astronomian 
astronomiant (as-tro-no'mi-an), n. [< ME. as- 
tronomifii, astronomyoi, < OF. nstronomien = 
Pr. astrotiomidii, < ML. as if *astronnmianus, < 
L. ustronoHiia: see astronomy and -aw.] An 
astronomer; any one having knowledge of the 
stars. 
Astronomians came from the East. Wycli/, Mat. ii. 1. 
astronomic (as-tro-nom'ik), a. [= F. antrono- 
miquc, < L. astruiiomicus, < Gr. aarpovouu<6;, < 
aarpovouia, astronomy.] Of or pertaining to 
astronomy : as, astronomic facts. 
astronomical (as-tro-npui'i-kal), a. [< astro- 
nomic + -al.] Pertaining or related to astron- 
omy ; connected with or relating to astronomic 
observation or research Astronomical chronol- 
ogy. See ijtrtinol<i : i!/. -Astronomical clock, a clock 
which keeps sidereal time. Astronomical column, 
day, horizon, etc. See the nouns. Astronomical lan- 
tern, a lamp having a glass or paper screen on which a 
celestial map is drawn. Astronomical Signs, the signs 
of the zodiac. Astronomical year. See >//. 
astronomically (as-tro-nom'i-kal-i), adv. In 
an astronomical manner; by means of astron- 
omy, or according to astronomic principles or 
methods. 
astronomicont (as-tro-nom'i-kon), . [< Gr. 
aarpovo/uKov, neut. of acTpovofUKOf. see astro- 
nomic.] A treatise on the stars. 
astronomies (as-tro-nom'iks), n. [PI. of as- 
tronomic: see -fcW.J Astronomy. 
The laws of Gravitation, Statics, Acoustics, Chemics, 
Optics, Pneumatics. Magnetics, Astronomic* . . . are all 
reducible to numerical language. 
G. D. Boardman, Creative Week, p. 310, App. 
astronomize (as-tron'o-m!z), v. i. ; pret. and 
pp. astronomized, ppr. astronomizing. [< Gr. 
aarpovo/iifciv, study astronomy, be an astrono- 
mer, < aarpovo/tof, astronomer: see astronomy."] 
To study astronomy; apply the principles of 
astronomy. Also spelled astronomise. 
They astronomized in caves. 
Sir T. Browne, Christ. Mor., ii. 7. 
astronomy (as-trou'o-mi), . [< ME. astrono- 
mic, astronemie (also coutr. astrony), < OF. astro- 
nomic, < L. astronomia, < Gr. brrpavouSa. astron- 
omy, \ &orpoi>6fiof, an astronomer, lit. ' star-ar- 
ranging' (with ref. to classifying or mapping 
the stars or constellations), < aarpov, a star, + 
vt/ietv, distribute, arrange: see name.'] 1. The 
science which describes the heavenly bodies 
and explains their apparent motions, etc. That 
part of the science which gives a description of the mo- 
tions, figures, periods of revolution, and other phenomena 
of the heavenly bodies is called descriptive astronomy; that 
part which teaches how to observe their motions, figures, 
periodical revolutions, distances, etc., and how to use the 
necessary instruments, is called practical astronomy ; and 
that part which explains the causes of their motions, and 
demonstrates the laws by which those causes operate, is 
termed physical astronomy. 
2|. Astrological skill. 
358 
use ; obtained or made by means of the astro- 
photometer. 
astrophyllite (as-tro-fil'It), . [< Gr. aarpm, 
a star, + QM/AV, a leaf, + -ite 2 .] A mineral of 
a bronze- or gold-yellow color and micaceous 
structure, sometimes found in tabular trielinie 
crystals. It is a silicate of iron and manganese, with 
potassium, sodium, and also some titanium. It is found 
in Norway and in Colorado. 
astrophysical (as-tro-fiz'i-kal), a. [< Gr. aarpov, 
star, + 0wnif, phys'ical: see ph>jsical.~] Per- 
taining to astronomical physics. 
We need, and ought to have, a continuous record of the 
state of the solar surface, such as it is hoped may be se- 
cured by the cooperation of the new atttrophyKiatl observa- 
tories at Potsdam and Meudon. 
C. A. Yunng, The Sun, p. KM. 
Astrophytidae (as-tro-fit'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < 
Astrophyton + -idai.] A family of ophiuriaus, 
of the order Ophiuroidea, containing those which 
have branching arms. It corresponds to the 
Kitryaleae. 
Astrophyton (as-trof'i-ton), . [NL., < Gr. 
aarpov, star, + (jivrov, plant.] The typical genus 
of the family Astrophytidie, 
containing the gorgon's- 
head, basket-fish, or sea-bas- 
ket, Astrophyton scutatmn. 
Astrorhiza (as-tro-ri'za), . 
[NL., < Gr. aarpov, star, + 
p/fa, root.] A genus of fora- 
miniferous rhizopods, typi- 
cal of the family Astrorhizi- 
da; and the subfamily Astro- 
rllipiliip Thp RnApip nrA rtf Oral Skeleton of Astro. 
rmzmw. ine species are 01 flv/tmt an ophidian, 
Considerable Size. seen from within. 
