| as | 1. Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden. "His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren." (Macaulay) As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. "Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colours as we do." . As, in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest. 2. In the idea, character, or condition of, limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet. "The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king." (Dewey) 3. While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke. "As I return I will fetch off these justices." (Shak) 4. Because; since; it being the case that. "As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms . . . They were not indifferently prepared." (Sir W. Scott) [See Synonym under Because. 5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning). "We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited." (Macaulay) 6. That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such. "I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee." (Rowe) So as, so that. "The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination." (Bacon) 7. As if; as though. "He lies, as he his bliss did know." (Waller) 8. For instance; by way of example; thus; used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations. 9. Than. "The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors." (Fuller) 10. Expressing a wish. "As have," i. E, may he have. As . . . As. See So . . . As, under So. As far as, to the extent or degree. "As far as can be ascertained." . As far forth as, as far as. As for, or As to, in regard to; with respect to. As good as, not less than; not falling short of. As good as one's word, faithful to a promise. As if, or As though, of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if. As it were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner. As now, just now. As swythe, as quickly as possible. As well, also; too; besides. As well as, equally with, no less than. "I have understanding as well as you." . As yet, until now; up to or at the present time; still; now. Origin: OE. As, als, alse, also, al swa, AS. Eal swa, lit. All so; hence, quite so, quite as: cf. G. Als as, than, also so, then. See Also. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| asafetida | A gum resin, the inspissated exudate from the root of Ferula foetida (family Umbelliferae); used as a repellent against dogs, cats, and rabbits, and formerly used as an antispasmodic; in Asia, used as a condiment and flavoring agent. Origin: Pers. Aza, mastic, + L. Fetidus, fetid (05 Mar 2000) |
| asafoetida | The fetid gum resin or inspissated juice of a large umbelliferous plant (Ferula asafoetida) of Persia and the East India. It is used in medicine as an antispasmodic. Alternative forms: assafoetida. Origin: Asa + L. Foetidus fetid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| asaphus | <paleontology> A genus of trilobites found in the Lower Silurian formation. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Indistinct, uncertain. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| asarabacca | <botany> An acrid herbaceous plant (Asarum Europaeum), the leaves and roots of which are emetic and cathartic. It is principally used in cephalic snuffs. Origin: L. Asarum + bacca a berry. See Asarone. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| asarone | <chemistry> A crystallized substance, resembling camphor, obtained from the Asarum Europaeum. Synonym: camphor of asarum. Origin: L. Asarum hazelwort, wild spikenard, Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Asarum | A genus of plants of the family Aristolochiaceae. Origin: L., fr. G. Asaron, hazelwort (05 Mar 2000) |
| Asarum canadense | An aromatic stimulant and diaphoretic. Synonym: Canada snakeroot, Indian ginger, wild ginger. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Asarum europaeum | An emetic and cathartic. Synonym: European snakeroot, hazelwort. (05 Mar 2000) |
| asbestoid | Having a crystalline appearance like asbestos. Synonym: asbestoid. Origin: G. Amianthus, asbestos (05 Mar 2000) |
| asbestos | <chemical> A fibrous incombustible mineral known to cause fibrosis and scarring in the lungs. Also a known carcinogenic material (can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma). (27 Sep 1997) |
| asbestos bodies | Ferruginous body's with asbestos fibres as a core; a histologic hallmark of exposure to asbestos. (05 Mar 2000) |
| asbestos corn | A granulomatous or hyperkeratotic lesion of the skin at the site of deposit of asbestos particles. Synonym: asbestos wart. (05 Mar 2000) |
| asbestos liner | A layer of asbestos used to line a dental casting ring so that during the heating and expansion of the investment the compression of the liner will free the investment from the restraint of the ring. (05 Mar 2000) |
| asbestos lung disease | <radiology> Pleural plaques, earliest finding, may be only evidence, parietal pleura, 15-20 yrs after exposure, calcified after ca. 30 yrs, asbestosis, interstitial lung disease, perihilar regions to lung bases, shaggy heart, no cavitation or progressive massive fibrosis as in silicosis, crocidolite (blue) form most carcinogenic, associated with: malignant pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, GI-tract malignancy (12 Dec 1998) |