Dictionary of Phrase and Fable [antikvár]

THE DIOTIONARY OF PHRASE AKD FABLE. A, This letter is modified from the Hebrew M {aleph = an ox), which was meant to indicate the outline of an ox's head. A among the Egyptians is denoted by the hieroglyphic which represents the ibis. Among the Greeks it was the symbol of a bad augury in the sacrifices. A in logic is the symbol of a universal affirmative. A asserts, E denies. Thus, syllogisms in bA.rbA.rA. contain three universal affirmative propositions. Al means first-rate—the very best. InLloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping, the character of the ship's hull is designated by letters, and that of the anchors, cables, and stores by figures. Al means hull first-rate, and also anchors, cables, and stores; A2, hull first-rate, but furniture second-rate. Vessels of an inferior character are classified under the letters je, e, and i. "She is a prime girl, she is ; she is AV'—Sam fiUck. A.B. {See Able.) A.B.C. = Aerated Bread Company. ABC Book. A primer, a book in which articles are set in alphabetical order, as the A B 0 Railway Guide. The old Primers contained the Catechism, as is evident from the lines :— " That la question now ; And then comes answer like an Absey book." Shakespeare: King John, i. 1. Process {The) of making artificial manure. An acrostic of Alum, Blood, Clay, the three chief ingredients. A. E. I. O. U. The device adopted by Frederick V., Archduke of Austria (the Emperor Frederick III. — 1440« 1493). Austria Est Imperare Orbi Universo. Alles Erdreich Ist Oesterreich Unterthan, Austria's Empire Xs Overall Universal. To which wags added after the war of 1866, Austria's Emporor Is Ousted Utterly. Frederick II. of Prussia is said to have translated the motto thus :— "Austria Erit In Orbe Ultima' one day be lowest in the world). (Austria tcUl A.U.C. Anno urhis conduce (Latui), "from the foundation of the city''—i.e., Rome. Aaron. An Aaron^s serpent. Something so powerful as to swallow up minor powers.—Exodus vii. 10-12. Ab. Abovo. From the very beginning. Stasino^ in the epic poem called the Little Iliad, does not rush in médias^ res, but begins with the eggs of Leda, from one of which Helen was born. If Leda had not laid this egg, Helen would never have been born. If Helen had not been bom, Paris could not have eloped with her. If Paris had not eloped with Helen, there would have been no Trojan War, etc. Ab ovo usque ad mala. From the first dish to the last. A Roman cona (dinner) consisted of three parts. The first course was the appetiser, and consisted chiefly of eggs, with stimulants ; the second was the "dinner proper ; " and the third the dessert, at which mâla {i.e., all sorts of apples, pears, quinces, pomegranates, and so on) formed the most conspicuous pai't. —ILor. Sat. I. iii. 5.