Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 47 of 60)

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 47 of 60)

SCIOPTIC Sci*op"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. scioptique. See Optic.] (Opt.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to an optical arrangement for forming images in a darkened room, usually called scioptic ball. Scioptic ball (Opt.), the lens of a camera obscura mounted in a wooden ball which fits a socket in a window shutter so as to be readily turned, like the eye, to different parts of the landscape.

SCIOPTICON Sci*op"ti*con, n. Etym: [NL. See Scioptic.]

Defn: A kind of magic lantorn.

SCIOPTICS Sci*op"tics, n.

Defn: The art or process of exhibiting luminous images, especially those of external objects, in a darkened room, by arrangements of lenses or mirrors.

SCIOPTRIC Sci*op"tric, a. (Opt.)

Defn: Scioptic.

SCIOT Sci"ot, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the island Scio (Chio or Chios). -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Scio. [Written also Chiot.]

SCIOTHERIC Sci`o*ther"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. L. sciothericon Sciatheric.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sundial. Sciotheric telescope (Dialing), an instrument consisting of a horizontal dial, with a telescope attached to it, used for determining the time, whether of day or night.

SCIOUS Sci"ous, a. Etym: [L. scius.]

Defn: Knowing; having knowledge. "Brutes may be and are scious." Coleridge.

SCIRE FACIAS Sci`re fa"ci*as. Etym: [L., do you cause to know.] (Law)

Defn: A judicial writ, founded upon some record, and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the party bringing it should not have advantage of such record, or (as in the case of scire facias to repeal letters patent) why the record should not be annulled or vacated. Wharton. Bouvier.

SCIRRHOID Scir"rhoid, a. Etym: [Scirhus + -oid.]

Defn: Resembling scirrhus. Dungliston.

SCIRRHOSITY Scir*rhos"i*ty, n. (Med.)

Defn: A morbid induration, as of a gland; stste of being scirrhous.

SCIRRHOUS Scir"rhous, a. Etym: [NL. scirrhosus.] (Med.)

Defn: Proceeding from scirrhus; of the nature of scirrhus; indurated; knotty; as, scirrhous affections; scirrhous disease. [Written also skirrhous.]

SCIRRHUS Scir"rhus, n.; pl. L. Scirrhi, E. Scirrhuses. Etym: [NL., from L. scirros, Gr. (Med.) (a) An indurated organ or part; especially, an indurated gland. [Obs.] (b) A cancerous tumor which is hard, translucent, of a gray or bluish color, and emits a creaking sound when incised. [Sometimes incorrectly written schirrus; written also skirrhus.]

SCISCITATION Scis`ci*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. sciscitatio, fr. sciscere to seek to know, v. incho. from scire to know.]

Defn: The act of inquiring; inquiry; demand. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SCISE Scise, v. i. Etym: [L. scindere, scissum, to cut, split.]

Defn: To cut; to penetrate. [Obs.] The wicked steel scised deep in his right side. Fairfax.

SCISSEL Scis"sel, n. Etym: [Cf. Scissile.]

1. The clippings of metals made in various mechanical operations.

2. The slips or plates of metal out of which circular balnks have been cut for the purpose of coinage.

SCISSIBLE Scis"si*ble, a. Etym: [L. scindere, scissum, to

Defn: Capable of being cut or divided by a sharp instrument. [R.] con.

SCISSIL Scis"sil, n.

Defn: See Scissel.

SCISSILE Scis"sile, a. Etym: [L. scissilis, fr. scindere, scissum, to cut, to split: cf. F. scissile. See Schism.]

Defn: Capable of being cut smoothly; scissible. [R.] Arbuthnot.

SCISSION Scis"sion, n. Etym: [L. scissio, fr. scindere, scis, to cut, to split: cf. F. scission.]

Defn: The act of dividing with an instrument having a sharp edge. Wiseman.

SCISSIPARITY Scis`si*par"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. scissus (p.p. of scindere to split) + parere to bring forth: cf.F. scissiparité.] (Biol.)

Defn: Reproduction by fission.

SCISSOR Scis"sor, v. t.

Defn: To cut with scissors or shears; to prepare with the aid of scissors. Massinger.

SCISSORS Scis"sors, n. pl. Etym: [OE. sisoures, OF. cisoires (cf. F. ciseaux), probably fr. LL. cisorium a cutting instrument, fr. L. caedere to cut. Cf. Chisel, Concise. The modern spelling is due to a mistaken derivation from L. scissor one who cleaves or divides, fr. scindere, scissum, to cut, spilt.]

Defn: A cutting instrument resembling shears, but smaller, consisting of two cutting blades with handles, movable on a pin in the center, by which they are held together. Often called a pair of scissors. [Formerly written also cisors, cizars, and scissars.] Scissors grinder (Zoöl.), the European goatsucker. [Prov. Eng.]

SCISSORSBILL Scis"sors*bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Skimmer.

SCISSORSTAIL Scis"sors*tail`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tyrant flycatcher (Milvulus forficatus) of the Southern United States and Mexico, which has a deeply forked tail. It is light gray above, white beneath, salmon on the flanks, and fiery red at the base of the crown feathers.

SCISSORS-TAILED Scis"sors-tailed`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the outer feathers much the longest, the others decreasing regularly to the median ones.

SCISSURE Scis"sure, n. Etym: [L. scissura, from scindere, scissum, to cut, spilt.]

Defn: A longitudinal opening in a body, made by cutting; a cleft; a fissure. Hammond.

SCITAMINEOUS Scit`a*min"e*ous, a. Etym: [NL. sciamineosus, fr. Scitamineze, fr. L. scitamentum a delicacy, dainty.] (Bot.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Scitamimeæ), mostly tropical herbs, including the ginger, Indian shot, banana, and the plants producing turmeric and arrowroot.

SCIURINE Sci"u*rine, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sciurien. See Sciurus.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Squirrel family. -- n.

Defn: A rodent of the Squirrel family.

SCIUROID Sci"u*roid, a. Etym: [Sciurus + -oid.] (Bot.)

Defn: Resembling the tail of a squirrel; -- generally said of branches which are close and dense, or of spikes of grass like barley.

SCIUROMORPHA Sci`u*ro*mor"pha, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. sciurus squirrel + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tribe of rodents containing the squirrels and allied animals, such as the gophers, woodchucks, beavers, and others.

SCIURUS Sci*u"rus, n. Etym: [L., a squirrel, Gr. Squirrel.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of reodents comprising the common squirrels.

SCLAFF Sclaff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sclaffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sclaffing.] [Orig. uncert.]

1. To scuff or shuffle along. [Scot.]

2. (Golf) To scrape the ground with the sole of the club, before striking the ball, in making a stroke.

SCLAFF Sclaff, n. [Scot.]

1. A slight blow; a slap; a soft fall; also, the accompanying noise.

2. (Golf) The stroke made by one who sclaffs.

3. A thin, solid substance, esp. a thin shoe or slipper.

SCLAFF Sclaff, v. t. (Golf)

Defn: To scrape (the club) on the ground, in a stroke, before hitting the ball; also, to make (a stroke) in that way.

SCLAUNDRE Sclaun"dre, n.

Defn: Slander. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCLAV; SCLAVE Sclav, Sclave, n.

Defn: Same as Slav.

SCLAVIC Sclav"ic, a.

Defn: Same as Slavic.

SCLAVISM Sclav"ism, n.

Defn: Same as Slavism.

SCLAVONIAN Scla*vo"nian, a. & n.

Defn: Same as Slavonian.

SCLAVONIC Scla*von"ic, a.

Defn: Same as Slavonic.

SCLENDER Sclen"der, a.

Defn: Slender. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCLERAGOGY Scler"a*go`gy, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Severe discipline. [Obs.] Bp. Hacket.

SCLEREMA Scle*re"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Induration of the cellular tissue. Sclerema of adults. See Scleroderma. -- Sclerema neonatorum ( Etym: [NL., of the newborn], an affection characterized by a peculiar hardening and rigidity of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues in the newly born. It is usually fatal. Called also skinbound disease.

SCLERENCHYMA Scle*ren"chy*ma, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. -enchyma as in parenchyma.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: Vegetable tissue composed of short cells with thickened or hardened walls, as in nutshells and the gritty parts of a pear. See Sclerotic.

Note: By recent german writers and their English translation, this term is used for liber cells. Goodale.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hard calcareous deposit in the tissues of Anthozoa, constituing the stony corals.

SCLERENCHYMATOUS Scler`en*chym"a*tous, a. (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or composed of, sclerenchyma.

SCLERENCHYME Scle*ren"chyme, n.

Defn: Sclerenchyma.

SCLERIASIS Scle*ri"a*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. gr. (Med.) (a) A morbid induration of the edge of the eyelid. (b) Induration of any part, including scleroderma.

SCLERITE Scle"rite, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A hard chitinous or calcareous process or corpuscle, especially a spicule of the Alcyonaria.

SCLERITIS Scle*ri"tis, n. Etym: [NL.]

Defn: See Sclerottis.

SCLEROBASE Scler"o*base ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The calcareous or hornlike coral forming the central stem or axis of most compound alcyonarians; -- called also foot secretion. See Illust. under Gorgoniacea, and Coenenchyma. -- Scler`o*ba"sic, a.

SCLERODERM Scler"o*derm ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [Gr. scléroderme.] (a) (Zoöl.) One of a tribe of plectognath fishes (Sclerodermi) having the skin covered with hard scales, or plates, as the cowfish and the trunkfish. (b) One of the Sclerodermata. (c) Hardened, or bony, integument of various animals.

SCLERODERMA Scler`o*der"ma, n. Etym: [NL.] (Med.)

Defn: A disease of adults, characterized by a diffuse rigidity and hardness of the skin.

SCLERODERMATA Scler`o*der"ma*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The stony corals; the Madreporaria.

SCLERODERMIC; SCLERODERMOUS Scler`o*der"mic, Scler`o*der"mous, (Zoöl.) (a) Having the integument, or skin, hard, or covered with hard plates. (b) Of or pertaining to the Sclerodermata.

SCLERODERMITE Scler`o*der"mite, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The hard integument of Crustacea. (b) Sclerenchyma.

SCLEROGEN Scler"o*gen ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + -gen.] (Bot.)

Defn: The thickening matter of woody cells; lignin.

SCLEROGENOUS Scle*rog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + -genous.] (Anat.)

Defn: Making or secreting a hard substance; becoming hard.

SCLEROID Scle"roid, a. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + (Bot.)

Defn: Having a hard texture, as nutshells.

SCLEROMA Scle*ro"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. sklhro`s hard + -oma.] (Med.)

Defn: Induration of the tissues. See Sclerma, Scleroderma, and Sclerosis.

SCLEROMETER Scle*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + -meter.]

Defn: An instrument for determining with accuracy the degree of hardness of a mineral.

SCLEROSED Scle*rosed", a.

Defn: Affected with sclerosis.

SCLEROSIS Scle*ro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (sklhro`s hard.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Induration; hardening; especially, that form of induration produced in an organ by increase of its interstitial connective tissue.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Hardening of the cell wall by lignification. Cerebro-spinal sclerosis (Med.), an affection in which patches of hardening, produced by increase of the neuroglia and atrophy of the true nerve tissue, are found scattered throughout the brain and spinal cord. It is associated with complete or partial paralysis, a peculiar jerking tremor of the muscles, headache, and vertigo, and is usually fatal. Called also multiple, disseminated, or insular, sclerosis.

SCLEROSKELETON Scle`ro*skel"e*ton, n. Etym: [Gr. skeleton.] (Anat.)

Defn: That part of the skeleton which is developed in tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses.

SCLEROTAL Scle*ro"tal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Sclerotic. -- n.

Defn: The optic capsule; the sclerotic coat of the eye. Owen.

SCLEROTIC Scle*rot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. sclérotique.]

1. Hard; firm; indurated; -- applied especially in anatomy to the firm outer coat of the eyeball, which is often cartilaginous and sometimes bony.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sclerotic coat of the eye; sclerotical.

3. (Med.) Affected with sclerosis; sclerosed. Sclerotic parenchyma (Bot.), sclerenchyma. By some writers a distinction is made, sclerotic parenchyma being applied to tissue composed of cells with the walls hardened but not thickened, and sclerenchyma to tissue composed of cells with the walls both hardened and thickened.

SCLEROTIC Scle*rot"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sclérotique.] (Anat.)

Defn: The sclerotic coat of the eye. See Illust. of Eye (d).

SCLEROTIC Scle*rot"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from ergot or the sclerotium of a fungus growing on rye.

SCLEROTICAL Scle*rot"ic*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Sclerotic.

SCLEROTITIS Scler`o*ti"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Sclerotic, and -rris.] (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the sclerotic coat.

SCLEROTIUM Scle*ro"ti*um, n.; pl. Sclerotia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A hardened body formed by certain fungi, as by the Claviceps purpurea, which produced ergot.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The nature or resting stage of a plasmodium.

SCLEROTOME Scler"o*tome ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the bony, cartilaginous, or membranous partitoins which separate the myotomes. -- Scler`o*tom"ic, a.

SCLEROUS Scle"rous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Hard; indurated; sclerotic.

SCOAT Scoat, v. t.

Defn: To prop; to scotch. [Prov. Eng.]

SCOBBY Scob"by, n.

Defn: The chaffinch. [Prov. Eng.]

SCOBIFORM Scob"i*form, a. Etym: [L. scobs, or scobis, sawdust, scrapings + - form: cf. F. scobiforme.]

Defn: Having the form of, or resembling, sawdust or raspings.

SCOBS Scobs, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [L. scobs, or scobis, fr. scabere to scrape.]

1. Raspings of ivory, hartshorn, metals, or other hard substance. Chambers.

2. The dross of metals.

SCOFF Scoff, n. Etym: [OE. scof; akin to OFries. schof, OHG. scoph, Icel. skaup, and perh. to E. shove.]

1. Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach. With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts. Shak.

2. An object of scorn, mockery, or derision. The scoff of withered age and beardless youth. Cowper.

SCOFF Scoff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scoffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scoffing.] Etym: [Cf. Dan. skuffe to deceive, delude, Icel. skopa to scoff, OD. schoppen. See Scoff, n.]

Defn: To show insolent ridicule or mockery; to manifest contempt by derisive acts or language; -- often with at. Thuth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray. Goldsmith.

Syn. -- To sneer; mock; gibe; jeer. See Sneer.

SCOFF Scoff, v. t.

Defn: To treat or address with derision; to assail scornfully; to mock at. To scoff religion is ridiculously proud and immodest. Glanwill.

SCOFFER Scoff"er, n.

Defn: One who scoffs. 2 Pet. iii. 3.

SCOFFERY Scoff"er*y, n.

Defn: The act of scoffing; scoffing conduct; mockery. Holinshed.

SCOFFINGLY Scoff"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scoffing manner. Broome.

SCOKE Scoke, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Poke (Phytolacca decandra).

SCOLAY Sco*lay", v. i.

Defn: See Scoley. [Obs.]

SCOLD Scold, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scolded; p. pr. & vb. n. Scolding.] Etym: [Akin to D. schelden, G. schelten, OHG. sceltan, Dan. skielde.]

Defn: To find fault or rail with rude clamor; to brawl; to utter harsh, rude, boisterous rebuke; to chide sharply or coarsely; -- often with at; as, to scold at a servant. Pardon me, lords, 't is the first time ever I was forced to scold. Shak.

SCOLD Scold, v. t.

Defn: To chide with rudeness and clamor; to rate; also, to rebuke or reprove with severity.

SCOLD Scold, n.

1. One who scolds, or makes a practice of scolding; esp., a rude, clamorous woman; a shrew. She is an irksome, brawling scold. Shak.

2. A scolding; a brawl.

SCOLDER Scold"er, n.

1. One who scolds.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The oyster catcher; -- so called from its shrill cries. (b) The old squaw. [Local U.S.]

SCOLDING Scold"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Scold, v. Scolding bridle, an iron frame. See Brank, n., 2.

SCOLDINGLY Scold"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scolding manner.

SCOLE Scole, n.

Defn: School. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCOLECIDA Sco*le"ci*da ( or ), n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Scolex.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Helminthes.

SCOLECITE Scol"e*cite ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A zeolitic mineral occuring in delicate radiating groups of white crystals. It is a hydrous silicate of aluminia and lime. Called also lime mesotype.

SCOLECOMORPHA Sco*le`co*mor"pha (, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Solex, -morphous.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scolecida.

SCOLEX Sco"lex, n.; pl. Scoleces. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.) (a) The embryo produced directly from the egg in a metagenetic series, especially the larva of a tapeworm or other parasitic worm. See Illust. of Echinococcus. (b) One of the Scolecida.

SCOLEY Sco*ley", v. i. Etym: [Cf. OF. escoler to teach. See School.]

Defn: To go to school; to study. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCOLIOSIS Sco`li*o"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A lateral curvature of the spine.

SCOLITHUS Scol"i*thus ( or ), n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A tubular structure found in Potsdam sandstone, and believed to be the fossil burrow of a marine worm.

SCOLLOP Scol"lop, n. & v.

Defn: See Scallop.

SCOLOPACINE Scol`o*pa"cine, a. Etym: [L. scolopax a snipe, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Scolopacidæ, or Snipe family.

SCOLOPENDRA Scol`o*pen"dra, n. Etym: [L., a kind of multiped, fr. Gr.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of venomous myriapods including the centipeds. See Centiped.

2. A sea fish. [R.] Spenser.

SCOLOPENDRINE Scol`o*pen"drine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to the Scolopendra.

SCOLYTID Scol"y*tid, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small bark-boring beetles of the genus Scolytus and allied genera. Also used adjectively.

SCOMBER Scom"ber, n. Etym: [L., a mackerel, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of acanthopterygious fishes which includes the common mackerel.

SCOMBEROID Scom"ber*oid, a. & n. Etym: [Cf. F. scomnéroïde.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scombroid.

SCOMBRIFORMES Scom`bri*for"mes, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of fishes including the mackerels, tunnies, and allied fishes.

SCOMBROID Scom"broid, a. Etym: [Scomber + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to the Mackerel family. -- n.

Defn: Any fish of the family Scombridæ, of which the mackerel (Scomber) is the type.

SCOMFISH Scom"fish ( or ), v. t. & i.

Defn: To suffocate or stifle; to smother. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

SCOMFIT Scom"fit, n. & v.

Defn: Discomfit. [Obs.]

SCOMM Scomm, n. Etym: [L. scomma a taunt, jeer, scoff, Gr.

1. A bufoon. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

2. A flout; a jeer; a gibe; a taunt. [Obs.] Fortherby.

SCONCE Sconce, n. Etym: [D. schans, OD. schantse, perhaps from OF. esconse a hiding place, akin to esconser to hide, L. absconsus, p. p. of abscondere. See Abscond, and cf. Ensconce, Sconce a candlestick.]

1. A fortification, or work for defense; a fort. No sconce or fortress of his raising was ever known either to have been forced, or yielded up, or quitted. Milton.

2. A hut for protection and shelter; a stall. One that . . . must raise a sconce by the highway and sell switches. Beau. & Fl.

3. A piece of armor for the head; headpiece; helmet. I must get a sconce for my head. Shak.

4. Fig.: The head; the skull; also, brains; sense; discretion. [Colloq.] To knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel. Shak.

5. A poll tax; a mulct or fine. Johnson.

6. Etym: [OF. esconse a dark lantern, properly, a hiding place. See Etymol. above.]

Defn: A protection for a light; a lantern or cased support for a candle; hence, a fixed hanging or projecting candlestick. Tapers put into lanterns or sconces of several-colored, oiled paper, that the wind might not annoy them. Evelyn. Golden sconces hang not on the walls. Dryden.

7. Hence, the circular tube, with a brim, in a candlestick, into which the candle is inserted.

8. (Arch.)

Defn: A squinch.

9. A fragment of a floe of ice. Kane.

10. Etym: [Perhaps a different word.]

Defn: A fixed seat or shelf. [Prov. Eng.]

SCONCE Sconce, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sconced; p. pr. & vb. n. Sconcing.]

1. To shut up in a sconce; to imprison; to insconce. [Obs.] Immure him, sconce him, barricade him in 't. Marston.

2. To mulct; to fine. [Obs.] Milton.

SCONCHEON Scon"cheon, n. (Arch.)

Defn: A squinch.

SCONE Scone, n.

Defn: A cake, thinner than a bannock, made of wheat or barley or oat meal. [Written variously, scon, skone, skon, etc.] [Scot.] Burns.

SCOOP Scoop, n. Etym: [OE. scope, of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. skopa, akin to D. schop a shovel, G. schüppe, and also to E. shove. See Shovel.]

1. A large ladle; a vessel with a long handle, used for dipping liquids; a utensil for bailing boats.

2. A deep shovel, or any similar implement for digging out and dipping or shoveling up anything; as, a flour scoop; the scoop of a dredging machine.

3. (Surg.)

Defn: A spoon-shaped instrument, used in extracting certain substances or foreign bodies.

4. A place hollowed out; a basinlike cavity; a hollow. Some had lain in the scoop of the rock. J. R. Drake.

5. A sweep; a stroke; a swoop.

6. The act of scooping, or taking with a scoop or ladle; a motion with a scoop, as in dipping or shoveling. Scoop net, a kind of hand net, used in fishing; also, a net for sweeping the bottom of a river. -- Scoop wheel, a wheel for raising water, having scoops or buckets attached to its circumference; a tympanum.

SCOOP Scoop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scooped; p. pr. & vb. n. Scooping.] Etym: [OE. scopen. See Scoop, n.]

1. To take out or up with, a scoop; to lade out. He scooped the water from the crystal flood. Dryden.

2. To empty by lading; as, to scoop a well dry.

3. To make hollow, as a scoop or dish; to excavate; to dig out; to form by digging or excavation. Those carbuncles the Indians will scoop, so as to hold above a pint. Arbuthnot.

SCOOPER Scoop"er, n.

1. One who, or that which scoops.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The avocet; -- so called because it scoops up the mud to obtain food.

SCOOT Scoot, v. i.

Defn: To walk fast; to go quickly; to run hastily away. [Colloq. & Humorous, U.S.]

SCOPARIN Sco"pa*rin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A yellow gelatinous or crystalline substance found in broom (Cytisus scoparius) accompanying sparteïne.

SCOPATE Sco"pate, a. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa, a broom.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the surface closely covered with hairs, like a brush.

-SCOPE -scope (. Etym: [Gr. skopo`s a watcher, spy. See Scope.]

Defn: A combining form usually signifying an instrument for viewing (with the eye) or observing (in any way); as in microscope, telescope, altoscope, anemoscope.

SCOPE Scope, n. Etym: [It. scopo, L. scopos a mark, aim, Gr. skopo`s, a watcher, mark, aim; akin to spy. Cf. Skeptic, Bishop.]

1. That at which one aims; the thing or end to which the mind directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim, or purpose; intention; drift; object. "Shooting wide, do miss the marked scope." Spenser. Your scope is as mine own, So to enforce or quality the laws As to your soul seems good. Shak. The scope of all their pleading against man's authority, is to overthrow such laws and constitutions in the church. Hooker.

2. Room or opportunity for free outlook or aim; space for action; amplitude of opportunity; free course or vent; liberty; range of view; intent, or action. Give him line and scope. Shak. In the fate and fortunes of the human race, scope is given to the operation of laws which man must always fail to discern the reasons of. I. Taylor. Excuse me if I have given too much scope to the reflections which have arisen in my mind. Burke. An intellectual cultivation of no moderate depth or scope. Hawthorne.

3. Extended area. [Obs.] "The scopes of land granted to the first adventurers." Sir J. Davies.

4. Length; extent; sweep; as, scope of cable. v. t. To look at for the purpose of evaluation; usu with out; as, to scope out the area as a camping site.

SCOPELINE Sco"pe*line, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Scopeloid.

SCOPELOID Sco"pe*loid, a. Etym: [NL. Scopelus, typical genus (fr. Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to fishes of the genus Scopelus, or family Scopelodæ, which includes many small oceanic fishes, most of which are phosphorescent. -- n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any fish of the family Scopelidæ.

SCOPIFEROUS Sco*pif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa + -ferous.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Bearing a tuft of brushlike hairs.

SCOPIFORM Sco"pi*form, a. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa, a broom + -form.]

Defn: Having the form of a broom or besom. "Zeolite, stelliform or scopiform." Kirwan.

SCOPIPED Sco"pi*ped, n. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa, a broom + pes, pedis, a foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scopuliped.

SCOPPET Scop"pet, v. t. Etym: [From Scoop, v. t.]

Defn: To lade or dip out. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SCOPS OWL Scops" owl`. Etym: [NL. scops, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small owls of the genus Scops having ear tufts like those of the horned owls, especially the European scops owl (Scops giu), and the American screech owl. (S. Asio).

SCOPTIC; SCOPTICAL Scop"tic, Scop"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Jesting; jeering; scoffing. [Obs.] South. -- Scop"tic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]

SCOPULA Scop"u*la, n.; pl. E. Scopulas, L. Scopulæ. Etym: [L. scopulae, pl. a little broom.] (Zoöl.) (a) A peculiar brushlike organ found on the foot of spiders and used in the construction of the web. (b) A special tuft of hairs on the leg of a bee.

SCOPULIPED Scop"u*li*ped, n. Etym: [L. scopulae, pl., a little broom (fr. scopae a broom) + pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of bee which has on the hind legs a brush of hairs used for collecting pollen, as the hive bees and bumblebees.

SCOPULOUS Scop"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. scopulosus, fr. scopulus a rock, Gr.

Defn: Full of rocks; rocky. [Obs.]

SCORBUTE Scor"bute, n. Etym: [LL. scorbutus: cf. F. scorbut. See Scurvy, n.]

Defn: Scurry. [Obs.] Purchas.

SCORBUTIC; SCORBUTICAL Scor*bu"tic, Scor*bu"tic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. scorbutique.] (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to scurvy; of the nature of, or resembling, scurvy; diseased with scurvy; as, a scorbutic person; scorbutic complaints or symptoms. -- Scor*bu"tic*al*ly, adv.

SCORBUTUS Scor*bu"tus, n. Etym: [LL. See Scorbute.] (Med.)

Defn: Scurvy.

SCORCE Scorce, n.

Defn: Barter. [Obs.] See Scorse.

SCORCH Scorch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scorched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scorching.] Etym: [OE. scorchen, probably akin to scorcnen; cf. Norw. skrokken shrunk up, skrekka, skrökka, to shrink, to become wrinkled up, dial. Sw. skråkkla to wrinkle (see Shrug); but perhaps influenced by OF. escorchier to strip the bark from, to flay, to skin, F. écorcher, LL. excorticare; L. ex from + cortex, -icis, bark (cf. Cork); because the skin falls off when scorched.]

1. To burn superficially; to parch, or shrivel, the surface of, by heat; to subject to so much heat as changes color and texture without consuming; as, to scorch linen. Summer drouth or singed air never scorch thy tresses fair. Milton.

2. To affect painfully with heat, or as with heat; to dry up with heat; to affect as by heat. Lashed by mad rage, and scorched by brutal fires. Prior.

3. To burn; to destroy by, or as by, fire. Power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. Rev. xvi. 8. The fire that scorches me to death. Dryden.

SCORCH Scorch, v. i.

1. To be burnt on the surface; to be parched; to be dried up. Scatter a little mungy straw or fern amongst your seedlings, to prevent the roots from scorching. Mortimer.

2. To burn or be burnt. he laid his long forefinger on the scarlet letter, which forthwith seemed to scoch into Hester's breast, as if it had been red hot. Hawthorne.

SCORCHING Scorch"ing, a.

Defn: Burning; parching or shriveling with heat. -- Scorch"ing*ly, adv. -- Scorch"ing*ness, n.

SCORE Score, n. Etym: [AS. scor twenty, fr. sceran, scieran, to shear, cut, divice; or rather the kindred Icel. skor incision, twenty, akin to Dan. skure a notch, Sw. skåra. See Shear.]

1. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account. Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used. Shak.

2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness. He parted well, and paid his score. Shak.

3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf. But left the trade, as many more Have lately done on the same score. Hudibras. You act your kindness in Cydria's score. Dryden.

4. The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number. Amongst three or four score hogsheads. Shak. At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by score. Macaulay.

5. A distance of twenty yards; -- a term used in ancient archery and gunnery. Halliwell.

6. A weight of twenty pounds. [Prov. Eng.]

7. The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket.

8. line drawn; a groove or furrow.

9. (Mus.)

Defn: The original and entire draught, or its transcript, of a composition, with the parts for all the different instruments or voices written on staves one above another, so that they can be read at a glance; -- so called from the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all the parts. Moore (Encyc. of Music). In score (Mus.), having all the parts arranged and placed in juxtaposition. Smart. -- To quit scores, to settle or balance accounts; to render an equivalent; to make compensation. Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it South.

SCORE Score, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scored; p. pr. & vb. n. Scoring.]

1. To mark with lines, scratches, or notches; to cut notches or furrows in; to notch; to scratch; to furrow; as, to score timber for hewing; to score the back with a lash. Let us score their backs. Shak. A briar in that tangled wilderness Had scored her white right hand. M. Arnold.

2. Especially, to mark with significant lines or notches, for indicating or keeping account of something; as, to score a tally.

3. To mark or signify by lines or notches; to keep record or account; to set down; to record; to charge. Madam, I know when, Instead of five, you scored me ten. Swift. Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score. Shak.

4. To engrave, as upon a shield. [R.] Spenser.

5. To make a score of, as points, runs, etc., in a game.

6. (Mus.)

Defn: To write down in proper order and arrangement; as, to score an overture for an orchestra. See Score, n., 9.

7. (Geol.)

Defn: To mark with parallel lines or scratches; as, the rocks of New England and the Western States were scored in the drift epoch.

SCORER Scor"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, scores.

SCORIA Sco"ri*a, n.; pl. Scorlæ. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. The recrement of metals in fusion, or the slag rejected after the eduction of metallic ores; dross.

2. Cellular slaggy lava; volcanic cinders.

SCORIAC Sco"ri*ac, a.

Defn: Scoriaceous. E. A. Poe.

SCORIACEOUS Sco`ri*a"ceous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. scoriacé.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to scoria; like scoria or the recrement of metals; partaking of the nature of scoria.

SCORIE Sco"rie, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The young of any gull. [Written also scaurie.] [prov. Eng.]

SCORIFICATION Sco`ri*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. scorification. See Scorify.] (Chem.)

Defn: The act, process, or result of scorifying, or reducing to a slag; hence, the separation from earthy matter by means of a slag; as, the scorification of ores.

SCORIFIER Sco"ri*fi`er, n. (Chem.)

Defn: One who, or that which, scorifies; specifically, a small flat bowl-shaped cup used in the first heating in assaying, to remove the earth and gangue, and to concentrate the gold and silver in a lead button.

SCORIFORM Sco"ri*form, a.

Defn: In the form of scoria.

SCORIFY Sco"ri*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scorified; p. pr. & vb. n. Scorifying.] Etym: [Scoria + -fy: cf. F. scorifier.] (Chem.)

Defn: To reduce to scoria or slag; specifically, in assaying, to fuse so as to separate the gangue and earthy material, with borax, lead, soda, etc., thus leaving the gold and silver in a lead button; hence, to separate from, or by means of, a slag.

SCORIOUS Sco"ri*ous, a.

Defn: Scoriaceous. Sir T. Browne.

SCORN Scorn, n. Etym: [OE. scorn, scarn, scharn, OF. escarn, escharn, eschar, of German origin; cf. OHG. skern mockery, skern to mock; but cf. also OF. escorner to mock.]

1. Extreme and lofty contempt; haughty disregard; that disdain which aprings from the opinion of the utter meanness and unworthiness of an object. Scorn at first makes after love the more. Shak. And wandered backward as in scorn, To wait an æon to be born. Emerson.

2. An act or expression of extreme contempt. Every sullen frown and bitter scorn But fanned the fuel that too fast did burn. Dryden.

3. An object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision. Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. Ps. xliv. 13. To think scorn, to regard as worthy of scorn or contempt; to disdain. "He thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone." Esther iii. 6. -- To laugh to scorn, to deride; to make a mock of; to redicule as contemptible.

Syn. -- Contempt; disdain; derision; contumely; despite; slight; dishonor; mockery.

SCORN Scorn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scorned; p. pr. & vb. n. Scoring.] Etym: [OE. scornen, scarnen, schornen, OF. escarning, escharnir. See Scorn, n.]

1. To hold in extreme contempt; to reject as unworthy of regard; to despise; to contemn; to disdain. I scorn thy meat; 't would choke me. Shak. This my long sufference, and my day of grace, Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste. Milton. We scorn what is in itself contemptible or disgraceful. C. J. Smith.

2. To treat with extreme contempt; to make the object of insult; to mock; to scoff at; to deride. His fellow, that lay by his bed's side, Gan for to laugh, and scorned him full fast. Chaucer. To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously. Shak.

Syn. -- To contemn; despise; disdain. See Contemn.

SCORN Scorn, v. i.

Defn: To scoff; to act disdainfully. He said mine eyes were black and my hair black, And, now I remembered, scorned at me. Shak.

SCORNER Scorn"er, n.

Defn: One who scorns; a despiser; a contemner; specifically, a scoffer at religion. "Great scorners of death." Spenser. Superly he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. Prov. iii. 34.

SCORNFUL Scorn"ful, a.

1. Full of scorn or contempt; contemptuous; disdainful. Scornful of winter's frost and summer's sun. Prior. Dart not scornful glances from those eyes. Shak.

2. Treated with scorn; exciting scorn. [Obs.] The scornful mark of every open eye. Shak.

Syn. -- Contemptuous; disdainful; contumelious; reproachful; insolent. -- Scorn"ful*ly, adv. -- Scorn"ful*ness, n.

SCORNY Scorn"y, a.

Defn: Deserving scorn; paltry. [Obs.]

SCORODITE Scor"o*dite, n. Etym: [G. scorodit; -- so called in allusion to its smell under the blowpipe, from Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A leek-green or brownish mineral occurring in orthorhombic crystals. It is a hydrous arseniate of iron. [Written also skorodite.]

SCORPAENOID Scor*pæ"noid, a. Etym: [NL. Scorpaena, a typical genus (see Scorpene) + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the family Scorpænidæ, which includes the scorpene, the rosefish, the California rockfishes, and many other food fishes. [Written also scorpænid.] See Illust. under Rockfish.

SCORPENE Scor"pene, n. Etym: [F. scorpène, fr. L. scorpaena a kind of fish, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A marine food fish of the genus Scorpæna, as the European hogfish (S. scrofa), and the California species (S. guttata).

SCORPER Scor"per, n.

Defn: Same as Scauper.

SCORPIO Scor"pi*o, n.; pl. Scorpiones. Etym: [L.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A scorpion.

2. (Astron.) (a) The eighth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about the twenty-third day of October, marked thus [scorpio] in almanacs. (b) A constellation of the zodiac containing the bright star Antares. It is drawn on the celestial globe in the figure of a scorpion.

SCORPIODEA Scor`pi*o"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scorpiones.

SCORPIOID; SCORPIOIDAL Scor"pi*oid, Scor`pi*oid"al, a. Etym: [Gr.

1. Having the inflorescence curved or circinate at the end, like a scorpion's tail.

SCORPION Scor"pi*on, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. scorpio, scorpius, Gr. sharp.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of pulmonate arachnids of the order scorpiones, having a suctorial mouth, large claw-bearing palpi, and a caudal sting.

Note: Scorpions have a flattened body, and a long, slender post- abdomen formed of six movable segments, the last of which terminates in a curved venomous sting. The venom causes great pain, but is unattended either with redness or swelling, except in the axillary or inguinal glands, when an extremity is affected. It is seldom if ever destructive of life. Scorpions are found widely dispersed in the warm climates of both the Old and New Worlds.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pine or gray lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). [Local, U.S.]

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: the scorpene.

4. (Script.)

Defn: A painful scourge. My father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 1 Kings xii. 11.

5. (Astron.)

Defn: A sign and constellation. See Scorpio.

6. (Antiq.)

Defn: An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles. Book scorpion. (Zoöl.) See under Book. -- False scorpion. (Zoöl.) See under False, and Book scorpion. -- Scorpion bug, or Water scorpion (Zoöl.) See Nepa. -- Scorpion fly (Zoöl.), a neuropterous insect of the genus Panorpa. See Panorpid. -- Scorpion grass (Bot.), a plant of the genus Myosotis. M. palustris is the forget-me-not. -- Sorpion senna (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous shrub (Coronilla Emerus) having a slender joined pod, like a scorpion's tail. The leaves are said to yield a dye like indigo, and to be used sometimes to adulterate senna. -- Scorpion shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras. -- Scorpion spiders. (Zoöl.), any one of the Pedipalpi. -- Scorpion's tail (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus Scorpiurus, herbs with a circinately coiled pod; -- also called caterpillar. -- Scorpion's thorn (Bot.), a thorny leguminous plant (Genista Scorpius) of Southern Europe. -- The Scorpion's Heart (Astron.), the star Antares in the constellation Scorpio.

SCORPIONES Scor`pi*o"nes, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of arachnids comprising the scorpions.

SCORPIONIDEA Scor`pi*o*nid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scorpiones.

SCORPIONWORT Scor"pi*on*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A leguminous plant (Ornithopus scorpides) of Southern Europe, having curved pods.

SCORSE Scorse ( or ), n. Etym: [Cf. It. scorsa a course, and E. discourse.]

Defn: Barter; exchange; trade. [Obs.] And recompensed them with a better scorse. Spenser.

SCORSE Scorse, v. t. Etym: [Written also scourse, and scoss.]

1. To barter or exchange. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. To chase. [Obs.] Spenser.

SCORSE Scorse, v. i.

Defn: To deal for the purchase of anything; to practice barter. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SCORTATORY Scor"ta*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. scorator a fornicator, from scortari to fornicate, scortum a prostitute.]

Defn: Pertaining to lewdness or fornication; lewd.

SCOT Scot, n.

Defn: A name for a horse. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCOT Scot, n. Etym: [Cf. L. Skoti, pl., AS. Scotta, pl. Skottas, Sceottas.]

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Scotland; a Scotsman, or Scotchman.

SCOT Scot, n. Etym: [Icel. skot; or OF. escot, F. écot, LL. scottum, scotum, from a kindred German word; akin to AS. scot, and E. shot, shoot; cf. AS. sceótan to shoot, to contribute. See Shoot, and cf. Shot.]

Defn: A portion of money assessed or paid; a tax or contribution; a mulct; a fine; a shot. Scot and lot, formerly, a parish assessment laid on subjects according to their ability. [Eng.] Cowell. Now, a phrase for obligations of every kind regarded collectivelly. Experienced men of the world know very well that it is best to pay scot and lot as they go along. Emerson.

SCOTAL; SCOTALE Scot"al, Scot"ale, n. Etym: [Scot + ale.] (O. Eng. Law)

Defn: The keeping of an alehouse by an officer of a forest, and drawing people to spend their money for liquor, for fear of his displeasure.

SCOTCH Scotch, a. Etym: [Cf. Scottish.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Scotland, its language, or its inhabitants; Scottish. Scotch broom (Bot.), the Cytisus scoparius. See Broom. -- Scotch dipper, or Scotch duck (Zoöl.), the bufflehead; -- called also Scotch teal, and Scotchman. -- Scotch fiddle, the itch. [Low] Sir W. Scott. -- Scotch mist, a coarse, dense mist, like fine rain. -- Scotch nightingale (Zoöl.), the sedge warbler. [Prov. Eng.] -- Scotch pebble. See under pebble. -- Scotch pine (Bot.) See Riga fir. -- Scotch thistle (Bot.), a species of thistle (Onopordon acanthium); -- so called from its being the national emblem of the Scotch.

SCOTCH Scotch, n.

1. The dialect or dialects of English spoken by the people of Scotland.

2. Collectively, the people of Scotland.

SCOTCH Scotch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scotched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scotching.] Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. scole a prop, and Walloon ascot a prop, ascoter to prop, F. accoter, also Armor. skoaz the shoulder, skoazia to shoulder up, to prop, to support, W. ysgwydd a shoulder, ysgwyddo to shoulder. Cf. Scoat.] [Written also scoatch, scoat.]

Defn: To shoulder up; to prop or block with a wedge, chock, etc., as a wheel, to prevent its rolling or slipping.

SCOTCH Scotch, n.

Defn: A chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping; as, a scotch for a wheel or a log on inclined ground.

SCOTCH Scotch, v. t. Etym: [Probably the same word as scutch; cf. Norw. skoka, skoko, a swingle for flax; perhaps akin to E. shake.]

Defn: To cut superficially; to wound; to score. We have scotched the snake, not killed it. Shak. Scotched collops (Cookery), a dish made of pieces of beef or veal cut thin, or minced, beaten flat, and stewed with onion and other condiments; -- called also Scotch collops. [Written also scotcht collops.]

SCOTCH Scotch, n.

Defn: A slight cut or incision; a score. Walton.

SCOTCH-HOPPER Scotch"-hop`per, n.

Defn: Hopscotch.

SCOTCHING Scotch"ing, n. (Masonry)

Defn: Dressing stone with a pick or pointed instrument.

SCOTCHMAN Scotch"man, n.; pl. Scotchmen (.

1. A native or inhabitant of Scotland; a Scot; a Scotsman.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: A piece of wood or stiff hide placed over shrouds and other rigging to prevent chafe by the running gear. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SCOTCH RITE Scotch rite. (Freemasonry)

Defn: The ceremonial observed by one of the Masonic systems, called in full the Ancient and Accepted Scotch Rite; also, the system itself, which confers thirty-three degrees, of which the first three are nearly identical with those of the York rite.

SCOTCH TERRIER Scotch terrier. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a breed of small terriers with long, rough hair.

SCOTER Sco"ter, n. Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of northern sea ducks of the genus Oidemia.

Note: The European scoters are Oidemia nigra, called also black duck, black diver, surf duck; and the velvet, or double, scoter (O. fusca). The common American species are the velvet, or white-winged, scoter (O. Deglandi), called also velvet duck, white-wing, bull coot, white- winged coot; the black scoter (O. Americana), called also black coot, butterbill, coppernose; and the surf scoter, or surf duck (O. perspicillata), called also baldpate, skunkhead, horsehead, patchhead, pishaug, and spectacled coot. These birds are collectively called also coots. The females and young are called gray coots, and brown coots.

SCOT-FREE Scot"-free" [], a.

Defn: Free from payment of scot; untaxed; hence, unhurt; clear; safe. Do as much for this purpose, and thou shalt pass scot-free. Sir W. Scott. Then young Hay escaped scot-free to Holland. A. Lang.

SCOTH Scoth, v. t.

Defn: To clothe or cover up. [Obs.]

SCOTH Scoth, v. t.

Defn: To clothe or cover up. [Obs.]

SCOTIA Sco"ti*a, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. skoti`a darkness, a sunken molding in the base of a pillar, so called from the dark shadow it casts, from sko`tos darkness.] (Arch.)

Defn: A concave molding used especially in classical architecture.

SCOTIA Sco"ti*a, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Scotland [Poetic] O Scotia! my dear, my native soil! Burns.

SCOTIST Sco"tist, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: A follower of (Joannes) Duns Scotus, the Franciscan scholastic (d. 1308), who maintained certain doctrines in philosophy and theology, in opposition to the Thomists, or followers of Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican scholastic.

SCOTOGRAPH Scot"o*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. sko`tos darkness + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument for writing in the dark, or without seeing. Maunder.

SCOTOMA Sco*to"ma, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)

Defn: Scotomy.

SCOTOMY Scot"o*my, n. Etym: [NL. scotomia, from Gr. sko`tos darkness: cf. F. scotomie.]

1. Dizziness with dimness of sight. [Obs.] Massinger.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Obscuration of the field of vision due to the appearance of a dark spot before the eye.

SCOTOSCOPE Sco"to*scope ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. sko`tos darkness + -scope.]

Defn: An instrument that discloses objects in the dark or in a faint light. [Obs.] Pepys.

SCOTS Scots, a. Etym: [For older Scottis Scottish. See Scottish.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Scotch; Scotch; Scottish; as, Scots law; a pound Scots (1s. 8d.).

SCOTSMAN Scots"man (-man), n.

Defn: See Scotchman.

SCOTTERING Scot"ter*ing, n.

Defn: The burning of a wad of pease straw at the end of harvest. [Prov. Eng.]

SCOTTICISM Scot"ti*cism, n.

Defn: An idiom, or mode of expression, peculiar to Scotland or Scotchmen. That, in short, in which the Scotticism of Scotsmen most intimately consists, is the habit of emphasis. Masson.

SCOTTICIZE Scot"ti*cize, v. t.

Defn: To cause to become like the Scotch; to make Scottish. [R.]

SCOTTISH Scot"tish, a. Etym: [From Scot a Scotchman: cf. AS. Scyttisc, and E. Scotch, a., Scots, a.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of Scotland, their country, or their language; as, Scottish industry or economy; a Scottish chief; a Scottish dialect.

