The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 91
The polished argent of her breast. Tennyson.
3. (Her.) The white color in coats of arms, intended to represent silver, or, figuratively, purity, innocence, beauty, or gentleness; -- represented in engraving by a plain white surface.
Weale.
Argent <Xpage=80>
Ar"gent , a. Made of silver; of a silvery color; white; shining.
Yonder argent fields above. Pope.
Argental <Xpage=80>
Ar*gen"tal (#) , a. Of or pertaining to silver; resembling, containing, or combined with, silver.
Argentan <Xpage=80>
Ar"gen*tan , n. An alloy of nicked with copper and zinc; German silver.
Argentate <Xpage=80>
Ar"gen*tate , a. [L. argentatus silvered.] (Bot.) Silvery white.
Gray.
Argentation <Xpage=80>
Ar`gen*ta"tion , n. [L. argentare to silver, fr. argentum silver. See Argent .] A coating or overlaying with silver. [R.]
Johnson.
Argentic <Xpage=80>
Ar*gen"tic (#) , a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, silver; -- said of certain compounds of silver in which this metal has its lowest proportion; as, argentic chloride .
Argentiferous <Xpage=80>
Ar`gen*tif"er*ous (#) , a. [L. argentum silver + -ferous : cf. F. argentif\'8are .] Producing or containing silver; as, argentiferous lead ore or veins .
Argentine <Xpage=80>
Ar"gen*tine (?; in the 2d sense, commonly ?) , a. 1. Pertaining to, or resembling, silver; made of, or sounding like, silver; silvery.
Celestial Dian, goddess argentine . Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to the Argentine Republic in South America.
Argentine <Xpage=80>
Ar"gen*tine , n. [Cf. F. argentin , fr. L. argentum silver.] 1. (Min.) A siliceous variety of calcite, or carbonate of lime, having a silvery-white, pearly luster, and a waving or curved lamellar structure.
2. White metal coated with silver.
Simmonds.
3. (Zo\'94l.) A fish of Europe (Maurolicus Pennantii) with silvery scales. The name is also applied to various fishes of the genus Argentina .
4. A citizen of the Argentine Republic.
Argentite <Xpage=80>
Ar"gen*tite (#) , n. [L. argentum silver.] (Min.) Sulphide of silver; -- also called vitreous silver , or silver glance . It has a metallic luster, a lead-gray color, and is sectile like lead.
Argentous <Xpage=80>
Ar*gen"tous (#) , a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, silver; -- said of certain silver compounds in which silver has a higher proportion than in argentic compounds; as, argentous chloride .
Argentry <Xpage=80>
Ar"gent*ry (#) , n. [F. argenterie , fr. argent silver, L. argentum .] Silver plate or vessels. [Obs.]
Bowls of frosted argentry . Howell.
Argil <Xpage=80>
Ar"gil (#) , n. [F. argile , L. argilla white clay, akin to Gr. <?/ or <?/ argil, <?/ white. See Argent .] (Min.) Clay, or potter's earth; sometimes pure clay, or alumina. See Clay .
Argillaceous <Xpage=80>
Ar`gil*la"ceous (#) , a. [L. argillaceus , fr. argilla .] Of the nature of clay; consisting of, or containing, argil or clay; clayey.
Argillaceous sandstone (Geol.) , a sandstone containing much clay. -- Argillaceous iron ore , the clay ironstone. -- Argillaceous schist or state . See Argillite .
Argilliferous <Xpage=80>
Ar`gil*lif"er*ous (#) , a. [L. argilla white clay + -ferous .] Producing clay; -- applied to such earths as abound with argil.
Kirwan.
Argillite <Xpage=80>
Ar"gil*lite (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ clay + -lite .] (Min.) Argillaceous schist or slate; clay slate. Its colors is bluish or blackish gray, sometimes greenish gray, brownish red, etc. -- Ar`gil*lit"ic , a.
Argillo-areenaceous <Xpage=80>
Ar*gil`lo-are`e*na"ceous (#) , a. Consisting of, or containing, clay and sand, as a soil.
Argillo-calcareous <Xpage=80>
Ar*gil`lo-cal*ca"re*ous (#) , a. Consisting of, or containing, clay and calcareous earth.
Argillo-ferruginous <Xpage=80>
Ar*gil`lo-fer*ru"gi*nous (#) , a. Containing clay and iron.
