Part 16

APYRETIC, a-pir-et'ik, _adj._ without pyrexia or fever, especially of those days in which the intermission of fevers occurs in agues--_n._ APYREX'IA. [Gr. _a_, neg., and _pyretos_, fever.]

AQUA-FORTIS, [=a]'kwa-for'tis, _n._ nitric acid, a powerful solvent, hence used figuratively.--_ns._ AQUAFORT'IST, one who prepares etchings or engravings by means of aqua-fortis; A'QUA-MIRAB'ILIS, a preparation distilled from cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and spirit of wine; A'QUA-R[=E]'GIA, a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, so called because it dissolves the royal metal, gold; A'QUA TOFA'NA, a poisonous fluid (prepared from arsenic) made in Palermo in the 17th cent. by a woman _Tofana_; A'QUA-VI'TÆ, an old name for alcohol, used of brandy, whisky, &c.; cf. Fr. _eau de vie_, and _usquebaugh_. [L. _aqua_, water, _fortis_, strong.]

AQUAMARINE, [=a]'kwa-ma-r[=e]n', _n._ the beryl.--_adj._ bluish-green, sea-coloured. [L. _aqua_, water, _mar[=i]na_--_mare_, the sea.]

AQUARELLE, ak-wa-rel', _n._ water-colour painting, or a painting in water-colours.--_n._ AQUAREL'LIST. [Fr.,--It. _acquerella_, _acqua_--L. _aqua_.]

AQUARIUM, a-kw[=a]'ri-um, _n._ a tank or series of tanks for keeping aquatic animals, usually made mostly of glass, filled with either fresh or salt water, having rocks, plants, &c. as in nature: an artificial pond or cistern for cultivating water-plants:--_pl._ AQU[=A]'RIUMS, AQU[=A]'RIA. [L.--_aqua_, water.]

AQUARIUS, a-kw[=a]'ri-us, _n._ the water-bearer, the eleventh sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about 21st January, so called from the constellation of the same name, supposed to represent a man holding his left hand upward, and pouring with his right water from a vase into the mouth of the Southern Fish. [L.--_aqua_, water.]

AQUATIC, a-kwat'ik, _adj._ relating to water: living or growing in water.--_n.pl._ AQUAT'ICS, amusements on the water, as boating, &c.

AQUATINT, [=a]'kwa-tint, _n._ a mode of etching on copper, by which imitations are produced of drawings in Indian ink, &c.--also AQUATINT'A.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ A'QUATINT, to engrave in aquatint. [It. _acqua tinta_--L. _aqua_, water, and _ting[)e]re_, _tinctum_, to wet, to colour.]

AQUEDUCT, ak'we-dukt, _n._ an artificial channel for conveying water, most commonly understood to mean a bridge of stone, iron, or wood for conveying water across a valley: also a bridge carrying a canal for the purposes of navigation. [L. _aqua_, water--_duc[)e]re_, _ductum_, to lead.]

AQUEOUS, [=a]'kwe-us, _adj._ watery: deposited by water.--_adv._ A'QUEOUSLY.--AQUEOUS HUMOUR, the watery fluid which fills the space between the cornea and the crystalline lens in the eye; AQUEOUS ROCKS, in geology, rocks composed of matter deposited by water.

AQUIFEROUS, ak-wif'[.e]r-us, _adj._ bearing water. [L. _aqua_, water, _fero_, I bear.]

AQUIFORM, [=a]'kwi-form, _adj._ having the form of water. [L. _aqua_, water, and FORM.]

AQUILINE, ak'wil-in, or -[=i]n, _adj._ relating to or like the eagle: curved or hooked, like an eagle's beak. [L. _aquila_.]

AQUILON, ak'wi-lon, _n._ (_Shak._) the north wind. [L. _aquilo_, _-onis_.]

