Almandine - Alphitomancy

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Almandine (�), n. [LL. almandina, alamandina, for L. alabandina a precious stone, named after Alabanda, a town in Caria, where it was first and chiefly found: cf. F. almandine.] (Min.) The common red variety of garnet.
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{ Alme, Almeh } (�), n. [Ar. 'almah (fem.) learned, fr. 'alama to know: cf. F. almée.] An Egyptian dancing girl; an Alma.
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The Almehs lift their arms in dance. Bayard Taylor.
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Almendron (�), n. [Sp., fr. almendra almond.] The lofty Brazil-nut tree.
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Almery (�), n. See . [Obs.]
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Almesse (�), n. See . [Obs.]
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{ Almightful (�), Almightiful (�), } a. All-powerful; almighty. [Obs.] Udall.
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Almightily, adv. With almighty power.
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Almightiness, n. Omnipotence; infinite or boundless power; unlimited might. Jer. Taylor.
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Almighty (�lmīt�), a. [AS. ealmihtig, ælmihtig; eal (OE. al) all + mihtig mighty.] 1. Unlimited in might; omnipotent; all-powerful; irresistible.
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I am the Almighty God. Gen. xvii. 1.
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2. Great; extreme; terrible. [Slang]
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Poor Aroar can not live, and can not die, -- so that he is in an almighty fix. De Quincey.
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Coloq. The Almighty , the omnipotent God. Rev. i. 8.
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Almner (�), n. An almoner. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Almond (ämŭnd), n. [OE. almande, almaunde, alemaunde, F. amande, L. amygdala, fr. Gr. 'amygdalh: cf. Sp. almendra. Cf. .] 1. The fruit of the almond tree.
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☞ The different kinds, as bitter, sweet, thin-shelled, thick-shelled almonds, and Jordan almonds, are the products of different varieties of the one species, Amygdalus communis, a native of the Mediterranean region and western Asia.
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2. The tree that bears the fruit; almond tree.
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3. Anything shaped like an almond. Specifically: (Anat.) One of the tonsils.
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Coloq. Almond oil , fixed oil expressed from sweet or bitter almonds. -- Coloq. Oil of bitter almonds , a poisonous volatile oil obtained from bitter almonds by maceration and distillation; benzoic aldehyde. -- Coloq. Imitation oil of bitter almonds , nitrobenzene. -- Coloq. Almond tree (Bot.), the tree bearing the almond. -- Coloq. Almond willow (Bot.), a willow which has leaves that are of a light green on both sides; almond-leaved willow (Salix amygdalina). Shenstone.
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Almond furnace (�). [Prob. a corruption of Almain furnace, i. e., German furnace. See .] A kind of furnace used in refining, to separate the metal from cinders and other foreign matter. Chambers.
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Almondine (�), n. See
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almond-shaped adj. having the shape of an almond, i.e. ellipsoidal with somewhat pointed ends.
Syn. -- amygdaliform, amygdaloid, amygdaloidal.
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Almoner (ălmŭnẽr), n. [OE. aumener, aulmener, OF. almosnier, aumosnier, F. aumônier, fr. OF. almosne, alms, L. eleemosyna. See .] 1. One who distributes alms, esp. the doles and alms of religious houses, almshouses, etc.; also, one who dispenses alms for another, as the almoner of a prince, bishop, etc.
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2. A social worker in a hospital. [Chiefly Brit.]
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3. An official in a hospital whose job it is to calculate how much a patient must pay for treatment. [Chiefly Brit.]
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Almonership, n. The office of an almoner.
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Almonry (ălmŭnr�), n.; pl. Almonries (ălmŭnrĭz). [OF. aumosnerie, F. aumônerie, fr. OF. aumosnier. See .] The place where an almoner resides, or where alms are distributed.
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Almose (�lmōs), n. Alms. [Obs.] Cheke.
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Almost (�lmōst), adv. [AS. ealmæst, ælmæst, quite the most, almost all; eal (OE. al) all + m�st most.] Nearly; well nigh; all but; for the greatest part.
