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The first step towards the attainment of a result; approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer; -- usually in the plural. [He] made the like advances to the dissenters. Swift.

The first of two or more surfaces arranged in tandem; -- contr. with following surface, which is the rear surface.

The period including the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent Sunday (Eccl.), the first Sunday in the season of Advent, being always the nearest Sunday to the feast of St. Andrew (Now. 30). Shipley.

A modification of the aëroplane, having curved surfaces, the advantages of which were first demonstrated by Lilienthal.

To confirm; to assure. [Obs.] "The title is affeered." Shak.

To pour out or upon. [R.] I first affused water upon the compressed beans. Boyle.

An irrespirable gas, remaining after an explosion of fire damp in mines; choke damp. See Carbonic acid.

The grass that grows after the first crop has been mown; aftermath.

A second moving; the grass which grows after the first crop of hay in the same season; rowen. Holland.

To commit the first act of hostility or offense; to begin a quarrel or controversy; to make an attack; -- with on.

The first attack, or act of hostility; the first act of injury, or first act leading to a war or a controversy; unprovoked attack; assault; as, a war of aggression. "Aggressions of power." Hallam

The person who first attacks or makes an aggression; he who begins hostility or a quarrel; an assailant. The insolence of the aggressor is usually proportioned to the tameness of the sufferer. Ames.

es that we have any knowledge, save of phenomena; one who supports agnosticism, neither affirming nor denying the existence of a personal Deity, a future life, etc.

or an arrow, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it. Each at the head leveled his deadly aim. Milton.

unsubstantial, light, or volatile. "Charm ache with air." Shak. He was still all air and fire. Macaulay . [Air and fire being the finer and quicker elements as opposed to earth and water.]

An exposure to air, or to a fire, for warming, drying, etc.; as, the airing of linen, or of a room.

The first Sunday after Easter Sunday, properly Albless Sunday, because in the early church those who had been baptized on Easter eve laid aside on the following Saturday their white albs which had been put on after baptism.

A red star of the first magnitude, situated in the eye of Taurus; the Bull's Eye. It is the bright star in the group called the Hyades. Now when Aldebaran was mounted high Above the shiny Cassiopeia's chair. Spenser.

A second or further writ which is issued after a first writ has expired without effect.

te of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.