POINTED LETTERS. A has the long sound of a, as in fate. A has the Italian sound of a, as in far. A has the sound of aw, as in fall. A has the short sound of aw, as in what. has the long sound of e, as in mete. Ehas the sound of long a, as in vein, and in there I has the long sound of i, as in pine. I has the short sound of i, as in pin. I has the sound of long e, as in marine. 1 has the sound of short u, as in bird. bas the long sound of o, as in note. O has the sound of oo, as in food. Q has the sound of oo, as in good, the same as u in full O has the sound of short u, as in dove. has the long sound of u, as in tube. U has the sound of u, as in bull. U has the sound of yu, as in union. Chard c, the same as k. G softg, the same as j. $ soft s, the same as z. CH have the French sound, the same as sk. TH have their vocal sound, as in this. AN AMERICAN DICTIONARY 1 OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. ABA A is the first letter of the alphabet in most of the known languages of the earth: in the Ethiopic, however, it is the thirteenth, and in the Runic the tenth. It is naturally the first letter, because it represents the first vocal sound naturally formed by the human organs; being the sound uttered with a mere opening of the mouth, without constraint, and without any effort to alter the natural position or configuration of the lips. A has, m English, three sounds; the long or slender, as in place, fate; the broad, as in wall, fall, which is shortened in solt, what; and the open, as in father, glass, which is shortened in rather, fancy. Its primitive sound was probably aw. A is also an abbreviation of the Saxon an or ane, one, used before words beginning with a consonant; as, a table, instead of an table, or one table. This is a modern change; for, in Saxon, an was used before articulations as well as vowels; as, an tid, a time, an gear, a year. See AN. This letter serves as a prefix to many English words; as in asleep, awake, afoot, aground, agoing. A is also used for anno, or ante; as in anno Domini, the year of our Lord; anno mundi, the year of the world; ante meridiem, before noon; and for arts, in artium magister, master of arts. Among the Romans, A UC stood for anno ab urbe condita, from the building of the city, or Rome אמא אמה יקרה.[ A Dutch measure of liquids, equal to 288 English pints. ABA ABA-GUN, n. The name of a fowl in Ethiopia AB-ALIEN-ATE, (ab-alelyen-ate) v. t. To transfer the AB-AL-IEN-ATION, (ab-ale-yen-ashun) n. The trans- A-BAN'DON, v. t. [Fr. abandonner.] 1. To forsake entire- †A-BAN'DON, n. 1 One who totally forsakes or deserts A-BAN'DONED, pp. 1. Wholly forsaken or deserted. 2 A-BANGA, n. The ady; a species of palm-tree. AA-RONIC, a. Pertaining to Aaron, or to the priest-A-BAP-TISTON, n. The perforating part of the trephine, AA-RON I-CAL, hood of which he was the head. AB, in English names, is an abbreviation of abbey or abbot; as Abbingdon, Abbeytown. AB, a prefix to words of Latin origin, and a Latin preposi. AB. The Hebrew name of father. Sce Авва. ABA-CIST, n. [from abacus.] One that casts accounts; a calculator. Α-ΒΑΕΚ, αλı Towards the back; on the back part; backward. In seamen's language, it signifies the situation of the sails, when pressed back against the mast by the wind. АВА-СОТ, п. The cap of state, formerly used by English kings A-BACTOR, n. [L.] In law, one that feloniously drives away or steals a herd or numbers of cattle at once, in distinction from one that steals a sheep or two. ABA-CUS, n. [L.] 1. Among the Romans, a cupboard or buffet. 2. An instrument to facilitate operations in arithmetic.-3. In architecture, a table constituting the upper member or crowning of a column and its capital. AB'A-CUS PYTH-A-GORI-CUS. The multiplication table, invented by Pythagoras. ABA-CUS HAR-MONI-CUS The structure and disposition of the keys of a musical instrument. ABA-CUS MA-JOR. A trough used in mines, to wash ore .