*rat*

n. [ L. aberratio: cf. F. aberration. See Aberrate. ] 1. The act of wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type. “The aberration of youth.” Hall. “Aberrations from theory.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A partial alienation of reason. “Occasional aberrations of intellect.” Lingard. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whims, which at first are the aberrations of a single brain, pass with heat into epidemic form. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Astron.) A small periodical change of position in the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer; called annual aberration, when the observer's motion is that of the earth in its orbit, and daily or diurnal aberration, when of the earth on its axis; amounting when greatest, in the former case, to 20.4'', and in the latter, to 0.3''. Planetary aberration is that due to the motion of light and the motion of the planet relative to the earth. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Opt.) The convergence to different foci, by a lens or mirror, of rays of light emanating from one and the same point, or the deviation of such rays from a single focus; called spherical aberration, when due to the spherical form of the lens or mirror, such form giving different foci for central and marginal rays; and chromatic aberration, when due to different refrangibilities of the colored rays of the spectrum, those of each color having a distinct focus. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Physiol.) The passage of blood or other fluid into parts not appropriate for it. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Law) The producing of an unintended effect by the glancing of an instrument, as when a shot intended for A glances and strikes B. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Insanity; lunacy; madness; derangement; alienation; mania; dementia; hallucination; illusion; delusion. See Insanity. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Characterized by aberration. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. abjuratio: cf. F. abjuration. ] 1. The act of abjuring or forswearing; a renunciation upon oath; as, abjuration of the realm, a sworn banishment, an oath taken to leave the country and never to return. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A solemn recantation or renunciation; as, an abjuration of heresy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Oath of abjuration, an oath asserting the right of the present royal family to the crown of England, and expressly abjuring allegiance to the descendants of the Pretender. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Containing abjuration. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Accelerated p. pr. & vb. n. Accelerating. ] [ L. acceleratus, p. p. of accelerare; ad + celerare to hasten; celer quick. See Celerity. ] 1. To cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add to the speed of; -- opposed to retard. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To quicken the natural or ordinary progression or process of; as, to accelerate the growth of a plant, the increase of wealth, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To hasten, as the occurence of an event; as, to accelerate our departure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Accelerated motion (Mech.), motion with a continually increasing velocity. --
Accelerating force, the force which causes accelerated motion. Nichol. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To hasten; expedite; quicken; dispatch; forward; advance; further. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. 1 caused to move faster
Syn. -- speeded up [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. 1 caused to be completed in a shorter than normal time period; speeded up, as of an academic course; He took an accelerated curriculum, and graduated in three years. Opposite of delayed.
Syn. -- expedited [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. [ L. acceleratio: cf. F. accélération. ] The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as, a falling body moves toward the earth with an acceleration of velocity; -- opposed to retardation. [ 1913 Webster ]

