Arefaction, ar-e-fak′shun, n. (obs.) the action of drying.—v.t. and v.i. Ar′efy, to dry up, wither. [L. arefacĕre, to make dry—arēre, to be dry, and facĕre, to make.]
Arena, a-rē′na, n. part of the ancient amphitheatre strewed with sand for the combats of gladiators and wild beasts: any place of public contest: a battlefield: place of action of any kind.—adj. Arenā′ceous, sandy: dry: (geol.) applied to rocks composed entirely or largely of grains of quartz.—ns. Arenā′ria, the sandwort, a genus of low herbs allied to the chickweeds; Arenā′tion, the application of hot sand to the body as a remedy. [L. arēna, sand.]
Areography, ā-re-ō′gra-fi, n. description of the physical features of the planet Mars. [Gr. Arēs, Mars, and graphein, to write.]
Areola, a-rē′o-la, n. a small area: (bot.) any slightly sunk spot, on the surface: (physiol.) the interstice in the tissue of an organised substance: any circular spot such as that around the human nipple:—pl. Arē′olæ.—adj. Arē′olate, divided into small areas.—n. Areolā′tion, division into areolæ. [L. areola, a dim. of Area.]
Areometer, Aræometer, ā-re-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for determining specific gravity, called also Hydrometer.—n. Areom′etry, the measuring the specific gravity of bodies. [Gr. araios, thin, and Meter.]
Areopagus, ar-e-op′ag-us, n. Mars' Hill, on which the supreme court of ancient Athens was held: the court itself: also used of any important tribunal.—n. Areop′agite, a member of the Areopagus.—adj. Areopagit′ic, pertaining to the Areopagus.—n. a speech on the model of Isocrates's oration of that name addressed to the Areopagus. [Gr. Areios pagos, hill of Ares, or Mars.]
Aret, Arette, a-ret′, v.t. (Spens.) to entrust, commit a charge to. [O. Fr. arete-r, à-, to, reter—L. reputāre, to reckon.]
Arête, ar-āt′, n. a sharp ridge: esp. in French Switzerland, a rocky edge on a mountain. [Fr.—L. arista, an ear of corn, fish-bone, spine.]
Arew, a-rōō′, adv. (Spens.) arow, in a row.
Argal, ar′gal, adv. (Shak.) corruption of L. ergo, therefore: hence as a noun = a clumsy piece of reasoning.