- Angel
- Angel An"gel, n. [AS. [ae]ngel, 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]
Note: Angel is sometimes used adjectively; as, angel grace; angel whiteness. [1913 Webster]
{Angel bed}, a bed without posts.
{Angel fish}. (Zo["o]l.) (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 {Ch[ae]todontid[ae]}.
{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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
