Part 9

ALMANAC, al'ma-nak, _n._ a register of the days, weeks, and months of the year, &c.--_n._ ALMANOG'RAPHER, an almanac-maker. [Most prob. the original of the word as in Fr., It., and Sp. was a Spanish-Arabic _al-man[=a]kh_. Eusebius has _almenichiaka_, an Egyptian word, prob. sig. 'daily observation of things,' but the history of the word has not been traced, and it is hazardous without evidence to connect this with the Arabic word.]

ALMANDINE, al'man-d[=i]n, _n._ a red transparent variety of the garnet.--Also AL'MANDIN. [Earlier ALABANDINE--Low L. _alabandina_--_Alabanda_, a town in Caria, a province of Asia Minor, where it was found.]

ALMIGHTY, awl-m[=i]t'i, _adj._ possessing all might or power: omnipotent: very powerful generally: (_slang_) mighty, great.--Older form ALMIGHT'.--_adv._ ALMIGHT'ILY.--_ns._ ALMIGHT'INESS, ALMIGHT'YSHIP.--THE ALMIGHTY, God; THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR, a phrase of Washington Irving's, expressive of the greatness of the power of money. [A.S. _ælmeahtig_. See ALL and MIGHTY.]

ALMNER, an old spelling of ALMONER.

ALMOND, ä'mund, _n._ the fruit of the almond-tree.--_n.pl._ ALMONDS (ä'mundz), the tonsils or glands of the throat, so called from their resemblance to the fruit of the almond-tree. [O. Fr. _almande_ (Fr. _amande_)--L. _amygdalum_--Gr. _amygdal[=e]_.]

ALMONER, al'mun-[.e]r, _n._ a distributer of alms.--_n._ AL'MONRY, the place where alms are distributed. [O. Fr. _aumoner_, _aumonier_ (Fr. _aumônier_)--Low L. _eleemosynarius_ (adj.). See ALMS.]

ALMOST, awl'm[=o]st, _adv._ nearly, all but, very nearly. [ALL and MOST.]

ALMRY, äm'ri, _n._ Same as ALMONRY.

ALMS, ämz, _n._ relief given out of pity to the poor.--_ns._ ALMS'-DEED, a charitable deed; ALMS'-DRINK (_Shak._), leavings of drink; ALMS'-FEE, an annual tax of one penny on every hearth, formerly sent from England to Rome, Peter's pence; ALMS'HOUSE, a house endowed for the support and lodging of the poor; ALMS'-MAN, a man who lives by alms. [A.S. _ælmysse_, through Late L., from Gr. _ele[=e]mosyn[=e]_--_eleos_, compassion. Dr Murray notes the Scot. and North Country _almous_, _awmous_, as an independent adoption of the cognate Norse _almusa_; and the legal ALMOIGN, ALMOIN, perpetual tenure by free gift of charity, from O. Fr., perhaps due to a confusion with _alimonium_.]

ALMUCE, an early form of AMICE.

ALMUG, al'mug, _n._ the wood of a tree described in the Bible as brought from Ophir in the time of Solomon, for the house and temple at Jerusalem, and for musical instruments--probably the red sandalwood of India. [Heb. _algummîm_, _almuggîm_. The better form is ALGUM.]

ALOE, al'[=o], _n._ a genus of plants of considerable medicinal importance, of the 200 species of which as many as 170 are indigenous to the Cape Colony.--The so-called American Aloe is a totally different plant (see AGAVE).--_adj._ AL'OED, planted or shaded with aloes.--The ALOES WOOD of the Bible was the heart-wood of _Aquilaria ovata_ and _Aquilaria Agallochum_, large spreading trees. The wood contains a dark-coloured, fragrant, resinous substance, much prized for the odour it diffuses in burning. [The word was used erroneously in the Septuagint and New Testament as a translation of the Heb. _ah[=a]l[=i]m_, _ah[=a]l[=o]th_ (Gr. _agallochon_), an aromatic resin or wood--called later in Gr. _xylalo[=e]_, from which descend _lignum aloes_, _lign-aloes_, _wood-aloes_, and _aloes-wood_.--A.S. _aluwan_--L. _alo[=e]_--Gr. _alo[=e]_.]

