apricot 
It grows wild ill the Himalayas utiil Northwestern Prov- 
inces of India, where its fruit is -nthnrd in great quanti- 
ties. Itwu Introduced into Knglaudiu l:">24, liytliev 
er of Henry VIII. The tree rises to the height of from 1.". 
to 20 and even :10 feet, anil its tlowcrs upp<-:ir In/forc its 
leaves. In cultivation it is often propagated l>y budding 
upon plum-stocks. There is a eonsiileralde niiiiilier of vii- 
rifties, some of them with sweet kernels which may IK- 
i-alen like almonds. The wild apricot of the \\Yst Indie.-, 
is the .MiiMiinn AiiH'riniiut; that of (liiiana. tin- Courou 
l>itii Uir/ii/tt'tt*;*. Korlni-rlv ;il-o ^ix-ll^t nffi'-'n-l:. 
April (a'pril), M. [< ME. Aprilt; Aprille, etc. 
(AS. rarely Aprelis), also and earlier Arrril, 
Averel, Averytte, < OF. Arrill, F. Ami = J'r. Sp. 
Pg. Abril = It. Aprils = I). April = MHG. 
Ai>rill<; .Ihrillc, Abrelle, A/nill. G. .I/nil = Dan. 
Sw. April, < L. Aprilin (sc. iiii-imiy, month), 
April; usually, but fancifully, regarded as if 
< "apcrilin, < iiperirt; open, as the month when 
the earth 'opens' to produce new fruits: see 
aperient.] The fourth mouth of the year, con- 
taining thirty days. With poets, April is the tjpe "f 
ineonstuney, from the changeableness of its weather. 
April fOOL See./Wt. 
a priori (a pri-o'ri). [L., from something prior 
or going before: for HO, from; priori, abl. of 
prinr, neut. prian, preceding: see prior, a."] 
From the former; from that which precedes; 
hence, from antecedent to consequent, from con- 
dition to conditioned, or from cause to effect. 
Since the fourteenth century, the phrase tlt'iiu'iislntlin u 
priori (first found in Albert of Saxony, died 131)0) has 
been commonly employed, instead of the earlier expres- 
sion di'ittuntitratio pfouter tfttid, to mean proof proceeding' 
from causes or first principles : opposed to detnonntratio 
a posteriori, or denn>n*tf'itn, '/nin, which proceeds from ef- 
fect to cause, and simply proves the fact without show- 
ing why it must be as it is. In the eighteenth century de- 
monstratio a priori was applied to reasoning from a given 
notion to the conditions which such notion involves. But 
since Kaut, a priori, used as an adjective and frequently 
placed before the noun, has been applied to cognitions 
which, though they may come to us in experience, have 
their origin in the nature of the mind, and are independent 
ol experience. 
Demonstration is perfect, when it proceedeth from the 
proper cause to the effect, called of the scholemen, " 
/;/<;.. Blundeville, Arte of Logicke (1599), vi. 19. 
Thus when we argue from the ideas we have of immen- 
sity, eternity, necessary existence, and the like, that such 
perfections can reside but in one being, and thence con- 
clude that there can be but one supreme God, . . . this is 
an argument a priori. Clarke. 
General truths, which at the same time bear the charac- 
ter of an inward necessity, must be independent of experi- 
enceclear and certain by themselves. They are there- 
fore called a priori, while that which is simply taken from 
experience is said to be, in ordinary parlance, known a 
posteriori or empirically only. 
Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, tr. by Max Muller. 
As used in a psychological sense, knowledge a posteriori 
is a synonym for knowledge empirical, or from experience ; 
ami, consequently, is adventitious to the mind, as subse- 
quent to, and in consequence of, the exercise of its facul- 
ties of observation. Knowledge a priori, on the contrary, 
called likewise native, pure, or transcendental knowledge, 
embraces those principles which, as the condition of the 
exercise of its faculties of observation and thought, are, 
consequently, not the result of that exercise. True it is 
that, chronologically considered, our a priori is not ante- 
cedent to our a posteriori knowledge ; for the internal con- 
ditions of experience can only operate when an object of 
experience has been presented. Sir W. Hamilton. 
A priori philosopher, a philosopher who believes in the 
existence of a priori cognition in the Kantian sense of the 
term ; an apriorist. 
apriorism (a-pri-6'rizm), n. [< a priori, as adj., 
T -ism.'} 1. A principle assumed as if known 
a priori : used in a depreciatory sense. 
Unwarrantable a-priorigms, . . . pure unproved as- 
sumptions. The American, VIII. 106. 
2. A priori reasoning, as characteristic of a 
phase of thought or of a thinker, 
apriorist (a-pri-6'rist), n. [< a priori, as adj., 
T -ist. ] One who believes in the existence of 
a priori cognition in the Kantian sense of the 
term. See a priori. 
This will be disputed by the apriorists. 
