n. 1. a neurotransmitter released by the transmitting dendron at autononmous synapses and at neuromuscular junctions. It is a quaternary amine with an obligatory negative counterion. The nominal formula for the hydroxide form is C7H17NO3. Structural formula (CH3)3N(+)CH2CH2.O.CO.CH3.OH(-). Acetylcholine is the first recognized and best-studied of the neurotransmitters. At receptors it is recycled into choline by the action of acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors therefore function as nerve poisons. For biochemical studies it is prepared typically in the chloride or bromide forms. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. 1. an enzyme which exists in nerve cells and hydrolyses acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid. It is essential for neurotransmission at autonomous synapses and neuromuscular junctions, and its inhibition by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can paralyze or kill an animal.
Syn. -- ACE [ PJC ]

‖n. [ NL., from Gr. 'acholi`a; 'a priv. + cholh` bile. ] (Med.) Deficiency or lack of bile. AS [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Med.) Lacking bile. AS [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + lithology. ] The science of aërolites. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ Pref. a- + hold. ] Near the wind; as, to lay a ship ahold. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A hole to admit or discharge air; specifically, a spot in the ice not frozen over. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Founding) A fault in a casting, produced by a bubble of air; a blowhole. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Aëronautics) A local region in the atmosphere having a downward movement and offering less than normal support for the sustaining surfaces of a flying machine, causing an airplane to drop suddenly. Same as air pocket. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcool, formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony, galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. Alquifou. ] 1. An impalpable powder. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation. [ Obs. ] Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit (called also ethyl alcohol or ethanol, CH3.CH2.OH); the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation. [ The ferementation is usually carried out by addition of brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae to an aqueous solution containing carbohydrates. ] [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

☞ As used in the U. S. “Pharmacopœia, ” alcohol contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9 per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit) contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 54.5 per cent of water. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol (C2H5.OH); methyl forms methyl alcohol (CH3.OH) or wood alcohol; amyl forms amyl alcohol (C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcolaie. ] (Chem.) A crystallizable compound of a salt with alcohol, in which the latter plays a part analogous to that of water of crystallization. Graham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcoolature. ] (Med.) An alcoholic tincture prepared with fresh plants. New Eng. Dict. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. alcolique. ] Of or pertaining to alcohol, or partaking of its qualities; derived from, or caused by, alcohol; containing alcohol; as, alcoholic mixtures; alcoholic gastritis; alcoholic odor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A person given to the use of alcoholic liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. Alcoholic liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcoolisme. ] 1. (Med.) Chronic excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages that leads to social, occupational, psychological and physiological problems. [ AS ]

2. (Med.) Psychological and physiological dependence on alcohol; sudden cessation of drinking may lead to withdrawal symptoms. [ AS + PJC ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcoolisation. ] 1. The act of reducing a substance to a fine or impalpable powder. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act rectifying spirit. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Saturation with alcohol; putting the animal system under the influence of alcoholic liquor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Alcoholized p. pr. & vb. n. Alcoholizing. ] [ Cf. F. alcooliser. ] 1. To reduce to a fine powder. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To convert into alcohol; to rectify; also, to saturate with alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Alcohol + -meter. ] (Chem.) An instrument for determining the strength of spirits, with a scale graduated so as to indicate the percentage of pure alcohol, either by weight or volume. It is usually a form of hydrometer with a special scale. [ 1913 Webster ]

/mhw>, a. Relating to the alcoholometer or alcoholometry. [ 1913 Webster ]

The alcoholometrical strength of spirituous liquors. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The process or method of ascertaining the proportion of pure alcohol which spirituous liquors contain. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Alpha- + -ol as in alcohol. ] (Pharm.) A crystalline derivative of salicylic acid, used as an antiseptic and antirheumatic. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Org. Chem.) Any of eight isomeric liquid alcohols (C5H11.OH), transparent, colorless liquids. It is the hydroxide of amyl. Also called amylic alcohol. The amyl alcohol obtained from fusel oil is mostly isoamyl alcohol (3-methyl-1-butanol or 1-hydroxy-3-methylbutane), with some sec-amyl alcohol (2-methyl-1-butanol or 2-pentanol), and has a characteristic peculiar odor. Other than n-amyl alcohol (also called 1-pentanol) the other isomeric pentanols are not usually refered to as amyl alcohol. The amyl alcohol mixture in fusel oil forms a colorless liquid with a peculiar cough-exciting odor and burning taste. It is used as a source of amyl compounds, such as amyl acetate, amyl nitrite, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. 1. The hold or grip of an anchor, or that to which it holds. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: Firm hold: security. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. anethum (see Anise) + -ol. ] (Chem.) A substance obtained from the volatile oils of anise, fennel, etc., in the form of soft shining scales; -- called also anise camphor. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

