Abdevenham 
Abdevenham (ub-dev'n-ham), ii. Ill aistrol.. 
the head of the twelfth house in a scheme of 
the heavens, 
abdicable (ab'di-ka-bl), a. [<L. as if 'ahdi- 
cabilis, < abdicare : see abdicate. ] Capable of 
being abdicated. 
abdicant (ab'di-kant), a. and . [<L. abdi- 
can(t-)s, ppr. of abdicare : see abdicate. ] I, a. 
Abdicating ; renouncing. [Bare.] 
Monks abdifattt of their onlrrs. 
WhitltK-k. Manners of Eng. People, p. 93. 
II. . One who abdicates. 
abdicate (ab'di-kat), )'. ; pret. and pp. abdi- 
cated, ppr. abdicating. [<L. abdicatus, pp. of 
abdicare, renounce, lit. proclaim as not belong- 
ing to one, < ab, from, + dicdre, proclaim, de- 
clare, akin to dicerc, say .] I. trans. 1. To give 
up, renounce, abandon, lay down, or withdraw 
from, as a right or claim, office^ duties, dignity, 
authority, and the like, especially in a volun- 
tary, public, or formal manner. 
The cross-bearers abdicated their service. 
Gibbon, D. and f., Ixvii. 
He [Charles II. ] was utterly without ambition. He de- 
tested business, and would sooner have abdicated his 
crown than have undergone the trouble of really direct- 
ing the administration. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., i. 
2. To discard ; cast away ; take leave of : as, 
to abdicate one's mental faculties. 3. In ciril 
law, to disclaim and expel from a family, as a 
child ; disinherit during lifetime : with a per- 
sonal subject, as father, parent. 
The father will disinherit or abdicate his child, quite 
cashier him. 
Burton, Anat. of Mel. (To the Reader), I. 86. 
4f. To put away or expel ; banish ; renounce 
the authority of ; dethrone ; degrade. 
Scaliger would needs turn down Homer, and abdicate 
him after the possession of three thousand years. 
Dryden, Pref. to Third Misc. 
=Syn. 1. To resign, renounce, give up, quit, vacate, re- 
linquish, lay down, abandon, desert. (Hee list under aban- 
don, v.) 
II. intrans. To renounce or give up some- 
thing; abandon some claim; relinquish a right, 
power, or trust. 
He cannot abdicate for his children, otherwise than by 
his own consent in form to a bill from the two houses. 
Swift, Sent, of Ch. of Eng. Man. 
Don John is represented ... to have voluntarily re- 
stored the throne to his father, who had once abdicated in 
his favor. Ticknor, .Span. Lit., II. 221. 
abdicated (ab'di-ka-ted), p. a. Self-deposed ; 
in the state of one who has renounced or given 
up a right, etc. : as, " the abdicated Emperor 
of Austria, Howellx, Venetian Life, xxi. 
abdication (ab-di-ka'shon), i. [<L. abdica- 
tio(n-), < abdicare : see abdwate.~] The act of 
abdicating; the giving up of an office, power or 
authority, right or trust, etc. ; renunciation ; es- 
pecially, the laying down of a sovereignty hith- 
erto inherent in the person or in the blood. 
The consequences drawn from these facts [were] that 
they amounted to an abdication of the government, which 
abdication did not only affect the person of the king him- 
self, but also of all his heirs, and rendered the throne 
absolutely and completely vacant. Blackgtone, Com., I. iii. 
Each new mind we approach seems to require an abdi- 
cation of all our present and past possessions. 
