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Impregnation by external contact, without intromission.

To corrupt, debase, or make impure by an admixture of a foreign or a baser substance; as, to adulterate food, drink, drugs, coin, etc. The present war has . . . adulterated our tongue with strange words. Spectator.

The fine and penalty imposed for the offense of adultery.

A faint sketch; an outline; an imperfect portrayal or representation of a thing. Elegant adumbrations of sacred truth. Bp. Horsley.

Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.

The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; progression; improvement; furtherance; promotion to a higher place or dignity; as, the advancement of learning. In heaven . . . every one (so well they love each other) rejoiceth and hath his part in each other's advancement. Sir T. More. True religion . . . propose…

Coming; any important arrival; approach. Death's dreadful advent. Young. Expecting still his advent home. Tennyson.

To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to aërate soil; to aërate water.

instrument to measure the degree of sensation, by determining at how short a distance two impressions upon the skin can be distinguished, and thus to determine whether the condition of tactile sensibility is normal or altered.

Conveying sensory or afferent impulses; -- said of nerves.

To aim at; to aspire; to covet. [Obs.] This proud man affects imperial Dryden.

an affecting address; an affecting sight. The most affecting music is generally the most simple.

Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc. ; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency. Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as a pleas…

Of or pertaining to the affections; as, affectional impulses; an affectional nature.

In an affective manner; impressively; emotionally.

as, the affinity of sounds, of colors, or of languages. There is a close affinity between imposture and credulity. Sir G. C. Lewis.

way; to attach physically. Should they [caterpillars] affix them to the leaves of a plant improper for their food. Ray.

A divine impartation of knowledge; supernatural impulse; inspiration. A poet writing against his genius will be like a prophet without his afflatus. Spence.

. Reed. Loaded and blest with all the affluent store, Which human vows at smoking shrines implore. Prior.

To impress with sudden fear; to frighten; to alarm. Dreams affright our souls. Shak. A drear and dying sound Affrights the flamens at their service quaint. Milton.