SCOTTISH TERRIER Scot"tish ter"ri*er. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scotch terrier.

SCOUNDREL Scoun"drel, n. Etym: [Probably from Prov. E. & Scotch scunner, scouner, to loathe, to disgust, akin to AS. scunian to shun. See Shun.]

Defn: A mean, worthless fellow; a rascal; a villain; a man without honor or virtue. Go, if your ancient, but ignoble blood Has crept through soundrels ever since the flood. Pope.

SCOUNDREL Scoun"drel, a.

Defn: Low; base; mean; unprincipled.

SCOUNDRELDOM Scoun"drel*dom, n.

Defn: The domain or sphere of scoundrels; scoundrels, collectively; the state, ideas, or practices of scoundrels. Carlyle.

SCOUNDRELISM Scoun"drel*ism, n.

Defn: The practices or conduct of a scoundrel; baseness; rascality. Cotgrave.

SCOUR Scour, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scoured; p. pr. & vb. n. Scouring.] Etym: [Akin to LG. schüren, D. schuren, schueren, G. scheuern, Dan. skure; Sw. skura; all possibly fr. LL. escurare, fr. L. ex + curare to take care. Cf. Cure.]

1. To rub hard with something rough, as sand or Bristol brick, especially for the purpose of cleaning; to clean by friction; to make clean or bright; to cleanse from grease, dirt, etc., as articles of dress.

2. To purge; as, to scour a horse.

3. To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off; to carry away or remove, as by a current of water; -- often with off or away. [I will] stain my favors in a bloody mask, Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it. Shak.

4. Etym: [Perhaps a different word; cf. OF. escorre, escourre, It. scorrere, both fr. L. excurrere to run forth. Cf. Excursion.]

Defn: To pass swiftly over; to brush along; to traverse or search thoroughly; as, to scour the coast. Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain. Pope. Scouring barrel, a tumbling barrel. See under Tumbling. -- Scouring cinder (Metal.), a basic slag, which attacks the lining of a shaft furnace. Raymond. -- Scouring rush. (Bot.) See Dutch rush, under Dutch. -- Scouring stock (Woolen Manuf.), a kind of fulling mill.

SCOUR Scour, v. i.

1. To clean anything by rubbing. Shak.

2. To cleanse anything. Warm water is softer than cold, for it scoureth better. Bacon.

3. To be purged freely; to have a diarrhoea.

4. To run swiftly; to rove or range in pursuit or search of something; to scamper. So four fierce coursers, starting to the race, Scour through the plain, and lengthen every pace. Dryden.

SCOUR Scour, n.

Defn: Diarrhoea or dysentery among cattle.

SCOURAGE Scour"age (; 48), n.

Defn: Refuse water after scouring.

SCOURER Scour"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, scours.

2. A rover or footpad; a prowling robber. In those days of highwaymen and scourers. Macaulay.

SCOURGE Scourge, n. Etym: [F. escourgée, fr. L. excoriata (sc. scutica) a stripped off (lash or whip), fr. excoriate to strip, to skin. See Excoriate.]

1. A lash; a strap or cord; especially, a lash used to inflict pain or punishment; an instrument of punishment or discipline; a whip. Up to coach then goes The observed maid, takes both the scourge and reins. Chapman.

2. Hence, a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment. Sharp scourges of adversity. Chaucer. What scourge for perjury Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence Shak.

SCOURGE Scourge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scourged; p. pr. & vb. n. Scourging.] Etym: [From Scourge, n.: cf. OF. escorgier.]

1. To whip severely; to lash. is it lawful for you to scourge a . . . Roman Acts xxii. 25.

2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Heb. xii. 6.

3. To harass or afflict severely. To scourge and impoverish the people. Brougham.

SCOURGER Scour"ger, n.

Defn: One who scourges or punishes; one who afflicts severely. The West must own the scourger of the world. Byron.

SCOURSE Scourse, v. t.

Defn: See Scorse. [Obs.]

SCOUSE Scouse, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A sailor's dish. Bread scouse contains no meat; lobscouse contains meat, etc. See Lobscouse. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SCOUT Scout, n. Etym: [Icel. sk a small craft or cutter.]

Defn: A swift sailing boat. [Obs.] So we took a scout, very much pleased with the manner and conversation of the passengers. Pepys.

SCOUT Scout, n. Etym: [Icel. skuta to jut out. Cf. Scout to reject.]

Defn: A projecting rock. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

SCOUT Scout, v. t. Etym: [Icel. sk a taunt; cf. Icel. skuta to jut out, skota to shove, skj to shoot, to shove. See Shoot.]

Defn: To reject with contempt, as something absurd; to treat with ridicule; to flout; as, to scout an idea or an apology. "Flout 'em and scout 'em." Shak.

SCOUT Scout, n. Etym: [OF. escaute scout, spy, fr. escouter, escolter, to listen, to hear, F. écouter, fr. L. auscultare, to hear with attention, to listen to. See Auscultation.]

1. A person sent out to gain and bring in tidings; especially, one employed in war to gain information of the movements and condition of an enemy. Scouts each coast light-armèd scour, Each quarter, to descry the distant foe. Milton.

2. A college student's or undergraduate's servant; -- so called in Oxford, England; at Cambridge called a gyp; and at Dublin, a skip. [Cant]

3. (Criket)

Defn: A fielder in a game for practice.

4. The act of scouting or reconnoitering. [Colloq.] While the rat is on the scout. Cowper.

Syn. -- Scout, Spy. -- In a military sense a scout is a soldier who does duty in his proper uniform, however hazardous his adventure. A spy is one who in disguise penetrates the enemies' lines, or lurks near them, to obtain information.

SCOUT Scout, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Scouting.]

1. To observe, watch, or look for, as a scout; to follow for the purpose of observation, as a scout. Take more men, And scout him round. Beau. & Fl.

2. To pass over or through, as a scout; to reconnoiter; as, to scout a country.

SCOUT Scout, v. i.

Defn: To go on the business of scouting, or watching the motions of an enemy; to act as a scout. With obscure wing Scout far and wide into the realm of night. Milton.

SCOVEL Scov"el, n. Etym: [OF. escouve, escouvette, broom, L. scopae, or cf. W. ysgubell, dim. of ysgub a broom.]

Defn: A mop for sweeping ovens; a malkin.

SCOW Scow, n. Etym: [D. schouw.] (Naut.)

Defn: A large flat-bottomed boat, having broad, square ends.

SCOW Scow, v. t.

Defn: To transport in a scow.

SCOWL Scowl, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scowled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scowling.] Etym: [Akin to Dan. skule; cf. Icel. skolla to skulk, LG. schulen to hide one's self, D. schuilen, G. schielen to squint, Dan. skele, Sw. skela, AS. sceolh squinting. Cf. Skulk.]

1. To wrinkle the brows, as in frowning or displeasure; to put on a frowning look; to look sour, sullen, severe, or angry. She scowled and frowned with froward countenance. Spenser.

2. Hence, to look gloomy, dark, or threatening; to lower. "The scowling heavens." Thomson.

SCOWL Scowl, v. t.

1. To look at or repel with a scowl or a frown. Milton.

2. To express by a scowl; as, to scowl defiance.

SCOWL Scowl, n.

1. The wrinkling of the brows or face in frowing; the expression of displeasure, sullennes, or discontent in the countenance; an angry frown. With solemn phiz, and critic scowl. Lloyd.

2. Hence, gloom; dark or threatening aspect. Burns. A ruddy storm, whose scowl Made heaven's radiant face look foul. Crashaw.

SCOWLINGLY Scowl"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scowling manner.

SCRABBED EGGS Scrab"bed eggs`. Etym: [CF. Scramble.]

Defn: A Lenten dish, composed of eggs boiled hard, chopped, and seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper. Halliwell.

SCRABBLE Scrab"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scrabbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrabbling.] Etym: [Freq. of scrape. Cf. Scramble, Scrawl, v. t.]

1. To scrape, paw, or scratch with the hands; to proceed by clawing with the hands and feet; to scramble; as, to scrabble up a cliff or a tree. Now after a while Little-faith came to himself, and getting up made shift to scrabble on his way. Bunyan.

2. To make irregular, crooked, or unmeaning marks; to scribble; to scrawl. David . . . scrabbled on the doors of the gate. 1. Sam. xxi. 13.

SCRABBLE Scrab"ble, v. t.

Defn: To mark with irregular lines or letters; to scribble; as, to scrabble paper.

SCRABBLE Scrab"ble, n.

Defn: The act of scrabbing; a moving upon the hands and knees; a scramble; also, a scribble.

SCRABER Scra"ber, n. Etym: [Cf. Scrabble.] (Zoöl.) (a) The Manx shearwater. (b) The black guillemot.

SCRAFFLE Scraf"fle, v. i. Etym: [See Scramble: cf. OD. schraeffelen to scrape.]

Defn: To scramble or struggle; to wrangle; also, to be industrious. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCRAG Scrag, n. Etym: [Cf. dial. Sw. skraka a great dry tree, a long, lean man, Gael. sgreagach dry, shriveled, rocky. See Shrink, and cf. Scrog, Shrag, n.]

1. Something thin, lean, or rough; a bony piece; especially, a bony neckpiece of meat; hence, humorously or in contempt, the neck. Lady MacScrew, who . . . serves up a scrag of mutton on silver. Thackeray.

2. A rawboned person. [Low] Halliwell.

3. A ragged, stunted tree or branch. Scrag whale (Zoöl.), a North Atlantic whalebone whale (Agaphelus giddosus). By some it is considered the young of the right whale.

SCRAGGED Scrag"ged, a.

1. Rough with irregular points, or a broken surface; scraggy; as, a scragged backbone.

2. Lean and rough; scraggy.

SCRAGGEDNESS Scrag"ged*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being scragged.

SCRAGGILY Scrag"gi*ly, adv.

Defn: in a scraggy manner.

SCRAGGINESS Scrag"gi*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being scraggy; scraggedness.

SCRAGGY Scrag"gy, a. [Compar. Scragger; superl. Scraggiest.]

1. Rough with irregular points; scragged. "A scraggy rock." J. Philips.

2. Lean and rough; scragged. "His sinewy, scraggy neck." Sir W. Scott.

SCRAGLY Scrag"ly, a.

Defn: See Scraggy.

SCRAG-NECKED Scrag"-necked`, a.

Defn: Having a scraggy neck.

SCRAMBLE Scram"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scrambled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrambling.] Etym: [Freq. of Prov. E. scramb to rake together with the hands, or of scramp to snatch at. cf. Scrabble.]

1. To clamber with hands and knees; to scrabble; as, to scramble up a cliff; to scramble over the rocks.

2. To struggle eagerly with others for something thrown upon the ground; to go down upon all fours to seize something; to catch rudely at what is desired. Of other care they little reckoning make, Than how to scramble at the shearer's feast. Milton.

SCRAMBLE Scram"ble, v. t.

1. To collect by scrambling; as, to scramble up wealth. Marlowe.

2. To prepare (eggs) as a dish for the table, by stirring the yolks and whites together while cooking.

SCRAMBLE Scram"ble, n.

1. The act of scrambling, climbing on all fours, or clambering.

2. The act of jostling and pushing for something desired; eager and unceremonious struggle for what is thrown or held out; as, a scramble for office. Scarcity [of money] enhances its price, and increases the scramble. Locke.

SCRAMBLED EGGS Scram"bled eggs.

Defn: Eggs of which the whites and yolks are stirred together while cooking, or eggs beaten slightly, often with a little milk, and stirred while cooking.

SCRAMBLER Scram"bler, n.

1. One who scrambles; one who climbs on all fours.

2. A greedy and unceremonious contestant.

SCRAMBLING Scram"bling, a.

Defn: Confused and irregular; awkward; scambling. -- Scram"bling*ly, adv. A huge old scrambling bedroom. Sir W. Scott.

SCRANCH Scranch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scranched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scranching.] Etym: [Cf. D. schransen to eat greedily, G. schranzen. Cf. Crunch, Scrunch.]

Defn: To grind with the teeth, and with a crackling sound; to craunch. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]

SCRANKY Scrank"y, a.

Defn: Thin; lean. [Scot.]

SCRANNEL Scran"nel, a. Etym: [Cf. Scrawny.]

Defn: Slight; thin; lean; poor. Having Grate on their scranned pipes of wretched straw. Milton.

SCRANNY Scran"ny, a. Etym: [See Scrannel.]

Defn: Thin; lean; meager; scrawny; scrannel. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SCRAP Scrap, n. Etym: [OE. scrappe, fr. Icel. skrap trifle, cracking. See Scrape, v. t.]

1. Something scraped off; hence, a small piece; a bit; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion. I have no materials -- not a scrap. De Quincey.

2. Specifically, a fragment of something written or printed; a brief excerpt; an unconnected extract.

3. pl.

Defn: The crisp substance that remains after trying out animal fat; as, pork scraps.

4. pl.

Defn: Same as Scrap iron, below. Scrap forgings, forgings made from wrought iron scrap. -- Scrap iron. (a) Cuttings and waste pieces of wrought iron from which bar iron or forgings can be made; -- called also wrought-iron scrap. (b) Fragments of cast iron or defective castings suitable for remelting in the foundry; -- called also founding scrap, or cast scrap.

SCRAPBOOK Scrap"book`, n.

Defn: A blank book in which extracts cut from books and papers may be pasted and kept.

SCRAPE Scrape, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scraped; p. pr. & vb. n. Scraping.] Etym: [Icel. skrapa; akin to Sw. skrapa, Dan. skrabe, D. schrapen, schrabben, G. schrappen, and prob. to E. sharp.]

1. To rub over the surface of (something) with a sharp or rough instrument; to rub over with something that roughens by removing portions of the surface; to grate harshly over; to abrade; to make even, or bring to a required condition or form, by moving the sharp edge of an instrument breadthwise over the surface with pressure, cutting away excesses and superfluous parts; to make smooth or clean; as, to scrape a bone with a knife; to scrape a metal plate to an even surface.

2. To remove by rubbing or scraping (in the sense above). I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. Ezek. xxvi. 4.

3. To collect by, or as by, a process of scraping; to gather in small portions by laborius effort; hence, to acquire avariciously and save penuriously; -- often followed by together or up; as, to scrape money together. The prelatical party complained that, to swell a number the nonconformists did not choose, but scrape, subscribers. Fuller.

4. To express disapprobation of, as a play, or to silence, as a speaker, by drawing the feet back and forth upon the floor; -- usually with down. Macaulay. To scrape acquaintance, to seek acquaintance otherwise than by an introduction. Farquhar. He tried to scrape acquaintance with her, but failed ignominiously. G. W. Cable.

SCRAPE Scrape, v. i.

1. To rub over the surface of anything with something which roughens or removes it, or which smooths or cleans it; to rub harshly and noisily along.

2. To occupy one's self with getting laboriously; as, he scraped and saved until he became rich. "[Spend] their scraping fathers' gold." Shak.

3. To play awkwardly and inharmoniously on a violin or like instrument.

4. To draw back the right foot along the ground or floor when making a bow.

SCRAPE Scrape, n.

1. The act of scraping; also, the effect of scraping, as a scratch, or a harsh sound; as, a noisy scrape on the floor; a scrape of a pen.

2. A drawing back of the right foot when bowing; also, a bow made with that accompaniment. H. Spencer.

3. A disagreable and embrassing predicament, as it were, a painful rubbing or scraping; a perplexity; a difficulty. The too eager pursuit of this his old enemy through thick and thin has led him into many of these scrapes. Bp. Warburton.

SCRAPEPENNY Scrape"pen`ny, n.

Defn: One who gathers and hoards money in trifling sums; a miser.

SCRAPER Scrap"er, n.

1. An instrument with which anything is scraped. Specifically: (a) An instrument by which the soles of shoes are cleaned from mud and the like, by drawing them across it. (b) An instrument drawn by oxen or horses, used for scraping up earth in making or repairing roads, digging cellars, canals etc. (c) (Naut.) An instrument having two or three sharp sides or edges, for cleaning the planks, masts, or decks of a ship. (d) (Lithography) In the printing press, a board, or blade, the edge of which is made to rub over the tympan sheet and thus produce the impression.

2. One who scrapes. Specifically: (a) One who plays awkwardly on a violin. (b) One who acquires avariciously and saves penuriously.

SCRAPING Scrap"ing, n.

1. The act of scraping; the act or process of making even, or reducing to the proper form, by means of a scraper.

2. Something scraped off; that which is separated from a substance, or is collected by scraping; as, the scraping of the street.

SCRAPING Scrap"ing, a.

Defn: Resembling the act of, or the effect produced by, one who, or that which, scrapes; as, a scraping noise; a scraping miser. -- Scrap"ing*ly, adv.

SCRAPPILY Scrap"pi*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scrappy manner; in scraps. Mary Cowden Clarke.

SCRAPPLE Scrap"ple, n. [Dim. of scrap.]

Defn: An article of food made by boiling together bits or scraps of meat, usually pork, and flour or Indian meal.

SCRAPPY Scrap"py, a.

Defn: Consisting of scraps; fragmentary; lacking unity or consistency; as, a scrappy lecture. A dreadfully scrappy dinner. Thackeray.

SCRAT Scrat, v. t. Etym: [OE. scratten. Cf. Scratch.]

Defn: To scratch. [Obs.] Burton.

SCRAT Scrat, v. i.

Defn: To rake; to search. [Obs.] Mir. for Mag.

SCRAT Scrat, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. scritta an hermaphrodite, Ir. scrut a scrub, a low, mean person, Gael. sgrut, sgruit, an old, shriveled person.]

Defn: An hermaphrodite. [Obs.] Skinner.

SCRATCH Scratch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scratched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scratching.] Etym: [OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE. scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazz, G. kratzen, OD. kratsen, kretsen, D. krassen, Sw. kratsa to scrape, kratta to rake, to scratch, Dan. kradse to scratch, to scrape, Icel. krota to engrave. Cf. Grate to rub.]

1. To rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or ragged; to scrape, roughen, or wound slightly by drawing something pointed or rough across, as the claws, the nails, a pin, or the like. Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch glass.Grew. Be mindful, when invention fails., To scratch your head, and bite your nails.Swift.

2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. Scratch out a pamphlet." Swift.

3. To cancel by drawing one or more lines through, as the name of a candidate upon a ballot, or of a horse in a list; hence, to erase; to efface; -- often with out.

4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow. To scratch a ticket, to cancel one or more names of candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party ticket in its entirety. [U.S.]

SCRATCH Scratch, v. i.

1. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches. Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor scratch. Dr. H. More.

2. (Billiards)

Defn: To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game. [Cant, U.S.]

SCRATCH Scratch, n.

1. A break in the surface of a thing made by scratching, or by rubbing with anything pointed or rough; a slight wound, mark, furrow, or incision. The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the work. Moxon. These nails with scratches deform my breast. Prior. God forbid a shallow scratch should drive The prince of Wales from such a field as this. Shak.

2. (Pugilistic Matches)

Defn: A line across the prize ring; up to which boxers are brought when they join fight; hence, test, trial, or proof of courage; as, to bring to the scratch; to come up to the scratch. [Cant] Grose.

3. pl. (Far.)

Defn: Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy. Law (Farmer's Veter. Adviser).

4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.

5. (Billiards)

Defn: A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke. [Cant, U.S.] Scratch cradle. See Cratch cradle, under Cratch. -- Scratch grass (Bot.), a climbing knotweed (Polygonum sagittatum) with a square stem beset with fine recurved prickles along the angles. -- Scratch wig. Same as Scratch, 4, above. Thackeray.

SCRATCH Scratch, a.

Defn: Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; as, a scratch team; a scratch crew for a boat race; a scratch shot in billiards. [Slang] Scratch race, one without restrictions regarding the entrance of competitors; also, one for which the competitors are chosen by lot.

SCRATCHBACK Scratch"back`, n.

Defn: A toy which imitates the sound of tearing cloth, -- used by drawing it across the back of unsuspecting persons. [Eng.]

SCRATCHBRUSH Scratch"brush`, n.

Defn: A stiff wire brush for cleaning iron castings and other metal.

SCRATCH COAT Scratch" coat`.

Defn: The first coat in plastering; -- called also scratchwork. See Pricking-up.

SCRATCHER Scratch"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, scratches; specifically (Zoöl.), any rasorial bird.

SCRATCHING Scratch"ing, adv.

Defn: With the action of scratching.

SCRATCH PLAYER; SCRATCH RUNNER Scratch player, runner, etc.

Defn: One that starts from the scratch; hence, one of first-rate ability.

SCRATCHWEED Scratch"weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Cleavers.

SCRATCHWORK Scratch"work`, n.

Defn: See Scratch coat.

SCRATCHY Scratch"y, a.

Defn: Characterized by scratches.

SCRAW Scraw, n. Etym: [Ir. scrath a turf, sgraith a turf, green sod; akin to Gael. sgrath, sgroth, the outer skin of anything, a turf, a green sod.]

Defn: A turf. [Obs.] Swift.

SCRAWL Scrawl, v. i.

Defn: See Crawl. [Obs.] Latimer.

SCRAWL Scrawl, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scrawled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrawling.] Etym: [Probably corrupted from scrabble.]

Defn: To draw or mark awkwardly and irregularly; to write hastily and carelessly; to scratch; to scribble; as, to scrawl a letter. His name, scrawled by himself. Macaulay.

SCRAWL Scrawl, v. i.

Defn: To write unskillfully and inelegantly. Though with a golden pen you scrawl. Swift.

SCRAWL Scrawl, n.

Defn: Unskillful or inelegant writing; that which is unskillfully or inelegantly written. The left will make such a scrawl, that it will not be legible. Arbuthnot. You bid me write no more than a scrawl to you. Gray.

SCRAWLER Scrawl"er, n.

Defn: One who scrawls; a hasty, awkward writer.

SCRAWNY Scraw"ny, a. Etym: [Cf. Scrannel.]

Defn: Meager; thin; rawboned; bony; scranny.

SCRAY Scray, n. Etym: [Cf. W. ysgräen, ysgräell, a sea swallow, Armor. skrav.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tern; the sea swallow. [Prov. Eng.] [Written also sgraye.]

SCREABLE Scre"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. screare to hawk, spit out.]

Defn: Capable of being spit out. [Obs.] Bailey.

SCREAK Screak, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Screaked; p. pr. & vb. n. Screaking.] Etym: [Cf. Icel. skrækja to screech. Cf. Creak, v., Screech.]

Defn: To utter suddenly a sharp, shrill sound; to screech; to creak, as a door or wheel.

SCREAK Screak, n.

Defn: A creaking; a screech; a shriek. Bp. Bull.

SCREAM Scream, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Screamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Screaming.] Etym: [Icel. skræma to scare, terrify; akin to Sw. skräma, Dan. skræmme. Cf. Screech.]

Defn: To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to shriek; to screech. I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Shak. And scream thyself as none e'er screamed before. Pope.

SCREAM Scream, n.

Defn: A sharp, shrill cry, uttered suddenly, as in terror or in pain; a shriek; a screech. "Screams of horror." Pope.

SCREAMER Scream"er, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of three species of South American birds constituting the family Anhimidæ, and the suborder Palamedeæ. They have two spines on each wing, and the head is either crested or horned. They are easily tamed, and then serve as guardians for other poultry. The crested screamers, or chajas, belong to the genus Chauna. The horned screamer, or kamichi, is Palamedea cornuta.

SCREAMING Scream"ing, a.

1. Uttering screams; shrieking.

2. Having the nature of a scream; like a scream; shrill; sharp. The fearful matrons raise a screaming cry. Dryden.

SCREE Scree, n.

Defn: A pebble; a stone; also, a heap of stones or rocky débris. [Prov. Eng.] Southey.

SCREECH Screech, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Screeched; p. pr. & vb. n. Screeching.] Etym: [Also formerly, scritch, OE. skriken, skrichen, schriken, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. skrækja to shriek, to screech, skrija to titter, Sw. skrika to shriek, Dan. skrige; also Gael. sgreach, sgreuch, W. ysgrechio, Skr. kharj to creak. Cf. Shriek, v., Scream, v.]

Defn: To utter a harsh, shrill cry; to make a sharp outcry, as in terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek. "The screech owl, screeching loud." Shak.

SCREECH Screech, n.

Defn: A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a shriek; a scream. Screech bird, or Screech thrush (Zoöl.), the fieldfare; -- so called from its harsh cry before rain. -- Screech rain. -- Screech hawk (Zoöl.), the European goatsucker; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.] -- Screech owl. (Zoöl.) (a) A small American owl (Scops asio), either gray or reddish in color. (b) The European barn owl. The name is applied also to other species.

SCREECHERS Screech"ers, n. pl. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The picarian birds, as distinguished from the singing birds.

SCREECHY Screech"y, a.

Defn: Like a screech; shrill and harsh.

SCREED Screed, n. Etym: [Prov. E., a shred, the border of a cap. See Shred.]

1. (Arch.) (a) A strip of plaster of the thickness proposed for the coat, applied to the wall at intervals of four or five feet, as a guide. (b) A wooden straightedge used to lay across the plaster screed, as a limit for the thickness of the coat.

2. A fragment; a portion; a shred. [Scot.]

SCREED Screed, n. Etym: [See 1st Screed. For sense 2 cf. also Gael. sgread an outcry.]

1. A breach or rent; a breaking forth into a loud, shrill sound; as, martial screeds.

2. An harangue; a long tirade on any subject. The old carl gae them a screed of doctrine; ye might have heard him a mile down the wind. Sir W. Scott.

SCREEN Screen, n. Etym: [OE. scren, OF. escrein, escran, F. écran, of uncertain origin; cf. G. schirm a screen, OHG. scrim, scern a protection, shield, or G. schragen a trestle, a stack of wood, or G. schranne a railing.]

1. Anything that separates or cuts off inconvience, injury, or danger; that which shelters or conceals from view; a shield or protection; as, a fire screen. Your leavy screens throw down. Shak. Some ambitious men seem as screens to princes in matters of danger and envy. Bacon.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: A dwarf wall or partition carried up to a certain height for separation and protection, as in a church, to separate the aisle from the choir, or the like.

3. A surface, as that afforded by a curtain, sheet, wall, etc., upon which an image, as a picture, is thrown by a magic lantern, solar microscope, etc.

4. A long, coarse riddle or sieve, sometimes a revolving perforated cylinder, used to separate the coarser from the finer parts, as of coal, sand, gravel, and the like.

SCREEN Screen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Screened; p. pr. & vb. n. Screening.]

1. To provide with a shelter or means of concealment; to separate or cut off from inconvience, injury, or danger; to shelter; to protect; to protect by hiding; to conceal; as, fruits screened from cold winds by a forest or hill. They were encouraged and screened by some who were in high comands. Macaulay.

2. To pass, as coal, gravel, ashes, etc., through a screen in order to separate the coarse from the fine, or the worthless from the valuable; to sift.

SCREENINGS Screen"ings, n. pl.

Defn: The refuse left after screening sand, coal, ashes, etc.

SCREW Screw, n. Etym: [OE. scrue, OF. escroue, escroe, female screw, F. écrou, L. scrobis a ditch, trench, in LL., the hole made by swine in rooting; cf. D. schroef a screw, G. schraube, Icel. skr.]

1. A cylinder, or a cylindrical perforation, having a continuous rib, called the thread, winding round it spirally at a constant inclination, so as to leave a continuous spiral groove, between one turn and the next, -- used chiefly for producing, when revolved, motion or pressure in the direction of its axis, by the sliding of the threads of the cylinder in the grooves between the threads of the perforation adapted to it, the former being distinguished as the external, or male screw, or, more usually the screw; the latter as the internal, or female screw, or, more usually, the nut.

Note: The screw, as a mechanical power, is a modification of the inclined plane, and may be regarded as a right-angled triangle wrapped round a cylinder, the hypotenuse of the marking the spiral thread of the screw, its base equaling the circumference of the cylinder, and its height the pitch of the thread.

2. Specifically, a kind of nail with a spiral thread and a head with a nick to receive the end of the screw-driver. Screws are much used to hold together pieces of wood or to fasten something; -- called also wood screws, and screw nails. See also Screw bolt, below.

3. Anything shaped or acting like a screw; esp., a form of wheel for propelling steam vessels. It is placed at the stern, and furnished with blades having helicoidal surfaces to act against the water in the manner of a screw. See Screw propeller, below.

4. A steam vesel propelled by a screw instead of wheels; a screw steamer; a propeller.

5. An extortioner; a sharp bargainer; a skinflint; a niggard. Thackeray.

6. An instructor who examines with great or unnecessary severity; also, a searching or strict examination of a student by an instructor. [Cant, American Colleges]

7. A small packet of tobacco. [Slang] Mayhew.

8. An unsound or worn-out horse, useful as a hack, and commonly of good appearance. Ld. Lytton.

9. (Math.)

Defn: A straight line in space with which a definite linear magnitude termed the pitch is associated (cf. 5th Pitch, 10 (b)). It is used to express the displacement of a rigid body, which may always be made to consist of a rotation about an axis combined with a translation parallel to that axis.

10. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An amphipod crustacean; as, the skeleton screw (Caprella). See Sand screw, under Sand. Archimedes screw, Compound screw, Foot screw, etc. See under Archimedes, Compound, Foot, etc. -- A screw loose, something out of order, so that work is not done smoothly; as, there is a screw loose somewhere. H. Martineau. -- Endless, or perpetual screw, a screw used to give motion to a toothed wheel by the action of its threads between the teeth of the wheel; -- called also a worm. -- Lag screw. See under Lag. -- Micrometer screw, a screw with fine threads, used for the measurement of very small spaces. -- Right and left screw, a screw having threads upon the opposite ends which wind in opposite directions. -- Screw alley. See Shaft alley, under Shaft. -- Screw bean. (Bot.) (a) The curious spirally coiled pod of a leguminous tree (Prosopis pubescens) growing from Texas to California. It is used for fodder, and ground into meal by the Indians. (b) The tree itself. Its heavy hard wood is used for fuel, for fencing, and for railroad ties. -- Screw bolt, a bolt having a screw thread on its shank, in distinction from a key bolt. See 1st Bolt, 3. -- Screw box, a device, resembling a die, for cutting the thread on a wooden screw. -- Screw dock. See under Dock. -- Screw engine, a marine engine for driving a screw propeller. -- Screw gear. See Spiral gear, under Spiral. -- Screw jack. Same as Jackscrew. -- Screw key, a wrench for turming a screw or nut; a spanner wrench. -- Screw machine. (a) One of a series of machines employed in the manufacture of wood screws. (b) A machine tool resembling a lathe, having a number of cutting tools that can be caused to act on the work successively, for making screws and other turned pieces from metal rods. -- Screw pine (Bot.), any plant of the endogenous genus Pandanus, of which there are about fifty species, natives of tropical lands from Africa to Polynesia; -- named from the spiral arrangement of the pineapple-like leaves. -- Screw plate, a device for cutting threads on small screws, consisting of a thin steel plate having a series of perforations with internal screws forming dies. -- Screw press, a press in which pressure is exerted by means of a screw. -- Screw propeller, a screw or spiral bladed wheel, used in the propulsion of steam vessels; also, a steam vessel propelled by a screw. -- Screw shell (Zoöl.), a long, slender, spiral gastropod shell, especially of the genus Turritella and allied genera. See Turritella. -- Screw steamer, a steamship propelled by a screw. -- Screw thread, the spiral which forms a screw. -- Screw stone (Paleon.), the fossil stem of an encrinite. -- Screw tree (Bot.), any plant of the genus Helicteres, consisting of about thirty species of tropical shrubs, with simple leaves and spirally twisted, five-celled capsules; -- also called twisted-horn, and twisty. -- Screw valve, a stop valve which is opened or closed by a screw. -- Screw worm (Zoöl.), the larva of an American fly (Compsomyia macellaria), allied to the blowflies, which sometimes deposits its eggs in the nostrils, or about wounds, in man and other animals, with fatal results. -- Screw wrench. (a) A wrench for turning a screw. (b) A wrench with an adjustable jaw that is moved by a screw. -- To put the screw, or screws, on, to use pressure upon, as for the purpose of extortion; to coerce. -- To put under the screw or screws, to subject to presure; to force. -- Wood screw, a metal screw with a sharp thread of coarse pitch, adapted to holding fast in wood. See Illust. of Wood screw, under Wood.

SCREW Screw, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Screwed; p. pr. & vb. n. Screwing.]

1. To turn, as a screw; to apply a screw to; to press, fasten, or make firm, by means of a screw or screws; as, to screw a lock on a door; to screw a press.

2. To force; to squeeze; to press, as by screws. But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we'll not fail. Shak.

3. Hence: To practice extortion upon; to oppress by unreasonable or extortionate exactions. Our country landlords, by unmeasureable screwing and racking their tenants, have already reduced the miserable people to a worse condition than the peasants in France. swift.

4. To twist; to distort; as, to screw his visage. He screwed his face into a hardened smile. Dryden.

5. To examine rigidly, as a student; to subject to a severe examination. [Cant, American Colleges] To screw out, to press out; to extort. -- To screw up, to force; to bring by violent pressure. Howell. -- To screw in, to force in by turning or twisting.

SCREW Screw, v. i.

1. To use violent mans in making exactions; to be oppressive or exacting. Howitt.

2. To turn one's self uneasily with a twisting motion; as, he screws about in his chair.

SCREW-CUTTING Screw"-cut`ting, a.

Defn: Adapted for forming a screw by cutting; as, a screw-cutting lathe.

SCREW-DRIVER Screw"-driv`er, n.

Defn: A tool for turning screws so as to drive them into their place. It has a thin end which enters the nick in the head of the screw.

SCREWER Screw"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, screws.

SCREWING Screw"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Screw, v. t. Screwing machine. See Screw machine, under Screw.

SCRIBABLE Scrib"a*ble, a. Etym: [See Scribe.]

Defn: Capable of being written, or of being written upon. [R.]

SCRIBATIOUS Scri*ba"tious, a. Etym: [See Scribe.]

Defn: Skillful in, or fond of, writing. [Obs.] Barrow.

SCRIBBET Scrib"bet, n.

Defn: A painter's pencil.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Scrabble.] (Woolen Manuf.)

Defn: To card coarsely; to run through the scribling machine.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scribbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scribling.] Etym: [From Scrible.]

1. To write hastily or carelessly, without regard to correctness or elegance; as, to scribble a letter.

2. To fill or cover with careless or worthless writing.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, v. i.

Defn: To write without care, elegance, or value; to scrawl. If Mævius scribble in Apollo's spite. Pope.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, n.

Defn: Hasty or careless writing; a writing of little value; a scrawl; as, a hasty scribble. Boyle. Neither did I but vacant seasons spend In this my scribble. Bunyan.

SCRIBBLEMENT Scrib"ble*ment, n.

Defn: A scribble. [R.] oster.

SCRIBBLER Scrib"bler, n.

Defn: One who scribles; a literary hack. The scribbler, pinched with hunger, writes to dine. Granville.

SCRIBBLER Scrib"bler, n.

Defn: A scribbling machine.

SCRIBBLING Scrib"bling, n. Etym: [See 1st Scribble.]

Defn: The act or process of carding coarsely. Scribbing machine, the machine used for the first carding of wool or other fiber; -- called also scribbler.

SCRIBBLING Scrib"bling, a.

Defn: Writing hastily or poorly. Ye newspaper witlings! ye pert scribbling folks! Goldsmith.

SCRIBBLING Scrib"bling, n.

Defn: The act of writing hastily or idly.

SCRIBBLINGLY Scrib"bling*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scribbling manner.

SCRIBE Scribe, n. Etym: [L. scriba, fr. scribere to write; cf. Gr. scarify. Cf. Ascribe, Describe, Script, Scrivener, Scrutoire.]

1. One who writes; a draughtsman; a writer for another; especially, an offical or public writer; an amanuensis or secretary; a notary; a copyist.

2. (Jewish Hist.)

Defn: A writer and doctor of the law; one skilled in the law and traditions; one who read and explained the law to the people.

SCRIBE Scribe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scribing.]

1. To write, engrave, or mark upon; to inscribe. Spenser.

2. (Carp.)

Defn: To cut (anything) in such a way as to fit closely to a somewhat irregular surface, as a baseboard to a floor which is out of level, a board to the curves of a molding, or the like; -- so called because the workman marks, or scribe, with the compasses the line that he afterwards cuts.

3. To score or mark with compasses or a scribing iron. Scribing iron, an iron-pointed instrument for scribing, or marking, casks and logs.

SCRIBE Scribe, v. i.

Defn: To make a mark. With the separated points of a pair of spring dividers scribe around the edge of the templet. A. M. Mayer.

SCRIBER Scrib"er, n.

Defn: A sharp-pointed tool, used by joiners for drawing lines on stuff; a marking awl.

SCRIBISM Scrib"ism, n.

Defn: The character and opinions of a Jewish scribe in the time of Christ. F. W. Robertson.

SCRID Scrid, n.

Defn: A screed; a shred; a fragment. [R.]

SCRIGGLE Scrig"gle, v. i.

Defn: To wriggle. [Prov. Eng.]

SCRIM Scrim, n.

1. A kind of light cotton or linen fabric, often woven in openwork patterns, -- used for curtains, etc,; -- called also India scrim.

2. pl.

Defn: Thin canvas glued on the inside of panels to prevent shrinking, checking, etc.

SCRIMER Scri"mer, n. Etym: [F. escrimeur. See Skirmish.]

Defn: A fencing master. [Obs.] Shak.

SCRIMMAGE Scrim"mage (; 48), n. Etym: [A corruption of skirmish. "Sore scrymmishe." Ld. Berners.]] [Written also scrummage.]

1. Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or struggle.

2. (Football)

Defn: The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.

SCRIMP Scrimp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scrimped; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrimping.] Etym: [Cf. Dan. skrumpe, G. schrumpfen, D. krimpen. Cf. Shrimp, Shrine.]

Defn: To make too small or short; to limit or straiten; to put on short allowance; to scant; to contract; to shorten; as, to scrimp the pattern of a coat.

SCRIMP Scrimp, a.

Defn: Short; scanty; curtailed.

SCRIMP Scrimp, n.

Defn: A pinching miser; a niggard. [U.S.]

SCRIMPING Scrimp"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Scrimp, v. t. Scrimping bar, a device used in connection with a calico printing machine for stretching the fabric breadthwise so that it may be smooth for printing. Knight.

SCRIMPINGLY Scrimp"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scrimping manner.

SCRIMPNESS Scrimp"ness, n.

Defn: The state of being scrimp.

SCRIMPTION Scrimp"tion, n.

Defn: A small portion; a pittance; a little bit. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCRIMSHAW Scrim"shaw`, v. t.

Defn: To ornament, as shells, ivory, etc., by engraving, and (usually) rubbing pigments into the incised lines. [Sailor's cant. U.S.]

SCRIMSHAW Scrim"shaw`, n.

Defn: A shell, a whale's tooth, or the like, that is scrimshawed. [Sailor's cant, U.S.]

SCRINE Scrine, n. Etym: [L. scrinium a case for books, letters, etc.: cf. OF. escrin, F. écrin. See Shrine.]

Defn: A chest, bookcase, or other place, where writings or curiosities are deposited; a shrine. [Obs.] But laid them up in immortial scrine. Spenser.

SCRINE Scrine, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scringing.] Etym: [Cf. Cringe.]

Defn: To cringe. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SCRINGE Scringe, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scringing.] [Cf. Cringe.]

Defn: To cringe. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SCRIP Scrip, n. Etym: [OE. scrippe, probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. & OSw. skreppa, and also LL. scrippum, OF. esquerpe, escrepe, F. écharpe scarf. Cf. Scarp, Scarf a piece of dress.]

Defn: A small bag; a wallet; a satchel. [Archaic] Chaucer. And in requital ope his leathern scrip. Milton.

SCRIP Scrip, n. Etym: [From script.]

1. A small writing, certificate, or schedule; a piece of paper containing a writing. Call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip. Shak. Bills of exchange can not pay our debts abroad, till scrips of paper can be made current coin. Locke.

2. A preliminary certificate of a subscription to the capital of a bank, railroad, or other company, or for a share of other joint property, or a loan, stating the amount of the subscription and the date of the payment of the installments; as, insurance scrip, consol scrip, etc. When all the installments are paid, the scrip is exchanged for a bond share certificate.

3. Paper fractional currency. [Colloq.U.S.]

SCRIPPAGE Scrip"page (; 48), n.

Defn: The contents of a scrip, or wallet. [Obs.] Shak.

SCRIPT Script, n. Etym: [OE. scrit, L. scriptum something written, fr. scribere, scriptum to write: cf. OF. escript, , F. écrit. See Scribe, and cf. Scrip a writing.]

1. A writing; a written document. [Obs.] aucer.

2. (Print.)

Defn: Type made in imitation of handwriting.

3. (Law)

Defn: An original instrument or document.

4. Written characters; style of writing.

SCRIPTORIUM Scrip*to"ri*um, n.; pl. Scriptoria. Etym: [LL. See Scriptory.]

Defn: In an abbey or monastery, the room set apart for writing or copying manuscripts; in general, a room devoted to writing. Writing rooms, or scriptoria, where the chief works of Latin literature . . . were copied and illuminated. J. R. Green.

SCRIPTORY Scrip"to*ry, a. Etym: [L. scriptorius, fr. scribere, scriptum to write.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to writing; expressed in writing; used in writing; as, scriptory wills; a scriptory reed. [R.] Swift.

SCRIPTURAL Scrip"tur*al, a.

Defn: Contained in the Scriptures; according to the Scriptures, or sacred oracles; biblical; as, a scriptural doctrine.

SCRIPTURALISM Scrip"tur*al*ism, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being scriptural; literal adherence to the Scriptures.

SCRIPTURALIST Scrip"tur*al*ist, n.

Defn: One who adheres literally to the Scriptures.

SCRIPTURALLY Scrip"tur*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scriptural manner.

SCRIPTURALNESS Scrip"tur*al*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being scriptural.

SCRIPTURE Scrip"ture, n. Etym: [L. scriptura, fr. scribere, scriptum, to write: cf. OF. escripture, escriture, F. écriture. See Scribe.]

1. Anything written; a writing; a document; an inscription. I have put it in scripture and in remembrance. Chaucer. Then the Lord of Manny read the scripture on the tomb, the which was in Latin. Ld. Berners.

2. The books of the Old and the new Testament, or of either of them; the Bible; -- used by way of eminence or distinction, and chiefly in the plural. There is not any action a man ought to do, or to forbear, but the Scripture will give him a clear precept or prohibition for it. South. Compared with the knowledge which the Scripteres contain, every other subject of human inquiry is vanity. Buckminster.

3. A passage from the Bible;; a text. The devil can eite Scripture for his purpose. Shak. Hanging by the twined thread of one doubtful Scripture. Milton.

SCRIPTURIAN Scrip*tu"ri*an, n.

Defn: A Scripturist. [Obs.]

SCRIPTURIST Scrip"tur*ist, n.

Defn: One who is strongly attached to, or versed in, the Scriptures, or who endeavors to regulate his life by them. The Puritan was a Scripturist with all his heart, if as yet with imperfect intelligence . . . he cherished the scheme of looking to the Word of God as his sole and universal directory. Palfrey.

SCRIT Scrit, n. Etym: [See Script.]

Defn: Writing; document; scroll. [Obs.] "Of every scrit and bond." Chaucer.

SCRITCH Scritch, n.

Defn: A screech. [R.] Perhaps it is the owlet's scritch. Coleridge.

SCRIVENER Scrive"ner ( or ), n. Etym: [From older scrivein, OF. escrivain, F. écrivain, LL. scribanus, from L. scribere to write. See Scribe.]

1. A professional writer; one whose occupation is to draw contracts or prepare writings. Shak. The writer better scrivener than clerk. Fuller.

2. One whose business is to place money at interest; a broker. [Obs.] ryden.

3. A writing master. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Scrivener's palsy. See Writer's cramp, under Writer.

SCROBICULA Scro*bic"u*la, n.; pl. Scrobiculæ. Etym: [NL. See Scrobiculate.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the smooth areas surrounding the tubercles of a sea urchin.

SCROBICULAR Scro*bic"u*lar, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or surrounding, scrobiculæ; as, scrobicular tubercles.

SCROBICULATE; SCROBICULATED Scro*bic"u*late, Scro*bic"u*la`ted, a. Etym: [L. scrobiculus, dim. of scrobis a ditch or trench.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having numerous small, shallow depressions or hollows; pitted.

SCROD; SCRODE Scrod, Scrode, n.

Defn: A young codfish, especially when cut open on the back and dressed. [Written also escrod.] [Local, U.S.]

SCRODDLED WARE Scrod"dled ware`.

Defn: Mottled pottery made from scraps of differently colored clays.

SCROFULA Scrof"u*la, n. Etym: [L. scrofulae, fr. scrofa a breeding sow, because swine were supposed to be subject to such a complaint, or by a fanciful comparison of the glandular swellings to little pigs; perhaps akin to Gr. scrofules. Cf. Scroyle.] (Med.)

