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

Chapter 56

Chapter 563,930 wordsPublic domain

Ar"ti*fice (&?;), n. [L. artificium, fr. artifex artificer; ars, artis, art + facere to make: cf. F. artifice.] 1. A handicraft; a trade; art of making. [Obs.]

2. Workmanship; a skillfully contrived work.

The material universe.. in the artifice of God, the artifice of the best Mechanist. Cudworth.

3. Artful or skillful contrivance.

His [Congreve's] plots were constructed without much artifice. Craik.

4. Crafty device; an artful, ingenious, or elaborate trick. [Now the usual meaning.]

Those who were conscious of guilt employed numerous artifices for the purpose of averting inquiry. Macaulay.

Ar*tif"i*cer (&?;), n. [Cf. F. artificier, fr. LL. artificiarius.] 1. An artistic worker; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind, as a silversmith.

2. One who makes or contrives; a deviser, inventor, or framer. "Artificer of fraud." Milton.

The great Artificer of all that moves. Cowper.

3. A cunning or artful fellow. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

4. (Mil.) A military mechanic, as a blacksmith, carpenter, etc.; also, one who prepares the shells, fuses, grenades, etc., in a military laboratory.

Syn. -- Artisan; artist. See Artisan.

Ar`ti*fi"cial (&?;), a. [L. artificialis, fr. artificium: cf. F. artificiel. See Artifice.] 1. Made or contrived by art; produced or modified by human skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as, artificial heat or light, gems, salts, minerals, fountains, flowers.

Artificial strife Lives in these touches, livelier than life. Shak.

2. Feigned; fictitious; assumed; affected; not genuine. "Artificial tears." Shak.

3. Artful; cunning; crafty. [Obs.] Shak.

4. Cultivated; not indigenous; not of spontaneous growth; as, artificial grasses. Gibbon.

Artificial arguments (Rhet.), arguments invented by the speaker, in distinction from laws, authorities, and the like, which are called inartificial arguments or proofs. Johnson. -- Artificial classification (Science), an arrangement based on superficial characters, and not expressing the true natural relations species; as, "the artificial system" in botany, which is the same as the Linnæan system. -- Artificial horizon. See under Horizon. Artificial light, any light other than that which proceeds from the heavenly bodies. -- Artificial lines, lines on a sector or scale, so contrived as to represent the logarithmic sines and tangents, which, by the help of the line of numbers, solve, with tolerable exactness, questions in trigonometry, navigation, etc. -- Artificial numbers, logarithms. -- Artificial person (Law). See under Person. -- Artificial sines, tangents, etc., the same as logarithms of the natural sines, tangents, etc. Hutton.

Ar`ti*fi`ci*al"i*ty (&?;), n. The quality or appearance of being artificial; that which is artificial.

Ar`ti*fi"cial*ize (&?;), v. t. To render artificial.

Ar`ti*fi"cial*ly, adv. 1. In an artificial manner; by art, or skill and contrivance, not by nature.

2. Ingeniously; skillfully. [Obs.]

The spider's web, finely and artificially wrought. Tillotson.

3. Craftily; artfully. [Obs.]

Sharp dissembled so artificially. Bp. Burnet.

Ar`ti*fi"cial*ness, n. The quality of being artificial.

Ar`ti*fi"cious (&?;), a. [L. artificiosus.] Artificial. [Obs.] Johnson.

Art"i*lize (&?;), v. t. To make resemble. [Obs.]

If I was a philosopher, says Montaigne, I would naturalize art instead of artilizing nature. Bolingbroke.

Ar*til"ler*ist (&?;), n. A person skilled in artillery or gunnery; a gunner; an artilleryman.

Ar*til"ler*y (&?;), n. [OE. artilrie, OF. artillerie, arteillerie, fr. LL. artillaria, artilleria, machines and apparatus of all kinds used in war, vans laden with arms of any kind which follow camps; F. artillerie great guns, ordnance; OF. artillier to work artifice, to fortify, to arm, prob. from L. ars, artis, skill in joining something, art. See Art.] 1. Munitions of war; implements for warfare, as slings, bows, and arrows. [Obs.]

And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad. 1 Sam. xx. 40.

2. Cannon; great guns; ordnance, including guns, mortars, howitzers, etc., with their equipment of carriages, balls, bombs, and shot of all kinds.

