n. 1. a mountainous country in central Asia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to Afghanis.
Syn. -- Afghani, Afghan, afghanistani [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan.
Syn. -- Afghan, Pashto, Pathan [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. To withstand. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. assistance. ] 1. The act of assisting; help; aid; furtherance; succor; support. [ 1913 Webster ]

Without the assistance of a mortal hand. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An assistant or helper; a body of helpers. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Wat Tyler [ was ] killed by valiant Walworth, the lord mayor of London, and his assistance, . . . John Cavendish. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Persons present. [ Obs. or a Gallicism ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. assistant, p. pr. of assister. ] 1. Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary. [ 1913 Webster ]

Genius and learning . . . are mutually and greatly assistant to each other. Beattie. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) Of the second grade in the staff of the army; as, an assistant surgeon. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the English army it designates the third grade in any particular branch of the staff. Farrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, assists; a helper; an auxiliary; a means of help. [ 1913 Webster ]

Four assistants who his labor share. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rhymes merely as assistants to memory. Mrs. Chapone. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An attendant; one who is present. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a manner to give aid. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. (Geography) The capital city of Kazakhstan. Population (2000) = 280, 200. [ PJC ]

n. 1. (Law) a person who attests to the genuineness of a document or signature by adding their own signature.
Syn. -- witness. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. Augustanus, fr. Augustus. See August, n. ] 1. Of or pertaining to Augustus Cæsar or to his times. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to the town of Augsburg. [ 1913 Webster ]

Augustan age of any national literature, the period of its highest state of purity and refinement; -- so called because the reign of Augustus Cæsar was the golden age of Roman literature. Thus the reign of Louis XIV. (b. 1638) has been called the Augustan age of French literature, and that of Queen Anne (b. 1664) the Augustan age of English literature. --
Augustan confession (Eccl. Hist.), or confession of Augsburg, drawn up at Augusta Vindelicorum, or Augsburg, by Luther and Melanchthon, in 1530, contains the principles of the Protestants, and their reasons for separating from the Roman Catholic church. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to the Avesta or the language of the Avesta. -- n. The language of the Avesta (an ancient Iranian language); -- less properly called Zend.
Syn. -- Zend [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. Boasting. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A place or stand for the sale of books in the streets; a bookstall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A stand to hold books for reading or reference. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ By + stander, equiv. to stander-by; cf. AS. big-standan to stand by or near. ] One who stands near; a spectator; one who has no concern with the business transacting. [ 1913 Webster ]

He addressed the bystanders and scattered pamphlets among them. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Looker on; spectator; beholder; observer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. cabestan, fr. Sp. cabestrante, cabrestante, fr. cabestrar to bind with a halter, fr. cabestrohalter, fr. L. capistrum halter, fr. capere to hold (see Capacious); or perh. the Spanish is fr. L. caper goat + stans, p. pr. of stare to stand; cf. F. chèvre she-goat, also a machine for raising heavy weights. ] A vertical cleated drum or cylinder, revolving on an upright spindle, and surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for bars or levers. It is much used, especially on shipboard, for moving or raising heavy weights or exerting great power by traction upon a rope or cable, passing around the drum. It is operated either by steam power or by a number of men walking around the capstan, each pushing on the end of a lever fixed in its socket. [ Sometimes spelt Capstern, but improperly. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Capstan bar, one of the long bars or levers by which the capstan is worked; a handspike.. --
To pawl the capstan, to drop the pawls so that they will catch in the notches of the pawl ring, and prevent the capstan from turning back. --
To rig the capstan, to prepare the for use, by putting the bars in the sockets. --
To surge the capstan, to slack the tension of the rope or cable wound around it. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., a chestnut, fr. Gr. &unr_;. ] (Bot.) A genus of nut-bearing trees or shrubs including the chestnut and chinquapin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Castanets. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ F. castagnettes, Sp. castañetas, fr. L. castanea (Sp. castaña) a chestnut. So named from the resemblance to two chestnuts, or because chestnuts were first used for castanets. See Chestnut. ] Two small, concave shells of ivory or hard wood, shaped like spoons, fastened to the thumb, and beaten together with the middle finger; -- used by the Spaniards and Moors as an accompaniment to their dance and guitars. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The singular, castanet, is used of one of the pair, or, sometimes, of the pair forming the instrument. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dancer, holding a castanet in each hand, rattles them to the motion of his feet. Moore (Encyc. of Music). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs of warm regions valued for their foliage; found in southeastern U.S. and eastern Australia and northern New Zealand.
Syn. -- genus Castanopsis. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. a genus consisting of one species, the Moreton Bay chestnut.
Syn. -- genus Castanospermum. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. To place in a particular situation; to supply relative incidents. [ 1913 Webster ]

The poet took the matters of fact as they came down to him and circumstanced them, after his own manner. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. circumstantia, fr. circumstans, -antis, p. pr. of circumstare to stand around; circum + stare to stand. See Stand. ] 1. That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event; an attendant thing or state of things. [ 1913 Webster ]

The circumstances are well known in the country where they happened. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An event; a fact; a particular incident. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sculptor had in his thoughts the conqueror weeping for new worlds, or the like circumstances in history. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Circumlocution; detail. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

So without more circumstance at all
I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. pl. Condition in regard to worldly estate; state of property; situation; surroundings. [ 1913 Webster ]

When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not a circumstance, of no account. [ Colloq. ] --
Under the circumstances, taking all things into consideration.

