (b) An open court with a porch or gallery around three or more sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica or other church. The name was extended in the Middle Ages to the open churchyard or cemetery. 2.ÿ(Anat.) The main part of either auricle of the heart as distinct from the auricular appendix. Also, the whole articular portion of the heart. 3.ÿ(Zo”l.) A cavity in ascidians into which the intestine and generative ducts open, and which also receives the water from the gills. See Ascidioidea. Ø At·roÏcha (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? priv. + ? a circle.] (Zo”l.) A kind of ch‘topod larva in which no circles of cilia are developed. AÏtro¶cious (?), a. [L. atrox, atrocis, cruel, fierce: cf. F. atroce.] 1. Extremely heinous; full of enormous wickedness; as, atrocious quilt or deeds. 2. Characterized by, or expressing, great atrocity, great atrocity. Revelations… so atrocious that nothing in history approaches them. De Quincey. 3. Very grievous or violent; terrible; as, atrocious distempers. [Obs.] Cheyne. Syn. - Atrocious, Flagitious, Flagrant. Flagitious points to an act as grossly wicked and vile; as, a flagitious proposal. Flagrant marks the vivid impression made upon the mind by something strikingly wrong or erroneous; as, a flagrant misrepresentation; a flagrant violation of duty. Atrocious represents the act as springing from a violent and savage spirit. If Lord Chatham, instead of saying ½the atrocious crime of being a young man,¸ had used either of the other two words, his irony would have lost all its point, in his celebrated reply to Sir Robert Walpole, as reported by Dr. Johnson. Ð AÏtro¶ciousÏly, adv. Ð AÏtro¶ciousÏness, n. AÏtroc¶iÏty (?), n.; pl. Atrocities (?). [F. atrocit‚, L. atrocitas, fr. atrox, atrocis, cruel.] 1. Enormous wickedness; extreme heinousness or cruelty. 2. An atrocious or extremely cruel deed. The atrocities which attend a victory. Macaulay. AÏtroph¶ic , a. Relating to atrophy. At¶roÏphied (?), p. a. Affected with atrophy, as a tissue or organ; arrested in development at a very early stage; rudimentary. At¶roÏphy (?), n. [L. atrophia, Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? to nourish: cf. F. atrophie.] A wasting away from of nourishment; diminution in bull or slow emaciation of the body or of any part. Milton. At¶roÏphy, v. t. [p. p. Atrophied (?).] To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or weaken. At¶roÏphy, v. i. To waste away; to dwindle. AÏtro¶piÏa (?), n. Same as Atropine. At¶roÏpine (?), n. [Gr. ? inflexible; hence ? ?, one of the three Parc‘; ? priv. + ? to turn.] (Chem.) A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from the Atropa belladonna, or deadly nightshade, and the Datura Stramonium, or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also daturine. At¶roÏpism (?), n. (Med.) A condition of the system produced by long use of belladonna. At¶roÏpous (?), a. [Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? to turn.] (Bot.) Not inverted; orthotropous. A¶trous (?), a. [L. ater.] CoalÐblack; very black. Ø AÏtry¶pa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? priv. + ? a hole.] (Paleon.) A extinct genus of Branchiopoda, very common in Silurian limestones. At¶taÏbal (?), n. See Atabal. Ø AtÏtac¶ca (?). [It., fr. attaccare to tie, bind. See Attach.] (Mus.) Attack at once; Ð a direction at the end of a movement to show that the next is to follow immediately, without any pause. AtÏtach¶ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attached (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Attaching.] [OF. atachier, F. attacher, to tie or fasten: cf. Celt. tac, tach, nail, E. tack a small nail, tack to fasten. Cf. Attack, and see Tack.] 1. To bind, fasten, tie, or connect; to make fast or join; as, to attach one thing to another by a string, by glue, or the like. The shoulder blade is… attached only to the muscles. Paley. A huge stone to which the cable was attached. Macaulay. 2. To connect; to place so as to belong; to assign by authority; to appoint; as, an officer is attached to a certain regiment, company, or ship. 3. To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or selfÐinterest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral influence; Ð with to; as, attached to a friend; attaching others to us by wealth or flattery. Incapable of attaching a sensible man. Miss Austen. God… by various ties attaches man to man. Cowper. 4. To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or attribute; to affix; Ð with to; as, to attach great importance to a particular circumstance. Top this treasure a curse is attached. Bayard Taylor. 