pnugues/EB7 huggingface dataset:
AXAMENTA, in Antiquity, a denomination given to the verses or songs of the Salii, which they sung in honour of all men. The word is formed, according to some, from axare, q. d. nominare. Others will have the Carmin Saliaria to have been denominated axamenia, on account of their having been written in axibus, or on wooden tables. The axamenta were not composed, as some have asserted, but only sung by the Salii. The author of them was Numa Pompilius; and as the style might not be altered, they grew in time so obscure that the Salii them [7:4:257]selves did not understand them. Varro says they were 700 years old. Quint. Inst. Or. lib. i. c. 11.

Axamenta, or Assamenta, in ancient music, hymns or songs performed wholly with human voices.
AXBRIDGE, a market-town, formerly a borough, of the hundred of Winterstoke, in the county of Somerset. It stands on the river Ax, just below the range of the Mendip hills, near the great chasm through them known by the name of Chedder Clift. The corporation is of great antiquity, as is the large Gothic parish church. It is 130 miles from London. The market is held on Thursday. The population in 1801 amounted to 819, in 1811 to 853, and in 1821 to 988.

4XEL, a small fortified town in Dutch Flanders. Long. 40. 0. E. Lat. 51. 17. N.
AXHOLM, an island in the north-west part of Lincolnshire, in England, formed by the rivers Trent, Idle, and Dan. It is about twenty miles in circuit, and contains three villages, Crowle, Epworth, and Hyrst.
AXILLA, va Anatomy, the arm-pit, or the cavity under the upper part of the arm.
AXILLARY, something belonging to or lying near the axilla. Thus, axillary artery is that part of the subclavian branches of the ascending trunk of the aorta which passes under the arm-pits; axillary glands are situated under the arm-pits, enveloped in fat, and he close by the axillary vessels; ⅛ ∖∖ Α axillary vein is one of the subclavians, which passes under the arm-pit, dividing itself into several branches, which are spread over the arm. See Anatomy.
AXIM, a small territory on the Gold Coast of Africa, due east of Apollonia. The climate in this part is so excessively moist that it is proverbially said to rain eleven months and twenty-nine days of the year. This excessive moisture renders it very unhealthy, but it produces great quantities of rice, water melons, lemons, oranges, &c. Here are also produced vast numbers of black cattle, goats, sheep, tame pigeons, &c. The whole country is filled with beautiful and populous villages, and the intermediate lands are well cultivated; besides which the natives are very wealthy, from the constant traffic carried on with them by Europeans for their gold. The capital, which is also called Axim, by some Achambone, stands under the cannon of the Dutch fort St Antonio. This fort is commodious, in an agreeable and commanding position, and vessels may land with perfect safety. Behind, it is secured by a thick wood that covers the whole declivity of a neighbouring hill. Between the town and the sea runs an even and spacious shore of beautiful white sand. All the houses are separated by groves of cocoa and other fruit trees, planted in parallel lines, each of an equal width, and forming an elegant vista. The little river Axim crosses the town, and the coast is defended by a number of small pointed rocks which project from the shore, and render all access to it dangerous. The capital is situated in long. 24. 0. W. lat. 5. 0. N. This canton is a kind of republic, the government being divided between Ate Caboceroes or chief men, and Manaceroes or young men. It must be observed, however, that in their courts there is not even a pretence of justice; whoever makes the most valuable presents to the judges is sure to gain the cause, the judges themselves alleging the gratitude due for the bribes received as a reason; and if both parties happen to make presents of nearly equal value, they absolutely refuse to give the cause a hearing. ∙
AXINOMANCY, Axinomantia, from αξ∕vη, securis, and μuντuα, divinatio; an ancient species of divination, or a method of foretelling future events by means of an ax or hatchet. This art was in considerable repute amongst the ancients, and was performed, according to some, by laying an agate stone on a red-hot hatchet, and also by fix ing a hatchet on a round stake so as to be exactly poised; then the names of those suspected were repeated, and he at whose name the hatchet moved was pronounced j guilty. χ
AXIOM, Axioma (from αξ∕oω, dignum censeo, I account worthy), a self-evident truth, or a proposition the truth of which every person perceives at first sight. Thus, the whole is greater than a part; a thing cannot be and not be at the same time; and from nothing, nothing can arise; are propositions or truths of this description.