Emerson, Essays, 1st ser., p. 311. 
abdicative (ab'di-ka-tiv), a. [<abdic<ite + -ice; 
in form like L. abdicatints, negative, < abdi- 
care.~] Causing or implying abdication. [Bare.] 
abdicator (ab'di-ka-tqr), n. [<L. abdicare: 
see abdicate.~] One wh'o abdicates. 
abditive (ab'di-tiv), a. [<L. abditivus, re- 
moved or separated from, < abditits, pp. of 
abdere. put away, < ab, from, away, + -dare (iu 
comp.), put.] Having the power or quality of 
hiding. [Bare. ] 
abditory (ab'di-to-ri), n. [<ML. abditorium, 
< L. abdere : see abditive.'] A concealed reposi- 
tory; a place for hiding or preserving valu- 
ables, as goods, money, relics, etc. [Bare.] 
abdomen (ab-do'men or ab'do-men), n. [L., 
of uncertain origin ; perhaps irreg. < abdere, 
put away, hide, conceal : see abditifc.~] 1. The 
belly ; that part of the body of a mammal which 
lies between the thorax and the pelvis ; the 
perivisceral cavity containing most of the di- 
gestive and some of the urogenital organs and 
associated structures. It is Iwunded above by the 
diaphragm, which separates it from the thoracic cavity ; 
below by the brim of the pelvic cavity, with which it is 
continuous; behind by the vertebral column and the 
psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles ; in front and 
laterally by several lower ribs, the iliac bones, and the 
abdominal muscles proper. The walls of the abdomen 
are lined with the serous membrane called peritoneum, 
and are externally invested with common integument. 
Its external surface is arbitrarily divided into certain 
8 
definite regions, called abdominal regions (see abdominal). 
The principal contents of the abdomen, in man and other 
mammals, are the end of the esophagus, the stomach, tin- 
small and most of the large intestine, the liver, pancreas, 
and spleen, the kidneys, suprarenal capsules, ureters, 
bladder (in part), uterus (during pregnancy at least), and 
sometimes the testicles, with the associated nervous, vas- 
cular, and serous structures. The apertures in the ab- 
dominal walls are, usually, several through the diaphragm, 
for the passage of the esophagus, nerves, blood-vessels, 
and lymphatics ; in the groin, for the passage of the fem- 
oral vessels and nerves and the spermatic cord, or the 
round ligament of the uterus ; and at the navel, in the 
fetus, for the passage of the umbilical vessels. 
2. In vertebrates below mammals, in which 
there is no diaphragm, and the abdomen con- 
sequently is not separated from the thorax, a 
region of the body corresponding to but not co- 
incident with the human abdomen, and varying 
in extent according to 
the configuration of 
the body. Thus, the ab- 
domen of a serpent is coex- 
tensive with the under side 
of the body from head to 
tail ; and in descriptive 
ornithology "pectus is re- 
stricted to the swelling an- 
terior part of the gastneuin, 
which we call belly or ab- 
domen us soon as it begins to 
straighten out ami flatten." 
Couet, N. A. Birds, p. 96. 
3. In entom., the hind 
body, the posterior one 
of the three parts of a 
t (/- P er ^ ec * insect, united 
with the thorax by 
a slender connecting 
portion, and containing the greater part of the 
digestive apparatus. It is divided into a numlwr of 
rings or segments, typically eleven (or ten, as in llvnieii- 
u/itera and Lepidoptera), on the sides of which are small 
respiratory stigmata, or spiracles. 
4. In Arthropoda other than insects, the cor- 
responding hinder part of the body, however 
distinguished from the thorax, as the tail of u 
lobster or the apron of a crab. 6. In ascid- 
iang (Tunicate), a special posterior portion 
of the body, situated behind the great pharyn- 
geal cavity, and containing most of the ali- 
mentary canal. 
In ... most of the compound Ascidiaus, the greater 
part of the alimentary canal lies altogether beyond the 
branchial sac, in a backward prolongation of the body 
which has been termed the abdomen, and is often longer 
than all the rest of the body. 
Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 517. 
abdominal (ab-dom'i-nal), . and n. [< NL. ab- 
duminaliii, < L. abdomen: see abdomen.] I. a. 