A period of social improvement, or of intellectual advancement, contains within itself a principle of acceleration. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Astr. & Physics.)
Acceleration of the moon, the increase of the moon's mean motion in its orbit, in consequence of which its period of revolution is now shorter than in ancient times. --
Acceleration and
retardation of the tides. See Priming of the tides, under Priming. --
Diurnal acceleration of the fixed stars, the amount by which their apparent diurnal motion exceeds that of the sun, in consequence of which they daily come to the meridian of any place about three minutes fifty-six seconds of solar time earlier than on the day preceding. --
Acceleration of the planets, the increasing velocity of their motion, in proceeding from the apogee to the perigee of their orbits. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to acceleration; adding to velocity; quickening. Reid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, accelerates. Also as an adj.; as, accelerator nerves. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Accelerative. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. accorporare; ad + corpus, corporis, body. ] To unite; to attach; to incorporate. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to acculturation (definition 3).
Syn. -- acculturational [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. accuratus, p. p. and a., fr. accurare to take care of; ad + curare to take care, cura care. See Cure. ] 1. In exact or careful conformity to truth, or to some standard of requirement, the result of care or pains; free from failure, error, or defect; exact; as, an accurate calculator; an accurate measure; accurate expression, knowledge, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Precisely fixed; executed with care; careful. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Those conceive the celestial bodies have more accurate influences upon these things below. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Correct; exact; just; nice; particular. -- Accurate, Correct, Exact, Precise. We speak of a thing as correct with reference to some rule or standard of comparison; as, a correct account, a correct likeness, a man of correct deportment. We speak of a thing as accurate with reference to the care bestowed upon its execution, and the increased correctness to be expected therefrom; as, an accurate statement, an accurate detail of particulars. We speak of a thing as exact with reference to that perfected state of a thing in which there is no defect and no redundance; as, an exact coincidence, the exact truth, an exact likeness. We speak of a thing as precise when we think of it as strictly conformed to some rule or model, as if cut down thereto; as a precise conformity instructions; precisely right; he was very precise in giving his directions. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an accurate manner; exactly; precisely; without error or defect. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being accurate; accuracy; exactness; nicety; precision. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Aceric. ] (Chem.) A combination of aceric acid with a salifiable base. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Acerose; needle-shaped. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Acupuncture. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To convert into adipocere. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or process of changing into adipocere. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. adjuratio, fr. adjurare: cf. F. adjuration. See Adjure. ] 1. The act of adjuring; a solemn charging on oath, or under the penalty of a curse; an earnest appeal. [ 1913 Webster ]

What an accusation could not effect, an adjuration shall. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The form of oath or appeal. [ 1913 Webster ]

Persons who . . . made use of prayer and adjurations. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. adjuratorius. ] Containing an adjuration. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. admensuratio; L. ad + mensurare to measure. See Mensuration. ] Same as Admeasurement. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. administratus, p. p. of administrare. ] To administer. [ R. ] Milman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. administracioun, L. administratio: cf. F. administration. ] 1. The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction; management. [ 1913 Webster ]

His financial administration was of a piece with his military administration. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The executive part of government; the persons collectively who are intrusted with the execution of laws and the superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain. [ 1913 Webster ]

A mild and popular administration. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

The administration has been opposed in parliament. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation; as, the administration of a medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) (a) The management and disposal, under legal authority, of the estate of an intestate, or of a testator having no competent executor. (b) The management of an estate of a deceased person by an executor, the strictly corresponding term execution not being in use. [ 1913 Webster ]

Administration with the will annexed, administration granted where the testator has appointed no executor, or where his appointment of an executor for any cause has failed, as by death, incompetency, refusal to act, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Conduct; management; direction; regulation; execution; dispensation; distribution. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. administrativus: cf. F. administratif. ] Pertaining to administration; administering; executive; as, an administrative body, ability, or energy. -- Ad*min"is*tra`tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. ] 1. One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) A man who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The position or office of an administrator. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL. ] A woman who administers; esp., one who administers the estate of an intestate, or to whom letters of administration have been granted; a female administrator. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. L. admiratio. See Admire. ] 1. Wonder; astonishment. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Season your admiration for a while. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Wonder mingled with approbation or delight; an emotion excited by a person or thing possessed of wonderful or high excellence; as, admiration of a beautiful woman, of a landscape, of virtue. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Cause of admiration; something to excite wonder, or pleased surprise; a prodigy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now, good Lafeu, bring in the admiration. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Note of admiration, the mark (!), called also exclamation point. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Wonder; approval; appreciation; adoration; reverence; worship. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to or expressing admiration or wonder. [ R. ] Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. adoratio, fr. adorare: cf. F. adoration. ] 1. The act of playing honor to a divine being; the worship paid to God; the act of addressing as a god. [ 1913 Webster ]

