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An instrument for measuring and recording the variations in the actinic or chemical force of rays of light. Nichol.

The measurement of the force of solar radiation. Maury.

ion of acting or moving, as opposed to rest; the doing of something; exertion of power or force, as when one body acts on another; the effect of power exerted on one body by another; agency; activity; operation; as, the action of heat; a man of action. One wise in council, one in action brave. Pope.…

In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; -- opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.

uality of being active; nimbleness; agility; vigorous action or operation; energy; active force; as, an increasing variety of human activities. "The activity of toil." Palfrey.

A word or words added to quality or amplify the force of other words; as, the History of the American Revolution, where the words in italics are the adjunct or adjuncts of "History."

To give the force or form of an adverb to.

or antithesis; as, an adversative conjunction (but, however, yet, etc. ); an adversative force. -- Ad*ver"sa*tive*ly, adv.

Characterized by the absence of power or force. Adynamic fevers, malignant or putrid fevers attended with great muscular debility.

Pertaining to the force of air in motion.

The science which treats of the air and other gaseous bodies under the action of force, and of their mechanical effects.

Acting by the force of air and water; as, an aërohydrodynamic wheel.

y; artificial show. "An affectation of contempt." Macaulay. Affectation is an awkward and forced imitation of what should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty that accompanies what is natural what is natural. Locke.

See Afforcement. [Obs.]

A kind of gun in which the elastic force of condensed air is used to discharge the ball. The air is powerfully compressed into a reservoir attached to the gun, by a condensing pump, and is controlled by a valve actuated by the trigger.

of pump for exhausting air from a vessel or closed space; also, a pump to condense air of force in into a closed space.

In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.

To lighten or lessen the force or weight of. [Obs.] Should no others join capable to alleviate the expense. Evelyn. Those large bladders . . . conduce much to the alleviating of the body [of flying birds]. Ray.

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.

. Sterne. Ignorant I was of the human frame, and of its latent powers, as regarded speed, force, and ambidexterity. De Quincey.