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, a pair of magnetic needles so mounted as to be nearly or quite astatic, as in some galvanometers.

traction of parts by applications; the action of an astringent substance on the animal economy. Dunglison.

One who studies the stars; an astronomer. [Obs.]

logical signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.

Pertaining to the physics of astronomical science.

An old astronomical instrument, formed of two cones, on whose surface the constellations were delineated.

That branch of science which treats of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapor. Whewell.

was developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean philosophy. -- Atomic theory, or the Doctrine of definite proportions (Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of bodies, in some simple ratio…

Poison; venom; corrupt matter from a sore. [Obs.] Holland.

chattering, flight, and feeding of birds, or by signs or omens derived from celestial phenomena, certain appearances of quadrupeds, or unusual occurrences.

lis (, i. e., northern daybreak; popularly called northern lights. A luminous meteoric phenomenon, visible only at night, and supposed to be of electrical origin. This species of light usually appears in streams, ascending toward the zenith from a dusky line or bank, a few degrees above the northern horizon; when reach…

Political independence or absolute sovereignty (of a state); autonomy. Barlow.

nts or functions. Unconscious or automatic reasoning. H. Spenser. Automatic arts, such economic arts or manufacture as are carried on by self-acting machinery. Ure.

eason of the year, or the season between summer and winter, often called "the fall." Astronomically, it begins in the northern temperate zone at the autumnal equinox, about September 23, and ends at the winter solstice, about December 23; but in popular language, autumn, in America, comprises September, October, and No…

ed for the purpose of simplifying or facilitating some operation, as in equations or trigonometrical formulæ. Math. Dict.

Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without economy, is of little avail. The avail of a deathbed repentance. Jer. Taylor.

peripatetic philosophers, who appeared in Italy before the restoration of learning; so denominated from Averroes, or Averrhoes, a celebrated Arabian philosopher. He held the doctrine of monopsychism.

ch, though not a necessary truth, is universally received; as, the axioms of political economy.

To furnish or load with a bag or with a well filled bag. A bee bagged with his honeyed venom. Dryden.

disk appears momentarily like a row of bright spots resembling a string of beads. The phenomenon (first fully described by Francis Baily, 1774 -- 1844) is thought to be an effect of irradiation, and of inequalities of the moon's edge.