Chapter Architect of his own Fortune to Ariel of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Argante (3 syl.) A giantess of unbridled licentiousness, in Spenser's Faërie Queene, iii. 7.

"That geauntesse Argantè is behight,
A daughter of the Titans ...
Her sire Typhoeus was. ..."
Book iii, 7, st. 47.

Argantes (3 syl.). A Circassian of high rank and matchless courage, but fierce to brutality, and an ultra- despiser of the sect of the Nazarenes. He was sent as an ambassador from Egypt to King Aladine. He and Solyman were by far the most doughty of the Pagan knights. The former was slain by Rinaldo, and the other by Tancred. (Tasso: Jerusalem Delivered.)

"Bonaparte stood before the deputies like the Argantës of Italy's heroic poet and gave them the choice of peace and war, with the air of a superior being, capable at once of dictating their fate." - Sir Walter Scott.

Argenis A political allegory by John Barclay, containing allusions to the state of Europe, and more especially to France, during the time of the league. (1582--1621.) (See Utopia.)

Argentile and Curan Argentile was the daughter of King Adelbright, who, on his deathbed, committed her in charge to King Edel. Edel kept her a close prisoner, under hope of getting into his possession her lands and dominion. Curan, the son of a Danske King, in order to woo her, became a kitchen drudge in Edel's household, and Edel resolved to marry Argentile to this drudge, but she fled away. Curan now turned shepherd, and fell in love with a neatherd's maid, who turned out to be Argentile. The two were married, and Curan claiming his wife's dominions, became King of Northumberland, and put Edel to death. (Percy's Reliques.)

Argentine Republic The Republic of the Argentine, or Silver River; in other words, the Confederation of the Rio de la Plata.

Argeo (in Orlando Furioso). Baron of Servia, and husband of Gabrina. He is a sort of Potiphar. His wife tried to seduce Philander, a young Dutch knight, and failing in her effort, she accused him to her husband of adultery; whereupon Argeo threw the "faithless guest" into durance. In the course of time Gabrina implored the young captive to defend her against a wicked knight who had assailed her virtue. He consented to be her champion, and was placed in concealment. Presently a knight drew near, and Philander, rushing on him, dispatched him; but the supposed "adulterer" was, in reality, Argeo himself, and Gabrina, being now a widow, was free to marry her Dutch "Joseph."

Argillan (in Jerusalem Delivered). A haughty, turbulent knight, born on the banks of the Trent. Accusing Godfrey and his brother of having murdered Rinaldo, he induced the Latians to revolt. The revolt spread to the Swiss and English, but Godfrey succeeded in restoring order. Argillan was arrested, but made his escape, and was slain in battle by Solyman. (Books viii. ix.)

Argo A ship sailing on an adventure. The galley of Jason that went in search of the Golden Fleece was so called, from the Greek argos (swift).

Argonauts The sailors of the ship Argo. Apollonios of Rhodes wrote an epic poem on the subject. (Greek, argonaus.)

Argosy A merchant ship. A corruption of "ragusea." Ships of the largest size were built at Ragusa in Dalmatia and Venice.

"He hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies ... a third to Mexico, a fourth to England." - Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice , i. 3.

Argot [Argo ]. Slang or flash language (French).

"Sans le (le mot d'argot) faire venir du grec argos, e.g. comme l'on a prétendu avant nous, nous y verrions logiquement undiminute du vieux mot argu qui signifiait injure, reproche, et aussi ruse, finesse, subtilité." -