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Letter A



Abacist \Ab"a*cist\ ([a^]b"[.a]*s[i^]st), n. [LL abacista, fr. abacus.] One who uses an abacus in casting accounts; a calculator. [1913 Webster] more...
Aback \A*back"\ ([.a]*b[a^]k"), adv. [Pref. a- + back; AS. on b[ae]c at, on, or toward the back. See Back.] 1. Toward the back or rear; backward. "Therewith aback she started." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Behind; in the rear. --Knolles. [1913 Webster] 3. (Naut.) Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind. --Totten. [1913 Webster] To be taken aback. more...
Abaction \Ab*ac"tion\ ([a^]b*[a^]k"sh[u^]n), n. Stealing cattle on a large scale. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] more...
Abactor \Ab*ac"tor\ (-t[~e]r), n. [L., fr. abigere to drive away; ab + agere to drive.] (Law) One who steals and drives away cattle or beasts by herds or droves. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] more...
Abaculus \A*bac"u*lus\ ([.a]b*[a^]k"[-u]*l[u^]s), n.; pl. Abaculi (-l[imac]). [L., dim. of abacus.] (Arch.) A small tile of glass, marble, or other substance, of various colors, used in making ornamental patterns in mosaic pavements. --Fairholt. [1913 Webster]See also: Abaculi more...
Abaculus \A*bac"u*lus\ ([.a]b*[a^]k"[-u]*l[u^]s), n.; pl. Abaculi (-l[imac]). [L., dim. of abacus.] (Arch.) A small tile of glass, marble, or other substance, of various colors, used in making ornamental patterns in mosaic pavements. --Fairholt. [1913 Webster]See also: Abaculi more...
Abacus \Ab"a*cus\ ([a^]b"[.a]*k[u^]s), n.; E. pl. Abacuses; L. pl. Abaci (-s[imac]). [L. abacus, abax, Gr. 'a`bax] 1. A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in more...