asthma 
air 1 , aurn, niiln, /ilni/i-, etc., and in Tent., 
q. v.] A paroxysmal disorder of respiration, 
characterized by labored breathing, sibilant 
rales, a feeling of const riction in the chest, and 
COngh. The essential feature of the attacks is tin- con- 
traction <if tin- bronchial tubes through spasm of the mus- 
cles in their walls. Tin- 11:11111- i.i sometimes loosely applied 
to other ilyspmi'ie, eujxiitioMs. Hay asthma. Siiim ,i> 
htt>i i '<'! nrnich ^ee. uniler/'-fv;-). 
asthmatic (ast- or as-mat'ik) ; a. and n. [< L. 
asthma#CV8,(. Gr. uo0/m<if, < aadfta(r-), asthma : 
see asthma.'] I. a. 1. Pertaining to asthma: 
as, asthmatic symptoms. 2. Affected by asth- 
ma: as, ail asthmatic patient. 
He reads fnnn paper ami book, 
In a low and husky 'i*tlnn'iri>- t"iir. 
\\'luttiiT, Demon of the Sillily. 
II. . A person troubled with asthma. 
asthmatica! (ast- or aSTmat'i-kal), a. Same 
as ttsthntatU'. 
asthmatically (ast- or as-mat'i-kal-i), adv. In 
an asthmatic manner; as an asthmatic. 
Asthmatos (ast'ma-tos), . [NL., < Gr. aaO- 
fia(r-), panting, asthma: see asthma.] A ge- 
nus of cilioflagellato iufusorians, having at the 
anterior end a single flagellum in the midst 
of a circlet of cilia. A. ciliaris is found in tile mucus 
of the nose in cases of hay fever, and is supposed to cause 
the complaint. 
astichous (as'ti-kus), a. [< NL. astichus, < Gr. 
d- priv. + arixof, a row.] In hot. and zool., not 
arranged in ranks or rows. 
astigmatic (as-tig-mat'ik), a. [< Gr. a- priv. 
+ anyfia(T-), a point, + -ic: see a- 18 , stigma, 
and stigmatic] Pertaining to or exhibiting 
astigmatism. 
astigmation (as-tig-ma'shon), n. Same as 
astigmatism. 
astigmatism (as-tig'ma-tizm), . [Also astig- 
mism, q. v. ; < Gr. a- priv. + ariyuo(r-), a point, 
+ -ism.] 1. In ophthal., a defect in the refrac- 
tive apparatus of the eye, the curvature of the 
refracting surfaces being greater along certain 
meridians than along others, so that rays of 
light proceeding from an external point do not 
converge to a point upon the retina, but to a 
line. 2. A similar defect in a lens. 
astigmism (as-tig'mizm), n. [See astigmatism, 
which is " etymologically the better word," 
notwithstanding the extract.] Same as astig- 
matism. 
The late eminent scholar, Dr. Whewell, who had origi- 
nally suggested the word astigmatism, . . . approves of 
astir/imam as being etymologically the better word. 
Quoted in JV. and Q., 7th ser., II. 344. 
astigmometer (as-tig-mom'e-ter), n. [< astig- 
m(ati.ii>i) + Gr. utrpov, a measure.] An instru- 
ment for measuring astigmatism. 
Zehender describes a new astigmometer, consisting of 
two pasteboard tubes, one of which fitted into the other 
and could be revolved around its long axis. 
N. Y. Med. Jour., XL. 218. 
astigmometry (as-tig-mom'e-tri), n. [< astig- 
in(atisiii) + Gr. -fierpia,<. [itrpov, a measure.] The 
measurement of astigmatism. 
astipulatet (as-tip'u-lat), v. [< L. astipttlatus, 
pp. of astipulari, adstipulari, agree with, < ad, 
to, + stipulari, stipulate : see stipulate.] I. in- 
trans. To make a stipulation ; agree. 
All, but an hateful Epicurus, have (stipulated to this 
truth. Bp. Hall, Invisible World, ii. 1. 
II. trans. To assent or agree to. 
astipulationt (as-tip-u-la'shon), n. [< L. astipu- 
latio(n-), < astipulari, adstipulari, agree with: 
see astipulate.] 1. Agreement; concurrence. 
