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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



2,142 words match “ATTER”

ATTRITUS n.
Matter pulverized by attrition.
AUDITA QUERELA n.
A writ which lies for a party against whom judgment is recovered, but to whom good matter of discharge has subsequently accrued which could not have been availed of to prevent such judgment. Wharton.
AUFKLARUNG n.
of the 18th century characterized by a lively questioning of authority, keen interest in matters of politics and general culture, and an emphasis on empirical method in science. It received its impetus from the unsystematic but vigorous skepticism of Pierre Bayle, the physical doctrines of Newton, and the epistemologic…
AUGUR n.
An official diviner who foretold events by the singing, chattering, flight, and feeding of birds, or by signs or omens derived from celestial phenomena, certain appearances of quadrupeds, or unusual occurrences.
AULD LICHT; AULD LIGHT n.
A member of the conservative party in the Church of Scotland in the latter part of the 18th century.
AURIN n.
A red coloring matter derived from phenol; -- called also, in commerce, yellow coralin.
AUTOMATISM n.
; automatic, mechanical, or involuntary action. (Metaph.) A theory as to the activity of matter.
AUTOMIXTE SYSTEM n.
is an excess of power the dynamo is driven by the engine so as to charge a small storage battery; when there is a deficiency of power the dynamo reverses and acts as an auxiliary motor. Sometimes called Pieper system. -- Automixte car, etc.
AUTOMORPHIC a.
Patterned after one's self. The conception which any one frames of another's mind is more or less after the pattern of his own mind, -- is automorphic. H. Spenser.
AUTUMN n.
The time of maturity or decline; latter portion; third stage. Dr. Preston was now entering into the autumn of the duke's favor. Fuller. Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge. Wordsworth.
AVENGE v.
his servants. Deut. xxxii. 43. Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold. Milton. He had avenged himself on them by havoc such as England had never before seen. Macaulay.
AVERSE a.
ce or opposition of mind; disliking; disinclined; unwilling; reluctant. Averse alike to flatter, or offend. Pope. Men who were averse to the life of camps. Macaulay. Pass by securely as men averse from war. Micah ii. 8.
AVERSION n.
A turning away. [Obs.] Adhesion to vice and aversion from goodness. Bp. Atterbury.
AVOCATION n.
ations which accompany marriage the clergy have been furnished with skill in common life. Atterbury.
AVOID v.
the plaintiff may deny the defendant's plea, or confess it, and avoid it by stating new matter. Blackstone.
AVOUCH v.
To declare or assert positively and as matter of fact; to affirm openly. If this which he avouches does appear. Shak. Such antiquities could have been avouched for the Irish. Spenser.
AWAKENING n.
ng to sleep. Specifically: A revival of religion, or more general attention to religious matters than usual.
AXMINSTER; AXMINSTER CARPET n.
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.
BABBLE v.
To talk much; to chatter; to prate.
BABBLER n.
A name given to any one of family (Timalinæ) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note.
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