ARAB, ar'ab, _n._ a native of Arabia: an Arab horse, noted for its gracefulness and speed: a neglected or homeless boy or girl--usually STREET or CITY ARAB.--_adj._ of or belonging to Arabia.--_adj._ AR[=A]B'IAN, relating to Arabia.--_n._ a native of Arabia.--_adj._ AR'ABIC, relating to Arabia, or to its language.--_n._ the language of Arabia.--_ns._ AR'ABISM, an Arabic idiom; AR'ABIST, one skilled in the Arabic language or literature; AR'ABY, a poetical form of _Arabia_. [L. _Arabs_, _Arab-em_--Gr. _Araps_.]

ARABA, ar-ä'ba, _n._ a heavy screened wagon used by the Tartars.--Also AR'BA and AR[=O]'BA. [Ar. and Pers. _ar[=a]bah_.]

ARABESQUE, ar'ab-esk, _adj._ after the manner of Arabian designs.--_n._ a fantastic painted or sculptured ornament among the Spanish Moors, consisting of foliage and other parts of plants curiously intertwined.--_adj._ AR'ABESQUED, so ornamented. [Fr.--It. _arabesco_; _-esco_ corresponding to Eng. _-ish_.]

ARABINE, ar'ab-in, _n._ the essential principle of gum-arabic.

ARABLE, ar'a-bl, _adj._ fit for ploughing or tillage. [L. _arabilis_--_ara-re_, cog. with Gr. _aro-ein_, to plough, A.S. _erian_, Eng. EAR (v.t.), Ir. _araim_.]

ARACHNIDA, a-rak'ni-da, _n.pl._ a sub-class of Tracheate Arthropoda, embracing spiders, scorpions, mites, &c., first separated by Lamarck from the Insecta of Linnæus.--_adj._ ARACH'NIDAN.--_n._ and _adj._ ARACH'NOID, like a cobweb.--_adjs._ ARACHNOI'DAL, ARACHNOLOG'ICAL.--_n._ ARACHNO'LOGIST, one who devotes himself to the study of arachnida.--ARACHNOID MEMBRANE, one of the three coverings of the brain and spinal cord, situated between the dura-mater and the pia-mater, non-vascular, transparent, thin. [Gr. _arachn[=e]_, spider.]

ARAGONITE, ar'a-gon-[=i]t, _n._ a variety of calcium carbonate. [_Aragon_, in Spain.]

ARAISE, a-r[=a]z', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to raise from the dead. [Pfx. _a-_, and RAISE.]

ARAMAIC, ar-a-m[=a]'ik, _adj._ relating to _Aramæa_, the whole of the country to the north-east of Palestine, or to its language--also ARAM[=E]'AN, AR'AMITE.--_n._ ARAM[=A]'ISM, an Aramaic idiom.

ARANEIFORM, ar-a-n[=e]'i-form, _adj._ in the form of a spider.--_adj._ ARAN[=E]'IDAN.--_n._ ARANEOL'OGIST = ARACHNOL'OGIST.--_adj._ ARAN'EOUS, like a spider's web. [L. _ar[=a]nea_, spider, and FORM.]

ARAPHOROSTIC, ar-af-or-os'tik, _adj._ (_Lytton_) seamless.--Also AROPHOS'TIC. [Formed from Gr. _arraphos_, unsewed--_a_, neg., and _hropt-ein_, to sew.]

ARAUCARIA, ar-aw-k[=a]'ri-a, _n._ a genus of lofty evergreen trees of the natural order Coniferæ or Pines, natives of S. America and Australasia. [_Arauco_, name of a province, whence _Araucania_, a district in S. Chili.]

ARBALEST, är'bal-est, _n._ a crossbow of steel or horn used in war and the chase--also AR'BALIST, AR'BLAST, ARC[=U]'BALIST.--_ns._ AR'BALISTER, AR'BALESTER, one armed with an arbalest. [O. Fr. _arbaleste_--L. _arcuballista_--_arcus_, bow, and _ballista_, engine for throwing missiles.]

