Search the Dictionary

A poem in which persons are represented at speaking alternately; as the third and seventh eclogues of Virgil.

That division of the Rhizopoda which includes the amoeba and similar forms.

A genus of aromatic plants. It includes species which bear cardamoms, and grains of paradise.

The act or right of alienating lands to a corporation, which was considered formerly as transferring them to dead hands, or in mortmain.

system of electro-magnetic units, or the practical equivalent of the unvarying current which, when passed through a standard solution of nitrate of silver in water, deposits silver at the rate of 0.001118 grams per second. Called also the international ampère.

A form of articulation in which the bones are connected by intervening substance admitting slight motion; symphysis.

A treatise on amphibious animals; the department of natural history which treats of the Amphibia.

of two interpretations; and hence, of uncertain meaning. It differs from equivocation, which arises from the twofold sense of a single term.

Increasing in size by growth on all sides, as the lichens.

A nonsense verse; a rigmarole, with apparent meaning, which on further attention proves to be meaningless. [Written also amphigouri.]

One of a tribe of Amphibia, which have both lungs and gills at the same time, as the proteus and siren.

Having a sucker at each extremity, as certain entozoa, by means of which they adhere.

Enlarging a conception by adding to that which is already known or received. "All bodies possess power of attraction" is an ampliative judgment; because we can think of bodies without thinking of attraction as one of their immediate primary attribute. Abp. W. Thomson.

The matter by which a statement is amplified; as, the subject was presented without amplifications.

One who or that which amplifies.

The horizontal line which measures the distance to which a projectile is thrown; the range.

The vase in which the holy oil for chrism, unction, or coronation is kept. Shipley.

The state of being amused; pleasurable excitement; that which amuses; diversion. His favorite amusements were architecture and gardening. Macaulay.

amyl. -- Amylic fermentation (Chem.), a process of fermentation in starch or sugar in which amylic alcohol is produced. Gregory.

A microörganism (Bacillus amylobacter) which develops in vegetable tissue during putrefaction. Sternberg.