The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 43

Chapter 432,686 wordsPublic domain

Albuminose <Xpage=36>

Al*bu"mi*nose` (#) , n. (Chem.) A diffusible substance formed from albumin by the action of natural or artificial gastric juice. See Peptone .

<-- *note* this term is used in this dictionary in the sense now expressed as "proteinaceous" --> Albuminous, Albuminose <Xpage=36>

Al*bu"mi*nous (#) , Al*bu"mi*nose` (#) , a. [Cf. F. albumineux .] Pertaining to, or containing, albumen; having the properties of, or resembling, albumen or albumin. -- Al*bu"mi*nous*ness , n.

Albuminuria <Xpage=36>

Al*bu`mi*nu"ri*a (#) , n. [NL., fr. L. albumen + Gr. <?/ urine.] (Med.) A morbid condition in which albumin is present in the urine.

Albumose <Xpage=36>

Al"bu*mose` (#) , n. [From albumin .] (Chem.) A compound or class of compounds formed from albumin by dilute acids or by an acid solution of pepsin. Used also in combination, as anti albumose , hemi albumose .

Alburn <Xpage=36>

Al"burn (#) , n. [L. alburnus , fr. L. albus white. Cf. Auburn .] (Zo\'94l.) The bleak, a small European fish having scales of a peculiarly silvery color which are used in making artificial pearls.

Alburnous <Xpage=36>

Al*bur"nous (#) , a. Of or pertaining to alburnum; of the alburnum; as, alburnous substances .

Alburnum <Xpage=36>

Al*bur"num (#) , n. [L., fr. albus white.] (Bot.) The white and softer part of wood, between the inner bark and the hard wood or duramen; sapwood.

Albyn <Xpage=36>

Al"byn (#) , n. [See Albion .] Scotland; esp. the Highlands of Scotland.

T. Cambell.

Alcade <Xpage=36>

Al*cade" (#) , n. Same as Alcaid .

Alcahest <Xpage=36>

Al"ca*hest (#) , n. Same as Alkahest .

Alcaic <Xpage=36>

Al*ca"ic (#) , a. [L. Alca\'8bcus , Gr. <?/.] Pertaining to Alc\'91us, a lyric poet of Mitylene, about 6000 b. c. -- n. A kind of verse, so called from Alc\'91us. One variety consists of five feet, a spondee or iambic, an iambic, a long syllable, and two dactyls.

Alcaid, Alcayde <Xpage=36>

Al*caid" , Al*cayde" (#) , n. [Sp. alcaide , fr. Ar. al - q\'be\'c6d governor, fr. q\'beda to lead, govern.] 1. A commander of a castle or fortress among the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Moors.

2. The warden, or keeper of a jail.

Alcalde <Xpage=36>

Al*cal"de (#) , n. [Sp. alcalde , fr. Ar. al - q\'bed\'c6 judge, fr. qada to decide, judge. Hence, the cadi of the Turks. Cf. Cadi .] A magistrate or judge in Spain and in Spanish America, etc.

Prescott.

&hand; Sometimes confounded with Alcaid .

Alcalimeter <Xpage=36>

Al`ca*lim"e*ter , n. See Alkalimeter .

Alcanna <Xpage=36>

Al*can"na (#) , n. [Sp. alcana , alhe<?/a , fr. Ar. al-hinn\'be . See Henna , and cf. Alkanet .] (Bot.) An oriental shrub (Lawsonia inermis) from which henna is obtained.

Alcarraza <Xpage=36>

Al`car*ra"za (#) , n. ; pl. Alcarrazas . (#) [Sp., from Ar. al - kurr\'bez earthen vessel.] A vessel of porous earthenware, used for cooling liquids by evaporation from the exterior surface.

<page="37"> Page 37

Alcayde <Xpage=37>

Al*cayde" (#) , n. Same as Alcaid .

Alcazar <Xpage=37>

Al*ca"zar (#) , n. [ fr. Ar. al the + qacr (in pl.) a castle.] A fortress; also, a royal palace.

Prescott.

Alcedo <Xpage=37>

Al*ce"do (#) , n. [L., equiv. to Gr. <?/. See Halcyon .] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of perching birds, including the European kingfisher (Alcedo ispida) . See Halcyon .

Alchemic, Alchemical <Xpage=37>

Al*chem"ic (#) , Al*chem"ic*al (#) , a. [Cf. F. alchimique .] Of or relating to alchemy.

Alchemically <Xpage=37>

Al*chem"ic*al*ly , adv. In the manner of alchemy.

