Ambitiousness - Amend
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Ambitiousness (ămbĭshŭsnĕs), n. The quality of being ambitious; ambition; pretentiousness.
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Ambitus (ămbĭtŭs), n. [L. See , .] 1. The exterior edge or border of a thing, as the border of a leaf, or the outline of a bivalve shell.
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2. (Rom. Antiq.) A canvassing for votes.
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ambivalence, ambivalency n. 1. mixed feelings or emotions; uncertainty or vacillation in making a choice.
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2. (Psychol.) the simultaneous existence within a person of both positive and negative feelings toward another person or action, or toward an object (as of attraction and revulsion), resulting in internal conflict.
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ambivalent adj. 1. 1 undecided as to whether or not to take a proposed course of action; having feelings both for and against the proposed action.
Syn. -- on the fence(predicate), suspensive, uncertain
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ambiversion n. 1. a balanced disposition intermediate between extroversion and introversion.
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ambiversive adj. 1. (Psychol.) intermediate between introversive and extroversive. Contrasted to introversive and extroversive.
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Amble (�), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ambled (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Ambling (�).] [F. ambler to amble, fr. L. ambulare to walk, in LL., to amble, perh. fr. amb-, ambi-, and a root meaning to go: cf. Gr. � to go, E. base. Cf. .] 1. To go at the easy gait called an amble; -- applied to the horse or to its rider.
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2. To move somewhat like an ambling horse; to go easily or without hard shocks.
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The skipping king, he ambled up and down.
Shak.
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Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.
Shak.
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Amble, n. 1. A peculiar gait of a horse, in which both legs on the same side are moved at the same time, alternating with the legs on the other side. “A fine easy amble.” B. Jonson.
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2. A movement like the amble of a horse.
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Ambler (�), n. A horse or a person that ambles.
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Amblingly, adv. With an ambling gait.
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Amblotic (�), a. [Gr. �, �, fr. � an abortion.] Tending to cause abortion.
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Amblygon (�), n. [Gr. � obtuse + � angle: cf. F. amblygone.] (Geom.) An obtuse-angled figure, esp. and obtuse-angled triangle. [Obs.]
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Amblygonal (�), a. Obtuse-angled. [Obs.] Hutton.
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{ Amblyopia (�), Amblyopy (�), } n. [Gr. �; � blunt, dim + � eye: cf. F. amblyopie.] (Med.) Weakness of sight, without and opacity of the cornea, or of the interior of the eye; the first degree of amaurosis.
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Amblyopic (�), a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to amblyopy. Quain.
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Amblypoda (�), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. � blunt + �, �, foot.] (Paleon.) A group of large, extinct, herbivorous mammals, common in the Tertiary formation of the United States.
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Ambo (�), n.; pl. Ambos (�). [LL. ambo, Gr. �, any rising, a raised stage, pulpit: cf. F. ambon.] A large pulpit or reading desk, in the early Christian churches. Gwilt.
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Ambon (�), n. Same as .
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Amboyna button. (Med.) A chronic contagious affection of the skin, prevalent in the tropics.
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Amboyna pine. (Bot.) The resiniferous tree Agathis Dammara, of the Moluccas.
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Amboyna wood (�). A beautiful mottled and curled wood, used in cabinetwork. It is obtained from the Pterocarpus Indicus of Amboyna, Borneo, etc.
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Ambreate (�), n. (Chem.) A salt formed by the combination of ambreic acid with a base or positive radical.
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Ambreic (�), a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to ambrein; -- said of a certain acid produced by digesting ambrein in nitric acid.
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Ambrein (�), n. [Cf. F. ambréine. See .] (Chem.) A fragrant substance which is the chief constituent of ambergris.
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Ambrite (�), n. [From amber.] A fossil resin occurring in large masses in New Zealand.
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Ambrose (�), n. A sweet-scented herb; ambrosia. See , 3. Turner.
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Ambrosia (?; 277), n. [L. ambrosia, Gr. �, properly fem. of �, fr. � immortal, divine; 'a priv. + � mortal (because it was supposed to confer immortality on those who partook of it). � stands for �, akin to Skr. mrita, L. mortuus, dead, and to E. mortal.] 1. (Myth.) (a) The fabled food of the gods (as nectar was their drink), which conferred immortality upon those who partook of it. (b) An unguent of the gods.
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His dewy locks distilled ambrosia.
Milton.
