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le or no tendency to take a fixed or definite position or direction: thus, a suspended magnetic needle, when rendered astatic, loses its polarity, or tendency to point in a given direction. Astatic pair (Magnetism), a pair of magnetic needles so mounted as to be nearly or quite astatic, as in some galvanometers.…

A convex molding of rounded surface, generally from half to three quarters of a circle.

To bind up; to confine; to constrict; to contract. The solid parts were to be relaxed or astricted. Arbuthnot.

A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance.

Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at. It expresses: -…

l type of a species in the progeny of its varieties; resemblance to remote rather than to near ancestors; reversion to the original form.

The state of disorder that characterizes nervous fevers and the nervous condition. Locomotor ataxia. See Locomotor.

ertaining to, implying, or containing, atheism; -- applied to things; as, atheistic doctrines, opinions, or books. Atheistical explications of natural effects. Barrow.

A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.

Without God, neither accepting nor denying him. I should say science was atheous, and therefore could not be atheistic. Bp. of Carlisle.

Across; from side to side of. Athwart the thicket lone. Tennyson.

One who sustains a great burden.

An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily indivisible; a molecule.

To reduce to atoms, or to fine spray. The liquids in the form of spray are said to be pulverized, nebulized, or atomized. Dunglison.

Attack at once; -- a direction at the end of a movement to show that the next is to follow immediately, without any pause.

state, etc.; to reach. If by any means they might attain to Phenice. Acts xxvii. 12. Nor nearer might the dogs attain. Sir W. Scott. To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber. Cowper. Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this. J. R. Green.

s.] Upon sufficient proof attainted of some open act by men of his own condition. Blackstone.

t in a dangerous tempest doth not attend the unskillful words of the passenger. Sir P. Sidney.

Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following, as consequential; consequent; as, intemperance with all its attendant evils. The natural melancholy attendant upon his situation added to the gloom of the owner of the mansion. Sir W. Scott.

Touching; bordering; contiguous. [Obs.] -- At*tig"u*ous*ness, n. [Obs.]