Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary -- Volume AB

2. Infinite time; a vast intellectual or moral depth.

The abysses of metaphysical theology.
Macaulay.

In unfathomable abysses of disgrace.
Burke.

3. (Her.) The center of an escutcheon.

This word, in its leading uses, is associated with the cosmological notions of the Hebrews, having reference to a supposed illimitable mass of waters from which our earth sprung, and beneath whose profound depths the wicked were punished. Encyc. Brit.

A·byss"al (?), a. [Cf. Abysmal.] Belonging to, or resembling, an abyss; unfathomable.

-- Abyssal zone (Phys. Geog.), one of the belts or zones into which Sir E. Forbes divides the bottom of the sea in describing its plants, animals, etc. It is the one furthest from the shore, embracing all beyond one hundred fathoms deep. Hence, abyssal animals, plants, etc.

Ab`ys·sin"i·an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Abyssinia.

-- Abyssinian gold, an alloy of 90.74 parts of copper and 8.33 parts of zink. Ure.

Ab`ys·sin"i·an, n.

1. A native of Abyssinia.

2. A member of the Abyssinian Church.

A·ca"ci·a (?), n. (Antiq.) A roll or bag, filled with dust, borne by Byzantine emperors, as a memento of mortality. It is represented on medals.

A·ca"cia (?), n.; pl. E. Acacias (?), L. Acacić (?). [L. from Gr. ?; orig. the name of a thorny tree found in Egypt; prob. fr. the root ak to be sharp. See Acute.]