Part 585

<hw>Apse</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. Apses</plu> <tt>(#)</tt>. [See <er>Apsis</er>.] <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>A projecting part of a building, esp. of a church, having in the plan a polygonal or semicircular termination, and, most often, projecting from the east end. In early churches the Eastern apse was occupied by seats for the bishop and clergy.</def> Hence: <sd>(b)</sd> <def>The bishop's seat or throne, in ancient churches.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A reliquary, or case in which the relics of saints were kept.</def>

<note>&hand; This word is also written <i>apsis</i> and <i>absis</i>.</note>

<h1>Apsidal</h1> <Xpage=75>

<hw>Ap"si*dal</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Astron.)</fld> <def>Of or pertaining to the apsides of an orbit.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>Of or pertaining to the apse of a church; <as>as, the <ex>apsidal</ex> termination of the chancel</as>.</def>

<h1>Apsides</h1> <Xpage=75>

<hw>Ap"si*des</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n. pl.</tt> <def>See <er>Apsis</er>.</def>

<h1>Apsis</h1> <Xpage=75>

<hw>Ap"sis</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Apsides</plw> <tt>(#)</tt>. See <er>Apse</er>. <ety>[L. <ets>apsis</ets>, <ets>absis</ets>, Gr. <?/, <?/, a tying, fastening, the hoop of a wheel, the wheel, a bow, arch, vault, fr. <?/ to fasten.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Astron.)</fld> <def>One of the two points of an orbit, as of a planet or satellite, which are at the greatest and least distance from the central body, corresponding to the aphelion and perihelion of a planet, or to the apogee and perigee of the moon. The more distant is called the <i>higher apsis</i>; the other, the <i>lower apsis</i>; and the line joining them, the <i>line of apsides</i>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Math.)</fld> <def>In a curve referred to polar co\'94rdinates, any point for which the radius vector is a maximum or minimum.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>Same as <er>Apse</er>.</def>

<h1>Apt</h1> <Xpage=75>

<hw>Apt</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>apte</ets>, L. <ets>aptus</ets>, fr. obsolete <ets>apere</ets> to fasten, to join, to fit, akin to <ets>apisci</ets> to reach, attain: cf. Gr. <?/ to fasten, Skr. <ets>\'bepta</ets> fit, fr. <ets>\'bep</ets> to reach attain.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Fit or fitted; suited; suitable; appropriate.</def>

<blockquote>They have always <b>apt</b> instruments. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>A river . . . <b>apt</b> to be forded by a lamb. <i>Jer. Taylor.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Having an habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; -- used of things.</def>

<blockquote>My vines and peaches . . . were <b>apt</b> to have a soot or smuttiness upon their leaves and fruit. <i>Temple.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>This tree, if unprotected, is <b>apt</b> to be stripped of the leaves by a leaf-cutting ant. <i>Lubbock.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Inclined; disposed customarily; given; ready; -- used of persons.</def>

<blockquote><b>Apter</b> to give than thou wit be to ask. <i>Beau. & Fl.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>That lofty pity with which prosperous folk are <b>apt</b> to remember their grandfathers. <i>F. Harrison.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Ready; especially fitted or qualified (to do something); quick to learn; prompt; expert; <as>as, a pupil <ex>apt</ex> to learn; an <ex>apt</ex> scholar.</as></def> "An <i>apt</i> wit."

<i>Johnson.</i>

<blockquote>Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so <b>apt</b> to die. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>I find thee <b>apt</b> . . . Now, Hamlet, hear. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Fit; meet; suitable; qualified; inclined; disposed; liable; ready; quick; prompt.</syn>