The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section A and B

Chapter 27

Chapter 274,010 wordsPublic domain

Al"le*go*ry (&?;), n.; pl. Allegories (&?;). [L. allegoria, Gr. &?;, description of one thing under the image of another; &?; other + &?; to speak in the assembly, harangue, &?; place of assembly, fr. &?; to assemble: cf. F. allégorie.] 1. A figurative sentence or discourse, in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. The real subject is thus kept out of view, and we are left to collect the intentions of the writer or speaker by the resemblance of the secondary to the primary subject.

2. Anything which represents by suggestive resemblance; an emblem.

3. (Paint. & Sculpt.) A figure representation which has a meaning beyond notion directly conveyed by the object painted or sculptured.

Syn. -- Metaphor; fable. -- Allegory, Parable. "An allegory differs both from fable and parable, in that the properties of persons are fictitiously represented as attached to things, to which they are as it were transferred. . . . A figure of Peace and Victory crowning some historical personage is an allegory. "I am the Vine, ye are the branches" [John xv. 1-6] is a spoken allegory. In the parable there is no transference of properties. The parable of the sower [Matt. xiii. 3-23] represents all things as according to their proper nature. In the allegory quoted above the properties of the vine and the relation of the branches are transferred to the person of Christ and His apostles and disciples." C. J. Smith.

An allegory is a prolonged metaphor. Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and Spenser's "Faërie Queene" are celebrated examples of the allegory.

||Al`le`gresse" (&?;), n. [F. allégresse, fr. L. alacer sprightly.] Joy; gladsomeness.

||Al`le*gret"to (&?;), a. [It., dim. of allegro.] (Mus.) Quicker than andante, but not so quick as allegro. -- n. A movement in this time.

||Al*le"gro (&?;), a. [It., merry, gay, fr. L. alacer lively. Cf. Aleger.] (Mus.) Brisk, lively. -- n. An allegro movement; a quick, sprightly strain or piece.

{ Al`le*lu"ia, Al`le*lu"iah } (&?;), n. [L. alleluia, Gr. &?;, fr. Heb. halll-yh. See Hallelujah.] An exclamation signifying Praise ye Jehovah. Hence: A song of praise to God. See Hallelujah, the commoner form.

I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia. Rev. xix. 1.

||Al"le*mande" (&?;), n. [F., fr. allemand German.] 1. (Mus.) A dance in moderate twofold time, invented by the French in the reign of Louis XIV.; - - now mostly found in suites of pieces, like those of Bach and Handel.

2. A figure in dancing.

Al`le*man"nic (&?;), a. See Alemannic.

Al*len"ar*ly (&?;), adv. [All + anerly singly, fr. ane one.] Solely; only. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Al"ler (&?;), a. [For ealra, the AS. gen. pl. of eal all.] Same as Alder, of all. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Al*le"ri*on (&?;), n. [F. alérion, LL. alario a sort of eagle; of uncertain origin.] (Her.) Am eagle without beak or feet, with expanded wings. Burke.

Al*le"vi*ate (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alleviated; p. pr. & vb. n. Alleviating.] [LL. alleviare, fr. L. ad + levis light. See Alegge, Levity.] 1. To lighten or lessen the force or weight of. [Obs.]

Should no others join capable to alleviate the expense. Evelyn.

Those large bladders . . . conduce much to the alleviating of the body [of flying birds]. Ray.

2. To lighten or lessen (physical or mental troubles); to mitigate, or make easier to be endured; as, to alleviate sorrow, pain, care, etc. ; -- opposed to aggravate.

The calamity of the want of the sense of hearing is much alleviated by giving the use of letters. Bp. Horsley.

3. To extenuate; to palliate. [R.]

He alleviates his fault by an excuse. Johnson.

