Arundinaceous A·run`di·na"ceous adjective [ Latin arundinaceus , from arundo reed.] Of or pertaining to a reed; resembling the reed or cane.

Arundineous Ar`un·din"e·ous adjective [ Latin arundineus , from arundo reed.] Abounding with reeds; reedy.

Aruspex A·rus"pex noun ; plural Aruspices [ Latin aruspex or haruspex .] One of the class of diviners among the Etruscans and Romans, who foretold events by the inspection of the entrails of victims offered on the altars of the gods.

Aruspice A·rus"pice noun [ Latin aruspex : confer French aruspice . Confer Aruspex , Haruspice .] A soothsayer of ancient Rome. Same as Aruspex . [ Written also haruspice .]

Aruspicy A·rus"pi·cy noun [ Latin aruspicium , haruspicium .] Prognostication by inspection of the entrails of victims slain sacrifice.

Arval Ar"val noun [ W. arwyl funeral; ar over + wylo to weep, or confer arföl ; Icelandic arfr inheritance + Swedish öl ale. Confer Bridal .] A funeral feast. [ North of Eng.] Grose.

Arvicole Ar"vi·cole noun [ Latin arvum field + colere to inhabit.] (Zoology) A mouse of the genus Arvicola ; the meadow mouse. There are many species.

Aryan Ar"yan (är"y a n or ăr"ĭ* a n) noun [ Sanskrit ārya excellent, honorable; akin to the name of the country Iran , and perhaps to Erin , Ireland , and the early name of this people, at least in Asia.] 1. One of a primitive people supposed to have lived in prehistoric times, in Central Asia, east of the Caspian Sea, and north of the Hindoo Koosh and Paropamisan Mountains, and to have been the stock from which sprang the Hindoo, Persian, Greek, Latin, Celtic, Teutonic, Slavonic, and other races; one of that ethnological division of mankind called also Indo-European or Indo-Germanic.

2. The language of the original Aryans. [ Written also Arian .]

Aryan Ar"yan (är"y a n or ăr"ĭ* a n) adjective Of or pertaining to the people called Aryans; Indo-European; Indo-Germanic; as, the Aryan stock, the Aryan languages.

Aryanize Ar"yan·ize transitive verb To make Aryan (a language, or in language). K. Johnston.

Arytenoid A·ryt"e·noid adjective [ Greek ... shaped like a ladle; ... a ladle + ... form.] (Anat.) Ladle-shaped; -- applied to two small cartilages of the larynx, and also to the glands, muscles, etc., connected with them. The cartilages are attached to the cricoid cartilage and connected with the vocal cords.

Aræometer A`ræ·om"e·ter (?; 277). See Areometer .

Aræostyle A·ræ"o·style adjective & noun [ Latin araeostylos , Greek ...; ... at intervals + ... pillar, column.] (Architecture) See Intercolumniation .

Aræosystyle A·ræ`o·sys"tyle adjective & noun [ Greek ... as intervals + .... See Systyle .] (Architecture) See Intercolumniation .

As As (ăz) adverb & conj. [ Middle English as , als , alse , also , al swa , Anglo-Saxon eal swā , lit. all so; hence, quite so, quite as: confer German als as, than, also so, then. See Also .] 1. Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden.

His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren.
Macaulay.

» As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such , same , so , or as , in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. "Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colors as we do." Lubbock. As , in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest.

2. In the idea, character, or condition of, -- limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet.

The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king.
Dewey.

3. While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke.

As I return I will fetch off these justices.
Shak.

4. Because; since; it being the case that.

As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently prepared.
Sir W. Scott.

[ See Synonym under Because .]

5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning).

We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited.
Macaulay.

6. That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such . [ Obsolete]

I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee.
Rowe.

So as , so that. [ Obsolete]

The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination.
Bacon.

7. As if; as though. [ Obsolete or Poetic]

He lies, as he his bliss did know.
Waller.

8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.

