Chapter 117

General average , a contribution made, by all parties concerned in a sea adventure, toward a loss occasioned by the voluntary sacrifice of the property of some of the parties in interest for the benefit of all. It is called general average , because it falls upon the gross amount of ship, cargo, and freight at risk and saved by the sacrifice. Kent . -- Particular average signifies the damage or partial loss happening to the ship, or cargo, or freight, in consequence of some fortuitous or unavoidable accident; and it is borne by the individual owners of the articles damaged, or by their insurers. -- Petty averages are sundry small charges, which occur regularly, and are necessarily defrayed by the master in the usual course of a voyage; such as port charges, common pilotage, and the like, which formerly were, and in some cases still are, borne partly by the ship and partly by the cargo. In the clause commonly found in bills of lading, "primage and average accustomed," average means a kind of composition established by usage for such charges, which were formerly assessed by way of average. Arnould. Abbott . Phillips .

3. A mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of unequal sums or quantities; an arithmetical mean. Thus, if A loses 5 dollars, B 9, and C 16, the sum is 30, and the average 10.

4. Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a comparison of diverse specific cases; a medium or usual size, quantity, quality, rate, etc. "The average of sensations."

Paley.

5. pl. In the English corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.

On an average , taking the mean of unequal numbers or quantities.

Average <Xpage=105>

Av"er*age (?) , a. 1. Pertaining to an average or mean; medial; containing a mean proportion; of a mean size, quality, ability, etc.; ordinary; usual; as, an average rate of profit; an average amount of rain; the average Englishman; beings of the average stamp.

2. According to the laws of averages; as, the loss must be made good by average contribution .

Average <Xpage=105>

Av"er*age , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Averaged (<?/); p. pr. & vb. n. Averaging .] 1. To find the mean of, when sums or quantities are unequal; to reduce to a mean.

2. To divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss .

3. To do, accomplish, get, etc., on an average.

Average <Xpage=105>

Av"er*age , v. i. To form, or exist in, a mean or medial sum or quantity; to amount to, or to be, on an ~; as, the losses of the owners will average twenty five dollars each; these spars average ten feet in length.

Avercorn <Xpage=105>

A"ver*corn` (?) , n. [ Aver , n. + corn .] (Old Eng. Law) A reserved rent in corn, formerly paid to religious houses by their tenants or farmers.

Kennet.

Averment <Xpage=105>

A*ver"ment (?) , n. [Cf. OF. averement , LL. averamentum . See Aver , v. t. ] 1. The act of averring, or that which is averred; affirmation; positive assertion.

Signally has this averment received illustration in the course of recent events. I. Taylor.

2. Verification; establishment by evidence.

Bacon.

3. (Law) A positive statement of facts; an allegation; an offer to justify or prove what is alleged.

&hand; In any stage of pleadings, when either party advances new matter, he avers it to be true, by using this form of words: "and this he is ready to verify." This was formerly called an averment . It modern pleading, it is termed a verification .

Blackstone.

Avernal, Avernian <Xpage=105>

A*ver"nal (?) , A*ver"ni*an (?) , a. Of or pertaining to Avernus, a lake of Campania, in Italy, famous for its poisonous vapors, which ancient writers fancied were so malignant as to kill birds flying over it. It was represented by the poets to be connected with the infernal regions.

Averpenny <Xpage=105>

Av"er*pen`ny (?) , n. [ Aver , n. + penny .] (Old Eng. Law) Money paid by a tenant in lieu of the service of average.

Averroism <Xpage=105>

A*ver"ro*ism (?) , n. The tenets of the Averroists.

Averroist <Xpage=105>

A*ver"ro*ist , n. One of a sect of peripatetic philosophers, who appeared in Italy before the restoration of learning; so denominated from Averroes, or Averrhoes, a celebrated Arabian philosopher. He held the doctrine of monopsychism.

Averruncate <Xpage=105>

Av`er*run"cate (?) , v. t. [L. averruncare to avert; a , ab , off + verruncare to turn; formerly derived from ab and eruncare to root out. Cf. Aberuncate .] 1. To avert; to ward off. [Obs.]

Hudibras.

2. To root up. [Obs.]

Johnson.

