Chapter 107

At"a*vism (#) , n. [L. atavus an ancestor, fr. avus a grandfather.] (a) The recurrence, or a tendency to a recurrence, of the original type of a species in the progeny of its varieties; resemblance to remote rather than to near ancestors; reversion to the original form. (b) (Biol.) The recurrence of any peculiarity or disease of an ancestor in a subsequent generation, after an intermission for a generation or two.

Now and then there occur cases of what physiologists call atavism , or reversion to an ancestral type of character. J. Fiske

Ataxia, Ataxy <Xpage=95>

A*tax"i*a (#) , At"ax*y (#) , n. [NL. ataxia , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ out of order; <?/ priv. + <?/ ordered, arranged, <?/ to put in order: cf. F. ataxie .] 1. Disorder; irregularity. [Obs.]

Bp. Hall.

2. (Med.) (a) Irregularity in disease, or in the functions. (b) The state of disorder that characterizes nervous fevers and the nervous condition.

Locomotor ataxia . See Locomotor .

Ataxic <Xpage=95>

A*tax"ic (#) , a. [Cf. F. ataxique . See Ataxia .] (Med.) Characterized by ataxy, that is, (a) by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or (b) by a want of coordinating power in movements.

Ataxic fever , malignant typhus fever.

Pinel.

Atazir <Xpage=95>

At`a*zir" (#) , n. [OF., fr. Ar. al - tas\'c6r influence.] (Astron.) The influence of a star upon other stars or upon men. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Ate <Xpage=95>

Ate (?; 277) , the preterit of Eat .

Ate <Xpage=95>

A"te (#) , n. [Gr. <?/.] (Greek. Myth.) The goddess of mischievous folly; also, in later poets, the goddess of vengeance.

-ate <Xpage=95>

-ate (#) . [From the L. suffix - atus , the past participle ending of verbs of the 1st conj.] 1. As an ending of participles or participial adjectives it is equivalent to - ed ; as, situ ate or situated; anim ate or animated.

2. As the ending of a verb, it means to make , to cause , to act , etc.; as, to propiti ate (to make propitious); to anim ate (to give life to).

3. As a noun suffix, it marks the agent; as, cur ate , deleg ate . It also sometimes marks the office or dignity; as, tribun ate .

4. In chemistry it is used to denote the salts formed from those acids whose names end -ic (excepting binary or halogen acids); as, sulph ate from sulphur ic acid, nitr ate from nitr ic acid, etc. It is also used in the case of certain basic salts.

Atechnic <Xpage=95>

A*tech"nic (#) , a. [Pref. a- not + technic .] Without technical or artistic knowledge.

Difficult to convey to the atechnic reader. Etching & Engr.

Ateles <Xpage=95>

At"e*les (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ incomplete; <?/ priv. + <?/ completion.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of American monkeys with prehensile tails, and having the thumb wanting or rudimentary. See Spider monkey , and Coaita .

Atelier <Xpage=95>

A`te*lier" (#) n. [F.] A workshop; a studio.

Atellan <Xpage=95>

A*tel"lan (#) , a. [L. Atellanus , fr. Atella , an ancient town of the Osci, in Campania.] Of or pertaining to Atella, in ancient Italy; as, Atellan plays ; farcical; ribald. -- n. A farcical drama performed at Atella.

Athalamous <Xpage=95>

A*thal"a*mous (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/ nuptial bed.] (Bot.) Not furnished with shields or beds for the spores, as the thallus of certain lichens.

Athamaunt <Xpage=95>

Ath"a*maunt (#) , n. Adamant. [Obs.]

Written in the table of athamaunt . Chaucer.

Athanasian <Xpage=95>

Ath`a*na"sian (?; 277) , a. Of or pertaining to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century.

Athanasian creed , a formulary, confession, or exposition of faith, formerly supposed to have been drawn up by Athanasius; but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles (5th century). It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.

Athanor <Xpage=95>

Ath"a*nor (#) , n. [F., fr. Ar. at-tann\'d4r , fr. Heb. tann\'d4r an oven or furnace.] A digesting furnace, formerly used by alchemists. It was so constructed as to maintain uniform and durable heat.

Chambers.

Athecata <Xpage=95>

Ath`e*ca"ta (#) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/ chest, box.] (Zo\'94l.) A division of Hydroidea in which the zooids are naked, or not inclosed in a capsule. See Tubularian .

