Chapter 108

At"mos*phere (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ vapor (akin to Skr. \'betman breath, soul, G. athem breath) + <?/ sphere: cf. F. atmosph\'8are . See Sphere .] 1. (Physics) (a) The whole mass of a\'89riform fluid surrounding the earth; -- applied also to the gaseous envelope of any celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of Mars . (b) Any gaseous envelope or medium.

An atmosphere of cold oxygen. Miller.

2. A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical atmosphere , a medium formerly supposed to surround electrical bodies .

Franklin.

3. The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a unit of surface, or about 14.7 Ibs. to the sq. inch.

Hydrogen was liquefied under a pressure of 650 atmospheres . Lubbock.

4. Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition.

The chillest of social atmospheres . Hawthorne.

5. The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere .

Atmospheric, Atmospherical <Xpage=96>

At`mos*pher"ic (#) , At`mos*pher"ic*al (#) , a. [Cf. F. atmosph\'82rique .] 1. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the atmospheric envelope of the earth.

2. Existing in the atmosphere.

The lower atmospheric current. Darwin.

3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.

4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.]

In am so atmospherical a creature. Pope.

Atmospheric engine , a steam engine whose piston descends by the pressure of the atmosphere, when the steam which raised it is condensed within the cylinder. Tomlinson . -- Atmospheric line (Steam Engin.) , the equilibrium line of an indicator card. Steam is expanded "down to the atmosphere" when its pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere. (See Indicator card .) -- Atmospheric pressure , the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in every direction. In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each square inch. -- Atmospheric railway , one in which pneumatic power, obtained from compressed air or the creation of a vacuum, is the propelling force. -- Atmospheric tides . See under Tide .

Atmospherically <Xpage=96>

At`mos*pher"ic*al*ly (#) , adv. In relation to the atmosphere.

Atmospherology <Xpage=96>

At`mos*phe*rol"o*gy (#) , n. [ Atmosphere + -logy .] The science or a treatise on the atmosphere.

Atokous <Xpage=96>

At"o*kous (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ barren; <?/ priv. + <?/ offspring.] (Zo\'94l.) Producing only asexual individuals, as the eggs of certain annelids.

Atoll <Xpage=96>

A*toll" (#) , n. [The native name in the Indian Ocean.] A coral island or islands, consisting of a belt of coral reef, partly submerged, surrounding a central lagoon or depression; a lagoon island.

Atom <Xpage=96>

At"om (#) , n. [L. atomus , Gr. <?/, uncut, indivisible; <?/ priv. + <?/, verbal adj. of <?/ to cut: cf. F. atome . See Tome .] 1. (Physics) (a) An ultimate indivisible particle of matter. (b) An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily indivisible; a molecule. (c) A constituent particle of matter, or a molecule supposed to be made up of subordinate particles.

&hand; These three definitions correspond to different views of the nature of the ultimate particles of matter. In the case of the last two, the particles are more correctly called molecules .

Dana.

2. (Chem.) The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.

3. Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.

There was not an atom of water. Sir J. Ross.

Atom <Xpage=96>

At"om , v. t. To reduce to atoms. [Obs.]

Feltham.

Atomic, Atomical <Xpage=96>

A*tom"ic (#) , A*tom"ic*al (#) , a. [Cf. F. atomique .] 1. Of or pertaining to atoms.

2. Extremely minute; tiny.

Atomic philosophy , or Doctrine of atoms , a system which assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things. This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean philosophy. -- Atomic theory , or the Doctrine of definite proportions (Chem.) , teaches that chemical combinations take place between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of bodies, in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to three, or some other, always expressible in whole numbers. -- Atomic weight (Chem.) , the weight of the atom of an element as compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken as a standard.

Atomically <Xpage=96>

A*tom"ic*al*ly , adv. In an atomic manner; in accordance with the atomic philosophy.

Atomician <Xpage=96>

At`o*mi"cian (#) , n. An atomist. [R.]

Atomicism <Xpage=96>

A*tom"i*cism (#) , n. Atomism. [Obs.]

