Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Part 18 out of 18



it is condensed within the cylinder. Tomlinson. P
Atmospheric line (Steam Engin.), the equilibrium line of an
indicator card. Steam is expanded =down to the atmosphere8
when its pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere. (See
Indicator card.) P Atmospheric pressure, the pressure
exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in
every direction. In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each
square inch. P Atmospheric railway, one in which pneumatic
power, obtained from compressed air or the creation of a
vacuum, is the propelling force. P Atmospheric tides. See
under Tide.
At7mosOpher6icOalOly (?), adv. In relation to the
atmosphere.
At7mosOpheOrol6oOgy (?), n. [Atmosphere + Ology.] The
science or a treatise on the atmosphere.
At6oOkous (?), a. [Gr. ? barren; ? priv. + ? offspring.]
(Zol.) Producing only asexual individuals, as the eggs of
certain annelids.
AOtoll6 (?), n. [The native name in the Indian Ocean.] A
coral island or islands, consisting of a belt of coral reef,
partly submerged, surrounding a central lagoon or
depression; a lagoon island.
At6om (?), n. [L. atomus, Gr. ?, uncut, indivisible; ? priv.
+ ?, verbal adj. of ? to cut: cf. F. atome. See Tome.] 1.
(Physics) (a) An ultimate indivisible particle of matter.
(b) An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily
indivisible; a molecule. (c) A constituent particle of
matter, or a molecule supposed to be made up of subordinate
particles.
5 These three definitions correspond to different views of
the nature of the ultimate particles of matter. In the case
of the last two, the particles are more correctly called
molecules.
Dana.
2.(Chem.) The smallest particle of matter that can enter
into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a
molecule.
3. Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.
There was not an atom of water.
Sir J. Ross.
At6om, v. t. To reduce to atoms. [Obs.]
Feltham.
AOtom6ic (?), AOtom6icOal (?), } a. [Cf. F. atomique.] 1. Of
or pertaining to atoms.
2. Extremely minute; tiny.
Atomic philosophy, or Doctrine of atoms, a system which
assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion
accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things.
This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was
developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by Epicurus,
and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean philosophy.
P Atomic theory, or the Doctrine of definite proportions
(Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place
between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of bodies,
in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to three, or
some other, always expressible in whole numbers. P Atomic
weight (Chem.), the weight of the atom of an element as
compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken as a
standard.
AOtom6icOalOly, adv. In an atomic manner; in accordance
with the atomic philosophy.
At7oOmi6cian (?), n. An atomist. [R.]
AOtom6iOcism (?), n. Atomism. [Obs.]
At7oOmic6iOty (?), n. [Cf. F. atomicit.] (Chem.) Degree of
atomic attraction; equivalence; valence; also (a later use)
the number of atoms in an elementary molecule. See Valence.
At6omOism (?), n. [Cf. F. atomisme.] The doctrine of atoms.
See Atomic philosophy, under Atomic.
At6omOist, n. [Cf. F. atomiste.] One who holds to the atomic
philosophy or theory.
Locke.
At7omOis6tic (?), a. Of or pertaining to atoms; relating to
atomism. [R.]
It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy to
confound synthesis with synartesis.
Coleridge.
At7omOiOza6tion , n. 1. The act of reducing to atoms, or
very minute particles; or the state of being so reduced.
2. (Med.) The reduction of fluids into fine spray.
At6omOize , v. t. To reduce to atoms, or to fine spray.
The liquids in the form of spray are said to be pulverized,
nebulized, or atomized.
Dunglison.

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At6omOi7zer , n. One who, or that which, atomizes; esp., an
instrument for reducing a liquid to spray for disinfecting,
cooling, or perfuming.
At7omOol6oOgy (?), n. [Atom + Ology.] The doctrine of atoms.
Cudworth.
At6omOy (?), n. An atom; a mite; a pigmy.
At6oOmy (?), n. [For anatomy, taken as an atomy.] A
skeleton. [Ludicrous]
Shak.
AOton6aOble (?), a. Admitting an atonement; capable of being
atoned for; expiable.
At one6 (?). [OE. at on, atone, atoon, attone.] 1. In
concord or friendship; in agreement (with each other); as,
to be, bring, make, or set, at one, i. e., to be or bring in
or to a state of agreement or reconciliation.
If gentil men, or othere of hir contree
Were wrothe, she wolde bringen hem atoon.
Chaucer.
2. Of the same opinion; agreed; as, on these points we are
at one.
3. Together. [Obs.]
Spenser.
AOtone6 (?), v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Atoned (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Atoning.] [From at one, i. e., to be, or cause to be, at
one. See At one.] 1. To agree; to be in accordance; to
accord. [Obs.]
He and Aufidius can no more atone
Than violentest contrariety.
Shak.
2. To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation,
compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime.
The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood.
Pope.
The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by any
wise or popular measure.
Junius.
AOtone6, v. t. 1. To set at one; to reduce to concord; to
reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease. [Obs.]
I would do much
To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio.
Shak.
2. To unite in making. [Obs. & R.]
The four elements... have atoned
A noble league.
Ford.
3. To make satisfaction for; to expiate.
Or each atone his guilty love with life.
Pope.
AOtone6ment (?), n. 1. (Literally, a setting at one.)
Reconciliation; restoration of friendly relations;
agreement; concord. [Archaic]
By whom we have now received the atonement.
Rom. v. 11.
He desires to make atonement
Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers.
Shak.
2. Satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent
for an injury, or by doing of suffering that which will be
received in satisfaction for an offense or injury;
expiation; amends; P with for. Specifically, in theology:
The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal
suffering, and death of Christ.
When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement
be can make for it is, to warn others.
Spectator.
The Phocians behaved with, so much gallantry, that they were
thought to have made a sufficient atonement for their former
offense.
Potter.
AOton6er (?), n. One who makes atonement.
AtOones (?), adv. [See At one.] [Obs.]
Down he fell atones as a stone.
Chaucer.
AOton6ic (?), a. [Cf. F. atonique. See Atony.] 1. (Med.)
Characterized by atony, or want of vital energy; as, an
atonic disease.
2. (Gram.) Unaccented; as, an atonic syllable.
3. Destitute of tone vocality; surd.
Rush.
AOton6ic, n. 1. (Gram.) A word that has no accent.
2. An element of speech entirely destitute of vocality, or
produced by the breath alone' a nonvocal or surd consonant;
a breathing.
Rush.