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Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts xxvi. 28.
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Coloq. Almost never , hardly ever; scarcely ever. -- Coloq. Almost nothing , scarcely anything.
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Almry (�mr�), n. See . [Obs.]
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Alms (�mz), n. sing. & pl. [OE. almes, almesse, AS. ælmysse, fr. L. eleemosyna, Gr. 'elehmosynh mercy, charity, alms, fr. 'eleei^n to pity. Cf. , .] Anything given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing; a gift of charity.
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A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people. Acts x. 2.
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Alms are but the vehicles of prayer. Dryden.
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Coloq. Tenure by free alms . See . Blackstone.
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☞ This word alms is singular in its form (almesse), and is sometimes so used; as, “asked an alms.” Acts iii. 3. “Received an alms.” Shak. It is now, however, commonly a collective or plural noun. It is much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving, alms bag, alms chest, etc.
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Almsdeed (�mzdēd), n. An act of charity. Acts ix. 36.
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Almsfolk (�mzfōk), n. Persons supported by alms; almsmen. [Archaic] Holinshed.
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Almsgiver (�mzgĭvẽr), n. A giver of alms.
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Almsgiving (�mzgĭvĭng), n. The giving of alms.
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Almshouse (�), n. A house appropriated for the use of the poor; a poorhouse.
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Almsman (�), n.; fem. . 1. A recipient of alms. Shak.
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2. A giver of alms. [R.] Halliwell.
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Almucantar (�), n. [F. almucantarat, almicantarat, ultimately fr. Ar. al-muqantarāt, pl., fr. qantara to bend, arch.] (Astron.) A small circle of the sphere parallel to the horizon; a circle or parallel of altitude. Two stars which have the same almucantar have the same altitude. See . [Archaic]
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Coloq. Almucanter staff , an ancient instrument, having an arc of fifteen degrees, formerly used at sea to take observations of the sun's amplitude at the time of its rising or setting, to find the variation of the compass.
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Almuce (�), n. Same as , a hood or cape.
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Almude (�), n. [Pg. almude, or Sp. almud, a measure of grain or dry fruit, fr. Ar. al-mudd a dry measure.] A measure for liquids in several countries. In Portugal the Lisbon almude is about 4.4, and the Oporto almude about 6.6, gallons U. S. measure. In Turkey the “almud” is about 1.4 gallons.
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{ Almug (�), Algum (�), } n. [Heb., perh. borrowed fr. Skr. valguka sandalwood.] (Script.) A tree or wood of the Bible (2 Chron. ii. 8; 1 K. x. 11).
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☞ Most writers at the present day follow Celsius, who takes it to be the red sandalwood of China and the Indian Archipelago. W. Smith.
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Alnage (ăln�j), n., [OF. alnage, aulnage, F. aunage, fr. OF. alne ell, of Ger. origin: cf. OHG. elina, Goth. aleina, cubit. See .] (O. Eng. Law) Measurement (of cloth) by the ell; also, a duty for such measurement.
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Alnager (�), n. [See .] A measure by the ell; formerly a sworn officer in England, whose duty was to inspect and measure woolen cloth, and fix upon it a seal.
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alocasia n. 1. 1 any plant of the genus Alocasia having large showy basal leaves and boat-shaped spathe and reddish berries.
Syn. -- elephant's ear, elephant ear
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Aloeaceae n. 1. 1 one of many families or subfamilies into which some classification systems subdivide the Liliaceae but not widely accepted.
Syn. -- family Aloeaceae, aloe family.
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Aloe (ăln�), n.; pl. Aloes (-ōz). [L. aloë, Gr. 'aloh, aloe: cf. OF. aloe, F. aloès.] 1. pl. The wood of the agalloch. [Obs.] Wyclif.
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2. (Bot.) A genus of succulent plants, some classed as trees, others as shrubs, but the greater number having the habit and appearance of evergreen herbaceous plants; from some of which are prepared articles for medicine and the arts. They are natives of warm countries.