ARBITER, är'bit-[.e]r, _n._ one chosen by parties in controversy to decide between them: a judge having absolute power of decision: an arbitrator: umpire:--_fem._ AR'BITRESS.--_ns._ AR'BITRAGE, exercise of the functions of the arbiter; ARBIT'RAMENT, ARBIT'REMENT, the decision of an arbiter: determination: choice.--_v.i._ AR'BITRATE, to act as an arbiter: to determine.--_ns._ ARBITR[=A]'TION; AR'BITR[=A]TOR (same as ARBITER):--_fem._ AR'BITR[=A]TRIX.--ARBITRATION OF EXCHANGE, the determination of the rate of exchange between two currencies when there are one or more intermediate places through which the operations must pass.--TO SUBMIT TO ARBITRATION, to defer a matter of private, public, or international controversy to the judgment of certain persons selected. [L.--_ar_ = _ad_, to, and _bit-[)e]re_ (cog. with Gr. _bai-nein_), to go or come; sig. one who comes to look on, a witness, a judge.]

ARBITRARY, är'bi-trar-i, _adj._ not bound by rules: despotic, absolute, arising from accident rather than from rule, varying, uncertain.--_adv._ AR'BITRARILY.--_n._ AR'BITRARINESS. [L. _arbitrarius_, arbiter.]

ARBLAST. See ARBALEST.

ARBOR, är'bur, _n._ the Latin word for tree.--_adjs._ ARBOR[=A]'CEOUS, ARB[=O]R'EAL, of tree-like character.--_n._ ARBOR-DAY, in many of the United States, a day yearly set apart for the general planting of trees by school children--in Canada, the first Friday in May.--_adj._ ARB[=O]R'EOUS, of or belonging to trees.--_ns._ ARBORES'CENCE, ARBORIS[=A]'TION, tree-like growth.--_adj._ ARBORES'CENT, growing or formed like a tree: (_archit._) branching like a tree.--_ns._ AR'BORET (_obs._), shrubbery: (_Spens._) a little tree, shrub; ARBOR[=E]'TUM, a place in which specimens of trees and shrubs are cultivated:--_pl._ ARBOR[=E]'TA.--_adj._ ARBORICUL'TURAL.--_ns._ AR'BORICULTURE, forestry, the culture of trees, esp. timber-trees; ARBORICUL'TURIST; AR'BORIST, one who studies trees.--_adj._ AR'BOROUS, formed by trees.--ARBOR VITÆ, a popular name of several evergreen shrubs of the genus Thuja. When the human cerebellum is cut vertically, a tree-like appearance seen receives this name.

ARBOR, är'bur, _n._ the main support of a machine: an axis or spindle on which a wheel revolves. [L.]

ARBOUR, är'bur, _n._ an enclosed seat in a garden, covered with branches of trees, plants, &c.: a bower: a shaded walk.--_adj._ AR'BOURED. [See HARBOUR.]

ARBUTE, är'b[=u]t, _n._ the strawberry-tree: an evergreen shrub, which bears a scarlet fruit somewhat resembling the strawberry.--Also AR'BUTUS. [L. _arbutus_, akin to _arbor_, tree.]

ARC, ärk, _n._ a segment of a circle or other curve. [O. Fr.--L. _arcus_, a bow.]

ARCADE, ärk-[=a]d', _n._ a row of arches supported by columns--the Gothic counterpart to the classical colonnade: the row of piers, or columns and arches, by which the aisles are divided from the nave of a church, or by which cloisters are enclosed: a walk arched over: a long arched gallery lined with shops on both sides. [Fr.--L. _arcata_, arched. See ARCH.]

ARCADIAN, ark-[=a]d'i-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Arcadia_ (_poet._ AR'CADY), a district in Greece whose people were primitive in manners and given to music and dancing: pastoral: simple, innocent.--_n._ ARCAD'IANISM.--_adv._ ARCAD'IANLY.

ARCANUM, ärk-[=a]n'um, _n._ a secret: a mystery: a secret remedy or elixir:--_pl._ ARCAN'A.--_adj._ ARCANE' (_rare_). [L.--_arcanus_--_arca_, a chest.]

ARCATURE, ar-ka-t[=u]r, _n._ French for arcade, a small arcade: a blind arcade for decorating wall spaces.

