Part 394

{ As"pi*rate (s"p*rt), As"pi*ra"ted (-r"td), } a. [L. aspiratus, p. p.] Pronounced with the h sound or with audible breath.

But yet they are not aspirate, i. e., with such an aspiration as h. Holder.

As`pi*ra"tion (&?;), n. [L. aspiratio, fr. aspirare: cf. F. aspiration.] 1. The act of aspirating; the pronunciation of a letter with a full or strong emission of breath; an aspirated sound.

If aspiration be defined to be an impetus of breathing. Wilkins.

2. The act of breathing; a breath; an inspiration.

3. The act of aspiring of a ardently desiring; strong wish; high desire. "Aspirations after virtue." Johnson.

Vague aspiration after military renown. Prescott.

As"pi*ra`tor (&?;), n. 1. (Chem.) An apparatus for passing air or gases through or over certain liquids or solids, or for exhausting a closed vessel, by means of suction.

2. (Med.) An instrument for the evacuation of the fluid contents of tumors or collections of blood.

As*pir"a*to*ry (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to breathing; suited to the inhaling of air

As*pire" (&?;), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Aspired (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Aspiring.] [F. aspirer, L. aspirare. See Aspirate, v. t.] 1. To desire with eagerness; to seek to attain something high or great; to pant; to long; -- followed by to or after, and rarely by at; as, to aspire to a crown; to aspire after immorality.

Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell; Aspiring to be angels, men rebel. Pope.

2. To rise; to ascend; to tower; to soar.

My own breath still foments the fire, Which flames as high as fancy can aspire. Waller.

As*pire", v. t. To aspire to; to long for; to try to reach; to mount to. [Obs.]

That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds. Shak.

As*pire", n. Aspiration. [Obs.] Chapman.

As*pire"ment (&?;), n. Aspiration. [Obs.]

As*pir"er (&?;), n. One who aspires.

As*pir"ing, a. That aspires; as, an Aspiring mind. -- As*pir"ing*ly, adv. -- As*pir"ing*ness, n.

Asp"ish (&?;), a. Pertaining to, or like, an asp.

As`por*ta"tion (&?;), n. [L. asportatio, fr. asportare to carry away; abs = ab + portare to bear, carry.] (Law) The felonious removal of goods from the place where they were deposited.

It is adjudged to be larceny, though the goods are not carried from the house or apartment. Blackstone.

A*sprawl" (&?;), adv. & a. Sprawling.

A*squat" (&?;), adv. & a. Squatting.

A*squint" (&?;), adv. [Cf. Askant, Squint.] With the eye directed to one side; not in the straight line of vision; obliquely; awry, so as to see distortedly; as, to look asquint.

Ass (&?;), n. [OE. asse, AS. assa; akin to Icel. asni, W. asen, asyn, L. asinus, dim. aselus, Gr. &?;; also to AS. esol, OHG. esil, G. esel, Goth. asilus, Dan. æsel, Lith. asilas, Bohem. osel, Pol. osiel. The word is prob. of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. ath&?;n she ass. Cf. Ease.] 1. (Zoöl.) A quadruped of the genus Equus (E. asinus), smaller than the horse, and having a peculiarly harsh bray and long ears. The tame or domestic ass is patient, slow, and sure-footed, and has become the type of obstinacy and stupidity. There are several species of wild asses which are swift-footed.

2. A dull, heavy, stupid fellow; a dolt. Shak.