2. An ancient astronomical instrument. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ When composed of one ring placed in the plane of the equator for determining the time of the equinoxes, it is called an equinoctial armil; when of two or more rings, one in the plane of the meridian, for observing the solstices, it is called a solstitial armil. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) A ring of hair or feathers on the legs. [ 1913 Webster ]

Armillary sphere, an ancient astronomical machine composed of an assemblage of rings, all circles of the same sphere, designed to represent the positions of the important circles of the celestial sphere. Nichol. [ 1913 Webster ]

To assimilate our law to the law of Scotland. John Bright. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fast falls a fleecy; the downy flakes
Assimilate all objects. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To liken; to compa&unr_;e. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To appropriate and transform or incorporate into the substance of the assimilating body; to absorb or appropriate, as nourishment; as, food is assimilated and converted into organic tissue. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hence also animals and vegetables may assimilate their nourishment. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

His mind had no power to assimilate the lessons. Merivale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To change and appropriate nourishment so as to make it a part of the substance of the assimilating body. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aliment easily assimilated or turned into blood. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be converted into the substance of the assimilating body; to become incorporated; as, some kinds of food assimilate more readily than others. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am a foreign material, and cannot assimilate with the church of England. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

To aspire to an assimilation with God. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

The assimilation of gases and vapors. Sir J. Herschel. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol.) The conversion of nutriment into the fluid or solid substance of the body, by the processes of digestion and absorption, whether in plants or animals. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not conversing the body, not repairing it by assimilation, but preserving it by ventilation. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The term assimilation has been limited by some to the final process by which the nutritive matter of the blood is converted into the substance of the tissues and organs. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. the year 2000 a. d. [ PJC ]

2. (Physiol.) A crescentic mass of granular protoplasm present in the salivary glands. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Each crescent is made of polyhedral cells which under some circumstances are supposed to give rise to new salivary cells. [ 1913 Webster ]

The breaking down of already existing chemical compounds into simpler ones, sometimes called disassimilation. Martin. [ 1913 Webster ]

Disassimilative processes constitute a marked feature in the life of animal cells. McKendrick. [ 1913 Webster ]

This part very dissimilar to any other. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

With verdant shrubs dissimilarly gay. C. Smart. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dissimilitude between the Divinity and images. Stillingfleet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Rhet.) A comparison by contrast; a dissimile. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Telecommunications) A method for reproducing documents, drawing, or other planar image at a remote location by converting the document into coded electronic signals at one point, transmitting data via telephone line or radio signals to the remote point, and converting the signals back into a likeness of the original image. The device used at each end to convert the image to and from electronic signals was originally called Facsimile telegraph, then telefax machine, and now more commonly fax machine. The same process, using the same data transmission protocols, is now performed not only by devices dedicated exclusively to the telefax process, but also by computers and combined copying/scanning/telefax machines. Also called telefax or fax. [ PJC ]

Facsimile telegraph, a telegraphic apparatus reproducing messages in autograph; a fax machine. [ 1913 Webster+ PJC ]

2. tending to occur among members of a family, usually by hereditary transmission; familial traits.
Syn. -- genetic, hereditary, inherited, transmitted, transmissible. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

All my familiars watched for my halting. Jer. xx. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An attendant demon or evil spirit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Court of Inquisition) A confidential officer employed in the service of the tribunal, especially in apprehending and imprisoning the accused. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Closely acquainted or intimate, as a friend or companion; well versed in, as any subject of study; as, familiar with the Scriptures. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Characterized by, or exhibiting, the manner of an intimate friend; not formal; unconstrained; easy; accessible. “In loose, familiar strains.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Well known; well understood; common; frequent; as, a familiar illustration. [ 1913 Webster ]

That war, or peace, or both at once, may be
As things acquainted and familiar to us. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is nothing more familiar than this. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Improperly acquainted; wrongly intimate. Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Familiar spirit, a demon or evil spirit supposed to attend at call. 1 Sam. xxviii. 3, 7-9. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything said or done by one person to another unceremoniously and without constraint; esp., in the pl., such actions and words as propriety and courtesy do not warrant; liberties.

Syn. -- Acquaintance; fellowship; affability; intimacy. See Acquaintance. [ 1913 Webster ]