9. Than. [ Obsolete & R.]

The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors.
Fuller.

10. Expressing a wish. [ Obsolete] " As have," i. e. , may he have. Chaucer.

As . . as . See So . . as , under So . -- As far as , to the extent or degree. " As far as can be ascertained." Macaulay. -- As far forth as , as far as. [ Obsolete] Chaucer. -- As for , or As to , in regard to; with respect to. -- As good as , not less than; not falling short of. -- As good as one's word , faithful to a promise. -- As if , or As though , of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if. -- As it were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner. -- As now , just now. [ Obsolete] Chaucer. -- As swythe , as quickly as possible. [ Obsolete] Chaucer. -- As well , also; too; besides. Addison. -- As well as , equally with, no less than. "I have understanding as well as you." Job xii. 3. -- As yet , until now; up to or at the present time; still; now.

As As noun [ See Ace .] An ace. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Ambes-as , double aces.

As As noun ; plural Asses [ Latin as . See Ace .] 1. A Roman weight, answering to the libra or pound, equal to nearly eleven ounces Troy weight. It was divided into twelve ounces.

2. A Roman copper coin, originally of a pound weight (12 oz.); but reduced, after the first Punic war, to two ounces; in the second Punic war, to one ounce; and afterwards to half an ounce.

Asa As"a noun [ New Latin asa , of oriental origin; confer Persian azā mastic, Arabic asā healing, isā remedy.] An ancient name of a gum.

Asafetida, Asafœtida As`a·fet"i·da, As`a·fœt"i·da noun [ Asa + Latin foetidus fetid.] The fetid gum resin or inspissated juice of a large umbelliferous plant ( Ferula asafœtida ) of Persia and the East Indies. It is used in medicine as an antispasmodic. [ Written also assafœtida .]

Asaphus As"a·phus noun [ New Latin , from Greek ... indistinct, uncertain.] (Paleon.) A genus of trilobites found in the Lower Silurian formation. See Illust. in Append.

Asarabacca As`a·ra·bac"ca noun [ Latin asarum + bacca a berry. See Asarone .] (Botany) An acrid herbaceous plant ( Asarum Europæum ), the leaves and roots of which are emetic and cathartic. It is principally used in cephalic snuffs.

Asarone As"a·rone noun [ Latin asarum hazelwort, wild spikenard, Greek 'a`saron ] (Chemistry) A crystallized substance, resembling camphor, obtained from the Asarum Europæum ; -- called also camphor of asarum .

Asbestic As·bes"tic adjective Of, pertaining to, or resembling asbestus; inconsumable; asbestine.

Asbestiform As·bes"ti·form adjective [ Latin asbestus + -form .] Having the form or structure of asbestus.

Asbestine As·bes"tine adjective Of or pertaining to asbestus, or partaking of its nature; incombustible; asbestic.

Asbestous As·bes"tous adjective Asbestic.

Asbestus, Asbestos As·bes"tus, As·bes"tos noun [ Latin asbestos (NL. asbestus ) a kind of mineral unaffected by fire, Greek ... (prop. an adj.) inextinguishable; 'a priv. + ... to extinguish.] (Min.) A variety of amphibole or of pyroxene, occurring in long and delicate fibers, or in fibrous masses or seams, usually of a white, gray, or green-gray color. The name is also given to a similar variety of serpentine.

» The finer varieties have been wrought into gloves and cloth which are incombustible. The cloth was formerly used as a shroud for dead bodies, and has been recommended for firemen's clothes. Asbestus in also employed in the manufacture of iron safes, for fireproof roofing, and for lampwicks. Some varieties are called amianthus . Dana.

Asbolin As"bo·lin noun [ Greek ... soot.] (Chemistry) A peculiar acrid and bitter oil, obtained from wood soot.

Ascariasis As`ca·ri"a·sis noun [ New Latin , from Greek ... an intestinal worm.] (Medicine) A disease, usually accompanied by colicky pains and diarrhea, caused by the presence of ascarids in the gastrointestinal canal.