G. H. Lewes, Probs. of Life and Mind, I. i. 182. 
aprioristic (a-pri-o-ris'tik), a. 1. A priori. 
2. Having something of an a priori character: 
as, aprioristic reasoning or tendencies. [Rare.] 
apriority (a-pri-or'i-ti), n. [< a, priori + -ity.] 
In philos., the character of being underived from 
experience, or of being a priori. 
Aprocta (a-prok'ta), n. pi. [NL., neut. pi. of 
aproctus : see aproetmu.'] One of two divisions 
of the Turbellaria, in which the digestive cavity 
is cfecal, having no anal aperture : contrasted 
with Proetueha. See cut under Dendroca-la. 
aproctous (a-prok'tus), a. [< NL. aproctus, < 
Gr. <i- priv. + npuKTof, anus.] Having no anus; 
specifically, pertaining to or characteristic of 
the Aprocta. 
The aproctous condition, which persists in most of the 
Platyhelminthes, is passed through by these forms at an 
early stage in development. 
Gegenbaur, Comp. Anat. (trans.), p. 162. 
281 
apron (a'pruu or a'pern), n. [Early mod. E. also 
d/ii'i-ii, apuni, earlier xiipron, whence, by misdi- 
viding u iiiiprun as an apron, the loss of initial 
H, as in aitih'i'l, aiii/cr, orange, ourh, iim//iir, etc., 
< ME. napron, uaprun, naproniie, nnpcronn, < 
OF. itaperon (F. imppi-rini), < HU/K, im/i/ic (F. 
inip/i/', a cloth, table-cloth), < L. miippii, a 
cloth: see ntipi-ri/, iin/i/.iii. anil inii/i.] 1. A 
piece of apparel made in various ways for cov- 
ering the front of the person more or less com- 
pletely. It is ordinarily used while at work to kf-ji tin 
clothes clean or protect them from injury, for which pur- 
pose it is made of cotton or linen, or for blackniitli>. 
shoemakers, etc., of leather. Aprons of silk or other line 
material are sometimes worn by ladies as an article of dress 
or for ornament. An apron is also part of certain official 
costumes, as that of an Knglish bishop, and that of in 
masons and of members of other secret or friendly sori< t ii -. 
2. Anything resembling an apron in shape or 
use. (o) The leather covering used to protect the lower 
part of the person while riding in an open carriage. (&) A 
rectangular sheet of lead with a conical projection on the 
under side, used to cover the vent in heavy guns ;m<l lirld 
pieces. Also called cap. (c) A platform or Mooring of 
plank at the entrance of a dock ; the sill, (d) In carp.. 
the sill or lower part of a window, (e) A strip of lead 
which directs the (trip of a wall into a gutter. (/) A piece 
of leather or boarding used to conduct loose moving mate- 
rial past an opening, as grain in a separator. (//) Sheets 
of lead, or flashing, placed about skylights and at the in- 
tersection of dormer windows with the roof. (A) The fat 
skin covering the belly of a goose. (Provincial. I (i) In 
zuol., the abdomen of the brachyurous or short-tailed 
decapod crustaceans, as crabs : so called because it is 
folded under and closely applied to the thorax. Its width 
and general shape often distinguish the sexes. 
3. In ship-carp., a piece of curved timber 
placed in a ship just above the foremost end 
of the keel, to join together the several pieces 
of the stem. Also called stomach-piece. See 
cut under stem. 4. In mech., the piece that 
holds the cutting-tool of a plane. 5. Any 
device for protecting a surface of earth from 
the action of moving water. Examples of such 
devices are : (a) a mattress of brushwood and logs an- 
chored with stones, to protect river-banks from the action 
of the current ; (6) the planking or logs placed at the base 
of a sea-wall, to protect it from the scour of the waves ; 
(c) the platform which receives the water that falls over 
a dam or through a sluice. 
apron (a'prun or a'pern), t: t. [< apron, n.] 
To put an apron on ; furnish with an apron ; 
cover as with an apron. 
The cobbler aproned and the parson gowned. 
Pope, Essay on Man, iv. 197. 
aproneert (a-prun-er'), n. [< apron + -eer.] 
One who wears an apron ; a tradesman or shop- 
man; a mechanic: as, "some surly aproneer" 
Bp. Gauden, Tears of the Church, p. 238. 
apron-lining (a'prun-ir'ning), w. In joinery, 
tne piece of boarding which covers the rough 
apron-piece of a staircase. 
apron-man (a'prun-man), . A man who wears 
an apron; a laboring man or workman; a 
waiter or bar-tender. 
You have made good work, 
You, and your apron-men. Shak., Cor., iv. 6. 
apron-piece (a'prun-pes), n. In joinery, a piece 
of timber fixed into a wall and projecting hori- 
zontally, to support the carnage-pieces and 
joistings in the half-spaces or landing-places 
of a staircase. Also called pitching-piece. 
apron-roll (a'prun-rol), . In mach., a roll 
which gives motion to or which supports a 
traveling apron. 