חו AB/A-DA, n. A wild animal of Africa. A-BADDON, Heb.] 1. The destroyer, or angel of the bottomless pit. 2. The bottomless pit. Milton. A-BXFT, adv. or prep. [Sax. ostan.] A sea-term, signifying in or at the hinder part of a ship, or the parts which lie towards the stern; opposed to afore. Relatively, it denotes further aft, or towards the stern. It is often contracted into aft. an instrument used in trepanning. †ABARE, v. t. [Sax. abarian.] To make bare; to un cover. AB-AR-TIC-U-LATION, n. In anatomy, that species of A-BAS, n. A weight in Persia. Encyc. A-BASED, (a-baste') pp. Reduced to a low state, humbled, A-BASE/MENT, n. The act of humbling or bringing low also a state of degradation. A-BASH', v. t. Heb. To make the spirits to fail, to A-BASHED, (a-basht') pp. Confused with shame; con- A-BA TA-BLE, 4. That may or can be abated. A-BATE', v. i. 1. To decrease, or become less in strength * See Synopsis. A, E, I, O, U, Y, long. FAR, FALL, WHẠT;-PREY;-PIN, MARINE, BIRD; Obsolete or come to naught; as, a writ abates.-3. In law, to enter into a freehold after the death of the last occupant, and before the heir or devisee takes possession.-4. In horsemanship, to perform well a downward motion. A horse is said to abate, or take down his curvets, when, working upon curvets, he puts both his hind legs to the ground at once, and observes the same exactness in all the times. A-BAT'ED, pp. Lessened; decreased; destroyed; mitigated; defeated; remitted; overthrown. A-BATE/MENT, n. 1. The act of abating; the state of being abated. 2. A reduction, removing, or pulling down, as of a nuisance. 3. Diminution, decrease, or mitigation, as of grief or pain. 4. Deduction, sum withdrawn, as from an account. 5. Overthrow, failure, or defeat, as of a writ. 6. The entry of a stranger into a freehold after the death of the tenant, before the heir or devisee.-7. In heraldry, a mark of dishonor in a coat of arms, by which its dignity is debased for some stain on the character of the wearer. A-BAT'ER, n. The person or thing that abates. A-BATING, ppr. Pulling down, diminishing, defeating, remitting. A-BATOR, n. A person who enters into a freehold on the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee. ABA-TIS, n. [Fr.] Rubbish. In fortification, piles of ABAT-TIS, trees, or branches of trees sharpened, and laid with the points outward, in front of ramparts, to prevent assailants from mounting the walls. ABA-TUDE, n. Any thing diminished. AB A-TURE, n. [from abate.] Grass beaten or trampled down by a stag in passing. Dict. ABB, n. [Sax. ab or ob.] Among weavers, yarn for the warp. Encyс. ABBA, n. In the Chaldee and Syriac, a father, and figuratively, a superior. AB'BA-CY, [Low Lat. abbatia.] The dignity, rights, and privileges of an abbot. AB-BATICAL, a. Belonging to an abbey. AB'BE, (abby) n. [from abba.] In a monastic sense, the same as an abbot; but, more generally, a title, in Catholic countries, without any determinate rank, office, or rights. AB/BESS, n. [from abba.] A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns. See ABBEY. ABBEY, (ab-by) n., plu. ABBEYS, [from abba.] A monastery or society of persons, of either sex, secluded from the world, and devoted to religion. The males are called monks, and are governed by an abbot; the females are called nuns, and are governed by an abbess. ABBEY-LUB-BER, n. A name given to monks, in contempt for their idleness. ABBOT, n. [formerly abbat, from abba, Latinized abbas.] The superior or governor of an abbey or monastery. Ency. AB/BOTSHIP, n. The state of an abbot. AB-BREU-VOIR', (ab-bru-vwor') n. [Fr.] A watering-place; among masons, the joint between stones in a wall, to be filled with mortar. AB-BRE/VI-ATE, v. t. [It. abbreviare.] 1. To shorten; to make shorter by contracting the parts. 2. To shorten; to abridge by the omission or defalcation of a part; to reduce to a smaller compass; as, to abbreviate a writing.3. In mathematics, to reduce fractions to the lowest terms. AB-BREVI-ATE, n. An abridgment. Elyot. AB-BRE/VI-A-TED, pp. Shortened; reduced in length; abridged. AB-BRE/VI-A-TING, ppr. Shortening; contracting in length, or into a smaller compass. AB-BRE-VI-ATION, n. 1. The act of shortening or contracting. A letter, or a few letters, used for a word; as, Gen. for Genesis. 