Syn. -- Event; occurrence; incident; situation; condition; position; fact; detail; item. See Event. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. a. 1. Placed in a particular position or condition; situated. [ 1913 Webster ]

The proposition is, that two bodies so circumstanced will balance each other. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Governed by events or circumstances. [ Poetic & R. ] “I must be circumstanced.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. circumstans. See Circumstance. ] Standing or placed around; surrounding. [ R. ] “Circumstant bodies.” Sir K. Digby. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>a. Capable of being circumstantiated. [ Obs. ] Jer Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance; opposed to an essential; -- generally in the plural; as, the circumstantials of religion. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. circonstanciel. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Consisting in, or pertaining to, circumstances or particular incidents. [ 1913 Webster ]

The usual character of human testimony is substantial truth under circumstantial variety. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Incidental; relating to, but not essential. [ 1913 Webster ]

We must therefore distinguish between the essentials in religious worship . . . and what is merely circumstantial. Sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Abounding with circumstances; detailing or exhibiting all the circumstances; minute; particular. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tedious and circumstantial recitals. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Circumstantial evidence (Law), evidence obtained from circumstances, which necessarily or usually attend facts of a particular nature, from which arises presumption. According to some authorities circumstantial is distinguished from positive evidence in that the latter is the testimony of eyewitnesses to a fact or the admission of a party; but the prevalent opinion now is that all such testimony is dependent on circumstances for its support. All testimony is more or less circumstantial. Wharton.

Syn. -- See Minute. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state, characteristic, or quality of being circumstantial; particularity or minuteness of detail. “I will endeavor to describe with sufficient circumstantiality.” De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In respect to circumstances; not essentially; accidentally. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of the fancy and intellect, the powers are only circumstantially different. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In every circumstance or particular; minutely. [ 1913 Webster ]

To set down somewhat circumstantially, not only the events, but the manner of my trials. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Circumstantiated p. pr. & vb. n. Circumstantiating ] [ See Circumstantiating (&unr_;). ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To place in particular circumstances; to invest with particular accidents or adjuncts. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If the act were otherwise circumstantiated, it might will that freely which now it wills reluctantly. Bramhall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To prove or confirm by circumstances; to enter into details concerning. [ 1913 Webster ]

Neither will time permint to circumstantiate these particulars, which I have only touched in the general. State Trials (1661). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Happening at the same instant. C. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. constantia: cf. F. constance. See Constant. ] 1. The state or quality of being constant or steadfast; freedom from change; stability; fixedness; immutability; as, the constancy of God in his nature and attributes. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fixedness or firmness of mind; persevering resolution; especially, firmness of mind under sufferings, steadiness in attachments, or perseverance in enterprise; stability; fidelity. [ 1913 Webster ]

A fellow of plain uncoined constancy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Constancy and contempt of danger. Prescott.

Syn. -- Fixedness; stability; firmness; steadiness; permanence; steadfastness; resolution. See Firmness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. onstans, -antis, p. pr. of constare to stand firm, to be consistent; con- + stare to stand: cf. F. constant. See Stand and cf. Cost, v. t. ] 1. Firm; solid; fixed; immovable; -- opposed to fluid. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If . . . you mix them, you may turn these two fluid liquors into a constant body. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not liable, or given, to change; permanent; regular; continuous; continually recurring; steadfast; faithful; not fickle. Opposite of changeable and variable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both loving one fair maid, they yet remained constant friends. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am constant to my purposes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His gifts, his constant courtship, nothing gained. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Onward the constant current sweeps. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math. & Physics) Remaining unchanged or invariable, as a quantity, force, law, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Consistent; logical. [ Obs. ] Shak.

