or . A diphthong in the Latin language; used also by the Saxon writers. It corresponds to the Gr. ai. The Anglo-Saxon short æ was generally replaced by a, the long &aemacr_; by e or ee. In derivatives from Latin words with ae, it is mostly superseded by e. For most words found with this initial combination, the reader will therefore search under the letter E. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Æcidia [ NL., dim. of Gr. &unr_; injury. ] (Bot.) A form of fruit in the cycle of development of the Rusts or Brands, an order of fungi, formerly considered independent plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. aedilis, fr. aedes temple, public building. Cf. Edify. ] A magistrate in ancient Rome, who had the superintendence of public buildings, highways, shows, etc.; hence, a municipal officer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of an ædile. T. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. Aegeus; Gr. &unr_;. ] Of or pertaining to the sea, or arm of the Mediterranean sea, east of Greece. See Archipelago. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, goat + &unr_;, n. pl., heads. ] (Arch.) Sculptured ornaments, used in classical architecture, representing rams' heads or skulls. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. aegilopis, Gr. a'igi`lwps, fr. a'i`x, gen. a'igo`s, goat + 'w`ps eye. ] 1. (Med.) An ulcer or fistula in the inner corner of the eye. [ Written also egilops ] AS [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) (a) The great wild-oat grass or other cornfield weed. Crabb. (b) [ capitalized ] A genus of plants, called also hardgrass. [ Written also egilops ] [ 1913 Webster + AS ]

‖n. [ L. aegis, fr. Gr. a'igi`s a goat skin, a shield, a'i`x goat, or fr. 'ai`:ssw to rush. ] A shield or protective armor; -- applied in mythology to the shield of Jupiter which he gave to Minerva. Also fig.: A shield; a protection. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Egophony. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., he is sick. ] (Camb. Univ.) A medical certificate that a student is ill. [ 1913 Webster ]