3. The reduction of fractions to the lowest terms. AB-BRE/VI-A-TOR, n. One who abridges or reduces to a smaller compass. AB-BRE/VI-A-TORS. A college of seventy-two persons in the chancery of Rome. AB-BRE/VI-A-TO-RY, a. Shortening, contracting. AB-BREVI-A-TURE, n. A letter or character for shortening; an abridgment, a compend. A. B. C. The three first letters of the alphabet, used for the whole alphabet. Also a little book for teaching the elements of reading. AB'DALS, n. The name of certain fanatics in Persia. Enc. AB'DE-RITE, n. An inhabitant of Abdera. Whitaker. ABDI-CANT, a. Abdicating; renouncing. ABDI-CATE, v. t. [L. abdico.] 1. To abandon an office or trust, without a formal resignation to those who conferred it, or without their consent; also, to abandon a throne, without a formal surrender of the crown. Blackstone. 2. To reject; to renounce; to abandon as a right.-3. In the civil law, to disclaim a son, and expel him from the family, as a father; to disinherit during the life of the father. ABDI-CATE, v. i. To renounce; to abandon; to cast off) to relinquish, as a right, power, or trust. Burke. ABDI-CA-TED, pp. Renounced; relinquished without a formal resignation; abandoned. ABDI-CA-TING, ppr. Relinquishing without a formal resignation; abandoning. AB-DI-CATION, n. 1. The act of abdicating; the abandoning of an office or trust, without a formal surrender. 2. A casting off; rejection. *AB DI-CA-TIVE, a. Causing or implying abdication. [Little used.] ABDI-TIVE, a. [L. abdo] Having the power or quality of hiding. [Little used.] AB'DI-TO-RY, n. A place for secreting or preserving goods. *AB/DO-MEN, or AB-DO MEN, n. [L. perhaps abdo and omentum.] 1. The lower belly, or that part of the body which lies between the thorax and the bottom of the pel vis.-2. In insects, the lower part of the aninal, united to the corslet by a thread. AB-DOMI-NAL, a. Pertaining to the lower belly AB-DOMI-NAL, n.; plu. ABDOMINALS. In ichthyoogy, the abdominals are a class of fish, whose ventral fins are placed behind the pectoral, and which belong to the division of bony fish. AB-DOMI-NAL RING, or INGUI-NAL RING, n. An ob long, tendinous ring in both groins. AB-DOMI-NOUS, a. Pertaining to the abdomen; having a large belly. AB-DUCE, v. t. [L. abduco.] To draw from; to withdraw, or draw to a different part; used chiefly in anatomy. ABDUCENT, a. Drawing from, pulling back; used of those muscles which pull back certain parts of the body, for separating, opening, or bending them. AB-DUCTION, n. 1. In a general sense, the act of drawing apart, or carrying away.-2. In surgery, a species of fracture, in which the broken parts recede from each other.3. In logic, a kind of argumentation, called by the Greeks apagoge, in which the major is evident, but the minor is not so clear as not to require farther proof.-4. In law, the taking and carrying away of a child, a ward, a wife, &c., either by fraud, persuasion, or open violence. AB-DUCTOR, n. In anatomy, a muscle which serves to withdraw, or pull back a certain part of the body. †A-BEAR', (a-bare') v. t. [Sax. aberan.] To bear; to behave. Spenser. A-BEAR'ANCE, n. [from abear.] Behavior, demeanor. Blackstone. [Little used.] A-BE-CE-DARI-AN, n. [a word formed from the first four letters of the alphabet. One who teaches the letters of the alphabet, or a learner of the letters. A-BE-CE/DA-RY, a. Pertaining to, or formed by the letters of the alphabet. A-BED', adv. On or in bed. A-BELE, or A BEL-TREE, n. An obsolete name of the white poplar. A-BE/LI-ANS, AB-E-LONI-ANS, or A'BEL-ITES. In church history, a sect in Africa which arose in the reign of Arcadius. A'BEL-MOSK, n. A trivial name of a species of hibiscus, or Syrian mallow. AB-ERRI, v. i. [L. aberro.] To wander. AB-ER'RANCE, [L. aberrans.] A wandering or deviAB-ER/RAN-CÝ, ating from the right way; an error, mistake; a fault, a deviation from rectitude. AB-ER'RANT, a. Wandering, straying from the right way. [Rarely used.] AB-ER-RATION, n. [L. aberratio.] 1. The act of wandering from the right way; deviation from truth or moral rectitude; deviation from a strait line. 2. In astronomy, a small apparent motion of the fixed stars, occasioned by the progressive motion of light and the earth's annual motion in its orbit.