3. (Med.) A remedy capable of allaying organic excitement or
irritation.
Dunglison.
At6oOny (?), n. [Gr. ? slackness; ? priv. + ? tone,
strength, ? to stretch: cf. F. atonie.] (Med.) Want of tone;
weakness of the system, or of any organ, especially of such
as are contractile.
AOtop6 (?), adv. On or at the top.
Milton.
At7raObiOla6riOan (?), At7raObiOla6riOous (?), } a. [LL.
atrabilarius, fr. L. atra bilis black bile: cf. F.
atrabilaire, fr. atrabile.] Affected with melancholy;
atrabilious.
Arbuthnot.
At7raObiOla6riOan, n. A person much given to melancholy; a
hypochondriac.
I. Disraeli.
At7raObil6iar (?), a. Melancholy; atrabilious.
At7raObil6iaOry (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to atra bilis or
black bile, a fluid formerly supposed to be produced by the
kidneys.
2. Melancholic or hypohondriac; atrabilious; P from the
supposed predominance of black bile, to the influence of
which the ancients attributed hypochondria, melancholy, and
mania.
w arteries, capsules, and veins (Anat.), those pertaining
to the kidney; P called also renal arteries, capsules, and
veins.
At7raObil6ious (?), a. Melancholic or hypochondriac;
atrabiliary.
Dunglision.
A hardPfaced, atrabilious, earnestPeyed race.
Lowell.
He was constitutionally atrabilious and scornful.
Froude.
At7raOmenOta6ceous (?), a. [L. atramentum ink, fr. ater
black.] Black, like ink; inky; atramental. [Obs.]
Derham.
At7raOmen6tal (?), At7raOmen6tous (?), } a. Of or pertaining
to ink; inky; black, like ink; as, atramental galls;
atramentous spots.
At7raOmenOta6riOous (?), a. [Cf. F. atramentaire. See
Atramentaceous.] Like ink; suitable for making ink. Sulphate
of iron (copperas, green vitriol) is called atramentarious,
as being used in making ink.
AtOrede (?), v. t. [OE. at (AS. t) out + rede.] To surpass
in council. [Obs.]
Men may the olde atrenne, but hat atrede.
Chaucer.
AtOrenne6 (?), v. t. [OE. at + renne to run.] To outrun.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
X AOtre6siOa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? not perforated.] (Med.)
Absence or closure of a natural passage or channel of the
body; imperforation.
A6triOal , a. Of or pertaining to an atrium.
AOtrip6 (?), adv. [Pref. aO + trip.] (Naut.) (a) Just hove
clear of the ground; Psaid of the anchor. (b) Sheeted home,
hoisted taut up and ready for trimming; P said of sails. (c)
Hoisted up and ready to be swayed across; P said of yards.
X A6triOum (?), n.; pl. Atria (?). [L., the fore court of a
Roman house.] 1. (Arch.) (a) A square hall lighted from
above, into which rooms open at one or more levels. (b) An
open court with a porch or gallery around three or more
sides; especially at the entrance of a basilica or other
church. The name was extended in the Middle Ages to the open
churchyard or cemetery.
2.(Anat.) The main part of either auricle of the heart as
distinct from the auricular appendix. Also, the whole
articular portion of the heart.
3.(Zol.) A cavity in ascidians into which the intestine
and generative ducts open, and which also receives the water
from the gills. See Ascidioidea.
X At7roOcha (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? priv. + ? a circle.]
(Zol.) A kind of chtopod larva in which no circles of
cilia are developed.
AOtro6cious (?), a. [L. atrox, atrocis, cruel, fierce: cf.
F. atroce.] 1. Extremely heinous; full of enormous
wickedness; as, atrocious quilt or deeds.
2. Characterized by, or expressing, great atrocity, great
atrocity.
Revelations... so atrocious that nothing in history
approaches them.
De Quincey.
3. Very grievous or violent; terrible; as, atrocious
distempers. [Obs.]
Cheyne.
Syn. - Atrocious, Flagitious, Flagrant. Flagitious points to
an act as grossly wicked and vile; as, a flagitious
proposal. Flagrant marks the vivid impression made upon the
mind by something strikingly wrong or erroneous; as, a
flagrant misrepresentation; a flagrant violation of duty.
Atrocious represents the act as springing from a violent and
savage spirit. If Lord Chatham, instead of saying =the
atrocious crime of being a young man,8 had used either of
the other two words, his irony would have lost all its
point, in his celebrated reply to Sir Robert Walpole, as
reported by Dr. Johnson.
P AOtro6ciousOly, adv. P AOtro6ciousOness, n.
AOtroc6iOty (?), n.; pl. Atrocities (?). [F. atrocit, L.
atrocitas, fr. atrox, atrocis, cruel.] 1. Enormous
wickedness; extreme heinousness or cruelty.
2. An atrocious or extremely cruel deed.
The atrocities which attend a victory.
Macaulay.
AOtroph6ic , a. Relating to atrophy.
At6roOphied (?), p. a. Affected with atrophy, as a tissue or
organ; arrested in development at a very early stage;
rudimentary.
At6roOphy (?), n. [L. atrophia, Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? to
nourish: cf. F. atrophie.] A wasting away from of
nourishment; diminution in bull or slow emaciation of the
body or of any part.
Milton.
At6roOphy, v. t. [p. p. Atrophied (?).] To cause to waste
away or become abortive; to starve or weaken.
At6roOphy, v. i. To waste away; to dwindle.
AOtro6piOa (?), n. Same as Atropine.
At6roOpine (?), n. [Gr. ? inflexible; hence ? ?, one of the
three Parc; ? priv. + ? to turn.] (Chem.) A poisonous,
white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from the Atropa
belladonna, or deadly nightshade, and the Datura Stramonium,
or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its power in dilating
the pupil of the eye. Called also daturine.
At6roOpism (?), n. (Med.) A condition of the system produced
by long use of belladonna.
At6roOpous (?), a. [Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? to turn.] (Bot.) Not
inverted; orthotropous.
A6trous (?), a. [L. ater.] CoalPblack; very black.
X AOtry6pa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? priv. + ? a hole.]
(Paleon.) A extinct genus of Branchiopoda, very common in
Silurian limestones.
At6taObal (?), n. See Atabal.
X AtOtac6ca (?). [It., fr. attaccare to tie, bind. See
Attach.] (Mus.) Attack at once; P a direction at the end of
a movement to show that the next is to follow immediately,
without any pause.
