Chapter 6

Syn. -- To Abolish , Repeal , Abrogate , Revoke , Annul , Nullify , Cancel . These words have in common the idea of setting aside by some overruling act. Abolish applies particularly to things of a permanent nature, such as institutions, usages, customs, etc.; as, to abolish monopolies, serfdom, slavery. Repeal describes the act by which the legislature of a state sets aside a law which it had previously enacted. Abrogate was originally applied to the repeal of a law by the Roman people; and hence, when the power of making laws was usurped by the emperors, the term was applied to their act of setting aside the laws. Thus it came to express that act by which a sovereign or an executive government sets aside laws, ordinances, regulations, treaties, conventions, etc. Revoke denotes the act or recalling some previous grant which conferred, privilege, etc.; as, to revoke a decree, to revoke a power of attorney, a promise, etc. Thus, also, we speak of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Annul is used in a more general sense, denoting simply to make void; as, to annul a contract, to annul an agreement. Nullify is an old word revived in this country, and applied to the setting of things aside either by force or by total disregard; as, to nullify an act of Congress. Cancel is to strike out or annul, by a deliberate exercise of power, something which has operative force.

Abolishable <Xpage=5>

A*bol"ish*a*ble (#) , a. [Cf. F. abolissable .] Capable of being abolished.

Abolisher <Xpage=5>

A*bol"ish*er (#) , n. One who abolishes.

Abolishment <Xpage=5>

A*bol"ish*ment (#) , n. [Cf. F. abolissement .] The act of abolishing; abolition; destruction.

Hooker.

Abolition <Xpage=5>

Ab"o*li"tion (#) , n. [L. abolitio , fr. abolere : cf. F. abolition . See Abolish .] The act of abolishing, or the state of being abolished; an annulling; abrogation; utter destruction; as, the abolition of slavery or the slave trade; the abolition of laws, decrees, ordinances, customs, taxes, debts, etc.

&hand; The application of this word to persons is now unusual or obsolete

Abolitionism <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*li"tion*ism (#) , n. The principles or measures of abolitionists.

Wilberforce.

Abolitionist <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*li"tion*ist , n. A person who favors the abolition of any institution, especially negro slavery.

Abolitionize <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*li`tion*ize (#) , v. t. To imbue with the principles of abolitionism. [R.]

Bartlett.

Aboma <Xpage=5>

A*bo"ma (#) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A large South American serpent ( Boa aboma ).

Abomasum, Abomasus <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*ma"sum (#) , Ab`o*ma"sus (#) , n. [NL., fr. L. ab + omasum (a Celtic word.] (Anat.) The fourth or digestive stomach of a ruminant, which leads from the third stomach omasum . See Ruminantia .

Abominable <Xpage=5>

A*bom"i*na*ble (#) , a. [F. abominable . L. abominalis . See Abominate .] 1. Worthy of, or causing, abhorrence, as a thing of evil omen; odious in the utmost degree; very hateful; detestable; loathsome; execrable.

2. Excessive; large; -- used as an intensive. [Obs.]

&hand; Juliana Berners . . . informs us that in her time [15th c.], "a bomynable syght of monkes" was elegant English for "a large company of friars."

G. P. Marsh.

Abominableness <Xpage=5>

A*bom"i*na*ble*ness , n. The quality or state of being abominable; odiousness.

Bentley.

Abominably <Xpage=5>

A*bom"i*na*bly (#) , adv. In an abominable manner; very odiously; detestably.

Abominate <Xpage=5>

A*bom"i*nate (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Abominated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Abominating .] [L. abominatus , p. p. or abominari to deprecate as ominous, to abhor, to curse; ab + omen a foreboding. See Omen .] To turn from as ill-omened; to hate in the highest degree, as if with religious dread; loathe; as, to abominate all impiety .

Syn. -- To hate; abhor; loathe; detest. See Hate .

Abomination <Xpage=5>

A*bom`i*na"tion (#) , n. [OE. abominacioun , -cion , F. abominatio . See Abominate .] 1. The feeling of extreme disgust and hatred; abhorrence; detestation; loathing; as, he holds tobacco in abomination .

2. That which is abominable; anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully vile; an object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice; pollution.

Antony, most large in his abominations . Shak.

3. A cause of pollution or wickedness.

Syn. -- Detestation; loathing; abhorrence; disgust; aversion; loathsomeness; odiousness.

Sir W. Scott.

Aboon <Xpage=5>

A*boon" (#) , prep. and adv . Above. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

Aboon the pass of Bally-Brough. Sir W. Scott.

The ceiling fair that rose aboon . J. R. Drake.

Aboral <Xpage=5>

Ab*o"ral (#) , a. [L. ab . + E. oral .] (Zo\'94l.) Situated opposite to, or away from, the mouth.

Abord <Xpage=5>

A*bord" (#) , n. [F.] Manner of approaching or accosting; address.

Chesterfield.

