a. [ L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf. F. absolu. See Absolve. ] 1. Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled; unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or command; absolute power; an absolute monarch. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as, absolute perfection; absolute beauty. [ 1913 Webster ]

So absolute she seems,
And in herself complete. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Viewed apart from modifying influences or without comparison with other objects; actual; real; -- opposed to relative and comparative; as, absolute motion; absolute time or space. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absolute rights and duties are such as pertain to man in a state of nature as contradistinguished from relative rights and duties, or such as pertain to him in his social relations. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Loosed from, or unconnected by, dependence on any other being; self-existent; self-sufficing. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense God is called the Absolute by the Theist. The term is also applied by the Pantheist to the universe, or the total of all existence, as only capable of relations in its parts to each other and to the whole, and as dependent for its existence and its phenomena on its mutually depending forces and their laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Capable of being thought or conceived by itself alone; unconditioned; non-relative. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It is in dispute among philosopher whether the term, in this sense, is not applied to a mere logical fiction or abstraction, or whether the absolute, as thus defined, can be known, as a reality, by the human intellect. [ 1913 Webster ]

To Cusa we can indeed articulately trace, word and thing, the recent philosophy of the absolute. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am absolute 't was very Cloten. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Authoritative; peremptory. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head,
With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Chem.) Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Gram.) Not immediately dependent on the other parts of the sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See Ablative absolute, under Ablative. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absolute curvature (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of double curvature, which is measured in the osculating plane of the curve. --
Absolute equation (Astron.), the sum of the optic and eccentric equations. --
Absolute space (Physics), space considered without relation to material limits or objects. --
Absolute terms. (Alg.), such as are known, or which do not contain the unknown quantity. Davies & Peck. --
Absolute temperature (Physics), the temperature as measured on a scale determined by certain general thermo-dynamic principles, and reckoned from the absolute zero. --
Absolute zero (Physics), the be ginning, or zero point, in the scale of absolute temperature. It is equivalent to -273° centigrade or -459.4° Fahrenheit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Positive; peremptory; certain; unconditional; unlimited; unrestricted; unqualified; arbitrary; despotic; autocratic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Geom.) In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being absolute; independence of everything extraneous; unlimitedness; absolute power; independent reality; positiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Cf. F. archiluth, It. arciliuto. ] (Mus.) A large theorbo, or double-necked lute, formerly in use, having the bass strings doubled with an octave, and the higher strings with a unison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Basi- + solute, a. ] (Bot.) Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Beluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Beluting. ] [ Pref. be- + L. lutum mud. ] To bespatter, as with mud. [ R. ] Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. small genus of Eurasian shrubs with yellow flowers and bladdery pods.
Syn. -- genus Colutea. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Of or pertaining to Complutum (now Alcala de Henares) a city near Madrid; as, the Complutensian Bible. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. convolutus, p. p. of convolvere. See Convolve. ] (Bot.) Rolled or wound together, one part upon another; -- said of the leaves of plants in æstivation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Having convolutions. [ 1913 Webster ]

beaks recurved and convoluted like a ram's horn. Pennant. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Folded in tortuous windings. [ 1913 Webster ]

A highly convoluted brain. North Amer. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. devolutus, p. p. of devolvere. See Devolve. ] To devolve. [ Obs. ] Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Diluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Diluting. ] [ L. dilutus, p. p. of diluere to wash away, dilute; di- = dis- + luere, equiv. to lavare to wash, lave. See Lave, and cf. Deluge. ] 1. To make thinner or more liquid by admixture with something; to thin and dissolve by mixing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mix their watery store.
With the chyle's current, and dilute it more. Blackmore. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To diminish the strength, flavor, color, etc., of, by mixing; to reduce, especially by the addition of water; to temper; to attenuate; to weaken. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lest these colors should be diluted and weakened by the mixture of any adventitious light. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To become attenuated, thin, or weak; as, it dilutes easily. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. dilutus, p. p. ] Diluted; thin; weak. [ 1913 Webster ]

A dilute and waterish exposition. Hopkins. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Reduced in strength; thin; weak. -- Di*lut"ed*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. The quality or state of being dilute. Bp. Wilkins. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, dilutes or makes thin, more liquid, or weaker. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. dissolutus, p. p. of dissolvere: cf. F. dissolu. See Dissolve. ] 1. With nerves unstrung; weak. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Loosed from restraint; recklessly abandoned to sensual pleasures; esp., loose in morals and conduct; profligate; wanton; lewd; debauched. “A wild and dissolute soldier.” Motley.

3. Specifically: Engaging in excessive drinking, or promiscuous sexual activity. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- Uncurbed; unbridled; disorderly; unrestrained; reckless; wild; wanton; vicious; lax; licentious; lewd; rakish; debauched; profligate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a dissolute manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. State or quality of being dissolute; looseness of morals and manners; addictedness to sinful pleasures; debauchery; dissipation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chivalry had the vices of dissoluteness. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. elutus, p. p. of eluers to elute; e + luere to wash. ] To wash out. [ R. ] Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. en- + L. lutum mud, clay. ] To coat with clay; to lute. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. evolutus unrolled, p. p. of evolvere. See Evolve. ] (Geom.) A curve from which another curve, called the involute or evolvent, is described by the end of a thread gradually wound upon the former, or unwound from it. See Involute. It is the locus of the centers of all the circles which are osculatory to the given curve or evolvent. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Any curve may be an evolute, the term being applied to it only in its relation to the involute. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaüte, flahute, flahuste, F. fl&unr_;te; cf. LL. flauta, D. fluit. See Flute, v. i. ] 1. A musical wind instrument, consisting of a hollow cylinder or pipe, with holes along its length, stopped by the fingers or by keys which are opened by the fingers. The modern flute is closed at the upper end, and blown with the mouth at a lateral hole. [ 1913 Webster ]