AtOtach6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attached (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Attaching.] [OF. atachier, F. attacher, to tie or
fasten: cf. Celt. tac, tach, nail, E. tack a small nail,
tack to fasten. Cf. Attack, and see Tack.] 1. To bind,
fasten, tie, or connect; to make fast or join; as, to attach
one thing to another by a string, by glue, or the like.
The shoulder blade is... attached only to the muscles.
Paley.
A huge stone to which the cable was attached.
Macaulay.
2. To connect; to place so as to belong; to assign by
authority; to appoint; as, an officer is attached to a
certain regiment, company, or ship.
3. To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or
selfPinterest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral
influence; P with to; as, attached to a friend; attaching
others to us by wealth or flattery.
Incapable of attaching a sensible man.
Miss Austen.
God... by various ties attaches man to man.
Cowper.
4. To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or
attribute; to affix; P with to; as, to attach great
importance to a particular circumstance.
Top this treasure a curse is attached.
Bayard Taylor.
5. To take, seize, or lay hold of. [Obs.]
Shak.
6. To take by legal authority: (a) To arrest by writ, and
bring before a court, as to answer for a debt, or a
contempt; P applied to a taking of the person by a civil
process; being now rarely used for the arrest of a criminal.
(b) To seize or take (goods or real estate) by virtue of a
writ or precept to hold the same to satisfy a judgment which
may be rendered in the suit. See Attachment, 4.
The earl marshal attached Gloucester for high treason.
Miss Yonge.
Attached column (Arch.), a column engaged in a wall, so that
only a part of its circumference projects from it.
Syn. - To affix; bind; tie; fasten; connect; conjoin;
subjoin; annex; append; win; gain over; conciliate.
AtOtach6 (?), v. i. 1. To adhere; to be attached.
The great interest which attaches to the mere knowledge of
these facts cannot be doubted.
Brougham.
2. To come into legal operation in connection with anything;
to vest; as, dower will attach.
Cooley.
AtOtach6, n. An attachment. [Obs.]
Pope.
AtOtach6aOble (?), a. Capable of being attached; esp.,
liable to be taken by writ or precept.
X At7taOch6 (?), n. [F., p. p. of attacher. See Attach, v.
t.] One attached to another person or thing, as a part of a
suite or staff. Specifically: One attached to an embassy.
AtOtach6ment (?), n. [F. attachment.] 1. The act attaching,
or state of being attached; close adherence or affection;
fidelity; regard; an? passion of affection that binds a
person; as, an attachment to a friend, or to a party.
2. That by which one thing is attached to another;
connection; as, to cut the attachments of a muscle.
The human mind... has exhausted its forces in the endeavor
to rend the supernatural from its attachment to this
history.
I. Taylor.
3 Something attached; some adjunct attached to an
instrument, machine, or other object; as, a sewing machine
attachment (i. e., a device attached to a sewing machine to
enable it to do special work, as tucking, etc.).
4. (Giv. Law) (a) A seizure or taking into custody by virtue
of a legal process. (b) The writ or percept commanding such
seizure or taking.
5 The term is applied to a seizure or taking either of
persons or property. In the serving of process in a civil
suit, it is most generally applied to the taking of
property, whether at common law, as a species of distress,
to compel defendant's appearance, or under local statutes,
to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover in the
action. The terms attachment and arrest are both applied to
the taking or apprehension of a defendant to compel an
appearance in a civil action. Attachment are issued at
common law and is chancery, against persons for contempt of
court. In England, attachment is employed in some cases
where capias is with us, as against a witness who fails to
appear on summons. In some of the New England States a writ
of attachment is a species of mesne process upon which the
property of a defendant may be saized at the commencement of
a suit and before summons to him, and may be held to satisfy
the judgment the plaintiff may recover. In other States this
writ can issue only against absconding debtors and those who
conceal themselves. See Foreign, Garnishment, Truster
process.
Bouvier. Burrill. Blackstone.
Syn. - Attachment, Affection. The leading idea of affection
is that of warmth and tenderness; the leading idea of
attachment is that of being bound to some object by strong
and lasting ties. There is more of sentiment (and sometimes
of romance) in affection, and more of principle in
preserving attachment. We speak of the ardor of the one, and
the fidelity of the other. There is another distinction in
the use and application of these words. The term attachment
is applied to a wider range of objects than affection. A man
may have a strong attachment to his country, to his
profession, to his principles, and even to favorite places;
in respect to none of these could we use the word affection.
AtOtack6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attacked (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Attacking.] [F. attaquer, orig. another form of attacher
to ~: cf. It. attacare to fasten, ~. See Attach, Tack a
small nail.] 1. To fall upon with force; to assail, as with
force and arms; to assault. =Attack their lines.8
Dryden.
2. To assail with unfriendly speech or writing; to begin a
controversy with; to attempt to overthrow or bring into
disrepute, by criticism or satire; to censure; as, to attack
a man, or his opinions, in a pamphlet.
3. To set to work upon, as upon a task or problem, or some
object of labor or investigation.
4. To begin to affect; to begin to act upon, injuriously or
destructively; to begin to decompose or waste.
On the fourth of March he was attacked by fever.
Macaulay.
Hydrofluoric acid... attacks the glass.
B. Stewart.
Syn. - To Attack, Assail, Assault, Invade. These words all
denote a violent onset; attack being the generic term, and
the others specific forms of attack. To attack is to
commence the onset; to assail is to make a sudden and
violent ~, or to make repeated attacks; to assault
(literally, to leap upon) is to ~ physically by a
hadPtoPhand approach or by unlawful and insulting violence;
to invade is to enter by force on what belongs to another.
Thus, a person may attack by offering violence of any kind;
he may assail by means of missile weapons; he may assault by
direct personal violence; a king may invade by marching an
army into a country. Figuratively, we may say, men attack
with argument or satire; they assail with abuse or
reproaches; they may be assaulted by severe temptations; the
rights of the people may be invaded by the encroachments of
the crown.
AtOtack6, v. i. To make an onset or ~.
AtOtack6, n. [Cf. F. attaque.] 1. The act of attacking, or
falling on with force or violence; an onset; an assault; P
opposed to defense.
2. An assault upon one's feelings or reputation with
unfriendly or bitter words.
3. A setting to work upon some task, etc.
4. An access of disease; a fit of sickness.
5. The beginning of corrosive, decomposing, or destructive
action, by a chemical agent.
AtOtack6aOble (?), a. Capable of being attacked.
AtOtack6er (?), n. One who attacks.
