  Title: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary First 100 Pages Author: Noah Webster Language: English <— begin Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - 1913 —> <— p. 1 —> A (named ? in the English, and most commonly „ in other languages). The first letter of the English and of many other alphabets. The capital A of the alphabets of Middle and Western Europe, as also the small letter (a), besides the forms in Italic, black letter, etc., are all descended from the old Latin A, which was borrowed from the Greek Alpha, of the same form; and this was made from the first letter (?) of the Phoenician alphabet, the equivalent of the Hebrew Aleph, and itself from the Egyptian origin. The Aleph was a consonant letter, with a guttural breath sound that was not an element of Greek articulation; and the Greeks took it to represent their vowel Alpha with the „ sound, the Phoenician alphabet having no vowel symbols. <p. 2> AÏbaist¶ (?), p.p. Abashed; confounded; discomfited. [Obs.] Chaucer. AbÏal¶ienÏate (?), v.t. [L. abalienatus, p.p. of abalienare; ab + alienus foreign, alien. See Alien.] 1. (Civil Law) To transfer the title of from one to another; to alienate. 2. To estrange; to withdraw. [Obs.] 3. To cause alienation of (mind). Sandys. AbÏal·ienÏa¶tion (?), n. [L. abalienatio: cf. F. abalianation.] The act of abalienating; alienation; estrangement. [Obs.] ØAb·aÏlo¶ne (?), n. (Zo”l.) A univalve mollusk of the genus Haliotis. The shell is lined with motherÐofÐpearl, and used for ornamental purposes; the seaÐear. Several large species are found on the coast of California, clinging closely to the rocks. AÏband¶ (?), v.t. [Contracted from abandon.] 1. To abandon. [Obs.] Enforced the kingdom to aband. Spenser. 2. To banish; to expel. [Obs.] Mir. for Mag. AÏban¶don (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abandoned (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Abandoning .] [OF. abandoner, F.abandonner; a (L. ad)+bandon permission, authority, LL. bandum, bannum, public proclamation, interdiction, bannire to proclaim, summon: of Germanic origin; cf. Goth. bandwjan to show by signs, to designate OHG. banproclamation. The word meant to proclaim, put under a ban, put under control; hence, as in OE., to compel, subject, or to leave in the control of another, and hence, to give up. See Ban.] 1. To cast or drive out; to banish; to expel; to reject. [Obs.] That he might … abandon them from him. Udall. Being all this time abandoned from your bed. Shak. 2. To give up absolutely; to forsake entirely ; to renounce utterly; to relinquish all connection with or concern on; to desert, as a person to whom one owes allegiance or fidelity; to quit; to surrender. Hope was overthrown, yet could not be abandoned. I. Taylor. 3. Reflexively : To give (one's self) up without attempt at selfÐcontrol ; to yield (one's self) unrestrainedly ; Ð often in a bad sense. He abandoned himself … to his favorite vice. Macaulay. 4. (Mar. Law) To relinquish all claim to; Ð used when an insured person gives up to underwriters all claim to the property covered by a policy, which may remain after loss or damage by a peril insured against. Syn.Ð To give up; yield; forego; cede; surrender; resign; abdicate; quit; relinquish; renounce; desert; forsake; leave; retire; withdraw from. Ð To Abandon, Desert, Forsake. These words agree in representing a person as giving up or leaving some object, but differ as to the mode of doing it. The distinctive sense of abandon is that of giving up a thing absolutely and finally; as, to abandon one's friends, places, opinions, good or evil habits, a hopeless enterprise, a shipwrecked vessel. Abandon is more widely applicable than forsake or desert. The Latin original of desert appears to have been originally applied to the case of deserters from military service. Hence, the verb, when used of persons in the active voice, has usually or always a bad sense, implying some breach of fidelity, honor, etc., the leaving of something which the person should rightfully stand by and support; as, to desert one's colors, to desert one's post, to desert one's principles or duty. When used in the passive, the sense is not necessarily bad; as, the fields were deserted, a deserted village, deserted halls. Forsake implies the breaking off of previous habit, association, personal connection, or that the thing left had been familiar or frequented; as, to forsake old friends, to forsake the paths of rectitude, the blood forsook his cheeks. It may be used either in a good or in a bad sense. AÏban¶don, n. [F. abandon. fr. abandonner. See Abandon, v.] Abandonment; relinquishment. [Obs.] ØA·ban·don¶ (?), n. [F. See Abandon.] A complete giving up to natural impulses; freedom from artificial constraint; careless freedom or ease. AÏban¶doned (?), a. 1. Forsaken, deserted. ½Your abandoned streams.¸ Thomson. 2. SelfÐabandoned, or given up to vice; extremely wicked, or sinning without restraint; irreclaimably wicked ; as, an abandoned villain. Syn.Ð Profligate; dissolute; corrupt; vicious; depraved; reprobate; wicked; unprincipled; graceless; vile. Ð Abandoned, Profligate, Reprobate. These adjectives agree in expressing the idea of great personal depravity. Profligate has reference to open and shameless immoralities, either in private life or political conduct; as, a profligate court, a profligate ministry. Abandoned is stronger, and has reference to the searing of conscience and hardening of heart produced by a man's giving himself wholly up to iniquity; as, a man of abandoned character. Reprobate describes the condition of one who has become insensible to reproof, and who is morally abandoned and lost beyond hope of recovery. God gave them over to a reprobate mind. Rom. i. 28. AÏban¶donedÏly, adv. Unrestrainedly. AÏban·donÏee¶ (?), n. (Law) One to whom anything is legally abandoned. AÏban¶donÏer (?), n. One who abandons. Beau. & Fl. AÏban¶donÏment (?), n. [Cf. F. abandonnement.] 