Argillous <Xpage=80>
Ar*gil"lous (#) , a. [L. argillosus , fr. argilla . See Argil .] Argillaceous; clayey.
Sir T. Browne.
Argive <Xpage=80>
Ar"give (#) , a. [L. Argivus , fr. Argos , Argi .] Of or performance to Argos, the capital of Argolis in Greece. -- n. A native of Argos. Often used as a generic term, equivalent to Grecian or Greek .
Argo <Xpage=80>
Ar"go (#) , n. [L. Argo , Gr. <?/.] 1. (Myth.) The name of the ship which carried Jason and his fifty-four companions to Colchis, in quest of the Golden Fleece.
2. (Astron.) A large constellation in the southern hemisphere, called also Argo Navis . In modern astronomy it is replaced by its three divisions, Carina , Puppis , and Vela .
Argoan <Xpage=80>
Ar*go"an (#) , a. Pertaining to the ship Argo.
Argoile <Xpage=80>
Ar"goile (#) , n. Potter's clay. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Argol <Xpage=80>
Ar"gol (#) , n. [Cf. Argal , Orgal . Of unknown origin.] Crude tartar; an acidulous salt from which cream of tartar is prepared. It exists in the juice of grapes, and is deposited from wines on the sides of the casks.
Ure.
Argolic <Xpage=80>
Ar*gol"ic (#) , a. [L. Argolicus , Gr. <?/.] Pertaining to Argolis, a district in the Peloponnesus.
Argon <Xpage=80>
Ar"gon (#) , n. [Gr. <?/ inactive.] (Chem.) A substance regarded as an element, contained in the atmosphere and remarkable for its chemical inertness.
Rayleigh and Ramsay.
Argonaut <Xpage=80>
Ar"go*naut (#) , n. [L. Argonauta , Gr. <?/; <?/ + <?/ sailor, <?/ ship. See Argo .] 1. Any one of the legendary Greek heroes who sailed with Jason, in the Argo, in quest of the Golden Fleece.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A cephalopod of the genus Argonauta.
Argonauta <Xpage=80>
Ar`go*nau"ta (#) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of Cephalopoda. The shell is called paper nautilus or paper sailor .
&hand; The animal has much resemblance to an Octopus. It has eight arms, two of which are expanded at the end and clasp the shell, but are never elevated in the air for sails as was formerly supposed. The creature swims beneath the surface by means of a jet of water, like other cephalopods. The male has no shell, and is much smaller than the female. See Hectocotylus .
Argonautic <Xpage=80>
Ar"go*naut"ic (#) , a. [L. Argonauticus .] Of or pertaining to the Argonauts.
Argosy <Xpage=80>
Ar"go*sy (#) , n. ; pl. Argosies (#) . [Earlier ragusy , fr. ragusa meaning orig. a vessel of Ragusa.] A large ship, esp. a merchant vessel of the largest size.
Where your argosies with portly sail . . . Do overpeer the petty traffickers. Shak.
Argot <Xpage=80>
Ar`got" (#) , n. [F. Of unknown origin.] A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves, tramps, and vagabonds; flash.
Arguable <Xpage=80>
Ar"gu*a*ble (#) , a. Capable of being argued; admitting of debate.
Argue <Xpage=80>
Ar"gue (#) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Argued (#) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Arguing .] [OE. arguen , F. arguer , fr. L. argutare , freq. of arguere to make clear; from the same root as E. argent .] 1. To invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a proposition, opinion, or measure; to use arguments; to reason.
I argue not Against Heaven's hand or will. Milton.
2. To contend in argument; to dispute; to reason; -- followed by with ; as, you may argue with your friend without convincing him .
Argue <Xpage=80>
Ar"gue , v. t. 1. To debate or discuss; to treat by reasoning; as, the counsel argued the cause before a full court; the cause was well argued .
2. To prove or evince; too manifest or exhibit by inference, deduction, or reasoning.
So many laws argue so many sins. Milton.
3. To persuade by reasons; as, to argue a man into a different opinion .
4. To blame; to accuse; to charge with. [Obs.]
Thoughts and expressions . . . which can be truly argued of obscenity, profaneness, or immorality. Dryden.
Syn. -- to reason; evince; discuss; debate; expostulate; remonstrate; controvert. -- To Argue , Dispute , Debate . These words, as here compared, suppose a contest between two parties in respect to some point at issue. To argue is to adduce arguments or reasons in support of one's cause or position. To dispute is to call in question or deny the statements or arguments of the opposing party. To debate is to strive for or against in a somewhat formal manner by arguments.