Syn. -- To lessen; diminish; soften; mitigate; assuage; abate; relieve; nullify; allay. -- To Alleviate, Mitigate, Assuage, Allay. These words have in common the idea of relief from some painful state; and being all figurative, they differ in their application, according to the image under which this idea is presented. Alleviate supposes a load which is lightened or taken off; as, to alleviate one's cares. Mitigate supposes something fierce which is made mild; as, to mitigate one's anguish. Assuage supposes something violent which is quieted; as, to assuage one's sorrow. Allay supposes something previously excited, but now brought down; as, to allay one's suffering or one's thirst. To alleviate the distresses of life; to mitigate the fierceness of passion or the violence of grief; to assuage angry feeling; to allay wounded sensibility.

Al*le`vi*a"tion (&?;), n. [LL. alleviatio.] 1. The act of alleviating; a lightening of weight or severity; mitigation; relief.

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2. That which mitigates, or makes more tolerable.

I have not wanted such alleviations of life as friendship could supply. Johnson.

Al*le"vi*a*tive (&?;), a. Tending to alleviate. -- n. That which alleviates.

Al*le"vi*a`tor (&?;), n. One who, or that which, alleviates.

Al*le"vi*a*to*ry (&?;), a. Alleviative. Carlyle.

Al"ley (&?;), n.; pl. Alleys (&?;). [OE. aley, alley, OF. alée, F. allée, a going, passage, fr. OE. aler, F. aller, to go; of uncertain origin: cf. Prov. anar, It. andare, Sp. andar.] 1. A narrow passage; especially a walk or passage in a garden or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes; a bordered way.

I know each lane and every alley green. Milton.

2. A narrow passage or way in a city, as distinct from a public street. Gay.

3. A passageway between rows of pews in a church.

4. (Persp.) Any passage having the entrance represented as wider than the exit, so as to give the appearance of length.

5. The space between two rows of compositors' stands in a printing office.

Al"ley, n.; pl. Alleys (&?;). [A contraction of alabaster, of which it was originally made.] A choice taw or marble. Dickens.

Al"leyed (&?;), a. Furnished with alleys; forming an alley. "An alleyed walk." Sir W. Scott.

Al"ley*way` (&?;) n. An alley.

All" Fools' Day` (&?;). The first day of April, a day on which sportive impositions are practiced.

The first of April, some do say, Is set apart for All Fools' Day. Poor Robin's Almanack (1760).

All`fours" (&?;). [All + four (cards).] A game at cards, called "High, Low, Jack, and the Game."

All` fours" [formerly, All` four".] All four legs of a quadruped; or the two legs and two arms of a person.

To be, go, or run, on all fours (Fig.), to be on the same footing; to correspond (with) exactly; to be alike in all the circumstances to be considered. "This example is on all fours with the other." "No simile can go on all fours." Macaulay.

All` hail" (&?;). [All + hail, interj.] All health; -- a phrase of salutation or welcome.

All`-hail", v. t. To salute; to greet. [Poet.]

Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king, who all-hailed me "Thane of Cawdor." Shak.

All`hal"lond (&?;), n. Allhallows. [Obs.] Shak.

{ All`hal"low (&?;), All`hal"lows (&?;), } n. 1. All the saints (in heaven). [Obs.]

2. All Saints' Day, November 1st. [Archaic]

All`hal"low eve` (v`). The evening before Allhallows. See Halloween.

All`hal"low*mas (&?;), n. The feast of All Saints.

All`hal"lown (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to the time of Allhallows. [Obs.] "Allhallown summer." Shak. (i. e., late summer; "Indian Summer").

All`hal"low*tide` (&?;), n. [AS. td time.] The time at or near All Saints, or November 1st.

All"heal (&?;), n. A name popularly given to the officinal valerian, and to some other plants.

Al*li"a*ble (&?;), a. Able to enter into alliance.

Al`li*a"ceous (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to the genus Allium, or garlic, onions, leeks, etc.; having the smell or taste of garlic or onions.

Al*li"ance (&?;), n. [OE. aliaunce, OF. aliance, F. alliance, fr. OF. alier, F. allier. See Ally, and cf. LL. alligantia.] 1. The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.

2. Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

The alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel. C. J. Smith.

The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics. Mansel.