1. The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned; total desertion; relinquishment. The abandonment of the independence of Europe. Burke. 2. (Mar. Law) The relinquishment by the insured to the underwriters of what may remain of the property insured after a loss or damage by a peril insured against. 3. (Com. Law) (a) The relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege, as to mill site, etc. (b) The voluntary leaving of a person to whom one is bound by a special relation, as a wife, husband, or child; desertion. 4. Careless freedom or ease; abandon. [R.] Carlyle. ØAÏban¶Ïdum (?), n. [LL. See Abandon.] (Law) Anything forfeited or confiscated. Ab¶aÏnet (?), n. See Abnet. ØAÏban¶ga (?), n. [Name given by the negroes in the island of St. Thomas.] A West Indian palm; also the fruit of this palm, the seeds of which are used as a remedy for diseases of the chest. Ab·anÏna¶tion (?), Ab·anÏnition (?),} n. [LL. abannatio; ad + LL. bannire to banish.] (Old Law) Banishment. [Obs.] Bailey. Ab·arÏtic·uÏla¶tion (?), n. [L. ab + E. articulation : cf. F. abarticulation . See Article.] (Anat.) Articulation, usually that kind of articulation which admits of free motion in the joint; diarthrosis. Coxe. AÏbase¶ (?), v.t. [imp.&p.p. Abased (?); p.pr. & vb. n. Abasing.] [F. abaisser, LL. abassare, abbassare ; ad + bassare, fr. bassus low. See Base, a.] 1. To lower or depress; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye. [Archaic] Bacon. Saying so, he abased his lance. Shelton. 2. To cast down or reduce low or lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, or estimation of worthiness; to depress; to humble; to degrade. Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. Luke xiv.ll. Syn.Ð To Abase, Debase, Degrade. These words agree in the idea of bringing down from a higher to a lower state. Abase has reference to a bringing down in condition or feelings; as to abase one's self before God. Debase has reference to the bringing down of a thing in purity, or making it base. It is, therefore, always used in a bad sense, as, to debase the coin of the kingdom, to debase the mind by vicious indulgence, to debase one's style by coarse or vulgar expressions. Degrade has reference to a bringing down from some higher grade or from some standard. Thus, a priest is degraded from the clerical office. When used in a moral sense, it denotes a bringing down in character and just estimation; as, degraded by intemperance, a degrading employment, etc. ½Art is degraded when it is regarded only as a trade.¸ AÏbased¶ (?), a. 1. Lowered; humbled. 2. (Her.) [F. abaiss‚.] Borne lower than usual, as a fess; also, having the ends of the wings turned downward towards the point of the shield. AÏbas¶edÏly (?), adv. Abjectly; downcastly. AÏbase¶ment (?), n. [Cf. F. abaissement.] The act of abasing, humbling, or bringing low; the state of being abased or humbled; humiliation. AÏbas¶er (?), n. He who, or that which, abases. AÏbash¶ (?), v.t. [imp. & p.p. Abashed (?); p.pr. & vb. n. Abashing.] [OE. abaissen, abaisshen, abashen, OF.esbahir, F. ‚bahir, to astonish, fr. L. ex + the interjection bah, expressing astonishment. In OE. somewhat confused with abase. Cf. Finish.] To destroy the selfÐpossession of; to confuse or confound, as by exciting suddenly a consciousness of guilt, mistake, or inferiority; to put to shame; to disconcert; to discomfit. Abashed, the devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is. Milton. He was a man whom no check could abash. Macaulay. Syn.Ð To confuse; confound; disconcert; shame. Ð To Abash, Confuse, Confound. Abash is a stronger word than confuse, but not so strong as confound. We are abashed when struck either with sudden shame or with a humbling sense of inferiority; as, Peter was abashed in the presence of those who are greatly his superiors. We are confused when, from some unexpected or startling occurrence, we lose clearness of thought and selfÐpossession. Thus, a witness is often confused by a severe crossÐexamination; a timid person is apt to be confused in entering a room full of strangers. We are confounded when our minds are overwhelmed, as it were, by something wholly unexpected, amazing, dreadful, etc., so that we have nothing to say. Thus, a criminal is usually confounded at the discovery of his guilt. Satan stood Awhile as mute, confounded what to say. Milton. AÏbash¶edÏly (?), adv. In an abashed manner. AÏbash¶ment (?), n. [Cf. F. ‚bahissement.] The state of being abashed; confusion from shame. ØAÏbas¶si (?), ØAÏbas¶sis (?),} n. [Ar.& Per.?, belonging to Abas (a king of Persia).] A silver coin of Persia, worth about twenty cents. AÏbat¶aÏble (?), a. Capable of being abated; as, an abatable writ or nuisance. AÏbate¶ (?), v.t. [imp.& p.p. Abated, p.pr.& vb.n. Abating.] [OF. abatre to beat down, F. abattre, LL. abatere; ab or ad + batere, battere (popular form for L. batuere to beat). Cf. Bate, Batter.] 1. To beat down; to overthrow. [Obs.] The King of Scots … sore abated the walls. Edw.Hall. 2. To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; toto cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope. His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. Deut.xxxiv.7. 3. To deduct; to omit; as, to abate something from a price. Nine thousand parishes, abating the odd hundreds. Fuller. 4. To blunt. [Obs.] To abate the edge of envy. Bacon. 5. To reduce in estimation; to deprive. [Obs.] She hath abated me of half my train. Shak. 6. (Law) (a) To bring entirely down or put an end to; to do away with; as, to abate a nuisance, to abate a writ. (b) (Eng. Law) To diminish; to reduce. Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets. To abate a tax, to remit it either wholly or in part. AÏbate¶ (?), v.i. [See Abate, v.t.] 1. To decrease, or become less in strength or violence; as, pain abates, a storm abates. The fury of Glengarry … rapidly abated. Macaulay. 