amygdaloid 
most liable to be found possessing an amygdaloidal struc- 
ture, and especially those older basalts frequently called 
mdaphiir. Also called mandluton*. 
amygdaloidal (a-mig-da-loi'dal), a. Same as 
amygdaloid; specifically, in geol., having a 
cellular or vesicular structure: said of lava, 
whether of modern or ancient origin, in which 
spherical or almond-shaped (whence the name) 
cavities were formed by the expansion of steam 
contained in the rocks at the time of its con- 
solidation, and which have later become filled 
with various minerals, especially quartz, cal- 
cite, or the zeolites. The rock having this character Is 
called an amygdaloid, and the cavities themselves, as thus 
filled by the percolation of heated water through the 
body of the rock, are called amjpdti. 
amygdalotomy (a-mig-da-lot'6-mi), . [< Gr. 
iifivyfia.~t.Ti, an almond (tonsil), -f- To/it/, a cutting, 
< -rtfivuv, raueiv, cut.] The cutting of the ton- 
sils; excision of a portion of a tonsil. 
Amygdalus (a-mig'da-lus), n. [NL., < L. amyg- 
dalus, < Gr. afivydatioc,, an almond-tree: see 
amygdala.] A genus of plants, the almonds, 
properly included in the genus Prunus (which 
see). 
amygdule (a-mig'dul), . [< amygd(ala) + 
-lite.] One of the crystalline nodules found in 
amygdaloid (which see). 
amyPt (am'il), n. [< L. amylum, starch, < Gr. 
d/it<Xov (sc. i/Uvpev, meal: see Aleurites), fine 
meal, a cake of such meal, starch, prop. neut. 
of auv)j)f, not ground at the mill, < a- priv. + 
pvfai, mill, = L. mola, mill : see mill 1 and meal?.] 
Starch ; fine flour. 
Of wheat is made aitit/1. 
B. Googe, tr. of Heresbach's Hush., p. 27 b. (A'. E. D.) 
amyl 2 (am'il), n. [Formerly amyle, < L. am(y- 
lum), Gr. au(v)wv), starch, + -yl, < Gr. vty, 
matter.] A hypothetical radical (C 5 H n ) be- 
lieved to exist in many compounds, as amylic 
alcohol, etc. It cannot exist in the free state, two 
molecules at the moment of its liberation combining to 
form the substance decane, CipHya, a double amyl mole- 
cule. Amyl compounds enter into the constitution of ar- 
tificial essences of fruits. They were first obtained from 
spirit distilled after the fermentation of starchy materials. 
Also written amide. Hydrate of amyl. same as amylic 
alcohol (which see, under alcohol). Nitrite of amyl, 
throughout the body, with consequent relaxation of the 
arterioles and lowering of the pressu re of the blood. Thera- 
peutically it is used when this effect seems desirable, as in 
angina pectoris, in the onset of epileptic attacks, ischemic 
megrims, etc. It is generally inhaled through the nostrils, 
5 to 10 drops being applied to them on a cloth. 
amylaceous (am-i-la'shius), a. [< L. amylum, 
starch, + -OMOttf.] Composed of or resembling 
starch; starchy. 
amylamine (am-il-am'in), n. [< amyl 2 + am- 
ine.] An organic base produced by treating 
amyl cyanate with caustic potash. There are 
three amylaniines known, which are regarded as ammo- 
nias in which 1, 2, and 3 atoms of hydrogen are respec- 
tively replaced by 1, 2, and 3 molecules of the radical amyl. 
The formulas of these Iwdies, therefore, are NHo(C s H,i), 
NH(C 5 H U )2, and ,\(C B H U )3. 
amylate (am'i-lat), . [< amyl 1 + -ate 1 .] A 
compound of starch with a base. 
amyl-corn (am'il-korn), n. An erroneous spell- 
ing of amel-corn. 
amylet, n. Former spelling of amyF*. 
amylene (am'i-len), n. [<amyl? + -ene.] A 
hydrocarbon (CsHi ) obtained by the dehydra- 
tion of amylic alcohol by means of zinc chlorid, 
etc. Amylene is a light, limpid, colorless liquid having 
a faint odor. At ordinary temperatures it speedily evap- 
orates. It possesses anesthetic properties, and has been 
tried as a substitute for chloroform, but unsuccessfully, 
as it has proved to be extremely dangerous. 
