Aphractus

[Lat.] ( Antiq.) A ship, called also nav is apert a, which had no deck, but was merely covered with planks in the front and hinder part. The ships which had decks were called cataphract i, and tactæ or stratse. At the time of the Trojan war the Greek ships had no decks, but were only covered over in the prow and stern, which covering Homer calls the ikrianeos. Aph'rite, n. [Gr. aphros, froth.] ( Min.) A soft, friable carbonate f lime, found in the primary mountains, in layers. This mineral must not be confounded with meerschaum (sea-scum), which is an amorphous carbonate of magnesia. Aphrodisia, n . [Gr.] ( Antiq .) This name was given to festivals celebrated in honor of Aphrodite (Venus), in a great number of towns in Greece, but particularly in the island of Paphos. Her most ancient temple was at Paphos. No bloody sacrifices were allowed to be offered to her, but only pure fire, flowers, and incense. See VENUS.