amplifier (amplifier)

1. One who amplifies or enlarges. That great citie Rome, whereof they [Romulus and Remus] were the first amplifiers . Bp . Bale , English Votaries, ii. 3. There are amplifiers who can extend half a dozen thin thoughts over a whole folio. Art of Sinking in Poetry , p. 89. 2. A lens placed in the tube of a microscope between the object-gla and the eyepiece. See microscope . The Amplifier is an achromatic concavo-convex lens of small diameter. W. B. Carpenter, Micros., § 82. amplitude amplify (am'pli-fi), v.; p ), v.; pret. and and pp. amplified, ppr. amplifying. [ All concaves... do amplify the sound at the coming out. Bacon, Nat. Hist., § 140. "Troilus and Cre ida" was written by a Lombard auDryden, Pref. to Fables. thor, but much amplified by our English translator. 2. To expand in stating or describing; treat copiously, so as to present in every point of view and in the strongest lights. I would not willingly seem to flatter the present [age] by amplifying the diligence and true judgment of those servitours who have laboured in the vineyard. Sir J. Davies . =Syn. To expand, develop, extend, dilate, magnify. II. in trans. 1t. To grow or become ample or more ample. Strait was the way at first, withouten light, But further in did further amplify . Fairfax, tr. of Ta o, x. 186. 2. To discourse more at length; speak largely or copiously; be diffuse in argument or description; expatiate; dilate: commonly with on or upon before an object: as, to amplify on the several topics of discourse. You will find him A sharp and subtle knave; give him but hints, And he will amplify . Fletcher , Spanish Curate, iv. 2. When you affect to amplify on the former branches of a discourse, you will often lay a nece ity on yourself of contracting the latter. Watts , Logic. Amp ligula res (am"pli-gū-lā'rēz), n . pl . [NL., amplus , large, + gula , throat: see ample and gula , gular .] In Sun devall's cla ification of birds, a cohort of Anisodactyl i , of an order Volucres , composed of the families Trogonidæ or trogons, Caprimulgidæ or goatsuckers, and Cур selidæ or swifts: synonymous with Hiantes , 2. Amp lip alates (ampli-pa-lā'tēz), n . pl. [NL., amplus , large, + palatum , palate: see am ple and palate .] In Sun devall's cla ification of birds, a group of fringilline oscine Pa eres , consisting of the grosbeaks and typical finches. amplitude (am'pli-tud), n. [L. amplitudo , amplus , large: see ample and -tude.] 1. The state or quality of being ample in size; extension in space, especially breadth or width; largene ; extent. It is in the power of princes and estates to add ampli tude and greatne to their kingdoms. Bacon , E ays, xxxix. The cathedral of Lincoln.. is a magnificent structure, proportionable to the amplitude of the diocese. Fuller , Worthies, Lincoln shire. 2. The state of being ample in amount; breadth in a figurative sense; fullne ; abundance; copiousne . It is in those things... that the amplitude of the Di vine benignity is perceived. Paley , Nat. Theol. (ed. 1879), p. 412. (N. E. D.) 3. Largene of mind; extent of mental capacity or of intellectual power; breadth of thought. If our times are sterile in genius, we must cheer us with books of rich and believing men who had atmosphere and amplitude about them. Emerson , Books. 4. In math.: (a) In algebra , a positive real number multiplied by a root of unity. The positive real number is said to be the ampli tude of the product. (b) In elliptic integrals , the limit of integration when the integral is expre ed in the usual trigonometric form.-5. In astron ., the arc of the horizon intercepted between the east or west point and the center of the sun or of a star at its rising or setting. At the rising of a star its amplitude is eastern or ortive; at the setting it is western, occiduous or occasive. It is also northern or southern when north or south of the equator. The amplitude of a fixed star remains nearly the same all the year round. The sun at the solstices is at its maximum amplitude, and at the equinoxes it has no amplitude. - Amplitude compa , an azimuth compa whose zeros of graduation are at the east and west points, to facilitate the reading of the amplitudes of celestial bodies. - Amplitude of a simple oscillation or vibration, properly, the distance from the middle to the extremity of an oscillation; but the term is usually applied to the distance from one extremity of the swing to the other.