Chapter 104

Any child might soon be able to assoil this riddle. Bp. Jewel.

3. To set free from guilt; to absolve. [Archaic]

Acquitted and assoiled from the guilt. Dr. H. More.

Many persons think themselves fairly assoiled , because they are . . . not of scandalous lives. Jer. Taylor.

4. To expiate; to atone for. [Archaic]

Spenser.

Let each act assoil a fault. E. Arnold.

5. To remove; to put off. [Obs.]

She soundly slept, and careful thoughts did quite assoil . Spenser.

Assoil <Xpage=92>

As*soil" , v. t. [Pref. ad- + soil .] To soil; to stain. [Obs. or Poet.]

Beau. & Fl.

Ne'er assoil my cobwebbed shield. Wordsworth.

Assoilment <Xpage=92>

As*soil"ment (#) , n. Act of assoiling, or state of being assoiled; absolution; acquittal.

Assoilment <Xpage=92>

As*soil"ment , n. A soiling; defilement.

Assoilzie, Assoilyie <Xpage=92>

As*soil"zie (#) , As*soil"yie , v. t. [Old form assoil<?/e . See Assoil .] (Scots Law) To absolve; to acquit by sentence of court.

God assoilzie him for the sin of bloodshed. Sir W. Scott.

Assonance <Xpage=92>

As"so*nance (#) , n. [Cf. F. assonance . See Assonant .] 1. Resemblance of sound. "The disagreeable assonance of <?/sheath' and <?/sheathed.'"

Steevens.

2. (Pros.) A peculiar species of rhyme, in which the last accented vowel and those which follow it in one word correspond in sound with the vowels of another word, while the consonants of the two words are unlike in sound; as, calamo and platano , baby and chary .

The assonance is peculiar to the Spaniard. Hallam.

3. Incomplete correspondence.

Assonance between facts seemingly remote. Lowell.

Assonant <Xpage=92>

As"so*nant (#) , a. [L. assonans , p. pr. of assonare to sound to, to correspond to in sound; ad + sonare to sound, sonus sound: cf. F. assonant . See Sound .] 1. Having a resemblance of sounds.

2. (Pros.) Pertaining to the peculiar species of rhyme called assonance ; not consonant.

Assonantal <Xpage=92>

As`so*nan"tal (#) , a. Assonant.

Assonate <Xpage=92>

As"so*nate (#) , v. i. [L. assonare , assonatum , to respond to.] To correspond in sound.

Assort <Xpage=92>

As*sort" (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Assorted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Assorting .] [F. assortir ; <?/ (L. ad ) + sortir to cast or draw lots, to obtain by lot, L. sortiri , fr. sors , sortis , lot. See Sort .] 1. To separate and distribute into classes, as things of a like kind, nature, or quality, or which are suited to a like purpose; to classify; as, to assort goods . [Rarely applied to persons.]

They appear . . . no ways assorted to those with whom they must associate. Burke.

2. To furnish with, or make up of, various sorts or a variety of goods; as, to assort a cargo .

Assort <Xpage=92>

As*sort" , v. i. To agree; to be in accordance; to be adapted; to suit; to fall into a class or place.

Mitford.

<-- p. 93 -->

Assorted <Xpage=93>

As*sort"ed (#) , a. Selected; culled.

Assortment <Xpage=93>

As*sort"ment (#) , n. [Cf. F. assortiment .] 1. Act of assorting, or distributing into sorts, kinds, or classes.

2. A collection or quantity of things distributed into kinds or sorts; a number of things assorted.

3. A collection containing a variety of sorts or kinds adapted to various wants, demands, or purposes; as, an assortment of goods .

Assot <Xpage=93>

As*sot" (#) , v. t. [OF. asoter , F. assoter ; <?/ (L. ad ) + sot stupid. See Sot .] To besot; to befool; to beguile; to infatuate. [Obs.]

Some ecstasy assotted had his sense. Spenser.

Assot <Xpage=93>

As*sot" , a. Dazed; foolish; infatuated. [Obs.]

Willie, I ween thou be assot . Spenser.

