Abderian (abderian), or Abderite (abderite)

[From Abdera, a town of Thrace, the inhabitants of which were regarded as very stupid, yet from among them sprung the philosophers Demo crit us and Prot agoras.] Pertaining (1) to Abdera; (2) te ince ant laughter, from Demo crit us, who was known as "the laughing philosopher." Used also substantively. ǎb-děst, s. [Pers. ab =water; dest = hand.] The Mohammedan ceremony of washing the hands as a religious duty. • Abdevenham (Ab-dev-en-hạm). Astrol. The head of the twelfth house in scheme of the heavens.