codile, having a wide, obtuse muzzle and unequal teeth. Though still numerous in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, they are no longer regarded as very dangerous. The name, according to Cuvier, is a corruption of the Portuguese lagarto, equivalent to the Latin lacerta.

2. In the Western States, the name is applied also to the Menopoma allegheniensis, a salamandroid animal.

ALLIGATOR GAR. The gar-fish of the South, so called from the resemblance its long jaws bear to those of the alligator.

ALLIGATOR PEAR. (Laurus persea.) A West Indian fruit, resembling a pear in shape. It contains within its rind a yellow butyraceous substance, which, when the fruit is perfectly ripe, constitutes an agreeable food. Also called Avocado or Avigato Pear. In England it is sometimes called Vegetable Marrow.

TO ALLOT UPON.

To intend, to form a purpose; as, I allot upon going to Boston. Used by uneducated people in the interior of New England. TO ALLOW. To declare, assert, maintain.

The lady of the cabin seemed kind, and allowed we had better stop where we were.-Carlton, The New Purchase.

Gentlemen from Arkansas allowed that California was no better than other countries; and the proof of it was, that they could only get twenty dollars a week and board offered them for driving an ox-team. — Farnham, California.

He 'lowed he'd ge me half a crown,

An treat me wud some beer,

If I wud make it up wud him,

An let un goo off clear.

Tom Cladpole's Journey to Lunnun.

ALLSPICE. 1. The aromatic berry of the Eugenia pimenta, the Allspice Pimento or Bayberry Tree, a native of South America and the West India Islands. From being cultivated in Jamaica it is often called Jamaica Pepper.

2. The "sweet-scented shrub" (Calycanthus floridus) is also known as Carolina Allspice, the bark and wood having a somewhat spicy flavor. ALMIGHTY DOLLAR. A term applied to money as "the root of all evil.”

The almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion throughout our land, seems to have no genuine devotee in these peculiar [Creole] villages. — W. Irving, Wolfert's Roost, p. 40.

The almighty dollar exerted a more powerful influence in California than in the old States; for it overcame all preëxisting false notions of dignity. - Borthwick's California, p. 165.

ALONG. Forward, on. Mrs. Trollope has the must try to get along, as the Americans say."

following words: "We Lover also was puzzled

to discover what the young American lady meant by saying that she was

so unwell that she "could not get along." An Englishman would say, get on.

To ALTER. To geld; as horses, swine, etc.

ALONSENEL. The Mexican name for Cowania stansburiana, a plant growing extensively in the vicinity of Salt Lake, and held in great esteem as a styptic in hemorrhages, and as a general astringent. ALUM-ROOT. (Henchera americana.) A plant so called from its astrin

gency.

TO AMALGAMATE. This word, which properly denotes the uniting of mercury with other metals, is universally applied, in the United States, to the mixing of the black and white races.

AMALGAMATION. The mixing or union of the black and white races.
AMAZING. Amazingly, wonderfully, exceedingly. A vulgarism.

Every thing in New York on a May-day looks amazin' different, and smells amazin' different, I can tell you.- Major Downing, p. 43.

Mr. Magwire is a steady, well-meanin' man - - and has got along amazin' prosperous in the world; but he has dreadful curious notions.. Widow Bedott Papers,

p. 49.

AMBIA. Used in the South and West for tobacco juice. It is a euphemism for the spittle produced by this voluntary ptyalism. More commonly spelled and pronounced Ambeer, probably from Ambre - denoting its color. AMBITION. In North Carolina this word is used instead of the word grudge; as, "I had an ambition against that man.” I am credibly informed, that it is even employed in this manner by educated men. AMBITIOUS. Angry, enraged. A native of Georgia was heard to say, "I was powerful ambitious and cussed snortin'." The word is used in the West in a similar sense. Thus, they say an "ambitious horse," meaning thereby a horse that is fiery and unmanageable.

AMENABILITY. State of being amenable or answerable. - Judge Story. Webster. Not in the English dictionaries.

AMERICANISM. A way of speaking peculiar to this country. Witherspoon.

"By Americanism," says Dr. Witherspoon, "I understand a use of phrases or terms, or a construction of sentences, even among persons of rank and education, different from the use of the same terms or phrases, or the construction of similar sentences, in Great Britain. In this sense it is exactly similar in its formation and signification to the word 'Scotticism.'"-Works, Vol. IV.

TO AMERICANIZE. To render American; to naturalize in America.

Webster.

AMERICANIZATION. The act of rendering American, or of subjection to the laws and usages of the United States.

AMONG THE MISSING. To be among the missing, is to absent one's self.

If a person inquires if you are at home, the servant is directed to say, No, if you don't want to be seen, and choose to be among the missing. — S. Slick, Nature and Human Nature, p. 17.

The crowd of office-seekers in Washington will be among the missing, when they learn the President's decision.- New York Herald.

AMONG, for between. This word is often used when reference is made only
to two persons.
Ex. "The money was divided among us two."
AMOST. Almost. A vulgarism alike common in England and the United
States. E'en amost is often heard in New England.

ANAN. How? What do you say?
? It is made use of in vulgar discourse
by the lower class of persons addressing a superior, when they do not
hear or comprehend what is said to them. It is going out of use now.—
Halliwell. The word is common in Pennsylvania.

