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Dictionary Results for a:
1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)
A
    n 1: a metric unit of length equal to one ten billionth of a
         meter (or 0.0001 micron); used to specify wavelengths of
         electromagnetic radiation [syn: <a class='dictLink' href="?q=angstrom&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">angstroma>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=angstrom%0D%0A+++++++++unit&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">angstrom
         unita>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Aa>]
    2: any of several fat-soluble vitamins essential for normal
       vision; prevents night blindness or inflammation or dryness
       of the eyes [syn: <a class='dictLink' href="?q=vitamin+A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">vitamin Aa>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=antiophthalmic+factor&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">antiophthalmic factora>,
       <a class='dictLink' href="?q=axerophthol&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">axerophthola>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Aa>]
    3: one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four
       nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar
       (ribose) [syn: <a class='dictLink' href="?q=deoxyadenosine+monophosphate&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">deoxyadenosine monophosphatea>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Aa>]
    4: (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with
       thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA [syn: <a class='dictLink' href="?q=adenine&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">adeninea>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Aa>]
    5: the basic unit of electric current adopted under the Systeme
       International d'Unites; "a typical household circuit carries
       15 to 50 amps" [syn: <a class='dictLink' href="?q=ampere&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">amperea>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=amp&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ampa>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Aa>]
    6: the 1st letter of the Roman alphabet [syn: <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Aa>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>]
    7: the blood group whose red cells carry the A antigen [syn:
       <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Aa>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=type+A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">type Aa>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=group+A&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">group Aa>]

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gastropoda \Gas*trop"o*da\, n. pl., [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, stomach
   + -poda.] (Zool.)
   One of the classes of Mollusca, of great extent. It includes
   most of the marine spiral shells, and the land and
   fresh-water snails. They generally creep by means of a flat,
   muscular disk, or foot, on the ventral side of the body. The
   head usually bears one or two pairs of tentacles. See
   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Mollusca&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Molluscaa>. [Written also <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Gasteropoda&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Gasteropodaa>.]
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The Gastropoda are divided into three subclasses; viz.:
         (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>) The Streptoneura or Dioecia, including the
         Pectinibranchiata, Rhipidoglossa, Docoglossa, and
         Heteropoda. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>) The Euthyneura, including the
         Pulmonata and Opisthobranchia. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=c&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ca>) The Amphineura,
         including the Polyplacophora and Aplacophora.
         [1913 Webster]

3. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gripe \Gripe\, n.
   1. Grasp; seizure; fast hold; clutch.
      [1913 Webster]

            A barren scepter in my gripe.         --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That on which the grasp is put; a handle; a grip; as, the
      gripe of a sword.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Mech.) A device for grasping or holding anything; a brake
      to stop a wheel.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Oppression; cruel exaction; affiction; pinching distress;
      as, the gripe of poverty.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Pinching and spasmodic pain in the intestines; -- chiefly
      used in the plural.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. (Naut.)
      (a) The piece of timber which terminates the keel at the
          fore end; the forefoot.
      (b) The compass or sharpness of a ship's stern under the
          water, having a tendency to make her keep a good wind.
      (c) pl. An assemblage of ropes, dead-eyes, and hocks,
          fastened to ringbolts in the deck, to secure the boats
          when hoisted; also, broad bands passed around a boat
          to secure it at the davits and prevent swinging.
          [1913 Webster]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Gripe+penny&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Gripe pennya>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa> miser; a niggard. --D. L. Mackenzie.
      [1913 Webster]

4. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Infinitive \In*fin"i*tive\, n. [L. infinitivus: cf. F.
   infinitif. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Infinite&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Infinitea>.]
   Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
   [1913 Webster]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Infinitive+mood&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Infinitive mooda> (Gram.), that form of the verb which merely
      names the action, and performs the office of a verbal
      noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>)
      The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before which to is
      commonly placed, as, to speak; to go; to hear. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>) The
      form of the imperfect participle, called the infinitive in
      -ing; as, going is as easy as standing.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could,
         would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed
         without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The
         infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare,
         do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go;
         you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc.
         [1913 Webster]

   Note: In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded
         by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it
         had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial
         infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly
         employed in expressing purpose. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Gerund&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Gerunda>, 2.
         [1913 Webster]

