Chapter 53

Alt"horn` (#) , n. [ Alt + horn .] (Mus.) An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in military music, often replacing the French horn.

Grove.

Although <Xpage=44>

Al*though" (#) , conj. [ All + though ; OE. al thagh .] Grant all this; be it that; supposing that; notwithstanding; though.

Although all shall be offended, yet will no I. Mark xiv. 29.

Syn. -- Although , Though . Although , which originally was perhaps more emphatic than though , is now interchangeable with it in the sense given above. Euphonic consideration determines the choice.

Altiloquence <Xpage=44>

Al*til"o*quence (#) , n. Lofty speech; pompous language. [R.]

Bailey.

Altiloquent <Xpage=44>

Al*til"o*quent (#) , a. [L. altus (adv. alte ) high + loquens , p. pr. of loqui to speak.] High-sounding; pompous in speech. [R.]

Bailey.

Altimeter <Xpage=44>

Al*tim"e*ter (#) , n. [LL. altimeter ; altus high + metrum , Gr. <?/, measure: cf. F. altim\'8atre .] An instrument for taking altitudes, as a quadrant, sextant, etc.

Knight.

Altimetry <Xpage=44>

Al*tim"e*try (#) , n. [Cf. F. altim\'82trie .] The art of measuring altitudes, or heights.

Altincar <Xpage=44>

Al*tin"car (#) , n. See Tincal .

Altiscope <Xpage=44>

Al"ti*scope (#) , n. [L. altus high + Gr. <?/ to view.] An arrangement of lenses and mirrors which enables a person to see an object in spite of intervening objects.

<-- p. 45 -->

Altisonant <Xpage=45>

Al*tis"o*nant (#) , a. [L. altus high + sonans , p. pr. of sonare to sound.] High-sounding; lofty or pompous.

Skelton.

Altisonous <Xpage=45>

Al*tis"o*nous (#) , a. [L. altisonus .] Altisonant.

Altissimo <Xpage=45>

Al*tis"si*mo (#) , n. [It.; superl. of alto .] (Mus.) The part or notes situated above F in alt.

Altitude <Xpage=45>

Al"ti*tude (#) , n. [L. altitudo , fr. altus high. Cf. Altar , Haughty , Enhance .] 1. Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree .

2. (Astron.) The elevation of a point, or star, or other celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and the horizon. It is either true or apparent ; true when measured from the rational or real horizon , apparent when from the sensible or apparent horizon.

3. (Geom.) The perpendicular distance from the base of a figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base; as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram, frustum, etc.

4. Height of degree; highest point or degree.

He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue. Shak.

5. Height of rank or excellence; superiority.

Swift.

6. pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [Colloq.]

Richardson.

The man of law began to get into his altitude . Sir W. Scott.

Meridian altitude , an arc of the meridian intercepted between the south point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See Meridian , 3.

Altitudinal <Xpage=45>

Al`ti*tu"di*nal (#) , a. Of or pertaining to height; as, altitudinal measurements .

Altitudinarian <Xpage=45>

Al`ti*tu`di*na"ri*an (#) , a. Lofty in doctrine, aims, etc. [R.]

Coleridge.

Altivolant <Xpage=45>

Al*tiv"o*lant (#) , a. [L. altivolans . See Volant .] Flying high. [Obs.]

Blount.

Alto <Xpage=45>

Al"to (#) , n. ; pl. Altos (#) . [It. alto high, fr. L. altus . Cf. Alt .] 1. (Mus.) Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.

2. An alto singer.

Alto clef (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef, placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of the staff.

Moore.

Altogether <Xpage=45>

Al`to*geth"er (#) , adv. [OE. altogedere ; al all + togedere together. See Together .] 1. All together; conjointly. [Obs.]

Altogether they wen<?/ at once. Chaucer.

2. Without exception; wholly; completely.

Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Ps. xxxix. 5.

Altometer <Xpage=45>

Al*tom"e*ter (#) , n. [L. altus high + -meter .] A theodolite.

Knight.

Alto-relievo <Xpage=45>

Al"to-re*lie"vo (#) , n. Alto-rilievo.

Alto-rilievo <Xpage=45>

Al"to-ri*lie*vo (#) , n. ; pl. Alto-rilievos (#) . [It.] (Sculp.) High relief; sculptured work in which the figures project more than half their thickness; as, this figure is an alto-rilievo or in alto-rilievo .

