Chapter 106

As*trin"ger (#) , n. [OE. ostreger , OF. ostrucier , F. autoursier , fr. OF. austour , ostor , hawk, F. autour ; cf. L. acceptor , for accipiter , hawk.] A falconer who keeps a goschawk. [Obs.] Shak. Cowell . [Written also austringer .]

Astro- <Xpage=94>

As"tro- (#) . The combining form of the Greek word 'a`stron , meaning star .

Astrofel, Astrofell <Xpage=94>

As"tro*fel , As"tro*fell (#) , n. A bitter herb, probably the same as aster, or starwort.

Spenser.

Astrogeny <Xpage=94>

As*trog"e*ny (#) , n. [ Astro- + Gr. <?/ birth.] The creation or evolution of the stars or the heavens.

H. Spencer.

Astrognosy <Xpage=94>

As*trog"no*sy (#) , n. [ Astro- + Gr. <?/ knowledge.] The science or knowledge of the stars, esp. the fixed stars.

Bouvier.

Astrogony <Xpage=94>

As*trog"o*ny (#) , n. Same as Astrogeny . -- As`*tro*gon"ic (#) , a.

Astrography <Xpage=94>

As*trog"ra*phy (#) , n. [ Astro'cf + -graphy .] The art of describing or delineating the stars; a description or mapping of the heavens.

Astroite <Xpage=94>

As"tro*ite (#) , n. [L. astroites : cf. F. astroite .] A radiated stone or fossil; star-stone. [Obs.] [Written also astrite and astrion .]

Astrolabe <Xpage=94>

As"tro*labe (#) , n. [OE. astrolabie , astrilabe , OF. astrelabe , F. astrolabe , LL. astrolabium , fr. Gr. <?/; <?/ star + <?/, <?/, to take.] 1. (Astron.) An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.

&hand; Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.

2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere.

Whewell.

Astrolater <Xpage=94>

As*trol"a*ter (#) , n. A worshiper of the stars.

Morley.

Astrolatry <Xpage=94>

As*trol"a*try (#) , n. [ Astro- + Gr. <?/ service, worship: cf. F. astrol\'83trie .] The worship of the stars.

Astrolithology <Xpage=94>

As`tro*li*thol"o*gy (#) , n. [ Astro- + lithology .] The science of a\'89rolites.

Astrologer <Xpage=94>

As*trol"o*ger (#) , n. [See Astrology .] 1. One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]

2. One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.

Astrologian <Xpage=94>

As`tro*lo"gi*an (#) , n. [OF. astrologien .] An astrologer. [Obs.]

Astrologic, Astrological <Xpage=94>

As`tro*log"ic (#) , As`tro*log"ic*al (#) , a. [Gr. <?/.] Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing astrology. " Astrologi<?/ learning." Hudibras . " Astrological prognostication." Cudworth . -- As`tro*log"ic*al*ly , adv.

Astrologize <Xpage=94>

As*trol"o*gize (#) , v. t. & i. To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.

Astrology <Xpage=94>

As*trol"o*gy (#) , n. [F. astrologie , L. astrologia , fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ astronomer, astrologer; <?/ star + <?/ discourse, <?/ to speak. See Star .] In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy ; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.

&hand; Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial astrology , which assumed to foretell the fate and acts of nations and individuals, and natural astrology , which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature, such as changes of the weather, etc.

Astromantic <Xpage=94>

As`tro*man"tic (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ astrology.] Of or pertaining to divination by means of the stars; astrologic. [R.]

Dr. H. More.

Astrometeorology <Xpage=94>

As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gy (#) , n. [ Astro- + meteorology .] The investigation of the relation between the sun, moon, and stars, and the weather. -- As`*tro*me`te*or`o*log"ic*al (#) , a. -- As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gist (#) , n.

Astrometer <Xpage=94>

As*trom"e*ter (#) , n. [ Astro- + meter .] An instrument for comparing the relative amount of the light of stars.

Astrometry <Xpage=94>

As*trom"e*try (#) , n. [ Astro- + metry .] The art of making measurements among the stars, or of determining their relative magnitudes.

Astronomer <Xpage=94>

As*tron"o*mer (#) , n. [See Astronomy .] 1. An astrologer. [Obs.]

Shak.

2. One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena.

An undevout astronomer is mad. Young.

Astronomian <Xpage=94>

As`tro*no"mi*an (#) , n. [OE. & OF. astronomien . See Astronomy .] An astrologer. [Obs.]

Astronomic <Xpage=94>

As`tro*nom"ic (#) , a. Astronomical.

<-- p. 95 -->

Astronomical <Xpage=95>

As`tro*nom"ic*al (#) , a. [L. astronomicus , Gr. <?/: cf. F. astronomique .] Of or pertaining to astronomy; in accordance with the methods or principles of astronomy. -- As`tro*nom"ic*al*ly , adv.

Astronomical clock . See under Clock . -- Astronomical day . See under Day . -- Astronomical fractions , Astronomical numbers . See under Sexagesimal .