5. To take, seize, or lay hold of. [Obs.] Shak. 6. To take by legal authority: (a) To arrest by writ, and bring before a court, as to answer for a debt, or a contempt; Ð applied to a taking of the person by a civil process; being now rarely used for the arrest of a criminal. (b) To seize or take (goods or real estate) by virtue of a writ or precept to hold the same to satisfy a judgment which may be rendered in the suit. See Attachment, 4. The earl marshal attached Gloucester for high treason. Miss Yonge. Attached column (Arch.), a column engaged in a wall, so that only a part of its circumference projects from it. Syn. - To affix; bind; tie; fasten; connect; conjoin; subjoin; annex; append; win; gain over; conciliate. AtÏtach¶ (?), v. i. 1. To adhere; to be attached. The great interest which attaches to the mere knowledge of these facts cannot be doubted. Brougham. 2. To come into legal operation in connection with anything; to vest; as, dower will attach. Cooley. AtÏtach¶, n. An attachment. [Obs.] Pope. AtÏtach¶aÏble (?), a. Capable of being attached; esp., liable to be taken by writ or precept. Ø At·taÏch‚¶ (?), n. [F., p. p. of attacher. See Attach, v. t.] One attached to another person or thing, as a part of a suite or staff. Specifically: One attached to an embassy. AtÏtach¶ment (?), n. [F. attachment.] 1. The act attaching, or state of being attached; close adherence or affection; fidelity; regard; an? passion of affection that binds a person; as, an attachment to a friend, or to a party. 2. That by which one thing is attached to another; connection; as, to cut the attachments of a muscle. The human mind… has exhausted its forces in the endeavor to rend the supernatural from its attachment to this history. I. Taylor. 3 Something attached; some adjunct attached to an instrument, machine, or other object; as, a sewing machine attachment (i. e., a device attached to a sewing machine to enable it to do special work, as tucking, etc.). 4. (Giv. Law) (a) A seizure or taking into custody by virtue of a legal process. (b) The writ or percept commanding such seizure or taking. µ The term is applied to a seizure or taking either of persons or property. In the serving of process in a civil suit, it is most generally applied to the taking of property, whether at common law, as a species of distress, to compel defendant's appearance, or under local statutes, to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover in the action. The terms attachment and arrest are both applied to the taking or apprehension of a defendant to compel an appearance in a civil action. Attachment are issued at common law and is chancery, against persons for contempt of court. In England, attachment is employed in some cases where capias is with us, as against a witness who fails to appear on summons. In some of the New England States a writ of attachment is a species of mesne process upon which the property of a defendant may be saized at the commencement of a suit and before summons to him, and may be held to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover. In other States this writ can issue only against absconding debtors and those who conceal themselves. See Foreign, Garnishment, Truster process. Bouvier. Burrill. Blackstone. Syn. - Attachment, Affection. The leading idea of affection is that of warmth and tenderness; the leading idea of attachment is that of being bound to some object by strong and lasting ties. There is more of sentiment (and sometimes of romance) in affection, and more of principle in preserving attachment. We speak of the ardor of the one, and the fidelity of the other. There is another distinction in the use and application of these words. The term attachment is applied to a wider range of objects than affection. A man may have a strong attachment to his country, to his profession, to his principles, and even to favorite places; in respect to none of these could we use the word affection. AtÏtack¶ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Attacking.] [F. attaquer, orig. another form of attacher to ~: cf. It. attacare to fasten, ~. See Attach, Tack a small nail.] 1. To fall upon with force; to assail, as with force and arms; to assault. ½Attack their lines.¸ Dryden. 2. To assail with unfriendly speech or writing; to begin a controversy with; to attempt to overthrow or bring into disrepute, by criticism or satire; to censure; as, to attack a man, or his opinions, in a pamphlet. 3. To set to work upon, as upon a task or problem, or some object of labor or investigation. 