Chapter 61

||As*te"ri*as (&?;), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; starred, fr. 'asth`r star.] (Zoöl.) A genus of echinoderms.

Formerly the group of this name included nearly all starfishes and ophiurans. Now it is restricted to a genus including the commonest shore starfishes.

As*te"ri*a`ted (&?;), a. [See Asterias.] Radiated, with diverging rays; as, asteriated sapphire.

As`ter*id"i*an (&?;), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Asterioidea. -- n. A starfish; one of the Asterioidea.

{ ||As*te`ri*oid"e*a (&?;), ||As`ter*id"e*a (&?;), } n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'asteri`as + -oid. See Asterias.] (Zoöl.) A class of Echinodermata including the true starfishes. The rays vary in number and always have ambulacral grooves below. The body is star-shaped or pentagonal.

||As*te"ri*on (&?;), n. [Gr. 'aste`rion starry.] (Anat.) The point on the side of the skull where the lambdoid, parieto-mastoid and occipito-mastoid sutures.

||As`ter*is"cus (&?;), n. [L., an asterisk. See Asterisk.] (Anat.) The smaller of the two otoliths found in the inner ear of many fishes.

As"ter*isk (&?;), n. [L. asteriscus, Gr. &?;, dim. of 'asth`r star. See Aster.] The figure of a star, thus, &?;, used in printing and writing as a reference to a passage or note in the margin, to supply the omission of letters or words, or to mark a word or phrase as having a special character.

As`ter*ism (&?;), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. 'asth`r star; cf. F. astérisme.] 1. (Astron.) (a) A constellation. [Obs.] (b) A small cluster of stars.

2. (Printing) (a) An asterisk, or mark of reference. [R.] (b) Three asterisks placed in this manner, , to direct attention to a particular passage.

3. (Crystallog.) An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star-shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.

A*stern" (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + stern.] (Naut.) 1. In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hinder part, or stern; backward; as, to go astern.

2. Behind a ship; in the rear. "A gale of wind right astern." De Foe. "Left this strait astern." Drake.

To bake astern, to go stern foremost. -- To be astern of the reckoning, to be behind the position given by the reckoning. -- To drop astern, to fall or be left behind. -- To go astern, to go backward, as from the action of currents or winds.

A*ster"nal (&?;), a. [Pref. a- not + sternal.] (Anat.) Not sternal; -- said of ribs which do not join the sternum.

As"ter*oid (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; starlike, starry; 'asth`r star + &?; form: cf. F. astéroïde. See Aster.] A starlike body; esp. one of the numerous small planets whose orbits lie between those of Mars and Jupiter; -- called also planetoids and minor planets.

As`ter*oid"al (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to an asteroid, or to the asteroids.

||As`te*rol"e*pis (&?;), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'asth`r star + &?; scale.] (Paleon.) A genus of fishes, some of which were eighteen or twenty feet long, found in a fossil state in the Old Red Sandstone. Hugh Miller.

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As`ter*oph"yl*lite (s`tr*f"l*lt), n. [Gr. 'asth`r star + fy`llon leaf.] (Paleon.) A fossil plant from the coal formations of Europe and America, now regarded as the branchlets and foliage of calamites.

A*stert (&?;), v. t. [Pref. a- + start; OE. asterten, asturten.] To start up; to befall; to escape; to shun. [Obs.] Spenser.

A*stert", v. i. To escape. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ ||As`the*ni"a (&?;), As"the*ny (&?;), } n. [NL. asthenia, Gr. 'asqe`nia; 'a priv. + sqe`nos strength.] (Med.) Want or loss of strength; debility; diminution of the vital forces.

As*then"ic (&?;), a. [Gr. 'asqeniko`s; 'a priv. + sqe`nos strength.] (Med.) Characterized by, or pertaining to, debility; weak; debilitating.

||As`the*no"pi*a (&?;), n. [Gr. 'a priv. + sqe`nos strength + 'w`ps eye.] Weakness of sight. Quain. -- As`the*nop"ic (&?;), a.