Gracing himself . . . with the astipulation of our rev- 
erend Jewell. Bp. Hall, Honour of Married Clergy, ii. 8. 
2. Assent. 
astir (a-ster'), prep. plir. as adv. or a. [= Sc. 
asteer, "earlier on steir ; < aS + stir.'] On the 
stir; on the move; stirring; active. 
For the Nantes youth, the Angers youth, all Brittany 
was astir. Carlyte, French Rev., I. iv. 2. 
Permeated and tinged and all astir with the principle 
of equality. Ii. Choate, Addresses, p. 162. 
Astoma (as'to-ma), n. [NL., fern. sing, or 
neut. pi. of astomus, < Gr. doro/>f, mouthless: 
see astomous.] 1. [NL., fern, sing.] A spuri- 
ous genus of mites, the six-legged larval form 
of acarines of the family Trombidiida;, retained 
as a distinctive name of this stage. 2. [NL., 
neut. pi.] In Cuvier's system of classifica- 
tion, a general name for those acalephs or me- 
dusa) which have no central mouth, no rami- 
fications of the peduncle, and no cavities for 
the ovaries. [Not in use.] 
Astomata (as-to'ma-ta), n. pi. [NL., neut. pi. 
of astomatus : see automatons.] That one of the 
two groups into which the Protozoa are divided, 
with reference to the presence or absence of a 
355 
mouth, in which the mouth is wanting. The 
group comprises two classes, Gr/'ijariiiiila and 
l;/ii ni, mill. See I'rntozoa. 
astomatous (as-to'ma-tus), a. [< NL. astomii- 
tim, < (Jr. ii- priv. + o~oua(T-), mouth.] 1. Not 
possessing a mouth; specifically, belonging or 
pertaining to the .Ixtminilii. 2. In hot., with- 
out an aperture ; specifically, without stomata 
or breathing-pores. 
astomous ( as to-mus), a. [< NL. astomus, < Gr. 
anrniior, mouthless, < a- priv. + or6/*a, mouth.] 
Without a stoma or mouth; astomatous: ap- 
plied to mosses in which the capsule does not 
open regularly by an operculum, but bursts ir- 
regularly, as in 1'hascum and its allies. A. Cray. 
astont, astonet, astunt,!'. t. [< Ji !;. .s7r, '.,- 
tiiiK-H, iistiMini n, nsliiinifii (later and rarely as- 
1111/111:), also astonirn, nxtitnicn (whence later and 
mod. astony, q. v., and by extension astonish, q. 
v.), oftenest in the pp. astoned, astuned, astouncd 
(whence in mod. E. a new iiif. astounil, q. v. ), 
also astonied (see atttony); of uncertain origin: 
either (1) in the earlier normal form "astunini, 
< AS. "astuninn (not found), < d- + stunian, re- 
sound (not verified in the later sense of 'stun 
with a noise,' stun in this sense being possibly 
by apheresis from astun); cf. Swiss stuncn, ) 
NHG. stall/ten (in comp. erstauncit = AS. "dstu- 
nianl), astonish; or (2) < OF. estoner, extuner, 
cstonner, mod. F. itonner, stun, astonish, < L. 
as if 'extonare, equiv. to attonare, chiefly in pp. 
attonitux, strike with a thunderbolt, stun, as- 
tonish, < ex, out (ad, to), + tonare, thunder: see 
as- 3 , ex-, and thunder. The indications point 
to an orig. AS. word, merged in ME. with the 
etymologically different but formally and no- 
tionally equiv. OF. word. The forms aston, 
astone, astun, astony, astonish, and astound are 
thus variations of the same word. The normal 
mod. form is astun (a-stun' ), or with further de- 
velopment astound, the only form, besides as- 
tonish, in actual use.] To confound; astonish; 
amaze; bewilder; dismay. Chaucer. 
On the solid ground 
He fell rel>oundin breathless, and agtunn'd 
His trunk extended lay. 
SomeniUe, Hobbiuol, ii. 384. 
astoniednesst, . [< astonied + -ness.] The 
state of being astonished. 
astonish (a-ston'ish), r. t. [First in early mod. 
