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.

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$Ague {A cure for). (See Homee.) Ague-cheek. Sir Andrew Ayue- cheek., a straight-haired country squire, stupid even to silliness, self-conceited, living to eat, and wholly unacquainted with the world of fashion. The character is in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. A'gur’s Wish (Prov. xxx. 8). “ Give me neither riches nor poverty.” Ahasue rus, or Ahashverosh. A title (;ommon to several Persian kings. The three mentioned in the Bible are sup- posed to be Cyaxares (Dan. xi. 1) ; Xerxes (Esther); and Cambyses (Ezra iv. 6). An alabaster vase found at Halicarnassus gives four renderings of the name Xerxes, viz., Persian, Khshayiirsha; Assyrian, Khisiharsaha; Egyptian, Khshyarsha; and the Greek, Xerxes; the Sans- krit root Kshi means “ to rule,” Kshathra (Zend Ksathra), a king. Ahead. The wind’s ahead—i.e., blows in the direction towards which the ship’s head points; in front. If the wind blows in the opposite direction (i.e.., towards the stern) it is said to be astern. When one ship is ahead of another, it is it, or further advanced. “Ahead of his class,” means at the head. Ahead in a race, means before the rest of the runners. To (JO ahead is to go on without hesi- tation, as a ship runs ahead of another. Ahith'ophel, or Achit'ophel. A treacherous friend and adviser. Ahitho- phel was David’s counsellor, but joined Absalom in revolt, and advised him “ like the oracle of God” (‘2 Sam. xvi. 20-23). In Dryden’s political satire, Achitophel stands for the Earl of Shaftes- bury. (See Achitophel.) Ahmed (Prince). Noted for the tent given him l)y the fairy Pari-ban'ou, which would cover a whole army, but might be carried in one’s pocket; and for the apple of Samarcand', which would cure all diseases. —Arabian Nights^ Prince Ahmed, etc. This tent coincides in a marvellous manner with the Norse ship called Skid- bladnir (q.v.). (See Solomon’s Carpet.) Aholibah (Ezek. xxiii. 4, 11, etc.). The personification of prostitution. Used by the prophet to signify religious adult- ery or harlotry., (See Harlot.) “ The great difficulty in exposing the irauioial- ities of this Aholibah is that her [acts] are so revolting.”—Papers on the Social Evil, 1885. Aholiba’mah. A granddaughter of Cain, loved by the seraph Samia’sa. She is a proud, ambitious, queen-like beauty, u female type of Cain. When the flood I came, her angel-lover carried her under his wings to some other planet.—Byron : Heaven and Earth. Ah'riman, or Ahrim'anes. The prin- ciple or angel of darkness and evil in the Magian system. (See Oemusd.) “ I recognise the evil spirit, sir, and do honour to Ahrinianes in this young u/an.”—Thackeray. Aide toi et le Ciel t’aidera (God ivill help those who help themselves). The party-motto of a political society of France, established in 1824. The object of the society was, by agitation and the press, to induce the middle classes to resist the Government. Guizot was at one time its president, and Le Globe and Le National its organs. This society, which doubtless aided in bringing about the Revolution of 1830, was dissolved in 1832. Ai'grette (2 syl.). A lady’s head- dress, consisting of feathers or flowers. The French call the down of thistles and dandelions, as well as the tuft of bii-ds, aigrette. Aim. To give aim, to stand aloof. A term in archery, meaning to stand within a convenient distance from the butts, to give the archers information how near their arrows fall to the mark aimed at. “ But, gentle people, give me aim awhile. For nature puts me to a heavy task ; Stand all aloof.” Shakespeare: Titus Andronicns. v. To cry aim. To applaud, encourage. In archery it was customary to appoint certain persons to cry aim, for the sake of encouraging those who were about to shoot. “All my neighbours shall cry aim.” Shakespeare : Merry Wives of Windscn-, iii. 2. Aim-crier. An abettor, one who encourages. In archery, the person em- ployed to “ cry aim.” (See above.) “Thou smiling aim-crier at princes’ fall.” English Arcadia. Mr, an element. Anaxagoras held air to be the primary form of matter. Aristotle gives Fire, Air, Earth, and Wate as the four elements. Air, a manner, as “ the air of the court,” the “ air of gentility ; ” “a good air” (manner, deportment) means tlie pervading habit. Air, in music, is that melody which predominates and gives its character to the piece. Air one’s opinions (To). To state opinions without having firmly based$