Asth"ma (?; 277), n. [Gr. &?; short-drawn breath, fr. &?; to blow, for &?;: cf. Skr. v, Goth. waian, to blow, E. wind.] (Med.) A disease, characterized by difficulty of breathing (due to a spasmodic contraction of the bronchi), recurring at intervals, accompanied with a wheezing sound, a sense of constriction in the chest, a cough, and expectoration.

{ Asth*mat"ic (&?;), Asth*mat"ic*al (&?;), } a. [L. asthmaticus, Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to asthma; as, an asthmatic cough; liable to, or suffering from, asthma; as, an asthmatic patient. -- Asth*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.

Asth*mat"ic, n. A person affected with asthma.

As`tig*mat"ic (&?;), a. (Med. & Opt.) Affected with, or pertaining to, astigmatism; as, astigmatic eyes; also, remedying astigmatism; as, astigmatic lenses.

A*stig"ma*tism (&?;), n. [Gr. 'a priv. + &?;, &?;, a prick of a pointed instrument, a spot, fr. &?; to prick: cf. F. astigmatisme.] (Med. & Opt.) A defect of the eye or of a lens, in consequence of which the rays derived from one point are not brought to a single focal point, thus causing imperfect images or indistinctness of vision.

The term is applied especially to the defect causing images of lines having a certain direction to be indistinct, or imperfectly seen, while those of lines transverse to the former are distinct, or clearly seen.

As*tip"u*late (&?;), v. i. [L. astipulari; ad + stipulari to stipulate.] To assent. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

As*tip`u*la"tion (&?;), n. [L. astipulatio.] Stipulation; agreement. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

A*stir" (&?;), adv. & a. [Pref. a- + stir.] Stirring; in a state of activity or motion; out of bed.

{ A*stom"a*tous (&?;), As"to*mous (&?;), } a. [Gr. 'a priv. + &?;, &?;, mouth.] Not possessing a mouth.

{ As*ton" (&?;), As*tone" (&?;), } v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astoned, Astond, or Astound.] [See Astonish.] To stun; to astonish; to stupefy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

As*ton"ied (&?;), p. p. Stunned; astonished. See Astony. [Archaic]

And I astonied fell and could not pray. Mrs. Browning.

As*ton"ish (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astonished (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Astonishing.] [OE. astonien, astunian, astonen, OF. estoner, F. étonner, fr. L. ex out + tonare to thunder, but perhaps influenced by E. stun. See Thunder, Astound, Astony.] 1. To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. [Obs.]

Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen had struck Pistol]. Shak.

The very cramp-fish [i. e., torpedo] . . . being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others. Holland.

2. To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze; to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to confound with some sudden emotion or passion.

Musidorus . . . had his wits astonished with sorrow. Sidney.

I, Daniel . . . was astonished at the vision. Dan. viii. 27.

Syn. -- To amaze; astound; overwhelm; surprise. -- Astonished, Surprised. We are surprised at what is unexpected. We are astonished at what is above or beyond our comprehension. We are taken by surprise. We are struck with astonishment. C. J. Smith. See Amaze.

As*ton"ish*ed*ly (&?;), adv. In an astonished manner. [R.] Bp. Hall.

As*ton"ish*ing, a. Very wonderful; of a nature to excite astonishment; as, an astonishing event.

Syn. -- Amazing; surprising; wonderful; marvelous.

As*ton"ish*ing*ly, adv. -- As*ton"ish*ing*ness, n.

As*ton"ish*ment (&?;), n. [Cf. OF. estonnement, F. étonnement.] 1. The condition of one who is stunned. Hence: Numbness; loss of sensation; stupor; loss of sense. [Obs.]

A coldness and astonishment in his loins, as folk say. Holland.

2. Dismay; consternation. [Archaic] Spenser.

3. The overpowering emotion excited when something unaccountable, wonderful, or dreadful is presented to the mind; an intense degree of surprise; amazement.

Lest the place And my quaint habits breed astonishment. Milton.

4. The object causing such an emotion.

Thou shalt become an astonishment. Deut. xxviii. 37.