Atomicity <Xpage=96>

At`o*mic"i*ty (#) , n. [Cf. F. atomicit\'82 .] (Chem.) Degree of atomic attraction; equivalence; valence; also (a later use) the number of atoms in an elementary molecule. See Valence .

Atomism <Xpage=96>

At"om*ism (#) , n. [Cf. F. atomisme .] The doctrine of atoms. See Atomic philosophy , under Atomic .

Atomist <Xpage=96>

At"om*ist , n. [Cf. F. atomiste .] One who holds to the atomic philosophy or theory.

Locke.

Atomistic <Xpage=96>

At`om*is"tic (#) , a. Of or pertaining to atoms; relating to atomism. [R.]

It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy to confound synthesis with synartesis. Coleridge.

Atomization <Xpage=96>

At`om*i*za"tion , n. 1. The act of reducing to atoms, or very minute particles; or the state of being so reduced.

2. (Med.) The reduction of fluids into fine spray.

Atomize <Xpage=96>

At"om*ize , v. t. To reduce to atoms, or to fine spray.

The liquids in the form of spray are said to be pulverized, nebulized, or atomized . Dunglison.

<-- p. 97 -->

Atomizer <Xpage=97>

At"om*i`zer , n. One who, or that which, atomizes; esp., an instrument for reducing a liquid to spray for disinfecting, cooling, or perfuming.

Atomology <Xpage=97>

At`om*ol"o*gy (#) , n. [ Atom + -logy .] The doctrine of atoms.

Cudworth.

Atomy <Xpage=97>

At"om*y (#) , n. An atom; a mite; a pigmy.

Atomy <Xpage=97>

At"o*my (#) , n. [For anatomy , taken as an atomy .] A skeleton. [Ludicrous]

Shak.

Atonable <Xpage=97>

A*ton"a*ble (#) , a. Admitting an atonement; capable of being atoned for; expiable.

At one <Xpage=97>

At one" (#) . [OE. at on , atone , atoon , attone .] 1. In concord or friendship; in agreement (with each other); as, to be, bring, make, or set, at one , i . e., to be or bring in or to a state of agreement or reconciliation.

If gentil men, or othere of hir contree

Were wrothe, she wolde bringen hem atoon . Chaucer.

2. Of the same opinion; agreed; as, on these points we are at one .

3. Together. [Obs.]

Spenser.

He and Aufidius can no more atone Than violentest contrariety. Shak.

2. To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime.

The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood. Pope.

The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by any wise or popular measure. Junius.

Atone <Xpage=97>

A*tone" , v. t. 1. To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease. [Obs.]

I would do much To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio. Shak.

2. To unite in making. [Obs. & R.]

The four elements . . . have atoned

A noble league. Ford.

3. To make satisfaction for; to expiate.

Or each atone his guilty love with life. Pope.

Atonement <Xpage=97>

A*tone"ment (#) , n. 1. (Literally, a setting at one .) Reconciliation; restoration of friendly relations; agreement; concord. [Archaic]

By whom we have now received the atonement . Rom. v. 11.

He desires to make atonement Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers. Shak.

2. Satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing of suffering that which will be received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; expiation; amends; -- with for . Specifically, in theology: The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal suffering, and death of Christ.

When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement be can make for it is, to warn others. Spectator.

The Phocians behaved with, so much gallantry, that they were thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former offense. Potter.

Atoner <Xpage=97>

A*ton"er (#) , n. One who makes atonement.

Atones <Xpage=97>

At*ones (#) , adv. [See At one .] [Obs.]

Down he fell atones as a stone. Chaucer.

Atonic <Xpage=97>

A*ton"ic (#) , a. [Cf. F. atonique . See Atony .] 1. (Med.) Characterized by atony, or want of vital energy; as, an atonic disease .

2. (Gram.) Unaccented; as, an atonic syllable .

3. Destitute of tone vocality; surd.

Rush.

Atonic <Xpage=97>

A*ton"ic , n. 1. (Gram.) A word that has no accent.

2. An element of speech entirely destitute of vocality, or produced by the breath alone; a nonvocal or surd consonant; a breathing.

Rush.

