Chapter Adessenarians to Adrastus of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Adoption Adoption by arms. An ancient custom of giving arms to a person of merit, which laid him under the obligation of being your champion and defender.

Adoption by baptism. Being godfather or godmother to a child. The child by baptism is your godchild.

Adoption by hair. Cutting off your hair, and giving it to a person in proof that you receive him as your adopted father. Thus Boson, King of Arles, cut off his hair and gave it to Pope John VIII., who adopted him.

Adoption Controversy Elipand, Archbishop of Toledo, and Felix, Bishop of Urgel, maintained that Jesus Christ in his human nature was the son of God by adoption only (Rom. viii. 29), though in his pre- existing state he was the "begotten Son of God" in the ordinary catholic acceptation. Duns Scotus, Durandus, Calixtus, and others supported this view.

Adoptionist A disciple of Elipand, Archbishop of Toledo, and Felix, Bishop of Urgel (in Spain), is so called.

Adore (2 syl.) means to "carry to one's mouth" "to kiss" (ad-os, ad-orare). The Romans performed adoration by placing their right hand on their mouth and bowing. The Greeks paid adoration to kings by putting the royal robe to their lips. The Jews kissed in homage: thus God said to Elijah he had 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed unto Baal, "every mouth which hath not kissed him" (1 Kings xix. 18; see also Hos. xiii. 2). "Kiss the Son lest He be angry" (Psalm ii. 12), means worship, reverence the Son. Even in England we do homage by kissing the hand of the sovereign.

Adrammelech God of the people of Sepharvaim, to whom infants were burnt in sacrifice (Kings xvii, 31). Probably the sun.

Adrastus An Indian prince from the banks of the Ganges, who aided the King of Egypt against the crusaders. He wore a serpent's skin, and rode on an elephant. Adrastus was slain by Rinaldo. - Tasso: Jerusalem Delivered. Book xx.