3. The persons or parties allied. Udall.

Syn. -- Connection; affinity; union; confederacy; confederation; league; coalition.

Al*li"ance, v. t. To connect by alliance; to ally. [Obs.]

Al*li"ant (&?;), n. [Cf. F. alliant, p. pr.] An ally; a confederate. [Obs. & R.] Sir H. Wotton.

{ Al"lice, Al"lis } (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) The European shad (Clupea vulgaris); allice shad. See Alose.

Al*li"cien*cy (&?;), n. Attractive power; attractiveness. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Al*li"cient (&?;), a. [L. alliciens, p. pr. of allicere to allure; ad + lacere to entice.] That attracts; attracting. -- n. That attracts. [Rare or Obs.]

Al*lied" (&?;), a. United; joined; leagued; akin; related. See Ally.

Al*li*gate (&?;), v. t. [L. alligatus, p. p. of alligare. See Ally.] To tie; to unite by some tie.

Instincts alligated to their nature. Sir M. Hale.

Al`li*ga"tion (&?;), n. [L. alligatio.] 1. The act of tying together or attaching by some bond, or the state of being attached. [R.]

2. (Arith.) A rule relating to the solution of questions concerning the compounding or mixing of different ingredients, or ingredients of different qualities or values.

The rule is named from the method of connecting together the terms by certain ligature-like signs. Alligation is of two kinds, medial and alternate; medial teaching the method of finding the price or quality of a mixture of several simple ingredients whose prices and qualities are known; alternate, teaching the amount of each of several simple ingredients whose prices or qualities are known, which will be required to make a mixture of given price or quality.

Al"li*ga`tor (&?;), n. [Sp. el lagarto the lizard (el lagarto de Indias, the cayman or American crocodile), fr. L. lacertus, lacerta, lizard. See Lizard.] 1. (Zoöl.) A large carnivorous reptile of the Crocodile family, peculiar to America. It has a shorter and broader snout than the crocodile, and the large teeth of the lower jaw shut into pits in the upper jaw, which has no marginal notches. Besides the common species of the southern United States, there are allied species in South America.

2. (Mech.) Any machine with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator; as, (a) (Metal Working) a form of squeezer for the puddle ball; (b) (Mining) a rock breaker; (c) (Printing) a kind of job press, called also alligator press.

Alligator apple (Bot.), the fruit of the Anona palustris, a West Indian tree. It is said to be narcotic in its properties. Loudon. -- Alligator fish (Zoöl.), a marine fish of northwestern America (Podothecus acipenserinus). -- Alligator gar (Zoöl.), one of the gar pikes (Lepidosteus spatula) found in the southern rivers of the United States. The name is also applied to other species of gar pikes. -- Alligator pear (Bot.), a corruption of Avocado pear. See Avocado. -- Alligator snapper, Alligator tortoise, Alligator turtle (Zoöl.), a very large and voracious turtle (Macrochelys lacertina) inhabiting the rivers of the southern United States. It sometimes reaches the weight of two hundred pounds. Unlike the common snapping turtle, to which the name is sometimes erroneously applied, it has a scaly head and many small scales beneath the tail. This name is sometimes given to other turtles, as to species of Trionyx. -- Alligator wood, the timber of a tree of the West Indies (Guarea Swartzii).

Al*lign"ment (&?;), n. See Alignment.

Al*lin"e*ate (&?;), v. t. [L. ad + lineatus, p. p. of lineare to draw a line.] To align. [R.] Herschel.

{ Al*lin`e*a"tion (&?;), A*lin`e*a"tion (&?;), } n. Alignment; position in a straight line, as of two planets with the sun. Whewell.

The allineation of the two planets. C. A. Young.

Al*li"sion (&?;), n. [L. allisio, fr. allidere, to strike or dash against; ad + laedere to dash against.] The act of dashing against, or striking upon.

The boisterous allision of the sea. Woodward.

Al*lit"er*al (&?;), a. Pertaining to, or characterized by alliteration.

Al*lit"er*ate (&?;), v. t. To employ or place so as to make alliteration. Skeat.