At6taOgas (?), At6taOgen (?), } n. [L. attagen a kind of
bird, Gr. ?, ?.] (Zol.) A species of sand grouse
(Syrrghaptes Pallasii) found in Asia and rarely in southern
Europe.

<-- p. 98 -->

At6taOghan (?), n. See Yataghan.
AtOtain6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attained (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Attaining.] [Of. atteinen, atteignen, ?tainen, OF.
ateindre, ataindre, F. atteindre, fr. L. attingere; ad +
tangere to touch, reach. See Tangent, and cf. Attinge,
Attaint.] 1. To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by
efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?
Abp. Tillotson.
2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a
material object.]
Chaucer.
3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.]
Not well attaining his meaning.
Fuller.
4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive
at. =Canaan he now attains.8
Milton.
5. To overtake. [Obs.]
Bacon.
6. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
Syn. - To Attain, Obtain, Procure. Attain always implies an
effort toward an object. Hence it is not synonymous with
obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such
effort or motion. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase
or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain
it by such means.
AtOtain6, v. i. 1. To come or arrive, by motion, growth,
bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state,
etc.; to reach.
If by any means they might attain to Phenice.
Acts xxvii. 12.
Nor nearer might the dogs attain.
Sir W. Scott.
To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
Cowper.
Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this.
J. R. Green.
2. To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can
not attain unto it.
Ps. cxxxix. 6.
AtOtain6, n. Attainment. [Obs.]
AtOtain7aObil6iOty (?), n. The quality of being attainable;
attainbleness.
AtOtain6aOble (?), a. 1. Capable of being attained or
reached by efforts of the mind or body; capable of being
compassed or accomplished by efforts directed to the object.
The highest pitch of perfection attainable in this life.
Addison.
2. Obtainable. [Obs.]
General Howe would not permit the purchase of those articles
[clothes and blankets] in Philadelphia, and they were not
attainable in the country.
Marshall.
AtOtain6aObleOness, n. The quality of being attainable;
attainability.
AtOtain6der (?), n. [OF. ataindre, ateindre, to accuse,
convict. Attainder is often erroneously referred to F.
teindre tie stain. See Attaint, Attain.] 1. The act of
attainting, or the state of being attainted; the extinction
of the civil rights and capacities of a person, consequent
upon sentence of death or outlawry; as, an act of attainder.
Abbott.
5 Formerly attainder was the inseparable consequence of a
judicial or legislative sentence for treason or felony, and
involved the forfeiture of all the real and personal
property of the condemned person, and such =corruption of
blood8 that he could neither receive nor transmit by
inheritance, nor could he sue or testify in any court, or
claim any legal protection or rights. In England attainders
are now abolished, and in the United States the Constitution
provides that no bill of attainder shall be passed; and no
attainder of treason (in consequence of a judicial sentence)
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during
the life of the person attainted.
2. A stain or staining; state of being in dishonor or
condemnation. [Obs.]
He lived from all attainder of suspect.
Shak.
Bill of ~, a bill brought into, or passed by, a legislative
body, condemning a person to death or outlawry, and ~,
without judicial sentence.
AtOtain6ment (?), n. 1. The act of attaining; the act of
arriving at or reaching; hence, the act of obtaining by
efforts.
The attainment of every desired object.
Sir W. Jones.
2. That which is attained to, or obtained by exertion;
acquirement; acquisition; (pl.), mental acquirements;
knowledge; as, literary and scientific attainments.
AtOtaint6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attainted; p. pr. & vb.
n. Attainting.] [OE. atteynten to convict, fr. atteynt, OF.
ateint, p. p. of ateindre, ataindre. The meanings 3, 4, 5,
and 6 were influenced by a supposed connection with taint.
See Attain, Attainder.] 1. To attain; to get act; to hit.
[Obs.]
2. (Old Law) To find guilty; to convict; P said esp. of a
jury on trial for giving a false verdict. [Obs.]
Upon sufficient proof attainted of some open act by men of
his own condition.
Blackstone.
3. (Law) To subject (a person) to the legal condition
formerly resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry,
pronounced in respect of treason or felony; to affect by
attainder.
No person shall be attainted of high treason where
corruption of blood is incurred, but by the oath of two
witnesses.
Stat. 7 & 8 Wm. III.
4. To accuse; to charge with a crime or a dishonorable act.
[Archaic]
5. To affect or infect, as with physical or mental disease
or with moral contagion; to taint or corrupt.
My tender youth was never yet attaint
With any passion of inflaming love.
Shak.
6. To stain; to obscure; to sully; to disgrace; to cloud
with infamy.
For so exceeding shone his glistring ray,
That Ph?bus' golden face it did attaint.
Spenser.
Lest she with blame her honor should attaint.
Spenser.
AtOtaint6, p. p. Attainted; corrupted. [Obs.]
Shak.
AtOtaint6, n. [OF. attainte. See Attaint, v.] 1. A touch or
hit.
Sir W. Scott.
2. (Far.) A blow or wound on the leg of a horse, made by
overreaching.
White.
3. (Law) A writ which lies after judgment, to inquire
whether a jury has given a false verdict in any court of
record; also, the convicting of the jury so tried.
Bouvier.
4. A stain or taint; disgrace. See Taint.
Shak.
5. An infecting influence. [R.]
Shak.
AtOtain6ment (?), n. Attainder; attainture; conviction.
AtOtain6ture (?), n. Attainder; disgrace.
At6tal (?), n. Same as Attle.
AtOtame6 (?), v. t. [OF. atamer, from Latin. See
Attaminate.] 1. To pierce; to attack. [Obs.]
2. To broach; to begin.
And right anon his tale he hath attamed.
Chaucer.
AtOtam6iOnate (?), v. t. [L. attaminare; ad + root of
tangere. See Contaminate.] To corrupt; to defile; to
contaminate. [Obs.]
Blount.
At6tar (?), n. [Per. 'atar perfume, essence, Ar. 'itr, fr.
'atara to smell sweet. Cf. Otto.] A fragrant essential oil;
esp., a volatile and highly fragrant essential oil obtained
from the petals of roses. [Also written otto and ottar.]
AtOtask6 (?), v. t. [Pref. aO + task.] To take to task; to
blame.
Shak.
AtOtaste (?), v. t. [Pref. aO + taste.] To taste or cause to
taste. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
At6te (?). At the. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AtOtem6per (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempered (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. Attempering.] [OF. atemprer, fr. L. attemperare; ad +
temperare to soften, temper. See Temper, and cf.
