Allotriophagy - Almanac

Prev Next

Allotriophagy (ăll�trĭŏfȧj�), n. [Gr. 'allotrios strange + fagei^n to eat: cf. F. allotriophagie.] (Med.) A depraved appetite; a desire for improper food.
[ Webster]

Allotrophic (?), a. [Gr. � other + trophic.] (a) (Physiol.) Changed or modified in nutritive power by the process of digestion. (b) (Plant Physiol.) Dependent upon other organisms for nutrition; heterotrophic; -- said of plants unable to perform photosynthesis, as all saprophytes; -- opposed to autotrophic.
[Webster Suppl.]

{ Allotropic (ăll�trŏpĭk), Allotropical (-ĭk�l), } a. [Cf. F. allotropique.] Of or pertaining to allotropism. -- Allotropically, adv.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Allotropic state , the several conditions which occur in a case of allotropism.
[ Webster]

Allotropicity (�), n. Allotropic property or nature.
[ Webster]

{ Allotropism (�), Allotropy (�), } 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.
[ Webster]

☞ 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.
[ Webster]

Allotropize (�), v. t. To change in physical properties but not in substance. [R.]
[ Webster]

Allottable (�), a. Capable of being allotted.
[ Webster]

Allottee (�), n. One to whom anything is allotted; one to whom an allotment is made.
[ Webster]

Allotter (�), n. One who allots.
[ Webster]

Allottery (�), n. Allotment. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

all-out adj. 1. 1 using all available resources. all-out war
Syn. -- full-scale.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

all-over adj. 1. covering the entire surface. an all-over pattern
Syn. -- allover.
[WordNet 1.5]

Allow (�), 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 , and cf. , .] 1. To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction. [Obs. or Archaic]
[ Webster]

Ye allow the deeds of your fathers. Luke xi. 48.
[ Webster]

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

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

How allow you the model of these clothes? Massinger.
[ Webster]

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

Thou shalt be . . . allowed with absolute power. Shak.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

He was allowed about three hundred pounds a year. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

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

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

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

Syn. -- To allot; assign; bestow; concede; admit; permit; suffer; tolerate. See .
[ Webster]

Allow, v. i. To admit; to concede; to make allowance or abatement.
[ Webster]

Allowing still for the different ways of making it. Addison.
[ Webster]

Coloq. To allow of , to permit; to admit. Shak.
[ Webster]

Allowable (�), a. [F. allouable.] 1. Praiseworthy; laudable. [Obs.] Hacket.
[ Webster]

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.
[ Webster]

Allowableness, n. The quality of being allowable; permissibleness; lawfulness; exemption from prohibition or impropriety. South.
[ Webster]

Allowably, adv. In an allowable manner.
[ Webster]

Allowance (�), n. [OF. alouance.] 1. Approval; approbation. [Obs.] Crabbe.
[ Webster]

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

Without the king's will or the state's allowance. Shak.
[ Webster]

3. Acknowledgment.
[ Webster]

The censure of the which one must in your allowance o'erweigh a whole theater of others. Shak.
[ Webster]

4. License; indulgence. [Obs.] Locke.
[ Webster]

5. That which is allowed; a share or portion allotted or granted; a sum granted as a reimbursement, a bounty, or as appropriate for any purpose; a stated quantity, as of food or drink; hence, a limited quantity of meat and drink, when provisions fall short.
[ Webster]

I can give the boy a handsome allowance. Thackeray.
[ Webster]

6. Abatement; deduction; the taking into account of mitigating circumstances; as, to make allowance for the inexperience of youth.
[ Webster]

After making the largest allowance for fraud. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

7. (com.) A customary deduction from the gross weight of goods, different in different countries, such as tare and tret.
[ Webster]

Allowance, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allowancing (�).] [See , n.] To put upon a fixed allowance (esp. of provisions and drink); to supply in a fixed and limited quantity; as, the captain was obliged to allowance his crew; our provisions were allowanced.
[ Webster]

Allowedly (�) adv. By allowance; admittedly. Shenstone.
[ Webster]

Allower (�), n. 1. An approver or abettor. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

2. One who allows or permits.
[ Webster]

Alloxan (�), n. [Allantoin + oxalic, as containing the elements of allantion and oxalic acid.] (Chem.) An oxidation product of uric acid. It is of a pale reddish color, readily soluble in water or alcohol.
[ Webster]