4. To begin to affect; to begin to act upon, injuriously or destructively; to begin to decompose or waste. On the fourth of March he was attacked by fever. Macaulay. Hydrofluoric acid… attacks the glass. B. Stewart. Syn. - To Attack, Assail, Assault, Invade. These words all denote a violent onset; attack being the generic term, and the others specific forms of attack. To attack is to commence the onset; to assail is to make a sudden and violent ~, or to make repeated attacks; to assault (literally, to leap upon) is to ~ physically by a hadÐtoÐhand approach or by unlawful and insulting violence; to invade is to enter by force on what belongs to another. Thus, a person may attack by offering violence of any kind; he may assail by means of missile weapons; he may assault by direct personal violence; a king may invade by marching an army into a country. Figuratively, we may say, men attack with argument or satire; they assail with abuse or reproaches; they may be assaulted by severe temptations; the rights of the people may be invaded by the encroachments of the crown. AtÏtack¶, v. i. To make an onset or ~. AtÏtack¶, n. [Cf. F. attaque.] 1. The act of attacking, or falling on with force or violence; an onset; an assault; Ð opposed to defense. 2. An assault upon one's feelings or reputation with unfriendly or bitter words. 3. A setting to work upon some task, etc. 4. An access of disease; a fit of sickness. 5. The beginning of corrosive, decomposing, or destructive action, by a chemical agent. AtÏtack¶aÏble (?), a. Capable of being attacked. AtÏtack¶er (?), n. One who attacks. At¶taÏgas (?), At¶taÏgen (?), } n. [L. attagen a kind of bird, Gr. ?, ?.] (Zo”l.) A species of sand grouse (Syrrghaptes Pallasii) found in Asia and rarely in southern Europe.

<— p. 98 —>

At¶taÏghan (?), n. See Yataghan.
AtÏtain¶ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Attaining.] [Of. atteinen, atteignen, ?tainen, OF. ateindre, ataindre, F. atteindre, fr. L. attingere; ad + tangere to touch, reach. See Tangent, and cf. Attinge, Attaint.] 1. To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?
Abp. Tillotson.
2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a material object.]
Chaucer.
3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.]
Not well attaining his meaning.
Fuller.
4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at. ½Canaan he now attains.¸
Milton.
5. To overtake. [Obs.]
Bacon.
6. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
Syn. - To Attain, Obtain, Procure. Attain always implies an effort toward an object. Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort or motion. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means.
AtÏtain¶, v. i. 1. To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
If by any means they might attain to Phenice.
Acts xxvii. 12.
Nor nearer might the dogs attain.
Sir W. Scott.
To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
Cowper.
Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this.
J. R. Green.
2. To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attain unto it.
Ps. cxxxix. 6.
AtÏtain¶, n. Attainment. [Obs.]
AtÏtain·aÏbil¶iÏty (?), n. The quality of being attainable; attainbleness.
AtÏtain¶aÏble (?), a. 1. Capable of being attained or reached by efforts of the mind or body; capable of being compassed or accomplished by efforts directed to the object.
The highest pitch of perfection attainable in this life.
Addison.
2. Obtainable. [Obs.]
General Howe would not permit the purchase of those articles [clothes and blankets] in Philadelphia, and they were not attainable in the country.
Marshall.
AtÏtain¶aÏbleÏness, n. The quality of being attainable; attainability.
AtÏtain¶der (?), n. [OF. ataindre, ateindre, to accuse, convict. Attainder is often erroneously referred to F. teindre tie stain. See Attaint, Attain.] 1. The act of attainting, or the state of being attainted; the extinction of the civil rights and capacities of a person, consequent upon sentence of death or outlawry; as, an act of attainder.
Abbott.
µ Formerly attainder was the inseparable consequence of a judicial or legislative sentence for treason or felony, and involved the forfeiture of all the real and personal property of the condemned person, and such ½corruption of blood¸ that he could neither receive nor transmit by inheritance, nor could he sue or testify in any court, or claim any legal protection or rights. In England attainders are now abolished, and in the United States the Constitution provides that no bill of attainder shall be passed; and no attainder of treason (in consequence of a judicial sentence) shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.