&hand; When the figure stands only half out, it is called mezzo-rilievo , demi-rilievo , or medium relief; when its projection is less than one half, basso-rilievo , bas-relief , or low relief.

Altrical <Xpage=45>

Al"tri*cal (#) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Like the articles.

Altrices <Xpage=45>

Al*tri"ces (#) , n. pl. [L., nourishes, pl. of altrix .] (Zo\'94l.) Nursers, -- a term applied to those birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time; -- opposed to pr\'91coces .

Altruism <Xpage=45>

Al"tru*ism (#) , n. [F. altruisme (a word of Comte's), It. altrui of or to others, fr. L. alter another.] Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; -- opposed to egoism or selfishness . [Recent]

J. S. Mill.

Altruist <Xpage=45>

Al"tru*ist , n. One imbued with altruism; -- opposed to egoist .

Altruistic <Xpage=45>

Al`tru*is"tic (#) , a. [Cf. F. altruiste , a. See Altruism ..] Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; -- opposed to egoistic or selfish . Bain . -- Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly , adv.

Aludel <Xpage=45>

Al"u*del (#) , n. [F. & Sp. aludel , fr. Ar. aluth\'bel .] (Chem.) One of the pear-shaped pots open at both ends, and so formed as to be fitted together, the neck of one into the bottom of another in succession; -- used in the process of sublimation.

Ure.

Alula <Xpage=45>

Al"u*la (#) , n. [NL., dim. of L. ala a wing.] (Zo\'94l.) A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard .

Alular <Xpage=45>

Al"u*lar (#) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to the alula.

Alum <Xpage=45>

Al"um (#) , n. [OE. alum , alom , OF. alum , F. alun , fr. L. alumen alum.] (Chem.) A double sulphate formed of aluminium and some other element (esp. an alkali metal) or of aluminium. It has twenty-four molecules of water of crystallization.

&hand; Common alum is the double sulphate of aluminium and potassium. It is white, transparent, very astringent, and crystallizes easily in octahedrons. The term is extended so as to include other double sulphates similar to alum in formula.

Alum <Xpage=45>

Al"um (#) , v. t. To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum.

Ure.

Alumen <Xpage=45>

A*lu"men (#) , n. [L.] (Chem.) Alum.

Alumina <Xpage=45>

A*lu"mi*na (#) , n. [L. alumen , aluminis . See Alum .] (Chem.) One of the earths, consisting of two parts of aluminium and three of oxygen, Al2O3 .

&hand; It is the oxide of the metal aluminium, the base of aluminous salts, a constituent of a large part of the earthy siliceous minerals, as the feldspars, micas, scapolites, etc., and the characterizing ingredient of common clay, in which it exists as an impure silicate with water, resulting from the decomposition of other aluminous minerals. In its natural state, it is the mineral corundum. <-- obtained commercially from the mineral bauxite, mined in large quantities. -->

Aluminate <Xpage=45>

A*lu`mi*nate (#) , n. (Chem.) A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the substitution of a metal for the hydrogen.

Aluminated <Xpage=45>

A*lu"mi*na`ted (#) . a. Combined with alumina.

Alumine <Xpage=45>

Al"u*mine (#) , n. [F.] Alumina.

Davy.

Aluminic <Xpage=45>

Al`u*min"ic (#) , a. Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate .

Aluminiferous <Xpage=45>

A*lu`mi*nif"er*ous (#) , a. [L. alumen alum + -ferous : cf. F. aluminif\'8are .] Containing alum.

Aluminiform <Xpage=45>

A*lu"mi*ni*form (#) , a. [L. alumen + -form .] pertaining the form of alumina.

Aluminium <Xpage=45>

Al`u*min"i*um (#) , n. [L. alumen . See Alum .] (Chem.) The metallic base of alumina. This metal is white, but with a bluish tinge, and is remarkable for its resistance to oxidation, and for its lightness, pertaining a specific gravity of about 2.6. Atomic weight 27.08. Symbol Al.

Aluminium bronze or gold , a pale gold-colored alloy of aluminium and copper, used for journal bearings, etc.

Aluminize <Xpage=45>

A*lu"mi*nize (#) , v. t. To treat impregnate with alum; to alum.