Ascarid As"ca·rid noun ; plural Ascarides or Ascarids . [ New Latin ascaris , from Greek ....] (Zoology) A parasitic nematoid worm, espec. the roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides , often occurring in the human intestine, and allied species found in domestic animals; also commonly applied to the pinworm ( Oxyuris ), often troublesome to children and aged persons.

Ascend As·cend" intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Ascended ; present participle & verbal noun Ascending .] [ Latin ascendere ; ad + scandere to climb, mount. See Scan .] 1. To move upward; to mount; to go up; to rise; -- opposed to descend .

Higher yet that star ascends .
Bowring.

I ascend unto my father and your father.
John xx. 17.

Formerly used with up .

The smoke of it ascended up to heaven.
Addison.

2. To rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects, from particulars to generals, from modern to ancient times, from one note to another more acute, etc.; as, our inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity; to ascend to our first progenitor.

Syn. -- To rise; mount; climb; scale; soar; tower.

Ascend As·cend" transitive verb To go or move upward upon or along; to climb; to mount; to go up the top of; as, to ascend a hill, a ladder, a tree, a river, a throne.

Ascendable As·cend"a·ble adjective Capable of being ascended.

Ascendancy, Ascendance As·cend"an·cy, As·cend"ance noun Same as Ascendency .

Ascendant As·cend"ant noun [ French ascendant , Latin ascendens ; present participle of ascendere .] 1. Ascent; height; elevation. [ R.]

Sciences that were then in their highest ascendant .
Temple.

2. (Astrol.) The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's life and fortune.

» Hence the phrases To be in the ascendant , to have commanding power or influence, and Lord of the ascendant , one who has possession of such power or influence; as, to rule, for a while, lord of the ascendant . Burke.

3. Superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency; as, one man has the ascendant over another.

Chievres had acquired over the mind of the young monarch the ascendant not only of a tutor, but of a parent.
Robertson.

4. An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a progenitor; -- opposed to descendant . Ayliffe.

Ascendant, Ascendent As·cend"ant, As·cend"ent adjective 1. Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon.

The constellation . . . about that time ascendant .
Browne.

2. Rising; ascending. Ruskin.

3. Superior; surpassing; ruling.

An ascendant spirit over him.
South.

The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth.
J. S. Mill.

Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position.
Grote.

Ascendency As·cend"en·cy noun Governing or controlling influence; domination; power.

An undisputed ascendency .
Macaulay.

Custom has an ascendency over the understanding.
Watts.

Syn. -- Control; authority; influence; sway; dominion; prevalence; domination.

Ascendible As·cend"i·ble adjective [ Latin ascendibilis .] Capable of being ascended; climbable.

Ascending As·cend"ing adjective Rising; moving upward; as, an ascending kite. -- As*cend"ing*ly , adverb

Ascending latitude (Astron.) , the increasing latitude of a planet. Ferguson. -- Ascending line (Geneol.) , the line of relationship traced backward or through one's ancestors. One's father and mother, grandfather and grandmother, etc., are in the line direct ascending . -- Ascending node having, that node of the moon or a planet wherein it passes the ecliptic to proceed northward. It is also called the northern node . Herschel. -- Ascending series . (Math.) (a) A series arranged according to the ascending powers of a quantity. (b) A series in which each term is greater than the preceding. -- Ascending signs , signs east of the meridian.

Ascension As·cen"sion noun [ French ascension , Latin ascensio , from ascendere . See Ascend .] 1. The act of ascending; a rising; ascent.

2. Specifically: The visible ascent of our Savior on the fortieth day after his resurrection. ( Acts i. 9. ) Also, Ascension Day.

3. An ascending or arising, as in distillation; also that which arises, as from distillation.

Vaporous ascensions from the stomach.
Sir T. Browne.