Men of many words sometimes argue for the sake of talking; men of ready tongues frequently dispute for the sake of victory; men in public life often debate for the sake of opposing the ruling party, or from any other motive than the love of truth. Crabb.
Unskilled to argue , in dispute yet loud, Bold without caution, without honors proud. Falconer.
Betwixt the dearest friends to raise debate . Dryden.
Arguer <Xpage=80>
Ar"gu*er (#) , n. One who argues; a reasoner; a disputant.
Argufy <Xpage=80>
Ar"gu*fy (#) , v. t. & i. [ Argue + -fy .] 1. To argue pertinaciously. [Colloq.]
Halliwell.
2. To signify. [Colloq.]
Argulus <Xpage=80>
Ar"gu*lus (#) , n. [NL., dim of Argus .] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of copepod Crustacea, parasitic of fishes; a fish louse. See Branchiura .
Argument <Xpage=80>
Ar"gu*ment (#) , n. [F. argument , L. argumentum , fr. arguere to argue.] 1. Proof; evidence. [Obs.]
There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity. Ray.
Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion? South.
2. A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about , concerning , or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it .
3. A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.
The argument is about things, but names. Locke.
4. The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.
You and love are still my argument . Shak.
The abstract or argument of the piece. Jeffrey.
[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed. Milton.
5. Matter for question; business in hand. [Obs.]
Sheathed their swords for lack of argument . Shak.
6. (Astron.) The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction .
7. (Math.) The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends.
Brande & C.
<-- p. 81 -->
Argument <Xpage=81>
Ar"gu*ment (#) , v. i. [L. argumentari .] To make an argument; to argue. [Obs.]
Gower.
Argumentable <Xpage=81>
Ar`gu*men"ta*ble (#) , a. [L. argumentabilis .] Admitting of argument. [R.]
Chalmers.
Argumental <Xpage=81>
Ar`gu*men"tal (#) , a. [L. argumentalis .] Of, pertaining to, or containing, argument; argumentative.
Argumentation <Xpage=81>
Ar`gu*men*ta"tion (#) , n. [L. argumentatio , from argumentari : cf. F. argumentation .] 1. The act of forming reasons, making inductions, drawing conclusions, and applying them to the case in discussion; the operation of inferring propositions, not known or admitted as true, from facts or principles known, admitted, or proved to be true.
Which manner of argumentation , how false and naught it is, . . . every man that hath with perceiveth. Tyndale.
2. Debate; discussion.
Syn. -- Reasoning; discussion; controversy. See Reasoning .
Argumentative <Xpage=81>
Ar`gu*men"ta*tive (#) , a. 1. Consisting of, or characterized by, argument; containing a process of reasoning; as, an argumentative discourse .
2. Adductive as proof; indicative; as, the adaptation of things to their uses is argumentative of infinite wisdom in the Creator . [Obs.]
3. Given to argument; characterized by argument; disputatious; as, an argumentative writer .
-- Ar`gu*men"ta*tive*ly , adv. -- Ar`gu*men"ta*tive*ness , n.
Argumentize <Xpage=81>
Ar"gu*men*tize (#) , v. i. To argue or discuss. [Obs.]
Wood.
Argus <Xpage=81>
Ar"gus (#) , n. [L. Argus , Gr. <?/.] 1. (Myth.) A fabulous being of antiquity, said to have had a hundred eyes, who has placed by Juno to guard Io. His eyes were transplanted to the peacock's tail.
2. One very vigilant; a guardian always watchful.
3. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of East Indian pheasants. The common species (A. giganteus) is remarkable for the great length and beauty of the wing and tail feathers of the male. The species A. Grayi inhabits Borneo.
Argus-eyed <Xpage=81>
Ar"gus-eyed (#) , a. Extremely observant; watchful; sharp-sighted.
Argus shell <Xpage=81>
Ar"gus shell` (#) . (Zo\'94l.) A species of shell (Cypr\'91a argus) , beautifully variegated with spots resembling those in a peacock's tail.
Argutation <Xpage=81>
Ar`gu*ta"tion (#) , n. [L. argutatio . See Argue .] Caviling; subtle disputation. [Obs.]
