Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary -- Volume AB
A·bac"i·nate (
·băs"ĭ·nāt), v. t. [LL. abacinatus, p. p. of abacinare; ab off + bacinus a basin.] To blind by a red-hot metal plate held before the eyes. [R.]
A·bac`i·na"tion (·băs`ĭ·nā"shŭn), n. The act of abacinating. [R.]
Ab`a·cis"cus (ăb`·sĭs"kŭs), n. [Gr. αβακισκοσ, dim of αβαξ. See Abacus.] (Arch.) One of the tiles or squares of a tessellated pavement; an abaculus.
Ab"a·cist (ăb"·sĭst), n. [LL abacista, fr. abacus.] One who uses an abacus in casting accounts; a calculator.
A·back" (·băk"), adv. [Pref. a- + back; AS. on bæc at, on, or toward the back. See Back.]
1. Toward the back or rear; backward. "Therewith aback she started." Chaucer.
2. Behind; in the rear. Knolles.
3. (Naut.) Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind. Totten.
-- To be taken aback. (a) To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven. (b) To be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited. Dickens.
Ab"ack (ăb"ak), n. An abacus. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Ab·ac"ti·nal (ăb·ăk"tĭ·nal), a. [L. ab + E. actinal.] (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal; -- opposed to actinal. "The aboral or abactinal area." L. Agassiz.
Ab·ac"tion (ăb·ăk"shŭn), n. Stealing cattle on a large scale. [Obs.]
Ab·ac"tor (-t
r), n. [L., fr. abigere to drive away; ab + agere to drive.] (Law) One who steals and drives away cattle or beasts by herds or droves. [Obs.]