altricial 
altricial (al-tris'ial), a. [< Altrices.} Being 
one of or belonging to the Altrices; having the 
nature of Altrices ; heterophagous. 
162 
dial, locco, loucch, a dunce, Sp. loco, a madman, 
loco, adj., = Pg. louco, Pr. locou, mad.] 1. The 
specific name of a kind of owl, Stria or Syrnium 
dliirn, the European tawny owl. 2. [cop.] A 
name of a genus of owls, now usually applied 
to the genus of barn-owls taken as typical of 
the family Aluconida;. The common barn-owl of 
the old world is Aluco fiammeus ; that of Amer- 
ica is A. pratincola. See cut under barn-owl. 
3. [cnp.] A genus of gastropods. Link, 1807. 
Aluconidae (al-u-kon'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Alu- 
co(n-) + -ida.} A family of owls, consisting of 
those known as barn-owls. See barn-owl. They 
differ from all others in having the sternum entire and 
simply emarginate behind, with the furculum ankylosed 
to its keel, the middle claw somewhat pectinate, and the 
facial disk complete and triangular. The family consist* 
of the genera Aluco and Phodilug. See Striyida?. 
Aluconinae (al"u-k6-ni'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Alu- 
co(n-) + -in<r.] The Aluconidw, as a subfamily 
of Strigida;. 
aludel (al'u-del), n. [< OF. aludel, alutel, < Sp. 
aludel, < Ar. al-utlidl, < al, the, + utltal, prob. 
for itnal, pi. of athla, utensil, apparatus.] In 
Alto-rilievo. 
Hermes, Eurydice, and Orpheus : in the Museo Nazionale, Naples. 
altropathy (al-trop'a-thi), n. [< L. alter, an- 
other, + Or. -TtaBia, { Kadof, suffering.] Feel- 
ing for others ; sympathy. 
Better still to convey the altruistic conception, and in 
more natural contrast with autopathy, there might in like 
manner be substituted for sympathy the allied expression 
altropathy, which, to a certain extent, would come to the 
aid of the stronger term philanthropy. 
L. F. Ward, Dynam. Sociol., II. 871. 
altruism (al'tro'-izm), n. [< F. altruisme, < It. 
altrui, another, other people (= Pr. altrui = 
OF. altrui, F. autrni), prop, the objective case, 
sing, and pi., of altro, other (= OF. altre, F. 
nutre), < L. alter, other: see alter. In the col- 
loquial Latin of later times, alter, like many 
other pronominal words, was strengthened by 
the addition of hie, this ; hence dat. *altcri-huic, 
contr. to "altruic, altrui, which became the com- 
mon objective case.] A term first employed by 
the French philosopher Comte to denote the 
benevolent instincts and emotions in general, 
or action prompted by them: the opposite of 
egoism. 
If we define altruism as being all action which, in the 
normal course of things, benefits others instead of bene- 
fiting self, then, from the dawn of life, altruism has been 
no less essential than egoism. 
H. Spencer, Data of Ethics, 75. 
altruist (al'tro-ist), n. [< F. altriiiste, as altru- 
isme, altruism, + -iyte, -ist. ] One who practises 
altruism; a person devoted to the welfare of 
others : opposed to egoist. 
altruistic (al-tro'-is'tik), a. Pertaining or re- 
lating to altruism ; regardful of others ; having 
regard to the well-being or best interests of 
others : opposed to egoistic. 
Only in the comparatively rare cases where the anony- 
mous benefaction is from one who can ill afford the money 
or the labour required, does generosity rise to that high- 
est form in which altruistic gratification ont-balances ego- 
istic gratification. //. Spencer, Prin. of Psychol., 528. 
altruistically (al-tro-is'ti-kal-i), adv. In an 
altruistic manner ; for the benefit of another ; 
benevolently; unselfishly. H. Spencer. 
alturet (al'tur), n. [< It. altura, height, < alto, 
high: see alt.'] Height; altitude. N.E.D. 
aluchi, n. See alouchi. 
Alucita (a-lu'si-ta), . [NL., < LL. (cited as 
L.) alutita, a gnat.] A genus of featherwings 
or plume-moths, family Pterophoridai, having 
the wings divided into six lobes or feathers, 
rounded at the apex and ciliated along the edge. 
A. hexadactyla of Europe and America expands 
about half an inch. 
Alucitidae (al-u-sit'i-de), ti.pl. [NL., < Alucita 
+ -ida:.} Featherwings or plume-moths; a 
family of moths named from the genus Alucita, 
having the wings dissected into feathery lobes. 