Atheism <Xpage=95>

A"the*ism (#) , n. [Cf. F. ath\'82isme . See Atheist .] 1. The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.

Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness. R. Hall.

Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded. Shipley.

2. Godlessness.

Atheist <Xpage=95>

A"the*ist , n. [Gr. <?/ without god; <?/ priv. + <?/ god: cf. F. ath\'82iste .] 1. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.

2. A godless person. [Obs.]

Syn. -- Infidel; unbeliever.

See Infidel .

Atheistic, Atheistical <Xpage=95>

A`the*is"tic (#) , A`the*is"tic*al (#) , a. 1. Pertaining to, implying, or containing, atheism; -- applied to things; as, atheistic doctrines, opinions, or books .

Atheistical explications of natural effects. Barrow.

2. Disbelieving the existence of a God; impious; godless; -- applied to persons; as, an atheistic writer . -- A`the*is"tic*al*ly , adv. -- A`the*is"tic*al*ness , n.

Atheize <Xpage=95>

A"the*ize (#) , v. t. To render atheistic or godless. [R.]

They endeavored to atheize one another. Berkeley.

Atheize <Xpage=95>

A"the*ize , v. i. To discourse, argue, or act as an atheist. [R.] -- A"the*i`zer (#) , n.

Cudworth.

<-- p. 96 -->

Atheling <Xpage=96>

Ath"el*ing (#) , n. [AS. \'91<?/eling noble, fr. \'91<?/ele noble, akin to G. adel nobility, edel noble. The word \'91<?/el , E. ethel , is in many AS. proper names, as Ethel wolf, noble wolf; Ethel bald, noble bold; Ethel bert, noble bright.] An Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman; esp., the heir apparent or a prince of the royal family. [Written also Adeling and \'92theling .]

Atheneum, Athen\'91um <Xpage=96>

Ath`e*ne"um , Ath`e*n\'91"um (#) , n. ; pl. E. Atheneums (#) , L. Athen\'91a (#) . [L. Athenaemum , Gr. <?/ a temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. <?/, contr. fr. <?/, <?/, in Homer <?/, <?/, Athene (called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of Athens.] 1 (Gr. Antiq.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.

2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.

3. A literary or scientific association or club.

4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use.

Athenian <Xpage=96>

A*the"ni*an (#) , a. [Cf. F. Ath\'82nien .] Of or pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Greece. -- n. A native or citizen of Athens.

Atheological <Xpage=96>

A`the*o*log"ic*al (#) , a. Opposed to theology; atheistic.

Bp. Montagu.

Atheology <Xpage=96>

A`the*ol"o*gy (#) , n. [Pref. a- not + theology .] Antagonism to theology.

Swift.

Atheous <Xpage=96>

A"the*ous (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ without God. See Atheist .] 1. Atheistic; impious. [Obs.]

Milton.

2. Without God, neither accepting nor denying him.

I should say science was atheous , and therefore could not be atheistic. Bp. of Carlisle.

Atherine <Xpage=96>

Ath"er*ine (#) , n. [NL. atherina , fr. Gr. <?/ a kind of smelt.] (Zo\'94l.) A small marine fish of the family Atherinid\'91 , having a silvery stripe along the sides. The European species (Atherina presbyter) is used as food. The American species (Menidia notata) is called silversides and sand smelt . See Silversides .

Athermancy <Xpage=96>

A*ther"man*cy (#) , n. [See Athermanous .] Inability to transmit radiant; impermeability to heat.

Tyndall.

Athermanous <Xpage=96>

A*ther"ma*nous (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/ to heat, <?/ heat: cf. F. athermane .] (Chem.) Not transmitting heat; -- opposed to diathermanous .

Athermous <Xpage=96>

A*ther"mous (#) , a. (Chem.) Athermanous.

Atheroid <Xpage=96>

Ath"er*oid (#) , a. [Gr. <?/, <?/, a beard, or an ear, of grain + -oid .] Shaped like an ear of grain.

Atheroma <Xpage=96>

Ath`e*ro"ma (#) , n. [L., fr. Gr. <?/, <?/, fr. <?/ gr<?/ats, meal.] (Med.) (a) An encysted tumor containing curdy matter. (b) A disease characterized by thickening and fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries.