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2. A perfumed unguent, salve, or draught; something very pleasing to the taste or smell. Spenser.
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3. Formerly, a kind of fragrant plant; now (Bot.), a genus of plants, including some coarse and worthless weeds, called ragweed, hogweed, etc.
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4. (Zoöl.) The food of certain small bark beetles, family Scolytidæ believed to be fungi cultivated by the beetles in their burrows.
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5. A dessert made from shredded coconuts and oranges, sometimes including other ingredients such as marshmallow.
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Ambrosia beetle. (Zoöl.) A bark beetle that makes and feeds on ambrosia{4}.
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Ambrosiac (�), a. [L. ambrosiacus: cf. F. ambrosiaque.] Having the qualities of ambrosia; delicious. [R.]“Ambrosiac odors.” B. Jonson.
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Ambrosiaceae n. 1. 1 in some classifications considered a separate family comprising a subgroup of the Compositae including the ragweeds.
Syn. -- family Ambrosiaceae.
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Ambrosial (�), a. [L. ambrosius, Gr. �.] 1. Consisting of, or partaking of the nature of, ambrosia; delighting the taste or smell; delicious. “Ambrosial food.” “Ambrosial fragrance.” Milton.
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2. Divinely excellent or beautiful. “Shakes his ambrosial curls.” Pope.
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Ambrosially, adv. After the manner of ambrosia; delightfully. “Smelt ambrosially.” Tennyson.
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Ambrosian (�), a. Ambrosial. [R.] . Jonson.
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Ambrosian, a. Of or pertaining to St. Ambrose; as, the Ambrosian office, or ritual, a formula of worship in the church of Milan, instituted by St. Ambrose.
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Coloq. Ambrosian chant , the mode of signing or chanting introduced by St. Ambrose in the 4th century.
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Ambrosin (�), n. [LL. Ambrosinus nummus.] An early coin struck by the dukes of Milan, and bearing the figure of St. Ambrose on horseback.
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Ambrotype (-tīp), n. [Gr. 'ambrotos immortal + -type.] (Photog.) A picture taken on a plate of prepared glass, in which the lights are represented in silver, and the shades are produced by a dark background visible through the unsilvered portions of the glass.
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Ambry (�), n.; pl. Ambries (�). [OE. aumbry, almery, OF. almarie, armarie, aumaire, F. armoire, LL. armarium chest, cupboard, orig. a repository for arms, fr. L. arama arms. The word has been confused with almonry. See .] 1. In churches, a kind of closet, niche, cupboard, or locker for utensils, vestments, etc.
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2. A store closet, as a pantry, cupboard, etc.
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3. Almonry. [Improperly so used]
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Ambs-ace (�), n. [OF. ambesas; ambes both (fr. L. ambo) + as ace. See .] Double aces, the lowest throw of all at dice. Hence: Bad luck; anything of no account or value.
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Ambulacral (�), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to ambulacra; avenuelike; as, the ambulacral ossicles, plates, spines, and suckers of echinoderms.
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Ambulacriform (�), a. [Ambulacrum + -form] (Zoöl.) Having the form of ambulacra.
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Ambulacrum (�), n.; pl. Ambulacra (�). [L., an alley or covered way.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the radical zones of echinoderms, along which run the principal nerves, blood vessels, and water tubes. These zones usually bear rows of locomotive suckers or tentacles, which protrude from regular pores. In star fishes they occupy the grooves along the under side of the rays. (b) One of the suckers on the feet of mites.
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Ambulance (�), n. [F. ambulance, hôpital ambulant, fr. L. ambulare to walk. See .] (Mil.) (a) A field hospital, so organized as to follow an army in its movements, and intended to succor the wounded as soon as possible. Often used adjectively; as, an ambulance wagon; ambulance stretcher; ambulance corps. (b) An ambulance wagon or cart for conveying the wounded from the field, or to a hospital.
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Ambulant (�), a. [L. ambulans, p. pr. of ambulare to walk: cf. F. ambulant.] Walking; moving from place to place. Gayton.
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Ambulate (�), v. i. [L. ambulare to walk. See .] To walk; to move about. [R.] Southey.
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Ambulation (�), n. [L. ambulatio.] The act of walking. Sir T. Browne.
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Ambulative (�), a. Walking. [R.]
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Ambulator (�), n. 1. One who walks about; a walker.
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2. (Zoöl.) (a) A beetle of the genus Lamia. (b) A genus of birds, or one of this genus.