-3. In optics, a deviation in the rays of light, when inflected by a lens. - Crown of aberration, a luminous circle surrounding the disk of the sun, depending on the aberration of its rays. Cyc. AB-ER'RING, part. a. Wandering; going astray. † AB-ER-RUNICATE, v. t. [L. averrunco.] To pull up by the roots; to extirpate utterly. A-BET', v. t. [Sax. betan, gebetan.] 1. To encourage by aid or countenance, but now used chiefly in a bad sense. -2. In law, to encourage, counsel, incite, or assist in a criminal act. †ABET', n. The act of aiding in a crime A-BET'MENT, n. The act of abetting. A-BET'TED, pp. Incited, aided, encouraged to a crime. A-BETTING, ppr. Counseling, aiding, or encouraging to a crime. A-BET TOR, n. One who abets, or incites, aids or encourages another to commit a crime. AB-E-VAC-U-A'TION, n. [ab and evacuation.] In medicine. a partial evacuation of morbid humors of the body, either by nature or art. A-BEY'ANCE, (a-bay-ance) n. [Norm. abbaiaunce, or abaizance.] In expectation or contemplation of law. The ABGRE-GATE, v. t. To lead out of the flock. n. A separation from the flock. AB-HOR', v. t. [L. abhorreo.] 1. To hate extremely, or with contempt; to lothe, detest, or abominate. 2. To despise or neglect. 3. To cast off or reject. AB-HOR'RED, (ab-hord) pp. Hated extremely, detested. AB-HOR RENCE, n. Extreme hatred, detestation, great AB-HOR REN-CY, aversion. AB-HOR RENT, a. 1. Hating, detesting, struck with abhome. 2. Contrary, odious, inconsistent with, expressive of extreme opposition. AB-HOR/RENT-LY, adv. With abhorrence. AB-HOR'RING, ppr. Having great aversion, detesting. As a noun, it is used in Isaiah Ixvi. for the object of hatred"An abhorring to all flesh." A'BIB, n. [Heb. The first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, called also Nisan. It begins at the spring equinox, and answers to the latter part of March and beginning of April. A-BIDE, v. i. pret. and part. abode. [Sax. bidan, abidan. 1. To rest or dwell. 2. To stay for a short time. 3. To continue permanently, or in the same state; to be firm and immovable. 4. To remain, to continue. A-BIDE, v. 1. 1. To wait for; to be prepared for; to await. 2. To endure or sustain. 3. To bear or endure; to bear patiently. A-BIDER, n. One who dwells or continues. A-BIDING, ppr. Dwelling; remaining; continuing; enduring; awaiting. A-BIDING, 2. Continuance; fixed state; residence; an enduring. A-BIDING-LY, adv. In a manner to continue; permanently. †A-BIL/I-MENT, n. Formerly used for ability. A-BIL/I-TY, n. [Fr. habileté.] 1. Physical power, whether bodily or mental, natural or acquired; force of understanding; skill in arts or science. In the plural, abilities is much used for the faculties of the mind. 2. Riches, wealth, substance. 3. Moral power, depending on the will-a metaphysical and theological sense. 4. Civil or legal power; the power or right to do certain things. It is opposed to disability. Cyс. AB-IN-TESTATE, a. [L. ab and intestatus.] In the civil law, inheriting the estate of one dying without a will. AB-JECT', 2. 1. To throw away; to cast out. Spenser. ABJECT, a. [L. abjectus.] 1. Sunk to a low condition. 2. Worthless, mean, despicable, low in estimation, without hope or regard. ABJECT, n. A person in the lowest condition, and despicable. Ps. XXXV. AB-JECTED-NESS, n. A very low or despicable condition. [Little used.] AB-JECTION, n. A state of being cast away; hence a low state; meanness of spirit; baseness. ABJECT-LY, adv. In a contemptible manner; meanly; servilely. ABJECT-NESS, a. The state of being abject; meanness; servility. AB-JU-RATION, n. 1. The act of abjuring; a renunciation upon oath. 2. A rejection or denial with solemnity; a total abandonment. AB-JURA-TO-RY, a. Containing abjuration. AB-JURE, v. t. [L. abjuro.] 1. To renounce upon oath; to abandon. 2. To renounce or reject with solemnity; to reject. 3. To recant or retract. 4. To banish. [Not used.] 3. Having large or competent property; or simply navıng property, or means. 4. Having competent strength or fortitude. 