Attemperate.] 1. To reduce, modify, or moderate, by mixture;
to temper; to regulate, as temperature.
If sweet with bitter... were not attempered still.
Trench.
2. To soften, mollify, or moderate; to soothe; to temper;
as, to attemper rigid justice with clemency.
3. To mix in just proportion; to regulate; as, a mind well
attempered with kindness and justice.
4. To accommodate; to make suitable; to adapt.
Arts... attempered to the lyre.
Pope.
5 This word is now not much used, the verb temper taking its
place.
AtOtem6perOaOment (?), n. [OF. attemprement.] A tempering,
or mixing in due proportion.
AtOtem6perOance (?), n. [Cf. OF. atemprance.] Temperance;
attemperament. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AtOtem6perOate (?), a. [L. attemperatus, p. p. of
attemperare. See Attemper.] Tempered; proportioned; properly
adapted.
Hope must be... attemperate to the promise.
Hammond.
AtOtem6perOate (?), v. t. To attemper. [Archaic]
AtOtem7perOa6tion (?), n. The act of attempering or
regulating. [Archaic]
Bacon.
AtOtem6perOly, adv. Temperately. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
AtOtem6perOment (?), n. Attemperament.
AtOtempt6 (?; 215), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attempted; p. pr. &
vb. n. Attempting.] [OF. atenter, also spelt atempter, F.
attenter, fr. L. attentare to ~; ad + tentare, temptare, to
touch, try, v. intens. of tendere to stretch. See Tempt, and
cf. Attend.] 1. To make trial or experiment of; to try; to
endeavor to do or perform (some action); to assay; as, to
attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight.
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.
Longfellow.
2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by
temptations; to tempt. [Obs. or Archaic]]
It made the laughter of an afternoon
That Vivien should attempt the blameless king.
Thackeray.
3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome; as, one who attempts
the virtue of a woman.
Dear sir, of force I must attempt you further:
Take some remembrance of us, as a tribute.
Shak.
4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to
take by force; as, to attempt the enemy's camp.
Without attempting his adversary's life.
Motley.
Syn. - See Try.
AtPtempt6, v. i. To make an ~; P with upon. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
AtOtempt6, n. A essay, trial, or endeavor; an undertaking;
an attack, or an effort to gain a point; esp. an
unsuccessful, as contrasted with a successful, effort.
By his blindness maimed for high attempts.
Milton.
Attempt to commit a crime (Law), such an intentional
preparatory act as will apparently result, if not
extrinsically hindered, in a crime which it was designed to
effect.
Wharton.
Syn. - Attempt, Endeavor, Effort, Exertion, Trial. These
words agree in the idea of calling forth our powers into
action. Trial is the generic term; it denotes a putting
forth of one's powers with a view to determine what they can
accomplish; as, to make trial of one's strength. An attempt
is always directed to some definite and specific object; as,
=The attempt, and not the deed, confounds us.8 Shak. Am
endeavor is a continued ~; as, =His high endeavor and his
glad success.8 Cowper. Effort is a specific putting forth of
strength in order to carry out an ~. Exertion is the putting
forth or active exercise of any faculty or power. =It
admits of all degrees of effort and even natural action
without effort.8 C. J. Smith. See Try.
AtOtemp6aOble (?), a.Capable of being attempted, tried, or
attacked.
Shak.
AtOtemp6er (?; 215), n. 1. One who attempts; one who essays
anything.
2. An assailant; also, a temper. [Obs.]
AtOtempt6ive (?), a. Disposed to attempt; adventurous.
[Obs.]
Daniel.
AtOtend6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attended; p. pr. & vb. n.
Attending.] [OE. atenden, OF. atendre, F. attendre, to
expect, to wait, fr. L. attendre to stretch, (sc. animum),
to apply the mind to; ad + tendere to stretch. See Tend.] 1.
To direct the attention to; to fix the mind upon; to give
heed to; to regard. [Obs.]
The diligent pilot in a dangerous tempest doth not attend
the unskillful words of the passenger.
Sir P. Sidney.
2. To care for; to look after; to take charge of; to watch
over.
3. To go or stay with, as a companion, nurse, or servant; to
visit professionally, as a physician; to accompany or follow
in order to do service; to escort; to wait on; to serve.
The fifth had charge sick persons to attend.
Spenser.
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
Shak.
With a sore heart and a gloomy brow, he prepared to attend
William thither.
Macaulay.
4. To be present with; to accompany; to be united or
consequent to; as, a measure attended with ill effects.
What cares must then attend the toiling swain.
Dryden.
5. To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a
concert, a business meeting.
6. To wait for; to await; to remain, abide, or be in store
for. [Obs.]
The state that attends all men after this.
Locke.
Three days I promised to attend my doom.
Dryden.

Syn. - To Attend, Mind, Regard, Heed, Notice. Attend is
generic, the rest are specific terms. To mind is to ~ so
that it may not be forgotten; to regard is to look on a
thing as of importance; to heed is to ~ to a thing from a
principle of caution; to notice is to think on that which
strikes the senses. Crabb. See Accompany.
AtOtend6 (?), v. i. 1. To apply the mind, or pay attention,
with a view to perceive, understand, or comply; to pay
regard; to heed; to listen; P usually followed by to.
Attend to the voice of my supplications.
Ps. lxxxvi. 6.
Man can not at the same time attend to two objects.
Jer. Taylor.
2. To accompany or be present or near at hand, in pursuance
of duty; to be ready for service; to wait or be in waiting;
P often followed by on or upon.
He was required to attend upon the committee.
Clarendon.
3. (with to) To take charge of; to look after; as, to attend
to a matter of business.
4. To wait; to stay; to delay. [Obs.]
For this perfection she must yet attend,
Till to her Maker she espoused be.
Sir J. Davies.
Syn. - To Attend, Listen, Hearken. We attend with a view to
hear and learn; we listen with fixed attention, in order to
hear correctly, or to consider what has been said; we
hearken when we listen with a willing mind, and in reference
to obeying.
AtOtend6ance (?), n. [OE. attendance, OF. atendance, fr.
atendre, F. attendre. See Attend, v. t.] 1. Attention;
regard; careful application. [Obs.]
Till I come, give attendance to reading.
1 Tim. iv. 13.
2. The act of attending; state of being in waiting; service;
ministry; the fact of being present; presence.
Constant attendance at church three times a day.
Fielding.
3. Waiting for; expectation. [Obs.]
Languishing attendance and expectation of death.
Hooker.
4. The persons attending; a retinue; attendants.
If your stray attendance by yet lodged.
