AO'NIAN, adjective [From aonia, a part of Boeotia, in Greece.]
Pertaining to the muses, or to Aonia in Boeotia. The aonian fount was Aganippe, at the foot of mount Helicon, not far from Thebes, and sacred to the muses. Hence the muses were called Aonides. But in truth, Aonia itself is formed from the Celtic aon, a spring or fountain, [the fabled son of Neptune, ] and this word gave name to Aonia. As the muses were fond of springs, the word was applied to the muses, and to mountains which were their favorite residence, as to Parnassus.
A'ORIST, noun [Gr. indefinite, of a priv. and limit.]
The name of certain tenses in the grammar of the Greek language, which express time indeterminate, that is, either past, present or future.
AORIST'IC, adjective Indefinite; pertaining to an aorist, or indefinite tense.
AORT'A, noun [Gr. the great artery; also an ark or chest.]
The great artery, or trunk of the arterial system; proceeding from the left ventricle of the heart, and giving origin to all the arteries, except the pulmonary arteries. It first rises, when it is called the ascending aorta; then makes a great curve, when it gives off branches to the head, and upper extremities; then proceeds downwards, called the descending aorta when it gives off branches to the trunk; and finally divides into the two iliacs, which supply the pelvis and lower extremities.
AORT'AL, adjective Pertaining to the aorta, or great artery.
AOU'TA, noun The paper-mulberry tree in Otaheite, from whose bark is manufactured a cloth worn by the inhabitants.