Alchemist <Xpage=37>

Al"che*mist (#) , n. [Cf. OF. alquemiste , F. alchimiste .] One who practices alchemy.

You are alchemist ; make gold. Shak.

Alchemistic, Alchemistical <Xpage=37>

Al`che*mis"tic (#) , Al`che*mis"tic*al (#) , a. Relating to or practicing alchemy.

Metaphysical and alchemistical legislators. Burke.

Alchemistry <Xpage=37>

Al"che*mis*try (#) , n. Alchemy. [Obs.]

Alchemize <Xpage=37>

Al"che*mize (#) , v. t. To change by alchemy; to transmute.

Lovelace.

Alchemy <Xpage=37>

Al"che*my (#) , n. [OF. alkemie , arquemie , F. alchimie , Ar. al-k\'c6m\'c6a , fr. late Gr. <?/, for <?/, a mingling, infusion, <?/ juice, liquid, especially as extracted from plants, fr. <?/ to pour; for chemistry was originally the art of extracting the juices from plants for medicinal purposes. Cf. Sp. alquimia , It. alchimia . Gr. <?/ is prob. akin to L. fundere to pour, Goth. guitan , AS. ge\'a2tan , to pour, and so to E. fuse . See Fuse , and cf. Chemistry .] 1. An imaginary art which aimed to transmute the baser metals into gold, to find the panacea, or universal remedy for diseases, etc. It led the way to modern chemistry.

2. A mixed metal composed mainly of brass, formerly used for various utensils; hence, a trumpet. [Obs.]

Put to their mouths the sounding alchemy . Milton.

3. Miraculous power of transmuting something common into something precious.

Kissing with golden face the meadows green, Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy . Shak.

Alchymic, a., Alchymist, n., Alchymistic, a., Alchymy <Xpage=37>

Al*chym"ic (#) , a. , Al"chy*mist (#) , n. , Al`chy*mis"tic (#) , a. , Al"chy*my (#) , n. See Alchemic , Alchemist , Alchemistic , Alchemy .

Alco <Xpage=37>

Al"co (#) , n. A small South American dog, domesticated by the aborigines.

Alcoate, Alcohate <Xpage=37>

Al"co*ate (#) , Al"co*hate (#) , n. Shortened forms of Alcoholate .

Alcohol <Xpage=37>

Al"co*hol (#) , n. [Cf. F. alcool , formerly written alcohol , Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony, galena, OSp. alcofol ; all fr. Ar. al - kohl a powder of antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown in Arabia. The Sp. word has bot meanings. Cf. Alquifou .] 1. An impalpable powder. [Obs.]

2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation. [Obs.]

Boyle.

3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit (called also ethyl alcohol ); the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation.

&hand; As used in the U. S. "Pharmacop&oe;ia, alcohol contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9 per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit) contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 54.5 per cent of water.

4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol ( C2H5OH ); methyl forms methyl alcohol ( CH3.OH ) or wood spirit ; amyl forms amyl alcohol ( C5H11.OH ) or fusel oil , etc.

Alcoholate <Xpage=37>

Al"co*hol*ate (#) , n. [Cf. F. alcolaie .] (Chem.) A crystallizable compound of a salt with alcohol, in which the latter plays a part analogous to that of water of crystallization.

Graham.

Alcoholature <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hol"a*ture (#) , n. [Cf. F. alcoolature .] (Med.) An alcoholic tincture prepared with fresh plants.

New Eng. Dict.

Alcoholic <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hol"ic (#) , a. [Cf. F. alcolique .] Of or pertaining to alcohol, or partaking of its qualities; derived from, or caused by, alcohol; containing alcohol; as, alcoholic mixtures; alcoholic gastritis; alcoholic odor.

Alcoholic <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hol"ic , n. 1. A person given to the use of alcoholic liquors.

2. pl. Alcoholic liquors.

Alcoholism <Xpage=37>

Al"co*hol*ism (#) , n. [Cf. F. alcoolisme .] (Med.) A diseased condition of the system, brought about by the continued use of alcoholic liquors.

Alcoholization <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hol`i*za"tion (#) , n. [Cf. F. alcoolisation .] 1. The act of reducing a substance to a fine or impalpable powder. [Obs.]

Johnson.

2. The act rectifying spirit.

3. Saturation with alcohol; putting the animal system under the influence of alcoholic liquor.

Alcoholize <Xpage=37>

Al"co*hol*ize (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Alcoholized (#) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Alcoholizing .] [Cf. F. alcooliser .] 1. To reduce to a fine powder. [Obs.]

Johnson.

