Chapter Abstemious to Accost of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Accidentals in music are those sharps and flats, etc., which do not properly belong to the key in which the music is set, but which the composer arbitrarily introduces.

Accidente! (4 syl.) An Italian curse or oath: "Ce qui veut dire en bon francais, "Puisses-tu mourir d'accident, sans confession," damné." - E. About: Tolla.

Accidents in theology. After consecration, say the Catholics, the substance of the bread and wine is changed into that of the body and blood of Christ, but their accidents (flavour, appearance, and so on) remain the same as before.

Accius Navius A Roman augur in the reign of Tarquin the Elder. When he forbade the king to increase the number of the tribes without consulting the augurs, Tarquin asked him if the thought then in his mind was feasible. "Undoubtedly," said Accius. "Then cut through this whetstone with the razor in your hand." The priest gave a bold cut, and the block fell in two. This story (from Livy, Bk. i., chap. 36) is humorously retold in Bon Gaultier's Ballads.

Accolade (3 syl.) The touch of a sword on the shoulder in the ceremony of conferring knighthood; originally an embrace or touch by the hand on the neck. (Latin, ad collum, on the neck.)

Accommodation A loan of money, which accommodates us, or fits a want.

Accommodation Note or Bill. An acceptance given on a Bill of Exchange for which value has not been received by the acceptor from the drawer, and which, not representing a commercial transaction, is so far fictitious.

Accommodation Ladder. The light ladder hung over the side of a ship at the gangway.

Accord means "heart to heart." (Latin, ad corda.) If two persons like and dislike the same things, they are heart to heart with each other.

Similarly, "con-cord" heart with heart; "dis-cord," heart divided from heart; "re-cord" properly means to recollect - i.e., re-cordare, to bring again to the mind or heart; then to set down in writing for the purpose of recollecting.

Accost means to "come to the side" of a person for the purpose of speaking to him. (Latin, ad costam, to the side.)