ALOES, al'[=o]z, a purgative bitter drug, the inspissated juice of the leaves of several almost tree-like species of aloe. Used both as a _sing. n._, and as a _pl._ of ALOE.--_n._ and _adj._ ALOET'IC, a medicine containing a large proportion of aloes.

ALOFT, a-loft', _adv._ on high: overhead: at a great height: (_naut._) above the deck, at the masthead: sometimes used as equivalent to _aloof_ (_Mad. D'Arblay_). [Scand.; Icel. _á lopt_ (pron. _loft_), expressing motion; _á lopti_, expressing positio_n._ Pfx. _a-_ = Icel. _á_ = A.S. _on_, in. See LOFT.]

ALONE, al-[=o]n', _adj._ single: solitary: alone of its kind: of itself, or by themselves.--_adv._ singly, by one's self only.--_n._ ALONE'NESS [ALL and ONE.]

ALONG, a-long', _adv._ by or through the length of: lengthwise: throughout: onward: (fol. by _with_) in company of.--_prep._ by the side of: near.--_n.pl._ ALONG'SHORE-MEN, labourers employed about the docks or wharves in the Thames and other rivers.--_prep._ ALONG'SIDE, by the side, beside.--ALONG OF, (_arch._ or _dial._) owing to. [A.S. _andlang_--pfx. _and-_, against, and _lang_, LONG.]

ALONGST, a-longst', _prep._ (_obs._ except _dial._) along: by the length. [M. E. _alongest_, from _along_, with adv. gen. _-es_.]

ALOOF, a-l[=oo]f', _adv._ at a distance: apart.--_n._ ALOOF'NESS, withdrawal from common action or sympathy. [Pfx. _a-_ (--A.S. _on_), on, and LOOF, prob. Dut. _loef._ See LUFF.]

ALOPECIA, al-o-p[=e]'si-a, _n._ baldness: a skin-disease producing this. [Gr. _alopekia_, fox-mange.]

ALOUD, a-lowd', _adv._ with a loud voice: loudly. [Prep. _a_ (--A.S. _on_), and _hlúd_, noise; Ger. _laut_.]

ALOW, a-l[=o]', _adv._ in a low place--opp. to _Aloft_.

ALOW, al-low', _adv._ (_Scot._) ablaze. [Prep. _a_, and LOW, a flame.]

ALP, alp, _n._ a high mountain:--_pl._ ALPS, specially applied to the lofty ranges of Switzerland.--_adjs._ ALP'EN; ALPINE (alp'in, or alp'[=i]n), pertaining to the Alps, or to any lofty mountains: very high.--_ns._ AL'PINIST, ALPES'TRIAN, one devoted to Alpine climbing. [L.; of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. _alp_, a mountain; allied to L. _albus_, white (with snow).]

ALPACA, al-pak'a, _n._ the Peruvian sheep, akin to the llama, having long silken wool: cloth made of its wool. [Sp. _alpaca_ or _al-paco_, from _al_, Arab. article, and _paco_, most prob. a Peruvian word.]

ALPENHORN, al'pen-horn, _n._ a long powerful horn, wide and curved at the mouth, used chiefly by Alpine cowherds.--Also ALP'HORN. [Gr. _Alpen_, of the Alps, _horn_, horn.]

ALPENSTOCK, alp'n-stok, _n._ a long stick or staff used by travellers in climbing the Alps. [Ger. _Alpen_, of the Alps; _stock_, stick.]

ALPHA, al'fa, _n._ the first letter of the Greek alphabet: the first or beginning. [Gr. _alpha_--Heb. _aleph_, an ox, the name of the first letter of the Phoenician and Hebrew alphabet. See A.]

ALPHABET, al'fa-bet, _n._ the letters of a language arranged in the usual order.--_n._ ALPHABET[=A]'RIAN, one learning his alphabet, a beginner: a student of alphabets.--_adjs._ ALPHABET'IC, -AL, relating to or in the order of an alphabet.--_adv._ ALPHABET'ICALLY.--_v.t._ AL'PHABETISE, to arrange alphabetically:--_pr.p._ al'phabet[=i]sing; _pa.p._ al'phabet[=i]sed. [Gr. _alpha_, _beta_, the first two Greek letters.]