2. To convert into alcohol; to rectify; also, to saturate with alcohol.

Alcoholometer, Alcoholmeter <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hol*om"e*ter (#) , Al`co*hol"me*ter (#) , n. [ Alcohol + -meter .] (Chem.) An instrument for determining the strength of spirits, with a scale graduated so as to indicate the percentage of pure alcohol, either by weight or volume. It is usually a form of hydrometer with a special scale.

Alcoholometric, Alcoholometrical, Alcoholmetrical <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hol`o*met"ric (#) , Al`co*hol`o*met"ric*al (#) , Al`co*hol*met"ric*al (#) , a. Relating to the alcoholometer or alcoholometry.

The alcoholometrical strength of spirituous liquors. Ure.

Alcoholometry <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hol"om"e*try (#) , n. The process or method of ascertaining the proportion of pure alcohol which spirituous liquors contain.

Alcohometer, n., Alcohometric <Xpage=37>

Al`co*hom"e*ter (#) , n. , Al`co*ho*met"ric , a. Same as Alcoholometer , Alcoholometric .

Alco\'94metry <Xpage=37>

Al`co*\'94m"e*try (#) , n. See Alcoholometry .

&hand; The chemists say alcom\'8atre, alcoom\'8atrie , doubtless by the suppression of a syllable in order to avoid a disagreeable sequence of sounds. (Cf. Idolatry .)

Littr\'82.

Alcoran <Xpage=37>

Al"co*ran (?; 277) , n. [ets>alcoran , fr. Ar. al - qor\'ben , orig. the reading, the book, fr. qaraa to read. Cf. Koran .] The Mohammedan Scriptures; the Koran (now the usual form). [Spelt also Alcoran .]

Alcoranic <Xpage=37>

Al`co*ran"ic (#) , a. Of or pertaining to the Koran.

Alcoranist <Xpage=37>

Al`co*ran"ist , n. One who adheres to the letter of the Koran, rejecting all traditions.

Alcove <Xpage=37>

Al"cove (?; 277) , n. [F. alc\'93ve , Sp. or Pg. alcoba , from Ar. al - quobbah arch, vault, tent.] 1. (Arch.) A recessed portion of a room, or a small room opening into a larger one; especially, a recess to contain a bed; a lateral recess in a library.

2. A small ornamental building with seats, or an arched seat, in a pleasure ground; a garden bower.

Cowper.

3. Any natural recess analogous to an alcove or recess in an apartment.

The youthful wanderers found a wild alcove . Falconer.

Alcyon <Xpage=37>

Al"cy*on (#) , n. See Halcyon .

Alcyonacea <Xpage=37>

Al`cy*o*na"ce*a (#) , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of soft-bodied Alcyonaria, of which Alcyonium is the type. See Illust . under Alcyonaria .

Alcyonaria <Xpage=37>

Al`cy*o*na"ri*a (#) , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) One of the orders of Anthozoa. It includes the Alcyonacea, Pennatulacea, and Gorgonacea.

Alcyones <Xpage=37>

Al*cy"o*nes (#) , n. pl. [L., pl. of Alcyon .] (Zo\'94l.) The kingfishers.

Alcyonic <Xpage=37>

Al`cy*on"ic (#) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the Alcyonaria.

Alcyonium <Xpage=37>

Al`cy*o"ni*um (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ a zo\'94phyte, so called from being like the halcyon's nest.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of fleshy Alcyonaria, its polyps somewhat resembling flowers with eight fringed rays. The term was also formerly used for certain species of sponges.

Alcyonoid <Xpage=37>

Al"cy*o*noid (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ + -oid .] (Zo\'94l.) Like or pertaining to the Alcyonaria. -- n. A zo\'94phyte of the order Alcyonaria.

Alday <Xpage=37>

Al"day (#) , adv. Continually. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Aldebaran <Xpage=37>

Al*deb"a*ran (#) , n. [Ar. al-debar\'ben , fr. dabar to follow; so called because this star follows upon the Pleiades.] (Astron.) A red star of the first magnitude, situated in the eye of Taurus; the Bull's Eye. It is the bright star in the group called the Hyades .

Now when Aldebaran was mounted high Above the shiny Cassiopeia's chair. Spenser.

Aldehyde <Xpage=37>

Al"de*hyde (#) , n. [Abbrev. fr. al cohol dehyd rogenatum, alcohol deprived of its hydrogen.] (Chem.) A colorless, mobile, and very volatile liquid obtained from alcohol by certain of oxidation.

&hand; The aldehydes are intermediate between the alcohols and acids, and differ from the alcohols in having two less hydrogen atoms in the molecule, as common aldehyde (called also acetic aldehyde or ethyl aldehyde ), C2H4O ; methyl aldehyde , CH2O .