Alloxanate (�), n. (Chem.) A combination of alloxanic acid and a base or base or positive radical.
[ Webster]

Alloxanic (�), a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to alloxan; -- applied to an acid obtained by the action of soluble alkalies on alloxan.
[ Webster]

Alloxantin (�), n. (Chem.) A substance produced by acting upon uric with warm and very dilute nitric acid.
[ Webster]

Alloy, n. [OE. alai, OF. alei, F. aloyer, to alloy, alier to ally. See , v. t.] 1. Any combination or compound of metals fused together; a mixture of metals; for example, brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc. But when mercury is one of the metals, the compound is called an amalgam.
[ Webster]

2. The quality, or comparative purity, of gold or silver; fineness.
[ Webster]

3. A baser metal mixed with a finer.
[ Webster]

Fine silver is silver without the mixture of any baser metal. Alloy is baser metal mixed with it. Locke.
[ Webster]

4. Admixture of anything which lessens the value or detracts from; as, no happiness is without alloy. “Pure English without Latin alloy.” F. Harrison.
[ Webster]

Alloy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alloyed (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Alloying.] [F. aloyer, OF. alier, allier, later allayer, fr. L. aligare. See , n., , v. t., and cf. .] 1. To reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable substance; as, to alloy gold with silver or copper, or silver with copper.
[ Webster]

2. To mix, as metals, so as to form a compound.
[ Webster]

3. To abate, impair, or debase by mixture; to allay; as, to alloy pleasure with misfortunes.
[ Webster]

Alloy, v. t. To form a metallic compound.
[ Webster]

Gold and iron alloy with ease. Ure.
[ Webster]

Alloyage (�), n. [F. aloyage.] The act or art of alloying metals; also, the combination or alloy.
[ Webster]

Alloy steel. Any steel containing a notable quantity of some other metal alloyed with the iron, usually chromium, nickel, manganese, tungsten, or vanadium.
[Webster Suppl.]

All-possessed (�), a. Controlled by an evil spirit or by evil passions; wild. [Colloq.]
[ Webster]

all-powerful adj. 1. having full power over all aspects of a situation.
Syn. -- almighty, omnipotent.
[WordNet 1.5]

all-purpose adj. 1. not limited in use or function.
Syn. -- general-purpose.
[WordNet 1.5]

all right pred. adj. 1. satisfactory; better than average; as, everything is all right.
Syn. -- all-right(predicate), ok, o.k., okay.
[WordNet 1.5]

all-right adj. prenom. 1. satisfactory; better than average. an all-right movie
Syn. -- all right(predicate), ok, o.k., okay
[WordNet 1.5]

all-round adj. prenom. 1. many-sided. an all-round athlete
Syn. -- all-around(prenominal), well-rounded
[WordNet 1.5]

all-rounder n. 1. 1 a versatile person who is expert at many things. she's the best all-rounder they've seen in years
Syn. -- all arounder
[WordNet 1.5]

{ All Saints (�), All Saints' (�), } The first day of November, called, also, Allhallows or Hallowmas; a feast day kept in honor of all the saints; also, the season of this festival.
[ Webster]

All Souls' Day (�). The second day of November; a feast day of the Roman Catholic church, on which supplications are made for the souls of the faithful dead.
[ Webster]

Allspice (�), n. The berry of the pimento (Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus); wild allspice (Lindera benzoin), called also spicebush, spicewood, and feverbush.
[ Webster]

Allthing (�), adv. [For in all (= every) thing.] Altogether. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

all-time adj. 1. unsurpassed in some respect up to the present. prices at an all-time high; morale at an all-time low; among the all-time great lefthanders
[WordNet 1.5]

Allude (�), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Alluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Alluding.] [L. alludere to play with, to allude; ad + ludere to play.] To refer to something indirectly or by suggestion; to have reference to a subject not specifically and plainly mentioned; -- followed by to; as, the story alludes to a recent transaction.
[ Webster]

These speeches . . . do seem to allude unto such ministerial garments as were then in use. Hooker.
[ Webster]

Syn. -- To refer; point; indicate; hint; suggest; intimate; signify; insinuate; advert. See .
[ Webster]

