Search the Dictionary

A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.

Pertaining to, contained in, or composed of, alluvium; relating to the deposits made by flowing water; washed away from one place and deposited in another; as, alluvial soil, mud, accumulations, deposits.

An animal of Peru (Lama paco), having long, fine, wooly hair, supposed by some to be a domesticated variety of the llama.

pecif., a reillumination sometimes observed after the summits have passed into shadow, supposed to be due to a curving downward (refraction) of the light rays from the west resulting from the cooling of the air.

Composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.

re and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time; -- opposed to præcoces.

rs, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; -- opposed to egoism or selfishness. [Recent] J. S. Mill.

One imbued with altruism; -- opposed to egoist.

Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; -- opposed to Ant: egoistic or Ant: selfish. Bain. -- Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly, adv.

cy during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals; invariably; uniformly; -- opposed to sometimes or occasionally. He always rides a black galloway. Bulwer.

has been employed as a styptic by surgeons, but its common use is as tinder, for which purpose it is prepared by soaking it in a strong solution of niter. Ure.

An imaginary flower supposed never to fade. [Poetic]

The faculty supposed to influence sexual desire; propensity to love. Combe.

Left-handed on both sides; clumsy; -- opposed to ambidexter. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

A lying in a wood, concealed, for the purpose of attacking an enemy by surprise. Hence: A lying in wait, and concealed in any situation, for a like purpose; a snare laid for an enemy; an ambush.

To lie in wait, for the purpose of attacking by surprise; to lurk. Nor saw the snake that ambushed for his prey. Trumbull.

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

e infliction of a penalty at the discretion of the court; also, a mulct or penalty thus imposed. It differs from a fine,in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and certain sum prescribed by statue for an offense; but an amercement is arbitrary. Hence, the act or practice of affeering. [See Affeer.] Blackstone…

. See Virginia creeper. -- American Party (U. S. Politics), a party, about 1854, which opposed the influence of foreign-born citizens, and those supposed to owe allegiance to a foreign power. -- Native american Party (U. S. Politics), a party of principles similar to those of the American party. It arose about 1843,…

Composed of, or containing, amethyst.