n. same as abortionist. [ PJC ]

. (Iron Metal.) That variety of either the Bessemer or the open-hearth process in which the converter or hearth is lined with acid, that is, highly siliceous, material. Opposed to basic process. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. acus needle + premere, pressum, to press. ] (Surg.) A mode of arresting hemorrhage resulting from wounds or surgical operations, by passing under the divided vessel a needle, the ends of which are left exposed externally on the cutaneous surface. Simpson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. adpressus, p. p. of adprimere. ] See Appressed. -- Ad*pressed", a. [1913 Webster]

n. 1. [ agitation + propaganda. ] 1. agitation and propaganda; -- used especially for such activities carried out on behalf of communist activists. [ PJC ]

2. a person who disseminates messages calculated to assist some cause or some government; one disseminating agitprop{ 1 }. Also called agitpropist.
Syn. -- propagandist [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. [ agitation + propaganda + -ist. ] same as agitprop{ 2 }. [ PJC ]

n. a propeller designed for propelling airplanes.
Syn. -- airscrew, propeller, prop. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

. A secret organization in the United States, formed in Iowa in 1887, ostensibly for the protection of American institutions by keeping Roman Catholics out of public office. Abbrev. commonly to A. P .A. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖ [ F. ] Self-love; self-esteem. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. 1 having columns at both ends but not on the sides.
Syn. -- amphiprostyle, amphistylar, porticoed [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. amphiprostylos, Gr. &unr_; having a double prostyle: cf. F. amphiprostyle. See Prostyle. ] (Arch.) Doubly prostyle; having columns at each end, but not at the sides. -- n. An amphiprostyle temple or edifice. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Preceding dinner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Logic) A prerequisite to a clear understanding of the predicaments and categories, such as definitions of common terms. Chambers. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being appraised. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Appraise. Cf. Apprizal. ] A valuation by an authorized person; an appraisement. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Appraised p. pr. & vb. n. Appraising. ] [ Pref. ad- + praise. See Praise, Price, Apprize, Appreciate. ] 1. To set a value; to estimate the worth of, particularly by persons appointed for the purpose; as, to appraise goods and chattels. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To estimate; to conjecture. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enoch . . . appraised his weight. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To praise; to commend. [ Obs. ] R. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

Appraised the Lycian custom. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the United States, this word is often pronounced, and sometimes written, apprize. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Appraise. Cf. Apprizement. ] The act of setting the value; valuation by an appraiser; estimation of worth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Appraise, Apprizer. ] One who appraises; esp., a person appointed and sworn to estimate and fix the value of goods or estates. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. apprecari to pray to; ad + precari to pray, prex, precis, prayer. ] Earnest prayer; devout wish. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A solemn apprecation of good success. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Praying or wishing good. [ Obs. ]“Apprecatory benedictions.” Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. appréciable. ] Capable of being appreciated or estimated; large enough to be estimated; perceptible; as, an appreciable quantity. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*bly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. Appreciative. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Appreciated; p. pr. & vb. n. Appreciating. ] [ L. appretiatus, p. p. of appretiare to value at a price, appraise; ad + pretiare to prize, pretium price. Cf. Appraise. ] 1. To set a price or value on; to estimate justly; to value. [ 1913 Webster ]

To appreciate the motives of their enemies. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To raise the value of; to increase the market price of; -- opposed to depreciate. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money. Ramsay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To be sensible of; to distinguish. [ 1913 Webster ]

