AMUCK, a-muk', _adv._ madly: in murderous frenzy--hardly ever used save in
the phrase 'to run _amuck_.' [Malay, _amoq_, intoxicated or excited to
madness.]
AMULET, am'[=u]-let, _n._ a gem, scroll, or other object carried about the
person, as a charm against sickness, harm, or witchcraft. [Fr.--L.
_amul[=e]tum_, a word of unknown origin; curiously like the mod. Ar.
_himalat_, lit. 'a carrier,' applied to a shoulder-belt, by which a small
Koran is hung on the breast.]
AMUSE, a-m[=u]z', _v.t._ to occupy pleasantly: to divert: to beguile with
expectation: (_obs._) occupy the attention with: (_arch._) to
beguile.--_adj._ AMUS'ABLE, capable of being amused.--_n._ AMUSE'MENT, that
which amuses: pastime.--_adj._ AMUS'ING, affording amusement:
entertaining.--_adv._ AMUS'INGLY.--_n._ AMUS'INGNESS.--_adj._ AMUS'IVE
(_rare_), having the power to amuse or entertain.--_n._ AMUS'IVENESS. [Fr.
_amuser_.]
AMUSETTE, am-[=u]-z[.e]t', _n._ a light field-gun invented by Marshal Saxe.
[Fr.]
AMUTTER, a-mut'[.e]r, _adv._ in a muttering state.
AMYGDALATE, a-mig'da-l[=a]t, _adj._ pertaining to, like, or made of
almonds.--_adj._ AMYGDAL[=A]'CEOUS, akin to the almond. [L. _amygdala_--Gr.
_amygdal[=e]_, an almond.]
AMYGDALIN, AMYGDALINE, a-mig'da-lin, _n._ a crystalline principle existing
in the kernel of bitter almonds.
AMYGDALOID, a-mig'da-loid, _n._ a variety of basaltic rock containing
almond-shaped nodules of other minerals, as quartz, felspar.--_adj._
AMYGDALOI'DAL. [Gr. _amygdal[=e]_, and _eidos_, form.]
AMYL, am'il, _n._ the fifth in the series of the alcohol radicals, a
natural product of the distillation of coal. As thus found, two molecules
are united together, usually called _diamyl_, being a colourless liquid
with an agreeable smell and burning taste.--_n._ AM'YLENE. [Gr. _amylon_,
starchy, fine meal.]
AMYLACEOUS, am-i-l[=a]'shus, _adj._ pertaining to or resembling starch. [L.
_amylum_, starch--Gr. _amylon_.]
AMYLOID, am'i-loid, _n._ a half-gelatinous substance like starch, found in
some seeds.--_adj._ AMYLOID'AL. [Gr. _amylon_, the finest flour, starch;
lit. 'unground'--_a_, neg., _myl[=e]_, a mill, and _eidos_, form.]
AN, an, _adj._ one: the indefinite article, used before words beginning
with the sound of a vowel. [A.S. _[=a]n_. See ONE.]