Allude, v. t. To compare allusively; to refer (something) as applicable. [Obs.] Wither.
[ Webster]

Allumette (�), n. [F., from allumer to light.] A match for lighting candles, lamps, etc.
[ Webster]

Alluminor (�), n. [OF. alumineor, fr. L. ad + liminare. See .] An illuminator of manuscripts and books; a limner. [Obs.] Cowell.
[ Webster]

Allurance (�), n. Allurement. [R.]
[ Webster]

Allure (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alluded (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Alluring.] [OF. aleurrer, alurer, fr. a (L. ad) + leurre lure. See .] To attempt to draw; to tempt by a lure or bait, that is, by the offer of some good, real or apparent; to invite by something flattering or acceptable; to entice; to attract.
[ Webster]

With promised joys allured them on. Falconer.
[ Webster]

The golden sun in splendor likest Heaven
Allured his eye. Milton.
[ Webster]

Syn. -- To attract; entice; tempt; decoy; seduce. -- To , , , . These words agree in the idea of acting upon the mind by some strong controlling influence, and differ according to the image under which is presented. They are all used in a bad sense, except allure, which has sometimes (though rarely) a good one. We are allured by the prospect or offer (usually deceptive) of some future good. We are commonly enticed into evil by appeals to our passions. We are decoyed into danger by false appearances or representations. We are seduced when drawn aside from the path of rectitude. What allures draws by gentle means; what entices leads us by promises and persuasions; what decoys betrays us, as it were, into a snare or net; what seduces deceives us by artful appeals to the passions.
[ Webster]

Allure, n. Allurement. [R.] Hayward.
[ Webster]

Allure (�), n. [F.; aller to go.] Gait; bearing.
[ Webster]

The swing, the gait, the pose, the allure of these men. Harper's Mag.
[ Webster]

Allurement (�), n. 1. The act alluring; temptation; enticement.
[ Webster]

Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell. Milton.
[ Webster]

2. That which allures; any real or apparent good held forth, or operating, as a motive to action; as, the allurements of pleasure, or of honor.
[ Webster]

Allurer (�), n. One who, or that which, allures.
[ Webster]

Alluring, a. That allures; attracting; charming; tempting. -- Alluringly, adv. -- Alluringness, n.
[ Webster]

Allusion (�), n. [L. allusio, fr. alludere to allude: cf. F. allusion.] 1. A figurative or symbolical reference. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

2. A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.
[ Webster]

Allusive (�), a. 1. Figurative; symbolical.
[ Webster]

2. Having reference to something not fully expressed; containing an allusion.
[ Webster]

Allusively, adv. Figuratively [Obs.]; by way of allusion; by implication, suggestion, or insinuation.
[ Webster]

Allusiveness, n. The quality of being allusive.
[ Webster]

Allusory (�), a. Allusive. [R.] Warburton.
[ Webster]

Alluvial (?), n. Alluvial soil; specif., in Australia, gold-bearing alluvial soil.
[Webster Suppl.]

Alluvial (�), a. [Cf. F. alluvial. See .] Pertaining to, contained in, or composed of, alluvium; relating to the deposits made by flowing water; washed away from one place and deposited in another; as, alluvial soil, mud, accumulations, deposits.
[ Webster]

Alluvion (�), n. [F. alluvion, L. alluvio, fr. alluere to wash against; ad + luere, equiv. to lavare, to wash. See .] 1. Wash or flow of water against the shore or bank.
[ Webster]

2. An overflowing; an inundation; a flood. Lyell.
[ Webster]

3. Matter deposited by an inundation or the action of flowing water; alluvium.
[ Webster]

The golden alluvions are there [in California and Australia] spread over a far wider space: they are found not only on the banks of rivers, and in their beds, but are scattered over the surface of vast plains. R. Cobden.
[ Webster]

4. (Law) An accession of land gradually washed to the shore or bank by the flowing of water. See .
[ Webster]

Alluvious (�), n. [L. alluvius. See .] Alluvial. [R.] Johnson.
[ Webster]