Axiom is also an established or elementary principle in science. Thus, it is an axiom in physics, that nature does nothing in vain; that effects are proportional to their causes, &c. It is an axiom in geometry, that things equal to the same thing are also equal to one another; that if to equal things you add equals, the sums will be equal, &c. And it is an axiom in optics, that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, &c.
AXIS, in Geometry, the straight line in a plain figure, about which it revolves, to produce or generate a solid. Thus, if a semicircle be moved round its diameter at rest, it will generate a sphere, the axis of which is that diameter.

Axis, in Astronomy, is an imaginary right line supposed to pass through the centre of the earth, or through that of a heavenly body, about which it performs its diurnal revolutions.

Axis, in Conic Sections, a right line dividing the section into two equal parts, and cutting all its ordinates at right angles.

Axis, in Mechanics. The axis of a balance is that line about which it moves, or rather turns about. Axis of oscillation is a right line parallel to the horizon, passing through the centre, about which a pendulum vibrates.

Αχ /s in Peritrocliio, one of the six mechanical powers, consisting of a peritrochium or wheel concentric with the base of a cylinder, and movable together with it about its axis.

Axis, in Optics, is that particular ray of light, coming from any object, which falls perpendicularly on the eye.

Axis of a Vessel, is an imaginary right line passing through the middle of it, perpendicularly to its base, and equally distant from its sides.
AXMINSTER, a market-town in the hundred of the same name, in the county of Devon. It takes its name from the river Axe, on which it stands, and the ancient abbey church or minster which ornaments the centre of the town, and which was built by King Athelstane to commemorate a victory over the Danes. It is 147 miles from London, on the great road to Exeter, from which it is twenty-six miles distant. It is distinguished for its manufactory of the best and most costly description of carpets; and besides that, there is some trade in making gloves, tapes, and druggets. The market is held on Saturday. The population in 1801 amounted to 2154, in 1811 to 2387, and in 1821 to 2742.
AXUNGIA, in a general sense, denotes old lard, or the driest and hardest of any fat in the bodies of animals; but more properly it signifies only hog’s.lard.
AY, or Aι, a town of France, in the department of Marne, containing 2500 inhabitants. It is celebrated for its wines, which are esteemed superior to any in Champagne. Five leagues south of Rheims.
AYAMONTE, a town of Spain, in the province of Seville. It is a sea-port in the centre of the gulf of Huelva. The Guadiana, increased by the stream of the Chauza, passes the town, and empties itself into the ocean at this spot. Ayamonte is well fortified, and the harbour is good, but, on account of a bar at its mouth, it is of difficult entrance. Considerable employment is furnished to the sailors of [7:4:258]this place by the fisheries, especially for sardinias and for the tunny, both of which are highly prized. It contains 5500 inhabitants. Silk spinning is carried on here. Lat. 37. 9. N. This also is the name of a town in Portugal, in the province of Alentejo, three miles north-west of Minfort.
AYLESBURY, a market and borough town of the hundred of the same name, in the county of Buckingham, and thirty-nine miles from London. It stands on a gentle hill in the centre of a fertile vale, through which one of those small streams runs, the waters of which contribute to form the Thames. It is favoured by the extension to it of the Grand Junction Canal, which affords water-carriage for coals and other heavy substances from Staffordshire, and brings it into connection with the metropolis. There is but little employment in manufactures, which are almost wholly confined to bone lace. The county jail is here, and the elections for the county are also held at Aylesbury, as well as the sessions, and in alternate times the assizes. The market is held on Saturday. The population in 1801 amounted to 3186, in 1811 to 3447, and in 1821 to 4404.
AYLMER, John, bishop of London in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was born in the year 1521, at Ayhner-hall, in the parish of Tilney, in the county of Norfolk. Whilst a boy, he was distinguished for his quick parts by the marquis of Dorset, afterwards duke of Suffolk, who sent him to Cambridge, and made him his chaplain, and tutor to his children. One of these children was the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey, who soon became perfectly acquainted with the Latin and Greek languages. His first preferment was to the archdeaconry of Stow, in the diocese of Lincoln; which gave him a seat in the convocation held in the first year of Queen Mary, where he resolutely opposed the return to popery, to which the generality of the clergy were inclined. He was soon after obliged to flee his country and take shelter among the Protestants in Switzerland. On the accession of Queen Elizabeth he returned to England. In 1562, he obtained the archdeaconry of Lincoln, and was a member of the famous synod of that year, which reformed and settled the doctrine and discipline of the church of England. In the year 1576, he was consecrated bishop of London. He died in the year 1594, aged 73, and was buried in St Paul’s. He was a learned man, a zealous father of the church, and a bitter enemy to the Puritans. He published a piece entitled Mn Harborowefor Faithfull and Trewe Subjects against the late blowne Blaste concerning the Government of Women, &c. This was written whilst he was abroad, in answer to Knox, who published a book in Geneva under this title, The First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment and Empire of Women. He is supposed by Strype to have published Lady Jane Grey’s letter to Harding. He also assisted Fox in translating his History of Martyrs into Latin.
AYLSHAM, a market-town of the hundred of South Erpingham, in the county of Norfolk, 112 miles from London. It has a good market-place, is a cheerful looking town, and is connected with the sea by a navigable canal. There was formerly some trade in knitting stockings, which has much declined of late years. The market is held on Saturday. The population in 1801 amounted to 1667, in 1811 to 1760, and in 1821 to 1853.
AYMARGUES, a city in the arrondissement of Nismes and department of the Gard, in France. It is situated on the bank of the Rosny, and has 1800 inhabitants, with brandy distilleries.
AYORA, a well-built town, pleasantly situated, in the gover nment of Cofrentes and province of Valencia, in Spain, containing 5850 inhabitants.
AYRAINES, a town in tfie department of the Somme and the arrondissement of Amurs, in France, with a population of 1560 inhabitants.
AYR ∖, or Aery, of hawks, a nest or company of hawks, so called from the old French word aire, which signifies the same thing.
AYSCUE, Sir George, a gallant English admiral, descended from a good family in Lincolnshire. He obtained the honour of knighthood from King Charles L which, however, did not withhold him from adhering to the parliament in the civil war. He was by them constituted admiral of the Irish seas, where he is said to have done great service to the Protestant interest, and to have contributed much to the reduction of the whole island. In 1651 he reduced Barbadoes and Virginia, then held for the king, to the obedience of the parliament; and soon [7:4:261]after the Restoration behaved with much gallantry in the war with the Dutch. In the famous engagement in the ' beginning of June 1666, when Sir George was admiral of ' the white squadron, his ship, the Royal Prince, ran upon the Gallop-sand, where, being surrounded with enemies, his men obliged him to strike. He went no more to sea after this, but spent the rest of his days in retirement.

