Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter A - Page 49
Alternative (n.) 選擇，二擇一 [the S] [（+of）]；供選擇的東西（或辦法等）[C]；選擇的自由（或餘地）[U] A choice between more than two things; one of several things offered to choose among.
My decided preference is for the fourth and last of these alternatives. -- Gladstone.
Alternative (a.) [Z] [B] 兩者（或若干）中擇一的；非此即彼的；替代的；供選擇的；不接受世俗準則的；非傳統的；非主流的 Serving or used in place of another; "an alternative plan" [syn: {alternate}, {alternative}, {substitute}].
Alternative (a.) Necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities; "alternative possibilities were neutrality or war".
Alternative (a.) Pertaining to unconventional choices; "an alternative life style".
Alternative (n.) One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen; "what option did I have?"; "there no other alternative"; "my only choice is to refuse" [syn: {option}, {alternative}, {choice}].
Alternative (n.) The one or the other of two things. In contracts a party has frequently the choice to perform one of several things, as, if he is bound to pay one hundred dollars, or to deliver a horse, he has the alternative. Vide Election; Obligation; Alternative.
Alternatively (adv.) 二者擇一地 In the manner of alternatives, or that admits the choice of one out of two things.
Alternatively (adv.) In place of, or as an alternative to; "Felix became a herpetologist instead"; "alternatively we could buy a used car" [syn: {alternatively}, {instead}, {or else}].
Alternativeness (n.) The quality of being alternative, or of offering a choice between two.
Alternity (n.) Succession by turns; alternation. [R.] --Sir T. Browne. Althaea
Althaea (n.) Alt. of Althea.
Althea (n.) (Bot.) A genus of plants of the Mallow family. It includes the officinal marsh mallow, and the garden hollyhocks.
Althea (n.) (Bot.) An ornamental shrub (Hibiscus Syriacus) of the Mallow family.
Altheine (n.) (Chem.) Asparagine.
Compare: Asparagine
Asparagine (n.) (Chem.) A white, nitrogenous, crystallizable substance, C4H8N2O3+H2O, found in many plants, and first obtained from asparagus. It is believed to aid in the disposition of nitrogenous matter throughout the plant; -- called also altheine.
Altho (conj.) Although. [Reformed spelling]
Althorn (n.) (Mus.) An instrument of the saxhorn family, used exclusively in military music, often replacing the French horn. -- Grove.
Although (conj.) Grant all this; be it that; supposing that; notwithstanding; though.
Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. -- Mark xiv. 29.
Syn: Although, Though.
Usage: Although, which originally was perhaps more emphatic than though, is now interchangeable with it in the sense given above. Euphonic consideration determines the choice.
Altiloquence (n.) Lofty speech; pompous language. [R.] -- Bailey.
Altiloquent (a.) High-sounding; pompous in speech. [R.] -- Bailey.
Altimeter (n.) An instrument for taking altitudes, as a quadrant, sextant, etc. -- Knight.
Altimeter (n.) An instrument that measures the height above ground; used in navigation.
Altimetry (n.) The art of measuring altitudes, or heights.
Altincar (n.) See Tincal.
Altiscope (n.) An arrangement of lenses and mirrors which enables a person to see an object in spite of intervening objects. Since the early 1900's, most commonly called periscope.
Altisonant (a.) High-sounding; lofty or pompous. -- Skelton.
Altisonous (a.) Altisonant.
Altissimo (n.) (Mus.) The part or notes situated above F in alt.
Compare: High-pitched
High-pitched (a.) High in pitch or frequency; -- used of sounds and voices. Opposite of low. [Narrower terms: adenoidal, pinched, nasal; altissimo; alto; countertenor, alto; falsetto; peaky, spiky; piping; shrill, sharp; screaky, screechy, squeaking, squeaky, squealing; soprano, treble; sopranino; tenor].
Syn: high.
High-pitched (a.) Set at a sharp or high angle or slant; as, a high-pitched roof.
Syn: steeply pitched, steep. High-power
Altissimo (a.) Very high.