- Amplitude of the range of a projectile, the horizontal line subtending the path of a body thrown, or the line which measures the distance it has moved; the range. - Hyperbolic or Gudermannian amplitude of any quantity u, the angle whose tangent is the hyperbolic sine of u . Magnetical amplitude, the arc of the horizon between the sun or a star at rising or setting and the east or west point of the horizon, ampongue (am-pong'), n. [F. spelling of na- palace tive name.] A native name of the ava hi or woolly lemur of Madagascar. ampult (am'pul), n. [Early mod. E. also am- pulle , ampoule , ampell, ample , ampulle , ampoule , ampolle , ampole , partly ampulla , ampolla , ampella , a bottle, flask, vial (= OHG. ampulla, MHG. ampulle , ampel , G. ampel , a lamp, = Icel. ampli , hömpull , a jug, = Dan. ampel , a hanging flower-pot), and partly ampole , ampoule , F. ampoule = Sp. ampolla , a bottle, bubble, blister, = Pg. ampulla , ampulla, am- poll a , * ampolha , a bubble, blister, = It. ampolla , ampulla , a bottle, flask, etc.: see ampulla , which has superseded the older form.] Same as ampulla , 2 ( b ). Ampulex (am'pū-leks), n. [NL., am -for ambi- (?) + pulex , a flea.] A genus of digger- wasps, of the family Sphegida , giving name to the Ampulicidæ . A. sibirica is an example. Ampulicidæ (am-pu-lis'i-dē), n. pl. [NL., Ampulex ( -ic- ) + -ida.] A family of fo orial hymenopterous insects, named from the genus Ampulex . ampulla (am-pul'ä), n .; pl. ampulla (-ē). [L., a swelling ve el with two handles, prob. an accom. form of * ampholla , dim. of amphora : see amphora.] 1. In Rom . antiq ., a bottle with a narrow neck and a body more or le nearly globular in shape, usually made of gla or earthenware, rarely of more valuable mate- rials, and used, like the Greek aryballos, bom- bylios, etc., for carrying oil for anointing the body and for many other purposes. - 2. Eccles .: (a) In the Rom. Cath. Ch., a cruet, regularly made of transparent gla , for holding the wine and water used at the altar. See ama . Also written amula . (b) A ve el for holding the consecrated oil or chrism used in various church Thus is formed one of the characteristic ampullaceous W. B. Carpenter , Micros., § 509. Ampul lacer a (am-pu-las'e-rä), n. [NL., ampulla (see ampulla ) + Gr. κέρας , horn.] Same as Amphibola . Quoy and Gaimard , 1832. amputates. Ampul lace ride (am-pul-a-ser'i-dē), n. pl. ampyx (am'piks), n.; pl. ampyxes , ampyces (-ez, [NL., Ampul lacer a + -ida .] Same as Amphi --pi-sēz). [ Troschel , 1845. ampullæ, п . Plural of ampulla . ampullar (am-pul'är), a . Same as ampullary . Ampullar i a (am-pu-lā'ri-ä), n. [NL., am- pullarius , fem. of L. adj.: see ampullary .] Α genus of shell-bearing gastropods, typical of the family Ampullariida . Lamarck , 1801. Ampullar i ace a (am-pu-lā-ri-a ́sē-ä), n. pl . [NL., Ampullar i a + -ace a .] A family of gas- tropods: synonymous with Ampullariida . ampullariid (am-pu-lar'i-id), n. A gastropod of the family Ampullariida . Ampullariidæ (am-pul-a-ri'i-dē), n. pl . [NL., Ampullar i a + -idæ.] A family of tænioglos- IMG:content-0670.png:[blocks in formation] Ampullar i inæ (am-pu-lā-ri-i'nē), n . pl . [NL., Ampullar i a + -ina .] The Ampullariidæ rated as a subfamily. Also written Ampullar in a . Swains on , 1840. ampullary (am'pul-a-ri), a. [L. ampullar i us , n., a flask-maker, prop. adj., ampulla , a flask: see ampulla .] Resembling an ampulla; globu- lar. Also ampullar . ampul late (am-pul'ật), a. [ am pull at us , ampulla : see ampulla .] 1. Having the character of an ampulla; ampullary.-2. Fur- nished with an ampulla. am pulli form (am-pul'i-fôrm), a. [L. ampulla +-i - form.] Shaped like an ampulla; flask- shaped; bulging; dilated. am pulling-cloth (am-pul'ing-kloth), n. [So called because in England the oil was anciently kept in an ampulla; ampul + -ing + cloth .] In the Rom . Cath . Ch., a cloth with which to wipe away the oil used in administering the am pull inula (am-pu-lin ū-lä), n.; pl. am pull in- ulæ (-lē). [NL., L. ampulla + -in-a + dim. -ula.] A stage in the evolution of the Carneo- spongiæ when the lateral ampullæ are first formed. This stage. we propose to call the Am pull inula , be- cause the name protospongiæ, as defined by Haeckel,. is not applicable to such an advanced form as this. Ampulla ampullosity (am-pu-los'i-ti), n. [ It . ampol- los ità , ampul los it a ( t- ) s , turgidity, bom- bast, ampul los us : see ampullous .] Inflated language; bombast; turgidity. Sometimes written ampollosity . shaped organ at- tached to the roots Ends of two semicircular Canals, with their respective Ampullæ. or immersed leaves of some aquatic plants, as in Utricularia (which see).