Averruncation <Xpage=105>

Av`er*run*ca"tion (?) , n. [Cf. OF. averroncation .] 1. The act of averting. [Obs.]

2. Eradication. [R.]

De Quincey.

Averruncator <Xpage=105>

Av`er*run*ca"tor (?) , n. [Cf. Aberuncator .] An instrument for pruning trees, consisting of two blades, or a blade and a hook, fixed on the end of a long rod.

Aversation <Xpage=105>

Av`er*sa"tion (?) , n. [L. aversatio , fr. aversari to turn away, v. intens. of avertere . See Avert .] A turning from with dislike; aversion. [Obs.or Archaic]

Some men have a natural aversation to some vices or virtues, and a natural affection to others. Jer. Taylor.

Averse <Xpage=105>

A*verse" (?) , a. [L. aversus , p. p. of avertere . See Avert .] 1. Turned away or backward. [Obs.]

The tracks averse a lying notice gave, And led the searcher backward from the cave. Dryden.

2. Having a repugnance or opposition of mind; disliking; disinclined; unwilling; reluctant.

Averse alike to flatter, or offend. Pope.

Men who were averse to the life of camps. Macaulay.

Pass by securely as men averse from war. Micah ii. 8.

&hand; The prevailing usage now is to employ to after averse and its derivatives rather than from , as was formerly the usage. In this the word is in agreement with its kindred terms, hatred , dislike , dissimilar , contrary , repugnant , etc., expressing a relation or an affection of the mind to an object.

Syn. -- Averse , Reluctant , Adverse . Averse expresses an habitual, though not of necessity a very strong, dislike; as, averse to active pursuits; averse to study . Reluctant , a term of the of the will, implies an internal struggle as to making some sacrifice of interest or feeling; as, reluctant to yield ; reluctant to make the necessary arrangements; a reluctant will or consent. Adverse denotes active opposition or hostility; as, adverse interests ; adverse feelings, plans, or movements; the adverse party.

Averse <Xpage=105>

A*verse" , v. t. & i. To turn away. [Obs.]

B. Jonson.

Aversely <Xpage=105>

A*verse"ly , adv. 1. Backward; in a backward direction; as, emitted aversely .

2. With repugnance or aversion; unwillingly.

Averseness <Xpage=105>

A*verse"ness , n. The quality of being averse; opposition of mind; unwillingness.

Aversion <Xpage=105>

A*ver"sion (?) , n. [L. aversio : cf. F. aversion . See Avert .] 1. A turning away. [Obs.]

Adhesion to vice and aversion from goodness. Bp. Atterbury.

2. Opposition or repugnance of mind; fixed dislike; antipathy; disinclination; reluctance.

Mutual aversion of races. Prescott.

His rapacity had made him an object of general aversion . Macaulay.

&hand; It is now generally followed by to before the object. [See Averse .] Sometimes towards and for are found; from is obsolete.

A freeholder is bred with an aversion to subjection. Addison.

His aversion towards the house of York. Bacon.

It is not difficult for a man to see that a person has conceived an aversion for him. Spectator.

The Khasias . . . have an aversion to milk. J. D. Hooker.

3. The object of dislike or repugnance.

Pain their aversion , pleasure their desire. Pope.

Syn. -- Antipathy; dislike; repugnance; disgust. See Dislike .

Avert <Xpage=105>

A*vert" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Averted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Averting .] [L. avertere ; a , ab + vertere to turn: cf. OF. avertir . See Verse , n. ] To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object; to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as, how can the danger be averted ? "To avert his ire."

Milton.

When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church. Bacon.

Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. Prior.

Avert <Xpage=105>

A*vert" , v. i. To turn away. [Archaic]

Cold and averting from our neighbor's good. Thomson.

Averted <Xpage=105>

A*vert"ed , a. Turned away, esp. as an expression of feeling; also, offended; unpropitious.

Who scornful pass it with averted eye. Keble.

Averter <Xpage=105>

A*vert"er (?) , n. One who, or that which, averts.

Avertible <Xpage=105>

A*vert"i*ble (?) , a. Capable of being averted; preventable.

Avertiment <Xpage=105>

A*ver"ti*ment (?) , n. Advertisement. [Obs.]