Altitude (n.) 高度，海拔，高處 Space extended upward; height; the perpendicular elevation of an object above its foundation, above the ground, or above a given level, or of one object above another; as, the altitude of a mountain, or of a bird above the top of a tree.
Altitude (n.) (Astron.) The elevation of a point, or star, or other celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and the horizon. It is either true or apparent; true when measured from the rational or real horizon, apparent when from the sensible or apparent horizon.
Altitude (n.) (Geom.) The perpendicular distance from the base of a figure to the summit, or to the side parallel to the base; as, the altitude of a triangle, pyramid, parallelogram, frustum, etc.
Altitude (n.) Height of degree; highest point or degree.
He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue. -- Shak.
Altitude (n.) Height of rank or excellence; superiority. -- Swift.
Altitude (n.) pl. Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs. [Colloq.] -- Richardson.
The man of law began to get into his altitude. -- Sir W. Scott.
Meridian altitude, An arc of the meridian intercepted between the south point on the horizon and any point on the meridian. See Meridian, 3.
Altitude (n.) Elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface; "the altitude gave her a headache" [syn: {altitude}, {height}].
Altitude (n.) The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex (or side if parallel).
Altitude (n.) Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object) [syn: {elevation}, {EL}, {altitude}, {ALT}].
Altitudinal (a.) Of or pertaining to height; as, altitudinal measurements.
Altitudinal (a.) Pertaining to altitude.
Altitudinarian (a.) Lofty in doctrine, aims, etc.
Altivolant (a.) Flying high.
Altos (n. pl. ) of Alto.
Alto (n.) Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.
Alto (n.) An alto singer.
Altogether (adv.) All together; conjointly.
Altogether (adv.) Without exception; wholly; completely.
Altometer (n.) A theodolite.
Alto-relievo (n.) Alto-rilievo.
Alto-rilievos (n. pl. ) of Alto-rilievo.
Alto-rilievo (n.) High relief; sculptured work in which the figures project more than half their thickness; as, this figure is an alto-rilievo or in alto-rilievo.
Altrical (a.) Like the articles.
Altrices (n. pl.) Nursers, -- a term applied to those birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time; -- opposed to praecoces.
Altruism (n.) 利他主義；利他行為 Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; -- opposed to {egoism} or {selfishness}.
Altruism (n.) The quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others [syn: {altruism}, {selflessness}] [ant: {egocentrism}, {egoism}, {self-centeredness}, {self-concern}, {self- interest}].
Altruism (n.) [ U ] 利他主義；無私 Willingness to do things that bring advantages to others, even if it results in disadvantage for yourself.
// She's not known for her altruism.
Altruist (n.) 利他主義者 One imbued with altruism; -- opposed to egoist.
Altruistic (a.) 利他的；愛他的；利他主義的 Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; -- opposed to egoistic or selfish.
Aludel (n.) One of the pear-shaped pots open at both ends, and so formed as to be fitted together, the neck of one into the bottom of another in succession; -- used in the process of sublimation.
Alula (n.) A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard.
Alular (a.) Pertaining to the alula.
Alum (n.) A double sulphate formed of aluminium and some other element (esp. an alkali metal) or of aluminium. It has twenty-four molecules of water of crystallization.
Alum (v. t.) To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum.
Alumen (n.) Alum.
Alumina (n.) (Chem.) 【化】礬土，氧化鋁 One of the earths, consisting of two parts of aluminium and three of oxygen, Al2O3.
Note: It is the oxide of the metal aluminium, the base of aluminous salts, a constituent of a large part of the earthy siliceous minerals, as the feldspars, micas, scapolites, etc., and the characterizing ingredient of common clay, in which it exists as an impure silicate with water, resulting from the decomposition of other aluminous minerals. In its natural state, it is the mineral corundum.
Alumina (n.) Any of various forms of aluminum oxide occurring naturally as corundum [syn: alumina, aluminum oxide, aluminium oxide].
Aluminate (n.) A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the substitution of a metal for the hydrogen.
Aluminated (a.) Combined with alumina.
Alumine (n.) Alumina.
Aluminic (a.) Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate.
Aluminiferous (a.) Containing alum.
Aluminiform (a.) Having the form of alumina.