3. (Med.) A remedy capable of allaying organic excitement or irritation.

Dunglison.

Atony <Xpage=97>

At"o*ny (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ slackness; <?/ priv. + <?/ tone, strength, <?/ to stretch: cf. F. atonie .] (Med.) Want of tone; weakness of the system, or of any organ, especially of such as are contractile.

Atop <Xpage=97>

A*top" (#) , adv. On or at the top.

Milton.

Atrabilarian, Atrabilarious <Xpage=97>

At`ra*bi*la"ri*an (#) , At`ra*bi*la"ri*ous (#) , a. [LL. atrabilarius , fr. L. atra bilis black bile: cf. F. atrabilaire , fr. atrabile .] Affected with melancholy; atrabilious.

Arbuthnot.

Atrabilarian <Xpage=97>

At`ra*bi*la"ri*an , n. A person much given to melancholy; a hypochondriac.

I. Disraeli.

Atrabiliar <Xpage=97>

At`ra*bil"iar (#) , a. Melancholy; atrabilious.

Atrabiliary <Xpage=97>

At`ra*bil"ia*ry (#) , a. 1. Of or pertaining to atra bilis or black bile, a fluid formerly supposed to be produced by the kidneys.

2. Melancholic or hypohondriac; atrabilious; -- from the supposed predominance of black bile, to the influence of which the ancients attributed hypochondria, melancholy, and mania.

Atrabiliary arteries , capsules , and veins (Anat.) , those pertaining to the kidney; -- called also renal arteries, capsules, and veins.

Atrabilious <Xpage=97>

At`ra*bil"ious (#) , a. Melancholic or hypochondriac; atrabiliary.

Dunglision.

A hard-faced, atrabilious , earnest-eyed race. Lowell.

He was constitutionally atrabilious and scornful. Froude.

Atramentaceous <Xpage=97>

At`ra*men*ta"ceous (#) , a. [L. atramentum ink, fr. ater black.] Black, like ink; inky; atramental. [Obs.]

Derham.

Atramental, Atramentous <Xpage=97>

At`ra*men"tal (#) , At`ra*men"tous (#) , a. Of or pertaining to ink; inky; black, like ink; as, atramental galls; atramentous spots.

Atramentarious <Xpage=97>

At`ra*men*ta"ri*ous (#) , a. [Cf. F. atramentaire . See Atramentaceous .] Like ink; suitable for making ink. Sulphate of iron (copperas, green vitriol) is called atramentarious , as being used in making ink.

Atrede <Xpage=97>

At*rede (#) , v. t. [OE. at (AS. \'91t ) out + rede .] To surpass in council. [Obs.]

Men may the olde atrenne, but hat atrede . Chaucer.

Atrenne <Xpage=97>

At*renne" (#) , v. t. [OE. at + renne to run.] To outrun. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Atresia <Xpage=97>

A*tre"si*a (#) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ not perforated.] (Med.) Absence or closure of a natural passage or channel of the body; imperforation.

Atrial <Xpage=97>

A"tri*al , a. Of or pertaining to an atrium.

Atrip <Xpage=97>

A*trip" (#) , adv. [Pref. a- + trip .] (Naut.) (a) Just hove clear of the ground; -said of the anchor. (b) Sheeted home, hoisted taut up and ready for trimming; -- said of sails. (c) Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; -- said of yards.

Atrium <Xpage=97>

A"tri*um (#) , n. ; pl. Atria (#) . [L., the fore court of a Roman house.] 1. (Arch.) (a) A square hall lighted from above, into which rooms open at one or more levels. (b) An open court with a porch or gallery around three or more sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica or other church. The name was extended in the Middle Ages to the open churchyard or cemetery.

2. (Anat.) The main part of either auricle of the heart as distinct from the auricular appendix. Also, the whole articular portion of the heart.

3. (Zo\'94l.) A cavity in ascidians into which the intestine and generative ducts open, and which also receives the water from the gills. See Ascidioidea .

Atrocha <Xpage=97>

At`ro*cha (#) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/ a circle.] (Zo\'94l.) A kind of ch\'91topod larva in which no circles of cilia are developed.