AstrOrhiZldae (as-tr6-riz'i- 4 * vertebral or axial 
j-\ i I-XTT s A i i- ossicles of ray; e, inter- 
de), n.pl. [NL.,< Astrorhiza ambulacral pieces; /, 
astylar 
is A. atricapillus ; there are other species, grading in size 
down to the species of AccipUer, so that the limits of the 
peristomiai plates; a, 
la a 
Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck, 
And yet methinks I have astronomy. 
Shdk., Sonnets, xiv. 
Nautical astronomy. See nautical. 
Astropecten (as-tro-pek'ten), n. [NL., < Gr. 
aarpov, star, + L. pecten, comb : see Pecten.] A 
genus of starfishes, typical of the family Astro- 
pectinidw. 
Astropectinidae ( as * tro - pek - tin ' i - de ) , . jZ. 
[NL., < Astropecten (-tin-) + -ida;.] A family of 
starfishes, typified by the genus Astropecten. 
They have a dorsal skeleton formed of raised ossicles and 
somewhat irregular, the teeth saillant from the ventral 
surface, no anus, no interbrachial system, and the ambu- 
lacra biserial and conic. The family includes the genera 
Astrof>ecten, Luidia, and Ctenodiscus. 
astrophelt, See astrofel. 
Astrophiura (as"tro-fi-u'ra), n. [NL., < Gr. 
aarpov, a star, + NL. Ophiura, q. v.] A genus 
of sand-stars representing a generalized form, 
typical of the family Astrophiuridce. 
Astrophiuridse (as"tro-fi-u'ri-de), n.pl. [NL., 
< Astrophiura + -irte.]' A family of sand-stars, 
order Ophiuroidea, typified by Astrophiura. They 
have arms, with an ophiuroid disk, included in a pen- 
tagonal body, a very broad interbrachial cavity, ambula- 
cra! pores separated by septa perpendicular to the rays, 
and the oral armature without teeth. 
astrqphotography (as"tro-fo-tog'ra-fi), n. [< 
Gr. aarpov, a star, + photography.] " The appli- 
cation of photography to the delineation or 
record of solar spots, the moon's disk, the 
planets, and the constellations, and to other 
astronomical ends. 
astrqphotometer (as"tr6-fo-tom'e-ter), n. [< 
Gr. aarpov, a star, + <t>uf (tylrr-), light, + fierpov, 
a measure: see photometer.] A device fitted to 
a telescope for comparing the brightness of a 
star with a standard light. 
astrophotometrical (as"tro-f6-to-met'ri-kal), 
a. Pertaining to the astrophotometer or "its 
pods with the test invariably 
composite, usually of large la an e ularis - 
size and monothalamous, often branched or 
radiate, sometimes segmented by constriction 
of the walls, but seldom or never truly septate. 
The polythalamous forms are never symmetri- 
cal. 
Astrorhizinae (as"tro-ri-zi'n), n. pi. [NL., 
< Astrorhiza + -ina:.] ' A subfamily of Astrorhi- 
zidai, characterized by thick walls composed of 
sand or mud but slightly cemented. 
astroscope (as'tro-skop), n. [< Gr. aarpov, a star, 
+ CKcmelv, view: see astroscopy.] An astro- 
nomical instrument composed of two cones on 
the surfaces of which the constellations with 
their stars are delineated. It was formerly 
used as a substitute for the celestial globe. 
astroSCOpyt (as-tros'ko-pi), n. [< MGr. aarpo- 
OKoiria, observation of the stars, < Gr. aarpov, a 
star, + -<TKom'a, < a/ioireiv, view.] Observation 
of the stars. 
astrotheology (as'tro-the-ol'o-ji), n. [< Gr. 
aarpov, a star, + Beofoyia, theology: see theol- 
ogy.] Natural theology founded on the obser- 
vation of the celestial bodies. Derham. 
astructivet (as-truk'tiv), o. [< L. astructus, 
pp. of astruere, build in addition, add (< ad, to, 
+ struere, heap up, pile), + -toe. Cf. destruc- 
tive.] Building up; erecting; constructive: 
opposed to destructive. 
The true method of Christian practice is first destructive, 
then obstructive. . . . "Cease to do evil, learn to do well." 
Bp. Hall, Sermons, Rom. xii. 2. 
astrut (a-struf), prep. phr. as adv. or o. [ME. 
astrut, astrout, astrote, o strut, on strut ; < a 3 + 
strut.] Strutting; pompous. [Bare.] 
Inflated and astrut with self-conceit. 
Cowper, Task, v. 268. 
astucious (as-tu'shus), . [< F. astucieux, as- 
tute, < astuce, astuteness, < L. astutia, astute- 
ness, < astutuSj astute: see astute.] Astute; 
subtle ; designing. Also spelled astutious. 
Louis, . . . like all ajttitcious persons, was as desirous 
of looking into the hearts of others as of concealing his 
own. Scott, Quentin Durward, ix. 
astuciously (as-tu'shus-li), adr. Astutely. 