5. Having sufficient knowledge or skill. 6 Having competent moral power or qualifications. † A'BLE, v. t. To enable. B. Jonson. A'BLE-BOD-IED, 4. Having a sound, strong body, or a body of competent strength for service. † AB'LE-GATE, v. t. [L. ablego.] To send abroad. AB'LEN, or AB'LET, n. A small fresh-water fish, the AB-LE-GA TION, n. The act of sending abroad. bleak. A BLE-NESS, n. Ability of body or mind; force; vigor; capability. AB'LEP-SY, n. [Gr. αβλεψια.] Want of sight; blindness. A'BLER, and A'BLEST, comp. and superl. of able † AB-LI-GU-RITION, n. [L. abliguritio.] Prodigal ex pense on meat and drink †ABLI-GATE, v. t. [L. abligo.] To tie up from. ABLO-CATE, v. t. [L. abloco.] To let out; to lease. AB-LO-CA'TION, n. A letting to hire. AB-LŪDE, v. i. [L. abludo.] To be unlike; to differ Hall. AB'LU-ENT, a. [L. abluo.] Washing clean; cleansing by water or liquids. AB'LU-ENT, n. In medicine, that which thins, purifies, or sweetens the blood. Quincy. AB-LUTION, n. [L. ablutio.] 1. In a general sense, the act of washing; a cleansing or purification by water. 2. Appropriately, the washing of the body as a preparation for religious duties.-3. In chemistry, the purification of bodies by the affusion of a proper liquor, as water to dissolve salts.-4. In medicine, the washing of the body ezternally, as by baths; or internally, by diluting fluids.. 5. Pope has used ablution for the water used in cleansing. 6. The cup given to the laity, without consecration, in popish churches. Johnson. A'BLY, adv. In an able manner; with great ability. † AB'NE-GATE, v. t. To deny. AB-NE-GA'TION, n. [L. abnego.] A denial; a renunciation; self-denial. AB NE-GA-TOR, n. One who denies, renounces, or opposes any thing. Sandys. AB-NO-DATION, n. [L. abnodo.] The act of cutting away the knots of trees. AB-NORMI-TY, n. Irregularity; deformity. AB-NORMOUS, a. [L. abnormis.] Irregular; deformed. [Little used.] A-BOARD', adv. [a and board.] Within a ship, vessel, or boat. To go aboard, to enter a ship; to embark To fall aboard, to strike a ship's side. A-BOARD', prep. On board; in; with. †A-BOD'ANCE, n. An omen. A-BODE', pret. of abide. A-BODE', n. 1. Stay; continuance in a place; residence for a longer or shorter time. 2. A place of continuance; a dwelling; a habitation. 3. To make abode, to dwell or reside. A-BODE', v. t. To foreshow. Shak. A-BODE, v. i. To be an omen. Dryden. A-BODE MENT, n. A secret anticipation of something fu A-BODING, n. Presentiment; prognostication. A-BOL/ISH, v. t. [Fr. abolır.] 1. To make void; to annul A-BOL/ISH-A-BLE, a. That may be annulled, abrogated, or destroyed. † AB-JORE, v. i. To abjure the realm. Burnet. AB-JUR/ED, (ab-jürd') pp. Renounced upon oath; solemn- A-BOLISHED, pp. Annulled; repealed ; abrogated, or de. ly recanted. †AB-JÜRE MENT, n. Renunciation. J. Hall. AB-JURER, n. One who abjures. AB-JURING, ppr. Renouncing upon oath; disclaiming with solemnity. AB-LACTATE, v. t. [L. ablacto.] To wean from the breast. AB-LAC-TATION, n. 1. In medical authors, the weaning of a child from the breast. 2. Among ancient gardeners, a method of grafting, now called grafting by approach, or inarching. AB-LAQ-UE-ATION, n. [L. ablaqueatio.] A laying bare the roots of trees to expose them to the air and water. AB-LATION, n. [L. ab and latio.] A carrying away. In medicine, the taking from the body whatever is hurtful; evacuations in general. ABLA-TIVE, a. [L. ablativus.] A word applied to the sixth case of nouns in the Latin language. A BLE, a. [L. habilis; Norm. ablez.] 1. Having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mental. 2. Having strong or unusual powers of mind, or intellectual qualifications; as, an able minister. A-BOLISH-ER, n. One who abolishes. A-BOLISH-MENT, n. The act of annulling; abrogation; AB-O-LITION, (ab-o-lish'un) n. The act of abolishing; ot the state of being abolished; an annulling; abrogation; utter destruction. AB-O-LI 'TION-IST, n. One who is desirous to abolish any A-ROM'IN-A-BLE, a. Very hateful; detestable; lothe- A-BOMIN-A-BLY, adv. 1. Very odiously; detestably; sin- ture. Shak. stroyed. thing. red. A-BOMUN-A-TED, pp. Hated utterly; detested; abhor A BOM-IN-ATION, n. 1. Extreme hatred; detestation. Swift. 