1. Pertaining to 
the abdome'n or 
belly ; situated 
in or on the 
abdomen : as, 
abdominal ven- 
- tralfins. 2. In 
ichtli., having 
ventral fins un- 
der the abdomen 
abdominous 
dominal regions, in human anat., certain 
which the aliduiiirn is arbitrarily divided fir 
rc^ii'iis into 
the purpose 
of mapping its surface with 
reference to the viscera 
which lie beneath these re- 
gkma respectively. Twoimri 
/ontal parallel lines ln-in- 
ilrawn around the body, one 
(a ") rn^sin- the ciirti!:iu*- "I 
the ninth rib, the other (bb) 
crossing the highest point ot 
the iliac bone, tile abdominal 
surface is divided into three 
zones, an upper, a middle, 
and a lower, n >prrii\,-]\ 
called t'j/Iffitffi'ir, umbtlico*, 
and liiii><><ntttri<\ Each of 
these is subdivided into three 
parts }fy two vertical linea 
(c c), each drawn through the 
middle of I'onpartV liga- 
ment. The central part of 
the epigastric zone (1) re- 
tains the name of epigastric ; 
its lateral portions (4 4) are 
the right and /.;// fiifjmcfnui 
driac regions; the middle 
part of the umbilical (2) is 
a a. horizontal line through the called the 'umbilical region. 
cartilage of the ninth rib; * #, while its lateral portions (fi f>) 
S^ffiX"fi?5f^ are. then,,/,, ,! ,,.,/ / ..... tar 
vertical lines drawn through the regions ; the Mlllldle portion 
middle of Poupart's ligament, of the hyponastrir zone (:l) is 
on cither side; i, epigastric re- called thellilpu(iantrie region, 
nZialtric^on; TTh^ 1> . llt sometimes' the y,Mc re- 
cnondriac regions ; 5 5. lumbar K'"", While its lateral por- 
regions ; 6 6, 
tions (6 6) are called the ri<ili I 
and Irft iliac (or iii<i><i/iii/ 1 
" efold 
, Abdomen of an 1 
loma hortift). 
Abdominal Fish, with ventral behind pec- and about 
the 
middle of the 
body : as, an abdominal fish. See Abdominales. 
Abdominal aorta, in man ami other mammals, that 
portion of the aorta between its passage through the dia- 
phragm and its bifurcation into tin- iliac arteries. Ab- 
dominal apertures. See ab- 
domen, i. Abdominal fins, in 
ichth., ventral flns when situated 
behind the pectoral flns. Ab- 
dominal legs, in entom., false 
legs or prop-legs of the abdomen of 
insects. In hexapodoua insects 
they are soft, fleshy, inarticulate, 
and deciduous. There may in- as 
many as eight pairs, or only a single 
pair, or none. The spinnerets of 
spiders, though abdominal in posi- 
tion, are regarded as homologous 
with the jointed legs of higher 
insects. Abdominal line, i n 
human anat.: (a) The white line 
(linea alba) or lengthwise mid-line 
of union of the abdominal muscles 
along the front of the belly, and 
one of several cross-lines inter- 
secting the course of the rectus 
muscle. The exaggeration of these 
lines in art gives the " checker-board " appearance of the 
abdomen in statuary. (6) pi. Certain imaginary lines 
drawn to divide the surface of the abdomen into regions, 
as given below. Abdominal pore, in some fishes, an 
aperture iu the belly connected with the sexual function. 
This [the ovarium], in some few fishes, sheds its ova, as 
soon as they are ripened, into the peritoneal cavity, 
whence they escape by abdominal pores, which place that 
cavity in direct communication with the exterior. 
Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. 95. 
Abdominal reflex, a superficial reflex consisting of a 
contraction in the abdominal muscles when tin- skin over 
the abdomen iu the mammary line is stimulated. Ab- 
Torso Belvedere, showing 
checker-board" appear- 
nee. 
regions. The adjoining region of the tlu'gh, lielow the f 
of the groin, is properly excluded. Abdominal respi- 
ration, that type of respiration in which the action of the 
diaphragm, and consequently the movement of the abdo- 
men, is most marked : contrasted with thoracic or costal 
respiration. Abdominal ribs, in herpet., a series of 
transverse ossifications in the wall of the abdomen of 
some reptiles, as dinosaurs and crocodiles ; in the latter 
the series consists of seven on each side, Kin- superficial 
to the recti muscles. They are quite distinct frc mi true 
ribs, and considered hy some to be derma] ossification*. 
