acrodont 
acrodont (ak'ro-dont), . and a. [< NL. acro- 
ilnn(t-), < Gr. aKfiof, at the end or edge, + orfoi'f 
(b6ov--) = E. tooth.} I. n. One of those lizards 
which have the teeth attached by their bases 
to the edge of the jaw, without bony alveoli on 
either the inner or the outer side. 
II. a. 1. Pertaining to or resembling an 
acrodont ; having that arrangement of the teeth 
which characterizes an acrodont : as. an aero- 
Skull of a Lizard ( ^aranus) with Acrodont Dentition. 
a, articular bone of mandible ; c, coronoid IKJIIC of do. ; d, dentary 
bone of do. ;/; frontal;^, prefrontal; /", posrfrontal ; /. lacrymat ; 
m, malar ; mx, maxilla ; n, nasal ; <'. otic ; /, parietal ; ft, pterygoid . 
ft ' , columella ; //' , transverse bone ; fx. premaxilla ; if, quadrate ; 
sq, squamosal. 
(font lizard; acrodont dentition. 2. Having the 
characters of the Acrodonta, or heterodontoid 
fishes. 
Acrodonta (ak-ro-dou'ta), H. /)/. [NL. : see 
acrodont.] A name proposed for a group or 
suborder including the heterodontoid and re- 
lated sharks, which have the palato-quadrate 
apparatus disarticulated from tne cranium, the 
dentigerous portions enlarged, and the mouth 
inferior. The only living representatives are the hete- 
rodontids (Port Jackson shark, etc.), lint the extinct forms 
are numerous. 
acrodynia (ak-ro-din'i-a), n. [NL., <Gr. anpof, 
at the extremity, + orf/w/, pain.] An epidemic 
disease characterized by disturbances in the 
alimentary canal (vomiting, colic, diarrhea), by 
nervous symptoms (especially pain in the ex- 
tremities), sometimes by cramp or anesthesia, 
and by a dermatitis affecting the hands and feet. 
acrogen (ak'ro-jen), n. [< Gr. a/cpof, at the top, 
+ -yevi/f, -born, produced : see -gen and genus.] 
An aerogenous plant. The acrogens form a division 
of the Cryptoyamia, distinguished from the thallogens by 
their habits of growth and mode of impregnation. They 
have true stems with leafy appendages (excepting the ric- 
cias and marchantias), and the embryonic sac is impreg- 
nated by the spermatozoids. They are divided into two 
groups : (a) those composed wholly of cellular tissue, the 
charas, liverworts, and mosses ; and (b) those in which 
vascular tissue is present, the ferns, horsetails, pillworts, 
and club-mosses. The age of acrogens, in ijeol., the 
Carboniferous era, when acrogens were the characteristic 
vegetable forms. 
acrogenic (ak-ro-jen'ik), a. Relating or pertain- 
ing to the acrogens. 
That, under fit conditions, an analogous mode of growth 
will occur in fronds of the acrogenic type, ... is shown 
by the case of Jungermanniafurcata. 
H. Spencer, Prin. of Biol., 194. 
aerogenous (a-kroj'e-nus), a. [As acrogen + 
-ous.] Increasing by growth at the summit or 
by terminal buds only, as the ferns and mosses ; 
of the nature of or pertaining to acrogens. 
acrography (a-krog'ra-fi), n. [< Gr. anpof, at the 
top, + -ypaijiia, < ypatyf.iv, write : see graphic.] A 
process for producing designs in relief on metal 
or stone through a ground of finely powdered 
chalk, solidified by hydraulic pressure into a 
compact mass. A design is drawn on the slightly shin- 
ing white surface with a finely pointed brush charged with 
a glutinous ink, which, wherever it is applied, unites the 
particles of chalk so firmly that they remain standing in 
black ridges after the intermediate white spaces have been 
rubbed away with a piece of velvet or a light brush. If the 
plate, which has then the appearance of an engraved wood 
block, is dipped in a solution of silica, a stereotype cast 
or an electrotype copy can be taken from it to he used for 
printing with type. 
