Chapter Achor to Ad valorem of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Actresses Female characters used to be played by boys. Coryat, in his Crudities (1611), says, "When I went to a theatre (in Venice) I observed certain things that I never saw before; for I saw women acte. ... I have heard that it hath sometimes been used in London" (Vol. ii.).

"Whereas, women's parts in plays have hitherto been acted by men in the habits of women ... we do permit and give leave for the time to come that all women's parts be acted by women, 1662." - Charles II.

The first female actress on the English stage was Mrs. Coleman (1656), who played Ianthe in the Siege of Rhodes.

The last male actor that took the part of a woman on the English stage, in serious drama, was Edward Kynaston, noted for his beauty (1619--1687).

Acu tetigisti You have hit the nail on the head. (Lit., you have touched it with a needle.) Plautus (Rudens, v 2, 19) says, "Rem acu tetigisti;" and Cicero (Pro Milone, 24) has "Vulnus acu punctum," evidently referring to a surgeon's probe.

Acutiator A person in the Middle Ages who attended armies and knights to sharpen their instruments of war. (Latin, acuo, to sharpen.)

Ad Græcas Calendas. (Deferred) to the Greek Calends - i.e. , for ever. (It shall be done) on the Greek Calends - .e., never. There were no Calends in the Greek notation of the months. (See Never.)

Ad inquirendum A judicial writ commanding an inquiry to be made into some complaint.

Ad libitum Without restraint.

Ad rem (Latin) To the point in hand; to the purpose. (Acu rem tetigisti.) (See above, Acu.)

Ad unum omnes All to a man (Latin).

Ad valorem According to the price charged. Some custom -- duties vary according to the different values of the goods imported. Thus, at one time teas paid duty ad valorem, the high-priced tea paying more duty than that of a lower price.