Dictionary of phrase and fable, giving the derivation, source or origin of common phrases, allusions, and words that have a tale to tell... . To which is added a concise bibliography of English literature / by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer.

E. Cobham Brewer

Date:: 1910

Credit: Dictionary of phrase and fable, giving the derivation, source or origin of common phrases, allusions, and words that have a tale to tell... . To which is added a concise bibliography of English literature / by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

27/1457 page 15

$of Compostella, of which there are ouly 2 and always 2—a cock and a hen. “ In Rosicrucian lore as learn’d As he that vtre acleptus earn’d.” S. Butler: Hudibras. Ades'sena'rians. A term applied to those who hold the real presence of Christ’s body in the eucharist, but do not maintain that the bread and wine lose any of their original properties. (The word is from the Latin adesse, to be present.) Ades’te Fide'les. Composed by John Beading, who wrote “Dulce Domum.” It is called the “Portuguese Hymn,” from being heard at the Portu- guese Chapel by the Duke of Leeds, who supposed it to be a part of the usual Portuguese service. Adfil'iate, Adfilia'tion. The ancient Goths adopted the children of a former marriage, and put them on the same footing as those of the new family. (Latin, ad-Jilius, equal to a real son.) Adha, al {the slit •■eared'). The swiftest of Mahomet’s camels. Ad'hab-al-Cabr. The first purgatory of the Mahometans. Adiaph'orists. Followers of Me- lanchthon ; moderate Lutherans, who hold that some of the dogmas of Luther are matters of indifference. (Greek, adiaph'oros, indifferent.) Macaulay : Essay, Burleigh. Adieu, good-b’ye. A B'leu, an ellip- tical form for I commend you to God. Good-b’ye is God be with ye. Adis’sechen. The serpent with a thousand heads which sustains the uni- verse. {Indian mythology.) Adjective Colours are those which require a mordant before they can be used as dyes. Adjourn'. Once written French, d-journer, to put off to another day. “ He ajorned tliam to relie iii the North of Carlele.”—; Chronicle, p. 309. Adjournment of the House. {See Moving the Adjournment.) Admirable {The). Aben-Ezra, a Spanish rabbi, born at Toledo (1119- 1174). Admirable Crichton {The). James Crichton {kry-ton). (15ol-1573.) Admirable Doctor {Doctor adm'ird- htlis). Eoger Bacon (1214-1292). Admiral, corruption of Amir-al, Milton, speaking of Satan, says :— “ His spear (to equal which the tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to he the mast Of some tall amiral, were ljut a wand) He walked with.”—Paradise Lost, i. 292. The word was introduced by the Turks or Genoese in the twelfth century, and is the Arabic Amir with the article al (lord or commander) ; as Amir~al-ma (commander of the water), Amir-al- Omra (commander of the forces), Amir- al-Muminim (commander of the faith- ful). English admirals used to be of three classes, according to the colour of their flag— Admiral of the Red, used to hold the centre in an engagement. Admiral of the White, used to hold the van. Admiral of the Blue, used to hold the rear. The distinction was abolished in 1864 ; now all admirals carry the white fiag. Admirals are called Flag Officers. Admiral of the Blue. A butcher who dresses in blue to conceal blood-stains. A tapster also is so called, from his blue apron. A play on the rear-admiral of the British navy, called ‘ ‘ Admiral of the Blue (Flag).” “ Art soon as customers l)egin to stir Tlie Admiral of the Blue cries, ‘ Coming, Sir.’ ” Poor Robin, 1731. Admiral of the Red. A punning term applied to a wine-bibber whose face and nose are very red. Admittance. Licence. Shakespeare says, “ Sir John, you are a gentleman of excellent breeding, of great admittance ” —i.^., to whom great freedom is allowed {Merry Wives, ii. 2). The allusion is to an obsolete custom called admission, fly which a prince avowed another pnnce to be under his protection. Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, was the ‘ ‘ admittant ’ ’ of the Emperor Napoleon III. Admonitionists, or Admonitioners. Certain Puritans who in 1571 sent an admon'Uion to the Parliament condemn- ing everything in the Church of Eng- land which was not in accordance wi h the doctrines and practices of Gene'va. Adobe [Edobe.] Adolpha. Daughter of General Kleiner, governor of Prague and wife of Idenstein. Her only fault was ‘ ‘ excess of too sweet nature, which ever made another’s grief her own.”— Knowles: Maid of Mariendorpt (1838). Ado nai. Son of the star-beam, and god of light among the Rosicru'cians.$