{ ‖‖ } n. [ NL., fr. L. ab + omasum (a Celtic word). ] (Anat.) The fourth or digestive stomach of a ruminant, which leads from the third stomach omasum. See Ruminantia. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. absumere, absumptum; ab + sumere to take. ] To consume gradually; to waste away. [ Obs. ] Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. absumptio. See Absume. ] Act of wasting away; a consuming; extinction. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. absurdus harsh-sounding; ab + (prob) a derivative fr. a root svar to sound; not connected with surd: cf. F. absurde. See Syringe. ] Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous; as, an absurd person, an absurd opinion; an absurd dream. [ 1913 Webster ]

This proffer is absurd and reasonless. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

'This phrase absurd to call a villain great. Pope. p. 9 [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Foolish; irrational; ridiculous; preposterous; inconsistent; incongruous. -- Absurd, Irrational, Foolish, Preposterous. Of these terms, irrational is the weakest, denoting that which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as, an irrational course of life. Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of mind; as, foolish enterprises. Absurd rises still higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and truth; as, an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc. Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in the order of things; or, in plain terms, a “putting of the cart before the horse;” as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a preposterous regulation or law. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An absurdity. [ Obs. ] Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Absurdities [ L. absurditas: cf. F. absurdite. ] 1. The quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment. “The absurdity of the actual idea of an infinite number.” Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is absurd; an absurd action; a logical contradiction. [ 1913 Webster ]

His travels were full of absurdities. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an absurd manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Absurdity. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. a- not + capsular. ] (Bot.) Having no capsule. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. acus needle + premere, pressum, to press. ] (Surg.) A mode of arresting hemorrhage resulting from wounds or surgical operations, by passing under the divided vessel a needle, the ends of which are left exposed externally on the cutaneous surface. Simpson. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ . } (Aëronautics) A small plane or surface, usually capable of adjustment but not of manipulation, for preserving lateral balance in an aëroplane or flying machine. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ Cf. OF. amesurer, LL. admensurare. See Measure. ] 1. To measure. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) To determine the proper share of, or the proper apportionment; as, to admeasure dower; to admeasure common of pasture. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The measure of a thing; dimensions; size. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) Formerly, the adjustment of proportion, or ascertainment of shares, as of dower or pasture held in common. This was by writ of admeasurement, directed to the sheriff. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who admeasures. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

[ Jap. adzuki. ] A cultivated variety of the Asiatic gram, now introduced into the United States. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Aëronautics) The first of two or more surfaces arranged in tandem; -- contr. with following surface, which is the rear surface. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Eccl.) 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. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. 'a`lysson, name of a plant, perh. fr. 'a priv. + ly`ssa raging madness. ] (Bot.) A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The sweet alyssum (Alyssum maritimum), cultivated for bouquets, bears small, white, sweet-scented flowers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Akkadian mythology) father of the gods and consort of Tiamat. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Pref. arch- + treasurer. ] A chief treasurer. Specifically, the great treasurer of the German empire. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Assuaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Assuaging ] [ OE. asuagen, aswagen, OF. asoagier, asuagier, fr. assouagier, fr. L. ad + suavis sweet. See Sweet. ] To soften, in a figurative sense; to allay, mitigate, ease, or lessen, as heat, pain, or grief; to appease or pacify, as passion or tumult; to satisfy, as appetite or desire. [ 1913 Webster ]

Refreshing winds the summer's heat assuage. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

To assuage the sorrows of a desolate old man Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fount at which the panting mind assuages
Her thirst of knowledge. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To alleviate; mitigate; appease; soothe; calm; tranquilize; relieve. See Alleviate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To abate or subside. [ Archaic ] “The waters assuaged.” Gen. vii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

The plague being come to a crisis, its fury began to assuage. De Foe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. assouagement, asuagement. ] Mitigation; abatement. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, assuages. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From assuage, as if this were fr. a supposed L. assuadere to persuade to; or from E. pref. ad + -suasive as in persuasive. ] Mitigating; tranquilizing; soothing. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Music her soft assuasive voice applies. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. ad- + subjugate. ] To bring into subjection. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. assuefacere to accustom to; assuetus (p. p. of assuescere to accustom to) + facere to make; cf. OF. assuefaction. ] The act of accustoming, or the state of being accustomed; habituation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Custom and studies efform the soul like wax, and by assuefaction introduce a nature. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. assuetudo, fr. assuetus accustomed. ] Accustomedness; habit; habitual use. [ 1913 Webster ]

Assuetude of things hurtful doth make them lose their force to hurt. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. That may be assumed. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By way of assumption. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Assumed p. pr. & vb. n. Assuming. ] [ L. assumere; ad + sumere to take; sub + emere to take, buy: cf. F. assumer. See Redeem. ] 1. To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