E. ; either < aston, astone, or astony, + -islfi, 
used (as in distinguish and extinguish) in imita- 
tion of words like abolish, banish, cherish, etc., 
where -ish represents -iss- in certain parts of 
F. verbs ; or perhaps from an actual OF. "eston- 
nir(*cstoniiis-), indicated in estonisscmen t, aston- 
ishment (Palsgrave).] If. To stun, as with a 
blow ; benumb ; give a stupefying shock to. 
Or as a thunder-clap, or cannons' noyse, 
The power of hearing doth aitonith quite. 
Sir J. Dames, Immortal, of Soul. 
The knaves that lay in wait behind rose up and rolled 
down two huge stones, whereof the one smote the king 
upon the head, the other astonished his shoulder. 
Holland, tr. of Livy, xlii. 15. 
2f. To stun or strike dumb with sudden fear; 
confound. 
It is the part of men to fear and tremble, 
When the most mighty gods, by tokens, send 
Such dreadful heralds to antonigh us. 
Shale., J. C., i. S. 
3. To strike or impress with wonder, surprise, 
or admiration ; surprise ; amaze. 
Thou hast astonith'd me with thy high trim-. 
SAa*., 1 Hen. VI., 1. 2. 
The student of Nature wonders the more and is aston- 
ished the less, the more conversant he becomes with her 
operations. Huxley, Lay Sermons, p. 2(K>. 
What shall we say of the ocean telegraph, that exten- 
sion of the eye and ear, whose sudden performance aston- 
ished mankind ? Emerson, Works and Days. 
= 8yn. 3. Surprint, Amaze, etc. (see surprise); startle, 
shock. 
astonishablet (a-ston'ish-a-bl), a. [< astonish 
+ -able.] Astonishing. 
astonishedly (a-ston'isht-li), adv. In an aston- 
ished manner. [Rare.] 
astonisher (a-ston'ish-er), n. One who or that 
which astonishes. 
astonishing (a-ston'ish-ing), p. a. Causing or 
fitted to cause astonishment ; amazing ; wonder- 
ful. = Syn. Amazing, surprising, wonderful, marvelous. 
astonishingly (a-ston'ish-ing-li), adv. In an 
astonishing manner; to an astonishing degree. 
astonishingness (a-ston'ish-ing-nes), . The 
quality of exciting astonishment. [Rare.] 
astonishment (a-ston'ish-ment), n. [< aston- 
ish + -ment. Cf. OF. estonisseinent (Palsgrave).] 
1. The state of being astonished, (at) The state 
of being stunned or benumbed. 
Astraeacea 
A coldness and a 
t in his loins, as folk nay. 
(M) Confusion of mind from .sinM--ii liar <T nth* \ 
tiiin ; fotiMU-rnation. 
Attain. l,nn t>t i- that state of the s<ml in which all its 
motions U1V .SIlS]ICIl'lHl U itll SOUK- ll'L'H > ,.[ llnll'il . 
/;-'(/,.. Sultlllllr illnl liralltiflll. 
(ct) Passion; excitement; frenzy. 
Kliriitll.s < 'Vt T I klu w tii> r t" lir. 
Vet never in this htrun^r ti*tm<l: m-'nt. fyteiuer. 
(d) Great surprise or wonder ; anm/cna-nt. 
We found, with no U-ss wondt-r t<> 11* than r/-r-. ,,/.,/, /,/ 
to ttiriNx-h."-, th;it they \\t_-rt: tlir tun saliaul anl I'linmiH 
l'nthiT8. >''/ /'. X"//-. '/. 
2. A cause or matter of consternation. 
Thou shall lu'i'iiiiii- -M ii*tnni..lt,iii-itt.n \<n>\i rb, and a 
byword among all nations. l><.-iit. \\viii. 37. 
Tbi'St: imaged, to tin- piiilf of kiii^-s ami priests, 
A dark yet inMitv faith, :i power as hie 
As is the world it wasted, and are now 
But an astonishment. 
Shelley, Promc tli.-n^ rnlmunil, ill. 4. 
