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Ascococcus

A form of micrococcus, found in putrid meat infusions, occurring in peculiar masses, each of which is inclosed in a hyaline capsule and contains a large number of spherical micrococci.

ascolichen

a lichen in which the fungus component is an ascomycete.

ascoma

an ascocarp having the spore-bearing layer of cells (the hymenium) on a broad disklike receptacle.

ascomycete

any fungus of the class Ascomycetes (or subdivision Ascomycota) in which the spores are formed inside an ascus.

Ascomycetes

A large class of higher fungi distinguished by septate hyph/, and by having their spores formed in asci, or spore sacs; the sac fungi. It comprises many orders, among which are the yeasts, molds, mildews, truffles, morels, etc. The class is coextensive with the phylum Ascomycota.

Ascomycota

a phylum of higher fungi, coextensive with the class Ascomycetes. It comprises Hemiascomycetes; Plectomycetes; Pyrenomycetes; Discomycetessac fungi; in some classification systems it is considered a division of the kingdom Fungi.

Ascophyllum

a genus of brown algae distinguished by compressed or inflated branchlets along the axis.

Ascospore

One of the spores contained in the asci of lichens and fungi. [See Illust. of Ascus.]

ascot

a cravat with wide square ends, tied so that the ends are laid flat; the ends are often secured with an ornamental pin; -- called cravat in Britain.

Ascribable

Capable of being ascribed; attributable.

Ascribe

To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause; as, his death was ascribed to a poison; to ascribe an effect to the right cause; to ascribe such a book to such an author.

Ascription

The act of ascribing, imputing, or affirming to belong; also, that which is ascribed.

Ascus

A small membranous bladder or tube in which are inclosed the seedlike reproductive particles or sporules of lichens and certain fungi.

Asemia

Loss of power to express, or to understand, symbols or signs of thought.

Asepsis

State of being aseptic; the methods or processes of asepticizing.

Asexual

Having no distinct sex; without sexual action; as, asexual reproduction. See Fission and Gemmation.

Asexualization

The act or process of sterilizing an animal or human being, as by vasectomy.

Asexually

In an asexual manner; without sexual agency.

Ash

To strew or sprinkle with ashes.

Ash-colored

Of the color of ashes; a whitish gray or brownish gray.

Ash-fire

A low fire used in chemical operations.

ash-key

the winged seed of the ash tree.

ash-pan

a receptacle fitted beneath the grate in which ashes collect and are removed.

Ashamed

Affected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt, or a conviction or consciousness of some wrong action or impropriety.

ashcan

a bin that holds rubbish until it is collected.

Ashes

The earthy or mineral particles of combustible substances remaining after combustion, as of wood or coal.

Ashgabat

The capital city of Turkmenistan. Population (2000) = 518,000.

Ashler Ashlar

Hewn or squared stone; also, masonry made of squared or hewn stone.

Ashore

On shore or on land; on the land adjacent to water; to the shore; to the land; aground (when applied to a ship); -- sometimes opposed to aboard or afloat.

Ashtoreth

The principal female divinity of the Ph/nicians, as Baal was the principal male divinity.

Ashy

Pertaining to, or composed of, ashes; filled, or strewed with, ashes.

Asian

Of or pertaining to Asia; Asiatic. An Asiatic.

Asiarch

One of the chiefs or pontiffs of the Roman province of Asia, who had the superintendence of the public games and religious rites.

Asiatic

Of or pertaining to Asia or to its inhabitants. A native, or one of the people, of Asia.

Asiaticism

Something peculiar to Asia or the Asiatics.

Aside

Something spoken aside; as, a remark made by a stageplayer which the other players are not supposed to hear.

Asilus

A genus of large and voracious two-winged flies, including the bee killer and robber fly.

Asinine

Of or belonging to, or having the qualities of, the ass, as stupidity and obstinacy.

Asininity

The quality of being asinine; stupidity combined with obstinacy.

Asiphonate

Destitute of a siphon or breathing tube; -- said of many bivalve shells. An asiphonate mollusk.

Asitia

Want of appetite; loathing of food.

Ask

A water newt.

askant

toward the side, rather than directly ahead; -- used of a glance.