-6. In zool .: (a) In Vermes , a terminal As the man's own bubble [his speech), let alone its spite? am pull oust (am-pul'us), a . [= It. ampolloso , ampul los us , turgid, inflated, pull a , a flask, fig. swelling words, bombast.] Boastful; vainglorious; inflated or turgid in language. N. E. D. amputate (am'pū-tāt), v. t.; pret. and pp. am- putated , ppr. amputating . [ IMG:content-0671.png:[graphic] amt. A contraction of amount . amtman (amt'man), n.; pl. amtmen (-men). [ Norw.amtmand , amt (see above) + mand = Sw. man = E. man .] The chief execu- tive officer of an amt. amuck (a-muk'), a . or adv . [First used in Pg. form, amouco , amuco , as a noun, a frenzied Ma- lay; afterward amuck , amock , amok , almost ex- clusively in the phrase run amuck ; amoq , adj., "engaging furiously in battle, attacking with desperate resolution, rushing in a state of frenzy to the commi ion of indiscriminate murder: applied to any animal in a state of vicious rage" (Marsden, Malay Dict.).] Liter- ally, in a state of murderous frenzy; in disc rim- inately slaughtering or killing: a term used in the Eastern Archipelago. In English formerly as a noun, but now only as an adjective or quasi-adverb in the phrase to run amuck . Also written amock , amok . - To run Satire's my weapon, but I'm too discreet To run a - muck , and tilt at all I meet. IMG:content-0672.png:[blocks in formation] =Syn. 3. Amuse , Divert, Entertain, Beguile , occupy, am ye len cephalous (a-mi"e-len-sef'a-lus), a. please, enliven. Amuse may imply merely the prevention of the tedium of idlene or emptine of mind: as, I can myself by looking out at the window; may suggest a stronger interest: as, I was greatly amused by their tricks. Divert is to turn the attention aside, and (in the use considered here) to something light or mirthful. Entertain is to engage and sustain the attention by some lectures, exhibitions, etc., designed to interest in this way. "Whatever amuses serves to kill time, to lull the faculties and banish reflection; it may be solitary, sedentary, and flat err as smith laughter; it will be active, lively, and tumultuous: what- ever entertains acts on the senses and awakens the under- standing; it must be rational and is mostly social." Crabb . Beguile is, figuratively, to cheat one out of wearine , of dull time, etc. The word is as often thus applied to the thing as to the person: as, to beguile a weary hour; to be- guile one of his cares. amule (am'ül), n. Same as amyl2 . amulet (am'ū-let), n. [Formerly also amulette , late ME. amalette , amlette, amulette = Sp. Pg. It. amuleto = D. G. Dan. Sw. amulet = Ru . amuletű , etc., amuletum (in Pliny), a word of un- known origin.) Some object su- perstitiously worn as a remedy for or preservative against dis- ease, bad luck, accidents, witch- craft, etc. Amulets have been used from ancient times, and are still worn in many parts of the world. They con- sist of certain stones, or plants, or of bits of metal, parchment, or paper, with or without mystic characters or words. The gospels and saints' relics have been used in this way. The Mohammedans use diminutive copies of the Koran hung around the neck. From the heathen Amulets: 1, from and the Jews the custom pa ed into the Vatican; 2, the primitive Christian church, where it from a private col- was long maintained in spite of the delection. crees of ecclesiastical councils and the protests of the more intelligent clergy. Amulets of va- rio us forms have been found in the catacombs, many of HOY CC I am careful... to amuse you by the account of all I Lady Montagu, Letters, I. 110. ( N. E. D. ) The stage its ancient fury thus let fall, And comedy diverted without gall. Or in some pathle wilderne amusing , Plucking the mo y bark of some old tree. Lee, Lucius Junius Brutus. amusee (a-mū-zē'), n. [ Carlyle . [Rare.] amusement (a-mūz'ment), n. [F. amusement: see amuse and- ment .]" 11. Absorbing thought; meditation; musing; reverie. Here I... fell into a strong and deep amusement , re- volving in my mind, with great perplexity, the amazing change of our affairs. Bp . Fleet wood , Pref. to Lay Baptism. 