Syn. -- Amazement; wonder; surprise.

As*ton"y (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astonied (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Astonying. See Astone.] To stun; to bewilder; to astonish; to dismay. [Archaic]

The captain of the Helots . . . strake Palladius upon the side of his head, that he reeled astonied. Sir P. Sidney.

This sodeyn cas this man astonied so, That reed he wex, abayst, and al quaking. Chaucer.

A*stoop" (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + stoop.] In a stooping or inclined position. Gay.

As*tound" (&?;), a. [OE. astouned, astound, astoned, p. p. of astone. See Astone.] Stunned; astounded; astonished. [Archaic] Spenser.

Thus Ellen, dizzy and astound. As sudden ruin yawned around. Sir W. Scott.

As*tound", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astounded, [Obs.] Astound; p. pr. & vb. n. Astounding.] [See Astound, a.] 1. To stun; to stupefy.

No puissant stroke his senses once astound. Fairfax.

2. To astonish; to strike with amazement; to confound with wonder, surprise, or fear.

These thoughts may startle well, but not astound The virtuous mind. Milton.

As*tound"ing, a. Of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an astounding force, statement, or fact. -- As*tound"ing*ly, adv.

As*tound"ment (&?;), n. Amazement. Coleridge.

As`tra*chan" (&?;), a. & n. See Astrakhan.

A*strad"dle (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + straddle.] In a straddling position; astride; bestriding; as, to sit astraddle a horse.

As*træ"an (&?;), a. [Gr. &?; starry.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the genus Astræa or the family Astræidæ. -- n. A coral of the family Astræidæ; a star coral.

As"tra*gal (&?;), n. [L. astragalus, Gr. &?; the ankle bone, a molding in the capital of the Ionic column.] 1. (Arch.) A convex molding of rounded surface, generally from half to three quarters of a circle.

2. (Gun.) A round molding encircling a cannon near the mouth.

As*trag"a*lar (&?;), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the astragalus.

As*trag"a*loid (&?;), a. [Astragalus + -oid.] (Anat.) Resembling the astragalus in form.

As*trag"a*lo*man`cy (&?;), n. [Gr. &?; ankle bone, die + -mancy.] Divination by means of small bones or dice.

||As*trag"a*lus (&?;), n. [L. See Astragal.] 1. (Anat.) The ankle bone, or hock bone; the bone of the tarsus which articulates with the tibia at the ankle.

2. (Bot.) A genus of papilionaceous plants, of the tribe Galegeæ, containing numerous species, two of which are called, in English, milk vetch and licorice vetch. Gum tragacanth is obtained from different oriental species, particularly the A. gummifer and A. verus.

3. (Arch.) See Astragal, 1.

As`tra*khan" (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to Astrakhan in Russia or its products; made of an Astrakhan skin. - - n. The skin of stillborn or young lambs of that region, the curled wool of which resembles fur.

As"tral (&?;), a. [L. astralis, fr. astrum star, Gr. &?;: cf. F. astral. See Star.] Pertaining to, coming from, or resembling, the stars; starry; starlike.

Shines only with an astral luster. I. Taylor.

Some astral forms I must invoke by prayer. Dryden.

Astral lamp, an Argand lamp so constructed that no shadow is cast upon the table by the flattened ring-shaped reservoir in which the oil is contained. -- Astral spirits, spirits formerly supposed to live in the heavenly bodies or the aërial regions, and represented in the Middle Ages as fallen angels, spirits of the dead, or spirits originating in fire.

A*strand" (&?;), adv. & a. [Pref. a- + strand.] Stranded. Sir W. Scott.

A*stray" (&?;), adv. & a. [See Estray, Stray.] Out of the right, either in a literal or in a figurative sense; wandering; as, to lead one astray.

Ye were as sheep going astray. 1 Pet. ii. 25.

As*trict" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astricted; p. pr. & vb. n. Astricting.] [L. astrictus, p. p. of astringere. See Astringe.] 1. To bind up; to confine; to constrict; to contract.