But marked you not how astuciously the good father 
. . . eluded the questions? Scott, The Abbot, II. xv. 
astucity (as-tu'si-ti), n. [< astuci-ous + -ty.] 
The quality of being astute ; astuteness. 
With astucity, with swiftness, with audacity. 
Carlyle, French Key., I. i. 3. 
astunt, . t. See aston. 
Astur (as'ter), n. [LL. astur, ML. also astor, 
austur, etc., a goshawk: see austringer.] A 
genus of hawks, formerly called star-hawks or 
goose-hawks, now goshawks, of large size, with 
short rounded wings, long tail, moderately long 
legs, and the beak festooned but not toothed. 
The European goshawk is A. palunibarius ; the American 
American Goshawk (Astur atricapillns 
genus are indefinite. The word has been used with much 
latitude for various hawks and hawk-like birds. Also 
spelled Aster. 
Asturian (as-tu'ri-an), a. and H. [< Sp. Astu- 
riano, < Asturias, Asturia, < L. Asturia, the 
country of the Astures, in Hispania Tarraco- 
nensis, < Astur, an Asturian. Cf. Astura, a riv- 
er in Asturia, now the Esla.] I. a. Pertain- 
ing to ancient Asturia or modern Asturias, a 
northwestern province of Spain, on the bay 
of Biscay. 
II. n. A native or an inhabitant of Asturia. 
Asturina (as-tu-ri'uil), n. [NL.,< Astur + 
-ina.] A genus of comparatively small Amer- 
ican hawks, of the buteonine division, the adults 
of which have somewhat the pattern of plumage 
of the goshawks, to which, however, they are 
not specially related : synonymous with Astu- 
risca (Sundevall, 1872). One species, A. plagiata, 
occurs in the United States, and there are several others 
in the warmer parts of America. 
Asturinae (as-tu-ri'ne), n.pl. [NL., < Astur + 
-ina!.] A subfamily or other group of hawks 
having the genus Astur as its central figure : 
synonymous with Accipitrina!. The name is used 
with great latitude, and is incapable of exact definition. 
In Sundevall's classification, for example, it is a family of 
his Hemeroharpages, more than coextensive with Falco- 
nidce. 
asturine (as'ter-in), o. and n. [< NL. asturi- 
nus: see Astur and -iwe 1 .] I. a. Like or lik- 
ened to a hawk, especially of the genus Astur; 
accipitrine. 
II. n. An American hawk of the genus As- 
turina. 
Asturisca (as-tu-ris'ka), n. [NL., < Astur + 
dim. -isca.] Same as Asturina. 
astute (as-tuf), a. [< L. astutus, cunning, 
crafty, < astus, cunning, craft.] Of keen pene- 
tration or discernment ; cunning ; sagacious. 
That astute little lady of Curzon Street. Thackeray. 
Mighty clever you gentlemen think you are! . . . 
Acute and astute, why are you not also omniscient? 
Charlotte Bronte, Shirley, xx. 
= Syn. Sagacious, Sage, Knowing, Astute, Subtle. Saga- 
cious and sage are used only in good senses, and when ap- 
plied to persons generally suggest the wisdom of age or 
experience. The knowing man has wide knowledge and 
often penetration. The word knowing has also a humor- 
ous cast : as, he gave me a knowing wink ; it may be used 
ironically : as, he is a little too knowing, that is, he thinks 
he knows more than he does ; it may be used of knowing 
more than one has a right to know ; it sometimes suggests 
a disposition to make ill use of knowledge : as, a knowing 
leer. Astute is often the same as sagacious, but is sus- 
ceptible of an unfavorable sense in the direction of a nar- 
row shrewdness, slyness, or cunning ; it often means a 
sagacity that knows how to be silent ; it is frequently ap- 
plied to looks. Subtle, in its good sense, implies great 
acuteness, delicacy, or refinement in mental action : as, a 
subtle reasoner. For ite bad sense, see cunning. 
Another effect of public instability is the unreasonable 
advantage it gives to the sagacious, the enterprising, and 
the monied few, over the industrious and uninformed mass 
of the people. A. Hamilton, Federalist, No. 62. 
Let time, that makes you homely, make you sage. 
Parnell, To an Old Beauty, 1. 35. 
Not every one, knowing as he may be, knows when his 
question is answered. Alcott, Table-Talk, p. 84. 
No ambassadors to Western Courts were so instructed, 
so decorous, so proud, so astute as the Venetian ambas- 
sadors. D. O. Mitchell, Bound Together, ii. 
A subtle disputant on creeds. 
Byron, Napoleon Bonaparte. 
astutely (as-tut'li), adv. In an astute manner ; 
shrewdly; sharply; cunningly, 
astuteness (as-tut'nes), n. The quality of be- 
ing astute ; cunning ; shrewdness. 
All so smooth and fair, 
Even Paul's astuteness sniffed no harm i' the world. 
Browning, King and Book, I. 145. 
astylar (a-stl'lar), a. [< Gr. aarvtof, without 
pillars or columns (< <i- priv. + OTUAOf, a col- 
umn : see style 1 *), + -ar.] In arch., having no 
columns. 