ARCH, ärch, _n._ a concave construction of stones or other materials, built or turned on a centering over an open space, so as by mutual pressure to support each other and sustain a superincumbent weight.--_v.t._ to cover with an arch: to bend into the form of an arch.--_p.adj._ ARCHED, made with an arch, or like an arch.--_ns._ ARCH'LET, a little arch; ARCH'WAY, an arched or vaulted passage, esp. that leading into a castle.--ARCHES, or COURT OF ARCHES, the ecclesiastical court of appeal for the province of Canterbury, formerly held at the church of St-Mary-le-Bow (or 'of the Arches'), from the arches that support its steeple. [O. Fr.,--L. _arca_, chest.]

ARCH, ärch, _adj._ cunning: waggish: roguish: shrewd, now mostly of women and children.--_adv._ ARCH'LY.--_n._ ARCH'NESS. [Derived from the prefix _arch-_, in its use in words like _arch_-rogue, &c.]

ARCH, ärch (ärk in _archangel_), _adj._ used as a prefix, now chiefly as an intensive in an odious sense: the first or chief.--_ns._ ARCH'-EN'EMY, a chief enemy: Satan--also ARCH'-FOE; ARCH'-FIEND, the supreme fiend: Satan; ARCH'-FL[=A]'MEN, a chief flamen or priest; ARCH-HE'RESY; ARCH'-HE'RETIC, a leader of heresy; ARCH'-MOCK' (_Shak._), the height of mockery; ARCH'-P[=I]'RATE, a chief pirate; ARCH'-P[=O]'ET, a chief poet: (_obs._) a poet-laureate; ARCH'-PREL'ATE, a chief prelate; ARCH'-PRIEST', a chief priest: in early times, a kind of vicar to the bishop--later, a rural dean: the title given to the superiors appointed by the Pope to govern the secular priests sent into England from the foreign seminaries during the period 1598-1621; ARCH'-TRAIT'OR, a chief traitor, sometimes applied esp. to the devil, or to Judas. [A.S. _arce_, _ærce_, through L. from Gr. _archi_, cog. with _arch-ein_, to begin.]

ARCHÆOLOGY, ärk-e-ol'oj-i, _n._ a knowledge of ancient art, customs, &c.: the science which deduces a knowledge of past times from the study of their existing remains.--_adj._ ARCHÆOLOG'ICAL.--_adv._ ARCHÆOLOG'ICALLY.--_n._ ARCHÆOL'OGIST. [Gr. _archaios_, ancient--_arch[=e]_, beginning, and _logos_, discourse.]

ARCHÆOPTERYX, [=a]r-k[=e]-op't[.e]r-iks, _n._ the oldest known fossil bird, found in the Jurassic limestone of Bavaria, having a long bony tail of twenty vertebræ. [Gr. _archaios_, ancient, _pteryx_, wing.]

ARCHAIC, -AL, ärk-[=a]'ik, -al, _adj._ ancient: obsolete, esp. of language.--_adj._ ARCHÆAN (ärk-[=e]'an), of or belonging to the earliest zoological period.--_n._ ARCHÆOG'RAPHY.--_adj._ ARCHÆOZ[=O]'IC. (Gr. _z[=o][=e]_, life), pertaining to the era of the earliest living beings on the earth.--_adv._ ARCH[=A]'ICALLY.--_n._ ARCH[=A]'ICISM.--_v.t._ AR'CH[=A]ISE, to imitate the archaic.--_ns._ ARCH[=A]'ISM, an archaic or obsolete word or phrase; ARCH[=A]'IST (_Mrs Browning_).--_adj._ ARCH[=A]IS'TIC, affectedly or imitatively archaic. [Gr. _archaikos_--_archaios_, ancient--_arch[=e]_, beginning.]

ARCHANGEL, ärk-[=a]n'jel, _n._ an angel of the highest order.--_adj._ ARCHANGEL'IC. [ARCH, chief, and ANGEL.]

ARCHBISHOP, ärch-bish'up, _n._ a chief bishop: a metropolitan bishop who superintends the conduct of the suffragan bishops in his province, and also exercises episcopal authority in his own diocese.--_n._ ARCHBISH'OPRIC. [ARCH, chief, and BISHOP.]