Defn: A constitutional disease, generally hereditary, especially manifested by chronic enlargement and cheesy degeneration of the lymphatic glands, particularly those of the neck, and marked by a tendency to the development of chronic intractable inflammations of the skin, mucous membrane, bones, joints, and other parts, and by a diminution in the power of resistance to disease or injury and the capacity for recovery. Scrofula is now generally held to be tuberculous in character, and may develop into general or local tuberculosis (consumption).

SCROFULIDE Scrof"u*lide ( or ), n. (Med.)

Defn: Any affection of the skin dependent on scrofula.

SCROFULOUS Scrof"u*lous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. scrofuleux.]

1. Pertaining to scrofula, or partaking of its nature; as, scrofulous tumors; a scrofulous habit of body.

2. Diseased or affected with scrofula. Scrofulous persons can never be duly nourished. Arbuthnot. -- Scorf"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Scrof"u*lous*ness, n.

SCROG Scrog, n. Etym: [Cf. Scrag, or Gael. sgrogag anything shriveled, from sgrag to compress, shrivel.]

Defn: A stunted shrub, bush, or branch. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SCROGGY Scrog"gy, a.

Defn: Abounding in scrog; also, twisted; stunted. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Halliwell.

SCROLL Scroll, n. Etym: [A dim. of OE. scroue, scrowe (whence E. escrow), OF. escroe, escroue, F. écrou entry in the jail book, LL. scroa scroll, probably of Teutonic origin; cf. OD. schroode a strip, shred, slip of paper, akin to E. shred. Cf. Shred, Escrow.]

1. A roll of paper or parchment; a writing formed into a roll; a schedule; a list. The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. Isa. xxxiv. 4. Here is the scroll of every man's name. Shak.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: An ornament formed of undulations giving off spirals or sprays, usually suggestive of plant form. Roman architectural ornament is largely of some scroll pattern.

3. A mark or flourish added to a person's signature, intended to represent a seal, and in some States allowed as a substitute for a seal. [U.S.] Burrill.

4. (Geom.)

Defn: Same as Skew surface. See under Skew. Linen scroll (Arch.) See under Linen. -- Scroll chuck (Mach.), an adjustable chuck, applicable to a lathe spindle, for centering and holding work, in which the jaws are adjusted and tightened simultaneously by turning a disk having in its face a spiral groove which is entered by teeth on the backs of the jaws. -- Scroll saw. See under Saw.

SCROLLED Scrolled, a.

Defn: Formed like a scroll; contained in a scroll; adorned with scrolls; as, scrolled work.

SCROPHULARIA Scroph`u*la"ri*a, n. Etym: [NL. So called because it was reputed to be remedy for scrofula.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of coarse herbs having small flowers in panicled cymes; figwort.

SCROPHULARIACEOUS Scroph`u*la`ri*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a very large natural order of gamopetalous plants (Scrophulariaceæ, or Scrophularineæ), usually having irregular didynamous flowers and a two-celled pod. The order includes the mullein, foxglove, snapdragon, figwort, painted cup, yellow rattle, and some exotic trees, as the Paulownia.

SCROTAL Scro"tal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the scrotum; as, scrotal hernia.

SCROTIFORM Scro"ti*form, a. Etym: [L. scrotum scrotum + -form.]

Defn: Purse-shaped; pouch-shaped.

SCROTOCELE Scro"to*cele, n. Etym: [Scrotum + Gr. scrotocéle.] (Med.)

Defn: A rupture or hernia in the scrotum; scrotal hernia.

SCROTUM Scro"tum, n. Etym: [L.] (Anat.)

Defn: The bag or pouch which contains the testicles; the cod.

SCROUGE Scrouge, v. t. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: To crowd; to squeeze. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]

SCROW Scrow ( or ), n. Etym: [See Escrow, Scroll.]

1. A scroll. [Obs.] Palsgrave.

2. A clipping from skins; a currier's cuttings.

SCROYLE Scroyle, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. escrouselle a kind of vermin, escrouelles, pl., scrofula, F. écrouelles, fr. (assumed) LL. scrofulae. See Scrofula, and cf. Cruels.]

Defn: A mean fellow; a wretch. [Obs.] hak.

SCRUB Scrub, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scrubbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrubbing.] Etym: [OE. scrobben, probably of Dutch or Scand. origin; cf. Dan. sckrubbe, Sw. skrubba, D. schrobben, LG. schrubben.]

Defn: To rub hard; to wash with rubbing; usually, to rub with a wet brush, or with something coarse or rough, for the purpose of cleaning or brightening; as, to scrub a floor, a doorplate.

SCRUB Scrub, v. i.

Defn: To rub anything hard, especially with a wet brush; to scour; hence, to be diligent and penurious; as, to scrub hard for a living.

SCRUB Scrub, n.

1. One who labors hard and lives meanly; a mean fellow. "A sorry scrub." Bunyan. We should go there in as proper a manner possible; nor altogether like the scrubs about us. Goldsmith.

2. Something small and mean.

3. A worn-out brush. Ainsworth.

4. A thicket or jungle, often specified by the name of the prevailing plant; as, oak scrub, palmetto scrub, etc.

5. (Stock Breeding)

Defn: One of the commen live stock of a region of no particular breed or not of pure breed, esp. when inferior in size, etc. [U.S.] Scrub bird (Zoöl.), an Australian passerine bird of the family Atrichornithidæ, as Atrichia clamosa; -- called also brush bird. -- Scrub oak (Bot.), the popular name of several dwarfish species of oak. The scrub oak of New England and the Middle States is Quercus ilicifolia, a scraggy shrub; that of the Southern States is a small tree (Q. Catesbæi); that of the Rocky Mountain region is Q. undulata, var. Gambelii. -- Scrub robin (Zoöl.), an Australian singing bird of the genus Drymodes.

SCRUB Scrub, a.

Defn: Mean; dirty; contemptible; scrubby. How solitary, how scrub, does this town lokk! Walpole. No little scrub joint shall come on my board. Swift. Scrub game, a game, as of ball, by unpracticed players. -- Scrub race, a race between scrubs, or between untrained animals or contestants.

SCRUBBED Scrub"bed, a.

Defn: Dwarfed or stunted; scrubby.

SCRUBBER Scrub"ber, n.

1. One who, or that which, scrubs; esp., a brush used in scrubbing.

2. (Gas Manuf.)

Defn: A gas washer. See under Gas.

SCRUBBOARD Scrub"board`, n.

Defn: A baseboard; a mopboard.

SCRUBBY Scrub"by, a. [Compar. Scrubbier; superl. Scrubbiest.]

Defn: Of the nature of scrub; small and mean; stunted in growth; as, a scrubby cur. "Dense, scrubby woods." Duke of Argull.

SCRUBSTONE Scrub"stone`, n.

Defn: A species of calciferous sandstone. [Prov. Eng.]

SCRUFF Scruff, n. Etym: [See Scurf.]

Defn: Scurf. [Obs.]

SCRUFF Scruff, n. Etym: [Cf. Scuff.]

Defn: The nape of the neck; the loose outside skin, as of the back of the neck.

SCRUMMAGE Scrum"mage (; 43), n.

Defn: See Scrimmage.

SCRUMPTIOUS Scrump"tious, a.

Defn: Nice; particular; fastidious; excellent; fine. [Slang]

SCRUNCH Scrunch, v. t. & v. i. Etym: [Cf. Scranch, Crunch.]

Defn: To scranch; to crunch. Dickens.

SCRUPLE Scru"ple, n. Etym: [L. scrupulus a small sharp or pointed stone, the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, a scruple, uneasiness, doubt, dim. of scrupus a rough or sharp stone, anxiety, uneasiness; perh. akin to Gr. kshura: cf. F. scrupule.]

1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.

2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak.

3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience. He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. Macaulay. To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. Locke.

SCRUPLE Scru"ple, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scrupled; p. pr. & vb. n. Skrupling.]

Defn: To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience. We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. Fuller. Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. South.

SCRUPLE Scru"ple, v. t.

1. To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question. Others long before them . . . scrupled more the books of hereties than of gentiles. Milton.

2. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.] Letters which did still scruple many of them. E. Symmons.

SCRUPLER Scru"pler, n.

Defn: One who scruples.

SCRUPULIST Scru"pu*list, n.

Defn: A scrupler. [Obs.]

SCRUPULIZE Scru"pu*lize, v. t.

Defn: To perplex with scruples; to regard with scruples. [Obs.] Bp. Montagu.

SCRUPULOSITY Scru`pu*los"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. scrupulositas.]

Defn: The quality or state of being scruppulous; doubt; doubtfulness respecting decision or action; caution or tenderness from the far of doing wrong or ofending; nice regard to exactness and propierty; precision. The first sacrilege is looked on with horror; but when they have made the breach, their scrupulosity soon retires. Dr. H. More. Careful, even to scrupulosity, . . . to keep their Sabbath. South.

SCRUPULOUS Scru"pu*lous, a. Etym: [L. scrupulosus: cf. F. scrupuleux.]

1. Full ofscrupules; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating to determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong. Abusing their liberty, to the offense of their weak brethren which were scrupulous. Hooker.

2. Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence from labor; scrupulous performance of duties.

3. Given to making objections; captious. [Obs.] Equality of two domestic powers Breed scrupulous faction. Shak.

4. Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice. [Obs.] The justice of that cause ought to be evident; not obscrure, not scrupulous. Bacon.

Syn. -- Cautious; careful; conscientious; hesitating. -- Scru"pu*lous*ly, adv. -- Scru"pu*lous*ness, n.

SCRUTABLE Scru"ta*ble, a.

Defn: Discoverable by scrutiny, inquiry, or critical examination. [R.] r. H. More.

SCRUTATION Scru*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. scrutatio.]

Defn: Search; scrutiny. [Obs.]

SCRUTATOR Scru*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: One who scrutinizes; a close examiner or inquirer. Ayliffe.

SCRUTIN DE LISTE Scru`tin" de liste" (skrus`taN" de lest). [F., voting by list.]

Defn: Voting for a group of candidates for the same kind of office on one ticket or ballot, containing a list of them; -- the method, used in France, as from June, 1885, to Feb., 1889, in elections for the Chamber of Deputies, each elector voting for the candidates for the whole department in which he lived, as disting. from scrutin d'arrondissement (da`rôN`des`mäN"), or voting by each elector for the candidate or candidates for his own arrondissement only.

SCRUTINEER Scru`ti*neer, n.

Defn: A scrutinizer; specifically, an examiner of votes, as at an election.

SCRUTINIZE Scru"ti*nize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scrutinized; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrutinizing.] Etym: [From Scrutiny.]

Defn: To examine closely; to inspect or observe with critical attention; to regard narrowly; as, to scrutinize the measures of administration; to scrutinize the conduct or motives of individuals. Whose votes they were obliged to scrutinize. Ayliffe. Thscrutinized his face the closest. G. W. Cable.

SCRUTINIZE Scru"ti*nize, v. i.

Defn: To make scrutiny.

SCRUTINIZER Scru"ti*ni`zer, n.

Defn: One who scrutinizes.

SCRUTINOUS Scru"ti*nous, a.

Defn: Closely examining, or inquiring; careful; sctrict. -- Scru"ti*nous*ly, adv.

SCRUTINY Scru"ti*ny, n. Etym: [L. scrutinium, fr. scrutari to search carefuly, originally, to search even to the rags, fr. scruta trash, trumpery; perhaps akin to E. shred: cf. AS. scrudnian to make scrutiny.]

1. Close examination; minute inspection; critical observation. They that have designed exactness and deep scrutiny have taken some one part of nature. Sir M. Hale. Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view And narrower scrutiny. Milton.

2. (Anc. Church)

Defn: An examination of catechumens, in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism on Easter Day.

3. (Canon Law)

Defn: A ticket, or little paper billet, on which a vote is written.

4. (Parliamentary Practice)

Defn: An examination by a committee of the votes given at an election, for the purpose of correcting the poll. Brande & C.

SCRUTINY Scru"ti*ny, v. t.

Defn: To scrutinize. [Obs.]

SCRUTOIRE Scru*toire", n. Etym: [OF. escritoire. See Escritoire.]

Defn: A escritoire; a writing desk.

SCRUZE Scruze, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Excruciate.]

Defn: To squeeze, compress, crush, or bruise. [Obs. or Low] Spenser.

SCRY Scry, v. t.

Defn: To descry. [Obs.] Spenser.

SCRY Scry, n. Etym: [From Scry, v.]

Defn: A flock of wild fowl.

SCRY Scry, n. Etym: [OE. ascrie, fr. ascrien to cry out, fr. OF. escrier, F. s'écrier. See Ex-, and Cry.]

Defn: A cry or shout. [Obs.] Ld. Berners.

SCUD Scud, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scudded; p. pr. & vb. n. Scudding.] Etym: [Dan. skyde to shoot, shove, push, akin to skud shot, gunshot, a shoot, young bough, and to E. shoot. sq. root159. See Shoot.]

1. To move swiftly; especially, to move as if driven forward by something. The first nautilus that scudded upon the glassy surface of warm primeval oceans. I. Taylor. The wind was high; the vast white clouds scudded over the blue heaven. Beaconsfield.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: To be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.

SCUD Scud, v. t.

Defn: To pass over quickly. [R.] Shenstone.

SCUD Scud, n.

1. The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation.

2. Loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind. Borne on the scud of the sea. Longfellow. The scud was flying fast above us, throwing a veil over the moon. Sir S. Baker.

3. A slight, sudden shower. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock. [Prov. Eng.]

5. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any swimming amphipod crustacean. Storm scud. See the Note under Cloud.

SCUDDLE Scud"dle, v. i. Etym: [Freq. of scud: cf. Scuttle to hurry.]

Defn: To run hastily; to hurry; to scuttle.

SCUDO Scu"do, n.; pl. Scudi. Etym: [It., a crown, a dollar, a shield, fr. L. scutum a shield. Cf. Scute.] (Com.) (a) A silver coin, and money of account, used in Italy and Sicily, varying in value, in different parts, but worth about 4 shillings sterling, or about 96 cents; also, a gold coin worth about the same. (b) A gold coin of Rome, worth 64 shillings 11 pence sterling, or about $ 15.70.

SCUFF Scuff, n. Etym: [Cf. D. schoft shoulder, Goth. skuft hair of the head. Cf. Scruff.]

Defn: The back part of the neck; the scruff. [Prov. Eng.] Ld. Lytton.

SCUFF Scuff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scuffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scuffing.] Etym: [See Scuffle.]

Defn: To walk without lifting the feet; to proceed with a scraping or dragging movement; to shuffle.

SCUFFLE Scuf"fle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scuffled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scuffling.] Etym: [Freq. of scuff, v.i.; cf. Sw. skuffa to push, shove, skuff a push, Dan. skuffe a drawer, a shovel, and E. shuffle, shove. See Shove, and cf. Shuffle.]

1. To strive or struggle with a close grapple; to wrestle in a rough fashion.

2. Hence, to strive or contend tumultuously; to struggle confusedly or at haphazard. A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with an undisciplined rabble. Eikon Basilike.

SCUFFLE Scuf"fle, n.

1. A rough, haphazard struggle, or trial of strength; a disorderly wrestling at close quarters.

2. Hence, a confused contest; a tumultuous struggle for superiority; a fight. The dog leaps upon the serpent, and tears it to pieces; but in the scuffle the cradle happened to be overturned. L'Estrange.

3. A child's pinafore or bib. [Prov. Eng.]

4. A garden hoe. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCUFFLER Scuf"fler, n.

1. One who scuffles.

2. An agricultural implement resembling a scarifier, but usually lighter.

SCUG Scug, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Dan. skugge to darken, a shade, SW. skugga to shade, a shade, Icel. skuggja to shade, skuggi a shade.]

Defn: To hide. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCUG Scug, n.

Defn: A place of shelter; the declivity of a hill. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCULK; SCULKER Sculk, Sculk"er.

Defn: See Skulk, Skulker.

SCULL Scull, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The skull. [Obs.]

SCULL Scull, n. Etym: [See 1st School.]

Defn: A shoal of fish. Milton.

SCULL Scull, n. Etym: [Of uncertain origin; cf. Icel. skola to wash.]

1. (Naut.) (a) A boat; a cockboat. See Sculler. (b) One of a pair of short oars worked by one person. (c) A single oar used at the stern in propelling a boat.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common skua gull. [Prov. Eng.]

SCULL Scull, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sculled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sculling.] (Naut.)

Defn: To impel (a boat) with a pair of sculls, or with a single scull or oar worked over the stern obliquely from side to side.

SCULL Scull, v. i.

Defn: To impel a boat with a scull or sculls.

SCULLER Scull"er, n.

1. A boat rowed by one man with two sculls, or short oars. [R.] Dryden.

2. One who sculls.

SCULLERY Scul"ler*y, n.; pl. Sculleries. Etym: [Probably originally, a place for washing dishes, and for swillery, fr. OE. swilen to wash, AS. swilian (see Swill to wash, to drink), but influenced either by Icel. skola, skyla, Dan. skylle, or by OF. escuelier a place for keeping dishes, fr. escuele a dish, F. écuelle, fr. L. scutella a salver, waiter (cf. Scuttle a basket); or perhaps the English word is immediately from the OF. escuelier; cf. OE. squyllare a dishwasher.]

1. A place where dishes, kettles, and culinary utensils, are cleaned and kept; also, a room attached to the kitchen, where the coarse work is done; a back kitchen.

2. Hence, refuse; fifth; offal. [Obs.] auden.

SCULLION Scul"lion, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A scalion.

SCULLION Scul"lion, n. Etym: [OF. escouillon (Cot.) a dishclout, apparently for escouvillon, F. écouvillon a swab; cf. also OF. souillon a servant employed for base offices. Cf. Scovel.]

Defn: A servant who cleans pots and kettles, and does other menial services in the kitchen. The meanest scullion that followed his camp. South.

SCULLIONLY Scul"lion*ly, a.

Defn: Like a scullion; base. [Obs.] Milton.

SCULP Sculp, v. t. Etym: [See Sculptor.]

Defn: To sculpture; to carve; to engrave. [Obs. or Humorous.] Sandys.

SCULPIN Scul"pin, n. Etym: [Written also skulpin.] (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of numerous species of marine cottoid fishes of the genus Cottus, or Acanthocottus, having a large head armed with sharp spines, and a broad mouth. They are generally mottled with yellow, brown, and black. Several species are found on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and America. (b) A large cottoid market fish of California (Scorpænichthys marmoratus); -- called also bighead, cabezon, scorpion, salpa. (c) The dragonet, or yellow sculpin, of Europe (Callionymus lura).

Note: The name is also applied to other related California species. Deep-water sculpin, the sea raven.

SCULPTILE Sculp"tile, a. Etym: [L. sculptilis. See Sculptor.]

Defn: Formed by carving; graven; as, sculptile images. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SCULPTOR Sculp"tor, n. Etym: [L. sculptor, fr. sculpere, sculptum, to carve; cf. scalpere to cut, carve, scratch, and Gr. sculpteur.]

1. One who sculptures; one whose occupation is to carve statues, or works of sculpture.

2. Hence, an artist who designs works of sculpture, his first studies and his finished model being usually in a plastic material, from which model the marble is cut, or the bronze is cast.

SCULPTRESS Sculp"tress, n.

Defn: A female sculptor.

SCULPTURAL Sculp"tur*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sculpture. G. Eliot.

SCULPTURE Sculp"ture, n. Etym: [L. sculptura: cf. F. sculpture.]

1. The art of carving, cutting, or hewing wood, stone, metal, etc., into statues, ornaments, etc., or into figures, as of men, or other things; hence, the art of producing figures and groups, whether in plastic or hard materials.

2. Carved work modeled of, or cut upon, wood, stone, metal, etc. There, too, in living sculpture, might be seen The mad affection of the Cretan queen. Dryden.

SCULPTURE Sculp"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sculptured (; p. pr. & vb. n. Sculpturing.]

Defn: To form with the chisel on, in, or from, wood, stone, or metal; to carve; to engrave. Sculptured tortoise (Zoöl.), a common North American wood tortoise (Glyptemys insculpta). The shell is marked with strong grooving and ridges which resemble sculptured figures.

SCULPTURESQUE Sculp`tur*esque", a.

Defn: After the manner of sculpture; resembling, or relating to, sculpture.

SCUM Scum, n. Etym: [Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. skum, Icel. sk, LG. schum, D. schuim, OHG. sc, G. schaum; probably from a root meaning, to cover. sq. root158. Cf. Hide skin, Meerschaum, Skim, v., Sky.]

1. The extraneous matter or impurities which rise to the surface of liquids in boiling or fermentation, or which form on the surface by other means; also, the scoria of metals in a molten state; dross. Some to remove the scum it did rise. Spenser.

2. refuse; recrement; anything vile or worthless. The great and innocent are insulted by the scum and refuse of the people. Addison.

SCUM Scum, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scummed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scumming.]

1. To take the scum from; to clear off the impure matter from the surface of; to skim. You that scum the molten lead. Dryden & Lee.

2. To sweep or range over the surface of. [Obs.] Wandering up and down without certain seat, they lived by scumming those seas and shores as pirates. Milton.

SCUM Scum, v. i.

Defn: To form a scum; to become covered with scum. Also used figuratively. Life, and the interest of life, have stagnated and scummed over. A. K. H. Boyd.

SCUMBER Scum"ber, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Discumber.]

Defn: To void excrement. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Massinger.

SCUMBER Scum"ber, n.

Defn: Dung. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SCUMBLE Scum"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scumbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scumbling.] Etym: [Freq. of scum. sq. root 158.] (Fine Arts)

Defn: To cover lighty, as a painting, or a drawing, with a thin wash of opaque color, or with color-crayon dust rubbed on with the stump, or to make any similar additions to the work, so as to produce a softened effect.

SCUMBLING Scum"bling, n.

1. (Fine Arts) (a) A mode of obtaining a softened effect, in painting and drawing, by the application of a thin layer of opaque color to the surface of a painting, or part of the surface, which is too bright in color, or which requires harmonizing. (b) In crayon drawing, the use of the stump.

2. The color so laid on. Also used figuratively. Shining above the brown scumbling of leafless orchards. L. Wallace.

SCUMMER Scum"mer, v. i.

Defn: To scumber. [Obs.] Holland.

SCUMMER Scum"mer, n.

Defn: Excrement; scumber. [Obs.]

SCUMMER Scum"mer, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. escumoire, F. écumoire. See Scum, and cf. Skimmer.]

Defn: An instrument for taking off scum; a skimmer.

SCUMMING Scum"ming, n. (a) The act of taking off scum. (b) That which is scummed off; skimmings; scum; -- used chiefly in the plural.

SCUMMY Scum"my, a.

Defn: Covered with scum; of the nature of scum. Sir P. Sidney.

SCUNNER Scun"ner, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Shun.]

Defn: To cause to loathe, or feel disgust at. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

SCUNNER Scun"ner, v. i.

Defn: To have a feeling of loathing or disgust; hence, to have dislike, prejudice, or reluctance. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] C. Kingsley.

SCUNNER Scun"ner, n.

Defn: A feeling of disgust or loathing; a strong prejudice; abhorrence; as, to take a scunner against some one. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Carlyle.

SCUP Scup, n. Etym: [D. schop.]

Defn: A swing. [Local, U.S.]

SCUP Scup, n. Etym: [Contr. fr. American Indian mishcùp, fr. mishe-kuppi large, thick-scaled.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A marine sparoid food fish (Stenotomus chrysops, or S. argyrops), common on the Atlantic coast of the United States. It appears bright silvery when swimming in the daytime, but shows broad blackish transverse bands at night and when dead. Called also porgee, paugy, porgy, scuppaug.

Note: The same names are also applied to a closely allied Southern species. (Stenotomus Gardeni).

SCUPPAUG Scup"paug, n. Etym: [Contr. fr. Amer. Indian mishcuppauog, pl. of mishcup.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See 2d Scup.

SCUPPER Scup"per, n. Etym: [OF. escopir, escupir, to spit, perhaps for escospir, L. ex + conspuere to spit upon; pref. con- + spuere to spit. Cf. Spit, v.] (Naut.)

Defn: An opening cut through the waterway and bulwarks of a ship, so that water falling on deck may flow overboard; -- called also scupper hole.

Scupper hose (Naut.), a pipe of leather, canvas, etc., attached to the mouth of the scuppers, on the outside of a vessel, to prevent the water from entering. Totten. -- Scupper nail (Naut.), a nail with a very broad head, for securing the edge of the hose to the scupper. -- Scupper plug (Naut.), a plug to stop a scupper. Totten.

SCUPPERNONG Scup"per*nong, n. Etym: [Probably of American Indian origin.] (Bot.)

Defn: An American grape, a form of Vitis vulpina, found in the Southern Atlantic States, and often cultivated.

SCUR Scur, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Scour to run.]

Defn: To move hastily; to scour. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCURF Scurf, n. Etym: [AS. scurf, sceorf, or from Scand.; cf. Sw. skorf, Dan. skurv, Icel. skurfur, D. schurft, G. schorf; all akin to AS. scurf, and to AS. sceorfan to scrape, to gnaw, G. schürfen to scrape, and probably also to E. scrape. Cf. Scurvy.]

1. Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff.

2. Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent. The scurf is worn away of each committed crime. Dryden.

3. Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface. There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire Shone with a glossy scurf. Milton.

4. (Bot.)

Defn: Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. Gray.

SCURFF Scurff, n.

Defn: The bull trout. [Prov. Eng.]

SCURFINESS Scurf"i*ness, n.

1. Quality or state of being scurfy.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Scurf.

SCURFY Scurf"y, a. [Compar. Scurfier; superl. Scurfiest.]

Defn: Having or producing scurf; covered with scurf; resembling scurf.

SCURRIER Scur"ri*er, n.

Defn: One who scurries.

SCURRILE Scur"rile, a. Etym: [L. scurrilis, fr. scurra a bufoon, jester: cf. F. scurrile.]

Defn: Such as befits a buffoon or vulgar jester; grossly opprobrious or loudly jocose in language; scurrilous; as, scurrile taunts. The wretched affectation of scurrile laughter. Cowley. A scurrile or obscene jest will better advance you at the court of Charles than father's ancient name. Sir W. Scott.

SCURRILITY Scur*ril"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. scurrilitas: cf. F.scurrilité.]

1. The quality or state of being scurrile or scurrilous; mean, vile, or obscene jocularity. Your reasons . . . have been sharp and sententious, pleasant without scurrility. Shak.

2. That which is scurrile or scurrilous; gross or obscene language; low buffoonery; vulgar abuse. Interrupting prayers and sermons with clamor and scurrility. Macaulay.

Syn. -- Scurrilousness; abuse; insolence; vulgarity; indecency.

SCURRILOUS Scur"ril*ous, a. Etym: [See Scurrile.]

1. Using the low and indecent language of the meaner sort of people, or such as only the license of buffoons can warrant; as, a scurrilous fellow.

2. Containing low indecency or abuse; mean; foul; vile; obscenely jocular; as, scurrilous language. The absurd and scurrilous sermon which had very unwisely been honored with impeachment. Macaulay.

Syn. -- Opprobrious; abusive; reproachful; insulting; insolent; offensive; gross; vile; vulgar; low; foul; foul-mounthed; indecent; scurrile; mean. -- Scur"ril*ous*ly, adv. -- Scur"ril*ous*ness, n.

SCURRIT Scur"rit, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: the lesser tern (Sterna minuta). [Prov. Eng.]

SCURRY Scur"ry, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Scur, Skirr.]

Defn: To hasten away or along; to move rapidly; to hurry; as, the rabbit scurried away.

SCURRY Scur"ry, n.

Defn: Act of scurring; hurried movement.

SCURVILY Scur"vi*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scurvy manner.

SCURVINESS Scur"vi*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being scurvy; vileness; meanness.

SCURVY Scur"vy, a. [Compar. Scurvier; superl. Scurviest.] Etym: [From Scurf; cf. Scurvy, n.]

1. Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy; specifically, diseased with the scurvy. "Whatsoever man . . . be scurvy or scabbed." lev. xxi. 18, 20.

2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible. "A scurvy trick." Ld. Lytton. That scurvy custom of taking tobacco. Swift. [He] spoke spoke such scurvy and provoking terms. Shak.

SCURVY Scur"vy, n. Etym: [Probably from the same source as scirbute, but influenced by scurf, scurfy, scurvy, adj.; cf. D. scheurbuik scurvy, G. scharbock, LL. scorbutus. Cf. Scorbute.] (Med.)

Defn: A disease characterized by livid spots, especially about the thighs and legs, due to extravasation of blood, and by spongy gums, and bleeding from almost all the mucous membranes. It is accompanied by paleness, languor, depression, and general debility. It is occasioned by confinement, innutritious food, and hard labor, but especially by lack of fresh vegetable food, or confinement for a long time to a limited range of food, which is incapable of repairing the waste of the system. It was formerly prevalent among sailors and soldiers. Scurvy grass Etym: [Scurvy + grass; or cf. Icel. skarfakal scurvy grass.] (Bot.) A kind of cress (Cochlearia officinalis) growing along the seacoast of Northern Europe and in arctic regions. It is a remedy for the scurvy, and has proved a valuable food to arctic explorers. The name is given also to other allied species of plants.

SCUT Scut, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. skott a fox's tail. sq. root 159.] [Obs.]

Defn: The tail of a hare, or of a deer, or other animal whose tail is short, sp. when carried erect; hence, sometimes, the animal itself. "He ran like a scut." Skelton. How the Indian hare came to have a long tail, wheras that part in others attains no higher than a scut. Sir T. Browne. My doe with the black scut. Shak.

SCUTA Scu"ta, n. pl.

Defn: See Scutum.

SCUTAGE Scu"tage (; 48), n. Etym: [LL. scutagium, from L. scutum a shield.] (Eng. Hist.)

Defn: Shield money; commutation of service for a sum of money. See Escuage.

SCUTAL Scu"tal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a shield. A good example of these scutal monstrosities. Cussans.

SCUTATE Scu"tate, a. Etym: [L. scutatus armed with a shield, from scutum a shield.]

1. Buckler-shaped; round or nearly round.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Protected or covered by bony or horny plates, or large scales.

SCUTCH Scutch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scutched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scutching.] Etym: [See Scotch to cut slightly.]

1. To beat or whip; to drub. [Old or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

2. To separate the woody fiber from (flax, hemp, etc.) by beating; to swingle.

3. To loosen and dress the fiber of (cotton or silk) by beating; to free (fibrous substances) from dust by beating and blowing. Scutching machine, a machine used to scutch cotton, silk, or flax; -- called also batting machine.

SCUTCH Scutch, n.

1. A wooden instrument used in scutching flax and hemp.

2. The woody fiber of flax; the refuse of scutched flax. "The smoke of the burning scutch." Cuthbert Bede.

SCUTCHEON Scutch"eon, n. Etym: [Aphetic form of escutcheon.]

1. An escutcheon; an emblazoned shield. Bacon. The corpse lay in state, with all the pomp of scutcheons, wax lights, black hangings, and mutes. Macaulay.

2. A small plate of metal, as the shield around a keyhole. See Escutcheon, 4.

SCUTCHEONED Scutch"eoned, a.

Defn: Emblazoned on or as a shield. Scutcheoned panes in cloisters old. Lowell.

SCUTCHER Scutch"er, n.

1. One who scutches.

2. An implement or machine for scutching hemp, flax, or cotton; etc.; a scutch; a scutching machine.

SCUTCH GRASS Scutch" grass`. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of pasture grass (Cynodon Dactylon). See Bermuda grass: also Illustration in Appendix.

SCUTE Scute, n. Etym: [L. scutum a shield, a buckler. See Scudo.]

1. A small shield. [Obs.] Skelton.

2. An old French gold coin of the value of 3s. 4d. sterling, or about 80 cents.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A bony scale of a reptile or fish; a large horny scale on the leg of a bird, or on the belly of a snake.

SCUTELLA Scu*tel"la, n. pl.

Defn: See Scutellum.

SCUTELLA Scu*tel"la, n.; pl. Scutelle. Etym: [NL., fem. dim. of L. scutum.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Scutellum, n., 2.

SCUTELLATE; SCUTELLATED Scu"tel*late, Scu"tel*la`ted, a. Etym: [L. scutella a dish, salver. Cf. Scuttle a basket.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Formed like a plate or salver; composed of platelike surfaces; as, the scutellated bone of a sturgeon. Woodward.

2. Etym: [See Scutellum.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the tarsi covered with broad transverse scales, or scutella; -- said of certain birds.

SCUTELLATION Scu`tel*la"tion, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: the entire covering, or mode of arrangement, of scales, as on the legs and feet of a bird.

SCUTELLIFORM Scu*tel"li*form, a. Etym: [L. scutella a dish + -form.]

1. Scutellate.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Having the form of a scutellum.

SCUTELLIPLANTAR Scu*tel`li*plan"tar, a. Etym: [L. scutellus a shield + planta foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having broad scutella on the front, and small scales on the posterior side, of the tarsus; -- said of certain birds.

SCUTELLUM Scu*tel"lum, n.; pl. Scutella. Etym: [NL., neut. dim. of L. scutum a shield.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A rounded apothecium having an elevated rim formed of the proper thallus, the fructification of certain lichens.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The third of the four pieces forming the upper part of a thoracic segment of an insect. It follows the scutum, and is followed by the small postscutellum; a scutella. See Thorax. (b) One of the transverse scales on the tarsi and toes of birds; a scutella.

SCUTIBRANCH Scu"ti*branch, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Scutibranchiate. -- n.

Defn: One of the Scutibranchiata.

SCUTIBRANCHIA Scu`ti*bran"chi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scutibranchiata.

SCUTIBRANCHIAN Scu`ti*bran"chi*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Scutibranchiata.

SCUTIBRANCHIATA Scu`ti*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Scutum, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of gastropod Mollusca having a heart with two auricles and one ventricle. The shell may be either spiral or shieldlike.

Note: It is now usually regarded as including only the Rhipidoglossa and the Docoglossa. When originally established, it included a heterogenous group of mollusks having shieldlike shells, such as Haliotis, Fissurella, Carinaria, etc.

SCUTIBRANCHIATE Scu`ti*bran"chi*ate, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the gills protected by a shieldlike shell; of or pertaining to the Scutibranchiata. -- n.

Defn: One of the Scutibranchiata.

SCUTIFEROUS Scu*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. scutum shield + -ferous.]

Defn: Carrying a shield or buckler.

SCUTIFORM Scu"ti*form, a. Etym: [L. scutum shield + -form: cf. F. scutiforme.]

Defn: Shield-shaped; scutate.

SCUTIGER Scu"ti*ger, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. scutum shield + gerere to bear.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of chilopod myriapods of the genus Scutigera. They sometimes enter buildings and prey upon insects.

SCUTIPED Scu"ti*ped, a. Etym: [L. scutum a shield + pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. scutipède.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the anterior surface of the tarsus covered with scutella, or transverse scales, in the form of incomplete bands terminating at a groove on each side; -- said of certain birds.

SCUTTER Scut"ter, v. i. [Cf. Scuttle, v. i.]

Defn: To run quickly; to scurry; to scuttle. [Prov. Eng.]

A mangy little jackal . . . cocked up his ears and tail, and scuttered across the shallows. Kipling.

SCUTTLE Scut"tle, n. Etym: [AS. scutel a dish, platter; cf. Icel. skutill; both fr. L. scutella, dim. of scutra, scuta, a dish or platter; cf. scutum a shield. Cf. Skillet.]

1. A broad, shallow basket.

2. A wide-mouthed vessel for holding coal: a coal hod.

SCUTTLE Scut"tle, v. i. Etym: [For scuddle, fr. scud.]

Defn: To run with affected precipitation; to hurry; to bustle; to scuddle. With the first dawn of day, old Janet was scuttling about the house to wake the baron. Sir W. Scott.

SCUTTLE Scut"tle, n.

Defn: A quick pace; a short run. Spectator.

SCUTTLE Scut"tle, n. Etym: [OF. escoutille, F. éscoutille, cf. Sp. escotilla; probably akin to Sp. escoter to cut a thing so as to make it fit, to hollow a garment about the neck, perhaps originally, to cut a bosom- shaped piece out, and of Teutonic origin; cf. D. schoot lap, bosom, G. schoss, Goth. skauts the hem of a garnment. Cf. Sheet an expanse.]

1. A small opening in an outside wall or covering, furnished with a lid. Specifically: (a) (Naut.) A small opening or hatchway in the deck of a ship, large enough to admit a man, and with a lid for covering it, also, a like hole in the side or bottom of a ship. (b) An opening in the roof of a house, with a lid.

2. The lid or door which covers or closes an opening in a roof, wall, or the like. Scuttle butt, or Scuttle cask (Naut.), a butt or cask with a large hole in it, used to contain the fresh water for daily use in a ship. Totten.

SCUTTLE Scut"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scuttled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scuttling.]

1. To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose.

2. To sink by making holes through the bottom of; as, to scuttle a ship.

SCUTUM Scu"tum, n.; pl. Scuta. Etym: [L.]

1. (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: An oblong shield made of boards or wickerwork covered with leather, with sometimes an iron rim; -- carried chiefly by the heavy- armed infantry.

2. (O. Eng. Law)

Defn: A penthouse or awning. [Obs.] Burrill.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) The second and largest of the four parts forming the upper surface of a thoracic segment of an insect. It is preceded by the prescutum and followed by the scutellum. See the Illust. under Thorax. (b) One of the two lower valves of the operculum of a barnacle.

SCYBALA Scyb"a*la, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Hardened masses of feces.

SCYE Scye, n.

Defn: Arm scye, a cutter's term for the armhole or part of the armhole of the waist of a garnment. [Cant]

SCYLE Scyle, v. t. Etym: [AS. scylan to withdraw or remowe.]

Defn: To hide; to secrete; to conceal. [Obs.]

SCYLLA Scyl"la, n.

Defn: A dangerous rock on the Italian coast opposite the whirpool Charybdis on the coast of Sicily, -- both personified in classical literature as ravenous monsters. The passage between them was formerly considered perilous; hence, the saying "Between Scylla and Charybdis," signifying a great peril on either hand.

SCYLLAEA Scyl*læ"a, n. Etym: [NL. See Scylla.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of oceanic nudibranchiate mollusks having the small branched gills situated on the upper side of four fleshy lateral lobes, and on the median caudal crest.

Note: In color and form these mollusks closely imitate the fronds of sargassum and other floathing seaweeds among which they live.

SCYLLARIAN Scyl*la"ri*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a family (Scyllaridæ) of macruran Crustacea, remarkable for the depressed form of the body, and the broad, flat antennæ. Also used adjectively.

SCYLLITE Scyl"lite, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A white crystalline substance of a sweetish taste, resembling inosite and metameric with dextrose. It is extracted from the kidney of the dogfish (of the genus Scylium), the shark, and the skate.

SCYMETAR Scym"e*tar, n.

Defn: See Scimiter.

SCYPHA Scy"pha, n.; pl. Scyphae. Etym: [NL.] (Bot.)

Defn: See Scyphus, 2 (b).

SCYPHIFORM Scy"phi*form, a. Etym: [L. scyphus a cup + -form.] (Bot.)

Defn: Cup-shaped.

SCYPHISTOMA Scy*phis"to*ma, n.; pl. Scyphistomata, Scyphistomæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The young attached larva of Discophora in the stage when it resembles a hydroid, or actinian.

SCYPHOBRANCHII Scy`pho*bran"chi*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of fishes including the blennioid and gobioid fishes, and other related families.

SCYPHOMEDUSA; SCYPHOMEDUSAE Scy`pho*me*du"sa, Scy`pho*me*du"sae, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. medusa.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Acraspeda, or Discophora.

SCYPHOPHORI Scy*phoph"o*ri, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of fresh-water fishes inhabiting tropical Africa. They have rudimentary electrical organs on each side of the tail.

SCYPHUS Scy"phus, n.; pl. Scyphi. Etym: [L., a cup, Gr.

1. (Antiq.)

Defn: A kind of large drinking cup, -- used by Greeks and Romans, esp. by poor folk.

2. (Bot.) (a) The cup of a narcissus, or a similar appendage to the corolla in other flowers. (b) A cup-shaped stem or podetium in lichens. Also called scypha. See Illust. of Cladonia pyxidata, under Lichen.

SCYTHE Scythe (sith), n. Etym: [OE. sithe, AS. si\'ebe, sigthe; akin to Icel. sigthr a sickle, LG. segd, seged, seed, seid, OHG. segansa sickle, scythe, G. sense scythe, and to E. saw a cutting instrument. See Saw.] [Written also sithe and sythe.]

1. An instrument for mowing grass, grain, or the like, by hand, composed of a long, curving blade, with a sharp edge, made fast to a long handle, called a snath, which is bent into a form convenient for use. The sharp-edged scythe shears up the spiring grass. Dryden. The scythe of Time mows down. Milton.

2. (Antiq.)

Defn: A scythe-shaped blade attached to ancient war chariots.

SCYTHE Scythe, v. t.

Defn: To cut with a scythe; to cut off as with a scythe; to mow. [Obs.] Time had not scythed all that youth begun. Shak.

SCYTHED Scythed, a.

Defn: Armed scythes, as a chariot. Chariots scythed, On thundering axles rolled. Glover.

SCYTHEMAN Scythe"man, n.; pl. Scythemen (.

Defn: One who uses a scythe; a mower. Macaulay.

SCYTHESTONE Scythe"stone`, n.

Defn: A stone for sharpening scythes; a whetstone.

SCYTHEWHET Scythe"whet`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Wilson's thrush; -- so called from its note. [Local, U.S.]

SCYTHIAN Scyth"i*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Scythia (a name given to the northern part of Asia, and Europe adjoining to Asia), or its language or inhabitants. Scythian lamb. (Bot.) See Barometz.

SCYTHIAN Scyth"i*an, n.

1. A native or inhabitant of Scythia; specifically (Ethnol.), one of a Slavonic race which in early times occupied Eastern Europe.

2. The language of the Scythians.

SCYTODERMATA Scy`to*der"ma*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Holothurioidea.

SDAIN Sdain, v. & n.

Defn: Disdain. [Obs.] Spenser.

'SDEATH 'Sdeath, interj. Etym: [Corrupted fr. God's death.]

Defn: An exclamation expressive of impatience or anger. Shak.

SDEIGN Sdeign, v. t.

Defn: To disdain. [Obs.] But either sdeigns with other to partake. Spenser.

SEA Sea, n. Etym: [OE. see, AS. sæ; akin to D. zee, OS. & OHG. seo, G. see, OFries. se, Dan. sö, Sw. sjö, Icel. sær, Goth. saiws, and perhaps to L. saevus firce, savage. sq. root 151 a.]

1. One of the larger bodies of salt water, less than an ocean, found on the earth's surface; a body of salt water of second rank, generally forming part of, or connecting with, an ocean or a larger sea; as, the Mediterranean Sea; the Sea of Marmora; the North Sea; the Carribean Sea.

2. An inland body of water, esp. if large or if salt or brackish; as, the Caspian Sea; the Sea of Aral; sometimes, a small fresh-water lake; as, the Sea of Galilee.

3. The ocean; the whole body of the salt water which covers a large part of the globe. I marvel how the fishes live in the sea. Shak. Ambiguous between sea and land The river horse and scaly crocodile. Milton.

4. The swell of the ocean or other body of water in a high wind; motion of the water's surface; also, a single wave; a billow; as, there was a high sea after the storm; the vessel shipped a sea.

5. (Jewish Antiq.)

Defn: A great brazen laver in the temple at Jerusalem; -- so called from its size. He made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof. 2 Chron. iv. 2.

6. Fig.: Anything resembling the sea in vastness; as, a sea of glory. Shak. All the space . . . was one sea of heads. Macaulay.

Note: Sea is often used in the composition of words of obvious signification; as, sea-bathed, sea-beaten, sea-bound, sea-bred, sea- circled, sealike, sea-nursed, sea-tossed, sea-walled, sea-worn, and the like. It is also used either adjectively or in combination with substantives; as, sea bird, sea-bird, or seabird, sea acorn, or sea- acorn. At sea, upon the ocean; away from land; figuratively, without landmarks for guidance; lost; at the mercy of circumstances. "To say the old man was at sea would be too feeble an expression." G. W. Cable -- At full sea at the height of flood tide; hence, at the height. "But now God's mercy was at full sea." Jer. Taylor. -- Beyond seas, or Beyond the sea or the seas (Law), out of the state, territory, realm, or country. Wharton. -- Half seas over, half drunk. [Colloq.] Spectator. -- Heavy sea, a sea in which the waves run high. -- Long sea, a sea characterized by the uniform and steady motion of long and extensive waves. -- Short sea, a sea in which the waves are short, broken, and irregular, so as to produce a tumbling or jerking motion. -- To go to sea, a adopt the calling or occupation of a sailor.

SEA ACORN Sea" a"corn. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An acorn barnacle (Balanus).

SEA ADDER Sea" ad"der. (Zoöl.) (a) The European fifteen-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus spinachia); -- called also bismore. (b) The European tanglefish, or pipefish (Syngnathus acus).

