Search the Dictionary

Characterizing that kind of reasoning which deduces consequences from definitions formed, or principles assumed, or which infers effects from causes previously known; deductive or deductively. The reverse of a posteriori.

To surrender or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station, dignity; as, to abdicate the throne, the crown, the papacy.

Having abdominal fins; belonging to the Abdominales; as, abdominal fishes. Abdominal ring (Anat.), a fancied ringlike opening on each side of the abdomen, external and superior to the pubes; -- called also inguinal ring.

ncluding the greater part of fresh-water fishes, and many marine ones, having the ventral fins under the abdomen behind the pectorals.

The European siskin (Carduelis spinus), a small green and yellow finch, related to the goldfinch.

A small quantity of wine and water, which is used to wash the priest's thumb and index finger after the communion, and which then, as perhaps containing portions of the consecrated elements, is drunk by the priest.

Before a verbal noun or an infinitive:

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.

with the reflexive pronoun. If after due summons any member absents himself, he is to be fined. Addison.

tive; peremptory. [R.] The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head, With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed. Mrs. Browning.

To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.] The work begun, how soon absolved. Milton.

t of abstraction and generalization, and consequently to all general names, instead of confining it to the names of attributes. J. S. Mill.

with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment. "The absurdity of the actual idea of an infinite number." Locke.

Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth. The abysses of metaphysical theology. Macaulay. In unfathomable abysses of disgrace. Burke.

A spine or prickly fin.

A group of teleostean fishes having spiny fins. See Acanthopterygii.

Belonging to the order of fishes having spinose fins, as the perch. -- n.

An order of fishes having some of the rays of the dorsal, ventral, and anal fins unarticulated and spinelike, as the perch.

Having fins in which the rays are hard and spinelike; spiny- finned.

baron" is not to be taken in that restrictive sense to which the modern acception hath confined it. Fuller. Acception of persons or faces (Eccl.), favoritism; partiality. [Obs.] Wyclif.