To test the power of bees to appreciate color. Lubbock. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To Appreciate, Estimate, Esteem. Estimate is an act of judgment; esteem is an act of valuing or prizing, and when applied to individuals, denotes a sentiment of moral approbation. See Estimate. Appreciate lies between the two. As compared with estimate, it supposes a union of sensibility with judgment, producing a nice and delicate perception. As compared with esteem, it denotes a valuation of things according to their appropriate and distinctive excellence, and not simply their moral worth. Thus, with reference to the former of these (delicate perception), an able writer says. “Women have a truer appreciation of character than men;” and another remarks, “It is difficult to appreciate the true force and distinctive sense of terms which we are every day using.” So, also, we speak of the difference between two things, as sometimes hardly appreciable. With reference to the latter of these (that of valuation as the result of a nice perception), we say, “It requires a peculiar cast of character to appreciate the poetry of Wordsworth;” “He who has no delicacy himself, can not appreciate it in others;” “The thought of death is salutary, because it leads us to appreciate worldly things aright.” Appreciate is much used in cases where something is in danger of being overlooked or undervalued; as when we speak of appreciating the difficulties of a subject, or the risk of an undertaking. So Lord Plunket, referring to an “ominous silence” which prevailed among the Irish peasantry, says, “If you knew how to appreciate that silence, it is more formidable than the most clamorous opposition.” In like manner, a person who asks some favor of another is apt to say, “I trust you will appreciate my motives in this request.” Here we have the key to a very frequent use of the word. It is hardly necessary to say that appreciate looks on the favorable side of things. we never speak of appreciating a man's faults, but his merits. This idea of regarding things favorably appears more fully in the word appreciative; as when we speak of an appreciative audience, or an appreciative review, meaning one that manifests a quick perception and a ready valuation of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To rise in value. [ See note under Rise, v. i. ] J. Morse. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an appreciating manner; with appreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. appréciation. ] 1. A just valuation or estimate of merit, worth, weight, etc.; recognition of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Accurate perception; true estimation; as, an appreciation of the difficulties before us; an appreciation of colors. [ 1913 Webster ]

His foreboding showed his appreciation of Henry's character. J. R. Green. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A rise in value; -- opposed to depreciation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having or showing a just or ready appreciation or perception; as, an appreciative audience. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. The quality of being appreciative; quick recognition of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who appreciates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Showing appreciation; appreciative; as, appreciatory commendation. -- Ap*pre"ci*a*to*ri*ly adv. [1913 Webster]

v. i. 1. To think, believe, or be of opinion; to understand; to suppose. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be apprehensive; to fear. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is worse to apprehend than to suffer. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Apprehended; p. pr. & vb. n. Apprehending. ] [ L. apprehendere; ad + prehendere to lay hold of, seize; prae before + -hendere (used only in comp.); akin to Gr. chanda`nein to hold, contain, and E. get: cf. F. appréhender. See Prehensile, Get. ] 1. To take or seize; to take hold of. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We have two hands to apprehend it. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: To take or seize (a person) by legal process; to arrest; as, to apprehend a criminal. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To take hold of with the understanding, that is, to conceive in the mind; to become cognizant of; to understand; to recognize; to consider. [ 1913 Webster ]

This suspicion of Earl Reimund, though at first but a buzz, soon got a sting in the king's head, and he violently apprehended it. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

The eternal laws, such as the heroic age apprehended them. Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To know or learn with certainty. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

G. You are too much distrustful of my truth.
E. Then you must give me leave to apprehend
The means and manner how. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To anticipate; esp., to anticipate with anxiety, dread, or fear; to fear. [ 1913 Webster ]

The opposition had more reason than the king to apprehend violence. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To catch; seize; arrest; detain; capture; conceive; understand; imagine; believe; fear; dread. -- To Apprehend, Comprehend. These words come into comparison as describing acts of the mind. Apprehend denotes the laying hold of a thing mentally, so as to understand it clearly, at least in part. Comprehend denotes the embracing or understanding it in all its compass and extent. We may apprehended many truths which we do not comprehend. The very idea of God supposes that he may be apprehended, though not comprehended, by rational beings. “We may apprehended much of Shakespeare's aim and intention in the character of Hamlet or King Lear; but few will claim that they have comprehended all that is embraced in these characters.” Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who apprehends. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being apprehensible. [ R. ] De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. apprehensibilis. See Apprehend. ] Capable of being apprehended or conceived. “Apprehensible by faith.” Bp. Hall. -- Ap`*pre*hen"si*bly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. apprehensio: cf. F. appréhension. See Apprehend. ] 1. The act of seizing or taking hold of; seizure; as, the hand is an organ of apprehension. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest; as, the felon, after his apprehension, escaped. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of grasping with the intellect; the contemplation of things, without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment; intellection; perception. [ 1913 Webster ]