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3. pl. (Med.) The inspissated juice of several species of aloe, used as a purgative. [Plural in form but syntactically singular.]
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Coloq. American aloe , Coloq. Century aloe , the agave. See .
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aloes n. a purgative made from the leaves of aloe. Same as .
Syn. -- bitter aloes
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Aloes wood (�). See .
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Aloetic (�), a. [Cf. F. aloétique.] Consisting chiefly of aloes; of the nature of aloes.
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Aloetic, n. A medicine containing chiefly aloes.
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Aloft (?; 115), adv. [Pref. a- + loft, which properly meant air. See .] 1. On high; in the air; high above the ground. “He steers his flight aloft.” Milton.
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2. (Naut.) In the top; at the mast head, or on the higher yards or rigging; overhead; hence (Fig. and Colloq.), in or to heaven.
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Aloft, prep. Above; on top of. [Obs.]
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Fresh waters run aloft the sea. Holland.
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Alogian (�), n. [LL. Alogiani, Alogii, fr. Gr. �; 'a priv. + � word.] (Eccl.) One of an ancient sect who rejected St. John's Gospel and the Apocalypse, which speak of Christ as the Logos. Shipley.
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Alogy (�), n. [L. alogia, Gr. �, fr. 'a priv. + � reason.] Unreasonableness; absurdity. [Obs.]
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Aloin (�), n. (Chem.) A bitter purgative principle in aloes.
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Alomancy (�), n. [Gr. �, salt + -mancy: cf. F. alomancie, halomancie.] Divination by means of salt. [Spelt also halomancy.] Morin.
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Alone (�), a. [All + one. OE. al one all allone, AS. ān one, alone. See , , .] 1. Quite by one's self; apart from, or exclusive of, others; single; solitary; -- applied to a person or thing.
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Alone on a wide, wide sea. Coleridge.
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It is not good that the man should be alone. Gen. ii. 18.
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2. Of or by itself; by themselves; without any thing more or any one else; without a sharer; only.
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Man shall not live by bread alone. Luke iv. 4.
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The citizens alone should be at the expense. Franklin.
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3. Sole; only; exclusive. [R.]
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God, by whose alone power and conversation we all live, and move, and have our being. Bentley.
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4. Hence; Unique; rare; matchless. Shak.
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☞ The adjective alone commonly follows its noun.
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Coloq. To let alone or Coloq. To leave alone , to abstain from interfering with or molesting; to suffer to remain in its present state.
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Alone, adv. Solely; simply; exclusively.
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Alonely, adv. Only; merely; singly. [Obs.]
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This said spirit was not given alonely unto him, but unto all his heirs and posterity. Latimer.
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Alonely, a. Exclusive. [Obs.] Fabyan.
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Aloneness, n. A state of being alone, or without company; solitariness. [R.] Bp. Montagu.
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Along (?; 115), adv. [OE. along, anlong, AS. andlang, along; pref. and- (akin to OFris. ond-, OHG. ant-, Ger. ent-, Goth. and-, anda-, L. ante, Gr. �, Skr. anti, over against) + lang long. See .] 1. By the length; in a line with the length; lengthwise.
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Some laid along . . . on spokes of wheels are hung. Dryden.
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2. In a line, or with a progressive motion; onward; forward.
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We will go along by the king's highway. Numb. xxi. 22.
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He struck with his o'ertaking wings,
And chased us south along. Coleridge.
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3. In company; together.
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He to England shall along with you. Shak.
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Coloq. All along , all through the course of; during the whole time; throughout. “I have all along declared this to be a neutral paper.” Addison. -- Coloq. To get along , to get on; to make progress, as in business. “She 'll get along in heaven better than you or I.” Mrs. Stowe.
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Along, prep. By the length of, as distinguished from across. “Along the lowly lands.” Dryden.
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The kine . . . went along the highway. 1 Sam. vi. 12.
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Along. [AS. gelang owing to.] (Now heard only in the prep. phrase along of.)
