Awnless Awn"less adjective Without awns or beard.

Awny Awn"y adjective Having awns; bearded.

Awork A·work" adverb [ Prefix a- + work .] At work; in action. "Set awork ." Shak.

Aworking A·work"ing adverb [ Prefix a- + working .] At work; in action. [ Archaic or Colloq.] Spenser.

Awreak, Awreke A·wreak", A·wreke" transitive verb & i. To avenge. [ Obsolete] See Wreak .

Awrong A·wrong" adverb [ Prefix a- + wrong .] Wrongly. Ford.

Awry A·wry" adverb & adjective [ Prefix a- + wry .] 1. Turned or twisted toward one side; not in a straight or true direction, or position; out of the right course; distorted; obliquely; asquint; with oblique vision; as, to glance awry . "Your crown's awry ." Shak.

Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues awry .
Into the devious air.
Milton.

2. Aside from the line of truth, or right reason; unreasonable or unreasonably; perverse or perversely.

Or by her charms
Draws him awry , enslaved.
Milton.

Nothing more awry from the law of God and nature than that a woman should give laws to men.
Milton.

Awsome Aw"some adjective Same as Awesome .

Ax Ax transitive verb & i. [ Middle English axien and asken . See Ask .] To ask; to inquire or inquire of. » This word is from Saxon, and is as old as the English language. Formerly it was in good use, but now is regarded as a vulgarism. It is still dialectic in England, and is sometimes heard among the uneducated in the United States. "And Pilate axide him, Art thou king of Jewis?" "Or if he axe a fish." Wyclif. 'bdThe king axed after your Grace's welfare." Pegge.

Ax, Axe Ax, Axe noun [ Middle English ax , axe , Anglo-Saxon eax , æx , acas ; akin to Dutch akse , Old Saxon accus , Old High German acchus , German axt , Icelandic öx , öxi , Swedish yxe , Danish ökse , Goth. aqizi , Greek ... , Latin ascia ; not akin to English acute .] A tool or instrument of steel, or of iron with a steel edge or blade, for felling trees, chopping and splitting wood, hewing timber, etc. It is wielded by a wooden helve or handle, so fixed in a socket or eye as to be in the same plane with the blade. The broadax , or carpenter's ax, is an ax for hewing timber, made heavier than the chopping ax, and with a broader and thinner blade and a shorter handle. The ancient battle-ax had sometimes a double edge. » The word is used adjectively or in combination; as, ax head or ax head; ax helve; ax handle; ax shaft; ax -shaped; ax like. This word was originally spelt with e , axe ; and so also was nearly every corresponding word of one syllable: as, flaxe , taxe , waxe , sixe , mixe , pixe , oxe , fluxe , etc. This superfluous e is not dropped; so that, in more than a hundred words ending in x , no one thinks of retaining the e except in axe . Analogy requires its exclusion here. "The spelling ax is better on every ground, of etymology, phonology, and analogy, than axe , which has of late become prevalent." New English Dict. (Murray).

Axal Ax"al adjective [ See Axial .] [ R.]

Axe, Axeman Axe, Axe"man etc. See Ax , Axman .

Axial Ax"i·al adjective 1. Of or pertaining to an axis; of the nature of, or resembling, an axis; around an axis.

To take on an axial , and not an equatorial, direction.
Nichol.

2. (Anat.) Belonging to the axis of the body; as, the axial skeleton; or to the axis of any appendage or organ; as, the axial bones. Axial line (Magnetism) , the line taken by the magnetic force in passing from one pole of a horseshoe magnet to the other. Faraday.

Axially Ax"i·al·ly adverb In relation to, or in a line with, an axis; in the axial (magnetic) line.

Axil Ax"il noun [ Latin axilla . Confer Axle .] (Botany) The angle or point of divergence between the upper side of a branch, leaf, or petiole, and the stem or branch from which it springs. Gray.

Axile Ax"ile adjective Situated in the axis of anything; as an embryo which lies in the axis of a seed. Gray.