ARCHDEACON, ärch-d[=e]'kn, _n._ a chief deacon: the ecclesiastical dignitary having the chief supervision of a diocese or part of it, next under the bishop--the 'bishop's eye.'--_ns._ ARCHDEAC'ONRY, the office, jurisdiction, or residence of an archdeacon; ARCHDEAC'ONSHIP, the office of an archdeacon.--_adj._ ARCHID[=I]AC'ONAL.--_n._ ARCHID[=I]AC'ONATE. [ARCH, chief, and DEACON.]

ARCHDIOCESE, ärch-d[=i]'o-s[=e]z, _n._ the diocese of an archbishop. [ARCH, chief, and DIOCESE.]

ARCHDUKE, ärch-d[=u]k', _n._ a duke of specially exalted rank: a prince of Austria:--_fem._ ARCHDUCH'ESS.--_adj._ ARCHD[=U]'CAL.--_ns._ ARCHDUCH'Y, ARCHDUKE'DOM, the territory of an archduke or archduchess. [ARCH, chief, and DUKE.]

ARCHER, ärch'[.e]r, _n._ one who shoots with a bow and arrows:--_fem._ ARCH'ERESS.--_ns._ ARCH'ER-FISH, an acanthopterygious fish of India which catches insects by shooting water at them from its mouth; ARCH'ERY, the art of shooting with the bow: a company of archers. [O. Fr. _archier_--L. _arcari-um_, _arcus_, a bow.]

ARCHETYPE, ärk'e-t[=i]p, _n._ the original pattern or model, a prototype.--_adj._ ARCHETYP'AL. [Gr. _archetypon_, _archi-_, and _typos_, a model.]

ARCHIEPISCOPAL, ärk-i-ep-is'kop-al, _adj._ belonging to an archbishop.--_ns._ ARCHIEPIS'COPACY, ARCHIEPIS'COPATE, dignity or province of an archbishop. [See EPISCOPAL.]

ARCHIL, är'kil, _n._ a colouring substance obtained from various species of lichens. [Corrupt form of ORCHIL--O. Fr. _orchel_, _orseil_ (Fr. _orseille_)--It. _orcello_, origin undetermined.]

ARCHILOCHIAN, är-ki-l[=o]'ki-an, _adj._ pertaining to the Greek lyric poet _Archilochus_ of Paros (714-676 B.C.), the supposed originator of iambic metre, noted for the bitterness of his satire--hence the proverbial phrases, 'Archilochian bitterness' and 'Parian verse:' a _lesser Archilochian verse_ = a dactylic hexameter alternating with a penthemim; a _greater Archilochian_, a verse consisting of four dactyls and three trochees.

ARCHIMAGE, är'ki-m[=a]j, _n._ a chief magician or enchanter. [Gr. _archi-_, chief, and L. _magus_, a magician.]

ARCHIMANDRITE, är-ki-man'dr[=i]t, _n._ in the Greek Church, the superior of a monastery, an abbot: sometimes the superintendent of several monasteries. [Late Gr. _archimandrit[=e]s_--pfx. _archi_, first, and _mandra_, an enclosure, a monastery.]

ARCHIMEDEAN, ärk-i-me-d[=e]'an, _adj._ pertaining to _Archimedes_, a celebrated Greek mathematician of Syracuse (287-212 B.C.).--ARCHIMEDEAN SCREW, a machine for raising water, in its simplest form consisting of a flexible tube bent spirally round a solid cylinder, the ends of which are furnished with pivots, so as to admit of the whole turning round its axis.--PRINCIPLE OF ARCHIMEDES, a fundamental law in Hydrostatics, that a body when immersed in a fluid weighs less than it does _in vacuo_ by the weight of the fluid it displaces.

ARCHIPELAGO, ärk-i-pel'a-g[=o], _n._ the chief sea of the Greeks, or the Ægean Sea: a sea abounding in small islands, also a group of such islands:--_pl._ ARCHIPEL'AGOES.--_adj._ ARCHIPELAGIC (-aj'ik). [An Italian compound from Gr. _archi-_, chief, _pelagos_, sea.]

