a. [ L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf. F. absolu. See Absolve. ] 1. Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled; unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or command; absolute power; an absolute monarch. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as, absolute perfection; absolute beauty. [ 1913 Webster ]

So absolute she seems,
And in herself complete. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Viewed apart from modifying influences or without comparison with other objects; actual; real; -- opposed to relative and comparative; as, absolute motion; absolute time or space. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absolute rights and duties are such as pertain to man in a state of nature as contradistinguished from relative rights and duties, or such as pertain to him in his social relations. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Loosed from, or unconnected by, dependence on any other being; self-existent; self-sufficing. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense God is called the Absolute by the Theist. The term is also applied by the Pantheist to the universe, or the total of all existence, as only capable of relations in its parts to each other and to the whole, and as dependent for its existence and its phenomena on its mutually depending forces and their laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Capable of being thought or conceived by itself alone; unconditioned; non-relative. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It is in dispute among philosopher whether the term, in this sense, is not applied to a mere logical fiction or abstraction, or whether the absolute, as thus defined, can be known, as a reality, by the human intellect. [ 1913 Webster ]

To Cusa we can indeed articulately trace, word and thing, the recent philosophy of the absolute. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am absolute 't was very Cloten. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Authoritative; peremptory. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head,
With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Chem.) Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Gram.) Not immediately dependent on the other parts of the sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See Ablative absolute, under Ablative. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absolute curvature (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of double curvature, which is measured in the osculating plane of the curve. --
Absolute equation (Astron.), the sum of the optic and eccentric equations. --
Absolute space (Physics), space considered without relation to material limits or objects. --
Absolute terms. (Alg.), such as are known, or which do not contain the unknown quantity. Davies & Peck. --
Absolute temperature (Physics), the temperature as measured on a scale determined by certain general thermo-dynamic principles, and reckoned from the absolute zero. --
Absolute zero (Physics), the be ginning, or zero point, in the scale of absolute temperature. It is equivalent to -273° centigrade or -459.4° Fahrenheit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Positive; peremptory; certain; unconditional; unlimited; unrestricted; unqualified; arbitrary; despotic; autocratic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Geom.) In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being absolute; independence of everything extraneous; unlimitedness; absolute power; independent reality; positiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. absolution, L. absolutio, fr. absolvere to absolve. See Absolve. ] 1. An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense. “Government . . . granting absolution to the nation.” Froude. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Civil Law) An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring and accused person innocent. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (R. C. Ch.) The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins of the truly penitent are forgiven. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the English and other Protestant churches, this act regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting forgiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Eccl.) An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, -- for example, excommunication. P. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The form of words by which a penitent is absolved. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Delivery, in speech. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absolution day (R. C. Ch.), Tuesday before Easter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The state of being absolute; the system or doctrine of the absolute; the principles or practice of absolute or arbitrary government; despotism. [ 1913 Webster ]

The element of absolutism and prelacy was controlling. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Theol.) Doctrine of absolute decrees. Ash. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who is in favor of an absolute or autocratic government. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Metaph.) One who believes that it is possible to realize a cognition or concept of the absolute. Sir. W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to absolutism; arbitrary; despotic; as, absolutist principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to absolutism; absolutist. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. absolutorius, fr. absolvere to absolve. ] Serving to absolve; absolving. “An absolutory sentence.” Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. That may be absolved. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Conferring absolution; absolutory. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Absolved p. pr. & vb. n. Absolving. ] [ L. absolvere to set free, to absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See Assoil, Solve. ] 1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the sin or guilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

In his name I absolve your perjury. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To finish; to accomplish. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The work begun, how soon absolved. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To resolve or explain. [ Obs. ] “We shall not absolve the doubt.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To Absolve, Exonerate, Acquit. We speak of a man as absolved from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a person as exonerated, when he is released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted of all participation in the crime. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. absolvens, p. pr. of absolvere. ] Absolving. [ R. ] Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An absolver. [ R. ] Hobbes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who absolves. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Anisic + -ol. ] (Chem.) Methyl phenyl ether, C6H5.O.CH3, got by distilling anisic acid or by the action of methide on potassium phenolate. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Opposite to the sun; -- said of the point in the heavens 180° distant from the sun. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A solution used as a vehicle in applying bronze pigments. In addition to acetote, benzine, and a little pyroxylin, it contains amyl acetate, which gives it the odor of bananas. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ Basi- + solute, a. ] (Bot.) Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Pharm.) Guaiacol benzoate, used as an intestinal antiseptic and as a substitute for creosote in phthisis. It is a colorless crystalline pewder. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

A black soldier of the United States army who served in the American west in the late 1800's, often as an indian fighter, and usually as part of an all-black troop; -- the name was given by the indians due to their their kinky hair, and the name was believed also to be a compliment on their courage. [ PJC ]

n. [ Gr.&unr_; See flax + -lite. ] (Min.) An olive-green fibrous variety of hornblende. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. See chemise. ] 1. A short dressing jacket for women. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A kind of straitjacket. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. ] a box, or vase, with a perforated cover to emit perfumes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. chrysolithos, Gr. &unr_;; chryso`s gold + &unr_; stone: cf. F. chrysolithe. ] (Min.) A mineral, composed of silica, magnesia, and iron, of a yellow to green color. It is common in certain volcanic rocks; -- called also olivine and peridot. Sometimes used as a gem. The name was also early used for yellow varieties of tourmaline and topaz. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. chryso`s gold + -logy. ] That branch of political economy which relates to the production of wealth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A consolidated annuity (see Consols); -- chiefly in combination or attributively. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ L. consolabilis: cf. F. consolable. ] Capable of receiving consolation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. consolatus, p. p. See Console, v. t. ] To console; to comfort. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. consolatio: cf. F. consolation. ] The act of consoling; the state of being consoled; allevation of misery or distress of mind; refreshment of spirit; comfort; that which consoles or comforts the spirit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Against such cruelties
With inward consolations recompensed. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Are the consolations of God small with thee? Job xv. 11.