2. To be defeated, or come to naught; to fall through; to fail; as, a writ abates. To abate into a freehold, To abate in lands (Law), to enter into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, and before the heir takes possession. See Abatement, 4. Syn.Ð To subside; decrease; intermit; decline; diminish; lessen. Ð To Abate, Subside. These words, as here compared, imply a coming down from some previously raised or exited state. Abate expresses this in respect to degrees, and implies a diminution of force or of intensity; as, the storm abates, the cold abates, the force of the wind abates; or, the wind abates, a fever abates. Subside (to settle down) has reference to a previous state of agitation or commotion; as, the waves subside after a storm, the wind subsides into a calm. When the words are used figuratively, the same distinction should be observed. If we conceive of a thing as having different degrees of intensity or strength, the word to be used is abate. Thus we say, a man's anger abates, the ardor of one's love abates, ½Winter rage abates¸. But if the image be that of a sinking down into quiet from preceding excitement or commotion, the word to be used is subside; as, the tumult of the people subsides, the public mind subsided into a calm. The same is the case with those emotions which are tumultuous in their nature; as, his passion subsides, his joy quickly subsided, his grief subsided into a pleasing melancholy. Yet if, in such cases, we were thinking of the degree of violence of the emotion, we might use abate; as, his joy will abate in the progress of time; and so in other instances. AÏbate (?), n. Abatement. [Obs.] Sir T.Browne. AÏbate¶ment (?), n. [OF. abatement , F. abattement.] 1. The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof. 2. The amount abated; that which is taken away by way of reduction; deduction; decrease; a rebate or discount allowed. 3. (Her.) A mark of dishonor on an escutcheon. 4. (Law) The entry of a stranger, without right, into a freehold after the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee. Blackstone. Defense in abatement, Plea in abatement, (Law), plea to the effect that from some formal defect ( e.g. misnomer, want of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated. AÏbat¶er (?), n. One who, or that which, abates. Ab¶aÏtis, Aba¶tÏtis,} (?) n. [F. abatis, abattis, mass of things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See Abate.] (Fort.) A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the enemy. Ab¶aÏtised (?), a. Provided with an abatis. AÏba¶tor (?), n. (Law) (a) One who abates a nuisance. (b) A person who, without right, enters into a freehold on the death of the last possessor, before the heir or devisee. Blackstone. ØA·bat·toir¶ (?), n.; pl. Abattoirs (?). [F., fr. abattre to beat down. See Abate.] A public slaughterhouse for cattle, sheep, etc. Ab¶aÏture (?), n. [F. abatture, fr. abattre. See Abate.] Grass and sprigs beaten or trampled down by a stag passing through them. Crabb. ØA·bat·voix¶ (?), n. [F. abattre to beat down + voix voice.] The soundingÐboard over a pulpit or rostrum. AbÏawed¶ (?), p.p. [Perh. p.p. of a verb fr. OF. abaubir to frighten, disconcert, fr. L. ad + balbus stammering.] Astonished; abashed. [Obs.] Chaucer. AbÏax¶iÏal (?), AbÏax¶ile (?),} a. [L. ab + axis axle.] (Bot.) Away from the axis or central line; eccentric. Balfour. AÏbay¶ (?), n. [OF. abay barking.] Barking; baying of dogs upon their prey. See Bay. [Obs.] Abb (?), n. [AS. ?; pref. aÐ + web. See Web.] Among weaves, yarn for the warp. Hence, abb wool is wool for the abb. Ab¶ba (?), n. [Syriac ? father. See Abbot.] Father; religious superior; Ð in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, a title given to the bishops, and by the bishops to the patriarch. Ab¶baÏcy (?), n.; pl. Abbacies (?). [L. abbatia, fr. abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbey.] The dignity, estate, or jurisdiction of an abbot. AbÏba¶tial (?), a. [LL. abbatialis : cf. F. abbatial.] Belonging to an abbey; as, abbatial rights. AbÏbat¶icÏal (?), a. Abbatial. [Obs.] ØAb¶b‚· (?), n.[F. abb‚. See Abbot.] The French word answering to the English abbot, the head of an abbey; but commonly a title of respect given in France to every one vested with the ecclesiastical habit or dress. Littr‚. µ After the 16th century, the name was given, in social parlance, to candidates for some priory or abbey in the gift of the crown. Many of these aspirants became well known in literary and fashionable life. By further extension, the name came to be applied to unbeneficed secular ecclesiastics generally. Ab¶bess (?), n. [OF.abaesse, abeesse, F. abbesse, L. abbatissa, fem. of abbas, abbatis, abbot. See Abbot.] A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks. See Abbey. Ab¶bey (?), n.; pl. Abbeys (?). [OF. aba‹e, F. abbaye, L. abbatia, fr. abbas abbot. See Abbot.] 1. A monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings. µ The men are called monks, and governed by an abbot; the women are called nuns, and governed by an abbess. 