Abord <Xpage=5>

A*bord" (#) , v. t. [F. aborder , \'85 (L. ad ) + bord rim, brim, or side of a vessel. See Border , Board .] To approach; to accost. [Obs.]

Digby.

Aboriginal <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*rig"i*nal (#) , a. [See Aborigines .]

1. First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America . "Mantled o'er with aboriginal turf."

Wordsworth.

2. Of or pertaining to aborigines; as, a Hindoo of aboriginal blood .

Aboriginal <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*rig"i*nal , n. 1. An original inhabitant of any land; one of the aborigines.

2. An animal or a plant native to the region.

It may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these islands. Darwin.

Aboriginality <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*rig`i*nal"i*ty (#) , n. The quality of being aboriginal.

Westm. Rev.

Aboriginally <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*rig"i*nal*ly (#) , adv. Primarily.

Aboriginess <Xpage=5>

Ab`o*rig"i*ness (#) , n. pl. [L. Aborigines ; ab + origo , especially the first inhabitants of Latium, those who originally ( ab origine ) inhabited Latium or Italy. See Origin .] 1. The earliest known inhabitants of a country; native races.

2. The original fauna and flora of a geographical area

Aborsement <Xpage=5>

A*borse"ment (#) , n. Abortment; abortion. [Obs.]

Bp. Hall.

Aborsive <Xpage=5>

A*bor"sive (#) , a. Abortive. [Obs.]

Fuller.

Abort <Xpage=5>

A*bort" (#) , v. i. [L. abortare , fr. abortus , p. p. of aboriri ; ab + oriri to rise, to be born. See Orient .]

1. To miscarry; to bring forth young prematurely.

2. (Biol.) To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile.

Abort <Xpage=5>

A*bort" , n. [L. abortus , fr. aboriri .] 1. An untimely birth. [Obs.]

Sir H. Wotton.

2. An aborted offspring. [Obs.]

Holland.

Aborted <Xpage=5>

A*bort"ed , a. 1. Brought forth prematurely.

2. (Biol.) Rendered abortive or sterile; undeveloped; checked in normal development at a very early stage; as, spines are aborted branches .

The eyes of the cirripeds are more or less aborted in their mature state. Owen.

Aborticide <Xpage=5>

A*bor"ti*cide (#) , n. [L. abortus + caedere to kill. See Abort .] (Med.) The act of destroying a fetus in the womb; feticide.

Abortifacient <Xpage=5>

A*bor`ti*fa"cient (#) , a. [L. abortus (see Abort , v .) + faciens , p. pr. of facere to make.] Producing miscarriage. -- n. A drug or an agent that causes premature delivery.

Abortion <Xpage=5>

A*bor"tion (#) , n. [L. abortio , fr. aboriri . See Abort .] 1. The act of giving premature birth; particularly, the expulsion of the human fetus prematurely, or before it is capable of sustaining life; miscarriage.

&hand; It is sometimes used for the offense of procuring a premature delivery, but strictly the early delivery is the abortion , "causing or procuring abortion " is the full name of the offense.

Abbott.

<page="6"> Page 6

2. The immature product of an untimely birth.

3. (Biol.) Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.

4. Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt . proved an abortiori .

Abortional <Xpage=6>

A*bor"tion*al (#) , a. Pertaining to abortion; miscarrying; abortive.

Carlyle.

Abortionist <Xpage=6>

A*bor"tion*ist , n. One who procures abortion or miscarriage.

Abortive <Xpage=6>

A*bor"tive (#) , a. [L. abortivus , fr. aboriri . See Abort , v .] 1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child . [R.]

2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum . [Obs.]

3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] "Plunged in that abortive gulf."

Milton.

4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt . "An abortive enterprise."

Prescott.

5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.

6. (Med.) (a) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines . Parr . (b) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever .

Abortive <Xpage=6>

A*bor"tive , n. 1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Obs.]

Shak.

2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]

3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion. <-- now usu. abortifacient. -->

Dunglison.

Abortively <Xpage=6>

A*bor"tive*ly , adv. In an abortive or untimely manner; immaturely; fruitlessly.

Abortiveness <Xpage=6>

A*bor"tive*ness , n. The quality of being abortive.

Abortment <Xpage=6>

A*bort"ment (#) , n. Abortion. [Obs.]

Abought <Xpage=6>

A*bought" (#) , imp. & p. p. of Aby . [Obs.]

Abound <Xpage=6>

A*bound" (#) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Abounded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Abounding .] [OE. abounden , F. abonder , fr. L. abundare to overflow, abound; ab + unda wave. Cf. Undulate .] 1. To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent; to be plentiful.

The wild boar which abounds in some parts of the continent of Europe. Chambers.

Where sin abounded grace did much more abound . Rom. v. 20.

2. To be copiously supplied; -- followed by in or with .

To abound in , to posses in such abundance as to be characterized by. -- To abound with , to be filled with; to possess in great numbers.

