Part 4

<i>W. Smith.</i>

<h1>Abaca</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>Ab"a*ca</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[The native name.]</ety> <def>The Manila-hemp plant (<spn>Musa textilis</spn>); also, its fiber. See <cref>Manila hemp</cref> under <er>Manila</er>.</def>

<h1>Abacinate</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>A*bac"i*nate</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>v.t.</tt> <ety>[LL. <ets>abacinatus</ets>, p.p. of <ets>abacinare</ets>; <ets>ab</ets> off + <ets>bacinus</ets> a basin.]</ety> <def>To blind by a red-hot metal plate held before the eyes.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Abacination</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>A*bac`i*na"tion</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The act of abacinating.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Abaciscus</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>Ab`a*cis"cus</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Gr.<?/, dim of <?/. See <er>Abacus</er>.]</ety> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>One of the tiles or squares of a tessellated pavement; an abaculus.</def>

<h1>Abacist</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>Ab"a*cist</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[LL <ets>abacista</ets>, fr. <ets>abacus</ets>.]</ety> <def>One who uses an abacus in casting accounts; a calculator.</def>

<h1>Aback</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>A*back"</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>adv.</tt> <ety>[Pref. <ets>a-</ets> + <ets>back</ets>; AS. <ets>on b\'91c</ets> at, on, or toward the back. See <er>Back</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Toward the back or rear; backward.</def> "Therewith aback she started."

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Behind; in the rear.</def>

<i>Knolles. </i>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Naut.)</fld> <def>Backward against the mast;-said of the sails when pressed by the wind.</def>

<i>Totten.</i>

<cs><col>To be taken aback</col>. <sd>(a)</sd> <cd>To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven. <sd>(b)</sd> To be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited.</cd></cs>

<i>Dickens.</i>

<h1>Aback</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>Ab"ack</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>An abacus.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>B. Jonson.</i>

<h1>Abactinal</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>Ab*ac"ti*nal</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ab</ets> + E. <ets>actinal</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal; -- opposed to actinal.</def> "The aboral or <i>abactinal</i> area."

<i>L. Agassiz.</i>

<h1>Abaction</h1> <Xpage=1>

<hw>Ab*ac"tion</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Stealing cattle on a large scale.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>