The word is sometimes used in a more extended sense, including the powder, cartridges, matches, utensils, machines of all kinds, and horses, that belong to a train of artillery.

3. The men and officers of that branch of the army to which the care and management of artillery are confided.

4. The science of artillery or gunnery. Campbell.

Artillery park, or Park of artillery. (a) A collective body of siege or field artillery, including the guns, and the carriages, ammunition, appurtenances, equipments, and persons necessary for working them. (b) The place where the artillery is encamped or collected. -- Artillery train, or Train of artillery, a number of pieces of ordnance mounted on carriages, with all their furniture, ready for marching.

Ar*til"ler*y*man (&?;), n. A man who manages, or assists in managing, a large gun in firing.

||Ar`ti*o*dac"ty*la (&?;), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; even + &?; finger or toe.] (Zoöl.) One of the divisions of the ungulate animals. The functional toes of the hind foot are even in number, and the third digit of each foot (corresponding to the middle finger in man) is asymmetrical and paired with the fourth digit, as in the hog, the sheep, and the ox; -- opposed to Perissodactyla.

Ar`ti*o*dac"tyle (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Artiodactyla.

Ar`ti*o*dac"ty*lous (&?;), a. (Zoöl.) Even-toed.

Ar"ti*san (?; 277), n. [F. artisan, fr. L. artitus skilled in arts, fr. ars, artis, art: cf. It. artigiano. See Art, n.] 1. One who professes and practices some liberal art; an artist. [Obs.]

2. One trained to manual dexterity in some mechanic art or trade; and handicraftsman; a mechanic.

This is willingly submitted to by the artisan, who can . . . compensate his additional toil and fatigue. Hume.

Syn. -- Artificer; artist. -- Artisan, Artist, Artificer. An artist is one who is skilled in some one of the fine arts; an artisan is one who exercises any mechanical employment. A portrait painter is an artist; a sign painter is an artisan, although he may have the taste and skill of an artist. The occupation of the former requires a fine taste and delicate manipulation; that of the latter demands only an ordinary degree of contrivance and imitative power. An artificer is one who requires power of contrivance and adaptation in the exercise of his profession. The word suggest neither the idea of mechanical conformity to rule which attaches to the term artisan, nor the ideas of refinement and of peculiar skill which belong to the term artist.

Art"ist (&?;), n. [F. artiste, LL. artista, fr. L. ars. See Art, n., and cf. Artiste.] 1. One who practices some mechanic art or craft; an artisan. [Obs.]

How to build ships, and dreadful ordnance cast, Instruct the articles and reward their. Waller.

2. One who professes and practices an art in which science and taste preside over the manual execution.

The term is particularly applied to painters, sculptors, musicians, engravers, and architects. Elmes.

3. One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual art or occupation. Pope.

4. An artful person; a schemer. [Obs.]

Syn. -- Artisan. See Artisan.

||Ar*tiste" (&?;), n. [F. See Artist.] One peculiarly dexterous and tasteful in almost any employment, as an opera dancer, a hairdresser, a cook.

This term should not be confounded with the English word artist.

{ Ar*tis"tic, Ar*tis"tic*al (&?;), } a. [Cf. F. artistique, fr. artiste.] Of or pertaining to art or to artists; made in the manner of an artist; conformable to art; characterized by art; showing taste or skill. -- Ar*tis"tic*al*ly, adv.

Art"ist*ry (&?;), n. 1. Works of art collectively.

2. Artistic effect or quality. Southey.

3. Artistic pursuits; artistic ability. The Academy.

Art"less (&?;), a. 1. Wanting art, knowledge, or skill; ignorant; unskillful.

Artless of stars and of the moving sand. Dryden.

2. Contrived without skill or art; inartistic. [R.]

Artless and massy pillars. T. Warton.

3. Free from guile, art, craft, or stratagem; characterized by simplicity and sincerity; sincere; guileless; ingenuous; honest; as, an artless mind; an artless tale.

They were plain, artless men, without the least appearance of enthusiasm or credulity about them. Porteus.

O, how unlike the complex works of man, Heaven's easy, artless, unencumbered plan! Cowper.

Syn. -- Simple; unaffected; sincere; undesigning; guileless; unsophisticated; open; frank; candid.

Art"less*ly, adv. In an artless manner; without art, skill, or guile; unaffectedly. Pope.

Art"less*ness, n. The quality of being artless, or void of art or guile; simplicity; sincerity.

