The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 44

Chapter 442,506 wordsPublic domain

A"le*a*to*ry (#) , a. [L. aleatorius , fr. alea chance, die.] (Law) Depending on some uncertain contingency; as, an aleatory contract .

Bouvier.

Alebench <Xpage=37>

Ale"bench` (#) , n. A bench in or before an alehouse.

Bunyan.

Aleberry <Xpage=37>

Ale"ber`ry (#) , n. [OE. alebery , alebrey ; ale + bre broth, fr. AS. br\'c6w pottage.] A beverage, formerly made by boiling ale with spice, sugar, and sops of bread.

Their aleberries , caudles, possets. Beau. & Fl.

Alecithal <Xpage=37>

A*lec"i*thal (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/ yelk.] (Biol.) Applied to those ova which segment uniformly, and which have little or no food yelk embedded in their protoplasm.

Balfour.

Aleconner <Xpage=37>

Ale"con`ner (#) , n. [ /Ale + con , OE. cunnen to test, AS. cunnian to test. See Con .] Orig., an officer appointed to look to the goodness of ale and beer; also, one of the officers chosen by the liverymen of London to inspect the measures used in public houses. But the office is a sinecure. [Also called aletaster .] [Eng.]

Alecost <Xpage=37>

Ale"cost` (#) , n. [ Ale + L. costus an aromatic plant: cf. Costmary .] (Bot.) The plant costmary, which was formerly much used for flavoring ale.

Alectorides <Xpage=37>

Al`ec*tor"i*des (#) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a cock.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of birds including the common fowl and the pheasants.

Alectoromachy <Xpage=37>

A*lec`to*rom"a*chy (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ cock + <?/ fight.] Cockfighting.

Alectoromancy <Xpage=37>

A*lec"to*ro*man`cy (#) , n. See Alectryomancy .

Alectryom'achy <Xpage=37>

A*lec`try*om'a*chy (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ cock + <?/ fight.] Cockfighting.

Alectryomancy <Xpage=37>

A*lec"try*o*man`cy (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ cock + -mancy .] Divination by means of a cock and grains of corn placed on the letters of the alphabet, the letters being put together in the order in which the grains were eaten.

Amer. Cyc.

Alee <Xpage=37>

A*lee" (#) , adv. [Pref. a- + lee .] (Naut.) On or toward the lee, or the side away from the wind; the opposite of aweather . The helm of a ship is alee when pressed close to the lee side.

Hard alee , or Luff alee , an order to put the helm to the lee side.

Alegar <Xpage=37>

Al"e*gar (#) , n. [ Ale + eager sour, F. aigre . Cf. Vinegar .] Sour ale; vinegar made of ale.

Cecil.

Aleger <Xpage=37>

Al"e*ger (#) , a. [F. all\'8agre , earlier al\'8agre , fr. L. alacer .] Gay; cheerful; sprightly. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Alegge <Xpage=37>

A*legge" (#) , v. t. [OE. aleggen , alegen , OF. alegier , F. all\'82ger , fr. LL. alleviare , for L. allevare to lighten; ad + levis light. Cf. Alleviate , Allay , Allege .] To allay or alleviate; to lighten. [Obs.]

That shall alegge this bitter blast. Spenser.

Alehoof <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, <page="38"> Page 38 ground ivy, "in old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue ." [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) .

Alehouse <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale"house` (#) , n. A house where ale is retailed; hence, a tippling house.

Macaulay.

Ale-knight <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale"-knight` (#) , n. A pot companion. [Obs.]

Alemannic <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Al`e*man"nic (#) , a. Belonging to the Alemanni, a confederacy of warlike German tribes.

Al`e*man"nic , n. The language of the Alemanni.

The Swabian dialect . . . is known as the Alemannic . Amer. Cyc.

Alembic <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*lem"bic (#) , n. [F. alambic (cf. Sp. alambique ), Ar. al - anb\'c6q , fr. Gr. <?/ cup, cap of a still. The cap or head was the alembic proper. Cf. Limbec .] An apparatus formerly used in distillation, usually made of glass or metal. It has mostly given place to the retort and worm still .

Used also metaphorically. The alembic of a great poet's imagination. Brimley.

Alembroth <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*lem"broth (#) , n. [Origin uncertain.] The salt of wisdom of the alchemists, a double salt composed of the chlorides of ammonium and mercury. It was formerly used as a stimulant.

Brande & C.

Alencon lace <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A`len`con" lace" (#) . See under Lace .

Alength <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*length" (#) , adv. [Pref. a- + length .] At full length; lenghtwise.

Chaucer.