2. The church of a monastery. <— p. 3 —> In London, the Abbey means Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron. Ab¶bot (?), n. [AS. abbod, abbad, L. abbas, abbatis, Gr. ?, fr. Syriac ? father. Cf. Abba, Abb.] Ab¶botÏship (?), n. [Abbot + Ïship.] The state or office of an abbot. <— p. 4 —> AÏbet¶ter, AÏbetÏtor } (#), n. One who abets; an instigator of an offense or an offender. µ The form abettor is the legal term and also in general use. Syn. Ð Abettor, Accessory, Accomplice. These words denote different degrees of complicity in some deed or crime. An abettor is one who incites or encourages to the act, without sharing in its performance. An accessory supposes a principal offender. One who is neither the chief actor in an offense, nor present at its performance, but accedes to or becomes involved in its guilt, either by some previous or subsequent act, as of instigating, encouraging, aiding, or concealing, etc., is an accessory. An accomplice is one who participates in the commission of an offense, whether as principal or accessory. Thus in treason, there are no abettors or accessories, but all are held to be principals or accomplices. Ab·eÏvac¶uÏa¶tion (#), n. [Pref. abÏ + evacuation.] (Med.) A partial evacuation. Mayne. AÏbey¶ance (#), n. [OF. abeance expectation, longing; a (L. ad) + baer, beer, to gape, to look with open mouth, to expect, F. bayer, LL. badare to gape.] 1. (Law) Expectancy; condition of being undetermined. µ When there is no person in existence in whom an inheritance (or a dignity) can vest, it is said to be in abeyance, that is, in expectation; the law considering it as always potentially existing, and ready to vest whenever a proper owner appears. Blackstone. 2. Suspension; temporary suppression. Keeping the sympathies of love and admiration in a dormant state, or state of abeyance. De Quincey. AÏbey¶anÏcy (#), n. Abeyance. [R.] Hawthorne. AÏbey¶ant (#), a. Being in a state of abeyance. Ø Ab¶hal (#), n. The berries of a species of cypress in the East Indies. AbÏhom¶iÏnaÏble (#), a. Abominable. [A false orthography anciently used; h was foisted into various words; hence abholish, for abolish, etc.] This is abhominable, which he [Don Armado] would call abominable. Shak. Love's Labor's Lost, v. 1. AbÏhom·iÏnal (#), a. [L. ab away from + homo, hominis, man.] Inhuman. [Obs.] Fuller. AbÏhor¶ (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abhorred (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Abhorring.] [L. abhorrere; ab + horrere to bristle, shiver, shudder: cf. F. abhorrer. See Horrid.] 1. To shrink back with shuddering from; to regard with horror or detestation; to feel excessive repugnance toward; to detest to extremity; to loathe. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Rom. xii. 9. 2. To fill with horror or disgust. [Obs.] It doth abhor me now I speak the word. Shak. 3. (Canon Law) To protest against; to reject solemnly. [Obs.] I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul Refuse you for my judge. Shak. Syn. Ð To hate; detest; loathe; abominate. See Hate. AbÏhor¶, v. i. To shrink back with horror, disgust, or dislike; to be contrary or averse; Ð with from. [Obs.] ½To abhor from those vices.¸ Udall. Which is utterly abhorring from the end of all law. Milton. AbÏhor¶rence (#), n. Extreme hatred or detestation; the feeling of utter dislike. AbÏhor¶renÏcy (#), n. Abhorrence. [Obs.] Locke. AbÏhor¶rent (#), a. [L. abhorens, Ïrentis, p. pr. of abhorrere.] 1. Abhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence; loathing; hence, strongly opposed to; as, abhorrent thoughts. The persons most abhorrent from blood and treason. Burke. The arts of pleasure in despotic courts I spurn abhorrent. Clover. 2. Contrary or repugnant; discordant; inconsistent; Ð followed by to. ½Injudicious profanation, so abhorrent to our stricter principles.¸ Gibbon. 3. Detestable. ½Pride, abhorrent as it is.¸ I. Taylor. AbÏhor¶rentÏly, adv. With abhorrence. AbÏhor¶rer (#), n. One who abhors. Hume. AbÏhor¶riÏble (#), a. Detestable. [R.] AbÏhor¶ring (#), n. 1. Detestation. Milton. 2. Object of abhorrence. Isa. lxvi. 24. Ø A¶bib (#), n. [Heb. abÆb, lit. an ear of corn. The month was so called from barley being at that time in ear.] The first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, corresponding nearly to our April. After the Babylonish captivity this month was called Nisan. Kitto. AÏbid¶ance (#), n. The state of abiding; abode; continuance; compliance (with). The Christians had no longer abidance in the holy hill of Palestine. Fuller. A judicious abidance by rules. Helps. AÏbide¶ (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abode (#), formerly Abid (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Abiding (#).] [AS. ¾bÆdan; pref. ? (cf. Goth. usÏ, G. erÏ, orig. meaning out) + bÆdan to bide. See Bide.] 1. To wait; to pause; to delay. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to dwell; to sojourn; Ð with with before a person, and commonly with at or in before a place. Let the damsel abide with us a few days. Gen. xxiv. 55. 3. To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue; to remain. Let every man abide in the same calling. 1 Cor. vii. 20. Followed by by: To abide by. (a) To stand to; to adhere; to maintain. The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by what he said at first. Fielding. (b) To acquiesce; to conform to; as, to abide by a decision or an award. AÏbide¶, v. t. 1. To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I abide my time. ½I will abide the coming of my lord.¸ Tennyson. [Obs., with a personal object.] Bonds and afflictions abide me. Acts xx. 23. 2. To endure; to sustain; to submit to. [Thou] shalt abide her judgment on it. Tennyson. 3. To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with. She could not abide Master Shallow. Shak. 4. [Confused with aby to pay for. See Aby.] To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for. Dearly I abide that boast so vain. Milton. AÏbid¶er (#), n. 1. One who abides, or continues. [Obs.] ½Speedy goers and strong abiders.¸ Sidney. 