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The fabled "universal solvent" of the alchemists; a menstruum capable of dissolving all bodies. -- Al`ka*hes"tic, a.

ly one of a class of substances occurring ready formed in the tissues of plants and the bodies of animals.

in the form of a confection, deriving its name from the kermes insect, its principal ingredient.

ating to the solution of questions concerning the compounding or mixing of different ingredients, or ingredients of different qualities or values.

That system of medical practice which aims to combat disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the special disease treated; -- a term invented by Hahnemann to designate the ordinary practice, as opposed to homeopathy.

The berry of the pimento (Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina al…

eaty or league; -- usually applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate. The English soldiers and their French allies. Macaulay.

A recently invented instrument for observing the heavenly bodies as they cross a given almacantar circle. See Almucantar.

Great; extreme; terrible. [Slang] Poor Aroar can not live, and can not die, -- so that he is in an almighty fix. De Quincey. The Almighty, the omnipotent God. Rev. i. 8.

upped mouthpiece and a bell, used by the Swiss to sound the ranz des vaches and other melodies. Its notes are open harmonics of the tube.

f the Hibiscus abelmoschus, somewhat resembling millet, brought from Egypt and the West Indies, and having a flavor like that of musk; musk seed. Chambers.

Tending to ameliorate; producing amelioration or improvement; as, ameliorative remedies, efforts.

In public bodies; Any alternation made or proposed to be made in a bill or motion by adding, changing, substituting, or omitting.

party of principles similar to those of the American party. It arose about 1843, but soon died out.

tion bread, shoes, etc., such as are contracted for by government, and supplied to the soldiers. [Eng.]

Enlarging a conception by adding to that which is already known or received. "All bodies possess power of attraction" is an ampliative judgment; because we can think of bodies without thinking of attraction as one of their immediate primary attribute. Abp. W. Thomson.

The doctrine, system, or practice, of Anabaptists. [R.] Thus died this imaginary king; and Anabaptistry was suppressed in Munster. Pagitt.

Mystical interpretations or studies, esp. of the Scriptures. L. Addison.

Aiding the memory; as, anamnestic remedies.

Lawless; anarchical. [R.] We are in the habit of calling those bodies of men anarchal which are in a state of effervescence. Landor.