   Note: The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same
         form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was
         confounded with the present participle in -ende, or
         -inde (later -inge).
         [1913 Webster]

5. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Legate \Leg"ate\ (l[e^]g"[asl]t), n. [OE. legat, L. legatus, fr.
   legare to send with a commission or charge, to depute, fr.
   lex, legis, law: cf. F. l['e]gat, It. legato. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Legal&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Legala>.]
   1. An ambassador or envoy.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An ecclesiastic representing the pope and invested with
      the authority of the Holy See.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Legates are of three kinds: (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>) Legates a latere, now
         always cardinals. They are called ordinary or
         extraordinary legates, the former governing provinces,
         and the latter class being sent to foreign countries on
         extraordinary occasions. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>) Legati missi, who
         correspond to the ambassadors of temporal governments.
         (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=c&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ca>) Legati nati, or legates by virtue of their
         office, as the archbishops of Salzburg and Prague.
         [1913 Webster]

   3. (Rom. Hist.)
      (a) An official assistant given to a general or to the
          governor of a province.
      (b) Under the emperors, a governor sent to a province.
          [1913 Webster]

6. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Libration \Li*bra"tion\ (l[-i]*br[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [L. libratio:
   cf. F. libration.]
   1. The act or state of librating. --Jer. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Astron.) A real or apparent libratory motion, like that
      of a balance before coming to rest.
      [1913 Webster]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Libration+of+the+moon&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Libration of the moona>, any one of those small periodical
      changes in the position of the moon's surface relatively
      to the earth, in consequence of which narrow portions at
      opposite limbs become visible or invisible alternately. It
      receives different names according to the manner in which
      it takes place; as: <a class='dictLink' href="?q=%28a%29&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">(a)a> Libration in longitude, that
      which, depending on the place of the moon in its elliptic
      orbit, causes small portions near the eastern and western
      borders alternately to appear and disappear each month.
      (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>) Libration in latitude, that which depends on the
      varying position of the moon's axis in respect to the
      spectator, causing the alternate appearance and
      disappearance of either pole. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=c&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ca>) Diurnal or parallactic
      libration, that which brings into view on the upper limb,
      at rising and setting, some parts not in the average
      visible hemisphere.
      [1913 Webster]

7. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Monkey \Mon"key\, n.; pl. <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkeys&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkeysa>. [Cf. OIt. monicchio, It.
   monnino, dim. of monna an ape, also dame, mistress, contr.
   fr. madonna. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Madonna&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Madonnaa>.]
   1. (Zool.)
      (a) In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana,
          including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
      (b) Any species of Quadrumana, except the lemurs.
      (c) Any one of numerous species of Quadrumana (esp. such
          as have a long tail and prehensile feet) exclusive of
          apes and baboons.
          [1913 Webster]

   Note: The monkeys are often divided into three groups: (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>)
         <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Catarrhines&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Catarrhinesa>, or <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Simidae&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Simidaea>. These have an oblong head,
         with the oblique flat nostrils near together. Some have
         no tail, as the apes. All these are natives of the Old
         World. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>) <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Platyrhines&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Platyrhinesa>, or <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Cebidae&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Cebidaea>. These have a
         round head, with a broad nasal septum, so that the
         nostrils are wide apart and directed downward. The tail
         is often prehensile, and the thumb is short and not
         opposable. These are natives of the New World. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=c&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ca>)
         <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Strepsorhines&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Strepsorhinesa>, or <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Lemuroidea&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Lemuroideaa>. These have a pointed
         head with curved nostrils. They are natives of Southern
         Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a
      mischievous child.
      [1913 Webster]

            This is the monkey's own giving out; she is
            persuaded I will marry her.           --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very
      heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on
      the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the
      falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
      [1913 Webster]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+boat&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey boata>. (Naut.)
      (a) A small boat used in docks.
      (b) A half-decked boat used on the River Thames.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+block&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey blocka> (Naut.), a small single block strapped with a
      swivel. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+flower&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey flowera> (Bot.), a plant of the genus <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Mimulus&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Mimulusa>; -- so
      called from the appearance of its gaping corolla. --Gray.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+gaff&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey gaffa> (Naut.), a light gaff attached to the topmast
      for the better display of signals at sea.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+jacket&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey jacketa>, a short closely fitting jacket, worn by
      sailors.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+rail&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey raila> (Naut.), a second and lighter rail raised about
      six inches above the quarter rail of a ship.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+shine&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey shinea>, monkey trick. [Slang, U.S.]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+trick&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey tricka>, a mischievous prank. --Saintsbury.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Monkey+wheel&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Monkey wheela>. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Gin+block&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Gin blocka>, under 5th <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Gin&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Gina>.
      [1913 Webster]

8. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Motion \Mo"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to
   move. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Move&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Movea>.]
   1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position;
      movement; the passing of a body from one place or position
      to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; -- opposed
      to <a class='dictLink' href="?q=rest&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">resta>.
      [1913 Webster]

            Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace
            attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Power of, or capacity for, motion.
      [1913 Webster]

            Devoid of sense and motion.           --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of
      the planets is from west to east.
      [1913 Webster]

            In our proper motion we ascend.       --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Change in the relative position of the parts of anything;
      action of a machine with respect to the relative movement
      of its parts.
      [1913 Webster]

            This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its
            motion.                               --Dr. H. More.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or
      impulse to any action; internal activity.
      [1913 Webster]

            Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his
            heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from
            God.                                  --South.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. A proposal or suggestion looking to action or progress;
      esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly;
      as, a motion to adjourn.
      [1913 Webster]

            Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. (Law) An application made to a court or judge orally in
      open court. Its object is to obtain an order or rule
      directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant.
      --Mozley & W.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. (Mus.) Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in
      the same part or in groups of parts.
      [1913 Webster]

            The independent motions of different parts sounding
            together constitute counterpoint.     --Grove.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale.
         Contrary motion is that when parts move in opposite
         directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique
         motion is that when one part is stationary while
         another moves. Similar or direct motion is that when
         parts move in the same direction.
         [1913 Webster]

   9. A puppet show or puppet. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            What motion's this? the model of Nineveh? --Beau. &
                                                  Fl.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Simple+motions&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Simple motionsa> are: (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>) straight translation, which, if
      of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>)
      Simple rotation, which may be either continuous or
      reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called
      oscillating. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=c&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ca>) Helical, which, if of indefinite
      duration, must be reciprocating.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Compound+motion&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Compound motiona> consists of combinations of any of the
      simple motions.
      [1913 Webster]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Center+of+motion&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Center of motiona>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Harmonic+motion&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Harmonic motiona>, etc. See under
      <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Center&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Centera>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Harmonic&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Harmonica>, etc.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Motion+block&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Motion blocka> (Steam Engine), a crosshead.

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Perpetual+motion&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Perpetual motiona> (Mech.), an incessant motion conceived to
      be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces
      independently of any action from without. According to the
      law of conservation of energy, such perpetual motion is
      impossible, and no device has yet been built that is
      capable of perpetual motion.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

   Syn: See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Movement&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Movementa>.
        [1913 Webster]

9. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Respiration \Res`pi*ra"tion\ (r?s`p?*r?"sh?n), n. [L.
   respiratio: cf. F. respiration. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Respire&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Respirea>.]
   1. The act of respiring or breathing again, or catching one's
      breath.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Relief from toil or suffering: rest. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Till the day
            Appear of respiration to the just
            And vengeance to the wicked.          --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Interval; intermission. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Physiol.) The act of resping or breathing; the act of
      taking in and giving out air; the aggregate of those
      processes bu which oxygen is introduced into the system,
      and carbon dioxide, or carbonic acid, removed.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Respiration in the higher animals is divided into:
         (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>) Internal respiration, or the interchange of
         oxygen and carbonic acid between the cells of the body
         and the bathing them, which in one sense is a process
         of nutrition. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>) External respiration, or the
         gaseous interchange taking place in the special
         respiratory organs, the lungs. This constitutes
         respiration proper. --Gamgee.
         [1913 Webster] In the respiration of plants oxygen is
         likewise absorbed and carbonic acid exhaled, but in the
         light this process is obscured by another process which
         goes on with more vigor, in which the plant inhales and
         absorbs carbonic acid and exhales free oxygen.
         [1913 Webster]

10. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
A \A\ ([.a]), prep. [Abbreviated form of an (AS. on). See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=On&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Ona>.]
   1. In; on; at; by. [Obs.] "A God's name." "Torn a pieces."
      "Stand a tiptoe." "A Sundays" --Shak. "Wit that men have
      now a days." --Chaucer. "Set them a work." --Robynson
      (More's Utopia).
      [1913 Webster]

   2. In process of; in the act of; into; to; -- used with
      verbal substantives in -ing which begin with a consonant.
      This is a shortened form of the preposition an (which was
      used before the vowel sound); as in a hunting, a building,
      a begging. "Jacob, when he was a dying" --Heb. xi. 21.
      "We'll a birding together." " It was a doing." --Shak. "He
      burst out a laughing." --Macaulay.

