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An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.

One who is versed in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena. An undevout astronomer is mad. Young.

Theology founded on observation or knowledge of the celestial bodies. Derham.

Without technical or artistic knowledge. Difficult to convey to the atechnic reader. Etching & Engr.

tion of faith, formerly supposed to have been drawn up by Athanasius; but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles (5th century). It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.

An instrument for measuring the evaporation from water, ice, or snow. Brande & C.

for a debt, or a contempt; -- applied to a taking of the person by a civil process; being now rarely used for the arrest of a criminal. (b) To seize or take (goods or real estate) by virtue of a writ or precept to hold the same to satisfy a judgment which may be rendered in the suit. See Attachment, 4. The earl marshal…

To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.] Not well attaining his meaning. Fuller.

ained to, or obtained by exertion; acquirement; acquisition; (pl.), mental acquirements; knowledge; as, literary and scientific attainments.

or superior, and transfers to him his homage and service; the agreement of a tenant to acknowledge the purchaser of the estate as his landlord. Burrill. Blackstone.

To settle or adjust an account. Let Hocus audit; he knows how the money was disbursed. Arbuthnot.

A name given to various species of arctic sea birds of the family Alcidæ. The great auk, now extinct, is Alca (or Plautus) impennis. The razor-billed auk is A. torda. See Puffin, Guillemot, and Murre.

s successor. It became extinct when the German empire was dissolved, in 1806. The term is now applied to a council of the war department of the Austrian empire, and the members of different provincial chanceries of that empire are called aulic councilors. P. Cyc.

h cloth measure, of different parts of the country (at Paris, 0.95 of an English ell); -- now superseded by the meter.

Recognized by the ear; known by the sense of hearing; as, auricular evidence. "Auricular assurance." Shak.

The European bison (Bison bonasus, or Europæus), once widely distributed, but now nearly extinct, except where protected in the Lithuanian forests, and perhaps in the Caucasus. It is distinct from the Urus of Cæsar, with which it has often been confused.

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.

o help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment. O, what avails me now that honor high ! Milton.

A large mass or body of snow and ice sliding swiftly down a mountain side, or falling down a precipice.

A post of security or defense. [Poetic] Into the castle's tower, The only Aventine that now is left him. Beau. & Fl.