Axilla Ax·il"la noun ; plural Axillae [ Latin ] (Anat.) The armpit, or the cavity beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder. 2. (Botany) An axil.

Axillar Ax"il·lar adjective Axillary.

Axillaries, Axillars Ax"il·la·ries, Ax"il·lars noun plural (Zoology) Feathers connecting the under surface of the wing and the body, and concealed by the closed wing.

Axillary Ax"il·la·ry adjective [ See Axil .] 1. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the axilla or armpit; as, axillary gland, artery, nerve. 2. (Botany) Situated in, or rising from, an axil; of or pertaining to an axil. " Axillary buds." Gray.

Axinite Ax"i·nite noun [ Named in allusion to the form of the crystals, from Greek ... an ax.] (Min.) A borosilicate of alumina, iron, and lime, commonly found in glassy, brown crystals with acute edges.

Axinomancy Ax·in"o·man`cy noun [ Latin axinomantia , Greek ... ax + -mancy .] A species of divination, by means of an ax or hatchet.

Axiom Ax"i·om noun [ Latin axioma , Greek ... that which is thought worthy, that which is assumed, a basis of demonstration, a principle, from ... to think worthy, from ... worthy, weighing as much as; confer ... to lead, drive, also to weigh so much: cf French axiome . See Agent , adjective ] 1. (Logic & Math.) A self-evident and necessary truth, or a proposition whose truth is so evident as first sight that no reasoning or demonstration can make it plainer; a proposition which it is necessary to take for granted; as, "The whole is greater than a part;" "A thing can not, at the same time, be and not be." 2. An established principle in some art or science, which, though not a necessary truth, is universally received; as, the axioms of political economy. Syn. -- Axiom , Maxim , Aphorism , Adage . An axiom is a self-evident truth which is taken for granted as the basis of reasoning. A maxim is a guiding principle sanctioned by experience, and relating especially to the practical concerns of life. An aphorism is a short sentence pithily expressing some valuable and general truth or sentiment. An adage is a saying of long-established authority and of universal application.

Axiomatic, Axiomatical Ax`i·o·mat"ic, Ax`i·o·mat"ic·al adjective [ Greek ....] Of or pertaining to an axiom; having the nature of an axiom; self-evident; characterized by axioms. " Axiomatical truth." Johnson.

The stores of axiomatic wisdom.
I. Taylor.

Axiomatically Ax`i·o·mat"ic·al·ly adverb By the use of axioms; in the form of an axiom.

Axis Ax"is noun [ Latin ] (Zoology) The spotted deer ( Cervus axis or Axis maculata ) of India, where it is called hog deer and parrah (Moorish name).