Alluvium (�), n.; pl. E. Alluviums, L. Alluvia (�). [L., neut. of alluvius. See .] (Geol.) Deposits of earth, sand, gravel, and other transported matter, made by rivers, floods, or other causes, upon land not permanently submerged beneath the waters of lakes or seas. Lyell.
[ Webster]

all-victorious adj. 1. victorious in every battle.
[WordNet 1.5]

Allwhere (�), adv. Everywhere. [Archaic]
[ Webster]

Allwork (�), n. Domestic or other work of all kinds; as, a maid of allwork, that is, a general servant.
[ Webster]

Ally (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allied (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Allying.] [OE. alien, OF. alier, F. alier, fr. L. alligare to bind to; ad + ligare to bind. Cf. , , , .] 1. To unite, or form a connection between, as between families by marriage, or between princes and states by treaty, league, or confederacy; -- often followed by to or with.
[ Webster]

O chief! in blood, and now in arms allied. Pope.
[ Webster]

2. To connect or form a relation between by similitude, resemblance, friendship, or love.
[ Webster]

These three did love each other dearly well,
And with so firm affection were allied. Spenser.
[ Webster]

The virtue nearest to our vice allied. Pope.
[ Webster]

☞ Ally is generally used in the passive form or reflexively.
[ Webster]

Ally (�), n.; pl. Allies (�). [See , v.] 1. A relative; a kinsman. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

2. One united to another by treaty or league; -- usually applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate.
[ Webster]

The English soldiers and their French allies. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

3. Anything associated with another as a helper; an auxiliary.
[ Webster]

Science, instead of being the enemy of religion, becomes its ally. Buckle.
[ Webster]

4. Anything akin to another by structure, etc.
[ Webster]

Ally (�), n. See , a marble or taw.
[ Webster]

Allyl (�), n. [L. allium garlic + -yl.] (Chem.) An organic radical, C3H5, existing especially in oils of garlic and mustard.
[ Webster]

Allylene (�), n. (Chem.) A gaseous hydrocarbon, C3H4, homologous with acetylene; propine.
[ Webster]

Alma, Almah (�), n. Same as .
[ Webster]

Almacantar (�), n. (Astron.) (a) Same as . (b) A recently invented instrument for observing the heavenly bodies as they cross a given almacantar circle. See .
[ Webster]

{ Almadia (�), Almadie (�), } n. [F. almadie (cf. Sp. & Pg. almadia), fr. Ar. alma'dīyah a raft, float.] (Naut.) (a) A bark canoe used by the Africans. (b) A boat used at Calicut, in India, about eighty feet long, and six or seven broad.
[ Webster]

Almagest (�), n. [F. almageste, LL. almageste, Ar. al-majistī, fr. Gr. � (sc. �), the greatest composition.] The celebrated work of Ptolemy of Alexandria, which contains nearly all that is known of the astronomical observations and theories of the ancients. The name was extended to other similar works.
[ Webster]

Almagra (�), n. [Sp. almagra, almagre, fr. Ar. al-maghrah red clay or earth.] A fine, deep red ocher, somewhat purplish, found in Spain. It is the sil atticum of the ancients. Under the name of Indian red it is used for polishing glass and silver.
[ Webster]

{ Almain (ălmān), Almayne (-mān), Alman (-m�n), } n. [OF. Aleman, F. Allemand, fr. L. Alemanni, ancient Ger. tribes.] [Obs.] 1. A German. Also adj., German. Shak.
[ Webster]

2. The German language. J. Foxe.
[ Webster]

3. A kind of dance. See .
[ Webster]

Coloq. Almain rivets , Coloq. Almayne rivets , or Coloq. Alman rivets , a sort of light armor from Germany, characterized by overlapping plates, arranged to slide on rivets, and thus afford great flexibility.
[ Webster]

Alma Mater (�). [L., fostering mother.] A college or seminary where one is educated.
[ Webster]

Almanac (?; 277), n. [LL. almanac, almanach: cf. F. almanach, Sp. almanaque, It. almanacco, all of uncertain origin.] A book or table, containing a calendar of days, and months, to which astronomical data and various statistics are often added, such as the times of the rising and setting of the sun and moon, eclipses, hours of full tide, stated festivals of churches, terms of courts, etc.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Nautical almanac , an almanac, or year book, containing astronomical calculations (lunar, stellar, etc.), and other information useful to mariners.
[ Webster]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z