Search the Dictionary

An optical property of some crystals which exhibit a star- shaped by reflected light, as star sapphire, or by transmitted light, as some mica.

to go stern foremost. -- To be astern of the reckoning, to be behind the position given by the reckoning. -- To drop astern, to fall or be left behind. -- To go astern, to go backward, as from the action of currents or winds.

Characterized by, or pertaining to, debility; weak; debilitating.

A disease, characterized by difficulty of breathing (due to a spasmodic contraction of the bronchi), recurring at intervals, accompanied with a wheezing sound, a sense of constriction in the chest, a cough, and expectoration.

ated with saltpeter. The fumes from the burning paper are often inhaled as an alleviative by asthmatics.

To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow. [Obs.] Enough, captain; you have astonished him. [Fluellen had struck Pistol]. Shak. The very cramp-fish [i. e., torpedo] . . . being herself not benumbed, is able to astonish others. Holland.

Divination by means of small bones or dice.

; starlike. Shines only with an astral luster. I. Taylor. Some astral forms I must invoke by prayer. Dryden. Astral lamp, an Argand lamp so constructed that no shadow is cast upon the table by the flattened ring-shaped reservoir in which the oil is contained. -- Astral spirits, spirits formerly supposed to live in the…

A contraction of parts by applications; the action of an astringent substance on the animal economy. Dunglison.

To bind by moral or legal obligation. Wolsey.

One who practices astrology; one who professes to foretell events by the aspects and situation of the stars.

t of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects.

Of or pertaining to divination by means of the stars; astrologic. [R.] Dr. H. More.

in astronomy; one who has a knowledge of the laws of the heavenly orbs, or the principles by which their motions are regulated, with their various phenomena. An undevout astronomer is mad. Young.

Characterized by the use of asyndeton; not connected by conjunctions. -- As`yn*det"ic*al*ly, adv.

A kettledrum; a kind of tabor, used by the Moors. Croly.

Characterized by ataxy, that is, (a) by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or (b) by a want of coordinating power in movements. Ataxic fever, malignant typhus fever. Pinel.

a formulary, confession, or exposition of faith, formerly supposed to have been drawn up by Athanasius; but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles (5th century). It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.

A digesting furnace, formerly used by alchemists. It was so constructed as to maintain uniform and durable heat. Chambers.

A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.