Aldehyde ammonia (Chem.) , a compound formed by the union of aldehyde with ammonia.

Aldehydic <Xpage=37>

Al`de*hy"dic (#) , a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to aldehyde; as, aldehydic acid .

Miller.

Alder <Xpage=37>

Al"der (#) , n. [OE. aldir , aller , fr. AS. alr , aler , alor , akin to D. els , G. erle , Icel. erlir , erli , Swed. al , Dan. elle , el , L. alnus , and E. elm .] (Bot.) A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the genus Alnus . The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by dyers and tanners. In the U. S. the species of alder are usually shrubs or small trees.

Black alder . (a) A European shrub (Rhamnus frangula) ; Alder buckthorn. (b) An American species of holly (Ilex verticillata) , bearing red berries.

Alder, Aller <Xpage=37>

Al"der (#) , Al"ler (#) , a. [From ealra , alra , gen. pl. of AS. eal . The d is excrescent.] Of all; -- used in composition; as, alder best, best of all, alder wisest, wisest of all . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Alder-liefest <Xpage=37>

Al`der-lief"est (#) , a. [For allerliefest dearest of all. See Lief .] Most beloved. [Obs.]

Shak.

Alderman <Xpage=37>

Al"der*man (#) , n. ; pl. Aldplwmen (#) . [AS. aldormon , ealdorman ; ealdor an elder + man . See Elder , n. ] 1. A senior or superior; a person of rank or dignity. [Obs.]

&hand; The title was applied, among the Anglo-Saxons, to princes, dukes, earls, senators, and presiding magistrates; also to archbishops and bishops, implying superior wisdom or authority. Thus Ethelstan, duke of the East-Anglians, was called Alderman of all England; and there were aldermen of cities, counties, and castles, who had jurisdiction within their respective districts.

3. One of a board or body of municipal officers next in order to the mayor and having a legislative function. They may, in some cases, individually exercise some magisterial and administrative functions.

Aldermancy <Xpage=37>

Al"der*man*cy (#) , n. The office of an alderman.

Aldermanic <Xpage=37>

Al"der*man"ic (#) , a. Relating to, becoming to, or like, an alderman; characteristic of an alderman.

Aldermanity <Xpage=37>

Al`der*man"i*ty (#) , n. 1. Aldermen collectively; the body of aldermen.

2. The state of being an alderman. [Jocular]

Aldermanlike <Xpage=37>

Al`der*man*like` (#) , a. Like or suited to an alderman.

Aldermanly <Xpage=37>

Al"der*man*ly , a. Pertaining to, or like, an alderman.

Aldermanly <Xpage=37>

Al"der*man*ly , a. Pertaining to, or like, an alderman. "An aldermanly discretion."

Swift.

Aldermanry <Xpage=37>

Al"der*man*ry (#) , n. 1. The district or ward of an alderman.

2. The office or rank of an alderman. [R.]

B. Jonson.

Aldermanship <Xpage=37>

Al"der*man*ship , n. The condition, position, or office of an alderman.

Fabyan.

Aldern <Xpage=37>

Al"dern (#) , a. Made of alder.

Alderney <Xpage=37>

Al"der*ney (#) , n. One of a breed of cattle raised in Alderney, one of the Channel Islands. Alderneys are of a dun or tawny color and are often called Jersey cattle . See Jersey , 3 .

Aldine <Xpage=37>

Al"dine (?; 277) , a. (Bibliog.) An epithet applied to editions (chiefly of the classics) which proceeded from the press of Aldus Manitius, and his family, of Venice, for the most part in the 16th century and known by the sign of the anchor and the dolphin. The term has also been applied to certain elegant editions of English works.

Ale <Xpage=37>

Ale (#) , n. [AS. ealu , akin to Icel., Sw., and Dan. \'94l , Lith. alus a kind of beer, OSlav. ol<?/ beer. Cf. Ir. ol drink, drinking.] 1. An intoxicating liquor made from an infusion of malt by fermentation and the addition of a bitter, usually hops.

&hand; The word ale , in England and the United States, usually designates a heavier kind of fermented liquor, and the word beer a lighter kind. The word beer is also in common use as the generic name for all malt liquors.

2. A festival in English country places, so called from the liquor drunk. "At wakes and ales ." B. Jonson ."On ember eves and holy ales ." Shak .

Aleak <Xpage=37>

A*leak" (#) , adv. & a. [Pref. a- + leak .] In a leaking condition.

Aleatory <Xpage=37>