The upward movement of the drum prevents the skin 
from being carried around the inner apron-roll. 
C. T. Davis, Leather, p. 316. 
apron-squiret, " Same as apple-squire. Nashe. 
(N. E. I).) 
apron-string (a'prun-string), . A string by 
which an apron is attached to the person. 
Apron-string hold, in law, a tenure of property through 
one's wife, orduring her lifetime alone. To be tied to a 
woman's apron-strings, to be bound to her as a child 
is bound to its mother-be unable to break away from her 
control or influence ; be kept subservient to her caprice. 
apropos (ap-ro-po'), adv., a., and n. [< F. apro- 
pos, to the purpose : A, to, with reference to, 
< L. ad, to ; propos, purpose, < L. propositum, 
a thing proposed: see purpose and propose.] 
I. adv. 1. To the purpose; opportunely; sea- 
sonably. 2. With reference or regard; in re- 
spect: followed by of. 
Suddenly, and d propos of nothing, asking him how it 
was possible for a man to have three godmothers. 
W. Black, Shandon Bells, xxxiii. 
3. With reference to that (a thing just men- 
tioned) ; by the way : used absolutely, to intro- 
duce an incidental observation. 
Mr. Brown is now busy upon his work. Apropoi, I 
heard very lately that my friend was the author of that 
fine little pamphlet that has so irretrievably spoiled the 
credit and sale of that vain simple book of Weston's. 
Wartntrton, To Kurd, Letter xvii. 
apse-chapel 
II. a. Opportune; seasonable; to the pur- 
pose; pertinent; happy: as. ;m iiprnpHB remark. 
III. . IVrtinency. | liarr. | 
Aprosmictus (aii-io's-niik'tus), w. [XL.,< Gr. 
atrpdo/UKTOff not associating, isolated, < u- priv. 
+ 9 1fp6ofUKTO\ , Verbs] ml.). <>t T/HIT///;. n r/, mingle 
with, associate, < ,-p.' . by, with, -f utyvfoai, 
mingle, mix: see >.] A genus of parra- 
keets. [[ iiirlmli s .I. ><</' l'i-t>i>r-'/-i. tin- n d-winged p:ir- 
i ilk- it i>l VilMrali.'i, :uid .I. Xi-itjtiiliitti*. the kinu' pun'ilkrrt. 
By sum.' llir mi i-i ^i\m to a snli'.vuu, of 1'lniii,- 
aprosopia (ap-i-o-so'pi-a), H. [XL., < Gr. airpu- 
OTJTUI;, without a face, < a- priv. + xp/iau-ov, 
l';i<-.'. ] In ii-ruliil., absence of the greater part 
of the face, due to arrested development of the 
mandilmlar arch. 
aproterodont (ap-ro-ter'o-dout), . [< Gr. ii- 
priv. + ~/j<ir(, in front, + I/AIM; (orfwr-) = E. 
lniilli.~\ In liirprl., having no front teeth: ap- 
plied to the dentition of serpents whose inter- 
maxillaries are toothless. 
aps (aps), n. [A dial, form of axpl, q. v.] A 
common name for white-poplar wood, used for 
toys, etc. [Eng.] 
apse (aps), n. [< L. apsis, in the architectural 
sense, as in definition : see apsis.'] 1. In arrli. : 
(a) Strictly, any recess, or the termination 
of a building, of semicircular plan, covered 
by a semicircular vault or semi-dome; hence, 
a similar feature of polygonal plan. (6) In 
ordinary use, the termination of the choir or 
pf Pisa, Italy. 
sanctuary of any church, particularly if it pre- 
sents a superficial resemblance to an apse in 
the stricter sense, in that it is at least approxi- 
mately semicircular in plan, and vaulted : com- 
monly equivalent to chevet, and applied to the 
altar extremity of a church, even if of rectan- 
gular plan and not vaulted, and including the 
apse-aisles, chapels, and any other adjunct to 
the ritual east end of a church. The apse in iu 
origin was a characteristic feature of the ancient Roman 
basilica, in which it formed the raised tribune for the court 
magistrates. The throne of the quaestor or presiding judge 
stood in the center of the chord of the arc of the apse. 
When the basilicas became Christian churches, the throne 
was replaced by the high altar, which still occupies this 
position in Latin churches of flic strict basilica type, and 
has regularly kept it in Oriental churches. Some types ol 
church regularly have secondary apses in other positions 
than at the eastern end, as at the western end, at the ex- 
tremities of the transepts or of aisles, etc. See cuts under 
ftdiflfcfl and bema. Also apsis. 
2. In astron., same as apsis. 
apse-aisle (aps'il), . An aisle which extends 
around an apse, continuing the lateral aisles 
of the choir, or choir-aisles. 
Aps-aisle. Original plan of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. 
apse-chapel (aps'chap'el), n. A chapel open- 
mg upon an apse or apse-aisle. 