Simple apprehension denotes no more than the soul's naked intellection of an object. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Opinion; conception; sentiment; idea. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense, the word often denotes a belief, founded on sufficient evidence to give preponderation to the mind, but insufficient to induce certainty; as, in our apprehension, the facts prove the issue. [ 1913 Webster ]

To false, and to be thought false, is all one in respect of men, who act not according to truth, but apprehension. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The faculty by which ideas are conceived; understanding; as, a man of dull apprehension. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Anticipation, mostly of things unfavorable; distrust or fear at the prospect of future evil. [ 1913 Webster ]

After the death of his nephew Caligula, Claudius was in no small apprehension for his own life. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Apprehension, Alarm. Apprehension springs from a sense of danger when somewhat remote, but approaching; alarm arises from danger when announced as near at hand. Apprehension is calmer and more permanent; alarm is more agitating and transient. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. appréhensif. See Apprehend. ] 1. Capable of apprehending, or quick to do so; apt; discerning. [ 1913 Webster ]

It may be pardonable to imagine that a friend, a kind and apprehensive . . . friend, is listening to our talk. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Knowing; conscious; cognizant. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A man that has spent his younger years in vanity and folly, and is, by the grace of God, apprehensive of it. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Relating to the faculty of apprehension. [ 1913 Webster ]

Judgment . . . is implied in every apprehensive act. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Anticipative of something unfavorable' fearful of what may be coming; in dread of possible harm; in expectation of evil. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not at all apprehensive of evils as a distance. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reformers . . . apprehensive for their lives. Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Sensible; feeling; perceptive. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thoughts, my tormentors, armed with deadly stings,
Mangle my apprehensive, tenderest parts. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an apprehensive manner; with apprehension of danger. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being apprehensive. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. apprentice, prentice, OF. aprentis, nom. of aprentif, fr. apprendare to learn, L. apprendere, equiv. to apprehendere, to take hold of (by the mind), to comprehend. See Apprehend, Prentice. ] 1. One who is bound by indentures or by legal agreement to serve a mechanic, or other person, for a certain time, with a view to learn the art, or trade, in which his master is bound to instruct him. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One not well versed in a subject; a tyro.
[ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Old law) A barrister, considered a learner of law till of sixteen years' standing, when he might be called to the rank of serjeant. [ Obs. ] Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Apprenticed; p. pr. & vb. n. Apprenticing. ] To bind to, or put under the care of, a master, for the purpose of instruction in a trade or business. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. apprentissage. ] Apprenticeship. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Apprenticeship. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The service or condition of an apprentice; the state in which a person is gaining instruction in a trade or art, under legal agreement. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The time an apprentice is serving (sometimes seven years, as from the age of fourteen to twenty-one). [ 1913 Webster ]

{ }, a. [ p. p. appress, which is not in use. See Adpress. ] (Bot.) Pressed close to, or lying against, something for its whole length, as against a stem. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. informing by words.
Syn. -- telling, notifying, notification. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Apprised; p. pr. & vb. n. Apprising. ] [ F. appris, fem. apprise, p. p. apprendre to learn, to teach, to inform. Cf. Apprehend, Apprentice. ] To give notice, verbal or written; to inform; -- followed by of; as, we will apprise the general of an intended attack; he apprised the commander of what he had done. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Notice; information. [ Obs. ] Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Appraisal. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ The same as Appraise, only more accommodated to the English form of the L. pretiare. ] To appraise; to value; to appreciate. [ 1913 Webster ]