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of number. It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble blood hath been shed with small benefit to the Christian state. Raleigh.

oldest American rocks known to be fossiliferous. See Geology. -- Acadian owl (Zoöl.), a small North American owl (Nyctule Acadica); the saw-whet.

A genus including many species of small mites.

hung over the side of a ship at the gangway, useful in ascending from, or descending to, small boats.

A small, portable, keyed wind instrument, whose tones are generated by play of the wind upon free metallic reeds.

against it. Milton. -- To make account of, to hold in estimation; to esteem; as, he makes small account of beauty. -- To take account of, or to take into account, to take into consideration; to notice. "Of their doings, God takes no account." Milton . -- A writ of account (Law), a writ which the plaintiff brings dema…

tored. -- An accumulation of degrees (Eng. Univ.), the taking of several together, or at smaller intervals than usual or than is allowed by the rules.

Hence: A very small quantity or degree; a particle; an atom; a jot. I 'll not wag an ace further. Dryden. To bate an ace, to make the least abatement. [Obs.] -- Within an ace of, very near; on the point of. W. Irving.

A name given to several species of plants; as, smallage, wild celery, parsley. [Obs.] Holland.

A small, dry, indehiscent fruit, containing a single seed, as in the buttercup; -- called a naked seed by the earlier botanists. [Written also akene and achænium.]

Full of small kernels like a grape.

One of the small grains or drupelets which make up some kinds of fruit, as the blackberry, raspberry, etc.

A small species of agouti (Dasyprocta acouchy).

One of the small pedestals, for statues or other ornaments, placed on the apex and at the basal angles of a pediment. Acroteria are also sometimes placed upon the gables in Gothic architecture. J. H. Parker.

Having small prickles or sharp points. Gray.

ess; -- applied to the senses, or the understanding. By acuteness of feeling, we perceive small objects or slight impressions: by acuteness of intellect, we discern nice distinctions. Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness interested in bringing it to a successful close. Sir W. Scott.

A small venomous serpent of the genus Vipera. The common European adder is the Vipera (or Pelias) berus. The puff adders of Africa are species of Clotho.

A small plane or surface, usually capable of adjustment but not of manipulation, for preserving lateral balance in an aëroplane or flying machine.

A flying machine, or a small plane for experiments on flying, which floats in the air only when propelled through it.

can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough. The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits. Hamilton. He could afford to suffer With those whom he saw suffer. Wordsworth.