ARCHITECT, ärk'i-tekt, _n._ a master-builder: one who designs buildings and superintends their erection: a maker: any contriver, as the Creator.--_adjs._ ARCHITECTON'IC, pertaining to architecture: constructive: controlling, having direction: (_metaph._) pertaining to the arrangement of knowledge.--_n._ the science of architecture: the systematic arrangement of knowledge.--_adj._ ARCHITECT'URAL.--_n._ ARCHITECT'URE, the art or science of building: structure: in specific sense, one of the fine arts, the art of architecture--also used of any distinct style, e.g. Gothic, Byzantine architecture. [Gr. _architekt[=o]n_--_archi-_, chief, and _tekt[=o]n_, a builder.]

ARCHITRAVE, ärk'i-tr[=a]v, _n._ (_archit._) the lowest division of the entablature resting immediately on the abacus of the column: collective name for the various parts, jambs, lintels, &c. which surround a door or window.--_p.adj._ ARCH'ITRAVED. [It. from Gr. _archi-_, chief, and L. _trab-em_, _trabs_, a beam.]

ARCHIVES, ärk'[=i]vz, _n._ the place in which government records are kept: (_pl._) public records--also figuratively in both senses.--_adj._ ARCH'IVAL, pertaining to, or contained in, archives or records.--_n._ ARCH'IVIST, a keeper of archives or records. [Fr.--Gr. _archeion_, magisterial residence--_arch[=e]_, government.]

ARCHIVOLT, är'ki-volt, _n._ the band or moulding which runs round the lower part of the archstones of an arch. [Fr. _archivolte_, It. _archivolto_--L. _arcus_, an arch, _volta_, a vault.]

ARCHOLOGY, ärk-ol'oj-i, _n._ (_rare_) doctrine of the origin of things: the science of government. [Gr. _arch[=e]_, beginning, _logos_, discourse.]

ARCHON, ärk'on, _n._ one of nine chief magistrates of ancient Athens.--_ns._ ARCH'ONSHIP, the office of an archon; ARCH'ONTATE, the archon's tenure of office. [Gr. _arch-ein_, to be first, to rule.]

ARCHWISE, ärch'w[=i]z, _adv._ in the form of an arch. [ARCH, and WISE, way.]

ARCTIC, ärk'tik, _adj._ relating to the constellation the Great Bear, or to the north, used figuratively to express extreme cold.--ARCTIC CIRCLE, a circle drawn round the North Pole, at a distance of 23½ degrees. [O. Fr. _artique_--L. _arcticus_--Gr. _arktikos_--_arktos_, a bear.]

ARCTURUS, ärk-t[=u]'rus, _n._ the Bear-ward, a yellow star in the northern hemisphere, fourth in order of brightness in the entire heavens. [Gr. _arktouros_--_arktos_, a bear, and _ouros_, ward, guard (from its situation at the tail of the bear).]

ARCUATE, är'k[=u]-[=a]t, ARCUATED, är'k[=u]-[=a]t-ed, _adj._ bent in the form of a bow.--_n._ ARCU[=A]'TION. [L. _arcuatus_, pa.p. of _arcu-[=a]re_, to bend like a bow--_arcus_, a bow.]

ARCUBALIST. See ARBALEST.

ARDEB, är'deb, _n._ an Egyptian dry measure of 5½ bushels. [Ar. _irdab_.]

ARDENT, ärd'ent, _adj._ burning: fiery: passionate: zealous: fervid.--_adv._ ARD'ENTLY.--_n._ ARD'OUR, warmth of passion or feeling: eagerness: enthusiasm (with _for_)--also ARD'ENCY.--ARDENT SPIRITS, distilled alcoholic liquors, whisky, brandy, &c. The use of the word as = 'inflammable, combustible,' is obsolete, except in this phrase. [L. _ardent-em_, _ard[=e]-re_, to burn.]

ARDUOUS, ärd'[=u]-us, _adj._ deep, difficult to climb: difficult to accomplish: laborious.--_adv._ ARD'UOUSLY.--_n._ ARD'UOUSNESS. [L. _arduus_, high; cog. with Celt. _ard_, high.]

