Axis. A straight line, real or imaginary, about which a body revolves is called the axis of rotation. In gunnery, the axis of the piece is the central line of the bore of the gun.
Axum, or Axoum. A town in Abyssinia, said to have been the capital of a kingdom whose people were converted to Christianity by Frumentius, in the 4th century, and to have been the allies of Justinian, 533; captured and burned by the Arabs in 1532.
Aya-Bassi, or Bachi. A non-commissioned grade in the corps of janissaries, corresponding to that of corporal in modern armies.
Ayacucho. A city in Peru; here the Peruvians finally gained their independence by defeating the Spaniards, December 9, 1824. The Spaniards lost 6 generals killed, and General Lascerna wounded and taken prisoner; 700 men under Canterac and Valdez, who tried to escape, were forced to surrender.
Aylesbury. A town in Buckinghamshire, England; was reduced by the West Saxons in 571. St. O’Syth, beheaded by the pagans in Essex, was buried there, 600. William the Conqueror invested his favorites with some of its lands, under the tenure of providing straw for his bed-chambers, three eels for his use in winter, and in summer, straw, rushes, and two green geese, thrice every year.
Aylesford. A town in Kent, England; here, it is said, the Britons were victorious over the Saxon invaders, 455, and Horsa was killed.
Azaine (Fr.). A name formerly applied to a trumpet in the French army.
Azapes. Auxiliary troops which were levied by the Turks among the Christians (under their dominion), whom they exposed to the first attack of the enemy.
Azay-le-Rideau. A small town in the department of Indre-et-Loire, France, formerly fortified; it sustained several sieges during the reign of Charles VI.
Azaz. A fortress which was situated between Aleppo and Antioch; captured by the Saracens in 688 B.C.