Also called Pterophoridai (which see). See cut 
under plume-mo th. 
aluco (a-lu'ko), n. [NL., said by Gesner to 
have been Latinized by Gaza (1476) from It. 
alocho, to translate Gr. /te<5r (a kind of owl) in 
Aristotle ; but rather a variation ( > Sp. alucon) 
of LL. alucus, a diff. reading of ulucus, said by 
Servius to be a popular name equiv. to alula, an 
owl. Hence (< LL. alucus) appar. It. alocco, al- 
locco, dial, olocn, an owl, a dunce, dolt ; cf. It. 
chem., a name given to one of a number of pear- 
shaped glasses or earthen pots, used in subli- 
mation, resembling somewhat the ancient alem- 
bic, and open at both ends so that they can be 
fitted together in a series. The name has also been 
given to any prolonged chimney or tube of glass or earth- 
enware consisting of more than one piece. 
aludel-furnace (aru-del-fer'nas), n. A fur- 
nace for the reduction of mercurial ores, it con- 
sists of a cylindrical shaft divided by an arch into two 
chambers, the lower serving as a furnace and the upper 
receiving the ore. The mercurial vapors from the latter 
pass through rows of aludels, in which it is condensed and 
whence it is delivered into a reservoir. 
alula (al'u-la), .; pi. alula; (-le). [NL., dim. of 
nlii, wing: see aisle.] 1 In ornith., the winglet, 
bastard wing, 
or ala spuria 
of a bird; the 
Cket of small 
thers which 
grows upon 
the so-called 
thumb of a 
bird's wing. 
The feathers are rather stiff, resembling primaries to some 
extent, but always smaller, and contribute to the smooth- 
ness and evenness of the border of the wing. 
2. In entom. : (a) The small membranous ap- 
pendage or scale situated at the base of each 
wing of many dipterous insects, above the hal- 
teres or poisers. (6) A similar appendage be- 
neath each elytron of some water-beetles. Also 
called alulet and cueilleron. 
Alula (the shaded part in the figure). 
In certain water beetles (Dytiscidse) a pair of alula, or 
winglete, are developed at the inner angle of the elytra. 
c- Brit., VI. 127. 
alular (al'u-lar), . Of or pertaining to an 
alula. 
alulet (al'u-let), n. [< alula + -et.} In entom., 
same as alula. 2. 
alum (al'um), n. [Early mod. E. often allum, 
alem, ali/m, < ME. alum, atom, < OF. alum, mod. F. 
alun = MHG. alun, G. alaun (> Pol. alun (barred 
1), Sloven, alun = Buss, galunu = Lith. alunas), 
< L. alumen, alum; of unknown origin.] The 
general name of a class of double sulphates 
formed by the union of aluminium, iron, chro- 
mium, or manganese sulphate with the sul- 
phate of some other metal, commonly an alka- 
line metal or ammonium. Common or potash alum 
has the formula Al^SO^ + KoSOj + 24H 2 O. It is pro- 
duced by mixing concentrated solutions of potassium 
sulphate and crude aluminium sulphate. The double 
salt at once crystallizes in octahedrons. Alum is soluble 
in water, has a sweetish-sour taste, reddens litmus, and 
is a powerful astringent. In medicine it is used inter- 
nally as an astringent, externally as a styptic applied to 
severed blood-vessels. In the arta it is used as a mor- 
dant in dyeing, and extensively in other ways. When 
mixed in small amount with inferior grades of flour, it is 
said to whiten them in the process of bread-making, but 
its effect on the system is injurious. Alum shale, an- 
other name for alum slate, including especially its more 
shaly varieties. Alum slate, a variety of clay slate con- 
taining more or less carbonaceous material (remains of 
seaweeds, etc.), with which is associated an easily de- 
composed and frequently occurring compound of sulphur 
and iron (marcasite). The decomposition of this sub- 
stance gives rise to an efflorescence of alum, usually 
potash alum, which is a compound of potassium sulphate 
and aluminium sulphate. Burnt alum, alum from which 
the water of crystallization has been driven off by heat. 
Also called dried alum, alumen exsicfatum. Concen- 
trated alum, normal aluminium sulphate, Al^sO-ifo, 
which is prepared on a large scale by treating roasted clay 
with oil of vitriol, and crystallizing out the sulphate form- 
ed. It is largely used in dyeing. Also called patent alum. 
Cubic alum, or basic alum, the mineral alum-stone. 
Earth of alum. See earth. Roman alum, a variety 
of potash alum prepared from the mineral alum-stone, of 
special value to dyers, since it contains no soluble iron 
salts. Also called rock-alum and roche-alttm. 
aluminium 
alum (al'um), v. t. [< alum, .] To steep in 
or impregnate with a solution of alum. 
Fur silk dyeing anotta is largely used, yielding bright 
lustrous shades; by alumin;/ the silk is considered to take 
the dye better. O'Seill, Dyeing and Calico Printing, p. 67. 
alum-battery (al'um-bat"e-ri), n. A galvanic 
battery employing a solution of alum as the 
exciting liquid. 
