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.
Althaea (n.) Any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea [syn: althea, althaea, hollyhock].
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}].
Compare: Perpendicular
Perpendicular (a.) 垂直的，成直角的，正交的 [F] [（+to）]；直立的；險陡的 Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a right line from any point toward the center of the earth.
Perpendicular (a.) (Geom.) At right angles to a given line or surface; as, the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc.
Perpendicular style (Arch.), A name given to the latest variety of English Gothic architecture, which prevailed from the close of the 14th century to the early part of the 16th; -- probably so called from the vertical style of its window mullions.
Perpendicular (n.) 垂線；垂直面 [C]；垂直的位置 [the S] A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a vertical line or direction.
Perpendicular (n.) (Geom.) A line or plane falling at right angles on another line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each side.
Perpendicular (a.) Intersecting at or forming right angles; "the axes are perpendicular to each other" [ant: oblique, parallel].
Perpendicular (a.) At right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line; "a vertical camera angle"; "the monument consists of two vertical pillars supporting a horizontal slab"; "measure the perpendicular height" [syn: vertical, perpendicular] [ant: horizontal, inclined].
Perpendicular (a.) Extremely steep; "the great perpendicular face of the cliff."
Perpendicular (n.) A straight line at right angles to another line.
Perpendicular (n.) A Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting [syn: perpendicular, perpendicular style, English-Gothic, English-Gothic architecture].
Perpendicular (n.) A cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's center of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point [syn: plumb line, perpendicular].
Perpendicular (n.) An extremely steep face.
Altitudinal (a.) Of or pertaining to height; as, altitudinal measurements.
Altitudinal (a.) Pertaining to altitude.
Altitudinarian (a.) Lofty in doctrine, aims, etc. [R.] -- Coleridge.
Altivolant (a.) Flying high. [Obs.] -- Blount.
Altos (n. pl. ) of Alto.
Alto (n.) (Mus.) 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.
Alto clef (Mus.) The counter-tenor clef, or the C clef, placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of the staff. -- Moore.
Altogether (adv.) All together; conjointly. [Obs.]
Altogether they went at once. -- Chaucer.
Altogether (adv.) Without exception; wholly; completely.
Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. -- Ps. xxxix. 5.
Altogether (n.) Nakedness; -- used mostly in the phrase "in the altogether". [informal]
Syn: raw, buff, birthday suit.
Compare: In the altogether
In the altogether (a.) (Used informally) Completely unclothed [syn: bare-assed, bare-ass, in the altogether, in the buff, in the raw, raw, peeled, naked as a jaybird, stark naked].
Compare: Bare-assed
Bare-asse, bare-assed (a.) Completely naked. [informal]
Syn: in the altogether, in the buff, in the raw, raw, peeled, naked as a jaybird, stark naked.
Bare-assed (a.) (Used informally) Completely unclothed [syn: bare-assed, bare-ass, in the altogether, in the buff, in the raw, raw, peeled, naked as a jaybird, stark naked].
Altogether (adv.) To a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly'); "he was wholly convinced"; "entirely satisfied with the meal";
"it was completely different from what we expected"; "was completely at fault"; "a totally new situation"; "the directions were all wrong"; "it was not altogether her fault"; "an altogether new approach"; "a whole new idea" [syn: wholly, entirely, completely, totally, all, altogether, whole] [ant: part, partially, partly].
Altogether (adv.) With everything included or counted; "altogether he earns close to a million dollars" [syn: altogether, all told, in all].
Altogether (adv.) With everything considered (and neglecting details); "altogether, I'm sorry it happened"; "all in all, it's not so bad" [syn: all in all, on the whole, altogether, tout ensemble].
Altogether (n.) Informal terms for nakedness; "in the raw"; "in the altogether"; "in his birthday suit" [syn: raw, altogether, birthday suit].
Altometer (n.) A theodolite. -- Knight.
Alto-relievo (n.) Alto-rilievo.