SEA ANCHOR Sea" an"chor. (Naut.)

Defn: See Drag sail, under 4th Drag.

SEA ANEMONE Sea" a*nem"o*ne. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of soft-bodied Anthozoa, belonging to the order Actrinaria; an actinian.

Note: They have the oral disk surrounded by one or more circles of simple tapering tentacles, which are often very numerous, and when expanded somewhat resemble the petals of flowers, with colors varied and often very beautiful.

SEA APE Sea" ape`. (Zoöl.) (a) The thrasher shark. (b) The sea otter.

SEA APPLE Sea" ap"ple. (Bot.)

Defn: The fruit of a West Indian palm (Manicaria Plukenetii), often found floating in the sea. A. Grisebach.

SEA ARROW Sea" ar"row. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A squid of the genus Ommastrephes. See Squid.

SEA BANK Sea" bank`.

1. The seashore. Shak.

2. A bank or mole to defend against the sea.

SEA-BAR Sea"-bar`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tern.

SEA BARROW Sea" bar"row. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sea purse.

SEA BASS Sea" bass`.

Defn: ((Zoöl.) (a) A large marine food fish (Serranus, or Centropristis, atrarius) which abounds on the Atlantic coast of the United States. It is dark bluish, with black bands, and more or less varied with small white spots and blotches. Called also, locally, blue bass, black sea bass, blackfish, bluefish, and black perch. (b) A California food fish (Cynoscion nobile); -- called also white sea bass, and sea salmon.

SEA BAT Sea" bat`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Batfish (a).

SEABEACH Sea"beach`, n.

Defn: A beach lying along the sea. "The bleak seabeach." Longfellow.

SEA BEAN Sea" bean. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Florida bean.

SEA BEAR Sea" bear`. (Zoöl.) (a) Any fur seal. See under Fur. (b) The white bear.

SEABEARD Sea"beard`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A green seaweed (Cladophora rupestris) growing in dense tufts.

SEA BEAST Sea" beast`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any large marine mammal, as a seal, walrus, or cetacean.

SEA BIRD Sea" bird`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any swimming bird frequenting the sea; a sea fowl.

SEA BLITE Sea" blite`. (Bot.)

Defn: A plant (Suæda maritima) of the Goosefoot family, growing in salt marches.

SEA-BLUBBER Sea"-blub"ber, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A jellyfish.

SEABOARD Sea"board`, n. Etym: [Sea + board, F. bord side.]

Defn: The seashore; seacoast. Ld. Berners.

SEABOARD Sea"board`, a.

Defn: Bordering upon, or being near, the sea; seaside; seacoast; as, a seaboard town.

SEABOARD Sea"board`, adv.

Defn: Toward the sea. [R.]

SEABOAT Sea"boat`. Etym: [AS. sæbat.]

1. A boat or vessel adapted to the open sea; hence, a vessel considered with reference to her power of resisting a storm, or maintaining herself in a heavy sea; as, a good sea boat.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A chitin.

SEABORD Sea"bord`, n. & a.

Defn: See Seaboard.

SEA-BORDERING Sea"-bor"der*ing, a.

Defn: Bordering on the sea; situated beside the sea. Drayton.

SEA-BORN Sea"-born`, a.

1. Born of the sea; produced by the sea. "Neptune and his sea-born niece." Waller.

2. Born at sea.

SEABOUND Sea"bound`, a.

Defn: Bounded by the sea.

SEA BOW Sea" bow`.

Defn: See Marine rainbow, under Rainbow.

SEA BOY Sea" boy`.

Defn: A boy employed on shipboard.

SEA BREACH Sea" breach`.

Defn: A breaking or overflow of a bank or a dike by the sea. L'Estrange.

SEA BREAM Sea" bream`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of sparoid fishes, especially the common European species (Pagellus centrodontus), the Spanish (P. Oweni), and the black sea bream (Cantharus lineatus); -- called also old wife.

SEA BRIEF Sea" brief`.

Defn: Same as Sea letter.

SEA BUG Sea" bug`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A chiton.

SEA-BUILT Sea"-built`, a.

Defn: Built at, in, or by the sea.

SEA BUTTERFLY Sea" but"ter*fly`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A pteropod.

SEA CABBAGE Sea" cab"bage (; 48). (Bot.)

Defn: See Sea kale, under Kale.

SEA CALF Sea" calf`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common seal.

SEA CANARY Sea" ca*na"ry. Etym: [So called from a whistling sound which it makes.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The beluga, or white whale.

SEA CAPTAIN Sea" cap"tain.

Defn: The captain of a vessel that sails upon the sea.

SEA CARD Sea" card`.

Defn: Mariner's card, or compass.

SEA CATFISH; SEA CAT Sea" cat`fish. Sea" cat`. (Zoöl.) (a) The wolf fish. (b) Any marine siluroid fish, as Ælurichthys marinus, and Arinus felis, of the eastern coast of the United States. Many species are found on the coasts of Central and South America.

SEA CHART Sea" chart`.

Defn: A chart or map on which the lines of the shore, islands, shoals, harbors, etc., are delineated.

SEA CHICKWEED Sea" chick"weed`. (Bot.)

Defn: A fleshy plant (Arenaria peploides) growing in large tufts in the sands of the northern Atlantic seacoast; -- called also sea sandwort, and sea purslane.

SEA CLAM Sea" clam`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of the large bivalve mollusks found on the open seacoast, especially those of the family Mactridæ, as the common American species. (Mactra, or Spisula, solidissima); -- called also beach clam, and surf clam.

SEA COAL Sea" coal`.

Defn: Coal brought by sea; -- a name by which mineral coal was formerly designated in the south of England, in distinction from charcoal, which was brought by land. Sea-coal facing (Founding), facing consisting of pulverized bituminous coal.

SEACOAST Sea"coast`, n.

Defn: The shore or border of the land adjacent to the sea or ocean. Also used adjectively.

SEA COB Sea" cob`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The black-backed gull.

SEA COCK Sea" cock`.

1. In a steamship, a cock or valve close to the vessel's side, for closing a pipe which communicates with the sea.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The black-bellied plover. (b) A gurnard, as the European red gurnard (Trigla pini).

SEA COCOA Sea" co"coa. (Bot.)

Defn: A magnificent palm (Lodoicea Sechellarum) found only in the Seychelles Islands. The fruit is an immense two-lobed nut. It was found floating in the Indian Ocean before the tree was known, and called sea cocoanut, and double cocoanut.

SEA COLANDER Sea" col"an*der. (Bot.)

Defn: A large blackfish seaweed (Agarum Turneri), the frond of which is punctured with many little holes.

SEA COLEWORT Sea" cole"wort`. (Bot.)

Defn: Sea cabbage.

SEA COMPASS Sea" com"pass.

Defn: The mariner's compass. See under Compass.

SEA COOT Sea" coot`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A scoter duck.

SEA CORN Sea" corn`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A yellow cylindrical mass of egg capsule of certain species of whelks (Buccinum), which resembles an ear of maize.

SEA COW Sea" cow`. (Zoöl.) (a) The mantee. (b) The dugong. (c) The walrus.

SEA CRAWFISH; SEA CRAYFISH Sea" craw"fish`. Sea" cray"fish`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any crustacean of the genus Palinurus and allied genera, as the European spiny lobster (P. vulgaris), which is much used as an article of food. See Lobster.

SEA CROW Sea" crow`. (Zoöl.) (a) The chough. [Ireland] (b) The cormorant. (c) The blackheaded pewit, and other gulls. (d) The skua. (e) The razorbill. [Orkney Islands] (f) The coot.

SEA CUCUMBER Sea" cu"cum*ber. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any large holothurian, especially one of those belonging to the genus Pentacta, or Cucumaria, as the common American and European species. (P. frondosa).

SEA DACE Sea" dace`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European sea perch.

SEA DAFFODIL Sea" daf"fo*dil. (Bot.)

Defn: A European amarylidaceous plant (Pancratium maritimum).

SEA DEVIL Sea" dev`il (Zoöl.) (a) Any very large ray, especially any species of the genus Manta or Cepholoptera, some of which become more than twenty feet across and weigh several tons. See also Ox ray, under Ox. (b) Any large cephalopod, as a large Octopus, or a giant squid (Architeuthis). See Devilfish. (c) The angler.

SEA DOG Sea" dog`.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The dogfish. (b) The common seal.

2. An old sailor; a salt. [Colloq.]

SEA DOTTEREL Sea" dot"ter*el. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The turnstone.

SEA DOVE Sea" dove`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The little auk, or rotche. See Illust. of Rotche.

SEA DRAGON Sea" drag"on. (Zoöl.) (a) A dragonet, or sculpin. (b) The pegasus.

SEA DRAKE Sea" drake`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pewit gull.

SEA DUCK Sea" duck`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of ducks which frequent the seacoasts and feed mainly on fishes and mollusks. The scoters, eiders, old squaw, and ruddy duck are examples. They may be distinguished by the lobate hind toe.

SEA EAGLE Sea" ea"gle.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of fish-eating eagles of the genus Haliæetus and allied genera, as the North Pacific sea eagle. (H. pelagicus), which has white shoulders, head, rump, and tail; the European white-tailed eagle (H. albicilla); and the Indian white- tailed sea eagle, or fishing eagle (Polioaëtus ichthyaëtus). The bald eagle and the osprey are also sometimes classed as sea eagles.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The eagle ray. See under Ray.

SEA-EAR Sea"-ear`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of ear-shaped shells of the genus Haliotis. See Abalone.

SEA EEL Sea" eel`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The conger eel.

SEA EGG Sea" egg`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sea urchin.

SEA ELEPHANT Sea" el"e*phant. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A very large seal (Macrorhinus proboscideus) of the Antarctic seas, much hunted for its oil. It sometimes attains a length of thirty feet, and is remarkable for the prolongation of the nose of the adult male into an erectile elastic proboscis, about a foot in length. Another species of smaller size (M. angustirostris) occurs on the coast of Lower California, but is now nearly extinct.

SEA FAN Sea" fan". (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any gorgonian which branches in a fanlike form, especially Gorgonia flabellum of Florida and the West Indies.

SEAFARER Sea"far`er, n. Etym: [Sea + fare.]

Defn: One who follows the sea as a business; a mariner; a sailor.

SEAFARING Sea"far`ing, a.

Defn: Following the business of a mariner; as, a seafaring man.

SEA FEATHER Sea" feath"er. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any gorgonian which branches in a plumelike form.

SEA FENNEL Sea" fen"nel. (Bot.)

Defn: Samphire.

SEA FERN Sea" fern". (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any gorgonian which branches like a fern.

SEA FIGHT Sea" fight`.

Defn: An engagement between ships at sea; a naval battle.

SEA FIR Sea" fir`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sertularian hydroid, especially Sertularia abietina, which branches like a miniature fir tree.

SEA FLOWER Sea" flow"er. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sea anemone, or any related anthozoan.

SEA FOAM Sea" foam`.

1. Foam of sea water.

2. (Min.)

Defn: Meerschaum; -- called also sea froth.

SEA FOWL Sea" fowl`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any bird which habitually frequents the sea, as an auk, gannet, gull, tern, or petrel; also, all such birds, collectively.

SEA FOX Sea" fox`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The thrasher shark. See Thrasher.

SEA FROTH Sea" froth`.

Defn: See Sea foam, 2.

SEA-GATE; SEA-GAIT Sea"-gate`, Sea"-gait`, n.

Defn: A long, rolling swell of the sea. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SEA GAUGE Sea" gauge`.

Defn: See under Gauge, n.

SEA GHERKIN; SEA GIRKIN Sea" gher`kin, or; Sea" gir"kin. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any small holothurian resembling in form a gherkin.

SEA GINGER Sea" gin"ger. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A hydroid coral of the genus Millepora, especially M. alcicornis, of the West Indies and Florida. So called because it stings the tongue like ginger. See Illust. under Millepore.

SEA GIRDLES Sea" gir"dles. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of kelp (Laminaria digitata) with palmately cleft fronds; -- called also sea wand, seaware, and tangle.

SEAGIRT Sea"girt`, a.

Defn: Surrounded by the water of the sea or ocean; as, a seagirt isle. Milton.

SEA GOD Sea" god`.

Defn: A marine deity; a fabulous being supposed to live in, or have dominion over, the sea, or some particular sea or part of the sea, as Neptune.

SEA GODDESS Sea" god"dess.

Defn: A goddess supposed to live in or reign over the sea, or some part of the sea.

SEAGOING Sea"go`ing, a.

Defn: Going upon the sea; especially, sailing upon the deep sea; -- used in distinction from coasting or river, as applied to vessels.

SEA GOOSE Sea" goose`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A phalarope.

SEA GOWN Sea" gown`.

Defn: A gown or frock with short sleeves, formerly worn by mariners. Shak.

SEA GRAPE Sea" grape`.

1. (Bot.) (a) The gulf weed. See under Gulf. (b) A shrubby plant (Coccoloba uvifera) growing on the sandy shores of tropical America, somewhat resembling the grapevine.

2. pl. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The clusters of gelatinous egg capsules of a squid (Loligo).

SEA GRASS Sea" grass`. (Bot.)

Defn: Eelgrass.

SEA GREEN Sea" green`.

Defn: The green color of sea water.

SEA-GREEN Sea"-green`, a.

Defn: Of a beautiful bluish green color, like sea water on soundings.

SEA GUDGEON Sea" gud"geon. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European black goby (Gobius niger).

SEA GULL Sea" gull`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any gull living on the seacoast.

SEAH Se"ah, n.

Defn: A Jewish dry measure containing one third of an an ephah.

SEA HARE Sea" hare`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any tectibranchiate mollusk of the genus Aplysia. See Aplysia.

SEA HAWK Sea" hawk`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A jager gull.

SEA HEATH Sea" heath`. (Bot.)

Defn: A low perennial plant (Frankenia lævis) resembling heath, growing along the seashore in Europe.

SEA HEDGEHOG Sea" hedge"hog`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sea urchin.

SEA HEN Sea" hen`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: the common guillemot; -- applied also to various other sea birds.

SEA HOG Sea" hog`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The porpoise.

SEA HOLLY Sea" hol"ly. (Bot.)

Defn: An evergeen seashore plant (Eryngium maritimum). See Eryngium.

SEA HOLM Sea" holm`.

Defn: A small uninhabited island.

SEA HOLM Sea" holm`. (Bot.)

Defn: Sea holly.

SEA HORSE Sea" horse`.

1. A fabulous creature, half horse and half fish, represented in classic mythology as driven by sea dogs or ridden by the Nereids. It is also depicted in heraldry. See Hippocampus.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The walrus. (b) Any fish of the genus Hippocampus.

Note: In a passage of Dryden's, the word is supposed to refer to the hippopotamus.

SEA HULVER Sea" hul"ver. (Bot.)

Defn: Sea holly.

SEA-ISLAND Sea"-is`land, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to certain islands along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia; as, sea-island cotton, a superior cotton of long fiber produced on those islands.

SEA JELLY Sea" jel"ly. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A medusa, or jellyfish.

SEAK Seak, n.

Defn: Soap prepared for use in milling cloth.

SEA KALE Sea" kale". (Bot.)

Defn: See under Kale.

SEA KING Sea" king`.

Defn: One of the leaders among the Norsemen who passed their lives in roving the seas in search of plunder and adventures; a Norse pirate chief. See the Note under Viking.

SEAL Seal, n. Etym: [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG. selah, Dan. sæl, Sw. själ, Icel. selr.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Phocidæ and Otariidæ.

Note: Seals inhabit seacoasts, and are found principally in the higher latitudes of both hemispheres. There are numerous species, bearing such popular names as sea lion, sea leopard, sea bear, or ursine seal, fur seal, and sea elephant. The bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), the hooded seal (Cystophora crustata), and the ringed seal (Phoca foetida), are northern species. See also Eared seal, Harp seal, and Fur seal, under Eared, Harp, Monk, and Fur. Seals are much hunted for their skins and fur, and also for their oil, which in some species is very abundant. Harbor seal (Zoöl.), the common seal (Phoca vitulina). It inhabits both the North Atlantic and the North Pacific Ocean, and often ascends rivers; -- called also marbled seal, native seal, river seal, bay seal, land seal, sea calf, sea cat, sea dog, dotard, ranger, selchie, tangfish.

SEAL Seal, n. Etym: [OE. seel, OF. seel, F. sceau, fr. L. sigillum a little figure or image, a seal, dim. of signum a mark, sign, figure, or image. See Sign, n., and cf. Sigil.]

1. An engraved or inscribed stamp, used for marking an impression in wax or other soft substance, to be attached to a document, or otherwise used by way of authentication or security.

2. Wax, wafer, or other tenacious substance, set to an instrument, and impressed or stamped with a seal; as, to give a deed under hand and seal. Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond Thou but offend;st thy lungs to speak so loud. Shak.

3. That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.

4. That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which authenticates; that which secures; assurance. "under the seal of silence." Milton. Like a red seal is the setting sun On the good and the evil men have done. Lonfellow.

5. An arrangement for preventing the entrance or return of gas or air into a pipe, by which the open end of the pipe dips beneath the surface of water or other liquid, or a deep bend or sag in the pipe is filled with the liquid; a draintrap. Great seal. See under Great. -- Privy seal. See under Privy, a. -- Seal lock, a lock in which the keyhole is covered by a seal in such a way that the lock can not be opened without rupturing the seal. Seal manual. See under Manual, a. -- Seal ring, a ring having a seal engraved on it, or ornamented with a device resembling a seal; a signet ring. Shak.

SEAL Seal, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sealed; p. pr. & vb. n. Skaling.] Etym: [OE. selen; cf. OF. seeler, seieler, F. sceller, LL. sigillare. See Seal a stamp.]

1. To set or affix a seal to; hence, to authenticate; to confirm; to ratify; to establish; as, to seal a deed. And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. Shak.

2. To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.

3. To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter.

4. Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep secure or secret. Seal up your lips, and give no words but "mum". Shak.

5. To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like. Gwilt.

6. To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5.

7. Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife. [Utah, U.S.] If a man once married desires a second helpmate . . . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church. H. Stansbury.

SEAL Seal, v. i.

Defn: To affix one's seal, or a seal. [Obs.] I will seal unto this bond. Shak.

SEA LACES Sea" la"ces. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of seaweed (Chorda Filum) having blackish cordlike fronds, often many feet long.

SEA LAMPREY Sea" lam"prey. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common lamprey.

SEA LANGUAGE Sea" lan"guage.

Defn: The peculiar language or phraseology of seamen; sailor's cant.

SEA LARK Sea" lark`. (Zoöl.) (a) The rock pipit (Anthus obscurus). (b) Any one of several small sandpipers and plovers, as the ringed plover, the turnstone, the dunlin, and the sanderling.

SEA LAVENDER Sea" lav"en*der. (Bot.)

Defn: See Marsh rosemary, under Marsh.

SEA LAWYER Sea" law"yer. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The gray snapper. See under Snapper.

SEAL-BROWN Seal"-brown`, a.

Defn: Of a rich dark brown color, like the fur of the fur seal after it is dyed.

SEA LEGS Sea" legs`.

Defn: Legs able to maintain their possessor upright in stormy weather at sea, that is, ability stand or walk steadily on deck when a vessel is rolling or pitching in a rough sea. [Sailor's Cant] Totten.

SEA LEMON Sea" lem"on. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of nudibranchiate mollusks of the genus Doris and allied genera, having a smooth, thick, convex yellow body.

SEA LEOPARD Sea" leop"ard. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of spotted seals, especially Ogmorhinus leptonyx, and Leptonychotes Weddelli, of the Antarctic Ocean. The North Pacific sea leopard is the harbor seal.

SEALER Seal"er, n.

Defn: One who seals; especially, an officer whose duty it is to seal writs or instruments, to stamp weights and measures, or the like.

SEALER Sealer, n.

Defn: A mariner or a vessel engaged in the business of capturing seals.

SEA LETTER Sea" let"ter. (Mar. Law.)

Defn: The customary certificate of national character which neutral merchant vessels are bound to carry in time of war; a passport for a vessel and cargo.

SEA LETTUCE Sea" let"tuce. (Bot.)

Defn: The green papery fronds of several seaweeds of the genus Ulva, sometimes used as food.

SEA LEVEL Sea" lev"el.

Defn: The level of the surface of the sea; any surface on the same level with the sea.

SEALGH; SELCH Sealgh, Selch, n.. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A seal. [Scotch]

SEA LILY Sea" lil"y. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A crinoid.

SEALING WAX Seal"ing wax`.

Defn: A compound of the resinous materials, pigments, etc., used as a material for seals, as for letters, documents, etc.

SEA LION Sea" li"on. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several large species of seals of the family Otariidæ native of the Pacific Ocean, especially the southern sea lion (Otaria jubata) of the South American coast; the northern sea lion (Eumetopias Stelleri) found from California to Japan; and the black, or California, sea lion (Zalophus Californianus), which is common on the rocks near San Francisco.

SEA LOACH Sea" loach". (Zoöl.)

Defn: The three-bearded rockling. See Rockling.

SEA LOUSE Sea" louse`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of isopod crustaceans of Cymothoa, Livoneca, and allied genera, mostly parasites on fishes.

SEALSKIN Seal"skin`, n.

Defn: The skin of a seal; the pelt of a seal prepared for use, esp. of the fur seal; also, a garment made of this material.

SEAM Seam, n. Etym: [See Saim.]

Defn: Grease; tallow; lard. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Shak. Dryden.

SEAM Seam, n. Etym: [OE. seem, seam, AS. seám; akin to D. zoom, OHG. soum, G. saum, LG. soom, Icel. saumr, Sw. & Dan. söm, and E. sew. sq. root 156. See Sew to fasten with thread.]

1. The fold or line formed by sewing together two pieces of cloth or leather.

2. Hence, a line of junction; a joint; a suture, as on a ship, a floor, or other structure; the line of union, or joint, of two boards, planks, metal plates, etc. Precepts should be so finely wrought together . . . that no coarse seam may discover where they join. Addison.

3. (geol. & Mining)

Defn: A thin layer or stratum; a narrow vein between two thicker strata; as, a seam of coal.

4. A line or depression left by a cut or wound; a scar; a cicatrix. Seam blast, a blast by putting the powder into seams or cracks of rocks. -- Seam lace, a lace used by carriage makers to cover seams and edges; -- called also seaming lace. -- Seam presser. (Agric.) (a) A heavy roller to press down newly plowed furrows. (b) A tailor's sadiron for pressing seams. Knight. -- Seam set, a set for flattering the seams of metal sheets, leather work, etc.

SEAM Seam, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Seaming.]

1. To form a seam upon or of; to join by sewing together; to unite.

2. To mark with something resembling a seam; to line; to scar. Seamed o'Pope.

3. To make the appearance of a seam in, as in knitting a stocking; hence, to knit with a certain stitch, like that in such knitting.

SEAM Seam, v. i.

Defn: To become ridgy; to crack open. Later their lips began to parch and seam. L. Wallace.

SEAM Seam, n. Etym: [AS. seám, LL. sauma, L. sagma a packsaddle, fr. Gr. Sumpter.]

Defn: A denomination of weight or measure. Specifically: (a) The quantity of eight bushels of grain. "A seam of oats." P. Plowman. (b) The quantity of 120 pounds of glass. [Eng.]

SEA-MAID Sea"-maid`, n.

1. The mermaid.

2. A sea nymph.

SEA-MAIL Sea"-mail`, n. Etym: [Sea + (perhaps) Mall Mally, for Mary; hence, Prov. E. mally a hare.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gull; the mew.

SEAMAN Sea"man, n.; pl. Seamen (.

Defn: A merman; the male of the mermaid. [R.] "Not to mention mermaids or seamen." Locke.

SEAMAN Sea"man, n.; pl. Seamen. Etym: [AS. sæman.]

Defn: One whose occupation is to assist in the management of ships at sea; a mariner; a sailor; -- applied both to officers and common mariners, but especially to the latter. Opposed to landman, or landsman. Able seaman, a sailor who is practically conversant with all the duties of common seamanship. -- ordinary seaman. See Ordinary.

SEAMANLIKE Sea"man*like`, a.

Defn: Having or showing the skill of a practical seaman.

SEAMANSHIP Sea"man*ship, n.

Defn: The skill of a good seaman; the art, or skill in the art, of working a ship.

SEA MANTIS Sea" man"tis. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A squilla.

SEA MARGE Sea" marge`.

Defn: Land which borders on the sea; the seashore. Shak. You are near the sea marge of a land teeming with life. J. Burroughs.

SEAMARK Sea"mark`, n.

Defn: Any elevated object on land which serves as a guide to mariners; a beacon; a landmark visible from the sea, as a hill, a tree, a steeple, or the like. Shak.

SEA MAT Sea" mat`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any bryozoan of the genus Flustra or allied genera which form frondlike corals.

SEA MAW Sea" maw`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The sea mew.

SEAMED Seamed, a. (Falconry)

Defn: Out of condition; not in good condition; -- said of a hawk.

SEA-MELL Sea"-mell`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The sea mew.

SEA MEW Sea" mew`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gull; the mew.

SEA MILE Sea" mile`.

Defn: A geographical mile. See Mile.

SEA MILKWORT Sea" milk"wort`. (Bot.)

Defn: A low, fleshy perennial herb (Glaux maritima) found along northern seashores.

SEAMING Seam"ing, n.

1. The act or process of forming a seam or joint.

2. (Fishing)

Defn: The cord or rope at the margin of a seine, to which the meshes of the net are attached. Seaming machine, a machine for uniting the edges of sheet-metal plates by bending them and pinching them together.

SEAMLESS Seam"less, a.

Defn: Without a seam. Christ's seamless coat, all of a piece. Jer. Taylor.

SEA MONK Sea" monk`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Monk seal, under Monk.

SEA MONSTER Sea" mon"ster. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any large sea animal.

SEA MOSS Sea" moss`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any branched marine bryozoan resembling moss.

SEA MOUSE Sea" mouse`. (Zoöl.) (a) A dorsibranchiate annelid, belonging to Aphrodite and allied genera, having long, slender, hairlike setæ on the sides. (b) The dunlin.

SEAMSTER Seam"ster, n. Etym: [See Seamstress.]

Defn: One who sews well, or whose occupation is to sew. [Obs.]

SEAMSTRESS Seam"stress, n. Etym: [From older seamster, properly fem., AS. seámestre. See Seam.]

Defn: A woman whose occupation is sewing; a needlewoman.

SEAMSTRESSY Seam"stress*y, n.

Defn: The business of a seamstress.

SEA MUD Sea" mud`.

Defn: A rich slimy deposit in salt marshes and along the seashore, sometimes used as a manure; -- called also sea ooze.

SEAMY Seam"y, a.

Defn: Having a seam; containing seams, or showing them. "Many a seamy scar." Burns. Everything has its fair, as well as its seamy, side. Sir W. Scott.

SEAN Sean, n.

Defn: A seine. See Seine. [Prov. Eng.]

SEANCE Sé`ance", n. Etym: [F., fr. L. sedens, -entis, p.pr. of sedere to sit. See Sit.]

Defn: A session, as of some public body; especially, a meeting of spiritualists to receive spirit communication, so called.

SEA NEEDLE Sea" nee"dle. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Garfish (a).

SEA NETTLE Sea" net`tle.

Defn: A jellyfish, or medusa.

SEANNACHIE Sean"na*chie, n. Etym: [Gael. seanachaidh.]

Defn: A bard among the Highlanders of Scotland, who preserved and repeated the traditions of the tribes; also, a genealogist. [Written also senachy.] [Scot.]

SEA ONION Sea" on"ion. (Bot.)

Defn: The officinal squill. See Squill.

SEA OOZE Sea" ooze`.

Defn: Same as Sea mud. Mortimer.

SEA ORANGE Sea" or"ange. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large American holothurian (Lophothuria Fabricii) having a bright orange convex body covered with finely granulated scales. Its expanded tentacles are bright red.

SEA-ORB Sea"-orb`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A globefish.

SEA OTTER Sea" ot"ter. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An aquatic carnivore (Enhydris lutris, or marina) found in the North Pacific Ocean. Its fur is highly valued, especially by the Chinese. It is allied to the common otter, but is larger, with feet more decidedly webbed. Sea-otter's cabbage (Bot.), a gigantic kelp of the Pacific Ocean (Nereocystis Lutkeana). See Nereocystis.

SEA OWL Sea" owl`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The lumpfish.

SEA PAD Sea" pad`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The puffin.

SEA PARROT Sea" par"rot (se" par"rut). (Zoöl.)

Defn: The puffin.

SEA PARTRIDGE Sea" par"tridge. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The gilthead (Crenilabrus melops), a fish of the British coasts.

SEA PASS Sea" pass`.

Defn: A document carried by neutral merchant vessels in time of war, to show their nationality; a sea letter or passport. See Passport.

SEA PEACH Sea" peach`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A beautiful American ascidian (Cynthia, or Halocynthia, pyriformis) having the size, form, velvety surface, and color of a ripe peach.

SEA PEAR Sea" pear`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A pedunculated ascidian of the genus Boltonia.

SEA-PEN Sea"-pen", n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A pennatula.

SEA PERCH Sea" perch`. (Zoöl.) (a) The European bass (Roccus, or Labrax, lupus); -- called also sea dace. (b) The cunner. (c) The sea bass. (d) The name is applied also to other species of fishes.

SEA PHEASANT Sea" pheas"ant. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pintail duck.

SEA PIE Sea" pie. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The oyster catcher, a limicoline bird of the genus Hæmatopus.

SEA PIE Sea" pie`.

Defn: A dish of crust or pastry and meat or fish, etc., cooked together in alternate layers, -- a common food of sailors; as, a three-decker sea pie.

SEAPIECE Sea"piece`, n.

Defn: A picture representing a scene at sea; a marine picture. Addison.

SEA PIET Sea" pi"et. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See 1st Sea pie.

SEA PIG Sea" pig`. (Zoöl.) (a) A porpoise or dolphin. (b) A dugong.

SEA PIGEON Sea" pi"geon.

Defn: The common guillemot.

SEA PIKE Sea" pike`. (Zoöl.) (a) The garfish. (b) A large serranoid food fish (Centropomus undecimalis) found on both coasts of America; -- called also robalo. (c) The merluce.

SEA PINCUSHION Sea" pin`cush`ion. (Zoöl.) (a) A sea purse. (b) A pentagonal starfish.

SEA PINK Sea" pink`. (Bot.)

Defn: See Thrift.

SEA PLOVER Sea" plov"er.

Defn: the black-bellied plover.

SEA POACHER; SEA POKER Sea" poach"er. Sea" pok"er. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The lyrie.

SEA POOL Sea" pool`.

Defn: A pool of salt water. Spenser.

SEA POPPY Sea" pop"py. (Bot.)

Defn: The horn poppy. See under Horn.

SEA PORCUPINE Sea" por"cu*pine. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any fish of the genus Diodon, and allied genera, whose body is covered with spines. See Illust. under Diodon.

SEA PORK Sea" pork`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An American compound ascidian (Amoræcium stellatum) which forms large whitish masses resembling salt pork.

SEA PORT Sea" port`, n.

Defn: A port on the seashore, or one accessible for seagoing vessels. Also used adjectively; as, a seaport town.

SEAPOY Sea"poy, n.

Defn: See Sepoy.

SEA PUDDING Sea" pud"ding. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any large holothurian. [Prov. Eng.]

SEA PURSE Sea" purse`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The horny egg case of a skate, and of certain sharks.

SEA PURSLANE Sea" purs"lane. (Bot.)

Defn: See under Purslane.

SEA PYE Sea" pye`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See 1st Sea pie.

SEA PYOT Sea" py"ot. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See 1st Sea pie.

SEA QUAIL Sea" quail`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The turnstone.

SEAQUAKE Sea"quake`, n.

Defn: A quaking of the sea.

SEAR; SERE Sear, Sere, a.

Defn: [OE. seer, AS. seár (assumed) fr. seárian to wither; akin to D. zoor dry, LG. soor, OHG. soren to to wither, Gr. sush) to dry, to wither, Zend hush to dry. sq. root152. Cf. Austere, Sorrel, a.] Dry; withered; no longer green; -- applied to leaves. Milton. I have lived long enough; my way of life Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf. Shak.

SEAR Sear, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seared; p. pr. & vb. n. Searing.] Etym: [OE.seeren, AS. seárian. See Sear, a.]

1. To wither; to dry up. Shak.

2. To burn (the surface of) to dryness and hardness; to cauterize; to expose to a degree of heat such as changes the color or the hardness and texture of the surface; to scorch; to make callous; as, to sear the skin or flesh. Also used figuratively. I'm seared with burning steel. Rowe. It was in vain that the amiable divine tried to give salutary pain to that seared conscience. Macaulay. The discipline of war, being a discipline in destruction of life, is a discipline in callousness. Whatever sympathies exist are seared. H. Spencer.

Note: Sear is allied to scorch in signification; but it is applied primarily to animal flesh, and has special reference to the effect of heat in marking the surface hard. Scorch is applied to flesh, cloth, or any other substance, and has no reference to the effect of hardness. To sear, to close by searing. "Cherish veins of good humor, and sear up those of ill." Sir W. Temple.

SEAR Sear, n. Etym: [F. serre a grasp, pressing, fr. L. sera. See Serry.]

Defn: The catch in a gunlock by which the hammer is held cocked or half cocked. Sear spring, the spring which causes the sear to catch in the notches by which the hammer is held.

SEA RAT Sea" rat`.

1. A pirate. [R.] Massinger.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The chimæra.

SEA RAVEN Sea" ra"ven. (Zoöl.) (a) An American cottoid fish (Hemitripterus Americanus) allied to the sculpins, found on the northeren Atlantic coasts. (b) The cormorant.

SEARCE Searce, n. Etym: [See Sarse.]

Defn: A fine sieve. [Obs.]

SEARCE Searce, v. t.

Defn: To sift; to bolt. [Obs.] Mortimer.

SEARCER Sear"cer, n.

1. One who sifts or bolts. [Obs.]

2. A searce, or sieve. [Obs.] Holland.

SEARCH Search, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Searched; p. pr. & vb. n. Searching.] Etym: [OE. serchen, cerchen, OF. cerchier, F. chercher, L. circare to go about, fr. L. circum, circa, around. See Circle.]

1. To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city. "Search the Scriptures." John v. 39. They are come to search the house. Shak. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Ps. cxxxix. 23.

2. To inquire after; to look for; to seek. I will both search my sheep, and seek them out. Ezek. xxxiv. 11. Enough is left besides to search and know. Milton.

3. To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as, to search a wound.

4. To examine; to try; to put to the test. To search out, to seek till found; to find by seeking; as, to search out truth.

Syn. -- To explore; examine; scrutinize; seek; investigate; pry into; inquire.

SEARCH Search, v. i.

Defn: To seek; to look for something; to make inquiry, exploration, or examination; to hunt. Once more search with me. Shak. It sufficeth that they have once with care sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars. Locke.

SEARCH Search, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. cerche. See Search, v. t.]

Defn: The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding something; examination. Thus the orb he roamed With narrow search, and with inspection deep Considered every creature. Milton. Nor did my search of liberty begin Till my black hairs were changed upon my chin. Dryden. Right of search (Mar. Law), the right of the lawfully commissioned cruisers of belligerent nations to examine and search private merchant vessels on the high seas, for the enemy's property or for articles contraband of war. -- Search warrant (Law), a warrant legally issued, authorizing an examination or search of a house, or other place, for goods stolen, secreted, or concealed.

Syn. -- Scrutiny; examination; exploration; investigation; research; inquiry; quest; pursuit.

SEARCHABLE Search"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being searched.

SEARCHABLENESS Search"a*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being searchable.

SEARCHER Search"er, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. cercheor inspector.]

Defn: One who, or that which, searhes or examines; a seeker; an inquirer; an examiner; a trier. Specifically: (a) Formerly, an officer in London appointed to examine the bodies of the dead, and report the cause of death. Graunt. (b) An officer of the customs whose business it is to search ships, merchandise, luggage, etc. (c) An inspector of leather. [Prov. Eng.] (d) (Gun.) An instrument for examining the bore of a cannon, to detect cavities. (e) An implement for sampling butter; a butter trier. (j) (Med.) An instrument for feeling after calculi in the bladder, etc.

SEARCHING Search"ing, a.

Defn: Exploring thoroughly; scrutinizing; penetrating; trying; as, a searching discourse; a searching eye. "Piercing, searching, biting, cold." Dickens. -- Search"ing*ly, adv. -- Search"ing*ness, n.

SEARCHLESS Search"less, a.

Defn: Impossible to be searched; inscrutable; impenetrable.

SEARCHLIGHT Search"light`, n. (a) An apparatus for projecting a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays, usually devised so that it can be swiveled about. (b) The beam of light projecting by this apparatus.

SEARCLOTH Sear"cloth`, n.

Defn: Cerecloth. Mortimer.

SEARCLOTH Sear"cloth, v. t.

Defn: To cover, as a sore, with cerecloth.

SEARED Seared, a.

Defn: Scorched; cauterized; hence, figuratively, insensible; not susceptible to moral influences. A seared conscience and a remorseless heart. Macaulay.

SEAREDNESS Sear"ed*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being seared or callous; insensibility. Bp. Hall.

SEA REED Sea" reed`. (Bot.)

Defn: The sea-sand reed. See under Reed.

SEA RISK Sea" risk.

Defn: Risk of injury, destruction, or loss by the sea, or while at sea.

SEA ROBBER Sea" rob"ber.

Defn: A pirate; a sea rover.

SEA ROBIN Sea" rob"in.

Defn: See under Robin, and Illustration in Appendix.

SEA ROCKET Sea" rock"et.(Bot.)

Defn: See under Rocket.

SEA ROOM Sea" room`. (Naut.)

Defn: Room or space at sea for a vessel to maneuver, drive, or scud, without peril of running ashore or aground. Totten.

SEA ROVER Sea" rov"er.

Defn: One that cruises or roves the sea for plunder; a sea robber; a pirate; also, a piratical vessel.

SEA-ROVING Sea"-rov"ing

Defn: , a. Cruising at random on the ocean.

SEA SALMON Sea" salm"on. (Zoöl.) (a) A young pollock. (b) The spotted squeteague. (c) See Sea bass (b).

SEA SALT Sea" salt`.

Defn: Common salt, obtained from sea water by evaporation.

SEA SANDPIPER Sea" sand"pi`per. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The purple sandpiper.

SEA SANDWORT Sea" sand"wort`. (Bot.)

Defn: See Sea chickweed.

SEA SAURIAN Sea" sau"ri*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any marine saurian; esp. (Paleon.) the large extinct species of Mosasaurus, Icthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, and related genera.

SEASCAPE Sea"scape, n. Etym: [Cf. Landscape.]

Defn: A picture representing a scene at sea. [Jocose] Thackeray.

SEA SCORPION Sea" scor"pi*on. (Zoöl.) (a) A European sculpin (Cottus scorpius) having the head armed with short spines. (b) The scorpene.

SEA SCURF Sea" scurf`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any bryozoan which forms rounded or irregular patches of coral on stones, seaweeds, etc.

SEA SERPENT Sea" ser`pent.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any marine snake. See Sea snake.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large marine animal of unknown nature, often reported to have been seen at sea, but never yet captured.

Note: Many accounts of sea serpents are imaginary or fictitious; others are greatly exaggerated and distorted by incompetent observers; but a number have been given by competent and trustworthy persons, which indicate that several diverse animals have been called sea serpents. Among these are, apparently, several large snakelike fishes, as the oar fish, or ribbon fish (Regalecus), and huge conger eels. Other accounts probably refer to the giant squids (Architeuthis). Some of the best accounts seem to describe a marine saurian, like the fossil Mosasauri, which were large serpentlike creatures with paddles.

SEASHELL Sea"shell`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The shell of any marine mollusk.

SEASHORE Sea"shore`, n.

1. The coast of the sea; the land that lies adjacent to the sea or ocean.

2. (Law)

Defn: All the ground between the ordinary highwater and low-water marks.

SEASICK Sea"sick`, a.

Defn: Affected with seasickness.

SEASICKNESS Sea"sick`ness, n.

Defn: The peculiar sickness, characterized by nausea and prostration, which is caused by the pitching or rolling of a vessel.

SEASIDE Sea"side`, n.

Defn: The land bordering on, or adjacent to, the sea; the seashore. Also used adjectively.

SEA SLATER Sea" slat"er. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any isopod crustacean of the genus Ligia.

SEA SLUG Sea" slug`. (Zoöl.) (a) A holothurian. (b) A nudibranch mollusk.

SEA SNAIL Sea" snail`. (Zoöl.) (a) A small fish of the genus Liparis, having a ventral sucker. It lives among stones and seaweeds. (b) Any small creeping marine gastropod, as the species of Littorina, Natica, etc.

SEA SNAKE Sea" snake`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of many species of venomous aquatic snakes of the family Hydrophidæ, having a flattened tail and living entirely in the sea, especially in the warmer parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They feed upon fishes, and are mostly of moderate size, but some species become eight or ten feet long and four inches broad.

SEA SNIPE Sea" snipe`. (Zoöl.) (a) A sandpiper, as the knot and dunlin. (b) The bellows fish.

SEASON Sea"son, n. Etym: [OE. sesoun, F. saison, properly, the sowing time, fr. L. satio a sowing, a planting, fr. serere, satum, to sow, plant; akin to E. sow, v., to scatter, as seed.]

1. One of the divisions of the year, marked by alternations in the length of day and night, or by distinct conditions of temperature, moisture, etc., caused mainly by the relative position of the earth with respect to the sun. In the north temperate zone, four seasons, namely, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, are generally recognized. Some parts of the world have three seasons, -- the dry, the rainy, and the cold; other parts have but two, -- the dry and the rainy. The several seasons of the year in their beauty. Addison.

2. Hence, a period of time, especially as regards its fitness for anything contemplated or done; a suitable or convenient time; proper conjuncture; as, the season for planting; the season for rest. The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs. Milton.

3. A period of time not very long; a while; a time. Thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. Acts xiii. 11.

4. That which gives relish; seasoning. [Obs.] You lack the season of all natures, sleep. Shak. In season, in good time, or sufficiently early for the purpose. -- Out of season, beyond or out of the proper time of the usual or appointed time.

SEASON Sea"son, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seasoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Seasoning.]

1. To render suitable or appropriate; to prepare; to fit. He is fit and seasoned for his passage. Shak.

2. To fit for any use by time or habit; to habituate; to accustom; to inure; to ripen; to mature; as, to season one to a climate.

3. Hence, to prepare by drying or hardening, or removal of natural juices; as, to season timber.

4. To fit for taste; to render palatable; to give zest or relish to; to spice; as, to season food.

5. Hence, to fit for enjoyment; to render agrecable. You season still with sports your serious hours. Dryden. The proper use of wit is to season conversation. Tillotson.

6. To qualify by admixture; to moderate; to temper. "When mercy seasons justice." Shak.

7. To imbue; to tinge or taint. "Who by his tutor being seasoned with the love of the truth." Fuller. Season their younger years with prudent and pious principles. Jer. Taylor.

8. To copulate with; to impregnate. [R.] Holland.

SEASON Sea"son, v. i.

1. To become mature; to grow fit for use; to become adapted to a climate.

2. To become dry and hard, by the escape of the natural juices, or by being penetrated with other substance; as, timber seasons in the sun.

3. To give token; to savor. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

SEASONABLE Sea"son*a*ble, a.

Defn: Occurring in good time, in due season, or in proper time for the purpose; suitable to the season; opportune; timely; as, a seasonable supply of rain. Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction. Ecclus. xxxv. 20. -- Sea"son*a*ble*ness, n. -- Sea"son*a*bly, adv.

SEASONAGE Sea"son*age, n.

Defn: A seasoning. [Obs.] outh.

SEASONAL Sea"son*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the seasons. Seasonal dimorphism (Zoöl.), the condition of having two distinct varieties which appear at different seasons, as certain species of butterflies in which the spring brood differs from the summer or autumnal brood.

SEASONER Sea"son*er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, seasons, or gives a relish; a seasoning.

SEASONING Sea"son*ing, n.

1. The act or process by which anything is seasoned.

2. That which is added to any species of food, to give it a higher relish, as salt, spices, etc.; a condiment.

3. Hence, something added to enhance enjoyment or relieve dullness; as, wit is the seasoning of conversation. Political speculations are of so dry and austere a nature, that they will not go down with the public without frequent seasonings. Addison. Seasoning tub (Bakery), a trough in which dough is set to rise. Knight.

SEASONLESS Sea"son*less, a.

Defn: Without succession of the seasons.

SEA SPIDER Sea" spi"der. (Zoöl.) (a) Any maioid crab; a spider crab. See Maioid, and Spider crab, under Spider. (b) Any pycnogonid.

SEA SQUIRT Sea" squirt`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An ascidian. See Illust. under Tunicata.

SEA STAR Sea" star`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A starfish, or brittle star.

SEA SURGEON Sea" sur"geon. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A surgeon fish.

SEA SWALLOW Sea" swal"low.

1. (Zoöl.) (a) The common tern. (b) The storm petrel. (c) The gannet.

2. (Her.)

Defn: See Cornish chough, under Chough.

SEAT Seat, n. Etym: [OE. sete, Icel. sæti; akin to Sw. säte, Dan. sæde, MHG. saze, AS. set, setl, and E. sit. sq. root154. See Sit, and cf. Settle, n.]

1. The place or thing upon which one sits; hence; anything made to be sat in or upon, as a chair, bench, stool, saddle, or the like. And Jesus . . . overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves. Matt. xxi. 12.

2. The place occupied by anything, or where any person or thing is situated, resides, or abides; a site; an abode, a station; a post; a situation. Where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is. Rev. ii. 13. He that builds a fair house upon an ill seat committeth himself to prison. Bacon. A seat of plenty, content, and tranquillity. Macaulay.

3. That part of a thing on which a person sits; as, the seat of a chair or saddle; the seat of a pair of pantaloons.

4. A sitting; a right to sit; regular or appropriate place of sitting; as, a seat in a church; a seat for the season in the opera house.

5. Posture, or way of sitting, on horseback. She had so good a seat and hand she might be trusted with any mount. G. Eliot.

6. (Mach.)

Defn: A part or surface on which another part or surface rests; as, a valve seat. Seat worm (Zoöl.), the pinworm.

SEAT Seat, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seated; p. pr. & vb. n. Seating.]

1. To place on a seat; to cause to sit down; as, to seat one's self. The guests were no sooner seated but they entered into a warm debate. Arbuthnot.

2. To cause to occupy a post, site, situation, or the like; to station; to establish; to fix; to settle. Thus high . . . is King Richard seated. Shak. They had seated themselves in New Guiana. Sir W. Raleigh.

3. To assign a seat to, or the seats of; to give a sitting to; as, to seat a church, or persons in a church.

4. To fix; to set firm. From their foundations, loosening to and fro, They plucked the seated hills. Milton.

5. To settle; to plant with inhabitants; as to seat a country. [Obs.] W. Stith.

6. To put a seat or bottom in; as, to seat a chair.

SEAT Seat, v. i.

Defn: To rest; to lie down. [Obs.] Spenser.

SEA TANG Sea" tang`. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of seaweed; tang; tangle. To their nests of sedge and sea tang. Longfellow.

SEA TERM Sea" term`.

Defn: A term used specifically by seamen; a nautical word or phrase.

SEA THIEF Sea" thief`.

Defn: A pirate. Drayton.

SEA THONGS Sea" thongs`. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of blackish seaweed (Himanthalia lorea) found on the northern coasts of the Atlantic. It has a thonglike forking process rising from a top-shaped base.

SEATING Seat"ing, n.

1. The act of providong with a seat or seats; as, the seating of an audience.

2. The act of making seats; also, the material for making seats; as, cane seating.

SEA TITLING Sea" tit"ling. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The rock pipit.

SEATLESS Seat"less, a.

Defn: Having no seat.

SEA TOAD Sea" toad`. (Zoöl.) (a) A sculpin. (b) A toadfish. (c) The angler.

SEA TROUT Sea" trout`. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of true trouts which descend rivers and enter the sea after spawning, as the European bull trout and salmon trout, and the eastern American spotted trout. (b) The common squeteague, and the spotted squeteague. (c) A California fish of the family Chiridæ, especially Hexagrammus decagrammus; -- called also spotted rock trout. See Rock trout, under Rock. (d) A California sciænoid fish (Cynoscion nobilis); -- called also white sea bass.

SEA TRUMPET Sea" trum"pet.

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A great blackish seaweed of the Southern Ocean, having a hollow and expanding stem and a pinnate frond, sometimes twenty feet long.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any large marine univalve shell of the genus Triton. See Triton.

SEA TURN Sea" turn`.

Defn: A breeze, gale, or mist from the sea. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SEA TURTLE Sea" tur"tle. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several very large species of chelonians having the feet converted into paddles, as the green turtle, hawkbill, loggerhead, and leatherback. They inhabit all warm seas. (b) The sea pigeon, or guillemot.

SEA UNICORN Sea" u"ni*corn. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The narwhal.

SEA URCHIN Sea" ur"chin. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of echinoderms of the order Echinoidea.

Note: When living they are covered with movable spines which are often long and sharp.

SEAVE Seave, n. Etym: [Cf. Dan. siv, Sw. säf, Icel. sef.]

Defn: A rush. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SEAVY Seav`y, a.

Defn: Overgrown with rushes. [Prov. Eng.]

SEA WALL Sea" wall`. Etym: [AS. sæweall.]

Defn: A wall, or embankment, to resist encroachments of the sea.

SEA-WALLED Sea"-walled`, a.

Defn: Surrounded, bounded, or protected by the sea, as if by a wall. Shak.

SEAWAN; SEAWANT Sea"wan, Sea"want, n.

Defn: The name used by the Algonquin Indians for the shell beads which passed among the Indians as money.

Note: Seawan was of two kinds; wampum, white, and suckanhock, black or purple, -- the former having half the value of the latter. Many writers, however, use the terms seawan and wampum indiscriminately. Bartlett.

SEAWAND Sea"wand` . (Bot.)

Defn: See Sea girdles.

SEAWARD Sea"ward, a.

Defn: Directed or situated toward the sea. Donne. Two still clouds . . . sparkled on their seaward edges like a frosted fleece. G. W. Cable.

SEAWARD Sea"ward, adv.

Defn: Toward the sea. Drayton.

SEAWARE Sea"ware`, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. sæwar seaweed.] (Bot.)

Defn: Seaweed; esp., coarse seaweed. See Ware, and Sea girdles.

SEAWEED Sea"weed`, n.

1. Popularly, any plant or plants growing in the sea.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Any marine plant of the class Algæ, as kelp, dulse, Fucus, Ulva, etc.

SEA WHIP Sea" whip`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gorgonian having a simple stem.

SEA WIDGEON Sea" wid"geon. (Zoöl.) (a) The scaup duck. (b) The pintail duck.

SEAWIFE Sea"wife`, n.; pl. Seawives (. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A European wrasse (Labrus vetula).

SEA WILLOW Sea" wil"low. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gorgonian coral with long flexible branches.

SEA WING Sea" wing`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A wing shell (Avicula).

SEA WITHWIND Sea" with"wind`.

Defn: (Bot.) A kind of bindweed (Convolvulus Soldanella) growing on the seacoast of Europe.

SEA WOLF Sea" wolf`. (Zoöl.) (a) The wolf fish. (b) The European sea perch. (c) The sea elephant. (d) A sea lion.

SEA WOODCOCK Sea" wood"cock`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The bar-tailed godwit.

SEA WOOD LOUSE Sea" wood louse`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sea slater.

SEA WORMWOOD Sea" worm"wood`. (Bot.)

Defn: A European species of wormwood (Artemisia maritima) growing by the sea.

SEAWORTHINESS Sea"wor`thi*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being seaworthy, or able to resist the ordinary violence of wind and weather. Kent.

SEAWORTHY Sea"wor`thy, a.

Defn: Fit for a voyage; worthy of being trusted to transport a cargo with safety; as, a seaworthy ship.

SEA WRACK Sea" wrack`. (Bot.)

Defn: See Wrack.

SEBACEOUS Se*ba"ceous, a. Etym: [NL. sebaceus, from L. sebum tallow, grease.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or secreting, fat; composed of fat; having the appearance of fat; as, the sebaceous secretions of some plants, or the sebaceous humor of animals. Sebaceous cyst (Med.), a cyst formed by distention of a sebaceous gland, due to obstruction of its excretory duct. -- Sebaceous glands (Anat.), small subcutaneous glands, usually connected with hair follicles. They secrete an oily semifluid matter, composed in great part of fat, which softens and lubricates the hair and skin.

SEBACIC Se*bac"ic, a. Etym: [L. sebum tallow: cf. F. sébacique.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to fat; derived from, or resembling, fat; specifically, designating an acid (formerly called also sebic, and pyroleic, acid), obtained by the distillation or saponification of certain oils (as castor oil) as a white crystalline substance.

SEBAT Se"bat, n. Etym: [Heb. shèbat.]

Defn: The eleventh month of the ancient Hebrew year, approximately corresponding with February. W. Smith (Bibl. Dict. ).

SEBATE Se"bate (se"b\ddt), n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of sebacic acid.

SEBESTEN Se*bes"ten, n. Etym: [Ar. sebestan the tree: cf. Sp. sebesten.] (Bot.)

Defn: The mucilaginous drupaceous fruit of two East Indian trees (Cordia Myxa, and C. latifolia), sometimes used medicinally in pectoral diseases.

Note: In the West Indies the name is given to the similar fruit of Cordia Sebestana.

SEBIC Se"bic, a.

Defn: See Sebacic. [Obs.]

SEBIFEROUS Se*bif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. sebum tallow + -ferous.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: Producing vegetable tallow.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: Producing fat; sebaceous; as, the sebiferous, or sebaceous, glands.

SEBIPAROUS Se*bip"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. sebum tallow + parere to bring forth.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Sebiferous.

SEBORRHEA Seb"or*rhe*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. sebum tallow + Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A morbidly increased discharge of sebaceous matter upon the skin; stearrhea.

SECALE Se*ca"le, n. Etym: [L., a kind of grain.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of cereal grasses including rye.

SECANCY Se"can*cy, n. Etym: [See Secant.]

Defn: A cutting; an intersection; as, the point of secancy of one line by another. [R.] Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. ).

SECANT Se"cant, a. Etym: [L. secans, -antis, p.pr. of secare to cut. See Section.]

Defn: Cutting; divivding into two parts; as, a secant line.

SECANT Secant, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sécante. See Secant, a.]

1. (Geom.)

Defn: A line that cuts another; especially, a straight line cutting a curve in two or more points.

2. (Trig.)

Defn: A right line drawn from the center of a circle through one end of a circular arc, and terminated by a tangent drawn from the other end; the number expressing the ratio line of this line to the radius of the circle. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.

SECCO Sec"co, a. Etym: [It.]

Defn: Dry. Secco painting, or Painting in secco, painting on dry plaster, as distinguished from fresco painting, which is on wet or fresh plaster.

SECEDE Se"cede", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Seceded; p. pr. & vb. n. Seceding.] Etym: [L. secedere, secessum; pref se- aside + cedere to go, move. See Cede.]

Defn: To withdraw from fellowship, communion, or association; to separate one's self by a solemn act; to draw off; to retire; especially, to withdraw from a political or religious body.

SECEDER Se*ced"er, n.

1. One who secedes.

2. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: One of a numerous body of Presbyterians in Scotland who seceded from the communion of the Established Church, about the year 1733, and formed the Secession Church, so called.

SECERN Se*cern", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Secerned; p. pr. & vb. n. Secerning.] Etym: [L. secernere. See Secrete.]

1. To separate; to distinguish. Averroes secerns a sense of titillation, and a sense of hunger and thirst. Sir W. Hamilton.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: To secrete; as, mucus secerned in the nose. Arbuthnot.

SECERNENT Se*cern"ent, a. Etym: [L. secernens, p.pr.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Secreting; secretory.

SECERNENT Se*cern"ent, n.

1. That which promotes secretion.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: A vessel in, or by means of, which the process of secretion takes place; a secreting vessel.

SECERNMENT Se*cern"ment, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act or process of secreting.

SECESS Se*cess", n. Etym: [L. secessus. See Secede.]

Defn: Retirement; retreat; secession. [Obs.] R. H. More.

SECESSION Se*ces"sion, n. Etym: [L. secessio: cf. F. sécession. See Secede.]

1. The act of seceding; separation from fellowship or association with others, as in a religious or political organization; withdrawal.

2. (U.S. Hist.)

Defn: The withdrawal of a State from the national Union. Secession Church (in Scotland). See Seceder.

SECESSIONISM Se*ces"sion*ism, n.

Defn: The doctrine or policy of secession; the tenets of secession; the tenets of secessionists.

SECESSIONIST Se*ces"sion*ist, n.

1. One who upholds secession.

2. (U.S. Hist.)

Defn: One who holds to the belief that a State has the right to separate from the Union at its will.

SECHE Seche, v. t. & i.

Defn: To seek. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SECHIUM Se"chi*um, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. séchion; perhaps formed fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The edible fruit of a West Indian plant (Sechium edule) of the Gourd family. It is soft, pear-shaped, and about four inches long, and contains a single large seed. The root of the plant resembles a yam, and is used for food.

SECK Seck, a. Etym: [F. sec, properly, dry, L. siccua.]

Defn: Barren; unprofitable. See Rent seck, under Rent.

SECKEL Seck"el, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A small reddish brown sweet and juicy pear. It originated on a farm near Philadelphia, afterwards owned by a Mr. Seckel.

SECLE Se"cle, n. Etym: [L. saeculum: cf. F. siècle. See Secular.]

Defn: A century. [Obs.] Hammond.

SECLUDE Se*clude, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Secluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Secluding.] Etym: [L. secludere, seclusum pref. se- aside + claudere to shut. See Close, v. t.]

1. To shut up apart from others; to withdraw into, or place in, solitude; to separate from society or intercourse with others. Let Eastern tyrants from the light of heaven Seclude their bosom slaves. Thomson.

2. To shut or keep out; to exclude. [Obs.] Evelyn. -- Se*clud"ed*ly, adv. -- Se*clud"ed*ness, n.

SECLUSION Se*clu"sion, n. Etym: [See Seclude.]

Defn: The act of secluding, or the state of being secluded; separation from society or connection; a withdrawing; privacy; as, to live in seclusion. O blest seclusion from a jarring world, which he, thus occupied, enjoys! Cowper.

Syn. -- Solitude; separation; withdrawment; retirement; privacy. See Solitude.

SECLUSIVE Se*clu"sive, a.

Defn: Tending to seclude; keeping in seclusion; secluding; sequestering.

SECOND Sec"ond, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. secundus second, properly, following, fr. sequi to follow. See Sue to follow, and cf. Secund.]

1. Immediately following the first; next to the first in order of place or time; hence, occuring again; another; other. And he slept and dreamed the second time. Gen. xli. 5.

2. Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior. May the day when we become the second people upon earth . . . be the day of our utter extirpation. Landor.

3. Being of the same kind as another that has preceded; another, like a protype; as, a second Cato; a second Troy; a second deluge. A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel! Shak. Second Adventist. See Adventist. -- Second cousin, the child of a cousin. -- Second-cut file. See under File. -- Second distance (Art), that part of a picture between the foreground and the background; -- called also middle ground, or middle distance. [R.] -- Second estate (Eng.), the House of Peers. -- Second girl, a female house-servant who does the lighter work, as chamber work or waiting on table. -- Second intention. See under Intention. -- Second story, Story floor, in America, the second range of rooms from the street level. This, in England, is called the first floor, the one beneath being the ground floor. -- Second thought or thoughts, consideration of a matter following a first impulse or impression; reconsideration. On second thoughts, gentlemen, I don't wish you had known him. Dickens.

SECOND Sec"ond, n.

1. One who, or that which, follows, or comes after; one next and inferior in place, time, rank, importance, excellence, or power. Man an angel's second, nor his second long. Young.

2. One who follows or attends another for his support and aid; a backer; an assistant; specifically, one who acts as another's aid in a duel. Being sure enough of seconds after the first onset. Sir H. Wotton.

3. Aid; assistance; help. [Obs.] Give second, and my love Is everlasting thine. J. Fletcher.

4. pl.

Defn: An article of merchandise of a grade inferior to the best; esp., a coarse or inferior kind of flour.

5. Etym: [F. seconde. See Second, a.]

Defn: The sixtieth part of a minute of time or of a minute of space, that is, the second regular subdivision of the degree; as, sound moves about 1,140 English feet in a second; five minutes and ten seconds north of this place.

6. In the duodecimal system of mensuration, the twelfth part of an inch or prime; a line. See Inch, and Prime, n., 8.

7. (Mus.) (a) The interval between any tone and the tone which is represented on the degree of the staff next above it. (b) The second part in a concerted piece; -- often popularly applied to the alto. Second hand, the hand which marks the seconds on the dial of a watch or a clock.

SECOND Sec"ond, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seconded; p. pr. & vb. n. Seconding.] Etym: [Cf. F. seconder, L. secundare, from secundus. See Second, a.]

1. To follow in the next place; to succeed; to alternate. [R.] In the method of nature, a low valley is immediately seconded with an ambitious hill. Fuller. Sin is seconded with sin. South.

2. To follow or attend for the purpose of assisting; to support; to back; to act as the second of; to assist; to forward; to encourage. We have supplies to second our attempt. Shak. In human works though labored on with pain, A thousand movements scarce one purpose gain; In God's, one single can its end produce, Yet serves to second too some other use. Pope.

3. Specifically, to support, as a motion or proposal, by adding one's voice to that of the mover or proposer.

SECONDARILY Sec"ond*a*ri*ly, adv.

1. In a secondary manner or degree.

2. Secondly; in the second place. [Obs.] God hath set some in the church, first apostels, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers. 1 Cor. xii. 28.

SECONDARINESS Sec"ond*a*ri*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being secondary. Full of a girl's sweet sense of secondariness to the object of her love. Mrs. Oliphant.

SECONDARY Sec"ond*a*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. secondaire, L. secundaire. See Second, a.]

1. Suceeding next in order to the first; of second place, origin, rank, rank, etc.; not primary; subordinate; not of the first order or rate. Wheresoever there is normal right on the one hand, no secondary right can discharge it. L'Estrange. Two are the radical differences; the secondary differences are as four. Bacon.

2. Acting by deputation or delegated authority; as, the work of secondary hands.

3. (Chem.)

Defn: Possessing some quality, or having been subject to some operation (as substitution), in the second degree; as, a secondary salt, a secondary amine, etc. Cf. primary.

4. (Min.)

Defn: Subsequent in origin; -- said of minerals produced by alteertion or deposition subsequent to the formation of the original rocks mass; also of characters of minerals (as secondary cleavage, etc.) developed by pressure or other causes.

5. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to the second joint of the wing of a bird.

6. (Med.)

Defn: Dependent or consequent upon another disease; as, Bright's disease is often secondary to scarlet fever. (b) Occuring in the second stage of a disease; as, the secondary symptoms of syphilis. Secondary accent. See the Note under Accent, n., 1. -- Secondary age. (Geol.) The Mesozoic age, or age before the Tertiary. See Mesozoic, and Note under Age, n., 8. -- Secondary alcohol (Chem.), any one of a series of alcohols which contain the radical CH.OH united with two hydrocarbon radicals. On oxidation the secondary alcohols form ketones. -- Secondary amputation (Surg.), an amputation for injury, performed after the constitutional effects of the injury have subsided. -- Secondary axis (Opt.), any line which passes through the optical center of a lens but not through the centers of curvature, or, in the case of a mirror, which passes through the center of curvature but not through the center of the mirror. -- Secondary battery. (Elec.) See under Battery, n., 4. -- Secondary circle (Geom. & Astron.), a great circle passes through the poles of another great circle and is therefore perpendicular to its plane. -- Secondary circuit, Secondary coil (Elec.), a circuit or coil in which a current is produced by the induction of a current in a neighboring circuit or coil called the primary circuit or coil. -- Secondary color, a color formed by mixing any two primary colors in equal proportions. -- Secondary coverts (Zoöl.), the longer coverts which overlie the basal part of the secondary quills of a bird. See Illust. under Bird. -- Secondary crystal (Min.), a crystal derived from one of the primary forms. -- Secondary current (Elec.), a momentary current induced in a closed circuit by a current of electricity passing through the same or a contiguous circuit at the beginning and also at the end of the passage of the primary current. -- Secondary evidence, that which is admitted upon failure to obtain the primary or best evidence. -- Secondary fever (Med.), a fever coming on in a disease after the subsidence of the fever with which the disease began, as the fever which attends the outbreak of the eruption in smallpox. -- Secondary hemorrhage (Med.), hemorrhage occuring from a wounded blood vessel at some considerable time after the original bleeding has ceased. -- Secondary planet. (Astron.) See the Note under Planet. -- Secondary qualities, those qualities of bodies which are not inseparable from them as such, but are dependent for their development and intensity on the organism of the percipient, such as color, taste, odor, etc. -- Secondary quills or remiges (Zoöl.), the quill feathers arising from the forearm of a bird and forming a row continuous with the primaries; -- called also secondaries. See Illust. of Bird. -- Secondary rocks or strata (Geol.), those lying between the Primary, or Paleozoic, and Tertiary (see Primary rocks, under Primary); -- later restricted to strata of the Mesozoic age, and at but little used. -- Secondary syphilis (Med.), the second stage of syphilis, including the period from the first development of constitutional symptoms to the time when the bones and the internal organs become involved. -- Secondary tint, any subdued tint, as gray. -- Secondary union (Surg.), the union of wounds after suppuration; union by the second intention.

Syn. -- Second; second-rate; subordinate; inferior.

SECONDARY Sec"ond*a*ry, n.; pl. Secondaries (.

1. One who occupies a subordinate, inferior, or auxiliary place; a delegate deputy; one who is second or next to the chief officer; as, the secondary, or undersheriff of the city of London. Old Escalus . . . is thy secondary. Shak.

2. (Astron.) (a) A secondary circle. (b) A satellite.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A secondary quill.

SECOND-CLASS Sec"ond-class`, a.

Defn: Of the rank or degree below the best highest; inferior; second- rate; as, a second-class house; a second-class passage.

SECONDER Sec"ond*er, n.

Defn: One who seconds or supports what another attempts, affirms, moves, or proposes; as, the seconder of an enterprise or of a motion.

SECONDHAND Sec"ond*hand`, a.

1. Not original or primary; received from another. They have but a secondhand or implicit knowledge. Locke.

2. Not new; already or previously or used by another; as, a secondhand book, garment. At second hand. See Hand, n., 10.

SECONDLY Sec"ond*ly, adv.

Defn: In the second place.

SECONDO Se*con"do (; It.), n. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: The second part in a concerted piece.

SECOND-RATE Sec"ond-rate`, a.

Defn: Of the second size, rank, quality, or value; as, a second-rate ship; second-rate cloth; a second-rate champion. Dryden.

SECOND-SIGHT Sec"ond-sight`, n.

Defn: The power of discerning what is not visible to the physical eye, or of foreseeing future events, esp. such as are of a disastrous kind; the capacity of a seer; prophetic vision. he was seized with a fit of second-sight. Addison. Nor less availed his optic sleight, And Scottish gift of second- sight. Trumbull.

SECOND-SIGHTED Sec"ond-sight`ed, a.

Defn: Having the power of second-sight. Addison.

SECRE Se"cre ( or ), a.

Defn: Secret; secretive; faithful to a secret. [Obs.] To be holden stable and secre. Chaucer.

SECRE Se"cre, n.

Defn: A secret. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SECRECY Se"cre*cy, n.; pl. Secrecies. Etym: [From Secret.]

1. The state or quality of being hidden; as, his movements were detected in spite of their secrecy. The Lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married. Shak.

2. That which is concealed; a secret. [R.] Shak.

3. Seclusion; privacy; retirement. "The pensive secrecy of desert cell." Milton.

4. The quality of being secretive; fidelity to a secret; forbearance of disclosure or discovery. It is not with public as with private prayer; in this, rather secrecy is commanded than outward show. Hooker.

SECRELY Se"cre*ly, adv.

Defn: Secretly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SECRENESS Se"cre*ness, n.

Defn: Secrecy; privacy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SECRET Se"cret, a. Etym: [F. secret (cf. Sp.& Pg. secreto, It. secreto, segreto), fr. L. secretus, p.p. of secrernere to put apart, to separate. See Certain, and cf. Secrete, Secern.]

1. Hidden; concealed; as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret vow. Shak. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us. Deut. xxix. 29.

2. Withdraw from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded. There, secret in her sapphire cell, He with the Naïs wont to dwell. Fenton.

3. Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive. [R.] Secret Romans, that have spoke the word, And will not palter. Shak.

4. Separate; distinct. [Obs.] They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which were perfectly secret from matter. Cudworth.

Syn. -- Hidden; concealed; secluded; retired; unseen; unknown; private; obscure; recondite; latent; covert; clandestine; privy. See Hidden.

SECRET Se"cret, n. Etym: [F. secret (cf. Pr. secret, Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto, segreto), from L. secretum. See Secret, a.]

1. Something studiously concealed; a thing kept from general knowledge; what is not revealed, or not to be revealed. To tell our secrets is often folly; to communicate those of others is treachery. Rambler.

2. A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery. All secrets of the deep, all nature's works. Milton

3. pl.

Defn: The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed; the genital organs. In secret, in a private place; in privacy or secrecy; in a state or place not seen; privately. Bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Prov. ix. 17.

SECRET Se"cret, v. t.

Defn: To keep secret. [Obs.] Bacon.

SECRETAGE Se"cret*age, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A process in which mercury, or some of its salts, is employed to impart the property of felting to certain kinds of furs. Ure.

SECRETARIAL Sec`re*ta"ri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a secretary; befitting a secretary. [R.] Secretarial, diplomatic, or other official training. Carlyle.

SECRETARIAT; SECRETARIATE Sec`re*ta"ri*at, Sec`re*ta"ri*ate, n. Etym: [F. secrétariat.]

Defn: The office of a secretary; the place where a secretary transacts business, keeps records, etc.

SECRETARY Sec"re*ta*ry, n.; pl. Secretaries. Etym: [F. secrétaire (cf. Pr. secretari, Sp. & Pg. secretario, It. secretario, segretario) LL. secretarius, originally, a confidant, one intrusted with secrets, from L. secretum a secret. See Secret, a. & n.]

1. One who keeps, or is intrusted with, secrets. [R.]

2. A person employed to write orders, letters, dispatches, public or private papers, records, and the like; an official scribe, amanuensis, or writer; one who attends to correspondence, and transacts other business, for an association, a public body, or an individual. That which is most of all profitable is acquaintance with the secretaries, and employed men of ambassadors. Bacon.

3. An officer of state whose business is to superintend and manage the affairs of a particular department of government, and who is usually a member of the cabinet or advisory council of the chief executive; as, the secretary of state, who conducts the correspondence and attends to the relations of a government with foreign courts; the secretary of the treasury, who manages the department of finance; the secretary of war, etc.

4. A piece of furniture, with conveniences for writing and for the arrangement of papers; an escritoire.

5. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The secretary bird. Secretary Bird. Etym: [So called in allusion to the tufts of feathers at the back of its head, which were fancifully thought to resemble pens stuck behind the ear.] (Zoöl.) A large long-legged raptorial bird (Gypogeranus serpentarius), native of South Africa, but now naturalized in the West Indies and some other tropical countries. It has a powerful hooked beak, a crest of long feathers, and a long tail. It feeds upon reptiles of various kinds, and is much prized on account of its habit of killing and devouring snakes of all kinds. Called also serpent eater.

Syn. -- See the Note under Clerk, n., 4.

SECRETARYSHIP Sec"re*ta*ry*ship, n.

Defn: The office, or the term of office, of a secretary.

SECRETE Se*crete", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Secreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Secreting.] Etym: [L. secretus separated, secret, hidden, p. p. of secernere. See Secret, and cf. Discrete, Discreet.]

1. To deposit in a place of hiding; to hide; to conceal; as, to secrete stolen goods; to secrete one's self.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: To separate from the blood and elaborate by the process of secretion; to elaborate and emit as a secretion. See Secretion. Why one set of cells should secrete bile, another urea, and so on, we do not known. Carpenter.

Syn. -- To conceal; hide. See Conceal.

SECRETION Se*cre"tion, n. Etym: [L. secretio: cf. F. sécrétion.]

1. The act of secreting or concealing; as, the secretion of dutiable goods.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act of secreting; the process by which material is separated from the blood through the agency of the cells of the various glands and elaborated by the cells into new substances so as to form the various secretions, as the saliva, bile, and other digestive fluids. The process varies in the different glands, and hence are formed the various secretions.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: Any substance or fluid secreted, or elaborated and emitted, as the gastric juice.

SECRETIST Se"cret*ist, n.

Defn: A dealer in secrets. [Obs.]

SECRETITIOUS Se`cre*ti"tious, a.

Defn: Parted by animal secretion; as, secretitious humors. Floyer.

SECRETIVE Se*cret"ive, a.

Defn: Tending to secrete, or to keep secret or private; as, a secretive disposition.

SECRETIVENESS Se*cret"ive*ness, n.

1. The quality of being secretive; disposition or tendency to conceal.

2. (Phren.)

Defn: The faculty or propensity which impels to reserve, secrecy, or concealment.

SECRETLY Se"cret*ly, adv.

Defn: In a secret manner.

SECRETNESS Se"cret*ness, n.

1. The state or quality of being secret, hid, or concealed.

2. Secretiveness; concealment. Donne.

SECRETO-MOTORY Se*cre`to-*mo"to*ry, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Causing secretion; -- said of nerves which go to glands and influence secretion.

SECRETORY Se*cre"to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sécrétoire. See Secrete.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Secreting; performing, or connected with, the office secretion; secernent; as, secretory vessels, nerves. -- n.

Defn: A secretory vessel; a secernent.

SECRET SERVICE Se"cret serv"ice.

Defn: The detective service of a government. In the United States, in time of peace the bureau of secret service is under the treasury department, and in time of war it aids the war department in securing information concerning the movements of the enemy.

SECT Sect, n. Etym: [L. secare, sectum, to cut.]

Defn: A cutting; a scion. [Obs.] Shak.

SECT Sect, n. Etym: [F. secte, L. sects, fr. sequi to follew; often confused with L. secare, sectum, to cut. See Sue to follow, and cf. Sept, Suit, n.]

Defn: Those following a particular leader or authority, or attached to a certain opinion; a company or set having a common belief or allegiance distinct from others; in religion, the believers in a particular creed, or upholders of a particular practice; especially, in modern times, a party dissenting from an established church; a denomination; in philosophy, the disciples of a particular master; a school; in society and the state, an order, rank, class, or party. He beareth the sign of poverty, And in that sect our Savior saved all mankind. Piers Plowman. As of the sect of which that he was born, He kept his lay, to which that he was sworn. Chaucer. The cursed sect of that detestable and false prophet Mohammed. Fabyan. As concerning this sect [Christians], we know that everywhere it is spoken against. Acts xxviii. 22.

SECTANT Sec"tant, n. Etym: [L. secare, sectum, to cut.]

Defn: One of the portions of space bounded by the three coordinate planes. Specif. (Crystallog.), one of the parts of a crystal into which it is divided by the axial planes.

SECTARIAN Sec*ta"ri*an, n.

Defn: Pertaining to a sect, or to sects; peculiar to a sect; bigotedly attached to the tenets and interests of a denomination; as, sectarian principles or prejudices.

SECTARIAN Sec*ta"ri*an, n.

Defn: One of a sect; a member or adherent of a special school, denomination, or religious or philosophical party; one of a party in religion which has separated itself from established church, or which holds tenets different from those of the prevailing denomination in a state.

Syn. -- See Heretic.

SECTARIANISM Sec*ta"ri*an*ism, n.

Defn: The quality or character of a sectarian; devotion to the interests of a party; excess of partisan or denominational zeal; adherence to a separate church organization.

SECTARIANIZE Sec*ta"ri*an*ize, v. t.

Defn: To imbue with sectarian feelings; to subject to the control of a sect.

SECTARISM Sec"ta*rism, n.

Defn: Sectarianism. [Obs.]

SECTARIST Sec"ta*rist, n.

Defn: A sectary. [R.] T. Warton.

SECTARY Sec"ta*ry, n.;pl. Sectaries. Etym: [F. sectaire. See Sect.]

Defn: A sectarian; a member or adherent of a sect; a follower or disciple of some particular teacher in philosophy or religion; one who separates from an established church; a dissenter. I never knew that time in England when men of truest religion were not counted sectaries. Milton.

SECTATOR Sec*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L., fr. sectari, v. intens. fr. sequi to follow. See Sue to follow.]

Defn: A follower; a disciple; an adherent to a sect. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.

SECTILE Sec"tile, a. Etym: [L. sectilis, fr. secare, sectum, to cut: cf. F. sectile. See Section.]

Defn: Capable of being cut; specifically (Min.), capable of being severed by the knife with a smooth cut; -- said of minerals.

SECTILITY Sec*til"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being sectile.

SECTION Sec"tion, n. Etym: [L. sectio, fr. secare, sectum, to cut; akin to E. saw a cutting instrument: cf. F. section. See Saw, and cf. Scion, Dissect, Insect, Secant, Segment.]

1. The act of cutting, or separation by cutting; as, the section of bodies.

2. A part separated from something; a division; a portion; a slice. Specifically: -- (a) A distinct part or portion of a book or writing; a subdivision of a chapter; the division of a law or other writing; a paragraph; an article; hence, the character §, often used to denote such a division. It is hardly possible to give a distinct view of his several arguments in distinct sections. Locke.

(b) A distinct part of a country or people, community, class, or the like; a part of a territory separated by geographical lines, or of a people considered as distinct. The extreme section of one class consists of bigoted dotards, the extreme section of the other consists of shallow and reckless empirics. Macaulay.

(c) One of the portions, of one square mile each, into which the public lands of the United States are divided; one thirty-sixth part of a township. These sections are subdivided into quarter sections for sale under the homestead and preëmption laws.

3. (Geom.)

Defn: The figure made up of all the points common to a superficies and a solid which meet, or to two superficies which meet, or to two lines which meet. In the first case the section is a superficies, in the second a line, and in the third a point.

4. (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: A division of a genus; a group of species separated by some distinction from others of the same genus; -- often indicated by the sign §.

5. (Mus.)

Defn: A part of a musical period, composed of one or more phrases. See Phrase.

6. The description or representation of anything as it would appear if cut through by any intersecting plane; depiction of what is beyond a plane passing through, or supposed to pass through, an object, as a building, a machine, a succession of strata; profile.

Note: In mechanical drawing, as in these Illustrations of a cannon, a longitudinal section (a) usually represents the object as cut through its center lengthwise and vertically; a cross or transverse section (b), as cut crosswise and vertically; and a horizontal section (c), as cut through its center horizontally. Oblique sections are made at various angles. In architecture, a vertical section is a drawing showing the interior, the thickness of the walls, ets., as if made on a vertical plane passed through a building. Angular sections (Math.), a branch of analysis which treats of the relations of sines, tangents, etc., of arcs to the sines, tangents, etc., of their multiples or of their parts. [R.] -- Conic sections. (Geom.) See under Conic. -- Section liner (Drawing), an instrument to aid in drawing a series of equidistant parallel lines, -- used in representing sections. -- Thin sections, a section or slice, as of mineral, animal, or vegetable substance, thin enough to be transparent, and used for study under the microscope.

Syn. -- Part; portion; division. -- Section, Part. The English more commonly apply the word section to a part or portion of a body of men; as, a section of the clergy, a small section of the Whigs, etc. In the United States this use is less common, but another use, unknown or but little known in England, is very frequent, as in the phrases "the eastern section of our country," etc., the same sense being also given to the adjective sectional as, sectional feelings, interests, etc.

SECTIONAL Sec"tion*al, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a sections or distinct part of larger body or territory; local. All sectional interests, or party feelings, it is hoped, will hereafter yield to schemes of ambition. Story.

2. Consisting of sections, or capable of being divided into sections; as, a sectional steam boiler.

SECTIONALISM Sec"tion*al*ism, n.

Defn: A disproportionate regard for the interests peculiar to a section of the country; local patriotism, as distinguished from national. [U. S.]

SECTIONALITY Sec"tion*al"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being sectional; sectionalism.

SECTIONALIZE Sec"tion*al*ize, v. t.

Defn: To divide according to gepgraphical sections or local interests. [U. S.] The principal results of the struggle were to sectionalize parties. Nicilay & Hay (Life of Lincoln).

SECTIONALLY Sec"tion*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sectional manner.

SECTIONIZE Sec"tion*ize, v. t.

Defn: To form into sections. [R.]

SECTISM Sect"ism, n.

Defn: Devotion to a sect. [R.]

SECTIST Sect"ist, n.

Defn: One devoted to a sect; a soetary. [R.]

SECTIUNCLE Sect"i*un`cle, n.

Defn: A little or petty sect. [R.] "Some new sect or sectiuncle." J. Martineau.

SECTOR Sec"tor, n. Etym: [L., properly, a cutter, fr. secare, sectum, to cut: cf. F. secteur. See Section.]

1. (Geom.)

Defn: A part of a circle comprehended between two radii and the included arc.

2. A mathematical instrument, consisting of two rulers connected at one end by a joint, each arm marked with several scales, as of equal parts, chords, sines, tangents, etc., one scale of each kind on each arm, and all on lines radiating from the common center of motion. The sector is used for plotting, etc., to any scale.

3. An astronomical instrument, the limb of which embraces a small portion only of a circle, used for measuring differences of declination too great for the compass of a micrometer. When it is used for measuring zenith distances of stars, it is called a zenith sector. Dip sector, an instrument used for measuring the dip of the horizon. -- Sector of a sphere, or Spherical sector, the solid generated by the revolution of the sector of a circle about one of its radii, or, more rarely, about any straight line drawn in the plane of the sector through its vertex.

SECTORAL Sec"tor*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sector; as, a sectoral circle.

SECTORIAL Sec*to"ri*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Adapted for cutting. -- n.

Defn: A sectorial, or carnassial, tooth.

SECULAR Sec"u*lar, a. Etym: [OE. secular, seculer. L. saecularis, fr. saeculum a race, generation, age, the times, the world; perhaps akin to E. soul: cf. F. séculier.]

1. Coming or observed once in an age or a century. The secular year was kept but once a century. Addison.

2. Pertaining to an age, or the progress of ages, or to a long period of time; accomplished in a long progress of time; as, secular inequality; the secular refrigeration of the globe.

3. Of or pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to temporal as distinguished from eternal interests; not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly. New foes arise, Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains. Milton.

4. (Eccl.)

Defn: Not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not confined to a monastery, or subject to the rules of a religious community; as, a secular priest. He tried to enforce a stricter discipline and greater regard for morals, both in the religious orders and the secular clergy. Prescett.

5. Belonging to the laity; lay; not clerical. I speak of folk in secular estate. Chaucer. Secular equation (Astron.), the algebraic or numerical expression of the magnitude of the inequalities in a planet's motion that remain after the inequalities of a short period have been allowed for. -- Secular games (Rom. Antiq.), games celebrated, at long but irregular intervals, for three days and nights, with sacrifices, theatrical shows, combats, sports, and the like. -- Secular music, any music or songs not adapted to sacred uses. -- Secular hymn or poem, a hymn or poem composed for the secular games, or sung or rehearsed at those games.

SECULAR Sec"u*lar, n.

1. (Eccl.)

Defn: A secular ecclesiastic, or one not bound by monastic rules. Burke.

2. (Eccl.)

Defn: A church official whose functions are confined to the vocal department of the choir. Busby.

3. A layman, as distinguished from a clergyman.

SECULARISM Sec"u*lar*ism, n.

1. The state or quality of being secular; a secular spirit; secularity.

2. The tenets or principles of the secularists.

SECULARIST Sec"u*lar*ist, n.

Defn: One who theoretically rejects every form of religious faith, and every kind of religious worship, and accepts only the facts and influences which are derived from the present life; also, one who believes that education and other matters of civil policy should be managed without the introduction of a religious element.

SECULARITY Sec`u*lar"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf.F. sécularité, LL. saecularitas.]

Defn: Supreme attention to the things of the present life; worldliness. A secularity of character which makes Christianity and its principal doctrines distasteful or unintelligible. I. Taylor.

SECULARIZATION Sec`u*lar*i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sécularisation.]

Defn: The act of rendering secular, or the state of being rendered secular; conversion from regular or monastic to secular; conversion from religious to lay or secular possession and uses; as, the secularization of church property.

SECULARIZE Sec"u*lar*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Secularized; p. pr. & vb. n. Secularizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. séculaiser.]

1. To convert from regular or monastic into secular; as, to secularize a priest or a monk.

2. To convert from spiritual or common use; as, to secularize a church, or church property. At the Reformation the abbey was secularized. W. Coxe.

3. To make worldly or unspiritual. Bp. Horsley.

SECULARLY Sec"u*lar*ly, adv.

Defn: In a secular or worldly manner.

SECULARNESS Sec"u*lar*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being secular; worldliness; worldly- minded-ness.

SECUND Se"cund, a. Etym: [L. secundus following the course or current of wind of water. See Second, a.] (Bot.)

Defn: Arranged on one side only, as flowers or leaves on a stalk. Gray.

SECUNDATE Se*cun"date, v. t. Etym: [L.secundatus, p. p. of secundare to direct faverably.]

Defn: To make prosperous. [R.]

SECUNDATION Sec`un*da"tion, n.

Defn: Prosperity. [R.]

SECUNDINE Sec"un*dine, n. Etym: [Cf. F. secondine.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: The second coat, or integument, of an ovule, lying within the primine.

Note: In the ripened seed the primine and secundine are usually united to form the testa, or outer seed coat. When they remain distinct the secundine becomes the mesosperm, as in the castor bean.

2. Etym: [Cf. F. secondines.]

Defn: The afterbirth, or placenta and membranes; -- generally used in the plural.

SECUNDO-GENITURE Se*cun`do-gen"i*ture, n. Etym: [L. secundus second + genitura a begetting, generation.]

Defn: A right of inheritance belonging to a second son; a property or possession so inherited. The kingdom of Naples . . . was constituted a secundo-geniture of Spain. Bancroft.

SECURABLE Se*cur"a*ble, a.

Defn: That may be secured.

SECURE Se*cure", a. Etym: [L. securus; pref. se- without + cura care. See Cure care, and cf. Sure, a.]

1. Free from fear, care, or anxiety; easy in mind; not feeling suspicion or distrust; confident. But thou, secure of soul, unbent with woes. DRyden.

2. Overconfident; incautious; careless; -- in a bad sense. Macaulay.

3. Confident in opinion; not entertaining, or not having reason to entertain, doubt; certain; sure; -- commonly with of; as, secure of a welcome. Confidence then bore thee on, secure Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial. Milton.

4. Net exposed to danger; safe; -- applied to persons and things, and followed by against or from. "Secure from fortune's blows." Dryden.

Syn. -- Safe; undisturbed; easy; sure; certain; assured; confident; careless; heedless; inattentive.

SECURE Se*cure", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Secured; p. pr. & vb. n. Securing.]

1. To make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect. I spread a cloud before the victor's sight, Sustained the vanquished, and secured his flight. Dryden.

2. To put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving; to make certain; to assure; to insure; -- frequently with against or from, rarely with of; as, to secure a creditor against loss; to secure a debt by a mortgage. It secures its possessor of eternal happiness. T. Dick.

3. To make fast; to close or confine effectually; to render incapable of getting loose or escaping; as, to secure a prisoner; to secure a door, or the hatches of a ship.

4. To get possession of; to make one's self secure of; to acquire certainly; as, to secure an estate. Secure arms (Mil.), a command and a position in the manual of arms, used in wet weather, the object being to guard the firearm from becoming wet. The piece is turned with the barrel to the front and grasped by the right hand at the lewer band, the muzzle is dropped to the front, and the piece held with the guard under the right arm, the hand supported against the hip, and the thumb on the rammer.

SECURELY Se*cure"ly, adv.

Defn: In a secure manner; without fear or apprehension; without danger; safely. His daring foe . . . securely him defied. Milton.

SECUREMENT Se*cure"ment, n.

Defn: The act of securing; protection. [R.] Society condemns the securement in all cases of perpetual protection by means of perpetual imprisonment. C. A. Ives.

SECURENESS Se*cure"ness, n.

Defn: The condition or quality of being secure; exemption from fear; want of vigilance; security.

SECURER Se*cur"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, secures.

SECURIFERA Sec`u*rif"e*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from L. securis an ax + ferre to bear.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The Serrifera.

SECURIFORM Se*cu"ri*form, a. Etym: [L. securis an ax or hatchet + -form: cf. F. sécuriforme.] (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: Having the form of an ax hatchet.

SECURIPALP Se*cu"ri*palp, n. Etym: [L. securis ax, hatchet + E. palp.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a family of beetles having the maxillary palpi terminating in a hatchet-shaped joint.

SECURITY Se*cu"ri*ty, n.; pl. Securities. Etym: [L. securitas: cf. F. sécurité. See Secure, and cf. Surety.]

1. The condition or quality of being secure; secureness. Specifically: (a) Freedom from apprehension, anxiety, or care; confidence of power of safety; hence, assurance; certainty. His trembling hand had lost the ease, Which marks security to please. Sir W. Scott.

(b) Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness. He means, my lord, that we are too remiss, Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security, Grows strong and great in substance and in power. Shak.

(c) Freedom from risk; safety. Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, From firm security. Shak. Some . . . alleged that we should have no security for our trade. Swift.

2. That which secures or makes safe; protection; guard; defense. Specifically: (a) Something given, deposited, or pledged, to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation, the performance of a contract, the payment of a debt, or the like; surety; pledge. Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word. Macaulay.

(b) One who becomes surety for another, or engages himself for the performance of another's obligation.

3. An evidence of debt or of property, as a bond, a certificate of stock, etc.; as, government securities.

Syn. -- Protection; defense; guard; shelter; safety; certainty; ease; assurance; carelessness; confidence; surety; pledge; bail.

SEDAN Se*dan", n. Etym: [Said to be named from Sedan, in France, where it was first made, and whence it was introduced into England in the time of King Charles I.]

Defn: A portable chair or covered vehicle for carrying a single person, -- usually borne on poles by two men. Called also sedan chair.

SEDATE Se*date", a. Etym: [L. sedatus, p. p. of sedare, sedatum, to allay, calm, causative of sedere to sit. See Sit.]

Defn: Undisturbed by passion or caprice; calm; tranquil; serene; not passionate or giddy; composed; staid; as, a sedate soul, mind, or temper. Disputation carries away the mind from that calm and sedate temper which is so necessary to contemplate truth. I. Watts. Whatsoever we feel and know Too sedate for outward show. Wordsworth.

Syn. -- Settled; composed; calm; quiet; tranquil; still; serene; unruffled; undisturbed; conteplative; sober; serious. -- Se*date"ly, adv. -- Se*date"ness, n.

SEDATION Se*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. sedatio.]

Defn: The act of calming, or the state of being calm. [R.] Coles.

SEDATIVE Sed"a*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sédatif.]

Defn: Tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize; specifically (Med.), allaying irritability and irritation; assuaging pain.

SEDATIVE Sed"a*tive, n. (Med.)

Defn: A remedy which allays irritability and irritation, and irritative activity or pain.

SEDENT Se"dent, a. Etym: [L. sedens, -entis, p. pr. of sedere to sit. See Sit.]

Defn: Sitting; inactive; quiet. [R.]

SEDENTARILY Sed"en*ta*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sedentary manner.

SEDENTARINESS Sed"en*ta*r*i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being sedentary.

SEDENTARY Sed"en*ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. sedentarius, fr. sedere to sit: cf. F. seédentaire. See Sedent.]

1. Accustomed to sit much or long; as, a sedentary man. "Sedentary, scholastic sophists." Bp. Warburton.

2. Characterized by, or requiring, much sitting; as, a sedentary employment; a sedentary life. Any education that confined itself to sedentary pursuits was essentially imperfect. Beaconsfield.

3. Inactive; motionless; sluggish; hence, calm; tranquil. [R.] "The sedentary earth." Milton. The soul, considered abstractly from its passions, is of a remiss, sedentary nature. Spectator.

4. Caused by long sitting. [Obs.] "Sedentary numbness." Milton.

5. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Remaining in one place, especially when firmly attached to some object; as, the oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans. Sedentary spider (Zoöl.), one of a tribe of spiders which rest motionless until their prey is caught in their web.

SEDERUNT Se*de"runt, n. Etym: [L., they sat, fr. sedere to sit.]

Defn: A sitting, as of a court or other body. 'T is pity we have not Burn's own account of that long sederunt. Prof. Wilson. Acts of sederunt (Scots Law), ordinances of the Court of Session for the ordering of processes and expediting of justice. Bell.

SEDGE Sedge, n. Etym: [OE. segge, AS. secg; akin to LG. segge; -- probably named from its bladelike appearance, and akin to L. secare to cut, E. saw a cutting instrument; cf. Ir. seisg, W. hesg. Cf. Hassock, Saw the instrument.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the genus Carex, perennial, endogenous herbs, often growing in dense tufts in marshy places. They have triangular jointless stems, a spiked inflorescence, and long grasslike leaves which are usually rough on the margins and midrib. There are several hundred species.

Note: The name is sometimes given to any other plant of the order Cyperaceæ, which includes Carex, Cyperus, Scirpus, and many other genera of rushlike plants.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A flock of herons. Sedge ken (Zoöl.), the clapper rail. See under 5th Rail. -- Sedge warbler (Zoöl.), a small European singing bird (Acrocephalus phragmitis). It often builds its nest among reeds; -- called also sedge bird, sedge wren, night warbler, and Scotch nightingale.

SEDGED Sedged, a.

Defn: Made or composed of sedge. With your sedged crowns and ever-harmless looks. Shak.

SEDGY Sedg"y, a.

Defn: Overgrown with sedge. On the gentle Severn''s sedgy bank. Shak.

SEDILIA Se*dil"i*a, n. pl.; sing. Sedile (. Etym: [L. sedile a seat.] (Arch.)

Defn: Seats in the chancel of a church near the altar for the officiating clergy during intervals of service. Hook.

SEDIMENT Sed"i*ment, n. Etym: [F. sédiment, L. sedimentum a settling, fr. sedere to sit, to settle. See Sit.]

1. The matter which subsides to the bottom, frrom water or any other liquid; settlings; lees; dregs.

2. (Geol.)

Defn: The material of which sedimentary rocks are formed.

SEDIMENTAL Sed`i*men"tal, a.

Defn: Sedimentary.

SEDIMENTARY Sed`i*men"ta*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sédimentaire.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to sediment; formed by sediment; containing matter that has subsided. Sedimentary rocks. (Geol.) See Aqueous rocks, under Aqueous.

SEDIMENTATION Sed`i*men*ta"tion, n.

Defn: The act of depositing a sediment; specifically (Geol.), the deposition of the material of which sedimentary rocks are formed.

SEDITION Se*di"tion, n. Etym: [OE. sedicioun, OF. sedition, F. sédition, fr. L. seditio, originally, a going aside; hence, an insurrectionary separation; pref. se-, sed-, aside + itio a going, fr. ire, itum, to go. Cf. Issue.]

1. The raising of commotion in a state, not amounting to insurrection; conduct tending to treason, but without an overt act; excitement of discontent against the government, or of resistance to lawful authority. In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition. Shak. Noisy demagogues who had been accused of sedition. Macaulay.

2. Dissension; division; schism. [Obs.] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, . . . emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. Gal. v. 19, 20.

Syn. -- Insurrection; tumult; uproar; riot; rebellion; revolt. See Insurrection.

SEDITIONARY Se*di"tion*a*ry, n.

Defn: An inciter or promoter of sedition. Bp. Hall.

SEDITIOUS Se*di"tious, a.Etym: [L. seditiosus: cf. F. séditieux.]

1. Of or pertaining to sedition; partaking of the nature of, or tending to excite, sedition; as, seditious behavior; seditious strife; seditious words.

2. Disposed to arouse, or take part in, violent opposition to lawful authority; turbulent; factious; guilty of sedition; as, seditious citizens. -- Se*di"tious*ly, adv. -- Se*di"tious*ness, n.

SEDLITZ Sed"litz, a.

Defn: Same as Seidlitz.

SEDUCE Se*duce", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seduced; p. pr. & vb. n. Seducing.] Etym: [L. seducere, seductum; pref. se- aside + ducere to lead. See Duke.]

1. To draw aside from the path of rectitude and duty in any manner; to entice to evil; to lead astray; to tempt and lead to iniquity; to corrupt. For me, the gold of France did not seduce. Shak.

2. Specifically, to induce to surrender chastity; to debauch by means of solicitation.

Syn. -- To allure; entice; tempt; attract; mislead; decoy; inveigle. See Allure.

SEDUCEMENT Se*duce"ment, n.

1. The act of seducing.

2. The means employed to seduce, as flattery, promises, deception, etc.; arts of enticing or corrupting. Pope.

SEDUCER Se*du"cer, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, seduces; specifically, one who prevails over the chastity of a woman by enticements and persuasions. He whose firm faith no reason could remove, Will melt before that soft seducer, love. Dryden.

SEDUCIBLE Se*du"ci*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being seduced; corruptible.

SEDUCING Se*du"cing, a.

Defn: Seductive. "Thy sweet seducing charms." Cowper. -- Se*du"cing*ly, adv.

SEDUCTION Se*duc*tion, n. Etym: [L. seductio: cf. F. séduction. See Seduce.]

1. The act of seducing; enticement to wrong doing; specifically, the offense of inducing a woman to consent to unlawful sexual intercourse, by enticements which overcome her scruples; the wrong or crime of persuading a woman to surrender her chastity.

2. That which seduces, or is adapted to seduce; means of leading astray; as, the seductions of wealth.

SEDUCTIVE Se*duc"tive, a.

Defn: Tending to lead astray; apt to mislead by flattering appearances; tempting; alluring; as, a seductive offer. This may enable us to understand how seductive is the influence of example. Sir W. Hamilton.

SEDUCTIVELY Se*duc"tive*ly, adv.

Defn: In a seductive manner.

SEDUCTRESS Se*duc"tress, n.

Defn: A woman who seduces.

SEDULITY Se*du"li*ty, n. Etym: [L. sedulitas. See Sedulous.]

Defn: The quality or state of being sedulous; diligent and assiduous application; constant attention; unremitting industry; sedulousness. The industrious bee, by his sedulity in summer, lives in honey all the winter. Feltham.

SEDULOUS Sed"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. sedulus, perhaps from sedere to sit, and so akin to E. sit.]

Defn: Diligent in application or pursuit; constant, steady, and persevering in business, or in endeavors to effect an object; steadily industrious; assiduous; as, the sedulous bee. What signifies the sound of words in prayer, without the affection of the heart, and a sedulous application of the proper means that may naturally lead us to such an end L'Estrange.

Syn. -- Assiduous; diligent; industrious; laborious; unremitting; untiring; unwearied; persevering. -- Sed"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Sed"u*lous*ness, n.

SEDUM Se"dum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. sedere to sit; so called in allusion to the manner in which the plants attach themselves to rocks and walls.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of plants, mostly perennial, having succulent leaves and cymose flowers; orpine; stonecrop. Gray.

SEE See, n. Etym: [OE. se, see, OF. se, sed, sied, fr. L. sedes a seat, or the kindred sedere to sit. See Sit, and cf. Siege.]

1. A seat; a site; a place where sovereign power is exercised. [Obs.] Chaucer. Jove laughed on Venus from his sovereign see. Spenser.

2. Specifically: (a) The seat of episcopal power; a diocese; the jurisdiction of a bishop; as, the see of New York. (b) The seat of an archibishop; a province or jurisdiction of an archibishop; as, an archiepiscopal see. (c) The seat, place, or office of the pope, or Roman pontiff; as, the papal see. (d) The pope or his court at Rome; as, to appeal to the see of Rome. Apostolic see. See under Apostolic.

SEE See, v. t. [imp. Saw; p. p. Seen; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeing.] Etym: [OE. seen, sen, seon, As. seón; akin to OFries. sia, D. zien, OS. & OHG. sehan, G. sehen, Icel. sja, Sw. se, Dan. see, Goth. saíhwan, and probably to L. sequi to follow (and so originally meaning, to follow with the eyes). Gr. sac. Cf. Sight, Sun to follow.]

1. To perceive by the eye; to have knowledge of the existence and apparent qualities of by the organs of sight; to behold; to descry; to view. I will new turn aside, and see this great sight. Ex. iii. 3.

2. To perceive by mental vision; to form an idea or conception of; to note with the mind; to observe; to discern; to distinguish; to understand; to comprehend; to ascertain. Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren. Gen. xxxvii. 14. Jesus saw that he answered discreetly. Mark xii. 34. Who 's so gross That seeth not this palpable device Shak.

3. To follow with the eyes, or as with the eyes; to watch; to regard attentivelly; to look after. Shak. I had a mind to see him out, and therefore did not care for centradicting him. Addison.

4. To have an interview with; especially, to make a call upon; to visit; as, to go to see a friend. And Samuel came no more to see Saul untill the day of his death. 1 Sam. xv. 35.

5. To fall in with; to have intercourse or communication with; hence, to have knowledge or experience of; as, to see military service. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Ps. xc. 15. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John viii. 51. Improvement in visdom and prudence by seeing men. Locke.

6. To accompany in person; to escort; to wait upon; as, to see one home; to see one aboard the cars. God you (him, or me, etc.) see, God keep you (him, me, etc.) in his sight; God protect you. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- To see (anything) out, to see (it) to the end; to be present at, or attend, to the end. -- To see stars, to see flashes of light, like stars; -- sometimes the result of concussion of the head. [Colloq.] -- To see (one) through, to help, watch, or guard (one) to the end of a course or an undertaking.

SEE See, v. i.

1. To have the power of sight, or of perceiving by the proper organs; to possess or employ the sense of vision; as, he sees distinctly. Whereas I was blind, now I see. John ix. 25.

2. Figuratively: To have intellectual apprehension; to perceive; to know; to understand; to discern; -- often followed by a preposition, as through, or into. For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. John ix. 39. Many sagacious persons will find us out, . . . and see through all our fine pretensions. Tillotson.

3. To be attentive; to take care; to give heed; -- generally with to; as, to see to the house. See that ye fall not out by the way. Gen. xiv. 24.

Note: Let me see, Let us see, are used to express consideration, or to introduce the particular consideration of a subject, or some scheme or calculation. Cassio's a proper man, let me see now, -To get his place. Shak.

Note: See is sometimes used in the imperative for look, or behold. "See. see! upon the banks of Boyne he stands." Halifax. To see about a thing, to pay attention to it; to consider it. -- To see on, to look at. [Obs.] "She was full more blissful on to see." Chaucer. -- To see to. (a) To look at; to behold; to view. [Obs.] "An altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to" Josh. xxii. 10. (b) To take care about; to look after; as, to see to a fire.

SEECATCH See"catch, n. [Russ. siekach.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A full-grown male fur seal. [Alaska]

SEED Seed, n.; pl. Seed or Seeds. Etym: [OE. seed, sed, AS. s, fr. sawan to sow; akin to D. zaad seed, G. saat, Icel. sa, s, Goth. manas seed of men. world. See Sow to scatter seed, and cf. Colza.]

1. (Bot.) (a) A ripened ovule, consisting of an embryo with one or more integuments, or coverings; as, an apple seed; a currant seed. By germination it produces a new plant. (b) Any small seedlike fruit, though it may consist of a pericarp, or even a calyx, as well as the seed proper; as, parsnip seed; thistle seed. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself. Gen. i. 11.

Note: The seed proper has an outer and an inner coat, and within these the kernel or nucleus. The kernel is either the embryo alone, or the embryo inclosed in the albumen, which is the material for the nourishment of the developing embryo. The scar on a seed, left where the stem parted from it, is called the hilum, and the closed orifice of the ovule, the micropyle.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The generative fluid of the male; semen; sperm; -- not used in the plural.

3. That from which anything springs; first principle; original; source; as, the seeds of virtue or vice.

4. The principle of production. Praise of great acts he scatters as a seed, Which may the like in coming ages breed. Waller.

5. Progeny; offspring; children; descendants; as, the seed of Abraham; the seed of David.

Note: In this sense the word is applied to one person, or to any number collectively, and admits of the plural form, though rarely used in the plural.

6. Race; generation; birth. Of mortal seed they were not held. Waller. Seed bag (Artesian well), a packing to prevent percolation of water down the bore hole. It consists of a bag encircling the tubing and filled with flax seed, which swells when wet and fills the space between the tubing and the sides of the hole. -- Seed bud (Bot.), the germ or rudiment of the plant in the embryo state; the ovule. -- Seed coat (Bot.), the covering of a seed. -- Seed corn, or Seed grain (Bot.), corn or grain for seed. -- Seed down (Bot.), the soft hairs on certain seeds, as cotton seed. -- Seed drill. See 6th Drill, 2 (a). -- Seed eater (Zoöl.), any finch of the genera Sporophila, and Crithagra. They feed mainly on seeds. -- Seed gall (Zoöl.), any gall which resembles a seed, formed, on the leaves of various plants, usually by some species of Phylloxera. -- Seed leaf (Bot.), a cotyledon. -- Seed lobe (Bot.), a cotyledon; a seed leaf. -- Seed oil, oil expressed from the seeds of plants. -- Seed oyster, a young oyster, especially when of a size suitable for transplantation to a new locality. -- Seed pearl, a small pearl of little value. -- Seed plat, or Seed plot, the ground on which seeds are sown, to produce plants for transplanting; a nursery. -- Seed stalk (Bot.), the stalk of an ovule or seed; a funicle. -- Seed tick (Zoöl.), one of several species of ticks resembling seeds in form and color. -- Seed vessel (Bot.), that part of a plant which contains the seeds; a pericarp. -- Seed weevil (Zoöl.), any one of numerous small weevels, especially those of the genus Apion, which live in the seeds of various plants. -- Seed wool, cotton wool not yet cleansed of its seeds. [Southern U.S.]

SEED Seed, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeding.]

1. To sprinkle with seed; to plant seeds in; to sow; as, to seed a field.

2. To cover thinly with something scattered; to ornament with seedlike decorations. A sable mantle seeded with waking eyes. B. Jonson. To seed down, to sow with grass seed.

SEEDBOX Seed"box`, n. (Bot.) (a) A capsule. (b) A plant (Ludwigia alternifolia) which has somewhat cubical or box-shaped capsules.

SEEDCAKE Seed"cake`, n.

Defn: A sweet cake or cooky containing aromatic seeds, as caraway. Tusser.

SEEDCOD Seed"cod`, n.

Defn: A seedlip. [Prov. Eng.]

SEEDER Seed"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, sows or plants seed.

SEEDINESS Seed`i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being seedy, shabby, or worn out; a state of wretchedness or exhaustion. [Colloq.] G. Eliot. What is called seedness, after a debauch, is a plain proof that nature has been outraged. J. S. Blackie.

SEED-LAC Seed"-lac`, n.

Defn: A species of lac. See the Note under Lac.

SEEDLESS Seed"less, a.

Defn: Without seed or seeds.

SEEDLING Seed"ling, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A plant reared from the seed, as distinguished from one propagated by layers, buds, or the like.

SEEDLIP; SEEDLOP Seed"lip`, Seed"lop`, n. Etym: [AS. s; s seed + leáp basket.]

Defn: A vessel in which a sower carries the seed to be scattered. [Prov. Eng.]

SEEDMAN Seed"man, See

Defn: Seedsman.

SEEDNESS Seed"ness, n.

Defn: Seedtime. [Obs.] Shak.

SEEDSMAN Seeds"man, n.; pl. Seedsmen (.

1. A sower; one who sows or scatters seed. The seedsman Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain. Shak.

2. A person who deals in seeds.

SEEDTIME Seed"time`, n. Etym: [AS. s.]

Defn: The season proper for sowing. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease. Gen. viii. 22.

SEEDY Seed"y, a. [Compar. Seedier; superl. Seediest.]

1. Abounding with seeds; bearing seeds; having run to seeds.

2. Having a peculiar flavor supposed to be derived from the weeds growing among the vines; -- said of certain kinds of FRench brandy.

3. Old and worn out; exhausted; spiritless; also, poor and miserable looking; shabily clothed; shabby looking; as, he looked seedy coat. [Colloq.] Little Flanigan here . . . is a little seedy, as we say among us that practice the law. Goldsmith. Seedy toe, an affection of a horse's foot, in which a cavity filled with horn powder is formed between the laminæ and the wall of the hoof.

SEEING See"ing, conj.

Defn: (but originally a present participle). In view of the fact (that); considering; taking into account (that); insmuch as; since; because; -- followed by a dependent clause; as, he did well, seeing that he was so young. Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me Gen. xxvi. 27.

SEEK Seek, a.

Defn: Sick. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SEEK Seek, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sought; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeking.] Etym: [OE, seken, AS. s, s; akin to OS. s, LG. söken, D. zoeken, OHG. suohhan, G. suchen, Icel. s, Sw. söka, Dan. söge, Goth. s, and E. sake. Cf. Beseech, Ransack, Sagacious, Sake, Soc.]

1. To go in search of; to look for; to search for; to try to find. The man saked him, saying, What seekest thou And he said, I seek my brethren. Gen. xxxvii. 15,16.

2. To inquire for; to ask for; to solicit; to bessech. Others, tempting him, sought of him a sign. Luke xi. 16.

3. To try to acquire or gain; to strive after; to aim at; as, to seek wealth or fame; to seek one's life.

4. To try to reach or come to; to go to; to resort to. Seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Amos v. 5. Since great Ulysses sought the Phrygian plains. Pope.

SEEK Seek, v. i.

Defn: To make search or inquiry: to endeavor to make discovery. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read. Isa. xxxiv. 16. To seek, needing to seek or search; hence, unpreparated. "Unpracticed, unpreparated, and still to seek." Milton. [Obs] -- To seek after, to make pursuit of; to attempt to find or take. -- To seek for, to endeavor to find. -- To seek to, to apply to; to resort to; to court. [Obs.] "All the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom." 1. Kings x. 24. -- To seek upon, to make strict inquiry after; to follow up; to persecute. [Obs.] To seek Upon a man and do his soul unrest. Chaucer.

SEEKER Seek"er, n.

1. One who seeks; that which is used in seeking or searching.

2. (Eccl.)

Defn: One of a small heterogeneous sect of the 17th century, in Great Britain, who professed to be seeking the true church, ministry, and sacraments. A skeptic [is] ever seeking and never finds, like our new upstart sect of Seekers. Bullokar.

SEEK-NO-FURTHER Seek"-no-fur`ther, n.

Defn: A kind of choice winter apple, having a subacid taste; -- formerly called go-no-further.

SEEK-SORROW Seek"-sor`row, n.

Defn: One who contrives to give himself vexation. [Archaic.] Sir P. Sidney.

SEEL Seel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seeled; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeling.] Etym: [F.siller, ciller, fr. cil an eyelash, L. cilium.]

1. (Falconry)

Defn: To close the eyes of (a hawk or other bird) by drawing through the lids threads which were fastened over the head. Bacon. Fools climbs to fall: fond hopes, like seeled doves for want of better light, mount till they end their flight with falling. J. Reading.

2. Hence, to shut or close, as the eyes; to blind. Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day. Shak. Gold death, with a violent fate, his sable eyes did seel. Chapman.

SEEL Seel, v. i. Etym: [Cf. LG. sielen to lead off water, F. siller to run ahead, to make headway, E. sile, v.t.]

Defn: To incline to one side; to lean; to roll, as a ship at sea. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.

SEEL; SEELING Seel, Seel"ing, n.

Defn: The rolling or agitation of a ship in a sterm. [Obs.] Sandys.

SEEL Seel, n. Etym: [AS. s, from s good, prosperous. See Silly.]

1. Good fortune; favorable opportunity; prosperity. [Obs.] "So have I seel". Chaucer.

2. Time; season; as, hay seel. [Prov. Eng.]

SEELILY Seel"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a silly manner. [Obs.]

SEELY Seel"y, a.

Defn: See Silly. [Obs.] Spenser.

SEEM Seem, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Seemed; p. pr. & vb. n. Seeming.] Etym: [OE. semen to seem, to become, befit, AS. s to satisfy, pacify; akin to Icel. s to honor, to bear with, conform to, s becoming, fit, s to beseem, to befit, sama to beseem, semja to arrange, settle, put right, Goth. samjan to please, and to E. same. The sense is probably due to the adj. seemly. sq. root191. See Same, a., and cf. Seemly.]

Defn: To appear, or to appear to be; to have a show or semblance; to present an appearance; to look; to strike one's apprehension or fancy as being; to be taken as. "It now seemed probable." Macaulay. Thou picture of what thou seem'st. Shak. All seemed well pleased; all seemed, but were not all. Milton. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov. xiv. 12. It seems, it appears; it is understood as true; it is said. A prince of Italy, it seems, entertained his misstress on a great lake. Addison.

Syn. -- To appear; look. -- Seem, Appear. To appear has reference to a thing's being presented to our view; as, the sun appears; to seem is connected with the idea of semblance, and usually implies an inference of our mind as to the probability of a thing's being so; as, a storm seems to be coming. "The story appears to be true," means that the facts, as presented, go to show its truth; "the story seems to be true," means that it has the semblance of being so, and we infer that it is true. "His first and principal care being to appear unto his people such as he would have them be, and to be such as he appeared." Sir P. Sidney. Ham. Ay, madam, it is common. Queen. If it be, Why seems it so particular with thee Ham. Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not "seems." Shak.

SEEM Seem, v. t.

Defn: To befit; to beseem. [Obs.] Spenser.

SEEMER Seem"er, n.

Defn: One who seems; one who carries or assumes an appearance or semblance. Hence shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be. Shak.

SEEMING Seem"ing, a.

Defn: Having a semblance, whether with or without reality; apparent; specious; befitting; as, seeming friendship; seeming truth. My lord, you have lost a friend indeed; And I dare swear you borrow not that face Of seeming sorrow, it is sure your own. Shak.

SEEMING Seem"ing, n.

1. Appearance; show; semblance; fair appearance; speciousness. These keep Seeming and savor all the winter long. Shak.

2. Apprehension; judgment. [Obs.] Chaucer. Nothing more clear unto their seeming. Hooker. His persuasive words, impregned With reason, to her seeming. Milton.

SEEMINGLY Seem"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In appearance; in show; in semblance; apparently; ostensibly. This the father seemingly complied with. Addison.

SEEMINGNESS Seem"ing*ness, n.

Defn: Semblance; fair appearance; plausibility. Sir K. Digby.

SEEMLESS Seem"less, a.

Defn: Unseemly. [Obs.] Spenser.

SEEMLILY Seem"li*ly, adv.

Defn: In a seemly manner. [Obs.]

SEEMLINESS Seem"li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being seemly: comeliness; propriety.

SEEMLY Seem"ly, a. [Compar.Seemlier (; superl. Seeliest.] Etym: [Icel. s, fr. s becoming, fit; akin to samr same, E. same; the sense being properly, the same or like, hence, fitting. See Seem, v. i.]

Defn: Suited to the object, occasion, purpose, or character; suitable; fit; becoming; comely; decorous. He had a seemly nose. Chaucer. I am a woman, lacking wit To make a seemly answer to such persons. Shak. Suspense of judgment and exercise of charity were safer and seemlier for Christian men than the hot pursuit of these controversies. Hooker.

Syn. -- Becoming; fit; suitable; proper; appropriate; congruous; meet; decent; decorous.

SEEMLY Seem"ly, adv. [Compar. Seemlier; superl. Seemliest.]

Defn: In a decent or suitable manner; becomingly. Suddenly a men before him stood, Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad, As one in city or court or place bred. Milton.

SEEMLYHED Seem"ly*hed, n. Etym: [See -hood.]

Defn: Comely or decent appearance. [Obs.] Rom. of R. Spenser.

SEEN Seen, p. p.

Defn: of See.

SEEN Seen, a.

Defn: Versed; skilled; accomplished. [Obs.] Well seen in every science that mote be. Spenser. Noble Boyle, not less in nature seen, Than his great brother read in states and men. Dryden.

SEEP; SIPE Seep, or; Sipe, v. i. Etym: [AS. sipan to distill.]

Defn: To run or soak through fine pores and interstices; to ooze. [Scot. & U. S.] Water seeps up through the sidewalks. G. W. Cable.

SEEPAGE; SIPAGE Seep"age, or; Sip"age, n.

Defn: Water that seeped or oozed through a porous soil. [Scot. & U. S.]

SEEPY; SIPY Seep"y, or; Sip"y, a.

Defn: Oozy; -- applied to land under cultivation that is not well drained.

SEER Seer, a.

Defn: Sore; painful. [Prov. Eng.] Ray.

SEER Se"er, n.

Defn: One who sees. Addison.

SEER Seer, n. Etym: [From See.]

Defn: A person who foresees events; a prophet. Milton.

SEERESS Seer"ess, n.

Defn: A female seer; a prophetess.

SEERFISH Seer"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A scombroid food fish of Maderia (Cybium Commersonii).

SEERHAND Seer"hand, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A kind of muslin of a texture between nainsook and mull.

SEERSHIP Seer"ship, n.

Defn: The office or quality of a seer.

SEERSUCKER Seer"suck`er, n.

Defn: A light fabric, originally made in the East Indies, of silk and linen, usually having alternating stripes, and a slightly craped or puckered surface; also, a cotton fabric of similar appearance.

SEERWOOD Seer"wood`, n. Etym: [See Sear.]

Defn: Dry wood. [Written also searwood.] [Obs.] Dryden.

SEESAW See"saw`, n. Etym: [Probably a reduplication of saw, to express the alternate motion to and fro, as in the act of sawing.]

1. A play among children in which they are seated upon the opposite ends of a plank which is balanced in the middle, and move alternately up and down.

2. A plank or board adjusted for this play.

3. A vibratory or reciprocating motion. He has been arguing in a circle; there is thus a seesaw between the hypothesis and fact. Sir W. Hamilton.

4. (Whist.)

Defn: Same as Crossruff.

SEESAW See"saw`, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Seesawad; p. pr. & vb. n. Seesawing.]

Defn: To move with a reciprocating motion; to move backward and forward, or upward and downward.

SEESAW See"saw`, v. t.

Defn: To cause to move backward and forward in seesaw fashion. He seesaws himself to and fro. Ld. Lytton.

SEESAW See"saw`, a.

Defn: Moving up and down, or to and fro; having a reciprocating motion.

SEET Seet, obs. imp. of Sit.

Defn: Sate; sat. Chaucer.

SEETH Seeth, obs.

Defn: imp. of Seethe. Chaucer.

SEETHE Seethe, v. t. [imp. Seethed (Sod (, obs.); p. p. Seethed, Sodden (; p. pr. & vb. n. Seething.] Etym: [OE. sethen, AS. seó; akin to D. sieden, OHG. siodan, G. sieden, Icel. sj, Sw. sjuda, Dan. syde, Goth. saubs a burnt offering. Cf. Sod, n., Sodden, Suds.]

Defn: To decoct or prepare for food in hot liquid; to boil; as, to seethe flesh. [Written also seeth.] Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. 2 Kings iv. 38.

SEETHE Seethe, v. i.

Defn: To be a state of ebullition or violent commotion; to be hot; to boil. 1 Sam. ii. 13. A long Pointe, round which the Mississippi used to whirl, and seethe, and foam. G. W. Cable.

SEETHER Seeth"er, n.

Defn: A pot for boiling things; a boiler. Like burnished gold the little seether shone. Dryden.

SEG Seg, n. Etym: [See Sedge.] (Bot.)

1. Sedge. [Obs.]

2. The gladen, and other species of Iris. Prior.

SEG Seg, n. Etym: [Probably from the root of L. secare to cut.]

Defn: A castrated bull. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Halliwell.

SEGAR Se*gar", n.

Defn: See Cigar.

SEGGAR Seg"gar, n. Etym: [Prov. E. saggard a seggar, seggard a sort of riding surtout, contr. fr. safeguard.]

Defn: A case or holder made of fire clay, in which fine pottery is inclosed while baking in the kin. [Written also saggar, sagger, and segger.] Ure.

SEGGE Segge, n. (Zoöl.

Defn: The hedge sparrow. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SEGMENT Seg"ment, n. Etym: [L. segmentum, fr. secare to cut, cut off: cf. F. segment. See Saw a cutting instrument.]

1. One of the parts into which any body naturally separates or is divided; a part divided or cut off; a section; a portion; as, a segment of an orange; a segment of a compound or divided leaf.

2. (Geom.)

Defn: A part cut off from a figure by a line or plane; especially, that part of a circle contained between a chord and an arc of that circle, or so much of the circle as is cut off by the chord; as, the segment acb in the Illustration.

3. (Mach.) (a) A piece in the form of the sector of a circle, or part of a ring; as, the segment of a sectional fly wheel or flywheel rim. (b) A segment gear.

4. (Biol.) (a) One of the cells or division formed by segmentation, as in egg cleavage or in fissiparous cell formation. (b) One of the divisions, rings, or joints into which many animal bodies are divided; a somite; a metamere; a somatome. Segment gear, a piece for receiving or communicating reciprocating motion from or to a cogwheel, consisting of a sector of a circular gear, or ring, having cogs on the periphery, or face. -- Segment of a line, the part of a line contained between two points on it. -- Segment of a sphere, the part of a sphere cut off by a plane, or included between two parallel planes. -- Ventral segment. (Acoustics) See Loor, n., 5.

SEGMENT Seg"ment, v. i. (Biol.)

Defn: To divide or separate into parts in growth; to undergo segmentation, or cleavage, as in the segmentation of the ovum.

SEGMENTAL Seg*men"tal, a.

1. Relating to, or being, a segment.

2. (Anat. & Zoöl.) (a) Of or pertaining to the segments of animals; as, a segmental duct; segmental papillæ. (b) Of or pertaining to the segmental organs. Segmental duct (Anat.), the primitive duct of the embryonic excretory organs which gives rise to the Wolffian duct and ureter; the pronephric duct. -- Segmental organs. (a) (Anat.) The embryonic excretory organs of vertebrates, consisting primarily of the segmental tubes and segmental ducts. (b) (Zoöl.) The tubular excretory organs, a pair of which often occur in each of several segments in annelids. They serve as renal organs, and often, also, as oviducts and sperm ducts. See Illust. under Sipunculacea. -- Segmental tubes (Anat.), the tubes which primarily open into the segmental duct, some of which become the urinary tubules of the adult.

SEGMENTATION Seg`men*ta"tion, n.

Defn: The act or process of dividing into segments; specifically (Biol.), a self-division into segments as a result of growth; cell cleavage; cell multiplication; endogenous cell formation. Segmentation cavity (Biol.), the cavity formed by the arrangement of the cells in segmentation or cleavage of the ovum; the cavity of the blastosphere. In the gastrula stage, the segmentation cavity in which the mesoblast is formed lies between the entoblast and ectoblast. See Illust. of Invagination. -- Segmentation nucleus (Biol.), the body formed by fusion of the male and female pronucleus in an impregnated ovum. See the Note under Pronucleus. -- Segmentation of the ovum, or Egg cleavage (Biol.), the process by which the embryos of all the higher plants and animals are derived from the germ cell. In the simplest case, that of small ova destitute of food yolk, the ovum or egg divides into two similar halves or segments (blastomeres), each of these again divides into two, and so on, thus giving rise to a mass of cells (mulberry mass, or morula), all equal and similar, from the growth and development of which the future animal is to be formed. This constitutes regular segmentation. Quite frequently, however, the equality and regularity of cleavage is interfered with by the presence of food yolk, from which results unequal segmentation. See Holoblastic, Meroblastic, Alecithal, Centrolecithal, Ectolecithal, and Ovum. -- Segmentation sphere (Biol.), the blastosphere, or morula. See Morula.

SEGMENTED Seg"ment*ed, a.

Defn: Divided into segments or joints; articulated.

SEGNITUDE; SEGNITY Seg"ni*tude, Seg"ni*ty, n. Etym: [L. segnitas, fr. segnis slow, sluggish.]

Defn: Sluggishness; dullness; inactivity. [Obs.]

SEGNO Se"gno, n. Etym: [It. See Sign.] (Mus.)

Defn: A sign. See Al segno, and Dal segno.

SEGO Se"go, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A liliaceous plant (Calochortus Nuttallii) of Western North America, and its edible bulb; -- so called by the Ute Indians and the Mormons.

SEGREGATE Seg"re*gate, a. Etym: [L. segregatus, p. p. of segregare to separate; pref. se- aside + grex, gregis, a flock or herd. See Gregarious.]

1. Separate; select.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Separated from others of the same kind.

SEGREGATE Seg"re*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Segregated; p. pr. & vb. n. Segregating.]

Defn: To separate from others; to set apart. They are still segregated, Christians from Christians, under odious designations. I. Taylor.

SEGREGATE Seg"re*gate, v. i. (Geol.)

Defn: To separate from a mass, and collect together about centers or along lines of fracture, as in the process of crystallization or solidification.

SEGREGATION Seg`re*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. segregatio: cf. F. ségrégation.]

1. The act of segregating, or the state of being segregated; separation from others; a parting.

2. (Geol.)

Defn: Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive attraction or the crystallizing process.

SEICHES Seiches, n. pl. Etym: [F.] (Geol.)

Defn: Local oscillations in level observed in the case of some lakes, as Lake Geneva.

SEID Seid, n. Etym: [Ar seyid prince.]

Defn: A descendant of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima and nephew Ali.

SEIDLITZ Seid"litz, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Seidlitz, a village in Bohemia. [Written also Sedlitz.] Seidlitz powders, effervescing salts, consisting of two separate powders, one of which contains forty grains of sodium bicarbonate mixed with two drachms of RochellRochelle powders. -- Seidlitz water, a natural water from Seidlitz, containing magnesium, sodium, calcium, and potassium sulphates, with calcium carbonate and a little magnesium chloride. It is used as an aperient.

SEIGH Seigh,

Defn: obs. imp. sing. of See. Saw. Chaucer.

SEIGNEURIAL Seign*eu"ri*al, a. Etym: [F., fr. seigneur. See Seignior.]

1. Of or pertaining to the lord of a manor; manorial. Sir W. Temple.

2. Vested with large powers; independent.

SEIGNIOR Seign"ior, n. Etym: [OF. seignor, F. seigneur, cf. It. signore, Sp. señor from an objective case of L. senier elder. See Senior.]

1. A lord; the lord of a manor.

2. A title of honor or of address in the South of Europe, corresponding to Sir or Mr. in English. Grand Seignior, the sultan of Turkey.

SEIGNIORAGE Seign"ior*age, n. Etym: [F. seigneuriage, OF. seignorage.]

1. Something claimed or taken by virtue of sovereign prerogative; specifically, a charge or toll deducted from bullion brought to a mint to be coined; the difference between the cost of a mass of bullion and the value as money of the pieces coined from it. If government, however, throws the expense of coinage, as is reasonable, upon the holders, by making a charge to cover the expense (which is done by giving back rather less in coin than has been received in bullion, and is called "levying a seigniorage"), the coin will rise to the extent of the seigniorage above the value of the bullion. J. S. Mill.

2. A share of the receipts of a business taken in payment for the use of a right, as a copyright or a patent.

SEIGNIORAL Seign"ior*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a seignior; seigneurial. "Kingly or seignioral patronage." Burke.

SEIGNIORALTY Seign"ior*al*ty, n.

Defn: The territory or authority of a seignior, or lord. Milman.

SEIGNIORIAL Seign*io"ri*al, a.

Defn: Same as Seigneurial.

SEIGNIORIZE Seign"ior*ize, v. t.

Defn: To lord it over. [Obs.] As proud as he that seigniorizeth hell. Fairfax.

SEIGNIORY Seign"ior*y, n.; pl. -ies. Etym: [OE. seignorie, OF. seigneurie, F. seigneurie; cf. It. signoria.]

1. The power or authority of a lord; dominion. O'Neal never had any seigniory over that country but what by encroachment he got upon the English. Spenser.

2. The territory over which a lord holds jurisdiction; a manor. [Written also seigneury, and seignory.]

SEINE Seine, n. Etym: [F. seine, or AS. segene, bsagena, Gr. (Fishing.)

Defn: A large net, one edge of which is provided with sinkers, and the other with floats. It hangs vertically in the water, and when its ends are brought together or drawn ashore incloses the fish. Seine boat, a boat specially constructed to carry and pay out a seine.

SEINER Sein"er, n.

Defn: One who fishes with a seine.

SEINING Sein"ing, n.

Defn: Fishing with a seine.

SEINT Seint, n. Etym: [See Cincture.]

Defn: A girdle. [Obs.] "Girt with a seint of silk." Chaucer.

SEINT Seint, n.

Defn: A saint. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SEINTUARY Sein"tu*a*ry, n.

Defn: Sanctuary. [Obs.]

SEIRFISH Seir"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Seerfish.

SEIROSPORE Sei"ro*spore, n. Etym: [Gr. spore.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of several spores arranged in a chain as in certain algæ of the genus Callithamnion.

SEISE Seise, v. t.

Defn: See Seize. Spenser.

Note: This is the common spelling in the law phrase to be seised of (an estate).

SEISIN Sei"sin, n.

Defn: See Seizin. Spenser.

SEISMIC; SEISMAL Seis"mic, Seis"mal, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to an earthquake; caused by an earthquake. Seismic vertical, the point upon the earth's surface vertically over the center of effort or focal point whence the earthquake's impulse proceeds, or the vertical line connecting these two points.

SEISMOGRAM Seis"mo*gram, n. [Gr. earthquake + -gram.] (Physics)

Defn: The trace or record of an earth tremor, made by means of a seismograph.

SEISMOGRAPH Seis"mo*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.] (Physics)

Defn: An apparatus for registering the shocks and undulatory motions of earthquakes.

SEISMOGRAPHIC Seis`mo*graph"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a seismograph; indicated by a seismograph.

SEISMOGRAPHY Seis*mog"ra*phy, n.

1. A writing about, or a description of, earthquakes.

2. The art of registering the shocks and undulatory movements of earthquakes.

SEISMOLOGICAL Seis`mo*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to seismology. -- Seis`mo*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

SEISMOLOGY Seis*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: The science of earthquakes.

SEISMOMETER Seis*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the direction, duration, and force of earthquakes and like concussions.

SEISMOMETRIC Seis`mo*met"ric, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to seismometry, or seismometer; as, seismometric instruments; seismometric measurements.

SEISMOMETRY Seis*mom"e*try, n.

Defn: The mensuration of such phenomena of earthquakes as can be expressed in numbers, or by their relation to the coördinates of space.

SEISMOSCOPE Seis"mo*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Physics)

Defn: A seismometer.

SEITY Se"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. se one's self.]

Defn: Something peculiar to one's self. [R.] Tatler.

SEIZABLE Seiz"a*ble, a.

Defn: That may be seized.

SEIZE Seize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seized; p. pr. & vb. n. Seizing.] Etym: [OE. seisen, saisen, OF. seisir, saisir, F. saisir, of Teutonic origin, and akin to E. set. The meaning is properly, to set, put, place, hence, to put in possession of. See Set, v. t.]

1. To fall or rush upon suddenly and lay hold of; to gripe or grasp suddenly; to reach and grasp. For by no means the high bank he could seize. Spenser. Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands The royalties and rights of banished Hereford Shak.

2. To take possession of by force. At last they seize The scepter, and regard not David's sons. Milton.

3. To invade suddenly; to take sudden hold of; to come upon suddenly; as, a fever seizes a patient. Hope and deubt alternate seize her seul. Pope.

4. (law)

Defn: To take possession of by virtue of a warrant or other legal authority; as, the sheriff seized the debtor's goods.

5. To fasten; to fix. [Obs.] As when a bear hath seized her cruel claws Upon the carcass of some beast too weak. Spenser.

6. To grap with the mind; to comprehend fully and distinctly; as, to seize an idea.

7. (Naut.)

Defn: To bind or fasten together with a lashing of small stuff, as yarn or marline; as, to seize ropes.

Note: This word, by writers on law, is commonly written seise, in the phrase to be seised of (an estate), as also, in composition, disseise, disseisin. To be seized of, to have possession, or right of possession; as, A B was seized and possessed of the manor of Dale. "Whom age might see seized of what youth made prize." Chapman. -- To seize on or upon, to fall on and grasp; to take hold on; to take possession of suddenly and forcibly.

Syn. -- To catch; grasp; clutch; snatch; apprehend; arrest; take; capture.

SEIZER Seiz"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, seizes.

SEIZIN Sei"zin, n. Etym: [F. saisine. See Seize.]

1. (Law)

Defn: Possession; possession of an estate of froehold. It may be either in deed or in law; the former when there is actual possession, the latter when there is a right to such possession by construction of law. In some of the United States seizin means merely ownership. Burrill.

2. The act of taking possession. [Obs.]

3. The thing possessed; property. Sir M. Halle.

Note: Commonly spelt by writers on law seisin. Livery of seizin. (Eng. Law) See Note under Livery, 1.

SEIZING Seiz"ing, n.

1. The act of taking or grasping suddenly.

2. (Naut.) (a) The operation of fastening together or lashing. (b) The cord or lashing used for such fastening.

SEIZOR Sei"zor, n. (Law)

Defn: One who seizes, or takes possession.

SEIZURE Sei"zure, n.

1. The act of seizing, or the state of being seized; sudden and violent grasp or gripe; a taking into possession; as, the seizure of a thief, a property, a throne, etc.

2. Retention within one's grasp or power; hold; possession; ownership. Make o'er thy honor by a deed of trust, And give me seizure of the mighty wealth. Dryden.

3. That which is seized, or taken possession of; a thing laid hold of, or possessed.

SEJANT; SEJEANT Se"jant, Se"jeant, a. Etym: [F. séant, p. pr. of seoir to sit, L. sedere.] (Her.)

Defn: Sitting, as a lion or other beast. Sejant rampant, sitting with the forefeet lifted up. Wright.

SEJEIN Se*jein", v. t. Etym: [L. sejungere; pref. se- aside + jungere to join. See Join.]

Defn: To separate. [Obs.]

SEJUNCTION Se*junc"tion, n. Etym: [L. sejunctio. See Sejoin.]

Defn: The act of disjoining, or the state of being disjoined. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

SEJUNGIBLE Se*jun"gi*ble, a. Etym: [See Sejoin.]

Defn: Capable of being disjoined. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

SEKE Seke, a.

Defn: Sick. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SEKE Seke, v. t. & i.

Defn: To seek. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SEKES Se"kes, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Arch.)

Defn: A place in a pagan temple in which the images of the deities were inclosed.

SELACHIAN Se*la"chi*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Selachii. See Illustration in Appendix.

SELACHII Se*la"chi*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of elasmobranchs including the sharks and rays; the Plagiostomi. Called also Selacha, Selache, and Selachoidei.

SELACHOIDEI Sel`a*choi"de*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Selachii, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Selachii.

SELACHOSTOMI Sel`a*chos"to*mi, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Selachii, and Stoma.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of ganoid fishes which includes the paddlefish, in which the mouth is armed with small teeth.

SELAGINELLA Sel`a*gi*nel"la, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. selago, -inis, a kind of plant.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of cryptogamous plants resembling Lycopodia, but producing two kinds of spores; also, any plant of this genus. Many species are cultivated in conservatories.

SELAH Se"lah, n. Etym: [Heb. selah.] (Script.)

Defn: A word of doubtful meaning, occuring frequently in the Psalms; by some, supposed to signify silence or a pause in the musical performance of the song. Beyond the fact that Selach is a musical term, we know absolutely nothing about it. Dr. W. Smith (Bib. Dict.)

SELCOUTH Sel"couth, n. Etym: [AS. selc, seldc; seld rare + c known. See Uncouth.]

Defn: Rarely known; unusual; strange. [Obs.] [She] wondered much at his so selcouth case. Spenser.

SELD Seld, a. Etym: [See Seldom.]

Defn: Rare; uncommon; unusual. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

SELD Seld, adv.

Defn: Rarely; seldom. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SELDEN Sel"den, adv.

Defn: Seldom. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SELDOM Sel"dom, adv. [Usually, compar. More seldom (; superl. Most seldom (; but sometimes also, Seldomer (, Seldomest.] Etym: [AS. seldan, seldon, seldum, fr. seld rare; akin to OFries. sielden, D. zelden, G. selten, OHG. seltan, Icel. sjaldan, Dan. sielden, Sw. sällan, Goth. sildaleiks marvelous.]

Defn: Rarely; not often; not frequently. Wisdom and youth are seldom joined in one. Hooker.

SELDOM Sel"dom, a.

Defn: Rare; infrequent. [Archaic.] "A suppressed and seldom anger." Jer. Taylor.

SELDOMNESS Sel"dom*ness, n.

Defn: Rareness. Hooker.

SELDSEEN Seld"seen`, a. Etym: [AS. seldsiene.]

Defn: Seldom seen. [Obs.] Drayton.

SELDSHEWN Seld"shewn`, a. Etym: [Seld + shown.]

Defn: Rarely shown or exhibited. [Obs.] Shak.

SELECT Se*lect", a. Etym: [L. selectus, p. p. of seligere to select; pref. se- aside + levere to gather. See Legend.]

Defn: Taken from a number by preferance; picked out as more valuable or exellent than others; of special value or exellence; nicely chosen; selected; choice. A few select spirits had separated from the crowd, and formed a fit audience round a far greater teacher. Macaulay.

SELECT Se*lect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Selected; p. pr. & vb. n. Selecting.]

Defn: To choose and take from a number; to take by preference from among others; to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal. "One peculiar nation to select." Milton. The pious chief . . . A hundred youths from all his train selects. Dryden.

SELECTEDLY Se*lect"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: With care and selection. [R.]

SELECTION Se*lec"tion, n. Etym: [L. selectio: cf. F. sélection.] .

Defn: The act of selecting, or the state of being selected; choice, by preference.

2. That which is selected; a collection of things chosen; as, a choice selection of books. Natural selection. (Biol.) See under Natural.

SELECTIVE Se*lect"ive, a.

Defn: Selecting; tending to select. This selective providence of the Almighty. Bp. Hall.

SELECTMAN Se*lect"man, n.; pl. Selectmen (.

Defn: One of a board of town officers chosen annually in the New England States to transact the general public business of the town, and have a kind of executive authority. The number is usually from three to seven in each town. The system of delegated town action was then, perhaps, the same which was defined in an "order made in 1635 by the inhabitants of Charlestown at a full meeting for the government of the town, by selectmen;" the name presently extended throughout New England to municipal governors. Palfrey.

SELECTNESS Se*lect"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being select.

SELECTOR Se*lect"or, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: One who selects.

SELENATE Sel"e*nate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of selenic acid; -- formerly called also seleniate.

SELENHYDRIC Sel`en*hy"dric, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, hydrogen selenide, H2Se, regarded as an acid analogous to sulphydric acid.

SELENIC Se*len"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sélénique.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to selenium; derived from, or containing, selenium; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence as contrasted with selenious compounds.

SELENIDE Sel"e*nide, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A binary compound of selenium, or a compound regarded as binary; as, ethyl selenide.

SELENIFEROUS Sel`e*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Selenium + -ferous. ]

Defn: Containing, or impregnated with, selenium; as, seleniferous pyrites.

SELENIO- Se*le"ni*o- (. (Chem.)

Defn: A combining form (also used adjectively) denoting the presence of selenium or its compounds; as, selenio-phosphate, a phosphate having selenium in place of all, or a part, of the oxygen.

SELENIOUS Se*le"ni*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sélénieux.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or containing, selenium; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with selenic compounds.

SELENITE Sel"e*nite, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of selenious acid.

SELENITE Sel"e*nite, n. Etym: [L. selenites, Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A variety of gypsum, occuring in transparent crystals or crystalline masses.

SELENITIC; SELENITICAL Sel`e*nit"ic, Sel`e*nit"ic*al, a. (Min.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to selenite; resembling or containing selenite.

SELENIUM Se*le"ni*um, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. tellurium (from L. tellus the earth), being, as it were, a companion to it.] (Chem.)

Defn: A nonmetallic element of the sulphur group, and analogous to sulphur in its compounds. It is found in small quantities with sulphur and some sulphur ores, and obtained in the free state as a dark reddish powder or crystalline mass, or as a dark metallic- looking substance. It exhibits under the action of light a remarkable variation in electric conductivity, and is used in certain electric apparatus. Symbol Se. Atomic weight 78.9.

SELENIURET Sel`e*ni"u*ret, n. (CHem.)

Defn: A selenide. [Obs.]

SELENIURETED Sel`e*ni"u*ret`ed, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Combined with selenium as in a selenide; as, seleniureted hydrogen. [Written also seleniuretted.] [Obsoles.]

SELENOCENTRIC Se*le`no*cen"tric, a. Etym: [Gr. centric.] (Astron.)

Defn: As seen or estimated from the center of the moon; with the moon central.

SELENOGRAPH Se*le"no*graph

Defn: , n. A picture or delineation of the moon's surface, or of any part of it.

SELENOGRAPHER Sel`e*nog"ra*pher, n.

Defn: One skilled in selenography. Wright.

SELENOGRAPHIC; SELENOGRAPHICAL Sel`e*no*graph"ic, Sel`e*no*graph"i*cal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sélénographique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to selenography.

SELENOGRAPHIST Sel`e*nog"ra*phist, n.

Defn: A selenographer.

SELENOGRAPHY Sel`e*nog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]

Defn: The science that treats of the physical features of the moon; - - corresponding to physical geography in respect to the earth. "Accurate selenography, or description of the moon." Sir T. Browne.

SELENOLOGY Sel`e*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr.-logy.]

Defn: That branch of astronomy which treats of the moon. -- Sel`e*no*log"i*cal, a.

SELENONIUM Sel`e*no"ni*um, n. Etym: [Selenium + sulphonium.] (Chem.)

Defn: A hypothetical radical of selenium, analogous to sulphonium. [R.]

SELF Self, a. Etym: [AS. self, seolf, sylf; akin to OS. self, OFries. self, D. zelf, G. selb, selber, selbst, Dan. selv. Sw. sjelf, Icel. sjalfr, Goth. silba. Cf. Selavage.]

Defn: Same; particular; very; identical. [Obs., except in the compound selfsame.] "On these self hills." Sir. W. Raleigh. To shoot another arrow that self way Which you did shoot the first. Shak. At that self moment enters Palamon. Dryden.

SELF Self, n.; pl. Selves (.

1. The individual as the object of his own reflective consciousness; the man viewed by his own cognition as the subject of all his mental phenomena, the agent in his own activities, the subject of his own feelings, and the possessor of capacities and character; a person as a distinct individual; a being regarded as having personality. "Those who liked their real selves." Addison. A man's self may be the worst fellow to converse with in the world. Pope. The self, the I, is recognized in every act of intelligence as the subject to which that act belongs. It is I that perceive, I that imagine, I that remember, I that attend, I that compare, I that feel, I that will, I that am conscious. Sir W. Hamilton.

2. Hence, personal interest, or love of private interest; selfishness; as, self is his whole aim.

3. Personification; embodiment. [Poetic.] She was beauty's self. Thomson.

Note: Self is united to certain personal pronouns and pronominal adjectives to express emphasis or distinction. Thus, for emphasis; I myself will write; I will examine for myself; thou thyself shalt go; thou shalt see for thyself; you yourself shall write; you shall see for yourself; he himself shall write; he shall examine for himself; she herself shall write; she shall examine for herself; the child itself shall be carried; it shall be present itself. It is also used reflexively; as, I abhor myself; thou enrichest thyself; he loves himself; she admires herself; it pleases itself; we walue ourselves; ye hurry yourselves; they see themselves. Himself, herself, themselves, are used in the nominative case, as well as in the objective. "Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples." John iv. 2.

Note: Self is used in the formation of innumerable compounds, usually of obvious signification, in most of which it denotes either the agent or the object of the action expressed by the word with which it is joined, or the person in behalf of whom it is performed, or the person or thing to, for, or towards whom or which a quality, attribute, or feeling expressed by the following word belongs, is directed, or is exerted, or from which it proceeds; or it denotes the subject of, or object affected by, such action, quality, attribute, feeling, or the like; as, self-abandoning, self-abnegation, self- abhorring, self-absorbed, self-accusing, self-adjusting, self- balanced, self-boasting, self-canceled, self-combating, self- commendation, self-condemned, self-conflict, self-conquest, self- constituted, self-consumed, self-contempt, self-controlled, self- deceiving, self-denying, self-destroyed, self-disclosure, self- display, self-dominion, self-doomed, self-elected, self-evolved, self-exalting, self-excusing, self-exile, self-fed, self-fulfillment, self-governed, self-harming, self-helpless, self-humiliation, self- idolized, self-inflicted, self-improvement, self-instruction, self- invited, self-judging, self-justification, self-loathing, self- loving, self-maintenance, self-mastered, self-nourishment, self- perfect, self-perpetuation, self-pleasing, self-praising, self- preserving, self-questioned, self-relying, self-restraining, self- revelation, self-ruined, self-satisfaction, self-support, self- sustained, self-sustaining, self-tormenting, self-troubling, self- trust, self-tuition, self-upbraiding, self-valuing, self-worshiping, and many others.

SELF-ABASED Self`-a*based", a.

Defn: Humbled by consciousness of inferiority, unworthiness, guilt, or shame.

SELF-ABASEMENT Self`-a*base"ment, n.

1. Degradation of one's self by one's own act.

2. Humiliation or abasement proceeding from consciousness of inferiority, guilt, or shame.

SELF-ABASING Self`-a*bas"ing, a.

Defn: Lowering or humbling one's self.

SELF-ABHORRENCE Self`-ab*hor"rence, n.

Defn: Abhorrence of one's self.

SELF-ABNEGATION Self`-ab`ne*ga"tion, n.

Defn: Self-denial; self-renunciation; self-sacrifice.

SELF-ABUSE Self`-abuse", n.

1. The abuse of one's own self, powers, or faculties.

2. Self-deception; delusion. [Obs.] Shak.

3. Masturbation; onanism; self-pollution.

SELF-ACCUSED Self"-ac*cused", a.

Defn: Accused by one's self or by one's conscience. "Die self- accused." Cowper.

SELF-ACTING Self`-act"ing, a.

Defn: Acting of or by one's self or by itself; -- said especially of a machine or mechanism which is made to perform of or for itself what is usually done by human agency; automatic; as, a self-acting feed apparatus; a self-acting mule; a self-acting press.

SELF-ACTION Self`-ac"tion, n.

Defn: Action by, or originating in, one's self or itself.

SELF-ACTIVE Self`-ac"tive, a.

Defn: Acting of one's self or of itself; acting without depending on other agents.

SELF-ACTIVITY Self`-ac*tiv"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-active; self-action.

SELF-ADJUSTING Self`-ad*just"ing, a. (Mach.)

Defn: Capable of assuming a desired position or condition with relation to other parts, under varying circumstances, without requiring to be adjusted by hand; -- said of a piece in machinery. Self-adjusting bearing (Shafting), a bearing which is supported in such a manner that it may tip to accomodate flexure or displacement of the shaft.

SELF-ADMIRATION Self`-ad`mi*ra"tion, n.

Defn: Admiration of one's self.

SELF-AFFAIRS Self`-af*fairs", n. pl.

Defn: One's own affairs; one's private business. [Obs.] Shak.

SELF-AFFRIGHTED Self`-af*fright"ed, a.

Defn: Frightened at or by one's self. Shak.

SELF-AGGRANDIZEMENT Self`-ag*gran"dize*ment, n.

Defn: The aggrandizement of one's self.

SELF-ANNIHILATED Self`-an*ni"hi*la`ted, a.

Defn: Annihilated by one's self.

SELF-ANNIHILATION Self`-an*ni`hi*la"tion, n.

Defn: Annihilation by one's own acts; annihilation of one's desires. Addison.

SELF-APPLAUSE Self`-ap*plause", n.

Defn: Applause of one's self.

SELF-APPLYING Self`-ap*ply"ing, a.

Defn: Applying to or by one's self.

SELF-APPROVING Self`-ap*prov"ing, a.

Defn: Approving one's own action or character by one's own judgment. One self-approving hour whole years outweighs Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas. Pope.

SELF-ASSERTING Self`-as*sert"ing, a.

Defn: asserting one's self, or one's own rights or claims; hence, putting one's self forward in a confident or assuming manner.

SELF-ASSERTION Self`-as*ser"tion, n.

Defn: The act of asserting one's self, or one's own rights or claims; the quality of being self-asserting.

SELF-ASSERTIVE Self`-as*sert"ive, a.

Defn: Disposed to self-assertion; self-asserting.

SELF-ASSUMED Self`-as*sumed`, a.

Defn: Assumed by one's own act, or without authority.

SELF-ASSURED Self`-as*sured`, a.

Defn: Assured by or of one's self; self-reliant; complacent.

SELF-BANISHED Self`-ban"ished, a.

Defn: Exiled voluntarily.

SELF-BEGOTTEN Self"-be*got"ten, a.

Defn: Begotten by one's self, or one's own powers.

SELF-BINDER Self`-bind"er, n.

Defn: A reaping machine containing mechanism for binding the grain into sheaves.

SELF-BORN Self"-born`, a.

Defn: Born or produced by one's self.

SELF-CENTERED; SELF-CENTRED Self`-cen"tered, Self`-cen"tred, a.

Defn: Centered in itself, or in one's self. There hangs the ball of earth and water mixt, Self-centered and unmoved. Dryden.

SELF-CENTERING; SELF-CENTRING Self`-cen"ter*ing, Self`-cen"tring a.

Defn: Centering in one's self.

SELF-CENTRATION Self`-cen*tra"tion, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-centered.

SELF-CHARITY Self`-char"i*ty, n.

Defn: Self-love. [Obs.] Shak.

SELF-COLOR Self"-col`or, n.

Defn: A color not mixed or variegated.

SELF-COLORED Self`-col"ored, a.

Defn: Being of a single color; -- applied to flowers, animals, and textile fabrics.

SELF-COMMAND Self`-com*mand", n.

Defn: Control over one's own feelings, temper, etc.; self-control.

SELF-COMMUNE Self`-com*mune", n.

Defn: Self-communion. [R.]

SELF-COMMUNICATIVE Self`-com*mu"ni*ca*tive, a.

Defn: Imparting or communicating by its own powers.

SELF-COMMUNION Self`-com*mun"ion, n.

Defn: Communion with one's self; thoughts about one's self.

SELF-COMPLACENCY Self`-com*pla"cen*cy, n.

Defn: The quality of being self-complacent. J. Foster.

SELF-COMPLACENT Self`-com*pla"cent, a.

Defn: Satisfied with one's own character, capacity, and doings; self- satisfied.

SELF-CONCEIT Self`-con*ceit", n.

Defn: Conceit of one's self; an overweening opinion of one's powers or endowments.

Syn. -- See Egotism.

SELF-CONCEITED Self`-con*ceit"ed, a.

Defn: Having an overweening opinion of one's own powers, attainments; vain; conceited. -- Self`-con*ceit"ed*ness, n.

SELF-CONCERN Self`-con*cern", n.

Defn: Concern for one's self.

SELF-CONDEMNATION Self`-con`dem*na"tion, n.

Defn: Condemnation of one's self by one's own judgment.

SELF-CONFIDENCE Self`-con"fi*dence, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-confident; self-reliance. A feeling of self-confidence which supported and sustained him. Beaconsfield.

SELF-CONFIDENT Self`-con"fi*dent, a.

Defn: Confident of one's own strength or powers; relying on one's judgment or ability; self-reliant. -- Self`-con"fi*dent*ly, adv.

SELF-CONJUGATE Self`-con"ju*gate, a. (Geom.)

Defn: Having the two things that are conjugate parts of the same figure; as, self-conjugate triangles.

SELF-CONSCIOUS Self`-con"scious, a.

1. Conscious of one's acts or state as belonging to, or originating in, one's self. "My self-conscious worth." Dryden.

2. Conscious of one's self as an object of the observation of others; as, the speaker was too self-conscious.

SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS Self`-con"scious*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-conscious.

SELF-CONSIDERING Self`-con*sid"er*ing, a.

Defn: Considering in one's own mind; deliberating. Pope.

SELF-CONSISTENCY Self`-con*sist"en*cy, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-consistent.

SELF-CONSISTENT Self`-con*sist"ent, a.

Defn: Consistent with one's self or with itself; not deviation from the ordinary standard by which the conduct is guided; logically consistent throughout; having each part consistent with the rest.

SELF-CONSUMING Self`-con*sum"ing, a.

Defn: Consuming one's self or itself.

SELF-CONTAINED Self`-con*tained", a.

1. Having self-control; reserved; uncommunicative; wholly engrossed in one's self.

2. (Mach.)

Defn: Having all the essential working parts connected by a bedplate or framework, or contained in a case, etc., so that mutual relations of the parts do not depend upon fastening outside of the machine itself. Self-contained steam engine. (a) A steam engine having both bearings for the crank shaft attached to the frame of the engine. (b) A steam engine and boiler combined and fastened together; a portable steam engine.

SELF-CONTRADICTION Self`-con`tra*dic"tion, n.

Defn: The act of contradicting one's self or itself; repugnancy in conceptions or in terms; a proposition consisting of two members, one of which contradicts the other; as, to be and not to be at the same time is a self-contradiction.

SELF-CONTRADICTORY Self`-con`tra*dict"o*ry, a.

Defn: Contradicting one's self or itself.

SELF-CONTROL Self`-con*trol", n.

Defn: Control of one's self; restraint exercised over one's self; self-command.

SELF-CONVICTED Self`-con*vict"ed, a.

Defn: Convicted by one's own consciousness, knowledge, avowal, or acts.

SELF-CONVICTION Self`-con*vic"tion, n.

Defn: The act of convicting one's self, or the state of being self- convicted.

SELF-CREATED Self`-cre*at"ed, a.

Defn: Created by one's self; not formed or constituted by another.

SELF-CULTURE Self`-cul"ture, n.

Defn: Culture, training, or education of one's self by one's own efforts.

SELF-DECEIT Self`-de*ceit", n.

Defn: The act of deceiving one's self, or the state of being self- deceived; self-deception.

SELF-DECEIVED Self`-de*ceived", a.

Defn: Deceived or misled respecting one's self by one's own mistake or error.

SELF-DECEPTION Self`-de*cep"tion, n.

Defn: Self-deceit.

SELF-DEFENCE Self`-de*fence", n.

Defn: See Self-defense.

SELF-DEFENSE Self`-de*fense", n.

Defn: The act of defending one's own person, property, or reputation. In self-defense (Law), in protection of self, -- it being permitted in law to a party on whom a grave wrong is attempted to resist the wrong, even at the peril of the life of the assailiant. Wharton.

SELF-DEFENSIVE Self`-de*fen"sive, a.

Defn: Defending, or tending to defend, one's own person, property, or reputation.

SELF-DEGRADATION Self`-deg`ra*da"tion, n.

Defn: The act of degrading one's self, or the state of being so degraded.

SELF-DELATION Self`-de*la"tion, n.

Defn: Accusation of one's self. [R.] Milman.

SELF-DELUSION Self`-de*lu"sion, n.

Defn: The act of deluding one's self, or the state of being thus deluded.

SELF-DENIAL Self`-de*ni"al, n.

Defn: The denial of one's self; forbearing to gratify one's own desires; self-sacrifice.

SELF-DENYING Self`-de*ny"ing, a.

Defn: Refusing to gratify one's self; self-sacrificing. -- Self`-de*ny"ing*ly, adv.

SELF-DEPENDENT Self`-de*pend"ent, a.

Defn: Dependent on one's self; self-depending; self-reliant.

SELF-DEPENDING Self`-de*pend"ing, a.

Defn: Depending on one's self.

SELF-DEPRAVED Self`-de*praved", a.

Defn: Corrupted or depraved by one's self. Milton.

SELF-DESTROYER Self`-de*stroy"er, n.

Defn: One who destroys himself; a suicide.

SELF-DESTRUCTION Self`-de*struc"tion, n.

Defn: The destruction of one's self; self-murder; suicide. Milton.

SELF-DESTRUCTIVE Self`-de*struc"tive, a.

Defn: Destroying, or tending to destroy, one's self or itself; rucidal.

SELF-DETERMINATION Self`-de*ter`mi*na"tion, n.

Defn: Determination by one's self; or, determination of one's acts or states without the necessitating force of motives; -- applied to the voluntary or activity.

SELF-DETERMINING Self`-de*ter"min*ing, a.

Defn: Capable of self-determination; as, the self-determining power of will.

SELF-DEVISED Self`-de*vised", a.

Defn: Devised by one's self.

SELF-DEVOTED Self`-de*vot"ed, a.

Defn: Devoted in person, or by one's own will. Hawthorne.

SELF-DEVOTEMENT Self`-de*vote"ment, n.

Defn: Self-devotion. [R.]

SELF-DEVOTION Self`-de*vo"tion, n.

Defn: The act of devoting one's self, or the state of being self- devoted; willingness to sacrifice one's own advantage or happiness for the sake of others; self-sacrifice.

SELF-DEVOURING Self`-de*vour"ing, a.

Defn: Devouring one's self or itself. Danham.

SELF-DIFFUSIVE Self`-dif*fu"sive, a.

Defn: Having power to diffuse itself; diffusing itself. Norris.

SELF-DISCIPLINE Self`-dis"ci*pline, n.

Defn: Correction or government of one's self for the sake of improvement.

SELF-DISTRUST Self`-dis*trust", n.

Defn: Want of confidence in one' self; diffidence.

SELF-EDUCATED Self`-ed"u*ca`ted, a.

Defn: Educated by one's own efforts, without instruction, or without pecuniary assistance from others.

SELF-ELECTIVE Self`-e*lect"ive, a.

Defn: Having the right of electing one's self, or, as a body, of electing its own members.

SELF-ENJOYMENT Self`-en*joy"ment, n.

Defn: Enjoyment of one's self; self-satisfaction.

SELF-ESTEEM Self`-es*teem", n.

Defn: The holding a good opinion of one's self; self-complacency.

SELF-ESTIMATION Self`-es`ti*ma"tion, n.

Defn: The act of estimating one's self; self-esteem.

SELF-EVIDENCE Self`-ev"i*dence, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-evident. Locke.

SELF-EVIDENT Self`-ev"i*dent, a.

Defn: Evident without proof or reasoning; producing certainty or conviction upon a bare presentation to the mind; as, a self-evident proposition or truth. -- Self`-ev"i*dent*ly, adv.

SELF-EVOLUTION Self`-ev`o*lu"tion, n.

Defn: Evolution of one's self; development by inherent quality or power.

SELF-EXALTATION Self`-ex`al*ta"tion, n.

Defn: The act of exalting one's self, or the state of being so exalted.

SELF-EXAMINANT Self`-ex*am"i*nant, n.

Defn: One who examines himself; one given to self-examination. The humiliated self-examinant feels that there is evil in our nature as well as good. Coleridge.

SELF-EXAMINATION Self`-ex*am`i*na"tion, n.

Defn: An examination into one's own state, conduct, and motives, particularly in regard to religious feelings and duties.

SELF-EXCITE Self`-ex*cite", v. t. (Elec.)

Defn: To energize or excite (the field magnets of a dynamo) by induction from the residual magnetism of its cores, leading all or a part of the current thus produced through the field-magnet coils.

SELF-EXISTENCE Self`-ex*ist"ence, n.

Defn: Inherent existence; existence possessed by virtue of a being's own nature, and independent of any other being or cause; -- an attribute peculiar to God. Blackmore.

SELF-EXISTENT Self`-ex*ist"ent, a.

Defn: Existing of or by himself,independent of any other being or cause; -- as, God is the only self-existent being.

SELF-EXPLAINING self`-ex*plain"ing, a.

Defn: Explaining itself; capable of being understood without explanation.

SELF-EXPOSURE Self`-ex*po"sure, n.

Defn: The act of exposing one's self; the state of being so exposed.

SELF-FERTILIZATION Self`-fer`ti*li*za"tion, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The fertilization of a flower by pollen from the same flower and without outer aid; autogamy.

SELF-FERTILIZED Self`-fer"ti*lized, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Fertilized by pollen from the same flower.

SELF-GLORIOUS Self`-glo"ri*ous, a.

Defn: Springing from vainglory or vanity; vain; boastful. Dryden.

SELF-GOVERNMENT Self`-gov"ern*ment, n.

1. The act of governing one's self, or the state of being governed by one's self; self-control; self-command.

2. Hence, government of a community, state, or nation by the joint action of the mass of people constituting such a civil body; also, the state of being so governed; democratic government; democracy. It is to self-government, the great principle of popular representation and administration, -- the system that lets in all to participate in the councels that are to assign the good or evil to all, -- that we may owe what we are and what we hope to be. D. Webster.

SELF-GRATULATION Self`-grat`u*la"tion, n.

Defn: Gratulation of one's self.

SELF-HARDENING Self`-hard"en*ing, a. (Metal.)

Defn: Designating, or pert. to, any of various steels that harden when heated to above a red heat and cooled in air, usually in a blast of cold air with moderate rapidity, without quenching. Such steels are alloys of iron and carbon with manganese, tungsten and manganese, chromium, molybdenum and manganese, etc. They are chiefly used as high-speed steels. -- Self`-hard"en*ed, a.

SELF-HEAL Self`-heal", n. (Bot.)

Defn: A blue-flowered labiate plant (Brunella vulgaris); the healall.

SELF-HEALING Self`-heal"ing, a.

Defn: Having the power or property of healing itself.

SELF-HELP Self`-help", n.

Defn: The act of aiding one's self, without depending on the aid of others.

SELF-HOMICIDE Self`-hom"i*cide, n.

Defn: The act of killing one's self; suicide. Hakewill.

SELFHOOD Self"hood, n.

Defn: Existence as a separate self, or independent person; conscious personality; individuality. Bib. Sacra.

SELF-IGNORANCE Self`-ig"no*rance, n.

Defn: Ignorance of one's own character, powers, and limitations.

SELF-IGNORANT Self`-ig"no*rant, a.

Defn: Ignorant of one's self.

SELF-IMPARTING Self`-im*part"ing, a.

Defn: Imparting by one's own, or by its own, powers and will. Norris.

SELF-IMPORTANCE Self`-im*por"tance, n.

Defn: An exaggerated estimate of one's own importance or merit, esp. as manifested by the conduct or manners; self-conceit.

SELF-IMPORTANT Self`-im*por"tant, a.

Defn: Having or manifesting an exaggerated idea of one's own importance or merit.

SELF-IMPOSED Self`-im*posed", a.

Defn: Voluntarily taken on one's self; as, self-imposed tasks.

SELF-IMPOSTURE Self`-im*pos"ture, n.

Defn: Imposture practiced on one's self; self-deceit. South.

SELF-INDIGNATION Self`-in`dig*na"tion, n.

Defn: Indignation at one's own character or actions. Baxter.

SELF-INDUCTION Self`-in*duc"tion, n. (Elec.)

Defn: Induction in a circuit due to the action of one portion of a current upon an adjacent portion during periods of varying current strength. The nature of the induction is such as to oppose the action which produces it.

SELF-INDULGENCE Self`-in*dul"gence, n.

Defn: Indulgence of one's appetites, desires, or inclinations; -- the opposite of self-restraint, and self-denial.

SELF-INDULGENT Self`-in*dul"gent, a.

Defn: Indulging one's appetites, desires, etc., freely.

SELF-INTEREST Self`-in"ter*est, n.

Defn: Private interest; the interest or advantage of one's self.

SELF-INTERESTED Self`-in"ter*est*ed, a.

Defn: Particularly concerned for one's own interest or happiness.

SELF-INVOLUTION Self`-in`vo*lu"tion, n.

Defn: Involution in one's self; hence, abstraction of thought; reverie.

SELFISH Self"ish, a.

1. Caring supremely or unduly for one's self; regarding one's own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others. They judge of things according to their own private appetites and selfish passions. Cudworth. In that throng of selfish hearts untrue. Keble.

2. (Ethics)

Defn: Believing or teaching that the chief motives of human action are derived from love of self. Hobbes and the selfish school of philosophers. Fleming.

SELFISHLY Self"ish*ly, adv.

Defn: In a selfish manner; with regard to private interest only or chiefly.

SELFISHNESS Self"ish*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being selfish; exclusive regard to one's own interest or happiness; that supreme self-love or self- preference which leads a person to direct his purposes to the advancement of his own interest, power, or happiness, without regarding those of others. Selfishness,- a vice utterly at variance with the happiness of him who harbors it, and, as such, condemned by self-love. Sir J. Mackintosh.

Syn. -- See Self-love.

SELFISM Self"ism, n.

Defn: Concentration of one's interests on one's self; self-love; selfishness. Emerson.

SELFIST Self"ist, n.

Defn: A selfish person. [R.] I. Taylor.

SELF-JUSTIFIER Self`-jus"ti*fi`er, n.

Defn: One who excuses or justifies himself. J. M. Mason.

SELF-KINDLED Self`-kin"dled, a.

Defn: Kindled of itself, or without extraneous aid or power. Dryden.

SELF-KNOWING Self`-know"ing, a.

1. Knowing one's self, or one's own character, powers, and limitations.

2. Knowing of itself, without help from another.

SELF-KNOWLEDGE Self`-knowl"edge, n.

Defn: Knowledge of one's self, or of one's own character, powers, limitations, etc.

SELFLESS Self"less, a.

Defn: Having no regard to self; unselfish. Lo now, what hearts have men! they never mount As high as woman in her selfless mood. Tennyson.

SELFLESSNESS Self"less*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being selfless.

SELF-LIFE Self"-life`, n.

Defn: Life for one's self; living solely or chiefly for one's own pleasure or good.

SELF-LOVE Self`-love`, n.

Defn: The love of one's self; desire of personal happiness; tendency to seek one's own benefit or advantage. Shak. Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul. Pope.

Syn. -- Selfishness. -- Self-love, Selfishness. The term self-love is used in a twofold sense: 1. It denotes that longing for good or for well-being which actuates the breasts of all, entering into and characterizing every special desire. In this sense it has no moral quality, being, from the nature of the case, neither good nor evil. 2. It is applied to a voluntary regard for the gratification of special desires. In this sense it is morally good or bad according as these desires are conformed to duty or opposed to it. Selfishness is always voluntary and always wrong, being that regard to our own interests, gratification, etc., which is sought or indulged at the expense, and to the injury, of others. "So long as self-love does not degenerate into selfishness, it is quite compatible with true benevolence." Fleming. "Not only is the phrase self-love used as synonymous with the desire of happiness, but it is often confounded with the word selfishness, which certainly, in strict propriety, denotes a very different disposition of mind." Slewart.

SELF-LUMINOUS Self`-lu"mi*nous, a.

Defn: Possessing in itself the property of emitting light. Sir D. Brewster.

SELF-MADE Self"-made`, a.

Defn: Made by one's self. Self-made man, a man who has risen from poverty or obscurity by means of his own talentss or energies.

SELF-METTLE Self"-met`tle, n

Defn: Inborn mettle or courage; one's own temper. [Obs.] Shak.

SELF-MOTION Self`-mo"tion, n.

Defn: Motion given by inherent power, without external impulse; spontaneus or voluntary motion. Matter is not induced with self-motion. Cheyne.

SELF-MOVED Self`-moved", a.

Defn: Moved by inherent power., without the aid of external impulse.

SELF-MOVING Self`-mov"ing, a.

Defn: Moving by inherent power, without the aid of external impulse.

SELF-MURDER Self`-mur"der, a.

Defn: Suicide.

SELF-MURDERER Self`-mur"der*er, n.

Defn: A suicide.

SELF-NEGLECTING Self`-neg*lect"ing, n.

Defn: A neglecting of one's self, or of one's own interests. Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin As self-neglecting. Shak.

SELFNESS Self"ness, n.

Defn: Selfishness. [Obs.] Sir. P. Sidney.

SELF-ONE Self`-one", a.

Defn: Secret. [Obs.] Marston.

SELF-OPINION Self`-o*pin"ion, n.

Defn: Opinion, especially high opinion, of one's self; an overweening estimate of one's self or of one's own opinion. Collier.

SELF-OPINIONED Self`-o*pin"ioned, a.

Defn: Having a high opinion of one's self; opinionated; conceited. South.

SELF-ORIGINATING Self`-o*rig"i*na`ting, a.

Defn: Beginning wwith, or springing from, one's self.

SELF-PARTIALITY Self`-par`ti*al"i*ty, n.

Defn: That partiality to himself by which a man overrates his own worth when compared with others. Kames.

SELF-PERPLEXED Self`-per*plexed", a.

Defn: Perplexed by doubts originating in one's own mind.

SELF-POSITED Self`-pos"it*ed, a.

Defn: Disposed or arranged by an action originating in one's self or in itself. These molecular blocks of salt are self-posited. Tyndall.

SELF-POSITING Self`-pos"it*ing, a.

Defn: The act of disposing or arranging one's self or itself. The self-positing of the molecules. R. Watts.

SELF-POSSESSED Self"-pos*sessed", a.

Defn: Composed or tranquill in mind, manner, etc.; undisturbed.

SELF-POSSESSION Self`-pos*ses"sion, n.

Defn: The possession of one's powers; calmness; self-command; presence of mind; composure.

SELF-PRAISE Self"-praise`, n.

Defn: Praise of one's self.

SELF-PRESERVATION Self`-pres`er*va"tion, n.

Defn: The preservation of one's self from destruction or injury.

SELF-PROPAGATING Self`-prop"a*ga`ting, a.

Defn: Propagating by one's self or by itself.

SELF-REGISTERING Self`-reg"is*ter*ing, a.

Defn: Registering itself; -- said of any instrument so contrived as to record its own indications of phenomena, whether continuously or at stated times, as at the maxima and minima of variations; as, a self-registering anemometer or barometer.

SELF-REGULATED Self`-reg"u*la`ted, a.

Defn: Regulated by one's self or by itself.

SELF-REGULATIVE Self`-reg"u*la*tive, a.

Defn: Tending or serving to regulate one's self or itself. Whewell.

SELF-RELIANCE Self`-re*li"ance, n.

Defn: Reliance on one's own powers or judgment; self-trust.

SELF-RELIANT Self`-re*li"ant, a.

Defn: Reliant upon one's self; trusting to one's own powers or judgment.

SELF-RENUNCIATION Self`-re*nun`ci*a"tion, n.

Defn: The act of renouncing, or setting aside, one's own wishes, claims, etc.; self-sacrifice.

SELF-REPELLENCY Self`-re*pel"len*cy, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-repelling.

SELF-REPELLING Self`-re*pel"ling, ( a.

Defn: Made up of parts, as molecules or atoms, which mutually repel each other; as, gases are self-repelling.

SELF-REPETITION Self`-rep`e*ti"tion, n.

Defn: Repetition of one's self or of one's acts; the saying or doing what one has already said or done.

SELF-REPROACH Self`-re*proach", n.

Defn: The act of reproaching one's self; censure by one's own conscience.

SELF-REPROACHED Self`-re*proached", a.

Defn: Reproached by one's own conscience or judgment.

SELF-REPROACHING Self`-re*proach"ing, a.

Defn: Reproaching one's self. -- Self`-re*proach"ing*ly, adv.

SELF-REPROOF Self`-re*proof", n.

Defn: The act of reproving one's self; censure of one's conduct by one's own judgment.

SELF-REPROVED Self`-re*proved", a.

Defn: Reproved by one's own conscience or one's own sense of guilt.

SELF-REPROVING Self`-re*prov"ing, a.

Defn: Reproving one's self; reproving by consciousness of guilt.

SELF-REPROVINGLY Self`-re*prov"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a self-reproving way.

SELF-REPUGNANT Self`-re*pug"nant, a.

Defn: Self-contradictory; inconsistent. Brougham.

SELF-REPULSIVE Self`-re*pul"sive, a.

Defn: Self-repelling.

SELF-RESPECT Self`-re*spect", n.

Defn: Respect for one's self; regard for one's character; laudable self-esteem.

SELF-RESTRAINED Self`-re*strained", a.

Defn: Restrained by one's self or itself; restrained by one's own power or will.

SELF-RESTRAINT Self`-re*straint", n.

Defn: Restraint over one's self; self-control; self-command.

SELF-REVERENCE Self`-rev"er*ence, n.

Defn: A reverent respect for one's self. Tennyson.

SELF-RIGHTEOUS Self`-right"eous, a.

Defn: Righteous in one's own esteem; pharisaic.

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS Self`-right"eous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-righteous; pharisaism.

SELF-SACRIFICE Self`-sac"ri*fice, n.

Defn: The act of sacrificing one's self, or one's interest, for others; self-devotion.

SELF-SACRIFICING Self`-sac"ri*fi`cing, a.

Defn: Yielding up one's own interest, ffeelings, etc; sacrificing one's self.

SELFSAME Self"same, a. Etym: [Self, a. + same.]

Defn: Precisely the same; the very same; identical. His servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matt. viii. 13.

SELF-SATISFACTION Self`-sat`is*fac"tion, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-satisfied.

SELF-SATISFIED Self`-sat"is*fied, a.

Defn: Satisfied with one's self or one's actions; self-complacent.

SELF-SATISFYING Self`-sat"is*fy`ing, a.

Defn: Giving satisfaction to one's self.

SELF-SEEKER Self"-seek`er, n.

Defn: One who seeks only his own interest, advantage, or pleasure.

SELF-SEEKING Self"-seek`ing, a.

Defn: Seeking one's own interest or happiness; selfish. Arbuthnot.

SELF-SEEKING Self"-seek`ing, n.

Defn: The act or habit of seeking one's own interest or happiness; selfishness.

SELF-SLAUGHTER Self`-slaugh"ter, n.

Defn: Suicide. Shak.

SELF-STARTER Self`-start"er, n.

Defn: A mechanism (usually one operated by electricity, compressed air, a spring, or an explosive gas), attached to an internal- combustion engine, as on an automobile, and used as a means of starting the engine without cranking it by hand.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY Self`-suf*fi"cien*cy, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being self-sufficient.

SELF-SUFFICIENT Self`-suf*fi"cient, a.

1. Sufficient for one's self without external aid or coöperation. Neglect of friends can never be proved rational till we prove the person using it omnipotent and self-sufficient, and such as can never need any mortal assistance. South.

2. Having an overweening confidence in one's own abilities or worth; hence, haughty; overbearing. "A rash and self-sufficient manner." I. Watts.

SELF-SUFFICING Self`-suf*fi"cing, a.

Defn: Sufficing for one's self or for itself, without needing external aid; self-sufficient. -- Self`-suf*fi"cing*ness, n. J. C. Shairp.

SELF-SUSPENDED Self`-sus*pend"ed, a.

Defn: Suspended by one's self or by itself; balanced. Southey.

SELF-SUSPICIOUS Self`-sus*pi"cious, a.

Defn: Suspicious or distrustful of one's self. Baxter.

SELF-TAUGHT Self"-taught`, a.

Defn: Taught by one's own efforts.

SELF-TORMENTOR Self`-tor*ment"or, n.

Defn: One who torments himself.

SELF-TORTURE Self`-tor"ture, n.

Defn: The act of inflicting pain on one's self; pain inflicted on one's self.

SELF-TRUST Self"-trust`, n.

Defn: Faith in one's self; self-reliance.

SELF-UNED Self`-uned", a. Etym: [E. self + L. unus one.]

Defn: One with itself; separate from others. [Obs.] Sylvester.

SELF-VIEW Self"-view`, n.

Defn: A view if one's self; specifically, carefulness or regard for one's own interests

SELF-WILL Self`-will", n. Etym: [AS. selfwill.]

Defn: One's own will, esp. when opposed to that of others; obstinacy.

SELF-WILLED Self`-willed", a.

Defn: Governed by one's own will; not yielding to the wishes of others; obstinate.

SELF-WILLEDNESS Self`-willed"ness, n.

Defn: Obstinacy. Sir W. Scott.

SELF-WORSHIP Self"-wor`ship, n.

Defn: The idolizing of one's self; immoderate self-conceit.

SELF-WRONG Self"-wrong`, n.

Defn: Wrong done by a person himself. Shak.

SELION Sel"ion, n. Etym: [OF. seillon a measure of land, F. sillon a ridge, furrow, LL. selio a measure of land.]

Defn: A short piece of land in arable ridges and furrows, of uncertain quantity; also, a ridge of land lying between two furrows. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SELJUKIAN Sel*juk"i*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Seljuk, a Tartar chief who embraced Mohammedanism, and began the subjection of Western Asia to that faith and rule; of or pertaining to the dynasty founded by him, or the empire maintained by his descendants from the 10th to the 13th century. J. H. Newman.

SELJUKIAN; SELJUCKIAN Sel*juk"i*an, Sel*juck"i*an, n.

Defn: A member of the family of Seljuk; an adherent of that family, or subject of its government; (pl.) the dynasty of Turkish sultans sprung from Seljuk.

SELL Sell, n.

Defn: Self. [Obs. or Scot.] B. Jonson.

SELL Sell, n.

Defn: A sill. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SELL Sell, n.

Defn: A cell; a house. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SELL Sell, n. Etym: [F. selle, L. sella, akin to sedere to sit. See Sit.]

1. A saddle for a horse. [Obs.] He left his lofty steed with golden self. Spenser.

2. A throne or lofty seat. [Obs.] Fairfax.

SELL Sell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sold; p. pr. & vb. n. Selling.] Etym: [OE. sellen, sillen, AS. sellan, syllan, to give, to deliver; akin to OS. sellian, OFries. sella, OHG. sellen, Icel. selja to hand over, to sell, Sw. sälja to sell, Dan. s, Goth. saljan to offer a sacrifice; all from a noun akin to E. sale. Cf. Sale.]

1. To transfer to another for an equivalent; to give up for a valuable consideration; to dispose of in return for something, especially for money. If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor. Matt. xix. 21. I am changed; I'll go sell all my land. Shak.

Note: Sell is corellative to buy, as one party buys what the other sells. It is distinguished usually from exchange or barter, in which one commodity is given for another; whereas in selling the consideration is usually money, or its representative in current notes.

2. To make a matter of bargain and sale of; to accept a price or reward for, as for a breach of duty, trust, or the like; to betray. You would have sold your king to slaughter. Shak.

3. To impose upon; to trick; to deceive; to make a fool of; to cheat. [Slang] Dickens. To sell one's life dearly, to cause much loss to those who take one's life, as by killing a number of one's assailants. -- To sell (anything) out, to dispose of it wholly or entirely; as, he had sold out his corn, or his interest in a business.

SELL Sell, v. i.

1. To practice selling commodities. I will buy with you, sell with you; . . . but I will not eat with you. Shak.

2. To be sold; as, corn sells at a good price. To sell out, to sell one's whole stockk in trade or one's entire interest in a property or a business.

SELL Sell, n.

Defn: An imposition; a cheat; a hoax. [Colloq.]

SELLANDERS; SELLENDERS Sel"lan*ders, Sel"len*ders, n. pl. (Far.)

Defn: See Sallenders.

SELLER Sell"er, n.

Defn: One who sells. Chaucer.

SELTERS WATER Sel"ters wa"ter.

Defn: A mineral water from Sellers, in the district of Nassan, Germany, containing much free carbonic acid.

SELTZER WATER Selt"zer wa"ter.

Defn: See Selters water.

SELTZO-GENE Selt"zo-gene, n. Etym: [Seltzer water + the root of Gr.

Defn: A gazogene.

SELVAGE; SELVEDGE Sel"vage, Sel"vedge, n. Etym: [Self + edge, i. e., its own proper edge; cf. OD. selfegge.]

1. The edge of cloth which is woven in such a manner as to prevent raveling.

2. The edge plate of a lock, through which the bolt passes. Knight.

3. (Mining.)

Defn: A layer of clay or decomposed rock along the wall of a vein. See Gouge, n., 4. Raymond.

SELVAGED; SELVEDGED Sel"vaged, Sel"vedged, a.

Defn: Having a selvage.

SELVAGEE Sel`va*gee", n. (Naut.)

Defn: A skein or hank of rope yarns wound round with yarns or marline, -- used for stoppers, straps, etc.

SELVE Selve, a.

Defn: Self; same. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SELVES Selves, n.,

Defn: pl. of Self.

SELY Se"ly, a.

Defn: Silly. [Obs.] Chaucer. Wyclif.

SEMAEOSTOMATA Se*mæ`o*stom"a*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of Discophora having large free mouth lobes. It includes Aurelia, and Pelagia. Called also Semeostoma. See Illustr. under Discophora, and Medusa.

SEMAPHORE Sem"a*phore, n. Etym: [Gr. sémaphore.]

Defn: A signal telegraph; an apparatus for giving signals by the disposition of lanterns, flags, oscillating arms, etc.

SEMAPHORIC; SEMAPHORICAL Sem`a*phor"ic, Sem`a*phor"ic*al a. Etym: [Cf. F. sémaphorique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a semaphore, or semaphores; telegraphic.

SEMAPHORICALLY Sem`a*phor"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: By means a semaphore.

SEMAPHORIST Se*maph"o*rist, n.

Defn: One who manages or operates a semaphore.

SEMASIOLOGY Se*ma`si*ol"o*gy, n. [Gr. signification + -logy.] (Philol.)

Defn: The science of meanings or sense development (of words); the explanation of the development and changes of the meanings of words. --Se*ma`si*o*log"ic*al (#), a.

SEMATIC Se*mat"ic, a. [Gr. , , sign, token.]

Defn: Significant; ominous; serving as a warning of danger; --applied esp. to the warning colors or forms of certain animals.

SEMATOLOGY Sem`a*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: The doctrine of signs as the expression of thought or reasoning; the science of indicating thought by signs. Smart.

SEMATROPE Sem"a*trope, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: An instrument for signaling by reflecting the rays of the sun in different directions. Knight.

SEMBLABLE Sem"bla*ble, a. Etym: [F., from sembler to seem, resemble, L. similare, simulare. See Simulate.]

Defn: Like; similar; resembling. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SEMBLABLE Sem"bla*ble, n.

Defn: Likeness; representation. [Obs.]

SEMBLABLY Sem"bla*bly, adv.

Defn: In like manner. [Obs.] Shak.

SEMBLANCE Sem"blance, n. Etym: [F. See Semblable, a.]

1. Seeming; appearance; show; figure; form. Thier semblance kind, and mild their gestures were. Fairfax.

2. Likeness; resemblance, actual or apparent; similitude; as, the semblance of worth; semblance of virtue. Only semblances or imitations of shells. Woodward.

SEMBLANT Sem"blant, a. Etym: [F. semblant, p. pr.]

1. Like; resembling. [Obs.] Prior.

2. Seeming, rather than real; apparent. [R.] Carlyle.

SEMBLANT Sem"blant, n. Etym: [F.]

1. Show; appearance; figure; semblance. [Obs.] Spenser. His flatterers made semblant of weeping. Chaucer.

2. The face. [Obs.] Wyclif (Luke xxiv. 5).

SEMBLATIVE Sem"bla*tive, a.

Defn: Resembling. [Obs.] And all is semblative a woman's part. Shak.

SEMBLE Sem"ble, v. i. Etym: [F. sembler. See Semblable, a.]

1. To imitate; to make a representation or likeness. [Obs.] Where sembling art may carve the fair effect. Prior.

2. (Law)

Defn: It seems; -- chiefly used impersonally in reports and judgments to express an opinion in reference to the law on some point not necessary to be decided, and not intended to be definitely settled in the cause.

SEMBLE Sem"ble, a.

Defn: Like; resembling. [Obs.] T. Hudson.

SEMBLING Sem"bling, n. Etym: [Cf. Assemble.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The practice of attracting the males of Lepidoptera or other insects by exposing the female confined in a cage.

Note: It is often adopted by collectors in order to procure specimens of rare species.

SEME Se*mé", a. Etym: [F. semé, fr. semer to sow.] (Her.)

Defn: Sprinkled or sown; -- said of field, or a charge, when strewed or covered with small charges.

SEMEIOGRAPHY; SEMIOGRAPHY Se`mei*og"ra*phy, or; Se`mi*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. shmei^on sign + -graphy.] (Med.)

Defn: A description of the signs of disease.

SEMEIOLOGICAL; SEMIOLOGIOAL Se`mei*o*log"ic*al, or; Se`mi*o*log"io*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the science of signs, or the systematic use of signs; as, a semeiological classification of the signs or symptoms of disease; a semeiological arrangement of signs used as signals.

SEMEIOLOGY; SEMIOLOGY Se`mei*ol"o*gy, or Se`mi*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. shmei^on a mark, a sign + -logy.]

Defn: The science or art of signs. Specifically: (a) (Med.) The science of the signs or symptoms of disease; symptomatology. (b) The art of using signs in signaling.

SEMEIOTIC; SEMIOTIC Se`mei*ot"ic, or Se`mi*ot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. shmei^on a mark, a sign.]

1. Relating to signs or indications; pertaining to the language of signs, or to language generally as indicating thought.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the signs or symptoms of diseases.

SEMEIOTICS; SEMIOTICS Se`mei*ot"ics, or Se`mi*ot"ics, n.

Defn: Semeiology.

SEMELE Sem"e*le, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Gr. Myth.)

Defn: A daughter of Cadmus, and by Zeus mother of Bacchus.

SEMEN Se"men, n.; pl. Semina. Etym: [L., from the root of serere, satum, to sow. See Sow to scatter seed.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: The seed of plants.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The seed or fecundating fluid of male animals; sperm. It is a white or whitish viscid fluid secreted by the testes, characterized by the presence of spermatozoids to which it owes its generative power. Semen contra, or Semen cinæ or cynæ, a strong aromatic, bitter drug, imported from Aleppo and Barbary, said to consist of the leaves, peduncles, and unexpanded flowers of various species of Artemisia; wormseed.

SEMENIFEROUS Sem`e*nif"er*ous, a. (Biol.)

Defn: Seminiferous.

SEMESTER Se*mes"ter, n. Etym: [G., from L. semestris half-yearly; sex six + mensis a month.]

Defn: A period of six months; especially, a term in a college or uneversity which divides the year into two terms.

SEMI- Sem"i-. Etym: [L. semi; akin to Gr. sami-, AS. sam-, and prob. to E. same, from the division into two parts of the same size. Cf. Hemi-, Sandelend.]

Defn: A prefix signifying half, and sometimes partly or imperfectly; as, semiannual, half yearly; semitransparent, imperfectly transparent.

Note: The prefix semi is joined to another word either with the hyphen or without it. In this book the hyphen is omitted except before a capital letter; as, semiacid, semiaquatic, semi-Arian, semiaxis, semicalcareous.

SEMIACID Sem`i*ac"id, a.

Defn: Slightly acid; subacid.

SEMIACIDIFIED Sem`i*a*cid"i*fied, a.

Defn: Half acidified.

SEMIADHERENT Sem`i*ad*her"ent, a.

Defn: Adherent part way.

SEMIAMPLEXICAUL Sem`i*am*plex"i*caul, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Partially amplexicaul; embracing the stem half round, as a leaf.

SEMIANGLE Sem"i*an`gle, n. (Geom.)

Defn: The half of a given, or measuring, angle.

SEMIANNUAL Sem`i*an"nu*al, a.

Defn: Half-yearly.

SEMIANNUALLY Sem`i*an"nu*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Every half year.

SEMIANNULAR Sem`i*an"nu*lar, a.

Defn: Having the figure of a half circle; forming a semicircle. Grew.

SEMI-ARIAN Sem`i-A"ri*an, n. Etym: [See Arian.] (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: A member of a branch of the Arians which did not acknowledge the Son to be consubstantial with the Father, that is, of the same substance, but admitted him to be of a like substance with the Father, not by nature, but by a peculiar privilege.

SEMI-ARIAN Sem"i-A"ri*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Semi-Arianism.

SEMI-ARIANISM Sem`i-A"ri*an*ism, n.

Defn: The doctrines or tenets of the Semi-Arians.

SEMIAXIS Sem`i*ax"is, n. (Geom.)

Defn: One half of the axis of an

SEMIBARBARIAN Sem`i*bar*ba"ri*an, a.

Defn: Half barbarous; partially civilized. -- n.

Defn: One partly civilized.

SEMIBARBARIC Sem`i*bar*bar"ic, a.

Defn: Half barbarous or uncivilized; as, semibarbaric display.

SEMIBARBARISM Sem`i*bar"ba*rism, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being half barbarous or uncivilized.

SEMIBARBAROUS Sem`i*bar"ba*rous, a.

Defn: Half barbarous.

SEMIBREVE Sem"i*breve`, n. Etym: [Pref. semi- + breve: cf. F. semi-breve, It. semibreve.] [Formerly written semibref.] (Mus.)

Defn: A note of half the time or duration of the breve; -- now usually called a whole note. It is the longest note in general use.

SEMIBRIEF Sem"i*brief`, n. (Mus.)

Defn: A semibreve. [R.]

SEMIBULL Sem"i*bull`, n. (R.C.Ch.)

Defn: A bull issued by a pope in the period between his election and coronation.

SEMICALCAREOUS Sem`i*cal*ca"re*ous, a.

Defn: Half or partially calcareous; as, a semicalcareous plant.

SEMICALCINED Sem`i*cal*cined", a.

Defn: Half calcined; as, semicalcined iron.

SEMICASTRATE Sem`i*cas"trate, v. t.

Defn: To deprive of one testicle. -- Sem`i*cas*tra"tion,n.

SEMICENTENNIAL Sem`i*cen*ten"ni*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to half of a century, or a period of fifty years; as, a semicentennial commemoration.

SEMICENTENNIAL Sem`i*cen*ten"ni*al, n.

Defn: A fiftieth anniversary.

SEMICHAOTIC Sem`i*cha*ot"ic, a.

Defn: Partially chaotic.

SEMICHORUS Sem"i*cho`rus, n. (Mus.)

Defn: A half chorus; a passage to be sung by a selected portion of the voices, as the female voices only, in contrast with the full choir.

SEMI-CHRISTIANIZED Sem`i-Chris"tian*ized, a.

Defn: Half Christianized.

SEMICIRCLE Sem"i*cir`cle, n.

1. (a) The half of a circle; the part of a circle bounded by its diameter and half of its circumference. (b) A semicircumference.

2. A body in the form of half of a circle, or half of a circumference.

3. An instrument for measuring angles.

SEMICIRCLED Sem"i*cir`cled, a.

Defn: Semicircular. Shak.

SEMICIRCULAR Sem`i*cir"cu*lar, a.

Defn: Having the form of half of a circle. Addison. Semicircular canals (Anat.), certain canals of the inner ear. See under Ear.

SEMI CIRCUMFERENCE Sem`i cir*cum"fer*ence, n.

Defn: Half of a circumference.

SEMICIRQUE Sem"i*cirque, n.

Defn: A semicircular hollow or opening among trees or hills. Wordsworth.

SEMICOLON Sem"i*co`lon, n.

Defn: The punctuation mark [;] indicating a separation between parts or members of a sentence more distinct than that marked by a comma.

SEMICOLUMN Sem"i*col`umn, n.

Defn: A half column; a column bisected longitudinally, or along its axis.

SEMICOLUMNAR Sem`i*co*lum"nar, a.

Defn: Like a semicolumn; flat on one side and round on the other; imperfectly columnar.

SEMICOMPACT Sem`i*com*pact", a.

Defn: Half compact; imperfectly indurated.

SEMICONSCIOUS Sem`i*con"scious, a.

Defn: Half conscious; imperfectly conscious. De Quincey.

SEMICOPE Sem"i*cope`, n.

Defn: A short cope, or an inferier kind of cope. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SEMI CRUSTACEOUS Sem`i crus*ta"ceous, a.

Defn: Half crustaceous; partially crustaceous.

SEMICRYSTALLINE Sem`i*crys"tal*line, a. (Min.)

Defn: Half crystalline; -- said of certain cruptive rocks composed partly of crystalline, partly of amorphous matter.

SEMICUBICAL Sem`i*cu"bic*al, a. (Math.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the square root of the cube of a quantity. Semicubical parabola, a curve in which the ordinates are proportional to the square roots of the cubes of the abscissas.

SEMICUBIUM; SEMICUPIUM Sem`i*cu"bi*um, Sem`i*cu"pi*um, n. Etym: [LL., fr. L. semi half + cupa tub, cask.]

Defn: A half bath, or one that covers only the lewer extremities and the hips; a sitz-bath; a half bath, or hip bath.

SEMICYLINDRIC; SEMICYLYNDRICAL Sem`i*cy*lin"dric, Sem`i*cy*lyn"dric*al a.

Defn: Half cylindrical.

SEMIDEISTICAL Sem`i*de*is"tic*al, a.

Defn: Half deisticsl; bordering on deism. S. Miller.

SEMIDEMIQUAVER Sem`i*dem"i*qua`ver, n. (Mus.)

Defn: A demisemiquaver; a thirty-second note.

SEMIDETACHED Sem`i*de*tached", a.

Defn: Half detached; partly distinct or separate. Semidetached house, one of two tenements under a single roof, but separated by a party wall. [Eng.]

SEMIDIAMETER Sem`i*di*am"e*ter, n. (Math.)

Defn: Half of a diameter; a right line, or the length of a right line, drawn from the center of a circle, a sphere, or other curved figure, to its circumference or periphery; a radius.

SEMIDIAPASON Sem`i*di`a*pa"son, n. (Mus.)

Defn: An imperfect octave.

SEMIDIAPENTE Sem`i*di`a*pen"te, n. (Mus.)

Defn: An imperfect or diminished fifth. Busby.

SEMIDIAPHANEITY Sem`i*di`a*pha*ne"i*ty, n.

Defn: Half or imperfect transparency; translucency. [R.] Boyle.

SEMIDIAPHANOUS Sem`i*di*aph"a*nous, a.

Defn: Half or imperfectly transparent; translucent. Woodward.

SEMIDIATESSARON Sem`i*di`a*tes"sa*ron, n. (Mus.)

Defn: An imperfect or diminished fourth. [R.]

SEMI-DIESEL Sem`i-Die"sel, a.

Defn: Designating an internal-combustion engine of a type resembling the Diesel engine in using as fuel heavy oil which is injected in a spray just before the end of the compression stroke and is fired without electrical ignition. The fuel is sprayed into an iron box (called a hot bulb or hot pot) opening into the combustion chamber, and heated for ignition by a blast-lamp until the engine is running, when it is, ordinarily, kept red hot by the heat of combustion.

SEMIDITONE Sem`i*di"tone`, n. Etym: [Pref. semi- + ditone: cf. It. semiditono. Cf. Hemiditone.] (Gr. Mus.)

Defn: A lesser third, having its terms as 6 to 5; a hemiditone. [R.]

SEMIDIURNAL Sem`i*di*ur"nal, a.

1. Pertaining to, or accomplished in, half a day, or twelve hours; occurring twice every day.

2. Pertaining to, or traversed in, six hours, or in half the time between the rising and setting of a heavenly body; as, a semidiurnal arc.

SEMIDOME Sem"i*dome`, n. (Arch.)

Defn: A roof or ceiling covering a semicircular room or recess, or one of nearly that shape, as the apse of a church, a niche, or the like. It is approximately the quarter of a hollow sphere.

SEMIDOUBLE Sem"i*dou`ble, n. (Eccl.)

Defn: An office or feast celebrated with less solemnity than the double ones. See Double, n., 8.

SEMIDOUBLE Sem`i*dou"ble, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having the outermost stamens converted into petals, while the inner ones remain perfect; -- said of a flower.

SEMIFABLE Sem"i*fa`ble, n.

Defn: That which is part fable and part truth; a mixture of truth and fable. De Quincey.

SEMIFLEXED Sem"i*flexed`, a.

Defn: Half bent.

SEMIFLORET Sem"i*flo`ret, n. (Bot.)

Defn: See Semifloscule.

SEMIFLOSCULAR Sem`i*flos"cu*lar, a.

Defn: Semiflosculous.

SEMIFLOSCULE Sem"i*flos`cule, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A floscule, or florest, with its corolla prolonged into a strap-shaped petal; -- called also semifloret.

SEMIFLOSCULOUS Sem`i*flos"cu*lous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having all the florets ligulate, as in the dandelion.

SEMIFLUID Sem`i*flu"id, a.

Defn: Imperfectly fluid. -- n.

Defn: A semifluid substance.

SEMIFORM Sem"i*form`, n.

Defn: A half form; an imperfect form.

SEMIFORMED Sem"i*formed`, a.

Defn: Half formed; imperfectly formed; as, semiformed crystals.

SEMIGLUTIN Sem`i*glu"tin, n. (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A peptonelike body, insoluble in alcohol, formed by boiling collagen or gelatin for a long time in water. Hemicollin, a like body, is also formed at the same time, and differs from semiglutin by being partly soluble in alcohol.

SEMIHISTORICAL Sem`i*his*tor"i*cal, a.

Defn: Half or party historical. Sir G. C. Lewis.

SEMIHORAL Sem`i*ho"ral, a.

Defn: Half-hourly.

SEMIINDURATED Sem`i*in"du*ra`ted, a.

Defn: Imperfectly indurated or hardened.

SEMILAPIDIFIED Sem`i*la*pid"i*fied, a.

Defn: Imperfectly changed into stone. Kirwan.

SEMILENS Sem"i*lens`, n. (Opt.)

Defn: The half of a lens divided along a plane passing through its axis.

SEMILENTICULAR Sem`i*len*tic"u*lar, a.

Defn: Half lenticular or convex; imperfectly resembling a lens. Kirwan.

SEMILIGNEOUS Sem`i*lig"ne*ous, a.

Defn: Half or partially ligneous, as a stem partly woody and partly herbaceous.

SEMILIQUID Sem`i*liq"uid, a.

Defn: Half liquid; semifluid.

SEMILIQUIDITY Sem`i*li*quid"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being semiliquid; partial liquidity.

SEMILOGICAL Sem`i*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Half logical; partly logical; said of fallacies. Whately.

SEMILOR Sem"i*lor, n. Etym: [Cf. G. similor, semilor.]

Defn: A yellowish alloy of copper and zinc. See Simplor.

SEMILUNAR Sem`i*lu"nar, a.

Defn: Shaped like a half moon. Semilunar bone (Anat.), a bone of the carpus; the lunar. See Lunar, n. -- Semilunar, or Sigmoid, valves (Anat.), the valves at the beginning of the aorta and of the pulmonary artery which prevent the blood from flowing back into the ventricle.

SEMILUNAR Sem`i*lu"nar, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The semilunar bone.

SEMILUNARY Sem`i*lu"na*ry, a.

Defn: Semilunar.

SEMILUNATE Sem`i*lu"nate, a.

Defn: Semilunar.

SEMILUNE Sem"i*lune`, n. (Geom.)

Defn: The half of a lune.

SEMIMETAL Sem"i*met`al, n. (Chem.)

Defn: An element possessing metallic properties in an inferior degree and not malleable, as arsenic, antimony, bismuth, molybdenum, uranium, etc. [Obs.]

SEMIMETALLIC Sem`i*me*tal"lic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a semimetal; possessing metallic properties in an inferior degree; resembling metal.

SEMIMONTHLY Sem`i*month"ly a.

Defn: Coming or made twice in a month; as, semimonthly magazine; a semimonthly payment. -- n.

Defn: Something done or made every half month; esp., a semimonthly periodical. -- adv.

Defn: In a semimonthly manner; at intervals of half a month.

SEMIMUTE Sem`i*mute", a.

Defn: Having the faculty of speech but imperfectly developed or partially lost.

SEMIMUTE Sem"i*mute`, n.

Defn: A semimute person.

SEMINAL Sem"i*nal, a. Etym: [L. seminalis, fr. semen, seminis, seed, akin to serere to sow: cf. F. seminal. See Sow to scatter seed.]

1. Pertaining to, containing, or consisting of, seed or semen; as, the seminal fluid.

2. Contained in seed; holding the relation of seed, source, or first principle; holding the first place in a series of developed results or consequents; germinal; radical; primary; original; as, seminal principles of generation; seminal virtue. The idea of God is, beyond all question or comparison, the one great seminal principle. Hare. Seminal leaf (Bot.), a seed leaf, or cotyleden. -- Seminal receptacle. (Zoöl.) Same as Spermatheca.

SEMINAL Sem"i*nal, n.

Defn: A seed. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SEMINALITY Sem`i*nal"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being seminal. Sir T. Browne.

SEMINAR Sem`i*nar", n. [G. See Seminary, n.]

Defn: A group of students engaged, under the guidance of an instructor, in original research in a particular line of study, and in the exposition of the results by theses, lectures, etc.; -- called also seminary.

SEMINARIAN; SEMINARIST Sem`i*na"ri*an, Sem"i*na*rist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. séminariste.]

Defn: A member of, or one educated in, a seminary; specifically, an ecclesiastic educated for the priesthood in a seminary.

SEMINARY Sem"i*na*ry, n.; pl. Seminaries. Etym: [L. seminarium, fr. seminarius belonging to seed, fr. semon, seminis, seed. See Seminal.]

1. A piece of ground where seed is sown for producing plants for transplantation; a nursery; a seed plat. [Obs.] Mortimer. But if you draw them [seedling] only for the thinning of your seminary, prick them into some empty beds. Evelyn.

2. Hence, the place or original stock whence anything is brought or produced. [Obs.] Woodward.

3. A place of education, as a scool of a high grade, an academy, college, or university.

4. Seminal state. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

5. Fig.: A seed bed; a source. [Obs.] Harvey.

6. A Roman Catholic priest educated in a foreign seminary; a seminarist. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

SEMINARY Sem"i*na*ry, a. Etym: [L. seminarius.]

Defn: Belonging to seed; seminal. [R.]

SEMINATE Sem"i*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seminated; p. pr. & vb. n. Seminating.] Etym: [L. seminatus, p. p. of seminare to sow, fr. semen, seminis, seed.]

Defn: To sow; to spread; to propagate. [R.] Waterhouse.

SEMINATION Sem`i*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. seminatio: cf. F. sémination.]

1. The act of sowing or spreading. [R.]

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Natural dispersion of seeds. Martyn.

SEMINED Sem"ined, a. Etym: [See Semen.]

Defn: Thickly covered or sown, as with seeds. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SEMINIFEROUS Sem`i*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. semen, semenis, seed -ferous.] (Biol.)

Defn: Seed-bearing; producing seed; pertaining to, or connected with, the formation of semen; as, seminiferous cells or vesicles.

SEMINIFIC; SEMINIFICAL Sem`i*nif"ic, Sem`i*nif"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. semen, seminis, seed + facere to make.] (Biol.)

Defn: Forming or producing seed, or the male generative product of animals or of plants.

SEMINIFICATION Sem`i*ni*fi*ca"tion, n.

Defn: Propagation from seed. [R.] Sir M. Hale.

SEMINIST Sem"i*nist, n. (Biol.)

Defn: A believer in the old theory that the newly created being is formed by the admixture of the seed of the male with the supposed seed of the female.

SEMINOLES Sem"i*noles, n. pl.; sing. Seminole (. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A tribe of Indians who formerly occupied Florida, where some of them still remain. They belonged to the Creek Confideration.

SEMINOSE Sem"i*nose`, n. Etym: [L. semen seed + glucose.] (Chem.)

Defn: A carbohydrate of the glucose group found in the thickened endosperm of certain seeds, and extracted as yellow sirup having a sweetish-bitter taste.

SEMINUDE Sem`i*nude", a.

Defn: Partially nude; half naked.

SEMINYMPH Sem"i*nymph`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pupa of insects which undergo only a slight change in passing to the imago state.

SEMIOCCASIONALLY Sem`i*oc*ca"sion*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Once in a while; on rare occasions. [Colloq. U. S.]

SEMIOFFICIAL Sem`i*of*fi"cial, a.

Defn: Half official; having some official authority or importance; as, a semiofficial statement. -- Sem`i*of*fi"cial*ly, adv.

SEMIOGRAPHY; SEMIOLOGY; SEMIOLOGICAL Se`mi*og"ra*phy, Se`mi*ol"o*gy, Se`mi*o*log"ic*al.

Defn: Same as Semeiography, Semeiology, Semeiological.

SEMIOPACOUS Sem`i*o*pa"cous, a.

Defn: Semiopaque.

SEMIOPAL Sem"i*o`pal, n. (Min.)

Defn: A variety of opal not possessing opalescence.

SEMIOPAQUE Sem`i*o*paque", a.

Defn: Half opaque; only half transparent.

SEMIORBICULAR Sem`i*or*bic"u*lar, a.

Defn: Having the shape of a half orb or sphere.

SEMIOTIC Se`mi*ot"ic, a.

Defn: Same as Semeiotic.

SEMIOTICS Se`mi*ot"ics, n.

Defn: Same as Semeiotics.

SEMIOVAL Sem`i*o"val, a.

Defn: Half oval.

SEMIOVATE Sem`i*o"vate, a.

Defn: Half ovate.

SEMIOXYGENATED Sem`i*ox"y*gen*a`ted, a.

Defn: Combined with oxygen only in part. Kirwan.

SEMIPAGAN Sem`i*pa"gan, a.

Defn: Half pagan.

SEMIPALMATE; SEMIPALMATED Sem`i*pal"mate, Sem`i*pal"ma*ted, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the anterior toes joined only part way down with a web; half-webbed; as, a semipalmate bird or foot. See Illust. k under Aves.

SEMIPARABOLA Sem`i*pa*rab"o*la, n. (Geom.)

Defn: One branch of a parabola, being terminated at the principal vertex of the curve.

SEMIPED Sem"i*ped, n. Etym: [L. semipes, semipedis; pref. semi- half + pes, pedis, a foot.] (Pros.)

Defn: A half foot in poetry.

SEMIPEDAL Se*mip"e*dal, a. (Pres.)

Defn: Containing a half foot.

SEMI-PELAGIAN Sem`i-Pe*la"gi*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: A follower of John Cassianus, a French monk (died about 448), who modified the doctrines of Pelagius, by denying human merit, and maintaining the necessity of the Spirit's influence, while, on the other hand, he rejected the Augustinian doctrines of election, the inability of man to do good, and the certain perseverance of the saints.

SEMI-PELAGIAN Sem`i-Pe*la"gi*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Semi-Pelagians, or their tenets.

SEMI-PELAGIANISM Sem`i-Pe*la"gi*an*ism, n.

Defn: The doctrines or tenets of the Semi-Pelagians.

SEMIPELLUCID Sem`i*pel*lu"cid, a.

Defn: Half clear, or imperfectly transparent; as, a semipellucid gem.

SEMIPELLUCIDITY Sem`i*pel`lu*cid"i*ty, n.

Defn: The qualiti or state of being imperfectly transparent.

SEMIPENNIFORM Sem`i*pen"ni*form, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Half or partially penniform; as, a semipenniform muscle.

SEMIPERMANENT Sem`i*per"ma*nent, n.

Defn: Half or partly permanent.

SEMIPERSPICUOUS Sem`i*per*spic"u*ous, a.

Defn: Half transparent; imperfectly clear; semipellucid.

SEMIPHLOGISTICATED Sem`i*phlo*gis"ti*ca`ted, a. (Old Chem.)

Defn: Partially impregnated with phlogiston.

SEMIPLUME Sem"i*plume`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A feather which has a plumelike web, with the shaft of an ordinary feather.

SEMIPRECIOUS Sem`i*pre"cious, a.

Defn: Somewhat precious; as, semiprecious stones or metals.

SEMIPROOF Sem"i*proof`, n.

Defn: Half proof; evidence from the testimony of a single witness. [Obs.] Bailey.

SEMI PUPA Sem`i pu"pa, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The young of an insect in a stage between the larva and pupa.

SEMIQUADRATE; SEMIQUARTILE Sem"i*quad`rate, Sem"i*quar"tile, n. (Astrol.)

Defn: An aspect of the planets when distant from each other the half of a quadrant, or forty-five degrees, or one sign and a half. Hutton.

SEMIQUAVER Sem"i*qua`ver, n. (Mus.)

Defn: A note of half the duration of the quaver; -- now usually called a sixsteenth note.

SEMIQUINTILE Sem"i*quin`tile, n. (Astrol.)

Defn: An aspect of the planets when distant from each other half of the quintile, or thirty-six degrees.

SEMIRADIAL Sem`i*ra"di*al, a.

Defn: Half radial.

SEMIRADIAL ENGINE Semiradial engine. (Mach.)

Defn: See Radial engine, above.

SEMIRECONDITE Sem`i*rec"on*dite, a. (Zool.)

Defn: Half hidden or half covered; said of the head of an insect when half covered by the shield of the thorax.

SEMIRING Sem"i*ring`, n. (Anat.)

Defn: One of the incomplete rings of the upper part of the bronchial tubes of most birds. The semerings form an essential part of the syrinx, or musical organ, of singing birds.

SEMISAVAGE Sem`i*sav"age, a.

Defn: Half savage.

SEMISAVAGE Sem"i*sav`age, n.

Defn: One who is half savage.

SEMI-SAXON Sem`i-Sax"on, a.

Defn: Half Saxon; -- specifically applied to the language intermediate between Saxon and English, belonging to the period 1150- 1250.

SEMISEXTILE Sem"i*sex"tile, n. (Astrol.)

Defn: An aspect of the planets when they are distant from each other the twelfth part of a circle, or thirty degrees. Hutton.

SEMISOLID Sem`i*sol"id, a.

Defn: Partially solid.

SEMISOUN Sem"i*soun (-soon), n.

Defn: A half sound; a low tone. [Obs.] "Soft he cougheth with a semisoun." Chaucer.

SEMISPHERIC; SEMISPHERICAL Sem`i*spher"ic, Sem`i*spher"ic*al, a.

Defn: Having the figure of a half sphere. Kirwan.

SEMISPHEROIDAL Sem`i*sphe*roid"al, a.

Defn: Formed like a half spheroid.

SEMISTEEL Sem"i*steel` (, n.

Defn: Puddled steel. [U. S. ]

SEMITA Sem"i*ta, n.; pl. Semitæ. Etym: [L., a path.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A fasciole of a spatangoid sea urchin.

SEMITANGENT Sem"i*tan`gent, n. (Geom.)

Defn: The tangent of half an arc.

SEMITE Sem"ite, n.

Defn: One belonging to the Semitic race. Also used adjectively. [Written also Shemite.]

SEMITERETE Sem`i*te*rete", a. (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: Half terete.

SEMITERTIAN Sem`i*ter"tian, a. (Med.)

Defn: Having the characteristics of both a tertian and a quotidian intermittent. -- n.

Defn: An intermittent combining the characteristics of a tertian and a quotidian.

SEMITIC Sem*it"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Shem or his descendants; belonging to that division of the Caucasian race which includes the Arabs, Jews, and related races. [Written also Shemitic.] Semitic language, a name used to designate a group of Asiatic and African languages, some living and some dead, namely: Hebrew and Phoenician, Aramaic, Assyrian, Arabic, Ethiopic (Geez and Ampharic). Encyc. Brit.

SEMITISM Sem"i*tism, n.

Defn: A Semitic idiom; a word of Semitic origin. [Written also Shemitism.]

SEMITONE Sem"i*tone, n. Etym: [Pref. semi- + tone. CF. Hemitone.] (Mus.)

Defn: Half a tone; -- the name commonly applied to the smaller intervals of the diatonic scale.

Note: There is an impropriety in the use of this word, and half step is now preferred. See Tone. J. S. Dwight.

SEMITONIC Sem`i*ton"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a semitone; consisting of a semitone, or of semitones.

SEMITONTINE Sem`i*ton*tine", a. (LIfe Insurance)

Defn: Lit., half-tontine; -- used to designate a form of tontine life insurance. See Tontine insurance. --Sem`i*ton*tine", n.

SEMITRANSEPT Sem"i*tran`sept, n. (Arch.)

Defn: The half of a transept; as, the north semitransept of a church.

SEMITRANSLUCENT Sem`i*trans*lu"cent, a.

Defn: Slightly clear; transmitting light in a slight degree.

SEMITRANSPARENCY Sem`i*trans*par"en*cy, n.

Defn: Imperfect or partial transparency.

SEMITRANSPARENT Sem`i*trans*par"ent, a.

Defn: Half or imperfectly transparent.

SEMIVERTICILLATE Sem`i*ver*tic"il*late, ( a.

Defn: Partially verticillate.

SEMIVIF Sem"i*vif, a. Etym: [L. semivivus.]

Defn: Only half alive. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

SEMIVITREOUS Sem`i*vit"re*ous, a.

Defn: Partially vitreous.

SEMIVITRIFICATION Sem`i*vit"ri*fi*ca"tion, n.

1. The quality or state of being semivitrified.

2. A substance imperfectly vitrified.

SEMIVITRIFIED Sem`i*vit"ri*fied, a.

Defn: Half or imperfectly vitrified; partially converted into glass.

SEMIVOCAL Sem`i*vo"cal, a. (Phon.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a semivowel; half cocal; imperfectly sounding.

SEMIVOWEL Sem"i*vow`el, n. (Phon.) (a) A sound intermediate between a vowel and a consonant, or partaking of the nature of both, as in the English w and y. (b) The sign or letter representing such a sound.

SEMIWEEKLY Sem`i*week"ly, a.

Defn: Coming, or made, or done, once every half week; as, a semiweekly newspaper; a semiweekly trip. -- n.

Defn: That which comes or happens once every half week, esp. a semiweekly periodical. -- adv.

Defn: At intervals of half a week each.

SEMOLELLA Sem`o*lel"la, n. Etym: [It.]

Defn: See Semolina.

SEMOLINA Sem`o*li"na, n. Etym: [It. semolino, from semola bran, L. simila the finest wheat flour. Cf. Semoule, Simnel.]

Defn: The fine, hard parts of wheat, rounded by the attrition of the millstones, -- used in cookery.

SEMOLINO Sem`o*li"no, n. Etym: [It.]

Defn: Same as Semolina.

SEMOULE Se*moule", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Same as Semolina.

SEMPERVIRENT Sem`per*vi"rent, a. Etym: [L. semper always + virens, p. pr. of virere to be green.]

Defn: Always fresh; evergreen. [R.] Smart.

SEMPERVIVE Sem"per*vive, n. Etym: [L. semperviva, sempervivum, fr. sempervivus ever-living; semper always + vivus living.] (Bot.)

Defn: The houseleek.

SEMPERVIVUM Sem`per*vi"vum, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of fleshy-leaved plants, of which the houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) is the commonest species.

SEMPITERNAL Sem`pi*ter"nal, a. Etym: [L. sempiternus, fr. semper always: cf. F. sempiternel.]

1. Of neverending duration; everlasting; endless; having beginning, but no end. Sir M. Hale.

2. Without beginning or end; eternal. Blackmore.

SEMPITERNE Sem"pi*terne, a.

Defn: Sempiternal. [Obs.]

SEMPITERNITY Sem`pi*ter"ni*ty, n. Etym: [L. sempiternitas.]

Defn: Future duration without end; the relation or state of being sempiternal. Sir M. Hale.

SEMPRE Sem"pre, adv. Etym: [It., fr. L. semper.] (Mus.)

Defn: Always; throughout; as, sempre piano, always soft.

SEMPSTER Semp"ster, n.

Defn: A seamster. [Obs.]

SEMPSTRESS Semp"stress, n.

Defn: A seamstress. Two hundred sepstress were employed to make me shirts. Swift.

SEMPSTRESSY Semp"stress*y, n.

Defn: Seamstressy.

SEMSTER Sem"ster, n.

Defn: A seamster. [Obs.]

SEMUNCIA Se*mun"ci*a, n. Etym: [L., fr. semi half + uncia ounce.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: A Roman coin equivalent to one twenty-fourth part of a Roman pound.

SEN Sen, n.

Defn: A Japanese coin, worth about one half of a cent.

SEN Sen, adv., prep., & conj. Etym: [See Since.]

Defn: Since. [Obs.]

SENARY Sen"a*ry, a. Etym: [L. senarius, fr. seni six each, fr. sex six. See Six.]

Defn: Of six; belonging to six; containing six. Dr. H. More.

SENATE Sen"ate, n. Etym: [OE. senat, F. sénat, fr. L. senatus, fr. senex, gen. senis, old, an old man. See Senior, Sir.]

1. An assembly or council having the highest deliberative and legislative functions. Specifically: (a) (Anc. Rom.)

Defn: A body of elders appointed or elected from among the nobles of the nation, and having supreme legislative authority. The senate was thus the medium through which all affairs of the whole government had to pass. Dr. W. Smith.

(b) The upper and less numerous branch of a legislature in various countries, as in France, in the United States, in most of the separate States of the United States, and in some Swiss cantons. (c) In general, a legislative body; a state council; the legislative department of government.

2. The governing body of the Universities of Cambridge and London. [Eng.]

3. In some American colleges, a council of elected students, presided over by the president of the college, to which are referred cases of discipline and matters of general concern affecting the students. [U. S.] Senate chamber, a room where a senate meets when it transacts business. -- Senate house, a house where a senate meets when it transacts business.

SENATOR Sen"a*tor, n. Etym: [OE. senatour, OF. senatour, F. sénateur, fr. L. senator.]

1. A member of a senate. The duke and senators of Venice greet you. Shak.

Note: In the United States, each State sends two senators for a term of six years to the national Congress.

2. (O.Eng.Law)

Defn: A member of the king's council; a king's councilor. Burrill.

SENATORIAL Sen`a*to"ri*al, a. Etym: [F. sénatorial, or L. senatorius.]

1. Of or pertaining to a senator, or a senate; becoming to a senator, or a senate; as, senatorial duties; senatorial dignity.

2. Entitled to elect a senator, or by senators; as, the senatorial districts of a State. [U. S.]

SENATORIALLY Sen`a*to"ri*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a senatorial manner.

SENATORIAN Sen`a*to"ri*an, a.

Defn: Senatorial. [R.] De Quincey.

SENATORIOUS Sen`a*to"ri*ous, a.

Defn: Senatorial. [Obs.]

SENATORSHIP Sen"a*tor*ship, n.

Defn: The office or dignity of a senator. Carew.

SENATUSCONSULT Se*na`tus*con*sult", n. Etym: [L. senatus consultum.]

Defn: A decree of the Roman senate.

SEND Send, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sent (; p. pr. & vb. n. Sending.] Etym: [AS. sendan; akin to OS. sendian, D. zenden, G. senden, OHG. senten, Icel. senda, Sw. sända, Dan. sende, Goth. sandjan, and to Goth. sinp a time (properly, a going), gasinpa companion, OHG. sind journey, AS. si, Icel. sinni a walk, journey, a time. W. hynt a way, journey, OIr. s. Cf. Sense.]

1. To cause to go in any manner; to dispatch; to commission or direct to go; as, to send a messenger. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. Jer. xxiii. 21. I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. John viii. 42. Servants, sent on messages, stay out somewhat longer than the message requires. Swift.

2. To give motion to; to cause to be borne or carried; to procure the going, transmission, or delivery of; as, to send a message. He . . . sent letters by posts on horseback. Esther viii. 10. O send out thy light an thy truth; let them lead me. Ps. xliii. 3.

3. To emit; to impel; to cast; to throw; to hurl; as, to send a ball, an arrow, or the like.

4. To cause to be or to happen; to bestow; to inflict; to grant; -- sometimes followed by a dependent proposition. "God send him well!" Shak. The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke. Deut. xxviii. 20. And sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matt. v. 45. God send your mission may bring back peace. Sir W. Scott.

SEND Send, v. i.

1. To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message, or to do an errand. See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away my head 2 Kings vi. 32.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: To pitch; as, the ship sends forward so violently as to endanger her masts. Totten. To send for, to request or require by message to come or be brought.

SEND Send, n. (Naut.)

Defn: The impulse of a wave by which a vessel is carried bodily. [Written also scend.] W. C. Russell. "The send of the sea". Longfellow.

SENDAL Sen"dal, n. Etym: [OF. cendal (cf. Pr. & Sp. cendal, It. zendale), LL. cendallum, Gr.

Defn: A light thin stuff of silk. [Written also cendal, and sendal.] Chaucer. Wore she not a veil of twisted sendal embroidered with silver Sir W. Scott.

SENDER Send"er, n.

Defn: One who sends. Shak.

SENECAS Sen"e*cas, n. pl.; sing. Seneca (. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited a part of Western New York. This tribe was the most numerous and most warlike of the Five Nations. Seneca grass(Bot.), holy grass. See under Holy. -- Seneca eil, petroleum or naphtha. -- Seneca root, or Seneca snakeroot (Bot.), the rootstock of an American species of milkworth (Polygala Senega) having an aromatic but bitter taste. It is often used medicinally as an expectorant and diuretic, and, in large doses, as an emetic and cathartic. [Written also Senega root, and Seneka root.]

SENECIO Se*ne"ci*o, n. Etym: [L., groundsel, lit., an old man. So called in allusion to the hoary appearance of the pappus.] (Bot.)

Defn: A very large genus of composite plants including the groundsel and the golden ragwort.

SENECTITUDE Se*nec"ti*tude, n. Etym: [L. senectus aged, old age, senex old.]

Defn: Old age. [R.] "Senectitude, weary of its toils." H. Miller.

SENEGA Sen"e*ga, n. (Med.)

Defn: Seneca root.

SENEGAL Sen"e*gal, n.

Defn: Gum senegal. See under Gum.

SENEGIN Sen"e*gin, n. (Med. Chem.)

Defn: A substance extracted from the rootstock of the Polygala Senega (Seneca root), and probably identical with polygalic acid.

SENESCENCE Se*nes"cence, n. Etym: [See Senescent.]

Defn: The state of growing old; decay by time.

SENESCENT Se*nes"cent, a. Etym: [L. senescent, p. pr. of senescere to grow old, incho. fr. senere to be old.]

Defn: Growing old; decaying with the lapse of time. "The night was senescent." Poe. "With too senescent air." Lowell.

SENESCHAL Sen"es*chal, n. Etym: [OF. seneschal, LL. seniscalcus, of Teutonic origin; cf. Goth. sineigs old, skalks, OHG. scalch, AS. scealc. Cf. Senior, Marshal.]

Defn: An officer in the houses of princes and dignitaries, in the Middle Ages, who had the superintendence of feasts and domestic ceremonies; a steward. Sometimes the seneschal had the dispensing of justice, and was given high military commands. Then marshaled feast Served up in hall with sewers and seneschale. Milton. Philip Augustus, by a famous ordinance in 1190, first established royal courts of justice, held by the officers called baitiffs, or seneschals, who acted as the king's lieutenants in his demains. Hallam.

SENESCHALSHIP Sen"es*chal*ship, n.

Defn: The office, dignity, or jurisdiction of a seneschal.

SENGE Senge, v. t.

Defn: To singe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SENGREEN Sen"green, n.Etym: [AS. singr, properly, evergreen, fr. sin (in composition) always + grëne green; akin to OHG. sin- ever, L. semper.] (Bot.)

Defn: The houseleek.

SENILE Se"nile, a. Etym: [L. senilis, from senex, gen. senis, old, an old man: cf. F. sénile. See Senior.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to old age; proceeding from, or characteristic of, old age; affected with the infirmities of old age; as, senile weakness. "Senile maturity of judgment." Boyle. Senile gangrene (Med.), a form of gangrene occuring particularly in old people, and caused usually by insufficient blood supply due to degeneration of the walls of the smaller arteries.

SENILITY Se*nil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sénilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being senile; old age.

SENIOR Sen"ior, a. Etym: [L. senior, compar. of senex, gen. senis, old. See Sir.]

1. More advanced than another in age; prior in age; elder; hence, more advanced in dignity, rank, or office; superior; as, senior member; senior counsel.

2. Belonging to the final year of the regular course in American colleges, or in professional schools.

SENIOR Sen"ior, n.

1. A person who is older than another; one more advanced in life.

2. One older in office, or whose entrance upon office was anterior to that of another; one prior in grade.

3. An aged person; an older. Dryden. Each village senior paused to scan, And speak the lovely caravan. Emerson.

4. One in the fourth or final year of his collegiate course at an American college; -- originally called senior sophister; also, one in the last year of the course at a professional schools or at a seminary.

SENIORITY Sen*ior"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being senior.

SENIORIZE Sen"ior*ize, v. i.

Defn: To exercise authority; to rule; to lord it. [R.] Fairfax.