Men abounding in natural courage. Macaulay.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings. Prov. xxviii. 20.

It abounds with cabinets of curiosities. Addison.

About <Xpage=6>

A*bout" (#) , prep. [OE. aboute , abouten , abuten ; AS. \'bebutan , onbutan ; on + butan , which is from be by + u tan outward, from ut out. See But , Out .]

1. Around; all round; on every side of. "Look about you." Shak . "Bind them about thy neck." Prov. iii. 3 .

2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person). "Have you much money about you?"

Bulwer.

3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.

Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses. Macaulay.

Roving still about the world. Milton.

4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity. "To-morrow, about this time." Exod. ix. 18 . " About my stature." Shak .

He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx. 3.

&hand; This use passes into the adverbial sense.

5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.

I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49.

6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive : On the point or verge of; going; in act of.

Paul was now about to open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14.

7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. "To treat about thy ransom."

Milton.

She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope.

About <Xpage=6>

A*bout" , adv. 1. On all sides; around.

'Tis time to look about . Shak.

2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about , and a third of a mile across .

3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.

Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v. 13.

4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high ; -- also of quantity, number, time. "There fell . . . about three thousand men."

Exod. xxii. 28.

5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about ; to turn one's self about .

To bring about , to cause to take place; to accomplish. -- To come about , to occur; to take place. See under Come . -- To go about , To set about , to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. "Shall we set about some revels? Shak . -- Round about , in every direction around.

About-sledge <Xpage=6>

A*bout"-sledge" (#) , n. The largest hammer used by smiths.

Weale.

Above <Xpage=6>

A*bove" (#) , prep. [OE. above , aboven , abuffe , AS. abufon ; an (or on ) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. \'fb199. See Over .] 1. In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; -- opposed to below or beneath .

Fowl that may fly above the earth. Gen. i. 20.

2. Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach. "Thy worth . . . is actions above my gifts."

Marlowe.

I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun. Acts xxxvi. 13.

3. Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a hundred . (Passing into the adverbial sense. See Above , adv. , 4.)

above all , before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to other things.

Over and above , prep. or adv. , besides; in addition to.

Above <Xpage=6>

A*bove" (#) , adv. 1. In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above .

2. Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page. "That was said above ."

Dryden.

3. Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above .

4. More than; as, above five hundred were present .

Above is often used elliptically as an adjective by omitting the word mentioned , quoted , or the like; as, the above observations, the above reference, the above articles. -- Above is also used substantively. "The waters that come down from above ."

Josh. iii. 13.

It is also used as the first part of a compound in the sense of before , previously ; as, above -cited, above -described, above -mentioned, above -named, above said, above specified, above -written, above -given.

Aboveboard <Xpage=6>

A*bove"board` (#) , adv. Above the board or table. Hence: in open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception. "Fair and aboveboard ."

Burke.

&hand; This expression is said by Johnson to have been borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put their hands under the table.

Above-cited <Xpage=6>

A*bove"-cit`ed (#) , a. Cited before, in the preceding part of a book or writing.

Abovedeck <Xpage=6>

A*bove"deck` (#) , a. On deck; and hence, like aboveboard , without artifice.

Smart.

Above-mentioned, Above-named <Xpage=6>

A*bove"-men`tioned (#) , A*bove"-named` (#) , a. Mentioned or named before; aforesaid.

Abovesaid <Xpage=6>

A*bove"said` (#) , a. Mentioned or recited before.

Abox <Xpage=6>

A*box" (#) , adv. & a. (Naut.) Braced aback.

Abracadabra <Xpage=6>

Ab`ra*ca*dab"ra (#) , n. [L. Of unknown origin.] A mystical word or collocation of letters written as in the figure. Worn on an amulet it was supposed to ward off fever. At present the word is used chiefly in jest to denote something without meaning; jargon.

Abradant <Xpage=6>

Ab*ra"dant (#) , n. A material used for grinding, as emery, sand, powdered glass, etc.

Abrade <Xpage=6>

Ab*rade" (#) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Abraded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrading .] [L. abradere , abrasum , to scrape off; ab + radere to scrape. See Rase , Raze .] To rub or wear off; to waste or wear away by friction; as, to abrade rocks .

Lyell.

Abrade <Xpage=6>

A*brade" (#) , v. t. Same as Abraid . [Obs.]

Abrahamic <Xpage=6>

A`bra*ham"ic (#) , a. Pertaining to Abraham, the patriarch; as, the Abrachamic covenant .

Abrahamitic, ical <Xpage=6>

A`bra*ham*it"ic , *ic*al (#) , a. Relating to the patriarch Abraham.

Abraham-man or Abram-man <Xpage=6>

A"bra*ham-man` (#) or A"bram-man` (#) , n. [Possibly in allusion to the parable of the beggar Lazarus in Luke xvi. Murray (New Eng. Dict. ). ] One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through England, feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms.

Nares.

To sham Abraham , to feign sickness.

Goldsmith.