Atheromatous <Xpage=96>

Ath`e*rom"a*tous (#) , a. (Med.) Of, pertaining to, or having the nature of, atheroma.

Wiseman.

Athetosis <Xpage=96>

Ath`e*to"sis (#) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ not fixed; <?/ priv. + <?/ to set.] (Med.) A variety of chorea, marked by peculiar tremors of the fingers and toes.

Athink <Xpage=96>

A*think" (#) , v. t. To repent; to displease; to disgust. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Athirst <Xpage=96>

A*thirst" (#) , a. [OE. ofthurst , AS. ofpyrsted , p. p. of ofpyrstan ; pref. of- , intensive + pyrstan to thirst. See Thirst .] 1. Wanting drink; thirsty.

2. Having a keen appetite or desire; eager; longing. " Athirst for battle."

Cowper.

Athlete <Xpage=96>

Ath"lete (#) , n. [L. athleta , Gr. <?/ prizefighter, fr. <?/ to contend for a prize, <?/, Hom. <?/, contest, <?/ prize; fr. the same root as E. wed : cf. F. athl\'8ate .] 1. (Antiq.) One who contended for a prize in the public games of ancient Greece or Rome.

2. Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion.

3. One fitted for, or skilled in, intellectual contests; as, athletes of debate .

Athletic <Xpage=96>

Ath`let"ic (#) , a. [L. athleticus , Gr. <?/. See Athlete .] 1. Of or pertaining to athletes or to the exercises practiced by them; as, athletic games or sports .

2. Befitting an athlete; strong; muscular; robust; vigorous; as, athletic Celts . " Athletic soundness." South . -- Ath*let"ic*al*ly (#) , adv.

Athleticism <Xpage=96>

Ath*let"i*cism (#) , n. The practice of engaging in athletic games; athletism.

Athletics <Xpage=96>

Ath*let"ics (#) , n. The art of training by athletic exercises; the games and sports of athletes.

Athletism <Xpage=96>

Ath"le*tism (#) , n. The state or practice of an athlete; the characteristics of an athlete.

Athwart <Xpage=96>

A*thwart" (#) , prep. [Pref. a- + thwart .] 1. Across; from side to side of.

Athwart the thicket lone. Tennyson.

2. (Naut.) Across the direction or course of; as, a fleet standing athwart our course .

Athwart hawse , across the stem of another vessel, whether in contact or at a small distance. -- Athwart ships , across the ship from side to side, or in that direction; -- opposed to fore and aft .

Athwart <Xpage=96>

A*thwart" , adv. 1. Across, especially in an oblique direction; sidewise; obliquely.

Sometimes athwart , sometimes he strook him straight. Spenser.

2. Across the course; so as to thwart; perversely.

All athwart there came A post from Wales loaden with heavy news. Shak.

Atilt <Xpage=96>

A*tilt" (#) , adv. [Pref. a- + tilt .] 1. In the manner of a tilter; in the position, or with the action, of one making a thrust. "To run atilt at men." Hudibras .

2. In the position of a cask tilted, or with one end raised. [In this sense sometimes used as an adjective.]

Abroach, atilt , and run Even to the lees of honor. Beau. & Fl.

Atimy <Xpage=96>

At"i*my (#) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/ priv. + <?/ honor.] (Gr. Antiq.) Public disgrace or stigma; infamy; loss of civil rights.

Mitford.

-ation <Xpage=96>

-a"tion (#) . [L. - ation em. See -tion .] A suffix forming nouns of action , and often equivalent to the verbal substantive in - ing . It sometimes has the further meanings of state , and that which results from the action. Many of these nouns have verbs in - ate ; as, alliter ate - ation , narr ate - ation ; many are derived through the French; as, alter ation , visit ation ; and many are formed on verbs ending in the Greek formative - ize (Fr. - ise ); as, civiliz ation , demoraliz ation .

A-tiptoe <Xpage=96>

A-tip"toe (#) , adv. On tiptoe; eagerly expecting.

We all feel a - tiptoe with hope and confidence. F. Harrison.

Atlanta <Xpage=96>

At*lan"ta (#) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of small glassy heteropod mollusks found swimming at the surface in mid ocean. See Heteropod .

