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To draw near, in a figurative sense; to make advances; to approximate; as, he approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.

Fig.: With reference to April being the month in which vegetation begins to put forth, the variableness of its weather, etc. The April's her eyes; it is love's spring. Shak. April fool, one who is sportively imposed upon by others on the first day of April.

n low relief. It consists of a pattern in which plants, fruits, foliage, etc., as well as figures of men and animals, real or imaginary, are fantastically interlaced or put together.

Of or pertaining to Arabia or the Arabians. Arabic numerals or figures, the nine digits, 1, 2, 3, etc., and the cipher 0. -- Gum arabic. See under Gum.

The appearance or figure of a tree or plant, as in minerals or fossils; a dendrite.

Fig.: Any region or scene of simple pleasure and untroubled quiet. Where the cow is, there is Arcadia. J. Burroughs.

The superficial contents of any figure; the surface included within any given lines; superficial extent; as, the area of a square or a triangle.

The white color in coats of arms, intended to represent silver, or, figuratively, purity, innocence, beauty, or gentleness; -- represented in engraving by a plain white surface. Weale.

Fig.: Want of interest of feeling; insensibility; dryness of style or feeling; spiritual drought. Norris.

A constellation west of Taurus, drawn on the celestial globe in the figure of a ram.

The science of numbers; the art of computation by figures.

Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law. To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed Isa. lii. 1. Arm's end, the end of the arm; a good distance off. Dryden. -- Arm's length, the length of the arm. -- Arm's reach, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can reach. -- To go (or walk)…

Belonging to armor, or to the heraldic arms or escutcheon of a family. Figures with armorial signs of race and birth. Wordsworth. Armorial bearings. See Arms, 4.

The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.

Fig.: The fine diffusive quality of intellectual power; flavor; as, the subtile aroma of genius.

Near; in the neighborhood; as, this man was standing around when the fight took place. [Colloq. U. S.]

Tapestry; a rich figured fabric; especially, a screen or hangings of heavy cloth with interwoven figures. Stateliest couches, with rich arras spread. Cowper. Behind the arras I'll convey myself. Shak.

A material of wool or silk used for working the figures in embroidery.

of various things; as, an article of merchandise; salt is a necessary article. They would fight not for articles of faith, but for articles of food. Landor.

To rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects, from particulars to generals, from modern to ancient times, from one note to another more acute, etc.; as, our inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity; to ascend to our first progenitor.