Apetalous - Apocalyptic

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Apetalous (ȧpĕt�lŭs), a. [Pref. a- not + petal.] (Bot.) Having no petals, or flower leaves. [See Illust. under ].
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Apetalousness, n. The state of being apetalous.
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Apex (�), n.; pl. E. Apexes (�); L. Apices (�). [L.] 1. The tip, top, point, or angular summit of anything; as, the apex of a mountain, spire, or cone; the apex, or tip, of a leaf.
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2. (Mining) The end or edge of a vein nearest the surface. [U.S.]
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Coloq. Apex of the earth's motion (Astron.), that point of the heavens toward which the earth is moving in its orbit.
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aphaeresis, Aphæresis (?; 277), n. [L.] Same as .
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aphaeretic apheretic adj. 1. 1 relating to or formed by or consisting of aphaeresis.
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Aphakia (�), n. [NL.; Gr. 'a priv. + � seed of a lentil.] (Med.) An anomalous state of refraction caused by the absence of the crystalline lens, as after operations for cataract. The remedy is the use of powerful convex lenses. Dunglison.
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Aphakial (�), a. (Med.) Pertaining to aphakia; as, aphakial eyes.
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Aphaniptera (�), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. � invisible ('a priv. + � to appear) + � a wing.] (Zoöl.) A group of wingless insects, of which the flea in the type. See .
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Aphanipterous (�), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Aphaniptera.
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Aphanite (�), n. [Gr. � invisible; 'a priv. + � to appear.] (Min.) A very compact, dark-colored �ock, consisting of hornblende, or pyroxene, and feldspar, but neither of them in perceptible grains.
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Aphanitic (�), a. (Min.) Resembling aphanite; having a very fine-grained structure.
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{ Aphasia (�), Aphasy (�), } n. [NL. aphasia, Gr. �, fr. � not spoken; 'a priv. + � to speak: cf. F. aphasie.] (Med.) Loss of the power of speech, or of the appropriate use of words, the vocal organs remaining intact, and the intelligence being preserved. It is dependent on injury or disease of the brain.
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Aphasic (�), a. Pertaining to, or affected by, aphasia; speechless.
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Aphasmidia n. 1. 1 one of two subgroups of Nematoda used in some classification systems.
Syn. -- class Aphasmidia.
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Aphelion (?; 277), n.; pl. Aphelia (�). [Gr. � + � sun.] (Astron.) That point of a planet's or comet's orbit which is most distant from the sun, the opposite point being the perihelion.
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Apheliotropic (�), a. [Gr. � + � sun + � belonging to a turning.] Turning away from the sun; -- said of leaves, etc. Darwin.
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Apheliotropism (�), n. The habit of bending from the sunlight; -- said of certain plants.
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Aphemia (�), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + � voice.] (Med.) Loss of the power of speaking, while retaining the power of writing; -- a disorder of cerebral origin.
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Apheresis (?; 277), n. [L. aphaeresis, Gr. �, fr. � to take away; � + � to take.] 1. (Gram.) The dropping of a letter or syllable from the beginning of a word; e. g., cute for acute.
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2. (Surg.) An operation by which any part is separated from the rest. [Obs.] Dunglison.
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Aphesis (�), n. [Gr. � a letting go; � + � to let go.] The loss of a short unaccented vowel at the beginning of a word; -- the result of a phonetic process; as, squire for esquire. New Eng. Dict.
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Aphetic (�), a. [Gr. � letting go, fr. � to let go.] Shortened by dropping a letter or a syllable from the beginning of a word; as, an aphetic word or form. -- Aphetically, adv. New Eng. Dict.
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Aphetism (�), n. An aphetized form of a word. New Eng. Dict.
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Aphetize (�), v. t. To shorten by aphesis.
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These words . . . have been aphetized. New Eng. Dict.
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Aphid (�), n. (Zoöl.) One of the genus Aphis; an aphidian.
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Aphides (�), n. pl. (Zoöl.) See .
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Aphidian (�), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the family Aphidæ. -- n. One of the aphides; an aphid.
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Aphidivorous (�). [Aphis + L. vorare to devour.] (Zoöl.) Devouring aphides; aphidophagous.
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Aphidophagous (�), a. [Aphis + Gr. � to eat.] (Zoöl.) Feeding upon aphides, or plant lice, as do beetles of the family Coccinellidæ.
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Aphilanthropy (�), n. [Gr. � not loving man; 'a priv. + � to love + � man.] Want of love to mankind; -- the opposite of philanthropy. Coxe.
