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An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a progenitor; -- opposed to descendant. Ayliffe.

rom commending those ascetics that take up their quarters in deserts. Norris. Ascetic theology, the science which treats of the practice of the theological and moral virtues, and the counsels of perfection. Am. Cyc.

ed, and which constitutes the mature fructification. The different forms are known in mycology under distinct names. Called also spore fruit.

Of or pertaining to Assyriology; as, Assyriological studies.

One versed in Assyriology; a student of Assyrian archæology.

One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.

Of or pertaining to astrology; professing or practicing astrology. "Astrologi learning." Hudibras. "Astrological prognostication." Cudworth. -- As`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

To apply astrology to; to study or practice astrology.

Astrology. [Obs.] Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck; And yet methinks I have astronomy. Shak.

Opposed to theology; atheistic. Bp. Montagu.

Of or pertaining to atmology. "Atmological laws of heat." Whewell.

One who is versed in atmology.

tisfaction for an offense or injury; expiation; amends; -- with for. Specifically, in theology: The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal suffering, and death of Christ. When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement be can make for it is, to warn others. Spectator. The Phocians behaved with, so…

An astrologer; -- so called because the Chaldeans were remarkable for the study of astrology.

Of or pertaining to bacteriology; as, bacteriological studies.

One skilled in bacteriology.

erference of sound waves of slightly different periods of vibrations; applied also, by analogy, to other kinds of wave motions; the pulsation or throbbing produced by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in unison. See Beat, v. i., 8.

The second letter of the Greek alphabet, B, b. See B, and cf. etymology of Alphabet. Beta (B, b) is used variously for classifying, as:

Relating to bibliology.

The branch of biology which deals with the geographical distribution of animals and plants. It includes both zoögeography and phytogeography. -- Bi`o*ge`o*graph"ic (#), a. -- Bi`o*ge`o*graph"ic*al*ly (#), adv.