Part 348

||Arc*toid"e*a (&?;), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; bear + -oid.] (Zoöl.) A group of the Carnivora, that includes the bears, weasels, etc.

Arc*tu"rus (&?;), n. [L. Arcturus, Gr. &?; bearward, equiv. to &?;; &?; bear + &?; ward, guard. See Arctic.] (Anat.) A fixed star of the first magnitude in the constellation Boötes.

Arcturus has sometimes been incorrectly used as the name of the constellation, or even of Ursa Major.

Canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons [Rev. Ver.: "the Bear with her train"]. Job xxxviii. 32.

Arc"u*al (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to an arc.

Arcual measure of an angle (Math.), that in which the unit angle has its measuring arc equal to the radius of the circle.

{ Arc"u*ate (&?;), Arc"u*a`ted (&?;)(#), } a. [L. arcuatus, p. p. of arcuare to shape like a bow, fr. arcus. See Arc.] Bent or curved in the form of a bow. "Arcuate stalks." Gray.

Arc"u*ate*ly (&?;), adv. In the form of a bow.

Arc`u*a"tion (&?;), n. [L. arcuatio.] 1. The act of bending or curving; incurvation; the state of being bent; crookedness. Coxe.

2. (Hort.) A mode of propagating trees by bending branches to the ground, and covering the small shoots with earth; layering. Chambers.

Ar"cu*ba*list (&?;), n. [See Arbalist.] A crossbow. Fosbroke.

Ar`cu*bal"ist*er (&?;), n. [L. arcuballistarius. Cf. Arbalister.] A crossbowman; one who used the arcubalist. Camden.

Ar"cu*bus (&?;), n. See Arquebus. [Obs.]

-ard, -art. The termination of many English words; as, coward, reynard, drunkard, mostly from the French, in which language this ending is of German origin, being orig. the same word as English hard. It usually has the sense of one who has to a high or excessive degree the quality expressed by the root; as, braggart, sluggard.

||Ar*das"sine (&?;), n. [F. (cf. Sp. ardacina), fr. ardasse a kind of silk thread, fr. Ar. & Per. ardan a kind of raw silk.] A very fine sort of Persian silk.

Ar"den*cy (&?;), n. 1. Heat. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.

2. Warmth of passion or affection; ardor; vehemence; eagerness; as, the ardency of love or zeal.

Ar"dent (&?;), a. [OE. ardaunt, F. ardant, p. pr. of arder to burn, fr. L. ardere.] 1. Hot or burning; causing a sensation of burning; fiery; as, ardent spirits, that is, distilled liquors; an ardent fever.

2. Having the appearance or quality of fire; fierce; glowing; shining; as, ardent eyes. Dryden.

3. Warm, applied to the passions and affections; passionate; fervent; zealous; vehement; as, ardent love, feelings, zeal, hope, temper.

An ardent and impetuous race. Macaulay.

Syn. -- Burning; hot; fiery; glowing; intense; fierce; vehement; eager; zealous; keen; fervid; fervent; passionate; affectionate.

Ar"dent*ly (&?;), adv. In an ardent manner; eagerly; with warmth; affectionately; passionately.

Ar"dent*ness, n. Ardency. [R.]

Ar"dor (&?;), n. [L. ardor, fr. ardere to burn: cf. OF. ardor, ardur, F. ardeur.] [Spelt also ardour.] 1. Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays.

2. Warmth or heat of passion or affection; eagerness; zeal; as, he pursues study with ardor; the fought with ardor; martial ardor.

3. pl. Bright and effulgent spirits; seraphim. [Thus used by Milton.]

Syn. -- Fervor; warmth; eagerness. See Fervor.