ANCHOVY PEAR. (Grias cauliflora.) A fruit of Jamaica. It is large, contains a stone, and is esculent.

ANNEXATION. Often used in the restricted sense of the addition of new territory to that of the United States, and often with the accessory idea of unlawful acquisition.

ANNEXATIONIST. One who favors the policy of annexation.

AN'T or AIN'T. A common colloquial abbreviation, both in England and America, for am not and are not. It is, however, often used among us, both by speakers and newspaper writers, instead of the proper abbreviation is n't for is not; as, "Is Sam a Know-nothing?" "He ain't nothing else."

TO ANTI.

To risk; to venture a bet; as, "I'll anti all I'm worth on that." This term is derived from the game of poker- the amount placed in the pool by each player being called the anti. South-western.

ANTI-FEDERALIST. "This word was formed about the year 1788, to denote a person of the political party that opposed the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, which was then always spoken of by the name of the Federal Constitution. The word is not now much used; having been superseded by various other names, which have been successively given to the same party." - Pickering's Vocabulary. ANTI-MASON. One hostile to masonry or free-masonry. Worcester.

ANY THING ELSE. A hyperbolical phrase, denoting a strong affirmation, which has recently sprung up and become quite common, is given in the following quotation :

Loco Foco. Did n't Gen. Cass get mad at Hull's cowardice, and break his sword?
Whig. He didn't do any thing else. - Newspaper.

ANY HOW YOU CAN FIX IT. At any rate whatever.

ANXIOUS MEETING. A religious meeting consequent on a revival. ANXIOUS SEAT. A term used in revival phraseology. A seat occupied by those who feel anxious about their spiritual welfare.

APARAJO. (Span., pron. aparáho.) A pack-saddle. The word is employed in the countries acquired from Mexico, where pack-saddles are used.

APISHAMORE. A saddle-blanket, made of buffalo-calf skins, used on the great prairies.

Wolves are a constant annoyance on the plains, creeping to the camp fires, and gnawing the saddles and apishamores. Ruxton, Far West.

APPELLATE. Relating to appeals.

In all cases affecting ambassadors, etc., the supreme court shall have original jurisdiction: In all other cases before mentioned, the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction. · Constitut. of the United States, Art. 3.

The king of France is not the fountain of justice; the judges, neither the original nor the appellate, are of his nomination. - Burke, Revolution.

For a fuller account of this word, about which there has been much discussion by lexicographers, see Mr. Pickering's Vocabulary, where many authorities are cited. It was first given by Mason, in his supplement to Johnson's Dictionary, and was afterwards adopted by Todd. APPLE. This name is given in the tropics to fruits of various kinds which are not apples; as the Bel-apple, Cashew-apple, Custard-apple, Conch-apple, Ground-apple, Mamma-apple, Monkey-apple, Pine-apple, Sugar-apple, Wood-apple, etc.

APPLE BUTTER. A sauce made of apples stewed down in cider. This is generally made in quantity, and kept for use during the winter. The manufacture occupies a whole night, and is made the occasion of a frolic among the young folks.

APPLE BRANDY, A liquor distilled from fermented apple-juice; also APPLE JACK. called Cider Brandy.

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It was feared that the conquerors of Goed Hope, flushed with victory and apple

brandy, might march to the capital, take it by storm, and annex the whole province to Connecticut. W. Irving, Knickerbocker.

APPLE TODDY. A favorite mixture resembling punch, in which roasted apples take the place of lemons.

APPLICANT. One who applies himself closely to his studies. A sense of the word common in New England.

The English appear to use the word only in the sense of "one who applies for any thing," in which sense it is most commonly employed by us. APPOINTABLE. That may be appointed or constituted; as officers are appointed by the Executive. Federalist, Webster.

TO APPRECIATE, v. a.

To raise the value of.- Webster. This sense of the word is not in any English dictionary except Knowles's, which is quite a recent work.

Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money. — Ramsay:

Also, v. n. to rise in value; as, "the currency of the country appreciates." Webster. The common acceptation of the word, however, with us, as in England, is to value, estimate.

APPRECIATION. A rising in value; increase of worth or value. - Webster. This noun, like the verb from which it is derived, is commonly used by us in its appropriate meaning of estimation, valuation; and this will hereafter be understood of all similar words where a peculiar meaning is assigned to them, unless an express statement is made to the

contrary.

TO APPROBATE. (Lat. approbo, to approve.) This word was formerly much used at our colleges, instead of the old English word approve. The students used to speak of having their performances approbated by their instructors. It is now in common use with our clergy as a sort of technical term, to denote a person who is licensed to preach; they would say, such a one is approbated, that is, licensed to preach. It is also common in New England to say of a person who is licensed by the county courts to sell spirituous liquors, or to keep a public-house, that he is approbated; and the term is adopted in the law of Massachusetts on this subject. Pickering's Vocabulary.

Dr. Webster observes, that this is a modern word, but in common use in America. Mr. Todd introduces it in his edition of Johnson, from Cockeram's old vocabulary, the definition of which is, "to allow, to like.” Mr. Todd says it is obsolete.

All things contained in Scripture is approbate by the whole consent of all the clergie of Christendom. — Sir T. Elyot's Governor, fol. 226.

To ARGUFY. To argue; also to import, signify.

This word has a place

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