(William), an ingenious experimental philosopher, was born at Paris in 1663. While he was at the grammar-school, he by sickness contracted a deafness that almost excluded him conversation. In this situation, he applied himself to mechanics and geometry; and, it is said, refused to try any remedy for his disorder, either because he deemed it incurable, or because it increased his attention. He studied the nature of barometers and thermometers with great care; and wrote Observations and Experiments concerning a new Hour-glass, and concerning Barometers, Thermometers, and Hygroscopes; which, with some pieces in the Journal des Scavans, are all his literary works. When the royal academy was newly regulated in 1699, he was admitted a member; and read his New Theory of Friction, in which he happily cleared up an important object in mechanics. He died in 1705.

AMORÆANS, a sect or order of gnostic doctors, or commentators on the Jerusalem Talmud. The Amoræans succeeded the Mishnic doctors. They subsisted 250 years; and were succeeded by the Sebureans.