ALPHONSINE, al'fons-[=i]n, _adj._ of Alphonso (X.) the Wise, king of Castile, pertaining to his planetary tables, completed in 1252.

ALREADY, awl-red'i, _adv._ previously, or before the time specified.--Sometimes used adjectively = present. [ALL and READY.]

ALS, an old form of ALSO.

ALSATIAN, al-s[=a]'shi-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to Alsatia (Ger. _Elsass_), a province between France and Germany.--_n._ a rogue or debauchee, such as haunted Alsatia--a cant name for Whitefriars, a district in London between the Thames and Fleet Street, which enjoyed privileges of sanctuary down to 1697, and was consequently infested with lawless characters. See Scott's _Fortunes of Nigel_.

ALSO, awl'so, _adv._ in like manner: further. [Compounded of _all_ and _so_; A.S. _al_ and _swá_.]

ALT, alt, _n._ high tone, in voice or instrument.--IN ALT, in the octave above the treble stave beginning with G; (_fig._) in an exalted and high-flown mood.

ALTALTISSIMO, alt-al-tis'si-mo, _n._ the very highest summit. [It. reduplicated comp. of _alto_, high, and _altissimo_, highest.]

ALTAR, awlt'ar, _n._ an elevated place or structure, block or stone, or the like, on which sacrifices were anciently offered: in Christian churches, the table on which the officiating priest consecrates the eucharist: the communion table: (_fig._) a place of worship.--_ns._ ALT'ARAGE, offerings made upon the altar during the offertory, provided for the maintenance of the priest; ALT'AR-CLOTH, the covering of the altar, placed over and around it, of silk, velvet, satin, or cloth, often used as including the frontal (_antependium_), and the super-frontal; ALT'ARPIECE, a decorative screen, retable, or reredos, placed behind an altar--a work of art, whether a sacred painting or sculpture.--_n.pl._ ALT'AR-RAILS, rails separating the sacrarium from the rest of the chancel.--_ns._ ALT'AR-STONE, the slab forming the top or chief part of an altar; ALT'AR-TOMB, a monumental memorial, in form like an altar, often with a canopy. These were often placed over the vaults or burying-place, and frequently on the north and south walls of choirs, aisles, and chantry chapels.--_adj._ ALT'ARWISE, placed like an altar--north and south, at the upper end of the chancel.--FAMILY ALTAR, the practice or the place of private devotional worship in the family; HIGH ALTAR, the principal altar in a cathedral or other church having more than one altar; PORTABLE ALTAR, a small tablet of marble, jasper, or precious stone, used by special license for Mass when said away from the parish altar, in oratories or other similar places. It was termed _super-altare_, because commonly placed upon some other altar, or some fitting construction of wood or stone. [L. _alt[=a]re_--_altus_, high.]

ALTAZIMUTH, alt-az'i-muth, _n._ an instrument devised by Sir G. B. Airy for determining the apparent places of the heavenly bodies on the celestial sphere. [A contr. for '_altitude_ and _azimuth_ instrument.']

ALTER, awl't[.e]r, _v.t._ to make different: to change: (_U.S._) to castrate.--_v.i._ to become different: to vary.--_ns._ ALTERABIL'ITY, AL'TERABLENESS.--_adj._ AL'TERABLE, that may be altered.--_adv._ AL'TERABLY.--_adj._ AL'TERANT, altering: having the power of producing changes.--_n._ ALTER[=A]'TION, change.--_adj._ AL'TERATIVE, having power to alter.--_n._ a medicine that makes a change in the vital functions.--_n._ ALTER'ITY (_Coleridge_), the state of being other or different. [L. _alter_, another--_al_ (root of _alius_, other), and the old comp. suffix _-ter_ = Eng. _-ther_.]

ALTERCATE, al't[.e]r-k[=a]t, _v.i._ to dispute or wrangle.--_n._ ALTERC[=A]'TION, contention: controversy.--_adj._ ALTERC[=A]'TIVE. [L. _alterc[=a]ri_, _-catus_, to bandy words from one to the other (_alter_).]

ALTER EGO, al't[.e]r [=e]'go, _n._ second self, counterpart, double. [L. _alter_, other; _ego_, I.]