acroket, prep. plir. as adv. A Middle English 
form or acrook. 
acrolein (a-kro'le-in), . [< L. acris, sharp, 
pungent (see acrid), + olere, smell, + -in.] A 
colorless limpid liquid, CH 2 CHCOH, having a 
disagreeable and intensely irritating odor, such 
as that noticeable after the flame of a candle 
has been extinguished and while the wick still 
glows. It is the aldehyde of the ally! series, and is ob- 
tained by distilling glycerin to which acid potassium sul- 
phate or strong phosphoric acid has been added, also by 
the dry distillation of fatty bodies. It burns with a clear, 
luminous flame. 
acrolith (ak'ro-lith), H. [< L. acrolithuti, < Gr. 
!ut(>6t,i8of, with the ends made of stone, < anpof, 
extreme, at the end, + '/.iOof, a stone.] In Gr. 
antiq., a sculptured figure of which only the 
head and extremities were carved in stone, the 
50 
rest being generally of wood, and covered with 
either textile drapery or thin plates of metal. 
The name was also applied to ngim-s of ordinary stone of 
which the heads and extremities were formed of marble, 
as in some of the well-known metopes <>f Sflimis, Sicily. 
acrolithan (a-krol'i-than), . Same as nrrn- 
lilllic. 
acrolithic (ak-ro-lith'ik), a. Of the nature of 
an acrolith ; formed like an acrolith : as, an uc- 
nilithic statue. 
acrologic (ak-ro-loj'ik), a. [< aerology + -ic.] 
Pertaining to aerology; founded on or using 
initials ; using a sign primarily representing a 
word to denote its initial letter or sound : as, 
nerologic notation ; acrologic names. 
The twenty-two names [of the Semitic letters] are aero- 
!<"'<< ; that is, the name of each letter begins with that 
letter. Imac Taylor, The Alphabet, I. 167. 
acrological (ak-ro-loj'i-kal), a. Same as acro- 
logic. 
acrologically (ak-ro-loj'i-kal-i), tulr. In an ac- 
rologic manner ; by means of aerology. Isaac 
Taylor. 
aerology (a-krol'o-ji), i. [< Gr. aiywf, at the 
end, + -Xojwz, < teyeiv, speak : see -ology.] The 
use of a picture of some object to represent 
alphabetically the first part (letter or syllable) 
of the name of that object. See acrophony. 
A polysyllabic language did not lend itaelf so readily as 
the Chinese to this solution. According to HaleVy, the 
difficulty [of effecting the transition from ideograms to 
phonograms] was overcome by the adoption of the power- 
ful principle of Acrnhnnt. 
Inane Taylor, The Alphabet, I. 43. 
aerometer (a-krom'e-ter), >i. [< Or. anpof, at 
the top, + fiirpov, a measure.] An instrument 
for indicating the specific gravity of oil. See 
olcomcter. 
acromia. n. Plural of aeromion. 
acromial (a-kro'mi-al), a. [< aeromion.] In 
anat., relating to the aeromion Acromial pro- 
cess. See acromion. Acromial thoracic artery. See 
acroiniothoracic. 
acromioclavicular (a-kro'mi-o-kla-vik'u-lar). 
a. [<NL. aeromion + clavicula, clavicle.] Per- 
taining to the aeromion and the clavicle Acro- 
mioclavicular articulation, the joint between the col- 
lar-bone and the shoulder-blade. Acromioclavicular 
ligaments, superior and inferior, two fibrous bands which 
join the aeromion and the clavicle. 
acromiodeltoideus (a-kr6mi-6-del-toi'de-us), 
n. ; pi. aeromiodeltoidei (-1). [NL., < acromion 
+ Gr. hl.Toei6iif. deltoid.] A muscle of some 
animals, extending from the aeromion to the 
deltoid ridge of the humerus, corresponding to 
an acromial part of the human deltoid muscle. 
aeromion (a-kro'mi-on), n. ; pi. acromia (-&). 