2. One who dwells; a resident. Speed. AÏbid¶ing, a. Continuing; lasting. AÏbid¶ingÏly, adv. Permanently. Carlyle. Ø A¶biÏes (#), n. [L., fir tree.] (Bot.) A genus of coniferous trees, properly called Fir, as the balsam fir and the silver fir. The spruces are sometimes also referred to this genus. Ab¶iÏeÏtene (#), n. [L. abies, abietis, a fir tree.] A volatile oil distilled from the resin or balsam of the nut pine (Pinus sabiniana) of California. Ab·iÏet¶ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to the fir tree or its products; as, abietic acid, called also sylvic acid. Watts. Ab¶iÏeÏtin, Ab¶iÏeÏtine } (#), n. [See Abietene.] (Chem.) A resinous obtained from Strasburg turpentine or Canada balsam. It is without taste or smell, is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol (especially at the boiling point), in strong acetic acid, and in ether. Watts. Ab·iÏtin¶ic (#), a. Of or pertaining to abietin; as, abietinic acid. Ab¶iÏtite (#), n. (Chem.) A substance resembling mannite, found in the needles of the common silver fir of Europe (Abies pectinata). Eng. Cyc. Ab¶iÏgail (#), n. [The proper name used as an appellative.] A lady's waitingÐmaid. Pepys. Her abigail reported that Mrs. Gutheridge had a set of night curls for sleeping in. Leslie. AÏbil¶iÏment (#), n. Habiliment. [Obs.] AÏbil¶iÏty (#), n.; pl. Abilities (#). [F. habilet‚, earlier spelling habilit‚ (with silent h), L. habilitas aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See Able.] The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; Ð in the plural, faculty, talent. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren. Acts xi. 29. Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study. Bacon. The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability. Macaulay. Syn. Ð Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability; efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill. Ability, Capacity. These words come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. ½Capacity,¸ says H. Taylor, ½is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great enterprise.¸ The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments. AÏbime¶ or AÏbyme¶ (#), n. [F. abŒme. See Abysm.] A abyss. [Obs.] Ab·iÏoÏgen¶eÏsis (#), n. [Gr. ? priv. + ? life + ?, origin, birth.] (Biol.) The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation; Ð called also abiogeny, and opposed to biogenesis. I shall call the… doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis. Huxley, 1870. Ab·iÏoÏgeÏnet¶ic (#), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to abiogenesis. Ð Ab·iÏoÏgeÏnet¶icÏalÏly (#), adv. Ab·iÏog¶eÏnist (#), n. (Biol.) One who believes that life can be produced independently of antecedent. Huxley. Ab·iÏog¶eÏnous (#), a. (Biol.) Produced by spontaneous generation. Ab·iÏog¶eÏny (#), n. (Biol.) Same as Abiogenesis. Ab·iÏoÏlog¶icÏal (#), a. [Gr. ? priv. + E. biological.] Pertaining to the study of inanimate things. AbÏir¶riÏtant (#), n. (Med.) A medicine that diminishes irritation. AbÏir¶riÏtate (#), v. t. [Pref. abÏ + irritate.] (Med.) To diminish the sensibility of; to debilitate. AbÏir·riÏta¶tion (#), n. (Med.) A pathological condition opposite to that of irritation; debility; want of strength; asthenia. AbÏir¶riÏtaÏtive (#), a. (Med.) Characterized by abirritation or debility. AÏbit¶ (#), 3d sing. pres. of Abide. [Obs.] Chaucer. Ab¶ject (#), a. [L. abjectus, p. p. of abjicere to throw away; ab + jacere to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.] 1. Cast down; lowÐlying. [Obs.] From the safe shore their floating carcasses And broken chariot wheels; so thick bestrown Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood. Milton. 2. Sunk to a law condition; down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile; groveling; despicable; as, abject posture, fortune, thoughts. ½Base and abject flatterers.¸ Addison. ½An abject liar.¸ Macaulay. And banish hence these abject, lowly dreams. Shak. Syn. Ð Mean; groveling; cringing; meanÐspirited; slavish; ignoble; worthless; vile; beggarly; contemptible; degraded. AbÏject¶ (#), v. t. [From Abject, a.] To cast off or down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase. [Obs.] Donne. Ab¶ject (#), n. A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway. [Obs.] Shall these abjects, these victims, these outcasts, know any thing of pleasure? I. Taylor. AbÏject¶edÏness (#), n. A very abject or low condition; abjectness. [R.] Boyle. AbÏjec¶tion (#), n. [F. abjection, L. abjectio.] 1. The act of bringing down or humbling. ½The abjection of the king and his realm.¸ Joe. 2. The state of being rejected or cast out. [R.] An adjection from the beatific regions where God, and his angels and saints, dwell forever. Jer. Taylor. 3. A low or downcast state; meanness of spirit; abasement; degradation. That this should be termed baseness, abjection of mind, or servility, is it credible? Hooker. Ab¶jectÏly (#), adv. Meanly; servilely. Ab¶jectÏness, n. The state of being abject; abasement; meanness; servility. Grew. AbÏjudge¶ (#), v. t. [Pref. abÏ + judge, v. Cf. Abjudicate.] To take away by judicial decision. [R.] AbÏju¶diÏcate (#), v. t. [L. abjudicatus, p. p. of abjudicare; ab + judicare. See Judge, and cf. Abjudge.] To reject by judicial sentence; also, to abjudge. [Obs.] Ash. AbÏju·diÏca¶tion (#), n. Rejection by judicial sentence. [R.] Knowles. Ab¶juÏgate (#), v. t. [L. abjugatus, p. p. of abjugare.] To unyoke. [Obs.] Bailey. AbÏjunc¶tive (#), a. [L. abjunctus, p. p. of abjungere; ab + jungere to join.] Exceptional. [R.] It is this power which leads on from the accidental and abjunctive to the universal. I. Taylor. Ab·juÏra¶tion (#), n. [L. abjuratio: cf. F. abjuration.] 1. The act of abjuring or forswearing; a renunciation upon oath; as, abjuration of the realm, a sworn banishment, an oath taken to leave the country and never to return. 2. A solemn recantation or renunciation; as, an abjuration of heresy. Oath of abjuration, an oath asserting the right of the present royal family to the crown of England, and expressly abjuring allegiance to the descendants of the Pretender. Brande & C. AbÏju¶raÏtoÏry (#), a. Containing abjuration. AbÏjure¶ (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abjured (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Abjuring (#).] [L. abjurare to deny upon oath; ab + jurare to swear, fr. jus, juris, right, law; cf. F. abjurer. See Jury.] 1. To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow; as, to abjure allegiance to a prince. To abjure the realm, is to swear to abandon it forever. 