Abdominal dermal ribx are developed in some species 
|<>f Dinosauriaj, if not in all. Huxley, Anat. Vert., p. -'7. 
Abdominal ling, in aitat. : (a) Inte.rnal, an oval open 
ing in the fascia of the transversalis abdominis (trans- 
verse muscle of the abdomen), about midway between tlic 
superior iliac spine und the pubic spine, and half an inch 
above Poupart's ligament, (b) External, a similar oblong 
opening in the fascia of the obliquus externus abdominis 
(extenial ohlique muscle of the abdomen), further down 
and nearer the mid-line of the body. These rings are 
respectively the inlet und outlet of the inguinal canal. 
Also called inguinal rings. Abdominal SCUtella, in 
herpet., the short, wide, imbricated scales which lie along 
the belly of a serpent from chin to anus.- Abdominal 
segments, in entom., etc., the individual somites or rings 
of which the abdomen of an insect, a crustacean, etc., is 
or may he composed. Abdominal vertebrae, in idith., 
ull the vertebras l)hind the head which have ribs or rib- 
like processes arching over the visceral cavity. Abdom- 
inal Viscera, those organs, collectively considered, which 
are situated ill the abdomen, being especially those of the 
digestive system. See abdomen, 1. 
U. n. One of the Abdominales (which see). 
Abdominales (ab-dom-i-na'lez), n. pi. [NL., 
pi. of abdominalis : see abdominal.'] 1. A 
name introduced into the ichthyological sys- 
tem of Linnseus. and variously applied : (a) by 
Linmeus, as an ordinal name for all osseous flshes with 
abdominal veutrals ; (b) by Cuvier, as a subordimil name 
for all those malacopterygian osseous fishes which have 
abdominal ventrals ; (c) by J. Mu'ller, as a suhordinal 
name for those malacopterygian fishes which have abdom- 
inal ventrals and also a pneumatic duct between the 
air-bladder and intestinal canal. The name has also been 
applied to other groups varying more or less from the 
preceding. The salmonids and the clupeids or herring fam- 
ily are typical representatives in all the above divisions. 
2. A section of the coleopterous family 
Carabida; proposed by Latreille for beetles 
with the abdomen enlarged in proportion to 
the thorax. 
Abdominalia (ab-dom-i-na'li-a), n. pi. [NL. 
(sc. animalia, animals), neut. pi. of abdomi- 
nalis : see abdominal.'] An order of cirriped 
crustaceans, having a segmented body, three 
pairs of abdominal limbs, no thoracic limbs, a 
flask-shaped carapace, an extensive mouth, 
two eyes, and the sexes distinct. The members 
of the order all burrow in shells. Two families are recog- 
nized, Cryptophialidce and Alrippidce. 
The whole family of the Abdotniniiliti, a niiine proposed 
by Darwin, if I am not mistaken, have the sexes separate. 
Beneden, An. Parasites. (A. E. V.) 
abdominally (ab-dom'i-nal-i), adi: On or in 
the abdomen ; toward the abdomen, 
abdominoscopy (ab-dom-i-nos'ko-pi), . [< L. 
abdomen (-min-) + Gr. -aiumta, < anoireiv, look at, 
view.] In med., examination of the abdomen 
for the detection of disease. 
abdominous (ab-dom'i-nus), a. [(iibiloiiii'ii 
(-min-) + -OHS.] 1. Of or pertaining to the 
abdomen; abdominal. 2. Having a large 
belly; pot-bellied. [Rare.] 
Corgunius siU iib<l<'tfiiui>n* and wan, 
Like a fat squab upon u Chinese fan. 
Coii-jjei; Prog, of Err. 