Argute <Xpage=81>
Ar*gute" (#) , a. [L. argutus , p. p. of arguere . See Argue .] 1. Sharp; shrill. [Obs.]
Johnson.
2. Sagacious; acute; subtle; shrewd.
The active preacher . . . the argue schoolman. Milman.
Argutely <Xpage=81>
Ar*gute"ly , adv. In a subtle; shrewdly.
Arguteness <Xpage=81>
Ar*gute"ness , n. Acuteness.
Dryden.
Arhizal, Arhizous, Arhythmic, Arhythmous <Xpage=81>
A*rhi"zal (#) , A*rhi"zous (#) , A*rhyth"*mic (#) , A*rhyth"mous (#) , a. See Arrhizal , Arrhizous , Arrhythmic , Arrhythmous .
Aria <Xpage=81>
A"ri*a (#) , n. [It., fr. L. a\'89r . See Air .] (Mus.) An air or song; a melody; a tune.
&hand; The Italian term is now mostly used for the more elaborate accompanied melodies sung by a single voice, in operas, oratorios, cantatas, anthems, etc., and not so much for simple airs or tunes.
Arian <Xpage=81>
Ar"ian (#) , a. & n. (Ethnol.) See Aryan .
Arian <Xpage=81>
A"ri*an (#) , a. [L. Arianus .] Pertaining to Arius, a presbyter of the church of Alexandria, in the fourth century, or to the doctrines of Arius, who held Christ to be inferior to God the Father in nature and dignity, though the first and noblest of all created beings. -- n. One who adheres to or believes the doctrines of Arius.
Mosheim.
Arianism <Xpage=81>
A"ri*an*ism (#) , n. The doctrines of the Arians.
Arianize <Xpage=81>
A"ri*an*ize (#) , v. i. To admit or accept the tenets of the Arians; to become an Arian.
Arianize <Xpage=81>
A"ri*an*ize , v. t. To convert to Arianism.
Aricine <Xpage=81>
Ar"i*cine (#) , n. [From Arica , in Chile.] (Chem.) An alkaloid, first found in white cinchona bark.
Arid <Xpage=81>
Ar"id (#) , a. [L. aridus , fr. arere to be dry: cf. F. aride .] Exhausted of moisture; parched with heat; dry; barren. "An arid waste."
Thomson.
Aridity <Xpage=81>
A*rid"i*ty (#) , n. ; pl. Aridities (#) . [L. ariditas , fr. aridus .] 1. The state or quality of being arid or without moisture; dryness.
2. Fig.: Want of interest of feeling; insensibility; dryness of style or feeling; spiritual drought.
Norris.
Aridness <Xpage=81>
Ar"id*ness (#) , n. Aridity; dryness.
Ariel, n., ∨ Ariel gazelle <Xpage=81>
A"ri*el (#) , n. , ∨ A"ri*el ga*zelle" (#) . [Ar. aryil , ayyil , stag.] (Zo\'94l.) A ) A variety of the gazelle (Antilope, or Gazella, dorcas) , found in Arabia and adjacent countries. (b) A squirrel-like Australian marsupial, a species of Petaurus . (c) A beautiful Brazilian toucan Ramphastos ariel ).
Aries <Xpage=81>
A"ri*es , n. [L.] 1. (Astron.) (a) The Ram; the first of the twelve signs in the zodiac, which the sun enters at the vernal equinox, about the 21st of March. (b) A constellation west of Taurus, drawn on the celestial globe in the figure of a ram.
2. (Rom. Antiq.) A battering-ram.
Arietate <Xpage=81>
Ar"i*e*tate (#) , v. i. [L. arietatus , p. p. of arietare , fr. aries ram.] To butt, as a ram. [Obs.]
Arietation <Xpage=81>
Ar`i*e*ta"tion (#) , n. [L. arietatio .] 1. The act of butting like a ram; act of using a battering-ram. [Obs.]
Bacon.
2. Act of striking or conflicting. [R.]
Glanvill.
Arietta, Ariette <Xpage=81>
A`ri*et"ta (#) , Ar`i*ette" (#) , n. [It. arietta , dim. of aria ; F. ariette .] (Mus.) A short aria, or air. "A military ariette ."
Sir W. Scott.
Aright <Xpage=81>
A*right" (#) , adv. [Pref. a- + right .] Rightly; correctly; in a right way or form; without mistake or crime; as, to worship God aright .
Aril, Arillus <Xpage=81>