Aves <Xpage=105>

A"ves (?) , n. pl. [L., pl. of avis bird.] (Zo\'94l.) The class of Vertebrata that includes the birds.

&hand; Aves , or birds, have a complete double circulation, oviparous, reproduction, front limbs peculiarly modified as wings; and they bear feathers. All existing birds have a horny beak, without teeth; but some Mesozoic fossil birds (Odontornithes) had conical teeth inserted in both jaws. The principal groups are: Carinat\'91 , including all existing flying birds; Ratit\'91 , including the ostrich and allies, the apteryx, and the extinct moas; Odontornithes , or fossil birds with teeth.

The ordinary birds are classified largely by the structure of the beak and feet, which are in direct relating to their habits. See Beak , Bird , Odontonithes .

Avesta <Xpage=105>

A*ves"ta (?) , n. The Zoroastrian scriptures. See Zend-Avesta .

Avian <Xpage=105>

A"vi*an (?) , a. Of or instrument to birds.

Aviary <Xpage=105>

A"vi*a*ry (?) , n. ; pl. Aviaries (#) . [L. aviarium , fr. aviarius pertaining to birds, fr. avis bird, akin to Gr, <?/, Skr. vi .] A house, inclosure, large cage, or other place, for keeping birds confined; a bird house.

Lincolnshire may be termed the aviary of England. Fuller.

Aviation <Xpage=105>

A`vi*a"tion (?) , n. The art or science of flying.

Aviator <Xpage=105>

A"vi*a`tor (?) , n. (a) An experimenter in aviation. (b) A flying machine.

Avicula <Xpage=105>

A*vic"u*la (?) , n. [L., small bird.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of marine bivalves, having a pearly interior, allied to the pearl oyster; -- so called from a supposed resemblance of the typical species to a bird.

Avicular <Xpage=105>

A*vic"u*lar (?) , a. [L. avicula a small bird, dim. of avis bird.] Of or pertaining to a bird or to birds.

Avicularia <Xpage=105>

A*vic`u*la"ri*a (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Avicular .] (Zo\'94l.) See prehensile processes on the cells of some Bryozoa, often having the shape of a bird's bill.

Aviculture <Xpage=105>

A"vi*cul`ture (?; 135) , n. [L. avis bird + cultura culture.] (Zo\'94l.) Rearing and care of birds.

Avid <Xpage=105>

Av"id (?) , a. [L. avidus , fr. av<?/re to long: cf. F. avide . See Avarice .] Longing eagerly for; eager; greedy. " Avid of gold, yet greedier of renown."

Southey.

Avidious <Xpage=105>

A*vid"i*ous (?) , a. Avid.

Avidiously <Xpage=105>

A*vid"i*ous*ly , adv. Eagerly; greedily.

Avidity <Xpage=105>

A*vid"i*ty (?) , n. [L. aviditas , fr. avidus : cf. F. avidit\'82 . See Avid .] Greediness; strong appetite; eagerness; intenseness of desire; as, to eat with avidity .

His books were received and read with avidity . Milward.

Avie <Xpage=105>

A*vie" (?) , adv. [Pref. a- + vie .] Emulously. [Obs.]

Avifauna <Xpage=105>

A`vi*fau"na (?) , n. [NL., fr. L. avis bird + E. fauna .] (Zo\'94l.) The birds, or all the kinds of birds, inhabiting a region.

Avigato <Xpage=105>

Av`i*ga"to (?) , n. See Avocado .

Avignon berry <Xpage=105>

A`vignon" ber"ry (?) . (Bot.) The fruit of the Rhamnus infectorius , eand of other species of the same genus; -- so called from the city of Avignon, in France. It is used by dyers and painters for coloring yellow. Called also French berry .

Avile <Xpage=105>

A*vile" (?) , v. t. [OF. aviler , F. avilir ; a (L. ad ) + vil vile. See Vile .] To abase or debase; to vilify; to depreciate. [Obs.]

Want makes us know the price of what we avile . B. Jonson.

Avis <Xpage=105>

A*vis" (?) , n. [F. avis . See Advice .] Advice; opinion; deliberation. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Avise <Xpage=105>

A*vise" (?) , v. t. [F. aviser . See Advise , v. t. ] 1. To look at; to view; to think of. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

2. To advise; to counsel. [Obs.]

Shak.