Alepidote <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*lep"i*dote , a. [Gr. <?/ priv. + <?/, <?/, a scale.] (Zo\'94l.) Not having scales. -- n. A fish without scales.

Alepole <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale"pole` (#) , n. A pole set up as the sign of an alehouse. [Obs.]

Alert <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*lert" (#) , a. [F. alerte , earlier \'85 l'erte on the watch, fr. It. all' erta on the watch, prop. (standing) on a height, where one can look around; erta a declivity, steep, erto steep, p. p. of ergere , erigere , to erect, raise, L. erigere . See Erect .] 1. Watchful; vigilant; active in vigilance.

2. Brisk; nimble; moving with celerity.

An alert young fellow. Addison.

Syn. -- Active; agile; lively; quick; prompt.

A*lert" , n. (Mil.) An alarm from a real or threatened attack; a sudden attack; also, a bugle sound to give warning. "We have had an alert ."

Farrow.

On the alert , on the lookout or watch against attack or danger; ready to act.

Alertly <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*lert"ly , adv. In an alert manner; nimbly.

Alertness <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*lert"ness , n. The quality of being alert or on the alert; briskness; nimbleness; activity.

Ale silver <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale" sil`ver (#) . A duty payable to the lord mayor of London by the sellers of ale within the city.

Alestake <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale"stake (#) , n. A stake or pole projecting from, or set up before, an alehouse, as a sign; an alepole. At the end was commonly suspended a garland, a bunch of leaves, or a "bush." [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Aletaster <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale"tast`er (#) , n. See Aleconner . [Eng.]

Alethiology <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*le`thi*ol"o*gy (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ truth + -logy .] The science which treats of the nature of truth and evidence.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Alethoscope <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*leth"o*scope (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ true + <?/ to view.] An instrument for viewing pictures by means of a lens, so as to present them in their natural proportions and relations.

Aleuromancy <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*leu"ro*man`cy (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ wheaten flour + -mancy : cf. F. aleuromancie .] Divination by means of flour.

Encyc. Brit.

Aleurometer <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Al`eu*rom"e*ter (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ flour + -meter .] An instrument for determining the expansive properties, or quality, of gluten in flour.

Knight.

Aleurone <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*leu"rone (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ flour.] (Bot.) An albuminoid substance which occurs in minute grains ("protein granules") in maturing seeds and tubers; -- supposed to be a modification of protoplasm.

Aleuronic <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Al`eu*ron"ic (#) , a. (Bot.) Having the nature of aleurone.

D. C. Eaton.

Aleutian, Aleutic <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*leu"tian (#) , A*leu"tic (#) , a. [Said to be from the Russ. aleut a bold rock.] Of or pertaining to a chain of islands between Alaska and Kamtchatka; also, designating these islands.

Alevin <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Al"e*vin (#) , n. [F. alevin , OF. alever to rear, fr. L. ad + levare to raise.] Young fish; fry.

Alew <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

A*lew" (#) , n. Halloo. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Alewife <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Ale"wife` (#) , n. ; pl. Alewives (#) . A woman who keeps an alehouse.

Gay.

Ale"wife` , n. ; pl. Alewives . [This word is properly aloof , the Indian name of a fish. See Winthrop on the culture of maize in America, "Phil Trans." No. 142, p. 1065, and Baddam's "Memoirs," vol. ii. p. 131.] (Zo\'94l.) A North American fish (Clupea vernalis) of the Herring family. It is called also ellwife , ellwhop , branch herring . The name is locally applied to other related species.

Alexanders, Alisanders <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Al`ex*an"ders (#) , Al`i*san"ders (#) , n. [OE. alisaundre , OF. alissandere , fr. Alexander or Alexandria .] (Bot) A name given to two species of the genus Smyrnium , formerly cultivated and used as celery now is; -- called also horse parsely .

Alexandrian <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Al`ex*an"dri*an (#) , a. 1. Of or pertaining to Alexandria in Egypt; as, the Alexandrian library .

2. Applied to a kind of heroic verse. See Alexandrine , n.

Alexandrine <Xpage= Ale"hoof` (#) , n. [AS. h<?/fe ground ivy; the first part is perh. a corruption: cf. OE. heyhowe hedgehove, 38 ground ivy, \'bdin old MSS. heyhowe , heyoue , haihoue , halehoue .\'b8 [Prior] . Ground ivy (Nepeta Glechoma) . >

Al`ex*an"drine (?; 277) , a. Belonging to Alexandria; Alexandrian.

Bancroft.

Al`ex*an"drine (#) , n. [F. alexandrin .] A kind of verse consisting in English of twelve syllables.

The needless Alexandrine ends the song, That, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along. Pope.