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That part of moral philosophy which treats of virtue, its nature, and the means of attaining to it.

Of the nature of clay; consisting of, or containing, argil or clay; clayey. Argillaceous sandstone (Geol.), a sandstone containing much clay. -- Argillaceous iron ore, the clay ironstone. -- Argillaceous schist or state. See Argillite.

entury, or to the doctrines of Arius, who held Christ to be inferior to God the Father in nature and dignity, though the first and noblest of all created beings. -- n.

being aroused. Whatever has associated itself with the arousal and activity of our better nature. Hare.

at, or attain to. When he arrived at manhood. Rogers. We arrive at knowledge of a law of nature by the generalization of facts. McCosh. If at great things thou wouldst arrive. Milton.

fe; the application of knowledge or power to practical purposes. Blest with each grace of nature and of art. Pope.

In an artificial manner; by art, or skill and contrivance, not by nature.

bs.] If I was a philosopher, says Montaigne, I would naturalize art instead of artilizing nature. Bolingbroke.

Of or pertaining to asbestus, or partaking of its nature; incombustible; asbestic.

r belonging to, or having the qualities of, the ass, as stupidity and obstinacy. "Asinine nature." B. Jonson. "Asinine feast." Milton.

Pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing, asphalt; bituminous. "Asphaltic pool." "Asphaltic slime." Milton.

Giving assent; of the nature of assent; complying. -- As*sent"ive*ness, n.

To apportion a sum to be paid by (a person, a community, or an estate), in the nature of a tax, fine, etc.; to impose a tax upon (a person, an estate, or an income) according to a rate or apportionment.

To separate and distribute into classes, as things of a like kind, nature, or quality, or which are suited to a like purpose; to classify; as, to assort goods.

tion. [Obs.] Custom and studies efform the soul like wax, and by assuefaction introduce a nature. Jer. Taylor.

Very wonderful; of a nature to excite astonishment; as, an astonishing event.

Of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an astounding force, statement, or fact. -- As*tound"ing*ly, adv.

Of, pertaining to, or having the nature of, atheroma. Wiseman.

Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the atmospheric envelope of the earth.

A peevish, ill-natured person. [North of Eng.]