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Aphis (�), n.; pl. Aphides (�). [NL.] (Zoöl.) A genus of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera and family Aphidæ, including numerous species known as plant lice and green flies.
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☞ Besides the true males and females, there is a race of wingless asexual individuals which have the power of producing living young in rapid succession, and these in turn may produce others of the same kind for several generations, before sexual individuals appear. They suck the sap of plants by means of a tubular proboscis, and owing to the wonderful rapidity of their reproduction become very destructive to vegetation. Many of the Aphidæ excrete honeydew from two tubes near the end of the body.
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Aphis lion (�). (Zoöl.) The larva of the lacewinged flies (Chrysopa), which feeds voraciously upon aphids. The name is also applied to the larvæ of the ladybugs (Coccinella).
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Aphlogistic (�), a. [Gr. � not inflammable; 'a priv. + � set on fire. See .] Flameless; as, an aphlogistic lamp, in which a coil of wire is kept in a state of continued ignition by alcohol, without flame.
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{ Aphonia (�), Aphony (�), } n. [NL. aphonia, Gr. �, fr. � voiceless; 'a priv. + � voice: cf. F. aphonie.] (Med.) Loss of voice or vocal utterance.
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{ Aphonic (�), Aphonous (�), } a. Without voice; voiceless; nonvocal; incapable of all but whispered speech.
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Aphorism (�), n. [F. aphorisme, fr. Gr. � definition, a short, pithy sentence, fr. � to mark off by boundaries, to define; � from + � to separate, part. See .] A comprehensive maxim or principle expressed in a few words; a sharply defined sentence relating to abstract truth rather than to practical matters.
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The first aphorism of Hippocrates is, “Life is short, and the art is long.” Fleming.
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Syn. -- Axiom; maxim; adage; proverb; apothegm; saying; saw; truism; dictum. See .
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{ Aphorismatic (�), Aphorismic (�), } a. Pertaining to aphorisms, or having the form of an aphorism.
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Aphorismer (�) n. A dealer in aphorisms. [Used in derogation or contempt.] Milton.
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Aphorist, n. A writer or utterer of aphorisms.
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{ Aphoristic (�), Aphoristical (�), } a. [Gr. �.] In the form of, or of the nature of, an aphorism; in the form of short, unconnected sentences; as, an aphoristic style.
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The method of the book is aphoristic. De Quincey.
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Aphoristically, adv. In the form or manner of aphorisms; pithily.
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Aphorize (�), v. i. To make aphorisms.
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Aphotic (ȧfōtĭk), a. [Gr. 'afws, 'afwtos.] Without light.
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Aphotic region. (Phytogeog.) A depth of water so great that only those organisms can exist that do not assimilate.
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Aphrasia (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + frasis speech.] (Med.) (a) = . (b) A disorder of speech in which words can be uttered but not intelligibly joined together.
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Aphrite (�), n. (Min.) See under .
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{ Aphrodisiac (�), Aphrodisiacal (�), } a. [Gr. � pertaining to sensual love, fr. �. See .] Exciting venereal desire; stimulating the desire for sexual gratification.
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Aphrodisiac, n. That which (as a drug, or some kinds of food) stimulate sexual desire.
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Aphrodisian (�), a. [Gr. �.] Pertaining to Aphrodite or Venus. “Aphrodisian dames” [that is, courtesans]. C. Reade.
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Aphrodite (�), n. [Gr. �.] 1. (Classic Myth.) The Greek goddess of love, corresponding to the Venus of the Romans.
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2. (Zoöl.) A large marine annelid, covered with long, lustrous, golden, hairlike setæ; the sea mouse.
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3. (Zoöl.) A beautiful butterfly (Argunnis Aphrodite) of the United States.
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Aphroditic (�), a. Venereal. [R.] Dunglison.
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Aphtha (�), n. [Sing. of .] (Med.) (a) One of the whitish specks called aphthæ. (b) The disease, also called thrush.
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Aphthæ (�), n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. � (mostly in pl. �, Hipp.) an eruption, thrush, fr. � to set on fire, inflame.] (Med.) Roundish pearl-colored specks or flakes in the mouth, on the lips, etc., terminating in white sloughs. They are commonly characteristic of thrush.
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Aphthoid, a. [Aphtha + -oid.] Of the nature of aphthæ; resembling thrush.
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Aphthong (?; 277), n. [Gr. � silent; 'a priv. + � voice, sound, fr. � to sound.] A letter, or a combination of letters, employed in spelling a word, but in the pronunciation having no sound. -- Aphthongal (�), a.