Art"ly, adv. With art or skill. [Obs.]

{ Ar`to*car"pe*ous (&?;), Ar`to*car"pous (&?;), } a. [Gr. &?; bread + &?; fruit.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the breadfruit, or to the genus Artocarpus.

Ar"to*type (&?;), n. [Art + type.] A kind of autotype.

Ar`to*ty"rite (&?;), n. [LL. Artotyritae, pl., fr. Gr. &?; bread + &?; cheese.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect in the primitive church, who celebrated the Lord's Supper with bread and cheese, alleging that the first oblations of men not only of the fruit of the earth, but of their flocks. [Gen. iv. 3, 4.]

Ar"tow (&?;). A contraction of art thou. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Arts"man (&?;), n. A man skilled in an art or in arts. [Obs.] Bacon.

Art` un"ion (&?;). An association for promoting art (esp. the arts of design), and giving encouragement to artists.

||A"rum, n. [L. arum, aros, Gr. &?;.] A genus of plants found in central Europe and about the Mediterranean, having flowers on a spadix inclosed in a spathe. The cuckoopint of the English is an example.

Our common arums -- the lords and ladies of village children. Lubbock.

The American "Jack in the pulpit" is now separated from the genus Arum.

Ar`un*del"ian (&?;), a. Pertaining to an Earl of Arundel; as, Arundel or Arundelian marbles, marbles from ancient Greece, bought by the Earl of Arundel in 1624.

Ar`un*dif"er*ous, a. [L. arundifer; arundo reed + ferre to bear.] Producing reeds or canes.

A*run`di*na"ceous (&?;), a. [L. arundinaceus, fr. arundo reed.] Of or pertaining to a reed; resembling the reed or cane.

Ar`un*din"e*ous (&?;), a. [L. arundineus, fr. arundo reed.] Abounding with reeds; reedy.

||A*rus"pex (&?;), n.; pl. Aruspices (&?;). [L. aruspex or haruspex.] One of the class of diviners among the Etruscans and Romans, who foretold events by the inspection of the entrails of victims offered on the altars of the gods.

A*rus"pice (&?;), n. [L. aruspex: cf. F. aruspice. Cf. Aruspex, Haruspice.] A soothsayer of ancient Rome. Same as Aruspex. [Written also haruspice.]

A*rus"pi*cy (&?;), n. [L. aruspicium, haruspicium.] Prognostication by inspection of the entrails of victims slain sacrifice.

Ar"val (&?;), n. [W. arwyl funeral; ar over + wylo to weep, or cf. arföl; Icel. arfr inheritance + Sw. öl ale. Cf. Bridal.] A funeral feast. [North of Eng.] Grose.

Ar"vi*cole (&?;), n. [L. arvum field + colere to inhabit.] (Zoöl.) A mouse of the genus Arvicola; the meadow mouse. There are many species.

Ar"yan (är"yan or r"*an), n. [Skr. rya excellent, honorable; akin to the name of the country Iran, and perh. to Erin, Ireland, and the early name of this people, at least in Asia.] 1. One of a primitive people supposed to have lived in prehistoric times, in Central Asia, east of the Caspian Sea, and north of the Hindoo Koosh and Paropamisan Mountains, and to have been the stock from which sprang the Hindoo, Persian, Greek, Latin, Celtic, Teutonic, Slavonic, and other races; one of that ethnological division of mankind called also Indo-European or Indo-Germanic.

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2. The language of the original Aryans. [Written also Arian.]

Ar"yan (är"yan or r"*an), a. Of or pertaining to the people called Aryans; Indo-European; Indo-Germanic; as, the Aryan stock, the Aryan languages.

Ar"yan*ize, v. t. To make Aryan (a language, or in language). K. Johnston.

A*ryt"e*noid (&?;), a. [Gr. &?; shaped like a ladle; &?; a ladle + &?; form.] (Anat.) Ladle-shaped; -- applied to two small cartilages of the larynx, and also to the glands, muscles, etc., connected with them. The cartilages are attached to the cricoid cartilage and connected with the vocal cords.

As (z), adv. & conj. [OE. as, als, alse, also, al swa, AS. eal sw, lit. all so; hence, quite so, quite as: cf. G. als as, than, also so, then. See Also.] 1. Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden.

His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren. Macaulay.

As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. "Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colors as we do." Lubbock. As, in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest.