ALTERNATE, al't[.e]r-n[=a]t, or al-t[.e]r'n[=a]t, _v.t._ to cause to follow by turns or one after the other.--_v.i._ to happen by turns: to follow every other or second time--also AL'TERNISE.--_adjs._ AL'TERN (_Milton_), alternate, acting by turns; ALTER'NANT (_geol._), in alternate layers; ALTER'NATE, one after the other: by turns.--_adv._ ALTER'NATELY.--_ns._ ALTER'NATENESS, ALTER'NACY (_rare_); ALTERN[=A]'TION, the act of alternating: interchange: reading or singing antiphonally.--_adj._ ALTER'NATIVE, offering a choice of two things.--_n._ a choice between two things.--_adv._ ALTER'NATIVELY. [L. _alter_, other.]

ALTHÆA, al-th[=e]'a, _n._ a genus of plants including the marsh mallow and the hollyhock. [Gr.]

ALTHOUGH, awl-_th_[=o]', _conj._ admitting all that: notwithstanding that. [See THOUGH.]

ALTIMETER, al-tim'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring heights.--_adj._ ALTIMET'RICAL.--_n._ ALTIM'ETRY. [L. _altus_, high, and METER.]

ALTISSIMO, al-tis'si-mo, _adj._ (_mus._) in phrase 'in altissimo,' in the second octave above the treble stave beginning with G. [It. _altissimo_, superl. of _alto_, high.]

ALTITUDE, alt'i-tude, _n._ height: a point or position at a height above the sea: high rank or eminence.--_n.pl._ ALT'ITUDES, passion, excitement.--_adj._ ALTIT[=U]'DINAL.--_n._ ALTITUDIN[=A]'RIAN, one given to flightiness in doctrine or belief. [L. _altitudo_--_altus_, high.]

ALTO, alt'o, _n._ (_mus._) properly the same as counter-tenor, the male voice of the highest pitch (now principally _falsetto_), and not the lowest female voice, which is properly _contralto_, though in printed music the second part in a quartet is always called _alto_. [It.--L. _altus_, high.]

ALTOGETHER, awl-too-ge_th_'[.e]r, _adv._ all together: wholly: completely: without exception.

ALTO-RELIEVO, ALTO-RILIEVO, alt'o-re-l[=e]'vo, _n._ high relief: figures projected by at least half their thickness from the background on which they are sculptured. [It. _alto_, high. See RELIEF.]

ALTRUISM, al'tr[=oo]-ism, _n._ the principle of living and acting for the interest of others.--_adj._ ALTRUIST'IC.--_adv._ ALTRUIST'ICALLY. [Fr. _altruisme_, formed by Comte from It. _altrui_--L. _alter_, another.]

ALUM, al'um, _n._ a mineral salt, the double sulphate of alumina and potash, used as a mordant in dyeing and for many purposes.--_adj._ AL'UMISH, having the character or taste of alum.--_ns._ AL'UM-SHALE, or -SLATE, a slate consisting mainly of clay, iron pyrites, and coaly matter, from which alum is obtained. [L. _alumen_.]

ALUMINA, al-[=u]'min-a, ALUMINE, al'[=u]-min, _n._ one of the earths, the characteristic ingredient of common clay--the oxide of aluminium.--_adj._ AL[=U]'MINOUS, containing alum or alumina. [L. _alumen_, alum.]

ALUMINIUM, al-[=u]-min'i-um, _n._ the metallic base of alumina; a metal somewhat resembling silver, and remarkable for its lightness, now made from Bauxite.--ALUMINIUM BRONZE, an alloy lighter than gold, but like it in colour. [First called _Aluminum_ by the discoverer, Sir H. Davy (1778-1829).]

ALUMNUS, al-um'nus, _n._ one educated at a college is called an _alumnus_ of it:--_pl._ ALUM'NI.--_n._ ALUM'NIATE, the period of pupilage. [L.,--_al[)e]re_, to nourish.]

ALUNITE, al'un-[=i]t, _n._ a mineral consisting of common alum together with normal hydrate of aluminium.--Also ALUM-STONE, ALUMIN'ILITE.

ALURE, al-l[=u]r', _n._ (_obs._) a place to walk in, a gallery, a covered passage. [O. Fr. _aleure_, _aller_, to go.]