ΑΥΤΟΝ, a village and parish of Scotland, in the county of Berwick, on the river Eye. The population is 1379. It is 7⅛ miles west of Berwick.
AZAMOR, a small sea-port of the kingdom of Morocco, in Africa. It is situated on the river Morbeya, in the province of Duguella, at a considerable distance from its mouth. This town, though formerly very considerable, is ill fitted for maritime commerce, the entrance of the river being very dangerous. It was unsuccessfully besieged by the Portuguese in 1508; it was taken, however, in 1513, by the duke of Braganza, but abandoned about the end of the sixteenth century. According to Mr Jackson, the present population does not exceed 1000. Long. 8. 15. W. Lat. 33. 20. N.
AZARIAH, or Uzzian, a king of Judah, succeeded his father Amaziah, 810 years before Christ. He assembled an army of above 300,000 men, with which he conquered the Philistines, demolishing the walls of Gath, Jabniel, and Ashdod, and built up the walls of Jerusalem, furnished the city with conduits, and planted gardens and vineyards; but at last, being elated with his prosperity, and resolving to usurp the office of high-priest, he was struck with leprosy, which obliged him to remain shut up in his palace for the rest of his days. He died about 759 years before the Christian era, and was succeeded by Jotham his son. There are several other persons of this name mentioned in the sacred Scriptures.
AZAZEL. This word relates to the history of the scape-goat, under the Jewish religion. Some call the goat itself by this name, as St Jerome and Theodoret. Dr Spenser says, the scape-goat was to be sent to Azazel, by which is meant the devil. Μ. Le Clerc translates it proecipitium, making it that steep and inaccessible place to which the goat was sent, and where it was supposed to perish.
AZEITAO, a town of Portugal, in the bailiwick of St Ubes and province of Estremadura. It is situated on a small river that runs into the Tagus, and contains 552 houses, with 2342 inhabitants. There is here a calico printing manufactory, as well as several tanneries.
AZIMUTH, in Astronomy, an arch of the horizon, intercepted between the meridian of the place and the vertical circle passing through the centre of the object.

