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steam is too high, or the water in the boiler too low. -- Alarm post, a place to which troops are to repair in case of an alarm.

ine; also, the line of adjustment; esp., an imaginary line to regulate the formation of troops or of a squadron.

ted with walls and fixtures made from amber. The amber was removed by occupying German troops during the Second World War and has, as of 1997, never been recovered. The room is being recreated from old photographs by Russian artisans. PJC

A place in which troops lie hid, to attack an enemy unexpectedly. [R.] Dryden.

A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen peril; a device to entrap; a snare. Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege Or ambush from the deep. Milton.

A tau cross with a loop at the top, used as an attribute or sacred emblem, symbolizing generation or enduring life. Called also crux ansata.

Anything that neutralizes, or that counteracts an alkaline tendency in the system. Hoopplw.

ents of one's life; previous principles, conduct, course, history. J. H. Newman. If the troops . . . prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely ours. Gen. G. McClellan.

t d'appui. Etym: [F., a point of support.] (Mil.) (a) A given point or body, upon which troops are formed, or by which are marched in line or column. (b) An advantageous defensive support, as a castle, morass, wood, declivity, etc.

itude to burn. He seems to have had a peculiar aptitude for the management of irregular troops. Macaulay.

dispose (persons, or parts) in the manner intended, or best suited for the purpose; as, troops arranged for battle. So [they] came to the market place, and there he arranged his men in the streets. Berners. [They] were beginning to arrange their hampers. Boswell. A mechanism previously arranged. Paley.…

To place or dispose in order, as troops for battle; to marshal. By torch and trumpet fast arrayed, Each horseman drew his battle blade. Campbell. These doubts will be arrayed before their minds. Farrar.

ope and about the Mediterranean, having flowers on a spadix inclosed in a spathe. The cuckoopint of the English is an example. Our common arums the lords and ladies of village children. Lubbock.

A beat of the drum or sound of the bugle as a signal to troops to assemble.

Auxiliary. [Archaic] The auxiliar troops and Trojan hosts appear. Pope.

Conferring aid or help; helping; aiding; assisting; subsidiary; as auxiliary troops. Auxiliary scales (Mus.), the scales of relative or attendant keys. See under Attendant, a. -- Auxiliary verbs (Gram.). See Auxiliary, n., 3.

A grallatorial bird, of the genus Recurvirostra; the scooper. The bill is long and bend upward toward the tip. The American species is R. Americana. [Written also avocette.]

A hoop suspended by an elastic strap, in which a young child may be held secure while amusing itself by jumping on the floor.

A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. [Obs.] The bail of a canoe . . . made of a human skull. Capt. Cook.

To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey. "Kites that bait and beat." Shak.