2. To renounce or reject with solemnity; to recant; to abandon forever; to reject; repudiate; as, to abjure errors. ½Magic I here abjure.¸ Shak. Syn. Ð See Renounce. AbÏjure¶, v. i. To renounce on oath. Bp. Burnet. AbÏjure¶ment (#), n. Renunciation. [R.] AbÏjur¶er (#), n. One who abjures. AbÏlac¶tate (#), v. t. [L. ablactatus, p. p. of ablactare; ab + lactare to suckle, fr. lac milk.] To wean. [R.] Bailey. Ab·lacÏta¶tion (#). n. 1. The weaning of a child from the breast, or of young beasts from their dam. Blount. 2. (Hort.) The process of grafting now called inarching, or grafting by approach. AbÏla¶queÏate (#), v. t. [L. ablaqueatus, p. p. of. ablaqueare; fr. ab + laqueus a noose.] To lay bare, as the roots of a tree. [Obs.] Bailey. AbÏla·queÏa¶tion (#), n. [L. ablaqueatio.] The act or process of laying bare the roots of trees to expose them to the air and water. [Obs.] Evelyn. Ab·lasÏtem¶ic (#), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? growth.] (Biol.) NonÐgerminal. AbÏla¶tion (#), n. [L. ablatio, fr. ablatus p. p. of auferre to carry away; ab + latus, p. p. of ferre carry: cf. F. ablation. See Tolerate.] 1. A carrying or taking away; removal. Jer. Taylor. 2. (Med.) Extirpation. Dunglison. 3. (Geol.) Wearing away; superficial waste. Tyndall. Ab·laÏti¶tious (#), a. Diminishing; as, an ablatitious force. Sir J. Herschel. Ab¶laÏtive (#), a. [F. ablatif, ablative, L. ablativus fr. ablatus. See Ablation.] 1. Taking away or removing. [Obs.] Where the heart is forestalled with misopinion, ablatire directions are found needful to unteach error, ere we can learn truth. Bp. Hall. 2. (Gram.) Applied to one of the cases of the noun in Latin and some other languages, Ð the fundamental meaning of the case being removal, separation, or taking away. Ab¶laÏtive, (Gram.) The ablative case. ablative absolute, costruction in Latin, in which a noun in the ablative case has a participle (either expressed or implied), agreeing with it in gender, number, and case, both words forming a clause by themselves and being unconnected, grammatically, with the rest of the sentence; as, Tarquinio regnante, Pythagoras venit, i. e., Tarquinius reigning, Pythagoras came. Ø Ab¶laut (#), n. [Ger., offÐsound; ab off + laut sound.] (Philol.) The substitution of one root vowel for another, thus indicating a corresponding modification of use or meaning; vowel permutation; as, get, gat, got; sing, song; hang, hung. Earle. <p. 5> AÏblaze¶ (#), adv. & a. [Pref. aÏ + blaze.] 1. On fire; in a blaze, gleaming. AÏbor¶tiÏcide (#), n. [L. abortus + caedere to kill. See Abort.] (Med.) The act of destroying a fetus in the womb; feticide. p. 6 2. The immature product of an untimely birth. 3. (Biol.) Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed. 4. Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt. proved an abortiori. AÏbor¶tionÏal (#), a. Pertaining to abortion; miscarrying; abortive. Carlyle. AÏbor¶tionÏist, n. One who procures abortion or miscarriage. AÏbor¶tive (#), a. [L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See Abort, v.] 1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child. [R.] 2. Made from the skin of a stillÏborn animal; as, abortive vellum. [Obs.] 3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] ½Plunged in that abortive gulf.¸ Milton. 4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. ½An abortive enterprise.¸ Prescott. 5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc. 6. (Med.) (a) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parr. (b) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever. AÏbor¶tive, n. 1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Obs.] Shak. 2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.] 3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion. Dunglison. AÏbor¶tiveÏly, adv. In an abortive or untimely manner; immaturely; fruitlessly. AÏbor¶tiveÏness, n. The quality of being abortive. AÏbort¶ment (#), n. Abortion. [Obs.] AÏbought¶ (#), imp. & p. p. of Aby. [Obs.] AÏbound¶ (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Abounding.] [OE. abounden, F. abonder, fr. L. abundare to overflow, abound; ab + unda wave. Cf. Undulate.] 1. To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent; to be plentiful. The wild boar which abounds in some parts of the continent of Europe. Chambers. Where sin abounded grace did much more abound. Rom. v. 20. 2. To be copiously supplied; Ð followed by in or with. To abound in, to posses in such abundance as to be characterized by. Ð To abound with, to be filled with; to possess in great numbers. Men abounding in natural courage. Macaulay. A faithful man shall abound with blessings. Prov. xxviii. 20. It abounds with cabinets of curiosities. Addison. AÏbout¶ (#), prep. [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. ¾butan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out.] 1. Around; all round; on every side of. ½Look about you.¸ Shak. ½Bind them about thy neck.¸ Prov. iii. 3. 2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person). ½Have you much money about you?¸ Bulwer. 3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. Lampoons… were handed about the coffeehouses. Macaulay. Roving still about the world. Milton. 4. Near; not far from; Ð determining approximately time, size, quantity. ½ToÐmorrow, about this time.¸ Exod. ix. 18. ½About my stature.¸ Shak. He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx. 3. µ This use passes into the adverbial sense. 5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on. I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49. 6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of. Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14. 7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. ½To treat about thy ransom.¸ Milton. She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope. AÏbout¶, adv. 1. On all sides; around. 'Tis time to look about. Shak. 2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across. 3. Here and there; around; in one place and another. Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v. 13. 4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; Ð also of quantity, number, time. ½There fell… about three thousand men.¸ Exod. xxii. 28. 5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about. To bring about, to cause to take place; to accomplish. Ð To come about, to occur; to take place. See under Come. Ð To go about, To set about, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. ½Shall we set about some revels? Shak. Ð Round about, in every direction around. AÏbout¶Ðsledge¶ (#), n. The largest hammer used by smiths. Weale. AÏbove¶ (#), prep. [OE. above, aboven, abuffe, AS. abufon; an (or on) on + be by + ufan upward; cf. Goth. uf under. ?199. See Over.] 1. In or to a higher place; higher than; on or over the upper surface; over; Ð opposed to below or beneath. Fowl that may fly above the earth. Gen. i. 20. 2. Figuratively, higher than; superior to in any respect; surpassing; beyond; higher in measure or degree than; as, things above comprehension; above mean actions; conduct above reproach. ½Thy worth… is actions above my gifts.¸ Marlowe. I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun. Acts xxxvi. 13. 3. Surpassing in number or quantity; more than; as, above a hundred. (Passing into the adverbial sense. See Above, adv., 4.) above all, before every other consideration; chiefly; in preference to other things. Over and above, prep. or adv., besides; in addition to. AÏbove¶ (#), adv. 1. In a higher place; overhead; into or from heaven; as, the clouds above. 2. Earlier in order; higher in the same page; hence, in a foregoing page. ¸That was said above.¸ Dryden. 3. Higher in rank or power; as, he appealed to the court above. 4. More than; as, above five hundred were present. Above is often used elliptically as an adjective by omitting the word mentioned, quoted, or the like; as, the above observations, the above reference, the above articles. Ð Above is also used substantively. ½The waters that come down from above.¸ Josh. iii. 13. It is also used as the first part of a compound in the sense of before, previously; as, aboveÐcited, aboveÐdescribed, aboveÐmentioned, aboveÐnamed, abovesaid, abovespecified, aboveÐwritten, aboveÐgiven. AÏbove¶board· (#), adv. Above the board or table. Hence: in open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception. ½Fair and aboveboard.¸ Burke. µ This expression is said by Johnson to have been borrowed from gamesters, who, when they change their cards, put their hands under the table. AÏbove¶Ðcit·ed (#), a. Cited before, in the preceding part of a book or writing. AÏbove¶deck· (#), a. On deck; and hence, like aboveboard, without artifice. Smart. AÏbove¶Ðmen·tioned (#), AÏbove¶Ðnamed· (#), a. AÏbove¶Ðnamed· (#), a. Mentioned or named before; aforesaid. AÏbove¶said· (#), a. Mentioned or recited before. AÏbox¶ (#), adv. & a. (Naut.) Braced aback. Ab·raÏcaÏdab¶ra (#), n. [L. Of unknown origin.] A mystical word or collocation of letters written as in the figure. Worn on an amulet it was supposed to ward off fever. At present the word is used chiefly in jest to denote something without meaning; jargon. AbÏra¶dant (#), n. A material used for grinding, as emery, sand, powdered glass, etc. AbÏrade¶ (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrading.] [L. abradere, abrasum, to scrape off; ab + radere to scrape. See Rase, Raze.] To rub or wear off; to waste or wear away by friction; as, to abrade rocks. Lyell. AÏbrade¶ (#), v. t. Same as Abraid. [Obs.] A·braÏham¶ic (#), a. Pertaining to Abraham, the patriarch; as, the Abrachamic covenant. A·braÏhamÏit¶ic, ÏicÏal (#), a. Relating to the patriarch Abraham. A¶braÏhamÐman· (#) or A¶bramÐman· (#), n. [Possibly in allusion to the parable of the beggar Lazarus in Luke xvi. Murray (New Eng. Dict.).] One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through England, feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms. Nares. To sham Abraham, to feign sickness. Goldsmith. AÏbraid¶ (#), v. t. & i. [OE. abraiden, to awake, draw (a sword), AS. ¾bredgan to shake, draw; pref. ¾Ï (cf. Goth. usÏ, Ger. erÏ, orig. meaning out) + bregdan to shake, throw. See Braid.] To awake; to arouse; to stir or start up; also, to shout out. [Obs.] Chaucer. AÏbran¶chiÏal (#), a. (Zo”l.) Abranchiate. Ø AÏbran·chiÏa¶ta (#), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? priv. + ?, pl., the gills of fishes.] (Zo”l.) A group of annelids, so called because the species composing it have no special organs of respiration. AÏbran¶chiÏate (#), a. (Zo”l.) Without gills. AbÏrase¶ (#), a. [L. abrasus, p. p. of abradere. See Abrade.] Rubbed smooth. [Obs.] ½An abrase table.¸ B. Jonson. AbÏra¶sion (#), n. [L. abrasio, fr. abradere. See Abrade.] 1. The act of abrading, wearing, or rubbing off; the wearing away by friction; as, the abrasion of coins. 2. The substance rubbed off. Berkeley. 3. (Med.) A superficial excoriation, with loss of substance under the form of small shreds. Dunglison. AbÏra¶sive (#), a. Producing abrasion. Ure. AÏbraum¶ or AÏbraum¶ salts (#), n. [Ger., fr. abr„umen to remove.] A red ocher used to darken mahogany and for making chloride of potassium. Ø AÏbrax¶as (#), n. [A name adopted by the Egyptian Gnostic Basilides, containing the Greek letters <a>, <b>, <r>, <a>, <x>, <a>, <s>, which, as numerals, amounted to 365. It was used to signify the supreme deity as ruler of the 365 heavens of his system.] A mystical word used as a charm and engraved on gems among the ancients; also, a gem stone thus engraved. AÏbray¶ (#), v. [A false form from the preterit abraid, abrayde.] See Abraid. [Obs.] Spenser. AÏbreast¶ (#), adv. [Pref. aÏ + breast.] 