ARE, ar, _n._ the unit of the French land measure, containing 100 sq. metres = 119.6 English sq. yards. [Fr.--L. _area_.]

ARE, är, the plural of the present indicative of the verb _To be_. [Old Northumbrian _aron_, of Scand. origin. This form ousted the older A.S. _sind_, _sindon_. Both are cog. with Sans. _s-anti_, Gr. _eis-in_, L. _sunt_, Ger. _s-ind_.]

AREA, [=a]'r[=e]-a, _n._ any plane surface or enclosed space: the sunken space around the basement of a building: (_fig._) extent conceived by the mind: (_geom._) the superficial contents of any figure. [L. _area_.]

AREAD, AREDE, a-r[=e]d', _v.t._ (_obs._) to make known, utter: guess: interpret, explain: to counsel, advise. [A.S. _arédan_. See READ.]

AREAR, a-r[=e]r', _adv._ in the rear. [A.S. pfx. _a-_, on, to, and REAR.]

ARECA, ar'[=e]-ka, _n._ a genus of palm, one species of which, the Betel-nut Palm, or Penang Palm (_Areca catechu_), bears nuts with austere and astringent properties, which are chewed by the Malays with a little lime in a leaf of the betel-pepper, making the lips and spittle red.

AREFACTION, ar-e-fak'shun, _n._ (_obs._) the action of drying.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ AR'EFY, to dry up, wither. [L. _arefac[)e]re_, to make dry--_ar[=e]re_, to be dry, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

ARENA, a-r[=e]'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._ AREN[=A]'CEOUS, sandy: dry: (_geol._) applied to rocks composed entirely or largely of grains of quartz.--_ns._ AREN[=A]'RIA, the sandwort, a genus of low herbs allied to the chickweeds; AREN[=A]'TION, the application of hot sand to the body as a remedy. [L. _ar[=e]na_, sand.]

AREOGRAPHY, [=a]-re-[=o]'gra-fi, _n._ description of the physical features of the planet Mars. [Gr. _Ar[=e]s_, Mars, and _graphein_, to write.]

AREOLA, a-r[=e]'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._ AR[=E]'OLÆ.--_adj._ AR[=E]'OLATE, divided into small areas.--_n._ AREOL[=A]'TION, division into areolæ. [L. _areola_, a dim. of AREA.]

AREOMETER, ARÆOMETER, [=a]-re-om'e-t[.e]r, _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. _reput[=a]re_, to reckon.]

ARÊTE, ar-[=a]t', _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-r[=oo]', _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.

ARGALI, är'ga-li, _n._ the great wild sheep of Siberia and Central Asia. [Mongol.]

ARGAND, ar'gand, _n._ applied to a lamp and gas-burner invented by Aimé _Argand_ (1755-1803).

ARGENT, ärj'ent, _adj._ and _n._ silver, or like silver, silvery-white: (_her._) the silver or white colour in armorial bearings: (_poet._) esp. in compounds like _argent_-clear, _argent_-lidded.--_adjs._ ARGENT'AL; ARGENTIF'EROUS, bearing or containing silver; AR'GENTINE, relating to or like silver: sounding like silver.--_n._ (_nat. hist._) white metal coated with silver: a genus of small bony fishes with silvery sides, fished for the nacre which they contain. [Fr.--L. _argentum_, silver.]

ARGIL, är'jil, _n._ potter's clay: pure clay or alumina.--_adjs._ ARGILL[=A]'CEOUS, of the nature of clay; ARGILLIF'EROUS, bearing or abounding in clay. [L. _argilla_, Gr. _argilos_, white clay--_arg[=e]s_, white.]

ARGIVE, ar'j[=i]v, _adj._ belonging to _Argos_: Greek.

ARGOL, är'gol, _n._ a hard crust formed on the sides of wine-vessels, from which cream of tartar and tartaric acid are obtained--generally of a reddish tinge. [Prob. conn. with Gr. _argos_, white.]

ARGON, ar'gon, _n._ a constituent element of our atmosphere, discovered in 1894 by Rayleigh and Ramsay.