The solid parts were to be relaxed or astricted. Arbuthnot.

2. To bind; to constrain; to restrict; to limit. [R.]

The mind is astricted to certain necessary modes or forms of thought. Sir W. Hamilton.

3. (Scots Law) To restrict the tenure of; as, to astrict lands. See Astriction, 4. Burrill.

As*trict", a. Concise; contracted. [Obs.] Weever.

As*tric"tion (&?;), n. [L. astrictio.] 1. The act of binding; restriction; also, obligation. Milton.

2. (Med.) (a) A contraction of parts by applications; the action of an astringent substance on the animal economy. Dunglison. (b) Constipation. Arbuthnot.

3. Astringency. [Obs.] Bacon.

4. (Scots Law) An obligation to have the grain growing on certain lands ground at a certain mill, the owner paying a toll. Bell.

The lands were said to be astricted to the mill.

As*tric"tive (&?;), a. Binding; astringent. -- n. An astringent. -- As*tric"tive*ly, adv.

As*tric"to*ry (&?;), a. Astrictive. [R.]

A*stride" (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + stride.] With one leg on each side, as a man when on horseback; with the legs stretched wide apart; astraddle.

Placed astride upon the bars of the palisade. Sir W. Scott.

Glasses with horn bows sat astride on his nose. Longfellow.

As*trif"er*ous (acr/s*trf"r*s), a. [L. astrifer; astrum star + ferre to bear.] Bearing stars. [R.] Blount.

As*tringe" (s*trnj"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Astringed (-trnjd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Astringing (-jng).] [L. astringere; ad + stringere to draw tight. Cf. Astrict, and see Strain, v. t.] 1. To bind fast; to constrict; to contract; to cause parts to draw together; to compress.

Which contraction . . . astringeth the moisture of the brain and thereby sendeth tears into the eyes. Bacon.

2. To bind by moral or legal obligation. Wolsey.

As*trin"gen*cy (s*trn"jen*s), n. The quality of being astringent; the power of contracting the parts of the body; that quality in medicines or other substances which causes contraction of the organic textures; as, the astringency of tannin.

As*trin"gent (-jent), a. [L. astringens, p. pr. of astringere: cf. F. astringent. See Astringe.] 1. Drawing together the tissues; binding; contracting; -- opposed to laxative; as, astringent medicines; a butter and astringent taste; astringent fruit.

2. Stern; austere; as, an astringent type of virtue.

As*trin"gent, n. A medicine or other substance that produces contraction in the soft organic textures, and checks discharges of blood, mucus, etc.

External astringents are called styptics. Dunglison.

As*trin"gent*ly, adv. In an astringent manner.

As*trin"ger (&?;), n. [OE. ostreger, OF. ostrucier, F. autoursier, fr. OF. austour, ostor, hawk, F. autour; cf. L. acceptor, for accipiter, hawk.] A falconer who keeps a goshawk. [Obs.] Shak. Cowell. [Written also austringer.]

As"tro- (&?;). The combining form of the Greek word 'a`stron, meaning star.

{ As"tro*fel, As"tro*fell } (&?;), n. A bitter herb, probably the same as aster, or starwort. Spenser.

As*trog"e*ny (&?;), n. [Astro- + Gr. &?; birth.] The creation or evolution of the stars or the heavens. H. Spencer.

As*trog"no*sy (&?;), n. [Astro- + Gr. &?; knowledge.] The science or knowledge of the stars, esp. the fixed stars. Bouvier.

As*trog"o*ny (&?;), n. Same as Astrogeny. -- As`*tro*gon"ic (&?;), a.

As*trog"ra*phy (&?;), n. [Astro'cf + -graphy.] The art of describing or delineating the stars; a description or mapping of the heavens.

As"tro*ite (&?;), n. [L. astroites: cf. F. astroite.] A radiated stone or fossil; star-stone. [Obs.] [Written also astrite and astrion.]