amylic (a-mil'ik), a. [< amyl 2 + -ic.] Pertain- 
ing to amyl ; derived from the radical amyl : as, 
amylic ether Amylic alcohol. See alcohol. Amylic 
fermentation, a process of fermentation in starch or 
sugar by which amylic alcohol is produced. 
amyliferous (am-i-lif 'e-rus), a. [< L. amylum, 
starch, + ferre = E. Hear 1 .] Starch-bearing; 
producing starch. N. E. D. 
amylin, aniyline (am'i-lin), n. [< amyl 1 + -in' 2 , 
-iwe2.] The insoluble portion of starch which 
constitutes the outer covering of the starch- 
grains ; starch-cellulose. 
amylo-. Combining form of amyl 1 , Latin amy- 
lum, starch, or of amyl%. 
amylodextrin (am'i-16-deks'trin), n. [< L. amy- 
lum, starch, + dextrin.] An intermediate pro- 
duct obtained in the conversion of starch into 
sugar. It is soluble in water and colored yellow by 
iodine. Its chemical nature and relations to other de- 
compositive products of starch are not yet understood. 
amylogen (a-mil'6-jen). n. [< Gr. d/nvtov (L. 
amylum), starch, 4- -yevfc . see -gen.] That part 
190 
of granulose which is soluble in water; soluble 
starch. 
amylogenic (a-mil-o-jen'ik), a. Pertaining to 
or composed of amylogen: as, an amylogenic 
body. See amyloplast. 
amyloid (am'i-loid), a. and . [< Gr. d//tvUn> 
(L. amylum), starch, + tidot;, form.] I. . Ke- 
sembling amylum, or starch Amyloid corpus- 
cles, corpora amylacea (which see, under coryyt/x).- Amy- 
loid degeneration or Infiltration, in imtkol. , lanlaceous 
disease (which see, under lardacemut). Amyloid sub- 
stance, lanlocdn (wbich see). 
II. n. In l>ot., a semi-gelatinous substance, 
analogous to starch, met with in some seeds, 
and becoming yellow in water after having been 
colored blue by iodine (Lindley) ; a member of 
the cellulose group of vegetable organic com- 
pounds, comprising cellulose, starch, gum, the 
sugars, .etc. 
amylqidal (am-i-loi'dal), a. Having the con- 
stitution of or resembling an amyloid. 
Whenever proteid substances or fats, or amyloidal mat- 
ters, are being converted into the more highly nxidatrd 
waste products urea, carbonic acid, and water heat is 
necessarily evolved. 
Huxley and I'mcnuou, Physiol., 157. 
amylolysis (am-i-lol'i-sis), n. [NL., < Gr. a/iv- 
/oi>, starch, + />.iV<c, solution, < Uttr, dissolve.] 
The digestion of starch, or its conversion into 
sugar. 
amylolytic (am'i-lo-lit'ik), a. [< amylolysis, 
after Gr. adj. Xwwdf, < ).veiv, dissolve.] Per- 
taining to amylolysis ; dissolving starch : as, 
the amylolytic ferment of the pancreas. 
It has been known for the last five years that the main 
product of the amylolytic action of saliva is maltose. 
Science, V. 189. 
amylometer (am-i-lom'e-ter), n. [< Gr. a/iv- 
fav, starch, + fierpov, a measure.] An instru- 
ment for testing the amount of starch in any 
substance. 
amyloplast (am'i-lo-plast), n. [< Gr. fyivW. 
starch, + ff^orof, verbal adj. of nAaaaetv, form.] 