The god assumed his native form again. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively. [ 1913 Webster ]

The consequences of assumed principles. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To pretend to possess; to take in appearance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ambition assuming the mask of religion. Porteus. [ 1913 Webster ]

Assume a virtue, if you have it not. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To receive or adopt. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To arrogate; usurp; appropriate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) To undertake, as by a promise. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Supposed. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Pretended; hypocritical; make-believe; as, an assumed character. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By assumption. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. assumentum, fr. ad + suere to sew. ] A patch; an addition; a piece put on. [ Obs. ] John Lewis (1731). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who assumes, arrogates, pretends, or supposes. W. D. Whitney. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pretentious; taking much upon one's self; presumptuous. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., he undertook, pret. of L. assumere. See Assume. ] (Law) (a) A promise or undertaking, founded on a consideration. This promise may be oral or in writing not under seal. It may be express or implied. (b) An action to recover damages for a breach or nonperformance of a contract or promise, express or implied, oral or in writing not under seal. Common or indebitatus assumpsit is brought for the most part on an implied promise. Special assumpsit is founded on an express promise or undertaking. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. assumptus, p. p. of assumere. See Assume. ] To take up; to elevate; to assume. [ Obs. ] Sheldon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. assumptum, p. p. neut. of assumere. ] That which is assumed; an assumption. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The sun of all your assumpts is this. Chillingworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. assumpcioun a taking up into heaven, L. assumptio a taking, fr. assumere: cf. F. assomption. See Assume. ] 1. The act of assuming, or taking to or upon one's self; the act of taking up or adopting. [ 1913 Webster ]

The assumption of authority. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing without proof; supposition; unwarrantable claim. [ 1913 Webster ]

This gives no sanction to the unwarrantable assumption that the soul sleeps from the period of death to the resurrection of the body. Thodey. [ 1913 Webster ]

That calm assumption of the virtues. W. Black. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The thing supposed; a postulate, or proposition assumed; a supposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hold! says the Stoic; your assumption's wrong. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) The minor or second proposition in a categorical syllogism. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The taking of a person up into heaven. Hence: (Rom. Cath. & Greek Churches) A festival in honor of the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. assumptivus, fr. assumptus, fr. assumere. ] Assumed, or capable of being assumed; characterized by assumption; making unwarranted claims. -- As*sump"tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

Assumptive arms (Her.), originally, arms which a person had a right to assume, in consequence of an exploit; now, those assumed without sanction of the Heralds' College. Percy Smith. [1913 Webster]

n. 1. an ancient Assyrian city. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ OE. assuraunce, F. assurance, fr. assurer. See Assure. ] 1. The act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full confidence; that which is designed to give confidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts xvii. 31. [ 1913 Webster ]

Assurances of support came pouring in daily. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being assured; firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let us draw with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Heb. x. 22. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Firmness of mind; undoubting, steadiness; intrepidity; courage; confidence; self-reliance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Brave men meet danger with assurance. Knolles. [ 1913 Webster ]

Conversation with the world will give them knowledge and assurance. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Excess of boldness; impudence; audacity; as, his assurance is intolerable. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Betrothal; affiance. [ Obs. ] Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Insurance; a contract for the payment of a sum on occasion of a certain event, as loss or death. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Recently, assurance has been used, in England, in relation to life contingencies, and insurance in relation to other contingencies. It is called temporary assurance, in the time within which the contingent event must happen is limited. See Insurance. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Law) Any written or other legal evidence of the conveyance of property; a conveyance; a deed. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In England, the legal evidences of the conveyance of property are called the common assurances of the kingdom. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Assured p. pr. & vb. n. Assuring. ] [ OF. aseürer, F. assurer, LL. assecurare; L. ad + securus secure, sure, certain. See Secure, Sure, and cf. Insure. ] 1. To make sure or certain; to render confident by a promise, declaration, or other evidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

His promise that thy seed shall bruise our foe . . .
Assures me that the bitterness of death
Is past, and we shall live. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To declare to, solemnly; to assert to (any one) with the design of inspiring belief or confidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To confirm; to make certain or secure. [ 1913 Webster ]

And it shall be assured to him. Lev. xxvii. 19. [ 1913 Webster ]

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John iii. 19. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To affiance; to betroth. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Law) To insure; to covenant to indemnify for loss, or to pay a specified sum at death. See Insure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To declare; aver; avouch; vouch; assert; asseverate; protest; persuade; convince. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Made sure; safe; insured; certain; indubitable; not doubting; bold to excess. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One whose life or property is insured. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Certainly; indubitably. “The siege assuredly I'll raise.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being assured; certainty; full confidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who assures. Specifically: One who insures against loss; an insurer or underwriter. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who takes out a life assurance policy. [ 1913 Webster ]