Milton.
AtOtend6anOcy (?), n. The quality of attending or
accompanying; attendance; an attendant. [Obs.]
AtOtend6ant (?), a. [F. attendant, p. pr. of attendre. See
Attend, v. t.] 1. Being present, or in the train;
accompanying; in waiting.
From the attendant flotilla rang notes triumph.
Sir W. Scott.
Cherub and Seraph... attendant on their Lord.
Milton.
2. Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following,
as consequential; consequent; as, intemperance with all its
attendant evils.
The natural melancholy attendant upon his situation added to
the gloom of the owner of the mansion.
Sir W. Scott.
3. (Law) Depending on, or owing duty or service to; as, the
widow attendant to the heir.
Cowell.
Attendant keys (Mus.), the keys or scales most nearly
related to, or having most in common with, the principal
key; those, namely, of its fifth above, or dominant, its
fifth below (fourth above), or subdominant, and its relative
minor or major.
AtOtend6ant, n. 1. One who attends or accompanies in any
character whatever, as a friend, companion, servant, agent,
or suitor. =A train of attendants.8
Hallam.
2. One who is present and takes part in the proceedings; as,
an attendant at a meeting.
3. That which accompanies; a concomitant.
[A] sense of fame, the attendant of noble spirits.
Pope.
4. (Law) One who owes duty or service to, or depends on,
another.
Cowell.
AtOtend6eOment (?), n. Intent. [Obs.]
Spenser.
AtOtend6er (?), n. One who, or that which, attends.
AtOtend6ment (?), n. [Cf. OF. atendement.] An attendant
circumstance. [Obs.]
The uncomfortable attendments of hell.
Sir T. Browne.
AtOtent6 (?), a. [L. attentus, p. p. of attendere. See
Attend, v. t.] Attentive; heedful. [Archaic]
Let thine ears be attent unto the prayer.
2 Chron. vi. 40.
AtOtent6, n. Attention; heed. [Obs.]
Spenser.
AtOten6tate (?), AtOten6tat (?), } n. [L. attentatum, pl.
attentata, fr. attentare to attempt: cf. F. attentat
criminal attempt. See Attempt.] 1. An attempt; an assault.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
2. (Law) (a) A proceeding in a court of judicature, after an
inhibition is decreed. (b) Any step wrongly innovated or
attempted in a suit by an inferior judge.
AtOten6tion (?), n. [L. attentio: cf. F. attention.] 1. The
act or state of attending or heeding; the application of the
mind to any object of sense, representation, or thought;
notice; exclusive or special consideration; earnest
consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or affectionate
heed; the supposed power or faculty of attending.

<-- p. 99 -->

They say the tongues of dying men
Enforce attention like deep harmony.
Shak.
5 Attention is consciousness and something more. It is
consciousness voluntarily applied, under its law of
limitations, to some determinate object; it is consciousness
concentrated.
Sir W. Hamilton.
2. An act of civility or courtesy; care for the comfort and
pleasure of others; as, attentions paid to a stranger.
To pay attention to, To pay one's attentions to, or
courteous or attentive to; to wait upon as a lover; to
court.
Syn. - Care; heed; study; consideration; application;
advertence; respect; regard.
AtOten6tive (?), a. [Cf. F. attentif.] 1. Heedful; intent;
observant; regarding with care or attention.
5 Attentive is applied to the senses of hearing and seeing,
as, an attentive ear or eye; to the application of the mind,
as in contemplation; or to the application of the mind, in
every possible sense, as when a person is attentive to the
words, and to the manner and matter, of a speaker at the
same time.
2. Heedful of the comfort of others; courteous.
Syn. - Heedful; intent; observant; mindful; regardful;
circumspect; watchful.
P AtOten6tiveOly, adv. P AtOten6tiveOness, n.
AtOtent6ly, adv. Attentively. [Obs.]
Barrow.
AtOten6uOant (?), a. [L. attenuans, p. pr. of attenuare: cf.
F. attnuant. See Attenuate.] Making thin, as fluids;
diluting; rendering less dense and viscid; diluent. P n.
(Med.) A medicine that thins or dilutes the fluids; a
diluent.
AtOten6uOate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attenuated (?); p. pr.
& vb. n. Attenuating (?).] [L. attenuatus, p. p. of
attenuare; ad + tenuare to make thin, tenuis thin. See
Thin.] 1. To make thin or slender, as by mechanical or
chemical action upon inanimate objects, or by the effects of
starvation, disease, etc., upon living bodies.
2. To make thin or less consistent; to render less viscid or
dense; to rarefy. Specifically: To subtilize, as the humors
of the body, or to break them into finer parts.
3. To lessen the amount, force, or value of; to make less
complex; to weaken.
To undersell our rivals... has led the manufacturer to...
attenuate his processes, in the allotment of tasks, to an
extreme point.
I. Taylor.
We may reject and reject till we attenuate history into
sapless meagerness.
Sir F. Palgrave.
AtOten6uOate, v. i. To become thin, slender, or fine; to
grow less; to lessen.
The attention attenuates as its sphere contracts.
Coleridge.
AtOten6uOate (?), AtOten6uOa7ted (?), } a. [L. attenuatus,
p. p.] 1. Made thin or slender.
2. Made thin or less viscid; rarefied.
Bacon.
AtOten7uOa6tion (?), n. [L. attenuatio: cf. F. attnuation.]
1. The act or process of making slender, or the state of
being slender; emaciation.
2. The act of attenuating; the act of making thin or less
dense, or of rarefying, as fluids or gases.
3. The process of weakening in intensity; diminution of
virulence; as, the attenuation of virus.
At6ter (?), n. [AS. ?tter.] Poison; venom; corrupt matter
from a sore. [Obs.]
Holland.
At6terOcop (?), n. [AS. attercoppa a spider; ?tter poison +
coppa head, cup.] 1. A spider. [Obs.]
2. A peevish, illPnatured person. [North of Eng.]
AtOterOrate (?), v. t. [It. atterrare (cf. LL. atterrare to
cast to earth); L. ad + terra earth, land.] To fill up with
alluvial earth. [Obs.]
Ray.
At7terOra6tion (?), n. The act of filling up with earth, or
of forming land with alluvial earth. [Obs.]
At6test6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attested; p. pr. & vb. n.
Attesting.] [L. attestari; ad + testari to bear witness: cf.
F. attester.] 1. To bear witness to; to certify; to affirm
to be true or genuine; as, to attest the truth of a writing,
a copy of record.
