Chapter Abdael to Above of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Abomination of Desolation (The). The Roman standard is so called (Matt. xxiv. 15). As it was set up in the holy temple, it was an abomination; and, as it brought destruction, it was the "abomination of desolation."

Abon Hassan A rich merchant, transferred during sleep to the bed and palace of the Caliph Haroun-al- Raschid. Next morning he was treated as the caliph, and every effort was made to make him forget his identity. Arabian Nights ("The Sleeper Awakened"). The same trick was played on Christopher Sly, in the Induction of Shakespeare's comedy of Taming of the Shrew; and, according to Burton (Anatomy of Melancholy, ii. 2, 4), by Philippe the Good, Duke of Burgundy, on his marriage with Eleonora.

"Were I caliph for a day, as honest Abon Hassan, I would scourge me these jugglers out of the Commonwealth." - Sir Walter Scott.

Abonde (Dame) The French Santa Claus, the good fairy who comes at night to bring toys to children while they sleep, especially on New Year's Day.

Abortive Flowers are those which have stamens but no pistils.

Abou ebn Sina commonly called Avicenna. A great Persian physician, born at Shiraz, whose canons of medicine were those adopted by Hippocrates and Aristotle. Died 1037.

Abou-Bekr called Father of the Virgin, i.e. , Mahomet's favourite wife. He was the first caliph, and was founder of the sect called the Sunnites. (571--634.)

Abou Jahia The angel of death in Mohammedan mythology. Called Azrael by the Arabs, and Mordad by the Persians.

Aboulomri (in Mohammedan mythology). A fabulous bird of the vulture sort which lives 1,000 years. Called by the Persians Kerkes, and by the Turks Ak-Baba. - Herbelot.

Above properly applies only to matter on the same page, but has been extended to any previous part of the book, as See above, p. *.