ALVEARY, al've-ar-i, _n._ a beehive: (_anat._) the hollow of the external ear.--_adj._ AL'VEOLATE, pitted like a honeycomb. [L. _alvearium_, beehive--_alveus_, a hollow vessel.]

ALVEOLAR, al've-o-lar, _adj._ (_anat._) of or belonging to the sockets of the teeth, as the alveolar arch, the part of the upper jaw in which the teeth are placed--also AL'VEOLARY.--_n._ AL'VEOLE, the hollow or socket of a tooth--more common ALV[=E]'OLUS.

ALVINE, al'vin, _adj._ of or from the belly. [From L. _alvus_, belly.]

ALWAYS, awl'w[=a]z, ALWAY, awl'w[=a], _adv._ through all ways: continually: for ever. [Gen. case of ALWAY.]

AM, am, the 1st pers. sing, of the verb To be. [A.S. _eom_; Gr. _ei-mi_; Lat. _s-u-m_ (_as_-(_u_)-_mi_); Goth. _-im_; Sans. _as-mi_.]

AMADOU, am'a-d[=oo], _n._ a soft spongy substance, growing as a fungus on forest trees, used as a styptic and as tinder. [Fr. _amadouer_, to allure (as in the phrase 'to _coax_ a fire'); prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Norse _mata_, to feed.]

AMAIN, a-m[=a]n', _adv._ with main force or strength: violently: at full speed: exceedingly. [Pfx. _a-_ = _on_, and MAIN.]

AMALGAM, a-mal'gam, _n._ a compound of mercury with another metal: any soft mixture: a combination of various elements: one of the ingredients in an alloy.--_v.t._ AMAL'GAMATE, to mix mercury with another metal: to compound.--_v.i._ to unite in an amalgam: to blend.--_n._ AMALGAM[=A]'TION, the blending of different things: a homogeneous union of diverse elements.--_adj._ AMALGAM[=A]'TIVE. [L. and Gr. _malagma_, an emollient--Gr. _malassein_, to soften.]

AMANDINE, am'an-din, _n._ a kind of cold cream prepared from sweet almonds. [Fr.--_amande_, almond.]

AMANUENSIS, a-man-[=u]-en'sis, _n._ one who writes to dictation: a copyist: a secretary:--_pl._ AMANUEN'S[=E]S. [L.--_ab_, from, and _manus_, the hand.]

AMARACUS, a-mar'a-kus, _n._ (_Tennyson_) marjoram. [L.--Gr.]

AMARANTH, -US, am'ar-anth, -us, _n._ a genus of plants with richly-coloured flowers, that last long without withering, as Love-lies-bleeding, early employed as an emblem of immortality.--_adj._ AMARANTH'INE, pertaining to amaranth: unfading. [Through Fr. and L. from Gr. _amarantos_, unfading--_a_, neg., and root _mar_, to waste away; allied to L. _mori_, to die.]

AMARYLLIS, am-a-ril'is, _n._ a genus of bulbous-rooted plants, including the narcissus, jonquil, &c. [_Amaryllis_, the name of a country girl in Theocritus and Virgil.]

AMASS, a-mas', _v.t._ to gather in large quantity: to accumulate.--_adjs._ AMASS'ABLE.--_pa.p._ AMASSED'.--_n._ AMASS'MENT. [Fr. _amasser_--L. _ad_, to, and _massa_, a mass.]

AMASTHENIC, am-as-then'ik, _adj._ uniting all the chemical rays of light into one focus, applied to a lens perfect for photographic purposes. [Gr. _hama_, together, _sthenos_, force.]

AMATE, a-m[=a]t', _v.t._ to accompany: (_Spens._) to match. [Pfx. _a-_, and MATE.]

AMATE, a-m[=a]t', _v.t._ (_arch._) to subdue, to daunt, to stupefy. [O. Fr. _amatir_, to subdue.]