Alto-rilievos (n. pl. ) of Alto-rilievo.
Alto-rilievo (n.) (Sculp.) 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.) (Zool.) Like the articles.
Altrices (n. pl.) (Zool.) 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}. [Recent] -- J. S. Mill.
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.
Altruist (n.) Someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being [syn: philanthropist, altruist].
Altruistic (a.) 利他的；愛他的；利他主義的 Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; -- opposed to egoistic or selfish. -- Bain. -- Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly, adv.
Altruistic (a.) Showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others [syn: altruistic, selfless] [ant: egocentric, egoistic, egoistical, self-centered, self-centred].
Aludel (n.) (Chem.) 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. -- Ure.
Alula (n.) (Zool.) A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard.
Alula (n.) Scalelike structure between the base of the wing and the halter of a two-winged fly [syn: alula, calypter].
Alula (n.) Tuft of small stiff feathers on the first digit of a bird's wing [syn: bastard wing, alula, spurious wing].
Alular (a.) (Zool.) Pertaining to the alula.
Alular (a.) Pertaining to alulae.
Alum (n.) (Chem.) 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.
Note: Common alum is the double sulphate of aluminium and potassium. It is white, transparent, very astringent, and crystallizes easily in octahedrons. The term is extended so as to include other double sulphates similar to alum in formula.
Alum (v. t.) To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum. --Ure.
Alum (n.) A white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum [syn: alum, ammonia alum, ammonium alum].
Alum (n.) A white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the potassium double sulfate of aluminum [syn: alum, potassium alum, potash alum].
Alum (n.) A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university) [syn: alumnus, alumna, alum, graduate, grad].
Alum (n.) A double sulphate of aluminum and potassium that is used as an astringent (among other things).
Alumen (n.) [L.] (Chem.) 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.) (Chem.) A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the substitution of a metal for the hydrogen.
Aluminate (n.) A compound of alumina and a metallic oxide.
Aluminated (a.) Combined with alumina.
Alumine (n.) [F.] Alumina. -- Davy.
Aluminic (a.) Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate.
Aluminiferous (a.) Containing alum.
Aluminiferous (a.) Containing alum or aluminum.
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.
Aluminize (v.) Cover with aluminum [syn: aluminize, aluminise].
Aluminous (a.) Pertaining to or containing alum, or alumina; as, aluminous minerals, aluminous solution.
Aluminous (a.) Pertaining to or containing aluminum or alum.
Aluminum (n.) See Aluminium.
Aluminum (n.) The metallic element forming the 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.
Aluminum (n.) A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite [syn: aluminum, aluminium, Al, atomic number 13].
Aluminum
Symbol: Al
Atomic number: 13
Atomic weight: 26.9815
Silvery-white lustrous metallic element of group 3 of the periodic table.
Highly reactive but protected by a thin transparent layer of the oxide which quickly forms in air. There are many alloys of aluminum, as well as a good number of industrial uses. Makes up 8.1% of the Earth's crust, by weight. Isolated in 1825 by H.C. Oersted.
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 () (Bot.) A North American herb ({Heuchera Americana) of the Saxifrage family, whose root has astringent properties. Alum schist
Alum schist () Alt. of Alum shale.
Alum shale () (Min.) 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 () (Min.) A subsulphate of alumina and potash; alunite.
Alunite (n.) (Min.) Alum stone.
Alunogen (n.) (Min.) 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.
The sides of every street were covered with fresh alures of marble. -- T. Warton.
Alutaceous (a.) Leathery.
Alutaceous (a.) Of a pale brown color; leather-yellow. -- Brande.
Alutation (n.) The tanning or dressing of leather. [Obs.] -- Blount.
Alvearies (n. pl. ) of Alveary.
Alveary (n.) A beehive, or something resembling a beehive. -- Barret.
Alveary (n.) (Anat.) The hollow of the external ear. -- Quincy.
Alveated (a.) Formed or vaulted like a beehive.