[NL., < Gr. axpufuov, a by-form of btpmiia, the 
point of the shoulder-blade, < a/cpof, at the top 
or end, + uuoc, the shoulder with the upper 
arm, akin to L. umerus : see humerus.] In anat., 
the distal end of the spine of the scapula or 
shoulder-blade. In man it is an enlarged process, 
which, originating by an independent center of ossifica- 
tion, articulates with the distal end of the clavicle, and 
gives attachment to part of the deltoid and trapezius 
muscles : commonly called the acromial process, or acro- 
mion process. Its relations are the same in other mam- 
mals which have perfect clavicles. See cut under scap- 
ula. 
acromiothoracic (a-kro'mi-o-tho-ras'ik), a. [< 
Gr. anpuptov, shoulder, + dupaf (dupan-), thorax.] 
Pertaining to the shoulder and thorax. Acro- 
miothoracic artery, a branch of the axillary artery, 
supplying parts about the shoulder and breast. 
acromiotrapezius (a-kr6*mi-6-tra-pe'zi-us), n. ; 
pi. acromiotrapezii (-1). [NL., < acromion + tra- 
pezius.] An intermediate cervical portion of 
the trapezius muscle, in special relation with 
the spine of the scapula and the acromion, 
forming a nearly distinct muscle in some ani- 
mals. 
acronionogrammatic (ak*ro-mon*o-gra-mat'- 
ik), a. and n. [< Gr. dxpof, at the end, + pavo- 
jpafifMTo^, consisting of one letter : see mono- 
grammatic.] A term applied to a poetical 
composition in which every verse begins with 
the same letter as that with which the preceding 
verse ends. 
Acromyodi (ak'ro-mi-6'di), n. pi. [NL., <Gr. 
aKpof, at the end, + /ivaiqc,, muscular, lit. 
mouse-like, < /*if, a mouse, a muscle, = E. mouse 
(see mouse, Mus, and muscle), + eldof, form. ] A 
suborder or superfamily of passerine birds, 
embracing the Oscines. or singing birds proper, 
and characterized by having the several intrin- 
sic syringeal muscles attached to the ends of 
the upper bronchial half-rings : opposed to 
Mesomyodi. The great majority of the Panseret are 
Acromyodi. [The word is also used as an adjective in the- 
expression Pasneres acromyodi, equivalent to acrumyo- 
tlian Passeres.] 
acropodium 
acromyodian (ak"ro-mi-6'di-an), a. and . [< 
Acromyodi.] I. . Of or pertaining to the 
Acromyodi; having that arrangement of the 
muscles of the syrinx which characterizes the 
AcniDi umli : as, a,nacrotyo<lin bird. 
II. n. One of the Acrotiiyotli. 
acromyodic (ak"ro-mi-od'"ik), . [< Aeromy- 
ofli.] Same as acromijodiuii. 
acromyodous (ak-ro-mi'o-dus), a. Same as 
acronnjoiliiiii. 
acronarcotic (ak"ro-nar-kot'ik), a. and w. [< L. 
iifrix, sharp, pungent (see acrid), + narcotic.] 
I. n. Acting as an irritant and a narcotic. 
II. it. One of a class of poisons, chiefly of 
vegetable origin, which irritate and inflame the 
parts to which they are applied, and act on the 
brain and spinal cord, producing stupor, coma, 
paralysis, and convulsions. Also called nar- 
i-iilii-ii-iii'fiil or narcotico-irritant. 
acronic, acronical, a. See aeronychal. 
acronotine (ak-ro-no'tin), a. [< Acronotits.] In 
:u(il., pertaining to the subgenus Acronotvs. 
Acronotus (ak-ro-no'tus), . [NL., < Gr. anpov, 
the highest point, + varof, back.] 1. A sub- 
genus of ruminating animals found in Africa. 
Haniatiii (.lcniotii$) 66af*isthe type. limn. 
Huiitli, 3827. 2. A genus of beetles. 
