angel

n. [ AS. ængel, engel, influenced by OF. angele, angle, F. ange. Both the AS. and the OF. words are from L. angelus, Gr. 'a`ggelos messenger, a messenger of God, an angel. ] 1. A messenger. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The dear good angel of the Spring,
The nightingale. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A spiritual, celestial being, superior to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God's messengers. [ 1913 Webster ]

O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope,
Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One of a class of “fallen angels;” an evil spirit; as, the devil and his angels. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A minister or pastor of a church, as in the Seven Asiatic churches. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write. Rev. ii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Attendant spirit; genius; demon. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An appellation given to a person supposed to be of angelic goodness or loveliness; a darling. [ 1913 Webster ]

When pain and anguish wring the brow,
A ministering angel thou. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Numis.) An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael. It varied in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s. Amer. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Angel is sometimes used adjectively; as, angel grace; angel whiteness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Angel bed, a bed without posts. --
Angel fish. (Zool.) (a) A species of shark (Squatina angelus) from six to eight feet long, found on the coasts of Europe and North America. It takes its name from its pectoral fins, which are very large and extend horizontally like wings when spread. (b) One of several species of compressed, bright colored fishes warm seas, belonging to the family Chætodontidæ. --
Angel gold, standard gold. [ Obs. ] Fuller. --
Angel shark. See Angel fish. --
Angel shot (Mil.), a kind of chain shot. --
Angel water, a perfumed liquid made at first chiefly from angelica; afterwards containing rose, myrtle, and orange-flower waters, with ambergris, etc. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Existence or state of angels. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. angelet. ] A small gold coin formerly current in England; a half angel. Eng. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

. See under Angel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being an angel; angelic nature. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Angelica. ] (Chem.) Of or derived from angelica; as, angelic acid; angelic ether. [ 1913 Webster ]

Angelic acid, an acid obtained from angelica and some other plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL. See Angelic. ] (Bot.) 1. An aromatic umbelliferous plant (Archangelica officinalis or Angelica archangelica) the leaf stalks of which are sometimes candied and used in confectionery, and the roots and seeds as an aromatic tonic. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The candied leaf stalks of angelica. [ 1913 Webster ]

Angelica tree, a thorny North American shrub (Aralia spinosa), called also Hercules' club. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. angelicus, Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. angélique. ] 1. Belonging to, or proceeding from, angels; resembling, characteristic of, or partaking of the nature of, an angel; heavenly; divine. “Angelic harps.” Thomson.“Angelical actions.” Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

The union of womanly tenderness and angelic patience. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. having a sweet nature befitting an angel or cherub; as, an angelic smile.
Syn. -- angelic, cherubic, seraphic, sweet. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint; as, angelic benificence.
Syn. -- angelic, angelical, beatific, saintlike, saintly, sainted. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

Angelic Hymn, a very ancient hymn of the Christian Church; -- so called from its beginning with the song of the heavenly host recorded in Luke ii. 14. Eadie. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Like an angel. [ 1913 Webster ]