Syn. -- Fixed; steadfast; unchanging; permanent; unalterable; immutable; invariable; perpetual; continual; resolute; firm; unshaken; determined. -- Constant, Continual, Perpetual. These words are sometimes used in an absolute and sometimes in a qualified sense. Constant denotes, in its absolute sense, unchangeably fixed; as, a constant mind or purpose. In its qualified sense, it marks something as a “standing” fact or occurence; as, liable to constant interruptions; constantly called for. Continual, in its absolute sense, coincides with continuous. See Continuous. In its qualified sense, it describes a thing as occuring in steady and rapid succession; as, a round of continual calls; continually changing. Perpetual denotes, in its absolute sense, what literally never ceases or comes to an end; as, perpetual motion. In its qualified sense, it is used hyperbolically, and denotes that which rarely ceases; as, perpetual disturbance; perpetual noise; perpetual intermeddling. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. That which is not subject to change; that which is invariable. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) A quantity that does not change its value; -- used in countradistinction to variable. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Astron.) A number whose value, when ascertained (as by observation) and substituted in a general mathematical formula expressing an astronomical law, completely determines that law and enables predictions to be made of its effect in particular cases. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. (Physics) A number expressing some property or condition of a substance or of an instrument of precision; as, the dielectric constant of quartz; the collimation constant of a transit instrument. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

5. (Computers) a data structure that does not change during the course of execution of a program. It may be a number, a string, or a more complex data structure; -- contrasted with variable. [ PJC ]

Aberration constant, or
Constant of aberration (Astron.), a number which by substitution in the general formula for aberration enables a prediction to be made of the effect of aberration on a star anywhere situated. Its value is 20″.47. --
Absolute constant (Math.), one whose value is absolutely the same under all circumstances, as the number 10, or any numeral. --
Arbitrary constant, an undetermined constant in a differential equation having the same value during all changes in the values of the variables. --
Gravitation constant (Physics), the acceleration per unit of time produced by the attraction of a unit of mass at unit distance. When this is known the acceleration produced at any distance can be calculated. --
Solar constant (Astron.), the quantity of heat received by the earth from the sun in a unit of time. It is, on the C. G. S. system, 0.0417 small calories per square centimeter per second. Young. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] --
Constant of integration (Math.), an undetermined constant added to every result of integration. [ 1913 Webster + Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. a copper-nickel alloy composed of approximately 55 per cent copper and 45 per cent nickel, with high electrical resistance and a low temperature coefficient; it is used as resistance wire and in thermocouples. It has a resistance factor ρ of 44.1 x 10-6 ohm-cm at 0° C, in comparison to the value 1.71 x 10-6 ohm-cm for pure copper and 7.8 x 10-6 ohm-cm for pure nickel. It is similar to the alloy Eureka, which has a ρ = 47 x 10-6 ohm-cm. Handbook of Ch. 61. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. A superior wine, white and red, from Constantia, in South Africa. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

prop. n. the former capital of the Eastern Roman Empire; it was built on the site of ancient Byzantium, and the name was changed to Istanbul by the Turks.
Syn. -- Istanbul, Stambul, Stamboul. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

The name change was the subject of a humorous song in the 1950's "Istanbul (not Constantinople)":

 Artists: The Four Lads -- peak Billboard position # 10 in 1953 -- Words by Jimmy Kennedy and Music by Nat Simon -- (C) Chappell & Co. Istanbul was Constantinople Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople Been a long time gone, Constantinople Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night Every gal in Constantinople Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople So if you've a date in Constantinople She'll be waiting in Istanbul Even old New York Was once New Amsterdam Why they changed it I can't say People just liked it better that way Take me back to Constantinople No, you can't go back to Constantinople Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople Why did Constantinople get the works? That's nobody's business but the Turks' 

adv. With constancy; steadily; continually; perseveringly; without cessation; uniformly. [ 1913 Webster ]

But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Acts. xii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. consubstantialis; con- + substantialis: cf. F. consubstantiel. See Substantial. ] Of the same kind or nature; having the same substance or essence; coessential. [ 1913 Webster ]

Christ Jesus . . . coeternal and consubstantial with the Father and with the Holy Ghost. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The doctrine of consubstantiation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who believes in consubstantiation. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. consubstantialité. ] Participation of the same nature; coexistence in the same substance. “His [ the Son's ] . . . consubstantiality with the Father.” Hammend. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a consubstantial manner; with identity of substance or nature. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Consubstantiated; p. pr. & vb. n. Consubstantiating. ] To cause to unite, or to regard as united, in one common substance or nature. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His soul must be consubstantiated with reason. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To profess or belive the doctrine of consubstantion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The consubstantiating church and priest. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Partaking of the same substance; united; consubstantial. [ 1913 Webster ]

We must love her [ the wife ] that is thus consubstantiate with us. Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. An identity or union of substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Theol.) The actual, substantial presence of the body of Christ with the bread and wine of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper; impanation; -- opposed to transubstantiation. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This view, held by Luther himself, was called consubstantiation by non Lutheran writers in contradistinction to transsubstantiation, the Catholic view. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. contestant. ] One who contests; an opponent; a litigant; a disputant; one who claims that which has been awarded to another. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Resistance; opposition; a stand against. [ 1913 Webster ]

Making counterstand to Robert Guiscard. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]