A devout man . . . which gave much alms to the people. Acts x. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

Alms are but the vehicles of prayer. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tenure by free alms. See Frankalmoign. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word alms is singular in its form (almesse), and is sometimes so used; as, “asked an alms.” Acts iii. 3. “Received an alms.” Shak. It is now, however, commonly a collective or plural noun. It is much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving, alms bag, alms chest, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A giver of alms. [ R. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

He lays down his arms, but not his wiles. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Three horses and three goodly suits of arms. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. “Arms and the man I sing.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon. Cowell. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Her.) The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bred to arms, educated to the profession of a soldier. --
In arms, armed for war; in a state of hostility. --
Small arms, portable firearms known as muskets, rifles, carbines, pistols, etc. --
A stand of arms, a complete set for one soldier, as a musket, bayonet, cartridge box and belt; frequently, the musket and bayonet alone. --
To arms! a summons to war or battle. --
Under arms, armed and equipped and in readiness for battle, or for a military parade. [ 1913 Webster ]

Arm's end,
Arm's length,
Arm's reach. See under Arm. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. the music composed by Brahms; as, the program consisted mostly of Brahms. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

From his brimstone bed at break of day
A-walking the devil has gone. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. to write or engrave around. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph. Ashmole. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain. [ 1913 Webster ]

To circumscribe royal power. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Geom.) To draw a line around so as to touch at certain points without cutting. See Inscribe, 5.

Syn. -- To bound; limit; restrict; confine; abridge; restrain; environ; encircle; inclose; encompass. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The exterior line which determines the form or magnitude of a body; outline; periphery. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of limiting, or the state of being limited, by conditions or restraints; bound; confinement; limit. [ 1913 Webster ]

The circumscriptions of terrestrial nature. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

I would not my unhoused, free condition
Put into circumscription and confine. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Cautious. [ 1913 Webster ]

With silent circumspection, unespied. Milton.

Syn. -- Caution; prudence; watchfulness; deliberation; thoughtfulness; wariness; forecast. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Travel ] forces circumspectness on those abroad, who at home are nursed in security. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The poet took the matters of fact as they came down to him and circumstanced them, after his own manner. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

The circumstances are well known in the country where they happened. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An event; a fact; a particular incident. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sculptor had in his thoughts the conqueror weeping for new worlds, or the like circumstances in history. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Circumlocution; detail. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

So without more circumstance at all
I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. pl. Condition in regard to worldly estate; state of property; situation; surroundings. [ 1913 Webster ]

When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not a circumstance, of no account. [ Colloq. ] --
Under the circumstances, taking all things into consideration.

Syn. -- Event; occurrence; incident; situation; condition; position; fact; detail; item. See Event. [ 1913 Webster ]

The proposition is, that two bodies so circumstanced will balance each other. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Governed by events or circumstances. [ Poetic & R. ] “I must be circumstanced.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Consisting in, or pertaining to, circumstances or particular incidents. [ 1913 Webster ]

The usual character of human testimony is substantial truth under circumstantial variety. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Incidental; relating to, but not essential. [ 1913 Webster ]

We must therefore distinguish between the essentials in religious worship . . . and what is merely circumstantial. Sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Abounding with circumstances; detailing or exhibiting all the circumstances; minute; particular. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tedious and circumstantial recitals. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Circumstantial evidence (Law), evidence obtained from circumstances, which necessarily or usually attend facts of a particular nature, from which arises presumption. According to some authorities circumstantial is distinguished from positive evidence in that the latter is the testimony of eyewitnesses to a fact or the admission of a party; but the prevalent opinion now is that all such testimony is dependent on circumstances for its support. All testimony is more or less circumstantial. Wharton.

Syn. -- See Minute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of the fancy and intellect, the powers are only circumstantially different. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In every circumstance or particular; minutely. [ 1913 Webster ]

To set down somewhat circumstantially, not only the events, but the manner of my trials. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To place in particular circumstances; to invest with particular accidents or adjuncts. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If the act were otherwise circumstantiated, it might will that freely which now it wills reluctantly. Bramhall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To prove or confirm by circumstances; to enter into details concerning. [ 1913 Webster ]

Neither will time permint to circumstantiate these particulars, which I have only touched in the general. State Trials (1661). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam.
Syn. -- grapple. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

The drudging part of life is chiefly owing to clumsiness and ignorance. Collier. [ 1913 Webster ]