Al*lit"er*ate, v. i. To compose alliteratively; also, to constitute alliteration.

Al*lit`er*a"tion (&?;), n. [L. ad + litera letter. See Letter.] The repetition of the same letter at the beginning of two or more words immediately succeeding each other, or at short intervals; as in the following lines: -

Behemoth, biggest born of earth, upheaved His vastness. Milton.

Fly o'er waste fens and windy fields. Tennyson.

The recurrence of the same letter in accented parts of words is also called alliteration. Anglo-Saxon poetry is characterized by alliterative meter of this sort. Later poets also employed it.

In a somer seson whan soft was the sonne, I shope me in shroudes as I a shepe were. P. Plowman.

Al*lit"er*a*tive (?; 277), a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, alliteration; as, alliterative poetry. -- Al*lit"er*a*tive*ly, adv. -- Al*lit"er*a*tive*ness, n.

Al*lit"er*a`tor (&?;), n. One who alliterates.

||Al"li*um (&?;), n. [L., garlic.] (bot.) A genus of plants, including the onion, garlic, leek, chive, etc.

All"mouth` (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) The angler.

All"ness (&?;), n. Totality; completeness. [R.]

The allness of God, including his absolute spirituality, supremacy, and eternity. R. Turnbull.

All"night` (&?;), n. Light, fuel, or food for the whole night. [Obs.] Bacon.

Al"lo*cate (&?;), v. t. [LL. allocatus, p. p. of allocare, fr. L. ad + locare to place. See Allow.] 1. To distribute or assign; to allot. Burke.

2. To localize. [R.]

Al`lo*ca"tion (&?;), n. [LL. allocatio: cf. F. allocation.] 1. The act of putting one thing to another; a placing; disposition; arrangement. Hallam.

2. An allotment or apportionment; as, an allocation of shares in a company.

The allocation of the particular portions of Palestine to its successive inhabitants. A. R. Stanley.

3. The admission of an item in an account, or an allowance made upon an account; -- a term used in the English exchequer.

||Al`lo*ca"tur (&?;), n. [LL., it is allowed, fr. allocare to allow.] (Law) "Allowed." The word allocatur expresses the allowance of a proceeding, writ, order, etc., by a court, judge, or judicial officer.

Al`lo*chro"ic (&?;), a. Changeable in color.

Al*loch"ro*ite (&?;), n. (Min.) See Garnet.

Al*loch"ro*ous (&?;), a. [Gr. &?; changed in color, fr. &?; other + &?; color.] Changing color.

Al`lo*cu"tion (&?;), n. [L. allocuto, fr. alloqui to speak to; ad + loqui to speak: cf. F. allocution.] 1. The act or manner of speaking to, or of addressing in words.

2. An address; a hortatory or authoritative address as of a pope to his clergy. Addison.

Al"lod (&?;), n. See Allodium.

Al*lo"di*al (&?;), a. [LL. allodialis, fr. allodium: cf. F. allodial. See Allodium.] (Law) Pertaining to allodium; freehold; free of rent or service; held independent of a lord paramount; -- opposed to feudal; as, allodial lands; allodial system. Blackstone.

Al*lo"di*al, a. Anything held allodially. W. Coxe.

Al*lo"di*al*ism (&?;), n. The allodial system.

Al*lo"di*al*ist, n. One who holds allodial land.

Al*lo"di*al*ly, adv. By allodial tenure.

Al*lo"di*a*ry (&?;), n. One who holds an allodium.

Al*lo"di*um (&?;), n. [LL. allodium, alodium, alodis, alaudis, of Ger. origin; cf. OHG. al all, and &?;t (AS. ed) possession, property. It means, therefore, entirely one's property.] (Law) Freehold estate; land which is the absolute property of the owner; real estate held in absolute independence, without being subject to any rent, service, or acknowledgment to a superior. It is thus opposed to feud. Blackstone. Bouvier.

Al*log"a*mous (&?;), a. (Bot.) Characterized by allogamy.