Syn. -- Comfort; solace; allevation. See Comfort. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ [ It., the consulate of the sea. ] A collection of maritime laws of disputed origin, supposed to have been first published at Barcelona early in the 14th century. It has formed the basis of most of the subsequent collections of maritime laws. Kent. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who consoles or comforts. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. consolatorius. ] Of a consoling or comforting nature. [ 1913 Webster ]

The punishment of tyrants is a noble and awful act of justice; and it has with truth been said to be consolatory to the human mind. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which consoles; a speech or writing intended for consolation. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Consoled p. pr. & vb. n. Consoling. ] [ L. consolari, . p. p. consolatus; con- + solari to console, comfort: cf. F. consoler. See Solace. ] To cheer in distress or depression; to alleviate the grief and raise the spirits of; to relieve; to comfort; to soothe. [ 1913 Webster ]

And empty heads console with empty sound. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am much consoled by the reflection that the religion of Christ has been attacked in vain by all the wits and philosophers, and its triumph has been complete. P. Henry.

Syn. -- To comfort; solace; soothe; cheer; sustain; encourage; support. See Comfort. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ] 1. (Arch.) (a) A bracket whose projection is not more than half its height. (b) Any small bracket; also, a console table. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Computers) The keyboard and monitor of a computer considered together. [ GG ]

3. (Engineering) The controlling portion of an electrical, electronic, or mechanical device or system, from which the operator may observe the state of the system as indicated by gauges or on some form of display{ n3 }, and may direct or control the action of the system. [ GG +PJC ]

4. the desklike controlling unit of an organ containing the keyboard, pedals, stops, etc. by means of which the organ is played. [ PJC ]

5. a home entertainment device such as a television, radio, phonograph, CD player, or combination of these, designed as a piece of furniture, to stand on the floor rather than on a table or in a separate cabinet; -- also used attributively in the phrase console model. [ PJC ]

Console table, a table whose top is supported by two or more consoles instead of legs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who gives consolation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. consolidans, p. pr. of consolidare: cf. F. consolidant. ] Serving to unite or consolidate; having the quality of consolidating or making firm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. consolidatus, p. pr. of consolidare to make firm; con- + solidare to make firm; solidus solid. See Solid, and cf. Consound. ] Formed into a solid mass; made firm; consolidated. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A gentleman [ should learn to ride ] while he is tender and the brawns and sinews of his thighs not fully consolidate. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Consolidated p. pr. & vb. n. Consolidating ] 1. To make solid; to unite or press together into a compact mass; to harden or make dense and firm. [ 1913 Webster ]

He fixed and consolidated the earth. T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To unite, as various particulars, into one mass or body; to bring together in close union; to combine; as, to consolidate the armies of the republic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Consolidating numbers into unity. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Surg.) To unite by means of applications, as the parts of a broken bone, or the lips of a wound. [ R. ]

Syn. -- To unite; combine; harden; compact; condense; compress. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To grow firm and hard; to unite and become solid; as, moist clay consolidates by drying. [ 1913 Webster ]

In hurts and ulcers of the head, dryness maketh them more apt to consolidate. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. & a. 1. Made solid, hard, or compact; united; joined; solidified. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Aggregate Fund . . . consisted of a great variety of taxes and surpluses of taxes and duties which were [ in 1715 ] consolidated. Rees. [ 1913 Webster ]

A mass of partially consolidated mud. Tyndall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Having a small surface in proportion to bulk, as in the cactus. [ 1913 Webster ]

Consolidated plants are evidently adapted and designed for very dry regions; in such only they are found. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Consolidated Fund, a British fund formed by consolidating (in 1787) three public funds (the Aggregate Fund, the General Fund, and the South Sea Fund). In 1816, the larger part of the revenues of Great Britian and Ireland was assigned to what has been known as the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, out of which are paid the interest of the national debt, the salaries of the civil list, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. consolidatio a confirming: cf. F. consolidation. ] 1. The act or process of consolidating, making firm, or uniting; the state of being consolidated; solidification; combination. [ 1913 Webster ]

The consolidation of the marble and of the stone did not fall out at random. Woodward. [ 1913 Webster ]

The consolidation of the great European monarchies. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) To organic cohesion of different circled in a flower; adnation. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The combination of several actions into one. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. consolidatif. ] Tending or having power to consolidate; healing. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Adapted to console or comfort; cheering; as, this is consoling news. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ A contraction of consolidated (annuities). ] The leading British funded government security. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A considerable part of the public debt of Great Britian, which had been contracted in the form of annuities yielding various rates of interest, was, in 1757, consolidated into one fund at 3 per cent interest, the account of which is kept at the Bank of England. This debt has been diminished and increased at different times, and now constitutes somewhat more than half of the entire national debt. The stocks are transferable, and their value in the market constantly fluctuates; the price at any time being regarded as a gauge of the national prosperity and public confidence. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a steroid hormone (C21H30O5) active in carbohydrate and protein metabolism; -- called also hydrocortisone. It is used in medicine as an antiinflammatory agent
Syn. -- hydrocortisone. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Creosote + phenol. ] (Chem.) A colorless liquid resembling phenol or carbolic acid, homologous with pyrocatechin, and obtained from beechwood tar and gum guaiacum. [ Written also creasol. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Creosote. ] (Chem.) Any one of three metameric substances, CH3.C6H4.OH, homologous with and resembling phenol. They are obtained from coal tar and wood tar, and are colorless, oily liquids or solids. [ Called also cresylic acid. ] [ 1913 Webster ]