Acronuridse (ak-ro-uu'ri-de), n. pi. [< Acronn- 
rux + -idee.] A family of spiny-fumed fishes, 
referred byGiinther to \n8Acaniltopterygiicotto- 
xrnuilirifiiriiii-x, having one dorsal with several 
spongy spines anteriorly, one or more bony 
spines on each side of the tail, and the teeth 
compressed, truncate or lobate, and closely set 
in a single series. The species are known as barter- 
fish and surgeon*. The family is also called Acaittlxn-i- 
ilrr and Teuthidiacr. See these words. 
Acronurus (ak-ro-nu'rus), . [NL. , appar. ir- 
reg. < Gr. anpav, extremity, + ovpa, tail.] A for- 
mer generic name of small fishes now known to 
be the young of species of Acanthuriin (which 
see). 
acronych (a-kron'ik), a. [Also written acronyc, 
acronic, and aclironic, by confusion with adjec- 
tives in -ic and with chronic and Gr. %p6vof, 
time ; = F. acroiiyque = 8p. acronicto, acronieo 
= Pg. acronieo, aehronico = It. acronieo, < Gr. 
anpovvxof, also aKp6wKTOf and aKpovi-nnof, at 
nightfall, < aKpoc, at the end or edge, + wf 
(vtr-) = E. night.] Same as acronyciial. 
aeronychal (a-kron'i-kal), a. [Also written 
acronycal, acronical, etc., as acronyeh ; < acronych 
+ -al.] In a-stron., occurring at sunset: as, the 
aeronychal rising or setting of a star : opposed 
to cosmical Aeronychal place or observation, the 
place or observation of a planet at its opposition : so 
called because in an early state of astronomy the opposi- 
tion of a planet was known by its aeronychal rising. 
acronychally (a-kron'i-kal-i), adv. In an acrou- 
ychal manner; at sunset. A star is said to rise ami 
set acronychally when it rises or sets as the sun sets. 
acronyctOUS (ak-ro-nik'tus), a. [< Gr. aicpoww- 
rof : see acronych.] Same as aeronychal. 
acrook (a-kruk'),prep.p>ir. as adv. or a. [< ME. 
acroke, ^ a 3 , prep., on, + croke, crook.] Awry; 
crookedly. [Now rare.] 
Humbre renneth fyrst n crook out of the south side of 
York. Caxton, Descr. Britain, p. 1-2. 
This gear goth acrook. Udall, Roister Bolster, Iv. 3. 
Lihertie ys thing that women loke, 
And truly els the mater is acroke. 
Court of Low, 1. 378. 
acropetal (ak-rop'e-tal), a. [< Gr. anpov, the top, 
+ L. petere, seek. Of. centripetal.] In hot., de- 
veloping from below upward, or from the base 
toward the apex ; basifugal. 
acropetally (ak-rop'e-tal-i), adr. In an acrope- 
tal manner. 
The lateral shoots which normally arise below the grow- 
ing apex of a mother-shoot are always arranged acropr- 
tally, like the leaves. Sachs, Botany (trans.), p. 152. 
acrophonetic (ak*ro-pho-net'ik), . [<acroph- 
<mi/, after phonetic.] Pertaining to acrophony 
(which see). 
acrophony (a-krof 'o-ni), n. [< Gr. aKpof, at 
the end, + -^>uvia, < 'QWVJJ, sound.] In the de- 
velopment of alphabetic writing, the use of a 
symbolic picture of an object or idea to repre- 
sent phonetically the initial syllable, or the 
initial sound, of the name of that object or 
idea ; as in giving to the Egyptian hieroglyph 
for nefer, good, the phonetic value of ne, its first 
syllable, or of H, its first letter. See aerology. 
acropodium (ak-ro-po'di-um), . ; pi. acropodia 
(-a). [< Gr. aKpof, at the top, + xodtov, dim. of 
Troif (Trorf-) = E. foot.] 1. In zool., the upper 
surface of the whole foot. Srande. 2. In or- 
nith., sometimes used as synonymous with ac- 
