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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$human being (G-reek, audt'on-eklos, a man’s likeness). One of the most famous of these machines is that- by M. Vaucanson, called the flute-player. The chess-player by Kempelen is also celebrated. {>See Axjtomaton.) Androm'eda. Daughter of Cepheus (2 syl.) and Cassiopeia. Her mother- boasted that the beauty of Andromeda surpassed that of the Nereids; so the Nereids induced Neptune to send a sea- monster on the country, and an oracle declared that Andromeda must be given up to it. She was accordingly chained to a 3-ock, but was delivered by Perseus (2 syl.). After death she was placed among the stars. {See Angelica.) Ovid: Mttainorplioses, v. 1, etc. Androni'ca (in Orlando Furioso). One of Logistilla’s handmaids, famous for her beauty. She was sent with Sophros'yne to conduct Astolpho from India to Arabia. Aneixt. Over against; concerning. (Old English, on-enm; later forms, on- f'fen., on-efent, an-'ent.) Ange de Grove (French), a hang- man or executioner. The “ Place de Greve” was at one time the Tyburn of Paris. Angel. Half a sovereign in gold; so called because, at one time, it bore the tigure of the archangel Michael slajdng the dragon. V When the Eev. Mr. Patten, vicar of Whitstable, was dying, the Arch- l)ishop of Canterbury sent him £10. The wit said, “ Tell his Grace that now I am sure he is a man of God, for I have seen his angels.” Angel {a public-house sign), in compli- ment to Richard II., who placed an angel above his shield, holding it up in his hands. To ivrite like an angel (French). The angel referred to was Angelo Yergece [Yergezio], a Cretan of the sixteenth century. He was employed both by Henri II. and by Francois I., and was noted for his caligraphy. {Bidot: Xoavelle Biographic Universelle [1852- 06]). Angel oj the Schools. St. Thomas A(iuinas. {See Angelic Doctor.) Angels, say the Arabs, were created from pure, bright gems; the genii, of fire ; and man, of clay. Angels, accoi’ding to Diony.sius the Areop'agite, were divided into nine or- ders : — (i) Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, in the first circle. (ii' Dominions, Virtues, and Powers, in the second circle. (iii) Principalities, Archangels, and Angels, in the third circle. Ht. Gregory the Great: Iloiuily 3-1. “ In heaven above, The effulgent bands in triple circles move.” Tasso; Jermaiem Delivered, xi. 13. Angels. The seven holy angels are — Abdiel, Gabriel, Michael, Raguel, Raphael, Simiel, and Uriel. Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in the Bible, Raphael in the Apocrypha. ” Milton {Paradise Lost, book i., from 392] gives a list of the fallen angels. Angel-beast. A favourite round game of cards, which enabled gentlemen to let the ladies win small stakes. Five cards are dealt to each player, and three heaps formed—one for the king, one for play, and the third for Tri'olet. The name of the game was la hete (beast). Angel was the stake. Thus we say. Shilling-whist. “This gentleman offcirs to play at Augel-l>east, tlioLig’h he scarce knows the cards.”—Mulberry Garden. Angel Visits'. Delightful intercourse of short duration and rare occurrence. '• (Vi.sits) Like those ol an,gels, short and far lietween.” Biair; Grave, pt. ii. .5sd. “ Like angel-visits, few and far l)etween.” Ckimphell; Pleasures of Hope, line 373. Angel-water, a Spanish cosmetic, made of roses, trefoil, and lavender. Short for Angelica-water, because ori- ginally it was chiefly made of the plant Angelica. “Angel-water was the worst scent about iier.” — Sedley: Bello,m. Angelic Doctor. ^Thomas Aqui'nas was so called, because he discussed the knotty points in connection with the being and nature of angels. An ex- ample is, “ Vtnnn An'gelas moveatur de loco ad I or am tram seam do per me’dium f ” The Doctor says that it depends upon circumstances. It is said, by way of a quiz, that one of his questions was: “ How many angels can dance on the point of a pin ?” Angelic Hymn. The hymn begin- ning with Glory he to God on higlu, etc, (Lukeii. 14); so called because the former part of it was sung by the angel host that appeared to the shepherds of Beth- lehem. Angelica. Daughter of Gal’aphron, king of Cathay, the capital of which was Albrac'ca. She was sent to sow discord among the Christians. Cliarlemagne$