Chapter Alyface to Ambi-dexter of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Amazonia In South America, originally called Maranon. The Spaniards first called it Orellana; but after the women joined their husbands in attacking the invaders, the Spaniards called the people Amazons and the country Amazonia.

Amazonian Chin (An) A beardless chin, like that of a woman warrior.

"When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bristled lips before him."
Shakespeare: Coriolanus, ii. 2.

Ambassador a practical joke played on greenhorns aboard ship. A tub full of water is placed between two stools, and the whole being covered with a green cloth, a sailor sits on each stool, to keep the cloth tight. The two sailors represent Neptune and Amphitrite, and the greenhorn, as ambassador, is introduced to their majesties. He is given the seat of honour between them; but no sooner does he take his seat than the two sailors rise, and the greenhorn falls into the tub, amidst the laughter of the whole crew.

Amber This fossilised vegetable resin is, according to legend, a concretion of birds' tears. The birds were the sisters of Meleager, who never ceased weeping for the death of their brother. - Ovid: Metamorphoses, viii. line 270, etc.

"Around thee shall glisten the loveliest amber
That ever the sorrowing sea-bird hath wept."
T. Moore: Fire Worshippers.

Amber, a repository. So called because insects and small leaves are preserved in amber.

"You may be disposed to preserve it in your amber." - Notes and Querries. - W. Dowe.
"Pretty! in amber, to observe the forms
Of hairs, or straws, or dirt, or grubs, or worms,
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,
But wonder how the devil they got there."
Pope: Ep. to Arbuthnot, 169--72.

Amberabad Amber-city, one of the towns of Jinnistan, or Fairy Land.

Ambes-as or Ambes-ace Two aces, the lowest throw in dice; figuratively, bad luck. (Latin, ambo-asses, both or two aces.)

"I had rather be in this choice than throw ames-ace for my life." - All's Well, etc., ii. 3.

Ambi-dexter properly means both hands right hands; a double dealer; a juror who takes money from both parties for his verdict; one who can use his left hand as deftly as his right.