1. Side by side, with breasts in a line; as, ½Two men could hardly walk abreast.¸ Macaulay. 2. (Naut.) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam; Ð with of. 3. Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science. 4. At the same time; simultaneously. [Obs.] Abreast therewith began a convocation. Fuller. AÏbreg¶ge (#), v. t. See Abridge. [Obs.] Ab·reÏnounce¶ (#), v. t. [L. abrenuntiare; ab + renuntiare. See Renounce.] To renounce. [Obs.] ½They abrenounce and cast them off.¸ Latimer. Ab·reÏnun·ciÏa¶tion (#), n. [LL. abrenuntiatio. See Abrenounce.] Absolute renunciation or repudiation. [Obs.] An abrenunciation of that truth which he so long had professed, and still believed. Fuller. AbÏrep¶tion (#), n. [L. abreptus, p. p. of abripere to snatch away; ab + rapere to snatch.] A snatching away. [Obs.] Ø A·breu·voir¶ (#), n. [F., a watering place.] (Masonry) The joint or interstice between stones, to be filled with mortar. Gwilt. A¶briÏcock (#), n. See Apricot. [Obs.] AÏbridge¶ (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abridged (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Abridging.] [OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F. abr‚ger, fr. L. abbreviare; ad + brevis short. See Brief and cf. Abbreviate.] 1. To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights. ½The bridegroom… abridged his visit.¸ Smollett. She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity. Fuller. 2. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a history or dictionary. 3. To deprive; to cut off; Ð followed by of, and formerly by from; as, to abridge one of his rights. AÏbridg¶er (#), n. One who abridges. AÏbridg¶ment (#), n. [OE. abregement. See Abridge.] 1. The act abridging, or the state of being abridged; diminution; lessening; reduction or deprivation; as, an abridgment of pleasures or of expenses. 2. An epitome or compend, as of a book; a shortened or abridged form; an abbreviation. Ancient coins as abridgments of history. Addison. 3. That which abridges or cuts short; hence, an entertainment that makes the time pass quickly. [Obs.] What abridgment have you for this evening? What mask? What music? Shak. Syn. Ð Abridgment, Compendium, Epitome, Abstract, Synopsis. An abridgment is made by omitting the less important parts of some larger work; as, an abridgment of a dictionary. A compendium is a brief exhibition of a subject, or science, for common use; as, a compendium of American literature. An epitome corresponds to a compendium, and gives briefly the most material points of a subject; as, an epitome of history. An abstract is a brief statement of a thing in its main points. A synopsis is a bird'sÐeye view of a subject, or work, in its several parts. AÏbroach¶ (#), v. t. [OE. abrochen, OF. abrochier. See Broach.] To set abroach; to let out, as liquor; to broach; to tap. [Obs.] Chaucer. AÏbroach¶, adv. [Pref. aÏ + broach.] 1. Broached; in a condition for letting out or yielding liquor, as a cask which is tapped. Hogsheads of ale were set abroach. Sir W. Scott. 2. Hence: In a state to be diffused or propagated; afoot; astir. ½Mischiefs that I set abroach.¸ Shak. AÏbroad¶ (#), adv. [Pref. aÏ + broad.] 1. At large; widely; broadly; over a wide space; as, a tree spreads its branches abroad. The fox roams far abroad. Prior. 2. Without a certain confine; outside the house; away from one's abode; as, to walk abroad. I went to St. James', where another was preaching in the court abroad. Evelyn. 3. Beyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries; as, we have broils at home and enemies abroad. ½Another prince… was living abroad.¸ Macaulay. 4. Before the public at large; throughout society or the world; here and there; widely. He went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter. Mark i. 45. To be abroad. (a) To be wide of the mark; to be at fault; as, you are all abroad in your guess. (b) To be at a loss or nonplused. Ab¶roÏgaÏble (#), a. Capable of being abrogated. Ab¶roÏgate (#), a. [L. abrogatus, p. p.] Abrogated; abolished. [Obs. or R.] Latimer. Ab¶roÏgate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abrogated; p. pr. & vb. n. Abrogating.] [L. abrogatus, p. p. of abrogare; ab + rogare to ask, require, propose. See Rogation.] 1. To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of the maker or his successor; to repeal; Ð applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of customs, etc. Let us see whether the New Testament abrogates what we so frequently see in the Old. South. Whose laws, like those of the Medes and Persian, they can not alter or abrogate. Burke. 2. To put an end to; to do away with. Shak. Syn. Ð To abolish; annul; do away; set aside; revoke; repeal; cancel; annihilate. See Abolish. Ab·roÏga¶tion (#), n. [L. abrogatio, fr. abrogare: cf. F. abrogation.] The act of abrogating; repeal by authority. Hume. Ab¶roÏgaÏtive (#), a. Tending or designed to abrogate; as, an abrogative law. Ab¶roÏga·tor (#), n. One who repeals by authority. AÏbrood¶ (#), adv. [Pref. aÏ + brood.] In the act of brooding. [Obs.] Abp. Sancroft. AÏbrook¶ (#), v. t. [Pref. aÏ + brook, v.] To brook; to endure. [Obs.] Shak. AbÏrupt¶ (#), a. [L. abruptus, p. p. of abrumpere to break off; ab + rumpere to break. See Rupture.] 1. Broken off; very steep, or craggy, as rocks, precipices, banks; precipitous; steep; as, abrupt places. ½Tumbling through ricks abrupt,¸ Thomson. 2. Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious. ½The cause of your abrupt departure.¸ Shak. 3. Having sudden transitions from one subject to another; unconnected. The abrupt style, which hath many breaches. B. Jonson. |
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