Ascension Day , the Thursday but one before Whitsuntide, the day on which commemorated our Savior's ascension into heaven after his resurrection; -- called also Holy Thursday . -- Right ascension (Astron.) , that degree of the equinoctial, counted from the beginning of Aries, which rises with a star, or other celestial body, in a right sphere; or the arc of the equator intercepted between the first point of Aries and that point of the equator that comes to the meridian with the star; -- expressed either in degrees or in time. -- Oblique ascension (Astron.) , an arc of the equator, intercepted between the first point of Aries and that point of the equator which rises together with a star, in an oblique sphere; or the arc of the equator intercepted between the first point of Aries and that point of the equator that comes to the horizon with a star. It is little used in modern astronomy.

Ascensional As·cen"sion·al adjective Relating to ascension; connected with ascent; ascensive; tending upward; as, the ascensional power of a balloon.

Ascensional difference (Astron.) , the difference between oblique and right ascension; -- used chiefly as expressing the difference between the time of the rising or setting of a body and six o'clock, or six hours from its meridian passage.

Ascensive As·cen"sive adjective [ See Ascend .] 1. Rising; tending to rise, or causing to rise. Owen.

2. (Gram.) Augmentative; intensive. Ellicott.

Ascent As·cent" [ Formed like descent , as if from a French ascente , from a verb ascendre , from Latin ascendere . See Ascend , Descent .] 1. The act of rising; motion upward; rise; a mounting upward; as, he made a tedious ascent ; the ascent of vapors from the earth.

To him with swift ascent he up returned.
Milton.

2. The way or means by which one ascends.

3. An eminence, hill, or high place. Addison.

4. The degree of elevation of an object, or the angle it makes with a horizontal line; inclination; rising grade; as, a road has an ascent of five degrees.

Ascertain As`cer·tain" transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Ascertained ; present participle & verbal noun Ascertaining .] [ Old French acertener ; a (L. ad ) + certain . See Certain .] 1. To render (a person) certain; to cause to feel certain; to make confident; to assure; to apprise. [ Obsolete]

When the blessed Virgin was so ascertained .
Jer. Taylor.

Muncer assured them that the design was approved of by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream ascertained him of its effects.
Robertson.

2. To make (a thing) certain to the mind; to free from obscurity, doubt, or change; to make sure of; to fix; to determine. [ Archaic]

The divine law . . . ascertaineth the truth.
Hooker.

The very deferring [ of his execution] shall increase and ascertain the condemnation.
Jer. Taylor.

The ministry, in order to ascertain a majority . . . persuaded the queen to create twelve new peers.
Smollett.

The mildness and precision of their laws ascertained the rule and measure of taxation.
Gibbon.

3. To find out or learn for a certainty, by trial, examination, or experiment; to get to know; as, to ascertain the weight of a commodity, or the purity of a metal.

He was there only for the purpose of ascertaining whether a descent on England was practicable.
Macaulay.

Ascertainable As`cer·tain"a·ble adjective That may be ascertained. -- As`cer*tain"a*ble*ness , noun -- As`cer*tain"a*bly , adverb

Ascertainer As`cer·tain"er noun One who ascertains.

Ascertainment As`cer·tain"ment noun The act of ascertaining; a reducing to certainty; a finding out by investigation; discovery.

The positive ascertainment of its limits.
Burke.

Ascessancy As·ces"san·cy noun As*ces"sant adjective See Acescency , Acescent . [ Obsolete]

Ascetic As·cet"ic adjective [ Greek ..., from ... to exercise, to practice gymnastics.] Extremely rigid in self-denial and devotions; austere; severe.

The stern ascetic rigor of the Temple discipline.
Sir W. Scott.

Ascetic As·cet"ic noun In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary and contemplative life, characterized by devotion, extreme self-denial, and self-mortification; a hermit; a recluse; hence, one who practices extreme rigor and self-denial in religious things.

I am far from commending those ascetics that take up their quarters in deserts.
Norris.

Ascetic theology , the science which treats of the practice of the theological and moral virtues, and the counsels of perfection. Am. Cyc.

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