Magnetical AziMUΤH, an arch of the horizon, intercepted between the vertical circle passing through the centre of any heavenly body and the magnetical meridian.

AZIMUTH Compass, an instrument for finding either the magnetical azimuth or amplitude of a heavenly object.

AZIMUTH Circles, called also azimuths or vertical circles, are great circles of the sphere intersecting each other in the zenith and nadir, and cutting the horizon at right angles. On these are reckoned the height of the stars and that of the sun when not in the meridian.
AZOGA Ships were those Spanish ships commonly called the quicksilver ships, from their carrying quicksilver [7:4:262]to the Spanish West Indies, in order to extract the silver from the ore obtained in the mines of Mexicoand Peru. These ships were not permitted to carry goods unless for the king of Spain’s account.
AZONI, in Ancient Mythology, a name applied by the Greeks to such of the gods as were deities at large, not appropriated to the worship of any particular town or country, but acknowledged in general by all countries, and worshipped by every nation. These the Latins called dii communes. Of this sort were the Sun, Mars, Luna, &c.
AZOPH or Asow, a city on the sea of that name, situated at the embouchure of the river Don. It was formerly a place of great importance, but has declined since 1774, when it became a fixed part of the Russian empire. The harbour is nearly choked up, and the fortifications are neglected. It now contains about 3000 inhabitants, chiefly occupied in fishery. The country around, although unhealthy, is fruitful in vines. It is in long. 39. 8. V. and lat. 47. 6. N.
BAAL, the same as Bel or Belus, an idol of the Chaldeans and Phoenicians or Canaanites. The word Baal, m the Punic language as well as in the Hebrew, signifies “lord” or “master,” and doubtless meant the supreme Deity, the Lord and Master of the universe. Some learned men think that the Baal of the Phoenicians was the Saturn of the Greeks; others are of opinion that Baal was the Phoenician or Tyrian Hercules, a god of great antiquity in Phoenicia.

Baal-berith, the god of the Shechemites. Bochart conjectures that Berith is the same as Beroe, the daughter of Venus and Adonis, who was given in marriage to Bacchus; and that she gave her name to the city of Berith ι∏ Phoenicia, of which she became afterwards the patron goddess.

