Part 198

Al"sike (&?;), n. [From Alsike, in Sweden.] A species of clover with pinkish or white flowers; Trifolium hybridum.

Al"so (&?;), adv. & conj. [All + so. OE. al so, AS. ealsw, alsw&?;, ælswæ; eal, al, æl, all + sw so. See All, So, As.] 1. In like manner; likewise. [Obs.]

2. In addition; besides; as well; further; too.

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt. vi. 20.

3. Even as; as; so. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Syn. -- Also, Likewise, Too. These words are used by way of transition, in leaving one thought and passing to another. Also is the widest term. It denotes that what follows is all so, or entirely like that which preceded, or may be affirmed with the same truth; as, "If you were there, I was there also;" "If our situation has some discomforts, it has also many sources of enjoyment." Too is simply less formal and pointed than also; it marks the transition with a lighter touch; as, "I was there too;" "a courtier yet a patriot too." Pope. Likewise denotes literally "in like manner," and hence has been thought by some to be more specific than also. "It implies," says Whately, "some connection or agreement between the words it unites. We may say, ‘ He is a poet, and likewise a musician; ' but we should not say, ‘ He is a prince, and likewise a musician,' because there is no natural connection between these qualities." This distinction, however, is often disregarded.

Alt (&?;), a. & n. [See Alto.] (Mus.) The higher part of the scale. See Alto.

To be in alt, to be in an exalted state of mind.

Al*ta"ian (&?;), Al*ta"ic (&?;), a. [Cf. F. altaïque.] Of or pertaining to the Altai, a mountain chain in Central Asia.

Al"tar (&?;), n. [OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl. altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier, F. autel. Cf. Altitude.] 1. A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are offered or incense burned to a deity.

Noah builded an altar unto the Lord. Gen. viii. 20.

2. In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; the communion table.

Altar is much used adjectively, or as the first part of a compound; as, altar bread or altar-bread.

Altar cloth or Altar-cloth, the cover for an altar in a Christian church, usually richly embroidered. -- Altar cushion, a cushion laid upon the altar in a Christian church to support the service book. -- Altar frontal. See Frontal. -- Altar rail, the railing in front of the altar or communion table. -- Altar screen, a wall or partition built behind an altar to protect it from approach in the rear. -- Altar tomb, a tomb resembling an altar in shape, etc. -- Family altar, place of family devotions. -- To lead (as a bride) to the altar, to marry; -- said of a woman.

Al"tar*age (&?;), n. [Cf. OF. auterage, autelage.] 1. The offerings made upon the altar, or to a church.

2. The profit which accrues to the priest, by reason of the altar, from the small tithes. Shipley.

Al"tar*ist (&?;), n. [Cf. LL. altarista, F. altariste.] (Old Law) (a) A chaplain. (b) A vicar of a church.

Al"tar*piece` (&?;), n. The painting or piece of sculpture above and behind the altar; reredos.

Al"tar*wise` (&?;), adv. In the proper position of an altar, that is, at the east of a church with its ends towards the north and south. Shipley.

Alt*az"i*muth (&?;), n. [Alltude + azimuth.] (Astron.) An instrument for taking azimuths and altitudes simultaneously.

Al"ter (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Altered (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Altering.] [F. altérer, LL. alterare, fr. L. alter other, alius other. Cf. Else, Other.] 1. To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify. "To alter the king's course." "To alter the condition of a man." "No power in Venice can alter a decree." Shak.

It gilds all objects, but it alters none. Pope.

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Ps. lxxxix. 34.

2. To agitate; to affect mentally. [Obs.] Milton.

3. To geld. [Colloq.]

Syn. -- Change, Alter. Change is generic and the stronger term. It may express a loss of identity, or the substitution of one thing in place of another; alter commonly expresses a partial change, or a change in form or details without destroying identity.

Al"ter, v. i. To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change; as, the weather alters almost daily; rocks or minerals alter by exposure. "The law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not." Dan. vi. 8.

Al`ter*a*bil"i*ty (&?;), n. [Cf. F. altérabilité.] The quality of being alterable; alterableness.