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The material of which sedimentary rocks are formed.

Sedimentary.

Of or pertaining to sediment; formed by sediment; containing matter that has subsided. Sedimentary rocks. (Geol.) See Aqueous rocks, under Aqueous.

The act of depositing a sediment; specifically (Geol.), the deposition of the material of which sedimentary rocks are formed.

Jews who are descendants of the former Jews of Spain and Portugal. They are as a rule darker than the northern Jews, and have more delicate features.

A horizontal graduated bar mounted on a staff, used as a stadium, or telemeter, for measuring distances.

Having three dimensions; extended in three different directions.

Having but one dimension. See Dimension.

A bond or pledge for appearance before a judge on a certain day. [Obs.]

The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of finance. A B C book, a primer. Shak.

To bring down or reduce from a higher to a lower state, number, or degree; to lessen; to diminish; to contract; to moderate; toto cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope. His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. Deut. xxxiv. 7.

The act of abating, or the state of being abated; a lessening, diminution, or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance is the suppression thereof.

Pertaining to, or formed by, the letters of the alphabet; alphabetic; hence, rudimentary. Abecedarian psalms, hymns, etc., compositions in which (like the 119th psalm in Hebrew) distinct portions or verses commence with successive letters of the alphabet. Hook.

A primer; the first principle or rudiment of anything. [R.] Fuller.

A medicine that diminishes irritation.

To diminish the sensibility of; to debilitate.

Diminishing; as, an ablatitious force. Sir J. Herschel.

To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile.

Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.

To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights. "The bridegroom . . . abridged his visit." Smollett. She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity. Fuller.