Part 62

Ar"ti*fact (?), n. [L. ars, artis, art + facere, factum, to make.] 1. (Archæol.) A product of human workmanship; -- applied esp. to the simpler products of aboriginal art as distinguished from natural objects.

2. (Biol.) A structure or appearance in protoplasm due to death or the use of reagents and not present during life.

Ar*til"ler*y wheel. A kind of heavily built dished wheel with a long axle box, used on gun carriages, usually having 14 spokes and 7 felloes; hence, a wheel of similar construction for use on automobiles, etc.

||As`ca*ri"a*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an intestinal worm.] (Med.) A disease, usually accompanied by colicky pains and diarrhea, caused by the presence of ascarids in the gastrointestinal canal.

As"co*carp (?), n. [Gr. 'asko`s a bladder + karpo`s fruit.] (Bot.) In ascomycetous fungi, the spherical, discoid, or cup-shaped body within which the asci are collected, and which constitutes the mature fructification. The different forms are known in mycology under distinct names. Called also spore fruit.

||As`co*my*ce"tes (?), n. pl. [NL.; ascus + Gr. &?;, &?;, fungus.] (Bot.) A large class of higher fungi distinguished by septate hyphæ, and by having their spores formed in asci, or spore sacs. It comprises many orders, among which are the yeasts, molds, mildews, truffles, morels, etc. -- As`co*my*ce"tous (#), a.

||A*se"mi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; priv. + &?; sign.] (Med.) Loss of power to express, or to understand, symbols or signs of thought.

||A*sep"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; priv. + sepsis.] State of being aseptic; the methods or processes of asepticizing.

A*sex`u*al*i*za"tion (?), n. [Asexual + -ize + -ation.] The act or process of sterilizing an animal or human being, as by vasectomy.

As"pect, n. (Aëronautics) A view of a plane from a given direction, usually from above; more exactly, the manner of presentation of a plane to a fluid through which it is moving or to a current. If an immersed plane meets a current of fluid long side foremost, or in broadside aspect, it sustains more pressure than when placed short side foremost. Hence, long narrow wings are more effective than short broad ones of the same area.

Aspect ratio. (Aëronautics) The ratio of the long to the short side of an aëroplane, aërocurve, or wing.

As"pi*rin (?), n. (Pharm.) A white crystalline compound of acetyl and salicylic acid used as a drug for the salicylic acid liberated from it in the intestines.

As"say pound. A small standard weight used in assaying bullion, etc., sometimes equaling 0.5 gram, but varying with the assayer.

Assay ton. A weight of 29.166 + grams used in assaying, for convenience. Since it bears the same relation to the milligram that a ton of 2000 avoirdupois pounds does to the troy ounce, the weight in milligrams of precious metal obtained from an assay ton of ore gives directly the number of ounces to the ton.

As*sem"ble, v. t. To collect and put together the parts of; as, to assemble a bicycle, watch, gun, or other manufactured article.

AS*sign" (?), v. i. (Law) To transfer or pass over property to another, whether for the benefit of the assignee or of the assignor's creditors, or in furtherance of some trust.

As"ta*tize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Astatized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Astatizing.] (Magnetism) To render astatic.

As*tat"ki (?), n. [From Russ. ostatki remnants, pl. of ostatok.] A thick liquid residuum obtained in the distillation of Russian petroleum, much used as fuel.

As"ter, n. (Biol.) A star- shaped figure of achromatic substance found chiefly in cells dividing by mitosis.

As*ter"o*pe (?), n. [Gr. &?;, lit., lightning.] 1. (Myth.) One of the Pleiades; -- called also Sterope.

2. (Astron.) A double star in the Pleiades (21 k and 22 l Pleiadum, of the 5.8 and 6.4 magnitude respectively), appearing as a single star of the 5.3 magnitude to the naked eye.

Asth"ma pa"per. Paper impregnated with saltpeter. The fumes from the burning paper are often inhaled as an alleviative by asthmatics.

As"tral, a. 1. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to an aster; as, astral rays; astral sphere.

2. (Theosophy) Consisting of, belonging to, or designating, a kind of supersensible substance alleged to be next above the tangible world in refinement; as, astral spirits; astral bodies of persons; astral current.

As`tro*pho*tom"e*ter (?), n. [Pref. astro- + photometer.] (Astron.) A photometer for measuring the brightness of stars.

As`tro*pho*tom"e*try (?), n. (Astron.) The determination of the brightness of stars, and also of the sun, moon, and planets. -- As`tro*pho`to*met"ric*al (#), a.

As`tro*phys"ics (?), n. [Astro- + physics.] (Astron.) The science treating of the physical characteristics of the stars and other heavenly bodies, their chemical constitution, light, heat, atmospheres, etc.

Its observations are made with the spectroscope, bolometer, etc., usually in connection with the telescope.