Astronomize <Xpage=95>

As*tron"o*mize , v. i. [Gr. <?/.] To study or to talk astronomy. [R.]

They astronomized in caves. Sir T. Browne.

Astronomy <Xpage=95>

As*tron"o*my (#) , n. [OE. astronomie , F. astronomie , L. astronomia , fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ astronomer; <?/ star + <?/ to distribute, regulate. See Star , and Nomad .] 1. Astrology. [Obs.]

Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck; And yet methinks I have astronomy . Shak.

2. The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the causes of their various phenomena.

3. A treatise on, or text-book of, the science.

Physical astronomy . See under Physical .

Astrophel <Xpage=95>

As"tro*phel (#) , n. See Astrofel . [Obs.]

Astrophotography <Xpage=95>

As`tro*pho*tog"ra*phy (#) , n. [ Astro- + photography .] The application of photography to the delineation of the sun, moon, and stars.

Astrophysical <Xpage=95>

As`tro*phys"ic*al (#) , a. Pertaining to the physics of astronomical science.

Astrophyton <Xpage=95>

As*troph"y*ton (#) , n. [ Astro- + Gr. fyton a plant.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of ophiurans having the arms much branched.

Astroscope <Xpage=95>

As"tro*scope (#) , n. [ Astro- + scope .] An old astronomical instrument, formed of two cones, on whose surface the constellations were delineated.

Astroscopy <Xpage=95>

As*tros"co*py (#) , n. Observation of the stars. [Obs.]

Astrotheology <Xpage=95>

As`tro*the*ol"*o*gy (#) , n. [ Astro- + theology .] Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial bodies.

Derham.

Astructive <Xpage=95>

A*struc"tive (#) , a. [L. astructus , p. p. of astruere to build up; ad + struere to build.] Building up; constructive; -- opposed to destructive . [Obs.]

Astrut <Xpage=95>

A*strut" (#) , a. & adv. 1. Sticking out, or puffed out; swelling; in a swelling manner. [Archaic]

Inflated and astrut with self-conceit. Cowper.

2. In a strutting manner; with a strutting gait.

Astucious <Xpage=95>

As*tu"cious (#) , a. [F. astucieux . See Astute .] Subtle; cunning; astute. [R.] Sir W. Scott . -- As*tu"cious*ly , adv. [R.]

Astucity <Xpage=95>

As*tu"ci*ty (#) , n. [See Astucious .] Craftiness; astuteness. [R.]

Carlyle.

Astun <Xpage=95>

A*stun" (#) , v. t. [See Astony , Stun .] To stun. [Obs.] "Breathless and astunned ."

Somerville.

Asturian <Xpage=95>

As*tu"ri*an (#) , a. Of or pertaining to Asturias in Spain. -- n. A native of Asturias.

Astute <Xpage=95>

As*tute" (#) , a. [L. astutus , fr. astus craft, cunning; perh. cognate with E. acute .] Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.

Syn. -- Keen; eagle-eyed; penetrating; skilled; discriminating; cunning; sagacious; subtle; wily; crafty.

As*tute"ly , adv. -- As*tute"ness , n.

Astylar <Xpage=95>

A*sty"lar (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/ pillar.] (arch.) Without columns or pilasters.

Weale.

Astyllen <Xpage=95>

A*styl"len (#) , n. (Mining) A small dam to prevent free passage of water in an adit or level.

Asunder <Xpage=95>

A*sun"der (#) , adv. [Pref. a- + sunder .] Apart; separate from each other; into parts; in two; separately; into or in different pieces or places.

I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder . Zech. xi. 10.

As wide asunder as pole and pole. Froude.

Asura <Xpage=95>

A*su"ra (#) , n. (Hind. Myth.) An enemy of the gods, esp. one of a race of demons and giants.

Aswail <Xpage=95>

As"wail (#) , n. [Native name.] (Zo\'94l.) The sloth bear ( Melursus labiatus ) of India.

Asweve <Xpage=95>

A*sweve" (#) , v. t. [AS. aswebban ; a + swebban . See Sweven .] To stupefy. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Aswing <Xpage=95>

A*swing" (#) , adv. In a state of swinging.

Aswoon <Xpage=95>

A*swoon" (#) , adv. In a swoon.

Chaucer.

Aswooned <Xpage=95>

A*swooned" (#) , adv. In a swoon.

Asylum <Xpage=95>

A*sy"lum (#) , n. ; pl. E. Asylums (#) , L. Asyla (#) . [L. asylum , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ exempt from spoliation, inviolable; <?/ priv. + <?/ right of seizure.] 1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege.

So sacred was the church to some, that it had the right of an asylum or sanctuary. Ayliffe.

&hand; The name was anciently given to temples, altars, statues of the gods, and the like. In later times Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same sense.

2. Any place of retreat and security.

Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom. Southey.

3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum ; an orphan asylum .

Asymmetral <Xpage=95>

A*sym"me*tral (#) , a. Incommensurable; also, unsymmetrical. [Obs.]