Alveolar (a.) (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, alveoli or little cells, sacs, or sockets.
Alveolar (a.) (Phon.) Articulated with the tip of the tongue pressing against the alveolar processes of the upper front teeth.
Alveolar processes, The processes of the maxillary bones, containing the sockets of the teeth.
Alveolar (a.) Pertaining to the tiny air sacs of the lungs.
Alveolar (a.) Pertaining to the sockets of the teeth or that part of the upper jaw; "alveolar processes."
Alveolar (n.) A consonant articulated with the tip of the tongue near the gum ridge [syn: alveolar consonant, dental consonant, alveolar, dental].
Alveolary (a.) Alveolar. [R.]
Alveolate (a.) (Bot.) Deeply pitted, like a honeycomb.
Alveolate (a.) Pitted with cell-like cavities (as a honeycomb) [syn: alveolate, faveolate, cavitied, honeycombed, pitted].
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.) [L.] The channel of a river. -- Weate.
Alvine (a.) Of, from, in, or pertaining to, the belly or the intestines; as, alvine discharges; alvine concretions.
Alvine (a.) Of or relating to the intestines.
Alway (adv.) Always. [Archaic or Poetic]
I would not live alway. -- Job vii. 16.
Always (adv.) At all times; ever; perpetually; throughout all time; continually; as, God is always the same.
Even in Heaven his [Mammon's] looks and thoughts. -- Milton.
Always (adv.) Constancy during a certain period, or regularly at stated intervals; invariably; uniformly; -- opposed to sometimes or occasionally.
He always rides a black galloway. -- Bulwer.
Compare: Aye
Aye, Ay (adv.) Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time.
For his mercies aye endure. -- Milton.
For aye, Always; forever; eternally.
Always (adv.) At all times; all the time and on every occasion; "I will always be there to help you"; "always arrives on time"; "there is always some pollution in the air"; "ever hoping to strike it rich"; "ever busy" [syn: always, ever, e'er] [ant: ne'er, never].
Always (adv.) Without variation or change, in every case; "constantly kind and gracious"; "he always arrives on time" [syn: constantly, invariably, always].
Always (adv.) Without interruption; "the world is constantly changing" [syn: constantly, always, forever, perpetually, incessantly].
Always (adv.) At any time or in any event; "you can always resign if you don't like it"; "you could always take a day off."
Always (adv.) Forever; throughout all time; "we will always be friends"; "I shall treasure it always"; "I will always love you."
Alyssum (n.) (Bot.) A genus of cruciferous plants; madwort. The sweet alyssum ({Alyssum maritimum), cultivated for bouquets, bears small, white, sweet-scented flowers.
Alyssum (n.) Any garden plant of the genus Alyssum having clusters of small yellow or white flowers [syn: alyssum, madwort].
Alyssum (n.) A genus of the family Cruciferae [syn: Alyssum, genus Alyssum].
Alzheimer's disease (n.) Pathology. 阿茲海默氏病 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.
Alzheimer's disease (n.) Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
Am () The first person singular of the verb be, in the indicative mode, present tense. See Be.
God said unto Moses, I am that am. -- Exod. iii. 14.
Am (n.) A radioactive transuranic metallic element; discovered by bombarding uranium with helium atoms [syn: americium, Am, atomic number 95].
Am (n.) A master's degree in arts and sciences [syn: Master of Arts, MA, Artium Magister, AM].
Am (n.) Modulation of the amplitude of the (radio) carrier wave [syn: amplitude modulation, AM].
Amability (n.) Lovableness. -- Jer. Taylor.
Note: The New English Dictionary (Murray) says this word is "usefully distinct from Amiability."
Amacratic (a.) (Photog.) Amasthenic. -- Sir J. Herschel.
Amadavat (n.) (Zool.) 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. [Written also amaduvad and avadavat.]
Amadavat (n.) Red Asian weaverbirds often kept as cage birds [syn: avadavat, amadavat].
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.