Al*log"a*my (&?;) n. [Gr. &?; other + &?; marriage.] (Bot.) Fertilization of the pistil of a plant by pollen from another of the same species; cross-fertilization.

Al`lo*ge"ne*ous (&?;), a. [Gr. &?;.] Different in nature or kind. [R.]

Al"lo*graph (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; another + - graph.] A writing or signature made by some person other than any of the parties thereto; -- opposed to autograph.

Al*lom"er*ism (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; other + &?; part.] (Chem.) Variability in chemical constitution without variation in crystalline form.

Al*lom"er*ous (&?;), a. (Chem.) Characterized by allomerism.

Al"lo*morph (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; other + &?; form.] (Min.) (a) Any one of two or more distinct crystalline forms of the same substance; or the substance having such forms; -- as, carbonate of lime occurs in the allomorphs calcite and aragonite. (b) A variety of pseudomorph which has undergone partial or complete change or substitution of material; -- thus limonite is frequently an allomorph after pyrite. G. H. Williams.

Al`lo*mor"phic (&?;), a. (Min.) Of or pertaining to allomorphism.

Al`lo*mor"phism (&?;), n. (Min.) The property which constitutes an allomorph; the change involved in becoming an allomorph.

Al*longe" (&?;), n. [F. allonge, earlier alonge, a lengthening. See Allonge, v., and cf. Lunge.] 1. (Fencing) A thrust or pass; a lunge.

2. A slip of paper attached to a bill of exchange for receiving indorsements, when the back of the bill itself is already full; a rider. [A French usage] Abbott.

Al*longe", v. i. [F. allonger; à (L. ad) + long (L. longus) long.] To thrust with a sword; to lunge.

Al"lo*nym (&?;), n. [F. allonyme, fr. Gr. &?; other + &?; name.] 1. The name of another person assumed by the author of a work.

2. A work published under the name of some one other than the author.

Al*lon"y*mous (&?;), a. Published under the name of some one other than the author.

Al*loo" (&?;), v. t. or i. [See Halloo.] To incite dogs by a call; to halloo. [Obs.]

Al"lo*path (&?;), n. [Cf. F. allopathe.] An allopathist. Ed. Rev.

Al`lo*path"ic (&?;), a. [Cf. F. allopathique.] Of or pertaining to allopathy.

Al`lo*path"ic*al*ly (&?;), adv. In a manner conformable to allopathy; by allopathic methods.

Al*lop"a*thist (&?;), n. One who practices allopathy; one who professes allopathy.

Al*lop"a*thy (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; other + &?; suffering, &?;, &?;, to suffer: cf. G. allopathie, F. allopathie. See Pathos.] That system of medical practice which aims to combat disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the special disease treated; -- a term invented by Hahnemann to designate the ordinary practice, as opposed to homeopathy.

{ Al`lo*phyl"ic (&?;), Al`lo*phyl"i*an (&?;), } a. [Gr. &?; of another tribe; &?; other + &?; class or tribe.] Pertaining to a race or a language neither Aryan nor Semitic. J. Prichard.

Al"lo*quy (&?;), n. [L. alloquim, fr. alloqui.] A speaking to another; an address. [Obs.]

Al*lot" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Allotting.] [OF. aloter, F. allotir; a (L. ad) + lot lot. See Lot.] 1. To distribute by lot.

2. To distribute, or parcel out in parts or portions; or to distribute to each individual concerned; to assign as a share or lot; to set apart as one's share; to bestow on; to grant; to appoint; as, let every man be contented with that which Providence allots him.

Ten years I will allot to the attainment of knowledge. Johnson.

Al"lo*the*ism (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; other + &?; god.] The worship of strange gods. Jer. Taylor.

Al*lot"ment (&?;), n. [Cf. OF. alotement, F. allotement.] 1. The act of allotting; assignment.

2. That which is allotted; a share, part, or portion granted or distributed; that which is assigned by lot, or by the act of God; anything set apart for a special use or to a distinct party.

The alloments of God and nature. L'Estrange.