AMATEUR, am'at-[=u]r, or am-at-[=a]r', _n._ one who cultivates a particular study or art for the love of it, and not professionally: in general terms, one who plays a game for pleasure, as distinguished from a professional who plays for money--nearly every game has its special definition to meet its own requirements.--_adjs._ AMATEUR; AMATEUR'ISH, imperfect and defective, as the work of an amateur rather than a professional hand.--_adv._ AMATEUR'ISHLY.--_ns._ AMATEUR'ISHNESS; AMATEUR'ISM, AMATEUR'SHIP. [Fr.--L. _amator_, a lover, _am[=a]re_, to love.]

AMATIVE, am'at-iv, _adj._ relating to love: amorous.--_n._ AM'ATIVENESS, propensity to love or to sexuality. [From L. _am[=a]re_, -_[=a]tum_, to love.]

AMATORY, am'at-or-i, _adj._ relating to or causing love: affectionate.--_adjs._ AM'ATORY, AMAT[=O]'RIAL, AMAT[=O]'RIAN (_obs._).--_adv._ AMAT[=O]'RIALLY.

AMAUROSIS, am-aw-r[=o]'sis, _n._ total blindness when no change can be seen in the eye sufficient to account for it; _Amblyopia_ being partial loss of sight under similar circumstances. The old name was _Gutta serena_--the 'drop serene' of _Paradise Lost_, iii. 25.--_adj._ AMAUR[=O]'TIC. [Gr. _amaur[=o]sis_, _amauros_, dark.]

AMAZE, a-m[=a]z', _v.t._ to confound with surprise or wonder.--_n._ astonishment: perplexity (much less common than AMAZE'MENT).--_adv._ AMAZ'EDLY, with amazement or wonder.--_n._ AMAZE'MENT, AMAZ'EDNESS (_rare_), surprise mingled with wonder: astonishment.--_p.adj._ AMAZE'ING, causing amazement, astonishment: astonishing.--_adv._ AMAZ'INGLY. [Pfx. _a-_, and MAZE.]

AMAZON, am'az-on, _n._ one of a fabled nation of female warriors: a masculine woman: a virago.--_adj._ AMAZ[=O]'NIAN, of or like an Amazon: of masculine manners: warlike. [Popular Gr. ety. from _a_, neg., _mazos_, a breast--they being fabled to cut off the right breast that they might draw the bow to its head (of course all this is idle); some have suggested an original in the Circassian _maza_, the moon.]

AMBAGE, am'b[=a]j, _n._ roundabout phrases: circuitous paths, windings: dark and mysterious courses:--_pl._ AM'BAGES.--_adj._ AMB[=A]'GIOUS, circumlocutory: circuitous.--_adv._ AMB[=A]'GIOUSLY.--_n._ AMB[=A]'GIOUSNESS--_adj._ AMB[=A]'GITORY (_rare_).

AMBASSADOR, am-bas'a-dur, _n._ a diplomatic minister of the highest order sent by one sovereign power to another:--_fem._ AMBASS'ADRESS.--_adj._ AMBASSAD[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ AMBASS'ADORSHIP.--_n._ AMBASS'AGE--now usually EMBASSAGE, the position, or the business, of an ambassador: a number of men despatched on an embassy or mission.--AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY, an ambassador sent on a special occasion, as distinguished from the ordinary or resident ambassador. [It. _ambasciadore_--L. _ambactus_, derived by Grimm from Goth. _andbahts_, a servant, whence Ger. _amt_, office; by Zeuss and others traced to a Celtic source, and identified with W. _amaeth_, a husbandman.]

AMBE, am'b[=e], _n._ an old mechanical contrivance, ascribed to Hippocrates, for reducing dislocations of the shoulder. [Gr. _amb[=e]_, Ionic for _amb[=o]n_, a ridge.]

AMBER, am'b[.e]r, _n._ a yellowish fossil resin, used in making ornaments.--_adjs._ AM'BERED (_obs._), flavoured with amber or ambergris; AMB'ERY. [Fr.--Ar. _`anbar_, ambergris.]

AMBERGRIS, am'b[.e]r-gr[=e]s, _n._ a fragrant substance of an ash-gray colour, found floating on the sea or on the seacoast of warm countries, and in the intestines of the spermaceti whale. [Fr. _ambre gris_, gray amber.]

AMBERITE, am'be-r[=i]t, _n._ a smokeless powder.

AMBIDEXTER, am-bi-deks't[.e]r, _adj._ and _n._ able to use both hands with equal facility: double-dealing, or a double-dealer.--_n._ AMBI'DEXTER'ITY, superior cleverness or adaptability.--_adj._ AMBIDEX'TROUS. [L. _ambo_, both, _dexter_, right hand.]

AMBIENT, am'bi-ent, _adj._ going round: surrounding: investing.--_n._ an encompassing sphere: the air or sky. [L. _ambi_, about, _iens_, _ientis_, pr.p. of _eo_, _[=i]re_, to go.]

AMBIGUOUS, am-big'[=u]-us, _adj._ of doubtful signification: indistinct: wavering or uncertain: equivocal.--_n._ AMBIG[=U]'ITY, uncertainty or dubiousness of meaning--also AMBIG'UOUSNESS.--_adv._ AMBIG'UOUSLY. [L. _ambiguus_--_ambig[)e]re_, to go about--_ambi_, about, _ag[)e]re_, to drive.]

AMBIT, am'bit, _n._ a circuit: a space surrounding a house or town: extent of meaning of words, &c.

AMBITION, am-bish'un, _n._ the desire of power, honour, fame, excellence.--_n._ AMBI'TIONIST (_Carlyle_), an ambitious man.--_adj._ AMBI'TIOUS, full of ambition (with _of_, formerly _for_): strongly desirous of anything--esp. power: aspiring: indicating ambition: showy or pretentious.--_adv._ AMBI'TIOUSLY.--_n._ AMBI'TIOUSNESS. [Fr.--L. _ambition_-_em_, the going about--that is, the canvassing for votes practised by candidates for office in Rome--_ambi_, about, and _[=i]re_, _itum_, to go.]

AMBLE, am'bl, _v.i._ to move as a horse by lifting together both legs on one side alternately with those on the other side: to move at an easy pace affectedly.--_n._ a pace of a horse between a trot and a walk.--_n._ AM'BLER, a horse that ambles: one who ambles in walking or dancing.--_n._ and _adj._ AM'BLING. [Fr. _ambler_--L. _ambul[=a]-re_, to walk about.]

AMBLYGON, am'bli-gon, _adj._ obtuse-angled. [Gr. _amblus_, obtuse, _gonia_, angle.]

AMBLYOPIA, am-bli-[=o]'pi-a, _n._ dullness of sight (see AMAUROSIS).--_n._ AMBLYOP'SIS, the bony fish found in the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, the rudimentariness of whose eyes is due to darkness and consequent disuse. [Gr.--_amblys_, dull, _[=o]ps_, eye.]

AMBLYSTOMA, am-blis't[=o]-ma, _n._ a genus of tailed amphibians in the gill-less or salamandroid sub-order--the adult form of axolotl. [Gr. _amblys_, blunt, _stoma_, mouth.]

AMBO, am'b[=o], _n._ a kind of reading-desk or pulpit, which in early Christian churches was placed in the choir. The ambo had two ascents--one from the east, and the other from the west. [Gr. _amb[=o]n_, a rising.]

AMBROSIA, am-br[=o]'zhi-a, _n._ the fabled food of the gods, which gave immortal youth and beauty to those who ate it: the anointing oil of the gods: any finely-flavoured beverage: something delightfully sweet and pleasing.--_adj._ AMBR[=O]'SIAL, fragrant: delicious: immortal: heavenly.--_adv._ AMBR[=O]'SIALLY.--_adj._ AMBR[=O]'SIAN, relating to ambrosia: relating to St Ambrose, bishop of Milan in the 4th century. [L.--Gr. _ambrosios_ = _ambrotos_, immortal--_a_, neg., and _brotos_, mortal, for _mrotos_, Sans. _mrita_, dead--_mri_ (L. _mori_), to die.]

AMBRY, am'bri, _n._ a niche in churches in which the sacred utensils were kept: a cupboard for victuals. [O. Fr. _armarie_, a repository for arms (Fr. _armoire_, a cupboard)--L. _armarium_, a chest for arms--_arma_, arms.]

AMBS-ACE, [=a]mz'-[=a]s, _n._ double ace: the lowest possible throw at dice: ill-luck: worthlessness. [O. Fr. _ambes as_--L. _ambas as_. See ACE.]