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Aphthous (�) a. [Cf. F. aphtheux.] Pertaining to, or caused by, aphthæ; characterized by aphtæ; as, aphthous ulcers; aphthous fever.
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Aphyllous (�), a. [Gr. �; 'a priv. + � leaf.] (Bot.) Destitute of leaves, as the broom rape, certain euphorbiaceous plants, etc.
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Apiaceae n. 1. a family of plants bearing flowers in umbels; examples are: parsley; carrot; anise; caraway; celery; dill.
Syn. -- Umbelliferae, family Umbelliferae, family Apiaceae, carrot family
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Apiaceous (�), a. (Bot.) Umbelliferous.
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Apian (�), a. Belonging to bees.
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Apiarian (�), a. Of or relating to bees.
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Apiarist (�), n. One who keeps an apiary.
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Apiary (�), n. [L. apiarium, fr. apis bee.] A place where bees are kept; a stand or shed for bees; a beehouse.
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Apical (�), a. [L. apex, apicis, tip or summit.] At or belonging to an apex, tip, or summit. Gray.
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Apices (�), n. pl. See .
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Apician (�), a. [L. Apicianus.] Belonging to Apicius, a notorious Roman epicure; hence applied to whatever is peculiarly refined or dainty and expensive in cookery. H. Rogers.
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Apicular, a. [NL. apiculus, dim. of L. apex, apicis.] Situated at, or near, the apex; apical.
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{ Apiculate (�), Apiculated (�), } a. [See .] (Bot.) Terminated abruptly by a small, distinct point, as a leaf.
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Apiculture (?; 135), n. [L. apis bee + E. culture.] Rearing of bees for their honey and wax.
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apiculturist n. 1. a farmer who keeps bees for their honey.
Syn. -- beekeeper, apiarist.
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Apidae n. 1. 1 a family of insects comprising the bees; examples are: honeybees; carpenter bees; bumblebees.
Syn. -- family Apidae.
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Apiece (�), adv. [Pref. a- + piece.] Each by itself; by the single one; to each; as the share of each; as, these melons cost a shilling apiece. “Fined . . . a thousand pounds apiece.” Hume.
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Apieces (�), adv. In pieces or to pieces. [Obs.] “Being torn apieces.” Shak.
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Apiked (�), a. Trimmed. [Obs.]
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Full fresh and new here gear apiked was. Chaucer.
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Apiol (�), n. [L. apium parsley + -ol.] (Med.) An oily liquid derived from parsley.
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Apiologist (�), n. [L. apis bee + -logist (see ).] A student of bees. [R.] Emerson.
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Apiology (?), n. [L. apis bee + -logy.] The scientific or systematic study of honey bees.
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Apis (�), n. [L., bee.] (Zoöl.) A genus of insects of the order Hymenoptera, including the common honeybee (Apis mellifica) and other related species. See .
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Apish (�), a. Having the qualities of an ape; prone to imitate in a servile manner. Hence: Apelike; fantastically silly; foppish; affected; trifling.
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The apish gallantry of a fantastic boy. Sir W. Scott.
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Apishly, adv. In an apish manner; with servile imitation; foppishly.
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Apishness, n. The quality of being apish; mimicry; foppery.
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Apitpat, adv. [Pref. a- + pitpat.] With quick beating or palpitation; pitapat. Congreve.
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apivorous adj. 1. feeding on bees; bee-eating.
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Aplacental, a. [Pref. a- + placental.] Belonging to the Aplacentata; without placenta.
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Aplacentata, n. pl. [Pref. a- not + placenta.] (Zoöl.) Mammals which have no placenta.
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Aplacophora (�), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + � a flat cake + ferein to bear.] (Zoöl.) A division of Amphineura in which the body is naked or covered with slender spines or setæ, but is without shelly plates.
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aplacophoran n. 1. one of the ; a deep-water wormlike mollusk lacking calcareous plates on the body but having fine limy spicules on the covering mantle.
Syn. -- solenogaster
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Aplanatic (�), a. [Gr. 'a priv. + � disposed to wander, wandering, � to wander.] (Opt.) Having two or more parts of different curvatures, so combined as to remove spherical aberration; -- said of a lens.
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Coloq. Aplanatic focus of a lens (Opt.), the point or focus from which rays diverging pass the lens without spherical aberration. In certain forms of lenses there are two such foci; and it is by taking advantage of this fact that the best aplanatic object glasses of microscopes are constructed.