Axis Ax"is noun ; plural Axes [ Latin axis axis, axle. See Axle .] A straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body, on which it revolves, or may be supposed to revolve; a line passing through a body or system around which the parts are symmetrically arranged. 2. (Math.) A straight line with respect to which the different parts of a magnitude are symmetrically arranged; as, the axis of a cylinder, i. e. , the axis of a cone, that is, the straight line joining the vertex and the center of the base; the axis of a circle, any straight line passing through the center. 3. (Botany) The stem; the central part, or longitudinal support, on which organs or parts are arranged; the central line of any body. Gray. 4. (Anat.) (a) The second vertebra of the neck, or vertebra dentata . (b) Also used of the body only of the vertebra, which is prolonged anteriorly within the foramen of the first vertebra or atlas, so as to form the odontoid process or peg which serves as a pivot for the atlas and head to turn upon. 5. (Crystallog.) One of several imaginary lines, assumed in describing the position of the planes by which a crystal is bounded. 6. (Fine Arts) The primary or secondary central line of any design. Anticlinal axis (Geol.) , a line or ridge from which the strata slope downward on the two opposite sides. -- Synclinal axis , a line from which the strata slope upward in opposite directions, so as to form a valley. -- Axis cylinder (Anat.) , the neuraxis or essential, central substance of a nerve fiber; -- called also axis band , axial fiber , and cylinder axis . -- Axis in peritrochio , the wheel and axle, one of the mechanical powers. -- Axis of a curve (Geom.) , a straight line which bisects a system of parallel chords of a curve; called a principal axis , when cutting them at right angles, in which case it divides the curve into two symmetrical portions, as in the parabola, which has one such axis, the ellipse, which has two, or the circle, which has an infinite number. The two axes of the ellipse are the major axis and the minor axis , and the two axes of the hyperbola are the transverse axis and the conjugate axis . -- Axis of a lens , the straight line passing through its center and perpendicular to its surfaces. -- Axis of a telescope or microscope , the straight line with which coincide the axes of the several lenses which compose it. -- Axes of coördinates in a plane , two straight lines intersecting each other, to which points are referred for the purpose of determining their relative position: they are either rectangular or oblique. -- Axes of coördinates in space , the three straight lines in which the coördinate planes intersect each other. -- Axis of a balance , that line about which it turns. -- Axis of oscillation , of a pendulum, a right line passing through the center about which it vibrates, and perpendicular to the plane of vibration. -- Axis of polarization , the central line around which the prismatic rings or curves are arranged. Brewster. -- Axis of revolution (Descriptive Geom.) , a straight line about which some line or plane is revolved, so that the several points of the line or plane shall describe circles with their centers in the fixed line, and their planes perpendicular to it, the line describing a surface of revolution, and the plane a solid of revolution. -- Axis of symmetry (Geom.) , any line in a plane figure which divides the figure into two such parts that one part, when folded over along the axis, shall coincide with the other part. -- Axis of the equator, ecliptic, horizon (or other circle considered with reference to the sphere on which it lies), the diameter of the sphere which is perpendicular to the plane of the circle. Hutton. -- Axis of the Ionic capital (Architecture) , a line passing perpendicularly through the middle of the eye of the volute. - - Neutral axis (Mech.) , the line of demarcation between the horizontal elastic forces of tension and compression, exerted by the fibers in any cross section of a girder. - - Optic axis of a crystal , the direction in which a ray of transmitted light suffers no double refraction. All crystals, not of the isometric system, are either uniaxial or biaxial . -- Optic axis , Visual axis (Opt.) , the straight line passing through the center of the pupil, and perpendicular to the surface of the eye. -- Radical axis of two circles (Geom.) , the straight line perpendicular to the line joining their centers and such that the tangents from any point of it to the two circles shall be equal to each other. -- Spiral axis (Architecture) , the axis of a twisted column drawn spirally in order to trace the circumvolutions without. - - Axis of abscissas and Axis of ordinates . See Abscissa .

Axle Ax"le (ăks"'l) noun [ Middle English axel , exel , shoulder, Anglo-Saxon eaxl ; akin to Anglo-Saxon eax axle, Swedish & Danish axel shoulder, axle, German achse axle, achsel shoulder, Latin axis axle, Greek 'a`xwn , Sanskrit aksha , Latin axilla shoulder joint: confer French essieu , axle, Old French aissel , from dim. of Latin axis . √205. Confer 2d Axis .] 1. The pin or spindle on which a wheel revolves, or which revolves with a wheel. 2. A transverse bar or shaft connecting the opposite wheels of a car or carriage; an axletree. 3. An axis; as, the sun's axle .

Had from her axle torn
The steadfast earth.
Milton.

» Railway axles are called leading and trailing from their position in the front or in the rear of a car or truck respectively.

Axle box Ax"le box` 1. A bushing in the hub of a wheel, through which the axle passes. 2. The journal box of a rotating axle, especially a railway axle. » In railway construction, the axle guard, or pedestal, with the superincumbent weight, rests on the top of the box (usually with a spring intervening), and holds it in place by flanges. The box rests upon the journal bearing and key, which intervene between the inner top of the box and the axle.

Axle guard Ax"le guard` The part of the framing of a railway car or truck, by which an axle box is held laterally, and in which it may move vertically; -- also called a jaw in the United States, and a housing in England.

Axled Ax"led adjective Having an axle; -- used in composition.

Merlin's agate- axled car.
T. Warton.