Atlantal <Xpage=96>

At*lan"tal (#) , a. (Anat.) (a) Relating to the atlas. (b) Anterior; cephalic.

Barclay.

Atlantean <Xpage=96>

At`lan*te"an (#) , a. [L. Atlant<?/us .] 1. Of or pertaining to the isle Atlantis, which the ancients allege was sunk, and overwhelmed by the ocean.

2. Pertaining to, or resembling, Atlas; strong.

With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies. Milton.

Atlantes <Xpage=96>

At*lan"tes (#) , n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. <?/, pl. of <?/. See Atlas .] (Arch.) Figures or half figures of men, used as columns to support an entablature; -- called also telamones . See Caryatides .

Oxf. Gloss.

Atlantic <Xpage=96>

At*lan"tic (#) , a. [L. Atlanticus , fr. Atlas . See Atlas and Atlantes .] 1. Of or pertaining to Mt. Atlas in Libya, and hence applied to the ocean which lies between Europe and Africa on the east and America on the west; as, the Atlantic Ocean (called also the Atlantic ); the Atlantic basin; the Atlantic telegraph.

2. Of or pertaining to the isle of Atlantis.

3. Descended from Atlas.

The seven Atlantic sisters. Milton.

Atlantides <Xpage=96>

At*lan"ti*des (#) , n. pl. [L. See Atlantes .] The Pleiades or seven stars, fabled to have been the daughters of Atlas.

Atlas <Xpage=96>

At"las (#) , n. ; pl. Atlases (#) . [L. Atlas , - antis , Gr. <?/, <?/, one of the older family of gods, who bears up the pillars of heaven; also Mt. Atlas , in W. Africa, regarded as the pillar of heaven. It is from the root of <?/ to bear. See Tolerate .] 1. One who sustains a great burden.

2. (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head, whence the name.

3. A collection of maps in a volume ; -- supposed to be so called from a picture of Atlas supporting the world, prefixed to some collections. This name is said to have been first used by Mercator, the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.

4. A volume of plates illustrating any subject.

5. A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from or arrangement; as, an historical atlas .

6. A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; -- called also atlas folio .

7. A drawing paper of large size. See under Paper , n.

Atlas powder , a nitroglycerin blasting compound of pasty consistency and great explosive power.

Atlas <Xpage=96>

At"las , n. [Ar., smooth.] A rich kind of satin manufactured in India.

Brande & C.

Atmidometer <Xpage=96>

At`mi*dom"e*ter (#) , n. [Gr. <?/, <?/, smoke, vapor + -meter ; cf. F. atmidom\'8atre .] An instrument for measuring the evaporation from water, ice, or snow.

Brande & C.

Atmo <Xpage=96>

At"mo (#) , n. [Contr. fr. atmosphere .] (Physics) The standard atmospheric pressure used in certain physical measurements calculations; conventionally, that pressure under which the barometer stands at 760 millimeters, at a temperature of 0&deg; Centigrade, at the level of the sea, and in the latitude of Paris.

Sir W. Thomson.

Atmologic, Atmological <Xpage=96>

At`mo*log"ic (#) , At`mo*log"ic*al (#) , a. Of or pertaining to atmology. " Atmological laws of heat."

Whewell.

Atmologist <Xpage=96>

At*mol"o*gist (#) , n. One who is versed in atmology.

Atmology <Xpage=96>

At*mol"o*gy (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ vapor + -logy .] (Physics) That branch of science which treats of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapor.

Whewell.

Atmolysis <Xpage=96>

At*mol"y*sis (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ vapor + <?/ a loosing, <?/ to loose.] (Chem.) The act or process of separating mingled gases of unequal diffusibility by transmission through porous substances.

Atmolyzation <Xpage=96>

At`mol*y*za"tion , n. (Chem.) Separation by atmolysis.

Atmolyze <Xpage=96>

At"mo*lyze (#) , v. t. (Chem.) To subject to atmolysis; to separate by atmolysis.

Atmolyzer <Xpage=96>

At"mo*ly`zer (#) , n. (Chem.) An apparatus for effecting atmolysis.

Atmometer <Xpage=96>

At*mom"e*ter (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ smoke, vapor + -meter : cf. F. atmom\'8atre .] An instrument for measuring the rate of evaporation from a moist surface; an evaporometer.

Huxley.

Atmosphere <Xpage=96>