To avise one's self , to consider with one's self, to reflect, to deliberate. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Now therefore, if thou wilt enriched be, Avise thee well, and change thy willful mood. Spenser.

Avise <Xpage=105>

A*vise" , v. i. To consider; to reflect. [Obs.]

Aviseful <Xpage=105>

A*vise"ful (?) , a. Watchful; circumspect. [Obs.]

With sharp, aviseful eye. Spenser.

Avisely <Xpage=105>

A*vise"ly , adv. Advisedly. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Avisement <Xpage=105>

A*vise"ment (?) , n. Advisement; observation; deliberation. [Obs.]

Avision <Xpage=105>

A*vi"sion (?) , n. Vision. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Aviso <Xpage=105>

A*vi"so (?) , n. [Sp.] 1. Information; advice.

2. An advice boat, or dispatch boat.

Avocado <Xpage=105>

Av`o*ca"do (?) , n. [Corrupted from the Mexican ahuacatl : cf. Sp. aguacate , F. aguacat\'82 , avocat , G. avogado baum.] The pulpy fruit of Persea gratissima , a tree of tropical America. It is about the size and shape of a large pear; -- called also avocado pear , alligator pear , midshipman's butter .

Avocat <Xpage=105>

Av`o*cat (?) , n. [F.] An advocate.

Avocate <Xpage=105>

Av"o*cate (?) , v. t. [L. avocatus , p. p. of avocare ; a , ab + vocare to call. Cf. Avoke , and see Vocal , a. ] To call off or away; to withdraw; to transfer to another tribunal. [Obs. or Archaic]

One who avocateth his mind from other occupations. Barrow.

He, at last, . . . avocated the cause to Rome. Robertson.

Avocation <Xpage=105>

Av`o*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. avocatio .] 1. A calling away; a diversion. [Obs. or Archaic]

Impulses to duty, and powerful avocations from sin. South.

2. That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.

Heaven is his vocation, and therefore he counts earthly employments avocations . Fuller.

By the secular cares and avocations which accompany marriage the clergy have been furnished with skill in common life. Atterbury.

&hand; In this sense the word is applied to the smaller affairs of life, or occasional calls which summon a person to leave his ordinary or principal business. Avocation (in the singular) for vocation is usually avoided by good writers.

3. pl. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.

There are professions, among the men, no more favorable to these studies than the common avocations of women. Richardson.

In a few hours, above thirty thousand men left his standard, and returned to their ordinary avocations . Macaulay.

<-- p. 106 -->

An irregularity and instability of purpose, which makes them choose the wandering avocations of a shepherd, rather than the more fixed pursuits of agriculture. Buckle.

Avocative <Xpage=106>

A*vo"ca*tive (?) , a. Calling off. [Obs.]

Avocative <Xpage=106>

A*vo"ca*tive , n. That which calls aside; a dissuasive.

Avocet, Avoset <Xpage=106>

Av"o*cet , Av"o*set (?) , n. [F. avocette : cf. It. avosetta , Sp. avoceta .] (Zo\'94l.) A grallatorial bird, of the genus Recurvirostra ; the scooper. The bill is long and bend upward toward the tip. The American species is R. Americana . [Written also avocette .]

Avoid <Xpage=106>

A*void" (<?/) , v. t. [p. & p. p. Avoided ; p. pr. & vb ets>. n ets>. Avoiding .] [OF. esvuidier , es (L. ex ) + vuidier , voidier , to empty. See Void , a. ] 1. To empty. [Obs.]

Wyclif.

2. To emit or throw out; to void; as, to avoid excretions . [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

3. To quit or evacuate; to withdraw from. [Obs.]

Six of us only stayed, and the rest avoided the room. Bacon.

4. To make void; to annul or vacate; to refute.

How can these grants of the king's be avoided ? Spenser.

5. To keep away from; to keep clear of; to endeavor no to meet; to shun; to abstain from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters .

What need a man forestall his date of grief. And run to meet what he would most avoid ? Milton.

He carefully avoided every act which could goad them into open hostility. Macaulay.