The more immediate objects of popular adoration amongst the heathens were deified human beings. Farmer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Homage paid to one in high esteem; profound veneration; intense regard and love; fervent devotion. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A method of electing a pope by the expression of homage from two thirds of the conclave. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Pole ] might have been chosen on the spot by adoration. Froude. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Adulterated p. pr. & vb. n. Adulterating ] [ L. adulteratus, p. p. of adulterare, fr. adulter adulterer, prob. fr. ad + alter other, properly one who approaches another on account of unlawful love. Cf. Advoutry. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To defile by adultery. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To corrupt, debase, or make impure by an admixture of a foreign or a baser substance; as, to adulterate food, drink, drugs, coin, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

The present war has . . . adulterated our tongue with strange words. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To corrupt; defile; debase; contaminate; vitiate; sophisticate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To commit adultery. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Tainted with adultery. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Debased by the admixture of a foreign substance; adulterated; spurious. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- A*dul"ter*ate*ly, adv. -- A*dul"ter*ate*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. having been made impure by addition of inferior ingredients; -- said of substances or foods used ususally of articles of commerce, dulted with less costly materials so as to enhance profit; -- usually imlying that the dilution is surreptitious and unethical
Syn. -- adulterate, debased [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. 1. making impure or corrupt by virtue of extraneous origin; -- of impurities. the adulterating effect of extraneous materials purifying
Syn. -- adulterant [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. making impure or corrupt by adding extraneous materials; -- of people.
Syn. -- adulterant. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. adulteratio. ] 1. The act of adulterating; corruption, or debasement (esp. of food or drink) by foreign mixture. [ 1913 Webster ]

The shameless adulteration of the coin. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An adulterated state or product. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who adulterates or corrupts. [ R. ] Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. adumbratus, p. p. of adumbrare; ad + umbrare to shade; umbra shadow. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To give a faint shadow or slight representation of; to outline; to shadow forth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both in the vastness and the richness of the visible universe the invisible God is adumbrated. L. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To overshadow; to shade. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. adumbratio. ] 1. The act of adumbrating, or shadowing forth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A faint sketch; an outline; an imperfect portrayal or representation of a thing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Elegant adumbrations of sacred truth. Bp. Horsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Her.) The shadow or outlines of a figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Faintly representing; typical. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Aërated p. pr. & vb. n. Aërating ] [ Cf. F. aérer. See Air, v. t. ] 1. To combine or charge with gas; usually with carbonic acid gas, formerly called fixed air. [ 1913 Webster ]

His sparkling sallies bubbled up as from aërated natural fountains. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to aërate soil; to aërate water. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Physiol.) To expose to the chemical action of air; to oxygenate (the blood) by respiration; to arterialize. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. cause a change by passing air through (of sewage)
Syn. -- activate [ WordNet 1.5 ]

Aërated bread, bread raised by charging dough with carbonic acid gas, instead of generating the gas in the dough by fermentation. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. treated by having air passed or bubbled through it for purification; -- of a liquid [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. (Physiol.) supplied with oxygen by respiration; -- used of tissues or especially blood
Syn. -- oxygenated [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. 1 supplied with carbon dioxide
Syn. -- charged [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Cf. F. aération. ] 1. Exposure to the free action of the air; airing; as, aëration of soil, of spawn, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol.) A change produced in the blood by exposure to the air in respiration; oxygenation of the blood in respiration; arterialization. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act or preparation of charging a liquid with carbon dioxide gas to make it effervescent. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. the act of charging a liquid with air or oxygen for the purpose of purification. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. 1. That which supplies with air or gas; specif.: (a) An apparatus used for charging mineral waters with gas and in making soda water. (b) A fumigator used to bleach grain, destroying fungi and insects. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. an apparatus for exposing something to the air (as sewage). [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖prop. n. [ NL., fr. Gr. 'agh`raton a sort of plant; 'a priv. + gh`ras old age. ] (Bot.) A genus of plants, one species of which (Ageratum Mexicanum) has lavender-blue flowers in dense clusters. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. aggenerare to beget in addition. See Generate. ] The act of producing in addition. [ Obs. ] T. Stanley. [ 1913 Webster ]