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Coloq. Along of , Coloq. Along on , often shortened to Coloq. Long of , prep. phr., owing to; on account of. [Obs. or Low. Eng.] “On me is not along thin evil fare.” Chaucer. “And all this is long of you.” Shak. “This increase of price is all along of the foreigners.” London Punch.
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Alongshore (�), adv. Along the shore or coast.
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Alongshoreman (�), n. See .
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Alongside (�), adv. Along or by the side; side by side with; -- often with of; as, bring the boat alongside; alongside of him; alongside of the tree.
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Alongst (?; 115), prep. & adv. [Formed fr. along, like amongst fr. among.] Along. [Obs.]
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Aloof (�), n. (Zoöl.) Same as .
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Aloof, adv. [Pref. a- + loof, fr. D. loef luff, and so meaning, as a nautical word, to the windward. See , .] 1. At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.
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Our palace stood aloof from streets. Dryden.
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2. Without sympathy; unfavorably.
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To make the Bible as from the hand of God, and then to look at it aloof and with caution, is the worst of all impieties. I. Taylor.
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Aloof (�), prep. Away from; clear from. [Obs.]
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Rivetus . . . would fain work himself aloof these rocks and quicksands. Milton.
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Aloofness, n. State of being aloof. Rogers (1642).
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The . . . aloofness of his dim forest life. Thoreau.
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{ Alopecia (ăl�pēshĭȧ), Alopecy (ȧlŏp�s�), } n. [L. alopecia, Gr. 'alwpekia, fr. 'alwphx fox, because loss of the hair is common among foxes.] (Med.) Loss of the hair; baldness.
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Alopecist (ȧlŏp�sĭst), n. A practitioner who tries to prevent or cure baldness.
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Alopex n. 1. 1 a genus of arctic foxes.
Syn. -- genus Alopex.
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Alopiidae n. 1. 1 a family of fish comprising the thresher sharks.
Syn. -- family Alopiidae.
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Alopius n. 1. 1 type genus of the family Alopiidae; in some classifications considered a genus of the family Lamnidae.
Syn. -- genus Alopius
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Alosa n. the genus comprising the most common varieties of shad. It replaces the older term Clupea. See also .
Syn. -- genus Alosa.
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Alose (�), v. t. [OE. aloser.] To praise. [Obs.]
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Alose (�), n. [F., fr. L. alosa or alausa.] (Zoöl.) The European shad (Alosa alosa formerly Clupea alosa); -- called also allice shad or allis shad. The name is sometimes applied to the American shad (Alosa sapidissima formerly Clupea sapidissima). See .
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Alouatta, Alouatte (�), n. [Of uncertain origin.] (Zoöl.) One of the several species of howling monkeys of South America. See .
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Aloud (�), adv. [Pref. a- + loud.] With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly.
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Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice. Isa. lviii. 1.
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Alow (�), adv. [Pref. a- + low.] Below; in a lower part. “Aloft, and then alow.” Dryden.
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Alp (�), n. [L. Alpes the Alps, said to be of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. alp a high mountain, Ir. ailp any huge mass or lump: cf. F. Alpes.] 1. A very high mountain. Specifically, in the plural, the highest chain of mountains in Europe, containing the lofty mountains of Switzerland, etc.
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Nor breath of vernal air from snowy alp. Milton.
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Hills peep o'er hills, and alps on alps arise. Pope.
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2. Fig.: Something lofty, or massive, or very hard to be surmounted.
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☞ The plural form Alps is sometimes used as a singular. “The Alps doth spit.” Shak.
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Alp, n. A bullfinch. Rom. of R.
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Alpaca (�), n. [Sp. alpaca, fr. the original Peruvian name of the animal. Cf. .] 1. (Zoöl.) An animal of Peru (Lama paco), having long, fine, wooly hair, supposed by some to be a domesticated variety of the llama.
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2. Wool of the alpaca.
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3. A thin kind of cloth made of the wooly hair of the alpaca, often mixed with silk or with cotton.
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Alpen (�), a. Of or pertaining to the Alps. [R.] “The Alpen snow.” J. Fletcher.