Aluminous <Xpage=45>

A*lu"mi*nous (#) , a. [L. aluminosus , fr. alumen alum: cf. F. alumineux .] Pertaining to or containing alum, or alumina; as, aluminous minerals, aluminous solution .

Aluminum <Xpage=45>

A*lu"mi*num (#) , n. See Aluminium .

Alumish <Xpage=45>

Al"um*ish (#) , a. Somewhat like alum.

Alumna <Xpage=45>

A*lum"na (#) , n. fem. ; pl. Alumn\'91 (#) . [L. See Alumnus .] A female pupil; especially, a graduate of a school or college.

Alumnus <Xpage=45>

A*lum"nus (#) , n. ; pl. Alumni (#) . [L., fr. alere to nourish.] A pupil; especially, a graduate of a college or other seminary of learning.

Alum root <Xpage=45>

Al"um root` (#) . (Bot.) A North American herb (Heuchera Americana) of the Saxifrage family, whose root has astringent properties.

Alum schist, Alum shale <Xpage=45>

Al"um schist" (#) , Al"um shale" (#) , (Min.) A variety of shale or clay slate, containing iron pyrites, the decomposition of which leads to the formation of alum, which often effloresces on the rock.

Alum stone <Xpage=45>

Al"um stone` (#) . (Min.) A subsulphate of alumina and potash; alunite.

Alunite <Xpage=45>

Al"u*nite (#) , n. (Min.) Alum stone.

Alunogen <Xpage=45>

A*lu"no*gen (#) , n. [F. alun alum + -gen .] (Min.) A white fibrous mineral frequently found on the walls of mines and quarries, chiefly hydrous sulphate of alumina; -- also called feather alum , and hair salt .

Alure <Xpage=45>

Al"ure (#) , n. [OF. alure , aleure , walk, gait, fr. aler (F. aller ) to go.] A walk or passage; -- applied to passages of various kinds.

The sides of every street were covered with fresh alures of marble. T. Warton.

Alutaceous <Xpage=45>

Al"u*ta"ceous (#) , a. [L. alutacius , fr. aluta soft leather.] 1. Leathery.

2. Of a pale brown color; leather-yellow.

Brande.

Alutation <Xpage=45>

Al`u*ta"tion (#) , n. [See Alutaceous .] The tanning or dressing of leather. [Obs.]

Blount.

Alveary <Xpage=45>

Al"ve*a*ry (#) , n. ; pl. Alvearies (#) . [L. alvearium , alveare , beehive, fr. alveus a hollow vessel, beehive, from alvus belly, beehive.] 1. A beehive, or something resembling a beehive.

Barret.

2. (Anat.) The hollow of the external ear.

Quincy.

Alveated <Xpage=45>

Al"ve*a`ted (#) , a. [L. alveatus hollowed out.] Formed or vaulted like a beehive.

Alveolar <Xpage=45>

Al"ve*o*lar (?; 277) , a. [L. alveolus a small hollow or cavity: cf. F. alv\'82olaire .] (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, alveoli or little cells, sacs, or sockets.

Alveolar processes , the processes of the maxillary bones, containing the sockets of the teeth.

Alveolary <Xpage=45>

Al"ve*o*la*ry (#) , a. Alveolar. [R.]

Alveolate <Xpage=45>

Al"ve*o*late (#) , a. [L. alveolatus , fr. alveolus .] (Bot.) Deeply pitted, like a honeycomb.

Alveole <Xpage=45>

Al"ve*ole (#) , n. Same as Alveolus .

Alveoliform <Xpage=45>

Al*ve"o*li*form (#) , a. [L. alvelous + -form .] Having the form of alveoli, or little sockets, cells, or cavities.

Alveolus <Xpage=45>

Al*ve"o*lus (#) , n. ; pl. Alveoli (#) . [L., a small hollow or cavity, dim. of alveus : cf. F. alv\'82ole . See Alveary .] 1. A cell in a honeycomb.

2. (Zo\'94l.) A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil

3. (Anat.) A small depression, sac, or vesicle, as the socket of a tooth, the air cells of the lungs, the ultimate saccules of glands, etc.

Alveus <Xpage=45>

Al"ve*us (#) , n. ; pl. Alvei (#) . [L.] The channel of a river.

Weate.