The breathing flute's soft notes are heard around. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) A channel of curved section; -- usually applied to one of a vertical series of such channels used to decorate columns and pilasters in classical architecture. See Illust. under Base, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A similar channel or groove made in wood or other material, esp. in plaited cloth, as in a lady's ruffle. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A long French breakfast roll. Simonds. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A stop in an organ, having a flutelike sound. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flute bit, a boring tool for piercing ebony, rosewood, and other hard woods. --
Flute pipe, an organ pipe having a sharp lip or wind-cutter which imparts vibrations to the column of air in the pipe. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. flûte a transport, D. fluit. ] A kind of flyboat; a storeship. [ 1913 Webster ]

Armed en flûte fld>(Nav.), partially armed. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ OE. flouten, floiten, OF. flaüter, fleüter, flouster, F. flûter, cf. D. fluiten; ascribed to an assumed LL. flautare, flatuare, fr. L. flatus a blowing, fr. flare to blow. Cf. Flout, Flageolet, Flatulent. ] To play on, or as on, a flute; to make a flutelike sound. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Fluted p. pr. & vb. n. Fluting ] 1. To play, whistle, or sing with a clear, soft note, like that of a flute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Knaves are men,
That lute and flute fantastic tenderness. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To form flutes or channels in, as in a column, a ruffle, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ [ F. ] (Mus.) A beak flute, an older form of the flute, played with a mouthpiece resembling a beak, and held like a flageolet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Thin; fine; clear and mellow; flutelike; as, fluted notes. Busby. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Decorated with flutes; channeled; grooved; as, a fluted column; a fluted ruffle; a fluted spectrum. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A fish of the genus Aulostoma, having a much elongated tubular snout. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who plays on the flute; a flutist or flautist. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who makes grooves or flutings. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ n. [ NL. See Gluteal. ] (Anat.) Any of several muscles in the buttocks of man and most mammals, especially the great muscle of the buttock (the gluteus maximus); also, the corresponding muscle in many lower animals. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

☞ In man, the gluteus is composed of three distinct parts, which extend and abduct the thigh, and help support the body in standing. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ G. &unr_; rump, pl., the buttocks. ] (Anat.) Pertaining to, or in the region of, the glutæus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., glue: cf. F. gluten. See Glue. ] (Chem.) The viscid, tenacious substance which gives adhesiveness to dough. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Gluten is a complex and variable mixture of glutin or gliadin, vegetable fibrin, vegetable casein, oily material, etc., and is a very nutritious element of food. It may be separated from the flour of grain by subjecting this to a current of water, the starch and other soluble matters being thus washed out. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gluten bread, bread containing a large proportion of gluten; -- used in cases of diabetes. --
Gluten casein (Chem.), a vegetable proteid found in the seeds of grasses, and extracted as a dark, amorphous, earthy mass. --
Gluten fibrin (Chem.), a vegetable proteid found in the cereal grains, and extracted as an amorphous, brownish yellow substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. ] (Anat.) Same as Glutæus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Haemo- + corpus luteum. ] (Physiol.) See Hematoidin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Geom.) A curve traced by the end of a string wound upon another curve, or unwound from it; -- called also evolvent. See Evolute. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. involutus, p. p. of involvere. See Involve. ] 1. (Bot.) Rolled inward from the edges; -- said of leaves in vernation, or of the petals of flowers in æstivation. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) (a) Turned inward at the margin, as the exterior lip of the Cyprea. (b) Rolled inward spirally. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. ir- not + resolute: cf. F. irrésolu, L. irresolutus not loosened. ] Not resolute; not decided or determined; wavering; given to doubt or irresolution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Weak and irresolute is man. Cowper.

Syn. -- Wavering; vacillating; undetermined; undecided; unsettled; fickle; changeable; inconstant.

-- Ir*res"o*lute*ly, adv. -- Ir*res"o*lute*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the failure to behave in a resolute manner; fluctuation in intention.
Syn. -- irresolution. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. lutum mud, clay: cf. OF. lut. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Chem.) A cement of clay or other tenacious infusible substance for sealing joints in apparatus, or the mouths of vessels or tubes, or for coating the bodies of retorts, etc., when exposed to heat; -- called also luting. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A packing ring, as of rubber, for fruit jars, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Brick Making) A straight-edged piece of wood for striking off superfluous clay from mold. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Luted; p. pr. & vb. n. Luting. ] To close or seal with lute; as, to lute on the cover of a crucible; to lute a joint. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. leut, F. luth; skin to Pr. laút, It. liúto, leúto, Sp. laúd, Pg. alaude; all fr. Ar. al‘ūd; al the + ‘ūd wood, timber, trunk or branch of a tree, staff, stick, wood of aloes, lute or harp. ] (Mus.) A stringed instrument formerly much in use. It consists of four parts, namely, the table or front, the body, having nine or ten ribs or “sides, ” arranged like the divisions of a melon, the neck, which has nine or ten frets or divisions, and the head, or cross, in which the screws for tuning are inserted. The strings are struck with the right hand, and with the left the stops are pressed. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To sound, as a lute. Piers Plowman. Keats. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To play on a lute, or as on a lute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Knaves are men
That lute and flute fantastic tenderness. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a curved spine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) same as Lutetium; -- an older spelling. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

a. (Chem.) (a) Pertaining to, or derived from, weld (Reseda luteola). (b) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid resembling luteolin, but obtained from the flowers of Euphorbia cyparissias. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From corpus luteum. ] (Physiol. Chem.) A substance of a strongly marked yellow color, extracted from the yolk of eggs, and from the tissue of the corpus luteum. [ 1913 Webster ]