2. The object of detestation; a common significa tion in Scripture. 3. Hence, defilement, pollution, in a physical sense, or evil doctrines and practices, which are moral defilements, idols, and idolatry, are called abominations. Whatever is an object of extreme hatred is called an abomination. A-BOON', prep. Above. Provincial. A-BORD, n. [Fr.] Literally, arrival; but used for first appearance, manner of accosting, or address; but not an English word. A-BORD', v. t. To accost. A-BORE-Á, n. A species of duck. AB-O-RIGI-NAL, a. [L. ab and origo.] First; original; primitive; aboriginal people are the first inhabitants of a country. AB-O-RIGI-NAL, n. An original, or primitive inhabitant. word. †A-BORSE/MENT, n. Abortion. A-BORT', v. i. [L. aborto.] To miscarry in birth. A-BORTION, n. [L. abortio.] 1. The act of miscarrying, or producing young before the natural time.-2. In a figurative sense, any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or any thing which fails in its progress. 3. The fetus brought forth before it is perfectly formed. A-BOR'TIVE, a. 1. Brought forth in an immature state; failing, or coming to naught, before it is complete. 2. Failing in its effect; miscarrying; producing nothing; as, an abortive scheme. 3. Rendering abortive. 4. Pertaining to abortion. 5. In botany, an abortive flower is one which falls without producing fruit. A-BOR/TIVE, n. That which is brought forth or born prematurely. [Little used.] A-BOR'TÍVE-LY, adv. Immaturely; in an untimely man ner. A-BOR/TIVE-NESS, n. The state of being abortive; a failing in the progress to perfection or maturity; a failure of producing the intended effect. A-BORT MENT, n. An untimely birth. Bacon. A-BOUND, v. i. [L. abando.] 1. To have or possess in great quantity; to be copiously supplied; followed by with or in. 2. To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent. A-BOUNDING, ppr. Having in great plenty; being in great plenty; being very prevalent. A-BOUNDING, n. Increase. South. A-BOUT, prep. [Sax. abutan.] 1. Around; on the exterior part or surface. 2. Near to in place, with the sense of circularity. 3. Near to in time. 4. Near to in action, or near to the performance of some act. 5. Near to the person; appended to the clothes. 6. Concerned in, engaged in, relating to, respecting. 7. In compass or circumference; as, two yards about the trunk. A-BOUT', adv. 1. Near to in number or quantity. 2. Near to in quality or degree; ; as, about as high, or as cold. 3. Here and there; around; in one place and another. 4. Round, or the longest way, opposed to across, or the shortest way; as, a mile about, and half a mile across. A-BOVE', prep. [Sax. abufan.] 1. Literally, higher in place. 2. Figuratively, superior in any respect. 3. More in number or quantity. 4. More in degree; in a greater degree. 5. Beyond; in excess. 6. Beyond; in a state to be unattainable; as, things above comprehension. 7. Too proud for. 8. Too elevated in mind or rank; having too much dignity for. 9. It is often used, elliptically, for heaven, or the celestial regions. 10. In a book or writing, it denotes before, or in a former place; as, what has been said above; supra. A-BOVE, adv. 1. Overhead; in a higher place. 2. Before. 3. Chief in rank or power. Above all is elliptical; above all considerations; chiefly; in preference to other things. -Above board, above the board or table; in open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception. A-BOVE-CI-TED. Cited before, in the preceding part of a book or writing. A-BOVE-GROUND. Alive, not buried. AB-RADE, v. t. [L. abrado.] To rub or wear off; to waste by friction; used especially to express the action of sharp, corrosive medicines AB-RAD ED, pp. Rubbed or worn off; worn; scraped. 1 A-BRAID', v. t. To arouse; to awake. A-BREAST, (a-brest) adv. [from a and breast.] Side by side, with the breasts in a line. A-BRIDGE, (a-bridj) v. t [Fr. abréger.] 1. To make shorter; to epitomize; to contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense in substance; used of writings. 