2. In the idea, character, or condition of, -- limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet.

The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king. Dewey.

3. While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke.

As I return I will fetch off these justices. Shak.

4. Because; since; it being the case that.

As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently prepared. Sir W. Scott.

[See Synonym under Because.]

5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning).

We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited. Macaulay.

6. That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such. [Obs.]

I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee. Rowe.

So as, so that. [Obs.]

The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination. Bacon.

7. As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic]

He lies, as he his bliss did know. Waller.

8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.

9. Than. [Obs. & R.]

The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors. Fuller.

10. Expressing a wish. [Obs.] "As have," i. e., may he have. Chaucer.

As . . as. See So . . as, under So. -- As far as, to the extent or degree. "As far as can be ascertained." Macaulay. -- As far forth as, as far as. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- As for, or As to, in regard to; with respect to. -- As good as, not less than; not falling short of. -- As good as one's word, faithful to a promise. -- As if, or As though, of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if. -- As it were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner. -- As now, just now. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- As swythe, as quickly as possible. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- As well, also; too; besides. Addison. -- As well as, equally with, no less than. "I have understanding as well as you." Job xii. 3. -- As yet, until now; up to or at the present time; still; now.

As (&?;), n. [See Ace.] An ace. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ambes-as, double aces.

||As (&?;), n.; pl. Asses (&?;). [L. as. See Ace.] 1. A Roman weight, answering to the libra or pound, equal to nearly eleven ounces Troy weight. It was divided into twelve ounces.

2. A Roman copper coin, originally of a pound weight (12 oz.); but reduced, after the first Punic war, to two ounces; in the second Punic war, to one ounce; and afterwards to half an ounce.

||As"a (&?;), n. [NL. asa, of oriental origin; cf. Per. az mastic, Ar. as healing, is remedy.] An ancient name of a gum.

{ As`a*fet"i*da, As`a*fœt"i*da } (&?;), n. [Asa + L. foetidus fetid.] The fetid gum resin or inspissated juice of a large umbelliferous plant (Ferula asafœtida) of Persia and the East Indies. It is used in medicine as an antispasmodic. [Written also assafœtida.]

||As"a*phus (&?;), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; indistinct, uncertain.] (Paleon.) A genus of trilobites found in the Lower Silurian formation. See Illust. in Append.

||As`a*ra*bac"ca (&?;), n. [L. asarum + bacca a berry. See Asarone.] (Bot.) An acrid herbaceous plant (Asarum Europæum), the leaves and roots of which are emetic and cathartic. It is principally used in cephalic snuffs.

As"a*rone (&?;), n. [L. asarum hazelwort, wild spikenard, Gr. 'a`saron] (Chem.) A crystallized substance, resembling camphor, obtained from the Asarum Europæum; -- called also camphor of asarum.

As*bes"tic (&?;), a. Of, pertaining to, or resembling asbestus; inconsumable; asbestine.

As*bes"ti*form (&?;), a. [L. asbestus + -form.] Having the form or structure of asbestus.

As*bes"tine (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to asbestus, or partaking of its nature; incombustible; asbestic.

As*bes"tous (&?;), a. Asbestic.

{ As*bes"tus (&?;), As*bes"tos (?; 277), } n. [L. asbestos (NL. asbestus) a kind of mineral unaffected by fire, Gr. &?; (prop. an adj.) inextinguishable; 'a priv. + &?; to extinguish.] (Min.) A variety of amphibole or of pyroxene, occurring in long and delicate fibers, or in fibrous masses or seams, usually of a white, gray, or green-gray color. The name is also given to a similar variety of serpentine.

The finer varieties have been wrought into gloves and cloth which are incombustible. The cloth was formerly used as a shroud for dead bodies, and has been recommended for firemen's clothes. Asbestus in also employed in the manufacture of iron safes, for fireproof roofing, and for lampwicks. Some varieties are called amianthus. Dana.

As"bo*lin (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; soot.] (Chem.) A peculiar acrid and bitter oil, obtained from wood soot.

As"ca*rid (&?;), n.; pl. Ascarides (&?;) or Ascarids. [NL. ascaris, fr. Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) A parasitic nematoid worm, espec. the roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, often occurring in the human intestine, and allied species found in domestic animals; also commonly applied to the pinworm (Oxyuris), often troublesome to children and aged persons.

