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on the little absences and distractions of mankind." Addison. To conquer that abstraction which is called absence. Landor.

nder Ablative. Absolute curvature (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of double curvature, which is measured in the osculating plane of the curve. -- Absolute equation (Astron.), the sum of the optic and eccentric equations. -- Absolute space (Physics), space considered without relation to material limits or objects.…

The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins of the truly penitent are forgiven.

to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment. Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen. Macaulay.

bs gases. So heat, light, and electricity are absorbed or taken up in the substances into which they pass. Nichol. p. 8

nd (Paint.), a ground prepared for a picture, chiefly with distemper, or water colors, by which the oil is absorbed, and a brilliancy is imparted to the colors.

One who, or that which, absorbs.

In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs.

Expressing a particular property of an object viewed apart from the other properties which constitute it; -- opposed to Ant: concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word. J. S. Mill.

Abstruseness; that which is abstruse. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

That which is absurd; an absurd action; a logical contradiction. His travels were full of absurdities. Johnson.

This is opposed to a deficient number, as 14, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2, 7, the sum of which is 10; and to a perfect number, which is equal to the sum of its aliquot parts, as 6, whose aliquot parts are 1, 2., 3.

That on or against which a body abuts or presses; as

One who, or that which, abuts. Specifically, the owner of a contiguous estate; as, the abutters on a street or a river.

bling, an abyss; unfathomable. Abyssal zone (Phys. Geog.), one of the belts or zones into which Sir E. Forbes divides the bottom of the sea in describing its plants, animals, etc. It is the one furthest from the shore, embracing all beyond one hundred fathoms deep. Hence, abyssal animals, plants, etc.…

nd his followers held their philosophical conferences; hence, the school of philosophy of which Plato was head.

Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the acanthus is the type.

Having fins in which the rays are hard and spinelike; spiny- finned.

The group of Arachnida which includes the mites and ticks. Many species are parasitic, and cause diseases like the itch and mange.

A verse which has the complete number of feet and syllables.