As"tro*labe (s"tr*lb), n. [OE. astrolabie, astrilabe, OF. astrelabe, F. astrolabe, LL. astrolabium, fr. Gr. 'astrola`bon; 'a`stron star + &?;, &?;, to take.] 1. (Astron.) An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.

Among the ancients, it was essentially the armillary sphere. A graduated circle with sights, for taking altitudes at sea, was called an astrolabe in the 18th century. It is now superseded by the quadrant and sextant.

2. A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere. Whewell.

As*trol"a*ter (&?;), n. A worshiper of the stars. Morley.

As*trol"a*try (&?;), n. [Astro- + Gr. &?; service, worship: cf. F. astrolâtrie.] The worship of the stars.

As`tro*li*thol"o*gy (&?;), n. [Astro- + lithology.] The science of aërolites.

As*trol"o*ger (&?;), n. [See Astrology.] 1. One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]

2. One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.

As`tro*lo"gi*an (&?;), n. [OF. astrologien.] An astrologer. [Obs.]

{ As`tro*log"ic (&?;), As`tro*log"ic*al (&?;), } a. [Gr. 'astrologiko`s.] Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing astrology. "Astrologic learning." Hudibras. "Astrological prognostication." Cudworth. -- As`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

As*trol"o*gize (&?;), v. t. & i. To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.

As*trol"o*gy (s*trl"*j), n. [F. astrologie, L. astrologia, fr. Gr. 'astrologi`a, fr. 'astrolo`gos astronomer, astrologer; 'asth`r star + lo`gos discourse, le`gein to speak. See Star.] In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.

Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial astrology, which assumed to foretell the fate and acts of nations and individuals, and natural astrology, which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature, such as changes of the weather, etc.

As`tro*man"tic (&?;), a. [Gr. &?; astrology.] Of or pertaining to divination by means of the stars; astrologic. [R.] Dr. H. More.

As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gy (&?;), n. [Astro- + meteorology.] The investigation of the relation between the sun, moon, and stars, and the weather. -- As`*tro*me`te*or`o*log"ic*al (&?;), a. -- As`tro*me`te*or*ol"o*gist (&?;), n.

As*trom"e*ter (&?;), n. [Astro- + meter.] An instrument for comparing the relative amount of the light of stars.

As*trom"e*try (&?;), n. [Astro- + metry.] The art of making measurements among the stars, or of determining their relative magnitudes.

As*tron"o*mer (&?;), n. [See Astronomy.] 1. An astrologer. [Obs.] Shak.

2. One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena.

An undevout astronomer is mad. Young.

As`tro*no"mi*an (&?;), n. [OE. & OF. astronomien. See Astronomy.] An astrologer. [Obs.]

As`tro*nom"ic (&?;), a. Astronomical.

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As`tro*nom"ic*al (-*kal), a. [L. astronomicus, Gr. 'astronomiko`s: cf. F. astronomique.] Of or pertaining to astronomy; in accordance with the methods or principles of astronomy. -- As`tro*nom"ic*al*ly, adv.

Astronomical clock. See under Clock. - - Astronomical day. See under Day. -- Astronomical fractions, Astronomical numbers. See under Sexagesimal.

As*tron"o*mize, v. i. [Gr. &?;.] To study or to talk astronomy. [R.]

They astronomized in caves. Sir T. Browne.

As*tron"o*my (&?;), n. [OE. astronomie, F. astronomie, L. astronomia, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; astronomer; 'asth`r star + &?; to distribute, regulate. See Star, and Nomad.] 1. Astrology. [Obs.]

Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck; And yet methinks I have astronomy. Shak.

2. The science which treats of the celestial bodies, of their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods of revolution, eclipses, constitution, physical condition, and of the causes of their various phenomena.

3. A treatise on, or text-book of, the science.

Physical astronomy. See under Physical.

As"tro*phel (&?;), n. See Astrofel. [Obs.]

As`tro*pho*tog"ra*phy (&?;), n. [Astro- + photography.] The application of photography to the delineation of the sun, moon, and stars.