Assuage <Xpage=93>

As*suage" (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Assuaged ; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuaging (#) .] [OE. asuagen , aswagen , OF. asoagier , asuagier , fr. assouagier , fr. L. ad + suavis sweet. See Sweet .] To soften, in a figurative sense; to allay, mitigate, ease, or lessen, as heat, pain, or grief; to appease or pacify, as passion or tumult; to satisfy, as appetite or desire.

Refreshing winds the summer's heat assuage . Addison.

To assuage the sorrows of a desolate old man Burke.

The fount at which the panting mind assuages Her thirst of knowledge. Byron.

Syn. -- To alleviate; mitigate; appease; soothe; calm; tranquilize; relieve. See Alleviate .

Assuage <Xpage=93>

As*suage" , v. i. To abate or subside. [Archaic] "The waters assuaged ."

Gen. vii. 1.

The plague being come to a crisis, its fury began to assuage . De Foe.

Assuagement <Xpage=93>

As*suage"ment (#) , n. [OF. assouagement , asuagement .] Mitigation; abatement.

Assuager <Xpage=93>

As*sua"ger (#) , n. One who, or that which, assuages.

Assuasive <Xpage=93>

As*sua"sive (#) , a. [From assuage , as if this were fr. a supposed L. assuadere to persuade to; or from E. pref. ad + -suasive as in per suasive .] Mitigating; tranquilizing; soothing. [R.]

Music her soft assuasive voice applies. Pope.

Assubjugate <Xpage=93>

As*sub"ju*gate (#) , v. t. [Pref. ad- + subjugate .] To bring into subjection. [Obs.]

Shak.

Assuefaction <Xpage=93>

As`sue*fac"tion (#) , n. [L. assuefacere to accustom to; assuetus (p. p. of assuescere to accustom to) + facere to make; cf. OF. assuefaction .] The act of accustoming, or the state of being accustomed; habituation. [Obs.]

Custom and studies efform the soul like wax, and by assuefaction introduce a nature. Jer. Taylor.

Assuetude <Xpage=93>

As"sue*tude (#) , n. [L. assuetudo , fr. assuetus accustomed.] Accustomedness; habit; habitual use.

Assuetude of things hurtful doth make them lose their force to hurt. Bacon.

Assumable <Xpage=93>

As*sum"a*ble (#) , a. That may be assumed.

Assumably <Xpage=93>

As*sum"a*bly , adv. By way of assumption.

Assume <Xpage=93>

As*sume" (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Assumed (#) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuming .] [L. assumere ; ad + sumere to take; sub + emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer . See Redeem .] 1. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly.

Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne. Pope.

The god assumed his native form again. Pope.

2. To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.

The consequences of assumed principles. Whewell.

3. To pretend to possess; to take in appearance.

Ambition assuming the mask of religion. Porteus.

Assume a virtue, if you have it not. Shak.

4. To receive or adopt.

The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company. Sir W. Scott.

Syn. -- To arrogate; usurp; appropriate.

Assume <Xpage=93>

As*sume" , v. i. 1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.

Bp. Burnet.

2. (Law) To undertake, as by a promise.

Burrill.

Assumed <Xpage=93>

As*sumed" (#) , a. 1. Supposed.

2. Pretended; hypocritical; make-believe; as, an assumed character .

Assumedly <Xpage=93>

As*sum"ed*ly (#) , adv. By assumption.

Assument <Xpage=93>

As*sum"ent (#) , n. [L. assumentum , fr. ad + suere to sew.] A patch; an addition; a piece put on. [Obs.]

John Lewis (1731).

Assumer <Xpage=93>

As*sum"er (#) , n. One who assumes, arrogates, pretends, or supposes.

W. D. Whitney.

Assuming <Xpage=93>

As*sum"ing , a. Pretentious; taking much upon one's self; presumptuous.

Burke.

Assumpsit <Xpage=93>

As*sump"sit (?; 215) , n. [L., he undertook, pret. of L. assumere . See Assume .] (Law) (a) A promise or undertaking, founded on a consideration. This promise may be oral or in writing not under seal. It may be express or implied. (b) An action to recover damages for a breach or nonperformance of a contract or promise, express or implied, oral or in writing not under seal. Common or indebitatus assumpsit is brought for the most part on an implied promise. Special assumpsit is founded on an express promise or undertaking.

Wharton.

Assumpt <Xpage=93>

As*sumpt" (?; 215) , v. t. [L. assumptus , p. p. of assumere . See Assume .] To take up; to elevate; to assume. [Obs.]

Sheldon.

Assumpt <Xpage=93>

As*sumpt" , n. [L. assumptum , p. p. neut. of assumere .] That which is assumed; an assumption. [Obs.]

The sun of all your assumpts is this. Chillingworth.

Assumption <Xpage=93>

As*sump"tion (?; 215) , n. [OE. assumpcioun a taking up into heaven, L. assumptio a taking, fr. assumere : cf. F. assomption . See Assume .] 1. The act of assuming, or taking to or upon one's self; the act of taking up or adopting.

The assumption of authority. Whewell.

2. The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing without proof; supposition; unwarrantable claim.

This gives no sanction to the unwarrantable assumption that the soul sleeps from the period of death to the resurrection of the body. Thodey.

That calm assumption of the virtues. W. Black.

3. The thing supposed; a postulate, or proposition assumed; a supposition.

Hold! says the Stoic; your assumption's wrong. Dryden.

4. (Logic) The minor or second proposition in a categorical syllogism.

5. The taking of a person up into heaven. Hence: (Rom. Cath. & Greek Churches) A festival in honor of the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

Assumptive <Xpage=93>

As*sump"tive (#) , a. [L. assumptivus , fr. assumptus , fr. assumere .] Assumed, or capable of being assumed; characterized by assumption; making unwarranted claims. -- As*sump"tive*ly , adv.

Assumptive arms (Her.) , originally, arms which a person had a right to assume, in consequence of an exploit; now, those assumed without sanction of the Heralds' College.

Percy Smith.

Assurance <Xpage=93>

As*sur"ance (#) , n. [OE. assuraunce , F. assurance , fr. assurer . See Assure .] 1. The act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full confidence; that which is designed to give confidence.

Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts xvii. 31.

Assurances of support came pouring in daily. Macaulay.

2. The state of being assured; firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty.

Let us draw with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Heb. x. 22.

3. Firmness of mind; undoubting, steadiness; intrepidity; courage; confidence; self-reliance.

Brave men meet danger with assurance . Knolles.

Conversation with the world will give them knowledge and assurance . Locke.

4. Excess of boldness; impudence; audacity; as, his assurance is intolerable .

5. Betrothal; affiance. [Obs.]

Sir P. Sidney.

6. Insurance; a contract for the payment of a sum on occasion of a certain event, as loss or death.

&hand; Recently, assurance has been used, in England, in relation to life contingencies, and insurance in relation to other contingencies. It is called temporary assurance , in the time within which the contingent event must happen is limited. See Insurance .

7. (Law) Any written or other legal evidence of the conveyance of property; a conveyance; a deed.

&hand; In England, the legal evidences of the conveyance of property are called the common assurances of the kingdom.

Blackstone.

Assure <Xpage=93>

As*sure (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Assured (#) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuring .] [OF. ase\'81rer , F. assurer , LL. assecurare ; L. ad + securus secure, sure, certain. See Secure , Sure , and cf. Insure .] 1. To make sure or certain; to render confident by a promise, declaration, or other evidence.

His promise that thy seed shall bruise our foe . . . Assures me that the bitterness of death Is past, and we shall live. Milton.

2. To declare to, solemnly; to assert to (any one) with the design of inspiring belief or confidence.

I dare assure thee that no enemy Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. Shak.

3. To confirm; to make certain or secure.

And it shall be assured to him. Lev. xxvii. 19.

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John iii. 19.

4. To affiance; to betroth. [Obs.]

Shak.

5. (Law) To insure; to covenant to indemnify for loss, or to pay a specified sum at death. See Insure .

Syn. -- To declare; aver; avouch; vouch; assert; asseverate; protest; persuade; convince.

Assured <Xpage=93>

As*sured" (#) , a. Made sure; safe; insured; certain; indubitable; not doubting; bold to excess.

Assured <Xpage=93>

As*sured" , n. One whose life or property is insured.

Assuredly <Xpage=93>

As*sur"ed*ly (#) , adv. Certainly; indubitably. "The siege assuredly I'll raise."

Shak.

Assuredness <Xpage=93>

As*sur"ed*ness , n. The state of being assured; certainty; full confidence.

Assurer <Xpage=93>

As*sur"er (#) , n. 1. One who assures. Specifically: One who insures against loss; an insurer or underwriter.

2. One who takes out a life assurance policy.

Assurgency <Xpage=93>

As*sur"gen*cy (#) , n. Act of rising.

The . . . assurgency of the spirit through the body. Coleridge.

Assurgent <Xpage=93>

As*sur"gent (#) , a. [L. assurgens , p. pr. of assurgere ; ad + surgere to rise.] Ascending ; (Bot.) rising obliquely; curving upward.

Gray.

Assuring <Xpage=93>

As*sur"ing (#) , a. That assures; tending to assure; giving confidence. -- As*sur"ing*ly , adv.

Asswage <Xpage=93>

As*swage" , v. See Assuage .

Assyrian <Xpage=93>

As*syr"i*an (#) , a. [L. Assyrius .] Of or pertaining to Assyria, or to its inhabitants. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of Assyria; the language of Assyria.

Assyriological <Xpage=93>

As*syr`i*o*log"ic*al (#) , a. Of or pertaining to Assyriology; as, Assyriological studies .

Assyriologist <Xpage=93>

As*syr`i*ol"o*gist (#) , n. One versed in Assyriology; a student of Assyrian arch\'91ology.

Assyriology <Xpage=93>

As*syr`i*ol"o*gy (#) , n. [ Assyria + -logy .] The science or study of the antiquities, language, etc., of ancient Assyria.

Assythment <Xpage=93>

As*syth"ment (#) , n. [From OF. aset , asez , orig. meaning enough . See Assets .] Indemnification for injury; satisfaction. [Chiefly in Scots law]

Astacus <Xpage=93>

As"ta*cus (#) , n. [L. astacus a crab, Gr. <?/.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of crustaceans, containing the crawfish of fresh-water lobster of Europe, and allied species of western North America. See Crawfish .

Astarboard <Xpage=93>

A*star"board (#) , adv. (Naut.) Over to the starboard side; -- said of the tiller.

Astart <Xpage=93>

A*start" (#) , v. t. & i. Same as Astert . [Obs.]

Astarte <Xpage=93>

As*tar"te (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ a Ph\'d2nician goddess.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of bivalve mollusks, common on the coasts of America and Europe.

Astate <Xpage=93>

A*state" (#) , n. Estate; state. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Astatic <Xpage=93>

A*stat"ic (#) , a. [Pref. a- not + static .] (Magnetism) Having little or no tendency to take a fixed or definite position or direction: thus, a suspended magnetic needle, when rendered astatic , loses its polarity, or tendency to point in a given direction.

Astatic pair (Magnetism) , a pair of magnetic needles so mounted as to be nearly or quite astatic, as in some galvanometers.

Astatically <Xpage=93>

A*stat"ic*al*ly (#) , adv. In an astatic manner.

Astaticism <Xpage=93>

A*stat"i*cism (#) , n. The state of being astatic.

Astay <Xpage=93>

A*stay" (#) , adv. (Naut.) An anchor is said to be astay , in heaving it, an acute angle is formed between the cable and the surface of the water.

Asteism <Xpage=93>

As"te*ism (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ refined and witty talk, fr. <?/ of the town, polite, witty, fr. <?/ city: cf. F. ast\'82isme .] (Rhet.) Genteel irony; a polite and ingenious manner of deriding another.

Astel <Xpage=93>

As"tel (#) , n. [OE. astelle piece of wood, OF. astele splinter, shaving, F. attelle , astelle : cf. L. astula , dim. of assis board.] (Mining) An arch, or ceiling, of boards, placed over the men's heads in a mine.

Aster <Xpage=93>

As"ter (#) , n. [L. aster aster, star, Gr. <?/ star. See Star .] 1. (Bot.) A genus of herbs with compound white or bluish flowers; starwort; Michaelmas daisy.