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; approach; also, the result of approximating. The largest capacity and the most noble dispositions are but an approximation to the proper standard and true symmetry of human nature. I. Taylor.

A natural or acquired disposition or capacity for a particular purpose, or tendency to a particular action or effect; as, oil has an aptitude to burn. He seems to have had a peculiar aptitude for the management of irregular troops. Macaulay.

Disposition of the mind; propensity; as, the aptness of men to follow example.

A sugar of the composition C5H10O5, obtained from cherry gum by boiling it with dilute sulphuric acid.

A mineral identical in composition with calcite or carbonate of lime, but differing from it in its crystalline form and some of its physical characters.

The treelike disposition of the gray and white nerve tissues in the cerebellum, as seen in a vertical section.

ble tube round a cylinder in the form of a screw. When the screw is placed in an inclined position, and the lower end immersed in water, by causing the screw to revolve, the water is raised to the upper end. Francis.

To invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a proposition, opinion, or measure; to use arguments; to reason. I argue not Against Heaven's hand or will. Milton.

mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it.

g conclusions, and applying them to the case in discussion; the operation of inferring propositions, not known or admitted as true, from facts or principles known, admitted, or proved to be true. Which manner of argumentation, how false and naught it is, . . . every man that hath with perceiveth. Tyndale.…

To come up from a lower to a higher position; to come above the horizon; to come up from one's bed or place of repose; to mount; to ascend; to rise; as, to arise from a kneeling posture; a cloud arose; the sun ariseth; he arose early in the morning.

osed of an assemblage of rings, all circles of the same sphere, designed to represent the positions of the important circles of the celestial sphere. Nichol.

nging or putting in an orderly condition; the state of being arranged or put in order; disposition in suitable form.

Placed in such a position as to exhibit the top and two sides, the corner being in front; -- said of a rectangular form. Encyc. Brit. Cussans.

Order; a regular and imposing arrangement; disposition in regular lines; hence, order of battle; as, drawn up in battle array. Wedged together in the closest array. Gibbon.

Making, or having the disposition to make, exorbitant claims of rank or estimation; giving one's self an undue degree of importance; assuming; haughty; -- applied to persons. Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate. Shak.

A literary composition, forming an independent portion of a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.

Made or contrived by art; produced or modified by human skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as, artificial heat or light, gems, salts, minerals, fountains, flowers. Artificial strife Lives in these touches, livelier than life. Shak.

, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position. Grote.

found in many plants, and first obtained from asparagus. It is believed to aid in the disposition of nitrogenous matter throughout the plant; -- called also altheine.