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3. An instrument for measuring distances; -- called also perambulator. Knight.
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Ambulatorial (�), a. Ambulatory; fitted for walking. Verrill.
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Ambulatory (�), a. [L. ambulatorius.] 1. Of or pertaining to walking; having the faculty of walking; formed or fitted for walking; as, an ambulatory animal.
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2. Accustomed to move from place to place; not stationary; movable; as, an ambulatory court, which exercises its jurisdiction in different places.
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The priesthood . . . before was very ambulatory, and dispersed into all families.
Jer. Taylor.
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3. Pertaining to a walk. [R.]
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The princess of whom his majesty had an ambulatory view in his travels.
Sir H. Wotton.
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4. (Law) Not yet fixed legally, or settled past alteration; alterable; as, the dispositions of a will are ambulatory until the death of the testator.
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Ambulatory, n.; pl. Ambulatories (�). [Cf. LL. ambulatorium.] (Arch.) A place to walk in, whether in the open air, as the gallery of a cloister, or within a building.
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Amburry (�), n. Same as .
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Ambuscade (�), n. [F. embuscade, fr. It. imboscata, or Sp. emboscada, fr. emboscar to ambush, fr. LL. imboscare. See , v. t.] 1. A lying in a wood, concealed, for the purpose of attacking an enemy by surprise. Hence: A lying in wait, and concealed in any situation, for a like purpose; a snare laid for an enemy; an ambush.
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2. A place in which troops lie hid, to attack an enemy unexpectedly. [R.] Dryden.
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3. (Mil.) The body of troops lying in ambush.
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Ambuscade, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ambuscaded (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Ambuscading (�).] 1. To post or conceal in ambush; to ambush.
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2. To lie in wait for, or to attack from a covert or lurking place; to waylay.
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Ambuscade, v. i. To lie in ambush.
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Ambuscado (�), n. Ambuscade. [Obs.] Shak.
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Ambuscadoed (�), p. p. Posted in ambush; ambuscaded. [Obs.]
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Ambush (ămb�sh), n. [F. embûche, fr. the verb. See , v. t.] 1. A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen peril; a device to entrap; a snare.
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Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege
Or ambush from the deep.
Milton.
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2. A concealed station, where troops or enemies lie in wait to attack by surprise.
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Bold in close ambush, base in open field.
Dryden.
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3. The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; liers in wait. [Obs.]
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The ambush arose quickly out of their place.
Josh. viii. 19.
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Coloq. To lay an ambush , to post a force in ambush.
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Ambush (ămb�sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ambushed (ămb�shd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ambushing.] [OE. enbussen, enbushen, OF. embushier, embuissier, F. embûcher, embusquer, fr. LL. imboscare; in + LL. boscus, buscus, a wood; akin to G. bush, E. bush. See , .] 1. To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
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By ambushed men behind their temple laid,
We have the king of Mexico betrayed.
Dryden.
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2. To attack by ambush; to waylay.
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Ambush, v. i. To lie in wait, for the purpose of attacking by surprise; to lurk.
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Nor saw the snake that ambushed for his prey.
Trumbull.
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Ambusher (�), n. One lying in ambush.
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Ambushment (�), n. [OF. embuschement. See , v. t.] An ambush. [Obs.] 2 Chron. xiii. 13.
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Ambustion (?; 106), n. [L. ambustio.] (Med.) A burn or scald. Blount.
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ameba n. 1. 1 naked freshwater or marine or parasitic protozoa that form temporary pseudopods for feeding and locomotion. Same as .
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ameban adj. 1. of or pertaining to amoebae. Same as . [Also spelled amoeban.]
Syn. -- amoebic, amebic, amoeban, amoebous, amebous
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2. caused by amoebae; -- of diseases. Amoebic dysentry is caused by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica.
Syn. -- amoebic, amebic
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Amebean (�), a. (Zoöl.) See .
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ameboid adj. 1. 1 resembling an amoeba especially in the shape or manner of motion
Syn. -- amoeboid
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amebous adj. 1. same as .
Syn. -- amoebic, amebic, amoeban, ameban, amoebous
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Ameer, Amir (�), n. [See .] 1. an independent ruler or chieftan (especially in Africa or Arabia). Same as . [Obs.]
Syn. -- emir, amir, emeer
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2. One of the Mohammedan nobility of Afghanistan and Scinde.
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Ameiuridae n. 1. 1 a family comprising the North American catfishes.