Alvine <Xpage=45>

Al"vine (#) , a. [L. alvus belly: cf. F. alvin .] Of, from, in, or pertaining to, the belly or the intestines; as, alvine discharges; alvine concretions.

Alway <Xpage=45>

Al"way (#) , adv. Always. [Archaic or Poetic]

I would not live alway . Job vii. 16.

Always <Xpage=45>

Al"ways (#) , adv. [ All + way . The s is an adverbial (orig. a genitive) ending.] 1. At all times; ever; perpetually; throughout all time; continually; as, God is always the same .

Even in Heaven his [Mammon's] looks and thoughts. Milton.

2. Constancy during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals; invariably; uniformly; -- opposed to sometimes or occasionally .

He always rides a black galloway. Bulwer.

Alyssum <Xpage=45>

A*lys"sum (#) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/, name of a plant, perh. fr. <?/ priv. + <?/ raging madness.] (Bot.) A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The sweet alyssum (A. maritimum) , cultivated for bouquets, bears small, white, sweet-scented flowers.

Am <Xpage=45>

Am (#) . [AS. am , eom , akin to Gothic im , Icel. em , Olr. am , Lith. esmi , L. sum ., Gr. <?/, Zend ahmi , Skr. asmi , fr. a root as to be. <?/. See Are , and cf. Be , Was .] The first person singular of the verb be , in the indicative mode, present tense. See Be .

God said unto Moses, I am that am . Exod. iii. 14.

Amability <Xpage=45>

Am`a*bil"i*ty (#) , n. [L. amabilitas .] Lovableness.

Jer. Taylor.

&hand; The New English Dictionary (Murray) says this word is "usefully distinct from Amiability ."

Amacratic <Xpage=45>

Am`a*crat"ic (#) , a. [Gr. <?/ together + <?/ power.] (Photog.) Amasthenic.

Sir J. Herschel.

Amadavat <Xpage=45>

Am`a*da*vat" (#) , n. [Indian name. From Ahmedabad , a city from which it was imported to Europe.] (Zo\'94l.) The strawberry finch, a small Indian song bird (Estrelda amandava) , commonly caged and kept for fighting. The female is olive brown; the male, in summer, mostly crimson; -- called also red waxbill . [Written also amaduvad and avadavat .]

Amadou <Xpage=45>

Am"a*dou (#) , n. [F. amadou tinder, prop. lure, bait, fr. amadouer to allure, caress, perh. fr. Icel. mata to feed, which is akin to E. meat .] A spongy, combustible substance, prepared from fungus ( Boletus and Polyporus ) which grows on old trees; German tinder; punk. It has been employed as a styptic by surgeons, but its common use is as tinder, for which purpose it is prepared by soaking it in a strong solution of niter.

Ure.

Amain <Xpage=45>

A*main" (#) , adv. [Pref. a- + main . See 2d Main , n. ] 1. With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly.

They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down amain . Milton.

That striping giant, ill-bred and scoffing, shouts amain . T. Parker.

2. At full speed; in great haste; also, at once. "They fled amain ."

Holinshed.

Amain <Xpage=45>

A*main" , v. t. [F. amener . See Amenable .] (Naut.) To lower, as a sail, a yard, etc.

Amain <Xpage=45>

A*main" , v. i. (Naut.) To lower the topsail, in token of surrender; to yield.

Amalgam <Xpage=45>

A*mal"gam (#) , n. [F. amalgame , prob. fr. L. malagma , Gr. <?/, emollient, plaster, poultice, fr. <?/ to make soft, fr. <?/ soft.] 1. An alloy of mercury with another metal or metals; as, an amalgam of tin, bismuth, etc.

&hand; Medalists apply the term to soft alloys generally.

2. A mixture or compound of different things.

3. (Min.) A native compound of mercury and silver.

Amalgam <Xpage=45>

A*mal"gam , v. t. <?/ i. [Cf. F. amalgamer ] To amalgamate.

Boyle. B. Jonson.

Amalgama <Xpage=45>

A*mal"ga*ma (#) , n. Same as Amalgam .

They divided this their amalgama into a number of incoherent republics. Burke.

Amalgamate <Xpage=45>

A*mal"ga*mate (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Amalgamated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Amalgamating .] 1. To compound or mix, as quicksilver, with another metal; to unite, combine, or alloy with mercury.