Axletree Ax"le·tree` noun [ Confer Icelandic öxultr... .] 1. A bar or beam of wood or iron, connecting the opposite wheels of a carriage, on the ends of which the wheels revolve. 2. A spindle or axle of a wheel. [ Obsolete]

Axman Ax"man noun ; plural Axmen One who wields an ax.

Axminster Ax"min`ster noun An Axminster carpet, an imitation Turkey carpet, noted for its thick and soft pile; -- so called from Axminster , Eng.

Axminster Ax"min·ster noun , or Axminster carpet (a) [ More fully chenille Axminster .] A variety of Turkey carpet, woven by machine or, when more than 27 inches wide, on a hand loom, and consisting of strips of worsted chenille so colored as to produce a pattern on a stout jute backing. It has a fine soft pile. So called from Axminster , England, where it was formerly (1755 -- 1835) made. (b) A similar but cheaper machine- made carpet, resembling moquette in construction and appearance, but finer and of better material.

Axolotl Ax"o·lotl noun [ The native name.] (Zoology) An amphibian of the salamander tribe found in the elevated lakes of Mexico; the siredon. » When it breeds in captivity the young develop into true salamanders of the genus Amblystoma . This also occurs naturally under favorable conditions, in its native localities; although it commonly lives and breeds in a larval state, with persistent external gills. See Siredon .

Axstone Ax"stone` noun (Min.) A variety of jade. It is used by some savages, particularly the natives of the South Sea Islands, for making axes or hatchets.

Axtree Ax"tree noun Axle or axletree. [ Obsolete] Drayton.

Axunge Ax"unge noun [ French axonge , Latin axungia ; axis wheel + ungere to grease.] Fat; grease; esp. the fat of pigs or geese; usually (Pharm.) , lard prepared for medical use.

Ay Ay interj. Ah! alas! " Ay me! I fondly dream ‘Had ye been there.'" Milton.

Ay Ay adverb Same as Aye .

Ayah A"yah noun [ Portuguese aia , akin to Spanish aya a governess, ayo a tutor.] A native nurse for children; also, a lady's maid. [ India]

Aye Aye noun An affirmative vote; one who votes in the affirmative; as, "To call for the ayes and noes;" "The ayes have it."

Aye-aye Aye"-aye` noun [ From the native name, probably from its cry.] (Zoology) A singular nocturnal quadruped, allied to the lemurs, found in Madagascar ( Cheiromys Madagascariensis ), remarkable for its long fingers, sharp nails, and rodent-like incisor teeth.

Aye, Ay Aye, Ay adverb [ Perh. a modification of yea , or from the interjection of admiration or astonishment, Middle English ei , ey , why, hey, ay, well, ah, ha. Confer Middle High German & German ei , Danish ej . Or perhaps akin to aye ever.] Yes; yea; -- a word expressing assent, or an affirmative answer to a question. It is much used in viva voce voting in legislative bodies, etc. » This word is written I in the early editions of Shakespeare and other old writers.

Aye, Ay Aye, Ay adverb [ Icelandic ei , ey ; akin to Anglo-Saxon ā , āwa , always, Goth. aiws an age, Icelandic æfi , OHG, ...wa , Latin aevum , Greek ... an age, ..., ..., ever, always, German je , Sanskrit ...va course. ..., .... Confer Age , v. , Either , adjective , Or , conj. ] Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time.

For his mercies aye endure.
Milton.

For aye , always ; forever; eternally.

Ayegreen Aye"green` noun [ Aye ever + green .] (Botany) The houseleek ( Sempervivum tectorum ). Halliwell.

Ayen, Ayein A·yen", A·yein" A*yeins" adverb & preposition [ Middle English ..., .... See Again .] Again; back against. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Ayenward A·yen"ward adverb Backward. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Ayle Ayle noun [ Middle English ayel , aiel , Old French aiol , aiel , French aïeul , a dim. of Latin avus grandfather.] A grandfather. [ Obsolete] Writ of Ayle , an ancient English writ which lay against a stranger who had dispossessed the demandant of land of which his grandfather died seized.