   Note: The hyphen may be used to connect a with the verbal
         substantive (as, a-hunting, a-building) or the words
         may be written separately. This form of expression is
         now for the most part obsolete, the a being omitted and
         the verbal substantive treated as a participle.
         [1913 Webster]

11. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
A \A\ (named [=a] in the English, and most commonly [aum] in
   other languages).
   The first letter of the English and of many other alphabets.
   The capital A of the alphabets of Middle and Western Europe,
   as also the small letter (a), besides the forms in Italic,
   black letter, etc., are all descended from the old Latin A,
   which was borrowed from the Greek <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Alpha&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Alphaa>, of the same form;
   and this was made from the first letter (?) of the
   Ph[oe]nician alphabet, the equivalent of the Hebrew Aleph,
   and itself from the Egyptian origin. The Aleph was a
   consonant letter, with a guttural breath sound that was not
   an element of Greek articulation; and the Greeks took it to
   represent their vowel Alpha with the [aum] sound, the
   Ph[oe]nician alphabet having no vowel symbols.
   [1913 Webster] This letter, in English, is used for several
   different vowel sounds. See Guide to pronunciation,
   [sect][sect] 43-74. The regular long a, as in fate, etc., is
   a comparatively modern sound, and has taken the place of
   what, till about the early part of the 17th century, was a
   sound of the quality of [aum] (as in far).
   [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mus.) The name of the sixth tone in the model major scale
      (that in C), or the first tone of the minor scale, which
      is named after it the scale in A minor. The second string
      of the violin is tuned to the A in the treble staff. -- A
      sharp (A[sharp]) is the name of a musical tone
      intermediate between A and B. -- A flat (A[flat]) is the
      name of a tone intermediate between A and G.
      [1913 Webster]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=A+per+se&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">A per sea> (L. per se by itself), one pre["e]minent; a
      nonesuch. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            O fair Creseide, the flower and A per se
            Of Troy and Greece.                   --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

12. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
A \A\ ([.a] emph. [=a]).
   1. [Shortened form of an. AS. [=a]n one. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=One&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Onea>.] An
      adjective, commonly called the indefinite article, and
      signifying one or any, but less emphatically. "At a
      birth"; "In a word"; "At a blow". --Shak.

   Note: It is placed before nouns of the singular number
         denoting an individual object, or a quality
         individualized, before collective nouns, and also
         before plural nouns when the adjective few or the
         phrase great many or good many is interposed; as, a
         dog, a house, a man; a color; a sweetness; a hundred, a
         fleet, a regiment; a few persons, a great many days. It
         is used for an, for the sake of euphony, before words
         beginning with a consonant sound [for exception of
         certain words beginning with h, see <a class='dictLink' href="?q=An&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Ana>]; as, a table,
         a woman, a year, a unit, a eulogy, a ewe, a oneness,
         such a one, etc. Formally an was used both before
         vowels and consonants.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. [Originally the preposition a (an, on).] In each; to or
      for each; as, "twenty leagues a day", "a hundred pounds a
      year", "a dollar a yard", etc.
      [1913 Webster]

13. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
A \A\ [From AS. of off, from. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Of&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Ofa>.]
   Of. [Obs.] "The name of John a Gaunt." "What time a day is it
   ?" --Shak. "It's six a clock." --B. Jonson.
   [1913 Webster]

14. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
A \A\
   A barbarous corruption of have, of he, and sometimes of it
   and of they. "So would I a done" "A brushes his hat." --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

15. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
A \A\
   An expletive, void of sense, to fill up the meter
   [1913 Webster]

         A merry heart goes all the day,
         Your sad tires in a mile-a.              --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

16. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
A- \A-\
   A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various
   sources. (1) It frequently signifies on or in (from an, a
   forms of AS. on), denoting a state, as in afoot, on foot,
   abed, amiss, asleep, aground, aloft, away (AS. onweg), and
   analogically, ablaze, atremble, etc. (2) AS. of off, from, as
   in adown (AS. ofd[=u]ne off the dun or hill). (3) AS. [=a]-
   (Goth. us-, ur-, Ger. er-), usually giving an intensive
   force, and sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in
   arise, abide, ago. (4) Old English y- or i- (corrupted from
   the AS. inseparable particle ge-, cognate with OHG. ga-, gi-,
   Goth. ga-), which, as a prefix, made no essential addition to
   the meaning, as in aware. (5) French [`a] (L. ad to), as in
   abase, achieve. (6) L. a, ab, abs, from, as in avert. (7)
   Greek insep. prefix [alpha] without, or privative, not, as in
   abyss, atheist; akin to E. un-.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: Besides these, there are other sources from which the
         prefix a takes its origin.
         [1913 Webster]

17. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ferment \Fer"ment\, n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2),
   perh. for fervimentum, fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil,
   ferment: cf. F. ferment. Cf. 1st <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Barm&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Barma>, <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Fervent&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Ferventa>.]
   1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or
      fermenting beer.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Ferments are of two kinds: (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=a&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">aa>) Formed or organized
         ferments. (<a class='dictLink' href="?q=b&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ba>) Unorganized or structureless ferments.
         The latter are now called <a class='dictLink' href="?q=enzymes&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">enzymesa> and were formerly
         called <a class='dictLink' href="?q=soluble+ferments&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">soluble fermentsa> or <a class='dictLink' href="?q=chemical+ferments&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">chemical fermentsa>.
         Ferments of the first class are as a rule simple
         microscopic vegetable organisms, and the fermentations
         which they engender are due to their growth and
         development; as, the <a class='dictLink' href="?q=acetic+ferment&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">acetic fermenta>, the <a class='dictLink' href="?q=butyric%0D%0A+++++++++ferment&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">butyric
         fermenta>, etc. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=Fermentation&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">Fermentationa>. Ferments of the
         second class, on the other hand, are chemical
         substances; as a rule they are proteins soluble in
         glycerin and precipitated by alcohol. In action they
         are catalytic and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples
         are pepsin of the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia,
         and disease of malt. Before 1960 the term "ferment" to
         mean "enzyme" fell out of use. Enzymes are now known to
         be <a class='dictLink' href="?q=globular+protein&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">globular proteina>s, capable of catalyzing a wide
         variety of chemical reactions, not merely hydrolytic.
         The full set of enzymes causing production of ethyl
         alcohol from sugar has been identified and individually
         purified and studied. See <a class='dictLink' href="?q=enzyme&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">enzymea>.
         [1913 Webster +PJC]

   2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.
      [1913 Webster]

            Subdue and cool the ferment of desire. --Rogers.
      [1913 Webster]

            the nation is in a ferment.           --Walpole.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a
      fluid; fermentation. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran. --Thomson.
      [1913 Webster]

   <a class='dictLink' href="?q=ferment+oils&database=*&strategy=exact&type=1">ferment oilsa>, volatile oils produced by the fermentation of
      plants, and not originally contained in them. These were
      the quintessences of the alchemists. --Ure.
      [1913 Webster]

18. Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
A
   Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the
   last. These letters occur in the text of Rev. 1:8,11; 21:6;
   22:13, and are represented by "Alpha" and "Omega" respectively
   (omitted in R.V., 1:11). They mean "the first and last." (Comp.
   Heb. 12:2; Isa. 41:4; 44:6; Rev. 1:11,17; 2:8.) In the symbols
   of the early Christian Church these two letters are frequently
   combined with the cross or with Christ's monogram to denote his
   divinity.
   

19. Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
A, the first letter of the English and most other alphabets, is frequently
used as an abbreviation, (q.v.) and also in the marks of schedules or
papers, as schedule A, B, C, &c.  Among the Romans this letter was used in
criminal trials.  The judges were furnished with small tables covered with
wax, and each one inscribed on it the initial letter of his vote; A, when he
voted to absolve the party on trial; C, when he was for condemnation; and N
L, (non liquet) when the matter did not appear clearly, and be desired a new
argument.



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