2. A stain or staining; state of being in dishonor or condemnation. [Obs.]
He lived from all attainder of suspect.
Shak.
Bill of ~, a bill brought into, or passed by, a legislative body, condemning a person to death or outlawry, and ~, without judicial sentence.
AtÏtain¶ment (?), n. 1. The act of attaining; the act of arriving at or reaching; hence, the act of obtaining by efforts.
The attainment of every desired object.
Sir W. Jones.
2. That which is attained to, or obtained by exertion; acquirement; acquisition; (pl.), mental acquirements; knowledge; as, literary and scientific attainments.
AtÏtaint¶ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Attainting.] [OE. atteynten to convict, fr. atteynt, OF. ateint, p. p. of ateindre, ataindre. The meanings 3, 4, 5, and 6 were influenced by a supposed connection with taint. See Attain, Attainder.] 1. To attain; to get act; to hit. [Obs.]
2. (Old Law) To find guilty; to convict; Ð said esp. of a jury on trial for giving a false verdict. [Obs.]
Upon sufficient proof attainted of some open act by men of his own condition.
Blackstone.
3. (Law) To subject (a person) to the legal condition formerly resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry, pronounced in respect of treason or felony; to affect by attainder.
No person shall be attainted of high treason where corruption of blood is incurred, but by the oath of two witnesses.
Stat. 7 & 8 Wm. III.
4. To accuse; to charge with a crime or a dishonorable act. [Archaic]
5. To affect or infect, as with physical or mental disease or with moral contagion; to taint or corrupt.
My tender youth was never yet attaint
With any passion of inflaming love.
Shak.
6. To stain; to obscure; to sully; to disgrace; to cloud with infamy.
For so exceeding shone his glistring ray,
That Ph?bus' golden face it did attaint.
Spenser.
Lest she with blame her honor should attaint.
Spenser.
AtÏtaint¶, p. p. Attainted; corrupted. [Obs.]
Shak.
AtÏtaint¶, n. [OF. attainte. See Attaint, v.] 1. A touch or hit.
Sir W. Scott.
2. (Far.) A blow or wound on the leg of a horse, made by overreaching.
White.
3. (Law) A writ which lies after judgment, to inquire whether a jury has given a false verdict in any court of record; also, the convicting of the jury so tried.
Bouvier.
4. A stain or taint; disgrace. See Taint.
Shak.
5. An infecting influence. [R.]
Shak.
AtÏtain¶ment (?), n. Attainder; attainture; conviction.
AtÏtain¶ture (?), n. Attainder; disgrace.
At¶tal (?), n. Same as Attle.
AtÏtame¶ (?), v. t. [OF. atamer, from Latin. See Attaminate.] 1. To pierce; to attack. [Obs.]
2. To broach; to begin.
And right anon his tale he hath attamed.
Chaucer.
AtÏtam¶iÏnate (?), v. t. [L. attaminare; ad + root of tangere. See Contaminate.] To corrupt; to defile; to contaminate. [Obs.]
Blount.
At¶tar (?), n. [Per. 'atar perfume, essence, Ar. 'itr, fr. 'atara to smell sweet. Cf. Otto.] A fragrant essential oil; esp., a volatile and highly fragrant essential oil obtained from the petals of roses. [Also written otto and ottar.]
AtÏtask¶ (?), v. t. [Pref. aÏ + task.] To take to task; to blame.
Shak.
AtÏtaste (?), v. t. [Pref. aÏ + taste.] To taste or cause to taste. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
At¶te (?). At the. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AtÏtem¶per (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Attempering.] [OF. atemprer, fr. L. attemperare; ad + temperare to soften, temper. See Temper, and cf. Attemperate.] 1. To reduce, modify, or moderate, by mixture; to temper; to regulate, as temperature.
If sweet with bitter… were not attempered still.
Trench.
2. To soften, mollify, or moderate; to soothe; to temper; as, to attemper rigid justice with clemency.
3. To mix in just proportion; to regulate; as, a mind well attempered with kindness and justice.
4. To accommodate; to make suitable; to adapt.
Arts… attempered to the lyre.