Facts... attested by particular pagan authors.
Addison.
2. To give proof of; to manifest; as, the ruins of Palmyra
attest its ancient magnificence.
3. To call to witness; to invoke. [Archaic]
The sacred streams which Heaven's imperial state
Attests in oaths, and fears to violate.
Dryden.
AtOtest6, n. Witness; testimony; attestation. [R.]
The attest of eyes and ears.
Shak.
At7tesOta6tion (?), n. [L. attestatio: cf. F. attestation.]
The act of attesting; testimony; witness; a solemn or
official declaration, verbal or written, in support of a
fact; evidence. The truth appears from the attestation of
witnesses, or of the proper officer. The subscription of a
name to a writing as a witness, is an attestation.
AtOtest6aOtive (?), a. Of the nature of attestation.
AtOtest6er (?), AtOtest6or (?), } n. One who attests.
AtOtest6ive (?), a. Attesting; furnishing evidence.
At6tic (?), a. [L. Atticus, Gr. ?.] Of or pertaining to
Attica, in Greece, or to Athens, its principal city; marked
by such qualities as were characteristic of the Athenians;
classical; refined.
w base 9Arch.), a peculiar form of molded base for a column
or pilaster, described by Vitruvius, applied under the Roman
Empire to the Ionic and Corinthian and =Roman Doric8 orders,
and imitated by the architects of the Renaissance. P Attic
faith, inviolable faith. P Attic purity, special purity of
language. P Attic salt, Attic wit, a poignant, delicate wit,
peculiar to the Athenians. P Attic story. See Attic, n. P
Attic style, a style pure and elegant.
At6tic, n. [In sense (a) from F. attique, orig. meaning
Attic. See Attic, a.] 1. (Arch.) (a) A low story above the
main order or orders of a facade, in the classical styles; P
a term introduced in the 17th century. Hence: (b) A room or
rooms behind that part of the exterior; all the rooms
immediately below the roof.
2. An Athenian; am Athenian author.
At6ticOal (?), a. Attic. [Obs.]
Hammond.
At6tiOcism (?), n. [Gr. ?.] 1. A favoring of, or attachment
to, the Athenians.
2. The style and idiom of the Greek language, used by the
Athenians; a concise and elegant expression.
At6tiOcize (?), v. t. [Gr. ?.] To conform or make
conformable to the language, customs, etc., of Attica.
At6tiOcize, v. i. 1. To side with the Athenians.
2. To use the Attic idiom or style; to conform to the
customs or modes of thought of the Athenians.
AtOtig6uOous (?), a. [L. attiguus, fr. attingere to touch.
See Attain.] Touching; bordering; contiguous. [Obs.] P
AtOtig6uOousOness, n.[Obs.]
AtOtinge6 (?), v. t. [L. attingere to touch. See Attain.] To
touch lightly. [Obs.]
Coles.
AtOtire6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attired (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Attiring.] [OE. atiren to array, dispose, arrange, OF.
atirier;  (L. ad) + F. tire rank, order, row; of Ger.
origin: cf. As. tier row, OHG. ziarF, G. zier, ornament,
zieren to adorn. Cf. Tire a headdress.] To dress; to array;
to adorn; esp., to clothe with elegant or splendid garments.
Finely attired in a robe of white.
Shak.
With the linen miter shall he be attired.
Lev. xvi. 4.
AtOtire6, n. 1. Dress; clothes; headdress; anything which
dresses or adorns; esp., ornamental clothing.
Earth in her rich attire.
Milton.
I 'll put myself in poor and mean attire.
Shak.
Can a maid forget her ornament, or a bride her attire?
Jer. ii. 32.
2. The antlers, or antlers and scalp, of a stag or buck.
3. (Bot.) The internal parts of a flower, included within
the calyx and the corolla. [Obs.]
Johnson.
AtOtired6 (?), p. p. (Her.) Provided with antlers, as a
stag.
AtOtire6ment (?), n. Attire; adornment.
AtOtir6er (?), n. One who attires.
At6tiOtude (?), n. [It. attitudine, LL. aptitudo, fr. L.
aptus suited, fitted: cf. F. attitude. Cf. Aptitude.] 1.
(Paint. & Sculp.) The posture, action, or disposition of a
figure or a statue.
2. The posture or position of a person or an animal, or the
manner in which the parts of his body are disposed; position
assumed or studied to serve a purpose; as, a threatening
attitude; an attitude of entreaty.
3. Fig.: Position as indicating action, feeling, or mood;
as, in times of trouble let a nation preserve a firm
attitude; one's mental attitude in respect to religion.
The attitude of the country was rapidly changing.
J. R. Green.
To strike an attitude, to take an ~ for mere effect.
Syn. - Attitude, Posture. Both of these words describe the
visible disposition of the limbs. Posture relates to their
position merely; attitude refers to their fitness for some
specific object. The object of an attitude is to set forth
exhibit some internal feeling; as, attitude of wonder, of
admiration, of grief, etc. It is, therefore, essentially and
designedly expressive. Its object is the same with that of
gesture; viz., to hold forth and represent. Posture has no
such design. If we speak of posture in prayer, or the
posture of devotion, it is only the natural disposition of
the limbs, without any intention to show forth or exhibit.
'T is business of a painter in his choice of attitudes
(positur) to foresee the effect and harmony of the lights
and shadows.
Dryden.
Never to keep the body in the same posture half and hour at
a time.
Bacon.
At7tiOtu6diOnal (?), a. Relating to attitude.
At7tiOtu7diOna6riOan (?), n. One who attitudinizes; a
posture maker.
At7tiOtu7diOna6riOanOism (?), n. A practicing of attitudes;
posture making.
At7tiOtu6diOnize (?), v. i. To assume affected attitudes; to
strike an attitude; to pose.
Maria, who is the most picturesque figure, was put to
attitudinize at the harp.
Hannah More.
At7tiOtu6diOni7zer (?), n One who practices attitudes.
At6tle (?), n. [Cf. Addle mire.] (Mining) Rubbish or refuse
consisting of broken rock containing little or no ore.
Weale.
AtOtol6lent (?), a. [L. attollens, p. pr. of attollere; ad +
tollere to lift.] Lifting up; raising; as, an attollent
muscle.
Derham.
AtOtonce6 (?), adv. [At + once.] At once; together. [Obs.]
Spenser.
AtOtone6 (?), adv. See At one. [Obs.]