A vineyard and an allotment for olives and herbs. Broome.

3. (law) The allowance of a specific amount of scrip or of a particular thing to a particular person.

Cottage allotment, an allotment of a small portion of land to a country laborer for garden cultivation. [Eng.]

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Al`lo*tri*oph"a*gy (l`l*tr*f"*j), n. [Gr. 'allo`trios strange + fagei^n to eat: cf. F. allotriophagie.] (Med.) A depraved appetite; a desire for improper food.

{ Al`lo*trop"ic (l`l*trp"k), Al`lo*trop"ic*al (-k*al), } a. [Cf. F. allotropique.] Of or pertaining to allotropism. -- Al`lo*trop"ic*al*ly, adv.

Allotropic state, the several conditions which occur in a case of allotropism.

Al*lot`ro*pic"i*ty (&?;), n. Allotropic property or nature.

{ Al*lot"ro*pism (&?;), Al*lot"ro*py (&?;), } n. [Gr. &?; other + direction, way, &?; to turn: cf. F. allotropie.] (Chem.) The property of existing in two or more conditions which are distinct in their physical or chemical relations.

Thus, carbon occurs crystallized in octahedrons and other related forms, in a state of extreme hardness, in the diamond; it occurs in hexagonal forms, and of little hardness, in black lead; and again occurs in a third form, with entire softness, in lampblack and charcoal. In some cases, one of these is peculiarly an active state, and the other a passive one. Thus, ozone is an active state of oxygen, and is distinct from ordinary oxygen, which is the element in its passive state.

Al*lot"ro*pize (&?;), v. t. To change in physical properties but not in substance. [R.]

Al*lot"ta*ble (&?;), a. Capable of being allotted.

Al*lot`tee" (&?;), n. One to whom anything is allotted; one to whom an allotment is made.

Al*lot"ter (&?;), n. One who allots.

Al*lot"ter*y (&?;), n. Allotment. [Obs.] Shak.

Al*low" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allowed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Allowing.] [OE. alouen, OF. alouer, aloer, aluer, F. allouer, fr. LL. allocare to admit as proved, to place, use; confused with OF. aloer, fr. L. allaudare to extol; ad + laudare to praise. See Local, and cf. Allocate, Laud.] 1. To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction. [Obs. or Archaic]

Ye allow the deeds of your fathers. Luke xi. 48.

We commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning. Fuller.

2. To like; to be suited or pleased with. [Obs.]

How allow you the model of these clothes? Massinger.

3. To sanction; to invest; to intrust. [Obs.]

Thou shalt be . . . allowed with absolute power. Shak.

4. To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have; as, to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest.

He was allowed about three hundred pounds a year. Macaulay.

5. To own or acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to accede to an opinion; as, to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow the truth of a proposition.

I allow, with Mrs. Grundy and most moralists, that Miss Newcome's conduct . . . was highly reprehensible. Thackeray.

6. To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; esp. to abate or deduct; as, to allow a sum for leakage.

7. To grant license to; to permit; to consent to; as, to allow a son to be absent.

Syn. -- To allot; assign; bestow; concede; admit; permit; suffer; tolerate. See Permit.

Al*low", v. i. To admit; to concede; to make allowance or abatement.

Allowing still for the different ways of making it. Addison.

To allow of, to permit; to admit. Shak.

Al*low"a*ble (&?;), a. [F. allouable.] 1. Praiseworthy; laudable. [Obs.] Hacket.

2. Proper to be, or capable of being, allowed; permissible; admissible; not forbidden; not unlawful or improper; as, a certain degree of freedom is allowable among friends.

Al*low"a*ble*ness, n. The quality of being allowable; permissibleness; lawfulness; exemption from prohibition or impropriety. South.

Al*low"a*bly, adv. In an allowable manner.

Al*low"ance (&?;), n. [OF. alouance.] 1. Approval; approbation. [Obs.] Crabbe.

2. The act of allowing, granting, conceding, or admitting; authorization; permission; sanction; tolerance.