2. To lessen; to diminish; as, to abridge labor. 3. To deprive; to cut off from; followed by of; as, to abridge one of his rights.-4. In algebra, to reduce a compound quantity or equation to its more simple expression. A-BRIDGED, (a-bridjd) pp. Made shorter; epitomized; reduced to a smaller compass; lessened; deprived. A-BRIDGER, n. One who abridges; one who makes a compend. A-BRIDGING, ppr. Shortening; lessening; depriving; debarring. A-BRIDG MENT, n. 1 An epitome; a compend, or sum mary of a book. 2. Diminution; contraction; reduction. 3. Deprivation; a debarring or restraint. A-BROACH', adv. Broached; letting out or yielding liquor, or in a posture for letting out; as, a cask is abroach. Fig uratively used by Shakspeare for setting loose, or in a state of being diffused. A-BROACH, v. t. To tap; to set abroach. A-BROAD, (a-brawd) adv. 1. At large; widely; not con fined to narrow limits. 2. In the open air. 3. Beyond or out of the walls of a house. 4. Beyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries. 5. Extensively; before the public at large. AB RO-GA-BLE, a. That may be abrogated. ABRO-GATE, v. t. [L. abrogo.] To repeal; to annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of the maker or his successor; applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of established customs, &c. † AB/RO-GATE, a. Annulled. AB/RO-GA-TED, pp. Repealed; annulled by an act of au thority. AB/RO-GA-TING, ppr. Repealing by authority; making void. AB-ROGATION, n. The act of abrogating; a repeal by authority of the legislative power. + A-BROOD, adv. In the action of brooding. A-BROOK, v. t. To brook, to endure. See BROOK. Shak. AB-ROTA-NUM, n. [Gr. Αβροτονον.] A species of plant, called also southern-wood. AB-RUPT', a. [L. abruptus.] 1. Literally, broken off, or broken short. 2. Steep, craggy; applied to rocks, precipices and the like. 3. Figuratively, sudden; without notice to prepare the mind for the event. 4. Unconnected. having sudden transitions from one subject to another. AB-RUPT', n. A chasm or gulf with steep sides. the vast abrupt." Milton. "Over † AB-RUPT, v. t. To disturb. Brown. AB-RUPTION, n. A sudden breaking off; a violent separation of bodies. AB-RUPTLY, adv. Suddenly; without giving notice, es without the usual forms. AB-RUPT/NESS, n. 1. A state of being broken; cragged ness; steepness. 2. Figuratively, suddenness; unceremonious haste or vehemence. ABSCESS, n. [L. abscessus.] An imposthume. Matter generated by the suppuration of an infammatory tumor. AB-SCIND, v. t. [L. abscindo.] To cut off. AB SCISS, n. [L. abscissus.] In conics, a part of the diameter, or transverse axis of a conic section, intercepted between the vertex, or some other fixed point, and a semiordinate. AB-SCISSION, (ab-sizh'un) w A cutting off, or a being cut off. In surgery, the seperation of any corrupted of useless part of the body, by a sharp instrument. AB-SCOND', v. i. [L. abscondo.] 1. To retire from public view, or from the place in which one resides or is ordinarily to be found; to withdraw, or absent one's self in a private manner; to be concealed; appropriately used of persons who secrete themselves to avoid a legal process 2. To hide, withdraw, or be concealed. +AB-SCOND, v. t. To conceal. Hewyt. AB-SCONDENCE, n. Concealment. AB-SCOND ER, n. One who withdraws from public notice, or conceals himself. AB-SCONDING, ppr. Withdrawing privately from public view. ABSENCE, n. [L. absens.] 1. A state of being at a distance in place, or not in company. 2. Want; destitu tion; implying no previous presence.-3. In law, non-appearance; a not being in court to answer. 4. Heedless ness; inattention to things present. ABSENT, a. Not present; not in company; at such a dis tance as to prevent communication. 2. Heedless; inat. tentive to persons present, or to subjects of conversation in company. 3. In familiar language, not at home; as, the master of the house is absent. AB-SENT', v. 1. To depart to such a distance as to prevent intercourse; to retire or withdraw; to forbear to appear in presence; used with the reciprocal pronoun. |