Baal-peor, Baal-phegor, or Beel-phegor, an idol of the Moabites and Midianites. We are told that “Israel jomed himself to Baal-peor,” and that Solomon erected an altar to this idol upon the Mount of Olives. Selden conjectures that Baal-peor is the same with Pluto; which e grounds upon these words of the Psaloust, “They join-de 1θ mse ^ ves unt0 Baal-peor, and ate the offerings of the Baal-zebüb, Beel-zebub, or Belzebub, the idol or god of the Ekronites. In Scripture he is called the Prince of Devils. His name is usually rendered the “Lord of Flies,” which, some think, was a mock appellation bestowed on him by the Jews. But Scaliger derives the name of this deity from Baalim-zebahim, which signifies the “Lord of Sacrifices ;” the plural number (Baalim) being here, as in many other instances, used with a singular effect.
BABATAG, a city of the government of Silistria, in Turkey in Europe. It stands on the lake or estuary Rasim, which communicates with the Black Sea, and it is surrounded by mountains covered with woods. It is a large city, containing 10,000 inhabitants, amongst whom are many Jews and Greeks. It used to be the winter headquarters of the Turkish army during former wars with Russia. Long. 28. 32. E. Lat. 44. 55. N.
BABEL, a city and tower undertaken to be built by the whole human race soon after the Flood, and remarkable for the miraculous frustration of the attempt by the confusion of languages. As to the situation of ancient Babel, most authors are of opinion that it was exactly in the place where the celebrated city of Babylon afterwards stood. That it was in the same country, appears indisputably certain from Scripture; but that it was exactly in the same place, cannot be proved. Authors have been much divided about the motive by which the whole race of mankind were induced to join as one man in such an undertaking. Some have imagined that it was from the fear of a second deluge; others, that they knew beforehand that they were to be dispersed through all the different countries of the world, and built this tower in order to defeat the design of the Deity, because, having a tower of such vast height as they proposed, those who were at a distance could easily find their way back again. Others again suppose that the top of this tower was not to reach up to heaven, but to be consecrated to the heavens, that is, to the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, of the fire, air, &c., and other natural powers, as deities; and therefore that the true Deity interposed in order to prevent a total and irrecoverable defection. Less speculative persons think that the tower was erected as a fortress for the establishment of tyrannical power. As to the materials made use of in the building of this tower, the Scripture informs us that they were bricks, and slime or bitumen. According to an eastern tradition, three years were occupied in making the bricks, each of which was thirteen cubits long, ten broad, and five thick. Oriental writers say that the city was 313 fathoms in length and 151 in breadth'; that the walls were 5533 fathoms high, and 33 in breadth; and that the tower itself was no less than 10,000 fathoms, or 12 miles high. Even St Jerome affirms, from the testimony of eye-witnesses, who, as he says* had examined the remains of the tower, that it was four miles high; and there are other statements still more extravagant. The only account of its dimensions which can be at all depended upon (supposing it to have been the same which afterwards stood in the midst of the city of Babylon, and round which Nebuchadnezzar built the temple of Belus) is that given under the article Babylon.
BABELMANDEL, or Babelmandeb, “the gate of mourning,” a famous strait in the Indian Ocean, between the coast of Arabia Felix in Asia, and that of Adel and Zeila in Africa, at the entrance into the Red Sea. By some it is also called the Strait of Moka. It is narrow, being only seven miles wide, and difficult ’to navigate on account of the sand-banks. At the mouth of the strait is a small island called also Babelmandel, which is five miles in circumference, but barren and scarcely inhabited. Long. 44. 30. E. Lat. 12. 40. N.
BABENHAUSEN, a town and hereditary magistracy [7:4:266] belonging to the mediatized prince of Fugger-Babenhausen, now a part of the circle of the Upper Danube, in the kingdom of Bavaria. The district comprehends four market-towns, ten feudal castles, and sixty-one villages, with 11,156 inhabitants. The town, the residence of the prince, is on the river Gunz, and contains, besides his castle, about 300 houses and 2000 inhabitants.
BABER, an island in the Eastern Seas, surrounded by some smaller ones. It is about 18 miles long by six in its average breadth, and is situated between the 130th and 131st degree of east longitude.
BABINGTON, Gervase, bishop of Worcester, was born, according to Fuller, in Nottinghamshire; but in what year is uncertain. He was sent to Trinity College, Cambridge, of which he became a fellow; and, in 1578, he was incorporated master of arts at Oxford. He appears, however, to have made Cambridge the place of his residence, where he became an eminent preacher; and, having taken the degree of doctor of divinity, he was made domestic chaplain to Henry earl of Pembroke. In this station he is supposed to have assisted the countess in her translation of the Psalms. In 1588 he was installed prebend of Hereford, and in 1591 consecrated bishop of Landaff. In 1564 he was translated to the see of Exeter, and thence to Worcester in 1597. About this time, or soon after, he was made queen’s counsel for the marches of Wales. He was a considerable benefactor to the library belonging to the cathedral of Worcester, where he was buried in May 1610, without a monument. The several historians who have mentioned this prelate agree in giving him the character of a learned and pious man. His works, consisting of notes upon the five books of Moses, an exposition of the creed, &c. were printed both in folio and quarto in 1615, and again in folio in 1637.
BABOON. See Mammalia Index.
BABUYANES, a group of small islands about 30 miles north of the island of Luzon, and generally considered the most northerly of the Philippines. They are mostly from 25 to 30 miles in circumference, and run out into many rocky islets. The principal productions are wax, ebony, bananas, cocoas, and plantains! They are a noted haunt of piratical vessels from Mindanao. Long, from 121. 15. to 122. 5. E. Lat. from 18. 58. to 19. 42. N.
BABYLONIAN, Babylonius, is used by some ancient writers to signify astrologer, or any thing relating to astrology. Hence ĪBabylemia cura means the art of casting nativities; and numeri Babylonii, the computation of astrologers.
BABYLONICA Texta, a rich sort of weavings or hangings, denominated from the city Babylon, where the art of interweaving divers colours in hangings or tapestry was first practised. Hence also Babylonie garments, Babylonie skins, Babylonie carpets, housings, &c.