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eing altered; a change made in the form or nature of a thing; changed condition. Ere long might perceive Strange alteration in me. Milton. Appius Claudius admitted to the senate the sons of those who had been slaves; by which, and succeeding alterations, that council degenerated into a most corrupt. Swift.…

With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly. They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down amain. Milton. That striping giant, ill-bred and scoffing, shouts amain. T. Parker.

Whatever tends to prevent mischievous effects, or to counteract evil which something else might produce.

old in such a degree as to put out of use; hence, to make void, or abrogate. Christianity might reasonably introduce new laws, and antiquate or abrogate old one. Sir M. Hale.

An accusation; a process which formerly might be instituted by one private person against another for some heinous crime demanding punishment for the particular injury suffered, rather than for the offense against the public.

The thing applied. He invented a new application by which blood might be stanched. Johnson.

A barrister, considered a learner of law till of sixteen years' standing, when he might be called to the rank of serjeant. [Obs.] Blackstone.

Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law. To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed Isa. lii. 1. Arm's end, the end of the arm; a good distance off. Dryden. -- Arm's length, the length of the arm. -- Arm's reach, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can reach. -- To go (or walk)…

Powerful in arms; mighty in battle. The temple stood of Mars armipotent. Dryden.

to arouse the dormant faculties. Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse His brother, mighty sovereign on the host. Cowper. No suspicion was aroused. Merivale.

f it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner. -- As now, just now. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- As swythe, as quickly as possible. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- As well, also; too; besides. Addison. -- As well as, equally with, n…

er. Taylor. Muncer assured them that the design was approved of by Heaven, and that the Almighty had in a dream ascertained him of its effects. Robertson.

ted; positive affirmation or assertion; solemn declaration. Another abuse of the tongue I might add, -- vehement asseverations upon slight and trivial occasions. Ray.

To solve; to clear up. [Obs.] Any child might soon be able to assoil this riddle. Bp. Jewel.

ing to, or resembling, Atlas; strong. With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies. Milton.

exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach. If by any means they might attain to Phenice. Acts xxvii. 12. Nor nearer might the dogs attain. Sir W. Scott. To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber. Cowper. Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this. J. R. Green.…

To maintain a just or true; to vouch for. We might be disposed to question its authencity, it if were not avouched by the full evidence. Milman.

A support or resource in reserve. This project Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. Shak.

In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards. We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak.

hung upon a tree, And baffled so, that all which passed by The picture of his punishment might see. Spenser.