= Syn. 1. Amazement, admiration, awe. 
astony (as-ton'i), v. t.; pret. and pp. antimi'-ii. 
j)pr. astonying. [< ME. astonien, rarely n.ln- 
nicn: see aston.] If. To stun, as with ;i blow. 
The captain of the Helots . . . strake Palladias upon 
the side of his head that he reeled axtnuifil. 
Sir P. Siilnei/, An-adia. i. L';:. 
2. To astonish ; terrify ; confound. [Obsolete 
or archaic.] 
And when I heard this thin).', I rent my garment and 
my mantle, . . . and sat down astonied. Ezra i\. 3. 
Astottyinrf with their suddenness both their friends and 
their enemies. 
And I astonied fell and could not pray. Mrs. Browning. 
astoret, v. t. [< ME. astorcn (and by apheresis 
storen, > mod. E. store), < OF. estorer, cstattrer, 
< L. iiistaurare, repair, renew: see instaura- 
tion and store] To store; furnish with stores. 
Ful riche he was astored prively. 
Chaucer, Gen. Pro), to C. T., 1. 609. 
Astoreth (as'to-reth), n. [See Ashtoreth.} 
Same as Astartc. 
astoundt (a-stound'), p. a. [Early mod. E. also 
astown'd, ( ME. astouned, astoned, astuned, pp. 
of astounen, astonen, astunen, astonish : see 
aston, astony, and cf. astound, v.] Astonished ; 
confounded. See aston. 
The ell therewith astound 
Upstarted lightly. Spenser. 
astound (a-stound'), 0. [As an inf. this form 
is late, being due in part to the pp. astound, 
astouned, and in part perhaps to the frequent 
dissimilated gemination of final -n into -nd, as 
in sound for soun, etc. ; so dial, drownd for 
drown, pp. drownded for drowned] I. trans. 
To astonish greatly ; strike dumb with amaze- 
ment ; amaze ; alarm. 
These thoughts may startle well, but not astound 
The virtuous mind. Milton, Comus, 1. 210. 
In the architecture and embellishments of the chamber, 
the evident design had been to dazzle and ast'tund. 
Poe, Tales, I. 375. 
= Syn. Surprise, Astonish, Amaze, etc. (see surprise)', con- 
found, stagger, dumfounder, stupefy, shock. 
H. in trans. To cause astonishment; amaze; 
stun. 
The lightnings flash a larger curve, and more 
The noise astounds. Thomson, Summer, 1. 1138. 
astounding (a-stoun'ding), p. a. Causing or 
fitted to cause surprise or wonder; causing 
amazement ; highly astonishing. 
The third is your soldier's (ace, a menacing and astound- 
ing face. /.'. Jonson, Cynthia's Kevels. 
His [Corate's] astounding self-conceit was more akin to 
that which may be seen in lunatic asylums than to any- 
thing which is known to have been manifested by persons 
in a state of health. J. Fiske, Cosmic Philos., I. 142. 
astoundingly (a-stoun'ding-li), adv. In an 
astounding or amazing manner; amazingly. 
astoundment (a-stound'ment), . [< astound 
+ -ment.] Amazement. [Bare.] 
To the astoundment of the young urchins, my contem- 
poraries. Lamb, Old Benchers. 
astraddle (a-strad'l), prep. plir. as adv. or a. 
[< a 3 + straddle: see straddle.] In a straddling 
position ; with one leg on each side of some- 
thing; astride: as, to sit astraddle. 
Astraea (as-tre'a), . [< L. Astrva, < Gr. 'Aa- 
rpala, the goddess of justice, lit. starry, fern, of 
acrrpaiof, starry, < aarpov, a star: see astral] 1. 
A name sometimes given to the sign Virgo. 
2. The 5th planetoid, discovered at Driesen by 
Henke in 1845. 3. [NL.] In zool., a genus of 
fixed coralligenous zoophytes, or stone-corals, 
typical of the family Astrmda;, or star-corals. 
See star-coral. 
Also spelled Astrea. 
Astraeacea (as-tre-a'se-a), n. pi. [NL., < As- 
Iraia + -acea] In Verrill's system of classifi- 