Alumbrado (a-Wm-bra'do), n. [Sp., formerly 
alombrado, pp. of alumbrar, formerly alontbrar, 
enlighten, illuminate, < ML. "alluminnre: see 
allumiiie, and of. illuminate, Illuminati.} One 
of a sect of Illuminati, or Perfectionists, which 
existed in Spain in the sixteenth century, but 
was suppressed by the Inquisition. Also spelled 
Alombrado. 
alum-earth (al'um-erth), . A' massive variety 
of ahim-stone (which see). 
alumin, alumine (al'u-min), . Same as alu- 
mina. 
alumina (a-lu'mi-na), n. [NL., < L. alumen 
(alumin-) : see alum.] The oxid of aluminium, 
AloOs, the most abundant of the earths. It i 
widely diffused over the globe in the shape of clay, loam, 
and other similar substances ; corundum, in ito varieties 
adamantine spar, the ruby, and sapphire, is alumina nearly 
pure and crystallized. In these forms alumina is, next to 
the diamond, the hardest substance known. Its great value 
in the arts depends on its affinity for vegetable coloring 
matters and animal fiber. It forms the base of the lakes 
in dyeing, and act* also as a mordant. United with silica 
it is extensively used in the manufacture of all kinds of pot- 
tery and porcelain-ware, crucibles, mortar, and cement*. 
aluminate (a-lu'mi-nat), v. t.; pret. and pp. 
illuminated, ppr. alnmiiiating. [< L. aluminatus, 
pp. adj., < alumen (alumin-): see alum.'} To 
treat or impregnate with alum ; specifically, in 
printing engravings, to wash (the paper) with 
alum-water to prevent the running of the lines. 
aluminate (a-lu'mi-nat), n. [< alumina + -ate 1 ."} 
A salt in which alumina acts toward the stronger 
bases as an acid. Sodium aluminate is used as 
a mordant. The mineral spinel is a magnesium 
aluminate. 
aluminic (al-u-miu'ik), a. [< aluminium + -to.] 
Relating to or containing aluminium. 
aluminiferous (a-lu-mi-nif 'e-rus), a. [< L. alu- 
men (alumin-), alum, + ferre = E. bear 1 .} Con- 
taining or yielding alum, alumina, or alumin- 
ium. 
aluminiform (al-u-min'i-form), a. [< L. alu- 
men (alumin-), alum, + -formis, < forma, form.] 
Having the form of alum, alumina, or alumin- 
ium. 
aluminite (a-lu'mi-nit), . [< alumina + -ite 2 .] 
Hydrous sulphate of aluminium, a mineral that 
occurs in small roundish or reniform masses. 
Its color is snow-white or yellowish-white. 
aluminium (al-u-min'i-um), n. [NL. (> F. alu- 
mine, > E. alumin), < L. alumen (-win-), alum (see 
alum),+ -ium, as in sodium, potassium, etc.; first 
proposed by Sir H. Davy, the discoverer of the 
metal, in the form alumium and then aluminum.} 
Chemical symbol Al; atomic weight 27.1. A 
metal of silver-white color and brilliant luster, 
about as hard as zinc, very malleable and duc- 
tile, highly sonorous, and a good conductor of 
heat and electricity. Its most remarkable character 
is its low specific gravity (2.56), which is al>out one third 
that of iron and less than that of marble. It does not 
tarnish in the air, and even in a molten state does not 
oxidize; ito melting-point is somewhat lower than that of 
silver. Aluminium in combination with oxygen (AlgO;)) 
forms the common earth alumina, which exists in nature 
as the mineral corundum, of which the ruby, sapphire, 
and emery are varieties ; the hydrated sesqnioxid exists as 
the minerals diaspore, gibbsite, and bauxite. Alumina 
also enters into the composition of a very large number of 
minerals, the most important of which are the feldspars. 
From the decomposition of these, clay (kaolin, etc.) is 
produced, which is essentially a hydrated silicate of alu- 
minium. Among other important minerals containing 
aluminium are the silicates andalusite, cyanite, fibrolite, 
topaz, and all of the zeolites ; the fluoride of aluminium 
and sodium, cryolite, from which the metal is reduced ; 
the oxid of aluminium and magnesium, spinel ; the sul- 
phates aluminite, alum-stone, the alums, etc. ; the phos- 
phates turquoise, lazulite, etc. ; the carbonate dawsonite, 
and many others. It is estimated that in its various com- 
pounds aluminium forms about one twelfth of the crust 
of the earth. In consequence of its very low specific 
gravity, freedom from tarnish, non-poisonous qualities, 
and ease of working, aluminium is a most valuable metal, 
and would be extensively used if it were not for the cost 
of separating it from the combinations in which it occurs 
in nature. It is used, however, to a limited extent by 
itself and in alloys for physical apparatus and other arti- 
cles in which lightness and great strength are necessary. 
The cap of the Washington monument, which forms the 
tip of its lightning-rod, is a pyramidal mass of aluminium 
weighing 100 ounces. Also written ahtmimnn. Alumin- 
ium bronze, an alloy of 9 parts of copper with 1 of 
aluminium. It resembles gold in luster and color, and 
is used as a cheap imitation of that metal. Unlike gold, 
however, it gradually tarnishes on exposure to the air. 
It is much used in cheap jewelry and ornamental work, 
and also for a great variety of industrial purposes, espe- 
cially for bearings in machinery. Aluminium Silver, a 