2. The state of being amused; mental enjoy- = Syn. 3. Entertainment , Diversion, etc. (see pastime ), amuser (a-mū'zėr), n . One who amuses; one who provides diversion. amusette (am-u-zet'), n. [F. (dim. of * amuse ), a light gun, a toy, amusement, amuser , amuse.] A light field-cannon, invented by Marshal Saxe, designed for outpost service. Larou e . amusingly (a-mu'zing-li), adv . In an amusing IMG:content-0673.png:[blocks in formation] Words worth, Excursion, v. Howells, A Modern Instance, xxii. amusively (a-mūʼziv-li), adv . In an amusive amuse (a-mūz'), v.; pret. and pp. amused , ppr. amusing. [Early mod. E. also amuze , ammuse , ammuze ; amuser , ad , to) + OF. muser, stare, gaze fixedly, > E. muse2, q. v.] I. trans. 1t. To cause to muse; absorb or en- gage in meditation; occupy or engage wholly; bewilder; puzzle. He amused his followers with idle promises. Johnson. Bishop Henry amused her with dubious answers, and kept her in suspense for some days. Swift , King Stephen. 3. To fix the attention of agreeably; engage the fancy of; cause to feel cheerful or merry; entertain; divert: as, to amuse an audience with anecdotes or tricks, or children with toys. A group of mountaineer children amusing themselves with pushing stones from the top. W. Gilpin, Tour of the Lakes. amusivene (a-mūʼziv-nes), n. The quality of being amusive, or of being fitted to afford amusement. amyt, n. [ amy , ami , ami , m., amie , f., amicus , m., amica , f., a friend: see amiable, am or. So the fem. per- sonal name Amy , which is, however, partly F. Aimée , amata , fem. of amatus , beloved, pp . of amare , love.] A friend. "Thou bel amy , thou pardoner," he seyde. Chaucer, Prol. to Pardoner's Tale, 1. 32. Amyclæan (am-i-klē'an), a . [L. Amyclœus , Gr. Αμυκλαίος, Amycla , Gr. Αμύκλαι .] Of or per- taining to Amyclæ, an ancient town of Laconia, Greece, or to a town of the same name in La- tium, or to the inhabitants of either. According to one tradition the inhabitants of the former city, or ac- cording to another those of the latter, were so frequently alarmed by false rumors of invasion that a law was made prohibiting all mention of the subject. The result was that the invasion came no alarm was given, and the city was taken; hence the phrase Amyclæan silence. - Amyclæan brothers, Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus and Leda, born, according to one form of the legend, at Amyclæ in Laconia. amyelotrophy (a-mi-e-lot'ro-fi), n . αμυελος , marrowle (see amyelous ), + -τροφία, τρέφειν , nourish.] Atrophy of the spinal cord. amyelous (a-mi'e-lus), a. [ amyelus , myelon .] Without spinal mar- row: in teratol ., applied to a fetus which lacks amyelus (a-mi'e-lus), n.; pl. amyeli (-lī). [NL.: see amyelous .] In teratol . , a monster charac- terized by the absence of the spinal cord. a my encephalous (a-mi-en-sef'a a-lus), a. A con- traction of am ye len cephalous . amygdalt (a-mig'dal), n. [ amygdel , AS. amygdal , an almond, amygdala : see amyg- dal a .] 1. An almond.-2. A tonsil. amygdala (a-mig'da-lä), n .; pl. amygdalæ (-lē). [L., an almond; ML. and NL., a tonsil: see al- mond.] 1. An almond.-2. A tonsil.-3. A small rounded lobule of the cerebellum on its under side.-4. A small ma of gray matter in front of the end of the descending cornu of the lateral ventricle of the brain. Also called the amygdaloid nucleus .-5. [ cap .] In zool.: ( a ) A genus of echinoderms. (b) A genus of mol- lusks. amygdalaceous (a-mig-da-lā'shius), a. [L. amygdal ace us, similar to the almond-tree, amygdala , almond: see almond.] Akin to the almond: as, amygdalaceous plants. amygdalæ, n. Plural of amygdala . amygdalate (a-mig'da-lat), a. and n. [ amygdala , almond, + -atel.] I. a. Pertaining to, resembling, or made of almonds. IMG:content-0674.png:[blocks in formation] amygdaloid (a-mig'da-loid), a. and n. ἀμυγδάλη, almond (see almond ), + εἶδος, form.] I. a. 1. Al- mond-shaped. -2. Pertaining to or resem- bling amygda- loid.-3. Per- taining to the amygdalæ; ton- silar. - Amygda- loid nucleus. See amygdala , 4.- Amygdaloid tu- bercle, a prom i- nence in the roof of the terminal por- An Amygdaloid (Diabase) with calcite nodules or amygdules. tion of the descending cornu of the lateral ventricle of the brain, formed by the amygdaloid nucleus. amygdaloid [ amygd ( ala ) + Of wheat is made amyl . B. Googe , tr. of Heresbach's Husb., p. 27 b. ( N. E. D. )