Pope.
µ This word is now not much used, the verb temper taking its place.
AtÏtem¶perÏaÏment (?), n. [OF. attemprement.] A tempering, or mixing in due proportion.
AtÏtem¶perÏance (?), n. [Cf. OF. atemprance.] Temperance; attemperament. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AtÏtem¶perÏate (?), a. [L. attemperatus, p. p. of attemperare. See Attemper.] Tempered; proportioned; properly adapted.
Hope must be… attemperate to the promise.
Hammond.
AtÏtem¶perÏate (?), v. t. To attemper. [Archaic]
AtÏtem·perÏa¶tion (?), n. The act of attempering or regulating. [Archaic]
Bacon.
AtÏtem¶perÏly, adv. Temperately. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AtÏtem¶perÏment (?), n. Attemperament.
AtÏtempt¶ (?; 215), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempted; p. pr. & vb. n. Attempting.] [OF. atenter, also spelt atempter, F. attenter, fr. L. attentare to ~; ad + tentare, temptare, to touch, try, v. intens. of tendere to stretch. See Tempt, and cf. Attend.] 1. To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight.
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.
Longfellow.
2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt. [Obs. or Archaic]
It made the laughter of an afternoon
That Vivien should attempt the blameless king.
Thackeray.
3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, one who attempts the virtue of a woman.
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further:
Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute.
Shak.
4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp.
Without attempting his adversary's life.
Motley.
Syn. - See Try.
AtÐtempt¶, v. i. To make an ~; Ð with upon. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
AtÏtempt¶, n. A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking; an attack, or an effort to gain a point; esp. an unsuccessful, as contrasted with a successful, effort.
By his blindness maimed for high attempts.
Milton.
Attempt to commit a crime (Law), such an intentional preparatory act as will apparently result, if not extrinsically hindered, in a crime which it was designed to effect.
Wharton.
Syn. - Attempt, Endeavor, Effort, Exertion, Trial. These words agree in the idea of calling forth our powers into action. Trial is the generic term; it denotes a putting forth of one's powers with a view to determine what they can accomplish; as, to make trial of one's strength. An attempt is always directed to some definite and specific object; as, ½The attempt, and not the deed, confounds us.¸ Shak. Am endeavor is a continued ~; as, ½His high endeavor and his glad success.¸ Cowper. Effort is a specific putting forth of strength in order to carry out an ~. Exertion is the putting forth or active exercise of any faculty or power. ½It admits of all degrees of effort and even natural action without effort.¸ C. J. Smith. See Try.
AtÏtemp¶aÏble (?), a.ÿCapable of being attempted, tried, or attacked.
Shak.
AtÏtemp¶er (?; 215), n. 1. One who attempts; one who essays anything.
2. An assailant; also, a temper. [Obs.]
AtÏtempt¶ive (?), a. Disposed to attempt; adventurous. [Obs.]
Daniel.
AtÏtend¶ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attended; p. pr. & vb. n. Attending.] [OE. atenden, OF. atendre, F. attendre, to expect, to wait, fr. L. attendre to stretch, (sc. animum), to apply the mind to; ad + tendere to stretch. See Tend.] 1. To direct the attention to; to fix the mind upon; to give heed to; to regard. [Obs.]
The diligent pilot in a dangerous tempest doth not attend the unskillful words of the passenger.
Sir P. Sidney.
2. To care for; to look after; to take charge of; to watch over.
3. To go or stay with, as a companion, nurse, or servant; to visit professionally, as a physician; to accompany or follow in order to do service; to escort; to wait on; to serve.
The fifth had charge sick persons to attend.
Spenser.
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
Shak.
With a sore heart and a gloomy brow, he prepared to attend William thither.
Macaulay.
4. To be present with; to accompany; to be united or consequent to; as, a measure attended with ill effects.
What cares must then attend the toiling swain.
Dryden.
5. To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a concert, a business meeting.
6. To wait for; to await; to remain, abide, or be in store for. [Obs.]
The state that attends all men after this.
Locke.
Three days I promised to attend my doom.
Dryden.