As*cend" (&?;), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ascended; p. pr. & vb. n. Ascending.] [L. ascendere; ad + scandere to climb, mount. See Scan.] 1. To move upward; to mount; to go up; to rise; -- opposed to descend.

Higher yet that star ascends. Bowring.

I ascend unto my father and your father. John xx. 17.

Formerly used with up.

The smoke of it ascended up to heaven. Addison.

2. To rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects, from particulars to generals, from modern to ancient times, from one note to another more acute, etc.; as, our inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity; to ascend to our first progenitor.

Syn. -- To rise; mount; climb; scale; soar; tower.

As*cend", v. t. To go or move upward upon or along; to climb; to mount; to go up the top of; as, to ascend a hill, a ladder, a tree, a river, a throne.

As*cend"a*ble (&?;), a. Capable of being ascended.

{ As*cend"an*cy (&?;), As*cend"ance (&?;), } n. Same as Ascendency.

As*cend"ant (&?;), n. [F. ascendant, L. ascendens; p. pr. of ascendere.] 1. Ascent; height; elevation. [R.]

Sciences that were then in their highest ascendant. Temple.

2. (Astrol.) The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's life and fortune.

Hence the phrases To be in the ascendant, to have commanding power or influence, and Lord of the ascendant, one who has possession of such power or influence; as, to rule, for a while, lord of the ascendant. Burke.

3. Superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency; as, one man has the ascendant over another.

Chievres had acquired over the mind of the young monarch the ascendant not only of a tutor, but of a parent. Robertson.

4. An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a progenitor; -- opposed to descendant. Ayliffe.

{ As*cend"ant (&?;), As*cend"ent (&?;), } a. 1. Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon.

The constellation . . . about that time ascendant. Browne.

2. Rising; ascending. Ruskin.

3. Superior; surpassing; ruling.

An ascendant spirit over him. South.

The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth. J. S. Mill.

Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position. Grote.

As*cend"en*cy (&?;), n. Governing or controlling influence; domination; power.

An undisputed ascendency. Macaulay.

Custom has an ascendency over the understanding. Watts.

Syn. -- Control; authority; influence; sway; dominion; prevalence; domination.

As*cend"i*ble (&?;), a. [L. ascendibilis.] Capable of being ascended; climbable.

As*cend"ing, a. Rising; moving upward; as, an ascending kite. -- As*cend"ing*ly, adv.

Ascending latitude (Astron.), the increasing latitude of a planet. Ferguson. -- Ascending line (Geneol.), the line of relationship traced backward or through one's ancestors. One's father and mother, grandfather and grandmother, etc., are in the line direct ascending. -- Ascending node having, that node of the moon or a planet wherein it passes the ecliptic to proceed northward. It is also called the northern node. Herschel. -- Ascending series. (Math.) (a) A series arranged according to the ascending powers of a quantity. (b) A series in which each term is greater than the preceding. -- Ascending signs, signs east of the meridian.

As*cen"sion, n. [F. ascension, L. ascensio, fr. ascendere. See Ascend.] 1. The act of ascending; a rising; ascent.

2. Specifically: The visible ascent of our Savior on the fortieth day after his resurrection. (Acts i. 9.) Also, Ascension Day.

3. An ascending or arising, as in distillation; also that which arises, as from distillation.

Vaporous ascensions from the stomach. Sir T. Browne.

Ascension Day, the Thursday but one before Whitsuntide, the day on which commemorated our Savior's ascension into heaven after his resurrection; -- called also Holy Thursday. -- Right ascension (Astron.), that degree of the equinoctial, counted from the beginning of Aries, which rises with a star, or other celestial body, in a right sphere; or the arc of the equator intercepted between the first point of Aries and that point of the equator that comes to the meridian with the star; -- expressed either in degrees or in time. -- Oblique ascension (Astron.), an arc of the equator, intercepted between the first point of Aries and that point of the equator which rises together with a star, in an oblique sphere; or the arc of the equator intercepted between the first point of Aries and that point of the equator that comes to the horizon with a star. It is little used in modern astronomy.

As*cen"sion*al (&?;), a. Relating to ascension; connected with ascent; ascensive; tending upward; as, the ascensional power of a balloon.

Ascensional difference (Astron.), the difference between oblique and right ascension; -- used chiefly as expressing the difference between the time of the rising or setting of a body and six o'clock, or six hours from its meridian passage.