Askant Askance

Sideways; obliquely; with a side glance; with disdain, envy, or suspicion.

Asker

An ask; a water newt.

Askew

Awry; askance; asquint; oblique or obliquely; -- sometimes indicating scorn, or contempt, or entry.

Asking

The act of inquiring or requesting; a petition; solicitation.

ASL

same as American sign language, the sign language used in the US.

Aslake

To mitigate; to moderate; to appease; to abate; to diminish.

Aslant

In a slanting direction over; athwart.

Asleep

In a state of sleep; in sleep; dormant.

Aslope

Slopingly; aslant; declining from an upright direction; sloping.

Asmara

The capital city of Eritrea. Population (2000) = 400,000.

Asmonean

One of the Asmonean family. The Asmoneans were leaders and rulers of the Jews from 168 to 35 b. c.

Asomatous

Without a material body; incorporeal.

Asp

A small, hooded, poisonous serpent of Egypt and adjacent countries, whose bite is often fatal. It is the Naja haje. The name is also applied to other poisonous serpents, esp. to Vipera aspis of southern Europe. See Haje.

Asp Aspen

One of several species of poplar bearing this name, especially the Populus tremula, so called from the trembling of its leaves, which move with the slightest impulse of the air.

Aspalathus

A thorny shrub yielding a fragrant oil. A genus of plants of the natural order Leguminos/. The species are chiefly natives of the Cape of Good Hope.

Asparagaceae

one of many families or subfamilies into which some classification systems subdivide the Liliaceae: includes genera Asparagus and sometimes Ruscus.

Asparagine

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.

Asparaginous

Pertaining or allied to, or resembling, asparagus; having shoots which are eaten like asparagus; as, asparaginous vegetables.

Asparagus

A genus of perennial plants belonging to the natural order Liliace/, and having erect much branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are sometimes mistaken for leaves. Asparagus racemosus is a shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers. Specifically: The Asparagus officinalis, a species cultivated in gardens.

aspartame

an artificial sweetener containing an aspartic acid peptide, (C14H18N2O5); it is 160 times sweeter than sucrose (cane sugar) and is used as a calorie-free sweetener. Chemically it is N-L-/-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester. It is sold also under the trade name Equal.

Aspartic

Pertaining to, or derived, asparagine; as, aspartic acid.

Aspen

Of or pertaining to the aspen, or resembling it; made of aspen wood.

Asper

A Turkish money of account (formerly a coin), of little value; the 120th part of a piaster.

Asperation

The act of asperating; a making or becoming rough.

Asperges

The service or ceremony of sprinkling with holy water. The brush or instrument used in sprinkling holy water; an aspergill.

Aspergilliform

Resembling the aspergillum in form; as, an aspergilliform stigma.

Aspergillum Aspergill

The brush used in the Roman Catholic church for sprinkling holy water on the people.

Asperity

Roughness of surface; unevenness; -- opposed to smoothness.

Asperse

To sprinkle, as water or dust, upon anybody or anything, or to besprinkle any one with a liquid or with dust.

Aspersed

Having an indefinite number of small charges scattered or strewed over the surface.

Asperser

One who asperses; especially, one who vilifies another.

Aspersion

A sprinkling, as with water or dust, in a literal sense.

Aspersive

Tending to asperse; defamatory; slanderous.

Aspersorium

The stoup, basin, or other vessel for holy water in Roman Catholic churches.

Asphalt

To cover with asphalt; as, to asphalt a roof; asphalted streets.

Asphalte

Asphaltic mastic or cement. See Asphalt, 2.

Asphaltic

Pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing, asphalt; bituminous.

Asphaltum Asphalt

Mineral pitch, Jews' pitch, or compact native bitumen. It is brittle, of a black or brown color and high luster on a surface of fracture; it melts and burns when heated, leaving no residue. It occurs on the surface and shores of the Dead Sea, which is therefore called Asphaltites, or the Asphaltic Lake. It is found also in many parts of Asia, Europe, and America. See Bitumen.

Asphodel

A general name for a plant of the genus Asphodelus. The asphodels are hardy perennial plants, several species of which are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers.

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