D. H. More.

Asymmetric, Asymmetrical <Xpage=95>

As`ym*met"ric (#) , As`ym*met"ri*cal (#) , a. [See Asymmetrous .] 1. Incommensurable. [Obs.]

2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally symmetrical.

Huxley.

Asymmetrous <Xpage=95>

A*sym"me*trous (#) , a. [Gr. <?/.] Asymmetrical. [Obs.]

Barrow.

Asymmetry <Xpage=95>

A*sym"me*try (#) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/ priv. + <?/ symmetry.] 1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a thing, esp. want of bilateral symmetry.

2. (Math.) Incommensurability. [Obs.]

Barrow.

Asymptote <Xpage=95>

As"ymp*tote (?; 215) , n. [Gr. <?/ not falling together; <?/ priv. + <?/ to fall together; <?/ with + <?/ to fall. Cf. Symptom .] (Math.) A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance.

Asynartete <Xpage=95>

A*syn"ar*tete` (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ not united, disconnected; <?/ priv. + <?/ with + <?/ to fasten to.] Disconnected; not fitted or adjusted. -- A*syn"ar*tet"ic (#) , a.

Asynartete verse (Pros.) , a verse of two members, having different rhythms; as when the first consists of iambuses and the second of trochees.

Asyndetic <Xpage=95>

As`yn*det"ic (#) , a. [See Asyndeton .] Characterized by the use of asyndeton; not connected by conjunctions. -- As`yn*det"ic*al*ly , adv.

Asyndeton <Xpage=95>

A*syn"de*ton (#) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ unconnected; <?/ priv. + <?/ bound together, fr. <?/; <?/ with + <?/ to bind.] (Rhet.) A figure which omits the connective; as, I came, I saw, I conquered . It stands opposed to polysyndeton .

Asystole <Xpage=95>

A*sys"to*le (#) , n. [Pref. a- not + systole .] (Physiol.) A weakening or cessation of the contractile power of the heart.

Asystolism <Xpage=95>

A*sys"to*lism (#) , n. The state or symptoms characteristic of asystole.

At <Xpage=95>

At (#) , prep. [AS. \'91t ; akin to OHG. az , Goth., OS., & Icel. at , Sw. \'86t , Dan. & L. ad .] Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence , nearness in place or time , or direction toward ; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on ; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at . It expresses: -

1. A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land.

2. The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage.

3. The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns.

4. The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 80&deg;; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest.

5. The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first.

6. The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands.

7. Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one.

At all , At home , At large , At last , At length , At once , etc. See under All , Home , Large , Last (phrase and syn.), Length , Once , etc. -- At it , busily or actively engaged. -- At least . See Least and However . -- At one . See At one , in the Vocabulary.

Syn. -- In , At . When reference to the interior of any place is made prominent in is used. It is used before the names of countries and cities (esp. large cities); as, we live in America, in New York, in the South. At is commonly employed before names of houses, institutions, villages, and small places; as, Milton was educated at Christ's College; money taken in at the Customhouse; I saw him at the jeweler's; we live at Beachville. At may be used before the name of a city when it is regarded as a mere point of locality. "An English king was crowned at Paris." Macaulay . "Jean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June, 28, 1712." J. Morley . In regard to time, we say at the hour, on the day, in the year; as, at 9 o'clock, on the morning of July 5th, in the year 1775.

Atabal <Xpage=95>

At"a*bal (#) , n. [Sp. atabal , fr. Ar. at - tabl the drum, tabala to beat the drum. Cf. Tymbal .] A kettledrum; a kind of tabor, used by the Moors. Croly .

Atacamite <Xpage=95>

A*tac"a*mite (#) , n. [From the desert of Atacama , where found.] (Min.) An oxychloride of copper, usually in emerald-green prismatic crystals.

Atafter <Xpage=95>

At`aft"er (#) , prep. After. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Ataghan <Xpage=95>

At"a*ghan (#) , n. See Yataghan .

Atake <Xpage=95>

A*take" (#) , v. t. To overtake. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Ataman <Xpage=95>

At"a*man (#) , n. [Russ. ataman' : cf. Pol. hetman , G. hauptmann headman, chieftain. Cf. Hetman .] A hetman, or chief of the Cossacks.

Ataraxia, Ataraxy <Xpage=95>

At`a*rax"i*a (#) , At"a*rax`y (#) , n. [NL. ataraxia , Gr. <?/; <?/ priv. + <?/ disturbed, <?/ to disturb.] Perfect peace of mind, or calmness.

Ataunt, Ataunto <Xpage=95>

A*taunt" (#) , A*taunt"o (#) , adv. [F. autant as much (as possible).] (Naut.) Fully rigged, as a vessel; with all sails set; set on end or set right.

Atavic <Xpage=95>

A*tav"ic (#) , a. [Cf. F. atavique .] Pertaining to a remote ancestor, or to atavism.

Atavism <Xpage=95>