As`tro*phys"ic*al (&?;), a. Pertaining to the physics of astronomical science.

||As*troph"y*ton (&?;), n. [Astro- + Gr. fyton a plant.] (Zoöl.) A genus of ophiurans having the arms much branched.

As"tro*scope (&?;), n. [Astro- + scope.] An old astronomical instrument, formed of two cones, on whose surface the constellations were delineated.

As*tros"co*py (&?;), n. Observation of the stars. [Obs.]

As`tro*the*ol"o*gy (&?;), n. [Astro- + theology.] Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial bodies. Derham.

A*struc"tive (&?;), a. [L. astructus, p. p. of astruere to build up; ad + struere to build.] Building up; constructive; -- opposed to destructive. [Obs.]

A*strut" (&?;), a. & adv. 1. Sticking out, or puffed out; swelling; in a swelling manner. [Archaic]

Inflated and astrut with self-conceit. Cowper.

2. In a strutting manner; with a strutting gait.

As*tu"cious (&?;), a. [F. astucieux. See Astute.] Subtle; cunning; astute. [R.] Sir W. Scott. -- As*tu"cious*ly, adv. [R.]

As*tu"ci*ty (&?;), n. [See Astucious.] Craftiness; astuteness. [R.] Carlyle.

A*stun" (&?;), v. t. [See Astony, Stun.] To stun. [Obs.] "Breathless and astunned." Somerville.

As*tu"ri*an (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to Asturias in Spain. -- n. A native of Asturias.

As*tute" (&?;), a. [L. astutus, fr. astus craft, cunning; perh. cognate with E. acute.] Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.

Syn. -- Keen; eagle-eyed; penetrating; skilled; discriminating; cunning; sagacious; subtle; wily; crafty.

As*tute"ly, adv. -- As*tute"ness, n.

A*sty"lar (&?;), a. [Gr. 'a priv. + &?; pillar.] (arch.) Without columns or pilasters. Weale.

A*styl"len (&?;), n. (Mining) A small dam to prevent free passage of water in an adit or level.

A*sun"der (&?;), adv. [Pref. a- + sunder.] Apart; separate from each other; into parts; in two; separately; into or in different pieces or places.

I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder. Zech. xi. 10.

As wide asunder as pole and pole. Froude.

||A*su"ra (&?;), n. (Hind. Myth.) An enemy of the gods, esp. one of a race of demons and giants.

||As"wail (&?;), n. [Native name.] (Zoöl.) The sloth bear (Melursus labiatus) of India.

A*sweve" (&?;), v. t. [AS. aswebban; a + swebban. See Sweven.] To stupefy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

A*swing" (&?;), adv. In a state of swinging.

A*swoon" (&?;), adv. In a swoon. Chaucer.

A*swooned" (&?;), adv. In a swoon.

A*sy"lum (&?;), n.; pl. E. Asylums (&?;), L. Asyla (&?;). [L. asylum, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; exempt from spoliation, inviolable; 'a priv. + &?; right of seizure.] 1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege.

So sacred was the church to some, that it had the right of an asylum or sanctuary. Ayliffe.

The name was anciently given to temples, altars, statues of the gods, and the like. In later times Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same sense.

2. Any place of retreat and security.

Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom. Southey.

3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.

A*sym"me*tral (&?;), a. Incommensurable; also, unsymmetrical. [Obs.] D. H. More.

{ As`ym*met"ric (&?;), As`ym*met"ri*cal (&?;), } a. [See Asymmetrous.] 1. Incommensurable. [Obs.]

2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally symmetrical. Huxley.

A*sym"me*trous (&?;), a. [Gr. &?;.] Asymmetrical. [Obs.] Barrow.

A*sym"me*try (&?;), n. [Gr. &?;; 'a priv. + &?; symmetry.] 1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a thing, esp. want of bilateral symmetry.

2. (Math.) Incommensurability. [Obs.] Barrow.

As"ymp*tote (?; 215), n. [Gr. &?; not falling together; 'a priv. + &?; to fall together; &?; with + &?; to fall. Cf. Symptom.] (Math.) A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance.