in Heathen Antiquity, denotes the solid food of the gods, in contradistinction to their drink, which was called nectar. It had the appellation ambrosia, compounded of the particle α privative, and βερος, mortal, as being supposed to render those immortal who fed on it.

AMBROSIA is also a splendid kind of title, given by some physicians to certain alexipharmic compositions of extraordinary virtue. The name was particularly given to a famous antidote of Philip of Macedon against all poisons, bites, and stings of venomous creatures, as well as many internal diseases.

AMBROSIAN OFFICE or RITE, in Ecclesiastical History, a particular formula of worship in the church of Milan, which takes its name from St Ambrose, who instituted that office in the fourth century. Each church originally had its particular office; and when the pope, in aftertimes, took upon him to impose the Roman office upon all the western churches, that of Milan sheltered itself under the name and authority of St Ambrose; from which time the Ambrosian ritual has prevailed.