AtOtorn6 (?), v. i. [OF. atorner, aturner, atourner, to
direct, prepare, dispose, attorn (cf. OE. atornen to return,
adorn); ? (L. ad) + torner to turn; cf. LL. attornare to
commit business to another, to attorn; ad + tornare to turn,
L. tornare to turn in a lathe, to round off. See Turn, v.
t.] 1. (Feudal Law) To turn, or transfer homage and service,
from one lord to another. This is the act of feudatories,
vassals, or tenants, upon the alienation of the state.
Blackstone.
2. (Modern Law) To agree to become tenant to one to whom
reversion has been granted.
AtOtor6ney (?), n. pl. Attorneys (?). [OE. aturneye, OF.
atorn, p. p. of atorner: cf. LL. atturnatus, attornatus,
fr. attornare. See Attorn.] 1. A substitute; a proxy; an
agent. [Obs.]
And will have no attorney but myself.
Shak.
2. (Law) (a) One who is legally appointed by another to
transact any business for him; an attorney in fact. (b) A
legal agent qualified to act for suitors and defendants in
legal proceedings; an attorney at law.
5 An ~ is either public or private. A private attorney, or
an attorney in fact, is a person appointed by another, by a
letter or power of ~, to transact any business for him out
of court; but in a more extended sense, this class includes
any agent employed in any business, or to do any act in
pais, for another. A public attorney, or attorney at law, is
a practitioner in a court of law, legally qualified to
prosecute and defend actions in such court, on the retainer
of clients. Bouvier. P The attorney at law to the procurator
of the civilians, to the solicitor in chancery, and to the
proctor in the ecclesiastical and admiralty courts, and all
of these are comprehended under the more general term
lawyer. In Great Britain and in some states of the United
States, attorneys are distinguished from counselors in that
the business of the former is to carry on the practical and
formal parts of the suit. In many states of the United
States however, no such distinction exists. In England,
since 1873, attorneys at law are by statute called
solicitors.
A power, or warrant, of ~, a written authority from one
person empowering another transact business for him.
AtOtor6ney (?), v. t. To perform by proxy; to employ as a
proxy. [Obs.]
Shak.
AtOtor6neyPgen6erOal (?), n.; pl. AttorneyPgenerals (?) or
AttorneysPgeneral. (Law) The chief law officer of the state,
empowered to act in all litigation in which the
lawPexecuting power is a party, and to advise this supreme
executive whenever required.
Wharton.
AtOtor6neyOism (?), n. The practice or peculiar cleverness
of attorneys.
AtOtor6neyOship, n. The office or profession of an attorney;
agency for another.
Shak.
AtOtorn6ment (?), n. [OF. attornement, LL. attornamentum.
See Attorn.] (Law) The act of a feudatory, vassal, or
tenant, by which he consents, upon the alienation of an
estate, to receive a new lord or superior, ad transfers to
him his homage and service; the agreement of a tenant to
acknowledge the purchaser of the estate as his landlord.
Burrill. Blackstone.
AtOtract6 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Attracted; p. pr. & vb.
n. Attracting.] [L. attractus, p. p. of attrahere; ad +
trahere to draw. See Trace, v. t.] 1. To draw to, or cause
to tend to; esp. to cause to approach, adhere, or combine;
or to cause to resist divulsion, separation, or
decomposition.
All bodies and all parts of bodies mutually attract
themselves and one another.
Derham.
2. To draw by influence of a moral or emotional kind; to
engage or fix, as the mind, attention, etc.; to invite or
allure; as, to attract admirers.
Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.
Milton.
Syn. - To draw; allure; invite; entice; influence.
AtOtract6, n. Attraction. [Obs.]
Hudibras.
AtOtract7aObil6iOty (?), n. The quality or fact of being
attractable.
Sir W. Jones.
AtOtract6aOble (?), a. Capable of being attracted; subject
to attraction. P AtOtract6aObleOness, n.
AtOtract6er (?), n. One who, or that which, attracts.
AtOtract6ile (?), a. Having power to attract.
AtOtract6ing, a. That attracts. P AtOtract6ingOly, adv.
AtOtrac6tion (?), n. [L. attractio: cf. F. attraction.] 1.
(Physics) An invisible power in a body by which it drawn
anything to itself; the power in nature acting mutually
between bodies or ultimate particles, tending to draw them
together, or to produce their cohesion or combination, and
conversely resisting separation.
5 Attraction is exerted at both sensible and
insensibledistances, and is variously denominated according
to its qualities or phenomena. Under ~ at sensible
distances, there are, P
(1.) w of gravitation, which acts at all distances
throughout the universe, with a force proportional directly
to the product of the masses of the bodies and inversely to
the square of their distances apart.
(2.) Magnetic, diamagnetic, and electrical attraction, each
of which is limited in its sensible range and is polar in
its action, a property dependent on the quality or condition
of matter, and not on its quantity.
Under ~ at insensible distances, there are. P
(1.) Adhesive attraction, ~ between surfaces of sensible
extent, or by the medium of an intervening substance.
(2.) Cohesive attraction, ~ between ultimate particles,
whether like or unlike, and causing simply an aggregation or
a union of those particles, as in the absorption of gases by
charcoal, or of oxygen by spongy platinum, or the process of
solidification or crystallization. The power in adhesive ~
is strictly the same as that of cohesion.
(3.) Capillary attraction, ~ causing a liquid to rise, in
capillary tubes or interstices, above its level outside, as
in very small glass tubes, or a sponge, or any porous
substance, when one end is inserted in the liquid. It is a
special case of cohesive ~.
(4.) Chemical attraction, or affinity, that peculiar force
which causes elementary atoms, or groups of atoms, to unite
to form molecules.
2. The act or property of attracting; the effect of the
power or operation of ~.
Newton.
3. The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting, or
engaging; an attractive quality; as, the attraction of
beauty or eloquence.
4. That which attracts; an attractive object or feature.
Syn. - Allurement; enticement; charm.
AtOtract6ive (?), a. [Cf. F. attractif.] 1.Having the power
or quality of attracting or drawing; as, the attractive
force of bodies.
Sir I. Newton.
2. Attracting or drawing by moral influence or pleasurable
emotion; alluring; inviting; pleasing. =Attractive graces.8
Milton. =Attractive eyes.8
Thackeray.
Flowers of a livid yellow, or fleshy color, are most
attractive to flies.
Lubbock.
P AtOtract6iveOly, adv. P AtOtract6iveOness, n.
AtOtract6ive, n. That which attracts or draws; an
attraction; an allurement.
Speaks nothing but attractives and invitation.
South.

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