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Aplanatism (�), n. Freedom from spherical aberration.
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Aplanogamete (?), n. (Bot.) A nonmotile gamete, found in certain lower algæ.
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Aplasia (?), n. [NL.; Gr. � priv. + � a molding.] (Med.) 1. Incomplete or faulty development.
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2. (Med.) a defect, retardation, or cessation of the process of generation of blood cells.
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Aplastic (�), a. [Pref. a- not + plastic.] Not plastic or easily molded.
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Aplastic anemia, n. [from .] (Med.) an anemia characterized by substantial reduction or cessation of production of red blood cells and hemoglobin by the bone marrow. Stedman
Syn. -- Ehrlich's anemia; anemia gravis.
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aplite n. 1. light-colored and fine-grained granitic rock consisting chiefly of quartz and feldspars.
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aplitic adj. 1. of or pertaining to an aplite.
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Aplodontia n. 1. 1 the type genus of the family Aplodontiidae, comprising the mountain beavers.
Syn. -- genus Aplodontia.
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Aplodontiidae n. 1. 1 a family of mammals comprising the mountain beavers.
Syn. -- family Aplodontiidae.
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Aplomb (�), n. [F., lit. perpendicularity; � to + plomb lead. See .] Assurance of manner or of action; self-possession.
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Aplotomy (�), n. [Gr. � simple + � a cutting.] (Surg.) Simple incision. Dunglison.
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Aplustre (�), n. [L., fr. Gr. �.] (Rom. Antiq.) An ornamental appendage of wood at the ship's stern, usually spreading like a fan and curved like a bird's feather. Audsley.
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Aplysia (�), n. [Gr. � a dirty sponge, fr. � unwashed; 'a priv. + � to wash.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marine mollusks of the order Tectibranchiata; the sea hare. Some of the species when disturbed throw out a deep purple liquor, which colors the water to some distance. See Illust. in Appendix.
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apnea n. 1. transient cessation of respiration. [Also spelled apnoea.]
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apneic adj. 1. 1 of or pertaining to apnea.
Syn. -- apnoeic
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Apneumatic (?), a. [Gr. � not blown through.] (Med.) Devoid of air; free from air; as, an apneumatic lung; also, effected by or with exclusion of air; as, an apneumatic operation.
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Apneumona (�), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + �, �, a lung.] (Zoöl.) An order of holothurians in which the internal respiratory organs are wanting; -- called also Apoda or Apodes.
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Apnœa (�), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'a priv. + �, �, breath, � to breathe, blow.] (Med.) Partial privation or suspension of breath; suffocation; same as .
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apnoeic adj. 1. same as .
Syn. -- apneic
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Apo (�). [Gr. �. See .] A prefix from a Greek preposition. It usually signifies from, away from, off, or asunder, separate; as, in apocope (a cutting off), apostate, apostle (one sent away), apocarpous.
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Apocalypse (�), n. [L. apocalypsis, Gr. �, fr. � to uncover, to disclose; � from + � to cover, conceal: cf. F. apocalypse.] 1. (Eccl.) One of a numerous class of writings proceeding from Jewish authors between 250 b. c. and 150 a. d., and designed to propagate the Jewish faith or to cheer the hearts of the Jewish people with the promise of deliverance and glory; or proceeding from Christian authors of the opening centuries and designed to portray the future.
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2. Specifically, the revelation delivered to St. John, in the isle of Patmos, near the close of the first century, forming the last book of the New Testament (called Revelation or the Apocalypse).
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3. Anything viewed as a revelation, especially one that is highly significant for the person receiving it; a disclosure. Often used of a realization or revelation that changes a person's goals or style of life.
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The new apocalypse of Nature. Carlyle.
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4. the final battle between good and evil, as foreseen in Saint John's Apocalypse; the time when God conquers the powers of evil, attended by cataclysmic cosmic events, and sometimes thought of as the end of the world; an Armageddon.
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{ Apocalyptic (�), Apocalyptical (�), } a. [Gr. �.] 1. Of or pertaining to a revelation, or, specifically, to the Revelation of St. John; containing, or of the nature of, a prophetic revelation.
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2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or resembling an apocalypse, in senses 3 or 4.
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Coloq. Apocalyptic number , the number 666, mentioned in Rev. xiii. 18., in which it is described as the number of the “beast of the earth”. It has been variously interpreted. Some fundamentalist Christians consider it to be the number of the Devil, and avoid or fear objects containing that number.
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