Atrocious <Xpage=97>

A*tro"cious (#) , a. [L. atrox , atrocis , cruel, fierce: cf. F. atroce .] 1. Extremely heinous; full of enormous wickedness; as, atrocious quilt or deeds .

2. Characterized by, or expressing, great atrocity, great atrocity.

Revelations . . . so atrocious that nothing in history approaches them. De Quincey.

3. Very grievous or violent; terrible; as, atrocious distempers . [Obs.]

Cheyne.

Syn. -- Atrocious , Flagitious , Flagrant . Flagitious points to an act as grossly wicked and vile; as, a flagitious proposal . Flagrant marks the vivid impression made upon the mind by something strikingly wrong or erroneous; as, a flagrant misrepresentation; a flagrant violation of duty. Atrocious represents the act as springing from a violent and savage spirit. If Lord Chatham, instead of saying "the atrocious crime of being a young man," had used either of the other two words, his irony would have lost all its point, in his celebrated reply to Sir Robert Walpole, as reported by Dr. Johnson.

-- A*tro"cious*ly , adv. -- A*tro"cious*ness , n.

Atrocity <Xpage=97>

A*troc"i*ty (#) , n. ; pl. Atrocities (#) . [F. atrocit\'82 , L. atrocitas , fr. atrox , atrocis , cruel.] 1. Enormous wickedness; extreme heinousness or cruelty.

2. An atrocious or extremely cruel deed.

The atrocities which attend a victory. Macaulay.

Atrophic <Xpage=97>

A*troph"ic , a. Relating to atrophy.

Atrophied <Xpage=97>

At"ro*phied (#) , p. a. Affected with atrophy, as a tissue or organ; arrested in development at a very early stage; rudimentary.

Atrophy <Xpage=97>

At"ro*phy (#) , n. [L. atrophia , Gr. <?/; <?/ priv. + <?/ to nourish: cf. F. atrophie .] A wasting away from want of nourishment; diminution in bulk or slow emaciation of the body or of any part.

Milton.

Atrophy <Xpage=97>

At"ro*phy , v. t. [ p. p. Atrophied (#) .] To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or weaken.

Atrophy <Xpage=97>

At"ro*phy , v. i. To waste away; to dwindle.

Atropia <Xpage=97>

A*tro"pi*a (#) , n. Same as Atropine .

Atropine <Xpage=97>

At"ro*pine (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ inflexible; hence <?/ <?/, one of the three Parc\'91; <?/ priv. + <?/ to turn.] (Chem.) A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from the Atropa belladonna , or deadly nightshade, and the Datura Stramonium , or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also daturine .

Atropism <Xpage=97>

At"ro*pism (#) , n. (Med.) A condition of the system produced by long use of belladonna.

Atropous <Xpage=97>

At"ro*pous (#) , a. [Gr. <?/; <?/ priv. + <?/ to turn.] (Bot.) Not inverted; orthotropous.

Atrous <Xpage=97>

A"trous (#) , a. [L. ater .] Coal-black; very black.

Atrypa <Xpage=97>

A*try"pa (#) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/ a hole.] (Paleon.) A extinct genus of Branchiopoda, very common in Silurian limestones.

Attabal <Xpage=97>

At"ta*bal (#) , n. See Atabal .

Attacca <Xpage=97>

At*tac"ca (#) . [It., fr. attaccare to tie, bind. See Attach .] (Mus.) Attack at once; -- a direction at the end of a movement to show that the next is to follow immediately, without any pause.

Attach <Xpage=97>

At*tach" (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Attached (#) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Attaching .] [OF. atachier , F. attacher , to tie or fasten: cf. Celt. tac , tach , nail, E. tack a small nail, tack to fasten. Cf. Attack , and see Tack .] 1. To bind, fasten, tie, or connect; to make fast or join; as, to attach one thing to another by a string, by glue, or the like .

The shoulder blade is . . . attached only to the muscles. Paley.

A huge stone to which the cable was attached . Macaulay.

2. To connect; to place so as to belong; to assign by authority; to appoint; as, an officer is attached to a certain regiment, company, or ship .