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The art or science of building; especially, the art of building houses, churches, bridges, and other structures, for the purposes of civil life; -- often called civil architecture. Many other architectures besides Gothic. Ruskin.

ings, or other architectural member, above and on both sides of a door or other opening, especially if square in form.

One of the chief magistrates in ancient Athens, especially, by preëminence, the first of the nine chief magistrates. -- Ar*chon"tic, a.

Tapestry; a rich figured fabric; especially, a screen or hangings of heavy cloth with interwoven figures. Stateliest couches, with rich arras spread. Cowper. Behind the arras I'll convey myself. Shak.

In the United States especially, a thin facing of squared and dressed stone upon a wall of rubble or brick. Knight.

One of several species of poplar bearing this name, especially the Populus tremula, so called from the trembling of its leaves, which move with the slightest impulse of the air.

One who asperses; especially, one who vilifies another.

act or process of ascertaining the proportion of a particular metal in an ore or alloy; especially, the determination of the proportion of gold or silver in bullion or coin.

ompounds, for the purpose of determining the amount of any particular metal in the same, especially of gold or silver.

A member of an assembly, especially of the lower branch of a state legislature.

1. Across, especially in an oblique direction; sidewise; obliquely. Sometimes athwart, sometimes he strook him straight. Spenser.

Want of tone; weakness of the system, or of any organ, especially of such as are contractile.

An open court with a porch or gallery around three or more sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica or other church. The name was extended in the Middle Ages to the open churchyard or cemetery.

A hearer; especially a catechumen in the early church. [Obs.] Shelton.

y vehicles, ranging from the run-about to the touring car, up to as high as 200 H. P. for specially built racing cars. Automobiles are also commonly, and generally in British usage, called motor cars.

The principal walk or approach to a house which is withdrawn from the road, especially, such approach bordered on each side by trees; any broad passageway thus bordered. An avenue of tall elms and branching chestnuts. W. Black.

The journal box of a rotating axle, especially a railway axle.

Now especially applied to compounds containing a two atom nitrogen group uniting two hydrocarbon radicals, as in azobenzene, azobenzoic, etc. These compounds furnish many artificial dyes. See Diazo-.

, (Bot.) A plant with flowers shaped like buttons; especially, several species of Ranunculus, and the cornflower (Centaures cyanus) and globe amaranth (Gomphrena).

One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a person or thing in a contest.