Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-TEL'LAN, n.

A dramatic representation, satirical or licentious. – Shaftesbury.

A-TEMP'O-GI-US'TO, n. [It.; L. in tempore justo.]

A direction in music, which signifies to sing or play in an equal, true, or just time.

ATH-A-NA'SIAN, a.

Pertaining to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, in the fourth century. The Athanasian creed is a formulary, confession or exposition of faith, supposed formerly to have been drawn up by Athanasius, but this opinion is now rejected, and the composition is ascribed by some to Hilary, bishop of Arles. It is a summary of what was called the orthodox faith.

ATH'A-NOR, n. [Ar. and Heb. תנור, thanor, an oven or furnace.]

A digesting furnace, formerly used in chimical operations; so constructed as to maintain a uniform and durable heat. It is a furnace, with a lateral tower close on all sides, which is to be filled with fuel. As the fuel below is consumed, that in the tower falls down to supply its place. – Nicholson.

A'THE-ISM, n.

The disbelief of the existence of a God, or Supreme intelligent Being. Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness. – Rob. Hall.

A'THE-IST, a.

Atheistical; disbelieving or denying the being of a Supreme God.

A'THE-IST, n. [Gr. αθεος, of α privative and Θεος, God.]

One who disbelieves the existence of a God, or Supreme intelligent Being.

A-THE-IST'IC, or A-THE-IST'IC-AL, a.

1. Pertaining to atheism.
2. Disbelieving the existence of a God; impious; applied to persons; as, an atheistic writer.
3. Implying or containing atheism; applied to things; as, atheistic doctrines or opinions.

A-THE-IST'IC-AL-LY, adv.

In an atheistic manner; impiously.

A-THE-IST'IC-AL-NESS, n.

The quality of being atheistical.

A'THE-IZE, v.i.

To discourse as an atheist. [Not used.] – Cudworth.

A-THEL, or A-DEL, a. [or Æ-THEL.]

noble, of illustrious birth; Sax. ædel, æthel; G. adel; D. edel; Sw. ædel; Dan. ædel; Ar. أَثَلَ athala, to be well rooted, to be of noble origin. This word is found in many Saxon names; as, in Atheling, a noble youth; Ethelred, noble counsel; Ethelard, noble genius; Ethelbert, noble, bright, eminently noble. Ethelwald, noble government, or power; Ethelward, noble defender.

ATH-E-NE'UM, n. [Gr. from Athens.]

In ancient Athens, a place where poets, philosophers, and rhetoricians declaimed, and repeated their compositions. In the United States, a building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for public use, or for a reading room, so called. [Note. This word is anglicized, by discarding the diphthong, as is done in economy and other English words.]

A-THE'NI-AN, a. [from Athens.]

Pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Attica in Greece.

A-THE'NI-AN, n.

A native or inhabitant of Athens.

A-THE-O-LO'GI-AN, n.

One who is opposed to a theologian. – Hayward.

A-THE-OL'OGY, n.

Atheism. [Not in use.] – Swift.

A'THE-OUS, a.

Atheistic; impious. [Not used.] Milton.

ATH'E-RINE, or ATH-E-RI'NA, n.

A genus of fishes or the Abdominal order. The characters are, the upper jaw is rather flat, the rays of the gill membrane are six, and the side belt or line shines like silver. There are four species the best known is the Hepsetus, very abundant in the Mediterranean, where it is caught in large quantities. – Pennant. Ed. Encyc.

ATH-E-RO'MA, n. [Gr. from αθηρα, pap.]

A species of wen or encysted tumor, whose contents are curdy.

ATH-E-ROMA-TOUS, a.

Pertaining to or resembling an atheroma; having the qualities of an atheroma. – Wiseman.

A-THIRST', a. [athurst'; a and thirst. See Thirst.]

1. Thirsty; wanting drink.
2. Having a keen appetite or desire. He had a soul athirst for knowledge. – Ch. Observer.

ATH-LETE', a. [See Athletic.]

A contender for victory. – A. Smith's Theory.

ATH-LET'IC, a. [Gr. αθλητης; L. athleta, a wrestler; from αεθλος, strife, contest.]

1. Belonging to wrestling, boxing, running, and other exercises and sports, which were practiced by the ancients, usually called the athletic games. Hence,
2. Strong; lusty; robust; vigorous. An athletic body or constitution, is one fitted for vigorous exertions.

ATH-LET'IC-AL-LY, adv.

In a strong, robust, or athletic manner. – Borrow.