Altrices
(||Al*tri"ces) n. pl. [L., nourishes, pl. of altrix.] (Zoöl.) Nursers, — a term applied to those
birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of
their parents for some time; — opposed to præcoces.
Altruism
(Al"tru*ism) n. [F. altruisme (a word of Comte's), It. altrui of or to others, fr. L. alter another.]
Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; — opposed
to egoism or selfishness. [Recent] J. S. Mill.
Altruist
(Al"tru*ist), n. One imbued with altruism; — opposed to egoist.
Altruistic
(Al`tru*is"tic) a. [Cf. F. altruiste, a. See Altruism..] Regardful of others; beneficent; unselfish; —
opposed to egoistic or selfish. Bain. — Al`tru*is"tic*al*ly, adv.
Aludel
(Al"u*del) n. [F. & Sp. aludel, fr. Ar. aluthal.] (Chem.) One of the pear-shaped pots open at
both ends, and so formed as to be fitted together, the neck of one into the bottom of another in succession; —
used in the process of sublimation. Ure.
Alula
(||Al"u*la) n. [NL., dim. of L. ala a wing.] (Zoöl.) A false or bastard wing. See under Bastard.
Alular
(Al"u*lar) a. (Zoöl.) Pertaining to the alula.
Alum
(Al"um) n. [OE. alum, alom, OF. alum, F. alun, fr. L. alumen alum.] (Chem.) A double sulphate
formed of aluminium and some other element (esp. an alkali metal) or of aluminium. It has twenty-four
molecules of water of crystallization.
Common alum is the double sulphate of aluminium and potassium. It is white, transparent, very astringent,
and crystallizes easily in octahedrons. The term is extended so as to include other double sulphates
similar to alum in formula.
Alum
(Al"um) v. t. To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum. Ure.
Alumen
(||A*lu"men) n. [L.] (Chem.) Alum.
Alumina
(A*lu"mi*na) n. [L. alumen, aluminis. See Alum.] (Chem.) One of the earths, consisting of
two parts of aluminium and three of oxygen, Al2O3.
It is the oxide of the metal aluminium, the base of aluminous salts, a constituent of a large part of the
earthy siliceous minerals, as the feldspars, micas, scapolites, etc., and the characterizing ingredient
of common clay, in which it exists as an impure silicate with water, resulting from the decomposition of
other aluminous minerals. In its natural state, it is the mineral corundum.
Aluminate
(A*lu`mi*nate) n. (Chem.) A compound formed from the hydrate of aluminium by the substitution
of a metal for the hydrogen.
Aluminated
(A*lu"mi*na`ted) a. Combined with alumina.
Alumine
(Al"u*mine) n. [F.] Alumina. Davy.
Aluminic
(Al`u*min"ic) a. Of or containing aluminium; as, aluminic phosphate.
Aluminiferous
(A*lu`mi*nif"er*ous) a. [L. alumen alum + -ferous: cf. F. aluminifère.] Containing alum.
Aluminiform
(A*lu"mi*ni*form) a. [L. alumen + -form.] Having the form of alumina.