A starch-forming corpuscle or granule, found 
within the protoplasm of vegetable-cells. These 
granules are colorless or but faintly tinged with yellow, 
and are the points around which starch accumulates. They 
are also called leucoplastids or amyloyenic bodies. 
amylopsin (am-i-lop'sin), . [< Gr. afiviav, fine 
meal, starch, + oipic,, appearance, + -in 2 .] A 
name which has been given to the amylolytic 
ferment of the pancreas. See amylolysis. 
amylose (am'i-los), . [< amyl 1 + -ose.] One 
of the three groups into which the carbohy- 
drates are divided, the others being glucose 
and saccharose. The principal members of this group 
are starch, dextrin, cellulose, and natural gum. They 
have the formula C^HioOs, or some multiple of it. 
amylum (am'i-lum), n. [L., < Gr. auvZav: see 
amyl 1 .] Starch. 
amyosthenia (a-mi-o-sthe'ni-a), n. [NL., < Gr. 
a- priv. + uvf (PM-), muscle, + adevof, strength.] 
Inpatltol., a want of muscular strength, or a de- 
ficiency of the power of muscular contraction. 
amyosthenic (a-mi-o-sthen'ik), n. [< amyosthe- 
nia + -ic.] In med., a drug that lessens muscu- 
lar action. 
amyotrophic (a-ml-o-trof'ik), a. [< amyotro- 
pliy.] Connected with or pertaining to muscu- 
lar atrophy Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, scle- 
rosis of the lateral columns of the spinal cord, in which the 
degenerative changes extend to the cells of the anterior 
cornua, involving degeneration of the motor nerves and 
atrophy of the muscles. 
amyotrophy (am-i-ot'ro-fi), . [< NL. *amyo- 
trophia, < Gr. a- priv. '+ uvf (/*>-), muscle, + 
-Tpotiia, < T/ityeiv, nourish.] Inpathol., atrophy 
of the muscles. 
amyous (am'i-us), a. [< Gr. d^wc, wanting 
muscle, < d- priv. + fjvf (/"*>-), muscle.] Want- 
ing in muscle. N. E. D. 
Amyraldism (am - i - ral' dizm), n. [< Am.yral- 
dus, a Latinized form of F. Amyrault, Amyraut 
(Moise Amyraut).] The doctrine of universal 
grace, as explained by the French Protestant 
theologian Amyraldus or Amyraut (1596-1664). 
He taught that God desires the happiness of all men, and 
that none are excluded by a divine decree, but that none 
can obtain salvation without faith in Christ ; that God re- 
fuses to none the power of believing, though he does not 
grant to all his assistance to improve this power. 
Arnyraldist (am-i-ral'dist), n. One who be- 
lieves in Amyraldism, or the doctrine of uni- 
versal grace. 
amyrin (am'i-rin), n. [< NL. Amyris, a genus 
of tropical trees and shrubs, yielding resinous 
products.] A crystalline resin, C 4O H 66 O, ob- 
tained from the gum elemi of Mexico. 
amy-root (a'mi-rot), n. [< amy, native name (f ), 
+ root 1 .] The root of the Indian hemp, Apo- 
cannabitium. 
an- 
amyztli (a-mist'li), n. [Native name.] A name 
of one of the large otaries or eared seals of the 
Pacific coast of North America, probably Eu- 
iiu-to/iiiix xti-llt'i-i or Zalophim <iill<-s)iii-i. 
amzel (am'zel), . [< OD. amsel or G. amsel = 
E. mtzel, q. v.] 1. A name of the ouzel or 
blackbird of Europe, Turdus merula or Mrrula 
vulgaris. Montagu. 2. A name of the ring- 
ouzel of Europe, Turdus torquatus or Merula 
torquata. Ttni/. 
Also spelled amsel. 
an 1 , a (an, a, or an, a). [< ME. an, before a vowel, 
occasionally before a consonant ; a, before a con- 
sonant (see a 2 ) ; < AS. tin, an, with the reg. adj. 
declension in sing, and pi. (pi. one, some, cer- 
tain), and the same word as aj one, its use as 
an indef. art. being comparatively rare. When 
so used, it was without emphasis, and became in 
ME. short in quantity (hence E. short an, a), 
while the numeral an, retaining its emphasis 
and quantity, developed reg. into E. one, pro- 
nounced on (as in only, al-one, at-one), in mod. 