Syn. -- family Ameiuridae.
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Ameiurus n. 1. 1 the type genus of the Ameiuridae: bullhead catfishes.
Syn. -- genus Ameiurus.
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Amel (�), n. [OE. amell, OF. esmail, F. émail, of German origin; cf. OHG. smelzi, G. schmelz. See , v. t.] Enamel. [Obs.] Boyle.
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Amel, v. t. [OE. amellen, OF. esmailler, F. émailler, OF. esmail, F. émail.] To enamel. [Obs.]
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Enlightened all with stars,
And richly ameled.
Chapman.
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Amelanchier n. 1. 1 a genus of North American deciduous trees or shrubs.
Syn. -- genus Amelanchier.
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Amelcorn (�), n. [Ger. amelkorn: cf. MHG. amel, amer, spelt, and L. amylum starch, Gr. �.] A variety of wheat from which starch is produced; -- called also French rice.
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Ameliorable (�), a. Capable of being ameliorated.
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Ameliorate (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ameliorated (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Ameliorating.] [L. ad + meliorare to make better: cf. F. améliorer. See .] To make better; to improve; to meliorate.
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In every human being there is a wish to ameliorate his own condition.
Macaulay.
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Ameliorate, v. i. To grow better; to meliorate; as, wine ameliorates by age.
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ameliorating adj. prenom. [p. pr. of .] causing improvement in or reducing the bad effects of an unfavorable condition.
Syn. -- ameliorative, amelioratory, meliorative
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Amelioration (�), n. [Cf. F. amélioration.] The act of ameliorating, or the state of being ameliorated; making or becoming better; improvement; melioration. “Amelioration of human affairs.” J. S. Mill.
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Ameliorative (�), a. Tending to ameliorate; producing amelioration or improvement; as, ameliorative remedies, efforts.
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Ameliorator (�), n. One who ameliorates.
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Amen (?; 277), interj., adv., & n. [L. amen, Gr. 'amhn, Heb. āmēn certainly, truly.] An expression used at the end of prayers, and meaning, So be it. At the end of a creed, it is a solemn asseveration of belief. When it introduces a declaration, it is equivalent to truly, verily. It is used as a noun, to denote: (a) concurrence in belief, or in a statement; assent; (b) the final word or act; (c) Christ as being one who is true and faithful.
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And let all the people say, Amen.
Ps. cvi. 48.
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Amen, amen, I say to thee, except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God.
John ii. 3. Rhemish Trans.
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Coloq. To say amen to , to approve warmly; to concur in heartily or emphatically; to ratify; as, I say Amen to all.
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Amen, v. t. To say Amen to; to sanction fully.
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Amenability (�), n. The quality of being amenable; amenableness. Coleridge.
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Amenable (�), a. [F. amener to lead; � (L. ad) = mener to lead, fr. L. minare to drive animals (properly by threatening cries), in LL. to lead; L. minari, to threaten, minae threats. See .] 1. (Old Law) Easy to be led; governable, as a woman by her husband. [Obs.] Jacob.
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2. Liable to be brought to account or punishment; answerable; responsible; accountable; as, amenable to law.
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Nor is man too diminutive . . . to be amenable to the divine government.
I. Taylor.
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3. Liable to punishment, a charge, a claim, etc.
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4. Willing to yield or submit; responsive; tractable.
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Sterling . . . always was amenable enough to counsel.
Carlyle.
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Amenableness, n. The quality or state of being amenable; liability to answer charges; answerableness.
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Amenably, adv. In an amenable manner.
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Amenage (�), v. t. [OF. amesnagier. See .] To manage. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Amenance (�), n. [OF. See .] Behavior; bearing. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Amend (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amended; p. pr. & vb. n. Amending.] [F. amender, L. emendare; e (ex) + mendum, menda, fault, akin to Skr. minda personal defect. Cf. , .] To change or modify in any way for the better; as, (a) by simply removing what is erroneous, corrupt, superfluous, faulty, and the like; (b) by supplying deficiencies; (c) by substituting something else in the place of what is removed; to rectify.
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Mar not the thing that can not be amended.
Shak.
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An instant emergency, granting no possibility for revision, or opening for amended thought.
De Quincey.
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We shall cheer her sorrows, and amend her blood, by wedding her to a Norman.
Sir W. Scott.
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Coloq. To amend a bill , to make some change in the details or provisions of a bill or measure while on its passage, professedly for its improvement.
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