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Alpenglow (?), n. A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains; specif., a reillumination sometimes observed after the summits have passed into shadow, supposed to be due to a curving downward (refraction) of the light rays from the west resulting from the cooling of the air.
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{ Alpenhorn (?), Alphorn }, n. [G. Alpenhorn.] A curved wooden horn about three feet long, with a cupped mouthpiece and a bell, used by the Swiss to sound the ranz des vaches and other melodies. Its notes are open harmonics of the tube.
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Alpenstock (�), n. [G.; Alp, gen. pl. Alpen + stock stick.] A long staff, pointed with iron, used in climbing the Alps. Cheever.
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Alpestrine (�), a. [L. Alpestris.] 1. Pertaining to the Alps, or other high mountains; as, Alpestrine diseases, etc.
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2. (Bot.) Growing on the elevated parts of mountains, but not above the timber line; subalpine.
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Alpha (�), n. [L. alpha, Gr. 'alfa, from Heb. āleph, name of the first letter in the alphabet, also meaning ox.] The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and hence used to denote the beginning.
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In am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Rev. xxii. 13.
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Formerly used also denote the chief; as, Plato was the alpha of the wits.
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☞ In cataloguing stars, the brightest star of a constellation in designated by Alpha (α); as, α Lyræ.
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Alphabet (�), n. [L. alphabetum, fr. Gr. � + �, the first two Greek letters; Heb. āleph and beth: cf. F. alphabet.] 1. The letters of a language arranged in the customary order; the series of letters or signs which form the elements of written language.
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2. The simplest rudiments; elements.
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The very alphabet of our law. Macaulay.
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Coloq. Deaf and dumb alphabet . See .
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Alphabet, v. t. To designate by the letters of the alphabet; to arrange alphabetically. [R.]
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Alphabetarian (�), n. A learner of the alphabet; an abecedarian. Abp. Sancroft.
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{ Alphabetic (�), Alphabetical (�), } a. [Cf. F. alphabétique.] 1. Pertaining to, furnished with, expressed by, or in the order of, the letters of the alphabet; as, alphabetic characters, writing, languages, arrangement. English has an alphabetical writing system.
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2. Literal. [Obs.] “Alphabetical servility.” Milton.
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3. in alphabetical order.
Syn. -- abecedarian
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Alphabetically, adv. In an alphabetic manner; in the customary order of the letters.
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Alphabetics (�), n. The science of representing spoken sounds by letters.
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Alphabetism (�), n. The expression of spoken sounds by an alphabet. Encyc. Brit.
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Alphabetize (�), v. t. 1. To arrange alphabetically; as, to alphabetize a list of words.
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2. To furnish with an alphabet.
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alphanumerical adj. 1. of or pertaining to alphanumerics.
Syn. -- alphanumeric, alphameric, alphamerical
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2. (Computers) using or consisting of only alphabetical and numerical characters; -- contrasting with binary or control. alphanumeric characters
Syn. -- alphanumeric, alphanumerical, alphameric, alphamerical
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alphanumerics n. 1. a character set that includes letters and digits and punctuation marks.
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Alpha paper. (Photog.) A sensitized paper for obtaining positives by artificial light. It is coated with gelatin containing silver bromide and chloride. [Eng.]
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alpha particle. (Physics & Chem.) a particle emitted at high velocity from certain radioactive substances. It is identical to the helium nucleus, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Rays of such particles are called .
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Alpha rays. (Physics & Chem.) Rays of relatively low penetrating power emitted by radium and other radioactive substances, and shown to consist of positively charged (helium nuclei) having enormous velocities but small masses. They are slightly deflected by a strong magnetic or electric field. Compare beta ray and gamma ray. Because the rays penetrate only a small distance in dense matter such as living tissue, small pellets of radioactive substances emitting alpha rays have been used to cause local destruction of tissue, as in cancer therapy.
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Alphitomancy (�), n. [Gr. � barley meal + -mancy: cf. F. alphitomancie.] Divination by means of barley meal. Knowles.
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