Part 228

To maintain and ampliate the external possessions of your empire. Udall.

Am"pli*ate (&?;), a. (Zoöl.) Having the outer edge prominent; said of the wings of insects.

Am`pli*a"tion (&?;), n. [L. ampliatio: cf. F. ampliation.] 1. Enlargement; amplification. [R.]

2. (Civil Law) A postponement of the decision of a cause, for further consideration or re-argument.

Am"pli*a*tive (&?;), a. (Logic) Enlarging a conception by adding to that which is already known or received.

"All bodies possess power of attraction" is an ampliative judgment; because we can think of bodies without thinking of attraction as one of their immediate primary attributes. Abp. W. Thomson.

Am*plif"i*cate (&?;), v. t. [L. amplificatus, p. p. of amplificare.] To amplify. [Obs.] Bailey.

Am`pli*fi*ca"tion (&?;), n. [L. amplificatio.] 1. The act of amplifying or enlarging in dimensions; enlargement; extension.

2. (Rhet.) The enlarging of a simple statement by particularity of description, the use of epithets, etc., for rhetorical effect; diffuse narrative or description, or a dilating upon all the particulars of a subject.

Exaggeration is a species of amplification. Brande & C.

I shall summarily, without any amplification at all, show in what manner defects have been supplied. Sir J. Davies.

3. The matter by which a statement is amplified; as, the subject was presented without amplifications.

Am*plif"i*ca*tive (&?;), a. Amplificatory.

Am*plif"i*ca*to*ry (&?;), a. Serving to amplify or enlarge; amplificative. Morell.

Am"pli*fi`er (&?;), n. One who or that which amplifies.

Am"pli*fy (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amplified (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Amplifying.] [F. amplifier, L. amplificare. See Ample, -fy.] 1. To render larger, more extended, or more intense, and the like; -- used especially of telescopes, microscopes, etc.

2. (Rhet.) To enlarge by addition or discussion; to treat copiously by adding particulars, illustrations, etc.; to expand; to make much of.

Troilus and Cressida was written by a Lombard author, but much amplified by our English translator. Dryden.

Am"pli*fy (&?;), v. i. 1. To become larger. [Obs.]

Strait was the way at first, withouten light, But further in did further amplify. Fairfax.

2. To speak largely or copiously; to be diffuse in argument or description; to dilate; to expatiate; -- often with on or upon. Watts.

He must often enlarge and amplify upon the subject he handles. South.

Am"pli*tude (&?;), n. [L. amplitudo, fr. amplus: cf. F. amplitude. See Ample.] 1. State of being ample; extent of surface or space; largeness of dimensions; size.

The cathedral of Lincoln . . . is a magnificent structure, proportionable to the amplitude of the diocese. Fuller.

2. Largeness, in a figurative sense; breadth; abundance; fullness. (a) Of extent of capacity or intellectual powers. "Amplitude of mind." Milton. "Amplitude of comprehension." Macaulay. (b) Of extent of means or resources. "Amplitude of reward." Bacon.

3. (Astron.) (a) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west point and the center of the sun, or a star, at its rising or setting. At the rising, the amplitude is eastern or ortive: at the setting, it is western, occiduous, or occasive. It is also northern or southern, when north or south of the equator. (b) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west point and the foot of the vertical circle passing through any star or object.

4. (Gun.) The horizontal line which measures the distance to which a projectile is thrown; the range.

5. (Physics) The extent of a movement measured from the starting point or position of equilibrium; -- applied especially to vibratory movements.