times corrupted to won and finally to wun : see 
one.] The indefinite article. As between the two 
forms of this word, the general rule is that an be used 
before an initial vowel-sound of the following word, and a 
before an initial consonant-sound : thus, an eagle, an an- 
swer, also an hour(the h being silent); and a bird, a youth, 
a wonder, also a use, a eulogy, a one (these three words 
being pronounced as if they began with y or w). But an 
is still sometimes used before a consonant-sound, espe- 
cially before the weak consonant h ; and in written style, 
and in more formal spoken style, an is by many (especially 
in England) required before the initial A of a wholly un- 
accented syllable, as if such an A were altogether silent : 
thus, an hotel, but a hostess ; an historian, but a history ; 
an hypothesis, but a hypothetical. In colloquial speech, 
and increasingly in writing, a is used in all these cases 
alike. As by its derivation, so also in meaning, an or a 
is a weaker or less distinct one. (1) In certain phrases, 
and with certain nouns, it still has nearly the value of 
one : thus, two of a trade ; they were both of a size ; a 
hundred, a thousand, a million. (2) Usually, as the indefi- 
nite article proper, it points out, in a loose way, an indi- 
vidual as one of a class containing more of the same kind : 
thus, give me a pint of milk ; he ate an apple : they built 
a house ; we see a man ; the earth has a moon ; our sun is a 
fixed star. (3) Hence, before a proper noun, it implies ex- 
tension of the name or character of the individual to a 
class : thus, he is a Cicero in eloquence ; they built up a 
new England in America that is, a person like Cicero, a 
country like England. (4) A is used, apparently, before 
a plural noun, if few or many (now only great many, or 
ijood many) stands between: thus, a few apples, a great 
many soldiers ; but the plural noun is here historically a 
genitive partitive dependent on feie, many. (5) It is used 
distributively, or with the meaning of each or eeery, in 
such phrases as two dollars a piece, three times a day, 
five cents an ounce ; but a or an is here historically a 
preposition. See a3. An or a always precedes the noun 
to which it belongs, and in general also any other adjective 
word qualifying the same noun ; but what and such come 
before it : thus, W'Aaf a shame ! svch a beauty : and so also 
any adjective preceded byftow, oro, ora, or too: thus, 
/""' great a calamity, go rare a case, ajt good a man, too 
early a death. Many a is a phrase of peculiar meaning. 
See many. 
an 2 (an, an), conj. [A reduced form of and, 
existing from the earliest ME. period, and often 
then so written^ but in mod. literature an for 
and copulative is admitted only in representa- 
tions of dialectal or ' vulgar' speech, and is then 
usually printed an'. In conversation, however, 
though not in formal speech, the d is generally 
dropped, especially before a word beginning 
with a consonant, and the vowel may be weak- 
ened to the point of vanishing. An' for and, if, 
is archaic in literature, and is generally printed 
an, in distinction from and copulative.] I. Co- 
ordinate use : And ; same as and, A. 
Good is, quath Joseph, to dreme of win [winej ; 
Heilnesse on blisse is therin. 
Genesis and Exodus, 1. 2067. 
An' makes him quite forget his labor an' his toil. 
Bums, Cotter's Saturday Night. 
II. Conditional use: If; same as and, B. 
And mygte kysse the kyng for cosyn, an she wolde. 
Piers Plowman (B), ii. 132. 
An thou wert my father, as thou art but my brother. 
Beau, and Fl., Custom of the Country, i. 1. 
A n I may hide my face, let me play Thisby too. 
Shale., M. N. D., i. 2. 
Why, an' you were to go now to Clod-Hall, I am certain 
the old lady wouldn't know you. 
Sheridan, The Rivals, HI. 4. 
an 3 !, prep. [ME. an, (. AS. an, the orig. form of 
the usual AS., ME., and mod. E. on; as a prefix 
an-, usually on- ; in reduced form, a, prefix a- : 
see on, an- 1 , a 3 , a- 2 .] An earlier form of on, re- 
tained until the last century in certain phrases, 
as an edge, an end, now only on edge, on end; in 
present use only as an unfelt prefix an- or re- 
duced a-. See an- 1 , a- 2 . 
an- 1 . [< ME. aw-, < AS. an-, orig. form of on-: 
in mod. E. reg. on-, or reduced a-: see on- 1 and 
- 2 , and cf. n- 2 .] A prefix of Anglo-Saxon ori- 