a., Of or pertaining to a church modeled on the English Reformation; Anglican; -- sometimes restricted to the ritualistic or High Church section of the Church of England. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A member of the Church of England who contends for its catholic character; more specifically, a High Churchman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The belief of those in the Church of England who accept many doctrines and practices which they maintain were those of the primitive, or true, Catholic Church, of which they consider the Church of England to be the lineal descendant; a doctrine and practice within the Church of England emphasizing the Catholic tradition.
Syn. -- High Anglicanism [ Webster 1913 Suppl. + WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. 'a`nqos flower + -lite. ] (Paleon.) A fossil plant, like a petrified flower. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to anthology; consisting of beautiful extracts from different authors, especially the poets. [ 1913 Webster ]

He published a geographical and anthological description of all empires and kingdoms . . . in this terrestrial globe. Wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who compiles an anthology. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. 1. compile an anthology. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;, fr. 'anqolo`gos flower gathering; 'a`nqos flower + le`gein to gather. ] 1. A discourse on flowers. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A collection of flowers; a garland. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A collection of flowers of literature, that is, beautiful passages from authors; a collection of poems or epigrams; -- particularly applied to a collection of ancient Greek epigrams. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Gr. Ch.) A service book containing a selection of pieces for the festival services. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; + -logy. See Anthropomorphism. ] The application to God of terms descriptive of human beings. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Arm + hole. ] 1. The cavity under the shoulder; the armpit. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A hole for the arm in a garment. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. execretory opening at the end of the alimentary canal.
Syn. -- anus, arse, asshole [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Astro- + lithology. ] The science of aërolites. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a vitamin essential for normal vision (C20H30O); it prevents night blindness or inflammation or dryness of the eyes; same as vitamin A. One U.S.P. unit of vitamin A is equivalent to 0.30 micrograms of pure vitamin A alcohol.
Syn. -- vitamin A; vitamin A alcohol; antiophthalmic factor; biosterol; retinol; A. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

Time of the festival of St. Bartholomew, August 24th. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth.
Syn. -- batholith, pluton, plutonic rock. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. baqo`s depth + -lith. ] A large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth.
Syn. -- batholite, pluton, plutonic rock. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. Of or pertaining to a batholith. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Beheld p. p. formerly Beholden now used only as a p. a.); p. pr. & vb. n. Beholding. ] [ OE. bihalden, biholden, AS. behealdan to hold, have in sight; pref. be- + healdan to hold, keep; akin to G. behalten to hold, keep. See Hold. ] To have in sight; to see clearly; to look at; to regard with the eyes. [ 1913 Webster ]

When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. xxi. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John. i. 29. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To scan; gaze; regard; descry; view; discern. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To direct the eyes to, or fix them upon, an object; to look; to see. [ 1913 Webster ]

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, . . . a lamb as it had been slain. Rev. v. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. a. [ Old p. p. of behold, used in the primitive sense of the simple verb hold. ] Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted. [ 1913 Webster ]

But being so beholden to the Prince. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who beholds; a spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Obliged; beholden. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I was much bound and beholding to the right reverend father. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]

So much hath Oxford been beholding to her nephews, or sister's children. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of seeing; sight; also, that which is beheld. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n., The state of being obliged or beholden. [ Obs. ] Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ n. Also }. [ Benzoin + naphthol. ] (Chem.) A white crystalline powder used as an intestinal antiseptic; beta-naphthol benzoate. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

1. A person who holds a bill or acceptance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A device by means of which bills, etc., are held. [ 1913 Webster ]

A dungeon or dark cell in a prison; a military lock-up or guardroom; -- now commonly with allusion to the cell (the Black Hole) in a fort at Calcutta (called the Black Hole of Calcutta), into which 146 English prisoners were thrust by the nabob Suraja Dowla on the night of June 20, 1765, and in which 123 of the prisoners died before morning from lack of air. [ 1913 Webster ]

A discipline of unlimited autocracy, upheld by rods, and ferules, and the black hole. H. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physics, Astron.) An astronomical object whose mass is so condensed that the gravitational force does not allow anything, even light, to escape from its outer limit (the event horizon). The existence of such objects was first proposed from theoretical considerations. Because light cannot escape from such objects, they have not yet been detected with certainty (1998), but several "candidates" have been observed whose properties strongly suggest that they are black holes. Some theorists suggest that the centers of many galaxies may have large black holes at their cores. See also escape velocity. [ PJC ]

3. [ from the astronomical black hole. ] a place into which things may enter, but can never emerge. [ Fig., Jocose ] "He was so disorganized his office was a black hole." [ PJC ]

(Scots Law) A mode of tenure by the payment of a small duty in white rent (silver) or otherwise. [ 1913 Webster ]