Aluminum (n.) 【美】鋁 [U] The metallic base of alumina. This metal is white, but with a bluish tinge, and is remarkable for its resistance to oxidation, and for its lightness, having a specific gravity of about 2.6. Atomic weight 27.08. Symbol Al. Also called {Aluminium}.
Aluminium (n.) A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite [syn: {aluminum}, {aluminium}, {Al}, {atomic number 13}].
Aluminize (v. t.) To treat or impregnate with alum; to alum.
Aluminous (a.) Pertaining to or containing alum, or alumina; as, aluminous minerals, aluminous solution.
Aluminum (n.) See Aluminium.
Alumish (a.) Somewhat like alum.
Alumnae (n. pl. ) of Alumna.
Alumna (n. fem.) A female pupil; especially, a graduate of a school or college.
Alumni (n. pl. ) of Alumnus.
Alumnus (n.) A pupil; especially, a graduate of a college or other seminary of learning.
Alum root () A North American herb (Heuchera Americana) of the Saxifrage family, whose root has astringent properties.
Alum schist () Alt. of Alum shale.
Alum shale () A variety of shale or clay slate, containing iron pyrites, the decomposition of which leads to the formation of alum, which often effloresces on the rock.
Alum stone () A subsulphate of alumina and potash; alunite.
Alunite (n.) Alum stone.
Alunogen (n.) A white fibrous mineral frequently found on the walls of mines and quarries, chiefly hydrous sulphate of alumina; -- also called feather alum, and hair salt.
Alure (n.) A walk or passage; -- applied to passages of various kinds.
Alutaceous (a.) Leathery.
Alutaceous (a.) Of a pale brown color; leather-yellow.
Alutation (n.) The tanning or dressing of leather.
Alvearies (n. pl. ) of Alveary.
Alveary (n.) A beehive, or something resembling a beehive.
Alveary (n.) The hollow of the external ear.
Alveated (a.) Formed or vaulted like a beehive.
Alveolar (a.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, alveoli or little cells, sacs, or sockets.
Alveolary (a.) Alveolar.
Alveolate (a.) Deeply pitted, like a honeycomb.
Alveole (n.) Same as Alveolus.
Alveoliform (a.) Having the form of alveoli, or little sockets, cells, or cavities.
Alveoli (n. pl. ) 【醫】肺泡（肺部支氣管末端的小氣囊，是氣體交換的主要部位）；alveolus 的名詞複數 of Alveolus.
Alveolus (n.) A cell in a honeycomb.
Alveolus (n.) (Zool.) A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil.
Alveolus (n.) (Anat.) A small depression, sac, or vesicle, as the socket of a tooth, the air cells of the lungs, the ultimate saccules of glands, etc.
Alvei (n. pl. ) of Alveus.
Alveus (n.) The channel of a river.
Alvine (a.) Of, from, in, or pertaining to, the belly or the intestines; as, alvine discharges; alvine concretions.
Alway (adv.) Always.
Always (adv.) At all times; ever; perpetually; throughout all time; continually; as, God is always the same.
Always (adv.) Constancy during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals; invariably; uniformly; -- opposed to sometimes or occasionally.
Alyssum (n.) A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The sweet alyssum (A. maritimum), cultivated for bouquets, bears small, white, sweet-scented flowers.
Alzheimer's disease (n.) Pathology. A common form of dementia of unknown cause, usually beginning in late middle age, characterized by memory lapses, confusion, emotional instability, and progressive loss of mental ability.
Am () The first person singular of the verb be, in the indicative mode, present tense. See Be.
Amability (n.) Lovableness.
Amacratic (a.) Amasthenic.
Amadavat (n.) The strawberry finch, a small Indian song bird (Estrelda amandava), commonly caged and kept for fighting. The female is olive brown; the male, in summer, mostly crimson; -- called also red waxbill.
Amadou (n.) A spongy, combustible substance, prepared from fungus (Boletus and Polyporus) which grows on old trees; German tinder; punk. It has been employed as a styptic by surgeons, but its common use is as tinder, for which purpose it is prepared by soaking it in a strong solution of niter.